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Garry's Mod catches pirates the fun way
He received a few comments, mostly jokes, but a quick look at Google suggests that there are indeed a few people who are experiencing problems with their game.
A serious moment from Garry's Mod
...you can hear Newman's chuckling from here. Not the normal response to a wide-spread bug report, but this is no normal bug. It seems that the developer has deliberately enabled an error in GMod, which will only affect people who have pirated the game.
People started discussing the error on the game's own forums, wondering why their game simply wouldn't work:
Problem:
I need help with my garrys mod. Everytime I launch Garrys Mod, it starts up then about 5 seconds later after it is done loading, it crashed with the
Engine Error:Unable to shade polygon normals(#################)
Not long after posting the request, the user found themselves permabanned from the forums for using pirated software.
Making the situation even sweeter, the number which appears in brackets after the error statement is in fact the gamer's 64-bit steamid.
Y'see, Steam keeps a list of which accounts have actually forked over the $9.99 for a legit copy of GMod - so it's a simple matter of checking ids and turfing out the pirates.
Just another lesson on why piracy is bad, supporting indie developers is good, and why you shouldn't mess with the nerds.
"Death to hackers!"
this disgusts me. Hackers are going to save us all from the tyranny of our governing bodies. that might sound crazy to an uneducated/uninformed person, but do some real research. find some shit out. get enlightened.
hello, Mr Eric. You appear to know everything. Well, fuck you and your hacker complexes. If you and every other hacker out there weren't such a fucking retard, you'd realize, you dipshit, that its all fucking propaganda being fed to you by some asswipe who thinks hes all cool because he knows how to type a few fucking commands into console. So, no. You disgust me. You faggot. Burn in hell with the rest of your nazi regime. NO FUCK YOU, YOU ARE JUST AS FUCKING BAD AS THE NAZIS. I HOPE YOU DIE A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH.
-Anti-Nonymous
-Doesn't give a fuck if you're in anonymous or not, you're still just as fucking bad.
Ok, dude, get real. Hacking is a complicated process, sometimes requiring hours of work to bypass servers and security. Hacking is also used by THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY!!! They hack into the computers of foreign countries, and find valuable info, sometimes stuff that saves your ass from being six-feet-under.
You all pretty much disgust me. Ignorance disgusts me. Pirates are not hackers. Crackers are hackers. Crackers basically crack a games security so that you CAN pirate it. Pirates are 99.9% of the time normal people with a lack in funds. Downing pirates for being poor and liking videogames is like telling a homeless person that they are "Evil" for eating a sandwich someone dropped. Furthermore, hackers are simply programmers who like to do things to other things that have security on them, this goes from hacking sites to computers to files. You simply break/bypass a firewall, and disable some things, though the processes themselves are extremely complicated. Honestly I think that you guys stereotyping people and demonizing the masses is downright sick. I bet any money that atleast one of you butthurt faggots has an Ipod chuck-full of pirated music or movies. That's Illegal bro. @lolfuckyourmoralbullshit
In most peoples opinions the only reason someone would need to use that type of language is that person has a really small vocabulary therefore lacking the capacity to use a large vocabulary forcing in small fore letter words. This is most common in people around the stage of early teens therefor I predict that you and your idiotic name clearly a feeble attempt at a insult are a computer addict, have no experience with computers on the other hand other than how to use the W,S,D,A keys to run around in Halo and kill people. Hacking is not typing a few commands into a console its complicated work even used by the U.S. government as stated previously. The only reason to use the words "retard" (in a negative way) "faggot" "dipshit" and "asswipe" is when you have no other words to make up for them. I do not intend to offend you but i wold suggest you take English and computer science when you get to high school. (They seem to be your weak points)
-By the way retard is a medical term it means someone who is disabled.
-Yes I took the time to state my opinion (rare) that is how much I distaste your comment
No, you're the noob. There's something called a bundle, which is basically two items of interest "packaged" into one sale, usually at a discount. Garry's Mod and Counter-Strike, and Garry's Mod and Team Fortress 2, are bundles that include Garry's Mod. They are £15 and £10, respectively.
for one the whole basis for anti piracy is that piracy supposedly steals potential profits. this is the equivalent of me getting taken to court by ikea for giving my old couch to my cousin piracy is like this : imagine your car is stolen but its still there when you wake up in the morning…. really its the kind of business they are in, once they sell their product it belongs to the consumer, antipiracy ensures that you never truly own anything you buy.. also for the record something being illegal doesnt mean its wrong, it was illegal to be a jew in nazi germany
You have a beautiful post there. Informed people like you make me feel like the human race is still worth it. (I know it's not, let a man dream) Piracy is illegal because companies want your money. I pirate, yeah, so the fuck what. I'm 16, I'm poor, and I like games. I support indie devs and actually buy their games, but mainstream stuff like bethesda? Fuck that. They have plenty of money to throw around. It's all "Intellectual Property" which means it's not physical and costs nothing to produce (I.E. Raw profit after initial investment) the average initial investmend (development) comes up to around a million or so USD, this is made back within the first few days (for popular games) and the coming months for not. Indie producers put months to years into their games and spend minimalist budgets (less than 10k, usually more like 1k) and they make a killing. Difference is they deserve it. Get educated motherfuckers.
Buy game. Install game, install process interrupted while it asks for CDkey to prove you payed for game. Install continues.
Try to play game, get informed you require Steam and/or windows live account, even to play single player. Must be logged into said account to save your game.
Activate game on said service possibly requiring signing up for service. Run yet another program on your system you don't want but are required to use.
Possibly be unable to play game if not online/service is down. Must keep DVD in drive to play game or it fails CD check, despite already being activated on multiple services.
And you wonder why people pirate game? The fact is, and there have been studies on this, DRM encourages piracy. Yes .Encourages. For all the reasons I just listed and more. For the 100 and 1 hoops a paying customer must jump through, a downloaded and cracked version of a game suddenly becomes 100 times more convenient.
Yeah, that might apply to some ubisoft games (Assassin's Creed 2), but in the case of Garry's Mod, he provides a free version (Gmod 9) that you can get working and playable on steam with the source SDK. Version 9 is a pain to setup. Took me about 2 hours to get it working.
With version 10 (the one you buy), you have to already have steam source games for it to work. With the steam client, you buy the game, click a button and it works. No installer, no cd keys–still uses DRM, but no useless crap.
+1 Garry (also, let me know what server you play on so I can get the achievement)
Your point is good, if the person already has steam and any SE2 game… I mean, I paid 25$ to be able to play GMod, and have the bonus to be able to play TF2 at the same time, but I just wanted GMod.. And don't get me started on ridiculous offline limitations that goes on steam, things like Portal cannot play offline???
Errh, not completely true. I tried a pirated version of Half-Life 2 before I bought it on Steam, and a lot of the textures were missing. Steam isn't as retarded as that anti-movie piracy stuff, who wants to watch that "you wouldn't steal a car" ad again? Steam has no ads as far as I know.
Oh, allow me to correct you:
Pirate game, virus check game, install game (may end up with an infected computer), play game (may be buggy and have missing stuff).
Also most keygens, cracks or serials are usually just viruses disguised…
I can justify piracy pretty easily.
Intellectual property rights cannot coexist with natural property rights, therefore it is an invalid 'right'.
There are great business models that don't require Intellectual property rights.
No matter what 'the state' says about an idea's legitimacy doesn't mean it's valid.
I paid $4 for Gmod on sale btw.
But in this world there are intellectual property rights and natural property rights. Who are you to say they can't coexist? You can't decide that. Garry owns Garry's Mod therefore it's his property. You're just an idiot trying to sound smart. You can't justify piracy. Period. You are wrong.
Wrong. (@D) Owning intellectual rights basically means that someone owns something that doesn't exist. That's like saying I can't imagine something because you copyrighted it. "Dude I had this dream last night about dragons" "Oh really? See you in court you fucking pirate"
Not quite. I paid for Gmod during the Steam sale, so I infact paid less than 10 bucks for it (I paid 11, but that included CS:S.) So I paid a good amount less than the 10 dollars, but didn't pirate it.
Give him a break guys. He's only 14. I'm sure he lives in a shanty with his parents, barely able to get by in life. He's probably on the libraries computer right now. This boy needs sympathy and compassion, not mockery! Weep on, my underprivileged friend, weep on!
Not true at all. My machine, which I got for free from the office my dad works at is complete crap and I don't have enough money to buy another one. I used to have this awesome video card, but I guess 10 years in my brother's computer and then another 5 months in mine kind of burned it out. I can play gmod on very high graphics but lots of strange things happen sometimes. My brother, on the other hand got a computer which can run crysis on very high graphics at about 60-80 fps and crysis 2 on extreme at 50-70 fps. Actually, now that I thought of it, my computer can run gmod fine except on badly optimized maps or really big ones. So you are probably right.
Using 14 year old as a insult is a little diffrent. I am 10 and making a valad agruement, unlike rlucas, Who most likely is 6. Keep in mind that now-a-days kids who use the computer are teen trolls, Little mingebag kids and smart kids. But calling somone 14 is like saying I am doing this correctly.
I'm 11 and I'm the most mature person I know and my parents and my brothers and my friends all know. I can't believe all these 12 year old stereotypes. Teenagers are so stupid sometimes, I'm glad I'm not gonna be like any of those fags.
Yeah, I'm sure those Koreans in sweat shops are saving up all of their money to go home and play video games on their shiny new computers. Please think about what you're saying before you start attacking others.
Well piracy is not exactly stealing. If one truly cannot afford the game and decides to download it illegally, the seller won't lose anything as he wouldn't have bought it anyway. But yeah, one who can't afford a $10 dollar game wouldn't have the money to buy a PC to play it on either..
Seriously? What kind of weak ass argument is that? Most of the people who live there have probably never even heard of Half life 2 or Garry's mod. Also, I think someone getting $1 a month wouldn't give a shit about buying Garry's mod, if they even knew about it.
a) When I call someone a retard it means they are about as smart as one, it's not a direct insult word like faggot or douchebag
b) it IS stealing. And it is NOT free not non-commercial use. You have to pay for FL. If a company charges you for something, and doesn't give you the option of getting it free THROUGH them, then it's not free to use, for commercial, or home purposes.
A) You use insults because you can't excercise a little restraint, or expand your vocabulary, yet I am the idiot? Take a step back, thats the kettle calling the pot black there mate.
B) FL studio is free THROUGH them if it isn't used for commercial purposes, like unity3d is, it is free till you distribute anything made on it, personal use is fine, why is this concept lost on you.
There is a reason. Steam is a piece of shit program. I have bought many games on it, including garry's mod. But I don't want to deal with so I started downloading pirated versions of the GAME I ALREADY PAID FOR AND OWN. Like Fallout New Vegas – fuck that shit. Bought the game and can't even play it because Steam keeps wanting to re-download the entire game. Well, pirated version here I come.
There is not a reason, Steam is not a piece of shit program, it' called a glitch idiot face, and from what I see it is only happening to you (probably karma). The fact that you pirated Garry's Mod when you already owned the game, are you retarded? All it takes to play the game on Steam is 2 clicks. A pirated version takes possibly 10 times longer to setup. Steam is also the #1 Game distributor on the PC right now.
Your just some faggot trying to justify Pirating. Well you can't, and you won't ever. So shut the fuck up about it.
What? Don't lie to the person or anyone else, he isn't justifying anything, he said since steam has a chance to not work (and trust me, it has a lot of people who can't play games on it, just because it is ranked "best in the world!" doesn't mean it isn't perfect). I like how this entire page is a bunch of people who call eachother names, typical though I mean, this is the internet.
WOW. I am 14, three months ago I was able to make myself $150. It's easy as shit, just look around for people who need help. I don't have this money anymore 9 (Killing Floor, Orange box, Portal 2…). But even if you can't afford it, how in the HELL can you afford a working computer (at least $200 for one that can barely run Internet explorer).
Shush, fucker. It's illegal and the only reason you don't have it is because mommy and daddy won't let you use the credit card because you won't eat your veggies at the table while you're dreaming about Polly Pockets and slap bracelets.
Sorry that some people have more important things to spend money on than games
It's not like everyone can just suddenly go find a job that pays more. Some people can't even find work at all. The city I live in has over 20% unemployment, and no, thats not because we're all "too lazy"
I buy what I can afford, I pirate what I can't. Does it hurt the developer? Nope! Because I wouldn't have bought it to begin with.
Spin it anyway you want, stealing is stealing. What kind of games do you afford under $10? Just work a couple more hours flipping burgers With your argument it would be ok for me to steal a BMW. Since I can't afford one, they aren't really losing a sale if I just take one.
They'll take a big bong hit then say "hay MAN. It's JUST BITS MAN! You can't, you know, SELL BITS! The DATA WANTS TO BE FREE, MAN! Hey, got any cheetos?"
Then they crash on your couch because their mom kicked them out of the trailer.
And I love the "more important things to spend money on" angle. But hey, not so important that they take time and bandwidth pirating the game. It's like the movie pirates who say all movies suck, and that's why they download as many as they can and hoard them. Because they suck.
Expect BMW are physical products that require REAL resources to make and produce. Data doesn't once the first copy is made subsequent copies are virtually free (small cost in-terms of bandwidth). The whole economic model of trying to sell data is fundamentally flawed because of the nature of information, which is nothing more then entropy. To put it bluntly you can't stop the creation of entropy (or flow of information), with out preventing access to said information (which is obviously impossible).
That being said I do OWN a copy of GMOD because I do support indi-games and DRM free games. The fact that this asshat would add this bullshit does piss me off, and I will no longer buy his games. DRM in any form is bull. I don't buy broken games in the same way I don't buy broken cars.
Read Shanon's paper on information theory, information and entropy share the same formula, and once you get small enough they are the SAME thing. It also takes a lot of effort to roll a boulder up a hill, but the laws of physics still says it will eventually roll back down. We should not be crafting laws around impossible ideas.
OK, hands up, typing in haste I inverted what I intended to say. Shannon (note spelling) agrees that the less random the data the higher the entropy and the greater the info content. Thermodynamics tells us that reducing entropy by organising energy in one place leads to larger increases elsewhere as work i s performed. If you roll the boulder into a caldera on the top of a volcano it will stay there as long as th volcano lasts. My basic point is that if you benefit from the work of others, you are morally obliged to pay for it.
Game developers often make huge investments in their games in both time and money (sometimes more one than the other) and I feel they deserve to be paid for their investment. DRM may be necessary for those that have invested more money in their works, although Steam is the only DRM that's been done well so far. Data doesn't "want to be free" – it's the users that want it to be free. Developers just need to either find DRM that benefits the end users or they need to offer incentive to pay for the games, like and do.
If you haven't heard of it yet you'll probably like – a new bundle started yesterday. I own all those games on Steam already but I support every Humble Bundle that comes out because I like what they're doing. It's pay-what-you-want for good DRM-free games, and you can choose how much of the money you spend on it goes to charity (EFF and Child's Play). They even offer multi-platform installers and often soundtracks, as well. If the devs already got money from you like they did from me then it's a good chance to donate to charity.
Cars take physical resources. Yes, that's true. But garry's mod takes HUMAN resources (in other words, a complete year of Garry's life spent developing gmod infront of a computer, staying up very late MOSTLY FOR US, He isn't only doing it for him self) and a lot of time, skill and patience. That deserves to be rewarded.
What incentive would he have to do that? If he pirates it, he gets a working game for free… at the expense of the developers hard work and monetary investment. Because of his pirate copy over bought copy, he obviously does not care to support the development of the game anyway, so what suddenly would make him change his mind??
I pirated 4 games in my life a) Minecraft, i loved it, brought it b) Half life 2, same as minecraft, 3) skyrim, same as minecraft (i actually now own 3 copies of skyrim one for each platform, i enjoyed it so much) and halo ce, which i hated so i deleted. Zoolook your reasoning is borderline stupid, if someone enjoys a game, they want to support the developer so more of the games come, you keeping up?
Are you even 'attempting' to say that people with pirate copies of games they enjoy will always pay for the real thing? And you had the audacity to say the comment you replied to was borderline stupid. If that's so, your commment IS over that line! You know it and I know it, so stop trolling!
Let me break it down for you in the easiest possible way, having a varying opinion doesn't mean I am trolling, got it? Now I welcome you to quote the part that says I said everyone who pirates software will buy it if they like it, I was speaking of me personally, and why I download, because once again, you for the second time tarnashed a group with the same brush instead of looking at individual reasons, and thus looking like a fool.
No it's not. Physical property is different then information. Someone can copy my information with out taking my copy, the same can not be said for cars. Forcing comparisons which don't take these differences into account is the same thing as equivocating (a logical fallacy).
I see your point about how stealing is stealing, but a car is alot different then a game. Especially a game where the developer doesnt even sell it on discs. When you want to make copies of the game, you copy, and then you paste, and the only production cost is Garry's time, and then in some cases (not this one, since it is almost completely valves work) hiring scriptors or artists. When companies make cars to sell, if somebody steals one then the company is out $50,000 or however much that car cost to make. Just had to point this out, I am not supporting pirating lol :p
You spoiled US fat stupid punks! Some families spend all earned money on rent, clothing and food. Their children can forget about any money, they got the computer from the family and also want to have fun-like all children.
Yeah, Americans have so much money they just spend it all on EXTRA food and EXTRA clothes and then they get fat and stupid! Some of them don't even know if Africa is a country or not! There are 3 million adult Americans who can't read! God damn it, then they move to Canada and now Canada is starting to go obese because of the American's telepathic powers!
"Assholeish" seems to describe you well Derpyderp.
Garry is having fun with pirates. Garry is a victim of theft, now the thefts are victims, and are complaining about it. Serves them right.
I honestly hope he implements automatic error report uploading. Becasue this is pure genius. So he catches all the pirates and all the Steam ids are crosschecked with Valve (To ensure they were pirated) and are banned.
Really? Then you won't mind if I "copy" all your bank account details and use them. It's just copying and your not losing any real money! It's just data endlessly reproduced for free! By the banks! You simply won't have access to it anymore!
Someone could literally spend their entire life enjoying content on the Internet that the authors are sharing for free – games, music, videos, etc. – there's no excuse for stealing the small amount of content out there that people are charging money for.
People need to realize that traditional theft and digital theft are two separate things. You can't compare one to the other because they're not the same. Yes it's true that the amount of money lost by the one selling the data is negligible, but it's also true that it is still stealing. You're utilizing an alternate, unauthorized means to acquire data for free that is being sold by whoever owns the rights to the data. Anyone saying that is not a form of theft is just trying to justify themselves and their actions so that they feel like the good guy in this scenario. Just because it's much easier to do without being caught than traditional theft doesn't mean it's any more acceptable. Same goes for how so many people do it – lots of people smoke cigarettes but that's been proven to be harmful to the smoker and even the people around them (as well as any electronics, especially optical devices, in their homes). That doesn't mean smoking is suddenly safe despite what all these "doctors" and the "surgeon general" say.
Personally, I would've liked it more if the game worked but every now and then it would screw things up, like have every object explode and be destroyed every five minutes, or every ragdoll or NPC placed would be constantly screaming. Random colors could be applied to all surfaces, or maybe it would randomly remap all your keyboard controls every time you start the game and give an innocent-sounding error for it like "Error loading keyboard configuration. Controls may not work correctly."
This is more akin to trolling than being an asshole. And even then he's trolling people who refuse to pay for a product he's selling and still try to get it anyway.
How do you know both their Steam IDs and that they didn't pay for the game? And aside from that, I think that just gets you a perma-ban from the forums. What prevents you from playing should have been rolled out in an automatic update to the game via Steam, or should be present in any new installs from current files.
Too bad that, when you registered for Steam, you agreed to a legally-binding contract (the EULA) with a company registered out of the United States, and American contract law applies here. If you pirated the game, you violated the EULA, and they are well within their rights to disable your account as a result.
Unless, of course, you're simply speaking theoretically, in which case you wouldn't have standing to file the suit, as no harm was done to you.
Actually, the EULA is not legally-binding in many countries. This is at the very least true for all EU countries. In EU, a contract is only binding if signed; either by ink, or by state approved digital signing. The signing is thus made for the EULA in Steam is null and void in the courts of any country in the EU.
However, he can't sue for this even though the EULA does not apply ;) Most likely, he'll end up having to pay for copyright breach violations, as that are the root cause of his troubles.
If there was no difference, then we would not have EULAs. Generally, EULAs spell out a combination of existing rights of the software publisher along with restrictions on the purchaser and rights for the software author which are not provided by general law.
It is an undecided in case law in most jurisdictions as to what the full capabilities of EULAS are, but there is some existing caselaw suggesting that EULAS which are not available at time of purchase are cannot be binding.
Yeah, so, there's a pleasingly large number of people rightly taking the minority of people who attempt to justify piracy in this comment thread to task. But here's my contribution anyway:
The prevailing argument in this thread seems to be "I don't have enough money to buy games". Sorry, I didn't realise that constant access to videogames was one of our basic human rights. I was under the impression that they were a luxury, and like all luxuries, if you can't afford them, you don't get them.
It's actually even cheaper sometimes because of sales. Let the children pirate the games. They'll eventually grow up and realize how silly comments like whatup_MRTROUT's really sound.
I used to pirate games, but then I matured and realized how silly it all was. Now there are things like and and I don't NEED to pirate things anymore. Not to mention I actually make money now so I can afford to give to charities for the Humble Bundle even though I already bought all those games on Steam.
I don't believe in piracy, as most pirates are young kids who spend all their parent-given money on everything else, since they CAN pirate their games. Sure, I don't mind if you download it, test it out, THEN buy it or uninstall it. Test driving a car, to me, ESPECIALLY games that don't provide demos to test out on your machine first.
But don't download it and play it forever, I don't care what your stance is, the guy deserves to be paid for his time and effort. It's ten f#$%ing dollars.
Yeah, totally agree. Like the thing you said about testing it then buying it, it's like saying practicing driving without a licence in an empty parking lot is bad. Once you take it out on the busy street, THEN it's bad.
I'm gonna go with "because those are all things people need now." You have to live somewhere, you have to have a reliable car to get to work, and you need a computer for many things. What I don't get is why people feel entitled to own so many things for free that others are trying to make a living by selling.
I reckon it' stupid that people are arguing over this. Most pirates and 12 year olds who dont have a bank account, dont have jobs so they pirate the game. When I bought GMOD I had to work for something that paid to my bank account, because If i didnt i would find it very difficult to earn money online via the internet. I mean, they may have lots of wallet money, but with no bank account, how can they transfer it on to the internet to pay for it?
its called their parents. when i was a little kid and wanted something off of a website or the internet, i would give the money to my mom and she would use her bank/credit card to pay for it. i dont see that as a valid excuse because everybody knows at least one person who can do this for them, and in the age of everything being paid electronically, its really hard to get buy without some way to buy things online.
i dont feel sorry for pirates at all, people today want instant gratification. they see something they want and they want it now, and most of the time they dont want to pay for it. if they dont have the money they can wait and save up, wait for it to go on sale, or just forget about it. as a fellow programmer i know the time it can take to make a game mod, i know how long it takes to make simple programs, so mr. newman gets my respect for catching pirates so he gets the compensation he deserves for making a really good mod
So now I have to buy this mod to ensure that my Steam account is not shut down? Real nice. You know that as soon as people realize that posting the error message will shut down the listed steam account, they're going to just start posting it with random account numbers just for the lulz. I'd expect /b/ to be all over this.
Won't work. Steam knows who has and has not bought it. Reporting a Steam ID of someone that bought it will result in a little wasted time from you and whoever reads that E-mail at Steam support. Nothing more.
If that's the case, then posting SteamID is not necessary. Sorry, but as a software developer myself, I would never play such a dirty trick. Doing so will only reduce the likelyhood of future purchases.
Yeah, I thought of this too. Luckily, I bought Garry's Mod some months ago (don't play it much though), so I'm safe.
Also, keep in mind that the Steam ID is a 64 bit number, 20 digits long, with 18 quintillion possible combinations. If every single living human in the world randomly selected a number in that range, the odds of someone picking your 64 bit number are the same as the odds of you not only picking the winning 6 numbers in a lottery, but also correctly guessing the order that they are drawn in.*
However, you should still be worried about unscrupulous Steam friends who can see your steam ID number, or people randomly browsing through the Steam Community site looking for ID numbers.
*(Calculated using 2009 estimate of Earth's population: 6.79 billion people, giving calculated odds of 1 in 2.72 billion. For comparison, the odds of winning a lottery with 40 balls where 6 balls are drawn in the correct order, is 1 in 2.76 billion. The chances of winning the same lottery when the order does not matter is 720 times greater, at 1 in 3.83 million. Sources: webmath.com/lottery.html and wolframalpha.com)
first off, \b\ wouldnt bother with this at all because it is quite brilliant. second, i doubt its set up where you have to type in all of that information. if it works like anything else involving steam and bugs, it probably just pops up and has a button that you press that says "send error report", or something along those lines, nothing to edit by the user and tamper resistant for the most part
Let the pirates whine. Garry wrote it, and keeps supporting it for the people who paid for it, let him have some fun with the cheapskates who don't want to or can't be bothered to pay $9.99 for it. Yes, I own a legit copy, and I use it for creating images, and occasionally spawning dozens of AI characters and sentry guns for my own amusement. Pirates are going to copy/steal/liberate/*insert your euphemism here* regardless of the consequences. Most will grow up and start paying for their shit, and if they don't, well, eventually they'll apply their flawed logic to real world items and end up in jail. Good riddance.
Because Valve and Gary really need that extra 10 bucks right? Believe or not, there's some people out there who are actually struggling. Sucks when you don't have 10 extra bucks to spend on what used to be a free mod until people got greedy. Same crap for Counter Strike, same crap for Day of Defeat. You guys gotta stop living in your sheltered little lives of complete ignorance.
First you must do this. Drop the preachy ego you have and look within. A game is a LUXURY not a requirement. Being strapped for cash is no excuse to steal a luxury. This argument of not having enough money is about as stupid as it gets. It's not like we're talking about water or food or air here. Come on man.
Also, no one is being greedy here. It takes money to continue support and development of software over a long period of time. Something I know better than probably most on here. These guys who made these mods realized that their creation can be a way they can have a job that is enjoyable and is doing what they want to pay the bills. It sure beats working for someone telling you what to do all the time. Who doesn't want to be their own boss and make their living doing what they want? Or even if they are not their own boss, at least they are making a living doing what they want. I fail to understand how you think this is greedy. I guess getting paid for doing work is being greedy now.
Well, in many places like my city (NYC) even water isn't free but that's besides the point.
Honestly, this is brilliant. If you pirate a game, and the original dev finds a way to counter you, there's nothing wrong with that.
"Boo my steam account got banned!" Boo hoo, you were abusing a steam game thus stealing from both Gary and Steam.
Sad.. very sad. I'm all for people pirating if they want to, do I think it's right no but it's bound to happen as it's human nature basically. However, whining when you are stopped and punished? This is bad as the people who bot/mem hack in online games getting banned and then complaining.
Afro, you and all the other butt-hurt pirates/pirate supporters need to actually think before you speak. As Joel said previously, video gaming isn't a right, its a luxury. If your ass can't afford/doesn't want to pay for something, you don't get it. In fact, if your SOOOO poor you can't afford $10, you shouldn't be on the computer. You should be out looking for a job. Now if you're like me, you can afford it, you just don't want to pay for it. In which case, I DON'T HAVE THE GAME.
You pirating the game is like you hacking a FPS (using a cheat program to be more correct since the noobs hacking the games are not smart enough to actually hack it). If your not going to play fair, why bother playing? if you don't want to pay for it, you must obviously not want to play it that much. (Throwing out that whole "other things are more important" argument).
Then you go and bitch about DRM. guess what you numbnuts, it's you and your band of merry brokeasses that caused DRM to be needed in the first place. If you all weren't so hell bent on being so cheap, there wouldn't be a need for DRM. That's like you taking a girl out to eat fast food on your dates… you won't get a second date and that girl is going to check for losers like you next time.
Ah what the hell, even though your posting shows a level of incoherence that is astounding, I'm going to address your points one at a time.
1. Your hatred of the poor is not a justification.
2. Relating piracy to cheating doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
3. Blaming DRM on piracy doesn't work either. Ever since DRM was introduced piracy has increased.
4. DRM is like dating a girl? You seriously need to check your metaphors.
Your comments on here are very suspect for starters. I question the fact that you are supposedly a software developer. Maybe a crack writer to enable piracy. But not someone who makes software that sells. Things are just not adding up here.
Second, the affect of DRM causing more piracy is a different issue than the reason it is used in the first place. So your #3 point is completely invalid. Josh stated WHY DRM is being used, not its end result.
Finally, josh did nothing to show he has a hatred for poor. Games ARE a luxury and if you can't afford them that's your problem and means nothing. This is not hating on the poor at all. It's only worthless excuses for a human being that would steal and try to justify it as "being poor" or whatever. It's not like we're talking about water, food, or anything required to live. You don't need games to live.
You are all right. It's only 10 bucks! But guess what, if I have avoided paying 10 dollars 100 times, I'm 1000 Dollars richer than you are. That means that I'm going to put that money in my retirement fund and play all my pirated games that much sooner! You're all fools! appearance of Source engine based games, has come up with such an elegant form of DRM. Yesterday he tweeted whether any people were "unable to shade polygon normals," an issue that seemed to be [...]
you guys do realize that a lot of the people that pirate aren't poor… most games on steam require a computer that is a least fairly decent to play. I highly doubt a poor person is able to download and play games on a sh**y computer.
Nobody gets it right. This is not about pirating the game, it's about wasting time supporting pirated versions of the game. I'm sure Gary doesn't really cares about pirated versions of his game. However I'm sure he's pretty pissed at helping a user complaining about the game not working properly and finding out that's because of a bad crackI bought Garry's Mod by earning money for it, and since I don't have a credit I asked my friend to buy it and compensated him for it (see there are plenty of ways to buy it). I think this is just a funny creative way to get rid of people who think they are entitled to everything and that they should be given everything for free. The protection on this stuff is actually more lenient then most, like the Far Cry 2 disc that only gave you 3 downloads and that was it. An error was deliberately introduced to Garry's Mod, causing pirate users only to receive a mysterious error message. Reporting the "unable to shade polygon normals" error not only identified pirates, but also revealed the user's steam ID. After a rash of reports on the official forums permanent bans were quick to descend. Source: GamerPron [...]
[...] a coming of Source engine formed games, has come adult with such an superb form of DRM. Yesterday he tweeted either any people were "unable to shade polygon normals," an emanate that seemed to be quite [...]
IDK though, I think permaban is kind of harsh. A bad business tactic as well. Why not just email all of these people and let them know they've been caught? I think this would almost scare them into forking up the measly $9.99 But then again they're probably using hacked steam accounts as well so I guess it really wouldn't matter. Screw it! Ban them all and let GMan sort 'em out!
What the hell? Why are you being so biased?
Quit being poor? Impossible, it just sort of happens.
Judging is NOT a good way to make a point.
Making jokes about peoples dads not paying CS… Just sad, really.
Maybe he can't because he doesn't have education, or something.
Rude, sad, and disgusting. Typical for a human to say, typical that you would say such a nasty thing to someone. How do you..sleep at night? :r
Pirates gonna rage. I'm glad Gary did this, it made so many dumbass pirates rage and shit their pants. And pirates are pretty bloody useless, they can't pay up 10$, what a laugh! I laugh and pity all pirates, they shouldn't even be called pirates.
Actual pirates had balls, these pirates are just criminal scum that should be locked up for eternity.
OK, just to clarify, anyone who thinks they are in the right to pirate a game is either:
1. A kid who is 14 or under with no common sense/butt hurt about being banned
2. An idiot who thinks that if you are poor enough, you can't afford a $10 dollar game
yet be able to afford a computer
3. A criminal
4. A shit with no life
Honestly, I hope this keeps you from playing. Also, the poor (not wanting to label) don't sit around playing video games. Use some common sense people, come on!
I'm back, with more points on your next insult.
1: Rape jokes are not funny, "Butthurt". And again, being judgemental. ;)
2: While I agree with this point, calling people "idiots" is rude.
3: Pirating is technically not stealing, even if the creator "gave their time to make it", they only did it once, not every time someone gets a copy of it.
4: They have lives, everyone does. :r
Good job with your motivation though, I totally agree that poorer people need to have plans with their futures. Good improvement from your last post!
Garry was in the right to do this, to all the posts above 'trying' to legitimize Pirating think about this. You go into a store and steal the same game that you can torrent of the internet, who loses money? The store (and anyone who brings the product to the shelf.), and the developers. Now say with steam, its 'digital' so that means I can pirate/steal it b/c its not a real product right? wrong in ever sense of the word. Its the same thing as with the brick and mortar store. Valves employees lose money, and again so do the developers. Saying they are different is short sighted, someone still gets screwed out of the money they worked for. If someone tried to legitimize stealing something you worked for over a year on wouldn't you want to try to protect it?
I will admit, me, and almost 100 of my other friends have PURCHASED GARRYSMOD. We are NOT pirates. I will highly get banned for my explaination, but at least I do so to help others who have been banned for purchasing a 10 dollar game.
I didn't even pirate the game. I bought it with my credit card. Yet after I updated the game today 4-14-11 it just starts up and then right after it says hl2.exe is not responding and then I have to close the game. :(
hey garry, it think this is messed up i bought GMOD off steam for 6 pound but i get "HL2.exe has stopped working", if the problem is that u dont have hl2 or tf2 or portal etc. i have pretty much all of them so im not sure why this isnt working plz fix this
I have not pirated this game, however i do pirate other software like music, I think the update is done wrongly, for the fact that ever since this update, i can not start Gmod anylonger, It will immediatly crash, saying HL2.exe has stopped working.
I bought the game fare and square from steam with a friend's help through Paypal. FAIR AND FRIGGIN SQUARE!! And my game starts up at the menu, shows my background and BLACKSCREEN! WTH was that? Is the update targeting me too if so, then it seems this new update is incomplete! WTH! :)
I also pirate. I save money because I do a lot of gaming, and when I buy a single player game for $70 only to find out that it either A) Doesn't work at all or B) Has less than 5 hours of gameplay, it's a bit of a turn off. I would rather try the demo, or if the developers are too sleazy to make a demo because they know their product is worth about $4 and not $69.99, I download it, try it, delete it within 30 minutes.
Thus, I only buy games on sale or from VALVe, probably the only creator of good games this past decade.
And Garry. <3.
Sorry, but I'm not wasting thousands of dollars on terrible products.
I bought Mafia II on steam, because I was a die hard fan (and owner) of Mafia 1.
Probably the biggest waste of money this year for me. 60 bucks down the drain for a terrible, linear, no replayability title.
wow fucking garry numin i bought the legit copy of gmod like when it first came out when it was (gmod10 now gmod 11 due to update) and yet my gmod crashes all the time and i demand that he fucking fix it cause its fucking retarded i mean y the hell would he make this the fuck up ppl like me with a legit copy!
hey… my copy of Gmod in steam is legitimaly and not pirated… and i not playing anymore this game because a shit error now ¬¬ *claps to creator of this shit* fix this… iam have a original copy and have error too.. c´mon i pay for this game, FIX NOW ¬¬
Im guessing you mean taht your game crashes to desktop with the error "hl2.exe has stopped working" instead of unable to shade polygon thingies. This is NOT an anti-piracy attempt, but a legit bug in the game that has now been fixed.
[...] looks at indie games for a moment. One has just been updated with one of the more amusing ways of identifying pirates that we've seen in a long time. Some more are available as part of the latest Humble Bundle [...]
This is just fucking stupid. I have actually bought GMOD but i haven't bought counter strike and i use it's content for GMOD but after garry has done this fucking patch i can not play on some of my favorite servers. IM PISSED!
Here's the problem – Garry isn't a indie developer. He made a mod that is selling over steam.
Last I checked – mods require other games in order to play. Same goes for Garry's Mod (10) – You need to own a game with access to Source SDK. And, here's another shocker – Garry's Mod has the word "Mod" in the title.
Another thing, last I checked – stand-alone games don't require other games to runWhy are people saying that Garry broke the game and that they wont ever buy any more of his games because of it? Garry didn't break anything, it just happens to not work on pirated versions. If it is a DRM, it's actually a successful one that doesn't hinder the legit player at all but only the non buyer and thus totally earns my respect. It's the bad DRM that force you into jumping through 100′s of hoops to play a game that you payed for that i don't agree with.
DRM is necessary simply because you don't want your game to easily be shared by just coping a cd and being able to be given to friends, but even a small weak DRM can take care of that. They are doomed to fail so to make it a little hard for the average person to pirate just makes it more convenient to buy were as the pirate will crack the game anyway no matter what DRM is on it.
This DRM is non existent to the player only the pirate and that's how all of them should be.
[...] What they didn't know was that Garry's Mod was displaying this message because the user didn't pay for the game, and that error code the users all posted trying to solve the issue? Ya it included their Steam ID, so all the pirates were swiftly banned from playing the game, and that wraps up this pleasant bedtime story. [Source] [...]
[...] game designers are even including bugs as a mechanism to identify and thwart software pirates? A recent article describes how one developer intentionally included a bug that would cause pirated versions of his [...]
Dude fucktards, im from uruguay and cant buy it, i dont have a fucking credit card because im not over 18, my parents wont give me a credit card because they are scared of buying in the internet (STFU if you tell me that steam is the most legit blabla) and i cant pay in any other fucking way thought i tried.
So i pirated it, problem?
i have a 1500 dollars pc and i still pirate it, because of the damn paying ways.
[...] Newman, the one-man-band behind Garry's Mod. A favourite around the GamePron offices for his creative approach to pirates, we're now happy to report that the innovative sandbox title has surpassed one [...]
my opinion on pirating, as others have pointed out, is illegal, and should not be done if it can be helped, but there are some people who cannot buy stuff online for various reasons, some don't have credit cards, some can't get prepaid debit cards or the like for various reasons. However, there are some games, especially on Steam, that you may not be sure you want to shell out $10, $15, etc. for. LIke myself, I'll admit I've pirated stuff, but most of the time it was either too hard to find, or was too expensive. And I have also pirated copies of games to try them first when a demo wasn't offered. But after pirating, I've found some, that I will buy in time to support the Indie game developers. So you guys, Pirating is wrong in some cases, but in others it could be a good alternative for a trial, especially with Steam if you buy a game and don't like it, you're stuck with it.
Newman shouldn't even be charging for Garry's Mod in the first place. The "ragdolls" that used in the game are copyrighted characters belonging to various corporations. If he's charging money to use software that implements the use of these copyrighted characters, he can be taken to court over it. I'm sure he doesn't have the money to buy licenses for Mario, Sonic, and Godzilla.
[...] for a proper entry today, but that's okay: the thing most worth sharing today is a scheme to get software pirates to turn themselves in. I'm not technically savvy enough to explore the implications, but I'm human enough for [...]
and I'm sure all you "Pirating is bad!" people don't download free music. EVER.
Truth is,Garry really doesn't pay jack shit for GMod, therefore he doesn't lose money. Him making the mod didn't cost him anything, except for the $60 he paid for HL2. And by now, he has DEFINITELY broke even…
theres a fix haha,use green luma + undead patch to fix steam.dll isnt worthy of our trust error,some patch i forgot the name of to fix unable to shade,and look up on google "steamisappsubscribed fix" to fix that couldn't receive audio on line error.
HAHAHAHAH SUCK A DICK GAYRY
i can justify piracy:
i want a game but dont have money for it, the end. in reality pirating hurts nobody and cuts what $10.00 out of the millions in profits that are being made? either wayi pirated gmod a loong time ago and played it just fine, then, shortly after i formatted my computer and i legitimately payed for it like ten minutes ago (because i want the game and now have money) and it crashes on start up. clearly this is steams fault.
Listen Ok, some people Pirate the game because its easier and if its not fun or runs slowly then you haven't wasted any money. But when you buy it, you're gonna be disappointed to have waisted your money. When people Pirate them, doesn't make them horrible human beings or poor ass kids. Just people with a bit of common sense. Most people do respect the games developers e.t.c It's just that games are just something to have a bit of fun on when you're bored. So why buy a few games just to play one when you can get it for free with no hassle, just download and play. Just saying.
soo thats why it says no game engine thing…..well i just found a solution for this problem….i think….all u have to do is LOG OUT YOUR STEAM YOU MORONS…..then refresh the file a couple of time…..then done its ok again….i think…thats what i did ^_^ pls dont Ban my steam :( i dont even play online in gmod i just play offline i just….play…you know… in [...]
Garry is a diluted asshole. Fuck him, and fuck paying $10 for his mod (not including the extra $20-$30 for CS:S, HL2, TF2, DoD and any other game you need to use almost any mod). He's made millions of dollars of Garrysmod, and has become over-inflated and deified just because he made a mod where you can rope a corpse to the ceiling. We, the players, made it what it was, and he was still stuck so far up his own ass that he has to verify that you have bought the game and gone through the inane Steam/Valve process to let you download a file -that he didn't create, and only has the rights to because we allow him to have those rights- or to help you with a problem with the mod he's too stupid to make work properly.
The only good thing Valve ever did was Counter Strike Source. Their other games sucked, and their marketing strategies, and their appeasement of Garry's dictating was their downfall; they will never create another good game and they know it, so they stick to selling other people's games.
I bought garrysmod and multiple other source games :) people should not pirate garrysmod because Garry deserves the money for all the work and updates he's been doing. If you cant afford it then you cant afford a computer that can run it. if you don't have a way to buy it (like no credit card) then you should offer to do work for someone who can buy it. If you dont feel like doing that buy a freaking pre-paid credit card!
ahh when i was little and stupid i pirated this game because i live in a country that you cant buy Garry's mod. but i didnt get any problems with shady poligons or something else. Now i bought garry's mod and it's cool. Garry Go go Go! waiting for big garrys mod 13 update
!
don't you guys have anything more important than arguing if Pirating is justified or not i mean WTF this is going for months now no it's not cool to pirate games but some do it because games are overpriced(exepct Gmod(which is awsome BTW) … and why not if there's a cheaper way of getting it's unfair to the developers i know but hey FUCK IT WORLD IS NOT FAIR …
Perhaps you should know that 'money' has as much real value as a piece of paper, but it is given value because it's easier to do trade using some slips of paper rather than, for example, trading 50 bars of gold for whatever.
My opinion: How can you 'trade' money for a game? You're practically giving away your money for a copy of those 0s and 1s on someones server. That data is still there afterwards, you didn't buy that game, you got access to it. Whereas buying something physically, that item that you bought is now yours. You are all getting ripped off.
Mind you, I did not pirate this game, and I am a developer myself, just adding my opinion here. Data should be freely available since it is only made once, and then can be copied infinity.
It would be like someone selling a car, there is only one of that car, but when you buy it you simply get a copy of it which cost nothing to the maker since, really, it could be copied infinitely. Imagine a world like that: (Want this? No problem just copy it.) Now wake up and realize this does not happen and you aren't buying anything, you are giving money to the person who arranged the 0s and 1s just so you can copy their pattern.
Sure, you can argue, everybody has a different opinion, but you should realize this, data should be free.
Lol its funny i have bought 19 games from a store and most of them need Steam i have orange box portal 2 left for dead 1 and 2 and all the cs and i was so lucky to find half life source…
I couldnt get
Hl2 deathmatch but got 1 for free with the ati offer but… I cant get gmod…
Im young without a job and i dont have a fucking credit card to buy games from steam and my parents dnt give a fuck about that
I could do some small work and pay even 50 dollars if garry would decide to release this game in stores in a fucking box but no now i cant play gmod bc i dont have a credit card to pay only 10$ to buy it online when i could pay 5 times more of this gay price!
So yeah i enjoy using my pirated fully updated n working gmod now :d
And hey i dont know anything about this but why in the fuck a source mod aint free? Isnt gmod a fucking mod i saw mods that are 50 times better than this Mod (yeah i call it a mod not a game) be free lmao that Garry is a hobo who asks 10 dollars for a fucking mod
The only mod that i know that could be on sale is black mesa and i would pay 100$ for that shit bc it deserves every bit of it.
And yeah i know that its not yet released but even a pic from 2005 alpha version>gmod 12, 13 or even 100 if its gna get released someday lmfao
Fuck u Garry and all the faggots here with the lame "if u can buy a pc why cnt u buy a 10$ game blah blah"
Oh and check gmods page i see garry releasing a new update every week bc he screwed his mod with his updates
The community made gmod what it is today with all the addons they released garry just made a mod that any1 could make in some hours and asks money for it rofl
I approve of this. I'm starting an indie project and I plan on doing something just as devious. The thing is, to all those thinking it's right to pirate a game just because you can't afford it. That may work for things necessary to live (food and water) but when it comes to video games, you don't need it. Therefore, stealing it is still wrong. You're not fighting "the man" you're hurting the people who make the things that entertain you (to varying degrees depending on how big the team is and how much the game has made). The government doesn't make huge amounts from these exchanges. You don't need it, so wait until you have the money, then buy it if you really want it.
@MrEricIsaRetard "Hacker Complex" You Have Idoit Written All Over That Sentence. Hackers May Copy Games But When They Copy Does It Affect You In Anyways To The Points You Give a F*ck? Hackers Exploiters And Ruining Other Players Experience But Just Coping Games Alone Isnt Effecting Anyone.
I used to dowload pirate games every time… I had like 50 pirate games in my PC but then I realice that buying the actual game gives you more beneficts, so I fucking buy it and now I have 121 games in my steam account.
[...] hit Steam and started gaining popularity – and courting controversy. Garry himself created a fun way to catch pirates, cheekily revealing users' 64bit Steam ID in an error message that only appeared on illegal copies [...] | eng | 04c3086b-d00d-41f9-8b01-fbacbbd9f62b | http://www.playerattack.com/news/2011/04/12/garrys-mod-catches-pirates-the-fun-way/ |
Library News - Homepage Top News
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enCopyright 2013Tue, 28 May 2013 12:23:49 -0500 Q artist collective making national mark telling untold storiesFrom the west coast to the east coast, the innovative artist collective John Q is getting attention nationally for a cluster of activities designed to showcase memory, history, archives and issues through a gay lens.
This spring, the trio--which includes VCU Libraries' Wesley Chenault, Ph.D.--presented their latest work, The Campaign for Atlanta, at Atlanta's historic Cyclorama. Their so-called "visual essay" was a culmination of public discussions at the GLBT History Museum in San Francisco, during the National Queer Arts Festival, intensive reseach visits in Georgia and California, and two sessions at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center.
According to the organizers' press materials, The Campaign for Atlanta tells intertwining stories of migration, memory and the visual representation of history. The Cyclorama's large-scale, panoramic painting of the Battle of Atlanta is itself an artifact that traveled from city to city before landing permanently in Atlanta. A century after the Civil War, a young photographer and gay man Crawford Barton left his hometown of Resaca, Ga. - a key Civil War battle site - to migrate to Atlanta and then San Francisco. In the heady days between Gay Liberation and the AIDS epidemic, he created photographs of San Francisco gay culture that are now considered iconic.
The Campaign for Atlanta features Barton's super-8mm movies of 1970s San Francisco, Resaca, and Atlanta, and uncovers connections between 19th-century landscapes and 20th-century counterculture; between military history and museum display; and between movements across painting and the cinema screen, and from city to country.
This is just the kind of untold story John Q tells.
Formed in 2009, John Q is an artist collective consisting of Wesley Chenault, Andy Ditzler, and Joey Orr. Chenault is head, Special Collections and Archives at James Branch Cabell Library.
October-December, Migrating Archives traveling exhibition, will be on view at VCU Libraries. E.G. Crichton, who teaches art at the University of California at Santa Cruz and created the traveling exhibit, will be in Richmond to speak and take part in programs tied to the exhibition.
Fall of 2014, John Q is part of a group show at the Zuckerman Museum of Art, Kennesaw State University, Ga. As part of an ongoing conversation about collaboration and memory, the museum is producing a catalogue about John Q's work that will put its work in an expanded scholarly context.
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Top NewsNewsletterSpecial CollectionsTue, 28 May 2013 12:23:49 -0500Talk looks back on cartoon character Snuffy Smith and his creator
Many know comic-strip character Snuffy Smith, but attendees of a talk in James Branch Cabell Library on May 23 were treated to a behind-the-scenes look into his origins. Snuffy Smith first appeared in 1934 in artist Billy DeBeck's extremely popular "Barney Google" strip. While working on panels featuring Snuffy Smith, Billy DeBeck amassed a library of some 100 books on Appalachia, the Ozarks and the American South, from which he borrowed or adapted colorful turns of phrase and other elements of mountain dialect, in addition to details that would become a part of Snuffy Smith's backwoods home of Hootin' Holler. In the May 23 talk, speaker Paul Robertson, a research assistant in Cabell Library Special Collections and Archives and a doctoral student in VCU's Media Art & Text (MATX) program, surveyed DeBeck's library (all of which is now a part of the Comics Arts Collection housed in Cabell Library) and carefully considered DeBeck's own marginalia and annotations. Robertson argued that DeBeck's loving attention to detail made Snuffy Smith one of the more accurate depictions of "hillbilly" life in the early twentieth century and was a welcome departure from the highly romanticized or decadent imagery found in many novels and movies of the era.]]>
and EventsHomepage Top NewsNewsletterThu, 23 May 2013 10:24:46 -0500Cabell Award three finalists announcedHaving consulted and discussed reviews written by volunteer readers, the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award committee in the Department of English has narrowed down the list of 14 semifinalist books for the 2013 contest to three finalists:
All three books have been gathering acclaim. Ramona Ausubel's book, about a remote Jewish village in which the residents reimagine their history when confronted with the outbreak of WWII, was chosen as a finalist for the New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award and has been named one of the best books of the year by The Huffington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle. The New York Times Book Review describes it as "fantastical and ambitious" and "infused with faith in the power of storytelling." Nick Dybeck's book takes readers to an island off the coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, where a boy's life is changed by his father's involvement in the fate of a local fishery. Malcolm Forbes, for The Daily Beast, calls the book "a complex and riveting tale about deception and betrayal." Tupelo Hassman's book has won the 2012 Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize and the 2013 Alex Award and has also appeared on a number of lists of the best books of the year. Popular author Aimee Bender says of the book, which follows a young girl trying to escape life in a trailer park by reading literature, "This amazing debut spills over with love but is still absolutely unflinching and real."
The three finalist books have been given to a panel of three judges including last year's winner, Justin Torres, for the selection of this year's winner. Stay tuned for an announcement in the coming weeks and an update on the celebratory event to be scheduled for late in the fall semester.
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Top NewsNewsletterWed, 22 May 2013 14:33:06 -0500Congratulations to VCU's new graduatesOn and EventsHomepage Top NewsNewsletterFri, 17 May 2013 09:34:14 -0500Lactation room now open at Cabell Library A ]]>
Top NewsUpdates and NewWed, 08 May 2013 07:57:53 -0500News pubs collection represents 30 years of VCU history
Nearly 30 years of VCU history are represented in VCU Libraries newest digital collection, "VCU News Publications." The Office of University Relations produced these publications, which carried different titles over the years.
These periodicals tell VCU's official story in news articles, features, calendars and images of students, staff, faculty and leaders. Departments and schools submitted articles and news items. Letters to the editor, editorials and formal messages from deans and the president are also found in the 542 issues in this online collection.
The first of these official news organs was published in May of 1972 as the weekly VCU Today. (It was preceded on the MCV campus by the Medicovan, published from 1948 until 1973.) VCU Today was published on an irregular basis, often monthly, until the 1980s when it became a bi-weekly.
The staff included professional writers, photographers and editors, who represented the views of the university administration and highlighted news that the school wanted publicized. By the 1980s, the newspaper was circulated to full-time staff on both campuses and was also made available in a number of VCU buildings. It was probably the institution's best vehicle for communicating to the large university community.
In 1988, the newspaper became the VCU Voice. In 1998, it became the UniverCity News. In 2001, it became VCU News. It was published online in 2002 and is today's News Center.
Copyright for the materials in this collection is managed by the VCU Libraries. The use of these materials is subject to the stipulations specified in the VCU Libraries copyright page.
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Top NewsNewsletterSpecial CollectionsThu, 25 Apr 2013 12:28:11 -0500Cabell First Novelist Award semifinalists announcedThe VCU Department of English has just announced the 14 semifinalist books for this year's VCU Cabell First Novelist Award:
"Fobbit" by David Abrams (pub. Black Cat)
"Hope: A Tragedy" by Shalom Auslander (pub. Riverhead Books)
"No One Is Here Except All of Us" by Ramona Ausubel (pub. Riverhead Books)
"The People of Forever Are Not Afraid" by Shani Boianjiu (pub. Hogarth)
"A Land More Kind Than Home" by Wiley Cash (pub. William Morrow)
"Forgotten Country" by Catherine Chung (pub. Riverhead Books)
"The Book of Jonas" by Stephen Dau (pub. Blue Rider Press)
"When Captain Flint Was Still a Good Man" by Nick Dybek (pub. Constable & Robinson)]]>
Top NewsNewsletterUpdates and NewTue, 23 Apr 2013 12:53:34 -0500Commonwealth Times: Libraries, career center collaborateThe Commonwealth Times reports on a new career resource for students that collects VCU Libraries resources in a handy guide. The article. ]]>
Top NewsNewsletterUpdates and NewMon, 22 Apr 2013 11:56:17 -0500New to the collection: Business and industry databases]]>
Top NewsNewsletterUpdates and NewMon, 22 Apr 2013 08:45:44 -0500Jodi Koste to serve as University Archivist university archives starts with the best possible foundation."
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Top NewsNewsletterUpdates and NewWed, 17 Apr 2013 10:14:47 -0500RefWorks is 'forever': Use it and don't lose it after graduating]]>
Top NewsNewsletterUpdates and NewMon, 15 Apr 2013 17:35:37 -0500A step up: Stairs get an update]]>
Top NewsNewsletterTop NewsUpdates and NewMon, 15 Apr 2013 15:46:02 -0500New to the collection: Film and Television Index
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsNewsletterMon, 15 Apr 2013 09:30:03 -0500Commonwealth Times: Students consider new libraryThanks to our Cabell Library Undergraduate Advisory Committee for hosting the annual Cabell Life Forum April 3. We had a room full of students who posed many ideas and raised many interesting questions about today's library services and the proposed new building. Coverage from The Commonwealth Times ]]>
Top NewsFri, 05 Apr 2013 12:11:49 -0500VCU Libraries hosts TEDMED 2013 simulcast April 16-19
medicine. The conference meets at the Kennedy Center in Washington, for a 31/2 day program.
According to organizers, "TEDMED believes that the future of health and medicine will be shaped
by vital input from leading medical colleges, teaching hospitals,
government agencies and non-profit institutions around the world." In this spirit of collaboration and information sharing, the TEDMED event is broadcast free to these institutions.
Preservation Week returns to Cabell Library April 22-26. This year, Patricia Selinger, Head of the Preservation Department, will demonstrate the art of book repair in the lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. These demonstrations will provide a fascinating look at the structure and durability of books. The Preservation Department works to keep library resources available to those who need them now and to future generations. Visitors to the demonstrations will also be able to learn more about how best to take care of their own collections and what to do in case of accidents and disasters. Ms. Selinger will answer questions and have handouts available. The VCUL Preservation Department is at
Throughout the week, the American Library Association (ALA) will offer webinars and webcasts on various topics in preservation. For a complete listing and for access, see the ALA Preservation Week calendar. To get started with preserving your family treasures, see this helpful VCU Libraries guide. See also the ALA's in-depth Preservation Toolkit.
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsNewsletterThu, 28 Mar 2013 17:09:33 -0500Video: 'Gabriel's Conspiracy" In 1800, a literate slave known as Gabriel planned a rebellion that was to involve a march into Richmond. Although the action was suppressed, it confirmed the growing outcry for justice and the volatility of the slave economy. VCU Libraries hosted "Gabriel's Conspiracy: Exploring the Richmond Slave Rebellion of 1800" on March 13, in partnership with the Year of Freedom Committee, the VCU Department of History, the VCU Department of African American Studies and the Library of Virginia.
The event featured two prominent experts on the subject of Gabriel's Rebellion, discussing this landmark in Virginia history: Dr. Michael Nicholls, professor emeritus of history at Utah State University and author of "Whispers of Rebellion: Narrating Gabriel's Conspiracy," and Dr. Philip J. Schwarz, professoremeritus of history at VCU and author of "Gabriel's Conspiracy: A Document History." Schwarz is also emeritus of the VCU Friends of the Library Board. These two books, "Whispers of Rebellion" and "Gabriel's Conspiracy," both recently published by the University of Virginia Press, aim to present a complete account of the rebellion.
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsNewsletterTue, 26 Mar 2013 16:51:43 -0500Your opinion matters to VCU Libraries: Take part in quality survey March 26-April 16Every two years, VCU Libraries asks the university community "how are we doing?"
The ways students and faculty respond to that query--teased out in 27
questions in a 10-minute long online survey called LibQUAL+-- shape a myriad of
decisions about spending, services and space in library buildings.
It's that time, again.
Some
3,700 faculty members on both MCV and Monroe Park campuses
will receive an email with an invitation to take the survey. And, 30 percent of VCU students, about 10,000 undergraduates, graduates, and medical residents, will also receive emails seeking participation. Students are randomly selected. The survey link goes live on Tuesday, March 26 and continues to be active through April 16.
Look for an email with the subject line: "Help us make your libraries better."
"Every voice really matters. If you receive the invitation to take the survey, please do," said University Librarian John E. Ulmschneider (pictured, right). "This data directs strategic decisions. Results of the 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011 surveys have guided the university and VCU Libraries on how best to invest time, effort and money to improve our libraries for the VCU community. The results of previous surveys have led to much stronger digital content and to new services, including round-the-clock service in Cabell Library. Your input will have an particularly high impact over the next two years as we build a new library and further develop collections of digital books and journals.
VCU Libraries uses the LibQUAL+® national benchmarking tool, designed specifically for libraries to survey library users. LibQUAL+® measures library users' perceptions of their
libraries' service quality and identifies gaps between minimum, desired
and perceived levels of service. Every year, hundreds of libraries conduct LibQUAL+ surveys, creating a standardized data set that defines and measures library service quality across institutions, and allows each library to compare itself with similar institutions nationwide."
"As the VCU Libraries seeks to create a top-tier library system for an evolving VCU, this data provides powerful guidance to ensure that we anticipate and meet the changing needs of our community," said Ulmschneider.
If you need further incentive: VCU LIbraries will donate $1 to the Central Virginia Food Bank for every completed survey. While taking the survey is anonymous, participants will also have an opportunity to enter a drawing for $25 Barnes & Nobel gift certificates, an iPad or an iPad-mini.
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Top NewsNewsletterTue, 26 Mar 2013 08:27:18 -0500VCU Libraries connections to April 5 First Fridays aboundFirst Friday in April is full of VCU Libraries' connections and contributions.
The RPI Alumni Steering Committee is
sponsoring "1928-68: Forty Years of Creative Excellence," an
invitational show by students and faculty of Richmond Professional
Institute at the Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin St. The
intention of the show is to showcase the far reach of Theresa Pollak (1899-2002) and
her faculty, whose students went on to make many contributions to the
arts. See a complete list of the participating artistshere. An opening reception is set for 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, April 5, as a part of the First Friday's Art Walk. The show remains up through June 5.
VCU
Libraries has curated an exhibition of RPI history, which will be on
display in coordination with the art show. This exhibition was organized
by Ray Bonis, archives coordinator for James Branch Cabell Library. The exhibits focus on three
individuals and the Bang Arts Festival of the 1960s that brought modern and pop art to Richmond. The individuals featured are Theresa Pollak, who founded the School. of Arts in the 1920s; Chick
Larsen, graphic artist and editorial cartoonist who graduated from RPI
in the 1950s; and Richmond writer Tom Robbins, class of 1959, who
was part of the Richmond Art Scene of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Assistant Head, Special Collections and Archives Yuki
Hibben will also be on the walk. Students from the photography class she team-teaches with professional bookbinder, Helen Cassidy, will be running a sale of limited edition photobooks created for the class. The sale will take place in front of Candela Gallery, 214 West Broad St. Proceeds will be contributed to the 2013 Photography BFA show.
And, farther east at UR Downtown, 626 E. Broad St., "Mapping RVA: Where You Live Makes All the Difference" opens. The exhibition, organized byHousing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME)in conjunction withAffordable Housing Awareness Week, illustrates poverty in metro Richmond. Dr. John V. Moeser, a
former VCU professor and senior fellow of the Bonner Center for Civic
Engagement, will give a presentation at 6 p.m. Also on view are images
of editorial cartoons by longtime Richmond Times-Dispatch cartoonist Larsen. The images are from Special Collections and Archives, Cabell Library.
As you may have heard, James Branch Cabell Library is preparing to undergo major changes. The plans for a new building have begun and many of us students are curious about what to expect. At 5 p.m., April 3 in the Multipurpose Room, 250, the Cabell Library Undergraduate Advisory Committee (CLUAC) and the VCU Student Government Association (SGA) will be co-sponsoring the 2013-2014 Cabell Life Forum.
Each year the Cabell Life Forum has been an amazing way for students and library administration to connect and discuss issues, share ideas and make suggestions. The Cabell Life Forum has covered various issues such as building hours and resources. The 24/5 library hours that we have been enjoying so much this past year came about, in part, due to discussions from prior Forums.
On April 3, Dennis Clark, the associate university librarian for public services, will be discussing the new library. This is an opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions on what you would like the new building to encompass. Cabell Library faculty want the new building to be the perfect place for VCU students to study, research and get the best learning experience possible. Your opinion is going to be taken into great consideration.
The Cabell Life Forums have always been a great experience in my past three years at VCU. If Cabell Library is like a second home to you, I would greatly recommend you come out and join this incredible discussion.
How scholars and artists share their work is changing. More and more, arts and humanities scholarship, creative activity and teaching occurs in the digital environment. VCU Libraries' new forum, "Digital Pragmata" (Digital Things) will explore these trends and techniques in modern scholarship, teaching and creative work.
"Digital pragmata flourish at the nexus of research, teaching and creativity," said John Glover, assistant professor and reference librarian for the humanities. Glover is organizing the sessions along with Kristina Keogh, assistant professor and reference librarian for the arts. Digital pragmata can be textual databases, creative visualizations of information, multimedia explorations, collaboratively annotated maps, course-related blogs and a thousand other projects. Digital objects can be wildly creative, deeply complex or simple communication tools.
"In working with faculty in various departments, we see a need to broaden the conversation about digital material," said Keogh, who is also a doctoral candidate in art history. Instructors requiring the creation of digital objects are scattered across all disciplines. "We want to bring together faculty and graduate students from a range of disciplines to learn and share ideas."
These sessions are free and open to all. Space is limited. Please register.
The March 26 and April 25 panels will be recorded and shared online.
For more information contact Glover at jglover2@vcu.edu or Keogh at keoghkm@vcu.edu.
Librarians also respond to users' questions by chat, email, voicemail and, of course, face to face.
Texting is a constant for cell phone users. Among 18 to 29-year-olds,
97 percent send texts, according to data from the Pew Research
Center's internet project.
"Answering research questions by text is now an essential part of
our package of services," says Research Librarian Kristina Keogh, who is in charge of setting up the new service. "At VCU, we meet our users where they are. They
may be across town in a Panera working on a paper or they may be in a
quiet corner on the fourth floor quiet-study area and don't want to
leave their materials to come downstairs to speak with a research
librarian."
Librarians are prepared for a range of questions. Keogh expects to receive both basic and advanced queries--everything from
"where do I find this book?" to how to cite a source properly, from how
to get started on a project to how late Starbucks is open.
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Top NewsNewsletterUpdates and NewSun, 10 Mar 2013 09:24:47 -0500Video: Library technology leaders discuss innovations, trends and the future As one
of the first major research universities to launch a pioneering new cloud-resident
enterprise library platform, Virginia Commonwealth University hosted a Jan. 9 session designed to help other libraries around the world prepare
for the next generation of library technologies. VCU
Libraries went live in the fall semester with Alma, cloud-resident
enterprise library software from Ex Libris Inc
"Libraries
have always been on the cutting edge of technology," said University
Librarian John E. Ulmschneider. "Emerging cloud technologies are
building blocks for the research libraries of the future--more
accessible, scalable, secure and content-rich than ever to advance
scholarly endeavor."
At the Jan. 9 event, industry leaders discussed how emerging cloud-based technologies are transforming research libraries.
Speakers were:
Marshall Breeding, the national authority on enterprise library systems, is editor of Library Technology Guides and author of a monthly column in Computers in Libraries.
Mark Ryland, chief solutions architect for Amazon Web Service's Worldwide Public Sector team, began working with Microsoft Federal Systems as a senior architectural engineer in the early 1990s and has witnessed the industry mature.
Mark Triest, president of Ex Libris North America since 2010, previously was president of Inigral, a social-media start-up delivering applications for the education market. He also served as senior vice president of global sales at Sunguard Higher Education
John Ulmschneider, university librarian at VCU, is a past president and board member of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, and leads VCU's growing and innovative research library system.
Gene Damon, panel moderator, is director of library automation for the Virginia Community College System, one of the nation's largest community college systems. He is chair of the steering committee for the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA), and brings a distinguished background of leadership in enterprise library systems in both corporate and academic environments.
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& WorkshopsHomepage Top NewsWed, 23 Jan 2013 12:38:16 -0500New library programs serve international studentsInternational students can receive special library tours and research workshops designed for them this spring. Language challenges and cultural differences can present barriers to academic success for some international students. Libraries in their home nations may be vastly different from academic libraries in the United States.
These workshops are a partnership between VCU Libraries and the Global Education Office. No registration is necessary. Workshops and tours are free and open to all.
For a detailed description of the workshops and additional helpful information, including foreign language dictionaries, see VCU Libraries' International Students Guide.
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& WorkshopsExhibits and EventsHomepage Top NewsThu, 10 Jan 2013 11:12:05 -0500Library services survey set for 2013, report on 2011 data and related improvements postedBuilding on its history of improving services through assessment of users' expressed needs and preferences, VCU Libraries will conduct such a survey in 2013. A full report on the 2011 survey is now available online. Many improvements have been made based on that data.
"It is a best practice for libraries to seek opinions of their users by tools
including surveys and focus groups," said Michael Rawls, budget and assessment director for VCU Libraries. The trademarked LibQUAL survey, developed by the Association of Research
Libraries and Texas A & M University, is used by many top research
libraries. "It's the gold standard," said Rawls.
VCU Libraries uses LibQUAL-gathered information to assess and improve operations and collections. In the 2011 survey, students and faculty from all
disciplines rated the customer service and professional knowledge of
librarians highly. Perceptions of facilities and spaces improved
significantly from the previous survey period. Heightened satisfaction can be largely attributed to improvements to the second floor of James Branch Cabell Library.
In the 2011 report:
Patrons continued to think the facilities are
crowded and sometimes noisy and insufficient to meet their study
or research needs.
Graduate students and faculty, groups who care most about
the depth and breadth of collections, reported that adequacy of
the collections have improved since 2008. But, faculty still see much room
for improvement.
Accessibility of information remained an issue for users in varied disciplines.
The Web site was perceived by some users as difficult to navigate for finding information on their own.
Design work is well underway to construct a new library building on the Monroe Park campus.
Hours the libraries are open have been expanded on both campuses.
Substantive renovations at libraries on both MCV and Monroe Park campuses created additional user space with improved furnishings and study conditions.
A new one-button search function was introduced in 2012 to expedite online discovery of library materials.
Alma, new technical infrastructure, was adopted in 2012 to add speed and efficiencies.
Collections in all formats were expanded.
A task force is working on a redesign of an improved Web site to launch in 2013.
The 2013 LibQUAL survey will be conducted online during the spring semester.
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Top NewsUpdates and NewWed, 09 Jan 2013 11:59:56 -0500Exhibit marks 95 years of VCU's pioneering School of Social Work
VCU's School of Social Work is celebrating its 95 years of service
during the 2012-2013 school year. An
exhibit on the history of the school is on display at James Branch Cabell Library. The fourth floor exhibit shows rare materials from Special Collections and
Archives.
To learn more about the founding of the school, see "History of the Richmond Professional Institute:
From Its Beginning in 1917 to Its Consolidation With the Medical
College of Virginia in 1968 to Form Virginia Commonwealth University" by Henry H. Hibbs Jr. (1887-1977), long-time leader of Richmond Professional Institute (RPI).
(The photograph: First class of the School of Social Work and Public Health pose with Dr. Henry H. Hibbs Jr. in front of the monument to Dr. Hunter H. McGuire, former professor of surgery at the Medical College of Virginia.)
"Portrait as Community" is the culmination of a special course inspired
by Growing Up in Civil Rights Richmond: A Community Remembers, a
project organized by the Anderson Gallery with South African photographer
Zwelethu Mthethwa and American Studies scholar Laura Browder. Students from the
VCU Departments of Photography and Film and Art Education examined historical
examples, research methodologies, ethical concerns and artistic
strategies related to the representation of communities. They selected and worked with Richmond communities over the semester to create their
projects.
This collaborative course was offered by the Department of Photography and Film, VCU Libraries and the Anderson Gallery. Teachers were Yuki Hibben, assistant head, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, and Michael Lease, head of exhibitions and design, Anderson Gallery.
The show is on view during regular gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
More The opening reception, Friday, Nov. 30, 5-8 p.m., is free and open to all.
Nov. 16 marks the
20th year for an annual conference organized by Charles E. Brownell, Ph.D., the
head of VCU's Architectural History Program. Traditions IV: 20th Symposium on
Architecture and Decorative Arts was scheduled to take place at the Virginia Historical
Society. (Above: a detail from a book cover by the Richmond publisher
Engelhardt.)
In the words of
Brownell, the conference was created "to air valuable work by current and
recent VCU graduate students, as well as important research by other members of
the VCU family circle." Ray Bonis, archives coordinator at Cabell, was scheduled to present on "Griffin and Randall, American Masters" and University Librarian
John E. Ulmschneider chaired a session on "Twenty Years of Research at
VCU."
For 20 years, Dr. Brownell, professor in VCU's Art History Department, has deposited copies of his graduate
students' research papers on architectural history topics to Special
Collections and Archives at James Branch Cabell Library. More than 300 of these papers exist and they offer a deep scholarly imprint on Richmond's architectural history. Many of these papers
develop into topics for master thesis and others are turned into papers
presented at the VCU Annual Architectural History and the Decorative Arts
Symposium. About the papers
Some of the most
architecturally significant buildings of 19th and 20th century Richmond are located on, or adjacent to, the campuses of Virginia Commonwealth
University. A focus has been on documenting
the architecture of what is known today as Richmond's Fan District and
especially the buildings of VCU's Monroe Park Campus. More about the collection
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsThu, 15 Nov 2012 13:05:01 -0500New "chat" service fields research questions in real timeNormal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEHaving trouble locating articles for your research project?
Not sure how to focus your search? Wondering about library hours and services?
Now, you can get help in real time no matter where you are--at home or at lunch, in the campus connector bus or on the quiet floor at Cabell with your backpack, laptop and notes scattered around you.
To access chat: Go to the "Ask Us" web page and click on the chat bubble. A chat "box" will open for you to type in your question. A research librarian will help you.
Chat Hours
Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 6 - 10 p.m.
VCU Libraries has been testing the new chat service for months and it now
makes its official debut. Chat, or instant messaging, is a fast track
for answers. VCU Librarians also take questions by email, phone and, of
course, face-to-face. Questions asked by email or left on voicemail are answered within 24 hours, except on weekends. Chat is anonymous: If you end the chat session before you're ready or get cut off, come back online.
Users are invited to give their feedback about the chat service by using chat.
Many VCU Libraries employees were recognized in October when
Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System recognized
employees for their dedicated years of commitment at the 41th annual
Service Awards receptions. More
Beginning
Oct. 24, the VCU Libraries' systems professionals began the transition
to retire the old catalog, parts of which will persist until all the
components can be migrated later this year. The new software searches VCU Libraries' collections as well as millions of journals and other resources. It uses unique features such
as global data mining to recommend scholarly resources based upon search
results.
Changing scholarship, shifts in the publishing industry and new technologies are driving this improvement. VCU Libraries is at the forefront
of a group of libraries around the world that is adopting a new
technology, named Alma that has been developed by Ex Libris, a leading developer of library technologies. VCU is the first large research institution to launch this new system. The
software replaces the system used here for about a decade. That software is nearing the end of its viable life. The new system is hosted
in the cloud with a strong emphasis on managing digital resources in
cooperation with other research libraries. The system is built on a design that features rapid software development, so the VCU community can look forward to major enhancements over the coming months.
"It is a system that positions VCU Libraries for the future of managing materials in all media and will provide many efficiencies," said John Duke, senior associate university librarian, who has led the technical team.
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Top NewsUpdates and NewWed, 24 Oct 2012 16:28:18 -0500On the Vanguard: VCU Libraries live with new system
In a small group of early-adopter libraries, VCU Libraries has been working with Ex Libris to replace the library management system VCU has used for a decade. Ex Libris began rolling out the new Alma system earlier in 2012. VCU is the third library in North America and the largest major research institution to date to launch Alma. It follows Boston College and Fort Hays State University, which went live in the summer.
Alma is a single, consolidated library system that manages print, electronic and digital collections. It replaces several systems that separately manage different aspects of library operations. The use of business analytics and real-time resource analysis tools within Alma will allow the library to become much more efficient and provide an opportunity for cost-containment. This uniform resource management system allows staff to monitor and manage collections, databases and other resources. Library staff also can track usage and analyze collections on a real-time basis.
Alma, and its kin software, Primo, represent the next generation in information management. Primo is a single search discovery tool that effectively is retiring the old "catalog."
Alma is cloud-based software often referred to as software as a service (SaaS). For years, the library has operated its integrated library systems on computer servers on campus and managed these systems using personnel of VCU Libraries and Technology Services. The new model moves the library system off campus to the Internet, where it runs on robust servers managed by a third-party vendor. Service is seamless to the library patron and available around the clock. The benefits for the university: Less expense, less server maintenance, better access, enhanced reliability.
Changing scholarship, shifts in the publishing industry and new technologies are driving this improvement sciences campus. We also received some cost savings in opting in early," noted Duke.
Alma has been created using modern, rapid software development tools. This makes for very quick software and library leadership envisions new efficiencies and savings that can be invested in enhanced services or improved collections.
A team of information management experts, led by University Librarian John E. Ulmschneider and Senior Associate University Librarian John Duke, have been working through the myriad of details, tests, feedback and iterations since March, 2012. The new system went live October 24.
In a small group of early-adopter libraries,
VCU Libraries has been working with Ex Libris to replace the library management
system VCU has used for a decade. Ex Libris began rolling out the new Alma
system earlier this year. VCU was the third library in North American
and the largest major research institution to date to launch Alma. It follows
Boston College and Fort Hays State University.
Alma is a single, consolidated library system that manages print, electronic and digital collections. It replaces several systems that separately managed different aspects of library operations. The use of business analytics and real-time resource-analysis tools within Alma will allow the library to become much more efficient and provide an opportunity for cost containment. The community zone and the collaboration network leverage the power of libraries to work together to reduce costs and deliver enhanced services.
Alma, used with a discovery layer such as Primo, represents the next generation in information management. Primo is a single search discovery tool that effectively is retiring the old library catalog in favor of a much broader and deeper definition of academic research.
Alma is cloud-based software often referred to as "software as a service" (SaaS). For years, the library has managed its integrated library systems locally on computer servers on campus. The new model moves management of the library system off campus, where it runs on robust servers managed by a third-party vendor. Service is seamless to the library community and available around the clock. The benefits for the university: less expense, less server maintenance, better access, enhanced reliability.
Changing scholarship, shifts in the publishing industry and new technologies are driving these improvements-sciences campus," noted Duke.
Alma has been created using modern, rapid application-development tools. This makes for very quick software prototyping and. Library leadership envisions new efficiencies and savings that can be invested in enhanced services and improved collections.
A team of information management experts, led by University Librarian John E. Ulmschneider, have been working through the myriad of details, tests, feedback and iterations since March, 2012. The new system went live October 24.
Related to the 2012 Victorians Institute Annual Conference, to be held at Virginia Commonwealth University Oct. 19-20, VCU Libraries presents "Robert Browning, 1812-1889: A Bicentenary Exhibition from the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection." This exhibition will run from Oct. 18 through Dec. 7 in Special Collections and Archives on the fourth floor of James Branch Cabell Library.
Featured in the exhibition are vintage papers, ephemera, and other materials pertaining to Robert Browning, widely regarded one of the greatest poets of the Victorian period and a forefather of modern poetry. The exhibition is curated by Ashley Rye, graduate assistant in the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection and
a doctoral candidate in art history at the University of Delaware. On Thursday, Oct. 18, an opening reception will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the exhibition space and Mark Samuels Lasner will give an introductory talk at 7:30 p.m. Lasner is senior research fellow at the University of Delaware Library, as well as an author, collector, bibliographer, typographer and authority on the Victorian period. Lasner's extensive collection is on loan to the University of Delaware Library.
Special Collections and Archives is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also be open on Saturday, October 20, from noon to 2 p.m. for a special showing of the exhibition for the Victorians Institute Conference. Running simultaneously with the exhibition will be a fourth floor gallery show of steampunk comic books
and comic art from the VCU's Comic Arts Collection.Steampunk, a sub-genre of science fiction, is heavily influenced by
the industrialization movement of the 19th century, a setting where steam power is the dominate energy source. Stories are often set in
alternative histories of the British Victorian or the American wild west
eras
will speak on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m. at the Hermes A. Kontos Medical
Sciences Building, 1217 E. Marshall St. He will discuss his ideas on leadership,
responsibility, transparency and accountability as outlined in his book, "Why
Hospitals Should Fly: The Ultimate Flight Plan to Patient Safety and Quality
Care
Novelist Award, will speak on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Grace Street
Theater, 934 W. Grace St. Torres will read from his prize-winning novel "We Are
the Animals" and discuss the publishing process.
Peter Neufeld, co-founder of the Innocence Project, and
Marvin Anderson, who was exonerated after 15 years in prison through the use of
DNA evidence, will speak on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. in the W.E. Singleton
Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. Their lecture is titled "Justice
for All: Race, Wrongful Conviction and the Innocence Project."
Jack Spiro, D.H.L., Ed.D., director of the VCU
Center for
Judaic Studies, will speak on Thursday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the
W.E.
Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. His lecture "Is
Life Meaningful? A Jewish Response" will address the Jewish perspective
on the search for the meaning of life.
A panel of Virginia history experts will discuss the impact of a failed Virginia slave rebellion. Details to be announced.
Carmen Foster, a doctoral candidate at the
University of
Virginia, will speak in March 2013. Her lecture "Another Untold Story of
Race and Richmond" will reveal the history of Hartshorn Memorial
College, a private school for African American women that became a part
of Virginia Union University in 1932. Details to be
announced.
Additional programs are being planned.
All events are free and open to the public. Parking is
available for a fee in the West Broad Street and West Main Street parking
decks. Doors generally open 30 minutes before the program begins.
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Top NewsFri, 05 Oct 2012 14:16:34 -0500In the News: STYLE cover piece explores Stilson collection of rare photos and films Kitty Snow, Stilson's great-granddaughter, is the driving force behind the work to save the photographs and films. She told STYLE: "His pictures show how people made a living, where they shopped, where
they worked and what Richmond was like in the early 20th century." Some 125 of these rare photos will be published in the forthcoming book, "From a Richmond Streetcar." VCU Libraries will be hosting a book launch event Oct. 30.
Torres will be on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus Nov. 8 for a reading, book signing, Q&A and sessions with students.
The following week, on Monday, Nov. 12 at powerHouse Arena in DUMBO,
Brooklyn, the National Book Foundation will kick off National Book
Awards Week with a party for this year's 5 Under 35 authors.
Host for the evening will be musician Neko Case, with poet and photographer Thomas Sayers Ellis as DJ. Author Anya Ulinich, a 2007 5 Under 35 Honoree, will moderate a conversation between the young writers. Musician and author Alina Simone will interview all of the authors at the event, to be shared in clips on the foundation's website.The 5 Under 35 program, now in its seventh year, honors five young
fiction writers selected by past National Book Award Winners and
Finalists.
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Top NewsIn the NewsMon, 01 Oct 2012 09:02:52 -0500Los Angeles Review of Books features Cabell First Novelist recipientDaniel OlivasinterviewsJustin Torres, recipient of the 2012 Cabell First Novelist Award, in a lengthy article in the Los Angeles Review of Books. The interview mentions VCU and the high quality of entries for the award. Torres also tells the interviewer that he won't prepare much for his Nov. 8 book talk and Q&A in Richmond. "I'm pretty terrible at prepared remarks. I much
prefer spontaneity and interacting with audience questions. Also, I'm
more frank, and crass, and honest, if I'm not given time to prepare." The article
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Top NewsIn the NewsWed, 26 Sep 2012 15:23:35 -0500Health sciences service photos needed for gallery show and contestHundreds of MCV campus students take part in
health-related community service projects each year. They work in free
clinics, do rotations in community settings or go on group service trips
such as the annual health care project in impoverished Southwest
Virginia.
To showcase the breadth of those experiences, Tompkins-McCaw Library
for the Health Sciences invites members of the university community to
submit photographs to the Rams Reaching Out Photography Contest.
Details
Submit an entry form and submit it to libtmlsca@vcu.edu via VCU File Drop.
Images of people who are clearly identifiable may require signed photo
release forms before they can be displayed in the exhibition at the
Tompkins-McCaw Gallery. And, some cell phone photos may not meet quality
guidelines. ]]>
and EventsHomepage Top NewsUpdates and NewThu, 06 Sep 2012 14:06:55 -0500Exhibit in Cabell Library marks significant discovery in anthropology
From left to right: Jim Coleman, Dean of the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences; the Honorable Ibrahim Rasool; John Ulmschneider, University Librarian; and Jim Moore, President of the VCU Friends of the Library
"Australopithecine!" (aw-stral-o-PITH-eh-seen), an exhibit on the first floor of James Branch Cabell Library, features facsimiles of fossils of a recently discovered species that anthropologists say could be a missing link between the genus Homo and the more ancient genus Australopithecus.
The facsimile fossils on display make up the partial skeletons of two specimens of Australopithecus sediba (aw-stral-o-PITH-eh-cus seh-DI-ba), unearthed in 2008 at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in South Africa, and offer library visitors the rare opportunity of observing the differences between life two-million years ago and life in the present day. The exhibit will be open through December 18 before moving to the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville.
The exhibit is made possible through the generous loan of the facsimile fossils from the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa. In a visit to VCU on August 28, the Honorable Ibrahim Rasool, South African ambassador to the United States, spoke about the importance of the discovery to his nation and to the world as a whole, suggesting that the successful advancement of civilization would not be possible without a deep understanding of the past. Dr. Noel Boaz of the VCU Anthropology Program said that the "Australopithecine!" exhibit was intended to showcase the ongoing developments in the study of hominid ancestry. More
The deadline for the 2013 VCU Cabell First Novelist
Award is September 15 for books published January through June
2012. For books published July through December 2012, the deadline is
January 12, 2013.
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Top NewsIn the NewsThu, 02 Aug 2012 16:57:39 -0500Interactive exhibit asks: What books do you carry with you from childhood or youth? Books You Carry with You, an
exhibition at James Branch Cabell Library through September.
On loan from and organized by the Richmond
Public Library System and its Friends of the Library, the exhibition features some 50 Richmond leaders
and their childhood book inspirations. People such as VCU President Rao, Rams
Basketball Head Coach Shaka Smart, Richmond Schools Superintendent Yvonne Brandon, musician
Jason Mraz and other interesting voices share the children's books that
still inspire them.
Participants recall works including Shel Silverstein's
"Where the Sidewalk Ends," Don Freeman's "Corduroy" and several titles by Dr. Seuss.
Each poster offers a short essay about the book and how it has influenced its
reader.
The VCU Libraries show seeks participation and invites everyone to share their reflections on books from childhood and youth that made lasting impressions.
How to participate in the exhibition and conversation
A dry board will
be available for visitors to post titles of their favorites and note why they inspire them today.
Use the Cabell Twitter address,
@VCUcabell, and the hashtag #VCUreads to tweet their thoughts.
Submit (anonymously or not) thoughts via this survey form. Library staff will post it to the board in the building.
Books You Carry with
You will be on display during Library Fest on August 20, when some 1,000 new students will attend the annual VCU Libraries open house, and throughout
September at James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park campus, 901 Park Ave. The
traveling exhibition previously was on view at Main Library and at the Children's Museum of Richmond. VCU Libraries thanks the staff and Friends of the Richmond Public Library for organizing, creating, and sharing this exhibit with the VCU community.
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Top NewsTop NewsWed, 01 Aug 2012 11:59:22 -0500History of the VCU Seal July update to the University community, President Michael Rao unveiled a new University seal and explained the importance of such symbols. He wrote:
"As we move into the ranks of nationally competitive universities, it is more important than ever that we communicate with one voice in a strong, compelling and consistent way that conveys our unique character and academic quality. ... Toward that end, a new university seal and brand mark have been developed and approved by the Board of Visitors. The new seal and brand mark are the result of quantitative and qualitative surveys and significant input from members of the university community, including students, faculty, staff and alumni. ... The new university seal ... reflects the unity of VCU while maintaining its grand historical significance."
A new Web page in Tompkins-McCaw Library's Special Collections and Archives section details the history of the MCV and VCU seals and institutional symbols. Research was provided by VCU Libraries' Jodi Koste and Ray Bonis. History of the Seal (Below is an early MCV symbol of science and medicine.)
Stilson (1868-1934) was a Richmond streetcar conductor, later a motorman, and amateur
photographer and film documentarian. His films offer a rarely-seen visual
record of Richmond 1929-31. Highlights of the collection are street scenes of
black and white citizens, streetcars and buildings and leisure life at Byrd
Park and Shields Lake.
"The Stilson
work is a unique treasure," said Wesley J. Chenault, head of Special
Collections and Archives at James Branch Cabell Library. "Film footage of
the city is rare and our research suggests that these films are among the
oldest, if not the oldest, held by any local or regional cultural institution
in the commonwealth."
Adding to the historic value are provenance and documentation. The donor is the filmmaker's
great-granddaughter, Kitty Snow. Recognizing the importance of this record, she
has actively worked to locate and preserve Stilson's collection, which includes
some 3,000 photographs and negatives that document the ordinary lives of
Richmonders, including African American and Jewish communities and individuals
from his streetcar routes. It also contains meticulous records - ledgers,
receipts, notes - that identify who and what Stilson captured through his
lenses.
Snow says her great-grandfather (at left) "was the poor man's photographer,
selling pictures for 20 cents to pay for his cameras, film, and developing
materials. He was also an innovative photographer, hand-coloring and even
inserting a missing relative's face into a family portrait, sort of an early
'Photoshopped' picture."
A selection of
his images is the subject of Snow's forthcoming book "From a Richmond
Streetcar." The film collection at VCU Libraries represents his only known
surviving film work. VCU Libraries is working with Snow to acquire the
photographs, negatives and personal papers, which will add immense historical
depth and context.
The Kodacolor
films in the collection will be the first to be preserved. Introduced for 16 mm
film in 1928, this Kodak brand was associated with an early color process known
as lenticular. After being cleaned and preserved, the films will be made
available for public research and use in Special Collections and Archives at
James Branch Cabell Library and online through VCU Libraries Digital
Collections.
The film
collection is expected to have broad research interest to scholars, students, documentarians
and others interested in early 20th century urban life, Virginia and Richmond history,
race relations, urban studies, architectural history and more.
Created by the
U.S. Congress in 1996 to save the nation's film heritage, the National Film
Preservation Foundation is affiliated with the Library of Congress's National
Film Preservation Board.It awards basic
preservation grants to nonprofit and public institutions for laboratory work to
preserve culturally and historically significant films.
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Top NewsIn the NewsSpecial CollectionsTop NewsThu, 28 Jun 2012 14:53:54 -0500In the News: Richmond Times-Dispatch features cartoon on key anniversaryThe Sunday, June 24, 2012 Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial page
featured this historic cartoon. First published in June 1948 as
commentary about a tense moment in the early days of the Cold War, it
chronicles the start of the Berlin Blockade. Western powers squared off against the Soviets, who blocked access to rails, roads and waterways to control supply lines into Berlin. In response, Western Allies organized the Berlin Airlift to provide needed supplies to the people of West Berlin. The blockade, which started on June 24, 1948 and ended the following May, resulted in the creation of two German states and a divided Berlin.
The cartoonist Fred O. Seibel was the newspaper's editorial cartoonist for more than 40 years.
The Fred
O. Seibel Papers are housed in the James Branch Cabell Library's
Special Collections and Archives. The collection is part of the
library's Comic Arts Collection which includes the papers of several
cartoonists, a collection of comic books and a significant collection
of reference materials that focus on the comic arts and its history.
The Seibel collection includes correspondence to Seibel, a complete
set of his published cartoons, 34 thirty-four original Seibel
cartoons and other items. More
From 1950 to 1954, Carl E. "Chick" Larsen
(1923-1991) studied commercial art at Richmond Professional
Institute (RPI), the forerunner to VCU. He worked for the Richmond Times-Dispatch for more than 35 years.
He worked in the pre-digital age when X-ACTO knives and India ink were among the trade's tools. Some of those art supplies are on display along with samples of his work for various clients and his student work.
Also on view are clippings of the color comic strip he created around a newspaper delivery carrier. "Carrier-Toons" ran in newspapers nationwide from 1979-84.
The materials on view are from the
Carl "Chick" Larsen Papers housed in VCU Libraries Special Collections and Archives in James Branch Cabell Library. The materials in the exhibit were donated by Larsen's family to VCU Libraries. The collection documents Larsen's career as a professional artist and
contains materials ranging from Larsen's original art work to the art supplies he used during the 1950s through the 1980s. The photograph of Larsen, left, was taken in 1978.
* * *
VCU Libraries' Comic Arts Collection, housed
in Special Collections and Archives at James Branch Cabell Library, consists of some 100,000 items,
including more than 40,000 comic books, graphic novels, editorial
cartoons, comic strips, memorabilia, comic journals, fanzines and
an array of reference materials. In addition to the growing,
comprehensive collections for the study of comic arts, VCU Libraries
is the repository for the Will
Eisner Comic Industry Awards Archives.
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsSpecial CollectionsTop NewsUpdates and NewMon, 04 Jun 2012 12:55:39 -0500New hours and summer term closings at CabellPlease refer to this chart for summer hours. Also, note that Cabell Starbucks will be closed May 21-28 for remodeling.
Just in time for summer, when faculty and staff are on the go, VCU Libraries has upgraded its subscription to The Chronicle of
Higher Education. Readers can now access The Chronicle using an iPad,
smart phone, tablet or any computer located anywhere in the world.
Account holders may download The Chronicle's
iPad editions at no cost, view the new mobile interface using a web
browser on a smart phone or tablet and access the publication via
computer from any location.
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Top NewsUpdates and NewFri, 11 May 2012 14:50:56 -0500New to the Collection: Index of Christian Art
The Index of Christian Art catalogs art found
within a broadly defined Christian context. In its digital form, the index contains some 80,000 full-text records and more than 100,000
images dating from 30 CE to 1550 CE. Founded in 1917 and continuously
updated, this resource is maintained by Princeton University.
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Top NewsScholarly CommunicationsUpdates and NewFri, 11 May 2012 14:50:27 -0500Student photobooks on exhibit at Cabell The Department of Photography and Film and VCU Libraries collaborated to develop and teach the 400-level course. The
exhibit includes work by Christine Addison, Stephanie Fry, Anna
Hendrick, Emily Jones, Melissa Rabin, Stephen Turner and Diego Valdez.
"The Photobook" course coupled studio instruction in bookmaking with a critical examination of artists' books and photobooks in the Cabell Library collection. Throughout the semester, students learned bookmaking techniques and structures ranging in difficulty from concertinas to case bindings. Students also met in Special Collections and Archives each week to explore the history and ideas represented by rare and important examples of artists' books and photobooks. Combining technical skills with their knowledge of the genre, students designed and produced their own photobooks.
A photobook is an autonomous art form in which images are sequenced to
tell a story or convey specific concepts. Unlike other photography
books, the images in a photobook are less significant as stand-alone
photographs but are meaningful as parts of a comprehensive whole.
The course was taught by Helen Cassidy, a professional bookbinder, and
Yuki Hibben, assistant professor and assistant head of Special Collections and Archives.
Share or comment on the Cabell Facebook page or tweet about #libraryzombies or retweet something from #VCUCabell and come to the main circulation
desk to pick up a poster...until supplies are gone.
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Top NewsUpdates and NewThu, 03 May 2012 15:07:23 -0500New to the collection: The cutting edge of style and designavailable through VCU Libraries.
This news and culture site tracks trends worldwide with a focus on retail, fashion and design industries--all the style-related industries. It publishes in real time and posts updates daily.
WGSN brings a global view
to trends in fashion and design, with a specific focus on areas where
style and commerce intersect. The network and its 12-year archive
contain more than 5 million images from runways, trade shows,
retail outlets, exhibitions and streets around the world. Visual
searching allows the user to find similar items according to shape,
color, and pattern. WGSN also gives patrons access to 16,000
downloadable copyright-free graphics from a unique library of
sector-specific conceptual collections. (At right, a lighting display by Tom Dixon at Milan Design Week in 2012.)
According to its website, WGSN is "the leading online trend-analysis and research service
providing creative and business intelligence for the apparel, style,
design and retail industries." It was founded in 1998 and has regional offices and freelancers throughout Europe, Asia, South America and in the United States, where it has offices in New York and Los Angeles.
To access the database: ]]>
Top NewsUpdates and NewThu, 03 May 2012 14:03:40 -0500New to the collection: 19th Century American Art Periodicals through VCU Libraries.
This resource is the sole online index to 42 periodicals published in the United States during the 19th century.
Each issue is indexed for its entire contents--articles, art notes, illustrations, stories, poems and advertisements. This is a valuable resource on American art, artists, and collecting, as well as popular culture and industry.
To access the database:
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Top NewsUpdates and NewThu, 03 May 2012 13:42:48 -0500In the News: Cabell's overnight crew featured in 'The Working Dead'Cabell's new 24-hour schedule relies on "The Working Dead features members of James Branch Cabell Library's overnight crew. Those employees are featured as zombified workers in a campy poster by artist Dave Morrison. Since Cabell began operating around-the-clock after spring break, the team has covered the late-night and early-morning shifts.
A limited number of posters will be given to library patrons Sunday-Thursday, May 6-10. Become a fan of the Cabell Facebook page or retweet or tweet about #libraryzombies and come to the main circulation desk to pick up a poster, until supplies are gone.
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Top NewsMon, 30 Apr 2012 16:44:36 -0500New to the collection: Isolationist era and early WWII cartoons onlinecartoons often loaded with complex political commentary on Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, Germany and Japan and other major actors on the international stage in the years before the United States entered World War II.
James Branch Cabell Library acquired this collection of original circa 1940 drawings in 1980. They are available for view in Special Collections and Archives. This month, they were released in a digital format, further augmenting access to Cabell's outstanding collection of comic arts. The online collection
Born in Alabama and graduated from Philadelphia's Drexel Institute in 1904, Sykes drew as a freelancer and then worked for newspapers. In 1914, he became the first and only editorial cartoonist for the Evening Public Ledger. It ceased publication in 1942, the same year Sykes died. Sykes also had working relationships with Life, Colliers and The New York Evening Post.
His most famous cartoon, "Madonna and Child A.D.1940," depicts the ugliness of war. The image is of a mother and child wearing gas masks. It was published on August 13, 1940--the first day of the Battle of Britain.
The Sykes Editorial Cartoon Collection consists of 297 original editorial cartoons, three unfinished sketches, a U.S. War Bond poster and a U.S. Victory poster. The cartoons focus on American reaction to the Axis powers in the 1930s and 1940s. Sykes created his early cartoons using the unusual patterns of coquille board for the shading effect. His later works were created with a crayon-and-wash technique.
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.htmlHomepage Top NewsSpecial CollectionsUpdates and NewWed, 25 Apr 2012 13:00:15 -0500In the News: Yes, VCU, you can borrow a bike at the libraryThe April 10 article ]]>
Top NewsIn the NewsTue, 10 Apr 2012 14:23:58 -0500New to the collection: A century of style and society in The Vogue ArchiveThe Vogue Archive, new to VCU Libraries. The Vogue Archive gives users digital access to the entire run of the U.S. edition of Vogue (1892-present) with its photographs, articles and
advertisements. Comprehensive indexing allows for searches of keywords,
materials, products, garments, designers, individuals and companies.
Students from a wide range of disciplines will find this resource useful, according to Emily Davis, arts collection librarian.
"Students who would be most interested would be in the areas of fashion, interior design, art history, advertising, mass communications and gender, sexuality and women's studies. Those in history, film studies and business might also find its content useful. The page formats are left intact so that may be of interest to graphic design."
"While many people think of Vogue as just a fashion magazine, in reality it presents a broad portrait of its era," Davis says. "Searching through the archives one can not only track the change in silhouettes, but they can also view pictures of Paris after the liberation, read an interview with Fellini, or an essay by Simone de Beauvoir. Fashion does not exist in a vacuum. Vogue documents both style and society."
According to The Vogue Archive Web site:
"Voguewas
founded in New York in 1892 as a weekly society paper catering for
Manhattan's social elite. When it was bought by Condé Nast in 1909, the
publication changed dramatically: The quality of the paper, printing and
illustrations improved, the frequency changed from weekly to
fortnightly, the page count, advertising space and cover price all
increased, and there was a new focus on fashion. The re-launched Vogue
became one of the icons of the modern age: arriving at a time when the
corseted gowns of the 1900s were giving way to simpler, more practical
clothing for women, Condé Nast's use of eye-catching cover art by the
great illustrators of the day created a similar revolution in magazine
publishing. ... Cover illustration artists such as "Georges Lepape and George Wolfe Plank ... Helen Dryden, Eduardo Benito and others, were
strongly influenced by the latest developments in modern art, from
Klimt and the impressionists to Bakst and Modigliani, and the covers of Vogue provided a very public platform for the radical aesthetics of Art Deco, cubism and futurism in the 1920s.
These
illustrated covers gave way to color photographs in the 1930s and
1940s, including extraordinarily innovative work by Horst P. Horst and
Erwin Blumenfield. ...
"The contents of Vogue reflect the changing styles
and culture of the postwar world, from the stylized and extravagant
ultra-femininity of Dior's New Look in 1947, and the Parisian chic of
Balenciaga and Balmain, to the youth-focused designers of the 1950s and
60s (Mary Quant, Jean Muir, Ossie Clark). Vogue was one of the
main outlets for the new photographic style of the 1960s: the bold and
dynamic handheld approach of David Bailey, Terence Donovan and others.
"The contents of Vogue
are obviously of central importance to the history of fashion, from the
liberating modernism of Coco Chanel to the cross-gendered
experimentation of Jean-Paul Gaultier and beyond. However, it is also a
rich source for other areas of modern culture, providing a record of
changing social tastes, mores and aspirations in the modern world, and
encompassing literary works by Kate Chopin, Evelyn Waugh, Vladimir
Nabokov and Carson McCullers, articles by Winston Churchill and Bertrand
Russell, wartime photojournalism by Lee Miller, features on popular
cultural figures of the day from Marlene Dietrich and the Beatles to
Nicole Kidman and Beyoncé, and on prominent American women from Jackie
Kennedy to Michelle Obama."]]>
Top NewsUpdates and NewMon, 09 Apr 2012 12:20:15 -0500New to the collection: Slavery and abolition online archive database of digital resources about slavery and abolition is now available to researchers through VCU LIbraries.
The Office of the Secretary of the Interior Relating to the Suppression of the African Slave Trade from 1854-1872;
Amistad Research Center in New Orleans covering the array of documents related to one of the most important slave rebellions and trials in American and world history.
Ultimately millions of pages of information will be available in SAS,
letting VCU researchers search across all documents in each part in one
seamless interface, according to Kevin D. Farley, Ph.D., assistant professor and collection librarian for the humanities. "The
result will be unexpected and important contributions to the scholarly
dialogue about American slavery and its local and global ramifications."
Farley notes that the addition of this collection is timely. During the sesquicentennial period marking the American Civil War, and given the centrality of the slave trade to Richmond history, he expects this database at VCU will deepen the study and teaching of these events in unprecedented ways. "In placing slavery practices against the longstanding U.S. and European efforts to abolish slavery, SAS allows researchers to see all aspects of this crucial and far-reaching history."
The database now consists of Part I, "Debates over Slavery and Abolition," and Part II, "Slave Trade in the Atlantic World." Two additional sections are being developed: Part III, "Institution of Slavery," and Part IV, "Age of Emancipation."
The online collection includes a small group of images, including the woodcut shown above of Underground Railroad leader and abolitionist Harriet Tubman. And, this rare photograph of two young American slave boys, mid-19th century.Get an early start on your spring cleaning by cleaning off your book shelves! Drive up to the loading dock of James Branch Cabell Library with your books and book-related items, and members of the VCU Friends of the Library will be there to unload your donations for you. All we ask is that the books be in boxes or bags so that we can carry them safely and efficiently.
Anyone can make a donation. Acceptable items for donation include all types of books--such as novels, collections of poems, books of essays, children's books, and recent textbooks--as well as audiobooks, music CDs and LPs, movie DVDs, and more. For details on acceptable items
All donations go toward the VCU Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale in the fall, the proceeds of which help to fund the programs and collections of VCU Libraries.
For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell, Membership and Events Coordinator for VCU Libraries, at (804) 828-0593 or kimbrellgg@vcu.edu. Donations are also accepted year-round at both James Branch Cabell Library and Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences. To make an appointment to drop off your donation, contact Gregory Kimbrell.
Directions: To reach the loading dock of James Branch Cabell Library, follow Park Avenue east until you reach North Linden Street. Take a right onto North Linden. As soon as you turn right, you will see a driveway to your left and a VCU Friend of the Library ready to greet you.
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Top NewsUpdates and NewWed, 04 Apr 2012 14:53:35 -0500Scifinder Scholar now with unlimited simultaneous usersScifinder Scholar, the world's most renowned search and discovery tool for chemistry and related disciplines, is now being offered to the VCU community with unlimited access points. VCU Libraries has been subscribing to Scifinder Scholar since 1999, but for only a maximum of five simultaneous users.
As of April 1, 2012, Scifinder Scholar can be accessed by unlimited simultaneous users.
The operating hours remain the same and are:
Sunday 1 p.m. until Saturday 10 p.m.
On the first Saturday of each month, Scifinder Scholar will be available until 5 p.m. and will not be accessible again until 1p.m. the following Sunday.
VCU
Libraries now offers bicycles for patrons to borrow for 24 hours. The bike loan program is a joint project of VCU RamBikes and VCU Goes Green.
The project is designed to make getting across campus easier and faster for students who have occasional need of two-wheel transportation.
The bicycles are Sun Atlas coasters with foot breaks and without gears.
There are four bikes available at James Branch Cabell Library
and another four bikes available at Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences.
Bikes must be
returned to the location where they were borrowed.
Bikes are loaned for 24 hours; patrons can renew them for an
additional 24 hours using My Library Record or by calling the service
desk at either library (Cabell Library 828-1111; Tompkins-McCaw Library
828-0636).
Overdue fines of $25 per day or portion of a day are assessed on bikes not returned by the date
and time due.
Helmets are
loaned with the bikes, and are available in small/medium and large/extra
large; both are adjustable.
The seat height is also adjustable, and an
Allen wrench (also known as a hex key) is available for patrons to use.
Bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Patrons
are required to sign a waiver of liability statement before they can check out the key to the lock securing a particular bike to the rack in
front of the library building.
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Top NewsTop NewsUpdates and NewTue, 27 Mar 2012 09:46:01 -0500Numbers up for late-night use during Week No. 1 Students apparently welcome the change. Data from the first week of extended services shows library use that compares favorably to library use during the beginning and end of previous extended hours during exams.
• 2010 people were in the building during the 2 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. period during the first week. • During a census taken Monday, March 26 at 3:45 a.m., 105 people were studying in the building, about half in the second floor Cabell Learning Commons. • The census on Monday showed that 10 out of 14 study rooms on the second floor were in use at 3:45 a.m.
Weekend use is also up by more than 1,000 patrons.
• 472 patrons used the library during the new 6 to 10 p.m. Friday night hours. Previously, Cabell closed at 6 p.m. • 588 patrons used the library during the new 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday night hours. Previously, Cabell closed at 6 p.m.
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Top NewsTop NewsUpdates and NewMon, 26 Mar 2012 14:22:35 -0500Some 300 attend reading; poetry thrives at VCU Event Web site To put his visit in context, University News reporter Leila Ugincius wrote an article "Poetry Thrives at VCU" that details the university's role as a mecca for poets. The article is reprinted here with permission of University News Center:
* * *
Writers and poets may not be able to pinpoint exactly what makes
Richmond a hotbed for poetry, but most would agree the city is
undoubtedly a mecca for poets, with Virginia Commonwealth University at
its very heart.
"Richmond is a city with a wealth not just of
history, but of living, breathing talent, perhaps literary talent
especially," said Gregory G. Kimbrell, membership and events
coordinator with VCU Libraries and
himself a poet.
"Not every historical city thrives in this way, and I
would say that we have VCU to thank for much of Richmond's vivacity. The
nationally ranked MFA in Creative Writing Program
continually brings to the literary community fresh faces to remind us
all what it means to discover oneself as a writer, that good writing is
not just about beautiful or important things, but about dedication and
passion."
David Wojahn called the university a rich community for poetry. "There are a lot of complementary ventures on the campus that really
are focusing on trying to give requisite attention to poetry in general
and poetry in Virginia, specifically," said Wojahn, a professor in the
creative writing program in the Department of English.
The university's latest celebration of poetry takes place this week with a reading by Pulitzer Prize-winner Yusef Komunyakaa(pictured) on Thursday, March 22.
"He's really one of America's
premier poets," Wojahn said. "He began in the 1980s and '90s to write a
lot about his experience - and the American experience in general -
about Vietnam. So he's known above all for the poems he's written about
that conflict."
Events that bring writers such as Komunyakaa to
campus serve two purposes: both encouraging students and offering
something to the community.
"Creative-writing students need
contact with the great poets in order to have examples to aspire to and
to improve their work, and this means not just reading the classics, but
also reading and hearing the great poets who are living and writing
right now," Kimbrell said. "The community provides VCU so much moral and
financial support, and we are always looking for ways of both saying
thank you and inviting them to come back to visit us.
"These
readings bring people from all across the city. I suppose that the
stereotype of poetry readings is the coffee house in which only five
people are actually paying attention to the poet sitting on the wooden
stool in the spotlight, but these readings at VCU attract hundreds. In a
world that often seems to think that poetry stopped being written after
the beat generation, this is tremendously heartening."
The
event, part of the English Department's Visiting Writers Series and
sponsored by the VCU Friends of the Library, continues both entities'
interest and commitment to promoting poetry in the community.
The
English Department has "a nationally ranked creative writing program in
poetry and in fiction. And so, we also bring a lot of visiting poets to
campus," Wojahn said. "The Cabell Library has really been in recent
years very interested in promoting poetry in Virginia and in trying to
beef up its special collections to include a lot of poetry."
Among
Cabell's more notable acquisitions are the papers of the late Larry
Levis, (pictured, left) a major American poet who taught at VCU at the end of his life.
The English Department's celebrated poets include Kathleen Graber,
a National Book Award finalist whose many awards include the Library of
Virginia's Literary Award for Poetry, and Wojahn, a Pulitzer Prize
finalist, three-time winner of the Pushcart Prize and recipient of the
Carole Weinstein Prize in Poetry.
Student and alumni poets also have earned accolades for their works.
In
2006, the online literature and arts journal Blackbird -- already a
national presence among literary and poetry magazines -- scored a coup
when it featured a previously unpublished poem by the late Pulitzer
Prize-winning poet Sylvia Plath.
That same year, VCU MFA alumni Elizabeth Seydel "Buffy" Morgan and Ron Smith were named co-winners of the first Carole Weinstein poetry prize,
which rewards $10,000 to a Central Virginia poet annually for his or
her contribution to the art of poetry. Smith and Morgan then became
curators for the prize.
Other recent alumni honorees include Catherine MacDonald,
(pictured, right), who won the 2012 Miller Williams Arkansas Poetry Prize, and Anna
Journey and Allison Titus, who each won NEA Literature Fellowships.
Why the university has devoted so much attention to poetry is simple, Wojahn said: "I
think it's a force that may not help people to live their lives in a
better way, but it certainly helps them to endure their lives a little
bit better. When you read a poem that you're moved by, impressed by,
compelled by, you feel like the author of the poem is speaking only to
you and no one else.
"As a poet myself, I feel very lucky to be
in a place where I practice a discipline that's appreciated. And I think
not every academician -- even in a school that has a thriving creative
writing program -- would be able to say that, but I feel no reluctance in
saying that about VCU."
The workshop will be conducted
by Dan Ream, VCU librarian and past president of the VCU Faculty
Senate.
As journal subscription costs have increased dramatically, fewer and
fewer libraries can afford every journal that is needed, including some
that are considered prestigious and essential. Faculty worldwide,
especially in the sciences, but also increasingly in the social sciences
and humanities, have responded by creating and publishing their research
in open access, peer-reviewed journals that charge no fee to their
readers.
Faculty senates from Harvard to Berkeley to the University of
Virginia have endorsed open access publishing for their faculty.
This one-hour session will introduce faculty to this revolution in
publishing of open access, peer-reviewed journals and demonstrate how to
locate them in almost any discipline, as well as discuss the potential
benefits of worldwide free access to faculty research. Options for
faculty retention of copyright will also be discussed.
This workshop will be held in library classroom/lab 319 on the third
floor of James Branch Cabell Library. No advance registration is necessary. Address
questions to Dan Ream, or call 828-6545 for more information.
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& WorkshopsHomepage Top NewsScholarly CommunicationsTop NewsFri, 16 Mar 2012 16:08:37 -0500VCU Libraries named "Center of Excellence" for homeland security collection ASERL, which has some 40 members, represents the region's top research institutions. These members of the largest regional research library consortium in the United States work together to provide and maintain top quality resources and services for the students, faculty and citizens of their communities.
The new Center of Excellence program focuses on government materials. Wise stewardship of resources and greater access to government documents in the Southeast are the program's goals. Center of Excellence status carries with it the role of becoming a "regional expert" for that agency or subject matter. Expertise includes gathering a collection that is as complete as possible, creating access to that collection and providing service to the collection by professional staff. Expertise is also maintained through the sharing of information among partner institutions and astute professional management of the collection.
Overseeing the Homeland Security Collection at VCU is Mary Ellen Spencer, head librarian for research and instructional services at VCU Libraries' James Branch Cabell Library. An assistant professor, she has deep experience in managing government and public documents and collections in the social sciences.
"The Bush administration formed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2002 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks," Spencer said. "VCU Libraries receives all government publications associated with the agency, most of them born digital. At present, the collection includes over 3,400 titles, including The 9/11 Commission Report:."
VCU Libraries was selected to focus on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security materials because of its strong academic programs in homeland security, emergency preparedness and public health.
The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs offers a bachelor's of arts degree in homeland security and emergency preparedness. After introducing the B.A. in 2005, the school added a graduate certificate program and a master's program in 2007.
The Department of Epidemiology and Community Health offers two tracks in its master of public health program, one focusing on public health practice and one focusing on epidemiology. Graduates are prepared to work on multi-disciplinary teams in government agencies at the state, federal and international levels or in service arms of private sectors.
The Wilder School also houses the National Homeland Security Project, which researches policy and management related to security and preparedness, including assessing Virginia programs.
VCU is also uniquely situated geographically--in the military and intelligence crescent from the CIA in Langley to Arlington's Pentagon to Newport News' shipbuilding operations to Virginia Beach's massive naval installations. Located in the state capital, in a city that houses the Fifth District Federal Reserve and located just 100 miles south of Washington, VCU's central location offers students and faculty easy access to homeland security institutions and professionals.
ASERL's Centers of Excellence program is funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Spencer at mespencer@vcu.edu.
In her new position, she will lead efforts to create an integrated program that teaches research skills to undergraduates and graduate students, promotes information literacy and enhances the student experience at VCU. Gariepy will supervise a team of five to lead the design, delivery and assessment of teaching activities. Within the library, the research and instructional services division creates educational experiences, coaches individuals working on specific projects, advises students on research methods and best practices and answers thousands of questions each year.
During the last fiscal year, librarians working in this division on the Monroe Park campus managed thousands of one-on-one, face-to-face sessions with patrons. These included some 530 individual consultations for in-depth research coaching, 300 attendees at walk-in research and writing clinics and nearly 4,000 phone or email inquiries. Librarians conducted 607 classroom sessions attended by more than 23,000 students.
Gariepy brings a foundation of experience and academic preparation to her new role. As undergraduate student programs librarian since 2009, she has been in the forefront of efforts by the VCU Libraries to strengthen its engagement with undergraduate teaching and improve the student experience at VCU.
Prior to her arrival at VCU, she was a graduate assistant at House Undergraduate Library at The University of North Carolina-Chapel HIll and a reference assistant in Davis Library at UNC-Chapel Hill. She worked as an intern for two years at the Environmental Protection Agency Library in the Research Triangle Park, N.C.
She holds a B.A. in sociology from Appalachian State University and the M.S. in library science from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Jack D. Spiro will present "Jerusalem: A Tale of Three Cities," the 27th Annual Brown-Lyons Lecture on March 29 at 7:30 at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. Spiro will explore the city's diverse meanings in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam through memories, practices, literary sources, values and beliefs. He will discuss the conflicting visions of the city as "sacred space"--in addition to the controversial issue of Jerusalem as the unified capital of Israel?
The lecture is free and open to the public, but because seating is limited, registration
is required. If special accommodations are needed or to register
offline, please call (804) 827-1165 or (804) 828-0593 prior to March 27.
Parking is available for a fee in the West Main Street and West Cary
Street parking decks. A reception will be held immediately following the
lecture. Doors open at 7 p.m.To register
The 27th Annual Brown-Lyons Lecture is sponsored by the VCU
Friends of the Library, the VCU Center for Judaic Studies, the Jewish
Community Federation of Richmond, the Richmond Jewish Foundation and the
Weinstein JCC.
Dr. Jack D. Spiro holds the Harry Lyons Distinguished Chair in
Judaic Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is also director
of the VCU Center for Judaic Studies and editor of its online
publication, Menorah Review. He has earned two doctorates from the
Hebrew Union College and the University of Virginia. He has authored,
co-authored or edited over 30 books and written numerous articles.
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsThu, 01 Mar 2012 10:02:53 -0500In the News: VCUInSight features library news]]>
Top NewsIn the NewsFri, 24 Feb 2012 11:28:47 -0500Walk-in research and writing clinics start Feb. 28Walk-In Research and Writing Clinics
are designed to help anyone optimize their research and writing performance-- undergraduates, graduates, faculty and staff. Anytime the clinic is open, a librarian and writing consultant are available for one-on-one assistance on finding library resources and working through the writing process. Drop in for quick questions or in-depth
discussions. The clinics are co-sponsored by VCU Libraries and The
Writing Center. Clinic ScheduleSpring Semester Multipurpose Room, room 250, James Branch Cabell Library
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& WorkshopsHomepage Top NewsFri, 24 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0500iPads, Sony bloggies, Nooks and Kindles available Now, a new wave of electronic tools is available for check-out.
Apple iPads: three-day loan; Available at the Circulation and Information Services desk in
Cabell Library and the Service desk at Tompkins-McCaw Library
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Top NewsMon, 13 Feb 2012 14:56:00 -0500By the numbers: Late-night use up 25% Statistics for fall 2011 show steady and busy usage. Some 900,845 people are counted as library-goers from the start of the semester through the end of exams.
Typically, on Mondays through Thursday peak days, 10,000 to 13,000 people were in the library at some point. Some of them, 8,050 over the span of 24-hour service, used the library from 2 to 7:30 a.m. That late-night use is up 25 percent compared to 2010. ]]>
Top NewsUpdates and NewFri, 27 Jan 2012 13:42:28 -0500Feb. 22: Advertising leader to deliver 10th annual Black History Month Lecture VCU Libraries, the Friends of the Library and the Francis M. Foster Francis M. Foster African-American History Endowment Fund present the 10th Annual Black History Month Lecture Feb. 22.
Legendary advertising executive Tom Burrell created some memorable moments in advertising and media history in campaigns for McDonald's and Coca-Cola. By showing the world that "black people are not dark-skinned white people," Burrell's firm tapped into the purchasing power of the African-American community in new and positive ways and he became part of the ongoing conversation on race in America.
Burrell will deliver the 10th Annual Black History Month Lecture, Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m., University Student Commons, Richmond Salons, 907 Floyd Ave. The VCU Libraries event is free and open to all but seating is limited and registration is required. The Chicago-based former CEO's 2010 book, "Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority," sparked a lively, global conversation on race and brought attention to the media's role in the perpetuation of racism and race-based self-esteem issues. "Brainwashed" was named one of Ebony magazine's "65 Greatest Books" and was a Jet magazine editorial pick.
His Resolution Project, established in 2007, works to challenge and reverse ongoing mass media stereotypes and negative race-based conditioning. The Resolution Project is dedicated to creating and promoting positive "new media" campaigns, curricula, books, products and strategies that foster intra-racial dialogue and equip individuals, organizations and institutions with the tools necessary to counter centuries of negative societal and media messaging and conditioning.
The winner of many awards, including Advertising Person of the Year and the Albert Lasker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Advertising, Burrell is a member of the American Advertising Federation's Advertising Hall of Fame. He also received the Revolutionary Award from ImageNation for his work with his non-profit and his efforts to combat negative images of African Americans in the media. About the firm he founded.
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsMon, 23 Jan 2012 12:28:57 -0500SPSS now on VCU Libraries public computers, loaner laptops SPSS, as well as SAS, JMP, and Mathematica, is
running as a virtual application from a central server at the VCU Computer Center. These virtual applications are possible through a
partnership between VCU Technology Services and VCU Libraries.
SPSS is is one of the
world's most widely used statistical programs. Used heavily across many
academic disciplines, SPSS (the software originally known as "Statistical Package for the Social Sciences") was developed by a young graduate student who later went onto the teach at Stanford University and at the University of Chicago. IBM acquired the software in 2009 and claims that SPSS delivers "comprehensive
predictive analytics capabilities including data collection for market
research and feedback management, text and data mining, advanced
statistical analysis and predictive solutions, enabling customers to
gain insights into complex questions, predict potential future outcomes
and take action."
In academic settings, it is among the most widely used programs for statistical analysis in the social sciences. It is used by market researchers, health researchers, survey companies, government, education researchers and marketing organizations.
Technology Services offers free consulting on both campuses to faculty, staff and students. Assistance, coaching and services provided include help with:
Choice of statistical software;
Data collection and data management strategies;
Power analysis/sample size determination;
Choice of appropriate statistical method;
Understanding statistical analysis;
Interpreting results;
Statistical software installation/upgrade support
It's a best practice to contact the consultant early in the research project.
VCU Libraries Mobile, compatible with smart phones and other Internet-enabled handheld
devices, also offers an easy way to quickly reserve group study rooms, find out what hours the libraries are open, find available computers, search more than 40 mobile-enabled article databases and use mobile research tools.
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go.htmlHomepage Top NewsUpdates and NewFri, 13 Jan 2012 17:42:23 -0500New special collections assistant head brings arts focus to archivist role The focus for this new position will be on building James Branch Cabell's top-tier collections in the fine arts.
Hibben will shape and expand VCU Libraries' collections in comic arts, book art, manuscripts, archival collections and related areas. She will focus on unique and rare library-appropriate materials that support Virginia Commonwealth University's top-ranked School of the Arts. Hibben also will coordinate research assistance and collection development efforts for published materials. She will help develop and implement policy statements and procedural guidelines for collection management, preservation and use of unique materials housed in the library.
Bringing an exceptional foundation of experience and education to her new role, she has a background that is well-suited to the focus and goals of VCU Libraries. Her service at James Branch Cabell Library includes a year as the interim head of special collections and archives, five years as the collection librarian for the arts and five years as an archival assistant. Hibben also worked as an archival assistant for Special Collections at the College of William and Mary, and as an adjunct art instructor at VCU, Drexel and Temple universities.
She holds a master's of science in library science from the Catholic University of America, a master's degree in fine arts in sculpture from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, and a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the College of William and Mary
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Top NewsSpecial CollectionsUpdates and NewWed, 11 Jan 2012 17:08:33 -0500Feb. 9: Music historian speaks on the man behind George Gershwin's musicVCU music historian Patrick Smith will speak Feb. 9 at noon in Room 250 of James Branch Cabell Library as part of the ongoing exhibition, "Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910-1965," on view through Feb. 24 in Cabell Library. His talk will explore the personal side of George Gershwin's career in music. From his early days as a pianist at home, to his "big break" working in a piano roll factory, to his successful collaborations with his brother, Ira, among other notables, this presentation will summarize the lifelong achievements of George Gershwin along and cast a humanistic tint on this pillar of American popular music.
Patrick Smith, Ph.D., is assistant professor of horn and music history
in the VCU Department of Music. He is an accomplished performer who has
played with numerous musical ensembles, including the American Chamber
Winds and the Emerson String Quartet, and is also president elect of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion
Instructors and the Virginia representative of the International Horn
Society. His biography of Julius Watkins, the great American jazz French
horn musician, is forthcoming.
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsTue, 03 Jan 2012 11:33:52 -0500VCU Basketball History: Siegel skybox display shows The Green Devil era Before VCU donned black and gold, it wore green and gold. The panel focuses on the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI) intercollegiate men's team The Green Devils, formed in 1946. At that time, this forerunner of VCU, was affiliated with the College of William and Mary and shared the Williamsburg college's green and gold school colors. The Green Devils and they competed against other small Virginia colleges that formed an informal league the "Little Eight."
The green-and-gold Devils retired when RPI separated from William and Mary in the 1962-63 academic year. The 1963-1964 team took the court in blue and gray and RPI chose the ram as its new mascot. Following the merger of RPI and the Medical College of Virginia to form VCU in 1968, the new university selected black and gold for its colors and kept the horned sheep for its mascot.
"With the NCAA championship season last year, interest in basketball is especially high," said Archives Coordinator Ray Bonis, who researched and organized the display. "We'll be doing more of these basketball history displays for the Siegel Center."
The display exhibition notes some university firsts:
• During the team's first season, local sportswriters dubbed the team "Big Green." • In 1950, RPI hired its first full-time athletic director and basketball and baseball coach, Ed Allen (1922-2005). The Rhode Island native came to Richmond after his first wife, Edythe Johnson Allen, became an instructor in social work. Allen was director of athletics from 1950-67, head basketball coach from 1950-68 and coach of the baseball team from 1950-75. He retired in 1985 and was one of the first inductees into the VCU Athletic Hall of Fame. • The first winning squad was in the 1956-57 season. The team finished with 13 wins and nine loses. One of the keys to this team's success may have been maturity. As team member Ed Peeples remembered: "We had some players who were Korean [War] veterans and they were more confident in themselves." • The first basketball team associated with what is now VCU was a women's team. RPI was founded in 1917 and by 1919, the department of recreation was fielding a team. It was not until the surge of post World War II GIs attending RPI that there were enough men on campus to organize a team.
The exhibition is part of the display in the second floor VIP skybox section of the Siegel Center. A new one will be mounted in the spring semester and the Green Devil panel will move to the Fourth Floor of James Branch Cabell Library.
* * *
Want to know more about the 1956-57 Green Devils season? Turn to VCU Libraries Special Collections. The Cobblestone, the RPI yearbook, highlights the Green Devils winning 1956-1957 basketball season. Yearbooks from RPI, MCV and VCU also are housed in the libraries and also available online.
Dec. 20(Tuesday): closes at 10 p.m. Dec. 21-22(Wednesday-Thursday): open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 23-25 (Friday-Sunday): closed Dec. 26 (Monday): open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Intersession classes
meet for 11 days between the fall and spring semesters (Dec. 27 to Jan.
7 regardless of published or added university or state holidays) from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m. with a one-hour break for lunch. Intersession hours at James Branch Cabell Library.
Special Notes
James Branch Cabell Library is closed Jan. 1 for New Year's Day.
Special Collections and Archives at James Branch Cabell Library closes Dec. 23-Jan. 2. Special arrangements for access may be requested on a limited basis by
contacting Special Collections at libjbcsca@vcu.edu or 828-1108.
Starbucks at Cabell Library
will be closed beginning Dec. 21 and will reopen
Monday, Dec. 26. Dec. 26-Dec. 30, Starbucks will be open from 8:30 a.m.
to 2 p.m. It will close for New Years Dec. 31-Jan. 2 and will reopen
Jan. 3. Between Jan. 3-7, the store will be open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Top NewsTue, 20 Dec 2011 08:57:00 -0500'Jewish Songwriters, American Songs' exhibition opens Jan. 19 It opens at the James Branch Cabell Library Jan. 19 and is free and open to the public.
The best songwriters of this time sophisticated and romantic songs--"Body and Soul," "Over the Rainbow," "That Old Black Magic," "It Had to Be You"--became beloved classics of American popular culture.
VCU Libraries and various co-sponsors are offering these companion programs in connection with the exhibit.
* * * The exhibit and events are sponsored by the VCU Libraries, the Friends
of the Library, the VCU Center for Judaic Studies, Richmond Public
Library, and Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives.
"A Fine Romance" was developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit
organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and
ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The
national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by the Charles H.
Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg
Foundation, an anonymous donor, and Tablet: A New Read on Jewish Life.
John Ulmschneider, university librarian and professor at the Virginia
Commonwealth University Libraries, has been selected as a UNC School of Information and Library Science, distinguished alumnus for 2011.
The University of North Carolina school is ranked No. 1 in the nation in information and library sciences by U.S. News & World Reports. He earned his master's degree in library science there in 1977 and will speak at the SILS Fall commencement ceremony on Dec. 18.
According to a news release posted on the UNC-CH webite:
Established in 1981, the Distinguished Alumni Award is presented by
the SILS Alumni Association. The award recognizes alumni who have
demonstrated outstanding professional library or information science
achievements at national, state or local levels or who have provided
outstanding service to the school or its Alumni Association. He was nominated by fellow alumni.
"One thing I value most about John's leadership is the fact that he
cares authentically for the people under his employ - and not just as
librarians, but as human beings," said Laura Gariepy, undergraduate student programs librarian at VCU Libraries and UNC alumna. "That's a trait that is not frequently enough acknowledged, but I
and many other staff members at VCU Libraries can speak firsthand to
the fact that John cares for the people around him and will do
everything in his power to ensure that we're in a position to succeed
personally and professionally.
"In addition to all of this, John has an outstanding record of
professional service throughout his career, having invested a tremendous
amount of time in his work with Solinet and ASERL, just to offer a
couple of examples. I think his legacy, though, will be shepherding VCU
Libraries from an historically underfunded system that has struggled to
meet the needs of its users to a leading research library in the
Southeast region."
As director of VCU's research library system, the largest of commonwealth's three major research universities, he oversees annual expenditures
exceeding $15 million, a staff of more than 135 and holdings exceeding two
million volumes with more than 25,000 journal subscriptions. He has a
long history of service to the profession, particularly with local and
regional library organizations.
He is past-president and Board member
of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, comprising the 39
largest academic research libraries in the Southeast; a member of the
Virtual Library of Virginia Steering Committee, chair of its Outreach
Committee and a key leader in advocacy efforts supporting its funding;
current co-chair of the Legislative Committee of the Virginia Library
Association; past member of the OCLC Member's Council and User's
Council; past Board member for SOLINET and chair of its finance
committee; and current president of the Richmond Academic Library
Consortium. He is also a former member of the SILS Board of Visitors. In
addition, Ulmschneider also concluded in November an eight-year term as
a Trustee of the Richmond Public Library Board and was Chair of the
Board from 2006-2008. He previously held positions at North Carolina
State University in Raleigh, N.C., where he worked in concert with other
library leaders to establish the NC LIVE initiative; the College of
William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA; and the National Library of
Medicine in Bethesda, MD. He holds the B.A. from the University of
Virginia and the Master of Science in Library Science from UNC at Chapel
Hill.
"John forms meaningful partnerships with groups including the James
River Writers and Jewish groups that sponsor an annual lecture," said
another VCU colleague. "And, in a city full of wonderful museums and
collections and archives, one focus of VCU Libraries collections is on
"new" social history and collections from often overlooked communities--
African American, Latino, LGBT, and social movements. Something of a
Renaissance man, he is an avid cyclist who is plugged into the literary
and poetry scenes."
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Top NewsIn the NewsWed, 07 Dec 2011 14:34:01 -0500In the News: University Librarian on 'The It List' University Librarian on 'The It List':
The December-January Boomer Magazine honors 10 citizens who are
inspirational, influential and interesting. Among them is John
Ulmschneider, university librarian, featured in the article "10 Who
Made a Difference in 2011."
Ulmschneider will also appear on "Virginia
This Morning," (WTVR-CBS6) at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. ]]>
Top NewsIn the NewsWed, 07 Dec 2011 14:31:00 -0500Free books and call for donations to Friends book sale This week's focuses are fiction and VHS
cassettes. Stay tuned for updates about more great times to appear.
These items are available through the generous donations of VCU Friends
of the Library members as well as VCU faculty, staff and students and
others throughout the Richmond community. Anyone can donate books, DVDs,
CDs and other media to VCU Libraries.
While you clear off your shelves
this holiday season to make room for the new, consider making donations
to VCU Libraries. For more information, please see our book donations
page:
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Top NewsUpdates and NewNow available - new Access products for health sciencesFri, 02 Dec 2011 09:33:10 -0500In the News: Cabell First Novelist Award 2011 In a Nov. 8, 2011 feature story by Dale Brumfield about the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, University Librarian John Ulmschneider discusses the history and future of the literary honor, which marked its 10th anniversary in 2011. The article
"A Decade of Firsts" published online by Virginia Living Magazine offers an in-depth portrait of the 10th annual literary prize, its background and its meaning.
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Top NewsIn the NewsWed, 30 Nov 2011 11:08:24 -0500Service Awards 2011Some 30 VCU Libraries employees were recognized in November when Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System recognized employees for their dedicated years of commitment at the 40th annual Service Awards receptions.
Nearly 2,000 employees, who have been with the university from five to 20 years, were honored at receptions held on both campuses. A separate reception, followed by a special Theatre VCU performance of "Grease," was held for faculty and staff with 25 or more years of service. The list of 2011 honorees
"These awards honor out greatest asset --you," President Michael Rao, Ph.D., said at the MCV Campus reception. "I can't thank you enough for the work you do every day."
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Top NewsUpdates and NewWed, 30 Nov 2011 10:59:34 -0500New Search: Try it, test it and tell what you think Quick Search a powerful new search box that discovers a range of VCU Libraries'
resources through one search box.
new social features allowing patrons to comment, rate, share and tag content.
RSS feeds for individual collections that allow researchers immediate notice by email of additions to the collections
The changeover to an enhanced content management system was a culmination of months of planning and behind-the-scenes work. "We're excited to offer this wonderfully enriched new interface for our unique digital collections. We're proud of the work of the many staff responsible for this project, who have brought this service online after months of careful planning, deep technical changes, and many upgrades and patches, all executed without any downtime for our users. Scholars and students throughout the world will benefit from the powerful new capabilities of the system," said University Librarian John Ulmschneider.
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Top NewsUpdates and NewMon, 14 Nov 2011 14:41:14 -0500In the News: Virginia Living features VCU First Novelist Fest"A Decade of Firsts" published online by Virginia Living Magazine offers an in-depth portrait of the 10th annual literary prize, its background and its meaning. The VCU Cabell First Novelist Festival is a free and open-to-all event held on campus Nov. 15 and 16. Details. ]]>
and EventsHomepage Top NewsFri, 11 Nov 2011 15:57:20 -0500In the News: University Librarian talks about investing in the literary communityThe article
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Top NewsIn the NewsTue, 08 Nov 2011 15:44:46 -0500Community histories and fine arts among focuses of new archives head According to University Librarian John Ulmschneider, "Chenault will use both traditional and state-of-the-art practices to develop, preserve and provide access to special collections, and help the VCU Libraries create a compelling vision for growing and celebrating these collections in the future. He will bring particular focus to the VCU Libraries' efforts to build world-class collections in fine arts (including comic arts) and community histories (including oral histories) by cultivating appropriate relationships both with the VCU community and with the larger community of donors and committed supporters in Virginia and the Southeast region."
Chenault brings a firm foundation of education and experience to his new position, with a background that is especially well-suited to the focus and goals of the VCU Libraries.
Previously, he served as a research associate for the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History in the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and collaborated with librarians, archivists, community historians, citizen supporters, and others to build and expand access to collections that focus on the history of the African-American community in Georgia. As archivist at the Kenan Research Center in the Atlanta History Center, Chenault's work on collections that document the LGBT community in the Atlanta region was notable. Earlier professional experiences with the National Endowment for the Humanities and Georgia State University focused on collections related to women's studies, oral histories, and materials documenting business and civic leaders in Georgia.
Chenault holds the B.A. in psychology from Auburn University, the M.A. in Women's Studies from Georgia State University, and the Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico.
"First and Last Novels: Rumblings About Writing and Publishing in the 21st Century:" NPR book critic Alan Cheuse speaks
"Building a Career After Winning an Award:" Tom De
Haven, award co-founder, leads a panel with Cheuse and previous
recipients Michael Byers, Maribeth Fischer and Victor Lodato
Reception and book signing
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m., Commons Theater, VCU Student Commons
Celebration of the 2011 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award Winner
David Gordon reads from "The Serialist."
"Inside the Business: Bringing a Book to the
Public:" Susann Cokal, award administrator, moderates a discussion among
Gordon, his agent and editor--Douglas Stewart of Sterling Lord
Literistic, Inc. and Karen Thompson of Simon & Schuster--and Victor
Lodato
To register or to request special accommodations, please use our online registration system or contact VCU Libraries membership and events coordinator Gregory Kimbrell at (804)-828-0593 or kimbrellgg@vcu.edu.
Alan Cheuse is widely known as the voice of literary criticism and publishing for NPR's "All Things Considered." He is the author of five novels, including "Song of Slaves in the Desert," (Sourcebooks, 2011), three collections of short stories, and a book of travel essays. His stories have appeared in many magazines and journals. He teaches creative writing at George Mason University.
David Gordon is the recipient of the 10th VCU Cabell First Novelist Award for "The Serialist" (Simon & Schuster). He attended Sarah Lawrence College and went on
to earn a master's degree in English and comparative literature and a
master of fine arts in fiction writing, both from Columbia University.
He has worked in film and publishing, as well as in several genres of
fiction. "The Serialist" is a rollicking story, part thriller and
part paean to writing itself, about a writer stuck grinding out pulpy
serial novels about vampires and space adventurers. His life begins
strangely to imitate his stories when he agrees to ghostwrite a killer's
memoir.
Michael Byers received the 2004 award for "Long for This World" (Houghton Mifflin). In 2010, Henry Holt published his second novel, "Percival's Planet." He teaches creative writing at the University of Michigan.
Susann Cokal directs the nationally ranked creative writing program at VCU and is the author of two novels.
Tom De Haven
teaches fiction and screenwriting in the creative writing program at
VCU and is the author of 18 books.
Maribeth Fischer received the inaugural award for her 2001 novel, "The Language of Good-bye" (Plume). In 2007, Simon & Schuster published her second novel, "The Life You Longed For." She founded a writers' guild in Delaware and also directs an annual writers' conference.
Victor Lodato is the 2010 award winner for "Mathilda Savitch" (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) and is one of the judges who selected the 2011 recipient. Known also as a poet and playwright, he is a
Guggenheim Fellow, as well as the recipient of the Weissberger Award for
his play "Motherhouse."
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and EventsHomepage Top NewsWed, 02 Nov 2011 14:51:00 -0500VCU acquires landmark in humanities scholarship, Early English Books The books contained in this durable microfilm format represent the early centuries of printing in Great Britain, starting with late-Medieval publications and continuing into the 18th Century. The project to preserve these thousands of books, and make them available through copies of the microfilm, was hastened by the Second World War, when bombing of key cultural institutions in England threatened the original books with permanent loss.
The University of Michigan organized American and British efforts to ensure the survival of books both famous and obscure, tracing the history of thought, literature, religious concerns, medical treatises and scientific explorations. Users of this extensive library on microfilm will be able to see the development of print culture, the nature of how books appeared in their own time and were involved in vigorous debate with each other, and hunt rare contributions to the complex world of the early modern era.
The acquisition of Early English Books on microfilm would not have been possible without the generosity of Virginia Tech, who made this donation to VCU Libraries due to duplication of resources. Early English Books has been at the forefront of groundbreaking humanities scholarship, and we hope that the microfilm of this rich resource of rare and important volumes will prove a significant wealth of material for researchers throughout the VCU community.
For additional assistance and instruction for Early English Books on microfilm, please consult John Glover, reference librarian for the Humanities, or Kevin Farley, collection librarian for the Humanities. ]]>
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Keeping the Desktop Dream Alive (LinuxInsider)
[Posted June 17, 2011 by ris]
LinuxInsider talks
with Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim Zemlin. "What you
call fragmentation is that core kernel, which is a multibillion-dollar
investment, and what people are doing is taking that and building products
in the marketplace based on it, whether it's Google Search, Android,
Samsung TV, Facebook, a music service or the New York Stock Exchange. You
could characterize all these things as fragmentation, but I'd characterize
that as an efficient market -- in other words, the market is solving the
problems today."
(Log in to post comments)
So what is he trying to say? Forget about the Linux Desktop because it's not relevant?
Jim Zemlin sure comes up with comments that totally miss the point in an annoying fashion. You ask him about Desktop Linux, he starts talking about the kernel. What do Google Search, Android, Samsung TV, Facebook, music services and the New York Stock Exchange have to do with "Keeping the Desktop Dream Alive"? Yey, hurray for the Linux kernel. But that was not the issue here.
It looked to me like Linux Insider's questions were the problem. There's no reason to play that game -- as Jim says, to try to be Windows+Office and match Microsoft. "A stern chase is a long chase." But all the questions were asking "Why aren't you trying to beat Microsoft at the desktop game, particularly by becoming a monolith to fight a monolith?"
It may be just as well to say "Linux products have basically quit trying to play the "get on OEM desktops" game, which Microsoft has locked up, and have moved into critical if not dominant positions in every other market in computing." Desktop operating systems based on the Linux kernel and associated tools aren't going anywhere -- just as Windows isn't going anywhere. But all that tells you is that the desktop isn't the endgame anymore -- except not everyone in the press has gotten that message.
"But all the questions were asking "Why aren't you trying to beat Microsoft at the desktop game, particularly by becoming a monolith to fight a monolith?"
That's a legitimate question, from a lot of people's perspective. It's Zemlin's job to move the discussion, but it's a reasonable question - remember that part of a reporter's job is to ask the questions that the audience wants answered. While LWN readers may understand the problem with the question, I suspect that may not be the case for LinuxInsider and other more mainstream publications. (Despite the name, I don't count LinuxInsider as an actual "insider" publication by any stretch.)
I feel fragmentation is a pretty big problem on the desktop. There are competing products that often reimplement similar things in incompatible ways. Zemlin notes that the kernel really isn't fragmented, and the kernel is surely the most successful part of the Linux ecosystem. The kernel doesn't suffer from fragmentation precisely because at various levels, people make decisions for the benefit of the kernel. There is no such community or process for desktop technologies. Freedesktop.org is a lame duck, while KDE and GNOME generally develop in isolation.
Ultimately, to really compete on the desktop the platform has to be cohesive for both users and developers. Windows and OSX not only offer a certain level of polish for users, but a level of cohesion and friendliness fo desktop developers. The excuse for the Linux desktop has been that Windows has application inertia, but I don't think any attention has been paid to making Linux a superior environment and target for desktop application developers. One thing the phone wars have highlighted is that attracting developers to a platform is important, and Linux's failure to attract desktop developers cannot only be put down to market and mind share.
Now it seems we are holding out on the belief that the desktop will become less relevant, when we move to a service model. Yet, it doesn't neccessarily followthat a free Linux will be a true competitor. Many of these service-based models will rely on proprietary components that won't be available for free operating systems, and it's not inconceivable that future proprietary operating systems will have hooks for improved performance for their own proprietary cloud platforms. Furthemore, will people using Linux based phones be using Linux based operating systems if the phone is actually better supported on Windows or OSX? Hell, my Android-based Galaxy S needs Windows or OSX to get official firmware updates.
The Cloud only reshuffles some of the issues of adoption anyway, it doesn't mitigate them. Browsers will neccessailry become more complex, and thus demand more of from the operating system. Mozilla's recent problems with WebGL on Linux suggests that the move to the cloud isn't going to be the democratising panacea that let's us claim near parity with Windows and OSX.
Finally, I feel Zemlin's response is a little bit evasive. The central question is why Linux on the desktop hasn't taken off, and Zemlin essentially points to Linux's success in other ares. I don't think anyone's doubting this. The Linux-based platform has been very successful, but the Linux desktop has not. And if the desktop in general is in decline, why should anyone believe that the Linux desktop will as a result become more popular? My biggest worry is that any "death of the desktop" will see free software resources devoted to other platforms, and the only desktop products available will be those with strong desktop market share.
Of course, for many users (including myself), the Linux desktop is "good enough" in many respects, and far superior in other aspects. Although I do often appreciate the polish and cohesion of Windows or OSX, the Linux desktop for me is familiar and just too powerful. But I wouldn't migrate my parent's computer, nor friends who I know are not computer savvy or simply not interested in hunting around for solutions to certain problems. I certainly encourage people who are interested, but I am now more hesitant to consider free systems for "normal users"
Yeah... I know and I am being glib; it is terribly hard to use your distros package management tool to install gstreamer, xine or vlc backends. But I guess then you will complain about the hugely complicated-ness of the varied package management tools.
Since when has software of any sort had any carved in stone guarantees? Never... afaik.
I write a phonon app. User A uses gnome/gstreamer, user B uses kde/phonon-VLC. Both backends actually have different functionality. That's really great for the consistency of my application, isnt' it. Then there's the guy using phonon-xine who has other issues.
That's really great for the consistency of my application isn't. When I only have one target on Windows, one target on OSX, and potentially three on Linux, I wonder nice operating system really seems worth my effort.
You just write the app to phonon and if any gnome users want to use it, warn that they might have to install the backend. Why is that so hard?
There is no top-down enforced standard like in the Windows and Mac worlds, true. This is a good thing, not a bad thing. It means *you* can choose which of the available alternatives fits your need in writing your application, and potential users can also choose the application that fits their own needs as well.
Would it be a nice thing to see someone build a Gnu/Linux-based desktop OS that DID have such monolithic control? It might well be good for some users, and some developers. I've actually flirted with that idea on and off for 20 years now, it's quite doable, but it requires a decent investment and apparently isnt considered such a great prospect for profit in most investors analysis, or we would have several. The closest thing I can see is Ubuntu, but it doesnt seem to be going too well to me. I see a lot of really bad decisions. But maybe for someone else they are good decisions? Fine, then those people use Ubuntu. Again, what's the big deal? The idea that you can't tick off *linux as a checkbox and rely on customers runing linux having no unforseen problems? The problem there is this sad misunderstanding that linux is an OS. It isnt, never was, never will be. Linux is an infrastructure product on which many distinct OSs are and have been built. Want a checkbox target? I would suggest Slackware. If your app will compile nicely there then it should work on most anything else.
But it is documented, on old Windows you have X on new Windows you have X and Y. And as a developer you have 5 years to move to the new API or your application might not work so well on a newer versions.
On the Linux desktop you have, X, Y and Z. Different versions for different distributions and so on.
AsWindows suffers from a similar problem, but fixes it by just having apps distribute libraries with them. Which is horrible.
Linux as a larger ecosystem _could_ give us the best of both worlds. It really could. I wish to #DEITY that it would. But instead, it gives us desktop appliance models without the versatility and third-party support that Windows has in exchange for fixing a problem with the Windows model that only really bothers developers but not users and publishers.
> AsI've been playing with the following model in my head recently (I know that it won't do anyone much good as long as it stays there, but one has to start somewhere).
A repository-based system like what distributions have now, but not tied to any distribution (but with all the security updates and what not).
Libraries are included as static (static linking has a bad name, but has many plusses too, see and the linked FAQ), not shared.
When your application is downloaded it pulls in all needed dependencies, is statically linked with whatever libraries it uses (address space randomisation happens at this stage) and packaged up into a nice little *Step-style bundle which can then be moved about in the filesystem as needed.
Checks for updates are triggered by the application on startup, but using a framework provided by the repository system (made available using distribution-native packages).
Possibly use a hashbang wrapper to start the applications combined with a starter helper which is also part of the framework. This could take help with application relocateability and possible also handle the update check automatically.
I think in some ways this would be your "best of both worlds", though now I've posted this I am sure that all the other ways will be pointed out to me :) The bundle bit also satisfies my personal sense of aesthetics by keeping everything in one place instead of exploding installed packages across the filesystem as is common in Linux-based systems (this always seems to me to be stretching the KISS principle badly).
In your attempt to solve the "too many moving targets" platform problem you laid out requirements that would require an unobtainable level of agreement from at least all users of a distribution if not most Linux users.
No solution that requires "app bundles" will be generally accepted. No solution which is not generally accepted is the answer to the problem. If you don't believe this, sorry.
Worry less about the mechanism ("hasbang wrapper", etc) as long as it is practically implementable and more about the structure of the solution. You should also attempt to solve both desktop and server scenarios at the same time or, if you can't, invent two solutions that work together.
> In your attempt to solve the "too many moving targets" platform problem you laid out requirements that would require an unobtainable level of agreement from at least all users of a distribution if not most Linux users.
I'm not quite sure which parts would require that much agreement. I would have thought that the repository/updater bit could be done as a single installable distribution package containing the service. A newly installed (as in dropped into the filesystem) package could ping the updater the first time it is started to let it know that it is there, and where in the filesystem it is (which also lets the system owner move it without having to worry). It could of course run even without the updater if necessary.
Obviously proper OS X-style GUI integration of the "app bundle"s would require a lot of agreement, but that isn't really needed to make them usable. A desktop file under /usr/share/applications and a symlink in /usr/bin, which the updater can also put into place, can also do the trick (and it can also take care of other sorts of system integration such as creating init scripts/systemd service files or installing mimetype descriptions).
> No solution that requires "app bundles" will be generally accepted. No solution which is not generally accepted is the answer to the problem. If you don't believe this, sorry.
Again, do you mean app bundles with full GUI integration? It seems to me that bundles under /opt are the FHS's recommended way of installing third-party applications. Designing them in such a way that they could be integrated with the GUI makes sense of course (for desktop applications at least).
"Can I be SURE GNOME users will be able to use the application? No I can't..."
Yes you can. The workspace/shell a Phonon using app runs in is of no concern to the app. E.g. Amarok is not only used by people running one of KDE's workspace offerings, some are using GNOME, XFCE or even "just" a window manager like Awesome.
Using applications from one vendor in a workspace provided by another vendor is very common on a lot of platforms. Actually as far as I know on all major platforms even in the mobile space
ActuallyThe Linux desktop would be better off if we had more use of things like Phonon and Solid so that application developers could have a more consistent target, regardless of the distribution.
I agree that we'd still need an underlying implementation that actually works though :-)
The answer to "We have three widely used multimedia libraries" is to get people to pick one of them, not introduce a fourth library that serves as a leaky abstraction of the other three - now you've got *four* problems.
> ActuallyYes.
That's why you don't let them choose a back end. They don't want to care about backends.
Nobody does. Nobody really cares if their applications use gstreamer or vlc or whatever. I don't want to care, application developers don't want to care. You don't want to care. Nobody wants to care. It shouldn't be a problem or issue in the first place.
Unless they are:
* Developers with a personal or professional investment in one particular audio stack
* The minority of users with a weird fetish for one design or another.
Nobody wants to care. That's the point. However they do care.
The reason they do care is because they _have_ too. Because they all suck. But they suck in different ways. Some audio stuff will work with VLC, but not Gstreamer. Other stuff will work great with Xine, but runs like crap with mplayer. etc etc.
So users will just use trial and error and flail around until they get something that works for their particular purposes.
Then the desktop developer either has to either support that particular configuration till the end of time or simply chooses to break a bunch of people's systems during the next update. Either way then everybody gets pissed.
A better approach would of been to pick one backend and work on 'just making it work'. It doesn't matter which. It's largely irrelevant except for some unfortunate legal issues. It's often more of a aesthetic choice then anything else... any one of them can be made to work with enough effort. And then put the effort into fixing what is wrong with it and make it work for everything that KDE needed.
> Phonon is just a symptom, a shim. The Linux audio wrong-headedness runs a lot deeper.
Your exactly right. My point was not that Phonon was the only thing wrong with Linux on the desktop. It was a example.
The fact that they tried to solve a deeper issue with a _shim_ is a example of why we have these problems. It's a sort of pointer or indication of cause of the issues we face here.
The concept of making a nice library like Phonon to make simple things simple is a sound one. From the phonon part on up is probably very good design. But the idea of supporting all these backends is just silly. I am only picking on it because it's so obvious that the design is wrong and it was mentioned before.
There is certainly all sorts of things like phonon floating around. It's a common approach to try to fix underlying issues with just layering crap on top of it. But it's not usually a good way to do things, unfortunately.
So I don't mean to insult KDE developers or anything. If phonon was the only major issue then it wouldn't be a issue. It's symptomatic and because there are a lot of smart people doing the same mistakes means that KDE are not dumb people.
I wouldn't mind seeing a good KDE desktop be created.
Just like 'Gnome OS' I would like to see 'KDE OS'.
Just pick the distro with the best KDE support so far and run with it. Just take it over and make it as the best KDE desktop possible with the exclusion of all other things and all other purposes. Just go all out and forget all care about portability or whatever. Just make it the best it can be and worry about portability after you have something that works better then it ever did before. Take control of it from the ground up and make it as lean and KDE centric as possible.
> The reason they do care is because they _have_ too. Because they all suck. > But they suck in different ways. Some audio stuff will work with VLC, but > not Gstreamer. Other stuff will work great with Xine, but runs like crap > with mplayer. etc etc.
I just compile mplayer with every option I can turned on. It plays everything I can throw at it just fine, thank you.
I understand the theoretical justification for frameworks like Gstreamer and Phonon. But in practice, when I install the distribution, they come without mp3, mpeg and other useful codecs. Yes, I understand the legal rationale. Fixing all the various omissions turns out to be harder than just compiling mplayer, so guess which one I choose?
> Just pick the distro with the best KDE support so far and run with it. > Just take it over and make it as the best KDE desktop possible with the > exclusion of all other things and all other purposes. Just go all out and > forget all care about portability or whatever. Just make it the best it > can be and worry about portability after you have something that works > better then it ever did before. Take control of it from the ground up and > make it as lean and KDE centric as possible.
That has already been done several times, hasn't it? There was Kubuntu and that other one.
> That has already been done several times, hasn't it? There was Kubuntu and that other one.
Isn't Kubuntu just a slightly KDEised version of the basically Gnome-centric Ubuntu? I think a better example would be Mandriva. But it is not pure KDE either. Probably it (or the Mageia fork) would be a good base for the proposed fanatically-KDE-only distribution.
It would be an interesting experiment to see if ditching the heterogenuity would result in a better desktop experience.
If you're looking for some fanatically-KDE-only distribution there's a Chakra Linux. It's a community driven distribution based on Arch Linux. There's probably no single bit of gnome and gtk in its repositories, but it allows you to install some popular applications using, so called 'bundle system'.
So users will just use trial and error and flail around until they get something that works for their particular purposes.
As a Linux user for 15 years, I would say that it's exactly like that. I would also venture that this is one of the major stumbling blocks, which have prevented major Linux desktop catch-on through the years. In my humble experience, the only way to get Linux that 'just works', is to stick to your own carefully worked out recipe, extracted from much pain.
"Phonon is the most obvious example of just pure wrong-headiness with the Linux desktop."
When you look at Linux in isolation then this could be a valid interpretation.
Of course Qt is not not only used for application development on Linux, so having different implementation of an API on different platforms is desirable (unless of course all non-Linux platforms supported by Qt already have moved to a shared multimedia framework, I am not really up to date there).
When people write about Phonon the often think about it as a multimedia framework and then base their comments on that wrong assumption, thus leading to wrong conclusions.
After all Phonon's main purpose is to provide a simple media playing API for applications which do not need the flexibility of all-purpose frameworks. Allowing the API to be implemented on more than one platforms is a side effect, a free bonus so to speak.
I always wondered why this is so hard to get for so many people, having an API implemented on different lower layers seemed a very common thing to be in software engineering.
But maybe the POSIX API is all different on different kernels and only called by the same name for marketing reasons, or GTK+ is has totally different API on different windowing systems and also only called by the same name purely for brand recognition.
Strange, but maybe this is a really a novel concept that Trolltech came up with, although I distantly remember that Java actually had the same API on Windows and Linux, so maybe it's a late 90s thing.
Yes, the fix was easy - 15 minutes of Googling and several config changes.
.
Oh, there's also Jack and native PulseAudio. Have fun.
PS: I've been in exactly this situation. We went with raw ALSA and promptly got feature requests to integrate with Phonon.
"."
KDE puts a lot of efforts to provide good integration. The NIH syndrome in the gnome camp is a problem. Personally, I don't care about gnome at all, because I consider it follows some stupid guidelines which just hurts Linux. I'm happy Canonical will encourage developers to write applications in Qt.
Are we talking about Linux or about other operating systems? I see no reason why Linux developers should even bother thinking about *BSD or Solaris.
Phonon is, in my own subjective opinion, a totally useless abstraction layer. The only thing phonon makes possible is to write a limited media player that can use different backends such as gstreamer, xine-lib and others. Then you can give the user the choice of which backend to choose. This means you can never use the full capabilities of the backend, only what phonon exposes. You will also get a really difficult testing matrix and bug reporting chain. If a user reports a bug you will have to find out if it is backend specific or not, to which backends it affect, if the bug is in the phonon backend code or in the actual backend itself. Phonon also pushes a lot of responsibility to the user. If something does not work it is easy to say "try another backend". And if backend X works when backend Y does not, what is the point of giving (the user the choice of running broken backend Y?
On a more retorical level, I would say that Phonon forces the user to make choices almost all cannot really make an informed decision about.
Now, all distros ship GStreamer as it is the only multimedia framework that can be legally distributed and works really well. Therefore, if you want to make a limited media player for KDE would it not be better to use QT-GStreamer, cut one layer of your dependency graph and make your testing a whole lot easier?
One thing Phonon might actually be useful for is writing cross-platform simple media players. So you could write to Phonon to support simple media playing on Windows, MacOS and Linux distros (through GStreamer, or another framework the Phonon devs choose). Of course, if you go this route and X (such as audio volume control) does not work on platform Y, all you can do is to file a bug with the phonon devs. But then at least the Phonon devs knows what actual backend.
So, a Phonon with set backends for different platforms would be a valuable project, but as Phonon is now I would say it is useless.
But of course, if Nokia wishes to pay for it or people do it for fun, good for you! I hope you have fun hacking and I am sorry for dissing you all! I just wish you would do something more beneficiary to the world, but I have no right demanding anything from you. So, happy hacking to all Phonon devs!
We had these arguments ran through Trolltech guys through whole my 2.5 years at Nokia as media experience applications architect. Phonon was unusable for Maemo/Meego purposes, even for those limited functionality applications that we were building, and no reasonable API was provided so we had to go directly to GStreamer level. That worked very well and in the end we were able to also fund QtGstreamer work that produced reasonable Qt bindings to GStreamer to work with.
Unfortunately, there seems to be quite bad attitude towards GStreamer among those who never did media work other than simple players. If your API targets only cases like simple playback, you'll end up with limitations that allow only simple playback. You'll have to think about other parts of media production/consumption cycle as well, in order to come up with something reasonable. And even simple playback needs to be aware about sources where content comes from, their potential streaming nature, DRMed setup, etc. I'm not talking about more complex options like camera and audio recording coordinating between multiple devices.
We (a group of multimedia architects at Maemo/Meego and Symbian) tried to get a common platform for Qt-based multimedia, on top of GStreamer as it now runs everywhere where Qt has its targets. We almost succeeded but then Elopocalypse came and paralyzed most of work. I guess there will hardly be any new opportunity...
>Unfortunately, there seems to be quite bad attitude towards >GStreamer among those who never did media work other than >simple players. If your API targets only cases like simple >playback, you'll end up with limitations that allow only simple playback.
:-)
Reminds me of that thread about Jack and latency a few months back ...
Finally got it through to the guy that yes, it's a special case and yes it's probably less than 1% of all users. BUT that 1% makes up 99% of Jack users!
I can't be bothered to fix it at the moment, but I keep having MySQL conflicts between Amarok and Postfix, and every time my wife runs XP in VirtualBox, it kills the sound for everything else on the system.
:)
I would separate a bit needs of users who run targeted hardware+software combination and needs of software developers at large, not limited by a specific hardware+software combination.
PulseAudio vs Jack discussions have their own merit and both sides have equally important arguments. At the end of the day, if there is specialized hardware to be used, it is the developer of that product to decide which framework fits better his/her main purpose. But for generic cases like "Qt" limiting itself to a single simplified technology and hoping that "backends" will handle everything is just fouling yourself.
That said, Jack should have been quite useful on Maemo devices. Perhaps, -- and at this point it is mere wishful thinking -- it was not ready/experts were not available in 2004/2005th when all the story started compared to PulseAudio/Alsa guys availability.
There's a very simple solution - focus on KDE. It's much more advanced, mature and provides far better tools for developers. Last time I checked it's a Gnome camp who don't collaborate with others (KDE and Canonical) and who doesn't care about unifying the Linux desktop. Shell is very hostile to non Gnome applications.
This is precisely the attitude that won't work. Collaboration and building consensus is not easy. Posting a spec in freedesktop.org doesn't automatically accomplish that. I am sure all parties have to accept responsibility instead of mud slinging and accusing others. Get out of the pettiness and do something better. Talk in person in the desktop summit for instance.
I don't think the image situation is comparable to the audio situation, but even so, KDE might be doing an excellent job, but GNOME/GTK also exists, providing a different target.
Qt is really great, and plays very nicely in KDE and GNOME. GTK doesn't play so nice. Really, it's so unwieldy and unfriendly on KDE. If the standard for writing desktop applications stipulates targeting Qt, then there would be no problem. There would be a level of consistency. But that's the problem. There really isn't a standard or something to base consistency on.
It was probably wrong of me to suggest that NO work has been done on providing a good application environment for developers. What I really mean is that there is no standard or even consensus on what the base technologies are that desktop developers should target. Now you might suggest Qt/KDE, and I might even agree, since that's the system I use, but I'm sure the GNOME guys would suggest differently.
Having a single standard API would be nice on a certain level but I don't believe this is obtainable. What's more important is to make sure that no matter what toolkit the developer chose the user's experience is the same, or as close to it as possible. This means making sure that theme, keybinding, and other settings are set similarly for all possible toolkits whenever something is changed by the user and that a new toolkit on a system bases its default configuration on the current configuration of an existing toolkit. This sort of dynamism is doable and would go a long way towards making things consistent.
There is a consensus on "base technologies" - it's called the LSB, and it's not very useful when it comes to graphical apps.
We probably can't ever get consensus, where consensus means a single toolkit wins and everybody starts using it. We lost that chance in ~1996. The question now is, in the absence of a single API, how can things be made better?
I think Boudewijn was referring to your assumption that no thought has been paid to making Linux a viable target for desktop application developers.
The fact that KDE technologies can be used by desktop application developers to create applications for more than just one operating system doesn't invalidate the fact that said technologies have been enabling desktop application developers to deliver great products on Linux for years.
Saying "no thought" was exagerated, if that's what I said. KDE is excellent, it's my desktop of choice. I think I did state that there are plenty of applications written over the years for Linux.
But the question is not just writing applications, it's trying to lure users and developers away from Windows and OSX. And obviously it's not just a problem with KDE/GNOME, the sound, graphics, and packaging situations have similar issues.
Compared to our competing desktops systems developers have much more to think about. There isn't set of desktop technologies they can expect to be present and to target.
My own application, Krita, was started in 1998. It compiles fine, and has never been in a better shape. That said, yes, api churn is big problem and I'm not looking forward to Qt5. But as a whole, the desktop has been getting better and better and better.
> Gosh... I wonder what we at KDE have been doing for the past > fifteen years then, if not exactly that.
.
(Shameless rant: Also, what's the deal with all those annoying KDE bugs/glitches that have been reported forever but never get fixed and make KDE still look and feel like a beta version? :-P)
"."
Actually it does.
Since the topic at hand is providing an environment and target for application developers, KDE's technology stack does provide said application developers with solutions for integration any global settings needs they might have into the central configuration system.
On a related topic, developers at operating system vendors, can use the very same infrastructure to integrate system or system service configuration.
Some OSVs have actually done that IIRC, providing such modules for their choice of system components.
You have been changing the ABI. That's a no-no for developers.
And not only that, but also the API. Where's the backwards compatibility? Supporting a custom application for desktop means freezing the environment (that is, keep using old unsupported desktops forever) or rebuilding and retestesting (expensive!).
I hate ti say it to you, but from the point of view of a ISV, both KDE and GNOME suck. But KDE sucks more.
How is that trolling? Enormous ABI and API changes with no provisions for backwards compatibility mean that any KDE application more than about 4 years old needs/has needed a tremendous amount of work to remain functional. Even if the reasons for it are good enough to outweigh that problem (and my personal opinion on this changes with the wind) you can't seriously argue that it's not a valid concern.
As an addendum: obviously the problem results in large part from the changes made between Qt3 and Qt4, so they aren't actually KDE's *fault*. It's entirely understandable that nobody in the KDE community has the copious free time to keep maintaining compatibility libs forever, but that doesn't make it any less a problem.
I don't see why you couldn't.
KDE workspaces don't prohibit applications build on other technology stacks from running.
"You're an outright liar"
Really?
So all the companies which spent resources on porting the OS X apps from Carbon to Cocoa were just plain stupid because Cocoa actually has the same API and ABI as Carbon and their application would have been using the new frameworks automatically?
.
If the answer is "Just keep a copy of the old Qt installed" then someone forgot to tell the distributions that this is required.
On a related note, why are gtk1 apps dead? Why can't I simply link them against gtk2 or a gtk2 wrapper library that provides the same old API and lets the app keep working even though the distribution stopped shipping gtk1? Why must I throw out my old applications just because they're unmaintained? I keep gtk1 libs installed myself, but this is a pain and old bugs are annoying.
"."
If you taken an application and remove one of the libraries it depends on will of course not make it run.
Application developers use libraries in order to not have to implement all functionality themselves but that of course implies that the provider for such external functionality is available during runtime.
Having a different library which provides similar functionality does not matter at all. The operating system's component for loading external code into memory does not know about application requirements on a semantic level that would allow it to find equivalents on its own.
Therefor all platforms I know of allow the introduction of new APIs/ABIs in parallel, i.e. without having to remove existing ones.
And such additions happen all the time on all platforms which support that
You've actually managed to redefine backwards compatibility in such a way that it is logically impossible for an API break or ABI break to exist in any circumstances, whilst claiming the complete opposite in another post.
Since you can't even agree with yourself and appear to be spewing random inflammatory nonsense I conclude that you are simply trolling.
So in the area of kernels you are comfortable with defining the playing fields as "linux kernels" (and not open source kernels) and saying that there is no fragmentation in that group.... Why doesn't the same hold for desktop environments or OSes? In other words why can't I say that KDE is _not_ fragmentation of the desktop fields because I'm only looking at the "GNOME desktops" group.
I don't think that makes much sense. I have nothing against standardization in the desktop space where it makes sense, but I don't see how the existence of several desktops is holding back their individual success. If an environment/OS is good enough, it will succeed -- good interoperability with other environments/OSes is just a cherry on top.
The kernel is different from the desktop environment because there is essentially one body that manages the kernel. Sure, there are vendor forks, and different entities can support there own tree, but there is really one recognised "Linux kernel", this seems widely accepted by all contributors. Also, the success of the linux kernel isn't dependant on comptability with these branches. If you are maintaing your own external tree, you really have expectations that changes to the main kernel branch will compile or work with your external tree. The kernel is a pretty singular base entity off which other derivation are based, but ultimately, it doesn't have to worry about interoperability
The problem with desktop environments is that they neccessarily have to play with other environments and toolkits. If every program was a KDE app or every program was a QT app, then life would be easier. The problem is that it isn't, and KDE, GNOME, GTK, and QT each bring along a set of different behaviour and assumptions.
It may seem trivial, but I run KDE4, and my location bookmarks aren't reflected in GTK apps. GTK apps can't access the network shares I see in dolphin. GTK apps don't obey my selection settings (single-click selection is my setup in KDE), they don't obey my view settings, and there is no way to really set a lot of these properties from within a KDE environment. This sort of cohesion and consistency is important because having certain assumptions about UI functionality contradicted in various ways is detrimental to the user experience.
If I want to write an application for the Linux desktop, I have to choose amongst a variety of APIs, and that choice might ultimately alienate or even exclude a particular segment of the user base. Should I be choosing Phonon for my QT app? What about non-KDE users? Will there be problems if the user uses PulseAudio instead of ALSA? What packaging format should I use? There is a question of a base operating environment that a developer must address. I'm not saying these problems are insurmountable, or that they are particularly difficult to work around. There are obviously plenty of companies providing software for the Linux desktop. But these are certainly stumbling blocks when trying to convince people to write multiplatform applications. Particularly for an envrionment that is often perceived as niche or having small market share, the variety and the complexities associated with the variety just make many developers think it's not worth the effort.
"If every program was a KDE app or every program was a QT app, then life would be easier."
It was till someone started the gnome project. I know Qt wasn't free those times, but when it was released under the terms of GPL it should become a toolkit of choice. The logical thing to do was to kill gnome and gtk just after Qt became a GPL project, but sadly it didn't happen. Divide and conquer, I guess.
> Zemlin notes that the kernel really isn't fragmented, and the kernel is > surely the most successful part of the Linux ecosystem. The kernel doesn't > suffer from fragmentation precisely because at various levels, people make > decisions for the benefit of the kernel
The Linux kernel gets forked all the time. Some of those forks are short-lived and get merged back into master-- like the Red Hat kernels. Other forks live for a long time, like the Android fork, and sometimes do have major differences.
Moreover, you are comparing apples and oranges. The equivalent to KDE versus Gnome would be the Linux kernel versus the OpenBSD kernel. In both cases, you have two codebases that do mostly the same thing, but in a completely different way. There is a community around both, although maybe not of identical size.
One of the biggest advantages of open source is that it gives its users choice. This is true at the personal level, where desktop Linux users can choose their distribution and window manager, and also at the corporate level, where companies can choose from MySQL or Postgres, or even something non-SQL entirely like Redis or Cassandra.
Users want choice. This is as true among non-technical users as it is among technical ones. One of the most common reasons users give for not switching from Windows to something else is that their favorite programs and extensions would become unavailable. There is usually an equivalent program for the user's favorite Windows program-- unless it is a game-- but it's not the one the user would choose.
> Ultimately, to really compete on the desktop the platform has to be > cohesive for both users and developers. Windows and OSX not only offer a > certain level of polish for users, but a level of cohesion and > friendliness fo desktop developers.
The ground is littered with the bones of operating systems that tried to be a better Windows than Windows. BeOS, SkyOS, Amiga, and so forth. You can't succeed by building a slightly better Windows than Windows. Microsoft will just throw another 1,000 programmers at the project and erase any small advantage you might gain.
What you can do is change the game. Rather than trying to create a highly proprietary, centralized operating system, create a decentralized, open source, and highly customizable one.
> The Cloud only reshuffles some of the issues of adoption anyway, it > doesn't mitigate them. Browsers will neccessailry become more complex, and > thus demand more of from the operating system. Mozilla's recent problems > with WebGL on Linux suggests that the move to the cloud isn't going to be > the democratising panacea that let's us claim near parity with Windows and > OSX.
We both know that nearly every website can be viewed from every platform. For a lot of applications, the post-desktop world will soon be a reality.
Pretending that the world is ending because there were some minor glitches with WebGL is disngenious at best. In fact, Microsoft has publicly stated that they will *never* support WebGL in Internet Explorer. Probably those supposedly doomed desktop Linux users will get good WebGL support long before most Windows users, simply because they will be using Firefox and Chrome rather than IE.
Someday, the software we're developing now will come back to the desktop and conquer it. But it won't be called "Linux." It will be called "Android." All the devices will be locked down and subject to centralized control and monitoring. And it will be friendly to proprietary developers, and easy to administer. Unlike the desktops we have now, it won't be carrying the heavy baggage of an antiquated security model or business model.
I understand the appeal of this kind of efficient, industrialized desktop. However, the one I run at home will always have quirky homebrew software running on it. And I suspect a lot of people here feel the same way.
For once I actually don't think Microsoft are being disingenuous at all.
3D hardware has not evolved to be a reliable, secure platform. It has been focused very much on raw performance for video games. If you solve a problem in a way that's obviously exploitable, but makes games run slightly better, you've got a market winner.
And a big part of this happens in the drivers. We expect a mouse driver, a sound driver, a network driver to protect the system from exploitation by malicious but unprivileged users. There isn't a WAV file you can play that gives you a root prompt, or a packet you can send that executes the included code in Ring 0. If such a thing were found, fixing it would be a high priority.
But to get that performance for video games, 3D drivers wrote their own rules. The highest threshold they're expected to meet is that they'll try not to lock up the machine and render it unusable. And you shouldn't have trouble finding LWN readers who've seen them not even meet that low standard.
WebGL is a promising technology for cross-platform gaming and as such is anathema for Microsoft. In the same way that html5 is beginning to render their commanding position in desktop applications less meaningful (eg google docs versus office) WebGL could start to erode DirectX's share of developer attention, reducing the value of the Windows platform as a whole.
There is nothing inherent in GPU drivers that would preclude bounds-checking of input parameters to ensure correct operation, in the same way that the linux kernel is responsible for the security of its fairly massive attack-surface available to native applications.
Microsoft was able to prevent OpenGL from becoming the most-widely-used 3D standard on its platform, but I don't think they will have the same success against WebGL, having lost the battle in smartphones.
If you believe that GL drivers are inherently and permanently exploitable, then you must also agree that installing a GL driver is equivalent to letting any user run as root. This has not normally been the assumption on Linux (although maybe it should be).
It would also mean that the application sandboxing performed by iOS and Android (which let apps use GL without no special permissions) is worthless.
That's not quite the same thing, there is a difference between intentionally downloading a potentially malicious application (trojans have already been pulled from the Andriod Market) and viewing a web page. The attack surface between web pages and the browser application is heavily defended. It's certainly not considered secure to download and run every bit of malware one runs across but viewing web pages is generally assumed to be "safe".
I guess I didn't really communicate very well. I think that the threat models for an application that you download and run under your authority as a user is different than the threat model of a browser javascript engine which needs to prevent code from running under your authority as a user even though the environment that it runs in is running as your user account. Maybe the kernel interface has been hardened against security threats but I don't have reason to believe the userspace components have been, there wouldn't have been a need to. If you are already running arbitrary code then there is no need to break libraries running at the same security level but that changes when the application is trying to maintain an internal sandbox between running arbitrary malicious code and the rest of the application.
This mentality that "if the user downloaded an application, it should be able to do anything he can do" is why the traditional desktop will never be secure.
If there was no other reason for replacing desktop applications with web applications and Android apps, this would already be a good enough reason. Just give code the capabilities that it needs, and no more.
It should be obvious to anyone that technical issues have nothing to do with Microsoft's decision about WebGL support. Microsoft provides exactly the same GPU access to untrusted code in Silverlight 5.
Users don't want most of the "choices" the Linux desktop offers. Users don't care which media framework they use. They don't care which toolkit apps are using. They don't care which configuration framework is being used, or which audio backend, or which notification protocol. Most users don't even really care about KDE vs GNOME. They just want something that works well.
Most application developers not only don't care about choices, we actually hate them. Supporting multiple options in each category is much harder than supporting one. In each case want a single solution that works well and is supported everywhere.
Almost all the "choices" in the Linux desktop stack exist not for the benefit of users, but for a variety of other reasons, e.g. "developers couldn't get along, so they split", or "developers found it more fun to create a new solution than improve an existing one", or "no-one was able to make the hard decision to choose A over B".
It is useless to discuss "users" in general. You have to ask yourself what demographic you are targeting. If you were in the marketing group of your company, rather than the engineering group, you would already know that.
For example, what about if we are just talking about the demographic of LWN readers. I suspect that most of the readers of this site do know and care about Gnome versus KDE, and are happy to have a choice. Or maybe, like myself, they use none of the above.
It all depends on what demographic your project or product is targeting. Casual users? Professional users? Artists? Scientists? Engineers? What kind of product are you making?
> Most application developers not only don't care about choices, we actually > hate them. Supporting multiple options in each category is much harder > than supporting one. In each case want a single solution that works well > and is supported everywhere.
Most application developers hate fixing bugs too, but for some reason, bugs get fixed.
I'm talking about the "desktop mass market". You can't target a generic desktop operating system at a particular demographic like "scientists"; their needs are almost the same as everyone else.
Sure, application developers hate lots of things, but most of them aren't the fault of the Linux desktop stack, which is what we're talking about here. Just giving up and saying "well, I guess we're stuck with the Linux desktop being the worst platform to develop for" would be sad.
> I'm talking about the "desktop mass market". You can't target a > generic desktop operating system at a particular demographic like > "scientists"; their needs are almost the same as everyone else.
Scientific Linux is targeted at the needs of particle physicists, and it seems to be doing pretty well.
> Just giving up and saying "well, I guess we're stuck with the > Linux desktop being the worst platform to develop for" would be sad.
The Linux desktop isn't that hard to develop for. Just use a nice toolkit like QT or GTK and maybe something like libao.
Linux needs to emphasize the things that are different and better about it, rather than trying to be just another "generic desktop operating system." Apple learned this message under Steve Jobs and they have prospered. Linux has done the same but in somewhat different markets. Apple's advantage was quality control and strong branding; Linux's advantage is choice and cost.
Complaining that Linux is not Windows is missing the point completely.
Scientific Linux is really just a rebranded RHEL, and no more/less targeted at physicists than RHEL. Furthermore, the particle physicists I know all say that Ubuntu does a better job for them as a desktop operating system than SL.
Well, specifically, Scientific Linux is targeted at the needs of the CERN and FermiLab guys, because they create it. It seems like having something fairly close to RHEL is pretty important to them. But they don't necessarily care about putting lots and lots of packages in the repository as much as some other distributions. At least that is the impression I got from a casual reading of their home page.
Anyway, there are literally thousands of products out there that have a customized spin of Linux inside them. Linux would not be commercially important right now if everyone had to use the same distribution with the same libraries.
People who argue that choice is bad, and that there's too much open source software in the world, ignore the fact that Linux has been successful because of choice, not in spite of it. If you want Windows, where everyone has to use the same kernel, the same bootloader, and the same core libraries, whether or not it fits their needs, you know where to find it.
The Linux desktop may not be as popular as Mac OS or Windows, but it is important because it is the place where a lot of new open source software gets developed. It's also the operating system used by a lot of developers and a good laboratory for new concepts.
I switched from Mac OS to Linux about six years ago because I wanted to be part of the Free Software ecosystem**. In the process, I have learned a lot about Linux and its many distros that make it easier for me to do Linux server administration now. I also personally enjoy Linux as a development environment and for its customizability.
I find it fine for desktop tasks too.
That last point is because there are so many people using Linux on the desktop. 1% may look small, but it's millions of users. The state of video editing on Linux, say, may be imperfect but I suspect that it would be much worse if only developers (or no-one at all) ran Linux on their desktop.
Developers play an important role in the software ecosystem. (I'm not sure how important, or what role it plays for developers to use Linux, but I sense it's important somehow.)
**Obviously, being entirely part of the Free Software ecosystem, but there's more: At least back then, using Fink on 10.3 - and/or manual compilation - was not nearly as nice an experience as actually running a Linux distro. Linux had functioning package management for everything. Free software generally compiled and ran properly without workarounds on Linux -- both well-known and obscure software. XTerm could actually handle at top speed lots of messages (from, say, a compile or a grep). It was amazing!!! (Six years is a lot: the speed comparisons are totally out of date by now; I hear MacPorts is official but would have to use it for a while to sense whether it's as pain-free as Linux. But regarding Free Software, the Linux desktop is now *more* often functional with only Free drivers. Meanwhile Apple, everywhere *but* the desktop, has actually increased its power-over its users. And nobody fears Microsoft anymore - at least not like we did a decade ago. That changes the landscape significantly even while MS is still not very good at open-source and still has billions of dollars to throw at whatever it feels like.) | eng | a70e7747-22b3-47df-8688-db79b165e54c | http://lwn.net/Articles/448152/ |
Citation Manager
Committee on Challenges and Opportunities in the Hydrologic Sciences, National Research Council. "3 Water and Life3
Water and Life
Water and life are inseparable and interacting. Ecosystems depend on and
drive hydrologic processes, giving rise to distinct patterns of biotic com-
munities, and a climate system strongly coupled through vegetation to
moisture in the ground.
INTRODUCTION
The evolution of life on Earth likely began with the formation of
liquid water and has been shaped by the flow of water ever since. Water
is essential for all living organisms, and, on land, the magnitude of water
supply and the timing of water delivery structures biological systems at all
spatial and temporal scales. Over geologic time scales, hydrologic change
has been a major force of natural selection. Across modern Earth, annual
precipitation and temperature explain much of the variation in the stature
and composition of vegetation, and the pattern of hydrologic connections
constrains the distribution of many organisms as they migrate to complete
their life cycles.
Although the amount and timing of water supply ultimately constrains
life on Earth, living organisms collectively influence the water cycle and
the global climate. Vegetation blankets the majority of Earth's land sur-
face, altering its albedo (reflection of solar energy), recycling its water, and
mediating its gaseous and aqueous chemistry. Biotic communities directly
alter landscape properties (such as topography, permeability, weathering
geochemistry, and erodability), fundamentally changing soil formation, ero-
sion processes, runoff paths, river morphology, and in turn the water and
nutrient availability that sustains biotic communities. The currency of these
interactions, which take place over molecular to global scales, is water.
Recently ecologists, geomorphologists, biogeochemists, soil scientists,
and hydrologic scientists have found that a common frontier of their fields
lies at the nexus of life and water. New cross-disciplinary research is emerg-
83
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84 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HYDROLOGIC SCIENCES
ing with a surge of literature already illuminating progress and ways for-
ward and applying disciplinary names such as ecohydrology, ecological
climatology, and hydroecology. One measure of this surge is the increased
frequency of published articles using the terms ecohydrology and hydro-
ecology, terms that weren't widely used prior to 1990. Today, a Web of
Science search for these terms shows the growth of these interdisciplinary
publications over the past 20 years, with the majority of that growth taking
place from 2000 to the present. The breadth, strength, depth, and impor-
tance of this topic--the co-action of life and water on Earth--ensures that
the great opportunities for discovery will be pursued.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
This chapter discusses six research topics and associated exemplary
questions. The topics are not meant to be exclusive but are among the most
important in the subject area. The central theme is the idea of bidirection-
ality (i.e., water affects life, which affects water). This interaction can be
over a short time period of, e.g., a growing season, or over geologic time in
which evolution occurs. Studies suggest that action at the finest scale, such
as the controls on moisture availability to root hairs, can have consequences
for the large scale, such as regional climate. Hence, local mechanistic un-
derstanding is needed, and therefore the significant challenge of upscaling
should be tackled. Interactions can lead to patterns, from repeating patches
of vegetation to the self-organized development of ridge-and-valley topog-
raphy. Such patterns invite theory, and these two patterns in particular have
driven much research. The coupling, bidirectionality, and internal dynamics
of these patterns can lead to a high sensitivity to change and to the potential
for irreversible change (e.g., see D'Odorico and Porporato, 2006).
3.1. Deep Time Landscapes
Landscapes, hydrologic processes, ecosystems, and climate have
co-evolved throughout Earth's history and across all spatial
scales.
Early Earth history is nearly as mysterious as the geologic evolution
of other planets. To inform understanding of early Earth, scientists have
limited preserved bedrock, some chemical records, and scant fossil evidence.
Nonetheless, early life clearly interacted with the physical system. The fossil
record suggests that as the evolution of life exploded and proceeded, the
fossil record points to evolutionary inventions that altered how the planet
works. Much is yet to be learned.
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WATER AND LIFE 85
How have hydrologic processes affected the co-evolution of life and
planet Earth?
Although a finite set of hydrologic processes are involved in Earth's
water cycle, the relative rates and importance of the processes have changed
dramatically throughout Earth's history. These changes corresponded and
contributed to major evolutionary steps in emergence of landscapes and
their ecosystems and the climate system (including the oceans). Three ex-
amples illustrate this point.
Early Earth is a great puzzle. The early Sun was 70 percent as bright
as today (Kasting, 2010), and consequently the Earth should have been a
frozen sphere for nearly one-half of its history. Instead geologic evidence
makes it clear that oceans were present very early, and it is possible that
Earth was even warmer than present. But then, approximately coincident
with the rise of atmospheric oxygen from photosynthesis, the first known
global glaciation occurred approximately 2.4 billion years ago. Since then
Earth has periodically experienced "ice house" conditions of large-scale
glaciations. Numerous hypotheses explain the "faint young sun" puzzle,
but three-dimensional climate simulations that explicitly account for hy-
drologic processes of runoff, storage, and evaporation must be developed
to fully explore them.
Another puzzle for hydrologic science arises from the "snowball Earth"
event about 650 million years ago, during which it has been argued that
much of Earth's ocean and terrestrial surface was covered with ice. This
event is of particular interest because its termination was marked by an
explosion of multicellular life, known as the Cambrian explosion. Why did
Earth's water freeze and then thaw? There was also a significant rise in oxy-
gen after the snowball Earth period ended. Recently it has been proposed
that this rise in oxygen resulted from accelerated erosion of high mountains
that flushed nutrients to the sea, greatly increasing photosynthesis. These
events highlight the need for further understanding of the relationships
among climate, topography, hydrology, erosion, and ecosystems.
Perhaps the most radical change in hydrologic processes after the emer-
gence of continental landmasses was the evolution of land plants and the
subsequent diversification of terrestrial life. Terrestrial organisms perma-
nently changed hydrologic processes in at least two fundamental ways.
With the development of stomata, about 400 million years ago, plants
could lift water from deep soil reservoirs without desiccation and transfer it
back to the atmosphere, greatly increasing this mass flux (Figure 3-1). This
acceleration of the hydrologic cycle profoundly affected climate processes.
The spread of vegetation and fauna across landscapes led to more intense
weathering and the development of deeper conductive soils, which must
have systematically increased near-surface storage of water and brought
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WATER AND LIFE 87
3.2. The Hydrology of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Hydrology plays a critical role in driving the environmental pat-
terns that exist and evolve on Earth.
Dominant vegetation type or biomes, standing biomass, and annual
primary production (energy fixation from sunlight by plants) vary with
mean annual precipitation. Within biomes, inter- and intra-annual varia-
tion in the timing and amount of precipitation can exert strong control on
primary productivity and vegetation structure. In systems where vegetation
growth is strongly water limited, small changes in the magnitude and timing
of precipitation can lead to dramatic changes in vegetation composition and
productivity. These interactions are less obvious, but no less important, in
more humid, nutrient-limited ecosystems, where the amount, timing, and
routing of water supply can substantially affect nutrient availability and
soil carbon storage.
Across the full gradient of annual precipitation, the key link between
the biosphere and the hydrosphere is soil moisture. Soil moisture fuels
bare-earth evaporation and plant transpiration. Yet, evapotranspiration and
soil moisture dynamics are the two primary unknowns in water budgets of
landscapes. Soil moisture dynamics drive soil respiration (the flux of carbon
dioxide, CO2, from the soil to the atmosphere) and are a significant con-
tributor to the global CO2 budget, but soil moisture has proven extremely
difficult to predict. Climate models that find agreement in predicting future
temperatures and rainfall may nonetheless generate widely different predic-
tions of soil moisture. Reducing this critical uncertainty in understanding
the mechanisms of feedbacks between vegetation and climate is central to
the ability to effectively predict future climate and vegetation dynamics at
local and global scales.
Among the barriers to building meaningful predictions of soil mois-
ture are the challenges to linking small-scale transport processes in plants
and soils with local atmospheric processes. In a review article, Katul et al.
(2007) suggest that two primary barriers limit the progress of soil-plant-
atmosphere interactions mediated primarily by hydrologic fluxes. First,
scientists have limited ability to describe water movement at the very
smallest scales where fine plant roots interact with soil water, where small
tubes (xylem) carry water in plants, and where water diffuses through plant
tissue. Second, once scientists achieve appropriate microscopic descriptions,
the appropriate methods to extrapolate them to larger spatial scales and
longer time scales are lacking (what is known in the field as an "upscaling"
problem). Understanding how water molecules move through soils and
plant tissues and developing the scaling laws necessary for extrapolating
this understanding to ecosystem scales is a challenge.
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88 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HYDROLOGIC SCIENCES
Hydrologists have made significant progress in understanding how
vegetation responds to and controls local and regional hydrology in arid
and semi-arid climates, where water limitation is a major determinant of
vegetation patterns. Here competition for limited water leads to spatially
structured vegetation, which may simply trace the topographic controls on
water paths. Alternatively, plants themselves may create spatially variable
conditions favorable to their survival by influencing soil characteristics
that alter surface water infiltration, moisture retention, and erosion. Much
remains to be discovered about controls on pattern and process.
Hydrologists, ecologists, and geomorphologists have found common
cause in studying the water mediated interactions among climate, vegeta-
tion, and landscapes within terrestrial ecosystems. These ecosystems include
the entire food web of animal life they support, but the dependency of ani-
mals on precipitation is often indirect and tied to precipitation variability
and seasonality. In water-limited landscapes, correlations between ungulate
populations (for example) and rainfall have been found, but even here
density-dependent interactions, such as competition for food, may obscure
simple climate dependencies (Owen-Smith, 2006). Understanding how the
loss of native species or the addition of invasive species to ecosystems may
alter vegetation and climate is equally important as understanding how
changing climates may affect terrestrial organisms.
How do soil and rock moisture vary across landscapes and in turn drive
biotic, geochemical, erosional, and climatic processes?
Water in unsaturated soils, typically referred to as soil moisture, is
returned to the atmosphere through bare soil evaporation and plant tran-
spiration. This evapotranspiration is approximately 57 percent of the total
land precipitation (Van der Ent et al., 2010), and it uses up about 50 per-
cent of the total solar energy absorbed by the land surface (e.g., Seneviratne
et al., 2010). Soil moisture influences climate as a source of moisture, and
in various ways it influences latent and sensible heat fluxes. Soil moisture
influences water potential gradients (and thus infiltration rates and unsatu-
rated subsurface flow rates), thereby influencing runoff paths and the re-
sulting erosion during storms. Geochemical reactions are partially paced by
water content and associated microbial activity. Soil moisture controls and
is regulated by vegetation; hence, understanding moisture dynamics is cen-
tral to related studies. Soil respiration varies with seasonal moisture in the
soil. Despite the central role that soil moisture plays in Earth surface pro-
cesses and ecosystems, the spatial and temporal dynamics of soil moisture
are poorly documented, and theory predictions have had limited success.
Hydrologists have played a leading role in mapping soil moisture and
developing theory about its distribution across landscapes. Remote sens-
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WATER AND LIFE 89
ing technology for mapping moisture dynamics, while providing valuable
observations, only penetrates a few centimeters into the ground. Therefore,
field observations and theory remain essential to obtaining estimates of soil
moisture patterns and dynamics. Ground-based technology for mapping
soil moisture to significant depths is advancing and will be important in cre-
ating field data sets to test remote sensing and model-based predictions of
soil moisture dynamics. For example, naturally produced neutrons and their
thermalization are utilized in the Cosmic Soil Moisture Observing System1
(COSMOS) to provide larger footprint measures of soil moisture (Zreda et
al., 2008). Distributed temperature sensing (DTS), in which optical fibers
are "planted" across agricultural fields at varying depths, is now provid-
ing soil moisture estimates using either the natural diurnal heat flux within
the shallow soils, or by actively heating the cable over its entire length to
form an enormous heat dissipation sensor. New approaches for assessing
both the spatial and depth distribution of soil moisture are beginning to
fill the gap between point sensors and remote sensing, yet this major data
gap remains. Climate models are beginning to reach a resolution where
the topographic effects on moisture redistribution can be treated. Large
differences remain in how such models treat the water holding capacity
of soils and how soil moisture regulates evapotranspiration. What are the
effects of topography, geology, and land history on soil moisture patterns
and dynamics?
Field studies of rooting depth of vegetation, direct observation of water
transport in roots, and results from climate modeling all point to the im-
portance of deep water sources (several meters below the ground surface).
Sufficiently deep roots can lift deeper water to near surface soils, increas-
ing moisture availability to shallow roots. In some places, soils are thick
and can provide this deep water, but in others, especially places underlain
by bedrock, the moisture available to plants may reside in the underlying
fractured rock. In seasonally dry, hilly landscapes with thin soils, vegetation
may be sustained by moisture extracted from weathered bedrock beneath
the soil. The importance of this so-called "rock moisture," and the ground-
water that lies beneath it, in providing water to vegetation is relatively
unexplored.
To improve hydrologic, climate, geochemical, and ecological models,
field observations and theory are needed to explain and predict the spatial
variation in the thickness and properties of the soil mantle and the underly-
ing conductivity of weathered rock across landscapes. Climate models rely
on compilations of soil thickness and texture properties extracted from
soil surveys, but as the finer-scale topography of hills and valleys enter
into climate models, soil data spatially mapped onto this topography will
1 See
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90 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HYDROLOGIC SCIENCES
be needed. Very little is known quantitatively about this mostly invisible
mantle, especially with regard to the spatial variation in depth of weather-
ing of bedrock across landscapes. Although soil maps can provide guidance
to estimating soil properties, there are no comparable data to estimate the
depth of weathered rock that may serve as a moisture reservoir. Recently
the zone from the canopy top through the soil and down into the underlying
weathered bedrock and groundwater has been referred to as the "Critical
Zone" (Box 3-1). Six Critical Zone Observatory field projects are currently
BOX 3-1
Critical Zone Observatories
In 2001 the National Research Council report Basic Research Opportunities
in Earth Science (NRC, 2001) proposed the term Critical Zone to describe "the
heterogeneous, near-surface environment in which complex interactions involv-
ing rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms regulate the natural habitat and
determine the availability of life-sustaining resources." The report recommended
"integrative studies" of the Critical Zone as one of six "important problem areas
spanning a wide range of future activity in Earth science." This challenge was
embraced by the research community, and by 2007 the National Science Founda-
tion (NSF) funded three Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs) for an initial 5-year
investigation and subsequently added three more in 2009. This effort has inspired
a corresponding program in Europe referred to as SoilTrEC (Soil Transformation
in European Catchments)a and rapidly expanding international collaborations
across the globe.
The CZOs are envisioned as field environmental laboratories to explore
the chemical, physical, and biological processes that shape Earth. The three
main goals are (1) to develop a unifying theoretical framework of Critical Zone
evolution that integrates new understanding of coupled hydrological, geochemi-
cal, geomorphological, and biological processes; (2) to develop coupled systems
models to predict how the Critical Zone is driven by anthropogenic effects, climate,
and tectonics; and (3) to develop an integrated data-measurement framework to
document processes and test hypotheses.b
The six established CZOs are located in (1) the Southern Sierra (California),
(2) the Jemez River and SantaCatalina Mountains (New Mexico and Arizona),
(3) Boulder Creek (Colorado), (4) the Susquehanna Shale Hills (Pennsylvania),
(5) the Christina River basin (Delaware and Pennsylvania), and (6) the Luquillo
Mountains (Puerto Rico). Each of these CZOs is managed by different multidisci-
plinary teams, and the mix of sites offers opportunities to explore different aspects
of the Critical Zone. These CZOs form a national network and meet, coordinate,
and collaborate as a shared program.
a See
b See
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WATER AND LIFE 91
funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) across the United States,
wherein hydrologic processes and development of the soil and weathered
bedrock zone are studied intensively in conjunction with biogeochemical
and geomorphic processes. How can results of local mechanistic studies
of soil and weathered bedrock be upscaled to watershed hydrologic and
regional climate models?
How have vegetation assemblages, landscapes, climate, and the
hydrologic systems that drive them co-evolved?
We live on a patterned Earth. Across the planet, vegetation is banded
into distinct bioclimatic zones of differing dominant vegetation. Within a
zone, topography and geology can drive moisture, slope stability, and soil
and mineralogical differences that structures vegetation assemblages. Sys-
tematic differences emerge with respect to orientation of hills (i.e., aspect),
with, for example, more forested, moisture-demanding vegetation facing
north in northern latitudes (Figure 3-2). The visible co-organization of
vegetation and topography, in which topographically structured moisture
availability drives dominant vegetation assemblages (most prominent in
water-limited environments), has attracted many researchers. These pat-
terns are being examined at least three ways: (1) how vegetation patterns
are driven by water stress, (2) how vegetation patterns may be used to docu-
ment water availability and transpiration, and (3) how vegetation patterns
may, in turn, affect hydrologic and erosional processes, thereby altering soil
and topographic evolution.
Highly structured vegetation patterns also occur that do not correspond
to strong topographic and soil control but, instead, are argued to be emer-
gent features that arise from competing effects of facilitative and competi-
tive processes within the vegetation community. In some cases remarkable
vegetation patterns of repeating bands, spots, and mosaics develop. In
water-limited environments where overland flow occurs, vegetation cluster-
ing can have such facilitative effects as inducing water infiltration, trapping
nutrients, providing shade, and protecting against herbivory. A considerable
body of theory has been advanced to predict these self-organized emer-
gent vegetation patterns. The challenge is to provide definitive tests of the
theory. The vegetation patterns themselves--without extensive field work
to confirm driving mechanisms--may reveal very little about their origin
and therefore provide an insufficient test of theories.
A frontier area of research is to expand these inquiries into humid
regions where spatially structured water availability is less apparent, but
vegetation patterns still form (Rodriguez-Iturbe et al., 2007). Fire pattern
and history may strongly dictate vegetation patterns in both arid and humid
landscapes, either emphasizing or obscuring water availability differences
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WATER AND LIFE 93
and other disturbances (e.g., extreme storms, grazing, insect outbreaks, and
invading species) can take significant roles. The inclusion of multispecies,
food-web, and disturbance-driven processes in coupled models of climate,
hydrologic, and vegetation pattern development is an area of expanding
and exciting research. What are the hydroecological interactions that rein-
force the spatial patterns across diverse landscapes and varying hydrocli-
mate regimes?
All landscapes and their ecosystems have experienced climate change.
Some systems may currently be legacies of a previous climate state under
which they became established and now exist with limited resilience to
further change. Ecosystems, hydrologic processes, and regional climate
can co-evolve to create a self-sustaining system, but one that if disturbed
may not recover. Perhaps the most important such system on Earth is the
Amazon rainforest. A significant fraction of all terrestrial evaporation (and
transpiration) is returned as precipitation over land (e.g., Van der Ent et
al., 2010). Some argue that wholesale cutting of the forest or the effects
of global warming could disrupt the self-sustaining hydrologic cycle of the
Amazon, leading to widespread soil drying and a shift from mesic (having
a moderate supply of water) forests to drier grasslands. Scientists need to
understand how modern hydrosphere-biosphere feedbacks, like those in the
Amazon, have evolved to maintain current vegetation patterns in order to
anticipate future states. How will vegetation communities and their regional
climate co-evolve with climate variability and change?
Landscapes evolve as channels erode down, steepening adjacent hill-
slopes, which, through this connection, may eventually develop a form that
erodes at a rate similar to that of the channel. The competition of advective
processes driven by runoff (which tend to predominate in channels) and
diffusive processes (which tend to predominate on hillslopes) can lead to a
regular ridge-and-valley topography with distinct wavelengths (Figure 3-2).
Nearly all landscapes evolve under a biota mantle, yet explicit account-
ing for the effects of vegetation (or the assemblages of biota in the soil)
in geomorphic models is just beginning. Do topography, vegetation (and
their animal ecosystems), and the hydrologic processes that connect them
co-organize over geomorphic time scales?
How can scientists predict abrupt change in terrestrial ecosystems?
Of great concern is the possibility that future state changes may be irre-
versible, and that the approach to state changes will be nonlinear or abrupt
and thus very difficult to predict. The tight feedbacks between vegetation
and climate set the stage for the potential for rapid transitions in vegeta-
tion dynamics. As global and regional climate changes, vegetation will both
respond to and affect the climatic regime. Global climate models predict
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112 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HYDROLOGIC SCIENCES
BOX 3-3
Mississippi Delta Restoration
The Mississippi River Delta has lost about one-third of its original wetland
since European settlement of North America. This wetland provides many ecosys-
tem services, most notably freshwater habitat and storm surge protection. At the
current rate of land loss and shoreline migration, it is estimated that New Orleans
will be exposed to the open sea by 2090 (Fischetti, 2001).
The reduction of sediment supply to the delta due to dam construction in the
Mississippi watershed has contributed to this land loss. But presently the main
cause of land loss is the confinement of the river to levees, which have created
an efficient "pipeline" of sediment (and nutrients) directly out to the Gulf of Mexico.
The levees prevent the river spilling into adjacent coastal basins, where sediment
deposition would provide the mineral base for wetlands vegetation growth and
thus sustain the delta level. Without this resupply the coastal wetlands drown
because of natural and anthropogenic (due to hydrocarbon extraction) subsid-
ence and sea-level rise. The final result is open water with no remaining wetlands
ecosystem services.
Engineered avulsions, in which river flood flow is directed into coastal basins,
had been proposed, but doubts were raised about sufficient sediment supply, the
high rates of subsidence, and the anticipated effects of climate change induced
sea-level rise. Figure 3-8 shows an example, however, where numerical model-
ing performed as part of the delta dynamics integrated research project of the
National Center for Earth Surface Dynamics demonstrates the possibility of land
building. This model suggests that effective land building can be done without
threatening navigation or demanding a large fraction of the Mississippi flood flow.
Basic research is needed to guide such a major restoration project. Recently
NSF funded a "Delta Dynamics Collaboratory" that will support an intensive field
observatory (the Wax Lake Delta, a recent, actively growing delta about 100
km west of the main Mississippi delta) and a modeling activities center associ-
ated with the NSF supported Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System
(CSDMS) at the University of Colorado. The interaction of sediment supply and
wetland ecosystems dynamics will be a primary focus.
hydrologic change (climate induced or managed) prevent or exacerbate the
spread of invasive species in wetlands? How will the critically important
role of wetlands in global carbon cycling change as a result of climate
change or direct hydrologic alteration?
Although many restoration efforts are under way, there is considerable
controversy about their effectiveness. It is argued that constructed wetlands
are not a substitute for naturally formed ones, because they fail to perform
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114 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HYDROLOGIC SCIENCES
cisco Bay Delta Estuary, the Florida Everglades, and the lower Mississippi
River wetland systems are prime examples of systems with strong con-
straints, multiple goals, and a complex community of users. Although
exceptionally to produce challenging, coupled models of hydrological, eco-
logical, geochemical, and geomorphological processes are needed to enable
communities to make reasonable comparisons about the costs and benefits
of alternative management decisions.
Wetlands research presents a great opportunity to explore and discover
the subtle linkages among water level (flow, duration, and frequency),
vegetation establishment and growth, soil chemical evolution, aquatic ver-
tebrate and invertebrate dynamics, and morphologic evolution of subdued
and emergence landforms. Wetlands produce distinct landforms, vegetation
patterns, and ecological interactions that invite model development--and
much work has been done to explore essential controls on wetlands at-
tributes. Nonetheless, wetlands, especially large lowland systems, remain
challenging to study because of their size, access difficulties, and the dis-
persed nature of ecologic and hydrologic processes (Harvey et al., 2009).
Remote sensing data (including current and future satellites for mapping
water level and storage) and high-resolution topographic data (of ground
and water surfaces), coupled with process oriented field studies, can reveal
underlying mechanisms and processes. What are the key controls on large
wetland system function and services? What are the minimum features re-
quired to build mechanistic models linking ecosystem, biogeochemical, and
hydrologic processes that will increase the efficacy of wetlands restoration?
Can wetlands be constructed, restored, or redesigned to provide resilience
to the consequences of global change?
What will make river restoration work?
In the United States and throughout the world, restoration of rivers and
streams is an increasingly common approach to managing freshwaters. This
trend reflects a growing awareness of river degradation and societal desires
for waterways that provide beneficial human uses while sustaining biodi-
versity and ecosystem goods and services. Rivers drain landscapes and thus
their form and dynamics are linked to the cumulative land use activities
across their watersheds. Land use alters the water runoff rate and stream
temperature, sediment supply (size and amount), and water chemistry that
a river receives and passes downstream. Rivers are straightened, dredged,
leveed (preventing access to adjacent floodplains), confined in hardened
banks, stripped of in-channel woody debris and riparian vegetation, di-
verted, and covered. The combined effects of altered flow, sediment, and
nutrients regimes together with altered physical states have led to significant
degradation of river biodiversity and to significant increases in the delivery
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WATER AND LIFE 115
of pollutants to estuarine and off shore environments. Non-point-source
contamination, channel degradation, and aquatic species loss or decline
are among the most common motivations for undertaking stream restora-
tion (Bernhardt et al., 2007). River restoration projects typically attempt to
reestablish the water and habitat quality of degraded streams using one of
two overarching approaches, either focusing on reestablishing hydrographs
and hydrologic connectivity (hydrologic restoration) or focusing on restor-
ing habitat form (hydromorphological restoration).
Hydrologic restoration includes "reestablishing part of the historic flow
regime, removing levees to recover floodplain functionality, scheduling wa-
ter releases from reservoirs to restore native vegetation and riparian func-
tions, and in some cases even removing flow blockages or reconnecting river
reaches that have been fragmented" (Bernhardt and Palmer, 2011). Dam
removal, in particular, has become a widespread practice, often resulting
from relicensing assessments. A central goal of hydrologic restoration is to
reestablish natural processes such that the river system will create flow and
morphologic dynamics critical to maintaining ecosystems. Hydromorpho-
logical restoration places greater emphasis on increasing channel stability
and in-stream habitat by altering channel form and structure along a river
reach in order to restore biodiversity and ecological function. Commonly
this approach employs introduction of in-channel structures (using boulders
or large woody debris). Whole reaches of channels may be redesigned to
a fixed channel pattern to meet some desired form and assumed function.
But restoration projects have also been designed with the goal of chan-
nels recovering their morphologic dynamics, such as shifting laterally and
thereby creating increased habitat complexity. Reports monitoring the ef-
fectiveness (pre- and post-restoration quantitative sampling) of restoration
outcomes are rare (Bernhardt et al., 2005), but some hydrologic restoration
efforts have been success stories (e.g., Hall et al., 2010). In contrast, there
is limited evidence of demonstrable ecological improvements resulting from
hydromorphological restoration projects (Bernhardt and Palmer, 2011), de-
spite the fact that these types of projects are extremely common worldwide.
Restoration projects are mostly implemented without detailed under-
standing of the watershed context and potential channel morphodynamics.
Typically, limited, if any, ecological field studies precede project imple-
mentation. This is especially true in hydromorphological studies, which
commonly rely on the assumption that adding structures to channels or
redesigning a channel to a particular form will create an ecological benefit.
Restoration projects commonly lack two critical components: (1) an eco-
logical assessment to determine limiting factors to species success in order
to define what restoration would be most effective and (2) analysis of sedi-
ment supply and consequences for restoration strategy (e.g., Rosenfeld et
al., 2010).
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116 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HYDROLOGIC SCIENCES
Forty-five percent of the nation's assessed rivers are classified as en-
dangered or impaired (EPA, 2000); thus, considerable work is still ahead.
The restoration measures taken will vary greatly and depend on the eco-
system, the river and its watershed, and practical constraints. There is a
need for development of quantitative models that explicitly link hydrologic,
geomorphic, geochemical, and ecologic processes and that enable users
to ask "what if" questions regarding restoration measures in a changing
environment. The large number of river restoration projects offers many
opportunities for testing basic hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological
understanding. If river sediments and their contaminants are responsible for
downstream ecosystem decline, can restoration measures increase upstream
retention? In a watershed where a large portion of its network of rivers
is degraded and water quality is poor, what are the most effective proce-
dures to restore habitats and aquatic biodiversity? How can key barriers
(physical, chemical, or temperature) to stream biota migration be efficiently
identified and eliminated? What is necessary to restore or redesign a chan-
nel such that it becomes a self-maintaining, morphologically dynamic river
that passes water and sediment and supports a diverse ecosystem? Can
scientists predict fish population dynamics for various restoration measures
and anticipated effects of changing climate and land use? Such questions
will naturally be best answered by interdisciplinary teams of scientists and
engineers; and high-quality hydrologic research should be at the center of
these inquiries.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
In the past 20 years a major shift has occurred in the hydrologic com-
munity to embrace and explore all the ways water and life interact on
Earth. Hydrologists are investigating how interactions that link subsurface,
terrestrial, and freshwater environments are controlled by and contribute
to ecosystem dynamics and the planet's evolving climate. Theory is rapidly
developing, with mathematical models and process-rich numerical schemes
being proposed. Opportunities for basic discovery occur at all scales, from
the micrometer-scale processes surrounding root hairs to the regional and
global scale of water exchange with the atmosphere. These opportunities
require deep understanding of not only physics, chemistry, and biology of
processes, but also natural history and modeling.
If there is one common goal, then it is to gain enough understanding
of these interactions, so that models, whether conceptual, analytical, or
numerical, can provide reliable predictions of the future states of the Earth
system. The more scientists are able to anticipate future states, the better
society will be able to prepare for them or alter what might otherwise
occur. Models are needed to predict consequences of local changes (e.g.,
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WATER AND LIFE 117
vegetation conversion for energy crops) as well as global changes (e.g.,
increasing CO2 in the atmosphere). It is vital that biotic processes be made
explicit in such models. This advance, however, will reveal the uncertain
future. Ecosystems are dynamic, time dependent, nonlinear, and complex.
Biotic interactions, disease, behavior, and other attributes far different from
purely physical or chemical processes challenge the goal of predictability.
The pursuit of answers to the kinds of questions raised in this report, which
explicitly seek to include life-water interactions, should contribute toward
reaching this goal.
Collaborative field studies are essential, because many questions of
process remain and can only be understood at the scale and richness of
dynamics found in the natural world. Ecological processes introduce dif-
ferent time scales than do hydrologic processes. Successive rainstorms can
provide repeated data sets about how a particular landscape delivers water
as runoff, for example. But that same landscape may undergo progres-
sive changes in vegetation composition, when, for example exotic species
invade, recovery occurs after a fire, or subtle climate shifts change the
competitive edge from some species to others. Such shifts may take years
to decades or longer to occur and feed back on the hydrologic and climate
system. These slow dynamics call for commitments to long term collabora-
tive studies. The development of inexpensive, easily deployed monitoring
devices for ecosystem and hydrologic studies holds the promise of revealing
processes over space and time.
One of the greatest challenges faced by Earth scientists is the poor
knowledge and inaccessibility of the hydrologically active ground beneath
society's feet. In many environments most runoff occurs as subsurface flow.
All moisture that gets pulled back to the atmosphere as transpiration as it
sustains life is extracted from this near-surface region. Documenting sub-
surface processes involves the technical challenges of finding ways of "see-
ing" into the ground and of quantifying the properties of the subsurface,
explored further in the following chapter. This documentation should also
include analysis of subsurface ecologic processes. Observational tools and
models are needed.
Restoration, conservation, and redesign projects to create or regain
desired ecosystem services are occurring across a wide range of scale from
small seasonal ponds to the entire Mississippi River Delta. Done for practi-
cal reasons, these projects are nonetheless invaluable experiments that test
the ability to make predictions. Post project monitoring is a critical tool
to for learning from these projects and making progressive improvements
(NRC, 2006, 2011).
As scientists look ahead, interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives
will be needed to gain enough understanding of the interactions between
water and life to predict the future states of the Earth system. Many of the | eng | fba9e507-2ea6-431f-a1ba-0a4c7531e447 | http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=13293&page=83 |
system for dispensing gas is to begin Saturday to combat long lines at the pump in 12 counties throughout the state.
According to a release from the Governor's Office, citizens of the following counties are now limited on the days in which they can fill up their gas tanks, as per the state Office of Emergency Management: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.
According to the state, plates ending in an even number can fill up on even numbered days of the month, while plates ending in an odd number can fill up on odd numbered days of the month.
plates.
This system does not apply to gas cans, such as those for generators, at this time, according to a spokesman from the governor's office.
This system is to begin at noon, Saturday, Nov. 3.
This dispensation system will remain in effect as long as the limited states of energy emergency declared by the state in those counties continues, the release said.
"With the challenges we face in the storm's aftermath, we will be vigilant in enforcing this odd-even system, as we ease the stresses on the system," said Attorney General Jeffery S. Chiesa, in a prepared statementGee, no matter the number you can get gas every other day, unless you are driving 300 or miles a day that shouldn't be a problem. If you drive that far chances are you will leave North Jersey and you can buy all the gas you want.
Just to clarify... If you have Vanity Plates that includes a number(s), then you use the number farthest to the right. All Vanity Plates are not considered ODD, only the ones that have no numbers in them. So for example, "C U L8R", would be considered an EVEN. Hope that makes it clearer.
The Gov does not have the legal authority to institute this policy. I plan to violate the proclamation, arrest me. Write me a ticket! The law simply does not exist, the case will be thrown out, and I may even get paid for false arrest. This is America!
Just waited in line for gas for over 2 hours to find out the information on Montclair Patch about determining odd/even was wrong. So now I am home. Meanwhile, the gas station is filling up all of those with gas cans including the landscapers who no longer know what a rake is. I say let the friggin leaves stay on the lawns this year, or better yet, go buy a rake. Rationing needs to be imposed on luxuries like landscaping
Westfield police have decided not to implement the Governor's executive order mandating odd/even rationing in Westfield. When residents on line waiting for gas on Saturday afternoon at the Exxon station on Central Avenue and South Avenue protested to police at the scene that cars with even license plates were being allowed in for gas, they said the Westfield PD had decided to ignore the governor's order because people "had been waiting a long time in line". When asked why they were ignoring the executive order, the Lieutenant commanding to officers on scene said "if the Governor doesn't like it, he can come down and help out himself"!
A phone call to the Westfield police department elicited a statement from the watch commander that Chief of Police David Wayman had made the decision to ignore the Governor's rationing order, and told all WPD officers to let any cars in for gas.
There's another previous article on Patch with details of letters. I think it's A-M is odd
N-Z is even. Maybe the editor can combine the two so all the latest is one piece? I'm sure they're swamped. Think I saw walk up w can is fine any day....good luck, everyone. It's good they're doing this. It's nuts out there! But if you go into NY a bit, it eases up. But even as far as Fishkill, NY, on Route 9 heading South---very long lines today. Stay safe!
No - letters have nothing to do with it unless you don't have any numbers. Numbers prevail. If you have a number in your plate#, then the one furthest to the right is your day. eg. R21-34D would be an EVEN day because of the 4.
@thewayitis...I had also read about the A-M/odd day info. I end in an A, so I waited in line for gas only to be told that I had to go by the last number on my plate, which of course, is a 2. Til tomorrow...
I guess people who didn't grow up in 70's gas crunch don't understand the license plate deal. Go with what it says exactly w/out reading into it. If you end in a letter you're an odd day. As for me, my bell bottoms, Dead shirt and mocassins are coming out of closet. Everything comes in cycles.
If I recall correctly, license plates were much simpler then. They didn't end in letters, they were always ABC-123. And vanity plates were rare. And it also worked really well...a pain in the neck...but it worked.
No, that's NOT how it works, and it was NOT how it worked in the 70's, either.
It makes/made no difference if your plate ENDS in a letter. It matters only what the rightmost DIGIT is. If your plate ends in a letter, then you don't go by that, you find and go by the rightmost DIGIT. If you have only a single digit in your plate number, even if it's the first character, you'd go by that. If you have two or more digits, you go by the rightmost one.
People who have no digits whatsoever anywhere in their plate "number" are considered odd. And rightly so. But not half as odd as people who can't understand a simple explanation.
Thanks for the link, but I just followed it and this is what it says - Please give people the right info - this will be difficult enough without wrong info -Look at the last NUMBER, not the last character - 123-ABC is odd, 246-ABC is even,'s not necessarily what the license plate ENDS in. If you have NO numbers on your plate you go for gas on ODD days. If you have numbers ANYWHERE on your plate, you take the number farthest to the right and that's how you determine what day to go. Example KC3-ABC -ODD KC1-6 BX -EVEN. Zero is considered EVEN. Yes there have been mis-statements, but clarification was given.
I only remember what we did in CT when this was done in the 70's gas crises (yes, there were 2). MOST of the plates ended in letters. The last number on your plate is the number you use, regardless of whether or not there is any letter after it. The ONLY time you assume that you go on an odd day is if you don't have ANY numbers in your plate (AKA - all letters). That's the way it worked back then.
If you had every car that ended in a letter going on odd days, then, 99% of the cars in Jersey would be there on odd days and 1% would be there on even days. That makes no sense, does it? LOL!
My plate has a letter, 2 numbers, a dash and three letters. Not a vanity plate, just how it was issued. Would I go by the last numeral of the 2 embedded numbers or would I consider it a "no number/vanity" plate?
The executive order says this:
Vehicles with license plates, ***the last number of which** is an odd number, can only fill up at stations in these counties on odd-numbered days of the month, the order said. Vehicles with license plates, **the last number of which** is an even number, can only fill up on even-numbered days. (emphasis mine)
It does not say that the last character has to be a number. To determine if you are even or odd, use the last digit in your license plate. If your plate is T84 TZX -- you are EVEN because the last digit in the plate is even.
Yes - most NJ plates are either ABC00D (eg SZX46E) or the newer format A00BCD (eg: A43BUX).
The NUMBER part is what they are talking about. In the above examples: SZX46E would be an EVEN number because of the 6. In the second example, the NUMBER is a 3, so this would be an ODD number.
What about those out of town drivers. What do they have to do to get gas in New Jersey when they riding through? Crispy Critter do you want them to push there car to the next state! Well thought out plan.
Same rules apply to them. If you are driving in another state, you have to obey THEIR traffic rules, such as the speed limit. It's unfortunate if they are unaware of the rule and wait in line on the wrong day, but I can't imagine anyone spending time here right now and not hearing about these things, or driving around just for the heck of it. They would definitely see the long lines. In the 70's, some stations put up ODD and EVEN signs to make it understandable to "out-of-towners".
I don't why we are even excepting this situation. Now the government and the governor are going to dictate what we should be doing and when we can gas now that we pay tax on. They are all home with their electric on and with their cars full of gas. If americans continue to allow the government to dictate their lives I feel bad for our kids and the following generations. If this happened in another country america would have their troops helping the situation. Since it happened inside america we the americans have to suffer. But they never forget to take taxes out. Its sick when somebody tells you that depending on the last number of your license plate is going to dictate whether you can go out and get gas to feed you family. You be the judge. How far will we let thos go.
@freddy: This measure is to ease lines, traffic and reduce tensions for everyone. No one is telling that you can't get gasoline. Part of the job of government is to help keep order, which we why we police officers and other safety officers. No one is denying you anything. Go take that considerably sized chip off your shoulder.
Grow up! Have you SEEN the devastation in NJ? Are you COMPLETELY CLUELESS? Now is the time all of us have to pull together and cooperate so that all can recover. We have to work together and compromise so that we can accommodate as many people as possible! It's TEMPORARY and not convenient for anyone but it is necessary so that there will be a little gas for everyone.
Update on Gas Rationing in NJ: The Odd/Even Number system will go into effect at NOON on Saturday. This means that if your plate ends in an odd # you get gas on odd days and if it ends in an even # you get it on even days. If your plate ends in a letter, A-M is considered odd and N-Z is considered even. Vanity plates are odd #.
Reading earlier article on NJ.com about this system in Belleville (?) - they will use your residental address as your even or odd day to buy gas. Guessing they will use same sort of system as above if no number on your address.
Just in time too as line at Parsippany WAWA tonight was backed up ONTO 46.
" Once in effect, all retail dealers of motor fuel will be required to only sell motor fuel for use in a passenger automobile bearing license plates, THE LAST NUMBER OF WHICHFor everyone confused about the number/letter/vanity plate issue:
If you have ANY numbers on your plate, you use the last one. For example, AD3V2k would use the 2 and be even
If you ONLY have letters, you are ODD. VFR HJJ is odd. IMADIVA is odd.
FYI, there is no loophole around the gas can issue. I believe on the website, it specifically states that along with motorists who have to do odd/even days, so do pedestrians. With pedestrians, they go by the digits in your street address. If it ends in an odd number then you go on the odd numbered day of the month and so forth.
Motorists in these counties whose license plates end in even numbers can fill up only on even-numbered days. Odd-numbered plates -- which includes those not ending in number -- can fill up only on odd days.
Not motorists in those counties ANYONE getting gas at stations in those counties, actually.
And, no on the plate details, too. Here's the gist:
If you have ANY numbers in your plate#, you go by the last number on it
If you have NO numbers on your plate, you are considered an ODD day.
Hope this helps!
I don't understand the problem, If your plate ends in an odd number you can get gas on the on date if your plate ends in an even number you go on the even date. If it ends in a letter, regardless of which letter you go on the odd date. If you are from out of state you follow the same rules!! This is a difficult time for all of NJ the government is just trying to make it all work the best they can why don't we just all try to get along and work together and get through this awful time and be thankful you have a car to fill. This did work in the 70's gas shortage I know I was there would be better if he crews just got the power back on then there would not be any issue! I know there is a lot of damage, but I saw a crew out in Bernardville that did not do anything with the power post that was folded over! Looking at it won't fix it! There are electricians out of work, why don't the electric companies use them? I am sure the community would help in any way they can if you just ask and organize people so they work safely. By rationing gas the recovery will be slower as people will not able to get to work!
Now I'm also getting a little confused, reading through more of the responses! Sorry if I further messed things up for anyone I replied to, as I was just trying to help LOL.
Even having grown up in NJ during the energy crisis of 1974 (not driving yet, though), this stuff is still cray-cray. New Jersey: Only The Strong Survive.
People it is not that difficult. Look at the number in your lPlate. If the number is an ODD number you can get gas on an Odd day such as tomorrow 11/3 If you have a number in your plate that is an EVEN then you get gas on even calendar days. Anything else would be considered Odd. Remember it doesn't matter where the number is in your plate.
It goes by the last number in your plate, regardless of any letters after that number.
A12-ABC is an EVEN plate
A23-ABC is an ODD plate
ABC-ABC is an ODD plate (plates with no numbers at all are considered odd)DPearls, notification is also being told via television, radio and internet, so I'm sure if someone is driving in their car, they'll hear it on the radio and I'm sure everyone posting on here has at least talked with a dozen people about the new gas rations.So lines will be just as long, but it will be full of odd or even numbers! Wonderful solution! This DOES NOT solve the problem. So insurance is an issue with out if work electricians. Get them cover! It is really sime
The Governor's Website is exactly why people are confused.. It says the following:==> the issue is it should say ==> or those not 'ENDING' in a number
But that's NOT what the system is. It has nothing to do with whether or not your plate ENDS in a number. It just goes by the last number in your string of numbers NO MATTER WHERE those numbers appear on the plate! R44LPJ is an EVEN plate.
To make it simple: Write down your license plate number in pencil. Then take an eraser and erase all the LETTERS. Look at what you have left. Is it even or odd?I stand corrected. Thanks Mike I went to the link in your above statement it makes it all very clear. Anyone with questions should check it out. If your Lplate ends in lettes A-M your odd N-Z your even:) Good Luck to all
Look at your plate number
Remove ALL the letters from that number
If your last number is odd, you go on odd days
If your last number is even, you go on even days
If you don't have any numbers, you go on odd days
LOL... I know you're joking. But, for the sake of those who might not understand, there IS a simpler way to explain it. Here goes:
(read and follow instructions)Hate to say it but that is wrong. See RacerWife7 post with the actually state website.. Nothing about A-M etc..Very simple and does not start till Noon tomorrow..
1. End in odd number, fill on odd day,
2. End in even number (incl 0) fill on even day
3. End in letter, fill on odd day no matter what letterKeep a close eye on the stations on the corner of Washington and Early street. I checked there after my power came up tonight and the attendant said they were still working on the wiring. Otherwise they were good to go... Good luck!
You use the last numerical digit when reading from right to left.
Also, you will not be able to purchase more than ONE GALLON for portable containers, no generator gas can loophole (see. NJAC 14:29-6.13)
The order is for the last DIGIT - this means number- on the plate wherever that may fall. ONLY go by the letters rule if you have NO NUMBERS on your plate (ie a 'vanity' plate). This is clearly specified in spite of its confusing nature. So some examples (made up): if your plate is aed f1g then you go on odd days because it contains the digit 1; if your plate is aed f2g then you go on even days because it contains the digit 2; if your plate is spr dwg then you go on odd days because you have no digits on your plate. Hope this is helpful.Ok there is wayyyyy too much differences in opinion. Can someone please give a str8 answer on this. Mine ends with a letter with a 4 before it. Some say I wld be odd since there is a letter at the end. Others say even since there is a 4. Which is it??
@Helen: It's not a difference of opinion. It's simply reading comprehension. It comes down to this: If you are confused then STOP READING THE COMMENTS AND GO BACK AND READ THE ARTICLE. If you take your time you will see that it is exquisitely clear. Good luck and peace to everyone.
Okay - breaking it down:
- "The last number of which" - it doesn't say the last CHARACTER. Left to right - the last NUMBER
- "those not displaying a number- will be considered odd numbered plates"
Read Concerned's post. Then read Yesterday Was Your Day's post. Then read Annie Lynn's post. They all say completely different things. I understand exactly what every one of them is saying. I don't know which is correct.
Helen, Concerned and Annie Lynn are wrong! Yesterday was your day is correct! As many people have said, re-read the article. Block everything that everyone has said and read it word for word. It is 100% clear. You go by the LAST NUMBER in your plate.
Letters have NOTHING to do with the days UNLESS you have NO numbers AT ALL in your plate.
They MUST clarify what we need to do with our gas cans. No more walk-in lines like the previous days....we need to wait in line with our cars to fill our cans now? This is dumb...won't everyone sitting in line with their cars running to fill their cans waste even MORE gas?
This really isn't complicated people. Plenty of the comments here CLEARLY explain this!!! Use the last NUMBER in your plate!! Ignore all the letters!! If you don't have any numbers you are ODD!! I didn't live through the 70's and I get this. Not rocket science!
Yes, they all explain it differently. Like I said - Read Concerned's post. Then read Yesterday Was Your Day's post. Then read Annie Lynn's post. They all say completely different things. I understand every one of them. I don't know which is correct.
Helen, forget what the author and the comments say. Go by what the state has said. People are paraphrasing and messing it up. There's a reason why some journalists write for NY Times and some write for Patch.
wow this thread is hysterical! and 1 gallon for gas cans? WTF? but cars can have 20 gallons? i can keep my food at 70 degrees and a light on for 1 whole hour each day with all that excess fuel, thanks governor! and you can only hAve 1 cookie tonight!
Concerned...
Follow what RacerWife and KLF said. Instructions involve WORDS and no matter how clear they may seem to the author, there will alwsys be misinterpretations. Throw in math terms like number (should be digit), odd and even and more confusion results. The key is to provide a sufficient number of examples as some posters did. So is it 6 am or 12 noon tomorrow!
Really people you're reading the article then asking questions that have already been answered for you IN the article itself. And some of you criticizing others are answering questions WRONG even though the answer is there for you in the above article. I wasn't even alive in '73 but even I understand this: You use the number furthest right. Vanity plates displaying NO numbers are odd. There are NO even or odd day AS OF YET for filling of gas CANS.
So for tomorrow, if my license plate ends in 2, they won't give me gas, right? But if my house address ends in a three then I can get gas, right? If on the next day, they refuse me gas, but my cell phone ends in an even number, I will get gas. I got it now.
The problem is the headline of this article is totally wrong. Tom Troncone from Patch tried to clarify it in the comments BUT they haven't fixed the article! Many people read the article without reading comments. Because most of our plates in NJ are "ending" with a letter, most people will think that they will need to go to the odd day. Patch is responsible for fixing the article with explanation and examples before creating more chaos in our area.
Agreed Adrian, how are people not getting this? Maybe they're just reading the headline and not the story? It's very clear, and as Pam said KLF and Racerwife made it even easier. Please follow their lead.
OMG....Bonnie had a good ??...what about an out of state traveler in need of gas? Are they going to be allowed to bypass this system so that they can proceed on their way to where ever they be going? I feel bad for all you that live in New JOYSEY. I grew up in N. Jersey; thank goodness I now live in upstate NY. According to our Albany area news stations, we too will be feeling the pinch in our area. This due to the fact that the Port of Albany has been receiving tankers constantly, but since "SANDY" hit the NYC area & Jersey shores, many of our upstate supplies ate being shared. Shared with downstate distrubtors. In addition, a pipeline that supplies the Syracuse area had been shut down gas supplies were diverted to that area too. So we too may have stations being short of gas or run out altogether. So SANDY is affecting many others besides those, you, who all are acting like children!!! On-line info maybe obtained by checking either CBS, NY or CBS Channel 6, Albany. Good luck all!!!
jojo, the worst part for them is that they're the ones who are expected to uphold this law and can get in DEEP trouble for disobeying it. I hope people can just be nice to each other and maybe help someone else out - no kung fu fighting necessary (and, thanks, that's now stuck in my head - lol).
NOTE TO EVERYONE -
Please, don't freak out when you see a truck fueling up that might SEEM to be on the 'wrong' day! It is probably a commercial vehicle. This law ONLY applies to passenger cars. ...Please, think before you freak. ;)
No walk ups with cans either. You must be In a car. Someone posted about your address but that is not correct or in the original statement by Chrsitie. You must be in a vehicle and follow the rules for the plate of that vehicle. For people who dealt with this in the seventies they said it helped.
Why can't they get generators for the stations that still don't have power? You can keep the generators far away from the station like behind it or something in cases where it has a garage etc, its not like that would be dangerous.
You'd think that in 2012, oil companies and refineries (with all the exorbitant profits they make off us) would have invested in some sort of redundancy? A critical data center can't pass an audit without a disaster plan and redundancy, why not mandate this to "essential" businesses also.
Bridgewater Patch- please, please, please find some way to archive these comments. They are comedy gold. Hopefully in a few days time we'll all be able to sit back and relax somewhere warm, with our tanks filled with gas and without the constant drone of generators filling our ears and be able to appreciate the total ridiculousness of this "Whisper Down The Lane" series of posts.
Don't make the mistake of thinking you can fill up tomorrow just because your plate ends in a letter (unless it is ALL letters). You must go by the last NUMBER in the plate, even if it ends in a letter (as most do now). This is clear in this article, and in the order itself:
" plates."
Whatever your state of registration, the same rules apply. If you have any numbers on your license plate, the one farthest to the right is the one that determines odd/even. If there are only letters, then the plate is considered odd (no pun intended). Is it really possible that this can be such an intellectual challenge to so many people posting here? Wow.
Why do you insist on making this more confusing for people? If that's a legit question, and your license plate literally spells out FOUR, you are ODD. Actually, from your comments that's quite clear. Messing with people's heads in this time clearly shows your lack of compassion and maturity.
RacerWife7, sorry to have affended you by saying JOYSEY, but that it is the way people seem to perceive us the former & present Jerseyites. It really doesn't help when "we" are shown on such TV programs (which I have no desire to view) such as Jersey Shore & Housewives of NJ.....they attribute all Jerseyites as "city folk". "We" all know that much of Jersey is still farmland, somewhat rural, although I have heard that most of what I once knew of Mahwah & Ramsey have changed. Wonder how many of you or your parents, out there have lived in that area during the '50s???? Good luck to all of you tomorrow. Keep safe...no fighting at the gas stations....it really isn't worth loosing your cool.
Here's a problem that was viewed in Hawthorne today. Couple pulls up and parks their car across the street from the gas station in total view of the cars waiting in line, wife goes on line with a 5 gallon can, gets it filled and then hands it off to her husband who hands her another empty one while he fills the car with the first one in clear view of everyone else waiting in their cars. She eventually comes back with another full 5 gallon can and they pour that one into the car and proceed to take off perhaps for the next open station. Their total wait time... about 15 minutes. cars on line wait time... 3 1/2 hours, and half of them ended up with no gas when they closed the station. That's gall.
Are you people completely ignorant or retarded?? There are over 200 comments about HOW and WHEN to get gas. How about this...all you neurologically impaired people who just can't seem to "get it", should forget about when you need to get gas and just ride a friggin bicycle or walk! You don't deserve to be driving because you are all absolutely stupid and moronic! These are adults that made these comments correct? UGH!
Sadly too many here are getting off on making fun of others' confusion and deliberately making it worse. Just for fun, for them anyway. Sad to see humanity & common decency are lacking - its become an epidemic at worst possible time.
Wildcat it's not confusing at all...people are idiots!! And idiots keep posting wrong information as facts...you can't tell I'm joking?? This thread is hilarious. Someone wrote if you walk up with cans you use your address?? That wrote it like a fact.
Problem is, too many people are desperate now and CANNOT tell you are joking! Seriously - think about what you are putting out there. People want info and you keep throwing crap out there as a joke makes it so much worse! You are only making the confusion and resulting misery worse! THINK before you post a "joke" in very desperate times for people. Most people in my area are not in a position to share a few laughs over this.
And the problem with this old idea is in the 70's cars had 3 numbers then a state outline and then 3 more numbers. Obviously, nobody thought this out or explained it thoroughly. Plates now end in letters as well...nj state knuckleheads can't think that far in advance.*IF you have commercial plates, this law does NOT apply to you (you can get gas on ANY day). The law applies to passenger vehicles; not commercial vehicles. Keep in mind that you will see cars/trucks getting gas on what appears to be the 'wrong day', when they are, likely, commercial vehicles who need gas to operate their businesses.
And the problem with this old idea is in the 70's cars had 3 letters then a state outline and then 3 numbers. Obviously, nobody thought this out or explained it thoroughly. Plates now end in letters as well...nj state knuckleheads can't think that far in advance.
You have no idea do you? Guess you never lost power or have kids freezing in their houses overnight cause they have nowhere else to go and have to suck it up under extra blankets or heaven forbid, light the oven to get some heat. Getting gas - sometimes the only way to get out of the house is a luxury for many people these days. Get a freaking clue!
Well people...thanks for the laughs...they've been few & far between lately. "Can I get my mail at the gas station?"...hysterical. I lived through the 70's gas shortage & this system...though not perfect did work. Just use your head...all newer license plates end in LETTERS...what sense would it make to have ALL those cars go on ODD # days??? BTW: this is not a gas shortage like the 70's...this is a POWER shortage...to few stations with power to pump gas are open. Fix the power & get the stations open & the lines will be gone.
No it's from people who think it's funny to deliberately throw out misinformation and ask stupid questions on purpose. It's all a big joke to people who have no idea what others are suffering through. Sorry if I don't find this amusing. Compassion and understanding, pulling together in time of need is severely lacking on this thread - people want serious clarification and all these bozos can think of is screwing with their heads. Sick.
That's a good question, by default we would have to go to the year of birth, then if your were born during Daylight Savings Times and in which time zone. Then we would cross reference the Hebrew calendar and you zodiac sign. If the above is an odd number day, you go to post office on even numbered days for your Mail, and the gas will be placed in your mailbox on odd numbered days.... See easy, don't know what all the fuss is about.... Now if it turns out to be an even numbered day, that't where things get dicey, you don't want even numbers. Hope this helps
Hey folks, how about this? You're alive, right? Lots aren't - how would you like to be that mom on Staten Island who had her kids ripped from her arms in rising floodwaters? Go ahead, laugh about your license plate numbers and what day you'll get gas.
Yeah, I could leave, but there are a handful of folks truly trying to help others who are the ones I am looking for. Sadly, they are hard to find among the boneheads who think it's funny to mess with others' heads in extremely difficult times. But they are there, and the honest info they provide is invaluable, when you look hard enough to find it. And in the meantime, I have no qualms about calling out the idiots who get off on screwing with people just because they are lucky enough not to have to deal with dire situations.
Wildcatcdc, You are so right... Society has become a self-entitled society and we've forgotten there are people who lost more than their electric, a couch or their home and not to downplay those loses but how do you compare the loss of a life - a 2 yr old, a 80 yr old, a 30 yr old? This storm was underestimated by everyone, the worst storms in the past could not have ever measured to Sandy, so how could anyone have prepared for it. We need to pull together and think of not only ourselves but others too because we're all in this together, no one is untouched from the past week or what is to come in the days, weeks, months or even years ahead.
Thank you Diane. Finally someone with some real sense to understand the tragic scope of this. We were warned, they gave us the best info they could, but no one thought it would really be this bad. There is no need to point fingers - doubt anyone had direct communication with Mother Nature.
I know too many people suffering and it pisses me off to see the insensitive attitudes reflected here. This (Patch) was one place I always counted on honest yet compassionate and HUMAN interaction. Sadly, the nasty trolls have infiltrated and ultimately will cause more difficulties for people. I'm lucky to have my house and family intact. We'll deal with the rest.
JP - you are so right to be offended - too many of the people who lost their "shore homes" were year-rounders, middle-class working folks who keep the shore alive for the summer vacationers. They don't have million dollar beachfront homes - and they work all summer long while we lay on the beach. People outside this state really have no clue what's been lost and how lives are affected.
Here's a simple solution for those who just don't "get it"... Line up for gas no matter what day it is and when you get up there and they tell you you're there on the wrong day, come back tomorrow (except if it's the 31st, then come back in two days). Simple!
I came out here hoping I would find people trying to help each other, not get laughs at others' misfortunes. People have legitimate questions, want help and people like you mock them and deliberately throw out misinformation to mess with their heads. Hope you never need real help.
guess I'm stupid but can people still run around like Mad Max with the red cans and get gas? Or is christies order literal that stations can only sell gas to "cars" with plates? So i cant wear my license ate around my neck like flava flav does his clock, and get gas either? cars only? or stil "book of eli" red can chaos? So i need to ciphen gas from my filled up car tank if I want to feed my generator?
Hey, you're right, this is just like the start of Mad Max and we unfortunately may get someone with a red can in his hand accidentally run over at the end. Speaking of movies, New Jersey, I'm reckoning, will not survive the Mayan prophecy on December 21st (or any zombie apocalypse) very well.
This going to be a complete mess for the poor ppl that work in jersey but live in pa. Also working two jobs a day very well spread a part need gas everyday. This isnt gonna work.. my hubby only home weekends and lives in nj all week. He needs to fill up everyday!
BellaMia - he'll have to make it work while we're all in this crisis and figure out a way to travel 120 miles a day... Public transportation from 1 job to the other, carpooling, or if you have 2 vehicles, switch cars daily??? It's tough and we're all struggling
I'm wondering if there's some small gas station somewhere in New Jersey on one of your least traveled back roads with tons of gas and wondering where all the customers are? Stuff like that happens you know.
THREES communicate in all areas: written word and verbal. Writers, radio broadcasters, actors, singers, performers, counselors. They are the natural comedian. They can be manic depressive if they do not use their creative energy and tend to exaggerate the truth. Known for their trademark smile, eyes and voice.
I'm a gasoline two...
TWOS want peace. They make good mediators.They are very loyal, and when they say that they love you,count on it! They welcome companionship and the chance to share their lives with someone special.The flip side is that if they feel threatened or pushed to the wall, they become the terrible 2s. But ultimately, they do not want conflict.If this is a representative sample of NJ's population, we may have bigger problems than power outages and gas rationing. What's going to happen to their synapses after waiting on gas lines for hours and inhaling fumes? Then again, looks like the damage has already been done...OH, Just curious? Did ANYONE Fill up before Sandy's landfall? And Only Drive when it was Required? Like needing Radiation treatments or something at the Hospital? Or is it the Governments fault for not being prepared with such a slow moving storm?
No. In my area, part of the problem is that most of the gas stations don't have power. Without power, they can't pump with their electric pumps. So, that limits the number of stations that are open. The 2nd part is that the places where the tankers were getting their fuel were under water. So, fuel wasn't getting to the stations that were open. Therefore, you'd have a long line at an open station until they ran out of fuel. Then, they ended up closed until they got another delivery. Places like Pilot stations have their own fuel source and have been able to keep up, thankfully.
We filled up on 10/27. however our only way to charge our phones were in our car.
We sat in 2hrs before the ration was enforced. 1 car has 1/2 and the other has 3/4. should be good until 11/6, assuming this is still in effect. I was surprised to find that most NJ stations didn't have generator back up
I guess the best thing to do is not to use your car for pleasure, use it for emergency or work. I'm still in full, I work in the Bronx and live in Hackensack, I filled my gas tank on Wednesday. Trust me less trips to the gas station is less stress.
I went all over wyckoff, hawthorne, area.. Either long lines or stations had electric but no gas. There may be plenty of gas but I saw 4 stations today that were open (mini marts) but had no gas... Having plenty of gas might not be a problem but getting the gas stations WITH power to have gas is still an issue in many areas.
This problem would not have hit so soon if people would have acknowledged the state of emergency that was in place. I could not believe the mount of motorists on the roadways on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I feel that Governor Christie dropped the ball but not stressing the state of emergency and police should have impounded every vehicle that was being aimlessly driven around by nonessential folks trying to get a cup of coffee. Millions gallons of gas wasted by spoiled clueless ingnorant people.
The Garden State ??? Should be renamed the Moron State ! If people are unable to grasp the odd/even concept after 200 comments you are all F'ing stupid. Being nice or being sarcastic doesn't even come into play anymore it is simply frightening that you people drive, and have some kind of job or task within society...
Someone is not doing their job! If gas stations have power for their mini mart than why not their pumps? How come if they do have electric they have no gas ? Is this night mare being drawn out for political reasons ?I was prepared ahead of time , filled my tank but we worked all wk ,I'm a nurse husband a c.o. Now on e and can't get gas. Cumberland farms on hamburg tpk Wayne lied when I called they said they don't have gas , I ran out to look for gas and they had gas. Line was too long !police said ," they have no idea who has gas ahead of time " how do they have police ready than for the line? people of higher authority are using are misery in hopes to persuade votes ! I bet after tuesday all pumps are running !!
N.J.A.C. 14:29-6.2 including, but not limited to:
a. Requiring retail dealers of motor fuel to only sell motor fuel for use in a passenger automobile bearing license plates, the last number of which is an even number, on even numbered days of each month; and
b. Requiring retail dealers of motor fuel to only sell motor fuel for use in a passenger automobile bearing license plates, the last number of which is an odd number, on odd numbered days of each month; and
c. Deeming all license plates not displaying a number as an odd numbered plate.
Laymans terms (in my opinion):
IGNORE ALL LETTERS since it states "the last number"
1. If the last NUMBER is odd, you go on odd days
2. If the last NUMBER is even, you go on even days
3. If you have NO NUMBERS, you go on odd days
Those who would not or could not comprehend these basic directions should neither breed nor buy gas. But after a Patch member directly quotes the instructions they suddenly get it. Now I know what teachers must go through. Didn't need interpreters in 1973.
Anna, it's a sad state of affairs today, our society has turned to a state of self-entitledment and people are unable or unwilling to see past the tip of their noses, no matter how things are spelled out for them... :-/
Everyone, after careful analysis I believe everyone should go home, drink heavily, and vote for Mitt on Tuesday...... If Aliens landed today they would be correct in leaving looking for intelligent life.
Channel 4 news woman just said if your license plate ends in a LETTER you can go on ODD days.
If you license ends in a # (ex2) you go on EVEN days... Either she just confused every person on here or she is wrong... She even showed a license plate that had a letter as the last spot and said because he had a LETTER he can go today even though he had a letter not odd in their license plate... NBC just F*** up
Look, the instructions from the gov's office were not written clearly in the first place. That's why there is so much confusion. It is going to be hell on the gas lines because of this. Ya think the non-english-speaking gas attendants will understand the rules correctly?? It will be a nightmare.
Delta Gas Station at 19 Summit Avenue, Summit, is open and has gas this morning (Saturday, November 3); however, it is only for Atlantic Healthcare employees. Residents of Summit are being turned away.
*If you have numerals ANYWHERE on your license plate, the final number determines whether you're odd or even.
*If you don't have ANY numbers on your license plate, you're in the ODD crowd
*Specialized or vanity plates = ODD
If there is a shortage why is every lawn crew in Ridgewood blowing every lawn? Talk about a waste of gas! If I really need gas I am going to give some lawn crew $100 and buy one of those big tanks they have to run all the mowers and blowers.
Geez......... 407 comments so far.
I wish as many people had conversation about how to help the victims of this disaster. Or how to get money interests out of politics. Or how to get those millions of children in the U.S. who go to bed hungry, fed.
Please, I'm not accusing ALL of you, but I guess I'm fed up with Americans who feel they need gas more than the emergency personnel, or the taxis & buses, or the deliverymen to our food stores, etc.
They are giving out miss information some one should text them or email them before
they cause more trouble at the pumps. I'm not that good at texting or finding web sites. I'll leave that to the younger people. Take care all and be good to one another.
Ok, I have read & reread. Also checked other sites. Still a little grey on this....If my plate is ends let's say..... wur-125, I know it would be an odd day. wur-126 is even... If my plates shows. ILUVU... that's odd...if its...X33-RAF... Odd? or X32-CAF Even? or X23-C3F??odd...X23-C2F...even?
YES!! AGain -- Write down your license plate in pencil. Take out an eraser. Erase ALL the LETTERS. Look at what you have left. If it is an odd number, today is your day. If it's an even number, get gas tomorrow.
Three days ago, everyone was posting how great Obama was for showing up to do pictures and video after the storm. Yesterday he was smiling and waving in Ohio.
Well, at least HE'S safe, sleeping late, eating good and keeping warm and dry.
Thanks for the update, Rex. Perhaps the sarcasm escaped you. The point is that President Obama is doing a stellar job of coping with this emergency as opposed to his predecessor. Just ask your Republican governor.
Ok, now that everyone has figured out how to decipher the Da Vinci Code to death (go back to remedial english please! for society's sake), does anyone know of a URL link that provides up to date updates of gas stations that are open and closed?
UPDATE: I just got off the phone with the Office of the Governor. In order to get gas, you MUST go with the last entry on your license plate. For example, mine ends in 30T. Because I end in a letter, I am considered an odd number. I explained all of the mass confustion and mixed messages. I also explained that they message that sent out is in direct contradiction to what they just explained. They promised to address this with the Union County police departments as well as post updates.
THIS is WRONG!! NOT the last character. Just the last DIGIT. The person answering the phone was wrong. Here is the correct info, from today's Star Ledger:
The last digit on a license plate will determine which day they can purchase gas. Odd numbers will correspond to odd days, even numbers to even days. Today is Nov. 3, an odd-numbered day. Specialized plates — or those not displaying a number — will be considered odd-number plates.
The number to look for is the final numerical digit contained in the plate number, whether it is the final character on the plate or not, according to the governor's office.
So, for example, a theoretical plate number of "XYZ 27Q" would have "7" as its final numerical digit, and would be permitted gasoline on an odd day.
Specialized or vanity plates, those not displaying any numbers, will be considered odd numbered plates, the release said.
Ok I've been reading this for over 2 hrs....0 (zero) is EVEN.... (I've been up all night excuse my typo up above..my IQ is way way above 80 )
Both my cars end in 1 (one) so I am an odd numbered I can bring both my cars today because today is the 3rd (odd number day to get gas)...........Sheeesh i know it's early but I need a nice glass of wine after reading all these posts.
If anyone is in need of fire wood we have a lot from our downed trees. It's precut to fireplace size just come to 45 Quail Run in Long Valley off of Flocktown. Just back your truck up on the side yard and pick it up. As much as you can carry for free.
Rationing does nothing to solve the cause of the problem; it only encourages "hording" by people, thus increasing shortages! Idiots.
They need to talk to economics professors before they initiate these insane "laws!" The solution is to get more stations operating with portable generators, bringing in gasoline by tankers from other areas, and discouraging hording.
If you read the article, it says Digits... (besides the fact that 'numerical digit' is redundant) Digits is the correct term, The article is right on. The rest of you who aren't reading the article have a 50/50 chance of being right the first time you go. Good luck. And no this isn't rude, it is just the facts.
We definately need our TVs back on to distract everyone. Reading isn't working for us. *that was rude*
The issue still remains regardless of letters, numbers, whatever. Lines are ridiculously long, most gas stations are not open because of electricity, and hopefully tankers can start filling those stations out of gas soon. Anyone that knows of stations that are open in Bergen County should start writing in.....
What is going to really matter more is what the gas station's understanding of the craziness is...you could think you are following a set of rules you read..but what instruction were they given? Good luck!
Exactly! Everyone is worried about who is right and what instructions are correct, but it's the person holding the pump nozzle that's going to decide at that instant (based on THEIR understanding of how it works) who gets gas and who doesn't. Unless it's very clearly spelled out to the stations, you'll get as much confusion there as you seem to have here on patch, especially if the television networks are all saying something different then the governor's office.
I am truly sorry that so many so-called intelligent people. effected harshly by Sandy (the storm, not Annie's dog) have lost, besides power, food or their homes, their ability to read and comprehend what they read. A digit is a number (also a toe) and the last one on a license plate is the last number to the right, even if followed by one or more letters. If even (2, 4, 6, 8, 0), you qualify on even days; if odd (1, 3 5, 7, or 9) you qualify on odd days. If you have no numbers, you qualify as odd. I have more difficulty with people hanging on line with gas cans. They can qualify both odd and even days, and the real smart ones will use their cans to fill their cars either day by merely using the cans, as well as for their generators or landscapers their mowers and leaf blowers. No rule covers all possibilities, so we just have to be patient and show some courtesy to one another and ride this out.
So I live in Ramsey, am a fairly new resident (this summer) and I do now have a New Jersey license. However, I do not own my car, it is still in my parents name and we decided it was easier to just keep it that way until I got a new car (which is in the works for the near future) since it's such a pain to "gift" the car to me (and it's falling apart anyway). SO, long story long...am I going to be hassled when I finally do venture to get gas because I have New York plates???? I really don't want to get screamed at or worse just because someone thinks I'm sneaking over the border or something...I think this is a legitimate concern.
As per NJ.COM, explaining the edict, it is the last numerical digit, even if followed by one or more letters, that determines eligibility. So, if there is any number in your plate, the last to the right controls. Out-of-state plates use the same determination.
from reading the comments, people can't read and are morons. I am sure there will be many people in gas lines (who are not following the rules) who will claim "never heard of this. I am not leaving the gas line". The police will need to be called, thereby wasting their time cause people cannot be orderly.
O.K. Maybe I'm just a bored teacher but can you admit that this situation presents a great task for lower grade teachers- have a bunch of license plate numbers and have them assign which days they can get gas....throw in situations for some kids (like Mary's license plate is....and she has enough gas until...skip first odd days...
Something parents might even be able to do with their kids now- asking them to schedule 5 possible days you can get gas -:)
Here's the best one...has anyone heard that the governor authorized police to seize gas stations and prevent them from pumping so as to keep the gas for the ambulances? I sure haven't but I've been without power and not much fuel left. I waited from 5 am til 2pm to get gas on 2 lines as the first didn't have the tanker in yet. When sunoco on Millburn Ave was ready to start pumping, the police shut it down. Now I heard from the first person standing in line with a can it was because it. Was cash o
nly and the township police didn't have cash. Could this really be true? Deprive hard working, stressed out township citizens gas? Did the governor really say this or was this a. Lie?
several things occur to me while reading this chain.
1 - Despite a week advance notice about the storm neither the federal, state or local government had the common sense to realize the obvious - that there was a good chance we would have a gas shortage. How is that possible?
2 - The 46 states NOT affected by the storm have plenty of gas. Why was no effort made to have gas brought into our area BEFORE the storm?
3 - The same local government that has made not a single improvment in strom preps or relief since last year is now telling township residents to use their gasoline to take branches to the recycling center? They must be kidding. Why can't the town pick up this debris for the sake of safety? There is no chance this will all be cleared by Monday when the kids are out on Halloween. Where are all the DPW trucks we pay for? Where is the help we pay for? Where is even a modicum of leadership? Instead we have mayor sending out emails telling us to "log on" to the website for info. Wake up folks...how the hell would we log on with NO POWER!!!???
The town would rather wait for an injury or worse to a child before making the common sense decision to pick up the debris from the storm they were woefully unprepared for and have responded to with epic incompetence.
FROM THE GOVERNOR'S DESK - The gas restriction begins today, determined by the last digit of your license plate. Odds numbers go on odd days, even numbers go on even days, letters go on odd days, unless its a vowel, then you must wait until the weekend. If you have a number but it's prime, you must go the next prime number of the month. If your digit is divisible by three you must wait for a day that is a multiple of three. Lastly, if your digit is part of the Fibonacci sequence, you must multiply your digit by the current day, then divide by theta. The third decimal value is the date on which you are allowed to get gas. — :-)
I can understand the frustration most of the writers feel, but are many of them totally illiterate, or just typical NJ residents who feel entitled and superior; that rules are not for them and are only meant to be broken? Rules are rules, whether we like them or not, and must be obeyed until changed or revoked. Don't like the odd/evan rules, do not fill your tank! I am sure most residents and even visitors from out-of-state will comply, reducing the possibility of incidents and loss of tempers. When this is over, let's hope those in charge learn from this misfortune.
Hey Walt...it's the hypocrisy that has so many angry. Christie and Obama use victims in Brigantine as props for a political photo op, but have done nothing in terms of a gas shortage that a child could have seen coming ten days ago. Why wait for Obama to show up to ask for generators, gasoline and FEMA? We don't feel entitled. We were TOLD by the Governor that these preparations were being made and we were lied to. "Let's hope those in charge learn?" This exact same thing happened one year ago to the day. Same leaders, same problems. What makes you think they will learn this time, when they did nothing different between last year and this year? They are not elected to learn. They are elected to lead. And in this case, we are talking about no-brainers. It's staggering that political opportunism has replaced the action required to help those you claim to be concerned about. And once again, we have a govenor who never shuts up about too much government and the government getting off our backs. So it is beyond hypocritical for him to now say the government is mandating gas rationing. Why is it "every man for himself" when it's expedient politically, but not when it's fair. If I want to get up at 4am and wait for gas, why is the Governor - a guy who has done nothing to help - telling me I can't? That is too much government on steroids. That's why we are angry, literate or not.
TCG: Didn't intend to include you in my comments, only those who do not know odd numbers from even ones, cannot tell what is a digit (besides a toe) and whether the last digit/number in their plate is odd or even and/or those who feel they should be given special privileges, like being able to gas up whenever they want, regardless of the rules, or be able to . Your comments about lack of preparedness echo mine as well. I never thought career politicians were smart to being with - otherwise they would have real jobs! LOL Maybe we should encourage recall votes next week?
This is probably the most pathetic but funniest thing I have ever read. I am laughing my ass off reading these posts...some are serious...some are ridiculous, but it's better than what is on TV at the moment. Thank you Jerseyans for putting the nail on the coffin in ensuring that the public and media will continue to bash us every chance they get and guess what...we deserve it! I'm embarrassed but amused at the sheer stupidity that I am seeing. Words fail me and that's just not possible! I'll be back...getting more popcorn so I can read the next 500 posts about what the F*** is odd/even.
Either way, serious or not, I appreciate the thought. Just spending some time, reading mostly (not yours) stupid comments (like the one about "0") and commenting to the lowest common denominator; those who do not read, those who read and do not comprehend what they are reading, and those who read and comprehend, but think what they read does not apply to them. LOLThe Dept. of Defense has sent tankers of gasoline to NYC and Long Island and they are providing 1 FREE fill up for residents. That's what Obama's visit to NJ has gotten us...besides a photo op. Now, I like our Governor and I think he's doing a good job. After reading this string of unbelievable comments - what's a digit?, is 0 odd or even? Is Saturday an odd or even day? - I understand the Gov's frustration with the residents of NJ and his gruffness last year in telling people to "get the hell off the beaches" during hurricaine Irene and his sometimes irritated demeanor. Are we really this stupid? BUT....after cozying up to Obummer...perhaps he should get on the phone with him and tell him to send some of those gas tankers to NJ. This is not going to sit well with voters.I lived and worked in Mexico City where this odd/even policy was in place year round. The objective of the system was not to ration gas, but to diminish traffic congestion. In any language the rules are easy to understand. In Mexico, however, people tried to game the system by purchasing a second car and a different license plate. Or they would "trade" plates with a neighbor. Whether the system efficiently controlled conjestion I can't say with any authority. Hopefully the gas rationimg here in Morris Cty won't last long enough to compare.
I think its a great idea to have odd and even days because the lines are too long and if everyone follows the rules then their will be less cars in line. I NEED TO GET GAS!!!!! I SAT IN LINE FOR 6 HOURS ON THURSDAY AT THE SHELL in west caldwell and I still didnt get any GAS SO DONT MESS WITH THE LAW!!!! We had this law in the 70's and now they are just enforceing it. so everyone needs to wake up and smell their coffee, let others get GAS!!!! thank you!
But what about the fact that the gas stations that have power are running out, because people need to get to work, school (local colleges go back monday and so do many public schools), and now run generators, and the stations that have gas in their tanks are closed because they don't have power. 100% of many towns in Sussex and Morris have no power and those families are either in shelters or attempting to stay in their homes by running generators. They need enough gasoline to last them days at a time, and in some cases many areas are being told it could be weeks (Hopatcong, for example) because power comes back.
Hey,the Hawthorne woman waited in line, without cutting anyone off. Any car owner who brought a passenger/wingman or woman/ could have done the same thing and it's all fair! BTW, I'm sure the same scenario played out throughout the state on multiple occasions.
Exxon on French and alps just got a shipment of gas but it's only for town officials ,they purchased it ! First of all with what money , my tax money? Gas attendant gave some of that township officials gas to his sister . Who else is getting that gas which was purchased by township officials ?
Purchased gas for our auto today at one of the "discount" stations on Hamburg Tpke. While waiting our turn, a couple, walking with a gas can, attempted to have it filled and were turned away, being told that they had to be in a car in order to purchase gas!~ Not only that, a car, two vehicles in front of ours, sported New York plates ending in the number 6, making it an even numbered plate. Today, the 5th of November is an ODD day. In addition, the attendants were filling driver's side gas intake from the opposite side of the car, in direct contempt of the law prohibiting such action. To boot....there were two Wayne Polce officers at the station and when I questioned them about the above infractions, I was told that the gas station owner could make up his own rules and regulations as he owned the station. Is something wrong here?
I hate these damn generators, very nice give us more pollution. People should sleep at friends or shelters and stop ruining their and their neighbors health and making the gas lines longer. Oh Where are shelters in Fair Lawn, where is this located?
Don't know about today but good experience at Sunoco River Edge (yes I name the station ; ) Sunday...police politely kept order.. Helpful with information. No limit. Cash only. Cars and people with containers All served
I live in Woodbridge but work in Cranford. There are no lines along the stations on Rte 1 north off of the parkway or at the stations in Woodbridge (corner of Green and St. Georges Ave.). I hope this helps. | eng | e0f76c6e-c387-4657-bb22-e29779aadbe5 | http://teaneck.patch.com/articles/gas-rationing-to-begin-saturday |
At birth the entire vertebral column has a gentle curve that is concave on its ventral surface
(i.e., a kyphosis). This kyphosis persists in the thoracic region and in the sacrum. A lordosis (which is concave dorsally)
begins to form in the neck when the child learns to lift up its head, and becomes
accentuated as sitting develops. This lordosis is caused by the cervical intervertebral discs
becoming taller anteriorly than they are posteriorly. A second lordosis begins to form in the
lumbar region when the child learns to sit; it becomes accentuated as walking develops. The
lumbar lordosis is due to the fact that both the lumbar intervertebral discs and lumbar vertebral bodies
become taller anteriorly than posteriorly.
Herniated (Slipped) Intervertebral Disc (I wish to acknowledge the very great
contribution of Dr. Michael Egnor to this section.)
Protrusion of the nucleus pulposus covered by a thin layer of stretched anulus fibrosus, or
extrusion of nuclear material through a tear in the anulus, is called a slipped or herniated disc. It
occurs most commonly in the low lumbar region. No doubt this is due to the very much greater
stresses on the discs of this region. The second most frequent site is in the neck, usually as a
consequence of some trauma. A herniated nucleus pulposus will generally protrude either to the
right or to the left of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Central herniations (i.e., those that push out in
the midline) are uncommon but do occur, more frequently in the lumbar region than in the
cervical region because the posterior longitudinal ligament is weaker in the lumbar region.
When the herniation of the nucleus pulposus is to one side of the posterior longitudinal
ligament, a common consequence is compression of a spinal nerve (sensu lato) as it is heading toward its
intervertebral foramen. Herniations of a cervical disc affect the spinal nerve that exits at the
intervertebral foramen located at the same level as the disc. Thus, herniation of the C5/6 disc may
compress the nerve that exits through the C5/C6 intervertebral foramen, which is the C6 spinal
nerve; herniation of the C7/T1 disc may compress the nerve heading toward the C7/T1
intervertebral foramen, which is the C8 spinal nerve.
The situation is different for lumbar disc herniations. Because the pedicles of a lumbar vertebra attach to the upper
half of its body, lumbar intervertebral foramina are set high relative to the
intervertebral disc. As a lumbar spinal nerve exits its intervertebral foramen, it is related more to
the back surface of a vertebral body than to an intervertebral disc. For example, the L5 spinal
nerve exits the L5/S1 intervertebral foramen along the posterior surface of the lower half
of the L5 vertebral body, which places the nerve above and lateral to a herniation of the L5/S1 disc. A herniation of the L5/S1
disc is far more likely to compress the S1 spinal nerve as it is heading downward toward its exit
from the S1/S2 intervertebral foramen. The general rule is that a slipped lumbar disc leads to
a radiculopathy (spinal nerve root disease) of the next lower spinal nerve. Thus, herniation of the L4/L5 disc may
compress the nerve that exits through the L5/S1 intervertebral foramen, which is the L5 spinal
nerve; herniation of the L5/S1 disc may compress the nerve heading toward the S1/S2 intervertebral foramen, which is the S1 spinal nerve.
The bottom line is that, whether in the neck or in the lumbar region, herniation of a disc is most likely to affect the spinal nerve with
the same name and number as the lower bounding vertebra. Lovers of anatomy will understand that the reasons for this are very
different in the two parts of the body
Specific Symptoms of Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Discs
In the more common case of a low lumbar slipped disc, the site of nuclear protrusion or
extrusion is
inferior to the spinal cord, and only spinal nerve roots are in any danger of compression.
(If a herniation occurs in the neck, the spinal cord may also be subjected to pressure.) A central
herniation of the L4/L5 disc, while uncommon, may compress sacral nerves roots bilaterally,
producing what is called a "cauda equina syndrome", associated with difficulty urinating, fecal
incontinence, and pain or numbness in the perineum and lower limb. This requires immediate
surgery.
The most common symptoms of a slipped lumbar disc are pain in the back (possibly due to a
tear of the anulus) and pain in the body segment to which the affected spinal nerve distributes
(so-called radicular pain). Pain localized to the back, without
radiating along the distribution of a spinal nerve, is probably not due to a slipped disc, but rather
to strained ligaments or muscles of the back.
Because acute compression of a peripheral nerve does not cause pain along that
nerve's area of distribution, but rather causes paresthesia (tingling, pins and needles) followed by
numbness, some authors believe that the radicular pain accompanying a slipped disc is caused
either by compression of the dorsal root ganglion and/or an inflammatory response in the compressed dorsal root.
Among the evidence for the latter viewpoint is that local injection of
corticosteroids, which reduce inflamation, will sometimes eliminate the radicular pain. Regardless, even though the patient experiences radicular pain in the area innervated by the affected spinal nerve, actual testing of the
skin supplied by this nerve reveals diminished or
lost sensation.
The most frequently herniated lumbar discs are L4/5 and L5/S1; thus the most
commonly affected nerves are L5 and S1. For this reason it is important that you the know the
rough distributions of these nerves. The pain resulting from L5 involvement spreads from the
outer aspect of the lower leg across the dorsum of the foot to its inner border. The pain of S1
involvement is down the
calf and into the sole and outer border of the foot. The numbness associated with L5 compression
is most marked over the dorsum of the big toe. The numbness associated with S1 compression is
most marked on the lateral part of the sole of the foot.
Since a herniated disc will also compress a ventral root, motor weakness is
a common symptom. The greatest degree of motor weakness
associated with an L5 ventral root compression is that of dorsiflexion of the big toe, and to a lesser extent of the
other toes and ankle. The weakness associated with an S1 ventral root compression is predominantly one of
plantarflexion of the foot.
Compression of the L4 nerve roots is
less common than of either L5 or S1. Numbness is most marked over the medial malleolus; knee
extension (and to a lesser extent ankle dorsiflexion) is weak.
The physical exam procedure for a slipped disc is called the "straight leg raise". With the
patient lying on his/her back, you lift the lower limb on the same side as the pain that has been
reported. If radicular pain can be elicited before you have
flexed the hip through 70°, this suggests the presence a herniated disc. Since the nerve
roots don't even get stretched until you have flexed the hip through at least 30°, if the
patient complains of radicular pain early in the movement, it is a sign of something other than a
slipped disc. A positive straight-leg raise (pain arising from 30-70°) is further confirmed if
the pain gets worse when you let the leg lie flat on the table but dorsiflex the ankle. You should
also try to raise the lower limb on the side opposite to that on which the patient has reported pain.
Although a contralateral straight leg raise does not typically produce the radicular pain of a slipped disc,
if the pain does occur, it is even more diagnostic of a slipped disc than is a
positive ipsilateral straight leg test. When a contralateral straight leg raise test is positive, the herniated
nucleus pulposus is probably pressing into the acute angle between the spinal nerve and the dural
sac (the so-called axilla of the spinal nerve).
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
The superior surface of the S1 vertebral body is tilted to face partly forward. As a result,
body weight pushing down on the L5 vertebra should cause it to slip downward and forward off
of S1. While this is resisted by the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, the IV disc, and the iliolumbar
ligaments (which run from the transverse processes of L5 to the ilia), the most important factor
preventing antero-inferior slippage of L5 is the orientation of the L5/S1 zygapophyseal joints.
This is revealed by cases in which trauma to the 5th lumbar vertebrae causes each lamina to be fractured across its "pars interarticularis" region, i.e., the region of the lamina between the origins of the superior and inferior zygapophyses. If such a bilateral pars interarticularis fracture occurs, the 5th lumbar vertebra will then be in two pieces.
The front piece is composed of the body, the pedicles, the superior zygapophyses, and the transverse processes. The back piece is composed of the spinous process, the two laminae, and the inferior zygapophyses attached to them. Bilateral defects in the
partes interarticulares constitutes a condition called spondylolysis. A common consequence of L5
spondylolysis is a gradual yielding of the intact ligamentous structures that connect the front piece of L5 to the ilia
and sacrum. This permits the front piece to slide downward and forward, a condition known as spondylolisthesis.
Because the back piece of L5 does not change position, there is no
compression of the contents of the vertebral canal. The symptoms of spondylolisthesis are
generally confined to the pain of ligamentous injury and/or muscle spasm.
CHAPTER 3 - Peripheral Nervous System and the Spinal Nerve
Occipital Neuralgia
Neuropathy is the term that refers to any disease affecting the nervous system, though in common usage it refers specifically to a disease affecting one of more peripheral nerves. Radiculopathy, discussed above, is a kind of neuropathy. Lots of things cause pain (e.g., a punch in the stomach, or a heart attack), but if the pain is caused by a disease of peripheral nerves, it is called neuropathic pain. If the neuropathic pain is experienced along the distribution of a specific nerve, it is called a neuralgia. Patients suffering a neuralgia use such terms as burning, or stabbing, or shooting, or like an electric shock to describe the pain. In many instances the
episodes of severe pain come on quite suddenly (i.e., are paroxysmal). These episodes are usually brief (on
the order of minutes, not hours), but sometimes there is an underlying less severe pain that is
more or less constant. An episode of neuralgia may be triggered by a normal stimulus to the
region supplied by the nerve.
Occipital neuralgia is paroxysmal severe pain (bilateral or unilateral) occurring in the area of
the scalp supplied by the greater occipital and lesser occipital nerves (the latter nerve being something
you won't see until you dissect the anterior neck). These two occipital nerves carry axons of the C2 spinal nerve. Some
authors describe occipital neuralgia as being a rare condition, others say it is common. It may
have more than one cause: trauma that injures the C2 spinal nerve or its dorsal root, disease of
the lateral atlanto-occipital joint, spasm of the semispinalis capitis through which greater
occipital nerve passes, entrapment of the greater occipital nerve by the cranial trapezius through
which it may also pass. In a significant proportion of cases the neuralgia is idiopathic (i.e.,
its cause cannot be found).
Occipital neuralgia is diagnosed by injecting local anesthetic around the greater occipital
nerve. If the neuralgia disappears, the diagnosis is made. Injection may be done where the nerve pierces the fascia between the cranial trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid (or in people wide origins of the cranial trapezius, the muscle itself). This site is located on average
3½ cms inferolateral to the external occipital protuberance (Ashkenazi A, Levin M. 2004
in Postgrad Med 116(3):16-32,48), although a recent study (Natsis K et al. 2006
Clin Anat 19:332-336) indicates that while this site is indeed about 3½ cms
lateral to the external occipital protuberance, it is only 1 cm below a transverse plane
through the protuberance. Regardless, the variation is significant enough that one must inject anesthetic
sufficient to cover an appropriately broad area. Another described technique for identifying the correct site for injection is to palpate the pulse of
occipital artery where it crosses the superior nuchal line, then inject all around this site, being
careful not to inject the artery itself (Ward J. 2003 in Seminars in Neurol 23:59-61). The
needle can be directed further laterally along the superior nuchal line to anesthetize the lesser
occipital nerve.
Occipital neuralgia is often treated with oral medications, but these may not work. While I have said that
anesthetizing the greater occipital nerve is a primary method of diagnosing occipital neuralgia, it
also serves as a treatment that lasts several weeks, and can be repeated. Other treatments include
implanting near the nerve an electrode that chronically stimulates it (presumably you will learn
why this works in your neurobiology course), or even surgical destruction of the C2 dorsal root.
There is a school of thought that irritation of certain peripheral nerves can trigger the onset of migraine headaches. Surgical treatment to decompress a relevant nerve has had some measure of success in eliminating, or greatly ameliorating the severity of, migraine headaches (Guyuron B et al. 2005 Comprehensive surgical treatment of migraine headaches. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1-9; Poggi T et al. 2008 Confirmation of surgical decompression to relieve migraine headaches. Plast Reconstr Surg 122:115-122). Certain migraines are characterized by the pain being focused near the back of the head. It has been suggested that compression of the greater occipital nerve by the semispinalis capitis, through which the nerve passes, is the trigger for such occipital migraines. The protocol for surgical treatment entails first an injection of Botox into the semispinalis capitis around the site where the greater occipital nerve emerges from it (about 3 cms below the external occipital protuberance and 1½ cms lateral to the midline). If the patient experiences a significant reduction in the frequency, intensity, and/or duration of the headaches, the next step is to surgically remove a small portion of the muscle so as to "open up" the passageway of the nerve through it. Later on, you will find a discussion of peripheral nerve trigger sites in relation to surgical treatment of frontal migraines and
temporal migraines.
First, in order to predict the neurologic consequences of penetrating wounds to the back, one
must know where the different spinal cord segments lie in relation to the vertebral column. There
is a relatively simple guide to this information--only the digit 1 need be memorized:
The top of spinal cord segment C1 lies opposite top of vertebra C1. The
top of spinal cord segment T1 lies opposite top of vertebra T1. The top of
spinal cord segment L1 lies opposite top of vertebra T11. The top of
spinal cord segment S1 lies opposite top of vertebra L1.
It is obvious that the cervical cord is virtually unshortened relative to the vertebral column.
The thoracic cord is shortened slightly. The lumbar segments of the cord run from the top of T11
to the top of L1 and are thus shortened considerably. The five sacral and one coccygeal segments
of the cord span only the distance occupied by the body of L1.
An injury to the spinal cord not only leads to paralysis of the muscles supplied by the ventral horn of the
damaged region, it also leads to loss of cerebral control over muscles innervated by any intact
cord segments below the injury, and, of course, it prevents sensory information that enters such
intact segments from reaching consciousness. Intraspinal reflexes below the injury are unaffected
or, in the case of the stretch reflex of striated muscles, even accentuated. An injury to the spinal
cord above the L1 vertebra will remove descending influences on the sacral cord motoneurons
controlling the striated muscles that regulate urination and defecation. However, such an injury will
not affect the intraspinal parasympathetic reflexes initiating these behaviors. Thus, the bladder
contracts when it is full, generating high intravesical pressure. However, the striated muscle that
normally is responsible for the voluntary control of urination, being deprived of descending
neural influences, becomes spastic and cannot properly relax. Urination is incomplete and a suite
of complications results. It may be necessary to cut the striated muscle, or its nerve, so that the patient's bladder more
completely empties. I do not know if a similar problem characterizes defecation or
if it simply occurs automatically when visceral sensory neurons detect a full rectum. A man who
has suffered a spinal cord injury above the sacral levels of the cord can reflexly achieve an
erection (which is the result of parasympathetic discharge from S3 and S4) upon sensory stimulation of the
penis but cannot achieve erection when shown erotic pictures.
It should be obvious that injuries to the vertebral column below the L1/L2 intervertebral disc
only pose a risk to spinal nerve rootlets, not to the spinal cord itself.
Lumbar Puncture
Because the subarachnoid space inferior to the L1/L2 disc is filled with dorsal and ventral
rootlets floating in a pool of cerebrospinal fluid, a needle inserted between spines of the lower
lumbar vertebrae, and then through the dura/arachnoid into the subarachnoid space, will not injure the spinal
cord unless the cord extends further inferiorly than is typical (there being some normal variation in how far down the spinal cord
goes). Just as one would find it difficult to impale a piece of cooked spaghetti floating in water, so
a needle inserted between low lumbar spines into the subarachnoid space will likely just push floating
rootlets aside. Such a procedure is called a lumbar puncture. The needle must pass
through the supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, ligamentum flavum (which is often
perceived as offering greater resistance), epidural space, dura, and arachnoid. Lumbar punctures that enter the subarachnoid space are done to sample cerebrospinal fluid or to inject anesthetic agents into the CSF. The tip of the needle may be stopped at the spinal epidural space for the purpose of injecting anesthetic agents here (see Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia below).
In the adult, the preferred site of a lumbar puncture is between the 3rd and 4th lumbar spines because this site is sufficiently low to avoid the spinal cord in almost everyone. A lumbar puncture may be attempted between the spines of L2 and L3 (but see below), or less commonly between L4 and L5. Regardless, if the patient is asked to adopt a position with the lower back flexed, the space for passage of the needle between any two adjacent spines is widened. It should be obvious that a pregnant woman near full term cannot flex her lumbar spine as much as most other people.
Identification of the chosen interspace relies on the knowledge that the 4th lumbar spine is palpable in the posterior midline of the back at the site where it is
crossed by the supracristal plane, but again, there is variation between individuals in the position of the supracristal plane relative to the vertebral spines. A recent study of epidural anesthesia for control of labor pain, and of spinal anesthesia for Caesarian section, compared anesthesiologists' estimates of what interspace they had entered to identification of the actual interspace by ultrasound (Whitty R, Moore M, Macarthur A. 2008 Identification of the lumbar interspinous spaces: palaption versus ultrasound. Anesthesia & Analgesia 106:538-540). The estimates were correct only 55% of the time, with the greatest proportion of errors being entry one interspace higher than what the anesthesiologist had believed. This study supports the conclusion of an earlier report (Reynolds F. 2001 Damage to the conus medullaris following spinal anesthesia. Anaesthesia 56:235-247) that "Given the innacuracy of methods of identifying lumbar interspaces, and the variability of the position of the conus, it cannot be logical to aim to insert a needle intrathecally [i.e. through the dura] above the spinous process of L3." Research is being done on the advisability of using ultrasound to guide lumbar puncture.
In cases where there are signs of increased intracranial pressure (e.g., edema of the optic
disc, which is called papilledema), lumbar puncture must be performed with great care because it entails the risk
of a rapid drop in spinal fluid pressure, which would then result in a pressure differential between the fluid around
the brain and that around the spinal cord. This pressure differential may then push the brainstem
and cerebellar tonsils downward through the foramen magnum, causing death. If there are signs
of increased intracranial pressure, some physicians prefer to withdraw CSF from a site above the
foramen magnum. There is a substantial pool of CSF between the inferior surface cerebellum and
dorsal surface of the medulla. This pool is called the cisterna magna, and it can be approached by
a needle inserted upward and forward between the posterior arch of the atlas and the occipital
bone. Such a cisternal puncture should only be attempted by someone skilled in its practice, as
the risk to the brainstem is substantial.
Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia
The technique of lumbar epidural anesthesia is similar to that of lumbar puncture performed for another reason. While the preferred site of needle insertion is still the the L3/L4 interspace, there is little reluctance (possibly not justified) in attempting to enter the L2/L3 interspace. The trick in an epidural block is to pierce the ligamentum flavum but stop
before you pierce the dura, thus ending up in the epidural space. This is often done by using the
air-rebound technique. The needle is attached to a syringe filled with air. When you are
superficial to the ligamentum flavum, any attempt to inject the air will meet with resistance and
the plunger of the needle will rebound. When you have entered the epidural space, there is a
negative pressure, and the air will be sucked in. You then exchange the air-filled syringe for one
with anesthetic, or you pass a catheter through the needle. Depending on the volume of anesthetic
injected, or the direction of the catheter, one can control how many spinal nerves are
anesthetized.
Sacral Epidural Anesthesia (saddle block)
This is a method of anesthetizing sacral spinal nerves. It takes advantage of the fact that the
sleeve of spinal dura/arachnoid is shorter than the vertebral column. The dura and arachnoid end at S2. Thus, one may introduce anesthetic
into the relatively wide epidural space of the sacral vertebral canal via a needle inserted through
the sacral hiatus. This is called a saddle block because the area of skin anesthetized is pretty much what would be in contact with a saddle upon which one was seated. Saddle block was designed primarily for anesthetizing the perineum during
childbirth. It is no longer popular. One reason for its demise is because there is a tendency for fecal
matter to leak from the anus and contaminate the site of entry of the catheter. The other reason is
the great success of lumbar epidural block for obstetrics.
An approach to the epidural space
through the sacral hiatus is used by some physicians to inject anti-inflammatory drugs for the
treatment of spinal nerve compression caused by arthritic changes in the lumbar intervertebral
joints. The value of this treatment is not universally accepted.
Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital narrowing of this vessel, usually along the aortic arch
just distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Consequently, a greatly reduced amount of
blood reaches the descending aorta from the arch. Alternate routes to the descending aorta become dilated, so that
enough blood reaches it and the lower part of the body is kept alive. As stated in
this chapter, one such alternate route exists by virtue of anastomoses between anterior and
posterior intercostal arteries. In a typical aortic coarctation, blood is still able to pass normally from the aortic arch into the
subclavian, internal thoracic (internal mammary), and anterior intercostal arteries on both sides. It then travels through anastomotic
channels into posterior intercostal arteries, and can continue "backward" in these vessels to reach
the descending aorta. Now, whenever arteries are subjected to a sustained increase in flow, they respond
by enlargement. (When flow is reduced in an artery for a sustained period, it responds by a
reduction in diameter.) In aortic coarctation, the intercostal arteries and the anastomotic channels
between them become greatly dilated. A pulse can then be felt in the intercostal spaces, and the
dilated tortuous intercostal arteries press on the inferior borders of the ribs, causing localized
areas of bone resorption that can be seen in Xrays as notching of the inferior borders of rib.
There are other anastomotic pathways that can bring blood from branches of the aortic arch
to the descending aorta. Two foremost among these are (1) the anastomosis between the epigastric arteries, and (2) anastomoses between arteries feeding muscles attaching to the scapula. You will be able to deduce the participants of the former as you learn more anatomy. The latter is
described in Chapter 86.
Posterolateral Thoracotomy
One approach to lung surgery is a standard posterolateral thoracotomy. A giant incision is
made transversely along the lateral aspect of the chest. The latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior
are both transected. After these big muscles are cut, the intercostal space is opened. Most
surgeons prefer to enter the fifth intercostal space because the major
fissure lies here, and through the major fisuure one can gain ready access to the vessels of the hilum. During the surgery, you can
determine which interspace is the fifth by running your hand up alongside the chest wall deep to
the serratus anterior until to you feel the first rib, identifiable because it lies more "inside" the
second rib than above it. If you can't feel that high, your next best guide is that the interspace
between the second and third ribs is wider than the more inferior interspaces. As always, once you have identified the proper intercostal space, the
incision through intercostal muscles is made just superior to
the lower bounding rib, so as to avoid the intercostal neurovascular bundle. The surgeon should
pay particular attention to this requirement as the incision progresses posteriorly, because the
intercostal neurovascular bundle moves closer to the center of the intercostal space near the
vertebral column. It is unwise to extend the incision further medially
than the articulation of the rib with the transverse process of the vertebra. As the incision is
extended anteriorly, the surgeon must be certain to stop
short of the internal thoracic (internal mammary) vessels. NOTE: Newer techniques allow for a much smaller incision and less muscle cutting, so you may never see what I have described.
In the adult, a little pocket of parietal serous pericardium may bulge out through an acquired
defect in the fibrous pericardium to produce a so-called pericardial diverticulum. Although
uncommon and asymptomatic, pericardial diverticula do alter the cardiac shadow on Xray.
CHAPTER 10 -
Lungs
Inhaled Matter
As a result of the asymmetric position of the carina, inhaled foreign objects tend to pass into
the right mainstem bronchus, and thus into the right lung more frequently than into the left. If a person is supine (as during surgery), foreign material entering the bronchial tree (whether on the right or the left) will likely flow into the
posteriorly placed segments of the lung, most often the posterior segment of the upper lobe and the superior segment of the lower lobe.
Segmentectomy
While lacking the independence of lobes, bronchopulmonary segments are sufficiently
autonomous that infection, pneumonia, or atelectasis (collapse) may affect one segment while its
neighbors remain normal. It is even possible surgically to resect a single bronchopulmonary
segment. This is done by deflating the lung, tying off the bronchus and artery to the diseased
segment, re-inflating the lung, and then removing the tissue that is unfilled by air. Obviously, it is
the veins between segments that are at greatest risk during such surgery. Segmentectomies are
not common procedures. They are done only if it is of paramount importance to preserve as much
lung tissue as is possible. A segmentectomy might be done in a patient with a solitary pulmonary
cancer nodule who has poor pulmonary function, but in this case the surgeon might opt for a
wedge resection (i.e, taking out a wedge of tissue including and surrounding the tumor), which is nonanatomic.
A Bit of Detail About Autonomic Innervation of, and Sensation from, the Bronchi and Lungs
As you would expect, the smooth muscle of bronchial vasculature receives both sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation. Also, as is to be expected, the smooth muscle and glands of bronchi receive a rich parasympathetic innervation. What is surprising is that the smooth muscle and
glands of the bronchial tree receive little or no sympathetic innervation (Middleton's Allergy Principles & Practice, 6th Edition. 2003. N. Franklin Adkinson Jr et al., eds., Mosby, Phila.). To quote a recent review (Canning BJ, Fischer A. 2001 Neural regulation of airway smooth muscle tone. Resp Physiol 125:113-127), "The predominant contractile innervation of airway smooth muscle is parasympathetic and cholinergic in nature, while the primary relaxant innervation of the airways is comprised of noncholinergic (nitic oxide synthase- and vasoactive intestinal peptide-containing) parasympathetic nerves. ... Sympathetic-adrenergic nerves play little if any role in directly regulating smooth muscle tone in the human airways." This is seemingly due to a "paucity of adrenergic nerve fibers innervating the airway smooth muscle". I want to emphasize, however, that airway smooth muscle does relax in response to circulating adrenal medullary hormones.
The lung does not experience pain. It is true that visceral afferent fibers run alongside vagal autonomic fibers, but these afferents do not carry pain sensu stricto. They carry information on stretch (which, however, does not seem to
reach consciousness), and they probably carry the sense of discomfort that one experiences after
mechanical or chemical irritation, or during asthmatic attacks.
CHAPTER 14 - Cardiac
Vessels and
Nerves
Coronary Dominance
As stated in the chapter, coronary dominance is defined by the vessel that gives rise to the
posterior descending artery. While coronary angiographers routinely report which vessel is
dominant, it is not so obvious how this information is clinically useful. There is one report that
individuals undergoing bypass surgery for left main coronary artery stenosis have a higher
perioperative mortality if they are left coronary dominant. Also, in left dominant hearts the circumflex coronary artery
lies closer to the rim (anulus) of the mitral valve (maybe because the
vessel is bigger), and as a consequence is more likely to be caught in a suture during mitral valve replacement surgery than
if the heart were right coronary dominant.
Course of the Posterior Descending Artery in a Right
Coronary Dominant Heart
A common variation is an early origin of the posterior descending artery from the right coronary
artery. In this case, the PDA comes off on the back surface of the heart prior to the junction of the
coronary sulcus with the posterior interventricular groove (which intersection is called the crux of the heart. Then, the PDA then just meanders toward the
posterior interventricular sulcus. The surgeon must be aware of this possibility if it is necessary
to bypass a block in the PDA.
Cardioplegia
Most coronary bypass and open-heart surgeries entail perfusion of the heart with cardioplegic solution - stuff that causes your heart to stop. In roughly half such cases, the cardioplegic solution is pumped backward in the coronary sinus to reach the capillary bed of the heart. This is called retrograde cardioplegia. (I hope you know that normal venous flow in the coronary sinus is away from the capillary bed, as is the case for veins in general.) Retrograde cardioplegia may be the sole means of introducing heart-stopping solution, or it may be combined with solution being sent through the left and right coronary arteries, which is called anterograde cardioplegia. In retrograde cardioplegia, the solution leaves the capillary bed via Thebesian veins, which are tiny veins that run from
heart capillaries directly into the cavities of all the heart chambers. Retrograde cardioplegia is only possible because of the existence of Thebesian veins, which present an alternate route of exit from the capillary bed.
False Heart Attack
Because the spinal cord segments receiving pain from the heart are the same as those
receiving pain from the thoracic esophagus, pain emanating from disease of the latter may be
confused with a heart attack. Maybe that's why 30% of persons who present with anginal pain
have normal coronary arteries (Garrison, DW et al., Pain 49:373-382).
An Uncommon Treatment for Cardiac Angina
For a variety of reasons, certain patients with intractable angina are not good candidates for coronary artery bypass grafts or coronary angioplasty. Because the pain arising from ischemia of the heart courses
along axons that follow the reverse route of sympathetic outflow to the heart, one method used to
treat these patients is to excise a portion of the upper thoracic sympathetic trunk from the T2 - T5 ganglia inclusive. This has been shown to reduce the number of anginal episodes in the course of the patient's daily activities. The surgery has the additional effect of increasing the time the patient can engage in formal exercise before experiencing anginal pain. Maybe there is reduced myocardial oxygen demand
during exercise because of a secondary effect of the sympathectomy to reduce heart rate and
blood pressure during exercise (Wettervik, C et al. 1995 in The Lancet 345:97-98).
CHAPTER 15 - Structures in
the Superior and Posterior Mediastina
During surgery in the superior mediastinum, it is possible to mistakenly nick one of the pulmonary arteries. In order to temporarily control bleeding, it is far easier to open the pericardium and clamp the pulmonary
trunk within the pericardial sac than to try to clamp the damaged vessel in the superior
mediastinum.
CHAPTER 16 - Some
Important
Relationships of Thoracic Structures
Left Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
In the chest, the left recurrent laryngeal nerve is subject to compression by aortic arch aneurysm,
pulmonary trunk dilation (as can occur if the mitral valve is stenotic, leading to pulmonary
hypertension), tumor of the esophagus, or tumor in tracheal lymph nodes. Thus, hoarseness (a
symptom of recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction - see Chapter 74) may arise from thoracic
disease. The nerve may be damaged during surgery in the superior
mediastinum, particularly for treating trauma to the aortic arch.
Broncho-aortic Constriction of Esophagus
The site where the esophagus is crossed on its left side by the aortic arch and, below this, where the esophagus is crossed anteriorly
by the left mainstem bronchus, is the so-called broncho-aortic constriction. It can be visualized
on barium swallow and is one of the more common sites of esophageal cancer.
Left Atrial Hypertrophy and the Esophagus
If the left atrium is enlarged, as in mitral valve disease, it will displace the esophagus
posteriorly. This is easily recognized on Xrays of a barium swallow. In the days before CT, taking a lateral
chest Xray during a barium swallow was considered an excellent way of identifying left atrial
hypertrophy. It still is a cost-effective way, and is used if CT equipment is not available.
A heart whose apex is lateral to the mammary line is clearly enlarged or displaced.
Heart Sounds
The sounds created by cardiac valves are best heard along the path of blood that has passed
through the valve, i.e., just distal to the valve itself. From a knowledge of valve position one may
deduce the following as good sites:
Tricuspid Valve - texts on physical diagnosis differ; some say to listen directly above the xiphisternal joint, others say to place the stethoscope at the medial end of the left 5th intercostal space.
Mitral Valve - over
the apex of the heart.
Pulmonary Valve -
at the medial end of left 2nd intercostal space .
Aortic Valve - at
the medial end of right 2nd intercostal space.
CHAPTER 18 - Surface
Anatomy of the
Thorax II: Lungs and Pleura
Pericardiocentesis
The most important reasons for knowing the surface projections of the pleural cavities have
to do with choosing sites to introduce a needle for the purpose of withdrawing excess pericardial fluid
or excess pleural fluid.
Withdrawing pericardial fluid (or blood, or pus) is called pericardiocentesis. A prime objective is to avoid
penetrating the lung. It is also important that one not stick a needle through the internal thoracic (internal mammary) artery. One would like to avoid the left pleural sac, though this is a less crucial requirement. Current recommendations are that pericardiocentesis be done under ultrasound guidance, especially if there is no emergency. The patient is often placed in a position that causes pericardial content to flow inferiorly and to the left. Ultrasound reveals where the accumulation is greatest, and where it is closest to the body surface. Often it turns out that the best site for inserting the needle is in the fifth intercostal space a variable distance lateral to the internal thoracic artery. Since ultrasound does not go through air, you are pretty much guaranteed that any fluid you can visualize is not covered by lung. Obviously, when inserting the needle, you stay close to the superior surface of the lower bounding rib so as to avoid the intercostal neurovascular bundle.
In an emergency, when there is so much fluid or blood in the pericardial space that the resulting pressure on the heart prevents it from filling adequately during diastole (a condition called cardiac tamponade), you might have to do a "blind" pericardiocentesis. The preferred method is a left substernal paraxiphoid approach, usually called the subxiphoid approach. A needle is inserted in the angle formed by the left border of the xiphoid process and the 7th costal cartilage. The needle is angled 45° to the skin and directed toward the midpoint of the left clavicle, or toward the left shoulder. If all goes well, the needle will pass anterior to the diaphragm's origin from the xiphoid process and ribs. Nonetheless, there is the risk that the needle will go below the diaphragm and injure the liver.
A old method of pericardiocentesis is the left parasternal approach. The needle was inserted through the left 5th intercostal space immediately adjacent to the sternum (thereby medial to the internal thoracic artery and likely to miss not only the lung but also the pleural sac). This approach fell out of favor because of a higher risk of damaging the LAD, although I imagine this risk is less if the amount of pericardial fluid is great.
Thoracentesis
Withdrawal of excess fluid from the pleural cavity is called thoracentesis. The fluid tends to
collect posteriorly and laterally in the most dependent portions of the pleural cavity. Logic might suggest
that one try to insert the needle into the costodiaphragmatic recess as close to the lower limit of
the pleural cavity as possible. This would be a mistake. Even in cases of pleural effusion the
costodiaphragmatic recess is not very wide, because the pressure of the abdominal organs pushes the
periphery of the diaphragm toward the inner surface of the rib cage and keeps the
costodiaphragmatic recess narrow. Inserting a needle too close to the lower limit of the pleural
cavity runs the risk of passing through the recess and diaphragm into the abdominal cavity. The general rule is that
potential sites of insertion inferior to the 9th rib are to be avoided. (Indeed, needle biopsy of the
liver is often done by inserting the needle through the 9th intercostal space in the right
midaxillary line, with full knowledge that it will pass through the costodiaphragmatic recess and
diaphragm to reach the liver. In accessing the liver this way, the patient is asked to hold expiration so as to minimize any
chance of piercing the lung.) The most usual site of thoracentesis is just below the inferior angle
of the scapula with the arm abducted 90 degrees. This corresponds to the 6th or 7th interspace
near the posterior axillary line. Other routes may be chosen depending on radiologic findings.
Auscultation of the Lung (Listening to the Lung with a Stethoscope)
You can predict what part of a lung will be heard with a stethoscope if you know the surface
projections of the lobes and the position within a lobe of the bronchopulmonary segments.
(1)
A
stethoscope placed in the supraclavicular fossa (i.e., just superior to medial third of the clavicle)
will hear the apical segment of upper lobe .
(2)
A stethoscope placed on the back not far from the
vertebral column will hear
(a)
the posterior segment of the upper lobe if the stethoscope is placed superior to the site where the spine of the scapula meets its vertebral border;
(b)
the superior segment of the lower lobe if the stethoscope is placed just
inferior to the site where the spine of the scapula spine meets its vertebral border;
(c)
the posterior basal segment of the lower lobe if the stethoscope is placed
medial to the inferior angle of the scapula.
(3)
A
stethoscope placed in the midaxillary line will hear
(a)
the upper
lobe if the stethoscope is placed above the 5th rib;
(b)
the lower
lobe (lateral basal segment) if the stethoscope is placed from the 5th to 8th ribs.
(4)
A
stethoscope placed on the front of the chest between the midclavicular line and the sternum will
hear
(a)
the upper lobe (anterior segment) if the stethoscope is placed
above the 4th costal cartilage
(b)
on
the right side, the middle lobe (medial segment) if the stethoscope is placed from the 4th to 6th costal cartilages.
It is most important to realize that you cannot hear the lower lobe along the front of the
chest, and you cannot hear the middle lobe in the midaxillary line.
For developmental reasons, the part of the diaphragm arising from the lateral arcuate
ligament (on the surface of quadratus lumborum) and from the 12th rib may be deficient in actual muscle tissue (i.e., represented only by
epimysium). The deficient region is said to comprise a lumbocostal trigone and is a potential site
of herniation of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity. The herniated structures will be covered by stretched epimysium.
Superficial Epigastric Artery
After arising from the common femoral artery, the superficial
epigastric artery enters the subcutaneous layer and runs upward in Camper's fascia. This path
crosses that of the incision (running from anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle) that
is made during an external repair of an inguinal
hernia. (An external repair is one made from the outside, as opposed to a laparoscopic repair, which is made from inside the abdominal cavity.) During external repair of an inguinal hernia, the surgeon must identify and tie off the superficial epigastric artery, or else the patient
will develop a bad hematoma.
Sympathetic innervation of the testis derives from T12-L1 of the spinal cord. As predicted, visceral sensory axons from the testis travel "backward" alongside the sympathetic axons to reach the T12-L1 segments of the spinal cord. Testicular pain
is referred to the T12-L1 body wall segments, predominantly along the distribution paths of the
iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves.
CHAPTER 21 - Hernias
Presenting
Near the Groin
Clinical Nomenclature
Clinicians often use different names for inguinal structures than do anatomists (although this
is becoming less frequent). The inguinal ligament may be called Poupart's ligament; the lacunar
ligament may be called Gimbernat's ligament. I don't like these eponyms, but sometimes I do
prefer clinical terminology. For example, I prefer to use the term Cooper's ligament for the
thickened periosteum behind the pecten pubis (see Chapter 94), whereas less ecumenical
anatomists call it the pectineal ligament.
Clinicians also define a space called Hesselbach's triangle. It is bounded by the inguinal
ligament (inferolaterally), the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis (medially), and the path of the
inferior epigastric artery (superolaterally). Direct inguinal hernias begin their push through the abdominal
wall in the region of Hesselbach's triangle. In that indirect inguinal hernias start at the deep inguinal ring, their path begins lateral to Hesselbach's triangle.
More About Direct Inguinal Hernias
Clinical texts describe a variety of ways in which direct inguinal hernias may present
differently from indirect hernias. First, in males direct hernias are less likely to pass into the
scrotum than are indirect hernias. A further difference can be deduced from the knowledge that
only indirect hernias pass through the deep ring. Often when a patient lies on his or her back, the
herniated structures fall back into the abdominal cavity. They can be made to herniate again if the
patient strains. In the case of small indirect hernias, this voluntary reherniation can be prevented
by the examiner pressing his or her thumb over the site of the deep ring (near the midinguinal point).
Such pressure will have no effect on preventing reherniation of direct hernias. Although this maneuver is often recommended as a way that a physician may differentiate indirect from direct inguinal hernias by physical examination, several studies report that in actual practice it is so unreliable as to be not worth the effort (Sanjay P et al.. 2010 Anatomical differentiation of direct and indirect inguinal hernias: is it worthwhile in the modern era? Clin Anat 23:848-850). One source of the problem may be variability in deep ring position.
Frequency of Hernias
As stated in the chapter, the frequencies of indirect inguinal
hernias, direct inguinal hernias, and femoral hernias are highly dependent on sex and age. This
topic has been reviewed by Rutkow (Surg. Clinics North Amer., 78:941-951, 1998). While
statistics vary from study to study, the following table is not far off the mark in presenting the
expected distribution of 100 hernias of the groin by sex.
Inguinal
Femoral
MALES
58
indirect
29
direct
87
total
2
FEMALES
6.6
indirect
0.4
direct
7
total
4
Not reflected in these
numbers
is the fact that the ratio of indirect to direct inguinal hernias in males is greatly influenced by age, there
being a much higher proportion of indirect inguinal hernias in young boys because (a) so many
inguinal hernias in young males are due to partial persistence of the processus vaginalis, and (2) as
one becomes older, musculofascial weakness predisposes to direct inguinal hernias.
Canal of Nuck
In female fetuses there develops a small processus vaginalis that extends through the inguinal canal alongside the round ligament. This small processus vaginalis goes by the name "canal of Nuck". Almost always it obliterates before birth. Rarely it stays patent, and very rarely, if its communication with the peritoneal cavity becomes narrowed or obliterated, may accumulate enough fluid so that it presents as a swelling in the groin. This is called a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck and may occur at any age. Some authors believe that indirect inguinal hernias in females can be traced to the persistance of the canal of Nuck. This is almost certainly the case for congenital indirect inguinal hernias in girls, but these are also very rare.
CHAPTER 24 - Liver and
Pancreas
Hepatic Blood Supply
The liver receives blood from two sources: the common hepatic artery and the portal vein.
Because the volume of flow through the portal vein is so much greater than that through the
hepatic artery, some texts say that 50-55% of the liver's oxygen is actually provided by the
venous route even though venous blood is of much lower oxygen concentration. A
physiologically healthy liver with normal portal venous flow should survive inadvertent right or
left hepatic artery ligation. For example, if you tie off the right hepatic artery, although the
patient will experience an ischemic hepatitis (with pain and the release of liver enzymes into the
blood), 80% of people will recover from this condition. Intrahepatic collateral circulation
between the right and left hepatic arteries contributes to the long-term survival of a liver
lobe whose artery has been ligated (Mays ET, Wheeler, CS 1974 Demonstration of collateral arterial
flow after interruption of hepatic arteries in man. N Engl J Med 290:993-996).
Surgical Nomenclature for Liver Lobes
As stated in Core Concept 24, the right branches of the portal vein and hepatic artery
distribute to the right lobe of the liver, whereas the left branches of these vessels go the caudate,
quadrate, and left lobes (in truth, the caudate may get supplied by both the right and left branches
of the portal vein and hepatic artery). The right hepatic bile duct drains the right lobe of the liver;
the left duct drains the other three lobes. Surgeons recognize the physiological division of the
liver by using the term "left lobe" to include the caudate and quadrate lobes along with the
anatomist's left lobe. The plane between the physiological right
and
left lobes is coincident with a line drawn from the left edge of the cystic fossa to the left edge of
the caval fossa. This is called Cantlie's line.
Hepatic Veins
There are three major hepatic veins that enter the IVC. They are called right, middle and left. The middle vein lies deep within the liver along Cantlie's line, hence at the boundary between the physiological left and right lobes. It receives tributaries from both lobes. The middle and left hepatic veins often join before entering the IVC. There are also a variable number of short hepatic veins (on average less than 3 mm in diameter) passing from the region of the liver surrounding the caval fossa directly into the IVC. These small hepatic veins must not be overlooked when removing parts of the liver in the vicinity of the caval fossa (see below).
Liver Segmentation, Hepatic Lobectomy, and Hepatic Segmentectomy
Surgeons place emphasis on the fact that the lobes of the liver can be further
divided into segments based on the distribution of secondary and tertiary branches of the vascular
and biliary trees. (You will recall that a similar segmentation occurs in the lung.) Some
classifications refer to four major hepatic segments:
1)
left lateral segment, which is the
anatomist's left lobe
2)
left medial segment, which
comprises the anatomist's quadrate and caudate lobes
3)
right anterior segment, the anterior
part of the right lobe
4)
right posterior segment, the posterior
part of the right lobe.
A more detailed classification divides each of these four
segments into two, creating eight segments in total.
If the patient has a tumor nodule confined to
one segment of the liver, that segment alone may be removed. However, the most common types
of partial liver resections are
1)
right lobectomy - removal of both
major segments of the right lobe
2)
left lobectomy - removal of the left
medial and left lateral segments (i.e., caudate lobe, quadrate lobe, and the anatomist's left
lobe)
3)
left lateral segmentectomy - removal
of the anatomist's left lobe
4)
right trisegmentectomy - removal of
the right lobe (which has two major segments) and the left medial segment (caudate and quadrate
lobes)
To perform a hepatic lobectomy, the surgeon goes to the porta hepatis and ties off the artery,
vein, and bile duct of the portal triad going to the relevant lobe. The part of the liver that turns gray is
then resected. In cases of right lobectomy, the boundary between the red and gray parts will be
Cantlie's line; the middle hepatic vein lies in this
boundary and must be preserved, though its tributaries from the right lobe must be ligated. The right hepatic vein is tied off as it enters the IVC, as are any short hepatic veins passing from the right lobe to the IVC.
One of the dangers of a left lateral segmentectomy is due to the
fact that deep to the fissure of the ligamentum teres (which surgeons call the umbilical fissure)
lies the only branch of the portal vein that does not follow arteries and bile ducts. This
"umbilical" part of the portal vein gives branches to both the left medial and left lateral segments.
During a left lateral segmentectomy this umbilical part of the portal vein must be preserved; only
its branches to the left lateral segment are tied off.
A method of hepatic resection that requires less knowledge of anatomy is the wedge
resection. The surgeon just places clamps between the tumor-bearing part of the liver and the
good part, then cuts out the former, clipping vessels and bile ducts along the way.
Gallbladder Pain
Most pain fibers from the gallbladder travel centrally in the same nerve bundles that bring
sympathetic innervation to that structure. Since the foregut receives its sympathetic innervation
from T5-T9, and the gallbladder is an outgrowth from the distal end of the foregut, you would be
correct to deduce that its pain fibers mainly return to T7 - T9 segments of the spinal cord.
Referred pain of cholecystitis or gallstones is usually felt along the right 7th - 9th intercostal
spaces, sweeping from back to front near the inferior angle of the scapula toward the epigastric
region.
Pain from the gallbladder may be referred to the right shoulder (C3,4). Some people believe
this is due to irritation of the peritoneum on the
undersurface of the diaphragm, which is innervated by the phrenic nerve (C3,4,5). I have also
read that the phrenic nerve, after it has pierced the
diaphragm to innervate that muscle's undersurface, gives a sensory twig that eventually reaches
the gallbladder.
Cholecystectomy
During cholecystectomy, if the surgeon identifies a cystic artery that seems to be too large, it
should be dissected out to make certain it is not a hepatic artery. If the cystic artery seems to
small, consideration must be given to the possibility that it is only an anterior branch of the cystic
artery, or that the patient has an anomalous double cystic artery. If the surgeon ties off only the
anterior branch, or only one of two cystic arteries, believing that it is the entire and only vessel,
there will be lots of bleeding when the gallbladder is pulled out.
A common anomaly of the biliary system is the existence of a small bile duct that leaves the
right lobe of the liver and runs in the gallbladder bed (i.e., in the subvesicular connective tissue
between the gallbladder and the liver) to reach the right hepatic or common hepatic bile duct.
This "duct of Luschka" can be injured in cholecystectomy. Also, there may be tiny bile ductuli
that leave the liver substance to end blindly in the subvesicular connective tissue. These are a
source of self-limiting bile leakage following a cholecystectomy.
CHAPTER 25 - Jejunum,
Ileum, Colon,
and Rectum
Identifying Bowel Segments at Surgery
Upon entering the peritoneal cavity via an anterior abdominal incision, any mesenteric
portion of the bowel may be encountered first. Thus, the surgeon is confronted with deciding
whether a particular loop of bowel might be jejunum, ileum, transverse colon, or sigmoid colon.
First, decide if it is colon by looking for appendices epiploicae and taenia coli. If it is colon,
decide if it is transverse or sigmoid using the following criteria: (a) transverse colon is attached
to three mesenteries (gastrocolic ligament, apron of greater omentum, and transverse mesocolon),
whereas sigmoid colon is attached only to its mesocolon, and (b) transverse colon (like ascending
and descending colons) has three taenia coli, whereas the sigmoid colon has only two.
If you have determined that the loop of bowel isn't colon, decide if its jejunum or ileum using
the following criteria: (a) mesenteric fat does not uniformly reach the wall of the jejunum, whereas mesenteric fat
overlaps the wall of the ileum, and (b) the arterial supply to the jejunum is characterized by 1 or 2
arcades with long vasa recta (Chapter 26), whereas the arteries to the ileum form 3 or 4 arcades
with short vasa recta.
The Amazing Bloodless Fold of Treves
I help teach a surgical anatomy course to fourth-year medical students. During that course, a colleague (Dr. Fidel Valea) made mention of a structure with which I was completely
unfamiliar. It is called the "bloodless fold of Treves". I quote from Morris' Human
Anatomy (pp. 1379-1380, 11th edition, eds. J. P. Schaeffer et al., McGraw-Hill,
NY):
"If the appendix is drawn caudally so as to put its mesentery on the
stretch, a peculiar fold will be found to join that mesentery. This
inferior ileocecal fold arises from the border of the ileum opposite the
attachment of the mesentery. It then passes across the ileocecal
junction on its caudal aspect and is adherent to the cecum., and finally
joins the surface of the mesentery of the appendix. This fold is
peculiar in that it scarcely has any visible vessels, and is often known
as the 'bloodless fold of Treves'."
Sir Frederick Treves, who first described this structure, is nowadays more noted for having
treated the "Elephant Man". I am told by Matthew Ranzer (a former medical student at Stony Brook) that
Treves was also well known for having performed an appendectomy on Edward VII, King of
England. According to Ranzer, the king desperately needed an appendicitis operation but
strongly opposed going into a hospital. 'I have a coronation on hand,' he protested. But Treves
was adamant: 'It will be a funeral, if you don't have the operation.' Treves won; the coronation
was postponed and the king lived.
In Treves' own textbook of anatomy he does not describe the significance of the bloodless
fold that now bears his name. Dr. Valea states that "it is, at times, a useful landmark, when you
have limited exposure, to identify the terminal ileum as it is the only place
on the small bowel that has antimesenteric fat." Another of my colleagues (Dr. Joseph Sorrento)
says it can help him locate the appendix. Personally, I find its history as
interesting as its clinical significance.
Location of the Splenic (Left Colic) Flexure
The transition between the transverse colon and the descending colon is properly called the left colic flexure. Every book I have ever seen, including Core Concepts, says it is located adjacent to the inferior pole of the spleen. Hence, this bend in the colon is commonly called the splenic flexure. In reviewing CTs of the abdomen while preparing to deliver a lecture on radiology, I kept on coming across normal people in whom the junction of the transverse colon with the descending colon was located just below the diaphragm, not at the inferior pole of the spleen. You can see an example for yourself by looking frame-by-frame at a video I created from a series of relevant coronally reformatted CT slices. The frames proceed from posterior to anterior. When I questioned some surgeons, they confirmed that although the "splenic flexure" of the colon is near the spleen, it is not always up against its inferior pole.
Pain
Derivatives of the midgut receive sympathetic innervation from T9-T12. The appendix is
innervated predominantly by T10. Referred pain from appendicitis is located in the T10 body
wall segment, thus in the vicinity of the umbilicus. When there is additional somatic pain located
in the abdominal wall over the appendix, this indicates spread of inflammation to the nearby
parietal peritoneum.
McBurney's Point
In 1889 the American surgeon Charles McBurney made the following observation:
"Whatever may be the position of the healthy appendix found in the dead-house, and I am well
aware that its position when uninflamed varies greatly, I have found in all of my operations that it
lay, either thickened, shortened, or adherent, very close to its point of attachment to the caecum.
This, of course, must, in early stages of the disease, determine the seat of greatest pain on
pressure. And I believe that in every case the seat of greatest pain, determined by the
pressure of one finger, has been very exactly between an inch and a half and two inches from
the anterior spinous process of the ilium on a straight line drawn from that process to the
umbilicus." (McBurney C 1889 Experience with early operative interference in cases of disease
of the vermiform appendix. New York Med Jour 50:676-684.)
Nowadays, McBurney's Point (of maximal tenderness in acute appendicitis) is said to be at the
junction of the lateral one-third and middle one-third of the line between the anterior superior iliac spine
and the umbilicus. Whereas McBurney thought this corresponded to the base of the appendix,
recent studies suggest that the latter is usually inferomedial to McBurney's point. Nonetheless,
physicians still consider maximal tenderness at McBurney's point to be a strong indicator of acute
appendicitis.
White Line of Toldt
You will recall that in embryonic development the ascending colon "falls" to the right side and becomes secondarily retroperitoneal. Its mesentery, which carries its vascular supply, fuses with the parietal peritoneum medial to the ascending colon. After this happens, along the right edge of the ascending colon is the zone where the peritoneum on its anterior surface merges with the parietal peritoneum lateral to it. This is a relatively avascular zone of peritoneum. Similarly, in embryonic life the descending colon "falls" to the left side, where it becomes retroperitoneal. Its mesentery, carrying its vascular supply, fuses with the parietal peritoneum medial to the descending colon. After this happens, along the left edge of the descending colon is the zone where the peritoneum on its anterior surface merges with the parietal peritoneum lateral to it. This too is a relatively avascular zone of peritoneum. These two zones of relative avascular peritoneum, one along the right edge of the ascending colon, the other along the left edge of the descending colon, are called the "white lines of Toldt". An incision is made along the respective white line of Toldt when either the ascending or descending colon needs to be mobilized for the purpose of removing it, or for gaining access to the ipsilateral kidney or ureter.
By the way, the regions of the peritoneal cavity on either sides of the white lines of Toldt (i.e., to the right of the ascending colon and to the left of the descending colon) are called paracolic gutters. Cancers that shed into the peritoneal cavity, such as ovarian or colorectal cancer, may seed the paracolic gutters, so the surgeon must look there (as well as behind the liver and spleen) when assessing for intraperitoneal metastases.
CHAPTER 27 - Venous
Drainage of the
Gut and Its Associated Structures
Portosystemic Venous Anastomoses
There is a fourth portosystemic anastomosis not mentioned in Chapter 27. It occurs between
secondarily retroperitoneal mesenteric veins and the primarily retroperitoneal veins of the
posterior abdominal wall. Dilation of these anastomoses in portal hypertension is neither
observable nor symptomatic. The importance of these anatomoses is not related to portal hypertension, but to the fact that their existence provides routes for spread of bowel cancer to posterior body wall structures, including the vertebral column.
As stated in the chapter, bleeding from ruptured esophageal varices is the most serious
consequence of portal hypertension. Of those persons with cirrhosis of the
liver who actually experience esophageal variceal bleeds, 40% - 50% will die from their first bleeding episode
within six weeks. There are nonsurgical methods of treating esophageal varices, most notably
sclerotherapy, in which fiberoptic endoscopy is used to guide injection of a
thrombosis-promoting solution into the dilated veins.
The surgical method to relieve the portal hypertension is via a shunt between the portal venous network and
the systemic (nonportal) veins. The preferred method of creating a portosystemic shunt used to be via a surgical
connection of the portal vein to the inferior vena cava (i.e., a portacaval shunt). From an anatomic perspective, it's logical that a portacaval shunt would be the procedure of choice, because the portal vein and IVC are so close to one another at the epiploic foramen and, as a consequence, relatively easy to connect. It fell into disfavor because metabolic problems were caused by
diverting so much blood from the liver. Since the main goal of treating portal hypertension is to
eliminate the threat to life posed by esophageal varices, the currently preferred surgical procedure
is the splenorenal shunt, which consists of severing the splenic vein from its entry into the portal
vein and anastomosing it end-to-side to the left renal vein. You will recall that these two vessels
are in close proximity - the splenic vein lying on the posterior surface of the body of the pancreas
and the left renal vein being posterior to the lower border of the pancreatic body. At the same
time, the left gastric and right gastroepiploic veins are usually tied off so as to eliminate pathways
of venous return from the stomach that could circumvent the splenic vein.
There is also a new shunt technique that avoids abdominal surgery altogether. This entails
inserting a tubular device into the right internal jugular vein and threading it down the right
brachiocephalic vein, the superior vena cava, right atrium, and inferior vena into a large hepatic vein.
The device is then pushed through the wall of that hepatic vein into actual liver tissue, and through the liver tissue into one of the large branches of the portal vein. The tube now connects a large portal venous branch to a large hepatic vein. It is left in place to create an intrahepatic portosytemic shunt. The procedure is called Transjugular Intrahepatic
Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) and is performed under radiologic monitoring. The problem with TIPS is
that the shunt tends to become blocked over time. It may be the method of choice if the patient
will soon have a liver transplant, because TIPS doesn't leave intra-abdominal adhesions that can
complicate the transplant surgery.
Anorectal varices caused by portal hypertension are more common if the portal hypertension has arisen from
obstruction of the portal vein outside the liver than from any hepatic disease, including cirrhosis.
In either case, bleeding is an uncommon occurrence, but such bleeding may be serious if the portal hypertension was caused by cirrhosis, because that disease is often associated with a defect in blood clotting.
Hemorrhoids are distinct from anorectal varices. To understand
this, one needs to know a little bit of detail about anatomy of the anal canal. For two centimeters
above the anus the inner lining of the anal canal is composed of a modified squamous epidermis
devoid of hair and glands. This is sometimes called anoderm. Above this region the inner
lining of the anal canal is composed of columnar epithelium, like the rest of the rectum. The line
of demarcation between anoderm and columnar epithelium is called the dentate or pectinate line. Below
the dentate line the anal canal is highly sensitive, as is regular skin; above the dentate line the
innervation is visceral in nature.
Both the anoderm and columnar epithelium rest upon a layer of submucosal tissue. Normally there are regions of dilated veins in the submucosa. If the submucosa, with its normal venous dilatations, becomes "loosened" from
deeper tissues and bulges into the lumen of the anal canal, this is a hemorrhoid (or pile). Sometimes the hemorrhoidal tissues prolapse downward
through the anus.
Hemorrhoids may originate below the dentate line - an external
hemorrhoid, above the dentate line - an internal hemorrhoid, or both. Because the covering of an
internal hemorrhoid is insensitive to somatic pain, it may be treated by ligation with a rubber
band.
The incidence of hemorrhoids in patients with portal hypertension is the same as in the
general population, illustrating the distinct nature of hemorrhoids from anorectal varices. The
latter can be distinguished from hemorrhoids because the venous swelling of a varix collapses
when pressure is applied and reappears rapidly when the pressure is released.
CHAPTER 28 - The Lesser
and Greater
Sacs of the Peritoneal Cavity, and the Epiploic Foramen
During surgery, celiac lymph nodes can be palpated for detecting spread of cancer. This is done by poking one's
finger through the hepatogastric ligament. To palpate more widely in the floor of the lesser sac,
surgeons poke their fingers through the gastrocolic ligament.
CHAPTER 29 - Kidneys,
Suprarenal
Glands, and the Lumbar Plexus
Accessory Renal Arteries
Knowing that accessory renal arteries are pretty common is important in renal transplant
surgery. All arteries feeding the donor kidney must linked together so that all will be fed when
joined to an artery of the person receiving the transplant.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Because the right renal vein is so short, renal cell carcinoma of the right kidney may readily
enter the IVC and travel toward the heart. This tumor can usually be stripped out of the IVC
because it does not adhere to its wall, but if the tumor does reach the heart, cardiac bypass is
necessary to get it out.
Blood Supply to the Ureter
A ureter receives blood supply from several sources: a small twig from the renal artery, twigs
from the aorta and gonadal arteries, and small twigs from the internal iliac artery (and its branches, notably the
uterine in women and inferior vesical in men). Arterial twigs to the abdominal ureter approach it from the medial direction, whereas those to the pelvic ureter approach it from laterally. These vessels contribute to an longitudinally coursing arterial plexus embedded in
the connective tissue sheath of the ureter. Because of this extensive anastomosis, the ureter can be separated from surrounding structures without compromising its blood supply as long its fibrous sheath is kept intact.
CHAPTER 30 - Abdominal Relationships I
Kidney Biopsy
Various diseases of the kidney are diagnosed by means of biopsy through the posterior
abdominal wall. Biopsy of the lower half of the kidney presents no special problems other than
the small risk of damage to the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves. The most direct approach
to the upper pole would involve inserting the needle opposite T12, either through the 11th
intercostal space or subcostally. However, because such an approach will enter the pleural cavity, which
extends as far inferiorly as the tip of the 12th thoracic spine, it is generally advisable to insert the
needle below T12, on an oblique upward course that pierces the quadratus lumborum and
diaphragm below the inferior extent of the pleural cavity.
Varicocele and the Left Testicular Vein
I think you know that varicose veins are small veins that have become unusually dilated and tortuous because they have been subjected to a long period of elevated pressure (e.g., esophageal varices, anorectal varices, and caput medusae, all due to portal hypertension). The testis is drained by small veins that coalesce into the testicular vein. These small veins, lying in the scrotal sac, are said to comprise the pampiniform (tendril-like) plexus. Abnormal dilatation of the pampiniform plexus is called varicocele. Arising predominantly during adolescence, a varicocele is generally asymptomatic and presents merely as a painless compressible scrotal mass when the subject is standing. There is evidence that in some patients the varicocele is associated with decreased sperm production and reduced testicular volume. Consequently, the dilated veins may be ligated in an attempt to improve future fertility. From an anatomist's point of view, the interesting thing about varicoceles is that ~90% of the them occur on the left side. This may be because the left testicular vein, rather than emptying directly into the IVC as does the right testicular vein, first joins the left renal vein. People have suggested that the 90 degree junction of the left testicular vein with the left renal vein causes a relative resistance to flow or, more convincingly to me, that in some people compression of the left renal vein between the SMA and aorta causes an elevated venous pressure that is transmitted to the left testicular vein. If a patient presents with a unilateral right-sided varicocele, the physician should look for intra-abdominal disease than causes obstruction of the IVC above the entry-point of the right testicular vein. Such obstruction ought not to cause a left-sided varicocele because the left renal vein, which receives the left testicular vein, may be drained via its anatomosis with the the suprarenal/inferior phrenic veins.
At the level of L5, the left common iliac vein joins the right common iliac vein to form the IVC. As illustrated in the figure accompanying Chapter 30, but not actually mentioned in the text, is the fact that just before this junction, the left common iliac vein passes posterior to the right common iliac artery. Here the vein is "trapped" between the artery and the anterior surface of L5, and is subject to compression, particularly when one is supine. A CT study conducted on 50 supine asymptomatic persons showed that two-thirds of them had greater than 25% compression of the left common iliac vein at the site where it is crossed by the right common iliac artery, and one-quarter of them had greater than 50% compression (Kibbe MR et al. 2004 Iliac vein compression in an asymptomatic patient population. J Vasc Surg 39:937-943). It appears that an otherwise healthy person can tolerate quite well an intermittent compression of the left common iliac vein. On the other hand, clinicians have long noted that edema (swelling), pain, varicose veins, and skin ulcers, all symptoms of poor venous return, are substantially more common for the left lower limb than the right. In some cases this is due to a blood clot having formed in the left common iliac vein. May and Thurner , after whom the syndrome is named, suggested that the pulsations of the right common iliac artery acting against the outer wall of the left common iliac vein may cause intimal proliferation within the vein. This intimal proliferation retards venous flow and promotes development of a clot (May R, Thurner J. 1957 The cause of the predominantly sinistral occurrence of thrombosis of the pelvic veins. Angiol 8:419-427). In other people, the simple fact of compression by the artery, without formation of a clot within the vein, leads to all the symptoms of retarded venous return. May-Thurner syndrome is most often seen in 30 -60 year old women, but no-one is immune. Why some people develop symptoms of iliac vein compression (with or without clots) and others do not is unknown. May-Thurner syndrome is often treated by placement of a stent in the left common iliac vein to keep it wide open. If a clot exists, it is removed before stent placement.
CHAPTER 31 - Abdominal Relationships II
Kocher Maneuver
At surgery, one may palpate the common bile to determine if it contains a stone by performing a Kocher
maneuver, which consists of lifting the 2nd part of the duodenum and the head of the pancreas off the
posterior abdominal wall so you can feel or look at their posterior surfaces. There is an avascular plane behind these structures
because that plane was originally (embryonically) parietal peritoneum. The Kocher maneuver is
also performed for determining if pancreatic cancer has engulfed the portal or superior
mesenteric veins.
Pancreatic Tumor
A tumor of the head of the pancreas will often compress the common bile duct embedded in
its posterior surface. This is revealed by jaundice and a distended gallbladder, which may be
palpable below the right costal margin where it is crossed by the transpyloric plane or linea
semilunaris. The jaundice caused by pancreatic tumor compression of the common duct is said to
be "painless". What is meant by this term is that the pain occurring in pancreatic cancer does not
emanate from the biliary system, nor will the gallbladder itself be tender. This clearly
distinguishes it from the pain associated with jaundice caused by gallstone obstruction of the
common bile duct.
Tumors of the body and tail of the pancreas are in some ways more insidious than those of
the head, because they do not compress the common bile duct and can escape detection until they
have either metastasized or have involved major arteries related the pancreas. Partial compression of
these arteries is sometimes revealed by a murmur detectable with a stethoscope placed on the
upper abdomen. Compression of the splenic vein may be revealed by splenomegaly.
An aberrant right hepatic artery (one arising from the SMA) can present a
problem in pancreatic resections because it passes posterior to the neck of the pancreas. It also
may get invaded by pancreatic tumor.
Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome
The superior mesenteric artery's descending course takes it across the anterior surface of the
third part of the duodenum. Normally there is sufficient fat in the root of the mesentery to form a
cushion between the artery and the duodenum. If a person undergoes dramatic loss of weight (or undergoes substantial
growth in height without gain in weight) the arterial wall may come into direct contact with the
duodenum. Furthermore, in such a person the loss of mesenteric fat tends to allow the small
intestine to descend lower in the abdomen during erect posture. This descent pulls the superior
mesenteric artery taut across the third part of the duodenum and leads to compression of its
lumen. A similar phenomenon may occur in a person whose spine is held in hyperextension by a
cast. Afflicted persons may be unable to pass solid food through the third part of the duodenum.
Abdominal cramps and vomiting will follow attempts to eat solid food. The patient may have to
assume a prone position (which pulls the superior mesenteric artery away from the duodenum)
and eat soft foods in order to allow passage of food to the jejunum. If this fails, gastrojejunostomy
(surgical connection of the stomach to the jejunum) or duodenojejunostomy (surgical connection
of a proximal part of the duodenum to the jejunum) may be required to allow food to bypass the
area of duodenal occlusion until weight is regained. Another option is to detach the root of the
mesentery and the superior mesenteric artery from the posterior abdominal wall and displace the
entire duodenum and jejunum to the right side of the abdomen.
Lesser Sac
Ulcers of the posterior wall of the stomach may erode into the lesser sac, spilling stomach
contents into that region of the peritoneal cavity, leading to a lesser sac abscess. It is also possible
for a posterior wall gastric ulcer to attach to and erode the pancreas and nearby vessels, or the left
suprarenal gland, or the upper inner quadrant of the left kidney, all of which are said to lie in the
bed of the stomach.
Gallbladder
By virtue of the gallbladder's relationships, inflammatory disease of the gallbladder can
result in a connection between the gallbladder and the transverse colon (a cholecystocolic fistula) or between the gallbladder and the first part of the duodenum (a cholecystoduodenal fistula).
Calot's triangle and its significance in gallbladder surgery is described on p. 57 of Core
Concepts. A small lymph node (Calot's node) lies in the triangle anterior to the cystic artery.
Indeed, my surgeon friends say that if you don't see this node in front of what you have identified as the cystic artery, you should be
worried that the artery is not really the cystic.
Truncal Vagotomy
There is a surgical operation (the Whipple procedure) that treats
patients with tumor of the head of the pancreas by removing this structure along with a segment
of the gut from the beginning of the pyloric antrum to just beyond the Ligament of Treitz. The
cut end of the remaining part of the pancreas (i.e., body + tail) is sutured into the cut end of the
jejunum (or into the posterior wall of the remaining stomach). The cut end of the body of the stomach
and the cut end of the bile duct are separately
anastomosed into the side of the jejunum. In the classic Whipple procedure, stomach acid
continuously flows directly into the jejunum, and over time this tends to causes jejunal ulcers at
the site of the surgical
anastomosis. To avoid this, in days past some surgeons would cut the anterior and posterior vagal
trunks, thereby greatly reducing stomach acid production. The vagal trunks can be
identified by pulling down on the abdominal esophagus and feeling for taut cords on its anterior
and posterior surfaces. Interestingly, there were no obvious sequellae of this double truncal vagotomy.
Nowadays, most surgeons do not perform truncal vagotomies when doing a classic Whipple
procedure.
This is so because the part of the stomach that has been removed is responsible for production of
the hormone gastrin, which stimulates acid production. What acid production persists can be
controlled by a drug like Prilosec.
A modified Whipple procedure that leaves the entire stomach and pylorus intact (i.e., a
pylorus-preserving Whipple) can be performed to treat smaller cancers of the pancreatic head,
cancer of the ampulla of Vater, or cancer of the distal
common bile duct. Since the pylorus is intact, the passage of stomach contents into the jejunum
is regulated, so there would be no need to perform a truncal vagotomy. Even more important, one
cannot combine a pylorus-sparing Whipple with a truncal vagotomy because vagal
firing is needed to relax the pyloric sphincter and allow normal stomach emptying.
There is one surgical procedure in which destruction of the anterior and posterior vagal trunks is
unavoidable. That is esophagectomy, which is often the treatment of choice for esophageal
cancer. In this case, most or all of the stomach is left intact, so the absence of vagal innervation
to relax the pyloric sphincter is a big problem. It is "solved" by performing either a
pyloromyotomy (cutting through the muscular pyloric sphincter but preserving the mucosa of the
pylorus) or a pyloroplasty (reshaping the pylorus so as to make the sphincter less effective).
The Pringle Maneuver
If the liver has been lacerated or otherwise traumatically damaged, one of the first things a
surgeon may do after entering the abdomen is an attempt to diagnose the source of the bleeding
(and maybe control it) by performing the Pringle maneuver. This maneuver consists of
compressing the structures of the hepatoduodenal ligament between the thumb and forefinger, or
between the prongs of a clamp that will not damage delicate tissue. By performing the Pringle
maneuver, one stops the liver from receiving blood conveyed to it by the common hepatic artery
and portal vein. (If the right hepatic artery arises from the SMA, it too will be compressed by the
Pringle maneuver, but a left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery will escape such
compression.) If the Pringle maneuver stops the major bleeding, one has learned that the
damaged vessels are derived either from the portal vein or hepatic artery. If the bleeding
continues nearly unabated, then it is coming from torn tributaries of a hepatic vein. The Pringle
maneuver can be maintained for about half an hour without risk of damage to the liver. Warm ischemia time of the liver is an hour, but a little breathing
room is wise.
The Splenocolic Ligament
Mobilization of the splenic flexure of the colon, as would be
necessary when removing the left or transverse colons, places the spleen at risk of injury. Surgical texts
mention the necessity of cutting the "splenocolic ligament" to minimize the risk of traction on the
spleen that can rupture it. Some atlases of anatomy depict what I believe to represent a splenocolic
ligament, but I have never seen it labeled as such. Pictures in surgical texts are highly stylized.
Most anatomy texts don't mention such a structure.
On one occasion I expressed to a class my doubt that a splenocolic ligament actually existed. An hour later
a group students called me over to show me one. I include its picture here.
CHAPTER 32 - Surface
Anatomy of
Abdominal Structures
Spleen
The close relationship of the spleen to the posterior portions of left 9th - 11th ribs makes this
organ particularly susceptible to puncture by a rib fragment consequent upon traumatic injury to
the left posterior thorax.
Normally the spleen is not palpable. When it is greatly enlarged, it expands anteriorly to the
right, and also inferiorly. Then it may be palpated (particularly on deep inspiration) as it emerges
from under cover of the left costal margin, between this margin and the umbilicus.
Gallbladder Disease and Murphy's Sign
One clinical test for acute cholecystitis is the attempt to elicit Murphy's sign. You push down on
the abdomen at the right costal margin where you expect the gallbladder to lie, and ask the
patient to make a deep inspiration. A positive Murphy's sign is defined as the abrupt and early
cessation of the patient's inspiratory effort. It is generally viewed as indicating acute
inflammation of the gallbladder.
CHAPTER 34 - Internal Organs of the Pelvis
Common to Both Sexes
Urinary Bladder and Urethra
The text states simply that at the origin of the urethra there is a smooth muscle internal sphincter that relaxes when the bladder is full. The situation is rather more complex. Having read some papers on this topic, I am inclined to agree with two statements offered by Hinman (Hinman, F Jr. 1993 Atlas of Urosurgical Anatomy. Saunders, Philadelphia): "Although many anatomists have described the male sphincteric mechanisms, it is still difficult to form a unified construction from the various interpretations" (p. 372), and "The muscular, and consequently the functional, anatomy of the female urethra has been extensively studied, with each student tending to contribute an individual interpretation" (p. 405).
Regarding males, one author (McNeal JE 1972 The prostate and prostatic urethra: a morphologic synthesis. J Urol 107:1008-1016) describes a smooth muscle circular sphincter at the superior opening of the urethra, but others tend to speak of complex fiber orientations that are sphincteric in function but not in structure. Regardless, the muscle here is called the "internal sphincter". More consistently described is a genuinely circular smooth muscle sphincter that surrounds the upper 1 - 1.5 cm of the prostatic urethra, superior to the seminal colliculus (verumontanum). This portion of the urethra is called the "preprostatic" portion even though it isn't preprostatic. The sphincter around the preprostatic urethra is called the preprostatic sphincter. Both the internal sphincter and the preprostatic sphincter are caused to contract by sympathetic nerves, and to relax by parasympathetic nerves. There is considerable debate on how important these sphincters are for urinary continence in the male. While most authors assert they play a role, studies have shown that surgical damage to them does not lead to urinary incontinence. It is true that preservation of the bladder neck (and hence the internal urethral sphincter) during prostatectomy does enable the patient to regain continence earlier than if the bladder neck had been removed, but after a year there is no difference in rates of continence between patients who have had the bladder neck preserved and those who have had it removed. Most experts seem to agree that the major function of the internal urethral and preprostatic sphincters is to prevent retrograde ejaculation (i.e., during orgasm, semen is squirted into the bladder rather than out of the penis). Supporting such a view is the fact that the "internal sphincter" of females is even less sphincter-like than that of males, and there is nothing comparable in women to the preprostatic sphincter of men (Gosling JA 1985 The structure of the female lower urinary tract and pelvic floor. Urol Clin N Amer 12(2):207- 214).
As the uterus enlarges during pregnancy its pull on the round ligament may cause inguinal
pain.
Sampson's Artery
This may be of relevance only to Stony Brook medical students. During the third-year clerkship in Obstetrics & Gynecology, our students are often asked what vascular structure must be ligated when cutting through the round ligament of the uterus during a hysterectomy. The attending physicians are looking for the answer "Sampson's artery", which I believe is the ligamentous branch of the uterine artery that runs within, or parallel and under cover of, the round ligament of the uterus.
Culdocentesis
The posterior cul-de-sac is the most dependent part of the peritoneal cavity when a woman is standing or when she is supine. Consequently, free-floating abnormal contents of the peritoneal cavity tend to settle there. A physician may sample the contents of the posterior cul-de-sac by passing a needle
through the posterior fornix of the vagina and the peritoneum on its surface. This procedure is
called culdocentesis. There is no comparably easy way to enter the rectovesical pouch of males. Years ago, culdocentesis was often done to look for intraperitoneal nonclotting blood when a ruptured ectopic pregnancy was suspected. Modern blood tests for pregnancy, and ultrasound imaging techniques, now obviate the need for culdocentesis in such cases. It would only be used if there was some reason the patient could not have access to these techniques. I have also read that culdocentesis may be done to gather a sample of peritoneal fluid for identifying the causative infectious agent in pelvic inflammatory disease, or to look for blood in the peritoneal cavity after blunt abdominal trauma (Roberts JR et al. 2004 Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, 4th ed., Saunders, Philadelphia). However, I have yet to find a Stony Brook student who has seen a culdocentesis performed.
Anastomosis Between the Uterine and Ovarian Arteries
The anastomosis between the ovarian and uterine arteries within the broad ligament is clinically very important. First, some cancers of the uterine cervix are treated by surgical removal of the cervix and reattachment of the remaining part of the uterus to the vagina. If possible, only the cervicovaginal branches of the uterine arteries are ligated, but sometimes the uterine arteries themselves must be tied off. In such cases, it has been demonstrated that the ovarian arteries may alone provide enough blood to the remaining uterine body to keep it alive, allowing normal menstrual periods and even successful pregnancy (Sieunarine K et al. 2005 Selective vessel ligation in the pelvis: an invaluable tool in certain surgical procedures. Int J Gynecol Cancer 15:967-973). Another example of the importance of the ovarian/uterine arterial anastomosis is revealed during the much more common procedure of treating symptomatic uterine fibroids by depriving them of blood supply. In this procedure, called uterine artery embolization (UAE), a percutaneous catheter inserted into the common femoral artery is threaded into the uterine artery (or its ascending branch, which feeds the uterine body). Then, tiny (generally 500 - 700 µm) polyvinyl alcohol or absorbable gelatin particles are injected into the vessel. The particles lodge in arterioles and block blood flow, causing the fibroids to shrink. While UAE is a generally successful method of treating uterine fibroids, it does not always work. The failures are believed to occur in women whose fibroids continue to receive adequate blood supply via the ovarian artery. On the other hand, in a small percentage of women, especially in ones over the age of 45, a successful UAE for uterine fibroids may lead to premature onset of menopause. It is believed that, while the uterine artery has the potential to be a significant supplier of blood to the ovary in all women, it may take on a more important role as a woman ages and the tiny ovarian arteries become compromised. In such individuals, UAE deprives the ovary of the blood it needs to do its job. Premature onset of menopause is also something that must be mentioned as a possibility to any patient undergoing hysterectomy, which of course requires uterine artery ligation. Again, the risk is probably much greater in older women.
Pain of Labor and Delivery
The most severe labor pain arises from sustained contractions of the uterine body. This pain is
carried centrally along axons that run in the same nerves that bring sympathetic supply to the organ. Thus, it
reaches T10-L1 of the spinal cord. A milder pain arises from cervical distension as the fetus
starts its descent. This pain travels centrally along axons that run in nerve bundles carrying parasympathetic
innervation to the uterus. Thus, it reaches S3-S4 of the spinal cord (and may be referred to the
region over the sacrum). The pain of delivery is a somatic pain due to perineal stretching and, if
performed, episiotomy. This pain is carried by the pudendal nerve (S2-S4).
It is possible to
eliminate all labor and delivery pain by anesthetizing spinal nerves T10-S4. Nowadays, the most
popular means of producing anesthesia of T10-S4 is via a lumbar epidural block. One determines if the proper levels have been anesthetized by testing
the skin for its ability to respond to touch. The level of insensibility must rise as high as the
umbilicus (T10) and as low as the perineum.
If one desires only to eliminate the pain of delivery, it is possible to perform a pudendal
nerve block. The most common method of pudendal block is the transvaginal approach, which
involves inserting a finger and a needle, protected by guard, into the vagina. The finger identifies
the ischial spine and the needle is pushed through the vaginal mucosa and sacrospinous ligament,
so that the tissue around the pudendal nerve (which lies on the dorsal surface of the ligament) can
be infiltrated with anesthesia. The position of the internal pudendal artery crossing the tip of the
ischial spine puts it out of the way of the needle, but one must always withdraw the
plunger of the syringe to verify that the needle has not entered this vessel or its accompanying
vein(s).
CHAPTER 37 - Ovary, Blood
Vessels
of the Pelvis
Connection Between Peritoneal Cavity and External
World
in Women
Because infections can travel from the vagina into the peritoneal cavity, gonorrhea may
spread to the peritoneal cavity in females in a way not possible in males.
If a fertilized
ovum (i.e., a zygote) lying in the ampulla of the uterine tube (Fallopian tube) fails to travel toward the uterus, but instead exits the abdominal ostium of the tube and enters the peritoneal cavity, the result may be
an abdominal ectopic pregnancy. The embryo may implant on the broad ligament, or bowel
mesentery, or a loop of bowel itself, or parietal peritoneum.
Uterine lining cells shed during menses may
also travel "retrograde" into the peritoneal cavity, where these cells may attach to the parietal
peritoneum of the pelvis - a condition known as endometriosis. (Actually, although endometriosis is defined as having uterine lining cells growing on peritoneum, not everyone believes it happens through retrograde menses.)
Finally, the physician, may inject radio-opaque dye or radiolucent gas into the uterus, with
the full expectation that if the uterine tubes are normal the injected material will reach the peritoneal
cavity. If it does not, there is an obstruction in the lumen of the tube.
CHAPTER 38 - Perineum I (Including Erectile Structures)
Risks to Erectile Mechanism During Pelvic Surgery in Men
The pelvic splanchnic nerves are sometimes called nervi erigentes (L. erigo, to raise),
because they carry the preganglionic parasympathetic axons that, upon stimulation, cause the
phallus to erect. These particular axons probably synapse in ganglia within the pelvic plexuses.
In males, the relevant postganglionic fibers emerge from the pelvic plexus and descend inferiorly
along the posterolateral aspect of the prostate gland. Surgeons refer to these as the cavernous
nerves. They run next to a prostatic artery and vein, forming a neurovascular bundle (see images 3, 5 and 10 at Below the apex of the prostate the
nerves pass onto the lateral aspect of the sphincter urethrae, and then onto the lateral aspect of the membranous urethra, which they follow through
the pelvic diaphragm and perineal membrane to reach the corpora cavernosa. Operations on the
rectum put the pelvic plexus at risk. Operations on the prostate put the cavernous nerves at risk.
Damage to either may lead to impotence - hence the development of "nerve sparing" prostate
surgery described in several papers by Dr. Patrick C. Walsh of
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Episiotomy
Although mention is made in this chapter of midline episiotomy, I would like to quote an authoritative text on the value of this procedure:
"Historically, it was believed that episiotomy improved outcome by reducing pressure on the fetal head, protecting the maternal perineum from extensive tearing, and subsequent pelvic relaxation. However, consistent data since the late 1980s confirm that midline episiotomy actually increases the risk of third- and fourth-degree tears. Therefore, there should be no role for routine episiotomy in modern obstetrics. ... Although there is no role for routine episiotomy, indicated episiotomy should be performed in select situations and providers should receive training in the skill. Indications for episiotomy include the need to expedite delivery in the setting of fetal heart rate abnormalities or for relief of shoulder dystocia." (Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. 2007. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies, 5th ed., Churchill Livingstone)
CHAPTER 40 - Perineum III
(Including
Nerves and Vessels)
More on Ruptured Urethra in Men
If the rupture of the urethra into the perineal cleft is unilateral, urine will first fill one side of
the perineum and one scrotal sac. However, because the anterosuperior edge of the scrotal
septum is free, urine always passes to the other side.
In addition to the possibility that a careless catheterization may rupture the exposed part of
the urethra between the perineal membrane and bulb, leading to urine accumulation in the
perineal cleft and confluent spaces, there are also cases in which the tip of the catheter may be
driven through the back wall of the bulbar urethra. If the rupture goes no further, urine will
simply spread throughout the blood-filled sinuses of the bulb and corpus spongiosum. If the
catheter also pierces the tunica albuginea of the bulb, bloody urine will enter the space between
deep perineal fascia and the tunica albuginea of the bulb (ordinarily this space is occupied
only by the bulbospongiosus muscle) but will still be confined to the middle of the perineum and
ventral surface of the penis. Subsequent infection may then cause breakdown of the deep
perineal fascia and entry of urine into the perineal cleft. This entire process may also result from
primary untreated infection of the penile urethra.
By the way, a former student of mine who is now a resident in Urology says I have caused third-year students to be excessively afraid of inserting urethral catheters. When you do your clerkships, let me know.
CHAPTER 42 - Pelvic Surface
Anatomy
Rectal Examination in Women
Normally the posterior wall of the vagina is examined intravaginally. However, if a vaginal
examination cannot be performed (such as in a child) a rectal examination can give some
information about the back wall of the vagina. Rectal examination in adult women is done
primarily to provide information about posterior cul-de-sac, the uterine cervix, and the lower
uterine body.
Suprapubic Incision
The close relationship of the urinary bladder to the anterior pelvic brim is of significance.
When empty, the bladder does not rise out of the pelvis, but when full it usually does. As the
bladder roof rises, it takes parietal peritoneum with it. Thus, with the patient's bladder full, one
may make a surgical incision above the pubic symphysis and enter the subperitoneal area of the
pelvic cavity. If this is desired, the bladder is artificially inflated at the time of surgery by means
of a urethral catheter.
Surgeons view the parotid gland as being divided into superficial and deep lobes by the facial
nerve. The superficial lobe comprises 70% of the gland. This lobar division is purely descriptive, there being no
other anatomical or functional significance to these "lobes". Depending on tumor location, it
may be possible to effect a cure by removing only the superficial lobe, rather than performing a
total parotidectomy.
CHAPTER 46 - Cervical
Ventral
Rami
The distribution of the supraclavicular nerves has a particular relevance for clinical
diagnosis. It will be recalled that the bulk of the phrenic nerve derives from the same spinal
segments (C3 and C4) as do the supraclavicular nerves. Disease of the mediastinal pleura, or of the central
diaphragmatic pleura, may give rise not only to pain perceived as being deep within the chest, but
also to a referred pain perceived as being located in the subcutaneous tissues supplied by the
supraclavicular nerves. It will be recalled that gallbladder disease sometimes leads to referred
pain in the right shoulder. This is may be due to irritation of the diaphragmatic peritoneum, but I
have also read that some peculiar phrenic nerve fibers reach the gallbladder.
CHAPTER 47 - The
Larynx
The valleculae and piriform recesses are places where fish bones and the like may lodge.
It is interesting that the larynx actually sits higher in the newborn than in the adult. At birth,
the superior tip of the epiglottis lies just behind the soft palate. The oropharynx exists only as a small
region anterior to the epiglottis. An oropharynx of significant dimensions develops concomitantly
with descent of the larynx in early childhood. As a result of the high position of the larynx in the
newborn, the food and air passageways are separate, enabling liquid food to be swallowed at the
same time as breathing occurs. This is good for suckling. Newborns tend to breathe solely through their noses, although
they
outgrow this habit before the larynx descends.
Intubation of Children
Long term intubation of children is prone to lead to a condition called subglottic stenosis,
which is a narrowing of the air passage at the level of the cricoid cartilage. It develops because
the cricoid is a complete ring and cannot yield around the tube. This can lead to formation of scar
tissue at the site of contact between the endotracheal tube and the mucous membrane lining of the cricoid cartilage.
CHAPTER 48 - Trachea,
Pharynx, Esophagus, Thyroid and Parathyroids
Zenker's Diverticulum
As stated in Core Concepts, the cricopharyngeus (also known as the Upper Esophageal
Sphincter, or UES) must relax so that swallowed food can enter the esophagus. If this doesn't happen
properly, pressure build-up proximal to the UES may cause an outpocketing of pharyngeal
mucosa at the site of relative muscle weakness between the cricopharyngeal and thyropharyngeal
portions of the inferior constrictor. The site of relative weakness is called Killian's triangle. Such an outpocketing through Killian's triangle is called a Zenker's diverticulum. If large it can be
symptomatic, requiring surgical treatment that involves cutting the cricopharyngeus (i.e., a
cricopharyngeal myotomy).
CHAPTER 49 - The Great
Arteries and
Veins of the Neck
(Vertebral) Subclavian Steal
In normal circulation, some fraction of the blood entering a subclavian artery will find its way into the vertebral artery (a branch of the subclavian) and be carried to the beginning of basilar artery, formed by junction of the right and left vertebrals. If there should develop a stenosis (narrowing of the lumen) in one subclavian artery proximal to the origin of its vertebral branch, then quite obviously a reduced amount of blood reaches its vertebral branch and, indeed, the entire upper limb on that side. When you measure the blood pressure in each arm, it is lower on the affected side (usually the left) by >20 mm Hg. What then happens is that the body takes advantage of the fact that the formation of the basilar artery by the right and left vertebrals represents a normal right-left anastomosis between the two subclavian arteries. Blood passing through the contralateral open subclavian artery and its vertebral branch will reach the beginning of the basilar artery, where some of this blood will continue into the basilar to supply the brain, but some travels retrograde down the vertebral artery whose subclavian parent is stenotic (so little blood is getting into that vertebral artery by the normal route that there is minimal resistance to retrograde flow). The arterial blood flowing backward in the vertebral artery of the affected side reaches the diseased subclavian artery distal to its narrowing. This is called a subclavian steal phenomenon because the stenotic subclavian is stealing blood from the brain. In the past, subclavian steal was thought to lead often to symptoms (dizziness and a sense that one is about to faint, problems with coordination, and more rarely visual disturbances) arising from ischemia of the part of the brain fed by the basilar artery. When these symptoms arose, the patient was said to have a subclavian steal syndrome. If the patient with subclavian steal did not regularly experience neurologic symptoms, it was believed that such symptoms could be elicited by exercise of the affected upper limb, because arteriolar dilatation in the limb increases the retrograde flow in the vertebral artery and thus steals more blood from the brain. Furthermore, if the blood flow to the limb was still insufficient to meet its demands, it would experience ischemic pain. (Ischemic pain in an exercising limb is called claudication, and often occurs in the lower limb of people with bad arteriosclerosis.) In recent years, the ease of determining the direction of arterial blood flow by means of duplex ultrasound has led to the observation that >90% of patients characterized by reversed flow in a vertebral artery (i.e, subclavian steal phenomenon) are asymptomatic under all circumstances (Labropoulos N et al. 2010 Prevalence and impact of the subclavian steal syndrome. Ann Surg 252:166-170). Those few that do experience symptoms are characterized by large differentials in blood pressure between the two upper limbs. In these patients, neurologic symptoms are more common than upper limb pain, and there is no good evidence that exercise of the affected limb brings on neurologic symptoms (Bornstein NM and Morris JW 1986 Subclavian steal: a harmless hemodynamic phenomenon. Lancet 186;2:303-305). A person with subclavian steal phenomenon will probably only develop symptoms if atherosclerosis in other cranial arteries prevents adequate collateral flow. If such patients cannot be managed conservatively, they can be treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the stenosed subclavian artery, or by surgically shunting blood from the ipsilateral common carotid artery into the affected subclavian artery distal to the narrowing.
Coronary Subclavian Steal Syndrome
Imagine a patient who has a minor narrowing of the left subclavian artery proximal to the origin of the vertebral artery. As just mentioned, this may very well be asymptomatic. However, it would not be unusual for such a patient to have coronary artery disease that was symptomatic. There might be multiple sites of coronary artery stenosis, but a site in the proximal part of the LAD is common. If the decision were made to treat this coronary artery disease with a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), the most common procedure would involve cutting the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) distally, then suturing the cut end to the LAD beyond the site of blockage. (The great saphenous vein would be taken from a lower limb and used to bypass other blockages via a procedure I will not describe, but you might have seen in a classroom cadaver.) If, after the surgery, the narrowing of the patient's left subclavian artery continues to progress, he or she may then experience not only neurologic symptoms when exercising the left upper limb (because of the steal mechanism discussed in the previous Clinical Sidelight), but also cardiac angina resulting from the fact that blood can now also be "stolen" from the heart by flowing up the LIMA to reach the left subclavian artery distal to its stenosis. Indeed, the chest pain may be the most prominent symptom. This actually occurs in a small percent of patients; it is called coronary subclavian steal syndrome. A number of authors suggest that a patient scheduled for a CABG should be investigated for stenosis of the left subclavian artery. If such were found, PTA would be performed on the subclavian prior to undertaking the CABG.
CHAPTER 52 - Some
Important
Relationships of Cervical Structures
Esophagus
Surgery on the cervical esophagus approaches it from the left side, where it is partly exposed.
Thoracic Duct
Surgery at the root of the neck on the left side runs the risk of nicking the thoracic duct. If
this occurs, the vessel must be ligated to prevent continuous discharge of lymph into the neck. To
avoid such a possibility, surgeons may first identify and tie off the thoracic duct. A similar
attempt to tie off smaller lymphatic ducts may be made during surgery at the root of the right
neck. When I first learned of this, I thought it was crazy, but there are apparently no
consequences of tying off major lymphatic vessels on one side of the body.
CHAPTER 53 - Surface
Anatomy of the Neck
Subclavian Vein
The description in Core Concepts of where to insert the needle for placement of central venous
catheter is taken from a standard textbook on critical care medicine. Two of
my colleagues at Stony Brook say they prefer to start the needle one
thumbswidth below the junction of the middle and lateral thirds of the
clavicle. They believe that by starting here and depressing the skin with the
thumb, they can more easily keep the needle parallel to a coronal plane. One
of the great dangers in sticking a subclavian vein is directing the needle
posteriorly into the lung, with resulting pneumothorax. The risk of pneumothorax is about 1-2%
on each attempt at a subclavian stick. For this reason, if you try a subclavian stick and fail, most hospitals will not allow an attempt on the other side until a chest Xray has shown that the first (failed) effort did not produce an ipsilateral
pneumothorax.
Because the size of the cranial vault is not controlled genetically, but rather is a function of
what is going on inside the braincase, if the newborn's brain does not grow adequately, the
cranial vault stays small (microcephaly). If the cranial contents become excessively voluminous,
as in hydrocephalus, the cranial vault responds by excessive enlargement.
Sutural Fusion, Both Normal and Otherwise
After adulthood, the sutural connective tissue is no longer essential for growth of the
neurocranium. Nevertheless, this tissue usually persists well past puberty (except for the metopic
suture). In middle age the bones bordering any given suture may bridge across the connective
tissue and fuse. The suture is then said to be fused, or closed. This happens a lot in some people and
hardly at all in others. It is of no functional consequence.
In rare instances the metopic suture does not become closed in early childhood. It can then be
visualized in anteroposterior Xrays as a wavy radiolucency in the midline of the frontal "bone." It
is important to recognize this possibility so that such a wavy midline radiolucency is not
mistaken for a fracture (which, by the way, is hardly ever in the midline and never appears wavy).
More commonly a bit of the metopic suture just superior to the nasal bones persists well into
adult life.
While it makes no difference if a suture closes after its normal period of growth has come to an end, closure significantly prior to this time has profound effects on skull shape. If a suture closes prematurely, expansion of the
cranial vault perpendicular to that suture is retarded. The remaining normal sutures will undergo
excessive growth in order to keep the size of the vault in pace with intracranial contents. This
leads to recognizable deformations of the skull. For example, if the metopic suture closes shortly
after birth, the forehead ceases to grow in width, but the back of the skull compensates. The result
is a skull that, when viewed from the top, appears triangular, with the apex anteriorly. This is
called trigonocephaly. If the sagittal suture closes prematurely, growth in width of most of the
cranial vault will be retarded. Compensatory growth in the coronal suture will cause the
braincase to become longer than normal, and compensatory growth in the lambdoid and
squamosal sutures will lead to excessive skull height. This condition of a narrow, but long and tall skull is called scaphocephaly; it
is the most common deformation due to premature sutural closure.
Premature sutural fusion is known as craniosynostosis. It comes in two varieties: simple (one
suture fused) or compound (two or more fused sutures). Either variety of craniosynostosis may be primary, meaning there are no
other recognizable physical abnormalities, or secondary, meaning there are other obvious
developmental defects. In simple primary craniosynostosis, the rate of severe cognitive disability is
3-6% (somewhat higher when the coronal suture is fused than when the sagittal suture is fused). This value is 2 to 3 times greater
than would otherwise be expected. Less severe learning disabilities
appear in about half the children with a simple primary craniosynostosis. In compound primary
craniosynostosis, severe cognitive disability occurs 35-50% of the time.
It has not been
determined whether the cognitive problems associated with primary craniosynostoses are caused by an
underlying brain malformation, by increased intracranial pressure, or by a distortion of the brain
due to the synostosis. Most people believe that the latter possibility is only reasonable when
multiple sutures are fused.
Premature sutural fusion is treated surgically. In the simplest case, a strip of bone on either
side of the fused suture is removed and some measure taken to prevent regrowth and closure. It
has not been possible to demonstrate that surgery to correct the synostosis alters the cognitive
development of the patient. One recent study on a small sample of children with simple
synostosis, some of whom had surgery to correct it and others of whom did not, found no effect
of surgical correction on rate of learning disability. The primary reason for
performing such surgery is cosmetic.
CHAPTER 57 - Face, Scalp,
Eyelids,
and Parotid Gland
The Corrugator Supercilii Muscle and Frontal Migraine Headaches
In the figure associated with Chapter 57, and in Table 17, I reference only those facial muscles I consider to be of particular importance. In 2009, I added corrugator supercilii to that list. For a few years previously, I had thought about mentioning this muscle because it is a target of cosmetic Botox therapy to eliminate the vertical creases above the root of the nose. However, I could never convince myself this was sufficient reason to include it in Core Concepts. Now I have learned that the corrugator supercilii is the focus of surgical treatment for frontal migraine headaches. As was previously mentioned, there is a school of thought that irritation of certain peripheral nerves can trigger the onset of migraine headaches. It turns out that plastic surgeons discovered that some patients who underwent forehead rejuvenation by means of Botox injection reported that following this procedure their migraine headaches went away. By way of explanation, it was hypothesized that compression of the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves by the overlying corrugator supercilii had triggered the headaches, and when the muscle was paralyzed the trigger was gone, at least until the Botox wore off. Later studies showed that if a frontal migraine sufferer benefitted from Botox injection into the corrugator supercilii muscles, that patient was likely to gain permanent relief, or a significant amelioration of the pain, by surgical removal of these muscles (Guyuron B et al. 2005 Comprehensive surgical treatment of migraine headaches. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 115:1-9; Poggi T et al. 2008 Confirmation of surgical decompression to relieve migraine headaches. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 122:115-122). Hence, the corrugator supercilii has earned itself a place in Core Concepts. You can also read about peripheral nerve anatomy in relation to occipital migraines and
temporal migraines.
Scalp Wounds
In the case of transverse scalp wounds that penetrate the galea, the wound margins are held
apart by the opposite pulls of frontalis and occipitalis on the epicranial aponeurosis. This causes
extensive bleeding, and such wounds require stitching. Wounds to the scalp that penetrate the galea also present a risk of infectious
matter entering the subaponeurotic space and spreading over the entire surface of the cranial
vault. The infectious material may even spread through emissary foramina to reach the cranial
cavity.
CHAPTER 58 - The Cranial
Dura and
Dural Venous Sinuses
Subdural Hematoma
The veins on the lateral and superior surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres pass to the superior
sagittal sinus. Cerebral veins that are destined for the posterior part of this sinus turn forward
while still in the subarachnoid space to approach the dural wall of the sinus at an acute angle.
These veins then travel obliquely forward through the dural wall of the sinus before opening into it.
To some degree the oblique course of cerebral veins into the superior sagittal sinus minimizes the
likelihood that forward and backward motion of the cerebrum will cause the veins to shear off
the sinus wall. However, apparently such a mechanism is imperfect, for occasionally a severe
blow to the front or back of the skull causes such large anteroposterior displacements of the brain
that some cerebral veins do shear off the superior sagittal sinus wall. Blood then spills into the
subdural space, producing a subdural hematoma. The blood is under low pressure and
accumulation is usually gradual. Symptoms of cerebral compression can occur within hours after the injury, but they may not occur until much
later, when the blood breaks down and forms a fluid of high osmotic pressure that draws in
further tissue fluid causing an increase in size.
Middle Ear Veins
Veins from the middle ear find their way to the superior petrosal sinus. This is of clinical
significance as a route of spread of infection from the middle ear to the superior petrosal and
transverse sinuses.
Cavernous Sinus Disease
The potential threats to life resulting from cavernous sinus infection are the same as those of
any other dural venous sinus. However, before these occur, existence of cavernous sinus thrombosis is
betrayed by a series of other symptoms. Many of these will not be understood until you learn
more anatomy, but they will all be described here.
First there occurs a swelling of the eyelids and neighboring tissues, owing to retardation of
venous flow through the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins. Second, there is dilatation of
retinal veins (which may be visualized ophthalmoscopically) and edema of orbital tissues (which
causes the eyeball to move forward--a condition known as exophthalmos or proptosis). The optic nerve may
or may not become swollen.
Because important nerves run through the cavernous sinus, an inflammatory state within it
will soon produce symptoms related to axonal malfunctioning. Thus, pain or tingling over the
sensory distribution of the ophthalmic nerve will develop. This will be followed by anesthesia
over the same area. In the case that the maxillary nerve has a course through the lower part of the
sinus, its areas of sensory distribution may be subject to the same disturbances as those of the
ophthalmic nerve. Weakness (paresis) and then paralysis of the muscles supplied by the
oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves becomes apparent. Usually, the abducens nerve is the
first to be affected because of its central location within the sinus.
As if septic thrombosis of
one cavernous sinus were not bad enough, the existence of intercavernous sinuses permits spread
from one side to the other. Hopefully, long before this happens, the patient will have been treated
with antibiotics. Nerve symptoms will then disappear and collateral routes of venous drainage
will expand, or the thrombus will resolve.
Aneurysm of the internal carotid artery with the cavernous sinus may mimic some of the
symptoms of sinus thrombosis, especially those related to retardation of superior ophthalmic
venous return and compression of the abducens nerve. If the aneurysm ruptures to create an
arteriovenous fistula, the exophthalmotic eyeball will pulsate.
When Dan Donoho first told me of the this procedure, which involves threading fine catheters into the right and left inferior petrosal sinuses, I was incredulous, but it turns out that BIPSS is considered the most accurate method of diagnosing Cushing's disease. Cushing's disease is defined as excess production of ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) by the pituitary gland. It is almost always caused by a tiny benign pituitary tumor (microadenoma), frequently too small to be seen on CT or MRI. The excess ACTH causes the adrenal gland cortex to produce excess glucocorticoids (principally cortisol), leading to a set of symptoms that comprise Cushing's syndrome. (Cushing's syndrome arises whenever the adrenal cortex produces excess glucocorticoids. About 20% of the time the disease is in the gland itself, and not to due to excess ACTH production. The latter can be assessed by measuring plasma ACTH levels.) If every time a person had too much ACTH in their blood it was due a problem in the pituitary gland, then diagnosis would be simple. However, in about 15% of patients with excess plasma ACTH, the hypersecretion comes not from a tumor in the pituitary gland, but from a tumor in some other organ (most often the lung). This is referred to as ectopic ACTH syndrome. How can you decide if the excess ACTH is coming from the pituitary (Cushing's disease), or is of ectopic origin? This is where BIPSS comes in. It is based on the following facts: (1) venous drainage from the pituitary gland goes to the cavernous sinus, (2) the right half of the gland drains to the right cavernous sinus and the left half of the gland drains to the left cavernous sinus, and (3) a substantial portion of cavernous sinus blood drains via the inferior petrosal sinus into the jugular bulb. Without going into details (which you can read in Miller DL & Doppman JL. 1991 Petrosal sinus sampling: technique and rationale. Radiology 178:37-47), the BIPSS procedure consists of inserting a small catheter into the right common femoral vein, threading it all the way up to the right IJV, and (under fluoroscopic guidance) manipulating it into the right inferior petrosal sinus. A second catheter is then inserted into the left common femoral vein and threaded all the way up into the left IJV and left inferior petrosal sinus. This is a bit trickier because of the changes in direction from the SVC into the left brachiocephalic vein, and from the latter into the left IJV. The catheters placed in the two inferior petrosal sinuses are said to sample "central" venous blood.
A third catheter is inserted into a peripheral vein, like the median cubital. Levels of ACTH in the venous blood of each inferior petrosal sinus and in the peripheral vein are measured. If the source of the excess ACTH is a pituitary adenoma, the level of ACTH in one or both of the inferior petrosal sinuses will be much greater than in the peripheral vein. If the source of the ACTH was a tumor in some other organ, then the level of ACTH in the central venous blood will not be significantly different from that in the peripheral venous blood. Both inferior petrosal sinuses are sampled because a small tumor in one half of the pituitary gland will generally cause excess ACTH only in the ipsilateral cavernous and inferior petrosal sinuses, so if you were to sample only one side, you could miss a contralateral tumor. (There are also instances when the entire gland drains only to one cavernous sinus. In these instances you would miss the diagnosis entirely if you had decided to sample only one inferior petrosal sinus and, by chance, you chose the wrong side.) If the BIPSS procedure proves the source of excess ACTH is in the pituitary gland, the patient is scheduled for pituitary resection. In many cases, one can be pretty sure about the side of the gland in which the tumor resides, and the surgeon may choose to remove only that side of the gland. Finally, it is also possible to thread the central catheters through the inferior petrosal sinuses into the cavernous sinuses. Some authors advocate this technique, but most authors find it to be no more accurate than BIPPS, and two cases of transient abducens nerve palsies have been reported.
An example of how the state of superficial structures may provide information about dural
sinuses is the dilatation of veins and swelling of tissue over the mastoid process when there is
thrombosis at the junction of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses secondary to a middle ear
infection. The venous dilatation and tissue edema is due to blockage of blood flow in the mastoid emissary vein. It is also possible for the intracranial thrombus and infection to spread via the mastoid emissary vein to the tissue over the mastoid region.
Infections of the face pose the very serious threat of passage to the cavernous sinus. One
route is via the communication established between the facial vein and the cavernous sinus by
the superior ophthalmic vein. Another, more complicated, route uses the facial vein's connection to the pterygoid plexus via the deep facial vein. Once the infection has reached the pterygoid plexus, it may spread to the cavernous sinus via an emissary vein through the foramen
ovale, or via an emissary vein that runs through the inferior orbital fissure to join the inferior
ophthalmic vein, which in turn empties into the cavernous sinus (see figure for Chapter 68).
CHAPTER 60 - The Orbit and
Eyeball
Eye Color
The posterior (retinal) layer of the iris normally always contains pigment. If the anterior
(uveal) layer of the iris is unpigmented, one will have blue eyes. If the anterior layer of the iris
contains lots of pigment, the eyes will be brown. Variants between blue and brown depend on the
amount of pigment in the anterior layer.
Episcleral Space
Because Tenon's capsule intervenes between the bulbar conjunctiva and the visible part of
the sclera, blood or infectious matter that accumulates in the episcleral space (i.e., between the
sclera and Tenon's capsule) may reveal themselves by elevation of the bulbar conjunctiva.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma must be treated because the increased intraocular pressure presents a threat to the
optical retina. Some cases can be treated medically, others are treated by surgically creating a
path of egress of aqueous humor.
CHAPTER 62 - Ocular Motion
and
Extraocular Muscles
Range of Ocular Motion
An eyeball can be abducted or adducted a maximum of 50 degrees in either direction. It can
be elevated or depressed a maximum of 45 degrees in either direction. However, in normal use
the eyeball rarely deviates from its primary position more than 15 degrees in any direction (von
Noorden, GK, 1990, Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility, 4th ed., CV Mosby, St.
Louis).
Cyclovertical Muscles
Each vertical rectus and each oblique muscle produces significant rotations of the eyeball
around two axes - optic and horizontal. For this reason, ophthalmologists group these four
muscles together under the rubric "cyclovertical muscles". As the eye abducts, the vertical recti
become increasingly better at producing vertical excursions and increasingly poor at producing
torsions (cyclorotations), whereas the obliques become better cyclorotators and worse at elevation/depression. In contrast,
during adduction of the eye the opposite changes occur - the vertical recti becoming increasingly
good at cycloductions and worse at producing vertical motions, while the obliques become
increasingly better at producing vertical excursions and worse at producing torsions. At
maximum adduction, the obliques are almost pure elevator/depressors whereas the vertical recti
are primarily cyclorotators. However, in more commonly used states of adduction, the strong
vertical recti are able to make a very significant (some say even predominant) contribution to
vertical excursion. Indeed, persons with both obliques nonfunctioning can still elevate and
depress the adducted eye (von Noorden, pers. comm.).
Cyclovertical Muscles as
Adductors/Abductors
Cyclovertical muscles also have an effect around the vertical axis to produce either adduction
or abduction. However, it is known from experiments on monkeys that no combination of the
vertical recti and obliques is able to adduct an eye whose medial rectus is paralyzed but whose
lateral rectus is intact, nor can the cyclovertical muscles abduct an eye whose lateral rectus is paralyzed but medial rectus is
intact. It is true that if both horizontal recti are eliminated, the vertical recti have the ability to
adduct the eye somewhat, and the obliques have the ability to abduct it somewhat. It has been
said that in the normal eye the vertical recti can be significant as adductors once the eye has already
been brought to 35° of adduction by the medial rectus, but such a position is uncommon.
Normal Cyclorotation
There is one behavior in which cyclorotation of the eyeball normally occurs. When a person
laterally flexes the neck so that his or her ear approaches the shoulder, the eyes cyclorotate in the
opposite direction by several degrees. For example, if you tilt your head so your right ear
approaches your right shoulder, your right eye will incycloduct (intort) and your left eye will
excycloduct (extort), in a seeming attempt to minimize your perception of environmental
spinning. The right eye's intorsion is brought about by the SR and SO, whose vertical effects
nullify one another; the left eye's extorsion is brought about by the IR and IO, whose vertical effects nullify one another.
This normal cyclorotation during head tilt is the basis of the Bielschowsky Head-Tilt Test, a very important diagnostic maneuver
described below.
More About Strabismus
As stated in this chapter, strabismus is defined as divergence of the optic axes (more
precisely, the condition in which the optic axis of one eye is no longer directed at the object
fixated by the other eye). If one eye aims higher than its partner, this is called hypertropia. For example, if the right eye points higher than the left, this is called right hypertropia. There are two possibilities for why the right eye might point higher than the left. Either the right eye is abnormally elevated and the left eye is just fine, or the left eye is abnormally depressed and the right eye is just fine. The way the term is used, hypertropia of an eye may be due to pathology on either side. Right hypertropia can be produced either by a weak depressor of the right eye or a weak elevator of the left eye. It's the job of the diagnostician to figure out if the problem is ipsilateral or contralateral to the hypertropic eye.
An eye that is
abnormally deviated inward is said to be esotropic; one that is abnormally deviated outward is
said to be exotropic. In these cases, you can tell which eye is affected just by asking the patient to look straight ahead.
During significant strabismus of any kind, diplopia (double vision) will occur, because the image of an
object falls on noncorresponding parts of the right and left retinae and, consequently, cannot be
fused by the brain.
With complete paralysis of an extraocular muscle, strabismus and diplopia will often occur
when the patient is simply trying to look straight ahead. For example, paralysis of the SO (a depressor) usually causes
the affected eye to point slightly upward when the patient is looking straight ahead. Strabismus gets even
worse when the patient moves the eye into a position that would require greater participation of the paralyzed muscle,
and the strabismus will diminish when the eye is placed in a position that would require little or no
participation by the paralyzed muscle. Since the superior and inferior oblique muscles play a
significant role in determining the vertical position of an adducted eye, but almost no role in
determining the vertical position of an abducted eye, any observable strabismus caused by a paralyzed
oblique muscle will get worse when the affected eye is adducted, and the strabismus is likely to go away when
the affected eye is abducted. In our example of a paralyzed SO, any hypertropia will become
worse when the affected eye looks medially, whereas it may virtually disappear when the affected
eye abducts. By similar reasoning, since the superior and inferior recti play a dominant role in
determining the vertical position of an abducted eye, but a much smaller role in determining the
vertical position of an adducted eye, any observable strabismus caused by a paralyzed vertical rectus
muscle will get worse when the affected eye is abducted, and will diminish or go away when the
affected eye is adducted.
With only weakness (paresis) of a muscle, strabismus and diplopia may not be noticeable
until the patient actually attempts to move the affected eye in a direction that requires extra effort
by the weak muscle. For example, weakness of the SO may lead to a noticeable strabismus only
upon looking downward, or downward and inward. The chart on page 111 indicates the motions
of the eye that should be elicited in order to look for strabismus resulting from a paretic
extraocular muscle.
Bielschowsky Head-Tilt Test for Testing the Superior and Inferior Obliques
Testing for weakness of an oblique muscle by eliciting elevation and depression of the adducted eye may sometimes be unrevealing. This is so because the vertical recti contribute to elevation/depression of an eye
that is moderately adducted (and there are other complicated reasons relating to changes in the intact extraocular muscles
after one of their colleagues has been paralyzed for a long time). The best way to
examine the strength of the superior and inferior oblique muscles relies on understanding the
cyclorotation that normally occurs when someone laterally flexes his/her neck. You know that if you ask a
patient to tilt the head to the right, he or she will incycloduct the right eye and excycloduct the left eye. The incycloduction is brought about by the SO and SR, the excycloduction by the IO and IR. If a person performing a head tilt to the
right has a weak right SO, the depressor action of that SO will be unable to counteract the elevating action
of the normal right SR. Hence, the right eye will deviate upwards during the head tilt. Similar reasoning reveals that if a patient had a weak left IO, its elevation action would not be able to overcome the depressor action of the left IR, and the left eye would move downward during the head tilt to the right. A head-tilt to the left serves to test the left SO and right IO.
The attempt to observe abnormal vertical deviation of an eye during head-tilts is called the
Bielschowsky Head-Tilt Test. Although logic would suggest that weakness of a vertical rectus
muscle could be revealed by this test (e.g., upon a head-tilt to the right, a weak right SR should lead to depression of the eye
by a normal SO), it has been observed that strabismus upon head-tilt is a consistent
observation when an oblique muscle is weak, but inconsistently present in the case of weak
vertical recti. This is probably related to the fact that the obliques are predominantly cyclorotators
when the eye is the primary position.
Head Posture With Strabismus
In strabismus, the two optic axes fail to converge on the object being looked at. However, in some cases it may be possible for the patient to get the optic axes to point in the same direction by adopting a head position
that calls upon the good eye to point in the same direction as the affected eye. One example is
illustrated in Chapter 70: if a lateral rectus is paralyzed and, as a consequence, the affected eye is adducted, the patient can get both optic axes to
point in the same direction by adopting a head position that calls upon the normal eye to abduct.
Paralysis of one or the other oblique muscles is frequently associated with an abnormal head
position. Since, in the primary position of the eye, these muscles are mainly cyclorotators, the
paralysis of either one causes a cyclodeviation (torsion) of the affected eye producing a peculiar
kind of strabismus called cyclotropia. Paralysis of the SO leads to an excyclodeviation
(excyclotropia) of the affected eye; paralysis of the IO leads to an incyclodeviation
(incyclotropia). Take the case of a patient who has an excyclotropia of the right eye due to SO
paralysis; he or she can avoid diplopia by adopting a head position in which excycloduction of
the right eye is normal, i.e., one in which the head is tilted to the left. Such a position
induces the normal left eye to incycloduct, resulting in comparable torsions of the two eyes and
corresponding positions of their retinal images. (By the way, this head-tilt to the left will also
cause any right hypertropia associated with right SO paralysis to diminish since it is a position in
which use of the SO is minimal.) In general, persons with an SO paralysis frequently carry their
heads tilted toward the contralateral side. You should be able to deduce that persons with an IO
paralysis will use an ipsilateral head tilt to avoid diplopia. Head-tilts used to avoid diplopia
are referred to as ocular torticollis.
Check Ligaments
In the words of von Noorden (1990, Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility, 4th ed.,
CV Mosby, St. Louis), "there are numerous extensions from all the sheaths of the extraocular
muscles, which form an intricate system of fibrous attachments interconnecting the muscles,
attaching them to the orbit, supporting the globe, and checking the ocular movements." This
intricate system is thought to prevent certain muscles from overshortening, to support the eyeball
against the pull of gravity, and to keep the eyeball from being pulled backward into the depth of
the orbit by contraction of the rectus muscles. It is said that developmental anomalies of the
fascial system are more common than those of the extraocular muscles and are clinically more
significant. Thus, ophthalmologists put a lot of effort into naming and describing various parts of
the fascial system. If that becomes your chosen field, be forewarned.
What I am about to discuss doesn't actually constitute a "Clinical Sidelight", but it's so interesting
I wanted to include it anyway. It
has now been demonstrated conclusively that adult humans possess a
vomeronasal
organ (VNO), once thought to have been lost during higher primate
evolution. The VNO is present bilaterally as a small epithelial tubular sac lying submucosally in
the antero-inferior part of the nasal septum. Each VNO has a tiny opening into the antero-inferior
region of the nasal cavity. In many mammals, a subpopulation of cells within the VNO are
chemoreceptive neurons that respond to stimulation by pheromones. These cells give rise to
axons that form a few vomeronasal nerves, which travel up the nasal septum and through the
cribriform plate to synapse on an accessory
olfactory bulb next to the main one. Human adults do not have an accessory olfactory bulb.
Furthermore, most researchers have not been able to find chemosensory cells in the human VNO, nor have
vomeronasal nerves been found in adult humans (Bhatnagar KP, Smith TD. 2001 The human vomeronasal
organ. III. Postnatal development from infancy to the ninth decade. J Anat 199:289-302; Witt M
et al. 2002 On the chemosensory nature of the vomeronasal epithelium in adult humans.
Histochem Cell Biol 117:493-509). Genes that in other mammals produce receptor molecules for
the chemosensory cells of the VNO are almost entirely nonfunctional in humans (Mombaerts P.
2004 Genes and ligands for odorant, vomeronasal and taste receptors. Nature Reviews
Neuroscience 5:263-278). Still, it must be said that some researchers believe the human VNO is
a functioning pheromone sensitive organ that communicates with the brain via vomeronasal
nerves (see Monti-Bloch L, et al. 1998 The human vomeronasal system. A review. Ann
NY Acad Sci 855:373-389).
A different set of axons beginning in the vicinity of the VNO (and also a nearby area of
the nasal septum mucosa) collect into a few nerve bundles that constitute the nervus
terminalis, another structure once thought to be
absent in adult humans. The bundles of the nervus terminalis course up the nasal
septum
and through the cribriform plate, but then pass along the medial aspect of the
olfactory
bulb and olfactory tract into the brain (Fuller GN, Burger PC. 1990 Nervus terminalis (cranial
nerve zero) in the adult human. Clin Neuropath 9:279-283). The cell bodies of these axons are
scattered along their
path to the brain. They are immunoreactive for luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH),
and in development some cells from the same embryologic source migrate along the nervus
terminalis into the hypothalamus to become the cells that secrete LHRH. Aside from playing the role of a "highway" in development, the function of the human nervus terminalis is unknown
(Schwanzel-Fukuda M, Pfaff DW. 2003 The structure and function of the nervus terminalis. Pp.
1001-1026 in Handbook of Olfaction and Gustation, RL Doty, ed., Marcel Dekker, NY).
Sinusitis
Because the ostia (i.e., openings) of the paranasal sinuses into the nasal cavities are small and
surrounded by easily swollen mucous membrane, the flow of air between the paranasal sinuses
and nasal cavity is highly restricted. Mucous secreted by the epithelium lining each sinus
normally flows into the nasal cavity unless the mucous membrane lining its ostium becomes
swollen to the point of occlusion. Then the patient will want to take decongestants to reduce this
swelling, open the ostium, and thereby "decompress" the sinus. Infectious organisms may pass
from the nasal cavity into the sinuses, leading to the well-known condition of sinusitis.
CHAPTER 66 - Oral Cavity,
Oropharynx, and Tongue
Genioglossus and Sleep
It has been suggested that some persons are subject to respiratory distress during sleep (sleep apnea)
because they have periods of inactivity of the genioglossus, with the result that the tongue falls
backward into the oropharynx. Certainly during general anesthesia, one must guard against the
tongue falling backward and obstructing the air passageway.
Lingual Frenulum
One cause of speech impediments is a short lingual frenulum, which may then be incised.
CHAPTER 67 - Middle Ear
and
Auditory Tube
The dilator tubae portion of the tensor veli palatini is often called into action by the same
behaviors that require the rest of the muscle to tighten the soft palate. Thus, during the descent of
an airplane, passengers are advised to swallow or yawn (behaviors that induce soft palate tightening)in order to equalize pressure between the
external environment and middle ear cavity. These maneuvers often fail to work, indicating that
it is possible to contract the bulk of the tensor veli palatini without simultaneous recruitment of
dilator tubae. Eventually, however, a reflex swallow or yawn occurs in which the auditory tube is
opened.
CHAPTER 68 - Blood Vessels
of the
Head
It is branches of the central artery of the retina, and tributaries of the central vein, that are seen when looking into the eye with an ophthalmoscope.
CHAPTER 69 - Olfactory and
Optic
Nerves
Olfactory Nerve
Bilateral loss of smell is usually of no significance. Many common nasal infections greatly
impair the sense of smell bilaterally. Also, some persons are simply born with a very poor sense
of smell. On the other hand, tumors or fractures often involve damage to only one side.
The sense of smell is rarely tested unless one suspects traumatic damage to the olfactory
nerve or a tumor in the anterior cranial fossa. If one wishes to test for smell, each olfactory nerve
must be tested separately in order to detect asymmetry in the response. A nonirritating
odoriferous substance is placed beneath one nostril while the other nostril is compressed. Coffee,
oil of
peppermint, wintergreen, cloves, or camphor are commonly used.
Testing the Optic Nerve
Neuro-ophthalmologists have ways of accurately assessing visual field defects. In the more
typical physical exam, the exploration of visual fields is usually done simply by bringing a
wiggling finger into view of the patient from the sides, from above, and from below. The patient
looks straight ahead and is requested to state when the finger can first be seen.
CHAPTER 70 - Oculomotor,
Trochlear,
and Abducens Nerves
Routine testing of extraocular muscles involves asking the patient to look at your finger as
you move it in directions that should elicit adduction and abduction of the eye, elevation and
depression of the eye when it is adducted, and elevation and depression of the eye when it is
abducted. Chapter 62 discusses which muscles (and therefore which nerves) are required for
these motions. The clinical comments for Chapter 62 provide additional information on
testing extraocular muscles. Test of the levator palpebrae superioris is as simple as asking the
patient to look upward so you can observe if elevation of the eyelid accompanies this effort.
Testing the parasympathetic pathway to the constrictor pupillae is done by shining a light in the
patient's eye. The pupil should constrict. Note that this pupillary light reflex is consensual, which
means that shining a light into only one eye causes both pupils to constrict. Testing the
sympathetic pathway to the dilator pupillae is done by shielding an eye from light; its pupil
should dilate. This reflex is also consensual.
A second test for the parasympathetic pathway to the constrictor pupillae relies on the accommodation reflex
that causes the pupil to constrict when one attempts to focus on an object very close to the eye.
Normally this involves convergence of the eyes, i.e., rotation so that their optic axes converge
on a nearby point. The test is performed by asking the patient to follow your finger as you bring
it toward the bridge of his/her nose. One assumes that the ciliary muscle is also contracting, but
there is no easy way of determining this. Paralysis of the ciliary muscle should cause focusing
problems, but these may be unnoticed by the patient.
While damage to the oculomotor nerve affects both the pupillary light and pupillary
accommodation reflexes, some central nervous system diseases (e.g., neurosyphilis) produce a
pupil that constricts on accommodation but not in response to light. This is called an
Argyll-Robertson pupil (mnemonic: the initials AR correspond to Accommodation Reactive).
Isolated lesions of the trochlear nerve are uncommon. The abducens is the most frequently
damaged of all nerves feeding extraocular muscles. It is the first nerve to be affected by septic
thrombosis of the cavernous sinus. Aneurysm of the internal carotid artery within the cavernous
sinus may put pressure on the abducens. A variety of tumors at the base of the brain will tend to
compress the nerve against the clivus.
CHAPTER 71 - Trigeminal
Nerve:
Cranial Nerve V
Chapter 71 lists some symptoms of trigeminal palsy. No mention was made of problems
arising from paralysis of nonmasticatory muscles innervated by the trigeminal. That's because I
have not encountered a description of middle ear problems in adult humans arising from paralysis of the tensor veli palatini, nor have I discovered reports of difficulties in swallowing resulting from paralysis of the mylohyoid or of auditory symptoms resulting from paralysis of the tensor tympani.
For your information, extirpation of the
tensor veli palatini in experimental animals does lead to severe middle ear pressure dysfunction. Also, human children born with cleft palate almost always accumulate fluid in the middle ear cavity, which interferes with their hearing and frequently leads to middle ear infections. The most commonly accepted explanation is that cleft of the soft palate, by removing the fixed point of insertion of the tensor veli palatini, greatly diminishes the ability of this muscle to open the Eustachian tube. This is treated by placing a tiny drainage tube ("myringotomy tube") through the eardrum. Interestingly, even in children whose cleft palate is not repaired, middle ear problems tend to get better by age 3 or 4, probably because the Eustachian tube inclines a bit downward as one matures. (I wish to acknowledge Dr. Alexander Dagum, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Stony Brook University, for this information.)
Testing the Trigeminal Nerve
Damage to the ophthalmic nerve is tested by determining the responsiveness of the skin of
the forehead (frontal nerve) to touch and prick with a sharp object (like a broken Q-tip). A
second test involves the corneal reflex. When the cornea is touched, the sensation travels via
V1 back to the trigeminal nerve and thence to the brain. Here fibers synapse with facial
neurons innervating the palpebral portion of orbicularis oculi, which is caused to contract,
producing a blink. Like the pupillary light reflex, the corneal reflex is consensual, i.e., both
eyelids blink when either cornea is touched. Obviously, disturbances of the corneal reflex will
occur if either the sensory or motor limb is damaged. If the sensory limb is damaged, neither
eyelid will blink when the affected cornea is touched. On the other hand, if touching the cornea
of one eye produces a blink in the opposite eye, the examiner knows that V1 is working
and that the defect is in the ipsilateral facial nerve.
Damage to the maxillary nerve is usually tested only by assessing the responsiveness of the
skin over the front of the cheek (infraorbital nerve) to touch and pain. Nasal, palatal, and upper
dental sensation are affected by damage to maxillary nerve, but these are not tested for routinely.
During a routine exam, the test for sensory fibers that run in V3 is usually confined to
the skin over the chin (mental nerve) and side of the cheek (buccal nerve). General sensation to
the front of the tongue (lingual nerve) may also be tested. Obviously, a thorough neurological
exam can involve tests over other regions (e.g., temple, upper part of external ear).
Tests for strength of the masseter and pterygoids are often made in routine physical
examinations. The examiner places one hand over the left masseter and the other hand over the
right masseter, and then asks the patient to clench his or her teeth. An assessment is made about
the degree to which one side may be contracting less strongly than the other. (The test can also be
done with the hands placed over the temporalis muscles, but these are less easily palpable.) The
lateral pterygoid, medial pterygoid, and superficial masseter, when acting together on one side,
protract that side of the mandible and cause the chin to deviate toward the opposite side. The left protractors push
the chin toward the right; the right protractors push the chin to the left. If the examiner places a
hand on the right side of the chin and attempts to push the jaw to the left, the patient must use the
left protractors to resist this. If the examiner places a hand on the left side of the chin and
attempts to push the jaw to the right, the right muscles must be used to resist this. By asking the
patient to resist such pushes on the jaw, an assessment of strength of the jaw protractors on one
side compared with those on the other may be made.
The Zygomaticotemporal Nerve and Temporal Migraine Headaches
In the figure associated with Chapter 71, and in Table 25, mention is made of the zygomaticotemporal nerve, but I have never thought it was particularly noteworthy. Maybe I have shortchanged it. As mentioned in previous Clinical Sidelights, there is a school of thought that irritation of certain peripheral nerves can trigger the onset of migraine headaches. The most common location for migraine headaches is in the frontal region, but these are often accompanied by pain along the side of the head. If so, surgical treatment not only entails excision of the corrugator supercilii muscles, but also removing a section of the zygomaticotemporal nerve in order to prevent its irritation by contraction of the adjacent temporalis muscle. You can learn more about this by reading the references provided in the discussion of frontal migraine headaches.
CHAPTER 72 - Facial Nerve:
Cranial
Nerve VII
The symptoms of damage to the facial nerve within the posterior wall of the tympanic cavity
are summarized in Chapter 72. Additionally, some patients with damage to the chorda tympani
also complain of partial numbness of the tongue on the ipsilateral side. It is not known whether
this is simply the way persons perceive disruption of sensory input for taste from the tongue, or if some of
the sensory axons within the chorda tympani of humans are connected to mechanoreceptors, as
occurs in cats.
Surgery on the middle ear may damage the facial nerve within the labyrinthine wall of the
tympanic cavity, leading to all the symptoms mentioned in Chapter 72. Tumors within the
petrous temporal may affect the facial nerve at the site of the geniculate ganglion. This leads to the symptoms mentioned in Chapter 72, plus loss of tearing on the affected side. Lesions of the facial
nerve between the brain and the facial canal may affect one root and not the other, because the
two roots are actually separate during this part of their courses.
There is a peculiarity about the cortical input to the facial nuclei of the brainstem that is
useful in diagnostics. You will learn in neuroanatomy that, in general, a cerebral hemisphere controls muscles on the contralateral side of the body.
As one would expect, the facial motoneurons projecting to the lower two thirds of the face receive cortical input only from the opposite
cerebral hemisphere. Surprisingly, however, facial motoneurons going to the upper third of the face receive
cortical control from both the right and left cerebral hemispheres. Thus, if there is a unilateral interruption of the pathway from the cerebral cortex to the brainstem, paralysis of the opposite side's mouth and cheek muscles will be
will be full-blown, but the orbicularis oculi and frontalis of that side will still be able to weakly contract.
Testing the Facial Nerve
Testing the facial nerve during a routine physical examination begins with observing the
appearance of the face to assess the normality of skin creases, width of the palpebral fissures, and
position of the corners of the mouth. Then, the patient is asked to raise the eyebrows or wrinkle
the forehead (frontalis) and the examiner looks to see if this is done symmetrically. The patient
may be asked to close the eyes very tightly (orbicularis oculi) and the examiner tries to pry them
open by pushing up on the eyebrows. A broad smile is requested (several muscles) and assessed
for symmetry. The patient is asked to puff out the cheeks. Puffing out one's cheeks is made
possible by the action of orbicularis oris to prevent escape of air between the lips. If one side
is very weak, air escapes on that side. If air does not escape, the examiner may apply a test of
strength by pushing in on both cheeks to see if the orbicularis oris on one side can be
overwhelmed.
Only if these tests of facial muscles reveal a deficit does the examination progress to a test of
taste or lacrimation. Taste on the anterior two thirds of the tongue can be evaluated by applying a
strong tasting solution (e.g., salt, sugar, citric acid, quinine) to its right and left edges, where most
of the taste buds are concentrated. There exist special absorbent paper strips that can be applied
to the surface of the eye for assessing tear production.
CHAPTER 73 -
Vestibulocochlear
Nerve and Glossopharyngeal Nerve
Vestibulocochlear Nerve
The assessment of the sense of equilibrium, or of auditory sensitivity by sound frequency, is left to
specialists. However, a routine physical examination may attempt to judge general hearing
acuity, particularly as it depends on adequate operation of the middle ear mechanism.
A first test - the Weber test - can be done to determine if there is unilateral hearing
diminution due either to sensorineural (cochlea or nerve) or conductive (eardrum and ossicular
chain) problems. The stem of a vibrating tuning fork (256 or 512 Hz) is placed in
contact with the vertex of the skull so that sound is sent directly through the bone to reach both
the right and left cochleae. If hearing is normal, the sound will be reported as being equally loud
in both ears. As you might expect, if a cochlea or its nerve is damaged on one side, the sound of
the tuning fork will be heard as louder on the opposite, normal side. On the other hand, you
might be surprised to learn that if there is a problem on one side with the conductive mechanism,
the tuning fork will actually be heard as louder on that abnormal side. This is because the sound
of the tuning fork transmitted through the bone of the skull competes with room noise
transmitted through the eardrum and ossicular chain. Such room noise becomes a poorer
competitor if the conductive mechanism that brings it to the cochlea is defective, with the
consequence that the tuning fork sounds louder in that ear. To summarize, in a Weber test,
lateralization of the tuning fork's sound to a particular side occurs if there is a problem either
with that side's conductive mechanism or the opposite side's sensorineural mechanism. The
inherent ambiguity of this result should be resolved by the application of the Rinne test,
described below.
Although the Weber test is described in most physical diagnosis and neurology
texts, there is evidence that it has a high risk both of giving false positive and false negative
results (Miltenburg, DM, J. Otolaryngology, 23:254-259, 1994). My neurology colleagues don't use it.
They simply whisper a number into one ear while rubbing their thumb and fingers next to the opposite ear so as to shield it from hearing the whispered number. They repeat this on the opposite side. If the patient can identify a whispered sound equally well in both ears, then he or she is considered to have acceptable hearing.
If a patient has an abnormal Weber test, or can't hear a whispered sound, the Rinne test is considered a pretty good
(though not perfect) method for
determining if the hearing loss is due to a conductive or sensorineural problem. The
Rinne test is applied to each side separately. Various neurology and physical diagnosis texts
describe it as consisting of three steps: (1) apply the stem of a vibrating tuning fork to the
patient's mastoid process so that the vibrations reach the cochlea via bone conduction, (2) ask the
patient to report when the sound is no longer heard, (3) then place the tines of the tuning fork
near the external auditory meatus and inquire if the sound can once again be heard. If the patient's
middle ear on the tested side is operating normally, the sound will once again be heard, usually
for an additional period of time that equals the duration of the audible bone conduction through
the mastoid process.
Otolaryngologists seem to agree that the accuracy of the Rinne test can be improved by
performing it somewhat differently than just described. They recommend the following
method: 1) strike a 256 or 512 Hz tuning fork and hold its tines about one inch from the
external auditory meatus for a few seconds; 2) move the stem of the tuning fork onto the
patients mastoid process for a few seconds; 3) ask the patient whether the sound was
louder in the front or the back. If the patient reports that the front (i.e., air conduction)
sounded louder than the back (i.e., bone conduction), the test indicates that nothing is wrong with
the conductive mechanism and that any hearing loss is probably sensorineural in origin. If the bone
conduction sounded louder than the air conduction, there is a significant likelihood of a problem
with the conductive mechanism. The Rinne test is not considered very useful as a general screening tool for hearing loss because a normal test is often found in people with hearing impairment (Bagai A, Thavendiranathan P, Detsky AS. 2006 Does this patient have hearing impairment? JAMA 295:416-428.).
Glossopharyngeal Nerve
The routine test of glossopharyngeal function is the gag reflex. This reflex consists of
pharyngeal constriction when the back wall of oropharynx is touched. The glossopharyngeal
nerve is supposed to be the sensory limb of the gag reflex; the vagus is the motor limb. However,
since some authors state that the gag reflex is not lost after glossopharyngeal nerve section, the vagus
may participate in conducting pharyngeal sensation. If this is true, then the standard test for
glossopharyngeal function is not informative.
Taste on the posterior third of the tongue can be assessed by applying a small electrical
current between copper electrodes placed on the back of the tongue. An acid or metallic taste is
elicited. This is not a common procedure. Applying solutions of strong taste to the back of the
tongue is not a good method because of the rapid spread of the solution to the other side. Another reason not to bother with such a test is that some
authors report that intracranial transection of the glossopharyngeal nerve does not lead to loss of
taste or general sensation from the tongue. It would seem that more remains to be learned about
the complete pathway of such modalities.
CHAPTER 74 - Vagus Nerve,
Accessory Nerve, and Hypoglossal Nerve
Vagus Nerve
Core Concept 74 of the first edition presents a discussion of how vocal fold position
following injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) will be different from vocal fold position following injury to the vagus proximal to its
superior laryngeal (SL) branch. That discussion was based on the Wagner-Grossman hypothesis, which had nearly
universal acceptance prior to 1993. Since that time (and largely initiated by the research of Dr.
Gayle E. Woodson, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine) evidence has accumulated
that no such difference exists. The second edition of Core Concepts reflects the current view, but I will discuss it in a bit more detail here.
First and foremost, it seems that except under the experimental circumstance of electrically induced maximum contraction, the cricothyroid muscle does not produce vocal fold adduction. Consequently, even though the cricothyroid muscle remains intact after complete injury to an RLN, the affected vocal fold does not immediately assume a taut paramedian position. Instead, immediately after complete injury to an RLN, the ipsilateral vocal fold is flaccid and lies the intermediate position. The symptoms associated
with such a paralyzed vocal fold are (1) hoarse and breathy voice (dysphonia), (2) weak cough, (3) risk of
aspiration of fluids (which risk arises not only because the folds cannot be tightly approximated
but also because sensation is diminished on one side of the glottis), and (4) exertional dyspnea
(breathing during normal activities is not a problem since the intact cord can compensate for the
mildly narrowed glottis by wider abduction; only during exertion is there likely to be any
difficulty breathing). If the vagus is injured proximal to its SL branch, the
ipsilateral vocal fold appears the same as just described for an RLN injury. In other words, one
cannot diagnose the site of nerve injury based on vocal fold position.
Regardless of the site of nerve injury, after several months the paralyzed vocal fold may
move
medially, sometimes actually reaching the paramedian position. One explanation offered for why
a paralyzed vocal fold might move medially is reinnervation by axonal regrowth from the part of
the nerve proximal to the injury. Animal experiments have demonstrated a remarkable ability of
RLN axons to cross surgically created gaps in the nerve and eventually reach the internal
laryngeal muscles on the affected side. The axons do not end up going to the same muscles they
had originally innervated, so useful control of the reinnervated vocal fold is not regained. However, since
there are four times as many adductor muscle motor units as posterior cricoarytenoid motor units,
the statistically favored effect is to cause a more adducted position of the cord. Additionally,
reinnervation of the thyroarytenoid muscle reverses atrophy of this muscle and leads to increased
bulk of the paralyzed fold. As a result, there is a diminution of symptoms, because the intact fold is now better able to make firm contact with the
fuller, tauter paralyzed fold.
By itself, reinnervation does not always happen. Consequently, one approach to treating unilateral vocal fold paralysis caused by nerve injury is to surgically anastomose one of the major branches of the ansa cervicalis to the distal stump of the RLN (reviewed in Paniello RC. 2004 Laryngeal reinnervation. Otolaryngol Clin N Am 37:161-181), or to the branch of the RLN that goes to the adductor muscles (Zheng H et al. 1996 Update: laryngeal reinnervation for unilateral vocal cord paralysis with the ansa cervicalis. Laryngoscope 106:1522-1527). This results in partial denervation of the infrahyoid strap muscles, but the loss is barely noticeable. There has also been a study in which the hypoglossal nerve was cut and then anastomosed to the distal part of the RLN. As stated on p. 133 of Core Concepts, speech, chewing, and swallowing are affected only slightly when half the tongue is denervated. If the surgeon opts against reinnervation of the laryngeal muscles, or if the procedure fails to produce the desired result, other surgical treatments to "medialize" the paralyzed fold can be attempted. [I want to acknowledge Wai Lee, a Stony Brook medical student, for bringing the technique of laryngeal reinnervation to my attention.]
Bilateral RLN injury requires the patient to be intubated. This is not because the two vocal folds are fixed in the paramedian position (although this may happen with time). Intubation is required because air moving past the flaccid vocal folds experiences a pressure drop (due to Bernoulli's Principle) that causes them to be "sucked" closer together. Thus, the airway becomes compromised on any but the slowest inspirations. (I thank my colleague Dr. Ghassan Samara, Dept. of Surgery, Stony Brook University, for this tidbit).
Testing the Vagus Nerve
If the patient presents no symptoms attributable to vagal damage, routine testing of the vagus nerve
consists of observing of the soft palate at rest and while the patient says "Ah". If the soft palate droops on one side, or it does not rise on one side
when the patient says "Ah", paralysis of the levator veli palatini is indicated and damage to the ipsilateral vagus must be suspected. Failure of the
paralyzed half of the palate to rise when the patient says "Ah" may cause the uvula to shift to
the intact side, and this might be easier to assess than how high the soft palate rises. The gag reflex may also be elicited to test for the vagus. If the contraction of the pharynx that is elicited by touching its back wall is absent
on the same side as the drooping soft palate, this is further indication of vagal malfunction.
Anesthesia of the Airway for
Orotracheal Intubation in a Conscious Patient (I want to
acknowledge Dr. Michael M. Todd, Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Iowa, for
assistance with this topic.)
Whereas many patients are given intravenous anesthesia prior to airway intubation, selected
patients (e.g., those with cervical spine fractures) are intubated while awake. It is then necessary
to anesthetize the oropharynx and larynx to provide comfort and eliminate the risk of injury
associated with coughing and gagging. A solution of lidocaine sprayed into the back of the mouth
is often sufficient for oropharyngeal anesthesia, but this may be supplemented with an injection
of lidocaine into the middle of the palatopharyngeal fold (posterior faucial pillar), where it will
block the glossopharyngeal nerve prior to its branches to the tongue and adjacent region of the
pharynx. Anesthesia of the larynx is accomplished using two approaches. Sensation from the
supraglottic larynx is eliminated by administering lidocaine adjacent to the internal laryngeal
nerve (although this technique is usually referred to as "superior laryngeal nerve block"). It will
be recalled that the internal laryngeal nerve enters the larynx by piercing the posterior portion of
the thyrohyoid membrane. Thus, one may either aim the needle to hit the greater cornu of the
hyoid bone just anterior to its tip, then inject anesthesia as you walk the needle inferiorly, or one
may aim for the superior border of the thyroid lamina in front of its superior horn and inject
anesthesia as you walk the needle upward. In either case, the needle is also pushed through the
thyrohyoid membrane (which offers a palpable resistance) and anesthetic solution injected
around the nerve deep to this structure. The lower part of the larynx is made insensate by
spraying lidocaine through a catheter that has been inserted either through the median
cricothyroid ligament or through the trachea above or below the first tracheal ring.
Testing the Accessory Nerve
Assessing the strength of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius is done as a part of any
routine test for the integrity of the accessory nerve. The patient is asked to turn the head to one
side against resistance from the examiner. A resisted turn to the right tests the left
sternocleidomastoid,
and vice versa. Again, the examiner is trying to discover weakness of one side relative to the
other. Another way to judge strength of the sternocleidomastoids is to have the patient attempt to
flex the neck against resistance applied to the forehead. In this case, the examiner compares
strength of the right and left muscles by palpating the rigidity of each tendon that comes from the
manubrium.
To test for strength of the trapezius, the patient is asked to shrug the shoulders against
resistance by the examiner. Both sides are tested simultaneously so that a weakness of one side
relative to the other can be detected. Clearly this test informs one only about strength of the upper
fibers of the muscle, but these are the ones that receive most of their innervation from the
accessory nerve.
Cerebral control of the sternocleidomastoids is unusual. Whereas the general rule is that one
side of the cerebral cortex controls muscles on the opposite side of the body (but see discussion
of superior facial muscles above), the sternocleidomastoids get cortical input from both cerebral
hemispheres. As would be predicted from the general rule, the contralateral hemisphere
stimulates the sternocleidomastoid when you use it to flex or laterally flex your neck. For
example, a right hemisphere lesion causes weakness in the left sternocleidomastoid that can be revealed when you try
to touch your left ear to your left shoulder. Unexpectedly, the ipsilateral hemisphere stimulates
the sternocleidomastoid when the muscle is used to turn the head. For example, when you want to turn your head
to the right, use of your left sternocleidomastoid is initiated by the left cerebral cortex.
Since the left cortex also causes your eyes to turn to the right, ipsilateral cerebral control of
sternocleidomastoid during head turning behaviors is functionally sound.
Testing the Hypoglossal Nerve
Routine examination of the hypoglossal nerve consists of a request that the patient stick out
the tongue and wiggle it from side to side. In theory, the left genioglossus is
primarily responsible for shoving the tongue to the right, while the right genioglossus is chiefly
responsible for shoving the tongue to the left. If the tongue can only be wiggled to one side, the muscles of
that side are paralyzed. The patient may also be asked to push first one, and then the other, cheek
out with the tongue while the examiner resists the movement. Again, in theory, the left genioglossus is
primarily responsible for pushing out the right cheek while the right genioglossus is chiefly
responsible for pushing out the left cheek. This test is entirely analogous to resisting sideways
deviations of the chin in order to assess mandibular protractors.
CHAPTER 75 - Some
Important
Relationships in the Head
Parotid Gland
In surgery on the parotid gland, it is important to see the facial nerve so that it be preserved.
There are a variety of ways to locate it just below the stylomastoid foramen. One is to find the posterior belly of the digastric and trace this upward; the
facial nerve is anterior to it near the base of the skull. Sometimes surgeons find it the way we do in dissection. That is, they locate a small branch crossing the masseter and trace this proximally.
The skin incision for parotid surgery usually sacrifices the anterior branch of the great
auricular nerve.
Epistaxis
Nosebleeds (epistaxis) are classified as anterior or posterior. Anterior bleeds usually stop by
themselves; if not, packing is usually successful. Posterior bleeds are harder to control. If all
conservative measures fail, the surgeon enters the pterygopalatine fossa through the maxillary
sinus and ties off the inner division of the maxillary artery. A newer approach entails
catheterization and embolization of the sphenopalatine and descending palatine arteries under
radiographic guidance. However, regardless of the technique used to occlude the branches of the
maxillary artery to the nose, many surgeons recommend simultaneous ligation of the anterior
ethmoidal artery because it anastomoses with such branches. Even this procedure may fail and
posterior ethmoidal artery ligation also be necessary.
CHAPTER 76 - Autonomic
Innervation
of the Head and Cervical Nerves in the Head
More on Horner's Syndrome
The mild ptosis of Horner's syndrome can be easily distinguished from the more marked
ptosis due to levator palpebrae superioris paralysis simply by asking the patient to direct the gaze
upward, which will elicit elevation of the upper lid if the LPS is intact.
One anatomically interesting phenomenon is the occurrence of a reversible Horner's
syndrome in some persons who experience migraine headaches. Regardless of what might trigger a migraine, the actual headache is believed to
be caused by vasodilation of meningeal branches of the external carotid artery. However, in some
persons the vasodilation may also involve the internal carotid artery. Since this vessel passes through
the inexpansible carotid canal of the petrous temporal, expansion of the ICA can compress and
temporarily damage the sympathetic nerves that surround it. The result is a partial Horner's syndrome (affecting the eye and forehead)
that resolves itself over the course of the next few months.
Some persons blush intensely at the slightest provocation. This can lead to dread of social situations and be psychologically debilitating. Since emotional
vasodilation of facial vessels is controlled by preganglionic sympathetic cells lying
predominantly in the T2 level of the spinal cord, interrupting the course of their axons can cure
the condition. Surgeons perform an endoscopic procedure in which the sympathetic trunk is cut just superior to the T2 ganglion, or the T2 ganglion (and sometimes also T3) may be removed entirely. This operation was initially developed to treat excess sweating in the palm, but a somewhat different technique is now recommended for that condition. Sympathicotomy (cutting the sympathetic trunk) or sympathectomy (excising a portion of the trunk) at the T2 level has also been used to treat complaints of excessive facial sweating.
CHAPTER 77 - Surface
Anatomy of the
Head
Parotid Duct
The rule of thumb is that a vertical laceration of the face below the zygomatic arch and
posterior to the lateral canthus of the eye threatens the parotid duct. This is so because the duct
lies on the relatively unyielding masseter here.
Falls that cause the head and shoulder to be pushed apart may result in tearing, or actual
avulsion from the spinal cord, of the upper roots (C5 and C6) of the brachial plexus. The same
damage may occur in a newborn if the person "assisting" a normal head-first delivery tries to
promote passage of the shoulders by laterally flexing the child's neck and pulling. The motor
symptoms of brachial plexus upper root damage are said to constitute the Erb-Duchenne
syndrome. Since these roots predominantly innervate muscles proximal to the elbow, motions at
the shoulder and elbow joints are most affected. There occurs paralysis of abduction and lateral
rotation of the upper arm, paralysis of elbow flexion, and weakness of supination of the forearm.
The upper limb hangs limply at the side with the upper arm in medial rotation and the forearm pronated
(the so-called waiter's tip position). There is also a characteristic sensory deficit
associated with injury to C5 and C6. As might be expected, the skin over the pre-axial side of
the limb is without feeling.
To a certain extent one can predict which muscles will be paralyzed in Erb-Duchenne
syndrome from a knowledge of brachial plexus formation and the distribution of specific nerves.
The upper roots form the superior trunk, which is the sole source of axons to the suprascapular
nerve. The superior and middle trunks (C5, C6, C7) are the sole source of axons to the lateral
cord, from which the musculocutaneous nerve is derived. Unfortunately, there are other paralyses
that cannot be deduced in this way.
Avulsion of C5 and C6 leads to paralysis of some trunk muscles attaching to the shoulder
girdle (e.g., subclavius, rhomboids, and most of serratus anterior). However, Erb-Duchenne
syndrome is defined by the consequences of limb muscle denervation and can occur by damage
to the superior trunk of the brachial plexus, which will not affect trunk muscles innervated by C5
and C6.
Klumpke Syndrome
Damage to the lower roots (C8 and T1) of the brachial plexus can occur during strong
upward traction on the upper limb. This might occur if a person attempts to stop a fall by
grabbing onto an overhead support. It also may occur during delivery of a neonate if an attempt is
made to facilitate passage of the trunk by pulling on the upper limb. The motor deficits that result
from damage to the lower roots of the brachial plexus constitute the Klumpke syndrome. Since
these roots innervate predominantly muscles distal to the elbow, motions of the wrist and hand
are most affected.
We can predict certain of the deficits in Klumpke syndrome by realizing that C8 and T1 are
the sole source of axons to the medial cord and ulnar nerve. Thus, all the ulnar innervated
muscles of the forearm and hand will be paralyzed. It just so happens that those axons of the
median nerve destined for intrinsic hand muscles and for the deep extrinsic digital flexors are
also derived from C8 and T1. The sensory deficit in Klumpke's syndrome is characterized by loss
of sensation in the skin along the postaxial aspect of the upper limb.
Anastomoses Between Median and Ulnar
Nerves
The ventral division axons for muscles distal to the elbow are carried by either the median or
ulnar nerve. Interestingly, nerve fibers that normally run with the ulnar nerve may sometimes
leave the brachial plexus in the median nerve, and vice versa. Such fibers may stay with their
abnormal carrier all the way to the muscle for which they are destined, in which case that muscle
has an anomalous innervation from the "wrong" nerve. More frequently, these fibers cross from
the abnormal carrier to their proper carrier somewhere below the elbow. The most common form
of such a median/ulnar communication is called the Martin-Gruber anastomosis, which occurs in
about 15% of limbs. It arises when motor axons that should have left the brachial plexus with the
ulnar nerve to innervate certain muscles of the hand, instead leave with the median nerve. Then
in the forearm, these misdirected axons correct their mistake by crossing from the median nerve
to join the ulnar nerve, thereby creating the anastomosis.
The significance of Martin-Gruber anastomosis is that injury to the median nerve proximal to
the anastomosis will lead to specific hand muscle paralyses expected from ulnar nerve damage,
and damage to the ulnar nerve proximal to the anastomosis fails to yield these expected
symptoms.
The upper limb receives its sympathetic innervation through
gray rami that join the ventral rami of the brachial plexus. The postganglionic axons in these gray rami come from cells in
the middle cervical sympathetic ganglion, the inferior cervical sympathetic ganglion, and the first thoracic ganglion. For many years people believed that these postganglionic cells are controlled by preganglionic axons that arise in the
T2-T3 spinal cord segments, travel in the 2nd and 3rd white rami communicantes to the T2 and T3
paravertebral ganglia, then ascend in the sympathetic chain to the ganglia of synapse. As a result,
surgical removal or destruction of the T2 and T3 sympathetic ganglia, or simply cutting the
sympathetic trunk (i.e., sympathicotomy) at one or more sites just below the T1 ganglion, became
an accepted procedure to treat a distressing condition in which the patient is plagued by excessive
sweating of the palm (i.e, palmar hyperhidrosis). As long as the T1 ganglion and its white ramus are left
unscathed, no ocular symptoms of a Horner's syndrome are produced. However,
since the sweat glands and vasculature of the face are innervated mainly by the T2 level of the spinal
cord, functions of these structures are affected by such surgery. Indeed, this surgery may be done as a means to treat excessive facial sweating or blushing .
Recently, it has been discovered that one can effectively treat palmar hyperhidrosis by interrupting the sympathetic trunk between the T3 and T4 ganglia (Lin CC & Telaranta T. 2001 Annales Chirurgiae et Gynaecologie 90:161-166). This means that the preganglionic cells for the upper limb reside predominantly in the T4 and lower (T5, T6?) segments of the intermediolateral column (although it does seem that T3 provides a small amount of sympathetic innervation to the palms.) Leaving the sympathetic trunk intact above the T4 ganglion has the distinct advantage of preserving the sympathetic input to the face. Also, this newer procedure is less often associated with excessive compensatory sweating elsewhere in the body, which is one of the most unpleasant side effects of transection of the sympathetic trunk above the T3 or T2 ganglia.
There are some people who experience hyperhidrosis of the armpit. If this occurs along with palmar hyperhidrosis, interrupting the sympathetic trunk just above the T4 ganglion is often effective in treating both conditions, although the success rate for eliminating the axillary hyperhidrosis is lower than that for eliminating the palmar hyperhidrosis (Neumayer C et al. 2005 Arch. Surg. 140:676-680). The fact that the axillary apocrine glands (which produce the odiferous secretion) are not under nervous control may account for the higher failure rate of sympathicotomy in treating axillary hyperhidrosis. I have read that if a person's sole complaint is axillary hyperhidrosis, interrupting the sympathetic trunk between T4 and T5 helps as much as interrupting it above T4. However, since surgery for this condition may or may not produce the desired result, and since it is possible to surgically remove the glands of the armpit without major disfigurement, some physicians do not recommend sympathicotomy if axillary hyperhidrosis is the sole complaint.
As an aside, some surgeons now espouse placing surgical clips across the sympathetic trunk as a means of blocking transmission of nerve signals. This technique is said to be as effective as cutting the trunk, and if the side effects of the surgery are intolerable to the patient, removal of the clips restores function to the presurgery state.
Pancoast (Superior Sulcus) Tumor and
Syndrome
You will recall that the apex of the lung rises as high as the neck of the first rib. The ventral
ramus of T1 crosses in front of the neck of the first rib (hence behind the apex of the lung) to
reach the superior surface of the rib just posterior to the subclavian artery. At this site, the ventral
ramus of T1 is joined by the ventral ramus of C8 to form the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus.
You should also recall that lying on the head of the first rib is the first thoracic sympathetic
ganglion (called stellate ganglion if it is joined to the inferior cervical ganglion). From these
relationships you can deduce that tumors of the apex of the lung, particularly those located
posteriorly in the apex, may compress or involve the lower trunk of the brachial plexus and the
first thoracic sympathetic ganglion. Such tumors often produce pain (and later numbness and
weakness) in those regions of the upper limb served by C8 and T1. About 20% of the time a
Horner's syndrome is also produced [Detterbeck FC 1997 Pancoast (Superior Sulcus) Tumors.
Ann Thor Surg 63:1810-1818]. Tumors in the apex of the lung producing these symptoms are
called Pancoast tumors (after a radiologist named Henry Pancoast), and the suite of symptoms
due to nerve involvement are said to constitute a Pancoast syndrome. Although other diseases
involving the apex of the lung can produce a Pancoast syndrome, they are rare compared to
Pancoast tumor.
CHAPTER 81 -
Scapulothoracic Joint
and Glenohumeral (Shoulder) Joint
Repeated strenuous movements of the shoulder may lead to painful inflammation of the
subacromial bursa, or even injury to the rotator cuff muscles,
particularly supraspinatus. Furthermore, not everybody's scapula is shaped precisely the same.
Notably, the acromion process can be bent into a sort of hook. Orthopaedists classify acromions
according to how hooked they are.
There is evidence that subacromial
bursitis and supraspinatus injury are more likely to occur in persons with Type 3 acromions.
Someone experiencing symptoms from impingement of the acromion on the underlying soft
tissues may be treated by acromioplasty, i.e, reshaping it so it is less hooked-shaped. (For more
information, see Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, S. T. Canale, ed., Mosby, St.
Louis.)
In older persons with arthritis of the shoulder, the intracapsular part of the biceps long head
tendon may erode, so that the biceps long head then arises from the intertubercular sulcus of the
humerus.
CHAPTER 84 - Upper Limb
Muscles
I
Winging of the Scapula
When the serratus anterior is paralyzed, the inferior angle of the scapula moves posteriorly
away from the chest wall to make a noticeable ridge beneath the skin of the back, a condition
known as winging of the scapula. Paralysis of the trapezius yields a similar change in appearance
of the back. At first look, the examiner may be unable to decide whether winging of the scapula
is due to a serratus anterior or a trapezius paralysis. The determination is then made by requiring
the patient to perform a motion for which one of the muscles is significantly more important than
the other. If that important muscle is damaged, the winging will become worse; if that important muscle is
intact, the winging will become less noticeable. For example, when the patient abducts the arm, a motion for which trapezius action on the scapula is particularly important,
trapezius-winging will become more prominent but a serratus-winging will lessen (or remain
unchanged). When the patient flexes the arm, a motion for which serratus action on the scapula is particularly important, a serratus-winging will worsen but any winging caused by a paralyzed trapezius will diminish.
The serratus anterior is not only a rotator of the scapula, but it also protracts (pulls anteriorly) this bone. Consequently, winging due to a paralyzed serratus anterior will be accentuated by applying a dorsally
directed force to the scapula that the paralyzed serratus is unable to resist. In diagnosis, this is
accomplished by asking the patient to hold his or her hands stretched out in front of the body and
then lean against a wall supported by the outstretched hands. This maneuver stresses the
protracting ability of the serratus and causes a serratus-winging to become even worse. Had the
appearance of winging at rest been due to a weak trapezius, the winging would virtually
disappear when the patient performed such a test.
Posterolateral Thoracotomy
In the standard posterolateral thoracotomy, the serratus anterior is divided transversely. Many
surgeons prefer to make this cut lower than the intercostal space to be entered so as to preserve as
much as possible of the long thoracic nerve (nerve to serratus anterior).
CHAPTER 85 - Upper Limb
Muscles
II
Synovial Sheaths
A penetrating wound of a finger or thumb may introduce infectious material into its synovial digital flexor sheath. The sheath then provides a passageway for this infectious material to travel proximally into the palm.
Because the synovial sheaths do not extend to the tips of the digits, wounds here run less risk of
proximal spread of infection. The synovial sheath of the little finger is connected to the
synovial bursa in the carpal tunnel. Consequently, an infection of the little finger's synovial sheath can spread into the carpal tunnel. Similarly,
an infection of the thumb's synovial digital flexor sheath can spread into the carpal tunnel.
Muscle Interaction During Finger Flexion and Extension
This paragraph of Core Concepts states that contraction of an extrinsic finger extensor (EDC, extensor indicus, or extensor digiti minimi) by itself produces hyperextension at the MCP joint and, because of increased passive tension within the stretched FDP, flexion at the IP joints. This is true in the majority of persons, who require active contribution by some intrinsic hand muscles in order to straighten out their fingers. (A hand in which all the fingers are clawed is said to be intrinsic-minus.) However, in some people the ventral portion of an MCP joint capsule is so tight as to stop hyperextension of the joint. In such cases, an extrinsic finger extensor can fully extend the finger without any assistance from intrinsic hand muscles. Patients with tight ventral MCP joint capsules of the little and ring fingers will not present with the typical ulnar claw hand.
CHAPTER 86 - Blood Vessels
of the
Upper Limb
Superficial Ulnar Artery
Core Concepts states that injections meant for the median cubital vein may have dire consequences if
put in a superficial ulnar artery. The reason is that solutions of drugs meant for intravenous injection are
usually highly concentrated in anticipation of the fact that they will become diluted with venous
blood from other parts of the body when they reach the heart. If such a solution is injected into an
artery by mistake, it reaches the capillary bed of that artery without significant dilution. The
result may be serious injury to capillary walls and to the tissues supplied by these capillaries.
Arterial Anastomoses in the Hand and the Allen
Test (I wish to thank Scott McGovern for drawing my
attention to this Clinical Sidelight.)
In the hand there are two major anastomotic routes between the radial and ulnar arteries:
(1)
the superficial palmar arch, which is grossly visible as a
complete arch
less than 50% of the time (but some say is physiologically complete in a much higher percentage
of individuals);
(2)
the deep palmar arch,
which is grossly visible as a complete arch in almost everybody.
As a result of these
anastomotic routes, if either the ulnar or radial artery is injured at the wrist, patients tolerate
ligation of the injured vessel very well. Does this mean you need not worry about damaging one
of these arteries during the course of another procedure?
This issue has come to fore for three main reasons: (a) the radial artery is becoming an
increasingly popular substitute for the great saphenous vein during coronary artery bypass
grafting, (b) the radial artery may become occluded as a complication of cannulating it for the
purpose of monitoring blood pressure and oxygen levels, and (c) hemodialysis usually involves
establishing an arteriovenous fistula between the radial artery and a vein at the wrist. Before
one removes the radial artery, or risks occluding it, or diverts its blood, it would be nice to know
if the patient's ulnar supply to the hand is intact.
There are some very sophisticated ways of assessing flow within the distribution of the ulnar
artery to the hand, but many physicians recommend performing a very simple test called the
Allen test. The essence of the Allen test is to get most of the blood out of the hand, then
compress the radial artery, and finally observe if the ulnar artery can refill the hand with blood
while the radial artery remains compressed. There are a few different ways to do the Allen test.
One way you can perform it on yourself is to clear your hand of blood by holding it above heart
level and tightly clenching your fist for about a minute. Next, while your fist is still clenched,
bring your hand down and compress your radial artery at the site where you would take its pulse (i.e., just proximal to the
wrist). Then look at your palm and fingers as you open your fist. If the palm and fingers turn
from pale to red within 7 seconds, your ulnar artery is working fine. If they take longer than 15
seconds to become red, your ulnar artery supply to the hand is probably not sufficient to sustain
removal or occlusion of the radial artery. Failure to turn red within 15 seconds is said to constitute a positive Allen test, which is not
the result you are hoping for. When you do the test, don't overextend your wrist or
completely straighten your fingers. To do so places tension on the skin and palmar aponeurosis
that may compress the cutaneous vessels and give you a false positive result.
Though not particularly relevant to
the clinical scenarios described, one can also judge the contribution of the radial artery supply to
the hand by performing an Allen test with compression of the ulnar artery. In this case, if the
palm and all the fingers turn red upon release of the compression on the ulnar artery, you are genuinely seeing the result of
collateral circulation from the radial artery, since the distribution of the radial artery itself is to the thumb and radial
side of the index finger.
Some papers suggest that, even when carefully done, Allen tests tend to give a lot
of false positive results. That is, a vessel judged inadequate by an Allen test can be shown by
more sophisticated studies to be capable of supplying blood to the whole hand. However, a
negative Allen test (i.e., the hand turns red within 7 seconds) is a pretty good indication that you
have nothing to worry about.
Warm Ischemia Time
An organ or structure deprived of its blood supply will die. The length of time it can remain alive
at room temperature without irreversible tissue damage is called its "warm ischemia time". For limb muscles and nerves this is 4 hours (Whitesides TE Jr, Heckman MM. 1996 Acute compartment syndrome: update on diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 4::209- 218.). After 8 hours of warm ischemia, irreversible damge has occurred. In between these times, the damage is variable. If the affected segment is cooled to 4 °C the ischemic lifetime can be greatly extended (doubled or more). Major causes of limb ischemia are arterial occlusion and, more dramatically, accidental amputation.
CHAPTER 87 - Posterior
Division
Nerves of the Upper Limb
Suprascapular Nerve
The suprascapular nerve is not often injured by itself, although trauma to the posterior triangle of
the neck, or falls on the shoulder, may do so. In addition to the symptoms mentioned in this
chapter, right-handed persons usually experience difficulty in writing, since movement of the
hand across the page involves lateral rotation of the humerus.
Although a test of abduction
strength would reveal weakness of supraspinatus in the case of suprascapular nerve injury, the
examiner would be unable to distinguish this from weakness of deltoid due to axillary nerve
injury without further observations. Thus, the least ambiguous test for the suprascapular nerve is
for strength of lateral rotation of the arm. The patient is instructed to hold the arms at the sides
with the elbows flexed. The examiner attempts to push the hands inward against resistance by the
patient. The teres minor is too weak a lateral rotator to confound results of this test.
Subscapular Nerves
The subscapular nerves are rarely injured. One can theorize that such injury would greatly
affect medial rotation of the arm, and also affect combined extension/adduction of the arm. The
test for strength of medial rotation is to ask the patient to hold the arms at the side, with the
elbows flexed, and then resist the attempt of the examiner to push the hands apart. If the patient
is able to offer only weak resistance to this movement, and palpation of the pectoralis major
indicates it is working, one can suspect injury to subscapular nerves. The test for strength of
combined extension/adduction of the arm consists of asking the patient to hold the arm straight
out to the side and resist the examiner's attempt to lift it upward and forward.
Axillary Nerve
The test
for the axillary nerve consists of asking a patient to hold the arms straight out to the side while
the examiner attempts to push them down. In this way, weakness of one deltoid relative to the
other may be easily assessed. The motion will be weak if the supraspinatus is paralyzed, so one
must use his/her powers of observation, or palpation, to determine that the weakness is due to a
paralyzed deltoid.
Radial Nerve
Tests for motor function of the radial nerve consist of assessing strength of elbow extension,
wrist extension, and finger extension (at the MCP joint). Sensory examination involves choosing a spot of skin
whose innervation by the radial nerve is rarely, if ever, altered by variations in nerve distribution.
Such a spot is the web of skin overlying the 1st dorsal interosseous muscle on the back of the
hand. This skin is stimulated by soft and sharp objects to determine the patient's response.
CHAPTER 88 - Pectoral
Musculocutaneous, and Ulnar Nerves
Pectoral Nerves
Specific injuries to the pectoral nerves are rare. To assess function of the pectoral nerves, one
asks the patient to hold the arms out in front of the body, and the examiner attempts to push the
elbows apart against the patient's resistance.
Musculocutaneous Nerve
The musculocutaneous nerve is rarely injured alone. Fractures of the humerus, direct wounds
to the axilla, or even axillary artery aneurysm may affect it. One must make sure not to damage the musculocutaneous nerve in an
anterior approach to surgery on the shoulder. This is done by staying on the lateral side of the
conjoint tendon of origin of coracobrachialis and short head of biceps brachii. The motor test for
function of the musculocutaneous nerve is no more complicated than asking the patient to flex
the elbow against resistance by the examiner.
Ulnar Nerve - How to Test
In routine physical examinations, assessment of the ulnar nerve is usually confined to one
sensory and one motor test. The skin over the tip of the little finger is chosen for the sensory test,
because its innervation by the ulnar nerve is rarely, if ever, altered by variations in nerve
distribution. To assess ulnar-innervated muscles the patient is asked to spread apart his or her fingers
while the examiner tries to squeeze the index and little fingers together. This tests the strength of
the first dorsal interosseous and abductor digiti minimi (with flexor carpi ulnaris used as a
synergist to prevent pisiform displacement).
Ulnar Nerve - Motor Symptoms If Damaged
It is stated that injury to the ulnar nerve at the wrist is characterized by clawing of the ring and little fingers. This is true in most people, but not in persons whose MCP joint capsules are so tight as to prevent hyperextension of the MCP joints. (I happen to be such a person.) In ulnar-nerve-injured patients with tight MCP joint capsules, the fingers can be completely extended by the extrinsic digital extensors. It is in this group (and in patients with high ulnar nerve injuries, where clawing is not so prominent anyway) that "falling away" of the little finger from the ring finger is most obvious. In Core Concepts, I describe this persistent abduction of the little finger (known as Wartenberg's sign) as being caused by paralysis of its palmar interosseous muscle. This is true, but another factor is needed to actually produce the abduction of the little finger. Most authors believe this factor is provided by tension within the tendon of extensor digiti minimi. In about half of people the extensor digiti minimi has an abductor leverage at the little finger MCP joint. Obviously, in the half of people in which the extensor digiti minimi cannot abduct the little finger, Wartenberg's sign is not a feature of ulnar nerve injury.
In routine physical examinations, one motor and one sensory test for the median nerve are
performed. The motor test consists of asking the patient to make a circle by opposing the pads of
the thumb and little finger, whereupon the examiner attempts to pull the thumb away by applying
a force to its proximal phalanx. This is a test of strength for the thenar eminence muscles. The
sensory test consists of assessing cutaneous sensation at the tip of the index finger. This is the
part of the median's cutaneous distribution least susceptible to variation in nerve supply. Obviously,
other tests can be performed (e.g., of wrist flexion and finger flexion) if these two standard tests
produce suspicious results.
CHAPTER 90 - Some
Important Spaces
of the Upper Limb
Quadrangular Space
During surgery on the shoulder from the anterior approach, one eventually reaches a point
where the subscapularis must be transected. In so doing, the surgeon must take care not to extend
the incision into the quadrangular space, wherein reside some important things.
Snuffbox
It is significant that the scaphoid is in the floor of the snuffbox, since fractures of the
scaphoid are indicated by tenderness or swelling in the snuffbox.
De Quervain's Disease and Finkelstein's Test(This section is being added at the suggestion of Jeffrey Jacobson,
and with his help.)
As stated in Core Concepts 90, septa extend from the deep surface of the extensor
retinaculum of the wrist to the distal radius and ulna, thereby dividing the space beneath the retinaculum into compartments for the different
carpal and digital extensor tendons. Tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis
brevis pass through the first, most radial, of these compartments, which lies along the lateral
aspect of the styloid process of the radius. Sometimes, for reasons unknown (but far more
commonly in women than in men), the retinacular tissue of this compartment becomes thickened,
thereby impinging upon the tendons passing beneath it. Movements of the thumb or wrist
produced by the APL and/or EPB then become painful. This state of affairs is called De
Quervain's disease. It may be accompanied by an inflammation of the synovial sheaths of the
APL and EPB tendons (i.e., tenosynovitis).
Finkelstein's test is used to determine if painful
motion of the thumb is from De Quervain's disease or has some other cause. The patient is
asked to make a fist, but one in which the fingers curl over the thumb, just as we were taught to avoid
when we were children. The examiner then grasps the hand and moves it into adduction (i.e.,
ulnar deviation) at the wrist. In De Quervain's disease, this maneuver causes severe pain over the
radial styloid process. One may also find a positive Finkelstein's test in arthritis of the first
carpometacarpal joint. These two conditions are then differentiated by pushing the first
metacarpal proximally while twisting it back and forth. Such a "grind test" elicits pain in pollical
CMC joint disease but not in De Quervain's disease.
CHAPTER 93 - Positions of
Upper
Limb Structures Relative to Landmarks
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated by surgical transection of the transverse carpal ligament.
The initial skin incision starts just proximal to the projected position of the superficial palmar
arch and extends to the distal carpal flexion crease. It lies along a line corresponding to the radial
edge of the ring finger because this minimizes the chance of cutting the palmar cutaneous
branch of the median nerve. If this nerve is cut, the patient will likely develop a painful neuroma.
The incision in the transverse carpal ligament is made near its ulnar attachment, so as to
minimize the possibility of damaging the median nerve.
A human who sustains a minor fracture of the fibula will not generally require a cast because
the bone bears minimal loads.
CHAPTER 98 - Knee
Joint
Isolated injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament do occur, but there is no consensus on what
motion produces them. Excessive axial rotation, which involves injury to one of the collateral
ligaments, is often accompanied by an anterior cruciate tear. One
clinical test for the anterior cruciate ligament involves the examiner placing the knee of a supine
patient in 90° of flexion, then attempting to the pull the tibia forward off the
undersurface of the femur.
Very little motion is allowed in a normal knee. Some books say that more than 3 mm is
abnormal. If significant movement does occur, this constitutes a positive
anterior drawer sign, and indicates an injured anterior cruciate ligament. Before using this test to gain information on the anterior cruciate
ligament, you should be sure that the tibia has not fallen posteriorly relative to the femoral
condyles
because of a torn posterior cruciate ligament. If it had, you would be able to pull it forward into
its normal position, but this would tell you nothing about the ACL. For this very reason, many orthopaedists don't like to assess ACL integrity by the anterior drawer test. They use a test described in the next paragraph.
A more sensitive test for anterior cruciate injury is the Lachman test, but it requires
greater skill to
interpret. The difference is that the knee is placed is placed in only 20-30° of flexion. Now
when
the examiner tries to pull the tibia forward he or she will normally be able to elicit a few
millimeters of
movement, but this movement should have a firm stopping point. If the stopping point is
"mushy", this is a
sign of anterior cruciate ligament damage.
It possible for one bundle of the ACL to be injured while the other remains functionally intact, or the two bundles may both be injured but each at a different site along its length. If both bundles are seriously damaged, as is often the case, the entire ACL is replaced by a graft. There is an active debate about whether a single graft is sufficient or the surgeon should use two grafts, with each attempting to replicate the path of one bundle of the ACL. The "single-bundle" technique restores adequate resistance to anterior sliding of the tibia on the femur but, because the ACL also functions in stabilizing other motions at the knee, some orthopaedists believe that the more complicated "double-bundle" technique better reproduces the overall function of the ACL.
The posterior cruciate ligament is not as often injured as is the ACL. Isolated injuries of the PCL are usually the result of a posteriorly directed force applied to the proximal tibia when the knee is flexed. A classic example is an automobile passenger who, as the result of a car accident, is thrust forward so that the lower leg bangs into the dashboard. Falling down forward so that one lands on a flexed knee may also create the requisite force. The clinical test for the posterior cruciate ligament involves the
examiner attempting to the push the flexed tibia backward off the undersurface of the femur.
Virtually no motion is allowed in a normal knee; if significant movement does occur because of
an injured posterior cruciate ligament, this constitutes a positive posterior drawer sign. The use of a double-bundle technique for repair of a seriously damaged PCL is even more controversial than use of this technique to treat ACL injuries.
A blow to the lateral aspect of the knee (not uncommon in football) may very well rupture
both the superficial and deep fibers of the medial collateral ligament. Because the latter are
adherent to the capsule, it and the attached medial meniscus may also be torn.
CHAPTER 99 - Tibiofibular
Joint,
Ankle Joint, and Joints of the Foot
The lateral ligaments of the ankle are more frequently sprained than is the deltoid ligament.
A physician tests for the integrity of these ligaments by manually trying to move the foot in a way
that an intact ligament would resist. For example, the test for the anterior talofibular ligament is
for the examiner to place one hand on the front of the leg and then attempt to pull the foot
forward by pressure applied to the heel. If the foot can be pulled forward relative to the leg, this
is said to be a positive anterior drawer sign of the ankle, indicating a torn anterior talofibular
ligament.
CHAPTER 101 - Muscles of
the Lower
Limb
Q Angle
In clinical practice, the Q angle is estimated by angle between two lines: one between the
anterior superior iliac spine and the center of the patella, the other between the center of the
patella and the tibial tuberosity. So estimated, the Q angle averages 13° in males and 16° in
females. Lateral patellar dislocation occurs more often in women than men because of this
difference, a reflection of women's higher femoral bicondylar angles.
Plantaris
The very small plantaris muscle gives rise to a long thin tendon that is separate from the
Achilles tendon. It is a clinically significant structure for two reasons: (a) rupture of the plantaris
tendon is a highly painful condition, (b) the plantaris tendon may be removed to be used as a
graft for repair of badly damaged tendons in the hand.
CHAPTER 102 - Deep Fascia
and
Compartments of the Lower Limb
Compartment Syndromes
The anterior tibial, peroneal, and deep posterior compartments of the calf are inexpansible.
Buildup of pressure within any of these compartments is a potentially serious problem because
the small veins in that compartment become compressed. As this happens, venous pressure rises and, consequently, the arteriovenous pressure gradient falls (Matsen FA III. 1980 Compartmental Syndromes. Grune & Stratton, NY). The result is diminished capillary flow and ischemia of the structures within the compartment. Nerves are most sensitive to such ischemia, and the first sign that compartmental pressure has
reached dangerous levels is tingling or diminished sensation in the areas of skin supplied by
intracompartmental nerves. Pain upon passive stretching of the involved muscles is also a sign
for concern. The compartmental ischemia leads to increased capillary permeability and further
swelling, so that the pressure buildup becomes increasingly worse. When the intracompartmental pressure rises to within 25 - 30 mm Hg of the average arterial pressure (diastolic + 1/3[systolic-diastolic]), capillary blood flow stops.
The diminished capillary blood flow of a compartment syndrome leads to tissue damage even before all capillary flow stops. If the high intracompartmental pressure goes untreated, all the compartmental contents will die. Muscles killed in this way become fibrotic and shortened. Not only are they nonfunctional, but the shortening results in deformities.
One cause of compartment syndrome is an unaccustomed period of strenuous exercise. Muscles become swollen and tender after such exercise. For muscles like the deltoid or pectoralis major, which are not within confined spaces, this swelling presents no particular problem and will resolve with time. If the overused muscles lie within an inexpansible compartment, such as found in the lower leg, it is still possible for the swelling to resolve itself without complication. However, it is also possible for the pressure buildup to lead to an "exertional" compartment syndrome. One example of this is anterior tibial syndrome, which may occur after a long walk by
an otherwise sedentary person. Anterior tibial syndrome (like any other compartment syndrome)
is accompanied by pain in the compartment. However, the first sign that intervention may be
necessary is malfunctioning of the deep peroneal nerve, revealed by tingling or diminished
sensation in the dorsal web of skin between the first and second toes. The treatment for this, and most other compartment syndromes, is to make a long incision through the fascia bounding the compartment. Such a "fasciotomy" relieves the intracompartmental pressure.
More common than exertional compartment syndromes are those that arise following trauma (like a broken bone) that causes
bleeding into the compartment. A third cause of compartment syndrome is reperfusion injury.
When a structure is deprived of blood, the capillaries become more permeable. If blood flow is
suddenly restored, the reperfused structure will swell. The general rule is that if a limb has been ischemic for 6 hours, whatever the reason, you should do a prophylactic fasciotomy prior to restoring
circulation. Obviously, if a limb has been ischemic for significantly more than six hours, it must
be amputated (see Warm Ischemia Time).
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome ("Shin
Splints")
The term "shin splints" has been applied to so many different conditions characterized by exertional leg pain (e.g., incipient anterior tibial syndrome, incipient deep posterior compartment syndrome, stress fracture) that most clinicians now advise against its use. However, it seems that the majority of
persons who present with what they believe to be shin splints are actually suffering from a
condition more properly called "medial tibial stress syndrome" (MTSS). The symptom of MTSS is a diffuse pain along the posteromedial border of the tibia, usually bridging the junction of its middle and distal thirds. This pain is brought about by exercise, most commonly running or jumping, and is to be distinguished from a stress fracture, the pain of which is more focal. At one time it was widely believed that MTSS was essentially an inflammation of the tibial periosteum (i.e., a periostitis) along the site where the medial edge of the soleus has a fascial attachment to the posteromedial edge of the tibia (below the actual origin of the soleus from the soleal line of the tibia). Among the appealing aspects of this theory was the increased incidence of MTSS in persons who experience an unusually high range (or possibly speed) of subtalar joint pronation during running. It is believed that such persons overuse the soleus, which is both a plantarflexor and supinator of the subtalar joint. Also, MRI on patients with posteromedial tibial pain frequently reveals periosteal edema in the affected region. The theory that MTSS is a periostitis even guides surgical treatment when more conservative approaches fail. The surgery primarily involves cutting the fascial attachment of the soleus to the posteromedial edge of the distal tibia. It does not always work.
The problem with attributing the pain of MTSS to periostitis is that most studies have found no evidence of periosteal inflammation in persons undergoing surgery for this condition. The pendulum is swinging toward the belief that basic pathology of MTSS is a decreased bone density (i.e, greater bone porosity) due to an incomplete remodeling effort as the bone attempts to respond to exceptionally high and/or frequent loads (Jones BH, et al. 1989 Exercise-induced stress fractures and stress reactions of bone: epidemiology, etiology, and classification. Exerc Sports Sci Rev 17:379-422). There is certainly evidence to support the existence of metabolic and histologic changes in the bone of the affected region. However, the link between having a zone of porous bone and being in pain is not clear (Gaeta M, et al. 2005 High resolution CT grading of tibial stress reaction in distance runners. AJR 187:789-793). It may be that the porous bone responds to heavy loading with microcracks that are painful, but the issue has yet to be resolved. One would like to reconcile the "porous bone" explanation of MTSS with a role for soleus overuse in causing this syndrome. The only suggestion of which I am aware is that contraction of the soleus may add to the bending loads on the tibia (Beck BR. 1998 Tibial stress injuries: an aetiological review for the purposes of guiding management. Sports Med 26:265-279).
CHAPTER 103 - Blood
Vessels of the
Lower Limb
Varicose Veins
Varicose superficial veins of the lower limb are not an uncommon result of pregnancy, since
the enlarged uterus compresses the common iliac veins and thereby elevates venous pressure
within the lower limb.
Great Saphenous Vein
Probably everyone knows that the great saphenous vein has particular clinical significance
for coronary bypass surgery. Being long and easily located, it is resected so that segments of it
may be used as grafts extending from the ascending aorta to various coronary arteries beyond the
sites of their occlusion. It also used for femoropopliteal bypass surgery (connecting the common
femoral artery to the popliteal artery so that blockage on the superficial femoral artery may be
bypassed). During femoropopliteal bypass, the great saphenous vein may be excised and turned
around so that the valves permit distal flow of blood, or it may be left in situ and all the valves
stripped out. If left in situ, its tributaries must be sutured so that arteriovenous fistulae do not
develop.
CHAPTER 104 - Products of
the
Lumbar Plexus and Gluteal Nerves
NOTE: For information on causes of injury to these nerves I
have relied heavily on the text Focal Peripheral Neuropathies by JD Stewart, 1993, Raven Press,
NY.
Femoral Nerve
The femoral nerve may be inadvertently cut during pelvic,
groin,
or hip surgeries. It may be stretched by a retractor during pelvic surgery. It may be compressed
against
the inguinal ligament during prolonged lithotomy position. Pelvic tumors, pelvic fractures,
anterior hip
dislocations, and penetrating injuries to the groin also place the nerve at risk. Motor tests require
the
patient to
extend the lower leg against resistance and, for the purpose of testing the rectus femoris and
iliopsoas, to flex the thigh against resistance.
Obturator Nerve
The anterior division of the obturator nerve is of particular clinical significance in the
symptomatic treatment of cerebral palsy. Children with this disorder may experience a severe
impairment of gait due to spastic medial rotation and adduction of the thigh. Transection of the
anterior division of the obturator nerve will paralyze gracilis, adductor longus, and adductor
brevis; such paralysis actually has a salutatory effect on locomotion. Elimination of spasticity in
the gracilis has the additional positive result of reducing the tendency of the knee to be held in a
partly flexed posture.
Like the femoral nerve, the obturator is not often injured. Intrapelvic tumors may compress
the obturator nerve. Sometimes the pressure exerted by the fetal head during parturition may
damage the maternal obturator nerve. Fracture of the superior pubic ramus, or hernia of bowel
through the obturator canal are other potential sources of injury. One tests for damage to the
obturator nerve by requiring the patient to adduct the thigh against resistance.
Superior Gluteal Nerve
The Trendelenburg test is described in Chapter 104. Another test for damage to the superior
gluteal nerve requires the patient to lie on his or her side and attempt to elevate the lower limb
against resistance.
Inferior Gluteal Nerve
The inferior gluteal nerve is tested by requiring the prone patient to flex the knee and then
raise the thigh off the examining table against resistance. The gluteus maximus should be palpated as the
test is performed. Flexion of the knee is necessary because it causes the hamstring muscles to
operate in unfavorable regions of their length-tension curves and, therefore, enables a purer test
of gluteus maximus strength.
Damage to the entire sciatic nerve may occur in major
traumatic injury to the buttock or thigh, fractures or dislocations of the hip, and during hip
surgery. Intrapelvic tumors and very poorly placed injections in the buttock can produce partial
injuries. Compression of the nerve can arise from sitting for a long time wedged in a toilet seat
(usually associated with inebriation), or in emaciated patients that lie supine on an operating table
for a long time, or during bicycling, or from prolonged sitting on one's thick wallet (usually
associated with being a professor). Paralysis of lower leg muscles supplied by both the common
peroneal and tibial nerves should cause one to think of damage to the sciatic, rather than separate
damage to its branches. Paralysis of the hamstrings is a sign of damage above the proximal thigh.
Some tests for motor function of the sciatic nerve are the same as those for its common
peroneal and tibial branches (see further on). However, assessing the strength of knee flexion addresses the sciatic's innervation of the hamstrings and short head of biceps femoris, branches to which are given off before the sciatic splits into the common peroneal and tibial nerves. So that the examiner can distinguish weakness of knee flexion due to sartorius or
gracilis paralysis from that due to muscles innervated by the sciatic nerve, palpation of the
hamstrings is essential.
Piriformis Syndrome
Many persons who experience sciatica (i.e., pain along some part of the distribution of the sciatic nerve) are found to have a slipped disc, but other patients with sciatica have myelograms or MRIs that show no evidence of disc (or other spinal) disease. After many years of debate, it is now believed that another common cause of sciatica is something called "piriformis syndrome" (Filler AG, et al. 2005 Sciatica of nondisc origin and piriformis syndrome: diagnosis by magnetic resonance neurography and interventional magnetic resonance imaging with outcome study of resulting treatment. J Neurosurg Spine 2:99-115). Folks with piriformis syndrome typically present with buttock pain that may or may not radiate down the back of the lower limb. When it does so radiate, it less commonly goes into the foot than in cases of disc disease. If it does go into the foot, the pain affects all five toes, whereas a radiculopathy due to a herniated disc affects only the toes innervated by the compressed spinal nerve (medial toes if L5, lateral toes if S1). Numbness and muscle weakness are rare in cases of piriformis syndrome, and the SLR (straight leg raise) test is usually negative. The pain is made worse by sitting, and also becomes worse when an examiner places the thigh in a flexed, adducted, and internally rotated position, especially if the patient is then asked to abduct or externally rotate the thigh against resistance. In its early stages, the pain of piriformis syndrome is believed to be caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve due to a spastically contracting piriformis muscle. Subsequently, the nerve may be affected by hypertrophy of the piriformis, or atrophy and tightness of the muscle, or secondary adhesions to the muscle and surrounding tissues. What initially causes spasm of a piriformis is uncertain, but it may be set off by a back injury or trauma to the buttock. Although a study of possible piriformis syndrome patients has been performed to see if visual abnormalities of the muscle or sciatic nerve can be detected by MRI, the best proof of the condition is that it is relieved either by MR guided injection of anesthetic and steroid into the muscle, or if this fails, by surgical resection of a segment of the piriformis overlying the sciatic nerve.
Tibial Nerve
The tibial nerve may be injured by wounds to the popliteal
fossa or back of the lower leg, fractures at the knee, or dislocations of the knee. It can be compressed by
a Baker's cyst, which is a fluid-filled pouch derived either from one of the bursae at the back of
the knee or from an outpocketing of synovial membrane through the posterior capsule of the
joint. Testing the motor functions of the tibial nerve is done by
requiring the patient to plantarflex the foot, to invert the foot, and to flex the toes against resistance.
Asking the patient to walk on his/her toes is another good test for the strength of the triceps
surae. Some physicians ask the patient to spread the toes apart in an attempt to assess the intrinsic
muscles of the foot, however, many of us perfect persons cannot perform this maneuver.
As stated in Chapter 108, the common peroneal nerve is the most frequently injured nerve of
the lower limb. In addition to the listed causes of injury, plaster
casts, or the supports used to hold up the legs in the lithotomy position, can also compress the
nerve. Signs of injury are a combination of those resulting from
malfunctioning of both the deep and superficial peroneal nerves.
Specific motor test of the superficial peroneal nerve requires the patient to evert the foot
against resistance; the strength of this motion is due far more to lateral compartment muscles
than to peroneus tertius.
A specific test of the deep peroneal nerve requires the patient to dorsiflex the foot and toes against
resistance. Another test is to ask patient to walk on his or her heels, a behavior that requires strong anterior
tibial compartment muscles.
CHAPTER 110 - Positions of
Lower
Limb Structures to Landmarks
Common Femoral Artery
The ability to compress the common femoral artery against the head of the femur has
significance beyond taking the pulse of this vessel. Radiologists frequently use the common
femoral artery as a site to gain entry into the arterial system. A hypodermic needle is
inserted through the anterior wall of the vessel where it lies anterior to head of the
femur. A guide wire is threaded through the needle, the needle is withdrawn, a catheter is threaded over the guide wire into the artery, and finally the guide wire is withdrawn.
Catheters inserted in this manner may be
passed superiorly into the aorta or one of its branches for the purpose of angiography or selective arterial
embolization. At the end of the procedure, when the catheter is withdrawn, bleeding from the
common femoral artery may be controlled by compressing it against the femoral head. If, by
mistake, the puncture needle had been directed too obliquely upward, with the result that it entered the
common femoral artery proximal to the femoral head or, worse, entered the external iliac
artery, one is left with a hole in a vessel that has no posterior structure against which it can be
compressed. The result may a considerable hematoma in the proximal thigh and/or pelvis. An example of this is found at
case 7.
Some physicians prefer to perform a femoral stick by passing the needle through both the anterior and posterior walls of the artery, then partially withdrawing the needle so its opening lies in the arterial lumen. The site of arterial puncture should be the same as described above. If the puncture site is located too far distally, it may enter the superficial femoral artery where this vessel lies anterior to the superficial femoral vein. After piercing the back wall of the artery, the needle may inadvertently enter the vein, creating the risk that an arteriovenous fistula will develop.
Sural Nerve
Posterior to the lateral malleolus lies the small saphenous vein, and posterior to the vein lies the sural nerve. The nerve is easily located here. It can be traced upward from this point and removed
virtually in its entirety to supply bridging segments during attempts to repair damage to more
important nerves of the body.
It is generally true that pelvic organs drain to internal iliac nodes, but lymph from the fundus
of the uterus and uterine tubes also drains via channels that accompany ovarian vessels back to
lumbar nodes. As mentioned in Table 98, when the normal routes of uterine lymphatic drainage
become blocked, lymph may drain through channels that accompany the round ligament through
inguinal canal, and then to the superficial inguinal nodes. If the latter are sites of metastatic
uterine cancer, this is a bad sign, because it implies that intrapelvic nodes are heavily loaded with tumor.
Tongue Cancer
Any region of the tongue near its midline will send lymph to both the ipsilateral and the contralateral sides.
For example, the tip of the tongue drains to both right and left submental nodes, as well as directly to both
right and left jugulo-omohyoid nodes. It is also the case that regions of the lower lip near the midline send lymph to
both the ipsilateral and contralateral submental nodes. Consequently, paramedian cancer of the
tongue or lower lip is far more serious than cancer of these structures' lateral edges, because of the potential
for metastases to both the right and left deep cervical chains.
Sampling Axillary Nodes for
Spread of Breast Cancer
Breast surgeons use a different terminology for naming groups of axillary nodes than do
anatomists. Surgeons usually speak of level 1 nodes, defined as those lateral to the
pectoralis minor muscle (i.e., the pectoral, subscapular, lateral, and a few central nodes),
level 2 nodes, defined as those deep to the pectoralis minor (i.e., most of the central nodes),
and level 3 nodes, defined as those medial to pectoralis minor (i.e., the apical axillary nodes).
The lower the number of the level, the more likely is the node group to be a recipient of mammary carcinoma
spread. (However, spread to level 2 nodes can occur with negative level 1 nodes and, although
unlikely, there can be positive level 3 nodes without tumor detected in either level 1 or level 2
nodes).
For obvious reasons, lymphatic drainage of the breast is the subject of much research. I summarize some of this research below, but even this summary contains far more detail than I would expect a first-year student to learn. I have highlighted in bold type what I think you should know.
Most surgeons accept that 75% of the lymph from the breast goes to the axillary nodes, while
25% goes to the internal mammary nodes (IMN). In fact, recent studies indicate that if breast cancer has spread to the axillary nodes, there is about a 25% chance it will also have spread to the IMN (Purushotham AD, Cariati M. 2005 Br. J. Surg. 92:131-132). On the other hand, among patients who have negative axillary nodes, only 5-15% (depending on the study) will prove to have tumor in the IMN. There is some indication that the superficial part of the breast drains almost entirely to axillary nodes, whereas the deeper portion drains to both the axillary nodes and the IMN (Shimazu K et al. 2003 Ann. Surg. 237:390-398). There is also some evidence that, although all quadrants of the breast send lymph to the IMN, the incidence of metastases to these nodes is somewhat higher if the tumor is in the medial half of the breast. Surgical sampling of lymph nodes draining the breast is generally confined to the axillary nodes, recognizing the pretty small chance of isolated IMN metastases and the greater difficulty of surgical access to the IMN.
One can identify the lymph node most likely to house metastatic breast cancer by combining a technique called lymphoscintigraphy with injection of a blue dye that is picked up by breast lymphatic vessels. Lymphoscintigraphy entails the injection of radiocolloid into the breast around the site of the tumor. After an hour or so, a blue dye is injected at the same site. An incision is made in the axilla and the surgeon looks for a lymph node that has picked up the blue dye and/or (using a Geiger counter) a lymph node that is radioactive. In either case, such a node is called a "sentinel node". Sometimes the blue node is also the radioactive node, sometimes they are different, sometimes there are two or three nodes that satisfy one or both of the criteria for being called a sentinel node. Regardless, a sentinel node is viewed as the first in the series of nodes that receives lymph from the breast. Any sentinel node is taken out and sent for immediate inspection by a pathologist. Until very recently (see below), if tumor was found in a sentinel node, the surgeon removed many more axillary nodes in a procedure simply referred to as an axillary node dissection. This was believed to improve survival rates and to help in planning future treatment.
One risk of removing nodes along the axillary vein is interruption of lymphatic drainage from the upper limb. When lymphatic drainage from any region of the body wall is significantly blocked, that region tends to swell - a condition called lymphedema. In order to minimize the risk of upper limb lymphedema following an axillary node dissection, surgeons try to preserve the lymph nodes that lie along the convexity (i.e., superior surface) of the axillary vein. This is because breast lymph rarely goes to nodes along the convexity, which mainly receive lymph from the upper limb.
Crossing near the floor of the axilla is the intercostobrachial nerve. It is often sacrificed
during axillary node dissection, although in recent years surgeons are making a greater attempt to preserve this nerve because cutting it leaves the patient with unpleasant numbness on the posteromedial aspect of the upper arm. Also, in an axillary dissection, the surgeon should look out for the thoracodorsal nerve, the nerve to serratus anterior (i.e., long thoracic n.), and the thoracodorsal artery. Preservation of the latter is especially important because the latissimus dorsi may be used later
for breast reconstruction.
To reach apical axillary nodes (level 3), which are usually only removed if there is to be a
mastectomy, the surgeon will cut ("take down") the pectoralis minor at its origin in order to
improve exposure of the relevant region. Effort should be made to preserve the medial pectoral
nerve, which often pierces the pectoralis minor. If this nerve is cut, the sternocostal pectoralis
major becomes atrophic.
Because an axillary node dissection may have undesirable consequences, and patients with tumor in sentinel nodes will generally receive radiation and chemotherapy whether or not tumor has spread to other axillary nodes, a major study was conducted to determine if removal of numerous axillary nodes really helps (Giuliano AE et al. 2011 Axillary dissection vs no axillary dissection in women with invasive breast cancer and sentinel node metastasis. A randomized clinical trial. JAMA 305:569-575). The findings were that axillary node dissection does not improve survival rates, or diminish rates of local tumor recurrence, in patients with positive sentinel nodes who received postoperative radiation and chemotherapy. Assuming this becomes the standard of practice (and it is too soon to say what will happen until the results are substantiated), many women will be able to avoid a procedure with the potential for serious complications.
As implied above, the overwhelming majority of sentinel nodes are found in the axilla. However, in a large series of patients with breast cancer, it was shown that about 15% of patients have sentinel nodes in both the axilla and the IMN (Hong J et al. 2005 Eur. J. Surg. Oncol. 31:942-948). (Other studies give higher percentages for sentinel nodes in both locations.) Only 2% of patients had a sentinel node in the IMN without having one in the axilla. There is active research on the value of attempting to identify metastatic disease in the IMN, but for the moment, standard procedure calls only for looking in the axilla to find sentinel nodes.
Variabilty in Lymphatic Drainage of the Skin (The new information presented below is my summary of Uren RF, Howman-Giles R, Thompson JF. 2003 Patterns of lymphatic drainage from the skin in patients with melanoma. J Nucl Med 44:570-582).
The figure accompanying Chapter 111 depicts a human torso with one horizontal line drawn at the level of the clavicles and another at the level of the umbilicus. Arrows indicate the following: (1) lymphatic drainage from skin and subcutaneous tissue above the transclavicular plane goes to deep cervical nodes, (2) lymphatic draiange from skin and subcutaneous tissue between the transclavicular and transumbilical planes goes primarily to axillary nodes, but also to internal mammary nodes, and (3) lymphatic drainage from skin and subcutaneous tissue below the transumbilical plane goes to superficial inguinal nodes. These arrows also indicate that lymphatic drainage from skin and subcutaneous tissue to the right of the median sagittal plane goes to right-sided nodes, and lymphatic drainage from skin and subcutaneous tissue to the left of the median sagittal plane goes to left-sided nodes. All these "facts" are oversimplications of the truth.
In cases of cutnaeous melanoma it has become standard practice to look for sentinel nodes using lymphoscintigraphy (injection of radiocolloid into the skin around the site of the tumor) followed by imaging that reveals where radioactivity has concentrated. Observations have been made of drainage to lymph nodes in completely unexpected places, and in some cases to nodes not previously known to drain the skin. First, skin within a 10 cm region straddling either the transclavicular or transumbilical plane can drain to regions above that plane, below that plane, or both. Similarly, skin within a 10 cm region straddling the median sagittal plane can drain ipsilaterally, contralaterally, or both. Second, Uren and colleagues discovered that in 10-15% of patients the first nodes to drain skin of the back above the transumbilical plane are found in the triangular intermuscular space of the shoulder (i.e., that space bounded by teres major, teres minor, and long head of triceps brachii - see figure to Chapter 90). This nodal group had not been previously known. Third, skin of the back in the vicinity of the transumbilical plane may drain to para-aortic nodes in addition to axillary or superficial inguinal nodes. For those of us who just want to memorize a simple pattern, the only good news is that draiange from the skin of the anterior trunk more often goes to predicted nodes, and less often crosses the midline, than lymphatic drainage from the back. The authors decribe various other incidences of unexpected lymphatic draiange involving skin of the head and upper limbs. The bottom line is that one should memorize the lymphatic drainage patterns of the skin shown in the figure for Chapter 111, but they are not chiselled in stone.
Surgical Nomenclature for Nodes Draining the
Lungs
Surgeons use a nomenclature for lymph nodes draining the lungs that differs from
what you will find in most anatomy texts. The American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Prognostic Factors TNM Committee of the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer have adopted the scheme shown in the figure (modified from Mountain CF and Dresler CM. 1997 Regional lymph node classification for lung cancer staging. Chest 111:1718-1723.) I have been told that a new standard nomenclature is in the works. Regardless, I cannot recommend that a first-year medical student commit this memory, except for a few terms I will mention below.
Of all the terms used by surgeons to describe mediastinal nodes, the ones you should know are
hilar nodes - lie around the mainstem bronchi within the lung subcarinal nodes - lie in the inferior angle of the tracheal bifurcation paratracheal nodes - lie alongside the trachea
Also, one often hears the intrapulmonary nodes distal to the hilar nodes referred to as "peribronchial nodes". The hilar and peribronchial nodes are not accessible via mediastinoscopy without breaking the parietal pleura and risking pneumothorax.
The right lung drains almost entirely to right paratracheal nodes. The left upper lobe drains almost entirely
to left paratracheal nodes. The left lower lobe drains to both right and left sides. If there is
evidence of left lower lobe cancer, surgeons want to know if the
cancer has spread to the right paratracheal nodes, because such spread is a counterindication for
surgical treatment of the cancer. One way to get the necessary information is to perform a
mediastinoscopy. Some facilities have supplanted this with a PET (Positron Emission
Tomography) scan of the superior mediastinum, which is as sensitive, or more so, in revealing
tumor involvement of relevant nodes. Finally, T. J. Santo, a student at Stony Brook, has drawn my attention to the existence of a relatively new technique - ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration, in which a flexible bronchoscope fitted with an ultrasound transmitter/receiver and biopsy needle is passed into the trachea and mainstem bronchi, where the needle is jabbed through the wall of the air passageway to take cytologic samples from suspicious nodes identified on CT. This technique does give access to hilar and peribronchial nodes.
Iliac Node Dissection
When removing external iliac lymph nodes, the surgeon must be careful not to damage the
genitofemoral nerve lying lateral to these nodes. When removing the obturator nodes, it is the
obturator nerve that is in danger.
Cloquet's Node
Cloquet's node is variously described at the most superior of the deep inguinal nodes or the most inferior of external iliac nodes. It lies in the femoral ring (i.e., the entrance to the femoral canal). Deep inguinal nodes are sampled for spread of cancer from the lower limb, or from any superficial tissue below the umbilical plane. If Cloquet's node is negative, it is often considered unnecessary to go higher and sample external iliac and obturator nodes. If Cloquet's node is positive for cancer, the surgery is extended into the abdomen and pelvis to take out external iliac and obturator nodes.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Twin Goats on Yowm Kippur Fulfilled in Yahuwshuwa Messiah
Yahuwshuwa Messiah lived out an intermediate fulfillment of Yom Kippur at his first coming, after his forty days of fasting in the wilderness. At his second coming, he will fulfill it again on the "Day of Wrath" when he "avenges the blood of the saints"and returns with his bride (Revelation 19). As we read Matthew's account of his temptation in the wilderness, we learn that there are some very strong clues about the scapegoat and the sacrificial goat being fulfilled in YaHuW'shuwa.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 4:
1 Then was Yahuwshuwa led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 Andwhen he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said,If you be the Son of Elohiym, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written,Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Elohiym.
5 Thenthe devil took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And said unto him,If you be the Son of Elohiym, cast yourself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning you: and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.
*Note: Satan was trying to tempt Yahuwshuwa to follow the rabbinic tradition of throwing the scapegoat off of the cliff, but Yahuwshuwa would not allow himself to follow rabbinic tradition. Yahuwshuwa fulfilled the scapegoat according to the Torah, but not the traditions of men. The Jewish Sanhedrin had started a tradition of throwing the scapegoat off of a cliff because they were concerned that the goat would find its way back into the camp and thus bring back the sins of the nation. To ensure that the sins of the nation carried away by the scapegoat, could never return to them, the scapegoat was led up to a steep cliff and thrown down. This is the very reason why Satan tried to tempt Yahuwshuwa to throw himself down from a pinnacle of the temple while he was in the wilderness. Satan knew that Yahuwshuwa was carrying out the pattern of the scapegoat and he wanted him to obey the man-made rabbinic traditions of not trusting in YaHuWaH to save us. This tradition is against the Torah because it shows an attitude of trusting in human efforts versus trusting in Yah to keep the scapegoat away.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 4:
7 Yahuwshuwa said unto him, It is written again,you shall not tempt YHWH your Elohiym.
8 Again,the devil took him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And said unto him,All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.
10 Then said Yahuwshuwa unto him, Get you hence (get away), Satan: for it is written,you shall worship YHWH your Elohiym, and him only shall you serve.
1stYahuwchanon (John) 2:16 shows us three main categories of sin:
1.) The lust of the flesh
2.) The lust of the eyes
3.) The pride of life
Satan tried to tempt Yahuwshuwa in Matthew 4:3 with the lust of the flesh, by appealing to his hunger for physical food. He said to him:
"If you be the Son of Elohiym, command that these stones be made bread."
Yahuwshuwa answered by saying:
"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Elohiym."
This not only deals with Yahuwshuwa's physical hunger, but it deals with us wanting physical manifestations more than the word of YaHuWaH. You see Yahuwshuwa wants us to"hear his voice." The sheep hear his voice and do not follow a stranger (John10:5).
When sheep stray it is usually because a wolf has lured them away with some physical manifestation or some show of power that counterfeits the real thing.
In Ya'aqob (James) 1:14 this principle is born out:
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
Satan uses the "lust of the flesh"to tempt and entice us away from YaHuWaH with a fleshy counterfeit. Satan wants us to believe that we can have the Holy Spirit without giving up false gods and idols.
While Yahuwshuwa said that"signs" would follow them that believe, (Mark 16:17) he also said: "a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign"(Matthew 16:4). You see, signs should follow the believer, but the believer should not follow "signs." We should only follow the shepherd and his voice. So what does adultery have to do with seeking after a sign?
The word adulterate in the dictionary means "to make impure by admixture."
This means that adultery is a mixture of the pure worship of the one true Elohiym with paganism.
In Greek the word here in Matthew 16:4 adulterous is moichalis which comes from the root moichos meaning "apostate."
The word"apostasia" in Greek means "defection from the truth." Here YaHuW'shuwa is equating falling away from the truth with adultery.
Satan was trying to appeal to Yahuwshuwa with the "lust of the flesh" in wanting YaHuW'shuwa to use his power to "feed himself" but YaHuW'shuwa never used his power for himself. Whenever he demonstrated the power of YaHuWaH it was to minister to others and to bring glory to his Father. Yahuwshuwa never glorified himself.
In Matthew 4:5, Satan also tried to appeal to Yahuwshuwa with the "pride of life," by tempting him to take his life into his own hands instead of entrusting his life into his Father's hands. Yahuwshuwa could have jumped off that pinnacle and had angels who would have indeed saved him, but this would have been a wrong motive. Satan wanted Yahuwshuwa to use his power to "show off."
Finally in Matthew 4:8, Satan tried to appeal to Yahuwshuwa with the "lust of the eyes"by "showing him" all the kingdoms of this world.
With the "lust of the eyes" he tried to seduce Yahuwshuwa into falling down and worshipping him. Yahuwshuwa said to him: "it is written you shall worship YHWH your Elohiym, and him only shall you serve."
Today many in Christianity are seeking after signs and manifestations more than pure doctrine and the prophetic word of YaHuWaH for this hour. Within the Messianic & Hebraic Root's Community, I see the opposite problem where the focus seems to be more on the "letter" of the Torah, but they tend to cast aside prophetic revelation, signs, wonders, and miracles etc. But these two extreme views are wrong and they keep the two houses of Yisra'el divided. The "pride of life" is an attitude that wants to use a show of Yah's power for self-aggrandizement. The "lust of the flesh" is an attitude that wants to get our own needs met without paying the price by laying down our lives for YaHuW'shuwa. The "lust of the eyes"is being influenced by the splendor of the world and even "physical manifestations" causing people to worship Satan as an imposter of Yahuwshuwa Messiah. Satan will use all three of these things to tempt us in these last days, but we must not be moved by what we see with our eyes.
We as a body of believers in Messiah must advance to the "meat" of the word and stop feeding on "milk." We must not look to "signs and wonders" ONLY as evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. We must feed on the pure, unadulterated word of Elohiym so that we can bear fruit worthy of repentance. Only then will we as a body of believers be able discern the true YaHuW'shuwa Messiah from the imposter.
Yom Kippur Explained
Leviticus 16 gives us the instructions through Moses for all for Yisra'el on how to keep Yom Kippur.
The High Priest (Kohan Gadol) was to take two goats and present them before YaHuWaH at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. He was to cast lots for the goats----one for YaHuWaH and the other for "Azazel" which literally means: "the goat of removal" or "the scapegoat."Two goats were to be brought before him. He would place his hands on their heads and confess the sins of the people. One would be slaughtered as a sacrifice to YaHuWaH.
When YaHuW'shuwa came to Yahuwchanon (John) to be baptized, John was the true High Priest that was to offer the "sacrificial goat" that year while Caiaphas the High Priest was an imposter who was an Edomite appointed by Rome. Caiaphas was not a Levite appointed by YaHuWaH, but John was a Levite and a legitimate priest.
John immediately recognized that Yah had selected the sacrificial goat for that year for Yom Kippur:
Yahuwchanon (John 1:29) The next day John saw Yahuwshuwa coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of Elohiym, which takes away the sin of the world.
Yahuwchanon (John) knew that Yahuwshuwa was about to become the "sacrificial goat" and that he would be "sent" into the wilderness also as the "scapegoat" to "take away" the sins of the world into the wilderness!
John placed his hand on Yahuwshuwa's head just as the High Priest did to the scapegoat.
The Scriptures tell us that the second goat is to be offered to "Azazel," which is a Hebrew word that literally means the following in the Hebrew Strong's Concordance:
#5799 'aza'zelaz-aw-zale from 5795 and 235;goat of departure; the scapegoat:--scapegoat.
The idea behind the scapegoat is that he is to be sent out into the desert, separated from the people "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalms 103:12). He escapes death, but he carries the sins of the people with him to his dying day. They sinned, he suffers. They were guilty, he pays the price. That's what the word "scapegoat" has come to mean: an innocent person who is forced to take the blame.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement literally means "covering", and it is the sixth of the seven Biblical feasts given by Yah to the nation Yisra'el (Leviticus 23:26-32). Observed on the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri), it is the highest Holy Day of the Feasts appointed by YaHuWaH. Yah commanded Yisra'el to observe the Day of Atonement because they were a sinful people in need of cleansing so that they might have continued fellowship with Him. Yom Kippur is also the culmination of the "Days of Awe," the ten-day period of self-examination and repentance that begins on Yom Teruah (Day of Blowing) on the first day of the 7th month of Tishri.
In Judaism Yom Teruah is called Rosh Ha'Shanah in because originally, when YaHuWaH created man (Adam) it was on the 1st day of the 7th month of Tishri. Man was created on the 6th day, and on the 7th day, YaHuWaH rested. And so each month, represented a day in which Yah spoke his creation into being. But the seventh month represented the 7th day and so Adam was created just before the 1st day of the 7th month at the close of the 6th month (representing the 6th day). This is when Adam was created.
From Genesis 1 through Exodus 12, the New Year began on the first day of the 7th month. This is called the "Civil New Year" in Judaism.
But when Yah took Yisra'el out of Egypt, he declared that he was instituting the New Year for them as he wanted them to remember forever, when he took them out of Egypt and delivered them out of bondage. From Exodus 12 all the way up to the book of Revelation, the New Year from that point on was in the month called "Abib" (Nisan) on the Hebrew Agricultural Calendar.
The word "Abib" (Aviv in Modern Hebrew) in Hebrew Concordance is:
#24 'abiybaw-beeb' from an unused root (meaning to be tender); green, i.e. a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month Abib or Nisan:--Abib, ear,green ears of corn (not maize).
And so the New Year according to Yah changed to the month called Abib or Nisan. The month Abib was determined by the first young ear of barley grain in Yisra'el. This is how they were to know when the New Year was to begin. It was not based on man's calculations but when YaHuWaH said so. When he allowed the barley to be ripe and the sliver of the new moon to appear in the sky, both of these events determined that it was the true biblical New Year or Rosh (head) Ha'Shanah (the year) see Exodus 12 & 13.
On Yom Kippur, it is believed that the books are opened in heaven during this time (Daniel 7:10, Revelation 20:12). The object of this Feast is to be properly inscribed, for on Yom Kippur it is believed that the books are closed, and thus the person is sealed for the next year.
The scriptures command Yisra'el not to perform work on the Day of Atonement and to afflict their souls (this is interpreted to mean fasting). The central figure in the Biblical observance was the High Priest (Levitcus 16). It was the High Priest who alone had to make atonement for himself, for his household, and for the people of Yisra'el. He would prepare for these most important duties, beginning seven days before Yom Kippur. The High Priest would be separated from his own household and take up residence inside the Temple.
On the morning of Yom Kippur, as the people crowded outside the sanctuary, the High Priest would emerge to begin the series of rituals and offerings.
Unlike the other days of the year, the High Priest alone had to perform the daily offerings and sacrifices, in addition to the special sacrifices for the Day of Atonement. He began by removing his clothing and ceremonially cleansing himself in a special place used only on Yom Kippur. He then donned his golden vestments and completed the morning service. He put off his golden apparel and, after washing yet again, put on the white linen garments that YaHuWaH commanded him to wear when performing the atoning sacrifices (Leviticus 16:4). The High Priest then took a bullock that was to be offered for himself. Laying his hands on the head of the bullock, he would confess his sins and the sins of his household. Putting this bullock aside, he would take two identical goats (Leviticus 16:5) and draw lots. These special lots were made of gold and had the inscriptions "for YaHuWaH" and "for Azazel" rendered "scapegoat" in English. The goat, for which the lot "for YaHuWaH" fell, would be killed while the goat for which the lot "for Azazel" fell would be left alive to bear the sins of the nation. To distinguish between these two goats, a red-woolen thread would be tied to the head of the scapegoat.
The High Priest then took the bull set aside for a sin offering and again confessed his sins and the sins of his household with his hands laid upon the bull's head. The bull was then slaughtered and its blood captured in a basin. The High Priest then took up a fire pan with coal in one hand and incense in his other hand and entered into the Holy of Holies. Upon placing the fire pan down between the two poles of the Ark of the Covenant, he placed the incense on the coals. The smoke that resulted filled the entire room. He then returned for the blood of the bull. Entering again into the Holy of Holies, the High Priest sprinkled the mercy seat with the blood by motioning once upward and seven times downward. The basin with the remaining blood was deposited in the Holy Place.
The High Priest, atoning for the Holy of Holies, the tabernacle, and the altar, took the goat that was designated "for YaHuWaH." The goat was slain and the blood caught in another basin. He then entered again into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the blood as before.
The High Priest then came back into the Holy Place and took the blood of the bull and sprinkled the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. He did the same with the blood of the goat. The blood was mixed together, and the High Priest sprinkled the mixed blood on the horns of the altar of incense. The blood was also sprinkled on the altar of sacrifice to cleanse it. The remaining blood was poured at the base of that altar.
*Note: What is being done here? The Bull represents the House of Ephraim (Gentiles) typified in Leah or the 10 Northern Tribes of Yisra'el. Yahuwshuwa performed the sacrifice of the Red Heifer (Numbers 19), as well as the Passover Lamb at his crucifixion. The Lamb represents the House of Yahuwdah (Judah) typified in Rachel as her name means "Lamb." The blood of the lamb is for the House of Judah (Jews) and the blood of the bull is for Ephraim (Gentiles). The blood of these two animals is mixed together on Yom Kippur! What this means is that the blood of Ephraim (the bull) and the blood of Judah (the goat) become one family, one blood, one bride, one stick in the hand of YaHuWaH on Yom Kippur at the marriage supper of the Lamb!
The people who were gathered to observe the sacrifice knew well that if Yah did not accept the sacrifices, He would strike the High Priest dead in the Holy of Holies, and the nation's sins would not be covered. Interestingly, a rope was tied to the High Priest in case he died in the most Holy Place. This way, his body could be pulled out without someone having to go in to get him, which would result in that person's death. In other words, the people completely relied on the work of the High Priest. Thus, when the High Priest emerged from the tabernacle, his appearance was a cause of much celebration and joy among the people.
The final act in the atoning work of the High Priest involved dispensing of the nation's sins. The High Priest laid his hands upon the head of the scapegoat and confessed the sins of the nation. An appointed man (who became temporarily ceremonially unclean) then led the goat away. According to Torah (Leviticus 16:21-22), the goat was to be led into the wilderness and left there.
In Luke 4:19, when Yahuwshuwa emerged out of the wilderness after 40 days and 40 nights fulfilling the pattern of the scapegoat, he then read the Isaiah 61 scroll declaring the "acceptable year of YaHuWaH" that year for Yom Kippur! He had born the iniquity for the sins of Judah that year just like Ezekiel did when he laid on his right side (Ezekiel 4:6-7).
In time, the Jewish people, however, were concerned that the goat would find its way back into the camp and thus bring back the sins of the nation. To ensure that the sins of the nation carried away by the scapegoat could never return to them, the scapegoat was led up to a steep cliff and thrown down. We can see why YaHuWaH did not approve this man-made tradition, because it distorted the prophetic shadow picture seen in Leviticus 16 for the proper instructions on killing the sacrificial goat, and the release of the scape goat into the wilderness. The reason why Satan wanted our Messiah to jump off the cliff is because he knew that he was fulfilling the pattern of the twin goats, and he did not want him to fulfill the roles of both of these goats according to the Torah instructions. He hoped that he could convince Messiah to follow this rabbinic tradition instead of shedding his blood on the cross.
Satan tried to tempt Yahuwshuwa to throw himself down from that pinnacle because he knew that Yahuwshuwa was carrying out the pattern of the scapegoat and he wanted him to obey man-made rabbinic traditions instead of trusting in Yah. This tradition is against the Torah because it shows an attitude of trusting in human efforts versus trusting in Yah to keep the scapegoat away.
According to tradition, the red thread, which was attached to the scapegoat's head, would turn white, thus signifying that Yah had accepted the sacrifices and that the nation's sins were covered for another year. With his atoning work completed, the High Priest would take off his linen garments, wash, and put on his golden vestments again. He would then offer two rams for a burnt offering and several other offerings prescribed for that day. His work was thus complete.
It can be clearly seen that the biblical observance of Yom Kippur was entirely centered upon the work of the High Priest. The only responsibility of the people was to abstain from work and to afflict their souls.
The entire Yom Kippur observance changed drastically after 70 A.D. With no Temple, no priesthood, and no sacrifices, the Jewish people had to develop ways of complying with the biblical prescription to atone for their sins every year. The rabbis thus developed a tradition that prayer, repentance, and charity (good works) would atone for the sins of the nation. While it is understandable that they would seek a new course without the Temple, such a course is unfortunately not Biblical. Yah never changed His requirement is for blood atonement, and though they have developed interesting arguments to support their claims, careful scrutiny reveals that they are wrong. The evening services of Yom Kippur commence with the recitation of the Kol Nidre (All Vows) in which they renounce unfulfilled personal vows and oaths. Synagogue services are accompanied by a day of fasting in order to "afflict one's soul."
The atoning sacrifice is missing. It is interesting to note, however, that there is still a small segment in the Orthodox community who believe that a substitutionary death is needed through the practice of kapparot. The day before Yom Kippur, someone obtains a live chicken. The person confesses his sins over the chicken while swinging it over his head. The chickens are eventually killed and thus provide blood atonement for sins.
*Note: This is an abomination as there cannot be animal sacrifices done outside of the temple in Jerusalem according to Torah (Deuteronomy 16:2-6). The prophetic fulfillment of the Day of Atonement will be that of the final cleansing of the nation of Yisra'el prior to the Millennial Kingdom when it experiences national atonement (Revelation 19, Zechariah 12:10). The High Priest, instrumental in the Biblical observance of the Day of Atonement, foreshadowed the Great High Priest who was to come! The Book of Hebrews details how Yahuwshuwa the Messiah is better than the Levitical High Priest and how Yahuwshuwa's sacrifice of Himself was better than all the offerings of the Levitical Priesthood.
Just as the High Priest temporarily removed his golden vestments and donned his plain linen garments before performing his atoning work, Yahuwshuwa Messiah temporarily left His glory and came to earth as the Son of Man and the Son of Elohiym. He then performed His atoning work on the tree, sprinkling His blood for the sins of all men in the true Holy of Holies in heaven (Hebrews 9:12). When Yahuwshuwa finished His work, He took on His glory once again, as the High Priest did in putting back on His priestly garments, and went to His Father's house.
However, unlike the Levitical High Priest who had to repeat these sacrifices year after year, Yahuwshuwa Messiah provided atonement only once, perfecting salvation to all who believe (Hebrew 9:26). Just as with the High Priest, no one can save himself but must rely completely on Him. Finally, when the High Priest performed his work of atonement for himself and for the nation, he did so standing up. In fact, a chair was never part of the furniture of the Tabernacle or the Temple. When He finished His work, Yahuwshuwa sat on the right hand of Elohiym (Hebrew 1:3), signifying that His work was forever accomplished. The Talmud records that for a full forty years prior to the destruction of the Temple, the red thread on the scapegoat's head did not turn white. Thus from the time of Yahuwshuwa's work on the tree until the sacrifices ended when the Romans destroyed the Temple, YaHuWaH, did not accept the sacrifices of bulls and goats!
The ultimate Yom Kippur for the nation will come at a heavy price because two-thirds of the Jewish people in the land will be destroyed (Zechariah 13:8). The remaining one-third will come out of the fire of cleansing and be saved. YaHuWaH will give to the remaining Jewish souls a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26), forgiving their sins forever (Jeremiah 31:34). The Apostle Sha'ul (Paul) spoke of this time of the outpouring of Yah's spirit upon the nation of Yisra'el when he wrote, "all Yisra'el shall be saved" (Romans 11:26). This future time of national cleansing and restoration will culminate with the Yahuwdiy (Jewish) people accepting Yahuwshuwa their Messiah and finally saying: YaHuWaH is my Elohiym(Zechariah13:9).
The Office of the High Priest Forever Changed
The sinful nature was embodied in Yahuwshuwa who"came in the likeness of sinful flesh" (Romans 8:3). Therefore, he "put off the body of sins in the flesh" (the scapegoat, the old man Colossians 2:11), and he "put on the new man" (Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24)----the incorruptible body when he resurrected. So you see, his spirit was incorruptible (sinless), but his body was mortal or corruptible (a representation of sinful man). The scapegoat is a representation of the sinful nature. The scapegoat is the sinful man that is "put away"and removed far from us---never to return! When Messiah returned from the wilderness, he was returning symbolically as "the new man" who left his old selfish nature out in the wilderness with Satan. Even though Messiah was not a sinner, he was illustrating this principle to us in this metaphor.
Even though Messiah never sinned, his human body was a representation of the sinful human nature, and that was removed and never returned because he"mortified the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13).
Yahuwshuwa Messiah emerged from the wilderness as a symbol of the "new man" having conquered the sin nature (like Jacob when he wrestled with YaHuWaH). So you see the scapegoat is a picture of the sinful fallen nature of man, whereas the sacrificial goat is a picture of Messiah who is humble and meek as he lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:12).
When John the Baptist baptized our Messiah in the Jordan River, prior to his going into the wilderness (John 1), the role of the High Priest was about to be changed from the sons of Aaron that year to the Melchizedek Priesthood as John was transferring his role as the High Priest to Yahuwshuwa.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aharown (Aaron)?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Torah (law).
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
*Note: What part of the Torah (Law) changed? Was it the entire Law? Or was it only the part of the Torah that pertains to the role of the High Priest? What was about to change was the High Priest only. Not the entire priesthood, but only the one who was to go into the Holy of Holies once per year to offer a sacrifice for sins!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:
14 For it is evident that our YHWH sprang out of Yahuwdah (Judah); of which tribe Mosheh (Moses) spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there arises another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
*Note: The "carnal commandment" here means a commandment for a mortal (carnal) human being to be the High Priest each year for Yom Kippur. This does not mean that the Torah (law) itself is carnal for the Apostle Sha'ul (Paul) already stated in Romans 7:14 that the Torah (law) is "spiritual" but it is the nature of a human being that is carnal (not the law). This scripture is telling us that the Torah (law) requires a Levite to offer sacrifices for Yom Kippur, but since a Levite is a mere mortal human being who dies (in other words a carnal man), the commandment for a carnal human being to be the High Priest was now being changed to another priest who had an "endless" (eternal life) which is Yahuwshuwa as Melchizedek!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:
17 For he testifies, you are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw near unto Elohiym.
*Note: What was being annulled? It was the commandment for the High Priest each year to perform the duties of an intercessor as a mere mortal human being. This is not telling us that the entire Torah (law) was being annulled. Only the part of the Torah (law) that made mortal humans into High Priests! Now the commandment for Levites to be High Priests was being annulled and the weakness of these mortal men made the sacrifice itself unprofitable on a permanent eternal level. The sacrifices had to be offered "year by year" on Yom Kippur because the priesthood was imperfect and mortal!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, YHWH swore and will not repent, you are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek:)
22 By so much was Yahuwshuwa made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
Yahuwshuwa was now making an oath between himself and Yahuwchanon (John) his cousin (a close relative). Also, Yahuwshuwa was about to fulfill the oath that YaHuWaH made to redeem Yisra'el in Isaiah 54:8-9. What was this oath between Yahuwshuwa and his cousin John who was a Levite?
In the Torah, if a woman becomes a widow, without bearing a son to carry on the name of her dead husband, then a close relative could perform the duty of a "Kinsmen Redeemer" by marrying the woman. The kinsmen redeemer would then impregnate her with a son thereby redeeming her inheritance and their son would carry on the name of the widow's husband. Well guess what? Yisra'el became a widow because her earthly High Priest, John the Baptist was killed by Herod. You see the role of the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) was supposed to be as the role of a "husband, redeemer" for the nation of Yisra'el. But now she was about to crucify her own Messiah (Isaiah 54:4) making him the dead husband (dead High Priest). John the Baptist had to die in order to show that the High Priest after the order of the sons of Aaron was now being forever changed to the Melchizedek Priesthood every year for Yom Kippur! In this case, Yahuwshuwa was the cousin (close relative) of John the Baptist who was fulfilling the role of the "husband" when he began his ministry as High Priest right after John died. And then Messiah became the"Kinsmen Redeemer" the close relative of the dead husband for the widowed wife!
The Torah says that if the woman's husband's relative refuses to do the duty of a kinsmen redeemer for her, then she must "loose his shoe from off of his foot and the elders must spit in his face." (Deuteronomy 25:9-10).
If the woman's dead husband's relative agrees to marry her and she has a son, then the Torah states the following:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 25:6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Yisra'el.
Yahuwshuwa was about to do what Boaz did by becoming the kinsmen redeemer for Ruth & Naomi (a type of Yisra'el in Ruth 4:7-8). John recognized that he was not worthy to be the kinsmen redeemer for Yisra'el because he was a mere human being born with a sinful nature. He was a Levitical High Priest but not an eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. But Yahuwshuwa was the only one found worthy to become her kinsmen redeemer. John also knew that Yahuwshuwa was about to bear the shame and guilt for Judah and their refusal to be the kinsmen redeemer. The Levitical Priests were supposed to also represent the bride of YaHuWaH. They wore white and they were adorned with jewels in their breastplate (choshen) for the 12 Tribes of Yisra'el just like the New Yerushalayim (Revelation 21:19-20). The Levites even had to examine themselves and wash themselves in the bronze laver which was made from the mirrors of the women (Exodus 38:8). They represent the bride who prepares herself and washes herself by the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26). In this case, Yahuwchanon (John) was about to perform the role of the widowed wife Yisra'el who was supposed to remove the shoe off of brother Yahuwdah (Judah) but he knew he was not worthy because he was born with a sinful nature but Messiah Yahuwshuwa was not. Yahuwshuwa was about to be killed and become the dead brother of Yahuwdah (Judah). But when he resurrected, he would become the living brother who would then be able to perform the duty of a Kinsmen for Yisra'el! That is why John said this:
Yahuwchanon (John) 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
And when our Messiah was about to be crucified, the High Priest and the elders of the Sanhedrin spit in his face:
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 26:67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
What was happening here? In the story of the prodigal son there are two brothers being represented (Ephraim & Judah). Ephraim is younger and Judah is the older son. Ephraim seen in the prodigal son was thought to be dead (Luke 15:24). But since the older brother Yahuwdah (Judah) refused to be a kinsmen redeemer to the widowed wife of his brother (the lost tribes of Yisra'el), our Messiah was taking even the sins of the older brother Yahuwdah (Judah) by bearing the shame of the brother who refused to raise up a name for his brother's wife (Yisra'el). There was "enmity" between Jew & Gentile (Ephesians 2:15) and so the House of Yahuwdah refused to allow the lost tribes of Yisra'el to "come near" to the temple so that they could hear the Torah, repent and be saved. The Apostle Sha'ul speaks about this in Ephesians 2:14 about how there was a
"middle wall of partition" built up around the Temple in order to keep the Gentiles out. This was the result of the "enmity" that existed between the House of Judah & the House of Ephraim. Messiah abolished in his flesh this "enmity" (hatred) between these two houses in order to make the Two Houses of Yisra'el "one new man" (Ephesians 2:15-16). Judah's refusal to be the kinsmen redeemer for the other lost tribes is what caused the "ordinances" (man-made laws of Pharisaism) to exist! Yahuwshuwa did not abolish the Mosaic Law! He abolished this Pharisaic Law that kept the Lost Sheep of the House of Yisra'el separated from Judah!
Yahuwdah (Judah) Becomes the Kinsmen Redeemer for Yisra'el (Ephraim)
In this account, we see that Judah's son Onan refused to perform the duty of a Kinsmen Redeemer for the widowed wife of his brother. Because of Onan'srefusal to be the kinsmen for Yisra'el, he was slain by YaHuWaH. Onan is the son (a type of Messiah as the sacrificial goat) being slain for the sins of Judah and their refusal to be the Kinsmen Redeemer! But then Judah (his father) represents the Heavenly Father who made a vow to Tamar (Yisra'el in Isaiah 54:9) and he vows to give her his youngest son "Shelah" as a husband and his name means "petition." This is a picture of the Heavenly Father himself putting on human flesh to become "the son," and thereby becoming the kinsmen redeemer himself! Tamar's husband's brother was supposed to be the kinsmen, but instead the Father does it himself! In Zechariah 12:10 we see that the Father himself YaHuWaH is pierced when he becomes the son!
9And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
*Note: Onan refused to perform the duty of kinsmen for his brother's widow Tamar according to Deuteronomy 25. This is a picture of the House of Judah refusing to redeem the widow (the other lost sheep of Yisra'el)
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:
10And the thing which he did displeased YHWH: wherefore he slew him also.
11 Then said Yahuwdah (Judah)to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at your father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
12And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Yahuwdah's wife died; and Yahuwdah (Judah)was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold your father in law goes up to Timnath to shear his sheep.
14And
*Note: What we are seeing here is a picture of the 10 Lost Tribes of Yisra'el (typified here in Tamar) as she is putting off her widow's garments (as seen in Isaiah 54:4) for she is about to give birth and no longer be barren. When she covered her face with a veil, this is "Yom Kipper" language as the priest had to go "behind the veil" and he "covered" the sins of the people with the blood of a goat. In the same way that Rebekah "covered" herself with a veil just before going to meet Isaac her bridegroom, Tamar is veiling herself to her kinsmen redeemer Judah. In the last days the House of Judah will be "hidden" and veiled (covered) and sheltered during the ten days between Trumpets & Atonement (Ten Days of Awe) until the day of their redemption on Yom Kippur (Zechariah 12:10, Revelation 2:10). The House of Judah to this day will not recognize the other 10 Tribes and they insist on calling them Gentiles. But on Yom Kippur, in Zechariah 12:10, Judah will not only recognize their Messiah, but they will also recognize the other 10 Tribes whom they refused to acknowledge before! The other 10 Tribes are "veiled" to Judah because the Yahuwdiy (Jews) do not want to recognize the other lost tribes as being part of the inheritance. Judah was about to become "one flesh" now with the House of Ephraim (Yisra'el) typified in Tamar.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:15 When Yahuwdah (Judah) saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.
*Note: Tamar is seen here as a "type" of the 10 Lost Tribes of Yisra'el who did indeed become like a harlot with pagan holidays and idolatry with other false deities. The attitude of the Jews towards Gentiles has always been one of reproach. The House of Judah was supposed to be the keepers of the "Oracles of Elohiym" and the "lawgivers" (Genesis 49:10, Romans 3:2). But instead of bringing the lost sheep home to the Torah and out of their captivity, they made it difficult for them by heaping added laws and traditions. Judah here is making it difficult for Tamar to be redeemed and he is dodging her. He was not planning to live up to his agreement, but then we see that he ends up becoming the kinsmen redeemer any way when he is tricked by Tamar.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:
16And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray you, let me come in unto you; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What will you give me, that you may come in unto me?
17And he said, I will send you a kid from the flock. And she said, Will you give me a pledge, till you send it?
*Note: We are once again seeing "Yom Kippur" typology here as Tamar asks for a pledge (oath) and Judah offers to her the kid of a goat to be "sent" just as our Messiah who is from the House of Judah was to be the "goat sent" to redeem Yisra'el on Yom Kippur!
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:
18And he said, What pledge shall I give you? And she said, Your signet, and your bracelets, and your staff that is in your hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.
*Note: In Hebrew, the word signet is the word "chowtham" and it means"the name," (the seal). The Hebrew word for bracelet is pathiyl and it means means "cord, thread, ribbon." And the word for staff is matteh and itmeans "branch or tribe." Hence, Tamar is asking to be given his name or to be named after his tribe which is Yahuwdah (Judah) symbolized by the signet (signature). And she is asking for a covering (atonement) which is symbolized by the red ribbon (bracelet or cord) that is placed around the horns of the scapegoat. Later on when Tamar bore twins, a red cord or bracelet was also placed on the arm of Zarah whose name comes from a root word that means "seed" (zera) and he symbolizes the Messiah who would later on bear the red cord as the scapegoat.Tamar was also asking for Judah's staff (to be a grafted-in branch or part of his tribe).
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:
19And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
20And Yahuwdah (Judah)sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.
*Note: Here Yisra'el (typified in Tamar) is taking off her veil and putting on her widow garments again. She is waiting for the day when she will give birth (Isaiah 54), and she will raise up seed for her dead husband (her Messiah). Yahuwshuwa (typified in Judah) was sent as the kid of a goat by the "hand of a fit man" (according to Leviticus 16:21) and Judah's friend's name Adullamite means "justice for the people." This is once again Yom Kippur language. For on this day the people are avenged of the injustices that were done to them and Yisra'el is avenged of her enemies as seen in Revelation 19 at the second coming of Yahuwshuwa Messiah (Jeremiah 23:5).
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:
21Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.
22And he returned to Yahuwdah (Judah), and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.
23 And Yahuwdah (Judah) said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and you have not found her.
24And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Yahuwdah (Judah), saying, Tamar your daughter in law has played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Yahuwdah (Judah) said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
25When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray you, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
*Note: The House of Judah is now about to recognize the other Lost Tribes of Yisra'el on Yom Kippur, just as Judah was about to recognize Tamar. Up until now, the Jews have not recognized the other "Ten Lost Tribes" that are called "Gentiles" and they are treating them as harlots even after they have been redeemed by the blood of the Yom Kippur goat. The House of Judah is not willing to share their inheritance with the other tribes and there is an attitude of exclusivity that says "the Jews are the chosen people" but they have forgotten that there are ten other tribes in the nations who are also chosen as well. In these last days, we are seeing the other tribes (the Gentiles) beginning to take on the sacred name of the Heavenly Father YaHuWaH (the seal or the signet), and they are beginning to identify themselves with the House of Yahuwdah (Judah) through the Lion of Yahuwdah and they are accepting the blood atonement for their harlotry (the bracelets, the covering) and they are being grafted in as a wild branch (staff) into the House of Yahuwdah (Judah).
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:
26And Yahuwdah (Judah) acknowledged them, and said, She has been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
27And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that behold, twins were in her womb.
*Note: Here is a picture of the Ten Tribes of the Lost Sheep of Yisra'el (Gentiles) becoming grafted into the House of Yahuwdah and through this union, they give birth to "one new man" (Jew & Gentile) believers as the "Double Portion Inheritance" of Yahuwceph (Joseph) through Ephraim whose name means "double fruit." The woman Yisra'el who was "barren" in Isaiah 54:7 is about to become doubly fruitful because of her trouble and she will "forget the shame and reproach of her widowhood." Judah represents the Messiah who has become her kinsmen redeemer, and Tamar represents the Lost Sheep of Yisra'el and they are giving birth to "one new man" (Ephesians 2:15, Revelation 12:5) in these last days.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:28And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
*Note: Once again, we are seeing Yom Kippur language here as the "firstborn" son here is a picture of Judah who received firstborn status of the sons of Leah in Genesis 49:8, but he drew back his hand, and then his brother Ephraim came out first instead and in the end times, because he accepts the blood atonement for his sins (like the prodigal son who received the fatted calf), Ephraim ends up becoming the first born son even though he was born last (Jeremiah 31:9)--in other words he is born again of incorruptible seed!
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:
29And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How have you broken forth? this breach be upon you: therefore his name was called Pharez.
30And afterward came out his brother that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.
The name Pharez means "breach" and the name Zarah means "rising." It means that the House of Judah (symbolized by Pharez) caused a breach or a split between the Two Houses of Yisra'el when King Rehoboam (King of Judah) refused to lighten their tax burdens (1st Kings 12). But Zarah represents the Messiah who has "risen" from the dead in order to repair the breach between both Houses. This means that both Houses of Yisra'el are going to be redeemed in the end on Yom Kippur because of the scarlet thread and the pledge made with the goat. In Isaiah 58:12, we read about a breach being repaired. What is this breach? It is a broken wall—a gap in the unity of the family of Yisra'el. That gap is going to be repaired in the end by the one who has the scarlet thread. Pharez represents the House of Judah because the Jews have created a "breach" or a gap that left the other Ten Tribes of Yisra'el out of the Covenant and kept them from "coming near" by building up a wall around the outer court of the Temple. But our Messiah is like Zarah who came as the Yom Kippur goat bearing the scarlet thread upon his head (a crown of thorns) and he came to "repair the breach" (the gap between both houses of Yisra'el). The midwife said about Pharez "let this breach be upon you" because the House of YaHuW'dah (Jews) have been the ones who have kept the other Ten Tribes out of the Covenant by putting a fence around the Torah (extra rules and regulations). But our Messiah came on behalf of the tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) to be the one to "stand in the gap" for Judah's sin of not performing the duty of a kinsmen and the sins of Yisra'el's harlotry.
On that final day of Yom Kippur, on "TheGreat & Terrible Day of YaHuWaH," Justice will reign as our Messiah will return as the Lion of the Tribe of Yahuwdah to redeem both brides (Leah & Rachel) and to help bring forth "the first born son" (Ephraim) who is the repairer of the breach between both houses. But this first born son Ephraim will take on the name of Yahuwdah (Judah) after their Messiah. The Kinsmen Redeemer will raise up a name for the widowed wife Yisra'el and that name is the name of her husband Yahuwshuwa from the House of Yahuwdah!
Not only did he become the Kinsman Redeemer for Yisra'el, but he took the shame of the brother who refused to become the Kinsman Redeemer! Now, Yahuwshuwa is about to give birth to a man-child is these last days with his beloved bride Yisra'el (typified in Leah & Rachel) and when she gives birth to the "one new man" (Jew & Gentile, Ephraim & Judah), the woman's "first born son" (Ephraim) will succeed in the name of her husband who is Yahuwshuwa the Lion of Yahuwdah!
Hence Ephraim will become one with Yahuwdah and there shall no longer be any distinction between Jew & Gentile, Ephraim & Judah, for the blood of both (goat & bull) will be mixed together as one family and one bride on Yom Kippur!
Yahuwshuwa Messiah was not a Human Sacrifice!
Many Jews discredit Yahuwshuwa as their Messiah because they say that he was a "human sacrifice," but a human sacrifice is when someone's life is taken from them against their will. When someone lays down their life as a ransom for another (becomes the scapegoat), he is not a human sacrifice!
The Babylonian Talmud even explains this:
(Babylonian Talmud, Makkot 23b-24a). Though the number 613 is mentioned in the Talmud, its real significance increased in later medieval rabbinic literature, including many works listing or arranged by the mitzvot. Three types of negative commandments fall under the yehareg ve'al ya'avor, meaning "One should let himself be killed rather than violate it."
These are murder, idolatry, and forbidden sexual relations. Aha! The Talmud even says that one should let himself be killed rather than to violate the Torah! Now we understand why our Messiah YaHuW'shuwa allowed himself to be killed! Had he not laid down his life as a ransom, he could not have been the Kinsmen Redeemer for Yisra'el as well as the Ransom for Judah!
In the Torah, if a man's Ox (symbolized by the first letter in the Hebrew Alphabet) called א(the alef) kills another human being and the animal's owner was aware that this ox had the habit of trying to gore people to death in times past, then the ox would be killed and the owner of the ox would be killed also. If there was a sum of money laid upon the owner of the ox, then he would give his life as a ransom as well as the amount of money that was required:
Shemoth (Exodus) 21:
28Ifan ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.
29But if the ox were known30If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his lifewhatsoever is laid upon him.
The א Ox or the Heifer is a picture of the 10 Lost Tribes of Yisra'el (Hosea 4:16, 10:11), and they were known to kill the prophets who came to them. Yahuwshuwa is the owner of the א Heifer (Ox) and he came to give his life as a ransom for the א Heifer (Ox) as well as those whom the א Heifer (Ox) had killed:
Mishle (Proverbs) 13:8The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor hears not rebuke.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 20:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, andto give his life a ransom for many.
Yahuwchanon (John) 10:18No man takesit from me, but I lay it down of myself.I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.This commandment have I received of my Father (Torah).
Yahuwshuwa gave his life as a ransom as well as the "bride price" that was required to redeem the Lost Sheep of Yisra'el:
Mattithyahuw (Matthew 27:9)Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of himthat was valued, whom they of the children of Yisra'el did value;
The Prophet Zechariah had already been shown this very same thing about the "bride price" that was required for the Divorced Ten Tribes of Yisra'el (Ephraim):
Zekaryahuw (Zechariah) 11:
10And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder,that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.
11And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of YHWH.
13And YHWH said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of them. AndI took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of YHWH.
Yahuwshuwa was not a human sacrifice for he allowed himself to be killed according to the Talmud! He also took the sins of the Ox (Heifer) for the House of Ephraim who killed their prophets. He also had a "bride price" laid upon him to redeem Yisra'el and to make him his bride again!
That bride price was thirty pieces of silver as foretold by the prophet Zechariah. And finally, Yahuwshuwa fulfilled the role of the "Kinsmen Redeemer" for the backsliding wife, Yisra'el who became a harlot (typified in Tamar). He also fulfilled the scapegoat and bore the shame of Judah for his unwillingness to perform the duty of a kinsmen redeemer for the other Ten Lost Tribes of Yisra'el. The Heavenly Father (typified in Judah) put on human flesh and became "the son" who was promised to Yisra'el (typified in Tamar) and he himself performed the duty of a kinsmen redeemer (for Yisra'el) and his life as a ransom for Ephraim א (the ox, heifer), and the scapegoat for Judah! | eng | 72f869b0-7bee-444f-ba04-33947b7fd79b | http://doubleportioninheritance.blogspot.com/2011/05/twin-goats-on-yom-kippur-fulfilled-in_25.html |
Suspects in triple-murder robbery were fresh from prison
Two suspects in a triple murder-robbery at a convenience store in rural North Carolina were released from prison — one after serving nine years — just a matter of weeks before they were arrested in connection with the April 1 slayings.
The crime took place as three employees at Hustle Mart in Farmville, N.C. — including the teenage son of the owner and his two cousins — were preparing to close for the night. Three armed men with their faces all or partly covered covered burst in the store to rob it. They also apparently shot the employees despite no obvious signs that the victims had tried to resist. A customer discovered the bodies shortly after the perpetrators left, around 10 p.m.
Surveillance video from the scene of the crime and tips from the public led police to arrest four suspects on April 4: Antwan Andre Anthony, 29; Xavier Montel Shamble, 19; Willie Whitehead, 23, and a fourth male whose name was not disclosed because he is a minor.
Each is charged with three counts of murder and a combination of other crimes including first-degree kidnapping, robbery, and possession of firearm by a felon.
One of those suspects, Antwan Anthony, had spent most of the past decade in Connecticut prisons before being released on Jan. 21, according to a report by the Hartford Courant, citing prison records. He was allowed to serve out a five-year parole in North Carolina where he has family, the report said.
Anthony was initially jailed in 2002 on second-degree assault charges, the paper reported. He had three subsequent convictions, while in prison, for assaulting prison guards — each time extending his sentence, the report said.
Anthony was "a very difficult inmate," according to a Connecticut correctional official quoted by Greenville area newspaper, the Daily Reflector. The official said that his behavior prompted more than 100 disciplinary reports while he was incarcerated in that state.
Corrections personnel told the Courant that Anthony committed a fourth assault, in Sept. 2010, that was not charged.
State police were called into investigate after Anthony allegedly head-butted an officer while being transported, and an arrest warrant was submitted to the state's attorney's office in Tolland, a spokesman for the union that represents Connecticut's corrections officers told the Courant.
"We had no idea why he wasn't prosecuted and that didn't sit well with the men and women in the state prison system,'' Larry Dorman, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 4 which, represents prison guards, told the Courant.
Another of the four suspects, Xavier Montel Shamble, 19, had been out of a North Carolina prison for just three weeks when he allegedly took part in the crime that left three young men dead, records from the North Carolina Department of Corrections showThe three adult suspects are being held in Pitt County Detention Center in North Carolina. Police did not release the whereabouts of the underage suspect.
In surveillance videos, the victims, whose family is originally from Yemen, did not appear to put up any kind of resistance to the robbers during the April 1 encounter, said Christy Wallace, public information director for the Pitts County sheriff's office PARDON: Dick "THE DICK" Dumb@ss.
namseer; nothing racist about dicks remarks; the three are repeat offender criminals, who murdered three people, for no reason other than their hatred , if the employees in the convenience store were black, they may have let them live; the black and whites of this country are fast sinking into a racial war, and everyone knows it, just refuse to admit it, since no one has yet come up with a solution to stop it, it will bring down our great Republic.
repeat violent offenders who were let loose, so we could put someone in jail for smoking pot.
Eliminate all drug laws and keep the prisons for violent criminals only. Doing drugs in private seems to be highly illegal, but murdering somebody......well, they will be out in 10 years, so we can make room for a pothead.
There is a certain portion of our population that are dangerous and are not going to be rehabilitated. These and only these people belong in prison. Letting these people out early so we can crowd up the prisons with pot heads is beyond stupid, it is really criminal as it lets the really dangerous people out.
There really are not that many dangerous people, so we have to make damn near everything illegal to keep our police/ justice system complex fed......just like the military. We don't have any real enemies, so lets make some up, and police the whole world.
Wow. Some real racists here. This isn't about color, it's about horrific crime. I don't care what color they are or what race the victims were. If it's as open and shut as it's presented, I hope NC has the death penalty and that they get it.
Racist right wingers make my ass hurt. Racist lefties, too, but there are a lot less of those. I'm white by the way. And ashamed of a lot of my redneck anglo brothers. Saxon - of course there was something racist about his remarsk. They guy on the left looks scary to me. The others just look like guys. My hair was as long as the one on the right 40 years ago. I agree they shouldn't have been let out of jail. I don't know the circumstances but the one who assaulted the guards could surely have been seen as a danger to society.
As soon as they are convicted, they need to be HANGED within 48 hrs in public. They need to make every child in juvenile detention forced to watch this in person if they are within 50 miles, those farther away should be made to watch on very large screen hi def video so they see exactly what they are in for if they dont change.
I'm in the Trayvon camp, but when I see these guys under the headline: "Suspects in triple-murder robbery were fresh from prison", it's not difficult to describe them as, to borrow your term, "less than human".
Reading through these comments, I see no one offering condolences for the families of the victims. These unfortunate men, one of whom was a minor, were gunned down in cold blood but yet very little is commented here about them except that a few have mentioned their birth country / ethnic background. I think most of us are in agreement that the killers should never see light of day ever again if convicted (due process) and if sentenced to the death penalty, doubtful that they will be missed by society in general.
That said, my condolences and Prayers to the families of the men who were so senselessly murdered.
Namseer you are the one talking about race and racism, Dick Dumas said nothing about it. And if we go just by the looks, I'd say the 2 first ones look kind of mean, and 3rd one just like an average guy.
some people are psychos, it doesn't matter about the skin color..just pray to God, or thank your Luck for NOT coming across these types of Creatures in Life..to be suddenly attacked by anyone, can be very, very frightful..U don't know the experience, until it happens to U..only then, U may realize the dilemma of the Victims......
tumbleweed......They are in jail for drug offences, whether is is just smoking or dealing.. whatever. Our jails are full of people who have hurt nobody. The real numbers are close to 80% non violent.
We have more people in jail than STALIN did. Free? my ass. Free to get arrested and strip searched by any cop that wants to have fun.
We were told that East Germany was a police state. Guess what? We now have a police state that has EVERY power the stasis did in East Germany. But not enough for people like you. you want to mind others peoples business for them. Between our phony war on terrorism and our war on drugs, we have succeeded in ONLY making the US a police state. There is NOTHING that our police cannot do that the stasis did.
This killing in cold blood, heartless, souless killing. No matter the color of their skin or the victims, these animals took human lives without concern for the families, business, community or anyone else. may they rot in prison for the rest of their lives. Putting them to death would be showing mercy, let them sit there knowing they will never see freedom EVER againOffenses Dating back to 2004? I thought using a firearm while committing a robbery added ten years to your sentence. Add another ten for possesion of a firearm by a felon. Factor in priors.Factor in the time he was out on previous crimes and the time it took to try him and send him back to prison. Why was this guy out of prison already?
I love Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. They are, and will remain, advocates for people who need a stronger voice on their side. But I love them mostly for the fact that they aggravate so many people who do not even begin to know where Sharpton and Jackson are coming from. Education is a wonderful thing. More people should try it!
I love Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. They are, and will remain, advocates for people who need a stronger voice on their side.
Let me rephrase that: They are, and will remain, advocates for BLACK people who need a stronger voice on their side.
And yeah I know where they are coming from, but it doesn't change the fact that they are both racists. Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, on the contrary, is not, he tells it like it is whether you are black or white or any race/color. God bless him, he is an honest man.
There is a certain portion of our population that are dangerous and are not going to be rehabilitated.
How do you know? Our prisons make no effort at "rehabilitation" and never did.
Does it really surprise you that a person who has grown up on the "mean streets" and ends up in prison where he lives for a decade in the most predatory conditions imaginable, comes out worse than when he went in?
Our prisons are barbaric. They are not for rehabilitation, but for punishment. Ever look at "animals" such as these three and wonder what mom and dad were like? Where and how did they live when they were 3-5-10-16? Right. These three have probably already been "punished" their entire lives, so you're surprised when even harsher punishment just makes them meaner? And since that didn't work, now we can kill them.
These three guys are nothing but sociopathic predators. They feel they can do anything they want because, in their minds, no one but them matters. If they just were released from prison they are probably carrying a big chip on their shoulders too. They can not be rehabilitated, they can not be taught, they will always be dangerous to any person around them whether in prison or not. I don't like the death penalty, but in a case like this it seems to be the only thing that will ensure no future victims will cross their paths.
Namseer needs to jump off the race train for a bit. Its getting to the point where you cant comment at all without others assuming that it is race related. We recently had an incident where a white man was at the bus stop with his son, across the street was a black man trying to rob a white lady. The white man went to assist the victim and was shot dead in front of his kid. Hear anybody screaming race here? Did Al and Jessie show up? Whites, blacks, and hispanics alike all want a piece of this dude.
I really believe that the po-lice have the wrong people. The three they have in the photos were just released from prison because they had been rehabilitated. Therefore they could not have done it. Somebody is just trying to blame a brutha.
If you think our prisons are barbaric, perhaps you need to tour some prisons in other countries. I grew up in a country where the people lined up outside every day to bring their incarcerated family members clean clothes and food, otherwise they didn't get any. The inmates slept as many to a mattress as could fit.. if they were lucky enough to get on a mattress at all, otherwise they slept on the floor. Prisoners in this country bitch because they don't get enough syrup with their pancakes.
Life is about the choices we make. No, we don't all have the same opportunities growing up, but we do all have the ability to choose how we want to live our lives. There are plenty of people from the "mean streets" who make the choice and, more importantly, put for the the effort not to remain there. It is possible to be poor and be law abiding. Prison should be about punishment. If anything, prisons should be MORE about punishment than they currently are. You go to prison because you chose to break the law. It isn't an educational opportunity. It isn't a chance at free counseling... free to the criminal, because the rest of us sure pay for it. You can't force someone to be rehabilitated; they have to want to change and it is pretty obvious that these three had no interest in changing. My personal opinion, and I'm sure some will see it as extremely harsh but oh well, is that after so many stays in prison for violent crimes, they should be put down like rabid dogs. At some point these people give up the right to exist in society.
Patter123.... Are YOU helping them rehabilitate? NO ONE HAS THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY WHEN THEY'RE GROWING UP! HELLO!!!!! But people do grow up knowing right from wrong and know that KILLING SOMEONE IS WRONG! Taking a life is wrong. So I don't want to hear the stupid enabling excuses as to WHY these people are monsters. Some people can't be rehabilitated. Do you realize how many SOCIOPATHS that are out there who do not care about you, your family, your friends....they only care about themselves and what THEY can gain. And there's no PILL to take to help SOCIOPATHS. PERPETUAL AMAZEMENT I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!!! I'm tired of my taxes going to these worthless people. They get PAID while in prison for different jobs within the jail. STUPID. They get PlayStations and Televisions. And WE ARE PAYING FOR IT!!! If you murder or have any type of sexual offense, in my opinion you should be put down. I like knowing my family is safe. And my 4 years old son isn't going to get kidnapped and raped and murdered. Or when he gets to be 16, I'd like to know he isn't going to get shot by some dude who's excuse is that he "grew up on the mean streets". F*&% that. Find them guilty and put them down. And I'm sure someones going to think what ive said was horrible but would you want them as YOUR neighbor, are YOU willing to "help" them? I know I wouldnt...black, white, asian, hispanic whatever..... They know right from wrong.
I just spent ten years in prison for possession of LSD/w. I was in a medium II security prison. 50% of the prison population was there for drugs and/or drug related offenses, the rest were random. The average minimum time an inmate must be serving to be in this prison was 15 years and up. Many of the drug offenders were there doing mandatory sentences of 25 years because it was their third offense. I would see monsters, men who should never be released back into society, would have served their time, and be put back out to kill and steal and rape again. Why? Prison overcrowding, plain and simple. I spent 9 years in a 6 foot by ten foot cell with another inmate. They call it double-celling, because it is supposed to be a single cell, and they give you extra time off for this.
That is why most violent offenders get out so early. In Maryland, where I was at, Drug Offenders of any type are considered a violent crime so don't get the extra time for double-celling, but a lot of crimes that you would think were violent get that extra time. First Degree Assault, Robbery, Burglary, even Armed Robbery as long as the weapon used was not a gun. Violent repeat criminal offenders are getting out on a daily basis for this reason alone. Our preoccupation for eliminating the drug trade and incarcerating drug users and dealers is making this one of the most dangerous countries in the world. We have to keep in prison the people that belong in prison. And there is only one way to do it.
Legalize Drugs!
It is the only way to solve this problem, and just about every think tank in the country agrees with this. The problem is that it would cost so many jobs in the law enforcement sector and especially in the prison sector that the industries that depend on drugs being illegal will fight tooth and nail against legalization.
Drug Prohibition must end. In the early 20th century, the United States passed laws prohibiting Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling and Prostitution. Prohibition must end, we should have learned our lesson with alcohol, but we never did. If you want to save this country, endprohibitionnow.net. Remember, Legalizing Drugs is not an experiment. It was making them Illegal that was the experiment, and it has failed miserably. Out of our 5,000 year history, drugs were legal for 4,900 of those years. Think about it.
Also the percentage of prisoners that are black in nc is about 90%. So is it racist to assume a crime is from a black guy or not.......just looking at the numbers---they dont lie you know--- the most reasonable assumption is the criminal is black---its not racist = it is a FACT!
Prisoners are not afraid of prison, as the guy stated above, they get free health care and decent accommodations, which is ok with me, but they should be forced to work and I dont mean sweeping the floors, i mean they should have chain gangs. A real punishment for violent criminals.
drugs should be treated not criminal. Prisons should be for VIOLENCE/robbery!
They might have been black Arabs. While the Arabs were in West Africa picking up a few trading slaves, they might have stayed around and "married" a few slaves from their collection. A behavior authorized by the Koran. It explains the existence of Black Muslims throughout the continent. The President's father may have been an example of a black Arab Muslim and why he was in Kenya.
Okay, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson! Where the devil are you with your protests??? Young black men were killed, murdered brutally in cold blood by some of your brothers! Oh wait... these young, DEFENSELESS BLACK TEENS were from another country! You don't consider ALL black people to be your brothers! You two are total freaks and make me sick!
What a horrible thing to happen to young men from another country! Looks like we breed our own terrorists right here at home... if these three thugs cannot be considered terrorists, I don't know who could! The eyes of the first two just look dead, like they don't even have souls anymore.
I feel so sorry for the families of the three young men who lost their lives in such a heinous manner. Poor kids.
NAMESEER- If you dont think this bunch of apes dont look like criminals, then I bet all the folks in the free rent housing project that you probably live in(you know, the one my taxes pay for) look just like these guys. Where is Sharpton and jackson since it was clearly a racist hate crime due to the fact that the ones killed were Arabic or something. Oh, thats right,only white people are racists. They needed to be shot on sight when arrested!
Marty, most blacks have that mentallity that they can say or do whatever they want just because they are black. I know alot of great black people but they are older people who were raised to respect others regardless of race.
These three should never see the light of day again other than through the bars of a prison. Of course the amount of time they get to do even that should only be so long a it takes to carry out the death sentences they deserve for committing this crime. These scum have forfeited their right to continue to live through their actions. People like this have no place in a civil society and the taxpayers should not be forced to house, feed, and care for them for decades, they should be executed.
Look, I'll be the first to admit that the robbery aspect of this crime is not a capital offense, however the citizens of ths country are getting bloody tired of having to keep this type of low-life around, just because some folks don't feel good about the death penalty.
Don't go getting all political about this; I am neither R or D, liberal nor conservative. Rather, my opinions are based on a case by case basis. This is what the three strikes law should be addressing.
The prisons are loaded with repeat, violent offenders yet there are some who fight the death penalty. I think if an individual repeatedly, flagrantly violates people and the law, they have demonstrated that they have no regard for anything or anybody, and the rest of us should not be required to provide any kind of existence for them. What is it Dr. Phil says? When a person shows you who they are, believe them.
What have these individuals shown? Nothing worth holding on to in my view. The death penalty is not a deterrent because it's not enforced. Maybe, just maybe, if certain types of personalities/people KNEW that there would be immediate consequences that were harsh in the extreme, they wouldn't get started in the life of crime to begin with. How many times does Thailand and some other countries have to deal with such atrocities? Remeber the young man some years ago who got busted doing what would be considered mischief in our country? Remember how he was stripped and publicly flogged as his sentence? Think he's reoffended since then here in the US? He learned his lesson. It was brutal, granted, however if we want to stop these kinds of things from happening we need to start looking at them realistically. As harsh as it is, receiving a whuppin with a belt as a child definitely taught me about acceptable behavior, and I didn't do it again.
These boys have been in prison for God's sake, and they still didn't figure it out. One had been out for 90 days, more or less when he was involved in a murder. Why on earth should we keep this man alive in prison, especially when a life sentence doesn't mean life, and 10-20 means about 6 in actual time served. Enough is enough. It's time to make "3 strikes" really mean something. Three violent offenses, at most, and it's an automatic death penalty. If you can't play nice, you're not allowed to be in the game, period.
Best argument ever for a 3-strikes law. One of these degenerates had more than 3 violent strikes WHILE IN PRISON!!! The first incident should have added 10 years to the end of his original sentence, cancelling any possibility of early release or parole for the combined sentences. The second incident should add 20 additional years, and the third incident of violence - another 50, all consecutive, all without possibility of parole.
If strict laws for violent crimes mean that 40% of the population is imprisoned, then so be it.
You or I, if we want to work out to remain healthy, get that beach body or for any other reason, we have to pay for that, as in gym memberships or buying our own exercise equipment. Ditto for television and internet access. Either way we pay. But then we had the ACLU come in and say it's these prisoners' "rights" to have access to the those very same things. Now I'm (in most instances) very supportive of the ACLU, but enough is enough.
Having access to gym equipment, TV, or any of that stuff is NOT a "right", it's a privilege. If it were, everyone would have the right to get it for free. It's time for our "leaders" to get it through their heads; We The People are sick of it!
The only thing that gym stuff is good for is making these low-lifes bigger with pumping iron. Take all that equipment away, it's a prison. If they want to work out, they can do sit-ups and push ups, maybe do a few laps around the exercise yard.
If a person is in prison, they've demonstrated that they have no respect for the rules of civilized society, or the people that inhabit it, so why should they have access to the benefits of said society? The answer of course, is that they shouldn't, and in this instance I'm disgusted by the ACLU's actions.
And thank you, PerpetualAmazement. It's good to know there are other Americans who are as fed up with this broken system as I am. I am so tired of the "rehabilitation" arguments. Rehabilitation means to restore to a former state of health or function; these types have shown they never had such a state to begin with, therefor it is impossible to achieve. Time off for good behavior indeed. Mailman has the same attiude as I have, infractions while incarcerated should add time to the sentence, and if you are going to prison, knowing you're going to do the full sentence, every rotten day of it, someone might think twice. As it is now, the criminal element knows that their possible sentence doesn't mean what it says, so they really don't feel all that threatened by the prospect. That attitude would change swiftly if it was known that they'd do every minute of it, with time added for violations while incarcerated.
To Elizabeth-2017812: The reason they give inmates TV's and radios is to control them. Because of prison overcrowding, in many medium II prisons, the inmates spend 19 hours out of 24 locked up in their cells with another person. It has been shown that even Romeo and Juliet would develop black widow blood after more than 6 month isolation. Without the TV and radio, there would be a bunch of body's every day from inmates killing each other. You have many facilities that are double capacity above what they were designed, and they barely have enough guards to watch who they have and they are always looking for more. There is no rehabilitation going on, and as long as prison population stays at present levels, violent prisoners will get out, they will slip through the numerous cracks, there is no stopping it.
And as for those "Prison Sculpted Bodies", that is not from working out in the gym. Because of the overcrowding in most prisons, you are lucky to get two hours a week in any kind gym. The reason for those muscular bodies is twofold. First, 85% of the food you eat is starch, and Second, the most popular exercises in prison are pushups, sit ups and pull ups, three exercises that are easily done your cells. endprohibitionnow.net
Bear, I would not argue about ending prohibition, it's a proven failure.
What I'm saying is that those same violent prisoners need to be required to be doing something constructive. Prison farms come to mind, as do GED programs, trade programs to build skills, hell even learn how to tat (make lace). I'm not saying that they should be left to go stir-crazy in a general way, but violent offenders should never be released as you, yourself said. I honestly don't think anybody would be too concerned if two murderers killed each other in an argument, and they don't get to complain; they got what they were working so hard to get, so let them have it.
The point is, if they're in prison for violent offenses, why then should civilized society bear the burden of providing for them when they could never be bothered to provide for themselves in any honest capacity.
If you repeatedly demonstrate that you have no regard for other humans, then you should be removed from humanity, with no possibility of coming in contact with the rest of us again. The only guaranteed way to do that is the death penalty. That way, some ***hole like Gov. Barbour can't come along somewhere down the line and with no first hand knowledge of the particulars of the case, just grant a pardon, totally undoing the hard work of the cops, prosecutors, jurors and many others.
I realize you probably have no love for those particular people, but they do an important service for society, and if you did 10 for drugs, please remember, no one held a gun to your head to make you get involved in the drug culture. I have no problem with a little reefer, but if you choose to play with fire you ought to expect to get burned once in a while, and it sounds like you got 3rd degree. The question now is, did you learn your lesson and get out of it, or are you right back at it again? If it's the latter, then you deserve to be in prison until you're carried out in a box. It may be harsh, but so is the world. Why in the world should the rest of us be forced to care for and about them when they could never be bothered to do it for themselves?
I fail to see what the NRA has to do with these murders. Anyone who's bent on breaking the law is going to get his/her hands on a gun. The bad guys don't have guns because of the NRA, they have guns because they're bad guys. I'm a 63yo grandmother who was taught to hunt/shoot before I was 10. My father also taught me respect for the use of a gun as well as the law. But anyone would be ill-advised coming into my home without an invitation.
My response was towards the media reporting countless shootings across the nation in the last couple of weeks up to and including today's shooting that has spread fear across the country...possibly influencing the masses into accepting new legislation...problem>reaction>solution?
As soon as they are convicted, they need to be HANGED within 48 hrs in public. They need to make every child in juvinile detention forced to watch this in person if they within 50 miles, those farther away should be made to watch on very large sc reen hi def video s they see exactly what they are in for if they dont change.
Yes i feel the same way towards ANYONE that it can be conclusively proven or they confess to murdering someone else for any reason that does not include protecting their life or someone elses life! They show time and time again they CANNOT live around others and there is ABSOLUTELY no sense in wasting money providing them medical care, food, clothing, access to a library and television or anything else. they need to be removed from society fast and as an example for those in juvie that are following in the same footsteps!
And there is no sense in anyone saying hanging them would not be a deterent, at the very least it keeps them from repeating again, WHICH in this case is exactly what they did after being released from prison.
As far as Jake England the ONLY way i could find any sympathy for him would have been if he had waited for the man who killed his father to be released and KILLLED him, not killing people on the streets. If it had been the man that killed his father there could have at least been some reason as courts gave him 4 years for killing the guys father instead of giving him the death penalty
Unless coerced anyone that confesses to a crime such as this has a very big problem and if they know that what they face is the rope, they will not be confessing to these kind of crimes anymore causing a larger waste of money investigating false confessions by those seeking attention.
Physical evidence is best, eyewitness accounts are so-so (esp. chancy if only one person), and confessions are about the same as witnesses. Having two of these, or more, plus a motive, is much better. No conviction is ever fail-proof - but none of us are purely innocent, are we?
At this point they don't need to be given the opportunity to get out. If these men actually did this they should visit the electric chair, especially since they've already had a taste of prison life and it obviously did nothing.
Yes sir. And they know their rights they will sue you just because the courts will listen, sometimes they even get paid. These guys are on their way back to prison before they leave, their hatred isn't racially motivated either they just hate. Dedicated criminals Thugs for life, and they know that the libral any thing goes society we have will let them go sooner or later. If they had any intelligence their prison time might serve as a deterrant from future criminal behavior, but they are real short on brain power (perhaps a failure of our public schools), they always think they're gonna get away with it, the victims mean nothing to them.
They know that there is a real strong lobby out there that will fight with everything to keep them from the lethal injections that are too soft for their heartless acts. They will tell you some sob story about how hard life has been on them, their mother or father beat them (probably not hard enough like mine beat me glad she did).
Well that really doesn't solve anything the prisons are overcrowded with a good number of folk like this and our correctional officers have to deal with them unarmed daily, and if they just look at 'em hard enough some bleeding heart will tell you how bad those guards are it's crazy
Wow, talk about some vile hateful trash talk. Is this due to the Black Rage we keep hearing about, or is it that your Mother and Father never taught you any manners? In any case, if you have nothing of value to add then please add nothing.
Big Jim the racist piece of human filth from Texas. It's always obnoxious scumbags from Texas who are racist. No need for profiling. If only Jim the racist piece of human filth from Texas could be imprisoned with these suspected murderers IN THE SAME CELL. THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!
I'm sorry, Randoo, it just seemed to fit at the time. Texas and racism kind of go together. Historically, more African-Americans were lynch-murdered in Texas than any other state in U.S. history. Texas has a REALLY bad record when it comes to race. ESPECIALLY with African-Americans.
And by the way, to the racists spreading their evil, disgusting vile. The tragedy of this story is THE ABSOLUTE FAILURE OF THE PAROLE SYSTEM IN THIS CASE. THAT'S what should be so upsetting. These guys should never have been on the street. And RACE does not have anything to do with it. So you racist scumbags, please take your KKKomments over to Newsmax or Fox Nation or something.
Black culture? Go crawl back under a rock racist. Apparently you have never been inside prison (yet). It would surprise you the color mixture in there. You might have a whole new avenue to rant about if you did. (although I doubt it judging by your tones already on display)
The fact the crime is particularly heinous and the suspects should be hung by their entrails probably isn't going to be disputed by many on here.
Having said that, recidivism is to be expected, unfortunately and is pretty common, but these three thugs escalated to cold blooded murder with what appears to be no provocation. Also, I thought there was something about convicts not being allowed to have contact with ex-convicts while in prison (I could be wrong on that). If that's correct, then they planned this entire scheme in 3 weeks time. For what? People barely even USE cash anymore...hardly seems worth the effort or jail time for a little money you have to split 4 ways. It wasn't a bank. There's more money to be had through information and credit card numbers than knocking over a rural convenience store. I know most criminals are stupid, but shouldn't the crime have been worth some sort of risk? Pre-meditated capital murder of a kid and 2 young men...for what?
Don't get me wrong, no amount of money is worth a human life, I'm just wondering at their motive, that's all.
Are you familiar with Charles Manson? He had a reletively petty non-violent criminal history until he had a brillant idea that he could kill Sharon Tate make it look like some Black Guys did it (I'm sure Big Jim would bought that ticket), and start a race war...WOW poor Sharon Tate White woman killed by a White maniac in hopes of starting a race war.
Look convicts don't follow the rules, they just don't and nobody else will hang out wit them so they find each other and do what they do. Nobody wants to keep them in prison because it cost too much. The one from Conn. now how did he even get out? Our Correctional Officers are assaulted every day, but most states don't even make that a felony.
Not only was Manson not convicted of murder, no one has been convicted of murdering Martin who was a victim only of his own lack of self control and bad judgement.I think Really? was inferring to biased media coverage and trial by a court of public opinion fueled by whatever spin the news outlets decided put on the incident . But I cannot answer for Really?, so I'll let him decide if my post addresses your erroneous assertion.
I think Astro meant "conflation of" rather than "conflation between" when he was describing my "analogy". But to answer your question conflation is "a combining, as of two variant readings of a text into a composite reading" in other words a highfalutin way of saying combination, which is why I called his cute but dumb post an erroneous assertion instead of a load of horsesh1t.
unlv702... yes, everyone is happy these guys are off the street....especially those in the black community because if you are black and you are murdered, there is a 93% chance of your killer being black too.
What scares me is that some future Governor could grant these vermin a pardon down the road. That's why I am for the death sentence now in this case. NEVER give them the chance to see the light of day. Ever.
And if the NRA has their way, once these three are pardoned they'll be able to get their guns back.
Another ridiculously inane comment brought to you by the sheep from the left. Please produce any verifiable sources where the NRA has lobbied for criminals to get their guns back. We'll wait. Or, if you are able, which I highly doubt, please cite any legitimate sources for proving the NRA has backed anything illegal.
And if the NRA has their way, once these three are pardoned they'll be able to get their guns back
Obviously Klone you have not actually looked into the NRA if you believe that. NRA supports more education for children on the safehandling of weapons, provides numerous training events for law enforcement and stands for all our freedoms. Besides they won't need the NRA as they can go break into a house and steal guns, or borrow them from the other thugs they hang with. My question is will it be a hate crime or is that reserved for only certain people in this country?That comment is so idiotic that A. I cannot even believe you actually posted it and B. 16 other brilliant thinkers thought to vote it up. Guess great minds think alike.
Prayers offered for the families of the victims. As for the perpetrators, one hopes there is a special place in hell for them. The recidivism rate of ex-cons is abhorable.
And why, oh WHY would you grant parole to a con who continues to rack up violence charges while incarcerated?!?! It would appear the Parole Board left their thinking caps at home that day, along with their common sense.
If you can't figure it out for yourself, I can't help you. You are not "talking about race" (quit pretending you were having a neutral, scientific discussion or something). You are throwing bombs and then putting on a hurt "who me?" act when called on it.
I never claimed to be having a neutral, scientific discussion. I was obviously stating that most black paople hate white people and do not want to live in peace. Just try listening to the great Reverand Wright, our Presidents own pastor. Who I voted for by the way.Take your holier than though bull to someone who doesn't have a clue. And instead of saying" I can't help you" why don't you try enlightening me. Your ignorance is showing.
Most people would consider African-Americans and Arab-Americans to be of different racial (and cultural ) heritage. Do you consider Italians, Greeks, or Native Americans to be black? If someone does not have red hair, freckles, and snow white skin - would you consider them all of one race?
This could certainly qualify as a hate crime. The whole idea of hate crime is rather silly anyway - a crime is a crime, and violence against a person should be prosecuted the same regardless of any assumed motive (or lack of motive.) Who cares about the thought process of the perpetrator? (no one can ever really know another's thought process.) A crime was committed - prove that and punish the guilty.
Right, but we can only call it a hate crime if it is a whitey killing a black. You wont get any apologies from the black community. You wont get any angry staements from Sharpton or Jackson, its not their bag. You wont get any staements from the President either.There wont be any angry uprising, kids leaving school and raiding Walgreens in some sort of senseless "statement". all you will have are some poor family members with a lot of hurt,they didnt ask for this. Those people in the store did nothing...but there wont be anyone from the black community to help make sence of this, or to help them. Its not racist or political enough. My heartfelt apologies and prayers to the families. And I am a whitey CaliforniaDr. Gabachos defends the findings of his study.
"As scientists we look for correlating factors. In all of the caseswhere we found MPW, the subjects were white, the subjects were male, and the subjects were Christian. That, and all of the subjects owned guns. So how do we cure this? Do we take away the guns? Do we take away the maleness? The whiteness? The religion? Maybe a national identification card is the answer. I don't know. But this is a national problem." When queried about the male violence of Mexican serial killer Rafael Resendez Ramirez, who was not white, Dr. Gabachos explained, "Ramirez was a firm believer in assimilation, and was just trying to fit in to his adopted country."
Dr. Gabachos added, "We are also investigating a possible genetic link between Rafael Resendez Ramirez, Lyle and Erik Menendez Resendez Ramirez, and the 'Night Stalker' Richard Menendez Resendez Ramirez. Another possibility, which Resendez Ramirez's own family attests, is that the man had a mental condition, which
Scientists discover white male hate gene, others blame God
by Victor Payan
Pocho Christian Pseudoscience Monitor CaliforniaThis is hysterical. It's A HOAX! This was wrtten by wise-ass Victor Payan. There is no "Dr Gabachos" at NW University. "Gabachos" is a word Mexicans/Chicanos use to describe a foreigner, specifically a white person. IT"S NOT A NAME! There is no such study listed on NWU's website. Unbelievable.
It's less of a hoax than satire. There are enough obvious skewerings of various stereotypes in the "news article" to make its humor self-evident. "Evangelist Holly Point Bullitt" indeed! I can just visualize the author, tongue fully inserted in cheek, jerking our collective chain and waiting for the predictable reactions.
I never said run everything Astro. I said dictate everything. Why is it that people like you (racists) and ignorant white people always do that. I will give you a few examples. First, blacks dictated that they now have to be called African American, while it is still perfectly fine to call white people white, whiteboy,whitegirl or racist anytime someone looks at you wrong. Charlize Theron was born in Africa and is now American, doesn't that make her African American? If you want to go back further, then how far back? If mankind originated in Africa then wouldn't that make us all African Americans. Second, blacks claim discrimination and under representation in occupations that require an education.I remember growing up in school that any black that tried to get an education was given a hard time by fellow blacks for trying to act white or for talking white. That is why we such a disproportionate amount of blacks in sports and music industries. Unless you're going to make a racist statement and say that blacks are just naturally better athletes? Then affirmative action was dictated to right a wrong that was never a wrong, but a choice. How about affirmative action in sports? Don't you think all races should be represented equally in everything? Lets not forget about Ebonics so that black children didn't have to learn how to speak proper english, or as your brothers and sisters might say: the white man's language.Until you start calling everyone your brother and sister and just call your selves American, I don't see anything changing.
This has nothing to do with slavery you fool. Quit making excuses for these animals. If they were white would you say it's was because of a bad upbringing. You bleeding heart,tree-hugging liberals are whats going to bring this country to it's knees.
won't even talk about it. It is very interesting the model South Africa used to mend its racial divide, they started an open national dialouge, it seems to be working for them. But we won't even discuss it, just pretend that everything is great and getting better. When the truth is the racial fear is at an all time high, because we won't honestly talk.
America did not have slaves for 500 years and I feel that all the taxes paid for welfare, section 8 housing, medical care since the late 60's and affirmative action have more than made up for the injustices. America was not the only country to have slaves, but we keep getting reminded of it by persons that believe something is still owed to them.
Damn John Julius, you were caged for 400 years? Wow, you older than dirt. There's not a black person alive today that ever suffered what slaves suffered so stop with the phony indignation. And it's been 50 years since "we shall over come" days and blacks have not particpated in "the American dream" out of their own choosing. They rejected education, manners, and speaking properly among other things because it meant they were trying to be "white" and they want to "keep it real". And it hasn't been a black/white thing for quite awhile. Blacks have attacked, robbed and murdered Arabs, Indians (from India) Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, Hispanics of all races, other blacks and others too numerous to mention. You people have quite a reputation with all other races and enthnicites.
This is my motherland. My ancestors weren't trying to leave Africa, they were kidnapped, without ever having been at war with America or any other European nation. They were kidnapped and placed in slavery because some people were too lazy to work their own land, and since they had guns (is that anything like armed robbery, perhaps the biggest armed robbery in history?), built the foundations of New York City, and died from starvation (What cruelty they endure). Not only were the people who kidnapped them lazy they were amongst the cruelst people in the history of the world.
A welfare check doesn't begin to cover the cost of what is owed, not even a fraction.
First of all your ancestors were not "kidnapped". The idea that whites went into the jungle with nets and kidnapped black people is so hilarious. Fact is tribal chiefs in the coastal areas of West Africa didn't allow Europeans beyond the beaches (well maybe a little more than that). They brought captured people from other tribes defeated in war, and criminals, and people from their own tribes that had committed some infraction. They were traded for goods from Europe, among them guns. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to get into the slave trade, taking it from THE ARABS, who controlled it for 900 years and charged too much. The Portuguese wanted to deal directly with the African Chiefs. Most slaves went to Brazil first, way before there was even a thought of an America. Then everybody else jumped on the bandwagon and black slaves were sent everywhichway and the rest is history.
Sure, I'm white so guilty by association, but am I wrong in pointing out that slaves weren't kidnapped at gunpoint by white men? These poor souls were captured and sold by people of their own color! The kidnapping, the selling, the profiting on the African continent was initiated and conducted by people of color. There can be no excuse for slavery but don't try to act like your ancestors had no hand in the tragic legacy we all live with today! Sure, sellers with no market go broke, so blame my race for the market, but your race sowed and reaped the product and enjoyed the profits/lifestyle sales of their product made possible.
Sick, the whole thing was and is sick and I am sick from hearing the continuous refrain that points to slavery as being the whole problem. Focus on broader possibilities and accept that there are some people who use the entire slave/master legacy as an excuse for their failure or as an excuse to hate people with light colored skin and then I might be willing to listen more seriously to what you have to tell me. Brand me, name me, hate me, I can't change the color of my skin nor what my race did anymore than you can. Accept that we are all human, we have strengths and weaknesses, forget the past, it is indeed PAST, look to the future and figure out a way to forgive, and move on in a positive direction! Doing anything less is simply looking for excuses to fail and hate and guess what? When you look for excuses to fail and hate, you earn the disrespect and animosity you find aimed your way!
Slave Ships and Slaving. Documented history from the logbooks of slave ships will substantiate my claim that Africans were kidnapped from their most prosperous communities. Because of economic reasons and because there criminals that came into thier lands had guns and they did not. The African Kingdom of Benin had guns and they were not kidnapped.
The beauty of Slave Ships and Slaving is that it is not a compiled hisory written by historians, but rather excerpts from logbooks, the actual day to day recordings of the kidnappers. Ther is one excerpt that declares the natives had a cure for syphillis, shame the Europeans couldn't get that cure for the world by learning to talk and honestly trade with other people.
For sure some of the slaves were gathered by other Africans as prisoners of war, even this was perpetrated by Europeans who supplied one group with guns and paid them for as many slaves as they could muster. before guns came into play Europeans killed and slaughtered each other so it is no surprise what happened to the world when they came up with the gun. Armed Robbery at its best.
You can find Slave Ships and Slaving On Line. You should get it and read it and findout a little something.
You are right the whole thing was and is sickening. However, when slavery was ended, that was a good start; however, the psychological impact of slavery on millions of people can only be underestimated by those who do not want the truth. Human beings are emotional and psychological as well as physical creatures the various cruelties of slavery, not to mention the component of slavery that forbade and education to its victims, was not something that would end simply because a President signed his name to a document.
The newly freed people were impacted by the legacy of the institution of slavery which brought America much wealth. Tgese people began to prosper because that's what people do in Freedom. The Founding Fathers of America knew that, which is why they wanted Freedom. As the newly freed Americans began to prosper those lazy people who didn't want to work formed citizen councils and murdered not a few men of color for their lands and began a legacy of share cropping. Not to mention the creation of laws to criminalize behaviors which previously were not criminal (Check out the recent documentary Slavery by Another name which details how Southern Whites began to use the Criminal Justice System to hinder the advance of the fellow citizens of a darker hue)
I know that being White it can be a bit overwhelming to take a seriously honest look at your past, but do the research and you will see the value in it.
I have friends of color, friends who do not spend their time rooting through history looking for documentation on which to build a foundation to support a bleak and unforgiving future. History has its lessons. That not all embrace the freedom offered to everyone in our nation is indisputable but labeling an entire race for the acts of a few is the root of racism and racism isn't exclusive to Europeans. When you intimate that I am unwilling to look honestly at my past I can only assume that you are one who is unwilling to forgive what my forefathers did. I certainly have NEVER owned another human being, if being a victim is a profession then certain races have elevated that profession to an art. Slavery ended many generations ago, and I understand that bigotry and racism didn't end just because a president signed a document but hanging on to every painful wrong ever done makes progress impossible. The past is PAST, the future awaits, we can find peace and acceptance only when we learn to forgive and only when we understand and embrace the idea that we are first of all human beings and not colors!
One more issue, I would point out to Malachi's Dad that the race, my race, which you denigrate and disparage, fought a brutal war over the issue of slavery. hundreds of thousands of people with light colored skin died so you could experience the freedom you have. When you throw away the sacrifice, which should have earned at least some consideration, it demonstrates a lack of respect that is unconscionable. Again, at least half this nation's light colored inhabitants were on your side during the 1860's and many families found themselves facing each other across blood strewn battlefields over the issue of slavery. They fought for YOU, they died for YOUR freedom. You've had that freedom by law since 1865 or so, 147 years, how many generations is that? History is useful in that it can help keep us from repeating past mistakes but the present is where we all live.
There is a popular saying that goes something like, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present. When we focus on the present, with a positive eye toward the future, we begin to peel back the curtains of mystery that obscure it and, if we focus on forgiveness, understanding, and individuality we begin to generate a sturdy foundation on which to build a brighter tomorrow, one that sees the barriers we erect, hide behind, and throws stones from, erode and eventually disappear.
Maybe we need some stand your grand laws for policeman. And stronger sentences for those who clearly do not need to be out in society among decent people. What makes these people like that. I am sure many will say these guys are black but believe me there are many hispanics, white people and Asians that do the very same thing. And it amazes me that at any time if you kill someone intentionally why you would ever be on the street again. But that happens too. Especially with radicals like Gov Barbar. Why? I have also never understood why someone can think they are better than anyone else because of the color of their skin or how much money is in their pocket. Most of the time noone chose either. When you inherit your money it doesn't make you any different than when you are born in poverty. It is what you do with the situation after that. And it is surprising how many who never worked a day in their life for real criticize those who do.
...just wanted to say that this country wasn't just built on the backs of black slaves, that many many different people from many different lands (foreigners) helped build this country for very very low wages and were treated like slaves when doing so. But back to the story -yes, these four individuals need to be severely punished. No matter what their race they are not fit to mix with society any longer. Also, responding to the earlier comments on drug crimes vs. violent crimes...the reason is because usually these violent crimes stem from drug use and/or a drug surrounded environment and one thing is for sure that the occasional pot smoker is prone to uptake his addiction at some point but if he doesn't then he is still breaking the law and probably has not many boundaries he abides.
How right you are. I am of Irish decent. We were treated horribly by everyone. We were considered the blacks of the british isle.Fact is, things happen to many peoples.By other peoples..it is called LIFE. We are to learn from it and go on.I am so sick of hereing the bull from the blacks about slavery.And they should be compensated with money. Advise...GET UP OFF YOUR BLACK ASSES AND EARN YOUR MONEY!That is the only money you are intiltled too it!And anyone.No payouts to the Irish people, or the chinese on the train lines.or, or or, I could keep going on. If you are going to read a history book....read the WHOLE story. It is not just about the blacks, mister.And another thing..you want to talk about how poorley the blacks are treated by the whites, well racism is a 2 sided coin.And the blacks in Africa are still treating other blacks far worse than anything we have ever done in this country. Ever here of germicide of a people? Blacks in Africa are doing it all the time. Its time to get of you pitty pot about history and make your own living and quit expecting someone else to give it to you. Life is life, we have all suffered at times.quit expecting a frigging handout...your not getting one
Look at the lengths white people will go to in order to cover their, IMO, flat behinds. Deny and obfuscate all you wish, the truth is not in your denials and lies, however, the day is coming soon when you will see the truth, right in your face. Then what?????
Julie, you are just a little late with the Chinese ENtitlement issue, the U.S. paid their reparations for being in the internment camps during WW2 a while ago. I know you are so very tired of hearing the bull about slavery, so on and so forth. Well Julie, I guess you could have simply ignored this forum and gone on about your lily white day. But, my goodness, it seems you chose to post your rant so I guess you really are not tired of hearing about all the bull. Faith and begorrah, or whatever the Irish go on about. Kiss the Blarney stone much? | eng | cc087af7-165f-46c2-a4fb-e70e5192c22d | http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/04/13/11188105-suspects-in-triple-murder-robbery-were-fresh-from-prison |
Please review the following document and let me know any suggestions,
complaints or (if a miracle occurs) positive comments by Friday,
May 12.
This document should not be confused with the separate document that
I sent around for review during late 1994; that one was a chapter of
The Windows Interface Software Design Guidelines (known as the
user interface style guide). This document is a chapter of the
Programmer's Guide to Microsoft Windows 95 (known as the programmer's
guide) and will also be made available as a stand-alone whitepaper.
The first document is a subset of this document concentrating on
user interface design, and was written by another author based on
earlier drafts of this document you have just received.
We really do want any feedback; the earlier they are received the
better the chance that we can get them incorporated. We would
also like comments on the overall style, approach, and expected
effectiveness of this document.
This zipfile contains two copies of the document, one in Word for
Windows 6.0 format and the other a straight ASCII text file that
was created from the former.
Please send any comments to me directly or, if you're on the
internet, to enable@microsoft.com.
Personal computers are powerful tools that enable people to work,
create, and communicate in ways that might otherwise be difficult or
impossible. The vision of making computers easier to use for everyone
can be realized only if people with disabilities have equal access to
the powerful world of personal computing.
The issue of computer accessibility in the home and workplace for people
with disabilities is becoming increasingly important. Seven to nine out
of every ten major corporations employ people with disabilities who may
need to use computers as part of their jobs. In the U.S. alone, an
estimated 30+ million people have disabilities that can be affected by
the design of computer software.. Additionally, as the population ages,
more people experience functional limitations, causing the issue of
computer accessibility to become important to the population as a whole.
Legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (which affects
private businesses with more than 15 employees) and Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act (which addresses government spending), also brings
accessibility issues to the forefront in both the public and private
sectors. Accessibility is also being incorporated into official and
international standards for usability such as ANSI 200.
Microsoft Windows 95 incorporates many new features and enhancements
designed to make the operating system more accessible to people with
disabilities, but applications also need to follow accessible design
practices in order to make computing in the home, schools and workplace
accessible to everyone.
This document is designed to answer questions about computer
accessibility for people with disabilities and the design and production
of computer software that accommodates users with disabilities.
1.2. Using this document
This document provides the following areas:
1. A quick checklist of recommended accessibility features and
programming techniques
2. Background information on disabilities and accessibility aids
3. Detailed descriptions of features and programming techniques that
make applications more accessible or be compatible with
accessibility aids
4. A list of additional resources, including further readings,
accessibility aids and their manufacturers
The guidelines discussed are all just that, guidelines, rather than hard
and fast rules. However, we strongly urge you to adapt or adopt as many
as you can to your own applications, or find additional ways to achieve
the same goals.
Product designers often start by asking which of these guidelines are
the most important, but instead we encourage you to make this
determination yourself based on the current state of your own
application. First, determine which of these areas your application is
already handling correctly and which remain as problems. Second,
determine which of the problems you can address in the version of your
product currently under development. Third, when you begin working on
the next version of your product, design in corrections to the remaining
problems. In this way you can make a considerable difference in the
near term and demonstrate your desire to "do the right thing" in the
long term.
2. Summary of guidelines
The following is a checklist summary of the guidelines for accessible
software design. For detailed explanations of the individual
recommendations, see the later sections of this document.
Keyboard
* Provide keyboard access to all features.
* When possible, model your keyboard interface on a familiar
application or control.
* Provide keyboard accelerators for all controls and menu commands.
* Use logical keyboard navigation order.
* Fully document your keyboard user interface.
* If you normally hide some keyboard user interface, display it
when the Keyboard Preference flag is set.
Visual Focus
* If you draw the keyboard or visual focus indicator, move the
system caret invisibly to track that location.
Controls and Menus
* Use standard controls where possible
* If you use owner-draw controls, define correct text labels even
when they won't be visible.
* If you use subclassed controls, include the original class name.
* If you use custom controls, make the OLE Controls.
* If you use custom controls that aren't OLE controls, identify
them using invisible text.
* Include people with disabilities and software vendors in your
beta tests.
* Include people with disabilities in your usability tests.
* Determine where your application does or does not follow these
guidelines.
3. Background
3.1. Why you should care about accessibility
There are many reasons why accessibility should be included as part of
your application development process.
* Potential market. There are approximately 49 million people with
disabilities in the United States alone, of whom 30-35 million can
be directly affected by the accessibility of computer software.
If you consider the international market the numbers are much
higher.
* When you build accessible applications you are not just targeting
people with disabilities, but also their family and friends, their
coworkers and their employers. Large organizations today employ
people with disabilities and expect their mainstream computer
applications to accommodate all members of their staff.
* Legislation requires employers to make reasonable accommodation
for employees with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities
Act affects all employers with 15 or more employees, and section
508 of the Rehabilitation Act affects the federal government and
organizations that receive government funding.
* Accessibility is being incorporated into upcoming standards for
usability such as ANSI 200.
* Many people, including your own employees, will develop permanent
or temporary disabilities. Repetitive stress injury caused by
typing or using a mouse is increasingly common in the computer
industry, and as a person ages they are very likely to go through
periods with disabilities.
* Accessible design actually improves usability for everyone, not
just people with disabilities. It also assists in automating
tasks and test automation, and makes your application compatible
with future interface technologies such as voice recognition.
And of course, many people believe that accessibility is simply the
right thing to do in order to allow each individual to make their
maximum contribution to society.
3.2. What are disabilities?
Individuals are not disabled--rather, some people have difficulties
performing certain tasks, such as using a mouse or reading small print.
When these difficulties are serious enough to impact the person's
performance, they are referred to as "disabilities." Disabilities can
be divided into the following general categories:
* Visual Impairments
* Hearing Impairments
* Movement Impairments
* Cognitive or Language Impairments
* Seizure Disorders
* Speech Impairments
These categories describe groups of disabilities covering a broad range
of people with widely different levels of needs.
Visual Impairments
Visual impairments range from slightly reduced visual acuity to total
blindness. Millions of people have vision that's only slightly
impaired, making it difficult to read small print or black text on a
gray background, or just having eyestrain at the end of long computing
sessions--such individuals usually don't consider themselves to have a
disability. If the person's vision can't be corrected to better than
20/80, then they are described as having low vision, they probably
require text to be larger than normal, and they often require especially
high contrast between foreground text and the background. A person is
described as being blind when their vision can't be corrected better
than 20/200, and they usually require output to be translated into
spoken text or Braille. Other types of impairments include reduced
field of vision allowing them to focus only on a small area at time, and
color blindness, a condition affecting up to 1 male in 10 which makes it
difficult or impossible to distinguish certain color combinations.
Hearing Impairments
Some individuals cannot notice beeps or recognize spoken words. These
users may require a program to prompt them in a different manner, such
as a screen flash or displaying spoken messages as text. Keep in mind
that any person can find themselves in this situation when they're
working in a very noisy environment, or working in a quiet environment
such as a library where they've been requested to turn off the sound, or
working on a machine with broken or missing speakers.
Movement Impairments
Some users may be unable to perform certain manual tasks. These can
range from difficulty using a mouse to the inability to type two keys at
the same time. Other individuals may have a tendency to hit multiple
keys, or "bounce" fingers off keys, or be unable to hold a printed book.
Many individuals require keyboards and mouse functions to be adapted to
their requirements, or rely exclusively on a single input device.
Cognitive and Language Impairments
Cognitive impairments take many forms, including short- and long-term
memory impairments, perceptual differences, and severe conditions such
as Downs Syndrome. Language impairments are very common, including
people with forms of dyslexia that affect reading or spelling,
illiteracy, or even people learning as a second language the language
used by their computer software. Proper software design can help
increase the number of people with mild cognitive and language
impairments who can use computers.
Seizure Disorders
People with some forms of epilepsy and similar disorders may experience
minor or severe seizures when exposed to visual signals flashing at
certain rates, or certain types of random or repetitive sounds.
Speech Impairments
Difficulty speaking does not often affect one's ability to use a
computer today, but it is a problem in using telecommunications and
voice menus, and in the future it may affect normal computer usage if
voice recognition becomes a common form of input.
3.3. What is Accessibility?
Accessibility means designing computer software to accommodate a wide
range of users, including users with disabilities. Nothing is
accessible to everyone, but a few simple steps can greatly reduce the
number of people who are barred from using your application.
Special needs can be addressed in several ways:
* New features that are built into hardware and operating systems
that help make them accessible to users with and without
specialized needs. This solution is preferred because the features
are available on all workstations and can be used with all well-
behaved applications.
* Accessibility aids, utilities that modify the system to help make
it more usable by more people. Like the first category, these work
with all well-behaved applications, but they aren't available when
the user moves to a new machine and many people who could benefit
from them will never obtain them.
* Specialized applications, such as a word processor designed to
integrate voice and text to help individuals with limited reading
and writing skills. There are a few of these available, but in
general people with disabilities have to rely on mainstream
applications the same way their coworkers do.
* Usability features that can be built into mainstream applications,
making them easier to use for people with disabilities. Examples
include customizable colors and keyboard accelerators, and as
these examples show, often these features also benefit people who
don't have disabilities. In addition, mainstream applications can
take steps to ensure that they are compatible with accessibility
aids.
3.4. Types of accessibility aids
These are brief descriptions of some of the more common types of
accessibility aids--utilities added to the system to make it more
accessible to people with some types of disabilities. Not all people
with disabilities use tools like these, but being familiar with them and
how they work can help you to design and build applications that work
with them, instead of shutting out those customers.
Screen enlargement utilities
Screen enlargers (also called screen magnifiers or large print programs)
are products which allow the user to magnify a portion of their screen,
effectively turning the computer monitor into a window showing a portion
of an enlarged virtual display. The user can use the mouse or keyboard
commands to move this window to view different areas of the virtual
display. Enlargers also need to track where the user is working so they
can automatically keep the active area in view.
Screen review utilities
People who are blind use the computer with the aid of a screen review
utility (also called a blind access utility or a screen reader). Screen
review utilities take the information displayed visually on the screen
and make it available through alternative, non-visual media, such as
synthesized speech or a refreshable Braille display. Since both of
those media present only text, not graphics, the utility needs to render
screen elements as text, such as by assigning a user-friendly name to
each graphic object. They also need to track what the user is doing and
the location of the focus in order to be able to describe the important
aspects of what is happening on the screen. In Windows and other
graphical environments these utilities work by watching all operations
that draw information to the screen. They then build up an "off-screen
model", a database of the objects on the screen, their properties and
spatial relationships. Some information will automatically be read to
the user when it changes on the screen, and other information will be
found when the user requests it. Screen review utilities often accept
configuration files (also called set files or profiles) which tell them
how to work correctly with particular applications.
Voice input utilities
People with severe mobility impairments will often use a voice input
utility (also called speech recognition programs) in order to control
the computer with their voice instead of the mouse and keyboard. These
utilities are increasingly being used to boost productivity of people
who do not have disabilities. Like screen review utilities, voice input
systems try to identify objects on the screen which can be manipulated
and determine appropriate names for them, thus allowing the user to
activate an object with a single phrase. They also need to be able to
manipulate controls programmatically, and be aware of what the user is
doing and the changes that result.
On-screen keyboards
Some individuals with motion impairments cannot use a standard keyboard,
but they may be able to control a switch or a pointing device. An on-
screen keyboard is a program which displays a list of commands to the
user and allows them to choose and execute these commands using a
variety of input methods. A common use of this technique is to display
a picture of a keyboard, and allow the user to point and click on keys
to type into the system. Variations include Morse-code input systems
and single- or double-switch systems. Using a single-switch system, for
example, the on-screen keyboard would successively highlight groups of
commands until the user selected one group by pressing the switch. The
utility would then successively highlight smaller groups of commands
within that selected group, and so forth until the user selected the
specific command to execute. As another example, a person using a head-
pointer may be able to point but not click, so they could activate a
command simply by pausing the pointer over it for a certain amount of
time.
Keyboard filters
There are many ways in which impaired movement may make it difficult,
but not impossible, to use a standard keyboard. There are features
built into Windows 95 to compensate for erratic motion, tremors, slow
response time and similar disabilities. However, in most cases it isn't
possible to apply the same corrections to pointing devices such as the
mouse, so these users are restricted to keyboard input. Other types of
keyboard filters include typing aids such as word prediction and
abbreviation expansion utilities, and add-on spelling checkers.
3.5. Designing accessible applications
The remainder of this document describes specific considerations that
can be used when designing a mainstream application in order to make it
usable by individuals with disabilities. They fall into two categories:
end-user features that make the product more usable, and programming
techniques that make the product compatible with accessibility aids.
These design guidelines expand on the checklist provided earlier in this
document.
4. Keyboard access
It is important to design your application so that a mouse is not
required for its use.
Providing a good keyboard interface is one of the most important, and
most visible aspects of software accessibility. It is important because
it affects users with a wide range of disabilities. For example, a
keyboard interface may be the only option for users who are blind or use
voice input or keyboard macro utilities, as well as those who cannot use
a mouse. (The Accessibility Options in Windows 95 can often compensate
for users who have difficulty using the keyboard, but it is more
difficult to compensate for problems relating to mice and other pointing
devices. Similarly, while Windows provides the ability to move the
mouse pointer using the keyboard, this is not usable by everyone and is
extremely cumbersome at best.)
In addition, many experienced typists prefer to avoid taking their hands
off the keyboard to use a mouse, pointing devices can be inconvenient on
many laptop systems, and anyone can find themselves on a system without
a working mouse.
4.1. Choose a familiar keyboard interface
The key in defining a good keyboard interface is to adapt models already
familiar to the user, meaning that it should be keystroke-compatible
with a familiar application or control.
4.1.1. Example: Commands through menus and dialog boxes
Menus are one of the most common and standardized user interface
elements, and can be used by the keyboard. Putting commands on the menu
is always a safe option, but it may make the menus large and unwieldy.
In those cases you can provide a default configuration that hides most
of these options, and only show them when the user explicitly requests
them through your own option or by setting the Keyboard Preference flag
(discussed below).
It is usually possible to provide dialog boxes or property sheets that
provide access to functionality normally used by the mouse.
4.1.2. Example: Manipulating objects with property sheets
One alternative to direct manipulation is shown by the Microsoft Visual
Basic(R) programming system, which lets the user directly manipulate
controls but also allows the user to adjust their location and size
through the object's property sheet.
Another model for moving and sizing is that used for manipulating
windows. Most windows have Move... and Size... commands on their system
menu which let the user perform these operations with the keyboard, and
the same commands with the same user interface could be provided for
application-specific objects, on the normal menu bar and on the object's
context menu.
4.1.3. Example: Navigating through objects with TAB
Another commonly used model is that used by Windows Help. Windows Help
allows the user to press TAB to move the focus through a list of "hot
spots" or active regions, and press ENTER to choose the currently
selected active region. SHIFT+TAB is also used to move backwards
through the list, and arrow keys to move in specific directions
(especially useful if the items are arranged in two dimensions). The
application can also allow the user to type one or more letters to move
to the next active region whose label starts with those letters, just as
one moves through entries in a standard list-box.
4.1.4. Example: Moving between panes and windows with F6
Two other models that can be useful are panes and child Multiple
Document Interface (MDI) child-windows. Some applications divide their
window into two or more panes, separate areas showing different
information which can be switched between using a simple keystroke. For
example, the Windows Explorer can display a single window with three
panes. TAB or SHIFT+TAB move the focus between the Tree pane, the
Directory pane and the Drive Bar, and the arrow keys move around within
a pane. MDI follows another convention by using F6 and CTRL+F6 to move
focus between panes and child windows, and also presents a list of these
windows and allows the user to move between them using the Windows menu.
Some applications use CTRL+TAB or CTRL+PGDN to shift through groups of
panes or pages.
4.2. Providing keyboard accelerators
You should provide underlined keyboard accelerators (also called
shortcut keys or quick-access characters) for all menu items and
controls.
[Insert illustration here]
Once a person becomes familiar with an application, they become more
likely to use keyboard accelerators to speed up common operations. This
is even more common among people who don't use a mouse, including those
who are blind. Because screen review utilities present the user
interface sequentially, the user would have to press TAB and read or
listen to find out what they had reached before deciding whether they
needed to press TAB again. This mechanism slows down the process of
locating the correct destination, and so makes use of keyboard
accelerators much more attractive.
There are two exceptions where you can omit keyboard accelerators:
* You can omit accelerators when you simply can't find any unused
characters in the label to use. In this case you can rename the
control or omit the accelerator, depending on how often or
repetitively the command would be used. An example is the
standard Sort Options dialog box., which had identical sets of
controls for each of the three sort criteria.
* You can omit accelerators when the set of commands is very
dynamic and can't be predicted by the user. For example, the
standard OK, Cancel and Apply buttons used in all property sheets
can't be allowed to conflict with controls on a particular page,
and the property sheet control has no idea what controls those
might be. so the decision was made not to provide accelerators for
the standard buttons. Another example is context menus whose
commands might vary from one instance to another. Context menu
commands can have accelerators when it is clear they will not
conflict, but they can be omitted when they might conflict with
each other or when the user might expect a letter to be associated
with one command and find, unpleasantly, that in this instance it
triggered another.
A side benefit of providing accelerators for dialog-box controls is that
this ensures that a static text control immediately precedes the object
it's labeling in the TAB order, which helps screen review utilities
determine the relationship between the two.
4.3. Using logical keyboard order
Make sure that dialog boxes and similar groups of objects can be
traversed with the keyboard in a logical order, normally from right to
left and top to bottom. If the order does not follow this convention it
can be very confusing to users who are traversing the form using the
keyboard. It is especially confusing for people who are blind and rely
on screen review utilities. Since they explore the dialog box
sequentially, rather than being able to get an overview as the sighted
user would, random TAB order can make the dialog box nearly unusable.
4.4. Document your keyboard interface
Be sure to provide complete documentation on your keyboard user
interface. Some applications provide keyboard commands and mechanisms
but fail to document them for the end user, which means these features
are essentially useless. If the burden of space is a problem, you can
describe the keyboard mechanisms in a separate document and simply refer
users to that in your primary documentation. However, avoid
categorizing keyboard access as a niche or specialty feature, because it
is used and relied on by so many people.
4.5. How much is enough?
The general goal is to provide usable keyboard access to all features in
an application. However, it is admitted that there may be instances
where it is simply not feasible. In some cases it might be too
cumbersome for the user and too challenging for the application
designers, especially if the particular feature being considered will be
used only rarely. There are also rare cases where a dialog box is so
complex that one cannot assign unique accelerators. In these cases one
can use common sense in deciding where tradeoffs need to be made.
In such cases some users can fall back on tools that let them simulate
mouse input using the keyboard or other input mechanism, but these
should not be considered a substitute for good keyboard interface
design. Even simulating a simple drag and drop operation using the
keyboard might require 40 or more keystrokes, which might make the
application accessible but would certainly not be considered usable nor
user friendly. And performing such a visual operation can still be
impossible for a user who is blind. Application designers can design
much more efficient, comprehensive keyboard interfaces for their own
applications and should make every effort to do so.
4.6. Support the Keyboard Preference flag
If your application would normally hide some keyboard user interface
elements, or omit keyboard mechanisms altogether, you should present
these when the Keyboard Preference flag is set. This flag is set by the
user in Control Panel and advises applications that the user relies on
the keyboard, not a pointing device, and so any additional support
should be provided where appropriate. Applications can test this flag
by calling SystemParametersInfo with the SPI_GETKEYBOARDPREF value.
5. Indicating the user's point of focus
Many accessibility aids need to know where the user is working. For
example, a screen review utility wants to convey to the user the
information at that point on the screen, and a screen enlarger would
want to pan it's viewport to make sure the user's focus is always kept
on the visible portion of the screen.
There are many cases where the operating system moves the focus, such as
when entering or leaving menu mode, when moving between standard Windows
controls, or when activating a window. An accessibility aid can already
detect and follow each of these. The difficulty is when an application
has its own, private method of indicating the visual focus within its
own window such as a highlighted cell in a spreadsheet or an insertion
bar that is drawn using non-standard mechanisms.
5.1. Indicate focus by moving the system caret
In these cases the application must expose the focus location to
accessibility aids using the system caret functions. This is not
difficult; simply call CreateCaret when your window receives activation
and DestroyCaret when it loses activation, and while active call
SetCaretPos to move the caret to track the visual focus indicator. The
caret can be left invisible (which is its default state) so that it
won't interfere with the visual presentation on the screen, but its
location will still be known to any utility that needs to track the
focus.
The caret location is specified as an arbitrary rectangle, which allows
it to be reshaped as a single point, a vertical line (which is the
normal appearance of the caret) or a larger rectangular region depending
on the nature and shape of the object that has the focus.
5.2. What is the focus?
Sometimes it can be confusing to decide exactly what is the "active
region" that should be indicated. For example, in a multiple-selection
list the user might select several discontiguous entries by clicking the
mouse while holding down the CTRL key; each selected entry would be
shown using the selected text color and selection background color.
Then the user might then hold down the CTRL key while pressing arrow
keys, in order to put the focus on an entry without selecting it; this
would normally be indicated by moving a dotted rectangle around the
"focus" entry. In that case, when several different locations are
visually indicated by different mechanisms, which should be indicated by
the system caret?
Another point of confusion is extended selection: if the user is editing
a text field and holds down the SHIFT key while pressing the arrow keys,
the result is a string of characters that are all selected; in this case
where is the appropriate location for the caret?
The answer is actually simple. When the user moves the focus, whether
selecting or not, the caret should track this location. Even though in
this example other entries are visually highlighted, when the user moved
the focus manually the caret should track that location. That is where
the user is working; the other selected areas are interesting, and may
be related to the user's current task, but they are not what they are
looking at the moment. It is almost always possible to identify the
single location on the screen that is the primary focus of the user's
attention.
The following examples can help you determine the nature and location of
the visual focus in your own application.
[Restructure this section as a table or
"situation:hint" pairs?]
[Add art examples to each example.]
5.2.1. Example: Focus as a text insertion bar
The simplest example is when the user is moving the insertion point
within a text field; it's often drawn with the real system caret anyway.
When focus is in a text field and indicated by a custom-drawn insertion
bars (for example, to make it appear slanted when in italic text) the
application should still call the system Caret functions to move the
caret within its window, tracking the location of the visible insertion
bar.
5.2.2. Example: Focus on a graphic object
Applications that draw their focus indication in a non-standard form,
such as a highlighted spreadsheet cell or graphic object, should also
move the system caret invisibly to track the active area. In fact, when
the system caret is invisible it can convey more information than just a
single point. The system caret's location is always defined by a
rectangle, and while this is normally the size of the flashing insertion
bar, when the caret is invisible the rectangle can cover the entire
active object. This lets a screen review utility know precisely what
text is part of the active region.
5.2.3. Example: Focus location in extended selection
Let's say the user is editing in a text field: the caret is at the place
where the next character will appear if one is typed. Now the user
holds down the shift key while pressing the left arrow three times:
there are now three characters selected. At the right of this selection
region is the "anchor" location, where the user started the selection
by pressing SHIFT. At the left is the moving end of the selection,
where the selection will grow or shrink by a character. This moving, or
"active" end of the selection is the user's point of focus and the point
you should indicate with the system caret.
Note that all applications should display a flashing insertion bar at
the active end of a text selection , as standard Windows text controls
do this, and it is very useful for all users, as well as for
accessibility aids.
5.2.4. Example: Focus location in discontiguous selection
Let's say the user is working in a listbox which supports multiple,
discontiguous selection. (This would also be true on the Windows 95
desktop, items in a spreadsheet, or in any folder view.) The user uses
the arrow key to select the first entry, then holds down the CTRL key
and uses an arrow key to put the keyboard focus on the third entry; the
first entry is still selected, as indicated by the highlight color, but
the third entry now has the keyboard focus, as indicated by a dotted
rectangle. As in the previous example, it is the latter that would move
if the arrow key is pressed again, so that is the "active" location
which should be indicated by the system caret. In this case, the system
caret could be left invisible, but enlarged to correspond with the
boundaries of the item that has the keyboard focus.
5.2.5. Example: Focus among custom controls
If an application is drawing custom controls that don't have their own
window, it is necessary to explicitly tell accessibility aids where the
focus is. When focus is placed on a custom control that behaves like a
pushbutton, the focus is assigned to the control as a whole, so the
system caret should be assigned to the rectangle containing the control.
When focus is placed on a complex control, such as a listbox, that can
place the focus on individual elements within the larger control, the
system caret should be used to indicate the rectangle of the item that
has the focus.
5.2.6. Example: Focus location in a spreadsheet
A spreadsheet can be considered a complex custom control containing
multiple elements (cells), and the focus is normally placed on an entire
cell. In that case, the system caret should be set to the outline of
the entire cell that has the focus.
6. Controls and Menus
A sighted user can often usually identify a control such as a pushbutton
or checkbox by its appearance, but a person who is blind has to rely on
their screen review utility to describe the object to them in words.
The utility presents the user with the name, type and state of the
control. For example, tabbing to a checkbox might say "Quick printing
checkbox checked". Obviously it can only do this if it can determine
all those properties programmatically. Voice input utilities have
similar requirements, needing to identify and name specific controls,
and also how to manipulate the control in response to the user's
commands. In some cases, the user of non-standard controls can render
the application completely unusable for people who are blind or use
voice input utilities.
We can divide controls into the following categories, each of which will
be discussed in turn:
* Standard Windows controls (including Window Common Controls)
* Owner-draw controls that behave like standard controls but have
customized appearance
* Subclassed controls that add customized behavior to a standard
Windows control
* Custom controls that are implemented by the application without
using the normal Windows mechanisms
* OLE Controls, which are custom controls designed to a standard
programmatic interface
* Owner-draw menus
6.1. Standard controls
You should use standard controls whenever possible because they are the
most compatible with accessibility aids.
Each standard Windows control is a separate window of a specific class,
so the accessibility aid can get notified when the focus moves to a new
window, and can find out the window's class. The class tells it what
additional messages it can send to the control to query or alter the
state. They can also identify all the child controls contained within a
parent window, and identify the parent of any control.
The Windows 95 Common Controls Library provides standardized
implementations of many controls that aren't supported by Windows
itself, and these are all architected to be compatible with
accessibility aids.
6.2. Owner-draw controls
Owner-draw controls can be quite accessible as long as a few precautions
are taken in their use.
Owner-draw controls are one subclass of standard controls, where the
program alters only the visual appearance. Some applications use custom
controls only to change the appearance of the control when owner-draw
controls would be an acceptable, and more accessible option. For
example, they might want a checkbox to have an actual check-mark instead
of an X, or might want a pushbutton to be labeled with a picture
instead of a word. Using a standard Windows control with the OWNERDRAW
style would make the control appear normally to accessibility aids , but
still allows the application to give them a customized appearance.
You should define the label for an owner-draw control even if that text
will not be visible on the screen. When creating an owner-draw control
where the normal caption won't be visible (for example, a button with a
graphic face) the developer might simply leave the caption as a blank
string, but that would prevent the aid from querying the caption with a
WM_GETTEXT message and using it to identify the control. Be sure that
your owner-draw control handles all the other class-specific text
retrieval messages, such as CB_GETKBTEXT, LB_GETTEXT and so forth, and
set the appropriate style bits (such as LBS_HASSTRINGS) to indicate that
your owner-draw control supports these messages.
6.3. Subclassed standard controls
Some applications use standard controls but alter their behavior by a
technique known as subclassing. In this case basic control functions
are still handled by the underlying system code for the standard control
type, but the application adds its own special behavior. When using
these controls:
* Be sure they still respond to the normal messages for their
class.
* Use recognizable class names. Since subclassed controls normally
have a unique class name, make sure the control's class name
identifies the base class by including the normal class name as a
substring. For example, a subclassed BUTTON could be given a
class name like "MyAppButton", and accessibility aids seeing this
would then assume that the control is a subclassed button.
* Similarly, don't create class names that include the names of
standard control classes, lest accessibility aids mistakenly
assume that they are related to that class.
6.4. Custom controls
In general, you should avoid using "fake" or custom controls because
they will not be fully usable with screen review or voice recognition
utilities. Custom controls present a number of problems, because
accessibility aids cannot identify the type of the control or its state,
and if the control doesn't even have its own window they will not be
able to watch it getting and losing focus.
At this time there is no standard way for applications using non-
standard controls to work well with accessibility aids. However, there
are some techniques that can be used as short-term solutions.
* If the custom control has its own window, you can return a
descriptive string when queried with the WM_GETTEXT message. For
example, a control that appeared as a button with the label Print
could be return the string "Print button" to convey both the
control type and the label, and the same string would be
appropriate if the control looked like a button with a graphic
rather than a textual label. Similarly, a custom control that
behaved like a checkbox might return a caption string "Printing
Enabled checkbox checked".
* If the control has no window, you can associate a descriptive
string with the control by using the techniques described in
section 7.2, "Avoid using bitmapped text". This string can follow
the same conventions described in the previous paragraph.
* If the control lacks its own window, you can convey the focus
location to accessibility aids by moving the system caret as
described in section 5, "Indicating the user's point of focus".
6.5. OLE Controls
The preferred method of creating custom controls is to use the OLE
Controls architecture. OLE Controls are an extension of the model used
in the Microsoft Visual Basic programming system. Each control is an
OLE object with many standardized properties and methods. Future
versions of the OLE libraries will support a method to obtain Interface
Pointers (object handles) to each object in a window or region of a
window by querying with a window message. Once you have an interface
pointer, you can make calls to the object to get or set properties,
including location, name, and primary value.
As an application that will host OLE Controls, be sure to support the
IOLEContainer interface, which allows enumeration of embedded controls
and other objects.
6.6. Owner-draw menus
You should always provide an alternative to owner-draw menus, especially
if they present a purely graphical appearance.
Owner-draw menus are a flexible means to present customized appearance,
either by making a menu item a combination of graphics and text or
graphics alone. For example, a menu might let the user select from a
series of colored rectangles, or select a line thickness by seeing
examples, which is easier to understand than a purely textual
representation such as "3 pt".
However, owner-draw menus can be incompatible with screen review
utilities as well if they display graphics instead of text, and they are
always incompatible with voice input utilities.
Luckily, it is fairly easy to reach a compromise in this situation, and
in fact several are possible:
* Menu items can be redesigned to include both the graphic and
text. For example, a menu item for selecting line width might
show a sample of the line followed by text showing the width.
This could also prove useful for a sighted person doing layout
based on a written standard which might specify that lines should
be of a particular thickness.
* Allow the user to choose whether they want graphical choices or
textual, and when they choose textual revert to standard rather
than owner-draw menus. This would be a good use for the Screen
Reader Present flag, a global flag which tells all applications
when the user is relying on a screen review utility. When that
flag is set, the application could simply use the textual values
instead of (or in addition to) the graphical presentation.
[Show examples here]
6.7. Use appropriate controls for displaying values
Windows provides a number of controls for displaying information to the
user, but making the proper choice can improve the keyboard access to
your application as well as its compatibility with accessibility aids.
Use the following guidelines in choosing the control that's appropriate
for the user's interaction with the information.
[[Illustration]]
[Replace with illustration that has a status
control as well.]
* Use static text controls for labels. In this example, the words
"Current file name" and "New file name:" both identify
accompanying controls, and so are displayed as static text
controls.
* Use read-write edit controls for values which the user can edit
directly. In this example, the new file name is an edit control
which starts with a default value, but which the user can freely
change. Read-write edit controls should always have visible
borders.
* Use read-only edit controls for values which the user cannot
edit. In this example, the current filename is actually
represented by a read-only edit control. This allows the user to
select the text and copy it to the clipboard, or drag it to
another document. This field is also included in the TAB order so
that a user can navigate to it using the keyboard. (However, the
label for this field does not have an accelerator because the user
would not normally need to access the read-only value, and having
an accelerator would call undue attention to the fact that the
value is manipulatable.)
* Use status field controls from the Common Controls Library to
display values which may change dynamically as the user watches.
In addition to being consistent with other applications, this
provides hints to screen review utilities that might notify the
user when this value changes.
7. Drawing Techniques
Drawing techniques are primarily important to insure compatibility with
screen review utilities. Screen review utilities watch these calls and
remember what text has been drawn and at what location, as well as its
attributes such as font, size, whether it's bold or italic, and so
forth. They also watch information being copied from one location to
another, being erased or being overwritten by other graphics or text.
These utilities rely on being able to see the normal Windows drawing
operations.
7.1. Draw with the standard Windows API
You should always draw text with the normal Windows API calls such as
ExtTextOut so it can be seen by screen review utilities. This is true
whether you're drawing to a screen or to an off-screen bitmap. By
watching every API call that creates a bitmap, draws to it or copies
from it, text can be tracked until it is displayed to the user.
However, there are two techniques that bypass the normal system calls
and prevent a screen review utility from working, such as the use of
bitmapped text and directly manipulating pixels.
7.2. Avoid using bitmapped text
Some applications ship pre-created bitmaps either as resources or in
separate files shipped with the application. The screen review utility
can watch these bitmapped images being loaded, manipulated and copied to
the screen, but it has not way of understanding the contents of the
bitmap. If it contains text, that text would be visible to the sighted
user but could not be presented to the user who is blind. We refer to
such bitmaps as "bitmapped text", because the text starts out as part of
the bitmap and the text is never available to the system.
You should draw text using the standard Windows API, but there may still
be cases where it is necessary to display text as a hand-tuned bitmap
such as a corporate logo. In these cases, there is a simple way that
the application can inform the screen review utility of the text
associated with the bitmap. The application can easily carry the text
along with the bitmap, most likely as entry in the application's string
table resource. When the bitmap is loaded from disk using the
LoadBitmap function, the application can also load the text using
LoadText. It can then inform the screen review utility of the
relationship between the two by drawing the text over the bitmap
invisibly, so that it will not be seen by the sighted viewer but will be
noted by the screen review utility.
To perform this operation, create a temporary screen-compatible bitmap
and an associated memory DC. Draw the text into the bitmap using
ExtTextOut, and then use BitBlt or StretchBlt to copy the bitmap onto
the destination location, specifying the NOP rasterop. The destination
can be either the screen or another off-screen bitmap. It is easiest to
do this when the bitmap is first loaded into memory, and the aid will
keep track of the information thereafter.
It is only necessary to perform this extra task when a screen review
utility is running. You can determine this by calling
SystemParametersInfo with the SPI_GETSCREENREADER flag.
7.3. Avoid directly manipulating pixels or bitmap bits
Use standard system calls for erasing text and other graphic object, and
for copying bitmap memory. If you must use alternative means, provide
an option of reverting to standard behavior.
Some applications directly manipulate the memory associated with a DC,
bypassing the Windows API altogether. This is most commonly done with
monochrome or device independent bitmaps.
In these cases the screen review utility cannot be aware of the changes
taking place. For example, if text is drawn into a bitmap using a
Windows function call and the application later erases it by simply
clearing the bitmap memory, the screen review utility will believe that
the text is still present. If the bitmap is used again for another
operation the text might be read to the user even though it was no
longer visible. Similarly, if the bits comprising one bitmap are copied
directly into another without using the Windows API, the screen review
utility won't be aware of it and text displayed visually might be unseen
by the screen review utility.
The Windows API provides several means of manipulating bitmap or display
pixels directly, such as DCI, WinG and CreateDIBSection. Using these
will bypass screen review utilities. If your application relies on
these techniques for performance, make sure that you also support more
conventional techniques, and use the conventional techniques when a
screen review utility is running in the system. This can be determined
by calling SystemParametersInfo with the SPI_GETSCREENREADER value.
7.4. Identifying separate screen areas
Anything that is drawn using a single operation appears to a screen
review utility as a single object. Therefore, a bitmap appears as one
object, even if it might appear as several distinct objects to the
sighted user.
For example, an application might use a custom control that looks like
an array of buttons, but is really a single bitmapped image. A screen
review utility would describe the entire array as a single object and
the user would have no way to manipulate the individual buttons.
In such cases the application should use a ToolTips control to identify
each separate region. The ToolTip control is one of the Windows Common
Controls introduced in Windows 95, and it has the advantage that it
identifies not only the region but also a textual label to associate
with it. In addition, it provides this information to the sighted user
in a way that is consistent with the rest of the Windows interface.
If for some reason you cannot use ToolTips there are two other
techniques you can use to identify regions of the screen. However, both
are less functional and less standardized than the ToolTips approach.
* First, the application could simply draw each component object as
a separate bitmap. Normally this would not incur any significant
cost for performance, memory or disk space. They can be drawn to
an off-screen bitmap and then copied to the screen in a single
operation.
* Second, the application could keep the array as a single bitmap,
but identify the separate regions for a screen review utility by
drawing shapes over it invisibly, using the NOP rasterop. This
technique is described in section 7.2, "Avoid using bitmapped
text".
It is only necessary to perform these extra tasks when screen review
software is running, which can be determined by calling
SystemParametersInfo with the SPI_GETSCREENREADER value.
8. Identifying Windows
Windows need to be identified in two ways: for the end user, and for
accessibility aids.
8.1. Identifying windows for the end user
Try to assign a user-friendly caption to every window, whether or not
it's visible on the screen.
Every window can have a caption, whether or not they have visible
caption bars. Screen review utilities query this text by sending a
WM_GETTEXT message, and use it to identify the window to a blind user
when the window receives focus or when the user issues a "What window am
I working in?" query. But for this to work the application developer
has to provide appropriate text when the window is created or by calling
the SetWindowText function.
Note that this applies not only to top-level windows, but also to child
windows such as floating palettes and toolbars, and even to panes within
the same window frame when these are implemented as separate windows.
8.2. Identifying windows for accessibility aids
Try to give different types of windows separate, unique window classes
so that accessibility aids can identify their function.
Accessibility aids sometimes need to special case their handling of
different windows within the same application. For example, an
application which has both a word-processing and a spreadsheet window
might draw the visual focus indication in very different ways. The
screen review utility may also have separate instructions for handling
these windows, such as identifying areas of the window which should
automatically be read to the user whenever they change.
While a human being can identify a window by its title, this is not a
reliable mechanism for accessibility aids because many window titles
change dynamically with the document or the status, or are localized
into different languages. Window class name does not change under
either circumstance.
9. Timings and Navigational Interfaces
There are several cases where an application can make it more difficult
for people with some disabilities to access information because of when
and for how long it is displayed. In general, allow users to customize
timings, and avoid having normal actions create unexpected side effects.
9.1. Avoid having messages time out
Avoid having messages time out, and if you must, provide an option to
disable the timeouts.
There are many reasons why a person may not spot a warning that is only
displayed for a brief period of time. For example, the person might be
using a screen enlarger and may have to reposition the viewport or
adjust other attributes in order to read the text correctly. They may
take a longer time to type in an answer than you would normally assume,
or it may take them longer than average to read and understand the
message. Or the person might simply have stepped away from their desk
for a moment.
If a message is actually important, the best way to make sure it is seen
it to display it until the user consciously dismisses it. Even if the
message is unimportant consider how disconcerting it is to have a
message disappear before you finish reading it. And if the user didn't
have time to fully read it, how can they be sure that it wasn't
important?
9.2. Don't trigger events by pointer location
Avoid having events triggered by simply moving the mouse pointer over or
off a special area, and if you must, make it optional.
Some accessibility aids require the user to move the mouse pointer in
order to explore the information on the screen. For example, a screen
review utility may move the mouse to follow the words being read, or the
user may need to move the mouse to enlarge certain text.
This can be a problem if moving the mouse causes side effects. For
example, if some text appears when the mouse moves over an object, and
disappears when you move the mouse off of it, then it would essentially
disappear each time you tried to read it!
There are two exceptions where it is acceptable to trigger changes based
on pointer movement, because these are already understood by
accessibility aids and handled appropriately:
* It is acceptable to change the shape of the mouse pointer itself
as it is moved. For example, you can change the shape to indicate
whether or not an object is a valid drop target.
* It is acceptable, and in fact encouraged, to use ToolTips to
display an object's name or other explanatory information when the
pointer is paused over that object.
9.3. Don't trigger events by focus location
Avoid having events triggered by simply moving the keyboard focus, and
if you must, make it optional.
In order to allow the user to "read" or explore a window's contents,
keyboard mechanisms should allow one to change focus to a control or
area without triggering some unexpected action. This is especially
important because users who are blind need to browse through the objects
on the screen sequentially, rather than being able to take them all in
with a single glance. It is typical for a user who is blind to use TAB
to move through all the controls in a dialog box as a means of exploring
it, before they go back and do any actual work. In the Windows
operating system the TAB and SHIFT+TAB keys generally move the focus
without triggering any other action, and applications which change this
behavior may are confuse many users and pose difficulties for users with
disabilities.
There are exceptions to this rule, primarily in cases where behavior is
standardized and mechanisms exist for accessibility aids to work with
this information:
* It is acceptable to display explanatory text while processing
menu messages, in order to show details about the function of the
menu. It is preferable to draw this in a status bar to be
consistent with other applications, but any text drawn during menu
processing will be assumed to serve this function.
* It is acceptable to automatically change the value of option
controls (radio buttons) and tab controls during keyboard
navigation. This behavior is actually a problem for keyboard
users, but is necessary for backwards compatibility.
* If you take some action when the focus moves, provide an
alternative way to move the focus without any extra effect. For
example, in the context pane of the Windows Explorer you can move
focus between directories using up and down arrow keys, but doing
so automatically selects that entry, reads the location's contents
and displays it in the results pane. This is a case where the
user should be allowed to move with CTRL+UP and CTRL+DOWN to move
the focus without changing the selection and so avoid the side-
effects.
10. Color
Appropriate use of color can greatly enhance a user interface, but only
if used appropriately. In general, don't convey information by color
alone because some people won't be able to perceive it. Color should
only be used to enhance, emphasize or reiterate information shown in
other means. If you must convey information through color, make sure it
is also made available through an alternative form.
10.1. The importance of customizability
For many people, color is just a matter of preference. They may use
Control Panel to choose a personal color scheme that they enjoy, but
they don't mind and probably don't even notice if an application always
draws its elements in a fixed color.
But for some users with visual impairments, color is critical. Many
people require reasonably high contrast between text and the background
in order to be able to read. They may even need a particular scheme,
such as white text on a black background, which would prevent the
background from "bleeding" over and obscuring the foreground text. Some
people consider the default color scheme quite legible but find that it
causes eyestrain over longer periods of time. Still others, nearly 10%
of males and 1% of females, have some form of color blindness that makes
certain color combinations unreadable.
10.2. Don't convey information by color alone
If you convery information by color alone, some users won't be able to
make use of this information. Even allowing the user to customize the
colors is insufficient if the user can only read white text on a black
background, of if you're running on a hand-held computer with a
monochrome display. For these situations the application should also
make the information available through means other than color.
10.3. Use standard system colors where appropriate
When possible, an application should use the standard system colors that
the user has selected through Control Panel. This is easiest when an
element in the application's window corresponds with a usage handled by
Control Panel, such as window text, button face, dialog box text, and so
forth. By using the color combinations that the user has explicitly
chosen, you reduce the chance that your choice of colors will make your
application unusable and ensure its pleasing to the user without having
to provide your own user interface for adjusting colors.
The correspondence between your use for the color and the use described
in Control Panel does not need to be exact; for example, the user's
choice of window text color and background is probably a safe
combination to use for any purpose.
10.4. Use colors in proper combination
Always use system colors in their proper foreground-background
combinations to ensure that they have reasonable contrast. The user
will never choose a ButtonText color that is the same as their
ButtonFace color so these will always be legible when used together, but
the user can alter the color scheme so that system colors that normally
contrast, such as ButtonText and WindowBackground, might actually be
the same color on their systems. If you draw using colors which are not
specifically designed to be used in combination, the information may be
completely invisible.
Similarly, always draw foreground objects in foreground colors and fill
backgrounds with background colors. Many users require specific high-
contrast combinations, such as white text on a black background, and
drawing these reversed, as black on white, would cause the background to
"bleed" over the foreground and make reading difficult or even painful.
The following tables show some combinations that are safe to use, and
others which are not.
Safe:
* WindowText on WindowBackground
* ButtonText on ButtonFace
Unsafe mixing combinations:
* WindowText on ButtonFace
* ButtonText on WindowBackground
Unsafe reversing foreground and background:
* WindowBackground on WindowText
* ButtonFace on ButtonText
10.5. Make custom colors customizable
If you use colors for elements that don't correspond to system colors
selected in Control Panel, provide your own means to adjust these
colors.. For example, a calendar application might use different
background colors to indicate different types of events. This is an
example of colors which need to be defined by the application, because
these additional color elements are not covered by the color schemes in
Control Panel. When using application-specific colors in this way, allow
the user to assign their own choice of colors to these functions.
Historically, some applications have had fixed colors because they
didn't want the user to select an "ugly" color scheme that would make
their application look bad. But remember: no one complains about a
color scheme that they themselves choose, but you cannot please everyone
by forcing a single scheme upon them.
Another option to keep in mind is that of providing patterns as an
alternative to colors. In the example of the calendar application, the
user could be allowed to choose a pattern along with the color for each
type of scheduled event; then they could choose a color combination that
works for their eyes and supply the additional information by a
background pattern.
10.6. Coloring graphic objects
Graphical objects present special challenges. For example, some
application displays buttons that have pictures on them instead of, or
in addition to, text. Can the colors defined in Control Panel be
applied to this case?
If the picture on the button is monochrome, then the solution is quite
simple. The button face should always be drawn in the standard system
color (COLOR_BTNFACE aka COLOR_3DFACE) and the foreground image should
be drawn in the standard button text color (COLOR_BTNTEXT). If the
image is drawn inside a window rather than on a button, it would be more
appropriate to use COLOR_WINDOW and COLOR_WINDOWTEXT instead of the
button colors.
If the picture is multicolored, it presents more of a problem. The
easiest solution would be to also carry along a monochrome image which
could be used on monochrome displays and when the user has chosen a non-
default button face color or has requested High Contrast Mode (described
below).
If it is not possible to carry monochrome images, you can attempt to
create them on the fly from the multi-colored images by identifying
light and dark areas as foreground and background. For example, if you
have a bitmap which has a multicolored object on a white background, you
could map all colors other than white to the appropriate system
foreground color, and white to the system background color. You could
reverse these colors for images designed with a dark background.
[Insert code fragment to illustrate this
technique.]
[Need to document a test for determining whether
the "foreground" of a bitmap is the dark or
light portions? How does one determine that
you're on a monochrome display?]
10.7. Prevent backgrounds from obscuring text
If you draw text over a varied background such as a wash of colors or a
bitmap it may make the text illegible for some viewers, so always
provide an option to omit the image and revert to a plain background.
Text is most legible when drawn against a plain background of a
contrasting color, and many users with low vision won't be able to read
text if the background is irregular.
Instead of providing your own option, you can simply omit the background
in response to the High Contrast setting, which is discussed in the
following section. You should also omit the background if the
foreground color changes. For example, you may draw text over a very
light bitmap image, and they may be quite legible with the default color
scheme but become unreadable when the user chooses a light foreground
text color.
When you are using a complex background, you can keep it reasonably
legible by making sure the background image contrasts well with the
text. If the foreground text is black, and it is drawn over areas of
the image which are a brown or other dark colors, many users will find
it harder to read.
10.8. High Contrast Mode
If an application uses standard system colors, or allows the user to
choose colors which are not defined by the system, that should take care
of all basic color-related needs. However, Windows 95 introduces a new
feature called High Contrast Mode, which the user can activate through
Control Panel to advise applications that they need high contrast
visuals.
Applications can check this setting by calling SystemParametersInfo with
the SPI_GETHIGHCONTRAST value. Applications should query this value
during initialization and when processing WM_COLORCHANGE messages.
When the High Contrast Mode flag is set the application can take
additional steps to make its display friendly for users who require high
contrast. Here are some examples of behaviors that should be adopted
when the High Contrast Mode is on:
* Draw images in monochrome instead of multiple colors, and draw
them using standard foreground and background colors.
* Replace application-specific colors with standard system colors
defined through Control Panel, and try to use as few color
combinations as possible.
11. Size
Many people appreciate the ability to crowd the maximum amount of
information onto a single screen, but there are also many millions of
people who find small type inconvenient or uncomfortable.. A person
with a severe visual impairment will likely choose an accessibility aid
to help them use the computer, such as a screen enlarger to allow them
to zoom in on a portion of the screen. But there is a much larger
number of computer users whose vision is only slightly worse than the
average 20-year old. They may have no trouble reading 12 pt text on the
computer screen, but find it difficult to read text in smaller sizes.
Others may not have trouble reading, but suffer from headaches and
eyestrain at the end of a day. They don't view small type as a problem
of one of accessibility--they view it of one of usability.
It is also important to note that an application might work fine for a
user on one machine, only to become unusable on another system. Far too
many application are designed to look good at standard resolution, only
to have their information shrink to near invisibility when run on a high
resolution monitor, or position information inaccessibly off the screen
when run on a small, pen-based computer.
11.1. Selectable font sizes are user-friendly
The best way to satisfy customers who prefer small type and those who
require larger type is to allow the user to choose the typeface and size
that best fit their needs. This simple feature can make applications
seem much more user-friendly.
The preferred approach is to provide a menu option or property sheet
where the user can choose the font with the standard font selection
dialog. A second approach is to automatically resize the fonts when the
user resizes the window, but this is less flexible because they can't
use a large font in a small window with scroll bars.
Let's look at an example. The FaxFire application is used to drive a
fax card connected to the user's PC. It has a window which shows a list
of all the faxes that the user has sent of received during the last
month, with each line showing information about a single fax: it's date,
the destination, and so forth. The line has a maximum length of 50
characters, and since it is always drawn in a 10 pt font the window is a
fixed size. But some of the user's have complained about the fixed font
size. What can the developer do? With a minimal amount of work, a
Font... command could be added to one of the menus, and it could let the
user choose a font using the standard Font Selection dialog provided in
the Windows Common Dialogs Library. When the application is drawing its
text, it can easily use the font the user has requested. In case the
font selection makes some of the information extend beyond the edge of
the window, the window can be changed to resizable, and it can also be
given scroll bars. The total amount of work has been quite reasonable.
11.2. Provide alternatives to WYSIWYG
Some applications try to present a WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you
get") view of a document, making the text on the screen reflect the
appearance the text will have on the printed page.
But it is easy to appreciate the feelings of a person who says "I want
this to print in a tiny font, but I don't want to drive myself crazy
trying to edit it when it's that small." In reality, size of the type
on screen need not be linked to the size that the text will be when
printed. It is easy to allow the user to adjust the size of information
on the screen through several methods, such as a draft or zoom modes,
which are described in the following sections.
11.2.1. Draft mode
One method for allowing the user to bypass WYSIWYG is to provide a draft
mode wherein a single font is used for all information. In those cases
it is customary to use a single type of annotation, such as underlining,
to indicate characters that would normally be drawn with any form of
additional formatting, such as bold or italics. (Draft mode also
provides an added benefit for users running on extremely slow systems or
with little free memory, as it typically performs better in those
situations.)
Ideally you should allow the user to choose the draft font; using the
system font may be the best way to conserve memory, but because it's
harder to customize it might not be the best for the user's vision.
11.2.2. Zoom features
An extremely valuable feature that applications can support is a "zoom"
facility, wherein everything in the document is scaled to a user-
selected ratio. Many applications, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft
Excel, offer this feature and it is of benefit to many users who don't
consider themselves to have disabilities, as well as those who do. Use
of the TrueType(R) scalable font technology ensures that characters will
remain clearly defined at almost any size.
11.3. Scaling non-document regions
Most applications display information in more ways than just text.
Buttons, rulers, and graphic images all can pose the same trap for
people: if the object is a fixed size (especially a small size), many
people will appreciate the ability to make it larger.
Many applications' windows contain two types of information: an image of
a document created by the user and one or more panes presented by the
application itself. A good example of that would be a word processor
with a toolbar of command buttons. If the Zoom command were to apply
only to the document, and not to the surrounding information, then the
user could still find themselves unable to easily use the application,
or suffer the constant annoyance of "tiny button syndrome". The
application could have a single zoom factor applied to both types of
information, but one would not want to have the size of your buttons
change just because you've had to turn on zoom to edit some 8 pt text.
Similarly much of the benefit of a toolbar is lost if you have to scroll
to reach some of the buttons.
A more powerful mechanism would be to allow the user to independently
select the zoom ratio for each pane, whether a document or non-document
region. Fro example, "Toolbar Size" can be provided as a separate
option, and a single setting can apply to all toolbars. It is often
more convenient to provide a simple option to let the user choose from a
range of sizes instead of a more general scaling factor.
11.4. Be compatible with system size metrics
It is also extremely important that applications drawing their own
screen elements pick up the size settings that the user has selected in
Control Panel. For example, if using a private dialog manager that
draws "fake" dialog boxes, be sure it uses the dialog font the user has
selected for the rest of the system. The same would apply for scroll
bars, custom menus and so on.
11.5. How wide is a line?
One example of maintaining compatibility with system metrics deserves
special attention. Many applications draw lines with a fixed width of
one pixel, but not only does that disappear on high-resolution monitors,
it may also be invisible to a person with low vision.
Instead, applications should determine the proper thickness of a line by
calling GetSystemMetrics with the SM_CXBORDER and SM_CYBORDER constants.
These constants are defined appropriately for the resolution of the
monitor, and in future operating systems the user will also be able to
adjust these to suit their vision.
11.6. Be compatible with global scaling
Windows 95 provides a Custom Font Size option--the ability to globally
scale all fonts and most other visual elements on the screen by changing
the number of pixels used to represent a "logical inch". In order to be
compatible with this feature, applications should avoid drawing in
MM_TEXT mode, which bypasses logical scaling. If an element of the
application's user interface uses MM_TEXT while the rest does not, that
one element will be drawn our of proportion to all the rest of the
screen elements.
It is also important to note that bitmaps are not automatically scaled
by this factor. Bitmaps are discussed further in the next section.
11.7. Adjust images for different sizes
There are several circumstances where you might need to accommodate a
graphic image to a different amount of space than you originally
intended. For example, the user may adjust the global scaling constant
with the Custom Font Size feature, or the application might itself allow
the user to choose a differently sized font. In these cases, an
application might draw an image that turns out to be unexpectedly out of
scale with the surrounding text or other window elements.
11.7.1. Alternatives to bitmaps
This is especially a problem when drawing bitmaps, which are not
automatically scaled and usually don't look good when stretched. The
cleanest solution is to avoid using bitmaps altogether, and instead use
something that is designed to scale well:
* Metafiles are a convenient way to encapsulate an image for easy
playback, and they can automatically scale to fit the destination
rectangle and normally look good at almost any size. (Of course,
the benefit is lost if the metafile itself contains things that
don't scale, such as bitmaps.)
* If the image is simple and you don't need to encapsulate it for
easy storage and playback, you can simply create a routine to draw
it on the fly using Windows graphic primitives.
* You can create TrueType glyphs to represent the image. This can
be expensive if you don't have the expertise in-house, but allows
the image to optimize itself for any size.
11.7.2. Accommodating bitmaps when changing size
If you have to use a bitmap, there are several methods by which you can
accommodate it to different size regions:
* You can scale your bitmap manually using the StretchBlt function
so that it fits its space in your window.
* In cases where the surrounding elements appear disproportionately
larger than your bitmap, normally it is not a problem since you
simply have extra blank space around the bitmap. To insure that
the blank region around your bitmap isn't left with bits of older
information lying around, be sure to erase the region to the
appropriate background color. Specify the size of the region
using a drawing method other than MM_TEXT so that it will
automatically adjust to any global scaling factor.
* In cases where the surrounding elements appear disproportionately
smaller than your bitmap, make sure that the bitmap is properly
clipped to the surrounding rectangle. For example, when the
Custom Font Size feature is used to select a global scaling ratio
of less than 100%.
12. Sound
You should avoid conveying important information by sound alone, because
some user's won't be able to hear or recognize it. The user may be deaf
or hard-of-hearing, or may simply be using the computer in a very noisy
environment such as a workshop, or a very quiet environment where
they've been asked to turn off their computer's sound.
Applications make sounds for a variety of different reasons:
1. Important sounds which convey information that is not presented
visually and which is important to the operation of the
application. Examples include playing an audio wavefile with
narrated instructions, or playing a sound to notify the user that
new mail has arrived.
2. Redundant alerts, which accompany a visual presentation of the
information, yet serve an additional function by attracting the
attention of a user who is not looking directly at the computer
screen. An example is the optional beep that can accompany a
messagebox.
3. Redundant sounds, which are redundant with information already
presented visually, and thus are not required for proper operation
of the application. An examples is playing an error sound or beep
when the user tries to move beyond the end of a listbox.
4. Decorative sounds, which enhance the appearance or presentation
but which are not required for the operation of the application.
Examples include the sound effects that accompany minimizing a
window or activating a menu, and background sounds used to
establish a mood in many multimedia games.
For the last two types of sounds, the user who cannot hear the sounds is
not disadvantaged, but the first two categories do require special
concern.
Windows 95 and other utilities provide the ability to detect when the
computer is making noise and display a generic visual indicator to the
user. This feature is referred to as "SoundSentry". This works
reasonably well in cases where the sound is just a generic beep, warning
the user or trying to attract their attention. But it is of limited use
with applications that use different sounds to convey more complex
information. Conveying complex information requires the cooperation of
the application.
12.1. Support the ShowSounds flag
In order to convey complex information to users who cannot rely on
audible forms, the computer industry has standardized on a concept
called "ShowSounds". ShowSounds is a global flag that can be set by the
user to indicate that they need important information displayed by
visual means. Effectively, it is asking applications to display closed
captions for their sounds.
Applications can query the ShowSounds flag by calling
SystemParametersInfo with the SPI_GETSHOWSOUNDS value.
This does not mean that sounds can't be presented normally, and in fact
redundant use of sound and visuals generally increases the usability.
The user should be able to request visual feedback independently of
whether they want audible feedback as well.
ShowSounds flag is only meaningful to applications that would normally
present important information by sound alone, and it's up to the
application to decide how best to convey this same information in visual
form. The following examples can help you determine the behavior
appropriate to your situation.
12.1.1. Example: New mail arriving
In order to attract the user's attention when new email arrives, the
application might:
* Flash it's title bar using the FlashWindow function. If the
window is not visible it will automatically flash the
application's button on the TaskBar.
* Put up a messagebox that steals the activation and keyboard
focus. This should be avoided if the user might be typing into
another application at the time.
* Display a status indicator on the notification area of the
TaskBar.
12.1.2. Example: Beeping on bad input
Applications often make a sound to indicate an error status, such as
typing an invalid character. In these cases the application might Flash
it's title bar using the FlashWindow function. If the window is not
visible it will automatically flash the application's button on the
TaskBar.
12.1.3. Example: Playing a video clip
Applications that display multimedia animation of video clips should
support the ShowSounds flag with true closed captioning. Microsoft
Video for Windows supports creating a separate, synchronized data stream
for captioning information, although the application is responsible for
displaying this information on the screen.
12.2. Allow the user to turn off sounds
Support the ability to turn off sounds your application makes, because
such sounds can be distracting or annoying for some people, such as
those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, or in some environments such as
crowded or public spaces. This is especially true of decorative sounds
or sounds that are redundant to information on the screen.
If you do not want to provide your own option to turn off sounds, you
can check the SM_BEEP option using the GetSystemMetrics function. If
this option is FALSE then the user has chosen to turn of the standard
system beep, and you can infer that they also want other sounds
disabled.
13. Layout
There are several ways in which the visual design of your application
can improve its accessibility.
13.1. Attach textual labels to all controls and graphic objects
Some types of controls, such as buttons, have their own textual labels;
screen review utilities have no trouble describing such a control to the
user, and voice input utilities can recognize the name when it's spoken
as a command. But other objects, such as edit controls or graphical
objects, are typically labeled by placing a static text control nearby.
The Windows Interface Guidelines for Software Design describes
guidelines for the placement of such labels so that they are consistent
across all applications. This helps makes the interface more consistent
between applications and more usable for everyone, and it also helps
accessibility aids. Proper labeling allows a screen review utility to
infer the relationship between a static text element and the control
that it labels. If a static text field ends in a colon, the screen
review utility knows it is a label and looks for an unlabelled control
either to its right or directly below it. When it wishes to describe
that control to the user, it can use the label from the static text
field.
If the label and the control it refers to are not arranged in the
standard pattern, it may be difficult for both sighted users and screen
review utilities to determine which label applies to which control, or
even that the two are related. The control and its label should not be
separated by too great a distance, and a text label should not have
unlabelled controls both beneath and to the right of it.
[Insert illustrations]
13.2. Labeling icons
If your application uses icons or any type of graphic to represent
objects or controls, you should also display a textual label with the
icon. This arrangement is already familiar to users, and the
combination of text and graphics helps shorten the learning curve for a
new user. It helps screen review utilities describe the object to a
user who's blind, and it helps users associate a name with the control
to activate or navigate to it by voice or other alternative input
systems.
Following the normal guidelines, text should generally be placed
immediately beneath a large icon, or to the right of a small icon. When
you place a text label beneath an icon, use the font and size defined
for icon titles in Control Panel to make it consistent with other
applications, and also allow a user to customize the appearance if they
need to.
[Insert illustrations]
13.3. Label controls clearly
Label controls and similar objects with names that convey information
without relying on spatial context.
When a user is blind or has low vision, they use the computer much like
a person looking through a hollow tube: they can only read a small
portion of the screen at a time. A user who has tunnel vision or uses a
screen enlarger will see a control and perhaps its immediate
surroundings, while a blind user examining a control will have only its
name, its type, and the name of the window and any groupbox its in.
They won't have any of the context provided by spatial arrangements. You
should ask yourself: if you were presented only with the name and type
of this one control, would you understand how to use it?
This does not mean that labels have to be long and detailed, but, for
example, having several buttons with identical labels can be confusing
if they are only distinguished by position. This can be mitigated
somewhat if their position in the TAB order makes their association
clear, or if they are within separately labeled group boxes.
13.4. Position related items near each other
Try to arrange information and other objects so that related items are
near each other. Since a person with low vision or tunnel vision can
only see a portion of the screen at a time, it helps reduce the amount
of work they have to do to shift their gaze back and forth between
related items, and it also makes the relationship clearer to all users.
13.5. Use consistent and expected screen layouts
Customers who use software to enlarge a portion of the screen, or use a
screen review utility , cannot see the entire screen at once to get
oriented. Placing screen components such as buttons and toolbars
according to standard conventions will help these customers get familiar
with the product. It can also help screen reading software identify
status items and other components that need special handling.
For more information on layout conventions, see The Windows Interface: A
Guide for Applications.
13.6. Don't tune to a specific font
Some applications tune their dialog boxes so tightly that they look
awful if the user changes the dialog box font. Some users change this
font to make it easier for them to read, so leave enough white space in
your dialog box layouts that they can accommodate small changes in font
metrics. This will also make it easier to localize your application
into other languages.
Some developers initially fear that changing the font will completely
break their dialog boxes. but this is rarely a problem. Users typically
change only the size of the font, not the typeface, and Windows
automatically positions dialog box controls based on the size of the
dialog box font
The major places where this can be a problem is when an application
draws directly into elements of a dialog box. For example, some
applications create a static control and then draw over it to create a
custom design element--this can appear incorrectly if the size of the
static control is scaled to match a new dialog font size.
Also, some applications are now including specific fonts in their dialog
boxes, rather than relying on the system dialog box font. This is very
dangerous practice when the application does not allow the user to
adjust these font sizes. For a further discussion of these issues, see
the sections on the use of color and size earlier in this document.
14. Making sure your product is really usable
All the planning in the world will not ensure that your application is
really as accessible as it could be. There are a number of techniques
you can use to make sure you've achieved your objectives.
14.1. Test for compatibility with accessibility aids
One of the ways your application could be inaccessible is if it has
problems running with certain accessibility aids, such as screen review
utilities, screen enlarger utilities or alternative input devices.
If possible, you should try to include a sampling of such utilities in
any compatibility testing you perform. See appendix A, "Additional
Resources", to obtain a list of such vendors and their utilities.
14.2. Include accessibility sites in beta tests
The best way to find out if your product is really usable by people with
disabilities is to actively solicit their feedback. Include such people
in any beta or usability tests you run on your product, or employ them
on your staff. You can also send review copies to organizations which
represent or work with people with disabilities.
You should also try to include companies who develop accessibility aids
in your beta program. This will not only allow them to make sure their
product works with your own, but also prepare any special configuration
files or other means necessary to make the two products work well
together. To identify accessibility aid manufacturers, see Appendix A,
"Additional Resources".
14.3. Include people with disabilities in usability testing
If you perform usability testing, you can try to include subjects who
have disabilities. You do not necessarily have to design special tests
for this, but watch to see how these individuals approach and carry out
the ordinary tasks you are already testing. It can be a very
informative process helping you learn about the different ways in which
people work.
14.4. Test against the accessibility guidelines
Assign testing resources to go through this document and compare your
product against the guidelines.
14.5. Try it!
It is easy to test your application to see how well it addresses some of
the considerations discussed in this document. Some easy methods
include:
* Use your computer for a week after choosing a high contrast color
scheme in Control Panel, especially one that uses white text on a
black background such as Contrast Black. Are there any portions
of your application that become invisible or difficult to use or
recognize?
* Use your computer for a week without a mouse. Are there
operations you simply cannot perform? Was anything especially
awkward? Were the keyboard mechanisms adequately documented?
* Increase the size of your fonts using the Display property sheet.
(In Windows 3.1 edit the fonts.fon=, oemfonts.fon= and
fixedfon.fon entries in SYSTEM.INI to specify a larger font. It
is easy to test with the 8514*.fon files provided with Windows.
Does your application still look good? Can you adjust the fonts
in your application to be at least as large as the system font?
* Change the display scaling ratio using the Custom Font Size
feature in the Display property. Does your application appear
consistent or do various elements of the user interface appear
disproportionately large or small?
Appendix A. Additional Resources
A.1. General Resources
For more information on Microsoft products and services for people with
disabilities, or to obtain a listing a third-party accessibility aids
for Windows and Windows NT, or to obtain a listing of resources
available to help produce accessible documentation, contact:
The Trace R&D Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison produces a
book and a compact disc that describe products that help people with
disabilities use computers. The book, titled Trace ResourceBook,
provides descriptions and photographs of about 2,000 products. The
compact disc, titled CO-NET CD, provides a database of more than 18,000
products and other information for people with disabilities. It is
issued twice a year. To obtain these directories, contact:
For general information and recommendations on how computers can help
specific people, you should consult a trained evaluator who can best
match your needs with the available solutions. An assistive technology
program in your area will provide referrals to programs and services
that are available to you. To locate the assistive technology program
nearest you, you can contact:
National Information
System Center for
Developmental Disabilities
Benson Building University
of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
Voice/text
telephone:
Fax:
(803) 777-4435
(803) 777-6058
A.2. Additional accessibility guidelines
This document is based on the white paper The Design of Software
Application Programs to Increase Their Accessibility for People with
Disabilities. That document was prepared by Gregg Vanderheiden of the
Trace R&D Center at the University of Wisconsin in conjunction with the
Information Technology Foundation (formerly ADAPSO Foundation). This
document and similar guidelines for other types of products are
available on the CO-NET CD or in print from:
The Windows Interface Guidelines for Software Design in the Win32
Software Development Kit and from Microsoft Press.
The Windows Interface: An Application Style Guide, published by
Microsoft Corporation and included with the Microsoft Windows Software
Development Kit version 3.1.
A.3. Customizing Windows or Windows NT
There are many ways you can adjust the appearance and behavior of
Windows or Windows NT to suit varying vision and motor abilities without
requiring any additional software or hardware. These include ways to
adjust the appearance as well as the behavior of the mouse and keyboard.
The specific methods available depend on which operating system you are
using. Application notes are available describing the specific methods
available for each operating system.
See the appropriate application note for information related to
customizing your operating system for people with disabilities.
Operating system
Application note
Microsoft Windows 3.0
WW0786.TXT
Microsoft Windows 3.1
WW0787.TXT
Microsoft Windows for
Workgroups 3.1
WG0788.TXT
Microsoft Windows NT 3.1
and 3.5
WN0789.EXE
Microsoft Windows 95
WN1062.TXT
These application notes are availabel for downloading from the following
network services:
* CompuServe(R)
* GEnie(TM)
* Microsoft OnLine
* Microsoft Download Service (MSDL), which you can reach by calling
(206) 936-6735 any time except between 1:00 A.M. and 2:30 A.M.
Pacific time. Use the following communications settings:
For this setting
Specify
Baud rate
1200, 2400, 9600, or
14400
Parity
None
Data bits
8
Stop bits
1
* Various user-group bulletin boards (such as the bulletin-board
services on the Association of PC User Groups network)
* In /SOFTLIB/MSLFILES on the Internet servers FTP.MICROSOFT.COM
and
People within the United States who do not have a modem can order the
Access Packs on disks by calling Microsoft Sales Information Center at
(800) 426-9400 (voice) or (800) 892-5234 (text telephone). In Canada,
you can call (905) 568-3503 or (905) 568-9641 (text telephone).
Appendix B: Documentation, packaging and support
While the majority of this document describes the process of designing
and building software, there are other aspects of producing, marketing
and supporting software products where accessibility can be addressed.
B.1. Provide documentation in alternative formats
Some customers have difficulty reading or holding conventionally printed
documentation, so documentation should also be provided in more
accessible formats such as on-line.
If the on-line documentation includes all or almost all of the
information in the printed versions, then this is not a problem as long
as that fact is made clear to the customer. It is acceptable to have
complete on-line documentation included only with a CD-ROM version of
your product, rather than on floppy disks. In either case, the user
should be able to easily determine if on-line documentation is
available, how complete it is and how to obtain it.
If the printed document contains information not available on-line in
the standard package, software vendors should allow customers to order
documentation on floppy disk. Electronic documentation is normally
provided as formatted ASCII text files, and this addresses a wide
variety of needs. For example, customers who are blind or have low
vision can then read them in their own word processor using screen
review or screen enlarger utilities, and customers with mobility
impairments can read them on-line without holding or turning the pages
of a physical book.
Documentation can also be provided in alternative formats such as large
print, Braille or audio tapes. Most companies don't provide
documentation in these formats, but you should consider licensing the
source files for your documents to users or organizations who want to
create accessible versions in these formats.
A list of resources who can provide additional information, or help in
translating or distributing your documentation in accessible format can
be found in Appendix A, "Additional Resources".
B.2. Bind documents to lie flat
Printed documentation can be bound in a large number of different ways,
but comb and spiral bindings are generally considered the most
accessible because they allow the document to lie flat. This is
important to people with motion or visual impairments; for example, a
person who is quadriplegic may lie the book flat and turn the pages with
a pencil, a person who is blind may run it through a flatbed scanner to
use optical-character recognition to convert it to an on-line format,
and a person with low vision might use a closed-caption television
system to enlarge the pages.
Generally the choice of binding is made on a purely economic basis, with
some method such as perfect (glue) binding being considerably cheaper
than other alternatives, but it is not particularly convenient for users
with disabilities. In fact, flat bindings are also preferred by people
who want to be able to type while reading.
B.3. Don't convey information by color and graphics alone
In general, accessible documentation design follows the same rules as
accessible visual design for software:
* Don't convey information by color or graphics alone. If printed
documentation relies on color or graphics to convey important
information, that information might not be available to some
customers. Some customers may rely on a variety of devices to
enlarge a document or translate it into ASCII text, speech or
Braille, and such mechanisms are often unable to preserve graphic
or color information.
* Using color and graphics redundantly to the text can often
improve documents.
For example, a reference work contains a list of function calls, giving
important information about each one. Some entries are printed in blue
ink, rather than black, in order to make it instantly obvious that they
are not supported on all systems. In this case, all the entries that
are shown in blue could also include a phrase such as "(platform
specific") in their description. If space is limited, each could simply
be marked with an asterisk. Such redundant use of information often
makes documentation easier to use for everyone.
This same mechanism could be used in cases where certain paragraphs were
called out with a graphic in the margin.
Note that modifying your text in this way will also make it easier for
you, or another organization working on your behalf, to translate your
documentation into alternative formats such as Braille or on-line
documentation.
B.4. Make packaging easy to open
Customers with mobility impairments may have trouble opening some
packages. It can be useful to examine your packaging with this in mind,
and see if they could be made easier for everyone to use. For example,
shrink-wrapped packages can have an easy-opening tab where two layers
overlap.
B.5. Provide customer support via text telephone and modem
Customers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, or who have speech
impairments, may not be able to use standard voice telephones to access
your customer information and support services. Therefor you should
make these services available through a text telephone (also known at
TT, or TDD) and standard ASCII modems. Standalone text telephones are
available with a wide range of features, and combination TT/ASCII modems
can also be attached to standard PCs, although specialized software is
normally used to get full answering-machine functionality. See Appendix
A, "Additional Resources"for additional information, including lists of
vendors supplying text telephone hardware and software.
Appendix C: Windows 3.x Considerations
C.1. Colors in on-line help
When a help author is designing a help topic, they have the option of
specifying foreground and background colors, or of using the color
scheme chosen by the user through Control Panel. If they specify their
own color scheme, the user running Windows 3.x or Windows NT 3.x has no
way to override this and use a different set of colors, and so some
users who require high-contrast colors schemes will not be able to make
use of the help topic. (In Windows 95 the help system provides a user
option to use only Control Panel colors. However, this still leads to
having the topic appear different from the designer's preference.)
If you want your on-line help to be usable to as many customers as
possible, you should generally allow the user to choose their own color
scheme rather than hard-coding in one of your own choosing.
C.2. Testing accessibility flags
Windows 95 provides four new flags that advise applications when they
should adjust their behavior to accomodate users with disabilities.
Each can be tested using SystemParametersInfo, but this mechanism is not
supported under earlier versions of Windows or Windows NT. If you would
like to make this behavior available under earlier operating systems you
can test for these flags as WIN.INI settings. These settings are not
used by Windows itself, but can be set manually by users who want this
behavior. The recommended WIN.INI settings are shown here:
SystemParametersInfo WIN.INI setting in earlier operating systems
SPI_SHOWSOUNDS [Windows] ShowSounds=TRUE
SPI_KEYBOARDPREF [Windows] KeyboardPref=TRUE
SPI_SCREENREADER [Windows] ScreenReader=TRUE
SPI_HIGHCONTRAST [Windows] HighContrast=TRUE
(C)1993,1994,1995 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Microsoft, MS-DOS, Visual Basic and Windows are registered trademarks
and Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
TrueType is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe, Inc.
GEnie is a trademark of General Electric Corporation.
The information contained in this document represents the current view
of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of
publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market
conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part
of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any
information presented after the date of publication.
This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT. | eng | 9ec050f8-b64e-47a6-a7f7-c6739feb4848 | http://www.nfbcal.org/nfb-rd/0627.html |
Good Practices and Pitfalls in Community-Based Capacity Building and Early Intervention Projects: a toolkit
Introduction
This toolkit is designed as a basic guide to effective project planning, application for funding, implementation, management and maintenance for community groups and organisations, interested community members, community development workers and workers who are new to the human services field.
The toolkit has been designed to assist communities establish, design and deliver their projects.
Checklists of the main tools are provided at the end of each section. Space has been left at the end of each section for you to add any 'tools' you think might be helpful. Each organisation and project will be different, so only use the tools that you think are relevant to your situation. Links to community resources available on the World Wide Web are provided throughout this kit and a list of resources is provided at the end.
We thank the 20 projects funded under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy (2000-2004) across Australia that provided the background information on which the kit is based. Information about these projects is provided in the Appendix.
Section 2 Coming together and working together
Why have you come together?
Yo u have a passion for change, imagination and vision about what could be different in your community, and first-hand knowledge of an issue or problem you are concerned about. You understand and have an affinity with the life of the neighbourhood or your community, and are motivated to work with others to make a difference. There is also an overriding concern to work towards process goals, such as confronting and challenging disadvantage. You have an eye for the interconnections between what happens in your local community and the bigger macro context (i.e. political, social and economic).
Community development and early intervention projects encompass the above ingredients. These projects aim to work towards a vision for change in ways that support and expand local efforts. The term 'community capacity building' is used increasingly to explain such processes. The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy has embraced this term, which brings together three sets of ideas:
Community: 'a group of people with one or more common characteristics or interests, and living within a larger society. It need not be geographically defined'. (SFCS glossary)
Community capacity building as outlined above describes dynamic and forwardlooking activities within communities that build on what already takes place within them. In other words, it is using the combined influence of a community's commitment, resources and skills to build on community strengths and address community problems and opportunities.
Identifying an issue that the community wants to address can provide a practical focus for capacity building.
Community capacity building processes are central to the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, and community approaches that seek to support early intervention and prevention, and local solutions through community organisations working together.
Is the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy the right funding for your group or organisation's project?
Coming together and seeking funding means that you may already have some ideas around your community and what you want to achieve. It is useful to find out about opportunities for applying for funding to support your work and to look at the available application processes.
The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy is a funding program that aims to support the empowerment of communities to develop local answers to locally identified issues. The Strategy has a strong focus on the early childhood years.
One of the four initiatives under The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, Local Answers, provides short-term funding for community-based projects. Where projects are connected to developing and supporting ongoing services, there may be funding available to assist with developing the capacity of services, working towards better engaging families to link them to the services, or developing demonstration projects which other agencies intend to support once they are established.
You will need to access current information about the different available funding for community-based projects.
For information about the Strategy, the application form and processes refer to the website.
After accessing this information about funding processes, it is worthwhile to ask:
Will your ideas fit with the types of projects that the Program funding aims to support?
If so, how appropriate is the funding to your ideas and proposal?
What is the application process for project funding?
Does it have funding rounds? When is the next funding round?
The fit seems right for us
If you decide this source of project funding fits with your ideas and proposal, preplanning can assist you with the process of fleshing out your idea and how it might work.
A useful place to start is to retrace where you have come from with the idea:
What has been the trigger for your idea?
What is the issue or need that you are seeking to respond to?
Who are you trying to help?
You may find that the project you are seeking to develop and gain funding for 'has legs' already, that is, there is a history behind this idea's evolution. It may build on previous initiatives. Even so, it is important to canvass community groups and other relevant organisations about your idea. This will help you gain a broad range of perspectives on your intended idea up-front, which can open up imagination and possibilities. You will need to know whether there evidence to support the merits of your idea.
If your proposed project is a new initiative, talking with others gives you the opportunity to learn from past experiences so that you can build on previous efforts and lessons learnt. You should be confident that your idea has wide support and that other people also think that it is a good idea.
You might also find that there are potential partners you have not considered previously, so that rather than replicate unnecessarily something else that is happening, you might want to work more closely with others. Doing this sort of canvassing in your community presupposes that you have a sense of a 'community' with whom you are seeking to work.
Affinity with 'community'
The workers at the Centre know their 'community' as residents of the local public housing estate because they are part of the networks and life of the community. This knowledge is also about the complexity of the local area and the differences with in com m unity groups
(Collingwood Community Information and Drop-in Centre program).
An affinity with the 'community' that you seek to work with is an ingredient that can assist in the development and implementation of the project. Community can at times be a taken-for-granted idea and assumptions can be made that we all experience, understand or seek to build 'community' in the same way. There are many ways to describe 'community', but sometimes we can overlook the fact that community is also an experience that is shaped by values and beliefs. The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy operates from a definition of community that refers to groups of people who have some characteristics and interests in common, including where they live.
It may be helpful to ask:
Has your group had the opportunity to talk about what it is that you have in common?
What are your different perspectives and interests?
What is the basis of this difference?
Giving these differences and com mon factors a vo ice early on will assist you in com ing together and developing a range of ways that you might approach this project idea. Having done this, you need to ask:
Are there other groups and interests that you would like to involve at this stage in your project's development?
You might identify that you have a lot in common as a group but that you may not collectively have strong knowledge about the views and interests of the community with whom you want to work. You may like to ask:
Are there other people you might want to talk with?
Is there some further reading to be done?
Moving outside your own network can help test out your ideas. If your idea is to support low-income families with small children in your local area, for example, you need to ask:
How well do you know the group your idea plans to support?
Do you know enough about what the issues are from a range of perspectives?
Are you predominantly one cultural group?
If so, how does this reflect the wider community that you want to engage with?
Build a broad picture of 'community'
Gatheringthis info rmation req uires yo u to build a broader picture of your co m m un ity's dimensions. This will give yo ur pro jectto promote stronger fam ilies and co m m un ities an anchor, as 'community' can be a slippery and romantic notion. The aim is to ensure that you gather enough information to make the best decision about the strategies and actions that will produce your intended changes.
Who is the 'community' you want to work with?
At this stage of developing your proposal, useful strategies for mapping the dimensions of the community you seek to work with include:
community audits;
community profiles;
network and collaboration maps.
A community audit of a local suburb or geographic-based community involves the following steps:
Identify population numbers and a socio-economic profile
This includes descriptive material such as the numbers of people who live in the area, their ages, household structures, gender and ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds. You might want to know about the businesses in the area, where people work, where people attend school or other services, i.e. do they travel out of the local area? You might also want to know about comparisons over time. What are the anticipated future demographic or socio-economic changes in the area? Have there been shifts in population, such as new people moving in, or closures in businesses and a rise in unemployment? Is there a new housing development that will lead to more families with young children moving into the area?
You can get this information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the local library. Local councils also do community profiles.
Identify issues that the community are concerned about
There are many ways to obtain information about community issues and how these are perceived. Some of the best ways are:
Talk with people residing in your community. Start with your own networks, and then move out of them to canvass a wide range ofviews, not just those similar to yours.
Ask what people in the community see as the issues.
What do people in the community see as these issues' causes?
What do community leaders see as the issues? (i.e. the local councillors).
Read the local paper to keep abreast of local issues and who the power players are. Approach the local council for information about local issues. Many councils undertake needs assessments and have social planning documents that you can access.
Identify what services and groups already exist for the community.
There may be many community groups and services in the local area that aim to promote families and communities. Ask:
How well do you know this part of the 'community'?
Useful strategies to help you find this out include:
Access local government community services guides. These will provide you with information on residents' groups, community organisations and services.
Working together
Another important pre-planning task is to ensure that yo u have the right composition within your group to undertake the planning and application development process:
Think about the skills you will need to do the project
Make a list of the balance of skills, knowledge and attributes of the people around the table.
Have you got people with the commitment in terms of both motivation and time to work towards realising this project idea?
Think about who else needs to come on board - approach them. It may be useful to involve representatives from early childhood services or other human services in the local community.
Think about the composition of your group in terms of the community you are seeking to target.
Think about what might happen to your project idea and your group if your project idea is not funded?
You will need to ensure that the group can work towards fulfiiling the specific requirements of applying for funds, as you will need to respond to those eligibility requirements in your funding application. It is imperative that you explore the following issues in the pre-planning process:
Is your organisation incorporated, so that you can fulfil the legal and financial responsibilities of receiving government grant money?
What organisation will support the application and project?
Are you affiliated with an organisation that can provide the organisational infrastructure to support this project idea?
Checklist
Ask yourself:
Why have you come together?
What do you want to achieve?
How does your idea of community capacity building and strengthening fit with the funding Program interpretation?
Is it the appropriate funding body for you?
Can you meet the specific eligibility requirements?
If so, what is your vision for the project?
What is the trigger for the project?
Does the project 'have legs already'?
What can you learn from past experiences?
Have you consulted with community members or groups about your idea?
Do you have an understanding of and affinity with the local community?
Do you have access to a community profile? (e.g. socio-economic, socio-cultural, age etc. demographics)
Are you aware of the issues that concern members of the local community?
Are you in contact with the local council?
Are you aware of services or groups that already exist in the local area?
Have you built a broad enough picture of the community?
Do you know the members of your working group?
Do you have the right balance of members in your working group? (take into consideration the community you are targeting)
Are you aware of your legal and financial responsibilities?
Do you have organisational backing?
Have you accessed relevant resources to gather background information?
Do you have alternative plans if the funding application is unsuccessful?
Are you ready for the next step?
Having what it takes
Applying for, being approved for, and accepting funding sets your community organisation on an exciting path.
However, the co m petitive funding process can also be disappointing fo r yo ur group if your project is not funded. Your group needs to be prepared for this possibility and have realistic expectations and alternative plans to move the project idea forward.
Making the pro ject work successfully depends to a large extent on the organisation's readiness to take on a new project and to consider what needs to be in place. So how do you turn your ideas into reality?
Flesh out the ideas
Ideas for new projects have many different origins, including:
evidence of community need;
the trial of a prototype, pilot or earlier project;
experience with a similar project in another location;
information from other communities about successful projects;
information about the costs, savings and efficiencies with similar projects;
realising the opportunity provided by a particular funding body.
Whatever your concept, it will need to be turned into a feasible, workable project with clear goals, outcomes, processes and structures. You will need to go through the following stages to shape your idea in readiness to put together your project application.
Brainstorm
One strategy for fleshing out your idea is to brainstorm. This is a facilitated group process where interested peo pie gettogether and think through as many elaborations on the idea as possible. A facilitator is so meone who has skills in making sure that all people are heard, that different opinions are respected and that the focus remains on the task. The key to successful brainstorming is the exchange and elaboration of ideas. You will need to:
Nominate a facilitator for this process who
can design a format for the brainstorming session/s that will deliver an agreed set of outcomes.
Involve a diverse group of people from many different backgrounds. Everyone in the group is expected to share their knowledge.
When brainstorming ideas for a project, questions may include:
What do we want to do?
Why is this issue important?
How do we go about doing this?
What are the expected costs and are they reasonable?
Who wants to be involved and how can they be involved?
What sort of strategies might work?
What are our strengths and limitations?
What sort of outcomes do we want to achieve?
What steps do we need to take to achieve our goals?
At the end of this process, the facilitator will:
Try to bring these diverse ideas together into a tentative plan.
Ask for a volunteer to document areas of agreement and disagreement.
Distribute a manuscript of the brainstorming session/s promptly to people who attended to maintain their enthusiasm - show them that something is being done to act on the suggestions.
Tune in
Tuning in is an extension of brainstorming and is important for planning the program. It is a process for developing an effective strategy for understanding and reaching participants. It is important that you think about the sort of people who might participate in the program. Participants are people who will be directly involved in, or served by the work. Ideally, participants will contribute to the project's planning and development, but this may not always be possible.
Tuning in is an intellectual and emotional process in which you put yourself in the shoes of others to try and understand more about them. Tuning in enables you to raise your awareness of, and sensitivity to people and social issues. It involves asking a series of questions:
Who are these people?
What are their attitudes and values?
What are their feelings about their family and other close relationships?
What are their likes and dislikes?
Where do they live and where do they gather?
How are they connected to family, neighborhood and organisations?
What are their lifestyle issues?
How do they respond to service provision?
What are their links to the community?
Can you anticipate their reactions to specific people, events or life crises?
In tuning in, we are suggesting that you close your eyes and use your imagination to gain a better understanding of those people who will be involved most closely with the program. Thinking through reactions in this way helps you make your ideas relevant and targeted to those who can gain the most benefit.
If you want to plan a program for adolescents, for example, it is useful to think about your own and others' observations of young people, who may appear to: dislike teachers and other adult authority figures; have little sense of their own mortality; want to be socially acceptable; not have access to transport; have limited budgets; and be concerned with their physical appearance.
In developing a program for working with adolescents, based on this analysis, it may be necessary to employ young staff who can relate to young people as peers. Programs would need to be located on transpo rt routes 0 rin the centre of town fo reasy access. If adolescents have little sense of their own mortality, the health dimension might include preventive programs that are delivered without preaching.
Anticipate the future
Put yourself some months ahead and imagine that you have been funded to run a project for families or your community. Any new project has ramifications for, and in the community. Some of these can be anticipated and addressed in the planning process, therefore it is important to:
Think ahead about the project's impact on both the community and the organisation.
Plan for how you will complete the project.
Think about what will happen after the project is over.
Plan now with an end in mind.
Ask yourself:
What are some of the practical and institutional arrangements that we need to consider now as we refine our ideas and apply for funding?
Consideration of these ideas will assist you to write a superior application and will allow the funding body to realise the potential strengths of your ideas and the capacity to achieve outcomes. They may also see that you will be able to manage the project ifit does not go as planned.
Flow-on effect
All projects are likely to have a flow-on effect in their community. Community people and organisations may welcome new services if these address gaps in existing services, but acknowledge that new services increase demand and interagency coordination to ensure continuity:
Undertake consultation, negotiation and joint planning with the community at an early stage to encompass the impact on the community. This may mean the difference between success and failure later on.
Talk to local community leaders and agencies about your program and ask the fo llowing questions:
What are this idea's likely ramifications and flow-on effects for the community?
Will your project cause an increased demand for services?
Will this new project expose unmet needs in the community?
Does this program require more public transport or other public infrastructure in particular areas?
What is the public expectation of this project? Does the community have realistic expectations about what this new project can achieve?
Will the project create new demands for services and support that will remain after the project is over?
What will happen to the community after the project is over?
Think about the cultural context
Programs are introduced into a particular cultural context. Sometimes this context may be the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander com m unity, or people from culturally diverse backgrounds. The question for consideration at the planning phase is:
What might you need to put in place in the beginning of the project to navigate inter-group tensions, conflict or public criticism?
Think about legal obligations
New community initiatives may mean thinking ahead about new legal obligations and responsibilities:
What legal requirements might be anticipated?
Does funding depend on incorporation?
If the work involves children and families, does this mean that workers and volunteers associated with the project need police checks or training in mandatory reporting?
Does the program place workers or clients at risk? If so, what legal precautions might need to be considered in costing the establishment of the program? (e.g. occupational health and safety, and insurance)
Think about financial accountability
Securing funding for your project makes the effort worthwhile but it also means increased financial accountability and changes to budgeting and financial practices:
Do you have experience in managing government funding for projects?
What financial systems do you need to put in place to manage this project within the designated budget?
Think about performance reporting
Do you have experience in developing performance indicators and measuring the performance of the project?
How will you know that your project is working well?
Will you need to develop performance indicators?
What performance management systems will you need to put in place?
Do you have someone who will be responsible for performance monitoring and reporting?
Think about human and ather resource issues
A new project often means new staff. Staff will need orientation, guidance, supervision and support. They may need office space, a desk, phone, computer and access to a car. It is necessary to consider managerial matters when undertaking the planning process:
What personnel, equipment, space and facilities are needed?
What procedures and strategies will need to be put in place to manage the process and the work?
What processes and structures are needed to support the project?
What are the intended project outcomes and how will these be measured qualitatively and quantitatively?
What systems are needed for data collection for both the organisation and the funding body/bodies?
Think about governance
Decide how the project will be governed:
Will you have working groups, a committee and/or a project officer?
Who will be responsible for what?
Who will be accountable to whom?
How will you govern finance, human resources, other resources, time lines etc?
Before going any further it is wise to undertake some research:
Is there a funding round pending? When does it close? What forms need to be completed?
Who can help you? Who should you talk to? (Identify local resources, websites and established partnerships or new ones in their infant stages)
Do you need to undertake a community consultation?
Is there any history of similar applications for similar projects, or any prototypes you should use?
Are you sufficiently aware of the kind of infrastructure you need in place to manage people and money?
Do you have enough funds to get the project off the ground?
Return to the here and now
Once you have considered all of the above issues and feel that you have shaped your ideas as far as you can, you are ready to research the information needed to prepare your funding application.
Resources:
Wadsworth, Y. (1984) Do it yourself social research. Victorian Council of Social Service Melbourne Family Care Organisation/Allen & Unwin, Vic.
Distributed copies of brainstorming sessions to participants and other interested parties?
If you have done all of these things:
Are you ready to write your funding application?
Making your case
By now you will have:
Determined that your project fits within the funding requirements.
A clear idea of what your project entails.
A clear statement of the project aims.
A clear statement of the project activities and/or resources to be developed.
A clear statement of the project outcomes.
A clear statement of how the project activities and/or resources to be developed will lead to the project outcomes.
A clear idea of the target group that your project is for.
A sense of the significance of this work to your community.
Community backing, support and collaborating agencies.
Decided on the methods and processes to put in place to achieve goals and outcomes.
Estimated the length of time for the various stages of the work (allowing for risk management).
An estimation of how much the project will cost.
Identified and harnessed the skills and competencies of the personnel who would undertake the work.
A clear idea of the facilities needed to do the work.
A plan to put the arrangements in place if your application is approved for funding.
A plan for an alternative course of action if your application is not approved for funding.
Once you are confident you are ready to write your submission, keep in mind that this is a legal document rather than 'just an application'. As such, you will need to be aware of the legal obligations specified within it.
The evidence base of your project - strengthening your case
Application processes for funding can be highly competitive. Your application will be considered in relation to those from hundreds of other groups, organisations and communities. All will have the same commitment and passion about their particular projects as you do about yours. Therefore, it is important that your application presents your 'case' as clearly and strongly as possible.
One key way to strengthen your application's quality and co m petitiveness is to clearly outline the 'evidence' that supports your project's proposed goals and activities.
The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy consistently outlines its interest in evidence-based projects and funding applications will be assessed to 'identify those that can deliver the best value' through 'an optimum combination of quality and cosf. The Strategy places 'strong emphasis an the role of evidence in early childhood interventions', with projects seen as having 'a unique opportunity to use the established evidence and contribute to the growing Evidence Base in both early childhood and community development'.
The Strategy glossary describes Evidence Base as follows:
Quantitative and qualitative data indicating that a proposed intervention will effectively address significant issues related to child or community development. The Evidence Base identifying significant issues in a community could include prevalence, trend data, long-term effects on children and families and impacts on other developmental areas. The Evidence Base indicating likely success of a proposed intervention could include results of Australian/international formal program evaluations, statistics (including baseline/post-intervention information), case studies, or structured client/ provider feedback (as in surveys or interviews). (Communities for Children, Stronger Families and Communities Strategy website.
The concept of an Evidence Base may sound very scientific and intimidating, but there are many ways in which your project can demonstrate its use of evidence in its planning and implementation. Think of'evidence' as anything that will demonstrate and support such elements as the:
Strength of the need for your project.
Rationale for your project goals.
Legitimacy of the approach you are planning to take.
Degree to which goals have been achieved.
Nature of changes and outcomes that have resulted from the project.
Impact that your project has had.
It is important to begin thinking in terms of 'evidence' from the early stages of your project development. This style of thinking should become central to your approach to your project. Keep in mind that finding and demonstrating evidence can be done in many ways, from the highly empirical (e.g. statistics) to the highly creative, descriptive or participative forms of evidence, including action research and stories.
Evidence of need
You must demonstrate that the proposed project will address a clearly identified need in your community. Strategies to strengthen your argument for the importance of meeting this need include:
Thoroughly document the nature of this need.
Thoroughly document its impact in the community.
Thoroughly document the degree to which the perception of this need is shared within the community, including by the people expected to benefit from the project.
Needs can be determined in three different categories (Bradshaw 1972):
Felt needs - what individuals or groups in the community say they need. Methods for determining felt needs include:
Surveys
Questionnaires
Interviews
Informal discussions, gatherings
Public meetings
Discussion/focus groups
Letters of support
Case studies
Testimonials.
Demonstrated needs - what is shown to be needed through observable actions. Demonstrated needs can be argued for through the documentation of:
Numbers of people involved in need-related activities
Inquiries about services
Unsolicited requests for services
Experiences of past programs
Pilot program results
Input from information displays
Numbers of people notturning up or participating in community activities
Gaps in services.
Comparative needs - what experts and comparisons show might be needed. This type of need is determined by looking at what could/should be expected in relation to comparable groups, organisations or communities. Comparative needs can be argued for through such activities as:
Comparing with other communities
Comparing with other programs
Comparing with past records of a service or program
Using statistics, such as those published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
Including information from a combination of the above methods and sources, rather than relying on only one 0 r two will strengthen the argument that a need exists. It is worth taking the time to plan ahead and accumulate information from such diverse sources for inclusion in your submission.
Previously funded Strategy projects determined the nature and extent of need through some of the following methods:
Findings from research reports, scoping studies, local government planning documents, community surveys, and pilot projects.
Community-based processes such as community consultations, community round-tables, reference groups and 'active listening' to what the community is saying. Service-based indicators such as increased referrals, clinical experience that identifies gaps and changes in service needs and demands, and awareness of risk factors in specific communities or populations.
Evidence of community support/involvement
Further to demonstrating need, it will be important to show how the community that is affected by, or involved in the project supports the proposal. Community support will be demonstrated through the information discussed under 'felt needs' above. Another measure of community support might be the degree to which others are prepared to become involved in, or contribute to the project. Expressions of interest in the project, commitments to contribute to the project (e.g. in-kind donations, volunteer time, potential advisory group members), and projected or actual partnership relationships that will develop through the project all are indicators of community support. Enormity is an example of a Stronger Families and Communities Strategy project that demonstrates significant amounts of community support. A community-based teenage committee is supported by, and works in partnership with the local council, local youth workers, schools, local businesses (through monetary sponsorship/in-kind donations), organisations such as Lions Clubs and the local fire fighting groups. Enormity's work is based largely on volunteer person-power and time.
Evidence of intended benefits ond outcomes
Another factor that will be considered is whether the proposed project will provide 'value for money' in addressing the identified need. It is important, therefore, that you identify clearly the specific benefits and results that your project plans to achieve and reasonable costs for this. The benefits should be expressed in terms of concrete, observable changes that provide a clear picture of how the problem situation will improve as a result of the work done by your project. In addition to the broader goals or objectives of the proposed project (e.g. 'to strengthen parenting practices among young single mothers in our community through a mentoring program'), the application should include as much detail as possible about the intended specific outcomes or desired changes. The more specific, concrete, observable and measurable these outcomes are, the clearer will be the 'picture' of what can be achieved by funding your project. Intended changes and outcomes for a parenting project, as above, might be:
At least X people will be successfully trained, using the Y model, as parenting mentors and matched with an equal number of single mothers below the age of 16 who have been identified as at risk of neglecting their children.
In at least 80% of the matches, the relationship will continue for at least one year and involve, at a minimum, one face-to-face contact per week between the parent and mentor.
Young mothers in the program will attend, with their mentors, monthly education sessions based on the Z program for strengthening parenting practices.
The incidence of neglect situations, based on reports from Band C services, will reduce by at least 50% over a period of 18 months.
Young mothers in the program will increase their involvement in education or employment activities to improve their financial situation and to increase their range of life skills.
In addition to presenting a stronger scenario of your project's intended ben efits and worth, setting out outcomes in such terms should assist the project in setting its direction and identifying the activities and tasks that will be necessary to achieve such outcomes.
Thinking about whether your costs are reasonable and if there are other less expensive options to this project will also help you demonstrate value for money.
Evidence supporting on intervention opprooch
How does this project demonstrate that the proposed intervention approach is an effective one, i.e. that it is likely to achieve the intended results?
This is a question that funders may consider. This focus on the evidence base of interventions is very much in keeping with the trend in social services. So, your project should give due consideration to how it can argue for the effectiveness of the approach it is proposing.
It is wise to strengthen your case by drawing upon the evidence-based literature and reso urces that are increasingly available. Fo r exam pie, the Cochrane Review website ( provides summaries of evidence-based findings in the area of health issues and health care. Perhaps even more relevant to SFCS projects is the Campbell Collaboration website ( which provides comparable summaries of evidence-based findings in the area of social welfare, education and corrections. The Campbell Collaboration includes evidence-based information about childhood interventions, parent-child interactions and similar themes relevant to the goals of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.
Specific professional journals that are strongly oriented toward evidence-based findings and reports are also available:
Archives of General Psychiatry.
Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
Research on Social Work Practice.
Evidence-based Mental Health.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies Clearninghouse holds a collection of international and Australian research on family wellbeing in Australia.
Some previously funded Stronger Families and Communities Strategy projects have used other methods to demonstrate their programs' evidence base. One used successful results from a pilot project to show that the proposed larger program was based on sound practice, and another adapted the intervention approach of a highly successful program model that had established a strong body of evidence regarding its effectiveness. Another project used the following methods to establish the evidence base of its approach:
Regular reference to the professional literature to inform their work.
Consistent focus on monitoring best practices in their field of intervention.
Use of an established and recognised program model, including purchase of the program manual to direct their practice.
Consultation with a research institute to choose recognised family assessment measures.
Attendance at a national conference related to their area of service.
Attendance at workshops with experts in their field.
Evidence of obility to complete the project
Your 'case' for being considered for funding can be strengthened if your previous successes and achievements are 0 utlined in your application. The funder will wantto get a clear sense of the likelihood that applicants are able to carry through on projects put forward. Your 'track record' of successes can be presented by documenting and providing evidence of:
Previous projects successfully funded.
Specific results and outcomes from other activities/projects.
Any recognition/awards received.
An important related aspect of your project is how it will build on existing community capacity, or how it will contribute 'added value' to your community. The application should demonstrate how the project draws upon existing resources and strengths in the community through such elements as advisory group members, volunteers, partnership relationships and consultants/experts. Other methods identified for documenting community strengths that can contribute to the project's potential for successful completion are skills audits/inventories and asset mapping (
Evidence of activity ond impact
If your project is funded, you should expect to be asked to provide evidence of the activities undertaken (outputs), the impact and changes that have occurred (outcomes). More information about these areas is included in Module 2. However, atthis point in the preparation of your application, it is importantto anticipate these two elements of the project. Your application sho uld demonstrate yo ur awareness of these and include information about how the project plans to document its activities and impact.
Preparing the funding application
You have done a lot of thinking, planning, consulting and preparation in developing your project idea. You no doubt believe strongly in the value of your project but it is the project proposal application alone that will communicate your commitment and passion to those assessing the submission. In many ways, the future of the project rests upon the quality of the written application. The larger and more complex your project is, the more detailed information you will need to provide to support your application. The following suggestions will assist you to maximise the quality of your written application and reduce the chances of not being considered due to oversights:
Follow application guidelines to the letter. Use the correct application form provided for the funding round and carefully consider the structure, sequence as you write your application. Read the questions and your answers and re-read them carefully so that nothing is overlooked.
Assume that your audience (the funding body) knows nothing about your organisation, your community, the program or the issues that have led to your submission. Write clearly so that the audience understands the context and details of your ideas.
Provide a context for the application. This may include information about the history of the idea, how it came alive in the community and how you consulted with the community to develop it. Show the reader how you moved from this point to the refined project concept.
Draft and redraft written material. In the first draft, take account of such things as accuracy, clarity, consistency, emphasis and style. Redrafting should not be seen as an inadequacy or personal failure but an important step in enabling successful outcomes. Write the first draft, and then revise it before giving it to colleagues for comment.
Seek colleagues' opinions. Be grateful for criticism. Colleagues can provide a great deal of help when you revise. Your choice of readers is very important. Some can assist with editorial matters, such as style, sentence construction and grammar. Others might be asked to read for clarity and the logical flow of ideas. Choose readers from a variety of backgrounds, including those who are familiar with your program and community, and those who are successful grant writers. It will be necessary to redraft the material after readers have provided comments.
Ensure you present a watertight budget. This is one of the most important parts of the application. Justify every budget item. Remember that what is obvious to you may not be obvious to your audience. Reviewers should not have to wonder why certain items have been included. You may need to justify why you need to pay personnel at a particular salary level, why travel costs are important, why particular equipment is needed and so on. If the program is being funded for a longer period, consider whether repairs, new equipment or new appointments will be needed. In particular, large projects with large budgets will need to show how all the money will be used and it is important that this information is clearly presented. When this has been completed, check and recheck the budget's accuracy.
Make sure that all requirements of the application guidelines have been met and that all sections of the application have been com pleted. Check on deadlines and ensure yo ur application meets these deadlines. Include all necessary signatures, as outlined in the application guidelines, and allow enough time for all necessary parties to receive, review and sign the application document.
Ensure that you have completed ALL pages of the application and included ALL the attachments.
Send the application to the correct address.
Checklist
Have you:
Gathered evidence for the need that is driving your project?
Demonstrated the evidence base for your project?
Demonstrated the strength of community support for your project?
Documented the specific benefits and/or outcomes for families and communities that you anticipate from your project, and how these will be measured?
Reviewed thoroughly the funding guidelines for your written application?
Received feedback about your written application from appropriate others and redrafted it accordingly?
Ensured that all sections of the application have been fully addressed?
Obtained all the necessary signatures required on the application?
Enclosed all pages?
Correctly addressed the envelope?
Reviewing opportunities
After your funding application leaves your organisation, it is assessed using criteria outlined in the policy. The assessment process may involve Ministerial approval of the project receiving funding.
The final stage of the application process will be when you are notified about whether your application has been successful. Your group should have already considered alternative plans to move the project idea forward if the funding application is not successful or if the funding offer is a variation of your funding application.
Your group may find it useful to consider whether there is ongoing work that can be done during this assessment period.
A well-designed and implemented community-based project builds in factors that can contribute to the ongoing success of your community-building endeavour over time, maintaining engagement with 'community' and building connections amongst and between community members.
During this period you may review how existing capacity within the community can be build on and address any gaps in capacity to enable the project be effectively delivered. This may include:
Developing opportunities to bring together different sources of expertise. This may include lining up the right people with the required skills and background to work in the project and having a critical mass of staff orvolunteers to call upon if that is needed.
Activities to develop peoples capacity such as mentoring and training.
Nurturing and supporting community leaders and champions.
Building on existing relationships: participate in information sharing collaborative networks with other community organisations and link to relevant activities within the local area or broader region.
Introducing project management processes or preparing to set up financial system.
Reviewing the governance structures.
Reviewing the evidence about good practice informing your project.
Reviewing the availability of an appropriate place or space for the project to operate from. This may involve setting the project in an accessible and comfortable venue.
Reviewing how you will complete the project and what will happen next.
The processes outlined in Section 2 of engaging with, deepening an understanding of your 'community' and supporting meaningful participation do not stop with your initial planning and needs assessments. Rather, they are ongoing aspects of the work of co m m unity capacity building. ltis therefo re as necessary to plan fo rthese elements of community capacity building as it is to plan for the project implementation and evaluation. In formulating the project/, you will have undertaken an assessment of needs and fleshed out yo ur project idea. An assessment of the ongo ing engagement and involvement of community in the program is necessary. Be clear about how participation is supported currently within your group and where you would like it to go. Some questions to consider are:
How does your organisation engage your community?
How does participation happen within your group?
What are the structures and organisational commitments and culture in terms of supporting participation and community engagement?
Who are the current participants?
Who does not have a voice in your organisation or group?
How well are the diverse voices heard?
What are the current limiting factors to participation? (i.e. do community participants have power in decision making within your organisation or will it be token, given the current power structure?)
What is needed to build the community's trust in the project and its staff?
What is needed to maintain community engagement, participation and hearing the voices of participants?
This assessment process will give you an indication of where you may put your efforts in developing further opportunities for participation.
In terms of your pro ject idea, there will be structures and processes to support ongoing participation and engagement. Ideally these will reflect your local circumstances and further the realisation of the project/program idea. Think about what will be right for your situation and context. Some questions to think about are:
What structures will assist you to develop and maintain connections with your local community over the long run?
How will you support community participation as an integral component of the project?
How will your project achieve early success to garner support while also tackling the more complex issues that the project seeks to address?
There are many options for how these structures can operate, such as establishing community advisory committees, community-controlled management committees, reference gro ups or consultative co m m ittees. The im portance of building supportive physical spaces where people can join together also needs to be considered:
Will community people be welcome in your organisation?
Do you have spaces where they can come and be at ease?
There are Stronger Families and Communities Strategy projects that have been constructed largely around the role and contribution of volunteers, who contribute significantly as members of the reference group, as well as acting as mentors. Others have welcomed community input into the project's physical space, making it welcoming and connected to what local people want. In some cases, the local community members have named the space.
Other mechanisms include encouraging community input into ongoing project development through:
Feedback systems.
Having community representatives in your organisation's management structures.
Communication via newsletters.
Holding regular open forums or meetings.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. A useful resource to assist you to develop the community participation strategies appropriate for your context is the Guide to Consumer Participation in Health Toolkit. This comprehensive toolkit lists 43 strategies to facilitate community participation. These are linked to a planning and assessment process:
Checklist
Plan for capacity building.
Plan for project implementation.
Undertake assessment in respect to participation.
Clearly identify participants.
Describe how participation is currently supported.
Describe factors limiting participation.
Plan how you will support participation in the future.
Plan how you will develop and maintain connections with the local community.
Constantly evaluate - clarify strategies you will use to do this.
Remember to stop -look back - notice what you have achieved.
Re-evaluate -learn from what has happened so far.
Re-plan for continued success.
Sustaining the work
Being approved for and accepting funding allows your organisation to turn their ideas into reality. If you are ready to deliver a new project you will be thinking about everything that needs to be put in place to make the project a success.
Following notification that your application has been successful, your organisation will begin the project management relationship with the funding organisation.
Funding Agreement.
In the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, funding agreements are used as mechanism for managing newly established and existing projects. Use the contents of this agreement to sustain the work in accordance with your obligations - follow your stated intentions and infrastructure, work within budget, and adhere to timeframes and legal agreements:
Ensure that you are familiar with the agreement and stick to its terms.
What is in the funding agreement?
A funding agreement between FaCS and yo urorganisation 0 utlines the responsibilities of both parties with respect to the project, and processes to be followed should the agreement need to be terminated or changed. The agreement will specify such things as:
The conduct of the project.
Funding.
Records, reports and auditing.
Intellectual property rights.
Indemnity.
Protection of personal information.
Termination procedures.
The specific details are extremely important. These include:
Contact details of both parties.
Commencement date.
Funding, and when and how funds will be paid.
A budget that includes how money will be spent on salary, office equipment or promotional material.
Establish good relationships
Get to know your FaCS project manager
The successful management of contracts depends on good working relationships between staffin the funding body and the community agency. FaCS staff will expect to work cooperatively with you as the project develops.
One of the most important steps at the beginning of your project is getting to know your project manager's role and to build a good working relationship with them. Soon after hearing about your application's success, a FaCS staff member will contact you. This person is responsible for overseeing and managing the project, so it is important to build an effective working relationship with them on behalf of your organisation. Take time to do this. Good relationships do not happen overnight but evolve over time as you work together to achieve common goals.
Effective relationships are developed through trust, open communication and taking time to sort out mutually acceptable solutions. Good relationships flourish when both parties take time and make a commitment to manage the work.
Understand the FaCS project managers' responsibilities
The FaCS project manager is responsible for ensuring that the contract is delivered on time and in accordance with the specified standards. The FaCS project manager may have a range of delegated powers to vary contracts or provide additional resources. Soon after the first contact, it might be useful to ask about their responsibilities in relation to the funding agreement. They will expect you to:
Understand that you need to stick to the terms of the agreement.
Renegotiate the agreement if it is not possible to stick to the terms.
Discuss the reporting requirements, including agreement on what outputs will be reported.
Specify how outputs will be measured.
Establish a data collection system.
Practise clear and regular communication
Good relationships with government are developed through clear and regular communication. Here are some ways to ensure clear communication:
Be familiar with the requirements specified in the funding agreement.
Share information about your organisation.
Arrange an early face-to-face meeting with the project manager, project team and your committee and keep in regular contact.
Talk about your expectations and listen to FaCS expectations.
Ask questions and seek information if you are uncertain.
Maintain open communication - provide full and frank answers to questions.
Be clear about the purpose of any contact.
Provide timely identification of issues.
If appropriate, explore and discuss alternatives.
Generate and evaluate solutions.
State agreements clearly.
Take notes of your conversations, date and record.
Conform to reporting requirements
Early in the project, your FaCS project manager will want to discuss performance reporting and project evaluation requirements. This process is not as complicated as it sounds.
Your FaCS project manager is interested in both outputs and outcomes. Outputs are the products or services that are produced and delivered by a project. Outcomes are the consequences, benefits or changes that result from a person's participation in the program. Outcomes can be delayed or long term and they may be intended or unanticipated. Funding agreements require that that outputs and outcomes be demonstrated. Some of the performance indicators may be set because they apply across all the projects being funded.
Steps in performance reporting include:
Think about the project's aims that you identified in the funding application, then translate these into the achievements or outcomes for families and communities that you are expecting, and the activities or outputs that your project will do or develop to achieve them. The following example taken from a Strategy project illustrates the connection between program objectives (aims), outputs and outcomes. Two objectives of the Gilles Plain Garden project were:
To create a practical reconciliation project where local Indigenous and nonIndigenous people can work together.
To create a beautiful and productive community garden that acts as a focus for cultural and educational activities - a place for people to meet, rest, reflect and play.
If these are the project objectives, the outputs might include:
The number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together.
The number of people visiting the garden.
The number of different activities in the garden.
Two outcomes that correspond to these objectives are:
The community participates in local cultural, Indigenous, educational, artistic, environmental and recreational activities in the community garden.
Through working together in the co m m unity garden, there are greater levels of trust, awareness and understanding between community members.
Demonstrate that outputs have been achieved
Your FaCS project manager needs to know whether the designated outputs have been achieved. They will want to discuss reporting requirements with you and how you will be able to demonstrate that you have achieved what you intended. As you are the expert in the project, it is importantto give some consideration to the way this is done.
Use the above example to think about reporting requirements. You might demonstrate achievement of outputs through:
Use of before and after photographs.
Listening to participants' views of how they have used the services.
A count of people using the garden on a particular day.
Overall attendance audits.
Documentation of observations over time.
Documentation of attendance at meetings.
Schedule of the range of activities occurring in the garden.
Documentation of the different groups involved in the garden including planning, working bees and events.
Work with your FaCS project manager to identify your performance indicators and develop your own ways to measure these to help you know how well your project is going. Your project may be required to participate in a broader Program evaluation. Large projects may also be req uired to undertake com prehensive project evaluations and these may contribute to developing the evidence base around what we know about improving family and community outcomes.
Rather than evaluation happening at the end of the project, weaving it into the ongoing life of the project allows you to learn as you go along and use these lessons to inform your action. Evaluation can often be viewed as complicated because of the assumption that a credible evaluation has to be a certain way and look a certain way. It is not necessarily so, but to be credible you do need to have been thoughtful about how you will undertake the evaluation.
Getting the mechanisms in place to evaluate your project in ways that fit your situation means that you need to be clear about the following:
How can community members, participants and workers be involved in setting up the evaluation?
On what basis will you know what has worked or been effective?
Who makes sense of what has happened?
How do you reconcile different perspectives about what has happened and why it has happened?
How can you capture what has happened and what it has meant?
How will you ensure that the evaluation is respectful of cultural processes and meanings?
There are many formal evaluation techniques that you can employ (surveys, focus groups, interviews). Methods that are ideal for evaluating community development activities include story telling, and keeping photo journals and pictorial records of what has happened. Plan the best ways to evaluate your project around ingraining within the project a culture of learning from what you do to 'improve' as well as 'prove'.
There is an abundance of material about evaluation that can assist you in these processes, for example:
There are many tools you can use to gather data to demonstrate outcomes (e.g. community participation in community activities, and greater levels of trust, awareness and understanding between community members. These tools include:
Surveys.
Individual and group interviews.
Client perceptions of services.
Community perceptions.
Focus groups.
Telephone interviews.
Questionnaires with open and closed questions.
Case studies.
Feedback sheets at the end of sessions.
Exit interviews.
Collection of documented external feedback (e.g. local media).
Social indicators (e.g. school attendance, employment, number of job vacancies reported, visits to health services).
All of these methods can be used to gather information about, and describe the perceived benefits of the project. It is important that you set up a reliable data collection system to enable you to report effectively.
Set up a reliable data collection system
Data collection involves gathering information from a variety of sources, sorting the data into various categories and storing the information in a secure location so that it can be retrieved at a later date. After the data is collected it will need interpretation and analysis.
In letting your FaCS project manager know about how your project is going, you will have collected information from a wide variety of sources (as listed above). It is important to retain all original data so that you can go back to these sources at any time and retrieve the relevant information. Make sure that you clearly identify the date on which the information was collected, as this may be needed to demonstrate achievement of outputs and describe outcomes.
Data will come from a variety of sources. Some will be numeric. Some will be based on verbal and written reports, as well as observations and photographs. Whatever the source, it will require analysis, in other words, making sense of the collected information. This may include asking questions like:
What are the stories or themes emerging from the data?
What are the main comments made by participants?
Did participants' actions or words change under different conditions, and did different people act differently?
What did you hear and notice?
On completion, compare what you have found with what you expected when you established the project and report this to your project manager.
Weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of data collection tools
The use of computers for data collection and analysis can bring some administrative efficiencies. Com puters and associated software programs are useful too Is fo r storing and analysing numeric and qualitative information. It is important to remember, however, that many people do not have the skills or confidence to undertake these tasks. Whatever tools are used for data analysis have strengths and weaknesses. It is im portant that the people undertaking the collection and analysis feel co mfo rtable with the tools they are using.
Understand what sort of information should be kept
Deciding what sort of information should be kept is very difficult, but the following approach is suggested:
It is necessary to retain all original data collected. This includes raw material from interviews, questionnaires, feedback sheets, case studies, attendance records and so on.
Store the analysis and interpretation of this information, and keep a record on file of the way you went about analyzing the data.
Retain any memos or reflections on the data collected, as these may be interesting to the community or to your project manager. Make sure that you have an index so that the data is easily accessible.
All information collected should be kept secure to protect people's privacy. This is a mandatory requirement of the Privacy Act 1988.
Understand negotiation
Negotiation is an important skill for project managers and your project group. Some aspects of projects may need to be renegotiated. This process can be cooperative or adversarial, although cooperation is an important starting point. In negotiating successfully, it is essential to:
Prepare for the meeting by reading and collecting relevant information and understanding your position on the issue.
Consider the best time and place for such a meeting.
Be clear about who will be attending and why.
Check to see if there are any conventions about the negotiating process.
Collaboratively decide on the agenda and the order of issues.
Keep the agenda as concrete as possible.
In the actual negotiation process:
State your position on the issue clearly and the reasons for this position.
State this position before you propose a solution.
If disagreements arise, focus on the issues rather than the individuals involved.
Be flexible and consider all offers.
Focus on maintaining effective working relationships, as you will need to continue working together after the negotiations are complete.
Recognise a satisfactory result.
Make sure that the organisation can sustain the work
Sustaining a funded project depends on good management, complemented by good governance. Donovan and Jackson (1991) regard management as a process that involves planning, organising, staffing, leading and controlling. Tasks associated with these processes include:
Budgeting.
Program planning.
Managing staff and volunteers.
Communication within your organisation and across your community.
Know how to budget
The budget needs to be realistic, accurate and contro lled. Everyone in the 0 rganisation needs to understand the budget. You need to allow for:
Staff - salary for project orficer, clerical staff, research staff, publicity/PR/media liaison and any other paid staff required. Rememberto cost these salaries against the different pay rates and also the time frame for the project. Remember to allow fo r the writing up phase atthe end - this is often forgotten!
On costs - such as superannuation, sick leave, and recreation leave which may need to be built into staff costs.
Sundries -small petty cash allowance for minor necessities (include in this small amount for celebration when project is completed).
Unexpected events budget - ensure you allow for unexpected occurrences, e.g. computer repairs, car repairs/accidents, illnesses etc - anything that costs money or has the possibility of putting the project behind time, resulting in the necessity to employ more staff or purchase more/new equipment.
Understand planning
Planning the details of the delivery of the project becomes an important activity once funding is secured. Once the project has developed, different strategies are needed to keep it on track.
Some of the activities suggested here may have been completed already as part of your application for funding but they are worth reconsidering at the formal planning stages. A project will have some or all of the following characteristics:
A clear rationale.
Understanding and identification of what the community needs.
A statement of the projects overall aims and goals.
Statement of objectives.
Statement of outcomes to be achieved and how these will be measured.
A clearly stated design and a process by which the objectives will be achieved.
A target population.
Resources needed to meet goals, objectives and activities.
How the project will be implemented.
Specification of the way the project's aims and outcomes will be measured.
Means by which the project will be evaluated.
Congruence between these factors and governance.
Involve the board, and potential clients and project participants in the planning process. You might develop some fantastic ideas, but if they are not acceptable to the project participants, community or clients, your planning has been wasted.
The organisation board is important. Board members are experts in governance and have close community connections. The Board not only sets the organisation's strategic direction, it is also important in authorising and guiding the strategic direction of new programs.
Involve project participants, clients and com m unity at all stages of program plann ing, especially when the ideas are considered initially. It is imperative to involve project participants, clients and community by:
Discussing their ideas about unmet needs.
Asking them to participate in the planning process.
Getting their views on the draft document.
The key thing to remember is that you may not develop the perfect project at the planning stage. A successful project plan means invo Iving the right peo pie and using their experiences to develop a plan that reflects the goals of both the organisation and the funding body.
Once you have developed the project, it will need to be kept on track. The following tips have been identified from the experiences of Strategy-funded projects:
Focus on the target group and outcomes
It is important to always keep in mind the individuals, families or community groups who are the focus of the project and the changes or outcomes that you are helping them achieve. Identifying the issue that the community wishes to address or an opportunity that the community can grasp can provide a practical focus for the project.
Be flexible
Although you might have developed a 'perfect' project at the planning stage, workers later become aware of unanticipated interests and requests that need to be included in the planning process. As an example, the 'Carlton Youth Project' made a number of project adjustments in response to community feedback as the project developed. The project generally saw itself as wanting to be flexible in response to identified needs and maintaining a flexible structure. Part of its philosophy was to celebrate what is good and let go of what is painful. During the course of the project, various types of feedback were received and given a response. Some parents were concerned about their daughters attending the project meetings, either for cultural reasons or because of worries about safety. The project adapted its approach to the meetings and worked along with members of the Muslim community to address these concerns. The project increased its interaction with com m unity leaders to assist in respondingto com m unity feed back. Practical adjustments were made to the project as it progressed, with changes to times, length, how participants were recruited and safety considerations'.
Use feedback from consumers and clients to continuously improve the quality of the service
Client and service provider feedback about the work and the project is useful for evaluating a project's progress. Feedback from clients can be obtained in many ways. Information can be sought about an agency, part of a service, or a worker or team. This information may be highly structured, using rating scales, or more qualitative, using open-ended questionnaires. All of this information can be used to finely tune the service delivery. Redland Community Centre is an example of a SFCS project that used feedback effectively to constantly refine the project's quality. Ongoing feedback was sought from participants through a range of mediums, including: feedback sheets at the completion of each Toddler Tactics session; exit questionnaires at the end of this course and invitations to be part of the listening circles; phone contacts; and email contacts.
This feedback was used to alter both the content and format of the project activities, and make changes to the project's management and systems', for example 'feedback gained about the evaluation/feedback formats resulted in them being streamlined and additional methods developed such as a phone questionnaire for parents who did not complete the course, and email contacts.'
Coordinate with other programs in your community
The success of community programs depends on the extent to which the project is linked to, and coordinated with other projects. The Connecting Families Project in Wagga Wagga provides an excellent example of this. 'Wagga Wagga staff hold regular meetings with another FaCS funded project at Ashmont to share project learnings. Working parties have been established with the Families First initiative to ensure the implementation and sustainability of the Connecting Families Project and the Families First development'. 'This overarching partnership framework provides the template for the development of Summer in the Parks, which uses popular culture and free neighbourhood-based activities to bring neighbourhoods together in a shared cultural and recreational experience'.
Manage staff and volunteers
Receiving new funding often means recruiting, selecting, training and supervising new staff. One of the firsttasks will be thinking about h iring new staff and making sure that you get the right people. Start by drafting a job description. Consider:
Title of job.
Salary range.
Purpose of job.
Organisational context, including reporting requirements.
Key responsibilities in the position.
Working relationships with other people in the organisation.
Criteria used for selection, especially the essential and non-essential criteria
Closing date.
It may be necessary to give your Board of Management a copy of the jo b description and seek their authorisation before proceeding.
Advertising the position can be done in a variety of ways:
Local and state newspapers are an obvious place to start.
Consider placing the notification of vacancy on your web site.
Specialist recruiting agencies can also be used.
Post information to professional associations and/or community organisations.
Once the closing date has been reached, you will need to:
Screen all applications.
Draw up a short list.
Check with referees, and begin the process of interviewing and offering the job.
A police check may be necessary, depending on the service or program provided by your agency. Funded projects must not engage any person to work with children/ young people without first conducting a police check of that person's criminal record. A police check is a formal inquiry or inquiries made to all relevant authorities which is or are designed to obtain details of a persons criminal convictions in each State and Territory of Australia and in all know non-Australian jurisdictions where the person is known to have resided. Funded projects must not engage any person to work on or in relation to any part of the Project who has a serious criminal record without the prior written perm ission of the Departmental Officer.
Just before your new staff member commences work, plan fortheir orientation to the project. Consider the following matters:
Meet with them on their first day.
Introduce them to other staff and perhaps take them to lunch.
Show them around the organisation and facilities.
Review internal policies and procedures, including occupational health and safety procedures.Ensure that other staff are available to answer any questions.
Establish any training requirements to enable them to do the job effectively.
Provide them with a list of key people to contact in the community.
Volunteers
Sometimes the level of project funding means it is necessary to recruit and train volunteers. This process is very similar to the process for paid staff, although it is less formal. It is often done by word of mouth by identifying the source of volunteers, then making individual approaches. A formal application, screening and interview are also appropriate. Volunteers, like paid staff, will need:
A clear description of the work, reporting requirements and any specific tasks they are required to undertake.
Orientation to the agency and provision of additional training.
Organisations go to a great deal of effort to recruit volunteers, but retaining and rewarding them are also important management tasks. Consider:
Implementing a program for management, training and supervision of volunteers.
Supporting volunteers through supervision.
Involving volunteers in decision-making.
Ways to evaluate their performance.
Ways to reward and recognise their contributions.
Ongoing Financial Viability
When you are applying for short-term funding you will need to be thinking early on and prepare for what will happen when the funding is over. Ongoing financial viability is about whether the actual operation of the project or the next stage might continue with either similar or different activities, target groups and locations, and also whether the project outcomes can have a longer-term impact beyond the funded period.
Ongoing pro ject funding can be an im po rtant part of sustainability. No matter how worthy the cause, and how successful the project is, funds don't automatically come to the organisation. While fundraising and seeking assistance from various corporations are major activities for ongoing financial sustainability, it demands a strategic approach.
Consider the following strategies identified by some Strategy projects:
Maintain the engagement and support for the project across a range of community stakeholder.
Start planning for evaluation of the project at the very beginning, as there is difficulty accessing appropriate evaluation means for community development projects that allow for the capture of the changes that are occurring over time.
Plan for management of legal responsibilities from the outset - be aware of the expense involved, finding the right people, and all of the legal responsibilities that may affect the project, e.g. public liability, event risk management issues, etc.
Take into account where your project is located geographically. This will affect the amount of funding required, e.g. projects in remote locations may need to rely heavily on vehicles to carry out their work effectively. Lack of funds for vehicle replacement/upkeep can be a pitfall.
Consider the following tips for effective fundraising:
Develop a fundraising strategy or revisit the existing strategy for your organisation.
Appoint a specialist staff member who can take responsibility for fund raising (this could be a part-time or voluntary position) or consider hiring a consultant to advise on these issues.
Update your mission statements so that all staff and board have a clear idea of what you do. In this way every person in the organisation is turned into a fundraiser.
Assess the world outside your organisation. Determine what stakeholders think of your organisation and why it is worth supporting. This information can be passed on to potential funders.
Assess the world inside your agency, including the strengths and weaknesses. Give consideration to how weaknesses can be transformed into strengths. Most Board members are connected to their community. How can you use these connections to raise funds?
Review your programs so that you know which ones are working well and are clearly identifiable with the organisation. Make sure that you have evidence of how these programs have changed the lives of individuals and the community (use the outcomes measures, before and after stories, photographs, feedback and communityviews)
Make your organisation more visible in the community. Ensure that you have some early achievements that can provide a platform for communicating about the project. This visibility is a key ingredient in raising funds (use the media, have human interest stories, be available for comment).
You should speak to your FaCS project manager about how to make yo ur project mo re visible, promotional opportunities and the specific requirements that are included in your funding agreement, including how you should acknowledge the funding source and use the logo.
Strategy funded project Broken Hill Community Inc. (BHCI) is a good example of how to seekto achieve financial sustainability.lts continuation depends on diversification of funding. It has obtained grant funding from several different sources such as FaCS, other Commonwealth and State departments, and local government. Other funding sources include:
service groups (e.g. Rotary);
local businesses;
income from leasing space to other organisations (e.g. DECS);
fund raising events;
income generation (e.g. sale of produce from community garden);
in-kind donations, which have been considerable (including substantial volunteer hours).
BHCI has also worked to achieve 'structural/organisational sustainability' by establishing Sustainability Reference Group. This is a separate incorporated body, which provides it with the independence and freedom to determine its own future. Incorporation includes a membership structure - all members of groups who use the BHCI facility are required to become members of BHCI (fee is only $2.20). This strengthens the organisation's membership base, as well as assisting with issues such as insurance coverage for those using the building.
'Strategic sustainability' is also an aim of BHCI, which has been strengthening its position in the community, thus helping to ensure the community's investment in its continuation. It has developed a rich network of links with other community organisations, from grass roots groups through to local businesses, all levels of government and local media. The Centre has developed an increasing visibility and presence in the community, and is now sought as a venue and a resource. Strategically, BHCI also has developed a long-term plan that helps map out a way for the Centre to continue.
Raising a public profile: working with the media
Speak to your FaCS Project Officer whenever you plan to raise a public profile or work with the media.
Raising a public profile means letting everyone know that you exist and that you are the best thing to happen to the community in a long time! Make sure that your project has 'runs on the board' including early successes that will provide a practical focus to foster a sense of confidence and community pride in the project. Selling the achievements and benefits of your project for the community will be much easier if you have the media onside.
Planned events and activities to raise the project profile will be built into the project budget. The budget you have needs to be realistic, especially if you are funded for a short-term project. You should speak to your FaCS project manager about your plans, how you should acknowledge the funding source and whether it would be a good idea to involve officials from the funding source in special events and activities.
Wh ile cultivating the media's ability to advance your cause, always respect their right to perform their function. By the sheer weight of argument and factual information, the media can often be persuaded to air or support a cause. The possibility of a project or event that can provide substantial community benefit or the need to counter an activity that harms the community is often sufficient to ensure the local media comes 'on side'. (
It pays to have a pre-launch local public profiie before contacting the media so that they may be aware of you when you approach them. This profile can be created by making the project visible via simple steps such as putting posters announcing the project's launch date and place in shopping centres, schools, hotels, cafes, sports clubs, libraries, banks, local council chambers, community centres, churches, bus and train stations, on cars and any other places where they are visible to large numbers of people. It is also a good idea to have professional looking 'business' cards printed and distributed as widely as possible. Having begun to create a profile, you are now ready to work with the media to enhance this and get the message out to the public in general, not just the local community.
Working with the media is very time consuming and can be expensive, therefore it is a good idea to think about cost-effective options or whether you need to appoint someone as a media/publicity officer (may be a voluntary or part-time position) to work in consultation with the organising committee to:
Post information on the organisation's website and keep this up-to-date.
Research which media outlets would be the best place to begin publicising the project - target audiences who are most likely to take an interest in, and support the project.
Seek out the most appropriate media contacts for different media types (print, radio, television, www).
Start with local media (e.g. local papers, newsletters, community radio stations, local television programs, community information websites) and gradually broaden the scope (e.g. state and national papers, magazines, radio, television and associations whose focus is specific to the project). Local media publicity is cost effective (often free, e.g. via community noticeboard segments and radio interviews, or photos and stories in local papers) and targets the population in the project's immediate vicinity. Wider media outlets often pick up on stories fromlocal media - this means they might come to you, or will know who you are and what you are talking about when you contact them
Create 'media packs'. These could consist of a calico shopping bag with the project's logo, motto and contact details, containing novelty items also with the project's logo and contact details (e.g. key rings, pens, mouse mats), posters and information leaflets detailing the project's major aims and why the project is important etc.
Invite all media, in particular television, to the project launch and all other events - show them around, make sure they have plenty to eat and drink - in general treat them like VIPs!
Ensure all media receive a media pack.
Speak with the media contacts to find out the format in which they prefer to receive information (e.g. photos, newsletters, fliers, media releases via face-toface delivery, fax, email, web pages etc.) and how much information they require (i.e. how much space or time they are willing to give to promoting your project). Ensure you inform them of your website if you have one-they may go there for more information
Ring all media outlets to inform them well ahead of time of fundraising events etc., and then send the information.
Always attend interviews arranged with media contacts, and be available at all times for phone interviews (budget for the media officer's mobile phone, use of a car and printing costs in your funding application or organise these as in-kind project sponsorship with a phone supplier and printer)
After faxing or emailing information, always ring the person to make sure they have received it.
Always deal personally with the contact, never just send information to 'education', or 'sport', or 'community news' or 'info@ .. .'etc.
Focus on the 'unusual' - what is different about your project? What has happened that is a bit odd? Media love the 'different' (e.g. unusual fund raising events).
Invite media personalities to MC or participate in fund raising events with other high profile guests (e.g. politicians) - you may be surprised how willing they are if the event fits in with their schedule - and make sure you take photos or video footage.
Constantly send short media updates about project news or events, and keep in touch personally with your media contacts - never give up if much of the publicity generated never goes to press or is never aired on radio or television.
Link with other organisations in the community to gain more media clout.
One Strategy projectthat has used the media to enhance its profile is the Collingwood Community Information and Drop-in Centre Project. This project worked from the beginning to develop a profile in its target community - the housing estate. Notices describing the initiation of the Project and soliciting participants were distributed around the estate to generate interest and awareness. They have sustained their profile development by:
having information booths and stalls at community festivals;
encouraging word of mouth;
using community radio to cover events;
getting media coverage in the local paper, the estate newsletter, the local government newsletter;
having high-profiie graduations for volunteers who complete their certificate training, with up to 60 service providers coming as guests at a well-known venue (the Collingwood Football Club), with a high-profiie person (e.g. the Mayor) presenting the certificates;
celebrating the first anniversary of the Centre by having a play written and performed about a 'day in the life' of the Centre;
maintaining a high level of accessibility for the community, e.g. keeping open during holiday periods.
The effort that has been put into pro file development has reaped noticeable benefits in:
greater recognition in the community;
increased attendance at functions and use of programs;
growing credibility;
expansion of partnership networks;
more possibilities of attracting funding and support;
greater investment by others to keep the project going;
a multiplier effect whereby one level of public interest can lead to a higher level.
Checklist
Make sure you understand the contents and terms of the funding agreement. | eng | dd43289d-c9f0-4c12-a3d6-f7aa369e2ad4 | http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/publications-articles/older-evaluation-products/good-practices-and-pitfalls-in-community-based-capacity-building-and-early-intervention-projects-a-toolkit?HTML |
,... US6222403 - Slew rate output circuit with an improved driving capability of driving an output MOS field effect transistor
Slew rate output circuit with an improved driving capability of driving an output MOS field effect transistor US 6222403 B1
Résumé
, in an initial time period after a change in level of the input signal, the average slew rate is higher than that in a subsequent time period.
Dessins(12)
Revendications
What is claimed is:
1.
2 high speed charge-discharge first time period, both said first and second drivers are operated, and in said second time period, only said first driver is operated.
3. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first driver comprises a first resistance connected in series between an input terminal to which said input signal is applied and said gate of said output field effect transistor, and said second driver comprises a first series connection of a first field effect transistor and a second resistance between a high voltage line and said gate electrode of said output field effect transistor and a second series connection of a second field effect transistor and a third resistance between a low voltage and said gate electrode of said output field effect transistor, and said control circuitry controls said first and second field effect transistors so that said first field effect transistor is activated for turning said output field effect transistor OFF whilst said second field effect transistor is activated for turning said output field effect transistor ON.
4. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 35. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 46. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and second drivers comprise first and second constant current sources respectively and said control circuitry comprises a first field effect transistor connected in series between said first constant current source and said gate of said output field effect transistor7. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first and second constant current sources form a current mirror circuit.
8. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 6, wherein control to said second field effect transistor is made by detecting a first current value corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of a drain current of said output field effect transistor for turning said output field effect transistor ON, and detecting a second current value corresponding to 90-99 percents of said amplification of said drain current of said output field effect transistor for turning said output field effect transistor OFF.
9. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second field effect transistor has a gate connected to an output side of a comparator having a first input connected to said gate of said output field effect transistor for receiving a gate voltage of said output field effect transistor and a second input for receiving a reference voltage so as to perform a comparison of said gate voltage with said reference voltage so that said second field effect transistor is controlled by a comparison signal from said comparator.
10. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 9, wherein control to said second field effect transistor is made by detecting a small current proportional to a drain current of said output field effect transistor and comparison of a voltage proportional to said small current and said reference voltage, and also comparison of said small current and a reference current.
11. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 9, wherein said reference voltage is set to be a gate voltage level necessary for flowing a drain current corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of said drain current of said output field effect transistor for turning said output field effect transistor ON, and to be a gate voltage level necessary for flowing a drain current corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of said drain current of said output field effect transistor for turning said output field effect transistor OFF.
12. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching device comprises a single output field effect transistor having a drain connected through a load to a power voltage line and a source connected to a ground line.
13. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching device comprises a complementarychannel MOS field effect transistors.
14.
15 first time period, both said first and second drivers are operated, and in said second time period, only said first driver is operated.
16. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first driver comprises a first resistance connected in series between said switching device and an input terminal to which said input signal is applied, and said second driver comprises a first series connection of a first field effect transistor and a second resistance between a high voltage line and said switching device and a second series connection of a second field effect transistor and a third resistance between a low voltage and said switching device, and said control circuitry controls said first and second field effect transistors so that said first field effect transistor is activated for turning said switching device OFF whilst said second field effect transistor is activated for turning said switching device ON.
17. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 1618. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 1719. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first and second drivers comprise first and second constant current sources respectively and said control circuitry comprises a first field effect transistor connected in series between said first constant current source and said switching device20. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 19, wherein said first and second constant current sources form a current mirror circuit.
21. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 19, wherein control to said second field effect transistor is made by detecting a first current value corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of a switching current of said switching device for turning said switching device ON, and detecting a second current value corresponding to 90-99 percents of said amplification of said switching current of said switching device for turning said switching device OFF.
22. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second field effect transistor has a gate connected to an output side of a comparator having a first input connected to said switching device for receiving a switching voltage of said switching device and a second input for receiving a reference voltage so as to perform a comparison of said switching voltage with said reference voltage so that said second field effect transistor is controlled by a comparison signal from said comparator.
23. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 22, wherein control to said second field effect transistor is made by detecting a small current proportional to a switching current of said switching device and comparison of a voltage proportional to said small current and said reference voltage, and also comparison of said small current and a reference current.
24. The slew rate output circuit as claimed in claim 22, wherein said reference voltage is set to be a switching voltage level necessary for flowing a switching current corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of said switching current of said switching device for turning said switching device ON, and to be a switching voltage level necessary for flowing a switching current corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of said switching current of said switching device for turning said switching device OFF.
25 single output field effect transistor having a drain connected through a load to a power voltage line and a source connected to a ground line.
26 complementarychannel MOS field effect transistors.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slew rate output circuit, and more particularly to a slew rate output circuit with an improved driving capability of driving an output MOS field effect transistor in a semiconductor integrated circuit.
In some fields of applications of the semiconductor integrated circuits, the slew rate function may be required. This slew rate function is to prevent rapid ON/OFF switching operations of the output transistor upon variation in voltage level of an input pulse signal, so as to reduce a variation speed of the waveform of the output signal. This slew rate function is capable of preventing appearance of noises on power lines or ground lines of MOS field effect transistor integrated circuits. This slew rate function is also capable of preventing appearances of overshoot and undershoot of the waveforms of the output signals. This slow rate function is also capable of causing drop of a flyback voltage of an inductance load line Vdd and a drain electrode connected to a ground line as well as has a gate electrode which is controlled by two constant currents IrH, IrL. A Circuit configuration of this conventional open drain type slew rate output circuit for driving an output MOS field effect transistor is as follows.
An output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is provided to be connected in series between a first power voltage line providing a first power voltage Vdd and a ground line providing a ground potential, wherein a source electrode connected through a load RL to the first power voltage line Vdd whilst a drain electrode connected to the ground line. The source electrode of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is connected to an output terminal, so that a voltage of the source is an output voltage Vout and a current through the load RL is an output current Iout. A series connection of p-channel and n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q1 and Q2 is provided to be connected in series between a second power voltage line providing a second power voltage Vcc and the ground line providing the ground potential, wherein the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 is connected through a first constant current source CS1 supplying a first constant current IrH to the second power voltage line providing the second power voltage Vcc, whilst the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 is connected through a second constant current source CS2 supplying a second constant current IrL to the ground line providing the ground potential. An intermediate point between the p-channel and n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q1 and Q2 is connected to a gate of the above output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. A gate of the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 is connected to an output side of a first invertor I1 which has an input side receiving an input pulse signal Vin so that the input pulse signal Vin is inverted by the first invertor I1 to be entered into the gate of the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1, whilst a gate of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 is connected to an output side of a second invertor I2 which has an input side receiving the above input pulse signal vin so that the input pulse signal Vin is inverted by the second invertor I2 to be entered into the gate of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2.
Operations of the above conventional open drain type slew rate output circuit for driving the output MOS field effect transistor will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrative of waveforms of the conventional open drain type slew rate output circuit of FIG. 1
When the input pulse signal Vin is changed from a low level to a high level, the high level input pulse signal Vin is inverted by the first and second invertors I1 and I2 and made into the low level gate input signals to be entered into the gates of the p-channel and n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q1 and Q2, so that the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 turns ON, whilst the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 turns OFF, whereby the first constant current IrH is supplied through the first constant current source CS1 to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. As a result, an input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is charged so that a gate voltage level of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is gradually risen to the high level until the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is charged up thereby to render the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 turn ON, whereby the load RL is made conductive to the ground line and the output voltage level Vout is dropped toward the ground level. In FIG. 2, Vgate means the gate voltage level of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0.
When the input pulse signal Vin is changed from the high level to the low level, the low level input pulse signal Vin is inverted by the first and second investors I1 and I2 and made into the high level gate input signals to be entered into the gates of the p-channel and n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q1 and Q2, so that the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 turns OFF, whilst the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 turns ON, whereby the second constant current IrL is supplied through the second constant current source CS2 to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. As a result, the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is discharged so that a gate voltage level of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is gradually fallen to the low level until the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is discharged down thereby to render the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 turn OFF, whereby the load RL is made non-conductive to the ground line and the output voltage level Vout is risen toward the high level.
A falling time of the output voltage level Vout of the slew rate output circuit depends upon a rising time of the gate voltage of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. This rising time of the gate voltage of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 further depends upon both the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and the first constant current IrH supplied through the first constant current source CS1. Therefore, the falling time of the output voltage level Vout of the slew rate output circuit or a turn-ON time depends upon both the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and the first constant current IrH supplied through the first constant current source CS1. This means that the falling time of the output voltage level Vout of the slew rate output circuit or the turn-ON time is controllable by controlling both the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and the first constant current IrH supplied through the first constant current source CS1.
A rising time of the output voltage level Vout of the slew rate output circuit depends upon a falling time of the gate voltage of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. This falling time of the gate voltage of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 further depends upon both the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and the second constant current IrL supplied through the second constant current source CS2. Therefore, the rising time of the output voltage level Vout of the slew rate output circuit or a turn-OFF time depends upon both the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and the second constant current IrL supplied through the second constant current source CS2. This means that the rising time of the output voltage level Vout of the slew rate output circuit or the turn-OFF time is controllable by controlling both the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and the second constant current IrL supplied through the second constant current source CS2.
Since the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 provides influences to both the turn-OFF time and turn-ON time of the slew rate output circuit, the turn-ON time of the slew rate output circuit is controllable by controlling the first constant current IrH supplied through the first constant current source CS1, whilst the turn-OFF time of the slew rate output circuit is controllable by controlling the second constant current IrL supplied through the second constant current source CS2, thereby realizing the slew rate function of the conventional slew rate output circuit.
The above conventional slew rate output circuit is, however, engaged with the following problems. The waveform of the output voltage of the conventional slew rate output circuit or the turn-ON time and the turn-OFF time are controlled by the first and second constant currents IrH and IrL supplied through the first and second constant current sources CS1 and CS2 respectively, for which reason the increase in the falling time of the output voltage Vout of the conventional slew rate output circuit necessarily causes an increase in delay time of the turn-ON, whilst the increase in the rising time of the output voltage Vout of the conventional slew rate output circuit necessarily causes an increase in delay time of the turn-OFF time. Those are caused by the facts that if long charge and discharge times of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 are set by the first and second constant currents IrH and IrL supplied through the first and second constant current sources CS1 and CS2 respectively, this means that long times are necessary for rendering the gate voltage Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 reach turn-ON and turn-OFF threshold voltages thereof.
The definitions of the delay times in the turn-ON and the turnOFF as well as the slew rate will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The delay time in the turn-ON is defined to be a time tPDr necessary for rendering the output voltage Vout fall down to 90% of the high level from a point of time when the input pulse signal Vin has been changed from the low level to the high level. The delay time in the turn-OFF is defined to be a time tPDf necessary for rendering the output voltage Vout rise up to 10% of the high level from a point of time when the input pulse signal Vin has been changed from the high level to the low level. The slew rate is defined by gradients in rising up and falling down of the waveforms and given by the following formula.
SR={Vout(90%)−Vout(10%)}/{T(90%)−T(10%)}
where Vout(10%) is 10% level of the high voltage level, Vout(90%) is 90% level of the high voltage level, T(10%) is a point of time when the output voltage level Vout reaches 10% level of the high voltage level, and T(90%) is a point of time when the output voltage level Vout reaches 90% level of the high voltage level.
Whereas the definitions of the delay times in the turn-ON and the turn-OFF as well as the slew rate may alternatively be made on the basis of the output current Iout, in this application, the definitions are made as described above.
In the above circumstances, it had been required to develop a novel slew rate output circuit free from the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel slew rate output circuit free from the above problems.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel slew rate output circuit which is capable of controlling constant currents for charging or discharging an input capacitance of an output transistor so as to shorten a delay time of an output waveform of a slew rate function.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel slew rate output circuit which is capable of generating an output waveform free from any influence due to noises appearing in switching values of constant currents for charging or discharging an input capacitance of an output transistor.
The present invention provides a slew rate output circuit comprising: linc Vdd and a drain electrode connected to a ground line as well as ha a gate electrode which is controlled by two constant currents IrH, IrL.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrative of waveforms of the conventional open drain type slew rate output circuit of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a first novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit in a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
FIG of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a second novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit in a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
FIG of the second novel slew rate circuit of FIG. 5
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrative of a drain current ID of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 over a drain voltage VDS of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a third novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit in a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a fourth novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit in a fourth embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a fifth novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit in a fifth embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The first aspect of the present invention provides a slew rate output circuit that includes a switching device having at least an output field effect transistor and an output terminal; a driver circuitry connected to a gate of the output field effect transistor for driving the output field effect transistor; and a control circuitry connected to the driver circuitry for controlling a driving capability of the driver circuitry in accordance with an input signal so that, in a high speed charge-discharge high speed charge-discharge time period, both the first and second drivers are operated, and in the remaining time period, only the first driver is operated.
It is also preferable that the first driver comprises a first resistance connected in series between an input terminal to which the input signal is applied and the gate of the output field effect transistor, and the second driver comprises a first series connection of a first field effect transistor and a second resistance between a high voltage line and the gate electrode of the output field effect transistor and a second series connection of a second field effect transistor and a third resistance between a low voltage and the gate electrode of the output field effect transistor, and the control circuitry controls the first and second field effect transistors so that the first field effect transistor is activated for turning the output field effect transistor OFF whilst the second field effect transistor is activated for turning the output field effect transistor ON.
It is further furthermore also preferable that the first and second drivers comprise first and second constant current sources respectively and the control circuitry comprises a first field effect transistor connected in series between the first constant current source and the gate of the output field effect transistor further preferable that the first and second constant current sources form a current mirror circuit.
It is furthermore preferable that control of the second field effect transistor is made by detecting a first current value corresponding to 1-10 percent of an amplification of a drain current of the output field effect transistor for turning the output field effect transistor ON, and detecting a second current value corresponding to 90-99 percent of the amplification of the drain current of the output field effect transistor for turning the output field effect transistor OFF.
It is furthermore preferable that the second field effect transistor has a gate connected to an output side of a comparator having a first input connected to the gate of the output field effect transistor for receiving a gate voltage of the output field effect transistor and a second input for receiving a reference voltage so as to perform a comparison of the gate voltage with the reference voltage so that the second field effect transistor is controlled by a comparison signal from the comparator.
It is moreover preferable that control of the second field effect transistor is made by detecting a small current proportional to a drain current of the output field effect transistor and comparison of a voltage proportional to the small current and the reference voltage, and also comparison of the small current and a reference current.
It is still more preferable that the reference voltage is set to be a gate voltage level necessary for flowing a drain current corresponding to 1-10 percent of an amplification of the drain current of the output field effect transistor for turning the output field effect transistor ON, and to be a gate voltage level necessary for flowing a drain current corresponding to 1-10 percent of an amplification of the drain current of the output field effect transistor for turning the output field effect transistorThe second aspect of the present invention provides a slew rate output circuit having predetermined time period, both the first and second drivers are operated, and in the remaining time period, only the first driver is operated.
It is further preferable that the first driver comprises a first resistance connected in series between the switching device and an input terminal to which the input signal is applied, and the second driver comprises a first series connection of a first field effect transistor and a second resistance between a high voltage line and the switching device and a second series connection of a second field effect transistor and a third resistance between a low voltage and the switching device, and the control circuitry controls the first and second field effect transistors so that the first field effect transistor is activated for turning the switching device OFF whilst the second field effect transistor is activated for turning the switching device ON.
It is furthermore moreover still more preferable that the first and second drivers comprise first and second constant current sources respectively and the control circuitry comprises a first field effect transistor connected in series between the first constant current source and the switching device moreover preferable that the first and second constant current sources form a current mirror circuit.
It is also preferable that control to the second field effect transistor is made by detecting a first current value corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of a switching current of the switching device for turning the switching device ON, and detecting a second current value corresponding to 90-99 percents of the amplification of the switching current of the switching device for turning the switching device OFF.
It is also preferable that the second field effect transistor has a gate connected to an output side of a comparator having a first input connected to the switching device for receiving a switching voltage of the switching device and a second input for receiving a reference voltage so as to perform a comparison of the switching voltage with the reference voltage so that the second field effect transistor is controlled by a comparison signal from the comparator.
It is further preferable that control to the second field effect transistor is made by detecting a small current proportional to a switching current of the switching device and comparison of a voltage proportional to the small current and the reference voltage, and also comparison of the small current and a reference current.
It is also preferable that the reference voltage is set to be a switching voltage level necessary for flowing a switching current corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of the switching current of the switching device for turning the switching device ON, and to be a switching voltage level necessary for flowing a switching current corresponding to 1-10 percents of an amplification of the switching current of the switching device for turning the switching deviceA first embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a first novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit. The first first resistance R0 connected in series between a gate of the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0 and an input terminal to which an input pulse signal Vin is applied. The second driver circuit comprises a first series connection of a first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 and a second resistance R1 between a second power voltage line Vcc and the gate of the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0, and a second series connection of a second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 and a third resistance R2 between the ground line and the gate of the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0. The first and second control circuits do control the first p-channel and second n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q1 and Q2 respectively so that the first p-channel field effect transistor Q1 is activated or turns ON for turning the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0 OFF whilst the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 is activated or turns ON for turning the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0 ON. The first control circuit is connected between the input terminal and a gate of the first p-channel field effect transistor Q1 for controlling ON-OFF operations of the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1. The second control circuit is connected between the input terminal and a gate of the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 for controlling ON-OFF operations of the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2. The first control circuit comprises a first delay circuit D1 having an input side connected to the input terminal and a NAND-gate G1 having input sides connected to the input terminal and connected to an output side of the first delay circuit D1 for performing a NAND-operation of the input signal and a first delay signal from the first delay circuit D1. The second control circuit comprises a second delay circuit D2 having an input side connected to the input terminal and a NOR-gate G2 having input sides connected to the input terminal and connected to an output side of the second delay circuit for performing a NOR-operation of the input signal and a second delay signal from the second delay circuit D2.
The above first novel slew rate output circuit allows that the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0 amplifies and inverts the input pulse signal Vin for subsequent supplying the same to the load RL, wherein the transition in level of the input pulse signal Vin is detected so that in the predetermined time period from the transition in level of the input pulse signal Vin, both the first driver circuit and the second driver circuit are operated to drive the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0, wherein not only the first resistance R0 bit also either the second or third resistance R1 or R2 arc used to drive the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0. In the remaining time period, only the first driver circuit is operated to drive the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0.
In operation of turning the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0 ON, the first delay circuit D1 delays the input pulse signal Vin by a predetermined time period to generate a first delay signal which is to be inputted into one input terminal of the NAND gate G1. The NAND gate G1 receives both the first delay signal from the first delay circuit D1 and the input pulse signal Vin for performing the NAND operations of those signals to generate a first logic output signal Va which is inputted into the gate of the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1.
In operation of turning the n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0 OFF, the second delay circuit D2 delays the input pulse signal Vin by a predetermined time period to generate a second delay signal which is to be inputted into one input terminal of the NOR gate G2. The NOR gate G2 receives both the second delay signal from the second delay circuit D2 and the input pulse signal Vin for performing the NOR operations of those signals to generate a second logic output signal Vb which is inputted into the gate of the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2.
The following descriptions will highlight operations of the above novel first slow rate output circuit. FIG.
During when the input pulse signal Vin is in the low level, the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is in the OFF state, whereby no current flows the load RL and the output voltage Vout is defined by the first power voltage Vdd of the first power voltage line. Meanwhile, the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 and the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 are also in the OFF state for the following reasons.
When a transition in voltage level from the low level to the high level appears on the input pulse signal Vin, the first delay circuit D1 and the NAND-gate G1 controls the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 so that the gate voltage Va of the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 becomes low level but only in a first predetermined time period "T1" from the transition in voltage level from the low level to the high level of the input pulse signal Vin as illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the a first predetermined time period "T1" corresponds to a first delay time of the first delay circuit D1. Therefore, the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 having the source connected to the second power voltage line Vcc turns ON but only in the first predetermined time period "T1", thereby driving the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 through the second resistance R1. As a result, only in the first predetermined time period "T1", the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by not only the input pulse signal Vin having transmitted through the first resistance R0 but also the drain voltage of the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 having supplied through the second resistance R1 predetermined time period "T1", however, the gate voltage of the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 becomes high level, whereby the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q1 turns OFF and no current flow through the second resistance R1When the transition in level of the input pulse signal Vin from the high level to the low level appears, the second delay circuit D2 and the NOR-gate G2 controls the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 so that the gate voltage Vb of the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 becomes low level but only in a second predetermined time period "T2" from the transition in voltage level from the low level to the high level of the input pulse signal Vin as illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the a second predetermined time period "T2" corresponds to a second delay time of the second delay circuit D2. Therefore, the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 having the source connected to the ground line turns ON but only in the second predetermined time period "T2", thereby driving the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 through the third resistance R2. As a result, only in the second predetermined time period "T2", the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by not only the input pulse signal Vin having transmitted through the first resistance R0 but also the drain voltage of the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 having supplied through the third resistance R2 second predetermined time period "T2", however, the gate voltage of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 becomes low level, whereby the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q2 turns OFF and no current flow through the third resistance R2If, differently from the present invention, the input capacitance on the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by a low impedance driver in order to shorten the delay time, then the following problems will appear. An abrupt change in gate voltage level of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is likely to generate noises. If variations in driving capability and voltage level of the low impedance driver appear, a large variation in output voltage level of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is caused by switching the driver, whereby the output voltage waveform may discontinuously be varied.
By contrast, in accordance with the present invention, the input capacitance on the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by a high impedance driver, for example, the first, second and third resistances R0, R1 and R2 in order to shorten the delay time. A gentle change in gate voltage level of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is unlikely to generate noises. If variations in driving capability and voltage level of the high impedance driver appear, a small variation in output voltage level of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is caused by switching the driver, whereby the discontinuity of the output voltage waveform may second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a second novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit. The second second first input connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and a second first input connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0
In accordance with the above second novel slew rate output circuit, the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by the contact currents, wherein the switching to the driving capability to the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is made by monitoring the gate voltage level of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. FIG. The first comparator CP1 compares the gate voltage Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 with the first reference voltage Vr1, so that if the gate voltage Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is lower than the first reference voltage Vr1, then the first comparison signal as the high threshold voltage signal Vsh becomes low level, whereby the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 turns ON. If the gate voltage Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is higher than the first reference voltage Vr1, then the first comparison signal as the high threshold voltage signal Vsh becomes high level, whereby tie third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 turns OFF. The second comparator CP2 compares the gate voltage Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 with the second reference voltage Vr2, so that if the gate voltage Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is lower than the second reference voltage Vr2, then the second comparison signal as the low threshold voltage signal Vs1 becomes low level, whereby the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 turns OFF. If the gate voltage Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is higher than the second reference voltage Vr2, then the second comparison signal as the low threshold voltage signal Vs1 becomes high level, whereby the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 turns ON. If the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 is in the ON-state and the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10 is in the OFF-state, then the third constant current through the third constant current source CS11 does not flow through the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10 to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. If the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 is in the ON-state and the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20 is in the OFF-state, then the fourth constant current through the fourth constant current source CS21 does not flow through the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20 to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0.
When the transition of the input pulse signal Vin from the low level to the high level appears, the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10 turns ON. The third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 has already remained in the ON-state. The so that the gate voltage level Vgate becomes higher than the first reference voltage level Vr1. The first comparison signal as the high threshold voltage signal Vsh from the first comparator CP1 becomes high level, whereby the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 turns OFF whilst the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10 still remains ON-state. As a result, the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by only the first constant current through the first constant current source CS10 and the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10.
When the transition of the input pulse signal Vin from the high level to the low level appears, the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20 turns ON. The fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 has already remained in the ON-state gate voltage level Vgate becomes lower than the second reference voltage level Vr2. The second comparison signal as the low threshold voltage signal Vs1 from the second comparator CP2 becomes low level, whereby the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 turns OFF whilst the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20 still remains ON-state. As a result, the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by only the second constant current through the second constant current source CS20 and the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20.
The above second novel slew rate output circuit is capable of shortening the delay times and relaxing the rising time and falling time. The delay time for turning the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 OFF corresponds to a time period tPDr defined until a time point when the output voltage Vout drops down to 90% level of the high level from the input pulse signal Vin is switched from the low level to the high level. The delay time for turning the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 ON corresponds to a time period tPDf defined until a time point when the output voltage Vout rises up to 10% level of the high level from the input pulse signal Vin is switched from the high level to the low level If a current Iout flowing through the load RL in turning the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 ON is defined to be Im (100%), then the reference voltage Vr1 is given by Im×X. If "X" becomes small, then the delay time becomes long. If "X" becomes large, then a variation of the output current of the output third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11, it is required that "X" is in the range of 1-10%, preferably 1-5%.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrative of a drain current ID of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 over a drain voltage Vds. If the gate voltage Vgs of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is decided or fixed, then a point on the load curve is also decided, whereby the drain voltage Vds and the drain current ID are founded. Even if the gate voltage Vgs becomes not less than 2.5V, then also no variation Appears on the output current. Assuming that the power voltage level Vcc is 5V, a variation of the gate voltage level Vgate from 5V to 2.5V causes almost no variation of the output current Iout, whereby the delay time becomes long. If, under the gate voltage level Vgs of not higher than 2.5V, the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 turn ON or OFF, then a large variation appears on the output current of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. Namely, if "y" becomes large, then the delay time becomes long. If "y" becomes small, then the variation in output current of the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21, it is required that "y" is in the range of 90-99%, preferably 95-99%.
It is preferable that the first and second reference voltage levels Vr1 and Vr2 are supplied by first and second reference voltage generator circuits to set accurate reference voltage levels.
With reference to the gate voltage level Vgate of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0, the timings of switching the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 and the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 are decided so that variation in delay time is well suppressed.
In accordance with the present invention, during the predetermined time period after the transition in voltage level of the input pule signal has appeared, the driving capability of the output third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a third novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit. The third third fifth p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q12 and a first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10 between a second power voltage line Vcc and a gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 as well as a sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q22 and a second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20 between the ground line and the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The second driver circuit comprises a third series connection of a seventh p-channel MOS field effect transistor 013 an eighth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q23, fourth n-channel, fifth p-channel, sixth n-channel, seventh p-channel and eighth n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q10, Q20, Q11, Q21, Q12, Q22, 013, and Q23. The first control circuit comprises first and second subordinate first control circuits. The first subordinate first control circuit is connected between the input terminal and gates of the first p-channel and second n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q10 and 020 for controlling ON-OFF operations of the first p-channel and second n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q10 and Q20 The second subordinate first control circuit is connected between the second power voltage line Vcc and the ground line as well as connected to gates of the fifth p-channel and sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q12 and Q22 subordinate The second subordinate first control circuit comprises a third series connection of a seventh p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q14, a first resistance R3, a ninth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q25, and an n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q24 between the second power voltage line Vcc and the ground line. The seventh p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q14 has a gate connected to the gates of the fifth and seventh p-channel MOS field effect transistors Q12 and Q13. The seventh p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q14 also has a drain connected to the gate thereof and also connected to the first resistance R3. The seventh p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q14 also has a source connected to the second power voltage line Vcc. The first resistance R3 is connected between the drain of the seventh p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q14 and the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The ninth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q25 has a gate connected to a drain thereof and also connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The ninth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q25 has a source connected to a drain of the eighth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q24. The eighth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q24 has a gate connected to the drain thereof and also connected to the source of the ninth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q25 as well as connected to gates of the sixth and eighth n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q22 and Q23. The eighth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q24 also has a source connected to the ground line. The second control circuit comprises a first comparator CP1 having a positive input connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and a negative input connected to a reference voltage generator circuit eighth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q24 and a negative input connected to the reference voltage generator circuit The reference voltage generator circuit comprises a fourth series connection of a second resistance R4 and a tenth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26. The second resistance R4 is connected between the second power voltage line Vcc and the individual negative inputs of the first and second comparators CP1 and CP2. The tenth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 has a gate connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The tenth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 also has a source connected to the second resistance R4. The tenth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 also has a drain connected to the drain of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and also connected to the ground line. An intermediate point between the source of the tenth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 and the second resistance R4 is connected to the individual negative inputs of the first and second comparators CP1 and CP2 for supplying the reference voltage to the individual negative inputs of the first and second comparators CP1 and CP2.
As described above, the third novel slew rate output circuit has an n-channel output MOS field effect transistor Q0 connected in series between a ground line and an output terminal on which an output signal Vout appears. The timing of switching the driving current of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is decided by detecting a current proportional to a current flowing through the load RL. In place of the four constant current sources CS10, CS20, CS11 and CS21 of the second novel slew rate output circuit, the four constant current sources of this third novel slew rate output circuit comprise MOS field effect transistors Q12, Q22. Q13 and Q23 respectively The first and second reference voltage levels Vr1 and Vr2 for the first and second comparators CP1 and CP2 of the third novel slew rate output circuit are decided by utilizing the threshold voltage of the MOS field effect transistor.
Namely, a series connection of a resistance R4 and an n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 is connected between the second power voltage line Vcc and the ground line so that the resistance R4 and the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 are parallel to the load RL and the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 has a gate connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 so that the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 and the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 are concurrently driven. The n-channel MOS field effect transistor 026 also has a drain connected to the drain of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 also has a similar figure to the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0, wherein a ratio in channel width of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 to the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 is A:1. A small current Iout/A proportional to the output current Iout flows through the resistance R4. A voltage VSO of the connecting point between the resistance R4 and the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 is given by VSO=Vcc−Iout/A×R4. This connecting point is connected to the individual negative inputs of the first and second comparators CP1 and CP2 so as to form a equivalent circuitry to what the gate voltage Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is connected to the individual positive inputs of the first and second comparators as shown in FIG.5.
The p-channel MOS field effect transistors Q12, Q13 and Q14 forms a current mirror circuit as a constant current circuit. The n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q22, Q23 and Q24 forms another current mirror circuit as a constant current circuit. If the gate-drain voltages of the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q14 and the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q24 and Q25 are defined to be Vtp and Vtn, a reference current Iconst flowing through the resistance R3 is given by Iconst=(Vcc−Vtp−2Vtn)/R3. If the p-channel MOS field effect transistors Q12, Q13 are in the ON-state, then individual currents flowing through the p-channel MOS field effect transistors Q12, Q13 arc proportional to the reference current lconst. If the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q22, Q23 are in the ON-state, then individual currents flowing through the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q22, Q23 are proportional to the reference current Iconst. Individual currents flowing through the p-channel MOS field effect transistors Q12, Q13 may be controlled by changing the ratio in area of the p-channel MOS field effect transistors Q12, Q13 to the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q14. Individual currents flowing through the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q22, Q23 may be controlled by changing the ratio in area of the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q22, Q23 to the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q24.
The series connections of the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q14, the resistance R3 and the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q25, Q24 divides the voltage Vcc between the second power voltage line Vcc and the ground line so that the first and second reference voltage levels are supplied to the individual positive inputs of the first and second comparators CP1 and CP2 Namely, the first reference voltage level of the first comparator CP1 corresponds to the gate voltage level of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q25. The second reference voltage level of the second comparator CP2 corresponds to the gate voltage level of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q24.
Further, the voltage inputted to the individual negative inputs of the first and second comparators CP1 and CP2 for comparison with the first and second reference voltage levels has a phase inversion to the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 laid out in the vicinity of the output nchannel MOS field effect transistor Q0, for which reason the threshold voltage of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q26 is likely to follow variation in the threshold voltage of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0, whereby the switching point or timing of the driving current can be compensated to ensure a highly stable operation of the slew rate output circuit.
In this third embodiment, the first and second reference voltages Vr1 and Vr2 and the reference current Iconst for the current mirror are supplied by the same transistors Q14, Q24 and Q25. As a modification to this, it is possible that the different transistors may supply the first and second reference voltages Vr1 and Vr2 and the reference current lconst for the current mirror.
It is also possible as a further modification that the first and second reference voltages Vr1 and Vr2 is generated by a band gap type reference voltage generator circuit whilst the reference current Iconst is generated by a band gap type reference voltage generator circuit.
In accordance with this embodiment, the small current proportional to the output current Iout of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is detected to control the switching points or timings of the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 and the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 so as to suppress variations of the delay time due to variations in the threshold voltages of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a fourth novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit. The fourth fourth novel slew rate output circuit also has a first driver circuit performing a first driving capability and a second driver circuit performing a second driving capability, as well as a first control Circuit and a second comparator CP2. The first comparator comprises a third invertor I3 and a third series connection of a fifth constant current source CS3 and a fifth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 between the second power voltage line Vcc and the ground line. The fifth constant current source CS3 is connected between the second power voltage line Vcc and a source of the fifth constant current source CS3 for supplying a first constant current value I1. The fifth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 has a gate connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The fifth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 also has a source connected to the ground line The fifth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 also has a drain connected to the fifth constant current source CS3. The third invertor I3 has an input connected to an intermediate point between the drain of the fifth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 and the fifth constant current source CS3. The third invertor I3 also has an output connected to the gate of the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11. The second comparator comprises a fourth invertor I4 and a fourth series connection of a sixth constant current source CS4 and a sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q4 between the second power voltage line Vcc and the ground line. The sixth constant current source CS4 is connected between the second power voltage line Vcc and a source of the sixth constant current source CS4 for supplying a second constant current value I2. The sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q4 has a gate connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q4 also has a source connected to the ground line. The sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q4 also has a drain connected to the sixth constant current source CS4. The fourth invertor I4 has an input connected to an intermediate point between the drain of the sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q4 and the sixth constant current source CS4. The fourth invertor I4 also has an output connected to the gate of the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21.
In accordance with the fourth novel slew rate output circuit, for the purpose of two times switching of the driving current, there are provided two constant current sources CS3 and CS4, two n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and Q4 for controlling the two constant current sources CS3 and CS4, and two invertors I3 and I4 connecting outputs of the two constant current sources CS3 and CS4 to two constant current sources CS11 and CS12. The n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and Q4 have similar configures to the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 so that a ratio in channel width of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 to the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and Q4 is A:1. The n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and Q4 have gates connected to the gate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and Q4 also have drains connected to the drains of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. A small current of A×Iout proportional to the output current flows through the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and Q4.
The constant current sources CS3 and CS4 supply the constant currents I1 and I2 which are set to satisfy the following equations.
AI1=Im×X
AI2=Im×Y
where "Im" is the amplitude of the output current Iout when the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 and a ratio in channel width of the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and Q4 to the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is 1:A. In order to suppress the variations in output current of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0, it is required that "X" is in the range of 0.01-0.10 and "Y" is in the range of 0.90-0.99, and preferably "X" is in the range of 0.01-0.05 and "Y" is in the range of 0.95-0.99.
During when the input pulse signal Vin in the low level, the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10 remains OFF state whilst the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20 remains ON state whereby the gate voltage of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 remains low level, and also the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and 04 remain OFF states. Therefore, individual outputs from the constant current sources CS3 and CS4 become high voltage levels, whereby the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 remains ON-state whilst the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 remains OFF-state.
When the transition of the input pulse signal Vin from the low level to the high level appears, the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10 turns ON whilst the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20 turns OFF, whereby the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by both the first constant current from the first constant current source CS10 and the third constant current from the third constant current source CS11. As a result, the whereby the n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q3 and Q4 turn ON, whereby the individual currents from the constant current sources CS3 and CS4 begin to flow. When the current flowing through the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 becomes higher than the current I1 of the constant current source CS3, then the input of the invertor I3 becomes low level. The third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 turns OFF before the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by only the first constant current through the first constant current source CS10. When the gate voltage level Vgate of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is further increased to increase the output current Iout so that the current flowing through the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q4 becomes higher than the current I2 of the constant current source CS4, then the input of the invertor I4 becomes low level. The fourth p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 turns ON.
When the transition of the input pulse signal Vin from the high level to the low level appears, the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q10 turns OFF whilst the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20 turns ON fourth constant current from the fourth constant current source CS4 becomes the constant current source CS4, whereby the fourth n-channel MOS field effect transistor turns OFF before the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is driven by only the second constant current through the second constant current source CS20.
Even if the threshold voltage of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is varied in the manufacturing processes, variations in switching point or timing of the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 and the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21 can be suppressed thereby suppressing the variation of the delay time. The switching point or timing of the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 depends upon a ratio in channel width of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 to the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 and a current value I1 from the constant current source CS3. A variation in ratio in channel width of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 to the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 can be suppressed by laying out the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3 in the vicinity of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. The constant current sources CS3 and CS11 form the current mirror circuit for the purpose of having the same current source so that the tendency of the variation is uniform direction. For example, if the constant current source CS3 is varied to become large, then the constant current source CS11 is also varied to become large. If the current value I1 from the constant current source CS3 is varied to become large, then the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 remains unswitched until a large current flows through the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q3, whereby the switching point or timing is delayed. However, the third p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 is also varied to become large, for which reason the current for driving the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 is also increased to rapidly charge the input capacitance of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0. As a result, even if the constant currents from the constant current sources CS3 and CS11 are varied, the variation in delay time can fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a fifth novel open-drain type slew rate output circuit. The second novel slew rate output circuit has a CMOS circuit connected between a ground line and an output terminal on which an output signal Vout appears. The CMOS circuit comprises a series connection of a first output p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 and a second output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02. The first output p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 has a source connected to a first power voltage line Vdd and a drain connected to the output terminal of the fifth novel slew rate output circuit. The second output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 has a source connected to a ground line and a drain connected to the output terminal of the fifth novel slew rate output circuit.
The second novel slew rate output circuit also has a first driver circuit performing a first driving capability and a second driver circuit performing a second driving capability arc second output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 of the CMOS circuit as well as a second series connection of a second constant current source CS20 for supplying a second constant current and a second Bchannel MOS field effect transistor Q20 between the ground line and the gate of the first output p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 of the CMOS circuit second output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 of the CMOS circuit first output p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 of the CMOS circuit gates of the first and second output p-channel and n-channel MOS field effect transistors Q01 and Q02 of the CMOS circuit positive input connected to the gate of the second output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 of the CMOS circuit and a negative first output p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 of the CMOS circuit Further, a fifth p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q5 is provided which has a gate connected to the output of the second invertor I2 and a source connected to the second power voltage line Vcc. The fifth p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q5 also has a drain connected to the gate of the first output p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 of the CMOS circuit as well as connected to the drain of the second n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q20. A sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q6 is provided which has a gate connected to the output of the first invertor I1 and a source connected to the ground line. The sixth n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q6 also has a drain connected to the gate of the second output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 of the CMOS circuit as well as connected to the drain of the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q21.
In this embodiment, in pace of the output n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0, a complementary MOS circuit is driven and an output terminal of the CMOS circuit serves as the output terminal of the first skew rate output circuit. The CMOS circuit comprises a series connection of a p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 and an n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 between the first power voltage line Vdd and the ground line.
A p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q5 is operated so that when an n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 is in the ON-state, a p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 turns OFF, whilst an n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q6 is operated so that when the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 is in the ON-state, the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 turns OFF, so as to prevent concurrent ON-state of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 and the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 whereby a punch through current is prevented from flowing from the power voltage line to the ground line.
As a result, when the transition of the input pulse signal Vin from the low level to the high level appears, the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 turns ON whilst the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 turns OFF, whereby the output voltage Vout falls down. When the transition of the input pulse signal Vin from the high level to the low level appears, the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q02 turns OFF whilst the p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q01 turns ON, whereby the output voltage Vout rises upIn the foregoing first to fifth embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the same type circuits are used for switching the first p-channel MOS field effect transistor Q11 and the n-channel MOS field effect transistor and for current detection It is however possible that different type circuits are used for the same purposes. For example, as a feed-back circuit, a detection is made with reference to the gate voltage Vgate of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 in turning the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 ON whilst the detection is made with reference to the current Iout of the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 in turning the n-channel MOS field effect transistor Q0 OFF | eng | bf12d7a9-f7c5-439e-8552-f8f554b5af62 | http://www.google.fr/patents/US6222403 |
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Machine, or Jay-Z, musicians really dig Che.
It's something that baffles Cuban jazz legend Paquito D'Rivera.
"Che hated artists, so how is it possible that artists still today
support the image of Che Guevara?" Turns out the rebellious icon
that emblazons countless T-shirts actually enforced aesthetic and
political conformity. D'Rivera explains that Che and other Cuban
authorities sought to ban rock and roll and jazz.
"Che was an inspiration for me," D'Rivera tells
reason.tv. "I thought I have to get out of this
island as soon as I can, because I am in the wrong place at the
wrong time!" D'Rivera did escape Cuba, and so far he's won nine
Grammy awards playing the kind of music Che tried to silence. But
D'Rivera says Che's crimes didn't end with censorship. "He ordered
the execution of many people with no trial." Che served as Castro's
chief executioner, presiding over the infamous La Cabana prison.
D'Rivera says Che's policy of killing innocents earned him the
nickname-the Butcher of La Cabana.
"We're rightly horrified by fascist murderers like Adolph
Hitler," says reason.tv's Nick Gillespie. "Why
aren't we also horrified by communist killers?" Certainly, Che's
body count isn't anywhere near Hitler's. But what about someone Che
idolized, someone whom he might have liked to wear on
his chest?
"Che, Castro, all the communist regimes idolized only one thing
that Mao personifies—violence." Kai Chen grew up in China under the
reign of Mao Zedong. Although he won gold medals for China's
national basketball team, Chen's was far from the celebrity life of
an NBA star. Says Chen, "You have no right to talk, and you have no
right to think."
The punishment for questioning Mao's authority was often death.
The Black Book of Communism estimates that Mao is
responsible for the deaths of 65 million people—a figure that
dwarfs even Hitler's body count. "Mao is a murderer," says Chen.
"The biggest mass murderer in human history."
And yet, like Che, Mao's image is becoming an
increasingly popular way to move merchandise. You can buy Mao
t-shirts, mugs, caps-you name it. Near Chen's Los Angeles home
there's even a restaurant called Mao's Kitchen. "Can you imagine a
restaurant called Hitler's Kitchen?" asks Gillespie.
Neither D'Rivera nor Chen understands why communist killers are
considered Chic, but each finds his own way to have the last laugh
on these anti-capitalist icons.
"Killer Chic" is written and produced by Ted Balaker. Director
of Photography isAmazingly, Gil, wiping an entire people from the face of the
Earth captures more people's attention and imagination than killing
what amounts to people who weren't there as "just some peasants".
It may not be right, but these sorts of things are factors.
Also, the Nazis' atrocities were well-documented and
well-advertised, while being engaged as an enemy in a world war.
One of the reasons that the crimes of the USSR against its own
people went largely unnoticed was because they were a critical
wartime ally.
I think it comes down to several things: liberal college
students that don't know what the fuck they're talking about is
one. Another is that it's usually the same picture of Che, and he
looks kind of hip and revolutionary in that picture and it looks
good on a t-shirt. Hitler was kind of ugly and had a weird mustache
-- his face wouldn't look good on any t-shirt. Some people that
idolize Che that I know have said retarded things like, "George
Washington murdered thousands of people and we still idolize him"
as a justification for conveniently forgetting about Che's murders.
I think also, people that dig Che don't give a shit about South
Americans and they probably see the people that Che murdered as
faceless nobodies that probably deserved it anyway.
Then again, I sometimes see Ted Bundy on t-shirts... hey, people
like murderers. I saw "The Motorcycle Diaries" which was a nice
movie, but I wish they then showed the parts about him murdering
people later on.
But, I must note again that we have a frothy mixture of murderers
and slaveholders adorning most of our currency, so it's not like
we've got much moral high ground. Like Mal Reynolds said, every man
who had a statue put up of him must have been one kind of sumbitch
or another; it's not about him, it's about what the people who put
him up need to believe.
Agree with Jon. It's ridiculous to throw Bündchen in with the
others because a designer had her wear something on a runway.
That's like criticizing Bruno Gantz for playing Hitler on screen.
This is the second time Reason has wronged the world's last
remaining supermodel in less than a month. Is there an agenda at
work here?
Some people that idolize Che that I know have said retarded
things like, "George Washington murdered thousands of people and we
still idolize him" as a justification for conveniently forgetting
about Che's murders.
And some people I know use the fact that it's Che supporters who
say that to avoid wondering why we have slaveholders held in such
high esteem. Don't get me wrong, I don't think people should wear
Che shirts, but I also refuse to wear a t-shirt with anyone's
picture on it (well, except for my HP Lovecraft shirt), and I also
always try to discharge some type of disgusting bodily fluid on
Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Jackson's pictures on our
currency, in a silent protest.
"I have yet to find a single credible source pointing to a case
where Che executed an innocent. Those persons executed by Guevara
or on his orders were condemned for the usual crimes punishable by
death at times of war or in its aftermath: desertion, treason or
crimes such as rape, torture or murder."
REDUCTIO AD HITLERUM: dog Latin for "reduction (or argument) to
Adolf Hitler (or the Nazis)" - is a modern informal fallacy in
logic. It is a variety of both questionable cause and association
fallacy. The phrase reductio ad Hitlerum was coined by an academic
ethicist, Leo Strauss, in 1953. Engaging in this fallacy is
sometimes known as playing the Nazi card.
+
GODWIN'S LAW: (also known as Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies) is an
adage formulated by Mike Godwin in 1990. The law states:
It's politically blasphemous to say anything positive, or even
nuanced about Che around right-wing Americans. Worldwide, however,
the loathing of Che is an extreme minority view.
Che was more complex and contradictory an historical figure than
some people understand.
However simple minded Americans like their characters to be
unambiguous and simple: Good OR Bad; Black OR White; Saint OR
Sinner, etc. In reality, things are rarely so simple.
That's one of the reasons that ADOLF HITLER is so often pulled out
in an argument: There are relatively few people who embody absolute
evil so clearly and readily.
The hysteria and the manic frustration expressed by right-wingers
regarding the continuing-and growing-popularity and iconic status
of Che is in itself very revealing. Complexity is not their strong
suit. Seeing more than the surface is a little hard for
right-wingers. Everyone must fit into the "Superman vs. Lex Luthor"
box. Reality is harder to pigeonhole.
Can most conservatives tell you anything at all about Fulgencio
Batista? Do they mention the 20,000 Cubans killed by Batista's
mafia based police state? Do they discuss the difference in how
Che's men released all captured enemy soldiers, while Batista's
goons gouged their eyes out and tortured them?
Nah ... to a right-winger (the kind that wanted to hand the nuke
codes to a half-literate ex beauty queen who believes in witchcraft
& a fatherless messianic carpenter zombie) there are only
heroes and villians. Just like in their biblical fables they cling
to so much.
As a threaded discussion grows longer, the probability of ASCII
art of walruses fucking being posted also approaches one, since
adding posts can't reduce the probability (and the Infinite Monkey
Theorem shows that the probability is exactly one given an infinite
number of posts).
However simple minded Americans like their characters to be
unambiguous and simple: Good OR Bad; Black OR White; Saint OR
Sinner, etc. In reality, things are rarely so simple.
I'm totally comfortable with my "simplistic" inability to consider
a mass murderer a hero. I'd have a similar negative opinion about
Batista or Allende or Shah shirts, by the way, but nobody wears
them.
...is over-utilized. Hitler actually did exist (unlike the
characters on, say, Battlestar Galactica) and his crimes serve as a
useful benchmark. Shouting down Hitler analogies is childish, and
yelling "Drink!" whenever he is mentioned is moronic, to be
charitable.
"Che ate babies, he stole my mansion which had 45 bedrooms in
it, life was heaven in Cuba before Che with United Fruit owning the
island ... then he personally shot 3,500,000,000 people and then
drank their blood one by one. My Grandmas sisters aunts brothers
neighbor who was blind, one time saw Che bite the head off of a
young kitten."
"The resemblance to aspects of Christ's life on
earth can be easily traced in the life of Che.
Both were doctors - Christ as miracle healer, Che as the trained
physician, and were active as such, even or especially so when they
were fighting, doctoring when others were resting or escaping. Both
men were particularly concerned with leprosy, the disease of the
downtrodden and outcast, as The Motorcycle Diaries (books and film)
have reminded us in the case of Che. Like Che, Jesus was an
egalitarian, a communist in terms of owning little and sharing all,
and his disciples were bidden to hold all in common. Both were
strict disciplinarians, who insisted on individuals leaving
families, friends and privileges behind to join them, sacrificing
comforts and, if need be, their own lives."
I agree with you only in the context of conscripted armies.
Volunteer armies are another thing again. Presumably a recruit in
such.
Che-lover, KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Posting inane defenses of a
totalitarian icon on a libertarian website isn't a
terribly productive way to be. But then, if you were a productive,
intelligent person, you wouldn't find anything admirable in Che in
the first place.
When I visited Bolivia a few years back I was suprised at how
many times I saw Che compared to Jesus or mentioned as a saint etc.
Hell I even saw pictures of Che alongside who I guess was the
virgin Mary.
The Observer wrote an article about later called "The
Final Triumph of Saint Che".
As a Libertarian Athiest I could care less. In fact to me "The God"
of the Bible sounds similar to Che ...
James 5:1-6: "Now listen, you rich people, weep
and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth
has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver
are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your
flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look!
The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are
crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached
the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury
and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of
slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were
not opposing you."
The hysteria and the manic frustration expressed by
right-wingers regarding the continuing-and growing-popularity and
iconic status of Che is in itself very revealing. Complexity is not
their strong suit.
Tell me about it. These are people who can't distinguish between
the statements "obsessing over Che tee shirts is weird" and "Che is
a hero."
No American hero ever presided over an extrajudicial execution?
Really?
What makes you so sure that George Washington wasn't an admitted
murderer? What other American icons have participated in a rogue
execution or three? I don't have a positive view of Che Guevara,
but Nieman Marxist is spot on at 9:08.
"Among the hospital's nuns, the nurse who washed his body, and a
number of Vallegrande women, the impression that Che Guevara bore
an extraordinary resemblance to Jesus Christ quickly spread; they
surreptitiously clipped off clumps of his hair and kept them for
good luck."
That's why it is important for us non-believers who support
"reason" to attack all primitive fetishism of religion.
I can't imagine that Castro would have condemned anyone to La
Cabana who wasn't an actual deserter, war criminal, or spy. The
notion of a communist dictator unfairly locking up political
enemies and sentencing them to death after seizing power in a
bloody coup is so fanciful only blinkered right-wing extremists
like libertarians could possibly believe it.
Presumably a recruit in such an army knows for what they are
signing up.
Guerilla groups (of all ideological stripes) throughout the 20th
century were pretty notorious for pressing the unwilling into
service (particularly young men). Given that, I think one has to
explore just how voluntary the military wing of the group behind
the Cuban revolution was.
As for George Washington (large slave holder who
raped his female slaves while they were shackled in barns) --- he
EXECUTED 10 French ambassadors in 1754 at Jumonville Glen as a 22
year old Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia militia.
"Volunteer armies are another thing again. Presumably a recruit
in such."
Volunteer army
meaning voluntary
as in you have the right to walk away at anytime
also known as desertion
As soon as desertion becomes a crime the army can no longer be
classed a volunteer army
By your reasoning Gerorge Orwell should have been shot for leaving
a volunteer army
Che is popular because he broke with Castro over Castro's governing
methods. He's seen, rightly or wrongly, as a socialist
revolutionary who didn't like communist dictatorship, and thought
that the regime Castro set up after coming to power was too
tyranical and a betrayal of the ideals it was supposed to
represent.
Which is a pretty gross simplification and distortion of what
actually went down, but because Che 1) criticized what Castro did
after coming to power, 2) left Cuba and chose full-time
revolutionizing over being a communist apparatchik and 3) got
"martyred," this idea has grown up that he represents an
alternative to the Castro/USSR/Eastern European version of
communismTAO really stands out not just for his capacity to know things
that aren't actually true and not know other things, but to do so
with a passion that is easily aroused into fury at hearing
something that disturbs his misunderstandings.
The 3 main biographies: 'Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life' by Jon
Lee Anderson - 'Companero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara' by
Jorge G. Castaneda - & 'Guevara, Also Known as Che' by Paco
Ignacio Taibo II ... are all best sellers.
Pretty good reads all 3 of them, with Taibo being the best in my
opinion.
Ok im a Cuban American who hates Castro and communism & I
even hate Che for the most part - but even I struggle explaining to
young Cuban American kids why they shouldnt like el Che. His face
is now seperate from the man it seems. and yes many of my
countrymen in Cuba absolutely adore the man as hes the saint of the
island for the most part which is sad.
"at least Mao provided free health care for his ppl something
the US has failed to do".... wow.. truly and obliviously ignorant
or just expressing severe down syndrome in your brain....
Would praise the USA if it provided free health care to its people
but killed 65 million, sent all who oppose to death/work
camps????
either way.. Mao DID NOT provide free health care to his people...
there were 1BILLION chinese at the time and China was one of the
poorest countries were over 70% of its ppl had no education!!...
yep.. def. retarded you are!
As for George Washington (large slave holder who raped his
female slaves while they were shackled in barns) --- he EXECUTED 10
French ambassadors in 1754 at Jumonville Glen as a 22 year old
Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia militia.
Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Jumonville (8 September 1718 -
May 28, 1754) was a French Canadian military officer. His defeat at
the Battle of Jumonville Glen and his murder after surrendering to
George Washington would help spark the French and Indian War (Seven
Years' War).
At lot of 50s-era covert propaganda in the west was aimed at
winning over democratically-inclined socialists, who were pretty
much the only "swing voters" during the Cold War. The CIA helped
distribute Animal Farm, by that socialist George Orwell.
Talking up Che after his break with Casto, making it look like the
pro-Moscow dictator was an apostate from the true principles of
socialism, would have fit right into that strategy.
I've been trying to figure out a way to say that both George
Washington and Che Guevara had one thing in common: they have come
to symbolize something so much that their actual actions have
ceased to be what they are known for.
Then I remembered that big hunk of paper on my bookshelf: "In
historic events, the so-called great men are labels giving names to
events, and like labels they have but the smallest connection with
the event itself. Every act of theirs, which appears to them an act
of their own will, is in an historical sense involuntary and is
related to the whole course of history and predestined from
eternity."
"Washington treated Jumonville as a prisoner of war and extended
him the customary courtesies due a captured military officer.
Washington attempted to interrogate Jumonville but the language
barrier made communication difficult. During their conversation
however, the Half King walked up to Jumonville and without warning
struck him in the head with a tomahawk, killing him."
He was killed by the Seneca chief.
Also:
"Other accounts state that de Jumonville was not in fact captured
but was one of the first killed by Washington's expeditionary
forces. Adam Stephen, a military officer who had accompanied
Washington to the scene stated that Jumonville "was kill'd the
first fire." No reference was made to Jumonville's having been
captured and unsuccessfully interrogated by Colonel Washington. [1]
Also, it is unclear as to whether de Jumonville's life was
dispatched by bullet or tomahawk. In his journal, George Washington
stated that Half-King 'was credited in certain quarters with having
slain that officer [Jumonville] with his hatchet; but this was
without any foundation in fact.'"
Washington was not a saint, but he doesn't seem to have executed
anyone here.
TAO: Your mad dash to the Wikipedia and related sources in order
to explain, justify, or otherwise harmonize killing people with
your vision of Washington as a hero should enlighten you to how
people explain, justify or otherwise harmonize killing people with
their vision of Che as a hero.
"There was no person more feared by the company than Che Guevara
because he had the capacity and charisma necessary to direct the
struggle against the political repression of the traditional
hierarchies in power in the countries of Latin America." --- Philip
Agee, CIA Agent
Complimenting a friend/acquaintance is hardly objective. What seems
lost in this somewhat disappointing discussion is that there is a
critical difference between Che as a person and Che as a
symbol.
As a person, most would agree his words generally tracked his
actions, which is an admirable trait. But, his words also tracked
his ideas, which have been fairly thoroughly discredited.
As a symbol, he represents revolution, change, and idealism. These
are worthwhile ideas, even for a libertarian. It is a moving
picture that is so often worn- and that symbol has come to mean
something entirely different than what the man himself stood
for.
Compare to the christian cross- at different time, a symbol of the
violence of the crusades, the evil of the inquisition, or the care
of an aid worker. People project their own idealism on to the
symbol to make it their own.
So, stop bitching. The guy was a nut, but an idealistic
revolutionary is going to play well to college freshman and
holly-tards no matter what the ideas behind it.
Your mad dash to the Wikipedia and related sources in order
to explain, justify, or otherwise harmonize killing people with
your vision of Washington as a hero
Lamar, you're the one who freakin' linked to Wikipedia in the
first place!!!.
I went over there, checked it out to verify what you were saying
was correct, and guess what? It wasn't!
There was no "mad dash" on my part. There was an unfounded
assertion on your part, followed by a link to Wikipedia (again, by
you), followed by both Epi and I looking at it and going "nope.
You're filled with fecal matter"
To me Che Guevara is one of the most heroic figures in
world history who is a stoic example of what all those who
speak of "revolution" should espouse to be.
This was a man who left a bourgeoisie comfortable life of the upper
class, a potential well compensated career as a medical doctor, and
a high regarded governmental position --- each time to slog through
the jungle and fight guerrilla wars against impenetrable odds = for
a better and more equitable society.
I find his life not only fascinating but deeply inspiring.
Guevara despite his crippling and acute asthma which would
debilitate him almost daily to inches from death, directed "suicide
squads" in the battle against the U.S. armed and backed Dictator
Batista where with less than 300 men; he literally took on 10,000
Batista soldiers armed with tanks, jets, and U.S. weaponry, and
came out victorious at and leading up to the victory at Santa
Clara.
In Bolivia, Guevara spent almost over 1 hellish year in the
festering jungle battling a disease which left his hands as mounds
of swollen flesh, the fact that his allergic reaction to mosquito
bites would leave walnut sized welts all over his body, kept
fighting even when he was without food for nearly a month, went
shoeless, without blankets, and STILL with less than 30 men took on
a force of 1,800 Bolivian U.S. armed rangers with an air force,
green beret advisors, and CIA technology. Despite these odds
Guevara's men killed 30 Bolivian troops before they even lost their
first Guerrilla. Moreover, displaying his character, despite all
these hardships, when Guevara could have simply taken the food of
Bolivian campesinos to eat, he insisted on paying for
everything.
Throughout his life Che tended to thousands of sick campesinos,
helped construct dozens of schools throughout Cuba, worked in a
Leper colony to helped those afflicted, and even when he was
literally tied up in a small mud school house awaiting his own
execution ! , still complained to the local teacher that in a
nation where the leaders drove Mercedes … it was a travesty that
the peasants were taught in a dilapidated place like he was
in.
Although I don't believe in religious dogma (neither did Che), and
view myself as an atheist, I do find it telling that the person Che
was so often compared to by those who knew him was Jesus Christ.
Because of his implacable character, unbending morals, and innate
desire to fight in favor of the afflicted, I think that those who
knew him were left with no other figure to compare him to.
Was he perfect? Of course not. No human is. But in mind he was
awfully close considering the circumstances and cards he was dealt.
I also find it telling that the best "canard" his detractors and
those propagandists of monopoly capitalism can come up with - was
his short stint at La Cabana prison. Where Che simply reviewed the
cases and convictions of war criminals convicted by revolutionary
tribunal (modeled after Nuremburg). The same secret police and
Batista backed torturers that killed 20,000 people and tortured
tens of thousands more. The fact that Che saw to it that justice
was delivered cold to the Cuban people to me only makes him more
heroic. He knew that a "pedagogy of the wall" was the only thing
that could cleanse a society from the thousands of goons who raped
and terrorized it with impunity.
Yet I'm amazed how people apply some sort of "perfectionist"
fallacy to Guevara or more foolishly overlook his heroism on the
basis of the fact that Capitalists profit from his defiant image.
This is exactly what the capitalist vampires want. They will take
every hero of the toilers and the left and revise them into
"terrorists" … they will take every noble guerrilla who fought
against imperialism and craft them into "mad men" so as to make you
think that heroism and socialism/Marxism etc are antithetical
concepts. If this doesn't work … the Capitalist/Imperialists will
try to make real heroes into caricatures, or "de-fanged" banal
symbols of popular culture - so as to "devalue" their serious and
conceptual analysis on behalf of the working class. Thus Che dawns
a bikini, Mao dawns a purse, and Lenin dawns your Zippo
lighter.
I would implore those who give credence to the idea of a
"revolution" … to give much deserved recognition to one of the few
men in the past century who literally threw aside "the arm chair"
and went out to (imperfectly) create it.
If the world had 100 Che's … or hell even 10 … we would be in much
better shape.
Washington was like a lot of people, a flawed human being who
because of necessity, practicality, or circumstance, couldn't
always live up to his ideals of liberty. Most of the founders fall
into this category as well. If you expect perfection out of a human
being your going to be looking a long time. It's best to take what
good stuff you can and try not to make their mistakes.
What I've read of Che, which admittedly is not exactly
comprehensive, he strikes me as someone in the same vein of the
less reputable African mercenaries in the 60s and 70s who routinely
overthrew their employers. Someone who's goal isn't the result of
the fight, but the fight itself. Che just used communism as his
excuse instead of money. So it does not surprise me that he left
Cuba due to the "stifling bureaucracy." It's no fun killing people
by signing bits of paper. So as a murderous thug he lived up to his
own ideals quite well.
TAO: Fecal matter? Washington signed a statement saying that he
killed Jumonville. Are you denying that? During peace time,
Washington's men attacked a French squad, then they killed their
leader after he surrendered. Washington was captured a month later
and signed a statement that he killed Jumonville. Justified or not,
those are the bare factsYeah right. Most of these fuckwits couldn't tell you anything
beyond the guy's name.
I imagine, much like the Catholic Church, that Che-fans monitor the
entire internet for critical blog posts so that they can whine.
(Much like the last three surviving supporters of Bush who haunt
Kos.)
"The Motorcycle Diaries" imdb page had a huge and hilarious
slugfest over Che when the movie came out, but they've deleted
it.
Washington and Guevara are in no way moral equivalents. I only
highlighted the Jumonville Affair because I suspected somebody
would engage in the very same justifications that they so despise
in Che lovers. TAO took the bait.
Episiarch: You are right the history disputes whether Washington
himself or one of his men actually killed Jumonville. Washington
signed a confession, but we all know the value in that. But let's
not forget the fact that Washington ordered the attack in the first
place. Washington wrote a letter to his brother after the battle:
"I can with truth assure you, I heard bullets whistle and believe
me, there was something charming in the sound."
TAO: Well done. You've gone to great lengths to focus on whether
Washington himself murdered the leader of all the men his unit had
just killed! If Washington himself didn't "murder" Jumonville, then
he is absolved of killing the rest of the French. Good show.
Now, imagine you love Che, and are willing to go to such great
lengths to justify his brutality....
Any moderately-informed person will acknowledge the atrocities
sanctioned by the US in Latin America (Reagan backed Contra Death
Squads anyone) and, therefore, the legitimacy of the goal of
overthrowing blood-thirsty dictators installed by the US.
There's a reason that Meyer Lansky (the famed mobster) chose
Havana, Cuba - under Batista to be his home. 1950's Cuba was the
"pleasure Island" for rich white Americans to go get buy some
Spanish-lolita poonanny & gamble alongside Frank Sinatra (a
regular).
As soon as desertion becomes a crime the army can no longer be
classed a volunteer army
By your reasoning Gerorge Orwell should have been shot for leaving
a volunteer army
Wow, just wow.
When one voluntarily agrees to take on a certain responsibility, it
does not follow that the person can simply at any time convenient
abrogate that responsibility. If you sign up for a three-year tour
and you skedaddle without leave before your three years are up you
can, and should, be punished.
Can at least one of the many, many military and former military
folks on this site chime in here at any point?
When people contract with the military, they agree to a certain set
of terms and conditions. Among these are yielding to complete
governance by the UCMJ.
If you volunteer to join the military, and the military has a law
that says "No desertion during wartime, lest ye be shot", you are
volunteering to be subject to that law for a set number of years.
Ergo, if you desert, you are subject to that punishment, by your
own volition and free will.
TAO: Look what I said: "No American hero ever presided over an
extra judicial execution?" and "What makes you so sure Washington
wasn't an admitted murderer?"
As you can see, I took great pains to avoid calling Washington a
murderer. Some historians say it was murder, others do not. Some
say it matters that somebody else may have done the deed, others
say it was an execution. But you've gone on and on to defend the
killing of people during a time of peace, yet you fail to
understand why others would do the same.
Any moderately-informed person will acknowledge the
atrocities sanctioned by the US in Latin America (Reagan backed
Contra Death Squads anyone) and, therefore, the legitimacy of the
goal of overthrowing blood-thirsty dictators installed by the
US.
See, this is what drives me nuts with these kinds of discussions.
You argue that some left-wing nut job is evil because he killed
countless innocent people, and the response is, "well, so did some
right-wingers!" This may be hard to understand, but some of us are
against killing innocent people not because the killers have a
right-wing ideology or a left-wing ideology but because
they're fucking killing innocent people. The fact that
somebody else may have been doing it as well is irrelevant.
Anyone with military leadership training will immediately
understand Che's actions as a warrior (even though I dispise his
ideology).
As a matter of fact, his manual on "Guerrilla Warfare" has been
studied by both the C.I.A. and the Army (I was assigned it in
Officers school). Not to mention that Guevara's 'Guerrilla Warfare'
was the main manual for the Viet Cong who at worst fought the U.S.
(and are moronic capitulating govt) to a stand still.
I have no desire to argue about Che 'the man', but Che the military
tactician was a strategic genius in many respects.
But both Stalin's and Mao's body count exceeded Hitler's and
yet Hitler is the one who is most often offered up as the very
epitome of evil.
Locking people in prison and starving them to death while picking
some of them off if they get too unruly is an abomination. Starting
factories which are dedicated entirely to the murder of human
beings, 18 hours a day, seven days a week...that's something
beyond. Reading about the way that places like Treblinka actually
worked and were set up to be well-oiled murder machines is one of
the best ways to understand why it is that the Nazis have a special
place in the imagination.
TAO: Your mad dash to the Wikipedia and related sources in
order to explain, justify, or otherwise harmonize killing people
with your vision of Washington as a hero should enlighten you to
how people explain, justify or otherwise harmonize killing people
with their vision of Che as a hero.
I only went there because of a link that you posted a,d
later called to my attention.
I don't defend Castro either. But I admire Che (whose been dead for
41 of the 50 years since the Cuban Revolution).
Che should not be used as a scapegoat. He was an imperfect brave
man who picked up a gun several times and risked his life to
overthrow corrupt dictators (Batista, Mobutu, Barrientos) that is
admirable, despite the fact that Castro became one himself.
At least you equally condemn Washington and Guevara as
killers of men during peace time.
What planet are you on? As far as your source is telling me, the
events went like this:
1. Some French soldiers drove out CPT Trent.
2. More French soldiers approached Washington to tell him to get
the hell on.
3. Some citizen of the territory said that the French were
attacking his house.
4. Washington attacked the French.
Closing the borders to the Ukraine and purposefully starving people
to death seems about as bad as creating industrialized murder to
me. Indeed, it could be considered more horrifying because at least
the industrially murdered were murdered quickly. BTW, the latter is
the reason why they (the Nazis) created the industrialized death
system that they did. Rounding up and shooting thousands of Jews,
etc. was just too disturbing and too harmful to morale (indeed,
Himmler got physically ill when he witnessed such an event).
Perhaps the way to look at Che and Mao on capitalist t-shirts is
to see it as their total capitulation. Icons of the Communist fury
emblazoned across capitalist wares is, I would argue, the ultimate
boot rubbed in their face.
Should Mao and Che be banned from public display to the same degree
as Hitler? Perhaps it should be in reverse -- perhaps the best way
to discredit Hitler and Nazism is to put Hitler's image on plastic
objects pressed in China, on the retail shelf next to Hello Kitty,
Mao, Martha Stewart and Che. Un-banning the icons of the Nasties is
the best way to discredit them, by turning them into meaningless
banality.
George Washington worked toward the establishment of the United
States, a pretty successful experiment in providing a place where
people could enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of hapiness. This
is NOT to gloss over the grotesque sins committed by some Americans
either independently or in the name of the USA. We can all pick a
list of US perpetrators, however, I think most of us living here
would admit that it's a pretty good place to live and exercise our
conscience.
Che however represents the farcical world envisioned by many
revolutionaries that "once we get rid of all the baddies, we'll
usher in a new age of peace, love and inderstanding." Of course,
when they realize that this will only be accomplished by the force
of guns, they either rationalize it or try to forget about it by
running away like Che and trying anew in a new place to set up the
same farce.
Che isn't so despicable because of his body count, he is despicable
because he represents this quixotic bullshit story that only
right-wing oligarchs are evil. All oligarchies are evil. And
unfortunately shitty commie oligarchies are all communists can
provide to replace shitty right-wing oligarchies.And yes his
iconification cements this idiot idea in voters heads.
There are only about 5-6 definitive and documentable stories of
Che actually executing anyone with his own gun.
There were:
- A man under his command that fell asleep while on guard
duty
- Eutimo Guerra a peasant guide who was found to be a traitor who
kept giving away their position to Batista's forces
- A local mayor that raped a young peasant girl
- One of his own men who raped some campesino women
- And a few deserters that fled during combat leaving his units
flank vulnerable.
All of these are acceptable and understandable under his
circumstance.
TAO: I can't continue this. Washington did nothing wrong at
Jumonville because you have justified it (after first not even
knowing about it - that was a quick study!!). To the minds of Che
lovers, they have justified Che's killing of people. Whether the
people are innocent, or deserved to die, it part of the
justification.
You justify Washington's executions, others justify Che's
executions. I suspect it has everything to do with the last
paragraph in Jose Marti's post at 11:46.
"After the firing had stopped, Jumonville handed Washington some
papers and insisted that he read them. While Washington did so,
Tanacharison came up and smashed Jumonville's skull with a
tomahawk, killing him.[3]"
I'm not a teenager, and I don't need to be talked down to an
Internet Warrior who routinely talks about "kicking ass" as it
pertains to these here discussion boards.
A decent human being thinks it's regrettably necessary when a
murderous son of a bitch is killed.
No, a decent human being *pretends* that it was regrettably
necessary. If you think I believe for one second that your reaction
at the news of Osama Bin Laden's death will be "Oh boy, that's sad
that he had to die", I'll call you a liar and you will be a
liar.
I've never seen anyone pine for a tee-shirt with a Batista
secret policeman's corpse on it.
Sure. If people want to wear it, that wouldn't bother me in the
slightest, but it certainly would not be recognizable to 99% of
people walking around, whereas "Che" is iconic and I wouldn't mind
a shirt that was happy that that murderous icon died.
If your going to wear a Che shirt ironically, just get the
version. Its che with mickey ears.
Close enough to rile up the idiots thinking your a fan, until they
ask and you point out the obvious, and funny to the people who
know.
"If you think I believe for one second that your reaction at the
news of Osama Bin Laden's death will be "Oh boy, that's sad that he
had to die", I'll call you a liar and you will be a liar."
TAO
You're such a miserable human being full of youthful and
unwarranted self confidence and confidence in your chosen ideology
that you often have trouble seeing what others opposing you are
getting at, so let me help: what people are getting at here is that
if you were the one killing Osama bin Laden, while his death is
certainly warranted if you did it with glee and were happy about it
like "wow, that was GREAT when I killed him" then something is
wrong with you regardless of how evil the guy was and how much a
better place the world is because you did that. as examples, as a moving force."
It's hard to argue about which is worse, because the sort of
atrocity that make a person wonder if there's any hope for the
species. My point is that it's not the numbers that have created
Hitler's enduring legacy, it was the mechanization of his
mass-murder. Starvation, even on such a massive scale, just doesn't
have the same shocking power that hearing about people being herded
into gas chambers, then tossed into crematoria (while their friends
and neighbors either look the other way or help the process along)
does. I believe that, more than anything, is the reason
why we don't hear about the crimes of Stalin or Mao.
Between the revolution and his rule, Mao had about twice as long.
Nobody stopped him.
Actually, they did. The U.S. and its allies spent a lot of
resources containing China within its current borders. Indeed, the
Chinese tried to break out of those borders on a number of
occassions, but was ineffectual in doing so.
Stalin began his career as a revolutionary about 40 years
before he died in office. Once again, nobody stopped
him.
A lot of resources and nations were arrayed against the expansion
of the Soviet Union from the 1920s onward, though which nations
were in the forefront of that changed over time. Stalin's whole
"socialism in one country" was merely a tactic to build up the
regime there; once he had an oppurtunity (the pact with the Nazis,
etc.) he jumped on it. Indeed, one could cogently argue that it was
the Nazis that stopped Soviet expansion for a time.
what people are getting at here is that if you were the one
killing Osama bin Laden, while his death is certainly warranted if
you did it with glee and were happy about it like "wow, that was
GREAT when I killed him"
MNG - that isn't what the argument is about. The argument is about
whether it's OK (i.e. are you still a good person and not a
progressive Sinner in the eyes of Joe) to be glad that
someone died. I say yes.
Both you and joe now have made some kind of "youth" reference.
Sorry, Old Man Suspenderson, I'll get off your porch now.
I think you rather obviously need to be talked down.
Make an argument and get off your high horse. Or shut up.
Now, do either you or MNG have a refutation to "if something is
necessary, it is good to do that thing?"
A. Some want to glorify Che's murderous ways, and put it on a
T-Shirt.
B. Others (myself) am glad he's not alive to terrorize people
anymore and see his death as a good thing. We want to put it on
T-shirts, mainly to shock the doe-eyed little idiot college
freshman who's sporting shirt "A".
i see the madness over t-shirts continues. as i said before,
he's been dead for over 40 years... who cares?
on the bright side, watching this "argument" is providing me with
plenty of entertainment. keep it up folks :D
""El Che Vive Puta !"
Well, since El Che loved murdering people, and the
people he murdered are dead, it follows they can't be the
living humanity he so cherished. I guess it's
logically consistent.
Again, you avoid the question. What knowledge did Baltar
have of the Cylons' plans?
What other possible reason could there be for circumventing
Colonial planetary defenses? Even if he didn't "know", he knew.
Getting your knob polished by your own personal fembot skinjob is
no excuse for not thinking.
But that's just it, you had to read about it. The stories are
disturbing and terrible, but you have to read them (or better, hear
them from a survivor) in order for their true horror to sink in.
It's the difference between "he starved 5 million men, women and
children" which combines numbers that nobody could possibly
understand with a type of death that few in the modern world have
any real experience with, versus "he herded 5 million people into
gas chambers, then forced their relatives to drag their bodies into
crematoria." One impresses it's horror on you in one sentence. One
takes longer than that. It doesn't make either one less horrible,
but it does explain why people who aren't educated about both don't
truly understand just how bad the less shocking one is.
Baltar knew that giving 6 the codes were wrong, and even got off on
the "naughtiness" of it. A deliberate bump of a boulder so that it
rolls through a village killing dozens is still homicide, no matter
how small the bump.
The best defense he could mount would be to argue they were 20
billion negligent homicides.
Having done a fair amount of reading on what it takes to starve to
death I suppose you may be right, but still, I think your average
person can get their head around X million starved to death. Of
course, I also find the fact that hundreds of thousands of Russians
and other citizens of the Soviet Union died of starvation following
the German invasion equally disturbing. They were told to walk in
west and they simply died in droves on the roads over a short
period of time. Illustrates how delicate life is. Then again, it
takes a fairly severe crisis for people to actually die of simple
starvation, as opposed to diseases associated with poor
nutrition.
Is there really a difference between "Manifest Destiny" and
the millions of Natives deaths it wrought, and Hitlers desire to
take over the slavic countries ?
I think it was the longterm planing and execution of the plan which
makes Hitler worse. While millions of navajos did die, they were
not directly murdered by troops whose expressed goal was to clean
the area of them for a particular race to move in. Thye were not
murdered in death facories where their bodies were also disposed
of.
Here's a different question: if Hitler had secretly released a
combined plague of depression, alcoholism, smallpox and measles on
the slavs and then moved into their depopulated territories, would
he still be considered the epitome of evil?
- American Oligarchy (United Fruit, Texaco, U.S. Sugar)
- The US based Mafia (1959 Havana)
- The Monroe Doctrine rationale for Latin American Imperialism (Bay
of Pigs)
- The idea of "Banana Republics" (Arbenz 1953 coup)
It just kills Conservatives that such a heroic man will not go
away. That is because these troglodytes can't fathom that he lives
in the hearts of the hungry and the oppressed … and that ideas
never die.
well said joe "the commie"
you're the first one to write something intelligent!
congrats!
(i wonder how many of these right wingers are busy looking up the
word "troglodyte" right now to find out what it means :D )
Why, no, Episiarch, I still maintain that his culpability is
limited. And, as you so aptly stated, he may not have been in the
best state of mind to evaluate the reason Number Six--whom he
believed to be human, don't forget--wanted access in the first
place.
Citizen Nothing,
Be careful that, after those wonderful, unspeakable events that she
doesn't use you to destroy the human race. It's been known to
happen.
When Che spoke before the U.N. in 1964, he spoke out in favor of
black musician Paul Robeson, in support of slain black leader
Patrice Lumumba (who he heralded as one of his heroes), against
white segregation in the Southern U.S. (which still unfortunately
existed), and against the white South African apartheid regime
(long before it became the Western 'cause de jour').
"The blacks, those magnificent examples of the African race who
have conserved their racial purity by a lack of affinity with
washing, have seen their patch invaded by a different kind of
slave: The Portugese.... the black is indolent and fanciful, he
spends his money on frivolity and drink; the European comes from a
tradition of working and saving which follows him to this corner of
America and drives him to get ahead."
Carlos - not to mention that when Guevara ventured to the Congo,
(to battle against the brutal Mobutu, who ruled for decades
afterwards) he fought with a Cuban force of mostly all Afro-Cubans
(blacks) including those black Congolese fighters who he fought
alongside AGAINST a force comprised mostly of white South African
mercenaries ... later Guevara offered assistance to fight alongside
the (black) FRELIMO in Mozambique, for their independence from the
white South African apartheid regime.
he may not have been in the best state of mind to evaluate
the reason Number Six--whom he believed to be human, don't
forget--wanted access in the first place
You can try your slippery lawyer tricks here, ProL, but they don't
change the fact that she wanted him to compromise the planetary
defenses. What possible reason could there be for that? Her
intergalactic pizza delivery needed to get through?
Stopping expansion is one thing. Hitler's military machine was
smashed, his country overrun, and his regime forcibly removed from
power. Stalin and Mao, not so much. They continued to rule, and
kill, until the natural end of their lives. Decades longer than
Hitler.
Not to mention that Guevara's 'Guerrilla Warfare' was the
main manual for the Viet Cong who at worst fought the U.S. (and are
moronic capitulating govt) to a stand still.
Err, not really. The VC were pretty much wiped out after Tet. Tet
was in 1968. By 1970, the communists controlled practically nothing
in South Vietnam, and the North switched from the failed guerrilla
tactics of the VC to the NVA. It was the NVA regular army that
conquered the South.
Egosumabbas - that racist observation came from a 22 year old
Che during his Motorcycle Diaries. It was after that trip that he
announced himself transformed and "not the same man that I once
was".
When he became "Che" in Cuba his friend and personal bodyguard (who
accompanied him at all times after 1959) was Harry "Pombo"
Villegas, who was Afro-Cuban (black). Pombo accompanied Che to the
Congo and to Bolivia, where he survived and now lives in Cuba. Of
note, Pombo speaks glowingly of Guevara to this day.
If Osama bin Laden was killed, the fact that the threat he posed
would be eliminated would be good, and I would be happy about THAT.
About the fact that the threat had been removed. It's "the
necessary."
R C Dean said: "That is because these troglodytes can't fathom
that he lives in the hearts of the hungry and the oppressed.
Actually, he seems mostly to live on in the fashion accessories of
the well-fed and the wealthy."
R C Dean, you haven't been to cuba recently have you? the people
there still idolize him. they sing about him, they talk about him.
and all of that is in private where they don't have to worry about
government spooks listening in. in those cases they are expressing
what they truly feel, and what they feel for che is admiration,
gratitude and love.
.
1950's Cuba was the Caribbean's St Tropez, a playground to the
rich. Havana was a neon-lit lair where characters such as Frank
Sinatra and his Cuban counterpart, Beni More, worked the cash tills
and played hard. Sultry, hot Latino girls competed with blondes
from mainland America for the attention of royals and the kings of
the boulevard.
= Then that adventurist "dreamer" from Argentina, Che Guevara, came
and spoilt the fun :o(
Hence, the white oligarchs who fled their latifundios to Miami,
have saw to it that the Cuban people (and their wage slaves) who
backed the revolution - SUFFER - ever since under an unjust embargo
(Communist China owns most U.$. currency)."."
Oh, I guess you missed the part in Che's diary where he executes a
boy for opposing the arrest of his father. And I suppose you also
missed the part where Che refused to put people on trial and didn't
care if they were innocent or not.
We're living in a time of instantly-gratifying selective history;
if you're a conservative you can log onto Amazon right now and find
a book that supports your ideology. If your a liberal - likewise.
There are plenty of books expounding on the heroic feats of the
liberator, Che Guevara. On the flip side there are plenty that rail
against all the atrocities he committed. These are then "proven" or
"disproved" by a series of other books.
There's a reason why Che (the Robin Hood myth) is still compelling.
Regardless of his actual exploits, the myth depicts a character who
overthrows a brutal dictatorship by rallying the common folk. He
takes land from wealthy foreigners who've exploited the poor and
gives it away. He fights in another continent to help free South
African blacks. He thumbs his nose at a superpower which has grown
incredibly arrogant and belligerent in it's meddling. There's a lot
to like in that for anyone (regardless of its accuracy).
Nope. Never said anything about public, tortuous executions.
Just said that someone dying does not have to be accompanied by
your crocodile tears and faux-remorse.
Actually, you wrote that you wanted a tee-shirt with a grisly
picture of a Bolivian military officer poking at the corpose of Che
Guevara. You don't just take pleasure in the the removal of the
threat he represented, or even in knowing that he recieved justice.
No, you want the visceral experience of dancing around a
corpse.
And rather than saying I would feel remorse at bin Laden's death, I
said I would be pleased that the threat he represented had been
removed. It would be a good thing if he were eliminated, but I feel
nothing but disgust at the thought of celebrating over his corpse,
while you find the idea exciting.
Because you are a barbarian. It's ok. Most teenaged boys are
barbarians. I was.
"The application of the death penalty in Cuba against war
criminals and others followed the same procedure as that seen in
the trials by the Allies in the Nuremberg trials. Had the
Revolutionary Government not applied severe legislation against the
few hundred torturers, terrorists, and other criminals long
employed by the Batista regime, the people themselves would have
taken justice into their own hands--as happened during the
anti-Machado rebellion--and thrown the society into chaos. It was
only the population's confidence in the government's effective and
cautiously selective administration of revolutionary justice that
kept the society in order. The death penalty was imposed on the
enemies of the people--those who had killed, tortured, and
committed crimes against humanity during the revolutionary war and
continued to conspire against the revolution. These were the
traitorous elements that supported and participated in the Batista
regime and received shelter in the United States or Falangist Spain
and those that feared fulfillment of the promise to the end of
class privilege, exploitation, and all abuses of the Batista regime
maintained by the overthrown Cuban bourgeoisie, American
corporations, and the U.S. regime."
I never posted one of our threads on their site, just pulled back
the curtain for our enjoyment. And I explicitly renounced going on
their site to criticize them. So, to be consistent, if some
fucktard who likes the taste of 40-year-dead commie cock wants to
link to this thread and mock us, go right ahead. But coming here to
launch a whiny sock puppet attack is perfectly denouncable on my
part.
Well, we should also keep in mind that the lash was still used as a
punishment in 18th century armies and navies.
To be fair, we were all manly men back then (even if we enjoyed a
pop in the pooch every now and then on those lonely nights at sea)
who could very well take a few whelps on the back without crying
like candy asses.
A thrashing then was the equivalent of a night in the brig with
half yer fair of rum now. When the testosterone count is taken in
consideration.
From a good interview with Soderberg, whose work I love and
admire, though I'll probably skip this one:
Capone: Have you given any thought to what Che would think of a
movie like this?
SS: I think he'd hate it. Well, I don't think he liked movies. I
mean, the only reference in all of his writings that I could find
to movies is literally a sentence where he says, "Children's
stories, novels, and movies are ways in which the imperialists sell
their propaganda." I don't think he had much use for art,
period.
Capone: I never got a sense he had much place for artists in his
revolution either.
SS: No, there's another line from that same essay, "Man and
Socialism in Cuba," where he says, "There is no great artist who is
also a great revolutionary." So, yeah, I don't exist in the society
that he is going to create, which is what's funny to me, when
people think that I must believe everything that he believes to
make a movie about him.
Well, first of all, I wouldn't be walking the red carpet at Cannes,
if I believed a twentieth of what he believes. And, secondly,
literally, I have no job, you know. He feels that's all a waste of
money. You could be buying books for kids with that money, and
maybe he's right.WOW … there are no words for the audacity of such insanity !
Amerikkkan Reich-Wing Propaganda would make Goebbels
blush.
And this justifies him trying to launch nuclear missles at the US
during the Cuban missle Crisis thereby touching off WWIII? IIRC it
was Che who orchestrated that and was pissed when the Soviets
wouldn't launch them.
What is your purpose of posting information about the Baptista
regime? I don't remember defending those criminals either.
Also, keep in mind that Che in his executions, unlike the Nuremburg
trials, DID NOT BELIEVE IN LEGAL TRIALS. He didn't even give show
trials. He merely executed people without giving a thought as to
determining their actual guilt. He also personally participated in
the executions without regret.
How does this make Che a hero and not just your typical thuggish
warlord murderer?
If you volunteer to join the military, and the military has a
law that says "No desertion during wartime, lest ye be shot", you
are volunteering to be subject to that law for a set number of
years. Ergo, if you desert, you are subject to that punishment, by
your own volition and free will.
This is indeed what happens
but it's utterly Authoritarian
voluntary means
done, given, or acting of one's own free will
that would be without coercion, this is infact at the heart of
libertarian thought
Indeed the system with most statist armies specifies punishment for
desertion but this is by its own nature aganist the most
fundamental principles of libertarianism
However to further the point we were talking about volunteer armies
in a revolutionary context such as the Spanish Civil War or the
Cuban Revolution in which no contract or legal document would have
be signed. Indeed George Orwell volunteered for such a group
fighting for the Spanish republic, as is detailed in the book
homage to Catalunia he was so disgusted by the behaviour and
brutality of the Anarchists and communists that he uped sticks and
left. What you would refer to as desertion. What you are
insinuating is that George Orwell should have been shot (and we
never would have had one of the greatest anti-authoritarain
parables ever written).
Even in the event that you are an authoritarian and you accept
desertion laws Che Guevarra had no legal document stating that his
army could not desert. That makes him a murdering authoritarian
fuck,
no different to the sum who ordered deserters shot during WW1.
Che's actions did not occur in a bubble. (Should we judge Hiroshima
without taking into account Pearl Harbor?) Batista is the most
relevant component to the story. If Che merely wanted to execute
people he could have done so in Bolivia & the Congo (yet he
released all prisoners in both conflicts).
Those he had executed at La Cabana were CONVICTED by a
revolutionary tribunal process of 3 judges. Albeit yes a quick one
done in public stadiums most of the time and lasting only several
hours. Che's job was to merely review the convictions and decide to
pardon them or not. Sort of like a governor in the U.S. (Bush
signed 158 death warrants as Texas Governor) = should he be the
"Butcher of the Alamo"?
As for Che yes he personally executed a few people himself during a
guerrilla war - but this "myth" of him as Castro's chief
executioner is a joke. He was only at La Cabana for 5 months and
then became an Economic Minister. Biographer Jon Lee Anderson found
that 55 men were killed at La Cabana while Che was in charge
there.
Srongly agree with Joe about these constant posting of Guevara
fashionista
articles being overdone. They attract the Che-tards who normally do
not bother to post on libertarian sites, and it always cycles in
monotonous discussions of 'Washington,
war criminal, blahdadeefuckingblah decadent crap' these overly
washed heathens (I bet Carlos is as bourgeoisie as a vase lily)
wasting their parents good money spoon feeding Marxist dialectics
disguised as history lessons
How sad to listen to the apologists of Che.
Truly.
And how sad that any individual requires any hero-figure.
A governor, a rock guitarist, an actor (that's the one that takes
the cake -- a person who makes a living by reading lines that
someone else wrote for them, and for that they are equipped to
testify before Congress on policy suggestions), a ballplayer, a
President.....
Most people would step aside to let them proceed ahead of them in
the ticket line. Pitiful.
I sometimes think there is no hope for this world.
Anyway, "murderous asshole" is all that needs to be written. Any
further time spent on his scum-ridden life and twisted brain is an
affront to all those who pursued a model of kindness and fairness
and peace.
Anybody that will spend one moment, even one, to rationalize that
pig's behavior is a slave. A pathetic slave. Che would have liked
those folks.
Whether or not he would order their execution, or their kids, would
be a decision based on the benefit of "the people." Whatever that
means.
The point flies blithely over your head.
The Jewish resisters were fighting the same kind of scum that Che
represents. And those Jewish resisters, like the Fench Resistance,
were pursuing a model of kindness and fairness and peace. Israel
and France, with their flaws, are presently representative of that
model.
It was neither logical nor ethical to replace Batista's goons with
Fidel's goons.
Mass slave mentality is hard to shed.
Che had this Jack London-style attitude to revolution as one
great big unending adventure, but none of the political maturity to
deal with the practical realities of making the country work. He
had this Castilian Spanish upper-class guilt about the working
class and peasants that he never quite overcame. For all the noble
impulses that drove him, and I think there were many, Che's whole
life could be read as a foredoomed attempt to leave his own
class.
"The United States hastens the delivery of arms to the puppet
governments they see as being increasingly threatened; it makes
them sign pacts of dependence to legally facilitate the shipment of
instruments of repression and death and of troops to use
them."
--- Che Guevara, April 9, 1961
So TAO you have this conclusion "something necessary must be good."
So your argument, if you even have an inkling of wtf you are
talking about, which I doubt (you never did explain wtf you meant
by this) must be
1. All necessary acts/things have quality x
2. Having quality x makes something (morally?) good.
3. Therefore all necessary actsthings are or must be good
Now Mr. Smartypants, what the hell is quality x? What is it about
necessary things that makes them good? C'mon, let's hear it
bro.
He was not elected in the 80's budddy. but recently ,Umm yes, he
was "democratically" elected with 37% of vote.. the other 70% did
not vote for him but he changed the law so that instead of the 45%
needed to be elected it is now 35% and guess what.. 2 yrs in to his
presidency and he has set up a quasi-dictatorship already.. who
murdered, robbed and impoverished Nicaragua and RAPED HIS STEP
DAUGHTER please educate yourself b4 i pay a ticket to miami just to
kick your ass.
So yes the ppl of Nicaragua do share my views along with every
other Central American and South American nations and ppl... except
of course Castro and Chavez.. no surprise there..
his ONLY allies are Castro, Chavez, Iran Palestine and N. Korea..
woo hooo for you
yeah" hasta la victoria siempre" another che guevara qoute!
You really have no idea of FSLN, Ortega and Nicaragua.. so i
suggest you read up on the artciles i posted for you..
by the way, the EU and USA are cutting all the aid to Nicaragua
because of Ortega increasing authoritarians government... we are
the brink of another civil war.. even the embassy of Sweden closed
down last mth here because Orteg has gotten too dictatorial for
their blood...
Viva U.$. Death Squads :.. my family fled Ortega in 1982 after 5
yrs of civil war DICK! they didnt want us growing up in that
situation... but i've been in Nicaragua for the last 15 yrs asshole
and here I am at the forefront of the ant- Ortega movement!
Gee what would you do, when there is capture or kill warrant for
you and your entire family????
well, PAC if you read and read more stuff and read more styuff
you can come to ur own conclusions!
Or you can read the Spaniard paper "el pais".. or the NY times.. or
any other paper.. they all say the same thing buddy..
oh and "capitalist slave".. If i lived in the USA, trust me, you'd
be cutting my grass bro... adn while i did live in the USA i was
pretty well off.. more so than the avergae WHITE person (though i
am white)
Beside, wtf is supposed to be mean by "necessary?" Necessary to
or for what? Necessary for justice, in that case you just said
things indispensable for justice/goodness are just and good.
Necessary for human survival or progress or welfare? Necessary to
make a fire or for me to get an erection?
i'd send links to the central american and spanish newspaper to
prove the Ortega deal.. siince your biased brains wont read time,
nytimes, economist, etc but you idiots cant read in more than one
language!
kalelo, before you work yourself up to a heart attack, I would
suggest that you calm down a bit and realze that these guys aren't
worth the coranory they are inducing. There is a reason why they
going on and on about the glories of Che, or communist in
Nicaragua, and Cuba and they like and it is not out of solidarity
with the oppressed people of the world or some such canard
they
use or want you to believe. The simple fact of the matter is they
are traitors, and not worth your time arguing with because they
will not be convinced. Just keep yourself armed and prepared for
their eventual and inevitable betrayal of you all other freedom
minded individuals.
Hey Kalelo, long after you die and your familys chapero bones go to
ashes - Che and Fidel will live in the hearts of us real Latin
Americans.
Not the transplanted white & wealthy boot-licking ones like
you.
Chupame la polla ... Me cago en ti
'Real' Latin Americans are going to be the armpit of the entire
world if they insist on thinking the way you do. Get on the train
of true progress, capitalism!, and stop deluding yourself with
romanticized bullshit, loser.
"when he was literally tied up in a small mud school house
awaiting his own execution ! , still complained to the local
teacher that in a nation where the leaders drove Mercedes … it was
a travesty that the peasants were taught in a dilapidated place
like he was in"
Possibly the dumbest thing about socialism is that you always hear
people say shit like that.
A few rich people have mercedes or big houses and loads of people
are poor.
But actually if you look at a country Like Bolivia if you sold all
the trappings of the wealthy and divide them up it doesn't actually
amount to shit.
The problem with traditional statist leftwing thinking is the
obsession with ownership. Its like you have a factory that makes
product A and said factory is owned by some fat cat who has a big
car and funky house. Therefore that wealth should be split with the
workers.
The problem with this is that when you split the fat cats wealth
amoung a factorys worth of workers it constitutes jack shit. The
real wealth is the fact that having a factory that manufacturers
product A means that most workers can afford product A.
Those who are truly devoted to the working classes should be
devoted to increasing the efficiency of the factory so product A
becomes cheaper and more efficient making it more widely available
to the workers of the world. You help the working classes by
developing new products creating more jobs and more material wealth
for the working classes in terms of the manufactured product.
Social progress is only possible by technological
development.
Marx Himself said that "to outlaw slavery you must invent the steam
engine"
If government ownership of industry increased productivity and
accelerated tehnological development, I would be a socialist.
The problem is it doesn't satisfy any of these criteria. From the
UK to Venezuela state ownership has only ever reduced productivity
and hence lowered the material wealth of the working classes
(arguably healthcare (France) education (The UK) and Space
exploration(USSR/USA) are exceptions.
The fact of the matter is communist societies never contributed to
techological developments that helped the working classes.
Capitalism developed the very tools that have dragged the working
classes out of the middle ages and put them in the houses of the
working classes, the washing machine, the p-n junction, the auto
mobile.
Communist states have yielded incredible space programs, nuclear
weapons and the most efficient killer of third world citizens in
human history the AK-47, but they can't manufacture or develop the
stuff that improves the life us working class people.
Ever since those poppy farmers I was chasing shot me and out of
pity offered to replace my kidney with a pig's for a mere twenty
bucks I realized the true value of free market capitalism. If it
happened here, I would have been put on a list for several months
while having a tube stuck up my ass and else where.
Don't get whiny because you tucked in the weiner and fled from poor
meanie Ortega to the comfort of American Capitali$m.
Maybe if you had half the 'Cajones' that Che had, you would have
tried to start your own revolution and topple him. Hell Fidel at
one time was down to 12 men and came out victorious.
Then again he is one of the greatest minds and men of the last
millenia - and you probably cut some rich gringos grass for a lawn
company.
For your asinine disregard for the truth, your fidelity to the
barbarism of communism, and outright asswipetude, I sentence you to
the punishment of being entrapped inside your own mind where you
will continue to regress until the end of your days.
"Death to America! Death to Freedom! Death to all who do not
conform!"
... is what that kunt Che would've said before beheading your azz
just because his sorry azz can't act, sing, or do anything
interesting in life.
And people who support these individuals are either purposely
promoting propaganda for these murderous fucks, or too ignorant to
research the facts of history because they wanna be part of a
pathetic fad, or simply because they're just ego ignorant and want
to be "exactly" like these bitch-born killers.
Good informative vid, "fuck" all them tyrannical pricks, and yes to
free will shit!!!
Keep stroking him, people. Work the shaft and balls. He's laughing
at you. He's been H&R's resident attention whore for what- four
years? Five? Every one of you fucksticks that actually engages him
when he's arguing for the sake of it just makes it worse. It's like
feeding cancer.
Who wants to point out the irony that someone named "William
Wallace" (above) is preaching against violence? Didn't WW kill
all the citizens of York in the movie? You know, after he beheaded
the Kings brother (would this classify as a summary execution?) and
sent his decapitated head as a gift basket.
Hmm ... a long haired rebel, using ambush and guerrilla tactics to
oust a corrupt leader and his wealthy cronies (lords), who shows no
qualms with killing those who stand in the way of his concept of
"freedom" ...
It's amusing how the cookie-cutter leftists who are posting here
believe that anyone who's critical of Castro or Che is
automatically rightwing or pro-capitalist. It hasn't entered into
their heads that maybe some of the people they're attacking are
merely opposed to totalitarianism, capital punishment and mass
murder (you know, the same things they claim to be against) and
don't necessarily think that Milton Friedman was a God.
- The US invading Vietnam and causing 2 million civilian deaths =
Freedom
- Che killing a total of around 50 Bolivian soldiers in an attempt
to topple an oligarchy = Terrorism
etc etc etc
Yeah, right, because every person who opposes Cuba's dictatorship
supports Batista, the Iraq war, slavery, and nuking Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. You have the same exact thinking patterns of the
"American REICH WING" you purport to oppose.
Pt2 - Not to mention that William Wallace was betrayed
by allies (Che by the Bolivian communist party) then captured and
executed with his body displayed to the public (sound familiar?
Google Freddy Alborta). Then Wallace's enemies hacked off his limbs
to the "four corners" of Great Britian (Che has his hands cut off
by CIA agents post mortem).
Movie Nerd | December 11, 2008, 9:30pm | #
Pt2 - Not to mention that William Wallace was betrayed by allies
(Che by the Bolivian communist party) then captured and executed
with his body displayed to the public (sound familiar? Google
Freddy Alborta). Then Wallace's enemies hacked off his limbs to the
"four corners" of Great Britian (Che has his hands cut off by CIA
agents post mortem).
Hasta la "FREEEEEDOOOOOMMM" !
Pop quiz for you, big guy, where are they now?
What is commonly used for a proof of kill for assassinations in
Latin America?
BTW, what is with all the hero and hero worship crap; you
Che-tards come on the board with your comparisons of Che versus
Washington, or Wallace, or who the fuck ever like you have been
arguing with freepers and neocons on their boards for several years
without any regard to what that means in a libertarian frame of
reference which is what is relevant to this board. Libertarians
have influences, Rand, Rothbard, Friedman, Spoon, etc., but heroes
are for the lizard brained. Take your messiah seeking else where
where it is relevant, or evolve.
By night I spread the virtues of Che Guevara who opposed
American Imperialism in a violent armed clashes, and who showed no
mercy to the enemies of his Revolution with the use of decisive
force, by day I argue in support of high rates on the corporate
income tax that funds American Imperialism, gun control
restrictions that make revolution and descent impossible and I
complain about police brutality by the agents of our permanent
revolution who use decisive force to get results. I even go so far
as to say that the 2nd Amendment is irrelevant given the nature of
modern warfare, and then I turn around and state that we can't
defeat the armed insurgency in Iraq because our modern army is not
a good fit against guerrilla warfare. Hmmm, is there a pattern in
the things I say and do?
"In capitalist society individuals are controlled by a pitiless law
usually beyond their comprehension. The alienated human specimen is
tied to society as a whole by an invisible umbilical cord: the law
of value. This law acts upon all aspects of one's life, shaping its
course and destiny."
"The laws of capitalism, blind and invisible to the majority, act
upon the individual without his thinking about it. He sees only the
vastness of a seemingly infinite horizon before him. That is how it
is painted by capitalist propagandists, who purport to draw a
lesson from the example of Rockefeller - whether or not it is true
- about the possibilities of success.
The amount of poverty and suffering required for the emergence of a
Rockefeller, and the amount of depravity that the accumulation of a
fortune of such magnitude entails, are left out of the picture, and
it is not always possible to make the people in general see
this."
"While a person dies every day during the eight or more hours in
which he or she functions as a commodity, individuals come to life
afterward in their spiritual creations. But this remedy bears the
germs of the same sickness: that of a solitary being seeking
harmony with the world."
It is clear that most here don't have an understanding of
semiotics & syntactics.
'Guerrillero Heroico' is a linguistic symbol which denotes
a 'vague' sense of rebellion. The actual individual (which operates
separately) or his deeds are irrelevant for the most part.
When a person wears a cross around their neck, they aren't evoking
the Crusades, witch burnings, or the Spanish Inquisition and the
brutality of Torquemada; they are communicating that they identify
as a Christian and with the 'vague' attributes that such a
distinction implies.
Although "righteous anger" can be an entertaining spectacle, in the
end it serves no purpose other than to entrench those 'symbols'
that are part of the counterculture (which Che clearly is).
The petrified Christians that burned Beatles albums after John
Lennon made his infamous & misunderstood "bigger than Jesus"
declaration, only increased the bands popularity and standing
amongst youth enthralled with countercultural sentiments.
Protesting or objecting to Che's ubiquitous pictorial dissemination
only makes it "stronger".
How many?
Oh yeah and in case you haven't got the memo - Che has been dead
for 41 years. Thus if us "pro-Che'rs" wanted to be with our
'messiah', we'd have to die and go to heaven - where for your sake
I hope he's in charge ! (LOL)
"How many?"
Oh yeah, your real intelligent. I think Kaleel ( supermans name??
lol) has a good point... it is not the same thing to compare what
superman (aka kalelo lol) said with Christians and Israel, or
capitalism and India and especially libertarians with "pesky" stop
light or PUBLIC utlities....
1st of libertarians are concerned with the PRIVATE SPHERE (IN THE
HOME ) NOT PUBLIC (STREETS AND HIGHWAY AND PARKS)
INSULTING OTHERS VALID POINT SHOWS HOW CLOSE YOU ARE TO BEING
SINGLE MINDED
Only in America (a nation that spends money with the faces of
slave owners on it) could you gind this glaring hypocrosy.
American Che-hating is truly breath-taking in its idiocy.
A nation founded on the deaths of millions of brown people, built
on the backs of millions of black and yellow people, who then tries
to criticize El Che for having a few hundred goons & rapists
shot by firing squad after a revolution.
Wow. The amazing amount of burning straw men is simply amazing.
Others have pointed it out, but again - saying Che is a worthless
piece of shit does not automatically mean you believe and approve
of every single foreign policy action of the US government. You are
debating a point that no one proffered. But I suppose that's the
only way you'll ever win your idiot fascination with a murderous
dictator.
RE: Volunteer Army
Even though you can't leave without fulfilling your contract it is
still voluntary. There isn't a military in the world that could
function without rules on desertion. This is because soldiers have
no personal reason to stay in a firefight. IE - if they are
probably going to lose a battle running might be the only way to
live, if they're probably going to win the battle, then the soldier
has no reason to risk their lives in the effort.
So, if every soldier followed logic, they would all run. Therefore
desertion rules have to exist to make the cost of desertion at
least as bad as the cost of staying.
This is basic logic, but considering you're defending Che, I'm not
positive you will understand it.
"They didn't have any rights to the land, and there was no
reason for anyone to grant them rights which they had not conceived
and were not using . . . . What was it that they were fighting for,
when they opposed white men on this continent? For their wish to
continue a primitive existence, their 'right' to keep part of the
earth untouched, unused and not even as property, but just keep
everybody out so that you will live practically like an animal, or
a few caves above it. Any white person who brings the element of
civilization has the right to take over this continent."
War always corrupts a person indefinitely regardless of what that
individual or group are pursuing after; may it be freedom, power,
or whatever the circumstance. But there's never a commendable
excuse to kill people excessively and immorally in order to satiate
a person's ambition(s) or goal(s). That shits dishonorable, not
virtuous and most importantly pathetic!
"There are many ways to the road of victory,... one just has to
choose the utmost justifiable path." Author: me!!!
And something yah forgot, neeerrrd! In regards to William and
Che... Che punkazz was from South America and wasn't even Cuban!?
What the fuck he doing rebelling in Cuba! Thats because the cunt
was a war-monger and nothing more! William was fighting for his
homeland, slaughtering of his Scottish kinsmen, and vengeance for
his family; due mainly in part because ye bastard English king was
conspiring to take over Scotland.
Laura Bush: her ex-boyfriend
W Bush: everyone killed thus far in the War in Afghanistan, War in
Iraq, War on Terror, 9/11 (which he created so he had the excuse to
kill everyone in the aforementioned) and Buddy, Clinton's dog,
which distracted Americans from the 2000 election and allowed his
fraudulent victory which killed a further million Americans through
starvation that wouldn't have occured under a more benign Gore
administration. All Polar Bears.
GHW Bush: responsible for Bhopal disaster (owned stock in Union
Carbide), Tianenmen Square (soft on China), Berlin Wall (some
souvenir pieces contained lead paint that were accidentally
ingested by children), at least 100000 deaths from involvement in
petroleum business, association with Reagan makes him partially
responsible for Iran-Contra (at least a couple of million) plus
Khaddafi's kid some Grenadan's; all those Panamanians; Gulf War I,
every death.
Jenna Bush: Some teenage boy choked himself to death will
masturbating to her picture.
Barbara Bush: Gave birth to W, the world's worst mass murderer.
Hol[e]y Shit, just read some kalelo's posts. He could be 38
years old with a wife and family but that doesn't change the fact
that on the internet he's a child, a big, fat babby.
*Shifts in high chair and turns to address kalelo personally*
Why are you a baby, kalelo? Why do you address morons and trolls
and expect praise when you correct them? What's your excuse for
that natty-ass weave? Why do you tuck your dress shirts into your
underwear so that it rides up around your chest and above your
pants? Why do you watch day time Nickelodeon and blog about it on
blogspot? Why do you play Starcraft against Koreans when you know
you won't win? You are a nigg0r, a magical dancing negro!
HAHA
Oh please. One of the greatest crime in history took place when
Christoper Columbus entered the American continent. That was dooms
day for native Americans and the continent of Africa. Africa still
has not recovered. Throwing stones at Che is like the pot calling
the kettle black. Humans are fundamentaly evil, greedy, and
selfish. That is why we'll always have wars and those who prosper
from them will always defend the instigators.
"Che is a figure who can constantly be examined and re-examined.
To the younger, post-cold-war generation of Latin Americans, Che
stands up as the perennial Icarus, a self-immolating figure who
represents the romantic tragedy of youth. Their Che is not just a
potent figure of protest, but the idealistic, questioning kid who
exists in every society and every time."
> At least Mao provided free health care for his
> people! Something the US has still failed to do!!
>
Yeah. And I bet he gave every family the finest china
dinette sets on which to eat their own dying children!
How beneficent! Such a Great Leader!You show video of an anarchist contingent in a larger protest,
notice the red and black flag, a known anarchist symbol, and angry
youth in black masks breaking things, though not exclusively
anarchist, indicative.
There is an irony in your choice of image here. Anarchists are one
of the few groups in american politics who know 1. Che was a
statist and 2. the state is violence.
I tell you; any anarchist who knows which end of that red and black
flag is up, and it is flown correctly here, knows exactly where he
stands with the likes of comrade Che. | eng | eaf659b9-b8e4-460f-9d1e-4390346b9633 | http://reason.com/blog/2008/12/11/killer-chic-hollywoods-sick-lo |
REPOSER EN PAIX: Custodians of Paris
^la Marque Honnête, an insignia used collectively by all French Assassins.^
The French Revolution, a time most famous in European history. It was known as a political argument that grew in to violence and massacres. However, it was not as simple as some believed.
Truth was shrouded by Cloaks and Daggers, plots, schemes, and most importantly, Pieces of Eden, which, unbeknownst to the majority of Frenchmen, was in fact the primary reason for the Revolution.
King Louis XV of France's time on the throne ended in a very disheartening way. To the public's eye, famine and war had exhausted France's supply of money, and due to this, the price of simple day-to-day resources rocketed up, leaving the vast majority of France- the poor, with very little hope.
But it was not just as simple 'famine and war', it rooted much deeper. A hefty sum had been swallowed behind the scenes, in a long-term mission brewed in the minds of none other than the Templar Order. Louis was their puppet, they persuaded him to send his ships and use his resources to search for something that few knew of, and even fewer acknowledged the true power capacity of- Pieces of Eden.
If they manage to assemble a few at a time- even just three, they would have an unimaginable power.
At the time of Louis XV's death, they had acquired an apple of Eden, which they had purchased from a foreign nation, which Louis XV kept in his personal chambers.
Upon the king's death, his son, Louis XVI, ascended to the throne, and that was when the Templar's plot began to go pear-shaped, as the King did not believe in the 'superstition' that the Templars suggested, in fact, he was so disgruntled with these affiliates that he had them sacked.
The wars waged on through his reign and the people became more and more angry. After his coronation, they were treat, somehow, worse than previously.
This was the Templar's chance. They could manipulate this, and of course, they did. Hundreds of Templars simultaneously stood up across France, preaching, suggesting a premature end to the king's time in office.
The people listened to the charismatic heralds and followed their world, Revolution was growing, and from then on, the Templars could sit back, satisfied, watching their creation slowly grow in to a war. Not only would this war distract the world around them so they could take back the apple that remained in Louis XVI's bedroom, but they could also, they would have the chance to take over the country itself, and hunt down the rest of the pieces required.
The only thing that could stop the Order now was the Assassins, and they were worried. The French Assassins called upon the Austrians and the Prussians, who were both led by Assassin rulers. The two nations threatened invasion under the ploy that "they didn't want revolution to spread in to their land." Their threat was ignored, and so, they prepared their armies. The assassins fell upon France.
The country was bombarded, and the people, requiring ultimate power, announced the execution of Louis XVI. Though the people do not know it, and perhaps never will, times are most certainly dark. There is one, small flicker of light. One single thorn in the Templar's side. One resistance, that time and time again, over hundreds of years, has stopped the plans of the Templar Order. They are known globally as the Brotherhood of Assassins, but they go by many names, but those that reside in Paris simply go by "la Fraternité Assassin." You are a member of the brotherhood, devote to their cause, you, along with your brothers, will act through guerrilla warfare to take action and prevent the Templar Order from taking the Pieces for their own.
Basically, we're playing as the Assassins who will try and prevent the Templars from retaining the piece of Eden. In this, the Templars are the French we are fighting, we have allies in the Austrians and Prussians who are led by Assassins too.
FULL NAME: First and Second, middle names and nicknames if required.
GENDER: M/F
D.O.B: Keeping in mind the story breaks out in 1792.
-----------
APPEARANCE: Description required, optional picture
-----------
HISTORY: At least a para of backstory.
-----------
PERSONALITY: How you act around others.
ATTITUDE: The way you act (e.g. when you kill do you respect the dead, or do you spit on their corpse?)
-----------
STRENGTHS: Your 3 best attributes.
WEAPON OF CHOICE: If you could have any weapon while staring death in the face, what would it be?
WEAKNESSES: 3 worst qualities
><*><
GUIDE TO LA FRATERNITÉ RANKING SYSTEM
There is no particular ranking system for most members, but there is a few unofficial tiers. Newly inducted members have little-to-no reputation and are not too respected, as they have done nothing to warrant respect, it seems, once an assassin is proven and earns the garb, they are much more respected. Above normal assassins who hold garbs, are the most respected and trusted of the Fraternité. Most reside in Bureaus or the Headquarters of the Fraternité. The highest tier, is of course the Grandmaster Assassin, who leads the Fraternité.
*
UNIFORM
When you first join the ranks of the Parisian Assassins, you hold no specific uniform.
However, when you undertake the ceremony of full-membership, you earn the official robes, pictured below.
All members who are working on behalf of the Assassins must wear the robes, excluding a rare few who have special permission from the Grandmaster to wear sentimental robes.
Thanks to Kagamine for the pic.
*
HEADQUATERS
The HQ, known as "la Tombe" ("the Grave") among the Assassins is a large complex beneath Paris. It is directly accessible from the catacombs, from a secret switch on a statue above the ashes of assassin-legend Joan of Arc. The button opens in to a staircase which leads to the central hall.
The central hall is where everyone gathers and meetings are held. la Tombe also contains a training arena, a storage hold and a barracks holding equipment for the assassins. Aside from that you can find the grandmaster's office, the library and a kitchen. There is a large section of la Tombe which is dedicated to the assassin's accommodation. The rooms are not luxury, containing merely beds and a chest to hold each assassin's belongings.
*
IDENTITY
Each assassin who has passed through the ceremony will have their own robe and, most importantly the "Marque Honnête," ("Honest Mark") a brand given by a hot poker on the inner-wrist of the left arm showing the French Assassin's symbol.
*
RULES
There are three basic rules that all Assassins must follow, the three tenents. They were written by the original Parisian assassins and they remain today: Stay est votre lame de la chair d'un innocent, pour les Assassins ne tuent que pour le bénéfice de l'innocent. Masquer dans la vue de tous, restent invisibles. Stealth est votre arme. Jamais de compromis la Fraternité, il est votre priorité, votre vie.
Pour ceux qui enfreignent ces règles sont des traîtres. (Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent, for the Assassins only kill for the benefit of the innocent. Hide in plain sight, remain unseen. Stealth is your weapon. Never compromise la Fraternité, it is your priority, your life.
For those who break these rules are traitors.)
There are other rules that have developed over time, but they are most certainly the ones that are most important.
*
TRADITION
Assassins are recruited in to la Fraternité by senior members, but they do not fully join the Assassins until they have proved themselves worthy. For some, this takes weeks, for others, it takes years.When they have proved themselves, the Grandmaster will hold a ceremony to welcome them officially in to la Fraternité. In the ceremony they are gifted the trademark robes and are branded with the symbol of the Parisian Assassins.
There are other Traditions in la Fraternité. For example, when an enemy is killed, assassins are expected to wish them peace. If they do not do this, they may build a bad reputation, but it is not a requirement.
*
PHRASES
The following phrases are used in common conversation between assassins often: "Rien n'est vrai, tout est permis." ("Nothing is true, everything is permitted.")
ToFULL NAME:
Raphaël Lyon GENDER:
M D.O.B:
1766 (26 Years Old)
----------- APPEARANCE:
Raphaël has medium length, slightly spiked dark-brown hair and pale green eyes. He is of a light, athletic build and has a typical french complexion. He is normally seen in the garb of the Assassins, but when not in uniform, he dons light leather that is practical and well kept.
----------- HISTORY:
Raphaël hails from Paris, the city he still lives in today. His father was a respected member of la Fraternité and his mother a barmaid. Despite being conceived on a one-night-stand, his father was an honest man and remained faithful, hanging up his Assassins garb once and for all and spending the rest of his life in the bar, raising his child and marrying the barmaid.
Raphaël followed in the footsteps of his father, who persuaded him to join them from a young age. With youth, he learnt fast, becoming stealthy, fast and agile. It seemed he was his fathers way of apologizing from retiring prematurely.
As he matured, he quickly became one of the most impressive Assassins la Fraternité had seen in recent years. By the age of 20, he was doing work for the Assassins, killing his first Templar two years later.
By the age of 24 he was a very well known figure, a future leader, perhaps. He wore his Assassin's garbs with pride, and every target he killed, he blessed and wished peace upon.
When the revolution sparked, he noticed a great change. Respected members from Bureau's across Paris and beyond all met in private and discussed. Despite his relatively large reputation, Raphaël was not one of the few that discussed this topic.
It was not until the Austrians and Prussians threatened invasion in 1792 that the truth was revealed to him and the rest of la Fraternité. He knew he needed to fight, and fight he would.
----------- PERSONALITY:
Friendly and Charismatic, not afraid to have a laugh, but in appropriate situations is serious. Can be stubborn and rash. ATTITUDE:
Respectful to even the most hated, but can act rashly.
----------- STRENGTHS:
Agility, Light Weaponry, Charisma WEAPON OF CHOICE: Hidden blade WEAKNESSES:
Heavy Weaponry, Multiple Opponents, Stubbornness
FULL NAME: Cosette Aveline Ambrosine: Goes by Ave.
GENDER:F
D.O.B: 1774
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APPEARANCE: Fair skinned with some freckles covering her nose and cheeks, on the more petite side compared to most her age. Long red hair and ice blue eyes.
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HISTORY: Ave was born into a family who already had two boys. With her father wanting another son he was pretty disappointed when his wife gave birth to Ave. The three siblings trained with their father, who wished for them to join with the assassins- at least he wanted his sons to do so.
When things started to worsen they suffered like everyone else had, but were better at keeping their heads. They went on as if it was only a bit of bad luck, but behind closed doors their father was trying to get his sons to join the assassins quickly to help. When they refused it was Ave who decided to go- rather wanting a life as an assassin.
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PERSONALITY: Very childish and free spirited- curious and stubborn, sometimes to much for her own good at times. To others she is that one person you can count on to be optimistic about everything. However, she's wiry and if you press the right buttons she can get quickly angered. She doesn't like to show weakness, however, so always tries to joke and tease instead. Whether it's all an act or not on her part you can't help but enjoy the warmth she tries to give.
ATTITUDE: Polite, but only when she wants to be.
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STRENGTHS: Determination, evading/hiding skills (you could swear she was just over there!), Accuracy
WEAPON OF CHOICE: Probably a gun but anything that includes fire or spark and goes off with a bang!
WEAKNESSES: Doesn't listen to directions well, to reckless, fears losing those close to her
(I'm sorry if that's not good >.< Please tell me if I need to change anything)
Not bad, but I'd like it if you could size up the History section by adding how she got involved with the Assassins and how she has dealt with the uprising of the people (is she poor, and did she go along with it?)
Once you do that, I'll be happy to accept it.
Note: As your character is 18, she will most likely be a new inductee? If you want her to join during the story, then forget the bit about joining.
I was thinking that she would join in during the story. I'm sorry it's not great, I'm having terrible writer's block today, although that really isn't a good excuse ^^'
We could make her older if you wish, and change her history up a bit. I was thinking that her father might have worked with the assassin's at some point and when her sons didn't go to join them like he did she decided to take the role. Just a thought I suppose. . . .
I don't need her to be older, just try and add in how it affects her. Your writing seems at the right standard for this, so I have no problem with that. I'd say just work the Revolution in to it somehow. If so, you're accepted. Pending for now.
NOTICE:
I have edited the story, thanks to TFL, who has suggested something nice.
Now, I've made it so Austria and Prussia are led by Assassins, and they attacked France to prevent the Templar's quest so easy.
FULL NAME: Raska il ba Altair
GENDER: M
D.O.B: 1760
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APPEARANCE: Tall and dark skinned, his face very strict with a hooknose. Black, curly shoulder long hair come together with strange deep blue eyes. He´s more the builded type, not thin but trained.
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HISTORY: While growing up in the House of Saud, the greatest kingdom in the muslim empire, Raska was one of the few who was blessed with education and even one of the fewer who was willingly to learn. Quickly learning a lot about the history of his country he also came in contact with a certain part of it...he read things about a certain artefact, so powerfull that it was the cause of the holy war or rather the cause of the templers to infiltratr the Muslim empire but something...or rather someone stopped them...and it all had something to do with Masyaf, the city of the Hasharin.
With the young age of 14 Raska already travelled to Masyaf and continued his researches and so it happened...Raska peeked behind the mask of truth and quickly two organisations were after him and so he had to choose.
While knowing who had the roots in his country and hating the reason of a holy war to cover up a search for an artefact he decided to join the Assasins of the Brotherhood and that without being born into it.
Still researching what happened during all the times in his country he was now moved to france, kept away from the Templars back in the Muslim kingdom to a place they woudnt suspect in centuries, directly infront of their noses.
Raska started a turkish Shisha local, a rather dark place for all kinds of immigartes and criminals to gather information. As the war was about to raise Raska took measures in his fighting abilities, even thou he had one back in his chilhood, it was more traditional sword-fight so he´s untallented with his bare fists.
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PERSONALITY: Raska is a silver tounged devil, while being an immigrant in france he sure has to face much prejudice so he tries to cover that with philophical patterns and eloquent speech. While he´s friendly and difficult to anger he sure is a mean bastard when you got him that far. He doesn´t trust many people but for the one he does, he would do anything.
ATTITUDE: Charismatic, determinded, joyfull, hedonistic
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STRENGTHS: Accuary, Agility, Charisma
WEAPON OF CHOICE: Scimitar in the right Crossbow in the left.
WEAKNESSES: Hedonistic, lifes are meaning less to him, close combat
(Is it okay if I can have my character perhaps a little higher up the chain of command in the Assassins? I know it seems a bit cheeky, but I think it would fit Antoine, if you know what I mean.)
Name: Antoine Valois
Gender: Male
Age: 32
Appearance: Credit to d3dkg23 on deviantart.
These robes were used by Antoine's father, Martin. As he was an assassin during the early 1700s, they are basically adapted toward what is more recent and new for Antoine's time in the 18th Century. It is neat, slick, and something that Antoine makes his own in this sort of decade. It is a continuation of the classic Assassin's robes- yet with a newer and in Antoine's eyes, a better twist. The robes have leather vambraces and gloves, along with the reasonably decorative tassles and designs typical of the time. The two hidden blades, a pair of weapons that Antoine is special in receiving, make him very deadly at places where his usual Sabre would not do the trick, with double the capacity that one blade would have.
Personality: Calm, and collective. Thinks things through, and likes to work slowly- he does not like being surrounded by those who are too swift to act, yet this facade sometimes cracks, when he is beginning to lose confidence in a situation or is simply pissed- going in quickly when needed and making an action before the whole picture develops. Believes in the idea of the Assassin ideal "Nothing is true- everything is permitted", and does whatever it takes really, this being combined and occasionally conflicting with his ideas of not acting too swiftly. Ethically, he does what he must to get the job done- and holds no confidence for those who are doubtful or not embracing the Assassins ideals correctly. He may be wise- but he does not exactly show perfection, and always stands for what is their creed, rather than what side they should take. It is why perhaps some wonder if he is so embracing of Assassin ideals that he may even be corrupt with them- but he will say that a Templar killed is a good Templar- and most of all, is someone who does not view the revolution something a fight that is of two sides. He is cold in his actions, and despite the fact that he is an extremely successful assassin, tipped to run a bureau in Paris on behalf of La Fraternité, he isn't exactly universally liked. Some are fond of him- others cannot stand his action and thinking process. That's only the Assassins, mind.
Bio: Born in Strasbourg, France in 1760, Antoine was born into a family of assassins. He learned the tools of the trade, and followed in their example, fighting for what was just. In 1780, he went to America- to help out the newly established Assassins in America, who Antoine joined for adventure, and the fact that he wanted to chase down a specific Templar in Quebec during the climax of the American War of Independence. He left four years later, joining the Parisian Assassins as a trained and proficient member. He has quickly become a respected and known member in the order- and since the natural death of his parents three years ago, due to a breakout of smallpox in Strasbourg, he has been more cut off and embracing of the Assassin family that is La Fraternité. He stands as a good member of the Assassins, and even though he looks almost like an aristocrat, his robes and actions suggest otherwise.
Attitude: Harsh, unforgiving bastard. Spits on the dead, who he has killed (those who are his targets or related to the Templars)- his philosophy in life is to treat Templars as Templars, and many of them he has killed in cold blood, aware that that it is for the greater good of people. Still, he's friendly enough around Assassins and normal people- but what you'd think a cold hearted killer is. This in itself does raise issues however- and is one weakness that Antoine has.
Other:
Strengths: Antoine is a very specifically tailored Assassin. He is highly proficient in parkour, both urban and environmental, and is a very talented hand-to-hand fighter, being extremely proficient with using his sabre as an instrument of close quarters fighting. He is a highly enthusiastic Geographer, Cartographer, Chemist (not medical- but he is skilled with making smoke and gas bombs), not to mention the fact that he tends to be an antiquarian, enjoying being in the presence of history and the past in general. Merging fighting and running is natural to Antoine- he has the physique and stamina to do both when put in the situation. He isn't completely street-wise like many pickpockets and thieves are, yet he has the ability to know his way around Paris, and knows a fair few contacts.
Weaknesses: Antoine can however have periods of instability (mostly anger at others), and not gel properly with the other Assassins. Despite the fact he is usually okay, he can flare up, and be annoyed at mistakes others make. This impatience at others is a result of 12 years of having to deal with problems caused by other failed assassinations, or deaths of friends, cousins and other assassins. He values his life well enough- yet doesn't seem to have that cog that would fit in order to work with other assassins on certain targets at times. He isn't exactly good with horses (mild), hasn't got a remarkable aim (it's moderate), and his own drive to get targets rather than worry about collateral damage can be seen as a massive stain on his appearance from other Assassins- despite the fact that Antoine is an extremely successful killer by doing so. | eng | e20d2713-9985-43cf-9912-80626894f546 | http://roleplayerguild.com/showthread.php?197651-Star-Trek-Voyage-of-the-Akula-(ooc)&goto=nextnewest |
The Gulf's strategic position
The Gulf is one of the two direct routes through this region by which passage from the Far East could be gained to the West. Its security has been perceived to be vital to those seeking to move materials through it, and has been the reason for the interest shown in it by a number of European, Arab and Ottoman powers. It was or is bounded on its east side by Persia – present day Iran, and on the west by the Arabian peninsula containing Saudi Arabia and the various Emirates including the associated islands of Bahrain. Iraq has access to the north end of the Gulf through the port of Basra.
As I mentioned on another page I generally refer to the Persian Gulf – its officially recognised name – as the Gulf though, to those on the Arabic side of that body of water, it is commonly referred to as the Arabian Gulf.
A particular characteristic of the Gulf is the relatively small marine passage at the Straights of Hormuz – between the United Arab Emirates and Iran – that allows marine traffic access from the Indian Ocean via the Arabian Sea to the Gulf.
The Gulf was the setting for the development of both strong maritime and land empires, attracting interest not only from the land masses adjacent to it, but also from further afield such as Europe to its west and the Indian sub-continent to its east. In fact it formed the western edge of the British Indian Empire from which its interests were controlled or administered rather than from Britain. It enjoyed a strong maritime economy based on the city states developed on its littoral though it might be considered that there were four arenas which governed development alongside it:
urban,
tribal,
agricultural, and
maritime.
These played a part alone or in concert in the urbanisation of the region with the pressures from tribal expansion resulting in the development of urban settlements.
Pre-history
The earlier historical importance of the Gulf was due to its being situated at the south end of the eastern tip of the fertile crescent – that part of the Middle East which formed the cradle of so many civilisations. It stretched from present day Syria north and east through Turkey, then south along the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, ending at Basra at the head of the Gulf. There is evidence to demonstrate that interest in this area goes back at least five thousand years, and arguments have been put forward that not only was the island of Bahrain the location of the legendary civilisation of Dilmun but, more tenuously, that it might also have been the location of the Garden of Eden. Dilmun was contemporary and traded with the great civilisations of the region now situated in the modern states of Syria, Iraq and Iran. These relationships, along with those it established with other trading partners, are recorded in the Code of Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC) – a product of Mesepotamian legislation which was designed to ensure honesty in trading. There is considerable evidence that trading on boats within the Gulf goes back at least to the third millenium BC, and that there is the probability of shipping in the region long before this date.
Although there is no evidence that Qatar was directly involved in the activities of Dilmun, there is certainly evidence of people living on the Qatar peninsula thousands of years ago. One of the more visual pieces of evidence can be seen on the limestone outcrops at al Jassassiyah where petroglyphs have been incised into the rock adjacent to the foreshore. It is thought that they are a combination of both illustration as well as a game played with small stones, both shown in this photograph. There are modern games played with stones and holes such as this, known as al aa'ilah and al haluwsah, and it is thought they are descended from these carvings. They are similar to manqala, a traditional game which goes back thousands of years to the Nabataean civilisation.
Mapping
The Persian Gulf was first mapped almost two thousand years ago by Ptolemy. The first illustration is a copy of that first map and was made in the fifteenth century. You can see that the Gulf is shown as an almost land-locked body of water with a small number of islands shown at its north-east shore. The Straits of Hormuz are shown as being relatively wide and the Gulf itself has an amorphous shape to it. The map clearly illustrates the important position which the Gulf enjoys in its relationship with the Red Sea and Africa to its west, and the Indian sub-continent to its east. This pattern is replicated in the second illustration which is a detail of the Cantino world map of 1502 which appears to be heavily influenced by the upper map, though the Aden coast and India are represented differently.
Part of a map created by the French cartographer, Jacques-Nicolas Bellin in 1740, this illustration focusses on the coast rather than the hinterland of the Gulf, paying particular attention to the pearl banks, a major area of importance at that time. As can be seen, the map is not that accurate, showing the Bahrein islands oversized and suggesting that Qatar – written as 'Katara' – was a part of the Saudi hinterland and not the strongly modeled peninsula it really is. Like the map below, this may have had something to do with the difficult navigable character of the shallow waters between Saudi, Bahrein and Qatar. But is should also be noted that the mainland of the Saudi peninsula is named 'Bahrayn', a term referring to the baharnah, said to be shi'ite arabs related to the traditional tribes of the Saudi peninsula and the Qatif oasis – here written as 'Al Katif'. The lower photograph has been added to illustrate something of the character of the shallow water in this part of the Gulf, and the possible difficulties associated with access to it for the purposes of mapping.
Here are two later maps, the first made by Jean Baptiste Bourguignon, and published in Paris by J.B.B. D'Anville in 1776. Although there were maps around this time which showed Qatar with varying degrees of accuracy, it is notable that this map omits it stating, though you can't read it at this scale, that the eastern shore is 'unknown'. But it clearly shows the islands of Bahrein, with the general shape and configuration of the Gulf being more recognisable, even if it is narrower than other maps illustrated and, of course, reality. By this time badu tribes were using the pensinsula regularly and, with the British and Indian interests being focussed in Bahrein, it might be thought unusual that the Qatar peninsula was not mapped at that proximity from Bahrein, and with Bahrein having an interest at least in Zubara. The second map, published again in Paris, but in 1797, is very similar to that shown a little way above but omitting the name 'katara'. The width of the Gulf is here shown to be a little wider.
In fact at this time mapping was based in great part on interviews with local Arabs, and it is not surprising that important features and relationships were omitted or given undue prominence. The peninsula of Qatar seems to have been used as a marker of territories, its western coast marking the early understanding of Bahrein which was seen to be the area from Qatar in its east to Kuwait in its west; and its eastern coast marking the early understanding of Oman which was seen to be the area from Qatar in its West to the Oman in its east.
Reflecting its growing strategic importance, it wasn't until the nineteenth century that maps illustrating the Gulf began to appear with the Qatar peninsula illustrated, this one published in 1903 showing something of its characteristic shape. Bear in mind that this was published a hundred and fifty years after the more recent activities and urbanisation within the peninsula. In this the maps reflected the interest, or lack of it, shown by those using the waters of the Gulf, but surprising when the importance of this region at that time is considered.
Constraints on the Qatar peninsula
Originally, the Qatar peninsula differed from much of the hinterland in having a population that was mainly transient, tribes bringing their animals into the peninsula only during the winter months to benefit from the plants brought on by the winter rains in their dirah – the areas of land over which they claimed a right to graze. Here, to the right, two badu drive part of their tribe's herd into the peninsula, an operation that takes place rapidly. I came across this group a long way from any track, and they passed and were out of sight in minutes.
The transient nature of migration placed constraints on the Ruler of Qatar whose strength was, in large measure, derived from his ability to control those living on the lands over which he claimed sovereignty. Customarily his control extended over tribes upon whom he could enforce the payment of zakaat or taxes and, as many of these owed their primary allegiances to the Wahhabi, the Ruler of Qatar had to have a finely developed political sense. Only two tribes could really be considered to be resident in the peninsula in the early days: the large tribe of the Bani Hajir with its roots in the Hasa district of what is now Saudi Arabia, and the smaller Kaban with its relationships in Bahrain.
But the peninsula had additionally been used on its littoral as an important trading base within the Gulf, and this seems to have been operating at the same time as badu moved around the peninsula, sometimes in conflict with the more settled littoral developments. This maritime tradition goes back centuries if not millennia.
Population of the peninsula
With time a degree of settlement was attained in the peninsula though, due to the lack of records, it is difficult to be accurate with regard to dates until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when British, Egyptian and Ottoman interests in the region created more documentation relating particularly to the strategic and political issues that were of concern to their respective governments.
Conceptually it has been difficult to state ownership of the peninsula until relatively recently. The legal definition of the peninsula has only lately been settled and there has always been a difference in describing both boundaries as well as the extent of influence of those with an interest in the region. However, the first recorded ruler of Qatar was noted in 628 as belonging to the al-Musallam, a tribe that was part of the larger al-Tamim and based at Furaiha, a town two miles north of Zubara. Ottoman sources also confirm that the al-Musallam were still in charge of the peninsula in 1555, and based at al-Huwaylah.
It seems to be agreed that the principal badu tribes who migrated to the Qatar peninsula were the Al Murrah and Al Ajman from Hasa; the Al Manasir from Trucial Oman; and the Na'im, fluctuating between Bahrain and Trucial Oman. The dispersed pattern of these tribes' origins, and their annual migratory patterns, demonstrates the degree of difficulty that was inherent in attempting to maintain control of the peninsula.
The most populous of the hadhar, or settled people, in the peninsula were the Sultan, Mahandah, Sudan, Al Bu Kawarah, Hamaydat, Huwalah, Al Buainain and the Al bin Ali. There were also a few Shia Arabs known as Baharinah, and Huwalah Arabs – Sunni Muslims who had lived on the Persian side of the Gulf and returned at a later date. In addition to the Persians there were also a number of Africans brought in as slaves but who were manumitted and assimilated within the Qatar society.
I have written a little more about the badu tribes on the population page, which include a couple of graphic illustrations to show where the families came from and where they settled. I should also state that I have made these notes from verbal sources as well as four or five written sources, the most important of which are the three books by Zahlan and that by Habibur Rahman which I particularly recommend to anybody wishing to learn more.
Trade and occupation of the peninsula
This simplified map and that a couple of paragraphs lower down the page have been placed here for rapid reference even though some of the locations of interest or importance on both sides of the Gulf, as well as those further down the coast, may be missing. Many of the locations are difficult to locate accurately, are relatively small, no longer exist or have had their names changed. A slightly more accurate map and accurate locations of places within Qatar are given on the geography page but if anybody could point me to a more accurate map suited to this page, I would be grateful.
The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw settlement around and within the peninsula with the development of what were, effectively, city states on the littoral of the Gulf. Kuwait at the head of the Gulf, Manama on Bahrein, Zubara and Bida on Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras al Khaimah at the east end of the Gulf were all established as, perhaps, tribal outposts and settlements from which to maintain control on the increasingly lucrative pearling trade.
The pearling fleets of Qatar and Bahrein were significant in their sizes, each supporting around six hundred to eight hundred boats in season, slightly more than the third largest area, that on the Shibkuh coast on the Persian side of the Gulf. Smaller fleets were based in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, and at Lengeh on the Persian shores. Small fleets also sailed from Ras al Khaimah and Umm al Quwain at the east end of the Gulf, and Qatif, the latter north-west of Bahrein on the Saudi littoral. This sketch, based on an illustration by Lorimer, shows the location of the main pearl banks, with Qatar obviously well placed to have access to them. Lorimer wrote, apropos the banks off Zubara, 'In this bay are the best, the most copious pearl-fisheries of the Persian Gulf'.
This development of tribal power brought those on the peninsula into varying degrees of conflict with those empires having an interest in the area, particularly the Safavid, Mughal and Ottoman, though not perhaps to the same degree, with the British who, with their control of the sea routes to the Indian sub-continent were in a stronger position to make their presence, and policies, felt.
Strong maritime trade had developed over time with Basra, particularly, playing an important role at the head of the Gulf. But increasing urbanisation on the littoral saw the development of entrepôts at Bashir, Lungi and Bandar Abbas on the north side of the Gulf, and Kuwait, Manama, Zubara and Dubai on the south side. This, combined with a very relaxed attitude to duties – effectively a free port system – saw the weakening of Basrah's importance compared with the newer ports. This was reinforced by Persian occupation of Basra in 1775 which had the effect of merchants leaving Kuwait and Basra and establishing themselves in Zubara.
Qatar was originally considered to be established by segments of the bani Utbah who emigrated from the region of Kuwait – the Al Khalifah and Al Jalahimah settling in Zubara, situated in the north-east corner of the peninsula, in 1766, a settlement there having been established there in the early seventeenth century. Zubara was a larger settlement than its closest neighbours, Huwailah and Ruwaidhah. Being excluded from Zubara, they established a fort some distance beyond the outer wall of Zubara, at Murair in 1768. However, prior to this it is likely that clans of the Al Aniza tribe stayed a short time before moving on to settle in Kuwait in the sixteenth century. In 1766 there were only three fishing villages in the peninsula – Huwaylah, Fuwairat and Doha, dominated by the Al Musallam, the Sudan and the Ma'adhid and Al bin Ali tribes respectively. The Ma'adhid, were a branch of the Bani Tamim, and the Al Thani a branch of the Ma'adhid, tradition having that they came to the Qatar peninsula in the late seventeenth century from the Jibrin oasis, a hundred and fifty miles inside the Arabian hinterland.
Conquering Bahrain in 1783 the 'Utbah moved into Bahrain and became known as the Al Khalifahs – the name of the present Rulers of Bahrain. The Al Jalahimah originally settled in Zubara on the north coast of Qatar but had difficulties with their kinsmen, the Al Khalifah and moved on to Ruwais. In settling on the mainland of Qatar it is likely that they would have had some form of agreement originally with the bani Khalid who had a general presence on the peninsula, but who were relatively weak. At that time there were a number of small villages on Qatar, most of them associated with the sea, but having a general air of impermanence about them. The largest of these settlements was at Huwaylah. A number of the Al Thani qabila living there, as they did at the two smaller littoral settlements of Doha and Fuwairat on the east of the peninsula. The Al Jalahimah and the tribes already settled within the peninsula enjoyed an uneasy co-existence and it was not long before those living at Zubara felt the need to construct a wall around three sides of the town, the sea forming the protection on its north side.
I should mention here that the Al Khalifa claimed to have given permission for the Dowasir to settle on Hawar in 1800, though this was disputed in the International Court of Justice case, convened in 2000, when it was held that Lorimer stated that the Dowasir only arrived in Bahrain in 1845 from Najd via Zakhuniyah.
The pre-eminence of Zubara lasted until the 1790s when the rise of the wahhabi in the Arabian peninsula saw them overcome al-Hasa. Having concern for both the commercial importance of Zubara as well as a belief that pluralism was being practised there, a wahhabi army attacked and overcame Zubara in 1795, other tribes in Qatar as well as Bahrain having failed to support the inhabitants in Zubara for a number of reasons. By 1802 the wahhabi had overcome Bahrain as well, thus extending their influence the length of the coast from the Shatt al-Arab to Muscat. At the end of the eighteenth century, Zubara had been the main settlement of the Qatar peninsula with Khor Hassan the second most important, but the destruction of these two settlements not only relieved the pressure on the Gulf's coast from the maritime threat posed by forces based at these two towns, but removed the political centre of gravity to al-Bida on the east coast.
Generally settlements were established in locations where there were accessible pearl banks and the ability to provide safe anchorage for shipping. They were, in this sense, an urban expression of socio-political and economic necessity. They were also established at points which were relatively easy to protect through the medium of shoals and sand banks making approach difficult for those not knowing their location, or for those using craft with deeper draught as, generally, did the British.
The early years of the nineteenth century saw considerable political movement in the region. Much of this revolved around the resolution of leadership in Bahrain and the activities of the wahhabi.
Britain, at this time, regarded Qatar as a dependency of Bahrain, falling under the operation of the Maritime Truce of 1835. For this reason the British did not deal with Qatar when treaties were signed with Bahrain and the other Gulf Sheikhdoms. However, Qatar and other areas of the Gulf including Bahrain, had come under the influence of Muhammad Abdul Wahhab (1703-1787) and despite their claim on Qatar, the Bahraini Al Khalifahs paid tribute to the wahhabis whom they recognised as having possessions in Qatar.
1835 also saw the Bahraini ruler sending troops to attack al-Huwaylah whose strength was now beginning to worry him. The Bahrainis landed at Zubara, abandoned in 1811 and then moved to establish themselves at Fuwairat, close to al-Huwaylah. Despite being reinforced by a small number of wahhabi horsemen and infantry, the chief of al-Huwaylah sought mediation which was successful in keeping the status quo but required the demolition of al-Huwaylah and the moving of its inhabitants to Bahrain.
However, members of the Bahraini Ruler's family induced some of the al-Kuwara of Fuwairat to attack al-Huwaylah, in the process killing a member of the chief's family. Moving to Abu Dhabi and intent on continuing his disagreement with Bahrain, Isa bin Tarif of al-Huwaylah found himself constrained by the British who refused to allow them to continue warfare against Bahrain. The British also brought pressure to bear on the inhabitants of al-Bida and Wakra who, too, were engaged in what were considered by the British as unlawful activities, though it is evident that the British were using their power unjustly.
There then followed considerable negotiations between Isa bin Tarif, the British, the Sultan of Muscat and Egypt, the latter of whom wished to expand their interests in the region. Isa bin Tarif's wish was to return to al-Huwaylah or al-Bida along with certain guarantees of protection from the British. In the event he asked, and was given permission, to move to Wakra which was had been deserted by the al Bu 'Ainain. This failed to come about and, following more negotiations with the British, Isa bin Tarif settled on the Persian island of Qais in 1840 where he was considered to be no threat to the stability of the region.
The following year the British shelled al-Bida in a successful attempt to deal with outlaws from Abu Dhabi who had taken refuge there. 1841 was also the first time that the al Thani appear in the various records as having significance on the peninsula.
Sheikh Muhammad bin Thani
Thani bin Muhammad bin Thani bin Ali of the Ma'adhid tribe moved to Fuwairat from Furaiha where they formed a confederation with the al Bu-Kawara of the Bani Tamimi. In 1839 the al Bu-Kuwara moved to the Persian island of Kharg, having fallen out with Bahrain over the latter's treatment of their tribe in Bahrain. Sheikh Muhammad bin Thani, who had been born at Fuwairat, appears to have been recognised by Bahrain and the British as having pre-eminence in Qatar as the British wrote to him, through Sheikh Abdullah of Bahrain, requesting he did not allow unlawful elements to settle in Fuwairat.
In 1841 Bahraini succession problems spilled over to Khor Hassan resulting in its being abandoned and the rebuilding of Zubara begun. In 1843 a contingent left Qatar with the backing of Sheikh Muhammad bin Thani and Isa bin Tarif, and faced Bahraini forces at Rifa and beating them back to Dammam on the mainland. Instead of returning to Qais or remaining on Bahrain, Isa bin Tarif moved to al-Bida, requiring the al-Suwaidi to move to Lingah on the Persian coast. Some members of the Ma'adhid and al Bu-Kuwara tribes also moved to al-Bida though this appeared to have no effect on the authority of Muhammad bin Thani, both he and Isa bin Tarif now enjoying friendly relations with the new regime in Bahrain.
This lasted only a couple of years as Isa bin Tarif, becoming alarmed at what he considered interference by Bahrain in the north of the peninsula, changed allegiances in 1847 and moved troops up to Fuwairat. Bahraini forces landed at Zubara and marched on Fuwairat, another group following and landing at al-Khor. The battle of the 17th November 1847 saw the death of Isa bin Tarif and eighty of his men. The Bahraini force then sailed to al-Bida and demolished it, sending its inhabitants to Bahrain. What is interesting is that no Qatari tribes took part in the battle of Fuwairat but continued to administer their parts of the peninsula almost regardless of the outcome of the battle, the al Thani in Fuwairat, the al-Suwaidi in al-Bida, and the al Bu 'Ainain in Wakra.
But with the removal of the al Bu 'Ainain to Wakra, the opportunity to assume control of Doha while retaining Fuwairat was taken by Sheikh Muhammad bin Thani, who probably moved to Doha in 1850. This also gave him the opportunity to develop his commercial interests in the pearling banks and other areas in association with merchants operating in these fields.
His position was further strengthened the following year when he supported the wahhabi Amir, Faisal bin Turki, who moved from Najd to take control of al-Bida as a step in his campaign to overcome Bahrain.
The British squadron and its presence in the Gulf brought considerable stability to the region, though their main interest was in maintaining the sea routes through the Gulf rather than involving themselves in activities on land. However, in this case the British warned Faisal and placed ships at Bahrain to intercept a naval attack, and blockaded al-Bida and Doha. In addition, the port of Qatif was also blockaded in order to prevent assaults on Bahrain from the direction of the mainland. This blockading fleet was attacked and routed and this, together with the support of the British emboldened the Bahraini ruler who refused to discuss the peace now requested by Faisal. By now there was increasing concern in the region for the continuing presence of Faisal in al-Bida and many initiatives were begun to reach a peace agreement. By July 1851, this was concluded under number of conditions with most of those involved agreeing. An exception was the chief of Wakra who left to Fars on the Persian coast.
In 1859 he returned, establishing himself at Wakra, to the annoyance of the ruler of Bahrain who considered there to be a continuing threat to him. In 1863 he captured Muhammad bin Said Bu Kuwara and scattered many of Wakra's residents. The Bahraini ruler seems to have been the instigator of much of the disruption in the region. His main concern appears to have been to resist what he considered to be wahhabi interest in Bahrain, but it is also evident that he had his eye on all of the Trucial coast including the Qatar peninsula. Another factor may have been his poor governance of Bahrain, his overseas policies attempting to focus his people's attention outside Bahrain.
This may well have been a factor when, in 1867, he imprisoned Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani who had travelled to Bahrain as an emissary to discuss Bahrain's capture of a badawi. The demand for his return saw Bahrain, backed by Abu Dhabi who regarded al-Bida as harbouring outlaws, attack Doha, al-Bida and Wakra, causing significant damage. Qatar appealed to the wahhabi Amir who threatened the Bahraini ruler, though to no effect. Because of this Qatar attacked Bahrain in 1868, a thousand men being killed and sixty ships sunk in the marine action. Bahrain released Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani on the return of the captured Bahrainis.
The breaking of the Anglo-Bahraini treaty prompted the British to deal with Sheikh Muhammad bin Khalifa of Bahrain but, to avoid this, he fled to Khor Hassan. The British Resident, Pelly, then travelled to Wakra and met all those involved. The result of listening to their complaints about the Bahraini ruler led Pelly to depose Sheikh Muhammad, fining the new ruler, Muhammad's brother, Ali bin Khalifa, a considerable sum and obtaining his agreement to hand over Muhammad bin Khalifa should he return to Bahrain. More significantly, Muhammad bin Thani agreed not to assist Muhammad bin Khalifa in any way, nor put to sea with hostile intent and to recognise the new ruler of Bahrain. In particular, the 1868 agreement recognised Qatar as a separate political entity, and Muhammad bin Thani as its head.
The following year, agreement was reached for Bahrain and Qatar to provide tribute annually to the wahhabi and Na'im tribe in order to safeguard the inhabitants of Qatar during the pearling season when houses could not be protected by the men out in the pearl fields.
Meanwhile Muhammad bin Khalifa returned to Bahrain intent on assuming power. This was resisted and he was exiled to Kuwait. A civil war saw Ali bin Khalifa killed and his son, Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa, take his place.
The treaty of 1868 served to stabilise the peninsula. One of the effects of this was to permit the relatively normal development of urban settlements which were, in effect, the establishment of the dynasties now governing the west littoral of the Gulf.
This stability was not absolute. Many of the families who had won or imposed their rule on their part of the Gulf felt the need to protect themselves with fortified structures of varying degrees of effectiveness such as at Zubara mentioned previously, al-Bida and at Ras al Khaimah where, later, their fortified position was destroyed by British naval guns. Watch towers were also constructed, generally circular, with their entrances high above the external level. There may have been such towers in Qatar, but I don't recall seeing them or their remains, though this may not be surprising as, without continuous maintenance, they might be expected to fall within about thirty years due to the normal action of the elements.
Generally it was not possible to protect settlements with city walls as the shore-dependent location of the urban developments made this difficult. So the Rulers of the Gulf states such as Qatar developed their residences as relatively secure developments, generally a little way away from the shoreline where their greatest economic interests lay, though sometimes in the interior. Around them time saw the development of a spatial arrangement mirroring the relationship of the Ruler with merchants and others dependent upon him. This socio-political pattern was not dissimilar to that of the tribal interior, but its significant difference was that he and many of those around him enjoyed a co-dependency based on pearls, commerce and trade. At the same time, however, he had to maintain his position as a tribal leader. It must have been a difficult balance to maintain.
In establishing settlements an important element to be constructed would have been a Customs House where goods would have taxes levied on them, and around which trade would be effected including necessary concomitant activities such as money changers, scribes and porters. These were not necessarily popular, of course. Many settlements also contained offices for those claiming some form of control over the country, or that part of it. The Turks, for instance, had administrative posts sometimes strengthened by a small detachment of armed police or troops.
It has to be remembered that many of those working in the urban developments would not have been Qataris but would have come from Saudi Arabia, Persia, Africa and the Indian sub-continent, the latter having been agreed following the 1868 Treaty when the British Resident required Indian residents to be allowed to settle in Wakra. The Ruler needed much of this for his people to prosper, and the foreign workforce needed the Ruler to provide them with security and work.
At the same time, the wealth to be derived from trade and pearling subjugated the other industry of the peninsula, agriculture, creating poor conditions for its workers though still requiring the food produced – albeit necessarily supported by the increased importation of many other foodstuffs impossible to cultivate in the peninsula and required for an expanding population. In some parts of the Gulf this led to the system of land tenure being altered to the disadvantage of the workers who became increasingly impoverished.
An early description of Qatar
Considered to be one of the more important reference works of the early twentieth century, E.J. Brill's First Encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913-1936, was a nine volume work containing, among many other essays, an interesting description of Qatar. Relying on earlier, European scholars, he wrote:
Al-Katar, a peninsula on the east coast of Arabia on the Persian Gulf. It has an area of about 2,000 square miles and 2,600 inhabitants. The cape at the end of the peninsula, which runs northwards, is called Ras Rikken and forms a fairly steep tongue of land surrounded by rocks; it is an obstacle not without danger to navigation. The summit is crowned by an old fortress which belongs to a village situated in an adjoining ravine. The coast of the peninsula is steep everywhere, but not high, and is dotted with fishing villages. Its appearance is rather depressing. The soil is poor, nothing but gravel and marl with sand. A few springs provide water for wells, which have been dug with difficulty in the heavy soil. The climate is remarkably dry and the air unhealthy as a result of the stagnant sea-water along the coast. The few gardens are small and yield but little. There are no extensive cornfields or palm groves; only here and there do we find a few palms and bare crops. For miles low, bare hills parched by the sun rise from the muddy strand covered with driftsand and seaweed. Inland beyond these eminences stretch barren dunes which are scantily covered with vegetation; behind them lie groups of low miserable huts made of earth and palm leaves. These villages are surrounded by walls to protect them from the raids of robber Beduins of the tribes of Menasir and Al Murra; the dunes have towers on them and here and there is a building of some size that has been fortified.
In contrast to this poverty is the almost inexhaustible wealth yielded by the bay on the Persian Gulf surrounded by al-Katar, in which lie the islands of al-Bahrain celebrated for its pearl-beds. Food and sustenance is amply supplied by the sea, on which the inhabitants of the bay spend half the year seeking for pearls, while the other half is devoted to fishing and trading. Zabara is the largest place on the peninsula and al-Beda is regarded as the capital. The latter, like all the places on the peninsula, is chiefly inhabited by fishermen, but in the long narrow, dirty market place there are also a few merchants and artisans from al-Bahrain.
The houses of the town are huddled together in narrow, dirty, irregular streets; two mosques and the ancient castle are the only buildings of any importance in al-Beda, which may have about 6,000 inhabitants. Dawha, which lies north of al-Beda, is but half as large; it lies in a deep little bay which affords a rather picturesque view through the cliffs 60 – 80 feet high in the background. The houses of Dawha are still more unprepossessing and poorer than in al-Beda and the market place even smaller and filthier. Two forts command the town – one on a rock beside it and the other in the town itself. Al-Wakra is more pleasing and stands higher. It also shelters a number of merchants and artisans from al-Bahrain. The town has, on the whole, a prosperous appearance.
The peninsula was of some importance even in the ancient times on account of its important situation commanding the Gulf of al-Bahrain. A Sprenger has sought to identify the Cataraei of Pliny (Natural History, vi. 28, § 147) with the inhabitants of al-Katar. The peninsula used to belong to the Sultanate of Oman. From 1872 till 1914 it is under the suzerainty of the Turks, who had a garrison in al-Beda down to October 1914, and belonged to the province of al-Ahsa, forming the kada of the same name in the sandjak of Nadjd. Since 1913 'Abd Allah al-Thani has been lord of the peninsula. But parts of it became independent earlier. For example, in 1882 Dawha made a treaty with England accepting her protectorate; in 1892 and in 1914 other places followed this example. Al-Katar is now under the control of the ruler of Central Arabia, Ibn Sa'ud, who has thus regained the position once held by the Wahhabi kingdom to the peninsula, which the Turks had for a time usurped.
British interest in the Gulf
Great Britain had considerable interest in the Persian Gulf. However, it considered the areas as being comprised of two distinct entities, the northern shores comprising Persia and Iraq and the southern of Western Arabia. The first to be developed was the northern element in 1616, a base being established at Jask, later transferred to Bandar Abbas, for controlling the associated commercial interests. A number of factories were established in the following years, and brokerages in Kirman and Muscat in 1720 and 1750 respectively. But Muscat was the exception, the British having little economic interests along the southern coast of the Gulf, and there being considerable piracy which led to trading ships avoiding this coast. Trade and navigation was almost entirely in the hands of local Arab, Persian and India traders. But by the beginning of the nineteenth century, this began to change.
The East India company, established by Queen Elizabeth, had developed its commercial interests over time to become a powerful organisation, one that gradually moved away from commercial pursuits to administrative and military governance. Following the Battle of Plessey in 1757, the Company became the effective rulers of the sub-continent, a situation that was amended in 1858 with the Government of India Act when the British government took over the responsibilities.
The practice had developed in the Gulf for Arab craft to raid and levy tolls on passing vessels, a practice similar to badu raiding along desert routes. This was considered to be piracy and extortion so, in order to safeguard the Company's commercial and British nationals' interests in Arabian waters, the British imposed an anti-piracy treaty in 1820 on the Rulers of what was termed the 'Pirate Coast', effectively the present day United Arab Emirates, but including Bahrain at its own request. The post of Political Agent for the lower Gulf was created and based on the island of Qishm close to the Persian coast in the Straits of Hormuz. In 1822 the post was moved to Bushir on the Persian Coast and amalgamated with the post of Bushir Resident. In the 1850s this was expanded to cover the whole of the Gulf.
To support the Resident, a Gulf naval squadron was created based first on Qishm island from 1821 to 1863 and 1869 to 1879, and then on neighbouring Henjam Island from 1879 to 1935.
Following the treaty of 1820 the British imposed a number of treaties on the area, the most important of these being the first Maritime Truce which was signed in 1835 with the rulers of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, 'Ajman and the Qasimi empire which consisted of Sharjah, Umm al-Qawain, Ras al-Khaimah, Rams, Dibba, Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, Kalba, Mughu, Lingah and Qishm. These culminated in the Perpetual Maritime Truce of 1853, the co-signatories being referred to as the 'Trucial States' and to which the states of Bahrain and Qatar were respectively invited to join in 1861 and 1916.
The emphasis on trade was consolidated in 1862 with the establishing of a regular navigation line between Basrra and Bombay. This was later developed to link the ports of Muscat in 1862, Manama in 1869, Qatif in 1874, Kuwait in 1874 and Dubai in 1903.
As mentioned above, the British had an interest in the Gulf that had much to do with its wider interests in the Indian sub-continent. For some time the government of India was effectively the chief administration system for the region. In this it seems that their concern was for political stability in order to safeguard their particular interests – successful commercial activity and the security of their nationals. This concentration on the Indian trade links is seen by some as a method the British used to consolidate their interests with the Gulf sheikhdoms, the latter trading with the East Indian interests, but this being a relatively small percentage of the overal trade passing through the region.
On the other hand the Turks saw themselves protecting their own sphere of interest, particularly their fellow Muslims though, even here, there appears to have been divisions between Constantinople and local administration that are generally recorded as being compounded by deceit, admittedly for the most part, in British records.
First treaty with the British
From earlier notes it can be seen that Qatar's history in the first half of the nineteenth century was a continuing struggle between tribes for dominance of both trade, pearling and land areas, the conflict encompassing not only Bahrain and the Qatar peninsula, but also the Arabian hinterland and both island and land based settlements on the Persian shore. In many ways the focus was on the interests of those on Bahrain and those on Qatar, a problem that continued until recently with the resolution of the boundary dispute between the two countries. It was not until 1868 that the British were able to force through a form of truce.
The Pax Britannica continued to provide a semblance of normality, if not peace, in the region, though the transition from tribal communities to urban developments based on trade was not necessarily straightforward. This was particularly so in Qatar which had not seen much urban development until the late 18th century, and that not particularly associated with trade but of guarding and developing the resources of pearls and arable land.
Difficulties continued between Bahrain and Qatar over the years, coming to a head in 1867 with a confrontation at Wakrah where Bahrain dispatched its forces to crush the Qataris. This act violated the Anglo-Bahraini treaty of 1820 for which the British censured Bahrain.
Negotiations began between the two parties – a process which implicitly recognised Qatar as a sovereign entity – under the aegis of Colonel Lewis Pelly, the British Resident in the Gulf. The subsequent official relationship between Qatar and Britain and, therefore, its recognition as a State, began with the peace treaty signed between Colonel Pelly and Sheikh Muhammad bin Thani on the 12th September 1868. Sheikh Muhammad had, by that time, become the pre-eminent leader within Qatar.
I should mention here that previously the British, being settled in Bahrain, were thought to have had little interest in Qatar, rarely visiting it, and then, only when absolutely necessary. Bahrein certainly appeared to be a more pleasant place in which to be based. It is, perhaps, for this reason that the British appeared to take a relaxed attitude to the provocative occupation of the peninsula by the Turks.
Turkish occupation
Despite the treaty of 1868, the Turks extended their interest in the region, occupying Najd and occupying Qatar several times in the eighteen seventies, and warning Britain not to interfere with Qatar which they regarded as being their property. Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani accepted Turkish sovereignty and, in 1871 a Turkish detachment was sent to al-Bida. 1873 saw Bahrain attempt to re-establish its claim on Zubara. The Government of India considered that the Ruler of Bahrain had no rights in Qatar and that he should be restrained from pursuing his interests there. The Ruler of Bahrain, while informing the British Government that he would abide by their decision, did not give up his claims to Qatar, in particular continuing his association with the Na'im who occupied the north-west corner of the Qatar peninsula.
The acceptance of Turkish sovereignty by Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad did not please all in Qatar. The al Bu Kawara took exception to it and moved from al-Bida to Fuwairat in 1879. This lack of respect was mirrored by members of the Bani Hajir tribe who, in 1880, attacked Doha and the next year, along with members of the Na'im, carried off camels. The Turks notably refused to support Sheikh Jassim in many of the initiatives he now embarked upon to settle issues with Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, as well as refusing to have a Customs House established in al-Bida, but resisted his attempts to resign as Qaim Maqam, an administrative position given him in 1872 by them.
In 1883 the British formally warned the Turkish Ambassador in London about their activities in and attitude to Qatar. This they reinforced in 1888 by conferring upon Sheikh Jassim the title of Kapucibasi for services to the Turkish empire though this year and 1889 saw him skirmishing with Abu Dhabi forces over lands he believed belonged to Qatar. In this fighting, one of his sons, Ali bin Jassim, was killed.
Turkey appeared to take a more serious interest in Qatar by planning to establish two administrative posts at Zubara and Khor al Udaid, fully staffed with administrators and a policing element. The British were concerned both by this initiative as well as by their location and requested clarification from the Turkish Ambassador in London. 1893 saw a strong rebuttal from the Turkish Government to Lord Roseberry claiming that Qatar was 'a Turkish sub-governership' and 'a dependency of the Najd' and that Sheikh Jassim was a Turkish citizen and government official. Moreover the Turks claimed sovereignty of the whole of the region and claimed to have no knowledge of the 1853 Maritime Truce, refusing to acknowledge its legitimacy even when given a copy.
In implementing their administrative plans the Turks landed troops at al-Bida in 1893. Sheikh Jassim had again submitted his resignation, refused to pay taxes, and moved to Wajbah where he gathered around him men of the Manasir and Bani Hajir tribes together with four hundred men from other Qatari tribes, a force totaling between three and four thousand men. The Turks took as hostage a number of important Qataris including Ahmad bin Muhammad, Sheikh Jassim's younger brother. The Turks with a much smaller force attacked but were beaten back to al-Bida though the lighter armed Qatari forces lost four hundred men, women and children. The Turks lost about a hundred and it was only when they approached the coast that their warship, the Mirrikh, was able to use its guns to assist the Turks' retreat. The victory was decisive and the Turks freed Ahmad bin Muhammad, in return Sheikh Jassim permitting the Turkish cavalry free passage by land to Hofuf.
The British attempted to intervene in the dispute between the Turks and Qatar but found theselves unable to take up Sheikh Jassim's offer to place Qatar under British protection. The Turks made their peace with Sheikh Jassim though he moved to live peacefully at Lusail, leaving the running of the country to his brother, Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad.
Regrettably, at the end of 1905, Sheikh Ahmad was murdered by one of his servants from the Bani Hajir tribe, the murderer being killed a little later in Dammam. Sheikh Jassim again took over the running of Qatar, but appointing his son, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim, as his Heir Apparent.
Formal British protection
In 1903 the Sheikh of Qatar asked the British if his application for protection by the British would be favourably met and was told that there would be advantages to Qatar if this were to come about but, following discussions between the British and Turkish Governments, it was decided that the status quo would be maintained. The 1913 Anglo-Ottoman Convention, the 1914 Anglo-Turkish Convention, and the 1916 Treaty between Great Britain and Qatar confirmed British protection to Qatar, the latter being signed on the 3rd November 1916. The agreement required that Qatar would
co-operate in the suppression of piracy and slavery;
abide by the spirit and obligations of the Treaties signed with the other Gulf Rulers;
prohibit the import and sale of arms – although the Ruler was permitted to purchase arms from a British warehouse in Muscat for his dependents;
refrain from corresponding with or receiving foreign agents – unless with British permission;
not grant pearl fishing concessions without British permission;
limit taxes on imports of materials from Britain;
protect the lives and property of British subjects in Qatar; and
establish a British Post Office in Qatar.
For their part the British agreed to
confer on the Sheikh 'all the immunities, privileges and advantages what are conferred on the friendly Sheikhs, their subjects and their vessels';
protect Qatar from aggressions by sea; and
protect Qatar from unprovoked acts of aggression by anyone not a subject of the Sheikh.
It should be borne in mind that, prior to the discovery and exploitation of oil, half of the population of Qatar was comprised of foreigners – Baharinah, Persians and Africans.
Finally, I should mention that there have been a number of difficulties relating to borders. In 1992 an incident at a border post with Saudi Arabia resulted in two deaths. Relations have improved and a commission established with a view to coming to an agreement on the exact line of the border. It should be noted in this context that Qatar has only a land border with Saudi; access to the United Arab Emirates has to be through a strip of Saudi which leads to the Gulf east of Qatar.
In addition to the difficulties with Saudi Arabia, there have been continuing problems with Bahrain. The main ones relate firstly to a number of islands and reefs, the chief one being the Fasht al Dibal reef, north of Qatar and east of Bahrain. The more serious problem was Bahrain's claim to the Hawar Islands, a group immediately off the north-west coast of Qatar. In the eighties, Bahrain placed troops on the islands and, eventually, the case was taken to the International Court of Justice. Although the islands' proximity to Qatar is so close that natural inclination suggests they should belong to it, the Court found for Bahrain, but disallowed their claim to the Jann and Hadd Jann islands south of Hawar as well as Bahrain's claim to land on the Qatar peninsula – including Zubara – while Qatar retained significant maritime areas and their resources. Bahrain is now said to be planning to construct a bridge to the islands.
Independence
These links with Britain continued until 1971 when a treaty of Independence was signed. This placed Qatar on a similar legal footing to the other Emirates of the Arabian Gulf – Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates which comprise the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujaira, Sharjah and Khor Fakkan. In addition there is Oman facing the Indian Ocean and ruled by a Sultan, and the Sultanate together with the Emirates are backed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to their north and west.
In focussing on the Gulf it has to be borne in mind that the Arab world extends considerably further than the Gulf and that there are different perceptions within this world of the history and status of the various countries of the region. In particular there is a widespread Arab belief that
the present boundaries were artificially drawn by the West;
that many of the regimes do not have a proper legitimacy; and that
within the Middle East, the newly recognised Gulf States do not have the rights earned by their northern neighbours. The influence of the West is particularly felt in their imposition and support of the State of Israel and their desire to benefit from the wealth of oil and gas.
By comparison, the Western states collectively appeared to believe that, despite the rhetoric of Arab unity, the Arab states are a disparate grouping at best, with conflicting goals and policies – many of them based on jealousies, dimly remembered slights or misconceptions. The argument is that it follows that Western states with their need to benefit from the oil and gas reserves of the region will continue to arrange matters to suit themselves. In this there is bound to be a conflict with the different Arab states with their desires to conform to a pan-Arab ethic. The Iraq/Kuwait conflict and now the Iraq problem demonstrates the various issues relating both to the conflict between the West and the Arab world, and to those between the Gulf states generally and their northern neighbours. This is a turbulent area.
In the context of the difficulties inherent in the geography and politics of the region, I should also mention the nineteenth century Lord Palmerston's wish to place a state of Israel in the region in order to bring wealth to the area as well as acting as a counter to any Egyptian initiatives. More dramatically, in 1907 the British Prime Minister, Campbell-Bannerman, recognising the hidden assets of the region, declared his belief that, were the Arabs to come together in a single state, they would form a block to the access between Europe and the Far East, and that a body should be planted there in order to thwart this.
The West's interest in the Middle East
It is not my intention to write about the politics of the Middle East, but a few notes on its history might be useful to help flesh out the background to this troubled area with a view to giving context and perspective to the Gulf states. Mostly, these notes are based on entries in Wikipedia. While this is not a source recommended by academics, it appears to be clear enough to provide in more detail a fuller and more accurate understanding of any or all of the countries briefly mentioned below. The map to the side is there only to provide a basic indication of the area. For more detail, read the Wikpedia entries and other articles and books on the region. In particular you should be aware that the map changes every few years or so during the twentieth century. The more different sources you review, the more likely you are to gain a better understanding of the events of the last hundred years or so.
It is a very well-documented argument, if not belief, that most of the difficulties in the region stem from the West's sub-dividing the area in their own interests after the First World War. In this they cut across ethnic and national borders, artificially creating states, dividing peoples and reneging on promises made to their allies. Much of this was encompassed within the twelve points of the Sykes-Picot Agreement of the 16th May 1916 between – in the main – the British and French, represented by Sir Edward Grey and Paul Cambon.
It was argued that this was an attempt to stabilise the Middle East by re-organising the Middle East territories and selecting leaders who, it was thought, would give the region the stability the West required. Oil wasn't mentioned in the Sykes-Picot Agreement, though it had been found in Persia in 1908. It wasn't until 1923 that it was discovered in Iraq and became a dominating issue in the collective minds of the West.
Returning to the end of the First World War, on the 28th June 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, putting an end to German ambitions, and to its partner, the Ottoman Empire. It established mandates for France and Britain over the 'Fertile Crescent', that region of the Middle East stretching from the head of the Gulf, and including much of what is now Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, and following the line of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
The next year, 1920, the San Remo Conference completed the process of dividing up the Middle East. France was given mandates for Syria and Lebanon, while Britain was given mandates for Iraq, Transjordan and Palestine. Two issues should particularly be noted as they contain much of the seeds of present discontents: sunni and shi'ite interests were not separated, but mixed; and the Kurds were spread through Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Armenia.
Brief state histories
There follows, in alphabetical order, a brief modern history of the main countries in the Middle East with relevance to the Gulf. Countries of the Maghrab, Africa and Indian sub-continent that might be thought to have an influence, have not been included:
Bahrein
Bahrain is a group of islands situated north-west of the north coast of Qatar. Its recent history really begins with the eighteenth century British involvement in supporting the Al Khalifah family in their liberation of the islands from Persia. This brought the British firmly into the Gulf, with them establishing residency on Bahrain. Persia and, latterly, Iran still lays claim to Bahrain.
Bahrain continued as the focus of British interests in the Gulf with oil being found and the lives of Bahrainis being improved through government expenditures and firm social policies as in the rest of the Gulf states.
Following the Second World War there was anti-British sentiment leading to rioting which was heavily put down. Despite this, development proceeded, though not at the same rate as in Qatar, for instance. But, in the 1960s this led to Britain requesting the United Nations to resolve the issue of Bahrain's future. This they did through a plebiscite, the results rejecting Iran's claims and the Bahrainis holding themselves to be Arabs, culturally.
Britain left Bahrain in 1971 under the control of the Al Khalifa family. Development continued, funded by the revenues from oil but the downturn in the economy of the 1980s forced Bahrain to diversify. Meanwhile the Iranian revolution was felt in Bahrain with a failed coup attempt intending to install an Iranian based cleric operating a theocratic government.
The mid-nineties saw rioting again, this time with Shi'ites upset by the dress of sportswomen and, later, sporadic violence leading to the deaths of over forty people. In 1990, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa succeeded his father as head of state, and introduced a number of progressive policies. In particular, 2002 saw women being given the vote.
Bahrain remains a focus in the Gulf with its highly developed transport and communication links. However, depleting fresh water and oil reserves, together with continuing unemployment cause difficulties that have not been alleviated with the construction of a permanent causeway linking Bahrain with Saudi Arabia as had been hoped.
Egypt
The importance of Egypt in the region is due to a number of reasons, not least of which is the Suez Canal. Completed in 1869, it enables shipping to move from the Far East to the Mediterranean and, thence, the Atlantic, without having to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, shortening the distance between the Far East and Europe considerably.
Britain seized control of Egypt in 1882, ostensibly to protect British investments in the country which was badly in debt. Nominally, Egypt continued as a part of the Ottoman Empire until the beginning of the First World War.
The various agreements in the Middle East following the First World war brought semi-independence to Egypt in 1922. From 1924 to 1936 there were attempts to model a constitutional government along Western lines as was being attempted by Kemal Ataturk in Turkey. However, these attempts failed though full independence followed after the Second World War.
King Farouk, the constitutional monarch was deposed by Gamal Abdul Nasser's revolution in 1952 and his son, King Ahmed Fouad II established in his place. General Muhammad Naguib became the first President of the new Egyptian Republic in June 1953, but resigned in 1954 in favour of Gamal Abdul Nasser. The West attempted to meet the perceived threat from the pan-Arabisim that they believed Nasser represented, instituting the Baghdad pact in 1954 which included Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran and Britain with the United States belonging to the crucial military, economic and counter-insurgency committees. The West's attempts to frustrate Nasser ended with the Suez fiasco – organised between Britain, France and Israel in 1956 – and which succeeded in enabling the Arab world to align themselves against the common Western threat. Egypt and Syria combined to form the United Arab Republic in 1958, but Syria withdrew in 1961.
Nasser was succeeded by President Sadat and, upon the latter's assassination, by President Hosni Mubarak in October 1981. Internal pressures continue in Egypt but, in September 2005, democratic elections are being held.
Iran
On the other side of the Gulf from the Arabian peninsula, the Qujar dynasty ruled from 1796, when it took over from the Zand dynasty, until 1921. During the nineteenth century, Persia came under the influence of both the Russians and British empires, the former taking over some parts of the northern regions and the British the south with its oil deposits.
The West influenced the Qujar Shahs, in 1906, to try to modernise, but internal disaffection saw Muhammad Ali Shah deposed in 1909 by Ahmad Shah for attacking the newly developed constitution.
In 1917 British troops invaded Russia in an unsuccessful attempt to counter the Russian Revolution and support the Tsar, a relative of the British Royal family. Reza Khan, a Cossack officer, deposed Ahmad Shah Qujar in 1921, declared himself Shah and establishing a new dynasty in 1925 under the name of Pahlavi.
Reza Shah began a programme of modernisation intending to create an industrialised and urbanised country, operated by an educated population and one that would have a distinct presence in the modern world. In 1935 the name, 'Persia', was changed to 'Iran'.
The Shah was by nature, dictatorial, a characteristic that became increasingly disliked by many in the new Iran. His increasing unpopularity was exacerbated by his policy of not awarding contracts to British and Russian companies because of their colonial history with Persia – as well as because the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company controlled all Iran's oil resources – though this, itself, was a cause of resentment to many Iranians. A number of the Shah's engineers were Germans and, with the outbreak of the Second World War, Britain insisted that the Germans leave as they would be essentially, spies for Germany. The Shah refused as he was concerned their leaving would affect his development projects.
As a consequence, Britain and Russia, now allies, invaded Iran, arrested the Shah and sent him into exile. In 1942, the United States sent troops to Iran to maintain the railroad system which supplied materiel to Russia. The allies allowed the Shah's son, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, to succeed him to the throne in September 1941, agreeing to leave Iran within six months of the end of the war. Though the Russians initially refused to make a similar agreement they left in May 1946 but the fluid political system, caused in some measure by the allies permitting, if not encouraging, the existing systems to deteriorate, helped fuel the Cold War.
The new Shah continued to develop the country along the lines his father had begun but found himself in conflict with the Prime Minister, Muhammad Mossadeq. His interests brought him into increasing conflict with the government and, following a failed assassination attempt in 1949, he strengthened his position by expanding his constitutional powers. This was again unpopular and, in 1951, Mossadeq forced the nationalisation of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. He was consequently removed by the Shah but returned almost immediately. The Shah fled Iran and supporters instituted a coup in August 1953 against Mossaddeq, assisted by the British and Americans.
With the finances achieved by Mossadeq's nationalisation of the oil company, the Shah financed a series of populist reforms, particularly the 1963 White Reform, relating to land reform, voting rights for women and the elimination of illiteracy. In addition, he used his security organisation to suppress opposition. These initiatives succeeded in uniting a variety of interests against him ranging from those wanting unionisation to the religious hierarchy fearing marginalisation. He compounded this with an extravagent celebration of 2,500 years of Persian monarchy in 1971 and the replacing of the Islamic Calendar in 1976 with a solar, Imperial calendar. This, together with his association with the West brought about the uprisings of 1978 and 1979 and the return of the fundamentalism of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1980.
The Iranian Revolution transformed Iran from an autocratic pro-west monarchy to an Islamic, populist, theocratic dictatorship under Ayatollah Khomeini.
Iraq
The League of Nations established Britain's mandate in Iraq following the First World War, independence being granted in 1932. In Iraq king Faisal of the Hashemite monarchy ruled until his death in 1933 when he was succeeded by his eldest son, Ghasi, who died six years later in a car accident.
Ghasi's son, Faisal, was only three at the time and his duties were assumed by his uncle, the regent Prince Abdullah. In 1953 Faisal became, at the age of seventeen, King Faisal II. Five years later the King was deposed in the 14th July Revolution by General Abdulkarim Kassem who instituted a repressive regime. General Kassem, in turn, was overthrown by a group of officers under Colonel Abdul Salam Arif in 1963 and executed in 1968. Salam Arif died in 1966, the Presidency being assumed by his brother, Abdul Rahman Arif.
Abdul Rahman, in turn was overthrown in 1968 by the Arab Socialist Ba'ath regime, established by General Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr who became president, followed by Sadam Hussein who seized power in 1979 killing many of his opponents.
The Iran-Iraq war began along their long, joint border in 1980 and dragged on for eight years before ending in stalemate, draining the country of its wealth and resources. This was followed by Hussein's campaign against the Kurds in the north and the Marsh Arabs in the south. Iraq has only a small access to the Persian/Arabian Gulf at Umm Qasr, immediately to the east of Kuwait and, in 1990, invaded Kuwait, which resulted in the Gulf War.
Sadam Hussein was deposed by Western powers in 2003 and an interim government established. With the different ethnic and religious interests in the country all wanting autonomy – the Kurds in the north, the minority Sunni around Baghdad and the Shi'ite s – representing 60% of the population – in the south – the future of Iraq in its present state is tenuous.
Now, there is the possibility of the Kurds breaking away, taking with them the oil-rich city of Kirkuk and, perhaps, associating themselves with the Kurdish minorities in Turkey and Iran; the Shi'ite s are strongly supported by the regime in Iran, have oil reserves and would control access to the Persian/Arabian Gulf; and the Sunni minority would be left with the centre of the country and a fear of repercussions caused by their treatment of the Shi'ite s and Kurds under Sadam Hussein.
Israel
Much of the background that would be written here can be read below on the section relating to Palestine. The main point to bear in mind is that Jews consider the Land of Israel to be their home both as a Holy Land and as a Promised Land.
The Jewish population of the area was relatively small for some time, the first wave of Jewish immigration starting in the late nineteenth century as Jews fled persecution in Europe. In 1917 the Balfour Declaration stated that there should be a homeland for Jews in Palestine and the British-administered mandate for Palestine was established in 1920. Between the wars immigration continued, rising more strongly with the impending Second World War.
By 1939, Palestinian pressures caused the British to reconsider their commitments to the Jews and produced the 1939 White Paper capping Jewish immigration and positing a shared government for Jews and Arabs.
The Holocaust in Europe led Jewish interests to increase illegal immigration into Palestine and violence escalated with the assassination ofThe United Nations' plan was to partition the area giving approximately half each to the Jews and Arabs, while leaving Jerusalem under international control. This was not supported by the surrounding Arab states and, following the proclamation of the State of Israel in May 1948, the Arab states attacked resulting in Israel gaining more land west of the Jordan and annexing it to its new State.
More immigration has been encouraged into Israel and there has been increasing levels of violence on both sides. It is believed by many that the difficulties in the Middle East would be diminished if not overcome, were there to be an equitable solution found to the settlement of the Palestine/Israel problem.
Jordan
The rulers of Transjordan – which became known as Jordan in 1946 – and Iraq were established from two of the sons of the Sharif of Mecca, Hussein Ibn Ali – a friendly ruler of the Hashemite dynasty, tracing their history directly back to the Prophet. In 1922 the British established the semi-autonomous Emirate of Transjordan. Abdullah was made its Emir while Faisal was installed as the King of Iraq. In May 1946 the mandate ended and Abdullah proclaimed himself King.
Transjordan assisted the Palestinians in their opposition to the creation of a State of Israel and, following the armistice of April 1949, settled behind borders of the West Bank as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1950. Abdullah was assassinated in 1951 by a Muslim fundamentalist. Abdullah was succeeded by his eldest son Talal but, proving to be disbalanced, he was deposed by the national assembly who replaced Talal with his son, King Hussein who ruled Jordan from 1953 to 1999. He, in turn, was succeeded by his son, King Abdullah II.
Jordan again went to war with Israel in conjunction with Egypt, Iraq and Syria in the June 1967 war, losing control of the West Bank and Jerusalem for its pains.
1970 saw open warfare break out between Jordanian and Palestinians due to the strain brought about by the massive increase in Palestinians following Arab losses in the wars with Israel. This warfare ceased in July 1971 with a conclusive victory by the Jordanians.
In 1988 Jordan officially renounced claims to the West Bank and in 1994 agreed to a continuing role in Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem. However, these interests are being rapidly eroded by events on the ground.
Jordan has made peace with Israel in the Washington Declaration of July 1994, and the Jordanian-Israeli Peace Treaty of October 1994. It now occupies a moderating role in the Middle East and has embraced democracy with free elections.
Kuwait
Kuwait was settled in the sixteenth century by clans from the Al Aniza tribe of Najd in central Arabia via a relatively short stay in Qatar. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw the establishment and development of trading first in spices and, later, pearling before the influx of Japanese pearls brought this to a halt in the 1930s.
The Ottoman Empire incorporated Kuwait as they did much else in the Gulf, with Kuwait becoming a British Protectorate in 1899. It was one of the earliest of the Gulf states to develop its oil resources, to the extent that by 1953 it was the largest exporter of oil in the Gulf. The wealth this brought enabled Kuwait, in June 1961, to be the first of the Gulf states to declare its independence.
Iraq took exception to this as it considered Kuwait to be a province of Iraq and threatened to invade. This was deterred by Egyptian pressure. In the Iran/Iraq wars of the 1980s Kuwait sided with Iraq due to Kuwait's wish to avoid the influences of shi'ite iran.
August 1990 saw the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, the excuse being twofold: that, as they had made clear earlier, their position was that Kuwait was a province of Iraq and, secondly, that Kuwait had been slant drilling into disputed territories – and taking Iraqi oil illegally. With the backing of the United Nations a large coalition of troops invaded and occupied Iraq in 1991, driving out the Iraqi forces from Kuwait who, in withdrawing looted and caused considerable damage to the whole of the country and its oil installations. The fires took nine months to put out.
The state has rebuilt much of the damage caused by Iraq and development continues. The Emir, Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir al Sabah, is liberalising some of the state's laws, particularly those that only permit 15% of the population to vote. Women's suffrage has recently been given, effective for the 2007 Parliamentary elections, and subject to Islamic law, and there is now a female minister appointed to the Cabinet.
Lebanon
Lebanon's constitution was drawn up in 1926 and was based on a careful balance of power between the major religious groups. It became independent in 1943 with the French leaving the country in 1946. For a period, Lebanon prospered with the focus being Beirut and its role as a regional centre for commerce and trade. It was a vibrant, popular capital, and an important entrepôt to the rest of the area.
However, the influx of Palestinians following the 1948 and 1967 Arab-Israeli conflicts brought disaffection between them and the Lebanese to a head. The resulting civil war of April 1975 left Lebanon with no effective government and the different factions continued their chaotic and destructive warring. In 1976 the Syrians sent in troops to bolster the Maronite forces of Bashir Gemayel, head of the Phalange party, who was fighting a coalition of Palestinian, Sunni and Druze irregular forces. However, the Maronites came to believe that the Syrians were there more in their own interests – that were seen to be both strategic and to do with the drugs grown in the Beqaa valley – and fighting broke out between them.
In 1978, Israel attacked due to cross-border raids based in Lebanon, withdrawing two weeks later in response to a United Nations resolution. They invaded again in 1982 establishing a presence in the south but their position being weakened when the Phalangist leader thought to be sympathetic to Israel, President-elect Bashir Gemayel, was assassinated. There followed considerable turbulence with increasing terrorism developing.
Israel retreated from Lebanon in 2000 in accordance with the UN 1978 resolution and, eventually, Syria withdrew in early 2005. Some degree of normalcy is returning to Lebanon with considerable development started.
Libya
The Ottoman Empire included Libya by the nineteenth century, its previous history being under the control of Arab Muslims since they conquered the area in the seventh century. Italy took control of Libya in 1912 and, following the Second World War, it was granted independence as a condition of the Allied peace treaty with Italy.
King Idris, Libya's ruler, was deposed by Colonel Muammar al Qadafi in 1969. Qadafi established an independence based on an alliance with third world countries, and charting a course between socialism and captitalism with large resources derived from oil to back his enterprises. One of these was the greening of the country using well-water brought from deep aquifers in the desert to the relatively dry coast, a massive engineering project.
The West, which appeared at best to consider Colonel Qadafi to be mercurial, attempted to find some kind of accommodation with him, but this deteriorated to the extent that, in December 1979, the American Embassy in Tripoli was sacked in a demonstration that Colonel Qadafi described as 'spontaneous', denying any involvement. The rationale for this is still debated, but the Americans withdrew their diplomats from Libya, though did not break off diplomatic relations with him.
The West accused Colonel Qadafi of continuing a policy of supporting international terrorism and, in May 1981 expelled Libyan diplomats and closed diplomatic ties between the United States and Libya. The next year the United States placed a ban on the import of Libyan oil and the export to it of industrial technology. Europe did not follow these acts, choosing to continue relationships with him, though in a subdued manner.
But 1984 saw the siege of the Libyan Embassy in London, resulting in the death of a policewoman, when the United Kingdom broke off relations with Libya, and the United States clashed with Libyan patrol boats in a disputed area of water known as the Gulf of Sidra. This was followed in 1986 with an explosion in a German nightclub frequented by Americans resulting in three deaths. This brought retaliatory bombing raids on Benghazi and Tripoli which caused the deaths of sixty people.
The bombing of PanAm Flight 103 in 1992 brought United Nations sanctions. Libya admitted responsibility in 2003 and made $2.3 billion available in compensation. A year later, in 2004, the United States lifted its travel ban to Libya and, later in the year, lifted its remaining economic sanctions.
In recent years, Colonel Qadafi has moved from an extreme anti-West position to considerable accommodation with the West, while expanding his interests and influence on the African continent.
Oman
Oman occupies a strategic position at the entrance to the Gulf where it has its main littoral along the Arabian Sea but, importantly, also the tip of the peninsula facing the Straits of Hormuz. Its capital, Muscat, has been an important port for centuries, being captured by the Portuguese in 1508, but losing it to the Ottoman Empire in 1659. The Ottomans were, in their turn, driven out in 1741 by the present line of sultans, beginning with Ahmed ibn Said.
Oman was, in its day, an important country having, but losing, possessions in Baluchistan and Zanzibar. The British, driven by their occupation of the Indian sub-continent and the need to police trade routes and contain piracy, occupied Oman in 1891 as a British protectorate.
In 1970 Sultan Said ibn Taimur was replaced, with British assistance, by his son, Qaboos ibn Said al Said, an anglophile. The British involvement lasted until the next year when their protectorate was brought to an end.
Oman has taken a pro-Western line under Sultan Qaboos, opening its bases to American forces involved in actions in Afghanistan in 2001, and maintaining economic progress and good relations with other Middle East countries. The country appears settled, the citizens enjoying basic civil liberties and the lower house of the Advisory Council being elected on a free vote for the first time in 2003.
Palestine
The British mandate for Palestine covered an area incorporating what is now the entire state of Israel, including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and Transjordan. The mandate, issued by the League of Nations in June 1922, specifically stated that a national homeland for the Jewish people should be established in Palestine, and that the rights of non-Jews should be protected. In this they were repeating the wording of the Balfour Declaration of 1917. Britain, in September 1922, excluded any Jewish interests in the Transjordan where they settled King Abdullah following his displacement from the Hejaz, and maintained British control in the Transjordan until 1946. It should be noted that Palestine and the Transjordan were a single mandate though, in practical terms, they were dealt with differently.
The 1920s saw Jewish immigration which was accomplished peacefully at first but, with the rise in anti-semitism in Europe, spilled over into Palestine where there were misunderstandings based on the lack of familiarity with land laws and the beginnings of Palestinian attacks on Jewish settlements which led to the establishment of the Jewish groups who, in turn, attacked Arab and British interests.
1936 to 1939 witnessed a rise in Arab nationalism led by the Grand Mufti, Haj Amin Al-Husseini and his Husseini family which is believed to have killed more Arabs than Jews. The Jewish organisation, Etzel, responded and the British were forced to put down the uprisings using draconian methods.
The Holocaust in Europe led Jewish interests to increase illegal immigration into Palestine and assassinatedIn 1947, the newly formed United Nations attempted to partition Palestine with separate states for Palestine and Israel and with Jerusalem under an international control. Generally, the Palestinian Arabs rejected, and the Palestinian Jews accepted, the plan. However, Palestinian Arabs noted significant statements made by Chaim Weizmann and Menachem Begin reflecting a desire to create a State of Israel with Jerusalem its capital.
Wars between Israel and various Arab groupings such as the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, the Suez war of 1956, the Six-Day war of 1967 resulted in significant territorial gains by Israel at the expense of the Palestinian Arabs triggering considerably more terrorism.
It is widely believed that the problem of Palestine is the single issue that causes most of the difficulties in the Middle East.
Syria
Syria was established as an independent Arab Kingdom in 1920 under King Faisal of the Hashemite Kingdom but, following confrontations with the French, he was ousted and moved to Iraq as their King. Briefly the country was held by the Vichy until liberated by the Free French and British forces in 1941. The French remained in the country until April 1946 when they were eased out by republican forces.
There followed a series of military coups from 1949, this despite significant economic development. Colonel Adib Shishakli seized power in 1951 but was overthrown in 1954 by nationalistic social interests. These found comfort in the Egypt of Gamal Abdul Nasser and, in 1958 formed with Egypt, the United Arab Republic. This lasted until 1961 when Syria withdrew to form the Syrian Arab Republic.
Continuing instability characterised the next few years with the Ba'ath party having considerable influence. Their interests in a tripartite agreement with Egypt and Iraq foundered and they then explored a bipartite agreement with Iraq. President Amin Hafiz established a provisional constitution but was deposed by the army and, weakened by internal bickerings and the 1967 war with Israel, Minister of Defence, Hafiz al Asad took over control of Syria in November 1970.
Hafiz al Asad strengthened his grip on the country, crushing the various oppositions to his rule, and dying in June 2000 when, following a change in the constitution to permit it, his son, Bashar al Asad took over control of the country.
Turkey
The most important figure in Turkish history is Mustafa Kemal – later known as Kemal Ataturk; some say the most important figure in the whole region in that he completely dominated his country, changing it in virtually all respects relating to customs, alphabet, dress, rejection of sharia and equal rights for women as he focussed on emulating the West.
The Ottoman Empire had reached its peak under Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent between 1520-1555. Its territories reached from Vienna to the Persian Gulf, and from the Crimea to Morroco. It covered most of the Middle East but, by the beginning of the twentieth century had begun to lose territory. This weakening led it to side with Germany in the First World War and, at its end, resulted in the allies' intent to break it up with the Treaty of Sèvres in 1920.
Mustafa Kamal and his nationalist troops rejected the Treaty and expelled the Greeks from Asia Minor. In 1923, following the Treaty of Lausanne which recognised the new borders of Turkey, he established the Republic of Turkey on the 29th October 1923.
Kamal Ataturk, as he was now known, continued his programme of reform until his death in 1938 when he was succeeded by General Ismet Inöü who led Turkey until the first democratic elections in 1950. In 1960 a coup d'état was attempted, resulting in the execution of the Prime Minister, Adnan Menderes, and two of his ministers.
1965 saw the re-establishment of civilian rule, though this reverted in 1971 with Turkey invading Cyprus in 1974 in response to the Greek coup. A second coup took place in 1980 but this again reverted to civilian rule in 1983. Turkey has continued to play its role in supporting Western interests and negotiations with regard to its joining the European Union began in 2004.
The United Arab Emirates
The Persian/Arabian Gulf is one of the two sea routes leading to possible accesses to the Mediterranean and the countries surrounding them from the Arabian Sea. In a sense, it is an extension of the Fertile Crescent, the land following the curve of the twin rivers, Tigris and Euphrates. It has been the setting of a number of civilisations for millennia, and has seen trading through and across it in that time.
Along the littoral of the Arabian peninsula a number of settlements grew with time, acting as ports landing goods for their hinterland as well as containing the fishing and pearling fleets for the Gulf. In the nineteenth century Ottoman and British interests vied for control throughout the Gulf both in order to contain the piracy which was rife in the area as well as safeguarding the trade route and access to the Indian sub-continent and African east coast. The British eventually achieving ascendancy, this being formally confirmed by the beginning of the First World War. During that time the British made truce agreements with many of the Sheikhs in the area, giving the name 'Trucial States' to these states, a term which lasted until 1971. This period also saw treaties that gave Britain control of their defence and foreign policies.
After the war the histories of the different states was similar to that of Qatar, with oil and gas being discovered and developed to form the basis of the economy.
In the late sixties a number of the Gulf states began discussions with a view to amalgamating into a single entity. The different interests, perhaps exacerbated by old relationships, created difficulties of various sorts within each state and Bahrain and Qatar elected not to join. In 1971 Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah and Umm al Qawain merged to form the United Arab Emirates. A year later they were joined by Ras al Khaimah.
The United Arab Emirates shares many of the characteristics of Qatar, which I have written about above. Although they are a single political entity, each of the component Emirates has a different character. Dubai, for instance, which hasn't got a supply of oil, has devoted itself to tourism and continuing its long-standing operation as an entrepôt.
Like Qatar, the Emirates is attempting to balance a number of socio-political issues within its borders as well as in its relationships with adjacent countries and those of the Arab world. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's President and driving force in its inauguration, died in 2004, his place being taken by his son, Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahayan.
Borders
Finally, a word about the Sykes-Picot Agreement that is germane to the study of the Gulf; and that is the agreement did not define the boundaries of the Arab states of the peninsula, but made mention of the continuing negotiations with the Arabs to establish the boundaries.
In 1974 and 1977 there were demarcation discussions between Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The results of these discussions were not made public but agreements do appear to have been made. Discussions have also taken place with Bahrain and Iran with regard to international marine boundaries, but this may be complicated by Iran's claim to Bahrain itself.
The presence of oil and gas has focussed minds on issues relating to boundaries, and the area around the narrow Straits of Hormuz has been the location of a number of incidents relating to boundary definition. The United Arab Emirates lay claim to the Iranian-occupied islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tumb. This is probably the most serious outstanding border issue of the Gulf.
Recent stresses
The last few decades have witnessed the continuing development and reinforcement of the State of Israel at the expense of Palestine with three Arab Israeli wars fought in forty years; the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait; civil wars in North and South Yemen, Oman, Lebanon, Sudan, Jordan and Iraq; the assassinations of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, King Faisal and the rest of the Royal Family of Iraq together with two successive rulers, Abdulkarim Kassem and Abdulsalam Arif; the assassination of President Sadat of Egypt; and the assassination of President Shishakli of Syria and Riad Al Solh of Lebanon as well as many of these two States' leaders; the continuing struggle between Iraq and Syria, and between Iraq and Iran; and the deposing of Sadam Hussein in Iraq.
To the West Algeria and Morocco have fought, Libya has sent troops into Egypt, Tunisia and Sudan as well as into Chad and Uganda. Additionally, within Sudan and Ethiopia there are continuing revolutions or insurrections. The belligerence shown by Iraq to Kuwait was seen to be the first step in Iraq's hegemony over the oil-producing States. Whether the war there will be able to deal with the issues raised by Iraq to their own satisfaction or even to that of the West, and whether the West will permit the Arab States to take the time to allow this to evolve naturally, is very much open to question. However, as long as the issues of Iraq's territorial ambitions are subordinate to their internal difficulties, there will be a continuing feeling of anxiety among the Gulf States that, to a large extent, will govern the manner in which they will perceive and effect a variety of policies, including development, within the States themselves.
There is considerable resentment in the north of the Middle East at the status the Gulf States have achieved under the protection of the West – a status formed to a large extent by the Western colonial powers and their need for access and oil. Because of this jealousy there is a significant nervousness felt by the Gulf States and a concomitant perceived need to have the West safeguard them. The dichotomy between the wish for freedom from the West and the need for protection by the same powers exercises the minds of many in and outside the region and, correctly or not, this is characterised as a fundamental religious issue.
The movement of the United States bases out of Saudi Arabia to bases on the Qatar peninsula are seen by many as being a permanent development, protecting the West in its need for fossil fuels. This is resented by many in the area and another likely focus for animus against the West.
Recent issues
The Arab world contains approximately two hundred million people, and there is no reason to disbelieve the stated intent of many of their leaders that it is their wish to democratise and establish representative governments throughout the region. However, two issues are likely to have much to do with future development. Firstly, the fundamentalist intent to base any government on Islamic principles, an aim which seems to preclude democracy as defined by the West and, secondly, the socio-cultural argument that the operation of all Arab States is likely to be based on instincts developed from tribal legacies and, particularly in the Gulf States, the concepts of honour and shame. These are central to an understanding of the manner in which individuals and nations within the Arab world are influenced. Moreover, it is believed that the the history of the Middle East reflects this precisely.
Islam and tribal moraes comfort and guide the members of the society giving a firm code of conduct, protection to the members of the society and comforting assumptions about the outside world. Within this culture ambition for leadership of the tribe is a proper route for those who believe they can achieve and hold it, and in these circumstances the people will combine under firm leadership, their culture demanding that they honour their leader whether he is right or wrong.
Because of this it is incorrect to think of the Gulf States as a number of similar countries and peoples. There are similarities between the societies, land and history but, although essentially all are newly created, the States have distinctive and different identities, have developed separately from different dates and at different rates, and have goals decided for them by their different rulers – and outside powers.
Conversely, and perhaps, because of the short history of their establishment, it is apparent from conversations that many Arabs of the Gulf States put themselves forward as Arabs first, Muslims second and nationals of their various countries third. Formally, of course, it is obvious that they are Muslims first, but the conflict between the concepts of democratic and tribal societies, and the conflict between those who wish to learn from the West in order to progress and the majority who wish to return to more fundamental values will continue to ensure a lack of stability within the Arab world without an external power to safeguard a form of peace. This can not help the smaller Gulf States establish a coherent Arab legitimacy with respect to their stronger neighbours. There will continue to be felt unease towards the larger States, although they will maintain a fierce competitiveness towards their similarly sized neighbours while embracing both pan-Arab and Muslim brotherliness – a term borrowed from Arabic but which is difficult to translate correctly.
In particular Saudi Arabia – the state which forms the protective backbone of the Gulf states – is under internal strain from Islamic fundamentalism. Liberals in Saudi believe that more democratic reforms would isolate the religious fundamentalists, but it is unlikely that this novel system would be put to the test in the short term. The reverberations from this incipient revolt can be felt in all the Gulf States and it is this, perhaps more than any other issue, that will affect the manner in which the Gulf States develop their institutions and attitudes in the future.
I should also finally mention again the other issues that are always at the back of the minds of Gulf Arabs: those relating to the states of Israel and Iran. They are a constant source of concern and, in the case of the former, a humiliation forced on them by the West. It should always be remembered that a slight to another Muslim or Islamic state will always draw Muslims together – whatever issues one has in contention with the other.
Main tribes of Qatar
The main tribes and communities living in Qatar in 1908 and 1939 are listed on the page dealing with population. It can be seen that a number of families are missing from the list, though I don't know why this is. The Al Attiyah, Al Na'aimi, Al Dusari and Al Thani are ones that spring most immediately to mind but there are likely to be others. I shall have to carry out more research on this area. It would be useful to read the information which follows with the note here which looks at issues relating to the origins of the people of the peninsula.
Right up to the seventies there seems to have been considerable movement within the peninsula due to economic activity and, particularly, the efforts of the government to settle families in what was termed 'public housing'. Generally families were settled on land which was not traditionally theirs as, in the case of urban families, their housing was levelled and land given them on the outskirts of the their towns and, in the case of less urbanised families, they were brought in and given land, also on the periphery of existing urban development.
though many of these families originally came from – and in some cases, still live in – other settlements in Qatar. Some of these families also have close relatives living in other Gulf states due to the character of the tribes occupying the Arabian peninsula and their habits of movement and settlement.
You might notice that the last five names are of different origin from the others on the list and are those of merchant families.
Tribes and communities in Doha
According to The Handbook of Arabia, 1916, there were twenty-five groupings of whom the most numerous were:
Al bu 'ainain, a clan of the Al Subaih sub-tribe of the Bani Khalid,
Al bin 'Ali,
Huwalah,
Khalaifat,
Al bu Kawarah,
Ma'adhid,
Mahanadah,
Sulutah,
negro slaves,
free negroes,
Arabs from Najd,
Baharinah,
Persians,
Bani Hajar,
Ka'ban,
Na'im,
Al Murrah,
Manasir, and
'Ajman.
The different families in the Gulf maintain their order, and through it, their status by internal social mechanisms; essentially, where the head of the tribe is primus inter pares– first among equals. This applies to the Al Thani family, for instance, who maintain their head and, therefore, the Ruler of the country, through familial accord. Bearing in mind that all families have a number of different branches – for instance the Al Thani have the bani Khalid, bani Hamad and bani Jassim branches – it is important that the different branches and the most capable individuals are recognised and used in some way that befits them within the overall and elemental parts of the family. In this way they are supported and give support to each according to their need. In a tribe most people will know their individual place within it, and the head of the tribe will be responsible for resolving difficulties, acting as arbitrator and ensuring that the good name of the family continues.
Tribes and communities in Qatar according to Lorimer
According to Lorimer, these were, at the beginning of the twentieth century:
Al Bu'ainain,
Al bin Ali,
Amamarah,
Arabs of Najd,
Baharinah
Baqaqalah
Dawasir
Hamaidat
Huwalah
Khalaifat
Kibisah
Al bu Kawarah
Ma'adhid
Madhahakah
Mahanadah
Mananaah
Al bin Maqla
Al Musallam
Negroes (free)
Negroes (slaves, but not living in their masters' houses),
Negroes (slaves, living with their owners),
Persians,
Sadah,
Sudan,
Sulutah, and
Bani Yas of the Al bu Falasah and Qubaisat sections.
One difficulty has arisen within this traditional hierarchical arrangement is that the government now provides some of the support which, previously, the head of the qabila used to give. For instance, not that long ago a mother might ask the head of the qabila for financial assistance in order to have a child receive specialist medical treatment. Now the state will provide that. However, the head of the qabila is still used to provide services, usually through influence in the majaalis and so maintain his place of priviledge. Nevertheless, the dichotomy introduced by the state's wealth now providing resources does create ambiguities at least, and another difficulty for the society to come to terms with.
The Al Thani family
As described above, the Qatar peninsula has, for some time, been ruled by one of the families moving into and around it for centuries. The Al Thani family is now pre-eminent, rules Qatar and, with the increasing wealth of the country, has developed policies which have an influence across the modern world. But their more recent history goes back to Sheikh Thani bin Muhammad who was the head of that part of the family and living at Fuwairat. It was here that Muhammad bin Thani – whose name can be seen in green at the foot of this old chart – was born, taking over as head of the tribe in Fuwairat on the death of his father. A useful genealogical history of the Al Thani family can be found on one of the sites dealing with genealogies, but be warned, it is only the male side of the family who are noted on the trees, and there seem to be a number of variations in the trees I have seen.
In particular, I have found it difficult to follow the line before Muhammad bin Thani. But, with apologies for any misunderstandings of the Arabic, here is the line given on the different family trees I have seen, beginning with Muhammad bin Thani, taken in this case from the bottom of the above diagram:
suggesting that there may be differences held in the perceived lineage of the al-Thani family.
Sheikh Muhammad bin Thani
Sheikh Muhammad bin Thani was born in Fuwairat in the north-east of the peninsula, the son of Thani bin Muhammad. In 1847, under his leadership, this group moved from Fuwairat to Doha and slowly extended control of the north of the peninsula to the whole of it by the mid 1860s, making alliances in 1851 with Faisal bin Turki, the Emir of Saudi, to strengthen his position with regards to the Arabian hinterland. As mentioned previously, Sheikh Muhammad made a peace treaty with the British on the 12th September 1868 but, in 1871 invited the Turks of Al Hasa to protect Qatar's interests, the Turks taking up residence in Qatar in 1872 and warning the British against becoming involved. Sheikh Muhammad died around 1878 or 1879 having given over the rule of the country to his son, Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad in 1876.
Sheikh Qasim bin Muhammad
Sheikh Qasim (Jassim) bin Muhammad was born around 1825, probably in Fuwairat. As the effective ruler of the country he was accorded the Ottoman title, Qaim-Maqam – Deputy Governor in 1876 and, on the 18th December 1878 he assumed power. His early rule saw the Turks embarked upon a programme strengthening their position in the Qatar peninsula. They appointed Turkish administrators at Zubara, Doha, Wakrah and Khor al Udaid and established a Custom House at Doha while strengthening their garrison there. Differences continued between Sheikh Jassim and the Ottomans leading to open warfare when Shaikh Jassim defeated Turkish troops at Wajbah, fifteen kilometres to the west of Doha in March 1893. Sheikh Jassim is regarded as the founder of the modern State of Qatar, and died on the 15th Shawwal 1331, July 1913.
Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad
Although not officially a ruler of Qatar, I have added Sheikh Ahmad, born around 1860, as he took over many of the country's responsibilities for his brother, Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad, in 1898 following the battle of Wajbah after which his brother effectively retired to Lusail. Sheikh Ahmad was murdered by a Bani Hajir servant in 1905 after which Sheikh Jassim again assumed control of the country's affairs.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim
Following the death of Sheikh Ahmad bin Jassim, the elderly Sheikh Jassim held discussions with three of his sons, Sheikh Abdulrahman, Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim, the latter being appointed by his father in 1906 as Heir Apparent. Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim was born in Doha in 1880 and, on the 17th July 1913, became the Ruler of Qatar on the death of his father. Two years later, following the outbreak of the First World War, the Turks were forced to leave Qatar and, the following year, Britain entered into a treaty with Sheikh Abullah effectively offering protection as noted above.
Two agreements were entered into with the British in 1935. The first, on the 5th May, guaranteed protection from both outside and inside the country whereas the second, on the 17th May, saw Sheikh Abdullah signing the first oil concession agreement with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, this coinciding with British recognition of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah, the second son of Sheikh Abdullah, as the Heir Apparent. Regrettably, Sheikh Hamad died on the 25th April 1948 and, a month later, Sheikh Abdullah appointed his son, Sheikh Ali, as Heir Apparent on the 30th June and, on the 20th August 1948, abdicated in favour of Sheikh Ali. Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim died on the 25th April 1957.
Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah
Sheikh Ali was born around 1896 assuming his position as Ruler in August, as mentioned above.
The Second World War effectively delayed development in the country for its duration but, on the 5th August 1949, Sheikh Ali signed a Seabed Concession with Central Mining and Investment Corporation Ltd. This, and the previous agreement with Anglo-Persian set the seeds for the modern development of the State. The signing was quickly followed on the 31st December 1949 by the first transfer of oil from Qatar via the port of Umm Said in the south of the country where there was deep sea access for tankers.
Three years later, on the 1st September 1952, a new Agreement was signed with the Iraq Petroleum Company – which later became the Qatar Petroleum Company – under which Qatar acquired fifty per cent of the profits from oil exports. At this time, Sheikh Ali established the beginnings of an effective administrative system to manage the proceeds from oil. Sheikh Ali abdicated in favour of his son, Sheikh Ahmed on the 24th October 1960, at the same time appointing Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad as the Heir Apparent and Deputy Ruler. Sheikh Ali died on the 31st August 1974.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali
Sheikh Ahmed was born around 1920 in Doha and his rule witnessed considerable development of the oil industry, with the exceptions noted above relating the Second World War. In 1960 Sheikh Ahmed established the Ministry of Finance with Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad its Minister. Other organisations followed to deal with the administrative and financial areas of government.
1963 saw the finding of a large oil field and the establishment of an oil terminal on the island of Halul in 1965. January 1964 saw the first seabed field in the world operating as an off-shore facility.
In 1968 the British Labour government terminated its treaties in the Gulf as its policies moved to leave from the east of Suez. The nine Gulf States failed to form an effective political unit and Qatar promulgated a Provisional Constitution on the 2nd April 1970, following this with the country's first Council of Ministers on the 28th May 1970. Qatar declared itself independent on the 3rd September 1971, effectively ending the Treaty with the British of the 3rd November 1916. Sheikh Ahmad died on the 25th November 1977.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad
Sheikh Khalifa was born in Rayyan in 1932 and assumed power on the 22nd February 1972 with the agreement of the Royal Family, and began the process of reorganising government and extending links to other countries in the world. He amended the Constitution on the 19th April 1972, enlarged the Ministerial Cabinet and established wide-ranging diplomatic relations. He also took the opportunity to bring in a number of Western consultancies. For instance, through the Ministry of Public Works, the first of the Western planning consultancies was instructed to produce an orderly development of the country and, particularly, of Doha, its largest conurbation.
On the 18th July 1989 Sheikh Khalifa re-shuffled and enlarged the Cabinet to fifteen members, most of them being new to the Cabinet and, again on the 1st September 1992, it was enlarged to seventeen members.
On the 4th December 1990 Sheikh Khalifa re-organised the Advisory Council, retaining eleven members and adding another nineteen. In addition to this he established and revised fiscal and monetary agencies with a view to controlling better the increasing revenues and expenditures of the State.
Sheikh Khalifa was also responsible for developing more production sharing agreements with foreign organisations. In January 1985 and February 1986 agreements were signed with the Standard Oil Company of Ohio and Amoco respectively, and these were followed in January 1989 with an agreement with the French government-owned Elf Aquitaine.
At the same time Sheikh Khalifa organised the development of the industrial sector with steel and cement plants being established at Umm Said and Umm Bab respectively together with a chemical fertilizer plant for the country's growing agricultural initiatives.
Education, under the guidance of Sheikh Khalifa's brother, Sheikh Muhammad bin Hamad, prospered with schools being rapidly constructed in all areas of the country and the model Gulf University established to the north of Doha along with the development of a large area of land – the New District of Doha or dafnah – being constructed through the reclamation of a large area of shallow sea in the bay north-west and adjacent to the capital.
Meanwhile security and the army were developed with respectively, at their heads, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad, Minister of the Interior and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, the oldest son of Sheikh Khalifa and Commander in chief of the army.
This period saw considerable expansion, though there was a slow down in development in the late eighties and early nineties.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa
Sheikh Hamad was born in 1952 and educated in Qatar and Sandhurst Military Academy in Britain, from which he graduated in 1971.
On the 31st May 1977 he was appointed Heir Apparent and Minister of Defence, establishing a progressive and modernised armed force capability. The early eighties saw him chair the Higher Planning Council, the organisation that establishes and guides the direction in which the country develops. He also took a keen interest in sports which continues with Qatar increasingly associated with both national and world-wide sports interests.
Sheikh Hamad assumed power on the 27th June 1995 with the agreement of the Royal Family. He has continued a programme of significant expansion in the development within the country and a wider recognition throughout the world with the movement of American troops onto the peninsula, the operation of Al Jazeera television station based there, his policies relating to the democratisation of the country, and the aforementioned sporting initiatives. In addition his wife, Sheikha Mosa, has been very much involved in advancing a number of aspects improving the life of Qatari women, particularly education.
This development has come at a time in regional affairs when there were considerable difficulties, notably the conflicts in Kuwait and Iraq and the influx of considerable military forces into the region. This conflict has seen Qatar drawn into the fight to free Kuwait, and it is notable that Qatar has aligned itself strongly with Western interests both in the search for a settled peace in the area as well as moving towards what the West would consider a more democratic society.
There are a number of photos of members of the al-Thani family on Flickr, but the main one has been taken down. A simple search will find others.
The future for development
This diagram illustrates, perhaps a little crudely, the disposition of the chief industries upon which Qatar depends for its livelihood. The diagram can not show the importance of each of these, nor the reason for their location, but it is well enough known that Qatar has massive reserves of gas and significant reserves of oil.
Oil was first discovered on the west side of the peninsula but is mainly located off the north-east coast of Qatar in the area known as the North Dome, as well as to its east. By contrast gas is mainly found along the west coast from Dukhan in the north, to the south past Umm Bab where the cement industry is based. It is evident from their location near the gasfields that the Hawar Islands have a strategic importance, as can be seen in the diagram further up the page that shows the result of the dispute brought before the International Court of Justice to determine the border between Bahrein and Qatar. The islands have now been determined to belong to Bahrein, though the part of the peninsula which Bahrein also claimed has been allowed to remain with Qatar.
The two photographs here are of the terminal on Halul Island, and one of Qatar»s oil rigs out in the Gulf. They are two of a number of official photographs published by the Qatar government in the early 1970s when there were the first attempts to publicise the achievements of the country and the progress made to date. These efforts were aimed both externally, as well as within the country and were useful in illustrating a snapshot of the State at that time.
As the map above illustrates, elements of the country's oil and gas resources lie on the west side of the country where, as I mentioned earlier, there has been conflict with Bahraini interests regarding the Fasht al Dibal reef, the Hawar islands and Zubara on the Qatar peninsula, but which has now been legally resolved. These resources have to be piped overland to the south-east coast of Qatar where there is access for tankers at the deep water port of the industrial city, Umm Said. Here, in the top photo, you can see the pipes leading across the country from the characteristic low landscapes of the west coast and, on the horizon, gas can be seen being flared off. You can also see the track beside the pipeline enabling access and a measure of security to be provided.
In the map above you can see the proximity of what is termed the North Dome or North Field to the north-east of the Qatar peninsula. This aerial photograph shows the industrial city of Ras Laffan which has seen remarkably fast growth in recent years with more planned. It has been established as an industrial city based on the gas and liquids derived from the North Field gas reserves. Qatar intends to be a world leader in liquified natural gas – LNG, and gas-to-liquid – GTL technololgies.
There are some industrial activities located on the west coast at Umm Bab and, on the south-east coast, at Umm Said, the industrial town which is also the deep water terminal for berthing tankers. The terminal was opened in 1949 for the loading of crude oil. For a long time there was little residential accommodation there but it is now better supported. There is also a dredged channel to accommodate shipping at Qatar's main marine access.
The lower photograph is another of the government's offical photographs, published in the early 1970s, and shows the Qatar Fertiliser Company's terminal at Umm Said, established in 1968 as a joint venture and inaugurated in 1973.
As I suggested in the first paragraph, Qatar has significantly large supplies of natural gas in addition to its oil with the third largest reserves in the world after Iran and Russia. It follows that natural liquified gas, or NLG as it is usually referred to, is really the basis for Qatar's future development. Qatargas, the company established to own and run, as well as market and export, the gas from the North Field is anticipated to generate approximately 2.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas.
In the nineteen seventies it was common to flare, or burn off, a lot of the gas that was produced as a by product of the crude oil. As much as 80% was flared but this has now been reduced to about 5%. More to be written on this…
While the nascent industries, powered by gas and oil got underway in the 1950s and 1960s, the need for drinking water was responded to by the development of the first desalination plant. This was located at Ras Abu Aboud, to the east of Doha. This aerial photograph of it, looking approximately south-west, is one of the official government photographs published in the early 1970s. Above it can be seen the port with four ships berthed and, beyond it, the West Bay with some of the development at al-Bida and Rumeillah.
Tourism, the newest industry, tends to be concentrated in Doha, particularly in the New District of Doha where there are a significant number of new hotels together with a many new sports facilities. Qatar University is also located here. Al Shahaniya, in the centre of the country, houses the national zoo, and there are a number of historic buildings around the country, perhaps the most important being in the north-west at Zubara. Within Doha there are a number of other facilities dealing with the past, the Doha Museum is the largest of these but there are many others both existing and planned. | eng | f901bf1b-fa29-4e6d-aef6-81ce61bafa80 | http://www.catnaps.org/islamic/history.html |
CARE Act needs assessment is a process of collecting information about the needs of persons living with HIV disease (PLWH)—both those receiving care and those not in care. Steps involve gathering data—from multiple sources—on the number of HIV and AIDS cases, the needs of PLWH, and current resources (CARE Act and other) available to meet those needs. This information is then analyzed to identify what services are needed.
Needs assessment is an interconnected part of other CARE Act planning tasks. Results from the needs assessment should be used in setting priorities for the allocation of funds, developing the comprehensive plan, and crafting the annual implementation plan and specific strategies it outlines for addressing needs. Needs assessment results can also provide baseline data for evaluation and help providers improve services.
Needs assessment steps include identifying:
Data on HIV Cases and AIDS Cases. HIV/AIDS epidemiologic and other data indicate what populations are living with HIV and AIDS.
Needs of PLWH. Insights on needs can be obtained through co-morbidity and socio-economic data and such methods as surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews.
Existing Services Available to PLWH. A resource inventory can show what services and organizations currently exist. An assessment of provider capacity/capability can determine provider ability to deliver HIV/AIDS care. Both the inventory and the provider profile should include such services as HIV prevention, substance abuse prevention and treatment, early intervention services (EIS), and outreach.
Unmet needs/service gaps that CARE Act programs might address. Comparing available services to identified needs reveals unmet needs and service gaps (see definitions this page). This should include an examination of unmet needs for HIV-positive individuals who know their status but are not in care; service gaps for those who are currently in care; disparities in care; and capacity development needs of providers and the overall system of care. Analysis of unmet needs/service gaps might include not only a determination of overall needs but also identification of particular service needs for specific PLWH populations.Section 2613(b)(1)(A-B) states that a consortium's service plan must address "the special care needs and service needs" of the populations to be served, and must provide an assurance that "populations and subpopulations of individuals and families with HIV disease have been identified by the consortium, particularly those experiencing disparities in access and services and those who reside in historically underserved communities."
Section 2613(c)(1) requires Title II consortia, in order to receive assistance from the State, to "prepare and submit to the State, an application that [in part]—"
"(B) demonstrates that the consortium has carried out an assessment of service needs within the geographic area to be served…."
[provides] "(iv) assurances that the assessment of service needs and the planning of the delivery of services will include participation by individuals with HIV disease;"
States
Section 2617(b) requires States to prepare applications for funding that contain:
"(2) a determination of the size and demographics of the population of individuals with HIV disease in the State;"
"(3) a determination of the needs of such population, with particular attention to—
(A) individuals with HIV disease who know their HIV status and are not receiving HIV-related services; and
(B) disparities in access and services among affected subpopulations and historically underserved communities;"
"(4) a comprehensive plan that describes the organization and delivery of HIV health care and support services to be funded with assistance received under this part that shall include a description of the purposes for which the State intends to use such assistance, and that—
(A) establishes priorities for the allocation of funds within the State based on—
(i) size and demographics of the population of individuals with HIV disease (as determined under paragraph (2)) and the needs of such population (as determined under paragraph (3)); (ii) availability of other governmental and non-governmental resources, including the State medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act and the State Children's Health Insurance Program under title XXI of such Act to cover health care costs of eligible individuals and families with HIV disease; (iii) capacity development needs resulting from disparities in the availability of HIV-related services in historically underserved communities and rural communities; and (iv) the efficiency of the administrative mechanism of the State for rapidly allocating funds to the areas of greatest need within the State;
(B) includes includes a strategy to coordinate the provision of such services with programs for HIV prevention (including outreach and early intervention) and for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse (including programs that provide comprehensive treatment services for such abuse);"
The CARE Act Amendments of 2000 place increased emphasis on needs assessment, particularly for Title I and Title II programs. Needs assessment is expected to generate information about:
The size and demographics of the HIV/AIDS population within the service area, and
The needs of PLWH, with emphasis on individuals with HIV disease who know their HIV status and are not receiving primary health care, and on disparities in access and services among affected subpopulations and historically underserved communities.
HAB/DSS expects Title I and Title II needs assessments to meet all legislative requirements and to provide a sound information base for planning and decision-making.
Planning bodies and grantees are expected to apply the following principles and strategies in their needs assessment efforts:
Needs assessment is a partnership activity of the State, its consortia, and community.
Needs assessment is the basis for other CARE Act planning activities. The CARE Act recognizes the role of needs assessment in developing an array of services for PLWH. Other CARE Act planning tasks use its results to help prioritize service needs and allocate funds, develop a comprehensive plan, and craft strategies to address these needs through the implementation plan.
Needs assessments focus on particular areas of need, as outlined in the CARE Act with its emphasis on reaching those not in care, identifying disparities in care, and identifying ways to enhance the service delivery system. Areas for attention are as follows:
Focus on PLWH not in care and disparities in care. Most needs assessments have primarily targeted PLWH who were receiving HIV-related services (individuals already "in care"). The CARE Act of 2000 requires needs assessments to expand their focus and also determine the needs of those individuals who know their status but are but are not in care. Particular attention must also be paid to identifying disparities in access and services among affected subpopulations and historically underserved communities.
Identify capacity development needs. Capacity development needs exist when disparities in the availability of HIV-related services are identified, particularly in historically underserved communities. In planning for capacity development, the number and characteristics of subpopulations experiencing disparities in access and services is determined. If the needs assessment identifies gaps in its ability to reach and address the needs of underserved populations or communities (e.g., insufficient access points, cultural or language barriers), capacity development activities must be prioritized.
Address coordination with HIV prevention and substance abuse prevention and treatment. Because CARE Act resources are only one source of HIV/AIDS care, needs assessments should identify where coordination across services is needed. Of particular importance is coordination with HIV prevention and with substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, including programs that provide comprehensive substance abuse treatment. Coordination with these services can enhance efforts to identify individuals with HIV who know their status but are not receiving primary health care, provide risk reduction services to these individuals, enable them to access and remain in care, and result in better attention to the full range of their needs.
Identify need for outreach and early intervention services (EIS). The CARE Act allows Title II areas to fund outreach and EIS. In order to consider these service categories for funding, the needs assessment's resource inventory and other assessment tasks must identify the need for such services. Relatedly, they must also identify points of entry into care, identify any gaps in services for those not in care, and determine how best to fill these gaps. Points of entry are particularly important because they are places where individuals who know their HIV status but are not in care may be found.
Obtain PLWH input. The CARE Act requires States to determine the size and demographics of individuals living with HIV disease within their areas and the needs of this population. States and consortia are expected to establish methods such as public meetings, focus groups, and ad hoc panels for obtaining input on community need and priorities. Such input enables them to fulfill the legislative requirement to establish priorities for the allocation of CARE Act funds with attention to the needs of PLWH.
States should establish a needs assessment cycle. Title II areas are not expected to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment each year. The effort is extremely time consuming and can lead to "consumer fatigue" as well as grantee and consortia overload. HAB/DSS recommends a two- or three-year needs assessment cycle, with a schedule for collecting updated information to address special areas and support priority-setting and resource-allocation activities. Epidemiologic data should be obtained and reviewed annually, information on new populations added, and special circumstances—such as the impact of advances in medical treatments on service needs—addressed promptly.
Coordination among needs assessment efforts is increasing, both among CARE Act titles and between CARE Act and HIV prevention community planning processes. In particular, the Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need (SCSN) represents an opportunity to coordinate needs assessment activities that are conducted across CARE Act programs.
The SCSN is a process convened in the State by the Title II grantee to collaboratively identify significant issues related to PLWH needs and to maximize coordination across CARE Act titles. The result of the SCSN process is a written SCSN. All organizations funded under the CARE Act are required to coordinate with each other in the delivery of health care and supportive services and are expected to participate in the SCSN process.
The SCSN is not a comprehensive community-based needs assessment requirement nor is it a requirement for a comprehensive plan of HIV care and service delivery. The SCSN also does not override or supersede local autonomy and decision making. However, the SCSN must reflect existing needs assessments and identify cross-cutting service delivery gaps/issues and broad goals.
SCSN development is greatly enhanced by cross-title collaboration in the needs assessment process. This occurs, for example, when Title I and Title II bodies collaborate within a regional service area, when consortia across a State cooperate or collaborate on their individual needs assessments, or when Title III or Title IV programs participate in Title I or Title II needs assessment efforts.
Components of a Needs Assessment
A comprehensive needs assessment includes several specific components. On an annual basis, specific components of the needs assessment should be expanded and/or updated, depending on trends and special issues facing the Title II area. The major components of a comprehensive needs assessment are:
Epidemiologic profile, which describes the current status of the epidemic, specifically the prevalence of HIV and AIDS overall and among defined subpopulations. The profile should also describe trends in the epidemic. In States without HIV reporting, areas should determine the number of individuals living with HIV by using epidemiologic measures developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through HRSA/HAB, CDC, and others.
Assessment of service needs among affected populations, including barriers that prevent PLWH from receiving needed services. A needs assessment should gather an array of information in order to identify trends and common themes. This information should be collected from multiple sources, among them PLWH and other community members, health departments, the State Medicaid agency, community-based providers and, where applicable, grantees of other CARE Act titles. Information must be obtained from and about HIV-positive individuals who know their status and are not in care.
Resource inventory, which describes organizations and individuals providing the full spectrum of services accessible to PLWH in the service area.. The goal of the resource inventory is to develop a comprehensive picture of services, regardless of funding source. At a minimum, the resource inventory includes for each provider a description of the types of services provided, number of clients served, and funding levels and sources.
Profile of provider capacity and capability, which identifies the extent to which services identified in the resource inventory are accessible, available, and appropriate for PLWH, including specific subpopulations. Estimates of capacity describe how much of which services a provider can deliver. Assessments of capability describe the degree to which a provider is actually accessible and has the needed expertise to provide services. A careful assessment of barriers to PLWH receiving services is an important aspect of this component (i.e., the profile should inquire from PLWH directly or service providers the barriers faced in accessing services). Some provider profiles will also explore client perceptions of service quality and appropriateness. However, assessment of client satisfaction is a complex effort that may also be undertaken thoroughly in the quality improvement process.
Assessment of unmet need/service gaps, which brings together the quantitative and qualitative data on service needs, resources, and barriers to help set priorities and allocate resources. This should include an assessment of the unmet need for PLWH who know their HIV status but are not in care and an assessment of service gaps for all PLWH—both in and out of care.
Needs Assessment and HAB/DSS Principles
In conducting needs assessments, CARE Act programs should consider the following four principles identified by HAB, which outline significant implications facing HIV/AIDS service delivery in the current decade:
A needs assessment sets the stage for the planning process by identifying the needs of the community, the services available to meet those needs, and the gaps between needs and services. This is a meaningful exercise only if it is planned carefully.
To develop a needs assessment in a timely and efficient manner, begin by outlining a needs assessment process. The typical steps in needs assessments are as follows:
Plan for the needs assessment
Design the needs assessment methodology
Collect the information required for the needs assessment
Analyze the information and present the results in useful formats.
Each of these steps is summarized below. (Please refer to the Needs Assessment Guide for detailed information that will help guide you through needs assessment design and implementation.)
1. Plan for the Needs Assessment
The first step is to reach consensus on the scope, timetable, budget, and responsibilities for the needs assessment.
Scope
Decide on needs assessment scope by posing and answering the following questions:
What is the desired scope of the needs assessment? Will this be a comprehensive needs assessment or an update of some part of an existing needs assessment (e.g., the epidemiologic profile)? What programs and services will be addressed? Are there any special issues that should be considered (e.g., enrollment of Medicaid-eligible PLWH in managed care plans)?
Once you have completed a needs assessment that meets legislative requirements and local planning needs, your needs assessment efforts each year can focus on updating or expanding particular components of the assessment.
Whose needs are being assessed and what information will be sought about each of these populations? Based upon the epidemiologic profile for the area, what target populations are essential for the assessment?
Develop a clear understanding about whose needs are being assessed. You cannot make decisions about service needs of specific populations (e.g., women, Latinos, gay men of color) unless information about these groups is an integral part of the needs assessment.
Be sure that information can be presented separately for important population groups or geographic areas as well as combined to give an overall picture of your service area. The analysis should present, compare, and contrast all components of the entire service population. This is important if you plan to set priorities separately for distinct areas or population groups. For example, you may need information about injection drug users (IDUs) to develop a sense of the need for substance abuse treatment services. HRSA has identified the following populations which, at a minimum, should be analyzed in terms of their specific needs: white non-Hispanic men who have sex with men, men of color who have sex with men, women of child-bearing age, adolescents, injecting drug users, and other substance users.
Who are the target populations for your assessment?
Knowing whom to target can present challenges. Many areas make the mistake of targeting providers as the primary source of needs data. The assumption here is that providers have intimate knowledge of their clients' needs. While this may be true, the priorities of providers may be different from the priorities of their clients. Providers also may be less knowledgeable about the needs of populations not in their care system.
The CARE Act requires and a sound needs assessment ensures that needs assessment information is sought directly from PLWH. Start with the needs of PLWH (in and out of care) and ask them about their needs. Also give weight to provide perspectives since they are part of the solution. The challenge and goal is to structuring a process that allows for an appropriate balance—including information from diverse PLWH about their perceived service needs.
What programs and services will be addressed?
You will need to know what programs and services should be addressed. It may be helpful to use focus groups to determine the scope of priorities your community will consider in the process. Developing a resource inventory will also help point to service areas that may need particular attention.
What specific tables or narrative information for the comprehensive plan or for your Title II application must be developed based on needs assessment data? Does the latest HAB/DSS application guidance call for new tables or additional information or analyses?
Timetable and Budget
Determine the timeline and budget by addressing the following questions:
What is the timetable for the needs assessment? What are the deadlines for specific tasks such as collection of information, analysis of data, and preparation of the needs assessment report? By what date must the planning or decision-making body that will use needs assessment receive the report in order to allow time for review of information and use of results in priority setting and resource allocation, planning, and/or preparation of an application for CARE Act funding? If several titles (or Title II and the HIV Prevention Community Planning Group) are collaborating, what are the differing timetables and how can they all be met?
What is the budget for the needs assessment? Are funds available for a consultant? What in-kind resources can be used, such as assistance in conducting interviews or focus groups from staff of local agencies or university students, or assistance in data analysis from the health department or another agency? How can joint funding (e.g., across CARE Act titles, with HIV prevention community planning) be coordinated?
Responsibilities for Conducting and Overseeing the Needs Assessment
Agree on responsibilities for conducting and overseeing the needs assessment by posing the following questions:
Can the needs assessment be conducted jointly with other CARE Act titles, and/or the HIV Prevention Community Planning Group? If so, how can funds and efforts best be pooled?
Who will conduct and monitor the needs assessment? Will it be conducted and overseen by the planning body, staff, a needs assessment committee, a consultant, or some combination of volunteers and paid staff? If a consultant is to be used, what criteria will be used to select the consultant (e.g., social science research background, experience with community needs assessment, understanding of AIDS primary care and support services) and how will the consultant's work be monitored? What will be the division of responsibility between the planning body and the grantee or administrative agency?
Title III and Title IV Guidances require grantees and applicants to collaborate in State and/or local HIV-related needs assessments.
The Title I Manual encourages coordination of needs assessment activities with other entities including Title II planning bodies and Title III and Title IV providers to stretch available dollars and contribute to a more comprehensive effort.
Title I planning councils are required to include representatives of area Title III and Title IV programs among their voting members.
Representatives of all titles must participate in the Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need.
Planning bodies within a State are encouraged to share needs assessments with each other and programs serving the same populations (e.g., community/migrant health centers, Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grants).
Obtaining Community Input
Establish a process for community input by posing the following questions:
What procedures will be used to obtain broad PLWH and other community input from individuals who are not part of the planning council or needs assessment committee? What additional efforts are needed to help ensure that the needs assessment results will be accepted by the community?
How will the needs assessment reach and obtain input from HIV-positive individuals who know their status but are not in care? What links with prevention programs, substance abuse treatment programs, counseling and testing sites, and other EIS providers will help in reaching these individuals?
Analysis, Presentation, and Use of Results
Look ahead to what will be done once results are obtained by addressing the following questions:
If this is a collaborative needs assessment, how will the specific information needed by each title or program be analyzed and presented? Will separate reports be required?
How will the results be linked to and supportive of the development of a comprehensive plan?
What tables or narrative information for a CARE Act application must be developed based on needs assessment data? Does the latest HAB application guidance call for new tables or additional information or analyses?
How else will needs assessment results be used? For example, what information is most critical for priority setting? What separate analyses are needed by population group, transmission category, service category, and/or geographic area? How can results best be presented so they are easy to use?
Hints for Managing the Needs Assessment Process
Conducting a needs assessment in an organized manner entails assigning responsibility for both implementation and monitoring of the data collection and analysis process. The experiences of CARE Act planning bodies and grantees suggest different ways to divide responsibilities.
"Staffing" the needs assessment. The needs assessment may be conducted and overseen by a needs assessment committee, staff, a consultant, the full planning body, or some combination of volunteers and paid staff. Often, planning body members or other volunteers will not carry out a comprehensive needs assessment themselves. They may lack the needed time and/or expertise. At a minimum, they can and should provide oversight, arrange community forums, and ensure that all affected populations are reached and included in the needs assessment process. Some members may be able to help with specific activities such as client focus groups or outreach to people not in care. Planning body and grantee staff will also need to devote time to the needs assessment. The technical expertise of both CARE Act and other staff can be particularly helpful, especially in initial planning. Many health departments have staff with needs assessment experience. Typically, consultants will be needed to work with the needs assessment committee or staff in planning and implementing the needs assessment. Sometimes university researchers will help with the process at low-cost or pro bono, perhaps making the needs assessment a student project.
Planning body "ownership." Whatever process is used, the planning body needs to develop "ownership" of the needs assessment. If consultants or staff are used, they should be seen as the planning body's representatives. Consumers will feel ownership if they play a substantive role in the needs assessment process, if the report or an executive summary is widely disseminated, and if other planning council members acknowledge their contributions.
Dealing with conflict of interest. Responsibility for implementing a needs assessment process entails recognizing and managing conflict of interest. Be sure that the committee or task force reviewing the needs assessment tool and overseeing the needs assessment process is broadly representative and balanced. Include individuals knowledgeable about the range of CARE Act services, so that no one individual or group has control of questionnaire design or data analysis. Be aware of the possibility of unintended biases. For example, a clinic director is likely to focus on the information about primary health care needs, a substance abuse provider on the need for drug treatment, and a gay rights organization on the needs of gay men. Have a neutral party design, or at least carefully review, all instruments to be sure that individuals do not overemphasize a particular service need or approach that may be of special interest to their organization or reflect their personal priorities.
Frequently Used Data Sources
Secondary source data that are typically used in CARE Act planning include the following; the data are mostly quantitative (numerical):
Epidemiologic data obtained primarily from local and State health departments and the CDC (e.g., AIDS cases, HIV cases or estimates, data on co-morbidities)
Client service utilization data obtained from providers and aggregated by the grantee and/or the HIV/AIDS Bureau (e.g., CARE Act Data Report, client-level data collected by the grantee if available)
Aggregate data on HIV/AIDS clients from Medicaid and/or other health care providers, and
Socio-demographic data obtained from public sources such as the Census Bureau (e.g., overall population characteristics, poverty status, health insurance status).
Primary source data are often collected in CARE Act planning using such methods as:
PLWH and provider surveys
Focus groups
Key informant interviews
Community forums
Public hearings or informal public input sessions, and
Informal discussions with groups of program clients.
Surveys, which consist largely of quantitative data, can be presented in user-friendly tables, charts, and graphs. The other methods produce qualitative data, which is usually presented in narrative summaries.
2. Design the Needs Assessment Methodology
The next step is to develop a specific design for the needs assessment. Keep in mind that the focus is on identifying the needs of PLWH in and out of care and the CARE Act and other services currently available to meet those needs.
If a comprehensive needs assessment is planned, it must include an epidemiologic profile, an assessment of the service needs of PLWH in and out of care, a resource inventory, an assessment of the capacity and capability of service providers, and an assessment of unmet needs/service gaps. The needs assessment should also generate information needed to develop the comprehensive plan and information requested in the program's grant application. If an existing needs assessment is to be updated, more limited information may be required, but a review of the most recent epidemiologic data will always be required.
The needs assessment methodology may be designed by a needs assessment committee, staff, or consultants (paid or volunteer) with committee oversight. Representatives of affected communities should be invited to review the design of the needs assessment. Focus on the following questions:
What existing information (secondary source data) is available? What populations does it address or not address?
Have the grantee, planning body, and/or individual providers carried out epidemiologic studies, client satisfaction studies, or evaluations that can contribute to the needs assessment?
What new information (primary source data) is needed and what approaches are planned to collect this information? Will there be a PLWH survey using probability sampling techniques so that findings can be generalized to the entire population with HIV disease? How will PLWH not in care be identified and included?
Will providers of HIV/AIDS-related services be surveyed to obtain their perceptions of need as well as information about the service network and its capacity and capability? Will qualitative information be obtained from specific PLWH groups, providers, or other target groups through such methods as focus groups, community forums, or key informant interviews?
Who will develop and review the instruments for collecting new information? Can tools from others be used or refined?
What common set of questions should be asked so that responses can be compared across sources in order to identify trends or themes?
Who will collect the new information, and how will these people be trained?
How will confidentiality be protected? Will PLWH be able to participate anonymously?
How will quality control be maintained? What procedures will be used to ensure that findings are valid and activities are completed on time? How will data collection staff be monitored to ensure that information is collected appropriately? Has time been built in to revise data collection instruments based on pilot test results? Who will monitor expenditures and completion of tasks?
How will data be analyzed? How will quantitative and qualitative information be integrated? How will data be analyzed according to desired data characteristics—such as by populations or services—and how will quantitative and qualitative data be compared and interpreted in order to gain a deeper understanding of service needs?
When, how, and in what form will information be presented?
At the end of the design phase, the grantee and planning body should have a clear plan for every part of the needs assessment process, including the kinds of information that will be available and the kinds of analysis that will be done.
3. Collect the Information Required for the Needs Assessment
The required information must be collected—quantitative and qualitative, primary and secondary, analyzed and in "raw" (not aggregated) form. The data collection should follow the procedures determined during the design phase.
Be sure that those responsible for data collection consult with the committee and the full planning body regularly. The entire planning body should hear progress reports from this group during any major needs assessment effort. In overseeing the information collection process, be sure to consider questions and issues such as the following:
Is comprehensive information about the present extent, distribution, and impact of HIV/AIDS on defined populations being obtained and analyzed?
Are the needs of PLWH in and out of care being assessed, by contacting them directly or through other methods? Is there a specific plan for identifying and assessing the needs of individuals who know their HIV status but are not receiving primary health care? Are PLWH surveys reaching PLWH who reflect the diversity of the epidemic in the service area? If your area covers a large geographic area, have PLWH in all areas been included?
Are existing community resources being inventoried and their service capacity determined? For States and multi-State or large EMAs, have resources in all parts of the service area been inventoried?
Has there been careful quality control of the entire information collection process?
Hints for Successful Data Collection
The following are insights gained by various CARE Act planning bodies and grantees through experiences conducting needs assessment data collection activities.
Obtain copies of survey instruments and methodologies used by others rather than "starting from scratch." Some resources are available from HABAHhhh; also contact other State or local health departments and CARE Act-funded providers.
In developing data collection tools, use consistent terminology to describe service categories, using the services defined in the HAB/DSS application guidances. This will maximize the usefulness of surveys and allow for comparisons across geographic areas and titles.
Do not assume that findings from a survey represent an entire population (such as all PLWH in the area) unless the methodology uses a random or probability sample—a sample in which every member of the population being sampled has an equal probability of being included. A stratified random sample may be required in order to generalize findings to subpopulations; this is a random sample drawn after dividing the population being studied into several subgroups or strata based on specific characteristics. Subsamples are then drawn separately from each of the strata. For example, the population might be stratified by race/ethnicity before random sampling.
Focus groups can provide valuable qualitative information from specific groups (e.g., why women of color do and do not access care). Findings can be used to determine key questions for surveys or to look more in-depth at survey results. However, this information does not necessarily represent the views of the entire subpopulation. Some planning bodies and grantees believe that open meetings such as community forums and public hearings have limited value as a source of consumer perspectives on service needs for a care-focused needs assessment. While open meetings have been valuable in prevention needs assessments, concern about visibility and fear of negative repercussions may make some PLWH unwilling to publicly disclose their status or to criticize the continuum of care or discuss barriers affecting access to specific providers. CARE Act experience suggests that the service needs of people living with HIV disease, especially women, minorities, and other severe need populations, are usually best obtained through other methods, such as focus groups and key informant interviews.
Client satisfaction surveys are not the same as PLWH needs assessment surveys. A client satisfaction survey may focus on the perceived quality of services received. A needs assessment survey should ask about an individual's met needs and unmet needs/service gaps and priorities; it may also ask about client satisfaction with current services, but this is not its primary purpose. A limitation of client satisfaction surveys is that they reach only those already receiving services from CARE Act providers.
Many CARE Act programs have found that providing needs assessment survey forms at a provider site can influence the information provided, especially if the completed surveys are left at the site where staff may see them. Sometimes there is a perception that the survey will not be anonymous, and clients may fill out the form in a way that reflects perceived provider needs and priorities rather than those of the client. For these reasons, it is very important that needs assessment surveys be administered or provided to PLWH at locations other than provider sites and/or by a researcher not associated with the provider. Anonymity also needs to be ensured by having the survey either given to that external person or mailed back to a central location unassociated with the provider.
Surveys of PLWH should target both those currently receiving care from funded providers and individuals who are not receiving HIV-related services. Their service needs may be quite different from those of current clients. Individuals not in care are often more difficult to reach than current clients and need to be sought out at a variety of locations, using a mix of street, service provider, and media outreach techniques, as described below. (For more guidance on identifying and assessing the needs of PLWH who are not in care, see the Needs Assessment Guide.)
Some planning bodies and grantees have been very successful in locating PLWH not in care by working with a wide range of service providers that may not be funded through the CARE Act but are likely to be providing services to PLWH. They include public and private clinics, substance abuse treatment programs, maternal and child health programs, mental health programs, and runaway and homeless shelters. Many of these are considered "points of access" into care, and some provide early intervention services. Often, the most effective way to identify such individuals and assess their service needs is to look for them and obtain this information on a continuing basis throughout the year, then aggregate and analyze the information quarterly.
Planning bodies and grantees can encourage PLWH participation in such surveys by providing incentives if allowed by their title.
Media can provide valuable publicity, including public service announcements (PSAs) targeting PLWH and giving them a voice-mail number to call, with PSAs in several languages and special telephone numbers for Spanish- or other limited-English speakers as needed. Use of appropriate community newspapers, newsletters, and/or radio stations can help in reaching specific target populations. Involving people from these communities is an important way to identify where and how PLWH from targeted communities can be reached.
4. Analyze the Information and Present the Results in Useful Formats
Information tabulation and analysis should focus on answering the major needs assessment questions. The process should also include organizing information and analyzing it (as collected from multiple sources) in order to identify key needs, trends, and critical issues. The results of the analysis must then be presented in narrative and/or chart form for use in priority setting, resource allocation, and developing the comprehensive plan. Usually, this is a multi-stage process, requiring at least the following activities:
Catalogue or otherwise order information, including secondary source materials, by topic and subcategory (e.g., data on people living with HIV and AIDS overall, by race/ethnicity, and by mode of transmission, individuals receiving primary medical care and those not in care). In carrying out this process, be specific about what information was obtained and from what populations, to prevent attempts to generalize findings to populations that were not surveyed using probability sampling.
If multiple or different analyses are to be done for different titles, prepare for these differing analyses. Analyze the information—compare and contrast information by population group (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity), geography (e.g., zip code), or other characteristics of interest. Compare the reported service needs of individuals in care and out of care.
Prepare summaries, tables, and charts that are clear and easily understood.
Ensure that tabulations and comparisons of quantitative and qualitative data match the analyses you wish to undertake and present results in the format you desire. Do not apply findings to populations that were not surveyed or were minimally represented in the needs assessment process. Ensure that representatives of various communities—ideally, planning body members from diverse population groups—see the data very early in the analysis process to verify the accuracy of assumptions and interpretations.
Be sure that findings are presented in a format and level of detail that is understandable and useful for planning body members, funders, and others in the community who will be using the results. Make sure information can be readily used in priority setting and resource allocation. Consider variations among individuals in terms of technical background and familiarity with epidemiologic data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 850,000 to 950,000 Americans are HIV-positive. Analyses based on national surveillance data suggest that about 670,000 Americans know they are infected, while another 180,000 to 280,000 have the virus but do not know it. About one-third of those who know their status (an estimated 233,000) are not receiving regular HIV-related primary health care. *
These data demonstrate the need to refocus efforts to get more PLWH into primary health care. The CARE Act Amendments of 2000 require assessment of the unmet needs of PLWH who "know their HIV status and are not receiving HIV-related services," particularly those from "disproportionately affected and historically underserved populations." This targeting is intended to keep CARE Act resources focused on early intervention and care delivery and away from expansion into such prevention areas as general outreach and HIV counseling and testing for non-infected populations.
Research shows that access to quality HIV-related primary health care has improved as a result of the CARE Act, but that some PLWH populations are less likely to be receiving such care. Targeting their needs requires assessment of unmet need so programs can better understand who is not in care and why. Information about unmet need might assess PLWH not receiving primary health care and their geographic location, race/ethnicity, gender, mode of transmission, unmet service needs, and why they are not receiving care. Such data can be used to craft strategies to overcome service barriers and get individuals into care.
Definitions of Unmet Need and Service GapsGrantees and planning bodies do not need a whole different needs assessment methodology to assess the unmet needs of individuals who know their status but are not receiving primary health care. Assessing unmet need should be a part of the overall comprehensive needs assessment conducted in each service area. However, it does require the challenging and time-consuming process of finding and determining the needs of PLWH not in care. Research suggests that such individuals are likely to be members of traditionally underserved populations and may be among those with the greatest need for and dependence on CARE Act services.
The role of unmet need in the needs assessment and planning process is shown graphically below.
HRSA/HAB Priorities
HRSA/HAB is interested in estimates of unmet need for HIV-related primary health care at the local, State, and national levels in order to monitor trends and needs across the nation.
HRSA/HAB wants to ensure that grantees meet legislative requirements for assessing unmet need of people not in care and use this information effectively in priority setting and resource allocation and developing the comprehensive plan.
HAB is required to prepare State and national estimates of unmet need as input to Congress about the need for continued appropriations for HIV/AIDS treatment. Information about unmet need (e.g., geographic areas and populations most affected) also guides national planning and resource allocations, including discretionary grant funds for capacity development.
Considerations in Estimating Unmet Need
HRSA/HAB efforts to develop methods for estimating unmet need/service gaps are ongoing. In particular, they focus on unmet needs for HIV-related primary care services by PLWH who are aware of their status but are not receiving care. Following are methodological considerations:
Capacity. HRSA/HAB recognizes that the assessment of unmet need/service gaps is a complicated process. It requires the capacity to compile data from multiple sources, combine quantitative and qualitative data, and translate information for use in planning.
Data Limitations. Limitations in data availability and access to existing databases include the following:
HIV reporting. The total number of individuals who are HIV-positive and know their status is the starting point for estimating unmet need for this population. HIV-reporting States have these data, although concerns may exist about data completeness. As of March 2002, CDC HIV/AIDS Surveillance Reports were providing HIV cases for 34 States. Nearly all States have begun to collect data on HIV prevalence in some form, but challenges exist around methodologies, reporting delays, and other technical factors. CDC provides estimates of HIV prevalence for jurisdictions in non-reporting States, but the range of cases is often quite large. In making estimates, jurisdictions sometimes take the midpoint of the CDC estimate (e.g., if the estimate is 4,500 to 10,500 people living with HIV that has not progressed to AIDS, the midpoint estimate is 7,500 people).
Limitations of surveillance data/databases. CDC surveillance data provide information from all States about reported AIDS cases and deaths, as well as information on HIV from reporting States and facilities. However, available data vary by State. In some locations, supplemental surveillance databases provide additional information about people with HIV, but these databases typically cover limited numbers of States, cities, and health care facilities.
Lack of agreed-upon key questions and "core variables." There may be variability in markers used to "operationalize" and measure unmet need in terms of "not in care," such as what constitutes being "in primary care" (e.g., tests such as CD4 counts or viral load, primary care visits during a specified period, medications prescribed, behavioral indicators and other variables). Variations also may exist on measures of late diagnosis, late entry into care, etc. The lack of a set of common questions or "core variables" means that every grantee has the responsibility of defining and choosing its own variables, which limits efforts to compare data across EMAs or States.
Cross-title issues regarding data collection and data sharing. The new cross-title CARE Act Data Report (CADR) should improve comparability and facilitate sharing of data across titles. However, Title II programs may still face challenges in obtaining information about people receiving primary care or other services through other CARE Act titles. For example, providers with only Title III or Title IV funds may not share information with Title I grantees about clients receiving primary care through these titles.
Lack of access to data from non-CARE Act sources/providers including other Federal agencies. Many people who receive CARE Act services obtain their primary care from other sources and/or through providers using other funding, such as Medicaid and Medicare, private physicians, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), or the Veterans Administration. Some PLWH, including the incarcerated and individuals with both private insurance and relatively high incomes, receive no CARE Act services. They are in care, but grantees may have no access to data about them. CARE Act grantees often face great difficulties in obtaining access to primary care data on clients whose medical care is not supported through the CARE Act, even if the primary care provider receives other funding through the CARE Act or if the individual obtains medications through ADAP.
Lack of client-level databases. A client-level database greatly facilitates efforts to estimate and assess unmet need/service gaps. It provides a unique client identifier and the ability to determine the unduplicated number of clients receiving primary care and other specific services through the CARE Act.
Non-generalizable data. Because surveillance data are often incomplete and a variety of data sources must generally be used to estimate and assess unmet need/service gaps, grantees typically are not able to base their estimates on random samples of defined populations. Sometimes, estimates are drawn from non-random samples of individuals with HIV disease throughout an EMA. Sometimes they are based on estimates of the size of the HIV population within a larger population of unknown size, such as the population of men who have sex with men in a specific geographic area. As a result, such estimates are not statistically reliable.
Problems in matching data from different databases. One way to estimate unmet need/service gaps is to compare client data with surveillance data from CDC consumer and provider surveys or to link Medicaid, ADAP, and CARE Act client-level data. However, to match data from different databases is challenging, even if they use common client identifiers, because of differences in definitions of what constitutes being "in care," the exclusion of individuals who received anonymous testing, and difficulties with matching and unduplicating clients.
Confidentiality concerns. Database matching, access to client-level data, and many other aspects of needs assessment may be complicated by concerns about client confidentiality. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has provided considerable guidance with regard to client confidentiality and the disclosure of client data for reporting and evaluation purposes. However, some providers are unwilling to provide access to any information that might permit client identification, despite these protections. Sharing of data is complicated by the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which includes new security standards protecting the confidentiality and integrity of "individually identifiable health information," past, present or future. Confidentiality is often a factor in cross-title data sharing problems and in difficulties in obtaining data on CARE Act clients who receive their primary care from non-CARE Act-funded sources.
Use of Multiple Data Sets. Given data limitations, many grantees estimate and assess need by using information from multiple data sources. They may, for example, combine general surveillance data on HIV and AIDS cases and mortality with data from the HIV/AIDS Reporting System (HARS) special studies (which may cover only a portion of their geographic service area), their own surveys of PLWH, and other special studies of particular populations or geographic areas. This approach typically involves a number of estimations, with the result that estimates may indicate a less precise "level of magnitude" of need (e.g., "a large majority" or "at least two-thirds" of PLWH are in care) rather than numerical estimates of unmet need/service gaps.
Resource Limitations. Grantees and providers often have financial and personnel limitations in documenting unmet need/service gaps, as follows.
Limited financial and personnel resources. Many States have small staffs assigned to CARE Act planning and administration. Needs assessment can be prioritized as a Program Support function, but this means taking funds from services.
Limitations of surveys addressing unmet need. Assessing unmet need of those not in care is more complex than doing so for individuals already in the CARE Act system because out-of-care individuals are difficult to find. Locating such individuals requires, for example, coordinating with HIV counseling and testing facilities and using outreach workers to link with providers of services other than direct HIV/AIDS services. Such other services might include homeless shelters and drug treatment facilities. Surveys based on random samples drawn from the population of persons living with HIV disease are generally feasible only in reporting States, through links with the CDC surveillance system. Without such links, it is difficult to use probability sampling. (Probability sampling gives every person in the population a known chance of being included in the sample and makes it possible to generalize from the sample to the total population.) This means that States cannot project unmet needs for primary care or other services for an entire HIV population. Even with access to HIV case data, grantees may lack the resources to conduct such large-scale surveys.
Burden of developing methodologies. Assessing unmet need has been especially difficult because of the lack of recommended methodologies, agreed-upon definitions, or agreed-upon "core variables." This situation will change as such methodologies are developed with the support from HRSA/HAB and made available to grantees and planning bodies.
Methodologies for Estimating Unmet Need
HRSA/HAB is conducting ongoing efforts to develop methodologies to assist areas in assessing unmet need. Such methodologies will include both qualitative and quantitative information, generate either comprehensive or representative data that can be generalized, and use existing data or simple surveys. In addition, HAB is supporting several Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) efforts designed to develop, test, and document other models for estimating unmet need at the local and State levels. Finally, many States and EMAs have developed quantitative and qualitative methods for identifying individuals who are not receiving primary health care and assessing their specific needs and service barriers.
TA Library curriculum materials and trainer guides that can be used by EMAs to prepare staff, planning council members, and consultants to assess unmet need/service gaps.
Self-Assessment Module (SAM) on Needs Assessment for planning councils and grantees to use in evaluating their own needs assessment activities.
Models and Methodologies
Building on work arranged by HRSA/HAB, efforts include:
A probability framework and accompanying guide to estimate the number of individuals in the EMA who know their status but are not receiving HIV-related primary care.
Summary materials outlining various models and methods used to estimate unmet need/service gaps.
A "how-to" guide on using methodologies for estimating the level of unmet need/service gaps among specific populations and in particular geographic areas, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Training and On-site Assistance
Assistance is available through on-site technical services available through HAB's Technical Assistance Contract, which will provide:
Regional training on how to use methodologies for estimating unmet need/service gaps and improving overall needs assessment activities.
Individualized on-site assistance from consultants who have been trained by HAB/HRSA on estimating unmet need/service gaps.
Individualized telephone and e-mail advice.
For assistance, areas should contact their project officers. As new materials are developed, project officers receive training and information that they then share with grantees.
*These statistics were presented by CDC officials at the Ninth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Seattle in February 2002, based on projections using national surveillance data. < Return to Text > | eng | 9c04cc71-0c3f-4d79-af53-2e4273861db3 | http://hab.hrsa.gov/Resources/partbmanual/needsassesment.html |
*A Note for Researchers: The numbers included in the section titles in the Contents above refer to the page numbers in the print edition of the CCIES. For the convenience of researchers, an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file of this chapter is available for download above (click the PDF icon), which reflects the actual pagination of the book. This will allow scholarly writers to cite actual page numbers in the printed book for quoted material, as well as its availability on the Web and the URL if desired. See also How to Use This Encyclopedia.
Demographics and a Brief Historical Perspective
ROBERT T. FRANCOEUR
A. Demographics
This Central American country lies between Nicaragua and the Lake of Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Its area of 19,730 square miles (51,100 km2) slightly exceeds that of the combined states of Vermont and New Hampshire in the U.S. Its western border is the North Pacific Ocean with a narrow Pacific coastal region. About 300 miles (480 km) offshore, the 10-square-mile (26-km2) Cocos Island is under Costa Rican sovereignty. The Caribbean Sea marks Costa Rica's eastern border.
Costa Rica's climate is tropical and subtropical, with a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November. A cooler climate prevails in the highlands. Costa Rica's terrain consists of narrow coastal plains separated by rugged mountains. The country has four volcanoes, two of them active, which rise near the capital of San José in the center of the country. One of the volcanoes, Irazu, had a destructive eruption in 1963-1965.
In July 2002, Costa Rica had an estimated population of 4.008 million (1,969,680 females and 2,038,585 males). (All data are from The World Factbook 2002 (CIA 2002) unless otherwise stated.)
Age Distribution and Sex Ratios: 0-14 years: 30.8% with 1.05 male(s) per female (sex ratio); 15-64 years: 63.9% with 1.02 male(s) per female; 65 years and over: 5.3% with 0.87 male(s) per female; Total population sex ratio: 1.02 male(s) to 1 female
B. A Brief Historical Perspective
Costa Rica was inhabited by an estimated 25,000 Guaymi Indians when Columbus explored it in 1502. Few of the indigenous people survived the Spanish conquest, which began in 1563. The region grew slowly and was administered as a Spanish province. Costa Rica achieved independence in 1821, but was absorbed for two years by Agustín de Iturbide in his Mexican empire. Costa Rica seceded from the Central American Federation in 1838 and became a republic in 1848. Except for the military dictatorship of Tomás Guardia from 1870 to 1882, Costa Rica has enjoyed one of the most democratic governments in Latin America. Since the civil war of 1948 and 1949, there has been little social conflict and free political institutions have been preserved. The presidency of Rodrígo Carazo Odio (1978-1986) was marked by a disastrous decline in the economy. Oscar Arias Sanchez, who became president in 1986, prevented the neighboring Nicaraguan Contra rebels from using Costa Rican territory as a safe haven, and played a central role in negotiating settlements in both the Nicaraguan and the Salvadoran civil wars. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987. During 1993, there was an unusual wave of kidnappings and hostage-taking, some of it related to the international cocaine trade. José Maria Figueres Olsen of the National Liberation Party became president in 1994. He favored greater government intervention in the economy and other measures that the International Monetary Fund was unhappy about. As a result, the World Bank withheld $100 million of financing. In 1998, Miguel Angel Rodriguez of the Social Christian Unity Party became president. A border dispute with Nicaragua has threatened Costa Rica's tourism industry in the ecologically rich San Juan River area.
Costa Rica has achieved a relatively high standard of living in comparison to the rest of the Central American countries. Its economy is based on tourism, foreign investment, and agriculture. The country is noted for its political stability, and for its relative investment in health and in education and not in maintaining an army. However, as studies show, during the last 20 years, there has developed a large gap in income between one sector of the population who live at first-world standards (levels of consumption, private bilingual education, travel, etc), and other sectors with diminishing capacities to purchase even the bare necessities.
1. Basic Sexological Premises
A. Character of Gender Roles
The situation of women's sexualities in this small country reflects some unique and particular traits in the national gender social arrangements, and it also reflects larger universal trends, which affect women individually and collectively. Unlike the rest of the Central American countries that have suffered revolutions, invasions, genocide, civil war, and natural disasters, this country has had the freedom and time to develop a women's movement, with its accompanying gender studies and theories, which in varied ways have been put into practice in different areas of the law, such as women's rights, women's studies at a graduate level, and so on. This concerted effort has had positive results. Domestic and sexual violence in all its multifaceted aspects has not only been made visible, but is being fought through a national program of prevention of violence. As a result of many years of work with lawyers, judges, and doctors, nowadays, men who rape or engage in sex with their own children or other children are sent to jail for 12 years or more. In March of 2003, an Evangelical pastor was sentenced to 61 years for repeatedly abusing a 12-year-old girl. Likewise, women's sexual and reproductive health and rights, after the world congresses in Cairo and Beijing, are on the agendas of some women's organizations and some state institutions, with projects mainly directed at young adolescent women. Progress is being made, with the creation of a National Committee on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights and with changes in the attention women receive in health centers, to name just a few. This is not to say that there has not been opposition, mainly from doctors, lawyers, and the Church.
These significant steps, however, must be understood in the larger context. This small country, with a "democratic" and non-military tradition, during the 1980s and early 1990s served, on the one hand, as a springboard for U.S. activities (cultural and political) throughout Central America and, on the other, as an exemplary exception, which had to be kept free of the region's endemic contamination—political upheaval. The "Americanization," or more specifically, the "Miamification," with American influences arriving via the Cuban community in Miami, Florida, has seen the proliferation of U.S. education, products of all types, movies, cable television, and magazines, as well as U.S.-style gyms and diet or aesthetic centers, shopping malls, pornography, sex shops, and cosmetic surgery.
The body culture of this society has been affected by globalization and has undergone drastic changes in the last 20 years. The increasing secularization, where the control of women by fathers and husbands, as well as by social institutions, like the Church, has changed. The control of women's virginity, marriageability, and reproduction has loosened and has been supplanted by an emphasis on women's control of their bodies—their appearance and shape. Anorexia and bulimia are problems particularly among middle-class female adolescents. The fast turnover of women's images, through ads, pornography, and movies, emphasizing parts of the nearly always-white bodies, has also affected men's attitudes towards women and towards their own physicality and sexuality, and how they think about women.
The globalization process has deepened the differences between the rich and the poor. Since 1979, half a million Nicaraguans, 70% female, have fled the hunger and unemployment in their country, and have made Costa Rica their home. The thriving tourist industry, Costa Rica's principal income, has stimulated the prostitution and pornography industries; children are for sale to older men. At the same time, Costa Rica has become an international center for cosmetic surgery. White and slim are the models that surround us in the ads, medical pamphlets, and television. Many women and some men come to Costa Rica, principally from the United States and some from Europe, to undergo cosmetic surgery, because it is cheaper than at home.
As for sex, it would be erroneous to talk about a sexual culture in terms of "Costa Ricans do this or that . . ." as a national characteristic, or even to say that some women are liberated, others not. What becomes clear after working with hundreds of women from different social backgrounds are the common elements, such as ignorance, silence, and helplessness that color their experience, regardless of social class or religion. It is sad, though familiar, to hear women admit to faking orgasms; but it is painful to hear them admit to not knowing what an orgasm is, and even worse, to not knowing what a clitoris is—or to hear peasant women say, "My husband uses me twice or three times a week."
We could attribute this to poverty and a Third-World mentality, but this is a too-narrow perspective. Most women are ignorant about sex and their sexuality, and in particular, about their bodies, in all cultures that I know. Here, it is relevant to understand that we are talking about two very distinct but articulated worlds that exist in most nations: First and Third worlds, separated not by North/South, developed/undeveloped—but by gender constructions predicated on class differences, on maintaining power inequalities between women and men, and on the perpetuation of the "undevelopment" of all women. Ignorance about the body and sex, invisibility of the diversity of preferences and lifestyles, violence in its multifaceted forms, poverty, pornography, and so on, all contribute to maintaining women in an undeveloped status and mentality.
The situation of men's sexuality, compared with women's, reflects some unique and particular traits, as well as larger, universal trends. In the last eight years, research on the behavior of specific groups of men has initiated a process of deconstruction of the mythical, monolithic, universal male. Latin American masculinity has been conflated with machismo, something that is seen as particular to Latin men, hence the idea of the Latin lover, but also the idea that all Latin American men are machistas, and what is more, much more machistas than, let's say, North American or British men.
When we step out of the realm of stereotype and begin to decipher and interpret reality, in this case, the reality of how men live their sexuality in Costa Rica, we begin to detect a reality colored by ignorance, silence, and compulsion. Compulsion here denotes obligation, a performance pressure. Men have the obligation to demonstrate their "masculinity" at all times, at work, in public, when courting, in bed. They have learned to push, cajole, and manipulate in order to get what they want sexually. This, in feminist terms, is one of the components of sexism, another word for machismo. Machismo, as defined by an 18-year-old Costa Rican youth is "men's fear that women will surpass them." As defined by a university professor, it is "a complex of strategies aimed at keeping male control of power resources regarding women; it is a set of beliefs and practices regarding men's superiority over women."
The cultural particularities of this type of sexism has different manifestations and clear guiding principles. The following are phrases from men of varying social backgrounds in a men's support group: men are unfaithful by nature; men are polygamous by nature; it is genetic; men have the right to every female; the penis has a life and personality of its own; men have to show women about sexuality; it is a man's job to please women sexually; and so on. Some married men have lovers. Some men have more than one, maybe two, three, or even four lovers at a time. These relationships vary in intensity and significance. Some men have additional families.
The male's need to demonstrate his manhood is done through the constant acting out of an active sexuality, where he proves that "it can work" and that he "does it very well." Women, on the other hand, according to these men, should be passive and ignorant. The reduction of male sexuality to a functioning virile organ precludes pleasure and sensuality and other erotic stimulants. Sex is about penetration, and all rituals—dining out, wine, and candles—that are a buildup for intercourse. If it does not take place, men are disappointed and feel that they have failed. When asked when they felt they had become men, many answered, when they first "penetrated" a woman. Only a few years ago, it was a custom for young men to be taken by their fathers to visit prostitutes in order to have their first experience of intercourse, and consequently, become a man.
It is not surprising that men live their sexuality with stress, pain, and anguish. Male sexuality, like that of women, is predicated on ignorance. Men are ignorant about their bodies and their genitals, and needless to say, they are ignorant about women's bodies and genitals. At the same time, they feel threatened and "feminized" by ideas that point to erotic pleasure, to communication and sensuality. And they also feel threatened when asked to take responsibility for their sexuality, when asked to use the condom, for example.
In Madrigal's 1998 study of sexual behavior of truck and trailer drivers in Central America—Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama—we find a group of men who travel from country to country, are absent from their homes and families for long periods of time, and who habitually have sexual relations with sex workers—sometimes with transvestites or with homosexuals—in the border towns of all the countries. Their truck, particularly the cabin, becomes a second home, where they keep their things, sleep, and have sexual relations. A second family is formed by becoming friends with the prostitutes. Often sex workers are picked up at one border and dropped off at the next, where they, in turn, pick up another trailer driver. Commercial sex is mobile, and they compare themselves to sailors: "To be a trailer driver is like being a sailor: The sailor has a love in every port, the trailer driver in each customs town." Infidelity by their wives or partners is not tolerated, but they justify their own infidelity by saying, "it is men's right," "men never stop having sexual relations," "it is natural in men," or "it is impossible to hold on for 15 days," and so on.
But sexual pleasure is not a bilateral event. A 1992 study found that two out of five women had never experienced orgasm. Foreplay is rare; sex is equated with intercourse, and this, says sexologist Mauro Fernandez, seldom lasts more than two or three minutes. Premature ejaculation is a problem for 70% of sexually active Costa Rican men.
A 1992 survey by La Republica newspaper revealed that 87% of married and cohabiting women in a sample survey said they had been unfaithful before the age of 45. Two out of every five wives or widows over age 60 reported having had extramarital affairs at some time in the past. Most of these women, however, reported only a few instances of extramarital sex, which usually occurred, they said, because they did not feel loved or valued.
B. Current Family Patterns and Gender Roles
Until the late 1960s, the demands of farm life encouraged Costa Ricans to have large families. After living conditions improved and government health programs provided prenatal care, the birthrate reached a world high in 1960, 55.4 births per 1,000 population. Then, a phenomenon occurred that intrigued population experts: the birthrate dropped to 29.5 per 1,000 in 1975. Costa Rica is the only Latin American country—and one of very few in the world—in which the birthrate has fallen so sharply. The 25% drop between 1960 and 1968 occurred despite Church and state opposition to birth control. Since the 1970s, however, the government has promoted family planning.
The "family" in Costa Rica is a very important institution, and it is the center of people's lives. They have been close exclusive units with extended close kinship networks, where relatives gather on important events. Nowadays, although many people strive to create secure families, there have been many social changes that have affected and changed the traditional family unit. Families are smaller, many women work outside of the home, many children have migrated to other countries, and there are more divorces and many single-parent households, particularly single mothers. In an effort to recognize the reality of women's situation, in the process of the feminization of poverty, many feminist scholars began to change the concept to "families," as a way of deconstructing the monolithic, naturalizing, all-encompassing concept of nuclear families—parents and their unmarried children— that made up 53% of all Costa Rican households in 1996. In four out of five of these families, the parents were married; the rest cohabited in unión libre, "free union," a legally recognized relationship. Female-headed households, mostly single mothers and their unmarried children—and often their daughter's children as well—accounted for 20% of all households. Couples without children and one-person households, mostly among the elderly, accounted for about 12%. The remaining 15% were extended-family households—couples living with at least one of their children and one or more grandchildren or other relatives. Many free unions are as stable as marriages; they are sometimes called matrimonies de hecho—de facto marriages. Recognizing this fact, a 1995 law gives cohabiters exactly the same rights and obligations as married couples, including "divorce" after three years with accompanying provisions for child support and division of property.
Vestiges of older gender roles are reflected in the many popular songs that depict women as willing to sacrifice everything for a man's love. But women are increasingly challenging double standards, as did the Costa Rican suffragists before 1949. A revived women's movement has flourished since the 1980s, when poverty, which especially affects women and children, began to increase. By 1993, some 40 well-established feminist groups existed, with goals ranging from bank credit for women to the eradication of domestic violence and gender stereotypes in schooling—the Law Against Domestic Violence was established in 1996. Of over 180 delegations to the Fifth International Women's Conference in Beijing in 1995, Costa Rica's was one of only ten that approved the proposed platform for action without reservations.
Males increasingly have had to accept changes in gender roles. Many more fathers play with their children. Government now expresses support for gender equality. The 1990 Law for Promotion of the Social Equality of Women applies to many areas of life, ranging from political party caucuses to images used in advertisements. Violations of antidiscrimination laws are frequent. In 2002, the Law of Paternity was created to make men economically responsible for the children they engender; their DNA is tested when they contest or deny paternity.
2. Religious, Ethnic, and Gender Factors Affecting Sexuality
A. Source and Character of Religious Values
Costa Rica is one of the few nations in the world with an official religion: Roman Catholicism. Thus, the public education system includes religious instruction for all students. All Costa Ricans contribute through their taxes to the salaries of the clergymen. The Church is represented at all official government functions and there is no aspect of national life that is not influenced by it. Most Costa Ricans are baptized, married, and blessed before interment by Catholic priests. Crucifixes and saints' pictures are prominent in homes, schools, government offices, and motor vehicles. Shrines to the Virgin are common in public buildings, parks, and front yards. All this expresses, if not a religious practice, definitely, a deeply imbedded cultural practice.
Some four out of five Costa Ricans say they are Catholic. But their Catholicism has long been blended with indigenous, occult, and secular beliefs and practices. The Catholic majority is still reluctant to accept many Church doctrines. Many do not believe in an afterlife and have no qualms about practicing contraception or consulting witches and fortunetellers. As school enrollment has grown, both the number and the percentage of children who receive the two weekly catechism lessons has also increased. Confirmation takes place around age 15. Many Costa Ricans consider classes in Catholic doctrine essential to the formation of the "Costa Rican character."
The 1949 Constitution retained the 1871 constitutional provision that "neither clergy nor laymen may make political propaganda of any sort by invoking religious motives or by taking advantage of religious belief." But clergy can exert political influence in other ways. Padre Benjamin Nuñez was active in the PLN (Partido Liberación Nacional) until his death in 1994. He had also been "married" two times and had children. However, the Church is very actively involved in the gender politics of the country, a politics that goes beyond political parties. One writer charges that the Catholic Church has become "a State within a State," the fourth power of the government. He regards its official status as a violation of the liberty of conscience supposedly guaranteed by the Constitution. Thanks to government policies since the 1940s and to the clergy's "constant reprimands, admonitions and social pressures on the members of the three powers of the Republic," its power is evident in all aspects of public life.
The Church has the power of veto in many public and private decisions. When a group of lesbians tried to organize an international conference in the country in 1990, the Church reprimanded the government for having given permission to the organizers, and public opinion was stirred up against the event. The minister of justice declared that foreign participants would be prohibited from entering the country, adding that lesbians are easy to recognize. The jokes in the press said that he had created a 'lesbometer.'
To date, the Costa Rican government has been unable to teach sex education in high schools. The Catholic Church has rejected the instruction manuals prepared for this purpose by the Ministry of Education, arguing that the texts contained "moral irregularities." The Church demanded changes be made, insisting on their own blueprint of sex education, which is opposed to premarital sex, non-reproductive sexual practices, abortions, most family planning methods including the condom, and respect for sexual diversity. It also includes an open and hostile rejection of feminism and gender theories.
In 1998, during the administration of President Miguel Angel Rodríguez, a project named Amor Joven (Young Love) was created by the INAMU (National Institute of Women's Affairs) and by the First Lady, Lorena Clare. This project followed the guidelines of the Cairo+5 proposals, and was aimed at working women and empowering adolescent mothers by preparing them from a human rights and gender perspective for a sexuality based on knowledge and negotiation. The Church hierarchies denounced the project, and for many months all priests were instructed to denounce and criticize it from their pulpits. The Church said that the project was immoral and that it would induce the youngsters to promiscuous behavior. As the Church was on the Board of this government project, they wielded considerable political clout. If the government insisted in executing the project as it stood, the Church would persuade the public to go against the government. The Church changed the project by eliminating words, such as, gender, sex, vagina, penis, self-determination, and autonomy. The project died from asphyxia.
In 1998, a group of women's NGOs, together with the Ombudswoman and the then-Vice Minister of Health, Dr. Xenia Carvajal, organized and managed to put enough pressure on the Doctor's Association of Costa Rica, which until then, made all decisions regarding sterilizations, abortions, and other sexual and reproductive matters. The demand was that these decisions should not be made by an exclusive group, but by an interdisciplinary and interinstitutional group. A committee was created, which includes members of NGOs, universities, and government institutions, as well as international organizations in the country. As a result, a decree was promulgated that declared it the right of every woman to be sterilized on demand. The Church's reaction was extreme, as was that of a certain conservative public, and it retaliated by going along with the decree on the condition that a Day of the Unborn be created in the country—July 27 is that day. All this reinforces the pro-life movement and Opus Dei, the extreme conservative wing of the Catholic Church.
How Catholicism is practiced varies greatly among the population. Some speak of having "blind faith"; young urbanites deny any religious belief. Most people fall somewhere in between, practicing their religion "their way," following a marked cultural pattern of individualism, a highly personal, syncretic approach to religion. Many Catholics question the authority of the clergy, particularly after the snowball effect regarding the sexual abuse of young boys and girls by priests, which became public and visible in the United States, and which also broke the silence of abuse in this culture. Many Costa Ricans insist on freedom to decide for themselves how many children they should have: "If the padre wants me to have more, let him feed them." A young, newly married campesino (farmer) told us, "The pope preaches that birth control is a sin, but I think he's mistaken in that," (Biesanz).
Likewise, many priests are tired of hearing bishops urge moral reform and charity, as well as more preaching of the gospels, as the only solutions to poverty and other social ills. Many of these priests are active in community projects.
Many Catholics have become disillusioned with their Church and have sought alternative practices, mainly in Protestant Evangelical churches, which abound in the country. This is a worldwide phenomenon, which has forced the Vatican to renovate their zeal and direct their attention at specific topics, such as, sexuality, birth control, abortion, feminism and gender theories, and homosexuality—all the crucial points fought for by feminists in the Cairo and Beijing Conferences. At the same time, Church authorities have directed their attention to the governments of Catholic countries, and put pressure directly there.
It is interesting and fearful to see how this works in this culture. Before the Cairo+5 meeting in The Hague in 1999, a Vatican official made personal calls to different government ministers, insisting that Costa Rica adhere to the Vatican guideline in the official presentation in The Hague. To this date, this direct pressure from the Vatican has not produced anyone with the strength to tell the Church to keep out of its business. Fear of losing power and voters has made some Protestant presidents convert to Catholicism. One Vatican tactic was to invade the Beijing+5 conference in New York in 2000, with barefooted monks in subtle colored habits, which forced many of the participants to meet clandestinely. Another Vatican tactic is to invite all the presidents in the region, including some ministers, congresspersons, and their wives, to an audience with the Pope himself. The spell of obedience is cast, the conservative wing of the Church is vindicated, and the work towards change becomes even harder.
B. Source and Character of Ethnic Values
Costa Rican Indians have never been a homogeneous group. The 400,000 or so aborigines living in the area in 1502 belonged to many societies, distinct both politically and culturally. Today's 30,000 Indians—about 1% of Costa Rica's population—include members of the Bribri, Huetar, and Talamanca cultures. Almost all live as subsistence farmers in 75 communities within the 22 officially designated Indian reserves, which compose about 6% of the national territory.
The fertility of Indian women is higher than the rest of the female population, with an average of 4.1 children, whereas, other women in the country have an average of 2.7. The organization by age and sex shows that this population is younger than the rest of the country. The percentage of people younger than 15 years of age is 46%, and those over 65 years only 3.7%, in contrast to the rest of the country which is at 5.6%. Illiteracy is high—the average attendance at school in the reserves is 3.6 years; in some areas, it is less than one year. Three quarters of the indigenous peoples live in dispersed rural reserves. There are no investigations about the sexuality of the Indian or the black communities.
3. Knowledge and Education about Sexuality
As noted earlier, there is no sex education in Costa Rica, and there is no national policy for sexual education. The Ministry of Education is supposed to be in charge of sexual education, and although they have elaborated a conceptual document of what sexual education should contain, it has not materialized. The Church is the biggest opposition to sexual education, insisting that it should be the task of parents to educate, and to promote abstinence. The Ministry of Health also has a document about sexual education; the Faculty of Education in the University of Education has an Office of Sexual Education and a full-time professor in charge. All this with no evidence of sexual education.
4. Autoerotic Behaviors and Patterns
No information is available.
5. Interpersonal Heterosexual Behaviors
A/B. Adolescents and Adults
Male and Female Sexuality
The subject of human sexuality has only become evident in Costa Rica during the last ten years. This is in part because of the introduction of sexology by sexologists, to the high incidence of teen pregnancies, to the HIV/AIDs epidemic, to the introduction of gender theories and studies, and most of all, to the process of globalization and the influence of North American and European immigrants. Sexuality has been analyzed from the standpoint of the problematic consequences it has on women, and, mainly in women's magazines and journals, on how to achieve more pleasure and more orgasms. Heterosexuality as a patriarchal institution has come under scrutiny in the Woman's Studies master's program in the University of Costa Rica, and in some NGOs.
On the other hand, government projects directed at poor young women center their discourses on the sexuality of young adolescent women and on the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. Meanwhile, popular magazines dealing with sexual enhancement concentrate on male coital pleasure and ignore information that could make women the protagonists of their own sexuality. Sexual pleasure as a right is not the objective. In the case of poor women, the problem of unwanted pregnancy is frequently seen as the woman's problem only, and the men responsible disappear and are invisibilized. Women's sexuality is represented as being the cause of the problem.
Negotiating Safe and/or Pleasurable Sex
In one study of sexual behavior and expectations in relation to pregnancy prevention and family planning, Schifter and Madrigal (1996) compared a poor coastal community characterized by poverty, unemployment, and female-headed families with urban, middle-class, young women and men from stable two-parent homes.
In the poor coastal community studies by Schifter and Madrigal, the young daughters learn about sexuality from romantic or religious sources—pure and unblemished love, fidelity in marriage, and virginity before marriage. The sons, also influenced by these discourses, learn from gender discourses and from erotic literature, and concentrate more on pleasure. However, both sexes aspire to happiness in marriage and to saving their virginity for marriage. The young women clearly expressed themselves in terms of getting a man, of marrying, and of having a "normal" family, the romantic heterosexual script predominating. At the same time, in the face of a harsh reality, their bodies are the only means for obtaining recognition and pleasure. It is not surprising, say the authors, that these youngsters experiment with varied sexual practices from an early age, such as bestiality, group sex, sadomasochism, anal, and oral sex.
Despite defending the religious conceptions about sexuality, the consequences of their lack of alternatives are the contradictions between what they say and what they practice. Poverty makes the romantic ideal of marriage a material impossibility, and not having access to other status symbols, like professions or political power, they are limited to concentrating everything on their bodies and not in other aspects of life. The young women have a reputation to protect; the men have to prove their manhood and insist that their "girlfriends" prove their love by giving in to their sexual demands. "When one sins for love, everything can be forgiven," many of the young women alleged; in this way, love is a cleanser of sins, and a short-lived palliative. It is only when the men fall in love that they adopt a "romantic" and protective stance to their loved one, and begin to make a clear distinction between her and "other" women, and for a brief period, their idea about men's superiority diminishes.
In this community, gender roles are much more traditional, much more dichotomous than the youth community described above. Gender in the poor coastal community is determined by the physical activity that each person carries out. According to their own definition, everyone who is "active" and "aggressive" is a man. And all those who are "passive" and "dominated" are women. It is in this context that the phenomenon of the "cachero" and its particular symbolism emerges. In this community, similar to the marginal cultures of prisons, or in "transvesti" prostitution, sexuality is not defined by the sexual object, but by who dominates whom. In the case of the cacheros, we have heterosexual men, generally married and with children, who have sex with passive homosexuals. Nobody makes fun of these men, because they know only too well that these are very "masculine" men capable of physical aggression. For this reason, to be a cachero does not carry a stigma. On the contrary, a cachero is considered to be a macho, so manly in fact that he "screws" both men and women.
The other community in this study is urban and middle class, and the young women and men originate from stable two-parent homes. This group was much more informed about pregnancy, STD prevention, and AIDS. They are also very clear about the importance of both sons and daughters studying for a career, and for waiting to marry until they are established. In their case, the religious mandates to wait to have sex until married, and the prohibition of the use of contraceptives, becomes obsolete when faced with long university studies. The control of women by men, however, is done under more symbolic and mental forms. Sexuality is a restricted terrain for women, where they are prohibited from acquiring knowledge and experience, unless it is with their boyfriends. Sexual relations before marriage are permitted as long as it is under the control of a man who is their "protector." Flexibility in relation to women's virginity is contrasted with the high price that women pay when they become single mothers or are not able to marry. Single women are relegated to poverty or to taking care of their families, that is, if these forgive them their error. Working in workshops with women from this background, I have found that, despite the clarity about becoming economically solvent, many of these women live out a body culture marked by self-rejection and obsession with their size and form. Many diet constantly, some begin to have cosmetic surgery from a very early age, and some prefer to have cesarean births in order not to lose their shape. The sexuality of the women from these two communities is influenced by distinct body cultures, in the sense that there are different attitudes and expectations, and vastly different experiences. Nonetheless, the inability to negotiate safe and/or pleasurable sex marks both groups.
Balancing Women's Conflicting Values
In another study of adolescent women in a marginal urban community with a high incidence of early pregnancy, illiteracy, and underemployment (Preinfalk Fernandez 1988), it became clear that the young women were pressured into having sexual intercourse by the men, and also by their girlfriends. At the same time, these young women are aware that their value resides in being virgins, but also in having a man and in keeping him. The young men's preoccupation is in "scoring" the highest number of females, and sex is practiced with no protection of any kind. Unwanted pregnancies are the result, and sometimes the man stays for a while in a stable union. Once women have lost their virginity, they develop many different strategies to negotiate their "desirability," for an experienced woman is seen as a slut. This is also an element that exists among the middle class. We could attribute these ideas about the "good" and "bad" women to the Catholic culture, and in many ways it has a profound influence on the collective mentality, but there are many other influences that persistently devalue and debase women and their bodies. Women are depicted as objects in pornography, advertisements, television, and every medium imaginable. And this is accompanied by the increase in violence against women and in what some now term "femicide," the assassination of women.
6. Homoerotic, Homosexual, and Bisexual Behaviors
A. Sociolegal Status, Issues, and Lifestyles
Sociolegal Status
Specialists who work with homosexual populations reckon that they constitute 10% of the population in Costa Rica. Homosexuality has been and still is, though to a subtly lesser degree, a taboo subject. There are gay men and lesbian women in all walks of life, government institutions, the Church, etc., and in all social classes. Many live their lives quietly, minding their own business, and not congregating; others socialize in gay or lesbian bars; some form similar-minded groups (e.g., feminists, activists). But this country is homophobic, and until some individuals began to study gender theories, and later others began to work in preventing the AIDS epidemic from spreading, homosexuality was treated as a pathology, with many stereotypes in the public mind and media.
Homosexuality is not a crime in the Penal Code of 1971. Before these reforms were introduced, the punishment for sodomy was one to three years in prison (article 233). Since 1971, there has been no basis for the prosecution of homosexuality, as long as it occurs between two consenting adults and passive participants are more than 17 years of age. Prostitution is not considered a crime either, unless it is practiced in a "scandalous" manner. There are strict laws against pimping (owning a brothel) and inducing minors to practice prostitution. Most convictions are for these two reasons. In order to prosecute an adult prostitute, there must be some other infraction, such as moral indecency, public scandal, suspicion of drugs, or vagrancy. Unlike female prostitutes, male prostitutes are not regulated by law, nor are they required to be tested for venereal diseases.
Gay Lifestyles
In many ways, in recent years, the subject of homosexuality has begun to come out of the cultural closet. This is mainly because of the political work done by both groups and to the particular ability of certain individuals who took advantage of the VIH/SIDA (HIV/AIDS) pandemic to make visible the situation of gay men, and of men who have sex with men. Through the work of a now-extinct NGO, ILPES (Instituto Latinoamericano de Prevención y Educación en Salud [Latin American Institute of Prevention and Health Education]), many research projects were carried out about homophobia, stereotypes, and sexual behavior between men in prisons, among male prostitutes, and transvestite prostitutes. Through their work with support groups of gay men, and the promotion of prevention and the use of condoms in bars and places frequented by gays, the incidence of VIH was reduced in this group. Through their work with lawyers, doctors and hospital workers, policemen, prison workers, university professors and students, and many other groups, the real situation of gay men was made visible, as well as the homophobia inherent in this culture—and in every individual, including gay men themselves. One of the aims of this work was to change the discriminatory attitude to a more tolerant attitude towards gay men. Still, at present, homosexuality is a taboo subject, and gays have suffered rejection, invisibilization, violence, and even death in recurring gay-bashing episodes.
In one of the earlier publications by Jacobo Schifter, director of ILPES, he described very clearly how homophobic attitudes amongst homosexual men worked to their detriment. There existed total mistrust between them: They would never reveal their full name and even less where their family lived or their place of work, so that an ex-lover would not be tempted, in a fit of rage, to call the family or work and reveal his true identity. Neither would they reveal who their current lover is, because they would face a barrage of insults about him: "He is una loca (a queen)," "He has slept with half of San José," "He has AIDS," etc. The ultimate violence in this chain of events, including stealing or destroying each other's property at parties, is the murder of gays by other gays. Between 1988 and 1996, 25 gay men were tortured and then murdered by the chulos (pimps) that they had taken to their homes. Another violence that gays faced was with the police. These would keep vigilance on the gay bars, and at any pretext, they would charge in and beat up the gays inside and make roundups. One explanation for this could be the fact that some of the police are closet homosexuals; another could be that they share the same masculine ideology where women are not involved. They live in close physical contact with each other: They work, eat, sleep, socialize, and live together for long periods. This creates a particular erotic and dangerous dynamic within the repressive function of the police.
Another aspect of gay culture is the emphasis on youth and physical beauty. Anyone who does not fit this model is rejected without mercy. Aging is feared. In Costa Rica, to be gay is to be an adolescent, and gays are discouraged from going to gay bars and dances after they are 30. Forty is considered to be old. Relationships are short lived; even when both profess to being in love, the relationship does not transcend the passionate phase, and soon, one or other of the partners begins to look elsewhere.
During the 1950s and 1960s, gays met in distinct public places to have casual and anonymous sex: saunas, parks, cinemas, and urinals. This pattern, though still in force, has changed because of the creation of bars for gays and lesbians. This created a pattern where some gays would seek out sexual partners, but many still sought encounters in public places. Although the repression has diminished, the sexual pattern of anonymous sex continued, principally by very isolated or by closeted gays. Bisexuals and married men sporadically frequent these places. Contact is made by the individuals touching their genitals, a common practice in heterosexual men in this country, but with the particular connotation with gays of "you can have all this," or by jangling their keys, a sign that they have a car or a house where they can go to. After this, verbal contact is made. Frequently, in the less illuminated parts of parks or urinals or narrow passages between houses, men masturbate each other or practice fellatio. Penetration and group sex take place in safer locales, like cinemas. Middle-class bisexuals and gays frequent saunas more than the other public places. Public spaces are also places for sexual workers to practice their trade. Muggings and stabbings are common occurrences, as well as police roundups. This violence and danger is part of the erotic attraction for many of these men who initiated their sexual life on the street, "I like the fear . . .," "I want to participate in the danger . . .," two men told Schifter (1997).
By 1998, violence had noticeably increased in these public places, in part, because of the appearance of the chapulines or "locusts." Locusts are male and female juvenile gang members who mug and rob people, and are compared to swarming pests. They are very antagonistic to gays and are responsible for several murders of gays in the last few years. They, like the gays, have taken over public places to impose their own culture of sex, robbery, and death. At some vague time during the past few years, the locusts ceased to be mere delinquents and became part-time cacheros. Many of them stopped mugging gays and began to have anal sex with them and then rob them (Schifter 1999).
In the interviews carried out in the El Salon ILPES project, both cacheros and locusts had the common history of childhood abuse. They were all beaten by their fathers; many were sexually abused. Some lived with mothers who were prostitutes or with alcoholic fathers who abused them sexually. The locust from the smallest family had seven siblings and the one from the largest had 18. The mothers, fathers, or stepfathers are often unemployed, often alcoholic, or/and addicted to drugs, lost their patience, and vented their rage on their children. These adult men were the most sadistic and brutal and imposed their power physically. No longer able to provide food regularly for their families, they maintained their macho privileges through violence. Thus, the locusts' school of violence is closely related to gender issues; it serves to preserve gender imbalances. Most of these youngsters had been thrown out of their home and had made the streets their habitat. They make a living from robbery, the sex trade, and drugs. Inured to the penetration of their bodies by violent and inept parents or guardians, their bodies became a battlefield. The locusts are obsessed with orifices. Theirs must remain closed to the world, those belonging to others are ready to be taken, the same as open public places. To the locust, a homosexual is someone who allows his body to be invaded. Why do they, then, copy the cachero's behavior? If they have chapulinas in their own group, why did they turn from criminals to sex workers? According to Schifter, the relationship developed through sharing the same physical spaces. But, more importantly, for the first time, someone was looking at them and finding them attractive underneath their shabby clothes. Attractive well-endowed locusts would find new benefits. Now a new class was emerging: the handsome chapulines with large penises and big bottoms. Those who did not satisfy the demands of the market remained as intermediaries of the "good beef." This changed the culture in the parks and public places. For a few hours each day, undocumented delinquents, drug addicts, and criminals, who were despised and feared by decent people, became public porn stars. A new Cinderella was born. The new heroes could now have sex with their victims and make good money out of them. Some of them had queues of men waiting to perform fellatio on them (Schifter 1999).
Gays and locusts might share the same spaces, but there exists a clear clash of cultures. They do not speak the same language. For gays, with their sexual model of the body and its pleasures, and locusts with their vision of the vulnerable body, communication is a tortuous road. Some gay murders have been committed by locusts. These crimes go beyond simple robbery. They are forms of torture that are impregnated with a profound degree of rage. One gay was killed by three men; they had amputated both arms, one leg, and his penis. They had cut the flesh on his arms and legs to shreds, and he had 12 stab wounds in his rectum. Ten chapulines were asked to explain this and other equally violent murders, some of them having been at the point of killing—or have actually killed—a gay client, or pagador, as they call them. Some agreed that the motive was robbery. Another said that they were premeditated, especially when there are three perpetrators and the assault takes place in a hotel or the victim's home. These crimes occur when the locusts have taken a combination of drugs: crack, marijuana, and alcohol. "The three victims discussed were stabbed in the ass, the mouth, and the dick," says one. "This means the locusts wanted to punish them for being gays, for letting themselves be fucked." However, there are triggers to this violence. If the client cheats them of money, when they touch them improperly, when they are humiliated, when they are feminized or asked to do "women's things," like kissing, allowing penetration, giving oral sex, if they are asked to wash dishes, or to help in preparing food for dinner like chopping onions.
For the locusts, clients are a source of income; unlike gays, sexual pleasure is totally irrelevant to them. The majority are heterosexual and do not enjoy sex with men. When a client establishes a relationship with a locust, the latter expects some form of compensation when the relationship is broken off. Juan killed Victor when, after three years of being his client, Victor found himself another locust. Gerardo cut off one of his client's testicles when he found out that he was paying another locust more than him.
Transvestites
Another group studied by ILPES is the homosexual transvestite prostitute community in San José. Schifter (1997, 1999) maintains that an analysis of the Costa Rican transvestite community shows an elasticity in sexual orientation that challenges the essentialist theories. The men who practice transvestism have different sexual orientations and different degrees of femininity and masculinity. Shifter believes that the physical space, in combination with the paqueteo (the packaging used in order to pass as women), are very important in producing changes in sexual orientation. Many transvestites are heterosexual men, married and with children, who like to dress as women, but do not have sexual relations with men. In Costa Rica, this group is the most concealed. They do not form part of any community, nor are they prostitutes, like some homosexuals.
Most of the transvestites contacted became aware of their orientation around 12 years of age. Many of them were initiated sexually by an older man; some say they wanted that experience, although others were obviously abused. Prostitution is their only means of making a living. They are thrown out of their homes and find no other option. They spend a great deal of their earnings on their clothes, make-up, and wigs. They have clothes for work, others for shows, and more-ordinary gear for everyday activities. The padding of hips, legs, and breasts are done with foam, rolled-up toilet paper, or cloth. Others use hormones, particularly contraceptive pills, which can be bought over the counter. Some use Depo-Provera, or whatever pill is available.
They share living and workspace, often cramped apartments, or the "bunker," a heavily secured row of rooms. A minority of transvestites come from fairly affluent middle-class homes. One of these, a doctor's son, carries out his trade unbeknown to his family. One day, one of his father's colleagues, another doctor, came to buy his services and did not recognize him dressed as a woman with a blonde wig. Originally, they lived and worked in a poor red-light area of the city and attracted poorer clients. When they migrated to a lower-middle-class area, they attracted more-affluent clients.
Previously, this area was used by female prostitutes; little by little the transvestites took over, and the prostitute's clients changed from heterosexual to bisexual orientation, in a slow process that was begun by the more feminine-looking transvestites passing with their clients. Eventually, the female prostitutes left, leaving the whole area to the transvestites. It was when cocaine became easily available and was used by the clients, that they allowed themselves to be touched and fondled by the transvestites. They began to say that they "liked it more" than with the female prostitutes, and began to recommend their friends. Some of the clients are members of Parliament and professional people.
But life is hard, and every night they expose themselves to insults, stabbings, being thrown bags of urine or excrement, or stones or bottles by men who make a sport of this violence. The priests denounce them in church, together, according to them, with other "scum," like homosexuals and prostitutes. Some defend themselves by throwing stones at cars. Much of this takes place in front of the houses where people have lived for 30 or more years; some of the neighbors have organized themselves in order to change the situation, but to little avail.
In 1990, when Schifter (1998) asked transvestites the number of sexual contacts that they had had in their lives, the average was 9,371. In 1997, the average was 4,835. In the year before the survey, the average was 830.4, making that 15.9 sexual contacts per week. In the month of the interview, there were 44.8 contacts, that is, 11.2 weekly contacts. Some transvestites say they make, on average, six contacts nightly. If we calculate that there exist 100 to 150 transvestites in San José, and each one has an average of four sexual partners, we can reckon that about 600 men use their sexual services in one day (Schifter 1998).
Many clients treat the transvestites as women with a penis, unlike their own permanent lovers, who treat them as women and do not want to see their penis. The majority of these partners were heterosexuals, some with children. Some still consider themselves heterosexual, others homosexuals or bisexuals. Interestingly, the transvestites do not consider their partners to be homosexuals.
Male Prostitution and Bisexuality
Another study by Schifter (1998) focused on a very specific sexual culture within the realm of male prostitution: the young men of a lower-middle-class brothel catering to pederasts. These youths are neither homosexual nor bisexual, in the sense of being attracted to only men or both men and women. The only characteristic that identifies them as bisexual is their sexual behavior while prostituting themselves. This places them within the culture known as cachera—men who have sexual relations with other men, but who are heterosexual in all other respects. Some of them are students (at school) or professionals, and some still live with their families, while others have moved into their own homes. The youths are between 13 and 27 years of age. A few live in a brothel, but the majority arrive at night to attend to clients. For some, the money is spent on crack, alcohol, and luxury extras. Some of them help out at home. The clients are bisexual in their orientation. Most of them are married men with children, who are completely "in the closet," leading a heterosexual life in public, with occasional visits to the brothel. Some clients are homosexuals. They are made up of nationals and foreigners.
Lesbian Lifestyles
The situation of lesbians is different. Sporadically, they were included in the ILPES project. But, as in other countries where gays and lesbians have fought together for homosexual rights, lesbian women ended up supporting the men, but this was not reciprocated. There is a new NGO, CIPAC (Centro de Investigaciones para América Central—Derechos Humanos de Gays y Lesbianas [Central American Research Center—Lesbian and Gays' Human Rights]), which is changing this pattern by working shoulder to shoulder with both groups. But here, lesbians are analyzing themselves from the perspective that they have more in common with other women than with men, gay or not. If women, in general, have been invisibilized in history, even more so have lesbian women. Even in the feminist movement, made up of a high percentage of lesbians, the subject is not discussed, consequently producing much tension in the groups.
For several years in the 1980s and early 1990s, the lesbian group, Las Entendidas, published a journal called La Boletina, with poetry and information, and analytical articles about lesbianism, feminist theories, and about lesbian women's lives. The work of Ester Serrano, based on in-depth interviews with nine lesbian women, set out to find out how some lesbians have established groups and what this has meant for them. All these women learned in their childhood that lesbian women suffer, are problematic, are abnormal, and cannot be "good" mothers. They also learned that they should make themselves invisible. All the women interviewed had absorbed these homophobic sentiments. The first gay bars opened in the 1970s, and for the first time, gays and lesbians had a place for themselves where they could enjoy themselves, and where they could meet and be with other lesbians openly. However, these bars were populated by young people, and for many older lesbians, they were aggressive, patriarchal places. Not only this, in those early years, these bars were secret places, where gays or lesbians had access only by asking to see the owner. They were regularly raided by the police. In this context, "butch" lesbians formed into a group called "The Buffaloes," who came together as protectors of the other "weaker" women. They made a buffer between the "femme" women and the police, receiving the blows, having their noses broken. Another strategy created in the still-existing La Avispa [The Wasp] bar, was to turn a red light on as a warning of a police raid. Immediately, the same-sex couples would change partners and pretend to be heterosexual.
All the lesbian women interviewed, with some exceptions, lived in the closet in relation to their families, and all hid their identity at work. This changed as they became aware of their rights, particularly in the younger generation. The older lesbians were more circumspect because of the generalized homophobia, and to the fact that the fight for gay rights had not taken place. In the beginning of the 1990s, gays and lesbians began to celebrate Abril Saliendo del Silencio ["April Coming Out of the Silence"], which publicly celebrated the existence of gays and lesbians in Costa Rica. From this time on, they decided to carry on dancing with their same-sex partners, raid or no raid, marking a hiatus in their history. The feminist movement, the gay and lesbian movement, and the distinct lesbian congresses in Europe, North America, and Latin America have also strengthened the lesbian women in Costa Rica—although it is important to emphasize, no lesbian working in a state institution has come out openly about her identity.
7. Gender Diversity and Transgender Issues
Transvestites have been discriminated against and scorned. Often their own families throw them out of their home. Since the 1990s and the work of ILPES in the project of men who have sex with men that was centered on prevention of HIV/AIDS, some transvestites became activists and began to defend their rights. (See discussion of transvestites in the preceding Section 6.)
8. Significant Unconventional Sexual Behaviors
A. Coercive Sexual Behaviors
Child Sexual Abuse, Incest, and Pedophilia
From the 1980s on, child sexual abuse and incest have been studied in Costa Rica and, as a consequence, different nongovernmental organizations specialized and grew around this subject. It is estimated that one out of three women have suffered some kind of sexual abuse before the age of 18, and one out of five men. Twenty years later, laws to prevent this abuse have been created, and a campaign organized by governmental and nongovernmental institutions and organizations have trained doctors, lawyers, social workers, teachers, and other professionals to detect this social cancer in children, and to refer the cases for investigation. Many abusers are now jailed. There are signs and information in highways, shops, and institutions, as well as television ads, that denounce sexual abuse. The effects of incest and abuse are devastating, and this is now taken into account when treating female mental patients, as well as other persons in institutions like jails.
Sexual Harassment
Through the work of organized feminists in government and nongovernmental organizations and universities, the Law Against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and in Educational Centers was created in March 1995. The consequences can lead the abusers to be suspended or fired from their work. Sexual harassment was a serious problem for women in a culture that has permitted men to stare, whistle, make lewd remarks, and even touch women in the street or in public places. This was called piropos, or flattery, part of the machistas behavior permitted prior to the development of human rights and feminism.
B. Prostitution, Child Prostitution, and Sex Tourism
The sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in Costa Rica is a social problem only recently recognized, even though it has a long history in the country and is documented in various texts dating back to the 18th century. Until 1997, the criminal code currently in force did not penalize the corruption of minors (premature and perverse sexual acts) if the victim had been "previously corrupted." Nor was there a legal statute against child prostitution. Through the dynamic work of NGOs (Casa Alianza, the Paniamor Foundation, Ser y Crecer Foundation, and the Procal Foundation), Costa Rica began to analyze the situation and to change its legislation.
The sexual exploitation of children occurs within the family (incest), or outside of it (prostitution, for example). But both cases involve a variety of diverse interrelated factors. For girls, several studies have shown that the vast majority entered into prostitution as a result of living on the street. In this sense, running away can be interpreted as being expelled from the family, as this act is often associated with abuse, abandonment, and neglect. In 1996, in the World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Sweden, nongovernmental organization and the End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism campaign (ECPAT) made a specific reference to the problem in Costa Rica, namely, that it attracted many tourists and residents from the United States and Europe who "take advantage of their stay" to participate in the local sexual exploitation of women, girls, and boys.
There are few studies of child prostitution in Costa Rica. Among these are the works of Tatiana Treguear and Carmen Carro (1994, 1997), who carried out two qualitative studies on the experiences of prostituted girls. The 1994 research was part of a Central American project with 30 prostituted adolescent girls between the ages of 13 and 17 in San José. In 1997, these same authors carried out a broader research endeavor with 50 prostituted adolescent girls between the ages of 9 and 17. This work addressed the risk factors associated with prostitution and provided an analysis of the reasons why they left home and their current living conditions. Sexual abuse as an antecedent of sexual exploitation was very common, given that 41 of the 50 girls reported that they had been sexually abused. Other factors that make Costa Rican children and adolescents vulnerable to prostitution include the extreme poverty of 10% of the population and the high percentage of adolescent girls who do not attend school. In addition, many women have their first child between the ages of 15 and 18, and 41% of all children are born to single mothers. Other factors include the consumption of drugs and alcohol.
In the last 15 years, a new phenomenon in the country has been the appearance of children in the streets. The "street phenomenon" stems from poverty, urban sprawl, and lack of alternatives, and is related to mistreatment and violence within the family. In some cases, boys and girls abandon their home for the street because they have nowhere else to go or they have been forced out. In other cases, in order to survive, these children must find the resources to do so. Once on the streets, the children forge new emotional ties in the form of couples or peer groups, bonds for affection and protection that help them to survive in an environment characterized by abuse, humiliation, and persecution. Drug consumption is often linked with life in the streets and also plays an important role in sexual exploitation, because many boys and girls continue with their addiction while they are being prostituted. Alcohol and illegal drugs, such as crack, cocaine, and marijuana, as well as paint thinner and glue, are staples in this population.
Another important aspect in analyzing drug consumption is how it relates to gender. Given that prostitution is primarily associated with the female gender, the challenge is how to interpret drug and alcohol abuse of girls and women. Studies demonstrate that the risk factors associated with substance abuse among women focus on violence, child sexual abuse, and rape. Specifically, they highlight four risk factors associated with especially difficult situations: sexual harassment and abuse, prostitution, unemployment and the prevailing need for support, and domestic violence (Claramunt 1999). These youths use their addiction as a way of numbing their pain and dealing with the situation. A second important element that contributes to high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, is the absence of protection measures associated with high intoxication levels and the lack of power over prostitution customers.
Those who sexually exploit children and adolescents are supported by many social sectors in Costa Rica that tolerate and justify the sexual marketing of children and adolescents. They come from a wide range of social groups and classes. They are white-collar workers, laborers, relatives, businessmen, political leaders, government officials, and police officers. Over the last few decades, Costa Rica experienced a rise in the sex tourism so prevalent in many Third World countries. Costa Rica's principal income comes from tourism, and the attraction for sex tourists was the low cost and young age of the boys and girls, as well as by the ease of prostitution. Thousands of pedophile tourists learn about Costa Rica through the Internet and magazines, sample guides, or catalogues that include pictures of naked girls and boys, and maps or directions that point out the location where the children are. These tourists are aided directly in the street or bars and hotels by taxi drivers and waiters, who contact the pimps or the owners of prostitution houses. In some cases, these places are known as "cradle houses," because the children that live there are given food and clothing in exchange for prostitution. The greatest demand for girls and boys are the ports on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts where expensive boats and yachts arrive.
The organization Casa Alianza has been the most dynamic in making visible and in denouncing the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in the country. Casa Alianza, directed by Bruce Harris, established itself in the country in 1996. It regularly receives denouncements and hate mail, which are filtered and investigated and then passed on to the Prosecutor's Office of Sexual Crimes. This office was created in 1998, but it has not been institutionalized in the Judicial Power and has no resources. Casa Alianza managed to obtain funds from the British Embassy and since then, there are about 50 people condemned, arrested, or waiting trial for sexual crimes. Two thirds are Costa Rican and one third are foreign. Casa Alianza has received more death threats in Costa Rica than in Guatemala, where it also has a program with street children and where there is more overt violence. When sexual exploitation is investigated, many powerful financial interests are touched. In 2002, there were 110 convictions, which included pimps, intermediaries, and clients.
In 2002, five members of the Costa Rican Pedophile Association were condemned, but unlike Chile, which created a Pedophile Unit, which as of April 2003 has discovered 18 pedophile networks in Costa Rica, there has not been one follow up in Costa Rica. According to Harris, there are girls brought to Costa Rica from the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, Bulgaria, Russia, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Panama. They are taken to exclusive clubs, where 60% of the clients come from the United States and the rest from Europe and other countries. These are men between 55 and 60 years of age. In San José, there are an estimated 3,000 girls, nearly all between 9 and 10 years of age. Similar estimates apply to the trade in the ports on both coasts. The average price of a virgin girl is about $400.
The pimps work in families; when one member is jailed, a daughter or son continues the activity; when they are arrested, a cousin carries on. Women are the main recruiters in the case of the girls, sometimes friends of the girl take her and receive a commission. These women are motherly; they feed and take care of the children. There are other pimps who distribute their cards in poor areas, telling the youngsters that if they want to earn some money to call them. Many do. These children do not do this because they like it; they do it to be able to eat. The Costa Rican Pedophile Association frequented the poorest areas in San José, where, for $15, these children could eat for a whole week.
Child pornography is not illegal in Costa Rica, which is a big problem, as Harris believes that there is a direct link between the use of pornography and the subsequent use and abuse of children. There was a university professor, who also worked in the prestigious Arias Foundation (created by ex-President Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace prize winner), who had 6,000 pictures of child pornography in his computer at work, but he could not be prosecuted, and still continues as a professor. Distribution of child pornography, but not possession, can be prosecuted.
9. Contraception, Abortion, and Population Planning
A. Contraception
In spite of the Catholic Church's prohibition, the attitude towards birth control is open. People can buy condoms at supermarkets and at pharmacies. The pill can be bought over the counter at pharmacies. However, for the last five years, there has not existed a national campaign for birth control, and although the Social Security System provides birth control services, women in many communities do not attend these clinics, due in part to ignorance, timidity, or lack of insurance. Adolescents generally do not attend the clinics, for similar reasons as the adult women, but also because they are often turned away and told not to have sex until they are married—clearly reflecting the attitude of healthcare workers about adolescents and their being sexually active. However, the fact that 40% of pregnancies are unwanted or unplanned in Costa Rica reflects other emotional, gender, and cultural inhibitions in relation to using contraceptives. It is known that many men do not want to use condoms, and that some do not allow their partners to use protection. There is a waiting list for women waiting to be sterilized after the 1999 Reproductive Health Decree, which allowed women to be sterilized on demand, without their husband's or the doctor's permission. The middle-class consult their private doctors about contraceptives.
B. Teenage (Unmarried) Pregnancies
More than 800 teenage girls age 14 or younger, some as young as 12 years old or even younger, have babies every year. This has been the average number for five years. In 2000, it reached the peak number of 956. PANI (Patronato Nacional de la Infancia [National Institution for the Protection of Children]), which attends these girls, says that they are the victims of sexual abuse. And 15,000 adolescents over age 14, have children every year. The PANI is preparing a campaign to prevent sexual abuse. The CCSS (the Social Security System) initiated in April 2003 a new campaign directed at this teen population, with the aim of postponing early sexual encounters. More than 50% of teenage mothers conceive during casual sexual encounters; and when it is with "boyfriends," the relationship is fragile. Sixty percent of these pregnancies take place between 14 and 16 years. Many are high-risk pregnancies. Of all the children that die each year before they are one year old, 55% are premature, and of these, 74% are children of women who are under 20 years of age. There are hotline telephone programs for people to call in about their sexual problems—73% of calls in the year 2002 were made by adolescent women.
C. Abortion
In January 2003, Costa Ricans were moved by a story published in the major newspaper, La Nación, about a 9-year-old girl who had been sexually abused and was pregnant. The newspaper article read as follows:
Nine Year Old Girl Three Months Pregnant. Alarm at Child's Pregnancy Turrialba. There will only be 9 years of difference between this mother and her child. This small generational gap will probably make them share children's games more than anything else. The reason being that Rosa (fictional name given in order to protect her real identity) today is 12 weeks pregnant. And she is a 9-year-old girl. This case has moved Turrialba (the town where Rosa lives). Daughter of Nicaraguan immigrants, coffee pickers, Rosa is the victim of abuse by a 20-year-old local farm worker. As a consequence, her physical and emotional state is very delicate. So much so, that the doctor's at the William Allen Hospital, have decided to keep her interned in order to observe her pregnancy. The doctor's have asked that this case be in the hands of the Ministry of Health. —Ramiro Rodríguez, reporter, La Nación. (Miller 2003)
This story has created a major controversy in both her homeland of Nicaragua and in Costa Rica—lawyers, physicians, Church leaders, and feminists weighing in with passion. This time, it was not because there was a proposal to amend the abortion statute in the Criminal Code, as was the case in 1993 when a Member of Congress, Nury Vargas of the PUSC (Partido Unión Social Cristiana), presented a law project in the Legislative Assembly to modify article 121 of the Penal Code. That proposal would have added a paragraph to allow abortion in the case of incest or rape. The proposal was rejected. The Catholic Church and public opinion also rejected the initiative, and Nury Vargas left the Congress under duress. This time, it was about the fact that abortion was rejected by the authorities, alleging that the consequences of an induced abortion would be more negative than her carrying the pregnancy to term and having the child. But there was another element: Rosa's parents were not informed that in the actual legislation there exists the possibility of therapeutic abortion when the "mother's health" is endangered. Rosa was moved to a hospital in the capital and kept away from her parents.
Meanwhile, feminists groups discussed this very delicate problem, and some presented a document with clear proposals in relation to Rosa's case. It was clear that there would not be an abortion for her, and it took a delegation of Nicaraguans who came and took the child to Nicaragua, where eventually, after much controversy there, an abortion was carried out in a private clinic.
This case has been positive for diverse reasons. It broke the silence on the subject of abortion in a country where it is practiced in secret, either in private clinics or by other means. Since Nury Vargas presented her proposal and was rejected, a mantle of fear, and thus, of silence, has hung over the subject. No one has wanted to bring it forward, not even feminists, except in reference to the need to do more research on the subject. Today, different women's groups, including government institutions, are discussing it, though behind closed doors. In May 2003, a forum on the subject of abortion, organized by and directed at feminists and NGOs, was held in order for this group to begin to formulate a clear standpoint.
The actual legal situation regarding abortion in the country is as follows: Induced abortion is classified as a crime in the Penal Code of 1970, included in the crimes against life. The penalties vary according to whether an abortion has been carried out with or without the woman's consent, and depending if the fetus has reached six months of gestation. Abortion is not punishable only when the woman's life is in danger, and in this case, the procedure can be carried out by a doctor or an authorized obstetric nurse. However, there are many doctors who, for reasons of religious faith, will not carry out an abortion.
The law in the country is restrictive and criminalizing, punishing women who decide to abort and those who carry out the procedure. Doctors who suspect that a woman has provoked an abortion are obliged to report this to the OIJ (Organización de Investigación Judicial [Organization of Judicial Investigation]). Years ago, operations were carried out periodically to detect and jail the doctors who practiced abortions. Very few were jailed; some left the country. Very few women were jailed also, and at the present moment in 2003, there are neither women who have aborted nor doctors in prison. However, a lay woman accused of carrying out abortions is serving a three-year sentence. She is an untrained midwife, with a lot of practical experience in her region.
This permissive attitude shows a more tolerant stance on behalf of the medical culture to a reality that affects the female population. But the subject is taboo, and abortions are still clandestine experiences affecting women's individual and collective health. At an individual level, it affects a woman physically, emotionally, and psychologically because of the complications that could present themselves, and because of the danger and loneliness a woman faces. At a collective level, the community's health is affected when the impact is not made visible by the underrecording of cases; when appropriate reproductive health services to attend the need for contraception are not met; when post-abortion services are not available; and when women's sexual and reproductive needs are not recognized. These are needs that Costa Rica must address if it is to remain as a member country of the United Nations resolutions of the 1994 Conference in Cairo.
In spite of the fact that the United Nations Human Rights Committee (April 1999) recommended that Costa Rica's "legislation should be amended in order to introduce exceptions to the general prohibition of all abortions," the actual Costa Rican Legislature has the intention of increasing the penalties for abortions. This decision is backed by some articles in the Constitution, which point out that the religion of the State is Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman, and that human life is inviolable.
The Law Project under discussion in the Committee of Juridical Affairs of the Legislative Assembly has introduced the expression "the product of conception," eliminating the idea of the fetus. It preserves the image of abortion as unacceptable, but it incorporates the following modifications: a) the requisite for informed consent has been eliminated, and b) the figure of the comadrona (midwife) is included. In another attempt to control and restrict the right to choose, in November 2002, Article 379 of the Penal Code was modified and included all "those who advertise procedures, instruments, medicaments or substances destined to provoke abortions," would be fined.
The Gender Analysis Group of the Penal Code Project, headed by INAMU (Instituto Nacional de Asuntos de las Mujeres [National Institute of Women's Affairs]), and confirmed by government and nongovernmental participation, has developed an alternative document, which will be presented to the Committee of Juridical Affairs in 2003. It includes a norm in relation to abortion with impunity, which takes into account as not punishable the interruption of pregnancy in the following cases: when the person is under 12 years of age; in the case of rape; and when it is with informed consent and until 12 weeks of gestation. This would be an addition to the existing figure of therapeutic abortion.
Abortion in Costa Rica is a problem of public health; this is evident when studying the following data for the period 1990-1994:
In 1990-1994, 12.4% of maternal deaths were because of abortions.
In 1984-1991, the National Health Services—CCSS (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social)—serviced an annual average of 8,669 hospitalizations for the consequences of illegal abortions.
In 1984-1991, the rate of induced abortions per 1,000 women between 15 and 49 years in the same period was 10.36% (Brenes 1995).
According to CCSS data for 2000, there were 9,710 abortions in Costa Rica's main hospitals.
However, these figures are aggregates, which does not permit us to see whether they were spontaneous abortions or complications because of illegally induced abortions. Also, abortions in private clinics are not registered.
It is important to point out that there does not exist a protocol in the health-system hospitals for practicing therapeutic abortions in case the woman's life is in danger. This is pointed out in the Parallel Report of the CEDAW, which will be presented as a recommendation in June 2003.
At the present time, women in Costa Rica are ignorant about the possibilities of having therapeutic abortions in case their lives are in danger. It is known that women receiving chemotherapy have not been informed of the possibility of abortion when faced with an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. Instead, their treatment is suspended until the pregnancy is full term, putting both lives in serious risk.
D. Population Programs
Costa Rica does not have a problem of overpopulation. In fact, during the coffee, sugar cane, and other harvests, there was always a shortage of labor until the Nicaraguan immigrants came. However, there are certain groups, adolescent women, Indian, and other poor women, who are the target of birth control programs. There are a few women who have as many as 18 children, but they are the exception.
10. Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS
A. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
There has been a gradual reduction in the reporting of most STDs, particularly gonorrhea, whose incidence plummeted from 433.8 per 100,000 population in 1982 to 123.7 in 1990, and 68.6 in 1995. The incidence of syphilis also decreased from 99.8 per 100,000 population in 1982 to 54.3 in 1990, and 44.7 in 1995. The persistence of congenital syphilis in noteworthy, with the number of reported cases each year somewhere between 90 and 150.
B. HIV/AIDS
At the end of 1987, the national record of AIDs cases showed for the first time that homosexual and bisexual men were the most affected by the epidemic. During the next few years, this pattern worsened, and of the 1,000 cases recorded by 1996, 70% were homosexual and bisexual men (Schifter 1998).
In 1990, the first National Survey on AIDS was carried out with research on Costa Rican sexuality, including questions about when they first initiated their first sexual relations and with whom, the use of condoms or contraceptives, and so on. This was the first investigation in Latin America that clearly showed that knowledge and information and praxis did not have a perfect relationship. People knew certain things about AIDS, but did not put them into practice. A very small segment of society practiced safe sex, because several cultural factors prevented them from using condoms. What was discovered is that men have ten times more sexual partners than women, that the age of initiation had not varied over the last 40 years—it varied in only 15% of men and in 16% of women—but what had changed was the person with whom they had their first experience. Generations back, men had their first sexual encounter with a sex worker; nowadays, this only applied to a small minority. Drugs and alcohol were elements linked to unsafe sexual practices, as well as a great deal of sexual ignorance and prejudices in young generations. In 1991, the first survey of men who have sex with men in Latin America was carried out in a community with homosexual practices, where high numbers of unsafe practices were discovered. Forty percent of the men engaged in unsafe sex. This 40% was 10 times higher than studies in the U.S. found. Many of these men also had sex with women, leading to a considerable number of heterosexuals being infected with HIV.
In the 1990s, new NGOs appeared with the specific aim of combating the VIH/SIDA epidemic. ILPES was principally directed at the gay community and at men who have sex with men. Fundación Vida offered psychological support for HIV persons. Members of Triángulo Rosa were activists who worked with human rights. ASOVIHSIDA (Asociación de Personas VIH/SIDA [Association for Persons with HIV/AIDS]) was an association made up of HIV-infected persons, which offered legal advice and also worked in human rights. There was a prevention program in the Ministry of Health, and a national committee of governmental and nongovernmental organizations. However, by 1998, these programs had disappeared because of a lack of funds, with a couple of exceptions. In this period, gay activists won the battle for the right for persons with HIV to receive the medical cocktail to prolong their lives from the national health system. In 2003, Costa Rica received $4 million from the Global Fund to combat the epidemic.
According to the Fundación Vida, there are 2,340 cases of AIDS diagnosed by the Ministry of Health in March 2003; these are the cases being treated in the national health system. Many people are being treated privately and their cases are not being reported. Experts estimate that there could be around 25,000 HIV-infected persons in the country.
[Update 2002: UNAIDS Epidemiological Assessment: No epidemiological assessment is available for 2002.
[The estimated number of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS on January 1, 2002, were:
Adults ages 15-49:
11,000
(rate: 0.6%)
Women ages 15-49:
2,800
Children ages 0-15:
320
[An estimated 890 adults and children died of AIDS during 2001.
[At the end of 2001, an estimated 3,000 Costa Rican children under age 15 were living without one or both parents who had died of AIDS. (End of update by the Editors)]
11. Sexual Dysfunctions, Counseling, and Therapies
Sexologists are definitely a new phenomenon in Costa Rica, and consequently, the subject of sex is treated in a more open manner on television and radio programs, in magazines, and in diverse literature. Sexo Sentido [Sex Sense], a very popular radio program aired by the University Radio (University of Costa Rica) is very open in its discussions of sexual topics and issues. Different sexologists who appear on Sexo Sentido have studied sexology in Mexico, California, Argentina, and other places, and have varied perspectives.
Viagra has made penile dysfunction a subject that can be discussed and treated. At the same time, articles about female sexual problems and therapy, and about the female Viagra or the clitoral pump to stimulate women's arousal appear in magazines and newspapers (La Nacion 2000). We could say that at last the truth is coming out about the sexual misery lived by so many people. However, the problem that I detect is that centuries of silence and ignorance cannot be breached merely by the high production of new information or by the new discourses about the right to pleasure. What is not named does not exist, and for many women, the very process of naming is the very first step of appropriating their bodies and their genitals. On the positive side, the state of men's and women's sexuality in this country is not that different from others, but the ice has been broken on the subject of sexuality, which is the beginning of breaking the silence.
It is impossible for men, and particularly women, to identify or acknowledge that they have a sexual dysfunction when their culture gives them no basis for comparison. For instance, a 1992 study found that two out of five women had never experienced orgasm. Although sexologists and therapists are aware that the most common female dysfunctions are lack of feeling and arousal and the inability to reach orgasm, it is likely that 40% of Costa Rican women will not even be aware of their dysfunctional sexual relationships. In a culture that has a centuries-long taboo on the discussion of sexual matters, it is also likely that men will not acknowledge any problem with premature ejaculation and lack of erection. There are, however, some positive signs that Costa Ricans are becoming more aware of and willing to talk about what constitutes normal, healthy, and pleasurable sexual relations for both women and men.
12. Sex Research and Advanced Professional Education
A. Institutes and Programs for Sexological Research
In 1988, Javier Ortiz, a trained sexologist, created Fundación Gaia (Gaia Foundation), a center for health, sexual therapy, nutrition, and so on. He had the first television program where people came to talk and the public phoned in. For the first time in Costa Rica, subjects such as orgasm, lack of orgasm, and premature ejaculation were discussed. He published a book, The Hundred Questions and the Gender Rainbow, where he details the most frequently asked one hundred questions, that take into account: sexual desire, the orgasms, female and male ejaculation, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Mauro Fernandez, a gynecologist and sexologist, founded the Costa Rican Sexologist Institute in 1990. They do not train therapists, but guided by Masters and Johnson's research, they concentrate on sexual education, and also on research. They have produced Lola and Paco: A Sexual Education Manual, directed at children; a guide on non-hormonal contraceptives; a guide about the human papilloma virus; and Pillow Manual, a sexual education guide. Dr. Fernandez, in particular, gives many talks and participates on radio shows, where the public can phone in. In 2003, 22 women and 12 men work in the Costa Rican Sexologist Institute. There are about 50 staff people working on different projects. They assist between two and 300 clients each month, and up to about 150 clients are attended to each month by staff sexologists, gynecologists, psychologists, or lawyers. Other sexologists, including some women, have private practices.
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71 Comments
West Virginia is one of the states that is giving natural gas extraction on the fracking of the shell "no-holds-barred" access anywhere they want to drill, even knowing that it was the natural gas fracking that killed all the fish at the river on the Pa and WV border. If you want to know what natural gas fracking does to the water, come to West Virginia; we have billions of gallons of natural gas fracking waste water polluted rivers, streams, wells, and lakes.
Again, look at what the coal industry has done to WV. I run by rivers everyday that nothing grows in and are just filled with orange water from mine drainage. These all flow into the main water ways too and are very destructive.
I live in the south central part of West Virginia, Jrfish007, and I've lived around MTR and stripping all my life, and now fracking. I am very familiar with the orange water from the coal mines and the antifreeze green colored water. Here, our water doesn't have a chance to catch on fire; all the methane causes it to blow up before it gets to the house.
Your tap water catches on fire, but we still hold the record for being #1 in the nation in chronic childhood diseases because of the MTR and fracking. A person would think that the rest of the country has forgot about Pa. and West Virginia and all the death, destruction, poverty and war coal, oil, and natural gas has brought to us. I think they just don't care as long as we provide them heat and electricity for their big houses down in Virginia and out in California.
Mining, no matter what kind destroys the environment for thousands of years. But nothing will change till we are extinct. Good riddance to a species that eats everything else to extinction and will not control its breeding.
As I stated in the previous post that the SCIAM editors deleted, it is physically impossible to frack through a mile of rock and contaminate surface water supplies. As to scientific earthlings statement of contents, please post your source. I have been fracking wells for over 20 years and have never seen any of those additives used.
And please don't tell me that your source is Greenpeace, the Sierra Club or some other eco-jihadist organization.
Don't know if you approve of the Huffingtonpost? If you do here are plenty of articles:
I dont believe in a god, but I have read the bible, perhaps in more detail than most who do. You should know what your opponents are saying, who knows perhaps they might have a rational point somewhere.
Cleaning up and recycling water used for fracting is one obvious solution that is already on-line. See Ecosphere Technologies. Another is for well owners to clean up their own domestic water which I do at a minimal expense beginning with Ozone as a DIY project. I would recommend this to any well owner using a water supply with a WWTP upstream or in a recharge area.
Though I am now in FL, I lived ing the Finger Lakes of NY most of my life. I've always noted that the rock walls of the (wonderful) gorges of the NY State Parks are always jointed. I assume that in other places the rock is also jointed in areas where they are not exposed. What I have wondered is do these joints go deep enough to connect with the fractures which "fracking" will cause. These, I suspect, must occur at already weak points. There are other non-park gorges where natural gas already bubbles to the surface of the stream. As kids we used to light these as they came to the surface to hear them "pop". I do not know how many faults are in this region. There is one exposed in a rock quarry in Canoga NY. Any comments?
Oh, and the well casing on 100% of the wells is infallible for the entire life of the well and every single contractor cut ZERO corners on installing the well casing because a quick buck is NOT tempting to these people, right? They must all go to the Halliburton Deepwater Horizon school of well casing installation...
Or how about the waste ponds? Their lining is 100% infallible too, right? And None of the fracking waste EVER gets in the environment, correct?
Have to love the euphemism of a title - "The Evolving Truth" means we don't have an F'ing clue. But since it's about getting at petrochemicals, we don't really care either. Let's just get them out of the frakking ground and into the atmosphere ASAP, and leave the unknown consequences to be dealt with by whomever happens to live there when the crap hits the fan.
" " -Your 100% correct.I'm an engineer and was recently working on a boiler cleaning system for a coal plant. They pretty much cycle this EDTA acid solution thru the boiler to clean off the chemical deposites that reduce heat obsorbtion. The waste is run off to a Frac tank (common industry term for a waste storage tank). When I heard the contractor talking about the Frac tanks I started to wonder if there was any connection at all to Fracing. Low and behold, the name frac tank did originate with fracking, and, according to the contractor the EDTA was sold to a manufacturer of fracking fluid. -500 chemicals are not needed for fracking, that is a rediculous claim. Fracking fluid is industrial waste, plan and simple.Companies have been trying to do this for years, corruption has been the cause of allowing it now.
"As I stated in the previous post that the SCIAM editors deleted, it is physically impossible to frack through a mile of rock and contaminate surface water supplies. " -That is rediculous and if you work in Fracking, your misleading people here. a)roughly 10% of the fracking fluid (and you guys do use rediculous quantities) is ejected up the well... you either discharge it into a stream or you air evaporate it in which case it enters the air, and then the stream. b)Ever here of the hydrological cycle? Ever hear of a spring? Do you even understand how large the body of water you are polluting is? That waste will come up, some places sooner than others... West Virginia does have a very high rate of decease, it may or may not be true but I heard it surpased new york and LA in terms of lowest life expectancy.
@gunslingor I am not sure what type of engineer you are, except perhaps a gullible one, but certainly not anything involving petrochemicals. A frac tank has absolutely nothing to do with "fracking". A frac tank is where mixed chemical compounds are stored prior to fractional distillation.
Hey, idiot - and I should add Liar as well, given the refutations posted within moments of yours - the *aquifer* is NOT surface water. Fish kills are also certainly possible, as not all the fracking fluid stays a "mile under rock".
Thanks for correcting safety guy, I do beleive you are correct. I'm not a mechanical engineer. That being said, 500 chemicals for cracking is inexcusable. There is no question that this is just industrial waste. Even if it wasn't waste, conditions are still present to allow it to be industrial waste and there is no legal action we can take. Fact of the matter, the planet belongs to all man kind, perhaps even so broad as to say it belongs to all life on earth, and we all have a right to know what your doing to it. 500 chemicals simply is not an engineered product, its a concoction.
I am not sure where you get your information regarding the composition of the fracking fluids. Hopefully not from the typical sources cited on line which generally just throw up a list of HAZMAT on site provided by the driller or even worse a compilation of all the chemicals listed on all of the MSDS sheets from that site. Fracking fluids are approximately 90% water and 9% sand. Less than 1% of the rest of the product are other chemicals and those are generally surfactants and viscosity enhancing chemicals like the dreaded guar gum. Part of putting the chemicals in the sand and water mix is to help in its recovery and recycling. Could some of the chemicals used by the various drilling companies be hazardous to the environment? Almost certainly, and that is why disclosure laws are being drafted and put in place. While we remain tethered to fossil fuels, fracking will remain an important source. Let's not throw out the baby with the fracking fluid.
Frankly, I beleive any energy source that relies on burning complex organic molecules is an obsolete energy source. It's totally inefficient, cancer causing, ocean poisoning. It lowers the life expectancy for every man, women and child on the planet. It presents the danger of both minor and devastating global warming. It eats away our mountain tops.... Anything can be burned to create energy.... That doesn't mean we should do it. We have mastered the atom, the sun, and the wind. Burning is for cave men....fire bad!!! Time to evolve guys.fracking isn't worth the risk, we have far better options..
As for the 99% water content of fracing fluid, I beleive this to be the older concoction that used to be used.... The new stuff they are using to frac old wells it not nearly this diluted. Even if it is, its irrelevant. It contains carcinogens therefore it shouldn't be pumped into the ground.... Remember all the hub bub about yaca mountain. Whether radiation or chemical carcinogens, putting these in our air and water will only destroy the little we have left.
You are pointing out a lot of problems, but you suggest no solution. If alternative energy sources were currently feasible, they would be taken advantage of on a much larger scale. They are coming along, but not there yet. You cannot possibly believe that our current nuclear power generation technology is the answer. All it does is kick the HAZMAT issue down the road. Without extreme sacrifice and changes in standard of living there is absolutely no way to make an immediate shift away from fossil fuels. To think differently is to ignore reality. There is absolutely no alternative fuel source that can be switched on and efficiently exploited without some extreme consequences. You are absoultely correct that fossil fuels are destroying our ecosystems, but you seem to ignore that they also fuel our quality of life and standard of living, nor do you even attempt to suggest a viable alternative. I am all for moving on to alternative sources of energy, but I accept that our alternatives sources are not mature enough yet to make the switch and that to maintain our currently inflated standard of living, we must take advantage of what is immediately and cheaply available. Forget the politics of alternative vs. fossil energy and foreign vs. domestic sources. Look at the true maturity of the alternatives and make an educated guess at how long it will take to make them feasible on large enough scales and advocate something sensible. Then you are part of the solution rather than just some complainer parroting green talking points.
Well Safety man, I 100% do believe that alternatives are available; Alternatives that not only reduce the damage to the ecosystem and human health, but also alternatives that are far more profitable in the long term...This is without question. The only reason we aren't implementing them is because they are less profitable in the short term than existing infrastructure. For example, lets take nuclear. For one, nuclear is more profitable than coal simply because you only have one process path during normal operation... i.e. your only worried about the steam path and not the gas/fuel path. So it is inherently a simpler process (coal is dirty as hell, and it takes a lot to maintain the thermo-conductivity of the metal it touches), though nuclear is held to a much higher standard than coal which is why initial cost is so high; even with initial cost, nuclear is far more profitable. In addition, you only have to buy fuel for nuclear once every few years, and generally that only involves replace 10% of the rods and not all the rods. One coal plant I worked at burns 1.5 tons of coal EVERY SECOND!!! In comparison to coal, your nuclear fuel cost is non-existent... including waste storage (which is completely non-existent for coal..right into our lungs). Your concerned about the waste from nuclear, as am I.... well guess what, that problem has been solved many years ago by reprocessing. All nuclear fuel is capable of being recycled, even nuclear weapons could be reprocessed and put into plants, giving all the world another good reason for nuclear disarmament... 60% of the spent rods in France (I think france, maybe germany or both) end up back in the power plant. The remaining 40% is depleted uranium... a very valuable substance used to make special bullets among other things. The US has ZERO reprocessing capabilities, pathetic... we just store it.
One item you should be concerned about, that your obviously not aware of, is that .02% of most coal is Uranium+other radio active elements. What this means, when you do the math, is that your average coal plant releases more radiation in 2 years directly into the air we breath, than a nuclear plant uses and stores in its entire life; not to mention volital organics and carcinogens. Granted, its not highly active uranium as might be released in a nuclear disaster that would have to far exceed Fukushimi, but remember, risk from radiation depends on type, quantity and duration. We are exposed to fossil fuel byproducts 24/7…. Fact of the matter, the coal is more valuable for the uranium it contains than for burning... just not in terms of immediate profitability since the coal burning infrastructure was errected by these COE's grandfathers.... these current CEOs are old and in denial, they see no personal benefit in long term invesstments so they ignore these facts. (Read: Lamar Alexander (R), "Blue Print for 100 New Nuclear Power Plants in 20 years"... its been suppressed, so its hard to find)
Even if you were correct and coal was the only option (which isn't true at all, Canada is on pace to demolish all coal plants by 2014 in place of renewables), even if it were true, its still about absolute maximum short term profit. Its not about jobs, its not about economics, its about immediate profitability. You can get the coal out of a mountain without tearing it down, polluting our water, and giving children cancer (watch "the last mountain", documentary about WV), its just not as profitable. This is their only concern, immediate profitability, not long term profitability, jobs (which have been reduced due to MT removal) or progress. Obviously, its the culture and control of these executives that are the problem... concern only for immediate profitability on Wall street is what lead us into this recession. The same is true for a number of other businesses like tobaco, oil, coal, pharmasuticals… I have nothing against the CEOs of best western… not all businesses are bad, just the ones that are blaze' about killing people.
Wow, nice that you completely ignore the hazards and cost involved in reprocessing spent reactor fuel. France didn't invent it, the U.S. has been reprocessing spent fuel rods since the 1950s. Its not new.
I salute Ontario for leaning so far forward, but Ontariol is extremely atypical in regards to infrastructure. Most cities around the world do not and cannot convert in this short time span because the infrastructure does not exist. Ontario started down this path as soon as they started taking a large part of their energy from the generators at Niagra Falls and later started building reactors in the 1970s. These things make it much easier for them to get off coal. Unfortunately I just don't know where you think we are going to find the money to build all of the next generation reactors and reprocess all the fuel needed to keep them running. Like I said, it is doable, but not without some serious sacrifices. Perhaps we can capture the energy produced by the thunderous roar of disapproval when everyone on the planet is told that their energy bill will double next year in order to pay for the doubling in $/kwh cost required to reprocess spent fuel for all these new reactors. I don't know where to start tryign to find funding to build the infrastructure required to bring the 3rd world up to this pipe dream standard of green energy by 2014 that you seem to want.
Again, you are throwing out a lot of greener talking points, but no real solution. There is no doubt in my mind that what you want is in the end what we need, but I also see the reality that it cannot happen over night and that is why we make certain compromises in the short term, like fracking.
No, I don't expect it over night, but we did have the capicty to do it 40 years ago. As you state yourself, reprocessing is not new.... But there are zero facilities in the us. You say the US reprocesses spent fuel? Can you name a single reprocessing facility? It's non existant in the us. 23% of our energy comes from nuclear currently, you really think it would be that hard to build more? Look at China, they've built a massive infrastructure over the last 30 years. These things are possible, practicle, financially feasible, and as I all ready stated, more profitable. FYI, I work for coal power plants, so I gain nothing by recognizing its obsolecense. Seriously brother, you sound like a reasonable person, more like a skeptic than just a plane denier. But seriously, nuclear pays for itself... It just take a little investment. Nuclear isn't 100% perfect, but compared to coal, it is %10,000 perfect in just about every way imaginable. You don't want nukes that's fine, you recognize fossil fuels kill people and hurt the planet, good! Now, what are your solutions? You claim there aren't any and you have an engineer here telling you there are plenty.... All you need to generate power is either heat or movement.... There is plenty brother, I'm telling you this as fact.... I mean, recently they came up with 5mw wind turbines... Just one wind turbine.get ten of those and you have the same energy as a combined cycle gas plant. The technology is here, stop waiting.... If you include the environmental and health costs associated with burning million year old dead fermented organic matter.... There is no question that fossil fuels should be our last choice.
Read that buddy... One small victory for all life on earth..... Renewables, reprocessing and nuclear just became even more comparatively profitable... More jobs will be needed to retrofit plants and to run those scrubbers thereafter, more jobs to decomision sites though now they'll have a bunch of super fun sites to deal with (that's why they mothball coal plants in stead of tearing them down, because mothballing allows you to staff one person so its classified as a work site rather than a super fun site that must be cleaned up by law. All coal plants, once tore down, become superfun sites. Seriously, if you live near a coal plant or mining, don't drink the ground water. Their not even required to line the ash pile nor the coal yard.... Don't eat the fish... Just trying to save a few lives.)
Safety guy, seriously, cleaning up coal is impossible... Why do you think they resist this. It makes much more sense just to build generating stations that either produce zero waste, or at lease, at a minimum, if all else fails, waste that at least has a hope of being contained.
Yep, another one. Still think fossil fuels should be our first choice?
There is no question that this spill alone will affect more peoples health than fukushima, chernobyl and 3-mile island combined(nothng significant happened at TMI by the way, they just destroyed a reactor... very well build).
You are throwing up walls of text and even presenting some strawmen when we are not all that far apart. You keep addressing me as if I am dismissing alternative energy out of hand. I am not. I have stated clearly that we need to move away from fossil fuels and to feasible alternatives as the technology develops. That cannot happen over night. My point is that exploiting U.S. natural gas reserves through fracturing in the short term is probably a prudent measure. You have tried to turn that into me saying we should forget alternative energy completely, which is something I have never said. Not even sure where you got off on coal and oil spills since they have nothing to do with fracking for gas. I am more than a little concerned about an educated engineer thinking that nuclear fuel reprocessing is some sort of panacea. It isn't. In fact it has a host of problems. The painful fact is it creates a net increase in radioactive waste and an accompanying increase in cost for handling, storing and disposing, not to mention the $40,000,000,000.00 price tag on the initial construction of reprocessing plants due to the decomissioning of the plants that were doing it initially, and the increased security measures required for protecting all that new plutonium you propose we create in this effort, all the while finding the money to continue the current radioactive material disposal efforts we have now because all that remaining uranium can't just be landfilled as you suggest.
I don't believe that anyone could have been Fracking for twenty years and doesn't KNOW what's really going on.
I could never work at a job knowing that I was poisoning people. Everything we do, produces a waste product, but if it leaves a toxins that do more harm than good, phase it out. Geothermal, wind, and solar are cleaner.
We lost power for 5 days, after to first snow storm came when the trees still had all their leaves. Our home went down to 39 degrees inside. Natural Gas heat is useless with electricity. Almost all my fish died in our tank. Makes you re-think your lifestyles.
Safety. We disagree on one thing only. You feel its impossible to get off fossil fuels in the next 30, somehow bizarrely saying natural gas is required to do it, while I say we could easily do it in 20. I say the onlything stopping us are people who refuse to plan 20, 30, 40 years ahead because they merely work for stock options that can be sold with little tax, equating to millions each year at the cost of peoples health. And for what? Inefficient energy, pollution, new reliance on a different type of fossil fuel....how about oil sands... Do you think that's the right way to go? Have you seen that stuff, its more like tar or resin. No, exploiting new types of fossil fuel is a death sentance...we know better, we have better, there is no reason it should be expanded. You shouldn't even be complaining about nuclear byproducts, yes they are a concern but at least they are containable.byproducts....coal, natural gas, oil, they produce byproducts that are not containable and will never be "clean".... Try to contain the waste and clean the waste from a cigarette, then we'll talk about 30tonns of natural gas, 500 gallons of wastewater and the land saturated with industrial byproducts. Nuclear is 100% containable... 98% reprocessable... And available...you don't like nukes fine.. Invest in wind farms. I'm telling you now, the technology isn't going to get better when it comes to real Renewables, we'be acheived like 70% efficiency with solar thermal, 60% with silicon solar, 73% with nuclear without recycling, I think 33% almost with wind. Cool, the best I've heard after 50 years is 30%, natural gas is the same unless they also built a steam turbine which bumps it to 60%. Problem is, bottom line, combined cycle is almost always less profitable in the first ten years but increases dramatically past that. So the shortsited who are running these industries rarely invest in the upgrade. Some tech is good for society, some is bad, coal was only really needed for a few decades, not a century, natural gas was never needed. We should not allow it.
You seem to be real comfortable asserting points for me that I have never made. I have only asserted that fracking for gas is an acceptable short term solution to importing or drilling for crude. I would love to see the technology of alternatives progress at a pace that would get us off or nearly off fossil fuels in two decades. Do I think it is possible? Sure. Probable? Less likely, and not because the technology does not exist, but because the political will does not exist. The American people would have to accept that a rapid transition to alternative energy will be costly or require sacrifices that Americans are not accustomed to making. Hell if we were really dedicated to making the sacrifices required, we could do it in 10 years and it would generate a massive amount of short term employment as well, but the long term impact of doing it that way is hard to judge. I don't have a problem with nukes. Once again you are making arguments out of points I have not made. Nuclear power is fine and is a large part of the solution, but reprocessing spent fuel is not the panacea that you claim it is. It is expensive and creates more problems than it solves. All renewables suffer from a single point of failure: availability. If all areas had the same availability of all or most renewables, then current technology and efficiency levels, as you state them, would be fine. The problem is, they are not. I believe they will improve and if/when we come out of this economic funk we can think about making the capital investment needed to make nuclear a bigger part of the eliminating fossils. The only person I see being short sighted here is you. Neither the technology nor infrastructure is in place to jump off fossil fuel today. Can it be in 20 or 30 years? Easily, but it is still important that we exploit those resources that are most economical for now, which includes gas from fracking and oil sands. I guarantee you that the technology for renewables will get better over the next 20 years, but before you throw up another straw man, that does not mean I advocate waiting. I would love to see us start building the infrastructure required to get off fossils. What we cannot do is just push fossils off the cliff and walk away thinking we have acheived a great thing that will have no consequences.
"You seem to be real comfortable asserting points for me that I have never made."- I apoligize if I did, that's how i interpreted your statements.
"I have only asserted that fracking for gas is an acceptable short term solution to importing or drilling for crude."-natural gas is really only used for a few specialize things, heating, combustion turbines, what else..?.. Crude oil is mostly used for transportation fuel, lubrication, medical, plastics, etc, etc.. so I do not understand what you are proposing? You can't substitute natural gas for crude unless you're planning to completely reinvent our infrastructure... why waste the time and money? If you were going to run cars on natural gas, why not pure hydrogen generated from high temperature electrolysis (heard they get really high efficiency). Natural gas has only been used for peek loads historically. That's because it's usually expensive to run, can startup super-fast, and is modular. So anything you propose above and beyond this is going to be expensive new sites; Thus money. Again, your right in that this is the way it will end up going, but I'm trying to tell it is not the right way to go; Economically, environmentally, medically. At best, natural gas could be a substitute for coal, and that's fine if you want to waste the cash for short term profit.. But real renewables are always more profitable in the long term, this is inherent in their design. That's all I'm trying to tell you here, there is no conceivable reason to continue using fossil fuels other that immediate profit at the cost of all other factors... if you're okay with that, then so be it.
"off fossil fuels in two decades. Do I think it is possible? Sure. Probable? Less likely, and not because the technology does not exist, but because the political will does not exist." - I agree completely, except for where you are laying the blame.. not politicians, businessmen and the politicians they pay off. Again, it's important to realize the cancer rate is at 38% now, rising steadily at 3% per decade since 1950... All while smoking rates have dropped steadily by 7% per decade...and this is the cost, so please pardon me if I come off as emotionally vested in this issue.
"reprocessing spent fuel is not the panacea that you claim it is"- never claimed it was, but I do claim that it is the best available option for handling nuclear waste? Nuclear is our best option for transportation (electricity or hydrogen), base load (now mostly coal), reducing healthcare costs, increasing profit and decreasing costs to consumers
It isn't our best option environmentally, true natural renewables are... but compared to what we've been using the last 50 years... pufff.. nuclear is, for all intents and purposes, environmentally neutral. Even accounting for a fukishama every decade, which is unllikely at this stage of our technological development, it won't compare to the deaths cause by fossiln fuels. Reprocessing is merely one advantage to nuclear from an environmental stand point, it is more expensive to buy reprocessed fuel than fresh... but again, fuel costs of nuclear aren't an issue every two years. what other fuel can be recycled.
historically it takes 7 years to build a nuclear plant.. it could be done in shorter time with smarter regulations.. but thanks to the lobbying coal CEOs, nuclear has some pretty rediculous requirements to meet when you compare the true death tolls of the two technologies, fossil and nuclear. Fossil should actually be controlled to a higher standard, it is more dangerous globally, just not locally and acutely as a nuclear site may be. Every nuclear site ever built provides power at a cheaper rate and provides a greater profit than any coal site ever construction has made.
Again, my only point here is the reason for our lack of action, immediate, short term, profit at the expense of all other variables.
Safety guy, read the above article... Earth quakes...come on man, really, fracking is worth the risk of earth quakes? I really want nothing more than to change your mind here, I won't rub it in your face... Fracking is bad um k. Fracking may pose more of an acute local danger than nuclear... And if humans ever do consume the waste water so many like to claim is safely stored a mile below the surface (as if they know the complete underlying structure of the continent and where this stuff ends up), if that ever does happen to a signification population it would produce a death tool far in excess of Chernobyl. And guess what, if that happens they'll calmly claim that those chemicals could have come from anywhere.. and they'll be right, they could have come from anywhere statistically speaking. I mean, the benzene they found in the aquifer, sure it could have seeped in from natural sources, but really theirs a pretty good chance pumping millions of gallons of industrial wasted into our planet caused unintended changes to occur. I never expected earth quakes to occur on the scale of production we have, but this merely implies the scale is much larger than I was originally aware, and this scares the hell out of me... I've worked nuclear plants, not nearly as scary for me. Anyway, my point was even if everyone in the world including the Koch brother in the conscious minds believed there operation are killing people, they will always have that defense... it could have been caused by some other polluter, or some freak natural event, or that air regulations are not needed because there isn't enough data to determine the precise number of cancer cases caused by it. Delays, for immediate profit without the need for investment. Our government needs to stand up and speak out, enough, Health over Jobs! Health over JOBS! Health>Jobs. It will never happen until smart people like you open their eyes, do the research or get out of the game.
Your comment "it is physically impossible to frack through a mile of rock and contaminate surface water supplies" is very incorrect. I've been a geologist for 25 years, and I can assure that not only is it possible but there are quite a few documented cases where it has happened. This is not surprising from a scientific standpoint because there are many different geological settings wherein vertical effluent plume motion is not only possible but even probable.
If your sources of information on this topic are restricted only to that of your industry and your own experience, then you are not in a position to argue with the scientific evidence, of which you appear to be at least partially unaware. I would respectively suggest that your lack of knowledge outside your industry perspective does not serve anyone's interest, including your own.
Water is one of the three most essential natural resources that support life on the planet (also air and topsoil). Since groundwater is by far the most important (and probably only) reliable future water source for human use, it is paramount that we make the right decisions about issues of potential permanent contamination. Such decisions must be based solely on scientific fact (observations repeatedly confirmed). For someone to hold this position requires neither "pure thought" nor "eco-jihadism." Rather, what is required is people who care about future generations to make scientifically-informed, rational decisions out of a very human desire for a natural legacy which is at least equal to our inheritance.
Safetyguy, I respect your obvious intentions to balance our concerns with a rational argument based on information as it is known to you. But I find your information to be non-factual. Texas is currently the only state with disclosure laws governing what chemicals are being used. Common chemicals used in fracking, according to a June, 2011 article in the New York Times includeI would also add that I do agree with much of what you say. What I disagree with is the notion that permanent destruction of groundwater resources is an acceptable "short-term compromise." Permanent damage to our water resources is neither short-term nor compromising.
What is need is to reflect the real costs of what we do in the energy we use. If we were to include the cost of destroying our future water resources, fracking would never be done at all. The cost of energy must go up to reflect the lessening availability of super-cheap oil and gas, and it must not be replaced with unacceptable alternatives because of the single argumant that the short-term cost is less. We need to let the costs go up, which will drive conservation at home and spur the engine of innovation in industry.
IT is a give and take situation. I guess we could stick with Obama's hybrid GM's that cost over 250k each to produce while being subsidized by taxpayer dollars or we could just pray and clap or hands that magic fairy dust will one day power our vehicles. Idiots do not seem to realize that oil is what powers America. EPA regulations hamper progress and are anti-growth, prosperity, and progress. The government needs to get out of the way and let the private sector do what it does best...succeed. Obviously the government has had issues with this concept and does well at failure. This is up to each and every state and local municipality the Federal Government should mind the constitution. Period.
Yeah, of course - there's one simple solution to every problem in the world - deregulation. Just because deregulation has been ruining both the economy and the environment - c'mon, we can't let minor details like facts get in the way of our Fox News talking points, paid for by the short-term profiteers grinding the economy, the middle class and the planet into dust in the process. Last I checked this is a democratic republic, which means the American People are the government if our heads are screwed on straight, so you're saying the American People need to get out of the way, so that our oil can be cheap, and so long as we have no regard for the water, air or soil that sustains us. But if we consider the total cost, hydrocarbons are actually real expensive. The cost of air pollution in terms of health care, and deaths, is staggering. Oil's day is near. Ultimately, America's real power will come only from honoring future generations with our innovation, leadership, commitment and determination.
Dling, good words. People like that, completely motivated by belief, desires and uncompromising stubbornness. They care nothing for facts, observation and statistical conclusions. I mean, not one fact in his paragraph, just a bunch of emmotional gobbly guck. Either that, or he's being paid to spread propaganda... Who knows. How these people go through there lives unable to talk, debate and compromise ill never know. It's almost spewed based on money. Greed, the root of all ever I suppose... But I guess that old Christian saying makes me a socialist so there goes that conversation before it starts. Ooh gee, I don't think Iraq really had anything to do 911 I don't think they have wmds.... "Love it or leave it, he's our president and you should follow him whether you agree or not." There isn't much hope with people like that.
I really expected a higher level of discourse from readers of Scientific American. I am disappointed. A few things to keep in mind: 'Fracking' is a term that has been conflated to mean both the process of using hydrolic fluids to produce micro-fractures in a formation, releasing the gasses and fluids trapped within as well as the storage of that used fluid in what are supposed to be containment wells. It is the latter practice that is now believed to be the cause of the majority of the problems. 'Fracking' has been used for many decades in oil drilling operations, but not at the depth or to the extent that it is used in shale gas operations. The greater the volume of liquid used in the operation, the greater volume of contaminated waste liquid there is to dispose of. When these liquids are injected into a well in an area that is geologically unstable, as most areas are that harbor significant hydrocarbon deposits, then that process of injecting the liquid under high pressure seems to be responsible for providing a lubricated environment that can facilitate slippage of whatever fault lines are present. And of course, if fault lines are present, that may also provide a conduit for the waste liquid to contaminate water tables in the area. It seems obvious that better methods for dealing with the waste liquid from the fracking operations should, and undoubtedly will eventually be mandatory. Expect a great deal of argument and foot-dragging from the petrochemical industry first, of course, as well as much money changing hands in Washington.
Wow deregulation has been ruining the economy? Hopefully I do not have to answer such an absurd notion. Popular opinion has no bearing on whether the constitution should be upheld. The EPA is an unconstitutional organization that does not even remotely reflect the views of most Americans anyway. Also I guess it would be an apparent contradiction that you state that deregulation is hurting the economy and a few sentences later you state I said that the government should get out of the way so we can have cheap oil. If I am not mistaken usually the government and regulation go hand and hand obviously leaving us in our present predicament. So admit that the regulatory burden is strangling the economy or admit that you mistakenly slipped. It would be much more honest of you to say that it is better to have higher gas prices as long as the environment is protected. I can handle honesty but not leftist talking points. The bigger problem though is when a group of people are taught a certain belief system for so long and after years of the media ingraining a political agenda all free thought is abandoned and a type of popular mythology is born. You speak of the democratic process so my friend this is your introduction. The American people do not want government regulations determining what we can do in private business.
"Wow deregulation has been ruining the economy? Hopefully I do not have to answer such an absurd notion." -no more absurd than claiming regulation is ruining the economy. Fact of the matter, neither is true. Regulations for industry are akin to general laws for humans, so the proposition that industry should be deregulated is absurd, even though it would provide certain advantages towards profit. Same is true for general law, if we abolished all laws sure there would be advantages, especially economically… I mean, drugs would be a significant part of the US economy, people could be killed if they don't agree with the bottom line, slave labor would be tolerated which would boost profits massively (unemployment would be a non-issue, lol). That doesn't mean we should do it, the same is true for industrial regulations. Sure, yes, meeting certain minimum requirements (very minimum) always requires additional expenditures that eat into profit and drive up costs, but the existing regulations are entirely design to protect public health and care little about the environment. So full blown deregulation of the current condition merely implies your putting profit before people's lives… how can you stand on such an argument? "Popular opinion has no bearing on whether the constitution should be upheld. The EPA is an unconstitutional organization that does not even remotely reflect the views of most Americans anyway." - I disagree, and guess what, I have a little thing called evidence to back me up; what do you provide as evidence? From a Republican led survey: "Fully 71 percent indicate support for requiring reductions in carbon emissions, including a solid majority of Republican voters ..." -your turn.
"If I am not mistaken usually the government and regulation go hand and hand obviously leaving us in our present predicament." -Actually, it was the deregulation of Wall street that caused this crisis. Explain to me how you think existing regulations caused the collapse, please. Or are you referring to our current environmental predicament? Explain how regulation caused the Gulf oil spill, or how it caused the cancer rate spike, please, I'm all ears… an accusation without proof is nothing. You think it hurts jobs, please explain. Forcing power plants to reduce emissions inherently dictates more workers will be needed. Increasing fuel standards does the same. Explain how regulations supposedly reduces the work force, please.
"The bigger problem though is when a group of people are taught a certain belief system for so long and after years of the media ingraining a political agenda all free thought is abandoned and a type of popular mythology is born." -Yep, and when those people state mere opinions presented as fact, without a shred of evidence to back them up, it is clear who those people are… look in the mirror friend. "The American people do not want government regulations determining what we can do in private business." -Really? I would have though most Americans want protection from businesses. I mean, most Americans do not own businesses and people generally support what benefits them personally as a tendency, so your statement kind of goes against common sense. You claim "the American people" don't want regulation of business, do you make the same claim about regulation of people (i.e. citizen laws)? Should murder and slavery be legal? You do realize that legally a corporation is a person and therefore you can no longer hold the two to separate standards. Industrial is poisoning rivers, underground water, land, sea and air all in one… if a citizen did this, he would be thrown in jail. This implies stronger regulations are needed for large business, not less stringent. Now when it comes to small business, I would agree regulations need to be loosened, specifically on tax fillings and verification of citizenship.. What specific regulations do you think will boost the economy if deregulated? I'm dying to hear.
The statement by soshin that "it is physically impossible to frack through a mile of rock and contaminate surface water supplies" is a nonsense. In the first place it ignores the fact that to get through a mile of rock it must pass through the earths surface layers, and leakage can occur at or near the surface. Dont try to tell me that drillers have perfected the art of sealing holes at or near the surface.
Furthermore this argument completely ignores the fact that what goes down must come up - or most of it anyway. It is evidently the practice of the oil companies to store the polluted water that comes up again in open "waste ponds" which can easily leak out to pollute the local water resources.
The fact that there are hyrocarbons in water near the surface should come as no suprise. Drake's oil well in 1859 was 69.5 ft deep. There are areas in the world where hydrocarbons are in the groud water naturally. I have been fracing wells for many years and the idea that you could frac several thousand feet above the interval of interest is ridiculous. The vast amount of the comments on the dangers of fracing are by people who have a polical agenda.
The real story here is not fraccing per se. The real issue is that with fraccing of shales massive amounts of cheap clean fuels is now available. In fact, the eco-corporations don't really oppose fraccing; it is merely their stalking horse to oppose a new source of exceedingly inexpensive fuel and protect their investments in renewable energy.
This new fuel effectively kills off their business plans and will cost them billions.
Eco-corporations are as psycopathic and as self-serving as any other corporation. They know they can't oppose the idea of cheap clean fuel, so they place all their efforts into opposing the method of capturing these cheap clean fuels.
I stand by my comment. It is physically impossible to frac through miles of rock. Your comments are misleading in that they assume that natural fracture systems are always hydraulically connected to the water table. This can be confirmed very easily through a static gradient test program. Unless a continuous pressure gradient is present, natural barriers exist. I know of no areas where a continuous hydraulically connected pressure regime exists from surface to miles underground.
Allow me to clarify: One of the pre-requisites to hydrocarbon exploration is a trapping mechanism; ie. an impermeable barrier otherwise the hydrocarbons would have bubbled to surface and escaped eons ago.
It is precisely these types of impermeable barriers that stop fracs cold. When the frac sands meet a lithological change or an impermeable barrier they take the path of least resistance and travel laterally, not vertically. And it doesn't take much to stop a frac. An impermable bed a couple of feet thick can do it quite nicely.
This is one of the biggest headaches that frac designers have. If frac designers could design a frac that could reach for miles they would love to.
You asked whether I know of any places where there is a possibility of vertical groundwater motion exceeding a mile. The answer is that there are plenty of places with known faults vastly exceeding a mile in depth, along which groundwater from depth is known to migrate upward in large volumes. A good example is my area - Saratoga Springs, NY. The area contains numerous springs which we know have their origin at extremely great depths, reaching well into preCambrian basement rocks likely many miles down. In fact, accordingf to recent geochemical analysis from SUNY Albany, the carbon dioxide gas in the springs can only come from one possible source - an ancient cooling igneous pluton. If you know anything about NE geology (I assume you don't), you know that no such bodies that could give off CO2 exist anywhere near the surface. The spring water in this area comes from many miles down, and it travels almost directly to the surface along well known normal faults of taconic age.
If you search Google and ask, Does Long term Fracking cause drought. I get nothing. But the hard truth is that Fracking is taking water from living systems (Trees) and disconnecting the condensation the trees release into the atmosphere to bring rain. Look at how last year they brought the tipping point of fire in Texas and now after moving over to Colorado in just a couple of years, they are on fire. Especially where long term Fracking is.Just Google Earth Fracking Fort Collins CO. I am a Permaculture designer. I design and repair landscape with fungi, and bring back the rain with food foresting swale, and bio dynamic agriculture. I can even set up aquaponics and algae bio fuel. None of this is valued, Whats valued is fracking. America would be in financial collapse if it weren't for Fracking. But what is the consequence of this dirty energy that is sending 4-7 million gallons of water per well 8000 feet into the earth never to be seen again? America now has 400,000 Fracked wells and they constantly keep having to drill because each well only has 20 days of growth until the well starts to decline. Civilization has gone insane and has lost connection to how the water cycle works. You have grabbed climate change and given it a new rabid dog on a leash that is facing its teeth right into your faceOf course, the housing on the pipe is structurally sound all the way down, right? No chance of a leak anywhere near the water table, right? And the crack introduced into the bedrock could never travel that far, and the fluid pumped down under intensely high pressure could never ooze along those cracks and naturally occurring faults? And you know all this because, what, you've been down there and seen it with your own eyes?
Wow.
The people being affected are not making it up. It happens, with absolutely no way to fix it, and with enough regularity that we need to stop fracking completely and get real about clean | eng | ea5d29f0-d7d4-457d-8cf0-7ea3b19c1592 | http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fracking-evolving-truth-natural-gas |
Remember when bunnies were simply cute and fluffy? Me neither. Let's Play Virtue's Last Reward!
We run into Tenmyoldy, who isn't all that friendly to us. And I'm pretty sure it's not because we call him Tenmyoldy, since I only do that behind his back. Sigme attempts to ask him about himself, such as why he's been acting weird ever since the old lady was found and whether Quark is his grandson, but Tenmyouji is all, "GTFO OF MY FACE I DON'T TRUST YOU." Alrighty then.
His mother, I assume. Clover and Luna come join the party after searching the other rooms in the crew quarters, and predictably, their search came up zero. As in zero things, not the rabbit. Or the person. Because that would end the game rather prematurely. Sigme asks the others their thoughts on the reason Zero is making them play the Nonary Game. Luna speculates that it's entertainment for rich and powerful people.
You're a bro and all, but sometimes you worry me, Luna. Her voice sounds really dreamy when she says that line, so I'm getting some possible masochistic vibes. In contrast to fantasizing Luna, Tenmyouji is still in his ragey old man mood and brings the topic back to the old lady and whether her death really was part of Zero's plans. If Zero Sr. did murder her...
Seven in one...? I don't understand Clover statistics. Clover excludes herself and Alice as candidates for being Zero Sr. because they know each other and both know the other isn't Zero. This prompts Sigme and Luna to ask how Clover and Alice know each other, which Clover vaguely answers as 'co-workers' at an 'organisation'. She refuses to specify what the organisation is for 'confidential' reasons (it's totally a strip club) and, like Tenmyouji, is all, "GTFO OF MY FACE I DON'T TRUST YOU GUYS." Only less ragey and old man-y. The two girls go their separate ways, leaving Sigme alone with Tenmyouji once more.
Unfortunately, he is no more willing to have a manly heart-to-heart with Sigme than he was before, so Sigme gives up and leaves the grumpy old man to be grumpy on his lonesome. Fine, Tenmyouji. I-It's not like we wanted to get to know you!
Hey, Quark! How it's going? Phi, long time no see! K, you're a stupid jerkface and I only like you because you sound like Theo. Old lady, uh... sucks to be you.
No one recognises the old lady, though K acknowledges that he may have known her before he lost his memories. The conversation shifts to K and his robot suit, which he says almost feels natural, as if he had always been wearing it. Quark wonders if there is any way to take the suit off, which leads to K, um, taking his robe off. D-Does this count as nudity?
K, you didn't need to strip for us to look at the back of your head but whatever floats your boat. Since K can't see the hole, Sigme tells him that it looks like a key of some kind needs to be inserted in order to open up the suit and remove the mask. K is relieved to hear that there is a possibility that he won't have to spend the rest of his life in the robot suit, which is understandable because robot suits get fabulous guys like Dio all up in your face. I imagine that wouldn't be as desirable to straight males as it would be to straight females.
We're late! We're late! For a very important date! Dio is gonna kick our ass.
He has his finger gun cocked and ready and everything. Chillax, princess. Okay, Phi. What are our options this time?
Buuuut before we can decide, some members of the group throw in their two cents. Tenmyouji and K don't want to pair up with each other because K betrayed in the first AB game, and could potentially kill Tenmyouji in the next. Natch for Alice. Alice and Clover want to pair up for obvious reasons though I get the feeling that they would probably gang up on Sigme and dump his body somewhere. Luna wants to pair with Sigme or Phi, because we are bros. Dio, being Phi's partner, likes the sound of pairing up with Luna since she allied in the first game but we won't let him because she is our bro and he is a stupid jerkface. With all that in mind, let us—
Q-Quark?
What's with the yandere eyes?
This isn't funny, kid...
You were sane and calling us 'Mr. Sigma' like three in-game minutes ago.
Tenmyouji, do something!
Oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap.
Option A. Go through the green door with Luna. Option B. Go through the blue door with K. Option C. Go through the red door with Clover.
Okay, I'm now positively convinced that Alice is a robot. Even if you glue your boobs to your necklace and to each other, THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE THAT! (No, I haven't tried where did you get that idea nope)
Does this mean Alice won't die from whatever Zero uses to kill us innocent people? She will totally appear 'right behind you!' when we thought she was long gone, won't she?
And Lunatic is turning out to be pretty awesome afer all :D
Edit: Whoops, ninja'd. I'm sure going through a door with two women, while none of them are Phi is a bad idea, so let's go with K.
I vote for Clover! Though I feel bad about leaving Luna to Dio's tender mercies. Maybe she'll 'accidentally lose' him on the way...
Also I want to find out if those dinosaur eggs on her head will hatch if Alice uses her lasers on them.
Phi, Dio, and Clover get the green door, while Luna, Tenmyouji and Quark go through the red door, which is fitting because it will undoubtedly be bathed in their blood by the hands of the craycray kid. Been nice knowing you, Luna. Tenmyoldy, not so much. I haven't forgotten that you rejected our offer of a manly heart-to-heart. Who will you be talking to about your feelings now, huh?
This is different. What gives?
K: It appears they are all locked.
Alice: Is this a dead end?
Not yet, Alice. I'm waiting for one or both of you to kill me. Then it'd be a dead end.
Pull the lever, Sigme. What's the worst that can happen? Either you die by robot, or you die by lever. One is slightly less dignified.
Only one door opens, so guess we have no choice. According to the plate on the door, this leads to the recreation room, where we will...
Initially, I didn't like this room. But then we found this.
And this happened.
K: Eeeeee he he he he he he he he! Look at me go! Ahahahahahahahahahaha!
After leaving the rec room, Team Blue Door find themselves in what looks to be another warehouse.
It even has its own ketchup graffiti!
And its own Chromatic Doors! Only... they're all white. Huh. Sigme tries the doors (of course) to find that they're locked tight (of course) and doesn't have the opportunity to do much else before a familiar voice cuts short the investigation.
That could only mean at least one team has already escaped their room and made it back to warehouse A. It also means that at least one person was enough of a stupid jerkface to open an AB room without waiting for everyone else to get back. Now with a 45 minute time limit, Sigme and co. race through the blue door again, up the elevator, and through the magenta door to reach the warehouse. If you trace their route with the maps, it's not exactly a short distance.
Okay, who was the stupid jerkface who went ahead and opened an AB room already?
Figures.
It also figures that on top of being fabulous and a stupid jerkface, Dio is a kleptomaniac.
Clover lunges at Dio and feels him up rifles through his pockets. Dio, for all his swearing and aggressiveness, is unable to fend her off before she finds what she's looking for.
...he was carrying that in his pocket? I'm surprised it hasn't accidentally stabbed him yet. Pity.
Fine, take it back, geez. All the more opportunity for it to accidentally stab you. And then you'll know why everyone says never to run with injection guns. Wait, that was scissors. Same principle.
Hey guys, you're alive. And Quark's not with you. Congratulations on managing to escape his bloody clutches!
Okay, you didn't escape per se, but at least you're no longer in his bloody clutches? That's good, right?
Everyone leaves to go look for Quark except for Alice, who is staring intently at the corner of the warehouse. Sigme, while noting its strangeness, doesn't think much of it in his eagerness to go get killed by Quark. Looking for a ten year old with yandere eyes on your lonesome is never a good idea. Just sayin'.
No Quark in the lounge.
No Quark in the rec room.
Oh thank god. With two people there's less of a chance of being picked off. Unless... K, you're just here for the kiddie ride again, aren't you?
Totally back for the kiddie ride.
Upon returning to the floor A warehouse, Sigme and K find Tenmyouji, Phi and Clover. Since Quark is not with them, it is safe to assume they haven't had any luck finding him either. The mood becomes sombre as they all begin fearing the worst. Suddenly, the cyan door opens and Dio rushes through.
Hmm, that doesn't look like Alice got stabbed by that gun and I'm positive Quark can't reach that high... Wait... Dio's gun IS lying there, isn't it? I know he is fabulous, but he shouldn't be that stupid. Hmmm...
Just an hour ago, we were being traumatised by K's enthusiasm over a kiddie ride with Alice. A few hours before that, we learnt from Luna that banana hangers are actually a thing. We were starting to bond. The possibility of everyone escaping together didn't seem as farfetched as it did at the beginning. Now with two dead, it will never happen.
With their deaths, the ones who are left are reminded of the harsh reality that among them is a murderer. Suspicions flair once more as they turn against each other.
Is it Dio? There is always the possibility that the first person at the scene of the crime is in fact the criminal. Also he's a selfish jackass, so there's that too.
Is it Tenmyouji? Luna was to be Tenmyouji and Quark's opponent in the next AB game. With Quark missing and Luna dead, Tenmyouji is free to betray for an easy 3 points.
Is it K? Alice would've been his opponent along with Sigme, however as he points out, Sigme is still alive and free to vote against him.
Their accusations are interrupted by the now familiar announcement. Death is death, but the game must go on. Could it be that Alice and Luna's deaths, like the old woman's, were planned all along?
Clover, who has been quiet during the entire exchange, finally speaks, only to say that she refuses to vote. That means, of course, that she would automatically ally. Phi points out that Dio, who is sitting on 6 BP, can betray her and reach 9 BP. And no one's dumb enough to believe that a) he wouldn't betray and b) he wouldn't then ditch them all to save his own skin. So Clover grudgingly comes along, solely to prevent Dio from leaving. Serves you right, you fabulous stupid jerkface.
Shortly before entering his AB room, Sigme is stopped by K.
K: You have 5 BP. If we both ally, then you will gain 2 points, leaving you with 7 in total. Should you also cooperate mutually in the following round, you would gain another 2 points, bring you to 9.
K: Conversely, if you were to choose to betray me during this round, you would gain 3 points, for a total of 8. In other words, you will be unable to reach 9 BP until the round following this one.
K: That being the case, choosing "ally" is the most logical choice.
Nice try, K. Sigme may be shaken up by the deaths of two of his fellow captives, and he may be pretty stupid at times, but he can still math.
K: Ah. Yes, that is true, however... Escaping as soon as possible is not my goal.
Sigma: But you picked "betray" in the first round, didn't you?
K: That was in the interest of my own safety. As I only had 3 points at the time, the prospect of losing 2 of them was very unsettling. Now that I have 6 BP, I have some room for error.
Sigma: Why wouldn't you want to get out of here as soon as you possibly could?
K: Of course I would like to. But attempting to do so would be...unwise. If I escape on my own, everyone else will be trapped here forever.
K: Consider the following. If I did manage to get to 9 points before anyone else, do you think the rest of our companions would allow me to leave?
I think we should ally. K's logic seems sound, I see no reason for him to betray us.
Well, other than getting to leave early, but why would he want to? The key to his armor's probably in the place somewhere, so he has a bigger motivation to stay than to leave.
I think we should Ally. If only because betraying would only anger the man and I don't want him angry at us. And anyway we still wouldn't be able to leave even if we did betray him so and having 8 points would just make us a target of everyone else in the roomtl;dr I say we Ally.
Well, actually given the circumstances of the game itself I think Tit-for-Tat would call for looking at their voting record against previous opponents and voting based on that, making Betray the best option here.
That said, K's logic holds up and Ally could potentially be the best option here. Unless he's just saying that to trick us into trusting him.
So, I'm going to have to go with raw gut instinct here, and Betray the Man in the Iron Mask, because screw the Monarchy.
faf;kasdlfk;laksdfjalksdfjajsdflhajnvhblasjef I need this game. I need this game like burning, DAMMIT, WHY DID I SPEND MY MONEY ON OCARINA OF TIME 3D?! Wait, no, I take that back... WHY DID I SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON YOGA PANTS?! D8
Also, I agree with this "seduce the robot in the toga even if we are some average looking guy who asks too many questions" plan. Because THAT KIDDIE RIDE SCENE. You have no idea how quickly I would have hopped on that over sized Zero III replica with him. Even if it was a murderous rabbit.
EDIT: Does anyone else notice K's sadface eyes when Sigma is saying the two girls are dead? WhydidInoticethat?
Our partner is dead, so there's no one to scream at us for not picking "betray". Straight to the results monitor it is.
Just as well Phi wasn't paired with us in this round, or there would be the biggest "I told you so!" on the planet. As it is, I'll let all the people who voted for "betray" have the honours.
Yes, yes we did. Unlike a certain somebody.
You're a dirty rotten liar, K. Do you hate being shipped with Sigme that much? ...actually, don't answer that.
That's true. but K's not you, Dio. He wouldn't be callous enough to leave us all to be trapped here. R-Right?
Okay, wrong. But K, think this through, man. Do you think the outside world would be accepting of a robot man riding on kiddie rides?
Stay here and ride that stupid Zero III kiddie ride as much as you want! Hell, let's go to the rec room right now!
Think of the kiddie rides!
Fine, K, if you're going to be a heartless asshat, go ahead. But tell us one thing before you leave. Why did you do it?
Aside from being a heartless asshat. That is indeed obvious.
He has a robot suit. A robot suit.
It's amazing how his logic has made a complete 180 degree turn. In the end, even if he does look the least human out of all the players, his sense of self-preservation is still very much human. Doesn't make him any less of a dirtbag though.
He apologises again, and leaves. The number nine door slides shut behind him.
The announcer cheerily tells everyone that escape is not possible and to enjoy their stay. | eng | 2a687ce1-e5d4-4e81-b8d8-af1942d171f9 | http://brokenforum.com/index.php?threads/remember-when-bunnies-were-simply-cute-and-fluffy-me-neither-lets-play-virtues-last-reward.4521/page-3 |
1. In verse 24, what does the word manifold mean? Have you ever wondered why certain plants and animals formed or created? How does the psalmist answer this question in verse 24? What happens when a species of an animal is destroyed?
2. According to verse 27-30, to whom does all creation depend? Have you ever noticed what happens to the land after a forest fire or a late freeze? How does verse 30 relate to those experiences? Do you think God takes pleasure in creation? To whom or what do you depend? To whom or what do you give thanks?
3. What question does Philip ask Jesus (v. 8) and how does Jesus respond (vv. 9-10)? How does Jesus describe his relationship with God (v. 10)? How many times does Jesus say I am in verses 10-12, and who else has said that in the Old Testament? What does it mean to believe in Jesus and what are the consequences (vv. 11-14)? If you believe in Jesus, how do you think what you ask for might change?
4. If we love Jesus, how is that love demonstrated (v. 15)? Would anyone know you love Jesus? What does Jesus promise that God will provide? Do you know the Holy Spirit (v. 17)? When you give your life to God through Christ, who will dwell within you (v. 23-24)? Who or what is dwelling within you? What will the Holy Spirit teach you and what will reside in you (vv. 26-27)?
5. What did Jesus promise in the reading today from the Gospel of John and what do the disciples receive in the reading from Acts? What were the disciples filled with and what did they begin to do (v.4)? Why do you think they began to speak in different languages (vv. 5-13)? What did people ask (v. 12)? Did everyone who heard the disciples believe them (v. 13)? Do you expect everyone to believe in Christ when you tell them your story with Christ?
6. Who responds to explain what is going on (v.14)? Was Peter a well educated person? How then is Peter able to respond using some of the words of the prophet Joel? Do you think that anyone who calls on Christ will be saved? Do you have to believe in Christ to call on his name? Could it be a start of belief? Could it be God's grace to help a person realize what they really need?
7. So, if God's grace is calling you into relationship with Christ, what does that tell you about who you are (v. 14)? Do you live in fear? Fear of what? Do you think the grace of God might be offering you relief from fear?
8. Even if a person has given his/her life to Christ, does fear banished forever? Who do you cry out to when you know what you are doing is not in harmony with love? What do you have to do to love God and to love your sisters and brothers as Christ has loved us? What did Christ do (v. 17)?
Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 12, 2013
Psalm 97
John 17:20-26
Acts 16:16-34
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
1. Psalm 97 is a hymn of praise celebrating what (v. 1)? Who is called to rejoice? How is God described in verses 2-6? How do you describe God?
2. Who will be put to shame and why (v. 7)? What other gods might the psalmist have been contemplating in verses 7 and 9? What other gods do you have? Do you put them before God? Who does God love according to the psalmist (v. 10)? Who do you think God loves?
3. Who does Jesus pray for in verse 20? Does it include you? Do you have faith inn Jesus Christ? What does Jesus desire for all who believe in him (v. 20)? What does Jesus desire for all who believe in him (v. 21)?
4. In verse 22, what has God given Jesus that Jesus has given his disciples? What does that mean? Why does Jesus want all believers to become completely one (v. 23)? Has it worked yet? Where does Jesus want his disciples to be located (v. 24)? What does Jesus mean when he says that the world does not know God as Jesus does (v. 25)? What will Jesus do in regard for others knowing true God (v. 26)?
5. Who was following Paul and crying out that he and Silas were slaves of the "Most High God who proclaim to you a way of salvation"? Why do you think Paul became annoyed and what did he do? Who became upset at Paul's actions and why? Could this be a reason for Paul's irritation?
6. What were Paul and Silas doing in prison? After the earthquake, where were all the prisoners and what was the jailer about to do and why? What do you think the jailer meant when he asked what he must do to be saved (v. 30)? What did Paul and Silas know he needed to be truly saved? What happened to the jailer and his entire family? Immediately afterward, what did the jailer and his family do (v. 34)? When was the last time you celebrated your baptism?
7. According to verse 12, who is coming soon? How do you reconcile grace and not works with verse 12? What reward might Jesus be speaking about? Is it reported in any of the Gospels about Jesus rewarding anyone? What did Jesus want for everyone? If we were all one with Jesus what would we all have and share?
8. What does the writer of the Book of Revelation want all the listeners/readers in the seven churches to know? Who does Jesus invite in verse17? How do you reconcile verse a7 with verse 12? When did Jesus say he was coming (v. 20)? Do you think the writer of the Book of Revelation was incorrect or do we not understand what he meant about Jesus coming soon?
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 5, 2013
Psalm 67
John 14:23-29
Acts 16:9-15
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
1. What does the psalmist request from God in verse 1 of Psalm 67? What does it mean for God to "make his face shine upon us?" What else does the psalmist request of God in verse 2? What are God's ways and what saving powers does God have? Do you want to know God's way? Do you need to be saved?
2. To whom do you think the psalmist is addressing the Psalm? Who else does the psalmist call to praise God (v. 3)? What is more important to the psalmist—national pride or following God (vv. 4-5)? Does nationalism ever become a god? What is you request from God—peace just for us in the United States?
3. Jesus is answering a question about how he will reveal himself to the disciples but not to the world as we read verse 23 of John 14. To whom will Jesus be revealed and why (v. 23)? What does it mean to keep Jesus' word (v. 23)? Why would you keep Jesus' word (v. 23)? What are the consequences of not keeping Jesus' word (v. 24)? Do you love Jesus?
4. Who will God send to guide and educate the disciples after Jesus returns to God (v. 26)? Have you ever encountered the Holy Spirit reminding you of what Jesus said? What does Jesus offer his disciples (and us who love him) that the world cannot give? What does this mean? Do you really want what Jesus is offering?
5. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had set off for Asia, but the Holy Spirit did allow them to pursue that travel. Instead, what did Paul encounter in a dream-vision (v. 9)? What did Paul do (v. 10)? How do you determine what to do based on a dream or a thought? Where did Paul and Silas go (vv. 11-12)?
6. What did Paul do on the Sabbath day (v. 13) and who did they encounter? Who was Lydia and how is she described? What is so unusual about Lydia? How does she respond to God's word? What is her immediate response after being baptized? What is you daily response to God's word?
7. How do you understand verse 10 of Revelation 21—what does it mean to be in the spirit? Where are the people to go worship in the new city (v. 22)? Is verse 23 to be read literally or metaphorically? What will never be shut, and what does it mean that there will never be night (v. Rev. 21:25)? Does verse 25 seem to conflict with verses 26-27?
8. What is described flowing in the middle of the street in the city (vv. 1-2)? What is growing on either side? So, what is being described? How is this place described in verses 22:3-5? Whose face will be seen and why is that so important? Do you think you want to live in a place like this—why or why not?
Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2013
Psalm 148
John 13:31-35
Acts 11:1-18
Revelation 21:1-6
1. Why does the psalmist praise God in Psalm 148 (vv. 5, 13)? Who or what is called to praise God? Do you ever praise God? Why? For what do you want to praise God right now? Do you think it appropriate to praise God for cars, trains, computers, televisions, radios, or space travel?
2. Reread verse 6. What does this verse mean to you? If established forever and ever, how do you reconcile this thought with other understandings that this world will pass away?
3. How was the Son of Man glorified? Where does Jesus say he is going? Does Jesus say the disciples will be able to join him at another time (v. 33)? How does this statement reconcile with others about followers being resurrected with Jesus?
4. What is the new commandment Jesus gives to his disciples? Why do you think he created this new commandment? Do you think this new commandment is limited to just disciples? Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? What is the mission of the church universal? Do you love one another as Christ loves us?
5. Why were the believers in Jerusalem criticizing Peter (vv. 1-3)? How did Peter respond—what did Peter experience? What was Peter's vision and how did he react initially (vv. 5-9)? How does the vision continue (vv. 9-10)?
6. What happened when Peter went to visit the family in Caesarea (v. 15)? When this event occurred, what did the people in this household become? What secret is revealed in this occurrence (v. 18)? How does this occurrence related to the Great Commandment and to the new commandment from the reading today from the Gospel of John?
7. Is the passage from the Book of Revelation one of hope or fear (v. 1-2)? In your imagination, what would the world look like if all people became believers and loved one another as Christ loved us?
8. What is the mission of the church universal—what is the great commandment? When people accept the love of Christ, repent, and are justified through faith, what do they become? So, do you believe Christ has already begun to make all things new? Do you believe God's plan will be fulfilled as did the psalmist in Psalm 148:6?
Third Sunday of Easter, April 14, 2013
Psalm 30
John 21:1-19
Acts 9:1-20
Revelation 5:11-14
1. What does a shepherd do for the shepherd's folk? Does the flock always follow the instructions of the shepherd? So, what must the shepherd to for the flock (v.2)? What does the shepherd also do as the psalmist tells us in verse 3? What has been your darkest time of life—your darkest valley? Did anyone provide you comfort? Did you call on God?
2. What does verse 5 mean to you? What might the psalmist have been referring? Will goodness and mercy follow you or will you live in goodness or mercy? Where do your heart and soul dwell? Reread Psalm 23 but doing your best to read in the negative. For example, you might start off by saying-"the Lord is not my shepherd". Which reading describes your life better?
3. The passage from John records the third time Jesus appears to the disciples. What happened to the disciples the second time that Jesus appeared among them? Where are the disciples this time? Were they dong what Jesus told them to do the second time he appeared with them? Did the disciples recognize Jesus immediately? Had Jesus ever told the disciples where to fish (Luke 5:1-11)? Do you think the disciples were still fearful?
4. How does Jesus address Simon Peter in verse 15? What is the significance of how Jesus addresses him? What does Jesus ask Peter? Do you think Peter understood what Jesus was asking him? What does Jesus instruct Peter to do (v. 17)? How does Jesus end his conversation with Peter in verse 19? How do you love Jesus?
5. Who was Saul and what were his tasks (vv 1-2)? What happened on the road to Damascus to Saul? How did Saul finally get to Damascus? What did Saul do for the three says he was in Damascus? Have you had a Damascus road experience?
6. Who does God call on to bring healing and hope to Saul? How does this person react to God's direction and why? How does God respond in verse 15? How does Ananias address Saul and what does Ananias do in the name of Christ? Are you as blind as was Saul? Do you want to see?
7. Who might the writer of the Book of Revelation referring to in verse 11? What do these persons say? Who might have been upset to hear such language (v. 12)?
8. Who recognizes Jesus to have honor, glory, and might forever and ever (v. 13)? What does that symbolize and when will it happen?
Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013
Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24
Luke 24:1-12
Acts 10:34-43
1 Corinthians 15:12-26
1. Why is the psalmist giving thanks to God (v. 1)? What proof is there of God's steadfast love?
2. What do you rely on for your strength? Have you ever relied on something for strength and it did not lead to a life of peace and love? Do you believe God punished you or you merely suffered the consequences of not listening to God in the first place? Have you rejected the cornerstone?
3. In the Gospel of Luke, who is first to discover Jesus has risen (v. 10)? What did they find when they arrived at the tomb and who greeted them (vv. 2-4)? What did these two men ask the women? What had the women forgotten that they now remembered?
4. Where did the women go after the tomb? Who did they tell, and how was their experience received (v. 11)? What did Peter do? Where did Peter end up going? Do you have any problems that Jesus was crucified, died, buried, and rose again?
5. Who is speaking in the reading from Acts? What has happened to him since we last encountered him in Luke 24:12? To whom does God show partiality (v. 34)? Who does Peter say is acceptable to God (v. 35)? What message is Peter talking about in verse 36? How is having someone Lord over you equate to peace?
6. What spread throughout Judea (v. 37)? Why? What key message does Peter impart in verse 40? What command is Peter living up to (v. 42)? Are you a prophet testifying about Jesus (v. 43)? Do your actions conflict with your words?
7. Paul argues that people who do not hope for the resurrection of the dead are in effect denying Christ's own resurrection and thus the gospel on which their faith rests. What does resurrection of the dead mean for you? Do you think Christ was more interested in how we live in obedience to God or what will happen to us upon physical death?
8. What does Paul say Jesus will do in verse 24? Did Jesus in his life ever hurt or kill anyone? What did Jesus say we are to do to our enemies? What then is Paul talking about in verses 24-26?
Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 17, 2013
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Luke 19:1-10
Philippians 3:4b-14
1. To whom is Isaiah delivering the message from the passage? Where are they located? To what action by God do verses 16-17 refer? Why does God say do not focus on what has happened in the past? To what do verses 19-20 remind you?
2. How do you think people understood these verses from Isaiah some 500 years later three years into ministry by Jesus? How do you understand these verses for today? Are you focused on the problems and bad experiences of the past? Are you wondering in the wilderness looking for help? Are you ready for God to do a new thing in you?
3. Depending on the translation you are using for your reading pf Psalm 126 you can easily be misled from the very first verse. What do you think the psalmist is celebrating in this Psalm? What did God promise in the passage from Isaiah that we just studied—that is what was being celebrated?
4. Are you living in some form of captivity? Are you able to be the person God created you to be? Do you want to know your true self? Do you really want to be restored?
5. Who was Zacchaeus and how is he described? Do you think the Pharisees thought highly of Zacchaeus? Why or why not? What was Zacchaeus looking for and why? How does Jesus respond to Zacchaeus?
6. Upon hearing of Jesus' plans, how does Zacchaeus respond? Why does Jesus say salvation has come to the house of Zacchaeus? What are you looking for? What does salvation mean for you? Do you really want salvation?
7. What does Paul acknowledge that entitles him to power in the world of his day (vv. 4b-6)? What did Paul do with all this power (vv. 7-8)? What did Paul discover that was worth abandonment of this power? Does Paul focus on what he has given up in the past (v. 13)?
8. So, what is Paul seeking—what is Paul looking for (vv. 10-11)? Does Paul congratulate himself for reaching his goal (v. 12)? So, what will Paul continue to do (vv. 13-14)? How about you? Do you need to let go of anything the secular world says is important so that you may draw closer to Christ? What are you looking for?
Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 10, 2013
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
1. Who was Joshua? What does the God tell Joshua in verse 9? What was the disgrace and how does God say he dealt with it? The word Gilgal means to roll or as a noun, a wheel. What else do you remember being rolled away in regard to Jesus?
2. What did the Israelites do while camped as stated in verse 10? Why do you think they did so? What did the people eat and why? Where were the people who were led by Joshua living (v. 12)? Do you think this group of people was taking God for granted?
3. According to the psalmist, who is happy and why (vv. 1-2)? How do you feel when someone forgives you? Why does the psalmist say his body is wasting away in verses 3-4? How does the psalmist say he found healing (v. 5)?
4. What does guilt do to you emotionally and physically? If you confess, what do you think might be an action of God (v. 8)? Who or what is the most stubborn entity you have ever met? Are you stubborn? Why? Do you resemble verse 9? How would you prefer to live—in torment or in love? How do you end up in both categories?
5. Who was coming to Jesus in verse 1, and who was grumbling and why? What did the younger son demand of his father and what did the son do with what the father gave him? Where did this younger son end up working and why was that job so despicable? To where did the younger son return, and who welcomed him? Who became upset and why?
6. After reading the parable, who were the two brothers as between the two types of people in verse 1-2? Who are you in the parable? Who does the father represent? Why would the father welcome the wayward son back? How does the father deal with the son who was always with him? Why does the father celebrate as stated in verse 32? Do you need to die so you can truly live?
7. If we are following Christ, how do we regard one another (v. 16)? Are you living in Christ? If so, what are you and how do you regard everything else (v. 17)?
8. How did God reconcile God's self to us (v. 18-19)? How does what Paul says in verse 18-19 reflect the story of the prodigal son from our reading in Luke today? So, what is to be our response according to Paul (v. 20)? Review this past week--for what were you an ambassador? Do you have a right relationship with God as you are reading this sentence? Why or why not?
Third Sunday in Lent, March 3, 2013
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
Luke 13:1-9
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1. Who is invited and to where? Why would wine and milk be available without money and without price? What do you labor for that does not satisfy you? For what are you truly thirsty? On what do you spend you money?
2. According to Isaiah, what is God offering (v. 3)? Do you really want to live? What does Isaiah say people must do (v. 3)? When was the last time you listened to God? Who will come to Israel and why (vv.4-5)? What does Isaiah call the people to do in verses 6-7? Do you think you understand God? What does Isaiah have to say (v. 8)?
3. For what does the psalmist thirst (v. 1)? What does that mean to you? So where did the psalmist go (v. 2)? Where do you look for God?
4. How will you give thanks for your relationship with God? What happens in your life when you forget about God or take God for granted?
5. What did Pilate do that upset some of the people (v. 1)? What question did Jesus ask the people in verse 2? And what answer does Jesus give them in verse 3? And what question does Jesus ask in verse 4 and then answer in verse 5? What was the message Jesus was giving the people?
6. A fig tree is often used in Scripture as a metaphor for Israel. So, what does Jesus mean in verse 7? What is the meaning of this parable?
7. How does Paul describe the ancestors in verses 1-4? Was God always pleased with them (v. 5)? So, how does Paul say these ancestors are to be regarded V. 6)? What did people do in verses 7-10 that Paul says are examples of what not to do? Do you ever find yourself making the same mistakes?
8. In verse 12, what does Paul call the people to do? Are you alone in dealing with problems (v. 13)? How does Paul describe God in verse 13? Who never abandons us? What might Paul be referring to in regard to testing in verse 13? If God provides us a way out, what happens if we ignore that way out?
Second Sunday in Lent, February 24, 2013
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Luke 13:22-35
Philippians 3:17-4:1
1. Who came to Abram in a vision, and what was Abram promised (v. 1)? How does Abram respond—what does Abram want from God (v.2-3)? How does God answer (vv 4-5)? Did Abram believe God, and what did that do to his relationship with God (v. 6)?
2. What else does Abram want from God (vv 7-8)? What does God have Abram do by which he will receive an answer (vv 9-11, 17)? What additional covenant does God make with Abram (v. 18)?
3. How does the psalmist describe his relationship with God (v. 1)? Who does the psalmist trust (vv.2-3)? What does the psalmist ask from God and what does it mean (v. 4)?
4. For what do you ask God? What does the psalmist remind us to do (v. 14)? Why is that so hard for us? What is the danger of not waiting?
5. Do you think Jesus knew the danger he was facing? If so, why did he proceed to Jerusalem? Have there ever been other Christians who have placed themselves in danger to carry out the mission Jesus gave us? Why would they do that?
6. Did Jesus say everyone will be saved in verse 24? Who do you think Jesus was talking about and how did he know? Who does Jesus say will come and eat in the kingdom of God (v. 29)? What do verses 22-30 have to say to us today? If we have been saved, do we need to continue striving, and if so for what and why?
7. What does Paul call the members of the early church in Philippi to do (v. 17)? What kind of example do you think Paul was demonstrating? What would happen to someone if they imitated you---what type of example are you?
8. Who might be an enemy of the cross? Do you think it possible for someone who has been baptized to become an enemy of the cross? Have there ever been Christians whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, their glory is in their shame, and their minds are set on earthly things? So, what are you striving for as you journey through Lent?
First Sunday in Lent, February 17, 2013
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Luke 4:1-13
Romans 10:8b-13
1. When the Israelites settle in the Promised Land, what are they called to do (vv. 1-2)? What are they to do once they place the fruits into the hands of the priests (vv. 5-10)? Why is this action important to the Israelites?
2. Who was the wandering Aramean? What did God give these people? What has God given you? How do you give thanks to God?
3. Who is called to confess to God (v. 1)? What is the person called to confess (v.2)? Why is evil not to attack this person (v. 9)? How is this protection described (vv. 11-13)?
4. Who will God deliver and why (v. 14)? What benefits will they receive (vv. 15-16)? In what do you trust? How is that working for you? Where do you seek refuge (v. 9)? Do you love God, and if so, what do you expect for that love (v. 15)?
5. After being baptized, where did Jesus go and who was with him? Who tempted Jesus and what was Jesus offered? How does Jesus respond?
6. Are you living in a wilderness? What is tempting you and why? Who are you going to trust for help? Do you want to deny the temptations? Was Satan finished with Jesus? Will Satan ever be finished with you?
7. According to Paul, how is someone to be saved? Are mere words enough? Why is it so hard for people to be saved? What does being saved mean to you?
8. Are followers of Christ to be treated differently depending on race, gender, education, etc? Why then do Christians sometime mistreat one another?
Transfiguration Sunday, February 10, 2013
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
Luke 9:28-36
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
1. In the reading from Exodus in today's study, where had Moses been and in whose company? What was Moses carrying? Who had Moses been talking with and what happened to the appearance to Moses? How did the Israelites relate to Moses when he returned? What did the people of Israel believe if someone looked at God? What did Moses begin to do so that he could remain in a relationship with the people of Israel?
2. If you had encounter with God, what do you expect would happen to you? Have you had an encounter with God—what happened? When you cry out to God for help, what do you expect? What did Moses do to show his humility as he continued to have a direct relationship with God? How do you remain humble once you have a relationship with God? Does this relationship make you better than your sisters and brothers?
3. How does the psalmist describe God in Psalm 99:1? Why would the psalmist give that name to God? What name do you give to God? How does the psalmist describe God in verse 4? How do you describe God?
4. Who does the psalmist says has a right relationship with God (v. 6)? How did these three people maintain their relationship with God (vv. 6b-7)? How do you maintain a relationship with God? Why do you want a relationship with God?
5. Reread Luke 9:28. What is Luke referring to that happened about eight days prior (vv. 9:21-22; 23-24)? What do you think might have been going on in the mind of Jesus after these eight days? How did Jesus deal with this dilemma (v. 9:28)? What happens while Jesus is taking this action—who appears? What did these people speak to Jesus about (v. 9:31)? Why do you think God intervened in this manner with the appearance of these two people and their discussion with Jesus?
6. How does Peter react and does he understand what he is saying? Does Peter recognize these visitors? What might Peter have been thinking? What might you have thought if you had a direct encounter with an action by God? What does God say to Peter, James and John? If you have an encounter with God do you think God's words about listening to Christ are relevant? How would you go about listening to Christ? What difference would listening to Christ make in you life?
7. Paul has a very different view of the reason for the veil that Moses wore after his encounter with God. What is Paul's understanding—what does the veil represent to him that God removed through Jesus, the Christ? How does Paul describe God (v. 17)? What does Paul say we are to see in one another who have encountered the living God and have a relationship with Christ (v. 18)?
8. According to Paul if we have encountered Christ and been born again, what are we called to do (v. 4:1) and how do we keep going? How are our relationships with other people and ourselves to change (v. 4:2)?
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 3, 2013
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
Luke 4:21-30
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1. How is the relationship between God and Jeremiah represented in verse 5? What might have come to mind for Jeremiah after he heard verse 5—were prophets always welcomed? So, how does Jeremiah respond (v. 7)? What reassurance does God provide Jeremiah (vv. 7-8)?
2. Metaphorically, how does Jeremiah receive God's words (v. 9)? Verse 10 is the theme of the Book of Jeremiah and the mission of Jeremiah. What does it mean to you? Who normally destroyed and built up nations at or during the time of Jeremiah? Can the mere word of God pluck up and pull down, destroy and overthrow, build and plant? Who and what did we remember on January 21st who with the Word of God did exactly what Jeremiah did—who was this prophet?
3. Why would someone write such a poem/song/psalm? Do you think a prophet like Jeremiah or MLK might have said these very verses of Psalm 71?
4. What is your rock or refuge? Where do you turn when you face oppression or difficult times? In what do you place your hope and trust? Do you ever buy a lottery ticket? Why? Do you think winning the lottery would provide you refuge—would all your problems be resolved?
5. From last week, we know Jesus claims his position as Messiah. So, how did the folks in his hometown synagogue respond initially (v. 23)? How do we know that Jesus realizes these people will not accept him (v. 23)? What does a prophet tell people and from whom do the prophet's words originate?
6. How does Jesus go about challenging the listeners (vv. 25-26 & 27)? Do you think the people of Nazareth considered themselves superior to non-Jews? What happens sometimes when people are confronted with the truth they do not want to hear or believe? What did the people of Nazareth seek to do to Jesus? When was the last time you confronted the truth about your true self—the one Christ wants you to know and live out?
7. What is the message throughout the Books of the Bible? Can you think you have everything and yet have nothing? List all the descriptions of love in verses 4-6? How many of these do you believe you have violated just this day so far? By violating some of these descriptions, what does it do to your relationships with God, others, and yourself?
8. Who never gives up on us? Why?
Third Sunday after the Epiphany, January 27, 2013
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
Luke 4:14-21
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
1. In the Book of Nehemiah, the people who had been in captivity in Babylon have returned home and the Temple and the wall around Jerusalem have been rebuilt. Nehemiah was appointed governor over Judea, and Ezra was the chief priest of the Temple. What do the people ask of Ezra (v. 1)? Who is allowed to attend (v. 2)? What transpired (vv. 3, 5-6)?
2. How was the book of the law of God read (v. 8)? Who helped the people understand (v. 9)? What was special about this day (v. 9)? This day is still celebrated in the Jewish religion and is called Rosh Hashanah. If the people were read the law, was do you think the instruction might have been to the people?
3. How is creation described in verses 1-6 of Psalm 19? To whom is glory given by creation (v. 1)? What is considered perfect (v. 7)? What is meant by the law?
4. What does the psalmist endures forever (v. 9)? What is more desirable than gold (v. 10)? What benefit does the knowledge of the law (v. 11)? Does the psalmist believe he is perfect and without temptation (vv. 12-13)? Is there anything but God that has dominion over you?
5. After Jesus was baptized, what happened to him? When Jesus returned to Galilee, with what was he filled (Lk 4:14)? What did Jesus immediately begin to do (v. 15)? What did Jesus do customarily on the Sabbath day (v. 16)?
6. What was Jesus asked to read (v. 17)? Who is described in what Jesus reads? What enables Jesus to say the scripture is fulfilled? What message was Jesus also receiving from the reading? Does fulfillment of the scripture mean everyone who heard what Jesus read would understand or accept what Jesus was saying?
7. What is so radical about what Paul says in v. 13? Does Paul go on to state that everybody is given the same gifts? For what are all these different gifts to be used (1 Cor. 12:7)? How does Paul explain this relationship in verses 20-25?
8. Is anyone in the church supposed to be more important than others? When one part of the body suffers, who else suffers (v. 26)? So if the suffering of one part of the Body of Christ is ignored, what does it do to the entire Body of Christ? If the organized Church in the 21st Century is attracting fewer and fewer people—some might say dying--what might be causing this problem?
Second Sunday after the Epiphany, January 20, 2013
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
John 2:1-11
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
1. Chapter 62 of Isaiah is written to an audience of Jews who have returned from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem. To who is the first verse of chapter 62 addressed and what is the prophet's message? Does this continue the message of hope?
2. Who is to be vindicated and how are they to be described (vv. 2-3)? How had they been described before and why (v. 4)? What kind of relationship will God establish with them and of what/who does it remind you? What form of relationship do you have with God?
3. How would you describe God in your own words? What characteristics of God does the psalmist praise in verse 5-6 of Psalm 36? According to the psalmist, to whom does God over salvation (v. 6c)?
4. When you find yourself in the midst of trouble, in what to you seek refuge—be honest with yourself now? Where do you feast, in what do you drink, and what is your fountain of life? If you have all the material things of the world, but do not have love how do you think life will be for you? Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places?
5. Only in the Gospel of John do we find this miracle, which is said to be the first by Jesus. Why was it a concern of Mary that the wine had run out? What does Mary say to Jesus, and how does Jesus react? Did Mary tell Jesus to perform a miracle? Why was the steward so surprised? How did the disciples react to what Jesus had done?
6. Look at this situation as if it occurred in your life? What happens when something you think is essential runs out? What do you do when bad things begin to happen in your life—you lose your job, you get sick, you lose your apartment? How do you deal with these problems?
7. According to Paul, what were the people of Corinth originally who he was addressing in his first letter (v. 2)? What led them astray? What are the idols that have led you astray during your life? Is Jesus your Lord and how did you come to this conclusion? Do you sometime wander away from Jesus? Why?
8. What are the different gifts described in verses 8-10? Where did these gifts come from? What activates these gifts (11)? Do you know what your gifts may be? For what are these gifts to be used (v. 7)? What happens when they are not used as directed in verse 7?
Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 13, 2013
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22-12
Acts 8:14-17
1. Chapter 43 of Isaiah is written to an audience of Jews who are in captivity in Babylon. What is stated in the first verse that is a message of hope? Why are the captives no longer to be afraid? Will the captives still encounter some difficult times (v. 2)? What might these trials be?
2. How else would the listeners be comforted (vv. 3-4)? Again, what is reiterated in verse 5? Who will God protect (v. 6)? Why else does the prophet say God is going to redeem the Jews (v. 7)? How do we as Christians acknowledge our redemption by God through Christ, and what are the symbols?
3. Psalms are poetry that are often associated with music and sung as hymns. How is God described in Psalm 29? After reading this Psalm, how would you describe God?
4. In Chapter 1 of Genesis, how does God create? Does your life ever resemble the descriptions in Psalm 29—do you ever feel like you are caught up in a thunderstorm or a tornado? Do you think the people of Israel and Judah felt like they were living in a storm? What does the psalmist ask from God (v.11)? What do you ask from God when you are in the midst of your own storm?
5. Who was going about the countryside around the Jordan River proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins? Why were the people filled with expectation and what were they questioning in their hearts (v. 15)? How are they answered and what is implied in regard to a threshing floor?
6. What images do you find in this passage from Luke that remind you of what we read in Chapter 43 of Isaiah? What is missing from the Book of Luke in regard to baptism (v. 21)? Whose voice came from heaven and why?
7. What did the people of Samaria accept (v. 14)? Why were the apostles shocked about what Samaria accepted? What did the apostles do and why? What did Peter and John give the people of Samaria that they had not already received (v. 17)?
8. What does baptism mean to you? Is it a sacred moment or just another unimportant ritual? Are you a prisoner to anything—money, power, alcohol, excess food, etc? Even if you have been baptized, do you feel you have slipped back into enslavement? Do you want to be freed—redeemed? Do you want to remember your baptism?
TRAVIS PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Café Corazon Bible Study
Epiphany Sunday, January 6, 2013
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Matthew 2:1-12
Ephesians 3:1-12
1. Chapter 60 of Isaiah is written to an audience of Jews who have returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. Where did the Jews expect to find God—where would God's light and glory be expected (v. 1)? What does the prophet mean about darkness covering the earth (v. 2)? Who else will be drawn to this light (v. 3)?
2. Who else will come from far away (v. 4)? What will those who come to see bring with them (vv. 5-6)? What else does this passage foreshadow? Who else brought frankincense to the light of the world some 500+ years later?
3. Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, possibly written for the coronation of a king. What did the psalmist ask God to give the king (v. 1) and for the people who the king rules over (v. 3)? And what does the psalmist expect from the king (vv. 2 & 4)? For how long does the psalmist ask for this blessing (vv. 5-7)?
4. What does the psalmist want from foreign kings (vv. 10-11)? After the Romans conquered Judah and Israel, what were the Jews asking from God? What do you think they expected? What does the psalmist request in verses 12-14? Who do you know who answered these prayers in verses 12-14 of Psalm 72?
5. After Jesus was born, who was coming to see the new king of the Jews, and where were they from? Where else have we read about people coming to visit a Jewish king? How did the people seeking a king no where to search? Who did they call on first (v. 2)? How did King Herod react as well as all of Jerusalem? Why? What did Herod do at that time (vv. 4-5)? Where was this king to be born (vv. 5-6)?
6. What did Herod ask of these wise men V. 8)? What do you think Herod really was planning to do? How did these wise men know where to go? When the wise men arrived where they found Mary and Jesus, what did they do? Where have we read that foreshadowed exactly what was happening? When the wise men left, where did they go and why?
7. What does Paul mean when he says he is a prisoner for/or Christ Jesus—what is the purpose of this imprisonment (vv. 1-2)? What mystery is Paul talking about that he now is revealing and to whom? Is Paul upset about this imprisonment?
8. What is the plan that was hidden for ages in God (v. 9)? What is the church Paul is talking about and what duty does the church have according to Paul? Are you part of the church? Are you fulfilling you duty?
Third Sunday of Advent, December 16, 2012
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 12-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Luke3:7-18
Philippians 4:4-18
1. The words of Zephaniah reflect a period of time during the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC) before his reforms were carried out when the people of Judah and Jerusalem were not following God. How are they described in verses 1-2 of Zephaniah 3? Was God pleased? What promise does Zephaniah leave in verses 12-13?
2. What can we assume from reading verses 14-20—why is there to be celebration? Do you think the prophet would have a similar message for San Antonio? Why do we read these passages from Zephaniah at this time of the year? For what do you rejoice?
3. The prophet Isaiah delivers these words many years before King Josiah; he has been warning the people of Judah and Jerusalem to return to God or suffer the consequences because the rulers of Babylon are growing stronger. So, who does Isaiah trust (v. 2)? And who does Isaiah say will also some day give thanks to God (v. 3) and what will be their reaction (v. 4)?
4. What have been the consequences in your life when you turned away from God? Where did you look for help? Who did you trust? Where do you turn today for help and salvation? How do you give thanks for your salvation?
5. What does John the Baptist tell the people they must do in verse 8, and how do they respond? Is a person automatically a Christian just because his/her parents were devoted Christians? What do the crowds ask John in verse 10, and how does John reply in verses 11-14?
6. How are you bearing fruits indicating you have repented from your selfishness? Are you more focused on what people should be giving you rather than on what you might be doing for other people? Do your words and actions proclaim the good new? Who is John talking about baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire? What does John mean using the word fire? If you have been baptized, are you still on fire for Christ? Do you want to recommit your life so that you will be filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit?
7. What does Paul call the members of the early church in Philippi to do (vv.4-5)? What does Paul call them to do at all times (v. 6), and what will be the benefit (v. 7)? Do your heart and mind need to guarded—if so against what?
8. How does Paul say he is able to withstand all his trials and temptations (v.13)? Does Paul mean he can do whatever he wants? What does obedience have to do with verse 13? What is challenging you to keep from being obedient?
Second Sunday of Advent, December 9, 2012
Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 1:68-79
Luke3:1-6
Philippians 1:3-11
1. It is important to understand the context of the Book of Malachi. The people of Israel and Judah have returned from exile in Babylonia and the Temple has been rebuilt, but the priest and the power structure have already begun to be faithless. According to the passage from Malachi, who is coming on behalf of God? Is this passage a warning or a blessing? What will the messenger do to and for the priests?
2. There is a discussion of sacrifices? What form of sacrifice does God desire? As Christians, who do we see might be the messenger? What as Christians do you think is an appropriate sacrifice for God?
3. Who is making the statements in verses 68-79 and why is he so grateful to God? Who is this passage about and what does this person have to do with Jesus?
4. If you heard the messages of Malachi and Zechariah when they were originally made, what kind of savior do you think they were talking about? What do you think the people of Israel and Judah were expecting?
5. Who is going about in the wilderness and what message is he delivering? Who heard a similar message some 600 years before what this messenger is saying? What is the difference between the then and now? Is the message the same or is it a reversal?
6. What are you looking for in your life? Are you expecting someone or something to bring you all the things you dream about? Do you want God in your life? Do you really want healing and freedom? How are you preparing?
7. Who wrote the letter to the Philippians and where was he when writing? Why is the writer thanking God, and what does he desire (vv. 8-11)?
8. Compare the passages from Malachi and Luke to the passage from Philippians? Do you see any common function of the messengers? Have you ever considered whether you might be a messenger? Do your actions show that you are a messenger? What is your message?
First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2012
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-10
Luke 21:25-36
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13Christ the King Sunday, November 25, 2012
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Psalm 132:1-18
John 18:33-37
Revelation 1:4b-8Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, November 18, 2012
1 Samuel 1:4-20
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Mark 13:1-8
Hebrews 10:11-18
1. Who are Elkanah, Peninnah, and Hannah, and what were their relationships? What condition caused Hannah to be so unhappy, and who mocked Hannah? To where does Hannah go to seek help and from whom?
2. What does Hannah do to cause Eli to think she is drunk? What vow does Hannah make to God? Once Eli understands Hannah's problem, how does he treat her? In God's time, what happens?
3. To whom does Hannah give thanks and praise? Who does Hannah recognize as being able to do anything (v. 2), and who does she chastise for arrogance of thinking they are in control?
4. Who seems to be the beneficiary of God's actions in verses 4-8? Who does Hannah say will be protected (v. 9)? When goods things happen to you or you are very successful in some endeavor, to whom do you give thanks? If you gain knowledge and power, does it ever cause you to act arrogantly? If you are successful, how does that change your relationship with God and other people?
5. What does Jesus say about the Temple and surrounding buildings? How might this have been interpreted by people who were afraid of Jesus or conspiring against him? Did the disciples understand what Jesus was saying?
6. What question do the disciples put to Jesus in verse 4? What would you have asked Jesus? Are you always focused on tomorrow? How does Jesus answer the disciples (v.v. 5-6)? What does Jesus' answer have to do with large buildings—what do they often symbolize? Does Jesus ever give a precise timeline? Are you troubled that you cannot know the future?
7. The writer of Hebrews compares human priests to Christ—what are the differences? What did God do that humans could not do?
8. How can you sin against God? How do you sin against other people and yourself? Is some form of sin offering now required for you to be restored? Explain.
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost, November 4, 2012-All Saints Day
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
John 11:32-44
Revelation 21:1-6a
1. Chapters 24-27 of Isaiah were probably added to the Book of Isaiah sometime in the early 500s BC, unlike the rest of the Book of Isaiah which was written between 738 BC and 515 BC. Who will be invited to Mount Zion according to verse 6 and what will be provided—literally and figuratively? What will be destroyed on the mountain by God? What does this mean?
2. What does the prophet say God will do forever (v. 8a)? What might that have meant at that time and how do we understand that passage given subsequent history? Will God's actions be limited (v. 8)? Do you have enough patience to wait on God (v. 9)? Does God have enough patience to wait on you?
3. Since a Psalm is a poem or song, it can have many different meanings depending on context. What is the original context—where is Psalm 24 being recited? What is confessed in verses 1-2? Verses 3-6 could be asked by priests about who might enter—what is being asked? Who is being referred to in verse 7? What questions follow (vv. 8-10) and what is the answer?
4. So, what does Psalm 24 mean to us today? Do we still need to make the same confession—what does that confession mean to you? Instead of ascending a hill of God, what are we seeking? Do we have pure hearts? Are we truly seeking salvation or some other benefit? Who is calling you to lift up your head and heart? Who is the King of glory for you?
5. Here again, we have the opportunity to read a passage of Scripture in its original context and in our own context. What has happened to Lazarus? Who greats Jesus in this passage and how does Jesus react? As Jesus follows Mary, how do some of the people react and what do they say (vv. 35-37)? Why does Martha not want the stone removed, and how does Jesus respond? What happens to Lazarus?
6. Can a person be alive just in her or his body, but dead to the spirit? What are some examples? When a person is dead to the spirit, what does he or she often wrap him/herself up in? If Lazarus was dead but Jesus brought him back to life, how might you describe the now living Lazarus? Is Jesus calling you to come out of your deadness? What are so wrapped up in that you are dead to the spirit? Do you want to be born again?
7. Again, let's read the passage from Revelation in two different contexts. What did John see—was it really happening or did John have a vision? Where is God in this vision, and what will God do (vv. 3-5)?
8. Have you seen God come among humanity? Have you seen people made new—born again? Have you been born again—do you see God dwelling among God's people? Do you want to see God dwelling with you and the rest of humanity? How might you be called to help?
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost, October 28, 2012
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Psalm 34:1-8
Mark 10:46-52
Hebrews 7:23-28
1. After being challenged repeatedly by God, how does Job respond (vv. 1-2)? Is Job humbled or is Job still defiant?
2. What does God do for Job (vv. 10, 12)? Who came to comfort Job and why? What does the end of Job's story tell us about ourselves?
3. What does the psalmist say he will do at all times (v.1)? How does the soul of the psalmist react (v. 2)? What does the psalmist request from God in verse 3?
4. What testimony does the psalmist give to support the faithfulness of God? What can you learn from this psalm—who or what do you seek and why (vv. 4-5)? Where do you take refuge in difficult times and when times are good?
5. What happens when Jesus and a large crowd were leaving Jericho? Who calls out to Jesus? What is the response of many of the crowd? Why do you think people were so ugly to Bartimaeus—who did they think was Jesus?
6. What does Jesus do for Bartimaeus and what is Bart's reaction? What does this experience between Jesus, Bart, and the church of today tell you? Is it possible that people still want to limit the understanding of who Jesus is and who he came to save?
7. Why were the priests of old limited from continuing in office? Who is now described as the high priest who is not limited from continuing in office?
8. What among other things differentiated priests of old to Jesus (v. 26-28)? Do you think Jesus would condone priests, pastors, and members of churches today who want to separate the followers of Christ from one another because of different denominational beliefs?
Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, October 21, 2012
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Mark 10:35-45
Hebrews 5:1-10
1. How is God described in answering Job (v. 1)? Who is being referred to in verse 2, and how is that person described? What does God challenge the person to do in verse 3?
2. In chapter 31, Job challenges God saying at length that he has been faithful to God, giving examples of what Job thinks is righteousness. So how does God respond to Job, especially in verses 4-7? Have you ever felt you knew the exact answer to an issue or problem only to be humbled because you really did not have all the facts or knowledge?
3. Is a psalm to be read literally or metaphorically? How is God described in verses 1-9? Theophany!
4. How would you describe God?
5. What do James and John, sons of Zebedee, ask from Jesus (v. 37)? What do you think might be their motivation? How does Jesus respond and what does Jesus mean (v. 38)? Do you think these two disciples understood what Jesus meant (v. 39)?
6. How did the rest of the disciples react (v. 41)? So, what does Jesus do in response (vv. 42-44)? Have you ever felt called to some form of organized ministry? What was your motivation—were you ready to be a servant to all or were you expecting some form of benefit or glory?
7. According to the writer of Hebrews, what was every high priest in charge of and what were the priest's duties (v. 1)? How is the priest to deal with people and why (vv. 2-3)? Can a person presume he or she should be a priest (v. 4)?
8. If a person does feel she or he is called to be a minister, what can that person expect as did Jesus (v. 8)? Are you willing to be obedient to the point through your suffering you are made more perfect? What do you expect you might need to do in this journey as did Jesus (v. 7)?
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 14, 2012
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Psalm 22:1-15
Mark 10:17-31
Hebrews 4:12-16
1. Have you ever felt you were alone and no one would listen to you? How is Job dealing with the difficult time he has been encountering (vv. 1-2)? What does Job want to do (vv. 3-4)? What do you think Job would want to learn (v. 5)?
2. Does Job express being humble or does he think he can wrestle with God (v.6)? If only he could do what before God (v. 7)? Do you ever feel that way? How does Job describe his relationship with God in verses 16-17? Do you think Job felt alone?
3. What does the psalmist ask in verse 1 of Psalm 22? Who is famous for stating the very first line in a very difficult time? Who do you think the psalmist trusts? How does the psalmist reason with God (vv. 3-5)?
4. How do people react to the psalmist (vv. 6-8, 12-13)? What may have happened to the psalmist and why would people be so ugly? Again, what does the psalmist remind God (vv. 9-11)? Have you ever felt like the psalmist? Where did you turn for help? What happened?
5. Why do you think the young man referred to Jesus as Good Teacher? What did the young man request, and how does Jesus respond?
6. According to Jesus, what makes it so hard for a person to enter into the kingdom of God? Do you understand why? Why does the world seem to judge people by their wealth and power? Do you think it possible for a person with wealth to enter the kingdom of God? Did Jesus promise another family if people would leave their existing families to live out the good news? Where are you on this journey?
7. According to the author of Hebrews, can anything be hidden from God (v. 13)? To what does the author give credit for this power (v. 12)? So, why do we think we can keep secrets from God?
8. Who offers us relief from our burdensome secrets (vv. 14-15)? What should we do to obtain relief and a new life (v. 16)? Are you in a time of need?
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 30, 2012
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Psalm 124
Mark 9:38-50
James 5:13-20
1. What ethnicity was Queen Esther and who were Haman and Mordecai? What request did Queen Esther make of the king? What had Haman plotted to do? What does the King do once he learns he has been misled?
2. What does Mordecai decree that all the Jews should do in the providences of the King? Is this decree still followed today?
3. For what does the psalmist call the people of Israel to give thanks? What might the psalmist have said if the enemies had been successful?
4. Who do you thank when things go well and who do you blame when things do not go well? Do you always get what you pray for? Do you give up on God? Why or why not?
5. How do the disciples react when they see someone casting out demons in the name of Jesus? How does Jesus respond? Why would someone using the name of Jesus to help someone else not subsequently be unable to say anything evil about Jesus? Do you think Jesus would say the same thing about someone trying to sell you something in the name of Jesus?
6. Who are the little ones Jesus speaks about in verse 42? Has anyone ever misled you or otherwise kept you away from Jesus? Have you ever misled or kept someone away from Jesus? What does Jesus say should happen if a person causes you to stumble or sin? Did Jesus mean this literally? What did Jesus mean to have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another?
7. What does James say for a person who is suffering? And what about people who are cheerful? And what about people who are sick? In all three of these situations, who is at the center? If you are ill, does that mean you have sinned? Can remorse, guilt, anger, or desire for revenge make you sick? How do we go about being healed (v. 16)?
8. Why does James say that anyone who brings a person back to Christ will cover a multitude of sins? Is that why we offer Christ to all, to cover our own separateness for Jesus and one another? Were you grateful and loving to the person(s) who helped on your journey to Christ or who forgave you for the harm you caused another person?
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 23, 2012
Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1
Mark 9:30-37
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
1. Chapter 31 of proverbs consists of two poems (vv. 1-9 & 10-31) supposedly containing a queen mother's instructions to her son. Last week, wisdom was personified in what gender? In this Proverb does the word "wisdom" appear in our English translations except in verse 26? Could the reference to the good wife also be to wisdom?
2. What is so unusual about this Proverb--look at verse 15-16? What does the husband do (v. 27)? Is the wife described as selfish or greedy? Do you think this wife was typical of wives in Israel around 333BC? Why is this woman to be praised (v. 30)?
3. Who does the psalmist say will be happy or blessed (v. 1)? What do those who are blessed delight in and what do they do? When was the last time you thought about the commandments Jesus gave us before you made a decision? Why might that meditation be important for your life and the lives of others?
4. If a person lives out a life in relationship with God and neighbor, what does the psalmist say will happen to that person (v. 4)? What does prosper mean? But if a person is self-centered or otherwise ungodly (wicked), how does that person experience life? How do you want to live? How are you living?
5. What does Jesus say will happen to him (v. 31)? Was this the first time Jesus had said this to them (8:31)? How did the disciples react this time? Does following Jesus make you more important than someone who does not follow Jesus?
6. So a few days later, what seems to be more important to the disciples (v. 34)? How does Jesus respond in verse 35 and how does Jesus make his point in verse 36-37? What does a little child exemplify in the range of power? Are you more concerned about your own desires than helping others?
7. According to James, how is a person who is wise and understanding to live (v. 13)? If on the other hand a person is envious and selfish, what very well may occur (vv.15-16)? Have you ever wondered whether your dream, vision, or subconscious is a communication from God or just your own ego? Reread verses 3:17-18 and try to answer the preceding question.
8. Do you get everything you ask for from God? What does James say about why we don't get what we ask for from God (v. 4:3)? So, what direction does James give us (vv. 4:7-8)? Are you ready to do as James recommends?
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 16, 2012
Proverbs 1:20-33
Psalm 19
Mark 8:27-38
James 3:1-12
1. In what gender is wisdom personified? The word "wisdom" means knowledge of what is good and true. How may a person gain wisdom? Simple ones mean people who are foolish. So, what has wisdom been offering to people (vv. 23-24)? And how did people react (v. 25)? What does wisdom say will happen to people who ignore knowledge of what is good and true (vv. 27)? What are some examples in your life when you or someone has ignored wisdom?
2. What do people do when they are in a bind and don't know what to do (v.28)? If a person ignores God and God's loving commandments, what may be the consequences (v. 31-33)? Does wisdom say God will punish or will people merely suffer the consequences of their own actions? If you have a choice between life and death, which will you select?
3. What is the psalmist talking about in verses 1-4 of Psalm 19? How is the sun described in verse 5 and how does that definition related to verse 6? Can we hide anything from God? So, what is perfect (v. 7)?
4. What is the definition of wisdom? So, according to the psalmist and your own experience, where do you gain this wisdom? Why is this wisdom so important (vv. 10-11)? What does the psalmist say may cause a person to ignore God's wisdom (v. 13)? Again, a person has a choice—life or death—which do you select?
5. In the ministry of Jesus as related in the past chapters of Mark, what was Jesus doing throughout the towns and countryside? So what does Jesus ask the disciples in the reading from today from Mark? How do the disciples respond and what does Jesus tell not to do at least at this point in time? Why? What does Jesus go on to teach the disciples? What does Peter do and how does Jesus respond? Why do you think Jesus responded so vehemently?
6. What does Jesus say a person must do to become a follower (vv. 34-35)? Who is Jesus for you? Do you want to know who Jesus is? Are you ashamed of loving God and neighbor? Do you want to know the love of God?
7. From where does a person gain wisdom? Do you have perfect wisdom? If not perfected in wisdom, what might happen to what you say? What do we have that is so powerful we can spread good news and yet destroy others?
8. How will you go about monitoring what comes out of your mouth or you otherwise communicate to others? Are you a spring that furnishes both good water and nasty water? Do you want to follow Jesus? What steps do you need to take?
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 26, 2012
1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43
Psalm 84
John 6:35, 56-69
Ephesians 6:10-20
1. The passage from 1 Kings begins with Solomon assembling all the leaders of Israel to the dedication of the Temple that Solomon has built for God. What did the priests bring into the inner sanctuary of the Temple and why would that be so important? What happened as the priests came out of the holy place?
2. In his dedication prayer, how does Solomon describe God (vv. 23-24)? What covenant does Solomon pray that God would fulfill? Where does Solomon expect God to dwell (v. 27)? Instead, for what does Solomon pray (v.29)? How are the people of Israel to pray (v. 30)? What foreigners does Solomon also pray God will hear and answer (v. 41) and why (v. 43)?
3. What does verse 1 of Psalm 84 seem to infer about the location of God? Does that conflict with the statements of Solomon? What was a goal of all Israelites in regard to the Temple? Do people live in the Temple or is there another meaning to verse 4? Why do you attend worship?
4. From what to you receive strength to keep going even in tough times, especially when your soul is dry (vv. 5-6)? Who does the psalmist call the people to trust (v. 9, 12)? What does the psalmist mean in verse 10—is the psalmist really talking about where you live? According to the psalmist, from whom does God not withhold goodness (v. 11)?
5. For the third week, how does Jesus describe himself and what does Jesus call his followers to do? How did some of the disciples react (v. 60)? What is Jesus foreshadowing in verse 62? Does Jesus really mean flesh is no good—didn't Jesus tell the disciples to eat his flesh? So, how were the disciples and us to understand verse 63?
6. Who does Jesus say who may believe and come to him (v. 65)? After hearing all this, what did most of the early followers of Jesus do (v. 66)? What does Jesus ask of the 12 who remain (v. 67)? How does Peter respond and why is it so ironic (v. 69)? What were the disciples missing still?
7. What do you struggle with the most in your life? What does Paul say we struggle against (v. 12)? What does Paul call us to do (v. 13)? When will the evil day occur (v. 13)?
8. Even if we have this armor, what are we to do at all times (v. 18)? What does this instruction in verse 18 really mean to you? What excuse do you raise to not do what Paul says we must do in verse 18?
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 19, 2012
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-15a
Psalm 111
John 6:51-58
Ephesians 5:15-20
1. How long had David reigned over Israel when he died? Who was Solomon? What evidence does the passage reveal that Solomon loved God (vv. 3:3-4)? Who appeared in a dream to Solomon and what was asked of Solomon? How does Solomon respond in verses 5-6?
2. How do we know that Solomon wishes to continue with God the covenant God made with David (v. 7)? What does Solomon request from God and how does God respond? What statement by God foreshadows the problems Solomon will encounter? What request do you have for God?
3. How will the psalmist praise God (v. 1)? For what does the psalmist give thanks (vv. 2-3)? What does the psalmist mean by God's works? Why are God's deeds to be remembered and to what deeds might the psalmist be referring (v. 4)?
4. How does the psalmist emphasize the faithfulness of God (v. 5)? For what does the psalmist specifically praise God in verse 6b? Does the psalmist believe God's laws are important and to be followed (vv. 7-8)? So, did the people follow all of God's laws? What is the psalmist remembering in verse 9? What does the psalmist say is the beginning of wisdom (v. 10a)? Where did Solomon turn for wisdom? Where do you turn for wisdom?
5. Are we to read the passage from John literally or figuratively? Do you think the people hearing Jesus make these statement understood what Jesus was saying? What did Jesus subsequently tell his immediate followers to do at his final Passover meal? Why?
6. When you take Holy Communion what do you remember? Will you live forever merely because you take Holy Communion?
7. According to Paul how are we as Christians to live (v. 15)? Do you think of yourself as wise? How do you show that wisdom? What are we to do with our time and why according to Paul (v.16-18)? Has any generation not found evil during their years?
8. What is the will of God? Are you living in such a way to follow God's will? Explain how you live out God's will and how you do not live out God's will?
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 5, 2012
Consequences of the Misuse of Power
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a
Psalm 51:1-12
John 6:24-35
Ephesians 4:1-16
1. After Bathsheba learned of the death of Uriah, what did she do and what did David do (vv. 11:26-27)? Who was displeased with David and who was sent to charge David with his offense? How was the charge brought against David—direct challenge or indirect (vv. 12:1-4)? Explain! How did David react (vv. 5-6)?
2. Why was God dismayed at David's actions (vv. 7-9)? What consequences will befall David because of his actions (vv. 10-11)? What is the meaning of verse 12? Who does David blame for what he did (v. 13a)? Who do you blame when you know you have gone against God's love?
3. What form of Psalm is 51? Who is given credit for Psalm 51? What does the psalmist request in verses 1-2? Does the psalmist deny his actions or the affect of his actions in regard to God? Does the psalmist blame anyone else or try to justify his actions?
4. What does the psalmist say God desires (v. 6)? How does the psalmist want to be healed? What does the psalmist mean about a "secret heart (v. 6b)?" With whom does the psalmist want a relationship? With whom are you seeking a relationship?
5. Who went to Capernaum looking for Jesus and why according to Jesus (vv. 25-26)? What was the question the people ask of Jesus (v. 25)? How does Jesus answer? What does Jesus say people should work for (v. 27)? Does that mean no one should earn a living to purchase food?
6. What questions do the people ask that shows they do not understand who Jesus is despite being fed previously (v. 30)? What do the people ask for in verse 34 showing they still do not understand? How does Jesus respond? What sign are you seeking from Jesus? What are you seeking from Jesus?
7. How does Paul call the church in Ephesus to live (vv. 1-3)? Contrast what Paul says to how David acted in regard to Bathsheba and Uriah? How can misuse of power contradict what Paul suggests?
8. What does Paul say is given to each of the members of the body of Christ (v. 7)? Do the members of the church all receive the same gifts (vv. 11-12)? How are we to use these gifts (v. 13)? Instead, how does Paul imply the members of the early church in Ephesus were acting? How about the church universal today? How are you using your gift of grace? Are you focused on your gift or on the gift of someone else?
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 29 2012
Power: Good, Bad & Ugly
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
John 6:1-21
Ephesians 3:14-21
1. What time of year is it in the passage from 2 Samuel? Where is David who is king? What does this tell you about what power has already done to David? Who does David spy from the roof of his house and what does he do with his power. What commandment does David violate and what law does he also violate? What has power done to David?
2. What happens when you cover up a lie with another lie? What steps does David take in regard to Uriah to cover up his arrogant use of his power? What commandment(s) does David violate?
3. Why does the psalmist call people fools (v. 1)? How does the psalmist describe what he believes God does in verse 2? And what does the psalmist say God finds (v.3)? Humanity has the power to seek what?
4. What does the psalmist imply a person will do if he/she has no knowledge of God or knowing God fail to call on God for direction? If a person chooses to take power in his/her hands, will they be filled with happiness or fear according to the psalmist (v. 5)? Who has the power to save the people according to the psalmist (v. 7)? Are you seeking God or your own self-centered pleasures?
5. Why did large crowds follow Jesus (v. 2)? What question does Jesus ask of Philip and how does Philip respond? Do you think Philip understood the power of Jesus? What does Jesus then do and how are so many people fed? Who do the people believe Jesus to be in verse 14 and what do they want to do with Jesus (v. 15)? How does Jesus react to this temptation of power?
6. What do Jesus and the disciples do to avoid the crowd? How did Jesus cross the sea? How did the disciples react to this power of Jesus? Does Jesus flaunt his power with the disciples or try to teach them anything? Instead, what does Jesus offer his disciples?
7. In the passage from Ephesians, Paul specifically talks about power. What power does Paul pray for in verses 16-17? What is to be the basis of this power as stated at the end of verse 17? What additional power does Paul then request in verse 18-19?
8. What power does Paul invoke in verse 20? Do you think that same power is at work in you? Are you open to receiving this power or are you to full of yourself to even listen? What do you think might happen to you if you were filled with what Paul is requesting for all of us?
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 22, 2012
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Psalm 89:20-37
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Ephesians 2:11-22
1. What can assumptions do for or to us? What does David assume? From whom does David seek assurance that David's assumptions are correct?
2. In effect, doesn't God respond –why didn't you ask me (v. 5)? What promises does God make to David (vv. 9-10)? What assumptions do you have about your relationship with God? When was the last time you asked God for direction before you acted on your assumptions?
4. What does the psalmist write will happen if David's descendants violate God's statutes (v. 31)? What happened to David once he committed adultery and caused the death of a loyal servant? Did God punish David or did David suffer the consequences of a bad decision? When you exercise poor judgment, who do you blame?
5. These two readings from Mark illustrate what about Jesus? What assumptions do you think people already had about Jesus?
6. What assumptions do you have about Jesus? Would you recognize Jesus? What would keep you from recognizing Jesus? Do you think people make assumptions about you? Are these assumptions correct?
7. What two groups of people is Paul talking about in verses 11-12? If Jesus said he came to fulfill the law not abolish it, what does Paul mean in verse 15—do you think Paul was instead talking about the law generated by Israelites to differentiate themselves from Gentiles?
8. If Christ came to bring about reconciliation among all people, why do we continue to find ways to differentiate ourselves from one another and bring about dissention? With whom do you need to be reconciled? Look deep into your heart, who of God's children do you assume God does not care about because they are different from you?
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 15, 2012
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
Psalm 24
Mark 6:14-29
Ephesians 1:3-14
1. What was the significance of the ark of God that David went to retrieve? Why did David have to retrieve it to begin with? What were David and all the people of Israel doing in advance of the procession of the ark and why?
2. The verses between these two passages from 2 Samuel 6 reveal how one of the men who was not ritually killed was killed when he touched the arc as he tried to steady it on the cart during the procession. So, David was afraid and left the arc at the house of Obed-edom. So, in the second passage from 2 Samuel, David has decided to finish the move of the arc to Jerusalem. Again, what does David do as the arc processed? Who was offended by the actions of David and why? Where did David finally deposit the arc and what did the people of Israel do when the arc was installed in it new location?
3. Where was this Psalm probably sung and why? In verses 1-2, who is acknowledged as being in control and power? Who or what is in control of your life?
4. What qualifications does the priest establish for entrance of people into the Temple (vv. 3-6)? What does it mean to have clean hands and a pure heart? How clean are your hands and how pure is your heart? Who wants to come into your heart to wash you clean? Do you want to be cleaned or do you want to think you are in control?
5. In verses 14-16, we read of Herod's reaction to Jesus and his disciples. Who does Herod believe may be Jesus and why is what he says foreshadowing of what will happen to Jesus (v. 16)?
6. In verses 17-29, we read the background story the preceded Herod's conclusion in verse 16? What kind of relationship did Herod have with John the Baptist? Why did Herod agree to have John the Baptist beheaded? What shows the weakness of Herod as a leader? How would a leader who follows Christ serve the people who are lead?
7. What does Paul say was destined for the people in Ephesus and by implication all of us outside Israel (v. 5)? Why did God do this (v. 6)? How did God demonstrate God's love for us (v. 7)? What would you do to restore a relationship with a child who has become alienated from you?
8. Paul says God has made know to us the mystery of God's will. What then is God's will for us? Does this plan have a date of completion that we know (v. 10)? If we have been adopted by God through Christ, what is our inheritance? Are you living in freedom or are you in a prison of mistaken priorities and selfishness? Do you want to be redeemed?
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 8, 2012
POWER
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
Psalm 48
Mark 6:1-13
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
1. We skip forward four chapters of 2 Samuel. In Chapter 2 David is mad king of Judah by his own tribe. After that David as king of Judah is in constant warfare with the followers of Saul who has remained king of Israel. In the reading from chapter 5, who comes to David in Hebron, the seat of power in Judah? What do they want from David and why is it somewhat bitter-sweet?
2. In verses 6-8 of 2 Samuel 5, David and his army conquer the city of Jerusalem. What name does David give to the city? How many years did David rule as king of the two countries?
3. The Korahites were a group of temple singers who are reputed to have collected and translated a number of psalms. What do you think the psalmist and the people were praising that God had done for them? What will provide the sure defense (v.3, 12-13)?
4. Why did kings of other nations flee in panic (vv.4-8)? What do the people ponder and where (v. 9)? Did the Temple last forever—was it ever destroyed? How about Jerusalem? What physical matter makes you think you are indestructible? How did the United States react from Pearl Harbor and the fall of the twin towers? In what do you put your trust?
5. Where do we find Jesus at the beginning of Mark 6? What did he start doing on the Sabbath and who initially was astounded? Why were they questioning what Jesus was doing? Do people today fear others who have knowledge? Except for a few healings, why was Jesus unable to do any other deeds of power? How difficult is it for you to recognize gifts of another person? Do our prior actions in life sometimes prevent people from seeing the good in us? Why?
6. Jesus sends the disciples out in twos—why twos? Why do you think Jesus told the disciples to take nothing on their journey except a staff? Why not move from house to house? What were the disciples to do if not welcomed nor listened to in a village? What do you do when you are not welcomed somewhere—do you let anger take over? Why?
7. Who is Paul talking about in verses 2-4? Was Paul transported somewhere by this event? Was Paul changed by this event? Paul says he was about to become too elated—what might this have led Paul to do? Instead, what does Paul say God did to him?
8. When things are going so well for you how do you relate to other people? Can success get to your head and make you think you are in charge or better than others? What keeps you humble? Do you blame God for your problems or do you give thanks to God for keeping you humble? What does Paul say is sufficient for us and how do we learn to grow in Christ instead of ourselves?
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 1, 2012
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
Mark 5:21-43
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
1. Much has passed since the reading of last week, when David defeated Goliath. Saul has done everything he can to kill David, yet David has spared Saul's life two times; David and Saul's son, Jonathan, became close friends, and finally Saul and all the sons of Saul have been killed in battles. What is a lament? For whom is David grieving and why?
2. If Saul had tried to kill David, why does David lament Saul's death? Who is the subject of verse 19? Why didn't David want other surrounding countries to know of Saul's death (v. 20)? What weapons of war have perished (v. 27)? What did David call the army of Israel? Who does David believe is insulted by the death of Saul and his sons? Why?
3. Who does the psalmist call on for help? Why does the psalmist say God has no reason to listen to the cry for help (v. 3)? But why does the psalmist believe God will nevertheless listen and maybe intervene (v. 4)? Why do you think God puts up with humanity?
4. How are you on patience? If you ask God for help, do you expect that help immediately? Why? What does the psalmist say about waiting (vv.5-6)? Why does the psalmist say people should be patient (v. 7)? Do you want to be redeemed? What would freedom from your problems mean for you? Would you ever have other problems?
5. The passage from Mark contains a healing story within a healing story. As Jesus was walking in a crowd who seeks healing from Jesus and why is the action of this person so controversial? How does Jesus know someone has been healed by him? How do the disciples react when Jesus asks who? If you are not healed of a physical affliction, does that mean you do not have enough faith?
6. What is the irony of the beginning of the first healing—who is desperate (v. 22)? Does Jesus say anything about faith in regard to the healing of the little girl? What does Jesus tell the people not to do after healing the little girl? Why? Does he issue the same instructions about the old woman? So, why the difference?
7. In what does Paul call the early church in Corinth to excel and why (vv 7-8)? What eagerness is Paul talking about in the passage from 2 Corinthians? What does verse 12 mean—if eagerness is there the gift is acceptable according to what one has--not what a person does not have?
8. Paul sets forth a standard by which this early church is to live—and us too in verses 13-14. Does Paul call us to not work and depend on others? Does Paul say we are to share to the extent we become needy? Where is the balance?
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, June 24, 2012
1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49
Psalm 9:9-20
Mark 4:35-41
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
1. Who had gathered to war against the people of Israel? Who was the primary warrior of these opponents and how is he described? How did Saul and the soldiers of Israel react (v. 11)? How would you have reacted if you had been there? Where were David's brothers? When David arrived, who did he see (vv. 22-23)?
2. How does David react to the challenge of Goliath and the fear of the Israelites (v. 32)? How did Saul react and why? Why do you think David felt he could prevail against Goliath (vv. 34-37)? What further assurance does David carry with him (v. 45)? What had David received from Samuel that would give him form of assurance? How does David say he will prevail (v. 47)?
3. What is a Psalm? In the verses from Psalm 9, who does the psalmist say will find hope in God (v. 9, 18)? Do you feel oppressed or needy? Oppressed by what—needy for what? What does the psalmist call the followers of God to do (v. 10)? Are you seeking a relationship with God or merely someone to pull you out of the ditch?
4. What does the psalmist say about the people and nations who forget God (v. 17)? Who do you turn to when your life seems to be sinking into the pit? Who do you turn to when you think you are on top of the world and everything is going your way? Who or what is going to prevail in your life (v. 19)? What are you afraid of??
5. Where does Jesus invite the disciples to go and why would this possibly be a challenge to the disciples? So what happens when they are on the way, and how do the disciples react? Where was Jesus and how do the disciples react (v. 38)? What words does Jesus speak and what questions does he ask the disciples (39-40)?
6. Where are you in this story? Are you involved in a journey that causes you to be afraid? Would you even admit to others or yourself that you are afraid? Where do you find help to keep going? Instead of finding help do you ever find yourself in even deeper problems and greater fear? Do you think the deepening fear might be caused by your misplaced trust in something that does not provide peace?
7. Who in the passage from 2 Corinthians has become the hands and feet of Jesus? Why? Have they encountered any problems (vv. 4-5)? So what keeps them going—do you think they are afraid (vv. 6-7)?
8. What are Paul and his disciples attempting to build with the early congregation in Corinth? What keeps you from a relationship with God—of what are you afraid? What or who are you seeking?
Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 17, 2012—New Creation
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
Mark 4:26-34
2 Corinthians 5:6-17
1. Who selected Saul to be king of Israel and who rejected Saul as king? Who was grieved by God's decision? What does God tell Samuel to do? What does God instruct Samuel to do to assure protection for Samuel? Why would the elders of Bethlehem fear Samuel (v. 16:4)?
2. What does Samuel learn from God as he reviews all the sons of Jesse (v. 16:7)? How often do you judge a person from outward appearance? How often are you judged from outward appearance? Is there a difference between your outward appearance and your true self? What made David a new creation (v. 16:13)?
3. Psalm 20 is a prayer for victory for the king and/or the king's army. Who does the psalmist say the people should call on for help? How would you interpret the request in verse 4 that God grant "you your heart's desire" given the theme of the psalm? Who is the anointed in the psalm (v. 6)?
4. Look again at verse 7; if your version says "take pride", consider substituting the wither "trust" of "remember." How does that change the meaning of the verse? What do your actions demonstrate that you trust? If you think of yourself as a new creation, in what do you trust? How do you remain as a new creation?
5. Why would Jesus use stories about something growing as a means of describing the kingdom of God? What does new creation have to do with the kingdom of God?
6. If the kingdom of God is like grain growing in the field, what does the harvest mean? Would a farmer harvest a rotten or dead crop? Are you ready for the harvest? Are you ready to offer life to others? Are you living a new creation?
7. Reread verses 6-9 of 2 Corinthians 5. Do you read these verses to mean that life in our bodies separates us from God? Reread verse 15? How do you explain living to yourself verses living to Christ?
8. How do you know someone is living in Christ? Reread verse 17. What old in you still needs to pass away? Do you want to be or remain a new creation? What is required? Are you ready?
Second Sunday after Pentecost, June 10, 2012
1 Samuel 8:4-20
Psalm 138
Mark 3:20-35
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
1. Why do the elders approach Samuel—what do they want him to do for them? How does Samuel react? To whom does Samuel voice his concern (v. 6-7? Who is really being rejected (v. 7)? What guidance does Samuel receive from God (v. 9)?
2. What does Samuel report in verses 10-17)? Does it sound like the people are gaining freedom or losing freedom? Why else do the people demand a king (v. 20)? What freedoms have you given up just so you can be like someone else? Of what do you live in fear and are not willing to face?
3. If the psalmist is David, to whom does he give thanks and why? Before whom does David sing God's praise (v. 1b)? What other gods exist in your life?
4. When did God help the psalmist (v. 3)? Why will all the kings of the earth praise God (v. 4)? Whose love endures forever (v. 8b)? Why do we take God's love for granted and not always show love in response to God and others?
5. After Jesus appointed the twelve apostles, where did he go (v. 19b)? Why were people gathering to see Jesus, and how did Jesus' family react? What did the people believe to be in control of Jesus? What made Jesus so upset-what had the people called unclean (v. 30)?
6. How do you think Mary felt when did not answer or obey her? Who does Jesus say are his siblings and mother? What is the will of God?
7. Have you ever felt in the presence of Jesus? What did the people of the early church in Corinth have that gave them strength to persevere (v. 13)? In what do you trust?
8. If you do not trust in someone, what kind of relationship do you have? Do you ever wonder if Jesus would have trust in you? Is there something missing in your life—something you can always trust?
Trinity Sunday, June 3, 2012
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
1. The writer of Isaiah gives us a reference point by stating the year of death of King Uzziah, which was probably 738BC. Where was Isaiah in this passage? What does Isaiah see and what is his response to what he sees (v. 5)? Why is Isaiah so scared?
2. What might be the meaning of unclean lips and the meaning of the burning coal? Is all of this to be read literally or metaphorically? Why would God allow the seraph to cleanse the lips of Isaiah? What does Isaiah volunteer to do? What happens to us when we truly accept the Word of God?
3. What does the psalmist call everyone to do in verses 2-3? What force of weather is being described in verses 3-9? What is being described as the voice of the Lord? When was the last time you were in the midst of a thunderstorm? What were your thoughts?
4. Does the psalmist reflect that God is all powerful and will be with us forever (vv. 10-11)? If God is forever, what are we in time? Why do we not rely more on God for guidance?
5. What does it mean to you to live according to the flesh? If you live only to the flesh, what will be the result (v. 13)? What might Paul mean by "deeds of the body"? How can a person put to death the deeds of the body? What happens when we commit our lives to Christ and are baptized?
6. What does Paul mean by "spirit of slavery"? Are you a slave to anything—be truthful with yourself? If you are born again, what do you receive (v. 15) and what does it call you to desire? What does it mean that we are joint heirs? Why must we suffer—isn't grace free?
7. How does Nicodemus approach Jesus and why? Why does Nicodemus believe Jesus has come from God (v. 2)? How does Jesus respond to Nicodemus about his relationship with God? Why is Nicodemus so perplexed—is this an example of hearing the word of God literally instead of figuratively?
8. How does Jesus challenge Nicodemus to begin thinking in verses 11-12? Do you have difficulty believing in Jesus Christ—why? What can you learn from Nicodemus? Why did God decide to live among us through Jesus Christ (vv. 16-17)? What does it mean to you to be saved?
Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012-Mystery of God
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
John 15:26-16:15
Acts 2:1-21
Romans 8:22-27
1. To whom does the psalmist credit all creation? What verses reinforce the understanding of Deuteronomic law-do good, get good do bad, get bad?
2. Where is the mystery in this passage? How does God create? What verse seems to indicate that the psalmist is not quite sure about the permanence of God? Do you think the psalmist is wrestling with the mystery of God? How about you?
3. What are other names for the Advocate and what function will the Advocate fulfill (vv.26-27)? What does Jesus say will happen to the disciples and why (vv. 2-4)? Why does Jesus tell them this now (v. 4)?
4. Why did Jesus not tell them all this information while the disciples were with Jesus (v. 4b)? If you want to learn how to do something and the instructor always does it for you, when will you learn? What will happen when Jesus departs (v. 7)? What is so mysterious about the Advocate? Why couldn't Jesus tell the disciples everything before he ascended?
5. What promise of Jesus is fulfilled in the passage from Acts? Describe what you read in verses 2-3? What happened to the disciples and what could they do that they had never been able to do before (v. 4)? How can this be explained scientifically? Who was in the presence of the disciples to confirm the experience (vv. 5-12)? Could they explain what was happening?
6. What does Peter do in response? What was Peter's profession? How was Peter able to respond so well and even to recite passages of Scripture? Do you fully understand the mystery of God? What is the difference in Peter after his receipt of the Holy Spirit? Of what are you full?
7. For what was the whole creation groaning? When do we first become adopted in the Body of Christ? Do we quit groaning for something more once we are adopted?
8. Look deep into your heart and ask yourself what you hope for the most? Is your hoping driven by your lizard brain or by the mystery of the Holy Spirit? Even if our lizard brain is still in control to some extent, what is interceding on our behalf? Why? Romans 8:22-27
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 13, 2012
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
John 15:9-17
1 John 5:1-6
1. The passage we read from Acts follows Peter's encounter with an angel and then Cornelius, a Roman centurion. During these encounters, Peter has learned that Jesus is the savior for everyone. What happens while Peter is explaining Jesus and the Holy Spirit to Cornelius and all who have gathered? Who was with Peter who were astounded at what happened? Why? What evidence did they perceive that led them to believe gentiles were welcomed by Christ?
2. What does Peter order be done for these new believers? Does this passage say anything about excluding anyone from being baptized? What then seems to be the criterion for acceptance?
3. Why is the psalmist praising God (vv.1-2)? What reason does the psalmist give for God's action (v. 3)? Do you really believe God has to remember something or do we attempt to understand God through our human terms?
4. Does the psalmist exclude anyone or anything from praising God? What is a psalm? Is all of it to be understood literally? Why do you think the psalmist was saying we should sing a new song to God? Do you need to be singing a new song to God by word, thought, and deed?
5. What does abide mean as written in the verses from the reading from the Gospel of John (v. 9)? How does Jesus say we can abide in him (10)? Why does Jesus tell this to the disciples (v. 11)?
6. So what is this new commandment that Jesus gives us (v. 12)? Why do you think he changed the commandment? How does a person go about loving his brothers and sisters? Do you have to physically die or can it also be about dieing to being selfish and self-centered? Do you consider Jesus your friend—why or why not?
7. What does it mean to say that you believe that Jesus is the Christ? What does it mean that if you so believe you are born of God? How do we know we love the children of God (v. 2)? How do we show our love of God?
8. What is the victory that conquers the world (v. 4b)? How does a person obtain what is required for victory? What testifies to the truth? Are you a part of the victory? Are you filled with the Spirit? Do you want to be filled with the Spirit? If so, what must you do?
Third Sunday of Easter, April 22, 2012
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
Luke 24:36b-49
1 John 3:1-7
1. In the passages of Chapter 3 preceding verses 12-19, Peter had healed a crippled person. According to Peter, how do the people react to this healing (v. 12)? What mistake does Peter call to the attention of the listeners (vv. 13-14)? To whom does Peter give credit (v. 16)? Who had the faith?
2. Does Peter hold the death of Christ against the people who are listening to him (v. 17)? According to Peter, what had to be fulfilled (v. 18)? So, what does Peter call the people to do and why (v. 19)? Why can't all of us who believe in Christ bring healing to people? Does that mean we do not have enough faith?
3. To whom does the psalmist reach out for help—who does the psalmist trust (v.1)? How does the psalmist describe his adversaries (v. 2)? Who does the psalmist align himself with (v.3)? What advice does the psalmist have for people who don't think they need God (v. 4-5)?
4. How does the psalmist describe people who trust in God (vv. 6-8)? Who did Peter trust in from the passage from Acts? Who do you trust in? Do your thoughts, words, and actions demonstrate who you trust?
5. Last Sunday, we studied John 20:19-31, as Jesus appears to the disciples in their locked rooms and breathes the Holy Spirit upon them? What common words does Jesus begin with in each Gospel (v. 36b)? In John, only Thomas voiced disbelief, but in Luke who else was doubtful (v. 38, 41)? What does Jesus do to persuade the disciples he is not a ghost (vv. 39-43)?
6. What does Jesus do so that the disciples might understand (44-46)? What does Jesus say is to be proclaimed in all the nations (v. 47)? What does Jesus say the disciples are to do at this time (v.49)? What does Jesus to as reported in John that is not reported in Luke but is reported in Acts? How would you have responded if you had been one of the disciples? What would it take for you to have faith?
7. What does God's love make all of us (v. 1)? According to the author of 1 John, why do people not understand these early believers (v.1)? Why do people not always hold people in high regard who call themselves Christians? Why does John say these believers still do not know what they will be? How does a person become able to see Jesus (v.6)?
8. What does it mean to abide in Jesus? Can a person sin if he/she is abiding in Jesus? What does it mean to do right? Do you want to be healed? Do you want greater faith? Do you expect it overnight? In what are you abiding?
Second Sunday of Easter, April 15, 2012
Living in Peace & Unity—the Kingdom of God
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
John 20:19-31
1 John 1:1-2:2
1. Some time after Jesus resurrection and when Peter was active in preaching in Jerusalem, what group gathered together (v. 32)? What was unusual about this group as it related to material objects? Who among them was in need (v. 34)? Why? What was upon all the apostles?
2. What did some of the believers who had wealth do with their property (v. 34)? Why would they do this—was someone making them? What would the Kingdom of God on earth be like? How might some people today refer to these early believers?
3. What does the psalmist describe as good and pleasant? How does the psalmist emphasize how wonderful unity is within the family?
4. What might cause families not to live together in unity (Gen 13:6, 36:7)? Will wealth guarantee you will be happy? How did the early church remain united (Acts 4:32-35)? If happiness means living in a good relationship with others, why do we become unhappy?
5. In the reading from the Gospel of John, what day of the week was it and where were the disciples (v. 19a)? Why were the disciples all together (v. 19b)? What is the opposite of fear? What does Jesus immediately offer the disciples (v. 19c)? What do the disciples receive and how are they to relate to sin?
6. Why did Thomas not believe the other disciples about the appearance of Jesus (v. 24)? Why was it so hard for Thomas to believe (v. 25)? Why is it so hard for us to believe in the resurrected Christ? What did Thomas in effect pray for that we too pray for in regard to faith? How does Jesus greet Thomas (v. 26)? Are you afraid to admit you want to encounter Christ?
7. What are the authors of the first letter of John declaring to the readers/listeners? Why (vv. 3 & 4)?
What is the message in verse 5? Are verses 5-7 to be read literally? So what is meant by walking in light versus walking in darkness?
8. Do you think you have no sin? What does that make you if you think you have no sin (v. 8)? How do we go about letting go of the sin and who will forgive us? What happens if you do not forgive yourself? Do you want to live in the Kingdom of God—how will you begin?
Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
John 20:1-18
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
1. This passage occurs after Peter has been called to take the Good News to the Roman centurion. Based on this experience, what has Peter learned (v. 34)? What two conditions does Peter state that makes a person acceptable to God? How is Peter still confusing Jewish law with grace (v. 35)?
2. What message was sent by God through Jesus (v. 36)? What evidence of the power of God through Jesus does Peter tell us (vv. 38-40)? How does Peter reinforce that Jesus is the Messiah (vv. 40-41)? Are you ready to accept the peace of Christ, and if so what might that do to your life?
3. Who does the psalmist say will be happy and why? What does it mean to walk in the law? What did Jesus say about his role with the law (Matthew 5:17)?
4. What commandments did Jesus give us? Do the commandments override grace or do the commandments provide us guidance about what it means to live in peace and grace? What does it mean to live obediently to Christ?
5. In the Gospel of John who is reported to be the first to return to the tomb of Jesus (v.1)? What did this person do and who responded quickly (vv. 24)? Who entered the tomb and what did they find (vv. 6-8)? What is the significance of what they found and did they understand (v. 9)? Who left the tomb and who stayed behind (vv. 10-11)? What would you have done in this situation?
6. Who was with Mary all along (v.14)? Why did Mary not recognize Jesus? What do you think Mary attempted to do to Jesus (v. 17a)? What might this symbolize? What does Jesus tell Mary to do and what might his instructions symbolize for us (v.17b-18)?
7. What events does Paul tell the church in Corinth in these eleven verses? What does Paul's story have in common with that of Mary? Did Paul try to keep the Good News to himself?
8. This Easter is Christ calling you to accept God's grace? If you have not been baptized, do you want to be baptized? If you have been baptized, do you want to renew your baptism? What difference does your baptism mean to you, to the world, and to Christ?
Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012
Mark 11:1-11
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Mark 14:43-50, 53, 60-65
Philippians 2:5-11
1. How does Jesus enter Jerusalem? What is the significance of a colt that has never been ridden? How do the other Gospels refer to Jesus' ride? Why do you think people acquiesced in the taking of the colt?
2. How did the people greet Jesus coming on the colt (vv 8-10)? What do you think they expected (v. 10)? How are you welcoming Jesus into our community?
3. The passage from Isaiah was written about 600 years before Jesus was born. Who was the audience at that time? What message was Isaiah bringing to the people (v. 4-5)? How does Isaiah say he was being treated (v 6)? Of whom does Isaiah remind you?
4. On whom does Isaiah rely on for help (vv 7-9a)? As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, who do you think he was relying upon? Do you think Jesus was tempted to flee? If we are called to take on the mind of Christ, how are we to endure oppression, hardship, and temptation?
5. Immediately before this second passage from Mark is the story of Jesus and the disciples in the garden at Gethsemane. What happened there to Jesus and to the disciples? Who of the disciples turns on Jesus? Why did he turn on Jesus?
6. What kind of Messiah did the disciples and the welcoming crowd think Jesus was going to be? Instead, who does Jesus say he is (v. 62)? How is that received? Why did the high priest accuse Jesus of blasphemy? Who is Jesus for you? How do you treat Jesus?
7. What does Paul call us to do to imitate Christ (v. 5)? What does Paul mean by these terms? How did Jesus live his life (v. 8)?
8. What might taking a knee mean in regard to Christ? How does your life show you follow Christ—words only? How would the world know you are a follower of Christ?
Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 18, 2012
Grace & Its Impact
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
John 12:20-33
Hebrews 5:5-10
1. The prophet Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem after the people were taken to Babylon in exile. Eventually, however, Jeremiah would be forced to Egypt. What kind of message does Jeremiah give the people in 31:31—a message of despair or a message of hope? How does Jeremiah describe this new covenant (v. 32)? How does the definition of covenant seem to change? What kind of message do you think the remnant left in Jerusalem wanted to hear?
2. What is the new covenant (v. 33)? What does God require of the people of Israel because of this new covenant? What is another way of describing this new covenant—a word we use often as Christians and that John Wesley emphasized? What is written on your heart? How would the world know what is written on your heart?
3. What does the psalmist request from God and why does the psalmist trust in God (v. 1)? What is often necessary for a person to do to accept forgiveness? What does the psalmist do in verse 3-5? If a person is filled with a poison, what is necessary for healing? Is there any poison within you?
4. What does the psalmist realize God wants from us and in turn what will God teach us (v. 6)? How does the psalmist believe there will be a restoration of joy (vv. 10-12)? Where do you seek of joy? Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places—are you living in the flesh?
5. What could be the significance of John reporting about Greeks wishing to see Jesus? Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor to describe the impact of his death and the availability of the Kingdom of God. Explain in your own terms the meaning of verses 24-25. Do you want to live in the Kingdom of God—do you want to be healed? What is necessary for that to happen?
6. Do you think Jesus in his humanity was still being tempted (v. 27)? Who does Jesus call on for help and how? What do the people around Jesus experience and why according to Jesus? Why will people be drawn to Jesus (v.32)? What would have been the consequence if Jesus had not been raised from the dead?
7. How is Jesus described in Hebrews 5:5? What did Jesus not do (v. 5)? What did Jesus do in his days of flesh? (7)? Do you want a right relationship with God—what did Jesus say we must do? How did Jesus learn obedience (v. 8)?
8. Is there any poison in your soul? Do you want to be healed? Is there something missing in your life? What have you learned from this lesson to accomplish this task?
Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 18, 2012
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
John 3:14-21
Ephesians 2:1-10
1. In the passage from Numbers, the Israelites are still wandering in the wilderness; in fact, they are back near the Red (Reed) Sea because they have been denied access through Edom to the Promised Land. God has just delivered them from a battle against the king of Arad. So, do the people celebrate or gripe (v. 5)? And against whom are their complaints directed? So, how did this go over with God (v. 6)?
2. What was the response of the people to God's actions (v. 7)? What do we call their action? What did God tell Moses to do and what were the people to do if a person was bitten (v. 8)? So, what are we to do today when we rebel against God? What has God done that enables us to live even when we sin against God?
3. According to the psalmist, what endures forever and for which everyone should give thanks? To what can a person become enslaved? In verse 2 of Psalm 107, the psalmist calls for the redeemed to give thanks to God. What does redeemed mean?
4. Look at verses 17-18. What had happened to people who failed to live out the Ten Commandments? To whom did they cry for help and what was the response (v. 19)? For what should the people give thanks (v. 21)? Are you enslaved? Do you want freedom or do you prefer slavery?
5. Remember the passage from Numbers—how was God providing for the healing of the people? Now, in the Gospel of John, how is God again providing healing to all people? What does Jesus say will be lifted up for the people to see metaphorically? Why would God do this for us?
6. What side of life do you prefer—the good side or the dark side? How does Jesus describe the good side of life? What do you understand to be a life lived in the light verses a life lived in darkness? Which one are you living in and how does Jesus say we will know (v. 21)?
7. So, in the letter to the Ephesians, what is another way of describing living in the dark (vv. 1-3)? Can you identify with these descriptions? But what is the constant theme throughout the Scriptures that gives us hope and the potential for true freedom (vv.5-6)?
8. How are we saved (v. 8)? Can you ignore and deny this offer from God through Christ? Do you want to be saved? How would anyone know you have been saved?
Third Sunday of Lent, March 11, 2012
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
John 2:13-22
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
1. Why did God give Moses the Ten Commandments? What do verses 3-8 relate to, and what do verses 9-17 relate to—that is, what relationships do these to sets of verses address? Do these verses say what punishment will be if one or more of the commandments are violated?
2. Do you have other gods before God—do you worship them? What does the word jealous mean to you? Do you really think the creator of the universe can have petty jealousy? The better translation of this word is zealous or passionate—God is zealous and passionate for us to be in relationship with God! Do you really think God punishes three or four generations or is that a consequence of our worshipping false gods—why do you think child abuse is often passed on for three of four generations?
3. How is creation described in Psalm 19:1-6? Is poetry read literally? How are we to read these first six verses? Do you ever wander outside and feel like nature is singing to you? To whom do you give glory for creation?
4. What does the psalmist say is perfect and why (vv. 7-8)? To what could the psalmist be referring? What would your life be like if you truly obeyed the Ten Commandments? If you had all the money in the world and no friends other than those you could buy, would you be happy? Why do you think God has put up with us since we seem to ignore the Ten Commandments whenever we want to?
5. How did Jesus react when he entered the temple and saw what was going on? Do you think Jesus was jealous or zealous—reread verse 17? Go back to Exodus 20:7 and reread it? How were people using the name of God?
6. Think again about what Jesus might have been thinking when he entered the Temple knowing what was going to happen to him in due time? What does Jesus say to foreshadow his death (v. 19)? Do you think it might have gotten to him that he would be dieing soon for these money changers? What god are you worshipping this Lent?
7. How does Paul say a person comes to know God—through wisdom and discernment? Can you prepare a mathematical proof of God? Why did the Jews demand signs? Do you ever demand signs from Jesus to believe? And why did Greeks demand wisdom?
8. Do you think it is more difficult for a child to have faith in Jesus or a highly educated person? Why? Was Jesus the messiah everyone expected? Is Jesus the messiah you expected? What are you looking for this Lent? Do you need a sign or some great wisdom to accept the love of Christ?
Second Sunday of Lent, March 4, 2012
God's Faithfulness
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:1-2, 21b-31
Mark 8:31-38
Romans 4:13-25
1. Abram left his homeland when he was 75 years old and traveled to where God wanted him to go. How many years has Abram been traveling in response to God's promises (v. 1)? What covenant does God reaffirm to Abram? What does God do to Abram's name and why?
2. What is a covenant? How does God seem to change the form of the covenant with Abram (v. 1)? Did Abram ever make mistakes? What further promise does God make (v. 16)? What significance would you say is the difference between the names princess and noblewoman?
3. How does the psalmist begin this writing—what may have occurred and who does the psalmist turn to for help? Have you ever felt forsaken by God? If so, did you still turn to God for help? Why?
4. How does the psalmist respond in verses 22-23? Why? What do you hold in awe? Why would verses 24 & 25 of this psalm be controversial in the time of the psalmist? Who does the psalmist acknowledge is in control of everything (v. 28)? How do you show thanks to God for God's faithfulness?
5. Prior to the verses we read today in Mark, what has Jesus been doing that is reported in Mark's Gospel? So, what do you think the disciples thought Jesus might do in the future? What does Jesus say that shocks the disciples, especially Peter (v. 31-33)? Why does Jesus respond as he does to Peter? What does this have to do with God's faithfulness?
6. What does Jesus say is necessary for anyone to follow him (v. 34)? What does Jesus say a person must do to truly save his/her life, and what does that mean? If you had all the power and material things you might imagine, do you think your life would be great-that you would be "saved"? How might your actions indicate you are ashamed of Jesus and his words?
7. How does Paul use Abraham as an example for our journey to and with Christ—what did Abraham do? According to Paul, why did Abraham have a right relationship with God? Was Abraham perfect? Who did Abraham trust?
8. What does it take for you to trust someone? What does it take for you to trust Jesus? What can you do in your life so that others might trust and have faith in Jesus? Do your actions really help other people in this journey? Are you faithful?
First Sunday of Lent, February 26, 2012
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
Mark 1:9-15
1 Peter 3:18-22
1. What does God tell Noah and his sons what God will do for them and all flesh? What is a covenant? How is a covenant different from a contract? What sign does God establish as a remembrance of this covenant?
2. Why do you think God decided to make this covenant? Does this covenant mean that humanity cannot destroy itself? What might cause humanity to reject God? How would someone know that you have not rejected God?
3. Do you think everything is going well for the psalmist? Who does the psalmist trust (v. 2)? The psalmist asks for three actions by God—what are they (vv. 2, 4-5, 7)? Do you have enough trust in God to ask for help when people attempt to shame you or oppress you? What guidance does the psalmist seek that might be helpful for all of us, whether in trouble or not (vv. 4-5)?
4. To what attribute of God does the psalmist appeal (v. 6)? What else does the psalmist request from God in verse 7? How good are you in forgiving others—why should God forgive us? Can you forgive yourself—why or why not? Reread verse 10. How does a person remain on the paths of love and faithfulness? What paths are you on today?
5. What affirmation does Jesus receive upon being baptized by John? Why was it necessary for Jesus to be baptized? What happens immediately after Jesus is baptized (v.12)?
6. What does the wilderness symbolize; what does Satan symbolize; what does being with the wild beasts symbolize; and what does "angels waiting on Jesus" symbolize? Do you ever wander in the wilderness even though you have been baptized? What temptations do you face, whether in the wilderness or not? Is it possible for you to live in peace even with the wildness of this world? Who is always with you or is sent to provide you reassurance?
7. According to the passage from 1 Peter, why was Jesus obedient to suffer and die in the flesh? If Jesus had not been resurrected alive in the Spirit, what might be the consequence—would we even have Christianity? Are you being lead to Christ?
8. What does the author say prefigured baptism historically and figuratively? What difference does baptism mean for you? Do you need to reaffirm your baptism so you can withstand the temptations of the wilderness? Why does God care?
Transfiguration Sunday, February 19, 2012
Experiencing God in your Life
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
Mark 9:2-9
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
1. Who was Elijah and what was about to happen to him according to this passage from 2 Kings 2? Who in this passage is so devoted to Elijah that he will not leave his presence? Who kept trying to persuade Elisha to abandon Elijah and why? What was the standard response from Elisha?
2. What river did Elijah and Elisha cross? What might be the significance of this river? What did Elijah use to clear the water so he could cross on dry ground? What does Elijah ask Elisha in verse 9, and how does Elisha respond? What does Elisha request and what is he asking for? How is Elijah's ascension described? Is verse 11 to be read literally or figuratively? In effect, what did both Elijah and Elisha experience?
3. What is a psalm? How is God described in verse 1 of Psalm 50? What does verse 1 mean in your won words? How is Jerusalem described in verse 2 and who is given credit for this description? How is God described in verse 3? What does verse 4 mean?
4. How does the psalmist describe God in verse 6? If you believed Deuteronomic law, how might you define God? What does covenant mean? Has God ever made covenants with humanity? Have these covenants changed or have we merely learned the correct meaning of God's covenant?
5. In the passage before the Mark passage immediately prior to today's reading from Mark, Jesus tells the disciples for the first time he will suffer, be rejected, and be killed. Six days later, what happens? What does transfigured mean? What is the significance of the two people who join Jesus, and why do you think this was significant for Jesus?
6. Who interrupts Jesus, and what does this person want to do? How does the narrator describe Peter (v. 6)? What reassuring words does God give Jesus? What does God direct Peter, James, and John to do? What is necessary to listen to someone else? Are you listening for and to Christ? When you do, what happens in your life?
7. What does Paul state that can cause us to misunderstand the Good News or to ignore it altogether? What are some examples of the god of this world? What do you worship? If you proclaim Jesus, why do you do so—is it to build yourself up?
8. What does "let light shine out of darkness" mean—literally and figuratively in regard to Jesus? Is you light shining out of darkness? Ask yourself again what you worship: what do you think about, where do you spend your time, and how do you spend your money? Answering these questions may reveal what your worship.
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 12, 2012
Listening to and Proclaiming about God
2 Kings 5:1-15, 18
Psalm 30
Mark 1:40-45;
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
1. Who was Naaman and of what physical condition was he suffering and what did that mean for him? Who offered advice about how Naaman could be healed, and what was that advice? Where did the King of Aram send Naaman for healing? How does the King of Israel react when Naaman shows up for healing? Who saves the King of Israel from making a mistake?
2. When Naaman shows up at Elisha's house, what does Elisha do in regard to healing Naaman? How does Naaman react? Have you ever been too proud or arrogant to accept a gift or accept help from someone who you thought was "below" you? When Naaman does what Elisha tells him to do, what does Naaman do in return (v. 15)? Besides being healed of a physical disease, what else has happened to Naaman? How do you think Naaman might go a proclaim God?
3. What happened to the psalmist vv. 6-7)? What did the psalmist do when this happened (vv.8-10)? Have you ever thought you had all the security in life you needed and then seen some or all of it taken away by tragedy? Who did you call on for help?
4. So, what happened to the psalmist after he cried to God for help (vv. 1-3)? How does the psalmist express his gratitude to God (vv. 4-5, 11-12)? How do you express your gratitude to God for healing, for life, and for salvation?
5. Who asks for help from Jesus in the passage from Mark, and what is the person's physical condition? What does Jesus do in response to the request? Why? In effect, what was Jesus doing when he healed the person? What does Jesus tell the man to do in verse 14, and why do you think this was Jesus' response?
6. What does the person do who was healed by Jesus? Have you encountered Christ in your life? Have you received a form of healing by Christ? How did you respond? What was the reaction to your witness?
7. What race is Paul really talking about in the passage from 1 Corinthians 9? What prize is Paul talking about? Do you really have to be first to receive the prize?
8. To win an Olympic race, do you have to train; do you have to deny yourself anything? If the race is drawing closer to Christ and to perfection, what do you proclaim to others? If on your race to perfection your actions show you are no longer denying yourself but instead living in the flesh, what impact will that have on those around you—will your witness be invalidated?
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 5, 2012
Proclaiming God
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Mark 1:29-39;
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
1. Who is the prophet Isaiah asking about (v. 21)? Isaiah is addressing people who are probably in exile in Babylonia, and some of them were born there and did not know Yahweh or others had just forgotten. How does the prophet compare God to humans in verses 22-23? If the Israelites living in Babylon were weak or not knowledgeable, what gods might they have turned to? And how does the prophet respond (vv. 25-26)?
2. Isaiah challenges someone who seems to have given up on God in verse 27. How does Isaiah respond in verses 28-31? Have you ever known someone who believes God has forsaken him or her? Now you have some passages you can share with them offering encouragement. How about you right now—do you need to hear this Good News?
3. What is the psalmist doing in Psalm 147? Sure—he is praising the Lord and in so doing he is proclaiming God. When good things happen to you do you enjoy celebrating? Do you enjoy giving thanks to the person who helped you achieve this goodness? What is the psalmist proclaiming (vv. 1-6, 8-9)?
4. So, according to the psalmist, how does God liked to be thanked and praised--sacrifices, success in winning a race, making the best test score, or making the most money (v. 11)? If you love God and are awed by God's graciousness, how do you respond? How do you proclaim God?
5. How does Jesus go about proclaiming the Good News in verses 29-32? So, what are the various means by which a person can proclaim God?
6. Do you think proclaiming God is an easy task? What did Jesus need to do in verse 35? What conversation might Jesus have carried on with God? Once the disciples find Jesus, what does Jesus say he and the disciples must do in the neighboring towns? What do you think Jesus meant—preaching or more?
7. If you love someone, do you help them because it is an obligation or because of your love for them? What do you make of Paul's statement that he has an obligation to proclaim the Good News? Paul had a personal encounter with Christ that changed his life; he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Is Paul sharing the Good News so he can seek a reward? Do you think Paul meant that because of his love of Christ, he could not help but share that love with everyone—proclaiming God?
8. To what extent was Paul willing to go to help people understand the love of God in Christ? Do you love God? Then, how are you sharing and proclaiming that love to others? Are you willing to get outside your comfort zone to proclaim Jesus Christ?
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, January 29, 2012
Knowing What To Do
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
Mark 1:21-28;
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
1. What is a prophet? What does Moses tell the people of Israel they are to do in regard to prophets (v. 15)? Why did God decide to send prophets (16-18)? What are the consequences for people who do not heed the words of the prophet (v.19)? Who are they not listening to or ignoring?
2. Were there ever false prophets? Why would someone seek to be a prophet? Who makes the first move in the books of the Bible to create prophets? What are the consequences for false prophets? Are there true and false prophets today? How do you know the difference?
3. What are some examples of the works of God to which the psalmist might have been referring? What are some works of God today and do you study them? Do you think the psalmist meant physical food for those who fear God (v. 5)? What kind of food does God provide you?
4. According to the psalmist, how do we learn what to do (vv. 7-8)? How do you acquire wisdom? What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? Are you wise or just knowledgeable?
5. What did Jesus do in the synagogue at Capernaum (v. 21)? What did Jesus appear to have that the scribes did not (v. 22)? What could be the difference—revisit the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
6. Who is truly listening to Jesus and how do we know that from this passage from Mark? What does Jesus do? What might be a modern day example of what Jesus can do? Why do people call what Jesus does a "new teaching"? Why is the teaching still new to so many, even in the church?
7. Why is food such a big deal? What was happening to people who were not yet strong in the faith of Jesus Christ? What might be a modern day example for someone new to Christianity?
8. Review this passage from 1 Corinthians and again answer what is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Explain how love may convert knowledge into wisdom.
Third Sunday after the Epiphany, January 22, 2012
Knowing What To Do
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:5-12
Mark 1:14-20;
1 Corinthians 7:25-31
1. What does Jonah do the second time the word of the Lord came to him? Do you remember what happened the first time the word of the Lord came to him—what happened? What message did Jonah bring and for whom? What is so ironic that God chose Jonah to bring this message to the people of Nineveh?
2. How did the people of Nineveh respond to the message delivered by Jonah? How did God respond to the action of the people of Nineveh? What are the consequences for us if we ignore the word of God or if we just quit listening?
3. In whom does the psalmist wait for and depend on for salvation? What does the psalmist call the people to do in verse 8? Does the psalmist limit who is allowed to make this call? How does the psalmist describe people with no wealth and power and those people with wealth and power (v. 9)? What does the psalmist mean since poetry is not literal?
4. In what are we not to place our confidence (v. 10)? But where do so many people look for security? What has the psalmist heard from God (v. 11)? What is the key to the relationship between humanity and God (v. 12)? Have you heard God lovingly calling your name? Are you listening?
5. How did Jesus begin his ministry (vv 14-15)? What does verse 15 mean? Do you think people were listening to Jesus as he walked through Galilee?
6. What does Jesus do for Simon, Andrew, James, and John? Were they listening? How do you know? Why do you think these four disciples dropped everything and followed Jesus? Is Jesus calling you? Are you going to follow him or not?
7. What did Paul believe was going to happen in the very near future based on the passage from 1 Corinthians? What does he tell the people to do? Was Paul correct about what was going to happen in the very near future? Has it happened yet?
8. What happens metaphorically when we decide to give our lives to Christ and follow Christ? When that happens, does it mean we fully understand the word of God or in fact God? So, what can we do?
Second Sunday after the Epiphany, January 15, 2012
1 Samuel 3:1-20
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Corinthians 6:12-20;
John 1:43-51
1. Who were the parents of Samuel? Why was Samuel ministering to God under Eli in the Temple? How old was Samuel at this time? How do we know that the people were not listening to God at this time (v. 3:1)? What happened to Samuel in verses 4-7? If Samuel was serving in the Temple, what does it mean that the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to Samuel?
2. What does God reveal to Samuel in verse 11? How will people respond initially in what they hear? What could this mean? What does God tell Samuel (vv.12-14)? Who does Samuel tell and why? Why did Samuel become known as a prophet? What does it mean for "words to fall to the ground"?
3. How does the psalmist describe his relationship with God? Do you think the psalmist feels alone in the world? Do you think the psalmist believes anything about himself is secret from God? Do you believe you can keep anything secret from God? From whom do you most keep secrets—who do you lie to the most? Why?
4. What period of time does the psalmist believe God knew and will know the psalmist (vv. 13, 18)? How does it make you feel that God probably knows you better than you know yourself? How do you think you might learn more about your true self?
5. In verses 12-13 of 1 Corinthians 6, Paul is quoting slogans popular in Corinth. How would you summarize the slogans? What is the end result of all material items according to Paul (v. 13)? Why do you think Paul was so focused on fornication? Besides sexual encounters, what is the deeper meaning when Paul uses the word fornication?
6. How does Paul describe our bodies (v. 19)? What can be the consequences if we totally live in the flesh—totally self-centered? Who can be separated from God by the misuse of our bodies? How are we to utilize our bodies (v.20)? How are you doing in this account? What is your temple revealing to you?
7. What does the word "Epiphany" mean? What happens to Philip and then Nathaniel? How does Nathaniel first respond to the news from Philip (v. 46a)? How does Philip respond (v. 46b)?
8. How does Nathaniel describe Jesus in verse 49? Based on this response, how was Nathaniel understanding the mission of Jesus? How does Jesus begin to instruct Nathaniel otherwise? What do you think people believe will happen if you invite them to "Come and See" Jesus? When was the last time you invited someone to "Come and See?"
Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 8, 2012
Genesis 1:1-5;
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7;
Mark 1:4-11
1. How many creation stories are there in the Book of Genesis? Out of what was the earth created according to this passage from Genesis (v. 1-2)? What is the deep and what are the waters (v. 2)? What did God create in verse 3?
2. How is what God created in verse 2 described in verses 4-5? What is meant by "first day?" Are these verses to be understood as facts or a story?
3. How do the first three verses begin and what does it mean? How do verses 3-9 begin? What does it mean? How are we to read a Psalm—history, poetry, metaphor?
4. How have you experienced the majesty of God and God's creation? How do you describe what you have seen or experienced? What does the psalmist request for God's people in verse (11)? What do you request from God and why?
5. Who is given credit for writing the Book of Acts? What else did he write? Where is Paul physically in the passage from Acts? Who does he encounter and what is the question Paul asks them? How do they respond? What action does Paul take and how do the disciples respond?
6. What is God doing in these verses from Acts that God also did in the first five verses of Genesis 1? Have you been baptized? What does it mean for you? What are you filled with now?
7. Where was John the baptizer doing his proclaiming? What could that location mean then and now? And what was John proclaiming and how was it symbolized? How was Jesus going to baptize?
8. Why is it important for Jesus to be baptized? Why is it important for us to know Jesus was baptized? Do you want to reaffirm your baptism? What difference might that mean for you and those around you?
First Sunday after Christmas, January 1, 2012
Isaiah 61:10-62:3;
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:1-7;
Luke 2:22-40
1. Chapter 61 of Isaiah finds the people of Israel and Judah back in Jerusalem around 520 BC. Why is prophet rejoicing? In the context of time and place where the word of God was shared, what is meant by garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness? How would you summarize verse 61:11 of Isaiah?
2. Have you been in exile and are you seeking restoration? What would that restoration be for you? What new thing would you have God do in your life? How would you react to God doing a new thing in your life—would you be like the prophet in Isaiah 62:1? Will other people see you and know the hand of God has been upon you?
3. For what is the Psalmist praising God (vv. 5, 14a)? Who is called to praise God?
4. What is so appropriate about reading this Psalm on this day? What has God promised humanity from the time of creation that is reaffirmed in this Psalm? How do you show praise to God for all God has done in your life—or do you?
5. To whom is this letter written—where were they? How does Paul describe his listeners in 4:1? Who is responsible for these people (v. 2)? Consequently, to what were these people enslaved to as stated in verse 3?
6. Who did God send to redeem the listeners and the rest of the world? What is God offering to do for and to us (v. 5)? What has God sent into us to cause us to seek a relationship with God through Christ (v. 6)? Are you seeking a relationship with Christ—why or why not? If not, to what are you a slave?
7. Why is purification required and of whom (v. 22)? What were Mary and Joseph required to do under the law according to verse 23 and further explained in Exodus 13:1-4?
8. Who were Simeon and Anna? What is the word of God each of them brings to the people in the Temple? According to the passage in Luke, how did Simeon gain this knowledge and who guided him? Who does Simeon recognize and who will benefit from this revelation (vv.31-33)? How does this differ from Anna's statement in verse 38? What else does Mary now have to ponder in her heart (vv. 34-35)? What are you looking for? What are you pondering in your heart?
Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2011
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16;
Luke 1:46b-55;
Romans 16:25-27;
Luke 1:26-38
1. Who was David, what was his position, and how did he get to that position (v.1, 8)? Who was Nathan? What question did David ask Nathan and how did Nathan originally respond? Did Nathan subsequently change his answer and why?
2. What kind of relationship has God had with David (v. (9)? What promises does God make (9-11)? What promise does God make in verse 16 that the writer of the Gospel of Matthew wants us to remember? Will God abandon us?
3. What is the name given to this passage from Luke 1? To whom is given credit for saying these words? Turn to 1 Samuel 2:1-10 and read it. To whom do both these women give thanks and praise?
4. Reread verse 49 of Luke 1 and ask yourself what great things God has done for you? In response, did you respond as did Mary in verses 46b-47? What promise does Mary call us to remember in verse 55? Do you believe it?
5. A doxology is a form of praise to God and is illustrated in the last three verses of the book of Romans. How does Paul describe this book (25a)? How does Paul say this knowledge came about (25b)? What mystery or mysteries could Paul be talking about in verses 25b -26?
6. According to Paul, why has this mystery been made to Jews and Gentiles alike (v. 26b)? Why is faith so difficult? To what are we called to be obedient—what actions are required on our part?
7. Who brought a message to Mary? What was the message and how does Mary react initially (v. 29)? What words of comfort does the messenger give her? Yet, Mary still has a question—how (34)? And what is the answer (35)? What evidence does the messenger give Mary of God's power (v. 36)?
8. What two statements are made by the messenger about what God will or can do (vv. 33, 37)? How does Mary respond? How would you describe Mary? How would you describe yourself in relation to Christ?
Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2011
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11;
Psalm 126;
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24;
John 1:6-8, 19-28
1. The passage from chapter 61 of Isaiah occurs when the people who were in exile have now returned to Judah. To what do you think the prophet is referring in regard to rebuilding? What do these first three verses of chapter 61 signify will happen to the returning children of God? Where else have you read or heard verses 1-2? What does this tell you about God?
2. According to verse 8, would does the prophet state God likes and dislikes? Is this new to this prophet? What promise does God make? How else will God restore the people (v. 9)? Has this happened? What promise is made that in verse 11 and how is it affirmed some 500 years later?
3. What does the psalmist remember and rejoice about in verses 1-2 of Psalm 126? What was restored for the people of Israel and Judah and explain what this might mean?
4. But what must have happened according to verse 4? What does verse 6 mean to you? What could it mean to go out weeping? And also, what does bearing seed for sowing mean? When bad things happen to you, do your actions reflect trust in God's providence?
5. According to the passage from 1 Thessalonians, what is the will of God for us (vv.16-18)? If you did as Paul suggests, what kind of relationship would you have with God and therefore your neighbors and yourself? How do you quench the Spirit—what would be the opposite of verses 16-18?
6. What do the prophets tell us over and over again? If you cannot remember, reread Isaiah 61:1-2 and Micah 6:8. What does Paul call us to test and how do we make such test (vv. 21-22)? Who is always faithful—are you?
7. How does the passage from the Gospel of John affirm God's faithfulness as celebrated in Isaiah 61? What was John the Baptist sowing?
8. How did John respond to the question of the priests and Levites from Jerusalem? Did he try to evade their questions? How did he answer? How was John planting seeds? Are you planting seeds—are you faithful to the one who is always faithful to you? How will you live out today what God wills for you?
Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2011
Isaiah 40:1-11;
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13;
2 Peter 3:8-15a;
Mark 1:1-8
1. The passage from chapter 40 of Isaiah occurs when the people are in exile in Babylon and Isaiah brings them this message. What is the overall tone of this message? Why would such a message be appropriate? In verse 3 the word wilderness is used—what definitions might be applied to wilderness? What is the promise for people in the wilderness?
2. Isaiah is called to cry out in verse 6—what is to be his message? Who is in control according to Isaiah in these verses and why? Who are the people called to trust? Are you in a wilderness? Are you willing to follow the way of the Lord or do you think you are in control?
3. The message from Isaiah seems to be repeated in Psalm 85. What might verses 1-2 recall that God did for the people of Israel? What is the psalmist calling the people to do in the first few words of verse 8? What does the psalmist say is available to the people who listen and follow God?
4. Reread verses 10-13. What are the consequences of love and faithfulness (v. 10b)? What are we called to do in verse 11a and what does the psalmist say is God's response in 11b? If you maintain a right relationship with God, what can you expect in your life?
5. The second letter of Peter was probably not written by Peter but by someone who followed Peter and who was defending Peter's message. Peter's last days were in Rome and his message that Jesus would soon return was proving not to be as Peter expected. So, the author of this letter presents what logic in verses 8-9? Why would God want to give people more time? Does the author state when Christ would return (v. 10b)?
6. What sort of persons are we called to be (v. 11-12)? Verse 12 seems to say heaven will be destroyed. What happens when a person gives her or his life to Christ in regard to living and dying? What would happen if everyone in the world truly gave their lives to Christ? Is Christ coming into your life regularly? How often do you call on Christ to come into your life?
7. How does Mark begin his testament? Why do you think Mark would begin in such a manner? Was John the baptizer a road builder? So, what path was John building? Where was John carrying out his task (v. 4)? What special clothes and paraphernalia did John use?
8. What were the people seeking from John? What did they feel compelled to do (v. 5)? What did John do for people that symbolized their reconnection to God? What are you seeking—is there something missing in your life? Do you feel as if you are living in a wilderness? Do you really want to be healed?
First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011
Isaiah 64:1-9;
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19;
1 Corinthians 1:3-9;
Mark 13:24-37
1. The passage from chapter 64 of Isaiah occurs when the people have returned from Babylon to Judah. What is being requested from God in verses 1-3 of Chapter 64? What makes you think people thought there were still other gods (v. 2)? Reread verse 4 and ask yourself whether you identify with this lament? Are you willing to wait on God when you think you are alone?
2. Yet, Isaiah says God will meet us (v. 5)--when? Does Isaiah reflect on how the people have strayed from God (vv. 6-7)? Can you identify with verses 6-7—have you ever taken God for granted? Yet, who remains faithful (v. 8)?
3. What is the psalmist requesting for the people of Israel? What form of restoration do you think he might be contemplating?
4. Reread verses 17-18? Does it appear that the psalmist is bargaining with God? Have you ever bargained with God? Has God ever failed you? Have you ever failed God by not living up to your side of the bargain?
5. Who offers us grace? What is grace? What are the different forms of grace according to John Wesley?
6. What can happen when a person accepts grace? Do you think grace is a one time event? Can you ignore grace? When was the last time you denied Christ?
7. Jesus has told the disciples about the destruction of the Temple and the hardships they will incur for following him. But Jesus provides words of hope about what? What will happen before the generation listening to Jesus dies?
8. How does Jesus instruct the disciples to prepare? Instead, what do they want to know—when. And when does Jesus say the event will occur? What choice do we have? Are you awake—do you know where your life is leading?
Reign of Christ, Sunday, November 20, 2011
Ezekiel 34:1-16, 20-24;
Psalm 100;
Ephesians1:15-23;
Matthew 25:31-46
1. Who were the shepherds referred to in verses 1-10 of Ezekiel 34? Fast-forward to today and who would be the shepherds? How are the shepherds of today doing?
2. Where is the Good News in the passage from Ezekiel? Who is the true shepherd in this passage? Who is the true shepherd for you today? What are you doing to assist the shepherd?
3. What is the psalmist calling the people to celebrate joyfully (v. 3)? How do you make a joyful noise to God? What does it mean to "enter his gates" (v. 4)?
4. What attributes are given to God (v. 5)? Do you agree with these descriptions—why or why not? Ask yourself whether your relationship with God could be described as "steadfast love" and faithfulness forever"? How are you doing in that regard?
5. Why does Paul give thanks for the church at Ephesus (vv 15-16)? Do you think Paul might have the same prayer for us today? What is Paul's prayer in verse 17? What does verse 17 mean—spirit of wisdom and revelation?
6. What does Paul say will result if his prayer is answered (v. 18)? DO you have eyes in your heart—so what does this phrase mean? What hope is Paul talking about? And what riches do you expect to inherit if Paul's prayer is fulfilled? What kind of power do you think Paul is talking about in verses 19-20? How is Paul's prayer different from your regular prayers?
7. What is a parable? What are the two groups into which all people will be separated in this parable? Who are the sheep and what actions do they take? What kind of food and drink might Jesus be referring in verse 35? And what might Jesus mean by clothing the naked and visiting those in prison?
8. Who are you in the parable? Look at this parable in a different light—what if you refuse the offer of spiritual food and drink from Christ? What do you think might be the consequences for you? Reread verse 41—does the parable say the King will force the people into eternal fire or does it mean by refusing the love of God a person will live in eternal fire? Again, who are you in this parable?
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 30, 2011
Joshua 3:7-17;
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37;
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13;
Matthew 23:1-12
1. Who is Joshua and what promise does God have for Joshua (v. 7)? What is the significance of this promise for the people of Israel? What command does God give Joshua in verse 8?
2. What does Joshua say about God in verse 10? Who else prior to Joshua said a similar statement? What occurs next that reflects the flight out of Egypt. How long had it take the people of Israel to get to the Promised Land? What had the people of Israel been learning during this period of time?
3. Why does the psalmist say people should give thanks to God (v. 1)? Who might the psalmist b refer to as the redeemed in verses 2-3? What does redeem mean? Of what do verses 33-37 remind you especially for the Israelites?
4. Are you in need of redemption? Are you in a prison? Are you hungry and thirsty so that your soul is fainting? Who are you going to cry out to? Do you want to be saved?
5. What does Paul ask the Thessalonian church to remember (v. 9)? How does Paul describe his conduct among these people (v. 10)? Why do you think Paul found it necessary to bring this message? Do you think some people might be rejecting Paul's message?
6. Why would someone reject the word of God when someone shares it with them? What can God's word do to any of us if we listen and follow it? Are you?
7. What advice does Jesus give to the crowds and his disciples (v. 3)? According to Jesus, what do the Pharisees expect for their actions? Does Jesus' advice still hold true today? Do you ever fail to follow your own advice to others? What does that make you?
8. As a believer in Jesus Christ, what are you called to do? In the passage you will find the word teacher and instructor used. The better translation from the Greek is "Master" or guide. How does that change your reading of this passage? As a believer in Jesus Christ, what do you expect for carrying out what Christ has called you to do (v. 12)?
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 23, 2011
Deuteronomy 34:1-12;
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17;
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8;
Matthew 22:34-46
1. Before Moses died, what does the passage from Deuteronomy say God did for Moses? Where did Moses die and how old was he?
2. Did Moses make it to the Promised Land? Why or why not? Did Jesus promise to take us to a Promised Land? Where did Jesus promise to take us? Do you want to go there? What is holding you back?
3. To whom is this Psalm attributed? Does the Psalm reflect the faithfulness of God? If so, what verses? To what is humanity compared in verses3, 5-6?
4. What does the Psalmist request in verse 13? Why do you think this request could have been a prayer from Moses? Who or what do you blame when events do not occur as you would have them? Are you being punished by God, are you suffering the consequences of your own poor decisions, or what you wanted was not within your control?
5. What does Paul describe in the reading from 1 Thessalonians 2? What do you think motivated Paul and his disciples to act as they did among the Thessalonians??
6. What is your relationship with God—one of fear, duty, love, obedience? What do you learn from how Paul related to the Thessalonians (vv. 3, 5-8)?
7. According to Jesus, what is the greatest and first commandment? What does this mean in your life? Do you believe this commandment? Do you think you live out this commandment? What evidence is there that you fulfill the first commandment?
8. What does Jesus say in this passage is the second great commandment? What about all the other commandments given to Moses and other prophets? How did Jesus eventually change the second commandment among his disciples and followers? Do you follow this second commandment, especially as changed by Jesus? Can you fulfill the first commandment without fulfilling the second commandment? Why or why not?
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 16, 2011
Exodus 33:12-23;
Psalm 99;
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10;
Matthew 22:15-22
1. God has previously told Moses in Chapter 33 to get the people moving out of Sinai toward the Promised Land. In verse 12, Moses questions God repeating what God has already told him and asking a question. What is the question? And again in verse 13 Moses makes another request of God—what is that request? How does God respond in verse 14? What does Moses continue saying to justify his request (v. 16)?
2. What else does Moses request from God (v. 18) and how does God respond (v. 19)? How often do you ask God to accompany you on any journey or action, whether the journey be easy or difficult? Does God make it clear to Moses that God will do what God wants to do (v. 19b)? Do you try to make God do what you want? Do you listen to God so that you may be led into God's presence and as directed by God? What are the consequences of not listening and being led by God?
3. What form of Psalm is this—one of praise, petition, justice, or something else? How do you describe God to yourself and others?
4. What three persons are named in the Psalm who had a relationship with God? What did all three do in relation to God (v. 6b)? How often do you call on God for direction? Do you take the time to listen to God's answer? If you do not hear an immediate answer, what guidance has God already given us for discernment?
5. How does Paul describe the early believers in Thessalonia—three phrases (v. 3)? Where is Thessalonia? To whom does Paul give credit for such power of change?
6. Previously, what had the followers in Thessalonia worshipped (v. 9)? Why was this change so significant in Paul's ministry? How would Paul describe your relationship with Jesus Christ? How would your relationship with Christ influence other people?
7. Who is trying to entrap Jesus (v.15) and why? What truth do the disciples of the Pharisees state (v. 16b)? How does Jesus answer the challenge?
8. We do not have an emperor in the United States, so what would be Jesus' direction today about giving to the emperor the things that are the emperor's? What are we called to give to God today just as in the time of Jesus? Who are you serving by your actions?
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 9, 2011
Exodus 32:1-14
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Philippians 4:1-19
Matthew 22:1-14
1. Where is Moses when we begin to read Exodus 32? Previously, had the people of Israel seen miracles performed by God individually and through Moses? So were the people of Israel demonstrating patience? Why or why not? What did Aaron tell the people to do and where did the people get the raw product to begin with? What did Aaron shape for the people and why do you think he did so? And how did the people react to what Aaron made?
2. How did God react? How does God refer to the people of Israel (v. 7)? What do we do sometimes when we have too much freedom? What was the first commandment given by God? How does God refer to the people of Israel in verse 9—what does it mean? What does God intend to do to the people? How does Moses refer to the people of Israel in verse 11? Of what does Moses remind God? Is God capable of changing God's mind?
3. What form of Psalm is this? For what does the psalmist give thanks in verse 1b? Do you give thanks and praise when someone forgives you for a wrong you have committed? Why do you think the psalmist might want to be remembered by God (v. 4)? Are there times when you wished God would not remember what you have done? Do you still want God to save you?
4. In verses 19-23, what does the psalmist recount? Who does the psalmist refer to who have forgotten God? Do you ever forget God—are you sure? Do all of your actions indicate you are in a right relationship with God? Why would our actions not always be in a right relationship with God? Did God give up on the people of Israel? Do you think God has or will give up on you? Have you given up on God?
5. What is an exhortation? What does Paul wish for Euodia and Syntyche, and how did they know Paul? What does Paul call the church in Philippi to do (v. 4-5)? How are the people to make their request made known to God? What do you think the church might have requested from God? What surpasses all understanding according to Paul (v. 7)? Does faith always require proof and understanding?
6. What does Paul call the people to contemplate (v. 8)? What is Paul referring to in verse 8? Is contemplation alone enough (v. 9)? For what does Paul give thanks for the church in Philippi? What secret has Paul learned (v. 12)? What do you think Paul means in verse 13? What might be necessary?
7. In this passage from Matthew, to what is the kingdom of heaven compared? What are weddings all about? Who might be the groom in this parable and the bride? Who might be the people who were invited but who were not worthy? So, who was invited and from where and who might they be?
8. What might a wedding robe symbolize? If it symbolizes new life, what might be the meaning of not wearing the robe at the wedding? Are clothes important in the worship of God? Will fine clothes bring you closer to God? Verse 14 serves as a warning? Who is called and who does the selecting? What do you do with your freedom, your free will? What god are your worshipping?
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 2, 2011
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Psalm 19
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46
1. Verses 1-4 and 7-9 of Exodus 20 address what relationship for each of us to consider? What gods do you have before God—food, power, money, sex, family, ego, position, alcohol, etc? What have you made an idol that your actions show you worship? Besides cussing, how do you misuse the name of God—do you use God's name as a weapon against others or to satisfy your own desires? Do you only remember God on the Sabbath?
2. Verses 12-17 describe what relationships for us to consider? If you violate any of these directions, what happens to the relationships? Why would a person violate any of these directions given us by God? If you violate these directions, what might be the consequences for you? Why do you think God provided us these directions?
3. According to the psalmist, how do we come to realize the actions of God? How do you understand the word heavens as used in this Psalm? One way to describe God is by what God has created? How would you describe yourself based on your actions?
4. What does the psalmist say is perfect (vv. 7-8)? Why would following these rules be desired (vv. 10-11)? What concern does the psalmist raise for which the psalmist requests help from God (v. 13)? How about you?
5. What does Paul mean that he could have confidence in the flesh (vv.5-6)? What are some of the examples in your life where you display more confidence in your flesh than anything else? For what does Paul give thanks that he has been able to give up?
6. Of all things, what does Paul want to know (v. 10a)? Who does Paul want to imitate and therefore obtain? Will this require Paul to suffer? What do you what to attain—power, wealth, respect, a right relationship with God? What is required of you to attain this goal—what has to die and how long will it take for you?
7. In this parable from Matthew, what are the vineyard and the watchtower? Who are the tenants? Who are the slaves sent at harvest time? Who is the master's son? How did the chief priests and Pharisees who heard this parable react?
8. Who are you in this parable? Are you producing fruits of the kingdom of God? How would you describe these fruits? Do you want to produce fruits of the kingdom of God, and if so, what is required of you?
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 25, 2011
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32
1. What was the whole congregation of the Israelites complaining about this time? Was their complaint valid—did they really need what they didn't have? How did Moses react—did he show faith in God? What do you think Moses and the people of Israel should have learned from this episode in their lives with God?
2. What are you thirsting for in your life? Is it really something you need or are you being manipulated by culture? When have you learned to trust God? Have you ever felt God has abandoned you permanently?
3. What is the psalmist going to do for the listeners (v. 1)? In verse 2, some translations say the psalmist will utter dark sayings. Verse 2 also says the psalmist will speak in a parable. In verse 2, the psalmist is talking about mysterious and hidden meanings. Where had this information come from (v. 3)? And what are the people to do about this information?
4. So, what does the psalmist reveal in verses 12-16? Why do you think the psalmist needed to repeat these stories of old? Do we repeat stories of old in our lives? Are there still mysteries within the Old and New Testaments that a simple reading will not reveal? How are you to learn of these mysteries?
5. According to Paul, how are we to treat one another (v. 3)? How are we to look after the interests of others? Who is our example? How are we to respond (v. 5)? When was the last time someone treated you as you would expect Christ to treat you?
6. When was the last time you treated someone as Christ treats us? How are you to work out your salvation? What exactly does this mean? Are we to take the grace and love of Christ seriously or just take it for granted? How would someone know you are taking your salvation seriously?
7. Who was challenging the teachings of Jesus (v. 23)? Why do you think they were questioning Jesus? Where did Jesus receive his authority? How does Jesus go about replying to those who challenged him? Does this story mean that anyone who believes she or he has heard the call of God should become a preacher, teacher, healer, etc without any study or training?
8. Which of the two sons are you in verses 28-30? So, is it enough to say out loud that Jesus is your Lord and Savior? What else is required? Do you see any current examples of politicians saying they will follow Jesus but whose actions reflect otherwise?
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 18, 2011
Exodus 16:2-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16
1. What were the Israelites complaining about and against whom were they complaining? What was God going to provide in the morning? How much were the Israelites to gather each morning except for the sixth day? How much was to be collected on the sixth day and why? What was to cover the camp in the evening?
2. How often do you complain about what is happening in your life? Do you think your complaining could be against God in reality? Do you have a tendency to blame others when you don't have what you want? Do you want more than enough?
3. The beginning verses (1-6) of Psalm 105 call on the people to do what? How are people to respond (v. 2)? What are people to seek continually and why would this be important? What do you seek continually and how would anyone know that from your actions?
4. What do verses 37-45 of Psalm 105 recall? What did God give the Israelites (v. 44) and why (v. 45)? When do you recall what God has done for you? How do you respond in regard to what God has done for you and how would anyone else know this about you?
5. What dilemma is Paul wrestling with in verses 21-23 of Philippians? What would fruitful living entail for Paul and for you? What does Paul decide is more important and why (vv. 24-25)?
6. How does Paul encourage the Philippians to live their lives (v. 27)? Are you living your life to be worthy of the Good News? Why or why not? Who or what is your opponent that limits your life in Christ? What two privileges does Paul say we have been granted?
7. Why were there still laborers in the market at five o'clock? Has this ever happened to you? Who gets paid the most in the kingdom of heaven? After reading the parable in Matthew 20:1-16, do you think it is fair? Is the kingdom of heaven about fairness? How would you want to construct the kingdom of heaven? Do you want more than enough?
8. Could this parable also reflect our journey to Christ? Do you get upset when others who have not been believers decide to follow Christ and change their lives accordingly? Do we earn our way into grace? Should we not celebrate when someone truly is born again?
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 11, 2011
Exodus 14:19-31
Exodus15:1b-11, 20-21
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35
1. According to the passage from Exodus, how did God protect the people of Israel as they made ready to across the Red Sea (vv.19-20)? Did the Israelites have any trouble crossing the Red Sea? How about the Egyptians—what happened?
2. Does this story make you think of God as a loving God? Do we know what actually happened in the exodus? What do we know for sure? No matter what actually happened, why is this story so important—what did the people need to learn (vv. 31)? What do you need to learn? Do you need to be involved in a tragedy for you to know God and have faith in God?
3. How do the Israelites respond to being freed from the Egyptians? What has God become for them (v. 2)? From what had the people been saved? How else do they celebrate (.vv.20-21)?
4. How is God described (v. 3)? Why would this term be used? Is it possible for a people or a country to think God is just for them? What kind of Messiah did the Israelites think would return to free them from Rome? In the world today, do countries ever assume they are in a right relationship with God and therefore will persevere against other countries?
5. According to Paul, how were the members of the early church in Rome to welcome people who will still struggling with their faith in Jesus or for that matter, God? Why does Paul go into a discussion about food—what does that have to do with faith? What does Paul encourage his readers to do (v. 6)?
6. Do members of different denominations of Christianity need to hear Paul's message? Do some portions of the Body of Christ pass judgment on other parts of the Body? Who created all of us? Do we attempt to say Jesus is only for those who are like us? How can you be in a right relationship with Christ if you are not in a right relationship with your brothers and sisters?
7. If a member of your community repeatedly lies and steals from you, how often are you to forgive that person according to Jesus? Does Jesus say that the person should not suffer the consequences of his/her actions? What is the purpose of forgiveness? If you keep track of how many times you have forgiven a person have you really forgiven that person?
8. Have you ever been forgiven? How did you react to that forgiveness? Are you harboring anger or resentment against someone today? How is that working for you? If you retain anger and resentment against someone, who has control over your life?
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, September 4, 2011
Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 149
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
1. Last week's reading from Exodus had Moses living where and how did God call on Moses? How did Moses reply about going back to the people in Israel? In the reading from Chapter 12 today, where is Moses, and what does God command Moses and Aaron to tell the people?
2. Why do you think God simply did not free the Israelites? What did the Egyptians and the Israelites learn about God through this process? What festival is initiated to remember this action that God will take? Did Jesus remember this festival—why? Is it still remembered? And what does Jesus tell us to remember?
3. What are the people called to celebrate by the psalmist—look at Psalm 149 in its totality? When someone is in bondage and is freed by someone else what is the action called. Does the psalmist say God takes pleasure in God's people (v. 4)? Who exults in glory according to the psalmist (v. 5)?
4. Why would the psalmist call people to celebrate God's vengeance on enemies? What is a Psalm and why do we study them? Who is the center of every Psalm? What is the center of your life?
5. How are we to relate to one another—i.e., what is to be our relationship? How are we to fulfill the law according to Paul? What do verses 9-10 describe about relationships in Romans 13?
6. Why would Paul tell people to wake from sleep—what does this mean? Are you asleep—what are you missing? Why is salvation nearer than when people became believers? What do day and night symbolize? Are you living in the day or dark of night? Are you feeding your selfishness or are you filling your heart with Christ? What is the difference?
7. What are the verses in Matthew 18:15-20 all about? Why would Jesus need to even say such things? Of what does this remind you in Scripture (Deut. 19:15)? What steps are to be taken to deal with a transgression by one person against another?
8. Is there a warning in this passage? If two of us come together and agree we need to rob a bank, will God help us? Who will be with us to guide us away from our selfish desires if we will only listen? Will Jesus be with us even when we are alone? Why is the church important? Does everything the church members request come to pass—why or why not?
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 28, 2011
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
1. What was Moses doing near the mountain of Horeb? How did God attract the attention of Moses? Why did God reach out to Moses? Why not to someone else? What do you think might have happened if Moses had not gone to investigate? Do you think God has ever sought a relationship with you but you ignored it?
2. How does Moses respond to God's call on his life in verse 11? How does God respond in verse 12? Where else have we heard such a promise? What is the next problem Moses raises (v. 13)? Why would the people of Israel not know God's name? And what name does God give God's self?
3. What form of Psalm is 105? For what were the people of Israel called to give thanksgiving? Who or what do you seek continually—is it for selfish pleasure or otherwise?
4. In verses 23-26, what events are remembered by the psalmist? Why is such remembrance important to all who read this Psalm? Where have you been the alien in a strange place? Are you there now? Who or what are you going to turn to for help?
5. What are the different forms of love? How would you describe genuine love? Reread verse 12 of Romans 12. How would these actions help you? How many times in your life have you lived out verse 12?
6. Reread verse 13—what does it mean to you? Do you think this sentence is lived out in our society today? How about you—do you follow this suggestion from Paul? Do you ever have problem living out verse 18 or do you want to follow verse 19? How will you overcome evil?
7. What does Jesus begin to tell his disciples in the passage from Matthew? How does Peter react and why? What is the response from Jesus and why? Who is Jesus for you—someone to make you rich and powerful or someone to bring you into relationship with God and one another?
8. How is a person to become a follower of Jesus (v. 24)? What does it mean to take up your cross? What do you expect to receive for following Jesus Christ? If you say you are a follower of Christ, what does Jesus say is necessary (v. 27)? What payment do you expect for following Jesus?
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 21, 2011
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
1. Who did not know Joseph, and of what did he have fear and why? Do you hear anything similar in today's world? What did Pharaoh do to the people of Israel? What did Pharaoh order the midwives to do and why? Does anything seem strange in the order by Pharaoh? How did the midwives outwit Pharaoh? How did Pharaoh react?
2. From what tribe was Moses born? What is so ironic about the birth story of Moses?
3. What for m of Psalm is 124? For what were the people of Israel giving thanksgiving? How do you give thanks for be saved?
4. According to the psalmist, where are the people to look for help? Do the Jewish people remember what happened in Egypt? Why? What do we celebrate and remember that God did for us who call ourselves Christians?
5. In the Old Testament, what forms of sacrifice were made to God? Were these sacrifices always acceptable to God? What form of sacrifice does Paul cause us to make (v. 1)? How do we make such sacrifice? What is our challenge—to what are we tempted to be conformed—to act like? Instead, we are called to be transformed as what? Where are you?
6. If you have given your life to Christ, does that make you entitled to think of yourself better than people who have not? What about within the Body of Christ—is any member more important than the other? What is your function in the Body of Christ?
7. What is the first question Jesus asks the disciples? How do they answer? What is Jesus' second question? How does Simon answer? How do you answer the second question and how did you come to that conclusion?
8. How does Jesus respond to Simon's answer? And then what does Jesus tell Simon in verse 18? Who knows you better than anyone else including yourself? So, if you come to know Jesus as the One who loves you more than yourself, what else do you learn?
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, August 14, 2011
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:10-28
1. How did Joseph get to Egypt? What was Joseph's position in this reading from Genesis? Was the journey for Joseph easy? How in this reading does Joseph relate to his brothers?
2. What has kept Joseph from being full of vengeance against his brothers (v.5)? How do you think Joseph came to understand what God was doing with him? Does Joseph claim that he is in control? When was the last time you sought vengeance instead of listening to God? How did that work for you? When something bad happens in your life, do you lose faith and try to take control or do you seek guidance from God—life or death?
3. Do you have blood family still? Do you have another form of family—friends, gang, or church? Do you always get along? Have we read in the past few weeks about families in disharmony? What do you think is the greatest harm for all this disharmony?
4. What is the second great commandment given by Jesus? Why is it so difficult to follow? How do you show love within your families?
5. Paul asks a question about his own race—what is it (v. 11:1)? How does Paul respond to the question in verse 2a? How does Paul reinforce his answer (11:29)?
6. Who is Paul writing to in the Book of Romans and who is he saying will receive mercy and salvation? How is God going to use the disobedience of the gentiles to bring salvation to the Israelites? Now, read Romans 11:11-12? Is God limiting his love?
7. In Matthew 15:1-9, the Pharisees and scribes challenged Jesus because he did not make the disciples wash their hands before they ate and accused Jesus of breaking a tradition of the elders. What does Jesus then explain to the disciples? Have you suffered because of statements spoken to you by someone you loved? Have you damaged someone with your words? What should you do?
8. Why did Jesus and the disciples not want to help the Canaanite woman? What have we learned over and over in the Old and New Testaments about God's love? Why then do you think Jesus at first refused to help this woman? Do you ever feel the prejudices of other people against you just because you are a different race, gender, etc? Do you allow your prejudices to control how you treat other people? Do you seek vengeance?
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, August 7, 2011
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
1. Who was Joseph helping in verse 2 of Genesis 37? What did Joseph do that may have made his brother's mad at him. What was really the problem for Joseph's brothers as revealed in verse 4? Where else have we read of conflicts in this family?
2. What does Jacob send Joseph to do in verse 14? Does Joseph act obediently to his father? When the brothers see Joseph on the way how do they refer to him (v. 19)? Why? Have you ever been in a crowd and the crowd gets excited about doing something wrong to someone? Who stepped in to help Joseph? What happened to Joseph? What would you have done if you were a brother of Joseph?
3. Why does the psalmist call the people to give thanks? Who will rejoice (v. 3)? What are the people to do (v. 4)? How would you go about fulfilling verse 4? What difference would it make in your life?
4. What story do verses 16-22 retell? What does the psalmist credit for keeping Joseph strong and faithful to God? Do you ever feel as God is working on you to make you the person God created you to be? When was the last time you denied God to serve your own selfish desires? Did those selfish desires make you a better person—were you happier in the long run?
5. How does Moses describe how a person is to be in a right relationship with God (v.5)? Is faith required according to the law? Have you ever heard Christian talk about who will go to heaven or to hell? What does Paul think about such conversation (vv.6-7)? What does Paul say is required for a person to attain salvation? What does Paul really mean by believe in your heart?
6. Is the saving grace of God limited to just certain people (v. 12)? Why then do you think many churches only want people just like them in attendance? Who has a responsibility to help others know of the salvation through Jesus Christ (v. 14)? How are we to proclaim the Good News? Ask yourself whether your life proclaims the Good News—is it?
7. After the 5,000 plus people had been fed, what did the disciples and Jesus do immediately? When you have participated in a miracle, what do you do afterward? How did the disciples respond initially when they saw Jesus walking near them? How do you think you would have responded?
8. Of the disciples, who showed bravery and faith? What caused Peter to begin sinking? What causes you to lose faith and begin to sink into your own sea of selfishness? How are we to remain strong in our faith?
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, July 10, 2011
Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
1. How old was Isaac when he married Rebecca? What problem had Rebecca encountered, and who did she consult for guidance? How old was Isaac when his two sons, Esau and Jacob were born? Why was it so important to Isaac to have sons? What were the names of these two boys and who do they represent according to verse 23?
2. Why did each parent love one son more than the other? Does this ever happen in real life—have you ever loved one child more than the other or have you felt loved or not loved as much as some of your siblings? What does Esau end up dong with his birthright and why is it such a big deal? How would you describe the two brothers based on this birthright story? Who are you as between these two siblings?
3. Based on these verses from Psalm 119, on what does the psalmist rely for guidance? How has the psalmist shown his commitment (v. 106)? Is life without problems for the psalmist (vv. 107, 110)? For what does the psalmist request from God?
4. Does the psalmist blame others for his problems or does he reflect that he is responsible for the consequences of his decisions (v. 109)? So, on what does the psalmist rely to keep himself from problems? On what do you rely to guide you in life? Do you take responsibility for the consequences of your actions or blame others? How's it working for you?
5. According to Paul, what sets us free (v. 2)? Free from what? What did God do to set us free and to reconcile us to God and God to us (vv.3-4)? How does the Holy Spirit help us?
6. If God has set us free through Christ, what are we free to do—what are the two choices (v.5)? Which choice provides life and which choice provides death? What is your choice and how would anyone else know what you have chosen?
7. The reading from Matthew is a parable—what is a parable? What does it mean that a person is sowing seeds—what seeds? There are three examples of where the seeds land. What is the first example and what happens to the seed—did it bear much fruit—why or why not? And the second example, what happened to the seed—did it bear much fruit—why or why not? And the third example, what happened and why the difference from the other two examples?
8. What about you today—which of the examples illustrates your journey with Christ? Can a person be one who receives the seed as well as one who casts the seed? Explain? Does the sower take credit for the growth of the seeds or does the sower give up when nothing grows?
How about you?
Third Sunday after Pentecost, July 3, 2011
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Psalm 45:10-17
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
1. We read in the passage how Isaac and Rebecca were united as husband and wife. Who were the parents of Isaac and why did they need a servant to go find a wife for Isaac? Where were the parents of Isaac living and where was the servant sent to find a wife for Isaac? What prayer did the servant recall that he said as he came to a spring (vv.42-44)? And what happened?
2. Was Rebecca forced to go with the servant (vv. 57-58)? What do you think Rebecca had been doing ever since the servant arrived? How often do you consult God before you make any decision, much less a major decision?
3. Psalms were often part of the liturgy of a worship service in the Temple. For what form of service might Psalm 45 been used? In verse 10, what is the bride advised to do? How is the bride to address her husband (v. 11)? Is that what brides are called to do today? Do people today do anything like verse 12?
4. What evidence from the Psalm do you find that it was a patriarchal society—a society where men had more prestige and power than women (vv. 11, 16)? Has anything changed in society in the Western world? Do you believe that men and women should have equal rights?
5. What does Paul say he does not understand in verse 15 of Romans 7? Do you ever find yourself in that very situation? Under what circumstances does Paul say the law is good (v. 16)? What does the law therefore tell him or us? What is Paul talking about in verse 18—did not God say that we were good? Are our bodies evil or is it our free will and how we use our bodies sometimes evil?
6. Sin is anything that separates you from God, yourself, and your neighbors. Sin is all about being self-centered. Do you ever do something you know injures your relationship with God, yourself, or your neighbor? Why do you do it? Does Paul say he suffered (v. 24)? How did Paul and how can we get through our suffering of letting go of being so self-centered (v. 25a)?
7. Verses 16-19 describe a generation of people who are faithless and always seeking to find fault with others. What two people are contrasted and how does the generation regard them? How are these two people to be vindicated—by their words alone or their deeds (v. 19)? Do your actions reveal wisdom or selfishness?
8. What does Jesus tell us in John 14:6—I am the way, the truth, and the life. Why would the wise and intelligent people have so much difficulty understanding the Good News? What invitation does Jesus offer to us (v. 28)? Is the invitation limited to a certain group of people? Are you carrying heavy burdens? Why not share them with Christ? | eng | 0b2a3277-027d-4cc4-97a0-2563dd94dba3 | http://kearle@travispark.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=42710&PID=613009 |
Foxconn chief Terry Gou reportedly reckons that Apple, one of the contract manufacturer's biggest customers, is indeed preparing the so-called 'iTV'.
To be fair to Gou, he didn't actually say Apple is planning to offer an HD TV, but he did say his company is preparing its production lines for such a product, at least according …
The Why is because some people clearly don't consider what a terrible idea it is to tie your television set to a software and services provider. All of this could be done in a separate box so that if a better box comes out you don't have to junk the investment in the screen.
When everything is in a single device, you are reliant on Apple for everything for the lifetime of the television. Will it still offer service in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years?
This question applies equally to other "smart" TVs that are appearing from Samsung and others. I wonder how smart they'll be 5 years hence when the services are bitrotten and broken.
@DrXym
But for everyone who likes the idea of a regular tv with a bolt-on box, there's the existing AppleTV and the world of competitors for it. For the people who can achieve the same thing using a PC, they arent the target market, so shouldn't really be down on the product, they aren't being forced to buy it.
There will be a lot of people out there who buy a TV based on how it looks, or the brand name attached to it. If its not REALLY expensive, they'll shift loads of them.
Also, their iPad, iPhone, Mac annual refresh being staggered as it is to help keep god news coming and continually prop up the share price ... that would benefit from a bit of annual good news about new TV variants. Groundbreaking, magical, revolutionary 22" tv's for kids bedrooms or kitchens, for example... to compliment the 32" bedroom variant and the 40" living room variant previously released. Ultimately leading to the 60" iTV Pro.
Because it's better
Sure you can hook up a PC to a telly, but unless you like buying and then trailing extra long video cables across your lounge you have to get up out of your comfy chair to change channels*, and if the content you want to see is on your phone or fondleslab, you'll be arsing around switching cables over as well.**
Compare this with a proposed iTV, want to change channel? Voice control or app control from comfy sofa, Impromptu baby photos? AirPlay. Guest comes round with a film on their device? AirPlay. Streaming video or music from the Internet on your phone? pop that stream on the TV with AirPlay, using your fondleslab to browse the enormous film library you've acquired in Plex on your PC? you can watch it on your device or the TV with a tap.
Easy, Better, way less "hold on... I think the TV is set to the wrong input..., no wait, it's the lappy displaying on the wrong screen, just need to tweak the resolution... FFS now the aspect is wrong... " and so on.
NB, 720p projector and surround sound hooked up to my PC, not hard to appreciate the value proposition here though.
* Actually, I don't get up, I have a remote app on my device, but while sometimes it works perfectly, often it would be quicker to just go over there and do it the old fashioned way anyway.
** There's no way my wife is going to mess around with cables, so any solution that relies on them will always be my job, as is she leaves the bloody cursor on screen when watching catchup, it's poking up people's noses most of the time, drives me crazy and is probably just a little psychological warfare on her part for me making her get up to put her next show on.
@ Obviously
Yes, Applites need someone to show them the way, thats why there's a huge trend of 'Doze users hooking up their PC to their TV... Oh wait there isn't.
Sounds like you're suffering from the same disease MS is with Metro, a single given interface isn't ideal in every situation. The TV does need a different interface to a PC to be at its most effective; whether or not Steve Jobs had "Cracked it" we'll see.
Re: Because it's better
Re: @DrXym
@Andrew James
These rumours have been pointing towards sets smaller than the 40"+ that is becoming the norm for many people's main TV. The idea of a Siri enabled set makes more sense in the context of a kitchen... "Siri, let John know his dinner's in the oven" or "Siri, what's the weather like today, and is there any congestion on my way to work?"
Also, when you have hands covered in flour and oil a hands-free device makes sense- "Siri, next page [of a dinner recipe] please"
(This evening I have tried a wireless dongle in a Humax Fox T2 PVR, as recommended by Reg Hardware... Grrr)
Re: @DrXym
"But for everyone who likes the idea of a regular tv with a bolt-on box, there's the existing AppleTV and the world of competitors for it. For the people who can achieve the same thing using a PC,"
I didn't say PC, I said box as in set top box. i.e. I could buy a device such as Apple's "Apple TV" box, plug it into my TV and get almost identical functionality. It would probably cost me hundreds less than an integrated television set too. And in a few years when Apple produces a new version of the box I can swap out the old one for minimal expense (even relegate it to a bedroom) and enjoy all the new functionality with the same TV.
Putting everything in the TV essentially means your TV is going to be obsolete in a few years, whenever Apple or app providers decide to pull the plug on the service. It also means you're tied to Apple for your content. If Apple decides (as it's done in the past) to screw rival services then you're screwed too. If they decide to start charging for EPG listings, or for VOD or whatever then you're screwed too.
This isn't some anti Apple sentiment, the same applies to TVs which are integrating Google TV, or some other proprietary "smart" offering. It's cheaper and more future proof to keep the brains separate from the display.
iCorrie
I reckon Apple should just buy ITV - imagine how funny Corrie would become - everyone would be in the Rovers Return on their iPads...
"oh aye chuck, have a looook at this new t'app in t'app store - I can now order a pint and a Betty's hotpot on me t'Apple t'iPad so dooont have t'go t'bar anymore!"
Or something like that, I cant do northern, I live in Surrey ffs!
Also, I'd imagine the sets would become much shinier and minimalist but they'd have to get rid of the cobbles as hybrids and Segways don't get on too well with bumpy road surfaces so I'm led to believe!
Re: iCorrie
Ta chuck!
I know a few Yorkshire folk but I am not up to speed on the Lancashire dialect. To be fair I can barely speak English as it is so going northern is rather like doing a masters degree in a subject I can barley pass at GCSE level!
Re: iTV?
Re: iTV?
Re: iTV?
No, that's not correct, the merger is officially "ITV plc". However ITV as a name has been around since the sixties or somesuch (before my time), so I doubt that fruity-loops will have much luck claiming to own it.
It's pointless for the UK market
As with all Apple things, they seem to fixate on the US market and Apple UK obviously don't have any way of pushing stuff we like over here. So it'll be an Apple iTV with Netflix and iTunes vs a SmartTV with iPlayer, 4OD, Lovefilm, Netflix, DLNA etc.. etc..
I have an Apple TV 2 and it's OK - but it desperately needs the proper UK TV catchup services to be a big seller in the UK and with Apple it's unlikely to ever happen.
The Appel TV set top boxes are very good - especially if you already have other Apple gear and iTunes already. Would be good if they added more content but if you have an iPad / iPhone and iTunes / Netflix you have a ton of content available anyway.
Native BBC, C4 players would be nice and a bit more UK specific content but certainly worth £100 for it being small, very easy to use and they can certainly add more features in the future.
Margins are no problem to Apple. They can charge whatever they want for a TV and millions of brainwashed idiots will *still* queue up all night for it, convincing each other that a TV that only lets you watch what Apple wants you to watch is a genius innovation.
Ditto trademarks. If Apple wants it, the courts will hand it over to them. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if ITV end up handing over the trademark.
Tedious comment, that. Tedious, unoriginal, unsupported and boring. That it is offensive is the least of it.
"millions of brainwashed idiots"
Some Apple buyers will inevitably be idiots, but any tech gets its 'first adopters' - those who wait in line outside an Apple store on the first day do not represent the majority of their buyers. I think you'll find that many Apple buyers are a) older b) less inclined to faff around getting things to work, and c) richer than you are. Sounds like a financially sound market segment to aim for, to me.
"They can charge whatever they want" er, no. That would suggest that they just pluck RRPs out of the air. The evidence is that they exhibit more business sense than that. Yes, they do have large margins, but they have put a lot of effort into putting themselves into that position - be it through R&D, acquisitions, or just being very good at managing their supply chain.
If you gave reasons as to why they were idiots (they enjoy display ratios hardly available elsewhere, an unrivalled selection of apps and third party hardware and docks) your tone might have some merit. Since you can't, we'll just consider other peoples choices to be 'horses for courses'.Re: To iTV or not iTV - That is the question
Surely they could refresh their lineup every year and not expect everyone to upgrade what they bought last year. Not all Macbook owners upgrade annually, and despite Samsung releasing a new tv range at least once a year, not everyone with a samsung tv upgrades to the latest and greatest, and they get along just fine with the old one.
I mean, you can still buy an iPhone 3GS brand new. Whats that now, 4 years old nearly? And thats in the fast moving world of mobile phones. Its crap, and outdated, but they still sell it and support it to a great extent.
I do agree, but I wonder why you feel the need to have everyone agree with you? Are you insecure about your thoughts on the channel?
The idea that intelligence could/should be judged by the type on entertainment someone enjoys is sadder than the stuff on ITV. Each to their own.
While I'm at it, the recurring comments that we have an ITV already in the UK every time a story about this TV comes up are getting old now. I know this, everyone else on these forums know this, and Apple will know this. As I understand it the name 'iTV' hasn't even come from Apple, it's just the name people are using as no name (or product) has been announced.
C'mon guys
I love reading these comments, people are slagging on Apple and saying it will suck because it'll just be the same as having an Apple TV hooked up to your TV, and be no different from the other "smart TVs" being sold.
Pretty much what people were saying in 2006 when the rumors about an Apple phone really started to heat up and everyone was saying it would basically be a Razr that synced to iTunes. They were way wrong then, and they'll be wrong now. I don't know what Apple is coming up with, but I do know it won't be a warmed over version of the lame "smart TV" features that all the TV vendors have been adding on lately to the collective yawn of consumers worldwide. It also won't be the same thing you could get by hooking up an Apple TV or other set top to your TV, except without cables.
If all Apple does is save one power cord and one HDMI cable by having the set top built into the TV, I'll be first in line to join the Apple haters in saying it sucks and only fanboys would buy it. But what will they do if it redefines the market like the iPhone did, not necessarily by inventing something that had never been invented before, but taking a lot of things that mostly had already been invented but just implemented poorly and never working well together until Apple rethought it? I suspect the Apple haters will still claim it sucks. They'll claim Apple didn't innovate, they either copied or were just lucky to be first to market with obvious ideas. And ignore how the next TV they buy is a way closer to Apple's new set than the ones on the market today.
Only according to one reporter
None of the other hacks present have reported Terry Gou syaing this. So did they drop the ball or did the China Daily hack get it wrong? I suspect the latter.
Why on would Gou blab this kind of information? How many of Foxconn's customers would be happy knowing that its CEO will talk about their unnanounced products in the pipeline?
The Next Web ( has printed a comment from Foxconn about this:
"In remarks at a media briefing during the groundbreaking of Foxconn's new China headquarters in Shanghai on May 10, Terry Gou, Foxconn's Chief Executive Officer, made it very clear that he would neither confirm nor speculate about Foxconn's involvement in the production of any product for any customer because Foxconn's policy is not to comment on any customers or their products.
At no time did he confirm that Foxconn was in development or manufacturing stages for any product for any of its customers. He did say that Foxconn is always prepared to meet the manufacturing needs of customers should they determine that they wish to work with Foxconn in the production of any of their products. Any reports that Foxconn confirmed that it is preparing to produce a specific product for any customer are not accurate." | eng | 61990960-d528-4b40-a8cb-5f7ab70795e4 | http://forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/1/2012/05/14/foxconn_gearing_up_to_produce_apple_itv/ |
If a controversial ballot question passes next month, state Del. Pat McDonough said Tuesday, the first thing he will do on Nov. 7 would be to start readying a case for federal court.
"It won't be over on Nov. 6, probably no matter what happens, no matter who loses," McDonough said.
Mc
The Dream Act, patterned after similar legislation in 11 other states, would guarantee in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants, provided, among other things, that they spent at least three years in a Maryland high school, that their parents had filed income taxes and that the students first spend two years at a community college.
The bill, passed in 2011, was quickly petitioned to referendum, and will be Question 4 on the Maryland ballot in two weeks.
In the 90-minute appearance at CCBC, McDonough spoke about citizenship, the rule of law, federal law and what he called "misinformation" about the Maryland Dream Act's true costs. The in-state tuition discount is about $4,000 per year for community colleges, and $16,000 per year at the University of Maryland College Park, McDonough said, making the total tax dollars spent for one student $40,000.
Estimating that 1,000 students annually may take advantage of the measure, "$40 million dollars a year [in costs] going into an under-funded system that is in debt," he said.
On the flip side, McDonough said he supports immigration reform, including incentives for young illegal immigrants to join the armed forces as a path to some kind of legal status (though he clarified after the speech that he does not specifically support the federal DREAM Act, introduced in Congress several times in recent years).
Such reform, however, must come from the federal level, he said, adding that federal authorities cannot "selectively enforce" immigration law.
"Do you think if Gov. O'Malley or President Obama, President Bush were to begin to selectively enforce the Civil Rights Act, how long would that last? Minutes," he said.
He said the tuition bill runs afoul of federal law barring preferential treatment or benefits given to illegal immigrant students that are not given to out-of-state students, which could put state and community colleges "in danger of losing our ability to charge out-of-state" tuition.
Recent polls have shown support for the measure among 50 to 60 percent of Maryland voters. Most recently, a Washington Post poll found 59 percent of likely voters in support and 35 percent opposing the measure.
"You don't collect 132,000 signatures in a record time and think that people are not against this. It's inconsistent," McDonough said afterwards. "I'm confident that we're going to win it."
After his speech, he fielded several questions from the audience on the bill's fiscal impact and general issues regarding illegal immigrants, such as the impact and costs of increased local and federal enforcement and a recent identity theft case in Houston, TX.
The forum, he said afterwards, was a great opportunity to have an important conversation just two weeks from the election.
"People have an open mind, they were intelligent, they were reasonable, they listened to both sides and they'll make a decision," he said.
McDonough probably didn't change many minds at CCBC. He asked the audience to raise their hands to gauge the crowd's position. About two-thirds were for the bill and one-third were against, with one identifying herself as undecided.
Bill Krehnbrink, a Perry Hall resident who said he was against the tuition bill, said he found the forum "very interesting," particularly quotes read by McDonough from the likes of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington in reference to what he called the "public office" of citizenship.
"I've heard some of the quotes mentioned, but I've never heard it in that kind of mode with that kind of passion behind it," he said.
Pragyashree Sharma, a CCBC sophomore from Towson who is herself a legal immigrant from Nepal, was put off by perceived stereotyping of immigrants by McDonough and other opponents, particularly in relation to ethnicity and crime, and said that the law should not punish students brought to the country when they were young.
"For the youngsters, I would say why not let them go? They came here. That could be your parents [who] came here," she said. "That's not your fault that you came here as an illegal immigrant into the United States. That's your parents' fault."
CASA de Maryland, a Latino immigrant legal aid and advocacy group, held similar forums at CCBC in Essex and Catonsville earlier this month to speak in support of the measure. Educating Maryland Kids, the ballot issue committee for the measure, held a rally in Silver Spring on Tuesday.
Only in your mind. Most undocumented immigrants (illegal is something that only applies after a court ruling as to whether a person is guilty of coming here without permission or not) are only coming here to get a better life than they can have in their nation of birth.
I cannot blame them for doing that, if I was in their position I would come to America without permission as well.
It's past time to stop worrying about keeping these people from coming (it's impossible to do that) and WELCOME them. Make it easy to come here legally and a process that takes at most 3 months save if you are coming from a nation with a known history of terrorists coming from there.
I.E. any country save Israel in the Middle East.
@Christopher: The legal process is actually a good bit of work. There are several months of immigration office visits, countless phone conversations, and a lot of legal fees. I think it is wrong to award people the rights of US citizens when they have done nothing to earn those rights other than come to this country when others that go through the process legally. One thing I don't understand: if an immigrant is illegal, how do they get enrolled into a public school or pay taxes legally? Wouldn't this alert the government about their illegal status and encourage their deportation?
I know right from wrong and legal from illegal - it is just that simple. Although Pat and I have been in opposition over the years campaign wise, he is 100% right, or more clearly, correct on this issue.
I hope the Dream Act passes. These are not exactly "illegal immigrants", they're young people who are really trying to make something of themselves. Its not just for everyone, AKA 'slackers'. In a matter of fact, if you don't get a degree of some sort of join the military after 6 years~
everyone deserves a chance, especially people who are stuck in a tough living situation
I am amazed how little concern you have ffor making an ass out of yourself Kidwell.
Here is what I posted. "As ALL legal aliens are SCREENED for health concerns..."
and you say it is "bunkus" then say "The only screening that is done is asking people if they have health issues."
Seems to be exactly what I posted. Shutup before you look worse idiot.
Yes indeed this is a country of immigrants - BUT they were legal, documented immigrants who did not slither over the border and break the law entering the country. A vast difference between what is happening now with our total lack of border control.
It was not until 1875 that the first restrictive immigration law was created by Congress. You were fortunate that your ancestors made it over before we created our closed borders. I have been waiting "legally" to have family come from Europe for over 10 years. Great job done by the US immigration disservice.
Wrong.People who came into Ellis island had no papers,no documentation,hell half of them were given names by the people checking them in because they couldnt understand them,couldnt speak their language,or just wanted to keep the line moving! No folks talk about these folks taking money and resources but you continue to elect people like mcdonough who want to pass laws to watch and keep track of everyone and have govt run every part of peoples lives. Now he wants to sue if he cant get his way.Way to go pat! Why do you hate America and her people so much? If ya dont like it here move south,your politics play better there!
How easy it is to judge people trying to make a better life for their children from our comfortable and lucky position of being born here. It amazes me how many think their American status has anything to do with earning it or with making them superior to others. Oh, that's right....God loves America and Americans best.
Arguing the point that we are all a "nation of immigrants" is just something an unintelligent person says. Of course we have all heard that idiotic statement before so people just regurgitate it to try to feel smarter. We could all be considered immigrants from where life began so let's just stop this nonsensical argument.
This is a question of an action being legal or not. I could steal a million dollars from a bank and make life a lot better for my family but I don't because I know it is a crime and society has repercussions for crimes. The government should not be supporting a crime and that is what this act does.
What an idiotic statement that is. The DREAM Act gives the opportunity for children that have graduated from high school in Maryland to get a chance to go to college. That is what it is about, nothing more.
Of course if you just look at your statement "the opportunity for children that have graduated from high school in Maryland to get a chance to go to college" and look at it in a vacuum then I sound like a horrible person trying to deny people basic rights. However this is a bigger issue. This is a government saying its ok to commit a crime and actually aiding in the action.
The problem is not immigrants because immigrants can be amazing people, it is the illegal part that many people have a problem with and to say that something illegal should be supported by the government sets a terrible precedent.
Jerry, not everything is black & white, as you'd like it to be. If so, half our banking execs would be in jail for the financial debacle! Evaluating our decisions & balancing them fairly is much more difficult & takes more intelligence than just cliche-ing away the problem (i.e. "They're illegal, send them back!") Here are the real issues: 1. US employers NEED these workers! Do YOU want to travel around the country, picking fruit & being looked down upon because of your race? If US companies refused to hire undocumented workers, this would never have been a problem. 2. A child bought here & raised as a patriotic American & who has excelled in school, should never be denied or discouraged from an education; would you rather have uneducated poor, relying on social programs, or educated tax-payers (yes, they pay income & other taxes)? Last, unless the government is willing to deport every illegal alien, including the many Canadians & Europeans, whether they've been here for 1 yr or 50 yrs, then this mentality needs to stop! BTW, non-citizens can join the US military & receive a "fast-track" for citizenship, because they are considered to be contributing something important; why shouldn't innocent children, who have worked hard, obtained a college degree & who are contributing to the country, be allowed a "fast-track" to citizenship? McDonough needs to stop his band-standing & start working FOR the people of Maryland, who, btw, will be voting today to support our Dream Act.
jnrentz1, do you know that we didn't have any immigration laws until the end of the 19th century? Do you know that our immigration laws have gotten more and more restrictive, to the point where it takes up to 20 YEARS for someone to immigrant legally today from some countries?
The bottom line is that our legal immigration system is broken, big time. It should take only 3-6 months for someone to get permission to immigrate to the Untied States and their visa should be good forever unless they leave America for more than 1 month and then come back to America without a good explanation.
In fact, just make it so that anyone in America for more than 1 year automatically becomes an American citizen unless they file paperwork saying that they don't want to become an American automatically when they first immigrate.
However, I respectfully disagree with you regarding your measures. I would greatly restrict current legal immigration and strictly enforce our current immigration laws, presuming to deport any illegal alien and not offer any kind of broad reaching amnesty to illegal aliens.
Why not just open up the prisons and let all criminals go to college on a grant!!! Make them become citizens first!!! Why is being a US citizen not important?! Deport these criminals now!!!!! I guess you idiots say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas too!!!!!!!!! Damn liberals!!!!!!!!!!!!! The country is going down hill because of things like this!
You are absolutely right. And as a Reagan supporter I was upset about the decision. And the aftermath as well. The intent was to deal with the illegals who were already here. Trouble is no one thought about future ones or the fact that the amnesty would encourage more such behavior. And it did, as we well know, now, with over 15 million illegals here at one point by some estimates. Where I live it is common for illegals to use more than one social security number, have under the table jobs while collecting welfare and foodstamps amongst other programs. If this continues no will be able to afford anything as all our resources will go to support such behavior. Stop it now. End the politics of it all and get back to reality.
Al, what you miss by a large margin, is everyone has a scam. Under the table payments is not restricted to undocumented workers. Small businesses routinely put cash payments in their pocket. The "poker" machine at your favorite watering hole. Large corporations and wealthy people game the system all the time. Where is your outrage? Oh, that's right, you are mad at the teenager trying to go to college.
Mad because they get welfare. How mad are you at the corporate and wealthy welfare we give out everyday?
Ronald Reagan did not pass the "first Amnesty Program for illegals." Congress passed a law containing the amnesty provisions and the late President Reagan signed it. This is markedly different from a Presidents use of Executive Order(s).
@FIFA: So just because there are people out there abusing the system, it makes it ok for everyone to do it? One of the biggest problems no one is talking about in this country is the sense of self entitlement that the govenment or corporations owe you something. So many people now want to throw in the towel and say, "That person is getting a free ride, so I deserve one too." The realtiy: there is NO FREE RIDE. Someone is paying for everything, either through taxes or by piling debt onto the backs of future generations in this country. The government is not meant to pay the people. I say abolish in state tuition and give the money back in the form of a tax break- no one should have to pay for someone else to go to school. And yes, I have children. We are saving what we can for their education like people should be.
April: "Sense of self entitlement?" You are using cliches and unsupported allegations to argue against what? Illegal aliens? Government education encouragement? You obviously have limited vision and don't realize that an educated citizenry benefits us all...the entire nation! Would you prefer that only the wealthy and elite have college educations? One of the problems today is that we are trailing other countries in Math and Science education! How do you propose we stay ahead, technologically, in a world where education is being pursued by everyone except the US? Stop listening to the "talking heads" on TV and start using your head to do some research and find the truth about issues, not cliches and easy answers to tough questions!
@Ron P: "Educated citizenry" is what we get when people realize that they have to work for their education and that it isn't given to them at a discounted rate. Stop discounting education and it will be more valuable. If eduation is more valuable than people will want it more and work harder to acheive it. EVERYONE should have to pay for their own tuition wether they are legal or illegal citizens.
I was at the adress last night. McDonough went on and on about how the office of "citizen" is the highest authority, and that his is a public office that must answer to the citizens. Then why is he threatening to challenge the will of the citizens if the measure passes?
"The law is the law" he said...and "these people are not citizens." I point out that laws are mutable. Before the 14th amendment African Americans were not citizens and yet we changed that. In McDonough's world the law is the law when it applies to the other guy and is a shield to hide his small-mindedness.
We are supposed to be a nation of laws. Rewarding any illegal behavior only reinforces such behavior and leads to more. And what really makes this absurd is that many law biding citizens do not have the same advantages as this program would provide. It is wrong legally and morally and shouldn't be considered or implimented.
The nation of laws stuff is hypocritical, a false equivalency in this situation and boiler plate talking point. We will not agree, vote Yes on the DREAM Act and give a teenager a chance at contributing to our society.
Protecting children is a worthy cause, & educating them to transcend their backgrounds & improve their/our futures, while making sure taxes were paid, a viable course. With so much turmoil in the Middle East, improving education in our hemisphere will pay benefits down the road. As for, "illegality", our immigration system is largely administrative in nature, and correcting it should be a top priority. Those that charge & require "criminal" penances, have obviously never gotten a traffic, speeding, DUI violation, or the like & begged for a PBJ. Pres. Bush proposed immigration corrections, but many Dems. & conservatives opposed a new system to protect unions & McDonough's highly flawed quota system.
Instead of pushing down youngsters, we should revitalize our immigration system asap.
We'll definitely be following the fate of this issue on Election Day. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter: (or, of course, at your Patch site of choice)
And if you have something longer-form to say about the Dream Act or any other issue, you can speak up in a blog: (or, again, sub Essex for your site of choice)
Let me give you some background on my history and where I come from. I come from New Mexico a state that is plagued by illegal immigration problems from human trafficking to drug pushing along Interstate 40, Interstate 25, and Interstate 10 roads. The state has had to deal with massive casuality car accidents where at least 20 people were packed in a car that was not designed to hold them. This took police away from doing their jobs and protecting actual citizens of the United States such as myself. I joined the Navy, and was given orders to Ft Meade, Maryland. Since 2003, I have been a resident of the state of Maryland. I am appalled that anyone in their right mind would give rights to those who are here illegally over those that are legal law abiding citizens who are here from other states. It is a disgusting waste of funds, and it tells other people from other states that are legal US Citizens both documented and and natural that they dont matter, and that illegal and undocumented aliens who are here deserve more rights then they do. It is discouraging to see people want to waste OUR HARD EARNED tax dollars on those who do not put money back in the piggy bank. I have no issues with giving back to those who contribute to a lively society, but those who freeload off of others is where I draw line. Either contribute or go back to wherever you came from and follow the processes of naturalization and become a US Citizen the right way. I hope this never passes.
Thank you for your service sir, did you realize you would be fighting and putting your life on the line for people who broke into this country? Who most likely are using forged or stolen identification?
does anyone think this is where these rewards will end? the frog in the pot of cold water is what this is.
Daniel, tell the people about those vans of illegal aliens that GO THE WRONG WAY on those highways to evade the police and then smash head on into a family of innocent people heading to a family affair across town. I am sure you have heard of those stories.
Or the illegal aliens who commit atrocious crimes then just run back south of the border to be a free man again until the heat dies down.
So Fifa, are you saying that New Mexico is not US State, and that I came here illegally? I would like to inform you that New Mexico is the 47th State of the Union, and became so on Jan 6th 1912. Go back and take Geography and learn your statehood. I pay Federal Taxes, so that should be good enough to pay instate tuition in any state that supports the DREAM ACT. If it isn't then the US Government and forcing Discrimination.
Fifi keeps pushing that LIE that there is no subsidy for in-state tuition rates.
How do you explain this story from 1993 explaining the SUBSIDY?
""The argument is that the citizens of the state should not be spending their money to subsidize education for persons who are not residents of the state of Maryland," said system Chancellor Donald L. Langenberg. "The subject has been raised by legislative leaders and taxpayers."
Maryland will continue to subsidize graduate students from other states because ending the subsidies "would price our graduate programs out of the national market," said Anne J. Moultrie, a spokeswoman.
But the policy requires that they pay at least 180 percent of the tuition charged to graduate students who are Maryland residents. That's already the case at the University of Maryland at College Park, but the fees charged to out-of-state graduate students at other campuses will increase under policy."
"June 12, 1993 Maryland taxpayers will stop subsidizing the tuition of out-of-state undergraduate students at University of Maryland System schools under a policy adopted yesterday by the Board of Regents.
Out-of-state undergraduates currently enjoy subsidies ranging from 1 percent to 25 percent, depending on which school they attend. They will pay the entire cost of their education when the policy takes full effect in 1998."
Paying in-state tuition is limited to those who pay taxes to our state according to residency requirements. Just like other states.
Your paying federal taxes has zero to do with getting in-state rates in a state you don't live. If you wish to change the law so vets can get that in-state rate everywhere, go for it. You might find support, except in Republican states that don't like giving vets anything in the way of benefits.
Your volunteering to serve is always appreciated by the way, I served, my father served. But that doesn't make you any smarter than anyone else and has nothing to do with this discussion. So why did you bring it up?
Joe, I'll try to make it easy for you. The assumption made in all of the studies is that the student will attend the college regardless of the cost. That just is nonsensical.These families are for the most part poor. The difference in cost will force many students not to go school because they can't afford it Thus in effect, this will reduce the revenue to the Community and/or four year college.
"Paying in-state tuition is limited to those who pay taxes to our state according to residency requirements. Just like other states."
There in lies your issue you are saying that one should be a resident of the State, but illegal immigrants are not legal residents of any state or for our country for that matter, and those children who are of undocumented non-tax paying citizens should be deported or should be allowed the process of Naturalization by joining the US Military or by following the processes outlined in our Constitution.
Quote Fifa:
FIFA "29 minutes ago It would be nice if you went back."
That is where you assumed I came here illegally, and if you knew geography as you claimed then you would have not stated that.
So please get your facts straight and do some research before you support something that illegal residence should not be qualified for over those who are here legally, pay federal taxes that will help provide funding to allow those here illegally get the discounted rates. This only hurts the Nation, and not helps it. Do you not understand that, or has the Obama Flavored Kool-Aid clouded your judgement?From the UM REGENTS """June 12, 1993 Maryland taxpayers will stop subsidizing the tuition of out-of-state undergraduate students at University of Maryland System schools under a policy adopted yesterday by the Board of Regents. "
"Maryland will continue to subsidize graduate students from other states because ending the subsidies "would price our graduate programs out of the national market," said Anne J. Moultrie, a spokeswoman. "
Do you understand the difference between graduate students and undergraduate students?
"Fiscal Summary
.
Local Effect: State aid for community"1. The Fiscal Costs of Schooling
Fiscal costs are the changes in the subsidies that state, local and federal governments pay for
educating students who take advantage of the Dream Act. Subsidies are the amount of money
the state, local and federal governments give directly to schools, colleges and universities.7 We
calculated the subsidies to each student for the last year of high school and each year of higher
education at a public community college or 4-year public university, with and without the Dream
Act. Our estimates assume that the government subsidy for each student is equal to the average
per student subsidy, and that a student with an incomplete college education will complete two
years of community college. While the federal government directly subsidizes public high school
education, there are no direct federal subsidies to public community colleges and universities.
Therefore, we assume that the fiscal costs to the federal government for college or university
education are zero. Our estimates of fiscal costs of the Dream Act are the differences between
subsidies with and without the Dream Act."
"D. Other Potential Costs
An impact of the Maryland Dream Act which is not included in our estimates of the private or fiscal costs is the lost revenue to Maryland community colleges and universities because some undocumented students who would have paid out-of-state tuition are now paying in-state tuition.
For community college there will be no revenue loss due to the Dream Act. On the
contrary, the Dream Act will result in an increase in revenue *****because the additional state subsidy is greater than the lost tuition revenue.******
From the Blob's link:
"This analysis suggests that even if the only consideration is the fiscal effects on state and local governments the net economic effects of the Maryland Dream Act will be positive, and the benefits will be substantial."
And there was never any contention on that point was it? The issue was SUBSIDY and none of you are man enough to own up when your wrong. But you're good at then bringing up red herrings that no one contended.
The federal government would also have to pay about $50,000 a year for each class, adding up to state, local and federal governments sharing a total cost of nearly $7.5 million a year starting in 2016, if voters approve the Maryland Dream Act on the November ballot.
On top of what Maryland already pays for illegals:
Del. Neil Parrott, R-Washington County, who led the fight to get the law on the November ballot, said the state spent $1.6 billion providing services for illegal immigrants in the past year, including housing, health care, school and other costs.
Did you even read that study before you linked to it? From your link....
"This analysis suggests that even if the only consideration is the fiscal effects on state and local governments the net economic effects of the Maryland Dream Act will be positive, and the benefits will be substantial."
Of course they will say it will be positive, they also said the same thing about Obama Care to get people to support it. And the kool-aid they are giving people is working. Politicians will say anything to get support, and the gullible people like yourself will drink it right up and swallow it. Then when it gets implemented youll be wondering why you can no longer go to the Raven's game due to your income becoming less and less. Its all lies. It will harm us more then it will help us. It is a known fact that immigrants who come here with student visas get degrees then go back to their home nation for a job. Look it up.
They did that on purpose so that the non-supporters of this Bill would be frowned upon by the Veterans of the US Military. I am a Veteran, and find that more appalling then this Bill. The Veteran issue should be a separate bill and law entirely, because we are LEGAL Citizens of the US by Birth or by Military Servitude. It is a huge slap in the face of the Veterans and those that oppose this bill to have that included as a means and way to get support.
This referendum simply comes down to whether you believe a teenager whose parents have come here illegally and that pay taxes to this state, has the chance (Dream) to get an affordable college education or not. That is what you are voting about. Your no vote may prevent many from going to college.
I for one, will vote for the student every time. That's me, and I hope the majority of Marylanders. It will not change my life one nickel whichever way it goes, I'll feel better about it if that kid, and I mean kid, gets a chance for a Dream. That kid is here through no fault of their own. Maybe that was the parent's plan. I believe rewarding hard work which is what it takes to make it through college.
As a veteran, it is a slap in my face not to do what is right and fair, period.
And I am going to say that by allowing those illegal parents and their kids the same opportunity to pay instate tutition as opposed to those who are by law and by definition Legal Citizens to pay more for college education is down right wrong and very deceptive. Why should they get special treatment over the surrounding states and the rest of the United States? They shouldn't plain and simple, they are not paying taxes or lese they would be documented with a valid tax payer ID or a social security number for which they would get if they were legally from the get go. If they are here illegally and they have a child, then the entire family needs to go. I am sick and tired of my hard earned tax money going to those people who are not following the law and becoming legalized citizens through the proper measures. It is quite easy, but they love their food stamps, free medical on tax payer dime, and their free government handouts. They do not deserve it all. They deserve deportation with a time period for which they cannot apply for legalized citizenship. If they follow the law in their hoe nation, and do so for a good amount years, then they can easily try for Citizenship. A lawful citizen of the US should be able to get instate tuition over that of an illegal. Doing the right thing is stopping this law, and to protect our borders. When my family came from Spain and Germany they followed the law to become Legal Citizens giving their kids that DREAM.
Why is it wrong, Daniel? Those undocumented immigrants are paying the same taxes (taking into account that most of them are making under poverty level and wouldn't pay any income tax each year) as a legal citizen or documented immigrant would.
I.E. sales taxes, various fees on services, etc.
It's time to stop with the bullshit LIE that these people are not paying any taxes. They are paying all the taxes they would if they were document immigrants. In fact, considering most of them pay into SS with no way to get money out of that when they are old? They are paying MORE taxes than most people do who earn what they earn.
@Christopher: Can you please tell me how exactly someone pays SS tax with no SS number? Did you know that legal visitors to this country on a working visa pay no income tax? How then are you assuming that illegal visitors in this country are paying income tax? These are the taxes that pay for in-state tuition. There should be no tuition breaks FOR ANYONE based on residency/ non-residency. If tuition breaks are awarded AT ALL they should be given based on ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE only. THAT would be a good investment in education for the future programs question is: why are illegal parents working and paying taxes? The employers shouldn't be hiring undocumented workers...I don't know of any other country that would let me stay just because I had a baby while I was there. The law needs to say a child born of legal residents of the USA is deemed a citizen.
That is the problem in a nutshell
So you are resorting to name calling when you know you are wrong and when presented with a logical argument. Have a good life, and hope you love seeing your tax dollars go down the drain to a useless cause.
Just because Anne Coulter can insult people with intellectual disabilities doesn't make it right to quote her. That word is hurtful AND hateful and shame on people who use it. I pity them for not being able to come up with anything intelligent to say and how they must result to bullying and put-downs to try to win an argument.
Have to agree with jnrentz1 here. Calling someone retarded is just calling people what they are or what you think they are. Yes, mentally disabled is the same thing and is a little less 'demeaning' but it's still calling a spade a spade.
Retard is slang and is disrespectful to anyone who is or knows someone who is mentally retarded. How would you feel if someone called your mentally retarded child a retard....it is mean and uncalled for. Jerk and idiot fit the bill perfectly and if it offends other jerks and idiots, who cares?
If you are not in this country legally, then you are not in this state legally. Therefore, an illegal immigrant cannot get in state tuition. In fact, they shouldn't be allowed to attend college at all unless they are a legal citizen. They can go to college in their respective home countries. By allowing illegal (or undocumented) immigrants to enjoy the same benefits of living in this country that legal citizens do, we encourage more illegal immigration and give legal immigrants a proverbial slap in the face.
This is one major reasons Obama MUST GO! The Justice Department has attacked states that passed their own illegal immigration and border security laws. Barack Obama has cut money spent on border security in half from $1.3 billion in 2008 to $573 million in 2011. Janet Napolitano and Homeland Security ended the Secure Border Initiative Network. Yet Obama lies to us that our borders have never been more secure.
We need to repeal the legislation that makes anyone born on American soil an automatic US citizen.
I don't begrudge anyone coming to the USA for education but give them a temporary visa.....they must check in with immigration on a monthly basis, and they have to pay higher tuition if they aren't a citizen? If they don' report in, then put out a warrant...un-enroll them and deport them when found and arrested. Anyone with a police record would not be allowed to return. If we don't enforce the laws, they will not be respected by anyone. If the parents of students are not here legally, they have to leave when the student graduates. At that point the child is an adult. If we did all this, we could hire more immigration workers to monitor these 'visitors' to our country. Anyone here on a visa can choose to stay with a valid reason and the successful completion of our citizenship requirement. Isn't that simple?
Annie, those coming in on education visas are usually highly talented individuals that get full free rides, a few athletic but mostly academic scholarships. Those that do pay their own way come from wealthy families abroad.
The problem with all the suggestions given out here is that the legislators have to draft and pass the laws and they will never do what is right for the state or country because it will offend one or more portions of their voter base and these career politicians can't afford to do that or they will lose their free ride in life.
You just described McDonough in a nutshell. He runs around with his "Speak English" Crapola and the Racists and Bigots in his district keep electing him.
His constituents are still living in the '50's and he takes full advantage of it...
Racists, bigots? At least they may know the meaning of the word 'illegal'. Who in their right mind, would like to pay for the education of folks who are here illegally? They have had a long time (years in some cases) to appply to be citizens, yet they do not even try. So I feel Del. McDonough is doing a great service to keep us informed, unlike Steve who has no clue (but a lot of money to spend)......or just throw away.
I find a certain oddity(ies) in some of the arguments and actions put forth by the illegal alien crowd and their fellow travelers. The illegal aliens and their supporters will demand that they receive all the protections that the law(s) allows, and then turn around and demand that certain extraordinary changes be made to further accommodate them, such as demanding an amnesty, as though an amnesty is some kind of right. We also have the demand of instate tuition as though not to grant it, makes US Citizens some kind or ogres. And we also have the incessant labeling by those proponents of illegal immigration, that if you are opposed to illegal immigration you are some kind of bigot or racist. So we have; "YOU obey the law, and respect my rights, and YOU ignore the fact that I entered YOUR country illegally, and YOU will not stand in our way as we seek an amnesty to which we are not entitled. And if YOU say anything contrary, we will call you a name, and a nasty name at that!" And YOU had better provide for us in Spanish! (Perhaps their is a little, or a lot of Cultural and Linguistic arrogance here :-).
Oh well, I think President Obama will win, and we may have an other amnesty by Executive Order, as that is what happens when legislation fails.
Remember, the late Senator Kennedy said there would never be a change in the racial and ethnic demographics in America due to immigration and there would never be another amnesty following the debacle signed by Reagan.
"Steve 8 minutes ago You aren't paying for it, they are paying for their own education"
You obviously do not have a clue on where the money is coming from to support this act, the money is coming from OUR TAXES and they aren't paying for anything. In order to pay taxes you have to have a tax payer id or a social security number, and in order to have those you have to be documented to be in the United States in legal status. I would highly recommend that you get some education on basic economics to better understand our Government and how it funds certain programs. You have no clue how our Government works. When an illegal undocumented worker visits the ER and they have no insurance guess who pays the bill. We legal tax payers do
Daniel I'm going to be polite but I'm not sure if you can follow logical thought. But I'll try.
1. All students that this apply to must attend Community Colleges and graduate or complete 60 credit hours. Right?
2. I believe if you check, there are empty seats at these Community Colleges. Right?
3. If the choice for the student is pay out of state rates or do not attend and they don't attend because they can't afford it, we the taxpayer then lose the in state rate they would have paid.
4. That is a loss to the taxpayer, these families are not wealthy.
If your argument is solely that they are "illegal" and get the heck out of the country at least that is honest. Don't give me some economic study, think for yourself.
How the heck do we tax payers lose out if no one is filling those empty seats. That does not make any sense what so ever. How can it be wasted if the tax money isn't being used, and it is being used to fund other things? You do not make any sense at all.
If a class has 20 students and there are empty chairs in that room. Just what does it really cost you compared to the in state rate the student would pay. It doesn't make any sense to me to keep them out of there.
If the student cannot afford the out-of-state rate and then does not go, we do not collect anything. These are not wealthy people. I can't make it any clearer.
"If a class has 20 students and there are empty chairs in that room. Just what does it really cost you compared to the in state rate the student would pay. It doesn't make any sense to me to keep them out of there."
If a tax payer like myself cant afford the instate tutition then that still leaves a seat empty, and there is no burden on the tax payer because it is empty.
"If the student cannot afford the out-of-state rate and then does not go, we do not collect anything. These are not wealthy people. I can't make it any clearer."
What do you mean collect anything? Doesnt make any sense to me. How does an empty that is not being used affect me the tax payer? it is simple it doesn't because it just doesn't. Otherwise schools would closing their doors left and right because they are fully utilizing their classrooms. I have had classes cancelled due to poor enrollment, and this is no fault of not being able to attend and being able to afford it. It comes down to appeal to other students to take the classes.
The taxes they pay in fuel and sales tax goes to other things and funding then just lapses in income taxes. When I was in the Military, I could elect any state to pay taxes to via my W4 form, and I picked Texas because they have no income tax. So the only taxes they saw from me here in Maryland was from sales which is 6% of the price I paid for something, and fuel which is rather cheap and inexpensive compared to income taxes.
Daniel, if you falsified your state W-4 form I cannot help you. That is called tax evasion, not tax avoidance. You cheated the state that you owed taxes It is against the law. Just like crossing the border illegally is against the law.
You did that illegal act because you believe it was worth the risk. Some on this site say we are a nation of laws, I say we are a nation of scofflaws. You committed a crime it appears.
No Fifa, I didnt commit any crimes nor did I avoid tax avoidance. If it was a crime to do so, then there would be so many military members in trouble with the Law. The tax codes are different in the Military then they are in the civilian world. There is a standard form to use to be able to this. It is approved by the Government.
Sorry Daniel, as a CPA your state reporting requirements are dictated by the states, not the military or the IRS or you. You are required to follow the laws of the state you are a resident. That simple.
The fact you don't get caught doesn't change the illegal nature of what you did.
Sounds like I'm talking about illegals, doesn't it? You just don't understand.
"Wrong, it is a piece of paper and a number that is easily obtained. That is what is going on now. You just don't know it."
Piece of paper makes them documented and easier to track. If they have obtained the documentation required to pay taxes and they stay out of trouble then I have no issues with them going to school because they are contributing to society and providing funding via the tax payer system. If they have not obtained the proper papers and become documented then they should not be allowed to be in the nation at all, and their family members who were born here should not be allowed to take benefits that we tax payers provide funding for.
If the student doe poorly, and they do not maintain a set GPA of 2.5 or higher they are kicked out of school and are no longer eligible for the benefit. This is how scholarships work and this is how the lottery based scholarships work in my home state of New Mexico. After they lose their benefit they should be held liable for all fees associated with their higher education and learning.
Empty seats will always be there regardless of how you try to fill them, My Cisco Class that I am taking has about 15 empty seats. there are like 10 students enrolled in just my class alone. You are wrong in the assumption that empty seats cause an impact to us tax payers. There is no correlation with impact on tax payers and empty seats in the class room. Show me some evidence from documented educational research from tap schools like harvard, yale, Cal Tech, MIT, VT, and others that show this correlation so you can up your useless claims that empty seats impact us tax payers.
If I have a class with 30 seats but only 20 students in it, it costs the College X.
If I have a class with 30 seats and 21 students in it, it costs the College the same exact thing.
If you can get $1 from that extra student you are ahead of the game. The difference is here, if the student has to pay out-of-state rates and doesn't go, you still have 20 students. If the student can pay in-state rates and go you get all that extra revenue at no real additional cost.
Again Fifa, where does that impact the tax payer? It doesn't, most public schools get paid for by investors and other fees like tution, and there are some schools that get Government Grants for research, but those schools are special schools like MIT, CalTech, and others that assist the US Department of Defense and other aspects of the Government with research and development. Otherwise there is direct impact to any tax payer, and you claiming that it is false. Provide me some research to back up your claims and I will reconsider my position, but till then your claims are false and your use of accounting is false.
We just need to have legal instate, illegal instate, legal out of state and illegal out of state......oh yeah, let's add, foreign with a current visa......foreign with an expired visa.....oh and then let's add foreign with a visa and wealthy, foreign.....and on and on and on......the same thing will happen with the same sex marriage bill....after that is passed......they will want threesomes......harems.......bygamy.......and on and on....someone somewhere will feel hurt and discriminated against.....this PC crap is making me sick...follow the rules or get the hell out........good night Gracie
Sorry comrade, you are the misleader on facts.
You didn't read the article did you?
The first lie the poster made was "" Barack Obama has cut money spent on border security in half from $1.3 billion in 2008 to $573 million in 2011".
1. First minor point - a fence is only a small part of border security.
2. Most important point is the article states - "Over $4.7 billion has been appropriated for BSFIT activities from fiscal years 2007 through 2011," it says.
"The report breaks the figure down for the five consecutive fiscal years (the 12-month period from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 of the following year) – $1.188 billion for FY2007, $1.303 billion for FY2008, $845 million for FY2009, $800 million for FY2010 and $573 million for FY2011."
You want some common sense FIFA. Illegal immigrants are illegal and should be deported. Marriage is between a man and a woman period. You and Steve have obviously smoked too much weed laced with mercury to have many functioning brain cells left.
For those support giving undocumented born here illegally immigrants a chance at higher learning and education, then please set up a DREAM Act Scholarship and put in it 400 a month to give to those children who were born here to make them automatic citizens. I do not want my tax dollars going to help these children better their lives, when there are those that are legal citizen that could not afford to go to college to better themselves.
Have a good life, and I hope you enjoy giving free handouts. Might as well open your doors and allow them to live with you, eat your food, drive your cars, and do it all for free.
Because veterans and illegals are in the same league. Wait, they aren't, that's a stupid notion. I bet if you passed the veteran's portion on its own (but then you couldn't get the illegals part though in a million years), there'd be no protest. Typical of the left. Stick something in the bill, then decry any opponents as not liking the good portions.
Here's a thought. Stop conflating the military in-state tuition with the illegals. You sound stupid when you do. One rewards legal citizens for their service and no one objects to it. The other offers yet another reason to break multiple existing laws and is almost certainly about to get voted down HARD.
as a veteran who has served 4 years in the Military tax money going to the veterans I have no issues with. Its the issue of giving those undeserving of the money to get a better education. They are taking care of second class United States Citizens over the first class ones like the poor inner city black families and those that are living under poverty levels that are legal US Citizens and come from Legal US Citizen Parents who did things the right way. Instead of sneaking across the border and skirting the naturalization laws as set forth by our US Constitution something that people have forgotten about when supporting bills like this and Obama Care.
I would support the Veteran Portion if it was separated from this ridiculous law.
And with that I am done with discussing this with people who are willing to give away their tax money to a worth cause and causing our taxes to go up to support this. It is a bull crap law, started by a Socialistic Administration not caring about the livelihood of their citizens that they are required to protect.
if it was wrong and against the law then I would have been court martialed for it and then I would be a dishonorable discharged veteran for which I would be no longer eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and other Veteran Benefits. Its Approved by the Military and they are the Government, and if their payroll offices didn't approve of it they wouldn't make it possible to change your state for income tax purposes.
Steve,
And for your information if it were up to they wouldn't be considered Maryland Residents they would be considered illegal until they became naturalized. And yes giving my tax payer dollars to social programs is socialism. Here is the definition of Socialism:
Pay attention to this: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
The funny thing about breaking the law, they have to catch you to charge and then convict you. You admitted to claiming to be a resident of Texas when that was a lie so you could avoid paying income taxes to the state you really lived in. Depending on the amount, that is a felony. You are not much different than the guy that crosses the border illegally. Except that he is doing it to improve his families life and you are doing it to steal. You are a self-admitted thief. Have you noticed no one defends you on this thread?
I have shown that to be flat out false by posting the FISCAL NOTE on the law Steve yet you continue to make that false claim. Ask Fifa if it is a subsidy or not. He read the FISCAL NOTE that said it was indeed a subsidy.
STOP the lies Steve.
"For community colleges, the Dream Act will result in an increase in
revenue because the additional state subsidy is greater than the lost tuition revenue."
"For 4-year universities, the Dream Act results in lost revenue because there is a tuition loss but no additional state subsidy due to the Dream Act."
"Costs to local, state and federal governments increase when students obtain more education at public institutions because these governments subsidize students in high schools, community colleges and universities. In this study, fiscal costs to the different types governments are measured as the per student subsidies going to the high schools, community colleges or 4-year universities."
This SHOULD put this issue to rest but some will continue to deny even the FISCAL NOTE on SB 167.
"."
"Local Effect: State aid for communityJust admit you are a bigot and keep ignoring the truth. You are just fearing the Brown Man.
Steve, I have proven to you and Fifa that in-state tuition is subsidized by the taxpayers. I have shown you the facts from the Legislature and from the study group set up for the purpose.
And your response to me? "Just admit you are a bigot and keep ignoring the truth."
Seeing as how I have said not a word on this bill in support or not, for you to cal me a bigot shows just how ignorant and vile you are. You are a reprehensible person who has no moral basis. I proved you wrong that it IS a SUBSIDY and you have nothing but vile childish name calling.
You're probably one of Dumbos that signed the petition without even reading the law.
"Extending the period within which an honorably discharged veteran must present evidence to qualify for a resident tuition rate; establishing that specified individuals, including undocumented immigrants, shall be exempt from paying the out-of-state tuition rate at community colleges under specified circumstances; requiring documentation that the student or the student's parent or legal guardian has filed a Maryland income tax return during specified years; etc."
Fact is Maryland has become a State full of Illegals costing home grown Marylanders tons of money denying real Maryland Students and Seniors of numerous Benefits,and Reinhart is right to say this blog is full of Pot Smoking Mushroom Eating Liberal 60's and 70's rejects who probably never held a real Job other then a Union or Government one.And yes Steve, a Honorably Discharged Soldier is and should be indebted by the AMERICAN PEOPLE for his SACRIFICE.
I just saw an add supporting the Dream Act. It was supposedly a life long Republican speaking and he LIED as the same LIE that this and the Balt Sun and ALL the supporters keep LYING ABOUT!
The ad said "the immigrants have to show they pay taxes" or to that effet but used the word PAID not FILED.
That is NOT what the law says! YET the supporters continue to LIE to the public and MISLEAD them as to what the law says. That must stop! Nothing in the law says that the illegal alines must pay taxes, ONLY FILE and that can be done retroactively.
Has Obama demanded and forced the IRS to NOT LOOK AT ANYONE filing 3 or 4 years of back taxes if they have an Hispanic surname or will anyone all the sudden filing 3-4 years of back taxes be looked at as suspicious AS THEY SHOULD BE?This might sound like an odd question, but I haven't seen it asked. If one of the conditions to aid the illegal child is that the parents must be paying taxes, and they themselves are illegal (since child is illegal), then how can the parents be lawfully working? And where can the tuition-subsidized illegal work legally in the US after graduating?
Joe Pasko, "paying taxes" in NOT any part of the law. FILING taxes is.
When an illegal alien files 3 or 4 years of back taxes for their child to qualify, the IRS will see that the filer has been EVADING taxes for those years and at a minimum a penalty will be assessed and that penalty may be the same as the subsidy they will get for school.
Not a choice many illegal aliens will take in my opinion.
The parents are not lawfully working. The students cannot lawfully work after graduating. What is going on is "Amnesty by Increments." The various legal obstructions will be gradually removed until the law violator is rewarded with citizenship.
It is a slap in the face to anyone who has undergone the lenghty process of becoming a legal citizen (I know 3 people from 3 different countries that have gone through it) to allow this. It is also a a welcome mat to condone illegal immigration. If enough people start robbing banks, does that mean the banks should just give up and let people keep the money that has been stolen? When someone takes something illegally it is a crime and it should not be rewarded. That extends to the offspring of those who come here illegally. How many parents do you know that would go to jail or give up everything if it meant a better future for their children? Allowing this would be a victory for criminals, even if it meant they were deported as a result. If someone robbed a bank to give the money to their child, does that mean the child gets to keep it? Also, education has less value if everyone is offered a free pass and pushed through the system based on an idea that everyone deserves a college degree. Not everyone does deserve it! People need to work for what they earn- that includes legal citizens too!
April...again, with the sound bites and cliches, without any thought to what you are saying! According to your lamentable position, America should be ruled by the educated few...those who are wealthy enough to afford an education, because the more educated people there are, the less important an education is. You have no clue what makes a Democracy great! Having a poor, uneducated underclass will not make this country better...it will make it worse. Again, stop with your unsupported cliches and ridiculous analogies! They show you to be very limited in your knowledge and ability to research the facts!
@Ron P: Oh Ron!!! Yes, I do think that the educated (not the wealthy) should should be running this country. You are confusing money and education. If you read more closely you will find that what I said was that no one should be offered a free pass. If academic excellence is rewarded with decreased tuition, that would be one thing, but we are not talking about merit based scholarships here. That I would be in support of. We are talking about lowering tuition based on residency, and as I have stated before, NO ONE should get a lower rate for tuition based on residency-including "white hillbilies" and any other race of people in this world.
No it's not. Anybody that has undergone the process knows how complex the system is and how much it costs to get through it. They would applaud this initiative. That's why these Hate Groups like Help Save Maryland are primarily comprised of White Hillbillies. They have no idea of what the immigration process entails.
Actually, two of the people I know have become citizens of this country in the past four years. They are residents of MD and they ARE NOT in support of this bill. I don't know about the agenda of HSM or wether they are hate based, but I do know that my friend and family member do not agree with this bill having undergone the legal process of immigration. I myself am not racist or prejudiced against skin color, but believe that if you really want something you should earn it of your own merit and not have it given to you wether you are a citizen of this country or not. When you have worked to earn what you have you know the true value of it. Lets hold ourselves and others up to higher standards not lower ones programs********************************************************************************************
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Ron Pagano, you say, "STOP THE HATE." Does this include enforcing our Nation's immigration laws? family has a tradition of being those on the cutting edge of protecting the Constitution and insuring your rights and safety. These rights are given to Americans as our birthright and for those wanting to claim the title of an American, there should be a process to make sure they embrace the same values. Until 2/3 of the states agree to reduce the cost of citizenship and to change the system, we must abide by our Constitution . Change has to done the right way and I am looking forward to that happening.
No. You are wrong. US District Judge Moore ordered that US citizens whose parents are illegal aliens must be provided instate tuition at Florida Public Colleges and Universities. Florida had been classifying students according to their parents illegal immigration status. Judge Moore rules that this practice violated the Constitutions Equal Protection provision. | eng | 2ca9ebbe-d2e5-4da0-85e7-c688ec98c037 | http://essex.patch.com/articles/mcdonough-talks-dream-act-at-ccbc-forum |
Geeky ramblings of a genre fiction enthusiast, writer, artist, and comic book editor.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Let's Play a Game Part 2: Women vs. Tropes + Trolling Felicia Day
I'm telling you, I think the internet finally went too far this past week. Well, okay, I know not really...but it seems like, for once, people are actually paying attention to online harrassment and what a detrimental and unpleasant pall it casts on geek culture. Obviously it's focused on games right now, but you could apply it to anything where women create/discuss something and guys become frothing mad bullies about it.
I'll freely admit that I don't understand the impulse to troll, just like I don't understand the impulse to bully. Both are unintelligent, nasty, demeaning, and pointless, other than to make their target feel like crap. I personally think they're interchangeable words for the same/similar activity, except trolling is more online exclusive and can be just stupid instead of nasty. However, trolling does seem to be catching on in real life to a worrying degree. See anything regarding women's health or our current political "debates" for reference.
I don't get it, not because I'm some kind of amazing person, but because I am able to both sympathize and empathize with others. And because, since I also make things, I would be pretty ashamed of myself if I attacked someone else for doing so, even if whatever they do isn't my cup of tea. There's also a world of difference between a thoughtful critique of a work, which if you put it out there you are opening yourself up to, and heaping abuse on someone just because you don't like something they made/did/said. It would kind of be like if I walked up to people on the street and started screaming in their faces because I don't like their pants. Their pants are not my problem, I'm fully capable of going about my day without making a comment about them. The only time I might confront someone about their pants is if they're, like, attacking other people & strangling them, on fire, or missing altogether in a public place.
Of course, online anonymity makes this a lot easier for some people. I use handles myself but I don't use them as an excuse to be an asshole. If I say something I own it. And I personally believe in courtesy, even if the exchange is happening in a comments section on a website with strangers. That doesn't mean I don't get passionate or snarky from time to time. But I don't, for instance, call people names, threaten them with violence, or otherwise behave like the internet is my own personal, private, shit show. The fact that some people just go straight to that baffles me.
I'm sure people can (and have) argued that this is "just how the internet is". And most of us who spend any time here know that a certain amount of crap comes with it. However. That doesn't make rape/death threats okay, nor does it mean that we can't work towards making spaces better, and calling out awful when we see it. To me, very few things have ever changed by ignoring them. Which is not to say you should engage with every online troll you run across, that would take forever. But sometimes engaging can be important and you should do it when and if you feel safe to.
This brings me to the two instances this last week that really brought the this whole issue of Being a Woman on the Internet front and center for a lot of people. Since I'm an active feminist I've seen many versions of this already. Blogging While Female, Blogging While Feminist, Men Call Me Things, Crap Email From a Dude, and other examples of what women face (many daily) when they discuss gender politics (or just politics) and/or are just female and do stuff online. You don't have to be doing anything divisive or political or activism-y to warrant it.
So, there's this awesome Kickstarter project, Women vs Tropes: Video Games. It's a project by Anita Sarkeesian, who does videos criticizing pop culture media with a feminist bent. They're all awesome and you should check them out. You can check out the one the Kickstarter is for here:
The shitstorm basically happened when that same Youtube video was trolled like whoa, with some of the most disgustingly misogynist comments, threats, and ugliness I've ever seen. You can check it out, she's left them all up to make a point about why this is such a problem. Beyond that, her Wikipedia page was basically defaced with a porn shot and liberal use of the word "cunt", and I suspect her email inbox was flooded with additional crap. Whether you agree with her premise or project is beside the point. Wanting to discuss tropes and issues in video games shouldn't result in rape threats. But then, in an industry that thinks giving Lara Croft a rapey backstory gives her "depth" and weirdly paternalistic "sexiness", it just shows how necessary the project is.
I'm happy to say that not only is Sarkeesian standing up and talking about this, her project is funded, and has raised a whopping $155k+. That's a goodly amount more than the original $6 thousand goal. So, kudos internet trolls, you just made sure she'll be making a LOT more of these, and opened up a massive can of worms that no one who isn't a giant asshole is going to defend.
Finally, we have Felicia Day. Who had the apparent audacity to write, produce, sing, and make a video of a charming little country western song about a gamer girl and a country boy. It's sweet and fun and I'm not even a country music person. It also made the trolls come out in force, mostly with weird accusations about "gamer girls" who aren't real gamers and just play them to get attention...and other assorted stupidity. I watched the video and...the point, they missed it. By a bajillion miles. Yeah, sure, her "character" dresses up in cos-play. I was not aware that dressing up as characters you like means you're not really a geek. Someone should tell all those authentic Stormtroopers they don't really like Star Wars, they just want attention. I'll wait.
Anyway, Day wrote a very thoughtful blog post about it ( and it's pretty clear that sexism played a major role in the kind of comments she got. Since she's a visible geek (who is also a woman), and a successful one who needn't prove herself to anyone, she bore the brunt of what looks like a lot of petty jealousy and girl-hate. Whether you like the stuff that Day does or not, there's no doubt that she works hard and cares about what she's doing. And she has the brass ovaries to put it out there, knowing some people won't like it, and for that she gets a troll storm.
Whatever. I'd really like to see any one of those commenters do even a third of the things she does. It's always people who do nothing but have a lot of opinions that seem to feel the most entitled to crap on anything anyone else does in the least intelligent manner possible. I'll eat my shoes if a single one of them is a legitimate writer/musician/math degree wielding/geek/gamer/actor, who produces their own successful web series, site, and book club. Not to mention comic book writer and assorted other stuff, like going to a ton of conventions and doing charity work. But let's totes yell at her, you guys! Sheesh, you'd think she was ACCOMPLISHING something.
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But I think this latest blow up kind of put in sharp relief just how wrong and off this all is. The Women vs. Tropes Kickstarter funding is one way that's indicated. The amount of people coming out in defense of Day is another. But even more, maybe, are the sheer number of articles and blogs dedicated to discussing this all as a real problem within gaming culture, and the culture at large. There're only so many times you can see this kind of thing and not start seeing how it's all connected. Unless you're really obtuse, in which case, whatevs, life is going to be difficult for you.
And the thing is, some people will say "well, whatever, this isn't a REAL problem" like they do with pretty much any issue that effects Not Them. That's happens with literally every problem that effects women no matter how big or "important" it actually is. Curiously, something else is always "worse". But I think the real problem is that people don't understand that it's all interconnected. How you treat women online who say things you don't like is directly related to how you view women in general. It also relates to how you view female characters and what kind of backstory gives them "depth". It relates to the casual use of rape threats to try and silence uncomfortable discussion about gender in media. Which then relates to the problem with our rape culture, where 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted. Which can then be viewed by how in some places in the world women are raped as a form of genocide. That is then related to the fact that we're currently seeing some of the most regressive reproductive health laws/bills in the U.S., and being told that "women don't care about it", they care about the economy, only we were just denied equal pay, again. Then there's how women's economic power is directly related to issues of poverty, and that the more economic growth women have, the better the world wide economy is, not to mention improvement in education and children's welfare.
So, sure, I guess you can dismiss this stuff as "silly" if you really want to. But the reality is that if you treat women as "things" to any degree, you're part of the larger problem. And I'm pretty sure women in general are really sick of it.
96 comments:
I think a lot of people just have issues with feminism. Feminism is the female equivalent to chauvinism. It's also the gender equivalent of racism, and any other negative 'isms' out there.
Me? I'm an equalist - I believe that all people have equal rights, which is something that regularly gets me in trouble, because people are under the odd impression that it's okay to hate men, but not women, and okay to be racist against whites, but no one else. I mean, look at it this way - it's okay to be a feminist, but nothing else. Being 'pro-male' means you're a chauvinistic male pig creature in today's society. I can't say I've ever found anyone else that shares this point of view, and I long for the day when I can.
Point is, though, that I don't like the whole current trend of girls getting all up and saying "Hey guys, I'm a GRRL and I'm a PROUD NERD and WOMYN POWER FOREVAH!" all over the internet. I mean, I think people should just be happy with themselves that they're a girl that likes nerdy shit, or being a girl that doesn't - no need to advertise it like it makes you somehow better in some way. Then again, I say the same thing about homosexuals and non-Caucasians - be who you are, fight for your rights, but eventually you've gotta settle down and say "Okay, no one actually gives a shit that I'm gay anymore - time to stop advertising it like I have to."
I'm going to have to disagree with you on a few points here, so bear with me.
1. It's not really "okay" to be feminist, except in feminist circles and feminist-friendly spaces. What happened to Anita Sarkeesian is, unfortunately, rather common for women who identify as such, and even more so for those who are active about it online. Other feminists and feminist allies obviously think it's fine. But the status quo does not, nor do a lot of individuals who find the idea of gender equality and discussing/working/raising awareness about sexism threatening. Which is quite a lot of people.
2. Feminism is not the equivalent of chauvinism or racism. It's literally just about working towards gender equality. It's not anti-male, it's actually very pro-men, just not pro patriarchy, which is the power structure that privileges men and their pov over others, and quite frankly, does them a whole heap of harm with it's gender stereotypes. Feminists are not fond of it no matter who it's effecting.
3. Well, there are plenty of men's rights groups that would agree with you. The only issue there is that they tend to ignore the very real issue of privilege, which on a systemic level, skews things in favor of one group (white, hetero, men) over all others. It's important to note that it has nothing to do with whether individual men have experienced negativity or problems in their lives. It's about a system that perpetuates itself and limits a lot of people's lives in the process.
4. Likwise, it's kind of difficult for me to say that white people experience racism because, although I'm sure they can experience what it's like for someone to have a bias or prejudice about them for being white...it ultimately doesn't effect their ability to make choices or limit their lives in any way. Because white people (and I'm white) are privileged. Someone disliking us for being white doesn't undermine that privilege at all. So it may suck, but it's not even close to the kind of experience a person of color will have in our society.
5. All the people you're mentioning are part of discriminated, targeted, ostracized, and/or groups whose very existence is undermined by our culture. Their voices are silenced, threatened, and limited. So they have to speak out, often, and with conviction, in order for their issues to be addressed at all.
6. I think maybe you should examine why it bothers you that women would want to embrace both their nerdiness/geekiness, and their identity as women, and why you think that means they believe they are "better". That's an interesting assumption you might want to investigate. They likely ARE happy with themselves. We are a sum of our parts, and our gender is often part of that identity. Especially in a world that very clearly values one gender over another.
As a straight, white, person...it's very easy for me to never question my privilege because I just have it. It's just there, all the time. There are certain things I never have to deal with, ever. That's reality. What I can do, however, is be aware of that and examine my assumptions and that privilege. I can actively listen to those who don't have it and make the effort to consider other people's pov. It's hard and it's often uncomfortable, but overall, it makes for better discussions and awareness.
And finally...our society caters to the straight, white, male, pov. But to anyone who isn't those things, it feels oppressive and silencing, because it is. They're not advertising their otherness, they are addressing the fact that they are othered. It's a luxury and a privilege to have no shortage of representation in our culture. People who question that privilege are rightfully asking why the status quo is so threatened by anyone else seeking the same.
I have to disagree here; feminism is one half of the fight for equality, but it's not inherently sexist. Nine out of ten feminists support men's rights, because supporting women's rights makes it ten times easier to argue for men's rights too.
I'm a straight, white man. I'm very lucky to be those three things. Yes, there are issues that come with being a man, with being straight and with being white, but they are not as great as the issues that would come with being gay or female or black.
When a man tells a woman to get back in the kitchen, it's a slap in the face to every man who likes to cook. When a man criticises a woman for working instead of raising her child, it degrades every man who stays home to raise his children. Fight for one person's rights and you get the other one's right as a freebie...
I think you have an interesting (if shockingly out of touch) definition of feminism. Most people who call themselves feminists are fighting for equality. Most people who fit your narrow definition of feminism are not actually feminists. If the term offends you, try reading the context and ignore the word; I'd say that this post is by one of the good ones, so take it in the spirit in which it was written.
As a fellow straight white male, I can understand where you're coming from. When you spend every day of your life not being discriminated against, it's hard to imagine what it's like for everyone else. We all live in our own little worlds, and if it doesn't affect your world directly, it must not be that big of a deal, right?
But the reality is that your world is only one teeny, tiny speck on the surface of the planet. Not everyone's life is like yours. Across the world, pretty much everyone who is not a straight white male deals with discrimination every single day.
Here in the US, it's rare for someone to get dragged naked down the middle of Main St chained to the back of a truck -- though it does happen now and then -- and because most discrimination is more subtle than that, it's easy for those of us who don't experience it not to see it. But if you have actual meaningful relationships with anyone who is not a straight white male, you should be able to see how it affects them.
While there ARE plenty of man-haters out there, many in the feminist community, that's not what feminism is about. Feminism is about fighting for women to be treated equally to men. If you're truly an "equalist" and want to life in a world where everyone is treated equal, then you ARE a feminist. But you're not helping the cause by burying your head in the sand and pretending we're already there.
Bravo to Luis for opening a respectful dialogue of his concerns. Luis and many others have been told to beware of "feminists" because they are "man-haters" or want women privilege. No, Luis. We (including many men), want fairness. I don't want my daughter or mother treated like a second-class citizen, getting just the scraps, and being the scapegoat whenever anything goes wrong. And I do NOT want my father or husband or sons to get put in that position either. They shouldn't bear the sole responsibility for making the world a better place. Value women. Acknowledge how they like yourself have been formed and deformed by cultural gender prejudice since birth. Recognize their potential as unique, complex individuals within a very narrowly defined class. Men control the resources, the money, the government, and often the homes in this world. As a man, you have the power to bring justice and enlightenment. Be a man and help protect women's rights to fully live their lives.
No. You seem like a nice guy, and it probably makes you feel better to think that it's a good sign, but it's the opposite. Trolling to that depth of viciousness is a sign that many men think it is acceptable; that there is not just more disdain for womanhood, but actual white-hot hatred, that either cannot be contained or there's a sense it doesn't need to be contained because it isn't really wrong as long as it is done to a woman. Bullying has always existed, but a rape-culture exists where bullying (threatening, pushing, hurting) women is a male-bonding experience.
You never found anyone else? That's weird because your comment looks like a satire of the comments you can find under any article concerning feminism on popular news websites. Top it with the "reverse racism" claim.
2. Feminism is not the equivalent of chauvinism or racism. It's literally just about working towards gender equality. It's not anti-male, it's actually very pro-men...
I'm going to disagree with this..and I mean in a general sense. I believe Feminism is born out of insecurity more than anything. I believe both women and men have different places in society but obviously, I'm going to get heat for simply saying that and be labeled as 'wrong'. This is usually bred out of the innate desire for a woman to control a man, or men, just as men wish to do the same. Just as a man learns to accept or carve out their place in society, why is it not possible for women to do the same without the axe to grind? Truly, I don't believe any woman should be a leader of men, and if that is the case then I guarantee there are serious issues to be had. Right now we have a woman who is a prime leader of the world in the Queen of England. How is the world working out in general for both men and women with what going on? Not too great is it? The spirit of Jezebel is definitely at work.
I really enjoyed this blog and am glad a friend posted it. I identify with a lot of what you've said, since I've been discriminated against for being female, I think especially because I look small and weak. I am going to have to disagree with part of what you've said in this reply, though.
Those Feminists you associate with may not be man haters but a very large portion of the women that I know who identify themselves as "Feminist" are big on bashing men and feel that women are a superior gender. It's not always about equality with them. Not all of these women are that way, but a lot of them are. And this is coming from another female. There is this underlying resentment for men that carries through with some.
I was with a young woman from a college class, a friendly acquaintance who in class discussions identified herself as a feminist, and we were leaving our building for the next round of classes/lunch/etc. A young man held open a door for us. I walked through with a smile and thanked him. She gave him a dirty look and said "I'm capable of opening a door." I felt like it was an unnecessary discouragement of just a small courtesy. It made me sad. I hold doors for people all the time (the elderly, people with their hands full, or even just somebody who happens to be coming along behind me, male or female.) He wasn't suggesting we were incompetent, he was being courteous.
I know not all feminists are this way, but you cannot deny that they exist. I've heard many other stories from men of my father's generation who were raised that these types of courtesies towards women were a show of respect for them that are very similar to this experience.
I think that particular type of feminist is the kind that Luis is referring to. The ones that aren't in it simply for equality but seem to hold this underlying resentment of men.
And briefly, there are active cases of white people are discriminate against. I was an employee for a business where it was very difficult to be hired if you were white. They wanted all of their employees to either be from India, Pakistan, or be someone more dark skinned. I was the only employee hired that was white in the whole time I worked there. Friendly discussions during work were always about their culture and it was quietly made clear that I would not endear myself to them by speaking about my own cultural background, only that I express interest in theirs. I'd been without work for a LONG time so it was important for me to keep the job, so yes, I was limited by that bias. So those cases may be more much more rare than minorities being discriminated against but it does happen.
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you as well on several points, surely from the limited microcosm of both my own experiences as a recent college graduate and my peers' experiences/perceptions. For whatever minor difference it may make, I come from a family in which the women almost universally run the show, which to me, is the status quo. I have no problem with this, as the men in the family tend to be somewhat inept.
1) I do agree that in most circles feminism is not well received, excluding the company of like moved people.
2) I'm afraid I must somewhat agree with Luis here. Any group identifying themselves as an -ism is inherently biased. My experience with self-identifying feminists is sadly largely in line with the stereotype: man-hating war machines. Politely holding a door is insulting, and opening a car door is unforgivable. Men are the enemy and the world would be better without them.
Rather than feminism, I'd love to see people identify as equitarianists. Even if, as you state, that's what feminism is about, the name alone carries bad implications to most.
3) I don't disagree about ignoring privilege, my experiences (again, limited I acknowledge) has only shown me a desire to replace it with the opposite problem: systematic privilege of women. It seems to me that often, when a group that has been previously oppressed attempts to change it, a vengeful "see how you like it" attitude creeps in toward the majority group.
1WhoGoesB4- Unfortunately, your post has a lot of assumptions built into it that aren't really accurate. There is no "innate" desire for women to dominate all men, nor is that the goal of feminism. Equality means exactly that. It's, by nature and definition, not about domination. It's the radical notion that women are people, too.
As for the Queen of England, she's a figurehead at best. Political decisions are made by Parliament, so, I don't think she has a whole lot to do with how the world is currently operating. Margaret Thatcher, however, was a good example of a female leader who was deeply problematic. I'm pretty sure I didn't make the claim that women are "better", either. Just that we are human and should be treated as such. We're just as flawed as men.
The gender binary, which is what I assume you're talking about when you say men and women have "roles", is largely a socialized condition. It's difficult to determine what is and is not "inherent" to each gender because of that, because we define it so rigidly and start literally at birth, conditioning children along those lines.
Thanks for the thoughtful response. I think that the man-hating feminist cliche, however much you have seen it personally, is largely due to a few factors. One is a total misinterpretation of the concept. I've done a lot of feminist studies and I've never, ever, seen "man-hating" on the agenda. Have some writers in some movements had what I consider to be radical and ill-conceived ideas along those lines? Sure. But painting all feminists that way is unfair.
For instance, the term "feminazi" was coined, I believe, by Rush Limbaugh. And the stereotype of the "man-hating" feminist was largely dug up around one or two vocal writers who identified as feminists, but never represented the movement as a whole at all, to dismiss or devalue the issues feminists discuss. They did the same thing with Civil Rights, so it's important to bear in mind where those ideas come from.
Also, young women in college are usually learning about this stuff for the first time. And it's usually upsetting and galvanizing. They may be prone as individuals to misdirected anger and frustration. They're learning.
As for discrimination...I don't want to belittle the experience you had, but I do have to point out that it's not the same as systemic racism. What you experienced was certainly bias, but on an individual level. It doesn't mean the culture at large isn't still deeply entrenched in white privilege, and that in most areas of life as a white person, you have privileges poc's don't. Of course all of our personal experiences vary, but it doesn't change the general items under discussion.
I disagree. Feminism is about the radical notion that women are people. It has been associated with ideas and concepts that it's not about by the statu quo, to undermine the valuable issues of inequality it addresses. Without feminism women would not be able to vote, have birth control, make reproductive decisions, and a whole lot of other things besides. You can be a feminist and also a humanist or whatever other phrase you want to use to express your dedication to equality. I'm not personally going to shy away from the identifier, or let those who want to undermine it define the term.
Your anecdotal experience, as you admit, is limited. And the thing is...isn't it also possible that your view of these women is at least influenced by prejudices instilled by the culture? There is nothing in the philosophy of feminism that says women are superior. Equality has nothing to do with superiority.
I also think it's understandable when groups who are othered or discriminated against are angry at the privileged group. When you are ignored and silenced and oppressed, it's not always going to come out in the constructive way. It's up to those who are privileged to acknowledge the legitimacy of those complaints and work towards redressing them. Not constantly looking for ways to excuse said privilege or undermine the validity of the criticism of it, however it's presented.
Something I'd like everyone in this particular thread to consider before posting again: It's very curious to me that in a legitimate discussion about how women are targeted online, the topic was neatly derailed into being about supposedly "man-hating" feminists. Neither Sarkeesian, Day, or myself fit into that idea, for one thing. And for another: it's not actually relevant. That girl you knew in college who was angry at men? Unfortunate. But it has nothing to do with how pervasive misogyny and sexism is in our culture, or how ingrained it is in various geeky sub-cultures because of that.
It's interesting to see how fast this discussion became about how "bad" some feminists are. That's, quite frankly, a massive strawman.
I agree with you about being an "equalist", but I have to take issue with your equating feminism with the other isms. Feminism is about opening up a closed system and moving things up to an equal level, whereas the other isms (chauvan- and rac[e]-) are system that seek to close and to create/maintain inequality.
I would love to have a new word for male gender consciousness, but "masculist" seems awkward.
I probably should have written my response today, and not late at night while tired - perhaps I could have clarified my position a bit better. Let me respond to some of your points, in order:
1. I don't agree with feminism at all. I also don't agree with chauvinism, or masculism, or any genderism. I believe in equal rights for all genders, races, nations, sexualities, etc. My issue is that feminism seems to promote women over men - undoubtedly, there are plenty of feminists that are gearing towards equality and respect men, but the loudest ones are the ones that are pro-women (ahem, sorry, pro-womyn) and anti-men. I'm just pro-everyone!
2. See above point. I guess it's no different to anything else: there are people that are against things, there are people that are for things, and the are people that for all things. I'm not saying YOU are 'LADIES GOOD, MEN BAD!' but I AM saying that it's the loudest component of the feminist movement, which annoys me.
3. There are men's rights groups? Really? Well, I disagree with those, too!
4. I'm a middle-class white male - yet I still get prejudices. Affirmative action is one example of what I disagree with - people should be hired on their merits, not on their gender, sexuality, or race. Every group of 15 new employees at my job has a specific minimum number of women, non-Caucasians, and non-heterosexuals, and a lot of the time, they're not qualified. A lot of the time they are, but it goes to show that there's a preference to keep the boxes ticked for the 'We Hire People That Aren't White Males!' section of the yearly paperwork than actually getting people that are good for the job.
5. Yep, they were and are. And it sickens me! I refuse to be married until my gay friends can be, too! My opinion is, though, that we should stop giving a fuck who someone is. Here's an example: a guy at work is gay. He makes sure everyone knows by putting on the affectations, dressing a certain way, putting pictures of near-naked men on his cube walls and all that jazz. No one actually cares that he's gay, but he annoys people with his 'gayness.' Even the other gay dudes (all great fellas!) dislike him. Same with an African dude (actual African, not African-American) who keeps reminding us that he's black, and that his people were persecuted and made slaves and such. He pulls the race card to get his way, complains when people give him shit for being lame, and makes regular formal complaints when he has it in his head that we're being racist against him because we asked him to do his job.
6. I have no issues with women, geeks, or geek women. Shit, my dream is to have a geeky girl for my own (note, feminists: not some heteropatriachial blah-di-blah possession yadda yadda ownership kind of statement). My issue is with geek girls who aren't really geeks (you know what I'm talking about - DERP, I'm hot! Derp! I'm scantily clad while holding a controller! I'm tottes geek and shit!) and geek girls that use their geekiness and their gender as some kind of badge to flaunt superiority over others.
So yeah. I guess my arguments boil down to a single statement: be who you are - don't wear it as a badge to make yourself feel like you're better than others.
I'll forgive you if you don't understand. I'm not eloquent enough as it is, let alone at the tail end of a killer headcold. It regularly gets me in trouble: I have stout opinions that fall against the norm, and while they make perfect sense in my head, they tend to come out as totally wrong in writing and people hate me for it.
Men don't endure a fraction of the discrimination, bias and negative media imagery that women do. Yes, it might be nice if "everyone was equal" but it's not even close -- and the fact that most men are incapable of seeing or acknowledging that is part of the problem.
Discrimination against men isn't "okay," but neither is trying to make discussions of feminist issues all about the men. It's too frequently used as a means of trying to control the discussion and say "hey, women, your problems aren't worth discussing, because men have it just as bad." They don't.
I think this devolved into a discussion about "man-hating feminists" because it's the aspect that ties into the rest of the problems and is the most controversial so everyone has a strong opinion about it. Trolling unfortunately is, as you stated, being ignored. You mentioned earlier how everything was linked together; In the real world I'm sure the amount of "femi-nazis" is ridiculously small, but this discussion was started by 2 incidents on the Internet and that's where I'm going to focus on. There are tons of blogs, tweets, Facebook posts etc. posted by women that declare themselves feminists with only the message of "I hate men". Are these most likely just made in anger about something that happened during their day? Probably, yes. But a reader doesn't know what that thing is. All the reader sees is angry man-hating female and begins to associate that with what feminism is. Instead of fighting to be brought up to equality with men, in takes on a message of wanting to drag men down. Again I realize and can't stress enough that this is NOT the reality of the cause and isn't prevalent in society, but it is sadly what the majority of men are exposed to on the Internet. It's an unfortunate detriment to a cause that everyone should believe in, but I've heard from many people (okay mostly men) that it makes them less sympathetic to the plight of women because it seems like women don't want their help.
@1WhoGoesB4 - How can you say that feminism is about insecurity and female control issues? Study some history. Before 1920, women in the U.S. didn't have the right to vote. We've moved beyond that to what Mariah is discussing. According to a few, very vocal misanthropes, women don't have the right, or the ability, to enjoy things like video games or action sports.
My saying you don't agree with feminism you're actually saying you don't believe in gender equality. If what you mean is "I don't believe in women being superior to men" that's fine, but that's not the same thing. You're attempting to redefine what feminism means and, frankly, that's not up to you.
It's also not the loudest, it's just misguided. Most of the major feminist sites don't have that view or promote it. Most of the prominent feminist writers don't either. Gloria Steinem, for instance, writes elegantly and kindly about how important it is for balance and equality. Not superiority. You're choosing to view it that way because it fits your bias. Which is something you need to re-examine.
Your entire argument really boils down to two things: 1. your perspective, which is privileged and 2. an assumption that the playing field is even/equal when it demonstrably is not. You say you want everyone to be equal...but then you want to dictate how they act and how equality is defined. By your set of standards. That's not equality.
Individuals doing things you don't like has no bearing on systemic racism/misogyny/homophobia. You not liking how someone else presents as gay or black or whatever is also not the point. The entire world caters to your privilege, to who you are, as a middle class white man. You don't have to consider any other perspective if you don't want to, but you're falling short of your goal of really being for equality if you do.
Your statements, actually, don't fall outside the norm. Most people think the way you do. It's people like me who fall outside the norm and disagree on a fundamental level because, while I respect your right to believe what you do, it's coming from a privileged place that doesn't want to question it. Most of what you said here indicates that you are "for" equality, so long as no one demonstrates their otherness around you, or acts in ways you don't approve of.
It's easy to say "be who you are" when what you are is not discriminated against, denied basic rights, or subjected to hate. What you really mean is "be the way I want you to be" and that's not equality.
Well, no, "man hating" is not actually connected to this, it's a distraction. I think a lot of people want to believe feminism is about hating men because it's easier than looking at the reality. I don't see a random Facebook post by someone and conclude that everyone else must think the same way they do. It's because of bias and prejudice that a few anecdotal comments are used to represent feminism as a whole, or dismiss the very real issue of how women are treated all over the world. It takes a special kind of obtuseness to keep insisting something is something it clearly isn't. Which is not really feminisms problem at a certain point.
The other thing is, even if people do think that, it doesn't excuse what happened to Sarkeesian or Day. Neither one of them has ever said anything even remotely "man hatey", and Day doesn't even get particularly political. And yet she got trolled because of misogyny.
I think a lot of people come to conclusions about feminism long before they actually encounter a feminist, and then conveniently only see it as "man hating" no matter what someone actually says. I've never in my life played "men" for systemic misogyny, but I've been accused of being man-hating. Because people don't bother to find out the difference between systemic and individual, or patriarchy the structure, and men as individuals. At a certain point, that's not my or any other feminists responsibility. And what's more, it just derails conversations to have to constantly address it.
I get what you're saying and I do appreciate that there are some people who get feminism wrong. But the fact that ALL feminists are painted with that brush is actually proof positive of sexism in action. Because women are "othered" people will take the views of one woman and apply them to all women, as though we are a monolith. Because of sexism.
I'm really glad Wil Wheaton quoted you, or I'd never have seen this, and that would've been a shame. My reaction to a lot of this was a gut instinct to line all these assholes up, tell them to act right, and if they don't, they get punched straight in the mouth until they do. I think your response is better. I firmly believe in civility, but trolls make it really hard, because they don't respond to it. They have their own sad little agenda of...what? Upsetting everyone with whom they come into contact? I'm not really sure, it seems to go against natural human instincts to form relationships, so I don't get it. I find it really disturbing to think that all of these men are walking around with these fairly horrific attitudes toward women.
I think at least some of them think like that: 1. I want to talk to people and be part of a group! 2. Violence is respected in the part of the Internetz I know the best, if you don't like it they say you're humorless and a slut, etc. 3. I'm gonna be an asshole and people who are already trolls will think I'm cool (as long as I don't attack /them/.)
Then I know one person who lived in a rough ontext which made it seems normal, so didn't think it wasn't on the Internet until going to other parts of it. She didn't even want to be cool, just to talk to some persons and didn't know how until she saw other parts of the thing and discovered new "ways" to communicate, new social codes.
I've been noticed lots more posts about sexism and feminism on the internet recently. Which is great because it seems like there's more awareness being raised about the subject. I hadn't even heard of 'rape culture' until about a week ago. And the more articles and opinions the read the more I wonder *How can this situation be changed?* And all I can think of from my limited knowledge, is that the people working towards getting gender equality have one hell of a tough fucking job ahead of them. But then I don't think it's ever not been a tough job anyway. Ah well, there's some of my thoughts about this whole mess. ~ Chris
The reason for the jerks-being-annoying kind of trolling is that people are desperate to feel they have any power at all over the world.
That said, I should point out there's a much older form of trolling, which is still sort of around, where the goal is not to be obnoxious but to be funny. This is where you get stuff like dozens of people agreeing that of course ATMs print money, what, you think they leave twenty thousand dollars in CASH in those boxes? Some great entertainment value to be had.
Not in any way disputing the rest of your points. I was totally, completely, shocked to find out that Texas's mandatory-rape law was a law, not a proposal that was being laughed out.
Thanks for bringing this issue to light. I'm a guy, and I play games. But, I'm not really exposed to the bullying and misogynist comments that you ladies are exposed to. I like "gamer" girls, they're cool... just like "gamer" boys... maybe even cooler :) Gaming is supposed to be fun, so I really don't get why people verbally abuse others online. I think, those people have found a way to vent online without any repercussions, and so they do. Their life is probably full of crap, and they need some counseling, which they seek through online gaming.
An excellent piece which summarises the very real abuse that comes with being a geek/gamer and having no Y-chromosome to speak of. Though I'm curious about your views on the movement towards removing anonymity which has been tried in some places, such as NY state.
I'm not one for censorship, but it is clear that something needs to be done, as you say, sitting on our hands doing nothing will solve nothing. There is a good Extra Credits video on Penny Arcade that details some possible measures we could take to try and reduce online trolling and general misogyny within the gaming sphere. If Fat, Ugly Or Slutty has shown us anything, it's that online game services like Xbox Live or PSN need to, if you'll pardon the phrase, up their game with respect to controlling online abuse. Even if I can't condone censorship, the idea of doing nothing isn't palatable either, so education and bringing in some form of repercussion for this kind of act is what, to my mind, is needed. In the UK, we just had a case in the courts where a person was harassed online and won the right to know who was involved in the trolling (was sure Facebook already gave a good idea who they were via their name, but I digress) and possibly take legal action. That may be one extreme; the other could be simply shunning those who troll in gaming arenas by tarnishing their access to services once a certain level of respectability has been eroded.
These won't come overnight, or be particularly easy or foolproof, but it at least starts raising awareness of the issue.
As a man I really don't get the whole misogynist thing. Sure I listen to music thats down right offensive, and I am guilty of objectifying "hot" women in my head. But thats normal guy. The Asshat F#$ktards that trolled Felicia Day ore examples of how society has failed. She did a charming video with a catchy tune about two opposites meeting and getting it on, I don't see how people could be angry about it... I know writing a good song is hard, I know pleasing everyone is impossible, but at the same time I can appreciate art. And Ms. Day is a fantastic artist and performer. Her entertainment products have actually cheered me up on bad days, her characters are people I want to know, her videos are fun, not my genre usually, I don't actually like country but her song was fun. So I hope Felicia reads this and knows that one guy gets it. Keep up the commentary in your art, don't be afraid to take chances, and most of all always be yourself. You shine!
I was always taught that, if you don't have something nice (or at least constructive) to say, then you shouldn't say anything.
Somebody needs to teach the internet this concept. The anger and hatred that boils up against any kind of unexpected success (especially people who aren't "one of us") is frankly terrifying - and as a straight white male (who's never accomplished anything of note) I'm unlikely to be on the receiving end. I can't imagine how white-hot the rage is for someone in its focus.
Personally, I think the trolling is a good sign. Felicia Day is a great example of what a strong, gutsy woman can do, and that can threaten some people's world view--a view that needs to be threatened, demolished, changed, etc. So the trolling just means she's doing it right.
I'm not sure how comforting it is to read the vitriol thrown at her for doing it right. I'm not sure that, at the end of the day, after reading all this vitriol, that one would be able to think "I'm doing it write. I'm so happy I have all these hateful comments to prove it!"
I wouldn't accept as a premise that being heaped with abuse is a sign that one is doing the right thing. That's the sort of logic the Phelps family would use to justify their actions. Also, it's really hard to be the recipient of this kind of trolling/abuse even if it is a good sign. Why should anyone have to endure this?
I don't think Michael is suggesting that the vitriol is acceptable or something we should just tolerate... but he's saying that it's an indicator that things are changing.
There's a quote that goes like this: "First they ignore you; then they ridicule you; then they fight you; then you win."
The ridiculing and fighting aren't good, nor desirable... but they're at least evidence that you've moved past the state where you're basically just ignored. And I think that's happening... and I think that change, that progression, is the part that's good.
Wendy - true, but as Kathy Sierra said in her blog "Creating Passionate Users", if you get people polarised, some love you, some hate you, you're making a difference & doing something right. Better to be Marmite than bland & forgettable. That said, rape & violence threats need to stop. It's not big or clever & it makes us guys look bad.
Nice to read this. I have always thought female gamers always got forgotten in game design, or are accused of beings there just for show. No girl gamers are some of the nicest people to ever play on-line with. They are kind and helpful. I just wish some lads were like that.
Felicia Day is a great figure head for all girl gamers and I wish her well in all endeavours.
Mariah, thank you for writing this, (h/t Wil Wheaton for link). I've never been able to understand how the difference in genetics is justification for hate. I understand that gender and sex and language and skin color result in different shared experiences and different cultures. As a white male, I have put my money where my mouth is (donations) and walked the talk (march on Washington). (Un)fortunately, I just don't associate with these trolls and asshats so I have not been able to make a true difference. My apologies for not standing up with you.
Mariah and all women, please keep up your great work no matter what they say.
I had hoped you'd also address the recent attack on Aisha Tyler, where, in her case, she was attacked because of her race as well as her gender, but she's handled her own rebuttal and I'm sure others have addressed it elsewhere. It's not like this is the first time such examples have been brought to public attention, nor the first time people have written thought-provoking posts like yours. The hope is that posts like this (with thanks to people like WW bringing attention to them) will do something to finally help bring about change. As in, the trolls will finally read such things and finally realize that their trolling isn't the least bit funny or justified.
Yeah, it only occurred to me after that it's also a pretty awful and important example of the same problem.
To me, in some ways, it's less about the trolls and more about the individual feeling able to address it. Being bullied is usually humiliating and people don't feel like they can talk about it. It's important that they do, if they feel safe to...not because you're necessarily going to change every bully/troll's mind, but because it needs to be said for you.
I think a lot of people forget that the trolls are people too. They're hurt and feel the need to strike out, you don't know what's happened to them. I'm not saying it's right for them to lash out but I am saying it's wrong to treat them like they don't need to exist. Very few people are born evil and even less need to commit their evil online. Think of them as being mind-controlled by their own weaknesses. I'm not saying I know how to fix people but I am saying it's stupid to stoop to their level and getting trapped in the stupid loop.
It's all stupid and a nigh impossible task to get rid of. But I've just never saw the reasoning in attacking it. Those doing the trolling will just feel obligated to say and do nothing until they lash out at a later date in more force. The only thing that cures it is time. Either the trolls find what they need or they die. A lot of hate is made at birth by our parents so any idealistic society may one day exist (I'm an optimist) but there is 0% chance it'll happen soon (realist too, sadly).
That's how I feel. I get aggrivated when people don't realize there's more than just one way to look at things. The world is layered inside layers upon layers upon layers upon layers upon layers. It's a beautiful mess of a world we live in.
I don't forget that trolls are people, but it's not really my or anyone else's responsibility to take their feelings into consideration when they're trashing other people's work, defacing their sites, and threatening them with rape and violence. There's no justification for that kind of behavior.
There's a difference between "feeding" trolls, and discussing how to make online spaces safer and more productive for discourse. Because that we can do something about. Of course people will continue to troll. But that doesn't mean we have to accept it.
Alright, I do see your points Mariah, but I do have a few comments about trolls and bullying via the internet.
Rape and sexual assault are never funny. As a gamer girl (I've been gaming on MMOs for about 11 years), nobody has ever threatened to rape or sexually assault me. If they did, it would be crossing a huge line and in most games the person would be banned or at least suspended since it's against... probably all EULAs.
I've certainly experienced TONS of misogynistic comments though. The thing is, they don't bother me. It's not because I'm not proud of being a woman, or have penis envy. I love being a woman, I definitely don't want a penis, my life's dream isn't to be "one of the guys". I'm not a tomboy but I do love gaming.
They don't bother me because 98% of it is joking. I'm the kind of person that thinks that laughing one of the most important things in life. Never take yourself, your life or anything too seriously and you will be happy.
If you don't want random trolls calling you names and saying stupid shit to you, don't broadcast your life on the internet, it's not for everyone.
I also think that online bullying cannot be compared to real-life bullying. For one, everyone is physically safe, behind your computer, inside your home. If you're smart, nobody knows where you live.
In a lot of real-life bullying situations, the person being bullied is afraid of being physically injured. The troll can be bigger than you, stronger than you, faster than you and more physically capable than you but it doesn't matter because they can't touch you.
You can also turn off the bullying anytime you want to. Block the person, turn off comments, turn off the computer. Oh, and NEVER go on reddit.
Everyone who spends a decent amount of time on Youtube knows you don't read the comments... It's 70% trolling, 20% spam/chain comments and 10% actual comments.
I also know a lot of girl gamers that wear the girl gamer badge for attention. But after a while you find out you're not rare, there are millions of female gamers, we're still outnumbered by men but it's not like there are only 10 girls on the internet.
I'm curious...why does it matter if some girls wear the "girl gamer" badge for attention? They'll either grow out of it or they won't. It's also interesting to me that that's a criticism I mostly see made about women in these spaces. I mean, geek culture has a tendency to be competitive about who's a better/bigger geek...but women in these spaces have to "prove" on a whole other level, usually the "attention" one. I don't see too many guys being accused of dressing up for attention. Which seems problematic to me. And extremely gendered.
As for bullying and trolling...no. Whether it happens online or on the street, it's not okay. Because of the culture it creates, perpetuates, and validates. Namely a misogynistic one where it's okay to threaten women with sexual or physical harm because you don't like what they say/do. Women are sexually assaulted at a very high rate in real life, and while a rape threat isn't the same as being raped, it's part of the exact same environment/sexist concepts. So it can't just ignored. It won't change if it is.
It's fine that you as an individual have no issue with misogynistic "jokes", but...that's not really the point. I have a healthy (and downright twisted) sense of humor. I think Louis C.K. is brilliant and Patton Oswalt routinely makes me stop breathing from laughter. My individual sense of humor is not the issue. People routinely cover up misogyny with "it's a joke!" so they don't have to question what they're saying or what it contributes to.
Being visible on the internet doesn't mean you "deserve" to get trolled, which is kind of what your comment implies. Putting your work out there is what some of us do and we accept that it will be judged and not everyone will be nice about it. It still doesn't entitle anyone to abuse us and I personally feel I have an obligation to say that as much as possible. For myself and for all the people I know who work hard and make things. It's just not a valid argument. It's just another way to excuse bad behavior and blame the people who put work out there instead of the people who choose to be shitty about it.
I'm not naive enough to think that trolling or bullying is something that can easily be fixed or solved. But I think change starts with awareness and talking about a problem. We all choose what we will stand up for, and this one of those things I will always be vocal about.
As someone who has suffered from both on-line and real-life bullying... you have no idea. on-line bullying can be as damaging and horrible as real life bullying with the added problems that (a) it involves more people, and whatever community you're involved in, it can make it almost impossible to remain there. (b) Bullying is rarely just about physical danger - it's about pulling down the person's self-esteem. And all you need for that is words.
You don't need to broadcast your life on the internet to get bullies, you just have to be there and say anything.
And allowing people to make sexist comments as jokes is allowing the thin end of the wedge. People like you, is what gives the wannabe trolls permission to get nastier - because you allow the little things - they go for the big things.
In real-life bullying situations, just like on-line - it's not about 1 bully, it's 1 bully and their cohorts. They don't have to be physically capable or anything, they just have to have a lot of people with them. If you're getting picked on by 40 people the main bully doesn't have to be physically stronger than you, nor do they even have to threaten you physically.
If you haven't been bullied before you often just don't get, if you haven't haven't the empathy.
Being told to avoid it, to grow a thicker skin and just laugh it off - is another way of saying the bullies are ok to be bullying.
Online bullying is as bad as "real life" bullying. The difference is you can't face your attacker; you may not know who it is. You may not feel physically safe; esepcailly if the troll seems to know where you live.
I've know such things to cause panic attacks, anxiety, depression and prevent people from leading normal lives. Much bullying doesn't reault in you being afraid of violence - it attacks your self esteem and sense of self.
When I was bullied at school I ended up physically attacking my bully. It may have stopped them, but 35 years on I still have a black dog whispering in my ear telling me I'm worthless - and online bullying of the nature we're discussing would make it worse.
Your sense of humour is not the point. The point is that no one - male or female - should be threatened with violence or rape - online or not.
Yes, you can escape online bullying by going offline. Just like you can escape physical bullying by shutting yourself inside and pulling down the blinds so you never meet anybody.
It's not a great solution. It still requires you to give up a hell of a lot to escape bullying, especially if you have friends in the same places where the bullies are.
And yes, it's prudent to be cautious with your private information and not let strangers know who you are or where you live. But we should never stop fighting the arseholes who make those precautions NECESSARY.
A while back there was a thing where trolls competed to see who could get the most responses. Is there such a thing as flash mob trolling? I haven't read the comments for Day's video, so I don't have a sense of whether they might have been part of an organized effort. I suppose all it takes is something like reddit to attract the sharks.
What motivates these individuals? Simply put: the desire for power. What thrills them is getting a response, because then they know they've had an effect. It's not personal. Perhaps on a deeper level they are impotent or frustrated or who-knows-what - the answer will vary from individual to individual and it doesn't matter. This is a case in which a response, even a negative response, is more rewarding than no response at all.
So the best response is no response... Really?! There are thousands of trolls out there, and if one grows weary of your lack of response, another will just take his place, right? As I heard one preacher say, "It is the triumph of vulgarity."
Until someone devises the technology to identify, track, and block trolls (which is probably never), you can only cope. Use filters, and learn to skim and mentally block comments before they have a chance to fully register in your brain. Look for key words and phrases that tell you where a post is going, and instantly skip to the next comment if you see one.
Imagine such comments were written by a bunch of mousy, wide eyed little teenagers in dark rooms around the world, whose big hope in life is that a few words written by you about them will appear on their computer screens. You ignore them, and they wait. They wait until their screens go into power-save mode and they are left slouching in complete darkness.
And if the comment is "I'm going to rape you. I know where you live" - well, then let your blog host know so that they can get the troll's IP address. Your host can block the IP address, or contact the troll's ISP and tell you more about the location of the offender. That information may help you decide whether or not you should contact the police and/or (if you're rich) hire some personal protection.
And yet nothing has ever changed through ignoring it. I agree that you can't address every troll nor should you, and that many of them just want a reaction, whatever it is.
That doesn't mean that the solution is never discussing it or what we can do to make whatever corner of the internet we personally inhabit better. You can choose not to, that's your right. But I think it's important to acknowledge that ignoring it isn't a solution, it's, in some ways, taking the easy way out.
Sometimes I think we do have to say something and we get to choose when and what we will address. I'm not taking on every internet troll, but I'm perfectly fine with discussing the problems I have with it within the spaces/industries I work in/am involved with. Awareness is one of the first steps towards acknowledging something as a problem and coming up with strategies and solutions. Are we going to "solve" internet trolling? No. But we absolutely can take steps to minimize it's effect and create places that are less hostile.
A writer friend of mine was recently quoted as saying, "There's no shame in ignoring negative reviews if they don't make you a better writer." We have to choose our battles. That said, I admire your determination. Don't ever lose that sense of mission.
This was a really great post. I've followed Felicia Day's work for a while and I was simply baffled to see the responses to that video. It is totally ridiculous to me the insane standards that some misogynists out there will put on a woman before she is... I don't know... worthy? As if all the innovative work she's done at the forefront of making webseries, producing, writing, and acting haven't done enough to "prove" who she is?
Unfortunately, it also seems like addressing this problem invariable brings out the straw man that somehow excuses stuff like this - the "feminazi," or the "girl who's only a gamer for attention," as though women are the only people who ever do something for attention anyway.
Finally, I like that you addressed the refrain of "this is just how the internet is." I don't see how that makes it okay. I shudder to think how the world would be if "this is just how [such and such] is" was an accepted line of reasoning in every field.
Thank you, Mariah, for this post. I am every day amazed that gender, race, and orientation biases still exist. I'm not naïve enough to think they ever went away or that we've gotten past them as a culture, but it makes me profoundly sad that it is even still a question. It seems a massive failure of logic that such discrimination continues. I mean, for the love of Pete, the Civil Rights movement was 50+ years ago! How is this crap not sorted out yet? *sigh* I guess it's so easy to get caught up in our technological advances and say "we've come so far," but the truth is that we're still only a hair's breadth from the medieval mindset.
The main issue, as I see it, with trolling is the very point of anonymity: when people know that there will be absolutely NO personal repercussions against them, their true colors always begin to show. There are people in the world who are hateful, cruel, conniving, destructive, and bitter toward everyone, be they man, woman, or transgendered. Hate crimes (which is what these instances are and should be treated as such) directed against anyone is wrong. However, I have always believed that censorship is also absolutely wrong, so "shutting them up" will never be an effective strategy. What CAN be done, however, and what I have been attempting to promote for years, is to take away their anonymity, and make their hate-speech an actual crime. If everyone was obligated to post comments under their real name, and verbal assault was criminalized, as it should be, this issue could be mitigated very quickly.
I'm not certain that there's any more sexism than before. Unfortunately, the Internet gives *everybody* a voice, including insecure, maladjusted 14 year olds (or their mental equivalent).
Before, they had no chance to anonymously spew their insecurities before anyone else besides their peers. Now they can safely reveal their inner demons to the world, and it's not pretty.
It's also pretty much inevitable. Most grow out of it (and end up cringing when they remember their adolescent behavior) , but they're simply replaced by the next generation of insecure, maladjusted 14 year olds. Sadly, I don't think there's any maturo-ray that we can beam at these youngsters.
I am not really clued up on this as my exposure to women are really limited. Does the equal rights mean you want to be treated like men? Can you maybe highlight in a logical way what you think equal is?
Sorry it just feels a bit vague when you say I want equal rights for women when half of us can barely understand what the issue is.
Is it being called names and threatend and stuff cause I have been threatend online alot of times while playing games smack talk and trolling is part of the culture a really horrible part of it.
Hm. I think you need to go research this on your own first, honestly. There's a long history of women having to fight for what rights they do have, and we're currently in a political climate where they're being eroded state by state.
It's not just about how we're treated online, and this goes beyond "smack talk". When women are threatened online it's to silence and undermine us, especially when what we're doing is discussing gender discrimination.
For instance, the only right under the constitution women have is the right to vote. We also earn less than men, are routinely having to fight for the ability to control our own bodies, are disproportionately the victims of sexual abuse, and all over the world, are more likely to be living in poverty. And that's just some of the problems this half of the population experiences.
In this specific case, two women made things and put them online. And were subjected to gendered trolling because of it. It happened specifically because they were women. I don't like trolling period, but what this does is shine a lot on the very problematic issue of misogyny in geek culture.
Misogyny as an issue limits women's lives, choices, and ability to be treated as full human beings. You can start with a simple wikipedia search to get some basics on feminism and go from there. And I can't recommend Anita Sarkeesian's videos highly enough for illustrating what the current dicsussion is about.
I think a lot of well-meaning guys don't understand these issues because they honestly can't imagine that anyone would treat women any differently then men. They don't realize that it's something that needs discussing because they've never experienced the kind of harassment and belittling that the vast majority of women have.
I think there is a lot of truth in what you write, Kristy. I am one of those "well-meaning guys" who for a very long time couldn't "imagine that anyone would treat women any different [than] men". The concept seems completely foreign to me. The fact that there actually seems to be quite a few of us should be a good sign that things are going in the correct direction. I also don't think that most of the trolls and bullies actually believe in what they write. Which as I think of it raises the question if this really is a problem of sexism/misogyny or a problem of bullying. A bully doesn't bully because they think someone is less worth or needs to be put in their place. A bully will bully anyone they can find an excuse to. The excuse itself is rarely important. Perhaps in this case addressing the reasons for bullying would be more effective than promoting equality. Not saying that promoting equality is not important.
On the topic of equality I have to say that as one of those people to whom the thought of treating people differently based on any criteria is completely foreign and in theory agreeing with the principles pretty much 100% I also cringe at the word "feminist". Being raised in Sweden, for a long time the leading country in equality, I saw very little of these kinds of problems. And, while most people in Sweden, when asked, would say that they are feminists or if confronted with the principals of feminism would say that they agree, I find that people who refer to themselves as "feminists" tend to be one of two categories. First is women who talk more about bringing men down than they do increasing equality between genders which makes them appear, rightfully or not, as "man-hating". Especially to men who are not part of the "patriarchy". Very often using language that drive men like me away rather than towards the cause. The second category is male politicians who use the word "feminist" to score political correctness points simply to further their political careers.
So we are a generation of men who agree with the feminist ideals but dislike the sound of the word "feminist". We were not convinced by feminists fighting the "gender war" to change our chauvinist ways we were simply raised to think of people as equal. Now I know this was a result of the feminist movement but clinging to the word "feminism" in an era when it to many people who genuinely believe in the message feel it has a negative sound might be foolish. The name is not important only the message is. Talking about equality instead of feminism also enables you to encompass not only gender equality but also ethnical and sexual equality into the discussion and makes it sound a little more, for a lack of a better word, mature as it acknowledges that while admittedly not nearly as often sometimes men can be discriminated against as well. I hope this can help to provide some insight and further our mutual cause, whatever we may choose to call it. :)
It's both. It doesn't matter if they believe what they write, it matters that they write it, and that they choose misogynistic terms/ways to do it. I also don't believe that anyone who truly doesn't believe these things would take the time to send rape/death threats or the rest of it. At best it's cognitive dissonance.
As for the word feminist - please see my above answers and my latest post. The word is not the problem, it's some people's perception of it, which they are choosing to cling to, because of bias or anecdotal experiences that they let define an entire movement.
The name is important, actually. Feminism is talking about equality, and it also seeks to address more than just gender issues. Being a feminist doesn't mean you aren't also an advocate for racial/ethnic equality, and I can't see why anyone would think that. Feminism does acknowledge that men are effected by gender issues, particularly gender norms and the gender binary. Feminists are huge proponents of paternity leave, gay rights, and a lot of other issues that directly effect men.
Also, and this is important: if you're a man you benefit from the patriarchy. The patriarchy is not a person, it's a system that gives one pov/gender preferential treatment. We're all a part of it because we reside within cultures that are patriarchal. The fact that some women get angry or frustrated about it, and that then makes some men decide to discount legitimate gender concerns because of it, is not feminism's fault or problem. That largely has to do with being uncomfortable with privilege and acknowledging the legitimacy of that anger and frustration.
The truth is women are not going to "overthrow" men anymore than poc's are going to "overthrow" whites. It's a strawman, no matter how many people you've heard say they'd like to. It's a convenient thing to focus on instead of the actual problem.
"I am not really clued up on this as my exposure to women are really limited. Does the equal rights mean you want to be treated like men? Can you maybe highlight in a logical way what you think equal is?"
Tbh, online, I think limited exposure to women is part of the problem with trolls. They're inexperienced with women in real-life, so all they have to go on is representations of women and then actual interaction goes...badly.
"Equal" doesn't mean "the same as." And to say "treated like men" is kind of weird as...I know lots of men, and they're all different. Equal to me means wanting to be treated with the same *respect* as other *human beings*.
Men and women are not the same, anymore than any individual is not the same. All women are not the same. All men are not the same. Women and men have different issues that may apply to them however, and recieve different treatment.
The problem comes in when treatment recieved is grossly disproportionate, and when women's rights are infringed on - sometimes something supported by both women AND men, just to highlight that 'men' are not the problem here. It's the systems that people support that are the problem.
And yes, there are people who would suggest women's rights was hard fought but job done now...To which I suggest they look at the regressive policies towards abortion in the southern states of the US.
And yes, it's easy to dismiss that as a fringe of the religious far-right, but politics and religion are clear examples of those "systems that people support" that marginalize women and other groups.
@Anders
"So we are a generation of men who agree with the feminist ideals but dislike the sound of the word "feminist"."
Um, no offence, but regarding the negative connotation of the word 'feminist' I think that's just ignorance. The reason I don't mean that to be offensive is because it's an opinion I shared, which, in retrospect, was my own ignorance in the matter.
In college, I remember someone (a woman actually) saying "I hate feminists" and I agreed, saying I was an "equalist." I think we both had the preconception of 'feminists' as hardline radicals, frothing at the mouth with something of an entitlement and inferiority complex, with a very simplistic and narrow 'us vs them' outlook.
In university, when we were actually *taught* something about feminism it appeared as far more complex than that. Feminism seemed, far from being about 'us vs them' to be identifying and dismantling systems that create 'us vs them' - heirachies of power and binary thinking.
When I was complaining that I was an equalist, rather than a feminist, I said this because I didn't want women to have power over men; I didn't want *anyone* to have power (or, at least, I wanted everyone similarly *empowered*) I hadn't realized that this 'equalism' is essentially feminism.
The negative connotation of feminists and feminism as "man-hating" is misleading and I have to wonder to what extent manufactured. Certainly it's what I thought feminism meant before studying it. I can't tell you from what aspect of culture I absorbed that information as a teenager, but I doubt it was direct experience.
Excellent essay, Squidy Girl. Thank you for your civil, courteous and well-reasoned writing. And thank you to Mr Wil Wheaton for linking to this discussion.
I appreciate the comments I have read - I find them well-written and -considered for the most part.
If I may add my two pieces of copper...
As has been said, ignoring bullies does not work but gives a tacit permission to continue with the bullying. However, I would take that assertion a step furthur, and assert that ignoring bullies also implies that the person being bullied is actually responsible to not respond to the bullying - which seems to me is akin to saying that women should not respond to being raped. As though it is my fault for being bullied....
People talk about freedom of speech, as though that gives them the right to say anything that crosses their minds - as though what they think is the truth, because they are thinking it. However, freedom of speech carries with it several responsibilities - one of which is to accept the consequences of what you say. Addressing the misogynistic American culture being overtly expressed in the gaming world means applying direct consequences when people say hate-filled things.
What might that look like? Consider that Eve Ensler and Lisa Brown performing the Vagina Monologues outside the Michigan State Representative House, as a response to Lisa Brown being banned from making comments on a bill up before the House because she said the word "vagina" is a direct consequence, and response to, the misogynistic actions taken by the Michigan House.
What might applying consequences look like in the gaming world (a caveat here: I do not participate in the online gaming world) - what might be an appropriate response? Someone mentioned the possibility of tarnishing someone's access to the game - (I like the word "tarnish" in this context) but could mean a lot of resources being required to police the comments. I don't have any ideas myself, I ask the question to bring it furthur into the conversation.
And people who bully often never learn to relate to what they do to others as having a impact on those others. A good example of this would be Mitt Romney's actions while at school, actions he asserts were simply teasing, joking around, while the recipients of his attentions were physically, psychologically and emotionally traumatised.
Carrying a flashlight and shining it on the kinds of hate speech we see and hear is one way to address it. Educating people as to what misogyny actually looks like and how subtly it can be expressed is another.
In the long-term, perhaps it is time to start taking this furthur, and start in the public schools, with education. After all, beyond a certain age, that is where most of us get our information about the world beyond our skin - that is, the world outside our selves. Bullies do not relate their actions to the world outside their own skins. Perhaps that, then, is a place to start.
The part that frustrates me the most about all of this is that the trolls block out all legitimate debate about an issue. I have some issues with Sarkeesian's project (though I'm sure there are more than a few points I'd agree with), but that doesn't mean I think she's a bad person, attention whore, or any of the other far worse things she's been called. I'm not interested in backing the project, but I still think it has a right to exist. And who knows, maybe something she ends up creating will change my perspective, if not make me reverse my opinions altogether.
But there's no real good medium for people to discuss the issue in good faith. I'd love to sit down with someone and dig deep into the issues and why we disagree. But internet discussions aren't any place to do that because someone like me could easily get lumped in with the trolls, sexists, and antifeminists, or at least be completely overshadowed by them. Complex opinions get eclipsed by the simple, binary nature of love/hate that seems to reign on the web.
In sum: this is an important issue in gaming that warrants discussion. Even if Sarkissian does a phenomenal job expressing her points, the issue will never be fully explored without intelligent counter-arguments. And what the trolling out there really does is prevent that counter-argument from ever being explored intelligently. Without that, we deny both sides from a more full understanding of what is, in my opinion, one of the most important issues in gaming right now.
The thing that really bothers me is that nothing ever changes. It's 2012 and we're still talking about this. People are the same sexist, racist, homophobic, judgmental assholes as they've always been except now instead of harassing you to your face, they hide behind the anonymity of the internet. What really hurts is that my 16-year-old daughter is afraid to say that she's a girl online because of the harassment that goes with it. Her best friend is afraid to post anything on the internet because she's afraid of being harassed. I tried to explain to them that by silencing themselves or hiding the fact that they're girls means that the trolls have won. I hope their proud of themselves. Also, I'm getting sick and tired of being told that girls can't play video games, girls don't like superheroes, girls can't read comic books, girls don't like science fiction, girls don't like action movies, girls can't be computer programmers, girls aren't good at math or science, girls can't even be writers or artists. What the hell else is left?
Mariah I commend you for talking about this and thank Wil Wheaton for sharing your post on his profile.
As part of my college classes preparing me for a teaching degree one of the small format discussions I participated in was about labeling and stereotypes. Everyone does this to some extent because it is a simpler way for a persons mind to take in information and categorize things. This is part of the way people think and make interactions with people and especially strangers easier for our minds to deal with.
How these stereotypes are formed and the labels we attach to them is the problem. As an example if I refer to someone as a feminist or a chauvinist each of our minds as we read those words brings up a set of labels which we attach to those words and gives us an expectation of what it means. The labels are based on what our personal experiences and influences are.
Now if a person reads and understands what the real meaning of those words are it is likely that the concept brought forth into their mind a moment ago is not the same as the actual meaning.
Feminist: A person who believe women should have equal opportunity to men in all things. It is not a declaration of equivalency of gender in all matters merely that equal opportunity should be made available.
Based on the actual definition most people will identify themselves as feminists, but based on sterotype and labeling people won't.
Chauvinist : a belief that members of a group are superior to those who are not in the group. The belief of superiority is based on an inflated sense of worth, or distorted perception of worth of those in the group and allows for making those who are not in the group to feel inferior by their exclusion.
Chauvinism is about creating stereotypes of other people as inferior in order to maintain a greater feeling of worth and working to reinforce that perception. There are chauvinists based on what part of town people live in (rich / poor), what activities people participate in (geek / jock), sexual orientation and any number of other types of chauvinism. Chauvinism is the first step in bigotry and justifying treating people as second class because they are not part of the group.
Based on this most of us can identify any number of chauvinists we know, we merely need to identify what their chauvinistic beliefs are based on and I would like to think in most developed countries people will identify themselves as feminists.
To keep it short and sweet, Mariah has been on point with her discussion and has made clear and concise replies to nearly every (if not all) who have posted here. It seems fairly obvious she's done the digging where needed, defined things for anyone who may have a misconception, and taken the time to clear up any confusions. And to all of that, I admire her. Sure I may be some random passerby, but reading through here has maybe made that little inkling of a difference that may later grow into some deeper understanding for the future. For that, I am thankful.
Personally I don't like the draft for anyone, but there are other countries that have have mandatory military service for both genders (Israel, Sweden, etc). I don't think it's fair to draft men and not women, and there are plenty of women who do want to serve in the military (and do already). So, to me, yes, that would be a matter of equality. It's paternalistic to insist women can't be in the military.
So I though perhaps I should actually contribute something that is actually on topic.
I think the post is good and thoughtful even tho there is nothing really new it is a subject that needs to be discussed simply for the point of saturating the collective consciousness with it.
I do however think the whole Lara "rapey backstory" thing seems to have been blown out of proportion and using it takes a little bit of the credibility away.
As for why people dislike "gamer girls" dressing up to get attention. That is not about actual geeky girls dressing up as characters they like. The part that people get upset about (especially actual geek girls) is when someone pretends to be interested in something and use their sex simply to get attention. It is the geek equivalent of dressing in revealing clothes and flirting with guys just to get free stuff. It is cheap, manipulative, hurts actual geek girls reputation and servers to further the objectification of women as well as insulting to male geeks.
Now I want to make perfectly clear that Felicia Day is definitely NOT one of those girls as she is truly a geek and a great creative person and I really liked that country song even if the country guy needs some work on his miming.
I'm sorry if this came across as overly negative but simply stating all the parts with which I agree seems pointless :)
You should see my previous post that addressing Lara Croft and Catwoman. It's not blown out of proportion, it's part of a larger problem with how female characters are treated across several different mediums. The rape backstory is a very old and very crummy trope that has a history of being overused. Go check out Women in Refrigerators and go from there.
I've addressed this before but...who care? Dressing up to get attention is something literally everyone does. Men do it, women do it...there are plenty of guys at conventions who dress up to get attention. They aren't dressing as Superman because they want to be ignored. They did't make that authentic Stormtrooper outfit and wear it in 80+ degree heat so no one will want to take their picture. It's just as easy to ignore it if you don't like it, and most of the time people just assume they aren't "real" geeks because they're girls. I must have missed the memo where we had a test for that kind of thing.
While I do think there's a valuable conversation to be had about objectification and women who, for whatever reason, are complicit in it, I know a lot of very geeky women who like to dress up in various costumes for shows. Sometimes it could be considered sexy, sometimes they're just badass, and other times they've extremely complex. A lot of it is relative.
I guess that sort of thing hurts my reputation as a geek girl...in the sense that people choose to view all other geek girls by the actions of another, because, you know, sexism. Just because one girl (or even several) do that, doesn't mean we all do. And quite frankly the number of girls doing that stuff "just for attention" is really small...and just being a girl in a geek space can get you labeled that way. So you'll excuse me if I take that all with a grain of salt. It seems super convenient to pin the blame on the girls and not, say, those who make sweeping assumptions about all girls.
My point is that there are issues underlying why a woman might dress that way for "attention", since our culture teaches women from birth that our biggest value is in how we look...and there are issues underlying the assumption that geek "girls" aren't really geeks no matter what they're wearing.
In any event, Day didn't deserve that attack, as though she's responsible for whatever it is those guys don't like about some gamer girls. That's just an excuse for bad behavior.
Don't forget female privileges, like these. It is interesting that feminists like to say that feminism is about equality and not just advancing women over men and they insist talking about male privileges, but don't want to have discussion about female privileges...
Anonymous- Well, no, we just don't want to have to talk about how "men have it rough too" in discussions that are not about them. That's derailing. You can have that conversation elsewhere. The whole internet caters to it.
As for that list...er...a lot of it is NOT privileges. Most of them are things that come with added gender baggage and negative associations because women are considered weak/less than. There are a few I would agree with...like we can certainly express certain emotions more easily than men. Of course, if we do, we're being "emotional" women, who are unreasonable and illogical. Which neatly negates a lot of that list. The ones I do agree with: motherhood is definitely lauded over fatherhood and there are privileges that come with that.
So the reason we don't talk a lot about female privileges is that most of the ones people think we have, we don't. I could counter every single one o those in that list but I have actual things to do with my day.
All- Okay, we're getting to the repeat-o portion of commenting now. I really don't have time to address any more misguided "feminists hate men"/this issue doesn't matter comments. See also asking me to use a different term.
Please see this video (which is also in my latest post). I thank everyone for the conversations!
This was a really fantastic read and you made some great points, I especially liked the conclusion where you linked everything back together. I hate, haaatee trying to explain gender issues to someone only for it to be blown off as "not that important" in the "grand scheme of things." You've definitely given me some thought for how to combat that!
Lexi- Thank you! It does get frustrating sometimes and I myself lose patience all the time. But I'm a big believer in how things are interrelated and that the more we see how it's all connected, the more likely we are to be able to get to the real roots of the problem/s.
Hi Mariah, just want to add my appreciation for the thoughtful, clear and respectful way you articulate your position and views. Your detailed responses to so many individual posters is a huge commitment in time and patience, specially as you note, things often go around in circles or distract from the point.
I always remember an interesting study from education. The researchers had measured the teacher interactions in the classroom and identified that something like 80% of interactions were between the teachers and male students; for a whole lot of reasons. They put some processes in place to actively focus the teacher on having more interactions with the female students. After some time they reached a point of say 70% male interaction and 30% female interaction (I can't remember the exact figures, but this is close enough for the point). The interesting part wasn't really the change, but how the students felt about it. The male students all said that now the female students all spoke more than they did. Even though the male students still received significantly more teach time, they perceived the shift as an increase over what they received.
I've always remembered this study as it seems really relevant for understanding how people perceive shifts in power. If you accept the status quo as the norm, then someone elses gain must be your loss, and if you've lost, then that must be unfair.
One thing I do really notice and like in a lot of the threads I've been reading lately is the large number of men adding their support. Its always problematic when change for equity is left to those in margionalised positions to achieve. Perhaps understandably (and probably necessarily) the lead for feminism always tends to come from women, indigenous rights from indigenous peoples etc - although its always pretty cool to see more men represent in equity issues when its done with authenticity and balance. It always sucks when margionalised, oppressed groups are required to carry the burden of discrimination AND the responsibility for change...and often nagged to solve the problems of the poor crew in charge ;)
Which sort of brings me to all the posters asking about men's rights... If you believe men's rights need championing - and I'd agree there are some issues men need support for - then get off the couch and do something about it. My caveat would be that I only want to advocate for action that makes the world a better place for all, not just exacerbates the existing problems. There is often a risk that when the majority mobilizes, even with good intentions, its to the detriment of progress on equity - mens violence prevention workshops are perhaps an example. These programmes receive the majority of funding in domestic violence prevention, victim support/women's refuges receive little, and its sometimes questionable the extent that men's groups result in meaningful change and reduced recidivism...
Sorry for the diatribe, just really wanted to say I enjoyed reading your writing Mariah.
Moonglow- Don't apologize, that was a really thoughtful and interesting post on perception of power. I think that it's demonstrably true that now that women have made some progress, but are not actually equal, you see this kind of backlash people who claim that only women are considered or only their concerns are valid. Which isn't true, but is clearly their perception now that we have a modicum of ability to push back and be heard on some issues.
It make it difficult to have a conversation with people coming from that pov, because they're predisposed to believing something that isn't the case, so no matter how reasonable you are, what they hear is something else. But we keep on keeping on. :}
The irony, while I've typed all these posts (and I type slowly over cooking dinner, drinking wine and watching tv) I've been watching Sons of Anarchy. I mean this is a show of serious bloke culture, full of swearing, violence, porn and drugs. But it has some amazing paralles to this conversation, some awesome female leads, Gemma from season 1 to 4 is such a dominant thred to the story, but also female characters challenging all the archtypes and conventions that are so assumed, not just in biker culture, but culture in general. Its kinda crazy, that while we're talking about a pretty overt discrimination in a margionalised subculture, that there is a mainstream show debating gender roles in baby changing in an overtly bloke culture (and I always argue that equity comes down to who handles the sh!t as a matter of routine).
The good news, this discussion is about graphic novels and that shouldn't take a revolution to achieve. It's even got a strong motivator, like you and a few other bloggers have noted, this is about the fastest growing audience in geek history.... while its about women wanting to read stuff they can affiliate with, it has a direct money benefit. But I really believe that its about men too, and the fastest tipping point needs a critical mass of men to demand something different. Something they aren't embarrassed to show to their mother, their sister, the women in their lives.
PS Sons of Anarchy season 4 has some great stories of men struggling with the consequences of violence for the women in their lives; but also the preferential treatment of sons. Its sometimes subtle but its crazily poignant if you've followed the seasons. On the surface its about bikers, but its got threads of power struggles and the implications and the consequences of change all through it.
As a man I can tell you that one thing that makes it hard to have conversations about feminism or women's rights is the way viewpoints are expressed. From my limited experience many feminists will talk about how "men" do this or "men" say that and often sound like they think all men are that way (obviously we aren't and obviously I know you don't think we are). The problem is if I, as a man, make a similar statement using the term "women" (for example: women like to cook) I will be told that I am sexist because not ALL women like to cook and obviously I know all women don';t like to cook.
When the language that is allowed to be used is so different it makes me feel very uncomfortable in those conversations. When you refer to "men" in your posts it makes me feel like you are talking about a much larger sample of the population than you probably are and that leads to conversations where men are already on the defensive and it inhibits us from really talking to each other about issues/things.
Granted I do agree with the concerns you raise I just wanted to give one man's perspective on why it's difficult to join the conversations about women's rights.
Anonymous- I hear you, and I do understand that when people make generalizations about anyone, it poses problems. One thing I do personally to try and mitigate that is contextualize it. When I refer to "men" in this post, I refer specifically to those who trolled these two women. Because that's who overwhelmingly did so. Obviously it wasn't all men everywhere, or all male gamers. And I said as much in the post. It's a very specific sort of person who trolls, and trolls in a misogynistic way.
Something that is often pointed out in conversations where a less privileged group is criticizing a more privileged group...it's not really about you, unless you do the things they're talking about. Frustration with a situation can make people generalize, and it's possible some individuals think "all" men are a certain way. But Feminism as an ideology doesn't.
One reason the language is different is because of privilege. It's like if I as a white person asked poc's to discuss white people or white privilege only in terms I find comfortable. They're not required to indulge my privilege like that and it would be pretty much proving the point for me to ask. Do I get uncomfortable in conversations about how "white people" are like x? Sure. But I remind myself that it's not really about me, specifically, and that I have the responsibility, as the privileged party, to really listen and put my bias aside. I do a lot of listening, for instance.
At the end of the day it doesn't really matter to equality if my feelings got hurt. What matters is constantly striving for a better life for everyone.
I think one of the main issues associated with 'feminism' is its altered form. In its formative years it stood for the principle of equality, pure and simple.
At the time of its conception women where, and in some areas still are, treated in a manner that is not equal. And that principle applied to the treatment of everyone.
After all, you cant champion the cause of equality while condoning or ignoring inequality in other areas. To provide an example, you cant champion the fair and equal treatment of women while ignoring the presumption that women are frequently granted custody of children in divorce cases simply because of their 'motherly nature'.
Somewhere along the line 'Feminism' became identifiable with the plight of equality for women - possibly due to the name and a lack of understanding regarding its founding principles and the philosphical implications of striving for an equal society, for everyone.
Its heart warming and refreshing to see that the previous posters recognise this fact and the importance of equality for all. Inequality in all its forms and all its perversions is something the world could do without.
For me 'feminism' is about promoting the concept of equality in humanitarian terms. It isnt about taking sides in an us and them conflict.Its about recognising the value of difference while promoting a social and legal framework that ensures everyone receives equal respect and consideration - irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or lifestyle choices | eng | 3761a6c6-258f-4242-830b-ee93e7e1bc27 | http://squidygirl.blogspot.com/2012/06/lets-play-game-part-2-women-vs-tropes.html |
An
introduction to the basics of the foreign language in
question; the course is especially designed for students
who wish to spend a semester at a university in a
country where the language is spoken.The primary emphasis of the course will be on
developing basic listening, reading and speaking skills
in the language and increasing the students' awareness
of the foreign culture.
____102
LESSER
TAUGHT FOREIGN LANGUAGES II (e.g. RUSS102, CHIN102)
3 sh
The
study of the foreign language in question, building on
the material learned in the level I course.Especially designed for students who wish to
improve their basic knowledge of the language in order
to be able to study at the foreign university that
supplied the instructor (completion of this course
followed by a semester of study abroad at the university
will satisfy the foreign language requirement).
____201
LESSER
TAUGHT FOREIGN LANGUAGE III (e.g. RUSS201, CHIN201)
3 sh
The
study of the foreign language in question, building upon
the material learned in the Level 2 course and
especially designed for students who wish to enhance
their knowledge of that language.Prerequisite:____102 or the equivalent.
____202
LESSER
TAUGHT FOREIGN LANGUAGE IV (e.g. RUSS202, CHIN202)
3 sh
The
study of the foreign language in question, building upon
the material learned in the Level 1, 2 and 3 courses and
especially designed for students who wish to enhance
their knowledge of that language.Prerequisite:____201 or the equivalent.
LANG119
FIRST
YEAR STUDENT SEMINAR FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAJORS
1125
INTRODUCTION
TO CULTURES
3 sh
An
introduction to the people and cultures of a specific
country or geographical area. Through lectures,
discussions, and an array of visual materials, the
course, taught in English, addresses such topics as
traditions, religious practices, major historical
events, social and political trends, language, film,
cuisine, theatre and music, as well as literature.
(Course may be taken multiple times and not count as a
repeat.)
LANG328/FREN328
HUMANITIES
SEMINAR: FRENCH
CINEMA
3 sh
A
survey of major films produced by leading French
directors since the 1960s.Films will be studied as expressions of French
culture and related to the special circumstances of
French life, society and history that they reflect.Films will be discussed both in general aesthetic
terms and in terms of specifically French values and
specifically French way of life.Special attention will also be devoted to the
differences between French and American filmmaking.Films are presented with English subtitles; no
knowledge of French is necessary.
LANG328/SPAN328
HUMANITIES
SEMINAR: SPANISH
CINEMA
3 sh
A
study of major films produced in Spain, with emphasis on
the three leading directors:Luis Buñuel,
Carlos Saura and Pedro Almodóvar.(All films are subtitled; no knowledge of Spanish
is necessary for the seminar.)Basic concepts of film criticism will be applied
to analyses of films and social history and aesthetic
movements will be considered where necessary to an
understanding of specific films.
LANG328
HUMANITIES
SEMINAR: THE CULTURE OF CUBA
3 sh
Covers
the evolution of Cuban culture in all of its diverse
facets. Readings, music and video recordings,
visits to museums, galleries, and theatres are used to
analyze the culture of Cuba from colonization to the
present. Special emphasis is placed on
contemporary Cuban society. Students are
responsible for paying for travel, lodging, and food.
LANG328
HUMANITIES
SEMINAR: EXPLORING SPAIN AND ITS CULTURE
3 sh
Designed to provide students with a hands-on
experience learning about Spanish culture.
Activities will consist of visits to museums and
historical sites, guided city tours, and attendance at
arts/cultural events such as zarzuela and
bullfighting. These activities will provide
insights into historical and contemporary cultural,
social, and political life in Spain. All
activities will serve as material for class discussion
(which will be referred to as "tertulias").
The
fundamentals of pronunciation, vocabulary, and patterns
of expression.Oral
and written practice intended to develop the skills of
speaking, reading, writing, and listening to French.Prerequisite: FREN101
required before FREN102.
FREN201-202
FRENCH
III(f) AND
IV(sp)
6 sh
A
review of fundamentals, together with continued
vocabulary development, more complete construction, and
more advanced oral and written exercises.Prerequisite:FREN102, 201 required before FREN202.
FREN203-204
FRENCH
CIVILIZATION I AND II
6 sh
The
first semester examines modern France, emphasizing
cultural traits, patterns of daily living, and current
issues.The
second semester follows the development of France from
its earliest beginnings to the present, and traces its
outstanding achievements in art, literature,
architecture, science, etc.Prerequisite:non-majors: FREN202 or permission of the
instructor.
FREN301
FRENCH
COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION I
3 sh
In
the first semester, extensive vocabulary development by
reading and discussion of situational materials.Prerequisite:FREN202 or permission of the instructor.
FREN303-304
FRENCH
LITERATURE I AND II
6 sh
Readings
from the main works of French literature from the early
Middle Ages to the present.Discussion of the characteristics of each work
and of each literary movement.Critical readings.In this and subsequent literature courses, it is
assumed that the student has the ability to read French
with considerable ease, to follow lectures in the
language, and to participate freely in discussions.Prerequisite:FREN202 or permission of the instructor.
Fulfills General Education Requirements.
FREN305
FRENCH
LINGUISTICS
3 sh
Introduces
general concepts of structural linguistics, with special
emphasis on comparison of the sound systems of French
and English.Intensive
work on the development of authentic pronunciation of
French, including phonetic transcription.Prerequisite:FREN202 or permission of the instructor.
FREN306
CURRENT
FRENCH PERIODICALS
3 sh
Reading
and discussion of the latest French newspapers and
magazines, coupled with the study of contemporary
France.Attention
will be given to recent developments in French idiom and
vocabulary, including "Franglais".Current tapes of French news broadcasts will help
develop listening comprehension.Prerequisite:FREN202 or permission of the instructor.
FREN310
ADVANCED
FRENCH GRAMMAR
3 sh
An
intensive study of French, providing review of basic
grammar as well as presentation of more advanced topics
not treated in French I-IV.Translation practice and structure drills will
focus on problem areas arising from particular
differences in English and French language structure.Prerequisite:FREN202 or permission of the instructor.
FREN359
SPECIAL
TOPICS: FRANCOPHONE IDENTITIES
3 sh
This
course, taught exclusively in French, explores the
variety of voices, social groups and societies in
francophone literature through works by francophone
writers, women and men, from Belgium, Switzerland,
Algeria, Senegal, Martinique and Quebec. Designed
as an introduction to the literatures and cultures of the
francophone world, the course considers issues of social
status, history, resistance, representation and identity.Prerequisite:FREN202 or permission of the instructor.
An
introduction to Spanish speech sounds, their
discrimination, production and transcription, the
vocabulary in context and basic speech patterns, and
development of essential grammatical concepts.Conversation and readings.Prerequisite:SPAN101 required before SPAN102.
SPAN201-202
SPANISH
III (f) AND IV (sp)
6 sh
A
review of fundamental facts and skills, followed by
progressively more extensive and complex exercises in
listening, speaking, and reading. Emphasis the second
semester is on the retention and application of Spanish
idiom in written composition from paragraph to theme.Prepares the student for mature reading and
discussion in Spanish and for the pursuit of advanced
courses.Prerequisite:SPAN102, 201 required before SPAN202.
SPAN203
THE
CULTURE OF SPAIN
3 sh
Covers the evolution of
Spanish culture in all of its diverse facets.
Readings, recordings, videos and material from the
internet are used to analyze Spain and her people in the
past and present. Written and oral reports,
lectures and discussions in Spanish.Prerequisite:SPAN202 or permission of the instructor.
SPAN204
LATIN
AMERICAN CULTURE
3 sh
The
course is designed to give the student an introduction
to Latin America.The
material treated includes Latin American politics,
history, race, languages, customs, geography, great men
and women, economy, arts, music, and psychology.Of necessity, depth is sacrificed for breadth.Prerequisite:SPAN202 or permission of the instructor.
SPAN205
BEGINNING SPANISH COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION
3 sh
Designed
to improve and develop written and oral expression in
Spanish.Some
attention will be paid to correctional phonetics.This course is conducted in Spanish.Prerequisite:SPAN202 or permission of the instructor.
SPAN215
PRESENTATIONS
FROM HISPANIC THEATER
3 sh
The
presentation of one-act contemporary Hispanic plays or
of scenes from longer works of dramatic literature.Pronunciation exercises, play analysis, written
exercises, and an introduction to basic techniques for
the presentation of dramatic material will all serve to
enable the student to deliver assigned lines in a
natural and convincing manner.Prerequisite:SPAN201 or permission of the instructor.
This
course is designed to take advantage of mass media that
is readily available to strengthen the student's
exposure to Contemporary Hispanic Society and to master
the language as a whole. Spanish grammar topics
will be covered as needed, but the focus is to expand
the student's knowledge of unique idiomatic expressions
and colloquialisms of
the Spanish language. Prerequisite:
SPAN205 or equivalent level of language skills.
SPAN300
ADVANCED
CONVERSATION THROUGH HISPANIC FILM
3 sh
Written and oral analyses of a number of
outstanding Hispanic films serve to develop further
students' ability to communicate in Spanish. Prerequisite:
SPAN202 or permission of instructor.
SPAN307
INTRODUCTION
TO SPANISH LITERATURE
3 sh
An
examination of the different literary genres as
represented by selected works of outstanding Spanish
authors.Introduces
the student to the basic techniquesof literary analysis and to the principal themes
and unique characteristics of the literature produced in
Spain.Motivates
and prepares students for more specialized independent
reading and investigation.Prerequisite:SPAN202 or permission of the instructor.
Fulfills General Education Requirements.
SPAN308
INTRODUCTION
TO SPANISH AMERICAN LITERATURE
3 sh
Selected
readings in prose fiction, drama, and poetry from all
periods. Emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of
literary theory as reflected in the works read.This course is conducted in Spanish.Prerequisite:SPAN202 or permission of the instructor.
SPAN312
ADVANCED
SPANISH
3 sh
An
intensive study of Spanish, providing review of basic
grammar as well as examining more advanced topics not
treated in Spanish I-IV.Emphasis on problem areas of the language through
a variety of exercises and applications of grammar
principles. Prerequisite:SPAN202 or permission of the instructor.
SPAN313
INTERMEDIATE
SPANISH COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION
3 sh
Designed
to develop in the student a facility in the use and
comprehension of oral Spanish, as well as in reading and
written expression.This course is conducted in Spanish.Prerequisite:SPAN205 or permission of the instructor.
SPAN314
SPANISH
PHONETICS AND LINGUISTICS
3 sh
Introduction
to general linguistic concepts.Comparison of Spanish and English speech
production and language patterns.Application of linguistics to the teaching of
Spanish.Prerequisite:SPAN205 or permission of the instructor.
SPAN318
SPANISH
DRAMA II
3 sh
A
study of the major works of the Spanish theater from the
second half of the 19th century until the present time.Trends in the evolution of modern drama will be
identified and analyzed and the nature of a dramatic
work in performance will be considered.Prerequisite:SPAN202
or permission of the instructor.
SPAN320
CONTEMPORARY
SPANISH WOMEN'S FICTION
3 sh
Focuses on the Spanish narrative
written by outstanding female authors from the Spanish
Civil War to the present. The novels and short
stories to be studied in class are examples of a new
female identity and subjectivity and of women's struggle
for individuality. Restrictions Upon
Registration: This course is open to any
student who has an intermediate to advance level of
proficiency; the course will be taught entirely in
Spanish. It is also recommended for native
speakers of Spanish who wish to familiarize themselves
with the post-Civil War and contemporary Spanish
literature written by women.
SPAN322
THE
SPANISH AMERICAN REGIONALIST NOVEL AND THE SHORT STORY
3 sh
Application
of literary concepts to selected readings in the novel
and short story "of the land" from the 19th
and early 20th centuries.Typical works treat the native and the common
man.This
course is conducted in Spanish.Prerequisite:SPAN202
or permission of the instructor.
SPAN323
THE
SPANISH AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY NOVEL AND THESHORT STORY
3 sh
Application
of literary concepts to selected readings of the Spanish
American novel and short story of the contemporary
period including such authors as Borges, Carpentier,
Fuentes, Garcia Marquez.This course is conducted in Spanish.Prerequisite:SPAN202 or permission of the instructor.
This course will focus on the Spanish
narrative written by outstanding female authors from the
post-Civil War period up to the present time.
Besides their degree of interest and their high literary
quality, the novels and short stories to be studied in
class are fine examples of the construction of the new
female identity and subjectivity, and their struggle for
individuality which most of the time differs from the
traditional patriarchal notions. Prerequisite:
SPAN202 or permission of the instructor.
SPAN499
SPANISH
INDEPENDENT STUDY
1-3 sh
SECONDARY EDUCATION(Secondary
Education - Foreign Language is no longer available as a
major - currently declared students may finish)
LANG119
FIRST
YEAR STUDENT SEMINAR FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAJORS
1.0207
SECONDARY
EDUCATION 1: FOREIGN LANGUAGE
3.0 sh
LANG313SECONDARY
EDUCATION 2: FOREIGN LANGUAGE
4.0 sh
LANG415
& 416 STUDENT
TEACHING AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICUM:SECONDARY I AND II
7/7 sh
Student
teaching provides the capstone experience for preservice teachers.Two student teaching experiences are provided at
two levels (appropriate to certification areas and grade
level ranges).Supervised
practice in classrooms with certified
teachers introduces the student to all aspects of the
teaching day.University professors supervise the student teachers and
conduct weekly practicum sessions.Restrictions:To register, a student must meet Pennsylvania State
Teacher Education Guidelines in overall average and
average in major, no courses less than a "C" in professional
courses and a successful clinical field experience. | eng | 6399b9c8-ba5e-4f6d-a636-53ac31f79e94 | http://www.lhup.edu/registrar/FOREIGN_LANG.htm |
I listened to Rep. Kucinich invoke the great engine of impeachment—he listed some 35 crimes by these two faithless officials—we heard, like great bells tolling, the voice of the Constitution itself speak out ringingly against those who had tried to destroy it.
...
this is the most important motion made in Congress in the 21st century
And perhaps the capper:
But then I have known for a long time that the media of the U.S. and too many of its elected officials give not a flying fuck for the welfare of this republic...
"welfare of this Republic..."
But isn't this Republic of America of which Vidal (whom I love) speaks, itself a product of British colonialism, which was modeled after Roman Imperialism?
IMHO the creation and maintenance of this Republic, a defacto European outpost on a Non-European Continent, is one of the primary causes of imbalance and strife over the last 500 years.
I wonder if Vidal, a noted historian, has ever contemplated what history would have been like had Cuahtemoc made the crossing first, and wiped out 95% of Europe's population from diseases brought over, and then burned and outlawed European history and culture, culminating with the creation of a "Republic" and the replacement of major European Capitals, with New Tenochtitlan, and New Xocimillco.
Would a Republic that was born out of that exploitation and genocide of the indigenous populations, a Republic which still practices those heinous traditions, be worthy saving?
Do we really need to save Rome2.0?
Rather, couldn't we use our vast resources to contemplate what should come next, that will help restore the balance that has been lost?
The useless and worthless Dems continue to enable Bush. Why wouldn't they? They have been since 2000. Why would they stop now? Why did anyone expect them to stop in 2006 when they became the majority in power in congress? (Answer: Wishful-thinking and false hope and refusing to look at this stuff realistically).
Anyone surprised by this?...
Democrats to back down on Iraq war conditions
Democrats in the Congress, who came to power last year on a call to end the combat in Iraq, will soon give President [sic] George W. Bush the last war-funding bill of his presidency without any of the conditions they sought for withdrawing U.S. troops, congressional aides said on Monday.
Lawmakers are arranging to send Bush $165 billion in new money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, enough to last for about a year and well beyond when Bush leaves office on January 20.
Dictator Bush is leaving "office" on January 20th? I'll believe it when I see it.
And there are still those who are wishful-thinking and living in delusions and illusions that these war criminals will somehow be impeached?
Hardly!
Nothing is going to happen to them. The Dems will make sure of that. Meanwhile, many gullible people still support these scum simply because these scum have a D behind their name. And these Traitor politicians know that many people will continue to support them and vote for them regardless of what they do for the Bush Crime Family. (Because party-line voting is in the programming of most people.) These Traitors to the US Consitution are just too damn lazy to re-register as what they really are: Repugs charading as Dems
It is a pity most people don't have the good sense to vote their conscience and FOR their own best interest It is a pity most people don't have the good sense to vote their conscience and FOR their own best interest.
Right-on!
Well, if there is an "election" I'll either be voting for McKinney or Nader/Gonzales who are for legitimate and real positive change as opposed to just saying the words "change/hope" every-other-sentence---to bamboozle the Dem sheep---and then planning to keep the pro-war status quo. I'm not about to vote for the supposedly/allegedly slightly lesser of 2 pathetic evils either. Not about to. The pathetic Dem koolaid drinking suckers have been voting for the so-called "lesser of two evils" one "election" cycle after the other and the damn fools still don't see where it has gotten "us" as a nation....in this political hell hole. They don't seem to learn from the past.
It's true, most people don't have the intelligence or courage to vote their best interest which is not either of these two pro-war, pro-Bush corporatists. Instead, many people vote out of fear as well as from childhood party-line programming. They can't think of voting any way other than how they have been programmed by their parents/guardians (both D and R). Often, many people are voting against a candidate versus for a candidate. And then people wonder why nothing changes for the positive!
When I vote for either McKinney or Nader/Gonzales I will be voting for the one I choose. Not against somebody.
LOL, you don't seem to realize that there is very little if any difference between Rethug/Dem in today's politics.
You have been fooled into thinking voting Democrat is some how going to actually change something.
The democrats have voted for virtually every Fascist bill put in front of them.
You vote for EITHER Rethug/Dem and you are basically voting for both at the same time.
Thank you for responding to comment #7. Gracias. I read that comment in #7 and said, "oh, why bother?!...I'm not about to change that person's mind if that's what they still think after all this time."
It's the standard typical koolaid stuff we have heard one "election" cycle after the other.
If people want to vote for this stagnant pro-war one party system which charades as two, go right ahead and vote for them, but don't expect change.
But of course, most people will expect change (in their wishful-thinking and false hope) and should Barack "Hope/Change" Obama be allowed to get in the White House---why would anyone expect the 2008 presidential "election" (if there is one) to be any different than 2000 and 2004?---then when change doesn't come from Mr Hope/Change, we will hear the whining "you have to give him tiiiiiiiiiiiiiime" that we heard all during 2007 after the useless Dems had become the majority in power in congress and had done nothing but eat GWB's ass out. And that "you have to give them tiiiiiiiiime" shit lasted until the beginning 2008 when these goddamns Dem fools finally realized that their beloved Dems weren't going to do a goddamn thing. Duh. Are they that thick? Yes, they are. Damn thick. And I don't hear that "you have to give them tiiiiiiiiiiiiiime" shit anymore. The thick Dem koolaid suckers have stopped spewing that nonsense. I guess they finally woke up at least on that one. Meanwhile, they've been chanting pro-war Hillary and Obama and expecting change. Oh, Pathetic.
Let's talk about change for a second. Today, it is being reported that Mr Hope/Change is going to possibly choose Wesley Clark, of all people, for his VP. Some military guy. And you call that change? That's like selecting Lieberman.
Change means Change. Not the same old thing.
Cynthia McKinney and Nader are both real change. Not fluff and pabulum. I don't see Obama out in front demanding impeachment of war criminals Bush/Cheney. No, Mr Hope/Change has been silent on impeachment, and you call that change? Ha! Some gullible people allow themselves to be so easily fooled and duped by these scum politicians.
Gee, when Cynthia McKinney loses yet another race, will her family and supporters blame the Jews again?
Gore Vidal was also quoted in the New York Times magazine that he thinks the story about John McCain being a POW in Vietnam is a lie. Man, I am so glad I have never bought any of his books. My hard-earned discretionary income winding up in his pocket? No way.
(Normally, I would not be linking to CommonDreams because some time ago they banned me from posting there, and then had the nerve to e-mail me asking for donations!)
Back to the topic...
My question is:
Gee, who will the Dems blame when they lose yet another race? Will they blame Nader and McKinney, rather than looking within to blame themselves? Nah, they're not about to take ownership and responsibility for their own miserable failures and Bush-enabling since 2000.
I wouldn't doubt for one second that McBush has somehow managed to "create" a lot of his war hero persona, or at least sat back and allowed he media to create it. Nothing surprises me anymore about anyone that is a politician.
and one thing that we DO know about McBush is that he is exactly like Bush in almost every respect, including his rather abysmal military record and his only getting where he did solely because of his father.
As for Cynthia McKinney she was defeated BY DIEBOLD, her election was stolen.
Yes. Of course Diebold (the corrupt e-voting system which is saturated throughout GA) wasn't mentioned in the article I linked to earlier. It never is even mentioned in those types of articles because 1) the people who write them---including John Zogby---seem to live with the illusion that we still have fair, honest and legitimate elections, or 2) they are in Denial or 3) they think that one can't write about e-voting because that's "loony conspiracy" stuff, you know.
That's why I continue to ask the question:
Why do people think that the 2008 presidential "election" (if there is one) will be any different than the 2000 and 2004 presidential "elections?"...since these corrupt e-voting machines are all over the place now. And the Dems in congress helped push for these machines.
Vidal has no evidence to back up his idiotic claim about John McCain's POW history. Vidal does not tell it like it is; he lies. And Cynthia McKinney lost her seat because voters got tired of her antics. Nothing was stolen from her.
I don't know if Vidal lies. I don't think he'd make the claim if there were no basis for it. In fact, did he make the claim? If you're going to make it, shouldn't you be providing a link? And Cynthia McKinney very obviously had her seat stolen from her. Since you've read the commenting rules already, I'm assuming you know we don't hold with purposeful disinformation... so I'm also assuming your statement about her was just the consequence of being misinformed yourself.... Right?
And he's just saying he doubts it... expressing some snobbery about the West Point vs. Annapolis thing.
Maybe you don't like Vidal's sense of humor. I too doubt McCain is a war hero... not from any kind of proof, just because he does not act like one, and hasn't acted like one the whole time I've known of him. Max Cleland acts like a war hero. McCain acts as though, if he were a POW, they broke him.
You want a little clarification that he "doubts it"? Whatever. That's pretty weak. McCain's POW status is thoroughly established, and Vidal says he doubts it because of West Point vs. Annapolis snobbery? What a load.
That's an example of Gore Vidal's sense of humor? This keeps going downhill. John Mccain is a war hero. Period. I did not lie. | eng | ce2d21c5-f93d-40f2-90aa-50fa925cf43c | http://www.bradblog.com/?p=6076&title=Gore%20Vidal's%20Article%20of%20Impeachment |
He's in a meeting-but he'd like you to go in," Dustin Hoffman's assistant informs BOXOFFICE with a slightly puzzled tone in her voice. Sure, it's not the normal etiquette, but Hoffman soon makes it evident he's not one to stand on formalities. We're at Hoffman's Brentwood, Calif.-based Punch Productions offices, named for the famed oft-battered puppet. ("I always thought that I was like Punch," explains Hoffman. "I've got a big nose, bad posture. Got whacked around when I was in school.")
"Are you comfy-wumfy?" Hoffman queries as BOXOFFICE settles onto a couch. It's becoming more and more apparent that this isn't going to be your typical celebrity interview. Actor Adrien Brody, the person whose meeting is being interloped, is introduced. "Now he's who you should be interviewing," says Hoffman. As it turns out, that is exactly what happens, as the young star of the upcoming Terrence Malick-helmed "The Thin Red Line" is invited to stay and take part in the proceedings.
The intended topic at hand is the Hoffman starrer "Sphere," Warner's sci-fi thriller based on Michael Crichton's novel about a team of scientists investigating a spacecraft that's been submerged underwater for hundreds of years. Keeping on this subject, however, turns out to be nearly impossible. Hoffman's mile-a-minute mind juggles multitudinous subjects, philosophies, book recommendations, and even hangover remedies with Tesla-caliber simultaneity, while BOXOFFICE and Brody race to keep up. ("I have to take notes!" Brody cries at one point.) We learn of Hoffman's past employment as a psychiatric hospital attendant (his job was to hold people down while they received shock treatment); we hear tell of his children and their exploits in acting, writing, music and painting; we're enlightened with scientific and esoteric musings; we're paternally admonished for not having read this book or seen that movie; and we're told a few unforgettably twisted jokes, all frequently punctuated with that quick, quirky Hoffman smile.
An actor with one of the most renowned and diverse character repertoires in film history, Hoffman seems to be a culmination of his character studies, demonstrating a passion for analysis, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a mentor-like desire to share his knowledge with others. This unique interview scenario affords the opportunity to view the two-time Oscar winner in one of his most astounding roles-himself.
The conversation begins before the tape recorder's even rolling. Hoffman is recoiling as he is offered a copy of BOXOFFICE's "Mad City" article. Before a single question can be asked, Hoffman's off and running on the subject of the business side of filmmaking.
DUSTIN HOFFMAN: It's alarming. It's not the first movie that didn't do well. But it's alarming because when I was his age [indicating Brody], it was a different business. Less of a business. Adrien's 24. So when I was 24, that was '61. I'm 60. In 1961, there was no such thing as Number 1, 2, 3 at the boxoffice. The public knows it now. [Before it was] never in the papers, what the grosses were. Only studio heads talked about those things. It was the inside. There's no inside anymore. ["Sphere" director Barry Levinson said], "When my mother in Boca Raton, Florida knows what something grossed, there's no inside." So if it's 1, 2, 3, and you don't make 1, 2, 3, you don't make 4, you don't make 5. It's the first weekend. That didn't exist. That never existed before. If you don't open the first weekend, you're gone.
BRODY: The problem for me is [choosing career-making roles or interesting roles].
HOFFMAN: Here's the rub. Now you have a stronger pull than you had when I was your age. Now it's deciding between a career and a life of your work.
BOXOFFICE: Yet you made some very interesting choices that would not necessarily have been career-makers, but that's what they turned out to be. For example, who would have thought a film like "Midnight Cowboy" would become such a success?
HOFFMAN: People called me up, including ["The Graduate" director] Mike Nichols, and said "You're crazy. He's not an attractive guy, and it's a supporting role. You can't do it." You have to go after what brought you into it to begin with.
BOXOFFICE: Is that what you're doing with your production company?
HOFFMAN: One of the reasons I want to produce now is, as I get older now and I see material, I say "Oop, too old to play that. Oop, can't do that." So, it hurts to realize that as you get older it becomes narrow. I could play older, I could play younger. Now I can only play older! [laughs] I can't play younger. The parts narrow. Having a company that produces material you can no longer act in because you're too old is saying, "Don't tell me I can't do this movie!" [laughs] That's the philosophy. [laughs]
BOXOFFICE: Though you of all people should know the powers of prosthetic makeup. I remember a quote of yours about how you wanted your tombstone to read...
HOFFMAN: "I knew this was going to happen."
BRODY: That's good! Lighten the mood every time someone comes to visit.
HOFFMAN: He knows. His response is an actor's response. Because that's what we're put here for. To give you a kick.
BRODY: Still invoke a reaction, even when you die. You want the right reaction. "Let's not visit Mom, let's visit Dustin!"
BOXOFFICE: In "Sphere," you play a psychologist. Was it your predilection for examining people's minds and motivations that drew you to the project?
HOFFMAN: No, not initially. Barry Levinson is the one director that I've done the most movies with. I've done four movies with him ["Rain Man," "Sleepers," "Wag the Dog" and "Sphere"]. If he's directing, I automatically say "Is there a part for me?" Arthur Miller once talked about how cruel critics can be sometimes. He said, "They forget what it's called. It's called a play. If it's a play, why are we making something so serious about it?" We get on stage and we play. It shouldn't be work, it should be play. Not just is it going to be a hit, career, this, that. So when you work with a director, I can say, "Yeah, I like to play with Barry."
BOXOFFICE: Describe what your character is about in "Sphere."
HOFFMAN: There are three roles, myself and Samuel Jackson and Sharon Stone. And Liev Schreiber's in it, and Peter Coyote. And we shot it up north. I got my scuba license.
BOXOFFICE: Was the scuba certification for "Sphere"?
HOFFMAN: Yes, they wouldn't insure you otherwise.
BOXOFFICE: What sort of activities were you doing underwater?
HOFFMAN: Going down, 20, 30 feet, for the underwater shooting when we're entering this capsule...but I don't like to say. I don't understand this age we live in now. I know that when that movie opened, "Twister," the morning it opened, there was the director on one of those shows saying "Now this is real, but that car that's going up isn't...," and I thought, "My god! The magician's giving away his tricks!"
BRODY: I used to be a magician.
HOFFMAN: Ah! So was Woody Allen!
BRODY: He was, really?
HOFFMAN: Yes! All right, where are we? Come on, we have to do this now. [to Brody]: You're tangenting all over the place!
BOXOFFICE: [to Brody]: It's all you!
BRODY: Yeah, it is all me.
BOXOFFICE: So I guess you don't want to tell me about any of the special effects used to create the creatures in "Sphere."
HOFFMAN: I don't even know, because I know they're doing it now. They're CGIing it. But I don't know how they're doing it.
BOXOFFICE: The book had some intriguing descriptions of some unique sea creatures that were mutations created by the mind.
HOFFMAN: Nice idea, isn't it? What you manifest becomes real. That's what psychosis is. I think that's what interested Barry. That the monsters and fear are the things that we create.
BOXOFFICE: You were saying that you basically were interested in this material because Barry Levinson was involved.
HOFFMAN: That was the first thought for me to do it. Then I read the book, and I had never read a Michael Crichton book. And I was surprised that it had an interesting spine. And I guess I believe in what it's postulating. Human beings have something no other-as far as we know, we don't know about dolphins-we have something no other organism has: the ability to imagine. That's where everything starts from. And what we've done with that gift is imagine things that hurt us. [The book also brings to mind the fact that] our country has spent more money, trillions, in terms of outer space, and what it costs to make a toilet in a spacecraft, we have spent less than what it costs to make a toilet on undersea exploration, which is the majority of our planet. We don't know dick about what goes on down there. We're not investigating it. So that's kind of fascinating. We haven't explored. This is our planet! We're out there, and we don't seem to be interested [in our own planet].
HOFFMAN: It's just like any other movie. We're actors and we come to work and we work. It was a wonderful acting experience. A terrible experience for other reasons. I had hayfever, and you don't want to go to Napa Valley in the springtime. I didn't know it was the hayfever hell capital of the world. I had to have steroids finally.
BOXOFFICE: I hope you didn't have hayfever when you had to do the scuba part.
HOFFMAN: Well, it was a concern. Anyway, everybody got the flu because we were working in water. It was a sick film-I hope that doesn't get distorted. Everybody was sick. [laughs] The acting was the best thing because it was acting. It wasn't like doing an action film. It was drama set underwater. We're actors, all in a room. It was almost like doing a play.
BOXOFFICE: Have you seen any footage?
HOFFMAN: No. I looped it, and you see a little, but no.
BOXOFFICE: Do you have any impressions about the film?
HOFFMAN: I've never been able to tell [if a movie will be successful or not]. We had a producer [who had seen footage from "Rain Man" during production] who said it was a disaster. We were so depressed, we didn't want to finish the movie. "It was terrible and we made a big mistake; Cruise's character is too unsympathetic." So you never really know. "Midnight Cowboy," I was sitting in a screening, rows of people walked out. In blocks! Jon Voight, Bob Balaban has oral sex with him in the bathroom-whoosh!
BOXOFFICE: Do you feel any excitement about being in a big sci-fi epic Crichton movie?
HOFFMAN: I don't have any excitement. I've never had any excitement about that part of it. The only memory I have is "The Graduate." My first wife and I [went to the screening], and I'd never seen it, and I sat in the dark, and my teeth were chattering. Once it started, my face, I remember, a close-up of me was the first shot of the film. I'd never seen my face on film! And my teeth started chattering, and I didn't stop chattering till the movie was over. The excitement! And my heart was pounding! There was this incredible excitement about it, it's going to open soon, what's going to happen to me. I remember that feeling. I'm nervous. You're always nervous. But it's the excitement when you're working.
BRODY: Finding a moment.
HOFFMAN: "I know! You know how this scene should play? I know what you should do!"
BOXOFFICE: Isn't it exciting to you to anticipate seeing those moments working?
HOFFMAN: You know what's exciting? Is after it's over. If it's successful. Then you can sneak in two days later in the back of the house, and you know that thing's going to get a laugh, and you wait till it hits.
BRODY: I think there's too much dread probably [prior to a movie's opening].
BOXOFFICE: What sort of research did you do for your character in "Sphere"?
HOFFMAN: That's not...you're not...you see, that's a bad word. You're not researching. You're painting. You're sketching. Actors have that commonality. We love to pick up every little thing you do. We don't know why, but we just can sit there and just pick up every little thing you do all day long. [laughs] A wonderful tool for being an actor today [that wasn't available] when I was his age [indicating Brody] is that you have tapes now. You can do research and it's so much quicker. I got tapes on crisis, that was the first tape I was interested in. Because this character, before he [is summoned to investigate the submerged spacecraft], he's a crisis-I forget what they're called now, but when there's a crisis, they send a psychologist there to deal with the trauma of the survivors. So I did some reading, I got literature on that, and I got some great energies from people who had that job. Then your imagination kicks in, because then you say, "Ooh, that's interesting. So that's what he does well. And if he does that well, he probably likes it." And there's a comfort to that, I've always thought. It's like being in the ER unit of a hospital. You're in a crisis, and you're not in trouble. If you deal with stuff like that, where people die, there's kind of an unconscious feeling that "as long as I help people, then it won't happen to me." So I made that decision for the character. And then I thought maybe when he himself was in the position that the other people were in, how was he then?
BOXOFFICE: Being so analytical yourself, it's interesting...
HOFFMAN: I don't think I'm that analytical.
BOXOFFICE: Not analytical in a dry sense. You have a very colorful, enthusiastic, insightful way of perceiving things.
HOFFMAN: I'm very analytical in a very wet way.
BOXOFFICE: What does that mean?
HOFFMAN: I just like the sound of it. You said not in a dry way.
BOXOFFICE: Oh! [laughs]
HOFFMAN: I like that. I'm very...
BRODY: Moist.
HOFFMAN: Moist! I like that word a lot. I'm very analytically moist. Moistly analytical. [Laughs heartily]. Moistly, I'm mostly moistly analytical! Miles Davis said a great line. He said "Don't play what's there, play what's not there." And you know, in life, some of us are interested in what's not there, or what's not on the surface. What's most interesting to us is what isn't said, what's disguised. [Trying to figure that out,] I've never been bored. I've been depressed, but I've never been bored. | eng | 39dfc356-056d-454f-869b-8eb5ce78b43e | http://dustinhoffman28.blogspot.com/ |
This video supports what we read in
"Psychopathology of Everyday Things", which argues that a good design
should include several elements:
Things are visible, understandable, single function and good feedback.
A good conceptual model is made obvious and effective use of
affordances and constraints, allowing us to predict the effects of our
action. In both articles, they mention that innovation should be
examined under social system with several stages of trial and error for
an ultimately user-friendly purpose. It is related to what the video
mentions "human-centered."
In our daily life, there are some devices made from designer's special consideration, but sometimes the special part will confuse consumers a lot. For
example, there is a revolving door at the library, and we can not
figure out the purpose of that door, for slow down steps? for fun? or
other purposes? Norman has raised a question that why do we as
consumers put up with these complicated designs that lead to more
headaches than they solve? Is this because the complex design of the tool we are using makes us look like we are intelligent?
(This video is a little bit long,about 18 minutes. You can see some
fantastic designs, but not for everyday things, and may think about if
they are useful and really customer-centered. )
In relationg this to classroom, we could think about two questions: 1. How a classroom should be designed? -
Could a more comfortable learning environment promote learning? Can we
have more ergonomic classroom designs? Does it somewhat fit into
Maslow's two basic needs- physiological and safety needs? There is a
pie chart as reference that even colors also influence students
psychologically.
2. How the material (e.g. lesson plan, worksheet, activity, etc.) used could enhance student learning? - Is material design similar to everyday things design? Whose needs should be taken care? What components should be considered and could be related to our articles?
For this week's submission, we created a Webspiration map. It looks great, but there is one problem - publishing it is cumbersome and unclear (bad design!).
To view our map without the notes/links enabled: Team 1 map
To view our full map, go to: Webspiration
and type in the following:
username: team 1 guest
password: team1guest
Go to Launch Webspiration - then to Recently Opened
You will get a message that says that you are just a viewer - click okay and then you can scroll around to see our map.
To see the text associated with our map, see below!
Elements of design Visibility
-Users need to be able to see what their options are and perceive what the outcomes of their actions will be. To do so, there should be a visible structure and clue which "indicates what parts operate and how the user is to interact with the device" (Norman, 1990, p. 8). Norman's door example illustrates that the designer should provide signals for users to recognize the operation of the object in a visual way.
See our bad design section below to view a counter example.
Feedback
-Users receive immediate information about what action has been done and its result. By receiving feedback, users can tell that they are operating in an appropriate and proper way.
-When they don't receive feedback, users are left wondering if they accomplished what it was that they wanted to accomplish. The lack of immediate feedback makes it impossible to interpret the perceived actions of the device. Lack of feedback also prevents users from correcting/modifying their actions for future use.
Mapping
-Mapping is the relationship between two things: what you want to do and what appears to be possible. In order to accomplish good design, those relationships should be natural and intuitive. The relationship between controls and actions need to be apparent to the user.
-If mapping is visible, clearly related to the desired outcome, and provides immediate feedback, it will be easily learned and remembered (Norman, 1990).
Conceptual models
- In the description of his refrigerator, Norman introduces what often presents a hurdle to understanding design: lack of clear conceptual model. The directions for the thermostat of a refrigerator were easier than the actual process of using the thermostat. This concept relates to Argyris' Theories of Action. The contradiction of theory of action versus the theory in use, which establishes the difference between how something is justified/explained and what is actually going on (Argyris 1957, 1962, 1964).
-In educational research, we experience Theories of Action when interviewing subjects for a study, for example teachers. The way they might describe their teaching might be vastly different than what we observe when we are in their classroom. This contradiction problematizes our study, just like it problematizes operating the refrigerator thermostat.
-Apple products are often considered well-designed because their conceptual models allow them to contain visible clues to their operation. We can easily predict the effects of our actions when using these products.
Bad Design
-Bad design perpetuates when useless/confusing things become reified and remain as part of the design despite their problems. For example, the "R" button on Don Norman's phone at the Applied Psychology Unit in Cambridge (p. 21). The designer of the phone could not even explain what it was there for.
Diffusion Innovation
-An innovation is an idea, practice, or object that is perceived as new by an individual or other unit of adoption. An innovation does not actually have to be something that is new to everyone, but rather if an idea seems new to the individual it is an innovation.
-"Newness" of an innovation may be expressed in terms of knowledge, persuasion, or a decision to adopt (Rogers, p.12)
Time
-It takes time to decide on adoption of a new innovation. Sometimes decisions are made not by individuals, but by communities.
-Questions: How might this alter the relationships among members? How does it affect individual participants?
Communication Channels
-The idea that people tend to accept innovations when they view people like them demonstrating or trying out those innovations directly relates to the psychology behind commercials. While not all commercials are promoting "new" innovations, some do. That is why, for example, new mothers are depicted on new diaper commercials. How does the idea of homophily relate to our understanding of participants/members of a community?
-Are we more likely to accept innovations that are communicated to us through our established communities because of the homophily that exists? Do we think that if it works for someone who is similar to ourselves then it will work for us as well?
-How does the notion of "if it works for someone else it may work for me" fit into our own identity?
Social System
-Is a social system the same thing as community? Or are new designs accepted differently in the social system as a whole rather than in individual communities?
-What may be accepted as a new design in a certain community may be rejected by the social system as a whole because it is not acceptable to the system. There may be certain communities that deviate from the social system on a minor scale but what is accepted as a design in the community may be different than what is accepted as design in the social system.
-Maybe communities would be the "units" of the social system that Rogers mentions (p. 23 - 24).
*IMPLICATIONS OF DESIGN FOR EDUCATION
-Motivation for students is an important issue, one that is inherently wrapped up in the design of classroom activities. If directions are clear and the activity makes sense to students (aka if the conceptual models are clear), then motivation and self-efficacy seem to increase provided that the activity is appealing to the students. In other words, if a task is "do-able", students are more likely to engage.
-We have to make sure not to be "innovation-oriented" rather than "client-oriented" with our students. We don't want to focus so much on the technology/innovation that we forget to take our students' backgrounds and needs into account.
-Just as the poorly designed QWERTY keyboard has perpetuated, we often perpetuate the status quo in a system of education that is not well designed. How can we as teachers make sure that we are innovators and change agents within our education system? How do we feel when authority innovation-decisions (Rogers, p. 28-29) get handed down to us? Are we less likely to want to implement the innovation because we are now being required to do so?
-What happens if teachers do fall into the "late majority/laggards" category of adopting innovations while students are "innovators/early adopters"?
Design of Webspiration Analyzed...
-When we went to publish - ALL of the notes and links we created were no longer active!!! BAD DESIGN for sharing to a web page or blog!
-Too many thoughts/ideas = too many bubbles. There does not seem to be an easy way to keep the map from getting unwieldy and overwhelming to the user other than limiting what we choose to talk about.
-There doesn't seem to be a way to preview what the map will look like to the final user or to preview what the user's interactions will be like with the map.
-It was often difficult to place the linking arrows between bubbles exactly where we wanted them to be, as there was a requirement for them to attach only at specific points on the square editing area (which is only available to the editor).
-Good design was demonstrated in that it was extremely intuitive to select multiple bubbles at once (using the shift button) and change their color with just one click rather than having to change each bubble individually.
-The ability to insert hyperlinks into the map is a good function. It made it easy to insert video and other images that users could easily interact with.
- The chat function is a great one, an addition that many express need for in google docs. That said, while members can chat about their map, they are not permitted to edit the map concurrently. This provides problems, as one member has to wait for another to finish or take a break before he or she can edit.Here is seminal work by Don Norman about how to design the things that we use everyday. Clearly social tools have become those types of things, so it is relevant to our consideration of design and its impact on social interactions. Like many of your readings, this is only a chapter, and thus a taste, of the whole book.
Today we are going to explore the relationship between identity and community in a very specific context - intellectual and creative work. To do this we will first start with you and your intellectual world and then we will try and place the academic language game into the context of the social movement around mashups, copyright and creative commons.
The second half of class will focus on some of the questions that emerged from the readings and blog posts this week. Specifically:
Is there a "core" identity that we have that is somehow community independent? How easy is it to change your identity?
Brokering is something that makes us valuable from one community to another. We are all brokers to some degree. Is one of the ways we recognize boundaries (and communities) by their reaction (interaction) to/with us around the same information (boundary objects)?
If we (as teacher) ask students to participate in ways that are in conflict with their "core" identity in order to become part of a community of practice is that ethical?
Often Wenger's notions of communties of practice are interpreted as a theory that indicates some kind of reform of classrooms as they are not "authentic" communities of practice. If not, then what are they?
[Related to the above are the issues with the apprenticeship model - teachers are not practitioners of the field they are teaching to their students, we may want students to have learnings and experiences that are in areas that they will not be direct participating members in so that they can make other civically important decisions (not all school needs to be something that students will "use" directly).]
Q1. Pause at 0:02. What does the image tell you? Anything interesting, surprising, confusing, or it's just a scene that doesn't mean anything?
Q2. Pause at 0:18. If you were the teacher, what would you do? Why?
Q3. Pause at 0:25. Was teacher's reaction striking? Why or why not? If you were the parent, what would you do? Why?
Q4. Pause at 0:55. Can you guess the ending?
Q5. Pause at 0:58. Do you want to change your ending prediction? If yes, what's it?
Q6. During watching the clip, how many identities did you take on? (e.g. nationality, ethnicity, title, position, jobs, membership of a family, a community, a society, etc.) Did they show up one at a time? Or did they show up simultaneously and somehow make you have a second thought?
The questions were designed to seek for a more diverse conversation among the group members and, hopefully, to reflect on this week's reading of Wenger on community.
You can't learn just from reifications.
You can't learn only from artifacts.
You need to learn by living in the world, by being a member of a community of practice, by participating.
Wenger argues that "the required learning takes place not so much through the reification of a curriculum as through modified forms of participation that are structured to open the practice to nonmembers" (100). Nonmembers can become members through peripheries. "The idea is to offer them various forms of casual but legitimate access to a practice without subjecting them to the demands of full membership. This kind of peripherality can include observation, but it can also go beyond mere observation and involve actual forms of engagement (117). Ideally, the periphery practices would grant them a chance to shift from "dismissal, neglect, or exclusion"(101) to legitimate participation to the community.
When watching the video, one of us observed that every student was looking down when the teacher lectured/instructed. This led to a thought whether those students really understood or were learning or were they "participating"?
Simply judging by the video, this is in contrast to Wegner who says that learning happens by participation.
However, taking the culture differences into consideration, we should ask ourselves this question: "What is participation?"
Here, let's take a look at the context of the video. It is in an Asian (Japanese, to be precise.) school. In most Asian schools, the teacher is perceived as the top authority who does the most initiation for questions that are supposed to be answered with respect by students, and then the answer would be judged by the teacher again. Students' main role in the classroom is to listen attentively and understand the lecture. Students' silence is expected and encouraged as a sign of respect for their teachers and classmates; it may indicate students' attentive listening and active thinking, which means that their mind is occupied by thinking that they cannot speak. Unless being expected, or ordered to speak up, students are supposed to be quiet in class, listen, and take notes. Even direct eye contact could be a signal of a challenge against the authority.
Now, are they learning through participation? Can we still see the community of practice when there's no obvious mutual engagement, joint enterprise, and/or shared repertoire?
In a classroom, isn't everyone, with the exception of the teacher, in the same boat? It could be assumed that all the students are part of the periphery, but the periphery of what? Of what community? When are students asked to become part of an established community of practice?
Wenger argues that being a member of the community involves "active involvement in social enterprises" (55). However, he also argues that participation is a personal and social act, and that it can include physical, mental, and social relations. It does not make sense to argue that on one hand the activity is personal and then dictate how that personal relationship should be manifested. It is similar to telling a student to be creative and interpret a problem based on their understanding of it; then when he/she presents the final output you fail the student for not being in the way you hope. (Just as the video clip showed.) Wenger's argument of duality of participation is recognized, but his rigid definition of participation does require a deeper reconsideration.
Another interesting finding in our discussion of the clip is that most people in our group saw "an issue (or several of them)" as a parent, a teacher, a student whereas one of us watched "a video" as an outsider, i.e. audience. Rarely had the attention paid to things other than the story itself. The video was shown to a bunch of undergraduate ESL students. Several of them guessed the ending in a very different way due to the influence of the 'movie effects' such as the background music (it might be a ghost story), the color tone of the video (horror movie, psycho movie), or the title of the movie (it sells something).
As
a team our ideas about identity have been adjusted and adapted after reading
Wenger this week.We have looked
into what it means to be part of a community and what that means for the
identity we possess in a certain situation.Identity is formed as much by a community as it is by the
individual.As part of our post
this week, we have proposed a few questions for which we are interested in
hearing the class' response.
In
class, we have often struggled with how an individual actually becomes a part
of a community. Gee's examples of the "real Indian" or being
accepted as a gang member highlight the idea of boundaries that Wenger
explicates. Gee says that to become a real Indian, one can't just take it
upon himself to join this Discourse by adapting his identity appropriately.
Membership requires participation and recognition by others, and as
Wenger points out, has a temporal component in that it is a continuous
negotiation with a community, never existing as a fixed state. Boundaries
between membership and non-membership, in this sense, may be a
"fuzzy" thing, but they are reified by the artifacts and ideas that a
community establishes. To use another Gee example, gang members dress and
speak a certain way, and even develop real, physical boundaries around their
territory. But boundary objects exist that share common usage between
communities and can be vectors for one to cross a boundary into a community.
Fighting can be seen as both participation in a gang as well as a
reification in that a gang can be known for fighting. But it may also be
an opportunity for an outsider to gain respect and cross the boundary into
membership into the gang. While a radical transformation of identity may
not be possible at this point, one's prior life might be seen in a new light,
or even forgotten to the extent that is necessary to "create continuity in
our lives" (Wenger, p88). Or, short of total assimilation of
identity into a single community, one may become a broker, bridging the
multiple communities.How do
boundaries affect our ability to learn from other communities? What
affordances of online communities help to create boundaries? ..establish
brokers? ..adapt our identity or use boundary objects to cross over into
communities? How can these affordances improve or hinder students in a
modern learning environment? Wenger
talks about identity in relation to community and participation, saying that
"participation is a source of remembering and forgetting... through the
fashioning of identities and thus through our need to recognize ourselves in
our past. ...We subsume these memories and their interpretations under the
fashioning of a trajectory that we (as well as others) can construe as being
one person." (p88) He also indicates that identity exists as part of
a relationship with others "Our identities become anchored in each other
and what we do together." We spent some time in the last Identity
segment discussing the idea of "core identity" as Gee describes it
(p34) or "meta identity", described by Camplese and McDonald.
"With the rise of multiple online identities, users must now be cognizant
of the notion of a meta identity that is shaped by the publicly available
aggregate of these online social environments." Our readings all seem to
support that people have multiple socially-situated identities (both online and
in-person). Is there really one fully "core" identity?
Can identity exist without community? Is it possible to have 2 identities
that are in conflict with each other? Wenger
states that "Membership [in a community of practice] is not just a matter
of social category, declaring allegiance, belonging to an organization, having
a title, or having personal relations with some people (p. 74)."
There is much more involved in being part of a particular community. This
has an effect on the identity of the people involved in the community.
There must be some common part of a person's identity shared with another
person in order for them to be part of a community. Identity is shaped by
the interactions between these people as well as those that are not part of the
community. Wenger also mentions "In the process of sustaining a
practice, we become invested in what we do as well as in each other and our
shared history (p.89)." Identity is not only shaped by what we do as
individuals but what we do together and what has already been done
before. This is important to consider when thinking about students.
How does the way a student acts in class effect the identity of that student? If
identity is created through mutual engagement and external power does not drive
the force of creation, then in the classroom, how can a teacher help students
to form their identity of community? Is it necessary for a teacher to
facilitate the process?) Wenger
described identity as a negotiated product. The community defines the identity
itself and it is a continuing process rather than a fixed state. This idea
seems to be different from what Gee describes. Gee says that we are what we say
and do and your identity has to be recognized by members in the same Discourse
and yourself. Recognition is key to identity so you have to say or do what enables
you to be recognized by that identity. While Wegner emphasizes the importance
of doing things together being negotiated, it is mutual engagement that brings
identity to the community. On the contrary, there is also something in common
between the two. One cannot just "wear" an identity badge and
proclaim you own that identity. One has to participate in the community to
attain membership. In addition, external power could influence the formation of
identity, but it could not post an identity upon a community.
Wenger
claims that learning is central to human identity and considers learning as
social participation. Individuals are active participants in the practices of
social communities and their identities are constructed through the
communities. From this understanding, it can be said that a group of individuals
participate in communal activity, and continuously create their shared identity
through engaging in and contributing to the practices of their communities. If
an identity is constructed through interaction by other members of a community,
what would his/her previous identity look like before joining the community?
Which one can be his/her real identity?
Aaron: Wenger describes identity as our ability and our inability to shape the meanings that define our communities and our forms of belonging (p.145). This includes our practices, our languages, our artifacts, our actions, our statements, and our world views which reflect our social relations that make up our identity. I like how Wenger defines identity as a relation between the local and the global. I think this aspect of identity can be tied to teaching because when we teach we sometimes are engaging our students to pursue an enterprise or a common goal but we are also encouraging them to view their engagement on a much broader scale by viewing the whole picture. Wenger also makes a good point that we produce our identities through the practices we engage in, but we also define ourselves through the practices that we do not engage in. (p.164). While he states that it is impossible that we could identify ourselves with everyone and everything we meet, failure to engage and participate in activities could have an effect on our identity. Wenger lists six sources of participation and non-participation through which define our identities. They are: 1) how we locate ourselves in a social landscape, 2) what we care about and what we neglect, 3) what we attempt to know and understand and what we choose to ignore, 4) with whom we seek connections and whom we avoid, 5) how we engage and direct our energies, 6) how we attempt to steer our trajectories.
I believe the first three aspects can either make or break, and by break I mean destroy, our identity. If all teachers at the school I was to teach at are required to participate actively in their school community by helping out with school functions and I choose not to participate in the functions, how does that affect my identity? Since I am neglecting to participate in the functions will fellow teachers view me differently? Will they view me as someone who doesn't care about the school and its functions? How does this affect me? Perhaps when we are involved with a community and we are shaping our identity through our interactions with our community we need to step back and view our identity through the eyes of someone on the outside or as Wenger calls it, imagination. Through imagination we can redefine our identity and take on new practices and enterprises that can reshape our identity.
Nicole: I appreciate the way in which Wenger's book, as it progresses, describes the elements of community of practice to further our understandings and our established definitions from earlier in the module. For example, the geographic observation that we made, that an individual's proximity was not necessary to belong to a certain community, was affirmed: "Neither is geographic proximity sufficient to develop a practice" (1998, p. 74). In addition to confirming our understandings, Wenger also offers additional layers. For example, in this section he establishes that in participation, mutual relationships and engagement do not have to be homogeneous or something that is readily agreed upon. "Disagreement, challenges, and competition can all be forms of participation" (1998, p. 77). This works toward answering our class question, what does it take to be a participant in a community?
Wenger's idea of discontinuity, even in reifications, and the relationships between older and newer generations is important. The idea that changes in practice occur, just like changes in members of a community occur, prompts readers to see community as something living and breathing, constantly changing and evolving. I think that this is important because it broadens the idea of what a community might be, eliminating formal or rigidly established groups or organizations from the mix. I also think the idea of discontinuity answers the question of why people always think that the current decade or period of time is worse than the last or why old-timers (to use Wenger's term) say that the world is much more corrupt now than when they were younger. Is this assumption merely a product of the old-timers' practices being pushed out because new practices are necessary for the community's survival?
The idea of discontinuity prompts me to think about how new-comers also deal with their participation in a community. Wenger's idea of legitimate peripheral participation (1998, p. 100) was especially curious to me. The difficulty noted in the data processing firm from the "classroom" to the execution of the job (p. 98) mirrors the transformation of pre-service teachers from student to educator. This is a phenomenon that I, as a pre-service supervisor, witness first hand. Pre-service teachers are just beginning to learn the true ways of practice of the community of educators - from lesson planning to interacting with administrative members, much of what they learn in their pre-service experience, even things that they don't realize are as important as they are (for example, what to wear) fall into the category of legitimate peripheral participation. Their identities are in flux because they are bridging the worlds of student and teacher. In terms of identity, I wonder what that makes me... a broker (Wenger, 1998, p. 110)?
Michelle: Two of the things in the Wenger reading for this week that really stood out to me were the discussion of the formation of identity through participation and the notion of brokering. Wenger talks about identity in terms of participation in Chapter 3. One statement that he made that I found very interesting was: "Our identities become anchored in each other and what we do together. As a result, it is not easy to become a radically new person in the same community of practice. Conversely, it is not easy to transform oneself without the support of a community" (p. 89). In thinking more about this, I believe that I agree with Wenger. We certainly can have very different identities in our different communities of practice, but it really is difficult to totally change our established identity within one community of practice. For example, if I were to change my identity from teacher educator to gang member (certainly a radical change) within the community of my PhD program, I am pretty sure that I would no longer be welcome as a member of that community of practice. The radical change in identity might necessitate a move on my part from one community of practice to another where my new identity would be accepted and valued. Wenger does state, however, that relationships within communities of practice can be conflicting as well as harmonious and competitive as well as cooperative, so I wonder if a change in identity really would necessitate that I leave my original community of practice. Perhaps a less radical change would allow me to stay within the community, but move me to its periphery.
Wenger's discussion of brokering in Chapter 4 was also extremely interesting to me because I actually feel like this is a role that I fit into, to some extent, in my current situation. As we all know, we can participate in more than one community at once and, according to Wenger, "our experience of multimembership always has the potential of creating various forms of continuity among them" (p. 105). I am currently both teacher and student at once- participating in both communities of practice within the same institution. Wenger describes brokering as "the use of multimembership to transfer some element of one practice into another" (p. 109). This semester I am co-teaching a class for pre-service teachers with my advisor and I feel that I am brokering my identity of teacher with my identity of student, combining the two and using one to influence the other at different times. This brokering, I believe, allows my students to identify more closely with me than they do with the "official" teacher of the course (my advisor). I am able to bring elements of being a student into my practice of being a teacher and the students respond positively to this by coming to me first to ask questions or for advice related to a class assignment. I am not, however, a student in their class. I am also not the instructor of record for the course, so I experience the phenomenon that Wenger mentions of belonging at the same time to both practices and neither (p. 109). This is sometimes a difficult position to be in because I am not seen by the students as the final "authority figure" of the course, nor am I seen as their peer. I am trying to figure out how to operate effectively in that gray area and bridge the two communities, both for my students and for myself. I realize that my students will also begin to go through this same process as they transition from solely students into students who are also teaching (during field experiences) and then into being solely teachers. As a broker I can (hopefully) help them through this process and make the transition somewhat smooth for them.
Sydney: Wenger focuses on identity as a mutual constitution between individuals and collectivities (p. 146). Our identity not only shapes our communities and our forms of belonging but also is the shaped by belonging to a social community. It is a two way street. Up to this point, I understood that "belonging to a community" in terms of identity construction requires a member of a community to be actively paticipating in and to have a strong bond among the members, however, my understanding changed when Wenger brought up that non-participation is as much a source of identity as participation (p. 164). From my experience, even though I belong to a new community as a Penn State student in the U.S., I don't feel "truly" engaged in and participated in this community. I still feel much distance between where I am from and where I am. Thus, I kept wondering if I am a real member of this community and my identity is shaped by this community even though I feel I don't much participate here. As a way to answer the question that keeps bothering me, Wenger describes that boundary relations between multimembership can bring the coexisting identities of participation and non-participation (p. 168). That is, being in one community implies being outside in other community. This might cause non-participation as compromise and it is also a defining constituent of participation. Wenger's notion of identity clarifies that identity is constructed through our ongoing negotiated experience of being members in communities by both participation and non-participation in interrelated ways.
Synthesis
The point of convergence among all of our responses is the importance of identity and how it allows us to negotiate our memberships within our communities. Aaron and Sydney point to the idea that identity shapes the way in which we participate in a community. They also note Wenger's assertion that identities can be shaped by non-participation in a community, as well as by participation. Michelle and Nicole focus on the idea of how members can bridge more than one identity and community membership (i.e. teacher educator and student). Both conversations add to the dialogue of identity as seminal to communities of practice. Might we suggest that the discontinuity inherent in a community's practice mirrors the transformation that the identity of the community's members experience? In other words, just like a community's practice is fluid, so are the members' identities. Identities can be changed at any time by the amount of participation or non-participation a member puts forward into their community. Wenger states that at times it is appropriate to step back from a community and take a look at how we fit into that community from the outside through imagination. Imagination allows us to redefine our identity and take on new practices and enterprises that can reshape our identity. This transformation and reshaping of identity then becomes part of the process of reification within a community.
Once again I will be solo, so Tweeting out to Cole would be appreciated.
Last week we had synthesis, so what came up was not as much about the new readings as it was about you synthesis of core ideas so far. Given that we are going to dig into come of the readings and lay out some questions to guide us forward as we get deeper into Wenger's world (not at all like Elmo's).
We are also going to look a little at data visualizations. We are not quite to the stage of having completely one button data visualization, like we do with text on the web, but the day is coming. Specifically, we will look at:
One thing that came up in the blog posting and comments that you should keep in mind is the affordances of these representation. Many commented that Team 1's visualization for this week was not very helpful in helping to understand their thinking, though Team 1 indicated it helped them develop their thinking. This goes to two issues connected to our readings, Pea's notion of distributed intelligence, and Wenger's idea of reification (and eventually boundary objects). What role does reification play in a community? How about across communities?
No schedule today, we will have a break when we need one. See you in class.
There are several statements within the 95th theses that seem to complement Wenger's chapter on identity and are perhaps illustrative of the views of community from the authors we have read so far.
34. To speak with a human voice, companies must share the
concerns of their communities.
This implies that there needs to be a level of common interests and regard for the people that create the community. In an education setting our focus needs to be on the students. We need to understand their perspective, their needs, their weaknesses, and how to navigate those concerns to enable and empower them to achieve greater things. We should put ourselves 'in their shoes' to understand their concerns. What
do you want me to hear when I listen/observe/participate with you? How do you want this to inform me? Are you clear
about your expectations of this communication? This is what I am hearing-
was this your intention? What aren't you telling me? What do you want me
to do with this information? By understanding how they view education in our classroom, we can better educate them.
38. Human communities are based on discourse--on human speech
about human concerns.
Human discourse is a powerful tool for the building of communities. It's the association and communication of thoughts ideas, practices, and beliefs that draw people together to form communities. Wegner speaks of organizations fostering learning by
sustaining communities of practice that make up the organization. Likewise,
cluetrain talks of the need for companies to resist the urge of organizing from
top down, but rather letting the community organize themselves and create their
own practices.
95. We are
waking up and linking to each other. We are watching. But we are not waiting.
Learning happens regardless of the structure we impose upon education. Wegner argues that learning happens as a result of participation in community, and that learning
is not something that is separate from the "real world" or only happens during special time set aside for education. Along these lines, the cluetrain manifesto talks about the power of the communities formed of network connected people. Cluetrain is arguing for the power of participation in communities.
We are constantly seeking out opportunities to engage in the kind of learning that makes us valuable to the communities we interact with. Engagement provides meaning through practice, practice informs perception, perceptions define experience and significance.
The glaring similarity and commonality between Gee, Wenger and the The Cluetrain Manifesto is the need to decentralize the creation of conversations that form community, identity, and design. All authors seem at first glance to argue for a need of a more
egalitarian approach to not just learning and business but daily life. A closer
look though may also lead one to conclude that they are not necessarily arguing
for anarchy rather for more access to the creation process of the environment,
a decolonization and a redefining of the roles. The question becomes whether or
not such an egalitarian approach is possible? Can a the role of the teacher as
an authority figure in the classroom ever really be eliminated? Can a community
ever be a community if it does not have a leader? Lastly, can disruptive
technologies fully be integrated into learning if their aim is to destroy the
status quo and would they remain disruptive if integrated into learning?
We "spiced" up our thinking about community for this week. Click on the nodes to get to the next level(s) and see what we thought about Wenger and the 95 Theses. You can also drag the nodes around for easier viewing.
If you have trouble viewing it here, this URL also links to our map:
Wenger states that practice is a process that
we engage and experience the world which includes the negotiation of meaning
through participation and reification.
Online social networks are an interesting
example of the interplay between participation and reification, and embody at
their core the negotiation that happens between the two to produce meaning for
their users. Clearly, there is a strong element of participation in social
networks. In Facebook, participation can come in many forms: wall posts,
tagging pictures of friends, playing multiplayer games. In fact, the process of
"friending" someone, of negotiating that relationship and making a
decision about whether or not it meets some threshold of meaningfulness to you
such that you reify the relationship in a friend request or confirmation.
This process of friending, or of building ones social graph, is indeed a
perfect example of reification. It is the quintessential representation of
participation in the social networking world. The social graph illustrates, in
stark visual terms, all the relationships that constitute one's socially
situated identity, of the community one chooses to identify with.
Profile on MySpace would be another example
of a representation of identity including photos, background, music,
description of background and so on. This is an example of reification
that we can assume a person's identity from the profile page and it is often
the source we start reading one's blog or sending out our friend request.
However, Wenger points out that a
reification is often an imperfect codification of participation, and that is
certainly the case with the social graph in Facebook and also with the profile
page on MySpace. There might be a discrepancy between identities once you read
more tweets and blog entries, start chatting, making comments and
receiving responses back, and so on.
In case of social graph in Facebook, complex
relationships which at some level might involve rich emotional interaction are
reduced to lists and numbers. In some online environments, you can even
rank order your friends, or pick "top friends". This short list
is no doubt hotly negotiated, with its four or five lucky members changing at
the moment by moment whim of its owner. Wenger also points out how
meaning can become distorted if there is too much focus on either participation
or reification. Again, the social graph illustrates an example of how
reification, the process of representing one's participation in a community,
can become so oversimplified that it exists almost independently of
participation, or at least such that actual participation is an afterthought in
the formation of the graph. This can be seen when members of a social
networking site like Facebook compete for the largest number of
"friends". The state of being popular, which once reflected at
least some superficial qualities of one's personality, can be reduced to a
hyper-focus on building one's social graph by obsessively clicking friend
invites. Another example of this can be seen in the site
"LinkdIn" which consist almost entirely of build one's professional
graph and often seems devoid of any participation at all.
<95 Theses>
* Theses 6,12, 34,35,66
-The Internet is enabling conversations
among human beings that were simply not possible in the era of mass media.
-There are no secrets. The networked
market knows more than companies do about their own products. And whether the
news is good or bad, they tell everyone.
-To speak with a human voice, companies
must share the concerns of their communities. But first, they must belong to a
community.
- As markets, as workers, both of us are sick
to death of getting our information by remote control. Why do we need faceless
annual reports and third-hand market research studies to introduce us to each
other?
The Clutrain Maifesto focuses on the rising
need for businesses to communicate with other businesses, communities, and
individuals who invest in their products and services. The Internet has
made this communication much more accessible. The smart businesses will
find a way to utilize this communication tool to make their businesses
better.
* Theses 34-40:
- To speak with a human voice, companies must
share the concerns of their communities.
- But first, they must belong to a community.
- Companies must ask themselves where their
corporate cultures end.
- If their cultures end before the community
begins, they will have no market.
- Human communities are based on discourse--on
human speech about human concerns.
- The community of discourse is the
market.
- Companies that do not belong to a community
of discourse will die.
Market is a place where people communicate,
exchange and negotiate. Essentially, any company that denies that it is
part of a community, or does not attempt to be part of a community will be
unsuccessful. People value interaction and genuine discourse, so a successful
company must both belong to a community, but actively participate in a way that
the community acknowledges and values that company as a part of the community.
What can we do to belong to a community, then? It goes without a question that
our social activities and productions need meanings, negotiated ones because it
represents our human engagement in the world (p.53). However, if we do not
belong to a community, I refer this as to not participating, how we can
negotiate meanings with people, artifacts, symbols, social norms, and etc in
the community and probably, there's no social practice we can thus experience.
No engagement, no meaning. Under this circumstance, a company cannot speak to
its market and thus there is no market. It's applicable to the educational
setting. If there is no community or we pre set up a classroom culture,
students probably cannot participate and thus negotiate meanings to themselves.
As stated in the introduction to the 95
theses, "learning to speak in a human voice is not some trick, nor will
corporations convince us they are human with lip service about "listening
to customers." They will only sound human when they empower real human
beings to speak on their behalf. While many such people already work
for companies today, most companies ignore their ability to deliver genuine
knowledge, opting instead to crank out sterile happytalk that insults the
intelligence of markets literally too smart to buy it."
*Theses 51-52:
- Command-and-control management styles both
derive from and reinforce bureaucracy, power tripping and an overall culture of
paranoia.
These two are interesting to think about in
that social networking and Web 2.0 have made these points even more evident.
The flattening of organizations, and inter-connectedness of employees (whether
facilitated by the organization, or due to employees' personal social networks
external to the organization) means that people will interact and converse with
each other. And if they are not provided information, and do not feel as though
the company is conversing openly, it's human nature to use what's available to
them to explain things. So, if a company doesn't provide information, they
effectively tell employees and customers that there's something that the
company is hiding... something that the company is not willing to discuss with
"outsiders". This not only creates an "in" group and
an "outsider" group, but it also leaves the "outsider"
group with no other option than to invent their own information and
explanations based on what is available. Lack of conversation breeds distrust,
and people don't want to work for or do business with an entity that they don't
trust.
It seems that the same thing could be said
for a classroom. While the age of students in some cases requires command and
authority, the teacher is also responsible for communicating genuinely with the
learners. Students who feel that the teacher is hiding something or is telling
them to do something based purely on power or authority will not trust the
teacher, and by extension, will be uncomfortable in the learning
environment.
In terms of "open conversation",
participation is necessary to be included if a conversation is open. If access
to participation is limited, it is hard to have negotiated meaning. As a
teacher, I explained to my students about assignments
and sometimes they came to me and asking why this is a "good"
assignments. Of course, I explained my rationals and concerns. Convinced or
not, I cared more on why they came to me to ask about the meaning of doing such
assignments. What's lack of? I expected that after completing several lessons,
they could see the meaning of doing those assignments. Apparently, it did not
happen all the time. The idea of new conversation made me think about
conversations between teachers and students. Can we have open conversations? In
what ways?
* Theses 57-62
- Smart companies will get out of the way and
help the inevitable to happen sooner.
- If willingness to get out of the way is taken
as a measure of IQ, then very few companies have yet wised up.
- However subliminally at the moment, millions
of people now online perceive companies as little more than quaint legal fictions
that are actively preventing these conversations from intersecting.
- This is
suicidal. Markets want to talk to companies.
- Sadly, the part of the company a networked
market wants to talk to is usually hidden behind a smokescreen of hucksterism,
of language that rings false--and often is.
- Markets do not want to talk to flacks and
hucksters. They want to participate in the conversations going on behind the
corporate firewall.
In these points, the company can be seen as
the educational institution and the market as students collectively. The
smokescreen is the ineffective instructional methods that many instructors
implement, perhaps through lack of understanding of a better approach, or
perhaps through anxiety about allowing their students to take the drivers seat
in the classroom. Instructors want their students to
learn, and students want to engage, but there's a wall that
separates those to desires and prevents them from coming to fruition.
Instructors need to "wise up" and re-situate themselves as
classroom facilitators, and get away from the "sage on the stage" or
dominant authority figure in the classroom. To tie this back to Wenger,
meaningful experience in the classroom must come from a negotiation between the
instructor and the student to establish a place where participation results in
learning, and where learning is reified through instructional practice and the
outcomes of student participation.
*Theses 82-83
- Your product broke. Why? We'd like to ask the
guy who made it. Your corporate strategy makes no sense. We'd like to have a
chat with your CEO. What do you mean she's not in?
- We want you to take 50 million of us as
seriously as you take one reporter from The Wall Street Journal.
These two echoes several other theses and
some sentences in the Forward, speaking in a human voice and the metaphor of
tearing down the Berlin Wall. Being a customer, we all hope to talk to
"real people" instead of polite but distant statements. If companies
continue to lock themselves behind corporation walls, we'll never have new
conversation, a conversation with human voice. This fits to any communities
that if we want to negotiate meanings we may have to hear human voice from each
other.
This
week's readings lead us to shape our discussion about the relationship
between building communities and the role of conversations. The
introduction to Cluetrain Manifesto (CM) provided a strong outlook as
to how natural human conversations are shaping the markets (instead of
the other way around) and shifting in business trends as consumers,
employees and people are breaking down the "power structures and
senseless bureaucracies". When companies open themselves to these
conversations and look at these new marketplaces, they will start to
look at problem solving differently. "The World Wide Web reinforces
freedom. The Internet routes around obstacles". Yet, many companies
"fear these changes, seeing in them only a devastating loss of
control". The CM provides forewarning to corporations to shift and pay
heed to how they can benefit from these conversations to better serve
the new markets. We look forward to further readings from the manifesto
as we look at community building and the relationship to social,
economic and education concerns.
Wenger's article on communities of practices is relevant to the
discussion of human interactions and world change. As people
continually relate together in a shared practice, they form a community
of practice. These practices include but are not limited to common
language, tools, rules, implicit relations, perceptions, and world
views. One purpose or result of a community of practice is to
create/discover meaning. Meaning is derived from both historical roots
(what a thing has traditionally meant) and new, living, in-the-moment
roots (what it means right now). Wenger uses the phrase "negotiation of
meaning" to connote the idea of human participation in finding meaning
as well as the idea of deliberate effort and readjustment. But it is
not only the human agent who contributes to creating/finding meaning.
The object or situation itself contributes meaning, too.
This is why Wenger develops two sides of the meaning coin:
participation and reification. Participation is what people mutually
bring to a situation to ascribe it meaning. It involves all sorts of
relations, bad and good. Participation transforms individual
contributors, but it also transforms the community as a whole.
Reification, on the other hand, is the meaning given to our situations
and experiences through the formation of a single representation.
Reification can simplify activities, but it can also be taken too
literally. Both reification and participation exist in any situation in
which communities of practice try to discover meaning, and they
compensate for each others' weaknesses.
This
week, in order to enhance the conversation of our team's postings we
have included three videos that touch upon the social media revolution
of the web and the impact on community building. The content of these
videos also touch upon identity and language which have been relevant
in shaping our discussions for the past few weeks.
We have all been working together to understand disruptive technology, and how it relates to community, identity, and design. The video represents the diversity of ideas and questions generated by the class, and demonstrates visually the diversity of individual identities ("I am...") of contributors to this blog while synthesizing them together into a harmonious (or sometimes discordant) whole.
Does the design of disruptive technologies carry intelligence related to identity and community?
What intelligence was transmitted via the design of the blog/word tree combination? How does experiencing the text in the tree format differ from experiencing it in blog form?
The business of education is change. Teachers want to make a change in their students to varying levels. Teachers also need to prepare their students to continue to change, as the world will continue to change. As such, Teachers themselves need to be able to change as well.
A community is a group of Individuals who share common interests, goals, discourses and communities of practice. Within and among communities, intelligence is distributed, and the role of expert is shared. Members of a community can be linked by various media (e.g., such as a video on YouTube) despite geographic or temporal location.
Identity
Identities are multiple and fluid in nature and are affected by the discourses individuals belong to and the activities that they participate in. Gee states "You are who you are through what you are doing and what you are doing is partly recognized for what it is by who is doing it" (1999, p. 23).
Design
Design is an invented artifact that is used for structuring activity or
for saving mental work to meet humans' constant desire to recraft their
environments (Pea, 1993). The idea of design is malleable and it is
shaped by identity. Conversely, identity can be shaped by design, as
seen in the design of traditional educational systems where certain
student identities (i.e. academic) are valued over others.
In your teams you'll go over your synthesis for the first block of the class. We're looking forward to hearing from you and seeing how each of your teams tackled this task.
Weather Check
If things are getting bad, we can split after the Synthesis Presentations.
Break
Conversations Related to (Incidental) Openness
Let's take a little time to discuss some of the notions of open education and what it might mean to us. We'll also share a few stories of incidental openness from around Penn State and talk a bit about how it may or may not constitute open education.
Readings and Activities
Let's continue reading Wenger, this time starting on page 45 and ending on page 72.
We'd like you to also read a few pieces from the Cluetrain manifesto. We'd like you to read the Forward, the 95 Theses, Elevator Rap, and the Introduction. The entire Cluetrain is available online for free, so have at it ... you are welcome to read more.
Complete your team writing with an emphasis on Community. We'd like you to also consider the 95 Theses as part of your reflection, citing which of the 95 that resonated the most with your team as it relates to the conversations we've been having in class interesting question for us comes when we simply ignore the, "what does this course add up to for someone" questions I have read so much here?
I think Open Education is a great concept, especially when
the information is coming from an educational institution such a Penn State. The Internet is vast and the quantity
of information that can be found is even greater. But one concern I have is the reliability and accuracy of
the information presented there. Different people always have different
viewpoints, so if all informational sources are labeled as open educational
resources, how can we weed out the information that isn't reliable?
For example, several years ago I was working on an online
course in which the instructor had students linking out to other websites for
the course content. When asked
about the accuracy of those websites, they replied, "well students just sort of
have to sift through the content and find what's accurate and disregard what's
not." However, since the instructor
was directing students to those sites, they believed that everything on there
was accurate. For me, this
reinforces the fact that educational institutions should be making more of
their information open and available to the public. Its one thing for a student
to do a Google search and stumble across a random website with some information
on it. But it is quite another to
go to a university created site and access information that is accurate and has
been provided by a credible source.
Wikipedia defines open education as the sharing of knowledge freely via an internet source. Doesn't what we experience on an everyday basis when we search for information on Wikipedia or use an online translator to decipher another language fall under this category? Colleges and universities that make their lectures available online seem to extend this idea, and, yes, the question of free education comes up as we've seen in previous posts.
When thinking of open education in terms of identity, community, and design, my mind is drawn to the deschooling movement as a much grander extension of this. The deschooling movement is based on the belief that public institutions are not the best sources of education for students - we know the smaller stage of this, which is homeschooling. In more radical ways, the movement suggests moving schooling from outside of these institutions and putting in in the hands of communities of people. The role of expert is distributed among the community. Students take up responsibility for their own learning. Their identities are no longer linked to public schooling. Distributed knowledge at it's best. I wonder how deschooling and open education converge?
I am interested in the concept of open education and its possible effect on schooling in the United States and across the world. The concept itself seems beneficial to all. Why not make access to information and higher education accessible to all? It does create some difficult changes to the current system of education. I find myself asking many questions about open education that I'm not sure there are answers to. Does an open education result in something that can be used to access the job market? Such as a high school diploma or college degree. Is there anyway to be sure of the quality of the instruction being offered over the internet? I also think about my experiences with education over the internet. I have taken two courses through the World Campus at Penn State and do not believe it was of the same quality of face to face, in person instruction. It was focused on deadlines and completing assignments one by one with no chance at adjusting the syllabus. I am curious to see where open education will go in the future.
I believe open education is a wonderful idea. I once took a meteorology class that was heavily based on computer programming. The professor of the course would often remind me that if I was stuck on a piece of code to search the web first for a solution before asking him to help because it's most likely somebody else had the same program you have and has already posted the solution. I believe open education fits right into this category. If universities are posting information that others can view, the information is most likely helping other people learn. Not only can this information be beneficial to college students, faculty and alumni but I also believe that this information will be beneficial to the general public as well. This in turn I believe may cause a chain reaction to start where one university posts open content, then another university posts more open content to complement the original content, which in turn may cause this library of information to develop open for anyone to view. While some may say that sharing information from universities to the public for free is unfair since students pay thousands of dollars per semester to access the same information, I say it's harmless. It's harmless because even if the public has access to the shared information, the public still won't be able to earn a degree like the college students nor can the public obtain as much information through the shared information that is presented in a college classroom.
"If universities start to offer course materials and educational resources free of charge, what is the motivation for individuals to register as students? How do we differentiate between individuals who have completed the course "officially" and those who have studied the open content? "
With the advent of new technologies, almost all information and knowledge have been digitalized, and it is true that more and more universities are offering open educational resources. However, I don't think the number of students who register the course will be decreased so easily due to the open educational resources. Students still want to come to school paying their school expenses. Why?
There maybe be something that students can benefit from taking the course "officially". Students maybe come to school expecting 1) to get valuable degrees which help getting a better job, 2) to get support from their faculties and colleagues, 3) to interact with others (face-to-face interaction) and so on.
Meanwhile, universities want to manage and develop the system in spite of a considerable expense to maintain it. Why?
From my personal opinion, with open resources, anyone can access and share knowledge which also means it becomes open to criticism against the content. This will make universities put more efforts to raise the quality of content contributing to upgrade the quality of the whole university education.
Both on/off campus education are worthwhile and thus, this dichotomy between on/off campus education would be not appropriate; rather, it would be a matter of personal choice for consumers to choose which one they're going to take and benefit from it.Below is a video of a presentation from Dr. Christopher Long, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the College of the Liberal Arts At Penn State (and contributor to this blog). Dr. Long has used blogs in his teaching of philosophy for several years. The presentation relates to the topics we have been discussing in class: community and identity, social disruption, blurring of boundaries between teacher and learner, and open education, just to start the list. You can also say that the same pedagogical model is being used in this class.
While watching this video, I was struck with how the notion of open educational resource is not confined to the idea of free textbooks or recordings of lectures. Open education can be a living, breathing ongoing educational collaboration open to the world. For example, anyone in can participate to some degree in this class just by reading and engaging in the open discussion on this blog, taking part in shaping the educational experience. | eng | 47e7f1a7-be64-4d9f-9db6-354753fd8cd3 | http://blogs.tlt.psu.edu/courses/disruptive/2010/02/ |
New Patterns on
[and and Water
MODERNIZATION OF AGRICULTURE
A productive and efficient agriculture is one of the great strengths of
the United States. Applications of new knowledge and techniques
have made it possible to engage a steadily declining proportion of the
population in food and fiber production and, at the same time, in-
crease the quantity, quality, and variety of output.
The rising trend in farm production had its beginning in the late
1930's and early 1940's, as the national economy recovered from a
catastrophic depression and geared for war. It has yet to show signs
of slackening. In 1967, American farms turned out a volume of food
and fiber that exceeded by 3, percent the volume produced in 1950.
Trend toward Large Cropping Units
This increase in production seems all the more remarkable when the
circumstances are considered. From 1950 to 1967, the number of
farms in the nation dropped by about two and a half million. In order
to utilize the work potential of machines and offset rising costs of
labor and materials, commercial farmers have increased the size of
their operations. Farmers harvested 34 million fewer acres in 1967
than in 1950, and farm employment declined by 5 million persons in
the 1 7-year period. The small subsistence farm is rapidly passing out
55
OCR for page 56
56
Land Use and Wildlife Resources
of existence as older operators die or move. A major portion of the
abandoned acreage is in the eastern United States, lands once reclaimed
Tom the primitive forest. Thus, the area is now in various stages of re-
version to forest, and its wild fauna is changing accordingly.
The foregoing trends, accepted without further inquiry, sometimes
lead city dwellers to the specious conclusion that our agriculture is
undergoing a national decline. But it is the essence of economic and
technologic progress that a nation devote progressively less of its
activity to the production of basic necessities and more to endeavors
that make life more stimulating and enjoyable.
The 37 percent increase in agricultural yields in 17 years represents
an accomplishment strikingly different from the progress shown in our
historic development. Until early in this century, farm output in-
creased with the growth of population and with the expansion of that
population westward to bring new lands under the plow. In the decade
after 1870, a time when settlement of the West was in full swing, the
number of farms rose by half, and production showed a similar rise.
After 1880 the rate of establishment of new farms slowed somewhat
as the better lands were settled. In the 40 years it took for the num-
ber of farms to reach a maximum, the acreage in crops nearly doubled.
Expansion of cropland still was the principal means of increasing
agricultural yield, and the volume of crops for human use also nearly
doubled.
The recent major spurt in production came long after the peak of
are al expansion. In fact, with this growth has come a reduction in the
need for more cropland. Land so used dropped from 377 million
acres in 1950 to 342 million in 1967. During that period, farmers
over the nation withdrew from crops an acreage exceeding the land
area of New England. On the northern plains, farmers withdrew more
than 1 acre in 20, primarily in response to programs instituted to re-
duce grain surpluses. But the proportionate shrinkage has been sharp-
est in the South. There almost 1 acre in 4 has been converted from
cropping to other uses.
Causes and Effects
The extensive and rapid reduction in crop acreage has been effected
in several ways. In part it represents the withdrawal of whole farms
from agriculture, particularly those surrounding urban areas, and
many in submarginal areas. Some of the decrease can be attributed to
land-rationing programs the government has sponsored since 1950.
But much of it stems from the discovery by farmers that, within
OCR for page 57
New Patterns on Land and Water
57
broad limits, it is more economical to increase yields through im-
proved methods than to cultivate more land for the same amount of
product.
In the 1 7-year period, crop production per acre rose nationally by
nearly 50 percent and in some parts of the South by about 100 per-
cent. Such changes have been the basis for predictions that by 1980
we can readily supply our sharply increasing domestic requirement for
farm products and increase exports moderately with even further re-
ductions in our cropland base.
The advent of the tractor and other motor-driven equipment re-
leased millions of acres of land that had been used in producing feed
for horses and mules. Between 1930 and 1967, land used for this pur-
pose was reduced from 65 million acres to 4 million acres (Economic
Research Service, 1 968a). Thus, an area equivalent to 80 percent of
the cultivated land in the Corn Belt was added to land available for
producing human food. Indirectly, availability of this acreage made it
possible for managers to assign less intensive uses to marginal lands
that previously had been cultivated.
The ability of agriculture to achieve striking improvements in pro-
ductivity while constantly yielding part of its land to nonfarm uses
suggests that the structure of the industry has been substantially
changed. The change has evolved as a response to the persistent pres-
sures that accompany national economic expansion. That it has been
healthy for segments of the industry is evidenced by the increased
size of the average farm. Today's "average farmer" operates a farm
twice the size of the one run by his 1940 counterpart.
Expansion of farm enterprises has long been a characteristic of
American agriculture. In the days when labor was a major component
of farm input, farmers expanded their operations as new tools, better
horse-drawn equipment, and new methods slowly improved the work
capacity of labor. Although the largest gains in acreage per farm have
occurred since the advent of the tractor, a national trend to larger
management units was well under way by the turn of the century. The
trend continued in the North and West even as the number of farms
was pushed higher by the establishment of new farms. Prevalence of
the sharecropper system in the South delayed by several decades the
beginning of the trend in that region. But since 1940 southern farms
have displayed a spectacular gain in acreage. Changes in the economic
pattern have been accompanied by major changes in the ecological
pattern on the land. Poorly managed "patch farming" produced ex-
cellent quail habitat and a colorful kind of hunting; unfortunately,
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58
Land Use and Wildlife Resources
the larger modernized agricultural unit does not do so well for wild-
life by-products.
Generally, when small farms are converted into large management
units, wildlife habitat deteriorates drastically (see Chapter 41. This
deterioration undoubtedly has occurred on a broad scale. Early tabu-
lations from the 1964 Census of Agriculture indicate that about three
fourths of the 2.2 million loss in number of farms occurred among
units of less than l DO acres. In fact, more than half the farms that
disappeared were less than 50 acres.
Ownership and Tenancy
The American agricultural "revolution" has featured not only a major
overhauling of the land-use pattern and a shift to mechanization but
also a significant change in the tenure of farm operators. By 1959,
about 80 percent of all farms were operated by owners and part
owners, in comparison with only 57 percent in 1935. Between 1935
and 1959, the proportion of all farms worked by tenants declined
from 42 percent to- less than 20 percent. In the South, the proportion
of farms operated by sharecroppers changed from 10.5 percent in 1935
to slightly more than 3 percent in 1959 (Economic Research Service,
1 966).
Who owns and manages the land has important implications in the
long-term outlook for soil and water conservation as well as for other
values not associated with immediate returns. There is little incentive
for a sharecropper or tenant to invest his efforts in management for
the future or to consider a by-product such as wildlife. There is, in-
stead, a real incentive to emphasize practices promising the greatest
income in the shortest time.
An increase in the proportion of owners and operators of farms
means generally greater attention to scientific methods. However, the
end result is likely to be a specialized, more intensive land use, and this
is largely inimical to the kind of management that benefits wildlife.
That this is not true of all types of agriculture is evident from Chap-
ter4.
I m pacts of Change
Combined effects of the foregoing trends appear to be promoting
specialization in agricultural production. Sharp differences in cropping
systems are developing, even within long-established production areas.
To exploit their available resources, farmers are making not less than
three kinds of major organizational adjustments:
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New Patterns on Land and Water
59
(1 ) Crop production is being shifted to areas of expansive, level,
productive soils that lend themselves to mechanization and to inten-
sive use of fertilizers and other chemicals. (2) Within these areas,
farmers with a suitable land base are confining their attention increas-
ingly to a few regionally adapted crops. (3) Location shifts accom-
panied by specialization make it possible to exploit the capacities of
costly field equipment and frequently to achieve a higher degree of
efficiency than is possible with a more diversified operation on less
productive soils. When supplementary enterprises are reduced, it is
often the livestock group that is dropped.
These reorganizations are resulting in major changes in the cropping
pattern and the agricultural landscape-changes that significantly
affect the potential for recreation benefits. Improved land manage-
ment and greater industrial values reduce the economic position of
wildlife, which, in most cases, depends in part on the presence of
uncropped areas and semipermanent types of vegetation (see Chapter
41. These essentials of the wildlife habitat are being wiped out by the
efficient technology that is taking over our best soils.
Trends in drainage are a case in point: Excess water is a problem on
much cropland in the humid part of the country. Nationally, about
1 12 million acres need further artificial drainage for maximum agri-
cultural use (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 19651. Half of this
acreage lies in the Corn Belt and the lower Mississippi Valley, two
major areas where the rapid shift to large-scale cropping is occurring.
The alluvial and glacial soils are pocketed with sloughs, potholes, and
other wet depressions, which provide excellent wildlife habitat but
commonly are an agricultural liability (Chapter 51-. Some of the
earlier attempts at drainage left spoilbank barriers or resulted in ir-
regularly shaped fields poorly adapted to the use of multirow equip
ment.
Land grading for improved drainage and the removal of surface
irregularities is increasing. Artificial reshaping to a constant slope, a
practice originating in the arid West as an aid to irrigation, is now
used in humid areas. The Soil Conservation Service provides techni-
cal assistance in land forming and by 1966 had contributed to these
practices on 13.6 million acres. Of this total, 190,000 acres was classi-
fied as drainage land grading, requiring detailed engineering survey and
layout; 8.6 million acres as irrigation land leveling; and 4.9 million
acres as land smoothing or rough grading to remove irregularities.
As part of the readjustments in land use, livestock operations are
becoming more specialized. In the Corn Belt fewer farmers feed
cattle and hogs, and the average size of such enterprises is increasing.
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Land Use and Wildlife Resources
Poultry production (non-land-based) is being shifted to sites of low
agricultural value. Cotton raising is moving (as fast as artificial
restraints permit) to irrigated areas in the Southwest and California.
In the three Delta states this crop is being shifted from small hill
farms to the level fertile soils of the Delta proper. Even more corn is
being raised in the Corn Belt; this region has increased its proportion-
ate share of the national crop by a third since 1950. While the north-
ern plains area is still dominant in wheat, production is increasing on
the southern plains. The great advantages of mechanization and irri-
gation in vegetable production have caused a concentration of these
crops in the California Central Valley and level lands in the south-
eastern states. The pasturing of livestock is declining in the Corn
Belt, the Lake States, and the Northeast, and is gravitating to range-
lands of the South and West. The largest percentage gains in live-
stock production have been in the Delta and southeastern states.
All these trends have added to agricultural efficiency and yields.
The land-use picture is one of a highly technical and specialized food
and fiber industry taking over almost exclusive use of the most
fertile and productive lands of the continent. Correspondingly,
marginal farming is on the decline, thus making way for uses more
compatible with land capabilities and public demand. Where such
areas are not pre-empted for human occupancy, wildlife, forests,
and recreation are likely to improve their standing as social and
economic benefits.
Federally financed programs dealing with soil and water conserva-
tion problems on a national scale have profoundly influenced prac-
tices and attitudes as they relate to land use. Extensive knowledge of
land capabilities, collected over the past three decades, serves as a
guide in determining the wisest and most profitable use for a given
tract of land. In addition, there has developed a conservation con-
sciousness in both farm and nonfarm people to a degree unknown
before.
Gains and Losses in the Agricultural Base
Our uses of land have by no means adjusted fully to the agricultural
potential, nor are they likely to do so. Charles E. Kellogg has esti-
mated (unpublished data) that we have some 50 million acres of soil
used for crops-or with an official cropping history that makes them
eligible for crop uses-that are not suitable for farming under any
known combination of practices. On the other hand, about 230
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New Patterns on Land and Water
61
million acres of soils (leaving out temporarily idle areas, federal lands,
highways, and urban sites) suitable for cropping are not so used. Most
of this land has a cover of brush, trees, or grass.
Despite the striking decline of land in farms, cropland acreage, and
number of farms, a substantial acreage of new land is being brought
into cultivation through drainage and irrigation and in other ways.
Eight states have increased their cropland harvested up to 1965: Dela-
ware, to which vegetable production has shifted as urbanization has
taken over cropland in other states; Florida, where drainage and irriga-
tion have brought large acreages into sugarcane, citrus, melons, and
tomatoes; Arkansas, which reflects the effects of drainage and clearing
of Mississippi Delta alluvial land; and Montana, Idaho, Arizona,
Nevada, and Washington, where irrigation developments have brought
about net increases in cropland. In total, these eight states added to
their cropland harvested by 1.9 million acres; the total decrease in
the 48 contiguous states was about 43 million acres.
In view of the fact that major problems of American agriculture
are associated with surpluses, adding new land is open to question.
This is especially true since the most readily available land has been
taken up, and today the reclamation of more desert, swamp, and low
forest lands is a high-cost enterprise. Also, it is frequently destructive
of outdoor recreational environments and wildlife. Although pressing
need for human food worldwide may eventually require that more
lands be brought into this type of production, there should be a
more careful weighing of costs and values than in the past.
He w Cro plands by Irriga lion
The availability of irrigation water makes cropping possible on the
highly mineralized soils of the arid West, and it supplements rainfall
on many areas in the humid eastern states. In rice culture, irrigation is
a routine requirement for profitable yields.
Irrigated land on farms throughout the United States totaled more
than 37 million acres in 1964. Seventeen western states accounted for
more than 33 million acres. Nationwide, land under irrigation is now
increasing at the rate of 780,000 acres annually, and in the period
1949 to 1964, western states accounted for 80 percent of the increase.
The total area of irrigated land is now approximately 40 million acres.
Changes in irrigated acreage are uneven within regions and within
time periods because of variations in availability of water, the amount
of rainfall, and demand for products. Although irrigated acreage in
the West increased by 6.5 million acres during a recent 10-year period,
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Land Use and Wildlife Resources
acreage decreased substantially in three of the states because of a
shortage of surface water. In the Delta states, restrictions on rice
acreage resulted in a decrease of total acreage irrigated, despite a
marked increase in irrigation of cotton and soybeans.
A survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (1965) appraised
irrigation potentials based on the limiting factors of soil suitability and
the availability of water within watersheds as planning units. It ap-
peared that 66.9 million acres of cropland and pasture (slightly more
than double the 33.2 million acres estimated by the Bureau of the
Census to have been irrigated in 1959) would benefit from additional
water.
Although there has been a steady increase in irrigation, much of the
land already was in crop production, particularly in the humid East.
But much of the 9-million-acre increase in land irrigated between
1950 and 1965 in the 17 western states also comprised land previ-
ously cropped under dry-land conditions. In the most arid states-New
Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada-the irrigated area increased from
2.7 to 3.0 million acres between 1950 and 1965, and most of this
represents "new" cropland.
From the standpoint of wildlife relationships, it is of interest to
note that 51 percent of the irrigated cropland in the West is used for
the production of livestock feed. In addition, more than 5 million
irrigated acres in the region are in pasture or other nonharvested
crops (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 962b).
About 56 percent of the irrigation water in the West is from
streamflow, representing an annual withdrawal of some 120 million
acre-feet (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 962a). Major impound-
ments help provide this large volume of water, and nearly complete
use is being made of streamflow in some of the older irrigation areas;
yet the search for new sources continues.
The wildlife species most notably associated with western irrigated
land from the latitude of Colorado northward is the ringneck pheas-
ant (Hart et al., 1956; Yeager et al., 19561. This Asian gamebird was
first naturalized in North America in the Willamette Valley of Oregon
and has since shown its outstanding capabilities to survive in the
presence of various types of intensive hay and grain agriculture. With-
out question, irrigation has been the key to pheasant productivity in
many valleys of the West.
Where riparian lands are converted to intensive agriculture and
settlements, the wildlife that inhabits native ranges is largely elimi-
nated. In various western states such species might be deer, elk,
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New Patterns on Land and Water
pronghorns, javelins, Gambel quail, and white-winged doves. In
decades to come, major changes in western fauna may be expected if
extensive water developments are carried out on the scale envisioned
by Senator McGee of Wyoming (19601:
63
Even with transpiration, evaporation, comsumption, and seepage into impervious
aquifers, three-fourths of the water of our western rivers still discharges into the
ocean. This means that the West has only begun to use its water. The Bureau of
Reclamation, in its report to the committee tSenate Select Committee on Water
Resources], states, "The amount of physically feasible water resource develop-
ment remaining in the seventeen reclamation states is enormous."
Their report summarizes 1,085 reclamation projects, both public and private,
upon which construction has not yet been undertaken.
The bureau estimates that 75 percent of the federal projects and 90 percent
of the non-federal projects listed can be developed by the year 2000. Such a
program would provide for the irrigation of 17 million acres of new land equiva-
lent. It should pour over 4 million kilowatts of hydropower into our transmission
systems. It would cost $22 billion.
Plans for these major works involve the possibilities for weather
control (especially cloud seeding) and transmountain river diversions.
In the face of a prospective near-total mechanization of the hydrology
and, indeed, the entire human environment, the position of wildlife
probably has relevance as only one of an entire spectrum of outdoor
resources requiring space and a (somewhat) natural scene. Such frag-
ile amenities will take their place in planning insofar as the total
ecological picture of defined goals and human population relation-
ships is given critical and realistic consideration. This kind of policy
appears to be extremely slow in developing.
Added Acres through Drainage
In common with irrigation, drainage has been an important means of
bringing more land into crop production. Compilations of the Agri-
cultural Research Service indicate that nearly 100 million acres of
agricultural land had been "reclaimed" by drainage by 1960-more
than 3 times the area made available by irrigation. In the United
States there are still some 172.5 million acres of level, or nearly level,
land that need group drainage outlets if they are to be used efficiently
for cropping (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 19651. Almost two
thirds of the acreage in watershed projects that would be feasible to
drain for farming is in the eastern third of the country. Currently, the
greatest area of development of new cropland through drainage is on
the alluvial land of the Mississippi Delta, where almost a million acres
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Land Use and Wildlife Resources
were added between 1959 and 1964. Some new areas also are being
developed on the southern coastal plain.
In the humid eastern half of the United States, it has been common
practice to invoke the authorities of local drainage districts to dredge
the outlets of natural lakes to expose areas of organic soil for cultiva-
tion. Through the same process, marshes large and small have pro-
gressively disappeared. Extensive drainage projects helped to create
some of the nation's most valuable croplands Parts of Indiana's famous
Kankakee region exemplify this, as do Michigan's lake plains and the
Black Swamp area of northwestern Ohio. Often such enterprises were
speculative and failed as a result of poorly understood conditions, as
in the case of Wisconsin's Horicon Marsh and Georgia's Okefenokee
Swamp. Both of these "failures" are now dedicated to wildlife refuges.
Drainage on lands already in cultivation must be continued for rea-
sons of efficiency. This type of drainage is not to be judged by effects
on wildlife, although frequently the benefits to one species may bal-
ance the disadvantages to another.
There is perhaps no other phase of land use where wildlife relation-
ships are more clearly and more extensively influenced favorably or un-
favorably than in drainage for the conversion of "idle" wet areas to
agriculture. Nor has there been any other comparable area of disagree-
ment between agricultural interests and the proponents of wildlife
conservation. This is particularly true of government-sponsored, tax-
supported drainage that in recent decades was in the anomalous posi-
tion of contributing to the production of surplus, price-supported
grains, while at the same time reducing a wildlife resource (especially
waterfowl) for which there was unlimited demand. Historically, this
process has gone ahead as though no valid reason existed for preserv-
ing lakes, marshes, swamps, and other wet sites if these could be made
to support any kind of cropping enterprise. Minnesota's legal basis for
drainage exemplifies such statutes as described by Haik (19571:
A typical law authorized the "County Board to establish any ditch, drain, or other
water course, which ditch could in whole or part follow and consist of the bed of
any stream, creek, or river, whether navigable or not, or any lake, whether
meandered or not, and the Board could widen, deepen, straighten, change, lower,
or drain the channel or bed of any creek, river, lake or other water course...."
The authority granted by the legislature was very broad and was apparently
based upon a policy that considered surface waters to be a common enemy which
could be disposed of even if it meant taking property against a landowner's will in
condemnation proceeding.
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New Patterns on Land and Water
65
The validity of such laws was upheld in the courts, and in one opinion
it was stated that:
As a rule, drainage proceedings are begun for the sole purpose of reclaiming wet
lands, primarily for the direct benefit of the owners thereof, and incidentally for
the promotion of the public welfare by increasing the productiveness and taxable
value of lands having little or no value unless drained.
In drainage statistics there usually is no reliable indication of true re-
lationships of costs to benefits, or identification of ecological effects of
one kind or another. Thus, the recorded acreages are only an index of
the scale on which such operations have been carried out. Commonly
the scale is broad, as the Wisconsin Conservation Department found in
a survey and evaluation of wetlands in 1954. Files of the State Drain-
age Engineer showed that from 1906 to 1940 more than 900,000 acres
had been involved in organized drainage (Dahlen and Thompson, 19551.
Beginning in 1941, farm drainage was subsidized at the rate of 6 cents per cubic
yard of earth moved and 40 cents per rod of tile put down. By the end of 1953,
when this subsidization was withdrawn, payments had been made to one out of
every four farms in the state, affecting the drainage of 1,692,750 acres.... Com-
bining these figures, we arrive at a total of over two and one-half million acres, or
4,075 square miles.
The authors noted that these operations did not always destroy wet-
lands as wildlife habitat and that some projects were abandoned. How-
ever, more detailed work in Racine County indicated that only 10,000
acres of wetland remained-a loss of 87 percent of the wetlands in 50
years.
One obvious result of drainage is the loss of deep marshes, which are so important
to waterfowl. With the exception of refuges and marshes along lakes or rivers,
hardly an area remains in Racine County which could be called good for duck
production....
An advantage recently gained for wildlife interests was the revision of Chapter
88 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Farm Drainage Law. This revision requires that
the Conservation Department be notified of hearings concerning proposed drain-
age projects. In many instances the benefits to be derived from drainage are of
less consequence than the detrimental effects of lowered ground water levels,
loss of fish habitat in the outlet stream from siltation and warming, and the
possible increase of flood danger due to acceleration of run-off. In cases con-
cerning navigable waters, the Public Service Commission may be called upon
to determine whether the proposed drainage is in the best interests of the public.
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New Patterns on Land and Water
The D isappearing G rasslands
81
On this continent, as in other parts of the world, semiarid grasslands
have been particularly vulnerable to deterioration under regimes of
heavy grazing or grain cropping. Darling ( 1956) has pointed out that
truly nomadic peoples, such as the "Reindeer Lapps and western Asi-
atic tribes," have used their extensive pasturelands in a manner similar
to naturally adjusted herds of wild ungulates. In comparison, the more
intensive exploitation of sedentary cultures has not been ecologically
attuned and handled within the limits set by climatic extremes. In
North America we probably have no grassland of any appreciable size
that is exactly as it was in primitive times. At the least, it has been in-
vaded by numerous species of exotic plants.
According to that epochal work The Western Range (Forest Service,
1936), the tall grass of the prairie has decreased more than any other
range vegetation. Originally this subclimax grassland extended as the
"prairie peninsula" eastward into Indiana with outliers to central Ohio.
In all, it covered some 252 million acres. Westward, conditions became
steadily drier, and in eastern Nebraska the mid-grasses of the true prai-
rie became dominant; these, in turn, gave way largely to short grasses
on the high plains.
Today some of the most fertile farms of North America occupy the
tall grass country. A suggestion of what this rich flora was like may
still be seen in old cemeteries and along railway rights-of-way in the
Midwest. Native prairies, as modified by heavy grazing, still exist in
blocks of some thousands of acres in the Nebraska Sandhills and the
Flint Hills of eastern Kansas. These soils are obviously unsuited for
cultivation.
Large marshes of the northern prairies once were nesting grounds
for the whooping crane, greater sandhill crane, and trumpeter swan.
Prairie chickens occupied nearly all the tall and mixed grasslands, habi-
tats that were lost progressively as the native sod was broken. The
heath hen of the east coast barrens had disappeared from most of the
mainland a century ago and became extinct in the early 1 930's. Other
prairie chickens now are greatly reduced and on the endangered list.
Probably the tall grass prairies were optimum range, at least for the
greater prairie chicken, but today the bulk of remaining habitat is in
the mixed grass region, where the land is too sandy or hilly to farm.
Other components of the grassland fauna have been decimated. The
bison and wolf are gone, and the pronghorn is largely restricted to
intermountain grasslands and brushlands. The huge flights of eskimo
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Land Use and Wildlife Resources
curlews that migrated northward in spring across the prairies disap-
peared late in the nineteenth century as a result of unrestricted shoot-
ing, and the species may well be extinct. Extensive control operations
and the breaking up of grasslands led to widespread decline of the
black-tailed prairie dog and also its most dependent predator, the never
abundant black-footed ferret. Efforts are being made by the National
Park Service, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, and others to
preserve the ferret and its prey as part of the quasiprimitive ecosystem
in parks and natural areas.
The Gulf coastal prairie, including the part in Texas that supports
remaining populations of the endemic and endangered Attwater prairie
chicken, is undergoing extensive conversion to agriculture (especially
grain sorghum and cotton) and grazing.
Lehmann's ( 1 941 ) early surveys of the Attwater prairie chicken
indicated that the area it occupied in Texas in 1937 totaled less than
half a million acres, as compared with an original range of some 6 mil-
lion acres of coastal bluestem (Andropogorl) prairie. He also considered
the encroachment of mesquite, live oak, various acacias, and other
kinds of brush (held in check by prairie fires in earlier times) to be an
important factor in degrading habitat. He believed that overgrazing, es-
pecially during drought years, speeded the transformation of grassland
into brush jungles. By 1936 more than 2 million acres of former prairie
chicken range were in cultivation, and thousands of acres of sod were
being plowed annually, especially to extend rice farming. Pasture mow-
ing, oil development, drainage, overhunting, and uncontrolled pasture
burning were other factors listed as detrimental.
The Attwater prairie chicken once was common from southwestern
Louisiana southward to the Nueces River in Texas. It had disappeared
from Louisiana by about 1919 (Lehmann, 1968), and the total re-
maining population numbered about 8,700 birds in 1939. Another
survey by Lehmann in 1967 revealed that in 30 years the regularly oc-
cupied habitat had shrunk to less than a quarter of a million acres, and
the population had declined to about 1,070 birds.
Lehmann pointed out, however, that conditions are not hopeless for
this species, and efforts on its behalf exemplify the possibilities in co-
operation among agencies. Texas still has a "seed stock" and more than
a million acres that can support more of these birds. Public interest in
restoration is high. On Ellington Air Force Base a population of more
than 100 chickens represents a hazard to air traffic; the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department and the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wild-
life are transplanting these to vacant ranges. The World Wildlife Fund
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New Patterns on Land and Water
83
purchased 3,400 acres in the heart of the important prairie chicken
range in Colorado County in 1965. In 1967, by a gift of Mr. and Mrs.
J. M. Tatton of Corpus Christi, 7,000 acres were added to the Aransas
National Wildlife Refuge. With technical guidance available, some land-
owners are willing to manage these birds at their own expense. To this
end, renewed research efforts are now under way
The Attwater prairie chicken program illustrates the kind of or-
ganized effort that will be necessary if other endangered habitats and
wildlife are to be salvaged on at least a token basis.
Tal I B rush of the R lo G rande
In the valley of the Rio Grande River a subtropical ecosystem unique
in the United States has been reduced through clearing and cultivation
to less than a thousand acres. This semiarid type, characterized by a
mixture of tall shrubs, harbors no species of wildlife threatened with
extinction, but it supports within our borders a peripheral community
of Mexican species that is well on the way to being lost. Included
among these are the northern chachalaca, northern white-fronted dove,
northern groove-billed and, Merrill's pauraque, northeastern elegant
trogon, northeastern rose-throated becard, northern green jay, northern
white-collared seedeater, and perhaps a dozen other birds. Mammals
ranging northward from Mexico into this part of Texas include the
jaguar, jaguarundi, coatimundi, ocelot, and margay.
It may be said of most such remnant ecosystems that relatively few
people see them and they will contribute little in the way of mass
public benefits. This usually is true also of alternative uses for the land
they occupy-in this case, more fields of vegetables and citrus groves.
It probably is public business if a sample of primitive biota anywhere
is to be preserved for longterm casual use. Such historic and biological
landmarks help to maintain the character of a locality. More broadly,
their service to science and intellectually curious minorities probably
helps to assure the integrity of our heterogeneous society. In a degree
these are abstract and sophisticated viewpoints, but such terms of ref-
erence must be considered admissible if our resource management
context is not to be completely utilitarian.
Florida Everglades
The everglades are a tropical wetland extending over southern Florida
from Lake Okeechobee to the tip of the peninsula. Congress recog
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Land Use and Wildlife Resources
nized the unique character of this biologically rich combination of
ecosystems in 1947 by establishing Everglades National Park. It is our
third largest ( 1.4 million acres) national park and is visited by more
than a million people a year.
This vast and variable wilderness of estuaries, lagoons and sloughs,
coastal prairies, sawgrass glades, hammocks, cypress islands, mangrove
swamps, and pine forests harbors many rare and vanishing species of
birds and other wildlife. Nearly extinct birds include the everglades
kite, Cape Sable sparrow, great white heron, roseate spoonbill, reddish
egret, wood ibis, pink ibis, and southern bald eagle. Rare mammals in-
clude the manatee, Florida water rat, and everglades mink. A few
American crocodiles still are found there, and the glades are one of the
principal remaining habitats of the alligator.
As a major and irreplaceable wilderness, the Florida everglades prob-
ably present the most serious and urgent preservation problem facing
the nation. The prime question is one of water supply and progressive
changes in the hydrology of central and southern Florida over the past
century. If it is to survive in approximately the natural state that justi-
fied its establishment as a national park, the conditions that brought
about this finely adjusted ecosystem must be maintained. A National
Park Service research plan (Robertson et al., 1966) describes the
situation well:
For centuries the sheet of fresh water moving southward over the Everglades from
Lake Okeechobee, flowed through sawgrass areas of the Park and entered the Gulf
of Mexico through a labyrinth of mangrove-lined rivers and creeks. Where fresh
water flowing out of the Everglades merged with salt water of the Gulf, a shifting
zone of brackish water up to 12 miles wide has developed. The width of the
brackish zone is dependent on the quantity of fresh water flowing seaward from
the land, and hence is greatest in wet years and very restricted during drouth.
The estuarine zone referred to is well known as a rich nursery ground
for many important marine fishes, including the menhaden, black
mullet, spotted sea trout, snook, tarpon, and pompano. The same is
true of the pink shrimp, the most important commercial fishery of the
state. The Institute of Marine Science has carried out studies showing
that great reductions of fish, mollusks, and other aquatic organisms oc-
cur with the reduction of freshwater flow and the buildup of salinity.
Such changes have occurred with increasing frequency and in greater
degree in recent years. Longterm flood control and agricultural recla-
mation operations, including diversion canals to carry water directly to
the sea. have steadily changed the character of the region north of the
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New Patterns on Land and Water
85
park and altered natural water relationships. A 5-year drought from
1961 to 1965 brought desiccation and near destruction to the glades.
In 1966 it was estimated that the surviving alligator population was
not more than 5 percent of that present before 1960. Bird rookeries
failed; freshwater fish survived only in deep holes; cypress domes and
bayheads were destroyed; and other plant types were jeopardized. The
fact that the park received no water through the gates in the Tamiami
Trail accentuated the natural shortage and produced the greatest emer-
gency of this kind in history (Craighead, 19661.
The drought was broken by rains in May and June 1965, and in
1966 a June hurricane brought water levels up to capacity. The recov-
ery of aquatic food organisms and the creatures dependent on them
was slow, with signs of permanent changes in evidence.
With the buildup of human populations and the competing uses for
water, the biota of the park has become critically vulnerable to drought,
and it may likewise suffer damage through the rapid release of water in
times of flood. Problems have multiplied since the creation by Congress
of the Central and South Florida Flood Control District in 1948.
This agency, the Corps of Engineers, and the National Park Service are
now coordinating studies of water control and allocation problems in
the hope that adequate provision can be made for the everglades, in
which a nationwide public interest has become manifest. Except for
this interest, the march of "progress" in southern Florida would quickly
overwhelm and obliterate an area that easily qualifies as one of the bio-
logical wonders of the New World.
Preservation of Natural Areas
Although many values may be claimed for setting aside undisturbed
areas, a single overriding purpose probably would be sufficient justifi-
cation for establishing a carefully guarded national system of this kind.
The study of biotic communities is being steadily refined. Natural re-
lationships of living things represent the most elaborate and orderly
systems of the universe, and for the foreseeable future much is to be
learned from them. It would be poor resource and science strategy to
destroy the remaining check areas and controls against which our land-
use enterprises can be measured and judged.
In conformity with this concept, and also to help implement the
participation of the United States in the International Biological Pro-
gram, a Committee on Research Natural Areas has been established in
the federal government. It includes representation from the Forest Ser
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Land Use and Wildlife Resources
vice, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau
of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. The committee will prepare a directory
to protected research reserves on federal lands and will encourage the
establishment of new areas needed for research and education. Among
the lands and waters administered by the agencies mentioned, a wide
variety of natural or near-natural ecosystems occur and can be pre-
served. It is recognized that these have value as pools of genetic ma-
terial in its primitive forms.
It is encouraging that the American public is becoming increasingly
aware of the need to identify, establish, and protect natural areas wher-
ever they may still be found. Contributions to this end are being made
by public agencies, private organizations, and informed individuals.
In March 1966, Assistant Secretary Stanley A. Cain of the Depart-
ment of the Interior established an ad hoc Natural Areas Committee in
that department. Agencies of other departments administering federally
owned land were invited to attend the committee meetings. One of the
results was publication in 1967 by the Department of the Interior and
the Department of Agriculture of a federal directory of natural areas.
If of national significance, such areas qualify for registration under the
Natural Landmarks Program of the National Park Service.
The most important step in this field was made in 1964 with passage
by the Congress of the Wilderness Act. This act established a national
system for protecting the primitive features of qualifying areas of the
national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges. Under other legislation,
parts of the public domain may be considered for wilderness classifi-
cation. With certain exceptions, units of the wilderness system are
5,000 acres or more in size. The Wilderness Act provided for a lengthy
and somewhat unwieldy review process for adding new units. It also
sanctioned the continuation of grazing and other established noncon-
forming uses on wilderness areas. Improvements in the system may
well be in order as a result of the work of the Public Land Law Review
Commission.
In 1967, the various states purchased 201,000 acres of land and
water with assistance from the federal Land and Water Conservation
Fund. They acquired an estimated 153,000 acres under the federal aid
to wildlife and fisheries acts, the Open Space Program of the Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Development, and the Greenspan Program
of the Department of Agriculture. Most of these tracts would not qual-
ify as natural areas in the primitive sense, but some are of high quality
and will steadily improve through natural processes if left undisturbed.
Their preservation for public conservation and recreation purposes
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New Patterns on Land and Water
87
helps to protect them from the encroachment of urban development,
highways, airports, and similar uses.
Private organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, the National
Audubon Society, the Natural Area Council, and World Wildlife Fund
are playing a highly significant role in saving endangered remnants of
our primitive ecosystems. They are able to take options and make
other moves quickly as may be required by circumstances in which
government action is often too little and too late. Areas privately ac-
quired often are conveyed in due course to units of local, state, or fed-
eral government for longterm administration. As an outstanding ex-
ample of the cooperative effort being made in this field, the Nature
Conservancy has a $6-million line of credit from the Ford Foundation
for immediate use in making critical land purchases for the executive
branch of the federal government. This is one answer to the problem
of escalating land prices in public projects.
PUBLIC LANDS FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES
A great ideal of the first settlers of North America was to build homes
on land that was their own. They knew well the conditions in Europe
where the Crown and a privileged nobility held great tracts and com-
moners little or nothing. The right of the individual to own land was,
from the first, one of the primary reasons for risking one's future in
the New World.
As a natural consequence of this viewpoint, soon after the colonies
were united as a nation, the government embarked on a program to
give away or sell all of its public lands. It was an unprecedented pro-
gram. Between 1781 and 1963, the United States Government disposed
of 1,143,800,000 acres (Orell, 19651. Small wonder that the expression
"doing a land office business" was coined to describe booming activity.
Mass disposal of land in the public domain to private citizens, cor-
porations, and states resulted in rapid settlement and development
across the nation. Sale of public land brought some financial support
to the young federal government but less than had been anticipated by
the Congress. Rushes of land-hungry settlers onto tracts ceded by
tribes of Indians, and range wars over possession and use of vast areas
of grazing lands in the West, made colorful pages in our history.
Notwithstanding the general policy of public land disposal, it be-
came clear early in our history that certain areas of land and water
would sometimes need to be kept in public ownership to serve com
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88
Land Use and W ildlife Resources
mon needs of the citizens. By 1 81 7, Congress had empowered the
President to withdraw areas from entry for ad hoc purposes, such as
roads, military posts, and lighthouses. An act of 1832 authorized res-
ervations having extraordinary natural features, and later the authority
was broadened to include other objectives (Orell, 19651. Following the
rise of the conservation movement led by Theodore Roosevelt and his
chief forester, Gifford Pinchot, the Congress was encouraged to permit
the reacquisition of lands by purchase or gift from private and corpo-
rate owners. Since 1900 numerous acts have resulted in extensive land
acquisition by the federal government and by state and local govern-
ments for many uses. By 1964 some 916 million acres were owned as
public property or held in trust-about 39 percent of the total land
area in the 50 states. The federal government owned 770 million acres
(34 percent of the total land area) and held 50 million acres (2 percent)
in trust for Indians; state governments owned 78 million acres (3 per-
cent); and local governments owned 18 million acres (less than l per-
cent).
Undoubtedly, some land will continue to be acquired by public
agencies both for new projects and to block out areas now owned.
However, compared with existing acreage, the additions will not be
substantial. Many of the lands now administered by federal agencies
have been transfers from the public domain. For the future, it is likely
that most acquisitions will be in the East, and those in the West will be
more than offset by the transfer of lands now under the jurisdiction of
the Bureau of Land Management to state and private ownership.
The extent to which the 480 million acres of the public domain will
remain in federal ownership or be transferred to the states or other in-
terests may depend upon recommendations to the Congress by the
Public Land Law Review Commission This commission studied ex-
isting statutes and regulations as well as policies and practices of ad-
ministrative agencies relative to the retention, management, and dis-
position of federal lands. In addition, data were compiled as necessary
to determine and understand the present and future demands on areas
in public ownership.
Wildlife as a public resource is likely to be most intensively managed
and made most easily available on public lands of various categories:
federal, state, county, and city.
The largest area of public land is the remainder of the public domain
administered by the Bureau of Land Management. For the most part,
this is low-value grazing land that can, in many areas, be made more
useful to the public by managing it for recreation. All land-holding
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New Patterns on Land and Water
89
agencies of the federal government are giving recognition to this kind
of public demand, and a similar trend is growing in state and local gov
ernments. As a basic recreational resource, wildlife is featured as a by
product of forestry and grazing, and it is a primary objective in certain
lands set aside as parks or managed refuges. The developing technology
by which uses are integrated for maximum benefits is examined in the
next chapter.
REFERENCES
Beltz, R. C., and J. F. Christopher. 1967. Land clearing in the delta region of
Mississippi, 1957-67 (research note S0-69~. U.S. Forest Service, Washington,
D.C.
Bue, C. D. 1963. Principal lakes of the United States. U.S. Geol. Surv. Circ. 476.
22 p.
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. 1967. Estuarine programs-interim report.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 29 p.
Bureau of the Census. 1962b. Graphic summary of land utilization (oh. 1, part 64.
In U.S. census of agriculture, 1959: Special reports. Vol. 5. U.S. Department of
Commerce, Washington, D.C.
Bureau of the Census, 1966. Farms and land in farms (ch. 1~. In U.S. census of
agriculture, 1964. Vol. 2. U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
Cameron, W. M., and D. W. Pritchard. 1963. Estuaries, p. 306-324, Vol. 2. In
M. N. Hill fed.), The sea. John Wiley ~ Sons, New York.
Clawson, M. 1959. Changing patterns of land use in the West, p. 217-228. In F. S.
Pollak (ed.), Resources development: frontiers for research. University of Colo-
rado Press, Boulder.
Craighead, F. C. 1966. Further observations on the effects of the closure of the
culverts along the Flamingo Highway on plants and wildlife. National Park
Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.
Cronin, L. E.1967. The role of man in estuarine processes, p. 667-689. In G. H.
Lauff ted.), Estuaries (AAAS Publ. 83~. American Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, Washington, D.C.
Dahlen, J. H., and D. R. Thompson. 1955. Wisconsin wetlands and their impor-
tance. Wis. Conserv. Bull. 20(1): 9- 12.
Darling, F. F. 1956. Man's ecological dominance through domesticated animals on
wild lands, p. 778-787. In W. L. Thomas (ed.), Man's role in changing the face
of the earth. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Economic Research Service. 1966. The balance sheet of agriculture, 1966. Agr.
Inf. Bull. 314. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
Economic Research Service. 1968a. Farm costs and returns, commercial farms, by
type, size, and location. Agr. Inf. Bull. 230. U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Washington, D.C.
Economic Research Service. 1968b. Major uses of land and water in United States
with special reference to agriculture, summary for 1964. Agr. Econ. Rep. 149. | eng | efd07f57-66df-4486-9f4d-e7835d572aea | http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9576&page=55 |
Joseph Smith's Interpretation of the New Testament Parables of the Kingdom Monte S. NyDuring the second year of Jesus's ministry, as he toured
the Galilee with his twelve apostles, a great multitude gathered on the seashore
where Jesus sat. He entered a ship, and from the ship he taught them in
parables (see Matthew 13:1–3). After the first parable, "when he was
alone, they that were about him with the twelve, asked of him the parable"
(Mark 4:10). After explaining why he spoke in parables, he gave the
interpretation of the parable. He then gave three more parables to the
multitude and sent them away (Matthew 13:11–36). After entering into a
house, Jesus explained the second parable to his disciples and also gave them
four additional parables (see Matthew 13:36–52). All eight of the
parables that he gave on this occasion were on the same subject, the kingdom of
heaven. All of these parables are well known among the Christian world, but
have varied interpretations. The Prophet Joseph Smith gave members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his understanding of these eight parables,
but before discussing his interpretation, I will first review his
qualifications for expounding on scriptures.
About three months after the organization of the church, the
Lord confirmed by revelation that Joseph was "called and chosen to write
the Book of Mormon, and to my ministry" (D&C 24:1; July 1830). Thus
the Lord's verification of the many things Joseph had done for him in these two
callings was probably given as an incentive to keep the commandment that he was
now given: "And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and
writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding
all scriptures unto the church. And it shall be given thee in the very moment
what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto
them a cursing instead of a blessing" (D&C 24:5–6). The Lord
then gave Joseph other admonitions and instructions, which included a
conditional promise: "Attend to thy calling and thou shalt have wherewith
to magnify thine office, and to expound all scriptures" (D&C 24:9).
Joseph was certainly blessed at "the very moment" when he expounded
the scriptures in word and in writing as he continued his ministry, and those
who "shall hear it"—accept and follow his explanations of the
scriptures—will also be blessed (D&C 24:6).
I will first give Joseph's
explanation of the Savior's answer as to why he taught in parables and then his
explanation of each of the eight parables. As we examine these eight parables,
it will be shown that they begin with the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ
through the dispensation of the fulness of times. His discussion of the parables
comes from a letter, "To the Elders of the Church of Latter-Day Saints,"
written in September 1835.1 I will use the text of the Inspired Version, or
Joseph Smith Translation (hereafter JST), of the parables as another example of
his commandment to expound the scriptures. The differences between the JST and
the King James Version (hereafter KJV) will be delineated in boldface
type.
Why Did Jesus Teach in Parables?
Some claim that Jesus taught in parables to simplify his
teachings so people could understand them. However, quite the opposite was
true—the Prophet Joseph's translation of Jesus's explanation of why he
used parables clarifies that view.
8 Then the disciples came and said unto him, Why
speakest thou unto them in parables?
9 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto
you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not
given.
10 For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given,
and he shall have more abundance;
11 But whosoever continueth not to receive, from
him shall be taken away even that he hath.
12 Therefore speak I to them in
parables; because they, seeing not, see not; and hearing not, they hear not;
neither do they understand.
13 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias concerning
them, which saith, By hearing, ye shall hear and shall not
understand; and seeing, ye shall see and shall not perceive.
14 For this people's heart is
waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have
closed, lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their
ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I
should heal them.
15 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears,
for they hear. And blessed are you because these things are come unto you, that
you might understand them.
16 And verily, I say unto you, many righteous prophets have desired to see these days which you see,
and have not seen them; and to hear that which you hear,
and have not heard. (Matthew 13:8–16 JST)
The Prophet Joseph Smith commented on the Savior's answer to
his disciples' question of why he spoke in parables (Matthew 13:10 KJV; 13:8
JST).
"[I would here remark, that the 'them' made use of
in this interrogation, is a personal pronoun, and refers to the multitude.] He
answered and said unto them, [that is, unto the disciples] because it is given
unto you, to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them, [that
is, unbelievers] it is not given; for whosoever hath, to him shall be given,
and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be
taken away even that he hath."
We understand from this saying, that those who had been
previously looking for a Messiah to come, according to the testimony of the
prophets, and were then, at that time looking for a Messiah, but had not
sufficient light, on account of their unbelief, to discern Him to be their Savior;
and He being the true Messiah, consequently they must be disappointed, and lose
even all the knowledge, or have taken away from them all the light,
understanding, and faith which they had upon this subject; therefore he that
will not receive the greater light, must have taken away from him all the light
which he hath; and if the light which is in you become darkness, behold how
great is that darkness! [quotes Matthew 13:13–14 KJV; 13:12–13
JST].
Now we discover that the very reason assigned by this
prophet, why they would not receive the Messiah, was, because they did not or
would not understand; and seeing, they did not perceive [quotes Matthew
13:15–17 KJV; 13:14–16 JST].
We again make remark
here—for we find that the very principle upon which the disciples were
accounted blessed, was because they were permitted to see with their eyes and
hear with their ears—that the condemnation which rested upon the
multitude that received not His saying, was because they were not willing to
see with their eyes and hear with their ears; not because they could not, and
were not privileged to see and hear, but because their hearts were full of
iniquity and abominations; "as your fathers did, so do ye." The
prophet, foreseeing that they would thus harden their hearts, plainly declared
it; and herein is the condemnation of the world; that light hath come into the
world. And men choose darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.
This is so plainly taught by the Savior, that a wayfaring man need not mistake
it.2
Parables of the Kingdom
The Gospel of Mark tells us that
those who came to him after he had given the first parable were "the twelve,
and they that believed in him, they that were about him with the
twelve, asked of him the parable" (Mark 4:9 JST).3 The Gospel of Luke tells us why he didn't give the interpretation to the
multitude: "And he said, Unto you [the twelve] it is given to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they
might not see, and hearing they might not understand" (Luke 8:10). This
reason is further clarified by the Prophet Joseph Smith's comments above.
Regarding
the eight parables, the Prophet Joseph Smith remarked: "I shall now
proceed to make some remarks from the sayings of the Savior, recorded in the
13th chapter of His Gospel according to St. Matthew, which, in my mind,
afforded us as clear an understanding upon the important subject of the
gathering, as anything recorded in the Bible." 4
The Parable of the Sower—the Earthly Ministry of Jesus Christ and His
Apostles
The Savior gave the interpretation of this parable to the
twelve and those who believed. The quotations of Joseph Smith, given below, are
evidence of what God revealed to him as he spoke (see D&C 24:6 above). The
JST verses are often numbered differently than the KJV.
3 Behold, a sower went forth to sow,
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and
the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they
had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up; and when the sun was up, they
were scorched,because they had no deepness of earth [the KJV reverses
the sequence]; and because they had no root, they withered away.
6 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns
sprung up and choked them.
7 But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit; some
an hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, and some thirty-fold. Who hath
ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:3–7 JST; 13:3–9 KJV)
The Savior's interpretation of the parable to the twelve and
those who believed follows:
17Hear ye
therefore the parable of the sower.
18 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it deleted
from KJV] not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which
was sown in his heart; this is he who received seed by the wayside.
19 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is
he that heareth the word and readily with joy receiveth it,
yet he
hath not root in himself, and endureth but for
a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth
because of the word, by and by he is offended.
20 He also who received seed among the
thorns, is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word,
and he becometh unfruitful.
21 But he that received seed into the good ground, is he
that heareth the word and understandeth and endureth [it deleted from KJV]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth,
some an hundred-fold, some sixty, and some thirty. (Matthew
13:17–21 JST; 13:18–23 KJV)
The Gospel of Mark prefaces the above record of Matthew with
a question that suggests this parable is the key to those that will follow. "And
he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all
parables?" (Mark 4:13). Whether the question refers to the parables that
he will give in this setting or in future times is not clear, but for this
setting it supports the sequential nature of the parables of the kingdom given
at this time.
The Gospel of Luke identifies the seed that is sown as the "word
of God" (Luke 8:11). This identification reminds us of the vision of the
tree of life given to Lehi in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 8). I will not
discuss it here, but the message in the two accounts is definitely parallel.
The Prophet Joseph gave us this interpretation of the
parable of the sower.
And again—hear ye the parable of the sower. Men are
in the habit, when the truth is exhibited by the servants of God, of saying.
All is mystery; they have spoken in parables, and, therefore are not to be
understood. It is true they have eyes to see, and see not, but none are so
blind as those who will not see; and, although the Savior spoke this to such
characters, yet unto His disciples he expounded it plainly; and we have reason
to be truly humble before the God of our fathers, that He hath left these
things on record for us, so plain, that notwithstanding the exertions and
combined influence of the priests of Baal, they have not power to blind our
eyes, and darken our understanding, if we will but open our eyes, and read with
candor, for a moment.
But listen to the
explanation of the parable of the Sower [quotes Matthew 13:19 KJV; see
v. 18 JST above]. Now mark the expression—that which was sown in his
heart. This is he which receiveth seed by the
wayside. Men who have no
principle of righteousness in themselves, and whose hearts are full of
iniquity, and have no desire for the principles of truth, do not understand the
word of truth when they hear it. The devil taketh away the word of truth out of
their hearts, because there is no desire for righteousness in them [quotes
Matthew 13:20–23 KJV; see vv. 19–21 JST above]. Thus the Savior
Himself explains unto His disciples the parable which He put forth, and
left no mystery or darkness upon the minds of those who firmly believe on His
words.
We draw the conclusion, then, that the very reason why the
multitude, or the world, as they were designated by the Savior, did not receive
an explanation upon His parables, was because of unbelief. To you, He says
(speaking to His disciples) it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of
God. And why? Because of the faith and confidence they had in Him. This parable
was spoken to demonstrate the effects that are produced by the preaching of the
word; and we believe that it has an allusion directly, to the commencement, or
the setting up of the Kingdom in that age; therefore we shall continue to trace
His sayings concerning this Kingdom from that time forth, even unto the end of
the world.5
The eight parables thus begin with the preaching of the
gospel during the ministry of Christ upon the earth.
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares—the Apostasy
22 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field;
23 But while he slept, his enemy came and
sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
24 But when the blade [was deleted from KJV] sprung up,
and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
25 So the servants of the house-holder came and said unto
him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? [from deleted
from KJV] whence then hath it tares?
26 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.
27 And the servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we
go and gather them up?
28 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye
root up also the wheat with them.
29 Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the time
of harvest, I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the wheat into
my barn; and the tares are bound in bundles to be burned. (Matthew
13:22–29 JST; the KJV reverses the sequence)
The Gospel of Mark gives an abbreviated version of the above
parable (Mark 4:26–29), which some believe is a separate parable. Since
Joseph Smith commented only on the Matthew account, I will not consider the
Mark text. There is no account in Luke.
Jesus interpreted this second parable to his disciples,
after he had "sent the multitude away, and went into the house"
(Matthew 13:36).
36 He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man.
37 The field is the world; the good seed are the children
of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked [one deleted from KJV].
38 The enemy that sowed them is the devil.
39 The harvest is the end of the world, or the destruction
of the wicked [and deleted from KJV, and JST vv. 38–40 is one
verse in KJV].
40 The reapers are the angels, or the messengers sent of
heaven.
41 As, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the
fire, so shall it be in the end of this world, or the destruction of the
wicked.
42 For in that day, before the Son of man shall come,
he shall send forth his angels and messengers of heaven.
43 And they shall gather out of his kingdom all things
that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them [into a
furnace of fire deleted from KJV] out among the wicked; and there
shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
44 For the world shall be burned with fire.
45 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the
kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew
13:36–45 JST)
The Lord revealed a similar interpretation in December 1832,
as the Prophet Joseph "was reviewing and editing the manuscript of the
translation of the Bible" (D&C 86, section heading).
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants,
concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares:
2 Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the
apostles were the sowers of the seed;
3 And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor
of the church, the apostate, the whore,
even Babylon, that maketh all
nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to
reign—behold he soweth the tares;
wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the
wilderness.
4 But behold, in the last days, even now while
the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up
and is yet tender—
5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the
Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;
6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares
while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy
the wheat also.
7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until
the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among
the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are
bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned. (D&C 86:1–7)
The KJV and the JST identify the sower of the good seed as
the Son of man (Matthew 13:37 KJV; 13:36 JST), but the Doctrine and Covenants
states that the apostles were the sowers of the seed (D&C 86:2). This is not
a contradiction. Jesus began the sowing of the word of God, but after his
resurrection, the apostles were commanded to "teach all nations"
(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15).
The devil sowing the tares, which looked like wheat but were
actually weeds, resulted in what is called the apostasy (Matthew 13:37–38
JST). The Doctrine and Covenants revelation describes how the apostasy did "drive
the church into the wilderness" after the apostles had "fallen asleep"
or had been killed or died (86:3; see Revelation 12:1–7 JST).
The Prophet Joseph gave this inspired interpretation:
Now we learn by this parable, not only the setting up of
the Kingdom in the days of the Savior, which is represented by the good seed, which
produced fruit, but also the corruptions of the Church, which are
represented by the tares, which were sown by the enemy, which His
disciples would fain have plucked up, or cleansed the Church of, if their views
had been favored by the Savior. But He, knowing all things, says, Not so. As
much as to say, your views are not correct, the Church is in its infancy, and
if you take this rash step, you will destroy the wheat, or the Church, with the
tares; therefore it is better to let them grow together until the harvest, or
the end of the world, which means the destruction of the wicked, which
is not yet fulfilled, as we shall show hereafter, in the Savior's explanation
of the parable, which is so plain that there is no room left for dubiety upon
the mind, notwithstanding the cry of the priests—"parables, parables!
figures, figures! mystery, mystery! all is mystery!" But we will find no
room for doubt here, as the parables were all plainly elucidated.6
That the time of the fulfillment of this parable extended to
the latter days was confirmed by the Lord in Section 101 of the Doctrine and
Covenants, given to the Prophet Joseph Smith on 16 December 1833, when "the
saints who had gathered in Missouri were suffering great persecution"
(section heading).
63 Again, verily I say unto you, I will show unto you
wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a
right and proper way for their salvation—
64 That the work of the gathering together of my
saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time
of harvest is come, and my
word must needs be fulfilled.
65 Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to
the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat
may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be
crowned with celestial glory,
when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as
his work shall be;
66 While the tares shall be bound in
bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable
fire.
67 Therefore, a commandment I give unto all the churches,
that they shall continue to gather together unto the places which I have
appointed [stakes].
68 Nevertheless, as I have said unto you in a former
commandment, let not your gathering be in haste, nor by flight; but let all things be prepared before you. (D&C
101:63–68)
After reading Matthew 13:33–38 (13:32–37 JST),
the Prophet Joseph Smith inserted the following comments: "Now let our
readers mark the expression—'the field is the world, the tares are the
children of the wicked one, the enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest
is the end of the world, (let them carefully mark this expression—the end
of the world) and the reapers are the angels.' " 7 The Prophet Joseph then gave additional comments on the destruction of the
tares (wicked) and the gathering of the wheat (members) in the last days.
Now men cannot have any possible grounds to say that this
is figurative, or that it does not mean what it says: for He is now explaining
what He had previously spoken in parables; and according to this language, the end of the
world is the destruction of the wicked, the harvest and the end of the world
have an allusion directly to the human family in the last days, instead
of the earth, as many have imagined; and that which shall precede the coming of the
Son of Man, and the restitution of all things spoken of by the mouth of all the
holy prophets since the world began;and the angels are
to have something to do in this great work, for they are the reapers. As,
therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the
end of the world; that is, as the servants of God go forth warning the nations, both
priests and people, and as they harden their hearts and reject the light of
truth, these first being delivered over to the buffeting of Satan, and the law
and the testimony being closed up, as it was in the case of the Jews, they are left
in darkness, and delivered over unto the day of burning;thus
being bound up by their creeds, and their bands being made strong by their
priests, are prepared for the fulfilment of the saying of the
Savior—[quotes Matthew 13:41–42 KJV; 13:42–43 JST]. We
understand that the work of gathering together of the wheat into barns, or
garners, is to take place while the tares are to be bound over, and preparing
for the day of burning;that after the day of burnings,
the righteous shall shine forth like the sun, in the Kingdom of their Father.
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.8
On a later occasion, 2 July 1839, the Prophet
Joseph quoted Matthew 13:41 (13:42 JST) concerning angels coming down: "All
these authoritative characters will come down and join hand in hand in bringing
about this work." 9
The second event, given in Jesus's parables of the kingdom
(Matthew 13), is the apostasy from the true teachings of Jesus Christ given
during his ministry on the earth. The influence of the apostasy will continue
on through the time of the foretold restoration of the gospel in the latter
days.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed—the Book of Mormon; Angels Restore
Keys
30 And another parable put he forth unto them, saying,
The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and
sowed in his field;
31 Which indeed is the least of all seeds, but when it is
grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds
of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. (Matthew 13:30–31 JST;
13:31–32 KJV)
The parable of the mustard seed is also recorded in the Gospels
of both Mark and Luke. I will comment just on Mark's text, but will first
acknowledge how Matthew's text was interpreted by the Prophet Joseph.
And again, another parable put He forth unto them, having
an allusion to the Kingdom that should be set up, just previous to or at the time of
the harvest [quotes Matthew 13:31–32 KJV; 13:30–31 JST].
Now we can discover plainly that this figure is given to represent the
Church as it shall come forth in the last days. Behold, the Kingdom
of Heaven is likened unto it. Now, what is like unto it?
Let us take the Book of Mormon, which a man took and hid
in his field, securing it by his faith, to spring up in the last days,
or in due time; let us behold it coming forth out of the ground, which is
indeed accounted the least of all seeds, but behold it branching
forth, yea, even towering, with lofty branches, and God-like majesty, until it,
like the mustard seed, becomes the greatest of all herbs. And it is truth,
and it has sprouted and come forth out of the earth, and righteousness begins
to look down from heaven,10 and God is
sending down His powers, gifts and angels, to lodge in the branches thereof.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a mustard seed. Behold,
then is not this the Kingdom of Heaven that is raising its head in the last
days in the majesty of its God, even the Church of the Latter-day Saints, like
an impenetrable, immovable rock in the midst of the mighty deep, exposed to the
storms and tempests of Satan, but has, thus far, remained steadfast, and is
still braving the mountain waves of opposition, which are driven by the
tempestuous winds of sinking crafts, which have [dashed] and are still dashing
with tremendous foam across its triumphant brow; urged onward with redoubled
fury by the enemy of righteousness, with his pitchfork of lies.11
The Gospel of Mark describes the "grain of mustard
seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be
in the earth" (Mark 4:31). There were many records kept by the Nephites
and Jaredites who lived upon the American continent. Mormon, a prophet of the
Lord there, abridged these many records upon the plates from which Joseph Smith
translated the Book of Mormon (see D&C 17:6; 24:1). Mormon repeatedly
states that he could not "write a hundredth part of the things of my people"
(Words of Mormon 1:5; see Helaman 3:14; 3 Nephi 5:8; 26:6). Nephi, Jacob,
and Moroni, the other major contributors to the Book of Mormon, make similar
statements (see 1 Nephi 9:3–4; 19:3–4; Jacob 3:13; Ether
15:33). Certainly these statements of the Nephite writers verify Mark's
description of the mustard seed symbolizing "less than all the seeds that
be in the earth."
The third parable of the kingdom is that of the mustard seed
(Book of Mormon) being brought from the earth, its being translated by the gift
and power of God, its growing into a tree (the establishment of the Church of
Jesus Christ in the last days), and the many angels who came and restored their
keys and powers and the gifts of God again upon the earth.
The Parable of the Three Measures of Meal—Three Witnesses of the Book
of Mormon
32 Another parable spake he unto them, The kingdom of
heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of
meal, till the whole was leavened.
33 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitudes in
parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them,
34 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophets, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which
have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.12 (Matthew 13:32–34 JST; 13:33–35 KJV)
The Prophet Joseph explained: "It
may be understood that the Church of the Latter-day Saints has taken its rise
from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this
is like the parable! It is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the
whole." 13 The Prophet's interpretation is certainly one that is not even considered in
the Christian world, but remember the Lord's promise to give him the words by
the Comforter at "the very moment what thou shalt speak or write" as
he expounded the scriptures to the church (D&C 24:5–6). This
interpretation is consistent with both the New and the Old Testament teachings:
"But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that
in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established"
(Matthew 18:16; see Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). As identified previously, the
woman is symbolic of the church of God (see Revelation 12:1–7 JST).
The fourth parable of the kingdom foretells "The
Testimony of Three Witnesses," which is given in the front of each copy of
the Book of Mormon (see D&C 17).
The Parable of a Treasure Hid in a Field—the Gathering of the Saints
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure
hid in a field [the which deleted from KJV]. And when a man hath found a treasure which is hid, he [hideth deleted KJV] secureth it, and, straightway, for joy thereof,
goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:46 JST;
13:44 KJV)
The Prophet Joseph Smith's interpretation was: "But to
illustrate more clearly this gathering [of the wheat]: We have another
parable—[quotes Matthew 13:44 KJV]. The Saints work after this pattern.
See the Church of the Latter-day Saints, selling all that they have, and
gathering themselves together unto a place that they may purchase for an
inheritance, that they may be together and bear each other's afflictions in the
day of calamity." 14 The fulfillment of this parable was the Saints gathering to New York, Kirtland,
Missouri, Nauvoo, and finally Utah. After these gatherings, while the
headquarters of the church remained in Salt Lake City, Utah, the converts
continued to gather together in whatever area or location they were living.
The fifth parable of the kingdom portrays the Saints gathering
together in groups or units throughout the world.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price—Stakes Surround Zion
And again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman,
seeking goodly pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:47 JST; 13:45–46
KJV)
The interpretation of this parable by the Prophet Joseph
Smith was: "The Saints again work after this example. See men traveling to
find places for Zion and her stakes or remnants, who, when they find the place
for Zion, or the pearl of great price, straightway sell that they have, and buy
it." 15 Although this parable may seem similar to the previous one, it is different.
The place "for Zion" was revealed to Joseph on 20 July 1831,
while the Saints were gathering to Missouri.
1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your
God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in
this land, which is the land of Missouri,
which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.
2 Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion.
3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive
wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is
the center place; and a spot
for the temple is lying
westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse. (D&C
57:1–3)
The Saints attempted to establish the city of Zion during
the next three years, but failed. The Lord described it this way:
3 they have not learned to be obedient to the things
which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance,
as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
4 And are not united according to the
union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
9 Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my
people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season
for the redemption of Zion—
10 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my
people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which
I require at their hands.
11 And this cannot be brought to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on
high. (D&C 105:3–4, 9–11)
"The places for Zion" mentioned in Joseph Smith's
interpretation of the parable were the stakes of Zion that were to be built up
and surround the city of Zion. Other requirements to precede the building of
the city of Zion were revealed in the remainder of the revelation quoted above
(D&C 105). But Zion will be built:
17 Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are
scattered.
18 They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return,
and come to their inheritances,
they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion—
19 And all these things that the prophets might be fulfilled.
20 And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that
which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than
that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints.
(D&C 101:17–20)
The sixth parable of the kingdom predicts the building up of
the stakes of Zion to surround the city of Zion, and then those Saints
designated by revelation selling all that they had and returning to build up
the temple and the city of Zion.16
The Parable of the Net—the Cleansing of the Church
48 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that
was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind, which, when it was full,
they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast
the bad away.
49 So shall it be at the end of the world.
50 And the world is the children of the wicked.
51 The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from
among the just, and shall cast them out into the [furnace of fire deleted
from KJV] world
to be burned. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew
13:48–51 JST; 13:47–50 KJV)
After quoting the above verses, the Prophet Joseph
explained:
For the work of this pattern, behold the seed of Joseph,
spreading forth the Gospel net upon the face of the earth, gathering of every
kind, that the good may be saved in vessels prepared for that purpose, and the
angels will take care of the bad. So shall it be at the end of the
world—the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the
just, and cast them into the furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and
gnashing of teeth.17
The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio,
23 July 1837:
23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the
earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.
24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily
upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day
of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and
of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the
earth, saith the Lord.
25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house
shall it go forth, saith the Lord;
26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in
the midst of my house, saith the Lord. (D&C 112:23–26)
Thus the end of the world, in the last days, will begin
with the cleansing of the church. There will be wicked people among the members
who have gathered, and they will be cast out of the church and burned among the
wicked.
The fulfillment of the seventh parable of the kingdom will
be the cleansing of the church before the wicked are burned at Christ's coming.
The Parable of the Householder—the Dispensation of
the Fulness of Times
52 Then Jesus said [saith in KJV] unto them,
Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
53 Then said he unto them, [Therefore deleted
from KJV] Every scribe [which is deleted from KJV] well instructed [unto deleted from KJV] in the things of the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a
[man
that is an deleted from KJV] householder; a man, therefore, which
bringeth forth out of his treasure [things deleted from KJV] that which
is new and old.
54 And it came to pass, [that deleted from KJV] when Jesus
had finished these parables, he departed thence. (Matthew 13:52–54 JST;
13:51–52 KJV)
The JST rewording of "well instructed in the things of the kingdom" (v. 53, emphasis added) differentiates between all who are
instructed and those who are well instructed. It also distinguishes between
worldly learning and the things learned of God. The mercy and justice of God
are again illustrated.
Lastly, Joseph interpreted the
eighth parable in his letter:
For the works of this example, see the Book of Mormon
coming forth out of the treasure of the heart. Also the covenants given to
the Latter-day Saints, also the translation of the Bible—thus bringing
forth out of the heart things new and old, thus answering to three measures of
meal undergoing the purifying touch by a revelation of Jesus Christ, and
the ministering of angels, who have already commenced this work in the last
days, which will answer to the leaven which leavened the whole lump. Amen.18
Joseph commented on verse 52: "And we say, yea, Lord;
and well might they say, yea, Lord; for these things are so plain and so
glorious, that every Saint in the last days must respond with a hearty Amen to
them." 19
Finally, the last of the eight parables of the kingdom
foretells the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, as
prophesied by the apostle Paul: "That in the dispensation of the
fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Ephesians
1:10).
An understanding and acceptance of Joseph Smith's interpretation
of these eight parables should bring a "hearty Amen" from the readers
of these parables. The Prophet Joseph Smith was blessed as he expounded on the
parables of the kingdom of heaven.
Monte S. Nyman is emeritus professor of ancient scripture at
Brigham Young University.
1. I will use the version found in Teachings of
the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith (Salt Lake
City: Deseret Book, 1974), hereafter cited as TPJS. The letter appeared
previously in History of the Church, 2:264–72.
12. The quotation is from Psalm 78:2: "I
will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old," which
is undoubtedly a poor translation, the Matthew quotation being correct. The
Psalmist is probably quoting another prophet, which was the usual procedure in
the Psalms.
16. For a more complete analysis of the
building of Zion and her stakes, see Monte S. Nyman, "When Will Zion Be
Redeemed?" in The Doctrine and Covenants: A Book of Answers (Salt
Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996), 137–53. | eng | 075cdfcb-8bc8-45ee-86a7-a438af9969e2 | http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=148&chapid=1605 |
... US6326615 - Rapid response mass spectrometer system
to dissociate for more detailed analysis. This system includes a dual ionization configuration to cover broad and disparate classes of compounds. A glow discharge source is used to attach electrons to molecules with high electrons affinity. A photoionization source is used to detach electrons from molecules with low ionization potentials.
Bilder(9)
Ansprüche
What is claimed is:
1. A monitor that can detect at least one trace molecule within a gas sample, comprising:
a glow discharge ionizer which can ionize the trace molecule, said glow discharge ionizer operating at a pressure significantly less than atmospheric pressure;
an ion trap which traps the ionized trace molecule; and,
a time of flight analyzer that is coupled to said ion trap and which can detect the ionized trace molecule.
2. The monitor of claim 1, wherein said ion trap applies a voltage that has a frequency to the ionized trace molecule, wherein the voltage frequency can be varied to selectively eject the ionized trace molecule into the time of flight analyzer.
3. The monitor of claim 1, further comprising a pump system that pulls air from a location upstream from said glow discharge ionizer, a location upstream from said ion trap and a location upstream from said time of flight analyzer.
4. The monitor of claim 1, further comprising a photoionizer that can ionize a trace molecule.
5. The monitor of claim 4, further comprising an ion trap which traps the trace molecule ionized by said photoionizer.
6. The monitor of claim 5, wherein said ion trap applies a voltage to the ionized trace molecule, wherein the voltage can be varied to selectively eject the ionized trace molecule into said time of flight analyzer.
7. A monitor that can detect a first trace molecule and a second trace molecule within a gas sample, comprising:
a glow discharge ionizer which can ionize the first trace molecule;
a glow discharge mass detector that is coupled to said glow discharge ionizer and which can detect the ionized first trace molecule;
a photoionizer which can ionize the second trace molecule; and
a photoionizer mass detector that is coupled to said photoionizer and which can detect the ionized second trace molecule.
8. The monitor of claim 7, further comprising a glow discharge ion trap that traps the ionized first trace molecule, and a photoionizer ion trap that traps the ionized second trace molecule.
9. The monitor of claim 8, wherein said glow discharge ion trap and said photoionizer ion trap each apply a voltage to the ionized first and second trace molecules, respectively, wherein the voltage can be varied to selectively eject the ionized first and second trace molecules into said mass detectors.
10. The monitor of claim 8, wherein said time of flight analyzer includes a coaxial detector.
11. The monitor of claim 7, wherein said glow discharge mass detector and said photoionizer mass detector each include a time of flight mass analyzer.
12. The monitor of claim 7, further comprising a pump that pumps out a non-ionized trace molecule.
13. A monitor that can detect a first trace molecule and a second trace molecule within a gas sample, comprising:
a glow discharge ionizer which can ionize the first trace molecule;
a photoionizer which can ionize the second trace molecule; and
a mass detector that is coupled to said glow discharge ionizer and said photoionizer and which can detect the ionized first and second trace molecules.
14. The monitor of claim 13, further comprising a glow discharge ion trap that traps the ionized first trace molecule, and a photoionizer ion trap that traps the ionized second trace molecule.
15. The monitor of claim 14, wherein said glow discharge ion trap and said photoionizer ion trap each apply a voltage to the ionized first and second trace molecules, respectively, wherein the voltage can be varied to selectively eject the first and second ionized trace molecules into said mass detector.
16. The monitor of claim 13, wherein said mass detector includes a time of flight mass analyzer.
17. The monitor of claim 13, further comprising a pump that pumps out a non-ionized trace molecule.
Beschreibung
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mass spectrometer which has a glow discharge ionizer and a photoionizer that are coupled to a mass detector(s) by quadrupole ion traps.
2. Background Information
Terrorists have been known to use explosives to hijack commercial aircraft. For this reason, there has been a desire to provide an explosive detection system that can be operated "on-site" at an airport terminal. An on-site detection system must be capable of detecting extremely low concentrations of an explosive(s) material in a relatively fast time frame to minimize the time delays in air travel for the passengers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,431 issued to Linker et al. and assigned to Sandia Corporation ("Sandia") discloses a preconcentrator system that generates a flow of air to dislodge explosive material from a passenger. The dislodged explosive material is captured by a screen of the system. The air flow across the passenger is temporarily terminated to allow the captured explosive material to be removed from the screen by a secondary flow of air. The explosive material removed from the screen is directed into a particle detector. The preconcentrator disclosed in the Sandia patent increases the concentration of explosive material provided to the detector.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,628 issued to McLuckey et al. ("McLuckey") discloses a mass detection system that can detect relatively low concentrations of a trace molecule(s). McLuckey utilizes a glow discharge ionizer which ionizes an "atmospheric" sample. Providing an air sample at atmospheric pressures increases the density of the sample and the number of ionized molecules. Increasing the number of ions improves the sensitivity of the detector.
The glow discharge ionizer includes a pair of electrodes separated by a chamber. A voltage potential is created between the electrodes to induce a glow discharge which ionizes a gas sample within the chamber. The glow discharge ionizer of McLuckey is coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer that can detect a trace molecule such as an explosive material.
The quadrupole mass spectrometer includes a scanning circuit which provides a continuously varying voltage field across the poles of the spectrometer. The continuously varying voltage field sequentially ejects ionized molecules from the quadrupole to a detector. The excitation circuit and detector can be coupled to a computer which correlates detected molecules with the excitation voltage. Explosive materials will provide detection at a predetermined voltage(s). The computer can correlate detection with an explosive material and inform an operator that an explosive has been detected.
Quadrupole mass spectrometers are relatively slow because of the time required to vary the excitation voltage to sequentially eject the ionized trace molecules. The prior art does include time of flight mass spectrometers, which simultaneously accelerate all of the ionized molecules toward a detector and then detect the different times when the molecules arrive. The mass of the molecules varies with the different arrival times. Time of flight mass spectrometers are not effective when used with a continuous ionization source such as a glow discharge ionizer. It would be desirable to provide a monitor that can quickly detect trace molecules in relatively low concentrations.
Glow discharge ionizers are efficient in ionizing molecules with high electron affinity but are not generally effective for molecules with low ionization potentials, which generally have low electron affinity. It would also be desirable to provide a monitor that can quickly detect a variety of different trace molecules in relatively low concentrations. For example, it would be desirable to provide an on-site airport terminal detector that can detect explosives as well as other threats and contraband such as chemical weapons and drugs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes an embodiment of a monitor for detecting a trace molecule from a gas sample. The monitor may include a glow discharge ionizer and a threshold photoionizer, which can ionize a trace molecule from the gas sample. The ionized trace molecule is trapped within a quadrupole ion trap. The quadrupole ion trap is coupled to a mass detector which can detect the ionized trace molecule.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a monitor of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of the monitor;
FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the complementary function of photoionization and discharge ionization
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of the monitor;
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation showing fluid flow through the monitor;
FIG. 6 is a graph which shows signal levels as a function of residence time to show the potential to achieve high dynamic range;
FIG. 7 is a graph which shows reduced ion-molecule association in a quadrupole ion trap using air sampling as measured by ion trap residence time;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the ion collection and ion scan periods for operation by a QIT/TOFMS and an ITMS.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a monitor 100 of the present invention. The monitor 100 is typically used to measure trace molecular constituents from a direct air sample, a sample collector, a preconcentrator, a process line, or from other sources. For purposes of discussion, trace molecular constituents could include small quantities of explosives or chemical agents or other threat compounds, or any other molecules that are to be monitored. The monitor 100 is contained in a vacuum housing that has a pumping device and other standard vacuum components.
The monitor 100 may include a glow discharge ionizer 102 that can receive a gas sample. The glow discharge ionizer 102 may include a first electrode 104 and a second electrode 106 that are separated by a chamber 108. The gas sample may enter the chamber 108 through an aperture 110 in the first electrode 104 and exit the chamber 108 through an aperture 112 in the second electrode 106. The electrodes 104 and 106 may be connected to an electrical circuit(s) (not shown). The electrical circuit may generate a voltage potential between the electrodes 104 and 106 which creates a glow discharge that ionizes trace molecules within the chamber 108.
By way of example, the space between the electrodes 104 and 106 may be approximately about 2 cm, but can be other dimensions. Typically the voltages of electrodes 104 and 106 are about −350 V and 0 V, respectively. The glow discharge ionizer 102 may be similar to the ionizer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,628 issued to McLuckey et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The ionizer 102 may include a port 114 that is in fluid communication with a pump 116. The pump 116 may be used to pump out the ionization chamber in order to keep the residence time of the sample to a minimum, which improves detection time response, and to handle relatively large sample volumes. The ionizer 102 can also operate with the port 114 sealed, in which case, the residence time in the ionization volume is dictated by the flow through aperture 112. Ions may exit the aperture 112 along with the neutral gas. The ions can be drawn through the aperture 112 by the potential field across the electrodes 104 and 106. This invention also allows for focusing elements in the ionizer 102 to increase the yield of ions that exit aperture 112.
The ions that exit the aperture 112 may be steered into a quadrupole ion trap 118 by electrostatic focusing elements 120. The quadrupole ion trap 118 may trap ions created within the ionizer 102. The quadrupole ion trap 118 may include a ring electrode 122 that is separated from a pair of endcap electrodes 124 and 126 by dielectric material 127. The elements 120 and endcap 124 may function as an einsel lens. Typically, the first and last element of the einsel lens (the first element of 120 and electrode 124) can be biased at the same voltage, such as ground potential, and the middle element (the second element of 120) is biased at a different potential. Alternatively, the lenses can have progressively decreasing potential to accelerate the ions. Other focusing elements have been tested and may include multipole ion guides, such as quadrupole, hexapole, or octapole ion guides. The device can also operate without focusing elements, by relying on the ion velocities through the aperture 112 to carry them to the ion trap 118 or by applying a potential difference from electrodes 106 and 124 to accelerate the ions toward the ion trap 118. The elements 120 and electrodes 122, 124 and 126 may be connected to an electrical circuit(s) 128.
The ions enter the quadrupole ion trap 118 through an aperture 129 in the entrance electrode 122 and are stabilized and stored within the trap 118 by the application of an alternating current to the ring electrode 126 in a manner known in the art. The endcaps 122 and 124 are usually held at a constant voltage, such as ground potential, however, auxiliary oscillating current may be applied. The range of ion masses that are stored efficiently depends on the frequency and amplitude of the current applied to the ring electrode, it is typically of radio frequency (such as 1 MHz) and a few hundred to a few thousand volts peak to peak, but can have other values. The ions may continuously accumulate within the trap 118. Waveforms can be applied to one or both endcap electrodes 122 and 124 and/or to the ring electrode 126 to excite specific ion masses in the trap 118 in order to eject them from stable orbits, to prevent them from accumulating, or to excite them to more energetic orbits to cause them to dissociate with background gas in order to produce fragment ions of the selected ions. Each ion mass has a distinct resonance condition. Many different ion masses may be excited simultaneously by applying a superposition of many frequencies. The frequency spectrum may be generated by a variety of prior art methods. In this embodiment, the arbitrary waveform is formed by superimposing the sum of individual periodic waveforms corresponding to the frequency and amplitude most suited for exciting each ion mass to the desired effect. In one embodiment this waveform may be applied to the exit endcap 126, although it is to be understood that effective excitation may be achieved by application of the waveform to other electrodes in the ion trap as noted above.
Following accumulation of ions and the optional manipulation of ions consisting of selective ion ejection and selective collision-induced ion dissociation, the remaining ions in the quadrupole ion trap 118 are mass analyzed by ejecting all the ions into a mass detector 130. The mass detector 130 may be a time of flight mass spectrometer. Ion ejection to the mass detector 130 may be accomplished by applying a high voltage pulse to the ion trap exit endcap 126. Alternatively, a high voltage pulse may be applied to the entrance endcap 124 to "push" the ions into the detector 130, or two oppositely-phased pulses may be applied to both endcaps 124 and 126 in a "push-pull" manner to extract ions into the detector 130.
The extracted ions can be accelerated to a higher energy by an acceleration grid 132. The accelerated ion pulse may be focused and collimated by a electrostatic lens assembly 134. This is shown as a three-element einsel lens, however other configurations may be used, such as a two-element assembly. The third element in the einsel lens configuration can make use of the back plate of a detector 136.
The accelerated and collimated ion packet passes through a hole 138 in the coaxial detector 136. A cylinder 139 may be provided in the detector hole 138 to keep a uniform voltage potential for the traversing ions and is electrically isolated from the detector plates themselves (described below). The ions travel through a drift tube 140 under field-free conditions where ions of different mass travel at different speeds and spread out in space. The ions may then reach a reflectron section 142 of the mass detector where they are reversed in direction. This operation acts to focus ions of different initial energies in the usual manner. The ions then travel back toward the front of the detector 136 where they impact and are recorded as a signal in the normal manner. The resulting signal from the detector is measured with electronics that can distinguish the different arrival times of different ion masses as is known in the art. Although a reflectron 142 is shown with a coaxial detector in monitor 100, it is to be understood that the reflectron 142 may also be of an off-axis design, or the mass detector 130 may be of a linear design with the detector plate 136 at the end of the drift tube 140.
FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of a monitor 200 that incorporates a glow discharge ionizier 202 and a photoionizer 204. The glow discharge ionizer 202 may ionize molecules which have a high electron affinity. The photoionizer 204 may be used to detach electrons from molecules which have low ionization potentials.
As shown in FIG. 3 drugs and chemical weapons tend to have a low ionization potential while explosive materials tend to have a high electron affinity. The inclusion of both the photoionizer 204 and the glow discharge ionizer 202 provides a single monitor which can effectively ionize a number of different trace molecules to detect a plurality of substances. Such a monitor would be particularly useful when used to detect both explosives, chemical weapons, and drugs at an airport terminal. Photoionization and glow discharge electron attachment are complementary ionization methods that significantly increase the range of compounds that can be detected in one device.
Referring again to FIG. 2, each ionizer 202 and 204 is connected to a corresponding quadrupole ion trap 206 and 208, respectively, and mass detectors 210. Each detector 210 may include a coaxial detector and focusing lens assembly 214, a reflectron section 216, and other components. The operation of the combined glow discharge ionizer 202, ion trap 206 and mass detector 210 may be similar to the system shown in FIG. 1.
The photoionizer 204, ion trap 208 and detector 210 may function in a manner similar to the glow discharge section of the monitor 200. The photoionizer 204 typically operates in positive ion mode compared to the glow discharge ionizer 202, which typically operates in a negative ion mode. The monitor 200 may include partitions 218 that separates the ion source vacuum region from the mass detector vacuum region and allows each region to be separately pumped and to have different operating pressures.
Many designs are possible for the photoionizer 204. In the embodiment shown, atmospheric air or other gaseous mixture may be allowed to enter the ionizer through a valve, or aperture, and/or a thin tube. The pressure in the photoionizer 204 may be sub-atmosphere, typically being about 1 torr, but can operate from 10−3 torr to greater than 10 torr, even up to atmosphere. Ions that are formed in the photoionizer 204 are extracted through an aperture that leads to the ion trap 208. The ions are steered and accumulated and ejected from the trap 208 and into the detector 212 in a manner similar to the description given for monitor 100 shown in FIG. 1.
The photoionizer may include a light source which emits a light beam which has a wavelength so that photo-energy between 8.0 and 12.0 electron volts (eV) is delivered to the gas sample. Photo-energy between 8.0 and 12.0 is high enough to ionize most trace molecules of interest without creating much molecular fragmentation within the sample. By way of example the light source may be a Nd:YAG laser which emits light at a wavelength of 355 nanometers (nm). The 355 nm light may travel through a frequency tripling cell that generates light at 118 nms. 118 nm light has an energy of 10.5 eV. Such a light source is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,299 issued to Syage, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the light source may include continuous or pulsed discharge lamps which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,432 issued to Driscoll; U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,979 issued to Hsi; U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,931 issued to Spangler et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,594 issued to Zipf, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a monitor 300 which has a glow discharge ionizer 302 and a photoionizer 304 coupled to the same mass detector 306. Each ionizer 302 and 304 can be coupled to the mass detector 306 by a quadrupole ion trap 308 and 310, respectively. The ion traps 308 and 310 can be connected to the ionizers 302 and 304 so that the ions exiting the ionization source directly enter the traps without requiring ion focusing elements. In this and other embodiments, the spacers that seal the ion traps 308 and 310 from the surrounding vacuum chamber, 312 in FIG. 4 and 127 in FIG. 1 may be removed so that the traps 308 and 310 can be pumped out. This may be used very effectively for the directly coupled ionizer/trap configuration to allow increased sample throughput into the traps. The quadrupole ion traps 308 and 310 may have ports 314 or open area that are coupled to a pump (not shown). The ports can be used to pump out the ion traps, or introduce a gas other than the sample gas, such as helium, which has been shown in previous work to effectively cool ions in the traps.
The monitor 300 in FIG. 4 shows an embodiment whereby the ions that exit each trap 308 and 310 enter the same mass detector 306. The mass detector 306 may be a time of flight mass spectrometer which includes a drift tube 316, reflectron 318 and detector plate 320. In order to separate the recorded mass spectrum from each ion source, the ions from each ion trap 308 and 310 can be pulsed into the mass detector 306 at different times. The monitor 300 may have electrostatic steering optics such as a simple deflector 322 for this purpose to steer the ions from the traps 308 and 310 in a direction that will insure detection by plate 320.
If ions of the same charge are detected from each quadrupole ion trap 308 and 310, then the detection follows the prescription described earlier and the operation of the mass detector 306 may operate in a conventional manner. If ions of different charge exit each trap 308 and 310, such as is the case for the glow discharge ionizer 302 in electron attachment, negative ion mode, and the photoionizer 304 in positive ion mode, then the voltages on the drift tube 316, the reflectron segment 318 and the detector 320 must be switched according to the conditions that are appropriate for the charge being detected. Standard electronic methods may be used to achieve switching in the time period after the recording of one mass spectrum and before the extraction of the ions from the other trap 308 or 310.
The monitor 300 may have separate sample inlet ports 324 and 326 for the glow discharge ionizer 302 and photoionizer 304, respectively. In one embodiment, these sample inlets 324 and 326 are connected so that the same sample is split and enters both ionizers 302 and 304. It is also possible to use each ionizer and mass analyzer for separate samples.
The embodiments in FIG. 4 represent a variety of options that may be applied separately or in combination to achieve a variety of configurations tailored for specific applications.
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of sample gas flow partitioning systems for a photoionizer 402 and a glow discharge ionizer 404 that achieve high sample throughput while minimizing the gas load on the vacuum systems. A sample consisting of trace compounds in air or other gases can be delivered to the inlet system of the glow discharge ionizer 404 or the photoionizer 402. A sample may be introduced through tubes 406 which have inlets 408 that are coupled to a pump (not shown) which draws in a sample. Alternatively, the sample may be delivered by exposure to ambient air without a sampling tube, a preconcentrator device such as a momentum impactor device for particles, a mesh, an electrostatic precipitator for particles and vapor, or by other means.
A portion of the air sample flow, constituting the first stage of partitioning enters the ionizers 402 and 404 through an aperture 410 for glow discharge ionizer 402 and through either an aperture or a jet separator 412 for the photoionizer 404. If a jet separator is used then the usual skimmed flow is pumped away along an airstream 414. For the glow discharge ionizier 402, the air entering the ionizer chamber is pumped away along airstream 416. This bypass pumping and the resultant advantages were described earlier when referring to number 114 in FIG. 1. The glow discharge partitioning 414 and the optional photoionizer jet separator partitioning 416 constitute the second stage of flow partitioning.
The third stage of flow partitioning occurs in the regions between the ionizer exit apertures and the quadrupole ion trap entrance apertures of the ion traps 418 and 420, along flow streams 422 and 424, respectively. The traps 418 and 420 may be coupled to mass detectors 426 and 428, respectively. The mass detectors 426 and 428 can be evacuated by flow streams 430 and 432, respectively. Only a small fraction of the neutral background air or gas enters the traps 418 and 420 and hence the final gas load on the mass detectors 426 and 428 is minimized. The requirements for vacuum partitioning denoted by 422 and 430 for the photoionizer section, and 424 and 432 for the glow discharge section can be met by available split-flow or multi-ported turbo-molecular pumps, although other pumps and separate pumping may also be used. An example of operating pressures in the source and mass detector regions is about 10−3 torr and about 10−5 torr, respectively, although these regions can operate at higher or lower pressures. For the embodiment 400 described by FIG. 5, the source and mass detector vacuum sections can be connected, such that a single multi-ported pump 433 and corresponding manifold 434 can be used for the glow discharge source and the dual photoionizer configuration.
The intent for each stage of flow partitioning is to achieve enrichment of the target compounds and ions in the background air or gas. In the sample delivery stage, this may be effected by using a preconcentrator or other device as noted above. In the second stage, a jet separator achieves mass focusing whereby higher molecular weight compounds are enriched along the centerline, which is the portion that enters into the photoionizer 404. A similar effect occurs for the glow discharge ionizer 402 in which higher molecular weight ions may be enriched along the centerline, which is aligned with the exit aperture. The third stage achieves very effective enrichment because the ions exiting the ionizers 402 and 404 can be focused into the traps 418 and 420, whereas the exiting neutral gas disperses and is mostly pumped along 422 and 424.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show results which demonstrate the benefits of the combined quadrupole ion trap/time of flight mass spectrometer ("QIT/TOFMS") vs. an ion trap mass spectrometer ("ITMS")for use with continuous ionization sources such as glow discharge and photoionization. To achieve the highest levels of sensitivity and dynamic range, it is advantageous to use a method of mass analysis that has a high duty cycle for ion collection. The use of a quadrupole ion trap as an interface between a continuous ionization source such as glow discharge and a pulsed mass analyzer such as time of flight mass spectrometer has significant advantages over the use of an ITMS, or an orthogonal extraction time of flight mass spectrometer.
The advantage of ion trap over orthogonal extraction TOFMS is (1) higher ion collection efficiency, and (2) capability to perform specific ion rejection and specific collision-induced dissociation (CID). The QIT/TOFMS mass analyzer and ITMS operate similarly with regard to ion collection, ion rejection and CID. However as noted above, the principal difference is in the method of mass analysis. The ITMS uses mass-selective instability to sequentially scan out ions of increasing mass from the trap, whereas QIT/TOFMS uses a high voltage pulse to inject all the ions into a TOFMS for mass analysis. There are three main advantages of QIT/TOFMS compared to ITMS:
(1) The ion ejection time is significantly less for QIT/TOFMS vs ITMS (about 5-10 microsecond vs 1-100 millisecond, respectively). Because ion collection must be turned off during the mass analysis period, the longer mass analysis period for ITMS limits how the high repetition rate may be set before the duty cycle for ion collection becomes small. Referring to FIG. 8 the detection duty for an ITMS is 1−(t/T) where t is the mass scan out time and T is the time between collection periods. By way of example a 50% duty cycle corresponds to a repetition rate of 10 Hz for a 50 ms mass analysis time and to 50 Hz for a 10 ms analysis time. QIT/TOFMS achieves nearly a 100% ion collection duty cycle up to repetition rates as high as and greater than 1 kHz. Excellent signal linearity is observed in FIG. 6 for collection periods (inverse repetition rate) ranging from 3 ms to 60 ms. If MS/MS is employed, then the duty cycle for ion collection will decrease due to the finite time required to effect CID in the trap. By using air as a carrier gas and operating the trap at relatively high pressures (a few m-torr), we anticipate time periods for sufficient CID to be about 10 ms, based on some preliminary observations. An alternative method to avoid the ion collection "down time" is to use notch filtering whereby a selected set of parent and daughter ion masses is stabilized and the remaining masses destabilized using the appropriate RF waveform. In this case, the parent ions would be excited to induce CID, without fully ejecting them from the trap. Other multiplexed MS/MS routines may be incorporated and benefit from the high repetition rates achievable by QIT/TOFMS.
(2) Mass resolution and mass analysis ejection efficiency is less sensitive to space charge repulsion for QIT/TOFMS than for ITMS allowing a higher ion storage capacity. The ITMS method requires that the Mathieu parameter q for each ion mass be constant for high mass resolution in the RF scan out. Space charge repulsion can broaden the apparent q value and consequently the mass resolution. For QIT/TOFMS a HV pulse out is less sensitive to space charge repulsion for the following reasons: (i) The broadening effects of the energy spread of the ions due to space charge repulsion can be minimized by increasing the drift length and TOF voltage. (ii) Broadening due to the ion energy spread can be refocused using a reflectron TOFMS. Significantly greater QIT ion capacities have been measured by us for QIT/TOFMS than reported by commercial instrument manufacturers for ITMS. A possible limitation on trap capacity may occur when using the selective ion rejection mode for ion collection because severe space charge may broaden the resonance spectrum of each ion mass. However, to the extent that unit mass resolution is not needed for resonance ejection, a higher ion capacity may be used compared to the limit value for ITMS instruments.
(3) Ion mass signals appear within significantly narrower time window for QIT/TOFMS vs ITMS (typically 50-100 nanoseconds vs about 100 microseconds, respectively), leading to potentially better signal-to-noise ratios for the former technique. A given number of ions will produce a larger peak current (or voltage) if they are detected in a shorter period of time. Narrower time bins per unit mass also lead to proportionately better noise immunity since less instrument noise is collected. However, note that chemical noise, defined as signal from ions of the same mass as the analyte, is not reduced by using narrower time bins.
The potential for operating at higher repetition rates by QIT/TOFMS vs. ITMS also offers the potential for higher detection dynamic range by the former method. The repetition rate enables control over the maximum number of ions that accumulate in the trap. Too many ions in the QIT can lead to spectral broadening and other known undesirable effects. By increasing the maximum repetition rate, the range of detectable ions per unit time is increased proportionately. This feature in addition to the greater number of ions that may be stored in the QIT using TOFMS analysis vs. mass-selective instability scanning as described earlier, leads to a potential improvement in dynamic range of about 1-2 orders of magnitude for QIT/TOFMS vs ITMS.
FIG. 7 shows QIT/TOFMS mass spectral intensities recorded for repetition rates ranging from 17 Hz to 304 Hz (residence time of 59 and 3 ms, respectively) for a sample of 5 ppm DIMP (180 molecular weight) and 9 ppm DMMP (124 molecular weight) in room air. Excellent linearity is observed over this range for all signals (97 and 139 amu are fragments of DIMP parent ion at 180 amu; DMMP is observed as a protonated ion at 125 amu, and ion clustering is observed at 249 and 263 amu). Ion molecule reactions, such as clustering and dissociation can occur in the QIT, which may be undesirable for certain applications. The extent of reaction can be tested by varying the residence or reaction time in the QIT. FIG. 7 shows the ratio of the DIMP fragment ions at 97 and 139 amu relative to the parent ion at 180 amu. These ratios show a slight dependence, however for the typical condition of 40 Hz (25 ms residence time), the extent of reaction is not significant. The effect of ion-molecule association (clustering) is also not significant in the QIT as measured by the ratio of DMMP dimer ion to monomer ion (protonated signal 249 amu/125 amu) and to the DIMP 139 amu fragment and DMMP parent cluster (263 amu/125 amu). The ion clusters have been shown to occur in the PI source and can be minimized by reducing the PI source pressure | eng | 3948fb75-dfff-4bbb-b5d5-99a4b9c328b1 | http://www.google.de/patents/US6326615 |
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so...
Thu Aug 09 14:39:19 BST 2007 by Dan
I had heard that Humans only contribute roughly 4% of all CO2 emissions... but with your 770 Gt from natural sources versus 29.4 Gt from humans ha sopened my eyes to how wrong those right wing websites are... wait... that's still 4%. What was the point of your claim then?
so...
Hi Dan, thanks for your comment. Yes, you're correct that humans only contribute 4% of CO2 emissions, but the thing is, it's a straw-breaking-the-camel's-back situation.So. . .
Fri May 09 06:02:46 BST 2008 by John, Channel Isles
Man contributes 3.6% of CO2 emissions.
I've never seen a straw break a camals back!
Natural CO2 emissions have NEVER in Earths entire 700,00 yea ice-core records, "balanced" the absorbtion of CO2 otherwise CO2 levels would be static for 700,000yrs. There is ALWAYS an imbalance in CO2 levels.
It's got to the stage a NewScientist journalist can't say a single sentance without at least 1 climatic inaccuracy.. Very, very poor!
So. . .
Tue Mar 31 18:57:15 BST 2009 by ian
Balance is a relative term. No dynamic system remains static, but it can form an equilibrium stage; so long as factors stay within a certain range. Climate cycles are a vast dynamic system, and a small change in any number of variables can have profound consequences. Why should the variable of human activity be any different? 3.6% or 4% is not the issue. Also, I have never seen a straw placed on a camel's already heavily laden back, so don't know if it could break it. But, I am willing to at least entertain the notion.
Judging by your overly emotional post, I doubt you are very open to thinking other than you own opinion, but please try to consider the possibilities.
So. . .
Wed May 20 21:13:02 BST 2009 by Ninth
Michael,
What evidence is there that the earth's natural mechanisms can't deal with these higher concentrations of CO2? I was under the impression that the earth has already undergone much higher atmospheric concentrations, especially during periods of warming after the last few glacial periods. Why would the mechanisms work then but not now?
So. . .
Mon Dec 08 10:53:35 GMT 2008 by Joe
Humans make negligable impact on the planets Co2 levels (which do not dictate temperature anyway so it wouldnt matter if we did) Its a money making scare tactic that holds no evidence of being true (at best, the evidence is very wobbly). Why cause such a stir with such weak evidence? To make a quick few quid I suspect.
Take Al Gore for example, he contributes loads of Co2 - but thats ok because he is "offsetting" his Co2 footprint (to the company he owns by the way, so he is paying himself basically as well as making millions of dollars "offsetting" for other companies which makes them look good. It's just another form of tax though)
Anyone who can't see through these scams surely cannot be thinking rationally. The sun changes our climate as well as the earths axis tilt (which is due to change) and nothing else. We are well overdue an ice age anyway going by temperature readings going back millions of years, its on the way but not because of the 4% of Co2 us little humans create. Why do we have such ego that we think we are the be all and end all on this planet. We are little ants when compared to nature yet as long as some prosper from scaring the masses, it will continue. Did anyone notice that when it was proven the earth is getting colder, it changed from "global warming" to "climate change" - all because we were wrong but noone shouted about that did they? If humans stopped producing Co2 right now, totally, it would do nothing whatsoever and maybe in a million years the 4% effect would be noticed, but probably not.
So. . .
Wed Dec 09 01:47:07 GMT 2009 by david
Am viewing these comments...and your reply of the "straw breaking a camels back"..a few months ago..and your reply of "the natural balance is the where we may be" gives me pause!!..yet our output is still less then 4%...and your refernce to volcanic activity not have the impact most feel is a componet of the spike of p.p.m. in the last 60 years or even a 1000 years..you fail to recognize sub terrestrial volcanic activity?
this along with..and the acidification of oceans!!
this is the new battle cry against human activity and its contribution to this new "crisis"..its my understanding that when sulfur dioxide ..(the main emmision of magma.).meets water?..it turns into sulfuric acid!!!...and there is more eruptions taking placd then anyone in the scientific community wants to talk about!!..
so thanks for your site...enjoyed my time here
..what is your take on the idea of the natural CO2 emmisions being less examined then the human factor..!!.
.3550 volcanic events over the last 40,000 yrs have been documented to have taken place, but are less then acknowledged in the this equation?...as well a the role of the sun and it 8000 yr spike in activity!..if time allows view my provided links these
emissions
Fri Aug 17 17:30:13 BST 2007 by j
How can a volcano release negligible emissions in the short term but massive amounts over millions of years?? If it's negligible in the short term - wouldn't it be negligible in the long term as well?? You can't have it both ways. How many human cause events have overshadowed the sun like Mt. St. Hellens did? Answer: Zero. Not even Heroshima and Nagasaki did that. If a human manufacturing plant pumped out a cloud like that, it would be world news, because it's never happened and never will happen. For every scientist that reports that emissions from humans are less than volcanoes, there is a scientist that reports the opposit. People believe what they can see. Also, we have such a short period of actual recorded temperatures that it is impossible to tell of the current rise in temerature is abnormal. Why do scientists insist on causing the public to panic over something that is so insignificant, unproven, untested, and illusive to even themselves? I think we should take care of our environment, but global warming is taking things a bit far. Instead of wasting our time and money on Global warming, lets reduce polution by studying solar energy and making it affordable.
Volcano some time ago
Sat Aug 18 21:59:33 BST 2007 by Dave
Some time ago there`s been a big volcano explosion and it was said, that there`s been pumped much a greater amount of CO2 greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which people produced all in all. What about that?
Volcano Some Time Ago
Thu Sep 13 12:28:11 BST 2007 by Michael Le Page
There is no direct way to measure how much CO2 is released by undersea volcanoes. But there is no reason to think undersea volcanoes are emitting more CO2 now than they have in past epochs. If they were, the oceans would be emitting more CO2 than they soak up.
We can measure how much CO2 is aborbed and released by the oceans overall, and it is clear that the seas are absorbing more than they are releasing - for the moment at least.
Volcano Some Time Ago
Fri May 09 06:14:47 BST 2008 by John, Channel Isles
The oceans are warmer today than they were 800 years ago during the Medieval mini-ice age so they are releasing more CO2 today than they are scrubbing from the atmosphere. That is why current CO2 levels are high, not because of man.
Volcano Some Time Ago
Thu Sep 20 17:14:41 BST 2007 by David Ellard
Undersea volcanoes are a very reasonable suggestion for the source of the majority of increasing atmospheric CO2.
The carbon-13 isotope evidence shows that only up to about 40 Gton of atmospheric carbon is of anthropogenic origin (5%). If we assume that current CO2 levels are 20% greater than pre-industrial (this figure may be wrong), then anthropogenic CO2 only accounts for a quarter of the increase.
Non-anthropogenic biological emissions would probably have a similar 13-carbon profile to anthropogenic ones.
So the most obvious culprit is the world's oceans. How is CO2 accumulating in the world's oceans (and hence the atmosphere)? Well, undersea volcanoes are a pretty good bet. We cannot however be certain (decomposition of seabed CO2 clathrates? changes in oecanic circulation/acidity/temperature?).
ice cores
ice cores
Thu Aug 30 14:17:16 BST 2007 by Michael Le Page
See Ice cores show CO2 rising as temperatures fell - (long URL - click here) . The short answer is that ice cores will certainly show the increase in CO2 but won't provide a very accurate record of the timing of the changes, because it takes decades or centuries for bubbles to be trapped and CO2 levels are now rising extremely fast. Of course, your question assumes that the ice caps won't have melted long before the 50,000 years is up...
Ice Cores
Sat Jun 06 06:57:43 BST 2009 by David S
well 93 percent of co2 is found in oceans so wouldn't increase an in temperature allow for more co2 to be released into the atmosphere? i haven't read a comment that said this so i don't know if this is valid.
Arithmetic?
Sun Aug 26 22:12:33 BST 2007 by Peter
To look at it in a slightly simplistic way: You state plant matter contributes about 220 Gtons of Co2, the oceans about 330 and humans 26.4. 26.4 divided by (220+330) = 0.048 % . And this is a significant amount?? How?
Arithmetic?
Origin of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide
Tue Aug 28 15:10:11 BST 2007 by David Ellard
According to monitoring station data, the levels of atmospheric carbon-13 CO2 in the atmosphere are increasing by 0.02-0.03 per mil per year. The difference between carbon-13 levels in atmospheric CO2 and carbon found in petroleum and organic matter is roughly 18 per mil. That means that the proportion of atmospheric CO2 attributable to anthropogenic sources is rising by 0.1-0.15 per cent per year. This is equivalent to 0.4-0.6 ppmv. But the TOTAL amount of atmospheric CO2 is increasing by about 1.5 ppmv. Conclusion: the majority of the increase in atmospheric CO2 is NOT from anthropogenic sources!
Origin of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide
Thu Aug 30 14:01:55 BST 2007 by Michael Le Page
The carbon dioxide from fossil fuels doesn't just enter the atmosphere and stay there. There's a constant exchange between the atmosphere, oceans and terrestrial biosphere, which your simplistic calculation ignores. Take this into account and it shows fossil fuels ARE the main source of the extra carbon dioxide. For details, see
Origin Of Increasing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Tue Sep 18 21:47:29 BST 2007 by David Ellard
My calculation is perfectly valid. Any rise in CO2 levels which cannot be accounted for by the 13-carbon isotope evidence MUST come from non-anthropogenic sources. The obvious possibility is the world's oceans.
You are quite right to say that the great majority of emitted anthropogenic CO2 has been absorbed by the oceans and biosystem. This is a consequence of the short atmospheric residence time of CO2 (3-5 years). For this reason, CO2 transits the atmosphere. Anthropogenic emissions will not accumulate.
Origin Of Increasing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Thu Oct 25 08:23:14 BST 2007 by David Ellard
The carbon dioxide from fossil fuels doesn't just enter the atmosphere and stay there. There's a constant exchange between the atmosphere, oceans and terrestrial biosphere, which your simplistic calculation ignores.
The carbon-13 isotope evidence tells us what proportion of atmospheric CO2 is of anthropogenic origin because anthropogenic CO2 has a different carbon-13 isotope 'signature' from oceanic CO2.
You are quite right to say that there is a constant exchange of CO2 between atmosphere, oceans and terrestrial biosphere. I hope it is obvious to you that the process of diffusion of CO2 across the ocean/atmosphere boundary layer or the fixation/respiration of CO2 by the biosphere cannot transmute one carbon isotope into another. It's against the laws of science. Therefore it is irrelevant to our method of deducing origin from carbon-13 isotope profile.
stability and CO2 emissions
Tue Aug 28 20:18:40 BST 2007 by T. Kidd
good article; earth must be very stable wrt to CO2 emissions (as evidenced by your article) otherwise we'd be a dead planet. This does not negate the short term effects (over next >1000 yrs) of human emissions
Ice Core Co2 Level Records
Fri Oct 12 22:48:55 BST 2007 by Ben
What can you tell me about the claim that evidence collected from ice-core samples demonstrates that changes in atmospheric CO2 levels historically have lagged behind changes in global temperatures? Do changing CO2 levels affect temperature or is it the other way around?
Ice Core Co2 Level Records
Sat Nov 03 01:26:11 GMT 2007 by Mark
Temperature leads changes in carbon dioxide concentrations by up to 800 years. This fact shows a serious decoupling of the cause-and-effect scenario between CO2 and global temperature change that is so popularly advertised as the case.
Size Of Atmosphere Vs. What We Release
Sun Oct 14 02:09:33 BST 2007 by Willis
Correct me if I did this wrong, but to figure out how significant the CO2 is in our atmosphere I did some calculations. I took the mass of our atmosphere (5,000 trillion metric tons according to NASA) and the mass of the greenhouse gases we released in 2000 (less then 2,000 million metric tons). Here's how the numbers played out.
5,000,000,000,000,000 / 2,000,000,000 = 2,500,000
So now to find the percentage:
100 / 2,500,000 = 0.00004%
Now to find the percentage for the last century I decided to exaggerate the amount of CO2 we released over the last century and assume we released the same amount every year as we did in 2000 (which we didn't even come close to such a thing).
So.............
0.00004% x 100 = 0.004%
This means that the US only accounts for four thousandths of a percent for the earth's atmospheric composition. But hey let's figure this out for the entire world.
Since there are 34 other industrialized nations, let's assume they all release the same amount of greenhouse gases over the last century as the US has (which anyone with common sense knows that's not true).
0.004% x 35 = 0.14%
Now if we as a species can only account for far less then 14 tenths of a percent of the earths atmosphere, then how can we have ANY effect at all on global temperature change?
Size Of Atmosphere Vs. What We Release
First of all, disregarding whether humans are changing the CO2 levels, it's universally accepted that the tiny amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has a large effect on temperature. We actually have to measure CO2 levels in parts per million (the current figure is around 380 ppm); it's a trace gas, in other words. However it's enough to keep the earth's temperature several degrees warmer than it would otherwise be, and is essential for life. So there's nothing inherently weird or unlikely about small amounts of the stuff having a major effect.
On the figures front, human CO2 emissions make up about 4% of the total emissions. Obviously, this doesn't look like a big number. However, it's a straw-breaking-the-camel's-back situation.
BasicallyNow, because we already know that a trace amount of CO2 is enough to warm the planet by several degrees, it's perfectly sensible to extrapolate that and argue that the increased CO2 is going to have a major effect.
Size Of Atmosphere Vs. What We Release
Tue Mar 18 15:50:14 GMT 2008 by Amanda C.
I'm not saying this is wrong (that "it's universally accepted that the tiny amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has a large effect on temperature") but is it ALL greenhouse gases that cause the greenhouse effect and of those greenhouse gases CO2 is a small proportion, mind you the second largest. Water vapour is the largest greenhouse gas. Would it not play a larger role in the greenhouse effect? I sense that it does, in a sense, but the overall trend would be little change in warming due to the forces that naturally remove H20 from the atmosphere (i.e. The hydrological cycle). Both sides (for/against H20 as the important greenhouse gas) have a compelling argument, so I'm wondering what people think about this.
Size Of Atmosphere Vs. What We Release
Tue May 06 04:57:11 BST 2008 by Bernadette
Thank you! Finally someone to mention water vapour. Why are so many people obseesed with CO2? Seeing as water vapour accounts for approximately 95% of the greenhouse effect, and CO2, approximately 3-4%, common sense would suggest that water vapour has a bigger effect on climate change (especially seeing as it varies naturally too).
Another point, when Al Gore-ists (ie alarmists) give figures, why do they just give numbers? Would be nice to see some comparisons between human and non-human emissions in their data. Oh, and maybe it would be nice if they actually went back further in the Earth's history rather than just a fewthousand to hundreds of thousands of years - the Earth is 6 billion years old!
Size Of Atmosphere Vs. What We Release
Thu Nov 08 16:11:11 GMT 2007 by David Ellard
-I'm afraid this statement is completely wrong, for reasons I have pointed out elsewhere but will repeat.
Firstly, one of the main natural mechanisms affecting atmospheric CO2 levels is the exchange of gases between the world's oceans and the atmosphere. This exchange is governed by Henry's Law which states that, in equilibrium, the ratio of gas absorbed by ocean and atmosphere is in a fixed ratio to the existing ratio. Currently there is 50 times as much CO2 dissolved in the oceans as in the atmosphere. This means that, at equilibrium, 98% of any extra CO2 placed in the atmosphere will eventually end up in the oceans.
What do we mean by eventually? This is determined by the timescale for exchange between oceans and atmosphere. This is straightforward to calculate from the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere (750 Gigatonnes carbon equivalent) and the flux across the ocean/atmosphere boundary which is about 150 Gigatonnes/year carbon equivalent. So the timescale is 5 years, which is quite fast.
So, as long as the ocean/atmosphere system remains at equilibrium, the ocean will essentially mop up pretty much all the CO2 which is emitted into the atmosphere by man and his ilk.
Ah, but I hear you say, what if the system DOESN'T remain at equilibrium. In the real world, things never remain at equilibrium. Do not despair, help is at hand. What we can do is calculate what heating of the oceans would be needed to counteract the natural tendency of excess atmospheric CO2 to dissolve in the oceans. A little calculation follows:
The Henry's Law constant, k, for the CO2/water system takes the approximate form k = k0 x exp(-2400 / T) where T is absolute temperature. This means that a 1% change in absolute temperature gives an 8% change in the partition constant at 300K. Or, in other words, 1K changes the constant by 2.5% or so.
To counteract the ocean/atmosphere flux of 150 Gigatonnes/year, we would have to change the Henry's Law constant by 20% per year (because 20% of atmospheric CO2 passes across the ocean/atmosphere interface every year).
This means the oceans would have to heat up by EIGHT DEGREES CENTIGRADE PER YEAR to counteract the natural tendency of the system to dissolve excess atmospheric CO2.
Furthermore, according to this recent post on realclimate (a site run by climate scientists), evidence is accumulating that the oceans are starting to lose their ability to absorb our CO2: (long URL - click here)
This suggests that the model is, sadly, too simple. I really wish it were otherwise, I really do.
Size Of Atmosphere Vs. What We Release
Sun Nov 18 17:24:46 GMT 2007 by David Ellard
Well, at the risk of being accused of doctrinaire adherence to scientific orthodoxy, I think I should point out that Henry's Law really is true. This means that if an observation is made which contradicts the Law, then the observation is wrong (or at least the deduction made from that observation).
However, I think we can quite happily account for rising atmospheric CO2 levels AND respect Henry's Law all at the same time!
In fact we would expect anthropogenic emissions of CO2 to show up in increased atmospheric CO2 for two reasons:
Firstly, CO2 really does accumulate in the atmosphere, it's just that - following on from Henry's Law - only TWO PERCENT of our emissions will end up there rather than in the oceans. If we assume that anthropogenic emissions in the industrial age have so far totalled 300 Gigatonnes carbon equivalent then we would expect to find 6 Gigatonnes of "accumulated" anthropogenic CO2 carbon equivalent in the atmosphere.
Secondly, there is a finite time lag between anthropogenic emission and absorption by the oceans which I calculated in my previous posting to be about five years. If we assume that current anthropogenic emissions are 6 Gigatonnes/yr carbon equivalent, then we would expect to find 30 Gigatonnes of "transiting" anthropogenic CO2 carbon equivalent in the atmosphere.
These two contributions add up to 36 Gigatonnes carbon equivalent, or 5% of total atmospheric CO2. By a miracle, this is exactly the figure from carbon-13 isotope measurements which show that 5% of atmospheric CO2 is of anthropogenic origin!
(Actually, it's no miracle at all as I chose the figures for annual and cumulative anthropogenic CO2 emissions to give the required result. However, the point is that the figures I chose for anthropogenic emissions are rather reasonable).
Size Of Atmosphere Vs. What We Release
Sun Aug 10 06:26:43 BST 2008 by Ryan
"This means that if an observation is made which contradicts the Law, then the observation is wrong (or at least the deduction made from that observation)."
I believe that david is trying to say two things 1) correlation is not causation and 2) that your observations can EASILY be misleading because your sample size is too small. Using simple statistics it is easy to see that observations made over hundreds of thousands of years do not constitute a significant sample of earth's history let alone the decades that you cite in the post above.
I trust Henry's law for the reasons that it is a law. It has been tested, and can be reproduced.
Full Of Crap
Sun Oct 21 12:10:19 BST 2007 by Cole Trickle
Your figures are off by a lot where did you get the info AL Gore or the other guy that went to Cuba. How come you do not talk about oxygen levels? How much has the O2 level dropped in the last 50 years? How about Helium and Hydrogen levels. Lets talk about the geological numbers. You people are like chicken little. I bet you are making money on the deal for al gore to type your lies. You all are picking through the facts to push your political agenda. NOAA is showing funny trends that have been cycling for eons. Who was responsible the last time the poles melted the whales or mammoths? God has a special place for your kind. The real tragedy is going to be that our way opf life is going to end shortly because when Hilary gets elected she will lay down and die because she is a communist evolutionist.
Re: Global Warming. . . .
Thu Nov 01 16:19:19 GMT 2007 by James
It is true that CO2 emissions increase surface temperature and may eventually become a serious problem. However, "Global Warming" is a natural process for the Earth. Normal for the Earth is to be extremely hot and most of North America to be underwater, but due to the Ice Age we currently reside in this is not the case. In fact, if it were not for the CO2 emissions, both natural and man-made, the temperature of the Earth would be considerably colder. Another fact that must be taken into account is our source of light, the Sun. The Sun is about 4.6 billion years old and is around the middle of it's life. The strength of the Sun has fluctuated many times in the Sun's history. Currently the Sun is in a strong state, which means that temperatures of the planets (typically the close ones) will become warmer. This fact is another piece of the pie when considering the facts of Global Warming. Unfortunately, the media only tells what sells and does not disclose the full truth on any matter much less Global Warming.
Back To Volcanoes
Thu Nov 01 18:11:51 GMT 2007 by Mike
It seems to me that very little analysis has gone into the article on the effect of volcanoes. The article seems to indicate that the effect of volcanoes is limited to a finite erruption period. In fact, this is not the case. Mammoth Mountain in CA has been leaking CO2 for years in amounts high enough to kill the trees in the area. There are volcanoes in Hawaii and elsewhere that are in a constant state of erruption and have been for decades. Lengthy studies of one such volcano indicate that it is releasing 8500 metric tonnes of CO2 per day. You admit that you don't have a very good handle on undersea volcanoes and what they may be doing. How many are doing the same thing my two examples provide an example of, leaking massive amounts of CO2 on a daily and continuous basis? The answer is, you don't and can't know. In fact, you don't know the answer for how many volcanoes above the sea are doing the same thing. Further, you haven't done the studies to determine how much each of the patent volcanoes are releasing on a daily basis. Your argument is that it must be the same as it always was so we'll set that aside, completely discredits the article. Why MUST it be as it always has been? You state no evidence to support that contention.
My review of the article is that it read very much like a college undergrad paper. The student uses bits and pieces of information to support the thesis they propose while giving short shrift to powerful arguments that may undermine the thesis.
Of course the major problem is that you can't address those powerful arguments to the contrary because you cannot know the information. You cannot tell me with any degree of certainty that the Earth with not start a cooling trend next year that will continue for the next 50 years. You cannot tell me with any certainty that the Earth is not going through the same 80 cycle that brought us warmer temperatures in the early 1930s and led to the Dust Bowl. All because you don't have the data. The length and depth of your data sets have you grasping at straws, looking at ice cores as if they were crystal balls.
Remember everyone, these are the same group of people that observed the cooling from the highs of the 1930s and in the early 1970s testified in front of Congress that we were entering a new ice age and resources had to be expended to keep us all from freezing to death.
Ice Core Myth
Sat Nov 03 01:21:25 GMT 2007 by Mark
Ice cores samples for for determine carbon dioxide levels in the past are useful only for the recent past. Going back more than 150-200 years is not a useful exercise, since the glacial ice does not reveal the true atmospheric concentration of CO2 at a given time. All you can really determine is whether the concentrations increased or decreased compared to times previous or after those in a given sample. You cannot take a piece of ancient ice, from 13,000 years ago and say "look, the carbon dioxide content was 227ppm 13,000 years ago." However you can figure out if the concentration was getting higher or lower if you compare that sample with ice of older and younger samples. This is basic glaciology.
Ice Core Myth
Wed Nov 07 12:46:41 GMT 2007 by David Ellard
Mark,
Is it possible to explain why the ice core methodology is unreliable for giving ABSOLUTE CO2 levels for prehistoric times?
I have read that this is to do with the formation of CO2 clathrates under pressure which rupture when the core is brought to the surface, emitting CO2 from the sample, hence such samples underrepresent true historic atmospheric CO2 levels.
Banancing Nature
Thu Nov 15 10:02:50 GMT 2007 by Andrew
If nature usually balances it's own CO2 emissions then how is it not balancing the emissions made by human beings. The emissions made by human beings is just the burning of the fossil fuels which nature created in the first place. Since nature tends to balance itself out, is it unreasonable to think that after the fossil fuels are used up it will balance itself out again.
Co2 Emmission
Tue Nov 20 06:11:27 GMT 2007 by Kl Woo
The total average concentration of CO2 in our atmosphere is ~0.03%. I find people always miss out this fact, so how does about 10-20% (of the 0.03% total CO2 concentration) of human induced emission of CO2, affects GW, DIRECTLY??!!
Error Percentage
Fri Nov 23 19:41:25 GMT 2007 by Kevin Matthews
What I was getting at is that if the error is +-5%, which I assume it is at least, then that could account for essentially all of the change in amounts of CO2 that are supposedly blamed on human sources. This is rather significant, as there could be non-human sources that are actually to explain the rise in CO2 amounts.
Carbon Dioxide Sources And Sinks
I've justed noticed the little graphic at the top of this article which purports to show fluxes of carbon dioxide into and out of the atmosphere before and after the industrial age.
I don't want to be a bore on the subject of Henry's Law BUT:
The graph shows atmospheric CO2 rising by (375/315) = 19% but then shows the downward flux from atmosphere to ocean rising over (I presume) the same period by (340/260) = 31% which is different.
THIS IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH BASIC LAWS OF PHYSICS!!! The flux across a gas-to-liquid boundary must be proportional to the partial pressure of the gas in the gaseous phase.
The graph also shows upward flux from ocean to atmosphere rising over this period by (330/260) = 27%
We can only explain this rise while respecting Henry's Law if either:
- average ocean temperatures have risen by ELEVEN degrees Centigrade over the period, such that the Henry's Law constant has changed by 27%
or
- the amount of CO2 dissolved in the world's oceans has increased by 27%, this means the injection of about 38,000 Gigatonnes of CO2 which is THIRTY TIMES ALL ANTHROPOGENIC CO2 EMISSIONS DURING THE INDUSTRIAL AGE
or some combination of the two
I hope it is obvious that these assumptions are unlikely verging on the preposterous. If ocean temperatures had really risen by 11°C in a century, I think someone (polar bears?) might have noticed. Similarly, what would the evidence be for a huge injection of CO2 into the world's oceans? Undersea volcanic eruptions? When, where, what, how???
Carbon Dioxide Sources And Sinks
The problem I highlighted with the downward (atmosphere-to-ocean) fluxes is more basic physics (even) than Henry's Law. It's to do with the ideal gas law and the defintion of pressure.
As every A-level physics student learns, the (partial) pressure of a gas can be expressed in various ways, for example as the kinetic energy per unit volume. An equivalent representation is that the (partial) pressure is equal to the (average) momentum of each gas atom multiplied by the flux of atoms per unit area. It follows from this that, at constant temperature (i.e. Constant momentum per atom), the flux per unit area is proportional to the density i.e. Partial pressure of the gas species.
This is why a 19% rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration must give rise to a 19% increase in downward flux from atmosphere to ocean at constant temperature. It's nothing to do with Henry's Law.
Now what happens if we change the temperature of the atmosphere? Again, from basic physics (Newton's laws etc;) we know that momentum is proportional to velocity, and so is flux. So it is only possible to have a 19% rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration and a 31% rise in downward flux if there is a 12% increase in average velocity of CO2 molecules. This implies a 24% rise in absolute atmospheric temperature which is SEVENTY DEGREES CENTIGRADE. This is preposterous ergo the figure for downward flux must be wrong.
The implication is that not only are the measurements hopelessly wrong but the "scientists" who published the results are ignorant of A-level physics. It's not a very happy notion is it?
Global Warming
Wed Nov 28 08:45:04 GMT 2007 by Tony Lyons
If human producedco2 is responsible for global warming how come temperatures fell for 30 years after 1945 when there was a massive output of post -war industrial pollution. Surely the temperature should have risen in line with the increase of co2.
Global Warming
C02 Measurement
Mon Dec 10 08:58:32 GMT 2007 by Billy Fox
In your figures on C02 emissions you use two contradictory terms. The two 220 Gt figure are quoted in C02, whereas the balancing figure of 440 Gt is quoted in carbon. Given that C02 is 3.67 times heavier than carbon just what exactly are you saying here?
C02 Measurement
Increases In Co2
Sun Dec 16 22:05:02 GMT 2007 by Rob
The question is "are man made contributions too tiny to matter?" Few skeptics argue that man is not contributing to the increase in atmospheric Co2, but Co2 is a relatively weak greenhouse gas, especially when compared to water vapor. A Co2 increase of 4% comes to about .0015% of overall atmospheric composition. Further, studies show that each incremental increase in Co2 has a diminishing effect on warming, and at a certain point, increased Co2 has no effect. So the question is - does the increased level of Co2 really matter and is it reason enough to justify the kinds of radical changes that would be required under Kyoto? Or, are we better off continuing on the more measured approaches being taken today, e.g., more energy efficient buildings, homes, cars, etc.?
Volcanic Activity
Sun Dec 23 13:43:24 GMT 2007 by Mike
I'll buy that volcanic activity puts more Methane into the atmosphere than CO2, (at least for a short while), but it is worth noting that methane is carbon, (with four hydrogens attached), and also worth noting that methane in the atmosphere is oxidized to Carbon dioxide and water vapor. So please factor this contribution of carbon as carbon dioxide into your calculations and let us know the impact. Also please describe the techniques used to assure sample purity when isotopic ratios are determined. Thank you
The Great Rockn Roll Swindle
Sun Dec 30 22:19:49 GMT 2007 by Branka Milica
Are you familiar with the sexpistols and the markeeting of The PUnk band, it`s all about pounds or dollars ,who benefit from what ? and it`s a not a question of emissions but more how we interpret the link that´manmade Co2 is the cause for climate change ie it`s probaly not , a good thing to think about is why did the dinosaures die ,before the collective consciousnes of Jay-hovas-environ mental ists and other doom days pass outs hippies and so on, ie the conlusion sucks , the manmade Co2 emissions aré high but in the 60ies we where all headig towards an iceage despite the fact that that the cars we drove were consuming a gallon instead of 1/5 of a gallon as in the 00, probaly. Today we know more then in the 60 but we cant change the facts of chemistry or the natural forces ,but we can swindle as we always have done .good hint BBc documentary "The great climate swindle"
The Great Rockn Roll Swindle
Trying To Make A Difference
Sat Jan 05 15:20:13 GMT 2008 by David Jackson
Hi. In trying to make a difference should I be trading in my 6 year old car (that was regarded as reasonably "green" when new) for a new low emissions one, or does the production and dismantling process mean changing cars regularly to lower emissions models actually has an overall detrimental impact ?
Trying To Make A Difference
Fri May 09 05:02:33 BST 2008 by John, Channel Isles
Catherine,
The first 'flaw' in your article starts with your first fact. You compare two data sets. One from bubbles in ice from the Vostok surveys over 420,000 years that show a variance of 180ppm to 300ppm using CO2 lab measurements. And another form of measuring, atmospheric, of CO2 from modern times, namely over the last 50 years.
Any good scientist will tell you ligning up 2 different data sets, using different collection techniques and different measuring techniques is not very good science. This punches a small hole in your argument.
Second problem is geographical difference. The Vostok records are from polar regions. The modern measuring is from Mauna Loa, Hawaii an equatorial/warm region. This punches another hole in your argument.
Finally what nobody at the IPCC has recognised in any report 1998 to 2004 is knowledge of the CO2 Solubility Pump. Indeed it's barely mentioned in the IPCC 2007 Report.
If any climate extremists understood this they'd appreciate that CO2 is dissolving in the oceans of Polar regions scrubbing CO2 from the atmosphere resulting in lower CO2 measurements.
And it gets worse. Hawaii is next to the biggest outgassing, the Pacific Ocean, on the planet. And scientists are on record as waiting for strong trade winds (sea winds) further increasing CO2 levels as huge plumes of CO2 outgass over Hawaii.
And it gets even worse (pretty bad already). The Vostok ice-cores measurement intervals are every 1,000 to 2,000 years. So to measure a peak in CO2 over 420,000-700,000 years the chances of measuring a peak is 3.5%.
So when the IPCC and other climate warmers claim we are enduring the highest CO2 levels in 700,000 years there's actually a 96.5% they're not near the truth. That's even without counting in all the problems with measuring CO2 mentioned above.
And that's just addressing the first 'fact' you mention in your article. I could go on and on and on what's wrong with your 'facts' but we haven't the space here.
Trying To Make A Difference
Fri Jul 04 14:08:23 BST 2008 by Michael Le Page
Why is it that so many people who are neither particularly bright nor very well educated think they know far more than professional scientists?
Do you really not know that one of the best ways to make a name for yourself in science is prove your colleagues wrong? If scientists had made any of the elementary mistakes you suggest they have, papers pointing this out would have appeared sharpish.
Can you provide a single reference to a published peer-reviewed paper to support your claims?
Trying To Make A Difference
A further point on peer review. A bunch of ignorant people may confirm the ignorance of an individual but that doesn't mean they're all not ignorant. To quote the late and great Richard Feynmann:
Nobody was permitted to see the Emperor of China, and the question was, What is the length of the Emperor of China's nose? To find out, you go all over the country asking people what they think the length of the Emperor of China's nose is, and you average it. And that would be very "accurate" because you averaged so many people. But it's no way to find anything out; when you have a very wide range of people who contribute without looking carefully at it, you don't improve your knowledge of the situation by averaging.
Trying To Make A Difference
Claim: 'About 40% of the extra CO2 entering the atmosphere due to human activity is being absorbed by natural carbon sinks, mostly by the oceans. The rest is boosting levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.'
Answer: This cannot be true because it is not consistent with Henry's Law which requires that 98% of excess atmospheric CO2 must end up in the oceans. It is also not consistent with evidence from the carbon-14 atmospheric measurements, that you mention below, that show that the atmospheric residence lifetime of carbon dioxide is around 5 years.
Claim: Studies of tree rings have shown that the proportion of carbon-14 in the atmosphere dropped by about 2% between 1850 and 1954.
Answer: This sounds perfectly reasonable. But the implication is that, in 1954, only 2% of atmospheric CO2 was of anthropogenic origin. That is inconsistent with your graphic at the top which seems to claim that CO2 has risen from 315 ppm to 375 ppm because of human activities.
Claim: 'The ratio of carbon-13 to carbon-12 in the atmosphere and ocean surface waters is steadily falling, showing that more carbon-12 is entering the atmosphere.'
Answer: This is perfectly correct. But the carbon-13 isotope evidence shows that only FIVE PERCENT of atmospheric CO2 is of anthropogenic origin which again contradicts your graphic.
Co2 Emissions
Sun Jan 06 11:25:16 GMT 2008 by Layman Mike
Your article has promoted the usual divisions on the issue of global warming so much so that I still am not convinced either way. I accept that it is sensible to reduce any form of emissions if only to save me a few bob in energy costs and conserve supplies. I am currently reading a book which claims cosmic ray activity is the source of warming/cooloing.
However one thing which confuses me is what do you actually mean by CO2 from humans. Do you mean simply from the human population exhaling CO2? Or is it human activity from industrial processes and burning of fossil fuels or is it the sum of both? Before I leave my car at home, I read in a recent newspaper article that if 4 people were to cycle or run to work then they would emit as much CO2 as one car. Is that true?
Co2 Emissions
Mon Feb 11 16:09:43 GMT 2008 by Rene Descartes
Humans breathing is a net zero contribution to CO2 emissions. Every carbon atom we exhale was removed from the atmosphere by plants photosynthesising in the very recent past (weeks to months) and then entering the food chain. This is part of the natural carbon cycle (which this article attempts to explain). Burning fossil fules that have been under the ground for tens of millions of years is a NET positive addition to CO2 levels and therefore tend to raise CO2 levels upwards, way above the levels seen over the last 500K years or so
Co2 Emissions
Tue Mar 04 09:22:06 GMT 2008 by Rita Wania
I cannot agree with your comment, Rene, that humans breathing are a net zero contribution to CO2 emissions. You forgot to take account of the energy we have to put into producing, processing, transporting, storing and preparing food. So you would need to add the CO2 produced from agricultural machinery, fertilizer and pesticides if not organic, getting the food to the shops, keeping it it the fridge and cooking it. This will clearly shift the balance to being a 'positive' CO2 balance for human breathing.
Co2 Emissions
Sat Mar 15 05:03:36 GMT 2008 by Erwindw
Rita, of course you are right that energy (so CO2) is needed to produce food. But to add this to the 'human breathing' account is at least questionable. Reasoning like this, we could also add the car trip to the restaurant to the human breathing, or what about going every day to your work? In the end you work to eat as well. I think it is more clear to separate human activity and human breathing, and in this context the human breathing is neutral. Apart from the fact that to put human breathing in the arguments of global warming, sounds to me like the joke of the mouse and the elephant walking on the bridge, and the mouse telling the elephant, "what are we stamping nicely, huh?"
Co2 Emissions
Fri Mar 21 05:19:36 GMT 2008 by Tess
Rita you really missed the boat on Rene's comment. Breathing and eating are too separate, unrelated activities and the inevitable transportation of food is completely irrelevant to the argument that human exhalation of Carbon dioxide equals plant uptake of CO2.
Volcanoes And Other Emitters
Thu Jan 24 12:21:31 GMT 2008 by Chris
It is of no consequence whether volcanoes give out more co2 than humans; and lets not forget bacteria, the oceans etc. Co2 is a tiny part among the constituents of the atmosphere; just over half a per cent. The portion of that half per cent produced by humans is just a fraction of that. Human production of CO2 is not enough to make any difference to climate change.
Volcanoes And Other Emitters
CO2 isn't 0.5% of Earths atmosphere. CO2 is 0.0038% of earths atmosphere. And mans output of CO2 represents less than 27% and maybe as low as 15% of the annual output into the atmosphere.
But that's not really important because Earths records show over 700,000 years CO2 follows warming 400 to 1,400 years after. And high CO2 levels have never increased temperature, temperature ignores CO2 levels.
Namely CO2 is not a temperature driver. It is a temperature follower. End of story.
Co2 And Climate Change
Thu Jan 31 04:58:21 GMT 2008 by Ryszard Wawak
Despite being a scientist, I like to use common sense from time to time. I can say this because I see first hand how ad-hoc scietific assumptions and theories can sometimes be. My common sense completely contradicts what some vocal and trendy scientists claim about humans contributing to global warming. Here is why:
Al Gore recently announced that human civilization (industry, transportation, households, etc) generates 70 mln ton of CO2 every day. Sure, it sound like a huge number useful in politics. He claims that this amount of CO2 emmissions leads to horrible future for the planet and for us.
However, 7 billion people on the planet exhale close to 7 mln ton of CO2 a day as well! That's 10% of Al Gore's number. The trendy scientists claim that human activities 50 and even 100 years ago significantly contributed to the climate changes. Since there was only 2.5 billion of as in 1950, with most of the globe undeveloped, the total CO2 emmissions of ALL industries at the time could not have been more than 10% of today's number. In other words, we EXHALE today more CO2 than all industries were able to produce in 1950. If the trendy scientists were right, this would further mean that we are able to change the climate by... Breathing alone. How about COMMON SENSE?
The only argument left for the trendy scientists would be to say that the CO2 produced in our lungs comes from the "surface" carbon, (i.e., carbon accumulated in plants, animals, athmosphere), and is recycled, with no new carbon added to the surface. On the other hand, the "under-surface" (fossile) carbon that we dig out and burn adds new carbon to the surface or to the athmoshere. This distinction is indeed true at least to some extend.
However, what if our food was not grown in the fields but was simply mined like coal or oil? After all, carbon is one of the most important ingreedients of any food. Then, we would be adding new surface carbon by exhaling, all 7 million tons of fresh CO2 each day. Is it COMMON SENSE to believe that the climate would change because of the freshly-mined steak we just had for dinner?
Co2 And Climate Change
Thu Mar 27 18:09:01 GMT 2008 by Concerned Scientist
If you are truly a scientist, I'm assuming that this issue doesn't fall within your field of expertise.
This "human exhalation" argument that we keep hearing about is really quite ridiculous - if you're going to make assumptions and neglect to understand the actual chemical processes and cycles involved, at least talk about flatulence instead of exhalation to strengthen your position. Beyond this, your armchair statistics are flawed.
Two take-home points:
1 - Both GHG emissions and atmospheric GHG concentrations have fluctuated greatly throughout our planet's history; no one will disagree with this. What is different today is the rate at which these numbers are increasing. That is not to definitively say that they're higher now than ever, or even that they're approaching dangerous levels, but the current RATE of increase has never been witnessed before. Carbon sinks, which have always developed alongside and effectively balanced natural emissions, cannot possibly keep up with this rate of increase, especially given that we're removing these sinks (e.g. Rainforest) at unsustainable levels. This is why our GHG contribution is relevant.
2 - Some people say this issue receives too much attention. Some people say our scientific analyses are incorrect. Others say it is all political hype and deception and still others will claim that this is one giant hoax. I say who cares? EVERY SINGLE THING WE DO TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE (REAL OR IMAGINED) ARE THINGS WE NEED TO BE DOING ANYWAYS: develop renewable energy sources, promote sustainable transportation and urban planning, protect biodiversity on a global scale, abolish harmful industrial and agricultural practices, ETC.
Finally, although I hesitate to use this line of argument (because it has been proven wrong in many cases, particularly when involving politics), if this issue is simple enough for casual internet "researchers" to conclusively work out, why have thousands of actual researchers (and reputable ones at that - not just "trendy" ones - Al Gore is not and has never claimed to be a scientist) missed the seemingly obvious?
As always, everyone's entitled to their own opinion but please READ and UNDERSTAND the full IPCC reports before making up your mind.
Co2 And Climate Change
Fri May 09 05:40:08 BST 2008 by John, Channel Isles
Concerned Scientist,
You conclude with a suggestion to read the IPCC Reports. 19,000 scientists disagree with the IPCC. Only 54 scientists actually signed off the Working Group I report on atributing climate change to man.
You say we are "deforesting". That's another one of a dozen UN scare stories that are untrue.
Alan Grainger of Leeds University and one of the world's leading experts on tropical deforestation has checked the UN's records and claims there's "errors and inconsistencies.. In the area data and raise too many questions to provide convincing support for the accepted picture of tropical forest decline over the last 40 years." In fact he shows forestation minus deforestation has added over 100M hectres of forest in the last 10 years.
And NASA satellites show the Earth is greening. American forests alone have added 50% greening in just the last 10 years.
Another major flaw in your argument is saying "the current RATE of increase (in CO2) has never been witnessed before." Yes you're right. Because we have only measured CO2 in modern times (last 50 years) annually. All previous CO2 records such as Vostok, measure CO2 every 1,000 to 2,000 years. It is impossible to measure the "rate" every year over the past 400,000 years. It is also impossible for you to know what the rate of previous increases was. Isn't it?
Co2 And Climate Change
Thu Aug 07 00:17:32 BST 2008 by Phil G
19,000 scientists? I highly doubt there's 19,000 graduate level and active climatologists in the world. As for "signing off" on that report, the only people have their names on that document are the core writing team. They never passed it around asking everyone to put their names on it, only for input and peer review.
This is a very rough guess at best, but frankly it doesn't seem that far fetched.
Co2 And Climate Change
Actually John, there are direct air measurements of CO2 levels going back as far as 1812, some 90,000 measurements were taken from 43 stations.
You can see the graph 'CO2 -1812 - 2004 Northern Hemisphere, Chemical Measurement' in 21st CENTURY Science & Technology Spring/Summer 2007 page 21 as part of Dr Zbigniew Jaworowski's report.
One can see from these data that CO2 levels have been as high as the are now (385ppm) on 5 occasions, all in the pre-industrial era; while around 1820 and again in 1940 CO2 levels peaked out at an average of 440ppm.
These are real world measurements taken over the past 200 years
I understand that IPCC chose to ignore these direct CO2 readings in favour of the much lower ice core data because to reveal them would contradict their assertion that rising CO2 levels are a late 20th century phenomenon.
Non-believer
Mon Feb 18 20:16:32 GMT 2008 by Dom
Yeah, yeah, CO2's bad, I've heard it already. But I don't believe any of it. Sounds to me like Global Warming is just a big lie the media's blown up. There is no 'consensus'. I'm sick and tired of people saying there is, and attacking anyone who doesn't jump up and believe, and the whole thing being one-sided. Carbon dioxide has never altered temperature before (temperatures have changed carbon dioxide - that's why you see a pattern), and even if it is, how could humans possibily be causing it all? It just all doesn't add up.
Non-believer
Thu Mar 27 18:28:56 GMT 2008 by Concerned Scientist
Just because you don't understand the issue doesn't mean you should automatically assume its falsehood. Take the time and effort to understand and you'll realize that there is indeed a consensus among the scientific community.
Non-believer
Non-believer
Tue Nov 18 20:04:00 GMT 2008 by Totellthetruth
Consensus? As much as many on the alarmist side would like to believe, that simply is not the case, by any stretch of the imagination (simply look around you, there is descent and challenge everywhere!). Stop with that lame argument already and get to "scientific" facts. The one thing that I personally have learned on this topic is, anyone that says "there is a consensus" has weak or no credible science to support them. All scientists that I work with ENCOURAGE debate (as do I). So, debate...
And, if this topic is such a "slam dunk" as people that exclaim "consensus" would lead you to believe, then why do they need to use the term in the first place? Simple, it is NOT a "slam dunk" nor is it a "consensus".
Consensus is not how science is done in the first place.
Stop already, you are at the end of a very very long line that have already tried using that crutch. It doesn't work!
Is It Real???
Sun Mar 02 20:47:49 GMT 2008 by Ian
I have been working on a paper which states the case for both sides of global warming, is it caused by humans or is it not, and I am very interested as to anyones personal views on the subject. So if you are willing to help out then please tell me why or why not you believe global warming is caused by humans.
Scientific Assumptions
Fri Mar 14 23:17:50 GMT 2008 by Skeptical Realist
First a disclaimer, I discount anything the IPCC has to say because they have a political axe to grind and are not above propaganda. Show me truly independent, scientific research that has gone through rigorous peer review and equivalent results obtained via highly qualfied independent third parties and I will take notice. This type of rigor must be maintained through all the various levels of scientific research so that subsequent research may use the conclusions as a foundational assumption. Hypotheses regarding causes of global warming are not at that level of rigor. Now - many of you can write me off as a crackpot and stop reading.
With that being said, however, this is one of the sloppiest articles I have read regarding man's supposed impact on global warming by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
When a "popular scientific" publication starts throwing out wiggle phrases such as "appear to have", "may have been", and "can be explained" in order to persuade an audience that some assertion "must be true", it's time to start questioning the validity of the "science" behind it.
One notable problem is that this article's assertions regarding the amount of CO2 attributed to natural sources are just that - assertions. Let's not purport to give definitive numbers and claim they are scientific until we talk about methodology for data collection, measurement techniques and their limitations, rules for extrapolating data and generalizing conclusions, underlying assumptions in the research, and whether or not a definitive conclusion can be reached based on the results.
The number of assertions in this article are so numerous and the underlying data so untested that I caution any reader to be careful about reaching conclusions based on this content. Try to understand the science behind the assertions before jumping on the anthropogenic greenhouse gases are going to kill us bandwagon.
BTW: I do not rule out that our greenhouse gas emissions are changing our environment; it just hasn't been scientifically proven.
Scientific Assumptions
Of the climate puzzle, there are a dozen possible candidates that drive temperature.
What is undesputable is the No.1 driver is the sun. Of the other 11 or so CO2 is not on the list.
What is also undesputable is that CO2 is not. CO2 always follows temperature change. It never precedes rising temperature. High CO2 levels also never causes temperature divert from cooling to warm. Temperature ignores CO2 levels. But CO2 levels do follow temperature change.
Human Emmisions
Sun Mar 16 22:59:59 GMT 2008 by Jeff
The population of the world doubles ~every 150years, the oceans are not doubling in size, and vegitation etc is dropping. Is this more or less of a net CO2 increase in the atmosphere that releases from fossil fuels/industry?
Global Warming Is Fake
Carbon -12,13, 14
Wed Jun 11 23:11:08 BST 2008 by Nicke
In 1961 the isotope carbon-12 was selected to replace oxygen as the standard relative to which the atomic weights of all the other elements are measured; carbon-14, which is radioactive Carbon has two stable isotopes, carbon-12 (which makes up 98.89 percent of natural carbon) and carbon-13 (1.11 percent); five radioactive isotopes are known, of which the longest-lived is carbon-14, which has a half-life of 5,730 ± 40 years.
Global Warming And Co2
Sun Jun 22 20:20:07 BST 2008 by Victor
I don't believe in global warming, how can anyone say the world is warming when temperatures have only been recorded for 100 years and the earth is millions of years old. Scientist take samples from the artic ice and that is supposed to represent the whole world? If a city breaks a record temperature its global warming. But if a city gets snow in the middle of May, no one says a thing about it. Places all over the world are recording record low temperatures, but this is supposed to be global warming. And with all the ice melting why have the ocean levels not changed. They claim 30 to 40 foot rise in sea levels, I haven't heard of any rise in sea levels from all the ice that has melted already. How can the CO2 that humans exhale be to tiny to count in all this when there is how many billion people on earth. Of course the CO2 levels are going to be higher now then they were a million years ago, there never has been this many people on the planet before. If you have 10 PPM CO2 with 100,000 people on earth, then you can expect to have a higher PPM with a larger population. Did the caveman drive around in a SUV, no. Scientist are trying to compare 2 totally different worlds.
Disagree
Mon Jun 23 18:52:40 BST 2008 by Dr. W. John Denson
The carbon method is a poor way to measure and justify the warming and cooling of the earth. The word "may" appears too many times in this artical. You either have facts or you don't. Science is based on theories that can be backed up by facts, not maybe's. This appears to be an environmental ragsheet and not a scientific data base. In truth, the sun is the culpret of climate change, but then, that doesn't make a profitable study, does it.
Do You Take Us For Idiots??
Thu Jul 03 18:25:01 BST 2008 by Fred
Let's look at some simple mistakes. Your carbon "source and heat sink" table shows you can't even perform simple math. Simple math, ie addition and subtraction of your table shows, the net increase is 11.6 gigatons, not 15 gigatons. Oh you will say, that is just approximate. Well if the 3.4 BILLION tons difference is just trivial, than the total industrial impact is also "trivial" being only 26 BILLION tons. Let's start by doing the math correctly. Than your silliness about not being able to estimate carbon 14 from tree rings after 1954 because of it being "wrecked" by nuclear bomb testing. Do you really think we are that stupid?? Your assertion that nuclear bombs have prevented you from being able to accurately predict the carbon 14 levels is ludicrous...Here's a thought..come up with another method...I also love how you just coneveniently "estimate" that the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere is "perfectly" balanced by the amount absored by earth's organisms. Do you have any proof or scientific data to prove this?? I want to see how, scientifically mind you, you estimated how much CO2 is absorbed naturally, other than some wild ass guess. Let's stick to facts and science, instead of conjecture and the "that's the best estimate" or "that's what our computer models indicate". Let's stick to real science!
Human Co2 Emissions Are Too Tiny To Matter
Sat Jul 05 16:59:47 BST 2008 by Moncktron Of Brenchley
This item is inaccurate and misleading. It fails, for instance, to admit that in the Cambrian era, ~550 million years before the present, atmospheric CO2 concentrations approached 20x today's concentration without harmful effect - temperatures at the surface were ~7 C higher than today's. Standing these data seen in a geological perspective, it is not credible to imagine that a mere doubling of CO2 concentration could possibly cause as much as 3.26 C of warming (the IPCC's current central estimate).
CO2 is a trace gas. It occupies only one-ten-thousandth part more of the atmosphere than it did in 1750. Since the temperature effect of increases in CO2 concentration is logarithmic (Myrhe et al., 1998), there is no reason to suppose that even a quadrupling of CO2 concentration will appreciably or dangerously alter the Earth's surface temperature.
However, the recent ending of CO2 starvation is causing a commendable and useful increase in photosynthesis worldwide: trees and plants are growing faster than in the past million years.
Co2 Human Contribution
Forget the cleaver science and statistics. You only have to apply a little simple arithmetic and some common sense to see the nonsense of these CO2 arguments.
1 The maximum reduction to greenhouse gases possible from current initiatives is 1.5625% As follows:
All greenhouse gases in the atmosphere 100%
Carbon dioxide represents less than 25% of all
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere 25%
Of all the CO2 in the atmosphere, less than 25%
is the result of burning fossil fuels 6.25%
The current target is to reduce CO2 from the
burning of fossil fuels by less than 25 % 1.5625%
2 Reducing our domestic energy and transport energy consumption has no affect whatsoever on our production of CO2 unless the money we save on our fuel bills is NEVER spent on anything else. Every pound we spend on goods or services has an energy component arising from extraction, manufacture and distribution, the rest is returned into the spending cycle for others to spend on goods and services which in turn have an energy component. Ultimately, the whole pound is spent on energy. Your carbon footprint is a function of the amount you spend, whatever you spend it on.
3 The presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is not the only influence on average global temperature.
Misleading Graph
Fri Jun 19 10:30:51 BST 2009 by Mike
Actually, I would like you to find any person involved in information visualisation professionally who would agree that this is an appropriate mechanism for representing data. It is completely misleading to adjust the scale starting point and is deliberate distortion of the facts.
It is simply a useful way to make a relationship appear far more significant that it is. The correlation may well be correct, but the implied impact of the cause and effect is a deliberate falsehood.
Simple Question?
Wed Dec 03 12:29:28 GMT 2008 by David
Michael
The BBC showed a program a few days ago titled snowball earth, again Co2 was seen as the perpetrator of the ice age supposedly 650 million years ago, though we can take that date with a pinch of salt. As humans didnt exist 650 million years ago and a lack of co2 or a small percentage of it was taken to be the deciding factor, what I want to know is this yet another assumption? Like todays nonsense the assumption is not borne out by scientific fact, no one really knows however should the World embark on a stupid excursion in a vane endeavour to reduce co2 the most likely outcome will be catastrophic. All resouces are finite and replacing every car in the World with a battery equivalent will just about see the end of them. Humanity is a mere shadow on this planets existence and sooner or later it will cease to exist. I have lived through every panic and scare mongering scientist that ever lived and my conclusion is that and educated idiot remains an idiot. The best science has emanated from those who never went to school or became employed by the UN, IPCC or the EU. James Hansen is a nonsense, he says half of the co2 in the atmosphere is derived from burning coal, how can that be when human input is only 3/4% of the total, absolute lunacy!
Simple Question?
I'm not sure what documentary that was (I do remember a Horizon about Snowball Earth a few years ago), but it's not right to say that CO2 was the cause of it.
The suggested causes of Snowball Earth are many and various. One idea (to emphasise: this is just one idea) is that the continents were largely located in the tropics at the time, causing an increase in the Earth's overall albedo ( and thus a decrease in temperatures.
Once a large proportion of the globe was glaciated, an albedo feedback accelerated the process, as the ice would have reflected even more of the sun's energy back into space.
If we're talking about the same documentary, I do clearly remember that CO2 released from volcanoes was the suggested explanation for the END of the Snowball Earth period. Because Snowball Earth would experience little or no precipitation, such CO2 could accumulate to very high levels, until it produced enough of a greenhouse effect to drive back the ice.
Can The Oceans Really Save Us?
Wed Aug 06 15:42:20 BST 2008 by Bigger Picture?
If, by some lucky break, the oceans are able to absorb all the excess CO2, aren't you a least bit concerned about the effects it will have? That amount of CO2 in ocean water will support huge amounts of algae growth. We're already having problems with dead-zones off the North American coaset due to fertilizer overuse. Add an over-abundant source of CO2, basically just another fertilizer, and sea food may be a thing of the past. Not to mention adding that much CO2 will also change the acidity of ocean water which brings in a whole new set of problems. Kill the ocean to save the land?
Water Cycle
Wed Oct 08 22:02:39 BST 2008 by Wesley Neary
More Co2 in the atmosphere would not make much of a difference because if there was and the temp of our earth increased very much there would be more water being taken from the ocean and that would make it rain more takeing more Co2 from the air and having a cooling affect plus we are having a Very low solar activity thing going on now so its going to get a lot cooler here soon but that will make more Co2 go into the air because less water will be less precipitation
Other Way Around
Thu Dec 11 21:53:21 GMT 2008 by Andrej
As far as I know it's just the other way around. Studies have shown that first the temperature has gone up, after which the carbon dioxide levels have risen.
The temperature on earth is also influenced by the sun. If the activity of the sun is high, then cosmic radiation has problems reaching our atmosphere. Because this radiation has a positive effect on the creation of clouds, less radiation will cause fewer clouds to be formed. This means it will get a bit warmer on some places on earth. Because it's an accumulating effect, ice (on the ice caps) will start melting (and ice stores carbon), which frees carbon into the atmosphere. When the activity of the sun is low, more clouds are created because more cosmic radiation can reach our atmosphere. So it gets a bit colder (accumulating effect) and causes more ice to form on the ice caps and will store carbon from the atmosphere. Because ice reflects sunlight, this also contributes to the cumulating effect of getting colder.
Research has showed a huge positive correlation between the activity of the sun and the temperature on earth. Sun activity UP > Temperature UP.
Research has also concluded that the following was always the case:
FIRST the temperature went up, AND THEN the carbon in the atmosphere rose.
Or, FIRST the temperature went down, THEN the carbon in the atmosphere diminished.
And people, we are talking about very tiny bits of fluctuations here, as is the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. This level is so tiny it cannot possibly have such drastic results (and so are the fluctuations)
Even in times when fossil fuels were not used, there were fluctuations in earth's temperature. About 10.000 years ago earth's average temperature was like 10 degrees Celsius higher than it is now. I bet they had large 747's and big SUV's back then.
And by the end of the Dark Ages there was even a small ice age. I guess they stopped flying and driving their SUV's. The actual reason was very low sun activity, which was recorded by observers and we still have all that data. In the last 20 years or so, sun activity has increased heavily and is causing the current temperature shift.
Most important thing of all could be the fact that on earth we can today only feel an effect on the climate of something that happened about 100 years ago (ON earth, so the cause has to come from the earth itself). So, the temperature started to rise in the 80's according to some believers, which means that something in 1880-1890 happened that caused this temperature rise. This means that if they are right with their global warming hoax, you wouldn't want to push all the measures because you would make it extremely cold in 2110.
Some people will just have to accept the fact that climate change is a natural phenomenon and is completely out of our reach. Ice-ages and warm periods are the proof. Then many species also had problems surviving and got extinct.
So to bring this story to a conclusion: Climate Change is the result of nature and has been around forever. Global Warming therefore is normal. The thing everyone actually is talking about is the intensified global warming, but even that is not enough to cause a climate change. Carbon is just a variable that changes while the temperature changes and is influenced by it.
I would say Global Warming is Hoax to justify the burning of less fossil fuel so we can use it for a longer period. The Hoax also gives us the reason to look for alternative fuels, which is actually a good thing, because fossil fuels will ultimately run out. So the Theory of Global Warming is completely wrong and even quite the opposite, but the reason for its creation is actually that fossil fuels are a finite resource. They could have made it a lot easier for all of us by just giving the right reason instead of giving us the false hope of being able to bring the temperature rise to a halt....
Global Warming
Mon Dec 22 21:09:35 GMT 2008 by Larry Ciuffo
I am convenced that global warming is a myth perpetrated on the citizens of the world. How arrogent are we that we think that we humans can alter climate and change how God established the order of things. Certainly we have had some effect on various species and plants in the world but honestly altering climate! Give me a break. The sun has the total control of the climate so we will always be in the state of flux. The political and financial benifit to those espousing climate change are the ones who benifit spreading this fear. Tell th world the truth so we can maintain a clean earth but nogt thru fear. Thank you
War Against The Terror-monger Co2.
Beyond Global
Wed Mar 11 21:26:53 GMT 2009 by Kenneth
The fact is that mars, and the moons of saturn and jupiter are also measurably warming up, and we're finding new carbon sinks still. The model is incomplete and giving humans so much credit is not appropriate at this stage.
Besides, plants need carbon to breathe, animals do better in more oxygen rich environment, and plants do better in more carbon rich environment, this isn't bad, the planet will adjust itself.
Global Warming Agenda
Mon Mar 30 13:42:21 BST 2009 by Mark
There are three main reasons for this psuedo-science that is pushing the global warming fraud.
1 - Money. Pure and simple they plan on making a boatload off of the global serfs that will be forced to caugh up cash for their evil CO2 footprint. People like Al Gore plan on profiting handsomely from the carbon offsets that will be bought and sold through companies like the one he co-owns and chairs, Global Investment Management. This company stands to make billions taxing people for their evil lifestyles.
2 - Total regulatory control over almost every aspect of society. If you realize that every animal on this planet emits CO2 than you get an idea of the scope of control that they will gain. Everytime you turn the heat up or the A/C colder, you'll be creating more CO2 emmissions. when you get in your car and drive to the grocery store, once again you are destrying the planet. When you buy a steak at the grocery store, that steak also contriuted to global warming. Cows emit methane which also contributes to global warming. You're going to pay taxes and carbon offsets for running the heater in your house, for the gas you burn on the way to the store, for the types of food you'll buy when you're there, for the plastic bags they'll put your food in and for almost every other item you use and consume during your life.
3 - This one is the ultimate reason for the demonization of CO2. Following the logic of global warming, that human CO2 production is going to eventually destroy the planet, it doesn't take a genious to figure out where this ultimately leads to. Humans are the priblem. What do you do if you realize that termites are destroying the house you live in? You get rid of them. Well, what do you think the final solution will be for global warming? Look ino the idealogies of the people that are pushing this and you will realize that population control is paramount in their belief system. Humans are the enemy. Prince Philip said he wanted to come back as a virus so he could help contribute to human poulation control. Al Gore has said population control is the single most important problem facing the earth. Costeau said we needed to kill hundreds of thousands of people every day so we could get rid of 90% of them.
It's time to wake up the people. Too long have we forgotten how the masses were made to toil for the benefit of the ruling class. Do you really think that all the "ruling families" of Europe and America want to see a thriving middle class that has rights and liberties that allow them to stand up as sovereign individuals? These people are actively working towards eliminating the middle class and returning to their positions as lords and masters of the "little people".
Don't believe me? Do your own research. Look Huxley, Blood, Gore, Turner, Prince Charles, Prince Philip, and all the other Eugenics crowd. It's time to wake up to the evil that is trying to take over all humanity and bind them, once again, in the shackles of tyranny that were only recently broken. Don't buy the propopaganda that they're selling you. Start thinking for yourself and remember - the price of Liberty is eternal vigilance.
Climate Change, Okay, But No Co2 Tax Please !
International CO2 tax regulation is just a pretty good way for the US/Europe to take the money back from the Chinese, who produce a lot of CO2. And take money from developing countries that would need this money to develop. It is geopolitical strategy to make us think that human activities only is responsible for climate change, I love geopolitics ;)
And where would this money invested? In not very-well-defined large environmental projects? No, thanks..
It's just time to book holiday on Mars, the temperature is rising there too, as on other bodies in the solar system..
The fact is the Sun cycles are more important for Earth temperature than any other factor..think about the day/night temperature's difference.
And a scientific study made on trees showed that we already had a similar warming period in the middle age:
Newbie Getting Convinced
I have been an uninformed observer of the climate change debate. I am trying to learn, and from that reach conclusions.
I begin my quest to understand with the simple question of "What are all sources of carbon dioxide gas?"
Only 4% comes from human activity. 96% is from natural sources. Yet you and many other scientists reach the dubious conclusion that because the earth's ecosystem was supposedly "in balance" prior to man burning fossil fuels - and that this balance was so sensitive that simply a 4% variance (equal to a rounding error compared to the natural contribution of CO2) in carbon dioxide upset the whole thing and sent it into a tailspin.
I am sorry but this seems to be an incredibly presumptuous conclusion. There are so many variables at work that you simply cannot support this conclusion. In an ecosystem as complex and changing and out of balance as the earth's - it is very doubtful that a mere 4% increase could have any impact whatsoever.
You may not have meant to do this, but I am becoming convinced that climate change is a dubious theory, unsupportable by the evidence. I welcome your response.
Climate Myths: Co2 Levels Are Too Tiny To Matter
Sat May 23 17:59:59 BST 2009 by W. G. Treharne
I cannot prove this. However the biggest solution to global warming is reafforestation.Forests cool the earth, not because of absorption of CO2, but because of absorption of the sun's energy.Other solutions are to use wind turbines and hydroelectric power stations to produce electricity.However our electricity must not be used to produce any heat.We must design televisions, machines, motors and computers that do not produce any heat at all.We must heat our homes and other buildings using heat pumps.We need a chemical reaction that produces only physical energy and zero heat for our engines.
Easier To Control Nature?
Wed Sep 23 17:05:49 BST 2009 by William
The rise in CO2 emissions may or may not be harmful to human interests in the long run. If "we" are truly interested in reducing these numbers wouldnt it be easier to scrub CO2 from a small number of volcanos or other high emmiting sources than taxing hundreds of thousands of businesses and countries. Why does the reduction fall on the prospect of "rich" countries paying "poor" countries for the right to do business.
Doing Earth A Favor?
I have been wondering if we humans aren't doing the earth a favor by bringing carbon back above the earth's surface. Think about
it: All of that carbon was above the surface to begin with and when those ancient plants/animals died, the ecosystems lost all of that carbon. Furthermore, the earth has been in a 3 million year cooling cycle, and we could be helping to stabilize the temperature by adding our global warming. Just a thought.
The Thinker
Tue Dec 08 00:19:29 GMT 2009 by nick
"what the thinker thinks the modeler makes", but unfortunately the evidence to the true impact of climate chance on the lives of all the inhabitants of this planet is corrupt with political and monetary gains. what we need is a common collective of truth, wake up and smell the roses and lets think about making a better model for our children and our children's children and lets address the topic at its core.
Would You Ever See Myths From Other Side Published Here?
Tue Dec 08 16:09:21 GMT 2009 by David
"Straw breaking the camel" so when CO2 levels were 5x and 20x higher in the ancient past when life also thrived... (See wikipedia article on CO2)
Every news article on global warming seems to picture either smog or drought. Smog is NOT co2, spending money to sequester CO2 may actually divert funds from reducing smog. While any story or government web site on global warming with australia seems to mention drought first (search google for yourself), the overall rain in australia is UP over 10%. (long URL - click here)
Picking only facts that agree with a desired outcome is considered fraud. Intentionally deleting scientific data that was paid for by public funds may be a criminal offence in UK. (Saying you would rather than release to freedom of information request, then admitting to "accidently" deleting 5% of your data seems extremely suspicious)
I suggest we treat this like stock market, lots of public money is at stake. Anyone doing deliberate misleading should be pursued. If 20 years from now it is proven people from either committed fraud that cost millions of dollars and lives by diverting from a *real* crisis, then perhaps everything they own is taken away, all their pension is siezed, instead an insulated surplus sea can/storage container be home, and a ration of cheap vegatables and bit of meat scraps be provided as healthy but cheap food (should be able to keep total expenses to around $2000/year rather than $12000+/year pension)
Population
Wed Dec 09 00:14:16 GMT 2009 by Phil
It is curious that the slope of the line for population increase seems to be nearly identical to the slope of the line for CO2 increase. Must be just a coincidence, otherwise we would have to call for volunteers.
Per Human Carbon Output
This is interesting but I clicked this link to find out how much carbon emissions per actual human independent of power use and product consumption. Just as a result of the animal's existence. From farts, personal locomotion, breathing and creating and shedding new body cells.
Co2
Thu Dec 17 14:58:17 GMT 2009 by Joe
I notice you have said "It is true that human emissions of CO2 are small compared with natural sources" But failed to go into more detail. It's so tiny in comparison, that it's rediculous to think it could have any impact. Why not include some figures to show just how tiny human impact is on co2 levels?
Co2 Percentages
Mon Dec 21 14:25:25 GMT 2009 by John Urwin
If CO2 is 4 parts in 10,000 of the total of atmospheric gases and is 5% of the insulating gases, I am struggling to understand how an increase of 1 part in 10,000 (i.e. 400ppm to 500ppm - 0.01%) can alter the earth's average temperature by 10%, i.e. an increase in 2 degrees, assuming the average temperature is 20 degC.
So What?
Fri Jan 08 04:35:01 GMT 2010 by Tim
So What?
CO2 does not cause global warming. 95% of greenhoues gasses are water vapour. The temperature of the planet has been falling since 1998. Which scientists in the world believe that CO2 causes global warming? Only a very few I suspect. 31,000 US scientists wrote to President Obama saying that CO2 does not cause global warming. It's time to start checking back to the original data. Shame on New Scientist for publishing such misleading information.
Can't Follow The Logic
Thu Jan 21 00:37:19 GMT 2010 by Mike O'Connor
If, after atmospheric release, 40% of human-caused CO2 production goes into the oceans, meaning that 60% remains in the atmosphere (as you say), then that same rule must be applied to natural emissions from the putrescence of plant and animal matter (because all of the CO2 molecules are utterly identical).
So why wouldn't the CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere not increase without limit, even if there were no humans?
Why Are Other Planets Also Warming Up
NASA confirms that Mars is warming up. They attribute it to more intense sun storms, in the last 30 years, which emits large clouds of neutrinos. This has apparently similar effect on the Earth's core. Hence if the sun activity can warms the Earth's core how can we control our own destiny on climate warming?
It seems to me that two things are happening as follows:
1/ We are being prepared for the after petrol era. In 1970 we were told that the world natural reserve of oil would be depleted by the year 2020. We are now being told that it will be 2050. I have no problem in accepting the necessity to do so but I have a real problem with told inaccuracies which I am supposed to believe.
2/ The so called "Green" are creating a new Green Business which has replaced silicon in the Silicon Valley. Al Gore financial interests in such business is obvious. Let's not be Green about being manipulated!!
Co2 Levels Have Been As High As Current Levels 4 Times In The Past 400,000 Years
Thu Feb 25 15:25:11 GMT 2010 by Gregg Short
Isn't it true that CO2 levels have been as high as current levels 4 times in the past 400,000 years? If so is the opening statement on this page accurate (Ice cores show that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have remained between 180 and 300 parts per million for the past half-a-million years. In recent centuries, however, CO2 levels have risen sharply, to at least 380 ppm (see Greenhouse gases hit new high))?
Unbelievable
Tue Mar 30 01:02:05 BST 2010 by Julie
I find it utterly baffling that science has come to this. Human caused climate change theory really is the new dogmatic religion.
I recently studied an international environmental law course in New Zealand and was taught, as fact, that human CO2 emissions are causing the world to warm and as a result of this in 50-100 years the Earth will be inhabitable unless we change our ways.
As anyone who undertakes some independent investigation will discover, there is actually no evidence to support this. It is a very weak and easily disprovable theory which has been jumped upon by those with very questionable political motivations.
In fact even a look at Al Gore's giant graph featured in "An Inconvenient Truth' shows that the CO2 changes FOLLOW temperature change. Yes, they do not precede but actually lag BEHIND temperature change. Al Gore's graph actually shows that CO2 levels are not a cause of temperature change, but an after effect (warming causing oceans to release more CO2).
Anyone who blindly pedals the human caused climate change theory really must step back, look at the facts and the political motivations behind this theory.
P.S. I love nature and the outdoors, hence living in New Zealand. I am not an oil barron. | eng | 8d21525d-9ca0-497d-9c1f-5c38546bfebf | http://www.newscientist.com/commenting/browse?id=dn11638 |
"We appear to be memory coils (DNA carriers capable of experience) in a computer-like thinking system which, although we have correctly recorded and stored thousands of years of experiental information, and each of us possesses somewhat different deposits from all the other life forms, there is a malfunction, a failure of memory retrieval. Therefore it is in the process of self-repair, which includes: rebuilding our subcircuit via linear and orthogonal time changes, as well as continual signaling to us to stimulate blocked memory banks within us to fire and hence retrieve what is there." — Philip K. Dick
The structure of DNA as we know it is made up of "letters" (represented by the base pairs ATCG) which form "words" that are instructions to build an amino acid compound. There are 64 such "words" and one or more of these words represent the instruction and information necessary to create one of the 22 amino acids used to create the protein structure of a living body. You could say our bodies are made up of a living language.
In 1968, Marie-Louise von Franz, a disciple of Carl Jung, published an essay in which she speculated that there might be some structural link between the I Ching and DNA. A year later Dr. Martin Schonberger published an article in which he presented "the astonishing parallels between the natural science of the I Ching and the latest discoveries of nuclear genetics". If the I Ching is an accurate analogy for the syntax of the genetic code, then what does that imply about our fate?
Recent research by Russian scientists have found that the sequencing of the codons of the non-coding regions of DNA (~97% of the genome) follow the rules of some kind of biological language. Research further revealed that the codons actually form words and sentences, just like our ordinary human language follows rules of grammar. Scientists have conducted much research on the origins of human languages and the origins of the grammatical rules that are so essential to all human languages. However, they have continually failed to find the source, but this research suggests that the origins of language may be surprisingly attributed to DNA. According to these findings our DNA is not only responsible for the construction of our body, but also serves as data storage and communication.
The vibrational behaviour of DNA was also studied and experients show that live DNA will always react to modulated laser rays and even to radio waves in the proper frequencies are being used. This scientifically explains why affirmations, hypnosis and other such methods have such strong effects on human beings. It is entirely normal and natural for our DNA to react to language. These studies prove the importance of our thoughts, words and language on out very being since they have the inherent ability to shape us into the person we are.
Could it be possible by looking at the structure of DNA for us to reconstruct a new syntax, grammar and vocabulary? Could it be, as Fulcanelli suggests, that fragments of the original language of light can be found in the divinatory systems used by all nautes, shaman and initiates?
Baba Eyiogbe says "… It is indeed part of the Ifa tradition that Ifa was brought to China, but in a more limited form. This is sometimes attributed to a warrior path of Obatalá, Obatalá Ayaguna. This path of Obatalá is the Ifa diviner for the other paths of Obatalá as well (when Orunmila does not do it directly). …".
When the 8 trigrams are combined in pairs
according to the Fu Xi Earlier Heaven Ho Tu arrangement
to make 64 hexagrams of the I Ching,
you get a very symmetrical I Ching pattern
Although the Earlier Heaven arrangement of the 8 trigrams
does not exactly correspond to the binary number
sequence from 0 through 7
(it is 0,1,2,3,7,6,5,4 instead of 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7),
the Earlier Heaven arrangement of the 64 hexagrams
does correspond to the binary number
sequence from 0 through 63.
According to two 13 February 2001 articles in The New York Times by Nicholas Wade: "… Dr. J. Craig Venter and colleagues at Celera Genomics report in …[ Science 291 (16 February 2001) 1304-1351 ]… that they have identified 26,588 human genes for sure, with another 12,731 candidate genes. … Celera's rival, the publicly funded consortium of academic centers, has come to a similar conclusion. Its report in …[ Nature 409 (15 February 2001) 860-921, where they say "... Genes (or at least their coding regions) comprise only a tiny fraction of human DNA, but they represent the major biological function of the genome and the main focus of interest by biologists. ...." ]… pegs the probable number of human genes at 30,000 to 40,000. Because the current gene-finding methods tend to overpredict, each side prefers the lower end of its range, and 30,000 seems to be the new favorite estimate. … Most of the repetitive DNA sequences in the 75 percent of the genome that is essentially junk ceased to accumulate millions of years ago, but a few of sequences are still active and may do some good. The chromosomes themselves have a rich archaeology. Large blocks of genes seem to have been extensively copied from one human chromosome to another, beckoning genetic archaeologists to figure out the order in which the copying occurred and thus to reconstruct the history of the animal genome.
As the modest number of human genes became apparent, biologists in both teams were forced to think how to account for the greater complexity of people, given that they seem to possess only 50 percent more genes than the roundworm. It is not foolish pride to suppose there is something more to Homo sapiens than Caenorhabditis elegans. The roundworm is a little tube of a creature with a body of 959 cells, of which 302 are neurons in what passes for its brain. Humans have 100 trillion cells in their body, including 100 billion brain cells.
Several explanations are emerging for how to generate extra complexity other than by adding more genes. One is the general idea of combinatorial complexity – with just a few extra proteins one could make a much larger number of different combinations between them. …
The two teams' first scanning of the genome suggests … ways in which humans have become more complex than worms.
One comes from analysis of what are called protein domains. Proteins, the working parts of the cell, are often multipurpose tools, with each role being performed by a different section or domain of the protein. Many protein domains are very ancient. Comparing the domains of proteins made by the roundworm, the fruit fly and people, the consortium reports that only 7 percent of the protein domains found in people were absent from worm and fly, suggesting that "few new protein domains have been invented in the vertebrate lineage." But these domains have been mixed and matched in the vertebrate line to create more complex proteins. …
Evolution has devised another ingenious way of increasing complexity, which is to divide a gene into several different segments and use them in different combinations to make different proteins. The protein-coding segments of a gene are known as exons and the DNA in between as introns. The initial transcript of a gene is processed by a delicate piece of cellular machinery known as a spliceosome, which strips out all the introns and joins the exons together. Sometimes, perhaps because of signals from the introns that have yet to be identified, certain exons are skipped, and a different protein is made. The ability to make different proteins from the same gene is known as alternative splicing. The consortium's biologists say that alternative splicing is more common in human cells than in the fly or worm and that the full set of human proteins could be five times as large as the worm's.
Another possible source of extra complexity is that human proteins have sugars and other chemical groups attached to them after synthesis.
There's a different explanation of human complexity, which is simply that the new low-ball figure of human genes derived by Celera and consortium is a gross undercount. Dr. William Haseltine, president of Human Genome Sciences, has long maintained that there are 120,000 or so human genes. … Dr. Haseltine … remains unshaken in his estimate of 100,000 to 120,000 genes. He said last week that his company had captured and sequenced 90,000 full-length genes, from which all alternative splice forms and other usual sources of confusion have been removed. He has made and tested the proteins from 10,000 of these genes. The consortium and Celera have both arrived at the same low number because both are using the same faulty methods, in his view. … Dr. Haseltine notes that the gene-finding methods used by the two teams depend in part on looking for genes like those already known, a procedure that may well miss radically different types of genes. His own method, capturing the genes produced by variety of human cell types, is one that Dr. Venter says in his paper is the ultimate method of counting human genes. … Dr. Eric S. Lander of the Whitehead Institute last week challenged Dr. Haseltine to make public all the genes he had found in a 1 percent region of the genome and let others assess his claim. … Dr. Haseltine said yesterday that he was contemplating the best way to respond and that he was "planning to do so in one form or another, in the open literature."
Turning from genes to chromosomes, one of the most interesting discoveries in this week's papers concerns segmental duplications, or the copying of whole blocks of genes from one chromosome to the other. These block transfers are so extensive that they seem to have been a major evolutionary factor in the genome's present size and architecture. They may arise because of a protective mechanism in which the cell reinserts broken-off fragments of DNA back into the chromosomes.
In Celera's genome article, Dr. Venter presents a table showing how often blocks of similar genes in the same order can be found throughout the genome. Chromosome 19 seems the biggest borrower, or maybe lender, with blocks of genes shared with 16 other chromosomes. … Segmental duplication is an important source of innovation because the copied block of genes is free to develop new functions. …
Celera ordered the world's most powerful civilian computer to calculate how to assemble its
27 million 500-base pair fragments into an entire genome.
Its rival, the public consortium of academic centers, felt no need for a massive computer and assembly program because its genome decoding strategy didn't require one. But a computational biologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, whose supervisor had been asked to help identify genes, realized the genome had to be assembled before gene identification could begin. In four weeks Jim Kent wrote an assembly program that put the consortium's jumble of DNA fragments into coherent order. It was this assembled sequence on which most of the consortium's genome analysis is based. Mr. Kent also wrote a browser, a program that aligns the known genes and other interpretive information in tracks above the actual genome sequence. Anyone wanting to take a tour of the human genome, with Mr. Kent's browser as their guide, can do so at genome.ucsc.edu. …
One of the most intriguing hints that new biology may be discovered in the genome comes from an initial survey of the mouse genome, which Celera said this week it had assembled. Laying the mouse genome sequence over the human sequence is extremely revealing because most of the DNA has diverged in the 100 million years since mouse and man last shared a common ancestor. The DNA regions that are similar between the two species are those important enough to have been conserved. At a stroke, almost all the genes fall out as noticeably similar. So too do many of the control regions of DNA that precede the genes.
"… RNA and DNA are strings of chemical units called bases that embody the genetic code. The bases are represented by the letters A, C, G and either T in DNA or U in RNA. The C base always binds to G. A binds only to T or U. So a single strand of DNA or RNA can bind to another strand that has the complementary bases. Under what is known as the central dogma of genetics, genes, which are the recipes for making proteins, are part of the DNA of the chromosomes. When a protein is to be made, the DNA is copied onto a corresponding piece of single-stranded RNA, known as messenger RNA, that delivers the recipe to the cell's protein-making machinery. Proteins make up most of a cell and perform most of its functions, including turning genes on and off.But new evidence suggests that some RNA is not merely the intermediary between DNA and protein, but the end product. Some huge stretches of DNA that do not contain protein-coding genes and have been considered "junk" actually hold the code for some of this RNA. …
… in addition to the DNA's containing the recipes for proteins, a lot more DNA was being copied into RNA. The recently deciphered mouse genome was found to have about twice as much in common with the human genome as could be accounted for by protein-coding genes. … At least part of this overlap appears to be genes that produce RNA as their end product. What all of this RNA is doing is not clear … But mounting evidence suggests that at least some RNA is involved in regulating the way genes are turned on or off. … the most radical view: that RNA provides the command and control of cells. Proteins … are like bricks and beams. But the RNA determines whether those bricks and beams become office buildings or houses. This RNA network … provides the complexity that separates higher life forms from simpler ones. …".
… Some genes … produce tiny RNA's, known as micro-RNA's or miRNA, which are about 21 to 23 bases, or letters, in length. The micro-RNA's bind to matching pieces of messenger RNA, turn it into a double strand and keep it from doing its job. The process effectively stifles the production of the corresponding protein. …
… small interfering RNA's or siRNA's …[are]… pieces of about 21 to 23 bases … Each short segment attracts a phalanx of enzymes. Together, they seek out messenger RNA that corresponds to the small RNA and destroy it. …
… micro-RNA's appear to be formed as longer stretches of RNA that fold back on themselves like hairpins to create double strands. The sequence of bases is sort of like a palindrome, so that when the folding occurs, complementary bases line up, and the two arms of the hairpin stick together. …
… small RNA's bind to chromosomes to shut down genes more permanently than can be done by stifling messenger RNA. …
… viruses … sometimes create double-strand RNA when they replicate … Mammalian cells, confronted with long double-strand RNA, basically destroy themselves as a defense against pathogens. But two years ago scientists at the Max Planck Institute found that short double-strand RNA, again about 21 to 23 bases, would not set off the self-destructive response but would silence the corresponding gene. …".
According to a 7 July 2001 BBC article by Helen Briggs: "… Two rival teams that cracked the human genome may have underestimated the number of human genes, according to a new computer analysis. Scientists in the United States claim
nearly twice as many as the current consensus. … a … team, based at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, has reanalysed the raw data, using a supercomputer, and come up with a higher estimate for the number of human genes. "We ended up with a higher estimated number of genes than the other two teams because we compared 13 different gene databases to the DNA sequences in the draft genome produced by the Human Genome Project," said Bo Yuan of Ohio State University. … The discrepancy seems to arise from the process used to analyse human genetic data. … The genome is the complete list of coded instructions needed to make a person There are 3.1 billion letters in the DNA code in every one of the 100 trillion cells in the human body If all of the DNA in the human body were put end to end, it would reach to the Sun and back more than 600 times. … Buried within these coded instructions are the genes – 'sentences' which hold the instructions for the proteins of which human tissue is made. The genes occupy only about a hundredth of the length of the huge string of DNA, broken up into the 46 chromosomes in every cell. To fish out the genes, which are hidden among the long continuous string of letters, scientists rely on genetic databases. … The Ohio State University team says Celera's genome map, and particularly, the Human Genome Project map relied mainly on two databases to locate the genes. They used these two databases plus 11 others. "We used more experimental evidence in assembling our map, and that suggests that there are probably between 65,000 and 75,000 transcriptional units," said Dr Yuan. A transcriptional unit is a length of DNA that shows strong evidence of being a gene but which requires future verification. This is where the dispute arises. "Some researchers are unsettled by the certainty with which the Human Genome Consortium is presenting its lower gene count," said Fred Wright of Ohio State University. "In my view, the final number of genes – when it is known – will lie somewhere between their high of 40,000 and our value of 70,000." … Arguments over how many genes it takes to build a human being look set to continue. A gene sweepstake set up by scientists attending the Cold Spring Harbor Genome Meetings in the United States is still taking entries. To date, there have been 165 bets, ranging from 27,462 to 153,478 human genes. So far, the money is on 61,710. …".
"… the genetic code may be represented by a six-dimensional boolean hypercube in which the codons (actually the code-words …) occupy the [ 2^6 = 64 ] vertices (nodes) in such a way that all kinship neighborhoods are correctly represented. This approach is a particular application to binary sequences of length six of the general concept of sequence-space, first introduced in coding theory by Hamming …
… The six-dimensional hypercube …
… Each node is labeled with the corresponding amino acid …
… It is well known in the field of Genetic Algorithms that a proper encoding is crucial to the success of an algorithm. Furthermore in … R. A. Caruana and J. D. Schaffer, Representation and hidden bias: Gray vs. binary coding for genetic algorithms, in: J. Laird (ed.), Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Machine Learning, Morgan Kauffman Publ. Inc., 153-161 (San Mateo, 1988). … it is shown the superiority of Gray coding over binary coding for the performance of a genetic algorithm. As it was shown above the structure of the genetic code is precisely the structure of a Gray code. …".
Katya Walter has shown that the Fu Xi Earlier Heaven
Ho Tu arrangement of the 64 hexagrams
can represent the DNA genetic code:
Since the DNA genetic code can be represented by
4 things taken 3 at a time,
or (2x2) x (2x2) x (2x2) = 64,
and since the I Ching (which is based on 6 bars,
each of which can be in 2 states - broken or unbroken)
can be represented by 2 things taken 6 at a time,
or 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 64,
and since pairs of octonionic half-spinors of the Spin(0,8)
Clifford algebra Cl(0,8) on which the D4-D5-E6-E7 physics model is based
can be represented by 8 things taken 2 at a time,
or (2x2x2) x (2x2x2) = 64,
the genetic code, the I Ching, and the D4-D5-E6-E7 physics model
are all just different representations
of the same fundamental structure.
The fundamental structure of 8 trigrams can not only be extended
to 8x8 = 2^6 = 64 hexagrams,
but also to 24-grams, of which there are 8^8 = 2^24 = 16,777,216.
24-grams are directly related to Golay codes and the Leech lattice.
In that connection,
the hexacode H6 is related to Golay codes and the Leech lattice.
The hexacode H6 can be used to construct
quantum-error-correcting codes that are based on GF(4),
and
an RNA code is based on 4 nucleotides UGAC, taken 3 at a time.
Katya Walter has shown that
the I Ching representation of the DNA genetic code
can be transformed in a natural way to
an I Ching representation of the RNA genetic code.
The same fundamental structure is also shared
by Penrose tilings and musical sequences.
Further,
you can represent genetic information by
DNA sequence music (215k wav).
Katya Walter has shown that the representation of the DNA code
by Fu Xi's Ho Tu arrangement of the I Ching is not superficial.
The 55 points of the Ho Tu diagram can be divided into
27 SouthEast points and 28 NorthWest points,
if the central point is put into the NorthWest part.
The G-C base pair has 15 ring atoms and 12 other atoms,
just as the SouthEast part has 15 even points and 12 odd points.
The T-A base pair has 15 ring atoms and 13 other atoms,
just as the NouthWest part has 15 even points and 13 odd points.
If the central point is allowed to remain central,
and represent a U(1) propagator phase,
then both the SouthEast and NorthWest parts
have 15 even points and 12 odd points,
so that they represent
the 15 generators of the Spin(6) that gives
conformal gravity and the Higgs mechanism
and
the 12 generators of the SU(3)xSU(2)xU(1) standard model,
that is,
all the gauge bosons of the D4-D5-E6-E7-E8 VoDou Physics model spacetime.
Note that, to represent physical structures
such as the DNA code and the D4-D5-E6-E7 model gauge bosons,
the proper axis for the Ho Tu diagram is NorthEast-SouthWest,
which is different
from the North-South axis used to represent abstract Yin-Yang
binary math structure.
Such a diagonal axis will be used in the Lo Shu diagram,
which is more oriented to representations of physical structures,
as opposed to abstract structures.
China's third emperor Huang Di started the
present Chinese calendar on 10 February 2697 BC.
About 4,200 years ago, when Comet Hale-Bopp last appeared,
Yu (father of the first emperor of the Xia dynasty)
saw, rising from the Lo River, a turtle
with markings of the
Yu interpreted the 4 directions and 4 diagonal directions
of the Lo Shu in terms of the Later Heaven arrangement
of the 8 trigrams of the I Ching:
Note that the Yu Later Heaven Lo Shu arrangement of the 8 trigrams
is not very symmetrical with respect to abstract Yin-Yang
binary structure,
but is very symmetrical with respect to a NorthEast-SouthWest axis
and the physical representation of the 5 Elements.
The NorthEast-SouthWest axis is Earth-Earth-Earth,
SouthEast and East are Wood,
NorthWest and West are Metal, and
South is Fire and North is Water.
Although the Lo Shu is not very symmetrical with respect
to abstract Yin-Yang binary structure,
the Lo Shu diagram does have the interesting mathematical
structure of a Magic Square:
In addition to Square tilings of the plane,
there are Hexagonal tilings.
The only Magic Hexagon that exits also has central number 5:
15
14 13
9 8 10
6 4
11 5 12
1 2
18 7 16
17 19
3
There are 15 sums, 5 parallel to each of its 3 axes.
Each sum is 38 = 2x19, and there are 1+6+12 = 19 cells.
19x19 is the dimension of the lattice of a WeiQi board.
Perhaps because of its lack of abstract Yin-Yang binary symmetry,
the Later Heaven Lo Shu arrangement of the 8 trigrams
did not lead Yu to make
a corresponding arrangement of the 64 hexagrams.
It was not until about 3,100 years ago
that Wen-wang (father of the founder of the Zhou dynasty)
made a Lo Shu arrangement of the 64 hexagrams.
Since Wen-wang's son Wu-wang named him (posthumously) as
the first emperor of the Zhou dynasty,
Wen-wang is known as King Wen,
and his arrangement of the 64 hexagrams
often called the King Wen arrangement.
King Wen created his arrangement while imprisoned by
the Shang emperor. It was not an arrangement to describe
abstract principles, but to describe his life and how it
could be useful in overthrowing the corrupt Shang emperor
and setting up a better government.
The 64 King Wen hexagrams are arranged in 32 dual pairs.
For 28 of the pairs, one is the other turned upside down.
8 hexagrams are the same turned upside down,
so they make up 4 pairs of opposites.
The 28 upside-down symmetric pairs have a similar symmetry
to the 28-dimensional antisymmetric real 8x8 matrices
that represent Spin(0,8) of the D4-D5-E6-E7 physics model.
King Wen's arrangement is designed for life in our physical world,
beginning with pure Yang, forward moving Heaven,
and ending with a hexagram described by two characters
that mean "not yet across (a river)",
so that its ending is really also a beginning,
just as in real life.
Perhaps that is why the King Wen arrangement is the one
most often seen in present-day I Ching books.
Another son of King Wen was the Duke of Zhou,
the brother of King Wu (Wu-wang).
When King Wen wrote about the 64 hexagrams,
he wrote for each entire hexagram a Judgment.
The Duke of Zhou wrote a poetic text, the Line Text,
for each hexagram Judgment.
Each poem line corresponds to a hexagram line,
and each whole poem goes with
the Chinese characters for each hexagram Judgment.
Much later commentaries, such as the Ten Wings,
have been added to the present-day I Ching books.
My opinion about such later commentaries is
the same as that of Rosemary and Kerson Huang:
"The poetic aspect of the I Ching,
however, has been obscured by the Ten Wings.
How can you enjoy poetry if every line is followed
by government regulations on how to read it?"
than the Fu Xi and King Wen arrangements.
The 8 trigrams can be arranged in 8! = 40,320 different orders.
As well as ordering the 8 trigrams differently,
you can pick subsets of the 8 trigrams.
That can also be done in many ways:
there are 2^8 = 256 subsets of the 8 trigrams.
The number of subsets of the 8 trigrams is
the dimension of the Cl(0,8) Clifford algebra
that is used in the D4-D5-E6-E7 physics model
and
is related to ordering the 8 trigrams
by the Clifford sequence corresponding
to the binary numbers from 0 through 7
You can arrange the 64 hexagrams
in 64! (about 1.27 x 10^89) different orders.
As well as ordering the 64 hexagrams differently,
you can pick subsets of the 64 hexagrams.
That can also be done in many ways:
there are 2^64 (about 1.844 x 10^19) subsets of the 64 hexagrams.
The number of subsets of the 64 hexagrams is
useful in estimating the Planck mass.
If you want more possibilities,
consider the (2^64)! possible orderings
of all 2^64 subsets of the 64 hexagrams.
If you want still more,
consider the possible orderings
within each of the 2^64 subsets of the 64 hexagrams.
The ordering of the
64 hexagrams in the HuangLao Daoist Mawangdui Silk Text
may be related to historical events of the time period
from 613 BC (Emperor Zhuang of Chu)
to the time the manuscript was copied,
probably about 202-195 BC (Emperor Liu Bang of Han).
A natural ordering of the 64 hexagrams is
the I Ching lattice of Billy Culver
Tai Hsuan Ching
was written by Yang Hsiung,
who lived from about 53 BC to about 18 AD.
As the I Ching is based on hexagrams of binary lines,
for a total of 2x2x2x2x2x2 = 8x8 = 64 hexagrams,
the Tai Hsuan Ching is based on tetragrams of ternary lines,
for a total of 3x3x3x3 = 9x9 = 81 tetragrams.
45-dimensional D4 progresses to E6 in the D4-D5-E6-E7-E8 VoDou Physics model (45 is the total number of the I Ching Magic Square and the 27-dimensional representation of E6 is like the 27×27 Magic Square version of the Tai Hsuan Ching Magic Cube.);
The numbers shown in the arrangement below
are the ternary numbers plus 1,
as the ternary numbers go from 0 to 80
instead of from 1 to 81.
The ternary number arrangement is similar to
the Fu Xi binary number arrangement of the I Ching.
The 81 tetragrams correspond to the 81 verses
of the Tao Te Ching.
The Tai Hsuan Ching may be at least as
old as the King Wen arrangement of the I Ching,
since such tetragrams have been
found on Shang and Zhou dynasty oracle bones.
To construct the Tai Hsuan Ching,
start with the 3x3 I Ching Magic Square
| |
4 | 9 | 2
_____|_____|_____
| |
3 | 5 | 7
_____|_____|_____
| |
8 | 1 | 6
| |
whose central number, 5, is also
central in the sequence 1,2,3,4, 5, 6,7,8,9
which sequence corresponds
to the octonions 1,i,j,k, 0, E,I,J,K
whose total number for each line is 15,
the dimension of the largest Hopf fibration
and the dimension of the imaginary sedenions.
If you take into account the direction in which you add each
of the 8 ways, and add all directed ways together
you get a total of 16x15 = 240
which is the number of vertices of a Witting polytope.
The total of all 9 numbers is 45,
the dimension of the D5 Lie algebra Spin(10)
that is used in the D4-D5-E6-E7 physics model
in which
the D4 Spin(8) subgroup of Spin(10) corresponds
to 28 bivector gauge bosons
and the 16-dimensional homogeneous space
Spin(10) / Spin(8)xU(1)
corresponds to an 8-dimensional complex domain
whose Shilov boundary is RP1 x S7
corresponding to an 8-dimensional spacetime.
Notice that the 3x3 Magic Square gives
the gauge bosons and the spacetime
of the D4-D5-E6-E7 physics model
but
does not contain the spinor fermions.
The 3 generations of spinor fermions
corresond to a Lie Algebra Magic Square.
The Tai Hsuan Ching construction will
give us the spinor fermions,
and therefore corresponds to
the complete D4-D5-E6-E7 physics model.
To construct the Tai Hsaun Ching,
consider the Magic Square sequence as a line
3 8 4 9 5 1 6 2 7
with central 5 and opposite pairs at equal distances.
If you try to make that, or a multiple of it,
into a 9x9 Magic Square whose central number
is the central number 41 of 9x9 = 81 = 40+1+40,
you will fail because 41 is not a multiple of 5.
However, since 365 = 5x73 is
the central number of 729 = 364+1+364 , you can
make a 9x9x9 Magic Cube with 9x9x9 = 729 entries,
each 9x9 square of which is a Magic Square.
The Magic Cube of the Tai Hsaun Ching
gives the same sum for all lines parallel to an edge,
and for all diagonals containing the central entry.
The central number of the Magic Cube, 365,
the period of a Maya Haab.
The total number for each line is 3,285 = 219 x 15.
The total of all numbers is 266,085 = 5,913 x 45.
Since 729 is the smallest odd number greater than 1
that is both a cubic number and a square number,
the 729 entries of the 9x9x9 Magic Cube with central entry 365
can be rearranged to form
a 27x27 Magic Square with 729 entries and central entry 365.
27 = 3x3x3 = 13+1+13 is a cubic number with central number 14,
and there is a 3x3x3 Magic Cube with central entry 14
(14 is the dimension of the exceptional Lie algebra G2)
and sum 42:
10 24 8 26 1 15 6 17 19
23 7 12 3 14 25 16 21 5
9 11 22 13 27 2 20 4 18
The lowest dimensional non-trivial representation
of the Lie algebra E6 is 27-dimensional,
corresponding to the 27-dimensional Jordan algebra
of 3x3 Hermitian octonionic matrices.
E6 is the 78-dimensional Lie algebra
that is used in the D4-D5-E6-E7 physics model
in which
the 32-dimensional homogeneous space
E6 / Spin(10)xU(1)
corresponds to a 16-dimensional complex domain
whose Shilov boundary is two copies of RP1 x S7
corresponding to Spin(8) spinors, representing
8 fermion particles and 8 fermion antiparticles.
All 4 components of the D4-D5-E6-E7 model,
arising from the 4 fundamental representations of Spin(8),
are contained within E6:
8 half-spinor fermion particles;
8 half-spinor fermion antiparticles;
8-dimensional spacetime
(4 Physical Spacetime dimensions and
4 Internal Symmetry dimensions);
and 28 gauge bosons
(12 for the Standard Model,
15 for Conformal Gravity and the Higgs Mechanism, and
1 for propagator phase).
The Lie algebra E6 is 72+6 = 78-dimensional,
and has Weyl group of order 72x6! = 51,840
which is the symmetry group of the 6-dimensional polytope 2_21
with 27 vertices and 27+72 faces
which is also the symmetry group of the 27 line configuration:
has central entry 365,
and 365 = 73 x 5 is the whole number of days in a solar year.
The corresponding Maya 365-day period is called the Haab.
The 8x8 Magic Square and 4x4x4 Magic Cube of the I Ching
have sums 260 and 130 = 260/2,
and 260 = 13 x 5 x 4 is the number of days in a Maya Tzolkin.
The common period of the Maya Haab and Tzolkin
is 73 x 5 x 13 x 4 = 18,980 days or 52 Haab.
The synodic period of Venus is 584 = 73 x 8.
The common period of the Maya Haab and
the synodic period of Venus
is 73 x 5 x 8 = 37,960 days or 104 Haab.
The common period of the Maya Haab and Tzolkin and
the synodic period of Venus
is 73 x 5 x 8 = 2,929 days or 8 Haab.
Since the 8x8 = 4x4x4 = 64, and 584 = 2 x 260 + 64.
the synodic period of Venus is naturally expressible in
terms of the 8x8 Magic Square and the 4x4x4 Magic Cube.
Here is the 9x9x9 Magic Cube: | eng | 2db53aba-4095-42d3-8a6f-75be46936a6b | http://theuniversalmatrix.com/pt-br/artigos/?p=1183 |
hope this girl is a redditor and sees this. I can't believe this girl still supposedly likes OP after having that said to her.
EDIT: For everyone who won't read the rest of the thread, OP basically is whining about how he's been in this situation tons of times. That he hangs out with girls for a long time, is super nice to them, and then is surprised when they don't fuck him after being nice for so long. The concept of a girl not wanting to have sex with him for any number is reasons is a completely foreign concept to him. He doesn't understand that leading a girl on for months, and being super-nice to them actually MAKES THEM LIKE YOU SOMETIMES and to girls experience has proven that having sex with somebody they like too quickly does not provide them with the satisfying emotional relationship they want with the guy they like. OP is also complaining how douchebags always get laid but nice guys "like him" don't. FYI, the "nice-guys" are WHO we call the douchebags, you douches are the guys who are only interested in sex and that's why the true "nice guy" doesn't exist.
haha oh boy this just sounds like you had this happen and now you're embarrassed that most of reddit called you on it . Then again, some of the things you posted were extremely stupid, I was wondering if this was just a troll. I'm not mad, just like you I too enjoy inciting discussions on the internet. You know, if you wanted to make a point about sex on the internet, maybe you should try /r/sex or /r/relationships for an actual discussion, not a childish rage comic on this subreddit. As for your last point, making too good of an impression certainly does not mean sex isn't going to happen. There's tons of different situations which is why arguing about this is pointless. I'm not mad at all, everyone keeps saying that so maybe I should watch how I come across in my comments.
Perhaps you didn't mean to, but that sure came off as douche-y. Getting pissed at a girl for not sleeping with you when she isn't ready? Just because someone's slept around in their history does not make it okay for you to assume they will do the same with you, boy or girl. Seriously, you should have thought of it more as something considerate on her part rather than you missing out on getting laid.
How do I explain this...You have a friend. This friend hangs out with you all the time and you start to feel close to them and you really enjoy their company. After about a month you find out that they actually don't care for your personality, but they just wanted your N64 and were using you.
It hurts.
So when I put off having sex with a guy, it's because I want to make sure he is having fun hanging out with me for me and not just because he wants to fuck me. It's equally painful to find out that the guy who has been into you only wanted to be with you to fuck you and not because they really enjoyed who you were.
I'm a gay guy, with a slightly different perspective. I have definitely lost interest in guys from sleeping with them too soon. Option A - Say she sleeps with him, wakes up the next morning, and goes on her way. She starts to think 'eh i dont really want to deal with a boyfriend now anyways,' she doesn't even know him that well, and decides to just leave it at that - after all her brain already got the reward. (this scenario works for the guy as well).
Option B - she waits, they get to know each other better. The sexual drive acts like glue to get them to stay interested in each other. Now they have sex, but they continue wanting to go back to each other because they like the other person. Our brains need this hand-off sometimes - wait on the sex until you get to know the other person, otherwise your brain has already gotten the reward and starts to find faults in the other person and lose interest.
Wait, so to avoid having your "friend" leave you since you won't play N64 with him, you instead let douchebags play your N64 for a few days and then they leave? Isn't that what you were trying to avoid with your friend in the first place?
I see what you're saying so I'll try to explain the weird psychology of the female gender:
Females always have to know exactly what kind of relationship they're getting into:
So, yes, it's kind of shitty but some people will get a quick ride pass because the girl probably wants the relationship to be nothing more than sex either.
But then there are those relationships that the girl wants more from than just sex. So "waiting" is just another way of checking to make sure that the guy's intentions are the same as hers.
So, when a girl wants to "wait" for you, it's both a pain in the ass but also a compliment in a way.
This makes the most sense of anything posted in the defense of this train of thought thus far, so thank you for that. But, the problem with this tactic is that there too many girls known to abuse the "compliment of waiting" and take advantage of nice guys with it. If that didn't happen (and unfortunately I don't see it changing) all of this wouldn't be a problem.
Yeah. I don't see why some people don't get this concept. If they're only after a quick fuck, they're not going to waste their time hanging out with you so much when they could find someone else with less effort. Same goes for chicks.
You have to take into account everyone's feelings. Ultimately if she doesn't want to do it, it isn't happening. However, OP knows she has slept with many guys on the first date and she wouldn't sleep with him, yet. One could make the claim that it makes him feel like he is not as good as the other guys.
Hell, it's not like she is breaking any rules by sleeping with a guy she actually intends to be in a relationship, because that would be a silly rule.
I agree, that would make me feel completely unwanted if she wants to wait for no good reason, also, why invest your feelings in a person if you don't know if there is sexual compatibility? I think everyone knows that being happy in bed is one of the key factors in a relationship.
When women put off having sex with a guy, this only really applies if the guy knows they've slept around some, it is downright offensive. I know its not meant to be, but the guy interprets the woman as think he is not good/attractive enough to sleep with her, and that she only want him because he makes her feel better about herself. This wouldn't be so bad if the girl also made the guy feel better about himself, but all to often its almost all about the girl, generally because the guy makes it that way.
Edit: Also chances are the guy has been in the relationship far longer than the girl.
I can see his frustration/confusion, but the girl apparently discriminates between "casual sex" and the intimacy involved with "relationship sex". I see nothing wrong with that, and even if I did it doesn't invalidate her opinion.
I agree, I had the same issue with my girlfriend and even straight up told her but to her hook ups were just meaningless sex and that when she was with me she said she wanted it to be special. I got over it quickly and now we're all hunky dory! But really, OP, what da top comment said.
He's being sarcastic. He's blatantly saying the views of a select group of people (presumably the OP) to show how absurd they actually are. We often refer to this as "satire" or "sarcasm" or a "dry sense of humor".
AGAIN: he's not making fun of women, he's making fun of men who behave according to the absurd claims he is pretending to make.
Just like every girl you hook up with isn't looking to sleep with you. You're saying you don't think girls owe it to you, but basically you think that girls owe it to you as a reward for your niceness. That's really not nice at all.
Yes, mcfluffle is correct. Also I love mcfluffle's username. Now onto the thick OP.
"Its just frusturating to basically see their douchebaggery rewarded while niceness goes unrewarded".
Really?! You telling her that she's slept with lots of people the first night she's met them and whining about how she chose not to do that with you isn't douchey at all?? If you're looking for a girl to just hook up with, make that clear/find a girl that's just looking for a hookup too. Don't lead girls on by hanging out with them for a long time, being super nice, and then being surprised when they actually FUCKING LIKE YOU AND WANT TO KEEP THE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION YOU SUPPOSEDLY HAVE, since experience has proven to many girls that jumping into sex too quickly does not provide them with a satisfying emotional relationship they want with the person they like.
I guess what he is saying (and most guys are saying) is that they don't understand her choice. And would like to. If a girl is willing to sleep around for fun with guys she doesn't like then why would she not be willing to sleep with a guy she actually does like? She has every right to her choice but her choice is perplexing. Its like choosing to go on a awesome roller coaster with someone you hardly know verses going to an awesome roller coaster with someone you like. If you enjoy the ride with complete strangers then wouldn't you enjoy the ride even more with someone you like?
Hi Diablo87, first off, thanks for taking the time to answer even if you're not OP because I really want to try and understand what he is trying to say. I appreciate it.
Full disclaimer, I'm a girl. So, my point of view, mine only mine is this: a gazillion factors make it so that people want to bone. Maybe all these conditions were right with these other guys and they weren't with him. Maybe she's on a challenge (one month without or whatever), maybe she treats relationship-sex differently than casual-sex. A lot of mabyes. Personally, I find that relationship sex is scarier. Maybe she does too.
I understand your point. I still feel that if I were the girl and felt OP's attitude change after, it would have affected me.
Thanks for answering. I agree OP should have handled it differently. In my own personal experience it can hurt on an emotional level when you are rejected like this. When it happened to me I was really hurt. My immediate thought was, "oh, you only like me for the attention and free gifts/chocolates. Okay..." I just want you to know that if a guy really likes you its more than just blue balls thats hurting. So, a better explanation then just "because I like you" is advised because a guy could easily think you are using him unless a satisfactory explanation is given. I'm not trying to talk down to you, I just want to give you helpful advice on how not to drive the guys you really like away when you reject their advances.
Edit: Do girls really do a one month challenge? Because thats just unfair.
I am sorry that something similar happened to you and that you were really hurt. I'm sorry that you thought that she liked you for the attention chocolate.
I take into consideration what you just said. But let me be clear on my side, relationship sex is scarier, doesn't mean I'm not having it. It's about trust and ultimately that's what you want from a partner. I trust my partner with my issues. He trusts me to know what is right for my body.
PS: I did not feel that you were trying to talk me down. Thanks for the discussion. What happens is that I usually don't reject advances. I make the moves.
Edit: I do. A certain person had the same comment. Weird party. I don't regret these challenges. They're fun!
Edit2: The second paragraph.
Thank you very much. If its any consolation we still have a great relationship with each other. Not romantic because she is an ocean away now, but who knows maybe one day. I guess its hard for me to grasp relationship sex as anything but fun. But I did not consider trust into the formula. 100% total trust does take time to build even if you have known someone for a really long time. You have enlightened me with your points and I will factor them in on future ventures.
Btw girls who make the first move are awesome.
No sex challenge. Its just unfair that girls can play this and can still call it a challenge.
Diablo87 do you know? I am very glad we discussed this subject. I'm happy to hear that you still have a relationship if you're happy in it. I think it's great. Trust is something that I work at everyday. The person I want it to work with, well he knows. I think that's all that matters.
I think so too!
Haaaa, some of my friends think I'm crazy. It's all in the game, though. Have a great evening (it's the evening where I am).
You argue his point well. That thought process is very logical, but unfortunately there's more to the equation. If she sleeps around a lot on the first date with someone she doesn't like, she probably doesn't want to sleep with someone she really does like for fear that he will leave after achieving sexy times. She probably wants to feel sure of both her own and his feelings before adding in sex to the relationship.
Thank you very much for the compliments. It seems OP is already more than a few dates in with this girl which makes the situation even more perplexing to a guy. From my own perspective (I do not speak for every guy) if I am emotionally attached to this girl and/or I believe she is worth hanging out with, then sex would only sweeten the deal and probably make me more likely to continue the relationship. Its just another fun activity we can do together.
This, too, makes so much sense. I totally understand that, because sex is another form of expressing feelings and is something that is fun and intimate. If OP is of the same mindset, I think his comic doesn't quite portray his thoughts as well as you've articulated them. Meanwhile I still feel like the girl could have several legitimate reasons to not want to rush ahead as well. Maybe some really open communication could help both OP and his lady friend.
Thank you. And I agree completely. But rejecting him on the grounds,"Because I really like you" is really baffling, frustrating, and nearly infuriating. Either come up with a better excuse or explain your self better because if I were in OP's shoes I would think she was just playing mind games and even worse using me for the free attention and free gifts/chocolates. Without proper explanation this could be a good way to drive away the Good Guys.
I definitely didn't see this perspective when I first read the comic and now I can understand where OP is coming from. I'm all for "respect her decision" and everything but that doesn't mean he doesn't have the right to ask what she means by it. Maybe she's insecure, or maybe she's using him. Thanks for helping me see it from a different viewpoint
If she is using him then she should be dumped. If she is insecure then she should try to communicate with him more to resolve their issues. I can only go by what she said which is, "I like you." There could be a million reasons why she doesn't want to have sex with him but she chose one that on the face of it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense. If there is an underlying issue, she should talk openly and honestly about it. Talk honestly and bluntly with your man. If he likes you he will accept what you have to say and discuss it like a mature adult. If he doesn't, he is probably not worth keeping around. Thanks for understanding and being being so polite with your response even though we didn't see completely eye to eye. A few people here are jumping down my throat for defending OP. You however are a gem.
Sex is not necessarily attached to feelings. It is not logically inconsistent to say that I want to have sex with someone I don't give a shit about and not have sex with someone I do care about. This even varies by day. It's not logically inconsistent to say yes to sex with one person one day and no to another on any other day, regardless of feelings about either. Just because a woman is willing to have sex with one person, any number of people on any given day does not make it strange for her to not have sex with one person or any number of people on any other day. What you all are essentially getting to is the same as "why does a woman say no to sex with her romantic partner at any given time?" The reason is that she doesn't want to have sex. It is really pointless to nitpick about the reason that she gives you (which are often--maybe, maybe not in this case--fairly flimsy because women feel the need to excuse saying no) because the point is that she says no, does not need a reason to say no, and you should just let it go at that.
And saying "I hate girls who do this" is not equivalent to saying "I really don't understand why girls do this (to me)."
So essentially if a girl is horny shel'll probably do it. If she is not, she won't. Correct me if I'm wrong, because thats how I interpreted your response. And its a fair answer. If I don't have a boner going on then I won't be in the mood for sex. The huge difference being that guys for the most part are horny all the time, even subconsciously. So its a huge mind leap to try to understand why a girl wouldn't want to have sex if she likes a guy and she is comfortable with her sexual self. As a guy I have know idea what its like to not be horny, even on the most minimal of levels. Its always on, always.
Can you not understand that like is not the same as sexually aroused? Can you not understand that sexually aroused is not the same as legitimately wanting to have sex? Can you not understand that there is a multitude of reasons that someone might be sexually aroused but choose not to have sex? I mean, maybe you walk around fucking anything that gets you hot, but last time I checked, many people are sexually aroused by many things but still consciously choose not to have sex. The express reason does not have to be stated for you to shut up and accept that sex is not happening.
Hey I was being pretty cordial with you. I wasn't being a smart ass with my questions. They were legit questions. I'm guessing you've had a bad history keeping the dogs at bay. I understand like does not mean sexually aroused. But thats what I'm asking. Guys are for the most part always sexually aroused. Are girls not like that even on a minimal level? I don't know what its like to be a girl. So I am asking you, assuming you are a girl which I believe you are, what is that like? Also I don't question that she doesn't want to have sex. No means no and her body is her own. I got that and am I firm believer in it. But her explanation is crap. "Because I like you." Sorry, I'm gonna call out stupid when I see it. Tell me you're on your period, you just got out of a relationship, it will better after our relationship evolves, I don't want you to think lowly of me. Those are good very legitimate explanations. "Because i like you" really just makes someone sound dumb, and sorta unattractive afterwards. Who wants to date dumb? Good communication is essential to a healthy relationship that wishes to grow. Be honest and tell them that its about trust, and that it takes a while before enough of it can be built before you are willing to have emotional sex with a man, which I suspect is the case with most girls based on the responses I've received.
It sounds like you missed the part about the excuse not being pertinent and that the excuse is often flimsy because men won't take no at that. The OP has already indicated that he won't take no at face value because he feels entitled to sex when he wants it regardless. You also seem to miss the fact that all women are not the same and one cannot answer for any other about how often women, in general, are sexually aroused. Why are you so fixated on whether or not women are horny at any given time? It isn't relevant to the given situation as reasons for not having sex are often entirely nonsexual and it isn't relevant to understanding female experience. Women genuinely trying to understand male experience do not start with questions about how often men are horny. You aren't seeming to get the fact that it is entirely unnecessary to justify the decision to not have sex. It doesn't matter if you think that the reasons are stupid--it's not your privilege to get a reason, and it's not pertinent to "understanding women" as women have to be understood as individuals and not a mass.
Well if a guy is like that then he is not worth hanging around with. He should be dumped. The horny question was more of a general question about the differences in brain chemistry in girls verses guys as that can have a profound affect on our relationship decisions. If you choose not answer that is your choice. I agree a girl does not need to give an explanation for her decision to not have sex. The proper answer is No. However if a girl does choose to give an explanation, as the girl in this comic did she, then she should make sure it does not make her sound like a moron. As in all cases and situations sounding like a moron is very unappealing and unattractive. It is better to say nothing then to confirm that you are a fool. A better explanation or a more in-depth explanation that builds on the original explanation is strongly advised. It will create a healthier more open and trusting relationship. And you wouldn't come off sounding foolish.
After years of feeling obligated to sleep with guys whenever they pushed for it, I realized it was bullshit and started to wait until I was ready, especially if it was with a guy I could see myself having an emotional connection with. Generally, the guys I slept with right away would never talk to me again and I got caught in a sort of 'damned if I do, damned if I don't' situation. If she's not ready to sleep with you, she's not ready. If you push her and she caves, she's gonna feel really shitty about it if she wasn't ready. Don't be a dick.
Same. I slept with a lot of douchey guys and a lot of Nice Guys because I thought it's what I deserved. When I met the man who became my husband, I liked him so much. I decided I would not sleep with him until I was sure we loved each other. We'll be married 8 years in December.
Lol. Girls have one nighters that turn into daily fucking. It is just cause they got her off. She slept with them cause she didn't care what they thought of her, it was never meant to last. She wants what she has with you to last. Take it as a compliment. She probably felt you up an got impressed so she wants to make sure you won't fuck and leave.
With many on reddit, I've found. Don't you know it's impossible for girls to have feelings besides "unnecessary rage", and they aren't capable of healthy relationships because they're all conniving bitches?
Blame the gentlemen who have made her feel this way. Chances are, she used to sleep with people whenever the time felt right, but then she had too many experiences of guys either ignoring her after (if you are younger) or treating her as a sex-only friend (if you are older) because they somehow decided her engaging in sexual activity "too soon" made her ungirlfriendable. This makes ladies tend to wait longer with guys they feel a connection with. Social conditioning.
Yes, but its annoying when every girl sees you as boyfriend material and only treats you as such. Then you have a moral dilemma. Do you do what it takes to sleep with them anyway knowing that they are not indeed girlfriend material. If you do, you're getting laid, but you're actually not a nice person anymore. Hence the constant frustration of a "nice guy"
Well, one solution would be to stop focusing on "getting laid". If you only want sex, then make it known so you can find someone who wants a fwb relationship. If they're looking for a boyfriend and you don't want to be him, then move on to someone who actually fits what you're looking for instead of leading her on, thinking she's getting this great guy who ends up just wanting sex.
Well, then it is their own fault for telling you one thing and giving you another. But if she's upfront about wanting a boyfriend/relationship and you want something else, it's not fair to misrepresent yourself.
Well, don't mistreat them, just don't dote on them, either. This is only in the context of someone you find sexually attractive. If you're just wanting to be friends then by all means, go all out on woo'ing a woman.
I do not dote on anyone. Even girls I think are girlfriendable. Most of the time, once a girl finds out I do not consider them girlfriend material, they do not want to sleep with me anymore. Having this knowledge, I feel I would be taking advantage of them if I give them the impression I have feelings for them just to sleep with them.
I'm a better than average looking, much smarter than average, kind to everyone, tons of fun, I have no debt, and I have a good career. Any girl that's interested in me, wants me to stick around.
Remember boys, if she has ever had sex at any point in her life, she is contractually obligated to have sex with you. Women don't get to make choices about what they want to do with their bodies or lives, that's what men are for.
She still did in the panel after he said that to her. When I was younger I said similar things to a girl and convinced her to sleep with me anyway. It was a girl who had some things majorly different with her physiology, and our sexual encounter did not go well because how uncomfortable it made me. I did not call her again after that, and I still feel bad.
This post isn't about a guy being mad that a girl because she won't sleep with him, about a guy who "feels entitled to sex" or about a guy who's trying to "use" this girl for sex. This comic depicts the confusion/frustration many men feel in regards to very bad logic that some people(typically women, in their experience) employ when it comes to sex and relationship.
Logically, you would think that people would have sex with the people they like, and avoid sexual contact/intimacy with people they don't care about. Generally speaking, when you "like someone", that implies some kind of emotional/physical attraction. Why wouldn't anyone want to have sex with someone they like? Why wouldn't someone want to have sex with someone they are attracted to? This contradiction implies that women like these are either emotionally deficient, approaching relations for all the wrong reasons or being disingenuous about their intent(especially after it's already been established that she has sexual experience or has had sex with others despite the fact that she had fewer reasons to).
Your poor depiction of the situation isn't just completely off and a needless knee-jerk reaction, it stems from ignorance and contempt.
Some women may have different reasons for having sex with different men. We are allowed to make those decisions for ourselves. We are not obligated to have sex with a man just because we like him, or because he likes us, or because he feels frustrated. We are allowed to change our opinions about how long we want to wait to have sex with a man.
Just because a girl fucked a guy the day she met him does not mean she has to fuck any other guy.
I do understand OP's message, but I think it was stated poorly and offensively.
What does "sexual autonomy" have to do with any of this. That's not what this comic is about or what my reply was about either. For the record, having the freedom to make a choice, doesn't mean you can't make a poor choice or that you can't make a poor choice based on poor logic.
We are allowed to make those decisions for ourselves.
That's not what's in question. No one is questioning a woman's right to say no, that is your ridiculous projection and knee jerk reaction. This comic relates to a decision making process that is common among girls/women when making that choice(guessing trash tabloids or simply immaturity have something to do with that)and that is not only irrational but self-penalizing(what's up with this mentality that a meaningful relationship can't stem or be built on intimacy, or that sexuality can't be part of a meaningful relationship); if not misandric for the shear fact that it must assumes that all guys would be the type to just "fuck and leave"(which begs the question, why would a girl ever even like a guy like that in the first place?).
We are not obligated to have sex with a man just because we like him, or because he likes us, or because he feels frustrated.
More projection non-sense. No one said anything about women being "obligated to have sex", for whatever reason. Simply that it is idiotic to like someone, or be sexually attracted to someone, and then refrain from having sex with them because of some bullshit teenybopper logic. It's like saying "I love ice-cream so much but I never eat chocolate ice-cream because that's my favourite!". That would be retarded(perhaps even more retarded would be to then have someone defend her logic by saying "ice cream shouldn't expect to be eaten, girls have a right to eat any ice cream they want" when that was never even put into question).
Just because a girl fucked a guy the day she met him does not mean she has to fuck any other guy.
If a girl fucked a guy one day that typically means that this girl is physically, psychologically and emotionally capable of fucking, that she wants/enjoys it and/or, when she's done it repeatedly, that she's probably not that judgmental about the people she has sex with(which is a good thing); all of which would, logically, be all the more the case with a guy she likes and, unassumingly, trusts and is attracted to. This type of anti-sexuality mentality, or personal shaming/demonizing of sex in general, isn't just immature and uncalled for, it is destructive.
If a girl fucks a guy the first time she meets him, she probably doesn't give a shit what he thinks of her. He is just a sentient dildo, and his opinions don't matter. If. And when a guy then says "But you fucked those other dudes, you should fuck me too!" it only confirms her worst fear, that he's only in it for the sex.
Just because you don't understand another person's perspective, does not make that person's reasoning invalid or illogical. And I don't understand why you need to pepper an otherwise well thought-out opinion with derogatory remarks about my intelligence and emotional stability.
?
All shallow insecurities aside(which, by the way, would also only be a factor in a one-night stands too), why would any of these be an issue with someone she like? If he does reject her after sex, like those "walking dildos" she has presumably rejected, how is that any different? if he does think less of her afterwards, what does that have to do with anything? That's certainly his prerogative to do so and an indication that it was not meant to be to begin with. How is it even logical to assume that not having sex with someone would be a positive thing? If anything, that would be a pretty obvious sign of immaturity/irrationality, poor sexual compatibility and, generally speaking, a turn-off.
And when a guy then says "But you fucked those other dudes, you should fuck me too!" it only confirms her worst fear, that he's only in it for the sex.
No, it does not. Not even close. That is another one of those ridiculous assumptions that make absolutely no sense and is completely misandric. A relationship and sex are not mutually exclusive(quite the opposite actually). Not every guy who wants to have sex uses women to get it and not every man gets into a relationship exclusively for sex(Why would she even like a guy like that in the first place?). Sex is a natural part of a normal/healthy and mature relationship, it is a natural manifestation of trust/intimacy and it is even a natural extension to friendship. Sex is a good thing. Not something to shun, vilify or even withhold from because of childish misconceptions like "if we have sex, that means he doesn't like me!" or "if we have sex, he might not like me!".
A girl physically rejecting a guy she likes, even when he knows she's both sexually active and loose about it, isn't also just poor logic, it also makes a guy feel like shit too(not just because of the rejection, the sexual/emotional frustration or because it would invoke plenty of his own insecurities, but because it presents the position that he isn't even worth the time/effort for her to try).
Just because you don't understand another person's perspective,
I am not calling this person's thinking illogical because I don't understand it(though, you certainly seem to be doing your share of misconceptions and rash projections), I'm calling it illogical because it is blatantly illogical; if not simply moronic. Any person with half a brain would understand that having sex with people you don't like or that you aren't attracted to, but not having sex with people you do like or feel attracted to, makes absolutely no sense. How anyone can come to the conclusion, at any time in a relationship, that "less sex is better" and think themselves profound because of it is absolutely astounding.
And I don't understand why you need to pepper an otherwise well thought-out opinion with derogatory remarks about my intelligence and emotional stability.
Because your comments put into question your intelligence and your emotional stability. How else would you expect me to respond when your counter argument is riddled with faulty logic, misandry, immaturity and hostility? It's not like that "well thought-out opinion" was getting anywhere or stopped you from throwing even more fallacies around.
Put yourself in the girl's shoes. So you've had sex with several people on the first date. You've probably learned something from this: Mostly everyone you get involved with just wants sex, and then they're through with you.
So you really like this guy, what are you to do? In accordance with most of your previous experiences if you have sex with him he'll leave you immediately. You know that you have to eventually but the longer you wait the more time you get to spend with the boy you like.
I am so sorry you are being downvoted. You are at -10 right now, and your comment is both relevant and logically sound. Most important, it's phrased politely and is emotionally sound. What is a guy supposed to feel when in a situation such as this? Happy that she has sex with people she don't mind, but won't have sex with him, the boy she supposedly likes? Yeah. That's gonna happen. Everybody thinks exactly like that. In Fairyland.
Some may disagree, but it is very likely that acting like OP GF does will only stimulate guys be jerks so that they can get laid faster. As someone said in the comments here: "Girls are not machines you put coins into and sex drops out, but apparently,if you put douch coins in, something might drop."
I'm with you man. This logic rewards douchebag tactics. It allows them to be a dick to girls, screw them a few times, then leave and move on without too much of a problem, while the guys who treat the girls well need to put in a lot of time (not saying I mind doing this, don't get me wrong) need to jump through hoops while being under the constant risk of falling prey to the friend-zone.
There has to be some kind of medium...
There is a difference between a "jerk" and a "man". Most women don't want an asshole, but a man who is self-confident, determined and naturally dominant. Most guys who are always nice and say yes (i.e. in this comic, he ASKS if they should go further, he lets the woman decide, in this way misses the chance to take the initiative) think that this is the perfect behavior, but women simply feel more attracted to a dominant alpha-male. That's nature and that makes sense in a twisted way.
The art is to take the initiative and, at the same time, give her the feeling that she is secure and safe with one's guidance. This way the man can (sexually) do with her what he wants and she'll always go along and even enjoy it.
Most men nowadays have lost the knowledge of what it means to be a man.
If you were honest to youself and rational you knew that there's truth behind these words. Humans are nothing more than animals, only with rocket science, fashion and a twisted society. In evolutionary terms, we are almost the same mammal than 4000 years ago.
Interesting. All cultures have evolved the same, all of them since the beginning of time have been patriarchal societies and values -- and ah, wait what, there are matriarchal societies that exist?
We are animals and in nature the differences between sexes of various animals is clear; there is a variety. Female insects will turn around and bite the head off their mate, or simply eat them. Female birds are picky as fuck because they can be. For elephants, it's a matriarchal society; she chooses. Don't come at me citing "we are animals" and trying to say that somehow correlates to women wanting more dominant males and by being submissive because of your "safe and securing" nature you can get what you want from us. There is no standard and humans being of diverse culture, experience, and minds -- means you cannot put all females into one box.
You're twisting my words. It reminds me of the reaction of adolescents when they're told about their puberty.
All I'm saying is that there is a pattern that's applying to all of us. We are all individuals and I'm definitely not putting every woman in a box. But beneath our personality there are our primal instincts. We try to ignore them, but they're there. And this is often the reason why we, especially when it comes to relationships, behave in a manner that we don't really understand. That applies for men and women in the same way.
And these instincts explain - exactly - why so many women sexually prefer the arrogant douchebag partner to the friendzone-guy, who is, logically the far better choice.
So the logical approach would be to serve these primal cravings without being a douchebag and a jerkoff. That's a win-win situation.
This does not apply to every single person in the world, sure. But it makes some twisted things a lot easier to understand.
If you have already downvoted this post before reading it through you know that you're not reasonable, just upset. Believe me, I'm really not one of "those" guys.
Wow. Just fuck you for expecting a girl to sleep with you just because she has a history of doing so. If you really liked and respected this girl you wouldn't have batted an eyelash when she said she's rather take things slow. You clearly have shallower intentions with her than she does with you, so I strongly suggest breaking up with her before you hurt her.
You should be patient. See me sleep with some guys first date but that will probably be the only time. Show here your a a good guy and once the relationship is stronger you will get it consistently and many more times than once.
The guys she slept with before, she probably saw as one night stands, and thus she was fine sleeping with people who only saw her as a one night stand too. When she really likes a guy, however, sex becomes more than just sex - it becomes something really intimate shared between two lovers. I don't see why it's weird she'd want to wait a bit with it. After all, she may be warding herself from the possibility/risk of being used by OP. What if she'd sleep with him and he'd leave afterwards? She might get hurt from giving herself to someone in a vulnerable way and then get dumped. If she's not ready, she's not ready, no matter what her reasons are. Respect her bloody feelings, and if you don't like it, find another girl, which'd ultimately prove you to be exactly what she'd feared - someone who prioritize sex and consider it their right.
I've heard the whole "I don't want to mess this up cause I really like you" before. It was cool, as I understood that to mean that she had feelings for me other than sexual. And since every relationship that I'd had to that point had failed, and almost every one of them we had sex right away, I decided to respect her and wait. And here we are married for 15 years and she's the love of my life. So either be the guy that tries to fuck them, or be the guy that wants to wait.
Maybe she's nervous or self conscious? If things don't go well with a random hookup, it's probably not as big of a deal for her as it would be if she really cared about the person. Or maybe she wants it to be a more emotional experience, and wants to develop the relationship further first.
I don't know her reasoning, but it's awfully harsh for you to to put her down for it. If you're frustrated about the situation tell her, instead of insulting her on Reddit.
I am a woman who did this when I met my last BF. We're getting married this October.
Reality is - if a woman holds off sleeping with you, then she genuinely likes you and hopes to have a relationship (generally speaking - not all, obviously). My mindset was, if I had a one-nighter etc, then I wasn't really interested in taking it any further than that. They were good enough to get my rocks off with, but not good enough to invest time in. Harsh, but true.
well, maybe the guys she slept with she didn't care about and was using them as basically a living fuck toy? it's her decision who she sleeps with or doesn't. or even the fact that usually guys do not take into high consideration girls who "put out easily" and if she really did like you, she does not want you to view her as cheap. or, maybe she's annoyed as shit that you're expecting her to go all the way based on something she may have done in the past. she can change, mature, etc and not have to bang you
Actually, I do the same. If I don't care about you, then all I want is a dildo I don't have to move myself. If I do actually care about you, and want to get to know you and hoping for the long term, then I'm going to take the time, try to find things other than sex that connect us.
But trust me. When we like someone, we look forward to the day (three, five dates in?) we bone them.
For Example: Date 1 I dress up nice and I'm looking crisp, my objective is to date this girl NOT 1 night stand her. So we get to know eachother a little get flirty with her, I make sure to be in control of the flirtiness so as to impress and make her think I am really into her and she needs to play catchup. She is thinking OMG I am gonna get this hottie in bed tonight. We share a nice dessert and I slowly feed her and after a few bites and tease her about feeding me a bite and I lick it really slow and sensually. We get back to my place and I pour her some wine and put on some music and we talk about more personal stuff, I set the bar even higher as I light some candles of nice aromas. Eventually I stare into her eyes and just stare and go in for the kill slowly, painfully slowly as to take her breath away and she meets me half way. We kiss once, twice and then I lightly pull away and say, "I really like you, so I don't wanna move too fast."
guys.. when a girl needs sex and shes single she takes what she gets. when a girl like to start something serious its simply completly diffrent.
i know were complicated ;) guess u have to put up with it :)
I attempted to read all the comments but gave up, so sorry if someone has said something like this already. But I, being a girl, have done exactly that. In my history I have slept around and in my future will continue to do so. When i do that I am doing exactly "hit it and quit it", I have no emotional attachment to the guy I'm just having fun. When it comes to a guy I like it's different, there's so much more than just having fun. It's one thing to be rejected, to have my feelings one sided, but it's a whole other thing when you've slept with them and thought it was going somewhere. After relationship no one is hurrying to put their clothes on an leave before the other wakes up, their lying on the bed bored playing temple run on their phone waiting for the other to wake up so you can lovingly snuggle one another.
When a girl wants to have sex she does but when she wants a guy for a long term thing she will want to go slow at a respectable pace getting to know the guy/girl don't take it personally you should actually be flattered if you also want a long term thing if not then I suggest you break it off with her.
In all fairness, it's kinda insulting that that's her criteria for it. Seems to me like she's assuming like he's all the other guys or that he's shitty enough that sex will change how he feels about her. Which, if that is the case, does it really matter when she fucks him?
That being said, they probably shouldn't be together anyway. Drop the chick and find someone else who moves at a pace YOU'RE comfortable with, OP. She's okay with waiting, you should be okay with leaving. Just as she doesn't owe you anything, you don't owe her anything either.
She knows that most of guys won't have a serious relationship with a girl they had sex on the first date. She did it with other guys because she didn't care if it would lead to something serious or not. But she wants something serious with you, that's why she wants to wait.
You're a bit stupid. She means she wants things to go slowly cos she wants a meaningful relationship and the sex with you isn't just fucking like with other men it's more like love making, where EMOTIONS are involved. What don't you understand about that?
The coach said he had a customer who said he had no problems getting girls back to his place, but he could never sleep with them the same night because the girl would instantly want to be his gf when they saw his car and really huge mansion.
Maybe your rich, or you really give her a good vibe. Neverthelles you could always play along, turn in BF and cum on her back, wipe your dick on the curtains and leave. | eng | 41483cb8-2984-4895-92c7-33dc68ce140b | http://www.reddit.com/r/fffffffuuuuuuuuuuuu/comments/t3fbh/i_hate_girls_who_do_this/ |
Navigation improvements coming in Mango
It's hard to believe Windows Phone 7 landed in the hands of our first customers a mere nine months ago. Since then, we've been listening carefully to your suggestions to determine how to make the phone even easier, more efficient, and more fun.
Today I want to provide an insider look at some of the navigation improvements in our next release—including ones related to multitasking. As program manager for these features in Mango, it was my team's job to help you move more easily around the phone, preferably without thinking much about how you got there.
Reviewing the basics
Before jumping right into what's new, I want to rewind for a minute and recap our navigation philosophy.
There are two hardware buttons on every Windows Phone for getting around: Start and Back. Pressing Start takes you to the Start screen, populated by Live Tiles that can be pinned, removed, and reordered to suit your tastes. Start is both a launch pad for favorite apps and your personal space. It's a big part of what makes your Windows Phone unique.
Flicking left takes you to the App list, where all your apps are ordered alphabetically. The App list is consistent and predictable. You can reliably find an app (even when it's infrequently used) by name.
Finally, there's the Back button, which pretty much does what it says: takes you back to the place you came from or left off.
That's it. The model is pretty simple. But, as always, there's room to make it better.
Finding apps faster
I have about 50 apps on my phone right now—roughly five screens worth. While the App list is predictably alphabetical, it can become quite long over time. Sure, I know where to scroll to find an app. But excessive scrolling is sub-optimal (engineering speak for "it's a pain"). We've also heard this from those of you with large app collections. In Mango, we looked at a number of ways to make this experience better.
Tapping a header in the People Hub today opens the quick jump menu (left), which can whisk you to a specific section of your contacts list. In Mango (right), we're adding the same feature and a search option to the App list.
One possibility we explored was ordering apps by how recently or frequently they're used. While useful, this solution can prove disorienting and confusing, since app order is constantly changing. An App list organized by frequency would probably also look similar to your Start screen, where most people pin the apps that they care about most.
We also wanted the App list to feel consistent with other lists on the phone, like contacts. In the People Hub we use search and a quick jump menu to help you find contacts quickly. Ultimately, we decided that approach was the best solution for the App list, too.
Although there is one slight difference. When implementing the quick jump option, we wanted to balance function with aesthetics. If you don't own many apps, the feature doesn't make much sense, since the alphabet headers artificially lengthen the App list, creating gaps that make it feel sparse and unappealing. Hence, you'll only see the headers when you have installed at least 45 apps.
While quick jump is helpful, I have to admit that sometimes it's easier to just type an app's name. So we also added a search option. If you've used it in People, it works like you probably expect, filtering the list of apps as you type. If you don't find the app you were searching for, we provide a convenient link to get it from Marketplace by tapping Search Marketplace.
Easier multitasking
Have you ever wanted to quickly continue or finish something that you left off earlier? I run into this quite often. I'm in the middle of an intense Fruit Ninja game when a text message notification pops up at the top of my screen. It's an I Can Has Cheezburger link. I must tap it! When I do, it takes me to the website, where I find a pic that's so awesome that I must share it with my Facebook friends.
After all that, I really want to get back to whacking fruit. My instinct is to press the Back button. But if I don't see what I want after a couple of tries, I usually press Start and navigate from there. What I really need is a way to hyper jump back to a specific point in time.
Sound cool? Say hello to the task switcher.
We believe the best way for someone to navigate between tasks is literally by showing them where they left off. Whether it's a half-composed email, a game in progress, or the last photo you saw, you can return to it easily in Mango by pressing and holding the Back button.
In Mango, pressing and holding the Back button on your phone calls up the task switcher, which makes it easy to quickly pick up where you left off.
When you do, you'll see a set of "cards" that represent the last 5 things you did or apps you used, arranged in the order you used them. (My team's nickname for this feature is "visual back".) These cards remind you what you were doing so you can pick right back up again. This is efficient multitasking.
Flick left or right and tap on a card to resume right from where you left off. The task switcher is designed to be fast and predictable (although it does require app developers to do some work on their end). Don't get me wrong. I still use the Back button for its original purpose: to navigate within an app and or get back to the previous thing I was doing. But "visual back" helps you resume tasks that are a little farther away.
One design problem we pondered at length was how many cards to show. We wanted the experience to be intuitive and require minimal effort. Five seemed like a good balance. Having only a small number of cards ensures that the task switcher is predictable. Unlike other smartphones, this design also helps save you from having to babysit your apps, tracking which ones are running and manually closing them to conserve battery power. The phone does that work instead.
Of course, I know some people will probably wish there were more cards. As always, we'll continue to monitor your reaction and reevaluate our design for future releases if needed.
We think getting around on a Windows Phone with Mango has never been easier and more fun. Working on these features has been tremendously rewarding for me. I hope that you're as excited about what's coming as I am.
Unrelated off-topic question: When are you going to deal with the carrier/seller bias issue? My last stop by a Sprint store had the sales associate telling me this, "I only recommend Windows Phone to business users who NEED to use Microsoft office programs like Excel and Word. For everyone else, it's Android. Do you use office or excel?"
My response was a plain and simple "no." Not only do I not use it for business purposes, but I rarely use those applications. Also, their Windows Phone was not on display but everything was setup for it. They purposely chose to not put it up on the empty bracket. Previous experiences were not as bad as this one but they weren't glowing reviews either. Finally, my friend who works at Verizon says they don't even have any HTC Trophies in stock. He says he sells anything and everything that's in front of him. He prefers Android still but how can he even have a chance at selling Windows Phones when they don't have it?
It would appear that what is being implemented is not "multi-tasking" in the strictest sense of the word, but more like fast app-switching where previously opened apps are kept in a static, suspended state. I've also read that third-party music apps (ie. Last.fm, iheartradio, etc.) will be able to run in the background (presumably through the Music Hub similar to the Zune apps functionality now). Is there any word on true multi-tasking functionality for programs such as Glympse (so that GPS data can continue to stream even if we switch apps)? Also, since in-app downloads appear to be part of Mango as well, will app-switching suspend the downloads or will they be allowed to continue in the background?
With capacitive buttons, it is hard not to accidentally click them when you are playing a game (ask my 3-year old, he will tell you it is a "pain"). Any plans to address this? For example, de-activate the buttons when a game is being played and only activate them with some other gesture like say long press of the Start button?
I'm running the ISV beta and the changes are astounding. Words can't explain how impresed I am with this update. There are a couple of glaring issues that I have found after just a couple of days of use:
1. Closing an app in the task switcher is not possible. That doesn't even make sense. Why not have a close "X" or a WebOS "throw it away" type of gesture?
2. When will we be able to group app icons? My list of apps is very long. The search helps, but I would also like to see grouping.
3. Still no screen capture? How can evangelize Windows Phone if I cannot captur screen shots and post to facebook?
One thing I believe is needed, though, is the ability to close a "background" app that shows up in the task switcher. I tend to run a clean ship and keep track of what I have open and review it every now and again. A simple (X) icon in the upper right of each tile would do the job nicely, I would think. Much like the unpin icon that shows on the tiles when you're re-ordering your start page.
[off topic] what are the chances of mango giving end users more tile colors (like 10+), without the options for customizing the background the tile color is the only thing that can make the phone uniquely 'yours'
I don't mind MS give us a preset list of colors ( some colors just won't work ) but how about 3 shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue...and even gray!
@usctrojan98: I have a Samsung Focus and with the NoDo update MS did disable the capacitive buttons, only when you are moving your finger across the screen. If you happen to press one of the capacitive buttons after lifting your finger, then they are not disabled. I for one would not want the capacitive buttons to be disabled at all times when I'm in a game, or other app.
When it comes to app management, the one feature I wish would have been added was to have multiple screens that I can pin a tile to, instead of one. For instance, I would have a main screen with my phone tile, and maybe my email tiles. I'd have another one for all my Social Media tiles, another one for Utilities, etc.
That way, I can quickly scroll across to the category of tile I want, and then hopefully I shouldn't have more than a single screen full of tiles in that category.
I would also like to know if there is a way to close the apps, and definitely more than 5 apps at a time, as mail, maps and zune take three away already. With the browser as one potential application, we are running out of options. Waiting to get my hands on a windows phone, waiting for my contract to get over and nokia to come up with Sea ray :)
I'm enjoying the beta, but a question/suggestion: currently, on the tiles screen there's an arrow which takes you to the app list. Underneath that arrow is a search button, but the search button only appears when you're on the app list - it even fades in/out as you scroll into and out of the app list. Why not just show the search button on the tile screen too, and automatically search the app list when you press it? It would save time whenever you know you want an app that's not easily accessible - sort of like how you can conveniently search for apps/files in desktop Windows by just hitting the windows key and typing.
Those are great features coming to WP, great work! Now, since you manage "navigation" in WP, can you detail plans to improve search for contacts? Currently, we can only search by name. I think everyone would want other types of searches such as Company, Phone Number, etc.
Hello, I don't know if this is a hardware/software issue, but is there a way for the phone to indicate that you have a message/missed call like RIM-BB does. They have a light indicator that flashes when you have something. I have to unlock the phone for this similar type of feature.
Very good work and I appreciate how you are listening to your user and implementing the best choice.
May i suggest that the "Visual Back" cards allow the ability to "kill" a task altogether?
IF possible on your end, a simple press and hold on a "card" (akin to reorganizing a live tile) would animate it to the foreground and on its top corner (left or right is your choice) would a "X" symbol to close exit task.
The "killed" app can save whatever progress you were on in the background whilst still allowing you continue with you navigation of the phone. On the other hand, you could have a "toast" message warning you off loss of unsaved data and a Yes or No confirmation options.
A small option like this would go a long way to giving the user more control of what they are running and the choice of how much they want to run whilst keeping within the five task rule.
What do you think?
btw... the pale color of the task switcher background isn't very visually appealing. Some pattern motif or image would help to break up the monotony and show how beautiful the OS can be even during such a technical function.
Thank you very much for reading this and for your fine efforts towards making this OS a viable competitor. Please keep up the good work, we appreciate it.
I initially had the same "where's the close button" reaction, but I don't think we really need it - the apps aren't actually running and consuming resources, and there's no need to close something to "clear up space in the list" when you can just start using the new apps you want to replace them with and they'll automatically displace other things in the stack.
@franwick, "group icons" is called the Start Screen. It makes no sense to me to group apps in the plain applist. With the added jumplist and search feature you can get to whatever app very quickly, and for those that I really want grouped access I can pin them to the start. I just don't see the usability of yet another view of the apps....I think that's a niche thing. I agree that it would be nice to be able to "throw away" a background app from the switcher would be nice. I suppose press-n-hold in the switcher gets you nothing, right? On the screen capture, there's homebrew for that (requires a companion app on the PC, so it's not actually capturing on the phone itself) and I played with it. It's okay, but I really don't have any use for capture. I am convinced the best evangilizing is done by demonstration of the device live, not by screen shots. I don't really think the issues you brought up are "glaring", but rather niche, except possibly the ability to kill background apps.
@DreilingStL, I think you're only partially correct. I'd call it intelligent multitasking. Let's be honest, not every app needs to be CONSTANTLY running in the background, so being suspended in a static state is the smartest thing (like games, for example). Other apps need to be actually running in background (e.g., audio apps, some messaging or chatting apps). So, really, unless we run into apps that have not been re-written to take advantage of the multitasking features, I think WP7's method of mulitasking/switching makes the most sense.
Omigosh, @NickSchweitzer, NO! Please don't ask Microsoft to inflict iPhone or Android-like sea of icons on me! Sheesh. I just don't get why people want to turn WP7 into virtually the same interface you have with those other platforms, because that's really what you're asking for.
I agree with several of the other comments. The Mango changes are really great but there are some things that feel like they are missing.
1. Killing apps from multi-tasking screen in much more intuitive than activating the app and backing through it's old screens. Either like killing tabs in the browser or by swiping the card up.
2. App management is better but still needs help. Everything so far assumes that the user knows the name of the App. Does the bar code app start with "Bar", "QR", or "AT&T"? What if I want a recipe app, what was the name of that?
It would be nice if we could create a group, either a "group" tile or a group in the App list. Clicking it could "swipe" right into a sub-group of apps or something. It would also be nice if you could add pages (maybe to the left of the home screen) for addition organization of tiles.
@harishankarumapathy, someone running the beta would need to confirm this, but I THINK that some of the native Microsoft apps don't show up in the switcher. In other words, you can't affect their operation because they run in background, period. And, it sort of makes sense---basically, you'd only get to play with third-party apps in the switcher. Again, someone would need to confirm this.
@tribexx, a count of all outstanding emails, texts calls & voicemails are on your lock screen, at the bottom. You don't actually have to unlock the phone to see that....just wake up the phone. No OEMs have included any sort of light on WP7 devices. I think this would be another niche feature. I find it very convenient to simply press one button on my sleeping Focus and instantly know if I have anything outstanding that needs my attention.
Based on this blog post and the frequent reference to feedback and what people expect and common usage patterns, etc., I imagine a craploda of meetings too place before deciding on the final UI decision. While elegant and in fitting with the WP7 user experience, it doesn't address the central issue: customizing WP7 is a joke. The live tiles are not customizable. If they were, they would be "widgets" and variable sizes, a la Android. They are fixed data (and in Mango, dynamic data) that is not user actionable. There's ONE action: click. And there are two whole sizes: full and half. Want more tiles on the screen? Too bad. Want less tiles? Too bad. Want a different app launcher altogether because you hate the list view? Too bad! The One True Metro Design must NOT be violated!
WP7's hyperconsistent user experience is also its biggest downfall. Every time I get excited about a new WP7 feature and get tempted back to Microsoft after YEARS of WM, it's immediately tempered by the fact that WP7 has next to zero customizability and the default workflow is terrible.
The task switcher is a great example. Five (and only five) recent tasks to jump to is not multitasking. It's a very, very simple task switcher. Multitasking is running a task in the background while you go do something else in the foreground. And while the WebOS tiles sure look cool, what a pain it is to have to flip through them! What if I want a smaller list of icons I can just immediately click on? Too bad. What if I want more than five most recent tasks? Too bad.
Ugh. This strict design philosophy is just way too Apple-like.
WP7 team: learn from the Windows team. Windows 8 has a brand new interface (inspired from your great work) but they are not forcing everybody to use it! Windows can still be customized! Why not take that design approach?
@ScubaDog2011 - Because the so-called "sea of icons" interface is fast and intuitive. Not everybody wants a six mile long list of application titles to scroll through. When you know where an icon is, you can target it very quickly. That's why that sort of launcher has survived the test of time.
I dont understand why we need individual alphabet headers once the app count crosses 45. This completely spoils the app list look and design. Considering that all alphabet headers takes us to the same quick jump menu, it would have made perfect sense to have just a single icon, may be below the search icon, that opens the quick jump menu..rather than individual alphabet headers..
In all the videos I have seen that demonstrate the multi-task screens, two comments come up almost every time:
1. How do you close a running app (or really, how do you get rid of a card)
2. Why is the interface so unappealing
Addressing comment 1, even if those cards aren't consuming ressources, there are many people who simply like to be able to keep a clean system and hate the idea that some applications appear to still be running. A simple interface where you can swipe the cards away, like the notifications, would do the trick. Personally, I am fine with the current Mango implementation. But many will complain if they feel that they can't close applications.
Comment 2, I agree with. The multitasking interface can be aesthetically improved to be much more visually engaging. I love the chromeless look and Metro design language, but this multitasking interface does not convey the same aesthetics as the rest of the OS does. It just looks unfinished.
The OS that you are describing is Android. If that is what you're into, that's fine, and Android is a great OS. But like most people here, I don't want to have to customize my phone in order to have it work well. It should be designed with careful consideration from the start. That's what you get with WP7, and I hope that this never changes.
From your wording, it sounds as though you don't own a WP7 device. You call the flow terrible, but I call it efficient and intuitive. Get a phone, give it a try, then you may criticize.
@parrotlover77...So instead of scrolling down and up all on one screen, you'd rather scroll from right to left then have to scroll back left and maybe do that 5 or 6 times before getting to the page you need??? Okay...whatever floats your boat.
IMHO, I like the long list...it's moves quickly and everything is AUTOMATICALLY in alphabetic order. I don't have to move crap around rearranging all the time, creating groups. etc. WP7 has one fluid screen for all your apps. Doesn't get any better than this. If you want pages of icons, stick with iCrap or Android.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments everyone. It's great for the team to read your feedback!
Let me address the topic of closing or killing apps and task. First, your desire to "clean-up" the task switcher so that your phone is in order is completely valid. We did give this area a lot of thought. Our decision to not provide a way to kill tasks was made for two reasons. We wanted to provide an easy way for customers to get back to a previous task without also creating management overhead. What that means is that we don't want our average customer to have to worry about what's "running" and to have to decide when and what to close. In addition, by limiting the number of cards to 5, we believe that the need to do cleanup is drastically reduced. The phone automatically cleans up older tasks, so that you don't have to. That said, there is definitely a tradeoff between simplicity and full control for customers. For us power users, it's certainly nice to have more cards and the ability to pick and choose which ones to keep around. However, for the average customer, closing tasks is a burden. They may feel obligated to do so, because they worry about the implications of leaving tasks "open." We did not want our average customers to have to make this call when using their Windows Phone. I hope this provides a bit more insight into the topic. As mentioned, we will continue to monitor customer usage after Mango is released to determine how we can improve the task switcher.
On the general topic of multi-tasking, yes, we have a lot of exciting multi-tasking capabilities like background audio and background downloads for app developers to leverage. Look for a future post on these capabilities!
Mango is great, but WP7 is still missing basic features (and apps) like sending contact info via SMS or a stopwatch/timer app.
The BING voice search works great when I'm playing around w/ it at home, but almost never works when I really need it to work the most -- when I am out and about. Really frustrating and makes me hesitant to use the new Mango features like voice-to-text SMS or the BING vision and music search.
I dont see how a simple thing like closing a task has anything to do with "average users" vs "power users". Infact its "we - the average users" who are requesting for the ability to close tasks! I have been using the Mango beta for a couple of days now and the new features are truly amazing. Its just annoying to see those open tasks and we all wish we had the ability to close tasks. Also closing the last used task first does not make sense. What if the last used task was a very important incomplete email that I was composing! User needs to have control so that we can manage tasks based on priority..
Also please get rid of the alphabet header in the app list. Its awkward. Include a single icon in the app list screen which takes us to the quick jump menu..
I am running Mango beta on my T-Mobile HTC HD7. By the way, I really LOVE it and I am not able to get back to NoDo. I cannot believe you are calling this the 'Beta', It works better than any RC OS that were released out there.
One quick issue though, When I initially flashed the Mango on my device, it had the Alphabet shortcut that was shown in the screen shot above. But I had to get my device exchanged and had to flash the Mango on the new device, I am missing this feature.
I am not sure how that is possible... Any help is highly appreciated. Anyone that has the answer, can send me communication to vizagdude at gmail dot com.
@ashok, If you have Mango Beta then you either work for MS, a fairly large phone blogging site, or your a dev. And even if your none of those, if your reading this blog your not an average user lol. All of which mean your far more knowledgable and savvy than the "Average User" The average user would be those who buy smart phones in mass and dwho knew that you could close background tasks. The masses dont care about memory usuage and cpu usage and what programs require more resources than others, they expect all apps to operate fast and smooth, to open an app and it work and pick up right where you left off, and to be able to quickly switch between apps. While i appreciate androids true multitasking i think WindowsPhone Mango has the best implementation for both Devs And users. From a User Standpoint as long as everything is running smooth and fast why would you need to close an app?
@kenny not sure if your serious, but in the event that you are, the background in the task switcher is determined by which ever theme you have on your phone.
I have Mango on Omnia7 ( beta version) and it really annoys me that I can't close apps and that 5 cards limit is worst idea. When you surf over IE9 tabs are shown in cards and I can't close them in switcher, so my apps are closed, but I get many tabs working. The limit should have been 7-10 and there should be an option to kill apps. Also, multi-tasking is very weird. Sometimes I get 2-3 messaging cards, instead of one. Also, I want to share something, that isn't about multi-tasking, but in Zune player when you play an album there should be an option to go back to all albums.
For example: why can't I close the music player unless I restart the phone. Probably some bla bla about the average custome but I just want those buttons on the lockscreen and volume controls gone when I have no intention of using them.
@frankwick: I also thought that "Quick Jump" card should have Close button or something to close that app. But after playing with it and updating my app (Event Countdown) with background task, i found the following:
1. Quick Jump cards is just "App-Switching". It is not multi-tasking. Quick jump cards shows the applications even if they dont do any background processing. It is the same way like windows phone 7 when you navigate using back button. The only change is now they are showing that navigation stack to go to particular app quickly.
2. For all the background running apps, you should go and see "settings --> applications --> Background tasks". That is where you can see what applications have background tasks and whether you want to enable particular app with background work.
I guess, it is pretty neat on how they implemented background tasks and still as an "end-user" i can enable or disable them.
@king: I agree that the average user does not care about memory and CPU usage and its good that the phone automatically closes old tasks. But why completely take away the option?? The average user would still not worry about open tasks (phone takes care of it for them), and the rest of us, would have the choice of closing tasks. This way both groups get what they want.
I also have a problem with limiting the number of open tasks to 5. I generally have 2-3 IE pages open on my phone and this would essentially mean I can only open a max of 2 more apps..
My suggestions:
1. Add the option to close tasks within the "quick card" view
2. Increase the number of quick cards.
Btw I just love the way we can quickly switch between multiple IE pages using the task switcher. I hardly use the tabs option in IE anymore..
One thing I have to beg for is to please put the settings app as a seperate icon underneath the arrow in the apps sections.. It is very frusterating for people that try to save battery by turning WiFi on and off multiple times thoughout the day to scroll to the bottom of the apps section
@ScubaDog2011 Microsoft apps also show up in the task switcher. For example, if you are using the mail client to compose an email, you can tap the window button and enter another app and copy text. Then use the task switcher to go back the the email you were composing and paste the copied text.
I know this doesn't relate to this story exactly, but any word on having a dedicated back button in IE, so when you accidentally hit the start button and go back to you IE you can actually go back a page? has it already been announced?
Rachel - with all due respect you're talking like a manager, which just never works.
Please don't patronise us. Don't say "we've been listening carefully to your suggestions to determine how to make the phone even easier, more efficient, and more fun" then turn around and tell us what people will think in regards to app closure.
You have 57 comments as of yet in this blog post. 95% of those comments specifically state that they want to be able to close apps and processes they aren't using. The other 5% just haven't mentioned it. Almost every single person in this thread owns a windows phone and is making your job completely simple. This is a complete no-brainer, and the decision to ignore an almost 100% agreement amongst your consumers would be catastrophically stupid.
I hope you can take a step back and realise that amongst 57 people unanimously telling you exactly what they want, you're then telling them they don't actually want it at all.
You also need to make the homescreen/tiles more customisable. Same again. Don't have 74 group meetings about it, don't consult a market research team to construct a case study - just go onto every single WP7 review/discussion out there and identify the plain fact that the vast vast majority of the community wants a MUCH greater degree of customisation.
@Parrotlover77, I not only disagree with you, I militantly disagree with you. I absolutely, without qualification do NOT want WP7 to emulate, in any shape or fashion, Android or iOS. If you want that, then PLEASE, please, please just switch to Android, since that's apparently what you like better. Customization in the way that you mean, as far as I'm concerned, completely takes away from some of primary things I love about WP7. I HATE Android. I HATE iOS. Part of that reason is because I got to a point where I HATED what Windows Mobile had become.
As for your contention on the five-app limit in the switcher, I suspect the reason for the limit is because Microsoft has a pretty good idea what memory and performance limitations are reached, on average, by x number of apps "keeping time". As I mentioned before, I don't think that native apps are shown in the switcher, meaning they may take up resources but are managed internally--I could be wrong, of course. If I'm right, then that means you have the five apps PLUS any native apps floating in background. Again, I hated Windows Mobile because I was ALWAYS bouncing apps around since my resources usage would eventually drop usability down to zero. In keeping with Microsoft's target of "glance & go", I don't want to have to manage the device.
On the "sea of icons", again, I couldn't disagree with you more. It is NOT fast or intuitive. Because everyone can create an utter mess with their Android phones, you can't expect to hand someone your phone and have them simply do something with it. In contrast, I have yet to hand my Focus to someone and find them having any difficulty getting to something on it.
Finally, as for your Windows 8 reference, what you saw was the fact that Windows 8 has a "touch-first" philosophy, which differs from the smartphone, which is a "touch ONLY" concept. Also, the demos you see emphasize a considerable degree of backward compatibility. I think you can totally expect that as the other software that the Windows desktop uses matures, they will also look more like the Metro-esque UI. In other words, the next big version of Office may look very much like that rather than what it looks like now.
Ultimately, what you're talking about is insisting that WP7 be a two-interface system. I'll drop the platform in a second if your wish ever comes to fruition.
@Ashok Hoysal, you have to understand that they did it that way to be consistent across the platform. Your People Hub is exactly the same way. I like it, and, in fact, many of us asked specifically for this feature to be added to the applist. I'd MUCH rather have that than a sea of icons.
@WinPhonePhan, you're talking about grouping, not a hub. I still think most people do not completely understand the hub concept. In fact, I think not even Microsoft fully realized their own meme when it came to the hubs, though it looks like Mango goes a long way toward that. I don't see the sense, within the context of how WP7 works, of having sub-groups. I hated that in Windows Mobile, having to drill down into nested groups to find apps. It's also why I can't stand Android in particular.
@Rachel Jiang, thank you so much for following up. I hadn't read your second post yet, but it confirmed what I suspected was Microsoft's intent, and I completely agree with it. Background management was tedious and painful in Windows Mobile. One thing you might confirm or deny, if you can--along with the five cards, are certain native apps that may also be running in background "hidden" from the switcher, or do they show up as well?
@Sogeman, you apparently disagree with Microsoft's target market. And that's fine, of course. But if Microsoft has decided that their most profitable market is X and you're a Y, then it may be that WP7 isn't for you---yet. I can list a whole lot of examples where I'm clearly not the target audience, but yet the producer is quite successful because they cater to the audience that IS their target. I don't subscribe to HBO, Showtime or the rest because their target audience isn't someone with a modicum of traditional values. But they are very successful with their target audience. Lexus, Audi, Subaru and many others clearly do not have me in mind as a target audience (there's no way in the world I'd buy their products) but they are successful with the market they target. In the case of WP7, they aren't taking choice away. You have a choice: WP7, iOS, Android or others. It all comes down to utility. Of the three platforms, which one MOST meets utility for you? It's that simple. If you desire customization more than certain functionality, then WP7 currently won't meet your utilization needs as well as Android. If integration and near seamless movement from one app's functions to another is higher on your priority list than creating pretty little groupings with fancy backgrounds, then WP7 probably better meets your needs. It's whatever fits the best utility. Speaking for myself, the beauty and utility of WP7 is so far advanced over iOS and Android's old meme, there's no way I'd pick the other platforms. The customization that Mango will provide satisfies any serious need I might harbor. Outside of that, it would be waste and detract from what I really like about Metro as a UI. So, which most closely fits your needs? Answer that question, and you have the platform you should go with for now.
@mdoan300, two things. First, you know there is a plethura of timer/stop watch apps in the Marketplace, right? I think having a native one would be a bit of a waste, particularly since some of the third-party ones are pretty cool. Second, can you explain more about the issues you're seeing with the voice-to-text and voice search? I know the Mango beta isn't quite ready for prime time, so there are probably capabilities that are not fully implemented, but what is it you're running into with it? I'll be wanting to use these features a LOT when Mango get released to the public, so I'm curious to know what weaknesses there may be.
@Ashok Hoysal, as I mentioned in another post, the alphabet jumplist showing up at 45 apps or more is so that it's consistent with the People Hub. So, it sounds like you would prefer they get rid of that with the People Hub, too (this would be necessary if they are to keep the platform consistent). If you're okay with it being in the People Hub, then could it be that 45 apps is still too few a number to make the jumplist usable? I'm just askin'.
@arrow22, can you explain more what you mean by the task switcher interface being unappealing? From what I've seen it looks really nice. It keeps with the pivot idea (moving between the app cards) and shows you a picture of the last state the app was in (which I think is PERFECT, and hints somewhat at how the desktop does when you move across the apps on the taskbar). Also, read @Rachel Jang's follow up in this thread regarding the thoughts beind the task switcher. To be honest, what were you doing regarding background apps prior to Mango? You probably never gave it a thought---because all of that was hidden. Now, suddenly, the curtain has been pulled back and you have the ability to actually navigate between the last five active apps (the rest, according to Rachel, are put to sleep as with NoDo). Here's the thing: WP7 was designed from the ground up to manage resources MUCH better than iOS or Android ever dreamed of. So, either you trust the OS to do a good job of it or you don't. Insisting on manually "cleaning up" the device is a throwback to the old Windows Mobile way of life (which I lived since PocketPC and hated). If it turns out that the OS no longer manages things better, then I'd agree that giving us back that management capability would be important (and dramatically reduce WP7 as a desireable platform compared to the memory disaster that is Android).
@Ashok Hoysal, the choice of 5 app cards was already explained by @Rachel Jiang. As for IE, that's not the same thing. You can have as many tabs as the app allows (and there are other brower front-ends--Surf Cube or Metro, for example). Limiting running apps to five cards isn't going to affect your tabs--no more than it does now (which I often have six or more tabs up). Also, Microsoft isn't "taking away" an option, because it never existed in WP7 in the first place. Folks need to stop playing the "well, in Windows Mobile we could......." This is a new animal. This isn't Windows Moble 7. Again, what did you do with background apps pre-Mango? Nothing. Now we have a way to reasonable navigate background apps, while allowing the OS to handle the management of resources. I don't think you trust the OS to do it's job, either because it sucked so badly in Windows Mobile or it sucks so badly in iOS and Android. It's worked surprisingly well up to NoDo that I'm willing to give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt with Mango, too. If it turns out to start degrading performance, then I'll rethink my position. But why not wait and see?
@Lachliggity, I've been using the homebrew apps that handle WiFi, Bluetooth and Airplane mode separately. I have them pinned to the Start page, so while I like your idea, I'd rather the API be available to allow a Marketplace app to do what I'm doing with homebrew apps now. I'm never more than a click away from various radio control.
@Teufel Hunden, so you're saying any native app you run takes up one of the cards? Thanks for clearing that up. Now that you mention the scenario I can see why it would make sense. What about the Zune player? In fact, I'd like to have someone test something: run five native apps, with Zune player being the first, and then throw in a third-party game or some other third-party app....does Zune disappear from the switcher list? If not, is it still running? I'm just wondering how it manages those resources.
@Tommywannabe, yes, and then they risk losing the rest of us as customers. I would argue that most of the people who post in these forums do not represent the largest portion of the actual customers, nor the target customer. In other words, we are a subset of their customer base. If their research showed that most of their target audience wants certain features and doesn't want others, then I think it's reasonable to consider that. You keep insisting on the task-closing option---which Microsoft may yet add in a future release, who knows---but I have yet to see any good reason from someone WHY. What I typically hear is they go back to the tired Windows Mobile philosphy, which sucked badly and was a nightmare because WM did a horrible job ITSELF of managing resources. I'm a geek. I'm fully versed with getting into the weeds with OSs and devices. I not unwashed when it comes to using homebrew on my device (though I'm hoping this becomes less of a need with future versions of the OS). But I don't want to have to get into the weeds. I want an OS that is super-clean all by itself, that manages things all by itself with very little interference by me. Truly, a glance & go experience. I'm a root cause kind of guy. In the case of task closing, I can't escape asking why it's needed.
@Scubadog2011,Looks like you´ve got lots of time,for having to go through every single person´s comment.well while i agree with you on mosy of the issues you mentioned in your replies also d´isagree with some,among which the idea of 5 cards its is not a pain in the ass,its true task switching i guess is a tough job to make it incorporate the metro UI,but given the fact IE tabs count as cards,then 5 cards is no way sufficient.I personally don´t even need the task switcher and the multitasking thing,so it doesn´t mean anything to me
For all those asking for customization of the UI,i think y´all still don´t get the idea of WP,which i summerize by simplicity and elegance,though i agree on the fact that WP lacks a lot in functionalities i thing what microsoft got right the most on WP is the UI,AND TO ME ITS JUST PERFECT,true that i will like too see more themme colors,like gray :)
most of us on this blog and other WP blog/forum,might constitute a good userbase of WP but not the targeted audience.Microsoft targets the average user,but from what i see on this blog and others,about 99.5% of the comments come from advanced users
one thing you guys should understand is that there are some great ideas which can be easily implemented in the WP,the greatest challenge is to maintain the consistency of the metro UI and the hub approach.if you want a phone were everything in the phone looks diferent then Android i guess is the way to go
With regards to timeline, we've pretty much wrapped up our engineering efforts for Mango. However, as we work on future releases, we'll definitely keep your feedback in mind.
Many of your are concerned about how IE tabs are integrated into the task switcher. To be honest, this integration needs more work. In Mango, we allow you to switch between tabs using the task switcher. This is the first step. In the future, we need closer integration of tabs into this experience.
We also want to provide greaterr customization for our customers ranging from more colours to perhaps being able to organize apps. I can't make any promises, but can only say that these areas that you've hit on are things that the team wants to evaluate.
To clarify, what is displayed in the task switcher - we show you the last tasks that you were doing. It does not show everything that is "running." Background music may be playing from Last.fm, but it does mean that there is spot reserved for Last.fm in the task switcher. Hope this helps.
@Rachel Jiang, as you can see the thoughts on the task list is very decisive in favor of allow a task to be killed from this screen. I know you put a lot of though into it, but that doesn't make it right. Consider the camera settings in pre-Mango. Microsoft also put a lot of thought into having the defaults re-loaded every time. Thankfully you listened and this was changed in Mango and our camera preferences are now saved. Why not listen to users now before it's too late? Really, the current implementation is UGLY and HOKEY. It just seems to natural to "close" a task. WebOS really got this one right. COPY THEM!!
Wait, what? @Kenny Rawlins, you say individual TABS are treated as a card? Okay, now that's just plain silly. Would someone with Mango please try the Surf Cube app or Metro Web Browser and tell me if tabs in either of those show up as separate cards? I'm betting they don't, but I'd like to know for sure.
@franwick, again I must insist on asking: WHY? Why do you need to kill tasks? Especially now that you know that not all running tasks even show up in the switcher? To insist on it is just a waste of effort for no value other than "peace of mind".
I am a big fan of the quick jump menu . Infact if you read my previous comments carefully I have requested this to be made mandatory in the app list. However I dont exactly like the 26 alphabet headers . I know that this would make the UI consistent with the People hub, but thats no reason why you need to have the same approach for everything else.
If you look at it, all the 26 alphabet headers in the app list take you to the same quick jump menu. Why do we need 26 extra icons in the app list which do the same thing? Why cant we have a single icon that does the same??
This would also mean that I can access the quick jump menu irrespective of the app count. As of now, if I have 44 apps I still have to bear the pain of scrolling through the huge list.
@Rachel,i think it will be a great idea even in the people hub to take a way the letter header for each group of contacts that start with the same header,and just have one button at the top of the list that opens the quick jump menu.its true for me i will never have to deal with those headers in my applist,since i usually don't like installing more than 5 third party apps on my phone ,but even in the contact list and zune music list i find those headers ugly and useless,hope you fix ASAP after mango,since the ingeneering is done in mango
@Rachel Jiang I must agree with most comments regarding the absense of a closing functionality in the task switcher. I also agree with you in the sense that the average user won't need that level of customization.
But, can a little "X" cause harm to the average user? I doubt it. If the average users don't need it, they wont use it and and will forget about it as long as it don't get in their way.
BTW, great work. Mango looks fantastic, and the beta run almost flawlessly in my device.
I agree with ScubaDo that Windows needs to be its own OS. If I was so insecure that I needed to buy an i-phone or android, I would have. I never owned a crackberry and would never own one. I realise that the money resides with the masses and the masses are still looking for the any key and that is the only reason why i-OS had a chance. I use my phone as a palm-sized computer and not so much as a phone. I will not ever use social media and I wish I could delete it from my phone. Can we get a file browser so I can find the presentations I need to give. Can we get driver support for a bluetooth keyboard? Can we get an option to access the phone as a USB drive? I love the Skydrive, but I would love being able to hot swap SD cards, but would be more than happy with just being able to swap them out by shutting down the phone and restarting. I like the newest fixes and cannot wait for Mango.
The integration of the Facebook chat and MSN its good idea, but, in the practice, send a message its too complicated, for example this scenario, if your contacts of hotmail, facebook and sim card dont stand Full organized for you, search conatcts for send message its a trouble and if your contacts have old information in their profiles, clean this data is too hard. How to fix this trouble? Thanks in advance. Sorry for my broken english.
i'm a sort of business user and WP7 is no good to me if I cannot send attacments other than pictures...what on earth is going on with that... I have a dev version of Mango at present and it is still the same...which is a real shame.
About the task switching. You should just add the ability in the settings to choose up to how many apps one will be able to switch from. The default will be 5 and the numbers to choose from will be from 5-10 or more but not alot. That way everyone can be happy so you won't have to go back appeal to the majority, you can appeal to everyone. You'll have to just add another thing to settings.
Also i agree with some others about being able to close some apps in the task switcher.
A way to close an app while in task switcher mode will make the consumer feel that they are fully in control of their WP7 device. The multi tasking that mango brings to the platform is a highly anticipated feature and it only feels right that it should offer not only the ability to switch apps; but to be able to quickly close and app that is no longer in use, it can also help minimize battery consumption at the users discretion. I am very impressed with my WP7 device and know that it has all the potential necessary to be the smartphone powerhouse of the future; but with that being said the attention to the small details can make or break the success of the OS. Things as simple as not having the option to close an app tab while multi tasking could be the difference in a consumer picking up a WP7 Mango or buying back into iOS or AndroidOS. If MS can get the WP7 platform into a consumers hand I'm confident they won't want to put it down but only by giving the consumers the small detailed conveniences will they get the crossover from what users know to the next generation of Smartphone that is the WP7 OS.
Also again regarding the task switcher. People have been complaining about the back ground color. You should just make the back ground of the task switcher color the color of whatever accent color the user has chosen.
(Off Topic) I still think you guys should add much more accent colors, but also i think a color mixer could be used along with the accent colors for darker or lighter accent colors or a completely different color all together. Also even create, save and name your own colors. The 10 accent colors we have now are just nice but it's a little few for me.
Great job, Rachel and team. I'm beyond ecstatic about these Mango updates and, in general with all the momentum Windows Phone is garnering lately. It's a thrill comparing the slue of recently released marquee apps, NY TImes, USA Today, MTV News, France24, EPI, Groupon, etc, to name a few, with friends who have iOS or Android -- they're envious.
I would have to agree with comments about grouping of apps. The unending scroll is tiresome and unnecessary. Also, Skydrive access (including Zune downloads) is an absolute must if we want to stay competitive.
I also agree with other comments about carrier promotions. It does seem that whatever store you visit, especially Verizon and Sprint, the phones aren't displayed and, in all cases (including at&t) the sales associates aren't knowledgeable enough about functionality, etc, and do go out of their way to steer patrons to Android and iOS phones. Lastly, as we all know, you're lacking massively in compelling promotions, seriously. You need a team that gets the smartphone market and key demographics to have a chance at making inroads with the finicky buying public. Efforts so far have been very poor . To end on a positive note though. keep up the good work with the updates..
So after reading all of these comments, I have to say I agree that the 'why' comes up about the task switching. I'll leave that topic at that because I see both sides of it.
However, one thing got me running over to my PC to login and comment was the explanation of 'average' user. One thing that MS is missing in that belief of what the "average consumer" is. Who influences people that don't know anything technical? More tech savvy people do. Including reviewers and sales people at the carrier's stores. The hostile environment for WP7 at carrier stores almost amounts to a conspiracy...particularly in light of how good WP7 actually is! That said, I've been doing an informal poll over and over again this past year...and every single person I talk to has a common set of answers about why they chose an iphone or Android. "Because it was available and the sales person told me it was the best.", "Because I can do whatever I want with it including customize the heck out of the ring tones.", "Because I can make it operate unique to me.", "Because I'm a texter and the WP7 hardware options weren't there...and no I don't like the SW keyboard no matter how much you do", "My teenage son/daughter said it was the phone to get for the most capability.", "I hear Apple is the best.", "Frankly, I couldn't find it at the store even though you told me it was there, and then the sales person told me it wasn't the best anyway."[seperate conversation on how my influence was stomped over...but it related to percieved popularity because they read about it in several articles in the press]
At best, those responses mean MS advertising is going to have to seriously motivate the average person into overcoming those influentials. Or, MS is going to have to win over the technically savvy reviewers and sales people. Have you guys been -reading- the reviewers? It is a TOUGH crowd out there that doesn't want to cut MS a break even when MS is technically executing extremely well with a better phone OS.
I would bet that the average smartphone user is more technically savvy. They [the reviewers and/or tech savvy] may zero in on the inability to kill an app in the task switcher...so it would be a good idea to pre-emptively get out there with some good marketing which people hear in the "average" forum. But it may be interesting to remember that the original WP7 ad campaign talked about how you would spend less time on it...and the reviewers blasted that they LIKED spending a lot of time on their phone. Otherwise, why have the gadget that does more than phone calls, texting, and checking Facebook? So, whatever the ad campaign...MS needs to resonate with -everybody-....not just the average consumer who listens to the more technical influentials. Win over the power users, reviewers, and sales people...and the rest will follow. Anyway, I confess I don't have access to Mango...so maybe it is already a long way there. The theme I'm pointing at here is to remember who the influencers of the final purchase are.
The fact that WP7 isn't already the number 2 phone out there is because of those influencers finding a few relatively unimportant nits to rip apart with wild abandon; not the average consumer saying they weren't interested because it was more complex than the other guy. Not that it is, but that is the point. Choice is important for the broadest possible appeal.
For future updates, I think you could use the extra space above and below "visual back" for extra features. For example, there could be a screenshot button on the top of the switcher that allows you to take a screenshot of the card you currently are focused on.
More utility usage could include "sub-tasks" in the space below a given card (if applicable). For example, your Internet Explorer task card could show tabs below it. Angry Birds could have your most recent levels. Zune could show your most recent played songs, etc. It could be another way you could allow developers to make the most out of task switching.
In fact, it is somewhat similar to the way the Windows 7 taskbar previews handle similar issues.
...and don't get me wrong about the previous post. I'm not saying an X is needed in the Task switcher which I haven't even used. That post was more of a philosophical response to folks that were going on and on about it on both sides. Everybody just needs to realize and believe they don't need to scratch something that doesn't itch anymore. And, that can be a difficult habit to break for power users....who influence...the average people...who weren't even told [by the influencer] they are getting something simpler and easier to use...and that is what they really do want. :) It may seem obvious that people should want something easier and simpler to use....but by that measure they should all already have a WP7.
It's awesome. Quick jump menu is a fantastic solution in such scenarios, but, I have an issue with quick jump menu icons. What's the point of wasting vertical space (and increasing scrolling size) by inserting quick jump menu icons in the list itself. Aesthetically also I don't find it ok to have an odd looking same size alphabet icon in any list. It messes up with the continuity. If it is necessary to provide a separation where one alphabet series ends (I personally don't find it necessary), a thin line separator goes well with the design. So how can you open quick jump menu. Every icon essentially opens the quick jump menu, my idea, have a single icon to open the quick jump menu, frozen at the top or on the side below search. Have a look at it here - | eng | a38cc7d3-9907-4d3a-957e-4905e9232921 | http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2011/07/08/navigation-improvements-coming-in-mango.aspx |
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landforms over a large regional landscape, with an emphasis on
classifying and describing uniform areas of topography, relief,
geology, altitude, and landform patterns. These regions are
generally referred to as geomorphic or physiographic
provinces or regions and have been classified and
described in various texts for the northeastern region and for
the United States as a whole. The larger regional provinces are
often further subdivided into subunits or sections,
depending on the classification system used.
A rich and varied regional physical landscape, containing a
number of distinctive regional geomorphic provinces and sections,
is evident within the New York Bight watershed. This geomorphic
variety is the result of several concurrent and successional
events: the combination of complex bedrock and surficial geology
and recent glacial history in the northern half of the region;
historical mountain-building and regional land uplifting forces;
and the dynamic processes of erosion, sedimentation, and chemical
and physical weathering acting differentially on rock types of
various hardnesses. Such extraordinary physiographic diversity
and geological complexity, along with climate and historical
events, have contributed directly to the region's remarkable
biological diversity and the current distribution patterns of its
fauna and flora. It is clear that the high-elevation,
carbonate-rich peaks and sedimentary rocks of the Catskills
support a biota entirely different from that of the
unconsolidated and acidic sands of the New Jersey pine barrens
along the low-lying Atlantic coast, just as both of these differ
strongly from the erosion-resistant traprock ridges of the
Palisades and the crystalline metamorphic rocks of the New York
-New Jersey Highlands.
One of the most interesting and significant factors to shape
the modern landscape of a substantial portion of the New York
Bight watershed, and, indeed, much of North America, has been the
work of glaciers and the continental ice sheet during the most
recent glacial period, the Pleistocene Epoch. Although
the Pleistocene began more than a million years ago and was
characterized by a series of at least four major glacial advances
(glacial stages) and retreats (interglacial stages), it is the
last glacial event, the Wisconsin glacial stage, that
has had the most profound influence on the landscape of the
northern section of this region. The Wisconsin ice sheet or
glacier, which began between 70,000 and 100,000 years ago, was
the most extensive in size and advanced the furthest south of all
the Pleistocene glaciers, and only retreated from this region
between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. It has resulted in the two
sections of the New York Bight watershed, the northern glaciated
portion and the southern unglaciated portion, standing in marked
contrast to each other, and has added a measurable and observable
distinctiveness to the landscape and biota of each area and to
the watershed as a whole.
During the height of glaciation, the northern section of the
watershed was covered by an ice sheet up to 1.6 kilometers (1.0
mile) thick, though its thickness was considerably less along its
margins and eastern portions. Over the entire glaciated portion
of the watershed, a layer of unsorted and unconsolidated glacial
debris, glacial till, ranging from clay particles to
huge boulders, was directly deposited on the landscape by the
advancing glacier. Following the retreat of the ice sheet, the
post-Pleistocene landscape, with its rock-strewn surface and
polished bedrock surfaces, was devoid of higher plants and
animals, leaving a clean slate for the migration and colonization
of modern plant and animal communities in the region.
The former edge of the Wisconsin ice sheet is conspicuously
marked by a distinctive, ridge-like terminal or end
moraine running approximately east-west through the center
of the watershed study area, and effectively delineating the line
between the glaciated and unglaciated sections. The moraine is
composed of rock debris from the bedrock of New England, New
York, and northern New Jersey that was eroded, ground up,
transported southward, and deposited at the edge of the ice sheet
in those areas where it remained in place for a relatively long
while, long enough for rock debris to accumulate. The terminal
moraine averages 1.6 to 3.2 kilometers (1 to 2 miles) in width
along most of its length in the watershed. It contains numerous
boulders and appears more like a range of low hummocky knolls and
hills, intermediate valleys, and kettle hole basins than an
unbroken ridgeline. On Long Island, two distinct and roughly
parallel end moraines make up the core of the island: the Ronkonkoma
Moraine and the Harbor Hills Moraine. At the
eastern end of the island these two moraines are quite distinct
from each other and are separated by an intermorainal area 19 to
22 kilometers (12 to 14 miles) wide, which includes the Peconic
Bays. Toward the western end of the island, about 32 kilometers
(20 miles) east of New York City, the two moraines intersect and
are united to form a single end moraine, which continues westward
across Staten Island and into Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and from
there northwestward and westward across northern New Jersey.
As the Wisconsin glacial front retreated in response to a
warming global climate, the glacier left many smaller recessional
moraines and other distinctive glacial landforms, e.g., kames,
kettles, eskers, and drumlins, across the landscape north of the
terminal moraine. Meltwater from the melting ice sheet, in
association with moraines, created several large glacial lakes in
the watershed; the most prominent are Glacial Lake Passaic,
Glacial Lake Hackensack, Glacial Lake Hudson, and Glacial Lake
Albany. These lakes lasted for thousands of years and their
remnants are visible today in the form of lakeshore sand and dune
deposits and basins of deep marsh peats and lake sediments. In
addition to these large lakes, there are many smaller lakes and
wetlands north of the terminal moraine that were also formed from
the blockages of preglacial streams by glacial deposits or
excavated by the ice into the bedrock. All of the 60 natural
lakes that occur in New Jersey, for example, occur north of the
moraine.
The weight of the Wisconsin ice sheet caused the crust of the
continent to sag, depressing the land east and north of New York
City and elevating the coastline south of the city. During the
maximum period and extent of glaciation during the Wisconsin
stage, much of the surface water was locked up as frozen ice in
the ice sheet and sea level was some 107 to 122 meters (350 to
400 feet) lower than at present, exposing hundred of miles of the
continental shelf in the New York Bight. With the warming of the
climate and the retreat of the ice sheet, the depressed land
rebounded and sea level rose to its present level and continues
to rise.
It is the intricate pattern and diversity of physical
landscape features -- geology, landforms, topography, altitude,
relief, geological and glacial history, and hydrology -- and the
associated biological communities and species populations in the
New York Bight watershed that have served as the basis and focal
point of this report's approach to identifying and delineating
regionally significant habitat complexes. The habitat complexes
described in this report represent units that are closely
integrated with natural landscape features rather than with
political boundaries, property lines, and/or local species
occurrences. In this project, the geomorphic region has served as
the primary hierarchical landscape unit within which the various
individual habitat complexes have been grouped and described.
These geomorphic regions (provinces) are summarized here and
shown in Figure 3.
The states of New York and New Jersey have each developed
similar statewide physiographic classifications and units, based
on broader regional classifications, and their units were able to
be joined, integrated, and described for the purposes of this
report. In its report on ecological zones of southern and western
New York, the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation recognizes a number of zones and subzones that are
roughly equivalent to geomorphic or physiographic regions
described in existing earlier classifications of the physiography
and physical geology of the state. Similarly, the state of New
Jersey recognizes five physiographic regions in the state, all of
which along its northern border are contiguous with similar
regions or zones in adjoining New York State. Those physiographic
regions occurring in the New York Bight study area, arranged from
those closest to the coast to those furthest inland and up the
watershed, are listed and briefly described in this section.
1. Atlantic Coastal Plain Province Embayed Section
New Jersey Outer Coastal Plain
New Jersey Inner Coastal Plain
Long Island Coastal Lowlands
Barrier Beach System
The Coastal Plain of the eastern United States is an extensive
seaward-sloping plain of marine sands, clays, gravels, and marls
that stretches 3,540 kilometers (2,200 miles) along the coast
from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to the Mexican border, and
continues another 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) southward into
Mexico. That portion of the Coastal Plain from the southern tip
of Florida along the east coast north to Cape Cod, is referred to
as the Atlantic Coastal Plain Province and includes the coastline
of the New York Bight watershed. The Coastal Plain in this region
is further subdivided into several smaller geomorphic units,
called sections, based on differences in geology and topography.
The Embayed Section, from North Carolina to Cape Cod,
includes the New York Bight and is the area of most recent
submergence as a result of the weight of the last ice sheet and
subsequent postglacial rebound, or rise, of the land. This
section is characterized by broad peninsular tracts, drowned
river estuaries, and a series of coastal terraces that extend
back almost to the Fall Line, the boundary between the Piedmont
and the Coastal Plain (see Piedmont). The land surface of the
Coastal Plain is often viewed together with the submerged
offshore continental shelf as part of a continuous surface; when
so considered, the combined Coastal Plain and adjacent shelf
stretches from Florida to Newfoundland, though the area north of
Cape Cod is wholly submerged. The width of the Coastal Plain
proper, not including the Continental Shelf, is narrowest in the
north in the vicinity of the New York Bight study area and widens
out to a broad plain hundreds of kilometers wide in the
southeastern United States.
The Coastal Plain Province of the Bight includes about 60% of
the total land area of the state of New Jersey, almost the entire
southeastern part of the state south of lower New York Bay and
Raritan Bay, and extends northeastward into New York State to
include all of Long Island. This region is characterized by low
topographic relief and occupies nearly the entire coastal section
of the Bight watershed, except for the immediate urban core,
which is included within the Piedmont and New England Upland
Provinces. Elevations range from sea level to nearly 120 meters
(ca. 400 feet) above, with most of the area being less than 30
meters (ca. 100 feet) in elevation. Climatically, this area is
strongly influenced by the ocean and is thus cooler in summer and
warmer in winter than are the more interior areas of the Bight
watershed.
In New Jersey, the Coastal Plain is composed of an Inner and
Outer Coastal Plain and, although they are not greatly
different geologically, they are quite distinct geographically.
The Inner Coastal Plain lies inland to the west and
northwest of the much larger Outer Coastal Plain. Within
the Bight watershed, the Inner Coastal Plain drains north into
Raritan Bay, while the Outer Coastal Plain, lying adjacent to the
Atlantic Ocean, drains directly into the New York Bight or into
the backbarrier coastal lagoons along the Jersey shore. Most of
the materials on both the Inner and Outer Coastal Plains in New
Jersey are marine-deposited sedimentary sands, gravels, and clays
overlain with later deposits made in interglacial Pleistocene
time, but the Inner Coastal Plain has a larger proportion of clay
in its soil than does the Outer Plain, which is sandier and also
the site of an important aquifer in the region. Soil differences
between the two Coastal Plain segments are significant. Because
of its more fertile soils, the Inner Plain has long been
distinguished as an important agricultural area that gives the
Garden State its name, while the Outer Plain, with its sandier,
excessively well-drained, and lower fertility soils, is dominated
by the equally renowned New Jersey pine barrens, now known as the
Pinelands. Although the Pinelands are typically viewed as being
very dry, in many places the water table is quite close to the
surface, giving rise to extensive wetlands. The Inner Coastal
Plain, whose sedimentary deposits were laid down during the
Cretaceous period, is separated from the Outer Coastal Plain, of
Tertiary age, by a belt of low hills called cuestas.
These cuestas are capped by a formation of cemented sands and
gravels; some of the larger hills are nearly 120 meters (400
feet) high, including Beacon Hill at 114 meters (373 feet) and
Arney's Mount at 70 meters (230 feet) above sea level. This
feature is not found on Coastal Plain sections to the south.
Altogether, the Coastal Plain of New Jersey may be viewed as a
plain that rises gradually from sea level on the east, west, and
south to elevations as high as nearly 120 meters (400 feet) where
the Inner and Outer Coastal Plains join at the
northeast-southwest trending cuestas. The major rivers draining
into the New York Bight from this relatively flat, low-lying
region are those that originate in the Pinelands, and include the
Mullica, Great Egg Harbor, Tuckahoe, Wading, Toms, Forked,
Metedeconk, and Manasquan Rivers. These rivers of the Pinelands
are slow-flowing, rich in humates that impart a brown tea color
to the water, low in nutrients, and acidic; many are tidal for
significant portions of their length.
The Coastal Plain deposits of New Jersey continue
northeastward, dipping downwards below the surface, to Long
Island, and lie buried well beneath the land surface on Long
Island. Unlike the New Jersey section of the Coastal Plain, the
surface of the Long Island lowlands is strongly modified
and covered by glacial deposits from the most recent (Wisconsin
stage) glaciation, and consists of moraine deposits, glacial
drift, and outwash materials. The general topography of Long
Island is that of a plain that slopes southward from an elevation
of roughly 60 meters (200 feet) or less along the middle and
northern portions of the island, at the crests of the two
terminal moraines, and grades gradually into extensive deposits
of outwash sands and gravels that reach sea level at the South
Shore of Long Island. The gentle southward-sloping area of
outwash materials emanating from the southernmost end moraine on
Long Island is often referred to as an outwash plain and
is similar to those found along the southeastern coast of New
England on Cape Cod and the outer islands of Martha's Vineyard,
Block Island, and Nantucket. The valleys of the South Shore
outwash plain, of uncertain origin, are characteristically short,
shallow, and indefinite depressions that have been called dry
rivers or furrows. Streams and rivers along the South Shore are
also very narrow and short in length; only two major rivers occur
along Long Island's South Shore, the Carmans River and the
Connetquot River.
Long Island has two prominent end moraines that traverse the
island almost from one end to the other, including both eastern
forks. The southernmost and older of the two moraines, the
Ronkonkoma Moraine, makes up the central and south fork sections
of Long Island, and includes the Montauk Peninsula. South of the
Ronkonkoma Moraine is an extensive outwash plain of
water-sorted sands and gravels deposited by meltwaters at the
edge of the ice; intermorainal outwash deposits also occur
between the two moraines. The Harbor Hills Moraine makes up the
north shore and north fork of the island, including Orient Point,
Plum Island, and Fishers Island. It is the younger of the two
moraines and is sometimes referred to as a recessional
moraine, marking where the glacier retreated from its position at
the Ronkonkoma Moraine and remained in place for an extended
period of time. Another speculation is that the Harbor Hills
Moraine represents a glacial advance that was preceded by an
interglacial stage. Near the western end of the island these two
moraines are united, becoming distinct about 32 kilometers (20
miles) east of New York City and separating at the east end where
they are 19 to 22 kilometers (12 to 14 miles) apart. The maximum
heights of the moraines are 119 meters (391 feet) in the Harbor
Hill moraine and 125 meters (410 feet) in the Ronkonkoma moraine;
both elevations occur west of the middle section of the island.
The New York Bight watershed boundary along the southern portion
of Long Island follows the approximate position and crest of the
Ronkonkoma Moraine in the eastern half of the island, and along
the ridge of the united moraines in the western half.
Along both the Long Island and New Jersey Atlantic coasts at
the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean, there is an extensive,
narrow strip of elongated barrier beaches, baymouth barriers,
barrier spits, and barrier islands, often broken by
tidal inlets, that is typically separated from the mainland by a
backbarrier lagoon (saltwater bay), a marsh system, or a
combination of the two. At the eastern end of Long Island, the
erosion of glacial morainal and till deposits at Montauk Point
serves as the headland source of the beach sands that comprise
the relatively recent (4,000 years) barrier island system and
offshore bars paralleling the shore for nearly three-fourths the
length of the island. Eroded glacial sediments are carried
westward from Montauk Point in the longshore, or littoral,
current and deposited by wave action on the barrier beaches and
offshore bars. In addition to the westward growth and movement of
the beaches on Long Island, there is also a landward migration of
this system in response to diminishing sediment supply and
relative sea level rise; the latter is estimated at around 15 to
40 centimeters (6 to 16 inches) per century in this region and
results in a shoreline retreat of 1 to 3 meters (3 to 9 feet) per
year in some places. In contrast to the erosion of glacial
materials on Long Island, in New Jersey the coastal plain
deposits of the Atlantic Highlands serve as the primary headland
source of sand for the beaches along the Atlantic coast of
southern New Jersey. Eroded materials from the region of the
Highlands are swept in the littoral current northward to form the
Sandy Hook peninsula, and southward towards Cape May to form the
greater part of the barrier beach system that is commonly known
as the Jersey Shore. As on Long Island, the New Jersey beaches
are also migrating landward in response to a global rise in sea
level.
The barrier beach system of the Jersey Shore south of Sandy
Hook may be viewed as being composed of three sub-areas, from
north to south: the mainland-fronting beach area from the
Atlantic Highlands south to Bay Head; the barrier beach segment
from Bay Head to Ocean City, where there is an extensive open
water lagoon system in back of the barrier beaches, with few
inlets; and the barrier beach section from Ocean City to Cape May
where inlets are more frequent, the barrier beach segments
shorter, and the backbarrier lagoon is being filled in by
sediments and dominated by marshes. A fourth sub-area, between
Brigantine/Little Egg Inlet and Ocean City, is transitional
between water-dominated and marsh-dominated backbarrier systems.
A similar pattern of barrier beach segments occurs along the
south shore of Long Island, running east to west: Montauk to
Southampton (mainland-fronting beaches); Southampton to Fire
Island Inlet (large open water lagoons or bays, with few inlets);
and from Fire Island Inlet to Coney Island (extensive backbarrier
marshes, more frequent inlets, shorter beach segments). The
barrier beach systems along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline of Long
Island and New Jersey often contain substantial dune ridges that
parallel the shoreline as well as extensive sand flats,
interdunal swales, and tidal marshes in back of the dunes.
Barrier beach systems as a rule are highly dynamic, constantly
changing their shapes, beach widths, and landforms, sometimes
radically, on a daily, seasonal, or annual basis, but especially
in response to extreme storm events such as hurricanes and
nor'easters, both of which are common in this region. These storm
events do considerable damage to man-made structures, but are an
important part of the natural coastal process and are quite
significant in maintaining a diversity of natural biological
communities on the beaches and in the lagoons.
2. Piedmont Province
Piedmont Lowlands (Northern Triassic Lowlands)
The Piedmont Province of the eastern United States extends
from the Hudson River at the north to Alabama at the south and
ranges from 16 kilometers (10 miles) wide at its narrowest, in
the Bight region, to about 200 kilometers (125 miles) at its
widest, near the Virginia-North Carolina border. The province as
a whole may be viewed as the nonmountainous portion of the older
Appalachian Mountains whose flat plateau surface is the product
of erosion and degradation. Along most of its length, the
Piedmont is situated between the Appalachian Mountains to the
west and the Coastal Plain to the east and slopes from the
mountains towards the coast. In the southern part of this
Province the boundary between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain
is called the Fall Line or Fall Zone, so named because of the
prevalence of rapids and falls at the topographic juncture of the
more resistant and higher elevation rocks of the Piedmont and the
more erodible and lower-lying rocks and sediments of the Coastal
Plain. The Piedmont Province is divided into Upland and Lowlands
sections; in the northern portion of the Piedmont only the
Lowlands section is present, dominated by Triassic rocks. The
Lowlands are often further subdivided into Northern and Southern
Triassic Lowlands.
In the New York Bight watershed, the Piedmont Lowlands
section, also known as the Newark Basin or Triassic Lowlands,
represents the northern extension of an almost continuous
formation of reddish shales, mudstones, and sandstones that
stretches nearly 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) from the Hudson
River near the border of New Jersey and New York near Nyack, New
York, southward through Maryland into Virginia. There are also
scattered basins of these same rocks in New England and the
Canadian Maritime Provinces, but these are not considered part of
the Piedmont. In the Northeast, including the New York Bight
watershed, the Northern Triassic Lowlands section
extends from the Palisades of the Hudson River in New York State
southward to the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania.
The Piedmont of the New York Bight watershed is a relatively
low-lying area of broad valleys and low hills that slopes gently
in a southeastward direction from its highest elevations of about
122 meters (400 feet) above sea level in northeastern New Jersey
to sea level at Newark Bay. It lies between the Highlands, or
Reading Prong, to the northwest and the Coastal Plain to the
southeast. The Piedmont's fertile, arable soils and flat, easily
developed terrain have resulted in dense urbanization over much
of the northeastern portion of this area and extensive
agricultural activity in its southwestern portion, with only
small fragments of natural habitat remaining. Its gently rolling
surface of readily erodible sedimentary sandstones and shales and
deep reddish soils is interrupted by ridges of erosion-resistant
igneous rock types, diabase and basalt, commonly called traprock.
The most prominent traprock ridges in this physiographic region
of the Bight are the three Watchung Mountain ranges of New
Jersey, composed of extrusive basalts, and the Palisades Sill,
composed of intrusive diabases; the latter extends more than 65
kilometers (40 miles) along the west bank of the Hudson River
shorelines of northeastern New Jersey and adjacent southeastern
New York, from west-central Staten Island north to Haverstraw,
New York. The Palisades form a line of near-vertical cliffs along
the Hudson with huge quantities of bouldery talus at their foot
slopes, and range from near sea level at their bases along the
river up to an average of 60 meters (200 feet) in elevation, with
some maximum local elevations of between 150 and 210 meters (500
to 700 feet). Several miles west of the Palisades, standing out
in bold relief in the Hackensack Meadowlands, are two small
intrusive plugs, offshoots of the Palisades diabase, known as
Snake Hill and Little Snake Hill. Still further west, maximum
elevations on the three Watchung Mountain ridges are 106, 200 and
260 meters (350, 650, and 850 feet).
Another conspicuous landscape feature of the Northern Triassic
Lowlands in the New York Bight watershed is the presence of large
glacial lakes, such as Glacial Lake Hackensack and Glacial Lake
Passaic in northeastern New Jersey; these were formed by the
terminal moraine blocking the Passaic River and the deposition of
other glacial materials blocking the Hackensack River. Two other
lakes are connected with this system: Glacial Lake Hudson and
Glacial Lake Flushing. Until glacial retreat allowed them to
drain, these lakes endured for thousands of years before being
filled with clay, sand, and gravel about 10,000 years ago and
later with peat deposits from the marshes that grew in them.
Today, the Passaic Meadows (Great Swamp/Great Piece Meadows/Troy
Meadows) and the Hackensack Meadowlands occupy the lake basins of
former Glacial Lakes Passaic and Hackensack, respectively.
3. New England Province
New England Uplands
New York/New Jersey Highlands (Reading Prong)
Manhattan Hills (Manhattan Prong)
Taconic Mountains
Taconic Highlands
Rensselaer Plateau
Stissing Mountain
The New England Province is essentially a northward
extension of the larger Appalachian Mountains or Highlands
region. It is a plateau-like upland that rises gradually inland
from the coast and is surmounted by mountain ranges or individual
peaks. The principal mountain ranges are the Green, Taconic, and
White, while the Berkshire Hills and Hoosac Mountains are
southern extensions of the Green Mountains and are of lesser
elevation. South and west of the Berkshires and Hoosac Mountains
the physiographic distinction between them and the Taconic
Mountains is difficult. The Province sends out two arms or prongs
southeastward from New England that serve to connect it with the
Appalachian provinces: the Manhattan Prong, which
terminates at the tip of Manhattan Island, and the Reading
Prong, which extends beyond the Hudson and Delaware Rivers
to Reading, Pennsylvania. The region is one of complex mountains
consisting primarily of metamorphic (schist, gneiss, slate, and
marble) and igneous (largely granites) rocks of very ancient age
that have been greatly compressed, uplifted, and deeply denuded,
first by fluvial agents and later by glaciers. With respect to
the latter, the New England Province differs from the southern
Appalachian region primarily in the fact that the entire region
was glaciated, except for a portion in western New Jersey and
Pennsylvania. Glaciation in this province, along with its more
rugged topography, preponderance of crystalline rocks, and
scarcity of calcareous rocks, has resulted in thinner, patchier,
and generally acidic tills, which are also quite stony and
bouldery. The geographic and physiographic complexity and
diversity of the province has led to the recognition of five
geomorphic sections: Taconic; Green Mountain; New England Upland;
White Mountain; and Seaboard sections. Some authors add a sixth
section: the Connecticut Valley Lowland.
The topography of the New England Uplands section is
that of a maturely-dissected plateau with narrow valleys, and the
entire area is greatly modified by glaciation. It is the most
widespread of the geomorphic sections in the New England
Province, extending from Canada through New England down to the
Seaboard section and extending southwestward through New York and
New Jersey as two narrow upland projections, the Reading and
Manhattan prongs previously mentioned. Numerous hills and
mountains rise above the general level of the upland; except in
the presence of mountains, the horizon of the regional landscape
is fairly level. Glaciation has resulted in the erosion and
rounding off of the bedrock topography and numerous rock basin
lakes. Glacial drift is thin, patchy, and stony, and ice-contact
features such as kames, kame terraces, and eskers are abundant.
The surface of the New England Uplands slopes southeast from
maximum inland altitudes around 670 meters (2,200 feet),
excluding the other mountainous sections of the province, to
about 122 to 152 meters (400 to 500 feet) along its seaward edge
at the narrow coastal Seaboard section, which goes down to sea
level.
In the New York Bight watershed, the New England Uplands
section is represented by a portion of the Taconic Mountains and
its foothills, and by the Reading and Manhattan Prongs that
extend southwestward from the New England states. Although
geologists refer to the larger of these extensions as the Reading
Prong, in this region it is more commonly known as the New
York - New Jersey Highlands, and locally as the Hudson
Highlands, the New Jersey Highlands, the Ramapo Mountains, or
simply the Highlands. The Highlands are bounded on the southeast
and on the northwest by the lowlands of the Piedmont and Great
Valley provinces, respectively. The mountains and valleys that
make up the Highlands are part of a relatively long, linear, and
narrow regional geological feature that averages 16 to 32
kilometers (10 to 20 miles) in width, with a maximum width of 40
kilometers (25 miles), and extends in a southwest-northeast
trending direction for nearly 225 kilometers (140 miles), from
southeastern Pennsylvania near Reading, to southwestern
Connecticut in the vicinity of Danbury, where it joins the
Taconic Mountains and Housatonic Highlands of the New England
Uplands plateau. The Hudson River cuts a deep gorge through the
Highlands in New York in that stretch of the river between
Peekskill on the south and Newburgh on the north.
The New York - New Jersey Highlands section is very complex
geologically and is composed predominantly of erosion-resistant,
contorted, and strongly metamorphosed crystalline rocks (gneisses
and schists) and marble, mostly overlain with glacial till, with
many areas of softer limestones and shales, especially in the
valleys. This large group of rocks, the oldest in the Bight
watershed, that makes up the Highlands is called the Highlands
Complex. The northern section of the Highlands was glaciated
during the last glacial period, resulting in very different
landscape features and physiography north and south of the
terminal moraine (along which Interstate 80 traversing east-west
through northern New Jersey is roughly aligned). Areas to the
north of the moraine are more rugged in topography, with massive,
discontinuous rock ridges, steep, narrow valleys, frequent rock
outcroppings, and elevations averaging about 300 meters (ca.
1,000 feet) up to 460 meters (1,500 feet) above sea level. The
northern section also contains many large, glacially-formed lakes
and wetlands and is generally heavily forested; all of these
features are of great ecological significance. The southern
portion of the Highlands is more gently sloping and less
dissected, with more open agricultural lands and early
successional vegetation; elevations are as low as 105 meters (350
feet) in the valleys. Where the Hudson River cuts through the
Highlands in the vicinity of West Point and Storm King, the
physiographic relief is often quite dramatic and ranges from
nearly sea level at the base along the river to 425 meters (1,400
feet) in elevation. Soils in the Highlands, especially in the
northern, glaciated sections, are generally very shallow, rocky,
and strongly acidic. One especially noteworthy feature of the
Highlands is the fact that it is an important drainage divide and
headwater source for several major river systems in the watershed
including the Raritan, Passaic, Wallkill, and Croton Rivers, as
well as several rivers draining westward into the Delaware River
watershed.
The Manhattan Prong, also known as the ManhattanHills, is a landscape of rolling hills and valleys with
elevations generally less than 100 meters (330 feet) above sea
level, but ranging from sea level to nearly 275 meters (900 feet)
above sea level. The highest point in Manhattan, in Fort Tryon
Park, is about 80 meters (260 feet). The bedrock of the Manhattan
Prong underlies much of southwestern Connecticut, Westchester
County, New York, and New York City, and ends at the southern tip
of Manhattan Island. The valleys are principally marble and more
easily erodible than the schists and gneisses of this unit's
higher elevations. The hills are primarily erosion-resistant and
tightly folded metamorphic rocks, mostly gneisses and schists
with some local deposits of quartzite, overlain with till and
coastal plain deposits; they represent the vestiges of ancient,
worn-down mountain ranges. Three distinct metamorphic rock
formations make up the Manhattan Prong; known collectively as the
New York City group, these are: the highly folded and contorted
Fordham gneiss, the oldest and most widespread of the formations;
the Inwood marble, derived from dolomitic limestone; and the
younger Manhattan Formation, consisting largely of mica schist,
overlying the Inwood marble and making up most of the rock
outcrops on Manhattan Island. The soils are mostly acidic,
shallow to deep, and rocky. Rivers of note in this geomorphic
unit include the Harlem River, the lower Hudson River, the East
River, and the Bronx River. All of these are underlain by Inwood
marble except for the Bronx River; it originally flowed through
the marble valley, but changed its course to its present flow
through mica schist.
Just south of the Manhattan Prong, Staten Island is
geologically distinctive and unique in the watershed in that it
is partially underlain by serpentine rock, or serpentinite, an
altered igneous rock with characteristic physical and chemical
properties. The chemical properties of serpentine often exert a
profound influence on the flora and vegetation of an area. Few
deposits of this material exist elsewhere in the region, making
Staten Island's serpentine rocks regionally significant, even
though small in total area.
The Taconic Mountains section of the New England
Province runs in a narrow north-south trending strip along the
southeastern border of New York, the southwestern border of
Vermont, the western border of Massachusetts, and the
northwestern border of Connecticut. To the west, the Taconics are
bordered by the Hudson Valley portion of the Great Valley, while
their eastern boundary is formed by the Berkshires and by the
Hoosac Mountains, which are southern extensions of the Green
Mountains of Vermont. The bedrock geology and geological history
of this region are extremely complex and diverse, with intensely
folded and faulted metamorphic shales, slates, phyllites,
quartzite, schists, gneisses, and graywacke
(sandstone/conglomerate) predominating in the uplands, and belts
of carbonates, limestone, and marble forming the valleys. Much of
this area's geological complexity is the result of a collision
between an ancient volcanic island arc and the continent of
proto-North America; this collision pushed rocks from western
Massachusetts into New York around 450 million years ago, bending
and upthrusting rocks which had lain flat. The uptilted edges of
these different layers have been differentially worn away
according to their rock type; softer rocks (carbonates, e.g.,
limestones and marbles) are worn away to form the valleys, while
the more erosion-resistant harder rocks form the hills. This
gives the Taconics its characteristic topography of sharp ridges
and narrow valleys.
Elevations along the more low-lying western edge of this
geomorphic section, adjacent to the Hudson Valley, begin at about
120 meters (400 feet) above sea level and increase in elevation
up to around 610 meters (2,000 feet) along the Massachusetts
state line, averaging around 550 to 610 meters (1,800 to 2,000
feet); maximum elevation in Massachusetts is close to 850 meters
(2,800 feet). Elevations also generally decrease toward the
south, a reflection of the harder quartzites and gneisses in the
north and predominance of softer shales, slates, and limestones
in the southern portions. While the higher peaks of the Taconic
Mountains lie eastward and outside of the New York Bight
watershed, their western slopes or foothills extend into the
eastern New York section of the watershed along its border with
western New England. These western foothills of the Taconic
Mountains are sometimes referred to as the Taconic Highlands.
Their north-south oriented landscape is relatively steep and
hilly near their easternmost edge, adjacent to the Taconic
Mountains in the states of Vermont, Massachusetts, and
Connecticut, and becomes progressively more gently rolling
westward, towards the Hudson River valley. In the southern
portion of these foothills, where the elevations are lowest, the
landscape is largely that of a broad, gently undulating valley.
There are considerable open, nonforested lands with extensive
agriculture over much of this region. Soils on the uplands are
relatively acid, coarse-textured, and often shallow, while
valleys are more fertile and basic and contain extensive
vegetated wetland complexes. Carbonate outcrops are common in the
valleys.
Two areas within the Taconic section are especially
distinctive: the Rensselaer Plateau and Stissing Mountain. The Rensselaer
Plateau or Rensselaer Hills, underlain with
Cambrian quartzites and graywacke, is a nonmountainous area of
the Taconics located about 16 kilometers (10 miles) east of
Albany in the northeastern corner of the New York Bight watershed
study area. It projects prominently above the Hudson Valley and
the surrounding foothills of the Taconics to the west, north, and
south, and above the valley of the Little Hoosic River, which
separates the plateau from the higher ridges of the Taconic
Mountain range to the east. This hilly plateau is about 32
kilometers (20 miles) long and 14 kilometers (9 miles) wide, with
surface elevations generally ranging from 457 to 610 meters
(1,500 to 2,000 feet) high. Its surface topography is rolling,
with broad swells and long slopes, and contains many swamps and
lakes. Most of the land is wooded, with little active agriculture
owing to the thin, stony soils covered by glacial boulders.
Stissing Mountain (428 meters [1,403 feet]), located
in Dutchess County, New York, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) west
of the Connecticut-New York border near Lakeville, Connecticut,
rises abruptly nearly 305 meters (1,000 feet) above the
surrounding lowlands. In contrast to the slate hills to the west
and carbonate lowlands and wetlands to the east that surround it,
the nearly 8-kilometer (5-mile) long Stissing Mountain is
composed of hard, erosion-resistant and acidic Precambrian
gneisses overlain in many places by Lower Cambrian quartzites.
The gneisses themselves overlie, or float on, much younger rocks,
probably the result of thrust faulting, also common elsewhere in
the Taconic section. The east side of Stissing Mountain is the
steepest, with slopes averaging 40 percent. Its slopes and crests
are heavily forested, with scattered rock outcrops, vertical
ledges, and very rocky, shallow, acidic soils formed from glacial
till derived from gneiss; substantial accumulations of talus at
the foot of the mountain consist of large blocks of gneiss.
The Ridge and Valley Province of the New York Bight watershed
is part of a much larger geological province that extends from
Canada to the southern United States as a narrow belt of sinuous
ridges and interconnecting valleys with a general
northeast-southwest orientation. The lowland valley section of
this province is generally referred to as the Great Valley.
Within the New York Bight watershed, the Great Valley section
is collectively composed of the Kittatinny, Wallkill and
Hudson Valleys. This section consists of a long and
continuous valley system that curves gently northeastward through
northwestern New Jersey from the Delaware River through the Kittatinny
Valley of New Jersey and the Wallkill Valley of New
Jersey and New York to the confluence of the Hudson River, and
then continues northwards up the Hudson Valley to the
Champlain Valley, beyond the New York Bight watershed boundary.
These valleys are broad and gently rolling and surrounded, from
south to north, by the Kittatinny, Shawangunk, Catskill, and
Helderberg Mountains on the west and northwest, by the Taconic
Mountains to the east, and by the New York - New Jersey Highlands
to the southeast. The valleys themselves were created largely by
the actions of groundwater and surface water slowly dissolving
and eroding the carbonate bedrocks (sedimentary shales and
limestones) that underlie much of the region. Because of the rich
soils and flatness of the terrain, coupled with a relatively mild
climate, much of the valley region is in agriculture, with
localized centers of industry and residential development; there
are also sizable areas of forests and wetlands.
The northern Kittatinny Valley and the Wallkill
Valley lie within the watershed boundaries of the New York
Bight and are drained by the northeast-flowing Wallkill River and
its tributaries from their origin in northwestern New Jersey up
to the Wallkill's confluence with Rondout Creek close to where
the Rondout flows into the Hudson River. This section of the
Great Valley averages 16 to 25 kilometers (10 to 15 miles) in
width and has a broad, flat to undulating contour varying in
elevation from about 120 to 300 meters (400 to 1,000 feet) above
sea level, with most of the land lying below 150 meters (500
feet). The valleys are mostly underlain with limestones,
dolomites, and shales, and largely covered with glacial till. The
valley soils are deep, fertile, and relatively well-drained,
except for restricted areas of peats and mucks, which are the
sites of former shallow glacial lakes. The southern Kittatinny
Valley southwest of and contiguous with the Wallkill Valley is
drained by the Paulins Kill southwestward to the Delaware River
and is, therefore, outside of the New York Bight watershed. At
the Delaware River, the Great Valley system continues to the
southwest into Pennsylvania.
Included in the valley section of the Ridge and Valley
Province is the long narrow valley that lies between the
Shawangunk - Kittatinny ridgeline and Allegheny Plateau. In the
New York State section of this valley, west of the Shawangunks,
the valley is continuous from Pennsylvania, near Port Jervis, New
York, northeastward to the Hudson River. The valley is known to
geologists as the Port Jervis Trough, but locally by the
names of rivers and creeks that run through it. To the west and
north of the Shawangunk ridgeline, this valley is drained by the
northeastward-flowing Rondout Creek, which joins the Wallkill
River just east of Rosendale, New York and then continues east a
short distance to join the Hudson River near Kingston, New York.
In this same narrow valley west of the Shawangunk ridgeline, but
south of and in headwater opposition to Rondout Creek, the Basher
Kill and Neversink River flow southwestward to drain into the
Delaware River; this section of the valley is not a part of the
New York Bight watershed. Similarly, the valley of the Delaware
River (Minisink Valley) and other small tributary valleys west of
the Kittatinny ridgeline in New Jersey, though a part of the
Ridge and Valley Province in the state, lie outside the New York
Bight watershed and are therefore not included in this report.
Within the north-central section of the New York Bight
watershed project area, the Hudson Valley forms a narrow
corridor of rolling plains and hills, averaging around 16
kilometers (10 miles) across in width in an east-west direction,
from the vicinity of Troy downriver to Newburgh. The Hudson River
is very much a dominant landscape feature in this section of the
Ridge and Valley Province. Interlaced among the hills and plains
of the valley are long, narrow, stream bottomlands and wetlands.
The valley is composed primarily of sedimentary shales,
siltstones, sandstones, and limestones; most of the soils derived
from these materials are medium-textured and acid to slightly
acid in pH. Closer to the river, the soils are mostly
medium-textured to fine-textured glacial lake or marine
sediments; in the Albany area there are coarse sandy and gravelly
soils derived from a large delta built along the west shores of
Glacial Lake Albany, whose waters filled most of the valley some
15,000 years ago. Elevations range from near sea level at the
southern end of this valley to 60 meters (200 feet) high, with
some maximum local elevations of just under 150 meters (500
feet). In a few areas below Kingston there are a number of hills,
not typical of the rest of this region, that approach or exceed
300 meters (ca. 1,000 feet) in elevation.
The Shawangunk - Kittatinny Mountain ridgeline is the
northernmost ridge in the Ridge and Valley Province and the only
prominent ridgeline of this province in the watershed except for
the much smaller Schunnemunk Mountain situated along the
eastern edge of the valley adjacent to the Highlands. Beyond the
watershed to the southwest, the Kittatinny Ridge continues to the
Delaware River where it is cut by the Delaware Water Gap. West of
the Delaware River the Kittatinny Mountain ridge continues
southwestward into Pennsylvania to Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, where
the ridge continues south and southwestward as Blue Mountain. The
Shawangunk - Kittatinny Ridge is nearly 160 kilometers (100
miles) long, stretching northeastward from the Delaware River in
northwestern New Jersey to its northeastern terminus
approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Kingston, New
York. It is composed of sharply-folded sedimentary rocks, mostly
shale, capped with erosion-resistant sandstones and quartz
conglomerates, with increasing amounts of limestone on the
western slopes along the Delaware River. As a result of these
different bedrocks and their dip, steep cliffs are prominent
along the east slope of the ridge while gentle slopes prevail on
the western side. The overall shape of the ridge is that of a
long, narrow, pointed dumbbell, with the center section being the
narrowest (less than 2 kilometers [1.25 miles] wide) and areas
near the two ends widening out to more than 10 kilometers (6
miles) in width. Elevations at the base start at about 120 meters
(400 feet) above sea level; along the ridgetop elevations average
well over 300 meters (1,000 feet). The highest elevation in the
Kittatinny section of the ridge is 550 meters (1,803 feet), at
High Point, New Jersey; in the Shawangunk section, highest
elevation is 698 meters (2,289 feet) at Lake Maratanza, New York.
Glaciated northern sections of the ridge contain several rock
basin lakes scoured out by the ice sheet, such as Sunfish Pond,
Lake Marcia, and Mohonk and Minnewaska Lakes. Most of the land
area is in forest, rocky outcrops, and bare escarpments.
5. Appalachian Plateaus Province
Glaciated Allegheny Plateau
Catskill Mountains
Helderberg Mountains
The Appalachian Plateaus Province is a broad belt of
flat-lying and relatively unfolded layers of sedimentary rock,
sandstones, shales, limestones, and conglomerates, that extends
from northern New York State, from just north of the Catskill
Mountains west to the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio; from there it
extends southward through Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee to
northwestern Alabama, where it meets the Coastal Plain. Several
geomorphic sections have been identified and delineated over this
Province, including the Allegheny Mountains, Catskill Mountains,
Cumberland Mountains, and Cumberland Plateau. Along its edges,
the Appalachian Plateaus Province is bounded by outfacing
escarpments or dissected mountain fronts, which impart an almost
mountainous topography to the region, especially along the
eastern margin of the province. The Catskill Mountains are a
prominent example of this mountainous appearance, owing to the
strong physiographic relief in those areas adjacent to the
low-lying Hudson and Kittatinny Valleys.
The Glaciated Allegheny Plateau in the New York Bight
watershed represents the northeasternmost part of the Appalachian
Plateaus Province. It is a maturely dissected plateau that has
been extensively modified by Pleistocene glaciations,
particularly the late Wisconsin glaciation. Within the Bight
watershed it is a mostly high and rugged plateau region formed of
uplifted marine sandstones and shales, and is characterized by
flat-topped hills and deeply dissected valleys. This region forms
the northwestern border of the New York Bight watershed study
area.
The Catskill Mountains or Catskills, as they
are commonly known, are situated along the western edge of the
Hudson Valley west of Kingston and Catskill, New York, and
contain the highest peaks in the New York Bight study watershed.
The highest topography in the Appalachian Plateaus Province, the
Catskills are not technically mountains at all, but an eroded,
topographically dissected plateau that has been carved by stream
erosion into sharp-crested divides. Such areas as the Catskills
and Poconos are called mountains largely because of the shape of
their landforms rather than on the basis of their origin, and the
name persists. Indeed, this impression of mountains is especially
reinforced along the eastern edge of the Catskills where the
plateau escarpment stands 915 meters (3,000 feet) above the
Hudson Valley floor to the east. Especially noteworthy is the
fact that the highest peaks of the Catskills, constituting an
area approximately 64 kilometers (40 miles) in diameter, are all
at about the same elevation, with 34 peaks over 1,067 meters
(3,500 feet). Geomorphologists have different theories about
this. Some think it is the result of regional uplifting and
erosion of a former plain; others think that, because the high
peaks of the Catskills are all formed of the same
erosion-resistant sandstones, they have worn down at the same
rate and therefore continue to have very similar heights.
Elevations at the eastern base of the Catskills adjacent to the
Hudson Valley start at around 175 meters (500 feet) and increase
rapidly to where local elevations over much of the area average
well over 610 meters (2,000 feet); indeed, many of the higher
peaks are over 915 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level. The
maximum elevation in the Catskills is 1,274 meters (4,180 feet),
at the top of Slide Mountain, the highest point in the New York
Bight study area. The topography of this section is extremely
rugged, dominated by high peaks, steep ridges, and deep ravines,
and containing few streams and valleys, perhaps due to the
extreme permeability of the sandstones. On the peaks themselves
glacial till deposits and soils are quite thin and there is a
fair amount of exposed bedrock, in contrast to the valleys which
contain thick glacial deposits and rock debris. Several headwater
streams drain the high peaks of the Catskills and flow into three
major drainage systems: the Delaware, Hudson, and Mohawk Rivers.
Within the New York Bight, or Hudson River, watershed portion of
these mountains, the major tributary is Esopus Creek, which
essentially divides the Catskills into two distinct clusters of
high peaks. Other rivers of note within the watershed include
Kaaterskill Creek, Plattekill Creek, and Rondout Creek. The major
rivers of the other drainage systems are the Neversink and
Delaware Rivers, which drain into the Delaware River watershed,
and Schoharie Creek, which drains into the Mohawk River which, in
turn, drains into the Hudson River system north of Troy, north of
the study area.
The Helderberg Mountains comprise a relatively
restricted section of the Appalachian Plateau and form the
northeastern border of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau. Like the
Catskills, the Helderbergs represent an eroded and dissected
portion of the Allegheny Plateau and are not true mountains.
Because the principal limestones (Helderberg group) that make up
these mountains are more erosion-resistant than the layers below
and above them, the eastern and northeastern faces of the
Helderberg Mountains form a very steep and pronounced escarpment,
or cliff face, and contain numerous caves. It is this cliff face,
the Helderberg Escarpment, that gives the area its
topographic prominence and regional significance. The Helderberg
region as a whole is characterized by a plateau-like appearance,
with flat hilltops intermixed with steep, shallow-soil valleys
and elevations that range from 274 to 488 meters (900 to 1,600
feet) above sea level. Elevations at the base of the eastern and
northeastern faces of the Helderberg Escarpment range from about
150 to 245 meters (500 to 800 feet), with average elevations
along the top ranging from 305 to 365 meters (1,000 to 1,200
feet). The highest elevation in the Helderbergs within the
watershed study area is 555 meters (1,822 feet); to the west,
outside the watershed, the highest peak in the Helderbergs stands
at 668 meters (2,191 feet). The mountains are heavily forested,
though elsewhere in this geomorphic section and in the adjacent
Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, a much larger percentage of the area
is in open fields and shrublands.
References:
Angermeier, P.L. and A. Bailey. 1992. Use of a geographic
information system in the conservation of rivers in Virginia,
USA. In P.J. Boon, P. Calow, and G.E. Petts (eds.) River
conservation and management, pp. 151-160. John Wiley &
Sons, Chichester, England.
Dickinson, N.R. 1979. A division of southern and western New
York State into ecological zones. Unpublished report for the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Wildlife
Resources Center, Delmar, NY.
National Research Council. 1992. Restoration of aquatic
ecosystems: science, technology, and public policy.
Committee on Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems - Science,
Technology, and Public Policy, National Academy of Sciences.
National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 552 p. | eng | a4a1db67-015f-4871-aff7-036a8d4260b7 | http://library.fws.gov/pubs5/web_link/text/geolsect.htm |
Gore could not have won the election within the legally-mandated deadlines for elector certification. It literally could not have happened.
And the vote on the core issue in the case -- whether the pick-and-choose, hapazard method by which the recount was proceeding -- was 7 to 2.
Had Gore been sworn in after a late Florida certification and a late Electoral College count, he would have been no more "legitimate" than Bush was that argument (losing the popular vote ought to chastise regarding any 'mandate') is quite a bit more than "non-insane" -- I might call it true.
I do wonder, though... Imagine a Democrat comes out on top of a statistical tie -- with the Democratic President-elect having won the EV count from a state governed by his brother, where the lead official handling vote counting (Sec of State) was also his state campaign co-chair, and eventually, a SCOTUS ruling like we had in 2008 essentially stops a recount, says there should have been a recount, but says its too late now - game over, in a 5-4 decision that breaks right down ideological lines.
Do you think the GOP and conservative base reaction would have been more or less hyperbolic than the Democratic and liberal base reaction?
Do you think the GOP and conservative base reaction would have been more or less hyperbolic than the Democratic and liberal base reaction?
The GOP reaction would have been the same. Which is the entire point of this discussion, that political opponents will seize on anything possible to challenge a president and that there is nothing meaningfully unique about the crazed attempts to claim that Obama wasn't born in the US.
But in 2000 the shoe wasn't on the right foot; it was on the left foot, and therefore it was the left who tried to hijack the election. The right surely would have tried in the reverse situation. That it was merely the luck of the draw that the right happened to be correct doesn't change the fact that they were correct.
What, it's insane to criticize the institution of the Electoral College? That's what I'm talking about. The 2000 election raised quite a bit of dissatisfaction with such an arcane process.
When people are governed by laws that don't make sense, they don't therefore say "well shucks, I can't criticize the law. All its results make sense by definition."
Andy does. But that's not the point. There's a difference between, "This law is stupid" and "This law doesn't exist; Gore is the real president." It's the difference between people who want to cut the income tax and tax protesters who argue that if they incant the right words and put their names in all capital letters and don't use zip codes, they don't legally have to pay taxes.
The 2009 endpoint is an utterly ridiculous starting point; being slightly less profligate than at the height of one's Keynesian project is not "austerity."
Automatic stabilizers increase deficits. Surely you understand this and are just being disingenuous? WhenWhat would be funny this time around would be if Romney were to win the popular vote but still lose the election, which is a much-greater-than zero possibility at this point.
For anyone who hasn't bothered to look at RCP lately, nearly all national polls show Obama with a narrow lead, but they all fall easily within the range of sampling error.
But with the state polls of the "tossup" states included, at this moment Obama has an electoral college lead of 365 to 195, with Colorado a tie. Obviously the operative words there are "at this moment", but it's far from a remote possibility that the phenomenon of the 2000 election might be repeated, but in reverse. Since I'm a fan of the electoral college** in spite of its historical rural states / GOP bias, such an outcome would please me almost as much as a 50-state Obama sweep.
**It's the sports fan in me who'd rather follow races in a dozen swing states than in one big national state. The 2000 recount was fishy, but the fact that Gore won the popular vote is irrelevant.
You were using the popular vote to make a case that Bush did not "properly" win the electionIf Bush had won a distinct majority of the national popular vote, and the same Electoral College result had obtained, then there would have been that much less rhetorical and political doubt about his legitimacy. Gore's popular vote victory was just one more disillusioning factor.
It's not insane to think that the person who gets more votes should win – hence a number of reform proposals in recent years to assign states' electoral votes proportionally to the state popular vote, or to assign them to the national popular-vote winner, that sort of thing.And I disagree. The popular vote was irrelevant, and as such did not provide a non-insane reason at all to doubt the legitimacy of the outcome.
If Bush had won a distinct majority of the national popular vote, and the same Electoral College result had obtained, then there would have been that much less rhetorical and political doubt about his legitimacy. Gore's popular vote victory was just one more disillusioning factor.
No, it was just something irrelevant that was seized on by political opponents to dishonestly argue that Bush's election was illegitimate.
Much like the Kenya thing. (Unlike Andy with his reaction to the birther thing, I don't pretend that one side is more pure than the other.)
Fair enough. You're talking letter of the law. A whole lot of people in a supposedly democratic country do think the person with the most votes should win, though, and see the Electoral College as a bizarre technicality. It is possible for people to think non-legalistically, and when they do, they often think that the EC is ########.
(Like Andy, I'm not sure I entirely agree with them, but I can see their point.)(Like Andy, I'm not sure I entirely agree with them, but I can see their point.)
The arguments for and against the electoral college have been going on forever. But by no means does the EC automatically favor one party or the other in actual elections, in spite of its mathematical bias in favor of smaller states, who get the same number of "extra votes" over and above what they should be getting according to their population. Again, a "reverse 2000" is entirely possible this year, and it'd be a fascinating study in human psychology to see how many people on both sides would suddenly change their minds about the EC's virtues if such an outcome were to happen.
Automatic stabilizers increase deficits. Surely you understand this and are just being disingenuous?
I do indeed understand it, and am yet not being disingenuous.
WhenThat's because, under current law, on Jan 1, 2013 all the tax cuts expire, not just the ones on the richAbsolutely. I think the meltdown on the right would approach core breach and China Syndrome ... And I also reckon that a parcel of people on the left would suddenly see the Framers' wisdom and become devout originalists :)BTW here's another election where the popular vote winner didn't win: The 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election, where Republican candidate Bo Callaway edged out Dixiecrat Lester Maddox in the popular vote by less than a third of a percentage point, but since neither candidate received a majority, the Dixiecrat-controlled Georgia General Assembly overwhelmingly voted Maddox the governorship.
Much like the Kenya thing. (Unlike Andy with his reaction to the birther thing, I don't pretend that one side is more pure than the other.)
It's hard for me to see how the "Kenya thing" compares to the 2000 recount... The 2000 recount was a real "thing" - as has been said, the election and specifically the vote count in Florida was a "statistical tie". It was coin flip territory. While the popular vote count has no legally binding meaning, it certainly does -- or should -- have some contextual meaning in a Democratic Republic. AddIt's a substantial false equivalency to make any claims of similarity peopleIt also means that in big states with large urban centers, those large urban concentrations can often tip a big chunk of electoral votes in one fell swoop. If you look at many elections over the past 52 years, that's often a factor that's helped Democrats gain a far more decisive victory than they would have had by a mere count of the popular vote. It's one more example of where reality overcomes theory <strike>people</strike>But none of that negates the point I was making, and as I said above in #308, the scenario I posited would only take effect if Romney gained a few points in the national polls while the "tossup" state polls held up enough to keep Obama ahead.
David, we all know you suck the wanker of the law on all occasions, because you are scared little man who can't reason or judge the world on his own and needs the state to tell you what to think at all times. Such is the way of things, I suppose.
I expect a narrow Obama win in the popular vote, but a more comfortable EC win. Because of the solidification of Virginia, Obama can lose Ohio and Florida and still win if he holds his gains out west. Not that I expect that: Romney will probably pick off Florida but Ohio will stay with O.
The electoral road to victory for Romney requires a daunting table-run of swing statesYes, Keynes did. Keynesian economics is about counter-cyclical spending--not deficits. Automatic stabilizers are cyclical--more people are on unemployment during downturns than in upturns. KeynesThe natural extension of your argument is that boom economies are undergoing austerity because fewer people are on unemployment and more people are paying taxes. I think people can understand why that isn't austerity, right?AddThere was no real anything there. Just pure, dishonest nothingness. If you think Harris or Jeb Bush did something improper, make the case. They were legally in those positions, and just pointing at them and yelling "witch! witch!" doesn't do anything.
(And Jeb Bush recused himself from the process. So your entire "appearance of impropriety" claim boils down to Harris.)In fact, before Election Day in 2000, people pundits were talking about the possibility that Bush would win the popular vote and Gore the electoral college. Didn't happen.
I was on the school newspaper in college at the time, that was the prediction that the guy running our election coverage made. He's now a moderately well-known political journalist / author (and a pretty good one, I think -- in spite of his incorrect prediction, he had the good sense to wait until the last possible moment to go to press, and did so with a headline saying the race was still undecided rather than proclaiming either Gore or Bush the winner, as some other papers did).Sorry, I picked up the thread on this page and misunderstood the argument. Going back to the previous page, I still can't understand what David is trying to argue, so I'll stay out of itThis will go ignored by the Austrian nutjob contingent, because they're pie-in-the-sky dreamers who believe the magic market fairy will save everything if we just clap loud enough, but it is just so terribly importantly true as to beggar belief. And no, kids, "but the Republicans failed to continue paying down the debt in accordance to basic Keynesian theory' is not a good reason to oppose Keynesian Democratic policiesI'd still rather ignore your original point because this is much more useful point of engagement.
No, but the fact that the Democrats want to spend hand over fist and do spend hand over fist, in good times and bad, renders the "Keynesian" label a mere accident.
The Democrats want to spend a bunch of money because they're Democrats, not because they're Keynesians.
I presume you have budget numbers to back this up?
From what I can see from looking at Presidential budgets submitted over the last ~30 years - and granted, they're not what Congress passes - the difference seems to be where the deficit spending occurs.... Democratic administrations seem to spend it domestically, GOP administrations prefer to spend on defense programs.
KeynesAgain, Europe did not cut spending. (That's what de Rugy explained that she was saying, and Plummer did not disagree with her on that.) And, Keynes was indeed talking about "deficits per se." Liberals nowadays like to talk about "infrastructure spending," because it's easier to sell those to the public than transfer payments. But Keynes famously noted that while building houses was preferable, it would still work as stimulus to pay people to dig holes and fill them back up. (Which is effectively simply a transfer payment.)
The natural extension of your argument is that boom economies are undergoing austerity because fewer people are on unemployment and more people are paying taxes. I think people can understand why that isn't austerity, right?
No. In fact, that's precisely what Keynes said: "The boom, not the slump, is the right time for austerity at the Treasury."
Republicans don't believe in balanced budgets, they believe in reduced spending and *call it balanced budgets.* We see in in SBB's post here as well. It's not deficits that matter, it's spending. Any debate about the relative efficiency of spending or proper level of taxation is pointless. The goalposts will just keep shifting.
Again, back to my main point: the Republican party in 2012 is a single-issue party--lower taxes on rich people. That isI think I've listened to that pill-popping, drug addicted, serial divorcing, racially innuendoing, bloated sexist toad about two dozen times in two dozen years, all of which was when I was dial spinning while driving on the interstates. Whatever else I've managed to pick up about him has come from mainstream media sources, since I don't follow the sort of liberal blogs that you seem to think are the sources of all of our information---it hardly requires a liberal site to know where that pill-popping, drug addicted, serial divorcing, racially innuendoing, bloated sexist toad is coming from.
Deficits are "counter-cyclical spending" in a recession. "Counter-cyclical spending" refers to balanced budgets in a good economy and deficit spending in a bad economyLiberals nowadays like to talk about "infrastructure spending," because it's easier to sell those to the public than transfer payments.
Nope! They talk about infrastructure spending because it's more efficacious than transfer payments.
No. In fact, that's precisely what Keynes said: "The boom, not the slump, is the right time for austerity at the Treasury."
Yes, but Keynes is referring to actually spending less and raising more revenue. Not just fewer people taking advantage of programs. This is starting to get into disingenuous pretty quickly. Is your argument that Bill Clinton presided over a wave of massive austerity in the 1990's?
Again, back to my main point: the Republican party in 2012 is a single-issue party--lower taxes on rich people. That is itSee, this leads to an interesting point, highlighted by 'zop on the last page: other major democracies are the parties seeking greater government spending and a bigger role for government. Though efforts have been made to gussy up an irresistable impulse as Keynesian orthodoxy, Barack Obama has continued -- accelerated, actually -- this trend, which should shock exactly no one. He's a Democrat, Democrats love to tax and spend, he's taxing and spending.
This general trend has proceeded essentially unabated through the lifetimes of every participant on this board and it's absolutely comical to watch people pretend that it hasn't. The United States has had to shoulder the budgetary load for the West's defense for most of our lifetimes, which distorts the final spending figures; serious people understand this and adjust for itYou are simply wrong, but wrong in a way that is completely confused. Unemployment benefits are indeed countercyclical. They increase when the economy slows, and decrease when the economy is booming. You are making a bizarre, incorrect, and untenable distinction between an increase in government spending caused by a new program, and an increase in government spending caused by more spending on an existing program. Unemployment is a "policy specifically enacted to counteract the business cycle."
Nope! They talk about infrastructure spending because it's more efficacious than transfer payments.
Nope. It may be better for the country in the long-run, but it is much less efficacious than transfer payments for stimulus, because transfer payments are made immediately, while infrastructure spending is slow and drawn out. (Obama was lying to you when he talked about "shovel ready" projects.)
Yes, but Keynes is referring to actually spending less and raising more revenue. Not just fewer people taking advantage of programsI'm going to regret this, but how in the world are civil rights part of the Republican party's platform?
Yes, restrictions on abortion are something that some Republicans care about, but it's not a large part of the party. You can be a Republican and support the status quo.
lower taxes for all federal income tax payers
Just voted to end the Child Tax credit. other major democracies are the parties seeking greater government spending and a bigger role for government. Though efforts have been made to gussy it up as simply Keynesian orthodoxy, Barack Obama has continued -- accelerated, actually -- this trend, which should shock exactly no one. He's a Democrat, Democrats like to tax and spend, he's taxing and spending.
It is interesting because you don't care about balanced budgets, just about lower spending. That is interesting, because it's not what people say!
It is interesting because you don't care about balanced budgets, just about lower spending. That is interesting, because it's not what people say!
I'm with Milton Friedman on that issue. Discussing a proposed balanced budget amendment: "I have never supported an amendment directed solely at a balanced budget. I have written repeatedly that while I would prefer that the budget be balanced, I would rather have government spend $500 billion and run a deficit of $100 billion than have it spend $800 billion with a balanced budget. It matters greatly how the budget is balanced, whether by cutting spending or by raising taxes."
This general trend has proceeded essentially unabated through the lifetimes of every participant on this boardThis may just go to show that I'm old :) But rates went up under Bush 41 and have remained even under Obama, two counter-examples to your trend. (They were also largely unchanged under Nixon and Ford, though that can be attributed to a Democratic Congress.) SourceThere are few things more amusing to a non-economist than a lot people who claim they know a lot about economics declaring that the other people who claim they know a lot about economics are absolutely, positively wrong.
Anyway, if you don't like income tax rates, how about the excise tax on gasoline? Instituted under Herbert Hoover, it has been raised under FDR, Truman, Eisenhower (twice), Reagan, Bush 41, and Clinton – and has been left untouched under Obama, as it has been for long stretches under Presidents of both parties. And as the link explains, it's a fixed sum per gallon, so when it goes untouched and gas prices rise, it actually shrinks as a rate, and has thus steadily done so under both Bush 43 and Obama, as it also did in the 1970s under both parties.
And that's the right place. America has been able to access the capital markets at cheap rates to finance spending even at far higher levels than it should be spending, and even for transfer and other non-capital expenditures. It goes without saying that no offense to wisdom or orthodoxy pertains to borrowing money to build a capital project, such as advanced weaponry, roads, or bridges.
(It was in 1983; that's why the numbers are so "low.")As are the rights of groups liberals don't fetishize, e.g., Native Americans -- thus Elizabeth Warren's better-than-satire claim to be a "minority." Say what you will about her, she knew her audienceIf you reduce unemployment benefits due to more people being unemployed, that is cyclical spending. If you reduce government employee salary during a recession, that is cyclical spending.
Huh? Why would you reduce unemployment benefits with more unemployed people? How is that "reduction" = "spending" of any sort?
Anyway, it's been a while since I studied this stuff, but I remember talking about "pro-cyclical" and "counter-cyclical" policies. So I'm assuming when you say "cyclical" you mean "pro-cyclical". Deficit spending during a recession is "counter-cyclical" because it mutes the magnitude of normal economic fluctuation. Running a surplus during a boom is likewise "counter-cyclical". The opposite would be "pro-cyclical" because it would amplify the normal fluctuations -- i.e. running a surplus is likely to worsen a recession and running a deficit during a boom is likely to further fuel it.
Because we pretty much always run deficits these days (with the noteworthy exception of a few years under Clinton), we didn't talk about surpluses and deficits when the recession rolled around--it was a given that we'd be running a deficit. Reducing the size of the deficit would be "pro-cyclical" in that it would worsen the recession, increasing it would be "counter-cyclical".
The budget deficit from 2009-2012 averaged $1.3 trillion a year (~9% of GDP), roughly three times the largest deficit ever up until that point on a nominal basis and roughly twice the size of the Great Depression deficits as a percentage of GDP. The president's budget for FY13 projects a $901 billion deficit, which excluding 2009-2012 would be the largest nominal deficit ever, and the largest as a percentage of GDP (5.5%) since 1983 (6.0%).I remember the banner headlines that this barrier-breaking produced, and the fact that the sum was so newsworthy at the time.
The point was made the other day that neither of our two major parties has any counterparts in Europe, since both of ours are terrified at the idea of taxation beyond what the Democrats want to add to the upper 2%. My own personal preference would be the German model, since that country has a strong manufacturing base with strong unions and high wages, and a very strong social safety net. But OTOH they also believe in setting tax rates at a point where they're not shoving the costs of it all onto future generations. They don't indulge in financial hocus-pocus from either end of the spectrum, and though I don't agree with Merkel's hardline stance right now in the middle of a steep recession, you have to give credit where it's due.
Of course the reason that the Germans can do this is that (a) they don't have our defense budget; and (b) they don't share our instant gratification/ buy now, pay later / I've got mine, Jack / winner-take-all culture. I'm not sure which of those two factors is more firmly entrenched in our collective DNA, but I doubt if either of them are going away anytime soonWell, here's one liberal who thinks that you've framed the issue exactly as it should be, even though I also think that many or most liberals outside the academy aren't buying that sort of mindset any more than you or I are.
OTOH although I also agree that it almost falls into the realm of "better-than-satire", I can't say that I got much of a laugh over it.
Huh? Why would you reduce unemployment benefits with more unemployed people? How is that "reduction" = "spending" of any sort?Well, the administration's budget faces two main issues: the first is that it assumes tepid growth (sub-3%). With 4% growth, we have no deficit. We had 4.17% annualized growth from 1980-2007. The second is the rising costs of medical care. I don't remember who said it, but we don't have a deficit problem, we have a medical costs problem.
The second is that the administration is in an election year, and they consider protecting certain spending areas to be more important to the electorate than a projected balanced budget.
Now my local paper seeks to tie Romney to a massacre from 150+ years ago:Whew! That was a close one! It's a good thing the locals' racist views of Obama -- well, what else could it be? -- trumps their bitterness over Romney's role in those Utah killings!
As you used the plural when saying that "the Republicans are the party of civil rights" before citing the 2nd Amendment, what are the other ones?
I'm sure that the rights of those white victims of "reverse racism" will at some point be offered as an exhibit, possibly in conjunction with the latest Republican press release about how we have to remove 10,000 newly registered voters off the rolls in order to prevent 10 possible cases of "voter fraud".
Another thing worth noting is that this administration, like most other people, has proven not to be a very good predictor of the economy or the deficit. I did this pretty quickly, so I may have gotten a number wrong, but if you look at the President's budgets, they've
(1) Tended to overestimate the current year deficit. In other words, the deficit has come in lower than expected. In 2009 (the year they proposed the 2010 budget), they thought that year's deficit would be $1,841 billion, but it ended up at $1,413 billion. This is consistent in every year.
(2) Been pretty good at estimating next year's deficit. They've been within $35 billion in both years for which we actually have data.
(3) Tended to underestimate deficits after next year. For example, their estimate for the 2012 deficit has crept up from $557 billion in 2010 to $828 billion in 2011 to $1,101 billion in 2012 to $1,327 billion in this year's budget (however, experience indicates that this it will come in below that amount :) Estimates for 2013 have gone from $512 to $727 to $768 to $901.
(4) Tended to overestimate economic growth. Each year their projections for GDP going forward come down a little bit, in line with the fact that the economy has underperformed where they thought it would go. This isn't surprising, as most forecasters have done the same thing.
Have they reduced total gross spending on unemployment benefits or not?
Anyway, if they cut their deficits, then I would say it's austerity, although if they're still running massive deficits then it's still stimulus. But I think the question of whether austerity is "working" is a false one. Most people are trying to evaluate these policies too soon, against the wrong benchmarks, and with the wrong expectations. We also have no test case to measure how each one of these economies would have performed without "austerity".
Whew! That was a close one! It's a good thing the locals' racist views of Obama -- well, what else could it be? -- trumps their bitterness over Romney's role in those Utah killings!I'm just amused over the whole Mormon issue with Romney... It's not part of the Obama or Democratic campaign playbook -- it's laughable to think any rational Dem expects to scoop up any meaningful percentage of the evangelical vote.
In short - whole lot of crocodile tears over here... I can't help it that it's part of Liberty U's curriculum to term Mormonism a cult or that a fair chunk of the Moral Majority crowd views Mormonism with suspicion -- so, sorry Republicans; they're your base... you can deal with your own little internecine feuds and proclivities.
As you used the plural when saying that "the Republicans are the party of civil rights" before citing the 2nd Amendment, what are the other ones?
Seriously? Because typing "the Republicans are the party of civil right" would look like poor grammar.
Anyway, the phrase is 2nd Amendment RIGHTS, which include the entire panoply of gun rights... right to purchase, own, carry, transfer ownership, etc.
Of course, the Republicans are also better on the civil rights the left DOES pretend to care about, supporting policies that attempt to encourage a more colorblind society. They're also much, much better on property rights, which are, of course, civil rights as well.
In fact, they're superior to the Democrats across the board when it comes to civil rights, with the exception of gay marriage. ButAnyway, if they cut their deficits, then I would say it's austerity, although if they're still running massive deficits then it's still stimulus. But I think the question of whether austerity is "working" is a false one. Most people are trying to evaluate these policies too soon, against the wrong benchmarks, and with the wrong expectations. We also have no test case to measure how each one of these economies would have performed without "austerity".
I disagree. From the previous article linked. There's a negative relationship between budget cutting and growth (which is what we knew before hand).
Have they reduced total gross spending on unemployment benefits or not?
So, dropping out of the specifc example, it depends on how you measure it. Nominal spending has risen. Spending as a percentage of GDP is down. So, David is arguing that if you ignore inflation and just focus on raw $$ (or whatever the Euro symbol is, I suppose), that there has been no austerity. It's a ######## argument, in my opinion.
BTW if anyone wants to see Pandering with a Capital P in action, check out what Mitt Romney had to say about Jerry Falwell in his recent speech at Liberty University:
Of course what this "cheerful, confident champion for Christ" had to say about 9/11 rivals the worldview of Jeremiah Wright. But perhaps Mitt Romney wasn't aware of Falwell's courageous and big-hearted words on that occasion.
From the Washington Post of September 14, 2001:
Television evangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, two of the most prominent voices of the religious right, said liberal civil liberties groups, feminists, homosexuals and abortion rights supporters bear partial responsibility for Tuesday's terrorist attacks because their actions have turned God's anger against America.
"God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve," said Falwell, appearing yesterday on the Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club," hosted by Robertson.
"Jerry, that's my feeling," Robertson responded. "I think we've just seen the antechamber to terror. We haven't even begun to see what they can do to the major population."
Falwell said the American Civil Liberties Union has "got to take a lot of blame for this," again winning Robertson's agreement: "Well, yes."
Then Falwell broadened his blast to include the federal courts and others who he said were "throwing God out of the public square." He added:, 'You helped this happen.' "
People for the American Way transcribed the broadcast and denounced the comments as running directly counter to President Bush's call for national unity. Ralph G. Neas, the liberal group's president, called the remarks "absolutely inappropriate and irresponsible."
Robertson and others on the religious right gave critical backing to Bush last year when he was battling for the GOP presidential nomination. A White House official called the remarks "inappropriate" and added, "The president does not share those views."
Falwell was unrepentant, saying in an interview that he was "making a theological statement, not a legal statement."
I wonder what the Liberal Media Conspiracy will make of THAT, compared to the coverage that they gave to Obama and Jeremiah WrightBy the way, I remember Quinnipiac and Gallup polls from last year showing that there is considerably more anti-Mormon bigotry on the left than on the right.
Today we remember him as a courageous and big-hearted minister of the Gospel
Who does, I don't, I don't think anyone who has actually read any of the 4 Gospels (and is capable of at least 3rd grade level reading comprehension) could believe this in good faith- (you may notice that I have a VERY low opinion of so called Christian Evangelicals)
who never feared an argument, and never hated an adversary. Jerry deserves the tribute he would have treasured most, as a cheerful, confident champion for Christ
Never feared an argument????
never hated an adversary????
Confident champion for Christ? which one, certainly not the one depicted n the 4 Gospels. I'm less familiar with the one depicted in the Book of Mormon...
I'm just amused over the whole Mormon issue with Romney... It's not part of the Obama or Democratic campaign playbook -- it's laughable to think any rational Dem expects to scoop up any meaningful percentage of the evangelical vote.
No, but what about evangelicals who may decide to stay home???
A campaign wants to
1: Get the most votes
2: Anything that will help #1
Getting people to vote for you instead of your adversary helps with #1
Getting people to vote for a 3rd place candidate rather than their immediate rival also helps with #1
Getting people to stay home who would vote for your rival- if they voted helps with #1
Getting people to vote for you who would otherwise stay home also helps with #1
Stirring up trouble between Romney and evangelicals over Romney's mormonism can make sense to the DNC even if those evangelicals are never ever in a million years going to vote for Obama.
Of course if the evanglicals in question are stirring up such trouble all on their own- then it probably doesn't make as much sense to waste resources and risk "getting caught."First, I didn't mention de Rugy; you did. I read her piece after you linked to it. (Well, indirectly; you linked to Plummer, who linked to de Rugy.)
Second, de Rugy's point, as she explained quite clearly in that piece, was that there had been no significant spending cuts in Europe. She didn't say there was no austerity; she said that what austerity there was consisted of tax hikes rather than cuts.
Third, David is not arguing about "reducing unemployment benefits"; I didn't talk about that at all. Only you did. Austerity That's an entirely different claim. Stating that genocide can't be blamed for current European economic problems is not the same as saying that genocide would solve those problems.
AusterityGovernment expenditure as a percentage of GDP has fallen by nearly 4% in Ireland, by 2.5% in Spain and by 2% in Italy. How is that not reduced spending?
Claiming that government expenditure hasn't been cut when it's dropped by almost 4% in Ireland is a weird, crazy claim! Especially when you know that due to automatic stabilizers, government spending would have gone up significantly otherwise!
First, I didn't mention de Rugy; you did. I read her piece after you linked to it. (Well, indirectly; you linked to Plummer, who linked to de Rugy.)
I apologize. I didn't think that you came up with that bad of an idea on your own.
With the Liberty sppech, Romney's trying to "earn" the enmity of the Left so that the rubes will think they have something in common with him, and show up and pull the lever accordingly.
Falwell's remarks in the wake of 9-11 were the most unpatriotic, anti-American remarks uttered by a public figure in the last 50 years. Romney should take a hit for pandering to the acolytes of that half-wit, fleabag piece of #### slightly. That's a ######## approach.
EDIT:
Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP has fallen by nearly 4% in Ireland, by 2.5% in Spain and by 2% in Italy. How is that not reduced spending?
(1) Europe is not made up of three countries.
(2) "Spending as a percentage of GDP" is not "spending."
(3) As I said, that's from the wrong baseline. Using a better baseline, like 2008, spending is up in Spain, likely down a tiny bit in Ireland, probably flat in Italy. (2011 data isn't available for all countries.)
Austerity cannot fail, austerity can only be failed.
He's just secretly waiting to come take all of the guns starting Feb 2012. There's an entire cottage industry of batshit crazy rightwing nutjob set up around that single talking point.
It's an NRA fundraising meme, and from their POV it is not crazy- they make tons of money off of it- the fact that they have as fully defeated a political enemy (gun control lobby/ handgun control inc.) as apolitical enemy can ever be defeated in the US of A, has seemingly not occurred to them- It's as though the allied armies in Europe on April 29, 1945 thought that the German Army was alive, well and capable of a ferocious counterattack...
Seriously? Because typing "the Republicans are the party of civil right" would look like poor grammar.
And saying that Republicans believe in gun rights and property rights isn't as much fun as yanking "civil rights" out of your pants and waving it at the liberals. I can grok that.
Of course, the Republicans are also better on the civil rights the left DOES pretend to care about, supporting policies that attempt to encourage a more colorblind society.
"We don't give twoshits what is happening to you because you're not white" is some kind of civil rights argument, I guess.
ButAren't you one of the folks who gets on Andy for saying "Hey, if it's a law, it must be right"? I'm not even sure if you're joking with this one, honestly slightly. That's a ######## approach deficits from that level as "austerity", then you're *always* going to either be in "austerity" or running record deficits.
Total EU 17 GDP in 2010 (millions of Euro):
12,246,904
Total EuroZone Government Expenditure (millions of Euro):
4,665,906
Total EU 17 GDP in 2009 (millions of Euro):
11,750,700
Total EU 17 Government Expenditure (millions of Euro):
4,570,038
Total EU 17 GDP in 2008 (millions of Euro):
12,465,271
Total EU 17 Government Expenditure (millions of Euro):
4,356,492
Spending has remained mostly flat over 3 years, despite inflation and pressure from automatic stabilizers. This required significant budget cuts as well as increased taxation. This combination is commonly known as austerity.
edit: deficit from that level as "austerity", then you're *always* going to be in "austerity".
Spending is down from 2010 as well.
Btw: Eurostat sucks ass compared to the data available for the US. USA! USA! NUBMER ONE! NUMBER ONE!
Well, the big reason to use 2009 as the baseline is that the budget for 2008 was done in 2007. The rise in government spending comes from (say it with me) automatic stabilizers and poor performance of the economy.
So what? I mean, yes, those words are mostly true, but so what? Literally, what on earth do you think they have to do with the topic? "Those are exactly the same thing. One is not more stimulus-y or Keynes-y than the other, assuming the additional amounts spent are the same.
1. For purposes of this conversation I don't care about gross spending, I care about deficits. Spending itself is not pro-cyclical or counter-cyclical, deficit spending is.1. For purposes of this conversation I don't care about gross spending, I care about deficits. Spending itself is not pro-cyclical or counter-cyclical, deficit spending isDeficits as a percentage of GDP have grown because of the slowdown caused by austerity.
"Because those increases in the unemployment rolls are not generating new jobs. They're just preventing you from losing MORE jobs. When you cut benefits to unemployment, you reduce the amount of money available in the economy. That has the effect of dampening demand We had a huge asset bubble that was fueled by budget deficits even during the expansion, when it popped it triggered a massive financial crisis, and it took government deficits of ~10% of GDP in order to keep the GDP decline at around -3%. Just because GDP declined, however, that doesn't mean the economy wasn't stimulated.
If the deficit goes from 2% to 5%, you've increased the stimulus regardless of what that additional money is being spent on. And it still stimulates job growth above the baselineJason, I'd agree that there's no issue. Where we apparently disagree is that I also don't think that it's much of a "media bias" issue, which is a point it looks as if you're pressing. All it seemed to be to me was a fairly straightforwardBy the way, I remember Quinnipiac and Gallup polls from last year showing that there is considerably more anti-Mormon bigotry on the left than on the right.
That wouldn't shock me much, any more that it shocks me that Mitt Romney would go to Liberty University and suck up to the ghost of a flaming bigot and lunatic like Jerry Falwell. As nearly every politician practices if not preaches, if you want to go hunting for ducks, you go where the ducks are. It would have been heartening to see Romney produce a Sister Souljah moment in front of a crowd like that, but that would've been like expecting Obama to demand that Al Sharpton apologize to Steven Pagones before accepting Sharpton's endorsement.
So if you were running a 2% deficit before the recession, your argument would be that a 1% deficit (meaning a greatly reduced amount of nominal spending, let along real spending) should have been construed as "stimulus"? That's a vastly different definition of stimulus than one I've ever heard.
Deficits grow in recessions in part because tax receipts decline.
If the deficit goes from 2% to 5%, you've increased the stimulus regardless of what that additional money is being spent on. And it still stimulates job growth above the baseline.
This is just not true, axiomatically. If you increase money spent on foreign aid, for instance, none of that impacts the US economy or stimulates job growth above the baseline.
If spending in nominal terms declines, in other words, it can still constitute an increase in the deficit. Saying that all deficit spending is stimulative stipulates a false baseline.
AND because governments don't reduce spending concomitantly with revenue declines because they're a bit like a bank - they collect "short" and make promises to pay "long". Which is one of the problems - its almost impossible to roll back spending (In a recession? We can't afford "austerity". In a boom? We can afford the payments.) There's essentially no setting where spending gets reduced, because there's always an excuse to keep the faucet running.
So if you were running a 2% deficit before the recession, your argument would be that a 1% deficit (meaning a greatly reduced amount of nominal spending, let along real spending) should have been construed as "stimulus"?
I would say it's "stimulative", and an economist would define it that way, but a politician wouldn't call it a "stimulus". By the way, this is a very good reason for not running 2% deficits in non-recessionary times. It means that you have to run insane deficits when the recession hits, and few countries can do that (as we're seeing in Europe).
This is just not true, axiomatically. If you increase money spent on foreign aid, for instance, none of that impacts the US economy or stimulates job growth above the baseline.
If you spend it on unemployment benefits and other transfer payments--the things we were actually talking about--then yes it is stimulative.
If spending in nominal terms declines, in other words, it can still constitute an increase in the deficit.
Yes. Reducing taxes and increasing spending are both stimulative. That's why I said in 385 that I don't care about gross spending, I care about deficits.
All it seemed to be to me was a fairly straightforwardIIRC, Andy, that pastor article appeared in the Metro section and, if nothing else, is based on a live controversy that will cost POTUS some votes in other states, such as North Carolina.
When you collect less money in taxes because people don't have jobs, that is not stimulativeIIRC, Andy, that pastor article appeared in the Metro section and, if nothing else, is based on a live controversy that will cost POTUS some votes in other states, such as North Carolina.
That's one article out of more than one that've appeared on the subject of the black church / gay marriage / conflicting emotions among some black churchgoers, and it likely had more effect being in the Metro section than inside the front section. Whether the gay marriage question will really cause more blacks to desert Obama than the number of fence-straddling gay moderates who might now be motivated to vote for him is a question I don't think we can answer at this point with any degree of certainty.
But on the broader issue of news coverage and the appropriateness of the coverage, the black church / gay marriage article was both an immediate news story and the sort of story that was roughly like the Romney piece. I don't think that either of them needed any particular justification to be published, since it takes more than just news cycle articles to make up a good newspaperI've never heard the term used this way. If you want to keep using it that way, that's fine, but you're having a different conversation about stimulus than the rest of the world.
Additionally, I'm not entirely clear what I'm arguing with you about. I'm arguing with David about whether or not Europe has undergone austerity. Am I arguing with you about that as well?
If so: you can say that any time you run anything other than a balanced budget, you're not undergoing austerity, but that uses a different understanding of the word than the rest of the world (edit: and I believe different from Mr. Nieporent in this thread). The rest of the world describes austerity in terms of budget decisions. | eng | ead9a6ac-bf1c-4e7f-be88-8fc12f15758d | http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/newsstand/discussion/greenberg_cubs_ricketts_decries_proposal/P300/ |
Get to know your character very well, his/hers attitudes etc. Spend time looking at the scenes, situations , conflicts etc. Understand and visualise the play, and where your char fits into the global scope of the play.
(if you do fudge the lines, improvising could be a lot easier)
Now start the line learning, whether you record and listen, write and read aloud.
In summary:
Read through
Analyse your character
Visualise the play and where your character fits into this
finally: learn the lines.
regards, al
From Emily: I have a tip for memorizing. I find that writing down the lines while I repeat them out loud helps a lot. If I just say them out loud or type them on the computer, the words don't really stick. Doing those two things helps me out the most-and, of course, not putting off learning my script until the last minute. This is a very helpful site, keep it up! :)
From Julie: I record my lines and those of the other people and then play them back to myself over and over again, which I say my lines along with. I also make another recording with just the other peoples lines in, and the appropriate sized gaps in into which I speak my lines. I use this second one when I am comfortable that I know the lines. Despite having a really bad memory I have found that this worked really well, though a long commute helped (in the car so I didn't seem mad).
I believe that there is now an iphone app called Line learner that works in a similar way though I haven't tried it yet as I am between plays.
From CJ: Tip for memorizing: What has always worked for me is to read each scene aloud. . . everyone's lines as well as mine. . . 7 times in a row. This activates three areas of the brain: visual (reading), auditory (hearing your own voice), and motor (saying the lines). In essence you file the scene away into three different compartments in your brain so that, if you blank in one area, there are two others to pick up the slack. If you forget what the printed word looked like, you remember what it sounds like or your mouth remembers how it should move, etc. . . When the show approaches I also read the entire play aloud once every day to retain my lines and the flow of the story, which also assists in memorization. A benefit of knowing the entire play and not just your lines is that you can keep the story moving if you or a colleague blanks on a line, which inevitably happens.
From Stuart : I must say that all of the above ideas are great. There is actually no definitive way to learn lines.
As someone who's been earning a living as a jobbing actor, host and comedian for many years now I find that each pro has there own technique for line learnin g some as described above.
Here's mine.
I know that I am very visually stimulated, some people are auditory, that is hearing is their primary input sense, other physical and are better learning their lines using blocking etc... But for visually simulated people I would suggest the following.
Try to think of the line in visual terms. Let's take a very well known play by a well known playwright.
As You Like It - Shakespeare
Jaques has a very famous monologue, let's look at the first few lines.
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant...
OK let's take the first line.
...All the world's a stage,
OK, now think of a stage shaped like a world, painted to represent the continents and the oceans, with lumps and bumps to represent the mountains. And then it starts to rain on you and then sun and wind. Close your eyes and visualize it, really feel it, feel wind, rain, and snow on your skin. Walk about saying the line with the image in your head for about 30 secs to a minute.
Then forget about the line, move to the next.
...And all the men and women merely players:
OK, think of something like a men V women football game, but make it really vivid, the men are running about dressed as knights in armor and are sweating and being very slow, the women are dressed like witches and some are flying about on broomsticks hitting the ball.
Walk about, say the line and think the imagery for 30 secs then move on
...They have their exits and their entrances;
OK, think of a big revolving door, it is marked Exits/Entrances and you get caught in it spinning round quicker and quicker until you vomit, and vomit bad.
Walk about, say the line and think the imagery for 30 secs then move on
The key to this is make each image vivid, extreme, and very personal. So if a character is called Sam, think of a friend called Sam and attribute it to them, but try to do it in a weird, wayout, bizarre and surreal environment.
The key to it is not only to think it but to make it as real in your mind as one of those dream that when you wake up is still with you on the bus to work/school/theatre.
Then, when you recite the lines think of the visuals, try to link visuals of lines that are next to each other, so for our example above
The world (fill in the imagery) is a pitch, for the game being played (fill in the imagery) and you are trying to get in to see it but the revolving door is making you sick.
Does this seem long winded?
The answer is that it is supposed to be, but the images you come up with should be so vivid you will only need to do this a few times and it'll become second nature to do it. I know people who have their own "memory palace" (Google it or try - and this is a very established technique that memory champs worldwide use to memorise long numbers, decks of cards and passages in minutes.
There is no magic answer, yes, Angelina, Brad, Depp and their Hollywood friends all spend time with their noses stuck in a script and then turning their heads skyward with their eyes closed as they mumble under their breath. They are just actors like you, albeit very well paid, highly talented exponents of their craft they still have to trick their brains into memorising words.
Like anything the more you do something the stronger you neural pathways for that activity become and the better you get at it, the bottom line is your parents were right, practice does indeed make perfect.
Sally forth and win awards!
From Max: Tip for memorizing lines easily: when you are in bed and can't sleep, instead of counting sheep, think of your lines and try to memorise them.
Keep saying it in your mind and if you can, say it out loud without emotion (too much emotion makes you stay awake). After repeating the same lines over and over again, you get bored and will soon fall asleep. This way you can memorise lines and help yourself fall asleep.
Also, research has shown that people usually concnetrate better in silence so unless you sleep in the day, it's silent at night, enabling you to concentrate better. This has worked for me so i hope it works for you too!
From Pete: On memorizing lines: Type out everyline you say in order. Then type out everything anybody else says about you. By now you will have learned much about your character. Finally, type up the scenes you are in and reduce the font size to the smallest readable size for you. Condense the scenes onto as few pages as possible. Sometimes I will even use scissors and tape to put the scenes in columns two to a page, and then make a copy. It may sound weird, but just seeing less paper everytime you go to memorize will help. Its less daunting with huge scripts especially. Break legs - Pete
From Jannie: Here is a huge tip for people who want to learn to memorize lines. What you need to do is have your lines out infront of you so that you can see them clearly. Then you read your first line outloud. After you are done, then close your eyes and repeat it without looking. Then read the next line outloud. HERES THE CATCH. then you have to close your eyes, repeat the first line you said and then say the second line. after a while all of the lines will just start naturally flowing out of your mouth.
From Kate: Hi, I've looked everywhere for tips on memorizing lines, and this seems the best site. The technique that works for me the best is PRACTICING.
I'm 13 and have 175 lines in this play thats really dramatic. I'm on stage the whole play and with everyone else changing, I memorize whats going to happen in that scene. (ex. What are they going to talk to me about? Are they trying to hurt me? Should I act scared, or angry?) This helps me a lot since each character comes and talks to me for a different reason.
And, also, when you read over the script and practice on stage, it's easier to know where each line goes.
From Ann: This is actually a few tips for memorizing lines. Several people have already mentioned making a tape recording. In our plays at the community theater, we go a bit farther. Instead of reading each line monotone and whispering your own, we have several read throughs before we start rehearsal. Once everyone has a sense of their character, we record our read through and make CDs (or tapes) of it.
Since I have quite a daily commute, I can take advantage of all that time by learning my lines. Just play the tape or CD in the car, at work (if you can) or at home. Even play it while you go to sleep, and maybe some of it will seem in through osmosis! It really helps me to get my cue lines in the voice and character they will be in for the performance.
I have another tip for when you need to run lines, but have no one around to help you. Take the first scene of the play and read through it a couple times. Then, take Post-It Notes and cut them into strips, just long enough and thick enough to cover your lines, not your cues. Then, you can read your cues and say your lines out loud. If you need to read the line, just lift the non-sticky side of the Post-it. If you find you need frequent reminders on a line, write a hint on the Post-it and cover it with another. Then you can get a hint, then your whole line if you still don't remember.
This can be a little time consuming, but it has always really helped me out. Another thing this is good for is when you have only part of the play memorized. You can keep your lines covered so you aren't reading them even though you know them (something I often do - if you're already looking at the book, your eyes just jump to the lines, even though you know them). Leave any lines you are still u sure of uncovered. Hopefully, you can cover more and more each day!
Post-it notes are also good for writing blocking notes, character notes, and reminders. I don't know what I would do without them!
From Justyn:
I like your site and you have many good ideas. AS an actor, twelve years in theater, I use a basic form of memorization: one line at a time, then add another, and another, and so on. I had a 96 line monologue that frightened me, but line by line, I got it down. I also, once I memorize a couple lines, as I'm walking, driving, and waiting, recite the lines. So slow going and constant repatition throughout the day is how I have become a successful actor.
From Orrin:
Well, I totally agree with everything you and your participants have said about memorization. It took me a while to understand that the best way to getting your lines down was to understand the whys and wherefores of the lines rather than just trying to memorize them by rote.
However, there is almost always some spot in a script where understanding why something is said doesn't help me to remember the lines correctly. (Or, at least, such has been my experience.
Usually the problem comes with something like a series of names. Getting them in the right order can be important: sometimes because someone's action depends on a cue. If the cue is one of the names in your speech, and you don't deliver it in a consistent manner, then your fellow actor is left on tenterhooks: "When is he going to say the name? *Is* he going to say the name tonight, or will he substitute some other name (Like he did last Tuesday!)."
So here are a couple of tricks that I have found useful to keep things in the proper order:
MNEMONICS:
This is a memory system developed by the Greek scholars and orators to help remember long passages and speeches. This can be broken into methods:
Rhyme: Rhythm helps lock down a sequence. If you don't say/sing it in the proper order, the scansion falls apart. E.g.: "In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." "Thirty days hath September . . ."
Nonsense phrases: Form a sentence from the initial letters of the words you are trying to memorize. E.g.: Remembering the division of the animal kingdom (in order): Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species King Paul Called Out For Gus and Sam
Acronyms: Make a word using the first letter from each word that needs to be remembered. This works only when the list is fairly short and when the order of the words can't be shifted. E.g.: The names of the Great Lakes by using "HOMES" (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior).
Gimmicks: Word games or tricks to help you remember. E.g.: How to spell principal when talking about a school administrator by referring to him/her as your pal. The rule or belief, principal, ends in "le" not "pal". In flowering plants, the male reproductive structures are the stamen.
Visualisation: The mind records images better than words. So hook the words to an image. As an example, I had a play where I recited a list of names. Let us say the line is, "Do you think I want every Tom, Padraig, Emily, Rachel or George to come her?" For this list of names, I visualized myself coming into my house and meeting people who would represent each name: At the gate in the fence, I see a man beating a drum or 'tom-tom'. [Tom] Walking up the lawn, I pass a man in Irish costume working the lawn with a rake. Being Irish, his name is Pat which gives Pat-rake. [Padraig]. Emily Dickinson sits on the steps reading her poems. [Emily] Rachel from the Bible is in the porch carrying water. And inside the front door, is King George. After I've run through the list a few times, using the visual images to keep them in order, I then usually find the need for the imaages fades away fairly rapidly as the order of the words gets locked down by repetition.
----//----
That for mnemonics. Here is another aide memoire:
PostIt notes
Yes, those little sticky squares of paper can be a great assistance. You can have a friend help you with this, but it was a rehearsal prompter (or was it the Stage Manager?) who taught me this.
The trick here is feedback. One of the problems with memorisation occurs when you *think* you've memorized the speech, but you've actually learned it incorrectly. If this doesn't get nipped in the bud quickly, you will find it almost impossible to correct.
So, as you are saying your lines, the prompter/friend is following along in the script. When you get a line wrong, the prompter puts a sticky note in his copy of the script at the place where the error occurred. (The small ones, 2"x1.5" are best for this) Ideally, they will have time to make a note of the type of error it was; e.g. Transposition, wrong word, missed, etc.
At the end of the rehearsal, the actors would gather around the prompter, who would go through the script, calling the actor's name, giving the page and line where the error occurred, and passing the sticky note to the actor to put in his script. Within a very short time, your script will tell you which lines you must put extra work in. If there is a stack of sticky notes on that one speech in scene X, you know you have work to do. The big advantage here is enabling you to focus on what needs to be fixed.
----//----
A good site. I hope it continues, and I hope that my contribution helps other thespians.
Cheers
From: Jon,
Greetings and Salutations!
I would just like to tell you that I find what you put of so far to beof a great use to me. I would also like to see the part about memorizing your lines... I would appreciate that and look forward to it. You probably have more experience than me so anything would be extreamly helpful.
Thanks for your time.
Response:
Hi Jon.
A photographic memory is nice to have, but since most people lack that particular gift, then memorizing lines is a bit of a problem.
Memorizing is a skill that can be improved with practice. Memorizing a script, especially if you have a large part with lots of lines, can be pretty overwhelming at first. One way to make memorizing easier is to memorize it in small bits instead of trying to do it all at once.
Analyze the script, scene by scene. Read each scene many times. Attain an understanding of what your character contributes to each scene. Answer the following questions:
What is the purpose of your character being in each scene?
What are the intentions of your character from moment to moment in the scene?
What does your character want?
As you start answering these questions, you will start to uncover the
subtext
of your character's lines. (Subtext refers to a character's true intentions which underlay the words spoken by the character.) Understanding the subtext will help make it much easier to memorize the actual lines because you will understand
why
your character is saying the words he is saying.
You might even try substituting the real lines with improvised lines based on the subtext to further your understanding of how the lines are used to reveal the subtext.
As you deepen your understanding of the subtext, you will find it easier to remember your lines.
Attaining a full understanding of the subtext has other advantages.
First, you will be able to present a more in-depth performance.
Second, if you forget a line you can more easly ad lib.
Third, if another actor skips some lines or jumps a few pages, (yes, this sort of thing happens all the time) you can get back on track with less noticeable stumbling about.
Another thing you can do to memorize lines is to use a tape recorder. Read the lines of each scene into the tape recorder. All the lines, not just yours. Say the lines in a flat, monotone voice. Try not to use any inflection at all. Record the other characters' lines in a normal speaking volume, but record your lines in a whisper which is loud enough to hear, but noticeably softer than the other characters' lines.
Play the recorded scene over and over, bit by bit. As you hear your lines, try to speak them with the recording. Talking soft enough so you can hear the recording. As you start to remember your lines, say them louder and louder until you are speaking louder than the recording. If you are uncertain, simply get quieter again so you can hear the recording.
If you combine this tape recorder system with subtext analysis, you should find memorizing lines a lot easier and faster.
From: John
I've been acting for about a year now, and went on my first audition last weekend. It was for the spring season here at Brooklyn College, and about 200 people were auditioning throughout the day. I walked in to a room with nine directors staring at me, armed with a monolouge from Brontasorous by Lanford Wilson. I had done the thing off-book for the first time a half hour before the audition, and as I stood there on stage, I realized that I did not know the first line. I stood frozen for a minute, until someone said "Ok John, what are you going to do for us?" I was visibly shaking, and I realized that if I didn't make a move soon I would panic, look like an idiot, and probably cut my own head off later. So I winged it. I knew the shape of the scene and remembered the beats, so I improvized, throwing in real lines here and there when they came to me. Three minutes into it they cut me off, and I knew I was dead. I stood there for a minute, mentally berating myself for not getting the lines down, until I heard a voice vrom the directors pit. "John," it said. "I want you to read for me tomorrow." I couldn't believe it! Then other directors started asking me!So I came back the next day, and kicked ass (if I do say so myself). I got two roles. I'm playing Sylvio in "A Servant of two masters," and Eddie in "Fool for Love."But I don't ever want to go through that hell again. My problem has always been memorizing lines, and have heard that one of the directors is truly anal about getting every word just right. I would like you to teach me some little trick so I can memorize whole plays instantly and effortlessly. I would be truly grateful for this :)
Sincerely,
John
ps. This is the best acting page I've sen on the web. Good job!
Response: Hi John.
Congratulation. Trial by fire. Here is a little trick that will help you memorize whole plays instantly and effortlessly...
Trick # 22.5: Develop a photographic memory
Good luck to you. Let me know...
Oh alright. Actually, you have already discovered two of the most important "tricks" to memorizing lines, "I knew the shape of the scene and remembered the beats."
Understanding the "gist" and form of the scenes
before
you try memorizing each and every word of the dialog is a tremendous help to memorizing the actual words. Understanding the gist and form can also help a lot if, during the course of a performance, you or another performer skip or mix up some lines, jump ahead a few pages of text or just plain go blank. (Which really happens - even to professionals!)
Knowing what the scene is about, the subtext, the flow, and other such things will help you quickly ad lib and get back on track, often times without the audience knowing there was a mistake made.
From: Travarrow
Hello, thank you for taking my question.
Question: Memorizing lines. How do actors do it. I am currently thinking oftaking parts in short plays at my church. I love plays, everything aboutthem, I wrestle with the thought of getting invlved or just enjoy watchingand stop agonizing over the want to do it. The memorization part justastounds me. what are the tricks, the methods?Thank you in advance!!
In addition to that, you can use a tape recorder to assist. This system works well if you spend a lot of alone time, like in a car commuting, or between classes or whatever. One of those little, handheld recorders work well.
Record the scenes in which you have lines. Record your lines and the other characters' lines in the correct sequence, except record your lines in a loud whisper. Try not to use any voice inflection when recording. Be as monotone as possible.
When you play the recording back, listen carefully to your lines and to your cue lines. You will play this recording about a gazillion times. Each time you listen to the recording, say your lines softly along with the recording. As you become more and more familiar with the lines, continue saying them with the recording, but speak louder and louder, until eventually you are talking loud enough so you cannot hear your whispered, recorded lines. If you get stuck, just stop talking and listen to the whispered lines, then rewind to the place you got stuck and continue.
Eventually, you will have not only memorized your lines, but you will have memorized your cue lines as well (and knowing "when" to say your lines is as important as knowing "what" to say.)
You can also use another person to feed you your cue lines and assist you when you are stuck on your lines. Do not become too dependent on them feeding you your lines too quickly when you get stuck. It's best to paraphrase and puzzle the lines out instead of letting them jumping in too quickly to "help" you.
Here is another suggestion if you have noone else but yourself available. Read your cue lines and your lines. Of course, focus on your lines, trying to remember them, but also try to remember your cue lines. Do this in short blocks of text, not all at once.
When you are feeling somewhat confident about a small block of text, cover the lines with a sheet of paper. Pull the paper down the page, revealing a cue line, but hiding your line. Read the cue line, then say your line outloud. Pull the sheet of paper down the page revealing your line to check for accuracy. Repeat the process as often as you need to get your lines down well.
From: Akiva
My name is Akiva. I'm only a 19 yr old without a lot of experience (5 roles)but you left out the easiest way i know of to learn lines. Run em withsomeone. Read the scene carefully. then hand your partner the script and havehim read every line but yours, and try and get your lines right. Do thisseveral times until you have the words down, looking at the script betweeneach time. Then do the scene 3 or 4 times in a row as quickly as u can w/olooking at the script once. Happy memorizing
From: Emily
Hi. I would like to suggest trying to say your lines in front of a mirror. This way you can practice your expressions as well as your lines, onceyou have done this all you need to do is tape yourself saying the lines- you can hear how you sound and playing it continously will make thelines stick in your head. Memorising your lines is a hard part ofacting - but your friends and family will always help. Persevere andyou will find that your lines will end up coming naturally to you. Ihope this is of help.
From: Fenn.
I liked very much your page on memorizing lines, a few things to add...
For long Monologues it helps to learn them in short overlapping pieces. Since with a long monologue you will likely have lines that are very simular, and all on a simular thought, the overlapping bits will serve as glue. In a this way you can look at the long passage as a bunch of short bits where you are giving your own cues.
For very small parts, instead of no cues you have nothing but cues, and very few lines. In this case you may even have several lines, or monologues before your next cue. Obviously you should try as best as possible, and be "present" on stage (because you can be sure there issomeone in the audience spending their time looking right at you, even though they should be looking somewhere else) but also look for"landmarks" to help you get back on track if you drift off (or get too much into character and forget that you are an actor with lines to say). Landmarks are lines you Just Can't Miss, such as Laugh lines, entrances, Lines that just plain stick out. You can use these to keep on track, and should find 3 or so a page, and more just before your next cue. Also it helps to line up your next cue AND your next line in your head Just after you say your last line (before a dry stretch), make a big bright Technicolor picture in your head, that way when it finally come around, you won't have to go searching for it at the last minute. It also helps to do reverse read throughs to work on cues. Have someone read you your lines one at a time, and you give them your cue. If you cannot give your cue without hesitation you may not recognize it fast enough when it comes around.Mix well with a normal line running.
One other thing, learning lines is a personal thing, some people do better with images (a picture for each word / line / passage / scene) than with subtext. Some playwrights to a lot of subtext, some do a lot of images.
On not remembering your lines: Keep character, do not say oops, or (in performance) "Line". Do what your character would do, and if you are really blank, give a Meaningful Look to someone on stage with you, and pray they can dig you out.
Also, The Cosmic Breath: Stay Cool, Take a calm deep simple breath,then go on. The audience will never know a thing.
From: SOdonn
The most simple but effective method I have used and continue to use tomemorize my lines is by using flashcards.Yeah,no joke! Besides they're areportable and they don't require batteries, they even work with you when yourpartner's not around to practice. Try it! Believe me it will save you a lot ofbrain pain. Good Luck! ;)
From: someone who cares
Hi, I'm not a famous actor or anything, and actually, I haven't been inthat many plays, but memorizing lines has always come easy to me. My tip is to read the play over and over and over again, I know this is boring ifthe play sucks, but if you read it enough you will learn to apreciate yourcharacter more and you will also get new ideas on how to act out thedifferent scenes.
From: Jackie
Hey! Remembering lines were never a problem for me. What I do is try to figure out why the character is saying what their saying! What I also do is find out some background on the character, understanding what the character's situation will help you improv (if had to)! And if you can't get it , don't freak and start to whine! Just take it slowly, one line at a time! Jackie;)
From: Roger
My memorization trick is simple. Just read the script a few times and try to just memorize the scenes, what happens in each scene. Then go over your lines, scene by scene. Eventually you will be able to remember your lines. Another trick is to try to memorize certain movements and it will trigger your memory as to what you are to say.
From: kristen
first off, i really appreciate this page, i'm going off to college next yearas a theater major, and i feel much better prepared after reading your page.
i had a suggestion on memorizing lines. i've found with long monologues,especially shakespeare, it helps to paraphrase everything -EVERYTHING- andthen learn the whole thing backwards. sometimes i'll start out fine and thenloose bits and pieces, so memorizing from the end to the beginning helps me a lot. it takes the stress level down a notch as you proceed through the piece. say, learn the last two lines, just repeat them until you coudn't possiblyfeel like a bigger idiot, and then learn the two lines before that, then stickthose two sections together, saying all you have memorized.
it takes longer this way, but it's more effective than anything else i'vetried.
From: Gary
One trick I have used to memorize quickly, is to try to associate key wordsbetween lines. I use either a key word in my previous line, or a word in mycue line to tie the lines together. The association doesn't even have to makesense. For example, I am currently memorizing the role of Charles in BlitheSpirit. One of my cue lines is: "Lovely, dry as a bone", as my "wife" drinks amartini. I then respond with a toast, "To the Unseen". A "bone" is "unseen", therefore it was easy to make anassociation to remind me of the next line. Some are not so easy, but it canreally help if the text is not conversational, or the subject of the textchanges abruptly.
From: Marcus
I am an actor in Britain, and have found that visualising scripts in the mind helps. I do this by continually looking and reading through a section of dialogue, and then trying to remember what the shape of the text on the page looks like, what the page looks like, where lines are, almost as if I am looking at a photograph of the page, so that when i start rehearsals I am scrolling down the page in my mind to find the sentences I want.
From: Melissa
I have to agree with
. I find that the best way to memorize lines is just to read the whole thing over and over and over again. My friend didn't believe that this really worked, until I pointed out to her that she was able to quote entire scenes from The Princess Bride...Why?... Because she's watched the movie about a billion times. After a while the lines just begin to sound familiar, and you find yourself anticipating the next one.
From: robert
read the script every night before you go to bed. Memorize it peice by peice. Oh yeah and if your performing on stage think of the whole audiance as a bunch of idiots and that your much more intelligent than they are and your trying to teach them something new.
Hi robert.
Thanks for the tips, although I'm not too crazy about the "...think of the whole audiance as a bunch of idiots..." part. However, if it works for you...
From: Lorraine
Hi! I LOVE your website!! Thanks for all the wonderful information! I memorize lines by finding out who my character really is and who I AM directing my lines to. Example Mom talking to daughter on drugs: How old is the mom, was her mom or dad on drugs, did she do drugs as a kid? why? how old is the daughter? is she the only child? I really get to know my character, who she really is and how she really feels to memorize my lines then I know exactly why I saying these things and exactly to whom I AM talking to. I also read over and over again and put my lines on a tape recorder. But the suggestion of starting to the back and memorizing to the beginning was new to me and I will definitely try that. Thanks for all the suggestions and information.
From: SANDO
When I first started acting, I found that memorizing lines was the most dreadful thing imaginable. The way I overcame it was to use the mini-recorder method and continuously play it over and over as I slept. The next day when I had to read the lines just came to me. It sounds silly but it actually works....Try it out!
From: Noelle
i have never had trouble memorizing lines! here are my little tricks--
1) Carry your script around with you, whenever you get a chance, look at it!
2) get into character, the more you know about your character, the more likely you will be able to know how they will respond, remember, the most important part is not getting the line EXACTLY right, it is making sure that you get the right information out, and stay in character!
3) type out your lines. get on your computer and type your lines, then read through, and try to think of what the cues to those lines are
these things have always helped me, and i hope they will help you too!
From: Kristen
Hey- I usually have no problem memorizing lines. But this last script was a bit tricky. I had to play Evelyn (the mom) in Independance, and she was always bringing up new topics, and never replied to anything. The other character, was always replying to MY lines, then I would bring up a totally new topic and say a paragraph about it, she would reply then I would bring up YET ANOTHER topic and say a paragraph on it.
Anyway, my memorization technique came to me when I went to rehersals of the play, and it was not my turn to be on. I would quietly sit in my group, and take a postcard (or whatever) Cover up your line, read what the line before it is, say your line under your breath, or in your head or whatever, then uncover the card, or move it down and check for accuracy. Do that with all the scenes. A good use of time when you're not performing.
From: Mike
I learned lines as I commuted. I read the lines of other characters into a tape recorder and left the tape running with the microphone off while I read my character's lines. Then when I played the tape back I had the dialogue and silence for my character's lines. As I drove down the road, I could paly the tape and imput my lines at the cue.
From: Adele
Memorising lines came quite naturally to me but I do have a tip. When trying to learn the lines inagine what you'll be doing on stage at that moment. Do this a load of times then stand up and act the part you were just looking at.
I find it hard to learn lines with other people. This is because I get my cue, rather than the actual words the expression the actor says it in. I find other people who don't act monotone it,making it harder. Whilst on stage however hard it is try not to go off your character and think about that fit lad who just asked you out. As soon as you've lost your character you've had it. If you do feel yourself slipping off into normal life stand there and think about what the character would be thinking about. It's quite a funny thing to do, some of the character's thoughts I have thought about have been quite strange. BUT IT DOES WORK! Hope this helped AND I LOVE THIS WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Charlotte
These are my thoughts on memorizing lines: I have found that your performance will be much more genuine and effective if you learn your lines by saying or listening to them with no inflection or feeling. That way, once you develop your character, you will be more inclined to say the lines the way your character, not you, would say the line. Memorize the line, not how to say it. Also, I think that picturing the script in your head and reading from it is not a genuine way to act or learn lines either. Once again, you would have trouble focusing on the intentions of the character and the shape of the scene, and WHY the character is saying what he/she is saying. (At least I do.) Thanks.
From: samantha
Hi I'm 15 have been in a youth theatre program for 2 years now and I find that the best way to memorize lines (especially monologues) is to write them out in the middle of the day,like during a boring class at school, when lines and monologues would normally be the furthest thing from your mind.
I've never had any trouble at all memorizing my lines. The thing that you must keep in mind are to learn it word for word THEN to characterize. Read the scene outloud with a friend or your scene partner several times with your script, even if you know the lines. Say the lines with as much variation as possible. If your character says the word "No" several times in a row or in the monolog, scene, or whatever, say it DIFFERENTLY every time. That way you don't get into the habit of any one way and your acting is always fresh and truthful.
To actually memorize well, find out what type of learner you are. Don't know? When your study for a test, do you recall how the teacher explained it to you? Do you remeber certain phrases that you read? Do you think back on how you all walked around pretending to be part of WWII? (I'm an auditory/visual learner.) If you are a:
AUDITORY LEARNER: Record yourself saying the lines, and play it back several times a day, speaking with the recording as you learn the lines. Also, read the lines outloud whenever you read them.
VISUAL LEARNER: Read it with a friend. Take note of their expressions when certain lines are said. Also, recall the place in the script you speak, i.e. the long paragraph on the left side is when Llloyd yells at Brooke. Visualize where it is in the script as you run lines.
PHYSICAL LEARNER: When you read through your lines, get up and move. If the director has assigned you specific blocking (movement), DO IT. If you are the one creating the blocking, move your body in accordance to the words and emotions.There is an acting theory set forth I believe by Stella Adler (sorry if I'm wrong) that the actual action of doing something can invoke the emotion, and the emotion, the rememberance of the line. If you clench your fists and tighten your body, you can make yourself FEEL nervous or angry (this is acting, fellas)and recall the why the character was feeling like this, and how they'd express that in words, which should correspond nicely with the text.
-------You may not be just a visual learner or just an auditory learner. Actually, most people are combinations. (Me for instance.) Therefore, I suggest that you do all three of these learning teqniques, and also because they will help build memorization skills, muscle memory, characterization, and an understanding of the character.
Well, good luck to you all in your acting aspirations, and I'm sorry I wrote so darn much!!! P/S: This is a well developed and informational site. I will continue to check back often!:) Thanks for your time!
From: Charles
Here's what I do to memorise a monologue quickly:1. Read the first sentence aloud from your script. 2. Put down the script and repeat it from short-term memory. 3. Read the second sentence from the script. 4. Repeat it. 5. Repeat the first and second sentences together from memory. 6. Do this until you've memorised the full passege, then repeat it to yourself a number of times.
From: Kate
Hello! a lot of people get very freaked out at the thought of forgetting some of their lines during a play, but for me I always find that if you have gone through your script enough, and know your character it's fairly easy to ad lib until you get back to a point that you know what you are supposed to say. If you know your character well enough you can look at what is happening and react to it just as you think that your character would. If you worked on your script enough you should at least know the outline of what is going on in your scene, and what is going to happen in the near future, and you can usually remember somewhat what you are supposed to say, so if you know all of this you can easily ad lib the parts that are blocked for you. I know this wasn't a question, but I just wanted to share what has worked for me with everyone else.
From: Noisha
I have a tip or two for people trying to memorize lines. One if you have a tape recorder you could record your own voice saying all the lines in the play except your own, leaving spaces where your lines would be and making sure the spaces are long enough to allow you to expierment with pausing and other things like repitition etc. Then you can listen to it on your head phones while vacuming or what ever you do to occupy your time, on the bus, jogging . . . whatever. Of course people will most likely think you've lost your mind considering your walking around with headphones on talking to yourself but IT HELPS YOU MEMORIZE YOUR LINES. And that's all that matters. Also you could try covering your lines with small pieces of paper, attached with tape so you can flip them up if you absolutely have to as a last resort. This is, I admit, slightly time cosuming and tedius but well worth it if you are tape recorder less.
From: Kat
I just wanted to give people some advice that has always worked for me. People are always worrying about what they would do if they forgot their lines of stage. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on what to do, or what to do to prevent this from happening. You can memorize your lines all you want and do what ever tricks that work for you, but there is always a chance that you can forger everything that you remember while on stage; just go blank. My approach is not to worry so much about burning the lines into my mind so as to prevent any mishaps, just worry mostly about knowing you character. Really get to know the character, know their emotions and the way that they talk, and any trademarks. If you know your character well enough it should be fairly easy to improvise until you get to a place that you what you're supposed to be doing. Of course you should also pay very close attention to the beats and outline of the scene. If you know these three! t! ! ! hings, the beats, the outline, and your character, you should be able to talk from your characters point of view if need be. Again, this is just what works for me.
From: Star
I memorize lines by using flash cards. On one side you write the other person's line and on the other side you write your line. Number them so they don't get mixed up! Put a rubberband around them and bring them everywhere. That way you can test yourself on them all day, every day.:)
I havn't actually been in any plays - as a musician rather than an actor, I find myself in the orchestra - but I know a great way of learning lines. Most of the plays I've played in the orchestra for have had at least one cast. Due to eing in the orchestra, I had to attend every rehearsal for each cast, and by the time last minute rehearsals came along, and especially opening night, I would find myself repeating pretty much every single line of the entire play almost perfectly. I even once picked a character and said his lines (quietly) along with him, even getting the ones he screwed up. I never once realised that I was learning the lines, but I know it was effective, because to this day I can still remember the script to 'The Wizard of Oz', which I played drums for 5 years ago. So my suggestion is this; as well as actively learning your lines, try to attend as many of the OTHER casts rehearsals as possible (obviously on top of your own. If there is! no other cast and you've read this far, sorry, i've wasted your time). Don't sit there trying to learn your lines while you are there, though. Instead, just sit back and enjoy the show, talk with your friends. All the time, you will be subconsciously learning your lines, and will find it much easier to remember them when te time comes, and will also be able to prompt anybody who forgets. Hopefully this will help but, if not, please forgive me - i'm only 15, after all. :-)
From: Jennifer
I am involved in an acting program at my school. I do solo roles where I play every character and here are some of my tips for memory. 1. Record to script(s) with you saying all of the lines in different accents, then play in the the car when you would normally be listening to the radio. I helps to give you keys from other chacters, and you get it memorized quickly. 2. Read the script(s) right before you go to bed and right when you wake up. The reason behind this is to put the characters into your mind subconiously when you sleep or when you are getting ready in the morning. I know it sounds stupid, but it worked for me! 3. If you have a few days, break it down. Memorize a section per day. Use tip one and just play that one part over and over again until you've got it. The next day work on another section and then add them together. I hope that these help!!! Jen
From: Erin
Regarding memorization: putting something in your short-term memory, especially a short audition monologue, is not terribly time consuming. However, when you are at an audition, on a stage, or in front of any kind of audience, your escalating stress levels can vaporize the lines you were so sure you had down pat (the same applies to song lyrics). Part of real preparation for an audition, off-book rehearsal, or performance, is to memorize your lines as early as possible & to keep them fresh for atleast a few weeks if possible. No memorizing the night before, or morning before you perform. The lines will not be there under stress. And if they miraculously are, you will definitely be thinking more about what line comes next than about your character's objectives & actions. Save yourself a lot of stress & unproductive work by learning your lines over a reasonable time period. Don't fly by the seat of your pants unless being caught onstage with them around! your ankles doesn't phase you!
From Creirwry Vye:
Well, this 'tisn't a question, but I'm unsure of where to post me tip for memorization. There are essentially 5 steps. Take your monologue/scene/etc. and read it to yourself 10 times. Then, read it 10 more times, only this time out loud. The next ten times, write/type it, still saying it aloud. The next ten times you do this, write only the first letter of each word. During these steps, make sure to keep looking at the script and not do anything from memory. For the last ten times, put everything away and say it from memory. Once you use this method several times, it should get easier and allow you to lower the 10 to a 5. I suggest not going under 5, since people who get cocky and think they don't need all the "hassle" almost always make mistakes, miniscule or monsterous, and become disheartened and unsure of a technique which has worked well for them. You may also want to take a short break in-between the steps. This 'tis a good idea for any !
Well, that's it. If you have any other memorization suggestions you would like to share with other AWOL readers, just - | eng | 72611189-1622-41bd-9816-b6136a855a09 | http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/memorize.html |
The identity of the Saviour is
often confused among Christians. The Bible seems to identify both God and
Christ as Saviour. Does this mean they are the same, as the Trinitarians would
have us believe? What is the real explanation?There are many texts which state that Jesus Christ is our
Saviour. In like fashion, there are many texts that state that God is our
Saviour. Trinitarians infer from this that God and Christ are the same thing
and that they are merely hypostases or sub-elements of the one Being called
God.
Jude makes distinction between the
only wise God our Saviour and Jesus Christ our Lord through whom we are able to
be presented to God without blemish.
Jude 24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and
to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing,
25 to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be
glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever.
Amen. (RSV)
Peter seems to deal with Christ as
Saviour in 2Peter 3:2,18.
2Peter 3:18 But grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory
both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (RSV)
This theme starts in 2Peter 1:1,11.
It might be argued that the term
actually means that Christ is the righteousness of the God and Saviour of us.
That is, that the Father is both God and Saviour of us and Christ is the Righteousness of God as he is the Appearance of His glory, as it is used in both the Old
Testament and New Testament. This would then mean in verse 11 that Christ was
also the Entrance into the kingdom of the
Lord of Us and Saviour,
which is God. Hence, Christ is both Righteousness
and Entrance as he is the Appearance of the Glory of God.
2Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the
righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: (RSV)
2Peter 1:11 so there will be
richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. (RSV)
This sense is permissible in the
text and fits with the Old Testament sense of the Appearance of the Glory of
God.
However, this meaning would then be
extended in 2Peter 2:20 to imply that the knowledge
of God was Jesus Christ.
2Peter 2:20For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the
world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them
than the first. (RSV)
This might be construed as being a reference to wisdom as
we see from Proverbs 8:22.
Indeed, eternal life is obtained
through the knowledge of the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (Jn.
17:3). Thus, it would be necessary for this view to be sustained that Christ is
the knowledge or wisdom of our Lord and Saviour, who is God.
Such a view would have to be
examined against all the texts.
John is clear that God sent the Son
to be the Saviour of the world.
1John 4:14 And we have seen
and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. (RSV)
It is thus clear that John viewed
Christ as being sent by God as the Saviour of the world.
Paul seems to hold a contradictory
view that has been construed to support Trinitarian views as God and Christ
both being Saviour and, therefore, the same Being. Paul deals with the concept
of God as Saviour in 1Timothy.
Here Paul clearly makes distinction
between God our Saviour and Jesus Christ our hope. He carries this view on in
this text.
1Timothy 2:3-6 This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight
of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to
the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave
himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper
time. (RSV)
Here we see that Paul makes clear
distinction between God who is Saviour and Christ. Paul continues on in the
view that it is God who is the Saviour of all men.
1Timothy 4:10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we
have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially
of those who believe. (RSV)
There can be no Trinitarian
implications in Paul as he is at pains to make distinction between God and
Christ. Paul was not a Trinitarian.
In 2Timothy, Paul asserts the
position of Saviour to Christ.
2Timothy 1:8-10 Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our
Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the
power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not
in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he
gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, 10 and now has manifested through
the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life
and immortality to light through the gospel. (RSV)
From this text we begin to see the
distinction as it arises in the Bible. The explanation is simple. God saved us
and called us with a holy calling ages
ago. This was done according to His purpose and the grace which He gave us
in Christ Jesus ages ago. In fact, He gave us this grace and wrote us in the
Book of Life before the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8; 17:8).
Christ then came as God's appointed
Saviour and abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel. He died and was resurrected through the power of God and became a
son of God in power through his resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4).
The explanation, therefore, is that
it was the power of God that enabled Christ to be sent as God's designated
Saviour to the world.
Now, do we have any other texts
against which to test this hypothesis?
Hosea is emphatic that there is no
Saviour beside God.
Hosea 13:4 I am the LORD your
God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no
savior. (RSV)
Here, He is Yahovah (Jehovah) Elohim
and beside Him there is no Saviour. However, we also know that He brought
Israel out by means of the Messenger of Yahovah and this messenger was the Face of God in the wilderness who was
also the voice of the Lord (see Acts
7:30-31). No man has ever seen God. The only born God, that one being in the
bosom of the Father, spoke (Jn. 1:18 see Marshall's Interlinear and also the Syriac).
The Lord had given Israel a Saviour
on more than one occasion in Old Testament times. He sent Christ as the
Messenger in the Wilderness to bring Israel out on eagle's wings. Messiah was
that eagle.
God also gave Israel a Saviour when they repented and
brought them out from under the hand of the Assyrians. This was also their
Saviour.
2Kings 13:5Therefore the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they
escaped from the hand of the Syrians; and the people of Israel dwelt in their
homes as formerly. (RSV)
This Saviour had been earmarked
from the foundation of the world for the redemption of Israel.
Genesis 48:15-16 And he blessed Joseph, and said, "The God
before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has led me all my
life long to this day, 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all
evil, bless the lads; and in them let my name be perpetuated, and the name of
my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst
of the earth." (RSV)
This Elohim was the Angel of
Redemption of Israel.
2Samuel 22:2-3 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my
fortress, and my deliverer; 3 The God of my rock; in him will I
trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my
refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. (KJV)
This is the start of the Song of David when Yahovah had
delivered him from the hand of Saul and his enemies (cf. Ex. 15; Deut. 32).
The distinction here seems to be of
the rock and the God of David's rock. We are speaking here of the mountain that
was God and the rock uncut by human hands that was taken from this mountain and
which was sent to destroy the world systems in the Last Days at the end of the
empires mentioned in Daniel Chapter 2.
Daniel 2:44-45And in
the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall
never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it
shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for
ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the
mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the
clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what
shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation
thereof sure. (KJV)
The Psalms (106:21) refer to El the
Saviour of Israel who brought them out of Egypt. This reference here at the end
of the fourth book or the Numbers book of the Psalms deals with the Rest for
the Earth and looks forward to the coming Kingdom of God.
The Hebrew term is In the Wilderness (bemidbar) derived from the fifth word in verse 1. The term Numbers
is derived from the Latin Vulgate Numeri, which translates the Greek Arithmoi in the LXX.
The Numbers book is broken into
three stages. The first stage deals with the
Desire for Rest for the Earth (Pss. 91 to 94). The second stage deals with
the Rest for the Earth being Anticipated
(Pss. 95 to 100). The last section is the sections from Psalms 101 to 105. This
is the Rest for the Earth being
Celebrated. Sin had come into the world and hence the earth and not just
man was being destroyed. The Numbers book needs exposition in its own right but
from here we can see that Psalm 106 refers to the final summary of the way God
deals with Israel and the looking forward to the fact of the promise of the
Saviour. From Psalms 90 and 91 we see the contrast, as these are in fact one
Psalm written in two parts by Moses at the beginning of the thirty-eight penal
years wandering in the wilderness. Psalm 91 represents the contrast of those
under the Shadow of the Almighty. Here they are protected by the Saviour who is
referred to in Psalm 106 as being forgotten but Israel is redeemed and the
earth is at rest at the end of this process. Thus, the Saviour here is also the
redeemer of Israel and thus we are referring to Messiah as the Face of God
in the wilderness.
The Saviour is explained for the
first time in detail in Isaiah.
God gives the Angel of Yahovah orders to speak through the
prophet Isaiah to declare the coming Saviour as Messiah. God orders the
establishment of the altar to Yahovah in Egypt in Isaiah 19:19. God will send
them a Saviour and a Great One and he shall deliver them.
Isaiah 19:19-25In that
day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and
a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. 20 And it shall be for a
sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they
shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a
saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. 21 And the LORD
shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and
shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and
perform it. 22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and
heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of
them, and shall heal them. 23 In that day shall there be a highway
out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the
Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria,
even a blessing in the midst of the land: 25 Whom the LORD of hosts
shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my
hands, and Israel mine inheritance. (KJV)
This altar was the Temple at Leontopolis in the nome of
Heliopolis established by the high priest Onias IV, and closed by order of
Vespasian in 71 CE after the fall of the Jerusalem Temple. This temple was
established about 160 BCE and remained a fully functioning temple until the
dispersion and even after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE. It was set
specifically for Messiah to be sent into Egypt and was built as a sign that God
would redeem Egypt with Assyria alongside Israel.
This prophecy was to take two
thousand years to complete. It spanned the first and second Advents of Messiah
and that is why it was not fully understood by Christianity. They did not see
the significance of the Advents and the rule of Messiah under the millennial
system. Most abandoned Millennialism or Chiliasm as it is called and thus do
not understand this prophecy.
Isaiah speaks of the Holy One of
Israel who is Saviour. Isaiah develops the concept of God as Saviour and the
dispatch of the Saviour by God as promised in Isaiah 19:20. We see this process
in Isaiah 43 and, by Isaiah 44:6, we have a duality developed where there are
two entities then involved in this process. One is the Lord the King of Israel
and the other is his Redeemer The Lord of Hosts or Yahovah of Hosts. Thus, the
distinction here is that the Yahovah the king of Israel is subordinate to and
redeemed by his God who is Yahovah of Hosts or the Most High, the Elyon, who is
the God or God the Father. This God glorified Messiah as Elohim above his
partners (Ps. 45:6-7; Heb. 1:8-9). He gave Yahovah of Israel the nation Israel
as his precious possession (see Deut. 32:8-9 RSV).
Deuteronomy 32:8-9When
the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons
of men, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons
of God. 9For the LORD's
[Yahovah's] portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. (RSV)
Saviour is the third of three
titles in Isaiah 43:3. God promises future deliverance for Israel in verse 2.
It is neither a specific promise to the Saxon race nor is it confined to the
church (cf. Companion Bible n. to v.
2).
Isaiah 43:1-4 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O
Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I
have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the
waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm
you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall
not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of
Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange
for you. 4 Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I
love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.
(RSV)
Here there is a promise for the
redemption of Jacob and Israel. What is not understood about this text is that
there is a type / anti-type between Jacob and Israel and the two Witnesses of
the Last Days. This has led to confusion among many (see the paper The Witnesses (No. 135)).
God declares that He will bring
Jacob and Israel out from among the nations and redeem them. God commands to
bring forward the blind people that have eyes and the deaf people that have
ears (Isa. 43:9). This comment refers to the understanding given by the Holy
Spirit. The nations are challenged to explain and to be witnesses as to the
former things and so that they may understand truth and be justified. The ones
that will be restored are those that are called by God's name. God has chosen
both Jacob and Israel as His witnesses.
Isaiah 43:10-21"You are my witnesses," says the LORD, "and my servant
whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am
He. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. 11
I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. 12 I declared
and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are
my witnesses," says the LORD. 13 "I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is none who can
deliver from my hand; I work and who can hinder it?" 14 Thus
says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I
will send to Babylon and break down all the bars, and the shouting of the
Chalde'ans will be turned to lamentations. 15 I am the LORD, your
Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King." 16 Thus says the
LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17
who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they
cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18"Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the
wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for
I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my
chosen people, 21the people
whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. (RSV)
Here Yahovah was elohim of Israel; He was their Holy One
and their Saviour.
From this text we are speaking of
the process of delegation from the Father to the Messiah as Elohim anointed by
the elohim above his partners (Ps. 45:6-7).
In Isaiah 45 we see this delegation
and purpose to the raising up of the anointed ones for the salvation of Jacob,
God's servant, and Israel, God's elect (Isa. 45:1-4). We are speaking here of
the Father as we see from Isaiah 45:11ff.
Isaiah 45:11-25 Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and
his Maker: "Will you question me about my children, or command me
concerning the work of my hands? 12 I made the earth, and created
man upon it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded
all their host. 13 I have
aroused him in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways; he shall
build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward," says the
LORD of hosts. 14 Thus says the LORD: "The wealth of Egypt and
the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabe'ans, men of stature, shall come over
to you and be yours, they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and
bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying: `God is with you
only, and there is no other, no god besides him.'" 15 Truly,
thou art a God who hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior. 16 All
of them are put to shame and confounded, the makers of idols go in confusion
together. 17 But Israel is saved by the LORD with everlasting
salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity. 18
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the
earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed
it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other. 19
I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the
offspring of Jacob, `Seek me in chaos.' I the LORD speak the truth, I declare
what is right. 20 "Assemble yourselves and come, draw near
together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about
their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save. 21
Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this
long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other
god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. 22"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends
of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I
have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not
return: `To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.' 24 "Only in the LORD, it shall be said of
me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed, all who
were incensed against him. 25 In the LORD all the offspring of
Israel shall triumph and glory." (RSV)
In this text we have Yahovah of Hosts speaking of the
Redeemer and anointed one who is to raise the cities of Israel not for price or
reward. Here it is God who is Saviour. But God has already declared from Isaiah
19:20 that He will proclaim an anointed one or Saviour and, so, the function of
Saviour is a delegated function. Here God is concerned with His sons (Isa.
45:11 KJV) or children. (RSV)
Isaiah 45:23 is quoted in Romans
14:11 and Philippians 2:10. Paul clearly applies this text as referring to God
and not to Christ.
Romans 14:10-12 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or
you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the
judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, "As I live, says
the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to
God." 12 So each of us shall give account of himself to God.
(RSV)
This is further explained by Paul
in Philippians as being enforced by Messiah after his exaltation pursuant to
his death and resurrection through his obedience (cf. Rom. 1:4).
himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8
And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto
death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father. (RSV)
Thus the process was understood by Paul to be one of
delegation from the Father to the Messiah for the greater glory of God the
Father. There is no Trinitarian or Modalist duality of God but rather a process
of delegation of power and authority through obedience. Christ was in the form
of God but did not seek to grasp equality with God as Satan had done (Isa. 14:14;
Ezek. 28:14-18).
In Isaiah 49 we see that the
Messiah is mentioned as the one called from the womb and made with a mouth like
a two edged sword.
Isaiah 49:1-6 Listen to me, O coastlands, and hearken, you
peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother
he named my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the
shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid
me away. 3 And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in
whom I will be glorified." 4 But I said, "I have labored
in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right
is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God." 5 And now the
LORD says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back
to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the eyes
of the LORD, and my God has become my strength -- 6 he says:
"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the
tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a
light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the
earth." (RSV)
Here Messiah was given as a light
to the Gentiles that the salvation of God might reach to the end of the earth.
We see that it is through Israel that salvation is to be extended. Hence,
Messiah is to become Israel and, thus, the Church was foretold as the body of
Christ and as the body of Israel and the only means of salvation through Jesus
Christ.
God has determined that kings shall
raise up to prostrate themselves before him whom they abhorred, the servant of
rulers.
Isaiah 49:7-13 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and
his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the servant of
rulers: "Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate
themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who
has chosen you." 8 Thus says the LORD: "In a time of favor
I have answered you, in a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you
and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion
the desolate heritages; 9 saying to the prisoners, `Come forth,' to
those who are in darkness, `Appear.' They shall feed along the ways, on all
bare heights shall be their pasture; 10 they shall not hunger or
thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall smite them, for he who has pity on
them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. 11 And I will
make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be raised up. 12
Lo, these shall come from afar, and lo, these from the north and from the west,
and these from the land of Syene." 13 Sing for joy, O heavens,
and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has
comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted. (RSV)
Thus Messiah was to be afflicted
and despised yet God would exalt him and he would become God's instrument of
salvation of the nations. He would become God's Holy One. God says that Zion
would say Yahovah has forsaken and forgotten her. God declares that He will
save Israel.
Isaiah 49:22-26 Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I will
lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my signal to the peoples; and they
shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on
their shoulders. 23 Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their
queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down
to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD;
those who wait for me shall not be put to shame." 24 Can the
prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? 25
Surely, thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be
taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who
contend with you, and I will save your children. 26 I will make your
oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as
with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the LORD your Savior, and your
Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." (RSV)
Hence, Messiah is given by God as
Saviour to establish the Covenant of God as Saviour for and on behalf of God.
Isaiah speaks of this as carrying through to the Last Days and the coming of
the Messiah to Zion. At this time there is no peace. Justice and truth are
fallen to the ground and judgment is turned backward (Isa. 59:1-14). The Lord
saw this and that there was no intercessor and so He acted.
Isaiah 59:15-21 Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil
makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no
justice. 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there
was no one to intervene; then his own arm brought him victory, and his
righteousness upheld him. 17 He put on righteousness as a
breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; he put on garments of
vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as a mantle. 18
According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, requital
to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render requital. 19 So
they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the
rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of
the LORD drives. 20"And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn
from transgression, says the LORD. 21 "And as for me, this is
my covenant with them, says the LORD: my spirit which is upon you, and my words
which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of
the mouth of your children, or out of the mouth of your children's children,
says the LORD, from this time forth and for evermore." (RSV)
Christ was sent by God under direction at the appointed
time. This entire sense is carried through Isaiah 60:1-7.
Isaiah 60:1-7 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the
glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness
the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon
you. 3And nations shall
come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 Lift
up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and
rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of
the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover
you, the young camels of Mid'ian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the
LORD. 7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams
of Nebai'oth shall minister to you; they shall come up with acceptance on my
altar, and I will glorify my glorious house. (RSV)
This Holy One of Israel glorifies Israel in the name of
God. This is the entire sense of Isaiah 60:8-22. Jerusalem will be restored as
the Holy City after a long and desolate period of neglect.
Isaiah 60:15-22 Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, with
no one passing through, I will make you majestic for ever, a joy from age to
age. 16You shall suck the
milk of nations, you shall suck the breast of kings; and you shall know that I,
the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 17 Instead
of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver; instead
of wood, bronze, instead of stones, iron. I will make your overseers peace and
your taskmasters righteousness. 18 Violence shall no more be heard
in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call
your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. 19 The sun shall be no
more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by
night; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your
glory. 20 Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw
itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning
shall be ended. 21 Your people shall all be righteous; they shall
possess the land for ever, the shoot of my planting, the work of my hands, that
I might be glorified. 22 The least one shall become a clan, and the
smallest one a mighty nation; I am the LORD; in its time I will hasten it.
(RSV)
From this point we are taken
directly to the focal point of this salvation in Isaiah 61:1-11.
Isaiah 61:1-11 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because
the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me
to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the
opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year
of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who
mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion -- to give them a
garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle
of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 4 They
shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 5
Aliens shall stand and feed your flocks, foreigners shall be your plowmen
and vinedressers; 6 but you shall be called the priests of the LORD,
men shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of
the nations, and in their riches you shall glory. 7 Instead of your
shame you shall have a double portion, instead of dishonor you shall rejoice in
your lot; therefore in your land you shall possess a double portion; yours
shall be everlasting joy. 8 For I the LORD love justice, I hate
robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will
make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants shall be
known among the nations, and their offspring in the midst of the peoples; all
who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are a people whom the LORD has
blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall exult
in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered
me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a
garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as
the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to
spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth
before all the nations. (RSV)
Christ uttered the comments in
Isaiah 61:1-2 but stopped short in verse 2 at the point of the acceptable year of the Lord. The rest of the text The day of Vengeance of our God was the
second Advent and that point had not been reached and would not be reached for
some two thousand years (or forty Jubilees). However, Christ was showing from
this recitation (Lk. 4: 18-19) that he was Messiah who was the delegated
Saviour of Israel sent by God to speak in the spirit or ruach of Adonai Yahovah
to redeem them.
Here we are seen as being covered
with the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom
decks himself and as a bride adorns herself. Thus Messiah is the Saviour as the
bridegroom of Israel and the elect as the brides appointed by God to be the
elect and the family of God as sons of God. We will rule from Jerusalem, which
is Holy (Isa. 62:1-12). From this point we become the holy people, the redeemed
of the Lord (Isa. 62:11-12). This is the sense of the terms chosen
priesthood and nation of kings and we shall rule upon the earth
(Rev. 5:10).
Thus, we see that God is the Saviour of us all. He
appointed Messiah as His agent and so Messiah is Saviour under delegation until
every rule and authority is placed under him. In this way, Mary (or Mariam)
could rejoice in God her Saviour when she understood she was to have Messiah
(Lk. 1:47ff.). It was in this sense that the indefinite sense of a Saviour was used
of Messiah in Luke 2:11.
Luke 2:11 … for to you is born this day in the city of David a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (RSV)
There is no definite article with
the term sőter (SHD 4990). This term
is consistent and translates yâsha'
(SHD 3467), meaning to be open wide or free – hence, safe or to
free or succour.
This Saviour was expected and the
Samaritans acknowledged that this was Jesus Christ (Jn. 4:42).
Peter and the Apostles explained the nature of Christ as
Saviour.
Acts 5:30-32 The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you
killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right
hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of
sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy
Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." (RSV)
God was understood as bringing him to Israel. Thus Messiah
was Saviour by delegated authority.
Acts 13:22-23And when
he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; of whom he testified
and said, `I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who
will do all my will.' 23 Of this man's posterity God has brought to
Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. (RSV)
God appointed Christ as Saviour.
Hence, there can be no question of the adequacy of the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ as our Saviour.
This relationship of Saviour to "saved" is central to the
purpose of God.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as
Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (RSV)
God is thus part of Christ as He is
part of us. God is our Saviour as is Christ because they are in us and we in
them. Our commonwealth is in heaven as part of the family of God as sons of God
and coheirs with Christ and the heavenly Host.
Philippians 3:20But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (RSV)
Here again, we see the indefinite
article being used so that God and not Christ is the centrality and that Christ
acts at the instigation of the Father who sent him. This is the sense also of
Job 33:23-24.
Job 33:23-24 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of
the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him; 24 and he is
gracious to him, and says, `Deliver him from going down into the Pit, I have found
a ransom; (RSV)
The term is messenger and
that is the sense in which the term was used of all of the sons of God.
We might then see the sense of Paul
that we saw evident in Timothy and also found in the epistle of Titus.
Paul again refers to God our
Saviour in Titus 1:3. Christ is then referred to as Saviour in verse 4.
Titus 1:3-4 and at the proper time manifested in his word
through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by command of God our
Savior; 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace
from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (RSV)
The common usage can be seen from the above and it is not
a contradiction nor is it any confirmation of a Triune God.
This sense is repeated in Titus
2:10-13.
Titus 2:10-13 … nor to pilfer, but to show entire and true
fidelity, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11
For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, 12 training
us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and
godly lives in this world, 13 awaiting our blessed hope, the
appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (RSV)
Here Christ is not referred to as
Saviour but as the appearing of our great God and Saviour. Thus the words Jesus
Christ here refer to the appearance and not to God per se. From the word order in the Greek, it is inferred that
Christ here is meant as God and Saviour when that is not the case and the
appearance of The Glory of God is here given to Christ as it was
reflected in the Cherubim (see the paperThe Ark of the Covenant (No. 196)).
The sense of Titus 1:3-4 is
repeated in Titus 3:4-6.
Titus 3:4-6 … but when the goodness and loving kindness of God
our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of deeds done by us
in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of
regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, 6 which he poured out
upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (RSV)
Again we see the same delegated thought process found in
the prophets and obviously used by Paul to explain the relationship.
Thus, we can understand from the
Old Testament prophets the terms and duality of usage in application from God
to Jesus Christ. God is our Saviour and He appointed Christ to die for us as
our Saviour so that both God and Christ could live in us and, through the Holy
Spirit, God could become all in all. Thus we could have one God and Father of
us all.
Ephesians 4:6 … one God and Father of us all, who is above all
and through all and in all. ( | eng | df3af73d-6fb9-46f5-8ff0-dc51c057f2b6 | http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p198.html |
The above image are the satellite photographs of the "Palk Straight" – The ocean passage between South India and Sri lanka. The ocean floor here is shallow and is not navigable and so no ships navigate via this region. All ships which want to move from western world to the eastern world or vice versa via the Indian ocean currently take a longer route of going around the country of sri lanka. Even the ships of India which have to move between the western and Indian coastlines of India take this longer route of going around Srilanka.
The Project
Now, the government of India has come up with a project (in fact it is a project which was suggested long back during the British age itself, but has reached the definitive stages of implementation only now), called the "Sethu Samudram" Project.
The intentions of the project are good. To remove a silt of about 48 million cubic meters in the palk straight at a cost of Rs 2,427 Crore (24,270 million), and create a channel 167 km long to make the sea in this region navigable. This will shorten the distance between the east and west coasts by about 780 km for the ships! They no longer will have to take the longer route around Srilanka. This will also be a source of greater financial income to India as all international shipment now can pass through the Indian seas in this region with the benefit of this shorter distance, saving about 30 hours of time!
This new canal construction is also said to increase the Naval security of India due to the obvious reasons of making the connections between western and eastern naval sectors of India shorter and easier and more importantly independent of dependency on Srilanka!
Ancient India
Now a bit about ancient India. The ancient Indian text Ramayana talks about a bridge being built in the seas of Palk Straight by the then king Rama of North India who wanted to take an army to the kingdom of Srilanka. This bridge is said to have been built from "Dhanushkodi", a place in South Indian coastal region near the sea facing Srilanka, to Mannar in Srilanka.
Satellite Photographs
The satellite photographs at the top of this article are of the "Palk Straight". Clearly visible to a naked human eye can be seen a line connecting the main land of India to Srilanka in these photographs. This is exactly at the same place where Ramayana talks about a bridge being constructed by Rama and his army to cross over into Srilanka. It is visible from Dhanushkodi of India to Mannar in Northwest Srilanka and is about 48 kilometers long.
Controversy
The Hindus call this bridge "Ram Sethu" and is a sacred structure for them since it is mentioned in their ancient texts. The proposed Sethu Samudram project is going to destroy this structure. It is a different question as to whether this is a man made or god made or natural structure. (Well, for a hindu everything natural is God made!). The issue here is that this project in its current proposed format is definitely going to destroy this structure. The controversy is that do we need to have economic progress at the cost of our cultural heritage? In this materialistic world some people might look at everything in terms of money. But the spiritual center of the world, the Indian masses don't look at it that way.
Let me make it clear, it is totally a different question as to whether this bridge is man made or is it a natural formation, the answer for that question has to come from a thorough unbiased scientific investigation by a committee of national and international experts on the subject. The need to save this structure is that it has been mentioned in the ancient texts and hence definitely is of a cultural value and has historical significance.
Man made or Natural?
Before going deep into any related scientific evidence of whether it is man made or natural, let us see what common sense says. Can a natural formation so precise as 100 m occur all across the way from Indian to srilankan coast line? Is there any other such geological landmark on this planet? How did this happen? What is the scientific evidence for a natural formation like this?
Or if it is not natural, then what is the scientific evidence that this is a man made construction? If it is mad made, then the material which this bridge is made up of should not have its origin in the seas.
Here is what the Department of Earth Science of the Government of India has to say about it "The Geological logging of the bore holes drilled in the inter tidal areas of Ram Sethu reveals very interesting details. In all the bore holes the top portion is seen to be occupied by recent marine sands. In almost of all the boreholes between 4.5 and 7.5m the borehole intersected hard formations, which have been found to be calcareous sand stones and corals. It is to be pointed out here that Corals are comparatively less dense, compact and somewhat easy to carry.
The Corals normally grow atop compact to hard formations for the purpose of stability, and as the sea level rises, the Coral colony grows up vertically to maintain water depth of 1 to 2 m, which is essential for their survival. In the case of Ram Sethu area, we observe that the Coral formations hardly occur 1 to 2.5m in length and resting on loose marine sands. Most of these coral rock pieces are seem to be rounded pebbles of corals. These things appear to point these coral rock pieces and pebbles have been transported and placed in these areas. Since the calcareous sand stones and Corals are less dense than normal hard rock and quite compact, probably these were used by the ancients to form a connecting link to Sri Lanka, on the higher elevations of the Ram Sethu ridge and this is analogous to modern day causeway.
In support of these observations there are many archaeological and geoarchaeological evidences on the south east coast of India around Rameswaram, Tuticorin and the western coast of Sri Lanka. There are raised Teri formations that supported a rich assemblage of mesolithic—microlithic tools indicating the presence of strong human habitation and activity in these areas as early as 6000 to 7000 years BCE and as recent as 2000 years BCE. On Sri Lanka side there are indications of human habitation extending to late Pleistocene (about 11,000 BCE) based on bone and fossils of human and animal form. All these point to a flourishing human activity on both side of Adams Bridge and probably when the sea levels were just right the link between India and Sri Lanka could have been established."
Arguments
The very first argument in favor of a man made bridge is the ancient references to this structure in the ancient texts of India.
Then comes the nature of the structure. Can natural accumulation be so precise? Look at the photograph again. It defies common sense to say it is natural unless and until one is extremely biased for whatever reasons OR unless one provides a very concrete scientific evidence of how it occurred. Not just use some pseudo-scientific language like "It is natural sand and coral formation". From where, why so precise? Did the corals decide to build a bridge?
Some people argue that it is not a real bridge. Well, yes, nobody is saying that Rama had built a concrete bridge like we build today, a real motor-able bridge with supporting pillars etc. Even ancients texts say that this bridge was built using sand and rock boulders! Rocks from the mountains were transported to the construction site using machines says the original text "valmiki ramayana"
Let me be frank. Till I saw this photograph and realized that this was a shallow sea between India and Srilanka where Rama is said to have built the bridge, I was thinking that the bridge is actually a myth. My thought was how can once construct a bridge across a sea by a few thousand people throwing sand and rock boulders into the sea water?
But now on looking at the photograph and realizing that it is a shallow sea and not a narrow straight, it doesn't really seem like an impossible task to do one such construction. Note that as per the ancient texts, the bridge was said to have been built not as a permanent structure to connect the two lands, but only to serve one single two-way journey for an invading army from India into Srilanka.
Some people say that the ancient Indian texts are nothing but a mythology. Well, anybody who says this I must say, either
has not read these ancient Indian texts (look at some of the scientific explanations in these ancient texts in other parts of this blog) OR
is totally prejudiced in believing what he believes than in what it is OR
has no general knowledge and is not aware about the recent archaeological findings. For instance, earlier they thought the story in Mahabharatha of Dwaraka being flooded by the seas after the war was a myth, until the ancient city of Dwaraka was found submerged in the seas of Gujarat. They used to say that the river Saraswathi mentioned in these ancient texts was a myth, unless dried up river bed of this river was discovered in North India.
My question is what if we today destroy this Ram Sethu, the bridge, and then tomorrow find a proof that this was indeed a man made construction? Will we get back the bridge, by paying all the money that India has earned by destroying this bridge? Can the lost heritage be brought back?
According to one Oceanographer, the construction of the Sethu Samudram Channel may also increase the risk of tsunamis on the coasts of South India as this shallow water has been protecting the calm sea on this side of the Gulf of Mannar from the wild sea of Bay of Bengal! See this article.
Another issue is that the world's 30% Thorium reserves are found in the coasts of Kerala. Exposing the Kerala coastline to the rough sea will wash away most of this Thorium into the sea! The fast breeder Thorium based nuclear reactors that Indian scientists are trying to build are based on the fact that we have these large deposits of Thorium which we can use to remove our dependency on other countries like USA and Austrialia for nuclear fuel like Uranium to our nuclear reactors. What will be the result if this monumental blunder project washes away all our Thorium reserves? Will the project be an economic gain then? Even if the Thorium deposits don't get washed away immediately, the next tsunami in this region will definitely take most Thorium with it into the sea!
It has to be noted that this narrow straight and shallow waters and Ram Sethu is what saved the shores of Kerala from a major disaster during the December 2004 Tsunami!
Awareness
It is interesting to observe that be it Ram Sethu, or the Dwaraka in the seas, etc it is always that the western science, researchers, archaelogists, etc that have been telling the Indians, see here, you have a great tradition, science and culture. The government of India or Indians have done very little to dig into our past history and culture. Forget even structures outside the mainland, there are still numerous un-excavated territories in the main land of India itself! If not for the NASA satellite photographs, the "Sethu Samudram" channel would have been built, without us even being aware about the destruction of this structure nor the existence of it!
Below is a video presentation from youtube about Ram Sethu and the effects of Sethu Samudram. The next video is an aerial view of Ram Sethu (called Adam's bridge by British). One can see whether it looks like a man-made or a natural structure!
I am fed up repeatedly hearing the totally illogical, stupid argument some people put forward saying 'It was the british who created a united India, and before the british came, there was no concept of India at all!"
Forget uniting, the British actually divided India into three pieces before they left in 1947!
Let's start with the very basics of History.
In 1492 Columbus set out to discover a sea route to which place? India, right? And when was this? more than 100 years before British even entered India. It was not any particular kingdom of India that Columbus was targetting. It was INDIA ITSELF! That is the reason, when he mistook America to be India, he called the natives of America as 'Red Indians'.
Entire europe was trading for silk, gold, spices, diamonds and what not with India via the land route of Constantinople till 1453. In 1453 muslims captured Constantinople and blocked the trade route to India. Europeans were so dependant on India for the trade that they set out to discover an alternate sea route to India. That was how all the sailors like Columbus, Bartholomew Diaz, Vasco da gama all started their voyages in search of a sea route to India.
The europeans then were so backward in science that they refused funding to Columbus because entire europe at that time was of the view that Earth was flat!! So they thought columbus would fall down the earth if he took the reverse sea route to find India! More than a 1000 years before Columbus, Aryabhatta in India had already proved what thousands of years old vedas had said, that Earth is Round not flat.
Note that it was the not the Indians who became desperate to discover a sea route to Europe. It was the other way round
The poilitical picture in pre-british India was that parts of India were ruled by different Kings called the Maharaja, and would report to the strongest of all who would be the ruler of entire Indian subcontinent and was called the Chakravarti. Chakravarti means the turner of the wheel, implying history repeats itself!
Any Maharaja (who ruled a part of India) can become a Chakravarti (ruler of entire India) if all other Maharajas bow down to his power. Maharajas who ruled under a Chakravarti were called Samanta Rajas. Samanta Rajas would pay annual tax to the Chakravarti.
Some of the Chakravartis who ruled entire India (which included present India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) were Ashoka, Ikshvaku, Shibi, Bindusara, Adinath, Shanthinath, Bharatha (After whom India was named as Bharat), etc
So it was not the british who united India for the first time.
The ancient Mauryan Empire of India spread even beyond Baluchistan in present Pakistan and Kandhahar in present Afghanistan !
Conclusion:
British did not create India, India existed long before they arrived. Nor did they unite India for the first time, many chakravartis ruled united India much before them. British only divided India into India, Pakistan and Bangladesh before they left India. Of course some greedy Indian politicians from Congress like Nehru were also responsible for India's partition. If Nehru had agreed to make Jinna the prime minister of India, there would have been no partition. Just two months before partition of India, Gandhi had said that 'India will be partitioned only over my dead body'!
One cannot disagree more with the above statement after viewing the below mentioned thought provoking documentary videos.
Part I – The God Delusion
Part II – The Virus of Faith
When I say 'east' below, I mean 'India and towards the east of India'
and west means 'the world towards the west of India'
Interestingly after going through the documentary I find that the aspect of violence is not present in the eastern religions all of which have their origin in India -Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, or say in the related variations like Zen, Taoism, Confucianism etc
Unlike the western religions, in the eastern religions good and bad people are distinguished not based on whether they are believers or non-believers. According to the ancient vedic teachings of hinduism, those who help others in need and do their duties are good (Vedas say 'Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshithaha' -which means he who performs his moral duties, helps those in need is in turn protected by his deeds). Those who hurt others are considered evil.
For that matter intentionally hurting ourselves is also evil says hinduism, buddhism and Jainism. So you will never find a suicide bomber in these religions
Also, unlike christianity which I feel has a negative effect as it says 'We all are sinners. And son of the god came to pay for our sins', which I strongly disagree with, for I am no sinner, and I dont need anybody else to pay for it even if I ever commit one.
Does it mean people can continue to commit sins, since their sins have already been paid for? Doesnt it sound absurd? The very thought brings the picture of a crime filled society in front of our eyes. Thank god not all are taking these teachings that seriously How on earth can a inncocent new born baby or a child be considered a sinner?
Now look at the eastern religions, say hinduism, the thought of each human being here is as a pure soul, a clean spirit, and this has so positive effect on our morals. In hinduism ,we are not considered sinners, instead vedas say 'Aham Brahmasmi' which means 'I am the God' or 'God lives within me'. The whole thought is so positive in spirit and encourages a person to do all good deeds like a God. NO negative or inferior feelings about ones 'self' are allowed here. In my language Kannada there is a hymn 'Enna Kaale Kambha, Dehave Degula, Shirave Honna Kalasha' – which can be summarized as 'My body is a temple where God lives'. What a pleasant feeling it is..
This is the major difference between western and eastern religious cultures. In the west people celebrate their birthday by putting off the candles 'which is a symbol of desctruction, the light is put off'
On the contrary, in the east, we celebrate every occassion by lighting lamps – the symbol of spreading light, being constructive. Vedas say – 'Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya', which means 'From darkness towards light'
In the eastern religions putting off a lamp or any other source of light is considered bad, negative, as it introduces darkness..
Well I am not against any religion, but this is just a analysis of what I have seen and understood about the cultures. I am definitely proud about my ancient Indian culture. though I am not deeply religious. I dont go to temples and pray to god asking 'give me that, give me this', if God really exists, I think he is intelligent enough to know my needs and will definitely give me the best what I really need, there is no need to pamper him with offerings, prayers and what not, I dont think God thinks so cheaply that you have to bribe him to get your things done. Yes, but I do thank God for this wondeful universe, for the food I eat, for the nature I see, for the good health I have, for the great friends I have and for everything else that I have..
In fact I love to converse with God on the nature of the universe, as to why do we exist (not in a spiritual sense, but in a scientific sense), about the laws that govern the universe and what not.
I do feel that there is a great need in the west to become more spiritual (which preaches love NOT hatred, enquiry and thought NOT faith) than blind religious. I suggest people to try out the Art of Living, though I am not associated with it in anyway.
Faith is dangerous because it doesnt allow you to question it. The church does not want scientists to enquire into Big Bang bcos it feels that since God created universe we should not enquire into that creation!! Nothing sounds more absurd to me. Did God tell them that 'Dont enquire into my creation, I fear that you will then understand everything about the universe, and then what will my value be?' Well, if God did not wanted us to enquire into the creation of the universe, he would have simply not given us that intelligence at all, right ?
In fact I was so surprised when I saw the video, that in the western world (which many people in the east think as a well developed and more civilized and well educated society) they teach children that the universe is only a few thousand years old and all of us were created in 7 or 10 days or whatever ! I couldnt control laughing and really felt sorry for those kids who study in these educational(?) institutions.
As an observation, divorce rates have increased in India in those urban places where western culture has creeped in. Otherwise, you will rarely hear about a divorce in India.
Faith is dangerous because it does not allow you to question things, and when you cannot question things you dont enquire into it, and when you dont enquire into it you wont understand it, and when you wont understand it you wont invent anything new. If all humans had been strictly religious, we would have been still living in old stone age. Thank God (:0) there are thinkers too on this planet who would love to enquire into hows and whys.
More than a thousand years before Galileo was humiliated and giordano was burnt alive in the west by the church for having declared Sun as the center of the Solar system and earth to be moving, in India Aryabhatta wrote a book on the same subject saying 'Sun is the Center of the Solar System and earth revolves around it' and lived the life of a great scholar. I really feel proud to be an Indian.
Then they said Earth is the center of the Universe! But then science proved otherwise, earth is nowhere in the scene and even for our local solar system Sun is the center!
Then the church said God created universe in some 7 or 10 days. Science proved otherwise. Universe has been there for billions of years and life on earth also evolved over millions of years, not like an instant coffee in 7 or 10 days!
Just imagine where we would have been if some of the humans had not taken those steps of thinking instead of blindly believing what religions say! I am glad that I was brought up as a thinker and not a blind believer of some faith.
Also its interesting to note that none of the western religions talk about things which would have been a product only of a scientific enquiry. Why doesnt the holy books say anything about quasars, quantum mechanics, black holes, planets invisible to naked eye, doesnt these data makes it clear enough that religions are creation of narrow minded humans and not GOD? Well for those who object for my specifying 'western religions' in this paragraph, let me tell you that eastern religions are more scientific and have a spirit of enquiry in them. If you disagree with me, please read 'The dancing Wu Li Masters, 'The Tao of Physics', 'The arctic home in the vedas', or look into what great scientists like Neils Bohr, Oppenheimer, Schrodinger, etc had to say about the vedic texts, Bhagavadgita etc…
Now my question is when the religion is so wrong, why on earth do we need it ? Cant we be good to fellow humans beings and other life forms on this planet, do good, progress, be thinkers, make earth a better place to live, and NOT be religious at the same time? Or atleast let us not follow those preachings which encourage us to commit crime, hate or hurt others, consider ourselves sinners, teach scientifically wrong things, suppress the spirit of enquiry and reasoning
"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made." – Albert Einstein
" The importance of this invention is more readily appreciated when one considers that it was beyond the two greatest men of antiquity, Archimedes and Apollonius." – Laplace
Every person aware of modern science if also well aware that mathematics is the soul of modern science. Computers, Medical equipments, missiles, reactors, automobiles, electronic equipments, economics, finance, banks every where we need mathematics.
Romans used to represent every number using its own unique symbol or a unscientific combination of symbols. This was where west started its mathematics only to be discarded later due to its impractical nature to do bigger calculations.
I,V,X were used to represent numbers till 49 and when they run out of symbols then L was used to represent 50, similarly C for hundred, D for 500, M for thousand.. etc and etc
Any person who has worked using this roman number system knows very well that doing even a simple multiplication is a monumental task in this system. Higher mathematics like calculus, algebra, trigonometry are simply impossible here. I dont think a person has ever seen a simple linear equation in roman system!!!!
If the world had depended on western roman roots for modern science we would have been still in stone ages of science where the greatest achievement would have been counting the number of visible stars in the night sky !!!!!
Ancient Indians took a different approach and this was more than 3000-4000 years before romans invented roman numbers!!! While ancient Indians were working advanced mathematics (which finds its first reference in the ancient Vedas and is called as Vedic mathematics, this is part of the Atharva Veda which is all about engineering) the western world was still in stone age!!
The roots of modern mathematics is based on the concept of place value system, which we take for granted, but accoding to me is the most ingenious invention in mathematics. This is what Indians invented to have a complete scientific system of working with numbers. (In my series Alien Twist to God I have argued that this mathematics which has its roots in the vedas and the sanskrit language in which vedas are written in, both are of an alien origin, which is why sanskrit is the only human language capable of becoming a computer programming language)
In the place value system a limited set of symbols is taken and used to represent any and every possible number upto infinity down to minus infinity!!!
The number of symbols we select indicates the base of the system. We normally use base 10 which has 9 symbols aka 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Once we have the set of symbols the value of a symbol depends on the position of the symbol in the number. First position has a unit value, second position has a base value, third position has a base X base value, then base X base X base value and so on,..
So in base 10, first position has a value of 1 times the value of symbol, second position has a value of 10 times the value of symbol, third position has a value of 100 times the value of the symbol.. and so on….
So when we say 42 it represents a number whose value is 4 times 10 + 2 times 1 !!
We who are used to this system find it so simple!! The simplicity of this invention is what makes it so great bcos remember this is the root of whole modern mathematics and if this itself is complicated then we would be back to square one as romans!!!
Once the place value system was invented Indian mathematicians had another difficulty. Suppose there was a place in the number which had no value at all!!!!
Consider the case of 100… here 1 should be used in third place which is base X base .. but then the two places down have no value!!!! This is why Indians invented ZERO!!!! In sanskrit Zero is called Shoonya, which means nothing.. presence of zero at a place means that place has no value in the number and should be ignored!!!
This in itself explains the great power of zero and its role in place value systems which makes it a key element of modern mathematics. Thats why once somebody said, I think it was Bernard Shaw, 'The greatest contribution of Indians to the world is Nothing'
Ancient Indians bcos of their strong mathematical basis becames champions in astronomy and related calculations. More than a thousand years before Giordano was burnt alive in the west by the church for claiming Sun is the center of the solar system, More than a thousand years before Galileo had to apologize for proposing the motion of the earth, Aryabhata in India had written great works on helio centric systems, and more than 3000-4000 years before aryabhata vedas had all this in their roots..
Then in modern times Buddhist missionaries from India spread this knowledge of mathematics and easy counting to the eastern world of China, Thailand, Japan etc …
Arab merchants who came to India to trade spices to the west, saw this simple way of doing counting more easier than roman system and adopted the same and also spread it to the west, this is the reason them modern base 10 system symbols are called 'Hindu Arabic Numerals' meaning borrowed from the land of hindus and spread to the rest of the west by Arabs. After learning this system of mathematics, arab mathematician wrote the book 'Al Jabr' which gave way to modern algebra.
Still there are gaps in this whole system. Arab merchants learnt only the basic counting required to do business and spread it to the western world. And from there west developed its own mathematics based on these Indian roots where Newton's Calculus etc came into picture…
Unfortunately, west again had started looking at maths with a roman mindset for higher level of generalization and students today are taught partial differential equations which require pages together to solve. Indian approach of Vedic mathematics is purely mental mathematics and generally doesnt require pen and paper to solve problems. The approach is also completely different in Indian mathematics, there are more specific formulae than generic, while this means more to learn, but once a child is used to it, problems will be more easy to solve. For instance in multiplication using vedic mathematics, the formula to multiply a two numbers which end with 5 is different from an approach to solve two numbers which have even numbers in their units place!! MANY WESTERN SCHOOLS TODAY TEACH VEDIC MATHEMATICS IN THE NAME OF MENTAL MATHEMATICS WITHOUT GIVING THE ANCIENT INDIANS AND THE VEDAS THE DUE CREDIT THEY DESERVE, which I feel is a total hypocrisy on the teachers part.
However, every thing including modern calculus, pythagoras theorems etc were already developed and documented in ancient Indians mathematics with its roots in vedic mathematics and the Indian approach to calculus etc is quite different from that of western approach. Bhaskaracharya wrote Leelavati (a book named after his daughter) more than 1000 years before newton and has detailed explanations for problems of differential calculus and the theory of calculus itself !!!
The historian Florian Cajori, one of the most celebrated historians of mathematics in the early 20th century, said "Diophantus, the father of Greek algebra, got the first algebraic knowledge from India."
Even Pythagoras was familiar with the ancient Indian text of Upanishads. It is also said that he had visited India from where he picked up the hypotenuse theorem and spread it in the west, which today is given his name inspite of the fact that he never gave a proof of this theorem!!! Pythagorean theorem finds its first reference in the sulva sutras of Vedic mathematics which is more than 4000 years before pythagoras! And if pythagoras was familiar with Upanishads, there is no doubt that he would have also studied the related Vedas and Sulva Sutras..
Herodotus (father of Greek history) wrote that the Indians were the greatest nation of the age. Megasthenes – who travelled extensively through India in the 4th C. B.C also left extensive accounts that paint India in highly favorable light (for that period).
Panini who lived around 500 BC has mentioned in his works about boolean logic and the use of the operator null. Panini was an expert in language theory and has written extensively on describing Meta Syntax used to describe context free grammars which is used while defining modern computer programming languages. Hence the modern Backus Naur form BNF is also referred to as Panini Backus Form !
The ancient Chinese mathematics also has its roots in the Indian mathematics which was spread to China by Indians along side spreading Buddhism. There is an article in my site on the ancient Chinese proof of Pythagoras theorem
In an essence ancient India is both the spiritual and scientific mentor of modern world. Note that even the christian teachings by Jesus have its roots in Buddhism (Buddha lived in ancient India 400 years before Christ and any person who has studied the preachings of both Buddha and Christ will find obvious resemblance in both). It is also said that Jesus studied one of the ancient Indian univeristies Takshashila I think where he learnt the buddhist teachings. I had read some works which had done extensive research on this subject indicating Christ name in the list of students at one of the buddhist monestaries in Ladakh region of India.
Kerala in India is the root of modern martial arts. The Keralean Kalaripayat is the world's oldest form of martial arts and is practiced in Kerala state of India. It was transmitted to China by a sage named Boddhidharma in the 5th century. The Chinese called him Po-ti-tama. He taught this art in a temple. This temple is today known as the Shaolin temple. Thus Judo, Karate, Kung Fu and other similar marshal arts which are today identified with the far-east actually originated from India !
It is known history that when Ottoman turks captured constantinople there by blocking the land based route to India from Europe, this disturbed the entire Europe which depended on India extensively for trade for all items ranging from spices to diamonds to garments to what not. Till 1896 India was the only source of diamonds to the entire world! Unable to trade with India due to locking of the land route by turks, european nations started a race to discover a sea route to India and great sailors like columbus, vasco da gama, amerigo vespucci all set out from spain, portuguese etc to discover a sea route to India and this is how Columbus ended up discovering modern american continent (named after Amerigo who landed up in main land of the continent). In other words the modern super power america was introduced to the rest of the world, courtesty India!!! Columbus thought he had landed in the east coast of India when he discovered America and thats why the native americans are called Red Indians !!!!
Severus Sebokt of Syria in 662 BC said "I shall not speak here of the science of the Hindus, who are not even Syrians, and not of their subtle discoveries in astronomy that are more inventive than those of the Greeks and of the Babylonians; not of their eloquent ways of counting nor of their art of calculation, which cannot be described in words – I only want to mention those calculations that are done with nine numerals. If those who believe, because they speak Greek, that they have arrived at the limits of science, would read the Indian texts, they would be convinced, even if a little late in the day, that there are others who know something of value"
"The Constructions and these tables imply a great knowledge of geometry, arithmetic and even of the theoretical part of astronomy. But what, without doubt is to be accounted, the greatest refinement in this system, is the hypothesis employed in calculating the equation of the centre for the Sun, Moon and the planets that of a circular orbit having a double eccentricity or having its centre in the middle between the earth and the point about which the angular motion is uniform. If to this we add the great extent of the geometrical knowledge required to combine this and the other principles of their astronomy together and to deduce from them the just conclusion;the possession of a calculus equivalent to trigonometry and lastly their approximation to the quadrature of the circle, we shall be astonished at the magnitude of that body of science which must have enlightened the inhabitants of India in some remote age and which whatever it may have communicated to the Western nations appears to have receied another from them…." – John Playfair
Sanskrit was introduced on earth by the eternal sages of vedic era. There has never been any kind, class or nature of change in the science of Sanskrit grammar as seen in other languages of the world as they passed through one stage to another. This is known history.
Now let me tell you my version of this. The sages of vedic era (Called Rishis in sanskrit) were the researchers and scientists of those days. They had different levels like Junior Scientist, Senior Scientist etc who were called Rishis, Maharshis and Brahmarshis, Brahmarshis being the senior most of them. They invented sanskrit. Unlike other modern languages which are localized versions and which evolved from other languages (most of which can be traced back to sanskrit) or those languages which evolved from speech based gestures as humans learned to speak on earth, sanskrit was a language which was invented and created, more on the lines of C/C++/Java with its semantics and structure scientifically well defined. It was taught on planet earth by the ancient Indian sages (scientitsts) whose fore fathers were from some alien planet (Yes, I will come to this later)
According to a research article published in German's forbes magazine in July 1987 Sanksrit is THE BEST language spoken by humans which can be used like a programming language to develop software!! This is because unlike all other human languages the grammar and syntax of Sanskrit is scientifically well defined, so that a computer can understand it and it can be programmed logically.
"The sound of each of the 36 consonants and the 16 vowels of Sanskrit are fixed and precise since its very creation. They were never changed, altered, improved or modified. All the words of the Sanskrit language always had the same pronunciation as they have today. There was no 'sound shift,' no change in the vowel system, and no addition was ever made in the grammar of the Sanskrit in relation to the formation of the words. The reason is its absolute perfection by its own nature and formation, because it was the first language of the world.
When a language is spoken by unqualified people the pronunciation of the word changes to some extent; and when these words travel by word of mouth to another region of the land, with the gap of some generations, it permanently changes its form and shape to some extent. Just like the Sanskrit word matri, with a long 'a' and soft 't,' became mater in Greek and mother in English. The last two words are called the 'apbhransh' (deformed forms) of the original Sanskrit word 'matri.' Such apbhranshas of Sanskrit words are found in all the languages of the world and this situation itself proves that Sanskrit was the mother language of the world." -
Gurutva in Sanskrit became gravity in English, etc
Also note that Sanskrit is believed to be a DIVINE language by hindus (means not of earth's origin)!!
In other words sanskrit is an alien language that was brought to earth by those aliens (ancient Indians including sages and warriors) who came to earth from their mother planet. They came to earth pre vedic period and their era on earth is the vedic period at the end of which the Mahabharatha war happened which definitely was a nuclear war (based on the descriptions of weapons provided in mahabharatha which clearly is identified as a nuclear weapon by many experts including Oppenheimer- The father of modern atomic bomb) and also based on the fact that Mahabharatha says that in the final great war over 14 billion people were killed in a matter of less than 3 weeks!! Note: Current population of earth is 6 billion!!
Vedas are ancient Indian texts written in Sanskrit. Vedas are the total compilation of the scientific and technological knowledge of the people of the vedic era which was taught to the people on the earth by the alien visitors. First they set up ashrams (schools) here to teach the local inhabitants of earth Sanskrit. Then they wanted to teach the people of earth all the knowledge they had. For this purpose Veda Vyasa, a chief scientist compiled all the knowledge they had then in the form of four vedas. That is the reason vyasa is called Veda Vyasa. He also documented the history then till end of mahabharatha war in the form of the world's largest epic Mahabharatha.
So as I said, Vedas are a treasure of knowledge, Veda itself in sanskrit means 'Complete knowledge' !! It is a very wrong notion for people to think that vedas are just hymns in the praise of gods and godesses. I feel sorry when I see vedas being used in temples of India today just to praise gods and godesses by the priests. Vedas are much more than that. If they were just hymns or praises then why is the so well established vedic mathematics a part of vedas??
Vedic mathematics is purely mental mathematics, people can even do modern calculus and trigonometry with a greater ease if they know vedic mathematics. A lot of VEDIC MATHEMATICS is been taught in many schools in the west today in the name of MENTAL MATHEMATICS !! By the way of the four vedas which Vyasa compiled vedic mathematics is a part of Atharva Veda and it makes a lot of sense to be so because Atharva Veda is all about engineering technologies.
So then why most of these vedic hymns appear to be praises of gods and godesses. Well, probably Vyasa saw that the people on earth then would take a lot of time to understand all the technology and science they would teach them and it would take generations for them to digest and understand it all. Imagine teaching all our current technology and science to some tribals in a remote african forest!!!
So what Vyasa did was using the powerful sanskrit language he wrote the vedas in an encrypted format where on a first glance parts of it sounds like some story and praises of gods, where as on decrypting the same, it would explain the science and technolgy hidden in the hymn!! And then the rishis had the entire vedas mugged up (by-hearted) by all their pupils in the ashramas (schools which they had set up)
Then these vedas were recited every day and started using it while performing pujas (praying to god) and thats the reason even after thousands of years the vedas have been passed down to generations in the form of recitals without vanishing. Even today we hear the same vedas being recited in the hindu temples all over the world by the priests. Vyasa did a master move by planning to make vedic recital a religious practice to their pupils so that even after generations the text is not lost, a better move I say than writing it down in the form of books), with a hope that some later generation would be able to decrypt the vedic texts and unleash the vast scientific and technological treasures hidden in it….
I have been always making attempts to decrypt the vedic texts and I shall present here one of the simplest decryptions that I have done. I have shared this with many of my friends earlier. There are other decryptions that I have done and am continuing to do more, but explaining them all would require me to type in a lot.. so let me explain only one of the simplest things here..
At the first glance this is a praise of lord ganesha who is the elephant faced god and whose one of the two tusks was broken. Vakratunda means curved trunk, Mahakaaya means large bodied, Surya is Sun and Koti means 10 million, Samaprabha means equivalent shine.. So the first line on a first glance means 'Lord with curved trunk and a huge body and with a brightness of 10 million suns'
Now the second line, Nirvignam means without any obstacles, KuruMe means make my, Deva means lord, Sarva means all, karyeshu means work, Sarvadaa means always.. So the second line in first glance means 'Oh lord, always may all my work be free of all obstacles'
What caught my attention here was the word surya koti samaprabha… brightness equivalent to a 10 million suns.. Over the period I have observed that the numbers mentioned throughout vedas should be considered more seriously and not as a mere exaggeration of something.. in later posts I will explain how vedic time units define the time on earth in relation to the time units mentioned on alien planet from where this aliens came and also how they describe not only the age of the universe, but also probable time periods for the complete evolution of a universe from big bang to big crunch cycles, yes very advanced time scale calcuations I must say…
Now as I said earlier Vakratunda is lord ganesha who has one of his two tusks broken, now we can look at it also as a balance shift where two things were balancing each other earlier.. say two scales where on each side we have same mass placed so that both scales balance each other, now increasing or decreasing on one side will cause an imbalance in the scale.
Look at the next word, Mahakaaya means a very larger object than an average one in terms of size…
Then the third one is even more interesting as I said earlier, a brightness of 10 million suns!!! and this is were the catch is.. The entire first line now on decrypting becomes 'an imbalance between two things in a huge body leads to a brightness of 10 million suns!!'
The only place in this universe where we can witness a brightness of 10 millions suns in one place is a supernova explosion of a massive star. For a star to undergo a supernova explosion it has to be much more massive than an average star like Sun (thats why its said Mahakaaya, not just Kaaya). So whats the imbalance then? Well, thats what causes a supernova explosion!! A star is always balanced against its continuous nuclear explosions (which is an outward force) at the core by its massive gravity (which is an inward force), in huge stars as the nuclear fuel is spent and the explosions move outwards from core towards the surface of the star, this creates an imbalance as the explosions are no longer able to counter balance the gravitational inward force, this in massive stars (whose mass is above the chandrashekar limit) causes an explosion resulting in the star releasing so much energy that its brightness outshines the brightness of its entire galaxy during the explosion, some documented supernovas witnessed from earth were so bright (like the supernova in constellation Taurus recorded by the Chinese in 1054 that the supernova star was visible even during day in the sky (which meant it was brighter than sun inspite of being 1000s of times far away than sun!!)
So the first line when explains a supernova explosion as 'When the balance of two forces that hold a massive star together is lost, the result is an explosion with a brightness equivalent to that of 10 million suns'
Whats more interesting for me is the second line.. feeling sleepy now.. will keep it for tomorrow.. also more to follow on who were these aliens and why did they visit earth? where is the proof about their visit? where did they land? and much more…. | eng | 67e3cde0-e73f-48bb-bd64-52b0794da6cd | http://hitxp.wordpress.com/category/history/ |
Posted
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samzenpuson Wednesday March 08, 2006 @11:39PM from the download-your-shows dept.
sg3000 writes "Fans of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, rejoice! Reuters is reporting that Apple will provide monthly subscriptions to two of Comedy Central's most popular shows. One question, as TV shows become available for sale on the Internet, will this make it harder to share clips online, such as through Google Video? In your answer, ignore facts. Just go with what feels true."
I'm glad you're happy with your choice not to use a subscription model music service.
Honestly, I tend to think subscription and 'single purchase' models serve different markets. I use both iTunes Music Store (on my Mac) and Rhapsody (on my PC) for different reasons. I've been a Rhapsody user since it first came out, and I love that I can play anything in the Rhapsody library. One monthly fee, and I have access to the whole library.
However, even with the more recent ability to operate while offline, Rhaps
I think you're the only one. I think subscription services for music will be a tough sell. First, you have over a hundred years of history going against you. For over a hundred years, people have been able to buy music (Player Piano Rolls [wikipedia.org]). That's going to be a tough sell.
Conversely, video has traditionally been a "pay to watch" kind of thing. You went to the movies and paid your money to see the movie. TV, while free to watch, came with commercials. So I think video will be easier to convince people t
I listen to the same audio track tens, if not hundreds of times. I watch the same video a maximum of two, maybe three times (except in exceptional cases). For the first, a purchase model makes sense. I buy a track, and then I can listen to it as many times as I like. For the second, a rental model makes more sense - I pay a monthly fee and I get to watch whatever I want.
Normally I wouldn't do this, but after seeing about 20/.ers comment on these words, nobody yet (at least in the comments I've seen so far) have realized this is a tongue-in-cheek homage to the king of sarcasm himself, Stephen Colbert [colbertnation.com], of the Colbert Report.
Colbert totally rocks, I look forward to his show more than the Daily Show. For those that don't know, Colbert basically pretends to be a right-wing egotistical fact-ignoring pompous talk show host, but everything he says is either cleverly sarcastic, dripping in irony, damn funny, or all the above. So as per the original poster, some of his trademark lines are "I'm not a fan of facts" or "I don't like books, too many words". And of course, his consistent number one threat - bears.
In fact, I'm surprised more/.ers aren't a fan of him, as he was a total geek when he was younger. He played D&D alot, loved LotR and Sci Fi, and sometimes works this geekiness into his show. For example, once when he introduced a guest who's a poker champion, he said "Now, I've never played Poker, but if its anything like Dungeons & Dragons, I'll be up to my baldrics in scimitars before you can say, 'Cure Light Wounds!'". Also, back when he was on the Daily Show and Viggo Mortensen was on, they had Colbert backstage reading Aragorn's family history and list of aliases in a total geeky way, it was pretty funny. And of course, who can forget his epic Sci-Fi novel (still looking for a publisher) "Stephen Colbert's Alpha Squad 7: Lady Nocturne: A Tek Jansen Adventure"
So yeah, sorry to have to explain the tongue-in-cheek joke above, it's never funny that way, but seeing how many people didn't catch it was a Colbertism, it needed to be done. Wikipedia has a good list [wikipedia.org] of funny lines by Colbert.
And as one final comment, I referred to Colbert Report in one of my slashdot posts [slashdot.org] from a few days ago, but it was unfortunately modded way down into oblivion by some right-wing nutjobs.
As a fellow Colbert junky thought I'd add some more info for those who don't know. The above quote is a reference to truthiness [wikipedia.org] which Colbert coined in his first episode and was actually named "word of the year" for 2005. Here [comedycentral.com]is a link to the video of that portion of the first episode where he talks about it. BTW, basically all the Daily Show and Colbert Report are avaliable free on the Comedy Central website a day or two after they show on
As one of the proof-readers on this book, let me tell you all that you've got a real treat in store when it does find a publisher. It is 2,389 pages of pure genius--the thrill ride of my summer. And I'm not just saying that because I work for Stephen or because he threatened to fire me if I didn't.
Hey without my chiropractor, I wouldn't be able to turn my head side to side. Regular western medicine would rather fuse my spine so that I can't move my upper back/neck at all. Now, which method is progress, and which is pointless?Just goes to show there are a lot of quacks out there abusing other people's hard work and good information.
Actually, chiropractors who focus on actually helping patients are "quacks" from the perspective of mainstream chiropractic, which believes that all disease can be cured by fixing subluxations. The quacks run the show, and the people abusing it are using good information and doing hard work.
"Hey without my chiropractor, I wouldn't be able to turn my head side to side"
More and more doctors are coming to the conclusion that most back pain that doesn't have an actual obvious physical problem is indictive of stress and/or psychological pain.
"Regular western medicine would rather fuse my spine"
There are bad doctors everywhere. It's your body, take charge. Find a doctor who is more in line with your thinking. "Western Medicine" is not an insult; it's a system based on provable scientific facts. If I do X, I will get result Y Z% of the time.
Chiropractors once they get beyond rubbing your back are quacks. Your spine can't be "aligned", and no disease is caused by spine alignment. What we do know is that people's minds control their body to a significant degree. And we know a lot of people are whiners about their pain so effective debilitate themselves because they have convinced themselves the pain is debilitating. What chiropractors do is essential convince people they are getting better. Because for the most part, since pain in the back is psychological, if you work on the psyche, you cure the body.
If you go to a chiropractor and you believe they're a quack and its the equivalent of a witch doctor saying "ooga booga booga", then they have no power to heal. So while I admit that too many doctors are pill pushers and don't listen to patients, part of that is that people have too much faith in doctors. They're like a mechanic for your car. You don't keep going back to a bad car mechanic who gives you bad advice...why would you go back to a doctor who gives you bad advice? My brother in law had severe neck/back pain for 2 weeks and went to a doctor who gave him similar advice. I told him that doctor was incompetent; unless he was in a car accident or something similar, he certainly would not need to undergo surgery. I told him to get more/better advice and while he was shopping around, the pain gradually subsided. The poor guy was stressed between work and family and it was clear to me the problems were psychological. He needed to relax, not fuse vertabrae.
Take charge of your life and body. And I guess if it helps you to go to the witch doctor to cure you, that's fine too. But prefer cause and effect explanations.
If prices weren't artificially high, I think a lot of people wouldn't bother pirating clips -- and the whole IP discussion wouldn't be as important. If, for example, you could download songs you liked at $0.10US each, why bother pirating them? Same for video -- let people freely trade small clips (say, 2 minutes or less) legally -- and add a link to the traded file to make it easy to purchase the whole episode for not too much money. Trading small video clips would become *good* for the companies that produce them, as it would get more people interested in the programs.
There's no such thing as "artificially high." If the market accepts a given price, that's what a product will be at. Just because someone thinks the price of something is high doesn't magically mean they have the right to pirate it like some freeloading hippie without a job.
Exactly, because if sony won't sell me the latest Stevie Wonder song for a fair price, then a good free market businesman down the street will grow the song on his pop-hit tree and sell it for a lower price. Obviously, the free market will produce the optimal price point for a given copyrighted song based on supply of songs (sometimes there are only a few copies), and demand, which is perfectly elastic. Oh wait, copyright == monopoly != free market. Dang it.
A price can be considered artificially high any time the supplier has more control over the price than the consumer. This can be because of regulatory mechanisms, collusion between manufacturers, vertical monopolies, false scarcity, or any other number of reasons. The current price for any good or service may be the "market price" in the most literal sense of the term, but that does not necessarily imply that that price has not been manipulated in ways that undermine the free market.
There's no such thing as "artificially high." If the market accepts a given price, that's what a product will be at.
No, "the market" is a set of man-made (artificial) rules and not a law of nature. The price of content depends on an elaborate system of laws, courts, and police to make sure nature doesn't take its course. The natural price is the cost of copying information, which is near 0.
None of this is to say that copyright is bad, necessarily. Just don't act like questioning the market is blasphemy, when it's really no different than questioning a tax rate.
If, for example, you could download songs you liked at $0.10US each, why bother pirating them?
If songs dropped to $0.10US each, I would not bother to pirate music. But, I don't think labels would bother releasing them, not when they are used to getting 10x that price right now (and even more for CDs in record stores). The problem isn't that music costs to much, it's that record labels have been getting paid vastly inflated prices for their songs for the past 50+ years.
You really said it there. What the *AA types don't get is that they might actually be able to increase revenue by LOWERING prices. I mean, look at Wal-Mart. Look at Best Buy. In these two commodity/retail giants, offering products at margin-kissing low prices has provided them ridiculous economies of scale.
Now think what the same model could do IF YOUR PRODUCT COST YOU NOTHING! Okay, not NOTHING, but server space and bandwidth have nothing on actually paying money to people to manufacture physical goo
I just subscribed to the Daily Show. I don't have cable and the video quality is better than the files I've found on YouTube or other places online. The "subscription" title is a bit misleading - this is more like subscribing to a podcats - iTunes automatically downloads new episodes as they are made available. You can opt-in to an email notifying you that a new episode is available. It's more like a magazine subscription than a music service subscription since you get to keep the video files you've downloaded even if you don't renew the subscription. Kind of like buying an album on iTunes where they send you a song a week automatically. The DRM is the same as for any other song or video you buy on iTunes. Not a bad model for my needs.
iTMS DRM is acceptable because it doesn't impact my usage of the media. I'm quite able to do all the things I expect and want to do with songs and videos I buy from the iTMS. So the DRM is just fine by me.
How is that a hard concept to grasp? It's a product I want at a fair price that arrives in a form which does everything I expect it to do.
You willingly chose to buy a DRM product? Clearly the RIAA had a gun to your face and was threatening to throw your mother over the balcony while they stripped you naked and burned a copy of the Bill of Rights in front of your face using a swastika-clad lighter while black-suited Republicans chanted satanic hymns in a candle-lit circle around an alter of The Almighty Dollar(tm)! There's just no way you or the other 87% of the iTunes-using market could possibly be choosing this illegal, immoral, unacceptable, childhood-raping scheme of your own volition. Just no way.
I agree, they have relatively light DRM when compared to most and so far it hasn't been shown to screw up your system unlike certain methods I could name. The problem is that any form of private DRM is more limiting that it ought to be.
Say a vastly better portable mp3 player comes out from another company. It's possible, but highly unlikely that Apple will ever offer any way to convert your files or that they will license FairPlay so that you can use your iTunes purchased tracks. The same for ever wanting to use different software... iTunes is the only way to listen to those songs.
Yes, you can technically burn them to CD and then rip them into mp3, but at that point you're dealing with what's essentially a third generation copy due to all the lossy compression.
Even then that assumes that Apple never changes the software. What if they decide that they no longer want you to be able to burn CDs and take the feature out of iTunes? I'm not certain, but I don't believe there's any contract protecting your rights in this matter if they want to suddenly make changes to the limited access you already have.
I'm reminded of a section in Neal Stephenson's "In The Beginning... Was the Command Line" where he describes the feeling of having lost a significant chunk of Word documents. Suddenly they went from being very real things that existed, albeit in the computer, to something that vanished into the ether. The shattering of the illusion that these are real, legitimate objects seems very likely to occur at some time in the future. Would you be willing to spend the same thousands of dollars (quite likely) that most people have spent on CDs or LPs only to have them suddenly become almost useless.
Perhaps some form of open format DRM might work since anyone who chose to could make a player that conforms to those specifications, but it's not likely to ever happen and even if it did it would still depend on content providers choosing to release product using those methods... and so far they've shown that they largely view DRM as a way to vertically market a product by providing the player, DRM, and software and trying to see to it that they only work within their own brand.
So, no, it's not that FairPlay is terribly oppressive, it's just that it's a massive loss of control over your purchase. A purchase that is virtual in more ways than one. I'd normally say that it doesn't matter though, as long as you're aware of the issues and decide to make an informed choice to just do whatever works for you. The problem is that it's a slippery slope. As more and more people start accepting these small losses of control it just escalates and before long the genie is completely out of the bottle and we'll never, ever get control back again.
Wow, you are out on the fringe. DRM is just fine. It's not "against the constitution" because you don't have a right to buy something without DRM. You have the choice not to buy it. DRM is simply another product.
DRM isn't bad or immoral. It's not anything, as it's just another product you can buy or not buy. It's just copy protection to combat piracy, which itself is bad and immoral, since that takes content without paying people for it. Blame the pirates for forcing content creators' hands.
DRM is just fine. It's not "against the constitution" because you don't have a right to buy something without DRM. You have the choice not to buy it. DRM is simply another product.
DRM observes neither the first-sale doctrine, nor the limited-time requirement. In other words, there is no mechanism in iTunes to sell 'stuff' I own. The right to resell material was upheld by the courts. And the 'limited-time' bit is in fact the 'our
In fact, DRM doesn't do anything at all if you don't try to do something wrong like copy iTunes music to someone else's account.
Or extract small excerpts in the original quality for critical purposes. Or listen to the music on my MP3 player without further degradation of quality. Or watch an iTunes video on my Linux laptop. Few people want such functionality, but those examples are legal*, ethical, and prohibited by the DRM in iTunes.
Mind telling me where DRM or even copyright is mentioned in the U.S. Constitution?
Article I, Section 8, Clause 8: To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
There is an alternative. Democracy Player [getdemocracy.com] lets you subscribe to podcasts/vodcasts, downloads the latest episodes, and shows them to you in TV channel format. It's very cool, and it comes with lots of free channels of surprisingly high-quality content. If you really want your cable shows on the computer too, you can add them from an RSS-enclosed bittorrent feed:)
Dear Geekee, Hello, kind sir. I wish to extend my invitation to you as a member of the Fuckwit Association. We Fuckwits are proud to welcome new members to our foundation. As a member of the Fuckwit Association, you must:
Accuse those you disagree with of being "blinded."
If the subject can be related to Steve Jobs in some way, use the phrase "reality distortion field."
If there is a company involved that makes money in some way, call them "evil."
[ ] Called Apple users "fags" [ ] Used "OS/X," "OSX," or "OS-X" instead of OS X [ ] Used the word "overpriced" while ignoring previously published price comparisons [ ] Described a Mac as "cheap PC parts" [ ] Vaguely accused iPod users of falling for marketing [ ] Confused install base with market share [ ] Referenced Xerox Sparc [ ] Referenced "Pirates of Silicon Valley" [X] Posted list of fictional cliches in a Slashdot discussion to avoid discussing a point [ ] Used the words "evil" and "DRM" in one sentence [ ] Gave someone else credit for an Apple innovation [ ] Made fun of a Switch commercial [X] Ignored a valid point in favor of bashing Apple users [ ] Made a one-button mouse joke [ ] Made reference to "white plastic" [ ] Called 99 cents "too expensive" [ ] Victoriously made reference to Microsoft's monopoly market share to avoid addressing a point [ ] Referenced a "lack of games" for Mac despite all big-name titles having Mac ports [ ] Pretended that normal computer users actually want to have to build an entire computer by themselves piece by piece, have knowledge about every transistor in the machine, and hand-tune C code for any piece of software the user might have an issue with [ ] Ignored when someone mentions that you're not a mechanic and didn't build your own car either [ ] Used the word "cult" [ ] Ignored that Apple was the first consumer GUI with built-in audio and graphics while PC users were staring at C:\> for the next 15 years.
And you are so blinded by the crap on TV that you don't realize that less than 1% of it is worth my time to watch.
And much of that $70 a month to get the channels that offer those shows back via digital cable.
And that's not even mentioning the fact that I can see them whenever I want instead of having to remember to watch or record them on the TV's schedule.
If Apple were to extend this deal (~16 shows for $10, paid in advance) to some of their other shows, like Battlestar Galactica, I could actually see myself making my first iTMS purchase.
But of course, they probably won't offer that low a rate on longer and more collectible shows like BSG. And I really can't see paying much more than that for a movie that just isn't all that comparable to a DVD (320x240 vs 720x480, watchable on ubiquitous $40 players vs needs a computer or an iPod, comes on a nicely packaged DVD vs can't even be burned as a DVD, etc).
Really, it seems to me the iTMS got a lot of things right with music, and then turned around and got those same things irritatingly wrong on video.
They made the music decent quality, as good or better than most of the stuff being traded on the net at the time (using similar bitrates and a superior codec). But they made the video disappointingly low res, equivalent to stuff that was traded online in the late '90s, not the mid '00s (the h264 codec is great, and the ~768k bit rate they use is, if anything, overkill for their resolution, but the 320x240 resolution is just not competitive with what you can find on bittorrent these days [and as Jobs has said before in relation to music, the pirates are their real competition]).
And they made the music burnable to a standard redbook CD so it could be easily backed up and used with your old equipment, but they made the video unable to be burned to a DVD... (I wonder if the studios demanded the burned DVDs be DRMed and were bitten in the ass by their earlier mandating that consumer DVD burners cannot burn CSS encrypted DVDs?)
I wonder what balance of the causes of this was? Were the studios setting apple up to fail, or at least not succeed to fast for the competition to copy, after being frightened by apple's rapid success in selling music online? Or, was it largely a technical issue? Would letting the iPod decode 640x480 h264 have required more time/money/power than Apple felt they could spend to release the iPod/w video?
Oops, I lost a chunk of that post somehow, the 2nd paragraph was supposed to go something like this: And much of that 1% isn't even on decently priced analog cable anymore. Comcast has cut even basics like the SciFi channel form analog cable in my area, and hasn't offered any premium channels outside of digital for a while now. So paying $10 a month for each of the few shows I want is a much better deal for me than paying $70 a month to ransom the channels that offer those shows back via digital cable.
That would be great, if I didn't need Windows to get and play those DRM-encumbered videos. I'd also like a few History Channel and National Geographic programs on occasion. If I got that, I'd cancel my cable TV, and put up a (BIG!) HDTV antenna... I've looked at my viewing habits very closely, and the Daily Show/Colbert Report are the only important things I watch that aren't available OTA, for free.
I really believe HDTV stands a good chance of killing off (or at least seriously wounding) cable/satellite c
If you need for cable TV is really limited to two or three shows you should ave gotten rid of it by now. I would just download them from online. It's the same arguement as pirating one song off a CD comparison wise. You only need one program, paying for hundreds of hours of other programming doesn't make sense.
If you can't find them, keep in mind a DVD of National Geographic Programs can be bought for what $24.95 at the most? Less than you'd pay for a month of cable.
One question, as TV shows become available for sale on the Internet, will this make it harder to share clips online, such as through Google Video? In your answer, ignore facts. Just go with what feels true -TFA
Totally easier to share, but that's hardly the point. The point is I pay for cable, and there is no way I'd pay for both cable service and downloads... so if what I watch is available for download at $10/season... I'd ditch the cable. I'm not offended by the idea of paying for media. I pay for cable, I chuck money tward PBS from time to time. I'm not that hip paying for DVDs as in contrast to downloads they take up a hell of alot less space.
Parents would also be interested as I'm starting to notice more switching to video rentals rather cable subscriptions.
The whole point of piracy, imo, is to make all media (entertainment not limited by the economics of scarcity) more convienient than actually purchasing the media..
But, even with piracy, there's annoying costs involved.. It takes a user's time to find the shit. The user has to be skilled enough to extract it, run it, store it, convert it, etc.. Also, users have to rely on each other to package pirated media in convenient forms.
However, if one can pay a small fee to get ready access to their shows from anywhere, then piracy will die down. Once the actual media is more convenient than pirated media, piracy will be less of a problem. IMO, even most tenacious of pirates would rather have Google or Itunes store all their media so they could access it from their set-top boxes, Ipods, PSPs, cell-phones - all without having to take the time to convert it or store it on their own hard drives.
But then, since the media companies are so determined to prove piracy as a bigger problem than it is - as a display of greed not necessarily good for the media industry - they DRM the hell out of everything. So, most people that are used to controlling their own media just ignore everything with DRM.
Piracy, for consumers, IS A GOOD THING. The more consumers pirate, the more media companies will be FORCED to innovate and adapt. If the media companies were entirely in control, we'd probby be forced to listen to only the 10 most-popular songs on Clearchannel, watch reality tv with 1/2 the time being commercials, and call an 800 number to ask permission for every time we use the media.
IMO, what Apple is doing is a GOOD thing. It's just hilariously funny how Apple is doing it while becomming an unecessary middleman since the media companies have their heads so far up their own asses they can't realize that they are NOT in control of what the consumer wants - or even their own media once the consumer consumes it.
I support the principles of piracy.. I think it's morally acceptable to pirate when the pirated media is more convenient (with more features) than the regular media. The marketplace is about the consumer - not the producer. If I decide to put my Chiquita banana on a stripper's tit covered in chocolate and take pictures of it, Chiquita can't cry when I'm not consuming it like a normal monkey. I feel the same way about media companies..
If media companies had their way, they'd have control of our memories and erase everything they could re-sell us. So, we'd even forget we watched a movie or bought the DVD and blindly pay for it again./end rant.. gonna eat a banana now.
Good monkey. I agree with you, but I know what a detractor would latch onto: "I think it's morally acceptable to pirate when the pirated media is more convenient (with more features) than the regular media."
Copyright laws are out of control it seems like. In my OPINION, the below would be just fine. First of all, make media (such as music, movies, television, etc., not books or e-books) have commercial copyrights expire at 50 years, personal use copyrights expire at 10 years, and educational use copyright non-existant. - Commercial use as in making money off of it, like using it in a movie, selling it to someone, etc. Personal use should be self-explanatory. Maybe I should say home use. (Selling tickets to a home
Really, I don't see what the availability of shows in digital format has to do with people recording the show with their own equipment off the cable. That's like asking what the availability of shows on DVD will do to your right to tape them instead (nothing happend).
Just like you pay for the prerecorded DVD w/ extra footage, ect. You are paying for the convienence of the show already being encoded for iTunes and delivered over your internet connection rather than having to record it yourself.
This is pretty cool. The iTunes model.. could be worse. With my Mac that runs iTunes and my iPod, I hardly even notice the DRM. iTunes prices are very reasonable, legit:P, and go straight into my library. AAC provides decent enough music for my 2.1 speaker system (or my headphones). iTMS MPEG-4 provides decent enough quality video for 2 bucks an episode. There is definitely tons of room for improvement, but seeing as they're the dominant force in the online legit music business, they could make the predicament much, much worse.
I got hit by iTunes DRM recently and I wasn't amused. I heard a fun song on TV and wandered over to iTunes to look it up. I found the song and I noticed Apple was also selling the video. Well, I watched the video and, again, thought it was a cute video and I decided to buy that instead of the song. Same thing, right?
Wrong.
I don't own an iPod, so I burn stuff to CD so I can listen to music in my car. Well, I went to burn that video to a CD and got the "Sorry, you're not allowed to do that." message. Now,
I wrote a nice replacement for Front Row that would do full screen on any of my attached screens, on screen menuing, browseable, etc...
It worked great! I ripped all my Firefly episodes and had them randomly playing on a "Channel" from my computer that is distibuted throughout the house. Wonderful for background stuff. I recorded a bunch of music videos from VH1/MTv/etc, and have a pretty good music video station that I run around the house when guests are around.
Problem! I can't play DRMd files. The Quicktime API won't recognize the files, nor deal with them. I submitted a bug report, since there were no limitations mentioned anywhere. After over a month of sitting around, I finally got a response: "It works as designed".
Corporations have agendas, that are motivated/governed by one or a select few individuals. In the case of Apple Computer, everyone knows who the steward of the Apple ship is, what his path is remains to be somewhat "foggy." Why is this? Well, that my friend is a trade secret, owned by the one soul in the universe with his own REALITY DISTORTION FIELD. At the age of 38 and as a long time Apple user, I could never predict very far Steve Jobs's visions, and that's the key to the success of Steve and Apple. Steve Jobs has a gift that is unique to the success of a business that he co-founded, that he is absolutely passionate about. Whether you or I like it or not, Apple Computer is on the verge of crossing a threshold, a boundary that will propel it farther than its competition ever imagined. The foundation of this success will be the quality of its products: the iPod, iTunes and the momentum of the iTunes Music Store, and lastly the quality of Apple's operating systems and hardware. Consumers want something simple to use that works flawlessly out of the box. Apple has already achieved that with its computers (with less than or equal to 5% market share - it didn't work economically, hardware was too expensive for the average consumer), so it ventured into digital music players - now very successful! Now Apple is transitioning to Intel processors, i.e. more or less generic hardware that it doesn't have to design and engineer itself - effectively "outsourcing" the Macintosh design to Intel. Through its digital music players, Apple has shown the massive consumer market that it can design and successfully implement quality software and hardware integration that works flawlessly for the consumer. I predict that over time, Apple will make steep inroads to consumer markets, and eventually corporate America and global corporate markets. This will be in combination and recognition to producing goods and services that meet both consumer and commercial needs. There will be some serious convincing in the corporate world, but as more and more people play with and experiment with Mac OS X and iPods, people will be purchasing more Apple products. Microsoft and Sony have already lost the media war to Apple, I'm glad in one way that I own Apple stock, fearful in another way that Apple may "think itself so large and influential that it can go into any direction that it wants." There is always uncertainty with any investment... but Apple is here to stay no matter what Microsoft and Sony would like otherwise, or anyone else.
The one factor in Apple's favor is that Steve Jobs is hell bent on being NUMBER 1, not just good enough, unlike Bill Gates who likes to be just good enough. The Borg is too large and the corporate culture is too much "set in place" for adequate change for a serious challenge to Apple's agenda and momentum. Looking at Apple's market share, both in terms of computer sales, iPod sales, online services, overall market share, Apple Computer is GROWTH COMPANY AND CASH COW waiting to happen! It's just a matter of time before maturity develops...
I hope everyone's watching closely as fair use is lying on its deathbed.
Lots of Slashdotters are hailing this development as a move away from traditional TV-based distribution to online video sales. It sounds nifty on paper, but let's look to the future. If these online video stores end up becoming popular enough to supplant TV distribution, fair use is screwed. These videos are DRM encumbered, and breaking that protection is against the law. TV shows like the Daily Show and Colbert Report depend on their being a large pool of accessible content to discuss and parody. Once it's all online and DRM encumbered, they won't be able to use that content without breaking the law. Want to add background music to your home videos? I hope you didn't buy your music online. Even though this type of use isn't specifically protected under copyright law, it is still felt to be perfectly acceptable by the masses, and courts would probably back it based on the same logic that stopped Hollywood from taking time-shifting away from us.
The future looks bleak for creative works online. These developments call for an overhaul of our copyright laws, but it really doesn't look like that's going to happen. Should a work that is only available in a DRM encumbered form still be protected by copyright? If so, why? Copyright was granted to copyright creators for a limited term, but with DRM, not only do they take away fair use, but they also gain the ability to close up their work forever. Hopefully someone gets elected soon that sees and is willing to fix the many problems with our copyright laws.
Want to add background music to your home videos? I hope you didn't buy your music online.
Using Apple's iMovie and iDVD, I'm entirely able to do this with purchased iTMS music without jumping through any hoops. So granted, I'm not using Windows, but I fail to see what you're griping about.
As for DRM ending fair use: why do you say that? There are ways to get "fair use" clips from purchased video without breaking the DRM; video screencaps comes immediately to mind (an approach that is awkward for converting
I was about to buy the 16 episode plan, but I previewed the episode and noticed that both TDS and TCR both have problems in the encoding. The videos are are 320x208 resolution, which is horribly non-standard and causes the stretching of both videos (well, more accurately, squishing, but they have the same end effect), making everyone look fat. I have a blog post with picture [andrewhitchcock.org] comparing Jon Stewart's head in the video with how it should look.
You'll still be able to get it for free... in fact, the more it's distributed for free, the more Apple will make.
They're not really selling the bits, although they're pretending to. What they're selling is convenient, automated delivery, and super-convenient playback. It blends many of the best elements of the computer and a VCR. So the more available it is online, the more people will be interested, and the more will sign up for the automated delivery service.
This is the first really definite step toward the Holy Grail of convergence.
I might even subscribe. It'd take more than 10 bucks' worth of time to find and download these episodes anyway.
I've gotten tired of hearing the constant stream of "So-and-so is now selling something-or-other on iTunes" announcements lately, when absolutely zero TV shows are on the Canadian store.
I don't get why Apple only has permission to sell stuff only in certain regions - like lots of albums in the US store that aren't in the Canadian store. With physical media, it's not like if I zip across the border into Washington, the people at the store can't sell me a particular CD because they don't have permission to sell it to Canadians, so why is it the case with iTunes?
I don't get why Apple only has permission to sell stuff only in certain regions - like lots of albums in the US store that aren't in the Canadian store.
There are two reasons for this. The first is that media publishers are greedy, rich, and have no ethics. The second is that politicians are greedy, bribable, and have no ethics. The reason Apple can't distribute the same music.shows in Canada as in the US is simply because since artists no longer hold copyrights (basically the big publishing houses force
...what I'd care about would be online availability of clips, shows, series, movies, events, concerts, etc. for some fee [moderate and realistic, realistic as "from this world" not as "hey I have this service and nobody else has let's get their money hard"], meaning that if I sit down after a long day and would like to watch an excerpt from O Brother Where Art Thou, or an episode from the seventies' galactica, or if I want to watch Blade Runner 30 yers from now, it should be only a matter of a card and a re
I still don't understand why people pay to watch TV on a PC or portable device. Music is one thing... but TV shows? Really? Sure Desparate Housevives in a great show, and it's very popular... but who would watch it more than once?
I'll definately listen to a song more than once. We all will. But, these are topical news shows. They talk about things that happened today. You probably won't watch them ever again. And now you own them!
I'd take that $10 a month and get a DVR box from my cable company. Then I could record ANYTHING I want and watch it when I'm at home. I don't need to watch last night's TV shows on my portable device.
Obviously video subscriptions are selling... but it's not my cup of tea. If your most favoritest show in the world in the Colbert Report... you must be jumping for joy.
I'm over on an American airbase in South Korea, and I'm glad that I'm able to get the Daily Show from iTunes.
I've been downloading my favorite shows from BitTorrent sites, (including Mythbusters, Stargate SG1/Atlantis, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Simpsons), but I'd go nuts trying to download the Daily Show... Why? Because I'd have to find it every day. The other shows are all once a week.. I spend about a half hour Saturday morning grabbing.torrents, and by that evening, I have all the TV shows I'm interested in.
Now I'll be able to watch the Daily Show every day, without having to spend the time looking for and sorting out each episode with all the different naming conventions, and trying not to miss an episode. iTunes makes it easy, and is well worth $9.99 a month.
Too bad I can't download any current episodes. I want to be able to download a full episode on within 24 hours of it being on the air. That would be sweet. I don't want to have to pay apple or anyone else. It should be free.
You can't. That's what UseNet, mininova.org, emule, and your next door neighbor's PVR are for. I won't pay $10 for HBO (actually it's $12 here, but I wouldn't pay $5 either) and I'm sure as hell not going to pay $10 to watch ONE SHOW which is already included in my basic cable. I don't care how funny Jon Stewart is. The only reason he's funny anyway is because he says exactly what everybody's already thinking, so just say what you're already thinking out loud -- possibly into a mirror or an audio/visual r
You, sir, are a scholar and a gentleman. Your calm demeanor and rational way of handling confrontation are an example of maturity to us all, which I am sure brings in the ladies. Please accept my apologies on behalf of your aggressor as he busts your hump and promptly pisses off as you commanded. I extend this token to you out of goodwill.
Actually this is a good point. What would happen to these video clips that they keep online? I quite like what Comedy Central does in putting up the funny clips online, and I can't imagine them staying up now that they're selling the whole show online...so...who knows.
It doesn't seem to work on my Mac computer. This type of problem doesn't surprise me as Comedy Central's so called Mother Load gives a cryptic error about not supporting my platform. All I did was click on a link to their site. How do they know what platform I represent?
If the president of Comedy Central doesn't respond to my question then he is a coward.
I think I'll just go make myself a nice B.L.T. They really are tasty sandwiches and an American original.
You're partly right in that it's not entirely new. But it is new. Unlike traditional TV, preordering a show on iTunes allows the producer to gauge interest and demand. It's not the standard television "push" model that spends lots of money up front only to find that no one really cares after the fact. By attracting funding in advance by selling subscriptions, the production cost of the program can be partially offset. And you KNOW that you'll have an audience.
Actually, you pay $9.99 for sixteen episodes, or $1.99 per episode. Hardly full-price for a season, it's more like buying a new album every seems to be priced exactly the way they price albums, which is interesting (and shows just how artificially high the price of music is).
Subscription has different meanings. I subscribe to Cable TV, meaning as long as I pay for it, I can watch TV as long as I want (ie, like Yahoo Music Engine). I also subscribe to a magazine, meaning as long as I pay it up every year, I get magazines delivered to my house every month (ie, like this).
As opposed to the bullshit newspeak definition of "subscription" we've been hearing lately.
That was the most insightful thing I've read on Slashdot all month. In the real world, when you subscribe to something you get something you can keep - like magazines or a CableTV feed you can record (by law, since it has to include firewire output).
Newspeak has "subscription" taking on the meaning of the peep show, where you can see whatever you like - as long as you keep putting in quarters. The moment you stop you have nothing, and indeed can legally not even try to keep anything.
What a great summary of the ripoff that modern "subscription" services are. $10 a month for eternity is not cheap in my book.
The reason this price is acceptable has little to do with Steve Jobs or his blessings.
Yes, any way you slice it a DVD is a better deal (high res, six channel sound, extras, etc.), but some consumers don't want to 1) buy a DVD or record a TV show on a DVR, 2) rip it, 3) encode it, 4) move it to their iPod, just so they can watch in while they're sitting on the train to work.
For some of them, amazing as it sounds, paying a buck or two an episode to instantly acquire a commercial free version for their iPod is worth it: even with the low res and DRM.
We live in an instant gratification world now, and that's why this price is perfectly acceptable. | eng | a2d58c2d-2660-4a12-bd05-f4f1e67d4fc6 | http://slashdot.org/story/06/03/09/0012242/apple-to-offer-monthly-itunes-tv-subscriptions |
I encourage all of the readers of this blog to check out this video. It begins slowly, but soon enough it will become clear why I have reposted it here. It's wonderful to see this kind of debate going on in the famed forest of Fontainebleau, and to hear from some different points of view. I would tend to agree with guidebook author Bart Van Raaj, but either way, it's wonderful that these kinds of topics are getting more attention, and it's obvious that those who care greatly about the sport are thinking about these issues! Enjoy.
69 Responses to "Ethics"
getrealson
25. Jun, 2012
sounds like a bunch of jealous french climbers to me.
Greasy Enchies
25. Jun, 2012
I thought this was going to be incredibly boring and I would be mad at myself for wasting my time. I was even tempted to give you shit about it, but low and behold it's pretty interesting. Thanks.
Todd
25. Jun, 2012
What exactly do you agree with him on? It seems like he just states the situation, but doesn't actually take a stand on it. Should the higher start count as the FA and be shown in the guidebook as such?
I would say no.
I would tend agree with Bart's statement "Everyone is free to do what they want. But I believe if you want to climb a specific boulder with a specific name and grade, then you have to do what that specific name and grade represent"
I agree with that much more than what Lucas and Joseph say. They're arguments aren't clear. I guess Lucas' argument is that if a climb is in Font, and a Font local sees it first, then that local defines where it starts? I disagree with that completely. Or sit starts are motivated by ego? It would be hard to argue that stand starts weren't motivated by the same ego, or what about when girls climb FAs? How does that play in to Josephs "alpha male argument"? I could go on and on.
And I think in this instance Dave is completely legit in what he has done. As is Vincent.
So Todd, I'm not sure if I understand your argument. You think higher starts shouldn't count as FAs when lower starts are added? For example, Better Eat You Wheaties shouldn't be a problem now that Crown of Aragorn or Better Build Your Woodies exists? Or that The Island doesn't exist and we should only consider The Big Island? is that your argument? I'd love some clarification!
todd
26. Jun, 2012
This comes back to a difference in philosophy. I believe that problems are sit or stand starts and that anything else is simply contrived. If you take the example of how Dave starts The Island, without video very few people would do a "lean back on your elbow start". Why did Dave not start lower? It's the logical place to start as its the furthest from where the boulder finishes. This isn't to judge Dave, It's a judgement of the ridiculousness of the whole thing. I'm as guilty as anyone.
As far as better eat your wheaties vs, the other two, it's been over 15 years since I was last in hueco, so I don't think better build your woodies had even been done, and I honestly didn't look at Crown well enough to say anything.
.
It is more ambiguous (less definitive) if you allow the stand start/sit start argument and this is why: If a taller climber (I have a friend who is 6'4″. By starting where the FAist starts, you can definitively determine where the problem starts, and objectively repeat it every time.
Dave was first so he determines where the problem starts. When climbers have the freedom to start where ever they want (after the FA has been climbed) and justify it by saying it is awkward (which is highly subjective-I would argue there are no awkward climbs, only awkward climbers) or inobvious (also subjective) they will have the right to change the start and they will (almost always to make it easier) This subjective system has been demonstrated to fail, time and again because it gives climbers the freedom to do less and claim they have done the same.
Secondly, Dave probably didn't start lower because he wasn't strong enough to climb from lower. The same could be said about most hard problems. They would start lower if the climber could start from lower. Obviousness is fairly subjective. Dave has a lot of experience, much more than I, and generally I would defer to him as to where to start, although not with out questioning his reasoning. Almost always he has a reason, from my experience.
Finally, a climber taller than Dave could start sitting, on the rock, and grab the holds Dave started on. A shorter climber would have to start any number of feet lower because they couldn't reach the starting holds in a sitting position from the rock and would have to sit on the ground.
I'm still not sure what your last argument is? Do you think sit starts should eliminate an established stand start?
Andy
26. Jun, 2012
This begs the question as to whether or not a project can be defined… I suggest it can. Font locals defined the big island project by cleaning, chalking, and trying moves. In the end, Vincent sent the defined project, but by then Dave had been able to climb the higher portion of it. I took away from the video that the locals were a touch disappointed Dave strayed from what they had already defined as a project. However, I feel both ascents are legit considering the higher start took place first. Both starts should be considered, but perhaps one would get more stars then the other.
Andy, why do the locals get to decide where the problem starts? And who or what defines who a local is? How do we determine whether or not someone is "local" enough to decide where a project should start? Again, this is an extremely ambiguous way to determine where a problem should start. Using where the FAist does is not.
It just sounds like the project had a pretty accepted start and finish already, so in the realm of:
"Everyone is free to do what they want. But I believe if you want to climb a specific boulder with a specific name and grade, then you have to do what that specific name and grade represent"
A problem(The Island) was climbed…but was it the project?
Matt
26. Jun, 2012
I think the real point is the sit start has yet to be climbed and until someone does The Island/Big Island from their butt on the ground, not a rock, not standing to reach holds at full extension, the boulder hasn't been completed.
I feel like any problem is done in stages, or at least cutting edge. Terremer wasn't sent before Terre de Sienne right? Lucid Dreaming wasn't sent before Rastaman Vibration correct?
When you have a boulder, you climb it from the lowest point "you" can climb it. If it happens to be the first time someone sends it, cool. I think once the lower start is unlocked, that becomes the new problem and there is an asterisk variation saying if you start here, its a V14. Example: Big Island 8C, *Variation The Island 8B+.
Again, no one has sent the island from a complete sit, therefore, does it really matter? Dave Sent the Island from in my mind, as close to the "ground" as possible (albeit on a rock) where the big island was sent by someone standing and reaching at full extension to reach almost the same holds Dave used. Sure it is one/two moves lower and deserves credit. Its progress. But I'm not going to chastise anyone for their vision whether it deviates from the "project" which still hasn't been done.
DK
26. Jun, 2012
Two different problems. Two different starts, different names, different first ascentionists. I see no reason why one should 'erase' the other. Climb whichever one makes sense to you. Interestingly enough, even though Lucas Menegatti appears to not really approve of Dave's start, he claimed and reported his ascent of The Island before doing The Big Island.
todd
26. Jun, 2012
"."
Jamie,
This goes right to the heart of how we see climbing differently. Personally.
I'm happy with climbing Midnight Lightning because based on my ethics, I did climb it. When I was working it, there were probably 5-10 other people there as well. Not one of them said a single word about what holds the FA started on. In my first 15 years of climbing, I cannot recall anyone saying a problem started from two specific holds. I remember many discussions about where to start from, but not once did anyone say, "You have to start here to climb problem X because the FA started there."
You also keep coming back to this:
"It is more ambiguous (less definitive) if you allow the stand start/sit start argument and this is why: If a taller climber (I have a friend who is 6'4?."
I've said before that I agree that they are climbing something with a very different grade, which happens all the time due to body type, but I would argue that they are climbing the same problem. The reason for that is that I think of the problem as being the solution to moving from a general point A (sitting or standing on the ground) to a general point B (standing on top of the boulder), and sometimes that grade will be different for different people. That's the nature of climbing. If that super tall person can reach through the crux and still wants to call it v-whatever, then that's where there's an issue, but that issue exists at every stage of the problem from the start to the end. So why should the start be treated differently?
I think that the stand is certainly a legitimate start regardless of when it was established, as is the sit. Two problems which come to mind are The Dali and Mental Pollution (both at area a at Evans). Both have sit starts which are a grade or two harder then the stand. The stands are for sure not as good problems, but they allow climbers who may not be able to climb the sit downs to do a section of an amazing problem. Although the sit is obviously a better problem, its existence in no way invalidates the stand or visa versa.
"Personally."
God forbid I write all of the flagrant and offensive things I have seen "professional" climbers do. I think many people would be very surprised. I think their "pro climbers" internal compasses tend to be not very good, and that's why they have come so far. I've heard the statement "If you're not cheating, you're not trying" Don't be so naive to think that pro climbers have high standards. Certainly some do, but many don't. This is based on what I have seen at the boulders from some of the best.
Your same argument could be used about bolting when that first began. You could say, "I've never seen a need to bolt a rock and I've been climbing 15 years", when now it has become totally acceptable. The sport is changing and clearly (evidenced by the video) I'm not the only one thinking or advocating for this.
The start should be treated differently because if we are going to say for example: This is The Nothing and it starts on X hold and Y hold, then you know that everyone who does the Nothing started there. And if I want to repeat the Nothing I know for certain that I have. The system I suggest shows clear certainty to repeat a problem, while the system you suggest does not. What if I came up, started three moves in because I thought your start was inobvious, and called it good? Would that qualify as an ascent?
Andy
26. Jun, 2012
@b3
I never said the locals had the authority to determine where a problem starts or not. I was merely observing this to be the case in the video.
The FAist has every right to start a problem wherever they damn well please. But that doesn't mean an ascent of a particular project took place
Matt
26. Jun, 2012
Jamie, I would like to hear your thoughts on "Mote in God's Eye" and the subsequent lower start "Butterfinger". I feel like it is the same situation as The Island albeit newer.
In this instance, Dave found the problem (I'm assuming he found the line. I don't know if someone walked by it before him,) did the problem, and Nalle started I think two moves lower? However, to his admission on his scorecard at the time of the send, I believe he commented that the moves weren't hard but it made for the full line.
Since this problem is more close to home for you being in Lincoln Lake and more recently established, would your opinion differ slightly?
I absolutely agree Jamie. I also agree with your point regarding "official starts." I've run across climbers standing on pads to reach the better holds, doing the remainder of the route then counting it as a send. While this is obviously wrong, even if we have an established/stranded start the logging of assents will still be on the honor system, so it really all boils back down to the climbers "internal compass."
matt. the regionality makes no difference. Dave did the FA of MIGE and Nalle added a lower start. two problems. End of story. Nalle's opinion that it is the "full line" is subjective.
Connor G
26. Jun, 2012
I think the starting holds of a boulder must be honored in order to claim an ascent. I've been trying to think of a sports analogy, and keep coming back to sprinting. In sprinting there is a start and a finish, both of which are crucial to a race's legitimacy. Everyone's gotta start in the same place. A racer can't start 5 meters ahead, finish first, then claim a victory. He/she would of course be disqualified first. Some racers would have an advantage to start, i.e. those with top-notch acceleration, just as some climbers have a similar advantage, i.e. those who may 'fit' into a starting position better. It is what it is.
It's funny you mentioned The Nothing Jamie. I started in the right spot and ended in the right spot, but I totally botched the crux moves and made it harder than it should have been – felt like solid V9 to me. Oh well, I went from a defined Point A to a defined Point B, therefore ascending The Nothing V8.
Great comments everyone. Thanks for sharing Connor. I think your analogy is close in many regards. Perhaps an adventure race would be closer as there would be more freedom to do whatever in between A and B? Glad to know there are others out there who care or are interested!
climbnskate
27. Jun, 2012
I think Dave's start absolutely counts and there just mad that there uber proj wasn't done by a local. The logical start point would be matched on the rail which neither of them did so if I climb it from matched it will erase there ascents. The whole leaning on his elbow is them reaching for something to discredit him with. Others have climbed it with Dave's start its not just the logical start for him. Point being start which ever makes sense to you take the grade that was assigned to it and don't put other people down for not doing it your way or try to discredit them.
In the case of something like the Dali, what do we make of stand starts that are added after the sit? Don't many people start that problem one move lower than the FA did now as well? In theory that is a separate problem but I think in practice many people start the sit either way and call it the same thing, no?
Andy
27. Jun, 2012
Which line gets more stars?
Andy
27. Jun, 2012
Also, I like sprinting/running analogy. But that means we have to apply the same standards to finishes as well. Nobody would say you finished a race if you stopped short one foot from the end. Extended that, climbers who don't complete the 5.7 slab of Whispers arguably haven't sent. Or people who drop off the rail on Mojo. If the FAist topped out, so do you in order to claim a repeat….
Michael Rathke
27. Jun, 2012
@getrealson
"sounds like a bunch of jealous french climbers to me."
you missed the whole point of the video
"in the end its not about winning"
Todd
27. Jun, 2012
So which is more important to you: starting holds or starting position. Or are they equally important? If something is a sit start do you have to be sitting AND use the defined start holds? What if you can't reach the defined start holds? Is it OK to pad stack? What if you can reach the holds, but pad stack anyway? Is that cheating? What if someone physically can't reach the same two starting holds as the FA? Does that mean they can't climb that problem no matter what? What if they start on different holds, but still climb the same line? Can they claim a new First Ascent?
I understand you feel a line has to be drawn, but to me defining the starting holds is a fairly arbitrary line and seems to me to be really unimportant on most problems (as are any other ones). I don't see the argument for defining starting holds to be any more persuasive than the argument for sit/stand. I also understand that on certain problems (low traverses, caves, etc.) there is a greater need for understanding where a problem starts, but even then, I'd say tell me where to sit my ass down, and I'll start there.
"What if I came up, started three moves in because I thought your start was inobvious, and called it good? Would that qualify as an ascent?"
I would say that yes this is an ascent. If you published it in some rag or news site and claimed to have climbed it at the same grade, I may have a problem with it(assuming you skipped the crux), but I would certainly say that: You ascended a problem that follows the same chunk of stone which was name XYZ.
Taking Matt's example of MIGE and Butterfinger: I would argue that if Nalle didn't fundamentally change the grade or nature of the problem, he didn't climb a new line. Sure he started lower, but I wouldn't say he did a new FA and I certainly would never consider giving it a new name. At that rate, I could find a stand start v13 with jugs lower down, climb the stand and call it a FA, then start two moves lower, call it another v13 FA, start a further 2 moves lower and call it another FA, etc. I would hope that this doesn't happen, but obviously it does.
To me the name of the problem, the essence of the problem is related to the rock that you move over, not the starting holds, or even which specific holds you use.
Starting holds should be the only thing that matters. Again, it is less subjective than standing/sitting and if the goal is to define something then it is better to be less subjective.
So which is more important to you: starting holds or starting position. Or are they equally important? I
As I have said a hundred times, if you use the standstart sit start method, then a tall climber can start in a different place and climb less then what the FAist climbed. They would actually climb less distance, from a different place. Claiming that they had done the same thing is simply inaccurate. I'm interested in accuracy. Again, that argument allows a level of subjectivity that gives bouldering less definition, not more.
f something is a sit start do you have to be sitting AND use the defined start holds?
If the starting holds are defined the stand start/sit start issue is moot. Do what ever you'd like.
What if you can't reach the defined start holds? Is it OK to pad stack?
In regards to stacking pads again it's moot. Defining a boulder problem by the holds the FAist used so clearly defines it that you can repeat the problem every single time, unquestionably.
What if you can reach the holds, but pad stack anyway?
A rare case, but I would do what the FAist did.
Is that cheating? What if someone physically can't reach the same two starting holds as the FA?
I think it's ok to stack pads to reach a hold you couldn't normally reach from the ground, if the FAist was so much taller than you. This is a rare instance, but as long as someone starts on the starting holds then yes its fine.
Does that mean they can't climb that problem no matter what?
Sometime people are too weak, and they can't climb the problem no matter what. Tough. That's life.
What if they start on different holds, but still climb the same line? Can they claim a new First Ascent?
If they didn't start on the same holds as the FAist then they haven't done what the FAist defined as the problem and no they haven't done it.
I've answered your questions, now answer mine.
How do you know if you've repeated a boulder problem?
How do you define a boulder problem?
If the start isn't defined clearly am I allowed to start anywhere I deem obvious?
How do you define obvious?
Is your definition the same for everyone? If not, why not?
If the FAist doesn't define where the problem starts, why can't everyone just start anywhere they want?
Imagine
Narc, I don't think people should go back after a lower start has been established and climb something less and rename it. They are taking away from the FAist. In regards to the Dali, Ben did the FA from a gaston and a crimp. I did the second just started matched on the gaston, yes one move lower. I think I mention this in the guide.
One last update. If they start on different holds that are higher, then no, not an FA. If they start on different holds at the same height no not an FA. IF they start on different holds that are lower, then yes FA. They have added to the climb. It may not be good to start on miserable crimps just below a jug, but the problem will be what it is, two miserable crimp moves to a jug.
jabroni
27. Jun, 2012
I agree with most of what Jamie's said.
Stacking pads – fine. I climb regularly with people 6-8 inches shorter than me, who can't reach the same (any, often) holds from a sit as I can. Should they be told not to do the problem simply because it requires another pad underneath them? Who's going to listen if you tell them that? Yeah, this uber-classic famous boulder problem is great but sorry shortmo, hands off.
BTW, I'm glad to see we haven't gotten into the asinine debate 8a.nu hosted recently where someone was arguing you should only be allowed to have 'regulation 4 inch pads' under your arse.
Agree someone shouldn't be going back and climbing a shorter climb and renaming it – unless it goes in a different direction i.e. traverses left/right instead of straight up. However people will often want to record a stand start to a hard sit for consolation purposes (at least I got some of it done)…
At the same time, recording new names for two moves further down always seemed a bit silly to me. Just call it low, sit, lying down start, start from 40 metres away and finished a completely different boulder problem…
Speaking of which, it's hard to care if some pro did a V6 and claimed a V15. People are going to do that as long as there's money involved.
Paul N
28. Jun, 2012
B3,
. Gr?
idoicy!
There.
InI should also note, I would advocate that all obvious starts make sense (although they do not need a new name). The Dali stand for example, why not? But perhaps most people disagree with me…P: "Gr?"
B3: We don't have an objective way to measure how hard it is to climb a rock, but I wish we did, and if we did I would be shocked if every climber didn't use it. Perhaps we should let runners subjectively judge whether or not they ran fast? Or let them decide if it was the hardest race they've ever run. Nearly every runner I know uses a watch to judge their times and for those involved in money, sponsorship and making claims about what they've done it would be unheard of to not use a watch or clock. In fact it wouldn't be allowed. I don't know why climbing would be different, yet it seems that's what you're advocating? In contrast to a grade, which is subjective, there is however a way to know where a boulder problem starts. And that is by where the FAist (who created the problem in the first place giving a name (most often) to what they've done) So there is an objective measure and for some odd reason some climbers are resistant to this.
P: " idiocy!"
B3: But again the difference with the system I suggest is that I can call someone out with a reason as to why they cheated. The system you suggest doesn't even allow that! So I agree people will cheat in both systems, however I will have logical basis for calling them out and a reason for why they did or didn't do something. With the system you suggest they will always be able to weasel out of things if they can just say, "The FAist was wrong, I'm right, I'll start higher". In fact why wouldn't everyone do that on every climb? There is no incentive to do anything but. I agree that my system puts an emphasis an where the FAist starts. That is my intention! People try very hard not to bolt bad routes because they get a bad reputation. The same would happen with climbing if more emphasis were put on the FA and in the end it would leave more problems with better starts.
P" There."
B3: Quality is pretty subjective and even more so is the experience of other people. There are no awkward moves or starts. Rocks are not awkward. People are weak. Climbers are awkward. I can't think of one example that isn't that way. Rocks aren't inherently awkward. They are just rocks. Or just things we call rocks. Climbing outside isn't intended to be anything. Complaining that a classic problem is ruined by an awkward start is just your own concern. I've always felt that rock climbing was about stepping up to challenges, not whining that something doesn't fit my style or hurts or feels awkward.
P: InB3: Why not allow the mile to evolve into something less? Why not use people opinions about who ran the fastest race? Your system is so flawless it's surprising that no other sporting event uses it, when given the chance to use an objective measuring field and clock. I can think of no sporting event that doesn't strive for objectivity as much as possible. Even in figure skating (which is subjectively judged) the skaters a required to complete several objectives and everything is done to be as objective as possible. Umpires and refs are the bane of professional sports, and close calls are always deferred to slow motion cameras from several angles. Why do you think that is? Objectivity in competition is always better. And if you are out trying to repeat certain lines, with an 8a scorecard, posting on this site you are certainly a competitor (which I think is awesome and I welcome you!)
B3: Finally, why not just say, I did it from where the FAist did. End of story. End of debate. You have an answer every single time. And this debate is over.
P" I should also note, I would advocate that all obvious starts make sense (although they do not need a new name). The Dali stand for example, why not? But perhaps most people disagree with me…
Paul N
28. Jun, 2012
PN: Chipping is not a good comparison because it infringes on what others can do, and prevents them climbing the rock in a natural way. I'm proposing an answer to decide where to start a boulder problem. Bulldozing Lincoln, also same difference. Plus we are talking about climbing ethics and climbers would obviously agree not to do that. But the larger point is that no one is forcing you to agree. It's just about the "accepted" start of a boulder problem. I'm saying that the accepted start of a boulder problem should be determined by the community, rather than a rule that you believe everyone should follow. Neither of us are suggesting to make it impossible to start differently. Chipping by its very nature does.
B3: The consensus changes over time.
PN: Yes, and so should ethics be capable of change over time.
B3: How are we to define what it means to do something if the start keeps getting higher and higher (or changing all the time) and people keep climbing less and less (which is what they typically do) and claiming to have done the same?
PN: It is defined by the community as I said before. So consequently, people may not have done the same thing as others who climbed the same line. This actually happens all the time due to breakages. (almost every climb at Lincoln), or even different beta really. Not a big deal.
B3: Again, that is inaccurate.
PN: What is inaccurate? Do you mean you disagree?
B3: We don't have an objective way to measure how hard it is to climb a rock, but I wish we did, and if we did I would be shocked if every climber didn't use it.
PN: I agree if we had an objective way to measure difficulty we would likely all use it, because unlike your starting rule, there is probably no down side.
B3: Quality is pretty subjective and even more so is the experience of other people.
PN: Inter-subjective… and just because its not objective doesn't make it unimportant. People clearly care about quality and fun, in fact they care about it more than almost anything else in climbing! Subjective isn't a bad word. Other sports are more objective than climbing. So what? Climbing is not as good as other sports? I happen to think its the best sport, and fail to see how strict rules makes it better in this case.
B3: Objectivity in competition is always better.
PN: I agree, and if climbing a boulder problem was only a form of competition, you would have a point. But regardless of where you stand on the level of competitiveness in outdoor climbing, there is no doubt that you are not simply competing when you climb a boulder problem. Even for those who make money climbing outdoor boulder problems, climbing is not just a matter of competition. I would agree with you if we were talking about an actual climbing competition, where we do have judge, etc…
B3: Rocks are not awkward. People are weak. Climbers are awkward.
PN: Climbers are awkward, or specifically what they do on the rock can be awkward. That is why we should try to correct this awkwardness…
B3: Finally, why not just say, I did it from where the FAist did. End of story. End of debate. You have an answer every single time. And this debate is over.
PN: You have your answer every time either way. You either find out where the FAist started, or find out where the community agrees it should start (which most of the time you would know just by looking).
Cristian
28. Jun, 2012
B3, "I did it from where the FAist did": which body part of the FAist? Hands or ass? (the sprinter's hands or feet?) Both ways are equally arbitrary, objective and unambiguos, and none guarantees the same difficulty as the FAist experienced. It boils down to what we regard as most practical and aesthetic.
I think we should be pragmatic and accept the traditions of each area, e.g. start sitting on the ground in Font and start on specified holds in Bishop, and just complement with problem-specific rules when deemed appropriate by the FAist.
DanielG
28. Jun, 2012
As a former collegiate distance runner and coach now, I have to say I like the running analogy, but I think I will add another element to it…. Let's get away from the track a bit, because that is very black and white (same start and finish for everyone, specific lanes, you get get your time, deal with it etc.) This is good, but let's take it to cross country, where sometimes, the course can change just a little bit from year to year. Some instances the start and finish lines never change, and even the distance stays the same, but they will change the course, turns change or they don't run up X or Y hill or whatever. This is kind of like starting holds being the same and finishing the problem the same way, but in the middle the didn't use the same holds (obviously on a pure uncontrived line this wouldn't matter most of the time) and therefore aren't climbing the same line, but still calling it the same line.
So in that race when they change the course a little bit, it really bugs me that they still announce that somebody just broke the course record because it isn't the same course. And on the rock if it isn't clear which holds are on/off, then they may not deserve full credit.
But really in both cases we are only talking about the best climbers and the fastest runners, so for most of us it doesn't matter as much because whether I start one hold higher, I still can't climb the dang v14. So, basically, until it people bust out their colored tape or paint (which not even with John Gill's permission would I be okay with) outside and mark every hold that is on route and it becomes more like track: I would just have to say climb the lines that call to you and challenge you and try to do so as close to the FA method as possible if you're going to tick it down.
Winston
28. Jun, 2012
@P: The idea that a climb should start at something which is inter-subjectively obvious is imprecise, but consensus seems to trend a climb in that direction, i.e. an FAist will start on two crimps, and go to a jug and everyone else will ignore this part of the problem, and only do the more aesthetic part. In the end this is a very personal sport about challenging yourself. The only real challenge between climbers comes from competitions. Whether people get money from it or not doesn't seem to matter too too much on ultimate ability or accomplishment, but seems mostly attached to media presence. Some good examples would be something like Paul Robinson not remotely hitting any speed bump in his sponsorship even after downgrading most of his problems (which was pretty cool), and a number of sponsored climbers which don't climb problems at the forefront (look at some of the company team websites), and even more evidenced by the anecdotal evidence that everyone has about non-sponsored 5.14a R trad ascents, or V14 sends, etc.
@B3: Requiring starting holds begins to start brushing the line of required moves on a problem, a method some people have used previously to define problems.
Does your definition require that the climber's hands have to start in the same order/position as the FAist? What about feet? Should it be similar to WC comps? Just asking.
Also, going back to the definition a problem, challenging yourself, and how hard you climb, if Daniel Woods climbs "The Game" and thinks its V16, and Dai Koyamada climbs both "Wheel of Life" and subsequently Carlo Traversi and Ethan Pringle both find better beta for those two problems, respectively, can we say that the FAists climbed V16? They did pull V16 moves, or got V16 pump. Not that their problems are defined as such, or that anyone who does them has climbed V16, or that they put up a V16, but that they did boulder V16? If we come up with Jessery to pull past a crux, did we climb the grade of an established problem? Would Funky Beta negate an ascent?
Also, how does this post relate to Dai Koyamada's recent ascent of "Story of Two Worlds"?
Todd
28. Jun, 2012
B3: How do you know if you've repeated a boulder problem?
Todd: I see a guidebook definition of where to start and try to start as described and end as depicted in the guidebook and following the same general path. If that starting holds are described, then generally I'll start there. The biggest keys are to start in the same general place, finish in the same general place, and follow the same general path. Certain boulder problems are acknowledged as being "contrived" and have certain holds as "off route". If so, then I wouldn't say I did that problem if I used those holds. Most guidebooks tend to indicate two different grades based on a "variation".
B3: How do you define a boulder problem?
Todd: To me the name of the problem, the essence of the problem is related to the rock that you move over, not the starting holds, or even which specific holds you use.
B3: If the start isn't defined clearly am I allowed to start anywhere I deem obvious?
Todd: The start is a sit start. Start sitting. Is that not clear?
B3: How do you define obvious?
Todd: Sitting and standing are pretty well defined concepts.
B3: Is your definition the same for everyone? If not, why not?
Todd: Yes.
B3: If the FAist doesn't define where the problem starts, why can't everyone just start anywhere they want?
Todd: They can. We are all free to climb whatever we want and call it whatever we want. If you want the community to be aware of what you've done, then you have to accept reasonable standards for communication and standards for behavior that allow for transference of information. Hence naming problems. The climbing community has developed a community norm for the concept of names. There is no law stating that by climbing something first you get to name it. Same thing with grades.
B3: ImagineTodd: What problem? There are no starting holds that are too high off the ground to reach, because then they are no longer starting holds. Walk on by and do a different problem. As seen by the continual development of bouldering, there are endless problems to go do. Climb whatever you like.
Jamie: My problem with the rule is that you're trying to set a standard for the sport that shouldn't apply to EVERYONE. I agree that PRO climbers should take pains to be open and transparent. I disagree that everyone else needs some rule forced on them that takes away from the freedom enjoyed by our chosen activity.
Winston
28. Jun, 2012
Additional competition comes from the statistical comparisons of 8a.nu, if a person chooses to participate. But all of this gets muddled by grading in different areas being "soft," or being in a persons style, so they downgrade, or they have just gotten stronger wihtout knowing it, and without having a metric for it, so they can downgrade. Or, if they are at their ultimate level of climbing, and work a V15 while they have mono, without knowing it, then call it V16, etc.
Todd
28. Jun, 2012
@Paul N – Thank you for a well articulated view.@B3 – You're confusing obviousness and morality. If 7 out of 10 people think chipping is OK, then it would be obvious that most people think chipping is OK. If 7 out of 10 people think a problem starts a certain way, then that start is the most obvious, not necessarily the original start.
The stance I (and it sounds like Paul) take is that if the FAist started in a blatently inobvious way, and without seeing it firsthand 7 out of 10 people would naturally start in a different way, then that should really be the start of the problem. I have put up problems where the next person comes along and starts it differently and it becomes much easier. Do I say "You didn't do it right"? No, I say "Wow, I should've started that way" and problem xyz goes from v6 to v4. It's still problem xyz, but just not the same grade. To me, it's no different to finding better beta during a climb.
I only have time for a short response, but I really appreciate everyones comments. They are thoughtful and they have stayed focused on the argument and not delved into personal attacks. I really appreciate all of the comments, they are awesome! Thanks for participating in the discussion everyone!
Based on the arguments of the subjectivists, If 7 out of 10 people decide that Snakes on a Plane is the greatest movie ever, then it is. I again argue that there are objective reasons why it's not. It doesn't have to infringe upon someone, although those were the examples I used. Again, using a subjective system you cannot determine whether or not you have repeated a problem. You can't, because someone can always change the rules, because your system is set up for them to change. That will leave things perpetually muddled in ambiguity. I am not taking away anyones freedom. Do whatever you want, unless you want to make a claim about climbing a specific problem. To earn the right to make that claim it is imperative to define what the claim means as specifically as possible. It is inaccurate to say you have climbed something different from the FAist and claim you have done the same.
One of the reasons the subjective system falls apart is that, in fact, I could get together a bunch of people together simply to gain a majority (I could pay them off for example), and we could decide, for the sake of the argument, to literally do anything (whether or not it infringes upon others) even if it was based in madness. both Paul and Todd are reasonable, but many are not. I think this point is illustrated very well in the novel 1984. The system I suggest doesn't allow that to ever happen.
Again, why is it that every sport in the world strives for objectivity? Is it ironic that while the consensus of major sports advocates for as much objectivity as possible, you guys still oppose it? I would argue they use objective measures because they are better (not because other people use it), and we should do the same, because it is better, but according to your argument we should follow the suit of the majority, yet you argue against that too? That doesn't make sense, no matter whose side you're on.
Finally, here is one very famous example of a problem Slashface that perfectly exemplifies why my argument works. If Slashface is a standstart (how Todd would define it) then I should have the right to walk to the end and climb the last bit of Fat Apache Jogger (the V8 the makes up the end of Slashface) and climb it and call it good. I grabbed whatever holds I could reach off the ground. And if the majority decided that the crack was too painful and awkward and hard, then starting on Fat Apache Jogger would be ok? Right? I disagree. Slashface (thankfully) has specific starting holds to start on. So while you happen to stand start it, that doesn't define the problem. What defines the problem is the specific starting holds on the far left side of the wall. Want another example? Fat Apache Jogger. Not a sit start, but the crux is low and standing you can reach past it. Again, the problem is defined by the starting holds (as it should be) Want another? The Evangalion, just to the left. That's three problems on one wall in one of the most concentrated bouldering areas in the world.
that's all I have time for right now.
Me
28. Jun, 2012
For those arguing that the line matters, not the start holds . . . it seems like you are of the opinion that it DOES NOT MATTER if we can ever compare ascents and be sure that people have done the same thing, difficulty wise. Otherwise, I see no way that you can possibly argue against using start holds to define boulder problems.
Keep in mind that no one is saying you are obligated to start where the FA started, if you find it inobvious. Only if you want to claim to have accomplished the same feat. If all you care about is getting to the top of a feature, fine. Do what you want. But for the purposes of accurately comparing climbing ability, to the extent that is possible, there is no other way.
Todd
28. Jun, 2012
"Again, why is it that every sport in the world strives for objectivity?"
The most popular sport in the world doesn't seem to
.
Bart
29. Jun, 2012
Great discussion! It started with the video Mirthe made about ethics. This video contains some thoughts about The Island and what start is 'right' or 'obvious' and which start(s) should be mentioned in the guidebooks. This problem was chosen just as an example. Mirthe tried to get in contact with Dave because she wanted him and his opinion in the video too.
Not mentioned in the video and above, but maybe nice to know is that Sebastien Frigault tried this project with a sit start long before it was climbed with a higher start. He could do all the moves and he could do this full line in two overlapping parts. It might even be the case that he did the part now named The Island long before Dave did. But Sebastien didn't claim the part he climbed as a boulder problem. His goal was to open it from a sit start on the ground. Again, I don't know which parts from where he climbed, just that he could do it in two sections.
This perfectly illustrates different views of ethics, nothing more. Everybody can choose who he or she agrees with.
The first problems in Font where all standing starts, no jump starts. Jumping was considered cheating. These standing starts were all opened before crash pads were invented. Problems with high starting holds started with a stepping stone. This is why local climbers say you should start all problems without crash pad(s). But, you can start with every hold you like.
Jump starts where added in the eighties. This started a discussion: should all older problems be downgraded which are easier with a jump start? Later, sit starts came in vogue. Locals started sitting on the ground with all holds they could use. In Font a low start is indicated with a small dot on a foot hold you must start with. The hands are free.
In my guidebook, I use the system of the Font-locals. Standing start (without crash pad) with every hold you can reach. Tall people will know when they will have advantage. Small people will know if they can use a crash pad to reach starting holds. If starting holds are very high, you can start on more crash pads or a stone and the guidebook mentions this. A problem is only a jump start if the guidebook mentions this. Sit starts are with the butt on the ground.
But, this system does not work for every problem. Some problems have obvious, lower starting holds. Especially in roofs where it is often the question how deep to start. And, there are some crouching and very low sit starts too.
I think this system works. To me it is part of the game to find out where or how to start a boulder problem. If there are three holds, I don't want the guidebook to tell me on which two I should start. Climbing is about freedom. And different climbers prefer different starting positions, just as they will climb the rest of the problem different. But, because there are so much problems on one boulder nowadays, even a Font guide book has to help with information like 'start with side pull' just to indicate where a problem is. Or, in a roof, how deep a problem starts.
Other countries may have other ethics. I agree with Jamie that his FA starting hold theory is very clear. Clearer than mine. But I like the freedom aspect in climbing. I like it that I can climb a problem this way and another can climb it his or her way. I know there must be some rules. But I like it when these rules are simple and allow some freedom. And simple is subjective too, it's also about what you are used to. The way Dave started The Island does not combine very well with Font ethics. And thats what the video is about. It's about ethics, not about Dave. And ethics will change. Thats freedom. And every country has it's own ethics. Thats freedom too!
sidepull
29. Jun, 2012
I'm actually surprised at how heated this debate is. I think Jamie's suggestion that starting on the same holds as the FAist is pretty intuitive. If you do something else, you are, by definition doing something else. What I find a bit odd is the notion that you need to start the same and end the same but you can do whatever you want in the middle. There's a really cool video of Steven Jeffrey from, I think, one of the Triple Crown comps in the south. He's on some esoteric V9ish thing and can't figure out the moves so he just dynos. Same start holds, same finishing holds. The camera guy asks him immediately after if he is going to include it on his score card and his response was something like, "No, it's not the same problem." The camera guy responds, "but you used the holds, climbed the line." Steven replies, "Bouldering is really contrived anyway, if I'm not using the holds in the middle it's not the same problem." Just last week I was bouldering in Central Park (talk about sandbags, especially on a humid day) and I can promise you that problems are defined hold by hold. Every single possible variation is named and rated. In general, I think we all strive for something like that. I realize that morphology allows everyone to climb in slightly different body positions and that smaller climbers might use intermediate holds that larger climbers don't, but, in general, IF WE WANT TO COMPARE SENDS, then climbers need to be climbing, in good faith, the line climbed by the FAist.
I find Todd's notion that "I cannot recall anyone saying a problem started from two specific holds" is preposterous. I've climbed all over the world and almost anyone when they show up to an area and spies a local that knows the beta almost immediately asks, "so where does this start?" That question gets asked all the time. All the time. I think the point of climbing, in some ways, is to try to test ourselves against each other's experiences and that only happens when we try to do what others have done.
I'd like to return to the phrase I capitalized above – IF WE WANT TO COMPARE SEND – to make a final point. If you have no desire for comparison, either for historical, personal, or professional reasons, then do whatever you like. Climb from the "obvious" start, use the cheater jug, stack pads, whatever. But don't pretend you climbed the "line." As Steven said, "climbing is contrived." If you're above the contrivance, that's fine, but then you are also above having to claim you did something. So if you are a subjectivist, if you truly believe you just need to start in the obvious place, use whatever beta, padding, etc., then you shouldn't be responding here because, at the end of the day, you don't care about the name, grade, or sharing your accomplishments, you just care about the experience. That's fine, it's totally acceptable, but that doesn't make Jamie's opinion wrong, it just means you shouldn't care.
Mark E
29. Jun, 2012
Unarguably, if you are looking for a precise assessment of the difficulty of a boulder problem, and an accurate comparison between the people who attempt it, you must require all the competitors to start from the same holds and finish at the same holds.
Note that I'm calling them competitors, not climbers. This is the crucial point I want to make: not all climbers see themselves as competitors.
How do I know this is true? Because competition climbing exists and has a set of rules that has been vetted by the world's best climbers. Years of experimentation has produced a fairly standardized approach. No competition formats allow starts from variable holds.
The problem is that not everyone who boulders, even at a high level, is comfortable with defining climbing as a competitive activity. If a climber (or a community of climbers) wants to blend the competitive side with concerns like aesthetics ("it's a proud line') or historic value ("it's a Gill problem") then the pure side-by-side comparison of difficulty is no longer given primacy. There are other concerns that may trump the competitive side.
Personally, I have no problem with taking a competitive approach to climbing. It doesn't mean that you have to be petty or a jerk — you can simply embrace that you want to find out where you stack up relative to other's abilities.
But you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want to emphasize the competitive side you don't get to also claim that aesthetics, historic value and other factors are all equally represented in your evaluation system. If a climber wins a bouldering competition it's because he started on the same holds as the other competitors and climbed higher than they did. No one can take away the result by claiming that the problems were not aesthetic or the way the winner climbed them was not the way the setters intended the problems to be climbed. You agree to play by a set of rules and this rules determine who wins.
Not everyone who climbs outdoors, and outside of a precise set of rules, wants to make climbing into a precisely define competitive endeavor. Some climbers argue that there all no rules, or that the rules are highly subjective. Fine for them — they have opted out of the competitive side of climbing. I think that's totally fine — it's how I climb myself. If I were ever to get interested in climbing in a competitive mode again I would want to do it in the setting that allows the most precise assessment of who is the strongest — a climbing comp.
Matt
29. Jun, 2012
"'Again, why is it that every sport in the world strives for objectivity?'
The most popular sport in the world doesn't seem to "
Are you referring to football/soccer? If so, referees are subjective and everyone thinks every call is bad. That's how most team sports are realistically. Striving for objectivity is why instant replay is being added to more and more sports. With videos of ascents, we basically have that in climbing. However, videos and climbing can be a different topic of debate.
Personal experience regarding the ethical debate (might take a minute to read): A few weeks ago, I was working on this V6 roof at an area I had never been to (Johnstown, PA). It was a roof over two large boulders, one slanted down to the start and another was flat towards the lip. I could literally sit anywhere and start anywhere on the problem from maybe a foot before the lip. There were 3 holds before the lip encounter that I would designate as "roof" climbing that led to the "start".
Now, I had not seen beta for this climb even though I knew the name and grade for it. I started at the obvious holds at the base of the roof. It was a right hand side pull and good left hand crimp which were low and right next to each other. From there I made a big move up to an edge, then undercling, then lip encounter.
When I got home, I watched a video of the route to clarify. The person in the video started 1 move in. Left hand on the edge which is probably about 3 feet higher than the left hand crimp I started on and same right hand. Did I climb a new problem?
My friend that I was with started with his left hand even lower than I did but same right hand after I was working on the problem. Did he get a new ascent?
Now, whereever we started, there is room for a much harder lower start (I think, I'll have to go back and check how low) where one could have their right hand where my friends left was and left hand further over adding 2 moves to where my friend started, 3 to where I was, and 4 to what I saw in the video.
So where do we draw the line? In my opinion, my start was super obvious because they were low, distinct holds about a foot apart horizontally on the same height. However, it appears to be incorrect and I started lower (and honestly made the problem a grade harder than starting where the person in the video did but I felt my start was a truer V6. My friends start didn't make it harder than where I started.)
I feel like I started correctly and my friend and I climbed the same problem despite his hand being slightly lower as it didn't change the problem in terms of flow or difficulty and the person in the video started one move in and possibly overgraded the problem from that point.
Todd
29. Jun, 2012
Nietzsche – Thank you for articulating(and very well) my feelings on this.
I'm not so sure we don't need a Sheriff, but a Sheriff does not create rules. He/She just enforces the rules of the community.
@Bart You're guidebook is incredible. Really added to my enjoyment of Font. I appreciate all of the hard work you did to make it as great as it is. We visited 34 different areas while we were there and got to each and everyone easily, even the area (I forget the name) of where Welcome to Jamrock is. Thanks so much for assembling all of that info and caring! | eng | 4bda055e-e09d-43ee-9ea0-e044833057bf | http://www.b3bouldering.com/2012/06/25/ethics-2/comment-page-1/ |
The Byzantine
emperor Justinian issued an edict against the Manichaeans, and Saint Augustine,
who for 9 years had been a Manichee, wrote and spoke against this heresy, as
well as described his own experience in his Confessions.El
emperador bizantino Justiniano publicó un edicto contra los maniqueos, y San
Agustín, que durante nueve años había sido maniqueo, escribió y habló en contra
de esta herejía, así como describió su propia experiencia en sus
Confesiones.
Mani
Mani
Advanced InformationAvanzadas de
la información
(216-ca.
277) (216-ca. 277)
Mani was an
Iranian philosopher and painter who synthesized Persian, Christian, and Buddhist
ideas to form Manichaeism, a dualistic faith which became one of the major
religions of the ancient world. Mani fue un filósofo y pintor iraní que
sintetizó Pérsico, cristiana, budista e ideas para formar el maniqueísmo, una fe
dualista que se convirtió en una de las principales religiones del mundo
antiguo.He received his
early education in a Gnostic community in southern Babylonia and claimed his
first revelation at the age of twelve and his call to apostleship when he was
twenty-four. Recibió su primera educación en una comunidad gnóstica en el
sur de Babilonia y consiguió su primera revelación a la edad de doce años y su
llamada al apostolado cuando tenía veinticuatro años.After his efforts to convert his
community failed, he traveled to India, where he founded his first in religious
group. Después de sus esfuerzos para convertir su comunidad no viajó a la
India, donde fundó su primer grupo religioso.He returned in 242 to preach his faith
in Babylonian provinces, and he became a vassal of the new monarch, Shapur I.
Although Mani's beliefs were never established as the official state religion,
he enjoyed royal protection and sent proselytizers throughout Persia and into
foreign lands. Regresó en 242 para predicar su fe en las provincias de
Babilonia, y él se convirtió en vasallo del nuevo monarca, Sapor I. A pesar de
las creencias de Mani nunca se estableció como la religión oficial del Estado,
gozaba de la protección real y enviado proselitistas por toda Persia y en
tierras extranjeras .
Mani (Gr. Manys,
gen. usually Manytos, sometimes Manentos, rarely Manou; or Manichios; Latin
Manes, gen. Manetis; In Augustine always Manichaeus) is a title and term of
respect rather than a personal name. Mani (. Gr. manys, gen por lo
general Manytos, a veces Manentos, Manou rara vez, o Manichios; América Manes,
generación Manetis;. En Agustín siempre Maniqueo) es un título y un término de
respeto en lugar de un nombre de persona.Its exact meaning is not quite certain,
ancient Greek interpretations were skeuos and homilia, but its true derivation
is probably from the Babylonian-Aramaic Mânâ, which, among the Mandaeans was a
term for a light-spirit, mânâ rabba being the "Light King". Su
significado exacto no es del todo cierto, la antigua interpretaciones griegos
fueron skeuos y homilia, pero su derivación real es probablemente de la Mânâ
Babilonia-arameo, que, entre los mandeos era un término de una luz-espíritu,
mânâ rabba ser la "Luz Rey ".It would therefore mean "the
illustrious". Por lo tanto, significaría "el ilustre".This title was assumed by the founder
himself and so completely replaced his personal name that the precise form of
the latter is not known; two latinized forms, however, are handed down, Cubricus
and Ubricus, and it seems likely that these forms are a corruption of the not
unusual name of Shuraik. Este título fue asumida por el propio fundador y
tan completamente sustituido su nombre personal que la forma precisa de este
último no se conoce, dos formas latinizada, sin embargo, se transmiten, Cubricus
y Ubricus, y parece probable que estas formas son una corrupción del nombre no
inusual de Shuraik.Although Mani's personal name is thus
subject to doubt, there is no doubt concerning that of his father and
family. Aunque el nombre personal de Mani es por lo tanto sujeto a la
duda, no hay duda acerca de que su padre y su familia.His father's name was Fâtâk Bâbâk
(Ratekios, or the "well preserved"), a citizen of Ecbatana, the ancient Median
capital and a member of the famous Chascanian Gens. El nombre de su padre
fue Fatak Babak (Ratekios, o el "buen estado de conservación"), un ciudadano de
Ecbatana, la antigua capital y la mediana de un miembro de la famosa Gens
Chascanian.The boy was born
AD 215-216 in the village of Mardinu in Babylonia, from a mother of noble
(Arsacide) descent whose name variously is given as Mes, Utâchîm, Marmarjam, and
Karossa. El niño nació AD 215-216 en el pueblo de Mardino en Babilonia,
de una madre de nobles (Arsacide) ascendencia cuyo nombre se da como diversas
Mes, Utâchîm, Marmarjam y Karossa.The father was evidently a man of
strong religious propensities, since he left Ecbatana to join the South
Babylonian Puritans (Menakkede) or Mandaeans and had his son educated in their
tenets. El padre era evidentemente un hombre de fuertes tendencias
religiosas, desde que salió de Ecbatana para unirse al sur de Babilonia
Puritanos (Menakkede) o mandeos y ha educado a su hijo en sus principios.Mani's father himself must have
displayed considerable activities as a religious reformer and have been a kind
of forerunner of his more famous son, in the first years of whose public life he
had some share. El padre de Mani se debe tener presentado actividad
considerable como un reformador religioso y han sido una especie de precursor de
su hijo más famoso, en los primeros años de su vida pública había alguna
parte.It is not
impossible that some of Patekios' writing lies imbedded in the Mandaean
literature which has come down to us. No es imposible que algunos de
Patekios la escritura se encuentra incrustada en la literatura mandea que ha
llegado hasta nosotros.Through misunderstandings the Aramaic
word for disciple (Tarbitha, stat abs. Tarbi), Greek and Latin sources speak of
a certain Terebinthos, Terebinthus of Turbo, as a distinct person, whom they
confound partially with Mani, partially with Patekios, and as they also forgot
that Mani, besides being Patekios' great disciple, was his bodily son, and that
in consequence the Scythian teacher, Scythianus, is but Fatak Babak of Hamadam,
the Scythian metropolis, their account of the first origins of Manichæism
differs considerably from that given in Oriental sources. A través de los
malentendidos de la palabra aramea para el discípulo (Tarbitha, abs
estadísticas. Tarbi), griego y latín de fuentes hablan de un cierto Terebinthos,
Terebinthus de Turbo, como persona, a quien se confunde parcialmente con Mani,
en parte con Patekios, y como también se olvidó de que Mani, además de ser gran
discípulo Patekios ', era su hijo corporales, y que en consecuencia el profesor
escita, Scythianus, pero es Fatak Babak de Hamadam, la metrópoli escitas, su
cuenta de los primeros orígenes de Manichæism difiere considerablemente de la
propuesta en las fuentes orientales.Notwithstanding Kessler's ingenious
researches in this field, we cannot say that the relation between Oriental and
Western sources on this point has been sufficiently cleared up, and it may well
be that the Western tradition going back through the "Acta Archelai" to within a
century of Mani's death, contains some truth. A pesar de Kessler
ingeniosas investigaciones en este campo, no podemos decir que la relación entre
las fuentes orientales y occidentales sobre este punto ha sido suficientemente
aclarado, y es muy posible que la tradición occidental que se remonta a través
del "Acta Archelai" para dentro de un siglo de la muerte de Mani, contiene algo
de verdad.
Mani's father was
at first apparently an idolater, for, as he worshipped in a temple to his gods
he is supposed to have heard a voice urging him to abstain from meat, wine, and
women. El padre de Mani fue en un principio parece un idólatra, porque,
como él adoraba en el templo de sus dioses que se supone que he oído una voz le
instaba a abstenerse de la carne, el vino y las mujeres.In obedience to this voice he emigrated
to the south and joined the Mughtasilah, or Mandaean Baptists, taking the boy
Mani, with him, but possibly leaving Mani's mother behind. En obediencia
a esta voz que emigraron al sur y se unió a la Mughtasilah, o bautistas mandeos,
teniendo el niño Mani, con él, pero posiblemente dejando a la madre de Mani
atrás.Here, at the age
of twelve Mani is supposed to have received his first revelation. Aquí, a
la edad de doce Mani se supone que recibió su primera revelación.The angel Eltaum (God of the Covenant;
Tamiel of Jewish Rabbinical lore?), appeared to him, bade him leave the
Mandaeans, and live chastely, but to wait still some twelve years before
proclaiming himself to the people. El ángel Eltaum (Dios de la Alianza;?
Tamiel de la tradición rabínica), se le apareció, le pidió que deje los mandeos,
y vivir castamente, pero que esperar todavía unos doce años antes de proclamarse
a la gente.It is not
unlikely that the boy was trained up to the profession of painter, as he is
often thus designated in Oriental (though late) sources. No es improbable
que el muchacho fue entrenado hasta la profesión de pintor, como él suele ser
así designada en el Oriental (aunque tarde) fuentes.
Babylon was still
a center of the pagan priesthood; here Mani became thoroughly imbued with their
ancient speculations. Babilonia era todavía un centro del sacerdocio
pagano, se convirtió aquí Mani fondo imbuidos de sus antiguas
especulaciones.On Sunday, 20
March, AD 242, Mani first proclaimed his gospel in the royal residence,
Gundesapor, on the coronation day of Sapor I, when vast crowds from all parts
were gathered together. El domingo, 20 de marzo, AD 242, Mani primer
anuncio de su Evangelio en la residencia real, Gundesapor, en el día de la
coronación de Sapor I, cuando grandes multitudes de todas partes se
reunieron."As once Buddha
came to India, Zoroaster to Persia, and Jesus to the lands of the West, so came
in the present time, this prophecy through me, the Mani, to the land of
Babylonia", sounded the proclamation of this "Apostle of the true God".
"Como una vez Buda llegó a la India, Zoroastro en Persia, y Jesús a las tierras
de Occidente, lo que llegó en el momento actual, esta profecía a través de mí,
el Mani, a la tierra de Babilonia", sonó la proclamación de este apóstol " del
verdadero Dios ".He seems to have had but little
immediate success and was compelled to leave the country. Él parece haber
tenido muy poco éxito inmediato y se vio obligado a abandonar el país.For many years he traveled abroad,
founding Manichæan communities in Turkestan and India. Durante muchos
años, viajó al extranjero, fundando comunidades Manichæan en el Turquestán y la
India.When he finally
returned to Persia he succeeded in converting to his doctrine Peroz, the brother
of Sapor I, and dedicated to him one of his most important works, the
"Shapurikan". Cuando por fin regresó a Persia logró convertir a su
doctrina Peroz, el hermano de Sapor I, y le dedicó una de sus obras más
importantes, el "Shapurikan".Peroz obtained for Mani an audience
with the king and Mani delivered his prophetical message in the royal
presence. Peroz Mani obtenidos para una audiencia con el rey y Mani
emitió su mensaje profético en la presencia real.We soon find Mani again a fugitive from
his native land; though here and there, as in Beth Garmia, his teaching seems to
have taken early root. Pronto Mani encontrar de nuevo un fugitivo de su
tierra natal, aunque aquí y allá, como en Garmia Beth, su enseñanza parece haber
echado raíces tempranas.While traveling, Mani spread and
strengthened his doctrine by epistles, or encyclical letters, of which some four
score are known to us by title. Mientras viaja, Mani extendido y
afianzado su doctrina de epístolas o cartas encíclica, de los cuales se conocen
algunos resultados de cuatro a nosotros por el título.It is said that Mani afterwards fell
into the hands of Sapor I, was cast into prison, and only released at the king's
death in 274. Se dice que Mani después cayó en manos de Sapor I, fue
echado en la cárcel, y se entregarán exclusivamente en la muerte del rey en
274.It seems certain
that Sapor's successor, Ormuzd I, was favorable to the new prophet; perhaps he
even personally released him from his dungeon, unless, indeed, Mani had already
effected his escape by bribing a warder and fleeing across the Roman
frontier. Parece cierto que el sucesor de Sapor, Ormuz I, fue favorable
al nuevo profeta, tal vez incluso él personalmente liberado de su prisión, a
menos que, de hecho, Mani había efectuado ya su huida por sobornar a un guardia
y que huyen a través de la frontera romana.Ormuzd's favor, however, was of little
avail, as he occupied the Persian throne only a single year, and Bahram I, his
successor, soon after his accession, caused Mani to be crucified, had the corpse
flayed, the skin stuffed and hung up at the city gate, as a terrifying spectacle
to his followers, whom he persecuted with relentless severity. favor de
Ormuz, sin embargo, era de poca utilidad, ya que ocupó el trono persa un solo
año, y Bahram I, su sucesor, poco después de su adhesión, causada Mani a ser
crucificado, había vulnerado el cuerpo, la piel de peluche y colgó en la puerta
de la ciudad, como un terrible espectáculo a sus seguidores, a quienes persigue
con implacable severidad.The date of his death is fixed at
276-277. La fecha de su muerte se fija en 276-277.
These two powers
might have lived eternally in peace, had not the Prince of Darkness decided to
invade the realm of light. Estos dos poderes podría haber vivido
eternamente en paz, si no el Príncipe de las Tinieblas decidió invadir el reino
de la luz.On the approach
of the monarch of chaos the five aeons of light were seized with terror.
En el enfoque de la monarca del caos de los cinco eones de la luz se incautaron
de terror.This incarnation
of evil called Satan or Ur-devil (Diabolos protos, Iblis Kadim, in Arabic
sources), a monster half fish, half bird, yet with four feet and lion-headed,
threw himself upward toward the confines of light. Esta encarnación del
mal llamado Satán o el diablo-Ur (Diabolos Protos, Iblis Kadim, en las fuentes
árabes), un monstruo mitad pez, mitad pájaro, pero con cuatro patas y cabeza de
león, se lanzó hacia arriba, hacia los confines de la luz.The echo of the thunder of his onrush
went through the blessed aeons until it reached the Father of Majesty, who
bethinking himself said: I will not send my five aeons, made for blessed repose,
to engage in this war, I will go myself and give battle. El eco de los
truenos de su embestida fue a través de los eones bendecido hasta que llegó el
Padre de la Majestad, acordándose que él mismo dijo: No voy a enviar a mis cinco
eones, hizo la bendición de reposo, para participar en esta guerra, me voy a ir
a dar la batalla.Hereupon the Father of Majesty emanated
the Mother of Life and the Mother of Life emanated the first man. En ese
momento el Padre de la Majestad emanó de la Madre de la Vida y la Madre de la
Vida emanó el primer hombre.These two constitute, with the Father,
a sort of Trinity in Unity, hence the Father could say: "I myself will
go". Estas dos constituyen, con el Padre, una especie de Trinidad en la
unidad, por lo tanto, el padre podría decir: "Me iré".Mani here assimilates ideas already
known from Gnosticism (qv, subtitle The Sophia Myth) and resembling Christian
doctrine, especially when it is borne in mind that "Spirit" is feminine in
Hebrew-Aramaic and thus could easily be conceived as a mother of all
living. Mani aquí asimila las ideas ya conocidas de Gnosticismo (qv,
subtítulo El mito de Sofía) y parecido a la doctrina cristiana, sobre todo si se
tiene en cuenta que "Spirit" es femenino en hebreo-arameo, y por lo tanto
fácilmente podría ser concebido como una madre de todos los vivientes .The Protanthropos or "First Man" is a
distinctly Irani an conception, which likewise found its way into a number of
Gnostic systems, but which became the central figure in Manichæism. El
Protanthropos o "Primer Hombre" es claramente un Irani una concepción, que
también encontró su camino en una serie de sistemas gnósticos, pero que se
convirtió en la figura central en el maniqueísmo.The myth of the origin of the world out
of the members of a dead giant or Ur-man is extremely ancient, not only in
Iranian speculations but also in Indian mythology (Rig-Veda, X, 90), Indeed if
the myth of giant Ymir in Norse Cosmogonies is not merely a medieval invention,
as is sometimes asserted, this legend must be one of the earliest possessions of
the Aryan race. El mito del origen del mundo de los miembros de un
gigante muerto o un hombre de Ur-es muy antigua, no sólo en especulaciones
iraní, sino también en la mitología india (Rig-Veda, X, 90), De hecho, si el
mito de los gigantes Ymir en Norse cosmogonías no es más que un invento
medieval, como a veces se afirma, esta leyenda debe ser una de las primeras
posesiones de la raza aria.
According to Mani
the First-Man now emanates sons as a man who puts on his armor for the
combat. Según Mani, el primer hombre ahora emana hijos como un hombre que
se pone su armadura para el combate.These five sons are the five elements
opposed to the five aeons of darkness: Clear Air, Refreshing Wind, Bright Light,
Life-Giving Waters, and Warming Fire. Estos cinco hijos son los cinco
elementos opuestos a los cinco eones de la oscuridad: Clear Air, viento
refrescante, luz brillante, las aguas que da vida, y el Fuego
Calentamiento.He put on first
the aerial breeze, then threw over himself light as a flaming mantle, and over
this light a covering of water; he surrounded himself with gusts of wind, took
light as his lance and shield, and cast himself downward toward the line of
danger. Se puso la primera brisa de la antena, y luego arrojó luz sobre
sí mismo como un manto de fuego, y sobre este punto de vista una cubierta de
agua, se rodeó de ráfagas de viento, tomó la luz como su lanza y escudo, y se
arrojó hacia abajo, hacia la línea de peligro.An angel called Nahashbat (?), carrying
a crown of victory, went before him. Un ángel llamado Nahashbat (?),
Llevando una corona de la victoria, iba delante de él.The First-Man projected his light
before him, and the King of Darkness seeing it, thought and said: "What I have
sought from afar, lo, I have found it near me." El primer hombre proyecta
su luz delante de él, y el Rey de las Tinieblas verlo, pensó y dijo: ". Lo que
he intentado desde lejos, he aquí lo he encontrado cerca de mí"He also clothed himself with his five
elements, and engaged in combat with the First-Man. Asimismo, vestidos
con sus cinco elementos, y en la pelea con la Primera-Man.The struggle went in favor of the King
of Darkness. La lucha fue a favor del Rey de la Oscuridad.The First-Man when being overcome, gave
himself and his five sons as food to the five sons of Darkness, "as a man having
an enemy, mixes deadly poison in a cake, and gives it to his foe." El
primer hombre al ser superado, se dio a sí mismo ya sus cinco hijos como
alimento a los cinco hijos de la oscuridad ", como un hombre que tiene un
enemigo, se mezcla un veneno mortal en un pastel, y lo da a su enemigo."When these five resplendent deities had
been absorbed by the sons of Darkness, reason was taken away from them and they
became through the poisonous admixture with the sons of Darkness, like unto a
man bitten by a wild dog or serpent. Cuando estos cinco resplandeciente
deidades habían sido absorbidas por los hijos de la oscuridad, la razón fue
quitado de ellos y se convirtieron a través de la venenosa mezcla con los hijos
de la oscuridad, al igual que a un hombre mordido por un perro salvaje o una
serpiente.Thus the evil one
conquered for a while. Así, el maligno conquistado por un tiempo.But the First-Man recovered his reason
and prayed seven times to the Father of Majesty, who being moved by mercy,
emanated as second creation, the Friend of the Ligh t, this Friend of the Light
emanated the Great Ban, and the Great Ban emanated the Spirit of Life.
Pero el primer hombre recuperó su razón y siete veces oró al Padre de la
Majestad, que están movidos por la misericordia, emanado de segunda creación, el
amigo de la Ligh t, este amigo de la luz emanada de la Gran prohibición, y la
prohibición de los Grandes emanó el Espíritu de la Vida.Thus a second trinity parallel to the
first (Father of Light, Mother of Light, First-Man) comes into existence.
Así, una segunda trinidad paralela a la primera (Padre de la Luz, la Madre de la
Luz, primer hombre) entra en existencia.The first two personages of the latter
trinity have not yet been explained and particularly the meaning of the Great
Ban is a puzzle, but as in the former trinity, it is the third person, who does
the actual work, the Spirit of Life (To Zon Pneuma), who becomes the demi-urge
or world former. Los dos primeros personajes de la trinidad esta última
todavía no se han explicado y sobre todo el sentido de la prohibición de Grande
es un rompecabezas, pero como en la antigua trinidad, es la tercera persona, que
hace el trabajo real, el Espíritu de la Vida (Para Zon Pneuma), que se convierte
en el demiurgo o el mundo antiguo.Like the First-Man he emanates five
personalities: from his intelligence the Ornament of Splendour (Sefath Ziva,
Splenditenens, phegotatochos in Greek and Latin sources), from his reason the
Great King of Honour, from his thought Adamas, Light, from his self reflection
the King of Glory, and from his will the Supporter (Sabhla, Atlas and Omothoros
of Greek and Latin sources). Al igual que el primer hombre que emana
cinco personalidades: de su inteligencia el Ornamento de esplendor (Sefath Ziva,
Splenditenens, phegotatochos en las fuentes griegas y latinas), de su razón, el
Gran Rey de Honor, de su pensamiento Adamas, Luz, de su auto la reflexión del
Rey de la Gloria, y de su voluntad de los aficionados (Sabhla, Atlas y Omothoros
de las fuentes griegas y latinas).These five deities were objects of
special worship amongst Manichæans, and St. Augustine (Contra Faustum, XV) gives
us descriptions of them drawn from Manichæan hymns. Estos cinco deidades
fueron objetos de culto especial entre los maniqueos, y San Agustín (Contra
Faustum, XV) nos da descripciones de ellos extraídos de himnos maniqueos.
These five
descend to the realm of Darkness, find the First-Man in his degradation and
rescue him by the word of their power; his armour remains behind, by lifting him
by the right hand the Spirit of Life brings him back to the Mother of
Life. Estos cinco descender al reino de la oscuridad, encontrar el primer
hombre en su degradación y rescatarlo de la palabra de su poder, su armadura se
queda atrás, por lo levantamiento de la mano derecha del Espíritu de la Vida le
trae de vuelta a la Madre de Vida.The fashioning of the world now
begins. La configuración del mundo comienza ahora.Some of the sons of the Spirit of Life
kill and flay the archons or sons of Darkness and bring them to the Mother of
Life. Algunos de los hijos del Espíritu de la Vida matar y despellejar a
los arcontes o hijos de la oscuridad y traerlos a la Madre de la Vida.She spreads out their skins and forms
twelve heavens. Ella extiende sus pieles y las formas doce cielos.Their corpses are hurled on the realm
of Darkness and eight worlds are made, their bones form the mountain
ranges. Sus cadáveres son arrojados en el reino de la oscuridad y ocho
mundos se hacen, sus huesos forman las cadenas montañosas.The Ornament of splendour holds the
five resplendent deities by their waist and below their waist the heavens are
extended. El Ornamento de esplendor celebra los cinco resplandeciente
deidades de su cintura y por debajo de su cintura, los cielos se
extienden.Atlas carries all
on his shoulders, the Great King of Honour sits on top of the heavens and guards
over all. Atlas lleva todos sobre sus hombros, el Gran Rey de honor se
encuentra en la parte superior de los cielos y sobre todas las guardias.The Spirit of Life forces the sons of
Darkness to surrender some of the light which they had absorbed from the five
elements and out of this he forms the sun and the moon (vessels of light,
lucidae naves in St. Augustine) and the stars. El Espíritu de la vida
obliga a los hijos de la oscuridad a entregar parte de la luz que había
absorbido de los cinco elementos y de esta forma que el sol y la luna (los
buques de la luz, naves lucidae en San Agustín) y las estrellas.The Spirit of Life further makes the
wheels of the wind under the earth near the Supporter. El Espíritu de la
Vida hace aún más las ruedas del viento debajo de la tierra cerca de los
aficionados.The King of Glory
by some creation or other enables these wheels to mount the surface of the earth
and thus prevents the five resplendent deities from being set on fire by the
poison of the archons. El Rey de la gloria de algunos otros o la creación
de estas ruedas permite montar la superficie de la tierra y por lo tanto evita
que los cinco resplandeciente deidades de ser incendiada por el veneno de los
arcontes.The text of
Theodore bar Khoni is here so confused and corrupt that it is difficult to catch
the meaning; probably wind, water, air, and fire are considered protective
coverings, encircling and enveloping the gross material earth and revolving
around it. El texto de la barra de Theodore Khoni aquí es tan confuso y
corrupto que es difícil captar el sentido, probablemente el viento, agua, aire y
fuego se consideran cubiertas de protección, que rodea y envuelve a la tierra
material bruto y girando a su alrededor.
Of rites and
ceremonies among the Manichæans but very little is known to us. De los
ritos y ceremonias entre los maniqueos, pero se sabe muy poco de
nosotros.They had one
great solemnity, that of the Bema, the anniversary of Mani's death.
Tenían una gran solemnidad, que el Bema, el aniversario de la muerte de
Mani.This was kept
with a vigil of prayers and spiritual reading. Esto se mantuvo con una
vigilia de oración y lectura espiritual.An empty chair was placed on a raised
platform to which five steps led up. Una silla vacía fue colocada sobre
una plataforma elevada a la que llevó cinco pasos.Further details are as yet
unknown. Otros detalles son aún desconocidos.St. Augustine complains that although
Manichæans pretended to be Christians, their feast of the death of Mani exceeded
in solemnity that of the Death and Resurrection of Christ. San Agustín se
queja de que a pesar de maniqueos pretendían ser cristianos, su fiesta de la
muerte de Mani superado en solemnidad de la muerte y resurrección de
Cristo.
Manichæans must
have possessed a kind of baptism and eucharist. Maniqueos debe haber
poseído una especie de bautismo y la eucaristía.The epistle on baptism, which occurred
among the sacred literature of the Manichæans, is unfortunately lost, and in
Oriental sources the matter is not referred to, but Christian sources suppose
the existence of both these rites. La epístola sobre el bautismo, que se
produjo entre la literatura sagrada de los maniqueos, es lamentablemente
perdido, y en las fuentes orientales el asunto no se conoce, pero las fuentes
cristianas suponer la existencia de estos dos ritos.Of greater importance than baptism was
the Consolamentum or "Consolation", an imposition of hands by one of the Elect
by which a Hearer was received amongst their number. De mayor importancia
que el bautismo es el consolamentum o "consolación", una imposición de manos por
uno de los elegidos por el cual un oyente se recibió, entre su número.The Manichæan hierarchy and
constitution is still involved in obscurity. La jerarquía Manichæan y la
Constitución sigue involucrado en la oscuridad.Mani evidently intended to provide a
supreme head for the multitude of his followers. Mani, evidentemente, la
intención de proporcionar una cabeza suprema de la multitud de sus
seguidores.He even decided
that his successor in this dignity should reside in Babylon. Incluso
decidió que su sucesor en esta dignidad debe residir en Babilonia.This high priesthood is known in Arabic
sources as the Imamate. Este alto sacerdote es conocido en las fuentes
árabes como la Imamate.In the East it seems to have possessed
at least some temporary importance, in the West it seems hardly known or
recognized. En el Este parece haber poseído al menos cierta importancia
temporal, en el oeste parece poco conocidas o reconocidas.No list of these supreme Pontiffs of
Manichæism has come down to us; hardly a name or two is known to history.
No hay una lista de estos Sumos Pontífices de Manichæism ha llegado hasta
nosotros, apenas un nombre o dos es conocido en la historia.It is doubtful even whether the chair
of Mani did not remain vacant for long periods. Es dudoso incluso si el
presidente de Mani no permanecen vacantes durante largos períodos.On the duties and privileges of the
Imamate we possess at present no information. En los derechos y
privilegios de la Imamate que poseemos en la actualidad no hay
información.According to
Western and Eastern sources the Manichæan Church was divided into five
hierarchical classes; St. Augustine names them magistri, episcopi, presbyteri,
electi, and auditores; this Christianized terminology represents in Manichæan
mystical language the sons of meekness, of reason, of knowledge, of mystery, and
of understanding. Según fuentes occidentales y orientales de la Iglesia
Manichæan se dividió en cinco categorías jerárquicas, San Agustín los nombres
episcopi magistri, presbyteri, electi y Auditores, lo que representa en términos
cristianizados Manichæan lenguaje místico de los hijos de la mansedumbre, de la
razón, del conocimiento , de misterio y de entendimiento.Mani's astrological predilections for
the number five, so evident in his cosmogony, evidently suggested this division
for his Church or kingdom of the light on earth. predilecciones
astrológica de Mani para el número cinco, tan evidente en su cosmogonía,
evidentemente, esta división de su Iglesia o reino de la luz en la
tierra.The Teachers and
Administrators (magistri and episcopi) are probably an adaptation of the
legontes and drontes, the speakers and the doers, known in Greek and Babylonian
mysteries; and the name "priests" is probably taken over from the Sabian
Kura. Los maestros y administradores (magistri y episcopi) son
probablemente una adaptación de la legontes y drontes, los oradores y los
hacedores, conocido en los misterios griegos y babilonios, y el nombre de
"sacerdotes" es probablemente tomado de la Kura Sabian.
With regard to
the relation of Manichæism to Christianity two things are clear: (a) Some
connection with Christianity was intended from the very first by Mani himself,
it was not an after-thought, introduced when Manichæism came in touch with the
West, as is sometimes asserted. En cuanto a la relación de Manichæism al
cristianismo dos cosas son claras: (a) alguna relación con el cristianismo se
pretendía desde el principio por el mismo Mani, no era un post-pensamiento,
cuando se presentó Manichæism vino en contacto con Occidente, como a veces se
afirma.Christianity was
the predominant religion in Osrhoene, and perhaps the principle religion in all
Mesopotamia in Mani's time. El cristianismo fue la religión predominante
en Osrhoene, y tal vez la religión principio en toda Mesopotamia en tiempo de
Mani.Mani, whose
object was to found a system, comprehensive of all religions then known, could
not but try to incorporate Christianity. Mani, cuyo objetivo era
encontrar un sistema integral de todas las religiones conocidas entonces, no
podía dejar de tratar de incorporar el cristianismo.In the first words of his proclamation
on the coronation day of Sapor I, he mentioned Jesus, who had come to the
countries of the West. En las primeras palabras de su proclamación en el
día de la coronación de Sapor I, se refirió a Jesús, que había llegado a los
países de Occidente.
Soon, however,
whether under the name of Paulicians, or Bogomiles, it again invaded the
Byzantine Empire, after having lain hidden for a time on Musselman
territory. Pronto, sin embargo, ya sea bajo el nombre de los paulicianos,
o Bogomiles, volvió a invadir el Imperio Bizantino, después de haber permanecido
ocultos durante un tiempo en el territorio de Musselman.The following are the Imperial edicts
launched against Manichæism: Diocletian (Alexandria, 31 March, 296) commands the
Proconsul of Africa to persecute them, he speaks of them as a sordid and impure
sect recently come from Persia, which he is determined to destroy root and
branch (stirpitus amputari). Los siguientes son los edictos imperiales
contra Manichæism: Diocleciano (Alejandría, 31 de marzo, 296) ordena al
procónsul de África para perseguirlos, se habla de ellos como un sórdido e
impuro recientemente la sección proceden de Persia, que está decidido a destruir
la raíz y rama (stirpitus amputari).Its leaders and propagators must be
burnt, together with their books; the rank and file beheaded, people of note
condemned to the mines, and their goods confiscated. Sus dirigentes y
propagadores deben ser quemados, junto con sus libros, las bases decapitado, la
gente nota de condena a las minas, y sus bienes confiscados.This edict remained at least nominally
in force under Constantine, and Constantius. Este edicto se mantuvo al
menos nominalmente en vigor en virtud de Constantino, y Constancio.Under Julian the Apostate, Manichæism
seems to have been tolerated. Bajo Juliano el Apóstata, Manichæism parece
haber sido tolerado.Valentinian I and Gratian, though
tolerant of other sects, made exception of the Manichæans. Valentiniano I
y Graciano, aunque tolerante de otras sectas, excepción hecha de los
maniqueos.Theodosius I, by
an edict of 381, declared Manichæans to be without civil rights and incapable of
testamentary disposition. Teodosio I, por un edicto de 381, declaró
Manichæans estar sin derechos civiles e incapaz de disposición
testamentaria.In the following
year he condemned them to death under the name of Encratites, Saccophores, and
Hydroparastates. En el año siguiente, condenado a muerte bajo el nombre
de encratitas, Saccophores y Hydroparastates.Valentinian II confiscated their goods,
annulled their wills, and sent them into exile. Valentiniano II
confiscados sus bienes, anuló su voluntad, y los envió al exilio.Honorius in 405 renewed the edicts of
his predecessors, and fined all governors of cities or provinces who were remiss
in carrying out his orders; he invalidated all their contracts, declared them
outlaws and public criminals. Honorio en 405 renovó los edictos de sus
predecesores, y multado con todos los gobernadores de las ciudades o provincias
que fueron negligentes en el cumplimiento de sus órdenes, sino que invalida
todos sus contratos, los declaró ilegales y criminales público.In 445 Valentinian III renewed the
edicts of his predecessors; Anastasius condemned all Manichæans to death; Justin
and Justinian decreed the death penalty, not only against Manichæans who
remained obstinate in their heresy, but even against converts from Manichæism
who remained in touch with their former co-religionists, or who did not at once
denounce them to the magistrates. En 445 Valentiniano III renovó los
edictos de sus predecesores; Anastasio condenó todos los maniqueos a la muerte,
Justin y Justiniano decretó la pena de muerte, no sólo contra los maniqueos, que
se mantuvo obstinado en su herejía, sino incluso contra los conversos de
Manichæism que se mantuvo en contacto con su ex correligionarios, o que no a la
vez denunciar a los magistrados.Heavy penalties were likewise decreed
against all State officials who did not denounce their colleagues, if infected
with Manichæism, and against all those who retained Manichæan books.
sanciones fuertes también se decretó en contra de todos los funcionarios del
Estado que no denunciar a sus colegas, si están infectados con Manichæism, y
contra todos aquellos que conservaron los libros Manichæan.It was a war of extermination and was
apparently successful, within the confines of the Byzantine Empire. Fue
una guerra de exterminio y fue aparentemente exitosa, dentro de los confines del
Imperio bizantino.
IV.
IV.HISTORY IN THE
WEST HISTORIA EN EL OESTE
In the West the
special home of Manichæism was in Proconsular Africa, where it seems to have had
a second apostle inferior only to Mani, a further incarnation of the Paraclete,
Adimantus. En el oeste de la casa especial de Manichæism estaba en África
proconsular, donde parece haber tenido un segundo apóstol inferior sólo a Mani,
una nueva encarnación del Paráclito, Adimanto.Previous to 296 Julian the Proconsul
had written to the emperor that the Manichæans troubled the peace of the
population and caused injury to the towns. Anterior a 296 Juliano el
procónsul había escrito al emperador que los maniqueos a alterar la paz de la
población y causado un perjuicio a los pueblos.After the edict of Diocletian we hear
no more of it until the days of St. Augustine. Tras el edicto de
Diocleciano no oímos más de él hasta el día de San Agustín.Its most notorious champion was Faustus
of Mileve. Su más notorio fue campeón Fausto de Mileve.Born at Mileve of poor parents, he had
gone to Rome, and being converted to Manichæism he began to study rhetoric
somewhat late in life. Nacido en Mileve de padres pobres, que había ido a
Roma, y se convirtió al Manichæism comenzó a estudiar la retórica un poco
tarde en la vida.He was not a man of profound erudition,
but he was a suave and unctuous speaker. No era un hombre de profunda
erudición, pero era un orador suave y untuoso.His fame in Manichæan circles was very
great. Su fama en los círculos Manichæan era muy grande.He was a Manichæan episcopus and
boasted of having left his wife and children and all he had for his
religion. Era un episcopus Manichæan y se jactó de haber dejado a su
esposa e hijos y todo lo que tenía de su religión.He arrived at Carthage in 383, and was
arrested, but the Christians obtained the commutation of his sentence to
banishment and even that was not carried out. Llegó a Cartago en 383, y
fue arrestado, pero los cristianos obtuvieron la conmutación de la pena de
destierro, e incluso que no se llevó a cabo.About AD 400 he wrote a work in favor
of Manichæism, or rather against Christianity, in which he tried to wrest the
New Testament to the support of Manichæism. Sobre el año 400 dC, escribió
una obra en favor de Manichæism, o más bien contra el cristianismo, en la que él
trató de arrancar el Nuevo Testamento para el apoyo de Manichæism.St. Augustine answered him in
thirty-three books embodying verbally much of his teaching. San Agustín
le contestó en treinta y tres libros de palabra que contiene gran parte de su
enseñanza.On 28 and 29
August 392, St. Augustine had refuted a certain Fortunatus in public discussion
held in the Baths of Sossius. El 28 y 29 de agosto 392, San Agustín había
rechazado una Fortunato determinadas en el debate público celebrado en las
Termas de Sossius.Fortunatus acknowledged defeat and
disappeared from the town. Fortunato reconoció la derrota y desapareció
de la ciudad.On 7 Dec., 404,
St. Augustine held a dispute with Felix, a Manichæan priest. El 07 de
diciembre, 404, San Agustín celebró una disputa con Félix, un sacerdote
Manichæan.He convinced him
of the error of his ways and he made him say: Anathema to Mani. Él le
convenció del error de sus caminos y le hizo decir: anatema a Mani.St. Augustine knew how to use severity
to extirpate the heresy. San Agustín sabía cómo usar la gravedad para
extirpar la herejía.Victorinus, a deacon had become an
auditor and propagandist of the Manichæans. Victorino, un diácono, se
había convertido en un auditor y propagandista de los maniqueos.He was discovered, upon which he
apparently repented and asked for reconciliation, but St. Augustine punished him
and banished him from the town, warning all people against him. Fue
descubierto, a la que aparentemente se arrepintió y pidió a la reconciliación,
pero San Agustín lo castigó y lo desterró de la ciudad, advirtiendo a todas las
personas en su contra.He would not hear of his repentance
unless he denounced all the Manichæans he knew in the province. Él no
quería oír hablar de su arrepentimiento a menos que denuncia todos los maniqueos
que conocía en la provincia.St. Augustine did not write against
Manichæism during the last twenty five years of his life; hence it is thought
that the sect decreased in importance during that time. San Agustín no
escribió contra Manichæism durante los últimos veinticinco años de su vida, por
lo que se cree que la secta disminuido en importancia durante ese tiempo.Yet in 420, Ursus, the imperial
prefect, arrested some Manichæans in Carthage and made them recant. Sin
embargo, en 420, Ursus, el prefecto imperial, arrestó a algunos Manichæans en
Cartago y los hizo retractarse.When the Arian Vandals conquered Africa
the Manichæans thought of gaining the Arian clergy by secretly entering their
ranks, but Huneric (477-484), King of the Vandals, realizing the danger, burnt
many of them and transported the others. Cuando los vándalos Arian
conquistaron África Manichæans el pensamiento de ganar el clero de Arian
secretamente entrar en sus filas, pero Hunerico (477-484), rey de los vándalos,
al darse cuenta del peligro, muchos de ellos quemados y transportaron a los
otros.Yet at the end of
the sixth century Gregory the Great looked upon Africa as the hotbed of
Manichæism. Sin embargo, a finales del siglo VI, Gregorio el Grande miró
a África como el foco de Manichæism.The same warning was repeated by
Gregory II (701), and Nicholas II (1061). La misma advertencia fue
repetida por Gregorio II (701), y Nicolás II (1061).
The spread of
Manichæism in Spain and Gaul is involved in obscurity on account of the
uncertainty concerning the real teaching of Priscillian. La propagación
de Manichæism en España y la Galia está involucrado en la oscuridad a causa de
la incertidumbre sobre la verdadera enseñanza de Prisciliano.
It is well known
how St. Augustine (383) found a home at Rome in the Manichæan community, which
must have been considerable. Es bien sabido cómo San Agustín (383)
encontraron una casa en Roma en la comunidad maniquea, que debe haber sido
considerable.According to the
"Liber Pontificalis" Pope Miltiades (311-314) had already discovered adherents
to the sect in the city. Según el "Liber Pontificalis" Papa Milcíades
(311-314) ya había descubierto los adeptos de la secta en la ciudad.Valentinian's edict (372), addressed to
the city prefect, was clearly launched mainly against Roman Manichæans.
Valentiniano edicto (372), dirigida al prefecto de la ciudad, se puso en marcha
claramente principalmente contra Manichæans romana.The so called "Ambrosiaster" combated
Manichæism in a great many of his writings (370-380). La llamada
"Ambrosiaster" Manichæism combatirse en gran parte de sus escritos (370 hasta
380).In the years
384-388 a special sect of Manichæans arose in Rome called Martari, or
Mat-squatters, who, supported by a rich man called Constantius, tried to start a
sort of monastic life for the Elect in contravention of Mani's command that the
Elect should wander about the world preaching the Manichæan Gospel. En
los años 384-388 una secta especial de Manichæans surgió en Roma llamado Martari
o Mat-ocupantes ilegales, que, con el apoyo de un hombre rico llamado
Constancio, trató de iniciar una especie de vida monástica para los elegidos, en
contravención de mando de Mani que el Electo deben vagar por el mundo predicando
el Evangelio Manichæan.The new sect found the bitterest
opposition amongst their co-religionists. La nueva secta que se
encuentran la más amarga oposición entre sus correligionarios.In Rome they seem to have made
extraordinary endeavors to conceal themselves by almost complete conformity with
Christian customs. En Roma parece que han hecho esfuerzos extraordinarios
para ocultar los propios casi completa conformidad con las costumbres
cristianas.From the middle
of the sixth century onward Manichæism apparently died out in the West. A
partir de mediados del siglo VI en adelante Manichæism al parecer murió en el
Oeste.Though a number
of secret societies and dualistic sects may have existed here and there in
obscurity, there is apparently no direct and conscious connection with the
Prophet of Babylon and his doctrine. A pesar de una serie de sociedades
secretas y sectas dualista puede haber existido aquí y allá en la oscuridad,
aparentemente no hay relación directa y consciente con el Profeta de Babilonia y
su doctrina.Yet when the
Paulicians and Bogomili from Bulgaria came in contact with the West in the
eleventh century, and eastern missionaries driven out by the Byzantine emperors
taught dualist doctrines in the North of Italy and the South of France they
found the leaven of Manichæism still so deeply pervading the minds of the many
that they could make it ferment and rise into the formidable Catharist
heresies. Sin embargo, cuando los paulicianos y bogomilos de Bulgaria
entró en contacto con Occidente en el siglo XI, y los misioneros orientales
expulsados por los emperadores bizantinos enseñan doctrinas dualistas en el
norte de Italia y el sur de Francia se encontraron con la levadura de Manichæism
todavía tan profundamente impregna las mentes de los muchos que podrían hacer
fermentar y el aumento en el formidable herejía cátara.
"The Gospel",
written in Persian, of which the chapters began with successive letters of the
alphabet. "El Evangelio", escrita en persa, de los capítulos que se
inició con las sucesivas letras del alfabeto. | eng | 4574fe75-6c13-498d-91af-bf2470d7c8a3 | http://www.mb-soft.com/believe/tsn/manichae.htm |
Methods for treating circadian rhythm disorders
Patent 6638963 Issued on October 28, 2003.
Estimated Expiration Date: April 29This application relates to circadian rhythms in humans, and particularly to the synchronization of such human circadian rhythms with the external environment. Specifically, this invention describes methods for achieving a chronobiologic (circadian phase-shifting) effect in humans. The invention provides methods to specifically advance or delay the phase of certain circadian rhythms in humans. Specific embodiments of the invention comprise methods for alleviating the effects of transmeridional travel (i.e., jet lag); methods for alleviating certain circadian phase disturbance-based psychopathological disorders such as winter depression (or seasonal affective disorder); methods for achieving synchrony between a human's wake/sleep cycle or other circadian rhythms and the human's occupational and other human activity schedules; and methods for achieving synchrony between a human's wake/sleep cycle and other circadian rhythms.
2. Background of the Related Art
The phenomenon of circadian rhythms in biology is well known, and circadian rhythms are exhibited by all eukaryotic plants and animals, including man. Biological rhythms are periodic fluctuations in biological properties over time; these include circadian as well as seasonal variations. Circadian, or approximately 24-hour, rhythms include the production of biological molecules such as hormones, the regulation of body temperature, and behaviors such as wakefulness, sleep and periods of activity.
In nature, circadian rhythms are closely tied to environmental cues that impose a 24-hour pattern on many of these fluctuations. When these cues are absent, most circadian rhythms have a periodicity different (in humans, usually slightly greater) than 24 hours. Circadian rhythms that are no longer regulated by environmental cues are said to be free running. The regulation of circadian rhythms by signals from the environment is said to involve entrainment of circadian rhythms. The environmental signals that affect entrainment have been termed zeitgebers, an example of which is the light/dark cycle.
It is thought in this art that the control of circadian rhythms in mammals is mediated by a portion of the brain called the superchiasmatic nuclei (SCN). Circadian rhythms are primarily entrained by the light and dark cycle; light signals are conveyed by the retina to the SCN, and the pineal gland, which is regulated by the SCN, produces melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine).
Disruption of circadian rhythms can result in a number of pathophysiological states in humans; one of the most common of these is jet lag. The use of melatonin to ameliorate the effects of jet lag has been described in the prior art.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,665,086 and 4,600,723 teach the use of melatonin to alleviate the symptoms of jet lag. These patents teach the use of >1 to 10 mg of melatonin, taken at destination bedtime, and again upon premature awakening in the middle of the night.
Mallo et al. 1988, Acta Endocrinol. 119: 474-480 teach that the administration of 8 mg of melatonin to humans, one hour before bedtime over a course of four days, results in a slight phase advance in the melatonin rhythm three days after cessation of the melatonin treatment but not in other circadian rhythms.
Armstrong et al., 1989, Experientia 45: 932-938 disclose the effects of exogenous melatonin administration on the circadian rhythm of the sleep/wake cycle in rats, and that the effect was greatest when exogenous melatonin was administered a few hours before the effective start of the nocturnal activity cycle.
Petrie et al., 1989, Brit. Med. J. 298: 705-707 teach the administration of 5 mg of melatonin to humans on a schedule of three days before flight, during flight, and once a day for three days after arrival to alleviate jet lag caused by flights from Auckland, New Zealand to London and back.
Sack & Lewy, 1989, Amer. Coll. Neuropsychopharm. Abstract suggest the possibility of achieving a phase advance in a human using melatonin administered in the evening.
Samel et al., 1991, J. Biol. Rhythms 6: 235-248 teach the use of melatonin for the treatment of jet lag using an administration schedule of melatonin administration at 1800 local time for 3 days before the time shift, and at 1400 local time for 4 days afterwards.
Entrainment and regulation of circadian rhythms have been demonstrated in a number of animal species. The ability to effect an actual change in the phase of circadian rhythms would be useful for the alleviation of a number of circadian-rhythm related disorders.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941, issued Sep. 7, 1993 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,152, issued May 30, 1995, both issued to the present inventors, were the first to disclose a phase response curve for melatonin in humans. These references taught that an appropriate time to administer melatonin to induce a change in phase of human circadian rhythms is related to the time of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), a robust marker of a human's circadian rhythms. Contrary to the teachings of the prior art (that melatonin was simply associated with darkness, which came to be thought of as being equivalent to sleep in diurnal animals), the teachings of these patents established that the circadian rhythm of endogenous melatonin production was tightly coupled to the endogenous circadian pacemaker that regulates the timing of a variety of other human circadian rhythms (such as core body temperature, cortisol and sleep propensity), and that affecting the phase of the human melatonin circadian rhythm by administration of exogenous melatonin could effect both phase advances and phase delays in other human circadian rhythms. These patents disclosed that the magnitude and direction (i.e., phase advance or phase delay) of the desired circadian rhythm phase shift was dependent on the time of melatonin administration. Contrary to the established teachings of the prior art, these patents prescribed administration of relatively non-soporific (<1 mg) dosages of melatonin at times that usually were not equivalent to destination bedtime, based on the human melatonin phase response curve (PRC). The teachings of these patents are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768, issued Jan. 7, 1997 to the present inventors, disclosed methods of administering exogenous melatonin at different clock times over a course of melatonin treatment, wherein melatonin administration was kept at a constant time relative to the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) time. In this patent, the present inventors disclosed the use of administration regimes holding the time of melatonin administration constant relative to DLMO time for achieving both phase advances and phase delays of the melatonin phase response curve, for alleviating circadian rhythm disorders including jet lag, winter depression, shift work desynchronies, and sleep disorders. The teachings of this patent are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
The human melatonin PRC described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,941 and 5,420,152 suggested that exogenous melatonin would be most effective when administered during the light period, to compete with light as a "substitute" for darkness. The human melatonin PRC clearly shows that melatonin acts like darkness on the endogenous circadian pacemaker(s) in humans. The circadian rhythm of melatonin production has an active phase of about 12 hours (levels reaching from a few picograms per mL of plasma to as great as several hundred picograms per mL, depending on the individual) and a quiescent phase of about 12 hours (levels falling to about 10 pg/mL or lower, depending on the individual and sensitivity of the melatonin assay). In entrained, sighted individuals, melatonin is produced only during nighttime darkness and not during daytime darkness, suggesting that melatonin may act by helping the endogenous circadian pacemaker to discriminate between the nighttime dark period and sporadic episodes of daytime darkness (including daytime sleep). Melatonin in combination with dim light or darkness thus might be a more effective darkness zeitgeber than darkness alone in the absence of melatonin. Aside from its effect on causing the human to perceive darkness, sleep alone has been found to have little, if any, chronobiologic effect in humans; however, it is possible that sleep may have a slight effect in potentiating the phase-shifting effects of melatonin and darkness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method for achieving a chronobiologic (phase-shifting) effect in a human by regulation of a human's circadian rhythms. Specifically, the circadian phase-shifting effect is achieved by the administration of exogenous melatonin. The methods of the invention produce phase shifting of circadian rhythms by administration of exogenous melatonin, wherein the term "melatonin" is intended to encompass melatonin itself and other circadian rhythm phase-shifting compounds that increase-endogenous melatonin levels or act on melatonin receptors, the term "melatonin levels" is intended to encompass levels, particularly plasma concentration levels, of melatonin itself and melatonin agonists, and the term "quiescent melatonin levels" is intended to encompass melatonin itself and equivalent agonists, as all of these terms are described herein (see the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments). Further, the methods of the invention relate to the timing of melatonin administration to the human. The methods described herein are used to advance or delay the phase of circadian rhythms in a human. This effect is advantageously achieved by administering exogenous melatonin to the human at an appropriate time relative to the human's endogenous melatonin onset and offset times. In this way, the present invention is able to alleviate jet lag and other circadian rhythm disorders of both the phase-delay and the phase-advance types.
In one aspect of the invention is provided a method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in a human, the method comprising administering to the human an amount of melatonin, said administration producing in the human a plasma melatonin concentration of greater than quiescent melatonin levels. The timing of plasma melatonin concentrations greater than quiescent melatonin levels overlaps with either the onset of endogenous melatonin production in the human (to cause a phase advance) or the offset of endogenous melatonin production in the human (to cause a phase delay). Thus, in one embodiment of the invention is provided a method for causing a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect that is a phase advance, wherein the time of plasma melatonin concentration of greater than quiescent melatonin levels overlaps with the onset of endogenous melatonin production in the human. In this embodiment, melatonin is administered to the human in an immediate-release formulation before about circadian time (CT) 14, preferably after about CT 6, and levels continue past the time of endogenous melatonin onset (CT 14 is the time of an individual's dim light endogenous melatonin onset, termed DLMO, which is defined and described in detail herein). Alternatively, exogenous melatonin is administered to a human in a delayed-release formulation at a time wherein plasma melatonin concentration in the human is increased to greater than quiescent levels before about CT 14, preferably after about CT 6. Alternatively, exogenous melatonin is administered to a human in a sustained-release formulation before about CT 14, preferably in a formulation having a duration of less than about 12 hours, and preferably after about CT 6 to continue past the time of endogenous melatonin onset. According to the methods of the invention, the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse, as defined herein, is sufficient to overlap the endogenous melatonin onset time for any of these different types of administered formulations, and preferably does not overlap the endogenous melatonin offset time.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for causing a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect that is a phase delay, wherein the time of plasma melatonin concentration of greater than quiescent melatonin levels overlaps with the offset of endogenous melatonin production in the human. In a preferred embodiment, exogenous melatonin is administered to a human in an immediate-release formulation before about CT 1, preferably after about CT 18. Alternatively, exogenous melatonin is administered to a human in a delayed-release melatonin formulation at a time wherein plasma melatonin concentration in the human is increased to greater than quiescent levels before about CT 1 preferably after about CT 18. Alternatively, exogenous melatonin is administered in a sustained-release formulation before about CT 1, preferably in a formulation having a duration of less than about 19 hours, and preferably at about CT 18, wherein the plasma melatonin concentration returns to quiescent levels before the next night's endogenous melatonin onset. According to the methods of the invention, the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse, as defined herein, is sufficient to overlap the endogenous melatonin offset time (typically, from CT 0 to CT 1) for any of these different types of administered formulations and preferably does not overlap the endogenous melatonin onset time.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in a human, the method comprising administering to the human an amount of melatonin wherein said administration produces in the human a plasma melatonin concentration of greater than quiescent melatonin levels for a duration that coincides at least in part with either the phase advance zone (about CT 6 to about CT 18) or phase delay zone (about CT 18 to about CT 6) of the human melatonin phase response curve. In a first embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect is a phase advance and exogenous melatonin is administered in a formulation having a duration to provide a period of plasma melatonin concentration greater than quiescent melatonin levels within the interval from about CT 6 to about CT 18. In a second embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect is a phase delay and exogenous melatonin is administered in a formulation having a duration to provide a period of plasma melatonin concentration greater than quiescent levels within the interval from about CT 18 to about CT 6. Melatonin administration for achieving a phase advance advantageously is performed using a melatonin formulation having a duration of elevated plasma melatonin concentration that provides maximum stimulation of the phase-advance portion of the phase response curve (about CT 6 to about CT 18) while avoiding stimulation of the phase-delay portion of the phase response curve (about CT 18 to about CT 6), that is, having a maximum duration of about 12 hours. Melatonin administration for achieving a phase delay advantageously is performed using, a melatonin formulation having a duration of elevated plasma-melatonin concentration that provides maximum stimulation of the phase-delay portion of the phase response curve (about CT 18 to about CT 6) while avoiding stimulation of the phase-advance portion of the phase response curve (about CT 6 to about CT 18). However, it is also advantageous both to stimulate the maximum amount of the phase-delay portion of the phase response curve, and to provide for the longest duration of elevated plasma melatonin concentration after the endogenous melatonin offset (at about CT 1) without overlapping the time of endogenous melatonin onset. Thus, for achieving a phase delay, melatonin is advantageously administered having a maximum duration of about 19 hours (i.e., from about CT 18 to about CT 13). For a method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in a human, the method comprising regulating exposure of the human to light, preferably sufficiently bright light to suppress endogenous melatonin production. In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the phase-shifting effect is a phase delay, the method comprising exposing the human to light for a time from about CT 6 to about CT 18. In a preferred embodiment, the human is subjected to light exposure at a time from about CT 14 to about CT 18. In another embodiment, the phase-shifting effect is a phase advance, and the method comprises subjecting the human to light exposure at a time from about CT 18 to about CT 6. In a preferred embodiment, the human is subjected to light exposure at a time from about CT 18 to about CT 1.
The invention also provides a method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in a human, the method comprising regulating exposure of the human to light, wherein the human is subjected to darkness or dim light, or by limiting light exposure,for example, by prescribing the use of dark or red-colored goggles or other means to prevent a human from exposure to a light stimulus. In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the phase-shifting effect is a phase advance, the method comprising subjecting the human to darkness or dim light from about CT 6 to about CT 18. In a preferred embodiment, the human is subjected to darkness or dim light from about CT 14 to about CT 18. In another embodiment of this aspect, the invention provides a method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase delay, the method comprising regulating exposure of the human to darkness or dim light from about CT 18 to about CT 6. In a preferred embodiment, the human is subjected to darkness or dim light from about CT 18 to about CT 1.
Also contemplated as components of the methods of the instant invention are embodiments wherein melatonin administration is accompanied, either at times coincident with melatonin administration times by reducing exposure to artificial or natural light (i.e., providing darkness), or at appropriate times other than melatonin administration times, by exposure of a human to light, either artificial or naturally-occurring. Appropriate combinations of exogenous melatonin administration, dim light or bright light treatments are provided by this invention, as described more fully in the Examples below.
In another aspect of the invention is provided a method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in a human, the method comprising administering to the human an amount of a melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist. In these embodiments of the methods of the invention, melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist is administered at a time to produce preferred stimulation of either the advance or delay zone of the melatonin PRC, or to provide an overlap between the time of plasma concentration levels of the melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist either the onset of endogenous melatonin production in the human (to cause a phase delay) or the offset of endogenous melatonin production in the human (to cause a phase advance).
Thus, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention is provided a method for causing a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect that is a phase delay, wherein the time of plasma concentration of the melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist overlaps with the onset of endogenous melatonin production in the human. In this embodiment, melatonin is administered to the human in an immediate-release formulation before about circadian time (CT) 14, preferably after about CT 6, and that levels continue past the time of endogenous melatonin onset. Alternatively, a melatonin antagonist or inverse agonists is administered to a human in a delayed-release formulation before about CT 1, preferably after about CT 6. Alternatively, melatonin antagonists or inverse agonists are administered to a human in a sustained-release formulation before about CT 14, preferably in a formulation having a duration of less than about 12 hours, and preferably after about CT 6 to continue past the time of endogenous melatonin offset. According to the methods of the invention, the duration of the pulse of melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist, as defined herein, is sufficient to overlap the endogenous melatonin onset time for any of these different types of administered formulations.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for causing a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect that is a phase advance, wherein the time of plasma concentration of the melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist overlaps with the offset of endogenous melatonin production in the human. In a preferred embodiment, a melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist is administered to a human in an immediate-release formulation before about CT 1, preferably after about CT 18. Alternatively, melatonin antagonists or inverse agonists are administered to a human in a delayed-release melatonin formulation at a time before about CT 1, preferably after about CT 18. Alternatively, melatonin antagonists or inverse agonists are administered in a sustained-release formulation before about CT 1, preferably in a formulation having a duration of less than about 19 hours, and preferably after about CT 18, wherein the plasma concentration levels of melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist decrease to pre-treatment levels before the next night's endogenous melatonin onset. According to the methods of the invention, the duration of the exogenous pulse of melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist, as defined herein, is sufficient to overlap the endogenous melatonin offset time (typically, from CT 0 to CT 1) for any of these different types of administered formulations and preferably does not overlap the endogenous melatonin onset time (DLMO).
In another embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist is administered at a time wherein said administration produces in the human a plasma concentration of melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist for a time or in a concentration during a time interval from about CT 6 to about CT 18 that is greater than that produced during the time interval from about CT 18 to about CT 6, to provide a phase delay. For a phase advance, melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist is administered at a time wherein said administration produces in the human a plasma concentration of melatonin antagonist or inverse agonist for a time or in a concentration during a time interval from about CT 18 to about CT 6 that is greater than that produced during the time interval from about CT 6 to about CT 18, to produce a phase advance.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in a human, the method comprising administering to the human an amount of a compound that decreases endogenous production of melatonin in the human wherein said administration reduces endogenous plasma melatonin concentration in the human to a plasma concentration for a duration of time that is co-incident with a portion of the profile of endogenous melatonin production. In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect is a phase advance and the duration of the effect of administration of a compound that decreases endogenous production of melatonin in the human on plasma melatonin concentration is from about CT 18 to about CT 1. In another embodiment, the circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect is a phase delay and the duration of the effect of administration a compound that decreases endogenous production of melatonin in the human on plasma melatonin concentration is from about CT 14 to about CT 18. In preferred embodiments, the administered melatonin reducing compound is a beta-blocker.
The invention also provides methods for administering melatonin to a human without causing a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect. In this aspect, the invention provides a method of administering melatonin to a human without causing a phase shift in the human's circadian rhythms. The inventive methods comprise administering melatonin to a human wherein said administration produces in the human a plasma melatonin concentration of greater than quiescent melatonin levels wherein the duration of elevated plasma concentration greater than quiescent levels overlaps equally with both the onset time and offsef time of endogenous melatonin production in the human. In an alternative embodiment of this aspect of the invention, melatonin is administered wherein said administration produces in the human a plasma melatonin concentration of greater than quiescent melatonin levels where in the duration of elevated plasma concentration coincides with equal portions of the phase advance and phase delay zones of the human's phase response curve.
Thus, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention is provided a method comprising the step of administering to the human melatonin wherein said administration produces in the human a plasma melatonin concentration of greater than quiescent melatonin levels for a time wherein the rise of exogenous melatonin is about as many hours earlier than the onset as the fall of exogenous melatonin is later than the offset of the human's pre-treatment endogenous melatonin profile. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising administering to the human melatonin wherein said administration produces in the human a plasma melatonin concentration of greater than quiescent melatonin levels for a time wherein the time of plasma melatonin concentration levels of greater than quiescent melatonin levels is co-incident with an equal portion of the phase advance and the phase delay zones of the individual's melatonin phase response curve.
Methods for administering melatonin antagonists, inverse agonists and compounds that reduce endogenous melatonin production in a human that do not produce a phase shift are also provided by the invention. In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention co-incident with equal portions of the phase advance and phase delay zones of the individual's melatonin phase response curve. In another embodiment wherein the rise of plasma concentration of melatonin antagonist, inverse agonist or a compound that reduces melatonin production in a human is about as many hours earlier than the onset as the fall of plasma concentration of melatonin antagonist, inverse agonist or a compound that reduces melatonin production in a human is later than the offset of the human's pre-treatment endogenous melatonin profile.
The methods of the invention are advantageously provided to alleviate a circadian rhythm-associated disorder in a human. In preferred embodiments, the circadian rhythm-associated disorder is jet lag, winter depression, shift-work related desynchronies or sleep disorders.
Specific preferred embodiments of the present invention will become evident from the following more detailed description of certain preferred embodiments and the claims.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the relationship between the degree of phase advance and duration (FIG. 3) and half-life (FIG. 4) of exogenous melatonin administered as disclosed in Example 4.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the relationship between the degree of phase advance and duration (FIG. 5) and half-life (FIG. 6) of exogenous melatonin administered as disclosed in Example 5.
FIG. 7 describes the changes in depression ratings in patients with winter depression in response to melatonin treatment compared to placebo, as disclosed in Example 11.
FIG. 8 describes the changes in depression ratings in patients with winter depression in response to melatonin or light treatment compared to placebo, as disclosed in Example 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The methods of this invention utilize enhancement and reduction of stimulation of the human melatonin phase response curve to produce a circadian-rhythm phase shift in a human. The methods of this invention prescribe particular exogenous melatonin administration and duration times during a course of exogenous melatonin treatment to effect a circadian rhythm phase shift. Exogenous melatonin administration times are prescribed according to the invention relative to an internal circadian rhythm marker, the DLMO time, rather than external markers such as destination bedtime (although administration times can be given as clock times that relate to known or estimated DLMO times). The invention thereby provides methods for achieving circadian rhythm phase-shifting effects that result in the effective treatment of a variety of circadian rhythm phase disturbances, including jet lag, winter depression, sleep disorders, shift-work and other human activity schedule-related disorders and desynchronies with external zeitgebers.
The present invention contemplates the administration of various doses of melatonin which promote quantitative shifts in an individual's endogenous circadian pacemaker. The administration of sufficient doses of melatonin is capable of shifting the endogenous circadian pacemaker, as well as the melatonin PRC, by an appropriate degree. A linear dose effect has been found as described herein and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,941 and 5,420,152, incorporated by reference, at melatonin dosages from about 0.125 mg to about 0.5 mg melatonin. The amount of melatonin administered to a human subject should be sufficient to achieve the desired circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a dosage of about 0.01 mg to about 100 mg, more preferably about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, most preferably about 0.1 mg to about 1 mg, of exogenous melatonin is used to effect the desired change in phase of the circadian rhythm of endogenous melatonin production. For the purposes of this invention, the term "exogenously administered melatonin" encompasses various formulations of melatonin, melatonin agonists (that is, compounds that mimic melatonin's actions) and compounds that raise endogenous melatoriin levels. Therefore, whenever reference is made to increasing plasma melatonin levels due to administration of exogenous melatonin, this refers also to increasing plasma melatonin levels due to administration of a melatonin stimulant and increasing equivalent agonist levels due to administration of a melatonin agonist. In the latter case, when plasma levels of melatonin are referred to following a melatonin agonist, these melatonin levels are meant to be equivalent to levels of the melatonin agonist.
Pharmaceutical quality melatonin is commercially available. Since melatonin appears to be absorbed across almost all tissues, many routes of administration are possible. These include but are not limited to submucosal, sublingual, intranasal, ocular cul-de-sac, rectal, transdermal, buccal, intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous methods of administration. A variety of administration means, including but not limited to capsules, tablets, suppositories, repositories, injections, transdermal or transbuccal patches or any reservoir capable of containing and dispensing melatonin, are also useful. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, melatonin is administered orally.
It may be advantageous to administer melatonin in immediate-release formulations, in formulations wherein the melatonin is continuously released physiologically for a set time (sustained-release formulations), or in formulations wherein the physiological release of melatonin is delayed (delayed-release formulations), or in combinations thereof. The present invention encompasses the use of such melatonin formulations in the methods of the instant invention.
The present invention contemplates the use of melatonin precursors, agonists and other compounds which mimic melatonin activity, in place of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine) itself, as well as compounds that compete with melatonin at the melatonin receptor (melatonin antagonists) and compounds that stimulate melatonin receptors to have an effect opposite to that of melatonin (melatonin inverse agonists), in addition to drugs (melatonin blockers or melatonin stimulants) and interventions (such as exposure to light or darkness) that lower or raise, respectively, endogenous melatonin levels. For the purposes of this invention, the use of the term "melatonin" will also be understood to encompass all such melatonin agonists, precursors and other compounds that mimic melatonin activity, as well as compounds that increase endogenous melatonin production in the human or otherwise potentiate or enhance the physiological activity of melatonin in a human.
Further, the methods of the invention relate to the timing of the administration of the dosage, of melatonin and these other agents to the human. The timing of these agents in the human as described results in a specific phase shift (phase advance or phase delay) in the human's circadian rhythms.
The present invention is based on the melatonin phase response curve (PRC; see U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941 and Example 2 below). The human melatonin PRC, shown in FIG. 1, indicates the presence of a time interval for each individual during which administration of exogenous melatonin results in clear and unequivocal phase-shifting responses. Within this interval, the time of administration of melatonin is related to the magnitude of the resulting phase shift of the PRC. The human melatonin PRC indicates the presence of time intervals for each individual during which administration of exogenous melatonin results in clear and unequivocal phase-shifting responses of the phase-advance and phase-delay types.
Melatonin administration as disclosed herein is achieved using melatonin formulations that increase plasma melatonin levels above quiescent levels present in a human during the day. For the purposes of this invention, the term "quiescent levels" and "quiescent melatonin levels" used with regard to endogenous melatonin plasma concentrations is intended to describe plasma melatonin levels that range from about 1 to about 10 pg/mL, depending on the individual and on the sensitivity of the melatonin assay, and which typically occur during the day in humans.
The existence of the DLMO provides for rendering the human melatonin phase response curve in terms of circadian time (designated CT) as well as clock time. Circadian time can be determined, for example, relative to at least two events: under entrained (steady-state) conditions, the first sufficiently bright light exposure after awakening, designated as CT 0; and the DLMO time, which is a physiologically-determined event that varies among individuals but typically occurs about 14 hours (CT 14) after first sufficiently bright light exposure after awakening. It will be understood that for most individuals, CT 0 is equivalent to wake-up time, but that some people awaken to darkness and do not receive sufficient light exposure until some time after awakening, which is CT 0 for these individuals.
In preferred embodiments of this invention, phase advances or phase delays in circadian rhythms can be effected by administration of an amount of exogenous melatonin based on any one of the following measures of the human's circadian rhythms: the individual's melatonin phase response curve, either actually measured or predicted; the individual's actual or estimated DLMO time, relative to other markers such as the individual's wake-up time (taken to be CT 0); or other circadian markers (such body core temperature, sleep onset times, and cortisol production) that can reasonably predict the phase relationships of the DLMO or the endogenous circadian pacemaker. Circadian time (CT) can be translated to clock times for ease of consumer or other use of the methods of the invention.
A modification of the method of Lewy and Markey (1978, Science 201: 741-3) is advantageously used to determine the time of onset of the patient's endogenous melatonin production, and can also be used to establish the individual's melatonin PRC. The preferred use of this method is taught in Example 1.
DLMO times are expected to vary from person to person. The most convenient method of estimating circadian times are relative to "sleep offset," defined as CT 0 and equal to the time of first sufficiently bright light exposure upon awakening. DLMO typically occurs 14 hours after such early morning light exposure, i.e. at CT 14. For example, for an individual who awakens at 7 a.m., DLMO time is typically 9 p.m. Thus, if the actual DLMO time is not determined as disclosed in Example 1, it can be estimated to be at about 9 p.m. for an individual who awakens at about 7 a.m, or 14 hours after the clock time of first sufficiently bright light exposure after awakening. Administration times given as circadian time can then be converted into clock times accordingly.
Determination of circadian time is done optimally using the DLMO time. However, in some individuals who have very low melatonin production (encompassing less than about 10% of the population), the DLMO will occur at slightly later times than CT 14, so that determination of the entire melatonin curve may be preferable in these low melatonin producers. Alternatively, DLMO time can be calculated as the time when a percent (e.g., about 25%) of peak endogenous production has been achieved, and the estimate of the DLMO's circadian time adjusted accordingly.
Markers for circadian time other than DLMO are also useful, for example sleep onset (bedtime), and in some cases these markers are more convenient than the DLMO time. There are also other physiological markers that may be used, including but not limited to the core body temperature minimum or the rising limb of the cortisol circadian rhythm. Preferred markers are markers that are tightly coupled to the endogenous circadian pacemaker (such as the DLMO), whereas other, less preferred markers such as the sleep rhythm (which may be influenced by social cues and other homeostatic factors) are somewhat less tightly coupled (although the sleep propensity rhythm is tightly coupled).
For the purposes of this invention, the increase in plasma melatonin or melatonin agonist concentration in a human resulting from administration of exogenous melatonin, melatonin agonist or compound used to stimulate endogenous melatonin production is termed the melatonin pulse; the time of the beginning of the pulse is termed the melatonin rise and the time of the end of the pulse is termed the melatonin fall. These terms are used to distinguish between the increase in plasma melatonin concentrations in a human resulting from pre-treatment endogenous production of melatonin, herein termed the melatonin profile, the time of the beginning of the profile is termed the melatonin onset, and the time of the end of the profile is termed the pretreatment endogenous offset. The threshold levels used to discern these times are typically about 10 pg/mL. In some individuals, specifically those termed "very low secretors," this threshold is decreased to about 1 pg/mL (or even less in some individuals). It is recognized that, as assay methodology improves, this lower threshold may be used more frequently, and could be even lower than these thresholds. For the purposes of this invention, melatonin onset and offset times are determined relative to plasma melatonin concentration levels of about 1-10 pg/mL; this range encompasses daytime (quiescent) melatonin levels in virtually all individuals.
The present invention provides methods for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect whereby exogenous melatonin is administered co-incident with at least a portion of the phase advance or phase delay zone of the melatonin phase response curve to provide a phase advance or a phase delay, respectively. This invention provides for exogenous melatonin having a duration of preferably less than about 12 hours to be administered from about CT 6 to about CT 18 to achieve a phase advance, or from about CT 18 to about CT 6 to achieve a phase delay. Administration using this protocol has as one basis the stimulation of the greatest extent of the "area under the curve" (AUC) of the phase advance or phase delay zone of the melatonin PRC, while avoiding stimulation of the other zone of the PRC to achieve a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in one direction (phase advance) or the other (phase delay). In these embodiments of the methods of the invention, for methods for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect comprising the step of elevating plasma melatonin concentration above quiescent melatonin levels at a time and for a duration that overlaps with the individual human's onset or offset of endogenous melatonin production. For a phase-advance, exogenous melatonin is administered at a time and in a formulation having a duration sufficient to provide for overlap of the elevated plasma melatonin concentration caused by administration of exogenous melatonin with the onset of increased plasma melatonin concentration caused by endogenous melatonin production. For most individuals, the time of onset of endogenous melatonin onset occurs at about CT 14 or typically at about 9 p.m., 14 hours after the first sufficiently-bright light exposure received by the human upon awakening. For different melatonin formulations, administration of melatonin before about CT 14 is advantageous for producing a phase advance. For example, immediate-release formulations are preferably administered from about CT 6 to the onset of endogenous melatonin production, whereas sustained-release formulations and delayed release formulations are administered to raise plasma melatonin concentration levels above quiescent melatonin levels preferably from about CT 6 to about CT 18. It will be recognized by those with skill in the art that alternative times of administration are also encompassed by the methods of the present invention, provided such alternative administration schedules produce elevated plasma melatonin concentration levels that overlap with the onset of endogenous melatonin production, to produce a phase advance.
For a phase delay, exogenous melatonin is administered at a time and in a formulation, having a duration sufficient to provide for overlap of the elevated plasma melatonin concentration caused by administration of exogenous melatonin with the offset of increased plasma melatonin concentration caused by endogenous melatonin production. Endogenous melatonin offset occurs at about CT 1, which is about one hour after an individual's first morning sufficiently-bright light exposure (which occurs at awakening for individuals who awaken after daybreak), and typically corresponds to clock time of about 8 a.m. For different melatonin formulations, administration of melatonin before about CT1 is advantageous for producing a phase delay. For example, immediate-release formulations are preferably administered from about CT 18 to the offset of endogenous melatonin production, whereas sustained-release formulations and delayed-release formulations are preferably administered to raise plasma melatonin concentration levels above quiescent melatonin levels from about CT 18 to about CT 6. It will be recognized by those with skill in the art that alternative times of administration are also encompassed by the methods of the present invention, provided such alternative administration schedules produce elevated plasma melatonin concentration levels that overlap with the offset of endogenous melatonin production to produce a phase delay.
Since the beginning of increased plasma melatonin concentrations defines the rise of the exogenous melatonin pulse, while the end of in creased plasma melatonin concentrations defines the fall of the exogenous melatonin pulse, the time between the rise and fall defines the duration of the pulse of increased plasma melatonin concentration due to exogenous melatonin administration. The duration of the pulse is expected to vary depending on the formulation of melatonin administered to the individual. Administration of immediate-release melatonin formulations (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941, incorporated by reference) is characterized by a rapid increase in plasma melatonin concentration, of up to several thousand-fold higher than typical endogenous melatonin plasma concentrations depending on the size of the total dose administered, followed by a gradual (compared with the rate of increase) clearance of elevated plasma melatonin levels to quiescent levels (i.e., defined herein as being less than about 1 to about 10 pg/mL). Sustained-release melatonin formulations (as disclosed in co-owned and co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 08/480,558, incorporated by reference) produce an elevated plasma melatonin concentration (i.e., defined herein as being greater than about 1 to about 10 pg/mL) over a longer time course, ranging from about 3 to about 19 hours in duration. Delayed-release formulations display the kinetics and profile of immediate-release formulations, but include a time lag or delay between administration time and the time of the exogenous melatonin rise. Formulations comprising mixtures and combinations of formulations having these plasma melatonin profiles are understood in the art and provide for flexibility and variety in melatonin administration regimes. Of particular importance in this regard is the use of sustained- or delayed-release formulations that provide for the rise of exogenous melatonin plasma concentrations at times later than administration times which would be inconvenient or counter-productive to address directly (such as causing a melatonin pulse during an individual's sleep phase to maximally stimulate one zone of the melatonin PRC while minimally stimulating the other; see below).
The magnitude of the phase-shifting effect caused by exogenous melatonin administration, according to the methods of the invention, depends on the difference between the time of the exogenous rise and the time of the endogenous onset (for a phase advance) or the difference between the time of the endogenous offset and the time of the exogenous fall (for a phase delay). Also, preferably the exogenous fall overlaps the endogenous onset for a phase advance, and the exogenous rise overlaps the endogenous offset for a phase delay. However, melatonin pulses wherein both the rise and the fall precede the endogenous melatonin onset, or wherein both the rise and the fall occur within the endogenous melatonin profile, also produce circadian rhythm phase-shifting effects (phase advances or phase delays, respectively), albeit less efficiently than administered pulses that overlap the endogenous onset or endogenous offset. In these embodiments of the invention, the magnitude, extent and direction (phase advance or phase delay) of the achieved phase-shifting effect is dependent on the difference between the midpoint of the plasma melatonin concentration duration of the exogenous pulse of melatonin administration and the midpoint of the plasma melatonin concentration duration of the endogenous profile of melatonin production.
The magnitude of the melatonin phase shift also depends on the extent of exogenous melatonin stimulation of each zone of the melatonin phase response curve (PRC). Phase advances of the greatest magnitude are produced by stimulation of the maximum portion of the phase-advance zone of the melatonin PRC, which extends from about CT 6 to about CT 18. Phase delays of the greatest magnitude are produced by stimulation of the maximum portion of the phase-delay zone of the melatonin PRC, which extends from about CT 18 to about CT 6. In addition, the magnitude of the achieved phase-shifting effect is diminished to the extent that the opposite zone of the melatonin PRC is stimulated (i.e., exogenous melatonin stimulation between about CT 18 and about CT 6 can diminish a phase advance and exogenous melatonin stimulation between about CT 6 and about CT 18 can diminish a phase delay). Thus, circadian rhythm phase-shifting is optimally achieved by stimulation of the appropriate zone of the melatonin PRC wherein stimulation of the other zone of the melatonin PRC is avoided. This appears to be important for achieving phase advances, so that administration of exogenous melatonin in a formulation having a maximum duration of greater than 12 hours is less advantageous that administration of formulations having a duration of 12 hours or less, that are administered to coincide with only the phase-advance zone of the melatonin PRC. However, at least in the case of phase delays in at least some individuals, stimulation of the greatest extent of the phase delay portion of the melatonin PRC can be accompanied by further stimulation of the phase advance portion of the PRC between about CT 6 and about CT 13, because such an exogenous melatonin pulse will provide both the greatest stimulation of the area under the curve of the delay portion of the melatonin PRC and the greatest difference between the endogenous offset and the exogenous fall, without overlap of endogenous melatonin onset. Thus, the negative effects on circadian rhythm phase-shifting produced by stimulation of the opposite (i.e., phase-advance portion of the melatonin PRC) is offset by the positive effects on circadian rhythm phase-shifting produced by increasing the magnitude of the greatest difference between the endogenous offset and the exogenous fall. However, even in this situation, for optimal production of phase delays there should be greater stimulation of the delay zone than the advance zone of the melatonin PRC.
The invention also provides methods for administering melatonin without producing a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect. It will be understood by those with skill in the art that, as a consequence of the existence of the melatonin PRC (first disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941, issued Sep. 7, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference), almost any administration of exogenous melatonin will potentially cause a phase shift. Melatonin administration performed in ignorance of such effects on an individual's PRC runs the risk of causing inappropriate phase shifts, which may act contra to the other physiological effects intended to be produced by said melatonin administration. Thus, it is evident from the present disclosure and the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941 that an individual's melatonin PRC must be understood and taken into account whenever exogenous melatonin is administered to a human, even if a phase shift is to be minimized or avoided.
These considerations become especially important in the treatment of certain circadian rhythm-related pathological disorders. For example, because of the simultaneous existence (co-morbidity) of insomnia not related to phase disturbances and phase-related sleep problems, melatonin pulses may have to be carefully crafted to stimulate one zone of the melatonin PRC and to avoid stimulation of the other zone, as well as to take advantage of any soporific side effects associated with administration of melatonin.
In embodiments of the invention providing methods of administering melatonin without producing phase-shifting effects, exogenous melatonin is administered to provide an interval between the exogenous rise and the endogenous onset that is equal to the interval between the endogenous offset and the exogenous fall. (This is equivalent to providing the midpoint of the exogenous pulse to be about 12 hours out of phase with the midpoint of the endogenous profile.) Alternatively, the invention provides melatonin administration methods that avoid phase-shifting effects by stimulating the phase-advance and phase-delay zones of the melatonin PRC equally, with administration of exogenous melatonin having a duration that overlaps equal portions of the two zones of the melatonin PRC.
In alternative embodiments the invention also provides methods for administering melatonin antagonists, inverse agonists or compounds that reduce endogenous melatonin production without producing phase-shifting effects. In these embodiments of the invention, melatonin antagonists or inverse agonists are administered to provide an interval between the exogenous rise and the endogenous onset that is equal to the interval between the endogenous offset and the exogenous fall. Alternatively, the invention provides methods for administering melatonin antagonists or inverse agonists that avoid phase-shifting effects by stimulating the phase-advance and phase-delay zones of the melatonin PRC equally, with administration of melatonin antagonists or inverse agonists having a duration that overlaps equal portions of these two zones of the melatonin PRC.
The invention also provides methods for achieving a circadian rhythm phase shift wherein exposure (or lack of exposure) to sufficiently-bright light is used to affect the duration of a human's endogenous melatonin production profile. In these embodiments of the methods of the invention, exposure to light is provided to suppress endogenous melatonin production, so that exposure to light during the time when endogenous melatonin production would otherwise occur during the phase-advance zone of the melatonin PRC (about CT 14 to about CT 18) will produce a phase delay, and exposure to light during the time when endogenous melatonin production would otherwise occur during the phase-delay zone of the melatonin PRC (about CT 18 to about CT 1) will produce a phase advance. Comparison with the melatonin PRC reveals that light produces a phase response curve similar in shape but 12 hours out of phase with the melatonin PRC. Exposure to light coincident with the phase-advance zone of the melatonin PRC, particularly from about CT 14 to about CT 18 where endogenous melatonin production would otherwise occur, will delay, an individual's endogenous melatonin onset time by reducing endogenous melatonin production during the advance zone of the melatonin PRC, thus causing a phase delay. Similarly, exposure to light coincident with the phase-delay zone of the PRC, particularly from about CT 18 to about CT 1 where endogenous melatonin production would otherwise occur, will advance an individual's endogenous melatonin offset time and result in a phase advance. The use of compounds that reduce endogenous production of melatonin (e.g., beta-blockers, as described below) between part or all of the interval from about CT 14 to about CT 1 can be substituted for light suppression of endogenous melatonin production.
Conversely, lack of exposure to light (equivalent to exposure to dim light or darkness) will reduce suppression of endogenous melatonin production by ambient light and have some of the same effects and be subject to the same provisions for effecting circadian rhythm phase shifting as disclosed above for exogenous melatonin administration. For example, exposure to darkness during the phase-advance zone of the melatonin PRC, particularly between about CT 14 and about CT 18 will reduce suppression by light of endogenous melatonin production during the advance zone of the melatonin PRC and will shift an individual's melatonin onset time earlier, thereby resulting in a phase advance. Similarly, exposure to darkness during the phase-delay zone of the melatonin PRC, particularly from about CT 18 to about CT 1, will reduce suppression by light of endogenous melatonin production during the delay zone of the melatonin PRC and will shift an individual's endogenous melatonin offset to a later time, thereby resulting in a phase delay. Alternatively, other means of reducing bright light exposure, such as wearing dark or red-tinted goggles or other eye accouterment, are used to produce a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768, incorporated by reference). Exposure to darkness is also provided by the expedient of the individual taking a nap during the appropriate zone of the melatonin PRC to achieve the desired circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect.
Melatonin agonists or melatonin antagonists (and inverse agonists) are also provided wherein administration mimics, or opposes, respectively, the action of melatonin on the melatonin PRC to achieve the desired circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect. Melatonin blockers or stimulants also mimic the effects of bright light or darkness (or dim light), respectively, in their effects on endogenous melatonin production. The phase-shifting effects of melatonin inverse agonists, melatonin agonists and melatonin blockers can be predicted according to the melatonin PRC, and in the case of melatonin blockers, also according to how the post-treatment onset and offset of endogenous melatonin production relate to the pre-treatment onset and offset.
In a preferred embodiment, beta-blockers are administered to an individual to inhibit endogenous melatonin production and thereby mimic the effects of light on endogenous melatonin production. Preferably, beta-blockers are administered having a duration that overlaps either the onset or offset of endogenous melatonin production, wherein the change in endogenous melatonin onset or offset determines the extent of the phase shift produced: a later onset will cause a phase delay, and an earlier offset will cause a phase advance. Additionally, beta-blockers are preferably administered to coincide with a portion of the appropriate zone of the melatonin PRC to achieve a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect. For a phase advance, administration of beta-blockers from about CT 18 to about CT 1 reduces endogenous melatonin production in the delay zone of the melatonin PRC as well as shifts the offset of endogenous melatonin production to an earlier time, thereby resulting in a phase advance. For a phase delay, administration of beta-blockers from about CT 14 to about CT 18 reduces endogenous melatonin production in the advance zone of the melatonin PRC as well as shifts the individual's endogenous melatonin onset to a later time, resulting in a phase delay. Thus, beta-blockers are administered according to the methods of the invention having a duration appropriate for overlap of endogenous melatonin onset or offset and to suppress endogenous melatonin production during the appropriate zone of the melatonin PRC.
Thus, to obtain a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect according to the methods of this invention, melatonin administration is accomplished so that there is an overlap either between the rise in post-treatment melatonin plasma concentration levels and the offset of pre-treatment endogenous melatonin production, or between the fall in post-treatment levels and the onset of pre-treatment levels. In either event (and also when overlap occurs in both cases or occurs in neither case), the change in the onset/rise compared to the change in the offset/fall predicts the magnitude and direction of the resulting phase shift. An equal change in the onset/rise compared with the offset/fall is useful for avoiding a circadian rhythm phase shift, for example, when melatonin is administered for a reason other than phase shifting). These teachings apply to the administration of exogenous melatonin, melatonin agonists and light exposure, and to compounds that affect (enhance of diminish) endogenous melatonin production in a human, as well as melatonin antagonists and inverse agonists, which effectively "reduce" plasma melatonin levels by blocking the action of melatonin on melatonin receptors or by inducing the "inverse" response at such receptors. The invention also encompasses methods that stimulate one zone (i.e., phase advance or phase delay) of the melatonin PRC more than the other, and preferably stimulate one zone rather than the other, to produce a phase shift, while stimulating both zones equally when administering melatonin, melatonin agonists, melatonin antagonists, melatonin inverse agonists, compounds that endogenous melatonin production in a human, or light, to avoid a phase-shifting effect.
The present invention may be used in, but is not limited to, the following situations to achieve chronobiologic effects and/or to alleviate circadian rhythm phase disorders: jet lag; shift work; people who have a maladaptation to work and off-work schedules; submariners, or persons confined for research, exploration or industrial purposes below the seas; miners, explorers, spelunkers, researchers or those confined beneath the Earth; psychiatric patients; insomniacs; the comatose, or those who need to be maintained in a state of unconsciousness for medical, psychiatric or other reasons; medical residents, nurses, firemen, policemen or those whose duties require alertness and wakefulness at evening or nighttime hours, or those deprived of sleep for various periods because of their duties or responsibilities; the infantry, or other members of the armed forces whose duties require extreme levels of alertness and wakefulness, and who may be sleep deprived in the performance of these duties; astronauts in orbit around the Earth, on missions in space to the Earth's moon or to the planets or out of the known solar system, or in training for such missions; the blind or sight-impaired or all those whose ability to distinguish differences in light and dark may be permanently or temporarily impaired; residents of the far North or Antarctica, or all those who live in a climate or climates that possess abnormal amounts of light or darkness; those suffering from seasonal affective disorder, winter depression, or other forms of depression; infants, particularly newborns; the aged; Alzheimer's disease patients, or those suffering from other forms of dementia; the sick, or those who require dosages of medication at appropriate times in the circadian cycle; animal breeders, for use in controlling circadian time; and for ameliorating the phase-disrupting effects of changing from Standard to Daylight Savings Time or vice versa.
Five types of insomnia can also be helped by melatonin administration. One, termed pure insomnia, is not particularly related to a circadian phase disturbance, and melatonin is useful for its soporific qualities. Two insomnias are known to be circadian rhythm-related insomnias; advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS) and delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS). There are also two types of mixed insomnias, termed pure insomnia plus ASPS and pure insomnia plus DSPS. Since most people have intrinsic circadian periods greater than 24 hours (which explains why so many people have at least some difficulty falling asleep quickly initially and waking up easily and alert), an agent that causes a phase advance acts to re-entrain circadian rhythms to the 24 hour light/dark cycle.
Melatonin Administration Under Medical Supervision
The present invention provides methods useful in the treatment any of the above-listed conditions, under direct medical supervision, wherein melatonin administration times are chosen after determination of an individuals actual DLMO time. In certain instances, an individual's PRC must also be specifically determined, for example, in those patients where use of melatonin precursors, stimulants, analogs, agonists, inverse agonists, antagonists, or melatonin blockers require a more precise determination of dose and time of exogenous administration. Examples of such instances include individuals whose response to melatonin treatment, or absorption or metabolism of melatonin or melatonin agonists, antagonists or precursors may vary from the normal response, thereby necessitating medical supervision.
A certain portion of the human population falls outside of what is considered the "normal" human characteristics of drug absorption, or have circadian rhythms with unusual characteristics. These individuals may require a more accurate determination of the individual melatonin PRC before attempting intervention. Other individuals who may be suffering from pathological or clinical circadian rhythm phase disorders may also benefit from a more accurate determination of the melatonin PRC or at least the DLMO before intervention. In a controlled setting, under medical supervision, a more precise and specific intervention of the melatonin PRC or of just the baseline DLMO can be accomplished using the methods of the present invention to effect predictable phase advances or delays. In certain individuals, the endogenous circadian pacemaker (or "body clock") may in some circumstances (such as the result of melatonin or light/dark cycle induced phase shifts) shift faster than the DLMO. In such cases, the rate of change in the melatonin PRC may need to be determined directly for optimal scheduling of melatonin administration or light exposure, although estimations are possible here as well.
Under medical supervision, a subject can have the DLMO time determined carefully by sampling physiological levels of melatonin in blood, saliva or other biological fluids. The concentration of melatonin can be determined analytically using methods including but not limited to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. The advantage of medical supervision is to more accurately and exactly determine an individual's DLMO time and establish their melatonin PRC. This information then enables specific and precise intervention by exogenous melatonin administration for adjusting s human's circadian rhythms in a predictable manner.
Melatonin Administration by the Individual
In another embodiment of the invention, melatonin administration can be performed directly by an individual without medical supervision. For such uses, times of exogenous melatonin administration can be described, for example in a table, instructing the individual to take melatonin at specific times based upon normal bedtime and waking time and the magnitude and direction of the desired phase shift. For example, the use of the methods herein described to alleviate the effects of jet lag can advantageously be enabled by an article of manufacture comprising melatonin in a consumer-accessible formulation, accompanied by charts or tables setting out proper clock times of exogenous melatonin administration based on the number of time zones crossed in travel and the direction of travel, and also based either on characteristically "normal" human DLMO times or with reference to any other indicia of an individual's actual DLMO time (such as the individual's actual wake-up time). In other specific examples of embodiments of the invention for treating jet lag, melatonin may be administered in timed-release formulations that are geared to release melatonin in conjunction with the number and direction of time zones crossed, releasing the melatonin at the proper times. Such articles of manufacture and melatonin formulations are expressly within the scope of the instant invention. Analogous articles of manufacture, formulations and methods of administration for treating other circadian rhythm phase disorders are also provided by and within the scope of the invention.
A. Kit for Determining DLMO
For many individuals a less precise determination of their DLMO time will enable them to use the methods provided by this invention to effect a desired circadian rhythm phase shift based on an estimate of their DLMO time. A convenient means for allowing an individual to adjust the DLMO in a predictable manner and without medical supervision would involve the use of a simple home assay kit. This assay kit would allow the individual to determine his own melatonin onset or DLMO time by sampling biological fluids at short intervals during the course of part of a normal day.
1. Dip Stick for Saliva
In one embodiment, the amount of melatonin or melatonin metabolite in the individual's saliva could be assayed simply by applying a saliva sample to an applicator stick designed to react with melatonin or melatonin metabolite in a concentration-dependent fashion. The individual could compare the assay sticks contacted with saliva over a period of time and use an interpreting means (such as a color comparison strip) to determine the approximate DLMO time. Once an individual had determined the DLMO time, tables or other instruction means based on the DLMO time and providing a schedule of exogenous melatonin administration times for achieving a desired phase shift could be used to inform the individual when and how much melatonin to take to achieve the desired phase shift.
2. Blood drop test
In another embodiment, an individual could use a drop of blood to assay for the physiological concentration of melatonin or melatonin metabolite, similar to methods currently in use for determining blood levels of sugar or cholesterol. This assay would result in a quantitatively more accurate determination of the individual's DLMO time compared with the previously-described dip stick method and would be useful for applications of the methods of the invention wherein more accurate estimates of the DLMO time are required.
Alternatively, in certain instances it may be advantageous to apply these approaches seriatim, i.e., wherein DLMO times are estimated using awakening as a circadian marker, and in cases where this estimate proves unsatisfactory or sub-optimal, DLMO times determined more precisely. The nighttime melatonin profile (including DLMO time) can be obtained by testing blood, urine, saliva or other body fluid for the presence of melatonin or physiological or metabolized products thereof.
The methods of this invention encompass melatonin administration times based upon an individual's PRC and DLMO time, whether actually determined or estimated. Administration times are prescribed relative to the DLMO time; however, the DLMO time will, by definition, change as a circadian rhythm phase shift is accomplished by exogenous melatonin administration and an individual's melatonin PRC is readjusted (accompanied by resynchronization of the individual's circadian rhythms with the external environment). Thus, exogenous melatonin administration times are, in preferred embodiments, also adjusted to provide a constant relationship between administration time and DLMO.
Melatonin can also be administered in combination with scheduling bright light administration, ordinary-intensity light exposure, or exposure to dim-light or darkness (or even sleep). In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, melatonin administration using the methods disclosed herein is accompanied by having an individual wear dark or red goggles at the, time of melatonin administration, to provide for the additive effects of the combination of melatonin treatment plus darkness. In another embodiment of this aspect, the individual wears dark goggles at times including times other than the time of melatonin administration to avoid the occurrence of a conflicting external zeitgeber in opposition to the phase shift promoted by the exogenous melatonin administration protocol. In another embodiment, light can be used to suppress endogenous melatonin production when this would occur at the "wrong" time, i.e., at a time according to the melatonin PRC which would be antagonistic to the desired phase shift.
Undesirable endogenous melatonin production can also be suppressed pharmacologically by melatonin blockers using a number of pharmaceutical agents, including but not limited to alpha-2-noradrenergic agonists, beta-adrenergic receptor blockers and benzodiazepines. It may also be desirable to suppress all or a part of the endogenous melatonin profile, for example, to cause receptor supersensitivity; partial suppression creates a new onset or offset and reduces endogenous melatonin from stimulating the undesirable part of the melatonin PRC or eliminates potentiating effects of a competing melatonin, melatonin-like or darkness (sleep) signal. One example of this embodiment is the use of atenolol plus a very low dose of melatonin (0.125 mg) in the treatment of winter depression (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768, incorporated by reference). Atenolol is given at about CT 14 and low-dose melatonin at about CT 8. Atenolol blocks endogenous melatonin production that would otherwise primarily occur during the delay zone (which promotes a phase advance), and it also induces supersensitivity to the melatonin administered at about CT 8. It is also noted that patients taking such drugs for other clinical reasons can be expected to have circadian rhythm side effects, so that it is advantageous to work a compensatory adjustment in their melatonin levels to avoid unwanted phase shifts.
Certain other drugs, such as melatonin stimulants (for example, tricyclic antidepressants, noradrenergic and serotoninergic re-uptake blockers, MAO inhibitors and alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists) can raise endogenous melatonin levels, particularly between about CT 14 and about CT 1. This side effect will also affect an individual patient's "biological clock" in ways predicted by the melatonin PRC.
Melatonin precursors such as, tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin and N-acetylserotonin may also raise endogenous melatonin levels and affect circadian rhythms, either via their conversion to melatonin, or by the direct action of these compounds on melatonin receptors. Such influences are predictable using the melatonin PRC, adjusted to account for absorption time, metabolic conversion rates, etc.
The invention also contemplates the co-administration of sedative-hypnotics, or soporific doses of melatonin (>1 mg) for use in circumstances in which the soporific compounds are administered along with lower doses of melatonin given primarily during wake times.
As mentioned above, the phase-shifting effects of compounds that act opposite to melatonin (antagonists, inverse agonists, blockers) can be analyzed and predicted by the melatonin PRC. In general, however, the phase-shifting effects of these compounds are more complex than those of melatonin because these effects depend on whether a particular compound acts directly on melatonin receptors to compete with melatonin binding (defined as an antagonist), or acts to reduce endogenous melatonin production (defined as a melatonin blocker) or acts to cause an effect opposite to melatonin (defined as an inverse agonist).
Melatonin Administration: Formulations
A. Fixed-dose Melatonin Formulations
In the simplest formulations, melatonin is provided as fixed-dose pharmaceutical compositions. Such compositions and means for making such compositions are well known in the art. Fixed-dose formulations provide a predictable phase shift in a "normal" individual when administered using the methods of the invention herein disclosed. Clock time for melatonin administration depends on the magnitude and direction of the desired shift, and the DLMO time of the individual.
1. Based on an individual's actual DLMO time
An accurately-determined DLMO time for an individual can be determined by medical assay or by the home assay methods disclosed above. The administration times appropriate for obtaining the desired phase shift are then predicted by the melatonin PRC. The times and dosages of exogenous melatonin administration provided by the present invention may be used to achieve the desired phase shift.
2. Based on an individual's estimated DLMO time
In many instances, the,magnitude of the preferred phase shift, or the amount of an individual's desire for the phase shift {i.e., whether phase shifting is medically necessary (e.g., in winter depression patients) or less seriously (e.g., for jet lag)}, may permit the administration of melatonin based upon an estimated DLMO time. This can be done by using the phase position of an individual's typical wake-up and sleep-onset times as being about CT 0 and about CT 16, respectively. Using exogenous melatonin administration schedules based on such rough estimates of the DLMO time allow reasonably good intervention for most people. Such interventions can still encompass most of either the estimated advance or delay zone of the melatonin PRC without overlapping with the other zone of the PRC that predicts a phase-shifting effect opposite to the desired effect. Methods using estimated DLMO times are particularly applicable for alleviating circadian rhythm phase disturbances caused by transmeridional travel, shift work and other man-made circadian rhythm desynchronizations of human circadian rhythms. Immediately after a change in sleep/wake time, the DLMO is at about the same clock time as before the change. It then often shifts by about 1-3 hours per day, and after several days is again at about 14 hours after an individual's typical wake-up time of the new schedule.
B. Timed-Release Melatonin Formulations
Melatonin formulations can be designed to administer the dose of melatonin slowly over a period of time at a fixed rate, quickly at a specific time after the taking of the formulation, or at any other combination of release times and rates. Such formulations can be made by those with skill in the pharmaceutical arts.
1. That shift release time over the period of administration.
Formulations of melatonin can be designed which can be taken at the same time each day, but which will release melatonin at different times and rates. These formulations can be selected so that the timing of physiological activity of administered melatonin coincides with the times predicted by the melatonin PRC for achieving a desired phase-shifting effect, even though the clock time at which the individual takes melatonin does not change during the course of treatment. In one embodiment, such melatonin formulations could be dispensed in a kit much like birth control pills are currently dispensed, with specific formulations being administered in sequence to achieve the daily shift of exogenous melatotin administration times without requiring the individual to vary daily administration times.
2. That are of fixed time of release but can vary in dosage
The linear relationship between phase shift and melatonin dose has been demonstrated (see Example 6 U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768). This suggests that formulations of melatonin that release varying doses of melatonin may be useful; methods for making such formulations are known in the art. The use of different dose formulations can also be used in combination over the period of administration. Such an administration format would allow phase shifting of circadian rhythms, including the melatonin PRC, in individuals having unique requirements, for example due to work schedule, disease, personal reaction to melatonin, life style, or other factors. Use of such a formulation would enable the individual to have gradually increasing or decreasing melatonin levels over time.
3. That shift release time and released dosage
Melatonin formulations that release different doses at different release times may also be useful. Such formulations would permit the melatonin dose and time of physiological action to be varied, while still being convenient to use. Use of such formulations would enable administration of sustained low levels of melatonin to achieve the desired phase shift, while avoiding the soporific side effects of large does of melatonin during desired hours of alertness. Similarly, sustained low-level release of melatonin during desired hours of alertness can be followed, or preceded by release of higher levels of melatonin during desired sleep times to enhance both soporific and indirect (sleep and darkness-mediated) phase-shifting effects.
The following Examples describe certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, many additional embodiments not described herein nevertheless fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention and claims.
Prior to collection of human blood, subjects were kept in dim light for about 5 hours (usually between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.). An intravenous line or heparin lock was inserted in a forearm vein and 5 mL of blood drawn every 30 minutes between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. The blood samples were centrifuged for 5 minutes at 1000 g and 4° C., and the plasma aspirated into a silanized glass or plastic tube. Samples were assayed immediately or frozen for later analysis. Saliva samples can alternatively be collected and analyzed
To a 1 mL aliquot of such plasma was added 50 picograms of N-acetyl-5-methoxy(α,α,β,β-D4)tryptamine as a chromatographic control. An equal volume of normal saline was added and the mixture gently shaken with 8 volumes of petroleum ether. The organic phase was removed, and melatonin and the added N-acetyl-5-methoxy(α,α,β,β-D4)tryptamine control extracted from the aqueous phase with 8 volumes of chloroform. The aqueous phase was then discarded, and the chloroform evaporated to dryness.
The dried extract containing melatonin and the added N-acetyl-5-methoxy(α,α,β,β-D4)tryptamine control was dissolved in 50 μL ethyl acetate. The melatonin contained in the plasma samples and the added N-acetyl-5-methoxy(α,α,β,β-D4)tryptamine control were then derivatized by the addition of 50 μL of pentafluoroproprionic acid anhydride and reacted at 70° C. for 10 minutes. These reaction products were then evaporated to dryness under nitrogen. The dried extract was partitioned between 0.5 mL acetonitrile and 1 mL hexane by vigorous mixing followed by centrifugation and removal of the hexane layer. This partitioning step was repeated twice more, except that the hexane was not removed after the final partitioning. The derivatives are stable and can be stored at -20° C. for several weeks.
The amount of melatonin present in each sample was determined by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. Before injection onto the GC column, the dried derivatives were dissolved in 10 μL iso-octane. 2 μL of this volume were applied to a 30 m×25 μm fused silica capillary column {0.15 micron film thickness with a 5 m retention gap (Rtx 225, Restek Corp., Bellefonte, Pa.)}. The oven (HP 5890, Series 2) was programmed from 85° C. to 240° C. with helium as carrier gas (constant flow) and methane used as make-up gas (ionizer, 2.0 torr). Derivatized melatonin and the added N-acetyl-5-methoxy(α,α,β,β-D4)tryptamine derivatized control were found to elute from the column after 10-14 minutes.
Mass spectrographic analysis of the column eluant was then performed. Mass spectra were recorded using a Hewlett Packard 5989A mass spectrometer with an ETP Scientific electron multiplier using HP Chemstation software. The relative signals of melatonin and the added N-acetyl-5-methoxy(α,α,β,β-D4)tryptamine control were detected at m/e (mass/charge) ratios of 320 and 323, respectively. The amount of melatonin present in any unknown sample can be determined by comparison of the ratio of the intensities of these signals to a standard curve, prepared as described using known amounts of melatonin and added N-acetyl-5-methoxy(α,α,β,β-D4)tryptamine control.
EXAMPLE 2
Melatonin was administered to nine subjects as two doses of 0.25 mg, two hours apart, thereby simulating a sustained-release (SR) formulation. Subjects were administered melatonin by capsule for four days with the following regimen: placebo capsules were given for the first, two days and melatonin capsules were given during the last four days, followed by a day during which the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) was determined. The DLMO was used because it is an excellent marker for circadian phase position. The week before this administration regime, each subject's baseline DLMO was assessed after a six-day course of treatment using only placebo capsules. Phase shifts were calculated by subtracting the post-treatment DLMO from the pre-treatment DLMO.
The results of these studies are shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates phase shifts (double-plotted) for nine subjects who participated in a total of 30 trials. The circadian time of administration is referenced to the time of the first capsule. In these studies, maximal phase advances were found to occur around CT 7.5 (see FIG. 1). The data clearly support the conclusion that the earlier melatonin is administered in the afternoon and evening, the greater the degree of the resulting phase advance. However, if melatonin is administered too early (i.e., before about CT 7.5), the extent of induced phase advances diminish in magnitude or, for very early administration times, phase delays occur. The phase-advancing effect of exogenous melatonin administration was found to depend on the initial time of ingesting the capsule. This results in a phase relationship between the exogenous rise and the endogenous onset, characterized in that--within certain limits--the earlier the rise occurs relative to the onset, the greater the phase advance. These results provided the first evidence of a phase response curve for melatonin in humans.
EXAMPLE 3
Melatonin was administered to five subjects as a single 0.5 mg (or immediate-release (IR)) dose. Subjects were administered placebo capsules for the first week of the study. For the second week, subjects were given placebo capsules for two days followed by four days of melatonin administration. Dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) times were determined at the end of each week. Phase shifts were calculated from a comparison of the post-treatment DLMO to the pre-treatment DLMO. Subjects participated in a series of twelve trials in which melatonin was administered at different times of the day and night, resulting in individual phase response curves (PRCs) for exogenous melatonin.
The results of these studies are shown in FIG. 2, illustrating phase shifts (double-plotted) for five subjects (a total of twelve trials each). The results of these studies indicated that the circadian time for maximal phase advances was about CT 11. In this study, the same total dose of melatonin was administered as in the study described in Example 2. In this example, however, the earlier melatonin was administered prior to CT 11, the less the magnitude of the induced phase advance. Phase delays were found to begin at about the same time as found in Example 2 (i.e., at about CT 6).
This result was unexpected, because the IR dose results in a higher maximum physiological concentration of melatonin in the subject's bloodstream (Cmax). This apparent discrepancy in the results of Examples 2 and 3 is explained by recognizing that the single IR dose has a shorter duration than the same total dose administered as a split dose in Example 2. Duration is understood to mean the amount of time exogenous melatonin administration causes or results in plasma melatonin concentration levels to exceed quiescent levels (which, in these individuals, was less than about 10 pg/mL). Because the IR dose is a shorter duration dosage form, these results suggest that the phase relationship between the fall of the exogenous melatonin pulse and the onset of the endogenous melatonin profile is one determinant of the magnitude of the induced phase shift. (Another determinant is the phase relationship between the exogenous rise and the endogenous onset, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941, incorporated by reference). These results indicated that the fall of exogenous melatonin should overlap (i.e., occur later than) the onset of endogenous melatonin production. The consistent teachings of both these Examples is that the earlier the afternoon rise of exogenous melatonin relative, to the endogenous onset, the greater the phase advance observed.
There are a number of similarities between FIGS. 2 and 3. One of the most prominent similarities is that the crossover points between advance and delay responses, and between delay and advance responses, are about CT 18 and about CT 6, respectively. These crossover points divide the melatonin PRC in half. This division makes possible a method of using melatonin pulses for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect wherein the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse is about 12 hours, provided the pulse is localized to one half of the melatonin PRC or the other. Such an exogenous pulse stimulates one zone of the PRC and not the other in order to optimally cause a phase shift. This approach is termed the "area under the curve" (AUC) strategy. For optimizing phase shifting using the AUG strategy, the duration of the melatonin pulse is confined to these 12-hour intervals. For enhancing the magnitude of a phase shift, a dose of 12-hours duration is taken at the beginning of the appropriate interval, to stimulate the maximal portion of the appropriate AUC while avoiding as much as possible stimulating the other, inappropriate AUG of the melatonin PRC. Thus, in order to optimally cause a phase delay, melatonin is administered between about CT 18 and about CT 6. In order to cause a phase advance, melatonin is administered between about CT 6 and about CT 18. Based on the average DLMO time of 2100 (9 o'clock p.m.), these circadian times translate to clock times as follows. In order to cause a phase advance, melatonin is administered between about 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. In order to cause a phase delay, melatonin is administered between about 1 a.m. and about 1 p.m. According to the AUC strategy, the duration of the exogenous melatonin administered within these time periods should not be longer than the portion of the appropriate AUC remaining after melatonin is administered.
EXAMPLE 4
Mel from the pre-treatment DLMO to the post-treatment DLMO. Subjects participated in a series of twelve trials in which melatonin was administered at different times of the day and night, resulting in individual PRCs for advances.
The results of these experiments are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 illustrates the relationship between the magnitude of the greatest phase advance observed for each subject versus the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse. FIG. 4 illustrates the relationship between the magnitude of the greatest phase advance for each subject plotted against the half-life of exogenous melatonin. As is shown in the Figures, it was found that the greater the duration (FIG. 3) and the greater the half-life (FIG. 4) of exogenous melatonin, the greater the phase advance obtained. These results further supported the conclusion that, for achieving a maximal phase advance, exogenous melatonin is administered sufficiently early in the afternoon (as described by the melatonin PRC), and is of sufficient duration or half-life to permit the exogenous melatonin fall to overlap with the endogenous onset. These results also indicated that stimulation by exogenous melatonin of a greater extent of the AUC of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC caused a greater phase advance shift.
EXAMPLE 5
In this study, mel in the pre-treatment DLMO to the post-treatment DLMO. Subjects participated in a series of twelve trials in which melatonin was administered at different times of the day and night, resulting in individual PRCs to delays.
The results of these experiments are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the magnitude of the phase delay for each subject versus the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse. FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship between the magnitude of the phase delay for each subject plotted against the half-life of exogenous melatonin. As is shown in these Figures, the greater the duration (FIG. 5) and the greater the half-life (FIG. 6) of exogenous melatonin, the greater the phase delay obtained.
These results extended the experimental results obtained in Example 4 with regard to phase advances to apply to phase delays. These results provided experimental evidence to support the conclusion that, for achieving a maximal phase delay, exogenous melatonin is administered during the delay zone of the PRC, and it has sufficient duration or half-life so that the exogenous melatonin rise overlaps with the endogenous offset. Thus, these results led to the conclusion that--within certain limits--the later the exogenous fall, the greater the phase delay obtained. These results also indicated that stimulation by exogenous melatonin of a greater extent of the AUC of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC caused a greater phase-delay shift.
EXAMPLE 6
The results obtained in Examples 2 through 5 were used to construct empirical tables of preferred melatonin administration times useful for maximizing the magnitude and extent of phase shifts obtained by exogenous melatonin administration (Tables 1 and 2). The right-hand column of Table 1 relates to maximizing a circadian phase-delaying effect by providing that the fall of exogenous plasma melatonin concentration occurs as late as possible, but before the next's night's onset. The middle column of Table 1 relates to achieving a circadian phase-shifting effect by stimulating the maximal extent of the area under the curve (AUC) of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC and avoiding as much as possible stimulating the advance zone of the melatonin PRC. Therefore, for an individual having an endogenous melatonin offset occurring at about CT 1, melatonin is optimally administered no later than at about CT 0, so that the rise overlaps (that is, occurs before) the offset. For this or any other preferred or desirable administration time for an exogenous melatonin dose, the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse can be adjusted in order to optimize the magnitude of the phase delay. For administration at about CT 0, the duration of the melatonin dose is less than about 13 hours to avoid overlap of the fall of the exogenous dose with the onset of endogenous melatonin in the individual the next night. For individuals having an earlier endogenous offset (i.e., earlier than about CT 1, caused, for example, by early morning light exposure), exogenous melatonin is administered earlier than about CT 0. In this instance, the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse can advantageously be longer than about 12 hours, provided the fall of the exogenous dose does not overlap the onset of the individual's endogenous melatonin production.
Alternatively, stimulating the maximal portion of the delay zone of the AUC of the melatonin PRC is useful for achieving a phase delay by an administration regime provided in the middle column of Table 1 for various immediate-release, sustained-release and combined immediate/sustained-release formulations. For example, melatonin can be administered at about CT 23 having a duration of less than or equal to about 7 hours, to avoid stimulation of the phase-advance zone of the melatonin PRC at about CT 6. A melatonin dose administered at about CT 23 and having a duration of up to 14 hours would be appropriate if a phase delay was achieved by the latest possible fall (while avoiding overlap with the endogenous onset).
Table 1 can also be used to calculate the proper administration time for an exogenous dose of any known (or predicted) duration. In this way, the circadian administration time can be optimized for any particular immediate- or sustained-release dose (or mixtures thereof). For example, a dose of melatonin having a 9-hour duration and administered to produce a phase delay is not administered after about CT 4 to avoid overlap with endogenous melatonin onset. Similarly, such a dose is not administered after about CT 21 to avoid stimulating the phase-advance zone of the AUC (i.e., from about CT 6 to about CT 18). In addition, melatonin is advantageously administered before about CT 0 so that the exogenous rise occurs prior to the endogenous offset. It is also advantageous to administer melatonin to produce plasma melatonin concentrations higher than endogenous levels during the interval when endogenous melatonin is produced.
The results obtained in Examples 2-5 were also used to construct a Table of times useful for maximizing the magnitude and extent of phase advances (Table 2). This Table begins at CT 6, since it is generally unwise to administer melatonin before this time to produce a phase advance. The middle column of this Table teaches overlap of the exogenous melatonin fall with endogenous melatonin onset for maximizing phase advances. The right-hand column teaches administering melatonin having a generally longer duration so that the maximal portion of the phase-advance zone of the area under the curve (AUC) is stimulated. The duration of plasma melatonin concentration taught in the right hand column of Table 2 are optimal, whereas the duration prescribed in the middle column of the Table is minimal. For any preferred or desirable administration time for an exogenous melatonin dose, the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse can be adjusted in order to optimize the magnitude of the phase advance. For example, melatonin administered at about CT 10 advantageously has a duration of no less than about 4 hours and optimally about 8 hours.
Table 2 can also be used to calculate the proper administration time for an exogenous dose of known (or predicted) duration. Using the middle column of the Table, for example, a melatonin dose having a duration of about 7 hours is administered no earlier than about CT 7 (to overlap the endogenous onset at about CT 14). Similarly, a melatonin dose having a duration of about 3 hours is administered no earlier than about CT 11. In general, melatonin is administered at a time appropriate to ensure overlap between the exogenous fall and the endogenous onset, assuming the melatonin onset occurs at CT 14. In this way, the circadian administration time can be optimized for any particular IR or SR dose (or mixtures thereof) providing for overlap of the exogenous fall and the endogenous onset. Alternatively, the right-hand column of the Table is used to direct stimulation of the maximal portion of the AUC of the phase-advance zone of the melatonin PRC. For example, a dose having a duration of about 7 hours is optimally administered at about CT 7 rather than about CT 11, so as to stimulate the maximal portion of the of the phase-advance zone of the melatonin PRC, as well as to overlap the onset of endogenous melatonin production and to provide the earliest rise in exogenous melatonin levels.
EXAMPLE 7
Melatonin is often taken as a soporific agent. Frequently, a phase advance is also desired (i.e., the sleep phase is desired earlier than the individual's circadian rhythms dictate, due, for example, to transmeridional travel to the east). Melatonin's soporific effectiveness is thus two-fold: a phase advance in the sleep propensity rhythm can decrease, sleep latency, and a direct effect on sleep (often requiring a higher dose than required by the circadian rhythm phase shift) may also be produced by melatonin administration. Additionally, sleep can also help reset an individual's body clock by superimposing darkness upon the light/dark cycle. (Under any of these circumstances, however, a phase delay should be avoided.) However, in the event that melatonin causes instantaneous phase shifts, proper administration of melatonin can result in a phase advance in the sleep propensity rhythm (induced by giving melatonin in the beginning of the night), and in addition melatonin can be used to promote sleep maintenance by causing a phase delay in the sleep propensity rhythm by melatonin administration later in the night that stimulates the delay zone of the melatonin PRC. (Of course, melatonin stimulation of the delay zone should be avoided after sleep onset if the individual is having trouble awakening at the desired time.) This pattern of effect on sleep propensity and circadian rhythm phase shifting is advantageously achieved using a melatonin formulation comprising a sustained-release formulation, or alternatively, a combination of an immediate-release and a sustained- or delayed-release formulation.
If phase delays are to be avoided or minimized, the exogenous fall should be earlier than the endogenous offset, as well as to reduce stimulation of the AUC of the phase-delay zone of the melatonin PRC. Table 3 is constructed to optimize exogenous melatonin pulse duration to avoid the delay zone of the PRC. The middle column indicates the maximal duration of exogenous melatonin concentrations if the AUC strategy is not used (although, for phase advances, the fall should always precede the offset), whereas the right-hand column of the Table indicates the exogenous melatonin duration if the AUC strategy is used. If melatonin is taken at about CT 15, for example, and a phase delay is to be avoided, melatonin duration is not more than about nine hours to avoid a fall later than the offset, and is less than about three hours to avoid stimulation of the phase-delay zone of the melatonin PRC. When taking melatonin for its soporific effect, phase delays are avoided by not administering melatonin after about CT 17 (and at this time only if it has a one-hour duration), if the AUC strategy is used. Also, for some individuals who can benefit from melatonin's soporific effects, melatonin should be taken as early as possible so as to enhance phase delays; these include elderly people with sleep maintenance insomnia early morning awakening and other signs of abnormally phase-advanced circadian rhythms.
Sleep-time use of sedative-hypnotics and soporific (>1 mg) doses of melatonin can also be used alone or in combination with phase-shifting doses (≤1 mg) when direct soporific effects are needed in addition to the phase-shifting effects of low-dose daytime administration of melatonin.
EXAMPLE 8
Melatonin can also be administered to avoid a phase shift (for example, when melatonin is used specifically as a soporific). To achieve this result, melatonin is administered at preferred times and durations so that the rise of exogenous melatonin is the same number of hours earlier than the onset as the fall is later than the offset (as shown in Table 4). Table 4 assumes that the endogenous onset is about CT 14 and the offset is about CT 1, although it should be recognized that ambient light exposure will shorten the melatonin duration somewhat, delaying the onset and advancing the offset. Alternatively, melatonin is given at a time that provides stimulation of equal parts of the advance and delay zones of the melatonin PRC.
EXAMPLE 9
Jet Lag
The present invention and the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,941 and5,591,768 provide methods for the treatment of jet lag using melatonin administration. These teachings of this Example are primarily based on the area under the curve and overlap strategies and can be modified according to the teachings of the previous Examples. Table 5 provides preferred times for using light exposure to suppress endogenous melatonin production, when such endogenous melatonin production would otherwise cause a phase shift contrary to the direction of the desired phase shift. Table 5 teaches that light suppression of endogenous melatonin production will enhance a phase delay when exposure occurs between about CT 14 and about CT 18, and will enhance a phase advance when exposure occurs between about CT 18 and CT 1. These are also the preferred times when it would be advantageous to administer melatonin blockers. Table 5 also teaches times when additional hours of light exposure would benefit the desired phase shift on the first day of arrival and for subsequent days, whereby light exposure stimulates the light PRC. The Table describes two 12-hour intervals for light exposure, about CT 18 to about CT 6 for causing a phase delay and about CT 6 to about CT 18 for causing a phase advance. These are also the times that would be advantageous for administering melatonin inverse agonists and melatonin antagonists to achieve the phase shifts as indicated in the Table.
In addition, avoiding light exposure can reduce light suppression of endogenous melatonin production and thereby increase melatonin stimulation of the melatonin PRC. If appropriately timed, such endogenous melatonin stimulation will help with a desired phase shift. The present invention provides the use of avoiding light exposure for achieving a circadian rhythm phase shift. Table 6 provides an illustration of how avoiding light exposure on the first day after arrival and for subsequent days is used to affect circadian rhythm phase shifting for treating jet lag. The Table discloses preferred times that are particularly important for reducing light exposure to minimize light suppression of endogenous melatonin production and facilitate the desired phase shift. The Table also indicates the 12-hour intervals of each day when light exposure is reduced on the first day of arrival and for subsequent days that facilitates the desired phase shift by reducing stimulation of the light PRC. These 12-hour intervals of reduced light response (about CT 18 to about CT 6 for enhancing phase delays and about CT 6 to about CT 18 for enhancing phase advances) are also the times that are advantageously used for administration of exogenous melatonin, melatonin agonists and melatonin stimulants.
It will be understood that, in using these and other Tables herein which teach clock time administrations for shifting the body clock, the body clock can shift up to about 3-4 hours per day. To an individual can "skip" the instructions on any given day and use the invention's instructions for the following day, or the day after that, etc. That is, instead of following instructions for Day 2 after arrival, one can follow them for Day 3, Day 4 or Day 5, depending on how fast one is phase shifting. For example, if one is shifting at the rate of two hours per day, then instructions for Day 3 should be substituted for Day 2 and instructions for Day 5 should be substituted for Day 3. If one is shifting faster, then instructions for Day 4 should be substituted for Day 2, etc. It will also be understood that Day 0 refers to the schedule before or during the day of travel 2 hours per day.
One way to avoid bright light exposure is to sleep during the day ("taking a nap"). This behavior influences endogenous melatonin production by changing the pattern of light exposure experienced by a human and therefore influences the times and duration of endogenous melatonin production (because a nap will cause the biological clock to experience a dark pulse). Times of nap-taking are therefore important when considering circadian rhythm phase-shifting effects in a human. A tendency to nap is common in individuals experiencing transmeridional travel. Nap times are preferred when light exposure should be avoided or reduced, most particularly when the appropriate zone (advance or delay) of the melatonin PRC is advantageously stimulated by reducing light suppression of endogenous melatonin production. Table 6 indicates the times when napping advantageously has this effect on the endogenous melatonin PRC, as well as times when napping reduces stimulation of the light PRC by ambient light. Similarly, naps are to be avoided at certain times according to Table 5, particularly during times when it is desirable that endogenous melatonin production stimulates the appropriate zone of the melatonin PRC and most particularly when ambient light stimulates the appropriate zone of the light PRC. Of course, there may be other reasons to sleep that need to be taken into account. However, if an individual feels the need to sleep, Table 6 indicates the preferred times (to avoid stimulation by light of the light PRC) and most preferred times (to stimulate the melatonin PRC) to sleep.
Application of these teachings to alleviating the symptoms of jet lag are as follows. For a traveler going to Continental Europe from Portland, Oreg. (nine time zones to the east), a phase advance of 9 hours is required to re-entrain the traveler to local time and alleviate the symptoms of jet lag. For this traveler, light exposure {particularly bright artificial light or sunlight (which is brighter than indoor light)} preferably occurs between about 10 a.m. and about 10 p.m. Destination Time (DT). Light is particularly avoided in the morning before about 10 a.m. DT for the first day after arrival. This is the time when endogenous melatonin should not be suppressed by light, so that the absence of light (i.e., darkness) may facilitate (directly and indirectly) endogenous melatonin stimulation of the appropriate zone of the AUC of the melatonin PRC. (Indirect facilitation of melatonin's phase-shifting effects refers to simultaneous administration of darkness and melatonin having a mutually potentiating effect.) In other words, naps are preferably taken before about 10 a.m. DT and light exposure preferably occurs between about 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. DT. In addition, naps or prolonged darkness should be avoided between about 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. DT, and particularly between about 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. DT, because stimulation by endogenous melatonin at this time would stimulate the wrong zone of the melatonin PRC (the delay zone), and would thus work contrary to the desired 9-hour phase advance. Naps taken before about 10 a.m. are preferred, since this is also the time when light exposure should be avoided, and darkness at this time permits endogenous melatonin production to stimulate the appropriate (advance) zone of the melatonin PRC, thereby enhancing the desired 9-hour phase advance needed to adjust to the new time zone. For this traveler, napping after about 5 p.m. DT would be less likely to counteract the desired phase shift (since endogenous melatonin production will end at or before about this time). {However, it will be recognized that such evening naps might make it more difficult to fall asleep that night, and that light exposure between about 5 p.m. and about 10 p.m. may be helpful to enhance a phase advance by stimulating the appropriate (advance) zone of the light PRC.} For shorter trips to the east, or on subsequent days, these times are preferably moved earlier, as shown in more detail in Tables 5 and 6.
Tables 5 and 6 can also be used for prescribing times of bright light exposure and bright light avoidance for travelers making transmeridional trips to the west. For example, after the return trip to Portland (nine time zones to the west, requiring a 9-hour phase delay to re-entrain the traveler to local time and alleviate the symptoms of jet lag), Table 5 describes the times of nap avoidance and Table 6 describes the times of nap desirability. On the first day of arrival, naps should occur after about 4 p.m. DT, since light exposure is particularly undesirable before this time (with the same proviso as above that an evening nap might reduce sleep drive later in the night). Light exposure is avoided in general between about 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. DT for such a traveler. Naps are particularly avoided between about noon and about 4 p.m. DT, and light exposure is particularly desirable at this time, in order to suppress endogenous melatonin production. Light exposure is generally desirable for this traveler between about 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. DT. These times are shifted later for shorter trips and on subsequent days. Table 5 indicates the preferred times (to stimulate the light PRC) and most preferred times (to avoid stimulation of the melatonin PRC) to avoid sleep. These times need to be considered along with other considerations of sleep need and desirability, when scheduling sleep and nap times.
Alternatively, if naps are not taken at the appropriate times, light exposure may be reduced by the use of goggles, as previously described (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768, incorporated by reference). The preferred times for obtaining light (Table 5) and avoiding light (Table 6) regarding the effects of light on endogenous melatonin production are also the times of the most sensitive (robust) parts of the light PRC. Avoiding light exposure at certain times after travel is important for avoiding re-entrainment by partition, that is, shifting the body clock in the opposite direction as traveled (which often results in the sleep/wake cycle shifting in one direction and the other circadian rhythms shifting in the other direction). Avoiding and obtaining light exposure may also be important for suppressing endogenous melatonin production.
Selective reduction of endogenous melatonin production during either the advance zone or the delay zone of the melatonin PRC is also achieved by the use of beta-blockers (or other pharmacological agents that reduce endogenous melatonin production or otherwise limit binding of melatonin to melatonin receptors). Preferred administration times for using beta-blockers to effect circadian rhythm phase shifting are provided in Table 7. For example, when traveling east nine time zones, a beta-blocker having a duration of about 7 hours is advantageously taken at about 10 a.m. DT upon the first day of arrival, thereby reducing endogenous melatonin production until about 5 p.m. DT. Timing of beta-blocker administration is earlier than about 10 a.m. for shorter trips (and on subsequent days) when traveling east, as shown in Table 7. For earlier administration times (which may prove inconvenient), a delayed-release (DR) form can be taken at bedtime rather than in the middle of the night to avoid interference with sleep. For travel nine time zones to the west, beta-blockers are taken at about 11 a.m. DT upon arrival. This time should be later for shorter trips, and on subsequent days (see Table 7). For traveling west, beta-blockers of four-hour duration are useful and can also be taken according to Table 7. This Table assumes no delay in the onset of action. This Table can be appropriately modified if the duration of action of the beta-blocker is different than seven hours (for eastward travel) or four hours (for westward travel) or if the onset of melatonin activity is not immediate. When going east, durations greater than 7 hours are acceptable; however, the duration should not be so great that it inhibits endogenous melatonin production in the beginning of the next night (this would reduce endogenous melatonin stimulation of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC), unless complete inhibition of endogenous melatonin production is desired. (Inhibition of the entire endogenous melatonin profile in some individuals might enhance phase shifting in either direction.) For facilitating phase advances, beta-blockers of longer duration are not necessary and should be taken earlier, ending at about CT 18; they should not be taken earlier than about CT 6, except with a DR formulation, unless complete inhibition of endogenous melatonin production is desired. When going west (requiring a phase delay), durations of greater than 4 hours are acceptable: for every hour of duration greater than 4 hours, the beta-blocker should be administered one hour earlier than is suggested in Table 7, or an appropriate DR formulation should be used. For facilitating phase delays, beta-blockers should ideally be about 4 hours in duration. However, administration should not occur when endogenous melatonin might stimulate the delay zone of the melatonin PRC, unless complete inhibition of endogenous-melatonin production is desired. Beta-blockers can be taken for a few days before travel and during the day of travel; these times are indicated in Table 7 in the rows designated 0 time zones and are given in Embarkation Time (E.T.).
Table 9 illustrates preferred melatonin administration duration times when taking more than about 1 mg at bedtime for alleviating jet lag according to the melatonin PRC. For example, for travel nine time zones to the east (requiring a phase advance), melatonin administration is disadvantageous prior to about 10 p.m. DT. A DR formulation may be necessary if one goes to bed earlier than 10 p.m. DT, which is very common on the plane or after a night of relative sleep deprivation on the plane. The duration of exogenously-administered melatonin should be at least nine hours to permit overlap of the fall with the onset and to maximize the extent of phase-shifting. However, melatonin duration should not be more than 12 hours, in order to avoid stimulating the delay zone of the melatonin PRC, unless the soporific effect during sleep times is more desirable. (Providing the latest possible fall before the next night's endogenous melatonin onset requires a longer duration.) As the melatonin PRC shifts on subsequent days, the dosage is reduced, or the duration shortened in other ways to avoid stimulation of the delay zone or to produce a fall later than the endogenous melatonin offset. Melatonin administration in the middle of the night (about 0.5-3 mg, preferably achieved using DR formulations) can be used to help sleep maintenance, but should not be taken after about 5 a.m. D.T. (see Table 8 for preferred administration times), unless the soporific effect during sleep times is more desirable. (Providing the latest possible fall before the next night's endogenous melatonin onset requires a longer duration.) This time should be moved earlier, on subsequent days and for shorter trips to the east.
For an individual traveling nine time zones to the west (which requires a phase delay of nine hours to re-synchronize the traveler to local time), melatonin administration at a dosage of 3 mg in an immediate-release dosage form (or a dose of this order of magnitude) taken at bedtime will coincidentally be helpful in causing both sleep as well as having a phase-shifting effect on the delay zone. For this administration regime, the exogenous melatonin rise precedes, and the fall occurs later than, the endogenous melatonin offset. For subsequent days, a set of SR formulations having increasingly longer durations are useful for facilitating the required phase delay (see Table 9). After a few days, formulations having longer durations (to selectively stimulate more of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC) advantageously are used to counter any inadvertent phase advance occurring if melatonin is taken too early during the advance zone of the melatonin PRC (i.e., before the endogenous melatonin onset), and also by causing a later fall. Alternatively, an administration regimen of low-dose SR melatonin formulation (e.g., having a 12-hour duration) taken at increasingly later times or combined with a DR formulation (see Table 10 for preferred administration times) can be used to effect the required phase delay using a bedtime administration protocol to produce a fall later than the endogenous offset. Also, melatonin duration may be higher if the soporific effect during sleep times is more desirable.
However, for travel less than three time zones west, bedtime administration is the wrong time, unless a very long SR formulation is taken that can cause a more potent phase delay by extending the new offset, or a low-dose (non-soporific) melatonin formulation is taken having a 12-hour duration and administered with a 1-3 hour DR component (see Table 10).
Melatonin administration before or on the day of travel can also be advantageous in some circumstances, and the desirability of administering low-dose and high-dose formulations depends in part on whether one intends to sleep on the plane and can take melatonin at a time given as the zero time in Table 6. However, under most circumstances melatonin administration is disadvantageous prior to 1 a.m. ET when going west or after 1 a.m. ET when going east, unless the soporific effect during sleep times is more desirable. To enhance a phase advance (required for eastward travel), melatonin is taken to stimulate the advance zone of the melatonin PRC (between about CT 6 and about CT 18), and to enhance a phase delay (required for westward travel), melatonin is taken to stimulate the delay zone of the melatonin PRC (between about CT 18 and about CT 6 or longer for some individuals). In addition, melatonin administration is advantageously accompanied by concomitant darkness for several hours. Melatonin agonists and stimulants can also be taken before travel at the same times as described for melatonin. Melatonin inverse agonists or melatonin antagonists are taken to stimulate the opposite zone, as described for melatonin, of the melatonin PRC (see Table 5). Table 5 also indicates when to take a melatonin blocker to suppress endogenous melatonin production. Light and dark can also be used as described before travel, but may interfere with sleep and wakefulness (see the row for 0 time zones in Tables 5 and 6).
Dosage forms comprising about 0.5 mg to about 3 mg of melatonin (or a dose of these orders of magnitude) are advantageously used for effecting phase shifting for. alleviating the symptoms of jet lag, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,941 and 5,591,768 (incorporated by reference). However, melatonin is taken no earlier than certain times, depending on the number of time zones crossed and the number of days after arrival (see Table 11 for preferred administration times), unless the soporific effect during sleep times is more desirable. For example, after traveling nine time zones to the west (requiring a phase delay), a 0.5 mg dose of melatonin is taken no earlier than about 4 p.m. DT, with later administration times prescribed for subsequent days. When traveling east, the approximate dose of 0.5 mg of melatonin can be taken in the middle of the night, following a low-to-moderate dose IR formulation, if one awakens after sleep onset. However, middle-of-the-night melatonin administration is not taken so late at night that it will stimulate the inappropriate zone of the melatonin PRC (for example, after about 5 a.m. DT the first day following a trip through nine time zones to the west; see Table 8).
A complication arises if an air traveler has not completely adjusted to the new time zone, especially when such a traveler returns to the embarkation point or other destination before complete synchrony has been achieved with local time of the first destination. This situation is illustrated as follows. If an individual has traveled 8 time zones to the east and stayed four days without using any schedule of light exposure or avoidance and without using any exogenous melatonin administration to speed adjustment, this individual will typically have shifted about 4 hours (instead of the 8 required for complete adjustment to the new time zone), since it takes at least about one day to shift about one hour without using any special techniques to enhance phase shifting. Upon returning to the west, this individual will need to adjust only 4 hours back to the original circadian phase. In this case, the Tables and teachings of the present invention are used by applying the schedule for a westward time zone difference of 4 hours, even though the traveler has crossed through 8 time zones.
Another way to treat such partial phase shifts is to consider the teachings of Tables 5-11 in terms of circadian time. These Tables are based on the assumption that CT 14 is about 9 p.m. for most people. For individuals who have not completely adjusted to a new time zone, however, this will not be the case. For example, an individual who has only half adjusted to an 8 hour trip to the east will typically have a DLMO at about 1 a.m. For example, in Table 5, when returning 8 time zones to the west, light exposure is obtained between about 9 a.m. and about 9 p.m. on Day 1 (since 1 a.m. is 4 hours later than 9 p.m., the times in the Table should be adjusted to be about 4 hours later). This adjustment can be made because, according to Table 5, in order to obtain a phase delay the light PRC is stimulated between about CT 6 and about CT 18 and endogenous melatonin stimulation of the melatonin PRC is suppressed by light exposure between about CT 14 and about CT 18. Table 5 was constructed using an algorithm for obtaining a phase delay by administering a melatonin antagonist or melatonin inverse agonist between about CT 6 and about CT 18 (which is also the time interval when light exposure will enhance a phase delay according to the light PRC), as well as by administering a compound that blocks endogenous melatonin production between about CT 14 and about CT 18; this is also the time interval when light exposure will enhance a phase delay, in part by suppressing endogenous melatonin production. Table 5 was also constructed using an algorithm for obtaining a phase advance by administering a melatonin antagonist or melatonin inverse agonist between about CT 18 and about CT 6 (which is also the time interval when light exposure will enhance a phase advance according to the light PRC), as well as by administering a compound that blocks endogenous melatonin production between about CT 18 and about CT 1; this is also the time when light exposure will enhance a phase advance, in part by suppressing endogenous melatonin production. Table 6 was constructed using an algorithm for obtaining a phase advance by administering melatonin, a melatonin agonist or a compound that stimulates endogenous melatonin production between about CT 6 and about CT 18, which is also the time interval when avoiding light exposure will enhance a phase advance according to the light PRC (from about CT 14 to about CT 18 is also the time interval when avoiding light exposure will enhance a phase advance by reducing suppression of endogenous melatonin production by light). Table 6 was also constructed using an algorithm for obtaining a phase delay by administering melatonin, a melatonin agonist or a compound that stimulates endogenous melatonin production between about CT 18 and about CT 6 (which is also the time interval when avoiding light exposure will enhance a phase delay according to the light PRC; from about CT 18 to about CT 1 is also the time interval when avoiding light exposure will enhance a phase delay by reducing suppression of endogenous melatonin production by light).
As disclosed above, beta-blocker administration can also be used to affect re-synchronization of circadian rhythms following transmeridional travel, as shown in Table 7. A beta-blocker is administered to block endogenous melatonin production between about CT 14 and about CT 18 to facilitate a phase delay, and between about CT 18 and about CT 1 to facilitate a phase advance. For Table 8, phase advances are enhanced by providing that middle-of-the-night melatonin not be administered after about CT 18, for enhancing a phase advance. Table 9 was constructed on the assumption that when melatonin is taken at bedtime (about 9 p.m.), it is advantageous to delay melatonin activity until after about CT 18 when traveling west (and to avoid melatonin activity between about CT 6 and about CT 18, which would stimulate a disadvantageous phase advance), and to ensure that melatonin activity ceases before about CT 18 when traveling east (and to provide melatonin stimulation of the greatest extent of the area under the curve between about CT 6 and about CT 18).
In Table 10, melatonin activity is maximal between about CT 18 and CT 6 to achieve a phase delay, and melatonin activity occurs between about CT 6 and about CT 18 to achieve a phase advance. Table 11 is provided for a melatonin formulation having a duration of about 5 hours, wherein, to achieve a phase delay, melatonin is administered no earlier than about CT 18. It will be understood that the algorithmic bases of these Tables are adjusted to account for incomplete circadian phase adjustments following air travel, and for individuals whose DLMO times are not 9 p.m.
In addition, it will be recognized that there are circumstances when it is desirable to achieve a phase shift after transmeridional travel whereby the phase shift is opposite to that of the direction of travel, i.e., when one would rather advance than delay, or (more likely) delay rather than advance. This non-intuitive principle is particularly pronounced with regard to phase delays. For example, a phase delay of 14 hours is generally preferable to a phase advance of 10 hours after eastward travel across ten time zones. The methods and teachings of this invention can be used to achieve a phase delay rather than a phase advance in such circumstances. Finally, melatonin, melatonin agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists and compounds that enhance or diminish endogenous melatonin production can be advantageously combined with a sedative/hypnotic of appropriate pharmacological activity and duration or a high-dose melatonin formulation (>1 mg) to be administered at a time whereby sleep loss is reduced during adjustment to the destination time zone.
EXAMPLE 10
Human Sleep Phase Disorders
Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) is characterized by difficulty falling asleep and difficulty waking up in the morning. In general, individuals suffering from DSPS need to have their circadian rhythms, including the melatonin circadian rhythm, gradually shifted earlier (i.e., phase advanced) by about 2-6 hours. DSPS can be treated with morning light exposure. According to the melatonin PRC, this magnitude of phase advance requires melatonin administration between about CT 6 and about CT 11. Assuming awakening at about 10 a.m. (which would equal about CT 0), exogenous melatonin would be administered between about 4 p.m. and about 9 p.m. According to the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768 (incorporated by reference), the clock time of administration is shifted earlier each day, on the order of about 15-30 minutes, to keep the phase relationship between the time of administration and DLMO constant. The instant invention teaches that the fall of exogenous melatonin is timed to overlap the onset of endogenous melatonin and continues through the advance zone of the melatonin PRC. In an individual who awakens at about 10 a.m., endogenous melatonin onset typically occurs at about midnight. In order for the fall to overlap this onset, therefore, the duration of the exogenous melatonin pulse (administered at about 6 p.m.) is at least about six hours; however, to stimulate all of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC, the duration extends to about 4 a.m. and is be no more than about ten hours in duration, to avoid stimulation of any part of the delay zone of the AUC of the melatonin PRC. These times are shifted earlier on successive days until the desired sleep time is reached, at a rate dependent on how fast the individual is advancing their circadian rhythms (usually 15-30 minutes per day). A preferred formulation provides a low dose of melatonin for the first few hours after administration followed by rising melatonin levels (about six-fold) at about CT 15 to take advantage of any direct soporific effect of melatonin (since CT 16 typically corresponds to bed-time). A melatonin formulation can be combined with a short-acting sedative/hypnotic medication to treat patients with DSPS. Also, in view of the fact that every American experiences a transient DSPS when adjusting to Daylight Savings Time, the methods of this invention encompass methods for alleviating these acute circadian rhythm phase disorders associated with changing from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time.
Advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS) is characterized by difficulty staying awake in the evening and difficulty maintaining sleep in the morning. ASPS can be treated with evening light exposure. According to the melatonin PRC as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768, exogenous melatonin is administered immediately upon awakening (i.e., at about CT 0) to cause a phase delay that does not require awakening during the night to take the formulation. Alternatively, a DR formulation is administered that is formulated to increase melatonin levels at about CT 18 and continue through about CT 6 (to stimulate the AUC of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC and to avoid stimulating the advance zone of the melatonin PRC) or through about CT 13 (to produce the latest time of exogenous melatonin fall that does not overlap the onset of endogenous melatonin the next night). Additionally, administration times are shifted later each day, by about 15-30 minutes, as awakening times gradually shift to later clock times according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768. The instant invention teaches that melatonin is administered before about CT 1 and that the duration of elevated plasma melatonin concentration administered at about CT 1 is at least about five hours, in order to have exogenous melatonin production be continuous with the endogenous melatonin profile and to stimulate the remaining AUC of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC. Using another strategy, exogenous melatonin duration is advantageously about 13 hours (taken at about CT 0) to selectively stimulate the maximal portion of the AUC of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC and to provide a maximally delayed fall that does not overlap the next night's endogenous onset. Low-dose melatonin administration is important to avoid daytime sleepiness for administration times affecting plasma melatonin concentrations during an individual's day. In view of these considerations, a sustained-release formulation is preferred for treating ASPS. Longer-acting sedative/hypnotics or short-acting sedative/hypnotics with a delayed-release component can be taken with melatonin in the treatment of ASPS. Also, in view of the fact that every American experiences a transient ASPS when adjusting to Standard Time from Daylight Savings Time, the methods of this invention encompass methods for alleviating these acute circadian-rhythm phase disorders associated with changing from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time; and melatonin blockers can be given during the opposite zone of the melatonin PRC as recommended for melatonin, accompanied by light exposure, that also coincides with the endogenous melatonin profile, as described in Example 9.
Mixed ASPS/DSPS sleep disorders are characterized by those individuals who have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. These individuals are advantageously administered exogenous melatonin so that the exogenous rise precedes the endogenous onset and melatonin stimulates the AUC of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC, having plasma melatonin concentration levels increase at about CT 15 to induce sleep, and then providing high plasma melatonin levels until desired wake-up time (stimulating the AUC of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC) to delay sleep propensity, and providing a drop-off in levels as quickly as possible slightly before or around sleep offset.
EXAMPLE 11
Winter Depression
Winter depression can be treated by achieving a circadian rhythm phase shift using exogenous melatonin administration. In winter depression, most patients are thought to be abnormally phase delayed when depressed in the winter. According to the melatonin PRC as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941, exogenous melatonin is administered in the afternoon or early evening, in order to provide a corrective phase advance. According to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768, administration clock times are shifted earlier by about one hour after about one week of treatment, in order to stimulate the same point on the melatonin PRC after the melatonin PRC has shifted as a result of exogenous melatonin treatment; in this way, the phase relationship between melatonin administration and the melatonin PRC is maintained. In addition, it has been determined that individuals with winter depression are extremely sensitive to the soporific effects of melatonin. Consequently, the lowest possible dose (about 0.025 to about 0.25 mg) is administered. Only a sustained-release formulation (or repeated administration of low-dose immediate release formulations) can provide a sufficiently long duration of a such dose of melatonin so that the exogenous melatonin fall is later than the endogenous melatonin onset (at about CT 14). Thus, in order to treat winter depression by causing an optimal phase advance, the lowest possible dose is used with extremely careful timing of its rise and fall, so that the rise occurs as early as about CT 6 or about CT 8, the fall overlaps the endogenous onset, and the maximal portion of the AUC of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC is stimulated (the end of which is as late as about CT 18), while stimulation of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC is avoided. Such low-dose SR formulations preferably have a duration of about 11-12 hours.
Patients with winter depression were treated with either melatonin (N=5) or placebo (N=5). All subjects were screened prior to being admitted into the study and met the following criteria: 1) the DSM-IV criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) for moderate to severe major depressive disorder (without psychotic episodes) or bipolar disorder (depressed or not otherwise specified) with a winter type seasonal pattern; 2) scored ≤20 on the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) (Williams et al., 1994, Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Scale-Seasonal Effective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD), New York: New York State Psychiatric Institute) with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) (Hamilton, 1967, Brit. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 6: 278-296)≤10 and an atypical score ≤5 (Terman et al., 1990, Neuropsychopharmacol. 2: 1-22); 3) reported that a depression developed during the fall or winter and remitted the following spring for at least the two preceding years; 4) were in good physical health; 5) were not suicidal; 6) were not using psychotropic medications for the prior four weeks or other medications that interfered with endogenous melatonin production; 7) did not have other serious psychiatric, medical illnesses or sleep disorders; and 8) were not working a night shift schedule.
Prior to inclusion in the study, subjects were interviewed by a physician and also completed 7 a health and sleep screening questionnaire. Written informed consent was obtained for all participants.
The study was a three-week, parallel-group design, consisting of a pre-treatment assessment followed by three treatment weeks. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a melatonin or placebo group and were counter balanced based on their initial depression scores (SIGH-SAD) and their reported awakening times. Each group received melatonin or placebo in two daily capsules at about CT 8 and about CT 12, estimated from each subject's initial reported awakening time (about CT 0). The dose of melatonin was 0.125 mg per capsule.
For behavioral ratings, subjects were initially interviewed face-to-face using the 29-item Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale--Seasonal Affective Disorder version (SIGH-SAD). Two subsequent interviews were done weekly by telephone and the third and final interview was conducted in person. All interviews were conducted by a researcher blind to treatment conditions.
For the three-week period, subjects completed a Likert daily rating form and a daily sleep diary. To specifically assess fatigue associated with the capsule, subjects also completed a Profile of Mood States (POMS) 30 minutes after ingestion of each capsule. In addition, pre-study and weekly expectations questionnaires were completed.
Ten patients (9 females) with winter depression were admitted into the study. The mean age of the melatonin group was 37 (SD=13.6; range: 22-58) and the placebo group was 32.2 (SD=8.6; range: 22-42). The mean pre-treatment SIGH-SAD score for the placebo group was 29.4; the melatonin group mean was 29.2. The initial reported mean wake up time for the placebo group was 7:12 AM; the melatonin group mean was 7:20 AM. Two subjects in the melatonin group dropped out of the study after the second week of treatment, because of interfering school constraints. Therefore, the sample size for the third week was too small to be included in the analyses, although it should be mentioned that the means for the third treatment week were identical to those of the first two treatment weeks (mean changes in depression ratings occurred during the first week of treatment and remained constant through the end of the study).
A two-way repeated measures ANOVA using treatment group (melatonin and placebo) as a grouping factor and week (pre-treatment and at Week 2) as the repeated measure showed a main effect for week (p<0.0001) and a significant (week*group) interaction (p=0.049). A one-tailed, unpaired t-test for SIGH-SAD scores after two weeks of capsules revealed a significant difference (p=0.05) between the melatonin and placebo groups (see FIG. 7). Unpaired t-tests for change scores from pre-treatment to Weeks One and Two showed significant differences between the groups (p<0.05). These scores were 15.4 in Week 1 for the group administered melatonin (Standard Error of the Mean=2:18) and 8.4 for the group administered-placebo (S.E.M.=2.04). For Week 2 of treatment, the scores were 16.8 for the melatonin group (S.E.M.=1.5) and 9.2 for the placebo group (S.E.M.=2.91). By classifying subjects into non-responders and responders using the criteria of 39% or greater decrease in SIGH-SAD ratings to a score of 21 or less, there was only one responder in the placebo group, whereas all five subjects responded to melatonin (p=0.048, Fisher's Exact test).
These data indicate that melatonin can be used to treat winter depression. Remarkably, this melatonin regimen seems to be as effective by some, if not all measures, as morning light exposure, the current treatment of choice. (The treatment of choice for winter depression has been morning bright light exposure which causes a corrective phase advance.) In the present study, the melatonin dose was lowered to minimize soporific side effects that can be interpreted by the patient as symptoms of their disease. Normally, such a low dose is not expected to cause much of a phase advance. However, by giving the first dose at about CT 8 the phase-advancing properties of melatonin are enhanced according to our invention, provided that its duration was continuous with the endogenous melatonin onset. Such durations were achieved by a second immediate release melatonin administration given at about CT 12. The two doses also provide for near-maximal stimulation of the AUC of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC. For perhaps both of these reasons, an appropriate phase advance can be reasonably expected using this regimen. In addition, soporific side effects are avoided using this low dosage form. These data clearly indicate that the optimal melatonin treatment for winter depression is administration of the lowest possible dose in a SR formulation, beginning shortly after about CT 6 and extending to between about CT 14 and about CT 18, provided that the administered dose at the same time avoids soporific side effects before bedtime. The same treatment regimen can be applied to the treatment of any phase-delay disorder, including but not limited to subsyndromal winter depression and delayed sleep phase syndrome, even in its mildest form in which an individual has trouble falling asleep and waking up alert at the desired time. Melatonin can be given alone, in combination with morning bright light exposure and in combination with a melatonin blocker, such as a beta-blocker, to reduce endogenous melatonin production throughout the night or primarily during the delay zone of the melatonin PRC 12
Shift Work
Shift work produces circadian rhythm phase disorders in workers required to periodically change working hours. For workers changing to a later shift (for example, from a day shift (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to an evening shift (4 p.m. to 12 a.m.)), the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941 describes melatonin administration on the delay zone of the melatonin PRC (i.e., between about CT 18 and CT 6). According to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,768, delay-specific administration of exogenous melatonin is performed at a later clock time on each day over a course of treatment (typically, about 4-6 days, the number of days during the work week). According to the instant invention, exogenous melatonin is administered at about CT 18 (about 1 a.m.), in order to selectively stimulate most of the delay zone. Melatonin can also be given at this time, advantageously before shifting the sleep/wake schedule (appearing in Row Day 0). Melatonin formulations administered at about CT 18 preferably have a duration of about 12 hours, in order to stimulate all of the delay zone. For some individuals, the latest possible fall may be more effective in causing a phase delay than avoiding stimulating any portion of the AUC of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC (as long as the fall ends before that night's onset). In this case, the duration of increased exogenous melatonin plasma concentration is optimally longer, about 19 hours. Whatever time of administration is chosen, however, the exogenous melatonin rise precedes and the fall occurs after the endogenous melatonin offset to create a circadian rhythm phase-delaying effect. An optimal modality for administering melatonin under these circumstances is a SR formulation, so that a lower dose can be used to avoid sleepiness until about 9 a.m. (when night workers usually go to bed). In addition, over the last few days of a treatment period, DR formulations having a delay of up to about 4 hours can be administered, allowing the capsule to be taken no later than bedtime, i.e., around 9 a.m. (see Table 12 for preferred administration times).
To for some individuals who shift more quickly than average, the suggested administration time for Day 3 can be substituted for Day 2, Day 5for Day 3, etc. For those individuals who shift even more quickly, Day 4 and be substituted for Day 2, Day 6 for Day 3, etc 1-2 hours per day.
For treatment embodiments comprising beta-blockers (or any pharmacologic means of reducing melatonin production or blocking SCN melatonin receptors), the drugs are taken at about 9 p.m., and then at successively later clock times until about 9 a.m., and are taken only in formulations having a duration of less than about four hours (see Table 13 for preferred administration times). Beta-blockers having durations longer than about 4 hours can be used according to modification of the instructions comprising the Tables. For example, a beta-blocker with a 12-hour duration and used for delaying to the night-work schedule is taken on Day 1 at about 1 p.m. to avoid reducing endogenous melatonin production on any part of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC, while still reducing endogenous melatonin stimulation of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC. Of course, this means that the beta-blocker is also taken when, at least in part, no endogenous melatonin production is occurring; therefore, a four-hour duration is preferable. However, beta-blockade should not occur when endogenous melatonin might stimulate the delay zone of the melatonin PRC unless complete inhibition of endogenous melatonin production is desired. For facilitating phase delays, beta-blocker formulations having shorter duration times are advantageously administered at earlier times, to end at about CT 18; however, they should not be taken earlier than about CT 6, except for DR formulations, unless complete inhibition of endogenous melatonin production is desired (which might enhance phase shifting).
Alternatively, shift workers can advance the phase of their circadian rhythms to the nighttime work schedule. To do this, the instant invention teaches administration of exogenous melatonin in a sustained-release formulation having about a 12-hour duration and an administration time of about 9 a.m. (bedtime). However for the first few days of treatment, a delayed-release/sustained-release formulation is given in which levels substantially rise four hours after bedtime administration on the first day, with decreasing delays on subsequent days. After this initial delayed-release regimen, a SR formulation should be taken at successively earlier administration clock times (see Table 14 for preferred-administration times). Treatment regimes using beta-blockers (having a seven-hour duration) prescribe drugs administration at 1 a.m. and then at successively earlier administration clock times. At the endpoint of treatment, beta-blockers are taken at about 9 a.m. (bedtime) with the delayed-release interval decreasing from about 7 to about 5 hours (see Table 15 for preferred administration times). The delayed-release interval is needed to avoid getting up during the daytime sleep period. For facilitating phase advances, beta-blockers ideally have about seven hours duration, unless complete inhibition of melatonin endogenous is desired (which might enhance phase shifting).
When shifting back to the off-work week, a phase advance is sometimes preferred. According to the melatonin PRC taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,941, this can be achieved by exogenous melatonin administration at about 1 a.m., assuming that the circadian rhythms have completely adapted to the 12-hour phase shift during the previous week. Consequently, a DR formulation would be essential, because taking melatonin at bedtime might stimulate part of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC (contrary to the desired phase advance). Preferred administration times for a delayed-release formulation set to release melatonin four hours after the final administration, in order to stimulate the advance zone of the melatonin PRC, are shown in Table 16. Sustained-release formulations are also preferred to provide low melatonin plasma levels at the end of the pulse to avoid the soporific effects of melatonin. After a few days of treatment, the SR formulation would not need the DR component and would be taken at times successively earlier. Beta-blockers can be taken at 1 p.m. and then successively earlier (see Table 17 for preferred administration times), preferably having a duration of about 7 hours. For the last few days, beta-blocker are taken having a DR component, set to produce a substantial rise in beta-blocker levels at about 9 hours after administration and then having decreasing delayed-release intervals on subsequent days, ending with a delayed administration time of about 5 hours on Day 12. This regime is constructed to avoid the need to wake up to take a formulation (which would interfere with sleep). Beta-blocker formulations preferably have a duration of less than about 12 hours, unless complete inhibition of endogenous melatonin production is desired.
Some shift workers prefer to delay to the off-work week. These workers take a 12-hour SR melatonin formulation at about 1 p.m. on the first day and then successively later. For the last few days of the treatment regime, preferred melatonin administration times are held constant at about 9 p.m. with successively longer DR components, until melatonin is administered having about a 3-hour delayed-release interval on Day 12 (see Table 18 for preferred administration times). This is done to avoid having to wake up to take a formulation (which would interfere with sleep). Beta-blockers of at least about 7 but not more than about 12 hours duration should be taken at about 9 a.m. and then successively later until about 9 p.m. on Day 12, or the last day of administration if re-setting is completed sooner (see Table 19 for preferred administration times). Beta-blockers should never be taken with a duration of more than 12 hours, unless complete inhibition of endogenous melatonin production is desired.
For shift workers who have not adjusted completely or for some other reason do not start the work week or off-work week with a baseline DLMO of 9 p.m., the teachings of Tables 12-19 are modified or the appropriate algorithm for each Table used to determine the appropriate melatonin administration time. If the worker has not completely shifted 12 hours by the end of the work week, one would start on the appropriate row of the appropriate Table (the same thinking applies to the shift worker who has not completely adjusted to the off-work schedule when using the work week Tables). For Tables 12 and 18, melatonin having an about 12-hour duration is administered to cause elevated plasma melatonin concentrations between about CT 18 and about CT 6 to achieve a phase delay. For Tables 14 and 16, melatonin having an about 12-hour duration is administered to cause elevated plasma melatonin concentrations between about CT 6 and about CT 18 to achieve a phase advance. For Tables 13 and 19 beta-blocker levels are elevated between about CT 14 and about CT 18 for facilitating a phase delay. For Tables 15 and 17, beta-blockers should be active between about CT 18 and about CT 1 for facilitating a phase advance 13
Many infants, most totally blind people, and a few sighted adults have free-running circadian rhythms that are not entrained to the light/dark cycle. These individuals therefore would benefit from the applications of the methods of this invention to entrain their free-running circadian rhythms to about a 24 hour period.
Most free-running people have an intrinsic circadian period of slightly more than 24 hours. For these people, a small daily phase advance is required to entrain their intrinsic circadian period to about 24 hours. Entrainment of sighted people can be accomplished using appropriately-timed bright exposure onset and preferably does not overlap endogenous melatonin offset. Exogenous melatonin agonist or a compound that stimulates endogenous production of melatonin in a human is also effectively administered wherein a greater portion of the advance zone of the melatonin PRC (from about CT 6 to about CT 18) is stimulated than the delay zone of the melatonin PRC (from about CT 18 to about CT 6 18 to about CT 6 (particularly from about CT 18 to about CT 1) than the time interval from about CT 6 to about CT 18 (particularly between about CT 14 and about CT 18). For both sighted and blind people, melatonin antagonists or inverse agonists can be administered instead of, or even during the time interval from about CT 14 to about CT 18, or to coincide with the entire endogenous melatonin profile (about CT 14 to about CT 1).
Some free-running individuals have intrinsic circadian periods that are slightly less than 24 hours. These people require a phase delay to entrain their intrinsic circadian period to about 24 hours offset and preferably does not overlap endogenous melatonin onset. Exogenous melatonin agonist or a compound that stimulates endogenous production of melatonin in a human is also effectively administered wherein a greater portion of the delay zone of the melatonin PRC (from about CT 18 to about CT 6) is stimulated than the advance zone of the melatonin PRC (from about CT 6 to about CT 18 6 to about CT 18 (particularly from about CT 14 to about CT 18) than the time interval from about CT 18 to about CT 6 (particularly between about CT 18 and about CT 1). For both sighted and blind people, melatonin antagonists or inverse agonists can be administered instead of, or even or to coincide with the entire endogenous melatonin profile also co-incident with the melatonin profile (about CT 14 to about CT 1).
It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure emphasizes certain specific embodiments of the invention and that all modifications or alternatives equivalent thereto are within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Lewy AJ, Sack RL. The use of melatonin as a marker for circadian phase and as a chronobiotic in blind and sighted humans. In: Wetterberg L. Light and Biological Rhythms in Man. New York: Pergamon Press, 173-185, 1993 | eng | 5829f7ce-236b-4289-90f9-768d18e02e61 | http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6638963/description.html |
rationalrevolution.net blog
Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:46:08 -0500en-us Capitalism Part V: Evolution of the American Economy
long last, I'm finially publishing my latest aricle on capitalism. It's been almost 3 years in the making, but I've finally wrapped it up. </p><p><a href=" Capitalism Part V: Evolution of the American Economy</a></p><p>This article seeks to provide an understanding of capitalism by providing an overview of the the American economy from colonial times to present day, and then using economic theory to understand why America's economic history unfolded the way that it has, and to then understand what both America's economic history and economic theory tell us about America's economic future. </p> 15 Mar 2013 17:46:08 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogGuns, Guns, Guns!!!
else is talking about guns, so I guess I will too. I'll make this direct and to the point.</div><div><br /></div><div>It shouldn't be possible for any citizen to buy any semi-automatic guns without a special permit, period. It shouldn't be possible for any merchant to sell any semi-automatic guns without a very special and highly regulated license.</div><div><br /></div><div>The idea that easy access to "assault weapons" isn't part of the problem is absurd, and easily demonstrated if we talk about grenades. Grenades are generally illegal in the US and have been for a long time, and there is no market for them so there is no meaningful supply of them. As a result, we see no incidence of people using grenades in killing sprees. However, if someone wants to go on a killing spree then grenades would be the perfect weapons to use, even better than an "assault rifle". The reason that people don't use them isn't because they wouldn't be effective, its because they can't easily obtain them. It's certain that if grenades were sold at sporting goods stores to anyone who wanted to buy them that we would have incidents of them being used against people with large numbers of casualties. Assault weapons are essentially no different than a grenade. They are both weapons that are designed to kill large numbers of people easily in a short amount of time. The rational for restricting access to assault weapons is the same as for restricting access to grenades. If it were as difficult to acquire assault weapons and ammunition for them as it is to acquire grenades, there is no doubt that at the very least there would be fewer casualties from mass shootings. In my option, the goal of gun regulation should be to make the acquisition of assault weapons as difficult as the acquisition of grenades.</div><div><br /></div><div>I grew up in hunting households, lots of people in my family owns guns, I own guns. I have no problem with guns. However I see no reason for any citizen to have a clip-loading semi-automatic rifle. It's absurd. I think that basic gun sales should be restricted essentially to revolvers, bolt/lever action rifles, and breech loading or pump action shotguns. To buy semi-automatic guns I think people should have to get a license that has to be renewed on a yearly basis (just to buy, not to own). Getting that license should require having an interview with a law enforcement officer regarding why the individual wants to get the license, what they intend to buy with it, and how they intend to use it, in addition to a more extensive background check, and passing a gun safety course. All high-capacity clips should be illegal for sale to the public, whether the limit is set at 10 rounds, 8 rounds, 6 rounds or 7 rounds, as New York just did is of not much consequence, it just needs to be set at something at or below 10 rounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of the new gun control legislation passed by New York, while this legislation contains good provisions on gun regulation, it contains a horrible provision on mental health, <a href=" target="_blank">which essentially turns mental health professionals into law enforcement informants</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>And here is the key issue. When it comes to "keeping guns out of the wrong hands" there are two basic ways to do this, either through reducing general availability or by preventing specific individuals from getting guns.</div><div><br /></div><div>While a strategy that incorporates both is obviously going to be the most effective, a heavy reliance on trying to prevent specific individuals from obtaining or using guns will necessarily end up requiring a much larger loss of privacy and "freedom" for the entire population than a strategy that relies more heavily on reducing general availability of high capacity guns.</div><div><br /></div><div>In order to prevent "bad people" from getting access to or using guns would require a massive expansion of the police state and domestic surveillance. The types of laws that New York just signed are a small example of the types of losses of privacy and freedom that would be part of a strategy focused on keeping guns out of the hands of specific individuals. In the laws that were signed in New York, very few people will be effected by no longer having the ability to buy magazines with more than 7 rounds or the ability to buy "assault rifles" or by more prevalent background checks, and those effects are, I would argue, of minimal consequence.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, everyone is potentially effected by the mental health provision, which turns everyone's mental health providers into spies for the government, whether they want to be or not. Now, going to a mental health professional and discussing suicidal thoughts could conceivably end up getting you fired or permanently effecting you career, etc. What's going to happen when a mental health provider tells law enforcement that you told them you were thinking about suicide? Are they going to come interview you? Almost certainly if they do people will find out about it. Who is going to have access to the database that your information gets into? Today, tomorrow, years from now? What about employers that end up wanting to be able to check against the database in the future? Once the data is collected, almost certainly its use will expand over time, just looks at what's happening with sperm donors, today their privacy is very much in doubt and there are increasing pressures to open up those databases and make them public information, even though the donors were guaranteed privacy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lot's of people have suicidal thoughts, especially if there is some specific reason for them, like going through a divorce or losing a child or something. Having that reported one time could result in ending someone's career or future career in law enforcement or education other types of positions. What happens when a teacher goes to a psychiatrist and says that they are suicidal once privacy between the doctor and patient has essentially been eliminated? Will they lose their job? I'd bet that literally thousands of good teachers have reported being suicidal at some point in their life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only that, but trying to keep guns "out of the hands of bad people", above and beyond obvious criminals, necessarily requires domestic surveillance. I can easily see this opening up all kinds of domestic surveillance initiatives like monitoring people's e-mails and social media posts. To some extent this is already going on, but efforts to "target people, not guns" could easily push these types of actives even further.</div><div><br /></div><div>So this is the issue, if people are really concerned about protecting "liberty" and "their freedom", then they would support stronger gun regulation aimed at reducing the general availability of guns, especially high capacity guns. Making it so that citizens can't buy military style weapons is far less a "loss of freedom" than a massive surveillance state that attempts to pick out "bad people" from the population and turns mental healthcare providers into informants to the state.</div><div><br /></div><div>But what we really have to do is acknowledge that the public discussion about "gun rights" is fundamentally misrepresented in the first place. You see, people in favor of stronger gun regulation talk about "legitimate use" for weapons, and how there isn't a real need for citizens to own military style weapons, like semi-automatic rifles and high capacity magazines and armor piercing bullets, etc., and opponents of gun regulation defend citizen's access to these weapons using veiled terminology and generalizations like simply deferring to "Second Amendment Rights", but the reality is that the reason that people want access to these weapons, other than for what they call "criminal use", is because they believe they will some day need these weapons to fight against our own law enforcement and military.</div><div><br /></div><div>A perfect example of this is the <a href=" target="_blank">recent comments by Rick Santorum on armor piercing bullets</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div>"Granholm said: You’re deflecting. Deer don’t wear armor. Why do you need an armor-piercing bullet?”</div><div><br /></div><div>Santorum replied: But criminals could."</div><div><br /></div><div>Granholm added: And police officers certainly do."</div><div><br /></div><div>Santorum concluded: Having the ability to defend yourself is something that is a right in our country."</div><div><br /></div><div>That's the reality that we have to get to, discussing this fact. The reality is that there is no viable use for armor piercing bullets, assault rifles, high capacity magazines, body armor, etc. in America other than fighting against law enforcement and the military, and this is what people are buying these weapons for. What most of these people do is they buy these weapons, stockpile them, and simply use them at shooting ranges while they fantasize about civil war and taking on "the gubmnt". So, for the most part, what "the right to own" these weapons is all about is allowing nuts to buy into their fantasies.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reality is that these weapons will never be used for anything, and if they are used for anything it will certainly be something illegal. There is no legitimate use for an AR-15. It's not a home defense weapon, you can't carry it on you so you'll never have it in a public setting to "put down the bad guys", and it's not a hunting weapon. The only use for an AR-15 or similar type of weapon is to hang it on your wall to make yourself feel "tuff", or to kill police officers, national guardsmen, or masses of unarmed citizens in public spaces. That's the only use for those weapons, and the citizens who are defending the need for them have one thing in mind, and that's the idea that one day they will need to use them against "government forces" in order to "protect freedom". We have to just come right out and confront this issue and call it what it is - an insane fantasy, and we can't let our laws be dictated by insane fantasies. These are people who are still upset that the South lost the Civil War and fantasize about revenge.</div><div><br /></div><div>First, let's discuss why this really is an insane fantasy, and then why this fantasy is perpetuated and catered to by "law makers". First, this is an insane fantasy not because we don't have a government that will never try to "take away our freedoms", but because armed resistance using these types of weapons will never be a viable reaction to any such efforts. I think about what these people think and how they view "government force" and I think about Eisenhower's use of the National Guard to force integration on the public schools at Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. If ever there was a domestic display of "government force" in the 20th century, that was it. What would these gun fanatics do today in such a situation, would they "form a militia" and take on the National Guard? If they would then that's exactly why we shouldn't let them have these guns in the first place. If they wouldn't then there is no point to them owning such guns, because if they aren't going to fight the National Guard over something that clearly the vast majority of the people in that community felt like was the government using force to take away their freedom, then what are they going to fight over?</div><div><br /></div><div>But more important, if "the government" ever did for some reason decide to use military force to do whatever, no amount of citizens with guns would be able to do anything about it, since guns are no match for tanks, drones, missiles, the air force, etc., etc. Even the guerrilla warriors in places that our military fights use things like rockets and explosives, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the point is, this fight between "the government" and citizens is #1 never going to happen, and #2 if it did, these weapons wouldn't be of any meaningful use anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>If revolt against the government is needed, then either the citizens would have to get law enforcement and the military on their side in the event of a military overthrow of the government, or change would have to come through non-violent protests. So in any event, having a bunch of guns really does nothing to "protect freedom". The military and law enforcement are more likely to take stronger action against armed people than unarmed people anyway. When it comes to individual incidents of opposition to government having weapons does nothing but escalate the situation and turn it into a certain bloodbath where the civilians are sure to get killed, like in the siege at Waco. In the event of mass unrest, non-violent protest, like what was seen in Tahrir Square in Egypt, is more effective. There isn't any believable scenario where citizens armed with guns, even assault rifles, are going to overthrow the government; that's just not going to happen, so allowing all of these weapons into the population just so nut-jobs can fantasize about overthrowing the government is absurd.</div><div><br /></div><div>So why does this insane fantasy persist and why do certain powerful interests, like the NRA and right-wing politicians, cater to it? Because it's really all about gun sales. Gun manufacturers are selling a fantasy to anti-government fanatics. The NRA and politicians who talk about the Second Amendment "protecting freedom" are all just a bunch of shills for the gun industry, and this is a clear fact, because the exact same people who talk about arming citizens to protect against government overreach are the same people who support larger military budgets and stronger law enforcement. Think about it, you have a guy saying, "We need armed citizens to protect against government abuse of power," who also votes or lobbies for buying the government more weapons and creating stricter laws, longer prison terms, and increasing domestic surveillance.</div><div><br /></div><div>These politicians and gun-industry front groups are basically intentionally "arming both sides" and escalating the tension between them in order to induce both sides to buy more weapons. If someone truly believed that we needed an armed citizenry to protect against government power then they wouldn't also be working to make that same government more powerful. If they really believed that the potential military force of the citizenry was an important check against government power then they would work to de-fund the US military, eliminate our "standing armies" (which the founders were against having), they would disapprove of the militarization of police forces and SWAT teams, they would have voted against the Patriot Act, they would oppose domestic surveillance, etc., but these people don't do that, in fact they do the opposite.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fact that the very same people who claim to be so concerned about "protecting our freedom" from the government are the ones who are turning America into a police state shows how absurd this idea is. These are the same people who have given us the largest prison population in the world, who advocate for the death penalty, and who view any and all military spending as a good idea. If they truly believe that "the government" is the enemy, then why do they do so much to perpetually arm the enemy and give it ever growing military and police powers? </div><div><br /></div><div>The answer is obvious, its because they don't really believe that, all they really care about is advocating the interests of the arms industry and generating gun sales to whoever will buy them, be it the government or the citizens, and in fact, the more powerful they make the government, the more scared the citizens get, so they more guns they buy, its a "win-win". The more weapons they can put in government hands the more weapons their anti-government followers go out and buy.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what's really going on and this is what we have to openly and directly confront.</div><div><br /></div><div>And the reason that the issue of "gun control" is important is precisely because of this situation. You notice that everything the opponents of "gun control" advocate as solutions to "gun violence" involves buying more guns, be it by citizens or by increased police presence. Here is a fact, you can't "protect freedom" by turning the country into a police state.</div><div><br /></div><div>And this is why everyone should be very concerned about this and be in support of much stronger gun regulation, because the threat isn't just the threat from citizens shooting people, the threat is also the increased police power needed to "control" a population that's armed to the teeth. The fact that there are so many guns, and such powerful guns, in the population (300 million guns are owned by the American public, one for every person in America), is part of what police forces use to justify their escalated use of force. Because of the potential that individuals may have powerful military style weapons, police have to treat every situation as if its a military style conflict. This is why SWAT teams barge into houses, guns blazing, and end up shooting children and people sleeping in bed, etc. (This happens, and very disproportionately to the poor and minorities).</div><div><br /></div><div>So allowing people to buy these weapons creates an arms race between the public and law enforcement, which causes an escalation of the force used by law enforcement against everybody. So we the citizens are victims of American gun culture in multiple ways, not just as shooting victims, but also as victims of the police state that grows in power and force as a reaction to the easy access to such powerful guns. And make no mistake that the opponents of "gun regulation" have no interest in protecting our "freedom", what these people are advocating is actually massive increases in the power of the police state as a "solution" to the problem of "gun violence".</div> 23 Jan 2013 07:46:03 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogThe Engineering of Labor Markets
hear a lot today about "<a href=" target="_blank">structural unemployment</a>" in America, the notion being that unemployment in America today is related to workers not having the right set of skills for the available jobs in the economy. There is some truth to this, but the reason for this has nothing to do with any inherent realities of a modern economy, it has to do with how American capitalists have intentionally engineered the global labor markets.<br /><br />The first thing to acknowledge is that every economy, including the American economy, is engineered and planned. An idea came to prominence in the 1970s among the economic elite in America that the future of the American economy was in "high skill jobs", i.e. research, design, science, analytics, etc., and that "low skill jobs" were to be something outsourced to developing foreign countries, for them to do the work that was "beneath Americans", but also so that those "low skill job" could be done more cheaply by these much more desperate foreign workers.<br /><br />This idea has dominated the thinking of America's economic engineers (corporate executives, investment bankers, financiers, major investors, wealthy philanthropists, influential professors, private equity moguls, Federal Reserve members, and all of their corresponding enablers and puppets in government, etc.) for the past three or four decades, and has been a major driver in the engineering of the current American "jobs market".<br /><br />The result of this has been that massive segments of occupation have been eliminated from the American jobs market by the owners and controllers of capital and transferred to foreign countries, largely Mexico and China, but many more as well of course. In the absence (or weakness) of unions capitalists dictate the conditions of employment, and the fact is that the parameters of "the game" in America are dictated almost entirely by the owners of the capital. The reality we live in is the reality designed by these people, and their engineering efforts have been effective. They have successfully transferred a large portion of "low skill work" to foreign countries and they have successfully shifted the American occupational portfolio disproportionately toward "higher skill work", but the "low skill work" that was outsourced to foreign countries wasn't actually "low skill", it was medium skill work.<br /><br />What I'm saying here is that the American "jobs market" has been distorted by the practices of capital owners and government policy (at the request of capital owners), under the guise of so-called "free trade" (which is anything but) and neo-liberal "globalization". So what are the results of this? Well the results are quite obvious, and exactly what would be predicted by market theory.<br /><br />The result of this is of course a shortage of "high skill workers" in America and a glut of "low and medium skill jobs" in places like China and Mexico, and the result of this is inflated prices for high skill workers in America as well as deflated prices for medium skill workers in America.<br /><br />So one would ask then, if there is a glut of low and medium skill jobs in places like China and Mexico, then why aren't the wages of low and medium skill workers in those countries rising faster? After all, a glut of jobs should mean a shortage of workers.<br /><br />Two reasons: The first is obviously developmental and based on population. Places like China, India, and Mexico have been able to adsorb a massive influx of low and medium skill jobs because of their large populations and relatively undeveloped economies which afforded relatively few competing opportunities for workers. Due to the relative wealth of the West, we've been able to pay foreign workers higher for their labor than what they could earn within their own economies, even for lower skilled work than those same workers could perform in their local economies. In other words, we were able to pay a worker in China, who could have been a Chinese doctor or skilled mason or software engineer, more to put together iPhones on an assembly line than they could have otherwise earned as a doctor, etc. if "we" weren't employing them. As foreign economies develop this "should" become less and less true. In addition, the relatively small population of the West compared to China and India has meant that the labor forces of those nation's are large compared to the populations of Western consumers they serve. But now we get to the second reason for why labor prices in these foreign countries haven't risen quite so rapidly, and that has to do with the policies of their governments. American capitalists have almost universally moved American production to countries ruled by authoritarian regimes, in places with anti-worker policies that are designed to keep wages low. The ruling class in these countries benefit from Western support and wealth, from American corporations if not from government policy as well, while the workers carry the burden.<br /><br />But let's get back to America, and how all of this plays into growing income inequality here.<br /><br />A very interesting debate too place between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton (whom I would consider an economic genius superior to Adam Smith, even though I disagree with Hamilton on a number of issues) argued that economic diversity was key to the development of the American economy, and to this end Hamilton opposed "free trade" practices (then supported by Britain) and supported government subsidies for the development of industry in America (as well as polices that encouraged the illegal (in their home countries) immigration of skilled manufacturers from Europe and the theft of intellectual property from Europe (sound familiar?)). Hamilton was a supporter of corporations and manufacturing. Jefferson, on the other hand, argued that corporations and manufacturing would result in the concentration of too much property and power in the hands of banks and wealth elites and that democracy could only be maintained by an agricultural economy rooted in widespread ownership of land with land remaining the most important form for property. Jefferson argued that unless the majority of people owned the majority of the property then the majority would become disenfranchised (this was of course especially true in Jefferson's time when property ownership was a requirement for voting, but his argument was not based solely on that requirement, but rather the power grated by property ownership, regardless of any voting requirements). Hamilton's counter, of course, was that an agricultural economy was not diverse enough to provide enough opportunities for a diverse population to make the best use of its skills.<br /><blockquote>"It is a just observation, that minds of the strongest and most active powers for their proper objects fall below mediocrity and labor without effect, if confined to uncongenial pursuits. And it is thence to be inferred, that the results of human exertion may be immensely increased by diversifying its objects. When all the different kinds of industry obtain in a community, each individual can find his proper element, and can call into activity the whole vigor of his nature. And the community is benefitted by the services of its respective members, in the manner, in which each can serve it with most effect."<br />- Alexander Hamilton; <a href=" target="_blank">Report on Manufacturers<br /></a></blockquote><blockquote>"The spirit of enterprise, useful and prolific as it is, must necessarily be contracted or expanded in proportion to the simplicity or variety of the occupations and productions, which are to be found in a Society. It must be less in a nation of mere cultivators, than in a nation of cultivators and merchants; less in a nation of cultivators and merchants, than in a nation of cultivators, artificers and merchants."<br />- Alexander Hamilton; <a href=" target="_blank">Report on Manufacturers<br /></a></blockquote>In the end both were right. But here is where Hamilton's point comes into focus: the economy that has been engineered by America's economic elite is not diverse enough for the American population. Everyone can't be a scientist or a doctor or a engineer, everyone can't even be a college graduate, not everyone has that aptitude, and yet, just because one doesn't have the aptitude to be an engineer doesn't mean that one should be relegated to flipping burgers at a fast food joint, where, as Hamilton put it, their labor is "confined to uncongenial pursuits," but this is exactly what has happened in the American economy.<br /><br />If we take a global view of the job market, what we see is that the American job market is disproportionately comprised of "high skill jobs", while the jobs markets in "developing" countries are disproportionately comprised of "low and medium skill jobs", yet if we look at the labor force what we find is that the American labor force is not comprised of disproportionately "high skilled workers". America is not "exceptional", we are merely "normal". The problem is that our job market is not "normal". Our job market has been manipulated in a way that has put it our of sync with the needs and skills of the population.<br /><br />The result is that the demand for "high skill workers" exceeds the supply in America, while the supply of "high skill workers" exceeds the demand in most of the rest of the world. This is why so many highly skilled people immigrate to America, because prices in our labor market for high skilled workers are artificially inflated while prices for high skilled workers in most of the rest of the world are artificially depressed due to a jobs market disproportionately comprised of low and medium skilled jobs.<br /><br />The result of exporting many medium skilled jobs to foreign economies has been growth in truly low skill jobs in America, and a drop in labor prices for everyone except high skilled workers, because now there is a glut of medium skilled workers in America without many jobs for them to fill.<br /><br />But the thing to remember is that the lack of medium skill level jobs in America isn't a product of the fact that those skills are no longer needed or valuable, its a product of the fact that those jobs have been exported to foreign markets by American capitalists. There is still massive demand for the products of medium skilled labor, we just aren't supplying that demand with American workers.<br /><br />So this is a driver of American economic inequality, and its something that has been completely engineered by the economic elite in this country. The reality is that every country has a relatively equal distribution of worker capabilities. In any given population, aside from war-torn places like Afghanistan and Somalia perhaps, there is going to be pretty much a normal distribution of aptitudes. You are going to have some really capable people and some really incapable people, and the bulk of the population is going to be of moderate capability. It's absurd to expect any nation to be able to become a nation of nothing but engineers, scientists, executives and entrepreneurs. That's never going to happen anywhere. As Alexander Hamilton laid out over 200 years ago, a productive economy is a diverse economy, that is able to take advantage of the diverse range of skills, abilities, and aptitudes of its population. What our economic engineers have done is they have engineered a less diverse economy that does not match the diverse needs and capabilities of the American population. The result is artificially inflated prices of "highly skilled labor" and artificiality depressed prices for all other labor (though there are other reasons for declines in labor compensation as well). A true global job market, or a properly functioning global job market, is one in which the distribution of jobs matches the distribution of labor skills in every location.<br /><br />American policy for the past several decades, however, of both private industry and the government which does its bidding, has been to try and intentionally distort this distribution, to try to skew the occupational skill distribution and "corner the market" on "high skilled jobs". The government has seen this in part as a measure of "national security" and "national prestige", to have a disproportionate number of "intellectual" workers active in the American economy, and the economic elite has perused this goal out of a combination of naivete and economic interests, in that doing so inflates the prices of high skilled workers (themselves and their peers) and deflates the prices of low and medium skilled workers, whose work generates the profits they benefit from.<br /><br />It's a grand experiment that was always doomed to fail from the beginning, especially considering the lack of support for such an agenda through other aspects of American policy and society. America's conservative populace never wanted the education required to have a population of disproportionately highly skilled workers, and furthermore, even if Americans were more accepting of science and intellectualism, the reality is that the average person is... average, and always will be. The notion that America would ever be an economy with a disproportionately highly skilled work force is founded on a belief that America could be the <a href=" target="_blank">Lake Wobegon</a> of the world, a place where "everyone is above average".<br /><br />We need an economy that matches the needs of the population, not economic elites that ridicule the American population for not fitting into the dystopia that they engineered, and yet the engineers of American economic dysfunction are more strongly in power now than ever. Virtually all elected officials in both parties, as well as the policy "experts" that they appoint and rely on, are beholden to the interests of America's private economic engineers and buy into their vision. The fact is that America's elite are largely divorced from reality and they are pursuing a quasi-utopian vision for America's future. This includes people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, the so-called "good billionaires", as well as political leaders like Barack Obama, and these are the people who are pursuing this agenda for ostensibly altruistic reasons, this isn't to mention the engineers of our economy whose agenda is dictated by much more self-serving and/or elitist objectives.<br /><br />The problem with utopian visions is that when the goals are set too high and are unachievable then the effects on reality are disastrous. When we engineer an economy where the path to success is only attainable by 2% of the population, and everyone who doesn't make it is discarded and ridiculed, its a recipe for social disaster and collapse, and the important thing to understand is that it doesn't have to be this way - its a product of intentional (and flawed) design.<br /><br />Basically, what our economy today tells us is, "if you can't be a superstar then you are a worthless piece of shit," but that's not true. Not everyone can start the next global mega-corporation; its not possible, no matter how capable everyone is. We can't have a system where everyone is a general or a ship's admiral. Someone has to man the torpedoes and someone has to be on the front lines, it can't work any other way, and those "front line" positions, the jobs performed by average workers, are a absolutely vital to the productivity of the economy and provide the basis of wealth upon which all of civilization exists and upon which the lifestyles and opportunities of the wealthy elite are afforded.<br /><br />Ultimately, the root cause of this whole situation is the loss of control over capital by the American public, and so we now come back full circle to debate between Hamilton and Jefferson. Productive opportunities in America no longer reflect to the diversity of capabilities and aptitudes of the population because property ownership has become to concentrated in the hands of banks and corporations, and thus a small wealthy elite who have undermined democracy. Hamilton and Jefferson were both right. 26 Jan 2012 06:48:05 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogIncome Inequality - the Heart of the Matter
is a fundamental misunderstanding of income in America, and this misunderstanding of income is at the heart of differences of opinion about income inequality. I came to this conclusion long ago, but it has been increasingly reinforced over recent months as the Occupy Wall Street movement has sparked more conversations about income inequality.<br /><br />A fundamental tenet of neoclassical capitalist economics is the notion that "everyone is paid the value of their contribution". Not only is this a very fuzzy notion but it breaks down in all kinds of ways. Nevertheless, this concept, this idea, that in our economic system everyone's pay is an inherently exact measure of the value of their contributions is the core foundation of our entire economic system. The assumption that this is true is the foundation upon which every aspect of our economic social contract is built.<br /><br />Yet, this foundational tenet is wrong, and understanding this is the key to everything; not just understanding that this tenet is wrong, but understanding that belief in this tenet is essential to the acceptance of our economic system, and that acceptance or non-acceptance of this tenet is the primary driver of public perception and disagreement on essentially every aspect of economics in America.<br /><br />This starting assumption, that incomes precisely reflect contributions, drives all downstream views of economic justice. If the exact same logic is applied under two different starting assumptions, 1) that all incomes always accurately reflect the value of the contributions of the individual or 2) that incomes do not necessarily accurately reflect the value of the contributions of the individual and that there can be massive disconnects between contributions and incomes, two completely different conclusions will be reached.<br /><br />This is, to a large extent, the only thing that really separates Marxists from libertarians. Marxists and libertarians essentially apply the exact same set of logic to two different starting assumptions, the libertarian assumption being that incomes are inherently accurate reflections of contributions, the Marxist assumption being that incomes can be greatly distorted and tend to be distorted in favor of the wealthy, or more precisely, tend to be distorted favor of capital owners.<br /><br />The position of both Marxists and libertarians is that "redistribution is unfair". That is the driving logic of both worldviews, the difference is that Marxists argue that redistribution happens between the creation of value and the realization of incomes, while libertarians argue that incomes are inherently fair, and that thus taxing different levels of income differently is a form of unfair redistribution.<br /><br />The evidence against the assumption that incomes inherently reflect contributions is, however, overwhelming. But even when people acknowledge that incomes don't always accurately reflect contributions the full implications of this fact are seldom fully comprehended. People still generally don't understand the fact that if someone receives more income than is warranted by their contributions then it necessarily means that someone else has to receive less. Many people take the view that, well even if CEOs are over paid, good for them, it does me no harm. But that's not true (for mulitple reasons).<br /><br />Every business operates on a fixed budget. Ignoring borrowing, basically everyone is paid a portion of the revenues. If the net revenues are $1,000,000 and there are 10 employees, that can be divided up lots of different ways, but however its done the amount that can be paid to any employee is relative to the amount paid to the other employees. Divided evenly, all ten employees would be paid $100,000, but if one employee is paid $500,000 then that means everyone else has to be paid out of the remaining $500,000, which means that if the remaining employee's income were distributed evenly from the remaining revenue they would each be paid $55,555, a lot less. It's no different in any business or corporation.<br /><br />When one person is paid more everyone else has to be paid less. That's not a problem if incomes accurately reflect contributions, but if anyone is over-paid, i.e. paid more than the value of their contributions, then that means everyone else has to be under-paid, and that's exactly what's happening in our economy right now, and it goes well beyond that when we start talking about capital income vs. wage income.<br /><br />But let's address this notion that incomes accurately reflect contributions head on. This idea is based on market theory, and, as is so often the case, the conclusion that compensation accurately reflects contribution only holds true in market theory under <em>ideal market conditions</em>. And this is the crux of the whole matter. Market theory itself doesn't say that incomes magically automatically always reflect the value of contributions, market theory says that <em>theoretically</em> this will be true, <em>only under ideal market conditions</em>, which, of course, <em>never exist</em>! What today's so-called "conservatives" (they aren't actually conservative at all, they are radial market liberals) and apologists for the super-rich do is they pull a scam; their arguments proceed from the unstated assumption that we are operating under ideal market conditions, and not only that, but they also tend to infer that if market conditions are less than ideal then market conditions result in a redistribution of income from high to low, when in fact market theory itself (classically developed as a critique against the the rich feudal aristocracy) states the opposite.<br /><br />An obvious example of this is provided by the <a href=" target="_blank">recent study on executive compensation</a> which found that executive compensation at top American corporations is set by board members, many of whom are picked by the executives whose compensation they determine, and through a system of always automatically setting pay packages above the industry average. Basically this means that executive compensation isn't determined by market principles at all, indeed the determination of executive compensation completely violates every market principle. Executive compensation is in fact set along the lines of the corrupt system of interpersonal relationships and favoritism that economists and philosophers like Adam Smith and John Locke railed against. And this is just the tiniest tip of the iceberg.<br /><br />I believe that if we were able to do a study in major American corporations, where we recorded the actual work-products of every employee, executive and board member, and we removed the names of the people from the list, then we attempted to objectively evaluate the "market value" of each work-product itself, and then we tied those work products back to the employees and totaled up the values by employee, what we would find is that no one's actual compensation would match the value of their work products. In fact what we would find is that there would be huge disparities between pay and actual value creation across the board with many people creating more value than their pay and many people creating less than their pay, but most importantly what we would find is that the biggest disparities would be for those with the highest pay.<br /><br />The reality is that redistribution takes place within any business that has more than one "employee" (self-employed), and I would estimate that the amount of redistribution that takes place within large corporations is tremendous, with the overwhelming majority of that redistribution being redistribution from lower level workers to executives. If a corporation with 10,000 employees underpaid every worker by an average of just $500 a year that would amount to $5,000,000, which could then be paid to the CEO. You think this isn't happening?<br /><br />Let's again consider an obvious example: the case of the <a href=" target="_blank">Washington Mutual CEO</a> who received almost $20 million in compensation while on the job for only 17 days, during which time the bank collapsed and had to be taken over by the government. It is obvious in this situation that the CEO, Alan Fishman, didn't create $20 million in value, which means that his pay was a form of redistribution. The only way to pay someone more than the value that they create is to redistribute value that was created by someone else.<br /><br />That's an extreme example, but executives at major corporations across the board are over compensated. They've established a system where executive compensation is completely shielded from market forces, while average workers are put into competition with computers, machines, foreign workers and each other to drive compensation down. And again that's just the start of it, and doesn't even begin to approach the issue of folks like hedge fund managers and the entire financial industry, who not-only clearly benefit from market inefficiencies, but who actively work to create and expand market inefficiencies, both through government influence and the engineering of the private financial system.<br /><br />But this is the issue, in America we are taught that the measure of someone's contribution is their income. The concept that someone's income might not actually reflect their contributions is totally foreign to many Americans. This belief that incomes always reflect contributions is reflected in the fact that in virtually every situation people in America use the term "earned" or "made" to describe income, <em>even when decrying incomes as unjustified</em>! There were dozens of articles written about how Alan Fishman had "earned" $20 million for only 17 days of "work", virtually all of which decried the income as an example of out of control executive compensation practices, yet it not one single article that I've read about this did anyone even address the fact that this money had to have come from someone else, nor did they clearly state that he didn't actually "earn" that money. We also see this reflected in the way that everyone, and I mean everyone, who covers the individuals on Wall Street always talks about how smart they are. In any article, documentary, or broadcast you see on the subject of high finance there is always an obligatory statement about how these guys are "wizards", or the "smartest guys in the room", or "geniuses", yet these obligatory statements aren't made even when discussing the work of major pioneers in computer engineering or biological science or chemistry, etc.<br /><br />There is an instinctive need to justify the incomes of the super-rich by attributing super-human capability to them, but the reality is that they aren't super-human, they aren't thousands of times smarter than the average guy, no one is.<br /><br />The underlying assumption in America, however, is that all income is eared all the time... but it isn't!<br /><br />The notion of even objectively evaluating an individual's contribution in any way other than simply citing their income is so foreign to many Americans that when you even raise the subject they get so flustered and confused by it that you can't even proceed. We've established income as the self-definition of contribution in this country, with no way to objectively evaluate contribution by itself, under the assumption that "markets" always correctly establish the value of every individual's contributions, and all incomes are determined under perfect market conditions (<em>even though we all know that perfect market conditions don't now, never have, and never will exist</em>).<br /><br />The result is that we have a situation where when someone like <a href=" target="_blank">John Paulson brings in over $5 billion</a> that people just scratch their heads and "Wow". But the notion that John Paulson "made" $5 billion in a single year is totally absurd. For that to be true John Paulson would have to have created as much value as 100,000 workers with an income of $50,000 each. It's like saying that John Paulson built 200,000 cars all by himself in a single year, while the "average American" can build about 2 cars a year.<br /><br />The "cult of the super-rich", the worship of the super-rich, the belief that the super-rich are exponentially superior to the average person, is all a result of the belief that incomes accurately measure individual contribution. If that were actually true then it would in-fact mean that some individuals are thousands of times "better" and "more productive" than the average person, but no one is 1,000 times smarter or 1,000 times harder working than the average person, they simply aren't. Maybe 2 time or 3 times or maybe even 10 times, but not 1,000 times, not even 100 times.<br /><br />So now what we have is a situation where we have two conflicting sets of beliefs, and what happens is that people will rationalize one set of beliefs in order to maintain the other. In order to maintain the belief that our economic system is even remotely fair, or that incomes are even remotely reflective of contributions, you have to believe that some people are thousands of time more productive than the average person. If some people aren't thousands of time better than the average person then our economic system can't possibly be justifiable, because our economic system rewards some individuals thousand of time more than the average individual.<br /><br />What we see regarding beliefs about our economic system is very similar to what we see in religion and other areas of strongly held beliefs, like beliefs about loved ones, etc. where some people's beliefs are so important to them, so central to their entire worldview, that they automatically rationalize anything that would contradict their core beliefs, and one of the core foundational beliefs of "America" is the belief that we have a "fair" economy.<br /><br />So, the situation that we face is that for many people, the belief that America has a fundamentally fair economy is so central to their worldview that anything that would undermine this belief is vehemently attacked, denied, rationalized, or ignored. Its just like a parent that may never be able to accept the fact that their son raped and murdered their daughter, or something horrific like that, where they would come up with all kinds of explanations in contradiction to the facts to rationalize in their mind how it had to have been someone else. Or how a religious person who believes that god rewards good people and punishes bad people on earth will conclude that everyone "deserves" every bad thing that happens to them and everyone who does well is an inherently "good person". When faced with examples of nice young children that are stricken with cancer such a person will rationalize that the child had a "bad soul" or something because the belief that peoples' conditions are a result of god's grace is so central to their worldview that they can't accept anything that would call that belief into question.<br /><br />This is where we are in America today, and we have to acknowledge that and understand it. We have a fundamentally unjust economic system, where incomes are not necessarily reflective of contributions, in which the biggest incomes in this country are the most unjustifiable. At the same time we essentially have a national religion in which the belief that everyone's income is "earned" is central to the worldview and people don't want to believe that their worldview is fundamentally wrong. People don't want to believe that we have a fundamentally unjust economic system. Economic fairness and the superiority of our economic system so are central to the identity of America, that for many Americans its a belief that they cannot challenge, no matter how many facts they have to deny or what other beliefs they have to hold in order to rationalize it. 6 Dec 2011 10:39:54 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogOccupy Wall Street for President
Occupy Wall Street movement is <a href=" target="_blank">more popular</a> among Americans than either President Obama or any of the Republican candidates. It's been said that if Occupy Wall Street were running for president it would win... Well, in that case, let's write it in! (Actually I think that "The 99%" is better, but Occupy Wall Street is more recognized)</p><p>Here is the deal, voting in the 2012 presidential elections is meaningless, as long as you vote for either the Democratic or Republican candidate. Yes, its true that Obama isn't as bad as whomever the Republicans are going to put forward, but its also true that no matter who is elected president in 2012 the following 4 years are going to be total gridlock anyway.</p><p>So one question here is, "Would you really not vote for Obama if you genuinely thought he could lose and we'd end up with a Republican president?" Yes, I would still not vote for Obama even under those circumstances, because sending a message about the failures of our political system is more important than whoever wins the presidency for the next 4 years. </p><p>In addition, I'm not convinced that we wouldn't be better off today if John McCain had won the presidency in 2008, because if McCain had won it's very doubtful that many of the regressive policies that Obama has been able to usher through Congress with the support of the Democrats would have been possible with the Democrats in opposition to McCain instead of being pulled along by Obama, such as the pro-insurance industry health care "reform" laws pushed through by Obama. We'd be better off in the long run with no reforms than what we got with the misleadingly titled "Affordable Health Care Act". Yes there are a few good provisions in it, but ultimately it entrenches for-profit interests and does nothing to bring down costs, all it really does is prevent denying coverage to people, which is good, but in the grand scheme of things its put us on a path that makes reforms that would bring down the costs of health care and improve quality more difficult and has even paved the way for the dismantling of Medicare.(Republicans have already come out with plans to basically eliminate Medicare and transition it to the "ObamaCare" model). Basically, I think McCain would have faced a similar situation of gridlock to what Obama faces, and he may in fact have been less inclined and able to lead Congress down path of doing Wall Street's bidding, which is exactly what Obama has done. How can anyone who supports Occupy Wall Street vote for Obama? He is Wall Street's candidate!</p><p>My point is this, right now, no matter who wins the presidency in 2012, we the people lose. Voting for the lesser of two evils is no solution, it just prolongs the suffering.</p><p>What we should do is all write in Occupy Wall Street for president, and if you want some insurance, vote Democrat in all of the Congressional elections. Why? I believe that all we have to do is get Occupy Wall Street to come in 3rd place in the elections and that alone would be a powerful statement. It would force news coverage of the issue. It would send a powerful signal to our own government and elites, as well as the rest of the world, that we are deeply unsatisfied with our political system, and that we have lost faith in our political system to represent the will of the people</p><p>The reality is that either a Democrat or a Republican is going to win the presidency in 2012. Voting for a 3rd party (unless something radical happens in the next few months) isn't going to do anything. Voting for a 3rd party candidate isn't going to be a protest vote that matters. Right now all we have is a protest vote, that's all we can do. Voting for either the Democrat or the Republican is just giving legitimacy to the failed and corrupt system. The challenge is how to register a protest vote that matters, and if any protest vote can matter then this is one that can. If you vote for a 3rd party candidate, be it a Green Party candidate or a Libertarian one, etc., all that's going to happen is they are going to get like 1% or 2% of the vote at max and they will be a foot note. </p><p>At most we'd have a Ralph Nader situation all over again, and you see the lessons people drew from that, they blamed it on Ralph Nader said 3rd parties were stupid. But if Occupy Wall Street comes in 3rd place, even if it is with only 1% of the vote, it would still be a major story and a major signal saying, "NO ONE IN THE POLITICAL CLASS REPRESENTS US, THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED!"</p><p>And what if Occupy Wall Street got 5% of the vote or more? That would be massive. Even if a 3rd party candidate got 5% it would just be a side note news story for a few days and then it would be forgotten, but if Occupy Wall Street got 5% it would be clear, this is the vote of the disenfranchised people.We don't like either one of you at all! </p><p>Voting for Occupy Wall Street is better than voting for a 3rd party person, because that's part of how the system is supposed to work, that just looks like you like that person, but that's not the point here, the point is that we are disenfranchised altogether.</p><p>Voting for either the Democrat or the Republican isn't going to do anything to fix our system, the election of 2008 just proved that. Millions of progressives voted for Obama hoping for change that would reform the corruption and inequalities of our system and Obama not only failed to deliver, he has in fact sided with the status quo, for whatever reason. It doesn't matter if he's siding with the status quo because he wants to or because he has no choice, its irrelevant, the fact is that he can't do anything other than entrench the status quo, his years in office have proven that.</p><p>Let's all vote for Occupy Wall Street on November 6, 2012, and make an effort between now and then to get as many people as possible to do the same. </p> 28 Oct 2011 10:49:06 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogWe are all Eloi
you may or may not know, the <a href=" target="_blank">Eloi</a> are the leisurely class of H.G. Well's Time Machine, who live above ground and depend on the production of the "working-class" <a href=" target="_blank">Morlocks</a> for their survival.<br /><br />I've been following the Occupy Wall Street movement and reading a lot of the statements coming out of it and related blogs and articles, etc. and one thing that's struck me is, I believe, a prevalence of unrealistic economic expectations. This doesn't just apply to the Occupy Wall Streeters though, its prevalent throughout American society and just as bad or worse among conservatives.<br /><br />One thing that really stands out is when people complain about rising costs of living. Now I understand where these folks are coming from, but we also need to be very clear about something, which is that right now Americans have among the lowest costs of living of anyone in the world. American costs of living are a little different than for many other people. Here in America the costs of living are distributed differently than in most other countries. Here the costs of health care and education are relatively high, while the costs of food, clothing, energy, housing, and yes taxes, are relatively low.<br /><br />My point is this: expecting our costs of living to go down is not realistic. While neoliberal globalization has had a great many negative impacts on American society and the American economy, we aren't the only victims, and we aren't even the worst victims. While globalization and other aspects of the neoliberal economic reforms of the past 30 years have had a dramatic impact on economic inequality in America, the one thing they have done is result in cheap commodities. Yes, this has been driving a race to the bottom, but expecting incomes for the 99% to rise and costs of living to be unaffected simply isn't realistic.<br /><br />The truth is that while the 99% in America is surely exploited by our own top 1%, all Americans are among the top 1% in the world, and whether we know it or not, we are all benefiting from the exploitation of billions of much poorer people around the world, as well as illegal immigrants here in our own country.<br /><br />While the American economy may be a pyramid scheme with 99% of us under the 1% capstone at the top, the truth is that the entire American economy is at the top of a global pyramid scheme. The American working class is merely at the base of the peak of the pyramid. We're all Eloi, whether we realize it or not. Sure the top 1%, or really the top 0.5% to 0.1% are the true and pure Eloi, the true leisurely class, but Americans as a whole are still at the top of the global pyramid, we still benefit massively from the exploitation of the global Mortlock population, but just as in Time Machine, the Mortlocks of the developing world aren't feeding us and giving us cheap commodities for nothing, they are feeding upon us too. We have allowed ourselves to become captives of a system from which there is no easy escape, from which there isn't going to be any "nice" solution, where we make a few tweaks and everything just gets better. Its not going to happen. Yes, American capitalists are the one who got us into this mess, but the fact is that now we're all in it together.<br /><br />Just as the aristocrats fell with the French Revolution and plantation owners lost virtually everything after the Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves, there isn't going to be a solution to the global economic condition in which the super-rich retain their wealth, there can't be. Like it or not, lots of the super-rich are going to lose what they've got, but here is the thing, in the global scheme of things, all Americans are super-rich. We're all gonna lose out economically over the next few decades, there simply isn't any other way given the nature of the global pyramid of exploitation, not to mention the ecological pressures of a growing and industrializing global population. We've been living off of credit and the exploitation of developing nations and illegal immigrants for decades now, it can't go on, its not going to go on.<br /><br />What we see in American politics and society right now is the first phase of coming to grips with tragedy. We're still in the denial phase. We are operating under denial politics right now, and the denial is pervasive throughout society and across the political spectrum.<br /><br />So, my point, however bleak it may be, is this: What we need to be talking about is how we are going to prepare for an American future where prices rise and the costs of living for everyone in America goes up significantly. Redistribution? Damn right we need to be talking about redistribution, we need to be talking about taking back the wealth that has been stolen from the American working class by the super-rich for the past 30 years. But we also need to remember that a portion of the wealth of the American super-rich is wealth that has been stolen from the global working class as well, that's part of the reason that income inequality has risen so much so rapidly, because its not just Americans who are getting screwed by the American super-rich (or the super-rich in other countries), its the global working class.<br /><br />Americans spend among the lowest portion of their income on basic necessities like food and housing of anyone in the world, and we've been able to maintain this for decades based on whole systems of global and domestic exploitation. Its been good for all of us, we've all taken advantage of it. Don't think that we're gonna get out of this without all of us paying the price.<br /><br />See also: <a href=" target="_blank">American Prosperity: Made in China</a> 20 Oct 2011 09:25:39 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogNow a proven fact that executive pay is a form of theft
is a new article out in the <a href=" target="_blank">Washington Post about executive pay</a>. The article does a good job of laying out the basic facts, but I'm going to put the basic facts into a larger context. </p><p>What this article basically states is that based on recent data that has come from government regulations that went into effect in 2006 forcing public corporations to disclose more information about executive pay practices, we now have hard facts that tell us how executive pay is determined at major US corporations and to a lesser degree how those practices have changed over time. Much of this is stuff that we already knew in the general sense, but we now have much more concrete information.<br /><br />As we know, executive pay is set by boards of directors and boards of directors are essentially picked by share holders, but not exactly. The reality is that the pool of folks at the top is rather small and incestuous, meaning that a lot of corporate executives either currently sit on the boards of other companies or they are former board members of other companies, and the number of individuals or institutions that hold enough shares to be able to determine board members is relatively small and spans many companies. In practice in many cases executives themselves play a large role in who gets onto the board of the companies that they are leading, which is to say that executives are in many cases picking the very people who will set their pay. These board positions are themselves largely ceremonial positions that pay nice sums of money, and individuals can easily serve on multiple boards. In the example given by the Washington Post, board members for Amgen are paid $350,000 a year.<br /><br />For smaller companies, like start-ups, board members are often direct investors themselves, but for large companies board members are not typically direct investors, they are people appointed by institutional investors. They do also hold shares, but these shares are often given to them as a result of becoming a board member, instead of becoming a board member because they hold lots of shares.<br /><br />At any rate, what has been discovered by these disclosures since 2006 is that 90% of corporate boards explicitly decide to set executive compensation at or above average. In other words, when determining executive pay they look at the the average compensation for comperable executives then they set a compensation package above that average value, 90% of the time! Obviously, if everyone is setting a value above average then pay is just going to shoot up over time, which is exactly what we have seen.<br /><br />But let's put this in a bigger context now. What we are really saying is that executive pay is not determined by labor markets. This is a huge deal, because the whole underpinning of the capitalist wage system is labor markets, and let's look at the difference between how labor markets work vs. how this "peer benchmarking" system works for executives.<br /><br />Labor markets inherently drive compensation down, while the executive pay system inherently drives compensation up. In a labor market "labor prices" are determined by the lowest amount of pay that individuals will accept for a given set of labor. The labor market system for determining compensation is at the heart of the criticisms of capitalism noting that the labor market system compels a race to the bottom and deprives workers of the value of their labor by pitting them against one another in a bargaining war over who will agree to taking the lowest compensation to get a job. At the same time, defenders of capitalism and market theory have defended labor markets as efficient means of determining the value of a worker's contributions.<br /><br />So what we have here is that there are two completely different systems and sets of principles in place for determining compensation for corporate employees, and that the compensation for executives is not determined by markets. While the hypocrisy is overwhelming, this isn't just a matter of hypocrisy, its a matter of real money and real wealth. While these corporate and financial elite and their defenders have been extolling the virtues of markets, and have been portraying the compensation of those at the top as a product of "fair and balanced" market forces, the reality is that they have engineered a system where executive compensation is not determined by market forces at all, indeed the system of executive compensation violates every market principle.<br /><br />And the important thing to understand is that this is made possible due to the massive concentration of private capital ownership. It is the consolidation of capital ownership that makes this all possible, because decision making is in the hands of relatively few powerful people.<br /><br />The justification for the growing economic inequality in America has always been that the high incomes of those at the top are justified because they are determined by the same market principles that determine everyone's income. We now have not just theoretical arguments or anecdotal claims, but solid proof that this is not true. This shows that the real mantra of the corporate elite is, "markets for thee, but not for me."<br /><br />When we combine this with the recent <a href=" target="_blank">reporting on the raiding of corporate pension accounts</a> to help fund growing executive compensation the case becomes clear that the corporate elite (the executives, board members, and major investors) have in fact been involved in decades of direct theft from the working class (domestic and foreign). This isn't theoretical, we are talking about concrete systems that have been in place for 30 years that have directly transferred wealth created by the working class to an undeserving elite minority who we can factually prove never earned it.<br /><br />While economics as a whole may not be a zero sum game, accounting is. A corporation's revenue is a finite value. The only way that one individual in a corporation can be paid more is if someone else is paid less. This means that inflation of executive compensation has to be at the expense of the other employees, there is no way around it.<br /><br />And here is the kicker, the thieves have accumulated so much wealth and power that they now control the political system. So at this point the theft hasn't just taken place due to the actions of the executives and capital owners, the politicians are accomplices to the crime, which is why what has been done isn't against the law, because the thieves control the people who write the laws. This is why we have politicians and corporate media pundits repeating the claim that raising taxes on high incomes "punishes achievement". It's total nonsense. The reality is that these high incomes are virtually all entirely unearned and undeserved, even though those receiving them may themselves think they deserve it. And its not just that they are unearned and undeserved, these high incomes come at the expense of the rest of us, at the expense of the other 99% of the population, the "working class". And on top of it all, it also turns out that the worst perpetrators of these crimes are those in the health care industry! Surprise, surprise.<br /><br />If people understand the full implications of what that Washington Post article is saying, it should cause a revolution. While the article doesn't state it, the real conclusion that we can draw from the evidence it presents is that we now have solid proof that trillions of dollars have been stolen from the working class by the corporate elite over the past 30 years, that the high incomes that have been justified on the basis of "market theory" are in fact products of complete violations of market principles in ways that funnel value created by corporate employees to corporate executives, their cronies, and capital owners.<br /><br />The ultimate lesson here is that "we the people" have lost control of the nation's capital. Indeed there is no such thing as "the nation's capital", the capital is owned and controlled by an elite minority of people, few of which have any national allegiance or sense of responsibility. Virtually all of our nation's economic problems stem from this fact. The capital that our society depends upon is owned and controlled by a small minority of people whose interests in direct conflict with the interests of the working class, and it is that minority of people who have the majority of political power.</p> 5 Oct 2011 09:12:57 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogOn Corporations & Alien Invasions
is just a quick post on a few interesting topics that have popped up. I haven't been posting lately because I'm focusing on finishing my article on American capitalism.</p>The first thing I want to comment on is <a href=" target="_blank">Mitt Romney's recent remark on corporations</a>. Not that I care about Mitt Romney, but the remark is an instructive one.<br /><br />Mitt Romney recently said, "Corporations are people," and, "Everything corporations earn ultimately goes to people. Where do you think it goes?"<br /><br />Romney's second remark is true, everything corporations earn does ultimately go to people, at issue, however, is the manner in which it goes to people and to which people it goes.<br /><br />Here is the thing about corporations, they are legal entities whose function and design is literally to shield owners and operators from responsibility and to redistribute value. That is their precise legal function, that is why they exist.<br /><br />Corporate entities take on liability such that the liability isn't held by the owners and operators of the corporation, thus it removes responsibility from people. And while it is true that everything corporations earn ultimately goes to people, it can take a long time for that value to get any person (right now American corporations are sitting on over $2 trillion in liquid assets) and the people that the value goes to are the not the same people who create it.<br /><br />Corporations are collectively held legal entities, with owners holding shares of the corporation. The value goes from the workers to the share holders. That is the whole point of the corporation. The whole point of the corporation is to redistribute value from workers to owners, if it weren't then there would be no point in being an owner.The entire incentive for being a share holder is to get value from the corporation without having to do the work yourself. The claim is that the share holders take on the risk in exchange for a cut of the value created by the workers, but even this is largely bogus since we go right back to point #1 which is that corporations are legal entities designed to shield owners from risk! Do share holders take on some risk? Yes they do, but it is extremely limited.<p>To further illustrate just how absurd Mitt's statement about corproations is, all we have to do is substitute the word governmet for corproations thusly, "Governments are people," and, "Everything governments collect in taxes ultimately goes to people. Where do you think it goes?"</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; color: black; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white">This statement is equally as true as Mitt's statement about corporations, yet Mitt had just finished denouncing "big government" prior to his statement on corporations. This isn't a defense of government, it is meant to point out the fact that just because everything "goes to people" has nothing to do with how it goes to people, and to whom it goes, which is the central complaint that conservatives have with "big government", which is really the exact same problem with "big corporations". Indeed it is in fact much worse, as can be demonstrated with the following chart:</span></span></p><div style="text-align: center"><img src=" alt="" /><br />source: <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><a href=" target="_blank"> is from 2000 (I haven't been able to find a newer version of this), but it's relatively the same today as it was back them. What we see here is that income from capital is over 3 times larger than income from government transfers (Welfare & social Security), which by the way Social Security isn't really even redistributive. Most of the income from capital is realized through corporations. Both the transfer income and the capital income are redistributions of value that was originally created by labor. Clearly far more income is being redistributed through capital than through government transfers. And let's see how this income is redistributed.</p><div style="text-align: center"><img src=" alt="" /></div><p>Government transfers, including Social Security, are actually relatively evenly distributed across the income spectrum, while capital income goes overwhelmingly disproportionately to the richest part of the population. And redistribution through corporations is only partly achieved through capital income, lots of redistribution takes place within corporations through wages, salaries and benefits. Hence the redistribution that takes place through corporations is exponentially higher than the redistribution that takes place through government.</p><p>So yes Mitt, what you say is true, everything corporations earn ultimately goes to people, the issue is that it goes to the wrong people. It goes from workers and consumers to corporate cannibalizing free loaders like yourself. The primary problem with our economy is that corporations have become massive instruments of redistribution of value, so much so that they are in the process of destroying the middle-class and the entire economy due to the severity of redistribution that is now taking place.<br /><br />And now on to <a href=" target="_blank">Paul Krugman's remark about the economic stimulus of an alien invasion</a>, which has gotten a few people talking. I really don't see what the big deal is, it's a pretty basic remark, but unfortunately the sound bites allocated to commentary didn't give Pr of. Krugman time to explain himself, not that he always explains himself that well anyway, but.<br /><br />The central fact is this, that what Keynesian economics says, and what World War II proves (to a degree, and a lesser degree than Krugman usually grants), is that short term government funded jobs programs, funded through increased taxes and deficit spending, in the face of lagging economic demand, can be stimulative to the economy, break an economy out of a depression/recession and lead to long-term economic growth when the cause of the depression/recession is lack of aggregate demand.<br /><br />Arguably that's the situation we find ourselves in now and that's why Krugman recommends a massive stimulus program, and claims that even if we paid people to dig holes it would still be better than doing nothing.<br /><br />All of this is true, but the interesting thing is what didn't get said, and what Krugman often implies but doesn't quite get around to saying (typically because he doesn't have time in a 30 second sound bite), is that while it is true that tax increases, borrowing, and massive government spending can stimulate the economy, it's very difficult to get people to agree to do it. (This is also why Keynes famous said that his general theory was better suited to command economies). But the problem isn't with the policy, its with the people. The policy will work, the problem is that people typically don't want to do it, kind of like a surgery that will fix an injury but someone not wanting to go through with it because they are scared of surgery or don't trust the doctor, etc.<br /><br />Not only that, but the policy will work even better if, instead of digging holes in the ground, we actually build something useful. But here is the problem, convincing people to build something useful is often even <em>more</em> <em>difficult </em>than convincing them to dig holes in the ground! The reason for this is that building something useful invariably results in "redistribution".<br /><br />So this is where wars and alien invasions come in. People will agree to Keynesian type activity in the face of eminent threats, like a war or an alien invasion, and they will agree to have their taxes raised and for the government to borrow tons of money if they think that they will die if they don't do it, even though the spending in such cases actually largely produces "nothing useful" (this is where Krugman overstates the case for WWII though, since a lot of long-term useful stuff was actually produced).<br /><br />However, if the proposal was to simply raise taxes and engage in a massive jobs program to do something like build free housing for the poor, install solar panels on everyone's house, and build lots of new state-of-the-art schools, then most people would balk at it and it wouldn't be possible to get the political will to engage in such a plan, even though doing so would be far more beneficial to the economy than preparing for war or an alien invasion.<br /><br />Clearly, from a purely economic perspective, the best thing to do would be to engage in a massive jobs program, on the scale of World War II, but directed toward producing things of domestic value instead of weapons, most of which ended up getting shipped to Europe and destroyed (effectively digging holes in the ground from an economic perspective). The problem is that, even though that is the best thing to do, it is the politically least likely to happen. Hence, Krugman's alien invasion statement, saying that if the threat of an alien invasion could just generate the political will to act, the government has the ability to end the "recession" and high unemployment tomorrow. We have high unemployment by choice. There is a known surgery that can fix it, we've just decided that we don't want to undergo the surgery.<br /><br />We have massive untapped potential for economic growth and it remains untapped purely due to political will, not due to any technical reason or lack of ability.<br /><br />Having said that, I'm not in favor of such a scheme anyway because the reality is that Keynesianism is a means of temporarily propping up an inevitably collapsing system. What Krugman proposes is a crutch, which has to be applied in capitalist economies every time economic inequality inevitably gets out of control. It's like driving a car that pulls to the right and then jerking it back onto the road every so often as it veers too far off the shoulder of the road. Yeah, if you are gonna drive with a car that is out of alignment then it is good to jerk it back onto the road instead of letting it go off into the ditch (as we continue to do now), but the solution is to get the car aligned to it doesn't keep pulling to the side to begin with.</p> 18 Aug 2011 09:17:06 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogWhy I support intervention in Libya
was in favor of international intervention in Libya pretty much as soon as it became apparent that the revolutionary forces there wouldn't be able to survive without foreign assistance. I've seen people make arguments against intervention in Libya from just about every angle, and have intended to write a post on the subject for about two weeks, but I'm just now getting around to it.<br /><br />We need to be clear about one thing, which is that we have every reason to believe that without foreign assistance there would be absolutely no hope of any revolution in Libya. Claims that the pro-democracy movement in the Arab world would be better off without Western intervention make sense on insofar as those pro-democracy movements would be successful. I think we can all agree that it is better for a country to be able to liberate itself from tyranny than to have some external force come in and get involved, but what's even worse than foreign intervention is total failure. There was no potential for success in overthrowing Gaddafi in Libya without foreign intervention, period.<br /><br />But why support intervention at all? The two main reason why I support intervention are humanitarian and strategic.<br /><br />I am convinced that without foreign intervention Gaddafi's forces would have ended up killing at least tens of thousands of people, if not hundreds of thousands. Libya has one of the largest military forces in Africa, and while much of the military equipment at Gaddafi's disposal is old, dated, and perhaps poorly maintained, it is still a heck of a lot better than what the rebel forces have. The rebel forces pretty much, from what I can gather, have only small arms and meager hand held rockets and a few heavy vehicles they have been able to take over. Gaddafi's forces, however, have Soviet tanks, Soviet fighter jets and bombers, a moderate 1970s era navy, and plenty of artillery and small arms, along with plenty of mines, bombs, and rockets, not to mention critical access to infrastructure which allowed Gaddafi to do things like shut off water and power to entire cities and regions.<br /><br />Gaddafi has clearly demonstrated on multiple occasions that he is a megalomaniac that isn't entirely in touch with reality, who is more than willing to use brutal force and kill people. He's been a sponsor of international terror for decades and has taken action against Libyans before. In fact, from a purely "brutal dictator" position Gaddafi was clearly a bigger threat than Saddam Hussein was, and I'd argue that Iraq was a target of the neo-cons instead of Libya because Iraq, despite Saddam being less of a threat, was of much more strategic interest to the neo-cons.<br /><br />So we know that Gaddafi had both the means and the track record for large scale violence. There was every reason to believe that without foreign intervention we were about to see a bloodbath in Libya, and there wasn't time to try and work on other "options". My understanding of the situation (which may be flawed, but its all I can go on) is that without immediate intervention the killing of Libyans would have been under way within a day or two of when the air strikes began. And regardless of whether or not tens of thousands plus would have been killed, what is certain is that the revolution in Libya would have been over. Gaddafi's forces were already taking back ground one taken over by the rebels, and the revolution looked to be on its way to collapse within days. As it is we already know that from hundreds to thousands of Libyan rebels were killed by Gaddafi's forces prior to foreign intervention.<br /><br />I have no doubt that despite whatever civilian casualties may be caused by foreign intervention, intervention will ultimately both save more lives and more likely lead to a better future for Libya than not intervening.<br /><br />Now on to the strategic reasons to support the intervention. I view the intervention in Libya as an excellent opportunity to get the international community and international institutions re-engaged in global security and to assume greater responsibility for needed military intervention.<br /><br />The fact is that the United States currently shoulders far too high a burden when it comes to global security. We should be looking for ways to get the Europeans and our other allies more involved in international security, especially when it comes to areas in their own region of the world. For one thing the United States simply cannot afford to police the whole world, and for another thing I don't trust the United States, or any country for that matter, to have such a disproportionate amount of power.<br /><br />I'd like to see the Europeans (and the Japanese for that matter) increase their military spending and take on greater responsibility for global security, which would allow the United States to decrease military spending. This action in Libya is a good exercise in moving toward this objective, and, despite whatever criticism I have about Obama in regard to many of his policies, it does appear that he shares a similar objective.<br /><br />We need a return to multilateral international institutions when it comes to issues of global security and military intervention both for the sake of democracy and checks on power (and here I mean American abuse of power) as well as for the sake of the American budget. Even conservative critics of international cooperation have to acknowledge that trying to maintain American military supremacy is hugely, and in many respects needlessly, costly. Some conservative critics of the Libyan international intervention have complained about American involvement with the UN and NATO and have complained that the US should do this alone or take the lead. These same critics of course also complain about the national debt. You can't have it both ways. Being the world leader in all things military is hugely expensive and needlessly so. We do have allies, and not only can they help, but we should expect them shoulder far more of the burden than they currently do.<br /><br />But what about some of the many complaints directed at the Libyan intervention, such as the following:<br /><br />Why Libya, when we didn't intervene in places like Rwanda, etc? Well, first of all, I think we should have intervened in Rwanda, but I also think that the case for intervening in Libya is even greater than Rwanda, primarily because the international community has a larger responsibility for the conditions in Libya. Gaddafi's wealth and power comes almost entirely from outside Libya, from the oil money and from weapons acquired from foreign countries. Since Gaddafi's power comes from external sources, and is hugely unmatched by the citizens of Libya, the international community has to play a role in putting a check on his power. In Rwanda this wasn't the case. In Rwanda, and in several other such conflicts, the atrocities were not inflicted by a powerful military state against civilians, it was a war of civilians against civilians, using mostly low tech home grown weapons, like machetes, not fighter jets and tanks.<br /><br />Why Libya and why not Syria or Yemen? Well, to be frank, Libya has a lot to do with opportunity. Gaddafi has very few allies, he isn't a partner of the US, he has a 40 year track record of violence and repression, and the scale of the violence is much, much larger. Yes, protesters are being killed in Syria, but as of yet there is no expectation that tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands would be killed, and the Syrians aren't engaged in military assaults on cities. In Syria what we have are conflicts between protesters and military forces, in Libya what we had was the military coming in and just laying siege to whole towns. Likewise, the rebel forces in Libya had taken huge amounts of territory and were significantly challenging the regime. In other words, they had taken significant steps toward overthrow by themselves already. In Syria and other such places this isn't the case.<br /><br />If Libya, why didn't you support the war in Iraq? For many of the same reasons above. In Iraq there was no revolution going on at the time. There were no significant forces inside Iraq asking the US or the UN to help them overthrow Saddam with military force. It is true that some Kurds were asking for this, but it was also clear that they were a minority in the country and they themselves weren't in a position to be able to do it. We had already been providing them air cover in the form of a no-fly zone as it was, and there was no possibility that the Kurds would have been able to overthrow Saddam or that the rest of Iraq would have supported such an action by the Kurds anyway.<br /><br />But, we don't know who these rebels are, maybe they are "bad guys" too! To this I say "so what?" Look, if you turn down an ally and you see a known mobster with some guy in a headlock punching him in the face with brass knuckles, assuming that you have the ability to stop the mobster you should. You don't ask who the guy is that's getting his face punched in first. If you know that the guy doing the assault is a "bad guy", you don't stop to figure out who the victim is first before you help them. Maybe some of the rebel forces are Al-Qaeda, maybe some of them fought against us in Iraq. Maybe, but what we do know for sure is that Gaddafi is a murdering dictator, so who cares? The chances that whoever comes to power in Libya will be worse than Gaddafi are virtually zero. Maybe they won't be great, but there is no reason at all to back Gaddafi in this situation.<br /><br />But America is just an imperialist country that's greedy for oil and must have ulterior motives in this! Well first of all, all the more reason for an international coalition. Even if America and France and Italy and the Arab League all have reasons to try to take advantage of Libya, the fact that so many players are involved reduces the chance that anyone will be able to exert too power influence over the situation.<br /><br />And let's not forget, the American Revolutionary War was only won because of the aid provided by the French. In fact, the French supplied more troops than the American colonies did, they supplied almost all of the warships, they funded the entire thing, and they suffered more casualties than the American colonists did. The reality is that without the French there would have been absolutely no hope at all for a successful American Revolution. It was 100% impossible for the American colonists to defeat the British on their own, 100%. The idea that revolutions need to be fought only by domestic forces in order to be legitimate is just plain absurd. If that were true, America wouldn't exist today.<br /><br />And when the French helped America defeat the British, guess what? The French were imperialists with ulterior motives. They weren't helping us for the cause of democracy, the French were a monarchy at the time, they only helped us in order to weaken the British, it was purely for selfish reasons. My point here is that, who cares why some countries, including the US, may be taking this action, even if it is for ulterior motives, the fact is that this intervention has a far greater potential for good than doing nothing and letting Gaddafi slaughter his own people does. Who cares if the intervention in Libya is hypocritical, who cares if it is inconsistent? Better to provide hypocritical and inconsistent help than none at all.<br /><br />We have basically two options. Option one is to take no military action, in which case the almost certain outcome is that Gaddafi will kill thousands and thousands of Libyans and retain power. Option two is to intervene militarily to stop or slow down Gaddafi's forces. The outcome of this action is uncertain. Maybe we will be able to force Gaddafi out of power, maybe we won't. Maybe thousands will still be killed, maybe they won't. Maybe this will lead to democracy in Libya, maybe it won't. Maybe it will take a year to resolve, maybe it won't.<br /><br />We don't know the outcome of intervention, but we do know that the outcome of not intervening is a very bad one, and that alone is a good enough reason to intervene. 30 Mar 2011 09:52:56 -0500rationalrevolution.net blogWhat people say about Social Security...
the grand scheme of things Social Security isn't one of the most important issues at the moment in terms of budgetary concern. The program is relatively secure, well funded, and well liked, however the way in which people talk about Social Security is an extremely important indicator of their overall approach to dealing with America's fiscal issues, their understanding of America's budget problems, and the ways in which they are likely to address other budgetary and fiscal issues.<br /><br />How people address Social Security is such a important indicator of their overall knowledge and approach to budgetary and fiscal issues because the finances of Social Security are so simple and straight forward. It is an easy system to understand, with well defined inflows and outflows, and no complex budgeting.<br /><br />Before we go any further we have to keep in mind that Social Security is funded by the FICA tax (which also includes the 2.9% tax for Medicare as well), and the Social Security portion of the FICA tax has always only been applied to payroll income up to a certain limit. That limit changes over time and is currently $106,800, which means that the 12.4% FICA tax rate is only applied to income from wages and salaries, not capital gains, etc., and it only applies to income below $106,800. Thus, the FICA tax is the most regressive tax in the country, and right now the total revenue raised from the FICA tax is roughly equal to the total revenue raised from the income tax. This means that the taxes raised from payrolls under $106,800 is virtually the same as the taxes raised on all other income. Over the past 30 years this has not generally been due to increasing levels of Social Security taxation, but falling levels of taxation on individual income and corporations. During this time, excess revenue from Social Security has served as a major source of revenue for the federal government, essentially offsetting tax cuts on higher incomes and corporations. It has essentially been a highly regressive stealth income tax.</p><div style="text-align: center"><img src=" alt="" /><br />source: <a href=" target="_blank"> often hear people claim that addressing America's long-term deficits will require "reforming entitlement programs", including Social Security and Medicare. While future Medicare spending is projected to grow significantly, which will likely lead to future budget problems, Social Security does not currently, and never will, contribute to America's deficit. In fact, Social Security is forbidden by law from ever running a deficit. Social Security cannot legally ever go into debt or add to the deficit, and so, regardless of anything else, Social Security is not now, and will never be, a contributor to the federal deficit. If Social Security revenues are insufficient to pay promised benefits, the system is required by law to pay lower benefits, not to borrow to pay promised benefits.<br /><br />There are in fact two completely different issues that have to be considered when talking about Social Security finances, paying back the "Trust Fund" and long-term budget shortfall forecasts. First lets address the Social Security "Trust Fund" issue.<br /><br />When many people talk about Social Security adding to the deficit, what they are talking about is the "repaying" of the Trust Fund. What "repaying" the Trust Fund actually involves is "selling" the securities held by the Trust Fund. How this is exactly done can make a big difference. Over the past 30 years $2.5 trillion in excess Social Security taxes have been collected and "put into the Trust Fund", which essentially means that they have been buy long-term government bonds, thus that $2.5 trillion served to finance the national debt. It is a debt owed to American workers and retirees who paid excess taxes for the past 30 years in order to establish a "savings" for payment of Social Security benefits to the baby boomer generation.<br /><br />What is important to keep in mind is that the Social Security system is not the cause of the debt, the Social Security system was used to finance debt that was already being incurred. If either the Social Security Trust Fund didn't exist or the money for the Trust Fund was put into something else, like for example invested in the stock market, either that debt would still have been incurred or income taxes would had to have been raised in order to avoid the debt, which means that total tax rates would had to have been higher for the past 30 years had the Trust Fund not existed in its current form.<br /><br />To say that any strains placed on the budget due to the redeeming of securities in the Trust Fund are "caused" by Social Security would be like saying that the Chinese are a cause of our deficits due to the fact that we have to pay them back for the money we borrowed from them. Or, as a more individual example, it would be like borrowing money from your 401K (which you are legally required to pay back), and then when you have to pay the money back, stating that your 401K is the cause of you not having enough money.<br /><br />The fact is that Social Security taxes have been financing the deficit for the past 30 years. Over the next 30 years there won't be a Social Security surplus to continue financing the deficit, and on top of that, either money will have to be raised from general revenue to pay for the securities that are redeemed from the Trust Fund each year to pay for Social Security benefits, which would reduce the national debt, or those securities will have to be sold to other debt holders, thus doing nothing to reduce the debt, just transferring it from the Trust Fund to private debt holders.<br /><br />Any attempt to "reduce the deficit" by making changes to Social Security necessarily means defaulting on the debt, or at the very least extending the terms of the loan agreement in such as way as to defraud those who paid in the extra taxes in the first place. Social Security itself will never ever add to the deficit, it legally can't. The only thing that can happen is that it can have insufficient funds to pay the scheduled benefits, but it can't run a deficit.<br /><br />Any talk of raising the retirement age or reducing benefits in order to "reduce the deficit" really equates to defaulting on the securities held by the Trust Fund, not paying back money that is owed the Social Security system, ultimately the American retirees who paid into it. But those who claim that reductions in benefits are needed to "reduce the deficit" don't put it that way. What they are really saying, however is, "our plan to reduce the deficit is to not pay back our creditors," and in this case, "our creditors" are us. Framing the issue as deficit reduction is just a way of tricking the public into agreeing to being defaulted on by the federal government.<br /><br />The federal government currently has a debt of over $14 trillion, of which $2.5 trillion is held by the Social Security system. Of that $14 trillion in debt, the $2.5 trillion held by Social Security is the money we should be most obligated to pay back in a timely way. The other $11.5 trillion is owed disproportionately to wealthy individuals, institutions, and foreign governments, those who least need it. The $2.5 trillion owed to Social Security is owed disproportionately to America's least advantaged, the disabled and elderly, and mostly to those in the poor and middle class. Make no mistake, what those advocating "reducing the deficit through adjustments to Social Security" are talking about is writing off a portion of that $2.5 trillion which is owed to America's poor and middle class retirees, in order to make it easier to pay back the $11.5 trillion owed to wealthy bond holders and foreign governments.<br /><br />The simplest way to think about it is that the Social Security Trust Fund, for the past 30 years has forced America's poor and middle-class to become one of the largest financiers of the national debt. Of all of the national debt, the debt financed by the Social Security Trust Fund is the portion of the national debt most heavily paid for by poor and middle-class Americans.<br /><br />Claiming that paying back the money owed to Social Security will "add to the deficit" is no different than saying that paying back any of the debt we owe will "add to the deficit". The lenders aren't the cause of the deficits, the borrowing is the cause. The Social Security system (financed by taxes levied entirely on low and middle incomes) has been one of the major lenders to the federal government for 30 years, now the bill is due.<br /><br />Now let's move on to issue number two, the long term funding of Social Security.<br /><br />The Social Security system is currently on track to exhaust the money allocated to the Trust Fund and be unable to meet the currently projected benefit obligations in about 30 to 50 years. That's a pretty long way off. At that time the Social Security system, according to current projections, would not have enough money coming in to pay out the promised benefits. At that time it is estimated that if nothing at all is done, Social Security would be able to pay out approximately 75% of the currently scheduled benefits indefinitely, meaning that if no changes are made, in about 40 years the benefits would be about 75% lower than what the currently promised benefits for those retirees are. However, also keep in mind that the way that benefits are calculated also means that in about 40 years the currently promised benefits would be higher, even after adjusting for inflation, than what current recipients receive. This is because benefits grow faster than the rate of inflation (which is a potential problem with the benefit calculation), so the fact that we wouldn't be able to pay the fully promised benefits in 40 years doesn't even mean that people in 40 years would be getting less than people now, it means they would probably be getting the same amount as people now, because the promised benefits for people retiring in 40 years are higher, even after adjusting for inflation, than what people get today (according to projections, which are so far off they could be largely meaningless).<br /><br />So even doing nothing at all is no tragedy. But the real question is, why do we have this projected shortfall in the first place, since back in 1983 the National Commission on Social Security Reform, appointed by Ronald Reagan and headed by Alan Greenspan supposedly "fixed" Social Security for good by significantly raising the FICA tax (from 6% to 12.4%) and eliminating various exemptions, etc.?<br /><br />The biggest factor in the projected shortfall of Social Security has been increasing income inequality. When the calculations were made for funding Social Security they were made based on the assumption that both the ratio of payroll income to capital gains would stay the same and the distribution of payroll income would stay the same. After all, these ratios were relatively stable for the 30 years that preceded the action of the Social Security Commission (which began meeting in 1982). The data that they had to look at showed stable income distributions for 30 to 40 years. However, beginning in the 1980s income distributions began shifting dramatically, both the portion of Gross National Income going to payrolls and the distribution of income within payrolls.<br /><br />What has happened over the last 30 years is that the portion of national income subject to the FICA tax has steadily decreased. It is sometimes noted that back in 1983, then the revisions to Social Security were made, that 90% of payrolls were subject to the FICA tax, and today that has dropped to around 84%, but what most people fail to also point out is that payrolls themselves, as a percentage of national income, have been falling as well.<br /><br />In 1983 close to 60% of Gross National Income was subject to the FICA tax, whereas today that has dropped to around 53%. </p><div style="text-align: center"><img src=" alt="" /><br />source: <a href=" target="_blank"> />Comparing the percentage of national income subject to Social Security taxation prior to 1983 is largely meaningless since the rates were much different, the caps were different, and there were many different exemptions from the program, etc., so it's simply not comparable.<br /><br />This is the the fundamental root cause of the long-term funding issues with Social Security. Anyone who attributes the long-term funding issues with Social Security to any other cause, such as declining number of workers to retiree, people living longer, etc., etc., is either lying or doesn't know what they are talking about, period, it really is that simple.<br /><br />The number of workers per retiree has been stable at around 3 workers per retiree for 40 years, and is projected to fall to 2 workers per retiree by 2030. While this is a decrease in the number of workers per retiree, productivity per worker has also increased dramatically over this time as well and can be expected to continue in the future. The problem is simply that over the past 30 years 98% of that economic increase has been captured by the highest 10% of income recipients, and thus virtually all of the increased productivity over the past 30 years has been untaxed by FICA, and without any changes will continue to be untaxed by FICA in the future. We could easily support an increasing number of workers per retiree if all, or at least more, economic growth were taxed by the Social Security system. The way the system currently works it is as if we are trying to support an increasing number of workers per retiree in an economy with zero economic growth. That, of course, wont work. The taxes being paid into the Social Security system over the past 30 years have been capped in such a way as to not capture any economic growth, only population growth, it is as if Social Security in 2011 is still being funded by the economy of 1970.<br /><br />There are three ways to address this problem. The first is to get income distributions back to the way they were in 1980 and keep them there forever. The second is to change the formula for calculating the FICA tax cap so that it is pegged to the percentage of payroll income needed to fund Social Security instead of to a wage index (meaning that if we need to tax 90% of payrolls to fund the program, then set the cap to whatever will capture 90% of payrolls each year). The third would be to fully eliminate the cap on the FICA tax and apply the FICA tax to capital income as well as payroll income.<br /><br />The first option is obviously the least likely to ever happen. That's pretty much a non-starter, even if you are in favor of lower income inequality. We can't rely on lowering income inequality to fix the system. That option is out.<br /><br />The second option is workable, and unfortunately is probably along the lines of what would most likely be done. It still isn't perfect and will still have problems dealing with a changing ratio of capital and fringe benefit income to payroll incomes. If the portion of national income going to capital gains continues to increase, even this fix will eventually run into the same problem that we are currently facing. In addition, this would also mean preserving the currently exorbitantly high FICA tax rate of 12.4% on all payrolls below the cap. <br /><br />The third option is to remove the FICA taxation cap entirely, and apply the tax to capital income in addition to payrolls. This also necessarily implies keeping the benefits the same as what they are now, even though people with high incomes would be contributing much more into the system. However, by doing this it would effectively solve the problem of income distribution leading to shortfalls, and it would allow for a significant reduction of the FICA tax. The current FICA tax of 12.4% could be cut roughly in half to around 6% and still bring in more money than currently, if the cap were removed and it were applied to capital income as well.<br /><br />This means that someone with an average income of $5 million a year for 30 years would pay $9 million in FICA taxes, but still only receive roughly $2,000 a month in retirement benefits.<br /><br />The third option, or at least the option of removing the taxation cap, is also by far the most popular option among America. Every poll for the past 5 years that asks about ways to fix Social Security funding and gives the option of "remove the taxation cap" has shown that removing the taxation cap is favored overwhelmingly by roughly 70% of Americans and is always the number one option selected as the best way to fix Social Security finances. See as one example: <a href=" target="_blank">Poll: Fix Social Security by Taxing Wealthy</a><br /><br />When the Social Security Commission met they combined the OASI (Old Age and Survivorship Insurance) and DI (Disability Insurance) programs into OASDI. The 12.4% FICA tax now goes toward OASDI combined. Of that 12.4% tax, however, 1.8% of it goes to the DI program. Even president Obama's conservative deficit commission has listed eliminating the cap on the DI portion. So, if nothing else at least that should be done, and be done quickly. By eliminating the cap on the DI portion the DI tax rate could probably be reduced to 1.4% (cutting the total FICA tax to 12.0%) and still bring in more revenue.<br /><br />As it stands right now, we have a situation where essentially the entire burden of paying for the disabled falls entirely on the poor and middle class, while those with high income pay virtually nothing toward the care of the disabled. This, of course, is completely ludicrous.<br /><br />To sum things up here, the fact is that the finances of the Social Security system are not a pressing issue, but nevertheless what people say about the finances of the Social Security system can tell you a lot about both their understanding of the federal budget and their ideological biases.<br /><br />Anyone who claims that "fixing Social Security" is a component of reducing the deficit is either lying or uninformed, period. The Social Security system never has and never will add one dime to the deficit. The Social Security system, through taxes levied entirely on middle to low wages, has been one of the biggest financiers of the national debt for 30 years. The root cause of all of the fiscal problems with Social Security is income inequality and a system of taxation and benefit adjustment that doesn't take changing levels of income inequality into account. The system was designed under the assumption of static levels of income inequality and a static level of gross national income going to payrolls. As both the portion of national income going to capital income has increased and income inequality has increased both the revenue and expenditure have failed to account for these conditions and thus revenues are falling behind and expenditures are increasing too much.<br /><br />The way to fix the system then, is not to do something like raise the retirement age, which is just a completely unrelated action that just works around the underlying problem, but rather it is to fix the formulas or take income inequality completely out of the equation by eliminating the taxation caps and applying the tax to all forms of income. The first solution, fixing the formula, would result in a balanced Social Security budget and the ability to keep the benefits essentially unchanged while raising the FICA taxation cap and keeping the tax rate the same, while the second solution would allow us to cut the FICA tax roughly in half while still maintaining benefits. In addition, taking either one of these actions, by bringing in more revenue immediately, would allow for a slower draw down of the Trust Fund, thus reducing the rate at which that debt would have to be paid back, while neither decreasing benefits nor raising taxes on the poor or middle class, who have already been overpaying for the past 30 years.<br /><br />See also:</p><p><a href=" target="_blank">The Truth About Social Security</a> </p><p><a href=" target="_blank">The real deal with Social Security</a> </p><p><a href=" target="_blank">REPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM JANUARY 1983</a> </p> 16 Mar 2011 06:41:18 -0500rationalrevolution.net blog | eng | 7bb9ee1f-b8a8-4b88-a2f7-e118e68d4ffd | http://rationalrevolution.net/blog/rss.xml |
This year, I think I finally figured it out. And when I say "it" I mean why Shavuot has been relegated to a second or even third class holiday among the other Jewish holidays of the year.
Shavuot is actually one of the most sacred days on the Jewish calendar, in the same category as Passover and Sukkot. In the Torah, we read: "Three times a year-on Passover, on Shavuot and on Sukkot-all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place that He will choose." When the Temple still stood, God's chosen place was Jerusalem. People would flock from all over to rejoice together, these three times each year. On Shavuot, farmers specifically offered their bikkurim—their first ripened fruits—as gifts to God.
Unfortunately, when the Second Temple fell in 70 CE and our ancestors were forced into exile, these thrice annual pilgrimages came to a halt. On Pesach, our ancestors still gathered to tell the story of the exodus from Egypt. On Sukkot our ancestors still built huts and took the lulav and etrog. But once the first fruits in the Promised Land could not be offered to God in God's home, there was little ritual left.
Over the years Shavuot transformed into Zman Matan Torateinu. What started out as a pilgrimage and a harvest festival morphed into the day we remember God giving us the Torah.
As Maimonides teaches in the Guide of the Perplexed 3:43 [Shavuot] is the day of the giving of the Torah. In order to glorify and exalt that day, the days are counted from the first of the festivals (Passover) up to it, as is done by one who waits for the coming of the human being he loves best and counts the days and the hours. This is the reason for the counting of the Omer from the day when they left Egypt till the day of the giving of the Torah, which was the purpose and the end of their leaving.
Agricultural pilgrimage was dropped and Shavuot became the holiday of God giving His people the Torah. When I explained this to a faith leader of another religion I told him that this holiday is like a graduation. We do all the work and then someone gives us our diploma. Each year we count the Omer, and then God gives us Torah again. It was the kabbalists who introduced the idea of the tikkun layl Shavuot, the all nighter, so we can stay up all night and then read the section in Torah when God gave us the mitzvot. It can be rather emotional. We are tired after a night of no sleep, just like our ancestors were tired from a life of slavery and then new found freedom in a new place. And then we, like them, are given Torah.
The challenge is that so many Jews reject Torah or they see it as something that is not relevant to them. They see the gift of Torah as being an all or nothing gift, or a take it or leave it gift, which in my understanding it is not. And they choose to leave it.
There are other people who live their lives building fences and fences around the Torah and trying to recreate the understanding of each and every mitzvah as stringently as possible. For those people, that is the only way to study Torah and embody Torah. And for the most part, their message is that they "own" Torah since they do so many mitzvot.
I am not one of those people and I don't think many of you sitting in here are either.
Torah does not stop with the walls of a Beit Midrash, of the study hall. We read in Proverbs "Train the child according to his way" (Mishlei 22:6). From that verse I learn that we can all learn Torah in our own ways, and we can also receive Torah in our own way. That is pluralism.
A few days ago I read the following in my dayomi studies. Why is the Torah compared to a fig tree?The fruit of most trees – the olive tree, the vine, and the palm tree – is collected all at once, while that of the fig tree is collected a bit at a time. So, too, regarding the Torah. Today a person learns a little, and tomorrow she shall learn much, for the Torah cannot be learned in a single year or two. (Babylonian Talmud Eiruvin 53b)
And that is why this holiday lost its stature among others in the non observant world. Too many of us (especially those not in the room) were never informed or had anyone model for them that learning Torah and understanding and growing in mitzvot is a lifelong exercise. We have not all been informed that the Torah is part of our inheritance. And, we were not all informed that God gave us the Torah, to all of us, and that our jobs was to understand it according to the times we
live in.
It is just a misconception that if we want a relationship with Torah, then it must be and all or nothing relationship. The Torah belongs to each and every Jewish person. So if, Shavuot celebrates the Revelation at Mount Sinai when God gave the Torah to the Jewish people, and there are people who don't think the Torah
speaks to them, or thinks that the Torah has been usurped by a specific part of the population, then it is no wonder it is an under observed holiday
The Torah is so much more than a book of narratives and "do this" and "don't do this. According to Shir Hashirim Rabbah.
The words of Torah are likened to water, as it is written, O all who thirst, come for water, (Is. 55:1) Just as water goes from one end of the earth to the other, so does Torah go from one end of the earth to the other. Just as water is a life source, so is Torah a source of life. Just
as water is free to all, so is Torah a free commodity. Just as water makes many sounds, so is the Torah heard in many voices. Just as water originates in tiny drops and accumulates into mighty streams and rivers, so the Torah is acquired word by word today, verse by verse tomorrow. Just as water is not kept in silver or gold vessels, but the simplest [clay], so Torah is retained by those who are simple.
Every single one of us can merit stand at Sinai again this Shavuot. It is up to you. You don't need an invitation.
Some of you might have read or skimmed the article Extent Of Modern Slavery Shocked Even Experts, in the Jewish Week last week. Modern Slavery? You might have thought. I live in New York. Slavery was the south. Slavery was Egypt. Let's move on to the next article.
Admittedly an odd choice for a day off, I attended a conference on Monday. It was eye opening. The conference was held at the UJA-Federation of New York's offices, and it was called "We Were Slaves: The Jewish Community Unites Against Sex Trafficking. " Those in attendance heard from a wide range of anti-slavery activists, including Rabbi Levi Lauer of Israel-based ATZUM Social Justice Works, Rabbi Ari Hart of Uri L'Tzedek and Rachel Durchslag of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation.
And we heard from a girl who used the pseudonym Sarah. She is a young, twenty-something, herself a Jewish victim of sex trafficking. She could have been your daughter or granddaughter.
A nice Jewish girl from Manhattan.
She shared a lot that is not appropriate to share on a Shabbat morning from the pulpit, but we left with a face, and a voice of an urban girl who was used in the sex industry. Sarah said that at times she would play mind games with herself and pretend that she liked it, or that it was a game—but then her pimp would beat her and she would remember that in fact, her life was not a game.
What stayed with me from her testimony-to a room full of, rabbis, educators, therapists, government workers and students- was that she said that she did not ask to be raped and beaten. She did not know she was a victim of sex trafficking or that she could get out.
Susan Stern, who chaired the President's Advisory on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships reminded us in her opening remarks on Monday, that being trafficked happens to you- it is not who you are. She also said that behind every victim there is a person with hopes and dreams.
The survivor we met concluded her remarks with "now that I am out of prostitution I set the boundaries for my body" and "no one is born a prostitute."
Becoming a prostitute is rarely a choice. When a prostitute is "working" someone else owns or rents her for the hour that she is "working." Listen to the language. That is human trafficking and human slavery.
And a sex worker's pimp does own her, taking away all of her liberties and power. Unless they are born into it, being raised in a shanty town, most girls are lured or seduced into the life because of a serious vulnerability, or because they were raised with abuse and have negligible self worth or self esteem.
With that in mind, I have so much trouble with the text of this week's Parsha, especially looking at it with 2013 eyes. Emor's target audience is the priestly cast and their families, but I still am left troubled by the ramification and the thought behind it.
We read, about who the Kohen may not marry (21:9)
וּבַת אִישׁ
כֹּהֵן, כִּי תֵחֵל לִזְנוֹת
JPS When the daughter of a priest defiles herself through harlotry, it is her father whom she defiles; she shall be put to the fire.
Artscroll If the daughter of a Kohen desecrates herself through adultery
Robert Alter Should a priest's daughter degrade herself through whoring
All of the translations that I checked seem to imply that if a woman makes herself a whore or a harlot, then she cannot marry a Kohen. And she defiles her father in the process.
From everything I learned on Monday, it is very rare that a woman makes herself a whore or a harlot. Something happens or someone lures her into it.
Last week we read "Do not degrade your daughter and make her a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry." In the holiness code of Kedoshim, fathers are prohibited from using their daughters as prostitutes. Yet Rashi writes that the daughters shame the father. What about the daughters themselves? What about the PTSD if they are lucky to get out? What about the shame and fear they face every day when they get up due to powerlessness and abuse?
In next week's parsha we will read in Leviticus 25:55, that God says "The children of Israel are My servants. " Human beings are not ever to be chattel or slaves, or even the unwilling servants, of other human beings. As Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote: "man's sin is in his failure to live what he is. Being the master of the earth, man forgets that he is the servant of God." All of humanity is created in the image of God. There are no exceptions to that rule.
Yet, today approximately 27 million people around the globe are forced into slavery-two thirds into sex slavery. That just goes against everything we know to be true, how to live. And as I learned from Sarah, Jews are not exempt from this. There are 1 million rapes of sex slaves in Israel each month. There is a brothel in Tel Aviv where men get a punch card and their eleventh visit is free. I am not making this up. Rabbi Levi Lauer the founding Executive Director of ATZUM-Justice Works shared that with us. One of ATZUM's projects is the Task Force against Human Trafficking which campaigns aggressively against Israel's
flourishing trafficking in women sex slaves. This inflated sex trafficking industry flourished alongside immigration from the FSU. And yes, the two are intertwined.
According to the State Department, When an adult is coerced, forced, or deceived into prostitution – or maintained in prostitution through one of these means after initially consenting – that person is a victim of trafficking. Under such circumstances, perpetrators involved in recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a person for that purpose are responsible for trafficking crimes.
Sex trafficking also may occur within debt bondage, as women and girls are forced to continue in prostitution through the use of unlawful "debt" purportedly incurred through their transportation, recruitment, or even their crude "sale" – which exploiters insist they must pay off before they can be free.
A person's initial consent to participate in prostitution is not legally determinative: if one is thereafter held in service through psychological manipulation or physical force, he or she is a trafficking victim.
I want to share with you the introduction of the SLAVERY REPORT OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT from the President's Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships April 2013, which was shared with us on Monday-
There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history… Every 30 seconds another person becomes a victim of human trafficking. Trafficking in persons, or modern-day slavery, mars every corner of the globe and manifests itself in a debasement of our common humanity
that is completely at odds with religious and ethical teachings alike. This heinous crime robs tens of millions of people of their basic freedom and dignity. Victims of modern-day slavery include U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, children and adults, who are trapped in forced labor and commercial
sexual exploitation, with little hope of escape.
Trafficking in persons is estimated to be one of the top-grossing criminal industries in the world, with traffickers profiting an estimated $32 billion every year. The extraordinary reach of this crime is shocking—with cases reported in virtually every country in the world, including in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and insular areas.
As President Obama said in his landmark speech to the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2012: "It —modern slavery."
Monday's conference had a purpose. It was to raise awareness of this $32 billion annual problem. One of the ways of raising awareness is by sharing the findings with you this morning. The ultimate goal is to of course get rid of sex trafficking completely, but that is some ways off, for reasons we probably can think of.
Sex slavery is nothing new. In Genesis 12, right after the Lech Lecha charge, we read about Abraham acknowledging Sarah's beauty. He tried to give her over to Pharaoh, saying she was his sister and not his wife, so that he would live. The Ramban writes that this deed led to the exile in the land of Egypt. Rambam quotes from Kohelet at the end of his commentary, acknowledging that there was wickedness and sin.
I was sickened by a lot of what I learned on Monday. The day was so intense that I actually ducked out early because it was too much. The material was
overwhelming and very new to me. I knew human trafficking existed, but not to the extent that I do now.
But, I was left with a glimmer of hope. Remember Hagar? Hagar was used and abused by Sarah. Our Thursday Lunch and Learn group spent some discussing this at some point this year. She was a tool, a vessel, cheap labour that led to an impact.
While Abraham and Sarah might not have seen her as a full person with rights and dignity and hopes and dreams, God did. God calls out to her and tells her that He saw her suffering. God saw past Hagar's job of a slave and acknowledged her humanity. And then Hagar mustered up any strength that she had left and
confirmed God's of her and named the placed "Beer-lahai-roi" which means the place of the God of seeing.
My hope is that we can act in the image of God and see to it that despite the myriad of hurdles, we can do something about this horrible epidemic.
During Pesach, my office was used as the alternate kiddush site. I thank all of you who noticed that I never got around to changing my clock when we sprung forward. I thank everyone who brought in the K of the BYOK, and I thank the special people who helped clean up each day.
It warmed my heart knowing that the women who work in the Sisterhood kitchen only had one Pesadik kitchen to deal with, and it was their home kitchens. The team headed by Evelyn, Irma and Marilyn do so much for the shul.
While I was glad to open the door of my office as a site for people to come together to sanctify the day, have a nosh and recite brachot, the lingering smell of alcohol I was not so grateful for. Dayenu, I did not need that.
The stench of beverages I don't drink was a little difficult for me on Chol Hamoed. But I persevered.
The lingering smell led me to think about alcohol this week.
The image of men and women squished into my office like sardines, delighting in a lechaim is the complete opposite of the myth that so many of us grew up believing. Perhaps you heard the myth too, at one point.
Jews don't drink or do drugs.
The reality is thatalcohol and chemical dependency do not discriminate; they affect Jews as frequently as they do any other group.
Would I be correct in assuming that most everybody has, at one time or other, enjoyed an alcoholic beverage? I, myself, enjoy a nice mojito now and then, and a good glass or two of wine on Friday nights and holidays, when the bottle is opened following kiddush.
It is not forbidden to enjoy a drink according to Jewish law. Wine specifically, in moderation, has a nice reputation in our texts.
We sanctify days with wine. And, out of all of the fruit in the whole world, grapes in liquid form have their own special bracha—probably the most well known bracha too-borei pri hagafen.
"And wine gladdens the hearts of man"
(Psalms 104:15)
"Wine gladdens life" (Kohelet 10:19).
"There is no true happiness without wine" (Pesachim 109a).
And last Shabbat we read in Shir Hashirim
ב יִשָּׁקֵנִי
מִנְּשִׁיקוֹת פִּיהוּ, כִּי-טוֹבִים דֹּדֶיךָ מִיָּיִן.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of
his mouth–for his love is better than wine.
Little boys first drink wine at the age of 8 days old at their bris!
As much as wine is praised, our sages were well aware of the effects of excessive drinking.
Keep in mind that he was also a physician, Maimonides teaches the following in Hilchot Deot,
"When the wise man drinks wine, he drinks only enough to accompany (lit., 'soak') the food in his innards. Anyone who becomes drunk is a sinner, is disgraced, and loses his wisdom.
And if he becomes inebriated before the unlearned, he has desecrated the Divine Name.
It is forbidden to drink in the afternoon, even a small amount, except as part of a meal, as drink which accompanies a meal does not intoxicate. [Thus, scholars] are only careful [to refrain] from wine after the meal." (uh oh…)
Our sages spoke very strongly against, as we say in modern parlance getting drunk.
What happens when you get drunk? If you have been there, then you know that you lose some self-control. The capacity for judgment and proper decision-making decreased. When alcohol is abused, it is seen as a curse-this is not a new concept. Our sages saw the abuse of alcohol as a curse. Our sages knew about the negative implication of excessive drinking long before drunken pictures ended up on the Internet.
Let's use Noah as an example. Yes he saved the two by twos and his family, but what happened once he left the ark? And Noah planted a vineyard… and he drank wine, became drunk and was uncovered. (Genesis 9:20)
There are many ways to understand those words. This is how the rabbis in the Tanchuma understood them. When Noah planted a vineyard, Satan came and stood before Noah, saying, "What are you planting?"
Said Noah, "A vineyard whose sweet fruits will produce wine that causes the heart to rejoice."
Said Satan, "Let us be partners in this vineyard."
"Yes," said Noah.
Satan then brought a lamb and slaughtered it under the vine. Then he did the same—one after another—with a lion, a pig, and a monkey, sprinkling their blood throughout the vineyard, thus causing Noah to drink their blood in his wine. In so doing, Satan hinted to man that when a person begins drinking alcohol he is timid and innocent like a lamb, then when he drinks just enough he is strong like a lion, thinking that none are as strong as he. But when a person drinks too much, he acts first like a pig polluting himself in his urine, then like a monkey who dances around uttering vile words, completely out of control.
All of this happened to Noah.
This does not describe the same Noah who shows up in children's books.
Alcohol briefly appears in this week's parsha. The suggested limitations of consumption are clear.
"God spoke to Aaron, saying: 'Do not drink intoxicating wine, you and your sons with you, when you come to the Tent of Meeting [to perform the service]…this is an eternal decree for your generations. In order to distinguish between the sacred and the profane…and to teach the Children of Israel all the decrees that God had spoken to them through Moshe." (10, 8-11)
God warns Aaron that the Kohanim must refrain from excessively drinking before doing their work. And this warning was not only for then, but it was an eternal decree. It was meant for us and the generations that follow after us. To perform the service in the Temple properly, or to adjudicate Torah law, (and let's face it, to do a lot of other things too), we need an unclouded head, a clear mind, and a pure heart.
Maimonides has more to say about alcohol consumption. He writes in Hilchot Yom Tov 6:20 When a person eats, drinks and rejoices on the festival, he should not be drawn after wine, frivolity and levity and think that the more he engages in this the more he fulfills the mitzvah to rejoice. For drunkenness, excessive frivolity and levity is not rejoicing, but rather
foolishness and silliness, and we were not commanded with regard to foolishness and silliness, but rather rejoicing with involves the service of the Creator of everything.
From reviewing these brief texts that approach the wine consumption from many different perspectives, it seems that according to our tradition, people need to be able to discern on their own what is considered an appropriate amount of alcohol they can drink. We don't have it completely spelled out for us.
And that is a problem, because not everyone is able to do that.
From the Mayo Clinic's website: Alcohol. If you have alcoholism, you can't consistently predict how much you'll drink, how long you'll drink, or what consequences will occur from your drinking.
Alcoholism is contrary to Jewish law, but I believe it is a disease.
Remember, Alcohol and chemical dependency does not discriminate; they affect Jews as frequently as they do any other group. But for so long there was, and to some extent still is, a huge stigma regarding alcoholism and chemical dependency in the Jewish community.
In 1978, Jewish members of AA were invited to join the recently established UJA-Federation of New York Task Force on Alcoholism. For the first time, the
word Jew and alcoholic were not whispered.
For nearly three decades, JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others) has been the central voice for alcoholic and chemically addicted Jews and their
families. JACS has, in a significant way, helped to put addiction on the agenda of the Jewish community, advocated for the needs of Jews in treatment, and facilitated the involvement of clergy in meeting spiritual needs of Jews in recovery. I have reached out to them. JACS has directly assisted thousands of alcoholic and chemically addicted Jews to find Jewish resources to assist them in recovery, and reached tens of thousands more through publications, community presentations and the media
If you know someone, or you yourself are dependent on drugs or alcohol, you are not alone. Call me and I can connect you
Yes, wine sanctifies time and gladdens the heart, but only in moderation.
Aaron and I both have brothers in the tri State area and all of us are observant Jews. It is a challenge for us to celebrate Shabbat and holidays together since none of us drive on those days. My job as rabbi of a shul does not allow me the freedom to say to my husband on Tuesday, hey, let's see if one of our brothers will have us for Shabbbat? We end up observing Shabbat and holidays alone, without family. We are also well aware of the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, so we try to host non family members often
Next week rivals Sukkot as the time to host guests. We even read in the hagaddah, "let all who are hungry come and eat." On a pshat level that could mean keeping our doors open for anyone who wants a matzo and brisket sandwich on Seder night. Even though we are just two people, Aaron and I really wanted to host a seder this year. So we are "making Pesach" but it will be a small seder.
Two of my guests will be people of other faiths. And a third is just on her route to joining the Jewish people. And so, in addition to figuring out what I am going to serve, since vegan Seders don't have brisket and chicken soup or any kugels that require egg, I had a minor panic attack that went like this-how do I host a Seder, a beloved Jewish ritual for me, that is wrapped in years and years of family memory and nostalgia, when we celebrate that our God killed all
of the Egyptians? How can I throw rubber frogs on the table or use a plague kit this year? What if these guests have Egyptian ancestry
What if I, the RABBI, get asked questions like what if some Egyptians were innocent? Should they die with those who were truly evil?" What if there were "righteous gentiles" among the Egyptians who treated the Israelites with compassion? And if there were, shouldn't we tell their story?
Midrash creates all sorts of backstories and side stories for our biblical heroes, but what about for this situation?
My first thought was the obvious one. When we recall the ten plagues, what do we do? We take our pinkie fingers and dip them slightly in the cup of wine in front of us and remove a token amount of wine from the cup. We don't engage in full joy at this point. In fact, we do express some sadness at the demise of the Egyptians. We even do it for the final plague, makat Bechorot, the slaying of the first borns. But are miniscule drops of wine enough of a memorial for the death of thousands?
As each Bar or Bat Mitzvah candidate that I work with knows, a good question is one that has been asked already, and I wondered if our sages were also concerned with this issue. Fortunately they were.
The following midrash is from the Tanchuma, When God sent the plague of the firstborn … all the firstborn Egyptians went to speak to their fathers and said "Everything which Moses has said has come true, don't you want us to live? Let us get the Hebrew slaves out of our homes now. Otherwise we are dead." The fathers answered "even if all of Egypt dies they are not leaving."
All the firstborns gathered in front of Pharaoh and screamed "Please remove the Hebrews, because of them evil will befall us and you." Pharaoh said to his
servants, "Remove the protesters and break their knees." What did the young Egyptians do? Each took a sword and killed his father.
According to this interpretation, the young, the next generation wanted change, they wanted to leave Pharoah's policies behind. They begged their fathers to stop, but their fathers were part of the "that is the way it has always been done" generation and would not even entertain their children's idea. It was the Egyptian first-borns who killed their fathers, perhaps in self defense. The firstborns of Egypt were killed because of the stubborn patriarchs and authoritarian leadership. In this midrash, the responsibility for the death of the firstborn is shifted away from God. This midrash is a far cry from the actual verse, which reads, "in the middle of the night, the Lord struck down all the first-born in the land of Egypt." (12:29)
This next option is from the Zohar: On the night of the Exodus … Pharaoh, on seeing the havoc wrought upon his own household, himself arose and with bitterness and fury smote those princes and nobles who had advised him to persecute Israel.
This helps explain the next verse in the Torah, "And Pharoah arose in the night" after all the first borns were killed in the previous verse. Pharaoh himself turns on his own people. It is not unheard of for world dominators to turn on their own people. It happens.
While these midrashim may not be plausible for some, they offer us a window into the Egyptian society at the time.
I am not an Egyptologist. It would take a whole PhD to fully understand that segment of the world. But the ideas behind these midrashim must have come from
somewhere. They offer us tools or suggestions so we can attempt to understand the violence and chaos within Egyptian society
However, the Zohar and Tanchuma don't answer the question about Oskar Schindler type "righteous gentiles" who might have existed at the time. Even in Sdom
and Gemorah, there were at least 10 people who were not evil. And though we don't know their names, we remember them.
If we look backward in the book of Exodus, we can find at least one Egyptian, a woman, who had compassion for the ancient Israelites.
According to Exodus Rabbah (18:3) "Even girls who were firstborn died; with the exception of the daughter of Pharaoh who had a good intercessor, -Moses, of whom it says: And when she saw him that he was a goodly child."
Pharoah's unnamed daughter, (like many women who are named by the sages) Bat Pharoah, was spared the horrors of the plagues because she did not drown the little boy she saw floating down the Nile.
I don't think Pesach celebrates or champions pure vengeance or revenge. It commemorates the defeat of a murderous despot and his army. Perhaps
it also commemorates a tale when fathers refused to listen to their children. Mostly it marks our ancestor's journey to freedom. And in their journey, they were rushed and did not have time to bake bread.
God definitely does not mark the death of ordinary Egyptians with joy. God keeps it real for us and asks in the Talmud (Megillah 10b) when the Israelites began to celebrate the drowning of Pharaoh's army: "How can you sing as the works of my hand are drowning in the sea?"
The Passover story is one of terror and suffering for both Egyptians and our ancestors. We don't always remember that.
If there are people from other faiths sitting around your seder table, which is likely to happen for many of us, you might try expanding the narrative at times. A
perfect time to do so is when we open the door for Elijah. Yes, it is a time when we demand that our oppressors be brought to the bench of Divine justice, but it also should be when we should pray for redemption from our contemporary persecutors.
The following reading is from A Different Night: The Family Participation Haggadah, the Haggadah we use in our home. The authors of this hagaddah remind us that the traditional hagaddah does not include a script for Maggid, the telling of the story. We can use our own voices, our own language mixed in with song. This reading could be said in place of the paragraph when we ask God to pour out your wrath. Instead we could say:
Pour out your love on the nations who have known you and on the kingdoms who call upon your name. For they show loving-kindness to the seed of Jacob and they defend your people Israel from those who would devour them alive. May they live to see the sukkah of peace spread over your chosen ones and to participate in the joy of your nations.
Shfoch chamatcha, pour out your wrath, the paragraph that many recite when the door is opened was not added to the Haggadah until the time of the Crusades, as pogroms usually happened around Easter and Pesach time.The alternate reading I just read is not as modern as adding an orange to the seder plate or including a Miriam's cup. Rather, that text can be found in a manuscript from Worms, from 1521, and is attributed to the children of Rashi.
When you sit around the table this year, remember that you are commanded to look at yourself as you just left Egypt. In addition to the physical, try to remember the spiritual and the mental as well.
While mention in a kosher cookbook is cool, this month I had pieces published in two other Jewish themed books, which is overwhelming in a positive way. One is about gun violence, called Peace in Our Cities: Rabbis against Gun Violence. The other is called Slavery, Freedom and Everything in Between; the Why, How and What of Passover. That second book was published just this week.
I thank my colleagues who contributed to the Passover volume and for igniting so many sparks for sermons to last me a through the end of Pesach. This morning's spark comes from my colleague Rabbi Elyse Winick, who was the first woman rabbi that I ever met. I had the pleasure of working with Rabbi
Winick in my first job after I completed my undergraduate university degree.
Today's spark is about Pesach cleaning.
If you come from a tradition of deep and intense housecleaning that your parents or grandparents or great grandparents did, and that is Pesach for you, gzinterheit.
But you won't hear me discussing how we need to take out toothbrushes and scrub between each bathroom tile, because even though I am an observant Jew, I work a whole lot more than 9 to 5, and I just don't have the time for that.
But Pesach is closer to us now that Purim was. And if you haven't started getting ready, I would recommend doing so tonight after you extinguish the Havdallah candle.
Back in the good old days, rabbis only gave sermons twice a year, one of them being on the last Shabbat before Passover. The Shabbat Hagadol sermon (the one before Passover) was among the most highly attended events in the Jewish community. But I supposed it was just men and children who went, as women were tired from cleaning and if their kids were at shul, it meant there was less chance they would bring crumbs into the living room.
People wanted to know if they really needed kosher lePesach toothpaste, or if a new tube of Colgate would do the trick (yes to option B). People wanted to know if buying matzo from Israel was better than buying local manufactured (no). Glass dishes? Just kasher them in boiling water. But if you can afford and inexpensive set for Pesach, it is preferable.
Quinoa was not a question for the sages, as it is a relatively new phenomenon. The following is a Facebook status update from Rabbi Gruenwald from Colorado "As a rabbi and as the son of Peruvian parents (I grew up eating quinoa before it was fashionable), this is ridiculous. Quinoa is a sprout, not a grain and not a legume. Buy your quinoa before Pesach and enjoy. I'm thinking of putting it on my seder plate this year as a symbol of liberation from OU tyranny"
While quinoa won't be on my seder plate, it will be my main source of protein for the week. As a lifelong card carrying Conservative Jews, and a vegan, you can be sure I will be eating plenty of it.
In those good old days, the Shabbat Hagadol drash was often a refresher course in how do to Pesach, the most significant of ritual observances for many. Back then there was no Rabbinical Assembly guide, or books or internet. It was up to the Rabbi to impart the information to the beloved members of his (it was the good old days) community.
Often the rabbi would go to the Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish Law compiled by Rabbi Yosef Caro in the 16th century.
There we read: One needs to check all the places in which there is concern lest he has brought into them hametz. And therefore, all the rooms of the house and the lofts need checking; because sometimes a person enters them with his bread in his hand. But, wine cellars from which one would not go get wine in the middle of a meal, and likewise a shed or similar places, they do not need checking. (Shulchan Aruch, Orah Hayyim 433:3)
This implies that the removal of chametz, or leavening, from our homes, is a much directed task. We need only take care to clean those places which may have been "contaminated," by chametz.
Think about it. Where do you EAT in your house? Do you eat in the attic that you never go into? No? Then don't clean it for Pesach the same way you would your dining room. Do you eat in your chandelier? Do you ever eat in the shower? No, then don't focus hours of your Pesach cleaning attention on them.
Do you eat in your car? If yes, then splurge this one time and don't get the basic car wash next week and don't eat anything else except water until the holiday begins. Do you keep your cookbooks with your dishes? Yes? Then that area needs special attention, because if you are anything like me, then your cookbooks get dirty. The bookshelf were you keep your dishes too should be carefully cleaned or closed, locked and ignored for the week of Pesach. An idea could be to keep Pesach cookbooks apart from regular cookbooks. I learned that trick from my mother.
If we enter Pesach exhausted and resentful, the transformative power of the holiday is diminished. And I am not talking about the fatigue that the first borns and I will have because of a 6:15 AM minyan on the morning of the first seder.
In the words of the great Aaron Bodzin, "our religion is not meant to drive us crazy." Pesach is supposed to be the festival of freedom, not the festival of washing and fine tooth cleaning. The Shulchan Aruch said all the places in which there is concern lest he has brought into themhametz. It did not say every single nook and cranny.
If the Shulchan Aruch does not speak to you, perhaps the Zohar does. This classic text of ancient kabalistic study states: "'AND THE PEOPLE TOOK THEIR DOUGH BEFORE IT WAS LEAVENED.' (Exodus 12:34)…Leaven and unleaven symbolize the evil and the
good inclinations in man." (Zohar, Raya Mehemna 40b)
Here, Rabbi Winick explains, leaven is redefined to describe the puffed-up nature of our souls, the ways in which we become too big for our britches or take ourselves far more seriously than God ever intended. In this model, cleaning for Pesach takes on new meaning, as we probe our souls for the hidden fragments which prevent us from feeling – and being – pure, whole and complete.
According to the Zohar, cleaning for Pesach and getting rid of Chametz is actually tougher than originally thought. When we clean out the chametz, we are cleansing our neshamas, our spirits. If we show up at a Seder table without any spiritual training, then we might as well stay home and watch the Ten Commandments for the umpteenth time.
Let's add another piece to the paradigm. At the second Seder we start counting Omer. When we count the Omer we recite a phrase which basically is translated as the following: I am ready to do the positive mitzvah of counting Omer, like it says in the Torah we are supposed to do. On one level the counting is about the sheaves of barley and the Harvest Festival, Chag Habikkurim which takes place seven weeks later. But on another level, counting Omer is about getting ready to receive Torah, what we stay up all night doing on Shavuot. Our souls should be cleaned for that. Right?
My friends, it seems that preparation for Pesach is a far cry from ensuring the duster or the shmatte reaches the shelf where we keep knickknacks that we cannot actually reach without getting on a ladder.
I am still going to clean a lot. Once Aaron and I get back from the JTS trip to the Rare Book Room on Sunday, it is going to be Pesach prep for the rest of the day. We will super clean and then self clean the oven. We will start moving condiments out of the main fridge down into our auxiliary fridge.
But I am also going to just shut some cabinets tight and start to review the Hagaddah. I am going to look at the multitude of emails I received to make the seder more relevant for today. And I am going to email my guests some thinking tasks to do before they arrive at my home, so they too can be mentally ready for the Seder.
This, for me, is getting rid of Chametz and making Pesach.
If you lose yourself in the small stuff, you will lose the big picture. And that big picture is that God saved us from a mighty enemy. We got out of dodge so quick that oh no, our bread did not rise. If you can't see the Redemption and the Exodus from within the matzo crumbs, then you are not really celebrating Pesach.
This morning we took out a second Torah to read the maftir aliyah from chapter 25 of Deuteronomy.
There we read: Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt-how undeterred by fear of God, he surprised you on the march, when you were famished and weary, and cut down all of your stragglers in your rear. Therefore, when the Lord your God grants you safety from all your enemies around you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you as inheritance to possess it, then you shall wipe out the remembrance of Amalek from beneath the heavens. Do not forget.
We read this because Haman, who we will meet once again tonight and tomorrow morning is, according to tradition a direct descendant of Amalek. Like his forefathers before him and his ancestors who followed him, Haman was an archenemy of the Jews. He wanted to entirely wipe out our people.
Amalek was first introduced in Genesis 36: 12 as an actual person who later became a nation by the same name. Amalek was a grandson of Jacob's brother Esav. According to the rabbis, Amalek absorbed Esav's hatred of Jacob's children and it became the mission of the nation of Amalek to hate the Jews.
The most famous controversy between the children of Israel and Amalek occurred in Exodus 17:8-16 .Three days after the crossing of the Sea of Reeds, the Amaleks attacked the Israelites from behind, specifically attacking the weak and the stragglers. Baruch Hashem, the Israelites miraculously defeated the Amaleks.
For centuries, brilliant sages and scholars have written that Haman's attempt to destroy the Jewish people is a direct result of the historical and philosophical battles Amalek and Israel. In megillat Esther, the conflict between Mordecai and Haman is that era's incarnation of the conflict between Israel and Amalek. Haman is described as being a physical descendent of Amalek. Amalek, however, has many spiritual decedents as well. Over the years Amalek has served as the prototype for all anti-Semites.
There are modern day Hamans; even in Persia, known to us as Ahmadinejad. The nuclear Iran threat on Israel is a real threat. It literally scares me. As does the threat of Hamas and Hizbollah. We should be grateful for the Iron Dome, as it has saved lives.
There are modern days Hamans that pose threats to the rights of millions of people in our world and the developing world. But today I want to focus on one from the last century. Hitler, of course, is a descendant of Haman. He might not come from his line, but they shared the same values, which was the elimination of the Jewish people.
But let's first look into the megillah and closely look at Haman's plot. By chapter three of the megillah, King Achashverous had promoted Haman and commanded that all who sat at his gate must bow down to Haman every time he passed by. Our hero Mordecai, being a frum guy, refused to bow to anyone but God. This infuriated Haman, who knew that Mordecai was a Jew.
Haman was so enraged by Mordecai's lack of respect that he decided to destroy all of the Jews. Haman tells KingAchashverous "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the other peoples in all of the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of any other peoples and they do not obey the king's laws; therefore it is not in your majesty's interest to tolerate them."
Haman does not actually mention that these people are Jews, nor did the king ask who the people were. Achashverous just took his ring off his finger and gave it to Haman with the permission to do with the people as he pleased.
13 And letters were
sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to
cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in
one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the
month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
I could not help but remember that verse at one of our stops in Kiev two weeks ago. After seeing how the Jewish community of Kiev was flourishing, we got on a bus and went to a forest. It was surrounded by buildings and a TV tower.
It was a freezing morning. We were all wearing hats, and scarves and gloves. One of my colleagues took out a large piece of paper and read the following:
All [Jews] living in the city of Kiev and its vicinity are to report by 8 o'clock on the morning of Monday, September 29th, 1941, at the corner of Melnikovsky and Dokhturov Streets (near the cemetery). They are to take with them documents, money, valuables, as well as warm clothes, underwear, etc. Any [Jew] not carrying out this instruction and who is found elsewhere will be shot. Any civilian entering flats evacuated by [Jews] and stealing property will be shot.1
We had reached Babi Yar. Of all the places in Kiev that we read about going to, we knew from Babi Yar. But hearing that proclamation which was posted all over town in 1941 made the experience all the more real. Here we were, a bunch of Jews walking toward the ravine at Babi Yar.
Babi Yar is a mass gravesite, where hundreds of thousands of people (most of them Jews) were murdered by the Nazis during the War. Nearly 30 000 Jews were killed during just two days in September.
We lit candles and spontaneously sang somber Hebrew songs including Am Israel Chai, the 23th Psalm and Ani Maamin. We were encouraged by our Ukrainian guides to toss red carnations (a Russian custom) into the snowy ravine below. The scenery was snow, white with brown trees. Those red carnations were a stark contrast. When I stared at them, all I could
think about was the blood. I wondered what the smell was like. I wondered what happened to the bodies when snowflakes started to fall on them.
Our main tour guide in Kiev was a young woman named Ana. She was not Jewish. But she wept profusely with us. She shared with us that her own grandfather had gone to Babi Yar in September 1941 to say farewell to his Jewish neighbors, assuming they would only be relocated. Alas, he was not right.
This was my third visit to a Shoah site. When I was twenty I went to Terezin. Two years ago I was at Sachsenhausen outside Berlin, and now Babi Yar. Each time I leave one of these horrible places, I feel immense guilt, anguish, deep sadness, pain and sorrow-because I can leave. My feet feel like led as I leave because even with all of the empathy in the world, there is no way I could know what it was like to be in the shoes of our brothers and sisters during those last moments before they lost their lives.
With us throughout most of our mission was Amir Ben Zvi, the JDC Representative to Central and Western Ukraine. He joined us when we went to Babi Yar. We walked back together from the site to the bus. I asked him why he did what he did for a living, creating Jewish life out of nothing. He said to me, "if not me, then who" then shared that his grandfather was a survivor. Amir also told me that he had never seen our guide so visibly shaken like this before. I asked Ana if she know what we were singing when we sang "Ani Maamin." When she said no, I told her that it means that we have faith.
On Shabbat Zachor, we are commanded to remember and not forget because if we forget, we will cease to exist. We read about Amalek this morning and we will blot out Haman's name tonight and tomorrow because– if we forget, we will get lost in an assimilated world.
Remembering is important. For far too long Babi Yar was not remembered. For political reasons an official memorial was not built at the Babi Yar site until 1976. The first memorial did not even mention the fact that most victims were Jews. It took a further 15 years before a new memorial (Menorah shaped) was built which today serves as a place for
commemorative ceremonies. The menorah-shaped monument to the Jews massacred at Babi Yar opened on Sept. 29, 1991, 50 years after the first mass killing of the Jews at Babi Yar
But the very first testimony to Babi Yar was a poem, written by Yevgeny Yevtushenko, a Russian poet born in 1933. He wrote his poem in 1961 in part to protest the Soviet Union's refusal to identify Babi Yar.
No monument stands over Babi Yar. A steep cliff only, like the rudest headstone. I am afraid. Today, I am as old As the entire Jewish race itself.
I see myself an ancient Israelite. I wander o'er the roads of ancient Egypt And here, upon the cross, I perish, tortured And even now, I bear the marks of nails.
It seems to me that Dreyfus is myself. The Philistines betrayed me – and now judge. I'm in a cage. Surrounded and trapped, I'm persecuted, spat on, slandered, and The dainty dollies in their Brussels frills Squeal, as they stab umbrellas at my face.
I see myself a boy in Belostok Blood spills, and runs upon the floors, The chiefs of bar and pub rage unimpeded And reek of vodka and of onion, half and half.
I'm thrown back by a boot, I have no strength left, In vain I beg the rabble of pogrom, To jeers of "Kill the Jews, and save our Russia!" My mother's being beaten by a clerk.
O, Russia of my heart, I know that you Are international, by inner nature. But often those whose hands are steeped in filth Abused your purest name, in name of hatred.
I know the kindness of my native land. How vile, that without the slightest quiver The antisemites have proclaimed themselves The "Union of the Russian People!"
It seems to me that I am Anna Frank, Transparent, as the thinnest branch in April, And I'm in love, and have no need of phrases, But only that we gaze into each other's eyes. How little one can see, or even sense! Leaves are forbidden, so is sky, But much is still allowed – very gently In darkened rooms each other to embrace.
The Lord spoke to Moshe saying: Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts, you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him. מֵאֵת כָּל-אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִדְּבֶנּוּ לִבּוֹ
What touches your hearts?
In the past few months I have shared my thoughts on the horrible storm Sandy and how it affected my heart. The gun violence issue still makes me cringe when I think about all of the people in this country who lost their lives. Those are both global and universal issues.
This morning I want to share a more particular issue that touches my heart, something that is so close to home.
Last week I was reminded that not only do I love the Jewish people, but I learned that the resiliency of the Jewish people can move me to tears, which it did, on a number of occasions.
It was an honor to be invited to participate in the JFNA Rabbinic Cabinet mission to Kiev and Israel. I had a fuzzy idea about what to expect, but what I actually experienced left a deep impression.
You know how we sometimes refer to the great miracle of the Negev blooming in Israel; green fields where there was once desert? Well, I saw blossoming Jewish life that followed the Shoah and the KGB, the Soviet regime and rapid anti Semitism.
For the most part, the 350-500,000 Jews of Kiev (depending on who you ask) are undergoing a mass Jewish identity learning process. It was not uncommon to hear that someone was
14 when they found out they were Jewish, or 17 years old. For many, their first Jewish memory is happening right now, thanks to the JDC and the Jewish Agency for Israel, or one of the other 35 grass roots Jewish organizations that is reaching about 25% of the population.
When we make our pledges to UJA Federation, a lot of our money goes overseas to the JDC, and I always knew that. But it was not until last week that I fully
comprehended the power of those dollars. By sharing what I experienced in Kiev and Israel, I hope to paint a picture of the Joint's effort to reclaim Jews for the Jewish people.
One of our first speakers was Asher Ostrin, a senior JDC official. Under his tenure, JDC established 15 local offices assisted by 380 field workers. The JDC's budget to provide life-saving support to Jews in the Former Soviet Union expanded from $400,000 in 1991 to $140 million in 2012 during Ostrin's time as director of JDC's FSU department. He told us, rather bluntly, that Jewish dollars are supporting and keeping marginal Jews alive.
Programming has been created that nourishes 160,000 elderly Jews and 30,000 impoverished Jewish children who would otherwise simply disappear, cold and hungry, into oblivion without this tzedakah.
Our first real entrée into Jewish life in the Ukraine took place as our group was divided into teams to make home visits. I had the opportunity to meet Lev Shehter. Lev was born in 1915 and he is a miracle and beats all odds, since the average life expectancy is 65 for men. In 1938 Lev was drafted into the army and returned back to Kiev and work in a factory in 1940. Lev was lucky because when World War II started Lev, together with the entire factory, was evacuated to the Novosibirsk region and was there until 1947.
In 1943 Lev married a woman who already had a son. In 1947 Lev and his family returned to Kiev and he joined the staff of a factory specializing in manufacturing aeronautic products. Lev worked there until he retired in 1992. Lev`s wife passed away in 1998 and he now lives alone
Lev has beautiful, piercing blue eyes and was excited to have five English speaking Rabbis visit him and take pictures with him. He opened the door with a wide smile. His home was clean and on the wall was a beautiful poster that he received for his 95th birthday. The greetings were in Cyrillic, so I could not make it out, but the pictures explained how beloved he was.
His apartment consists of a small foyer for coats, a small kitchen with enough room for a table for 2 and a bedroom/living area that contained his bed, a display case of pictures, teacups, some figurines, and a dresser. We sat in chairs in his room, while he sat on his bed. An interpreter with us delivered a package of food into his kitchen, and we spent some time listening to his story.
There were no visible signs of Jewish life in his compact apartment, but when we discussed the Jewish social welfare program, called Hesed, which is organized by the JDC , his eyes lit up, and he told us that Hesed was his Judaism, his community and his family. He told us that he likes to watch television show about Israel and feels like it is his own family. He said that when he goes to Hesed he feels like he is in Israel. Lev has been a Hesed client since 1996.
At midday we were brought to the actual Hesed center, where some 10,000 Jewish people like Lev are brought at least once a month to socialize, learn and share. They receive a decent and healthy meal, as many of the Jews living in Kiev are at or below the poverty line
It was explained to us as follows; poverty in Kiev is so real that by the third week of the month, many elderly people have to begin rationing their medicine, their food, and even essential comforts like diapers for incontinence. 50,000 of the poorest Jews in Ukraine depend on JDC's debit food cards to purchase their basic monthly staples in local supermarkets. Hesed
is their life saver.
At this Hesed center, I heard elderly Jewish women sing Yerushalayim shel Zahav, sat with elderly women as they made Purim cards and witnesses young children putting stickers on Queen Esther crowns.
We were told on more than one occasion that the effort to help these Jews is having a positive but challenging consequence. The care these people receive increases their life expectancy. The longer and healthier their lives are the more long-term assistance they will continue to need. Sadly, the pot is not endless. Present and future concerns for care are real. And, there is also the fact that so many in the community are leaving, not to us in New York, but one very specific place.
Lev is not the only one who loves Israel. Israel is viewed so favorably by the Ukraine, that much of the Ukrainian delegation to the U.N. was purposely absent during the vote to upgrade the Palestinian State to non-member observer status.
Every single Jewish person I met in Kiev had at least one family member who has made aliyah. At the Kiev JAFI complex, I had the chance to meet a group of ten people about to make aliyah. They credited the Jewish Agency for Israel (who has a strong presence) and Birthright among the reasons for their desire to start anew.
Once we arrived to Israel, I had an amazing, spiritual, restful, warm and sunny Shabbat. But then on Sunday our impressive schedule started up again. We witnessed the absorption of FSU Jews into Israel in a plethora of settings.
To me, the most impressive example of absorption was JAFI's Mifgash program for new immigrant doctors at Bet Canada in Ashdod. In the 1990's thousands of Jewish physicians made aliyah from the FSU. Today, many of them are reaching retirement, and there is a major shortage of Israeli doctors. JAFI has recently facilitated the aliyah of 40 young immigrant doctors from the FSU and created a new program, in cooperation with the Ministry of Absorption to fast track the doctor's integration into Israel's medical system. Our group got to meet them,
and hand out Maimonides Prayer for the Doctors, in both Hebrew and their language.
These young doctors receive assistance to prepare for the licensing exams, which they are taking in a few months. They have a four month Ulpan to learn Hebrew and then they have a two and a half month medical terminology Ulpan. As Israel needs 200 doctors every year, this fills a gap in Israeli society
One of the doctors that we met named Tanya, made aliyah six months ago. Why? She visited Israel on Birthright and fell in love with the country. Her sister made aliyah before her and said to her "we have to go to Israel because we are Jewish."
Just think back to the years we fought on behalf of Soviet Jewry.
Marches.
Letters.
Smuggling.
And now this is what twentysomethings tell their siblings. The world has changed.
The differences between Kiev and Israel are huge. On Friday morning we left a snowy, grey, dismal, dreary country. People were bundled in hats, babushkas and heavy coats. And then Friday early afternoon, we landed at Ben Gurion Airport. The sky was blue. The grass was green. It was so bright out that we needed to put on our sunglasses. Suddenly the WiFi on our smartphones worked so much better. And all of the rabbis on the bus felt like we were home. We acted like teenagers on our first trip to Israel. We'd only been in Kiev for a few days. But yet so much had changed for us
How could we not help but think what it was like for a Ukrainian Jew to get off the airplane in Israel and begin their life in their new home?
Israel, in my opinion, is just a million times better than Ukraine. It's home. We know it. And the Jewish community in Kiev knows it. But just like we choose to live in an active Jewish Diaspora, there are Jews in Kiev who are choosing the same thing.
Shimon Peres once said that it is less important whether or not one's grandparents are Jewish, but more important that your grandchildren are. That to me epitomizes our trip to Kiev and Israel. Reclaiming Jewish lives for the Jewish people. This mission was not random. We rabbis were there so we could tell you the stories of what we saw. And what I saw touched my heart.
I hope it touches yours too when it is time for you to write your checks to UJA Federation of New York. Our brothers and sisters need recognition and support. I have more stories, but thank God, we have many more Shabbat mornings.
together.
On Wednesday, January 9, 2013, Toronto snowbirds Donny Pichofsky and his wife Rochelle failed to show up for a lunch date with a neighbor in south Florida. The next day, according to a news report, at six-thirty in the evening, a friend with a spare key entered the townhouse to check on the couple. The neighbor found Donny and Rochelle dead.
Shortly after the discovery, a spokesperson with the Hallandale Beach Police Department announced that the Canadian retirees had been murdered. No more information has been shared. This week, Hallandale police were furthering their investigation up in Toronto.
Donny Pichofsky was a real person. This is not a description of an episode of CSI: Miami or Law and Order. I have known of the Pichofsky family my entire life. The Pichofskys have a summer cottage near my family summer home. As a little girl, I remember doing aerobics with Donny's first wife Sandy, z''l. Donny davened with my Zayda of blessed memory, every Shabbat morning during July and August for decades, at the little shul in Jackson's Point, Ontario.
What I am trying to convey is that people I know were violently murdered.
Murdered. Here, in these United States. In sunny Hallandale, Florida.
Donny and Rochelle's killer defied the words of God, the words of chapter twenty of sefer Shemot, which was read just this morning. Donny and Rochelle's killer broke mitzvah number six (out of the ten that were given during the revelation at Sinai).
לֹא תִרְצָח
You shall not murder
Lives are taken daily. Not by God, but by other people, multiple times each day in this country. They don't have that right.
On average, 33 mothers grieve each and every day in the United States, day in and day out, because their children lost their lives. And it is a shundah that we sing about living in the Land of the Free in our national anthem. Those of us who gather to daven together in this room might not see it, because we live in relatively "good" neighborhoods, but the United States is not a safe or free place to live. We lock our cars and front doors for a reason. Our computers have passwords for a reason; crime and violence.
Out of a population of 395, 317, Forbes magazine reports that Oakland, California has a crime rate of 1,683 crimes per 100 000 residents each year. Oakland's high levels of poverty and proximity to drug corridors combine to generate lots of violence.
Out of a population of 713,239, Forbes magazine reports that Detroit had a violent crime rate of 2,137 per 100,000 residents. Motown has become the most dangerous city in
America.
And although Chicago has logged more homicides than any other U.S. city lately, (There were 42 as of January 31 for this new year) it does not have the highest homicide rate. That honor goes to New Orleans, whose murder rates was 32.65 per 100 000. Think about that as you watch the Superbowl.
And if you are wondering, our city, New York, home to over 8 million people, only has 2.72 murders per 100 000 residents.
We are all created equal, we are all created in God's image, yet there are people out there who pick up a gun, and choose, as if it is their prerogative, to terminate the life of another person.
How many more stories do you need to hear until you say enough is enough?
For the media and for the White House, Newtown was the ad kan, the spark that united the country into a national conversation about guns and violence in America.
While Newtown has become a catalyst for conversation and perhaps legislation, we have to remember that what happened in Newtown happens every day in America. That point was emphasized to me earlier this week.
As many of you know I took the train to Washington DC on Monday morning. It was an honor to be invited to spend two days with a delegation of faith leaders, engaging in issues surrounding the epidemic of guns and violence in America.
Monday was a working day. We heard from experts and consultants, and I now know more about the history of guns than I ever thought I would need to know. We honed our joint, unified message throughout the day. We learned best practices from each other. We said "Amen" quite a lot, and the next day, Tuesday, was a presenting day.
While it felt a little unreal to be at the White House, the message that we conveyed to President Obama's Office and Vice President Biden's Office overshadowed any of the "I am at the White House" giddiness.
If you saw any of the pictures that I posted on Facebook, you would see that there were not so many white folk at this convening. But it was important that us white faith leaders were in
attendance. We heard from our brothers and sisters in congregations who serve inner cities, who officiate at funerals for eighteen year olds and sixteen year olds who are killed by guns and gangs.
An understanding that I came away with from my time in DC is that there is just too much fear in this country.
A third grader at Daly Elementary School in Detroit brought a loaded gun to school last week and showed it to a classmate, who then told his mother. That mom called the school, and school officials searched the child and found a loaded gun. Sources say the eight-year-old told police he needed the gun for protection because he was
being bullied. EIGHT YEARS OLD. PROTECTION FROM BEING BULLIED with a gun???
What were we doing when we were eight years old? What did we bring with us to school?
It is possible to lose hope, writes my colleague Rabbi Menachem Creditor, But we are not allowed. Hope is our call.
As modern Jews, we know about hope. It is the name of our Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah. The hope. In that anthem we say lhyot am chofshi bartzeinu, we hope to be a free people in our land.
Just as in Israel, so too in America.
We cannot and should not be paralyzed by fear. Nor can we say that since this violence is not happening in my neighborhood, then it is not my problem. In the words of Elie Wiesel, the opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference. And if we are being indifferent to the plight of fellow Americans who are being gunned down, then we spit in the face of Rabbi Akiva who said "You shall love your fellow as yourself. This is a great principle in the Torah." While it is not in the ten commandments found in this week's Parsha, Rabbi Akiva is right. It is a klal gadol, a great principle. We need to care for all people and find a place in our hearts to love all of God's people. Being Jewish, being a light onto the nations means exiting our dalet
amot, our four walls and finding a way to care for all.
As we recite each Shabbat morning: We have not come into being to hate or to destroy. We have come into being to praise, to labor and to love.
In our statement that we delivered both at the White House and in a press conference we said: "We are committed to uniting around the common pain and loss of those who have suffered in Newton and New Orleans, Chicago and Columbine and Oak Creek and Oakland. We are committed through our work to heal the soul of the nation."
As people of faith, when we talk about guns and violence, we have a moral imperative to include those people that the media forgets. As people of faith, we need to ensure that the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of young children growing up in our inner cities stop feeling as if they are living in the valley of the shadow of death, but rather can wake up every morning knowing they are in the land of the living.
It is with these thoughts at the forefront, that the clergy of the PICO National Network Lifelines to Healing Campaign asked for Targeted investments and Approaches from Federal Government in Urban Cities most impacted by gun violence in our statement.
Faith leaders, I learned, have a voice in Washington. Currently, faith leaders from a plethora of traditions are intensely trying to add this essential addition to the gun violence agenda. To be sure, we also support the magazine cap, universal background checks and investment in mental health initiatives. But we want more people to acknowledge that the daily face of gun violence in American is a not a white child in Connecticut, but rather a minority child in New Orleans or Gary, Indian. We cannot turn a blind eye to the violence taking place in this country, whether it takes place in an inner city park or on Park Avenue.
In the parsha, God tells Moshe to say to the people:"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession." (Ex. 19:5) The Ishbitzer Rebbe teaches: do not read "treasured possession, instead read the words as "treasure chest."
By entering into a covenant with God, God implants within each of us the potential to bring goodness and blessing into the world. Thus we are not chosen because of who or what we are, but only because of what we contain. We contain the ability to help this country heal.
Some may be guilty, but all are responsible, wrote Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Jacob has been cautiously waiting for the reunion with Esau for years. It is time for the showdown.
It is finally time to meet and settle things for good.
Since our Avot are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it is understandable why we read this week's parsha from Jacob's point of view, and not the view of Esau. We don't know what Esau does to prepare, but we sure know what Jacob is up to.
In the beginning of our parsha, we are basically granted a behind the scenes look at Jacob's three pronged approach to a mostly unwelcomed family reunion, twenty years in the making.
Jacob does everything he can to be as ready as possible. He makes strategic military defense plans, prepares gifts to present to Esau to offset any potential residual twenty year anger,
and Jacob davens. He prays to God that he and his family should be rescued from their predicament.
But all of the mental anguish and preparation was kind of for nothing.
When Jacob finally meets Esau… everything seems fine again. For the reader is almost like a let down.
Esau is all touchy feeling.
He kisses Jacob and they bicker about whether Esau should accept Jacob's presents. "No take it, please. I want to give it to you." And "no, no it is not necessary." For the adults in the room—we know those sorts of conversations really take place.
And then everyone goes on their way.
If I were Jacob I'd feel ripped off. Twenty years of fear and keeping the possibility of the worse case scenario of this day in my head every single day.
Kind of like when we have a fight with a friend or a family member and there is always a possibility that the other person will call. The phone can always ring and a note from them can always end up in our inbox. We keep that somewhere in our brain. It can always happen. Twenty years.
There always was the chance it could happen. Jacob wasted a lot of time and energy on the project and it was all for naught!
Instead of focusing on this potential meeting, he could have just tried avoidance. He could have run away even further with no potential of meeting his brother ever gain.
The rabbis in Bereishit Rabba actually criticize Jacob for inviting an altercation with Esau when he could have traveled back to Israel using a different route and totally avoided the conflict.
However, perhaps we are losing sight of Jacob's real challenge.
If we assume that the challenge had been for Jacob to figure out how to get past Esau, then the rabbis have grounds for criticizing him. And it is understandable that it would then be a letdown when that fight ended up being insignificant.
But there is another part to the story.
Jacob spent the entire night before this scheduled meeting wrestling with an angel.
And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When
he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he wrenched Jacob's hip at its
socket, so that the socket of his hip was strained as he wrestled with him.
Then he said, "Let me go, for dawn is breaking." But he answered,
"I will not let you go, unless you bless me." Said the other,
"What is your name?" He replied, "Jacob."
29 And he said: 'Thy name shall be
called no more Jacob, but Israel; for thou hast striven with God and with
men, and hast prevailed.'
Jacobasked, "Pray tell me your name." But he said "You must not ask
my name!" And he took leave of him there."
With the arrival of morning, when it became apparent that Jacob would win, the angel changed Jacob's name to Israel which, the Torah tells us, is because "you (Jacob) have striven
with God and have prevailed."
It would make more sense if the victorious renaming ceremony, where Jacob's name was changed to Israel, would have taken place following the meeting with Esau. Until now, what did he do?
It seems a bit illogical that this renaming ceremony took place when Jacob was out at night. This was the night before he met Esau. What had Jacob accomplished at this point?
Furthermore, why was Jacob's new name, and subsequently the name of our nation, named for 'striving?' or 'wrestling?'
It would make sense that we should be named after the second half of that verse , וַתּוּכָל. 'to prevail.' Or to overcome.
The question can be resolved if we understand that this particular narrative is not actually about the bottom line or the end goal.
Effort and initiative is important as well.
That is we can learn from Jacob.
Although accolades are often bestowed upon the person with the highest level of accomplishments, like the highest grade in a class gets a prize, CEO gets paid the most, process also defines greatness.
For God, I truly believe that making an effort is important.
Did you volunteer or send money to victims of Sandy? That is an effort. We cannot rebuild everyone's house and strip their drywall for them. But we can make an effort. God notices.
It is still a mitzvah.
When you see someone being bullied at school and you tell the bully to stop, even if the bully tells you to butt out, you are still making an effort.
God notices these things.
Perhaps you are not completely shomer mitzvot, an observant Jew, but there are many mitzvot that you do. God notices.
For this reason, I don't think it is a total letdown when Jacob doesn't have to put his preparation to use against Esau.
This angel who meets him in the middle of the night, and changes his name, in essence tells him that preparation was already put to good use because his effort is what really counts.
Perhaps that is why the Jewish people are named Yisrael after their striving, and we are not named after a single accomplishments. It is an effort for us just to be.
Because that is really what is asked of us – that we strive, we try to do the best that we can under whatever circumstances we are placed in, to be Jewish. To be actively Jewish.
Accomplishments are useful as a measuring stick to see how successful we are in our striving, but it is the process that we should really examine.
Kaf Tet B'November Street is a Jerusalem street, located in the center of Old Katamon, near Jerusalem Theatre and Palmach Street with its shops and cafes.
It is a short walk from the trendy Emek Refaim. The Cinemateque, The Smadar Cinema and the Jerusalem Theatre are only a short walk away.
At one point, the street probably had a different namebecause 65 years ago, yesterday, the 29thof November, 1947, the United Nations voted in favor of partitioning Palestine
into two states, one for Jews, one for Arabs.
Reports say that all the Jews in Palestine were listening to the radio as the votes were called, and when enough votes were cast to ensure the measure passed, cheers rang out throughout the country.
The international community was supporting a Jewish state in Israel for the first time in nearly2,000 years.
Meanwhile, in the Arab capitals, the same news was greeted with anger and dismay. Instead of seeing the glass as half-full – there wouldbe an Arab state in Palestine, the first time there would have ever been an independent majority-Muslim country in these parts – they chose to see theglass as half-empty. Their arch-rivals the Jews were getting a few scraps of
land, and they couldn't tolerate that, and instead of accepting the UN resolutionon that fateful day, they rejected it. When Israel declared its independence six months later the Arabs launched an all-out war.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Israel won the War of Independence in 1948/49, and ended up with a lot more territory than itwould have had if the Arabs had agreed to the UN proposal.
In 1967 the Arab states made another try to crush the Jewish state, and in the process Israel gained control of not onlythe West Bank and Gaza but it took the Golan Heights from Syria as well.
Yesterday, Kaf Tet B'November, November 29, 2012, became a date poised to become part of Palestinian history as well as Israeli history as well.
The UN voted to accept Palestine as a "non-memberstate" – a major upgrade in status. The vote in favor was a far larger majority than supported the original partition plan 65 years ago.
Nauru is a small,oval-shaped island in the western Pacific Ocean, 42 kilometres south of the Equator.
The Republic of Palau is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. Geographically part of the larger island group of Micronesia.
with the country's population of around 21,000 people spread out over 250islands.
It's ironic that 65 years ago the Jews welcomed the partition of Palestine, and accepted a Palestinian state, while the Arabs rejected it.
Today the Arabs are welcoming the partition of Palestine and it's the Jews who are doing the rejecting.
But there is a reason.
President Abbas' move in the United Nations is damaging to prospects for peace.
Israel is committed to peace with her neighbors.
Israel continues to seek a solution of two states for two peoples through direct negotiations.
U.S. Secretary of State Clinton criticized the resoution as "unfortunate and counterproductive… plac[ing] further obstacles in the path of peace."
In what analysts described as a particularly tough speech, U.S. Ambassador Rice insisted that the unilateral Palestinian gambit will cause "the prospects of a durable peace [to] recede." Rice's speech also emphasized that the resolution does not "create a state where none indeed exists or change the reality on the ground" and, more explicitly, "does not establish that Palestine is a state."
My colleague Rabbi Gerry Skolnik, RA President, said, "We speak for Conservative Jews across the United States and internationally when we emphasize in no uncertain terms
that a vote on the Palestinians receiving enhanced status in the United Nations is counterproductive as long as Palestinian leadership continues to refuse to
engage in direct peace negotiations with Israel."
One of the reasons I love Vayishlach is because Esau and Jacob reunite. If you can read between the lines, Esau comes back and says I am done with the arguing, the hurt, the
anger, let's just get past it. And then they come together to bury their father. | eng | eba29bd6-41a3-44a1-b4c6-dd9fa112336a | http://www.iccj2004.org/?page_id=290 |
The history
of the 33rd Illinois Infantry Regiment began with the formation
of the "Normal Rifles" after the outbreak of war in April of 1861. The
Normal Rifles consisted of Illinois State Normal University (ISNU) students
who practiced drills under a hired drillmaster. Shortly after the First
Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861), ISNU President Charles E. Hovey received
permission to organize a regiment with the Normal Rifles serving as the
nucleus for Company A. Companies C and G were also raised in McLean County.
Seven other companies were recruited from residents of various counties,
including Bureau, Pike, Christian, Knox, Stark, LaSalle, and others.
In September 1861, the Thirty-Third was mustered
into service by Captain T. G. Pitcher at Camp Butler, Springfield. From
there, the Regiment moved to Ironton, Missouri where it remained for the
winter. Early duty included a tedious schedule of marches and guard postings.
While guarding Pilot Knob and Ironton Mountain Railroad, Company A engaged
in a skirmish, an early success (albeit minor) for the discouraged North.
On July 7, 1862, another skirmish occurred at
Cotton Plant, Arkansas. More than 120 Confederates were killed. Seven
were killed and fifty-seven wounded on the Union side; no one was killed
from the Thirty-third. Col. Hovey, wounded in the fight, earned promotion
to Brigadier-General.
During the summer of 1862, the regiment suffered
ill health due to the climate of the marshy districts of eastern Arkansas
and western Mississippi. In October, the regiment was ordered north to
St. Louis to recover its strength. By March 1863, the regiment received
orders to join the epic campaign that ended in the capture of Vicksburg,
Mississippi.
The Regiment was attached to 1st Brigade,
1st Division, of the 13th Army Corps. The Vicksburg
campaign marked the most significant months of the Thirty-Third's war
record. First, came the capture of Port Gibson, in which four companies
of the Thirty-Third were deployed as skirmishers. On May 16-17, the Regiment
participated in the Battle of Champion's Hill and Black River Bridge.
Champion's Hill featured the loss from friendly fire of two members Company
C. At Black River Bridge, the Thirty-Third played a role in the capture
of fourteen pieces of artillery, along with hundreds of prisoners.
On May 19, Captain Kellogg of Company C was killed
by enemy fire. He was replaced by Edward J. Lewis. On May 22, the Regiment
participated in a grand assault of the Vicksburg defensive works. The
assault was repulsed with significant losses. Of those who charged from
the Thirty-Third, one-third were hit, with twelve killed on the field
and several others mortally wounded. A successful six-week siege followed
the failed assault. The surrender occurred on July 4. During the campaign,
the Thirty-Third lost twenty men with more than one hundred wounded. After
action around Jackson, Mississippi, the Regiment spent considerable time
on railroad guard duty in Louisiana.
In November of 1863, the Regiment partook in the
capture of Fort Esperanza, Texas. By January 1, 1864, the regiment reenlisted
as veterans for a $400 bounty and went on furlough. Much of 1864 was also
spent on railroad guard duty.
On March 2, 1865, a train derailment near Boutte
Station, Louisiana, claimed the lives of nine men, with another seventy-two
injured. Companies C and F were the only two to escape with no casualties.
Beginning on March 27, the regiment participated in the assault of Spanish
Fort, the main defense of Mobile, Alabama. They engaged the defensive
works until the April 8 surrender. On November 24, the Regiment was mustered
out of service and by December 7, all the men had received their pay and
the Thirty-Third ceased to exist.
The Thirty-Third participated in the following
actions: Fredericktown, MO; Cotton Plant, AR; Port Gibson, Black River
Ridge, Champion's Hill, Vicksburg, Jackson, MS; Fort Esperanza, TX; and
Spanish Fort, AL.
Burnam, J.H. "Thirty-Third Regiment Illinois Infantry In The War Between The States." Transactions Of The Illinois State Historical Society For The Year 1912. Thirteenth Annual Meeting, Springfield, Il., May 23 and 24, 1912.
_______. "History of the Thirty-Third Infantry." Transactions of The McLean County Historical Society: Vol. 1 War Record of McLean County With Other Papers. Pantagraph Printing and Stationery Co., Bloomington, Il, 1899.
_______. Personal Diary Accounts of the Civil War. Unpublished diaries located in the Edward J. Lewis collection at the McLean County Historical Society, Bloomington, Illinois.
Munson, Don. It Is Begun! The Pantagraph Reports the Civil War. McLean County Historical Society, 2001.
This collection contains clerical records including: muster in and out rolls; inventory of supplies and clothes; casualty reports; orders received and given; transportation records; and pay records. In addition, there are special order and special request documents to superiors by Captain Lewis and other officers illustrating Company conditions and actions during the conflict.
Most of the documents in the collection fall between the dates of July 1861, when the Regiment first came into existence, and November 1865, when the Company was mustered out. A smaller number of documents, pertaining to veteran reunions and related activities, go beyond this date.
Other interesting items from the collection include documents concerning the 1864 presidential election and the issue of freed slaves.
Box and Folder Inventory
Folder 1:
Muster Rolls (1862-1863)
1.1
Muster Roll of 33rd Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Company C, from August 31st, 1862 through October 31st, 1862; under Capt. Henry M. Kellogg Commanded by Col. Charles E. Lippincott, recorded the October 31st, 1862: Contains a list of 68 soldiers, plus 3 officers and 3 early discharges. Complete with description of name, rank, when enlisted, last paid, and brief remarks of whereabouts and/or specific service to the company.
1.2
Muster-out Roll of 33rd Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Company C, from August 15th, 1861 through December 31st, 1863; under Capt. Edward J. Lewis commanded by Col. Charles E. Lippincott: Includes name, rank, age, length of service, payments, and remarks on current status and service in the company. Also, contains complete list of soldiers, including transfers and deserters.
Folder 2:
Muster Rolls (1864)
2.1
Muster-in Roll of 33rd Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Company C, from January 1st, 1864; under Edward J. Lewis, name of Colonel not listed: List of name, rank, age, date enlisted, Period of time, and residence.
2.2
(copy of document 1.1)
2.3
(copy of document 1.1)
2.4
Muster Roll of 33rd Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Company C, from April 15th, 1864 at Camp Butler, Illinois: the most informal of all muster rolls; contains additional information; only names, rank, and attendance.
Final muster-out Roll of 33rd Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Company C, from November 24th, 1865; under Capt. Edward J. Lewis commanded by Col. Elliot: It is the most descriptive muster roll from the collection. Contains name, rank, age, individual service details, payment information, remarks on each individual's entrance and service to the company, any injuries, with additional payment information. (This document is in two pieces.)
Folder 4:
Documents concerning individual service of Edward J. Lewis
4.1
Note of stoppage of pay against Captain (no date)-lists items and cost taken out of Captains pay for items unaccounted for.
Letter requesting payment for attendance at a court martial, August 17th, 1864-Captain Lewis is writing to Capt. B. B. Campbell requesting payment for a court martial he attended.
4.4
Headquarters, Military Division of West Mississippi, New Orleans, March 1st, 1865. Special Orders, No. 60-Lewis is relieved of duty with 33rd regiment. He is to report to Commanding District of Lafourche for assignment to duty as Provost Marshal of the Parish of Terre Bonne, Louisiana.
4.5
Headquarters, Military Division of West Mississippi, New Orleans, April 21st, 1865. Special Orders, No. 110-Lewis is relieved of Provost Marshal duty of the Parish of Terre Bonne, Louisiana and will rejoin the 33rd regiment in Mobile, Alabama.
Addresses of men of 33rd Infantry, Company C. Includes name, rank, hometown, county, and state.
Folder 6:
Descriptive Roles & Related Correspondence (13 documents)
6.1
Descriptive role and muster-in of Ransom Davis, Company C, 33rd IL. Regiment on September 26th, Berwick, Louisiana: Includes name, rank, birthplace, occupation, dates of enlistment, payments and clothing account. Also included, is a letter verifying his muster information, no author named.
6.2
Copy of petition of commissioned officers of the Regiment to Governor Oglesby, September 13th, 1865: This is a request for a speedy discharge to the regiment for serving since the beginning of the war.
6.3
Letter from the War Department on July 18th, 1865: Thomas Vincent states that Colonel Sheldon Sturgeon's request for discharge of officers who have served 3 years is applicable if they are applied for properly.
6.4
Record of veterans' discharge and date from headquarters of the 33rd IL. Infantry, January 23, 1865: Contains list of 22 men with date of discharge and signatures of officers.
June 30, 1863-Colonel Shunk of 1st Brigade orders Colonel Lippincott (replaced by Lt. E. J. Lewis) that one man from the 33rd must report to teamster duty.
7.2
July 10, 1864-Jonathan Hollandsworth Private in the 33rd is relieved of teamster duty by order of Major General Washburn.
7.3
January 4, 1863 General order no. 1-Company officers orders given by Commander C. E. Lippincott.
7.4
December 8th, 1862-Orders to Edward J. Lewis to stop advancement at "Big Hill." Received from headquarters of the 14th division.
7.5
June 19th, 1863 General orders no. 40-2nd Lt. Fifer is announced as Aide-de-Camp by order of General Carr, from headquarters, 14th division.
7.6
January 3rd, 1863-Josiah McKee of the 33rd is to report to teamster duty by order of Colonel Harris.
7.7
January 30, 1863-33rd headquarters camp near West Plains, Mo. Orders to company commanders on how to fill out a Sunday morning report, by order of Col. C. E. Lippincott.
Folder 8:
General orders not specific to the 33rd (3 documents)
8.1
General Orders No. 10, Headquarters Military Division of the Staff, New Orleans Louisiana. Official Mississippi state orders allowing Union troops to take residence in the state but are not to receive privilege or pay from the government. Contains 3 pieces of evidence glued together.
8.2
Headquarters, District of Mississippi, Jackson, 1865. Details the role of Union army in southern life. Describes how to deal with disturbances of the peace and how to regulate relations between whites and blacks.
Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Lafourche District, Thibodaux, Louisiana, July 28th, 1864. General Orders No. 67-Private John S. Bray Company I of the 33rd Illinois Infantry charged with "absence without leave" for 2 years will receive the punishment of forfeiting his pay for that time period.
9.3
Headquarters Department of Mississippi, Vicksburg, August 24th, 1864. General Orders No. 22-Denies the Governor of Mississippi to create an independent militia force because it will likely increase lawlessness than prevent it.
9.4
Headquarters District of Mississippi, Jackson, June 27th, 1865; General Orders Numbers 2,4, and 11.
9.5
Headquarters, Military Division of West Mississippi, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 6th, 1865; General Orders Numbers 1-13, 15-18, 20, 21, 58, 64, 66-68, 70, 71, 78-84, and 86-92; Circular 2, 3, 11, 13, and 15. Also, War Department, Circular 80, Order 350, General Order 350, Special Order 10. U.S. Mississippi Squadron, Flagship "Blackhawk," General Order 38. Headquarters, West Gulf Blocking Squadron, General Order 3.
9.6
Headquarters, Military Division of West Mississippi, New Orleans, Louisiana, General Orders 16 and 17.
William J. Bishop, Private, Company C, 33rd Illinois Infantry, Application for special order to restore him to duty. On July 13th, 1863 Bishop was shot in the face, and lived, in a skirmish with the rebels in Jackson, Mississippi. On October 16th, 1863 he was reported as a deserter and to be court-martialed, because he was still in a hospital recovering. Upon trying to re-enter the regiment months later, Captain Lewis made the request that Bishop be placed back into his former status without penalty or court-martial.
10.2
Charles S. Shinn, Company C, 33rd Illinois Infantry, Application for special order for restoring status. Shinn was given furlough on August 10th, 1863 to September 10, 1863 on account of sickness. He consequently died on the 19th of November 1863. Meanwhile, on October 16th, 1863 he was reported as a deserter. Captain Lewis wrote for a special order to clear his name of the label of deserter and to settle final statements made and accounts with the government.
10.3
John Tucker, Private, Company C, 33rd Illinois Infantry, Application for special order restoring to duty. Tucker left company on November 22nd, 1862, due to illness, with little prospect of returning due to the severity of the situation. He did return on February 24th, 1864, though reported as a deserter on October 15th, 1863. Captain Lewis wrote asking this is reversed and Tucker restored to duty. This document includes a note from the U.S. Perish Surgeon from March 12th, 1863 confirming the validity of his prolonged absence due to illness.
Folder 11:
Special Orders
11.1
Headquarter U.S. Forces, Texas--William J. Bishop, Company C, 33rd Illinois Infantry, orders restoring to duty. January 26th, 1864-Captain Lewis's request is held and Bishop is restored to duty without court-martial or loss of pay, by order of Major General N. J. T. Dana, Headquarters 13th Army Corps, New Orleans.
11.2
Headquarter 13th Army Corps, New Orleans--John Tucker, Company C, 33rd Illinois Infantry, order restoring to duty with loss of pay. February 26th, 1864-Captain Lewis's request is upheld, Tucker is restored to duty with loss of pay for the time he was absent.
11.3
Headquarters 33rd Illinois Infantry, March 15, 1863. Special Order No. 7--by Colonel C. E. Lippincott. Private Hollandsworth is relieved of special duty and to report to company commander for duty.
Headquarters 1st Brigade, July 25th, 1863-Leavitt is relieved from clerk duty in Assistant Adjutant General's office and to report to Lt. John Popp for clerk duty in his department by order of Col. Shunk.
11.6
Headquarters 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, Brashear City, September 28th, 196?. Special Order No. 7-Private Jonathan Hollandsworth is to report to teamster duty.
11.7
March 15th, 1863, Special Order No. 4-Josiah McKee of the 33rd, Co. C, is relieved of duty at headquarters and is to return to company commander.
11.8
Headquarters Illinois Infantry, camp near Carthage, April 18th, 1863. Special Order No. 16-McKee, 33rd, Co. C, is detailed as teamster by Col. Lippincott.
11.9
Headquarters 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, September 2nd, 1863. Special Order No. 7-Lt. Fifer is relieved of duty in headquarters and is to report to Col. David Shunk, commanding the 1st Brigade.
11.10
Headquarters 33rd Illinois Infantry, December 1st, 1863-Corporal J. C. Scott is detailed as nurse for Lt. George H. Fifer and Aid-de-Camp to Col. H.W. Washburn by order of Col. Lippincott.
Headquarter 33rd Illinois Infantry, camp near Van Buren, December 26, 1862. Special Order No. 61-William Minter is relieved from extra duty and is to report to Lt. Lewis for duty.
11.16
Headquarters Western District of Mississippi, Vicksburg, Mississippi, October 16, 1865. Special Order No. 110-Charge of desertion dropped against John W. Welch due to lack of evidence and will report back to duty.
Headquarters Department of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, August 12th, 1863. Special Order No. 219-Private Cornelius Dubois of Co. C, 33rd Illinois, is detached and assigned as non-commissioned officer of the 3rd Regiment of Mississippi by order of Major General U. S. Grant.
Headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, New Orleans, April 21st, 1865. Special Order No. 110-Small list of men relieved of duty in District of Lafourche to report back to regiment.
12.2
Headquarters Department of Mississippi, Vicksburg, October 28th, 1865. Special Order No. 85-Court-martial appointed for trial of Lt. David Jenkins of the 33rd Illinois Infantry.
12.3
Headquarters Department of Mississippi, Vicksburg, November 28th, 1865. Special Order No. 111-Private Edward T. Mason reported absent without leave is registered without penalty have filed authentic surgeons certificate of inability.
Folder 13:
"Special Request" Documents
13.1
Application for special leave of absence for Ransom Davis, November 27th, 1862 by Lt. Edward J. Lewis-Due to the his age (45) and vulnerability of young family at home during winter, Lt. Lewis asks that the request of Ransom to go home be accepted.
To Commanding Officers of Company C, 33rd Illinois Infantry, August 22nd, 1865-Captain Henry J. Gleason, of Co. C, 72nd Illinois Infantry, asks for descriptive role of Charles Smith who recently transferred to the 33rd.
Folder 14:
Furlough Documents
14.1
Certificate of furlough for Charles S. Shinn, Private, Company C, 33rd Illinois Infantry-Due to illness Shinn is furloughed from August 10th, 1863 to September 10th, 1863. Filled out and signed by Capt. Edward J. Lewis.
14.2
Recent furloughs granted from Bloomington, March 15th, 1864 to April 13th, 1864-List of men's names, age, height, physical description, birthplace, payments, and occupation. They are to rejoin at camp Butler.
Charges and specifications against William Drew, citizen-intended to supply rebels with items such as shoes and clothes, etc. by crossing over Union lines into enemy held territory.
16.2
Record of articles seized from William Drew with intent to distribute to rebels (2 copies).
16.3
List of witnesses and their accounts regarding the arrest of William Drew and his intentions of helping supply the enemy.
16.4
Headquarters 1st Brigade, February 6, 1863, General Orders No. 6-On the 13th of January Sgt. John Taylor made obscene gestures toward Lt. Col. Edward Roe a superior officer. Taylor was found guilty and sentenced to a reduction of rank.
16.5
December 15, 1863, statement of case; Corporal James Coffey, Co. C, 33rd Illinois Infantry, case of desertion-Coffey was reported as a deserter on October 16th, 1863 after not returning from furlough on time. Was found to be delayed due to doctor's orders and was excused of charges.
(No date)Corrections in clothing balances--Small list of men and tally of equipment need by each.
17.2
List of men and tally of items received on August 15th, no year listed.
17.3
State of Illinois Headquarters, Quarter Master General's Department, Springfield, August 22nd, 1861-List of amount of equipment to go to each company of men in cavalry and infantry.
17.4
Long list of equipment needed for enlisted men and officers on golden sheet of paper. Scribbled date at the bottom is October 15th, 1861.
17.5
1862-Very small list of equipment needed by month with prices listed.
17.6
Bill of Clothing, January 8th, 1862-List of men in company with tally of equipment ordered by each with sum totals.
17.7
Bill of Clothing, January 8th, 1862-same as above listed but with different list of men.
17.8
War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, December 9th, 1862-Price list of clothing for 1863, comprehensive pamphlet of prices for equipment of the Union Army.
17.9
List of stores lost in action at Champion Hills, Mississippi, May 16th, 1863-List of equipment lost during battle at Champion Hills of two soldiers killed in battle.
17.10
List of stores exchanged on the battlefield, May 20th, 1863-Explanation by Edward J. Lewis of loss of use of a fraction of Dresden Rifled Muskets during battle due to jamming or heating etc., which were then exchanged with Enfield Rifled Muskets lying on the battlefield, includes a list of the amount of each.
Folder 18:
Articles of Clothing Records & Equipage (1864)
18.1
War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, November 12th, 1863-list of equipment with price for the year of 1864, by order of the Secretary of War.
18.2
Articles lost or destroyed in the month of February-list of articles lost with circumstances and cause.
18.3
War Department Adjutant General's Office Washington, July 1st-pamphlet of prices of equipment for Union Army.
18.4
Camp and Garrison Equipage, receipt roll of clothing, July 18th-Name and rank of soldiers with tally of equipment ordered by each.
18.5
List of Quartermaster stores transferred to Captain Lewis, July 27th-list of equipment and number transferred.
18.6
Company C August 12th-list of mane and amount of extra equipment received by each.
18.7
Camp and Garrison Equipage, receipt roll of clothing, August 15th-name and rank of soldier with tally of equipment ordered by each.
18.8
List of clothing, camp and garrison equipage received from Lieut. Wright, August 15th, 1864-list of articles with quantity and value.
18.9
Monthly return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage, August 31st-Booklet containing list of army equipment with a tally of that which came into possession of the 33rd.
18.10
Company C, September 1st-list of soldiers and extra equipment ordered by each.
18.11
Returned to Captain, September 11th-list of men and tally of items returned.
18.12
Invoice of clothing, camp and garrison equipage turned over by Capt. Lewis, September 15th, 1864-lists amount of articles with cost and condition when received.
18.13
Camp and Garrison Equipage, receipt roll of clothing, September 16th-list of men and tally of articles received by each.
18.14
Statement of Charges on Muster and Pay Rolls, September 17th-list of men with list of articles charged to them and monetary value of extra equipment.
18.15
Monthly Return of Clothing, camp and garrison equipage, September 30th-booklet of equipment received and thus issued to enlisted men.
18.16
October 10th-list of men and tally of extra equipment received.
18.17
Clothing received by enlisted men from Capt. Lewis, October 12th-list of men and clothing items with amount received by each individual.
18.18
List of clothing, camp and garrison equipage received from Captain Pratt to Captain Lewis, October 12th-list of articles, quantity received, and cost.
18.19
Monthly return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage, October 31st-booklet list of articles received and thus distributed to enlisted men.
18.20
November 1st-list of men and extra equipment received.
18.21
Camp and garrison equipage, receipt of clothing, November 3rd-list of men and articles of clothing received by each.
18.22
Invoice of clothing, camp and garrison equipage, November 3rd-list of articles, quantity, and cost.
18.23
Monthly return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage, November 30th-booklet list of articles received and thus distributed to enlisted men.
Folder 19:
Articles of Clothing Records & Equipage (Jan.-July 1865)
19.1
Clothing price order of January 7th-list of equipment and clothes with price included.
19.2
Clothing list, January 7th-list of men, clothes, and equipment with a tally of what each individual needs.
19.3
List of stores transferred by Lt. Fulks, quartermaster U.S. Volunteers, at Terre Bonne, Louisiana, January 7th-lists types of articles of clothing and equipment, quantity, and cost of each, which were all transferred to Capt. E.J. Lewis.
19.4
Camp & Garrison Equipage, Receipt Roll of clothing, January 8th-list of men and articles of clothing and equipment received by enlisted men from Capt. Lewis.
19.5
Monthly Returns of Clothing, Camp & Garrison Equipage, January 31st-list of clothing and quantity received by officers, with list indicating amount of those received, which were distributed to enlisted men.
19.6
Clothing list, February 1st-list of men and articles with amount of total extra, drawn, and received for each.
19.7
List of Clothing, Camp & Garrison Equipage Received, February 5th-list of articles, quantity, and cost of articles and equipment received by Capt. Lewis.
19.8
Camp & Garrison Equipage, Receipt Roll of Clothing, February 6th-list of men, articles, and amount received by each man.
19.9
Clothing requisition, February 24th-list of articles and men, with amount of articles called for and drawn.
19.10
List of clothing issued to Lt. R.B. Fulks, February 25th-list of articles, quantity, and their condition.
19.11
Inventory and Inspection Report of Unserviceable equipage, February 25th-list of articles, quantity, condition of, and remarks further detailing each article.
19.12
Monthly Return of Clothing, Camp & Garrison Equipage received and issued, February 28th-list of articles and amount received by officer with list of amount of those thus issued to enlisted men.
19.13
List of articles worn out and destroyed at Bayou Boeuf, Louisiana, February-list of articles, quantity, and circumstances regarding each.
19.14
Receipt Roll of Clothing, March 5th-list of men, articles, and number received by each.
19.15
List of Clothing, Camp & Garrison Equipage Received, March 5th-list of articles, quantity, and condition of that were delivered to Capt. Lewis for the 33rd, Co C.
19.16
Camp & Garrison Equipage Receipt, March 7th-list of articles and quantity that were turned in due to being worn out.
19.17
Receipt Roll of Clothing, March 10th-list of men and amount of specific articles received by each.
19.18
List of Clothing and Equipage received, March 10th-list of articles and quantity delivered to Capt. Lewis and the 33rd, Co. C.
19.19
Monthly Return of Clothing, Camp & Garrison Equipage received March 31st-list of articles and tally of amount received by officers, below is a tally of same articles and to whom they were distributed.
19.20
Clothing list, April 22nd-list of men and clothing.
19.21
Monthly Return of Clothing, Camp & Garrison Equipage Received April 30th-list of articles and tally of amount received by officers, below is a tally of same articles thus distributed to enlisted men.
19.22
List of Clothing, Equipage received May 9th-list of articles and quantity delivered to Capt. Lewis and the 33rd, Co. C.
19.23
Receipt Roll of Clothing, May 9th-list of men and amount of specific articles received by each.
19.24
Clothing list May 29th-list of men and clothing called for, drawn, and issued.
19.25
Monthly Return of Clothing, Camp & Garrison Equipage received May 31st-list of articles and tally of amount received by officers, below is the same list but indicates the items were issued to enlisted men.
19.26
Clothing list, May 31st-list of men and articles drawn, called for, and disposed of.
19.27
Inventory and Inspection Report, June 6th-list of unserviceable item with remarks including a printed section of suggestions to officers on how to deal with unserviceable items.
19.28
Inventory and Inspection Report, June 6th-list of unserviceable item with remarks including a printed section of suggestions to officers on how to deal with unserviceable items.
19.29
List of clothing, camp and garrison equipage received from Lieut. R. B. Fulks, June 20th, 1865-list of items and total cost received from Lieutenant.
19.30
Receipt Roll of Clothing, June 20th-list of men and amount of specific articles received by each
19.31
Monthly return of Clothing, June 30th-List of items received by officers and thus received by enlisted men.
19.32
List of Camp & Garrison equipage lost or destroyed in the field in Alabama, July 11th-list of articles, quantity lost and circumstances surrounding.
19.33
List of Camp & Garrison equipage lost or destroyed in the field in Alabama, July 13th-list of articles, quantity lost and circumstances surrounding.
19.34
Bounty & clothing accounts of men transferred to 33rd, Co. C, July 15th-list of men, clothing account, bounty paid and bounty due. Includes written compliment of confidence by Lt. Richards.
List of articles issued to Lt. Stillwell at Meridian, Mississippi, July 25th-list of articles, quantity, and their condition.
19.39
July 28th-list of men in which tents were received from with list of men they were reissued to.
19.40
List of articles transferred from quartermaster to Capt. Lewis, July 29th-list of articles, quantity of, and their condition.
19.41
Monthly Return of Clothing, Camp & Garrison Equipage Received July 31st-- list of articles and tally of amount received by officers, below is a tally of same articles and to whom they were distributed.
Folder 20:
Articles of Clothing Records & Equipage (Aug. 1865-1870)
20.1
72nd Illinois recruits, August 1st, 1865-list of men and articles with tally of articles in total, drawn, and issued.
20.2
Clothing list, August 1st, 1865-tallied list of men and articles with sum total.
20.3
Camp & Garrison Equipage worn out and returned for condemnation, August 8th, 1865 & September 3rd, 1865-list of men and tally of worn articles or equipment.
20.4
Invoice of clothing, camp & garrison equipage turned over by Lt. Stillwell to Capt. Lewis at Vicksburg, August 24th, 1865-list quantity of articles and condition when received.
20.5
Receipt roll of clothing of Captain Lewis, August 31st, 1865-list of men and articles with tally of amount received by each man from Capt. Lewis.
20.6
Monthly return of clothing, camp & garrison equipage received August 31st, 1865-list of articles and tally of amount received by officers, below is a tally of those articles which were thus issued to enlisted men.
Statement of charges on muster and pay rolls, September 28th, 1865-list of men and articles they lost on duty or articles retrieved back from them.
20.22
Monthly return of clothing, camp & garrison equipage received September 30th, 1865-list of articles and tally of amount received by officer, with second list showing amount of those articles thus distributed to enlisted men.
20.23
Clothing list, September 1865-list of men and articles with tally of amount issued to each.
20.24
Receipt roll of clothing, November 14th, 1865-list of men and equipment with tally of amount received by each from Capt. Lewis.
20.25
List of clothing, camp & garrison equipage received from Lt. Fulks to Capt. Lewis, November 14th, 1865-lists quantity of articles and their condition.
List of clothing, camp & garrison equipage received from Lt. Fulks to Capt. Lewis, November 20th, 1865-list quantity of articles and their condition.
20.28
Receipt roll of clothing, November 20th, 1865-list of men and equipment with tally of amount received by each from Capt. Lewis.
20.29
Camp & garrison equipage, November 24th, 1865-lists quantity of articles, with remarks concerning their use in service, turned over to mustering officer.
20.30
Camp & garrison equipage list of articles retained by men mustering out, November 24th, 1865-lists name, rank, and tally of articles received from each man.
20.31
Receipt for clothing, camp & garrison equipage, received from Capt. James Campbell, December 2nd, 1865-list quantity of articles and their condition.
20.32
Monthly return of clothing, camp & garrison equipage received December 2nd, 1865-list of articles and tally of amount received by officers. Below is a list of whom those articles were issued to, mostly enlisted men.
20.33
Final returns, clothing, camp & garrison equipage, May 10th, 1866-remarks verifying the return of clothing of Co. C of the 33rd Illinois.
20.34
Notice from treasury Department, July 8th, 1870-verifying the returns for period of November 1864 to March of 1865. They are accounted for properly by the bureau.
All 41 documents contain: the enlisted mans name, where he is traveling from, where he is traveling to, means of travel, and the amount to be deducted from their next payment for being allowed free transport while on furlough or sick leave.
Folder 22:
Pay Records
22.1
October 31, 1861-orders for Lt. Kellogg to report to locations of Companies B and E of the 33rd Illinois to muster them for payment.
22.2
(Same as above document, more formal copy.)
22.3
Payment on muster-out roll, to December 31st, 1863-lists of men, amounts of payment, allowances, stoppages, and bounty balance.
22.4
Headquarters Military Commander, Indianapolis, Indian, January 19th, 1864-stoppage of $40 pay to John Tucker for arrest as a deserter.
22.5
Final payments, October 4th, 1864-final payments of 5 enlisted men with total balance calculated.
22.6
Edward Mason, Company E, 72nd Illinois Regiment, July 23rd, 1865-being transferred into Company C. Description of past payments, clothing accounts, and brief history of battlefield action.
22.7
Final payments, October 7th, 1864-final payments of 3 enlisted men with total balance calculated.
Documents contain name of enlisted man, plus the amount fronted to them to be paid back on next payday.
Folder 24:
Inventory of Effects
12 documents ranging from June 27th,
1863 - October 29th, 1865. Notice of soldier's death with reason
and list of equipment and money in their possession. The list of deceased
soldiers is as follows:
William H. Hawkins
Isaac W. Shiner
Peter D. Jones
John H. Childers
Charles S. Shinn
Francois Cuvillier
Frank Colier
James Stevenson (3 copies)
John Riley
William P. Lanphier
Folder 25:
Ordnance Reports
25.1
Ordnance deficiency to be charged to Captain-list of unaccounted for equipment taken out of the Captain's payment. (No names or dates).
25.2
Ordnance charge on muster-out roll-list of men and a tally of equipment retained by each to be charged on final payments. (No date).
25.3
Special requisition, September 23rd, 1861-list of weaponry and equipment ordered for 33rd Illinois Infantry Regiment while in service.
25.4
Quarterly return of ordnance stores, December 31st, 1861-list of equipment and amount received by Company C, with list of amount lost or still accounted for with sum total of difference between the two lists.
25.5
Certificate of articles lost in the public service, October 30th, 1862-list and number of equipment lost with description of circumstances regarding.
25.6
Order for special ordnance report, December 3rd, 1862-order requesting a written inventory of arms by Lieutenant under control of Company C.
25.7
Abstract of expenditures, March 31, 1863-tally of ammunition lost in practice firing.
Notice from Ordnance Office, November 18th, 1863-informing Captain that monetary value of 1000 elongated ball cartridges may be stopped against his pay if vouchers are unaccounted for by Second Auditor of the Treasury.
25.10
Letter of transmittal, December 15th, 1863-letter from Edward Lewis, newly promoted Captain of Company C, he has enclosed vouchers for unaccounted for elongated ball cartridges.
25.11
Ordnance Office, War Department, Washington D.C., March 16th, 1864-notice to Captain of Company C that ordnance return has passed through ordnance office without error.
25.12
Ordnance Office, War Department, Washington D.C., April 16th, 1864-notice to Captain Lewis of recommendation for stoppage of pay due to discrepancies of amount of equipment accounted for on return list of Company C for 3rd quarter of 1863.
25.13
Answer to notice of Stoppage of pay by Captain Lewis, May 3rd, 1864-Lewis is informing the Ordnance Office that they have errors in their examination of his ordnance return for the 3rd quarter of 1863.
25.14
Ordnance Office, War Department, Washington D.C., June 6th, 1864-notice that return for 2nd quarter of 1863 has passed ordnance bureau.
25.15
Ordnance Office, War Department, Washington D.C., August 20, 1864-notifying Captain Lewis he has not filed ordnance return list for 1st quarter of 1863, and that he has 30 days to do this.
25.16
Letter to Chief of Ordnance, September 22nd, 1864-Captain Lewis is notifying Ordnance Office of error in claiming he failed to mail ordnance return for 1st quarter of 1863. Has proof he mailed it on April 19th, 1863.
Statement of arms retained by men discharged, October 31st, 1865-shot list of men with tally of equipment retained after discharged and the total value.
25.20
Receipt for issues to Colonel Isaac Elliott, November 22nd, 1865-list and amount of weapons and equipment received.
25.21
Statement of charges on muster and pay rolls, November 24th, 1865-list of men and tally of equipment kept by each, with monetary value amount to be charged to each man.
25.22
Abstract of expenditures during 4th quarter 1865, November 24th, 1865-number of elongated ball cartridges fired and for what reason.
25.23
Quarterly return of ordnance and ordnance stores received for fourth quarter ending December 4th, 1865-list of dates, equipment, how equipment was used, and how much was used.
25.24
Receipt for issues, December 4th, 1865-list of items and amount that Captain Lewis is receiving.
25.25
Statement of charges on muster and pay rolls, December 31st, 1865-list of men with tally of equipment kept with total monetary value.
25.26
4th quarter 1865 ordnance, January 18th, 1866-notice to Capt. Lewis of voucher of equipment unaccounted for to be charged to him.
Folder 26:
Final Statements
These are documents discharging enlisted men. Each document contains enlisted man's name, physical description, mustering information, reason for discharge, payments, and clothing account. Reasons for discharge range from death, sickness, and wounding. The range of dates for these documents is June 25th, 1863 to October 18th
William L. Horr (physical disability)
Ira J. Bloomsfield (discharged under orders)
Peter D. Jones (death)
John H. Childers (death)
William J. Bishop (wounded)
Charles S. Shinn (death)
John N. Hall (disease)
Francois Cuvillier (death
James Stevenson (death)
Fredrick Hummel (disease)
Joseph Geogle (disease)
John Riley (death)
William P. Lanphier (death)
Folder 27:
Certificates of Disability for Discharge
Each document contains the name,
rank, muster information, hometown, physical description, age, occupation,
and circumstances regarding discharge according to the Captain that is
then verified with a surgeons account. Range of dates: September 13th,
1862 - October 13th, 1865.
Charles S. Shinn, certificate of death, February 5th, 1864--Letter from Notary Public William Dicks of Logan County IL, verifying the death of Charles S. Shinn of 33rd IL Co. C from chronic diarrhea.
29.2
Railroad accident, list of killed and wounded, March 2nd, 1865-3 documents glued together that contain a list of 81 men injured or killed in railroad accident in Louisiana. Gives name, rank, company, and injury status. (9 killed, 72 wounded; none in Co. C).
29.3
Barracks U.S. General Hospital, New Orleans, LA., April 13th, 1865-Request for descriptive list, account of pay and clothing for Frank Collier (Francois Cuvillier) of Co. C who is an inmate at the hospital.
29.4
Barracks U.S. General Hospital, New Orleans, LA., May 18th, 1865-letter to Captain Lewis informing him that Francois Cuvillier (written as Frank Collier in previous letter) has passed away and his descriptive list and accounts are settled.
29.5
John Riley, Notice of death, call for final statement, October 5th, 1865-printed letter from War Department asking for final statement and inventory of effects of John Riley.
Folder 30:
Record of Burial in National Cemeteries
30.1
Record of burials of members of the 33rd Illinois Infantry in National Cemeteries, by Virgil G. Way, Proctor, IL, January 10th, 1912-printed 2-page document with brief history of its compilation, list of soldiers by cemetery, and words by Virgil Way describing the extent and process of his work.
Folder 31:
Veterans Association & Recorded Reunions
31.1
1st reunion of the 33rd Illinois Infantry Regiment, at Bloomington, IL, October 21st, 1875, report of proceedings-Printed 16-page booklet with record of proceedings and historical sketch of the Regiment.
31.2
3rd reunion, 33rd
veterans association at Bloomington, IL, September 7th - 9th,
1881-printed pamphlet with brief description of event and a list of the
roll for the 33rd Illinois veterans association. (2 copies).
31.3
5th reunion, 33rd veterans association at Bloomington, IL, December 30th, 1884-Printed pamphlet with description of events and roll taken of the veterans association.
31.4
8th reunion, 33rd Illinois Veterans Association, Springfield, IL, September 25th, 1895-brief account of the proceedings and status of veterans association with list of men in the association. Also, contains list of recently deceased comrades. (First page of this document is detached from the rest of the booklet.)
Report of the 33rd Illinois Infantry Veteran's Association by May Jordan Way, Secretary, Gibson City, October 19th, 1928-report on the status of association and its members with roll of recently deceased.
Folder 32:
Documents Concerning African-Americans
32.1
Hannibal Chase and Julius Williams, Bayou Boef, February 28th, 1865-letter written by Capt. Lewis to any office of the Union Army requesting on behalf of two freedmen pay due to them for testimony in a trial and conviction of rebel sympathizers who were guilty of secret assistance to confederates.
32.2
Agreement with Freedmen, August 2nd, 1865-contract of agreement between B. J. Morris and Nathan, Lewis, and Ephraim of specified labor by the 3 Freedmen for specified amount of food, tobacco, and money. They are to cut railroad ties.
Folder 33:
Miscellaneous Documents
33.1
William P. Lanphier-small yellow envelope with phrases "obligations to Sutter" and "embraced in final statements" written on it.
33.2
Small white sheet of paper with orders to line officers. Written and signed by "E."
33.3
In Memoriam, Captain H. M. Kellogg-printed document with words of memory and respect with regard to Kellogg written by "R." Also contains two personal accounts of Capt. Kellogg just before his death.
33.4
Instructions on a half sheet of paper to copy specified general orders out of general order book.
33.5
Affidavit of origin of disability for George J. Jordan-incomplete document with no date, description of circumstances of the disability, or officer's signatures.
33.6
Certificate of promotion by Charles E. Hovey to Samuel B. Oswalt on January 10th, 1862-printed document containing names, dates, and new rank.
33.7
William J. Evans, Certificate of circumstances of disability, December 22nd, 1862-letter written by Capt. Lewis verifying the circumstances under which Evans received his injury.
33.8
Headquarters 33rd Illinois Infantry, Terre Bonne, LA, July 28th, 1864-verification by J. R. Fifer that Capt. Lewis was out on special duty from June 18th, 1864 to July 28th, 1864.
33.9
Office, Provost Marshal, Brashear City, LA, August 10th, 1864-verification that Capt. E. J. Lewis was attending a general court martial under special orders.
Presidential vote of detachment at Bayou Boef, LA, November 15th, 1864-contains number of men in attendance with category of candidates (Lincoln and McClellan) and number of votes received by each candidate.
33.12
F. Cuvillier, May 18th, 1865-letter from General Hospital to Capt. Lewis letting him know of incorrect information given to him concerning the name of Francois Cuvillier who is inmate of the hospital.
33.13
Court-martial, certificate of attendance, November 14th, 1865-certification that Capt. E. Lewis attended a court martial in Vicksburg under special order.
Folder 34:
Documents unrelated to the Illinois 33rd Infantry Regiment
34.1
Tender of resignation, July 23rd, 1862-John Rowley's, 1st Lieut. of company F in the Eng. Regiment, letter requesting resignation due to poor health and other unspecified reasons.
34.2
Camp and Garrison equipage, 72nd Illinois Company H-list of men and tally of equipment.
34.3
Camp and Garrison equipage, 72nd Illinois Company C-list of men and tally of equipment.
Folder 35:
Unknown
35.1
Document concerning 3 stolen bails of cotton from a Mrs. McMillin, now seized by Provost Marshall. Parties involved showed before Post Commander with a Capt. Turner.
35.2
Enterprise papers, Lt. Col. Brumback, related to public property and cotton-(difficult to read) | eng | 5d20eb3b-127b-4200-8f16-85e8d33888d6 | http://www.mchistory.org/33rd_Infantry_Finding_Aid.html |
Why in the world should I care about negotiation?
Negotiation is a part of everyone's life. All day long, we conduct negotiations. It not only determines how much you get paid or how much you'll spend on your next car, negotiation also resolves who picks the kids up from school and who gets that prime work assignment. You negotiate with your friends to figure out where you're eating lunch and you negotiate with yourself when debating if you should exercise or eat another cookie. Negotiation is one of the most important skills you can develop. As a young leader, learning how to negotiate can change your career trajectory. If you intend to ever grow a startup, negotiation will be your constant companion. Why haven't you done more to learn how to negotiate? Here's your chance to start.
Egyptian President Anwar el-Sādāt (left), U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin shaking hands at the White House after signing the Camp David Accords peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, September 17, 1978.
Your skill in negotiation is intimately linked to your ability to listen. In Getting to Yes, the most influential negotiation book of the past half century, Fisher and Ury stress the importance of principled negotiation (as opposed to positional bargaining). A principled negotiation is one based on objectively fair standards. They encourage us to judge our negotiations based on three criteria.
First, the negotiation should produce a wise agreement, that is, the agreement should be fair and satisfy both parties to the extent possible. The negotiation should also motivate both sides to faithfully execute the agreement.
Second, the negotiation should be efficient. Avoid unnecessarily wasting time, effort, and resources. Protracted bargaining serves neither side and may end up damaging relationships.
Third, the negotiation process and ultimate agreement should strengthen relationships. Avoid relationship damage at all costs. This makes it easier to negotiate in the future and protects your reputation as a negotiator.
So, how does one conduct a principled negotiation?
Start by assessing your style. If you're primarily concerned with your own outcomes and you disregard the needs of your counterpart, you're a competitive negotiator, and will often find yourself bargaining over positions.
If you are primarily concerned with the needs of your counterpart to your own detriment, you're an accommodating negotiator, and you likely end up appeasing others.
Avoidant negotiators look to avoid conflict at all costs and don't end up satisfying their needs or anyone else's. Being avoidant is perhaps the worst way to negotiate as nothing changes.
It is very possible that you've taken your grandmother's advice and look for compromise as soon as there is a hint of conflict. Compromising negotiators, however, end up with sub-optimal outcomes for both parties. Neither side gets what they need, though neither walks away empty-handed either. I know you think compromise is a good thing, but it rarely leads to an optimal outcome. Getting to Yes gives us a great example of how compromise fails both parties in a negotiation:
Two people are vying for the last orange. In order to avoid conflict, they compromise and split the orange in half, and each walks away disappointed. The first person goes home, peels her half, tosses the peel, eats the fruit, and feels half satiated. The second person goes home peels the orange, tosses the fruit, and uses the peel to bake with, halving her recipe for lack of more peel.
This story shows the danger of compromise. The desire to avoid the hard work of negotiation left each person worse off than they would have been had they taken the time to negotiate. They also missed an opportunity to collaborate and strengthen their relationship. The principled negotiator is highly concerned with their own needs and the needs of the person they are negotiating with and will often find win-win, collaborative solutions.
How do you find these collaborative solutions?
I'm so glad you asked. Most of the time we go into negotiations with our positions mapped out. "I want a $150,000 salary." "You should do the dishes." "We should have Mexican for lunch." Positions, though, often represent some underlying need or interest that we haven't stated. Usually we aren't hiding the need, we just haven't done the work to figure out what interest our position is fulfilling. If you focus on your needs in a negotiation, and are flexible with your positions, you're more likely to find win-win solutions.
Perhaps I want Mexican food because I want something cheap, but you want something vegetarian. If we talk about our needs, we won't discuss the expensive vegetarian restaurant versus the cheap Mexican place; instead we'll choose from the inexpensive vegetarian restaurants in the neighborhood and meet both of our needs.
One time in a difficult salary negotiation with a prospective employer, I came up with an inventive solution. I knew one of the executives owned some property so I offered to take a lower salary in exchange for reduced rent in his property. The position I took (my salary demands), represented (in part) my need for reasonable housing, and low rent would meet that same need. For a number of reasons the deal never materialized; however, my counterpart was impressed with my openness, my creativity, and my desire to work something out. Our professional relationship grew stronger, and his regard of my negotiating skills was elevated.
This is not to say you should make accommodations at every turn. Quite the contrary, what I'm saying is you should stand firm on your principles and be flexible with your positions. The deal you reach in the end has to be fair as judged by some objective standard, must meet your needs, and the process used should enhance your relationship. Stick to those principles while being flexible with your positions. Do your best to meet your own needs while looking for ways to simultaneously meet the needs of the person you are negotiating with.
This all sounds great in practice, but how do I get someone who hasn't read this to play along?
First, you should know Deutsch's crude law:
The characteristic processes and effects elicited by a given type of social relationship (e.g., cooperative or competitive) tend also to elicit that type of social relationship; and a typical effect of any type of relationship tends to induce the other typical effects of the relationship.
In other words, if you act competitively, you will likely get competition in return. If you act cooperatively... well, there's a reasonable chance you'll get competition at first. However, if you persevere with collaboration in the face of competition, you have a good chance of changing their style, and if you stick to your principles, you don't have to worry about being bullied, even while acting collaboratively*. Use your negotiation skills to move people towards principled negotiation.
What skills?
Listening skills are among the most important a young leader can spend time developing. I say young leader because it isn't likely you'll be a leader for long if you aren't a good listener, so make sure to develop these skills early. You've probably heard some version of the saying, "You can't listen with your mouth open." I'm calling bullshit and saying just the opposite: You can't listen with your mouth shut. You need to be an active listener. This doesn't mean fighting to get your two cents in. When you do that, you aren't listening. Confused? Let me explain.
The first skill you should practice is paraphrasing. There is nothing so powerful as letting someone know you've heard them. Does this sound familiar?
Michelle: "I've thought about this long and hard and I think we should choose A."
Charles: "It would be great if we could use B."
Michelle: [thinking, "I guess he didn't understand me"] "Really, A is the way we should be going."
Charles: [thinking "That's weird, I made such a compelling argument, did she miss that? Maybe I should just raise my voice a hint."] "No, B is definitely the way we should go."
Yeah, you know how this goes. And it's a conversation we've all been a part of from both sides. Don't deny it. You've done that. YES YOU HAVE! You see how annoying it is when I don't listen to you?
So how do you end the back and forth? Paraphrase. Instead of asserting your opinion, try, "It sounds like you'd like to go with A because you value X, Y, and Z. You seem to be weighing X, Y, and Z more heavily than 1, 2, and 3. Is that correct?" Paraphrasing in this way lets the other person know that you not only heard them, but that you understand their position. From that point they will be more prepared to hear your position. This simple act of paraphrasing can completely change a negotiation.
In Getting to Yes, the authors remind us, "Understanding is not agreeing: one can at the same time understand perfectly and disagree completely with what the other side is saying." Don't be afraid to let the person you are negotiating with know that you understand the logic they are using even if you disagree with their logic completely.
So, paraphrasing, is that all you've got?
Don't just parrot what you heard. Check your assumptions.
Actually, no, but I like your skepticism. To help someone feel heard, ask a probing question, one that calls for exposition: "I hear you'd like to go with A. Can you tell me how you came to that position?" Or, "What standards did you use to come to that number?" These kinds of questions show curiosity and a desire to understand the other person's point of view.
You can also try testing your assumptions. This technique can be tricky but, when done right, can really help get at needs. "I'm making an assumption here and I'm not sure if it's right. You've said you'd like to go with A, and it seems that you've taken that position because you value X, Y, and Z. Is that right? Am I misunderstanding you?" Naming the underlying assumptions will allow the other person to own what they have yet to say or to correct your erroneous assumptions. They might be dancing around the topic or they might not have given much thought to the underlying issues. Either way, when stated as a hypothesis, you give them the opportunity to verify or disconfirm what you've said.
Also, try to avoid projecting intention onto someone else's actions. You don't know their motives, don't pretend that you do. What you do understand is the impact of their actions on you. So, when giving feedback, especially in a negotiation, name the behavior and describe the impact it had on you. Instead of saying, "You're a racist," try saying, "when you said X, it made me feel alienated." Even if they are racist, screaming at them isn't likely to foster a productive conversation. I'm not saying we always need to have productive conversations with racists. However, if you are trying to have one, try the second tactic. Name the behavior and own the way it made you feel. They can always deny being racist; they can't deny what they said or how it made you feel. Stick to naming behaviors and sharing the impact they have on you. Avoid inferring motives and making judgments.
Good stuff, what else?
This is the last thing, so don't ask for anything more. Always know your BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) when going into a negotiation. There are times when you simply cannot reach an agreement that meets your needs as well as the needs of your negotiating partner. That's okay. Do your best to find that out as quickly as possible, thank them for their time, and walk away.
How do I know if there's no room to negotiate?
Really? I told you that was it from me. Fine, but this time I'm really done. Fisher and Ury posed this hypothetical: What would you do if someone asked you straight up, "What's the most you'd pay if you had to?"
First of all, this is a bullying tactic. When someone is playing dirty you should call them out on it, or completely ignore the request.
Alternatively, Fisher and Ury suggest you can move past it by answering, "Let's not put ourselves under such strong temptation to mislead. If you think no agreement is possible and that we may be wasting our time, perhaps we can disclose our thinking to some trustworthy third party who can tell us whether there is a zone of potential agreement." Relying on a third party? Totally unnecessary now that we have these newfangled devices called computers. (You're reading this on the internet, aren't you?) I've gone ahead and created a tool for just this purpose. If you don't think there's a zone of potential agreement, use this tool to check. If there isn't, thank them for their time and be grateful you went into the negotiation knowing your BATNA.
*This doesn't mean that there is never a time for competitive bargaining. It means you should exhaust all options, and your negotiating counterpart as well, with collaboration before you move into a competitive bargaining stance or walk away.
]]> the Golden Rule Sucks
07 Apr 2013 00:46:59 +0000Joaquin Roca…]]>Personality That may seem surprising given my quantitative background, but I'm not talking about conducting research. If I'm using a tool to help individuals and teams develop, utility is much more important than statistical validity. I favor a tool that catalyzes productive conversations over one built for research. I want a tool that enhances understanding, growth, and development for my clients and their teams, not one that would get me into JAP.
The NBI gives you a profile of your relative preferences as opposed to placing you into a category, and the insights you get are immediately actionable. If you understand your profile, you understand how to be more flexible when working with people different from you. You might be familiar with the distinction between left and right brain, but for people who aren't, here's a quick refresher: the left brain is logical and concerned with reason while the right brain is creative and concerned with relationships.
There's another brain dichotomy, however, that's less familiar: top versus bottom. The bottom part of our brain is known as the limbic system. This is the oldest part of our brain and evolved at a time when our primary concern was survival. Processing in the bottom brain tends to be operational. The top part of our brain, the cerebral cortex, is more evolved. Processing that happens in this part of the brain tends to be strategic.
The top left quadrant of the brain (L1) uses logic and objective reasoning to process data. L1 thinkers seek to understand the essence of a problem to create long term strategies (think Bill Gates). The top right quadrant of the brain (R1) is oriented toward creativity, big picture thinking, and risk-taking. R1 thinkers like to use pictures and metaphors to convey ideas and understand new information (think Steve Jobs).
As the logical, operational part of the brain, the bottom left (L2) uses reason as a survival mechanism. This is the part of your brain that creates lists and procedures. L2 thinkers like order and operational excellence (think Jeff Bezos). The bottom right quadrant of the brain (R2) is operational and relational. To help us survive, this part of the brain learned empathy and the ability to work in groups. R2 thinkers are playful, pick up on non-verbal cues well, and understand the importance of connectedness (think Tony Hsieh).
An important note about thinking preferences is the difference between skill and will. If you've read Delivering Happiness, you know Tony Hsieh thinks deeply about relatedness (R2). He's also a creative visionary (R1). This, however, doesn't mean he lacks L2 skills. In fact, it took logistical brilliance to make Zappos a success. His ability to create structure and logical operational processes has to be off the charts. L2 is likely a place where he has very strong skills that are counter-preference. Working counter to your preferences is energetically expensive. At the other end of the spectrum are activities that align with your preferences, which are energetically expansive. Think Bill Gates plotting ways to gain market share.
Not only can understanding your preferences help you understand how to allocate your energy, it can also help you communicate with others. It's easy to communicate with people who think the same way you do because they want the same information you do. It's a bit harder to see eye to eye with people who have preferences which are lateral to your own (L1 to L2, for instance, or R1 to L1). You have enough in common with these people to make a connection; it just takes a bit more work. Communicating diagonally (R1 to L2 or L1 to R2), however, is very difficult. In these instances your information needs and the needs of the other person are diametrically opposed.
Imagine Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs arguing over costs. Bezos would be looking to find the cheapest way to provide the product (L2), while Steve Jobs would be looking to fulfill his vision completely (R1), regardless of cost. Can you imagine trying to get them to agree? It would seem impossible until you realize they both care deeply about the customer experience (R2). If you can get them talking about customers and using their R2, you might be able to help them communicate better. When you find yourself interacting with someone whose needs seem so different from your own, communicating laterally (moving one quadrant away from your preference and towards theirs) can give you common ground and a better chance of meeting their needs.
Why should you care about thinking preferences?
As an entrepreneur you want to make sure your team has people with skills from each quadrant and the will to use them. In addition to increasing your team's capacity, however, the complexity of thinking preference diversity will also increase conflict. Conflict is good when people with different ways of viewing a problem debate the merits of their positions to create superior integrative solutions. However, conflict can impede group functioning when disagreement leads to relationship conflict--that is, when task conflict turns personal.
As a founder you might be tempted to avoid conflict by hiring people similar to yourself, but avoiding diversity makes it harder to understand your customers' problems because they are not likely to be as homogenous as your team. When your team is composed of highly similar people, it's also painful when something needs tending that no one on your team enjoys doing.
The Golden Rule Sucks
It's better to embrace diversity early and to capitalize on the tension it creates. To do this, you need to "flex-style" and communicate in a way that meets the needs of the person you're talking with. Throw the golden rule out. Talking with other people how you want to be spoken with is pretty egocentric. Instead, communicate with other people the way they want to be communicated with. This will make you a far more effective and persuasive communicator.
Understanding your preferences and those of the people around you can help in situations ranging from negotiation, to education, to teamwork, and sales. Understanding and respecting different preferences can be difficult work. However, when we persevere, those differences can be the source of great creativity.
Find out what your entrepreneurial thinking preferences are with my free, five question assessment, and if you're interested in taking the full NBI assessment, reach out and I'll get you started.
Also, don't forget about my online Skillshare course on organization design: "Killing Hierarchy: Org Design for Startups". Thanks to all the interest I received after MODes was featured in Fast Company and in Inc, I've got more than 100 people signed up. Use the code BIGDEAL and you'll get a ticket for 75% off (that's a $5 ticket!).
]]> Five Secrets of the Fractal Organization
23 Mar 2013 19:36:04 +0000Joaquin Roca…]]>Kurt To that end, I'm going to give you a framework I use to help startups move operational processes away from ad hoc and closer to standardized. In that way they can move from the sandbox to the fractal, not the forest.
A few caveats:
For this to work, clarity and transparency are required for everyone in the company with respect to mission, vision, and strategy.
Constant, open communication is a necessity. Don't be afraid to repeat yourself. Create slogans, mantras, and trigger words that keep everyone on point and pulling in the same direction.
A keen sense regarding changes in the energy, needs, and tempo of your company is essential. Too much structure too soon can really limit flexibility and stifle your group. Too little too late will lead to conflict and people stepping on each other's toes.
In the same way that building a minimum viable product minimizes waste and helps keep your company lean, building the minimum structural requirements necessary to run your company efficiently at any given point will keep you from creating bureaucracy. Technical debt, however, is tracked closely, while cultural and structural debt is not. Remember, the interest rate on cultural debt is higher than it is on technical debt.
With that, let's turn to the AEIOUs which help you maintain fluid architectural structures and a flat organization while also ensuring communication and coordination happen and work gets done.
- Accountability
-- Make sure everyone knows what they are accountable for and the metrics you'll be using to hold them accountable.
-- The person who is accountable for outcomes is authorized to guide the overall process and has control over resources.
- Execution
-- Make sure everyone knows who'll actually do the work. Often this is not the person who's accountable, though it can be.
-- A person with execution responsibilities is authorized to do the work. Ultimately they're responsible to the person who is accountable.
- Input
-- Make sure everyone knows who will be providing input in order to give clarity, knowledge, expertise, etc.
-- A person with input responsibilities provides insight, but has no authority to dictate. They should be available as a resource to those executing.
- Oversight
-- Make sure it's clear who has oversight. This can be a formal reporting relationship, or some other system that provides checks and balances.
-- Someone with oversight holds others accountable and, if necessary, overrides decisions. They're responsible for giving feedback and making sure work is done.
- Update
-- Make sure the appropriate people are kept in the loop and know what's going on whenever there are dependencies or vested interests.
-- Some people will expect to receive updates with regards to changes in scope or expected completion dates. Make sure those updates happen.
That's it. This works equally well for an organization-wide role document as it does for a project document. In fact, I'd suggest you have one for each project in addition to the overall one, though the project one should be very lightweight. Don't spend more than 5 minutes creating it.
Those are your AEIOUs for creating clear structures. Memorize them, talk about them, revisit them often. When you know your roles, you'll be surprised how much less you rely on hierarchy and how much more quickly your team can execute.
Awesome job here by Rebekah. In this talk Rebekah explores how H.Bloom manages talent. She hits on the metrics they use, the new leader programs they've set up, and more.
…]]>
Awesome job here by Rebekah. In this talk Rebekah explores how H.Bloom manages talent. She hits on the metrics they use, the new leader programs they've set up, and more.
]]> for Organization Design
02 Mar 2013 14:00:34 +0000Joaquin Roca…]]>What
Formal vs. Informal Design
Formal architecture comes from a need for clarity around decision making, roles, responsibility, and authority; creating too much formality in the architecture can lead to less flexibility and a reliance on titles and positional power, as opposed to ideas and knowledge, in decision making. The need for clarity around problem solving, collaboration, and communication leads to formal operational processes which can reduce ambiguity and create more predictable results. Operational processes that are too formal, however, can erect barriers to creativity, create bureaucracy, and lead to less coordination across the organization.
A Model for Organization Design (MODes)
Crossing (formal and informal) process with (formal and informal) architecture creates a grid of four MODes of organizations I've named the Hive, the Forest, the Fractal, and the Sandbox. Curious where your organization fits in? Take this assessment.
Organization Design for Startups
Startups begin in the sandbox. As they grow and feel the need for more structure, they often formalize their architecture instead of clarifying their process; by creating titles and reporting structures in the hopes of clarifying how shit gets done, they move towards the forest. While their need is greater clarity with regards to decision making, role authority, and responsibilities, they create titles titles and reporting structures in the hope that architecture will clarify process. This is a mistake and leads to prematurely hierarchical organizations.
An alternative is to do what we did at SumAll. Instead of moving toward the forest, move toward the fractal: clarify processes while keeping the architecture lightweight. You can achieve this by clearly delineating individual authority, roles, and responsibilities without assigning titles or creating reporting relationships. In this way processes help structure how work gets done while the architecture remains fairly informal. Fractal designs keep organizations relatively flat and free of artificial power structures. Creating a flatter organization empowers people throughout the organization to make decisions based on their expertise, experience, and the strength of their ideas, not their hierarchical position.
Organization Design at Scale
The question is, can an organization remain a fractal at scale? That really depends on the culture and management. If the organization cannot, the best way to manage a more complex system of relationships is to move to the hive, by creating clear lines of authority. Managing complexity through greater architecture, however, means less flexibility. The trick is to layer on as little formal architecture as possible while supporting it with operational processes that make it easier to coordinate and collaborate. The danger with operational processes, of course, is the creation of bureaucratic procedures that inhibit coordination and collaboration. At each stage of growth you have to determine the minimal structural requirements necessary to manage your organization's complexity.
…]]>
SumAll helps businesses track metrics. Perhaps an SAP integration is in the future? I've been chewing on this for quite some time and I'm starting to create a thesis. We need to use the same metrics our businesses do to track our progress. I've been working mainly with SaaS companies and SaaS metrics fit nicely onto OD work, so I've started to talk about the work I do in the same way.
The organization's employees are the customers of the OD function, which is a service provider. The OD function should be concerned with the same things the business is concerned with: acquisition, retention, and engagement.
What Metrics To Track The products OD sells are culture, structure, opportunity, and the benefits of working at an organization. The customer, in this case that's the employees, pay for the product with their labor. Google employees (the customers of their OD function) have a yearly ARPU of $1,000,000, with an average COGS of $800,000 for a net profit of $200,000 per customer per year. To manage the bottom line, OD has to function like a finance department and track CAC, LTV, COGS, and ARPU. OD is a high touch service and revenue comes from high prices on a low volume of transactions. However, in organizations where employees are both the biggest asset and cost, OD is not a luxury, but a necessity to remain competitive and drive real business value.
Negative Churn and Expansion Revenue Above all, OD should be obsessed with churn. More importantly, finding ways of creating negative churn. OD should closely track why customers (the employees) churn (quit), which customers are about to churn, and upsell like crazy to create negative churn (by increasing employee and organizational capability, the OD version of expansion revenue). The upsell is where OD excels. We create culture, structure, and systems that enable innovation, communication, and engagement, and we also promote and develop employees. These activities can vastly increase our current customers' LTV (by enhancing the value of their labor), to create expansion revenue from existing customers and, thus, negative churn. Some churn is desirable though, because certain customers will have very low or even net-negative value. In those cases OD has to identify these customers and help them churn to avoid misallocating resources.
This type of thinking leads you to see employee engagement as a way to build community (similar to the way you're desperately trying to create a community for your SaaS product) and OD has to function like marketing. Onboarding new employees becomes just as important as onboarding new customers and partners, so OD functions as business development. Organizational structure is like the UI and organization design is like coding the front end, while culture has clear parallels to UX; in this way, the OD function is also responsible for design, engineering, and product management.
Love the Problem, Not the Solution The last thought I'll leave you with today is that, just like any entrepreneur, you've got to be obsessed with the problem you're solving, not the solution. Understanding the organization's values is like knowing your business's value proposition. It's your elevator pitch and your guiding star. You have to understand the problem you are solving so you can build solutions. The values define the problem you are solving because they define your culture, and in the end that is in large part the service you are providing your customers. Trying to make culture haphazardly without the focus of values is like building a product out of cool stuff you've heard about from other services. Drag-and-drop upload here, share button there, connection-to-a-shopping-cart API here – you end up with a franken-product driven by solutions to an unknown problem your customer probably doesn't even have. Policies (20% time, free lunch, etc.) are the services OD provides to our customers in order to fulfill our value proposition. These are the solutions that have been created to enact and live the values, the problem OD is solving. Be obsessed with the problem, not the solutions. Experiment and learn and pivot with respect to the solutions. Measure relentlessly. Use cohort analysis to figure out how you're doing. Pursue the problem doggedly.…]]>]]> you get here?
16 Feb 2013 19:00:03 +0000Joaquin Roca week at NYU's New Venture Showcase I met a few students and told them to stay in touch. One wrote to me asking how I got to be where I am today, so I thought I'd share that story with the world.…]]>Last week at NYU's New Venture Showcase I met a few students and told them to stay in touch. One wrote to me asking how I got to be where I am today, so I thought I'd share that story with the world.
When I came to NYU as an undergrad, I thought I'd study math. I'd always been good at and enjoyed math, so it seemed logical to major in it. One semester of intensive calculus later, however, I'd decided math wasn't for me.
In Psych 101, my freshman elective, you're required to participate in experiments. One of the experiments I participated in was run by an Industrial-Organizational psychology grad student. I was fascinated by the field and decided to take a course the following semester. I loved my I/O course and was lucky enough to have Jon Rhoades (who was amazing) as the professor. At the end of the semester I volunteered as a research assistant for him and a number of grad students, my first taste of research.
My psychology advisor was really wonderful and worked hard to find me an internship that summer. I wound up at American Express running statistics for the training and development department. I had a great summer there and Juan Brea, the director of the department, took a liking to me and asked me to stay on as a consultant. It turns out no one was running statistical analyses for the department at the time so I got some truly amazing experience at a young age.
At one point my boss (not Juan) asked me if I'd be comfortable making a presentation to the VP he reported to. I was excited to do this and saw an opportunity, so I asked for a raise. I figured someone making presentations to the VP should be making more than $6.50 an hour. I was told it wasn't possible, though, since the other people my age (~18 years old) were being paid $6.50. I contended that running statistical analyses and making presentations to VPs was more important than making copies and getting coffee, but he didn't relent, so I resigned.
Shortly thereafter (following a very brief stint in retail where I thought I'd be able to meet women), I got a job at Score!Prep, an at home tutoring agency. I loved that job. As their head math tutor, not only did I get to see some of the most amazing apartments in the city (tutoring the children of celebrities and hedge fund managers), I got to use my I/O skills as well. I was trained all the new math tutors and worked on curriculum design as well, both important skills in my professional toolbox to this day. When Score!Prep merged with Kaplan and I no longer had the I/O responsibilities, I left and started my own tutoring business; my first true entrepreneurial pursuit. I did that through my first year at grad school.
Early in grad school I was also a member of Dr. Warner Burke's research group and helped him on several consulting projects. For those of you who don't know who he is, Dr. Burke is a star in the field of OD, so working with him was a HUGE thrill for me. After Dr. Burke's workgroup I took a position at Pfizer in their global learning and development department. I was part of an internal consulting group with a bunch of PhDs doing organization development. In my time at Pfizer I had some amazing mentors including Ross, Terry, Dennis, and Darryl.
When my time at Pfizer was up I decided to join C Global consulting. I immediately jumped on several awesome projects. One with an NGO doing relief work in Africa, another doing diversity training for the Federal Reserve and, of course, work for Pfizer (keeping up with your network is really important).
Then, I had an idea to create a customizable 360 feedback solution for consultants called LeaderNation. Building a business was an incredible learning experience for me; as valuable as all the school learning I've had. Unfortunately a lot of that experience was learning what not to do when building a business. When my time at LeaderNation ran its course, I left C Global to consult on my own to startups in NY.
Working with SumAll was my entre to the community and led to introductions to other startups. Working with Harvest, Urtak, the incubators, and others has been awesome. I love this community. I still have designs on doing big things on my own, though being a small part of other people's success has been and always will be exciting and an honor for me.
That's how I got to be where I am right now. It has been an incredible ride so far, and I can't wait to see what comes next.
]]> much should I charge as a consultant?
15 Feb 2013 06:47:57 +0000Joaquin Roca get this question a lot from people looking to make their way as a consultant. I like to help out, give advice, and even mentor people as much as I can, so I'm always happy to give my two cents.…]]>I get this question a lot from people looking to make their way as a consultant. I like to help out, give advice, and even mentor people as much as I can, so I'm always happy to give my two cents. The quickest (and simultaneously the most and least helpful answer) is; whatever the market will bear for your services. That, however, is hard to figure out without lots of testing with lots of customers. Consultants generally don't have that luxury, so here is how I go about setting my rate.
First, I think about what I'd like my yearly salary to be. For me, that number is $175,000. Why am I worth that, you might ask? Well, I'm ABD (this means I've finished everything but my dissertation in a Ph.D. program) from Columbia University in the 22nd best paid profession in the US. I also have 15 years of experience in my field (I started working for AMEX in their L&D department in 1998) and am one of only a handful of I/O psychologists serving startups. Most I/O psychologists work for large enterprises and have no clue how to operate in the startup world.
Now that you have a number for your yearly salary in your head, bump it up 30-40% for benefits. Remember, as a consultant you don't get paid vacation, sick days, health insurance, matching 401k contributions, stock options, etc.
Take that number and bump it up 40-60% for the time you'll spend marketing, networking, finding work, and admin. You would be shocked how much time I spend trying to land a contract. On average I went to two events every week last year just to meet people (these include Meetups, networking events, Skillshares, GA classes, etc.). Throw in the lunches, coffees, drinks, and dinners I make to create connections. Now put in all the time I spent making videos, maintaining my website, blogging, holding office hours, doing presentations, talks, and mentoring. Finally, there's email. Oh, email, how I loathe thee. I spend more than 5 hours each week just on email. You might be surprised to know that I spent about 30 hours / week marketing myself last year.
Okay, now that you have a number (and you're going to be shocked at how big that number looks right now), divide it by the number of days you expect to work in the year. 250 is a good number (5 days per week, 50 weeks per year; though this doesn't take into account sick days). You've now go your daily rate. Divide that number by 8 and you've got your hourly rate.
What does this look like for me? Start with the salary I'd like to make: $175,000. Now divide by 0.6 to add in my benefits and you get $291,667 (that is how much I have to bill per year to make my salary!). Now, I'll find the number of hours I want to work this year. I'm a hard worker, so 60 hours per week is actually a low average for me, but let's go with it. Take 60% of that time for non-billable things and you get 24 hours of billable time per week. I'd like to take two weeks vacation, so multiply that 24 by 50 and you'll find that I'm working 1,200 hours per year. Divide the amount of money I need to bill ($291,667) by the number of hours I have to work (1,200) and you'll find my hourly rate: about $250 per hour. Of course, working with startups means there are more ways to be compensated than cash. There are times when I've taken equity in lieu of cash compensation as a consultant, but that has to be a straight cash for equity transaction, just like an investor paying you for equity. I understand that is probably more painful (psychologically at least) to an entrepreneur than paying a consultant, but I'm not likely to see that money ever, so don't expect me to take a discount there. If you don't believe in my services enough to compensate me fairly, I'm probably not the right consultant for you.
If I'm being hired for a long term project where I can bill more consistently and need to spend less time marketing myself I can afford a lower rate. If the project is a half day, which usually means I'm taking a full day's time to do it, I have to bill a higher rate. There are also projects that have a ton of work that isn't billable. For those I've got to charge a higher rate.
As a consultant, when you take days off you aren't billing and, worse yet, you aren't building business for your next pay check. The cost of not building is actually more painful for an independent consultant than the cost of not billing.
For you aspiring consultants out there, I hope this was helpful. I created a calculator you can use to figure out your own hourly rate. For all the clients who hire consultants out there, please remember this the next time you get mad at a consultant who bills you for writing an email. If you don't pay them for that time, who will? | eng | 4476b94c-7c35-46e7-aba0-fe7a99c6638f | http://feeds.feedburner.com/JoaquinRoca |
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
1.1) you can go outside in almost any noncity street and collect 100 different kinds of plants. Along the way you will get some experience with diversity (almost continuous variation on a theme), disparity (discontinuity between forms), and the incredible morphological details that allow us to notice these differences
1.2) not only morphological details, but behavioral. You can watch a beehive and eventually learn that a 2cm long honeybee can execute over 270 different skills, one of which is to reproduce new elaborate honeybees out of the food they search for and collect. How do they do this? Can we build robots to do this?
CHAPTER 2
Computer Science
To get a handle on the levels of complexity involved in life we can get hands on experience building complexity from the ground up.
2.1) from transistors to logic gates, from logic gates to flip flops and multiplexers, from these elements to memories and arithmetic processing units, from these structures to computers with instruction sets of on the order of dozens of instructions.
2.2) once we have computers we can create wild complexity by combining these instructions again hierarchically into subroutines of subroutines ... building up programs a billion instructions long.
2.3) we can even use these programmed computers to hook up to sensors and actuators of robots.
So, can we build 2cm autonomous self feeding reproducing Honeybee robots? No! not yet. and the reproducing part we still haven't a clue about! But we've learned alot along the way.
CHAPTER 3
Animal and Plant Development
So, how do animals build their children out of food?
We can watch an animal develop from its egg. we learn that an animal is actually a growing colony of self reproducing single celled organisms. a Honey bee starts off it's life as a single celled egg/amoeba that splits in half to 2 then 4 then 8 then...to 500million swarming self organizing amoebas that remain connected and make a honeybee happen. (actually teh first 10 divisions to 1024 cells are slightly different than this)
3.1) Pretty much everything that most organisms can do, this basic unit of life: the cell, can do. dozens of behaviors, food seeking, reproducing itself out of food. We can watch single celled Paramecium, Stentor, Euglena go about their ways in a drop of pond water under the microscope. With months of observation and experiments we can catch them at many of these behaviors.
CHAPTER 4
So What Is This Basic Unit Of Life, The Cell?
4.1) a 150 years of at first confusing but slowly clarifying chemistry experiments has shown us that we can grind up cells and separate them out to 100s of distinct kinds of small components and 1000s of distinct kinds of large components built of these small components. eventually we learn that the simplest of cells, an E. coli bacteria, are swirling underwater cities of 3000 protein building machines building 2million protein worker robots swimming around and being taken apart and rebuilt out of a soup of a billion parts in a sea of 10s of billions of water molecules.
4.2) I compare this to a city because i can approximate how many bricks there are in New York City:
bricks:
100bricks per window *100windows per wall
or 100^3 bricks per building * 5x10 buildings per city block, *10*200 city blocks in Manhattan *5 boroughs in all of new york city
=10^6x10x10x100x5
=10^10x5=50billion, yeah more atoms in an E. coli bacteria than there are bricks in new york city.
4.3) remember in our computer chapter we learned what kind of advanced behaviors we could program out of a billion parts! but there is a profound difference between molecular biology of the cell and programmable computers: a computer program might consist of a million subroutines and state variables, but the computer processing unit processes these ONE AT A TIME or at most with some parallelism a dozen at a time. In a living cell, those 2million proteins equivelent to simple subroutines are ALL OPERATING IN PARALLEL, It's like having a million different computer chips interacting at once. and they dont have to execute the billion instructions of the program, because the billion parts are also bouncing around and interacting in parallel on their own.
so a single cell is a whole qualitatively different level of complexity than a single computer running a program.
4.4) Notice I haven't discussed DNA. at this level of discussion it doesn't add much important difference. The 10,000 genes in a cell are simply another 10,000 subroutines running in parallel with and interacting with the 1000s of different kinds of protein robot/subroutines. [if you are into object oriented programming, you can think of them as the classes and the proteins as the objects generated by them, which of course can use the classes to generate even more objects]
CHAPTER 5
What On Earth Are These Molecular Parts?
5.05) they are constructed out of a finite set of only 2dozen distinct kinds of atoms. The major players: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Chlorine. The trace elements (but essential nonetheless) Iron, Chromium, Manganese, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Molybdenum, Iodine. (a few other elements are used by various organisms that aren't people)
5.1) these parts are always in 3 dimensional motion (swimming around in a sea if you will) the smaller peices vibrating and bumping into each other a trillion times a second and the larger ones a billion times a second. this motion we get for free simply because the universe is a warm place. this is what heat is, the motion of atoms and molecules. this is also why the higher temperature we raise a system, the faster (usually) chemical reactions will take place.
we can see hints of this motion in the microscope, this is called brownian motion. Einstein and Perrin showed us how to use these observations to calculate that there are those 100billion molecules in a cell.
5.2) they are sensitive to each other and their environment (pH, hydrophobic/hydrophilic phase etc..) so that each molecule has functional parts that can react to each other with 100s of specific rules. One learns this in an organic chemistry class.
5.3) they spontaneously join with each other and split apart in different ways depending on these rules. This is mediated by energy flow which is the topic of chapter 6. No outside mechanic is required.
5.4) even without energy flow, at thermodynamic equilibrium due to their incessant motion, these parts can self assemble into larger complex structures because of the way they attract each other (like magnets) and simple mathematics.
5.5) one example of this is the formation of clathrin coated pits which cells use to engulf molecular packets around them and bring them inside the cell.
5.6) You can see things like this happen by watching various feathery patterns of ice form in winter.
5.7) or by looking at an exhibit of 100s of different mineral formations.
5.8) so we have these billions of parts randomly exploring each other and then reacting with specific rules.
CHAPTER 6
Energy Flow
living cells are systems of molecules which have energy flowing through them.
Ultimately from the 5000 degree photosphere of the sun spewing out to the 2degrees coldness of outer space. In between plants create high energy bonds in food molecules and these release energy to the next high energy bonds etc.. till the final fermentation processes of decay release heat to the cold night sky. This flow of energy in a system of interacting parts can:
6.1) Energy flow causes cyclic iterations in systems of interacting parts. We can build a simple steam engine that cycles off of the flow of energy of burning fuel to CO2 and heat.
It will be important to notice that it is not JUST the heat that makes a steam engine work. if we put the whole engine INSIDE a hot oven, it will stop. The heat source and the Cold sink are both required. Energy must flow from high potential to low.
6.2) Energy flow creates stable dynamic patterns in systems of many many interacting parts (fluids). We can see this in simple heat flow creating stable patterns of convection cells in fluids and the flow of chemical energy creating stable patterns of spiral waves from a homogeneous mixture of just 5 simple chemicals in the Belusov Zhabotinsky reaction. We can combine heat and energy flow and play with a candle flame.
6.3) the patterns are stable and can damp out certain classes of perturbation
6.4) but can also preferentially amplify other classes of random fluctuations. for instance the spiral waves in the BZ reaction are just such amplifications of random fluctuations in the otherwise homogeneous solution.
6.5) interesting unpredictable dynamics can even be created. We can see this by building a simple chaotic water wheel. The BZ reaction also can run in a chaotic oscillating mode.
6.6) It is important to note that the ability of life to grow in
complexity does not contradict the second law of thermodynamics. This
is true both at the level of a single organism growing from an egg/seed
or at the level of whole ecosystems on earth evolving more elaborate
different species and interactions between species.
[Explanation coming soon]
CHAPTER 7
Emergent Complexity In Mathematical Systems
7) systems of billions of simple connected agents with simple rules of
interaction, under iteration can create VERY ELABORATE patterns that
keep growing.
We are just beginning to explore the world at the atomic scale of
pattern with scanning tunneling atomic force microscopes. but we can go
back to our computers and play some mathematical games to see what
happens when we let 1000s or millions of interacting simple components
iterate their simple rules of interaction over and over again.
This is the newest area of study in this exploration! Only 40 years old!
7.1) the first hint of this kind of behavior was John Horton Conway's
game of life, which he introduced in the early 1970s. Begin with a
grid of squares each of which can either be on or off. each square only
interacts with the 8 squares around itself. every iteration we update
all the squares in parallel with these two simple rules:
1) if an on square has less than 2 or more than 3 on neighbors it turns off, else it stays on
2) if an off square has exactly 3 on neighbors, it turns on, else it stays off.
O is off, X is on
you can work out for yourself what these four patterns do:
X
XX,
XXX,
OX
OOX
XXX,
OX
XXX
OOX
be prepared to be amazed.
we can write a computer program to mechanize this (and can imagine one
day being able to use nanotechnology to build a grid of molecules to
execute these patterns!)
and with that power learn that we can find patterns that continue to
grow forever, and we can even make a pattern that forever spits out a
sequence of prime numbers so that it grows for.ever and gets more and
more different.
But Conway life is not a very satisfying example. mess around with it
and you see that if you change ONE little square in an elaborate pattern
the whole dynamic pattern can crash, it is not very robust, the way
chemistry is.
7.2) an even simpler rule generates more stable complexity. Langton's
ant: again start with an empty square grid. Langton's ant is a simple
machine (again we can imagine building a simple nanomolecular machine to
do this in the not too distant future) (The more exciting prospect is
that perhaps with advanced tools of observation we can discover
conditions under which an already existing molecule can do something
like this) with a simple rule: the machine sits on a square and faces
one of the 4 cardinal directions (N,E,S,W). The rule is: if the machine
is on an off square, turn it on, and rotate 90degrees clockwise, or if
it is on an on square, turn it off and rotate 90degrees
counterclockwise. then move forward one square and repeat.
Operating with this simple rule, Langton's ant generates an increasingly
complex weird shape that slowly grows to about 100x100 squares over a
period of about 10,300 steps and then switches to a periodic behavior
whereby it travels back and forth diagonally with one move forward each
time in a period of about 100 steps each back and forth and builds an
infinite repeated patterned highway shooting off in one direction. It
is very stable, no matter how much you mess up its pattern, it will
eventually build its highway.
There are many variations of Langton's ant to explore. even multiple
ants interacting. What might happen if we had 10billion Langton's ants
of a dozen different varieties interacting? hmmm???
CONCLUSION
go over these laboratory exercises carefully and take time to mull
them over. While none of these chemical or mathematical games comes
even REMOTELY close to the molecular complexity of the simplest living
cell, they give at least me, a hunch that we are on our way inventing
such games or even finding them under natural chemical conditions, and
thus elucidating how chemistry might be able to elaborate all on its own
into life.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
life does not come in just individual animals and humans and plants, there are a MANY more possibilites for how life can live on this earth. Ask any person not educated in biology for the kinds of life forms on earth and they might name: people, dogs, cats, birds, horses, mice, fish, snakes, lizards, bugs, spiders, worms, snails, frogs, fish, snails, trees, plants, mushrooms, they might even have heard of amoebas, and bacteria and yeast.
Cow: or a mammal can eat plants. now we can eat plants too, but we like fleshy plants, and tubers and fruit and nuts and grains. but cows can eat grass. and they can get the maximum amount of food from the grass becasue they are ruminants: they have two stomachs in in their special stomach they ferment the grass. they can actually digest the cellulose in the grass (cellulose also makes wood, see Termites, pg xxx). Actually they can't digest cellulose on their own, they have special kinds of flagelated amoebas living in their stomachs and the amoebas digest the cellulaose and turn it into sugar for the cows to eat (see Mastigotes pg xxx)
Wolves: most mammals make their way on their own or sometimes live in herds, mammals are very social animals like that. But some mammals, like wolves, have a high degree of sociality. A mother and father wolf will live together for many years and they raise a few kids each year and spend a lot of time and effort teaching them all the ways of being a wolf. the next year the kids become teenagers and have learned much wolfing, and some of them stick around to help theirr parents hunt and raise their brothers and sisters. As this goes on a wolf pack forms. and wolves are master hunters of everything from bugs to mice to moose that are way larger than they are. They do this becasue they teach their kids all the hunting skills and also work together in groups of up to a dozen (?) to bring down large and difficult prey.
two interesting things about wolves: their societies don't grow without bound like human ones do, they keep their packs to a maximum size of about 40. very sane. the other thing about wolves is that except for humans they are the most widespread of all mammals. they live on all continents except australia and antarctica, they live in the arctic, tundra, prairies, forests, deserts... they live around the world and in some places as far south as north africa and mexico and india.
Beavers: also raise families like wolves, they don't hunt though, they eat the living layer of tissue inside the bark of trees, and other plants. the interesting thing about beavers is that they are master builders and they build themselves beaver ponds out of steams by building dams. then they build a den in the middle of the pond, this makes a nice place for them to raise their families in and protects them from predators.
Bats: some mammals can FLY. what an invention! not only can bats fly, but they can fly at night and even catch insects in the air in the dark because they have sonar. One fourth of all the kinds of mammals in the world are bats. there are 4000 different kinds of mammals, and 1000 different kinds of bats. most of them live in the tropics. there are bats that eat bugs, fish, frogs, fruit, nectar, even blood!
Dolphins: not only can some mammals fly, but some have learned to swim. in fact some even spend their entire lives in the ocean and even raise their young there. Dolphins are shaped like fish but are not fish. they are warm blooded, must come up for air to breath, and give birth to live young and suckle them with milk. however, they are like bats in that they also use sonar. they can spot fish with their sonar and even communicate with each other over long distances through the ocean because their sonar penetrates to long distances. (humpback whales can talk to each other even if they are hundreds of miles apart). dolphins have a variety of sounds they communicate with and humpback whales sing songs that last for hours. Dolphins can also use their sonar to 'see' inside each other and they can recognize each other that way and also tell if another dolphin is pregnant or even if they are sick.
Dolphins are very intelligent and playful and have fun playing games with people and learning new tricks. their are dozens of kinds of dolphins and whales. many dolphins and whales also live in packs like wolves and hunt together. In some villages, the river dolphins and the people in the village have developed ancient customs together in that they help each other catch fish!
Dolphins are also tool users. and they build their tools out of... bubbles! Dolphins will often blow sheets of bubbles around schools of fish to trap them so they can catch them. Dolphins also play with bubbles. they can blow out bubbles and push them around and sculpt them. some dolphins have even been seen to blow bubble rings (like smoke rings) and then blow little bubbles throgh them!
Humans: the superflexible hypersocial imaginatory rhytmic mammal! weird that we walk upright, dont have much hair. we can walk, run, climb, swim, dig... childbirth is very painful. children take over a decade to raise up to maturity, so need lots of help. so most mothers mate for a long time with fathers to help raise kids. grandparents and sisters and brothers also help.
humans are hypersocial and have NO LIMIT to the number of humans that will band together (unlike our sane cousins the wolves) today, human societies are larger than the largest ant colony! China is one coordiinated country with over a billion people. we use verbal and written communication to keep societies together. with laws and government.
we can live in any environment: seacoast, island hopping by boat, mountains, desert, arctic, prairies, jungles..
we can imaginie anything and can invent any kind of tool or way of life. we tell long stories with verse after verse after verse. we excell at rhythm, some performing rituals of ecstatic drumming and dancing for days at a time.
we are runners par excellence (like wolves) and some people can run for a whole day, hundred miles! we've migrated to every corner of the earth. more than even wolves.
we are omnivores, hunt, eat roots berries, grains... we even got caughtr up in agricultre adn alter are environments around us, cutting down trees, damming rivers, creating deserts... more than any other animal (almost more)
we may even be the one creatures who will one day transport earth life to other planets!
Marmoset chimeras
Hela
Devil allograft facial tumor
Naked mole rats:
Rock Hyraxes: two species take care of each other's kids
Ravens: another type of animal that learned how to fly are birds. almost all birds can fly. birds also are warm blooded have good hairing, raise their young and are very intelligent. what's different about birds is that they lay eggs! and they don't just breath in and out, but can swirl the air inside them continuously, that helps them get enogh exygen for the strenous activity of flying. birds also have very light and hollow bones. and they also have.. feathers.
feathers are amziing inventions, their construction is very fractal and the barbs are hollow. birds can grow new feathers as the old ones wear out. feathers are very light but very strong. they repell water and keep birds warm. feathers are also good for flying. feathers also act as an external skeleton, strengthening birds wings for flying. some birds use their hind feathers as a strong tail (like woodpeckers) birds can move many of their feathers independantly like we can move fingers!
Ravens interact with wolves, flying around and helping them spot dead animal carcasses, the wolves tear the carcasses apart and then the ravens can get in and eat some meat too.
Brown Thrasher: many birds are good at singing songs and some are VERY good. A brown thrasher can sing up to 2000 different songs! some songs they learn from the thrashers around them. some songs they mimic from other birds, but mostly they make up their songs as they sing, inventing dozens of songs every minute!
other birds are good mimics and Alex the grey parrot even learned to talk with humans and learned rudimentary skills of recognizing letters and colors and counting...
Penguins: but some birds learned to swim! all penguins live in the southern hameisphere and eat fish and other seafood. many live very far south where the water is very cold and full of minerals and oxygen to suport abundant schools of fish. penquins are excellent swimmers and can stay under water a long time, dive deep and chase down fish. penguins have to come to land to lay theirr eggs and roost in large groups for protection.
the (emperor) penguins have a very peculiar way of life and march way inland to hide from predators to roost their eggs. while they do this they have to live off their fat reserves for months without ever eating! they huddle in the months long continuous antarctic night under the aurora borealis and keep each other and their eggs and chikcs warm in 60 degrees below winds and snows. once the mother penguin lays her egg, she's exhausted and very hungry and leaves the egg to the father, while she makes the long march back to the sea to get more fish and build up her fat reserves again. then she makes the long march back to the roost in time to releave the father when the eggs hatch. the fathers make th emarch back to the sea to eat, and the mothers feed thieir chicks with regurgitated food. when the chicks are old enough they all march back to the sea for the summer feeding.
Burrowing Owl: some birds live in the ground
bee Humming Bird: these birds are the smallest birds in the world. they are almost as small and light as bumblebees! and like bumblebees they eat the most concentrated food source: nectar from flowers. hummingbirds are some of the most amazing flyers, their wings beat the fastest.. and they can hover, fly up or down and even backwards. they migrate for the winter.
-------: migration is an amzzing thing and some birds migrate for distances of up to 10,000 miles. some migrate over the sea for days and days without ever landing!
-------: (frigate bird) this bird lays their eggs on small islands in the middle of the pacific ocean. and then they do an amazing thing. they fly off over the ocean to catch fish. but they can't take off from the water like cormorants and ducks so they swoop down and catch fish in midair. in order to catch enough fish for their chicks (like penguins) they often stay out at sea for days at a time, never landing. they are the most efficient flyers of all birds and sail slowly acrss the water with the minimum of burning up their food reserces. In order to fly for days at a time withot landing, they can't fall asleep. so they do an amazing thing: every few hours one half of their brain goes to sleep (mammal brains seem to need to rest and dream to stay healthy) and then a frew hours later that half wakes up and the other half falls asleep!
alligator: the most like dinosaours. warm blooded and lay their eggs in nests like birds. like birds they care for their young also and feed them. they can hear their young peeping int he nest before they hatch.
Anaconda: some lizards don't have leggs! snakes can move around by slithering. they have the most vertebrae of all animals, some have 300 vertibrae and ribs.
rattlesnake
-----: these lizards are unusual in that there are only females. no males of theirr kind. the female lizard can lay eggs and have children without a father! in essence the children are clones (which form of mixis do they perform?) Still, they can't become pregnant unless they carry out their mating ritual with another female lizard!
seasnakes: just like dolphins and whales, these kinds of snakes have left land and spend theirr entire lives in the sea (true? do they come to land to lay eggs and hatch ther young or are they live bearers?) they can swim and catch fish.
poison arrow frog: frogs are like lizards that they lay eggs but must lay their eggs in water like fish! So these frogs which live in south american jungles find pools of water in bromeliads sometimes up on high tree branches and lay their eggs. frogs are strange in that they go thogh metamorphosis! at first they eggs hatch into tadpoles that can breath in water like fish and eat algae and plants! then whhen the tadpole grows up, it starts sprouting legs! and also grows lungs and absorbs its tail. soon the new frog leaves the water and eats bugs instead of plants.
frogs also sing. poison arrow frogs are cool in that they secrete a poison on their skin. hunters keep these frogs as pets and use the poison secretions to dip their arrow heads in so that they can use it to kill the animals they hunt
Surinam Toad. the mother lays eggs on the father's back! then the eggs sink into his skin totally covered up so that they are protected. the father can swim about so theat the eggs have fresh well oxygenated water, and can protect them against being eaten by predators. (he also feeds them through his skin? the eggs don't hatch into tadpoles thogh, they grow all the way into miniature frogs and hatch out of his back as minieature frogs. very weird!
red eft: starts out as water breathing green newts. then metamorphosize into bright orange tinay efts with red spots and spends years wandering around in the woods to find a new pond to settle in. when they get into the pond they turn back into green newts breathing water and breed. they are very tiny but still have legs and toes and many tiny tiny bones.
Caecillans: some salamnders are like snakes! the caecillian looks almost like an earthworm some are bright blue! most burrow iin the ground like earthworms. some live in the water.
[31 LAND VERTS]
fish: but life started in the water, fish breath with gills. they listen to the pressure waves in the water with their lateral lines (these evolved into the cochlea in our ears!) there are 40,000 different kinds of fish. they have bones and heart etc.. just like mammals. like frogs and salamnanders, they lay eggs.
Guppy: live in ponds, puddles and streams in south america. they are unusual fish in that they give birth to live yong, not eggs. they are also unusual in that if there ar not enough males in a pond, some of the females will turn into males and can mate with the other females. (they have penises!)
flying fish: and some fish have learned to fly!
Mola Mola: very weird. some are 10 feet wide and flat and thin. such a big fish is very unusual in that it's spine is only an inch long. the fish is all head and tail! Molas sometimes turn sideways and float flat on the surface of the sea to let birds land on them and pick off fish lice and other parasites!! they eat jellyfish and grow very fast. they have tiny mouths. they are altogether very weird
Mudskippers: some fish climb around on the land! out of the water. they keep their skin moist and breath throgh it. they build burrows on land to mate and lay theirr eggs in the water in the burrows. the males climb on top of the burrows and make hooting noises in the air to attract mates! some mudskippers even climb up the roots of mangrove trees!!!
Lungfish: can also breath out of water. they have lungs and can leave theirr pond if it starts to dry up and crawl around on the ground using its fins to find a new pond. if it can't find a pond in time it will burrow under the ground, and make a hard nest around itself and dry out! it will stay like that for many months untill the spring rains moisten the soil and the lungfish comes out of its coccoon and crawls off to find a new pond.
Manta ray: these are cartiliginous fish like sharks. they dont have hard bones! but cartilage instead. some grow 10 feet wide adn are very flat and fly through the water. (can they leap out of the water?)
Eel: these live in streams in north america and europe. but to lay their eggs they swim ALL THE WAY down their streams into the rivers and finally out to sea. then they make their way all the way 1000s of miles to the sargasso sea and lay their eggs. when the eggs hatch they hatch into tiny larvae called elvers, that don't look like eels at all and are transparent. (then there is another stage?) eventually when these elvers grow up they make the long journey back 1000s of miles back to the continent to the rivers and streams. some even make it back to the very same rivers that their parents came from!
this odd way of life might have resulted from the fact that once upon a time the two continents where one! then they started to split apart! at first there were long narrow lakes in the middle liek lake beikel (?) in russia. maybe the eels started their lives off in streams and layed their eggs in this lake. as the millions of years past by, the halves of the continent pangea split further apart making the lake bigger, but the eels kept swimming back to the lake. eventually the contients grew 100s of miles apart, then thousands, but thourgh all that time the eels kept their custom of swimming toe the middle of that lake, that now has become th eatlantic ocean
Sea Horses: the mother lays the eggs but puts them in the father's pouch! the fatehr takes care of them adn eventually they hatch. sea horses are shaped very strange for fish and pick off minute invertebrates from kelps with their narrow snout. they have bony plates surrounding them. they mate for life (?)
Cichlids: 2000 different kinds evolved in a short time in the lakes of central africa. they lay eggs and take care of them and even take care of the babies till they hatch. the father and mother stay together to take care of the babies.
----cichhlid lays its eggs attached to a large fallen leaf in the pond. it then carries the leaf around in its' mouth to take it away from predators and when the old place is dangerous...etc...
-----cichlid lays its eggs and then when they hatch shoves off the kids into the brood of another cichlid or a catfish so that that fish takes care of them!
discus cichlids excrete a milky substance from theirr skin to feed their babies just like mammals do!
---cichhlid keeps it's babies safe in it's mouth! they take turns doing this while the other parent feeds!
just like people, cichlids go through elaborate mating dances to see if they make a good couple because they will ahve to spend a long time together witht he difficult task of raising their young
Angler fish: feet and fishhing lure and camouflage
Deep sea angler: all mouth and luminescent fishing lure with luminescent bacteria inside. way deep under the ocean the fish are rare and far between, because there isn't much food. so it is hard to find mates. when male anglerr fish are very young they search for older females. wehn they find one, they bite onto her and hold on. eventually the wound closes and the two fish become one. the male never grows up, the female absorbs most of the male's body and their circulartory systems merge, so the male is totally fed by the female. in essence the only organs that are left in the male are the gonads, so that whhen the female is ready to mate, the male gonad appendge is ready right there to produce sperm.
but there are many kinds of animals!
in the sea are also crustaceans
Lobster: they have exoskeletons! and jointed parts. they have many different kinds of 'legs' some it walks with, some it uses for swimming, some it uses as claws, and some it uses to guide food to its mouth, some are even antenae. lobsters are filter feeders and filter the water throught heir mouths and filter out minute particles of food. they lay eggs
Whale Barnacles: these are like shrimp. like most crustaceans, they hatch from their eggs as larvae called nauplius, with long antenae and arms that help them float arond in the plankton, eating single celled protozoae, as they grow instead of metamophosizeing into adult shrimp, they land on the whales head first and cement themselves to the whale skin witht heir antenae! then they build a calcerous shell around themselves with doors at the top! then they live their lives like that upsidown kicking their legss into the water to do their filter feeding like other crustaceans. because whales are alwasys shedding their skin, the barnacles have to continuously burrow down deeper and deeper into the fresh layers of skin as the older outer layesrs shed off. (to mate, barnacles have LOOONG penises that they can stick out of their shells to find a neighboring barnacle to mate with) some barnacles keep their eggs in their shells and grow them till they hatch out.
some barnacles keep the male larvae inside their shells so that when it comes ttime to mate their will be a mate available.
goosseneck barnacles
Sacculina: now the weirdness in biology REALLY STARTS! sacculina is a barnacle that lives like a fungus! it starts off like every other barnacle as a nauplius larvae swimming aroung. eventually it settles on a crab. but instead of turning upsidown and building a shell around itself and startging to feed, it injects some weird glob of cells of itslef (not even an organ!) into the crab. these cells are not anything like any organ of usual barnacles. these cells stick together (? separate and anastomise?) and proceed to crawl around inside the crab and keep growing out thin tentacles like fungal mycelia (see Fungi pg xxx) and their form of jnutrition is to suck up the juices of the crabs hemolymph. This is the whole Sacculina! eventually it becomes a netwok of fibers throughout the crab simply absorbing the crabs nutrients like a giant flimsy stomach!
but the weirdness doesn't end there! wehn the Sacculina is ready to breed, first it sends ot hormones to make the crab NOT breed. then it grows a tentacle out a crack in the crabs shell where she wo9uld normally keep her eggs and tend to them, and this grows into a large blobby chamber. the chamber grows eggs. then a male Sacculina nauplius comes swimming by and enters the chamber. it's not old enough to make sperm to fertilize the eggs and anyway it doesn't bother growing up to do this like normal barnacles! (but remember the barnacles with the male larva that live inside them!) so this male nauplisu, just like the original female one, injects a blob of its cells into the female Sacculina's blobby egg chamber organ. these cells then grow like a sacculina parasite in the female sacculina feeding off of it, and eventually produces sperm. these fertilize the eggs and they hatch into nauplia safe inside the chamber. the sacculina prevented the crab from wasting food to make her own eggs, but she does care fort he sacculina eggsack just as she would her own clutch of eggs.
Hermit crabs: use snail shells as their homes. some put sea anemonies on them. some yong ones live in empty barnacle shells on top of snail shells with older hermit crabs in them (true?) some live on land in burrows but have to go back to sea to lay their eggs
Coconut crab: this is a giant hermit crab a foot long and heavy with big stron gclaws. it's too big to carry around a shell with it so goes shellless. it climbs coconut palm trees! to find coconuts and splits them open with its' stong claws to eath them! but it too must come back to sea to lay its eggs
caribbean Terrestrial hermit crab: spends all its adult life on land! it collects dewdrops and rain from puddles and keeps the water inside it's shell to keep its gills moist and breathing! but it too must go back to the sea to lay its eggs so the larvae can develop and metamorphosise into a hermit crab and crawl out of the sea to live on land.
----crabs there are crabs that spend their entire lives away from the sea in tropical rainforests. they live in the water in tree boles, adn bromeliads and come out and crawl around the woods hunting their prey: snails and such. then they lay eggs which hatch into baby crabs not nauplius and these live in the water pools and can also start crawling arond the forest to eventually find new water pools (get the facts right, there's lots of combinations)
---one can imagine that a hermit crab or other kind of crab can evolve eventually to totally be independent of water either brooding it's eggs inside the water in its shell or even 'brooding the eggs' inside it's body to give birth to live young.
isopods: sowbugs: one kind of arthropod that came on land
Millipedes: another arthropod that came onto land
and Centipedes: carnivores with poison fangs, the males deposit stalked spermatipores and the females pick these up and have weird mating rituals and then the male fertilizes the eggs. do some care for the eggs?
foot long centipede
arachnids
Parasitic Galliing Mites: make galls in plants. galls is weirdness in biology, a new plant organ that is the composite achievement of plant and mite. ash parasite
Boll Weevil: beetle. there are over 600,000 different kinds of beetles, the most variety of ANY kind of living thing. one third of all the kinds of living beings on teh earth are beetles! one pair of wings is hard shell. drills holes in seeds with snout and lays eggs in there! there are 60,000 different kinds of weevils.
Lewis Thomases tropical Weevil: grows a whole miniature forest of lichens and algae and moss and mites and nematodes on its back for camouflage
Staph beetles that live in ant colonies.
biggest rhinocerous beetle:
Scarab Beetle: shiny flying gem, that digs up large mammal manour and rolls it into a ball and digs a burrow, the male and female cooperate to do this and digs the ball into the burrow and lays an egg in the ball and it hatches into a gross pale snaky grub and then that grub makes a chrysalis and tehn it hatches out a shiny flying gem. model for ancient egyptian mythology.
Trigonalyd wasp: bores slits in leaves and lays eggs. the eggs are consmed witht eh leavs by catapillars and hatch inside but wait. then an ichneumon wasp or tachnid fly lays it's eggs inside the catapillar and when that egg hatches inside to be a larvae feeding on the insides of the catapillar, the trigonalyd larvae invade THEM.
This can go on a few more levels: Hyperparasitoid wasp infecting a hyperparisitoid infecting a hyperparasitoid iinfecting a parasitoid of a catipillar:
P. Weinstein and A. D. Austin, 91, "The host relationships of Trigonalyd wasps (Hymenoptera, Trigonalidae) with a review of their biology and a catalogue to world speices", Journal of Natural history, 25:399-433
Copidosoma: lays an egg inside a Trichoplusia moth catipillar. the embryo hatches and divides into a thousand larvae! a few of these undergo precocious development and cruise around in the catipilar killing other parasites that compete with their siblings. they die but the other siblings metamorphisze and hatch out
Utacapnia as stonefly spends entire lifecycle at the bottom of lake tahoe!
Strepsiptera: wiinged males mate with larval females which remain in the host insect, the eggs develop inside her feeding off her. they hatch and leave the host and hop around looking for a new one to enter. they develkop ini there and the females remain and the males metamophosize wingsand leave in search of other females.
Papillio dardanus: batesian mimicry polymorphism
caddis flys: build nets in the water to catch food, also build shelters out of twigs and sand grains
Friday, November 30, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
As to what qualities make science remarkable in human history and different from other human traditions... chief among them is that it is a methodology that helps us help each other get our of our heads.
most human traditions and activity is steeped in thinking that human interactions and events and stories are the most interesting and important things around. and in fact we are still steeped in 1000s of years old traditions that have imagined that the entire universe was created and is governed by something like a human mind. and that mindishness is something kind of like vapor, not to be ANALYZED, taken apart. and that our own experience is due to a vapor like soul that is trapped in corrupt physical bodies that are just dungeons of pain, corruption and death.
so to me science is so remarkable because it breaks out of this pattern in a few ways.
(1) Most people are more interested in human stories rather than stories about rocks and worms. and if they are at all interested in rocks and worms it's maybe because they could use the rocks to build a house or use a worm to help cure their grandmother's cancer. what makes science special (akin more to poetry perhaps) is to simply see rocks as COOL or wonder what the world is like from a worm's perspective, and to value bodies and stuff as much as human life-experience.
(2) science succeeds because it is a tradition of realizing that we can easily fool ourselves in our experiments because we are sloppy or subconsciously swayed by how WE WANT the experiment to turn out, and then it is a tradition of CIVIL DISCOURSE, that we build a network of publishing our experiments in detail and critique each other's experiments when we find instances of each other subconsciously fooling ourselves (worldwide network spanning languages and cultures). It is a tradition where doubt is cultivated and admired. while many scientists are subject to human foibles just like everyone else, it is remarkable that this is a stated goal of science: to doubt and find where we fool ourselves even if it leads to discomfort.
(3) a predominant approach of science is to analyze seemingly monolithic experiences in terms of interactions between discrete parts (akin to its general interest in stuff), and even if the project is to analyze less mechanical phenomena like fields, waves, fluids, science is certainly steeped in paying attention to the interactions between discrete parts in the experimental apparatus used to study them. and it is the interest in stuff, playing with a prism, wondering why the positions of the moons of Jupiter lag behind the published tables.. that lead to more abstract theories about less stuff-like electromagnetic fields.
It is this interest in stuff and explanation of phenomena in terms of interactions between parts that can lead to a world view that human soul/experience might be interaction between earthen parts as opposed to some alien vapor temporarily trapped by earthen shells (good riddance too them and the Earth in the world to come). this is a valuable perspective.
1000s or millions of billions of other critters and in fact each of us ourselves is actually a colony of a
10 thousand billion living amoebas all tightly knit together into a community but each an independent living creature that is born eats dies makes decisions communicates with its neighbors and ... because our colony of amoebas launched from the shores of each of our mothers' wombs (we were one of HER amoebas...we are a continously living journey of protoplasm more than 3 and a half billion generations long.. and all these living amoebas can eat explore turn food into itself communicate tell time build an entire replica of itself because each one is in fact an entire New York City full of
1000 billion nanorobots as many as there are bricks in all of New York City with its 100x100x100 bricks per building times 100 buildings per block times 200x 10 city blocks that takes a day to traverse
swimming in a soup of a
million billion molecular parts and a way to visualize a
billion is to slice a block of tofu into 10 slices and then turn it 90 degrees and slice that 10 times so you got a 100 slivers and then turn that over and slice that 10 times so you got a
1000 tiny cubes and now go find the corner of a large 3 story building and line those 1000 tiny tofu blocks one by one along the side of that building starting from the corner on the sidewalk till it's 30 feet along and then go back and slice up another
1000 tiny tofu blocklets and line them up along the other side of the building from the corner and now you gotta concentrate hard and use your imagination and visualize the floor of the building made up of a grid of a 1000x1000 tiny tofu blocks making up a
million of them and then go slice up another 1000 tofu blocklets and pile them up along the corner of the building like 1000 Lilliputian floors up 30 feet and now REALLY concentrate hard and visualize a 1000 of those million block grids all making up that building and by the way our brains what we think and feel and imagine with is made up of as many amoebas as
100 of these buildings of a billion amoebas all the while each of these amoebas is sending out arms of protoplasm to branch 10 times to point fingertips to a 1000 other amoebas across the city of brain to have these billions of simultaneous conversations. but what are these 100,000 billion nanorobots that make our amoebas dance anyway? they are proteins and enzymes and each is a sproingy network of
10,000 atoms of 6 different kinds linked in squaredances of electron orbitals and these nanorobot proteins can snap together and change shape and crawl across each other and make simple logic decisions (forming dense information processing networks...) interacting with dozens of each others and can even come together by the 100s to take each other apart and rebuild each other from scratch out of these atoms. go visit new york city and imagine each of those bricks you see is a flying crawling nanorobot and they all start moving around and swarming like clouds of billions of bees all rebuilding each other and reproducing an entire city in two weeks. and what the hell ARE these atoms anyway?
dozens of interacting electron orbitals each singing a different frequency and repelling each other but attracting each other in duets of dance to join with other atoms, to make atoms springy fuzzy sensitive boundaryless slightly unpredictable sparkles and are electrons and protons and neutrons the rock bottom core of stuff the universe is made of? well every time we look inside with our cathedrals of particle accelerator experiments like the Large Hadron Collider made of
over a billion precision crafted parts taking 10 years to build in a cavern that can swallow (a cathedral?) build like a ship in a bottle down a 150 foot deep shaft into the largest vaulted cavern on earth by 3000 scientists and engineers and students from over 40 different countries and cultures and languages and religions all learning to civilly criticise each other and come to agreements about the rock bottom nature of reality..
we keep finding another level of parts more messy than the previous level and that the universe isn't made out of stuff at all but maybe it's an infinitely complex mathematical game like a... | eng | c087d846-069b-4241-bcf5-d39100cbcca9 | http://blackskimmer.blogspot.com/ |
During World War II the RCAF of 1939 expanded into the fourth largest air power of the Allied Forces. Its small group of aging Aircraft was replaced by thousands of the latest training and operational types and its personnel increased more than fifty-fold to a peak of over 200,000. In Canada, a vast training organization was formed to put over 80 operational squadrons in the field on coastal defence, shipping protection and overseas duties.
Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force
This tremendous expansion and the many new responsibilities which the RCAF had to assume necessitated major changes in the organization of the RCAF. One of the first steps was the creation in May 1940, of a separate Ministry of National Defence for Air, and the formation of a new Air Council to advise the Minister. To accommodate the thousands of new recruits a Special Reserve was added to the Force. In July 1941, a Women's Auxiliary Air Force (subsequently renamed Women's Division (WD)) was formed to release men for combat duties. Over 17,000 WDs were enlisted and trained in more than 40 trades including: clerks, airframe, aero-engine, radar, and wireless mechanics. Many served overseas at RCAF headquarters and on stations of the Canadian bomber group.
The Air Cadet Corps
The expansion of the Air Force and operation of the large training establishment depended upon a steady flow of recruits. One valuable agency in maintaining a steady supply of pre-trained recruits was the Air Cadet Corps. Formed in June 1941, as a voluntary civilian organization, the Air Cadet League was subsequently incorporated in the RCAF in April 1943. Air Cadet squadrons with over 30,000 schoolboys between 12 and 18 years of age received preliminary instruction during the war. Many later served with distinction in operational squadrons.
During the war, the RCAF was divided into three major forces. One force was engaged in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), another was employed in theatres of war overseas, and the third was stationed in Canada in the Home War Establishment on western hemisphere operations.
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
From the beginning of hostilities it was recognized that one of Canada's major roles in the war would be as a training ground where instruction could be carried on away from the actual battle area. Government representatives from United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada met in Ottawa and signed an agreement in December 1939 to set up the BCATP, converting Canada into what President Roosevelt later termed "the aerodrome of democracy."
The initial plan provided for Elementary Flying Training Schools, Service Flying Training Schools, and Air Observer Schools. Supplementing these were numerous other units for recruiting, training, maintenance, and administration, making a total of 74 schools, depots and other formations. When fully developed, the BCATP was required to produce 520 pilots a month with elementary training, 544 pilots with service training, 340 air observers, and 580 wireless operator-airgunners. The first schools opened in April 1940, and all were in operation by 1942. The initial responsibility for establishing, administering and operating this complex plan was placed upon the shoulders of the RCAF which had scarcely more than 4,000 officers and airmen.
It was a challenging task. Sites for dozens of aerodromes had to be selected, roads and runways built, hangars, barracks, and other buildings erected. Incredible quantities of equipment, ranging from thumbtacks to airplanes had to be procured. Experts had to be recruited - doctors, dentists, chaplains, technicians, executives, mechanics, bookkeepers, cooks, teachers, flying instructors - to receive, examine, equip, instruct and train the thousands of young men who were clamouring to enlist. Around the nucleus of RCAF personnel and the specialist RAF officers who had been sent to assist them, a force of skilled men from all walks of life rapidly gathered. Among them were some of Canada's leading citizens: doctors, engineers, bush pilots, scientists and lawyers. From the US came a contingent of American commercial pilots eager to help in what they considered to be the common cause.
At the close of 1943, the BCATP reached its maximum expansion of 97 schools and 184 ancillary units. Production averaged over 3,000 graduates per month, and in less than three years 82,000 trained aircrew were qualified. The reserve of aircrew was in excess of immediate needs overseas and it was possible to start a reduction in training early in 1944. The closing down of schools was accelerated in October and at the end of March 1945, the BCATP officially was terminated. It had done its job beyond all expectations.
The George Cross
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
The George Cross was instituted by King George VI in 1940 for outstanding heroism in circumstances of extreme danger.
LAC KM Gravell
The RCAF's first George Cross was awarded in November 1941, to Leading Aircraftman (LAC) K.M. Gravell, a wireless operator-air gunner undergoing training at Calgary. LAC Gravell, despite serious injuries, which proved fatal, gallantly endeavoured to rescue his pilot from the blazing wreckage of their crashed Tiger Moth Aircraft. His gallantry and self-sacrifice were recognized by the posthumous award of the George Cross.
LAC KG Spooner
The RCAF's second George Cross was awarded posthumously to LAC K.G. Spooner in May 1943. A student navigator with no pilot training at London, Ont., LAC Spooner took over the controls of an Anson Aircraft when the pilot suddenly fainted. His action enabled three comrades to bail out. Soon after, the Aircraft crashed into Lake Erie. The award of the George Cross was in tribute to his act of self- sacrifice that others might be saved.
The Defence of Canada
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
Eastern and Western Commands were assigned the defence of Canada's coasts. Their maritime squadrons went on duty at the beginning of September 1939, and continued to operate over the Atlantic and the Pacific until the final surrender of Germany and Japan. The bulk of the work fell to Eastern Air Command (EAC). After Pearl Harbor the major responsibility continued to be EAC's, whose Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief directed all the work of air protection in the North West Atlantic.
Battle of the Atlantic
The first 18 months of the war were relatively quiet, but from the spring of 1941, the resources of EAC were taxed to their utmost limits in the grim Battle of the Atlantic. Enemy U-boats were sighted and attacked in Canadian coastal waters. The enemy even penetrated into the St. Lawrence River to sink vessels.
The most critical period was in 1942 and the first six months of 1943 when submarine activity in the North Atlantic reached its peak. Then the tide turned, and although the introduction of the acoustic torpedo and later the "Schnorkel" breathing-tube presented new serious defence problems, the sea and air forces of Britain, US and Canada retained the upperhand until the last U-boats surrendered in May 1945. Aircraft of EAC sank six submarines. This figure is not full measure of the Command's contribution, nor would the total number of sightings and attacks express it. A better indication is to be found in the thousands upon thousands of hours flown by the aircrew, through weather that was often appalling, while they carefully searched the grey expanse of water, forced the enemy to crash-dive or remain submerged, drove them away from our convoys and permitted the ships to continue on their way unmolested. It was weary and unglamorous work but its importance cannot be over-emphasized. The battle lines of Western Europe were fed by the long Atlantic sea lanes. Although there was much less submarine activity on the Pacific coast, the Aircraft of Western Air Command (WAC) were not unrewarded for their long hours of hunting. One venturesome Japanese submarine was sent to the bottom near Prince Rupert by two US naval vessels after it had been so badly damaged by an RCAF Bolingbroke that it was unable to escape.
In the late spring of 1942, WAC sent several bomber- reconnaissance and fighter squadrons to Alaska and the Aleutians to assist the American forces in checking a Japanese threat from that direction. For months they carried out reconnaissance patrols and strafing missions in that isolated theatre of war. During one of these missions, a Canadian Kittyhawk pilot shot down a Japanese Zero, the only enemy Aircraft that was destroyed by home-based units during the war. The Canadians remained in the Aleutians, flying side by side with the Americans in "the worst flying weather in the world," until the Japanese withdrew from Kiska in August 1943. Later another potential threat developed when the Japanese began sending paper balloons across the Pacific carrying incendiaries and small bombs. The balloons caused no appreciable damage although they kept the west coast fighter squadrons on the alert for many months,
To move Aircraft and supplies from the US to Alaska and the Aleutians, a North West Staging Route was developed within Western Air Command. Along this aerial highway also flowed great quantities of Aircraft and material for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The volume and importance of the traffic led to the formation in June 1944, of the North West Air Command with headquarters at Edmonton. It was formed to administer the great chain of airfields and Aircraft control facilities. On both coasts the Aircraft Detection Corps contributed outstanding service. This was an organization of volunteer civilian ground observers - farmers, woodsmen, schoolboys, housewives, fishermen - who reported movements of Aircraft and kept watch for submarines or suspicious surface vessels. There was little enemy activity for them to report, but their network of observer posts on many occasions was of assistance in rescuing Aircraft in distress. Although the Corps was officially disbanded in November 1944, observers remained on the watch in certain key areas until the end of hostilities.
The RCAF Overseas
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
The heavy commitments of the RCAF in the development and administration of the BCATP, in addition to its responsibility for air defence, made it necessary to retain the greater part of the Force at home. Only three squadrons could be spared for overseas service in the early months of the war.
The Original Three
The first of these units for overseas service was No. 110 Army Co-operation (Auxiliary) Squadron which was strengthened by personnel from No. 112 (Auxiliary) and No. 2 (Permanent) Squadrons. No. 110 arrived in Britain in February 1940, and began training with the intention of accompanying the Canadian Army divisions to France. Four months later when the war situation was extremely critical, No. 112 Army Co-operation (Auxiliary) Squadron and No. 1 Fighter (Permanent) Squadron, reinforced by personnel from No. 115 (Auxiliary) also went overseas.
The fall of France and the cessation of land operations in Western Europe relegated the two Army Co-operation squadrons to a long period of waiting, but No. 1 Fighter Squadron saw action in the Battle of Britain in the summer and autumn of 1940.
The 400 Block
At the end of 1940 the first trickle of BCATP graduates began to flow overseas, most of them being posted to RAF units. In the initial stages of the Plan many of the aircrew graduates had to be retained in Canada as instructors for the further expansion of the BCATP. However, as the number of personnel available for service abroad increased, it became possible to organize new RCAF squadrons in Britain. Many of these new units were RCAF in name rather than in fact, until the policy of "Canadianization" eventually changed the situation.
When this expansion of the RCAF overseas began in the spring of 1941, a new system of numeration was adopted to avoid confusion with RAF units. The 400-449 block was allotted to the RCAF and the three original squadrons were given new numbers; No. 110 became No. 400, No. 1 became No. 401, and No. 112 (which had been reorganized as No. 2 Fighter in December 1940) became No. 402.
New Squadrons
The first unit formed overseas was No. 403 Fighter in March 1941. Seventeen more squadrons were formed in 1941, ten in 1942, four in 1943, and nine in 1944, so that by the end of the war the number of squadrons in the overseas 400 series had grown to 44. Included in this number were six squadrons which, after periods of service in EAC and WAC, were transferred to Britain late in 1943 and early 1944 and completed a second tour of operations with the Second Tactical Air Force. No. 162 Squadron was also detached from EAC for operations with Coastal Command from bases in Iceland and Northern Scotland during the last 17 months of the war. In addition to these 45 units there were also three Air Observation Post (AOP) squadrons (Nos. 664, 665 and 666) composed of Royal Canadian Artillery and RCAF personnel. The total number of squadrons that saw service overseas was 48 (including No. 162 Squadron).
The RCAF squadrons included 15 bomber, 11 day-fighter, three fighter-bomber, three fighter-reconnaissance, four night- fighter and intruder, six coastal, three transport, and three AOP. In addition to these units there were large numbers of RCAF personnel who served in RAF formations in the air and on the ground in every command and theatre of the war.
Fighter Command
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
The Battle of Britain - Fighter Command
It was in the critical period of May-June 1940, when France was crumbling and the cause of freedom seemed in retreat, that No. 1 Fighter Squadron of the RCAF arrived in Britain under the command of S/L E.A. McNab . After a few weeks training the squadron began operations August 19, 1940, at a time when the Luftwaffe's attacks on southern England were increasing in intensity. The first few days only resulted in fruitless scrambles; then on August 26, the Canadian Hurricane pilots finally encountered a formation of Dornier 215 bombers, three of which they destroyed. Eight weeks later, when the Squadron flew to Scotland for a well-earned rest, the score stood at 31 enemy Aircraft definitely destroyed and 43 more probably destroyed or damaged. Three pilots had been killed in action - the RCAF's first combat casualties.
The three most successful fighters, S/L McNab , F/L G.R. McGregor , and F/O B.D. Russel , were awarded the DFC and thus became the first members of the RCAF to be decorated for gallantry in action. In the Battle of Britain the RCAF had received its baptism of fire and had acquitted itself with distinction.
"Rhubarbs and Circuses"
It was the summer of 1941 before the Canadian fighter pilots, whose strength had now increased to five squadrons, were again heavily engaged in action. In the interval the character of the air war had changed. The Luftwaffe's daylight offensive against Britain had been thrown back with heavy losses. Fighter Command, released from its defensive role, lost no time in resuming the offensive.
Late in December 1940, Aircraft of Fighter Command began daylight operations over northern France starting an air offensive which grew steadily in magnitude until the day of final victory. In time, many types of offensive operations were developed (in addition to the routine work of patrolling over convoys moving along the coast), but broadly speaking the activities of the fighters fell into two categories - "rhubarbs and circuses". The purpose of a "rhubarb" was to hit the enemy on the ground where it would inconvenience him the most. Hurricanes and Spitfires in pairs or larger formations struck into Nazi-occupied France and Belgium attacking railroads, munition factories, airfields, electric lines and gun posts.
The "circus" was a large formation of bombers and fighters which roared high across the Channel to strike at railroad junctions, airfields, or munitions plants. It had a twofold objective - to inflict damage upon the enemy's communications and industries, and to draw the Germans into the air where the fighter escort could engage it. These varied operations forced the Nazis to maintain large anti- Aircraft defences in the threatened areas and at the same time steadily whittled down the Luftwaffe's fighter strength.
In all this work, squadrons of RCAF Hurricanes and Spitfires played their part. In air battles over the Pas de Calais many pilots won distinction - D.R. Morrison , J.C. Fee , L.V. Chadburn , K.L.B. Hodson , L.S. Ford , R.W. McNair and H.C. Godefroy , to name but a few. At first the Canadian squadrons flew in formations with other RAF units. Then, an all-Canadian wing of three squadrons was formed and by the time D-Day arrived there were three of these RCAF Spitfire wings. One was led for many months by W/C J.E. Johnson , the top-scoring fighter pilot of the RAF, who ended the war with 38 victories to his credit.
Americans in the RCAF
The US did not enter the war until December 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Many Americans did not wait for this declaration of war and instead opted to join the Allied Forces.
One story is that of P/O Claud Weaver III , DFC , DFM , an American, born at Oklahoma City, Okla., on August 18, 1922. He came to Canada to enlist in the RCAF at Windsor, ONT., on February 13, 1941. He earned his wings in October 1941, went overseas at once, and after a brief period with a fighter squadron in Britain was posted to Malta. There he flew with No. 185 Squadron from July to September, 1942.
In August, Sgt Weaver was decorated with the DFM , for destroying five enemy fighters and participating in a bomber kill within a period of one week. He ran his Malta score up to ten before being shot down over Sicily and taken prisoner on September 9, 1942. A year later he escaped from the Prisoner of War (POW) camp and walked 300 miles to freedom. Appointed to a commission, he immediately returned to operations with No. 403 (RCAF) Squadron in Western Europe, late October 1943. He won two more victories before he was shot down and killed in air combat while on a "ranger" mission in the Amiens area on January 28, 1944. March 1944, the award of the DFC was published and P/O Weaver also was mentioned in dispatches in June 1944.
Air Prelude to the Invasion
After some sharp encounters in the air during the summer and autumn of 1943, the German fighter squadrons almost disappeared from the coastal area in the six months preceding the invasion of Normandy. Many of them had been withdrawn to Germany in a vain attempt to stem the devastating daylight blows of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Fortresses and Liberators. There was no lack of work however, for the squadrons of the Second Tactical Air Force as the aerial preparation for D-Day gained momentum.
Mk XVIE Spitfire
In the spring of 1944, the Spitfires became fighter-bombers, carrying a 500 lb. "egg" under each wing with which to blast bridges, railroad junctions, radar posts and coastal defences. Again and again the Spitfires dive-bombed the carefully camouflaged "rocket" sites which the Nazis were constructing in the Somme and Pas de Calais areas in preparation for the flying bomb (V-1) offensive against England. An RCAF wing of Typhoon fighter-bombers formed early in 1944, also had an active share in all these operations.
From Normandy to The Baltic
At dawn, June 6, 1944, the Canadian fighter wings were sent over the beaches to stand guard while the Allied Forces poured ashore. Then, when the beachheads were firmly established, they gave air support to the British and Canadian Forces during the long and bitter fighting around Caen. The Luftwaffe did not often appear over the battle area and on the few occasions when it did come out in strength it lost heavily. June 28, 1944, RCAF Spitfires shot down 26 enemy Aircraft and crippled a dozen others. Four days later they bagged 20 more, plus 11 damaged.
Ground strafing on armed reconnaissances, which steadily nibbled at the Wehrmacht's armoured fighting vehicles and motor transport, reached a climax in the four days in mid- August when the Nazi Seventh Army, caught in a pocket between Falaise and Argentan, sought to escape eastward. From dawn to dark, Spitfires and Typhoons raked the long columns of vehicles with cannon and machine-gun fire and left the roads strewn with blazing, smoking, shattered wrecks. The RCAF Wings alone estimated that they had destroyed or damaged over 2,600 enemy vehicles. Then began the long pursuit across northern France and Belgium into the Netherlands and finally through the West Wall, across the Rhine River and into the plains of north- western Germany. The fighter wings covered the advance of the Armies, drove the enemy airforce out of the sky, blasted bridges and strongpoints, and paralysed movement by road or rail.
When hostilities ended, No. 126 RCAF Spitfire Wing had flown 22,372 sorties and had destroyed 361 enemy Aircraft. The record of No.127, the second Canadian Spitfire Wing, was equally impressive. During the same period, No. 143 Typhoon Wing made 11,928 dive-bombing sorties and dropped 6,442 tons of bombs on Nazi defences, lines of communication and other objectives. These Typhoon squadrons calculated they had blown up 16 bridges and two lock gates, cut rail lines in 1,210 places, and destroyed or damaged over 3,600 locomotives, freight cars, tanks, vehicles, and barges. Repeatedly the pilots had been commended for the support given troops on the ground by their attacks on enemy positions.
Throughout all this long period No.39 Wing also had performed other valuable services such as carrying out photographic and tactical reconnaissances to gather information for the staffs planning the June 6th invasion which had the Codename "Overlord." Then, moving to the continent, they had continued this work for the British Second Army as it fought its way from the beaches of Normandy to the banks of the Elbe River and beyond. The Wing was the first major RCAF formation to cross the Rhine River and it ended the war deeper in Germany than any other Canadian unit.
The Desert Air Force
In addition to these squadrons which served in Western Europe with Fighter Command and Second Tactical Air Force (TAF), another RCAF day-fighter squadron (No. 417) flew with the famed Desert Air Force on operations from the Nile valley in Egypt to the plains of northern Italy. Its Spitfires gave air protection to the port of Alexandria, participated in the closing stages of the Tunisian campaign, covered the Allied invasions of Sicily and Calabria, and guarded the beach-head at Anzio. Then, they become fighter-bombers and supported the Eighth Army as it slogged its way up the peninsula to the foothills of the Alps.
Night-fighting
Night-fighting was still crude and elementary at the beginning of the war. Radar assisted the Air Force to become more effective. By the time the RCAF night-fighter squadrons (Nos. 406, 409 and 410) became operational in the autumn of 1941, Beau-Fighters equipped with airborne interception radar (AI) were already in use and the night blitz of the Luftwaffe had been checked. Sporadic attacks, such as the "Baedeker raids" continued, and the Canadian night- fighter teams were able to collect a total of 55 enemy Aircraft destroyed, 100 probables, and 27 damaged in the period before D-Day.
The invasion opened a new chapter in their history, as the squadrons now flying Mosquitos patrolled over the beach- heads and the enemy's rear areas to intercept German night raiders. In the last 11 months of the war, the three squadrons shot down or destroyed on the ground over 150 enemy Aircraft with 60 more as probably destroyed or damaged.
When the German V-1 flying-bombs began buzzing across the Channel in June 1944, two RCAF Mosquito squadrons were detailed to patrol the night skies as part of the first line of defence. No. 409 Squadron destroyed ten flying-bombs during the comparatively short time it was engaged on this work. The other squadron, No. 418, shot down 77 V-1s over the Channel and five more over the English coast. One crew, S/L Russ Bannock and F/O R.R. Bruce , contributed 19 of this total.
Before it entered the V-1 campaign, No. 418 had won an outstanding reputation as an intruder squadron. Flying Bostons and then Mosquitos, the crews had been engaged on a counter-offensive against the Nazis' night operations, patrolling over enemy airfields attack bombers as they returned from raids or enemy night-fighters that sought to intercept allied bombers. When no targets were to be found in the air, the intruder crews dropped bombs on runways, bridges or rail junctions. Many victories were scored on these night sorties, but the squadron achieved its greatest success on daylight intrusions deep into enemy-held territory where its Aircraft sometimes penetrated as far as the Baltic coast. Great fighter teams such as S/L Charlie Scherf of the Royal Autralian Air Force (RAAF) and his Canadian observers, F/Os E.A. Brown and C.G. Rinlayson ; F/O J.T. Caine and P/O E.W. Boal; S/L R.A. Kipp and F/L Pete Huletsky repeatedly distinguished themselves on these far- ranging forays.
In the three years that No. 418 Squadron was employed as an intruder unit (November 1941-44) it tallied 105 enemy Aircraft destroyed in the air, 73 destroyed on the ground and 103 damaged in combat or strafes. In the last five months of the war, the Squadron was converted to close support work for the armies in Western Europe, making night bombing attacks on enemy concentrations and communications.
Bomber Command
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
When the war began Bomber Command's Aircraft consisted of single-engined Battles and twin-engined Blenheims, Whitleys, Hampdens and Wellingtons. Five years later these sturdy war-horses were replaced by fast twin- engined Mosquitos and large four-engined heavy bombers, the Halifax and the Lancaster. Mosquitos were regularly carrying 4,000 lb. "block-busters" as far as Berlin, and the normal bomb load for the heavies was four to five tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs.
The Command had increased many times in size; it had its own night-fighter force capable of protecting streams of RCAF bombers, and could call upon several hundred medium bombers from its Operational Training Units to carry out "spoof" or feint (to divert attention and/or deceive opponent) attacks. Bombs had grown from the 500-pounder used in the first raids in September 1939, to the giant earth-shaking "Ten-Ton Tessie." The whole technique of bombing had been completely transformed by the use of radar which guided the Aircraft to the target, identified the objective even when cloud completely covered the ground, and told the bomb-aimer precisely when to let his bombs drop. Pathfinders led the way for the main bomber force pinpointing and marking the target with flares while Master bombers directed the ensuing attack.
Instead of using small forces to scatter bombs individually over several targets, Bomber Command now concentrated its great strength on one objective to saturate it with truly devastating effect. The cities of Cologne, Bremen, Hamburg, and Berlin were the proof of the devastation.
RCAF Bomber Development
The first Canadian bomber squadrons were Nos. 405 (Wellington) and 408 (Hampden), formed in April and June 1941. In December, Nos. 419 and 420 squadrons were organized and began operations a month later on the same Aircraft. For over a year these four original units carried the RCAF standard in Bomber Command. Cologne, Bremen, Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, Mannheim, Duisburg, Berlin, Essen...most of the names in the "Bomber's Baedeker" appeared on their list of targets.
In May and June 1942, the first three 1,000 bomber raids were carried out against Cologne and Bremen and a number of Halifaxes joined the veteran Wellingtons and Hampdens in the Canadian bombing force. No. 405 Squadron, which flew the four-engined heavies, was now under the command of W/C J.E. Fauquier , the first RCAF officer to lead a bomber squadron. Thrice decorated with the DSO and with the DFC for his services as bomber pilot, squadron commander, and master bomber, Johnny Fauquier , as he was best known, became the RCAF's outstanding bomber leader of the war. He rose to the rank of Air Commodore and was one of the senior staff officers at the Canadian Group Headquarters. He later voluntarily relinquished this rank to assume command of the famous No. 617 ( "Dam-Busters") Squadron of the RAF, which had breached the Mohne and Eder dams and then had sunk the German battleship, the "Tirpitz."
No 6 Group Formed
By the fall of 1942, the number of Canadian bomber units had grown to five with the addition of No. 425 ("Alouette") Squadron. Six more Wellington units were organized before the year ended and in January 1943, RCAF Bomber Group No. 6, was formed under the command of A/V/M G.E. Brookes . He was succeeded a year later by A/V/M C.M. McEwen .
North African Wing
Three RCAF bomber squadrons were detached to the Mediterranean theatre to take part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy. In May and June 1943, Nos. 420, 424 and 425 Squadrons (recognized as No. 331, Medium Bomber Wing under the command of G/C R Dunlap ) moved by sea and air from England to Tunisia, Africa. For over three months their Wellingtons went out almost every night to bomb airfields, harbours, freight yards, and rail junctions in preparation for the landings by the British, American, and Canadian troops. When Italy deserted the Axis and became a co-belligerent the Wing returned to Britain and rejoined No. 6 Group.
First Operational Flight
Sgt Richard Edward Qualle , No. 427 Squadron of the RCAF was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) on his first operational flight. The citation reads:
"this airman was the mid-upper gunner of an Aircraft detailed to attack Madgeburg one night in January 1944. Whilst over the target area the Aircraft was attacked by a fighter. Sgt Qualle sustained many cuts by flying splinters when the glass surrounding his turret was shattered by bullets, which also put one of his guns out of action. Although dazzled by searchlights Sgt Qualle cooly brought his remaining guns to bear on the attacker which was seen to burst into flames. Despite intense cold and the lack of oxygen he refused to leave his turret throughout the homeward flight. On his first operational flight this airman displayed determination, fortitude and devotion to duty of a high order."
No 6 Group Operations
The Group was expanded to 13 Squadrons. Its striking power had also increased as more and more units converted to the heavier, larger Aircraft such as the Lancasters and Halifaxes. During 1943, its first year of operations, No. 6 Group made over 7,300 sorties and dropped 13,630 tons of bombs. It lost 340 Aircraft, less than five percent of the number dispatched.
In 1944, the scale of operations increased sharply as the Group, in addition to its long-range strategical offensive against the Reich, undertook tactical operations. It poured high explosives on scores of V1 and V2 targets in the "rocket coast," assisted in the preparations for D-Day, took part in the actual assault, and then gave valuable support to the Army in the Battle of Normandy. All the Group squadrons were now equipped with Lancasters or Halifaxes and a new Squadron, No. 415, was added giving the Group a total of 14 heavy bomber squadrons.
The Final Tally
The winter months of 1944-45 with their long periods of fog and rain caused a decrease in the high tempo of the Group's operations. By early spring of 1945, the Group's pace again quickened in the final all-out offensive. Targets however, were rapidly becoming scarcer as the Allied armies drove into Germany from east and west. The enemy's fighter defences were overwhelmed and daylight attacks, with escorts of long-range Mustangs and Spitfires, were carried out with little loss.
During its 28 months on operations with Bomber Command, No. 6 Group flew 271,981 hours on 40,822 sorties and dropped 126,122 tons of bombs and mines. Its losses totalled 814 crews missing.
Coastal Command
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
As implied in its slogan "Find the enemy; strike the enemy; protect our ships," from September 1939 to May, 1945, was the waging of war against the enemy's U- boats, warships, and merchant shipping, in close co- operation with the Admiralty and Royal Navy. Coastal's other responsibilities embraced photographic reconnaissance, air- sea rescue, meteorological flights and in the early months of the war, minelaying. From an embryo organization of five headquarters and 25 subordinate units at the beginning of the war the Command developed into a powerful force which at the end of the campaign comprised 10 headquarters and 247 subordinate units.
To the cause of keeping Britain's life-lines open and strangling the enemy's commerce, Canada contributed large numbers of aircrew and ground personnel as well as a small group of civilian and service scientists familiarly known as "the back-room boys" or "boffins." There was indeed virtually no sphere of endeavour within Coastal Command in which the RCAF did not participate. At one time or another, while Coastal was fighting the Battle of the Atlantic and clearing the seas for the invasion of North-West Africa and the landings in Normandy, seven RCAF squadrons served under its banner. These included three squadrons, Nos. 404, 407, and 415, equipped with landplanes - Blenheims, Beaufighters, Mosquitos, Hudsons, Wellingtons, Hampdens, and Albacores; three squadrons, Nos. 413, 422 and 423, equipped with Catalina and Sunderland flying-boats; and No. 162 squadron on detachment from Eastern Air Command, flying the amphibious Canso. The war records of the seven Canadian units illustrate the versatility of Coastal Command's operations.
No. 404 Squadron spent most of the war in northern Scotland and the Shetland Isles. Its career began as a coastal fighter unit, sending its Blenheims on long reconnaissances and escort missions across the North Sea to the coast of Norway. Once re-equipped with rocket-firing Beaufighters, it became a strike unit, harrying Nazi shipping from the fiords of Norway to the ports of southern France. No. 407 Squadron gained fame as an anti-shipping unit that made daring mast-height attacks on enemy convoys off the Frisian Islands and the Dutch coast. With a record of 83,000 tons sunk or damaged in a single month, it was acclaimed as the most successful strike squadron in Coastal Command during the latter part of 1941 and early 1942.
When the Hudson became obsolete for this work No. 407 Squadron was converted to an anti-submarine role, using Wellingtons equipped with powerful Leigh Lights to illuminate the target for night attacks. Four definite kills were credited to the crews of this squadron in addition to a number of other U- boats and midget submarines more or less severely damaged.
After a period of service on Hampden torpedo-bombers attacking enemy shipping, No. 415 Squadron was re- equipped with Wellingtons and Albacores and won many successes in night attacks on flagships, motor-torpedo-boats and merchant vessels in the North Sea and English Channel before transferring to Bomber Command in the summer of 1944.
Nos. 422 and 423 (Sunderland) Squadrons were continuously employed in the campaign against the U-boat escorting convoys and searching the seas from Iceland to Gibraltar. Six submarines were sent to the bottom by crews of these squadrons. Early in 1944, No. 162 Squadron flew its Cansos from Nova Scotia to Iceland to join Coastal's forces in the Battle of the Atlantic and its crews killed six U-boats, five of them in a period of less than a month.
South-East Asia
Farther afield No. 413 (Catalina) Squadron carried out coastal duties over the Indian Ocean and adjacent waters. Formed in Britain,it had started operations over the North Sea late in 1941, but early in the following year was hastily transferred to South-East Asia where the Japanese flood had broken loose. The Catalinas arrived in Ceylon just in time, for on one of the first sorties flown from the new base S/L J. Birchall and his crew discovered an approaching Japanese invasion fleet. The Catalina was shot down, but its warning message enabled the island's defences to be ready and Ceylon was saved.
In the months that followed the squadron sent detachments to the east and west coasts of Africa until it became the most widely dispersed unit in the RCAF. No. 413 continued its reconnaissance, convoy escort, and air-sea rescue operations until late in 1944 when it returned to Britain for conversion to a new role and never completed its new assignment due to the termination of hostilities.
Transport Command
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
In addition to its representation in Fighter, Bomber, and Coastal Commands the RCAF also contributed units to Transport Command of the RAF. The RCAF did not form its own transport squadrons until the late summer of 1944 when three transport squadrons were formed overseas: two transport squadrons to operate in South-East Asia and one to operate in north-west Europe. No. 437 Squadron was initially employed in towing Horsa gliders taking part in the airborne assault on Arnhem and the crossing of the Rhine at Wesel. After the German surrender, No. 437 Squadron moved to Belgium where it conducted airlift operations throughout the European continent from Norway to Greece.
Some of the worst flying conditions of World War II were experienced by Nos. 435 and 436 Squadrons in South-East Asia. Attached to the Combat Cargo Task Force the squadrons carried out troop movements and air drops under enemy fire and in almost impossible weather conditions. Their contribution was extraordinary in that over a period of just one year they flew over 50,000 hours during which they airlifted nearly 60,000 tons of supplies and 30,000 passengers.
At the end of World War II the three Dakota squadrons teamed up in Europe to form a Wing until they were eventually disbanded between August 1945 and May 1946. Later these airmen became the backbone of Air Transport Command.
Western Europe
The third unit, No. 437 Squadron, began operations almost immediately, towing gliders for the airborne landing at Arnhem in September 1944. In the months that followed, its Dakotas dropped supplies and ferried troops, equipment, ammunition, and gasoline to continental bases, returning with casualties and VIPs. In March 1945, the Squadron again towed gliders for the Rhine crossing at Wesel and then resumed its routine ferrying work.
After the German surrender, No. 437 moved to the continent and extended its operations as far afield as Oslo, Vienna, Naples, and Athens. Its Aircraft brought home released prisoners of war and displaced civilians, carried food supplies for the relief of starving peoples of the once Nazi-occupied lands, and flew mail from home to Canadians scattered over the continent.
Burma
In the Far Eastern theatre of war the Dakotas of Nos. 435 and 436 Squadrons did similar work in vastly different surroundings. Supporting the Fourteenth Army Operations in Burma they dropped supplies by parachute on DZs (drop zones) which were usually small clearings in the jungle where from the air appeared to be no larger than "geranium pots."
In addition to the hazards of the jungle and the storms and diseases of the tropics, the crews often had to run a gauntlet of intense ground fire from Japanese positions close to their DZs or landing strips. On one occasion the unarmed Dakotas were attacked by enemy fighters.
Force
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
Tiger Force
When the war ended in Europe the RCAF proceeded with plans to send a contingent of eight heavy bomber squadrons for operations with "Tiger Force" in the Pacific campaign. These eight squadrons of No. 6 Group flew their Lancasters home to Canada in June, but the war in the Far East ended before they had been re-formed and re- equipped.
Occupation Strike Force
To the Air Forces of Occupation in Germany the RCAF Air Forcescontributed a Disarmament Wing and a Fighter Wing of four squadrons. Four bomber squadrons were also retained overseas for a time as part of Bomber Command's Striking Force and were employed on troop- transport flights between Britain and Italy. One bomber unit was transferred to Transport Command and was engaged on "trooping to India" for some months, while the RCAF Transport Wing of three Dakota squadrons carried passengers, freight and mail to and from ports of call in Europe until late June 1946.
Groundcrew in the War
Groundcrew operated in every area where Aircraft of the RAF or RCAF flew, sharing all hardships and performing brave deeds. The RCAF groundcrew excelled in radar. Some of these radar operators were taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore and despite the hardships of subsequent prison life returned with their courage held high. The great record of the RCAF in World War II was largely dependent on the magnificent efforts of the groundcrew.
There were many incidents during the war where groundcrew risked their lives to save others. The following is just one of many stories and an example of the bravery:
One night in June 1944, an Aircraft while attempting to land, crashed into another which was parked in the dispersal area and fully loaded with bombs. The former Aircraft had broken into three parts and was burning furiously. A/C Ross , the Base Commander was at the airfield watching the return of Aircraft from operations. FS St. Germain had just returned from an operational sortie and Cpl Marquet was in charge of the night ground crew.
LAC McKenzie and Wolfe were members of the crew of the crash tender. A/C Ross with the assistance of Cpl Marquet extricated the pilot who had sustained severe injuries. At that moment ten 500 lb. bombs exploded in the second Aircraft some 80 yards away, and both men were hurled to the ground.
When the hail of debris had subsided, cries were heard from the rear turret of the crashed Aircraft. Despite further explosions from bombs and petrol tanks which might have occurred, A/C Ross and Cpl Marquet returned to the blazing wreckage and endeavoured in vain to swing the plastic perspex to release the rear gunner. Although the port tail plane was blazing furiously, A/C Ross hacked at the perspex with an axe and then handed the axe through the turret to the rear gunner who enlarged the aperture. Taking the axe again A/C Ross assisted now by FS St. Germain as well as by Cpl Marquet , finally broke the perspex steel frame supports and extricated the rear gunner.
Another 500 lb. bomb exploded which threw the three rescuers to the ground. FS St. Germain quickly rose and threw himself on the rear gunner in order to shield him from flying debris. A/C Ross's arm was practically severed between the wrist and elbow by the second explosion. He calmly walked to the ambulance and an emergency amputation was performed on arrival at station sick quarters. Meanwhile Cpl Marquet had inspected the surroundings, and seeing petrol running down towards two nearby Aircraft, directed their removal from the vicinity by tractor. LAC McKenzie and Wolfe rendered valuable assistance in trying to bring the fire under control and helped evacuate the rear gunner while being seriously injured themselves by the flying debris.
A/C Ross displayed fine leadership and great heroism in an action which resulted in saving the lives of the pilot and rear gunner. FS St. Germain and Cpl Marquet both displayed courage of a high order, as did LAC McKenzie and LAC Wolfe , in circumstances of great danger. A/C Ross was awarded the George Cross, St Germain and Marquet the George Medal, while McKenzie and Wolfe received the BEM (British Empire Medal).
F/L DE Hornell, VC
One of the six U-boats was accounted for by the crew captained by F/L D.E. Hornell . Greeted by an intense barrage of flak as he drove his Canso in on the target, Hornell pressed his attack home despite the fact that one engine and the starboard wing were on fire. From a low height he released his depth charges in a perfect straddle and sank the U-boat. But the Canso itself was in a desperate plight. Blazing and holed in many places it was extremely difficult to control. One engine fell off into the sea. Nevertheless the pilot skilfully brought his Aircraft down on the heavy swell. Only one dinghy was serviceable and the crew of eight had to take turns huddling in it or clinging to the sides. The ordeal lasted for 21 hours. Two of the crew died from exposure. Hornell , by his cheerfulness and inspiring leadership, did much to sustain the others until rescue finally arrived. By that time he was blinded and completely exhausted, and he died shortly after being picked up. For "valour and devotion to duty of the highest order" F/L Dave Hornell was awarded the VC.
Pilot Officer AC Mynarski, VC
In an attack on a target at Cambrai, France, one night in June 1944, a Lancaster of No. 419 Squadron was shot down in flames. P/O A.C. Mynarski , the mid-upper gunner, went to the aid of the rear gunner who was trapped in his turret. Mynarski continued his efforts to free the man until his own clothing and parachute were on fire and then, at the insistence of the rear gunner, reluctantly went back through the blazing fuselage to the escape hatch and jumped. By that time he had received such severe burns that he died shortly after reaching the ground. The rear gunner miraculously survived when the bomber crashed. The VC was posthumously awarded to P/O Mynarski in recognition of "a most conspicuous act of heroism which called for valour of the highest order."
Prisoner of War
Excerpts from the Handbook for Air Force Non-Commissioned Members
There were many prisoners taken on both sides of the war and each one of them has a special tale to tell. The London Gazette published this summary of one RCAF member's experience - Sgt Jean Louis Warren of No. 434 Squadron:
Sgt Warren was a member of the crew of a Halifax bomber that was shot down over Cologne in November 1943. He got clear of the burning wreckage and hid in a haystack for the night. In the morning he left his hiding place and walked across fields most of the day, sleeping in the woods at night. He was so weak as a result of wounds and bruises sustained when the Aircraft crashed, that he eventually went to a farm and gave himself up.
He was imprisoned in Dulag Luft at Wetzler and sent on to Stalag IVB at Muhlberg. March 17, 1944, Sgt Warren made his first attempt to escape by joining a party of French prisoners going out for supplies. When the party reached the stores he broke away and went to a cemetery where by pre- arrangement, he was to have met a Canadian airman who had previously escaped. On arrival Sgt Warren learned that the other airman had been recaptured and the guards had been reinforced. As he had neither food nor maps Sgt Warren decided to return to the camp and await a more favourable opportunity. He regained the camp undetected.
May 1, 1944, Sgt Warren made a further escape attempt using the same method as before. He met an RCAF officer and both successfully evaded the search parties and guards for five days. Four other escapees joined them and all managed to get a train carrying rolls of paper to Holland. On arrival in Holland the party split up and Sgt Warren and one companion travelled north until they made contact with the Dutch underground movement at Borne. They stayed there for five weeks and then moved on to Nijverdal due to the activities of the Germans.
Early August 1944, Sgt Warren moved to Zwolle and hid in a boat until the end of the month when he was given shelter in a castle near Hattem. The German search parties were very active, but he successfully evaded them and eventually reached Gorssel, where he remained for eight weeks. Six of the weeks were spent hiding in a cave under a pigsty with two Poles and a Dutchman. The Germans made a surprise search and the members of the party were ultimately arrested. After brutal treatment they were taken to the Landwach prison. Although Sgt Warren produced his identity discs he was treated as a terrorist and badly manhandled during interrogation. Later he was put in a cell measuring 6ft. by 12ft. with 13 others.
For three weeks they remained in the cell with no one being allowed out for any purpose. Later he was taken to an empty house for interrogation and further brutal treatment was carried out. Eventually Sgt Warren was moved to Oxelhoft where conditions were even worse. February 1, 1945, he and 93 others were put into two boxcars and sent to Germany.
During the journey some of the party pried open a window of the boxcar and made an attempt to escape but the guards saw them and opened fire. Sgt Warren succeeded in getting away and evading capture by wading through waist-high water all night. The next evening he made contact with an underground organization and was taken to Lobith. The next night an attempt to cross the Rhine was made but those who tried had to return to the starting point owing to strong enemy opposition. The party was then taken to a farm to be evacuated. Sgt Warren and some others posed as members of the farmer's family and moved with them. Later he posed as a Dutch policeman in order to prevent being taken again. He continued to evade capture until liberated by British Forces in April 1945. | eng | 22b3727a-5592-4cf3-b996-d846860f5a84 | http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/hst/page-eng.asp?id=554 |
Please join us for an informative OWL Showcase on Wednesday. We will be visiting Springfield Technical Community College's (STCC) virtual campus currently being used to teach English as a Second Language (ESL).
WonderBuilders has worked with the STCC faculty to create an extensive learning environment for ESL students.
Selection of STCC virtual campus spaces
In this US National Science Foundation sponsored project, two ESL classrooms are completing their first semester-long deployment of Open Wonderland. During the tour, attendees will have the opportunity to try out some of the in-world activities designed for students including recording audio conversations, going on an activity scavenger hunt, participating in a photo hunt, and creating a custom fair booth.
Registration is required for this event. Since this not a public world, the URL for the server will not be made public. The login information will only be sent to people who register using the Eventbrite link above.
If you plan on attending and have a smart phone, please consider taking some photos using Instagram so you can more fully participate in the "photo hunt" activity. You can see a preview of this activity in the ESL Department's recently published Photo Hunt album on Facebook as well as a preview of the Multi-Cultural Fair Booth Activity.
If you are not able to make the tour on Wednesday, there is a possibility of another tour on Sunday, December 16th at 2pm US Eastern time. If enough people express interest, we will set up a second tour on that date. To express interest, please leave a comment on this blog article or post a message on the Open Wonderland forum.
The research project summarized in this article was conducted as part of the requirements for degree of MSc Computer Science at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. For this project, I created an Open Wonderland Chatbot Module.
A chatbot is a virtual character that simulates an intelligent conversation with humans. The main purpose of this project was to extend Open Wonderland's non-player character (NPC) functionality to interact with human avatars. The chatbot is embedded in a virtual campus simulated learning environment (see screenshots of the virtual campus). The main purpose of the chatbot is to communicate or guide users to solve their problems.
Virtual campus in which chatbot is integrated.
Here is an example of an integrated chatbot window in which a user has engaged in a conversation with the chatbot from inside Open Wonderland.
Chatbot window
While chatbots can be used to simulate conversations that convince people the bot is a real person, they can also be used as an advanced search engine to retrieve factual knowledge for users.
Technical Details
Initially, my intention was to develop a basic conversational agent program which could perform keyword-matching to scan for user inputs and generate replies. In the final project, however, I instead integrated a highly developed existing artificial intelligence engine. This engine is based on ALICE (Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity) which uses an AIML-based (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) interpreter to query and retrieve information. To integrate this technology into Open Wonderland, I experimented with both a Java-based AIML interpreter known as Program-D and a web-based AIML interpreter called Pandorabots. I ended up using Pandorabots for the Chatbot module prototype.
Pandorabots uses the XML-RPC (remote procedure call) communication protocol. It uses XML to encode data, and it works by sending an HTTP request to the server. A client can interact with Pandorabots using a Bot ID. The main advantage of using Pandorabots is that it is easy for users to create and add knowledge to their chatbots by uploading AIML files.
The diagram below illustrates where the Chatbot module fits into the structure of the Virtual Campus once it is complete.
Virtual Campus system diagram.
As envisioned, the Virtual Campus will include seven buildings covering many disciplines including business, arts, technology, team collaboration, socializing room, student club, and student service. Students will be able to get virtual resources from various specialized virtual departments and directly obtain relevant information easily. The Virtual Campus will also include non-academic rooms for entertainment.
The chatbot functionality will be used throughout the Virtual Campus as an automated guide or instructor, able to interact with students to solve their problems. The AIML integration will allow us to interface with a variety of additional knowledge bases, such as WolframAlpha and DBpedia, allowing students to retrieve information from the chatbot without leaving the virtual world environment.
A big advantage of using Open Wonderland is that it is a great multi-user virtual environment engine that provides many functionalities and in-world applications that students and lecturers can utilize in the Virtual Campus. A well organized virtual campus can be the most efficient way for students and lecturers to collaborate. To support this collaboration, we are planning to use the PDF viewer, an in-world web browser, the Microsoft Office document viewer, text-chat, VOIP audio, webcam video integration, the Screen Sharer and VNC Viewer for desktop sharing, NetBeans for programming projects, in-world music players, wall posters, and the multi-user white board for discussions and sketching. These tools, embedded in the virtual world, are similar to desktop-based applications.
Student Pilot Trial of learning statistics using SPSS embedded within Open Wonderland at King's College London Institute of Psychiatry
Dr. Jenny Yiend, Mental Heath Studies Progamme Director. Dr. Yiend graduated from Cambridge University where she went on to gain a PhD in anxiety and attentional processing. She held a full time research post at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, where she carried out further work on cognition in emotional disorders. At the University of Oxford she was Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry, Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Experimental Psychology and Director of Studies for Psychology at St Hilda's College. Dr. Yiend joined the King's College London Institute of Psychiatry in 2009 where she continues working on cognition and emotion in psychological disorders. Her email address is jenny.yiend@kcl.ac.uk
Julian Fletcher, Ed. Development Manager& MHSP Team[1]. Julian Fletcher has Master degrees in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nottingham and in Education,Technology and Society from the University of Bristol and is a Chartered Engineer and Prince 2 Project Management Practitioner. He spent the first 10 years of his career working as a software engineer and web designer in several UK private sector organisations and following that and further study he worked as the e-Leaning Manager for the University for the Creative Arts and since 2008 the King's College London Institute of Psychiatry where he works currently. Julian was first shown Project Wonderland in late 2008 and has been working with it ever since. His email address is julian.fletcher@kcl.ac.uk
Overview
The Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) Mental Health Studies Programme (MHSP) is the first in King's College London to trial the use of a distributed application, embedded within a virtual 3D environment, for teaching and learning purposes. The pilot trial was conducted on 15th August 2011 in an Open Wonderland (OWL) virtual environment. The content was designed by the IoP Education Development Manager (Fletcher) and hosted on the IoP's Denmark Hill Campus LAN. The tutor and three students presented themselves as avatars and used the embedded SPSS statistics application together with the environment's built-in audio facilities to interactively collaborate and complete a structured statistical teaching and learning exercise.
Feasibility Pilot
Currently the IoP Mental Health Studies Programme teaches research methods to its 110 students via 90 minute lectures or practical workshops held once a week. There is some divergence between the theory that students learn in the classroom setting and the case examples they practise upon and their ability to apply this knowledge to the real data that they gather as part of their research projects. Since 2009, MHSP has contemplated the use of the OWL 3D virtual environment to target this need specifically by providing a new fortnightly problem-based learning session in which students participate interactively and collaboratively.
The trial consisted of an introduction to the task by the tutor, a structured SPSS tasking lasting about 40 minutes during which the tutor and 3 students carried out simple SPSS exercises, followed by a more open-ended period of exploration of the world by the students.
Fig 1 Aerial view of pilot MHSP environment when imported into OWL.
Each of the three Breakout Rooms consisted of a VNC Viewer screen for displaying a distributed application, a screen for displaying a video and either a poster in the case of Breakout Room 1 or a PDF Viewer in the cases of Breakout Rooms 2 & 3 for displaying documents. In the Breakout Room 1, used in this trial, the SPSS statistics application was displayed in the VNC Viewer (Fig 2) which the tutor and students could interact with through their clients (Fig 3). There was also a video player screen which displayed a video produced by the University of Minnesota Department of Sociology on how to use SPSS. An in-world poster was used to display the instructions for the statistical tasks to be carried out in the trial.
Fig 3. An example client screen used to interact with SPSS in the virtual world.
The OWL firewall ports between the Education Development Manager's workstation and the three client workstations were opened for the duration of the trial to enable communication of sound and visual data. Notwithstanding the occasional logout of one or more client browsers, the server performance was fairly robust with good sound clarity for both speaking and listening. Both the tutor and the 3 students used headsets with built-in microphones procured from Argos for £7.99 each. These inexpensive headsets did the job satisfactorily. This £31.96 was the only fixed expense incurred by the trial other than the beverages bought for the participating students by way of a small thank you for their contribution to it. This short video clip shows the pilot setup:
The degree of prior familiarity with game technologies seems to dictate how quickly students can familiarise themselves with and navigate around the OWL environment. One student had such existing experience being an enthusiastic games player whereas the other two had to rely on more explicit tutorial guidance to get started. All three students, however, succeeded in becoming familiar and comfortable using OWL and none dismissed it out of hand as something they simply could not use.
All three students have willingly adopted the collaborative style of learning that applications embedded into OWL are designed to foster. Their responses indicate that there is an optimum size group of students around a single application to make such collaboration work (no greater than 4 when one includes the tutor). The need to take control of the application in turns in order to interact with it, while making that interaction slow at times, has the benefit of ensuring all students can keep up with the task and have a chance to practically apply their knowledge through completing the task.
All three students shared the opinion that working in groups collaboratively and learning more about statistics through communicating with each other was what they liked best about the exercise. The ability to talk to teach other using OWL's audio facility and the need to take it in turns to complete the task encouraged such collaboration.
Overall the pilot feedback suggested:
An optimum group size for this application is about 4 students working together.
Retaining concentration could be improved by enhancing visual and interactive content of the environment. This highlights the need to have architectural designers with proficient 3D design skills to build such content and programmers with proficient scripting skills to make it interactive.
More sophisticated, 'human like' and individually distinct avatars to make online conversations more natural. The College-issued PCs did not support the 3D graphics necessary to render OWL's customizable avatars.
Delays of respective clients to render the world can significantly impair its use. This needs to be ameliorated by using a more dedicated and higher performance specification OWL client/server hosting solution.
Using a virtual environment such as OWL can help students to further engage with and be more motivated to learn and apply statistics, supplementing and consolidating what they learn in their current classroom sessions by making such learning a more 'hands-on' activity.
Even taking account of the limitations of this pilot exercise – e.g. a small group of participating students, and computer and network hardware not designed for anything as memory intensive as immersive virtual worlds – this pilot trial can be judged at the very least a qualified success. For the most part, the technology worked for the duration of the trial (far better than the Education Development Manager dared hope!) and none of the students dismissed using virtual worlds as part of their teaching and learning as a completely bad idea! In fact they were on balance positive about its potential.
Scope for further work
Taking the current pilot to the next stage will require a more powerful Open Wonderland hosted service as well as more appropriate client hardware. This is currently being investigated at the College level.
Some further thought on the design of both SPSS tasks themselves from a pedagogical perspective and the content within the OWL environment will also need to take place. In particular, the personalisation of avatars will take on increased importance when more students will be in-world concurrently than was the case with this small trial.
Finally, it should not be the goal of virtual worlds to replace what the MHSP currently does perfectly well using more 'traditional' methods such as class-based lectures and training courses. Rather, the purpose is to augment such activities through giving students increased scope to apply the statistical theory they are taught in class and in textbooks to practical data sets related to their own course of research.
It was especially pleasing to note how students were happy to help each other and learn from each other in the collaborative in-world SPSS task. This is likely to help to inculcate wider transferable skills such as team working and proactive problem solving.
At that Immersive Education conference in Boston last month, eight Open Wonderland community members from 6 different countries joined me remotely to show off their work. Here's a brief summary of the worlds and features presented during the showcase. In all cases, the presenters have agreed to leave their spaces running on the community server. If you missed the conference, you can explore the spaces on your own. Simply log on to the community server and use the Placemarks menu to navigate to the different spaces.
WonderBuilders Outpatient Clinic
This virtual outpatient clinic is designed for communications skills training. Each of our virtual clinical spaces comes with a soundproof observation room with one-way windows so that instructors and others can observe students during role-playing scenarios. This space also features a non-player character that speaks, a poster with links to different portions of the space, an App Frame for organizing documents, and pop-up questions using a modified version of the Sheet Suite developed jointly by WonderBuilders and the University of Missouri.
+Spaces
Michael Gardner from the University of Essex talked about the +Spaces (pronounced "positive spaces") EU-funded project aimed at engaging citizens in policy-making. Michael showed excerpts from this role-play video:
Entrepreneur Space
Johanna Pirker from Graz University in Austria took us on a tour of the space she created for teaching entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneur Space from Graz University
This space includes an informal area for students to get to know one another, an area for presentations, and a work area where students, mentors, and instructors can collaborate.
WonderSchool
Roland Sassen demonstrated WonderSchool, an on-line school that takes advantage of Wonderland's ability to run shared applications within the virtual world.
WonderSchool with the Alice programming environment.
Roland demonstrated how he can teach students to use complex software such as the Alice programming environment from within the virtual world. He also demonstrated other dynamic applications running remotely inside a VNC Viewer window.
Seekers School Maze
Chris Derr, head of the Seekers School, talked about using Wonderland in his innovative curriculum to motivate kids who have had difficulty in other school situations.
Seeker School student activities
The students spent the past semester learning how to build Open Wonderland worlds, including making their own 3D models in SketchUp and creating simple animations using Wonderland's EZScript capability. Among other things, the students created a fun maze, mountain climbing challenges, and a colorful spinning roof.
iSocial
Ryan Babiuch from the University of Missouri iSocial project showed one of the many learning spaces used as part of their curriculum for remotely teaching social competency skills to students with autism spectrum disorders.
iSocial space used in teaching students with autism.
This curriculum was pilot tested this past semester in two schools. While the data has not yet been fully analyzed, the initial results were extremely positive.
ImmerHire
Michel Denis and Gery Winkler from ImmerHire showed the Survival on the Moon space they use to help assess logical thinking skills.
ImmerHire – Assessing logical thinking in the Survival on the Moon scenario.
The ImmerHire environment is intended to help employers evaluate communication, personal, and social skills of job applicants using a range of virtual role-play activities.
STCC Virtual Campus
Kristy Perry, an English-as-a-second-language (ESL) professor at Springfield Technical Community College, showed one of the spaces she designed on the STCC Virtual Campus.
STCC Virtual Campus – patio
This patio space is intended as a venue for small group projects and conversation practice. The STCC Virtual Campus will be deployed for Level 2 ESL students starting in September.
Wonderland Wednesday Projects
Jonathan Kaplan, our Wonderland architect, demonstrated the three Wonderland Wednesday community projects that he has lead. These projects – Telepointers, EZMove, and Subsnapshot Import/Export – were all developed collaboratively on the Open Wonderland community server. In the weekly Wonderland Wednesday meetings, developers worked together using NetBeans and other shared applications.
Telepointer demonstration
The new Telepointers are considerably more aesthetically appealing than the old telepointers. More importantly, they now work when you have control of a 2D application. For multi-user applications such as the Whiteboard, this is particularly helpful as it allows users to see where everyone else is working.
Be sure to visit the community server to see these spaces and try out the set of Wonderland Wednesday features.
Mary Beth Ogulewicz is a lawyer as well as an ESL and Criminal Justice professor at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). She seeks to empower her students by helping them become fluent in English and preparing them for a career in law enforcement and related fields. She is also interested in the connection between health, wellness, the strengths movement and successful living.
Springfield Technical Community College and WonderBuilders have embarked on creating a 3D virtual college campus pursuant to a 3 year National Science Foundation grant. WonderBuilders is working with the English as a Second Language (ESL) Department to enhance opportunities for students to practice conversation. The virtual college campus will allow students who have limited opportunity to interact with native speakers and partake in campus activities to meet in-world with conversation buddies as well fellow students. Among the goals are increased conversational competence, higher levels of engagement with the college, and increased matriculation rates. Curriculum activities for each level of English are being planned. Additionally, to assist students, various campus offices such as Financial Aid, Registrar and the Health Office will hold office hours in-world. Below are some of the activities we have created thus far.
Simon Says
ESL students gain technological proficiency by engaging in a game of Simon Says. This fun introductory activity builds confidence for students who may have lower technology skills. It also embeds vocabulary and prepositions for Level 2 language students.
Conversation Buddies
Due to family and work obligations, ESL students often have limited time to engage in authentic conversation with native speakers. With many students working 2nd and 3rd shift, the virtual world provides an optimal platform for students to meet native speakers to engage in conversation at times that fit their busy lives.
Academic Advisor
Students often need assistance navigating the myriad of problems that arise with paperwork, registration, academic and campus life. A student's relationship with her/his academic advisor is critical to success. Acting as a mentor and advisor, professors are a tremendous resource and often the only person on campus that a student will turn to for help. The virtual world allows those conversations to occur at times convenient to the student and most importantly fosters the success of the student.
Health Office
Among the most daunting experiences for a second language speaker is a visit to a physician's office. In-world students can build a relationship with a campus physician's assistant and practice the difficult medical language necessary to successfully interact with medical personnel, thereby ensuring the health of themselves and their family.
Brainstorming
Collaborative learning is essential to development of workforce skills. Students can meet in-world and collaboratively create written work and projects, as well as practice speaking the target language.
Multicultural Fair
This project highlights the confluence of students' skills: technology, creativity and language. Students research their native countries and then build their individual booths to display their research. Students visit the event in-world, practice questions and then have the opportunity to record and practice their English.
Project Status
We will continue to work on software development and curriculum integration through the summer, testing the environment as we go along with current students. We will run our first pilot class with second level ESL students in September. We invite you to follow our progress on Facebook.
Brooke is an avid writer who strives to write about topics surrounding the rising emergence of online education and how it could effect the way that students of the future will learn, interact, and contribute to the world around them. Brooke holds a graduate degree in business and is also currently considering further graduate work in the field of organizational behavior.
According to research cited in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, nearly one in three college students takes at least one online class. That figure presents an increase of 10 percent over the prior year and amounts to nearly 6 million students around the country who are enrolled in the virtual classroom. For older-aged working professionals looking to obtain an online graduate degree, the idea of a virtual classroom could appeal to them in that it carries the flexibility of online education but embodies the look-and-feel of the traditional classroom with which they are familiar. Many researchers and students also cite the convenience of the online classroom, which allows students with non-traditional schedules to earn college credit on a more flexible schedule. Many education analysts, however, are wondering just how effective online education really is and what will happen if the virtual classroom becomes the paradigm of tomorrow's university.
In some respects, online learning has definite advantages over the traditional classroom. A report issued by the U.S. Department of Education found that students taking online instruction performed better than their peers in the traditional classroom. When the online instruction was collaborative or instructor-directed, researchers noted a greater positive effect. Additionally, the most effective learning models involved manipulations that triggered learner activity, self-reflection and self-moderating of understanding.
The effective online classroom is influenced by the behavior of the instructor more than by any other factor. If this factor of instructor excellence were to be combined with future virtual classroom concepts, such as those fostered by the virtual environment enabler Open Wonderland, there is no telling how effective a tool this could be. By having a medium where students can not only immerse themselves into one personable environment from anywhere in the world, but to do so with high-caliber teachers, the entire landscape of education could change drastically. In a study published in the Journal of Interactive Online Learning, John Savery of the University of Akron found that effective online instructors are highly visible through both public and private communications channels, including banner web pages, email, audio and video. Good instructors are also organized, compassionate and analytical, providing continuous assessment so that students can monitor both their progress and their understanding of course topics. Finally, the best online instructors lead by example, modeling appropriate online communication and meeting their own commitments in a timely manner.
The future university classroom will inevitably incorporate digital content. The same Department of Education study also found that students who took courses blending face-to-face and online instruction performed better than any other group. Savery suggests that online instructors set up proctored exams on campus when possible so that online students have a chance to meet their instructors face-to-face. Schools that continue to rely on traditional instruction can support in-class activities via online discussion or by posting course materials online.
When gathering in one location is not possible, social media, video conferencing, or virtual worlds help to provide the next best solution for face-to-face connection. For example, professors can use platforms like Twitter to post assignments or class updates, or students can participate in live Twitter discussions by using a designated hashtag. Instead of discussing via text only, students can also conduct video conferences with their professors or meet in a virtual world. Additionally, solutions like SavorChat can allow professors to schedule chat room discussions combining the use of both Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Online education cuts costs for universities, delivers flexibility for students and enhances the educational experience. With the proliferation of mobile devices, students can connect to their coursework anytime, anywhere. The traditional classroom may never entirely disappear; however, the virtual classroom will support, if not supplant, the face-to-face paradigm.
This month marks the 2nd anniversary of Open Wonderland. In the release meeting last week, the group brainstormed about some of the past year's highlights.
Wonderland Wednesday Projects
Wonderland Wednesdays continue to be a great way for developers to both learn more about Wonderland development and contribute to the community. They are also an excellent testing ground for new features and bug fixes. In the past year, we have completed one Wonderland Wednesday project, EZMove, and are close to finishing the more recent Telepointer project.
Telepointers: All evidence points to Jagwire
New Monthly Release Cycle
Starting in January 2012, we put into a place a monthly release mechanism. The main goal was to ensure that when people download the Wonderland binary, they are running a recent stable version. With the previous system, someone could download a binary that was almost a half a year out of date, which was causing support issues.
The new system has had a number of unexpected positive consequences. We are now holding monthly release meetings to review which new features and bug fixes should be included in the release. In addition to being another venue for developers to meet and discuss issues, these meetings have provided us with a framework for reviewing bugs and feature enhancement requests (RFEs). During the meetings, we can also enlist volunteers to tackle problems or work on RFEs. Developers are pushing to get code finished in order to have their code included in the next release. We never expected changing the release cycle would have an impact on progress, but it's turning out that bugs are now getting fixed at a faster pace with more people participating in the process.
Immersive Education Participation
It has been particularly gratifying to see the number of Wonderland projects being presented at the Immersive Education (iED) conferences. Community participation in my remote keynote "show-and-tell" session at the most recent European Immersive Education was amazing. If you haven't seen it, you can watch the video, or read the blog post about the event.
Community members participating in the European iED conference
Although I'll be attending in person, I have signed up to do another similar session at the upcoming Immersive Education Summit in Boston June 14-16. Please contact me if you cannot attend the summit in person, but would like to show off your Wonderland world or Wonderland feature in the Boston show-and-tell session.
Start-up Activity
This year there has also been some activity on the business front. The WonderHealth team from Vmersion is looking for funding from the Knight Foundation to create a social networking environment for people with common health concerns. The new environment will allow participants to hear from doctors, share experiences with one another, and discuss educational media together.
Also in the healthcare space, WonderBuilders has entered their new VMed Learning Spaces product offering into the MassChallenge start-up competition. VMed Learning Spaces are a collection of simulated clinical settings such as a doctor's office, an intensive care unit, an emergency room, a maternity ward, etc. that medical, nursing, and other allied health students can use to practice critical skills.
Example VMed Learning Space by WonderBuilders
Please cast your vote for both these projects on their respective competition web sites to help them gain momentum.
Press Coverage
In the past year, Hypergrid Business and other news outlets have picked up quite a few stories originally posted on WonderBlog. A search for Open Wonderland on Hypergrid Business reveals stories published about Wonderland's use in Africa, in the +Spaces debating project, in the Singapore Games Village project, in an English as a Second Language project, and in the Virtual Cockpit. You will also find reports on new Wonderland features such as drag-and-drop of Microsoft Office documents, exporting of objects, and streaming a Wonderland world to a tablet.
Hypergrid Business Search Results Page
Final Thoughts
We are looking forward to another year of community projects, collaborations, and interesting activity around Open Wonderland. If you have a Wonderland project you would like to highlight on the blog, simply email a few paragraphs and a screenshot or video to me or to info@openwonderland.org and someone will work with you to edit the article and publish it as a guest post.
Last year on the Open Wonderland anniversary we ran a series of educational workshops to commemorate the event. We're in discussion about how to commemorate it this year, so please keep your eye out for a discussion the forum on this topic.
Our guest blogger today is Juliana Momodu from Nigeria. A colleague describes her this way: "In the next few years when history is written about women who trail blazed and charted uncharted paths for other women to follow, Juliana Momodu's name will be written in neon for using virtual technology as a sustainable tool for empowering women all over the world. The use of Open Wonderland will position the African continent as the economic frontier where the torch of leadership is carried by women. Wonderland as a catalyst in education and all facets of African life will help to reposition women at the helm of different businesses and communities as the reawakening of their worth waxes stronger. The doors of communication, information and collaboration are opened across cultures and genders in a borderless world through Wonderland."
Virtual Technology for Education Vision
By Juliana Momodu
This year's International Women's Day theme, "equal access to education, training, and science and technology," is a powerful affirmation of what I am about and why I am blazing the trail of bringing Open Wonderland to bridge the educational, gender, economic, social, and technological divides in Africa and worldwide.
Background
The world, according to UNESCO Information Statistic (UIS), has 67 million "out of school" children. 30 million of these children are from sub-Saharan Africa and 60% of them are girls! Although the gender gap in education has been decreasing over the past decade, many girls continue to lag behind their male counterparts in equal access to schooling and acquisition of basic skills such as literacy. Reasons include girls marrying early, fathers seeing training a girl that will leave the family to marry as a waste of resources, and girls needed to help to raise other children. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 17 million girls are still out of school; in South Asia, another 9.5 million are shut out.
Education empowers women by improving their living standard. It is the starting point for women's advancement in different fields of human endeavor. It is the basic tool that should be given to women in order to fulfill their role as full members of the society
Nigeria's Scenario
Nigeria is a federation of 36 states. The total population is 150+ million, making it the most populated country in Africa. There are 364 languages. English is the official language of business and is widely spoken. Nigeria's National Policy on Education segments the system into 6 years of primary education, allowing an exit point after 9 years of schooling to continue careers through apprenticeship or other vocational programs.
In 2010, a joint UNESCO-UNICEF report estimated over four million Nigerian girls between the ages of 6 and 11 having no access to primary education. Furthermore, the former Education Minister, Dr. Sam Egwu, once released worrisome and dismal statistics on Nigeria's out-of-school children. In his ministry's 2010 ministerial press briefing, Egwu revealed that 17 million Nigerian children had no access to education. This figure, he averred, was made of 11 million children who should be in primary school and six million who ought to be in Junior Secondary School (JSS). He said the level of transition from JSS to Senior Secondary School (SSS) was put at 16 percent, while only six percent of applicants gain admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, because of the crisis of access to the institute.
Problems include:
Lack of classroom space leading to open air classrooms subject to weather fluctuations, leading to class cancellation.
Quality of education offered is affected by poor attendance leading to low rate of educated students. Illness and hunger either of the children themselves or members of the family contribute to the attendance problem.
Teachers are inadequately prepared and morale is low due to basic condition of the work environment and poor salaries.
High cost of schooling includes the costs of books, stationery and basic equipment, uniforms, admission fees, registration and examination fees, contribution towards building and maintenance fund, construction fees, transportation, mid-day meals, Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) fees, sports fees, library fees (even where they are more or less moribund) and extra tuition fees.
Opportunity costs for parents sending children to school is high. The children's time is often of economic importance to the family either in terms of income generating activities or in supporting the functioning of the household.
Unemployment among school graduates dissuade people from going to school since they see limited economic benefits.
Finally, the low quality of schooling, particularly with regards to poor physical infrastructures, lack of motivated staff, poor utilization of resources, content of curriculum, nature of teaching methods and relationship of the school and teachers with the wider community negatively impact the education system.
Solution: Public/Private Partnerships in Education
It is not possible to grow a nation with uneducated people. Nigeria needs a well trained and motivated workforce to achieve her development objectives. The UNESCO has recommended 26% budgetary allocation to education. To correct the aforementioned problems and transfer the solution to other African countries, we see Open Wonderland as a solution of choice. With this open source technology and our focus on public schools regardless of the distance and level of income, we can be nearer to the Universal Basic Education portion of the Nigerian Millennium Development Goals by 2015, which has been looking unattainable. We need technologies that are simple to teach and learn for both teachers and students alike. They also need to be interactive and fun to encourage their interest, and increase student retention rates.
Using 3D virtual world technology as a catalyst to providing education for all in sub-Saharan Africa, 3D immersive education environments will offer significant improvements over the normal face-to-face, traditional teaching and learning styles. Their interactivity and capability for real-time collaboration across geographical distance, will raise the bar of excellence, promoting global peace through understanding and respecting of each other's cultures.
To ensure that no child is left behind and education is truly global, Virtual Technology for Education (VT4E) will study, implement, operate and support 3D virtual world environments for schools in Nigeria and other regions of Africa, using collaborative, state-of-the-art platforms and toolkits. Within those worlds, users can communicate with fidelity and security using immersive audio, share live desktop applications, and collaborate in an educational context. Educators around the world are inventing Wonderland worlds for a vast array of topics and a wide range of student populations, which we will be able to take advantage of.
It has been said that to revolutionize the effectiveness of teaching, learning and communication, the workplace is the classroom and technologies are the tools for learning. Multimedia technology can help foster interactive group communication, which is a key to learning. Additionally, some studies have shown that people can absorb knowledge up to 40 percent faster with multimedia and improve retention by up to 50 percent. It is this result that led Yonkers (1195: Yonker, M., Executive Education and Leadership Development, New York; University Park, P.A. pg 20-23) and some other writers to agree that knowledge (K) equals the sum of the people (P), and information (I) multiplied by technology (T) or K = (P) +IT. The promising practice, therefore, is a combination of classroom and technology.
It would be unpardonably remiss if I don't thank my business partner Michel M. Denis from Internet 3 Solutions for his invaluable belief in the VT4E project shown in his tenacious commitment and work ethic. Our team is just fabulous. He is detailed-oriented and in it for the long haul. He is an architect who is so committed that he even finds the school song of the Nigerian Pilot School without any help from me. Thank you Michel! We have a priceless collaboration in us.
"Technologies are enablers, and when put in the hands of good teachers, the students soar and excel"
-Unknown
"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn"
-Albert Einstein
As I announced at the recent European Immersive Education Summit, the US National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a grant to Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) to create an immersive environment for teaching English as a Second Language. You can read more about the project in these two press releases:
The project is currently in the design phase. One of the particularly nice aspects of this project is that it involves multiple departments at the school. I am currently working with students in the photography department coaching them on how to take and edit photographs for use in 3D modeling. In January, I will be working with graphic arts students to show them how to build models of buildings on their campus and apply the photographs as textures. In addition, I'll be helping to train staff from various departments such as Financial Aid and Student Affairs on how to staff office hours in Wonderland so that ESL students can practice their conversational skills with actual college staff volunteers.
By the end of the project, STCC plans to have curriculum for four levels of ESL instruction in Wonderland. | eng | 1f8b8ea1-e0c0-472a-a03c-56149d5545b5 | http://blogs.openwonderland.org/tag/immersive-education/ |
At Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists, we're always looking for bigger and better options to offer our patients. Although some conditions we treat eventually require surgery, we know that having treatment alternatives can be beneficial for our patients. Not everyone (not many!) is keen about going under the bright lights and having a scalpel cut them. We worry about those who love needles and knives!
There is a treatment option that has begun to show incredible success in managing pain and treating various orthopedic conditions called Laser Therapy. Laser therapy involves the use of light energy, emitted at different wavelengths, which penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular metabolic activity.
Laser therapy can be used for various conditions, including some of the more common conditions seen in our office, such as:
Tendon and Ligament Injuries
Arthritis
Plantar Fasciitis
Neuropathies
Muscle Sprains
Sport Injuries
Joint and Muscle Pain
Wound Healing and Inflammation Prevention
If you are wondering about the benefits for using laser therapy treatment then here is a quick list, which we have gathered from the results and responses from our patients.
1) Painless Procedure!! – Unlike other laser treatments, this laser therapy has no associated tingling, heat or needle-prick sensations felt during an office treatment. The laser is programmed by your podiatrist to act on a specific area without causing any discomfort or swelling.
2) Minimal to No Pain - Not only is there no pain associated with treatment, but patients who have experienced years of ongoing pain and have not found a successful method towards managing their pain have finally found a solution. Laser therapy has enormous pain relieving capabilities, within a few treatments the pain can disappear as if it never existed. The pulsating light emissions from the laser interrupt the pain signals that are sent to the brain, thereby diminishing the feeling of pain.
3) Heal Faster – Whether you've had a recent surgery or are recovering from a sport related injury, laser therapy can help you recover and get you back on your feet much faster than normal healing time. The concentrated light is released at specific wavelengths, which penetrates the skin and stimulates the metabolic activity of the cells within the damaged tissue. This accelerated cellular activity causes increased cellular growth and tissue repair.
4) Reduced Inflammation – The continuous light emissions from the laser on your treatment area stimulate vascular circulation, which causes increased delivery of immuno-responsive cells. In addition, the increased vascular circulation induces an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the edema caused by the inflammatory process.
5) No Ugly Scars – Whether you are opposed to surgery or fear the scars and recovery time associated with surgery, laser therapy eliminates all of these problems. Fortunately, laser therapy is non-invasive, so there is no scar or recovery time associated with the procedure.
Overall, if you are looking for an alternative to invasive surgery or want to try a quick and different treatment option due to failed past attempts, then Laser Therapy treatment could be the Right Choice for You.
]]> 21 May 2013 00:00:00 EST There is nothing more aggravating than injuring yourself halfway through a run, especially when you are on the hilly terrain of your favorite scenic trail. Unfortunately, injuries are more common during these trail runs due to the uneven terrain and hazardous objects on the ground. If you are experiencing pain on the lateral side of your foot after one of these trail runs than we want to educate you on a commonly overlooked injury that may be causing the pain. This condition is called Cuboid Subluxation.
Before we begin talking about the condition, it is important to understand a couple facts about the anatomy of the cuboid within the foot. The cuboid is a small bone of the midfoot and lies on the lateral edge of the foot. Just like other bones of the foot, the cuboid has bony landmarks, such as the large groove on the bottom, which acts as a fulcrum for the tendon of the peroneus longus muscle. The peroneus longs muscle tendon runs passes through the groove on the bottom of the cuboid in order to reach its insertion on the first metatarsal tuberosity. This anatomical relationship between the cuboid, peroneus longus muscle, and its insertion point enable important actions to occur, such as eversion of the foot, stabilization of the first metatarsal during propulsion (Toe-off) and plantar flexion of the foot and ankle joint.
As you can see, the anatomical position of the cuboid and its relation to the Peroneus Longus muscle directly contributes to the biomechanics of walking and running. Athletes, such as runners, tend to overuse this pulley-like system, which overtime may cause the cuboid to slip out of its joint. When the cuboid shifts out of its position (Subluxation), it causes scattered pain and affects all of the surrounding bones, muscles and tissues. It is clear that a cuboid subluxation is an important injury to take care of as fast as possible, but the symptoms of the condition replicate many other injuries, such as the common inversion ankle sprain. Therefore, we want to discuss some common symptoms, diagnostic signs, treatments and prevention tips in order to help you diagnose and recover as fast as possible.
1) Symptoms – The most common symptom is an aching pain scattered along the lateral (outer) edge and plantar (bottom) aspect of your foot, which typically gets worse with exercise. Also, pain is usually accompanied by inflammation, swelling and weakness around the area of the cuboid bone.
2) Diagnostic Signs – As mentioned earlier, proper diagnosis of a cuboid subluxation is difficult because it shares the same symptoms as many other injuries and is difficult to see with an X-ray or MRI. However, As an expert in foot and ankle conditions, I am trained to make an accurate differential diagnosis in order to rule out other conditions and properly identify the underlying problem in order to treat your injury. In some cases, the cuboid can be visually seen to be displaced from its normal position when there is either a dorsal sulcus (from a plantar subluxation) or a palpable bump on the dorsum of the foot (from a dorsal subluxation).
3) Treatments – Here is the GOOD NEWS. If you are suffering from a cuboid subluxation then you could be relieved of pain within minutes after proper physical manipulation. Physical manipulation techniques allows realignment of the cuboid bone back to its original location while avoiding any further damage to the surrounding structures. After relocating the bone, we recommend strapping and/or padding around the area of the cuboid in order to maintain its correct position and stabilize the surrounding joints.
4) Prevention – The first precautionary measure to prevent a cuboid subluxation is to wear proper footwear, such as trail running shoes when running on uneven and rocky terrain. You should also avoid improper landings on uneven surfaces or stepping on hazards, such as stones because they can displace the cuboid. By wearing supportive shoes while practicing proper running form and landing can greatly reduce your risk of injury. Also, for any activity or exercise, always remember to stretch properly in order to alleviate the tension on your muscles that insert onto the bones of the foot.
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed method to avoid a cuboid subluxation. However, proper realignment of the cuboid through non-invasive manipulation techniques can have you back on your feet and running in no time!
]]> 15 May 2013 00:00:00 ESTNew York Yankees short stop Derek Jeter was recently photographed walking around in a Rebound Walker. This walking boot, made by Ossur, is the same boot we use for our patients at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists. Not that we had any doubts about the quality of medical equipment we dispense, but the fact that a professional baseball player is using it to rehabilitate an injury should only bolster our use of the same product, right? Our team at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists strive to not only provide the best foot and ankle care in Austin, but to offer you the best in medical technology and devices (such as the Rebound Walker).
So what happened to Derek Jeter anyway? Well, if you read our blog with regularity or watched last year's playoff, you will remember that last October the short stop fractured his ankle during game 1 of the American League Central Series. After missing the remainder of a playoff series that saw the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants in the World Series, Jeter spend the rest of the off season allowing his injury to heal. The span of 4 to 5 months is typically adequate time to heal from and rehabilitate and ankle injury or fracture. While one would have expected Derek Jeter to be back for this season, he reported to spring training in the Rebound walking boot we mentioned earlier. It was reported that he sustained another small fracture in the previously injured ankle and would be out until the All Star Break.
Walking boots are usually used in the last stages of the bone healing process. The process of bone healing involves a soft 'callus' of blood over the break which then becomes hard. As the bone heals together this hard callus begins to remodel with the bone. It is during this remodeling stage that the bone regains its strength. Through the use of walking boots, you and your doctor, can slowly introduce the increased strain that allow your bones to be as strong as they are. Walking boots can be used in a variety of ways and is only one of many tools your Austin podiatrist can use to get you well!
Until next time, keep those feet and ankle happy and healthy Austin!
]]> 11 May 2013 00:00:00 EST When you decide to go on a nice long run or walk, have you ever felt an irritating, mild pain, which radiates around your knee joint? Having pain in the ball of your foot during or after walking? If so, than you may be injuring or aggravating your joints. Conditions such as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, otherwise known as "Runner's Knee", ball of foot pain or big toe joint pain can be attributed to a popular sneaker design. Whenever you are experiencing pain at a joint, it means your body is telling you that something is wrong. If you are feeling pain, than you need to begin assessing what is causing the pain before the condition worsens. You may be surprised that one of the largest contributors to knee strain and running injuries results from wearing the wrong shoe type for your feet. We want to make a couple suggestions as to why you may want to reconsider the type of running shoe that you are using.
Did you know that the height difference between the heel and front of your shoe (heel to toe offset) may affect the biomechanics of your stride or landing?
Over the years, this has been a modification made to running shoes due to the benefits for alleviating stress on your knees.
For those with forefoot issues, such as arthritis and ball of foot pain, these kinds of shoes/sneakers may force more pressure into a problem area. Often I educate patients about the shoes they thought would be helpful are actually hurting their condition.
The ultimate goals during running are to Reduce Impact Shock and have Proper Body Alignment When Landing after each stride.
Reduce The Impact Shock – You can reduce the shock of impact by landing properly and evenly on your foot rather than striking heel or toe first. When you land heel or toe first, you increase the loading rate at specific areas on your foot, which ultimately places increased stress at certain joints, such as your knees.
Proper Body Alignment When Landing – In order to reduce the impact of shock when landing, it is important to keep your pelvis level and your thigh in a neutral position. You also want your foot to be aligned underneath your hip and landing flat, around the area of your mid-foot. If you see that your heel is landing first and out in front of the rest of your body, than you may also want to try taking shorter strides to help correct your bodies' alignment in order to stick a proper landing.
The problem with running shoes that have a higher Heel-to-Toe drop (10-12mm), is that they encourage you to strike the ground at your heel prematurely since it is closer to the ground. This causes a disproportional, abrupt force and large load (weight) on the small area of your heel. These impact forces are not able to be absorbed by the rest of the foot as well therefore; these forces are directed towards the knee joint. At first, this may not be a problem, but over time, the shock absorbing cartilage around the knee becomes damaged and your muscles begin to work in an unnatural fashion, which makes you prone to injury. Studies have shown that higher heel-to-toe offset shoes increase Hip Internal Rotation Torque and Knee Flexion Torque. These are clear indicators that these running shoes force your bodies' mechanics in an unnatural position, thus making you prone to injury.
Choosing a more neutral running shoe may decrease the strain on your knees and prevent injury, however, EVERY PERSON IS DIFFERENT! The best way to find out what type of running shoe is best for you, is to see your podiatrist, so they can evaluate your foot-type and assess your running form.
]]> 03 May 2013 00:00:00 ESTDiabetes has become a very common major health issue. Almost 10% of the population of this country is living with diabetes. Between a third and half of people affected by this disease do not even realize that have it. Any adult who keeps regular appointments with their family physician is familiar with blood glucose monitoring or HbA1c testing used to monitor changes in carbohydrate metabolism. It is the small changes to this system that first point to a diabetes diagnosis. For the multitude of individuals who do not see a physician regularly, these annual or biannual tests are not performed. You may not realize changes have occurred to your body's metabolism until you experience alternations in your normal activities.
What are some the symptoms of diabetes? If you fall into the last category, you are probably wondering what changes to look for. Below is a list of symptoms you may experience if your body's ability to metabolize sugars has been altered and developed diabetes:
Frequent urination
Constant thirst no matter how much you drink
Extreme hunger no matter how much you eat
Weight loss – losing a few pounds is nice, but a quick unexplained loss of weight is a sign of something wrong
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not pass go, do not collect $200, visit the nearest doctor and get treatment. Sorry for the monopoly analogy, but it is imperative that you see a physician and follow through with treatments. Any of the symptoms mentioned occur with high blood sugars. When these sugars remain high for long periods of time, there is the potential for non-reversible damage to your body. Because your feet are so critical to your daily activities and can be so easily affected by this disease, we recommend you visit us at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists. Keeping your sugars under control and visiting your Austin podiatrist can keep your feet happy and healthy!
Until next time Austin!
]]> 21 Apr 2013 00:00:00 ESTIf you are affected by bunions or are interesting in how your Austin podiatrist goes about correcting them, you have hopefully read Part 1: The Cheilectomy and Part 2: The Austin. Feel free to click on these two hyperlinks to get caught up these options before learning about this one. The three options we are presenting is not the entirety of surgical options available to correct your bunion. Instead we are attempting to give you a general idea of what part of your foot deformity the correction focuses on. Your doctor will discuss the option best suited to your bunion and the differences in post operative care.
The previous two blogs focused on the 'head' of metatarsal bone or the hypertrophy that can occur there. This last procedure, the lapidus, is part of the group used to address more extensive deformities. The first metatarsal (behind your big toe) makes an angle with the second metatarsal (behind your second toe). When this angle becomes too great, the procedures that focus on the head of the bone cannot fully correct the deformity. A thorough biomechanical exam, which may reveal excessive joint mobility, along with the latest in digital x-ray technology allows our doctors to choose the best procedure for you.
The Lapidus: This procedure is unique amongst the procedures that focus on the base of the first metatarsal rather than the head. The incision for this procedure is closer to the middle of your foot instead of near the ball. It is typically a little larger, but utilizing plastic surgery suturing, the surgical site heals without leaving a noticeable scar. The procedure itself involves fusing, or joining, two bones together to limit deforming forces. By removing the cartilage that allows the bones to glide along one another, the bones are allowed to heal together. Small surgical screws or plates are utilized to hold the construct together while it heals. After a sufficient period of time off your feet to allow healing, you can get back into your regular shoes and your bunion will be a thing of the past.
Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!
]]> 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST Recently, I saw a healthy, active young teenage male in the office for leg pain and flatfeet. He was having issues after running and sports activity. At age 15, he was already 6'4"! In addition to lower leg pain, he was having classic symptoms related to Osgood-Schlatter's (caused by stress on the patellar tendon that attaches the quadriceps muscle at the front of the thigh to the tibial tuberosity). Some of his pains were attributed to "growing pains".
As with all our pediatric patients, we took x-rays for a baseline assessment. Now, I expected to see normal growth plates at different areas and some joint misalignments that correspond to his flat feet. Boy was I surprised!!
It turns out that he had a large bone cyst that was roughly 50% of his lower tibia (the larger of his lower leg bones). This was an area he wasn't really conveying issues with. After looking at his x-rays, I started to do a more focused exam to this specific area, which expectedly turned out to be painful with pressure and touch. I had to pull him out of all sports immediately due to his risk of completely breaking the bone with just the right motion or impact!
So this stresses the point that for growing kids, we don't accept the term "growing pains". Although the incidence of bone tumors in kids is fairly low, you just never know! It's better to be suspicious and be wrong, than to be careless and miss something big!
With this incident in mind, I wanted to write a little bit about Bone tumors to better educate our patients.
There are two general classifications of tumor types, which are:
Benign Tumors – These are non-cancerous masses, which do not spread from their original sites to any other parts of the body.
Malignant Tumors – These are the more dangerous masses, which are considered cancerous. The dangerous component of malignant tumors is the spread of uncontrollable dividing cells to other parts of the body, this is known as Metastasis.
The most common group of tumors that arise within the skeleton of children between the ages of 6-12 are Benign Bone Tumors.
There are three main types of Benign Bone Tumors that often appear in children, which are:
Osteochondromas– This is the most common benign tumor of the foot and is usually located under the toenail. The tumor may cause deformities to the toenail, such as an ingrown toenail or irritation to the surrounding tissue, but are not typically painful. This type of tumor growth also appears in the metaphysis of long bones such as the Femur and Tibia in children.
Unicameral Bone Cysts – This is a different type of tumor that forms from the presence of excess tissue and fluid, which fills a hole in the bone. This type of tumor is usually found after fracturing a long bone, such as the tibia and upper portion of the femur.
Nonossifying Fibromas – This type of tumor growth appears in actively growing sections of long bones, such as an actively growing section of the femur or tibia.
Benign Bone tumors are usually asymptomatic and rarely need surgery because they go away on their own. However, these tumors could put your child at a greater risk of injury or growth problems from the resulting weak spot in the bone. Also, benign tumors should be monitored just in case the growth becomes too large and causes pain or pinches any surrounding nerves.
Malignant Bone Tumors are cancerous tumors called Sarcomas, which are less common in children. However, these tumors are dangerous because over time, the cancerous cells of these tumors find their way into the blood and can spread to vital organs, such as the lungs. These cancerous cells can destroy the limb of the tumors location and can be life threatening when they spread to other parts of the body.
There are two main types of Malignant Bone Tumors that often appear in children, which are:
Osteosarcomas – This is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and young teens. These malignant tumors arise from mesenchymal cells, which are responsible for the formation of bone. Therefore, these tumors primarily affect immature bone, such as the rapidly growing metaphyseal regions of bones in children.
Ewing Sarcomas – This is the second most common malignant bone tumor in children and young teens. These tumors tend to be very aggressive and arise from neuroectodermal cells that affect the metaphyseal regions of bones in the lower extremity of children.
The key symptom for both Osteosarcomas and Ewing Sarcomas is the presence of pain at the affected site. Swelling and weight loss are other key findings in Ewing Sarcomas. Regardless of the severity of symptoms associated with malignant tumors, it is your responsibility to take action because these cancerous cells can spread to your child's vital organs and cause serious damage or even worse, death.
Therefore, if your child is complaining about pain in a localized region of their bone or you notice an abnormal lump on their limb then it is crucial that you contact your podiatrist as soon as possible. Bone tumors can be extremely challenging to find and diagnose correctly, so your podiatrist may use multiple imaging tests in combination with assessing the tumors location and your child's age to determine the best course of action. An accurate, early diagnosis and treatment plan significantly enhances the success rate for treating malignant bone tumors.
]]> 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 ESTIt was so bad that they replayed it only twice and refuse to show footage on the evening news. The last game to set theFinal Four® was between Duke and Louisville Sunday. With less than 7 minutes left in the first half Louisville player, Kevin Ware, jumped to block a 3 point shot. On the landing his right leg buckled with multiple fractures to his lower leg. The exposed bone was too much for the teammates who saw it as you can see on YouTube. Even through the horrible injury he repeatedly told his teammates he would be fine and to focus on winning the game. According to reports Tuesday, he was discharged from the hospital with his leg casted after undergoing surgery to correct his injury.
When it comes to open fractures, or those that break though the skin, immediate hospitalization is critical. A break in the skin with exposed bone can be a prime path for infection to occur. Additionally, fractures of large bones, like the tibia that Kevin Ware broke, can release fatty clots into the blood stream causing further life threatening problems. Multiple fractures, or those that result in many pieces, are best treated by fixating the bones together with surgical plates or pins. Kevin Ware had a large rod placed to hold the tibia together while it heals. By using this technique, the bone fragments are held in proper anatomical alignment, neutralizing movement in order to allow the bones to heal without complication.
Closed fractures of the foot and ankle can be treated at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists. Remember that just because you retain function or can continue to walk on it, doesn't mean you have not sustained a fracture. Make an appointment to be evaluated. We have the latest technology in digital x-ray to allow us to quickly and accurately diagnose fractures. Simple fractures can be treated with immobilization in a cast. Those fractures that leave the bones a distance from one another or have tendons pulling on them often require surgical intervention. Either way, seeking out your Austin podiatrist early can get you better quicker!
Until next time, keep those feet and ankles happy and healthy Austin!
]]> 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 ESTAnyone diagnosed with diabetes is first counseled on 'lifestyle modification'. This advice includes eating smarter, to keep your blood sugars from spiking, and exercising, which allows you body to more efficiently utilize the sugar in your blood. Because life habits are hard to change, your family doctor likely will have you start taking a medication that allows your body to respond more appropriately to elevated blood sugars. Diabetes can be an opportunity to take a little better care of yourself and when well controlled my never develop secondary problems.
One of the most common secondary symptoms people experience with late stages of the disease are numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in their fingers and toes. These sensations may not persist or only occur occasionally, but they are classic finding for peripheral neuropathy. The nerves in the outermost part of your body, fingers and toes, contain the smallest of nerves. These tiny nerves are the first ones to be damaged by diabetes and elevated sugars. Nerves are very slow to heal and often damage to them is so significant that it is irreversible. When your nerves are not able to detect pain, the chances of you injuring your feet are greatly increased. It is important for anyone with neuropathy to examine your feet daily for any problems or injuries.
Through constant monitoring you can avoid the direst of diabetic complications including infection and amputation. A study from the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) published last month supports you continuing to exercise even if you have developed diabetic peripheral neuropathy. They compared non-weight bearing exercises, stationary cycling, to weight bearing exercises, treadmill walking and stair climbing. They found that the pressure placed on the feet was not increased significantly from one type of exercise to the other. That being said, it is important to discuss your exercise plans with Austin podiatrist and closely monitor your feet. As with any exercise, begin slowly and gradually increase the amount. Monitor your feet throughout your exercise routine and visit us at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialist at the smallest change.
Are you experiencing pain in the ball of your foot or (forefoot) while walking or exercising? If so, than you may be suffering from a condition called Plantar Plate Dysfunction. Our forefoot is a very intricate part of the foot. There are many small ligaments, bones and muscles that hold our forefoot intact and allow for efficient, forward movement during gait (Propulsion). As we walk or run, we disperse all of our body weight from the heel (Hindfoot) to the small, ball of the foot (Forefoot).
All of the structures in the forefoot are strategically aligned to endure the stress of our body weight and convert it into efficient gait. This area receives high pressure and stress from everyday use; therefore, it is common to experience different problems such as, Plantar Plate Dysfunction, which may result in pain within this area.
Unfortunately this is commonly missed and often mistreated by foot and ankle specialists. It can be misdiagnosed as a neuroma, bone pain and joint inflammation. Having been Fellowship trained by an innovator of treating this specific condition (Dr. Lowell Weil, Jr.), I wrote this blog to differentiate this condition from other causes of forefoot pain.
What is a Plantar Plate and Plantar Plate Dysfunction?
Plantar plate dysfunction is a common problem associated with the dysfunction (stretch or tear) of a ligament within the forefoot called the Plantar Plate. The Plantar Plate is a ligament which is present in the lesser toes and attaches the base of the toe to the metatarsal on the plantar surface. This ligament creates a sturdy connection that prevents the bases of the toes from elevating and slipping out of the joint where it articulates with the metatarsal. This ligament stabilizes the toes with every step you take. When you step forward, your toes bend and after you lift your foot off the ground, the toes are brought back into a straight, articulated position at the joint by the action of this ligament.
What are the symptoms of a Plantar Plate Dysfunction?
When the Plantar Plate is stretched or torn common symptoms include:
Most common to experience problems associated with the Second Sub-Metatarsal and under the base of the toe
Sensation of pain in the joint and at away from the ball of the foot.
Pain most intense during propulsion phase.
Constant dull ache at the toes
Partial Dislocation of the joint when the Plantar Plate is completely torn.
The severity of pain is typically associated with the severity of damage to the Plantar Plate. Many factors can cause a plantar plate dysfunction, but the most common causes are associated with overuse and excessive pressure on the ligament and/or joint.
Are you at risk of a Plantar Plate Dysfunction?
Plantar Plate dysfunctions are more common see in:
Patients with who have Long 2nd Metatarsals
Overweight patients
Patients who Overuse and Abuse the Area (Wearing high heels and Excessive stress exercise).
Patients with Bunions
Tight Fitting Shoes.
It is important to take care of your feet and treat a plantar plate dysfunction as early as possible because if left alone, can lead to more severe problems such as: Hammertoe (Deformation/Buckling of the toe), deviation of the toe, progressive instability of the toes, continued pain and arthritis.
Prevention of a Plantar Plate Dysfunction includes:
Early diagnosis by a podiatric foot and ankle specialist and assessment of pain that arises at the ball of the foot.
Controlled, mild workouts and exercise.
Wearing properly fitted shoes with good support.
Treatment of Plantar Plate Dysfunction includes:
In mild cases, padding within the shoes or orthotics are made to stabilize the foot.
Strap toes together to stabilize the movement of the injured Plantar Plate.
Overall, a Plantar Plate Dysfunction is a serious condition due to the dependency of the forefoot in efficient gait/walking. Therefore, make sure to have your condition evaluated and treated as early as possible by a well-trained Foot and Ankle Specialist.
]]> 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 ESTWelcome to our second blog in our bunion series. If you missed our first blog on the topic, follow this link and take a closer look at one of the basic surgeries used to correct a bunion deformity. Many foot problems can be mitigated by correcting mechanical imbalances with the use of custom orthosis or shoe inserts. That is why we recommend seeing your Austin podiatrist at first sign of a problem. When padding or inserts fail to give you adequate relief, the next step is surgery. The podiatrist's at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists have completed some of the most extensive training in surgeries of the foot and ankle making them your best choice for surgical correction.
Medicine has had a long history of doctors associating their names with procedures and anatomical findings. One such procedure, the Austin bunionectomy, is a common procedure to shift the head, or bump of your bunion, into better alignment with rest of your foot. While our great city was named after Stephen F. Austin, he was not a surgeon and thus the name is of pure coincidence.
The Austin. We are using this nomenclature for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, the generic name for this procedure, the 'v-shaped' osteotomy, has been used by podiatrists for a long time. The main component of most bunion deformities is the misalignment of the first metatarsal, aka the long bone behind your big toe. The bump on your foot is actually the head, or end, of this bone. The procedure involves make a v-shaped cut into the side of the head of the bone with the point facing towards your toes. This allows the bump to be shifted over and fixated so that the cartilage of the joint better aligns with the bones of your big toe. When these bones are back in proper alignment, you will not only be able to fit into your shoes, but should be able to do so pain free.
This surgery normally heals without any complications when following our specific post-operative plan. The stretches and early range of motion exercises will speed up your recovering. Getting you back on your feet and pain free is our goal!
Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!
]]> 24 Mar 2013 00:00:00 ESTWhat do Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers), and Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons) all have in common? Besides their teams being 7 games or more out of first place in their division? Well, each player injured their ankle last week. Luckily neither one broken any bones, but each did injure the ligaments, or sprain, their ankle. We have blogged about ankle sprains in the past but it is always worth revisiting. While Brandon has been taken off the court to rehabilitate his injury, Kobe played twelve minutes on Friday and may be playing again today. To complicate further complicate Kobe's situation, he is also getting over the flu, or maybe just the flu like symptoms of a common cold.
Basketball players, professional NBA, collegiate NCAA, or high school, are all at risk of ankle injury. Even with high topped shoes to help support the ankle, the cutting, dodging and fast speeds of the game continue to put these athletes at higher risk for ankle injuries, especially sprains, than many other sports. The outside of the ankle is at the highest risk because of the limited amount of ligaments holding it together. In addition to the tendons of muscles that cause the foot to function, there are three ligaments that hold the bones of the outside ankle together. Any activity or misstep that places the ankle in a poor position with excessive stress can damage one or all of these ligaments.
Professional athlete or not, the importance of rehabilitation and protection are critical for everyone. The severity of the injury will impact the recovery, thus Brandon Knights continued absence from the game. We have to wonder if Kobe Bryant shouldn't require a similar absence. It is important for athletes at every level to avoid the push to continue to play which can create further problems. Seek out treatment at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists. We use the latest technology to identify the extent of you injury and take the proper steps to get you healed. Taking time to rest as well as intensive physical therapy are both important parts of getting you back to healthy play.
Until next time, keep those ankles happy and healthy Austin!
]]> 17 Mar 2013 00:00:00 ESTPodiatrists, or chiropodists if you have been around for awhile, have long been known as the doctor to see when you get a bunion. As specialists of the foot and ankle, they have spent many years studying and training to provide you and your feet with the best treatments to relieve pain. Few of us can get through a day with out logging many miles on our feet, so when something begins to hurt it is hard to ignore. There is no reason you should when help can be just a phone call away. Your Austin podiatrist has many options to offer you when it comes to correcting your foot and ankle pains. There are a variety of non-invasive treatments that can be offered for a variety of problems. While there are a few conservative options for bunion pain, including special shoes or padding that we can, surgery is usually necessary to relieve pain and appearance of bunion deformities.
There are several options for surgical correction. At Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists a thorough exam will allow your doctor to see what 'type' of bunion you have and decide on the proper option accordingly Depending on the structure and mechanics of your foot as well as the amount of time the deformity has been present will all influence the best procedure for your bunion. What might look like a simple bump on the side of your foot may actually be a miss aligned bone. Instability in certain joints and the stresses placed on them will effect progression and treatment. Other times a portion of the bone my hypertrophy, or grow excessively, to create the bump. While there are always risks of surgery and no option is simple, we want to give you an idea of what it involved in the less complicated deformity.
The Cheilectomy: One of the first procedures utilized, it is still very appropriate when then deformity is an underlying hypertrophy of the bone. In these cases it is used as a standalone procedure and can have you back on your feet relatively quickly. An incision is made over the deformity and the extra bone is removed before closing the skin back with sutures. . Additionally, we used radiofrequency ablation and injections of plasma rich protein or PRP, at the surgical site for optimal healing. Most commonly the extra bone growth occurs along with a malaligned bone. In those cases, other procedure that we will outline in future blogs, are used in conjunction with this one.
Look for the second blog on this topic when we will address another option for surgical correction of your bunion deformity.
Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!
]]> 10 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST Limb Length Discrepancy is relatively common amongst the general population, but for the majority of people, the differences in limb length are very small and therefore, do not cause any noticeable effects. However, those of you who are suffering from a larger, more obvious limb length discrepancy, such as when one leg is noticeably shorter than the other than you may be experiencing multiple effects.
If you are experiencing a leg length difference than it is either due to:
1)Structural/Anatomical Problems – This means that one lower limb is shorter than the other, otherwise known as, a True Limb Length Discrepancy.
Or
2) Functional Problems – This means that both legs are the same length, but your hips are unbalanced, dislocated or unstable, which causes one hip to be situated higher than the other, giving the appearance of a shorter leg.
Leg length discrepancy's can be caused by multiple factors, including:
Congenital Defects, which range in severity, leading to lower limb malformations.
Trauma or Injury to a lower limb bone, especially during younger ages.
Underdevelopment and Deformities of the Hip or Spine, which can cause unequal alignment of the hips or lower limbs.
Surgical procedures such as Hip and Knee Repair and/or Replacement can create a limb length discrepancy
If you have a leg length discrepancy than you may be experiencing multiple problems, which can affect your Hips and Knees, such as:
Pain – You may experience pain in your Hips and Knees because the length difference affects the biomechanics of your lower extremities and gait. The result of these affects forces you to apply pressure on your bones and joints unnaturally, causing your body to relay the message that something is wrong through pain.
Posture – Your posture changes in response to a lower limb length discrepancy in order to compensate for the height difference. When this occurs you become more prone to injuring your hips and knees.
Range of Motion – Your bodies self defense mechanism may limit your range of motion in your hips and knees during daily activities in response to the unequal alignment of your lower extremities.
Weight Distribution – Improper alignment of your lower extremities can cause unequal weight distribution on your hips and knees, which may result in injury or arthritis in the longer limb
Joint Problems – If you are putting unequal pressure on the joints of the hips and knees than you're prone to meniscus tears and degenerative arthritis of the longer limb.
Ligament Damage – If you are limping while walking to compensate for the length difference than your longer leg is prone to increased knee flexion, which can lead to torn ligaments of the knee.
Dislocation – If you are an active person than you have a greater chance of dislocating your hip. The uneven alignment and impact on your joints during activities may not support the ball and socket joint of your hip properly, so you become prone to dislocation and further injury.
If you think or know you have a leg length discrepancy, than make an appointment at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists so we can assess your situation and prevent any further injury, while helping you live a more comfortable lifestyle!
]]> 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 ESTWith the ever rising costs associated with healthcare and the diseases that cause them, a healthy lifestyle and preventative medicine are playing a bigger and bigger part of the care you receive. Your primary doctor will order standard labs as part of your yearly check up. One of these molecular markers is glycosylated hemoglobin. Also known as your HbAlc, this measurement checks your blood sugar levels for the past 3 month period. This is the lifespan for your red blood cells which become altered by sugar levels in the blood. Some alterations are normal, as sugars supply your tissues and organs with fuel, but as this level consistently rises it becomes a red flag for impending diabetes.
If you are one of the estimated 79 million Americans in this pre-diabetic state, consider it an opportunity to take control of your health! You have not quite yet crossed the threshold to diabetes, but unless you take steps to improve your diet and activity you may find yourself doing daily finger sticks and taking medications. The type of diabetes we are talking about has previously been known as 'adult onset diabetes'. While there can be a variety of precipitating events, it is widely accepted that a combination of weight gain and poor diet over a lifetime destroys your body's ability to properly control your blood sugars. Look at pre-diabetes as you opportunity to take control of your health and start living better.
Some individuals have effectively eliminated the symptoms of their diabetes by changing diet and daily activity levels. Most recently comedian Drew Carey, host of 'The Price is Right', was reported to have dropped 80 pounds and eliminated the need for his diabetic medications. Limiting the simple sugars found in pizza and bread along with regular cardiovascular workouts were the key to his transformation. While not a common result, his experiences exemplify the power of diet and lifestyle modification. Keep an eye on your health with yearly checkups and take the steps today to prevent problems later. Here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists we are ready to fix your foot problems and keep you active.
If you have high arched feet than you may have a condition called Cavus Foot. High arches can become apparent at various ages such as, at birth from a congenital abnormality or later in age from neurological disorders, trauma, or other medical conditions. High arches can exist unilaterally or bilaterally depending on the source of your condition.
What is the significance of having a high arched foot?
Your high arched foot (Cavus Foot) causes your body to disperse the majority of your body weight on the ball, outer aspect and heel of your foot. This is a major problem because when you are standing or walking there is a smaller area on the bottom of your foot that absorbs the shock of impact from your body weight. Therefore, these areas of your heel and mid-tarsal joints are prone to complications from the increased pressure they endure on a daily basis, which can also cause adverse effects to the rest of your body as well.
What kinds of complications or effects result from a high arched foot?
Other Issues, such as, Shoes usually don't fit properly and Decreased exercise, which may lead to other health problems
- This is just a short list of complications, but as you can see, many problems can arise as a result of your high arches.
So how can you be certain that you have high arched feet?
Start by assessing whether or not you are experiencing some common symptoms of high arched feet, which include:
Pain in the ball of the foot and heel
Calluses amongst these high impact areas
Stiffness along the middle portion of your foot
Pain in the joints of the lower extremity, especially within the ankle region
Cramping and soreness in the arch area or outer foot
Pain at the outside ankle
Frequent ankle sprains
- You can also dip the bottom of your feet in water and then step on a dry piece of paper. If there is a thinly defined wet imprint near the middle of your foot and dark imprints near the heel and ball of your foot then you are more likely to have high arched feet.
However, you should see a podiatristin order to assess the severity of your high arches and what precautionary/treatment measures can be taken to relieve your symptoms.
The pain and conditions associated with your high arches may be hindering your daily lifestyle, but that is not a reason to give up on the activities that you love. Rather, you should take the proper measures to treat your high arches with care in order to avoid any future problems.
]]> 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 ESTFor anyone living with diabetes, you have probably been counseled on how and what you eat. Adult onset diabetes, or Type 2 diabetes, occurs when the body can no longer properly maintain blood sugar levels. While many the molecular details have not been completely elicited, this type of diabetes can be described as your pancreas becoming lazy. Cells within this organ are the ones that release insulin, the prime regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, i.e. blood sugars, in your body. In early and later stages of the disease, this organ does not respond properly to you bodies cues and ultimately can fail.
We cannot emphasize the importance of proper sugar control enough if you have noticed from our previous blogs. When blood sugars are high, the blood vessels and nerves supplied by them become damaged. These vessels and nerves in your hands, feet, kidneys, and eyes are some of the smallest in your body and thus the first ones affected by this disease. For this reason, anyone diagnosed with diabetes is recommended to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) and podiatrist (foot doctor) once a year in addition of frequent visits with their primary care doctor. The American Diabetes Association outlines the entirety of your healthcare team.
A recent study was published in Endocrine Today, a publication focused on specialists dealing with metabolism. Because diabetes is a disease of metabolism we see at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists, we watch for news pertinent to our patients. This study found that all other measurements of body weight, diet, etcetera, countries that allowed high fructose corn syrup to be used in food products have a 20% higher incidence of diabetes within their population! Every person responds different to foods and sugars, but this study points to one particular food additive that can especially tax the body. While it will take further studies before the FDA takes steps to address it, you do not have to have pre-diabetes or diabetes in order to eat better. Make it a point to take a look at the nutritional information on the foods you eat. Include more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet and avoid sugary or processed foods. A conscious effort to eat better now can pay dividends in the future.
Until next time, keep those feet and ankles happy and healthy, Austin!
]]> 17 Feb 2013 00:00:00 ESTWith only a few days left until Valentine's Day, you may be waiting or still searching for something to do for your sweetheart. We have a great idea for those of your still searching or looking for something a little different. A spa quality foot massage without leaving the home! If you receive our Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists' February newsletter, then you already know what we are talking about. If not, read on and consider signing up for our simple newsletter delivered to your email monthly.
There are a variety of things you can do to pamper that special someone's feet. Anyone can appreciate a nice warm soak at the end of a long workday. Just remember to dry the feet well, especially between the toes, when they are through. Then have them kick back as you treat them to a spa quality massage.
When it comes to massage, lotions with an oil component, massage oil, or a plain old bottle of baby oil are best. Remember not to overdo it and be sure to keep a towel or two handy in case you use a little too much. Use your thumbs to slowly massage the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. Try to use long, slow strokes to avoid tickling your partner. Focusing on the heels, arches, and balls of the feet will feel best as they are the easiest spots to be over used. Be sure to work the massage through the toes and the top of the foot for completeness. The massaging motion can help facilitate blood flow to nourish and repair the feet.
Once you have the feet 'warmed up', work on moving around the joints to eliminate any stiffness or aches that may have set in. Grasping the heel of the foot slowly move it up and down as well as in and out. Keep the motions slow and simple to avoid over extending or causing any discomfort. You can further the in and out motions in the middle of the foot and up and down motions at the toes. Repeat as warranted and think about sharing a foot message after V-day is over.
Until next time, keep your feet and ankles happy and healthy, Austin!
]]> 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 ESTYou may have come across a few articles or news stories discussing the latest exercise program being offered at a New York City gym. Their Stiletto workout is designed to be performed in high heeled shoes and promises great results. While we have often cautioned against the dangers of high heels, the controlled environment of a gym may be a safer place to wear them than out on the town in Austin. Moderation is key when it comes to high heels…..and here is why.
Any type of shoe can compliment or alter the mechanics of your foot. When it comes to high heels, the calf muscles become shortened. Over time this continued shortening causes other muscles groups to overcompensate. This type of action contributes to the formation of foot deformities including bunions and hammertoes. Most foot deformities are a result of inherited foot mechanics that alter proper foot function. Any shoe that gives one muscle group advantage over another, like high heels, can aggravate the foot mechanics. For this reason, anyone can develop hammertoes.
Hammer toes, or hammer digits, are a result of the tendons creating contractions of the toes. A hammertoe can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. Depending on which tendon shortens, the toes can become contracted at different points. This is most often visualized by where the corn forms. These painful skin formations rarely resolve without addressing the underlying bony deformity. A thorough evaluation by your Austin podiatrist will provide an accurate diagnosis of the type of hammertoe you have.
Hammertoes that can be straightened out are flexible. Those that have been present for a long time and cannot be straightened out are rigid. When placed in accommodative shoes that prevent rubbing and irritation, either type may not bother you. It is when these deformities become painful that your podiatrist may suggest surgical correction. Our new Three Lakes Surgical Center is equipped to accommodate these surgies and get you home the same day. It doesn't matter if the surgery requires implants or is a simple tendonplasty our staff is ready to make sure you have positive experience!
Be careful out there in those high heels and keep Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists in mind when your feet start to hurt. Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!
]]> 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST Are you suffering from a Muscle, Tendon or Ligament Injury that is hindering your active lifestyle? If so, Platelet Rich Plasma Injections may be the solution towards helping you recover from your injury faster, so you can return to your active lifestyle!
What are Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections?
Platelet rich plasma injections are a new, up and coming treatment that utilizes your own blood platelets to stimulate the natural healing process and promote tissue regeneration for muscle, tendon or ligament injuries. The Platelet Cells in your blood contain important growth factors, which signal the body's healing response mechanism to act at the site of injury. Unfortunately, our body's response towards healing injured ligaments and tendons takes longer due to the poor blood supply to these areas. Therefore, this method of injecting high concentrations of platelet rich plasma into the site of your injury should theoretically, enhance the healing process.
Some Common Orthopedic Conditions or Injuries that PRP's can be used for include:
Plantar Fasciitis
Achilles Tendonitis and Tendinosis
Ankle Sprains
Muscle Tears and Strains
Ligament Injuries
Tendon Injuries
Joint Arthritis
Joint Pain
Tennis Elbow
Golfer's Elbow
Knee MCL Tears
What are the Benefits of Using PRP Injections for Your Injury?
Far Less Expensive than Surgery
Uses Your Own Blood! So, there is No Risk of Rejecting the Treatment
Non-Invasive Surgery
No Stitches, Therefore, No Scars!
PRP Injections are being used all over the world, including Professional Sports! Famous athletes from different sports, such as Golf, Football and Baseball attest to the benefits from using PRP Injections. Some Examples include NFL Athletes, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who gave credit to the PRP Injections that allowed them to recover from their injuries and play in the 2009 Super Bowl. Not Satisfied? How about Golf Phenomenon, Tiger Woods, who used PRP Injections to recover from a Knee Injury, which enabled him to play in all four Majors this past year. Athletes from professional baseball teams such as the Houston Astros, LA Clippers, and New York Mets have all had great success with PRP injections to recover from chronic, non-healing injuries in the shoulder and elbow joints.
PRP Injections are becoming increasingly popular amongst the sports medicine and orthopedic community, so if you are looking to try a new treatment option to return to your sport or active lifestyle as quickly as possible, then PRP Injections may just be for you! | eng | 7f8a8f44-809a-4996-bc27-8c373a057f54 | http://www.austinfootandankle.com/feed.xml |
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cryptographic data processing, also sent to a second processor for computing a second residue of two raised to a power of twice the first number of binary digits modulo the first modulus. The first residue and the second residue are used as input to a third processor that computes a cryptographic result based on the large integer.
Patent Text
Claims What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for cryptographic data processing, comprising: a first circuit configured to determine, based on a modulus and an integer, a first residue of the integer modulo the modulus, wherein: the modulus has a number of binary digits; and the integer represents either plaintext or ciphertext a second circuit configured to determine, based on the modulus and the number of binary digits, a second residue of two raised to the power of twice the number of binary digits modulo the modulus; wherein at least a first portion of time during which the first circuit determines the first residue is the same as a second portion of time during which the second circuit determines the second residue; and a third circuit configured to determine, based on the first residue and the second residue, a cryptographic result.
2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein: the number of binary digits is a first number of binary digits; the modulus is a first modulus; a second modulus has a second number of binary digits; and the apparatus further comprises: a fourth circuit configured to determine, based on the second modulus and the second number of binary digits, a third residue of two raised to the power of twice the second number of binary digits modulo the second modulus; wherein at least a third portion of time during which the first circuit determines the first residue is the same as a fourth portion of time during which the fourth circuit determines the third residue; and wherein at least a fifth portion of time during which the second circuit determines the second residue is the same as a sixth portion of time during which the fourth circuit determines the third residue.
3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein: the cryptographic result is either the plaintext or the ciphertext; and the third circuit is further configured to determine the cryptographic result based on a public-key private-key pair.
4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the third circuit is further configured5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein: the number of binary digits is a first number of binary digits; the modulus is a first modulus; a second modulus has a second number of binary digits; the first circuit is further configured to determine, based on the second modulus and the integer, a third residue of the integer modulo the second modulus; the second circuit is further configured to determine, based on the second modulus and the second number of binary digits, a fourth residue of two raised to the power of twice the second number of binary digits modulo the second modulus; wherein at least a third portion of time during which the first circuit determines the third residue is the same as a fourth portion of time during which the second circuit determines the fourth residue; and the third circuit is further configured to determine the cryptographic result based on the first residue, the second residue, the third residue, and the fourth residue.
6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5 a fourth circuit is configured to determine, based on the third modulus and the third number of binary digits, a fifth reside of two raised to the power of twice the third number of binary digits modulo the third modulus, wherein the fifth residue is a third Montgomery constant; wherein both (a) the first portion of time during which the first circuit determines the first residue and (b) the third portion of time during which the first circuit determines the third residue are the same as a fifth portion of time during which the fourth circuit determines the fifth residue; and wherein both (c) the second portion of time during which the second circuit determines the second residue and (b) the fourth portion of time during which the second circuit determines the fourth residue are the same as a sixth portion of time during which the fourth circuit determines the fifth residue; and the third circuit is further configured to determine the cryptographic result, based on Montgomery's method, the first modular reduction of the integer, the second modular reduction of the integer, the first Montgomery constant, the second Montgomery constant, and the third Montgomery constant.
7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first circuit is further configured to determine the first residue of the integer modulo the modulus without performing a division by the modulus and without consuming a number of processing cycles as great as the number of binary digits.
8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second circuit is further configured to determine the second residue by being configured to: (a) initialize a data element with a value that represents two raised to the power of the number of binary digits; (b) determine a difference by subtracting the modulus from the value in the data element; (c) when the difference is not negative, shift the value in the data element toward more significant digits by one binary digit; (d) repeat9. An apparatus for cryptographic data processing, comprising: means for causing, based on a modulus and an integer, a first processing means to determine a first residue of the integer modulo the modulus, wherein: the modulus has a number of binary digits; and the integer represents either plaintext or ciphertext means for causing, based on the modulus and the number of binary digits, means for causing, based on the first residue and the second residue, a third processing means to determine a cryptographic result.
10 second number of binary digits, a fourth processing means to determine a third11. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein: the cryptographic result is either the plaintext or the ciphertext; and the means for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises means for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result based on a public-key private-key pair.
12. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the means for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises: means for13 integer, the first processing means to determine a third residue of the integer modulo the second modulus; means for causing, based on the second modulus and the second number of binary digits, means for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result, based on the first residue and the second residue, further comprises: means for causing, based on the first residue, the second residue, the third residue, and the fourth residue, the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result.
14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13 apparatus further comprises: means for causing, based on the third modulus and the second number of binary digits, means for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises means for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result, based on Montgomery's method, the first modular reduction of the integer, the second modular reduction of the integer, the first Montgomery constant, and the second Montgomery constant.
15. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the means for causing the first processing means to determine the first residue of the integer modulo the modulus further comprises: means for causing the first processing means to determine the first residue of the integer modulo the modulus without performing a division by the modulus and without consuming a number of processing cycles as great as the number of binary digits.
16. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the means for causing the second processing means to determine the second residue further comprises: (a) means for initializing a data element with a value that represents two raised to the power of the number of binary digits; (b) means for determining a difference by subtracting the modulus from a value represented by the value in the data element; (c) means for shifting, when the difference is not negative, the value in the data element toward more significant digits by one binary digit; (d) means for repeating the means of (b) and (c) until a number of times that means (b) is repeated is equal to the number of binary digits; and wherein the second residue is equal to the value of the data element, after the number of times equals the number of binary digits.
17. A computer-implemented method for cryptographic data processing, comprising1819. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 17, wherein: the cryptographic result is either the plaintext or the ciphertext; and causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises the step of causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result based on a public-key private-key pair.
20. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 17, wherein causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises the step of: causing21 steps causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result, based on the first residue and the second residue, further comprises the step of: based on the first residue, the second residue, the third residue, and the fourth residue, causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result.
22. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 21implemented method further comprises causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result, based on Montgomery's method, the first modular reduction of the integer, the second modular reduction of the integer, the first Montgomery constant, and the second Montgomery constant.
23. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 17, wherein causing the first processing means to determine the first residue of the integer modulo the modulus further comprises the step of: causing the first processing means to determine the first residue of the integer modulo the modulus without performing a division by the modulus and without consuming a number of processing cycles as great as the number of binary digits.
24. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 17, wherein causing the second processing means to determine the second residue further comprises25. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for cryptographic data processing, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform26 or more processors to perform27. A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 25, wherein: the cryptographic result is either the plaintext or the ciphertext; and the instructions for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises instructions for performing the step of causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result based on a public-key private-key pair.
28. A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 25, wherein the instructions for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises instructions for performing the step of:29 or more processors to perform the step instructions for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result, based on the first residue and the second residue, further comprises instructions for performing the step of: based on the first residue, the second residue, the third residue, and the fourth residue, causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result.
30. A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 29readable storage medium further comprises instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform instructions for causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result further comprises instructions for performing the step of causing the third processing means to determine the cryptographic result, based on Montgomery's method, the first modular reduction of the integer, the second modular reduction of the integer, the first Montgomery constant, and the second Montgomery constant.
31. A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 25, wherein the instructions for causing the first processing means to determine the first residue of the integer modulo the modulus further comprises instructions for performing the step of: causing the first processing means to determine the first residue of the integer modulo the modulus without performing a division by the modulus and without consuming a number of processing cycles as great as the number of binary digits.
32. A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 25, wherein the instructions for causing the second processing means to determine the second residue further comprises instructions for performing Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to cryptographic data processing. The invention relates more specifically to a method and apparatus for accelerating computation of Montgomery multiplication constants or modular reduction, or both, which are preliminary operations for widely used decryption methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The security of many cryptographic algorithms lies in the mathematical difficulty in factoring large integer values (whole numbers with hundreds of decimal digits or more). Factoring a particular integer means determining the unique set of prime numbers that, multiplied together, form the particular integer. A prime number is a number that has as factors only the number itself and the number one.
Many cryptographic algorithms also employ modulo arithmetic in which intermediate and final results are expressed as an integer in the range from 0 to m-1 for a number m called a modulus. The modular reduction operation is here represented by the term "mod." The modular reduction operation has two parameters, the modulus m and an integer a, and one result, the integer b such that a=b+k*m for some integer k. Effectively, the output b of the modular reduction operation is the remainder, or residue, of dividing the input integer a by the modulus m. If a is less than m, then b is the same as a. The modular reduction operation is herein expressed as "a modulo m equals b" and written as a mod m=b Alternatively, this is expressed as "a is equivalent to b modulo m" and written as a.ident.b [mod m] where [mod m] in square brackets indicates the immediately preceding number or variable is the output of the modulo operation. That is, the integer b always lies between 0 and m-1, whereas the integer a need not. The integer b is the residue of a modular reduction operation on the integer a and the modulus m. Other modular arithmetic operations commonly employed in cryptographic processing includes modular addition (the modular reduction of a sum of two integers), modular subtraction (the modular reduction of a difference between two integers), modular multiplication (the modular reduction of a product of two integers), modular division (the modular reduction of a quotient of a first integer divided by a second integer) and modular exponentiation (the modular reduction of a first integer raised to the power of a second integer).
Modular multiplication and exponentiation are often performed based on Montgomery's algorithm, well known in the art, and described in the article "Modular Multiplication without Trial Division," by P. L. Montgomery, in Mathematics of Computation, v 44, n. 170, 1985, pp. 519 521.
Cryptographic processing systems can be implemented in software, but speed is often significantly increased by implementing some of the steps in special purpose hardware such as electronic circuits. Such hardware typically takes the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a "chip," which is composed of separate blocks of circuitry that each performs a certain combination of one or more steps of the computation. The blocks of circuitry are connected so that the output of one block is fed as input to another block. At many steps, a set of parallel connections between blocks is devoted to pass every binary digit (bit) of input and output during each processing cycle. Efficient, thoroughly tested, small footprint blocks have been developed for several modulo computations. Common circuit blocks employed in cryptographic processing systems include modular reduction (MR) blocks, modular addition (MA) blocks, modular subtraction (MS) blocks, modular multiplication (MM) blocks, modular division (MD) blocks and modular exponentiation (ME) blocks.
In designing and building circuits to perform cryptographic processing one often has to trade the size of the circuitry for latency. The size of the circuitry is often measured in number of fundamental components called gates. The latency is often measured in the number of processing cycles. A gate transforms an input set of one or more bits to an output set of one or more bits during each processing cycle. Chips with fewer gates that are reused in subsequent processing cycles require more processing cycles to complete processing and increase latency. Chips with more gates that can complete processing in fewer processing cycles are larger, cost more and consume more power than chips with fewer gates. As a consequence, there are many alternatives for the architecture of the individual blocks and the arrangement of multiple blocks in processing systems.
The number of gates on a block is also related to the maximum number of bits of the input to and output from the block during one processing cycle; the more bits the more gates. The blocks are usually designed for integers up to a certain maximum number of bits. For example, existing MR blocks use precision division or successive subtractions for a limited number of bits, typically 128 bits or fewer. The use of precision division or successive subtraction becomes unwieldy at larger input and modulus sizes, such as at 1024 bits and 2048 bits. The number of processing cycles used for successive subtractions increases with the difference between the number of bits for the large integer and the number of bits for the modulus. This difference can sometimes be quite large, on the order of 1000 bits.
For some cryptographic processing, the modular reduction is performed a few times on a very large integer with a number of bits much greater than existing MR blocks and more frequently on integers having a number of bits less than the maximum for existing MR blocks. An example cryptographic algorithm widely deployed is RSA invented by Rivest, Shamir and Adleman, and described in the reference Applied Cryptography, Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C, by Bruce Schneier, 1996, John Wiley & Sons, New York (hereinafter referenced as Schneier). In this algorithm, the Chinese Remainder Theorem, well known in the art, is employed to break down a larger problem with a large modulus M, where M is equal to the product of two primes P1 and P2, into two smaller problems with the smaller moduli P1 and P2. The residue of large text T modulo P1, and the residue of T modulo P2, are needed (where T is the cipher text during decryption).
In current implementations, the smaller residues, e.g., T mod P1 and T mod P2, are used in subsequent processing steps that employ hardware designed to handle integers of the size of the residues, e.g., of the sizes of P1 or P2, but not of the size of the large integer, e.g., the size of T (also the size of M). Therefore the residues of the large texts are often computed in software and then passed as input to the hardware to continue the processing. The software computation of the residue is a performance hindrance.
Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need for an MR block that provides a smaller residue of a very large integer, which is not too costly in chip size and latency.
Furthermore, Montgomery multiplication modulo modulus m involves a factor called a Montgomery Constant that depends on m. In a past approach, the Montgomery Constant is computed in software for each modulus involved in the cryptographic processing and stored in one or more registers on the cryptographic processing chip. In the RSA algorithm, three moduli (M, P1, P2) are used for each private-key-public-key pair, so that three Montgomery Constants have to be determined for the three moduli and stored in three registers on the chip, consuming valuable chip area to support a large number of key pairs. Assuming use of 4,000 key pairs, which is reasonable for a practical implementation, the memory required to store the three Montgomery Constants (M, P1, P2) is approximately 12 megabits, excluding other pre-calculated constants.
Other cryptographic processing algorithms that compute Montgomery Constants include Diffie-Hellman key generation and the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA), both well known in the art and described in Schneier. To support multiple key pairs, multiple sets of three registers can sometimes be involved, consuming even more valuable area on the chip. For example, in the Ephemeral Diffie-Hellman key pair generation algorithm, well known in the art, the moduli can possibly change for each secret key generation. In this algorithm, the constants cannot even be pre-computed at all, but are necessarily computed after initiation of each exchange sequence.
Based on the foregoing there is a clear need for computing Montgomery Constants as needed for Montgomery multiplication in MM and ME blocks, so that the number of registers on the chips to store Montgomery Constants can be reduced without excessively increasing latency.
Based on the foregoing, there is also a clear need for a cryptographic processing system that both computes Montgomery Constants as needed and provides hardware components for modular reduction of very large integers without excessively increasing latencySUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing needs, and other needs and objects that will become apparent from the following description, are achieved in the present invention, which comprises, in one aspect, an apparatus for generating a digital output signal representing a modular reduction of a large integer. A first input receives a first input signal that represents a modulus having up to a first number of binary digits. A second input receives a second input signal that represents the large integer having up to a second number of binary digits that is greater than the first number of binary digits. A third input receives a third input signal that represents a constant based on a reciprocal of the modulus. A circuit is configured for generating an output signal representing a residue of the large integer modulo the modulus. The output signal is based on the first input signal and the second input signal and the third input signal. The circuit does not perform a division by the modulus, and does not consume a number of processing cycles as great as the first number of binary digits. An output presents the output signal that represents the residue.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for generating a digital output signal representing a residue of a particular power of two includes an input that receives input data that represents a modulus having up to a number of binary digits. A circuit is configured for determining the residue of two raised to a power of twice the number of binary digits modulo the modulus. An output presents the digital output signal representing the residue of two raised to the power of twice the number of binary digits. This signal represents the Montgomery Constant for the modulus.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for generating a digital output signal representing a residue of a particular power of two includes receiving input data that represents a modulus having up to a number of binary digits. A first data element is initialized with data that represents two raised to a power of the number of binary digits. A difference is obtained by subtracting the modulus from a value represented by data in the first data element. It is determined whether the difference is negative. If it is determined that the difference is not negative, then data that represents the difference shifted toward more significant digits by one binary digit is placed into the first data element. Based on the data in the first data element, a digital output signal is provided that represents the residue of two raised to a power of twice the number of binary digits modulo the modulus. This output is the Montgomery Constant for the modulus.
According to another aspect, a method for cryptographic data processing sent to a second processor for computing a second residue of two raised to a power of twice the first number of binary digits. The second residue is the Montgomery Constant for the first modulus. The first residue and the second residue are used as input to a third processor that computes a cryptographic result based on the large integer.
In other aspects, the invention encompasses an apparatus and a computer readable medium configured to carry out the steps of the foregoing methods.
The apparatuses and methods of these aspects allow both Montgomery Constants and modular reduction of very large integers to be implemented in hardware that is operated in parallel, significantly decreasing the latency of cryptographic processing. B an overview of a cryptographic processing system, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a modular arithmetic block for the cryptographic processing system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates a high level overview of one embodiment of a method for using the modular arithmetic block of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates one embodiment of a method to compute a Montgomery Constant for cryptographic processing;
FIG. 5A is a flowchart that illustrates one embodiment of a method to perform modular reduction without precision division or excessive subtractions;
FIG. 5B is a flowchart that illustrates one embodiment of a method to perform a step of the method of FIG. 5A;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a MR block to perform modular reduction without precision division or excessive subtractions, according to an embodiment; and
FIG. 7 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment may be implemented.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A method and apparatus for accelerating preliminary operations for cryptographic processing are described herein in sections according to the following outline:
To illustrate the modular arithmetic methods and apparatus, it is assumed that an electronic integrated circuit is fabricated for performing modular arithmetic operations to support RSA private key decryption. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to this context, but may be employed in other contexts as well, such as public key-private key exchange, encryption, and decryption, and digital signatures. For example, embodiments may be used in processing systems, like RSA decryption, that employ either the Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT) or modular exponentiation or modular multiplication or any combination of these. For example, embodiments may be employed as a means of designing such circuitry, as a software means for generating a Montgomery constant, as a hardware or software means of exchanging keys using Diffie-Hellman and ephemeral Diffie-Hellman, of verifying Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) signatures, and of verifying RSA signatures.
The Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) is a well-known digital signature algorithm promulgated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Diffie-Hellman is a well-known public-key private key exchange protocol. Both DSA and Diffie-Hellman are described in Schneier, referenced above. The DSA is used as the basis of the government Digital Signature Standard (DSS). Use of DSA is required in many popular network security protocols such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Internet security protocol (IPSec).
Both RSA and DSA employ public key cryptography techniques based on two keys known as a public key and a private key. The two keys are mathematically related, but the private key cannot be determined from the public key. In a system implementing public key technology, each party has its own public/private key pair. The public key can be known by anyone; however, no one should be able to modify it. The private key is kept secret. Its use should be controlled by its owner and it should be protected against modification as well as disclosure.
In general, in public key cryptography, a sender uses the recipient's public key to encrypt a plain text message; the resulting encrypted message is known as cipher text. The plain text may comprise data for text, voice, images, video, or any other data. The cipher text is sent to the recipient. The recipient can decrypt the message by providing the recipient's private key to a decryption algorithm that processes the message. Because deriving either party's private key from either party's public key is mathematically impractical, a malicious party cannot practically decrypt the message
RSA decryption makes use of the numeric integer parameters E, D, P1, P2 and M. E is the public key published by the recipient of a message for use in encrypting plain text (X) to generate cipher text (C) to be sent to the recipient. D is the private key used by the recipient to decrypt the cipher text C and regenerate the plain text X. The parameters P1 and P2 are prime numbers whose product M is a modulus used on the cipher text C and plain text X. That is, according to RSA encryption/decryption M=P1*P2 (1a) C=X.sup.E mod M (1b) X=C.sup.D mod M (1c). Let K1 be the number of bits in P1 and K2 be the number of bits of P2. It should be noted that integers X, C and M each involve a number of bits that is about the sum of K1 plus K2.
To improve performance, the Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT) is employed to take advantage of the fact that M is the product of two primes. For decryption, the CRT solution takes the form of evaluating the following expressions: D1=D mod (P1-1) (2a) D2=D mod (P2-1) (2b) F1=P2.sup.P1-1 mod M (2c) F2=P1.sup.P2-1 mod M (2d) C1=C mod P1 (3a) C2=C mod P2 (3b) X1=C1.sup.D1 mod P1 (4a) X2=C2.sup.D2 mod P2 (4b) X=[(X1*F1 mod M)+(X2*F2 mod M)] mod M (5) It is noted that expressions 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d depend only on the values of P1 and P2 and therefore can be evaluated before the cipher text C is generated or received.
Steps 3a and 3b involve the modular reduction of a large integer C that has many more bits than either modulus P1 or P2. For example, when P1 and P2 each include 1024 bits, integer C would have 2047 or 2048 bits, about twice the number of bits in either P1 or P2. Blocks devoted to modular reduction usually depend on large precision division or multiple subtractions. Sometimes, rather than devote chip real estate to a simple MR block, blocks for other operations are reused for some cycles to obtain modular reduction residues of input integers. For example, a MM block is used determine the product of one and the input integer. However, none of these conventional approaches have provided MR blocks that accept very large input integers, such as input integers with more than 1024 bits.
Steps 4a and 4b involve modular exponentiation that may be performed using modular exponentiation (ME) blocks that employ Montgomery multiplication. In addition, step 5 involves two modular multiplies that may also be performed using ME blocks that employ Montgomery multiplication.
Montgomery multiplication for a modulus m involves a Montgomery Constant (MCm) that depends on the number of bits (K) in the modulus m. Specifically, two variables, K and R, are defined by the following two expressions 2.sup.K-1.ltoreq.m<2.sup.K, (6a) R=2.sup.K. (6b) A Montgomery multiplication sub-block (MMS) performs the following operation on two operands A1 and A2. MMS(A1,A2)=A1*A2*R.sup.-1 mod m. (6c) The MMS can be used to determine the product B of two operands, A1, A2 as follows: B'=MMS(A1, R.sup.2), (7a) B=MMS(B', A2). (7b) The term R.sup.2 used in equation 7a depends only on the modulus m and is the called the Montgomery Constant for modulus m (MCm). That is, MCm=R.sup.2 mod m=(2.sup.K).sup.2 mod m=2.sup.2K mod m. (7c)
The conventional approaches to providing the Montgomery Constant compute the constant in software for multiple moduli involved in multiplication operations and to store the results on registers available to the Montgomery Multiplication sub-block (MMS). In some implementations, the register size devoted to stores the Montgomery Constants can grow large and consume valuable space on integrated circuits.
2.0 Structural Overview
FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an overview of a cryptographic processing system, according to an embodiment. The system includes an encryption/decryption integrated circuit, in which an embodiment is implemented. A client device 110 on a trusted local network 150 is connected to a non-secure, public network 155 through a gateway device 130. Client device 110 may be a network infrastructure element such as a router, switch, etc., that executes an SSL agent or IPSec process, for example. Alternatively, client device 110 may be a software process of an end station device such as a personal computer, workstation, server, etc. The gateway device 130 may be a computer or a network device such as a router. To encrypt and decrypt text, an encryptor/decryptor ASIC 131 is included in gateway device 130. Elsewhere connected to the network 155, a second client device 112 is connected through a second local network 152 and a second gateway 132 with a second encryptor/decryptor ASIC 133.
A first user of a process on client device 110 sends an electronic plain text message X to gateway 130 for encryption. A user, in this context, may be a programmatic process or software agent, as well as a human user. The message X may be a flow of data packets, an electronic document, or any other associated electronic data. Based on the address of the client device 130, or some other means of identifying the first user, a process on the gateway invokes the ASIC 131 for encrypting the message X with the shared parameters for the encryption algorithm along with the public key for the recipient at client device 112. Cipher text, (e.g., the integer C) is sent over the public network for client device 112.
The information for the client device 112 is received at gateway device 132, which invokes the ASIC 133 for decrypting the cipher text into plain text. The gateway device 132 passes the plain text to the ASIC 133. If the ASIC 133 is able to decrypt the cipher text (e.g., when the plain text X is generated, or when a digital signature is verified) then the message X is sent to a process on client device 112 over local network 152.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a modular arithmetic block 200 for the cryptographic processing ASIC, e.g., 131, 133 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. The modular arithmetic block 200 includes a modular exponentiation farm (ME farm) 250 of multiple ME blocks 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d among others, represented by ellipsis 251. In the illustrated embodiment, the ME farm 250 includes 16 ME blocks. Each ME block is able to perform modular exponentiation, modular multiplication, or modular reduction for up to three 1024-bit inputs (a modulus and one or two operands) based on control signals at one or more control inputs. The arithmetic block also includes an arithmetic controller 252 that determines which bits form which operands on which ME block and that provides the control signals for selecting exponentiation, multiplication or reduction. For example, under control of arithmetic controller 252, the ME farm 250 performs the operations indicated by Equations 4a, 4b, described above for RSA decryption.
The modular arithmetic block 200 also includes modular arithmetic post processing blocks 262 that includes one or more blocks to perform special modular operations, such as a 2048-bit modular exponentiation block and a 128-bit modular addition block, and includes a memory to store parameters for particular processes. The arithmetic controller 252 determines which bits form which operands on which blocks and provides control signals for the blocks in the modular arithmetic post processor blocks 262. For example, under control of arithmetic controller 252, the modular arithmetic post processor blocks 262 perform the operations indicated by Equation 5, described above for RSA decryption. The output from the modular arithmetic post processor blocks 262 are presented as output 268 from the modular arithmetic block 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the output 268 is presented in a 1024-bit buffer.
According to the illustrated embodiment, the modular arithmetic block 200 also includes a parameter collector block 230 that receives data indicating the parameters for the cryptographic process. The input to the modular arithmetic block 200 is provided as input 202 to the parameter collector block 230. In the illustrated embodiment, the input 202 is a 1024-bit buffer. For example, the parameter collector block 230 receives the moduli P1, P2, M, receives the pre-computed parameters D1, D2, F1, F2 computed using equations 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and receives ciphertext C, described above for RSA decryption, all in a series of 1024-bit signals through input 202. In some embodiments, the parameter collector block 230 also receives parameters such as MU1 and MU2 which are determined by P1 and P2, respectively, and which are described in more detail below.
A data bus 204 carries data from the parameter collector block 230 to the ME farm 250 and the modular arithmetic post processor blocks 262. The data bus 204 includes channels 204a that go directly to the modular arithmetic post processor blocks 262 as well as channels 204b that go into the ME farm 250 and channels 204c that come out of the ME farm 250. In an illustrated embodiment, the data bus 204 includes 2048 channels to transfer 2048 bits in each processing cycle, including 128 bits to each of the 16 ME blocks 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, 251 in ME farm 250. In some embodiments, the data bus 204 includes fewer channels and transfers data using additional processing cycles. In some other embodiments, the data bus 204 includes more channels and transfers data in fewer processing cycles. The bits received at parameter block 230 are directed to the ME farm 250 or the modular arithmetic post processor blocks 262 or to other blocks, described below, under the control of the arithmetic controller 252.
According to the illustrated embodiment, the modular arithmetic block 200 also includes a large input modular reduction block 210, a small Montgomery Constant block 220a and a large Montgomery Constant block 220b. In the illustrated embodiment, the parameter collector block 230 communicates two ways with each of these three blocks using a 128-bit data bus represented by the double-headed solid arrows in FIG. 2.
The large input modular reduction block 210 performs the computations of Equations 3a, 3b, described above for RSA decryption. More details on the large input modular reduction block 210 are described below with reference to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 6. KM represents the number of bits to hold modulus M; K1 represents the number of bits to hold modulus P1, and K2 represents the number of bits to hold modulus P2. According to the illustrated embodiment, the large input reduction block 210 determines the residue of the text C for both modulus P1 and P2, combined, in a number of processing cycles N210 that is about 75% of the sum of the number of bits K1 and K2 in the two moduli P1 and P2. That is, N210.apprxeq.0.75*(K1+K2).apprxeq.0.75*KM (8a)
The small Montgomery constant block 220a performs the computations of Equation 7c for modulus m=P1 or m=P2, described above for RSA decryption. The large Montgomery constant block 220b performs the computations of Equation 7c for modulus m=M=P1*P2, described above for RSA decryption. More details on the Montgomery Constant blocks 220a, 220b are described below with reference to FIG. 4. Km represents the number of bits to hold modulus m. According to the illustrated embodiment, the Montgomery constant blocks 220a, 220b determine the Montgomery Constant for modulus m in a number of cycles N220 that is about the number of bits in the modulus m. That is, N220 Km (8b) N220.apprxeq.Km (8b)
Because the Montgomery Constant for modulus M is computed in hardware instead of software, the computation is faster, with less latency, than computing the Montgomery Constant for modulus M in software.
As shown in FIG. 2, the blocks 210, 220a, 220b are connected in parallel to the parameter collection block 230. By connecting these blocks in parallel, the Montgomery Constant for both small moduli, P1 and P2, can be computed by block 220a, and the modular reduction of C for both small moduli can be computed by block 210, while the Montgomery Constant for the large modulus M is computed by block 220b. Thus the computation of the modular reductions of C and the Montgomery Constants, for both small moduli, can be computed with no increase in latency while the Montgomery Constant for the large modulus M is computed.
3.0 Functional Overview
FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates a high level overview of embodiment 300 of a method for using the modular arithmetic block 200 of FIG. 2. Although steps are depicted in a particular order in FIG. 3 and subsequent flowcharts, in other embodiments the steps can be performed in a different order or overlapping in time. For example step 320 may be performed before step 310 or overlapping in time with step 310.
In step 310, parameters are received for a cryptographic process. For example, the parameters P1, P2, M, D1, D2, F1, F2 for RSA decryption are received through input 202 at block 230. For purposes of illustration, it is assumed that M, F1, F2 each involve 2048 bits and that the other parameters each involve 1024 bits or fewer.
In step 320, a large set of text T is received to transform using cryptographic processing. For example the cipher text C is received at the parameter collector block 230 to be transformed to plain text X during RSA decryption. In other embodiments, other text is received, such as plain text X to be transformed to cipher text C during RSA encryption, or cipher text representing a digital signature is received. For purposes of illustration, it is assumed that the large set of text includes 2048 bits.
In step 322, the modular reduction of the text modulo a first modulus of the small moduli is performed to produce the first text residue. For example, the collector block 230 sends the text C and the moduli P1, P2 to the large input modular reduction block 210. The large input modular reduction block 210 computes a residue C1 by performing the modular reduction of the cipher text C modulo the modulus P1 in 0.75*K1 processing cycles. In the illustrated example, the parameter collection block 230 receives the value of the residue C1.
In step 324, the modular reduction of the text modulo a second modulus of the small moduli is performed to produce the second text residue. For example, the block 210 computes a residue C2 by performing modular reduction of the cipher text C modulo the modulus P2 in 0.75*K2 processing cycles. In the illustrated example, the parameter collection block 230 receives the value of the residue C2. If other moduli are involved, such as in algorithms using more than two prime factors, the modular reduction of the text modulo the additional moduli are also evaluated. According to the RSA decryption process, there are no other prime factors of M.
In step 340, the Montgomery Constant for the first modulus of the small moduli is computed. For example, the collector block 230 sends the modulus P1 to the small Montgomery constant block 220a. The small Montgomery Constant block 220a computes the Montgomery Constant MCP1 for modulus P1 in K1 processing cycles. In the illustrated example, the parameter collection block 230 receives the value of MCP1.
In step 342, the Montgomery Constant for the second modulus of the small moduli is computed. For example, after K1 processing cycles, the collector block 230 sends the modulus P2 to the small Montgomery constant block 220a. The small Montgomery Constant block 220a computes the Montgomery Constant MCP2 for modulus P2 in K2 additional processing cycles. In the illustrated example, the parameter collection block 230 receives the value of MCP2. If other moduli are involved, such as in algorithms using more than two prime factors, the Montgomery Constants of the additional moduli are also evaluated. According to the RSA decryption process, there are no other prime factors of M.
In step 360, the Montgomery Constant for the large modulus is computed. For example, the collector block 230 sends the modulus M to the large Montgomery constant block 220b. The large Montgomery Constant block 220b computes the Montgomery Constant MCM for modulus M in KM processing cycles. In the illustrated example, the parameter collection block 230 receives the value of MCM.
Steps 320, 340, 360 are illustrated as starting at the same time. In other embodiments, one or more may start later than others. For example, because it is estimated that step 360 takes more processing cycles to complete than steps 320, 322, 324, step 360 is started first in some embodiments. To take advantage of the parallel connections between the collector 230 and each of the blocks 210, 220a, 220b, some embodiments start each of steps 320, 340, 360 before any of steps 324, 342, 360 complete.
In step 380, the text residues and Montgomery Constants are used to continue processing according to the cryptographic algorithms being employed. For example, for RSA decryption, the text residues C1, C2, are used according to Equations 4a, 4b to evaluate X1 and X2 by employing two ME blocks of the ME farm 250 and the Montgomery Constants MCP1, MCP2. Then the results X1, X2 and parameters F1, F2 are used according to Equation 5 to produce plain text X by employing a large, 2048-bit exponentiation using the large Montgomery Constant MCM and a large, 2048-bit exponentiation block in the post processing blocks 262.
Using the steps of method 300, the computation of the residues C1, C2 of C, and the Montgomery Constants MCP1, MCP2 for both small moduli can be computed with little or no increase in latency while the Montgomery Constant MCM for the large modulus M is computed.
4.0 Montgomery Constant Computation
FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates one embodiment 400 of a method to compute a Montgomery Constant for cryptographic processing. In various embodiments, the method may be implemented in hardware or in software or both. In the illustrated embodiment, the method is implemented in each of two hardware blocks: a first block for relatively small moduli, e.g., 1024 bits and less; and a second block for relative large moduli, e.g. 1025 to 2048 bits. In other embodiments the boundary between large and small moduli may be different. In some embodiment more than two blocks associated with more than two ranges of moduli sizes may be employed. The method yields a Montgomery Constant for a modulus m having K bits in a number of cycles N=K.
In step 410, a modulus m having up to K bits is received. This can be accomplished in one or more processing cycles depending on the number of channels in the data bus and the size of the modulus m. For example, with a 128-channel data bus capable of transferring 128 bits in one cycle, a modulus of 1024 bits can be received in 8 cycles. The size K can be deduced from the modulus m using any method known in the art. One approach is described below with reference to Equation 9a.
In step 420 a variable Z is set to a value of two raised to the power of K. In hardware this is done by storing a value of 1 in the (K+1) bit of a register, as counted from the least significant bit. The register is herein called the "Z register" and is big enough to handle the largest modulus for the block. For example, in a small Montgomery constant block designed for a modulus m up to 1024 bits in size, the Z register includes 1025 bits. In a large Montgomery Constant block designed for a modulus up to 2048 bits in size, the Z register includes 2049 bits. In one embodiment, the K+1 bit is efficiently set to 1 with limited chip area and limited latency by inputting the value of 1 to a bank of shifters. The bank of shifters includes a combination of 256-bit shifters, 64-bit shifters, 16-bit shifters, 4-bit shifters and 1-bit shifters.
Steps 424, 430, 432 or 434, and 440 form a loop that is traversed K times. Any manner of forming the loop in hardware or software may be used.
In step 424, the difference is determined between Z and the modulus m by subtracting m from Z. In step 430, it is determined whether the difference is negative. If the difference is negative, control passes to step 432; if not control passes to step 434. The first difference will not be negative, so control will first pass to step 434.
In step 434 the difference is shifted left one bit, effectively doubling the difference, and the shifted difference is stored in the a memory locations such as variable Z in memory or in a special Z register. Control passes to step 440 to determine whether to traverse the loop again.
If the difference is negative, then the contents of the Z variable (or Z register) is shifted left one bit, effectively doubling the value of Z, and the shifted result is stored in the variable Z (or Z register). Control passes to step 440 to determine whether to traverse the loop again.
Step 440 represents a decision point for traversing the loop again. For example, if the difference has not been computed K times, then control passes back to step 424 to traverse the loop again. If the difference has been computed K times, the loop ends and control passes to step 450. Therefore the loop consumes K processing cycles, where K is the number of bits in modulus m.
In step 450, the Montgomery Constant MCm for modulus m is set to the value of Z. As defined in Equation 7c, the Montgomery Constant for modulus m is 2.sup.2K mod m. For example, the value of Z register is placed in a buffer that can be read by the parameter collector block 230, or an "is valid" flag is set to indicate that the value in the Z register is the final value after the loop.
Using the method 400 of FIG. 4, the Montgomery Constant can be determined in hardware or software. If performed on dedicated circuit blocks or on dedicated general purpose processors, all the Montgomery Constants associated with a cryptographic process can be determined in parallel, without increasing latency over the number of cycles inherent in the computation of the Montgomery Constant for the larges modulus.
5.0 Modular Reduction Computation
FIG. 5A is a flowchart that illustrates one embodiment of a method to perform modular reduction without precision division or excessive subtractions. Such a method is desirable over precision division or multiple subtractions in many cases. In general, if the difference in bit sizes between the cipher text and modulus is greater than 16 bits, repeated subtraction is not used. For example, for a ciphertext having 1030 bits and a modulus having 1024 bits, then repeated subtraction may be used; in contrast, for a ciphertext of 32 bits and a modulus of 12 bits, repeated subtraction is not used. If the ciphertext size is greater than 64 bits, then precision division is not used. Thus, for a ciphertext of 1030 bits and a modulus of 1024 bits, precision division is not used. For a ciphertext of 32 bits and a modulus of 12 bits, then precision division can be used.
FIG. 5A is based on Barrett's algorithm, described in the reference "Implementing the Rivest Shamir and Adleman Public Key Encryption Algorithm on a Standard Digital Signal Processor," P. Barrett, in Advances in Cryptology--CRYPTO '86 Proceedings, Springer-Verlag, 1987, pp. 311 323 (hereinafter Barrett). The reference does not suggest optimizing the algorithm for implementation in hardware rather than on a general-purpose processor.
According to Barrett, text T has less than 2*K bits where K is the number of bits in the modulus P. Given P, K can be computed according to Equation 9a. K=[log.sub.2 P]+1 (9a) where log.sub.2 represents the logarithm operation to the base 2 on the following operand. A factor MU depends on the reciprocal of P according to Equation 9b. MU=[2.sup.2K] div P (9b) where div represents an integer result from a division by the following operand. MU is independent of the text T being operated on; so MU can be predetermined and stored when P is defined, and used for several sets of text T using the same public and private keys without further divisions. A first quantity, Q, is defined by Equation 9c. Q=([T div 2.sup.K-1]*MU) div 2.sup.K+1 (9c) A second quantity, S, is defined by Equations 9d and steps listed as 9e and 9f S=(C mod 2.sup.K+1)-([Q*P] mod 2.sup.K+1) (9d) If (S<0) then reset S to S+2.sup.K+1 (9e) while (S>P) reset S to S-P (9f) Resetting S in step 9e amounts to changing the sign bit of a signed integer. When S is no longer reset, S contains the residue of the text T modulo the modulus P.
Embodiments utilize the method in FIG. 5A implemented in software on a general-purpose processor or in hardware. The implementation is used as the large input modular reduction block 210.
In step 510, a modulus P having up to K binary digits is received. For example, modulus P1 is received by the large input modular reduction block 210. Modulus P has up to K bits. If K is not provided as input, K is determined based on P and Equation 9a.
In step 512, a value for MU is determined as defined in Equation 9b. In some hardware implementations, MU is pre-computed in software or in a different hardware block and passed to the modular reduction block 210 and stored there for all computations involving the same keys. For example, in RSA decryption embodiments, values of MU for both P1 and P2 are received and stored in memory on the modular reduction block 210.
In step 514, a value for the text T, having fewer than 2*K bits, is received. For example, 2048 bits of the cipher text C is received.
In step 516, a first temporary variable called the TA variable (or a temporary register called the TA register) is set to the K+1 most significant bits (MSB) of T. This is equivalent to a divide by 2.sup.K-1, a power of two. A second temporary variable called the TB variable (or a temporary register called the TB register) is set to the K+1 least significant bits (LSB) of T. This is equivalent to modular reduction by 2.sup.K+1, a power of two. In hardware implementations, MSB and LSB selections, and integer division by a power of two, and modular reduction by a power of two, are readily accomplished with small chip area and few processing cycles using shifters such as the shifters bank described above with reference to step 420 of FIG. 4. The TB variable (or TB register) includes the value for the first term in Equation 9d.
In step 518, the contents of the TA variable (or the TA register) are reset to the product of the former contents and MU. In step 520, the contents of the TA variable (or the TA register), are reset to the K+1 MSB of Q. This is equivalent to a divide by 2.sup.K+1. Steps 516, 518, 520 yield the quantity Q according to Equation 9c.
In step 530, a third temporary variable called the TC variable (or a temporary register called the TC register) is set to the K+1 LSB of the product of Q and P, as in the second term of Equation 9d. In one embodiment, a large multiplier is used to perform the multiply, but only the K+1 LSB are stored in the TC register. This embodiment allows all the steps of method 500 to be completed in a number of processing cycles that is about 0.75*K. More details on how to perform step 530 in an alternative hardware embodiment are described below with reference to FIG. 5B.
In step 570, the residue variable (or the register called the residue register), represented by the symbol CP, is set to the difference of subtracting from the first term of Equation 9d the second terms of Equation 9d, stored in the TB and TC variables (or TB and TC registers), respectively. This step completes the evaluation of Equation 9d.
In step 580 a test is performed to determine whether the contents of the residue variable (or the residue register) represent a negative number. If the contents are not negative, control passes to step 584. If the contents are negative, control passes to step 582 to reset the contents of the residue variable (or the residue register) to a positive number by negating the contents. Control passes to step 584.
In step 584, it is determined whether the contents of the residue variable (or the residue register) represent a number greater than the modulus P. If so, control passes to step 588 to reset the contents of the residue variable (or the residue register) to the difference obtained by subtracting the modulus P from the contents of the residue variable (or residue register). Because of the value selected for MU in step 512, step 588 is expected to be performed no more than two times.
A residue computed only with subtractions, would be expected to involve about 2.sup.KM-KP subtractions, where KM is the number of bits in the large modulus M and KP is the number of bits in smaller modulus P. Therefore an excessive number of subtractions, and the excessive latency caused by the excessive subtractions, are avoided using MU in step 512.
In step 586, the value of the residue variable (or the residue register) is output, in any manner known in the art. For example, the contents are moved to an output buffer. In some embodiments, CP is already in an output buffer, and a valid bit is set in the output buffer during step 586 to indicate that the contents of the output buffer are valid for reading.
Steps 510 to 570 are repeated for P=P2 having up to K2 bits. In hardware implementations, this is accomplished by using the same hardware components in later processing cycles with different inputs.
Using the steps of method 500, Barrett's algorithm can be efficiently implemented in hardware at a relatively low cost in terms of chip area (e.g., few temporary registers) and latency.
FIG. 5B is a flowchart that illustrates an alternative embodiment 530a of a method to perform step 530 of the method 500 of FIG. 5A. In step 530a, the TC register is set to the K+1 LSB of the product of Q and P. The value of Q is stored in the TA register. Since Q is not used after step 530, the value in the TA register can be modified during the operation.
In step 532, the TC register and a counter J are initialized with all zeros. The counter J is used to track which bits of P have been multiplied by Q.
In step 534 a group size G is determined, which indicates how many bits of P are multiplied by Q during each processing cycle. There is a trade off between the size of sub-block devoted to computing the modular product and the number of processing cycles consumed to yield the product. To save size, G is chosen to be much smaller than K. In some embodiments, G=1. In hardware implementations, step 534 is performed once, at design time when the sub-block to perform the multiplication is designed and fabricated.
Steps 538, 540, 542, 544, 546, 548 form a loop that is traversed enough times to multiply every bit in P by Q. Only the bits of Q and P that contribute to the K+1 LSB of the product are kept. When G=1, the loop is traversed K times and consumes K cycles. When G>1, the loop is traversed fewer than K times and consumes fewer cycles. Any manner of forming the loop in hardware or software may be used.
In step 538, the value for the counter J during the current traversal of the loop is determined. J starts at zero and is incremented by G during each traversal. The loop is not traversed if J is greater than K. When K+1 divided by G is not an integer, the last bits of P are multiplied by Q using special logic, easily determined by one of ordinary skill.
In step 540, the values of Q*L are determined for 2.sup.G-1 values of L. When G=1, the two values of the product are 0 and Q. When G>1, the values of the product are 0, Q, . . . 2.sup.G-1*Q. The values are stored in an array of registers or on chip memory. The values are readily determined in one processing cycle by banks of shifters and adders. For example, if G=3, then the array has elements from 0 through 2.sup.3-1, which is 7; i.e. the array has 8 elements from 0 to 7. At each position in the array is a value of a multiple of Q from 0 to 7*Q. In hardware, completely filling this small array can be performed consuming less chip area and processing cycles then are consumed by inserting a high precision multiplication block to form the one product needed.
In step 542, the bits of P to be multiplied by Q are determined and stored in the variable called "FACT" herein. For example, from most significant to least significant bits, FACT is set to the bits in positions J+G-1 to J of the modulus P. When G=1, FACT is set to the bit in the J position of the modulus P. It is assumed for purposes of illustration that G=3, J=6 and the 3 bits in the 8.sup.th, 7.sup.th and 6.sup.th positions of P are "011" which is "3" in decimal notation.
In step 544, the TC register is reset to the contents in the TC register added to the value in the array associated with the position given by the bits in the FACT variable. For example, the bits "011" in the FACT variable indicate the 3.sup.rd position, and the value in the 3.sup.rd position of the array is 2*Q. This value 2*Q is then added to the value already in the TC register.
In step 546, Q is left shifted by G bits, which is equivalent to multiplying Q by 2.sup.G This step assures that the products computed in the next traversal of the loop are added to the correct bit positions in TC. To achieve a correct result with such shifting, the memory location that holds Q, such as the TA register, should have at least K+1 bits.
Step 548 represents a decision point for traversing the loop again. If the loop is traversed again, because after incrementing J by G, J is still no greater than K, then control returns to step 538. If, after incrementing, J is greater than K, control passes to step 550.
In step 550, the remaining bits of P, if any, are multiplied by Q and the product is added to the TC register.
Using the steps of method 530a, the product P*Q mod 2.sup.K+1 can be efficiently implemented in hardware at a cost in terms of chip area and latency that depends on the choice of G.
6.0 Modular Reduction Block
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a MR block 210a to perform modular reduction without precision division or excessive subtractions, according to an embodiment. The MR block 210a implements the steps of method 500 for RSA decryption.
The MR block 210a includes two smaller registers 614a, 614b ("P registers") for storing data representing the two smaller prime moduli of RSA decryption, P1 and P2, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment the registers 614a, 614b hold 1024 bits to accommodate moduli up to that size. In other embodiment, other boundaries between small and large moduli may be selected. For example, widely used modulus sizes may be included in a small register, while larger but more rarely used modulus sizes may be included in a large register. In some embodiments, the moduli sizes may be divided into more than two ranges.
The MR block 210a also includes two registers 612a, 612b ("MU registers") for storing data representing MU1 and MU2, as computed using Equations 9a and 9b for the two smaller prime moduli, P1 and P2, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the registers 612a, 612b hold 1025 bits to accommodate MU up to that size. In some embodiments, the values of MU1 and MU2 may be computed in hardware sub-blocks (not shown) based on the values of P1 and P2.
The MR block 210a also includes one register 610 (a "T register") for storing data representing the large input text T, such as cipher text C or plain text X. In the illustrated embodiment, the register 610 holds 2048 bits to accommodate values of C or X up to that size. The register 610 is connected to a binary divide sub-block 632 and a binary mod sub-block 634. The binary divide sub-block 632 outputs the MSB of the value in the T register 610, up to 1023 bits. In the illustrated embodiment, this output is the initial value of TA computed during step 516, as indicated by the arrow 633 in FIG. 6. The value may be stored in a TA register (not shown) within the data selection control block 630. The binary mod sub-block 634 outputs the LSB of the value in the T register 610, up to 1025 bits. In the illustrated embodiment, this output is the value of TB computed during step 516, as indicated by the arrow 635 in FIG. 6.
Using a 128-bit data bus, it takes 50 processing cycles to load the registers 610, 612a, 612b, 614a, and 614b.
The MR block 210a includes a control logic block 640 and a data selection control block 630. The control logic block 640 determines which values are produced during which processing cycle and provides control signals for one or more of the other sub-blocks. The control logic block 640 includes one or more state machines and counters that track the state of the various sub-blocks and the processing cycles.
The data selection block 630 directs data from one or more of the registers to one or more of the other sub-blocks. For example, in some embodiments, the data selection block includes several multiplexers and a multiplexer control component. The two P registers 614a, 614b and the two MU registers 612a, 612b are connected as inputs to the data selection control block 630. In addition, the MSB of text T output by the binary divide sub-block 632, shown as the output 633, is connected as an input to the data selection control block 630.
The MR block 210a includes a multiplier block 650 and a subtracter block 670. In the illustrated embodiment the subtracter block 670 works with operands having up to 1152 bits. The subtracter block 670 includes two operand inputs 672, 674. Operand input 672 accepts values for a first operand and operand input 672 accepts values for the operand that is subtracted from the first operand. The subtracter block 670 is used to perform the subtractions during steps 570 and 582 described above with reference to FIG. 5A.
In the illustrated embodiment the multiplier block 650 works with operands having up to 1025 bits. The multiplier block 650 is used to perform the multiplications during step 518 and 530 described above with reference to FIG. 5A. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiplier block 650 is based on a bit-serial architecture and includes a multiplier sub-block 652, a large adder 654 and a small adder 652. The architecture was chosen to reduce the overall gate count of the MR block 210a. The multiplier sub-block 652 computes the product of two operands up to 64 bits in size. The small adder 654 computes the sum of two operands up to 128 bits in size. The large adder 656 computes the sum of two operands up to 1152 bits in size.
Outputs from the data selection control block 630 are directed to the two operands of a multiplier 650 or to the input 674 of the subtracter 670. For example, during step 518 for the first modulus P1, described above with reference to FIG. 5A, the output 633 that contains data representing the initial value of TA is directed to one operand of multiplier 650 and the data from MU register 612a is directed to the other operand. During step 530 for the first modulus P1, the output 663 that contains data representing Q (as described below) is directed to one operand of multiplier 650 and the data from P register 614a is directed to the other operand. In some embodiments, both TA and Q are stored in a TA register in the data selection control block 630. During step 582 for the first modulus P1, the data from P register 614a is directed to the input 674 for the subtracted operand on the subtracter 670.
The output from the multiplier 650 goes to either a binary divide sub-block 662 or a binary mod sub-block 664, based on a control input signal provided by the control logic block 640. For example, during step 520, when the MSB of the product of MU and the contents of TA are obtained, the product is directed through binary divide sub-block 662. In the illustrated embodiment, this output from binary divide sub-block 662 is the value of Q, the final contents of TA, as indicated by the arrow 663 in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, this output is stored in the TA register of the data selection control block 630. During step 530, when the LSB of the product of P and Q are obtained, the product is directed through binary mod sub-block 664. In the illustrated embodiment, this output from binary mod sub-block 662 is the contents of TC, as indicated by the TC register 665 in FIG. 6
During step 570, the data from the TC register 665 is directed to the subtracted input 674 of subtracter 670; and the TB output 635 from binary mod sub-block 634 is directed to the other operand, as depicted in FIG. 6. The result is the first estimate of the residue and is placed in the residue register 675. For example, the result is the first estimate of the residue CP of the cipher text C, such as C1 for the first modulus P1.
During step 580, the control logic block 640 determines whether the value in the residue register 675 is negative. If so, then the value is the residue register 675 is negated by the control logic block 640.
During step 584, the control logic block 640 determines whether the value in the residue register 675 is greater than the value in the P register 614a or 614b for the current modulus, P1 or P2, respectively. If so, then another subtraction is performed during step 588. This subsequent subtraction is performed by the MR block 210a. The contents of the residue register 675 are input to the first input 672 of the subtracter 670. The contents of one of the moduli, indicated by P1/P2 output 637 from the data selection control block 630, are input to the subtracted input 674 of the subtracter 670.
Therefore, the modular reduction block 210a is one implementation in hardware for the method 500 depicted in FIG. 5A.
7.0 Hardware implementing the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed storage media such as, non-volatile storage media or volatile storage media, and transmission media. Non-volatile storage media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 710. Volatile storage storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or memory cartridge, or any other storage can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and appropriate circuitry can worldwide8 | eng | 0d568077-bfb6-463c-b418-5f95d84c626d | http://www.docstoc.com/docs/56535073/Method-And-Apparatus-For-Accelerating-Preliminary-Operations-For-Cryptographic-Processing---Patent-7187770 |
... US7443732 - High performance flash memory device capable of high density data storage
Dessins(11)
Revendications
1. A method of programming a nonvolatile memory array including an away of memory cells, each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region, comprising:
receiving a programming window containing a predetermined number of bits that are to be programmed in the array;
determining which of the predetermined number of bits are to be programmed in the memory array;
simultaneously programming the predetermined number of bits to corresponding memory cells in the array; and
simultaneously verifying a programming state of the predetermined number of bits in the array.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
pre-charging bit lines associated with the predetermined number of bits prior to simultaneously programming the predetermined number of bits.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pre-charging bit lines associated with the predetermined number of bits comprises pre-charging bit lines to a voltage corresponding to a voltage source.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming window includes 64 bits.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming window includes 128 bits.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining which of the predetermined number of bits are to be programmed in the away is based on an inverse programming method.
determining whether the predetermined number of bits is greater than one half of the number of bits in the programming window, where bits in the programming window not included in the predetermined number of bits are the remaining bits;
simultaneously programming the memory cells in the array corresponding to the remaining bits in the programming window if it is determined that the predetermined number of bits is greater that one half of the number of bits in the programming window; and
setting an indication bit to a predetermined logic state indicative of whether the predetermined number of bits is greater than one half of the number of bits in the programming window.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the simultaneously verifying a programming state comprises simultaneously verifying a programming state for a number of program windows.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the charge storage element comprises a dielectric charge storage element configured to store at least two independent charges for each memory cell.
13. A memory device comprising:
at least one away of non-volatile memory cells;
a voltage supply component configured to generate a programming voltage for simultaneously programming a plurality of the memory cells, the voltage supply component including a DC-to-DC converter; and
control logic configured to simultaneously program the plurality of memory cells, where the plurality of memory cells corresponds to a programming window including a predetermined number of bits to be programmed.
14. The memory device of claim 13, wherein the at least one array of non-volatile memory cells includes.
a plurality of sense amplifiers operatively connected to the plurality of bit lines, where the plurality of sense amplifiers are low-power sense amplifiers; and
control logic configured to simultaneously verify a number of bits in programmed memory cells by monitoring a threshold voltage for each memory cell with a corresponding one of the plurality of sense amplifiers.
18. The memory device of claim 13 wherein the predetermined number of bits is 256 bits.
19a plurality of sense amplifiers operatively connected to the plurality of bit lines for sensing a threshold voltage for memory cells connected to the bit lines;
a voltage supply component configured to generate a programming voltage for simultaneously programming a plurality of the memory cells, the voltage supply component including a DC-to-DC converter;
control logic configured to receive a programming window containing a predetermined number of bits that are to be programmed in the at least one array, and determine which of the predetermined number of bits are to be programmed in the memory array;
control logic configured to pre-charge bit lines associated with the predetermined number of bits;
control logic configured to simultaneously program the predetermined number of bits to corresponding memory cells in the array; and
control logic configured to simultaneously verify a programming state of the predetermined number of bits in the array.
20control logic configured to receive a programming window containing a predetermined number of bits that are to be programmed in the at least one array, and determine which of the predetermined number of bits are to be programmed in the at least one array;
control logic configured to simultaneously program the predetermined number of bits to corresponding memory cells in the at least one array; and
control logic configured to simultaneously read a programming state of the predetermined number of bits in the at least one array.
21. The memory device of claim 20, further comprising:
a plurality of sense amplifiers operatively connected to the plurality of bit lines, where the plurality of sense amplifiers are low-power sense amplifiers; and
control logic configured to simultaneously read a number of bits in programmed memory cells by monitoring a threshold voltage for each memory cell with a corresponding one of the plurality of sense amplifiers.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to non-volatile memory devices, and more specifically, to improving operations associated with non-volatile memory devices.
BACKGROUND ART
Flash memory is a common type of non-volatile semiconductor memory device. Non-volatile refers to the retaining of stored data when power is turned off. Because flash memory is non-volatile, it is commonly used in power conscious applications, such as in battery powered cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and in portable mass storage devices such as memory sticks.
Flash memory devices typically include multiple individual components formed on or within a substrate. For example, a flash memory may include one or more high density core regions and a low density peripheral portion formed on a single substrate. The high density core regions typically include arrays of individually addressable, substantially identical floating-gate type memory cells. The low density peripheral portion may include input/output (I/O) circuitry, circuitry for selectively addressing the individual cells (such as decoders for connecting the source, gate and drain of selected cells to predetermined voltages or impedances to effect designated operations of the cell such as programming, reading or erasing), and voltage regulation and supply circuitry.
In a conventional flash memory architecture, memory cells within the core portion are coupled together in a circuit configuration in which each memory cell has a drain, a source, and a stacked gate. In operation, memory cells may be addressed by circuitry in the peripheral portion to perform functions such as reading, erasing, and programming of the memory cells.
Flash memory typically includes two distinct types: NOR flash memory, and NAND flash memory. Generally speaking, conventional NOR flash memory is considered to be a code-level memory, while NAND flash memory is considered to be a data-level memory. More specifically, NOR flash memory is typically configured to provide a very reliable storage environment and to further enable fast and random reading of each memory cell in the device. This is accomplished by providing individual contacts to each cell in the device. The reliability and random access nature of the NOR architecture make NOR flash memory particularly suitable for code storage, such as mobile phone and set top box operating systems, etc. Unfortunately, the individually addressable nature of conventional NOR flash memory cells tends to limit the speed at which cells may be programmed and erased as well as limit rapid reductions in device sizes. Typical NOR flash memory devices have program rates on the order of 0.4 megabytes per second (MB/s) and erase rates on the order of 0.3 MB/s.
NAND flash memory, on the other hand, is configured to enable serial or page-based access to data stored therein. This is accomplished by linking memory cells to each other and only providing access to the cells as a group or page. This architecture has the advantage of enabling decreased device sizes and also for providing fast write times. However, because each cell is not individually addressable, NAND devices are generally considered less reliable and therefore more suitable for data storage than code storage. Typical NAND flash memory devices have program rates on the order of 8 MB/second and erase rates on the order of 60 MB/second.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention is directed to a methodAnother aspect is directed to a memory device including at least one array of non-volatile memory cells. A voltage supply component is configured to generate a programming voltage for simultaneously programming a plurality of the memory cells, the voltage supply component that may include a high voltage pump or a DC-to-DC converter.
Yet another aspect is directed to a memory device including a core array having at least one array of non-volatile memory cells. The at least one array may include a plurality of bit lines each connected to source or drain regions of a plurality of the memory cells, and a plurality of word lines, arranged orthogonally to the bit lines, each word line being connected to gate regions of a plurality of the memory cells. A plurality of sense amplifiers may be operatively connected to the plurality of bit lines for sensing a threshold voltage for memory cells connected to the bit lines. A high voltage supply component may be configured to generate a programming voltage for simultaneously programming a plurality of the memory cells, the high voltage supply component including a DC-to-DC converter. Control logic may be configured to receive a programming window containing a predetermined number of bits that are to be programmed in the at least one array, and determine which of the predetermined number of bits are to be programmed in the memory array. Control logic may be configured to pre-charge bit lines associated with the predetermined number of bits. Control logic may be configured to simultaneously program the predetermined number of bits to corresponding memory cells in the array. Control logic may be configured to simultaneously verify a programming state of the predetermined number of bits in the array.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein elements having the same reference number designation may represent like elements throughout.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary high-level implementation of a memory device;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary portion of an array of memory cells implemented in the core area shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating a cross-section of an exemplary one of the memory cells shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary programming of a memory device such as the memory device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary word line and a corresponding group of memory cells;
FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating one exemplary verify process shown in FIG. 7; and
FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary reading of a memory device such as the memory device shown in FIG. 1.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Techniques described below relate to a flash memory programming and reading techniques in which program speed, read speed are increased with advanced power consumption schemes.
Memory Device Overview
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary high-level implementation of a memory device 100. Memory device 100 may be a flash memory device implemented as an integrated circuit.
As shown in FIG. 1, memory device 100 includes a core array 102. Core array 102 may include arrays of high density memory cells, such as, for example, SONOS-type (silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon) memory cells, where the nitride layer acts as the charge storage element. More specifically, core array 102 may include multiple M×N memory arrays of substantially identical memory cells. As will be discussed in more detail below, core array 102 may be a sequential access memory in which memory cells may be accessed in designated groups, such as pages or partial pages. In this manner, core array 102 may adopt an interface structure that allows high speed data transfer and data buffering comparable to or even better than a NAND counterpart, regardless of the inherent physical NOR array structure contained within the memory device 100. Physically, in one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, a page of data may refer to a series of rows (e.g., four sequential word lines) of memory cells in core array 102. It should be understood that a page of data may include any suitable number of rows. Logically, pages can be thought of as blocks of data having predetermined sizes through which memory device 100 is accessed. In one implementation, the page size for memory device 100 is approximately two-thousand bytes (i.e., 2 k bytes).
Core array 102 may be accessed by providing an address for a page via address lines 104 to address sequencer 106. Address sequencer 106 may receive input address values and distribute them to Y-decoder 108 and X-decoder 110. Decoders 108 and 110 may decode the address values so that the source, gate, and drains of the memory cells referred to by the received addresses are activated and their data values read, programmed, or erased. The decoded addresses specify the appropriate physical lines in the memory cell array(s) that are to be used. For instance, a page of data may be activated and read out of core array 102 in parallel. The read data may be written to output memory 112 before being clocked to input/output (I/O) buffers 114 and read out via I/O lines 116. Y-decoder 108 may also include appropriate sense amplifier circuitry. Sense amplifiers may be used to sense the programmed or non-programmed state of the memory cells in core area 102. Sense amplifiers consistent with the invention may be low power sense amplifiers, as described in additional detail below.
In some implementations, the memory cells in array 102 may be implemented such that each memory cell can store two or more bits. In one such multi-bit per memory cell technology, called MirrorBit™, the intrinsic density of a flash memory array can be doubled by storing two physically distinct charges on opposite sides of a memory cell. Each charge, representing a bit within a cell serves as binary unit of data (e.g. either "1" or "0"). Reading or programming one side of a memory cell occurs independently of the data that is stored on the opposite side of the cell.
Output memory 112 may include static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM) type memory that can serve as a memory cache between core area 102 and I/O buffers 114. Output memory 112 may thus be a volatile memory (i.e., loses its data when powered down) and, relative to the memory cells in core array 102, may be a high speed memory.
As also shown in FIG. 1, memory device 100 can include a number of additional logic components that assist in reading/writing to core array 102. In particular, as shown, memory device 100 includes a state control component 120, a program voltage generator 122, an erase voltage generator 124, and select switches 126. These elements are shown in FIG. 1 as separate elements. It should be understood that the functions performed by two or more of these components may alternatively be performed by a single component.
State control component 120 may implement a state machine that dictates the function of memory device 100 based on a number of control signals, illustrated as the signals such as reset line 132, write enable (WE) line 134, byte line 136, chip enable (CE) line 138, output enable (OE) line 140, as well as read control, write protection, etc. Reset line 132, when activated, causes a hardware reset of memory device 100. Write enable line 134 enables writing of data to core array 102. Byte line 136 selects the width of the output data bus. For example, byte line 136 may cause I/O lines 116 to function as an eight-bit data bus or a sixteen-bit data bus, depending on the state of byte line 136. Chip enable line 138 enables the reading/writing of data to memory device 100. When chip enable line 138 is held at its designated non-active level, the output pins of memory device 100 may be placed in a high impedance (non-active) state. To activate the memory device 100, chip enable line 138 may be held in its active state. Output enable line 140 enables reading of data from core array 102 and outputting the data via I/O lines 116.
Program voltage generator 122 and erase voltage generator 124 may generate the appropriate voltages needed for reading, writing, and erasing from/to core array 102. For example, in one implementation, core array 102 may require relatively high voltages to erase and program the memory cells in core array 102. These higher voltages may be provided from program voltage generator 122 and erase voltage generator 124.
Conventional program voltage generators typically include a charge pump for increasing or amplifying a voltage source to reach a voltage level required for programming one or more bits in array 102. A charge pump, as is generally known in the art, may include a series of stages that each include diode(s) and capacitor(s) that are operated to "push" charge through the various stages of the charge pump in order to provide a higher output voltage than the input supply voltage. This output voltage may then be applied to various portions of the memory cells as a voltage pulse.
Unfortunately, charge pumps are typically the largest source of power consumption (e.g., current) on a memory device. Moreover, such charge pumps typically have an efficiency of approximately 45%. For example, in a memory device having a 1.8 volt input voltage and requiring a 1.0 mA output current and 7.0 volt output voltage during a program operation, it has been found that a conventional charge pump requires a current draw of approximately 8.64 mA to program the device.
In accordance with one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, program voltage generator 122 may include a DC-to-DC converter 123 for performing the voltage amplification typically performed by a charge pump. DC-to-DC converter 123 performs voltage amplification by incorporating an inductor. It has been found that using DC-to-DC converter 123 results in an improved efficiency of approximately 80% associated with conventional program voltage generator 122. Accordingly, for the above example, a current draw of only about 4.86 mA may be required for programming a 1.8 volt device.
Select switches 126 may include select transistors connected to core array 102. Each select switch may be used to control a series of memory cells, such as a column of memory cells.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary portion of an array of memory cells implemented in core area 102, labeled as memory array 210. The array includes a number of substantially identical memory cells 201. Each memory cell 201 includes a drain 202, a source 203, and a stacked gate region 204. Drain 202 and source 203 are interchangeable within a memory cell depending on the applied voltages and may be switched with respect to one another. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 includes word lines (word lines WL1 through WLN) each connected to the gate region 204 of a number of memory cells in a row. Bit lines are arranged orthogonally to the word lines in array 210. The bit lines include global bit lines (GBLi−1 through GBLi+4) that each connect to one or more additional bit lines 215. Voltages placed on additional bit lines 215 via a global bit line GBL may be controlled through select transistors (also called select switches) S0 through S7.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, select transistors S0 through S7 may be arranged in repeating groups 225 of select transistors. Corresponding select transistors in a number of groups may be controlled by the same control signal. For example, activating select transistor S0 may connect the particular bit line connected to S0 to voltages applied to GBLi, GBLi+2, etc. If select transistor S1 was also activated, GBLi+1, GBLi+3, etc., would also be connected to the opposing source/drain of a number of memory cells in memory array 210. By also activating a word line WL, one memory cell in each group 225 may have its source, drain, and gate terminals all activated, thus allowing programming or reading of this select memory cell 201. As an example of selecting a particular memory cell 201 within a group 225 (e.g., the memory cell within the dotted circle in FIG. 2), assume that a voltage is placed on WL1 and that S0 and S1 are turned-on and that voltages are placed on GBLi and GBLi+1. At this point, this cell has voltages applied to its gate, source, and drain and may be programmed or read. Other memory cells 201 in other groups 225 can be simultaneously selected based on activation of the same WL and select transistors.
Although only six global bit lines and four word lines are shown in FIG. 2, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a typical memory cell architecture will include many more cells in an array. For instance, in one implementation, core array 102 may include multiple memory cell arrays, each including 2048 bit lines and 256 word lines. The 2048 bit lines correspond to 256 eight memory cell groups 225 of select transistors.
Although the memory cells 201 in core area 102 are used as NOR memory, in some implementations, the circuitry in the peripheral regions of memory device 100 may provide an external interface that mimics an external interface normally provided by NAND-type flash memories. In this situation, memory device 100, from the point of view of the user/circuit designer, can effectively be thought of as a NAND-type flash device even though core area 102 has been used as NOR-type flash memory.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross-section of an exemplary one of memory cells 201 in more detail. Memory cell 201 may be formed on a substrate 310 and includes drain 202, source 203, and stacked gate 204. Substrate 310 may be formed of a semiconducting material such as silicon, germanium, or silicon-germanium. Drain and source regions 202 and 203 may be regions that are doped with n-type impurities, such as phosphorous or arsenic. As previously mentioned, depending on the applied voltage values, the functions of drain and source regions 202 and 203 may be reversed.
As shown in FIG. 3, stacked gate 204 is formed on channel region 315. Stacked gate 204 includes a number of layers, including a relatively thin gate dielectric layer 320, a charge storage layer 322, a second dielectric layer 324, and a control gate 328. Dielectric layer 320 may include an oxide, such as a silicon oxide (e.g., SiO2).
Charge storage layer 322 may be formed on gate dielectric layer 320 and may include a dielectric material, such as a nitride (e.g., a silicon nitride). Layer 322 acts as a charge storage layer for memory cell 201.
Charge storage layer 322 may be used to store one or more bits of information. In an exemplary implementation, charge storage layer 322 may store charges representing two separate bits of data by localizing the first and second charges to the respective left and right sides of charge storage layer 322. Each of the two charges of the memory cell 201 may be programmed independently by, for example, channel hot electron injection, to store a charge on each respective side of the charge storage layer 322. In this manner, the charges in charge storage layer 322 become effectively trapped on each respective side of charge storage layer 322 and the density of the resulting memory array may be increased as compared to memory devices that store only one bit of data per cell. In alternate implementations, charge storage layer 322 may store charges representing three or more bits of data for each memory cell 201.
Second dielectric layer 324 may be formed on layer 322 and may include a multi-layer structure, such as a first silicon oxide layer 325 and a second high dielectric constant (high-K) layer 326. High-K layer 326 may include, for example, an alumina, such as Al2O3. Dielectric layers 325 and 326 may together function as an inter-gate dielectric for memory cells 201. In alternate implementations, dielectric layer 324 may include a single layer, such as a silicon oxide or alumina.
Control gate 328 may be formed above second dielectric layer 324. Control gate 328 may be formed of, for example, polysilicon and may be connected to the word line of memory cell 201.
In operation, core area 102 of memory device 100 may be programmed by a channel hot electron injection process that injects electrons into charge storage layer 322. The injected electrons become trapped in charge storage layer 322 until an erase operation is performed.
Memory cells 201 in core array 102 may be programmed by applying a relatively high voltage (e.g., 7 volts) to one of the word lines WL, such as WL1, which effectively applies the voltage to control gates 328 of the memory cells that are coupled to WL1. Simultaneously, a voltage may be applied across drain 202 and source 203 of one of the memory cells in a group 225. For example, approximately five volts may be applied to GBLi and GBLi+1 may be grounded. Also, select transistors S0 and S1 may be turned on by applying an appropriate voltage to S1. These voltages generate a vertical and lateral electric field in the activated memory cell(s) (e.g., the circled memory cell in FIG. 2) along the length of the channel from the source to the drain. These electric fields causes electrons to be drawn off the source and begin accelerating toward the drain. As they move along the length of the channel, they gain energy. If they gain enough energy, they can jump over the potential barrier of the dielectric layer 320 into one side of charge storage layer 322 and become trapped. The trapped electrons change the electrical properties of the memory cell. In a read operation, the source and drain terminals are interchanged. For example, the corresponding read operation may be performed by applying approximately three volts to WL1, grounding GBLi, and applying approximately 1.5 volts to GBLi+1.
When two bits are stored in charge storage layer 322, the second bit is programmed in a manner similar to the first bit, except that the source and drain terminals are reversed in both directions. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross-section of the exemplary memory cell shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, FIG. 4 illustrates read and program directions for when memory cell 201 is used to store charges representing two independent bits. Memory cell 201 includes two separate charge storage areas 432 and 434 within charge storage layer 322. Each storage area 432 and 434 may define one bit. To program the left area 432 or read the right area 434, area 203 acts as the drain and receives a high voltage relative to area 202, which acts as the source. To program the right area 434 or read the left area 432, area 202 acts as the drain and receives a high voltage relative to area 203, which acts as the source. The arrows in FIG. 4 graphically illustrate the direction of charge flow.
Memory Device Programming
As previously mentioned, in accordance with the principles of the invention, multiple memory cells 201 in a row (i.e., the memory cells 201 having a common word line) may be simultaneously or parallel programmed by activating a word line and pairs of select transistors S0 through S7 in different groups 225. Parallel programming multiple memory cells 201 can be conceptually thought of as programming multiple memory cells within a "program window." In the exemplary implementation described herein, the program window size will be described as being 256 bits wide. That is, programming is performed in 256-bit chunks. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other program window sizes could be used, such as 512 bits.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary programming of a typical NOR memory device. As known in the art, in a conventional NOR memory array, a first set of 8-bit groups (e.g., eight 8-bit groups) is initially identified (act 600). Each 8-bit grouping may then be sequentially programmed (act 602). Following programming of each 8-bit group in the first set, the entire first set (e.g., 64-bits) is program verified (act 604). It is then determined whether the entire word line has been programmed (act 606). If so, the operation ends; however, if the entire word line has not bee programmed, the process returns to act 602 for programming of the next set. The process iterates until the entire word line is programmed/verified.
Unfortunately, the speed at which the program/verify operation may be performed is degraded due to periodic ramping up and down of the high program voltages as well as the periodic nature of the sense amplifier circuitry.
In accordance with principles of the invention, the same physical array, may be electrically divided into a series of programming windows/sub-windows. Once accomplished, window-based programming operations may be performed along the entire word line without requiring resetting of the high voltage circuits or sense amplifier circuitry by taking advantage of the output memory buffer 112. The output memory buffer 112 may be used to store programming data from the user as well as verification data from sense amplifier circuitry 108. Accordingly, the overhead time taken in switching operation modes like convention systems is significantly reduce thereby improving device efficiency.
One programming window 515 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Programming window 515 may include the 256 bits that are to be written to core area 102. Based on each of the bits in programming window 515, memory device 100 may determine whether the physical memory cell 201 or portion of memory cell 201 that corresponds to the bit needs to be programmed. Programming window 515 may be further subdivided into sub-windows 520, such as by subdividing the 256 bits in programming window 520 into four 64-bit windows. For a 512-bit programming window, four 128-bit sub-windows may be used. The four 64-bit windows 520 may then be parallel programmed to core area 102. By simultaneously programming memory device 100 using 64-bit programming sub-windows, programming of the device may be accomplished approximately eight times faster than conventional NOR memory devices. For 128-bit programming sub-windows, this speed advantage is increased to sixteen times.
Memory programming will be further described herein as being based on a 64-bit sub-window 520. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other programming sub-window sizes could be used. For example, as briefly described above, 128-bit sub-windows may be used where the program window is 512 bits. Also, the concept of having a programming widow including sub-windows may alternatively be implemented as a single programming window without sub-windows or with a higher number of sub-windows (e.g., 8 or more).
Because parallel programming requires the application of programming pulses to numerous memory cells simultaneously, there is a risk that additional power may be necessary to accomplish the programming. For example, using conventional programming techniques, for a 64-bit program window, it may be necessary to program as many as 64 bits during a single programming operation. Such a requirement may exceed the capacity of the available power supply or power management capabilities of program voltage generator 122.
To use the power efficiently, a program technique referred to herein as the inverse programming method may be used to as a power conscious management scheme to ensure that at most, only half of these parallel bits (i.e., 32) actually need to be programmed to their respective memory cells during any single programming operation. Additionally, memory configuration bits that are not related to the substantive data may also need to be programmed with these 32 (maximum) number of bits. These configuration bits may include bits such as a spare bit, an indication bit, and a dynamic reference bit. In one implementation, a maximum of five configuration bits may need to be programmed for each sub-window 520, giving 37 total maximum bits for programming for each 64-bit sub-window 520.
In operation, the inverse programming method dynamically selects how to interpret a programmed cell 201 based on the data in sub-window 520. For example, if a non-programmed memory cell 201 (i.e., a cell with no stored charge) is normally interpreted as being a logical one (1), and sub-window 520 includes all logical zeros (0s), instead of programming all the bits in sub-window 520 (i.e., 64 bits), the non-programmed memory cells 201 in sub-window 520 may instead be interpreted as corresponding to a logic zero. In this manner, instead of programming all 64 bits of sub-window 520, none of the bits in sub-window 520 need to be programmed, resulting in a significant time and power savings. In this example, as few as one configuration bit may be programmed, such as the indication bit, to indicate that the memory cells in the sub-window are to be interpreted in an inverse manner, where non-programmed memory cells correspond to a logic zero, rather than the convention logical one.
The inverse programming technique can advantageously lead to less average power drain per bit that is programmed and less maximum current required per programming window. As an example of this, consider the exemplary situation in which 0.1 milliamps (mA) is needed to program one memory cell and a 64-bit programming window is being used. Without the programming techniques described herein, the 64-bit window may require as much as 6.4 mA of total current to program. If program voltage generator 122 is limited to supplying, for example, 4 mA of current, a 64-bit window could not be used. With the above described programming techniques, however, the maximum total current required for a 64-bit program window can be nearly cut in half (approximately 3.3 mA) to program 32 bits plus the configuration bits (e.g., the indication bit). In this situation, a 64 bit programming window could be used without exceeding the capacity of program voltage generator 122.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary programming of a memory device such as memory device 100. A program window, such as program window 515, is obtained that includes the bits that are to be written to memory (act 700). As mentioned, one possible size for the program window may be a 256-bit program window. The program window may be divided into sub-windows 520, such as four 64-bit sub-windows (act 701). The word line corresponding to programming window 515 may then be activated by applying a relatively high voltage, such as 9V, to the word line (act 702). Data corresponding to each sub-window 520 may then be sequentially written to memory cells 201. In some possible implementations, multiple sub-windows may be simultaneously written.
For a select sub-window 520 that is to be written, logic in memory device 100, such as, for example, logic in Y-decoder circuitry 108 or state control 120, may determine which bits in the selected sub-window require programming (act 703). The inverse programming method may be used to minimize the required number of memory cells 201 that need to be programmed.
Physical attributes of core array 102 may result in pulse undershoot when simultaneously programming a large number of bits in a conventional manner. For example, array 102 may have be configured to include a "tall" configuration and long bit lines. The potential pulse undershoot may be defined as the difference between peak amplitude of the pulse and the desired steady-state pulse level. Pulse undershoot can be most severe following the programming of a sub-window that includes many bits to be programmed (e.g., 32 bits). In this situation, because each long bit line requires a constant current supply, program voltage generator 122 may experience a large current drain. In a conventional operation, this may require a time delay and a large charging current to enable programming of the next sub-window.
In accordance with one implementation consistent with the invention, this undershoot condition may be avoided or reduced by pre-charging the bit lines associated with the programming operation prior to applying any programming pulses (act 704). In one embodiment, the bit lines are pre-charged to a voltage supply (Vcc) level (e.g., from about 1.8 to about 3.3 volts). By pre-charging the bit lines corresponding to the cells 201 to be programmed, the bit lines are able to more quickly reach and stabilize to the required voltage level. Additionally, the charging current required to pulse the bit lines is reduced since the bit lines have been pre-charged. Further, by not pre-charging all bit lines, unnecessary power consumption is avoided. Following bit line pre-charging, the bit lines corresponding to the memory cells 201 that are to be programmed may be activated by pulsing the bit lines (act 705).
As previously mentioned, half or less of the 64 bits of 64-bit programming window 520 may actually need to be programmed. The select transistors S0-S7 for the non-programmed groups may remain in the "off" state (i.e., non-activated). That is, no voltage may be applied to the gates of the select transistors S0-S7 for each of the non-programmed groups.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary word line (WL) and a group of eight memory cells 801-1 through 801-8, each having bit lines controlled by corresponding select transistors S0-S7. A 64-bit programming window 520 may correspond to one bit within each of 64 of such groups of memory cells 201. As an example, assume that the left bit in memory cell 801-2 is to be programmed. In this situation, the left side of memory cell 801-2 is the drain and the right side of memory cell 801-2 is the source. Accordingly, a voltage (e.g., about 4.5 volts) may be applied to bit line GBLi, select transistor S0 may be activated, bit line GBLi+1 may be grounded, and select transistor S1 may be activated. The voltages applied to WL, GBLi, and GBLi+1 may be generated by program voltage generator 122.
Following programming of the current sub-window, acts 703-705 may be repeated for the other sub-windows in programming window 515 (act 706). Following programming of the memory bits designated by the program window 515 or sub-window 520, a program verify process is performed to ensure that the programming voltage applied to each memory cell adequately raised the threshold voltage for each memory cell to be programmed up to or above a predetermined reference voltage to actually program the appropriate memory cells. In accordance with principles of the invention, the program verify process may include simultaneously or parallel verifying each bit in the program window (act 708). In one implementation consistent with the invention, 256 bits may be program verified in parallel. By simultaneously verifying all 256 bits in program window 515, program verification of memory device 100 may be accomplished approximately sixteen to thirty-two times faster than conventional NOR memory devices. For 512-bit programming windows, this speed advantage is increased to as much as sixty-four times.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating one exemplary verify process of acts 708-710 in accordance with principles of the invention. Following a determination that each memory cell in the program window has been programmed (or, alternatively, that each memory cell in multiple program windows) in act 706 of FIG. 7, a read or verify word line voltage is applied to the program window (act 900). Next, a voltage is sensed on each bit line associated with the program window using a number of discrete sense amplifiers included within Y decoder/sense amplifier circuitry 108 (act 902). For example, if 256 bits are to be parallel verified or read, 256 sense amplifiers are required.
The sensed voltage is then compared against a reference voltage (act 904). Data relating to the sensed measurements is then read into memory 112 (act 906). Because discrete sense amplifiers (one for each bit line) are used, power consumption necessary to perform parallel verification increases substantially as the number of bits to be simultaneously verified is increased. To mitigate this power requirement, memory device 100 consistent with principles of the invention, may include low power sense amplifiers in sense amplifier circuitry 108 so as to reduce power consumption during the parallel verify operation.
Next, it is determined whether each program window or sub-window has been verified. As set forth above, multiple program windows or sub-windows may be verified in parallel, thereby improving programming speed. If it is determined that additional program windows need to be verified, the process moves to the next program window (act 910) and the process returns to act 902.
If it is determined that all program windows have been verified, it is next determined whether the sensed voltages meet or exceed the reference voltage (act 912). If it is determined that any of the sensed voltages do not meet or exceed the reference voltage, the process returns to act 705 of FIG. 7 where an additional program pulse is applied and the under-programmed bits are again program verified. However, if it is determined that each measured bit meets or exceeds the reference voltage, the program windows are considered verified and the process ends for the current program window or group of program windows. In accordance with principles of the invention, multiple programming windows may be verified simultaneously. Additionally, the program and verification processes of the invention may operate in a page mode that bridges multiple word lines (e.g., four word lines) for each operation.
Program verify and read operations for memory device 100 are substantially similar in that each process requires identification of the programming state of each memory cell 201 in device 100. The difference between the two operations lies in the voltages applied to the gates of the cells 201 currently being read/verified. FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating one exemplary read process in accordance with principles of the invention. Initially, a read word line voltage may be applied to the word line associated with the program window(s) to be read (act 1000). Next, a voltage is sensed on each bit line associated with the program window using a number of discrete sense amplifiers included within Y decoder/sense amplifier circuitry 108 (act 1002). For example, if 256 bits are to be parallel verified or read, 256 sense amplifiers are required.
The sensed voltage is then compared against a reference voltage (act 1004). Data relating to the sensed measurements is then read into memory 112 (act 1006). Because discrete sense amplifiers (one for each bit line) are used, power consumption necessary to perform parallel reads increases substantially as the number of bits to be simultaneously read is increased. To mitigate this power requirement, memory device 100 consistent with principles of the invention, may include low power sense amplifiers in sense amplifier circuitry 108 so as to reduce power consumption during the parallel read operations.
Next, it is determined whether each program window or sub-window has been read. As set forth above, multiple program windows or sub-windows may be read in parallel, thereby improving read speed. If it is determined that additional program windows need to be read, the process moves to the next program window (act 1010) and the process returns to act 1002. If it is determined that all program windows have been read, the read operation ends.
CONCLUSION
As described above, a number of programming techniques, such as parallel processing and power management may be performed to substantially increase program speed and power performance in a NOR-based memory device. A resulting memory device continues to exhibit the code-quality performance of NOR-based devices, while further exhibiting programming and page read speeds and efficient power management capabilities comparable to or exceeding those of conventional NAND-based flash memory devices.
The foregoing description of exemplaryMoreover, while series of acts have been described with regard to FIG. 6, the order of the acts may be varied in other implementations consistent with the invention. Moreover, non-dependent acts may be implemented in parallel.
No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the invention | eng | 30768ea2-35ed-4ef5-8a04-4814bba4d65f | http://www.google.fr/patents/US7443732?hl=fr |
AN
ACT To MAKE CORRECTIONS and other amendments TO THE NOTARY PUBLIC ACT, and to
make other conforming changes.
The General Assembly of North
Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 10B‑3
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑3. Definitions.
The following definitions apply in
this Chapter:
(1) "Acknowledgment"
means a Acknowledgment. – A notarial act in which an individual, a
notary certifies that at a single time and place:place all of the
following occurred:
a. Appears An
individual appeared in person before the notary and presents a record;
and presented a record.
b. Is The individual
was personally known to the notary or identified by the notary through
satisfactory evidence and evidence.
c.The individual
did either of the following:
i.indicates Indicated
to the notary that the signature on the record was the individual's
signature.was voluntarily affixed by the individual for the purposes
stated within the record.
ii.Signed the
record while in the physical presence of the notary and while being personally
observed signing the record by the notary.
(2) "Affirmation"
means a Affirmation. – A notarial act, or part thereof, act
which is legally equivalent to an oath and in which a notary certifies
that an individual at a single time and place:place all of
the following occurred:
a. Appears An
individual appeared in person before the notary;notary.
b. Is The
individual was personally known to the notary or identified by the notary
through satisfactory evidence; andevidence.
c. Makes The
individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury, based on
personal honor and without invoking a deity or using any form of the word "swear".
(3) "Attest" or "attestation"
means the Attest or attestation. – The act of completing the
written evidence of a notarial act, to wit: completion of a certificate by
a notary who has performed a notarial act by witnessing a signature or
administering an oath or affirmation.act.
(4) "Commission"
means the Commission. – The empowerment to perform notarial acts and
the written evidence of authority to perform those acts.
(5) "Credible witness"
means an honest, reliable, and impartial person Credible witness. – An
individual who is personally known to the notary and takes an oath or
affirmation fromthe notary to confirm a signer's identity.to whom all of
the following also apply:
a.The notary
believes the individual to be honest and reliable for the purpose of confirming
to the notary the identity of another individual.
b.The notary
believes the individual is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.
(6) "Department"
means the Department. – The North Carolina Department of the
Secretary of State.
(7) "Director"
means the Director. – The Division Director for the North Carolina
Department of the Secretary of State Notary Public Section.
(8) "Jurat"
means a Jurat. – A notary's certificate evidencing the administration of
an oath or affirmation.certification added to an affidavit or
deposition that states when and before what authority an affidavit or
deposition was made, to wit, "Subscribed and sworn to before me this the
____ day of ________ 20__." The notary's signature and seal shall be
affixed below the sworn or affirmed statement and signature of the affiantIn so
doing, the notary shall certify the following:
a.That the
person signing the affidavit or deposition did so in the notary's presence and indicates
the county in which the notarial act took place;
b.That the signer
appeared before the notary on the date indicated;
c.That the
notary administered an oath or affirmation to the signer, who swore to or
affirmed the contents of the document.
(10) "Nickname"
means a Nickname. – A descriptive, familiar, or shortened form of a
proper name.
(11) "Notarial act,"
"notary act," and "notarization" mean the Notarial
act, notary act, and notarization. – The act of taking an acknowledgment,
taking a verification or proof or administering an oath or affirmation that a
notary is empowered to perform under this Chapter, as authorized by G.S. 10B‑31.G.S. 10B‑20(a).
(12) "Notarial
certificate" and "certificate" mean the Notarial
certificate and certificate. – The portion of a notarized record that is
completed by the notary, bears the notary's signature and seal, and states the
facts attested by the notary in a particular notarization.
(13) "Notary public"
and "notary" mean a Notary public and notary. – A person
commissioned to perform notarial acts under this Chapter. A notary is a public
officer of the State of North Carolina and shall act in full and strict
compliance with this act.
(14) "Oath" means
a Oath. – A notarial act, or part thereof, act which
is legally equivalent to an affirmation and in which a notary certifies that
an individual at a single time and place:place all of the
following occurred:
a. Appears An
individual appeared in person before a notary;the notary.
b. Is The
individual was personally known to the notary or identified by the notary
through satisfactory evidence; andevidence.
c. Makes The
individual made a vow of truthfulness on penalty of perjury while invoking
a deity or using any form of the word "swear".
(15) "Official
misconduct" means either Official misconduct. – Either of the
following:
a. A notary's performance
of a prohibited act or failure to perform a mandated act set forth in this
Chapter or any other law in connection with notarization.
b. A notary's performance
of a notarial act in a manner found by the Secretary to be negligent or against
the public interest.
(16) "Personal
appearance" and "appear in person before a notary" mean an Personal
appearance and appear in person before a notary. – An individual and a
notary are in close physical proximity to one another so that they may freely
see and communicate with one another and exchange records back and forth during
the notarization process.
(17) "Personal
knowledge of identity" means familiarity Personal knowledge or
personally know. – Familiarity with an individual resulting from interactions
with that individual over a period of time sufficient to eliminate every
reasonable doubt that the individual has the identity claimed.
(18) "Principal"
means an Principal. – One of the following:
a.In the case of
an acknowledgment, the individual whose signature is notarized; or an identity
and due execution of a record is being certified by the notary.
b.In the case of
a verification or proof, the individual other than a credible subscribing
witness, taking an oath or affirmation from the notary.whose:
i.Identity and
due execution of the record is being proven; or
ii.Signature is
being identified as genuine.
c.In the case of
an oath or affirmation, the individual who makes a vow of truthfulness on
penalty of perjury.
(19) "Record"
means information Record. – Information that is inscribed on a
tangible medium and called a traditional or paper record.
(20) "Regular place of
work or business" means a Regular place of work or business. – A location,
office or other workspace, where an individual regularly spends all or part of
the individual's work time.
(21) "Revocation"
means the Revocation. – The cancellation of the notary's commission
stated in the order of revocation.
(22) "Satisfactory
evidence of a signer's identity" means identification Satisfactory
evidence. – Identification of an individual based on either of the
following:
a. At least one current
document issued by a federal, state, or federal or state‑recognized
tribal government agency bearing the photographic image of the individual's
face and either the signature or a physical description of the individual.
b. The oath or affirmation
of one credible witness unaffected by the record or transaction who is
personally known to the notary and who personally knows the individual
seeking to be identified.
(23) "Seal" and "stamp"
mean a Seal or stamp. – A device for affixing on a paper record an
image containing a notary's name, the words "notary public," and
other information as required in G.S. 10B‑37.
(24) "Secretary"
means the Secretary. – The North Carolina Secretary of State or the
Secretary's designee.
(25) "Signature"
means the act of personally signing one's name in ink by hand.
(26) "Subscribing
witness" means a Subscribing witness. – A person who either
watches another individual sign a record or takes that individual's
acknowledgment of an already‑signed record and appears before the notary
on behalf of the principal. The subscribing witness must sign the document in
addition to the principal, must be personally known by the notary or prove
identity to the notary by satisfactory evidence, and must take an oath or
affirmation stating that he or she witnessed the principal sign.signs a
record for the purpose of being a witness to the principal's execution of the
record or to the principal's acknowledgment of his or her execution of the
record. A subscribing witness may give proof of the execution of the record as
provided in subdivision (28) of this section.
(27) "Suspension"
and "restriction" means the Suspension and restriction. – The termination
of a notary's commission for a period of time stated in an order of restriction
or suspension. The terms "restriction" or "suspension" or a
combination of both terms shall be used synonymously.
(28) "Verification"
or "proof" means a Verification or proof. – A notarial act
in which a notary certifies that all of the following occurred:
a.An individual appeared
in person before the notary.
b.The individual
was personally known to the notary or identified by the notary through
satisfactory evidence.
c.The individual
was not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction.
d.where a person
certifies under oath or affirmation thatthe person witnessed the
principal either execute, record, or acknowledge the principal's signature on
an already‑executed record.The individual took an oath or gave an
affirmation and testified to one of the following:
i.The individual
is a subscribing witness and the principal who signed the record did so while being
personally observed by the subscribing witness.
ii.The
individual is a subscribing witness and the principal who signed the record acknowledged
his or her signature to the subscribing witness.
iii.The individual
recognized either the signature on the record of the principal or the signature
on the record of the subscribing witness and the signature was genuine."
SECTION 2. G.S. 10B‑5(b)
reads as rewritten:
"(b) A person qualified
for a notarial commission shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Be at least 18 years of
age or legally emancipated as defined in Article 35 of Chapter 7B of the
General Statutes.
(2) Reside or have a regular
place of work or business in this State.
(3) Reside legally in the United States.
(4) Speak, read, and write
the English language.
(5) Possess a high school
diploma or equivalent.
(6) Pass the course of
instruction described in this Article, unless the person is a licensed member
of the North Carolina State Bar.
(7) Purchase and keep as a
reference the most recent manual approved by the Secretary that describes the duties
and authority of notaries public.
(8) Submit an application
containing no significant misstatement or omission of fact. The application
form shall be provided by the Secretary and be available at the register of
deeds office in each county. Every application shall include the signature of
the applicant written with pen and ink, and the signature shall be acknowledged
by the applicant before a person authorized to administer oaths.
(9)Obtain the
recommendation of one publicly elected official in North Carolina and submit
the recommendation with the application. Except for The
requirement of this subdivision shall not apply to any applicant who seeks
to receive the oath of office from the register of deeds of a county where more
than 15,000 active notaries public are on record on January 1 of the year when
the application is filed, the applicant shall also obtain the recommendation
of one publicly elected official in North Carolina whose recommendation shall
be contained on the application.filed."
SECTION 3. G.S. 10B‑7(b)
reads as rewritten:
"(b) The information contained
provided in an application that relates to subdivisions (2), (3),
(6), and (7) of subsection (a) of this section under this section is a
public record as defined in G.S 132‑1. The information contained in
subdivisions (2), (3), (6) and (7) of subsection (a) of this section shall
be considered confidential information and shall not be subject to disclosure except
as provided in under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes."
SECTION 4. G.S. 10B‑10(c)
reads as rewritten:
"(c) The After
the appointee qualifies by taking the oath of office required under subsection
(b) of this section, the register of deeds shall then place the
notary record in a book designated for that purpose, or the notary record may
be recorded in the Consolidated Document Book and indexed in the Consolidated
Real Property Index under the notary's name in the grantor index. The notary
record may be kept in electronic format so long as the signature of the notary
public may be viewed and printed. The notary record shall contain the name and
the signature of the notary as commissioned, the effective date and expiration
date of the commission, the date the oath was administered, and the date of any
restriction, suspension, revocation, or resignation. The record shall
constitute the official record of the qualification of notaries public."
SECTION 5. G.S. 10B‑11(b)
reads as rewritten:
"(b) A notary whose
commission has not expired must comply with the following requirements to be
recommissioned:
(1) Submit a new application under
G.S. 10B‑6. meeting the requirements of G.S. 10B‑6,
except for G.S. 10B‑6(2).
(2) Meet all the
requirements of G.S. 10B‑5(b)G.S. 10B‑5(b),
except for G.S. 10B‑5(b)(5), (6), and (9).
(3) Pass Achieve a
passing score on the written examination required under G.S. 10B‑8,
unless G.S. 10B‑8(b). This requirement does not apply if the
notary is a licensed member of the North Carolina State Bar. Bar, or if
the notary has been continuously commissioned in North Carolina since July 10,
1991, and has never been disciplined by the Secretary."
SECTION 6. G.S. 10B‑20(a)
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑20. Powers and limitations.
(a) A notary may perform any
of the following notarial acts:
(1) Acknowledgments.
(2) Oaths and affirmations.
(3)Execute jurats.
(4) Verifications or proofs."
SECTION 7. G.S. 10B‑20(b)
reads as rewritten:
"(b) A notarial act
shall be attested by all of the following:
(1) The signature of the notary,
exactly as shown on the notary's commission.
(2) The readable legible
appearance of the notary's name, name exactly as shown on the
notary's commission. The legible appearance of the name may be ascertained from
the notary's typed or printed name near the signature.notary's signature
or from elsewhere in the notarial certificate or from the notary's seal if the name
is legible.
(3) The clear and legible
appearance of the notary's stamp or seal.
(4) A statement of the date
the notary's commission expires. The statement of the date that the notary's
commission expires may appear in the notary's stamp or seal or elsewhere in the
notarial certificate."
SECTION 8. G.S. 10B‑20(c)
reads as rewritten:
"(c) A notary is
disqualified from performingshall not perform a notarial act if any
of the following apply:
(1) The principal or
subscribing witness is not in the notary's presence at the time the notarial
act is to be performed; however, performed. However, nothing in
this Chapter shall require a notary to complete the notarial certificate
attesting to the notarial act in the presence of the principal or
subscribing witness.
(2) The principal or
subscribing witness is not personally known to the notary or identified by the
notary through satisfactory evidence.
(2a)The credible
witness is not personally known to the notary.
(3)The principal
or subscribing witness shows a demeanor that causes the notary to have a
compelling doubt about whether the principal knows the consequences of the
transaction requiring a notarial act.
(4)The principal
or subscribing witness, in the notary's judgment, is not acting of the
principal's or the subscribing witness's own free will.
(5) The notary is a signer of
or is named, other than as a trustee in a deed of trust, in the document
of, party to, or beneficiary of the record, that is to be notarized.
However, a disqualification under this subdivision shall not apply to a notary
who is named in a record solely as the trustee in a deed of trust, the drafter
of the record, the person to whom a registered document should be mailed or sent
after recording, or the attorney for a party to the record, so long as the notary
is not also a party to the record individually or in some other representative
or fiduciary capacity.
(6) The notary will receive
directly from a transaction connected with the notarial act any commission,
fee, advantage, right, title, interest, cash, property, or other consideration
exceeding in value the fees specified in G.S. 10B‑31, other than
fees or other consideration paid for services rendered by a licensed attorney,
a licensed real estate broker or salesperson, a motor vehicle dealer, or a
banker."
SECTION 9. G.S. 10B‑20(g)
reads as rewritten:
"(g) Commissioned
officers on active duty in the United States armed forces who are authorized to
perform notarial acts and other personsPersons authorized by federal
law or regulation to perform notarial acts may perform the acts for persons
serving in or with the United States armed forces, their spouses, and their
dependents."
SECTION 10. G.S. 10B‑20(l)
reads as rewritten:
"(l) A notary public
required to comply with the provisions of subsection (g)(i) of
this section shall prominently post at the notary public's place of business a
schedule of fees established by law, which a notary public may charge. The fee
schedule shall be written in English and in the non‑English language in
which the notary services were solicited and shall contain the notice required
in subsection (i) of this section, unless the notice is otherwise prominently
posted at the notary public's place of business."
SECTION 11. G.S. 10B‑20(m)
reads as rewritten:
"(m) If notarial
certificate wording is not provided or indicated for a record, a nonattorney
notary who is not also a licensed attorney shall not determine the
type of notarial act or certificate to be used. This does not prohibit a notary
from offering the selection of certificate forms recognized in this Chapter or
as otherwise authorized by law."
SECTION 12. G.S. 10B‑20(o)
reads as rewritten:
"(o) Before signing a
notarial certificate and except as provided in this subsection, a notary shall
cross out or mark through all blank lines or spaces in the certificate.
However:
(1) Notwithstanding the
provisions of this section or G.S. 10B‑35(b), section, a
notary shall not be required to complete, cross out, or mark through blank
lines or spaces in the notary certificate form provided for in G.S. 47‑43
indicating when and where a power of attorney is recorded if that recording
information is not known to the notary at the time the notary completes and signs
the certificate;
(2) A notary's failure to
cross out or mark through blank lines or spaces in a notarial certificate shall
not affect the sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the certificate or
the related record; and
(3) A notary's failure to cross
out or mark through blank lines or spaces in a notarial certificate shall not
be grounds for a register of deeds to refuse to accept a record for
registration."
SECTION 13. G.S. 10B‑23
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑23. Improper records.
(a) A notary shall not
notarize a signature on a record without a notarial certificate indicating what
type of notarial act was performed. However, a notary may administer an oath
or affirmation without completing a jurat.
(b) A notary shall neither
certify, notarize, nor authenticate a photograph. A notary may notarize an
affidavit regarding and attached to a photograph."
SECTION 14. G.S. 10B‑31
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑31. Fees for notarial acts.
The maximum fees that may be
charged by a notary for notarial acts are as follows:
(1) For acknowledgments,
jurats, verifications or proofs, five dollars ($5.00) per principal signature.
(2) For oaths or affirmations
without a signature, five dollars ($5.00) per person, except for an oath or
affirmation administered to a credible witness to vouch for a principal's
identity.the identity of a principal or subscribing witness."
SECTION 15. G.S. 10B‑22
as enacted in Section 4 of S.L. 2005‑391 and as codified as G.S. 10B‑35
reads as rewritten:
"§ 10B‑22. Official
signature.
(a)A notary shall
keep an official seal or stamp (herein "seal") that is the exclusive
property of the notary. The notary shall keep the seal in a secure location
that is accessible only to the notary. A notary shall not allow another person
to use or possess the seal, and shall not surrender the seal to the notary's
employer upon termination of employment.
(b)The seal shall
be affixed only after the notarial act is performed. The notary shall place
the image or impression of the seal near the notary's signature on every paper
record notarized. The seal and the signature shall appear on the same page.
(c)A notary shall
do the following within 10 days of discovering that the notary's seal has been
stolen, lost, damaged, or otherwise rendered incapable of affixing a legible
image:
(1)Inform the
appropriate law enforcement agency in the case of theft or vandalism.
(2)Notify the
appropriate register of deeds and the Secretary in writing and signed in the
official name in which he or she was commissioned.
(d)As soon as is
reasonably practicable after resignation, revocation, or expiration of a notary
commission, or death of the notary, the seal shall be delivered to the
Secretary for disposal.
"§
10B‑35. Official signature.
When notarizing a paper record,
a notary shall sign by hand in ink on the notarial certificate. The notary
shall comply with the requirements of G.S. 10B‑20(b)(1) and (b)(2).
The notary shall affix the official signature only after the notarial act is
performed. The notary shall not sign a paper record using the facsimile stamp
or an electronic or other printing method."
SECTION 16. G.S. 10B‑36
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑36. Official seal.
(a) A notary shall keep an
official seal or stamp (herein "seal") that is the exclusive
property of the notary. The notary shall keep the seal in a secure location
that is accessible only to the notary. location. A notary shall not
allow another person to use or possess the seal, and shall not surrender the
seal to the notary's employer upon termination of employment.
(b) The seal shall be
affixed only after the notarial act is performed. The notary shall place the
image or impression of the seal near the notary's signature on every paper
record notarized. The seal and the notary's signature shall appear on the
same page. page of a record as the text of the notarial certificate.
(c) A notary shall do the
following within 10 days of discovering that the notary's seal has been stolen,
lost, damaged, or otherwise rendered incapable of affixing a legible image:lost
or stolen:
(1) Inform the appropriate
law enforcement agency in the case of theft or vandalism.
(2) Notify the appropriate
register of deeds and the Secretary in writing and signed in the official name
in which he or she was commissioned.
(d) As soon as is reasonably
practicable after resignation, revocation, or expiration of a notary
commission, or death of the notary, the seal shall be delivered to the
Secretary for disposal."
SECTION 17. G.S. 10B‑37
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑37. Seal image.
(a) Near A notary
shall affix the notary's official seal near the notary's official signature
on the notarial certificate of a paper record, the notary shall place a
sharp, legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible image of the
official seal.record.
(b) A notary's official seal
shall include only all of the following elements:
(1) The notary's name exactly
as commissioned;commissioned.
(2) The words "Notary
Public";"Notary Public".
(3) The county of
commissioning, including the word "County" or the abbreviation "Co.";
and"Co.".
(4) The words "North Carolina" or the abbreviation "NC".
(c) The notary seal may be
either circular or rectangular in shape. Upon receiving a commission or a
recommission on or after October 1, 2006, a notary shall not use a The circular
seal shall not be that is less than 1 ˝ inches, nor more than 2
inches in diameter. The rectangular seal shall not be over 1 inch high and 2 ˝
inches long. The perimeter of the seal shall contain a border that is visible
when impressed.
(c1)Alterations to
any information contained within the seal as embossed or stamped on the record
are prohibited.
(d) A notarial seal may
contain the notary's commission expiration date; however, a notarial act shall
be invalid if the expiration date contained on the seal is incorrect at that
time that the notarial act is performed.seal, as it appears on a record,
may contain the permanently imprinted, handwritten, or typed date the notary's commission
expires.
(e)Any reference
in the General Statutes to the seal of a notary shall include the stamp of a
notary, and any reference to the stamp of a notary shall include the seal of
the notary.
(f)The failure
of a notarial seal to comply with the requirements of this section shall not
affect the sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the notarial
certificate, but shall constitute a violation of the notary's duties."
SECTION 18. G.S. 10B‑40
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑40. Notarial certificates in general.
(a) A notary shall not make
or give a notarial certificate unless the notary has either (i) personal
knowledge or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the principal or,
if applicable, the subscribing witness, or (ii) satisfactory evidence of a
signer's identity.witness.
(a1)By making or
giving a notarial certificate, whether or not stated in the certificate, a
notary certifies as follows:
(1)As to an
acknowledgment, all those things described in G.S. 10B‑3(1).
(2)As to an affirmation,
all those things described in G.S. 10B‑3(2).
(3)As to an oath,
all those things described in G.S. 10B‑3(14).
(4)As to a
verification or proof, all those things described in G.S. 10B‑3(28).
(a2)In addition to the
certifications under subsection (a1) of this section, by making or giving a
notarial certificate, whether or not stated in the certificate, a notary
certifies to all of the following:
(1)At the time the
notarial act was performed and the notarial certificate was signed by the
notary, the notary was lawfully commissioned, the notary's commission had
neither expired nor been suspended, the notarial act was performed within the
geographic limits of the notary's commission, and the notarial act was
performed in accordance with the provision of this Chapter.
(2)If the notarial
certificate is for an acknowledgment or the administration of an oath or
affirmation, the person whose signature was notarized did not appear in the
judgment of the notary to be incompetent, lacking in understanding of the
nature and consequences of the transaction requiring the notarial act, or
acting involuntarily, under duress, or undue influence.
(3)The notary was
not prohibited from acting under G.S. 10‑20(c).
(a3)The inclusion
of additional information in a notarial certificate, including the
representative or fiduciary capacity in which a person signed or the means a
notary used to identify a principal, shall not invalidate an otherwise
sufficient notarial certificate.
(b) A notarial certificate
for the acknowledgment taken by a notary of a principal who is an
individual acting in his or her own right or who is an individual acting
in a representative or fiduciary capacity taken by a notary is
sufficient and shall be accepted in this State if it is substantially in the
form set forth in G.S. 10B‑41, if it is substantially in a form
otherwise prescribed by the law laws of this State, or if it:it
includes all of the following:
(1) Identifies the state and
county in which the acknowledgment occurred;occurred.
(2) Names the principal who
appeared in person before the notary;notary.
(3)States that the
notary has either (i) personal knowledge of the identity of the principal or
(ii) satisfactory evidence of the principal's identity, indicating the nature
of that satisfactory evidence;
(4) Indicates that the
principal who appeared in person before the notary and the principal acknowledged
that the signature on the record presented is his or her signature, that the
principal voluntarily signed the record for the purpose stated therein;he
or she signed the record.
(5) States the date of the acknowledgment;acknowledgment.
(6) Contains the signature
and seal or stamp of the notary who took the acknowledgment; and
acknowledgment.
(7) States the notary's
commission expiration date.
(c) A notarial certificate
for the verification or proof of the signature of a principal by a subscribing
witness taken by a notary is sufficient and shall be accepted in this State if
it is substantially in the form set forth in G.S. 10B‑42, if it is
substantially in a form otherwise prescribed by the law laws of
this State, or if it:it includes all of the following:
(1) Identifies the state and
county in which the verification or proof occurred;occurred.
(2) Names the subscribing
witness who appeared in person before the notary;notary.
(3)States that the
notary has either (i) personal knowledge of the identity of the subscribing
witness or (ii) satisfactory evidence of the subscribing witness's identity,
indicating the nature of that satisfactory evidence;
(4) Names the principal whose
signature on the record is to be verified or proven;proven.
(5) Indicates that the
subscribing witness certified to the notary under oath or by affirmation that
the subscribing witness is not a party to or beneficiary of the transaction,
named party to the record in question, has no interest in the transaction,
signed the record as a subscribing witness, and either (i) witnessed the
principal sign the record, or (ii) witnessed the principal acknowledge the
principal's signature on the already‑signed record;record.
(6) States the date of the
verification or proof;proof.
(7) Contains the signature
and seal or stamp of the notary who took the verification or proof; andproof.
(8) States the notary's
commission expiration date.
(c1)A notarial
certificate for the verification or proof of the signature of a principal or a
subscribing witness by a nonsubscribing witness taken by a notary is sufficient
and shall be accepted in this State if it is substantially in the form set
forth in G.S. 10B‑42.1, if it is substantially in a form otherwise
prescribed by the laws of this State, or if it includes all of the following:
(1)Identifies the
state and county in which the verification or proof occurred.
(2)Names the nonsubscribing
witness who appeared in person before the notary.
(3)Names the
principal or subscribing witness whose signature on the record is to be
verified or proven.
(4)Indicates that
the nonsubscribing witness certified to the notary under oath or by affirmation
that the nonsubscribing witness is not a party to or beneficiary of the
transaction and that the nonsubscribing witness recognizes the signature of
either the principal or the subscribing witness and that the signature is
genuine.
(5)States the date
of the verification or proof.
(6)Contains the
signature and seal or stamp of the notary who took the verification or proof.
(7)States the
notary's commission expiration date.
(d) A notarial certificate
for an oath or affirmation taken by a notary is sufficient and shall be
accepted in this State if it is substantially in the form set forth in G.S. 10B‑43,
if it is substantially in a form otherwise prescribed by the law laws
of this State, or if it:it includes all of the following:
(1)Identifies the
state and county in which the oath or affirmation occurred;
(2) Names the principal who
appeared in person before the notary;notary unless the name of the
principal otherwise is clear from the record itself.
(3)States that the
notary has either (i) personal knowledge of the identity of the principal or
(ii) satisfactory evidence of the principal's identity, indicating the nature
of that satisfactory evidence;
(4) Indicates that the
principal who appeared in person before the notary signed the record in
question and certified to the notary under oath or by affirmation as to the
truth of the matters stated in the record;record.
(5) States the date of the
oath or affirmation;affirmation.
(6) Contains the signature
and seal or stamp of the notary who took the oath or affirmation; andaffirmation.
(7) States the notary's
commission expiration date.
(e) Any notarial certificate
made in another jurisdiction shall be sufficient in this State if it is made in
accordance with federal law or the laws of the jurisdiction where the notarial
certificate is made.
(f) On records to be filed,
registered, recorded, or delivered in another state or jurisdiction of the
United States, a North Carolina notary may complete any notarial certificate
that may be required in that other state or jurisdiction.
(g) Nothing in this Chapter
shall be deemed to authorize the use of a notarial certificate authorized by
this Part in place of or as an alternative to a notarial certificate required
by any other provision of the General Statutes outside of Chapter 47 of the
General Statutes that prescribes the specific form or content for a notarial
certificate (including, but not limited to, including G.S. 31‑11.6,
Chapter 32A of the General Statutes, and G.S. 90‑321). G.S. 90‑321.
However, any statute that permits or requires the use of a notarial
certificate contained within Chapter 47 of the General Statutes may also be
satisfied by the use of a notarial certificate permitted by this Part. Any
form of acknowledgment or probate authorized under Chapter 47 of the General
Statutes shall be conclusively deemed in compliance with the requirements of this
section.
(h)If an
individual signs a record and purports to be acting in a representative or
fiduciary capacity, that individual is also deemed to represent to the notary
that he or she is signing the record with proper authority to do so and also is
signing the record on behalf of the person or entity represented and identified
therein or in the fiduciary capacity indicated therein. In performing a
notarial act in relation to an individual described under this subsection, a
notary is under no duty to verify whether the individual acted in a
representative or fiduciary capacity or, if so, whether the individual was duly
authorized so to do. A notarial certificate may include any of the following:
(1)A statement
that an individual signed a record in a particular representative or fiduciary
capacity.
(2)A statement
that the individual who signed the record in a representative or fiduciary
capacity had due authority so to do.
(3)A statement identifying
the represented person or entity or the fiduciary capacity."
SECTION 19. G.S. 10B‑41
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑41. Notarial certificate for an acknowledgment.
(a) When properly completed
by a notary, a notarial certificate in that substantially
complies with the following form may be used and shall be sufficient under
the law of this State to satisfy the requirements for a notarial certificate
for the acknowledgment of a principal who is an individual acting in his or her
own right or who is an individual acting in a representative or
fiduciary capacity. The authorization of the form in this section does not
preclude the use of other forms.
______________ County, North Carolina
I certify that the
following person(s) personally appeared before me this day, each acknowledging
to me that he or she voluntarily signed the foregoing document for
the purpose stated therein and in the capacity indicated: document: name(s)
of principal(s).
Date:
____________________ Official Signature of Notary
Notary's
printed or typed name, Notary Public
(Official
Seal) My commission expires: _____________
(b)By signing a
notarial certificate for the acknowledgment of a principal who is an individual
acting in his or her own right or in a representative capacity substantially in
the form set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the notary thereby
certifies:
(1)That the
principal acknowledging his or her signature appeared in person before the
notary on the date indicated;
(2)That the
principal stated to the notary that he or she voluntarily signed the record for
the purpose stated therein;
(3)That, if the
principal signed the record in a representative capacity, the principal stated
that he or she signed the record in the particular representative capacity; and 20. G.S. 10B‑42
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑42. Notarial certificate for a verification or proof. of
subscribing witness.
(a) When properly completed
by a notary, a notarial certificate in substantially the following form may be
used and shall be sufficient under the law of this State to satisfy the
requirements for a notarial certificate for the verification or proof of the
signature of a principal by a subscribing witness. The authorization of the
form in this section does not preclude the use of other forms.
________________
County, North Carolina
I certify that name
(name of subscribing witness witness) personally
appeared before me this day and certified to me under oath or by affirmation
that he or she is not a named party to the foregoing document, has no
interest in the transaction, grantee or beneficiary of the transaction, signed
the foregoing document as a subscribing witness, and either (i) witnessed name
(name of principal (the principal) sign the foregoing
document or (ii) witnessed (name of the principal principal) acknowledge
the principal's his or her signature on the already‑signed
document.
Date:
____________________ Official Signature of Notary
Notary's
printed or typed name, Notary Public
(Official
Seal) My commission expires: _____
(b)By signing a
notarial certificate for the verification or proof of the signature of a
principal by a subscribing witness substantially in the form set forth in
subsection (a) of this section, the notary thereby certifies:
(1)That the
subscribing witness appeared in person before the notary on the date indicated;
(2)That the
subscribing witness certified to the notary under oath or by affirmation that
the subscribing witness is not a named party to the record in question, has no
interest in the transaction, signed the record as a subscribing witness, and
either (i) witnessed the named principal sign the record, or (ii) witnessed the
named principal acknowledge the principal's signature on the already‑signed
record; and
(3)That the notary
has either (i) personal knowledge of the identity of the subscribing witness or
(ii) satisfactory evidence of the subscribing witness 21. Article 1
of Chapter 10B is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§
10B‑42.1. Notarial certificate for a verification of nonsubscribing
witness.
(a)When properly
completed by a notary, a notarial certificate in substantially the following
form may be used and shall be sufficient under the law of this State to satisfy
the requirements for a notarial certificate for the verification or proof of
the signature of a principal or subscribing witness by a nonsubscribing witness.
The authorization of the form in this section does not preclude the use of
other forms.
________________
County, North Carolina
I certify (name
of nonsubscribing witness) personally appeared before me this day and certified
to me under oath or by affirmation that he or she is not a grantee or
beneficiary of the transaction, that (name of nonsubscribing witness) recognizes
the signature of (name of the principal or the subscribing witness) and that
the signature is genuine.
Date:
____________________Official Signature of Notary
Notary's
printed or typed name, Notary Public
(Official
Seal)My commission expires: _____
(b 22. G.S. 10B‑43
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑43. Notarial certificate for an oath or affirmation.
(a) When properly completed
by a notary, a notarial certificate in that substantially
complies with either of the following forms may be used and shall be
sufficient under the law of this State to satisfy the requirements for a
notarial certificate for an oath or affirmation. The authorization of the forms
in this section does not preclude the use of other forms.
_______________
County, North Carolina
Signed and
sworn to (or affirmed) before me this day by name of principal.(name
of principal).
Date:
________________ Official Signature of Notary
Notary's
printed or typed name, Notary Public
(Official
Seal) My commission expires: ____________
‑OR‑
_______________
County, North Carolina
Sworn to (or
affirmed) and ascribed subscribed before me this day by name
of principal.(name of principal).
Date: ________________ Official
Signature of Notary
Notary's
printed or typed name, Notary Public
(Official
Seal) My commission expires: ____________
(b)By signing a
notarial certificate for an oath or affirmation substantially in the form set
forth in subsection (a) of this section, the notary thereby certifies:
(1)That the
principal appeared in person before the notary on the date indicated;
(2)That either (i)
the notary witnessed the principal sign the record or (ii) the principal stated
to the notary that he or she voluntarily signed the record for the purpose
stated therein;
(3)That the
principal certified to the notary under oath or by affirmation as to the truth
of the matters stated in the record; andrecord..
(d)In either of
the forms provided under subsection (a) of this section all of the following
shall apply:
(1)The name of the
principal may be omitted if the name of the principal is located near the jurat,
and the principal who so appeared before the notary is clear from the record
itself.
(2)The words "affirmed"
or "sworn to or affirmed" may be substituted for the words "sworn
to"."
SECTION 23. G.S. 10B‑60
reads as rewritten:
"§
10B‑60. Enforcement and penalties.
(a) The Secretary may warn,
issue a warning to a notary or restrict, suspend, or revoke a
notarial commission for a violation of this Chapter and on any ground for which
an application for a commission may be denied under this Chapter. Any period of
restriction, suspension, or revocation shall not extend the expiration date of
a commission.
(b) Except as otherwise
permitted by law, a person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of a
Class 1 misdemeanor:
(1) Holding one's self out to
the public as a notary if the person does not have a commission.
(2) Performing a notarial act
if the person's commission has expired or been suspended.suspended or
restricted.
(3) Performing a notarial act
before the person had taken the oath of office.
(c) A notary shall be guilty
of a Class 1 misdemeanor if the notary does any of the following:
(1) Takes an acknowledgment,
performs acknowledgment or administers an oath, affirmation, or
jurat oath or affirmation without the principal personally appearing
in person before the notary;notary.
(2) Takes a verification or
proof of a without the subscribing witness without personal
knowledge of the subscribing witness's identity, or without satisfactory
evidence of the subscribing witness's identity;appearing in person
before the notary.
(3)Takes an
acknowledgment or administers an oath or affirmation without personal knowledge
or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the principal.
(4)Takes a
verification or proof without personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of
the identity of the subscribing witness.
(d) A notary shall be guilty
of a Class I felony if the notary does any of the following:
(1) Takes an acknowledgment,
verification, proof, or jurat,acknowledgment or a verification or a
proof, or performs administers an oath or affirmation if the
notary knows it is false or fraudulent.
(2) Takes an acknowledgment,
or jurat acknowledgment or administers an oath or affirmation without
the principal appearing in person before the notary if the notary does
so with the intent to commit fraud.
(3) Takes a verification or
proof without the subscribing witness appearing in person before the notary if
the notary does so with the intent to commit fraud.
(e) It is a Class I felony
for any person to perform notarial acts in this State with the knowledge that
the person is not commissioned under this Chapter.
(f) Any person who without
authority obtains, uses, conceals, defaces, or destroys the seal or notarial
records of a notary is guilty of a Class I felony.
(g) For purposes of
enforcing this Chapter and Article 34 of Chapter 66 of the General Statutes,
the law enforcement agents of the Department of the Secretary of State have
statewide jurisdiction and have all of the powers and authority of law
enforcement officers. The agents have the authority to assist local law
enforcement agencies in their investigations and to initiate and carry out, on
their own or in coordination with local law enforcement agencies,
investigations of violations.
(h) Resignation or
expiration of a notarial commission does not terminate or preclude an
investigation into a notary's conduct by the Secretary, who may pursue the
investigation to a conclusion, whereupon it may be a matter of public record
whether or not the finding would have been grounds for disciplinary action.
(i) The Secretary may seek
injunctive relief against any person who violates the provisions of this
Chapter. Nothing in this Chapter diminishes the authority of the North Carolina
State Bar.
(j) Any person who
knowingly solicits, coerces, or in any material way influences a notary to
commit official misconduct, is guilty as an aider and abettor and is subject to
the same level of punishment as the notary.
(k) The sanctions and
remedies of this Chapter supplement other sanctions and remedies provided by
law, including, but not limited to, forgery and aiding and abetting."
SECTION 24. Part 9 of
Article 1 of Chapter 10B of the General Statutes is amended by adding the
following new sections to read:
"§
10B‑67. Erroneous commission expiration date cured.
An erroneous statement of the
date that the notary's commission expires shall not affect the sufficiency,
validity, or enforceability of the notarial certificate or the related record
if the notary is, in fact, lawfully commissioned at the time of the notarial
act.
"§
10B‑68. Technical defects cured.
(a)Technical
defects, errors, or omissions in a notarial certificate shall not affect the
sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the notarial certificate or the
related instrument or document.
(b)As used in
this section, a technical defect includes those cured under G.S. 10B‑37(f)
and G.S. 10B‑67. Other technical defects include the absence of the
legible appearance of the notary's name exactly as shown on the notary's
commission as required in G.S. 10B‑20(b) and defects in the
commissioning or recommissioning of the notary that were approved by the
Department under this Chapter.
"§
10B‑69. Official forms cured.
(a)The notarial
certificate contained in a form issued by a State agency prior to October 1,
2006, is deemed to be a valid certificate provided the certificate complied
with the law at the time the form was issued.
(b)The
notarization using a certificate under subsection (a) of this section shall be
deemed valid if executed in compliance with the law at the time the form was
issued.
"§
10B‑99. Presumption of regularity.
(a)In the absence
of evidence of fraud on the part of the notary, or evidence of a knowing and
deliberate violation of this Article by the notary, the courts shall grant a
presumption of regularity to notarial acts so that those acts may be upheld,
provided there has been substantial compliance with the law. Nothing in this
Chapter modifies or repeals the common law doctrine of substantial compliance
in effect on November 30, 2005.
(b)A notarial act
performed before October 1, 2006, shall be deemed valid if it complies with the
law as it existed on or before December 1, 2005."
SECTION 25. G.S. 10B‑106(d)
reads as rewritten:
"(d) An electronic form
shall be used by an electronic notary in registering with the Secretary and it
shall include, at least all of the following:
(1) The applicant's full
legal name and the name to be used for commissioning, excluding nicknames.
(2) The state and county of
commissioning of the registrant.
(3) The expiration date of
the registrant's notary commission.
(4) Proof of successful completion
of the course of instruction on electronic notarization as required by this
Article.
(5) A description of the
technology the registrant will use to create an electronic signature in
performing official acts.
(6) If the device used to
create the registrant's electronic signature was issued or registered through a
licensed certification authority, the name of that authority, the source of the
license, the starting and expiration dates of the device's term of
registration, and any revocations, annulments, or other premature terminations
of any registered device of the registrant that was due to misuse or compromise
of the device, with the date, cause, and nature of each termination explained
in detail.
(7) The e‑mail address
of the registrant.
The information contained provided
in a registration that relates to subdivision (7) of this section under
this section is a public record as defined in G.S. 132‑1, except for
information contained in subsection (7), which shall be considered
confidential information and shall not be subject to disclosure except as
provided inunder Chapter 132 of the General Statutes orStatutes,
except as provided by rule."
SECTION 26. G.S. 47‑14
is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(f)The
acceptance of a record for registration by the register of deeds shall give
rise to a presumption that, at the time the record was presented for
registration, a clear and legible image of the notary's official seal was
affixed or embossed on the record near the notary's official signature. This presumption
shall apply regardless of whether the image is legible or photographically reproduced
in the records maintained by the register of deeds. A register of deeds may not
refuse to accept a record for registration because a notarial seal does not
satisfy the requirements of G.S. 10B‑37. "
SECTION 27. G.S. 47‑37.1
reads as rewritten:
"§
47‑37.1. Other forms of proof.
(a) The proof and
acknowledgment forms set forth in this Article are not exclusive. Without
regard to whether an instrument presented for registration was signed by an
individual acting in his or her own right or by an individual acting in a
representative or fiduciary capacity, a notarial certificate that
complies with the provisions of Part 6 of Article 1 of Chapter 10B (G.S. 10B‑25
et. seq.)
presented for registration purports to be signed by an individual in a
representative or fiduciary capacity, the acknowledgment or proof of
that individual's signature may, but is not required to:may:
(1) State that the individual
signed the instrument in a representative or fiduciary capacity.
(2) State that the individual
who signed the instrument in a representative or fiduciary capacity had
due authority to do so.
(3) Identify the represented
person or entity. the fiduciary capacity.
(c)This section
relates only to the form of proof or acknowledgment. The capacity and authority
of the individual who signs an instrument presented for registration are
governed by other provisions of law.
(d)This section
applies to proofs and acknowledgments made before, on, or after December 1,
2005."
SECTION 28. G.S. 47‑38
reads as rewritten:
"§
47‑38. Acknowledgment by grantor.
Where the instrument is
acknowledged by the grantor or maker, the form of acknowledgment shall be in
substance as follows:
When properly completed, a
certificate in substantially the following form may be used and shall be
sufficient under the law of this State to satisfy the requirements for a
notarial certificate for one or more individuals, acting in his, her, or their
own right or, whether or not so stated in the notarial certificate, in a
representative or fiduciary capacity, including one or more individuals acting
on behalf of an unincorporated association, as an officer or director of a
corporation, as a partner of a general or limited partnership, as a manager or
member of a limited liability company, as the trustee of a trust, as the
personal representative of a decedent's estate, as an agent or attorney in fact
for another, as the guardian of a minor or an incompetent, or as a public
official. The authorization of the form in this section does not preclude the use
of other forms. This section applies to notarial certificates made before, on, and
after December 1, 2005.
North Carolina, __________County.
I (here give the name of the
official and his official title), do hereby certify that (here give the name of
the grantor or maker) individual whose acknowledgment is being taken)
personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged the due execution
of the foregoing instrument. Witness my hand and (where an official seal is
required by law) official seal this the ____________ day of______ (year).
(Official seal.)
________________________________
(Signature of
officer.)
(Title)"
SECTION 29. G.S. 47‑41.01
is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(e)The forms
of probate set forth in this section may be modified and adopted for use in the
probate of deeds and other conveyances and instruments executed by entities
other than corporations, including general and limited partnerships, limited
liability companies, trusts, and unincorporated associations. This subsection
applies to notarial certificates and forms of probate made before, on, or after
December 1, 2005."
SECTION 30. G.S. 47‑41.02
is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(h)The forms
of probate set forth in this section may be modified and adopted for use in the
probate of deeds and other conveyances and instruments executed by entities
other than corporations, including general and limited partnership, limited
liability companies, trusts, and unincorporated associations. This subsection
applies to notarial certificates and forms of probate made before, on, or after
December 1, 2005."
SECTION 31. Chapter 47
of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§
47‑41.2. Technical defects.
(a)Technical
defects, including technical defects under G.S. 10B‑68, and errors
or omissions in a form of probate or other notarial certificate, shall not
affect the sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the form of probate or
the notarial certificate or the related instrument or document. A register of deeds may not refuse to accept an
instrument or document for registration because of technical defects, errors,
or omissions in a form of probate or other notarial certificate.
(b)This section does not apply to the requirements for
registration contained in G.S. 47‑14(a) and a register of deeds
shall not accept for registration an instrument that does not comply with the
requirements of G.S. 47‑14(a)."
SECTION 32. The
General Statutes Commission shall study the need for additional changes to laws
relating to notaries public, the notarization of documents, and the
registration of instruments notarized in other jurisdictions. The Commission
shall determine whether there is a need for additional conforming changes in
the law that arise from changes made by this act and recommend to the General
Assembly any legislation to address the needs identified by this study. The
General Statutes Commission shall report the results of its study to either the
2007 or 2009 General Assembly.
SECTION 33. G.S.
10B-11(b)(3) as amended in Section 5 of this act becomes effective July 1,
2006. The remainder of this act becomes effective October 1, 2006, and except
as otherwise set forth in this act, applies to notarial acts performed on or
after that date.
In the General Assembly read three
times and ratified this the 30th day of June, 2006. | eng | 96760161-67c9-41d6-820c-095f6cf2e6ea | http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/House/HTML/H1432v6.html |
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The President of the Republic of Liberia is the head of state and head of government of Liberia. The president serves as the leader of the executive branch and as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. Prior to the independence of Liberia in 1847, executive power i...
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GENERAL BUTT NAKED [Ex-Liberian Warlord]: Yes, because I was naked, because I fought naked.
SHANE: A lot of people would drink, or do drugs before fighting?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah most of my boys, they would drain the blood from the innocent child and drink it, before going into battle
SHANE: So you'd kill the child.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yes.
SHANE: And then drink the blood?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah.
CHILD: I lifted it up to the temple. Now I'm going to eat it. It's a Liberian General's heart.
REPORTER: So what kind of war is this?
FIGHTER: It's World War Three.
TITLE: LIBERIA
SHANE: We here at Vice have been fascinated by Liberia for a long time. It's America's first and only foray into quasi-colonialism in Africa. It started as a back-to-Africa movement for freed slaves, and in fact the constitution was written in Washington. Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, is actually named after President Monroe, and it became a state in the 1840s. So the freed slaves go back to Africa and promptly enslave the native Africans, based on the plantation method, which they learnt in the US, which lasts about 140 years, until Samuel K. Doe...
TITLE: SAMUEL K DOE, PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA, 1980-1990
SHANE: ... the first native African-born Liberian, was elected. But, this doesn't last very long. Why? Because an American-educated...
TITLE: CHARLES TAYLOR, PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA, 1997-2003
SHANE: ... some would say, American-backed, rebel leader named Charles Taylor and his buddy Prince Johnson...
TITLE: PRINCE JOHNSON, CURRENT LIBERIAN SENATOR
SHANE: ... came from America and overthrew him.
CHILD: We are not a military group; I'm not a soldier! What we seek to do is to destroy these military dictatorships around Africa. And that's the Charles Taylor virus. If the civilians can throw out the army, wow, we are in trouble. Well I love it! We will fight to the last man. I will get weapons from wherever I have to get it. If the Pentagon's got some, please give me some.
REPORTER: Despite reports that the government wants talks with the rebels the violence goes on.
SAMUEL K DOE: The government and people of this country assure you, that the armed forces will protect them, and that the rebels will soon be eliminated.
REPORTER 2: Rebel forces stormed into the centre of the capital today. They are now less than a mile from the executive mansion where president Samuel Doe has barricaded himself with about five hundred soldiers.
VOICEOVER: In fact, Prince Johnson got to Doe before his buddy Charles, ended up torturing him, cutting him up, and is rumoured to have eaten him, while filming the whole thing.
PRINCE JOHNSON: If you listen to me I'll talk... I don't want to kill you, I told them to get Doe in shape.
SAMUEL K DOE: That's enough! Prince! Prince! Enough! I'll talk!
VOICEOVER: So Charles Taylor finally gets elected with a campaign slogan that reads: he killed my ma, he killed my pa, but I'll still vote for him. And it worked. He gets elected. But he's so corrupt, that soon after, there's a bunch of warlords fighting for control over Liberia, the country dissolves into civil war, and things go from bad, to severely fucked up.
Rebel fighter: I know that if somebody wants to kill me, I will grab you, I will eat you... raw.
SHANE: This is like a civil war on steroids; it's a post-apocalyptic Armageddon. With child soldiers taking heroin, cross-dressing cannibals, systematic rape: it's total hell on earth.
FIGHTER: We love the music, the sound of music.
REPORTER: They call it the sound of death.
FIGHTER: Yeah, but it's the sound of music to us.
SHANE: Liberia's been in the news a lot lately because Charles Taylor is on trial at The Hague for war crimes. We wanted to know, what happened to all the other warlords, so we contacted a Canadian journalist who lives in Liberia named Miles Estey, who's kind of a Kurtz-like character, kind of a tall, skinny, skeleton guy, he said, he could get us access to all these ex-warlords. We got on a plane. And we flew to Liberia.
TITLE: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
VOICEOVER: When you first get to Monrovia, the first thing you think is: it's really hot. It's really hot, it's really poor, and it's totally chaotic. In fact, when we went to pick up Miles, he'd just got out of hospital with malaria. He gets in the car, and he says: are you ready to go? We're going to baboon town, in the red light district, to meet our first general, General Bin Laden. A lot of the generals took different names because they didn't want to be identified after the various wars, and these pseudonyms were meant to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies, so there was a general Rambo, cause he's scary, there was a general mosquito, cause mosquitoes are terrifying cause they bring malaria, and of course, there's General Bin Laden. Our General Bin Laden, we found out en route, had just been put in jail. We didn't know why, but we suspected, because the authorities found out we were coming, with cameras, to shoot him.
MYLES ESTEY: Erm, they say they're not going to let him out but we can interview him in the jail, and we can interview the commander.
MAN: Let's do that. Let's go there.
SHANE: Can we go in now?
MYLES ESTEY: Yeah.
MAN: Let's go in now.
VOICEOVER: So the minute we arrive in baboon town, our car is surrounded by a bunch of sketchy dudes, so when Miles came back and said we could interview bin laden inside the police station, I was like: yeah. Let's get out of here and get in there really quick.
VOICEOVER: So we get into the police station, and it's chaos. Some guards are saying you can go see him, other guards are saying you can go see him, and we just have to sit there and wait.
SHANE: I like being in the police station, ha ha, it's nice. Monkey! Little monkey. He's got herpes I think, or something. Hi. What's wrong with the monkey? Why is the monkey here?
MAN: What did the monkey do wrong?
SHANE: Why is the monkey here? We're in, ha, a police station, ha, in the red light district, to meet general bin laden, and wondering why the monkey's here.
VOICEOVER: Then eventually, after sitting these for a little while, we realised: Oh, we've got to grease some palms, so we gave them some money and bang! We were back into the jail, and we could talk to bin laden
SHANE: Hey, bin laden! How're you? Shane! Nice to meet you. We're going to try and get you out of here now and then we can go back.
GENEARL BIN LADEN: We can go back and do the interview. Very Nice. That'd be fine.
SHANE: Alright, ok, we're going to do that right now.
GENERAL BIN LADEN: God bless you.
MYLES ESTEY: To get him out what do we have to do?
GUARD: You know what he did?
MYLES ESTEY: Yeah, I know what he did, I'm talking about, to get him out, what do we have to do?
GUARD: You gotta pay that money...
MYLES ESTEY: To who?
POLICE CHIEF: Woa, woa, you want to videotape this station without my permission? Is that what we do? You did not get any permission from me to videotape my office!
POLICE CHIEF: Well, I hope that I haven't been recorded here, ok? Because there's a criminal...
SHANE: We're good people, nobody's recording anything
POLICE CHIEF: You pay some cash; you can get him out of here.
SHANE: Sure, I can give him cash; can we pay him and pay you a fine, and then take him?
POLICE CHIEF: Fine! That's good.
SHANE: OK, great. Let's go, let's go, let's go.
GENERAL BIN LADEN, EX-LIBERIAN WAR LORD
UNIDENTIFIED: Hey! You!
SHANE: We went in there; I think we're being followed by the police right now.
UNIDENTIFIED: Are you serious?
SHANE: We might have to do something like change tapes or something. What we do is we shoot cards, and when they come we can give them the tape, there's nothing on the tape.
UNIDENTIFIED: You have a blank tape in there?
SHANE: Yeah we do, right now. We should just get out of here.
GENERAL BIN LADEN: Let's go to the warehouse. Don't worry; no one is going to take the tape.
GANG MEMEBER: This is our boss man
GENERAL BIN LADEN: Photography, anything you want to do here. This is my compound, you are free. No police come here to do anything to you.
GENERAL BIN LADEN: You will mind the step, but nobody past here!
SHANE: Our trip is getting progressively heavier
GENERAL BIN LADEN: We will go on top of the building
SHANE: Yeah that'd be good. I'm kind of worried that the police are going to come get us right now. I gave them a fake name and fake number.
GENERAL BIN LADEN: He's one of my lords.
LORD: I'm the Minister of National Security
SHANE: OK, nice to meet you.
LORD: I want you to see for yourself. We are happy that you people are here.
VOICEOVER: So after we got Bin Laden out of jail, he was very excited to take us up to his rooftop and tell us his story, and according to him, the ex-generals, or now the community leaders, are the only ones doing anything to help the people.
SHANE: So maybe you could explain, eh, a little bit about, so, first of all you became known as Bin Laden during the war
GENERAL BIN LADEN: During the war, yes
SHANE: And now after the war you're trying to help people by doing carpentry and by karate.
GENERAL BIN LADEN: Karate, mm. After the war, I saw some friends going astray. Since I was a general, I made sure I would bring them together. So I do both carpentry and masonry. And I've got men that are in my workshop who do carpentry work, and then we go out to the field and do martial arts.
SHANE: Do you get any money here?
GENERAL BIN LADEN: We do our own collections sometimes...
SHANE: No but the UN, the government, doesn't give you any money?
GENERAL BIN LADEN: The government does not give me support. The UN does not give me support. This is the first time, meeting you people, recording me and getting information from me. We really need the government's attention to our program.
SHANE: And is this area, this area is red light here?
GENERAL BIN LADEN: It is red light
SHANE: Is there a lot of crime in red light?
GENERAL BIN LADEN: Yeah, all the time, this is red light.
UNIDENTIFIED: What's the problem?
MYLES ESTEY: Now it seems like everyone hanging around knows how we got him out. And for how much. And that has gotten around. It's a hot topic of conversation. I don't think Shane knows that, so he's nice and calm on screen. But I'm keeping the stress level slightly higher than usual.
GENERAL BIN LADEN: Look at Liberia! Look at Liberia! We can build this place! We don't expect that in this country, founded on Christian principles, people should be in government office with blood on their hands! Let them open their minds and their hearts to the country! Why should Mama Liberia sink into poverty?
VOICEOVER: So Miles comes over, stops the interview, and says: we have to get the fuck out of here now. Bin Laden look down and says, yeah yeah, those aren't my guys, you guys should really go.
UNIDENTIFIED: Now be careful so you don't fall down the stairs.
VOICEOVER: So Bin Laden gave us an escort and a couple of his guys got us through the crowd, to the car, and we got the fuck out.
VOICEOVER: So after meeting and being freaked out by General Bin Laden, we wanted to see what the UN and government were doing to rebuild Liberia. So we asked a local journalist named Nagbe, and we asked him. And he said: you want to see what the government and US are doing? I'll take you to West Point.
VOICEOVER: So West Point is the worst slum in Liberia, which makes it one of the worst slums in West Africa, which makes it one of the worst slums in the world. And when you first get there, the first thing that you want to do is get the hell out. It's open sewers everywhere, shit, piss, garbage, everything mixed in, and the stench is overpowering.
NGABE: This is West Point. People live here like this for years. It's more or less a microcosm of the city. Virtually all the major tribes living in Liberia live in West Point. Now, West Point happens to be one of the most devastated parts of the war, because the people here don't have toilets. And because they have no toilets, they use the beach.
SHANE: Oh, dude. It really stinks here.
NGABE: They're not taking care of the community, you know?
SHANE: But I mean one of the first basic rules is don't shit where you eat.
NGABE: That's right.
SHANE: That's the number one rule
NGABE: The people violate that rule, obviously.
SHANE: But the government has to do something about that right?
NGABE: Seriously! But they're not doing it. The commissioner himself sometimes goes on the beach and squats and shits with the people.
VOICEOVER: So even in one of the worst slums in Western Africa, you see the cultural impact that America has there, all the kids are wearing Biggie or Tupac t-shirts, and in fact one kid came up to us and said, hey, I'm a rapper, Can I rap for you?
RAPPER: AIDS getting busy drinking blood from the body/ Same as the first, death is a lie, believe it or not/ AIDS is out to attack, every woman needs a man/ Every hand is on the shoulder/ Mothers did loving/ What's the point, Liberians?/ She never had money/ so she started sucking dick/ A pretty young woman is another man's slave/ Mother did loving, now the pharaoh/ got AIDS on her face/ Which type of sickness killing boys? AIDS/ Which type of sickness killing girls? AIDS/ Which type of sickness kill the neighbour? AIDS/ Which type of sickness kill everybody? AIDS
SHANE: And is there a lot of malaria in here?
NGABE: A lot
VOICEOVER: Needless to say in West Point health conditions are fowl. Diseases are everywhere: malaria, infections, AIDS, are rampant
ORPHAN: My ma and my pa died, so I decided to come to the streets because we don't have any schools. We have no help. No help.
NGABE: These electronic shops, they are just cover-ups for heroin. It's big business.
SHANE: We heard stories that during the war, the rebels would go out in boats with diamonds and trade the diamonds for weapons and cocaine. There was a lot of Colombians and Mexicans.
NGABE: It did happen here.
SHANE: We find it interesting because Cocaine and Heroin are very expensive drugs. So we're surprised to find heroin here, usually in poorer countries, there's, you know, speed or meths or things you can make
NGABE: It's pure tar coming here
SHANE: Why is that?
NGABE: The Nigerians. The Nigerians bring it.
ORPHAN: The cocaine will make us high. Make it so... make it so...
MAN: What we're smoking now... We smoke two types of market, we smoke heroin and we smoke coke. We smoke to be vigilant. I told him to slow down. Don't waste the money.
ORPHAN: Break noses, break teeth, cut ears... What else we going to do for money? I raped a big-belly woman. I raped her on the floor. I saw her coming in her robe, when she came closer, I took her money, I put a gun to her head, I told her to bend down, she turned her face, and I...
MAN: That high is all pleasure. You see this here? He's high. This boy is nupping, He's nupping. You know why they call it nupping? If you smoke heroin and you want to sleep, but you don't sleep. So, he's nupping now. He only want to sniff cocaine now. That's the only way he'll calm down.
NGABE: Look, behind these areas are small shops that are used as brothels. And you can pay between 50 to 75 to 100 dollars. Liberian dollars.
SHANE: So how much is that?
NGABE: Less than one dollar
SHANE: So because of the poverty a lot of women have to become prostitutes
NGABE: Yes, or we like to use the term 'sex worker' ha. We can go this way
PROSTITUTE: I don't have any money. I work in sex trade to get money. I do the sex work to feed them because their father died in the war. 50 dollar, 30 dollar, 20 dollar to fuck... just to eat something. In my won sex work, I say I'll give you car-rocking sex, like a rodeo.
NGABE: We can turn the corner and I'll show you the brothel we're going to go to tonight. But we're not going to do anything yet. We'll just pass through alright?
MAN: No small children can come inside here.
SHANE: So now we're in a brothel. We're going to come back tonight it's not open right now. We got some stains here... some blood... Not very clean.
NGABE: a towel used for wiping.
SHANE: That's pretty grim. How do we get outta here?
NGABE: This way.
VOICEOVER: The legacy of civil war in Liberia is staggering. It's the fourth-poorest country in the world. Fifty percent of the country is illiterate. Seventy percent of the female population has been raped. Eighty percent of the population is unemployed. And a large percentage of the population has eaten human flesh.
BOY: It tastes like real meat. If you taste it you like to eat it every day. You want to see some piece?
NGABE: It happens a whole lot, even in Liberia now. Whenever you see that there are bodies found somewhere, maybe drowned in the river... Genital parts are taken out. Some legends have it that the female genitals are prepared in a way where the man can put it in his wallet and carry it around. And use it as a source of power, you know? And some people believe that when they do these things, they have power over their colleagues, you know?
VOICEOVER: Now one of the warlords responsible for these atrocities, who fought in all three civil wars, is a guy named General Rambo, who we picked up at a market. He said: I'll talk to you if you take me to the old headquarters of the rebel faction outside of town.
GENERAL RAMBO: Nice building...
SHANE: When did the hotel stop working?
GENERAL RAMBO: 1990, when the war came. At that time I was in the army as an AFL soldier, Master Sergeant. Oh, in those days, the place was so beautiful, so nice... Our country... Country destroyed... beyond all reasonable doubt there is no easy way to fix it. Everybody stranded around, bodies were laying all over the city. So overnight they go and do their butchery, boil and cook. They'd have some of the human parts in the wagon, carry it around, and sell. Many people were not normal. Because the rebel leaders, at that time, used to sell drugs. The cocaine, the bubbles (pills), the dooji (heroin), the marijuana, and other things. So they did things wrong because of the drugs that they took.
SHANE: So you were one of the ones that came in to take out Taylor?
GENERAL RAMBO: Yes.
SHANE: And then, at one point the Amerian government came to try and get you to go out to Iraq.
GENERAL RAMBO: Yes, the people sent people here. Because you know Liberia, back in the day we used to call it "Small America". And all our training that we took is under America. Strictly American. So we know ourselves as the reserve soldiers of America. So when the Americans have problems, we're supposed to be second in motion to help.
SHANE: And so when there was Iraq, it was like, let's go we can help, so what happened?
GENERAL RAMBO: The government denied us from going.
SHANE: The government didn't let you go?
GENERAL RAMBO: They disrupted the whole process.
SHANE: Do you think it's a problem that you have all these ex-combatants who grew up fighting, you fought in three wars, they have no money, they have no job, isn't that a problem?
GENERAL RAMBO: It's a big problem. Because when you have most of the youth that have the muscles that can cause trouble anytime, and are not satisfied, then that means bad things will happen. Things are not ok. Anything can happen. Anything can blow up at any time.
GENERAL RAMBO: The problem here is that we don't come out to talk too much. Rest assured that bad things are coming. So, therefore, the country should be free of arms. I used to go to every hole to do searches. We went in the Lofa jungle for one month. We met people with muzzles that said they could launch rockets at elephants with RPGs.
SHANE: So they're still there with the guns.
GENERAL RAMBO: Yeah they're still there with the guns. The war is hot.
SHANE: So if the rebel forces wanted they could take over tomorrow?
GENERAL RAMBO: In less than two, three hours.
SHANE: Two, three hours?
GENERAL RAMBO: Sure. I'm an ambassador of war. So if I see firing coming, you think I would not be part of it? I will be part. Because I can't let someone kill me like that. Me I'm a straight soldier. And I'd love to be a soldier until I die.
SHANE: And do you think there's a possibility of that happening?
GENERAL RAMBO: Yes. When UN is not here, there's the possibility that can happen. Yes.
SOLDIERS: Commando! Pray! Strong! Protected!
VOICEOVER: So what Rambo was saying is, there's still plenty of guns in Liberia, and him, or someone like him, can take over Monrovia in two hours if the UN leaves. The UN is scheduled to leave next year.
VOICEOVER: And as we said our goodbyes to Rambo, we said we were going back to West Point.
GENERAL RAMBO: That place, West Point, is dangerous, very dangerous. You're very lucky that you got out, and they didn't steal the camera. You can still see the violence in them. No law and order in rebel activity.
SHANE: Cannibalism, chaos, killing, rape, everything
GENERAL RAMBO: Everything.
VOICEOVER: A few years ago we did an article in Vice magazine called General Butt Naked vs. the Tupac army, about a particularly fierce Liberian warlord called Butt Naked, who fought naked, his child soldiers fought naked, and they were cannibals. So we asked Rambo if he knew him by chance and he said, in act, we're from the same tribe I know him well. He promised to set up an interview while we did our follow-up in the brothels in West Point.
VOICEOVER: Driving into West Point at night is pretty freaky. There's no electricity grid in Monrovia, so it's pitch black. It's kind of like, if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound? If a fucking van goes missing...
SHANE: So, the craziest, scariest drive ever down here we got a little bit lost in the port, and you couldn't see anything cause there's no electricity, you can just see people, like, wandering around, fucking shit piss, fucking yelling at us gaaah we want money we want money. Now we're going to go in here, this is the brothel.
SHANE: A lot of dudes are coming in now it's crazy. I don't know where we're going. Wow. That room looks... This is the exemplification of hell, really. I don't know what happens in here but I don't want to know. Wow. What the fuck goes on in here dude. Wow wow wow wow wow. Well, we were here a little bit earlier there was used condoms and blood stained sheets now they've sort of, done it up. So we're going to interview some of the girls. See what they have to say.
SHANE: We have a code, if something's freaky, we go it's gnar gnar ha. Gnar gnar
VOICEOVER: One of the things we'd heard since we'd been in Liberia was about the alleged misconduct of the US staff. So we asked the girls at the brothel about it.
NGABE: I've seen UN guys having sex with small, small children. Have you seen it?
GIRL: Yes. They just have sex with you. Throw you off and then they beat you. I have received some beatings.
GIRL: No support, nothing, we're suffering. No job, nothing.
GIRL: I live here. They call it paradise.
NGABE: OK, paradise.
GIRL: I want to get a job, for myself.
NGABE: What do you do in West Point now?
GIRL: I'm a beautician. I came from a cosmetology school. From Rogerstown, which is under TAP. Trade Assistance Programme. I want to tell him that. I got my certificate. I got everything for myself. But I won't go forward until he gives me what I want. Now. Why are you flashing in my eyeball? That's my eyeball. Why are you flashing that there? I will tell my whole life story. Me, I'm an orphanage child. I got no pa I got no ma. My parents are dead. My want money!
VOICEOVER: As soon as the girl started screaming, a bunch of heads popped in the room, and when she started screaming about money, everyone was going money money money, where's the money. And at that point Ngabe said to us: you'd better get the hell out of here. So we sort of took off through the tangled alleyways and just tried to get back to the car.
GIRL: Give me what I want!
SHANE: So we're getting the fuck out of here right now.
VOICEOVER: So when we got to the car our driver, who was also supposed to be our security, was so freaked out that he peeled out, nearly hit a group of people that had surrounded the car.
UNIDENTIFIED : OK, stop! Stop!
VOICEOVER: And if you hit a group of people down in West Point. That's it; it would be a death sentence. They would have torn us apart.
VOICEOVER: And to make things even freakier as we're pulling out of West Point, Rambo texts miles and says, not only does Butt Naked want to do the interview, but that he's waiting at our hotel for us.
SHANE: Now we're going back to sanity. To hang out with an ex-cannibal, multi-murderer who's now staying in our hotel, and decided not to leave, cause he wants to hang out. Meanwhile he knows I have tons of money. And he's on the run because people want to kill him. Should I just leave my door open General? Do you want to come in?
JUDGE: You mentioned about sacrifices. Can you give us maybe an estimate of how many civilians you think lost their lives when your group was fighting or as a direct result?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: It should not be less than 20,000
JOSHUA BLAHYI, EX-GENERAL BUTT NAKED
VOICEOVER: Now we're very nervous to meet General Butt Naked, but he's very nervous to meet us, because he's had several assassination attempts against him, and he wants to meet us and vet us before he'll ok an interview.
VOICEOVER: When we told him about our escape from West Point that night, he laughed and he seemed to ease up. And after that, he asked for a phone, called Rambo, and it was on.
GENERAL RAMBO: Blahyi, what's up?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Joshua Blahyi, Butt Naked.
GENERAL RAMBO: I told them that you're my little brother...
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: So the white guys, the guys are good guys. Tell the boss lady hi, yeah?
GENERAL RAMBO: Alright, I'll do that.
JUDGE: Butt, you became converted. Right?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yes, ma'am.
JUDGE: Are you the same Joshua Blahyi now they call evangelist Blahyi?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah.
VOICEOVER: We asked the General, now known as Joshua Blahyi, why people were trying to kill him. And he told us because he had been recently pardoned for his war crimes. And when we asked him how he was pardoned, he said it was his conversion to Christ, and his becoming a man of God.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Because when I got converted, it was household news. Everybody in Liberia... 'General Butt Naked got converted?!' All over Africa. Because the first question people ask me, they say: 'Joshua, don't you think you decided to be Christian so that you can escape persecution?' And I said no, because I could have gone back. Several times I was attacked. And I told them, 'if anybody wanted to kill me, you're only killing me because two years ago, I fought you, or, you don't like my preaching. But I cannot go back to my vomit. I have left the war'.
VOICEOVER: So we talked with Joshua late into the night, until he told us to get to bed because the next day, he was going to show us his Liberia
VOICEOVER: SO in the morning Joshua Blahyi took us out, and the first stop was the area of Monrovia that he used to control during the war.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: So this was my, this was my controlled area.
SHANE: And who would be attacking?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Charles Taylor's men. NPFL. They were calling themselves government forces at the time.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Right here... This is where I had my 'koocha' chair. I sat in the chair. My boys are all around, singing. The elders bring an innocent child, and we open the back of the child and take out the heart.
SHANE: Alive?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yes. And we cut it into pieces. And distribute it to the boys.
SHANE: And what does that do?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Just makes them brave and charges them for the battle, with the belief that the bullet will not affect us.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: The bloodstains were still on my hands when my boys went for water. Just before they got back, I heard a voice behind me, 'My son, why are you slaving?' But this was in my dialect. I looked back and I saw this man and lady... white lady... But the light radiated through that man was so bright. Brighter than the sun.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: And then I thought I was not a slave. He said, 'My son, why are you slaving?' And I said, 'Well, in this whole territory I am the King. I'm supposed to be a King.' And he said, 'You're right you're supposed to be a king. But you're living like a slave.' And those words were very hard words in my dialect. I said, 'I don't understand. What are you saying?' 'I mean repent and live or refuse and die.'
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: And he vanished. And the light vanished. And I came to my sense and I was so confused. Now, when I went into battle, I tried to use my pistol and it got busted. I got so afraid I retreated from the front. I got afraid for the first time.
VOICEOVER: The next stop was the place where there had been an assassination attempt on Joshua's life just the day before.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: This one is broken. And the whole thing was there, broken... and he got back on the road.
SHANE: And he just, he hit you and then ran?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Picked up the other guy, and left. I heard the call. I heard the person. 'He's out now'. Then I looked, and the person was on the phone. So I'm going... And I'm looking. Just turned like this and I saw the car crossing. The tyre mark is there. They left from there and crossed here. So I went to leap over. I jumped over the car. Since I was not close to the car to go over it, my shoulder was hit and the car pushed me back.
SHANE: And who do you think it was?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Ah... Maybe one of the people who I hurt is trying to get revenge. In the war, I hurt a lot of people and I don't think I've had the opportunity to appeal to everyone of them.
VOICEOVER: Next, Joshua wanted to show us his mission in the country, where he was rehabilitating ex-child soldiers.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: There are some guys who are very brilliant. As you go there, you will see them. Very brilliant, very intelligent young kids. But unfortunately the war has affected them. I tell them violence is not the best way. It's an ancient strategy. And once violence, as a seed be sown into a child, it's very hard for a child to come out of it.
SHANE: And are there a lot of people who fought during the war that can't get rid of the violence?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: It's very hard. It takes time to get rid of the violence.
SHANE: How did you get rid of the violence?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: To be frank, it's not 100 percent gone. I still have nightmares, I still have flashbacks. I wish that I never took part in the war. That's my mission.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Come, come and see
SHANE: Did anybody bring any bug juice? Nobody brought bug juice.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: I would have taken you, but my back...
SHANE: No, no, no, it's ok, well I don't mind getting wet
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: It's safe. People drink this water.
VOICEOVER: About a million people die from malaria every year in Africa. And malaria thrives in swamps like this.
SHANE: It's very sploochly on my moochly. Some worm is going to go in my foot. And I'm going to get a filthy little tumor. End my days just shitting out blood. This is where all fear stems from.
SHANE: So some of these are the boys you fought with before.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah, some of them fought under me. Those are the fighters who used to fight naked.
SHANE: So, is that why your nickname is General Butt Naked?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yes, because I was naked. Because I used to fight naked.
SHANE: A lot of people would drink or do drugs before fighting?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah, most of my boys, they would drain the blood from an innocent child and drink it. Before going into battle.
SHANE: So you'd kill the child, and then drink the blood?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah.
SHANE: Why would you fight naked?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: It was believed that once I'm naked, no bullet can affect me. Once I'm naked I could disappear.
SHANE: This is his mission. The building. They're singing now.
Singing: Thank you, oh, thank you, thank you thank you. What is so hard, what is so hard in my life that God cannot do?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Welcome to our home. Moustapha was one of the Generals who fought for Charles Taylor
SHANE: So he fought for Charles Taylor and you fought for Roosevelt Johnson. So you were enemies before?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah, we were enemies.
MOUSTAPHA: I was 16 at that time, when they initiated me as child soldier, and I stayed with them until I became a target commander. After the war we became parentless, friendless. Nobody wanted to see you, because you were fighting in the war. We ended up in the streets. I was in the graveyard. I used to smoke drugs. Taking drugs, sleeping in the streets. And then I knew him when he was Butt Naked. I fought against him. When I saw him again, he was already a pastor. He took us to the church. And from the church, continually, he has been helping us until today, as you see us.
MOUSTAPHA: We were children, and they damaged our lives. The same people that recruited us, now that the war's over, they don't have time for us. By the grace of God, and him, we are living.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: I tried to run away from it before and I saw that running away could not help me. My daughter was walking one day, Makayla, she was a baby, and somebody told her 'You're Butt Naked's daughter.' And she started crying. She never knew who Butt Naked was. Because of that, I tried to run away with her. One day, she will have to go home. So, since there is still time... Go back, and see how you can repair some of those things. Time will come, and somebody will tell her what Butt Naked did. And then she will have the opportunity to tell them what Joshua Blahyi did.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: So, there will be a monument built for him. A memorial that she can be proud of. So that is how I take the challenge. You can make the change. You can make the difference.
SHANE: Where are we right now?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: This is the Central Monrovia Cemetery. After the war, the ex-combatants went into crime and they were looking for hideouts. Nowhere for them to stay.
SHANE: So, this is the cemetery, where, after the war, there was nowhere to live, so the people would come in, empty out the graves, and live in the graves.
SHANE: And maybe up to about 4000 people would live in the graves.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: See all these are empty?
SHANE: It's a very heavy vibe. Empty graves everywhere.
SHANE: We were just at lunch. We were talking about, we ordered some ribs, and you said, no I don't like to eat flesh, and I asked why don't you like to eat flesh and you told me the story about coming back from Nigeria, could you tell us that story?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Specifically one time, I was very hungry and I saw the only thing was around was sticks of dried meat. When I took the first bite, I noticed it was human, human flesh. So I washed off the pepper to be very sure, to get the taste. And I got a taste. It was human. So I called the police. And they came and arrested the guy. And I told them I was one of the generals in Liberia, and this is my name, and this is what we did. I ate it several times before, though I'm converted now.
SHANE: You ate human flesh?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Yeah, a lot of times. They saw the pictures and they went to the Internet and they knew it was true.
SHANE: What would you eat?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Some people eat the heart. Now for hunger... People eat around here, because it's softer.
SHANE: OK. We're talking about eating human flesh in a graveyard it's a bit weird. So we can go.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: I want to eat some African stuff.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Now the trumpets call/ They'll feel all right in the world.
PREACHER: This morning, we are going to pray for the holy servant of God that He has prepared to speak to us on this day. Amen!
PREACHER: Somebody shout me hallelujah!
WORSHIPPERS: Hallelujah!
PREACHER: Indeed, our God can do it. In Jesus name. Today we are honoured to have in our midst... It usually takes time for people to recognise him, because he was someone different when we saw him before. But the Bible says that when the light of God shines upon a man... Amen! He's not what you think he was. Evangelist Joshua Blahyi. I want you to stand and put your hands together as we welcome him.
PREACHER: We've all heard the name Butt Naked and what has happened... but we thank God that he was a general for the devil and he's become a general for God. I want you to extend your hand forward, and let us pray that God's Will will indeed be done upon his life. Raise your voice and let us pray... Father we thank you, we bless you, oh God, for what you have done.
PREACHER: The word of God says that you shall know the truth. I've been receiving some dangerous calls. My people have been threatening me, and why they tried to kill me is what I want to make meaning about today. I am an old sinner. I was the about the age of 11 and I was initiated as a priest to my tribe. I did a lot of human sacrifices, killed a lot of innocent people. Now I know I was wrong. But thank God that he extended his mercy to me through Jesus Christ. The Bible says in the Book of Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 28... He said 'All things' All single things! Not some things... but every single thing works together for good. But one thing I am sure of... I am convinced that I am called by God's own purpose. And once you are called by God's purpose the Bible says all things work together for good. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free!
VOICEOVER: Liberia on the one hand has more crime and poverty and rape and cannibalism than you've every seen. But on the other it's also got a church on every street corner, every car has a religious slogan. They have huge revivals with tens of thousands of worshippers. It's some sort of weird Heaven and Hell scenario.
PREACHER Hallelujah! Come on everybody! Liberia!
VOICEOVER: Hanging out with Joshua I started to get a bit of Stockholm syndrome because he's charming, the churches are nice, there's not as much danger and I started to like him. But as he was preaching I thought to myself: this guy has killed tens of thousands of people. In fact he's probably killed the relatives of the people in the church worshipping and adoring him now. And I'm thinking to myself: what the fuck is going on?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: This morning I want to preach on a theme. Effective generational transfer. Before that I want to introduce one of my latest friends. Shane and a group that had interest in coming to Liberia to go to some dead areas. Areas that people to not commonly go. And I thought they were not serious because there are some places that I go to evangelise, and nobody wants to go there with me.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: We reached the water to where my camp is. Most of the time if guests come who are not used to Liberia, they're afraid of the swamp. So we have to tow them. And these guys refused to be towed. They walked in the water with us yesterday. I was in a little doubt, but after a moment with them, I knew they were true friends. So I want to stick him in a corner this moment, and he'll say a few words. At least greet you.
SHANE: I just want to say thank you for having me in your church. Praise God. And I'd like to say thank you to Joshua Blahyi, for all the good work he's doing and hopefully we can help and hopefully we can show what we're doing here in Liberia, what you're doing here in Liberia, and we can help make it better, and bring more awareness to what's happening here.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Amen.
VOICEOVER: I have to admit that when Joshua handed me the mic, I had no idea what I was saying. At that point of the trip I felt like I was on acid.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: Believe me, the world is changing. What are you teaching your children? The war has come. It has passed. You will soon be old. Thirty, forty years from now, you will soon be old. And you will pass. What are you leaving, as a principle for your children to follow?
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: What? The whole world knows me as General Butt Naked, a killer, a rapist. But my children will know me as a man who stands for the truth. Am I talking to somebody? Before the future, according to morals, those reasons do not hold. I'm a murderer. I'm a bloody-handed person. The world is changing. The mistakes of our fathers cause less harm to the mistake that we'd make to our children. That is, if we fail them. Stand to your feet!
VOICEOVER: As I sat and listened to Joshua preach I thought about the fact that the UN is leaving in less than a year, and Rambo had told us that the generals are ready to fight. They have the soldiers, they have the guns and they're living in abject poverty. And I wondered if that happened, would Joshua stay with God, or would he return to being general Butt Naked.
GENERAL BUTT NAKED: You can deliver your generation! You can deliver this nation! You can deliver your community! You can deliver your tribe! You can deliver this continent! Somebody shout glory!
Former Liberian president Charles Taylor has been sentenced by a special United Nations court to 50 years in prison following his landmark conviction for war crimes committed in Sierra Leone during the country's 1991-2001 civil war.
Former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for war crimes against humanity. Taylor was found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes during the dark era of civil war that rocked neighbouring country ...
The Special Court for Sierra Leone finds Liberia's former president, Charles Taylor, guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity Thursday in a landmark judgment against a former head of state.
At least three people have been killed in an exchange of gunfire between Liberian police and protesters as a mass opposition rally in Monrovia, the capital, turned violent on the eve of a presidential election runoff vote.
Al Jazeera's Yvonne Nde... | eng | 00bbf45b-425d-419e-88b3-e4a22e543790 | http://news.linktv.org/videos/the-vice-guide-to-liberia |
And what's more uncomfortable, sitting at a table with someone in an awkward limbo where the date is going badly, or leaving and everyone just seeing a person get up and leave and likely not even knowing that you just did that?
The unwitting datee isn't imagining a quick and quiet exit; he/she is imagining "WHAT YOU'RE LEAVING NOW? WHAT A WITCH!!!" or "OH DON'T LEAVE ME LIKE MY FIANCE DID, WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME WHY WON'T ANYONE LOVE ME?!" followed by everyone in the room turning to see the actor and the unwitting datee.
You know that won't happen because you've seen the show, but the unwitting datee doesn't know what will happen if she leaves early. Much like a player wanting to leave a game early doesn't know what's going to happen if he does.
Ok, if someone really wants to just get up and leave it means they really don't care about the other person's feelings. If they care so little for that person's feelings why would they care if everyone else sees them walk out on a date?
They don't do it because they'd feel horrible if they thought the person would get upset and/or don't want to feel the public shame from everyone else because they know what they're doing is socially unacceptable.
I touched upon this in an earlier comment but I'll say it again:
I contest the idea that getting up from a gaming table and getting up from a date are the same.
Dates are:
1. Involve two people only (so, by leaving, all of the negative feeling is directed at one person, who then has to cope with this alone)
2. Are more personal (you don't get up and leave because this type of date isn't for you, but because you don't like the other person on some personal level).
3. Generally have a greater importance than playing a game does (being successful in romance is directly tied to most people's concept of being a successful human being, while the fun of an individual game session is not typically).
Yes, flipping a monopoly board and storming out is drastically different from saying "GM, you're not being reasonable, this game isnt for me", gathering your books, and leaving. How do you not see that?
In a world where the physics can be affected by one's belief it does - who says belief isnt another factor of energy manipulation? I understand it doesnt fit your idea of magic, but wiggling one's fingers and making blocks of stone appear is already not making sense. If such mystical blocks of stone dont hurt disbelievers that's just another feature of this silly world's physics.
It makes perfect sense in the context of the world it exists in, just as the weird evolution presented in X-men makes sense in the context of that universe.
Operating under the premise that "It's not our world, so anything I feel like goes" makes for bad writing and bad gaming.
If you're being truly unreasonable by quitting, MAYBE... but even then not usually, unless your play group is really immature. Roleplaying is playing, its right there in the word. Playing is something you do for fun. If a player is being so frustrated, agitated, or outright pissed off by the way game is being run by the DM, that they are no longer capable of enjoying themselves then they honestly should quit. Sure, if its possible to talk things out and amend things so everyone can have fun, do that... but in practice that isn't always possible.
Something being a game is not an excuse for poor sportsmanship and piss-poor behavior. If I'm playing Monopoly and I don't like the strategy someone uses to beat me I don't say "I'm not having fun now" flip the table and walk out. Players in the NFL play a game as well. If they "aren't having fun" losing and are frustrated with someone holding them or the reffing they don't have a b#@#@-fit and storm out of the game. Players that do things like this get booed for a reason. Yes, it's their job but they already have enough money to do just fine and players at the end of their career don't do this either even though they could. Why? Because it's childish.
Quote:
If other players are going to burn bridges with you for that, then... well... those bridges need to be burnt, because that makes them pretty immature people. Seriously, if your buddies are telling you they don't want to hang/play with you anymore because you didn't stick around and suffer through one of them being an absolute jerk to you... FIND NEW FRIENDS or rather simply FIND FRIENDS, because that last group of folks does not actually even qualify.
Trying to put the blame on them for this behavior is beyond absurd. How are they immature? You walked out like a child..and they finished the game. Why would I want to be friends with someone that acts like a little kid and throws tantrums? This is epic douchebag behavior to say you need new friends to accomodate your s+#*ty...
Yeah, there you go saying "flip the table and walk out" again.
Very few of the people who posted here mentioned anything violent or remotely this rude in their posts, and the ones that did that I remember were responding to someone punching them in the face.
You keep assuming everyone does this in the worst possible way when many people just say "This isn't for me" and walk out. At worst they have an argument that ends with "Well I guess I'm not playing, then".
Y'know, sometimes people just make up names for their children they think are pretty and/or interesting sounding. Then you also have people named after friends, loved ones, or simply in honor of deeds (if X member of Y race did a great boon for Z member of B race then you might end up with a member of B race named after X member).
Naming conventions evolve. Many names that were traditionally male or female blend or swap positions in frequency (the name Ashley or Ashleigh is actually a traditional male name but is found on females more frequently this days) and adopt names from religious figures or other cultures because of their beauty. The name "Liana" for example is Hebrew (IIRC it means "god has answered") and is found on non-Jewish people from time to time.
Then there are those who are impressed upon by a media form that resonated with them. Unless a race only has characters of its own kind in stories or poetry (an idea that seems bizarre in a world with even half the number of races in the core rulebook) then you'd likely have blending of naming conventions.
And then with the blending of naming conventions comes the hybridization of names entirely or translations of names. What may have been Johnathan in human might be Jonahthane which could have literally no meaning in either language but have roots with both.
And then let's not forget that you always have people who just make stuff up. I mean really. It happens all the time. Somebody hits adulthood and decides he or she doesn't like his or her name? Some people will change it. Some elf decides he doesn't like the name Jarlath (a gaelic name) and decides that from this point on he shall be named Sam then he'll do so unless there's some bizarre reason why he cannot. It's doubtful adventurers would give two flips anyway.
I think you're interpreting my naming conventions statement in a more absolute-end-of-story way than I intended.
While the exact degree to which all of those things may occur over a certain area or stretch of time and how applicable it is to my specific cultures... that's still in line with how I feel about naming conventions.
Elves living in human societies will have romanized versions of their names, yes. A dwarf couple might name their son after a human warrior who saved their lives, yes. An human that leaves the city to go live with the elves might take an elf name, yes. All of these are things justified by backstory and the cultures of the setting.
I would take issue with players naming their characters things that are not justified this way:
-A player wants to name his tribal elf Tanaka-san, despite there being no there being no contact with any culture that has names or words structured that way.
-A player wants to be named Brian Rocket, despite rockets not existing.
-A player wants to name their character Alvin McAnal, which isn't taking the game very seriously and would get old very quickly.
Any name that can be reasonably justified by backstory and isn't a lame joke can be fine.
Are these your rules for your own characters? Cause giving your players a list of rules, no how matter how stringent is stupid. As a DM you can already veto race, class, or a myriad of other choices what exactly is the point of restoring their names?
they are primarily rules for my own characters.
but my general restrictions for others only serve to ban WoWish stuff along the lines of names like "DwarfDroodHealzors", "Lazorchicken", or "InfantryFox" as examples or completely derogatory names like "Watermelon-Feaster" "Poo-Face" and the like. other than those 2 guidelines, i am fine with the vast majority of names, hell, a third aasimaar PC in the same campaign can call herself Lumiere for all i care. we will just assume that there was probably some signifficant NPC responsible for starting the name trend.
i am fine with a character going by a nickname, alias, or moniker.
For example, a female bard who dresses in monochrome gothic lolita fashion can go by the alias "The Monochrome Puppeteer" as a reference to her color scheme, specialized performance, and doll like style of fashion
or a male fighter named "Boris" can call himself "The Strong and Fair" in reference to his strength and honesty.
but aliases come later unless the character is sufficiently leveled or has a backstory featuring a sufficient level of fame.
i merely need a name i can attach a face to.
I understand the point you're making but if a player at my table wants to name their character Infantryfox, is allow them to write whatever they want on their sheet, that doesn't mean I or anyone else at the table will use it as we pretty much just use everyone's real name.
Therein lies the important difference.
Most of my players are very into roleplaying (there have been a few exceptions here and there, but my regulars get very into it), and I'm trying to develop a cohesive, living world to run games in. As much time, if not more, is spend out of combat as in it. Any in-character discourse is done with character names, not player names, so what the player writes down on their sheet matters very much.
It's not my intent to sound like I'm arguing everyone should have enforced naming conventions. That's not what I'm trying to say at all. But it I think it appears arrogant to you because chosen character names have nothing to do with and do not affect other players or NPCs in any way. At my table, and others I'd imagine, it very well does. In a way, because the player himself doesn't have to say it, it affects everyone else more.
That said, as I've touched upon earlier, a name like "LazorChicken" or "Pooface" would break immersion and be bothersome after awhile (I have to continually roleplay NPCs reacting to the name Pooface, inquiring about it, and getting no serious response at best, a repeated tiresome joke at worst).
I don't think names are very important. It's always possible for a character's parents to make up their own unique name or for a character to make up his own name later in life because he didn't like his given name.
In my games, we rarely actually use the character names. We usually just refer to everyone by the player name because nobody can remember the character names or a player can't pronounce a character name.
I think ultimately a character's name is only important to the player of that character because it helps the player define who the character is.
I'm not sure why but that makes me kind of sad.
I (and my group) have always striven to use character names as much as possible. I firmly believe it adds to the immersion and tone of the game.
I also prefer that characters have a name that at least somewhat fits into the world/setting.
Just my 2 cents...
I understand why you would say this. But it would make things very difficult for some of us.
I personally am not enough of a lingusitics type person to recognize what would make a (for example) gaelic sounding name. And when someone does make up their name that they think fits and sounds kool, I probably can't pronounce it and will probably never remember it.
I am just about finished running a short series of 'oriental' modules. It probably does lose something, but I couldn't figure out how to consistently pronounce a single fake 'japanese' name as written. I think it would have lost more if I stopped everytime to make the effort, got it different than last time, and the players can't figure out who I'm talking about since they can't recognize my butchering of the fake name.
To elaborate, I'm just just telling my players "Your name needs to sounds like it's from X culture, good luck doing research".
My player says he's thinking of playing a male elf "something". I let him know the key details of elves in my setting; what they look like, how an elf of a certain class might be, and that their names are Gaelic-like, some examples of which being Breanan (Brenden), Cedric, etc., and I'll direct them to an online source to help them choose or come up with a name that fits.
There more of a dialogue then me (or most other GMs that feel this way, I'd wager) between just saying "Names should be like X" or "No that doesn't fit, try again".
I'm just... not seeing the rudeness of deciding to leave. Maybe we're all reading "walk out" in different ways?
If the player just stood up and said "This sucks, forget you" and leaves, yeah that's really rude. If the player, after trying to accomodate but being shut down and literally unable to do anything by the GM, just says "This isn't working for me, I may as well go." and leaves, is it the same thing? I don't think so. It's not like the game will just fall apart if one player has to suddenly leave (this has happened at my table for work-related reasons), especially since most of these cases seem like the PC couldn't contribute anyway.
Nope, never walked out on a game. Never had anyone walk out on me as GM either.
Such behavior goes beyond "game behavior" and enters the "socially appropriate behavior" realm. I would only walk out on a group of people I had agreed to participate in an event if something seriously personally insulting or threatening occurred.
It's just a game.
Is it really that inappropriate to walk out on a game, though? It can potentially be an overreaction if the player decides to leave just because something didn't go his way one time, but a lot of these stories, the GM is not allowing the player(s) to have fun, or in some instances even play, for vague, unsupported reasons. In that situation I would figure the GM doesn't want me playing, and I'd leave.
We have more of a challenge with spelling than pronunciation t my table, so it's only ever a problem for me.
for instance one player is very into the Gaellic names for elves (always plays a half elf, elf, or a race that can be believably adopted by elves, such as an elf aasimar) and they are all spelled very outlandishly by english standards, but don't sound very far from their Americanized version (such as Sullivan).
They're by no means restricted by me to actual, historical names from these languages, but they need to sound right.
@DrDrew and Zenlike, at tables where it's more about the game and less about the roleplaying, sounds like it would be fine. Most of the people at my table are the opposite, though, including myself.
I think I'm going to hide the thread, too. The past few days have basically been:
1. New Poster says they don't think about homosexuality when making games/they dont include sex/etc.
2. Recurrent posters point out that you can and do include sexuality in games without sex via couples.
3. Discussion/argument ensues with varying degrees of etiquette.
4. Repeat Step 1.
What I'm taking away from this: we should all (myself included) at least acknowledge the number of times we've included hetero couples in our games and only introduced homo characters as single/available to PCs, if at all.
"Ocean Grove, a United Methodist Church in New Jersey, was successfully sued by a lesbian couple for not allowing them to be married on Ocean Grove's grounds. The site in question is Ocean Groves' seaside pavilion which is used in worship ceremonies. Ocean Grove argued under the First Amendment they have the right to not allow marriages they do not recognize on their grounds, the judge did not agree. Judge Solomon Metzger ruled Ocean Grove had to allow such marriages then went one step further and revoked Ocean Groves tax-exempt status on the pavilion and surrounding grounds. "
There are some other, similar cases. A Yeshiva was sued for not providing married-student-housing to a same-sex couple, and there's a current case where a florist is being sued for refusing to provide flowers to a wedding (in the teeth of a state nondiscirimination statute, I believe). Hotels have been sued for failure to rent rooms to same-sex couples. Rare cases. I doubt the combined forum could find more than a dozen or so such suits. But they exist.
I do agree a church should not be forced to perform a marriage it doesn't not believe in, but this is by no means something that will be forced on Churches everywhere. This is the only case I have ever heard of, and if other cases even came up in other states, they were rejected by the state courts and didn't make any headlines. Al a slight tangent, as someone who lives in New Jersey I also don't think the seaside pavilions/boardwalks should be privately owned anyway since they're trafficed by hundreds of people a day (and thus they shouldn't be able to restrict who can and cannot do what there), but that is another matter.
Since civil unions were brought up,
The list of legal benefits includes a lot of things you would not consider such, including:
Joint parental rights of children
Joint adoption
Status as "next-of-kin" for hospital visits and medical decisions
Right to make a decision about the disposal of loved ones remains
Immigration and residency for partners from other countries
Crime victims recovery benefits
Domestic violence protection orders
Judicial protections and immunity
Automatic inheritance in the absence of a will
Public safety officers death benefits
Spousal veterans benefits
Social Security
Medicare
Joint filing of tax returns
Wrongful death benefits for surviving partner and children
Bereavement or sick leave to care for partner or children
Child support
Joint Insurance Plans
Tax credits including: Child tax credit, Hope and lifetime learning credits
Deferred Compensation for pension and IRAs
Estate and gift tax benefits
Welfare and public assistance
Joint housing for elderly
Credit protection
Medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans
There are total of 1,400 benefits that do not apply to civil unions or domestic partnerships (the latter being different from state to state).
Aside from it being much more complicated to get all of these benefits legally granted to civil unions on an individual basis than it would be to simply expand the state's definition of marriage, even if it did, we would have two legal statuses that would be effectively the same, only differentiated because of one religion's definition of what marriage should be, which feels like more of a combined Church and State to me.
Counter-offer: Because we have a legal form of marriage that does not include the Church, why doesn't the church simply refer to their sacrament as Matrimony 100% of the time instead of only sometimes, and let marriage be the generic term, instead of creating a separate but equal institution.
J.R.R. Tolkien managed to create a wonderfully intricate world and an amazing story, without ever having a sex scene. In my humble opinion, I would prefer it to be such.
Yet he managed to jam-pack it with Christian allegory, which I notice is AOK with you. I'm also guessing that's not a coincidence...
J.R.R. Tolkien used Christian allegory. But so did John Steinbeck, who was an agnostic. In fact, Biblical principles and concepts appear everywhere, in the work of Christians and atheists alike.
Lord of the Rings was a wonderful story, and the reason I use it as my example is that it did not contain sex scenes of any kind, and yet was every bit as well-written and excellent as say, George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones, which was full of sexual scenes.
My point is why? Why do we need in your face scenes of sex in basic PF? If someone wants that, its easy enough to roleplay in. I do applaud the designers though, for they have kept the rulebooks as rulebooks, and have only added sexual content to more obscure things, such as the Adventure Paths.
I feel the need to chime in and say Tolkien dislike his worked being referred to as allegory. In his words, it' more "applicable", in that its themes can be applied to anyone in any walk of life, not just his own (which saw/included things like atomic power, the industrialization, and Catholicism). The Lord of the Rings originally contained lots of references to the polytheistic religion he created for Middle Earth (The Silmarillion) but he cut it during his revisions because he felt the spiritual themes of the story "spoke for themselves". An argument could be made that one simply interprets the themes of sacrifice and mercy as being Christian simply because that's where we see the most exalting of those virtues in our own experience.
The whole of Western literature is saturated with Christian ideology and themes. It is inescapable. It's a part of the way Western society collectively thinks.
One of my most memorable gaming moments this past year (playtesting a Pokemon RPG, not Pathfinder) involved this short woman who ran a store that each of the player's stopped at, and each one of them tried to sweet-talk her and failed except the final character, a woman, who met her at the local diner.
We had a Spy On the Date episode where the other characters bought disguises, convinced the waitress to play along, and proceeded to mess with the two of them.
In medieval pseudo-Europe it should be handled as it was in medieval Europe. in feudal pseudo-Japan it should be handled as it was in feudal Japan. In pseudo-Moslem pseudo-Africa it should handled as it was in Moslem Africa.
If you can't run a game without postmodern sexual mores you probably should be running something in a postmodern setting.
Absolutely. You should also treat magic and non-human races as they were in medieval Europe. And no Female PCs, as they couldn't be adventurers. And a dominate monotheistic church. (<-- sarcasm)
If you ignore any of the above, you are NOT running a campaign set in medieval Europe. Do you think "postmodern sexual mores" changes your campaign more than magic?
If you can't imagine how a world with magic would evolve differently, ESPECIALLY SOCIALLY, from earth, you probably shouldn't be creating a campaign setting.
+1.
Now, having things like racism, caste systems, and other forms of discrimination adds a sense of realism and can make the stories more compelling. However, discrimination of this specific kind would be hitting it a little too close to home for several of my friends, so I would never make it an obstacle for them in game, even if I did make it a part of a particular religion or culture (which I haven't felt it necessary to do).
Half-Orcs being feared by the general populace that doesn't understand what they are? Sure. I don't have any half-orc friends (I'm a bad white person).
Even with added rules to help minimize negatives, most parties end up with at least one vastly superior or vastly inferior character, which is a lot harder for me to work around as a GM when trying to plan encounters that challenge everyone appropriately.
I want to discuss this but this conversation is moving way to fast for me....
I think everyone can agree:
1. The GM has a right to remove certain things from the game (The Most Important Rule).
2. The player has the right to ask why (as anyone has the right to ask that of anything).
My Thoughts on the rest:
If the GM responds to the question "Why can't I play an orc?" with "Because I said so", while that is all he HAS to say because he's the GM, he is refusing to answer the player's question, which is antagonistic. Like an authoritarian parent who refuses to discuss or back up his decisions, it breeds resentment and isn't healthy for a gaming group.
If the GM responds with an actual reason, such as "Orcs went extinct in this world because they couldn't adapt to expanding civilization and died off in wars they started" (something that happened at my table), and the player replies with "Well, I was thinking ________ as a backstory might make him fit" (he's the result of some mad wizard's genetic experiment, he's from a foreign land, etc.), the player is not being entitled or stubborn. He is seeing if he can accomodate the GM's decision and reach a compromise.The GM is not require to aquiesce, but listening to the player is at least being reasonable, even if he already knows he is not going to change his mind, and he can respond with the reasons why he is not going to.
If the GM responds in either way and the player responds with "No, I am GOING to play an orc and do it the way I want to! (as if orcs existed in this world)", that is being an entitled player, at which point I would say "Work with me on it, play a different character, or play a different game."
Players need to be held accountable for their actions in-character, and as a GM you should never force a character to act the way you think they should. That goes for killing bugbears and for abandoning unruly characters.
The dwarf can either control himself while in the presence of his comrades or leave the group (and his player makes a new character).
The future of arcane studies is written in iron, at least that's what a metallurgist would say. Let the chemists pander with unstable compounds and the wizards play with momentary displays of power. The metallurgist works his magic through unbreakable iron and wields it with deadly efficiency.
The Metallurgist:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A metallurgist gains proficiency with medium armor in addition to his normal proficiencies. This replaces Throw Anything.
Metallurgy: Metallurgists are masters of all forms of metalworking and can use this knowledge in concert with his arcane talents to imbue his or his allies' weapons and armor with magical properties.
When using a Craft check to create an item made of metal, a metallurgist gains a competence bonus equal to his class level on the Craft check. In addition, a metallurgist can use Craft (weapon) or Craft (armor) to to identify the magical properties of those items as if using detect magic. He must hold the item for 1 round to make such a check. This replaces the skill-related aspect of the Alchemy ability.
Inscriptions Rather than preparing formulae in the form of extracts as other alchemists, a metallurgist prepares inscriptions on objects made of metal or stone, most often weapons and armor. As with extracts, preparing an inscription on an object takes 1 minute of work. After this is done, the metallurgist may trigger the inscription at any time that day as a standard action by touching the object, which has the effect of casting the related spell. This modifies and otherwise functions as the extracts class feature.
Energy Sheath: When wielding a weapon bearing one of his inscriptions, a metallurgist can expend some of his arcane power to sheath his weapon in elemental energy as a swift action for 1 round. While under this effect, attacks made with the weapon resolve against touch AC and deal an additional 1d6 fire damage. At 3rd level and every 2 levels thereafter, the metallurgist adds an additional 1d6 to the additional damage (to a total of 10d6 at 19th level). A metallurgist can use this ability a number of times per day equal to his class level + his Intelligence modifier. This replaces bombs.
Metal Graft: Once per day, a metallurgist can use his mastery of metal to meld completely with his metal weapon or armor (weapons and armor must be made entirely of metal), sacrificing some abilities for powerful benefits. This effect lasts 1 hour per metallurgist level or until cancelled.
If the metallurgist chooses to graft to his armor, his armor becomes a thick extension of his skin. The metallurgist is considered to be an object with the hardness and hit points of the material his armor consists of (the armor skin is 1-inch thick) for the purses of attacks made against him and all spells and effects, except spells or weapons that bypass non-living matter, which damage the metallurgist normally. While under these effects, the metallurgist is slowed (as per the slow spell) and the metallurgist cannot be healed using Cure spells (though mend and make whole will restore hit points to the armor). If the armor-skin's hit points reach 0, it gains the broken condition and the ability ends.
If the metallurgist chooses to graft to his wielded weapons, the weapon hilts become meld with his arms and the damaging ends grow. The damage die for the weapons increases by one step and ignore DR equal to the metallurgists Intelligence modifier. While under these effects, the metallurgist cannot be disarmed, but he cannot use his hand for any purpose, including activating inscriptions.
Metal Magic: At 2nd level, the metallurgist receives a +2 bonus on UMD checks to use spell-trigger and spell-completion items that are made of metal. This bonus increases to +4 at 5th level, an then again to +6 at 8th level. At 10th level, a metallurgist can craft spell trigger and spell completion items as if he were a spell caster equal to her level, even if he does not know the require spell (in which case the craft DC increases by +5, as if other magic items). This replaces poison resistance and poison use.
Swift Metallurgy: At 3rd level, a metallurgist can craft metalworks at astonishing speed. It takes a metallurgist half the normal amount of time to create mundane metal items. At 18th level, he can enchant magical items in half the normal time. This replaces swift alchemy and instant alchemy.
Discoveries: Because of the vastly different nature of the metallurgist's work, he chooses from a different list of discoveries than a normal alchemist.
Acid Sheath: When using energy sheath, he can choose to have it inflict acid damage. Creatures hit by the sheathed take an additional 1d6 points of acid damage 1 round later.
Canny Offense: The metallurgist adds their Intelligence modifier on attack rolls with all metal weapons and on damage rolls while using Energy Sheath instead of Strength.
Dispelling sheath: When using energy sheath, he can choose to have it dispel magic effects instead of deal damage. Creatures hit by the sheathed weapon are subject to a targeted dispel magic spell, using the metallurgist's level as the caster level. This cannot be used to target a specific spell effect. The metallurgist must be at least 6th level before selecting this discovery.
Force Sheath: When using energy sheath, he can choose to have it inflict force damage. Force-sheathed weapons deal 1d4 points of force damage, plus 1d4 points of force damage for every odd-numbered level, instead of 1d6. Creatures hit by the sheathed weapon are knocked prone unless they succeed on a Reflex save. An metallurgist must be at least 8th level before selecting this discovery.
Madness Sheath The metallurgist's skeet does more than sear flesh—it sears the mind. A creature hit by the sheathed weapon takes damage from the weapon plus 1d4 points of Wisdom damage. Reduce the amount of normal damage dealt by the weapon by 2d6 (so a weapon that would normally deal 6d6+4 points of damage deals 4d6+4 points of damage instead). The amount of Wisdom damage dealt by a madness sheath is reduced by 1 for each time that hit the target in the past 24 hours, to a minimum of 1 point of Wisdom damage. A metallurgist must be at least 12th level before selecting this discovery.
Lesser Armor Sheath: The metallurgist can use energy sheath to cloak his armor in elemental energy instead of his weapon. By expending 1 round of energy sheath, the metallurgist can grant himself 2 points of energy resistance of any type he is capable of choosing for his energy sheath ability.
Armor Sheath: While using energy sheath on his armor, if the metallurgist is struck in melee combat, he deals half energy sheath damage to the opponent that struck him. Opponents using reach weapons are not affected by this damage. This ability can only trigger one per round. The metallurgist must have the Armor Sheath discovery and be at least 4th level before selecting this discovery.
Greater Armor Sheath: When using armor sheath and being struck by multiple opponents in the same round, each opponent is dealt half of the metallurgist's energy sheath damage. The metallurgist must have the armor sheath discovery and be at least 8th level before selecting this discovery.
Shock Sheath: When using energy sheath, he can choose to have it inflict electricity damage. Creatures hit by a shock sheath are dazzled for 1d4 rounds.
Analyze Dweomer: Once per day, the metallurgist may focus instantly upon the aura of a magical item made of metal in order to glean as much information from it as possible, as per the analyze dweomer spell. Using this ability does not consume any costly material components. The metallurgist must be at least 10th level before selecting this discovery.
Additional Thoughts/Concerns:
-The Metal Graft ability is definitely not right as-is. The armor option seems too powerful, but this should give you enough of an idea of what I'm going for that you can suggest more balanced alternatives.
-I'm working on replacing a lot of the alchemist spells for this archetype. Spells like CLW and Detect Secret Doors aren't the sort of things you would inscribe on an object, but spells like Alarm and Longstrider are. There a lot of those to move around, when I make an updated version I'll post those replacements with it.
The other day I came up with this ability. It could be added as a global rule for any character to perform, but it might be too strong, and should require a feat investment. My explaination is also a little clunky, I will admit. Any help streamlining it would be appreciated:
Knockout Strike: A character may perform a knockout strike as a full-round action on an adjacent enemy that is unaware of them (failed to beat your Stealth check) and is not moving vigorously*. To perform a knockout strike, a character must make a Stealth check, opposed by the target's Perception (positioning your weapon close to them without them noticing). If successful, you perform a knockout strike, which is an automatic critical hit. The target must then make a Fortitude saving throw with a DC equal to the amount of damage taken, If they succeed, they simply take the damage and are aware that they were attacked, and may call for help, initiate combat, etc. If they fail, they either fall unconscious (if non-lethal damage was dealt) or are immediately reduced to -1 and begin dying (if lethal damage was dealt).
Knockout strikes may be perform with light weapon at no penalties. If a one-handed weapon is used, the character takes a -2 penalty on the Stealth check to perform the knockout strike. If they used a two-handed weapon, they take a -4 penalty on the Stealth check,
*Not engaged in combat, running, or performing any task that requires more than minor, relaxed movements.
My goal with this is to give rogues something they are automatically better at than most other classes (a fighter with weapon specialization/training that focuses on stealth could get in the same ballpark) as well as give casters that want to be assassins an option for taking out targets without using a spell (which can't be used to deal non-lethal damage typically).
Things that I currently do:
-Elemental Spell is no longer a feat. Instead, a spellcaster may change the type of damage on a spell as he casts it by making a Spellcraft check with a DC equal to 15 + spell level. Failure means the spell is cast normally.
-Damage-dealing energy spells are not subject to SR.
-Crit fumbles on saving throws/critical hits with touch attacks have a special effect based on the energy type.
I like how this is starting out, but I feel they should gain some weaknesses and have all of their abilities slightly more powerful. It's something to set them apart from the other base classes and would explain why people don't decide to do this lightly.
On that note, the Shadowless gift seems odd. I don't see the connection of losing the shadow to gain that bonus. Also, it describes that they "piece of their essence" but they really aren't giving up anything; how often do groups mention, keep track of, and/or rely on the positioning or existence of their shadows/reflections?
I suggest turning that save bonus into another gift and making Shadowless have an effect that more directly relates to not having a shadow.
The paladin is also only more mobile in two dimensions. If you adventure in a city or dungeon a lot, the ZAM wins hands down there as well. (Mounts don't tend to be very acrobatic, most can't climb/jump to roofs, run through crowds, etc) The paladin is also only really going to beat the monk in Fort save. His reflex is poor, and ZAM's primary stat is Wis. So if the paladin jacks his saves up enough to surpass the ZAM it means he's going to be even further behind on non-smite targets.
False, the Giant Ape Mount (a Paladin choice for Mount as you must pick Animal companion choices in PF) is a better Climber (Climb speed), very acrobatics, and can run through crowds. Although they have only 30 speed (land and climb).
I never even considered that possibility. A Gorilla-riding paladin would be the best thing ever.
Consequences are not supposed to be fun and maybe you forgot that you were playing a game that can't guarantee you will win.
Consequences themselves are not fun, nor are they meant to be, but being part of the overall game is what makes the entire game, as a whole, fun.
Serious question time here, and I think the answer I get will help me understand a lot more about where all of your current threads/posts are coming from.
How do you 'win' D&D/PF? How do you 'lose'?
I have never felt that TTRPGs were games with winners and losers, ever.
I think this disconnect may explain many, many things.
I actually just recently had a long discussion with a friend that touched upon this topic. We were discussing the idea of the "Black Box/Glass Box" of game programming philosophy and how introducing unexpected rules changes subverted the goal (the Box) of the game. He came at it from a programmer's perspective, I came at it from a writer's perspective.
Long story short, the conclusion we came to was that TTRPGs, like Pathfinder, are actually two games, one inside the other:
* The "inner-box" is the glass box (goal with all rules visible) with the goal of winning combat (or other challenges) by having a mastery of the rules. The players win by conventional means, playing against the GM's world made within the Pathfinder system.
* The "outer-game" is the black box (goal with hidden rules) of having fun. GM and Players win by having fun against the Pathfinder system.
It's kind of vague and not something can can be strictly defined in programming terms, but that was the conclusion we came to. Doesn't really settle any argument but I felt it was relevant.
Metallic dragons are still typically good and chromatic ones are still typically evil, as it was in DnD.
He should probably be a sorcerer, Draconic bloodline, as having dragon blood is a part of the class. If he wants to be a half dragon, though... Well thats up to you. Monster PCs are hard to balance, but you can do it by having him start off at a lower class leel than everyone else.
The only thing on this list I do really dislike is the trait system, but not for the same reason the OP does, I think.
It turns roleplaying elements into gameplay and statistic ones. Not EVERY SINGLE aspect of a character has to be expressed in a game mechanic. If a player wants to say his character was bullied as a kid, is fervently religious (without being a cleric),or is insatiably greedy, just make that backstory decision. We don't have to have quasi-feats on our character sheets to express every aspect of our backstories in gameplay terms that affect die rolls.
The only instance where I would allow something like this would be if a player wanted to have a character with a serious defect, like being a compulsive liar or a bibliophile, in which case I'd let them have a small bonus to one thing to offset the weakness they'd be taking on.
Just tell them that your campaign world is mostly humans and non humans have to deal with stereotyping and discrimination.
If you really dont want them to be playing non humans at all, tell them they have to be human. This experience track thing makes no logical sense (humans learn better than races with higher int?) and is in no way renotely balanced. You may as well forbid other races outright, because it will have the same effect.
Things that have been said already:
-No one is required or even expected to follow every single rule in the rulebook.
-There is a provision in the beginning of the book that makes the above part of the official rules.
-Everyone else who feels the magic item creation rules are unfair fixes them with their own house rule and then stops caring.
Things That Have Been Implied But Not Said:
-Creating an entire new edition of books because one player finds himself unable to apply the Most Important Rule and unable to play with existing ones would be far to costly when most players neither want nor need it.
-Even if they did, Shallowsoul would probably still complain about it.
Things I Feel Should Be Said:
-Is it just me or did Shallowsoul chose his avatar specifically because it fits our image of him?
I haven't been GMing very long compared to a lot of folks on this forum, but in what experience I've had, tailoring treasure hoards is a much more effective way of balancing game play when you notice one character soaring above the rest or one character falling behind. Specifically:
Say you notice the Summoner in your group is very powerful compared to everyone else. He had great stats to begin with, and his character build is needle-focused for effectiveness while the rest of the group is either less familiar with the rules or is focusing on making unique characters instead of optimized ones. Rather than make all the encounters harder for the Summoner (which he will notice), you can make specific choices about loot that will allow the others to catch up:
1. Have the players find several items with the same slot as one that the OPC favors. He'll either keep his item or trade for it with someone else in the party.
2. Have items that are clearly more useful to the other players, though not class specific.
The best part about this is that players rarely notice. They'll look at your tailored treasure hoard the same way they'd look at any other one: cool stuff they didn't have before. It's not like they expect to find the same number of items for each party member every time they stumble upon a chest. As long as you aren't really obvious about it and don't go overboard, it's an easy way to balance the party and have everyone have more fun without needed to bend rules, retcon feat choices, alter classes, or say a single word to the players.
It's even better for the opposite scenario, when one player is playing an "underpowered" character and starts to lag behind. A boss carrying his favorite weapon type and a magic ring to help with his favorite tactic can go a long way.
Does anyone know of some good tables for randomly generated weather? I'm going to be starting a significant amount of overland travel with role-playing and combat encounters occurring on a daily basis, and it would be nice to have.
I think you should also give all martials the ability to ignore difficult terrain like dragon style for free...
Action economy is part of the tactics of the game, and sarcasim aside now, there's no need to really change the parts you're trying to. You'll remove the tactics required, and downplay unique aspects of builds/classes.
We should remove all tactical considerations, players just need to read out their average DPR numbers on their turn. COmbats will resolve much faster.
I was going for the idea we should make it so one option isn't completely optimal. Mind you going the other way banning pounce and making spell casting a full round action instead of a standard would also work and would add in some new tactical considerations for spell casters. I might go with that instead.
That would just nerf spellcasters needlessly, especially at low levels, and banning pounce entirely... how does that solve anything? There aren't very many player builds that get it to begin with.
Low Blow
Description: Your unique perspective from your size gives you a few tricks up your sleeves.
Prequisite: Small sized race
Benefit: When performing or being subject to a Dirty Trick combat maneuver, you count as one size category larger for the purpose of determining your CMB and CMB.
But think about the Wanderer from the TV series Kung Fu, or the typical Wise Sensei we've all seen countless times. The very name "Monk" is indicative of Shao Lin and other monastics temples where ascetic discipline in life was an important part of both receiving enlightenment and employing martial arts.
Unfortunately, the 3.x/PF monk is based on a poorly researched 1e class.
I suppose there's archetypes, but the core class gives very little control over what abilities you get.
As for Kung Fu, quite a few badass martial-arts-trained villains were not enlightened. The "lawful" path followed by Kane was his own (and the one generally taught), but it had more to do with his personality than his actual combat abilities.
I hold that being lawful simply means an adherence to some form discipline and personal code, not necessarily a lawful one. In their training, these martial arts masters all adhere to some form of discipline that allows them reach super-human levels, whether it's tremendous patience, work ethic, temperance, repeated self-harm, or some other discipline.
Non-lawful practioners of similar arts would by Pathfinder rules probably either Ninjas, Martial Artists, or simply monks that "fell" and can no longer continue down the Monk path (and as such can't get more powerful than the hero).
Ultimately though, this is why I think alignment restrictions on classes are bad: they are too vague. A Monk should be given a specific discipline he needs to follow, based on the school he attends or his archetype, and breaking that discipline causes him to "fall", however one wants to define said "fall".
What Frank and I decided was that, as the players were set to arrive at at a group of islands the following day (their last stop before a long stretch of open ocean) Frank's character managed to grab a large piece of flostam on the surface and paddle after them, and he's going to arrive at the island all ragged and half dead and there will be a heartwarming scene. | eng | 1427b759-86e6-4a0d-9fbc-0734383e1ca6 | http://paizo.com/people/BigLemon/favorited |
Posts Tagged 'Rice'
Giving young people the experience of harvesting and threshing rice as it was done in the middle ages at a rice paddy in Bungotakada, Oita, which has been designated as an important cultural landscape of the nation. It's an annual event, and this year 500 people participated.
THAT'S not just any old hayseed harvesting those rice plants — that's the Emperor of Japan. He put on his boots, grabbed a sickle, and got right to work, cutting down about 100 plants. The man's no stranger to farm chores. He planted the seeds, too.
Bet they don't do that at Buckingham Palace.
He grew two kinds of rice, one a variety of mochi. Reports say this Palace harvest was that of a typical year. The crop will be used in ceremonies as well as eaten at the palace.
It's a simple photo, but the combination of rice and the Emperor lies at the heart of the Japanese identity. Inose Naoki, a prolific non-fiction author who also serves as the Vice-Governor of Tokyo, briefly describes one of the ceremonies at which the rice will be used.But the Imperial Palace doesn't have the only paddy in central Tokyo. Here's a plot in the Ginza district on the street right behind the Tiffany & Co. outlet.
The leader of the group that came up with the idea explained:
"The environment in which we can grow rice is Japan's treasure. Nothing is possible without that environment. I want people to value this Japanese environment."
There's also a paddy on a rooftop in Akihabara, the consumer electronics district. The plot's been managed since 2009 by an NPO whose slogan is, "You can even do it in the middle of Tokyo." They plant the rice in June, so it shouldn't be too much longer before it's time to harvest their crop, too. Pressed into service as temporary agricultural workers are the maids in the district's maid cafes, as well as voice actors.
Here are the pretty maids all in a row at last year's harvest. They don't swing a sickle, but they do approach the task with typical Japanese aplomb.
SCANNING the back pages and far corners of local Japanese newspapers, either in print or online, has been a delight for the past month. It's rice-planting time in Japan, and that means hundreds, if not thousands, of ceremonies are held throughout the nation honoring the tradition of wet paddy cultivation, each one a spectacular in miniature.
The priests of the proto-religions in some cultures sacrificed their young virgins to appease the volcano gods and other sullen spirits. Man, that's just screwy, and I'll bet it didn't make the gods any happier than it made the young men of the tribe. In Japan, they keep those precious young virgins alive for more productive endeavors. One of those activities is to serve as miko (Shinto shrine maidens), who dress in colorful costumes, sing, dance, get barefoot, and snork rice seedlings into the mud by hand. They're sometimes accompanied by the Shinto priests, who get down and get dirty right alongside them.
If you want to know what it looks like without getting out of your chair, you've come to the right place.
The local branch of the national agricultural cooperative pitched in to help plant a sacred paddy at the Dewa Sanzan Shrine in Tsuruoka, Yamagata, shown in the first picture. (That shrine link is in English, by the way.) The ceremony is held in supplication for a good harvest, which in this case will be turned over to the shrine itself. It started with a procession of 70 people to the site and continued with a Shinto ceremony conducted by the priests. That was followed by a dance performed by the miko and the planting itself in a 17-are paddy. (An are = 100 square meters or 0.0247 acres, and 100 ares = a hectare)
The home in the background is that of the Wada family in Ogi-machi, Shirakawa-mura, Gifu, and has been designated an important cultural property of the nation. It's one of a settlement of homes that constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. The name for the architectural style translates as "prayer hands", which is particularly effective for dealing with the area's heavy snows. The houses were home to extended families on several floors, who usually worked in the sericulture industry.
Reports say that the 20 girls at the Wada family paddy were singing while they worked, which makes me wonder if I should have been a farmer instead.
Yeah, they grow rice in Tokyo too — technically in Chofu, a municipality within the Tokyo Metro District. This ceremony was conducted at Jindai-ji, a Buddhist temple, which is not surprising considering the mix-and-match approach of the Japanese to religion. There's been a temple on this site since at least 733. The ceremony was conducted jointly with their sister city in Kijimadaira-mura, Nagano.
In addition to planting the seedlings in this paddy, the seven farmerettes passed out some to the spectators to grow at home. One later said, "It was a lot of fun to be able to experience something I don't normally do." If you think she was just being polite, look at that sweet smile in the photo above. Girls who are ready for a new experience, even if it means manual labor while sloshing around in the mud, will always find shelter from the storms of life at my place.
This short video of the temple grounds is well done, by the way.
One intriguing aspect of a country with nearly two millennia of traditions is the frequency with which some of those traditions disappear and then reappear. For example, the folks associated with the Izumo Daijingu Shinto shrine in Kameoka, Kyoto, haven't conducted this ceremony in 84 years. It was last held to coincide with the ceremony marking the formal installment of the Showa Tenno. Last spring, the shrine recovered some land it had leased out, so they decided to use it this year to put in some sacred rice. Sixty people in all participated, including the high school girls who served as the miko in the 500-square-meter plot. There was also a gagaku dance performance, which goes together with these events as well as peaches and cream. Gagaku is the music associated with the Imperial household, as are shrines with the –jingu suffix.
This shrine knows a lot about tradition, too. It dates from 709. They think.
The rice planting festival conducted by the Mikami Shinto shrine website in Yasu, Shiga, was also held every year to coincide with the Showa Tenno ceremony in 1928, but they skipped it last year due to a shortage of participants. The Shigans decided not to let that happen again, so a woman who's been involved in the event for more than 20 years organized a group of 50 to take care of business this time. There was singing and dancing and planting in time to the beat of the taiko drums. When it was done, the woman said her hips hurt, but it was worth it. Try this website for more photos, including some black and white shots from a more pastoral age.
They didn't have any problem finding enough women to carry the mikoshi in May 2010 at that same shrine's Hyozu festival, however. The festival features a parade of at least 35 mikoshi (portable shrines transporting the shrine deity), two of which are carried by women only. This one's called the Ayame, or iris. How can anybody not love sweaty shouting girls with cool clothes and hair?
Another intriguing aspect of a country with nearly two millennia of traditions is how relaxed people can be about those traditions. Look at those costumes: Centuries worth of convention from their hairstyles to their ankles. Below that, they've wisely updated to sports shoes.
The Takase shrine in Nanto, Toyama, goes out of its way to plant koshihikari seedlings, reputed to be the best variety of rice in the country. Five girls from ages 14 to 20 got 500 of the seedlings started on a 25-meter-square paddy. After the rice is harvested in mid-September, some will be given to the Takase shrine, and some to the Ise-jingu, also associated with the Imperial household.
The Tozawa shrine in Shinjo, Yamagata, doesn't have the tradition of other institutions — it's been around only since 1893. They talked 13 girls into planting the rice here, and they certainly seem to be enjoying themselves. The same ceremony is conducted in turn by 11 branches of the shrine in the region that are members of the Association of Shinto Shrines, and you really ought to click on this link to see their headquarters building in Tokyo. The reports didn't say what they'd do with the rice harvested in late September or early October, but somebody somewhere is going to eat it.
For a rural extravaganza, try the Mibu no Hanadaue in Kitahiroshima-cho, Hiroshima, which is both an important intangible cultural property of the nation and registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural property. Two groups of 74 musicians jam while the miko sing and plant rice on an 87-are plot, assisted by 14 bulls.
Did you think I was exaggerating when I said extravaganza?
What the heck, one more update. This ceremony was held on the grounds of the Sumiyoshi Shinto shrine in Fukuoka City's Hakata Ward, which means it's one of those downtown paddies. They only had room for 280 seedlings in the nine-meter-square paddy, planted by 10 miko and shrine parishioners after a procession that consisted of 20 people. They expect three kilograms of rice later on this fall. Said 18-year-old Tachibana Yui, who became a miko in April, "I was nervous because it was a religious ceremony, but I'm looking forward to the fall harvest."
Washing all that rice down requires some sort of beverage, and the finest beverage for that is green tea, which is now in picking instead of planting season.
This tea was planted on a 10-are plot during an event conducted by the Kumano shrine in Tanabe, Wakayama, with prayers for better quality product and the prosperity of the industry.
Wouldn't you know it? This shrine is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
Last month, two miko and five members of the shrine's women's association harvested the first batch of otonashi tea, which was sent to the area from Kyoto about a thousand years ago during the Heian period. The district has 40 households growing tea on seven hectares, and they produce about 18 tons a year.
The first batch went to the Imperial household, and the second will be picked at the end of this month.
MOST MEN prefer women with hourglass figures, and many prefer the skinny to the fully cushioned, but the guys in Katsuyama, Fukui, have made it a point for centuries to fatten up the local females. For more than 400 years, as a matter of fact.
That's the idea behind a traditional event formally known as "The Serving of Kannon" (the Buddhist goddess of mercy), but which some women probably think of as the Rice Attack. The event combines a supplication for good health and a good harvest with an acknowledgement of the hard work women do every day of the year. It's an intangible culture treasure of the city, and the custom is currently continued by 12 families. This year it was held at 8:00 p.m. on 20 February.
The children of the neighborhood collect about 11 liters of rice from the families in the district, which is then steamed and make into gruel (o-kayu). The women and girls sit in a circle and get ready for the food onslaught by covering their laps with a towel.
The men circulate around the room and chant, "This is the serving of Kannon," and put heaping helpings of rice in their bowls. Judging from their singing and staggering in the video clip below, the men likely passed the time waiting for the rice to cook by filling their own bellies with rice wine.
The women try to cover the rice with their hands, or turn to the wall, but the men keep looking for an opening to fill their bowls until they overflow.
That works as a metaphor for me!
The woman at the end of the 1:16 video, by the way, laughs and says, "Ah, I'm full, I'm full." Maybe the protestations from the women are mostly for show–they're clapping and singing during the rice pounding at the start of the video, and they all know what's coming next. his DayBAREFOOTIN' IN TEE-SHIRTS and short pants, all the better to deal with the 30-minute turnarounds of pouring rain and blazing sun: yeah, summer has arrived at last in Japan. During the dog days, the archipelago offers all sorts of hot-weather delights, including watermelon, shaved ice, and best of all, the transformation of even the most neo-radical of young women into traditional beauties once they exchange their jeans for yukata (a summer kimono).
What else is going on up and down the islands? Well, take a look and find out!
Firefly festivals
Once upon a time, summer nights on the East Coast of the United States came alive with a light show au naturel created by fireflies. The march of progress and suburbia seems to have ended all that, but the lightning bugs, as we used to call them, are still alive and flickering in the countryside here.
This is Japan, so take it as given that people know just when to expect their appearance every year, just how long it will last, and how to organize the viewing parties and festivals held to coincide with those dates.
Lightning bugs!
The photo shows the fireflies near the Ayu River in Tanabe, in the southern part of Wakayama. It's one of several locations in the area known as superb firefly viewing sites from the end of May to the beginning of June.
But as with the cherry blossoms and the rainy season, the firefly front keeps marching north, and right now the folks in Yonezawa, Yamagata, are enjoying a month-long firefly festival at the Onogawa spa. The festival is sponsored by the spa's tourism association and the Yonezawa Firefly Protection Society. The opening ceremony was held at the local memorial firefly tower to pray for the safety of the participants during the event. Those Yonezawans must really like fireflies!
It's not a festival in Japan without liquor, so right after the prayers they perform another centuries-old ritual by knocking open the head of a sake barrel with wooden hammers and passing the hooch around. They say some people see double when they drink too much, so you can imagine the sort of visions that light up the retinas of the festival-goers when a wave of fireflies floats by.
The viewing in Yonezawa begins on the riverbank right after it gets dark at 8:00 p.m. and lasts until 9:00. The area is such a firefly mecca that three different species breed here, and who but the entomologists knew there were different types of lightning bugs? For a spot of relaxation after all this excitement, the open-air baths stay open until nine, and there's a tea house set up temporarily next to the firefly tower. The festival fun lasts until 31 July, but some people like to time their visit for the amateur entertainment contest on the 4th and 5th.
Hatsukiri
Sliding over from zoology to botany, here's a photo of the festival held by the Miyajidake Shinto shrine in Fukutsu, Fukuoka, for the first cutting of Edo irises in a local garden. The purpose of the event, called Hatsukiri—first cutting, appropriately enough—is to present the irises as an offering to the divinities. They've got plenty of flowers from which to choose, because the garden has 30,000 individual plants. While the priests grunt, bend over, and swing their scythes, two miko hold irises as they perform a dance accompanied by a flute. More than 200 people came to watch. A small turnout, you say? That's not a bad crowd for watching two girls perform a centuries-old dance in costume in a garden in a town of 56,000 while priests cut flowers. How many people would show up where you live?
The shrine held its Iris festival on the same day. They place 70,000 irises in front of the shrine and light 'em up until 9:00 p.m. for 10 days. The shrine has its own iris garden too, started from bulbs sent by the Meiji-jingu in Tokyo in 1965. They now have 100,000 plants in 100 varieties. That's a heck of a lot of irises, but they need that many to go around for all of Shinto's yaoyorozu divine ones. (Yaoyorozu is the traditional number of divinities in Shinto. It literally means eight million, but figuratively represents an infinite number, signifying that each natural object has a divine spirit.)
Seaweed cutting
Irises weren't the only flora getting cut for a Shinto ritual. Four priests from the Futamikitama Shinto shrine in Ise, Mie, boarded a boat with some miko and sailed offshore for some seaweed cutting. They present the seaweed—fortunately an uncountable noun—to the divinities, allow it to dry out for a month, and then distribute it to their parishioners to drive out bad fortune and eradicate impurities.
At 10:30 a.m., the priests set sail on their skiff festooned with red, yellow, green, purple, and white streamers, with bamboo grass placed at bow and stern, and headed for the special seaweed site 770 meters northeast of the Futami no Meoto, sometimes called the Wedded Rocks. (The word meoto designates a pair of something, one large and one small.) Since this is a special ritual, they can't just start cutting—first they have to circle the divine Kitama rock on the seabed three times, then they haul out a three-meter long sickle and get to work.
Sea goya
Since the subject is aquatic plants, now's as good a time as any to report that the Fukuka Aquaculture Center in Kin-machi, Okinawa, is ramping up production of a new variety of sea grapes they hope to popularize in Japan after sales start next month. The center has dubbed the new type "sea goya", after the knobby bitter squash for which Okinawa is famous. (Here's a previous post about sea grapes in Okinawa and goya in general.)
Tastes as good as it looks!
The center's director said they discovered these particular sea grapes among a batch imported in March 2008. The new variety flourished in the southern climate, and that gave people the idea to turn it into a new product, particularly as they were looking for ways to juice the market after the prices of regular sea grapes and mozuku seaweed tanked.
They decided to call the new plant sea goya because it's more elongated than regular sea grapes and has the bitter flavor of goya. The center has already applied to register the name as a trademark, and they're confident the application will be approved. After hearing about the new product, more than 10 companies inquired about handling the distribution.
These sweetfish, however, were caught by means with an even longer and exalted pedigree—trained cormorants. The birds require keepers that are somewhat analogous to falconers, all of whom ply their skills for the Imperial Household Agency because the technique is a tradition of the Japanese Imperial household. (Dig their costumes in the photo at the link.)
Six keepers were employed to catch the fish at the Imperial fishing grounds on the Nagara River in Gifu City, but the keepers can handle up to a dozen birds on the end of ropes, so they must have taken quite a haul. They go out in boats too, but at night, and they take along lighted torches. The fish are attracted to the flame like maritime moths, and the birds dive in after them. The lower part of the cormorants' necks are collared to prevent them from swallowing the fish, and after they've snatched one, the keepers reel them in and make them cough it up. That's got to be more cruel than feeding a dog peanut butter.
The fish were packed into paulownia boxes and shipped to the Kashihara-jingu, a Shinto shrine in Kashihara, Nara, as well as the Imperial Palace and the Meiji-jingu, another Shinto shrine in Tokyo. Both shrines have an Imperial connection.
The Japanese have been using cormorants to catch sweetfish since at least the 8th century—don't you wonder who came up with that idea?–and the Nagara River event is more than a millennium old, but this shrine has been receiving the sweetfish shipments only since 1940 to offer in prayer for the safety of fishing and a good catch. (The 1940 date suggests it might have begun as part of the celebrations that year marking the 2600th anniversary of the establishment of the Japanese Imperial House.)
Contributing to the delinquency of minors
Yet another sign of summer in Japan is the yaoyorozu of rice-planting festivals held throughout the country. It's easy to figure out why—they grow the rice in wet paddies, which are made even wetter by all the rain that falls this time of year.
But the students at Miyoshi High School in Miyoshi, Tokushima, weren't planting this rice as part of a festival; they were getting classroom credit. The lads aren't planning to be farmers when they grow up–rather, they're enrolled in a course covering the brewing and fermentation of food products. They'll harvest that rice in the fall and use it to make sake.
The rice is grown on a 3,000-square-meter paddy the school rents from area residents. The teachers do most of the planting with a machine, and then some of the second year students wade right in and plant by hand those parts the machine can't reach. They expect to harvest 1.5 tons of the rice in mid-September, which can probably be converted into enough sake to keep the town of Miyoshi more lit than a riverbank full of fireflies until New Year's. The school started the project last year, and this year they increased the size of the cultivated area six-fold to use only the rice grown by students.
One of those students, 16-year-old Fukuda Shinya, had planted rice before, but he said the seedlings were more difficult to handle because the size was different than that of regular table rice.
Now why couldn't I have gone to that school!
Shochu collector
While the high school students were outdoors sweating and getting dirty as they planted the rice for the sake they will later brew, Masuyama Hiroki (73) of Izumi, Kagoshima, was relaxing with an adult beverage as he contemplated the success of his 12-year effort to collect one bottle each from all the prefecture's shochudistillers. This is Kagoshima, where everyone drinks shochu and almost no one drinks sake, so he had his work cut out for him.
He's so proud of his accomplishment he's got them lined up on the wall, and hasn't twisted the cap on a single bottle. Mr. Masuyama decided to make it is hobby after he retired from a job with the prefectural government in 1996 and started working in sales. His business trips took him throughout Kagoshima, and after he got the idea—probably in a bar during one of those business trips–he made a list and started buying while he was selling. He started with 1.8 liter (1.92 US quarts) bottles, but they were too heavy and took up too much space, so he switched to bottles half that size. He had a few difficulties completing the collection, and no, one of them wasn't a tendency to polish off a bottle before before he could display it on the rack. For one thing, the smaller bottles were sold mainly to commercial establishments, but he applied his salesmen's skills to get what he wanted. Another was that he didn't have much of a chance to go to the prefecture's many outlying islands on business. After retiring from his second job, it took two more years to finish the project.
Mr. Masuyama says he enjoys looking at his collection while having a late-night drink, but his libation doesn't come from those shelves on the wall. He hasn't opened any of the bottles and says it would be a waste to drink them.
Now there's a man with discipline!
Miko class
Shinto shrine maidens, known as miko, get to do all sorts of fun stuff. In this post alone, they've sailed out to the Wedded Rocks to help the priests cut seaweed, carried the sacred sweetfish caught by cormorants, and danced while the priests cut Edo irises in Fukutsu. Even better, they get to handle the money at the shrine during New Year's.
Doesn't that sound like a great part-time job? If that's the kind of work you're looking for, the Kanda Myojin Shinto shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is offering a beginner's level course that provides instruction in how to become a miko. Even better, the class will last only one day, on 17 August—the middle of summer vacation!
Kanda Myojin conducts the class every year with the idea of giving young Japanese women a better idea of their traditions and culture, as well as teaching them more about the shrine. Last year, the student body consisted of 24 women who got to wear the red and white outfit for a day as they studied the shrine's history, the daily conduct of affairs at the shrine, and its religious ceremonies.
Considering they charge only JPY 5,000 yen ($US 52.40), that sounds like a good deal. They're looking for 20 unmarried young women this year from 16 to 22, and enrollment is open until the end of the month.
The declaration of the eisa nation
Start with a party, end with a party. This particular hoedown is the eisa dance native to Okinawa. Centuries ago, it was performed as a rite for the repose of the dead, but now it's done for entertainment and is more likely to wake the dead than ease their way into the next world.
Okinawa City issued a proclamation declaring itself Eisa Town earlier this month, and held a Declaration Day Eisa Night event outside the city offices to lay claim to the title. Six groups made their eisadelic statement as they performed in original/trad clothing they created themselves. Eisa Night means that eisa season has officially started in the city, and summer in this city means that local youth groups will give public performances every weekend until the really big show, the Okinawa Eisa Festival in September.
During her greeting at the ceremony, Mayor Tomon Mitsuko said, "We hope you come to Okinawa City on the weekends and enjoy yourselves." Then the dancing started and everyone proceeded to do just that.
It's not just for the Ryukyuans, either. One of the six groups performing was the Machida-ryu of Machida, Tokyo, who started their own group in 1999 after a trip to Okinawa. They were so captivated by the dance they had to do it themselves at home. Now the troupe has more than 100 members.
There's an idea: create your own Okinawan dance and drum ensemble and visit Eisa Town next year. If you want to learn, watching the video is a great way to start!
IT'S PADDY PLANTING TIME again in Japan, and thousands of colorful rice-planting ceremonies are being held throughout the country to mark the start of the season. Last year we had a post that focused on several of them. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I'll just offer the link to that post and describe another ceremony that's a bit different from the others.
This one was held specifically to plant rice that will be sold as a good luck charm to those taking school entrance examinations. It was held at a wet paddy in the Kameoka district of Takahata-machi, Yamagata, on the 15th. The Yamagatans have been planting and selling the rice as brain food since 1991, when the ceremony was cooked up by the local branch of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations. The crop is grown on a 1.5-hectare paddy that yields about eight tons of rice, which should be more than enough to get the local hopefuls into the school of their choice. After being harvested in the fall, it will be sold in five-kilogram bags.
What makes the Kameoka rice more of a cinch than a crib sheet? Daisho-ji, a Buddhist temple in Takahata-machi, is the home of one of Japan's three great statues of the Monju Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of wisdom. Students throughout Japan have paid homage to that divinity for centuries because Monju, as the personification of the Buddha's teachings, is a symbol for wisdom and enlightenment. One of the priests from Daisho-ji blesses the seedlings before they're planted, and he'll put the double whammy in for the examinations by blessing the rice itself after it's harvested.
Once the priest takes care of business, a group of 15 people plant the rice by hand, as you can see in the photo. And that's the intriguing part.
Those ladies ankle deep in the muck are wearing the traditional outfits of miko, or the maidens at Shinto shrines who serve in roughly the same role as altar boys at a Catholic church. Bending over to their right is a Shinto priest. In fact, in this photo Daisho-ji more closely resembles a Shinto shrine than a Buddhist temple. It's also the case that most of the rice-planting ceremonies are Shinto affairs.
Confused? The Japanese aren't. This has got to be one of the most naturally ecumenical places on the planet. And the Buddhist priests don't mind bringing a divine spark to a profit-making enterprise as long as it's in the cause of higher education.
But then again, who wouldn't want to do their part to promote the cultivation of knowledge as well as grain? In fact, it's a shame that ceremony is held way up north instead of down here in Kyushu. I'd be glad to tutor those girls for the English part of their exams!
THIS POST last June briefly examined the importance of rice in Japan and included capsule summaries of the many rice-planting festivals held in late spring throughout the country. Now you know darn well that if people are going to take the trouble to have a special ceremony for planting the rice, they're going to have another when it comes time to harvest it. And here they are!
The ritual for cutting the rice itself is variously called the nuihosai, the nuibosai, or even the nuiboshiki, but they all mean the same thing. Some of the rice (and other crops) harvested during these ceremonies is offered to the divinities a month later in a ceremony called the niinamesai. Here's a quick look at what's been going on out in the fields. Don't be shocked—some of it involves putting schoolgirls to work doing manual labor on the farms!
Shingu, Wakayama
Five junior high school girls clad as otome, or rice paddy maidens, hacked away during the nuihosai at the Kumano Hayatama Taisha, a Shinto shrine. The Shingu otome worked in a 10-are (quarter acre) wet paddy planted in April. The paddy yielded 480 kilograms of rice, which made everyone pleased as punch. The rice itself will be used for shrine ceremonies, while the ears were offered at the Ise shrine. (That's closely associated with the Imperial family, making it one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan. The enshrined deity at the Inner Shrine is Amaterasu, the sun goddess who is the mythological ancestor of the emperors.) Teenaged Japanese girls don't have a lot of practice at wielding the scythes, so the onlookers had to give them the benefit of their experience—whack from below and at an angle. That's one thing about old folks—they like to stand around kibitzing. Here's another—they're usually right!
Naruto, Tokushima
Held at the O'asahiko Shinto shrine, this nuihosai started with a Shinto ceremony. Then five karime, or cutting girls, from the local primary school, went to work. Meanwhile, about 40 people watched from the sideline and gave the girls the benefit of their extensive experience. (Whack from below and at an angle!) The rice was planted at the end of May, and the harvest totaled about 450 kilograms. It will be offered at the November niinamesai and to the shrine every day throughout the year.
Sabae, Fukui
Instead of rice, the karime at this nuihosai harvested foxtail millet, a plant frequently cultivated in East Asia and infrequently seen in Japanese supermarkets. Millet can grow to a height of five feet, which might require different whacking techniques than those used for the smaller rice plants. A local farmer planted this small field in June. The crowd estimated at 170 who came to watch and make speeches included area residents and officials from the prefecture, city, and JA (the national agricultural cooperatives association). The millet will be dried and offered both to the Imperial household in Tokyo and at the local niinamesai.
Minamiechizen-cho, Fukui
Fukui also harvests the traditional rice instead of millet, and that's what the sixth-grade karime are doing here. You can't see him, but helping out the girls is Ishikawa Tetsuji, who planted the field in May. Mr. Ishikawa said that growing the rice in such a natural setting enabled him to derive a sense of spiritual culture. He said he also felt a particular responsibility because Fukui is the home of koshihikari rice. That's a super-premium strain of rice created in the 1950s, and it has become one of the most popular in the country. It's also popular at the Imperial Palace, where the crop was recently offered. It will be used later this month at the niinamesai with Fukui millet and other rice from around the country.
Mine, Yamaguchi
The Imperial household is going to have enough rice to feed the entire diplomatic corps when these ceremonies are all over. Two liters of the rice harvested in Mine, Yamaguchi, which was cut by 15 karime, are also being shipped to Tokyo. This year the job of planting the ceremonial crop fell to Kitahara Masahiko, which he did in May on his three-are (300 square meter) field. Mr. Kitahara allowed as how the great weather this year resulted in an excellent crop. Now when was the last time you heard any farmer anywhere talking up his harvest? The average farmer would rather choke on his cut plug than talk about how good he's got it. It might make the government think twice about agricultural subsidies, for one thing. (The Japanese usually soft-pedal their good harvests by saying they are mazumazu, or not so bad.) He also said he was thrilled to do the work because it was the greatest honor that could be received in a lifetime of farming.
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
They call it a nuiboshiki in Hamamatsu, and theirs was held at a rice paddy near the Iinoya-gu Shinto shrine, which every year grows isehikari rice received from the aforementioned Ise shrine. Eight grade-school girls dressed up as otome to harvest the rice they planted themselves in the spring, and they look like they're enjoying themselves. A group of about 10 people stuck around to kibitz, telling them to whack from the bottom at an angle. The crop this year was about 100 kilos–sounds about right for grade school girls–which was dried for offering at the shrine. More was offered in mid-October at the Ise shrine itself at a ceremony called the kannamesai.
Omaezaki, Shizuoka
Hey, where did that hair-legged guy come from! That's Masuda Noboru, stomping around his own rice paddy in Omaezaki, where he planted koshihikari rice on 2,818 square meters in April. That yielded a harvest of about 500 kilograms—better than the usual crop, according to Mr. Masuda. He cut the rice plants himself for presentation to the tenno (Emperor) at the niinamesai. It's a wonder the Imperial family doesn't have a weight problem with all the food people send them from around the country. The Palace's cut was 1.8 kilograms. According to the city government, this was the first time the ceremony was conducted in the municipality. Sometimes in Japan a centuries-old tradition can start just this year, and sometimes it can be a one-man operation.
Iwanuma, Miyagi
Iwanumanians use the term nuihoshiki to describe the ceremonial rice harvest at the Takekoma shrine, which dates from 842. The harvest was also a study session–about 50 Shinto priests went out to work in the fields, some of whom were shrine officials and priests from six prefectures throughout the Tohoku region taking part in religous training. A guy just can't go out there and start hacking–you have to learn how to do this the right way first. (Whack from the bottom at an angle.) After the main priest ritually purified the paddy and offered a prayer, shrine officials and miko (shrine maidens) dressed as otome formed a row to cut the rice stalks. It's a shame the miko weren't closer to the camera. The priests bundled the rice and presented it to the divinities in thanks for the harvest. This year's crop was said to be average, despite the heavy rains of late August. After the rice is dried in the sun, it will be offered at the niinamesai in late November.
Sanuki, Kagawa Nuihoshiki? Check. Rice paddy? 200 square meters. Niinamesai? Check. The local shrine's cut? 1.8 liters. Growth time? Four and a half months. Yield? Pretty good, despite the lack of rain and the heat. Participants? About 100, including city and prefectural government officials and 18 members of the farmer's family. This one seems to have been a ceremony for the regular folks. I hope they're not looking for a needle in the rice stacks.
Ise, Mie
And here's the Ise shrine's own nuihoshiki, which this year was held in the rain. The rice was harvested by the priests from a shrine rice paddy in Kusube-cho. Those are some elegant threads and umbrellas for agricultural work. What's the guy in yellow saying? "Whack from the bottom at an angle"? The event is a statement for self-sufficiency, as the rice grown and harvested here will be used for events at the shrine. Participating in the event were about 80 people, including shrine officials and area residents. After the initial prayer, they entered the paddy to cut the rice with sacred scythes. Don't you wish you had a sacred scythe, too? The rice was separated into two groups, one for use in the Inner Shrine and one for use in the Outer Shrine. It was then stored after inspection by lower ranking priests, called negi. Both ordinary rice and the more glutinous mochi rice were grown in the paddy. (The latter variety is used to make the rice cakes for New Year's decorations.) About 240 bags were harvested, and the first offering will be at an event called the kannamesai on 15 October.
Tsuruoka, Yamagata
This ceremony was held by JA, the national association of agricultural cooperatives, to harvest rice for the Dewasanzan Shinto shrine at their own ceremonial rice paddy. The torii in the photo shows just how close the shrine is. That photo also shows just how much work religion can be sometimes. The 17-are (0.42 acre) rice paddy is known as a kensenden (a paddy that is an offering to the divinities). It was created just last year in the hope for a divine reboot of area agriculture, which has been suffering lately due to bad weather. The work was done by 40 JA employees as well as the miko, and they certainly don't need any kibitzers telling them how to to go about chopping rice. The event started off with a miko dance, a lottery offering, and a religious ceremony. That's something for everybody! (I pick the first.)
Kashima, Saga
Those ladies look like they're having fun. Maybe they're playing Tom Sawyer and trying to con us into painting the fence. That's the nuiboshiki in a consecrated paddy at the Yutoku Inari Shinto shrine in Kashima to give thanks for the fall harvest. The miko, clad as otome, formed a horizontal row to cut the rice plants. This traditional ceremony gathers the rice used for the niinamesai on 8 December and is more than 300 years old. To start, 11 miko perform a solemn dance at the shrine in supplication for a big harvest. Then three miko use flutes and percussion to perform a song for an abundant year while the other eight go to work with a scythe. The harvest was better than average, and the priest was glad there was no typhoon damage. The shrine's rice planting ceremony was covered in the June post, and the miko wore the same clothes then. And then washed them for this ceremony, of course.
Buzen, Fukuoka
Good morning, little schoolgirl…I'm a little schoolboy too! The Otomi shrine leaves nothing to chance during its nuihosai—they have three taosa, or paddy bosses, overseeing the work of the six karime from primary and junior high school on a special 1.5 are consecrated rice paddy. One boss for two girls? Now that's labor intensive agriculture! This was just the shrine's 14th rice harvesting event to offer thanks to the divinity for a bountiful harvest. They cut in time with music provided by flutes and taiko drums. The rice was a local prefectural variety planted in June. Fukui Aya, one of the karime, was out cutting for the second time. She said, "When you put on the clothing, it definitely gives you a sacred feeling."
THE SCENE FOR YESTERDAY'S POST was Tanabe, Wakayama, and by a happy coincidence, here is another story about the city that appeared today.
It's now the season for harvesting rice in Japan, when the farmers cut the grain, tie it in bundles, stack it on end, and leave it in the field to dry. This farm household in Tanabe has a different system, however: they strap logs together to erect a large frame, from which they hang the rice sheaves.
They've been doing it for more than 45 years now. (I'd mention their names, but I'd have to guess at the reading.) The frame itself is five meters high and 18 meters wide, and it holds nine rows of stalks. One of the family members climbs the ladder while another uses a wooden pole to snatch the stalks and swing them up for hanging. The entire process, including the frame assembly, takes two full days.
Years ago, the family used to pile the rice from their terraced paddy in one place for drying. One of the reasons they switched to this method was to prevent the wild boar and deer in the area, whose numbers are increasing, from eating it.
The farmer here is one of the lucky ones—his son and her wife plan on taking over the farm. Nowadays the children of many Japanese farmers want nothing to do with farm labor.
It's not a particularly important story, but I liked the picture, and I'm always interested in people coming up with clever variations on methods that for everyone else have become a cut-and-dried process.
And with the old method of rice harvesting, it literally is a cutting and drying process!
THE INTRODUCTION OF WET PADDY rice cultivation some 2,000 years ago defined the Japanese nation. Growing rice was once considered a religious act, in which the spirit of the rice plant was invoked. It required labor-intensive farming, advanced water control systems, and the combined effort of the greater community. That created the environment in which the traditional extended family system evolved.
Until modern times, the rice crop was the standard used for managing land and levying taxes. The word for cooked rice itself is synonymous with a meal; the other foods served with it, even expensive beefsteak, are considered o-kazu, or side dishes.
Children in the region where I live are sent on field trips at least once during their school career to plant rice by hand. Dressed in gym class t-shirts and shorts, they slosh around in the wet rice paddy in bare feet to find out first hand how to place the seedlings in the mud to make sure they don't fall over. What better way to understand the work required to put their daily bowl of rice on the table?
The Daijosai, sometimes translated as the Great Food Offering Ritual, is the third of three ceremonies through which a new tenno (emperor) ascends the throne. The preparations include an ancient divination technique to select consecrated paddies for growing the rice to be used. It is cultivated using ritual procedures, and when harvested is sent by special minister to the ceremony site. The tenno offers this rice to the sun goddess Amaterasu and other divinities before eating it himself to partake in spiritual communion with them.
"You are what you eat" is a concept as old as humankind and has been incorporated in religious worship throughout the world. The Catholics believe in the concept of transubstantiation, in which the bread and wine of the Eucharist are changed into the body and blood of Jesus. Believers partake of this on Sunday mornings, after confessing their sins on Saturday.
And that's how the Japanese came to believe that the tenno was a living god.
June is the month for planting rice in Japan, and the start of the season is celebrated by hundreds of rice-planting festivals everywhere in the country.
One is the Yukisaiden Otaue Matsuri held on the 1st in Okazaki, Aichi, shown in the first photo below. The first festival was for planting the rice used in the Daijosai of the Taisho tenno, the current tenno's grandfather. The song, dance, tools, and clothing used in the ceremony have been designated intangible folk cultural treasures of the city
Members of a local preservation society and sixth-graders in primary school trooped into the fields to plant 2,500 rice stalks by the traditional method as they sang a local rice-planting song. Girls or young women are usually the ones to do the ceremonial planting, and the language even has a special word for them: saotome.
All the rice planted was of the same Banzai variety used in the Daijosai 90 years ago. The rice was derived from the leftovers a local farmer discovered in his farmhouse in 2005.
Sometimes the planters work to a song or musical accompaniment. The 23 saotome in the Suwa Taisha Shinto shrine festival in Suwa, Nagano, however, plant the seedlings on signals from a foreman. These saotome are in their teens and 20s and were selected to represent each district served by the shrine. The harvested rice will be offered at the Niinamesai, the Shinto harvest festival, in November.
All 33 saotome in the festival held in Goshogawara, Aomori, on the 16th were high school seniors. A local high school conducts the festival every year, rather than a Shinto shrine. The girls wear clothing made by predecessors who did the planting 10 years ago. It looks like comfort was their primary consideration.
It required 55 saotome from local junior high and high schools for the Taga Taisha shrine festival in Taga-cho, Shiga, however. The girls received the rice plants at the shrine and proceeded to the paddy. After they arrived, miko, or shrine maidens, ritually purified the paddy with hot water. Only 32 of the girls did the planting, while the rest performed the dances and songs. The rice will be harvested in September at the Nuibosai ceremony and offered for consecration in November at the Niinamesai.
Meanwhile, it took only five saotome to do the planting in Maeda Toshiharu's 200-square-meter paddy in Torahime-cho, Shiga, but the rice will still be sent to the tenno as an offering. Here the miko performed the ceremonial dance and the first ceremonial plowing before the high school girls did the dirty work.
The festival of the Tsumakirishima shrine down south in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, was held on the 7th with 12-grade girls serving as the saotome. This event started sometime during the Edo period (1603-1868), but stopped in 1940 because of World War II. The older folks in Miyakonojo remembered how much they enjoyed it, however, so they decided to start it up again in 1989. It's been an annual event ever since.
Here they use a special variety of red rice. Not all rice is brown—there are 1,500 varieties in Japan, and some of them come in different colors. It's a veritable rainbow coalition of cereal diversity. There are even varieties of black rice, which my wife and I add to the genmai (brown rice) we eat for dinner. We mix it because the black rice is gummy and sticky and not ideal for eating by itself. I tried it once, and it didn't work out well. Cleaning the rice cooker afterward wasn't so appealing, either.
One saotome said the festival was a lot of fun because she enjoyed the sensation of her bare feet squishing in the warm mud. I wonder if that was the girl smiling for the camera. Hi there!
Miyakonojo's festival was suspended during the war and didn't get restarted until almost 50 years later, but the Hikamianego Shinto shrine in Nagoya has kept theirs going since 1933 without a break. Legend has it that this shrine was established in 195 and moved to its present location in 690. Note that those dates have only three digits.
The 10 saotome working in the shrine's sacred paddy aren't schoolgirls, but flesh-and-blood farming folk or employees of the local agricultural cooperative. The report says they sing a planting song as they work. They do resemble a chorus line, come to think of it.
The festival of the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto is well known throughout the country for being photogenic, even though it is relatively recent—it started in 1948. It was held on the 10th, with girls performing the o-tamai (rice paddy dance) as both men and women handled the planting.
The rice will be harvested in another Nuibosai festival and offered to the divinities. Reports say the festival mood is solemn. Those folks up on the wall do look like a serious bunch, don't they? That's the o-temai the girls are doing.
The local farmers also play an important role in the Nitta Shrine festival in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima, as they swing bamboo sticks called yakko in a ritual to drive away the insects. Here the planting is done by 24 men and women, this year in the rain, as they sing a rice planting song.
Singing in the rain! Whistling while they work! Swatting insects with bamboo sticks!
The Tashibunosho district of Bungotakada, Oita, looks remarkably like a farming village in the Japanese middle ages. Their planting festival was held on the 8th by the Usa Jingu shrine. It started with a Shinto ceremony and was followed by 150 planters taking care of business, with the paddy's owner and students from Beppu University helping the saotome.
They start planting when Buddhist priests from the Fuki-ji temple give them the high sign by blowing on conch shells. This is an example of ecumenism Japanese style—many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples once shared the same facilities, and the Usa Jingu and Fuki-ji were a combined operation as far back as the 12th century.
This one's not such a solemn affair. It starts with a comical sketch of a cow dummy and a herder in the paddy. The cow gets stuck in the mud and falls over, and later runs amok to avoid the work. Perhaps she didn't care for her bare hooves squishing in the mud.
The miko do all the work at the 300-year-old festival of the Yutoku Inari shrine in Kashima, Saga. They serve as the saotome to plant the rice, perform the o-taue dance, and provide the musical accompaniment with clappers and flute. Maybe they ought to think about organizing a union.
This rice is also harvested at a Nuibosai festival, and some of it will be made into sake for the Niinamesai.
The high school girls are back as the saotome in Mitoyo, Kagawa, for the festival conducted by the Hokohachiman-gu shrine. This event is nearly 100 years old, and the rice will be used for a December Niinamesai. They alternate the use of private paddies, and this year's field was chosen as the lucky one for the first time in nearly 50 years. Crop rotation with a long lead time makes it easy on the local farmers.
Instead of an o-temai, they perform a lion dance, or shishimai, to the accompaniment of taiko drums
You can be serious and still have fun, as this event held last Saturday demonstrates. The planting in Himeji, Hyogo, was not part of an old Shinto ritual. It was to create rice paddy art using eight rice varieties with different colors. Viewing the paddy from above after the rice plants grow will reveal a picture of the Himeji Castle. The 1.6-hectare rice paddy covers nearly as much ground as the castle itself.
About 100,000 rice plants were used for the planting, which took three days to finish. On the first day, 340 people turned out and used a diagram to plant the different strains in just the right spots. Pointillism in agriculture.
The castle is slated to undergo major repairs this fall. The chairman of the organizing committee said they conducted the event not only to promote tourism, but also to reeducate area residents about food and farming.
The paddy castle magic will be best seen in mid-July, and the prime view is from Mt. Shosha, which has a convenient ropeway for carrying people to the summit.
Is this another take on "you art what you eat"? Or is it art you can eat?
IF ANY PLACE IN JAPAN is star-crossed, it just might be Sado Island. The country's sixth largest island, located 22 miles from Niigata, Sado became the Japanese equivalent of Siberia during the Heian Period (794-1192). It was there the rulers in the Kyoto capital exiled political troublemakers, as well as poets, Buddhist monks, and even one Tenno (emperor).
The poet Hozumi no Asomioyu was the first to receive this punishment, finding himself on the slow boat to the island in 722 after criticizing the Tenno.
Rank did not have its privileges, however. One member of the Imperial house wound up on the short end of the Sado stick himself: Juntoku Tennowas dispatched to Sado after helping his father, the nominally retired Go-Toba Tenno, in an attempt to overthrow the Kamakura Shogunate during the Jokyu Disturbance of 1221. He lived there for 21 years, writing poetry criticism and the Kimpisho, a work on court ceremonial procedures. (His father, also a poetry lover, was sent to a different island.)
The last exile of a troublemaker to Sado occurred in 1700, almost 1,000 years after the first. But that was a century after gold had been discovered, which brought a different class of undesirables to the territory. The discovery did not create a gold rush for prospectors and prostitutes; the gold here was the property of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and the people doing the digging and sifting were convicted criminals and the homeless. They were ill-treated drones in de facto slavery, and being sent to toil in the Shogun's mines was another form of permanent exile.
When people weren't being brought to Sado against their will, they were being taken away by force. Soga Hitomi was 19 years old when she and her mother were abducted by North Korean agents and taken to that country for a life of involuntary exile and teaching in the Japanese language and cultural education program it had set up for spies. That tells you all you need to know about the country's desperate living conditions: the Japanese just have to overpay for underqualified foreigners to work as teaching assistants in their school system. Pyeongyang had to kidnap them.
It was in North Korea that Ms. Soga met and married Charles Jenkins, a deserter from the American army. They and their two children were eventually allowed to leave, and Mr. Jenkins finished serving out his time by spending a month in the brig. Now they're all back in Sado—home for Soga Hitomi, exile of a more amenable sort for Mr. Jenkins.
This unpleasant history notwithstanding, the islanders enjoy themselves as much as any Japanese during their traditional festivals. One was held earlier this year at the Kobiei Shinto shrine. Called the Ta'asobi, or Playing in the Rice Paddy, it might be more accurate to describe it as the annual reenactment of a comic sketch based on the hardships of agricultural work. Many similar festivals are held throughout Japan before planting season arrives.
In the Sado City event, a mock rice paddy is set up in front of the shrine's main hall. A small group of men mime the tasks carried out during the year, starting with the preparation of the paddy and ending with the planting of rice.
Their labors are complicated by the appearance of several other men impersonating moles and magpies, whose roles call for them to literally act their part and disrupt the men at work. They go so far as to paint the faces of the hapless farmers black, as you can see from the photo, and tie them to trees with ropes.
The festival is offered as a form of supplication for a good harvest in the fall. The zanier the moles and magpies behave, the louder the spectators cheer, and the better that year's crop will be. The event originated about 160 years ago—life had become easier without the threat of exile or working in the mines—but was discontinued in the mid-1920s. The local residents (Sadomites?) restored it about 25 years ago.
Considering the history of the island, the best part of the festival might be that after the actors are untied from the trees, everyone is free to go home.
WHEN THE JAPANESE HAVE A BRIGHT IDEA for a festival, they have no problems with creating a tradition out of a new one. One bright idea was the Doya Tanada Fire Festival in Matsuura, Nagasaki Prefecture, which was launched four years ago to help publicize the preservation of the local terraced rice paddies. Matsuura's paddies were selected as among the 100 best terraced rice paddies in Japan in 1999. (The Japanese like to select the best 100 of any geographical features in the country—they've also designated the top 100 scenic views and the top 100 mountains.)
Now that the crop has been harvested, 2000 torches are placed on 200 paddy ridges at 7:00 p.m. and lit, creating the effect shown in the photograph. If you're in Nagasaki now, you're in luck—the fifth festival will be held tonight. The appeal isn't simply the effect of the torch light in the paddies, it's also the location of the paddies next to the Korea Strait.
They're flexible about the timing, too. Last year's festival was held in May, when the paddies were still full of water, but there isn't any water in them now.
If you want to see some more photos, you might try this Japanese page, though the links to the four photos are in English. This blogger took several photos, both in the late afternoon before the lights came on, and at night. And this site has 12 photos.
This festival features no drinking, mikoshi bashing, or other revelry—just some people taking the time to make their part of the world beautiful for a night.
WHEN WRITING POSTS ABOUT MANY OF THE FESTIVALS here, I often emphasize their unusual elements, such as unique competitions, sake, simulated sex, mikoshi smashing, fire rituals, water, dancing, and of course, more sake.
Perhaps it's not fair to accentuate the novelties (for foreigners, anyway) when the most basic of all Japanese festivals are simple, subdued, and conducted unobtrusively, albeit with splendid costumes, particularly for the women who participate. Those are the rice planting festivals that are held by the hundreds throughout Japan in May and June. Not only are they the most basic type of festival, but since Japan's very existence is defined by wet paddy cultivation, they are the most important.
In my part of Japan, the most well known is the rice-planting festival held last week by the Yutoku Inari Shrine in Kashima, Saga, in supplication for a bountiful harvest. It has been held in this same form for more than 300 years.
Eight shrine maidens, or miko (corresponding very roughly to altar boys in a Catholic church) wade into the new rice paddy to plant rice seedlings to the accompaniment of special songs, as three other miko play wooden clappers and flutes. The rice is planted in a specially consecrated shrine paddy and harvested during another festival held in the fall. That rice is used for offerings at the shrine over the next year.
But there are many more of the same sort of event throughout the country, and their variations on a theme offer interesting contrasts. Such as the ones here, here, and here. | eng | 56654cf5-9e3f-4771-8980-35266b57641a | http://ampontan.wordpress.com/tag/rice/ |
250 AD
THE SIX ENNEADS
by Plotinus
translated by Stephen MacKenna and B. S. Page
THE FIRST ENNEAD.
FIRST TRACTATE.
THE ANIMATE AND THE MAN.
1. Pleasure and distress, fear and courage, desire and aversion,
where have these affections and experiences their seat?
Clearly, either in the Soul alone, or in the Soul as employing the
body, or in some third entity deriving from both. And for this third
entity, again, there are two possible modes: it might be either a
blend or a distinct form due to the blending.
And what applies to the affections applies also to whatsoever
acts, physical or mental, spring from them.
We have, therefore, to examine discursive-reason and the
ordinary mental action upon objects of sense, and enquire whether
these have the one seat with the affections and experiences, or
perhaps sometimes the one seat, sometimes another.
And we must consider also our acts of Intellection, their mode and
their seat.
And this very examining principle, which investigates and
decides in these matters, must be brought to light.
Firstly, what is the seat of Sense-Perception? This is the obvious
beginning since the affections and experiences either are sensations
of some kind or at least never occur apart from sensation.
2. This first enquiry obliges us to consider at the outset the
nature of the Soul- that is whether a distinction is to be made
between Soul and Essential Soul [between an individual Soul and the
Soul-Kind in itself]. *
* All matter shown in brackets is added by the translator for
clearness' sake and, therefore, is not canonical. S.M.
If such a distinction holds, then the Soul [in man] is some sort
of a composite and at once we may agree that it is a recipient and- if
only reason allows- that all the affections and experiences really
have their seat in the Soul, and with the affections every state and
mood, good and bad alike.
But if Soul [in man] and Essential Soul are one and the same, then
the Soul will be an Ideal-Form unreceptive of all those activities
which it imparts to another Kind but possessing within itself that
native Act of its own which Reason manifests.
If this be so, then, indeed, we may think of the Soul as an
immortal- if the immortal, the imperishable, must be impassive, giving
out something of itself but itself taking nothing from without
except for what it receives from the Existents prior to itself from
which Existents, in that they are the nobler, it cannot be sundered.
Now what could bring fear to a nature thus unreceptive of all
the outer? Fear demands feeling. Nor is there place for courage:
courage implies the presence of danger. And such desires as are
satisfied by the filling or voiding of the body, must be proper to
something very different from the Soul, to that only which admits of
replenishment and voidance.
And how could the Soul lend itself to any admixture? An
essential is not mixed. Or of the intrusion of anything alien? If it
did, it would be seeking the destruction of its own nature. Pain
must be equally far from it. And Grief- how or for what could it
grieve? Whatever possesses Existence is supremely free, dwelling,
unchangeable, within its own peculiar nature. And can any increase
bring joy, where nothing, not even anything good, can accrue? What
such an Existent is, it is unchangeably.
Thus assuredly Sense-Perception, Discursive-Reasoning; and all our
ordinary mentation are foreign to the Soul: for sensation is a
receiving- whether of an Ideal-Form or of an impassive body- and
reasoning and all ordinary mental action deal with sensation.
The question still remains to be examined in the matter of the
intellections- whether these are to be assigned to the Soul- and as to
Pure-Pleasure, whether this belongs to the Soul in its solitary state.
3. We may treat of the Soul as in the body- whether it be set
above it or actually within it- since the association of the two
constitutes the one thing called the living organism, the Animate.
.
It may be objected that the Soul must however, have
Sense-Perception since its use of its instrument must acquaint it with
the external conditions, and such knowledge comes by way of sense.
Thus, it will be argued, the eyes are the instrument of seeing, and
seeing may bring distress to the soul: hence the Soul may feel
sorrow and pain and every other affection that belongs to the body;
and from this again will spring desire, the Soul seeking the mending
of its instrument.
But, we ask, how, possibly, can these affections pass from body to
Soul? Body may communicate qualities or conditions to another body:
but- body to Soul? Something happens to A; does that make it happen to
B? As long as we have agent and instrument, there are two distinct
entities; if the Soul uses the body it is separate from it.
But apart from the philosophical separation how does Soul stand to
body?
Clearly there is a combination. And for this several modes are
possible. There might be a complete coalescence: Soul might be
interwoven through the body: or it might be an Ideal-Form detached
or an Ideal-Form in governing contact like a pilot: or there might
be part of the Soul detached and another part in contact, the
disjoined part being the agent or user, the conjoined part ranking
with the instrument or thing used.
In this last case it will be the double task of philosophy to
direct this lower Soul towards the higher, the agent, and except in so
far as the conjunction is absolutely necessary, to sever the agent
from the instrument, the body, so that it need not forever have its
Act upon or through this inferior.
4. Let us consider, then, the hypothesis of a coalescence.
Now if there is a coalescence, the lower is ennobled, the nobler
degraded; the body is raised in the scale of being as made participant
in life; the Soul, as associated with death and unreason, is brought
lower. How can a lessening of the life-quality produce an increase
such as Sense-Perception?
No: the body has acquired life, it is the body that will
acquire, with life, sensation and the affections coming by
sensation. Desire, then, will belong to the body, as the objects of
desire are to be enjoyed by the body. And fear, too, will belong to
the body alone; for it is the body's doom to fail of its joys and to
perish.
Then again we should have to examine how such a coalescence
could be conceived: we might find it impossible: perhaps all this is
like announcing the coalescence of things utterly incongruous in kind,
let us say of a line and whiteness.
Next for the suggestion that the Soul is interwoven through the
body: such a relation would not give woof and warp community of
sensation: the interwoven element might very well suffer no change:
the permeating soul might remain entirely untouched by what affects
the body- as light goes always free of all it floods- and all the more
so, since, precisely, we are asked to consider it as diffused
throughout the entire frame.
Under such an interweaving, then, the Soul would not be
subjected to the body's affections and experiences: it would be
present rather as Ideal-Form in Matter.
Let us then suppose Soul to be in body as Ideal-Form in Matter.
Now if- the first possibility- the Soul is an essence, a
self-existent, it can be present only as separable form and will
therefore all the more decidedly be the Using-Principle [and therefore
unaffected].
Suppose, next, the Soul to be present like axe-form on iron: here,
no doubt, the form is all important but it is still the axe, the
complement of iron and form, that effects whatever is effected by
the iron thus modified: on this analogy, therefore, we are even more
strictly compelled to assign all the experiences of the combination to
the body: their natural seat is the material member, the instrument,
the potential recipient of life.
Compare the passage where we read* that "it is absurd to suppose
that the Soul weaves"; equally absurd to think of it as desiring,
grieving. All this is rather in the province of something which we may
call the Animate.
* "We read" translates "he says" of the text, and always indicates
a reference to Plato, whose name does not appear in the translation
except where it was written by Plotinus. S.M.
5. Now this Animate might be merely the body as having life: it
might be the Couplement of Soul and body: it might be a third and
different entity formed from both.
The Soul in turn- apart from the nature of the Animate- must be
either impassive, merely causing Sense-Perception in its
yoke-fellow, or sympathetic; and, if sympathetic, it may have
identical experiences with its fellow or merely correspondent
experiences: desire for example in the Animate may be something
quite distinct from the accompanying movement or state in the desiring
faculty.
The body, the live-body as we know it, we will consider later.
Let us take first the Couplement of body and Soul. How could
suffering, for example, be seated in this Couplement?
It may be suggested that some unwelcome state of the body produces
a distress which reaches to a Sensitive-Faculty which in turn merges
into Soul. But this account still leaves the origin of the sensation
unexplained.
Another suggestion might be that all is due to an opinion or
judgement: some evil seems to have befallen the man or his
belongings and this conviction sets up a state of trouble in the
body and in the entire Animate. But this account leaves still a
question as to the source and seat of the judgement: does it belong to
the Soul or to the Couplement? Besides, the judgement that evil is
present does not involve the feeling of grief: the judgement might
very well arise and the grief by no means follow: one may think
oneself slighted and yet not be angry; and the appetite is not
necessarily excited by the thought of a pleasure. We are, thus, no
nearer than before to any warrant for assigning these affections to
the Couplement.
Is it any explanation to say that desire is vested in a
Faculty-of-desire and anger in the Irascible-Faculty and,
collectively, that all tendency is seated in the Appetitive-Faculty?
Such a statement of the facts does not help towards making the
affections common to the Couplement; they might still be seated either
in the Soul alone or in the body alone. On the one hand if the
appetite is to be stirred, as in the carnal passion, there must be a
heating of the blood and the bile, a well-defined state of the body;
on the other hand, the impulse towards The Good cannot be a joint
affection, but, like certain others too, it would belong necessarily
to the Soul alone.
Reason, then, does not permit us to assign all the affections to
the Couplement.
In the case of carnal desire, it will certainly be the Man that
desires, and yet, on the other hand, there must be desire in the
Desiring-Faculty as well. How can this be? Are we to suppose that,
when the man originates the desire, the Desiring-Faculty moves to
the order? How could the Man have come to desire at all unless through
a prior activity in the Desiring-Faculty? Then it is the
Desiring-Faculty that takes the lead? Yet how, unless the body be
first in the appropriate condition?
6. It may seem reasonable to lay down as a law that when any
powers are contained by a recipient, every action or state
expressive of them must be the action or state of that recipient, they
themselves remaining unaffected as merely furnishing efficiency.
But if this were so, then, since the Animate is the recipient of
the Causing-Principle [i.e., the Soul] which brings life to the
Couplement, this Cause must itself remain unaffected, all the
experiences and expressive activities of the life being vested in
the recipient, the Animate.
But this would mean that life itself belongs not to the Soul but
to the Couplement; or at least the life of the Couplement would not be
the life of the Soul; Sense-Perception would belong not to the
Sensitive-Faculty but to the container of the faculty.
But if sensation is a movement traversing the body and culminating
in Soul, how the soul lack sensation? The very presence of the
Sensitive-Faculty must assure sensation to the Soul.
Once again, where is Sense-Perception seated?
In the Couplement.
Yet how can the Couplement have sensation independently of
action in the Sensitive-Faculty, the Soul left out of count and the
Soul-Faculty?
7. The truth lies in the Consideration that the Couplement
subsists by virtue of the Soul's presence.
This, however, is not to say that the Soul gives itself as it is
in itself to form either the Couplement or the body.
No; from the organized body and something else, let us say a
light, which the Soul gives forth from itself, it forms a distinct
Principle, the Animate; and in this Principle are vested
Sense-Perception and all the other experiences found to belong to
the Animate.
But the "We"? How have We Sense-Perception?
By the fact that We are not separate from the Animate so
constituted, even though certainly other and nobler elements go to
make up the entire many-sided nature of Man.
The faculty of perception in the Soul cannot act by the
immediate grasping of sensible objects, but only by the discerning
of impressions printed upon the Animate by sensation: these
impressions are already Intelligibles while the outer sensation is a
mere phantom of the other [of that in the Soul] which is nearer to
Authentic-Existence as being an impassive reading of Ideal-Forms.
And by means of these Ideal-Forms, by which the Soul wields single
lordship over the Animate, we have Discursive-Reasoning,
Sense-Knowledge and Intellection. From this moment we have
peculiarly the We: before this there was only the "Ours"; but at
this stage stands the WE [the authentic Human-Principle] loftily
presiding over the Animate.
There is no reason why the entire compound entity should not be
described as the Animate or Living-Being- mingled in a lower phase,
but above that point the beginning of the veritable man, distinct from
all that is kin to the lion, all that is of the order of the
multiple brute. And since The Man, so understood, is essentially the
associate of the reasoning Soul, in our reasoning it is this "We" that
reasons, in that the use and act of reason is a characteristic Act
of the Soul.
8. And towards the Intellectual-Principle what is our relation? By
this I mean, not that faculty in the soul which is one of the
emanations from the Intellectual-Principle, but The
Intellectual-Principle itself [Divine-Mind].
This also we possess as the summit of our being. And we have It
either as common to all or as our own immediate possession: or again
we may possess It in both degrees, that is in common, since It is
indivisible- one, everywhere and always Its entire self- and severally
in that each personality possesses It entire in the First-Soul [i.e.
in the Intellectual as distinguished from the lower phase of the
Soul].
Hence we possess the Ideal-Forms also after two modes: in the
Soul, as it were unrolled and separate; in the Intellectual-Principle,
concentrated, one.
And how do we possess the Divinity?
In that the Divinity is contained in the Intellectual-Principle
and Authentic-Existence; and We come third in order after these two,
for the We is constituted by a union of the supreme, the undivided
Soul- we read- and that Soul which is divided among [living] bodies.
For, note, we inevitably think of the Soul, though one undivided in
the All, as being present to bodies in division: in so far as any
bodies are Animates, the Soul has given itself to each of the separate
material masses; or rather it appears to be present in the bodies by
the fact that it shines into them: it makes them living beings not
by merging into body but by giving forth, without any change in
itself, images or likenesses of itself like one face caught by many
mirrors.
The first of these images is Sense-Perception seated in the
Couplement; and from this downwards all the successive images are to
be recognized as phases of the Soul in lessening succession from one
another, until the series ends in the faculties of generation and
growth and of all production of offspring- offspring efficient in
its turn, in contradistinction to the engendering Soul which [has no
direct action within matter but] produces by mere inclination
towards what it fashions.
9. That Soul, then, in us, will in its nature stand apart from all
that can cause any of the evils which man does or suffers; for all
such evil, as we have seen, belongs only to the Animate, the
Couplement.
But there is a difficulty in understanding how the Soul can go
guiltless if our mentation and reasoning are vested in it: for all
this lower kind of knowledge is delusion and is the cause of much of
what is evil.
When we have done evil it is because we have been worsted by our
baser side- for a man is many- by desire or rage or some evil image:
the misnamed reasoning that takes up with the false, in reality fancy,
has not stayed for the judgement of the Reasoning-Principle: we have
acted at the call of the less worthy, just as in matters of the
sense-sphere we sometimes see falsely because we credit only the lower
perception, that of the Couplement, without applying the tests of
the Reasoning-Faculty.
The Intellectual-Principle has held aloof from the act and so is
guiltless; or, as we may state it, all depends on whether we ourselves
have or have not put ourselves in touch with the Intellectual-Realm
either in the Intellectual-Principle or within ourselves; for it is
possible at once to possess and not to use.
Thus we have marked off what belongs to the Couplement from what
stands by itself: the one group has the character of body and never
exists apart from body, while all that has no need of body for its
manifestation belongs peculiarly to Soul: and the Understanding, as
passing judgement upon Sense-Impressions, is at the point of the
vision of Ideal-Forms, seeing them as it were with an answering
sensation (i.e, with consciousness) this last is at any rate true of
the Understanding in the Veritable Soul. For Understanding, the
true, is the Act of the Intellections: in many of its manifestations
it is the assimilation and reconciliation of the outer to the inner.
Thus in spite of all, the Soul is at peace as to itself and within
itself: all the changes and all the turmoil we experience are the
issue of what is subjoined to the Soul, and are, as have said, the
states and experiences of this elusive "Couplement."
10. It will be objected, that if the Soul constitutes the We
[the personality] and We are subject to these states then the Soul
must be subject to them, and similarly that what We do must be done by
the Soul. for when it
has wholly withdrawn, that other Soul which is a radiation [or
emanation] from it withdraws also, drawn after it.
Those virtues, on the other hand, which spring not from
contemplative wisdom but from custom or practical discipline belong to
the Couplement: to the Couplement, too, belong the vices; they are its
repugnances, desires, sympathies.
And Friendship?
This emotion belongs sometimes to the lower part, sometimes to the
interior man.
11. In childhood the main activity is in the Couplement and
there is but little irradiation from the higher principles of our
being: but when these higher principles act but feebly or rarely
upon us their action is directed towards the Supreme; they work upon
us only when they stand at the mid-point.
But does not the include that phase of our being which stands
above the mid-point?
It does, but on condition that we lay hold of it: our entire
nature is not ours at all times but only as we direct the mid-point
upwards or downwards, or lead some particular phase of our nature from
potentiality or native character into act.
And the animals, in what way or degree do they possess the
Animate?
If there be in them, as the opinion goes, human Souls that have
sinned, then the Animating-Principle in its separable phase does not
enter directly into the brute; it is there but not there to them; they
are aware only of the image of the Soul [only of the lower Soul] and
of that only by being aware of the body organised and determined by
that image.
If there be no human Soul in them, the Animate is constituted
for them by a radiation from the All-Soul.
12. But if Soul is sinless, how come the expiations? Here surely
is a contradiction; on the one side the Soul is above all guilt; on
the other, we hear of its sin, its purification, its expiation; it
is doomed to the lower world, it passes from body to body.
We may take either view at will: they are easily reconciled.
When we tell of the sinless Soul, we make Soul and
Essential-Soul one and the same: it is the simple unbroken Unity.
By the Soul subject to sin we indicate a groupment, we include
that other, that phase of the Soul which knows all the states and
passions: the Soul in this sense is compound, all-inclusive: it
falls under the conditions of the entire living experience: this
compound it is that sins; it is this, and not the other, that pays
penalty.
It is in this sense that we read of the Soul: "We saw it as
those others saw the sea-god Glaukos." "And," reading on, "if we
mean to discern the nature of the Soul we must strip it free of all
that has gathered about it, must see into the philosophy of it,
examine with what Existences it has touch and by kinship to what
Existences it is what it is."
Thus the Life is one thing, the Act is another and the Expiator
yet another. The retreat and sundering, then, must be not from this
body only, but from every alien accruement. Such accruement takes
place at birth; or rather birth is the coming-into-being of that other
[lower] phase of the Soul. For the meaning of birth has been indicated
elsewhere; it is brought about by a descent of the Soul, something
being given off by the Soul other than that actually coming down in
the declension.
Then the Soul has let this image fall? And this declension is it
not certainly sin?
If the declension is no more than the illuminating of an object
beneath, it constitutes no sin: the shadow is to be attributed not
to the luminary but to the object illuminated; if the object were
not there, the light could cause no shadow.
And the Soul is said to go down, to decline, only in that the
object it illuminates lives by its life. And it lets the image fall
only if there be nothing near to take it up; and it lets it fall,
not as a thing cut off, but as a thing that ceases to be: the image
has no further being when the whole Soul is looking toward the
Supreme.
The poet, too, in the story of Hercules, seems to give this
image separate existence; he puts the shade of Hercules in the lower
world and Hercules himself among the gods: treating the hero as
existing in the two realms at once, he gives us a twofold Hercules.
It is not difficult to explain this distinction. Hercules was a
hero of practical virtue. By his noble serviceableness he was worthy
to be a God. On the other hand, his merit was action and not the
Contemplation which would place him unreservedly in the higher
realm. Therefore while he has place above, something of him remains
below.
13. And the principle that reasons out these matters? Is it We
or the Soul?
We, but by the Soul.
But how "by the Soul"? Does this mean that the Soul reasons by
possession [by contact with the matters of enquiry]?
No; by the fact of being Soul. Its Act subsists without
movement; or any movement that can be ascribed to it must be utterly
distinct from all corporal movement and be simply the Soul's own life.
And Intellection in us is twofold: since the Soul is intellective,
and Intellection is the highest phase of life, we have Intellection
both by the characteristic Act of our Soul and by the Act of the
Intellectual-Principle upon us- for this Intellectual-Principle is
part of us no less than the Soul, and towards it we are ever rising.
SECOND TRACTATE.
ON VIRTUE.
1. Since Evil is here, "haunting this world by necessary law," and
it is the Soul's design to escape from Evil, we must escape hence.
But what is this escape?
"In attaining Likeness to God," we read. And this is explained
as "becoming just and holy, living by wisdom," the entire nature
grounded in Virtue.
But does not Likeness by way of Virtue imply Likeness to some
being that has Virtue? To what Divine Being, then, would our
Likeness be? To the Being- must we not think?- in Which, above all,
such excellence seems to inhere, that is to the Soul of the Kosmos and
to the Principle ruling within it, the Principle endowed with a wisdom
most wonderful. What could be more fitting than that we, living in
this world, should become Like to its ruler?
But, at the beginning, we are met by the doubt whether even in
this Divine-Being all the virtues find place- Moral-Balance
[Sophrosyne], for example; or Fortitude where there can be no danger
since nothing is alien; where there can be nothing alluring whose lack
could induce the desire of possession.
If, indeed, that aspiration towards the Intelligible which is in
our nature exists also in this Ruling-Power, then need not look
elsewhere for the source of order and of the virtues in ourselves.
But does this Power possess the Virtues?
We cannot expect to find There what are called the Civic
Virtues, the Prudence which belongs to the reasoning faculty; the
Fortitude which conducts the emotional and passionate nature; the
Sophrosyne which consists in a certain pact, in a concord between
the passionate faculty and the reason; or Rectitude which is the due
application of all the other virtues as each in turn should command or
obey.
Is Likeness, then, attained, perhaps, not by these virtues of
the social order but by those greater qualities known by the same
general name? And if so do the Civic Virtues give us no help at all?
It is against reason, utterly to deny Likeness by these while
admitting it by the greater: tradition at least recognizes certain men
of the civic excellence as divine, and we must believe that these
too had in some sort attained Likeness: on both levels there is virtue
for us, though not the same virtue.
Now, if it be admitted that Likeness is possible, though by a
varying use of different virtues and though the civic virtues do not
suffice, there is no reason why we should not, by virtues peculiar
to our state, attain Likeness to a model in which virtue has no place.
But is that conceivable?
When warmth comes in to make anything warm, must there needs be
something to warm the source of the warmth?
If a fire is to warm something else, must there be a fire to
warm that fire?
Against the first illustration it may be retorted that the
source of the warmth does already contain warmth, not by an infusion
but as an essential phase of its nature, so that, if the analogy is to
hold, the argument would make Virtue something communicated to the
Soul but an essential constituent of the Principle from which the Soul
attaining Likeness absorbs it.
Against the illustration drawn from the fire, it may be urged that
the analogy would make that Principle identical with virtue, whereas
we hold it to be something higher.
The objection would be valid if what the soul takes in were one
and the same with the source, but in fact virtue is one thing, the
source of virtue quite another. The material house is not identical
with the house conceived in the intellect, and yet stands in its
likeness: the material house has distribution and order while the pure
idea is not constituted by any such elements; distribution, order,
symmetry are not parts of an idea.
So with us: it is from the Supreme that we derive order and
distribution and harmony, which are virtues in this sphere: the
Existences There, having no need of harmony, order or distribution,
have nothing to do with virtue; and, none the less, it is by our
possession of virtue that we become like to Them.
Thus much to show that the principle that we attain Likeness by
virtue in no way involves the existence of virtue in the Supreme.
But we have not merely to make a formal demonstration: we must
persuade as well as demonstrate.
2. First, then, let us examine those good qualities by which we
hold Likeness comes, and seek to establish what is this thing which,
as we possess it, in transcription, is virtue but as the Supreme
possesses it, is in the nature of an exemplar or archetype and is
not virtue.
We must first distinguish two modes of Likeness.
There is the likeness demanding an identical nature in the objects
which, further, must draw their likeness from a common principle:
and there is the case in which B resembles A, but A is a Primal, not
concerned about B and not said to resemble B. In this second case,
likeness is understood in a distinct sense: we no longer look for
identity of nature, but, on the contrary, for divergence since the
likeness has come about by the mode of difference.
What, then, precisely is Virtue, collectively and in the
particular? The clearer method will be to begin with the particular,
for so the common element by which all the forms hold the general name
will readily appear.
The Civic Virtues, on which we have touched above, are a principle
or order and beauty in us as long as we remain passing our life
here: they ennoble us by setting bound and measure to our desires
and to our entire sensibility, and dispelling false judgement- and
this by sheer efficacy of the better, by the very setting of the
bounds, by the fact that the measured is lifted outside of the
sphere of the unmeasured and lawless.
And, further, these Civic Virtues- measured and ordered themselves
and acting as a principle of measure to the Soul which is as Matter to
their forming- are like to the measure reigning in the over-world, and
they carry a trace of that Highest Good in the Supreme; for, while
utter measurelessness is brute Matter and wholly outside of
Likeness, any participation in Ideal-Form produces some
corresponding degree of Likeness to the formless Being There. And
participation goes by nearness: the Soul nearer than the body,
therefore closer akin, participates more fully and shows a godlike
presence, almost cheating us into the delusion that in the Soul we see
God entire.
This is the way in which men of the Civic Virtues attain Likeness.
3. We come now to that other mode of Likeness which, we read, is
the fruit of the loftier virtues: discussing this we shall penetrate
more deeply into the essence of the Civic Virtue and be able to define
the nature of the higher kind whose existence we shall establish
beyond doubt.
To Plato, unmistakably, there are two distinct orders of virtue,
and the civic does not suffice for Likeness: "Likeness to God," he
says, "is a flight from this world's ways and things": in dealing with
the qualities of good citizenship he does not use the simple term
Virtue but adds the distinguishing word civic: and elsewhere he
declares all the virtues without exception to be purifications.
But in what sense can we call the virtues purifications, and how
does purification issue in Likeness?
As the Soul is evil by being interfused with the body, and by
coming to share the body's states and to think the body's thoughts, so
it would be good, it would be possessed of virtue, if it threw off the
body's moods and devoted itself to its own Act- the state of
Intellection and Wisdom- never allowed the passions of the body to
affect it- the virtue of Sophrosyne- knew no fear at the parting
from the body- the virtue of Fortitude- and if reason and the
Intellectual-Principle ruled- in which state is Righteousness. Such
a disposition in the Soul, become thus intellective and immune to
passion, it would not be wrong to call Likeness to God; for the
Divine, too, is pure and the Divine-Act is such that Likeness to it is
Wisdom.
But would not this make virtue a state of the Divine also?
No: the Divine has no states; the state is in the Soul. The Act of
Intellection in the Soul is not the same as in the Divine: of things
in the Supreme, Soul grasps some after a mode of its own, some not
at all.
Then yet again, the one word Intellection covers two distinct
Acts?
Rather there is primal Intellection and there is Intellection
deriving from the Primal and of other scope.
As speech is the echo of the thought in the Soul, so thought in
the Soul is an echo from elsewhere: that is to say, as the uttered
thought is an image of the soul-thought, so the soul-thought images
a thought above itself and is the interpreter of the higher sphere.
Virtue, in the same way, is a thing of the Soul: it does not
belong to the Intellectual-Principle or to the Transcendence.
4. We come, so, to the question whether Purification is the
whole of this human quality, virtue, or merely the forerunner upon
which virtue follows? Does virtue imply the achieved state of
purification or does the mere process suffice to it, Virtue being
something of less perfection than the accomplished pureness which is
almost the Term?
To have been purified is to have cleansed away everything alien:
but Goodness is something more.
If before the impurity entered there was Goodness, the Goodness
suffices; but even so, not the act of cleansing but the cleansed thing
that emerges will be The Good. And it remains to establish what this
emergent is.
It can scarcely prove to be The Good: The Absolute Good cannot
be thought to have taken up its abode with Evil. We can think of it
only as something of the nature of good but paying a double allegiance
and unable to rest in the Authentic Good.
The Soul's true Good is in devotion to the Intellectual-Principle,
its kin; evil to the Soul lies in frequenting strangers. There is no
other way for it than to purify itself and so enter into relation with
its own; the new phase begins by a new orientation.
After the Purification, then, there is still this orientation to
be made? No: by the purification the true alignment stands
accomplished.
The Soul's virtue, then, is this alignment? No: it is what the
alignment brings about within.
And this is...?
That it sees; that, like sight affected by the thing seen, the
soul admits the imprint, graven upon it and working within it, of
the vision it has come to.
But was not the Soul possessed of all this always, or had it
forgotten?
What it now sees, it certainly always possessed, but as lying away
in the dark, not as acting within it: to dispel the darkness, and thus
come to knowledge of its inner content, it must thrust towards the
light.
Besides, it possessed not the originals but images, pictures;
and these it must bring into closer accord with the verities they
represent. And, further, if the Intellectual-Principle is said to be a
possession of the Soul, this is only in the sense that It is not alien
and that the link becomes very close when the Soul's sight is turned
towards It: otherwise, ever-present though It be, It remains
foreign, just as our knowledge, if it does not determine action, is
dead to us.
5. So we come to the scope of the purification: that understood,
the nature of Likeness becomes clear. Likeness to what Principle?
Identity with what God?
The question is substantially this: how far does purification
dispel the two orders of passion- anger, desire and the like, with
grief and its kin- and in what degree the disengagement from the
body is possible.
Disengagement means simply that the soul withdraws to its own
place.
It will hold itself above all passions and affections. Necessary
pleasures and all the activity of the senses it will employ only for
medicament and assuagement lest its work be impeded. Pain it may
combat, but, failing the cure, it will bear meekly and ease it by
refusing assent to it. All passionate action it will check: the
suppression will be complete if that be possible, but at worst the
Soul will never itself take fire but will keep the involuntary and
uncontrolled outside its precincts and rare and weak at that. The Soul
has nothing to dread, though no doubt the involuntary has some power
here too: fear therefore must cease, except so far as it is purely
monitory. What desire there may be can never be for the vile; even the
food and drink necessary for restoration will lie outside of the
Soul's attention, and not less the sexual appetite: or if such
desire there must be, it will turn upon the actual needs of the nature
and be entirely under control; or if any uncontrolled motion takes
place, it will reach no further than the imagination, be no more
than a fleeting fancy.
The Soul itself will be inviolately free and will be working to
set the irrational part of the nature above all attack, or if that may
not be, then at least to preserve it from violent assault, so that any
wound it takes may be slight and be healed at once by virtue of the
Soul's presence, just as a man living next door to a Sage would profit
by the neighbourhood, either in becoming wise and good himself or, for
sheer shame, never venturing any act which the nobler mind would
disapprove.
There will be no battling in the Soul: the mere intervention of
Reason is enough: the lower nature will stand in such awe of Reason
that for any slightest movement it has made it will grieve, and
censure its own weakness, in not having kept low and still in the
presence of its lord.
6. In all this there is no sin- there is only matter of
discipline- but our concern is not merely to be sinless but to be God.
As long as there is any such involuntary action, the nature is
twofold, God and Demi-God, or rather God in association with a
nature of a lower power: when all the involuntary is suppressed, there
is God unmingled, a Divine Being of those that follow upon The First.
For, at this height, the man is the very being that came from
the Supreme. The primal excellence restored, the essential man is
There: entering this sphere, he has associated himself with the
reasoning phase of his nature and this he will lead up into likeness
with his highest self, as far as earthly mind is capable, so that if
possible it shall never be inclined to, and at the least never
adopt, any course displeasing to its overlord.
What form, then, does virtue take in one so lofty?
It appears as Wisdom, which consists in the contemplation of all
that exists in the Intellectual-Principle, and as the immediate
presence of the Intellectual-Principle itself.
And each of these has two modes or aspects: there is Wisdom as
it is in the Intellectual-Principle and as in the Soul; and there is
the Intellectual-Principle as it is present to itself and as it is
present to the Soul: this gives what in the Soul is Virtue, in the
Supreme not Virtue.
In the Supreme, then, what is it?
Its proper Act and Its Essence.
That Act and Essence of the Supreme, manifested in a new form,
constitute the virtue of this sphere. For the Supreme is not
self-existent justice, or the Absolute of any defined virtue: it is,
so to speak, an exemplar, the source of what in the soul becomes
virtue: for virtue is dependent, seated in something not itself; the
Supreme is self-standing, independent.
But taking Rectitude to be the due ordering of faculty, does it
not always imply the existence of diverse parts?
No: There is a Rectitude of Diversity appropriate to what has
parts, but there is another, not less Rectitude than the former though
it resides in a Unity. And the authentic Absolute-Rectitude is the Act
of a Unity upon itself, of a Unity in which there is no this and
that and the other.
On this principle, the supreme Rectitude of the Soul is that it
direct its Act towards the Intellectual-Principle: its Restraint
(Sophrosyne) is its inward bending towards the Intellectual-Principle;
its Fortitude is its being impassive in the likeness of That towards
which its gaze is set, Whose nature comports an impassivity which
the Soul acquires by virtue and must acquire if it is not to be at the
mercy of every state arising in its less noble companion.
7. The virtues in the Soul run in a sequence correspondent to that
existing in the over-world, that is among their exemplars in the
Intellectual-Principle.
In the Supreme, Intellection constitutes Knowledge and Wisdom;
self-concentration is Sophrosyne; Its proper Act is Its Dutifulness;
Its Immateriality, by which It remains inviolate within Itself is
the equivalent of Fortitude.
In the Soul, the direction of vision towards the
Intellectual-Principle is Wisdom and Prudence, soul-virtues not
appropriate to the Supreme where Thinker and Thought are identical.
All the other virtues have similar correspondences.
And if the term of purification is the production of a pure being,
then the purification of the Soul must produce all the virtues; if any
are lacking, then not one of them is perfect.
And to possess the greater is potentially to possess the minor,
though the minor need not carry the greater with them.
Thus we have indicated the dominant note in the life of the
Sage; but whether his possession of the minor virtues be actual as
well as potential, whether even the greater are in Act in him or yield
to qualities higher still, must be decided afresh in each several
case.
Take, for example, Contemplative-Wisdom. If other guides of
conduct must be called in to meet a given need, can this virtue hold
its ground even in mere potentiality?
And what happens when the virtues in their very nature differ in
scope and province? Where, for example, Sophrosyne would allow certain
acts or emotions under due restraint and another virtue would cut them
off altogether? And is it not clear that all may have to yield, once
Contemplative-Wisdom comes into action?
The solution is in understanding the virtues and what each has
to give: thus the man will learn to work with this or that as every
several need demands. And as he reaches to loftier principles and
other standards these in turn will define his conduct: for example,
Restraint in its earlier form will no longer satisfy him; he will work
for the final Disengagement; he will live, no longer, the human life
of the good man- such as Civic Virtue commends- but, leaving this
beneath him, will take up instead another life, that of the Gods.
For it is to the Gods, not to the Good, that our Likeness must
look: to model ourselves upon good men is to produce an image of an
image: we have to fix our gaze above the image and attain Likeness
to the Supreme Exemplar.
THIRD TRACTATE.
ON DIALECTIC [THE UPWARD WAY].
1. What art is there, what method, what discipline to bring us
there where we must go?
The Term at which we must arrive we may take as agreed: we have
established elsewhere, by many considerations, that our journey is
to the Good, to the Primal-Principle; and, indeed, the very
reasoning which discovered the Term was itself something like an
initiation.
But what order of beings will attain the Term?
Surely, as we read, those that have already seen all or most
things, those who at their first birth have entered into the life-germ
from which is to spring a metaphysician, a musician or a born lover,
the metaphysician taking to the path by instinct, the musician and the
nature peculiarly susceptible to love needing outside guidance.
But how lies the course? Is it alike for all, or is there a
distinct method for each class of temperament?
For all there are two stages of the path, as they are making
upwards or have already gained the upper sphere.
The first degree is the conversion from the lower life; the
second- held by those that have already made their way to the sphere
of the Intelligibles, have set as it were a footprint there but must
still advance within the realm- lasts until they reach the extreme
hold of the place, the Term attained when the topmost peak of the
Intellectual realm is won.
But this highest degree must bide its time: let us first try to
speak of the initial process of conversion.
We must begin by distinguishing the three types. Let us take the
musician first and indicate his temperamental equipment for the task.
The musician we may think of as being exceedingly quick to beauty,
drawn in a very rapture to it: somewhat slow to stir of his own
impulse, he answers at once to the outer stimulus: as the timid are
sensitive to noise so he to tones and the beauty they convey; all that
offends against unison or harmony in melodies and rhythms repels
him; he longs for measure and shapely pattern.
This natural tendency must be made the starting-point to such a
man; he must be drawn by the tone, rhythm and design in things of
sense: he must learn to distinguish the material forms from the
Authentic-Existent which is the source of all these correspondences
and of the entire reasoned scheme in the work of art: he must be led
to the Beauty that manifests itself through these forms; he must be
shown that what ravished him was no other than the Harmony of the
Intellectual world and the Beauty in that sphere, not some one shape
of beauty but the All-Beauty, the Absolute Beauty; and the truths of
philosophy must be implanted in him to lead him to faith in that
which, unknowing it, he possesses within himself. What these truths
are we will show later.
2. The born lover, to whose degree the musician also may attain-
and then either come to a stand or pass beyond- has a certain memory
of beauty but, severed from it now, he no longer comprehends it:
spellbound by visible loveliness he clings amazed about that. His
lesson must be to fall down no longer in bewildered delight before
some, one embodied form; he must be led, under a system of mental
discipline, to beauty everywhere and made to discern the One Principle
underlying all, a Principle apart from the material forms, springing
from another source, and elsewhere more truly present. The beauty, for
example, in a noble course of life and in an admirably organized
social system may be pointed out to him- a first training this in
the loveliness of the immaterial- he must learn to recognise the
beauty in the arts, sciences, virtues; then these severed and
particular forms must be brought under the one principle by the
explanation of their origin. From the virtues he is to be led to the
Intellectual-Principle, to the Authentic-Existent; thence onward, he
treads the upward way.
3. The metaphysician, equipped by that very character, winged
already and not like those others, in need of disengagement,
stirring of himself towards the supernal but doubting of the way,
needs only a guide. He must be shown, then, and instructed, a
willing wayfarer by his very temperament, all but self-directed.
Mathematics, which as a student by nature he will take very
easily, will be prescribed to train him to abstract thought and to
faith in the unembodied; a moral being by native disposition, he
must be led to make his virtue perfect; after the Mathematics he
must be put through a course in Dialectic and made an adept in the
science.
4. But this science, this Dialectic essential to all the three
classes alike, what, in sum, is it?
It is the Method, or Discipline, that brings with it the power
of pronouncing with final truth upon the nature and relation of
things- what each is, how it differs from others, what common
quality all have, to what Kind each belongs and in what rank each
stands in its Kind and whether its Being is Real-Being, and how many
Beings there are, and how many non-Beings to be distinguished from
Beings.
Dialectic treats also of the Good and the not-Good, and of the
particulars that fall under each, and of what is the Eternal and
what the not Eternal- and of these, it must be understood, not by
seeming-knowledge ["sense-knowledge"] but with authentic science.
All this accomplished, it gives up its touring of the realm of
sense and settles down in the Intellectual Kosmos and there plies
its own peculiar Act: it has abandoned all the realm of deceit and
falsity, and pastures the Soul in the "Meadows of Truth": it employs
the Platonic division to the discernment of the Ideal-Forms, of the
Authentic-Existence and of the First-Kinds [or Categories of Being]:
it establishes, in the light of Intellection, the unity there is in
all that issues from these Firsts, until it has traversed the entire
Intellectual Realm: then, resolving the unity into the particulars
once more, it returns to the point from which it starts.
Now rests: instructed and satisfied as to the Being in that
sphere, it is no longer busy about many things: it has arrived at
Unity and it contemplates: it leaves to another science all that
coil of premisses and conclusions called the art of reasoning, much as
it leaves the art of writing: some of the matter of logic, no doubt,
it considers necessary- to clear the ground- but it makes itself the
judge, here as in everything else; where it sees use, it uses;
anything it finds superfluous, it leaves to whatever department of
learning or practice may turn that matter to account.
5. But whence does this science derive its own initial laws?
The Intellectual-Principle furnishes standards, the most certain
for any soul that is able to apply them. What else is necessary,
Dialectic puts together for itself, combining and dividing, until it
has reached perfect Intellection. "For," we read, "it is the purest
[perfection] of Intellection and Contemplative-Wisdom." And, being the
noblest method and science that exists it must needs deal with
Authentic-Existence, The Highest there is: as Contemplative-Wisdom [or
true-knowing] it deals with Being, as Intellection with what
transcends Being.
What, then, is Philosophy?
Philosophy is the supremely precious.
Is Dialectic, then, the same as Philosophy?
It is the precious part of Philosophy. We must not think of it
as the mere tool of the metaphysician: Dialectic does not consist of
bare theories and rules: it deals with verities; Existences are, as it
were, Matter to it, or at least it proceeds methodically towards
Existences, and possesses itself, at the one step, of the notions
and of the realities.
Untruth and sophism it knows, not directly, not of its own nature,
but merely as something produced outside itself, something which it
recognises to be foreign to the verities laid up in itself; in the
falsity presented to it, it perceives a clash with its own canon of
truth. Dialectic, that is to say, has no knowledge of propositions-
collections of words- but it knows the truth, and, in that
knowledge, knows what the schools call their propositions: it knows
above all, the operation of the soul, and, by virtue of this
knowing, it knows, too, what is affirmed and what is denied, whether
the denial is of what was asserted or of something else, and whether
propositions agree or differ; all that is submitted to it, it
attacks with the directness of sense-perception and it leaves petty
precisions of process to what other science may care for such
exercises.
6. Philosophy has other provinces, but Dialectic is its precious
part: in its study of the laws of the universe, Philosophy draws on
Dialectic much as other studies and crafts use Arithmetic, though,
of course, the alliance between Philosophy and Dialectic is closer.
And in Morals, too, Philosophy uses Dialectic: by Dialectic it
comes to contemplation, though it originates of itself the moral state
or rather the discipline from which the moral state develops.
Our reasoning faculties employ the data of Dialectic almost as
their proper possession for they are mainly concerned about Matter
[whose place and worth Dialectic establishes].
And while the other virtues bring the reason to bear upon
particular experiences and acts, the virtue of Wisdom [i.e., the
virtue peculiarly induced by Dialectic] is a certain super-reasoning
much closer to the Universal; for it deals with correspondence and
sequence, the choice of time for action and inaction, the adoption
of this course, the rejection of that other: Wisdom and Dialectic have
the task of presenting all things as Universals and stripped of matter
for treatment by the Understanding.
But can these inferior kinds of virtue exist without Dialectic and
philosophy?
Yes- but imperfectly, inadequately.
And is it possible to be a Sage, Master in Dialectic, without
these lower virtues?
It would not happen: the lower will spring either before or
together with the higher. And it is likely that everyone normally
possesses the natural virtues from which, when Wisdom steps in, the
perfected virtue develops. After the natural virtues, then, Wisdom
and, so the perfecting of the moral nature. Once the natural virtues
exist, both orders, the natural and the higher, ripen side by side
to their final excellence: or as the one advances it carries forward
the other towards perfection.
But, ever, the natural virtue is imperfect in vision and in
strength- and to both orders of virtue the essential matter is from
what principles we derive them.
FOURTH TRACTATE.
ON TRUE HAPPINESS.
1. Are we to make True Happiness one and the same thing with
Welfare or Prosperity and therefore within the reach of the other
living beings as well as ourselves?
There is certainly no reason to deny well-being to any of them
as long as their lot allows them to flourish unhindered after their
kind.
Whether we make Welfare consist in pleasant conditions of life, or
in the accomplishment of some appropriate task, by either account it
may fall to them as to us. For certainly they may at once be
pleasantly placed and engaged about some function that lies in their
nature: take for an instance such living beings as have the gift of
music; finding themselves well-off in other ways, they sing, too, as
their nature is, and so their day is pleasant to them.
And if, even, we set Happiness in some ultimate Term pursued by
inborn tendency, then on this head, too, we must allow it to animals
from the moment of their attaining this Ultimate: the nature in them
comes to a halt, having fulfilled its vital course from a beginning to
an end.
It may be a distasteful notion, this bringing-down of happiness so
low as to the animal world- making it over, as then we must, even to
the vilest of them and not withholding it even from the plants, living
they too and having a life unfolding to a Term.
But, to begin with, it is surely unsound to deny that good of life
to animals only because they do not appear to man to be of great
account. And as for plants, we need not necessarily allow to them what
we accord to the other forms of life, since they have no feeling. It
is true people might be found to declare prosperity possible to the
very plants: they have life, and life may bring good or evil; the
plants may thrive or wither, bear or be barren.
No: if Pleasure be the Term, if here be the good of life, it is
impossible to deny the good of life to any order of living things;
if the Term be inner-peace, equally impossible; impossible, too, if
the good of life be to live in accordance with the purpose of nature.
2. Those that deny the happy life to the plants on the ground that
they lack sensation are really denying it to all living things.
By sensation can be meant only perception of state, and the
state of well-being must be Good in itself quite apart from the
perception: to be a part of the natural plan is good whether knowingly
or without knowledge: there is good in the appropriate state even
though there be no recognition of its fitness or desirable quality-
for it must be in itself desirable.
This Good exists, then; is present: that in which it is present
has well-being without more ado: what need then to ask for sensation
into the bargain?
Perhaps, however, the theory is that the good of any state
consists not in the condition itself but in the knowledge and
perception of it.
But at this rate the Good is nothing but the mere sensation, the
bare activity of the sentient life. And so it will be possessed by all
that feel, no matter what. Perhaps it will be said that two
constituents are needed to make up the Good, that there must be both
feeling and a given state felt: but how can it be maintained that
the bringing together of two neutrals can produce the Good?
They will explain, possibly, that the state must be a state of
Good and that such a condition constitutes well-being on the
discernment of that present good; but then they invite the question
whether the well-being comes by discerning the presence of the Good
that is there, or whether there must further be the double recognition
that the state is agreeable and that the agreeable state constitutes
the Good.
If well-being demands this recognition, it depends no longer
upon sensation but upon another, a higher faculty; and well-being is
vested not in a faculty receptive of pleasure but in one competent
to discern that pleasure is the Good.
Then the cause of the well-being is no longer pleasure but the
faculty competent to pronounce as to pleasure's value. Now a judging
entity is nobler than one that merely accepts a state: it is a
principle of Reason or of Intellection: pleasure is a state: the
reasonless can never be closer to the Good than reason is. How can
reason abdicate and declare nearer to good than itself something lying
in a contrary order?
No: those denying the good of life to the vegetable world, and
those that make it consist in some precise quality of sensation, are
in reality seeking a loftier well-being than they are aware of, and
setting their highest in a more luminous phase of life.
Perhaps, then, those are in the right who found happiness not on
the bare living or even on sensitive life but on the life of Reason?
But they must tell us it should be thus restricted and why
precisely they make Reason an essential to the happiness in a living
being:
"When you insist on Reason, is it because Reason is resourceful,
swift to discern and compass the primal needs of nature; or would
you demand it, even though it were powerless in that domain?"
If you call it in as a provider, then the reasonless, equally with
the reasoning, may possess happiness after their kind, as long as,
without any thought of theirs, nature supplies their wants: Reason
becomes a servant; there is no longer any worth in it for itself and
no worth in that consummation of reason which, we hold, is virtue.
If you say that reason is to be cherished for its own sake and not
as supplying these human needs, you must tell us what other services
it renders, what is its proper nature and what makes it the perfect
thing it is.
For, on this admission, its perfection cannot reside in any such
planning and providing: its perfection will be something quite
different, something of quite another class: Reason cannot be itself
one of those first needs of nature; it cannot even be a cause of those
first needs of nature or at all belong to that order: it must be
nobler than any and all of such things: otherwise it is not easy to
see how we can be asked to rate it so highly.
Until these people light upon some nobler principle than any at
which they still halt, they must be left where they are and where they
choose to be, never understanding what the Good of Life is to those
that can make it theirs, never knowing to what kind of beings it is
accessible.
What then is happiness? Let us try basing it upon Life.
3. Now if we draw no distinction as to kinds of life, everything
that lives will be capable of happiness, and those will be effectively
happy who possess that one common gift of which every living thing
is by nature receptive. We could not deny it to the irrational
whilst allowing it to the rational. If happiness were inherent in
the bare being-alive, the common ground in which the cause of
happiness could always take root would be simply life.
Those, then, that set happiness not in the mere living but in
the reasoning life seem to overlook the fact that they are not
really making it depend upon life at all: they admit that this
reasoning faculty, round which they centre happiness, is a property
[not the subject of a property]: the subject, to them, must be the
Reasoning-Life since it is in this double term that they find the
basis of the happiness: so that they are making it consist not in life
but in a particular kind of life- not, of course, a species formally
opposite but, in terminology, standing as an "earlier" to a "later" in
the one Kind.
Now in common use this word "Life" embraces many forms which shade
down from primal to secondary and so on, all massed under the common
term- life of plant and life of animal- each phase brighter or
dimmer than its next: and so it evidently must be with the
Good-of-Life. And if thing is ever the image of thing, so every Good
must always be the image of a higher Good.
If mere Being is insufficient, if happiness demands fulness of
life, and exists, therefore, where nothing is lacking of all that
belongs to the idea of life, then happiness can exist only in a
being that lives fully.
And such a one will possess not merely the good, but the Supreme
Good if, that is to say, in the realm of existents the Supreme Good
can be no other than the authentically living, no other than Life in
its greatest plenitude, life in which the good is present as something
essential not as something brought from without, a life needing no
foreign substance called in from a foreign realm, to establish it in
good.
For what could be added to the fullest life to make it the best
life? If anyone should answer, "The nature of Good" [The Good, as a
Divine Hypostasis], the reply would certainly be near our thought, but
we are not seeking the Cause but the main constituent.
It has been said more than once that the perfect life and the true
life, the essential life, is in the Intellectual Nature beyond this
sphere, and that all other forms of life are incomplete, are
phantoms of life, imperfect, not pure, not more truly life than they
are its contrary: here let it be said succinctly that since all living
things proceed from the one principle but possess life in different
degrees, this principle must be the first life and the most complete.
4. If, then, the perfect life is within human reach, the man
attaining it attains happiness: if not, happiness must be made over to
the gods, for the perfect life is for them alone.
But since we hold that happiness is for human beings too, we
must consider what this perfect life is. The matter may be stated
thus:
It has been shown elsewhere that man, when he commands not
merely the life of sensation but also Reason and Authentic
Intellection, has realised the perfect life.
But are we to picture this kind of life as something foreign
imported into his nature?
No: there exists no single human being that does not either
potentially or effectively possess this thing which we hold to
constitute happiness.
But are we to think of man as including this form of life, the
perfect, after the manner of a partial constituent of his entire
nature?
We say, rather, that while in some men it is present as a mere
portion of their total being- in those, namely, that have it
potentially- there is, too, the man, already in possession of true
felicity, who is this perfection realized, who has passed over into
actual identification with it. All else is now mere clothing about the
man, not to be called part of him since it lies about him unsought,
not his because not appropriated to himself by any act of the will.
To the man in this state, what is the Good?
He himself by what he has and is.
And the author and principle of what he is and holds is the
Supreme, which within Itself is the Good but manifests Itself within
the human being after this other mode.
The sign that this state has been achieved is that the man seeks
nothing else.
What indeed could he be seeking? Certainly none of the less worthy
things; and the Best he carries always within him.
He that has such a life as this has all he needs in life.
Once the man is a Sage, the means of happiness, the way to good,
are within, for nothing is good that lies outside him. Anything he
desires further than this he seeks as a necessity, and not for himself
but for a subordinate, for the body bound to him, to which since it
has life he must minister the needs of life, not needs, however, to
the true man of this degree. He knows himself to stand above all
such things, and what he gives to the lower he so gives as to leave
his true life undiminished.
Adverse fortune does not shake his felicity: the life so founded
is stable ever. Suppose death strikes at his household or at his
friends; he knows what death is, as the victims, if they are among the
wise, know too. And if death taking from him his familiars and
intimates does bring grief, it is not to him, not to the true man, but
to that in him which stands apart from the Supreme, to that lower
man in whose distress he takes no part.
5. But what of sorrows, illnesses and all else that inhibit the
native activity?
What of the suspension of consciousness which drugs or disease may
bring about? Could either welfare or happiness be present under such
conditions? And this is to say nothing of misery and disgrace, which
will certainly be urged against us, with undoubtedly also those
never-failing "Miseries of Priam."
"The Sage," we shall be told, "may bear such afflictions and
even take them lightly but they could never be his choice, and the
happy life must be one that would be chosen. The Sage, that is, cannot
be thought of as simply a sage soul, no count being taken of the
bodily-principle in the total of the being: he will, no doubt, take
all bravely... until the body's appeals come up before him, and
longings and loathings penetrate through the body to the inner man.
And since pleasure must be counted in towards the happy life, how
can one that, thus, knows the misery of ill-fortune or pain be
happy, however sage he be? Such a state, of bliss self-contained, is
for the Gods; men, because of the less noble part subjoined in them,
must needs seek happiness throughout all their being and not merely in
some one part; if the one constituent be troubled, the other,
answering to its associate's distress, must perforce suffer
hindrance in its own activity. There is nothing but to cut away the
body or the body's sensitive life and so secure that self-contained
unity essential to happiness."
6. Now if happiness did indeed require freedom from pain,
sickness, misfortune, disaster, it would be utterly denied to anyone
confronted by such trials: but if it lies in the fruition of the
Authentic Good, why turn away from this Term and look to means,
imagining that to be happy a man must need a variety of things none of
which enter into happiness? If, in fact, felicity were made up by
heaping together all that is at once desirable and necessary we must
bid for these also. But if the Term must be one and not many; if in
other words our quest is of a Term and not of Terms; that only can
be elected which is ultimate and noblest, that which calls to the
tenderest longings of the soul.
The quest and will of the Soul are not pointed directly towards
freedom from this sphere: the reason which disciplines away our
concern about this life has no fundamental quarrel with things of this
order; it merely resents their interference; sometimes, even, it
must seek them; essentially all the aspiration is not so much away
from evil as towards the Soul's own highest and noblest: this
attained, all is won and there is rest- and this is the veritably
willed state of life.
There can be no such thing as "willing" the acquirement of
necessaries, if Will is to be taken in its strict sense, and not
misapplied to the mere recognition of need.
It is certain that we shrink from the unpleasant, and such
shrinking is assuredly not what we should have willed; to have no
occasion for any such shrinking would be much nearer to our taste; but
the things we seek tell the story as soon as they are ours. For
instance, health and freedom from pain; which of these has any great
charm? As long as we possess them, we set no store upon them.
Anything which, present, has no charm and adds nothing to
happiness, which when lacking is desired because of the presence of an
annoying opposite, may reasonably be called a necessity but not a
Good.
Such things can never make part of our final object: our Term must
be such that though these pleasanter conditions be absent and their
contraries present, it shall remain, still, intact.
7. Then why are these conditions sought and their contraries
repelled by the man established in happiness?
Here is our answer:
These more pleasant conditions cannot, it is true, add any
particle towards the Sage's felicity: but they do serve towards the
integrity of his being, while the presence of the contraries tends
against his Being or complicates the Term: it is not that the Sage can
be so easily deprived of the Term achieved but simply that he that
holds the highest good desires to have that alone, not something
else at the same time, something which, though it cannot banish the
Good by its incoming, does yet take place by its side.
In any case if the man that has attained felicity meets some
turn of fortune that he would not have chosen, there is not the
slightest lessening of his happiness for that. If there were, his
felicity would be veering or falling from day to day; the death of a
child would bring him down, or the loss of some trivial possession.
No: a thousand mischances and disappointments may befall him and leave
him still in the tranquil possession of the Term.
But, they cry, great disasters, not the petty daily chances!
What human thing, then, is great, so as not to be despised by
one who has mounted above all we know here, and is bound now no longer
to anything below?
If the Sage thinks all fortunate events, however momentous, to
be no great matter- kingdom and the rule over cities and peoples,
colonisations and the founding of states, even though all be his own
handiwork- how can he take any great account of the vacillations of
power or the ruin of his fatherland? Certainly if he thought any
such event a great disaster, or any disaster at all, he must be of a
very strange way of thinking. One that sets great store by wood and
stones, or... Zeus... by mortality among mortals cannot yet be the
Sage, whose estimate of death, we hold, must be that it is better than
life in the body.
But suppose that he himself is offered a victim in sacrifice?
Can he think it an evil to die beside the altars?
But if he go unburied?
Wheresoever it lie, under earth or over earth, his body will
always rot.
But if he has been hidden away, not with costly ceremony but in an
unnamed grave, not counted worthy of a towering monument?
The littleness of it!
But if he falls into his enemies' hands, into prison?
There is always the way towards escape, if none towards
well-being.
But if his nearest be taken from him, his sons and daughters
dragged away to captivity?
What then, we ask, if he had died without witnessing the wrong?
Could he have quitted the world in the calm conviction that nothing of
all this could happen? He must be very shallow. Can he fail to see
that it is possible for such calamities to overtake his household, and
does he cease to be a happy man for the knowledge of what may occur?
In the knowledge of the possibility he may be at ease; so, too, when
the evil has come about.
He would reflect that the nature of this All is such as brings
these things to pass and man must bow the head.
Besides in many cases captivity will certainly prove an advantage;
and those that suffer have their freedom in their hands: if they stay,
either there is reason in their staying, and then they have no real
grievance, or they stay against reason, when they should not, and then
they have themselves to blame. Clearly the absurdities of his
neighbours, however near, cannot plunge the Sage into evil: his
state cannot hang upon the fortunes good or bad of any other men.
8. As for violent personal sufferings, he will carry them off as
well as he can; if they overpass his endurance they will carry him
off.
And so in all his pain he asks no pity: there is always the
radiance in the inner soul of the man, untroubled like the light in
a lantern when fierce gusts beat about it in a wild turmoil of wind
and tempest.
But what if he be put beyond himself? What if pain grow so intense
and so torture him that the agony all but kills? Well, when he is
put to torture he will plan what is to be done: he retains his freedom
of action.
Besides we must remember that the Sage sees things very
differently from the average man; neither ordinary experiences nor
pains and sorrows, whether touching himself or others, pierce to the
inner hold. To allow them any such passage would be a weakness in
our soul.
And it is a sign of weakness, too, if we should think it gain
not to hear of miseries, gain to die before they come: this is not
concern for others' welfare but for our own peace of mind. Here we see
our imperfection: we must not indulge it, we must put it from us and
cease to tremble over what perhaps may be.
Anyone that says that it is in human nature to grieve over
misfortune to our household must learn that this is not so with all,
and that, precisely, it is virtue's use to raise the general level
of nature towards the better and finer, above the mass of men. And the
finer is to set at nought what terrifies the common mind.
We cannot be indolent: this is an arena for the powerful combatant
holding his ground against the blows of fortune, and knowing that,
sore though they be to some natures, they are little to his, nothing
dreadful, nursery terrors.
So, the Sage would have desired misfortune?
It is precisely to meet the undesired when it appears that he
has the virtue which gives him, to confront it, his passionless and
unshakeable soul.
9. But when he is out of himself, reason quenched by sickness or
by magic arts?
If it be allowed that in this state, resting as it were in a
slumber, he remains a Sage, why should he not equally remain happy? No
one rules him out of felicity in the hours of sleep; no one counts
up that time and so denies that he has been happy all his life.
If they say that, failing consciousness, he is no longer the Sage,
then they are no longer reasoning about the Sage: but we do suppose
a Sage, and are enquiring whether, as long as he is the Sage, he is in
the state of felicity.
"Well, a Sage let him remain," they say, "still, having no
sensation and not expressing his virtue in act, how can he be happy?"
But a man unconscious of his health may be, none the less,
healthy: a man may not be aware of his personal attraction, but he
remains handsome none the less: if he has no sense of his wisdom,
shall he be any the less wise?
It may perhaps be urged that sensation and consciousness are
essential to wisdom and that happiness is only wisdom brought to act.
Now, this argument might have weight if prudence, wisdom, were
something fetched in from outside: but this is not so: wisdom is, in
its essential nature, an Authentic-Existence, or rather is The
Authentic-Existent- and this Existent does not perish in one asleep
or, to take the particular case presented to us, in the man out of his
mind: the Act of this Existent is continuous within him; and is a
sleepless activity: the Sage, therefore, even unconscious, is still
the Sage in Act.
This activity is screened not from the man entire but merely
from one part of him: we have here a parallel to what happens in the
activity of the physical or vegetative life in us which is not made
known by the sensitive faculty to the rest of the man: if our physical
life really constituted the "We," its Act would be our Act: but, in
the fact, this physical life is not the "We"; the "We" is the activity
of the Intellectual-Principle so that when the Intellective is in
Act we are in Act.
10. Perhaps the reason this continuous activity remains
unperceived is that it has no touch whatever with things of sense.
No doubt action upon material things, or action dictated by them, must
proceed through the sensitive faculty which exists for that use: but
why should there not be an immediate activity of the
Intellectual-Principle and of the soul that attends it, the soul
that antedates sensation or any perception? For, if Intellection and
Authentic-Existence are identical, this "Earlier-than-perception" must
be a thing having Act.
Let us explain the conditions under which we become conscious of
this Intellective-Act.
When the Intellect is in upward orientation that [lower part of
it] which contains [or, corresponds to] the life of the Soul, is, so
to speak, flung down again and becomes like the reflection resting
on the smooth and shining surface of a mirror; in this illustration,
when the mirror is in place the image appears but, though the mirror
be absent or out of gear, all that would have acted and produced an
image still exists; so in the case of the Soul; when there is peace in
that within us which is capable of reflecting the images of the
Rational and Intellectual-Principles these images appear. Then, side
by side with the primal knowledge of the activity of the Rational
and the Intellectual-Principles, we have also as it were a
sense-perception of their operation.
When, on the contrary, the mirror within is shattered through some
disturbance of the harmony of the body, Reason and the
Intellectual-Principle act unpictured: Intellection is unattended by
imagination.
In sum we may safely gather that while the Intellective-Act may be
attended by the Imaging Principle, it is not to be confounded with it.
And even in our conscious life we can point to many noble
activities, of mind and of hand alike, which at the time in no way
compel our consciousness. A reader will often be quite unconscious
when he is most intent: in a feat of courage there can be no sense
either of the brave action or of the fact that all that is done
conforms to the rules of courage. And so in cases beyond number.
So that it would even seem that consciousness tends to blunt the
activities upon which it is exercised, and that in the degree in which
these pass unobserved they are purer and have more effect, more
vitality, and that, consequently, the Sage arrived at this state has
the truer fulness of life, life not spilled out in sensation but
gathered closely within itself.
11. We shall perhaps be told that in such a state the man is no
longer alive: we answer that these people show themselves equally
unable to understand his inner life and his happiness.
If this does not satisfy them, we must ask them to keep in mind
a living Sage and, under these terms, to enquire whether the man is in
happiness: they must not whittle away his life and then ask whether he
has the happy life; they must not take away man and then look for
the happiness of a man: once they allow that the Sage lives within,
they must not seek him among the outer activities, still less look
to the outer world for the object of his desires. To consider the
outer world to be a field to his desire, to fancy the Sage desiring
any good external, would be to deny Substantial-Existence to
happiness; for the Sage would like to see all men prosperous and no
evil befalling anyone; but though it prove otherwise, he is still
content.
If it be admitted that such a desire would be against reason,
since evil cannot cease to be, there is no escape from agreeing with
us that the Sage's will is set always and only inward.
12. The pleasure demanded for the life cannot be in the enjoyments
of the licentious or in any gratifications of the body- there is no
place for these, and they stifle happiness- nor in any violent
emotions- what could so move the Sage?- it can be only such pleasure
as there must be where Good is, pleasure that does not rise from
movement and is not a thing of process, for all that is good is
immediately present to the Sage and the Sage is present to himself:
his pleasure, his contentment, stands, immovable.
Thus he is ever cheerful, the order of his life ever untroubled:
his state is fixedly happy and nothing whatever of all that is known
as evil can set it awry- given only that he is and remains a Sage.
If anyone seeks for some other kind of pleasure in the life of the
Sage, it is not the life of the Sage he is looking for.
13. The characteristic activities are not hindered by outer events
but merely adapt themselves, remaining always fine, and perhaps all
the finer for dealing with the actual. When he has to handle
particular cases and things, he may not be able to put his vision into
act without searching and thinking, but the one greatest principle
is ever present to him, like a part of his being- most of all present,
should he be even a victim in the much-talked-of Bull of Phalaris.
No doubt, despite all that has been said, it is idle to pretend that
this is an agreeable lodging; but what cries in the Bull is the
thing that feels the torture; in the Sage there is something else as
well, The Self-Gathered which, as long as it holds itself by main
force within itself, can never be robbed of the vision of the
All-Good.
14. For man, and especially the Sage, is not the Couplement of
soul and body: the proof is that man can be disengaged from the body
and disdain its nominal goods.
It would be absurd to think that happiness begins and ends with
the living-body: happiness is the possession of the good of life: it
is centred therefore in Soul, is an Act of the Soul- and not of all
the Soul at that: for it certainly is not characteristic of the
vegetative soul, the soul of growth; that would at once connect it
with the body.
A powerful frame, a healthy constitution, even a happy balance
of temperament, these surely do not make felicity; in the excess of
these advantages there is, even, the danger that the man be crushed
down and forced more and more within their power. There must be a sort
of counter-pressure in the other direction, towards the noblest: the
body must be lessened, reduced, that the veritable man may show forth,
the man behind the appearances.
Let the earth-bound man be handsome and powerful and rich, and
so apt to this world that he may rule the entire human race: still
there can be no envying him, the fool of such lures. Perhaps such
splendours could not, from the beginning even, have gathered to the
Sage; but if it should happen so, he of his own action will lower
his state, if he has any care for his true life; the tyranny of the
body he will work down or wear away by inattention to its claims;
the rulership he will lay aside. While he will safeguard his bodily
health, he will not wish to be wholly untried in sickness, still
less never to feel pain: if such troubles should not come to him of
themselves, he will wish to know them, during youth at least: in old
age, it is true, he will desire neither pains nor pleasures to
hamper him; he will desire nothing of this world, pleasant or painful;
his one desire will be to know nothing of the body. If he should
meet with pain he will pit against it the powers he holds to meet
it; but pleasure and health and ease of life will not mean any
increase of happiness to him nor will their contraries destroy or
lessen it.
When in the one subject, a positive can add nothing, how can the
negative take away?
15. But suppose two wise men, one of them possessing all that is
supposed to be naturally welcome, while the other meets only with
the very reverse: do we assert that they have an equal happiness?
We do, if they are equally wise.
What though the one be favoured in body and in all else that
does not help towards wisdom, still less towards virtue, towards the
vision of the noblest, towards being the highest, what does all that
amount to? The man commanding all such practical advantages cannot
flatter himself that he is more truly happy than the man without them:
the utmost profusion of such boons would not help even to make a
flute-player.
We discuss the happy man after our own feebleness; we count
alarming and grave what his felicity takes lightly: he would be
neither wise nor in the state of happiness if he had not quitted all
trifling with such things and become as it were another being,
having confidence in his own nature, faith that evil can never touch
him. In such a spirit he can be fearless through and through; where
there is dread, there is not perfect virtue; the man is some sort of a
half-thing.
As for any involuntary fear rising in him and taking the judgement
by surprise, while his thoughts perhaps are elsewhere, the Sage will
attack it and drive it out; he will, so to speak, calm the refractory
child within him, whether by reason or by menace, but without passion,
as an infant might feel itself rebuked by a glance of severity.
This does not make the Sage unfriendly or harsh: it is to
himself and in his own great concern that he is the Sage: giving
freely to his intimates of all he has to give, he will be the best
of friends by his very union with the Intellectual-Principle.
16. Those that refuse to place the Sage aloft in the
Intellectual Realm but drag him down to the accidental, dreading
accident for him, have substituted for the Sage we have in mind
another person altogether; they offer us a tolerable sort of man and
they assign to him a life of mingled good and ill, a case, after
all, not easy to conceive. But admitting the possibility of such a
mixed state, it could not be deserved to be called a life of
happiness; it misses the Great, both in the dignity of Wisdom and in
the integrity of Good. The life of true happiness is not a thing of
mixture. And Plato rightly taught that he who is to be wise and to
possess happiness draws his good from the Supreme, fixing his gaze
on That, becoming like to That, living by That.
He can care for no other Term than That: all else he will attend
to only as he might change his residence, not in expectation of any
increase to his settled felicity, but simply in a reasonable attention
to the differing conditions surrounding him as he lives here or there.
He will give to the body all that he sees to be useful and
possible, but he himself remains a member of another order, not
prevented from abandoning the body, necessarily leaving it at nature's
hour, he himself always the master to decide in its regard.
Thus some part of his life considers exclusively the Soul's
satisfaction; the rest is not immediately for the Term's sake and
not for his own sake, but for the thing bound up with him, the thing
which he tends and bears with as the musician cares for his lyre, as
long as it can serve him: when the lyre fails him, he will change
it, or will give up lyre and lyring, as having another craft now,
one that needs no lyre, and then he will let it rest unregarded at his
side while he sings on without an instrument. But it was not idly that
the instrument was given him in the beginning: he has found it
useful until now, many a time.
FIFTH TRACTATE.
HAPPINESS AND EXTENSION OF TIME.
1. Is it possible to think that Happiness increases with Time,
Happiness which is always taken as a present thing?
The memory of former felicity may surely be ruled out of count,
for Happiness is not a thing of words, but a definite condition
which must be actually present like the very fact and act of life.
2. It may be objected that our will towards living and towards
expressive activity is constant, and that each attainment of such
expression is an increase in Happiness.
But in the first place, by this reckoning every to-morrow's
well-being will be greater than to-day's, every later instalment
successively larger that an earlier; at once time supplants moral
excellence as the measure of felicity.
Then again the Gods to-day must be happier than of old: and
their bliss, too, is not perfect, will never be perfect. Further, when
the will attains what it was seeking, it attains something present:
the quest is always for something to be actually present until a
standing felicity is definitely achieved. The will to life which is
will to Existence aims at something present, since Existence must be a
stably present thing. Even when the act of the will is directed
towards the future, and the furthest future, its object is an actually
present having and being: there is no concern about what is passed
or to come: the future state a man seeks is to be a now to him; he
does not care about the forever: he asks that an actual present be
actually present.
3. Yes, but if the well-being has lasted a long time, if that
present spectacle has been a longer time before the eyes?
If in the greater length of time the man has seen more deeply,
time has certainly done something for him, but if all the process
has brought him no further vision, then one glance would give all he
has had.
4. Still the one life has known pleasure longer than the other?
But pleasure cannot be fairly reckoned in with Happiness- unless
indeed by pleasure is meant the unhindered Act [of the true man], in
which case this pleasure is simply our "Happiness." And even pleasure,
though it exist continuously, has never anything but the present;
its past is over and done with.
5. We are asked to believe, then, it will be objected, that if one
man has been happy from first to last, another only at the last, and a
third, beginning with happiness, has lost it, their shares are equal?
This is straying from the question: we were comparing the happy
among themselves: now we are asked to compare the not-happy at the
time when they are out of happiness with those in actual possession of
happiness. If these last are better off, they are so as men in
possession of happiness against men without it and their advantage
is always by something in the present.
6. Well, but take the unhappy man: must not increase of time bring
an increase of his unhappiness? Do not all troubles- long-lasting
pains, sorrows, and everything of that type- yield a greater sum of
misery in the longer time? And if thus in misery the evil is augmented
by time why should not time equally augment happiness when all is
well?
In the matter of sorrows and pains there is, no doubt, ground
for saying that time brings increase: for example, in a lingering
malady the evil hardens into a state, and as time goes on the body
is brought lower and lower. But if the constitution did not
deteriorate, if the mischief grew no worse, then, here too, there
would be no trouble but that of the present moment: we cannot tell the
past into the tale of unhappiness except in the sense that it has gone
to make up an actually existing state- in the sense that, the evil
in the sufferer's condition having been extended over a longer time,
the mischief has gained ground. The increase of ill-being then is
due to the aggravation of the malady not to the extension of time.
It may be pointed out also that this greater length of time is not
a thing existent at any given moment; and surely a "more" is not to be
made out by adding to something actually present something that has
passed away.
No: true happiness is not vague and fluid: it is an unchanging
state.
If there is in this matter any increase besides that of mere time,
it is in the sense that a greater happiness is the reward of a
higher virtue: this is not counting up to the credit of happiness
the years of its continuance; it is simply noting the high-water
mark once for all attained.
7. But if we are to consider only the present and may not call
in the past to make the total, why do we not reckon so in the case
of time itself, where, in fact, we do not hesitate to add the past
to the present and call the total greater? Why not suppose a
quantity of happiness equivalent to a quantity of time? This would
be no more than taking it lap by lap to correspond with time-laps
instead of choosing to consider it as an indivisible, measurable
only by the content of a given instant.
There is no absurdity in taking count of time which has ceased
to be: we are merely counting what is past and finished, as we might
count the dead: but to treat past happiness as actually existent and
as outweighing present happiness, that is an absurdity. For
Happiness must be an achieved and existent state, whereas any time
over and apart from the present is nonexistent: all progress of time
means the extinction of all the time that has been.
Hence time is aptly described as a mimic of eternity that seeks to
break up in its fragmentary flight the permanence of its exemplar.
Thus whatever time seizes and seals to itself of what stands permanent
in eternity is annihilated- saved only in so far as in some degree
it still belongs to eternity, but wholly destroyed if it be
unreservedly absorbed into time.
If Happiness demands the possession of the good of life, it
clearly has to do with the life of Authentic-Existence for that life
is the Best. Now the life of Authentic-Existence is measurable not
by time but by eternity; and eternity is not a more or a less or a
thing of any magnitude but is the unchangeable, the indivisible, is
timeless Being.
We must not muddle together Being and Non-Being, time and
eternity, not even everlasting time with the eternal; we cannot make
laps and stages of an absolute unity; all must be taken together,
wheresoever and howsoever we handle it; and it must be taken at
that, not even as an undivided block of time but as the Life of
Eternity, a stretch not made up of periods but completely rounded,
outside of all notion of time.
8. It may be urged that the actual presence of past experiences,
kept present by Memory, gives the advantage to the man of the longer
felicity.
But, Memory of what sort of experiences?
Memory either of formerly attained wisdom and virtue- in which
case we have a better man and the argument from memory is given up- or
memory of past pleasures, as if the man that has arrived at felicity
must roam far and wide in search of gratifications and is not
contented by the bliss actually within him.
And what is there pleasant in the memory of pleasure? What is it
to recall yesterday's excellent dinner? Still more ridiculous, one
of ten years ago. So, too, of last year's morality.
9. But is there not something to be said for the memory of the
various forms of beauty?
That is the resource of a man whose life is without beauty in
the present, so that, for lack of it now, he grasps at the memory of
what has been.
10. But, it may be said, length of time produces an abundance of
good actions missed by the man whose attainment of the happy state
is recent- if indeed we can think at all of a state of happiness where
good actions have been few.
Now to make multiplicity, whether in time or in action,
essential to Happiness is to put it together by combining
non-existents, represented by the past, with some one thing that
actually is. This consideration it was that led us at the very
beginning to place Happiness in the actually existent and on that
basis to launch our enquiry as to whether the higher degree was
determined by the longer time. It might be thought that the
Happiness of longer date must surpass the shorter by virtue of the
greater number of acts it included.
But, to begin with, men quite outside of the active life may
attain the state of felicity, and not in a less but in a greater
degree than men of affairs.
Secondly, the good does not derive from the act itself but from
the inner disposition which prompts the noble conduct: the wise and
good man in his very action harvests the good not by what he does
but by what he is.
A wicked man no less than a Sage may save the country, and the
good of the act is for all alike, no matter whose was the saving hand.
The contentment of the Sage does not hang upon such actions and
events: it is his own inner habit that creates at once his felicity
and whatever pleasure may accompany it.
To put Happiness in actions is to put it in things that are
outside virtue and outside the Soul; for the Soul's expression is
not in action but in wisdom, in a contemplative operation within
itself; and this, this alone, is Happiness.
SIXTH TRACTATE.
BEAUTY.
1. Beauty addresses itself chiefly to sight; but there is a beauty
for the hearing too, as in certain combinations of words and in all
kinds of music, for melodies and cadences are beautiful; and minds
that lift themselves above the realm of sense to a higher order are
aware of beauty in the conduct of life, in actions, in character, in
the pursuits of the intellect; and there is the beauty of the virtues.
What loftier beauty there may be, yet, our argument will bring to
light.
What, then, is it that gives comeliness to material forms and
draws the ear to the sweetness perceived in sounds, and what is the
secret of the beauty there is in all that derives from Soul?
Is there some One Principle from which all take their grace, or is
there a beauty peculiar to the embodied and another for the
bodiless? Finally, one or many, what would such a Principle be?
Consider that some things, material shapes for instance, are
gracious not by anything inherent but by something communicated, while
others are lovely of themselves, as, for example, Virtue.
The same bodies appear sometimes beautiful, sometimes not; so that
there is a good deal between being body and being beautiful.
What, then, is this something that shows itself in certain
material forms? This is the natural beginning of our enquiry.
What is it that attracts the eyes of those to whom a beautiful
object is presented, and calls them, lures them, towards it, and fills
them with joy at the sight? If we possess ourselves of this, we have
at once a standpoint for the wider survey.
Almost everyone declares that the symmetry of parts towards each
other and towards a whole, with, besides, a certain charm of colour,
constitutes the beauty recognized by the eye, that in visible
things, as indeed in all else, universally, the beautiful thing is
essentially symmetrical, patterned.
But think what this means.
Only a compound can be beautiful, never anything devoid of
parts; and only a whole; the several parts will have beauty, not in
themselves, but only as working together to give a comely total. Yet
beauty in an aggregate demands beauty in details; it cannot be
constructed out of ugliness; its law must run throughout.
All the loveliness of colour and even the light of the sun,
being devoid of parts and so not beautiful by symmetry, must be
ruled out of the realm of beauty. And how comes gold to be a beautiful
thing? And lightning by night, and the stars, why are these so fair?
In sounds also the simple must be proscribed, though often in a
whole noble composition each several tone is delicious in itself.
Again since the one face, constant in symmetry, appears
sometimes fair and sometimes not, can we doubt that beauty is
something more than symmetry, that symmetry itself owes its beauty
to a remoter principle?
Turn to what is attractive in methods of life or in the expression
of thought; are we to call in symmetry here? What symmetry is to be
found in noble conduct, or excellent laws, in any form of mental
pursuit?
What symmetry can there be in points of abstract thought?
The symmetry of being accordant with each other? But there may
be accordance or entire identity where there is nothing but
ugliness: the proposition that honesty is merely a generous
artlessness chimes in the most perfect harmony with the proposition
that morality means weakness of will; the accordance is complete.
Then again, all the virtues are a beauty of the soul, a beauty
authentic beyond any of these others; but how does symmetry enter
here? The soul, it is true, is not a simple unity, but still its
virtue cannot have the symmetry of size or of number: what standard of
measurement could preside over the compromise or the coalescence of
the soul's faculties or purposes?
Finally, how by this theory would there be beauty in the
Intellectual-Principle, essentially the solitary?
2. Let us, then, go back to the source, and indicate at once the
Principle that bestows beauty on material things.
Undoubtedly this Principle exists; it is something that is
perceived at the first glance, something which the soul names as
from an ancient knowledge and, recognising, welcomes it, enters into
unison with it.
But let the soul fall in with the Ugly and at once it shrinks
within itself, denies the thing, turns away from it, not accordant,
resenting it.
Our interpretation is that the soul- by the very truth of its
nature, by its affiliation to the noblest Existents in the hierarchy
of Being- when it sees anything of that kin, or any trace of that
kinship, thrills with an immediate delight, takes its own to itself,
and thus stirs anew to the sense of its nature and of all its
affinity.
But, is there any such likeness between the loveliness of this
world and the splendours in the Supreme? Such a likeness in the
particulars would make the two orders alike: but what is there in
common between beauty here and beauty There?
We hold that all the loveliness of this world comes by communion
in Ideal-Form.
All shapelessness whose kind admits of pattern and form, as long
as it remains outside of Reason and Idea, is ugly by that very
isolation from the Divine-Thought. And this is the Absolute Ugly: an
ugly thing is something that has not been entirely mastered by
pattern, that is by Reason, the Matter not yielding at all points
and in all respects to Ideal-Form.
But where the Ideal-Form has entered, it has grouped and
coordinated what from a diversity of parts was to become a unity: it
has rallied confusion into co-operation: it has made the sum one
harmonious coherence: for the Idea is a unity and what it moulds
must come to unity as far as multiplicity may.
And on what has thus been compacted to unity, Beauty enthrones
itself, giving itself to the parts as to the sum: when it lights on
some natural unity, a thing of like parts, then it gives itself to
that whole. Thus, for an illustration, there is the beauty,
conferred by craftsmanship, of all a house with all its parts, and the
beauty which some natural quality may give to a single stone.
This, then, is how the material thing becomes beautiful- by
communicating in the thought that flows from the Divine.
3. And the soul includes a faculty peculiarly addressed to Beauty-
one incomparably sure in the appreciation of its own, never in doubt
whenever any lovely thing presents itself for judgement.
Or perhaps the soul itself acts immediately, affirming the
Beautiful where it finds something accordant with the Ideal-Form
within itself, using this Idea as a canon of accuracy in its decision.
But what accordance is there between the material and that which
antedates all Matter?
On what principle does the architect, when he finds the house
standing before him correspondent with his inner ideal of a house,
pronounce it beautiful? Is it not that the house before him, the
stones apart, is the inner idea stamped upon the mass of exterior
matter, the indivisible exhibited in diversity?
So with the perceptive faculty: discerning in certain objects
the Ideal-Form which has bound and controlled shapeless matter,
opposed in nature to Idea, seeing further stamped upon the common
shapes some shape excellent above the common, it gathers into unity
what still remains fragmentary, catches it up and carries it within,
no longer a thing of parts, and presents it to the Ideal-Principle
as something concordant and congenial, a natural friend: the joy
here is like that of a good man who discerns in a youth the early
signs of a virtue consonant with the achieved perfection within his
own soul.
The beauty of colour is also the outcome of a unification: it
derives from shape, from the conquest of the darkness inherent in
Matter by the pouring-in of light, the unembodied, which is a
Rational-Principle and an Ideal-Form.
Hence it is that Fire itself is splendid beyond all material
bodies, holding the rank of Ideal-Principle to the other elements,
making ever upwards, the subtlest and sprightliest of all bodies, as
very near to the unembodied; itself alone admitting no other, all
the others penetrated by it: for they take warmth but this is never
cold; it has colour primally; they receive the Form of colour from it:
hence the splendour of its light, the splendour that belongs to the
Idea. And all that has resisted and is but uncertainly held by its
light remains outside of beauty, as not having absorbed the
plenitude of the Form of colour.
And harmonies unheard in sound create the harmonies we hear, and
wake the soul to the consciousness of beauty, showing it the one
essence in another kind: for the measures of our sensible music are
not arbitrary but are determined by the Principle whose labour is to
dominate Matter and bring pattern into being.
Thus far of the beauties of the realm of sense, images and
shadow-pictures, fugitives that have entered into Matter- to adorn,
and to ravish, where they are seen.
4. But there are earlier and loftier beauties than these. In the
sense-bound life we are no longer granted to know them, but the
soul, taking no help from the organs, sees and proclaims them. To
the vision of these we must mount, leaving sense to its own low place.
As it is not for those to speak of the graceful forms of the
material world who have never seen them or known their grace- men born
blind, let us suppose- in the same way those must be silent upon the
beauty of noble conduct and of learning and all that order who have
never cared for such things, nor may those tell of the splendour of
virtue who have never known the face of Justice and of Moral-Wisdom
beautiful beyond the beauty of Evening and of dawn.
Such vision is for those only who see with the Soul's sight- and
at the vision, they will rejoice, and awe will fall upon them and a
trouble deeper than all the rest could ever stir, for now they are
moving in the realm of Truth.
This is the spirit that Beauty must ever induce, wonderment and
a delicious trouble, longing and love and a trembling that is all
delight. For the unseen all this may be felt as for the seen; and this
the Souls feel for it, every soul in some degree, but those the more
deeply that are the more truly apt to this higher love- just as all
take delight in the beauty of the body but all are not stung as
sharply, and those only that feel the keener wound are known as
Lovers.
5. These Lovers, then, lovers of the beauty outside of sense, must
be made to declare themselves.
What do you feel in presence of the grace you discern in
actions, in manners, in sound morality, in all the works and fruits of
virtue, in the beauty of souls? When you see that you yourselves are
beautiful within, what do you feel? What is this Dionysiac
exultation that thrills through your being, this straining upwards
of all your Soul, this longing to break away from the body and live
sunken within the veritable self?
These are no other than the emotions of Souls under the spell of
love.
But what is it that awakens all this passion? No shape, no colour,
no grandeur of mass: all is for a Soul, something whose beauty rests
upon no colour, for the moral wisdom the Soul enshrines and all the
other hueless splendour of the virtues. It is that you find in
yourself, or admire in another, loftiness of spirit; righteousness
of life; disciplined purity; courage of the majestic face; gravity;
modesty that goes fearless and tranquil and passionless; and,
shining down upon all, the light of god-like Intellection.
All these noble qualities are to be reverenced and loved, no
doubt, but what entitles them to be called beautiful?
They exist: they manifest themselves to us: anyone that sees
them must admit that they have reality of Being; and is not
Real-Being, really beautiful?
But we have not yet shown by what property in them they have
wrought the Soul to loveliness: what is this grace, this splendour
as of Light, resting upon all the virtues?
Let us take the contrary, the ugliness of the Soul, and set that
against its beauty: to understand, at once, what this ugliness is
and how it comes to appear in the Soul will certainly open our way
before us.
Let us then suppose an ugly Soul, dissolute, unrighteous:
teeming with all the lusts; torn by internal discord; beset by the
fears of its cowardice and the envies of its pettiness; thinking, in
the little thought it has, only of the perish able and the base;
perverse in all its the friend of unclean pleasures; living the life
of abandonment to bodily sensation and delighting in its deformity.
What must we think but that all this shame is something that has
gathered about the Soul, some foreign bane outraging it, soiling it,
so that, encumbered with all manner of turpitude, it has no longer a
clean activity or a clean sensation, but commands only a life
smouldering dully under the crust of evil; that, sunk in manifold
death, it no longer sees what a Soul should see, may no longer rest in
its own being, dragged ever as it is towards the outer, the lower, the
dark?
An unclean thing, I dare to say; flickering hither and thither
at the call of objects of sense, deeply infected with the taint of
body, occupied always in Matter, and absorbing Matter into itself;
in its commerce with the Ignoble it has trafficked away for an alien
nature its own essential Idea.
If a man has been immersed in filth or daubed with mud his
native comeliness disappears and all that is seen is the foul stuff
besmearing him: his ugly condition is due to alien matter that has
encrusted him, and if he is to win back his grace it must be his
business to scour and purify himself and make himself what he was.
So, we may justly say, a Soul becomes ugly- by something foisted
upon it, by sinking itself into the alien, by a fall, a descent into
body, into Matter. The dishonour of the Soul is in its ceasing to be
clean and apart. Gold is degraded when it is mixed with earthy
particles; if these be worked out, the gold is left and is
beautiful, isolated from all that is foreign, gold with gold alone.
And so the Soul; let it be but cleared of the desires that come by its
too intimate converse with the body, emancipated from all the
passions, purged of all that embodiment has thrust upon it, withdrawn,
a solitary, to itself again- in that moment the ugliness that came
only from the alien is stripped away.
6. For, as the ancient teaching was, moral-discipline and
courage and every virtue, not even excepting Wisdom itself, all is
purification.
Hence the Mysteries with good reason adumbrate the immersion of
the unpurified in filth, even in the Nether-World, since the unclean
loves filth for its very filthiness, and swine foul of body find their
joy in foulness.
What else is Sophrosyne, rightly so-called, but to take no part in
the pleasures of the body, to break away from them as unclean and
unworthy of the clean? So too, Courage is but being fearless of the
death which is but the parting of the Soul from the body, an event
which no one can dread whose delight is to be his unmingled self.
And Magnanimity is but disregard for the lure of things here. And
Wisdom is but the Act of the Intellectual-Principle withdrawn from the
lower places and leading the Soul to the Above.
The Soul thus cleansed is all Idea and Reason, wholly free of
body, intellective, entirely of that divine order from which the
wellspring of Beauty rises and all the race of Beauty.
Hence the Soul heightened to the Intellectual-Principle is
beautiful to all its power. For Intellection and all that proceeds
from Intellection are the Soul's beauty, a graciousness native to it
and not foreign, for only with these is it truly Soul. And it is
just to say that in the Soul's becoming a good and beautiful thing
is its becoming like to God, for from the Divine comes all the
Beauty and all the Good in beings.
We may even say that Beauty is the Authentic-Existents and
Ugliness is the Principle contrary to Existence: and the Ugly is
also the primal evil; therefore its contrary is at once good and
beautiful, or is Good and Beauty: and hence the one method will
discover to us the Beauty-Good and the Ugliness-Evil.
And Beauty, this Beauty which is also The Good, must be posed as
The First: directly deriving from this First is the
Intellectual-Principle which is pre-eminently the manifestation of
Beauty; through the Intellectual-Principle Soul is beautiful. The
beauty in things of a lower order-actions and pursuits for instance-
comes by operation of the shaping Soul which is also the author of the
beauty found in the world of sense. For the Soul, a divine thing, a
fragment as it were of the Primal Beauty, makes beautiful to the
fulness of their capacity all things whatsoever that it grasps and
moulds.
7. Therefore we must ascend again towards the Good, the desired of
every Soul. Anyone that has seen This, knows what I intend when I
say that it is beautiful. Even the desire of it is to be desired as
a Good. To attain it is for those that will take the upward path,
who will set all their forces towards it, who will divest themselves
of all that we have put on in our descent:- so, to those that approach
the Holy Celebrations of the Mysteries, there are appointed
purifications and the laying aside of the garments worn before, and
the entry in nakedness- until, passing, on the upward way, all that is
other than the God, each in the solitude of himself shall behold
that solitary-dwelling Existence, the Apart, the Unmingled, the
Pure, that from Which all things depend, for Which all look and live
and act and know, the Source of Life and of Intellection and of Being.
And one that shall know this vision- with what passion of love
shall he not be seized, with what pang of desire, what longing to be
molten into one with This, what wondering delight! If he that has
never seen this Being must hunger for It as for all his welfare, he
that has known must love and reverence It as the very Beauty; he
will be flooded with awe and gladness, stricken by a salutary
terror; he loves with a veritable love, with sharp desire; all other
loves than this he must despise, and disdain all that once seemed
fair.
This, indeed, is the mood even of those who, having witnessed
the manifestation of Gods or Supernals, can never again feel the old
delight in the comeliness of material forms: what then are we to think
of one that contemplates Absolute Beauty in Its essential integrity,
no accumulation of flesh and matter, no dweller on earth or in the
heavens- so perfect Its purity- far above all such things in that they
are non-essential, composite, not primal but descending from This?
Beholding this Being- the Choragos of all Existence, the
Self-Intent that ever gives forth and never takes- resting, rapt, in
the vision and possession of so lofty a loveliness, growing to Its
likeness, what Beauty can the soul yet lack? For This, the Beauty
supreme, the absolute, and the primal, fashions Its lovers to Beauty
and makes them also worthy of love.
And for This, the sternest and the uttermost combat is set
before the Souls; all our labour is for This, lest we be left
without part in this noblest vision, which to attain is to be
blessed in the blissful sight, which to fail of is to fail utterly.
For not he that has failed of the joy that is in colour or in
visible forms, not he that has failed of power or of honours or of
kingdom has failed, but only he that has failed of only This, for
Whose winning he should renounce kingdoms and command over earth and
ocean and sky, if only, spurning the world of sense from beneath his
feet, and straining to This, he may see.
8. But what must we do? How lies the path? How come to vision of
the inaccessible Beauty, dwelling as if in consecrated precincts,
apart from the common ways where all may see, even the profane?
He that has the strength, let him arise and withdraw into himself,
foregoing all that is known by the eyes, turning away for ever from
the material beauty that once made his joy. When he perceives those
shapes of grace that show in body, let him not pursue: he must know
them for copies, vestiges, shadows, and hasten away towards That
they tell of. For if anyone follow what is like a beautiful shape
playing over water- is there not a myth telling in symbol of such a
dupe, how he sank into the depths of the current and was swept away to
nothingness? So too, one that is held by material beauty and will
not break free shall be precipitated, not in body but in Soul, down to
the dark depths loathed of the Intellective-Being, where, blind even
in the Lower-World, he shall have commerce only with shadows, there as
here.
"Let us flee then to the beloved Fatherland": this is the soundest
counsel. But what is this flight? How are we to gain the open sea? For
Odysseus is surely a parable to us when he commands the flight from
the sorceries of Circe or Calypso- not content to linger for all the
pleasure offered to his eyes and all the delight of sense filling
his days.
The Fatherland to us is There whence we have come, and There is
The Father.
What then is our course, what the manner of our flight? This is
not a journey for the feet; the feet bring us only from land to
land; nor need you think of coach or ship to carry you away; all
this order of things you must set aside and refuse to see: you must
close the eyes and call instead upon another vision which is to be
waked within you, a vision, the birth-right of all, which few turn
to use.
9. And this inner vision, what is its operation?
Newly awakened it is all too feeble to bear the ultimate
splendour. Therefore the Soul must be trained- to the habit of
remarking, first, all noble pursuits, then the works of beauty
produced not by the labour of the arts but by the virtue of men
known for their goodness: lastly, you must search the souls of those
that have shaped these beautiful forms.
But how are you to see into a virtuous soul and know its
loveliness?
Withdraw into yourself and look. And if you do not find yourself
beautiful yet, act as does the creator of a statue that is to be
made beautiful: he cuts away here, he smoothes there, he makes this
line lighter, this other purer, until a lovely face has grown upon his
work. So do you also: cut away all that is excessive, straighten all
that is crooked, bring light to all that is overcast, labour to make
all one glow of beauty and never cease chiselling your statue, until
there shall shine out on you from it the godlike splendour of
virtue, until you shall see the perfect goodness surely established in
the stainless shrine.
When you know that you have become this perfect work, when you are
self-gathered in the purity of your being, nothing now remaining
that can shatter that inner unity, nothing from without clinging to
the authentic man, when you find yourself wholly true to your
essential nature, wholly that only veritable Light which is not
measured by space, not narrowed to any circumscribed form nor again
diffused as a thing void of term, but ever unmeasurable as something
greater than all measure and more than all quantity- when you perceive
that you have grown to this, you are now become very vision: now
call up all your confidence, strike forward yet a step- you need a
guide no longer- strain, and see.
This is the only eye that sees the mighty Beauty. If the eye
that adventures the vision be dimmed by vice, impure, or weak, and
unable in its cowardly blenching to see the uttermost brightness, then
it sees nothing even though another point to what lies plain to
sight before it. To any vision must be brought an eye adapted to
what is to be seen, and having some likeness to it. Never did eye
see the sun unless it had first become sunlike, and never can the soul
have vision of the First Beauty unless itself be beautiful.
Therefore, first let each become godlike and each beautiful who
cares to see God and Beauty. So, mounting, the Soul will come first to
the Intellectual-Principle and survey all the beautiful Ideas in the
Supreme and will avow that this is Beauty, that the Ideas are
Beauty. For by their efficacy comes all Beauty else, but the offspring
and essence of the Intellectual-Being. What is beyond the
Intellectual-Principle we affirm to be the nature of Good radiating
Beauty before it. So that, treating the Intellectual-Kosmos as one,
the first is the Beautiful: if we make distinction there, the Realm of
Ideas constitutes the Beauty of the Intellectual Sphere; and The Good,
which lies beyond, is the Fountain at once and Principle of Beauty:
the Primal Good and the Primal Beauty have the one dwelling-place and,
thus, always, Beauty's seat is There.
SEVENTH TRACTATE.
ON THE PRIMAL GOOD AND SECONDARY FORMS OF GOOD
[OTHERWISE, "ON HAPPINESS"].
1. We can scarcely conceive that for any entity the Good can be
other than the natural Act expressing its life-force, or in the case
of an entity made up of parts the Act, appropriate, natural and
complete, expressive of that in it which is best.
For the Soul, then, the Good is its own natural Act.
But the Soul itself is natively a "Best"; if, further, its act
be directed towards the Best, the achievement is not merely the
"Soul's good" but "The Good" without qualification.
Now, given an Existent which- as being itself the best of
existences and even transcending the existences- directs its Act
towards no other, but is the object to which the Act of all else is
directed, it is clear that this must be at once the Good and the means
through which all else may participate in Good.
This Absolute Good other entities may possess in two ways- by
becoming like to It and by directing the Act of their being towards
It.
Now, if all aspiration and Act whatsoever are directed towards the
Good, it follows that the Essential-Good neither need nor can look
outside itself or aspire to anything other than itself: it can but
remain unmoved, as being, in the constitution of things, the
wellspring and firstcause of all Act: whatsoever in other entities
is of the nature of Good cannot be due to any Act of the
Essential-Good upon them; it is for them on the contrary to act
towards their source and cause. The Good must, then, be the Good not
by any Act, not even by virtue of its Intellection, but by its very
rest within Itself.
Existing beyond and above Being, it must be beyond and above the
Intellectual-Principle and all Intellection.
For, again, that only can be named the Good to which all is
bound and itself to none: for only thus is it veritably the object
of all aspiration. It must be unmoved, while all circles around it, as
a circumference around a centre from which all the radii proceed.
Another example would be the sun, central to the light which streams
from it and is yet linked to it, or at least is always about it,
irremoveably; try all you will to separate the light from the sun,
or the sun from its light, for ever the light is in the sun.
2. But the Universe outside; how is it aligned towards the Good?
The soulless by direction toward Soul: Soul towards the Good
itself, through the Intellectual-Principle.
Everything has something of the Good, by virtue of possessing a
certain degree of unity and a certain degree of Existence and by
participation in Ideal-Form: to the extent of the Unity, Being, and
Form which are present, there is a sharing in an image, for the
Unity and Existence in which there is participation are no more than
images of the Ideal-Form.
With Soul it is different; the First-Soul, that which follows upon
the Intellectual-Principle, possesses a life nearer to the Verity
and through that Principle is of the nature of good; it will
actually possess the Good if it orientate itself towards the
Intellectual-Principle, since this follows immediately upon the Good.
In sum, then, life is the Good to the living, and the
Intellectual-Principle to what is intellective; so that where there is
life with intellection there is a double contact with the Good.
3. But if life is a good, is there good for all that lives?
No: in the vile, life limps: it is like the eye to the
dim-sighted; it fails of its task.
But if the mingled strand of life is to us, though entwined with
evil, still in the total a good, must not death be an evil?
Evil to What? There must be a subject for the evil: but if the
possible subject is no longer among beings, or, still among beings, is
devoid of life... why, a stone is not more immune.
If, on the contrary, after death life and soul continue, then
death will be no evil but a good; Soul, disembodied, is the freer to
ply its own Act.
If it be taken into the All-Soul- what evil can reach it There?
And as the Gods are possessed of Good and untouched by evil- so,
certainly is the Soul that has preserved its essential character.
And if it should lose its purity, the evil it experiences is not in
its death but in its life. Suppose it to be under punishment in the
lower world, even there the evil thing is its life and not its
death; the misfortune is still life, a life of a definite character.
Life is a partnership of a Soul and body; death is the
dissolution; in either life or death, then, the Soul will feel
itself at home.
But, again, if life is good, how can death be anything but evil?
Remember that the good of life, where it has any good at all, is
not due to anything in the partnership but to the repelling of evil by
virtue; death, then, must be the greater good.
In a word, life in the body is of itself an evil but the Soul
enters its Good through Virtue, not living the life of the
Couplement but holding itself apart, even here.
EIGHTH TRACTATE.
ON THE NATURE AND SOURCE OF EVIL.
1. Those enquiring whence Evil enters into beings, or rather
into a certain order of beings, would be making the best beginning
if they established, first of all, what precisely Evil is, what
constitutes its Nature. At once we should know whence it comes,
where it has its native seat and where it is present merely as an
accident; and there would be no further question as to whether it
has Authentic-Existence.
But a difficulty arises. By what faculty in us could we possibly
know Evil?
All knowing comes by likeness. The Intellectual-Principle and
the Soul, being Ideal-Forms, would know Ideal-Forms and would have a
natural tendency towards them; but who could imagine Evil to be an
Ideal-Form, seeing that it manifests itself as the very absence of
Good?
If the solution is that the one act of knowing covers
contraries, and that as Evil is the contrary to Good the one act would
grasp Good and Evil together, then to know Evil there must be first
a clear perception and understanding of Good, since the nobler
existences precede the baser and are Ideal-Forms while the less good
hold no such standing, are nearer to Non-Being.
No doubt there is a question in what precise way Good is
contrary to Evil- whether it is as First-Principle to last of things
or as Ideal-Form to utter Lack: but this subject we postpone.
2. For the moment let us define the nature of the Good as far as
the immediate purpose demands.
The Good is that on which all else depends, towards which all
Existences aspire as to their source and their need, while Itself is
without need, sufficient to Itself, aspiring to no other, the
measure and Term of all, giving out from itself the
Intellectual-Principle and Existence and Soul and Life and all
Intellective-Act.
All until The Good is reached is beautiful; The Good is
beyond-beautiful, beyond the Highest, holding kingly state in the
Intellectual-Kosmos, that sphere constituted by a Principle wholly
unlike what is known as Intelligence in us. Our intelligence is
nourished on the propositions of logic, is skilled in following
discussions, works by reasonings, examines links of demonstration, and
comes to know the world of Being also by the steps of logical process,
having no prior grasp of Reality but remaining empty, all Intelligence
though it be, until it has put itself to school.
The Intellectual-Principle we are discussing is not of such a
kind: It possesses all: It is all: It is present to all by Its
self-presence: It has all by other means than having, for what It
possesses is still Itself, nor does any particular of all within It
stand apart; for every such particular is the whole and in all
respects all, while yet not confused in the mass but still distinct,
apart to the extent that any participant in the Intellectual-Principle
participates not in the entire as one thing but in whatsoever lies
within its own reach.
And the First Act is the Act of The Good stationary within Itself,
and the First Existence is the self-contained Existence of The Good;
but there is also an Act upon It, that of the Intellectual-Principle
which, as it were, lives about It.
And the Soul, outside, circles around the
Intellectual-Principle, and by gazing upon it, seeing into the
depths of It, through It sees God.
Such is the untroubled, the blissful, life of divine beings, and
Evil has no place in it; if this were all, there would be no Evil
but Good only, the first, the second and the third Good. All, thus
far, is with the King of All, unfailing Cause of Good and Beauty and
controller of all; and what is Good in the second degree depends
upon the Second-Principle and tertiary Good upon the Third.
3. If such be the Nature of Beings and of That which transcends
all the realm of Being, Evil cannot have place among Beings or in
the Beyond-Being; these are good.
There remains, only, if Evil exist at all, that it be situate in
the realm of Non-Being, that it be some mode, as it were, of the
Non-Being, that it have its seat in something in touch with
Non-Being or to a certain degree communicate in Non-Being.
By this Non-Being, of course, we are not to understand something
that simply does not exist, but only something of an utterly different
order from Authentic-Being: there is no question here of movement or
position with regard to Being; the Non-Being we are thinking of is,
rather, an image of Being or perhaps something still further removed
than even an image.
Now this [the required faint image of Being] might be the sensible
universe with all the impressions it engenders, or it might be
something of even later derivation, accidental to the realm of
sense, or again, it might be the source of the sense-world or
something of the same order entering into it to complete it.
Some conception of it would be reached by thinking of
measurelessness as opposed to measure, of the unbounded against bound,
the unshaped against a principle of shape, the ever-needy against
the self-sufficing: think of the ever-undefined, the never at rest,
the all-accepting but never sated, utter dearth; and make all this
character not mere accident in it but its equivalent for
essential-being, so that, whatsoever fragment of it be taken, that
part is all lawless void, while whatever participates in it and
resembles it becomes evil, though not of course to the point of being,
as itself is, Evil-Absolute.
In what substantial-form [hypostasis] then is all this to be
found- not as accident but as the very substance itself?
For if Evil can enter into other things, it must have in a certain
sense a prior existence, even though it may not be an essence. As
there is Good, the Absolute, as well as Good, the quality, so,
together with the derived evil entering into something not itself,
there must be the Absolute Evil.
But how? Can there be Unmeasure apart from an unmeasured object?
Does not Measure exist apart from unmeasured things? Precisely
as there is Measure apart from anything measured, so there is
Unmeasure apart from the unmeasured. If Unmeasure could not exist
independently, it must exist either in an unmeasured object or in
something measured; but the unmeasured could not need Unmeasure and
the measured could not contain it.
There must, then, be some Undetermination-Absolute, some
Absolute Formlessness; all the qualities cited as characterizing the
Nature of Evil must be summed under an Absolute Evil; and every evil
thing outside of this must either contain this Absolute by
saturation or have taken the character of evil and become a cause of
evil by consecration to this Absolute.
What will this be?
That Kind whose place is below all the patterns, forms, shapes,
measurements and limits, that which has no trace of good by any
title of its own, but [at best] takes order and grace from some
Principle outside itself, a mere image as regards Absolute-Being but
the Authentic Essence of Evil- in so far as Evil can have Authentic
Being. In such a Kind, Reason recognizes the Primal Evil, Evil
Absolute.
4. The bodily Kind, in that it partakes of Matter is an evil
thing. What form is in bodies is an untrue-form: they are without
life: by their own natural disorderly movement they make away with
each other; they are hindrances to the soul in its proper Act; in
their ceaseless flux they are always slipping away from Being.
Soul, on the contrary, since not every Soul is evil, is not an
evil Kind.
What, then, is the evil Soul?
It is, we read, the Soul that has entered into the service of that
in which soul-evil is implanted by nature, in whose service the
unreasoning phase of the Soul accepts evil- unmeasure, excess and
shortcoming, which bring forth licentiousness, cowardice and all other
flaws of the Soul, all the states, foreign to the true nature, which
set up false judgements, so that the Soul comes to name things good or
evil not by their true value but by the mere test of like and dislike.
But what is the root of this evil state? how can it be brought
under the causing principle indicated?
Firstly, such a Soul is not apart from Matter, is not purely
itself. That is to say, it is touched with Unmeasure, it is shut out
from the Forming-Idea that orders and brings to measure, and this
because it is merged into a body made of Matter.
Then if the Reasoning-Faculty too has taken hurt, the Soul's
seeing is baulked by the passions and by the darkening that Matter
brings to it, by its decline into Matter, by its very attention no
longer to Essence but to Process- whose principle or source is, again,
Matter, the Kind so evil as to saturate with its own pravity even
that which is not in it but merely looks towards it.
For, wholly without part in Good, the negation of Good,
unmingled Lack, this Matter-Kind makes over to its own likeness
whatsoever comes in touch with it.
The Soul wrought to perfection, addressed towards the
Intellectual-Principle, is steadfastly pure: it has turned away from
Matter; all that is undetermined, that is outside of measure, that
is evil, it neither sees nor draws near; it endures in its purity,
only, and wholly, determined by the Intellectual-Principle.
The Soul that breaks away from this source of its reality to the
non-perfect and non-primal is, as it were, a secondary, an image, to
the loyal Soul. By its falling-away- and to the extent of the fall- it
is stripped of Determination, becomes wholly indeterminate, sees
darkness. Looking to what repels vision, as we look when we are said
to see darkness, it has taken Matter into itself.
5. But, it will be objected, if this seeing and frequenting of the
darkness is due to the lack of good, the Soul's evil has its source in
that very lack; the darkness will be merely a secondary cause- and
at once the Principle of Evil is removed from Matter, is made anterior
to Matter.
No: Evil is not in any and every lack; it is in absolute lack.
What falls in some degree short of the Good is not Evil; considered in
its own kind it might even be perfect, but where there is utter
dearth, there we have Essential Evil, void of all share in Good;
this is the case with Matter.
Matter has not even existence whereby to have some part in Good:
Being is attributed to it by an accident of words: the truth would
be that it has Non-Being.
Mere lack brings merely Not-Goodness: Evil demands the absolute
lack- though, of course, any very considerable shortcoming makes the
ultimate fall possible and is already, in itself, an evil.
In fine we are not to think of Evil as some particular bad
thing- injustice, for example, or any other ugly trait- but as a
principle distinct from any of the particular forms in which, by the
addition of certain elements, it becomes manifest. Thus there may be
wickedness in the Soul; the forms this general wickedness is to take
will be determined by the environing Matter, by the faculties of the
Soul that operate and by the nature of their operation, whether
seeing, acting, or merely admitting impression.
But supposing things external to the Soul are to be counted
Evil- sickness, poverty and so forth- how can they be referred to
the principle we have described?
Well, sickness is excess or defect in the body, which as a
material organism rebels against order and measure; ugliness is but
matter not mastered by Ideal-Form; poverty consists in our need and
lack of goods made necessary to us by our association with Matter
whose very nature is to be one long want.
If all this be true, we cannot be, ourselves, the source of
Evil, we are not evil in ourselves; Evil was before we came to be; the
Evil which holds men down binds them against their will; and for those
that have the strength- not found in all men, it is true- there is a
deliverance from the evils that have found lodgement in the soul.
In a word since Matter belongs only to the sensible world, vice in
men is not the Absolute Evil; not all men are vicious; some overcome
vice, some, the better sort, are never attacked by it; and those who
master it win by means of that in them which is not material.
6. If this be so, how do we explain the teaching that evils can
never pass away but "exist of necessity," that "while evil has no
place in the divine order, it haunts mortal nature and this place
for ever"?
Does this mean that heaven is clear of evil, ever moving its
orderly way, spinning on the appointed path, no injustice There or any
flaw, no wrong done by any power to any other but all true to the
settled plan, while injustice and disorder prevail on earth,
designated as "the Mortal Kind and this Place"?
Not quite so: for the precept to "flee hence" does not refer to
earth and earthly life. The flight we read of consists not in quitting
earth but in living our earth-life "with justice and piety in the
light of philosophy"; it is vice we are to flee, so that clearly to
the writer Evil is simply vice with the sequels of vice. And when
the disputant in that dialogue says that, if men could be convinced of
the doctrine advanced, there would be an end of Evil, he is
answered, "That can never be: Evil is of necessity, for there must
be a contrary to good."
Still we may reasonably ask how can vice in man be a contrary to
The Good in the Supernal: for vice is the contrary to virtue and
virtue is not The Good but merely the good thing by which Matter is
brought to order.
How can there any contrary to the Absolute Good, when the absolute
has no quality?
Besides, is there any universal necessity that the existence of
one of two contraries should entail the existence of the other?
Admit that the existence of one is often accompanied by the
existence of the other- sickness and health, for example- yet there is
no universal compulsion.
Perhaps, however, our author did not mean that this was
universally true; he is speaking only of The Good.
But then, if The Good is an essence, and still more, if It is that
which transcends all existence, how can It have any contrary?
That there is nothing contrary to essence is certain in the case
of particular existences- established by practical proof- but not in
the quite different case of the Universal.
But of what nature would this contrary be, the contrary to
universal existence and in general to the Primals?
To essential existence would be opposed the non-existence; to
the nature of Good, some principle and source of evil. Both these will
be sources, the one of what is good, the other of what is evil; and
all within the domain of the one principle is opposed, as contrary, to
the entire domain of the other, and this in a contrariety more violent
than any existing between secondary things.
For these last are opposed as members of one species or of one
genus, and, within that common ground, they participate in some common
quality.
In the case of the Primals or Universals there is such complete
separation that what is the exact negation of one group constitutes
the very nature of the other; we have diametric contrariety if by
contrariety we mean the extreme of remoteness.
Now to the content of the divine order, the fixed quality, the
measuredness and so forth- there is opposed the content of the evil
principle, its unfixedness, measurelessness and so forth: total is
opposed to total. The existence of the one genus is a falsity,
primarily, essentially, a falseness: the other genus has
Essence-Authentic: the opposition is of truth to lie; essence is
opposed to essence.
Thus we see that it is not universally true that an Essence can
have no contrary.
In the case of fire and water we would admit contrariety if it
were not for their common element, the Matter, about which are
gathered the warmth and dryness of one and the dampness and cold of
the other: if there were only present what constitutes their
distinct kinds, the common ground being absent, there would be, here
also, essence contrary to essence.
In sum, things utterly sundered, having nothing in common,
standing at the remotest poles, are opposites in nature: the
contrariety does not depend upon quality or upon the existence of a
distinct genus of beings, but upon the utmost difference, clash in
content, clash in effect.
7. But why does the existence of the Principle of Good necessarily
comport the existence of a Principle of Evil? Is it because the All
necessarily comports the existence of Matter? Yes: for necessarily
this All is made up of contraries: it could not exist if Matter did
not. The Nature of this Kosmos is, therefore, a blend; it is blended
from the Intellectual-Principle and Necessity: what comes into it from
God is good; evil is from the Ancient Kind which, we read, is the
underlying Matter not yet brought to order by the Ideal-Form.
But, since the expression "this place" must be taken to mean the
All, how explain the words "mortal nature"?
The answer is in the passage [in which the Father of Gods
addresses the Divinities of the lower sphere], "Since you possess only
a derivative being, you are not immortals... but by my power you shall
escape dissolution."
The escape, we read, is not a matter of place, but of acquiring
virtue, of disengaging the self from the body; this is the escape from
Matter. Plato explains somewhere how a man frees himself and how he
remains bound; and the phrase "to live among the gods" means to live
among the Intelligible-Existents, for these are the Immortals.
There is another consideration establishing the necessary
existence of Evil.
Given that The Good is not the only existent thing, it is
inevitable that, by the outgoing from it or, if the phrase be
preferred, the continuous down-going or away-going from it, there
should be produced a Last, something after which nothing more can be
produced: this will be Evil.
As necessarily as there is Something after the First, so
necessarily there is a Last: this Last is Matter, the thing which
has no residue of good in it: here is the necessity of Evil.
8. But there will still be some to deny that it is through this
Matter that we ourselves become evil.
They will say that neither ignorance nor wicked desires arise in
Matter. Even if they admit that the unhappy condition within us is due
to the pravity inherent in body, they will urge that still the
blame lies not in the Matter itself but with the Form present in it-
such Form as heat, cold, bitterness, saltness and all other conditions
perceptible to sense, or again such states as being full or void-
not in the concrete signification but in the presence or absence of
just such forms. In a word, they will argue, all particularity in
desires and even in perverted judgements upon things, can be
referred to such causes, so that Evil lies in this Form much more than
in the mere Matter.
Yet, even with all this, they can be compelled to admit that
Matter is the Evil.
For, the quality [form] that has entered into Matter does not
act as an entity apart from the Matter, any more than axe-shape will
cut apart from iron. Further, Forms lodged in Matter are not the
same as they would be if they remained within themselves; they are
Reason-Principles Materialized, they are corrupted in the Matter, they
have absorbed its nature: essential fire does not burn, nor do any
of the essential entities effect, of themselves alone, the operation
which, once they have entered into Matter, is traced to their action.
Matter becomes mistress of what is manifested through it: it
corrupts and destroys the incomer, it substitutes its own opposite
character and kind, not in the sense of opposing, for example,
concrete cold to concrete warmth, but by setting its own
formlessness against the Form of heat, shapelessness to shape,
excess and defect to the duly ordered. Thus, in sum, what enters
into Matter ceases to belong to itself, comes to belong to Matter,
just as, in the nourishment of living beings, what is taken in does
not remain as it came, but is turned into, say, dog's blood and all
that goes to make a dog, becomes, in fact, any of the humours of any
recipient.
No, if body is the cause of Evil, then there is no escape; the
cause of Evil is Matter.
Still, it will be urged, the incoming Idea should have been able
to conquer the Matter.
The difficulty is that Matter's master cannot remain pure itself
except by avoidance of Matter.
Besides, the constitution determines both the desires and their
violence so that there are bodies in which the incoming idea cannot
hold sway: there is a vicious constitution which chills and clogs
the activity and inhibits choice; a contrary bodily habit produces
frivolity, lack of balance. The same fact is indicated by our
successive variations of mood: in times of stress, we are not the same
either in desires or in ideas- as when we are at peace, and we
differ again with every several object that brings us satisfaction.
To resume: the Measureless is evil primarily; whatever, either
by resemblance or participation, exists in the state of unmeasure,
is evil secondarily, by force of its dealing with the Primal-
primarily, the darkness; secondarily, the darkened. Now, Vice, being
an ignorance and a lack of measure in the Soul, is secondarily evil,
not the Essential Evil, just as Virtue is not the Primal Good but is
Likeness to The Good, or participation in it.
9. But what approach have we to the knowing of Good and Evil?
And first of the Evil of soul: Virtue, we may know by the
Intellectual-Principle and by means of the philosophic habit; but
Vice?
A a ruler marks off straight from crooked, so Vice is known by its
divergence from the line of Virtue.
But are we able to affirm Vice by any vision we can have of it, or
is there some other way of knowing it?
Utter viciousness, certainly not by any vision, for it is
utterly outside of bound and measure; this thing which is nowhere
can be seized only by abstraction; but any degree of evil falling
short of The Absolute is knowable by the extent of that falling short.
We see partial wrong; from what is before us we divine that
which is lacking to the entire form [or Kind] thus indicated; we see
that the completed Kind would be the Indeterminate; by this process we
are able to identify and affirm Evil. In the same way when we
observe what we feel to be an ugly appearance in Matter- left there
because the Reason-Principle has not become so completely the master
as to cover over the unseemliness- we recognise Ugliness by the
falling-short from Ideal-Form.
But how can we identify what has never had any touch of Form?
We utterly eliminate every kind of Form; and the object in which
there is none whatever we call Matter: if we are to see Matter we must
so completely abolish Form that we take shapelessness into our very
selves.
In fact it is another Intellectual-Principle, not the true, this
which ventures a vision so uncongenial.
To see darkness the eye withdraws from the light; it is striving
to cease from seeing, therefore it abandons the light which would make
the darkness invisible; away from the light its power is rather that
of not-seeing than of seeing and this not-seeing is its nearest
approach to seeing Darkness. So the Intellectual-Principle, in order
to see its contrary [Matter], must leave its own light locked up
within itself, and as it were go forth from itself into an outside
realm, it must ignore its native brightness and submit itself to the
very contradition of its being.
10. But if Matter is devoid of quality how can it be evil?
It is described as being devoid of quality in the sense only
that it does not essentially possess any of the qualities which it
admits and which enter into it as into a substratum. No one says
that it has no nature; and if it has any nature at all, why may not
that nature be evil though not in the sense of quality?
Quality qualifies something not itself: it is therefore an
accidental; it resides in some other object. Matter does not exist
in some other object but is the substratum in which the accidental
resides. Matter, then, is said to be devoid of Quality in that it does
not in itself possess this thing which is by nature an accidental. If,
moreover, Quality itself be devoid of Quality, how can Matter, which
is the unqualified, be said to have it?
Thus, it is quite correct to say at once that Matter is without
Quality and that it is evil: it is Evil not in the sense of having
Quality but, precisely, in not having it; give it Quality and in its
very Evil it would almost be a Form, whereas in Truth it is a Kind
contrary to Form.
"But," it may be said, "the Kind opposed to all Form is
Privation or Negation, and this necessarily refers to something
other than itself, it is no Substantial-Existence: therefore if Evil
is Privation or Negation it must be lodged in some Negation of Form:
there will be no Self-Existent Evil."
This objection may be answered by applying the principle to the
case of Evil in the Soul; the Evil, the Vice, will be a Negation and
not anything having a separate existence; we come to the doctrine
which denies Matter or, admitting it, denies its Evil; we need not
seek elsewhere; we may at once place Evil in the Soul, recognising
it as the mere absence of Good. But if the negation is the negation of
something that ought to become present, if it is a denial of the
Good by the Soul, then the Soul produces vice within itself by the
operation of its own Nature, and is devoid of good and, therefore,
Soul though it be, devoid of life: the Soul, if it has no life, is
soulless; the Soul is no Soul.
No; the Soul has life by its own nature and therefore does not, of
its own nature, contain this negation of The Good: it has much good in
it; it carries a happy trace of the Intellectual-Principle and is
not essentially evil: neither is it primally evil nor is that
Primal Evil present in it even as an accidental, for the Soul is not
wholly apart from the Good.
Perhaps Vice and Evil as in the Soul should be described not as an
entire, but as a partial, negation of good.
But if this were so, part of the Soul must possess The Good,
part be without it; the Soul will have a mingled nature and the Evil
within it will not be unblended: we have not yet lighted on the
Primal, Unmingled Evil. The Soul would possess the Good as its
Essence, the Evil as an Accidental.
Perhaps Evil is merely an impediment to the Soul like something
affecting the eye and so hindering sight.
But such an evil in the eyes is no more than an occasion of
evil, the Absolute Evil is something quite different. If then Vice
is an impediment to the Soul, Vice is an occasion of evil but not
Evil-Absolute. Virtue is not the Absolute Good, but a co-operator with
it; and if Virtue is not the Absolute Good neither is Vice the
Absolute Evil. Virtue is not the Absolute Beauty or the Absolute Good;
neither, therefore, is Vice the Essential Ugliness or the Essential
Evil.
We teach that Virtue is not the Absolute Good and Beauty,
because we know that These are earlier than Virtue and transcend it,
and that it is good and beautiful by some participation in them. Now
as, going upward from virtue, we come to the Beautiful and to the
Good, so, going downward from Vice, we reach Essential Evil: from Vice
as the starting-point we come to vision of Evil, as far as such vision
is possible, and we become evil to the extent of our participation
in it. We are become dwellers in the Place of Unlikeness, where,
fallen from all our resemblance to the Divine, we lie in gloom and
mud: for if the Soul abandons itself unreservedly to the extreme of
viciousness, it is no longer a vicious Soul merely, for mere vice is
still human, still carries some trace of good: it has taken to
itself another nature, the Evil, and as far as Soul can die it is
dead. And the death of Soul is twofold: while still sunk in body to
lie down in Matter and drench itself with it; when it has left the
body, to lie in the other world until, somehow, it stirs again and
lifts its sight from the mud: and this is our "going down to Hades and
slumbering there."
11. It may be suggested that Vice is feebleness in the Soul.
We shall be reminded that the Vicious Soul is unstable, swept
along from every ill to every other, quickly stirred by appetites,
headlong to anger, as hasty to compromises, yielding at once to
obscure imaginations, as weak, in fact, as the weakest thing made by
man or nature, blown about by every breeze, burned away by every heat.
Still the question must be faced what constitutes this weakness in
the Soul, whence it comes.
For weakness in the body is not like that in the Soul: the word
weakness, which covers the incapacity for work and the lack of
resistance in the body, is applied to the Soul merely by analogy-
unless, indeed, in the one case as in the other, the cause of the
weakness is Matter.
But we must go more thoroughly into the source of this weakness,
as we call it, in the Soul, which is certainly not made weak as the
result of any density or rarity, or by any thickening or thinning or
anything like a disease, like a fever.
Now this weakness must be seated either in Souls utterly
disengaged or in Souls bound to Matter or in both.
It cannot exist in those apart from Matter, for all these are pure
and, as we read, winged and perfect and unimpeded in their task: there
remains only that the weakness be in the fallen Souls, neither
cleansed nor clean; and in them the weakness will be, not in any
privation but in some hostile presence, like that of phlegm or bile in
the organs of the body.
If we form an acute and accurate notion of the cause of the fall
we shall understand the weakness that comes by it.
Matter exists; Soul exists; and they occupy, so to speak, one
place. There is not one place for Matter and another for
Soul-Matter, for instance, kept to earth, Soul in the air: the
soul's "separate place" is simply its not being in Matter; that is,
its not being united with it; that is that there be no compound unit
consisting of Soul and Matter; that is that Soul be not moulded in
Matter as in a matrix; this is the Soul's apartness.
But the faculties of the Soul are many, and it has its
beginning, its intermediate phases, its final fringe. Matter
appears, importunes, raises disorders, seeks to force its way
within; but all the ground is holy, nothing there without part in
Soul. Matter therefore submits, and takes light: but the source of its
illumination it cannot attain to, for the Soul cannot lift up this
foreign thing close by, since the evil of it makes it invisible. On
the contrary the illumination, the light streaming from the Soul, is
dulled, is weakened, as it mixes with Matter which offers Birth to the
Soul, providing the means by which it enters into generation,
impossible to it if no recipient were at hand.
This is the fall of the Soul, this entry into Matter: thence its
weakness: not all the faculties of its being retain free play, for
Matter hinders their manifestation; it encroaches upon the Soul's
territory and, as it were, crushes the Soul back; and it turns to evil
all that it has stolen, until the Soul finds strength to advance
again.
Thus the cause, at once, of the weakness of Soul and of all its
evil is Matter.
The evil of Matter precedes the weakness, the vice; it is Primal
Evil. Even though the Soul itself submits to Matter and engenders to
it; if it becomes evil within itself by its commerce with Matter,
the cause is still the presence of Matter: the Soul would never have
approached Matter but that the presence of Matter is the occasion of
its earth-life.
12. If the existence of Matter be denied, the necessity of this
Principle must be demonstrated from the treatises "On Matter" where
the question is copiously treated.
To deny Evil a place among realities is necessarily to do away
with the Good as well, and even to deny the existence of anything
desirable; it is to deny desire, avoidance and all intellectual act;
for desire has Good for its object, aversion looks to Evil; all
intellectual act, all Wisdom, deals with Good and Bad, and is itself
one of the things that are good.
There must then be The Good- good unmixed- and the Mingled Good
and Bad, and the Rather Bad than Good, this last ending with the
Utterly Bad we have been seeking, just as that in which Evil
constitutes the lesser part tends, by that lessening, towards the
Good.
What, then, must Evil be to the Soul?
What Soul could contain Evil unless by contact with the lower
Kind? There could be no desire, no sorrow, no rage, no fear: fear
touches the compounded dreading its dissolution; pain and sorrow are
the accompaniments of the dissolution; desires spring from something
troubling the grouped being or are a provision against trouble
threatened; all impression is the stroke of something unreasonable
outside the Soul, accepted only because the Soul is not devoid of
parts or phases; the Soul takes up false notions through having gone
outside of its own truth by ceasing to be purely itself.
One desire or appetite there is which does not fall under this
condemnation; it is the aspiration towards the Intellectual-Principle:
this demands only that the Soul dwell alone enshrined within that
place of its choice, never lapsing towards the lower.
Evil is not alone: by virtue of the nature of Good, the power of
Good, it is not Evil only: it appears, necessarily, bound around
with bonds of Beauty, like some captive bound in fetters of gold;
and beneath these it is hidden so that, while it must exist, it may
not be seen by the gods, and that men need not always have evil before
their eyes, but that when it comes before them they may still be not
destitute of Images of the Good and Beautiful for their Remembrance.
NINTH TRACTATE.
"THE REASONED DISMISSAL".
"You will not dismiss your Soul lest it go forth..." [taking
something with it].
For wheresoever it go, it will be in some definite condition,
and its going forth is to some new place. The Soul will wait for the
body to be completely severed from it; then it makes no departure;
it simply finds itself free.
But how does the body come to be separated?
The separation takes place when nothing of Soul remains bound up
with it: the harmony within the body, by virtue of which the Soul
was retained, is broken and it can no longer hold its guest.
But when a man contrives the dissolution of the body, it is he
that has used violence and torn himself away, not the body that has
let the Soul slip from it. And in loosing the bond he has not been
without passion; there has been revolt or grief or anger, movements
which it is unlawful to indulge.
But if a man feel himself to be losing his reason?
That is not likely in the Sage, but if it should occur, it must be
classed with the inevitable, to be welcome at the bidding of the
fact though not for its own sake. To call upon drugs to the release of
the Soul seems a strange way of assisting its purposes.
And if there be a period allotted to all by fate, to anticipate
the hour could not be a happy act, unless, as we have indicated, under
stern necessity.
If everyone is to hold in the other world a standing determined by
the state in which he quitted this, there must be no withdrawal as
long as there is any hope of progress. | eng | e90b8512-cfde-427d-bc8f-8f2aa8dac343 | http://users.ox.ac.uk/~wolf1720/tap/texts/plotinus_enneads_1.txt |
Derivatives: An Interview with William Powhida
WB: But you're seeing these artists who are bitching about the art world. You have to have seen that and thought, "Hold on, they're missing this," or "They're not doing it quite right," or "I have something to add to that." What did you think was missing?
WP: What was missing was specificity. Even with Guy's work, he was like, "Hey, I'm big sweaty painter guy. I make paintings so big I have to paint them on the roof." It was kind of a thinly veiled Schnabel thing. Then he's like, you might also know Catholic Hangup guy or whomever. He could only critique in generalizations. I don't know if it was because you weren't actually supposed to say peoples' names at the time, or it didn't occur to him, or it was too risky. But it's hard to make arguments or have a rational debate about something if you can't have specific examples. If you're making an argument and you can only say "the galleries" or "painters" or "this kind of artist," and you don't have anything specific to use in articulating what you're talking about, it makes it a lot more difficult. Invoking somebody's name seemed to be more powerful in a way, made people pay more attention or look at it.
WP: For me, one of the pieces that somebody had a reaction to that wasn't, "Ah, I'd like to own it or laugh at it or be self reflexive about it" was when I did this hex drawing on Zach Feuer. I was putting my thoughts in his head, like, "I'm not going to show these big horrible paintings." But he didn't take the Jerry Saltz route of thinking it was funny. He was deeply offended, upset, and hurt, and [Schroeder Romero, who showed the work] wasn't asked to come back to NADA, even though they were founding members. It was a specific kind of critique to Zach, with the idea of this second, third, fourth, fifth coming of bad, bad painting, which has been a spectacular triumph for other people.
His reaction to it was fucking amazing in a way, because everyone else who didn't like [Feuer], or didn't like the work, or the gallerists who said, "How did he win the fucking lotto," they all had a totally different reaction. It seemed actually risky. It seemed actually to have something at stake. I realized if you put in things that other people can recognize, it creates this common ground and makes the work more social, adds this element of realness to it that other people can latch onto. It's not just a generality where you're projecting whatever you want onto them.
WB: I feel like there are some similar things going on in criticism. If you're doing your job, you're very often calling someone out, taking the broad generalities of history and press and saying, where that's in operation.
Also, though, I think about the choice of targets – plenty of times, you see a terrible show, but you can't say anything because it's not big enough or successful enough to merit a take-down. You're always fighting between two sets of morals in criticism, and it hurts. Did having to think about those issues as a critic spill over at all, or do you see that as a separate thing entirely?
WP: With the first pieces, most of the artists I was criticizing had already succeeded — they were selling work for lots of money, and the press was paying attention, like when Dana Schutz had that Vogue spread. There's this myth created around the artist, a perception of the artist being successful, which becomes so much talk. I was trying to deflate some of that through the work, and very specifically the painting magazine spreads.
Early on, I didn't really give a fuck that it might hurt Dana's feelings - and I don't know if it did, and I don't really care. But the contention was also that this particular kind of painting has been done very similarly before. It's not a knock on her skills or even on the genre.
It's just that the market came back with such a fury in 2004, 2005, 2006, and then slowly shit started to fall apart, until we found ourselves in our current state, which has evened out but is still pretty fucking disgusting. But this is not that kind of boom time, and it's put the power of deciding what art was back in the consumer's hands. So all of a sudden, it was about individual tastes and connoisseurship again, and I'm really interested in how that affects how we decide what good art is, what excellence is.
WB: So there was the sudden appearance of what the public would call "good art" when the market picked up -
WP: Yeah, to me, it wasn't good art. It was stuff that didn't make any sense to me coming out of graduate school. It was just so conventional.
Yeah, I'm targeting successful artists, because they're the standard bearers of what the market is saying and what, by default, the 1% of the art world is saying, is successful art. I mean, when you step outside of that and look at what's going on with nonprofits or places outside New York City, you see there are other artists doing things, but we don't tend to hear about them in the same way. And a lot of those places are still funded the same way – the pool of money tends to come from the same place. And then once you start to deal with institutions, anything you do has to go through the marketing department and be approved by the director and make sure it fits with their mission. It's like, when the fuck did my art align with that? I need your approval?
WB: Even major museums will get their works together and then go back to their philanthropist base and ask them for money to ship everything in.
WP: Actually, a young artist I know, who does not have gallery representation, was approached by the Whitney and asked to submit her work. So she did, but didn't hear anything. So she called the curator back, and the curator said, "Oh, I'm really sorry, I didn't realize when I asked you to submit that you didn't have a gallery, because we rely on the galleries to fund these projects." My friend said, "You're telling me that I have to have a gallery if I want to be part of this program?" and she's like, "Yeah, that's how it's works." And this particular artist did not want to have a gallery.
WB: So, you're a downer, all of this stuff is a downer. Do you have any ideas for how we fix any of this?
WP:You know, not that there's a solution proposed in here, but it's the idea that everyone's just fucking yelling about a particular belief. The economic overlaps with the social, with the religious. I spent this inordinate amount of time having this conversation on Twitter with this woman, a "Tea Party Patriot fiscal conservative who differs with the GOP on social issues, a deist with strong belief in God". Her post said, "Occupy Wall St., its these leftist teachings in public schools and colleges and the left-leaning media. We must fix this." She was calling everyone an idiot, and I was just trying to have a civil conversation with her, to see if it was possible. In her one sentence description, you have not only have to contend with the fact that she's a conservative and differs with the GOP on social issues, but that she's also a deist. Those are three major things that are going to make having a rational discussion a problem. And I'm not even arguing, I'm just listening. So I think one of the solutions is that people have to listen, get over themselves and potentially compromise. Looking at this over the past six or seven months, it's really tempered my own approach to yelling at people on Twitter, because it's futile.It also comes out of my own experience making work: it'll either be interpolated by the art world and sucked up into the apparatus, or the market just doesn't give a shit, because we can't impose things on people. I think there's this general idea that if we just fucking yell enough, we'll have this revolution – that somehow we're magically going to convince this entire sphere of people that they are wrong, have been wrong the entire time, and should get onboard on the left train, which is at historically low levels in this country. Center is left, right is center, and anything that looks like socialism is now fringe. We don't really have a left. The art world purports to be really left — at least grass-fed cow left — but it's really not. It's completely dependent on the funding that comes from the right.
So there's just a general hypocrisy, and I'm not going to lecture anybody on hypocrisy, but it seems to be the natural state of affairs for everybody, right and left. But this woman's screaming, "These people are idiots! Mr. President, you lie!" and I'm like, we're all really that angry? Where's your sense of humor?
WB: It doesn't seem to fit: let's have more ambiguity and compromise and coming together, but also these specific people are assholes. So is this purely a political thing you had to get off your chest? How do you see that fitting in? Maybe it doesn't need to, I'm just anticipating that reaction.
WP: I don't see them as being linked, like if you understand this, you'll understand that. But even if you could understand what caused the financial crisis exactly, you knew everything and had God-like perspective on it, there would still be people saying, "You're wrong. We need to free the market. I'm going with Ayn Rand. I can find some way to spin it and show it's not Greenspan's fault, it's not Goldman Sachs. If we'd just free the market"¦"
I don't know what to do when that happens.
You have all this talk, and you have 1% with about 35% of the wealth, which is where is the money to fund the government is coming from, in terms of political campaigns and lobbyists. I'm trying to make that connection.
It's not even that these people are assholes, it's just the way things are structured. Let's say Agnes Gund is on the board at the Whitney and they go for a preview of the shows coming up that season, before the public knows about them, and she knows they're going to be showing Ryan Trecartin and two emerging artists that most people don't know about. Those trustees can walk out the door, call the gallery and say, "Buy me seven Trecartins," before anybody knows about it. In terms of sustaining prices, you're hanging out with the artists at galas, with other trustees, in the area where collusion need not be formal — it's simply sharing information and talking.
Hopefully, this one isn't saying, "Agnes Gund is a bitch." I don't know Agnes Gund, I don't even know what she does anymore, but she's one of the top 200 collectors. These things keep coming up in the work. You don't have to get personal with it if you're just looking at the system. My friend keeps talking about the idea that politics shouldn't be personal ever, and I say, "Well, people run politics, so how do you talk about politics without talking about the people?" But politics itself should not be personal. I'm trying to move away from that a little bit.
this is incomprehensible, and unlikely to have any practical effect — just like most contemporary art!
Will Brand
Dude you write about art all day and this is the best you got?
Will Brand
More substantially:Â
Of course Powhida's show is "unlikely to have any practical effect". Everyone from Picabia to Oscar Wilde has called art useless, and most of them have recognized that this is not a definitive fault. There exist reams of text on the topic of why contemporary art is so useless, if you're interested, though I get that understanding might lack the self-satisfaction of contempt. In any case, I can recommend a number of good design blogs if that's what you're looking for.Â
Besides which, Powhida spends a large part of the interview you're commenting on saying explicitly that his art is unlikely to have any practical effect. He says that he "doesn't know what to do", that "it's futile", that "it'll either be interpolated by the art world and sucked up into the apparatus, or the market just [won't] give a shit", that "Even if you could identify and articulate the problem exactly, there are still people who would just disagree fundamentally because it doesn't line up with their ideological position." He repeatedly mentions the circularity of the arguments he's entering into, and the slim chances of changing that. Even if you were to read nothing more than the image at the very beginning of the interview, you would have noticed it's titled A Continuum of Ideological Futility.Â
I agree that most of Powhida's subject matter is, in some sense, "incomprehensible". I think he got that across when he said he "doesn't really know how it works", and when he stated that his goal was "to represent th[at] complexity." That said, I feel like your comprehension problems might run deeper than that.Is there any particular point in the interview I can clarify? I have seven thousand-odd cut words sitting around in a Google doc, so I can almost certainly shed some light on anything that was left unclear, if you have a specific question. | eng | 54a418b4-51a8-4b50-93f8-713b4057dd91 | http://www.artfagcity.com/2011/11/08/powhida-interview/4/ |
Imagine Hope Counseling Group Blog
Inspiring Hope for Life & RelationshipsWed, 22 May 2013 12:59:49 +0000en-UShourly1 Thinking Habits 3
22 May 2013 12:59:49 +0000alexa griffith with this week's theme of cognitive distortions, we will discuss 3 more negative thinking habits that often times land us smack dab in the middle of trouble.
Emotional Reasoning- If I feel badly about a situation, it must be a bad situation. If I feel anxious, I must be in a dangerous predicament. Sometimes we evaluate situations based on our past experience and do not see the forest for the trees. You may feel like you are in trouble without looking at the current situation. Basing actions and reason solely on feelings can be risky. Look at the situation for what it is, use your context clues. Ask yourself, "what about this situation is making me have this feeling"?
Prediction- Do you have a crystal ball? Or a Magic 8 ball? If you think you know what will happen future, you are using prediction. Now, based on our own experiences, we can guess what mayhappen. But often people make decisions based on a false security in prediction that land them in trouble. Sometime prediction is a self fulfilling prophecy. Try something instead of predicting the future. You may surprise yourself!
Mountains and Molehills- Sometimes when we find ourselves in a negative situation, it feels very intense. Sometimes we find ourselves exaggerating the risks, or dangers. We overlook the positives or decide not to see the possibilities of our situations. This is called making a mountain out of a molehill. This type of negative thinking is really unhelpful. Creating tunnel vision and only focusing on a blown up version of negativity can skew your perspective and trick you into making decisions out of fear. Look at the details of your situation for what they are. Do not exaggerate, it creates a lie. And who wants to make decisions based on a lie?
Please come back as Natalie and Joleen continue to discuss unhelpful thinking habits. As always thanks for stopping by!
]]> Thinking Habits-2
21 May 2013 14:27:03 +0000joleenwatson as Teri mentioned yesterday, we are talking this week about the cognitive distortions we all have that can make us experience even more stress and anxiety in our lives. These unhealthy thinking patterns may be so ingrained in us that we may not even realize that we do them!
Judgments
How often do you hear a situation or a story, and immediately jump to a conclusion? These evaluations, or judgments, are often based off of past experiences.
However, our distorted thinking based off of judgment can lead us down a very wrong path. It's important to not jump to conclusions before making sure that we are seeing the situation as it really is, and looking at the facts, not just our assumptions.
Judging a situation without looking at all the evidence can take a semi-stressful situation and escalate it to a full-blown panic-attack inducing situation.
Mind-Reading
Assuming that we know what others are thinking is also a very unhealthy thinking pattern. Before presuming that you know what someone is going to say/think about a situation, it's important to actually ask them. You may be surprised at their reaction.
Attempting to mind-read can cause a lot of problems, and a lot of unnecessary stress. Many people attempt to mind-read when it comes to what others think about them. A lot of cognitive distortions can occur when this happens ("He thinks I'm fat", "She doesn't think I'm smart", etc.).
There may be nothing concrete to support these assumptions. That's why mind-reading can be so harmful, and why it's important to be aware if you find yourself engaging in this unhelpful and unhealthy thinking.
Continue to read this week as we discuss other unhelpful thinking habits!
]]> Thinking Habits-1
20 May 2013 10:55:28 +0000tericlaassen all have moments of not thinking clearly. Many people have cognitive distortions, or unhelpful thinking habits, that can add stress to an already difficult situation.
This week we are going to describe some of these negative thought patterns with the hopes that you will catch yourself next time it hits. Once you notice the pattern, it is important to take a step back from your thoughts and shift your them back into reality that based on the facts you know as truth, rather than the twisted thoughts in your head.
Mental Filter
Do you have a mental filter that all your thoughts go through? Is the filter made up of positive threads or negative threads?
If you have a mental filter made up of negative threads, your thoughts might be tainted before they even register. It is like looking through dark, dirty glasses and all you see is the yuck.
The danger of this thinking habit is that we will often filter out parts that are true because they don't fit with our negative thinking. The positive or realistic parts of the situation are dismissed and not given any further thought when you have a negative mental filter.
Thanks for reading. Check back in tomorrow for more info on unhelpful thinking habits!
]]> Can You Help With Your Treatment of Postpartum Depression?
17 May 2013 13:09:55 +0000joleenwatson help the treatment from your provider work better, there are several things that you can do on your own:
Stay healthy and fit:
Do somthing active every day. Try to take walks or when cleared by your health care provider, go back to the gym or get back into your regular exercise regimin.
Eat healthy food and snacks. Try to make food choices that include balanced foods, instead of junk foods, sweets and salty foods.
Get as much rest as you can. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.
Do not consume alcohol. This includes beer, wine coolers, hard liquor, or other types of alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant, which slows down your body and makes you feel more depressed in the long run. Alcohol will also interfere with any medications you might be taking for Postpartum depression.
Lower your stress:
Make sure to do recreational activities that you enjoyed before pregnancy and birth. Take a class, listen to your favorite music, meet friends out, or read a good book. Even when your time is very limited, it's important to incorporate old hobbies and activities back into your life when you can.
Do not make any major life changes right after having a baby. These include job changes, re-locations or changing homes, etc. These kinds of changes can add more stress that is unnecessary. Having a baby is a big life change in itself, and it's better to allow your life to resume with some sense of normalcy before introducing further changes.
Talk to your boss about going back to work. Discuss the possibility of working from home or working part-time when you first go back, which can lower stress and help you cope better with the postpartum depression.
Ask for and ACCEPT help:
Let others help around the house. This might include laundry, cleaning bathrooms, cooking meals, grocery shopping, running errands, or asking friends and family to help with the baby. Don't feel like you need to do everything on your own to be a "good parent". Don't be afraid to tell people what you are needing.
Keep in touch with the people who are important to you in life and try not to isolate. Tell your partner, friends and family how you are feeling.
Take time for yourself. Along with old hobbies and recreational things, it's important to have alone time whenever possible. This could be used for self-care (manicure, pedicure, haircut and style, reading or journaling, exercise, yoga, etc.) or for fun. Becoming a parent means constant demands for time and attention, and self-care is vital to having enough energy and motivation in your "tank" to be able to provide for a little one when needed.
Have you recognized any tips for postpartum depression that might apply to you or be helpful in your recovery process?
]]> to Treat Postpartum Depression
15 May 2013 18:06:16 +0000nataliechandler are many ways to treat Postpartum Depression. It is important to understand with PPD, the sooner you get help, the easier it is to treat and the less problems or complications you may have with your treatment.
The first thing to do is to decide who you will go to treat it. Here are some qualified professionals:
1. Your OBGYN*
2. Your primary care physician
3. Certified nurse-midwife
4. Your baby's provider
5. Mental Health professional such as a counselor who specializes in PPD
*Usually your OBGYN is the one who will be the most familiar with this area and know the best recommendations.
Next, you can decide how you will treat it based on their recommendations. Some of their recommendations may include the following:
1. Support groups- This is an excellent way to treat PPD. You will meet other people who are feeling the exact way you are. Additionally, you will gain support and ideas for how to treat it outside of the group.
2. Counseling- Having someone who can be objective is priceless. They can listen to you, give recommendations about what else you can be doing, and to help with any road blocks that you may come to.
3. Medicine- Some doctors will recommend an antidepressant to get you through this time. Additionally, sometimes PPD can be caused from low Estrogen. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend taking additional estrogen to increase your levels until they begin increasing on their own.
It is very important to not stop taking medications your doctor prescribes for PPD until you speak with your doctor. Also, some medications that are recommended for PPD are not safe for breastfeeding mothers. This is why it is so important to talk to a doctor before taking anything over the counter for PPD if you are nursing.
Remember, the sooner you get help, the better you will feel. Tomorrow Joleen will give you things you can do to help you feel better. Thank you for reading are the signs of Postpartum Depression?
15 May 2013 16:27:42 +0000alexa griffith]]> Causes Postpartum Depression?
14 May 2013 13:00:22 +0000tamarawilhelm not an exact answer to this question. We do know that women who are younger (early 20′s) and who have experienced depression prior to having a baby or during their pregnancy are at higher risk. You're also at risk if your family has a history of depression or other mood disorders (even if they were not treated for these disorders).
Most importantly, a woman will be high risk for PPD if she's recently had stressful events occur in her life. These can include:
health problems during pregnancy, a difficult pregnancy, or if the baby was born with health concerns
A death of a loved one
If a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness
Relationship issues with your significant other – including but not limited to infidelity, abuse, addiction, job loss, etc.
After childbirth, a woman's body goes through a lot of changes in hormones. This too can cause PPD. 24 hours after childbirth a woman's hormones quickly go back to their normal levels, but this quick drop in hormones can lead to PPD.
For first-time parents, it's natural to question your abilities. However, if you're having negative thoughts and feelings about being a mom, this can lead to PPD and you need to speak to your doctor.
Talk to your doctor if:
you doubt you'll be a good mom
you put pressure on yourself to be the perfect mom
you believe you'll "lose" the person you were before the baby came along
you believe you're less attractive than you were before
you have no free time for yourself
you are not getting enough sleep or quality sleep
Your doctor, family, friends and loved ones are there to help you. PPD is not to be taken lightly and you are not alone. If you are currently having any of these thoughts, or recognize these statements in anyone you love, please talk to your doctor, or ask your loved one to speak to a professional.
We have lots more information to share with you about PPD. Please check back in as we cover this very important topic.
*Source: March of Dimes "Postpartum Feelings" from
]]> is Postpartum Depression?
13 May 2013 13:44:39 +0000joleenwatson honor of the March of Dimes March for Babies this weekend, we wanted to take this week to talk about the emotional changes that can take place after the birth for mom-specifically postpartum depression (PPD).
Postpartum depression affects 1 out of every 8 women who have given birth. It is characterized by strong feelings of sadness, usually starting 1 to 3 weeks after the birth. It lasts a long time, and can make it difficult to care for your new baby.
It is not your fault! Having PPD does not make you a bad person, or a bad mother. In fact, it is the most common complication that women experience after giving birth.
It's not just the "baby blues". The "baby blues" only last 3 to 5 days after birth, and are characterized by sadness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and being emotional. The "baby blues" diminish within 10 days. PPD is much more severe and lasts a lot longer.
Continue to read this week as we talk about the causes and treatment of PPD. Thanks for stopping by!
*Source: March of Dimes "Postpartum Feelings" from
]]> of a Healthy Mother- 5
10 May 2013 19:43:15 +0000joleenwatson honor of Mother's Day, Imagine Hope is blogging about several different characteristics of a healthy Mom.
5. She is involved in her child's life– but not too involved.
Sound confusing? I think for most moms and parents, it definitely is! After all, kids don't come with a manual!
Being involved in your child's life is so important– attending their activities, spending quality one-on-one time, learning about what is happening in your child's life, and truly meeting your child on their level and entering their internal world through play, etc.
When does this become too much? When your involvement is inappropriate for their developmental level, when the child is expected to meet the parent's needs and when you begin to foster dependency needs rather than allowing your child to grow up. For example, expecting your teenager to spend more time with you than their peer group and shaming them for wanting to gain independence. Or wanting your young child to play the role of comforter to you, and to provide for your need to be needed and feel loved, when they need to begin gaining autonomy (e.g., having your child sleep with you in the marital bed, when they need to learn self-soothing).
It's such a fine line between the two, but so important in raising healthy, well-adjusted children. Mom's have such a special role in a child's life. For that, we truly applaud all of the Mother's out there! Happy Mother's Day and thank you for reading!
]]> of a Healthy Mother 3
08 May 2013 12:47:48 +0000alexa griffith week before Mother's Day we are examining what characteristics make a healthy mother. Most moms want to do their best to raise happy well- adjusted children. We are often blamed for the troubles of our children by the media, psychological theories (thanks Freud) and most of all, other mothers. The best way to inoculate our families from the harmful effects of the universe is attunement. No I am not talking about barber shop style acapella singing groups (thank goodness), but really connecting with, or being in tune with your child. Attunement is being aware of, and responding to your child. This is not an easy task. Mothers are famous for being pulled in a myriad of different directions, so staying attuned with your child takes planning and effort.
Keep your eye on the prize: Attunement
Understand that you will be distracted immediately. During pregnancy, mothers are immediately attacked by other mothers with "well meaning" questions like, "you eat gluten while gestating?", or or " breast or bottle?" or "stay at home or return to work?" or "will you deliver naturally, silently, in the woods and plant the placenta as fertilizer, or in a cold hard hospital bed with an epidural that will make your baby thinks it's a rhinoceros for the first five years of its life?" It seems that you have to choose a side or all will be lost. It seems impossible that you can trust yourself and your child to become attuned to be able to decide these big decisions for yourself! Some of the star performers in the judgey child rearing world make Texas cheerleading tryouts look welcoming. These mothers have a sort of gravitational pull, like a black hole, and they will suck your intelligent confident self into the abyss never to be seen or heard from again. They will try to make you question your every move from choice of prenatal vitamins to your relationship with your grandchildren. The mommy wars are fought long and hard, but they are not winnable wars. A healthy mom knows her prize is not the admiration of other moms, but a happy well-adjusted child. Avoiding the mommy war is the only way to win it.
When you are attuned with your child, you will not need other mothers to tell you what is right for your child. You will know by communicating with your child through eye contact, conversation, gentle touch, quality time and simply being engaged. This is where you recognize facial expressions and gestures and respond to the needs of the child. That is, as long, as you put down the other distractions. Yes, that means your smart phone, portable e reader, lap top or other form of cocaine for the mind that we drift toward when we have five seconds of free time. You child knows when she is talking to you and your reply is "uh huh, uh huh, mmmmmm, just one second…" that you are not really attuned with them. They know because they perfected the move. Park the gadgets for dinner time, or car time, or time when you could actually have a discussion with your child instead of trolling their Facebook page to see what is going on.
When your child is young and has limited vocabulary, getting down on the floor and playing with your child creates wonderful attunement. Play along with your child (not sit by the child and read while he plays, that does not count). Ask your child about the play, ask how they want you to play, reflect what you see them doing while they play. This kind of activity allows children to know you are engaged in what they are doing and you find them interesting. Sometime children will appear to be disinterested in attunement. This is a developmentally appropriate response in tween to teenage years. It is also a ruse designed to throw you off course. The thing about tweens and teens is that they still crave your interest and attention. Now, they may not crawl up in your lap and want to cuddle anymore, but they still want to be heard, seen, and valued. Do not let these kids push you away. Stay attuned. It may be uncomfortable for you, but you are a mother. And as mothers, it is not our job to be comfortable.
Please stay tuned this week as Natalie and Christy continue to share characteristics of a healthy mother. As always, thanks for stopping by.
]]> of a Healthy Mother #4
07 May 2013 15:18:35 +0000nataliechandler think as a society in general, we tend to focus on what we are doing "wrong" as parents. I love what we are doing this week as we focus on what a healthy Mom looks like vs. what we are all doing wrong. Today we are going to focus on discipline.
Discipline is about Teaching, not just Punishment
When we think of discipline we often think of punishment. But the actual word "disciple" comes from the word "discipline" because it is about teaching.
One of the best ways to teach your child is thru positive reinforcement. It is easy to focus on what a child is doing "wrong" when they are having negative behaviors. But if you start focusing on the positive things too (even if you have to dig a little), it will go a long way in helping them to start focusing on doing what's positive, too. Rewarding positive behavior will guide them into thinking about positive things they can do vs. the negative.
However, let's talk about negative behaviors. We can't focus on the positive all the time. A healthy Mom thinks of consequences that are logical and that fit the crime. Natural consequences are the best- if you don't do your homework, you will get a bad grade. If you don't eat your breakfast, you'll be hungry by 9:00 (they will live!). But if natural ones don't exist, logical are the best. If you don't come home by curfew, you won't go out tomorrow night because you are not showing you are responsible enough to go out. If you slug your neighbor instead of using your words, you won't play with your neighbors for a week to give you some time to think of another way to handle the situation. Remember, logical and natural are the best.
The most important thing to remember with discipline is being consistent and following thru. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you tell them there will be a consequence and you don't follow thru, they will quit believing you and won't care about the consequence. Now there are times where you need to be flexible and open, but for the majority of the time, stick to your guns!
And lastly, don't forget to teach. Talk to your kids about the consequences of their actions. Share with them an appropriate story from your childhood that may help them understand how your mistakes made a difference in you. Or how your good choices helped you in the end.
Remember, it's not all about punishment, it's about teaching (remember disciple).
My hat goes off to every Mom reading this. Our job is among the most challenging! Every day our heart walks out the door and we pray for it's return. Hopefully, some positive discipline will make your job (and their lives) a lot better.
Thank you for reading and Happy Mother's Day!!!
Adapted from "Positive Parenting" by Natalie Chandler. To read the entire article go to of a Healthy Mother 2
07 May 2013 13:00:03 +0000tamarawilhelm love the scene from the movie, The Help, that Teri discussed yesterday. It's so important to use kind/encouraging words with children. Here is another characteristic of a healthy mother:
Mother's know each of their children are separate individuals, each with their own separate emotional needs, talents and abilities. While your 1st born may have been a very special and unique and separate experience from your 3rd or 4th born, a healthy mother does not show favoritism toward any of her children.
Each child has the same household rules and consequences to abide by and to receive. However, it's a balancing act when it comes to loving them differently. Although you have the same rules for each child, and punish/give out consequences equally between them, the way you show love will be dependent upon each child individually.
A healthy mom knows each of her children's strengths, and understands they each need love in different ways. She knows one of her children is more contact/physical touch oriented, so she knows to play outdoors with them, versus making them stay inside with her. She knows her other child prefers to use their imagination, so she'll build things, watch movies, and have figurine wars/tea parties with them. If she has an intellectual child, she'll read with them, and actively listen to the things they find interesting. A healthy mother embraces their differences and doesn't try to make her children act like each other.
If her children are complete opposites (as generally happens in a family), their differences are celebrated and the children are not compared to one another. To do so would create jealousy and inadequacy in the children.
I think this quote by Albert Einstein sums it all up: "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
Thank you for reading! Please come back for more Characteristics of a Healthy Mother.
]]> Of A Healthy Mother 1
06 May 2013 10:37:29 +0000tericlaassen Day is approaching on Sunday! I know this day can be exciting for some as they celebrate motherhood, while for others it can be painful due to loss of a mom, having a strained relationship with a mom, or having difficulty in trying to become a mom.
Regardless of your feelings on Mother's Day, we thought it would be helpful to write about traits to help you understand what a healthy mom looks like. We know this can bring up mixed feelings of gratitude or heartache depending on your relationship with your own mother, and/ or how you have parented your own kids. We hope this will offer direction and hope in all of your relationships!
Characteristic #1: A Healthy Mother Uses Words Wisely
Words are powerful. They can cause you to feel amazing and loved, or they can cut you to the core. Being aware as a mom of how you use your words will have a huge impact on your kids.
When you use critical and shaming words and tones, kids will shrink under the impression that they are not good enough and that love is conditional. This can cause intense psychological wounds that will stay with a child for a life time.
A healthy mom will use words to encourage, teach, and praise a child. She is intentional to use loving words to redirect and discipline in a way that doesn't cause a child harm. She focuses on a child's behavior as being bad, instead of the child himself as bad.
A healthy mother is careful to not joke in a way that can end in pain for her child. She understands that even a joke can leave scars behind.
She speaks to her child the way she wants to be spoken to. After all, kids learn to communicate from what is modeled before them. They will learn by watching you.
We hope you understand the power of your words and choose them wisely. In the movie "The Help", there is a classic moment where a maid repeats to a young girl over and over these words, "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." (by Kathryn Stockett). This scene depicts the importance of connecting with your child through words. A healthy mother uses her words to show love.
]]> Questions To Ask About Your Relationship 25-30
03 May 2013 13:41:43 +0000joleenwatson When was the last time you talked about your future together, and were you on the same page? Obviously, if you aren't talking about the future, you have disconnected from one another. Make sure you dream together and set goals that you want to achieve. If you aren't having conversations about the future –from finances, family, career goals, etc.- – you both will end up with very different expectations of what your future looks like.
26. Do you feel as if you can communicate without saying a word? Sometimes it's just a glance, body language, or just knowing your partner well enough to know what they think/feel. Make sure that you are always learning about one another, no matter how long you have been together.
27. What is your happiest memory of your time together? Your worst? Are there more happy memories than unhappy ones? If you think back on your relationship,and there are more unhappy memories than happy ones, something is wrong. You and your partner need to evaluate this unhealthy routine you have fallen into, in order to prevent from repeating the same pattern in the future. You should also work on making more positive memories together in the future-plan a trip, surprise your spouse with a gift, etc.!
28. What is a relationship breaker for you, and have you overlooked one in this relationship? This can be anything from infidelity, abuse (physical, emotional, verbal), betrayal of trust, etc. Have you both had appropriate boundaries in your marriage? If something has happened, was it discussed and was there any closure?
29. How do you feel about the last, in-depth conversation you and your partner had? Communication is key in any relationship. If you aren't talking, you become roommates instead of partners. Make sure that you are constantly learning about one another and fighting fair when there are disagreements.
30. Do you show love for each other often, and if not, why? If you stop trying, the relationship is going to fail. Make sure that you both are affectionate, considerate, and meeting one another's emotional needs. If you aren't sure if your spouse if feeling loved by you, check in with them frequently to see what they need from you.
Thank you for reading this week! As always, if you read our blog this week and identified some problem areas in your relationship, make sure to seek professional help before it is too late.
*Source: 30 Questions To Help If You Have Doubts About Your Relationship by Terez Williamson by tinybudda.com
19. Would you ever consider having an affair? If either of you answered yes to this, get help immediately! That is a slippery slope to be considering that. Many people lie to themselves, justify affairs and believe they will actually HELP the relationship. This is a myth! If you really feel so confident that an affair will help, talk to your spouse about it. Get his/her permission first! And if by chance they give you the go ahead, get help immediately! Definitely something is wrong in the relationship that needs tended to.
20. Are you excited about your future together? Hopefully you share dreams together. It's important to live in the present but hope for the future. What do you plan to do when you grow old? What do you want to do for vacation this summer? Get excited and dream together!
21. Do you feel your relationship is a true partnership? If not, it's time to talk! Relationships should definitely be partnerships. Each partner needs to give and take, understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses. Try to utilize one partners strength where the other is weak. If a relationship feels like a parent/child relationship, there is a problem and some outside help might be needed. This can create various issues that we can save for another blog.
22. When was your last romantic outing? It is very important for couples to continue dating. Part of what you enjoyed about each other was the time you spent together…alone. Make it a priority to go out on a date at least once a month (more if you don't have kids!) and have "at home dates" after the kids go to bed. Turn off the tv, computers, phones and play a game, have a quiet dinner, or anything you do to relax
23. Does it bother you if your partner has friends of the opposite sex and why? This question is tricky. It is so important to have good boundaries with friends of the opposite sex. If you don't, emotional affairs can start and sometimes even sexual affairs. It's important for you and spouse to decide on the boundaries. And it's even more important to talk about them if one of the boundaries is broken. This isn't being possessive. It's being accountable.
24. Do you accept each other's belief systems? People are much more flexible with people's belief systems before they get married. Usually it's because they think they can change it. It's important to not only respect other's beliefs but also to try to understand them and how it relates to your partner.
Hopefully these questions will get some conversations started with your partner. Thank you for reading. Check back tomorrow for the rest of the questions.
Source: "30 Questions to Help If You Have Doubts About Your Relationship" by Terez Williamson on tinybuddah.com Questions To Ask About Your Relationship 13-18
01 May 2013 15:09:30 +0000alexa griffith How do you feel when your partner arrives home after being away? This is a good barometer for how you feel about your partner. Do you look forward or dread seeing them after time apart. Absence should make the heart grow fonder, not resentful.
14. Is your partner your best friend? Friendship, playfulness and respect are all healthy and essential components of a healthy loving relationship. Is your partner the first one you want to tell when you have exciting news, or when you need encouragement? Are you a good friend to your partner?
15. Is there a secret you are keeping that if your partner knew, you would feel you would lose them? This question speaks to trust, vulnerability, and shame. Secrets foster shame and make vulnerability seem bigger than it is. Secrets destroy trust which is essential to a lasting relationship. If you are keeping secrets, it is important to ask yourself what that means.
16. Do you feel that your partner accepts you? Authentic love knows who you are. Are you the real deal with your partner? Does your partner accept that you are imperfectly beautiful in your own right? Do you have to put on a show or wear a mask to keep your partner or do you allow yourself to be the true you around them?
17. When did you realize you had fallen in love and how do you feel when you think about it? Falling in love is often an exciting time! You have lots of feel good hormones flowing enabling you to get close to your partner. Sometimes people feel scared, or apprehensive, or angry, or vulnerable, or elated, or excited, or relieved! How did you feel?
18. Have you seen each other at your best and worst? Now, we don't all need to catch a nasty stomach bug and do all that in plain view of our partner. However, we can wake up without the need to be completely dressed and presentable before she wakes up. Can you imagine him showing up early for your date while you are still in yoga pants and sweaty from your Zumba class? What would be the reaction?
These are all good questions to ponder. Tomorrow Natalie will help us with identifying more helpful ways to look at our relationships. As always, thanks for stopping by!
*Source: 30 Questions To Help If You Have Doubts About Your Relationship by Terez Williamson by tinybudda.com
]]> Questions to Ask About Your Relationship 7-12
30 Apr 2013 13:00:10 +0000tamarawilhelm – When you think of your partner, do you smile? – Is your gut reaction to smile when you think of your spouse or your significant other? We hope so! If your initial reaction is to roll your eyes or take a deep breath, then why? If your reaction is to feel warmth and love then pay attention to those feelings.
#8 – Do you feel threatened when others find your partner attractive, and why? - The answers to these questions are very important. They reveal where these insecurities arise from. Pay attention if your answers come from your partners actual behaviors or from within yourself and your own insecurities.
#9 – Do you believe your partner is your biggest advocate? - We all need a cheering squad from time to time to encourage us along the way. This may comprise of family, friends, and our significant other. Having your partner in your corner is extremely important – and vice versa. Have they stood up for you in the past when you've need them the most? Do you do the same for them?
#10 – How do you feel about your partner's views on finances? - Do you respect your partners spending habits and personal views on money? Do you argue about money and how it's spent? Money is one of the top reasons couples seek counseling. Get on the same page by talking to your partner about what money means to each of you (safety, freedom, control, etc…).
#11 – Do you enjoy spending time with your partner's relatives? Friends? - Is this an area of arguments? Do you love your partners family and believe their friends are extended family?
#12 – Do either of you dredge up resentments in arguments, and why have you struggled to let them go?-Are you holding onto resentments because you feel "unheard" in arguments and therefore, keep bringing up the argument? Or, are you trying to punish your partner and make them pay for something they've done but have apologized for? Maybe there's another reason?
With all of these questions we're providing you this week, the answers all lie within you. The goal is to get you thinking and reflecting – if you're questioning the relationship you're in. It's always best to take the focus off the other person and put it on yourself – since the only control we truly have is over ourselves. Thank you for reading.
*Source: 30 Questions To Help If You Have Doubts About Your Relationship by Terez Williamson by tinybudda.com
]]> Questions to Ask About Your Relationship 1-6
29 Apr 2013 10:41:25 +0000tericlaassen questions themselves…did I make the right or wrong choice? Should or shouldn't I? Why do I do that? etc.
Questions are a normal part of the human experience. Asking them and looking for answers can give you insight and clarity into your life and the path to walk down. Walking blindly without asking yourself key questions could end in some avoidable pain.
The questions we are sharing this week can help you sort through your relationship and help you evaluate how healthy it is. We hope they challenge you to work towards a healthier relationship!
#1- Do you completely trust each other?- Trust is an important part of partnership. If trust gets broken, the relationship could fall apart quickly.
#2- Do you believe in soul mates, and if so do you believe you are each others?- Some people believe that you are meant to be with someone specific in this world. Many think of it in a romanticized "fate-like" way, but I believe a soul mate is more someone who is able to touch and connect with you in your soul. It requires trust, connection, and a lot of vulnerability.
#3- When was the last time you said, "I love you?" If it's been a while, why?- Affirming your love for your partner is important. We shouldn't just assume that they "know"… we need to let our partner know that we love them by showing it and saying it!
#4- Are you satisfied with the intimacy you share?- This doesn't just mean sexually, but also emotionally. Does your relationship meet your emotional needs? Is there depth to the connection you share? The more emotionally vulnerable you are with your partner, the more satisfying the intimacy will be.
#5- How often do you laugh together?- Having fun in a relationship is vital to longevity. Being playful and laughing together can create a powerful connection.
#6- Do you feel you have made personal sacrifices for your relationship, and have they been reciprocated?- Give and take is part of a healthy relationship. It can't be all your way or your partner's way. Compromise is necessary for both members of the relationship.
Keep reading tomorrow for more important questions to ask about your relationship!
Source: "30 Questions to Help If You Have Doubts About Your Relationship" by Terez Williamson on tinybuddah.com
]]> Common Traits of Hoarders
26 Apr 2013 19:20:41 +0000joleenwatson are some common traits of hoarders?
There are many traits that contribute to hoarding behaviors, though just because you only share of few of these characteristics doesn't necessarily indicate you are more or less severe of a hoarder.
Fear of Losing Information: This trait is common when an individual feels the fear of throwing information away "just in case" they might need it later. For example, unread newspapers, magazines, junk mail, etc.
Indecisiveness: Many hoarders are indecisive about things such as what to wear, what food to eat or order at a restaurant, or about certain possessions. Many hoarders will hang onto possessions that currently have no place in the home, feeling indecisive about where to put them or keeping them (again) "just in case" they need them for later. This results in a lot of clutter with unneeded items that never quite find their way into a permanent place in the home. Do you find yourself indecisive with decisions or items?
Fear of Making a Mistake
Hoarders commonly fear making mistakes about the following things: Accidentally throwing something away they might later want or need, not being able to find possessions because they have misplaced them, not having something they want or need in the future ("I can't throw that away… what if I NEED it later?"), not finding the right or "perfect" place for an item in the home. These may lead to symptoms such as buying duplicate items without enough room for them all, leaving items out in the home because of the fear you might not be able to find something when you need it, or not throwing something away because you may later feel regret about it.
As these authors suggest: Indecisiveness + Fear of Making a Mistake = Clutter
Inability to Prioritize: When you have too much stuff in your home, it often results in feeling overwhelmed. When you feel overwhelmed, it makes it difficult to prioritize what to do first and where to start tasks. Many people report feeling paralyzed by the quantity of things and end up procrastinating.
Fear of Loss: As stated earlier, this may be an overwhelming fear of discarding an item that is viewed as "important", in case the item might be needed later on. This doesn't refer to things that have family value, such as a family heirloom or your wedding dress. This would be more like hanging onto junk mail, for fear that it might include a large check in it and the fear you might accidentally throw this away. Many times, hoarders end up with piles, then when you try to clean out one pile, you just end up mixing it with another pile.
Fear of Memory Loss: Hoarding behaviors are connected to the fear of losing a memory. Hoarders are afraid to trust their own memory. Objects don't hold memories… WE hold memories. Some hoarders might have empty closets, instead, keeping objects in plain sight, cluttering up their home for fear of losing the memory that an object might hold for them.
Lack of Organization: Many hoarders have problems with categorization and end up developing piles and piles of similar objects. They often feel overwhelmed with organizing, not knowing where to begin.
Do you recognize any of these traits of hoarding? If so, we recommend talking with a professional counselor to find out what your hoarding behavior is really all about and how it is effecting your life, or taking the initial steps to working on simplifying and de-cluttering your life!
Adapted from: Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding: Why You Save and How You Can Stop, by Fugen Neziroglu, Jerome Bubrick, and Jose A. Yaryura-Tobias
]]> Identify the Reasons Why You Save
25 Apr 2013 12:51:02 +0000joleenwatson week we have been talking about hoarding and breaking down what it is/isn't. One of the ways you can determine whether you hoard or not is to evaluate why you save things. Here are some of most common reasons:
You keep it "just in case" a need for it arises
You feel it's unique and can't be replaced
You feel you give the item a good home and protect it
You can't decide exactly where it should go
You think you will feel horrible later if you throw it away now
It has some value
You can't remember why you saved it in the first place, but you must have had your reasons
You can't throw away printed information until you read it, understand, or remember it
It has sentimental value
Although it isn't valuable now, it may be in the future
Do any of these sound familiar? Some other questions to ask yourself are: Do you experience grief or loss when someone else loses or discards of your possessions? Do you like to feel in control of your possessions? Does surrounding yourself with your possessions make you feel safe and comfortable?
If you are able to identify with any of these, you may benefit from counseling to help you process through your feelings, thoughts, and beliefs. Continue to read tomorrow as Joleen shares more information about hoarding. Thanks for reading!
]]> or Collecting?
24 Apr 2013 17:03:39 +0000alexa griffith throw the term "hoarder"around loosely about people who collect a lot of a particular items from a point of interest. But not all collectors are suffer from hoarding.
If you know someone who collects, you probably know that collectors take great care in keeping their possessions and take pride in showing others. Collections are often on display, or proudly showcased in curio cabinets. My sons collect Poke mon cards and you will hear all about every one if you ever encounter one of my boys! Collectors spend time and research their collections and often congregate with other collectors or people with similar interests. Collectors usually plan and budget for their loved purchases. Collectors also feel satisfied and proud when they add to their collection.
On the other hand, hoarders often feel embarrassed about the amount of items they may have accumulated. One might purchase an item with an intended function for it, but will not usually follow through. That item will likely be duplicated and duplicated with further purchases. With all of these items, the owner often ends up in a cluttered state. Often times the clutter builds to the point that the owner's living space is compromised.
Often times hoarding behavior results in debt and financial woes. Often people feel worse or depressed after making the purchase, much like how one would feel after eating an entire pint of ice cream.
Sometimes the clutter accumulated results in hoarders not inviting people to their homes. Hoarders may avoid repair work desperately needed due to embarrassment. They may forego assistance from friends and family when needed in order to hide their clutter.
As you can see, there is a difference between hoarding and collecting.
]]> Self-Assessment
23 Apr 2013 13:00:39 +0000tamarawilhelm that we've discussed the symptoms of hoarding, let's see how you evaluate your own symptoms. Answer the questions as honestly as you can.
The following questions are not meant to be a scientific tool, but to help you understand yourself better.
Answer the following questions by answering "yes" or "no":
Do you have difficulty throwing things away or get anxious when thinking about discarding your possessions?
Do you have so many possessions that your rooms are cluttered?
Do you often feel an urge to buy things or acquire free things, but know you really don't need them?
Do you often decide to purchase or acquire items even if you know you have no space for them?
Do you have possessions taking up so much floor space that it's difficult to move around the room?
Have you ever not been able to use a piece of furniture (sofa, table, chair) for it's intended purpose b/c it was used as storage space for your possessions?
Have you ever been so embarrassed by the number of your possessions that you did not want people to see certain rooms in your house?
Has saving or acquiring possessions resulted in financial strain for you or your family?
Has the number of your possessions ever been the reason for arguments or disagreements within your family?
Do you often feel like you need additional storage space?
Have your possessions ever been damaged because of inadequate storage space?
Have you ever shoplifted as a way of acquiring possessions?
Have you ever been arrested for shoplifting?
Do you spend 30 minutes/30 minutes - 2 hours/more than 2 hours a day looking for objects around your house?
Do you spend 30 minutes/30 minutes-2 hours/more than 2 hours a day related to your saving behaviors including thinking about your possessions?
If you find yourself answering "yes" to a lot of the questions above, we strongly urge you to get the book (cited below) and seek a professional counselor to help you with your hoarding behavior. You are not alone, and you do have options. We have much more information we'll be sharing with you this week on hoarding. Thank you for reading!
]]> Is Hoarding?
22 Apr 2013 10:52:06 +0000tericlaassen have watched the reality shows about hoarding…it can be hard to watch. Compulsive hoarding is a real issue that many struggle with.
Neziroglu, Bubrick, and Yaryura-Tobias have written a book called "Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding" that we will be referencing all week as we help our readers understand this issue.
They define hoarding as "acquiring and saving items that have little or no value and then having tremendous difficulty discarding them."
The following are a list of symptoms identified in the books of those struggling with compulsive hoarding:
Avoid throwing things away
Have severe anxiety when throwing things away
Have trouble making decisions about their stuff
May feel overwhelmed or embarrassed by their things
May feel suspicious of others touching items
Has obsessive thoughts about possessions such as fear of running out of an item, fear of needing it later, needing it just in case, or may search trash to make sure possessions haven't been thrown away
May have a loss of space in the home, social isolation, family or marriage problems, financial issues, or health hazards
Possessions are disorganized
May have trouble categorizing items
If you related to any of these symptoms, this book could help! Keep reading all week for more info on overcoming hoarding!
What do you do with your feelings about small (and not-so-small) situations that happen in your marriage? Do you share them with your spouse and get clarification with them? Do you let them see who you really are? Or do you keep them stuffed away (as Natalie wrote about in yesterday's post)?
When feeling "unglued", sometimes we will collect what is termed "Retaliation Rocks". These are things we use as a weapon for future disagreements. For example: Your spouse doesn't help with housework, but you don't say anything to he/she about how this feels. You stuff the feelings away in a corner of your heart. Later on (sometimes years later), your spouse doesn't initiate a date night and "A-HA!"… You just KNEW it! They don't love you and don't feel you are important (not true), so you explode on them, using one incident (or many) about just how "unimportant" you must really be to them! The problem with this is…. it's not true! You never shared with them how you felt in the first place, but instead kept this information and all of these feelings from your spouse's knowledge, only to bombard them with feelings later on in a deadly fashion.
Retaliation rocks are things that we keep tucked away and don't let our spouse see about us and our feelings. These cause bitterness that we keep inside over time, where we might feel annoyed at our spouse and then later on we allow these small things to erupt each time we feel upset about something completely unrelated.
Don't allow these rocks to sit on your soul. And don't pull out these "rocks" in moments of retaliation towards your spouse. They will only feel confused and unsafe with you.
Do you collect "retaliation rocks", only to use them as ammunition towards your spouse later on?
*Source: Unglued: Making Wise Choices In The Midst Of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
So what do you do when you have a friend who has said or did something that really hurt you? What about your spouse- do you share with them when they aren't paying attention to you and your feelings are hurt by their actions? What if you have a parent who still criticizes you for every little detail of your life? Do you let them know it bothers you?
If you answered, "I don't do anything or tell anyone when they hurt me or when I feel frustrated", then you might be a stuffer.
A stuffer who builds barriers is just basically someone who does not share their feelings of hurt, anger, sadness, or frustration with the person they are in a relationship with. Additionally, they build walls up when they are around this person. Many times they don't realize they are building the walls. But after awhile, a wall is there, the relationship has changed, or sometimes even disintegrated.
Sound familiar?
Stuffers usually not only struggle in their relationships because of the walls, but they often are angry and irritable, struggle with depression, and some people have health problems from holding so much in. Many issues can come from being a stuffer, not just walls.
If you realize you are a stuffer and see the walls you have built, it's important to start speaking up to others. Let someone know if they have hurt you or if you feel angry. It doesn't have to be confrontational. It can be a simple conversation like "The other day I felt hurt when you said my idea was ridiculous". Simple. Many times this may start a conversation that can lead to greater intimacy. And isn't that what we desire in our relationships?
Tomorrow Joleen will help us identify another way of stuffing. Don't miss out! Thank you for reading and we hope you have a great week!
*Source: Unglued: Making Wise Choices In The Midst Of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
Written by Natalie Fatal error: Call to undefined method s2class_upgrade::get_usermeta_keyname() in /home/imagi2/public_html/wmblog/wp-content/plugins/subscribe2/classes/class-s2-upgrade.php on line 292 | eng | 8a243504-93c5-45d7-a3c6-e79573d44fc7 | http://www.imaginehopecounseling.com/wmblog/?feed=rss2 |
The structure is the way in which the parts of a
system are organised and connected[1].
It could be seen as the skeleton of a body, where different parts represent
diverse organs linked to each other. It is extremely important to gain an
inview of how an organisation is structured, because it allows to better
understand how it works on a day to day perspective. Behavioural theorists
argue that "structure influences an organization's outcomes and, therefore,
structure defines the organization's agenda"[2].
For this reason, the second chapter will be an overview of the parts of the
World Health Organization structure, in order to start to enter in the
Organization's work perspective. It will give the basic instruments
necessary to be able to understand the interactions and interconnections,
which will be then analysed in the second and third part of this
dissertation. Therefore, this chapter does not want to be a specific
analysis of the mechanisms concerning each single organ, but a broad
description about how each of them is composed and works.
The structure of the WHO does not differ much from the
one of the other specialised agency. In fact, although the structure of an
organisation is shaped on its basic functions and activities, and it is
consequently different in each organisation, it is frequent to find certain
similarities in it, which could be called 'general principles of structure'[3].
Therefore, like many other specialised agencies, the WHO structure has two
characteristics: the first one is that the work of the Organization is carry
out by two governing bodies, and a permanent staff; the second one is that
its work is organised at three different levels.
The following two chapters have as an object these two
structural characteristics. The first one deals with the analysis of the
plenary organ, the executive organ and the permanent staff, respectively the
World Health Assembly, the Executive Board and the Secretariat. The second
one is a description of the WHO's three layers: the headquarters of Geneva,
the Regional Organizations and the Country Offices.
2.1. World Health Assembly
The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the first organ
provided by the Constitution to conduce the work of the Organization. The
WHA is the organ in which all the member states are directly represented.
For this reason, it is called plenary organ. However, its activity is to be
ascribed to a superior entity, which is the international organisation
itself which the organ is part of[4].
The WHA is the supreme governing body of the
Organization, which means that it acts as the supreme decision-taking and
policy-making body. It is also frequently called legislative body,
considering its activity in the adoption of regulations and recommendations.
Chapter V of WHO Constitution and the Rules of
Procedure of the World Health Assembly provide all the needed information
concerning place and time, composition, functions and method of work of the
WHA.
2.1.1. Place and time of the WHA
According to article 13 of WHO Constitution, the World
Health Assembly shall meet regularly once a year[5].
The Constitution also provides the possibility for special sessions to be
convened in case the Executive Board or the majority of the states desire
it. The date of each annual and special session is determined by the EB,
after consultation with the Secretary-General of the United Nations[6].
It is interesting to know that, in 1950, the Danish,
Norwegian and Swedish delegations submitted a proposal to the WHA. They
wanted the sessions to be biennial, instead of annual. They argued that in
this way WHO would save money and time, and they also considered that one
year was too short to create a totally new agenda to present to the next
WHA. Another argument was to try to maintain an uniformity with the rest of
United Nations system. However, this proposal was refused for different kind
of reasons, and since then no more changes in this rule were projected[7].
Nonetheless, the duration of the session started to be reduced. In 1996, it
was established that the WHA should last a maximum of six days[8].
According to article 14, the place is determined by
the WHA itself. It designates the country or the region where the next
session would be held. After that, the Executive Board fixes the exact place
for the meeting[9].
The third General Assembly of the United Nations, in 1947, recommended that
the annual conferences of the specialised agencies shall take place as much
as possible at the Organisation's headquarters. The Executive Board had to
decide whether it was more convenient to hold WHA sessions always at WHO
headquarters or to change the place each time. In the end, all the WHA
meetings were held in Geneva, except two[10].
The second WHA convened in Rome, in 1949 and the eight one in Mexico City,
in 1955. The condition was that the Mexican and Italian governments had to
cover all the additional expenses due to the place variation[11].
Therefore, since its first meeting, the WHA has been
meeting annually in Geneva in May.
2.1.2. Composition of the WHA
The World Health Assembly is composed by delegates
from all member states. According to article 11, each member state can be
represented by three delegates. One of them is designated as chief of the
delegation. Delegations can be accompanied by alternates and advisers.
Delegates should be chosen from among persons who are characterised by
technical competence in the health field and who represent the national
health administration[12].
The delegates represent their countries and express the views of their
governments. Representatives of the Executive Board, of the United Nations,
of other specialised agencies and of intergovernmental organisations which
established a special relationship with the WHO can also take part to the
WHA, as well as observers of non member states or of Nongovernmental
Organizations (NGOs). However, they do not have the right to vote[13].
2.1.3. Functions of the WHA
Article 18 describes the World Health Assembly
functions through thirteen paragraphs from a) to m)[14].
To have a clearer view about the activity of WHA, we can summarise it in
four main functions.
The principal function of the WHA is to determine the
policies of the Organization. It takes the most important decisions
concerning strategies, programmes and activities of the Organization. For
example, this means that it determines the overall policy direction of WHO's
general programme of work, which will be analysed in the second part of this
work[15].
Secondly, the WHA has a special role in the election
of the Director-General. The WHA is in charge of the appointment of the head
of the Secretariat.
Thirdly, on one side, WHA reviews and approves reports
and activities of the Executive Board or of the Director-General; on the
other side, it can also instruct the Executive Board in regard to matters
upon which action, study, investigation or report may be considerable.
Finally, WHA supervises the financial policies of the Organization and
reviews and approves the budget.
Furthermore, according to articles 19, 21, 23, WHA has
also the authority to adopt conventions or agreements and regulations, and
to make recommendations[16].
For example, it can adopt regulations in such fields as sanitary and
quarantine requirements; nomenclature for diseases, causes of death, and
public health practices; and standards with respect to safety, purity and
potency of biological pharmaceuticals, and similar products[17].
This function corresponds to the 'legislative' activity of the World Health
Organization. As chapter 4 will show, this kind of documents are not legally
binding, and therefore they could not be properly considered legislative,
yet 'quasi-legislative'[18].
2.1.4. Method of work: Rules of procedure of the WHA
According to article 17, the World Health Assembly
shall adopt its own rules of procedure[19].
Therefore, as it states the Preamble of the Rules of Procedure of the World
Health Assembly, the Rules of Procedure are adopted under the authority of,
and are subject to, the Constitution of the Organization. If there is any
conflict between any provision of the Rules and the Constitution, the
Constitution shall prevail[20].
They were adopted by the eight World Health Assembly and repetitively
amended during the past years.
Once the legal source has been stated, I can analyse
the method of work adopted during WHA sessions. The Rules deal with
different aspects: agenda, committees, conduct of business, voting, budget
and finance, etc.
I present a broad description of how a session is
usually conducted[21].
The Executive Board prepares the provisional agenda for each session after
considering proposals submitted by the Director-General of the Organization.
The Executive Board shall include in the agenda: the annual report of the
Director-General on the work of the Organization, all items that WHA has
ordered to be included, any items pertaining to the budget for the next
financial period, any item proposed by member states, associate members,
United Nations and by any other organisation of the United Nations system.
At each meeting, the WHA, after considering the report
of the Committee on Nominations, elects a President, five Vice-Presidents
and a Chairman for Committee A and Committee B, which are the two main
committees to help WHA with its work.
The General Committee consists of the President,
Vice-Presidents, the Chairman of the two main Committees and seventeen
delegates. No delegation may have more than one representative on the
General Committee. Meetings are usually held in private.
Committee A deals predominantly with programme and
budget matters. Committee B deals predominantly with administrative,
financial and legal matters. Each delegation is entitled to be represented
on each committee by one of its members. The meetings of these committees
and their sub-committees are usually held in public.
The reports of all committees, including draft
resolutions must be distributed at least twenty-four hours before the
plenary meeting at which they will be considered.
A majority of the member states represented at the
session constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business at plenary meeting.
It is valid the principle 'one state, one vote'. Decisions on important
issues, as the adoption of conventions or agreements, amendments to the
Constitution, are taken with a two-third majority of the member states
present and voting. However, most decisions are made by consensus.
English, French, Chinese, Arab and Spanish are the
official languages. The documents are usually in English and French. In case
one of the member state requires it, they can be also translated into one of
the others.
2.2. Executive Board
The Executive Board (EB) is the second organ
established by the Constitution to carry out the work of the World Health
Organization. If the WHA is the legislative body, the EB is usually
considered as the executive body of the Organization. This means that it
oversees the implementation of decisions taken by the WHA. Generally
speaking the EB is in charge of taking less strategic and more operational
decisions.
However, the structure of international organisations,
as their functions, is easy to change in its parts. Cox and Jacobson, two of
the most important authors on the international organisation's topic, affirm
that "regardless of the rigidity of their charters […], once established, in
many instances they evolve in ways that could not have been foreseen by
their founders"[22].
Thanks to discussions and interviews with persons of the Secretariat during
the 111th EB in Geneva, from 20 January 2003 to 28 January 2003, I was able
to realise how the given definition is rather broad and not totally
complete. In the next paragraphs, I will highlight the changes which
occurred in the composition of the EB, and I will give a clearer description
of the EB functions.
The starting information concerning place and time,
composition, functions and method of work of the EB are provided by Chapter
VI of WHO Constitution and by the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board.
2.2.1. Place and time of the EB
According to article 26 of the Constitution, the EB
"shall meet at least twice a year and shall determine the place of each
meeting"[23].
The Constitution also provides the possibility to convene special sessions.
The main EB meeting, at which the agenda for the forthcoming WHA is agreed
upon and resolutions for forwarding to the WHA are adopted, is held in
January. The second shorter meeting is usually in May, immediately after the
WHA, for more administrative matters[24].
The place of the meeting has always been Geneva,
except certain particular situations, as the 16th EB that was held in Mexico
City[25].
2.2.2. Composition of the EB
Articles 24 and 25 of the Constitution describe the
composition of the Executive Board[26].
Although the Constitution affirms that the EB is composed by 31 members,
since 1994 they are 32[27].
They are from Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of
Korea, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,
Grenada, Guinea, Iran, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lithuania,
Maldives, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi
Arabia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Unites States, Venezuela[28].
These 32 members seat around the table in the Executive Board room at the
Geneva headquarters[29].
These persons are designated by as many member states
that have been selected to serve by the WHA. Not less than three members
shall be selected for each Regional Organization. One of the criteria the
WHA should take into account in designating member states is an equitable
geographic distribution. Member states are elected for a three-year terms
and may be reelected. Furthermore, each year one-third of EB members is
retired. In this way, recycle and continuity are guaranteed at the same
time.
Article 24 refers to EB members as 'persons', implying
that individuals serving as EB members serve in a personal capacity, as
technically qualified in the field of health, rather than as representatives
of particular governments. This believe, difficult to be held in practice,
resisted till 1998. Till that time, the EB was supposed to act on behalf of
the whole membership of the Organization and not on behalf only of those
countries elected to designate its members. The EB was defined as "the
collective expression of the total membership of WHO and the conscience of
its member states"[30].
As a consequence, members of the EB were not to represent their countries
and rather to express their own opinion[31].
This system, which was unique in the UN system[32],
probably wanted to reflect "the once held belief that health was an
apolitical issue"[33]
and political forces should not influence it[34].
However, it is interesting to wonder whether this 'independence' was
effectively respected[35].
In all probability, this happened in case the EB dealt with technical
issues; however, coming to discussions concerning international politics,
the Director-General elections or the budget, this was not so sure[36].
During the sessions of the EB, it was noticeable a kind of embarrassment
from the EB members when they had to refer to the countries they were from,
without having bias towards them. Picturesque expressions to talk
about their own countries could be heard, such as "un pays que je connais
bien" or "le pays que je connais le mieux"[37].
Therefore, for many authors the independence of the EB
members was considered as a fiction[38].
Vignes calls the independence of the EB members a myth, and he deems
necessary a reform of their status.
The reform came in 1998, when a group of member states
decided to accept the reality and to abandon the myth. The EB members shall
not serve in their personal capacity, but act as representatives of the
member states entitled to designate them. A change of the EB member status
would have implied a constitutional change, because article 24 of the
Constitution refers to them as 'persons' and not as 'delegates', as in the
WHA case. The reforming group deemed too a complicate and long procedure to
intervene on the constitutional text. For this reason, it found a
discrepancy in the text of the English and French Constitution. The first
one refers to EB members as 'persons', whereas the second one as
'délégués'. This ambiguity was enough to invoke article
75, which refers to questions or disputes concerning the interpretation or
application of the Constitution. According to this article, the first step
in order to settle the risen problem is to refer to the WHA. In 1998, the
WHA was called to decide on this issue. The WHA, "noting
the ambiguity which results from the difference in the authentic languages
of the Constitution concerning the status in which persons serve as members
of the Executive Board"[39],
adopted a resolution which states that "member
states entitled to designate a representative to the Executive Board should
designate them as government representatives, technically qualified in the
field of health"[40].
Consequently, the EB has become an independent intergovernmental organ.
Since then, the EB members have been considered representatives of their
countries, giving to the EB rather a political character than a technical
one.
The problem of the EB members independence touches one
of the most debated issues, not only inside the WHO, but also relatively to
the system of the specialised agency of the UN system as a whole. The issue
concerns the 'non-political' character of the specialised agencies and in
particular the level to which health can be politicised, and whether WHO
should be influenced by political forces or autonomously act[41].
The next part of this contribution will be referring to this debate[42].
2.2.3. Functions of the EB
Article 28 describes the Executive Board's functions
through a list of nine paragraphs, from a) to i)[43].
Its main functions are to cooperate with the WHA in carrying out the work of
the Organization, both through a preparatory and an executive function. On
one side, it prepares the agenda of WHA meetings, it advises the WHA either
on questions referred to it by that body, or on its own initiative, it
submits to the WHA for consideration and approval a general programme of
work covering a specific period, the financial report and the proposed
budget; on the other side, it acts as the executive organ of the WHA, which
means that it gives effect to the decisions and policies of the WHA and it
performs any other functions entrusted to it by that body. The technical
work is then carried out by the other organ of the WHO, the Secretariat,
which is in charge of practically implement the policies adopted by the
governing bodies. Therefore, WHA and EB work is strictly connected.
Besides the preparatory and executive roles, the EB
can also have an autonomous initiative dealing with events requiring
immediate action, as an epidemic or a calamity. In this situation, the EB
can take, or can authorize the Director-General to take emergency measures
within the functions and financial resources of the Organization[44].
2.2.4. Method of work: Rules of procedure of the EB
According to article 27, the Executive Board shall
adopt its own rules of procedure[45].
The EB adopted its own Rules of procedure at its 17th session, and they have
been amended many times in the past years[46].
They deal with several aspects, as membership, sessions, agenda, committees,
conduct of business, voting, etc.
The Director-General has to send notices convening the
EB six weeks before the beginning of the regular sessions. He also has to
draw up the provisional agenda of the EB. It should include: all items the
inclusion of which has been ordered by the WHA, by the EB at a previous
session, or by the Director-General; any item proposed by a member state, by
an associate member or by an EB member, by the United Nations, as well as by
any specialised agency with which WHO has entered into effective relations.
In May, each year, the EB elects a Chairman and three
Vice-Chairmen from among its members. The Chairman is not eligible until two
years have elapsed since he ceased to hold office.
As the WHA, the EB may establish committees to study
and report on any item on its agenda.
Two-thirds of the 32 members shall constitute a
quorum. Each member of the EB shall have one vote. Furthermore, it is valid
the principle "members present and voting", which means members casting a
valid affirmative or negative vote. Members abstaining from voting shall be
considered as not voting. The decisions of the EB are made by a majority of
the members present and voting.
The official languages of the EB are Arabic, Chinese,
English, French, Russian and Spanish. All resolutions, recommendations and
other formal decisions of the EB shall be made available in the working
languages.
2.3. Secretariat
The Secretariat is the third organ provided by the
Constitution to carry out the work of the Organization. The Secretariat is
the WHO staff as a whole, throughout the world.
The term 'Secretariat' as one that includes the whole
staff, although allowed by tradition, is far from conveying the nature of
the work of the technical staff of the WHO, and especially that one of the
field staff, who often works in conditions of difficulty if not of hardship[47].
In fact, the origin of this organ has to be traced back to the Interim
Commission. The Director-General was given by this Commission a personnel
with various tasks according to its original different functions and
activities. At least for the beginning, it was necessary to keep the
services that the Commission previously established in order to put on
epidemiological information, external and field activities, publications,
etc[48].
Considering Chapter VII of WHO Constitution and the
Staff Regulations, I will provide in this paragraph all the needed
information concerning the main characteristics of the WHO staff, its main
functions and method of work.
2.3.1. Main characteristics of the Secretariat
The Secretariat is composed of the Director-General,
six Regional Directors, as well as appropriate technical and administrative
staff[49],
based in headquarters, Regional Offices and in specific countries. The next
chapter will describe these figures and the three layers of work. In this
part, I limit to highlight the main characteristics of WHO staff kind of
work.
The main characteristic of the staff of the WHO is
their status of international civil servants. The first international
secretariats were created in the nineteenth century in relation to
international conferences and institutions. The concept of an international
civil service was based on two principles. On one side, the "allegiance owed
by staff members exclusively to the international organization that employs
them"[50];
on the other side, "the complementary duty of the member states to respect
the exclusively international character and responsibilities of the staff"[51].
The meaning of this status is clearly described in a pamphlet from Mr A.T.
Slater, the Director of the Division of Personnel in 1998[52],
which states privileges and obligations of an international civil servant.
Concerning the privileges, they are: to be immune from
prosecution under national laws to the extent that this is necessary to
carry out his functions; to be able to cross national borders with relative
ease and take up residence in countries where this would normally not be
possible; to be exempt from national taxation; to have relatively good
salaries and good conditions of work.
Moving to the obligations, the international civil
servant must be characterised by integrity, international outlook,
independence, impartiality and loyalty. Integrity for an international civil
servant means to regulate his conduct with the interest of WHO in view only.
He must subordinate his private interests and not place himself in a
position where either his interests would conflict with those of the
Organization or where he would personally profit through your action or
inaction, or from the information he has gained. The best description we
gained of this duty is the one Ms Yukiko Maruyama gave us in one of the
interviews: "the Secretariat should act as servant to the member states.
Civil servants should not work in terms of personal profit, but for the
needs of the member states. It is a kind of volunteering. We do not work for
ourselves, but for the member states. They need us, and we serve them"[53].
Nevertheless, an ongoing debate concerns the effective integrity of the
staff of the WHO[54].
To continue with the Secretariat obligations,
international outlook means to try to be as much as possible open to
different points of view and approaches, without giving up with own personal
or political views. Whatever personal views are, he can willingly conform to
his international obligations and support the decisions of WHO.
Independence refers to the fact that the international
civil servant, in the exercise of his functions, has to remain independent
from any authority outside the Organization. If the EB member independence
from governments can only be derived from an interpretation of the article
24 of the Constitution, on the contrary, the same principle is explicitly
affirmed for the Secretariat by the Constitution. The independence and
autonomy shall be respected by both the staff itself and the governments of
the member states. According to article 37, "in the performance of their
duties, the Director-General and the staff shall not seek or receive
instructions from any government or from any authority external to the
Organization. They shall refrain from any action which might reflect on
their position as international officers". At the same time, from the other
side, "each member of the Organization on its part undertakes to respect the
exclusively international character of the Director-General and the staff
and not to seek to influence them"[55].
After integrity, international outlook and
independence, impartiality must be added. It means objectivity, lack of
bias, tolerance and restraint when political, religious or other disputes or
differences arise.
Last but not least, loyalty to the aims, principles
and purposes of the Organization. It also means to respect the decisions
taken by the governing bodies or by the Director-General and not seek
support from governments or outside parties towards influencing or obtaining
a change in those decisions and not to act or speak in a compromising way
for the Organization.
After having traced the main general characteristics
of a civil servant, a distinction can be made. Civil servants can be
distinguished between persons who have a 'trust
relationship' and those who have an 'employment relationship' with the
Organization. The first ones seat at the higher level of the hierarchy of
the Organization, and their positions are generally provided by the text of
the Constitution. Their mandate is temporary and member states are normally
involved in their election. The second ones can either occupy high positions
or be in charge of a less responsible activity, as translation. Their
activity is similar to that of a public administration servant[56].
Another characteristic of WHO staff is that it must be
recruited with a view to making it not only efficient, but also
internationally representative. The geographic distribution has to be
considered as one of the criteria in the nomination of new personnel, taking
into account the huge number of member states. The WHO Secretariat "should
reflect the composition of its membership, a majority of which are
developing countries", states the Assembly in a resolution adopted at the
WHA in 2002[57].
It should also maintain a certain balance concerning the presence of women
and men.
As far as it concerns the staff having an employment
relationship with the Organization, the contracts can be fixed-term or
temporary appointment. A fix-term appointment is a time-limited appointment
for one year or more. A temporary appointment is an appointment for a period
not exceeding 11 months. The number of the short-term contracts has recently
increased.
As a last characteristic, the Secretariat is mainly
composed of medical professionals. This has led David Pitt to describe it as
a 'medical mafia'[58].
The last years have seen the number of other specialisations to rise within
the WHO personnel. This change is originated by a transformation of the
concept of health towards an holistic perspective. Health becomes of great
interest not only for medical doctors, but also for economists, lawyers,
sociologists and even political scientists.
Table 1: Data relative to the Secretariat (as of 31
December 2001)
3608
fixed-term or career service staff
worldwide
37.4%
professionals
57.8%
general service
4.8%
national professional officers
52.8%
men
47.2%
women
4746
short tem-staff
149
nationalities
2.3.2. Functions
The Secretariat is the permanent structure of the
Organization. The World Health Assembly and the Executive Board meet
respectively once and twice a year, and for such a short time that it is
difficult for them to carry out the whole work of the Organization[59].
As a consequence, it becomes indispensable to have an organ which works
constantly on the day-to-day issues of the Organization.
Even if the task of preparing the proposed budget, the
financial report and the general programme of work belongs theoretically to
the WHA, the staff of the WHO is practically in charge of that.
The Secretariat prepares an incredible amount of
documents, as research pamphlets, resolution projects, decisions and
recommendations for the WHA and the EB. To give an example, prior to the WHA
meetings, it prepares and circulates position papers for comment by member
states about important issues. This process is very useful because it helps
reducing conflict during the week the WHA is held. During the meetings, the
Secretariat is responsible for circulating documents, reports and
resolutions of the WHA and its committees; it is also in charge of preparing
records of their proceedings and translating all information into the
working languages of the WHA. Once resolutions have been adopted, the
Secretariat contributes in making them effective and it evaluates the
results[60].
Concluding, the main functions of the Secretariat at a
global level are: to provide support to the WHA, EB, Regional and Country
Offices; to globally stimulate thought and action by generating,
crystallising and promoting ideas; to collect, analyse, synthesise and
disseminate valid information on health and related matters; to identify,
generate and transfer appropriate technology; to support global advisory
group; to deal with global planning, management monitoring and evaluation;
to administer global and inter-regional programmes; to foster the
international transfer of resources for health, to prepare programme budget
proposals for submission to the EB and to the WHA, to cooperate with the UN
system and selected NGOs[61].
2.3.3. Method of work: staff regulations
According to article 35, "the Director-General shall
appoint the staff of the Secretariat in accordance with staff regulations
established by the Health Assembly". The criteria to be followed for the
nomination of the personnel are efficiency, integrity, internationally
representative character and as wide geographical basis as possible[62].
Furthermore, art. 36 states that "the condition of service of the staff of
the Organization shall conform as far as possible with those of other United
Nations Organizations"[63].
The Staff Regulations and Rules cover different aspects of the WHO staff
working condition, from their duties and privileges, to salary, recruitment
and appointment. They also deal with social security issue and travel and
transportation[64].
As it concerns the day-to-day work of the Secretariat,
we had the opportunity to directly assist to the activity of the Traditional
Medicine Team and of the Department of Noncommunicable Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion.[65].
While everyone agrees on the data given above,
concerning composition, functions and methods of work of WHA, EB and
Secretariat, a debate arose relatively to the balance of power among them.
Many authors are sceptical also relatively to the effectiveness of the WHA
and EB few and short meetings.
With respect to the WHA, authors wonder "whether it is
at all possible for 192 nations to agree on any substantial issue and
conduct meaningful policy discussions at the same time as they are supposed
to govern a huge and highly professional bureaucracy"[66].
As far as it concerns the EB, Beigbeder affirms that "la brève durée de
ses réunions ne lui permet pas de procéder par lui-même aux études et aux
rapports qui lui sont demandés"[67].
According to this author, the work, which the EB should
be theoretically in charge of, is in practice carried out by the Secretariat[68].
The EB "n'a pas le moyens ni le temps nécessaires pour appliquer les
décisions et directives de l'Assemblée. Cette fonction ne peut être mise en
œuvre que par le secrétariat, le Conseil conservant une fonction générale de
contrôle"[69].
According to the Swedish Foreign Ministry, the problems
concerning the EB would be even wider: "the EB suffers from several
weaknesses, such as vague and ineffective procedures, lacking analytical
material to support decision-making, a high turnover of board members and a
task that is much larger than many of the members have a reasonable chance
to prepare themselves for"[70].
Some of these issues would originate from having too little time to be
effectively in shape and in touch with the strategic challenges of the
Organization.
At the same time, looking at the amount of work which
the Secretariat is in charge of, one could think that the WHO is driven more
by the Secretariat itself than by those organs who should be the most
important in determining the policies of the Organization. In particular the
Director-General would be the one in charge of directing the Organization
towards the preferable way. This would, however, mean that changing of the
WHO Director-General would lead to a total changing in the policy direction
of the Organization. The very last part of this work will analyse the last
Director-General election, and it will try to verify or falsify this
hypothesis[71].
The debate leads to a legitimate question: who drives
WHO? Is it the WHA? Is it the EB? Is it the Secretariat and mainly the
Director-General? If such a debate rises, it is apparently not so obvious to
consider the WHA as the most powerful organ. The WHO is an intergovernmental
organisation and this implies that WHO is its member states, not 32 out of
192, not its Secretariat. To the question, who drives WHO, the answer should
point at the organ which mostly represents the member states: the WHA.
However, from conversations I had with members of the Secretariat, this deep
true does not seem so evident. Different authors give different answers, and
this could actually be the topic for another thesis. Many authors consider
the Director-General's position as extremely influential, and think that
s/he could easily overtake the real needs of member states to pursue her/his
personal interests. A further theory is that the WHO is basically a donor
driven Organization[72],
because of the tremendous increase of the extrabudgetary fund. But we will
have time to discuss this interesting issue in the next parts[73].
[32] Even the
members of the UNESCO Executive Board have received the status of
government representatives during the Montevideo Conference in 1954.
Vignes, C.H., Mythe et réalité: le statut des membres du
Conseil Exécutif de l'Organisation Mondial de la Santé,
International Public, vol. 103, no.3, 1999, pp. 685-696
[52] Slater, A.T.,
Adjustment to life and work in the international civil service,
May 1998, h:\\word\briefing booklets\adjslate.doc
[53] From a
conversation with Ms Yukiko Maruyama, Assistant Acting Coordinator in
the Traditional Medicine Team at the WHO.
[54] As for the EB
members, a legitimate question arises concerning the effective integrity
of staff members. During my stay at the World Health Organization, it
was not rare to listen to comments of members of the Secretariat. I
heard complaints about the too highly politicised environment to work
in. Health should be, or at least, it is considered to be a technical
issue, which should not be subject to political influences. However,
cooperation and team work for a good purpose, as it could be global
health, are often overtaken by internal fights due to problems relative
to budget or to high position interests. Head of different Departments
find themselves fighting in order to make the Executive Director of
their Cluster allocate a certain amount of money for their project. As a
consequence, the myth of a place, where everything happens exclusively
in order to realise the Organization's aim, is destroyed by the reality
of a place where much happens according to the interests of the single
persons working within it.
[65] In
particular, to understand the method of work of the Secretariat, it was
interesting to participate to the weekly core group meeting for the
development of a Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health,
and to take part to a meeting organised by the Traditional Medicine Team
for the formulation of guidelines on Good Sourcing Practice of Herbal
Medicines. See Part III, Ch. 2, p. 183 and Ch. 3, p. 200 | eng | 6015aa9b-927b-481c-b8e2-cafaf2bd23c1 | http://www.gfmer.ch/TMCAM/WHO_Minelli/P1-2.htm |
... US7652652 - Data signal line driving method, data signal line driving circuit, and display device using the same
Data signal line driving method, data signal line driving circuit, and display device using the same US 7652652 B2
Resumen
SR, a drive switching circuit, and a waveform shaping circuit, that constitute a video signal fetching section, collect the data signal line groups via the two video signal lines as a single block. At this time, the data signal lines are respectively driven so as to fetch the video signal from the video signal lines into the data signal lines of the data signal line groups in each block. Thus, in performing multiphase development, it is possible to provide the data signal line driving circuit which can reduce power consumption in low resolution driving compared with a case of high resolution driving.
Dibujos(27)
Reclamaciones
1. A data signal line driving method where n, n>1, video signal lines supply a multiphased video signal2. A data signal line driving method where n, n>1, video signal lines supply a multiphased video signal having a plurality of color signals each video signal line including a plurality of divisional video signal lines divided so as to respectively correspond to the color signals and each data signal line including a corresponding plurality of divisional data signal lines4. The data signal line driving circuit as set forth in claim 3, wherein the data signal line driving circuit includes stopping means for stopping operation of the shift registers not required in driving the data signal lines when performing the second driving.
5. A data signal line driving circuit, which drives a plurality of data signal lines respectively so as to fetch a multiphased video signal having a plurality of color signals supplied via n, n>1, video signal lines into the data signal lines, wherein each video signal line includes a plurality of divisional video signal lines divided so as to respectively correspond to the color signals and each data signal line includes a corresponding plurality of divisional data signal lines, comprising6. The data signal line driving circuit as set forth in claim 5, wherein the data signal line driving circuit includes stopping means for stopping operation of the shift registers not required in driving the data signal lines when performing the second driving.
78. The display device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the data signal line driving circuit, the scanning signal line driving circuit, and the pixels are formed on the same substrate.
9 having a plurality of color signals wherein
each video signal line includes a plurality of divisional video signal lines divided so as to respectively correspond to the color signals and each data signal line includes a corresponding plurality of divisional data into10. The display device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the data signal line driving circuit, the scanning signal line driving circuit, and the pixels are formed on the same substrate.
Descripción
This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No. 2002/328835 filed in Japan on Nov. 12, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data signal line driving method, a data signal line driving circuit, and a display device using the same, in which a multiphased video signal is fetched into data signal lines and the data signal lines are driven so as to output the fetched video signal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, as shown in FIG. 21, an image display device such as a liquid crystal panel and an organic EL (Electroluminescence) panel includes: data signal lines SL1 to SLx; scanning signal lines GL1 to GLy which cross the data signal lines SL1 to SLx at a right angle; a pixel array PIXARRAY having pixels PIX disposed on intersections of the data signal lines and the scanning signal lines; a data signal line driving circuit SD for driving the data signal lines; a scanning signal line driving circuit GD for driving the scanning signal lines; and a control signal generating section for supplying a control signal to the data signal line driving circuit SD and the scanning signal line driving circuit GD.
The data signal line driving circuit SD, the scanning signal line driving circuit GD, the control signal generating section, and the pixel array PIXARRAY are integrally formed on an insulating substrate made of material such as glass, quartz, and the like. In this case, each of the driving circuits is constituted of a thin film MOS transistor made of poysilicon (hereinafter, referred to as a polysilicon TFT).
Incidentally, a driving circuit using a polysilicon TFT has such disadvantage that its operation speed is much slower than that of a driving circuit using a monocrystal silicon TFT. Particularly, in a case of realizing large-screen and large-volumetric display by using the data signal line driving circuit for driving the data signal lines, a shift resister which constitutes the data signal line driving circuit operates too slowly. Thus, various methods are studied to drive the data signal line within the operation speed of the shift resister constituted of the polysilicon TFT.
For example, there is proposed the following multiphase development technique: in the data signal line driving circuit, a plurality of video signal lines are provided, and a multiphased video signal DAT is inputted to the video signal lines, and the video signal inputted to one video signal and the video signal inputted to another video signal line are simultaneously outputted from the data signal lines connected to the video signal lines, thereby dropping a frequency of the shift resister as the video signal is further multiphased.
FIG. 22 is a block diagram schematically showing the data signal line driving circuit in a case where a video signal is two-phased. In this example, the video signal DAT is divided into two video signals: a video signal DAT1 and a video signal DAT2, and the video signals DAT1 and DAT2 are outputted from the data signal lines via the respective video signal lines. In this case, as shown in FIG. 23, two data signal lines SL are driven at the same timing by a single shift resister SR and a single waveform shaping circuit SMP (see a timing chart shown in FIG. 24).
Note that, FIG. 22 illustrates (i) two video signal lines and (ii) a single shift resister corresponding to the two video signal lines, so as to simplify the illustration, but a technique, based on the same technical idea, which has eight video signal lines and four shift resisters corresponding to the four video signal lines, is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,023 B1) for example.
As described above, when the data signal line driving circuit is driven in accordance with two-phase development, it is possible to slow an operation speed (frequency) of a shift resister constituting the data signal line driving circuit.
Note that, FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing a case where it is assumed that resolution of the pixel PIXARRAY which functions as a display section is the same as resolution of the inputted video signal.
However, in the foregoing display device, it is required that the resolution of the display section is the same as the resolution of the video signal, and it is also required to input the video signal whose resolution is less than the resolution of the display section so as to display an image. For example, in order to display an image appropriately in inputting the video signal whose resolution is half of the resolution of the display section, the data signal line driving circuit is operated in accordance with the timing chart shown in FIG. 25. That is, by causing two data signal lines to output the same video signal, it is possible to display the video signal whose resolution is half of the resolution of the display section. Note that, at this time, also in the scanning line driving circuit, every two scanning signal lines are driven.
Incidentally, in a conventional data signal line driving circuit which performs multiphase development, the data signal lines adjacent to each other are respectively connected to the video signal lines different from each other. For example, in a case of a data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 22, two data signal lines adjacent to each other are respectively connected to the video signal lines DAT1 and DAT2. Moreover, the two data signal lines adjacent to each other are connected to the same shift resister SR via the same waveform shaping circuit SMP.
Thus, when displaying the video signal whose resolution is the same as the resolution of the display section (high resolution driving), as shown in FIG. 24, the video signals from the two video signal lines are outputted to the data signal line in synchronism with a timing pulse from the shift resister, so that the development is performed in accordance with two-phase development. Thus, it is possible to make the frequency of the shift resister half of the frequency in the case where the phase development is not performed while keeping the frequency of the video signal as it is. As a result, it is possible to obtain such advantage that power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit can be reduced compared with the case where the phase development is not performed.
However, when displaying the video signal whose resolution is lower than the resolution of the display section (low resolution driving), as shown in FIG. 25, the same video signal is supplied to the data signal lines adjacent to each other, so that it is necessary to supply the same video signal to the two video signal lines. Thus, in performing the low resolution driving, the phase development is not performed unlike the high resolution driving.
In this manner, when the low resolution driving is performed, as described above, it is necessary to supply the same data to the two video signal lines, so that the frequency of the shift resister of the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 22 is the same as the frequency in the case where the high resolution driving is performed, but the frequency of the video signal supplied from the video signal line is also the same as the frequency in the case where the high resolution driving is performed. As a result, the power consumption etc. in the data signal line driving circuit is equal to the power consumption etc. in the case where the high resolution driving is performed. As a result, the power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit in performing the low resolution driving is equal to the power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit in performing the high resolution driving.
Thus, in the conventional data signal line driving circuit which performs the multiphase development, the power consumption etc. in the case where the high resolution driving is equal to the power consumption etc. in the case where the low resolution driving is performed, so that this raises such problem that the power consumption is not reduced even when the resolution is lowered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a data signal line driving method, a data signal line driving circuit, and a display device having the same, by which it is possible to reduce the power consumption in the low resolution driving, compared with the case of the high resolution driving, in performing the multiphase development.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, the data signal line driving method according toAccording to the arrangement (high resolution driving), or even if all the data signal lines of the data signal line groups are driven at the same timing (low resolution driving), it may be so arranged that: the data signal line driving method the data signal line driving circuit according to timeThe line driving circuits is used as the data signal line driving circuit.
According to the arrangement schematically showing a data signal line driving circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 shows a condition under which high resolution driving is performed in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 22.
FIG. 24 is a timing chart of various kinds of signals in the case where the high resolution driving is performed in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 22.
FIG. 25 is a timing chart of various kinds of signals in the case where the low resolution driving is performed in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 22.
FIG. 26 shows a table, "TABLE 1", comparing reduction of power consumption in low resolution versus high resolution driving modes between embodiments of the invention with (FIG. 1) and without (FIG. 13) shift register bypassing and a prior art circuit (FIG. 22).
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSEmbodiment 1
The following description will explain one embodiment of the present invention. Note that, the present embodiment describes an example where the data signal line driving circuit of the present invention is applied to a matrix type image display device.
As shown in FIG. 2, the matrix type image display device according to the present embodiment includes: m number of data signal lines SLx (1≦x≦m); n number of scanning signal lines GLy (1≦y≦n) that cross the data signal lines SLx; pixels 1 disposed on intersections of the data signal lines SLx and the scanning signal lines GLy; and a pixel array 2 having a driver monolithic structure in which a data signal line driving circuit 3 for driving the data signal lines SLx and a scanning signal line driving circuit 4 for driving the scanning signal lines GLy are disposed on an insulating substrate constituted of a glass substrate or the like.
The pixel array 2 includes a display section constituted of an m×n number of the pixels 1, so that the resolution of the display section is m×n. This means that the maximum resolution of the display section of the image display device shown in FIG. 2 is m×n. Note that, in the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately display a video signal whose resolution is lower than the maximum resolution of the display section. This point will be detailed later.
Further, the image display device includes not only the pixel array 2 but also (i) a power source circuit 5 for supplying a driving power source to the data signal line driving circuit 3 and the scanning signal line driving circuit 4 and (ii) a control circuit 6 for supplying various kinds of signals to the data signal line driving circuit 3 and the scanning signal line driving circuit 4.
The power source circuit 5 applies (i) a high-level voltage VSH and (ii) a low-level voltage VSL as drive power sources to the data signal line driving circuit 3, and applies (a) a high-level voltage VGH and (ii) a low-level voltage VGL as drive power sources to the scanning signal line driving circuit 4. Further, the power source circuit 5 applies a common voltage COM to a common line (not shown), provided on the pixel array 2, which is connected to each pixel 1.
The control circuit 6 supplies a clock signal SCK and a start pulse SSP to the data signal line driving circuit 3, and supplies a clock signal GCK and a start pulse GSP to the scanning signal driving line circuit 4. Further, the control circuit 6 converts a digital video signal inputted from the outside into an analog video signal DAT, and supplies the analog video signal DAT to the data signal line driving circuit 3. How the video signal is converted into the video signal DAT will be detailed later.
The image display device is arranged so that: in the pixel array 2, a polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor (Poly Si TFT) is used as an active element which constitutes each of the pixel 1, the data signal line driving circuit 3, and the scanning signal line driving circuit 4 so that they are formed on the insulating substrate in a monolithic manner. Thus, it is possible to form the driving circuits (data signal line driving circuit 3, scanning signal line driving circuit 4) and the pixels on the same substrate in accordance with the same process, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.
As an example of the image display device formed in a monolithic manner, the following description will briefly describe a structure of the transistor and a manufacturing method thereof in a case where the polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor is used to form the pixel array 2 and the active elements of the aforementioned driving circuits 3 and 4.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3(b), an amorphous silicon thin film (a-Si) is deposited on a glass substrate shown in FIG. 3(a). Further, as shown in FIG. 3(c), excimer laser is emitted to the amorphous silicon thin film, so that the amorphous silicon thin film is changed to a polycrystalline silicon thin film (poly-Si).
Further, as shown in FIG. 3(d), patterning is performed with respect to the polycrystalline silicon thin film so as to have a desired shape, and the pattern is formed as an activated area. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3(e), a gate insulating film made of silicon dioxide is formed on the polycrystalline silicon thin film.
Further, in FIG. 3(f), after forming a gate electrode of a thin film transistor on the gate insulating film by using aluminium or the like, impurities are injected into an area which functions as a source/drain area of the thin film transistor in FIG. 3(g) and FIG. 3(h). Here, phosphor is injected into an n-type area and boron is injected into a p-type area. Note that, before injecting the impurities into the one of the areas, the other is covered by a resist, so that it is possible to inject the impurities only into a desired area.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3(i), an interlayer insulating film made of silicon dioxide or silicon nitride is deposited on the gate insulating film and the gate electrode, and as shown in FIG. 3(j), after forming a contact hole, a metallic wiring made of aluminium or the like is formed as shown in FIG. 3(k).
Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to form a thin film transistor having a forward stagger (top gate) structure in which the polycrystalline silicon thin film on the insulating substrate is used as an active layer. Note that, FIG. 4 shows an example of an n-ch transistor. In the n-type area, the polycrystalline silicon thin film positioned on the lower side of the gate electrode is sandwiched so as to be pushed in a direction of a surface of the insulating substrate, and the one area adjacent to the polycrystalline silicon thin film functions as a source area and the other area oppositely adjacent to the polycrystalline silicon thin film functions as a drain area.
In this manner, by using the polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor, it is possible to provide the data signal line driving circuit 3 and the scanning signal line driving circuit 4, each of which has a practical driving force, on the substrate having the pixel array 2 in accordance with substantially the same manufacturing process as in the pixel array 2. Note that, the foregoing description illustrates the thin film transistor having the corresponding structure as an example, but it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect by using a polycrystalline thin film transistor having another structure such as an inversely staggered structure.
Here, in the process shown in FIG. 3(a) to FIG. 3(k), the maximum temperature in the process is 600° C. corresponding to a temperature in forming the gate insulating film. Thus, it is possible to use a high heat resistance glass, such as 1737 glass made by Coning (U.S.A.), as the insulating substrate.
In this manner, by forming the polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor at a temperature not more than 600° C., it is possible to use a glass substrate, having a large area, which can be produced at low cost, as the insulating substrate. As a result, it is possible to realize an image display device having a large display area at low cost.
Note that, in the case where the image display device is a liquid crystal display device, there is further formed a transmission electrode (in a case of a transmission type liquid crystal display device) or a reflection electrode (in a case of a reflection type liquid crystal display device) via another interlayer insulating film.
In a case where the image display device arranged in the foregoing manner is a liquid crystal display device for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the pixel which functions as a switching element includes: an electric field effect transistor SW (i, j) in which its gate is connected to the scanning signal line GLj and its drain is connected to the data signal line SLi; and a pixel capacitor Cp (i, j) having an end (electrode) connected to a source of the electric field effect transistor SW (i, j). Further, another end of the pixel capacitor Cp (i, j) is connected to a common electrode line shared by all the pixels PIX . . . . The pixel capacitor Cp (i, j) is constituted of a liquid crystal capacitor CL (i, j) and an auxiliary capacitor Cs (i, j) which is added as required. Here, i corresponds to an arbitrary data signal line SLi (1≦i≦m), and j corresponds to an arbitrary scanning signal line GLj (1≦j≦n).
In the pixel PIX (i, j), when the scanning signal line GLj is selected, the electric field effect transistor SW (i, j) conducts, and a voltage having been applied to the data signal line SLi is applied to the pixel capacitor Cp (i, j). While the electric field effect transistor SW (i, j) is OFF after a period for selecting the scanning signal line GLj has ended, the pixel capacitor Cp (i, j) retains the voltage in the OFF state.
Here, transmittance or reflection of the liquid crystal varies depending on a voltage applied to the liquid crystal capacitor CL (i, j). Thus, the scanning signal line GLj is selected and a voltage according to video data outputted to the corresponding pixel PIX (i, j) is applied to the data signal line SLi, so that it is possible to vary a display condition of the corresponding pixel PIX (i, j) in accordance with the video data D.
Note that, the foregoing description illustrates the case of the liquid crystal as an example, but it is possible to use a pixel arranged in another manner, regardless of whether the pixel is self-luminous or not, as long as the pixel PIX (i, j) can adjust the brightness, in accordance with a value of a signal applied to the data signal line SLi, while a signal indicative of selection is being applied to the scanning signal line GLj.
In the foregoing arrangement, the scanning signal line driving circuit 4 shown in FIG. 2 outputs a signal, such as a voltage signal, which indicates whether it is the selection period or not, to the respective scanning signal lines GL1 to GLn. Further, the scanning signal line driving circuit 4 changes the scanning signal line GLj which outputs a signal indicative of the selection period, for example, in accordance with a timing signal such as a clock signal GCK or a start pulse signal GSP which is given by the control circuit 6. Thus, the scanning signal lines GL1 to GLn are sequentially selected at predetermined timings.
Further, the data signal line driving circuit 3 samples sets of video data D . . . inputted to the respective pixels PIX . . . in a time-divisional manner so as to extract sets of the video data D . . . respectively. Further, the data signal line driving circuit 3 outputs an output signal, according to each video data D, to each of the pixels PIX (1, j) to PIX (m, j), corresponding to the scanning signal line GLj selected by the scanning signal line driving circuit 4, via each of the data signal lines SL1 to SLm.
Note that, the video signal DAT corresponds to any one of plural resolutions that have been predetermined. In the present embodiment, (i) the video signal DAT and (ii) a resolution switching signal (drive switching control signal) indicative of the corresponding resolution are inputted from the control circuit 6. Further, the data signal line driving circuit 3 determines the sampling timing and an output timing of the output signal in accordance with the timing signals such as the clock signal SCK and the start pulse SPS that are inputted from the control circuit 6.
Each of the pixels PIX (1, j) to PIX (m, j) determines its brightness by adjusting the luminance and the transmittance in emitting light, in accordance with an output signal given to each of the corresponding data signal lines SL1 to SLm, while the corresponding scanning signal line GLj is selected.
Here, the scanning signal line driving circuit 4 sequentially selects the scanning signal lines GL1 to GLn. Thus, it is possible to set the brightness indicated by the video data D corresponding to each of all the pixels 1 in the pixel array 2, thereby changing an image display on the pixel array 2.
Further, the data signal line driving circuit 3 inputs multiphased video signals to respectively independent video signal lines, and drives the data signal line SL while performing the multiphase development, thereby supplying either of a high resolution video signal or a low resolution video signal. The following description explains this condition. Note that, in the case of the low resolution, it is assumed that a video signal whose horizontal resolution is half of the high resolution is inputted.
As shown in FIG. 1, the data signal line driving circuit 3 includes two video signal lines 11 and 12, independent from each other, which receive the two-phase video signals DAT1 and DAT2.
Data signal line groups each of which is constituted of two sequential data signal lines (such as SL1, SL2, and SL5, SL6) are connected to the video signal line 11 receiving the video signal DAT1 so that two data signal lines are alternately connected thereto with interval of another two data signal lines therebetween. Here, the data signal lines SL1 and SL2 constitute a single data signal line group, and the data signal lines SL5 and SL6 constitute a single data signal line group.
Data signal line groups each of which is constituted of two sequential data signal lines (such as SL3, SL4, and SL7, SL8) are connected to the video signal line 12 receiving the video signal DAT2 so that two data signal lines are alternately connected thereto with interval of another two data signal lines therebetween. Here, the data signal lines SL3 and SL4 constitute a single data signal line group, and the data signal lines SL7 and SL8 constitute a single data signal line group.
In this manner, the data signal line driving circuit 3 is arranged so that: two data signal lines SL are connected to the video signal line 11 and another two data signal lines SL are connected to the data signal line 12 so that the two data signal lines SL and the another two data signal lines SL alternately appear.
That is, two sequential data signal lines constitute each of the data signal line groups, connected to the video signal lines 11 and 12, and the data signal line groups whose number is the same as the number of the video signal lines constitute a single block. Here, (i) a data signal line group constituted of the data signal lines SL1 and SL2 and (ii) a data signal line group constituted of the data signal lines SL3 and SL4 make up a single block.
A sampling pulse from the waveform shaping circuit SMP1 is inputted to switching elements 13 of the data signal lines SL1 and SL3. A sampling pulse from the waveform shaping circuit SMP2 is inputted to switching elements 13 of the data signal lines SL2 and SL4. In this manner, as to the same waveform shaping circuit SMP, the switching elements 13 of the data signal lines connected to the video signal lines different from each other input the sampling pulses. Thus, the video signals DAT1 and DAT2 are simultaneously sampled with respect to the data signal lines SL respectively connected to the video signal lines 11 and 12.
That is, in the data signal line driving circuit 3 arranged in the foregoing manner, the video signals are fetched from the video signal lines into the data signal lines in each block.
The waveform shaping circuit SMP is connected to the shift resister SR, and an output signal of the shift resister SR is inputted to the waveform shaping circuit SMP. The output signal of the shift resister SR is a signal which functions as a sampling pulse for fetching the video signal into the data signal line. That is, a waveform of the output signal of the shift resister SR is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit SMP so as to be a sampling pulse.
A plurality of the shift resisters SR are provided as SR1, SR2, . . . .
Two switching elements 14 and 15 are provided between the shift resisters SR1 and SR2, and a switching element 16 is provided between the shift resisters SR2 and SR3. In this manner, (i) switching elements 14 and 15 and (ii) the switching element 16 are alternately provided between the shift resisters SR adjacent to each other.
The switching elements 14 and 15 operate in an opposite manner in terms of an ON/OFF state. That is, when the switching element 14 is ON, the switching element 15 is OFF. When the switching element 14 is OFF, the switching element 15 is ON. Further, the switching element 16 is turned ON/OFF as in the switching element 15.
Here, when the switching element 14 is ON, the switching elements 15 and 16 are OFF, so that an output from the shift resister SR1 is inputted to the shift resister SR3 without being inputted to the next shift resister SR2. Further, an output from the shift resister SR3 is inputted to the shift resister SR5 without being inputted to the next shift resister SR4. In this manner, when the switching element 14 is ON, an output from the shift resister SR1 is transmitted in a sequential manner without being inputted to the next stage.
While, when the switching element 14 is OFF, the switching elements 15 and 16 are ON, and the output from the shift resister SR1 is transmitted from the next shift resister SR2 in a sequential manner.
A binary drive switching control signal MSEL is inputted to each of the switching elements 14 to 16, so that an ON/OFF state is controlled.
Further, a drive switching circuit 17 is provided between (i) the shift resisters SR1 and SR2 and (ii) the waveform shaping circuits SMP1 and SMP2.
The drive switching circuit 17 is switched so as to supply an output signal O1 of the shift resister SR1 only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP1 or supply the output signal O1 to both the waveform shaping circuits SMP1 and SMP2. Note that, the drive switching circuit 17 causes an output signal O2 of the shift resister SR2 to be supplied to the waveform shaping circuit SMP2 in the case of supplying the output signal O1 of the shift resister SR1 only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP1.
The drive switching circuit 17 is provided between (i) the shift resisters SR3 and SR4 and (ii) the waveform shaping circuits SMP3 and SMP4. Also in this case, the drive switching circuit 17 operates in the same manner as in the aforementioned drive switching circuit 17 provided between (i) the shift resisters SR1 and SR2 and (ii) the waveform shaping circuits SMP1 and SMP2.
That is, the drive switching circuit 17 is switched so as to supply an output signal O3 of the shift resister SR3 only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP3 or supply the output signal O3 to both the waveform shaping circuits SMP3 and SMP4. Note that, the drive switching circuit 17 causes an output signal O4 of the shift resister SR4 to be supplied to the waveform shaping circuit SMP4 in the case of supplying the output signal O3 of the shift resister SR3 only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP3.
The drive switching control signal MSEL controls the drive switching circuit 17 so as to switch the drive switching circuit 17 ON/OFF. In this case, an ON state of the drive switching circuit 17 is such condition that the shift resister SR1 outputs two output signals, and an OFF state of the drive switching circuit 17 is such condition that the shift resister SR1 outputs a single output signal.
Further, ON/OFF of the drive switching circuit 17 corresponds to ON/OFF of the switching element 14. That is, when the switching element 14 is ON, the drive switching circuit 17 is ON. When the switching element 14 is OFF, the drive switching circuit 17 is OFF. Thus, when the drive switching circuit 17 is ON, the switching elements 15 and 16 are OFF. Thus, the shift resister SR2 is not driven, so that the shift resister SR2 stops operating. That is, the drive switching circuit functions as stopping means for stopping operation of the shift resister whose driving (operation) is not required.
In this manner, by using the drive switching circuit 17, it is possible to cause the shift resisters SR1, 3, 5, . . . , and (2i-1) . . . to output a single output signal or two output signals, and it is possible to cause the shift resisters SR2, 4, . . . , 2i to stop driving or to drive. Here, i is an integer number in a range of 1≦i≦m/2. Further, m represents the number of the data signal lines.
The drive switching control signal MSEL is a binary signal indicative of a high level or a low level, and is generated by the aforementioned control circuit 6. The drive switching control signal MSEL is switched in accordance with the resolution of the video signal inputted to the data signal line driving circuit 3. Note that, in the present embodiment, when the high resolution driving is performed, that is, when the video signal whose resolution is the same as the number of the pixels (resolution) of the pixel array 2 is inputted to the data signal line driving circuit 3, the drive switching control signal MSEL is switched to a low level, and when the low resolution driving is performed, that is, when the video signal whose resolution is lower than the number of the pixels (resolution) of the pixel array 2 is inputted to the data signal line driving circuit 3, the drive switching control signal MSEL is switched to a high level.
Thus, in the data signal line driving circuit 3, when the high resolution driving is performed, a level of the drive switching control signal MSEL is low, so that the switching element 14 is OFF, and the switching elements 15 and 16 are ON, and the drive switching circuit 17 is OFF. Thus, the shift resisters SR at all the stages operate, and output signals of the respective shift resisters SR are inputted to the corresponding waveform shaping circuits SMP, so that each data signal line SL connected to the video signal line 11 and each data signal line SL connected to the video signal line 12 are driven at the same time.
Further, in the data signal line driving circuit 3, when the low resolution driving is performed, a level of the drive switching control signal MSEL is high, so that the switching element 14 is ON, and the switching elements 15 and 16 are OFF, and the drive switching circuit 17 is ON. Thus, every other shift resister SR operates, and an output signal of a single shift resister SR is inputted to two waveform shaping circuits SMP, so that two data signal lines SL connected to the video signal line 11 and two data signal lines SL connected to the video signal line 12 are driven at the same time.
Thus, by controlling drive of the data signal line driving circuit 3 in accordance with the drive switching control signal MSEL as described above, it is possible to adjust an apparent resolution to the horizontal resolution of the video signal. For example, in a case where an image indicated by a video signal of SVGA (super video graphics array) is displayed in an image display device whose physical maximum display resolution is UXGA (ultra-extended graphics array) for example, it is possible to display the image with high quality even when the horizontal resolution of the inputted video signal is less than the maximum value of the physical display resolution in a horizontal direction of the image display device.
As described above, the shift resister SR, the drive switching circuit 17, and the waveform shaping circuit SMP are such that: when the data signal line groups, connected to different video signal lines, whose number is the same as the number of the video signal lines, make up a single block, a video signal fetching section fetches the video signal from the video signal lines into the data signal line in each block.
Here, the following description explains (i) operations of the data signal line driving circuit 3 in performing the high resolution driving and (ii) operations of the data signal line driving circuit 3 in performing the low resolution driving. Here, the high resolution driving is referred to as "first driving" recited in claims and the low resolution driving is referred to as "second driving" recited in claims.
First, the operations of the data signal line driving circuit 3 in performing the high resolution driving are described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the data signal line driving circuit 3, and FIG. 7 is a timing chart of various kinds of signals in the data signal line driving circuit 3 in performing the high high resolution driving is performed, as shown by the timing chart of FIG. 7, a level of the drive switching control signal MSEL is low, so that the switching elements 14 and the drive switching circuits 17 are OFF, and the switching elements 15 and the switching elements 16 are ON.
Thus, first, the shift resister SR1 at the first stage is driven by the start pulse SSP, and the clock signals SCK and SCKB (inversion signal of SCK, not shown in FIG. 7), so as to output a signal O1. The output signal O1 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP1, and its waveform is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit SMP1, and the output signal O1 is transmitted to the switching elements 13 of the data signal line SL1 and the data signal line SL3 as a sampling pulse SMP1, and DATA1 of the video signal DAT1 flowing in the video signal line 11 and DATA3 of the video signal DAT2 flowing in the video signal line 12 are sampled.
Next, the shift resister SR2 at the next stage is driven so as to output a signal O2. The output signal O2 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP2, and its waveform is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit SMP2, and the output signal O2 is transmitted to the switching elements 13 of the data signal line SL2 and the data signal line SL4, and DATA2 of the video signal DAT1 flowing in the video signal line 11 and DATA4 of the video signal DAT2 flowing in the video signal line 12 are sampled.
Likewise, the shift resisters SR are sequentially driven, and a portion surrounded by a thick line of FIG. 6 and a portion surrounded by a thin line of FIG. 6 7 3 in performing the low resolution driving is described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the data signal line driving circuit 3, and FIG. 9 is a timing chart of various kinds of signals in the data signal line driving circuit 3 in performing the low low resolution driving is performed, as shown by the timing chart of FIG. 9, a level of the drive switching control signal MSEL is high, so that the switching elements 14 and the drive switching circuits 17 are ON, and the switching elements 15 and the switching elements 16 are OFF.
Thus, first, the shift resister SR1 at the first stage is driven by the start pulse SSP, and the clock signals SCK and SCKB, so as to output an pulses instead of the shift resister SR2 at the next stage, the shift resister SR3 at the third stage is driven, so as to output a signal O3. The output signal O3 is outputted to the waveform shaping circuit SMP3 and the waveform shaping circuit SMP4, and its waveform is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit SMP3 and the waveform shaping circuit SMP4, and the output signal O3 is transmitted to the switching elements are simultaneously driven.
Likewise, every other shift resister SR is driven so that, instead of the shift resister SR4, the shift resister SR5 is driven, and the data signal lines SL, sequentially connected to the same video signal line, which are adjacent to each other, are subjected to the sampling at the same timing.
That is, as shown in FIG. 9Here, generation of the video signal DAT1 and the video signal DAT2 that are inputted to the data signal line driving circuit 3 is described as follows with reference to FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c) and FIG. 12. FIG. 10(a) shows a digital video signal, and FIG. 10(b) shows an analog signal which is subjected to ordinary two-phase development, and FIG. 10(c) shows an analog signal which is subjected to the two-phase development according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit for generating the analog signal shown in FIG. 10(b), and FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit for generating the analog signal shown in FIG. 10(c).
First, a case where the digital video signal shown in FIG. 10(a) is converted into the analog video signal shown in FIG. 10(b) is described as follows.
The foregoing conversion is performed by a first conversion circuit 21 shown in FIG. 11. In the first conversion circuit 21, first, eight DATA "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8" of the digital video signals are stored in either a memory 22 or a memory 23. For example, each time a selection pulse (1) is inputted to the memory 22, the memory 22 stores the DATA1, 3, 5, and 7 in order. Every time the selection pulse (2) is inputted to the memory 23, the memory 23 stores the DATA2, 4, 6, and 8 in order.
Every time forward pulses are simultaneously inputted to memories 24 and 25, the memories 24 and 25 store the DATA stored in the memories 22 and 23 in order, and the DATA are simultaneously outputted to a DAC (digital/analog conversion circuit) 26 and a DAC 27 at the next stage, and the DATA are subjected to the digital/analog conversion, and analog video signals (1, 3, 5, and 7) are outputted as the video signals DAT1, and analog signals (2, 4, 6, and 8) are outputted as the video signals DAT2.
The video signals DAT1 and the video signals DAT2 that have been obtained in the foregoing manner are the same as the video signal DAT1 and the video signal DAT2 that are shown by the timing chart of FIG. 24.
Next, a case where the digital video signal shown in FIG. 10(a) is converted into the analog video signal shown in FIG. 10(c) is described as follows.
The foregoing conversion is performed by a second conversion circuit 31 shown in FIG. 12. The second conversion circuit 31 includes a conversion circuit, provided at a final stage, which is the same as the aforementioned first conversion circuit, so that description of the conversion is omitted.
The second conversion circuit 31 includes not only the first conversion circuit 21 but also two memories 32 and 33 (temporary storage means) and two switching means 34 and 35.
In the second conversion circuit 31, first, eight DATA "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8" are divided and stored in the memories 32 and 33 via the switching means 34. Further, the DATA are sequentially outputted from the memories via the switching means 35 in accordance with a predetermined rule.
At this time, the DATA are such that "1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 7, 6, and 8". In order to arrange the DATA in this manner, first, the switching means operates so that the DATA are stored in the memory 32, and the DATA are sequentially stored in storage positions (00, 01, 10, 11) in the memory 32, that are indicated by address signals, in accordance with a writing signal WE. Here, the video signal DATA1 is stored in a position 00, and the video signal DATA2 is stored in a position 01, and the video signal DATA3 is stored in a position 10, and the video signal DATA4 is stored in a position 11.
Next, the switching means 34 operates so that the memory 33 stores the signal DATA4, and the DATA 5, 6, 7, and 8 are sequentially stored in storage positions (00, 01, 10, and 11) in the memory 33, that are indicated by the address signal, in accordance with the writing signal WE. Here, the signal DATA5 is stored in a position 00, and the signal DATA6 is stored in a position 01, and the signal DATA7 is stored in a position 02, and the signal DATA8 is stored in a position 11.
Next, the switching means 35 operates so that the DATA stored in the memory 32 are read out in such order that the DATA1, 3, 2, 4, from the storage positions in the memory 32, that are indicated by the address signal, in accordance with a reading signal RE.
Thereafter, the switching means 35 operates so that the DATA stored in the memory 33 are read out in such order that the DATA5, 7, 6, 8, from the storage positions in the memory 33, that are indicated by the address signal, in accordance with the reading signal RE.
Thus, the digital video signals outputted via the switching means 35 are outputted to the first conversion circuit 21 in such order that the DATA1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 7, 6, and 8. In the first conversion circuit, the DATA arranged in order are outputted as video signals which are different from each other, so that the analog video signals outputted from the first conversion circuit 21 are (i) the video signal DAT1 of DATA1, 2, 5, and 6 and (ii) the video signal DAT2 of DATA 3, 4, 7, and 8.
It is possible to use the video signals DAT1 and DAT2 obtained in the foregoing manner as the video signal DAT1 and the video signal DAT2 shown by the timing chart of FIG. 7. Note that, in order to obtain the video signal DAT1 and the video signal DAT2 that are shown by the timing chart of FIG. 9, the second conversion circuit 31 disallows the memory 32 and the memory 33 to store the digital video signals and allows the first conversion circuit 21 to directly store the digital video signals.
According to the data signal line driving circuit 3 arranged in the foregoing manner, when a video signal whose resolution is lower than the maximum resolution (maximum horizontal resolution) is inputted, it is possible to reduce power consumption compared with a conventional data signal line driving circuit. The cause thereof is described as follows.
In the data signal line driving circuit 3 according to the present embodiment, when the high resolution driving is performed, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a two-phased video signal (video signal DAT1, video signal DAT2) is inputted, and two-phase development is performed so as to fetch the video signal into the data signal line SL, so that it is possible to reduce the frequency of the video signal to half compared with a case where a video signal that has not been two-phased (video signal of a single phase) is read out and is outputted. Thus, it is not necessary to sample the video signal with high speed, so that it is possible to reduce the operation speed of the shift resister SR. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit. As to this point, it is possible to reduce the power consumption also in the conventional data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 22 compared with the data signal line driving circuit using a single phase video signal in performing the high resolution driving.
Further, when the low resolution driving is performed, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the two-phased video signal (video signal DAT1, video signal DAT2) is inputted, and the two-phase development is performed so as to fetch the video signal into the data signal line SL as in the high resolution driving. While, the data signal lines SL adjacent to each other sample the same video signal at the same timing, so that the frequency of the video signal is reduced to half compared with the frequency in the case where the high resolution driving is performed. Thus, it is not necessary to sample the video signal with high speed, so that it is possible to reduce the operation speed of the shift resister SR. As a result, it is possible to largely reduce the power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit 3 compared with the case where the high resolution driving is performed.
Further, in the data signal line driving circuit 3 of the present embodiment, when the low resolution driving is performed, the shift resisters SR are controlled so as to operate at every other stage. Thus, in the low resolution driving, the number of operating shift resisters SR is half of the number of the shift resisters SR in performing the high resolution driving, so that it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit compared with the case of the high resolution driving.
Moreover, by making the foregoing arrangement, it is possible to realize a resolution switching function. Besides, it is possible to obtain the following advantage. InIncidentally, in the data signal line driving circuit 3 arranged in the foregoing manner, in order to operate every other shift resister SR in performing the low resolution driving, the switching elements 14 to 16 are provided. Each switching element is generally constituted of a transistor, so that the large number of transistors are required in whole the data signal line driving circuit. As a result, this may result in enlargement of the circuit.
Then, in Embodiment 2, it is impossible to reduce the power consumption compared with Embodiment 1, but it is possible to realize a data signal line driving circuit whose size can be reduced by reducing the number of transistors. Such data signal line driving circuit will be detailed in Embodiment 2.
Embodiment 2
The following description will explain another embodiment of the present invention. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same reference signs are given to members having the same functions as the members described in Embodiment 1, and description thereof is omitted.
An image display device according to the present embodiment is different from the image display device shown in FIG. 2 of Embodiment 1 in that: instead of the data signal line driving circuit 3, a data signal line driving circuit 43 shown in FIG. 13 is provided.
The data signal line driving circuit 43 is different from the data signal line driving circuit 3 of Embodiment 1 in that the switching element is not provided between the shift resisters SR. Thus, it is possible to reduce the circuit size of the data signal line driving circuit 43 since the transistor constituting the switching element can be omitted.
In the data signal line driving circuit 43, the drive switching circuit 17 is provided as in the data signal line driving circuit 3, and the drive switching control signal MSEL controls an ON/OFF state of the drive switching circuit 17. That is, when the drive switching circuit 17 is ON, an output signal O1 of the shift resister SR1 is inputted to the wave shaping circuit SMP1 and the waveform shaping circuit SMP2, so that an output signal O2 of the shift resister 2 cannot be outputted to the waveform shaping circuit SMP2. Further, when the drive switching circuit 17 is OFF, the output signal O1 of the shift resister SR1 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP1, and the output signal O2 of the shift resister SR2 is outputted to the waveform shaping circuit SMP2. As to a relationship between the shift resister SR3 and the shift resister SR4, a receiving end of a signal outputted from the shift resister SR is determined in accordance with an ON/OFF state of the drive switching circuit 17 as in the shift resister SR1 and the shift resister SR2.
Here, (i) operations of the data signal line driving circuit 43 in performing the high resolution driving and (ii) operations of the data signal line driving circuit 43 in performing the low resolution driving are described as follows.
First, the operations of the data signal line driving circuit 43 in performing the high resolution driving are described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing the data signal line driving circuit 43, and FIG. 15 is a timing chart of various kinds of signals in the data signal line driving circuit 43 in performing the high resolution driving.
Here, (i) the video signal DAT1 inputted to the video signal line 11 of the data signal line driving circuit 43 and (ii) ), each of which is an original signal, after changing an order of the DATA to an order suitable for sampling. The video signal DAT1 and the video signal DAT2 have the same characteristics as in Embodiment 1.
When the high resolution driving is performed, as shown by the timing chart of FIG. 15, a level of the drive switching control signal MSEL is low, so that the drive switching circuit 17 is OFF, and as shown in FIG. 14, output signals from the shift resisters SR are outputted only to corresponding waveform shaping circuits SMP. For example, the output signal O1 of the shift resister SR1 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP1, and the output signal O2 of the shift resister SR2 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP2, and the output signal O3 of the shift resister SR3 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP3, and the output signal O4 of the shift resister SR4 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP4.
In this manner, the shift resisters SR are sequentially driven, so that the waveform shaping circuit SMP1 is sequentially driven. As a result, every other data signal line SL is driven at the same time. For example, in FIG. 14, when the shift resister SR1 is driven, a sampling pulse is outputted from the waveform shaping circuit SMP1 and is inputted to the switching elements 13 of the data signal line SL1 and the data signal line SL3, so that the data signal lines SL1 and SL3 are driven at the same time. At this time, the video signal DAT1 flowing in the video signal line 11 is fetched into the data signal line SL1, and the video signal DAT2 flowing in the video signal 12 is fetched into the data signal line SL3. Next, when the shift resister SR2 is driven, a sampling pulse is outputted from the waveform shaping circuit SMP2 and inputted to the switching elements 13 of the data signal line SL2 and the data signal line SL4, so that the data signal lines SL2 and SL4 are driven at the same time.
That is, the shift resister SR1 at the first stage is driven by the start pulse SSP, the clock signals SCK and SCKB (inversion signal of SCK, not shown in FIG. 15), so as to output the signal O1. The output signal O1 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP1, and its waveform is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit SMP1, and is transmitted to the switching elements 13 of the data signal line SL1 and the data signal line SL3 as a sampling pulse SMP1, so as to sample (i) DATA1 of the video signal DAT1 flowing in the video signal line 11 and (ii) DATA3 of the video signal DAT2 flowing in the video signal line 12.
Next, the shift resister SR2 at the next stage is driven so as to output the signal O2. The output signal O2 is outputted only to the waveform shaping circuit SMP2, and its waveform is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit SMP2, and is transmitted to the switching elements 13 of the data signal line SL2 and the data signal line SL4 as a sampling pulse SMP2, so as to sample (i) DATA2 of the video signal DAT1 flowing in the video signal line 11 and (ii) DATA4 of the video signal DAT2 flowing in the video signal line 12.
Likewise, the shift resisters SR are sequentially driven, and a portion surrounded by a thick line of FIG. 14 and a portion surrounded by a thin line of FIG. 14 15 43 in performing the low resolution driving is described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically showing the data signal line driving circuit 43, and FIG. 17 is a timing chart of various kinds of signals in the data signal line driving circuit 43 in performing the low resolution driving.
Here, the video signal DAT1 inputted to the video signal line 11 of the data signal line driving circuit 43 and ) each of which is an original signal, into analog signals after changing an order of the DATA to an order suitable for sampling. The video signal DAT1 and the video signal DAT2 have the same characteristics as in Embodiment 1.
When the low resolution driving is performed, as shown by the timing chart of FIG. 17, a level of the drive switching control signal MSEL is high, so that the drive switching circuits 17 are ON.
Thus, first, the shift resister SR1 at the first stage is driven by the start pulse SSP, and the clock signals SCK and SCKB, so as to output a pulse the shift resister SR2 at the next stage is driven so as to output the output signal O2. However, when the low resolution driving is performed, the signal O2 is separated from the waveform shaping circuit SMP2, so that the signal O2 does not contribute to the sampling. Then, the shift resister SR3 at the further next stage is driven so as to output the signal O3. The output signal O3 is outputted to the waveform shaping circuit SMP3 and the waveform shaping circuit SMP4, and its waveform is shaped by the waveform shaping circuits SMP3 and SMP 4, and is transmitted to the switching elements SL are simultaneously driven.
Likewise, the shift resisters SR4 and SR5 are driven, and the data signal lines SL, sequentially connected to the same video signal line, which are adjacent to each other, are subjected to the sampling at the same timing so that the sampling pulses SMP5 and SMP6 are generated in accordance with the output signal O5.
That is, as shown in FIG. 17Note that, in the data signal line driving circuit 43, when the low resolution driving is performed, each shift resister SR supplies an output signal to every other waveform shaping circuit SMP, but a shift resister SR which does not supply the output signal to the waveform shaping circuit SMP does not stop operating. Thus, the data signal line driving circuit 43 according to the present embodiment cannot reduce the power consumption in performing the low resolution driving compared with the data signal line driving circuit 3 of Embodiment 1. However, in the data signal line driving circuit 43, as in the data signal line driving circuit 3, the two-phase development is performed in the low resolution driving, and the data signal lines SL adjacent to each other sample the same video signal at the same timing, so that it is possible to reduce the power consumption compared with the case of the high resolution driving.
The foregoing description explains (i) the case where a video signal whose resolution is high is inputted to a display device of high resolution so as to display an image and (ii) the case where a video signal whose resolution is low is inputted to the display device of high resolution so as to appropriately display an image. However, the following description will explain an example where a video signal whose resolution is high is displayed in the display device in accordance with a low resolution display mode which allows a video signal whose resolution is low to be displayed.
In this case, a level of the drive switching control signal MSEL is high, and the data signal line driving circuit is in the low resolution display mode. However, the resolution of the inputted video signal is high, and the video signals DAT1 and DAT2 are sequentially inputted, so that every other data of the video signal DAT1 and every other data of the video signal DAT2 are selectively outputted as shown in FIG. 18.
In this manner, the video signal whose resolution is high is inputted to the data signal line driving circuit which operates in the low resolution display mode, so that it is not necessary to convert the video signal whose resolution is high into the video signal whose resolution is low in the outside of the data signal line driving circuit, so that it is possible to reduce the circuit size and to reduce the power consumption by making the resolution of the video signal lower.
According to the data signal line driving circuit according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to change a conventional circuit arrangement required in switching between the high resolution driving and the low resolution driving, and only a connection condition between the data signal line and the video signal line needs to be changed, so that it is possible to perform the multiphase development not only in the high resolution driving but also in the low resolution driving without enlarging the circuit size. Thus, it is possible to reduce the power consumption compared with the conventional data signal line driving circuit.
Here, the following description explains difference among the data signal line driving circuit of Embodiment 1 (FIG. 1), the data signal line driving circuit of Embodiment 2 (FIG. 13), and a conventional data signal line driving circuit (FIG. 22) in terms of the frequency, with reference to Table 1.
Note that, in each data signal line driving circuit, it is assumed that the two-phase development is performed. Further, in each data signal line driving circuit, when the high resolution driving is performed, it is possible to reduce a dot frequency ratio, i.e., it is possible to reduce the frequency of the video signal so as to be 1 with respect to the number of phase developments, so that the dot frequency ratio in the high resolution driving is 1.
As apparent from Table 1, difference occurs among the data signal line driving circuits in terms of the power consumption ratio. The power consumption ratio is such that: high resolution power consumption/low resolution power consumption.
In the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 1. That is, the frequency of the video signal in the low resolution driving is half of the frequency of the video signal in the high resolution driving.
In the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 13 as in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 1. That is, the frequency of the video signal in the low resolution driving is half of the frequency of the video signal in the high resolution driving. However, as shown in FIG. 17, in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 13, when the low resolution driving is performed, the shift resisters at all the stages do not stop operating as in the high resolution driving. Thus, more power is consumed than that of the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 1. That is, the power consumption ratio is less than the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 1.
Further, in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 13, when a video signal whose resolution is high is to be displayed in accordance with the low resolution display mode, it is natural that the dot frequency ratio thereof is the same as the dot frequency ratio in the high resolution driving.
Unlike the two data signal line driving circuits, in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 22, when the low resolution driving is performed, as shown in FIG. 25, it is necessary to allow the same video signal to flow to two video signal lines, so that it is impossible to perform the two-phase development. Thus, it is impossible to enlarge the dot frequency ratio, so that the dot frequency ratio is the same as the dot frequency ratio in the high resolution driving. As a result, the power consumption ratio is the same as the power consumption ratio in the high resolution driving.
As described above, according to the data signal line driving circuit of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption in the low resolution driving compared with the high resolution driving.
Embodiment 3
Each of the aforementioned embodiments describes the data signal line driving circuit on the assumption that a monochrome image is displayed, but the arrangement is not limited to this. It is possible to apply the present invention also to a color display based on video signals corresponding to a plurality of color signals, for example, it is possible to apply the present invention also to a data signal line driving circuit for displaying a color image based on three colors of RGB.
Here, an arrangement of the data signal line applied to the color display is described as follows with reference to FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an important portion of the data signal line driving circuit to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an important portion of a conventional data signal line driving circuit.
In the data signal line driving circuit to which the present invention is applied, as shown in FIG. 19, three data signal lines for outputting video data of three colors (for example, RGB) constitute a single group. In two groups, adjacent to each other, each of which is constituted of the data signal lines, the data signal lines each of which outputs video data for a first color (for example, red) are connected to the same first color video signal line, and the data signal lines each of which outputs video data for a second color (for example, yellow) are connected to the same second color video signal line, and the data signal lines each of which outputs video data for a third color (for example, blue) are connected to the same third color video signal line. In this case, the two-phase development is performed, so that the two sequential groups of the data signal lines for outputting three color video signals are connected to the same video signal line at intervals of another two groups.
Here, since the two-phase development is performed, the video signals DAT1 and DAT2 that are shown in FIG. 1 are inputted to two video signal lines as in Embodiment 1. However, in the present embodiment, the video signal line covers three color (RGB) signals, so that the video signal line is divided into three corresponding to the three color signals as shown in FIG. 19. A video signal line obtained by dividing the foregoing video signal line is referred to as a "divisional video signal line".
That is, the video signal line DAT1 allows three color signals of RD1, GD1, and BD1 to flow, and the video signal DAT2 allows three color signals of RD2, GD2, and BD2 to flow. Thus, each color signal is inputted to a corresponding divisional video signal line. Here, a color signal RD1 of the video signal DAT1 is inputted to a divisional video signal line 11r, and a color signal GD1 of the video signal DAT1 is inputted to a divisional video signal line 11g, and a color signal BD1 of the video signal DAT1 is inputted to a divisional video signal 11b. Further, a color signal RD2 of the video signal DAT2 is inputted to a divisional video signal line 12r, and a color signal GD2 of the video signal DAT2 is inputted to a divisional video signal line 12g, and a color signal BD2 of the video signal DAT2 is inputted to a divisional video signal 12b.
Thus, the data signal line driving circuit of the present embodiment is arranged so that: a predetermined number of data signal lines are sequentially connected to the divisional video signal lines so as to correspond to the color signals, and the data signal line groups whose number is the same as the number of the video signal lines constitute a single block, and as in Embodiment 1, there is provided a video signal fetching section (waveform shaping circuit SMP1 and the like) which fetches the video signal from the video signal lines into the data signal lines.
In FIG. 19, the data signal lines RSL1 and RSL2 are connected to the divisional video signal line 11r which is one of the divisional video signal lines to which the color signals of the video signal DAT1 are inputted, and the data signal lines GSL1 and GSL2 are connected to the divisional video signal line 11g which is one of the divisional video signal lines to which the color signals of the video signal DAT1 are inputted, and the data signal lines BGL1 and BGL2 are connected to the divisional video signal line 11b which is one of the divisional video signal lines to which the color signals of the video signal DAT1 are inputted, and these six data signal lines constitute a data signal line group.
Further, the data signal lines RSL3 and RSL4 are connected to the divisional video signal line 12r which is one of the divisional video signal lines to which the color signals of the video signal DAT2 are inputted, and the data signal lines GSL3 and GSL4 are connected to the divisional video signal line 12g which is one of the divisional video signal lines to which the color signals of the video signal DAT2 are inputted, and the data signal lines BGL3 and BGL4 are connected to the divisional video signal line 12b which is one of the divisional video signal lines to which the color signals of the video signal DAT2 are inputted, and these six data signal lines constitute a data signal line group.
The two data signal line groups are regarded as a single block. Here, two signal line groups, each constituted of three color data signals, whose number is the same as the number of types of the video signals, are regarded as a single block regarded as a unit in inputting an image.
Thus, the data signal lines for outputting video data corresponding to two data signal line groups each constituted of three color signals fetch the video signals in accordance with signals from different waveform shaping circuits. Here, the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 19 basically operates in the same manner as in the data signal line driving circuits 3 and 43, so that description thereof is omitted.
On the other hand, in the conventional data signal line driving circuit, as shown in FIG. 20, three data signal lines for outputting video data of three colors (for example, RGB) constitute a single group, and in two data signal lines adjacent to each other, data signal lines for outputting first color (for example, red) video data are connected to different first color video signal lines, and data signal lines for outputting second color (for example, green) video data are connected to different second color video signal lines, and data signal lines for outputting third color (for example, blue) video data are connected to different third color video signal lines. In this case, since the two-phase development is performed, the two data signal line groups for outputting video data of three colors are connected to different video signals. Here, the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 20 basically operates in the same manner as in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 22, so that description thereof is omitted.
Thus, in the case of the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 19, unlike the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 20, the two-phase development is performed in the low resolution driving, and the adjacent two groups of the data signal lines sample the same video signal at the same timing, so that it is possible to reduce the frequency compared with the high resolution driving.
Further, if the shift resister relates to the waveform shaping circuit in the same manner as in the data signal line driving circuit shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to operate only a required shift resister, so that it is possible to further reduce the power consumption.
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption in the low power driving compared with the case of the high resolution driving regardless of whether the video signal is monochrome or color.
Here, Embodiment 3 describes the case where three color video signals are used, but the three colors are not limited to three colors of red, green, and blue. For example, it is possible to use cyan, magenta, and yellow, or it is possible to use a video signal of four colors, or it is possible to use a video signal of more than four colors.
Note that, each of the aforementioned embodiments describes the case where the two-phase development is performed with respect to a video signal, but it is possible to obtain the same effect by performing development of three or more phases.
Further, the number of the data signal lines connected to the video signal line, i.e., the number of the data signal lines in the data signal line group is two, but it may be so arranged that the number is three or more. For example, if the number of the data signal lines connected to the video signal line is three, it is possible to reduce the maximum resolution (high resolution) of the display section to ⅓.
Further, each of the aforementioned embodiments describes the case where the analog video signal is sampled, but the arrangement is not limited to this. It is possible to make such arrangement that: a digital video signal is sampled, and the sampled video signal is converted into an analog video signal. Also in this case, a multiphased digital video signal is sampled in each of plural video signal lines, and the sampled digital video signal is converted into an analog video signal, and the analog video signal is fetched into plural data signal lines. Thus, such arrangement is included in "driving a plurality of data signal lines respectively so as to fetch a multiphased video signal via a plurality of video signal lines into the data signal lines" recited in claims.
Further, the aforementioned description explains how the resolution of the data signal line driving circuit is converted in the display section. However, originally, the resolution is converted also in the scanning signal line driving circuit. For example, in the case where the display section displays a video signal whose resolution is half of the resolution in the high resolution driving (low resolution), the scanning signal line driving circuit controls the display section so that two scanning signal lines are selected as in the case where two data signal lines are selected.
In this manner, the video signal whose resolution has been converted into half resolution in the data signal line driving circuit, so that the resolution of the displayed image is ¼ of the resolution in the high resolution driving.
Note that, in the aforementioned embodiments, as recited in claims, "driving a plurality of data signal lines respectively so as to fetch a multiphased video signal via a plurality of video signal lines into the data signal lines", and each video signal line has a data signal line group constituted of a predetermined number of the data signal lines sequentially provided, and the data signal line groups, formed on the different video signal lines, whose number is the same as the number of the video signal lines, constitute a single block, and the video signal is fetched from the video signal lines into the data signal lines.
Particularly, as to Embodiment 3, each of the three color video signals becomes a two-phase video signal. In terms of a two-phase video signal obtained by two-phasing one color video signal, the two-phase video signal is fetched into the plural data signal lines via the two video signal lines, and the two data signal lines (of the data signal lines for outputting the corresponding data) sequentially connected to one of the video signals constitute a data signal line group, and the data signal lines, connected to the two video signal lines, whose number corresponds to the two video signal lines, constitute a single block, and the video signal is fetched from the video signal lines into the data signal lines. The foregoing process is performed with respect to another two color video signals. As to Embodiment 3, claims are limitedly recited as follows: each of the data line groups in the block is constituted of a predetermined number of the data signal lines each of the data signal line groups is made up of a predetermined number of sets of the data signal lines corresponding to colors contained in the video signal fetched into the data signal lines.
A matrix type image display device having the data signal line driving circuit of the present invention may be arranged so as to include: a display section, including (i) a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix manner, (ii) a plurality of data signal lines disposed on rows of the pixels, (iii) a plurality of scanning signal lines disposed so as to correspond to the pixels, said display section fetching a video signal for displaying an image in the pixels from the data signal lines into the pixels in synchronism with a scanning signal supplied from the scanning signal lines, so as to retain the video signal wherein: the multiphased video signal is supplied to the data signal lines via a plurality of video signal lines, and the data signal line driving circuit which can vary a horizontal resolution of the displayed image.
In this case, by providing the foregoing characteristics, it is possible to obtain a highly versatile panel, which can vary its resolution depending on the use, at low cost.
Further, in the image display device, it may be so arranged that: the data signal line driving circuit fetches a multiphased video signal from the video signal lines to the data signal lines in each block, and in the block, a signal line set constituted of plural signal lines adjacent to each other or each signal line are driven at a timing different from a timing at which an adjacent signal line set or an adjacent signal line are driven.
In this case, by making the foregoing arrangement, it is possible to realize a resolution switching function. Further, generally, there is the following problem: when it is so arranged that the video signal is fetched into the data signal lines in each block in the high resolution driving, an end portion of the block and a middle portion of the block are different from each other in terms of influence exerted by the adjacent data signal line, so that a stripe occurs in the end portion of the block in displaying an image, thereby deteriorating the display quality. However, in the case of the foregoing arrangement, it is possible to uniform the influence that the data signal line receives from the adjacent data signal line in the whole block, thereby preventing the deterioration of the display quality.
Further, the image display device may be arranged so that: the data signal line driving circuit fetches data from the video signal lines into the data signal lines in each block, and in the block, it is possible to arbitrarily switch between (i) driving in which a signal line set constituted of plural signal lines adjacent to each other or each signal line of a signal line set is driven at a timing different from a timing at which a signal line set adjacent to that signal line set or each signal line adjacent to that each signal line is driven and (ii) driving in which: data is fetched from the video signal lines into the data signal lines as a block unit, and a signal line set constituted of plural signal lines adjacent to each other or each signal line is driven in the block at the same timing as a timing at which a signal line set adjacent to that signal line set or each signal line adjacent to that each signal line is driven.
In this case, by switching the timing at which a signal line set constituted of plural signal line adjacent to each other or respective signal lines are driven, the horizontal resolution is switched. That is, the resolution switching function is realized.
Further, the data signal line driving circuit may be arranged as follows. There are two cases: (i) the case where the signal line set constituted of plural signal lines adjacent to each other is driven at a timing different from a timing at which a signal line set adjacent to that signal line set is driven, and (ii) the case where each signal line is driven at a timing different from a timing at which a signal line adjacent to that signal line is driven. In the case (i), two or more signal lines, collected from one signal line set and another signal line set adjacent to that signal line set, which are driven at different timings, are connected to the common signal line. In the case (ii), two or more signal lines, adjacent to each other, which are driven at different timings, are connected to the common signal line.
In this case, by providing the foregoing characteristics, it is possible to write the same data on one to two or more data signal lines at the same timing. That is, it is possible to easily realize the low resolution display.
Further, the data signal line driving circuit may be arranged so that: upon performing the aforementioned switching operation, it is possible to vary the number of driving circuits in the shift resister for generating a timing pulse which causes the video signal to be fetched from the video signal lines into the data signal lines.
In this case, by providing the foregoing characteristics, it is possible to vary the condition of the data signal line driving section depending on the display resolution, thereby optimizing the display condition. As a result, it is possible to obtain such advantage that a margin in the circuit operation is enlarged and the driving frequency is reduced.
Further, the data signal line driving circuit is characterized in that: a circuit for generating a timing pulse which causes the video signal to be fetched from the video signal lines into the data signal lines partially stops operation when the switching operation is performed so as to drive a signal line set constituted of plural signal lines adjacent to each other or each signal line at the same timing as a timing at which a signal line set adjacent to that signal line set or another signal line adjacent to that signal line is driven.
In this case, by providing the foregoing characteristics, it is possible to vary the condition of the data signal line driving section depending on the display resolution, thereby making the driving section smaller in an optimizing manner. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the circuit according to the display resolution.
Further, the data signal line driving circuit may be arranged so that: a phase development number of the video signal that is externally inputted is not varied when the data signal line driving circuit varies a horizontal resolution of a displayed image by means of the drive switching function.
In this case, by providing the foregoing characteristics, it is possible to effectively use the video signal line, provided so as to perform the high resolution driving, also in performing the low resolution driving. As a result, it is possible to reduce the driving frequency and the power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit.
Further, the data signal line driving circuit may be arranged so that: a frequency of a control signal, inputted from an outside, which controls the data signal line driving circuit, is varied upon performing the switching operation.
In this case, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit or the power consumption of an external circuit for generating a control signal of the data signal line driving circuit or the scanning signal line driving circuit according to the display resolution.
Further, the image display device may be arranged so that: the data signal line driving circuit, the scanning signal line driving circuit, and the pixel are formed on the same substrate.
In this case, by forming the data signal line driving circuit having the foregoing functions on the substrate where the scanning signal line driving circuit and the pixel are formed, it is possible to reduce the installation cost and to improve the reliability.
Further, the image display device may be arranged so that: an active element which constitutes each of the data signal line driving circuit, the scanning signal line driving circuit, and the pixel is made of a polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor.
In this case, by using the polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor as the active element, it is possible to form the driving circuits and the pixel on the same substrate in accordance with the same process, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.
Further, the image display device may be arranged so that: the active element is formed on a glass substrate in accordance with a process performed at not more than 600° C.
In this case, it is possible to use an inexpensive glass substrate whose melting point is low, thereby providing the image display device at lower cost.
As described above, the data signal line driving method ofTherefore the data signal line driving method of the present invention as described above, the data signal line driving circuit of the data signal line groups, connected to each of the video signal lines, whose number is the same as the number of the video signal lines, are gatheredIt may be so arranged that: the video signal fetching section includes drive switching means for and (ii) second driving in which all the data signal lines of the data signal line groups are driven at the same time.
In this case, by providing the drive switching means for arbitrarily (high resolution driving) and (ii) second driving in which all the data signal lines of the data signal line groups are driven at the same time (low resolution driving), it is possible to realize a function for arbitrarily switching the resolution of the signal fetched into the data signal lines.
Thus, in the case where a video signal whose resolution is high is fetched into the data signal lines for example, it is general to employ the first driving in which each of the data signal lines of one of the data signal line groups in the block and each of the data signal lines of another one of the data signal line groups in the block are driven at the same time, but it is possible to fetch the video signal whose resolution is high into the data signal lines by employing the second driving in which all the data signal lines of the data signal line groups are driven at the same time.
It may be so arranged that: the video signal fetching section includes one or more shift resisters for generating a timing pulse causing the video signal to be fetched from the video signal lines to the data signal lines, and the drive switching means switches between the first driving and the second driving so that the number of the shift resisters that operate is varied in switching between the first driving and the second driving.
In this case, the first driving is different from the second driving in terms of the number of the shift resisters that operate, so that it is possible to optimize the power consumption in each driving. For example, in the case where each of the data signal lines of one of the data signal line groups in the block and each of the data signal lines of another one of the data signal line groups in the block are driven at the same time like the first driving, it is necessary to operate as many shift resisters as the number of the data signal line groups in the block, but in the case where all the data signal lines of the data signal line groups are driven at the same time like the second driving, only a single shift resister is required to operate. In such case, the number of the operating shift resisters is varied between the first driving and the second driving, so that it is not necessary to operate the shift resister which is not required in driving the data signal lines, thereby reducing the power consumption.
Specifically, it may be so arranged that: the video signal fetching section includes stopping means for stopping operation of the shift resister which is not required in driving the data signal lines after switching the drive switching means between the first driving and the second driving.
Further, it may be so arranged that: the data signal line groups are data signal line sets each of which is made up of a predetermined number of the data signal lines corresponding to color signals contained in the video signal fetched into the data signal lines.
In this case, when the video signal corresponds to a color image, the number of colors is generally three, and three data signal lines of RGB are regarded as a single set, and when the video signal corresponds to a monochrome image, the number of colors is 1, and a single data signal line is regarded as a single set. Thus, even in the case of a color image or in the case of a monochrome image, it is possible to suppress the power consumption in the low resolution driving compared with the case of the high resolution driving. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the data signal line driving circuit.
As described above, the line driving circuits is used as the data signal line driving circuit.
Therefore | eng | 99d09871-4e64-495a-b3f2-fa0faa4272dd | http://www.google.es/patents/US7652652?dq=flatulence |
Golden Jackal
The golden jackal also known as the common jackal, Asiatic jackal, thos or gold-wolf is a Canid
Canidaeindigenous to north and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe (up to Austria and Hungary), Asia Minor, the Middle East and southeast Asia. It is classed, due to its widespread range in areas with optimum food and shelter. Despite its name, the golden jackal is not closely related to other jackal
Jackalspecies, with morphological and molecular studies indicating a greater affinity to the grey It is a social species, whose basic social unit consists of a breeding pair, followed by its offspring. The golden jackal is highly adaptable, being able to exploit many foodstuffs,.
Evolution
Unlike other jackal species, which are African in origin, the golden jackal likely emerged from Asia. The direct ancestor of the golden jackal is thought to be Canis kuruksaensis, a Villafranchian (from Pleistocene is the epoch from 2,588,000 to 11,700 years BP that spans the world's recent period of repeated glaciations. The name pleistocene is derived from the Greek and ....
)) canid native to Tadjikistan. Another prehistoric canid initially thought to be an ancestral jackal, Canis arnensis, which was native to Europe, was later classed as more closely related to the The golden jackal likely colonised the European continent during the late.. The golden jackal is awhich. The characteristics of the golden jackal's skull and genetic composition indicate a closer affinity to thes.
Taxonomy and subspecies". Although several attempts have been made to synonymise
Synonym (taxonomy)many
Gene flow
In population genetics, gene flow is the transfer of alleles of genes from one population to another.Migration into or out of a population may be responsible for a marked change in allele frequencies...
, brings into question the validity of some of these West African forms.
Johann Andreas Wagner was a German palaeontologist, zoologist and archaeologist.Wagner was a professor at the University of Munich, and curator of the Zoologische Staatssammlung ....
, 1841
Darker than C. a. aureus, with a tail marked with three dusky rings, it is equal in size toFrédéric Cuvier was a French zoologist. He was the younger brother of noted naturalist and zoologist Georges Cuvier....
, 1820.
The Common Jackal , also known as the Persian or Turkestan Jackal is a subspecies of golden jackal native to Middle Asia, Afghanistan, northwestern India, Iran, Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, and Pakistan...
Linnaeus, 1758
The nominate subspecies, it is large, with soft, pale fur with predominantly sandy tones Jackal , also known as the Himalayan Jackal is a subspecies of golden jackal native to India, Bhutan, Burma and Nepal. Its karyotype is quite different from that of its Eurasian and African counterparts .-Description:Its fur is a mixture of black and white, with buff on the shoulders,...
Brian Houghton Hodgson was an early naturalist and ethnologist working in British India and Nepal where he was an English civil servant. He described many species, especially birds and mammals from the Himalayas, and several birds were named after him by others such as Edward Blyth...
, 1833Egyptian jackal Canis a. lupaster
Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1833
A large, wolf-like subspecies standing some 41 cm (16 in) in shoulder-height, with a total length of about 127 cm (50 in), it seems to be larger than C. a. moreoticus.. In 2011, researchers from the Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit compared the Egyptian jackal's DNA to other canids, and found it much more closely related to the grey wolf than to the golden jackal European Jackal , also known as the Caucasian Jackal or Reed Wolf is a subspecies of golden jackal native to Southeast Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. Its Latin name, moreoticus, means "of Morea"...
Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire was a French zoologist and an authority on deviation from normal structure. He coined the term ethology.He was born in Paris, the son of Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire...
, 1835
One of the largest in the world, animals of both sexes average 120–125 cm (47–49 in) in total length and 10-15 kg (20-33 lb) in body weight. The fur is coarse, and is generally brightly coloured with blackish tones on the back. The thighs, upper legs, ears and forehead are bright-reddish chestnut.
The Sri Lankan Jackal , also known as the Southern Indian Jackal is a subspecies of golden jackal native to southern India and Sri Lanka. On the Asian mainland, the Sri Lankan jackal occurs in the whole southern part of the Indian peninsula, from Thana near Bombay in the northwest southwards...
Robert Charles Wroughton was an officer in the Indian Forest Service from 10 December 1871 to 1904....
, 1916lanka (Wroughton, 1838)
Canis a. riparius
Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1832. Variegated Jackal , also known as the Nubian Jackal, is a subspecies of golden jackal native to Sudan and Somaliland. It is smaller and more lightly built than the Egyptian jackal, standing 38 cm at the shoulder, and 102 cm in length. Compared with the wolf-like Egyptian jackal, the...
Oldfield Thomas FRS was a British zoologist.Thomas worked at the Natural History Museum on mammals, describing about 2,000 new species and sub-species for the first time. He was appointed to the Museum Secretary's office in 1876, transferring to the Zoological Department in 1878...
, 1903The Syrian Jackal is a subspecies of golden jackal native to the eastern Mediterranean region from the coast of Lebanon between Beirut and Tripoli. Jackals were common in Lebanon and Palestine in the 1930s–40s, but their populations were reduced during a zealous anti-rabies campaign...
Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1833
It weighs 5–12 kg (11–27 lb), and has a body length of 60–90 cm (24–35 in). Distinguished by its brown ears, each hair of the back consists of four distinct colours: white at the root, then black, then foxy-red, and the point is blackPhysical description
Buildis light or dark brownish. The species has five pairs of teats.
Its skull is similar to the wolf's, but is smaller and less massive; its nasal region is lower and its facial region shorter. The sagittal
Sagittal crest
A sagittal crest is a ridge of bone running lengthwise along the midline of the top of the skull of many mammalian and reptilian skulls, among others....
and occipital crests are strongly developed, but weaker than the wolf's. Its canine teeth are large and strong, but relatively thinner than the wolf's, and its are relatively weaker. Eighteen characteristics distinguish the skulls of golden jackals from those of domestic dogs; among them, the jackal has a smaller inflation of the frontal regionFor the Arsenal striker see GervinhoIn human anatomy, the forehead is the fore part of the head. It is, formally, an area of the head bounded by three features, two of the skull and one of the scalp. The top of the forehead is marked by the hairline, the edge of the area where hair on the scalp, the golden jackal's profile descends from the frontal to the nasal bones, as opposed to having a flat outline. The rostrum
Rostrum (anatomy)
The term rostrum is used for a number of unrelated structures in different groups of animals:*In crustaceans, the rostrum is the forward extension of the carapace in front of the eyes....
is shorter, less tapering and slender than the side-striped jackal's, and the lower jaw is curved and more powerfully built. Differences in dentition are also apparent, with the golden jackal having larger carnassials. Occasionally, it develops a horny growth
Jackal's Horn
The Jackal's Horn is a boney cone-shaped excrescence which can occasionally grow on the skulls of golden jackals. It is associated with magical powers in south-eastern Asia. This horn usually measures half an inch in length, and is concealed by fur...
on the skull which is associated with magical powers in southeastern Asia. This horn usually measures half an inch in length, and is concealed by fur.
Fur
The winter fur is generally either of a dirty reddish-grey colour, strongly highlighted with blackish tones due to the black guard hairs, or a brighter, rusty-reddish colour colour of these parts is brighter and clearer. The belly is whitish along the midline, while the lower region is mixed with a reddish tint. The limbs are ochreous red, with the internal surfaces being of a lighter colour. The tail is grey with an ochreous tint with a strongly defined, dark shade on the dorsal side and tip. The summer fur is sparser, coarser and shorter, and has the same colour as the winter fur, but is brighter, with less-defined dark tints. Newborn golden jackals have very soft fur, which varies in colour from light-grey to dark-brown. This pelage remains on the cubs for one month, with the adult coat growing in August. The colour of the fur varies geographically, with animals from high elevations having buffier coats than their lowland counterparts. Melanist
Melanisms occasionally occur, and were once considered "by no means rare" in Bengal..
Social and territorial behaviours
The golden jackal's social organisation is extremely flexible, being dependable on the availability and distribution of food. The basic social unit is a breeding pair, followed by its current offspring, or offspring of former litters. It usually lives in pairs, but is also found either singly, or in pairs and families up to five individuals. A golden jackal may pair up with a member of the opposite sex before leaving its natal range. Pairs typically first meet each other on the boundraries of their parents' territories.. Territories are marked with urine and faeces..
Reproduction and development
The golden jackal's courtship rituals are remarkably long, during which the breeding pair remains almost constantly together. The mating process may last 26–28 days. In Transcaucasia, estrus begins in early February, and occasionally late January during warm winters. Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesisin males occurs 10–12 days before the females enter estrus and, during this time, males' testicle
Testicle
The testicle is the male gonad in animals. Like the ovaries to which they are homologous, testes are components of both the reproductive system and the endocrine system...
s.. The male then proceeds to lick the female's vulva, and repeatedly mounts her without erection
Erectionor hip thrusting. Actual copulation takes place days later, and continues for about a week. The copulatory tie lasts 20–45 minutes in Eurasia, while in Africa it lasts roughly four minutes. Toward the end of estrus, the pair drifts apart, with the female often approaching the male in a more submissive manner than before. In anticipation of the role he will take in raising pups, the male disgorges or surrenders any food he has to the female.
In Transcaucasia, pups are usually born in late March to late April, in northeastern Italy probably in late April, in the Serengeti in December and January, and in Nepal, they are born at any time of the year.., while in Africa they begin after a month. Once the lactation period concludes, the female drives off the pups. Pups born late remain with their mother until early autumn, at which point they leave either singly or in groups of two to four individuals.
Denning and sheltering behaviours.
Diet and hunting behaviours
The golden jackal is an omnivorous and opportunistic forager; its diet varies according to season and habitat. In Bharatpur
Bharatpur
Bharatpur may refer to:Nepal*Bharatpur, Nepal, a city in Nepal.*Bharatpur, Dhanusa, village in Nepal*Bharatpur, Mahottari, village in NepalIndia*Bharatpur, Rajasthan, a city, Rajasthan, IndiaKanha or Kanhapad was one of the poets of Charjapad, the earliest known example of bangla literature. He was a tantric buddhist and his poems in Charjapad are written in a code, whereby every poem has a descriptive or narrative surface meaning but also encodes tantric buddhist teachings...
. In the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, the golden jackal primarily huntsFrancolins are birds that traditionally have been placed in the genus Francolinus, but now commonly are divided into multiple genera , although some of the major taxonomic listing sources have yet to divide them. They are members of the pheasant family, PhasianidaeCoots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Fulica. Coots have predominantly black plumage, and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water. Vegetable matter eaten by jackals in these areas includes fruits, such asMespilus germanica, known as the common medlar is a large shrub or small tree, and the name of the fruit of this tree. Despite its Latin name, which means German or Germanic medlar, it is indigenous to southwest Asia and also southeastern Europe, mostly the Black Sea coasts of modern TurkeyThe Vakhsh has been intensively developed for human use. Electricity, aluminum, and cotton are the mainstays of Tajikistan's economy, and the Vakhsh is involved with all three of these sectors. Hydroelectricity provides 91% of the country's electricity as of 2005, and 90% of that total comes from...
, the jackal's spring diet consists almost exclusively of plant bulbs and the roots of wild sugar cane, while in winter it feeds on the fruit stones of wild stony olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia and grapes. In Hungary, its most frequent prey animals are common vole
Common Vole
The Common Vole, Microtus arvalis, is a European mammal.- Distribution and habitat :The common vole is hardly restricted in means of distribution and habitat and inhabits large areas of Eurasia. As Microtus arvalis followed human civilisation, primary and secondary habitats can be distinguished...s. Information on the diet of the golden jackal in northeastern Italy is scant, but it certainly preys on smalland hares. In west Africa, it mostly confines itself to small prey, such asThe genus Thryonomys, also known as cane rats, grass cutters, or cutting grass, is a genus of rodent found throughout Africa south of the Sahara, the only members of the family Thyronomyidae. They are eaten in some African countries and are a pest species on many crops.-Characteristics:Cane rats...
s. Other prey items include lizards, snakes, and ground-nesting birds, such as francolins and bustard
Bustard
Bustards, including floricans and korhaans, are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World...The Warthog or Common Warthog is a wild member of the pig family that lives in grassland, savanna, and woodland in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the past it was commonly treated as a subspecies of P...
s. In East Africa, it consumes invertebrates and fruit, though 60% of its diet consists of rodents, lizards, snakes, birds, hares and Thompson's gazelles. During the wildebeest
Wildebeest
The wildebeest , also called the gnu is an antelope of the genus Connochaetes. It is a hooved mammal...
calving season, golden jackals will feed almost exclusively on their afterbirth. In the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, less than 20% of its diet comes from scagenging...s the surplus, which is generally recovered within 24 hours. on kills, and can singly hold dozens at bay by threatening, snapping and lunging at them. Sometimes, it jumps in the air to bite at a vulture alighting too closely.
Golden jackals tend to dominate smaller canid species. In Africa, golden jackals have been observed to kill the pups of black-backed jackal
Black-backed Jackal. Conversely, jackals are shown to vacate areas inhabited by wolves
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
. Wolves are often actively intolerant of jackals in their established territories and have been known to approach jackal-calling stations at a quick trotting pace, presumably to chase off the competitors. The jackal's recent expansion throughout eastern and western Europe has been attributed to historical declines in wolf populations. The present diffusion of the golden jackal in the northern Adriatic hinterland seems to be in rapid expansion in various areas where the wolf is absent or very rare (see also:). Jackals have been observed to follow and feed alongside wolves without evoking any hostility. In Africa, golden jackals often eat alongside African wild dogs, and will stand their ground if the dogs try to harass them. In South-eastern Asia, golden jackals have been known to hunt alongside dhole
Dholepacks, and there is one record of a golden jackal pack adopting a male Ethiopian wolf
Ethiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian wolf , also known as the Abyssinian wolf, Abyssinian fox, red jackal, Simien fox, or Simien jackal is a canid native to Africa...
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
s. Tigers will, however, kill jackals on occasion; the now extinct tigers of the Amu-Darya region were known to frequently eat jackals. Jackals will confront a hyena approaching too closely to their dens by taking turns in biting the hyena's hocks until it retreats. Striped hyena
Striped Hyena
The Striped Hyena is a species of true hyena native to North and East Africa, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Middle and Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent...
s have been known to prey on golden jackals in Kutch, India; one striped hyena den contained three dead jackals.
Body language
Golden jackals frequently groom one another, particularly during courtship, during which it can last up to ½ hour..
Vocalisations.as "Dead Hindoo, where, where, where". This sound is usually uttered shortly after dark or before dawn.. Groups will occasionally howl in chorus, which is thought to reinforce family bonds, as well as advertise territorial status. When in the vicinity of tigers or leopards or any other cause for alarm, the golden jackal emits a cry transliterated as "pheal", "phion" or "phnew". When hunting in a pack, the dominant jackal initiates an attack by repeatedly emitting a sound transliterated as "okkay!".
Range golden jackals are widespread in the north and northeastern portions of the continent, being present from Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and northFriuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto), where their distribution has recently increased, encompassing also the region Trentino Alto Adige. To the east, their range includes Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe officiallyDiseases and parasites
The golden jackal can carry diseases and parasites harmful to human health, includingLeishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites that belong to the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by the bite of certain species of sand fly...
in people). Jackals in southwestern Tajikistan have been recorded to carry 16 species of cestodes, roundworms and acanthocephala
AcanthocephalaSparganosis is a parasitic infection caused by the plerocercoid larvae of diphyllobothroid tapeworms belonging to the genus Spirometra. First described by Manson in 1882, the infection is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated water, ingestion of a second intermediate host such as a frog or...
Diphyllobothrium mansonoides is a species of tapeworm that is endemic to North America. Infection with D. mansonoides in humans can result in sparganosis. Justus F. Mueller first reported this organism in 1935. D. mansonoides is similar to D. latum and Spirometra erinacei...
Taenia pisiformis is a tapeworm. It is related to Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm, and to Taenia saginata, the beef tapeworm.The adult may reach up to 200 cm in length.The definite host is represented by carnivores such as the dog or the cat....
Ancylostoma caninum, commonly Dog hookworm, is a parasitic nematode hookworm that infects dogs. The larval stage penetrates the skin and makes it way through the circulatory system into the digestive tract, where adult forms lay eggs that are passed through the feces. Common symptoms include anemia...
Toxocara canis is worldwide distributed helminth parasite of dogs and other canids. T. canis are gonochorists, adult worms measure from 9 to 18 cm, are yellow-white in color, and occur in the intestine of the definitive host. In adult dogs, the infection is usually asymptomatic. By the...
Toxascaris leonina is a common parasitic roundworm found in dogs, cats, foxes, and related host species. Toxascaris leonina, or T. leonina, is an ascarid nematode, a worldwide distributed helminth parasite which is in a division of eukaryotic parasites that, unlike external parasites such as lice...
Dracunculus medinensis is a nematode that causes dracunculiasis.Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea worm disease, is caused by the large female nematode, Dracunculus medinensis, which is among the longest nematodes infecting humans. The adult female is primarily larger than the adult male. The...
, Filariata and Macracanthorhynchus catulinum). Jackals infected with D. medinensis can infect water bodies with their eggs, and cause dracunculiasis
Dracunculiasis
Dracunculiasis , also called guinea worm disease , is a parasitic infection caused by Dracunculus medinensis, a long and very thin nematode . The infection begins when a person drinks stagnant water contaminated with copepods infested by the larvae of the guinea worm...
in people who drink from them. Jackals may also play a large part in spreading coenurosis in sheep and cattle, andCanine parvovirus type 2 is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. The disease is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. It can be especially severe in puppies that are not protected by maternal antibodies or vaccination. It has two...
Canine herpesvirus ' is a virus of the family Herpesviridae which most importantly causes a fatal hemorrhagic disease in puppies less than two to three weeks old. It is known to exist in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, England and Germany...
Canine coronavirus is a virus of the family Coronaviridae that causes a highly contagious intestinal disease worldwide in dogs. It was discovered in 1971 in Germany during an outbreak in sentry dogs.-Pathology:...
and canine adenovirus. In July 2006, a Romanian jackal was found to be carrying Trichinella britovi
Trichinella britovi
Trichinella britovi is a nematode parasite responsible for a zoonotic disease called trichinellosis. There are currently eight known species of Trichinella. Only three of the Trichinella species cause trichinellosis, and Trichinella britovi is one of them...
. Jackals consuming fish and molluscs can be infected with metagonimiasis
Metagonimiasis
Metagonimiasis is a disease caused by an intestinal trematode, most commonly Metagonimus yokagawai, but sometimes by M. takashii or M. miyatai. The metagonimiasis causing flukes are one of two minute flukes called the heterophyids. Metagonimiasis was described by Katsurasa in 1911-1913 when he...
, which was recently diagnosed in a male jackal from northeastern Italy. In Tajikistan, at least 12species are known to be carried by golden jackals (which include Ixodes
Ixodes
Ixodes is a genus of hard-bodied ticks . It includes important disease vectors of animals and humans . Some ticks in this genus may transmit the pathogenic bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi responsible for causing Lyme disease...
The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is a species of tick which is found world-wide, but more commonly in warmer climates. This species is unusual among ticks in that its entire life cycle can be completed indoors.-Hosts:...
Lice is the common name for over 3,000 species of wingless insects of the order Phthiraptera; three of which are classified as human disease agents...
(Trichodectes canis). In northeastern Italy, the species is a carrier of the tick species Ixodes ricinus
Ixodes ricinus
Ixodes ricinus, the castor bean tick, is a chiefly European species of hard-bodied tick. It may reach a length of when engorged with a blood meal, and can transmit both bacterial and viral pathogens such as the causative agents of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.-Description:In common...
and Dermacentor reticulatus.
In folklore, mythology and literature
Duamutef
Duamutef was one of the Four Sons of Horus and a protectiongod of the Canopic jars. Commonly he is said to be the son of the god Horus the Elder and the goddess Isis. There is another myth that describes...
The four...
Canopic jars were used by the Ancient Egyptians during the mummification process to store and preserve the viscera of their owner for the afterlife. They were commonly either carved from limestone or were made of pottery...
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, the golden jackal is portrayed as the familiar of several deities, the most common of which being Chamunda
Chamunda
Chamunda , also known as Chamundi, Chamundeshwari and Charchika, is a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother and one of the seven Matrikas . She is also one of the chief Yoginis, a group of sixty-four or eighty-one Tantric goddesses, who are attendants of the warrior goddess Durga...
, the emaciated, devouring goddess of the cremation grounds. Another deity associated with jackals is who inhabits the cremation ground and is surrounded by millions of jackals. According to the Tantrasara
Tantrasara
The Tantrasara is a work attributed to Abhinavagupta, the most famous historical proponent of the Trika or Kashmir Shaivism philosophy of Hinduism. It is said to a condensed version of the Tantraloka, Abhinavagupta's Magnum opus....
, when offered animal flesh, Kali appears before the officiant in the form of a jackal. The goddess Shivatudi is depicted with a jackal's head. Golden jackals appear prominently in Indian folklore
Folklore of India
The folklore of India compasses the folklore of the nation of India and the Indian subcontinent.The subcontinent of India contains a wide diversity of ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups...
and ancient texts, such as the Jakatas and Panchtatra, where they are often portrayed as intelligent and wily creatures. InMowgli is a fictional character from India who originally appeared in Rudyard Kipling's short story "In the Rukh" and then went on to become the most prominent and memorable character in his fantasies, The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book , which also featured stories about other...
The Jungle Book is a collection of stories by British Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling. The stories were first published in magazines in 1893–4. The original publications contain illustrations, some by Rudyard's father, John Lockwood Kipling. Kipling was born in India and spent the first six...
, the character Tabaqui is a jackal despised by the Sioni wolf pack, due to his mock cordiality, scavenging habits and his subservience to Shere Khan
Shere Khan
Shere Khan is a fictional tiger of the Indian jungle. He is the chief antagonist in two of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book stories featuring Mowgli. Shere Khan is named after an Afghan Prince Kipling encountered on his trips to Afghanistan...
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
never mentions jackals, though this could be due to a translation error. The AVs of Isiah
Book of Isaiah
The Book of Isaiah is the first of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, preceding the books of Ezekiel, Jeremiah and the Book of the TwelveMalachi is a book of the Hebrew Bible, the last of the twelve minor prophets and the final book of the Neviim...
mention "wild beasts" and "dragons" crying in desolate houses and palaces. The originalwords which
Book of Lamentations
The Book of Lamentations ) is a poetic book of the Hebrew Bible composed by the Jewish prophet Jeremiah. It mourns the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple in the 6th Century BCE....
and Psalms, in which references are made to the shu'al's habit of eating corpses in battlefields. David W. Macdonald
David W. Macdonald
David Whyte Macdonald CBE FRSE is a Scottish zoologist and conservationist. He is the Director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit , Oxford University, which he founded in 1986...
theorizes,because of the general scarcity and elusiveness of foxes in Israel, the author of the Book of Judges
Book ofmay have actually been describing the much more common golden jackals when narrating how Samson
Samson
Samson, Shimshon ; Shamshoun or Sampson is the third to last of the Judges of the ancient Israelites mentioned in the Tanakh ....
tied torches to the tails of 300 foxes to make them destroy the vineyards of the Philistines
Philistines. According to an ancient Ethiopian folktale, jackals and man first became enemies shortly before the Great Flood, when, thinking they were unworthy of being saved, until being commanded by God to do so..
Livestock, game and crop predation
Golden jackals can be harmful pests, and will attack domestic animals, including turkeys, lambs, sheep,, and one record of a jackal attacking a newborn domestic water buffalo calf. They destroy many In Greece, jackals tend not to be as damaging to livestock as wolves and red foxes are, though they can become a serious nuisance to small stock when in high numbers. In southern Bulgaria, 1,053 attacks on small stock, mainly sheep and lambs, were recorded between 1982 and 1987, along with some damages to newborn deer in game farms.. Preventive measures to avoid predation were also lacking in both cases. However, even without preventive measures, the highest damages by jackals from Bulgaria are minimal when compared to the domestic animal losses by wolves. Golden jackals are extremely harmful to furbearing rodents, such as nutria and muskrat
Muskrats. Nutria can be completely extirpated in shallow water bodies; during the winter of 1948-49 in the Amu Darya
Amu Darya
The Amu Darya , also called Oxus and Amu River, is a major river in Central Asia. It is formed by the junction of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers...
.
Hunting
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
, British sportsmen in India would hunt jackals (often nicknamed "Cousin Jack") on horseback with hounds as a substitute for theof their native England. Although not considered as beautiful as English. Also, unlike foxes, golden jackals were documented to feign death when caught, and could be ferociously protective of their captured packmates. Jackals were hunted in three ways: with greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
A foxhound is a type of large hunting hound. Foxhounds hunt in packs and, like all scent hounds, have a strong sense of smell. They are used in hunts for foxes, hence the name. When out hunting they are followed usually on horseback and will travel several miles to catch their target. These dogs...
s. Hunting jackals with greyhounds offered poor sport, as greyhounds were too fast for jackals, and mixed packs were too difficult to control. Some indigenous people of India, such as the Koli
KOLI
KOLI is a radio station serving Wichita Falls, Texas and Vicinity with a country music format. It operates on FM frequency 94.9 MHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media. It is the radio flagship station for the Wichita Falls Wildcats hockey team....
The Narikuravar are a community of people from Tamil Nadu, India.The main occupation of the people who originally belong to the indigenous tribes, is hunting. But as they were prohibited entry into the forests to pursue this livelihood, they were forced to take up other alternatives such hunt and eat golden jackals, but the majority of South Asian cultures consider the animal unclean. The orthodoxtexts forbid the eating of jackals, as they have five nails (panchanakha)...
In Italy, the species has been recently protected by the National Law 157/1992, but it is occasionally shot illegally during fox hunts. This seems to be the main obstacle for the species in Italy.
Jackals are hunted in Vietnam for their noses, which are supposed to possess medicinal qualities.
Fur use
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and other nations of the former Soviet Union, golden jackals are considered furbearers, albeit ones of low quality due to their sparse, coarse and monotonously coloured fur.. Jackals are known to have been hunted for their fur in the 19th century: in
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, though the stocks were significantly underused, as over triple that amount could have been produced. Before 1949 and the onset majority of jackal skins were exported to the USA. Despite their geographical variations, jackal skins are not graded according to a fur standard, and are typically used in the manufacture of cheap collars, women's coats and fur coats.
Relation to the domestic dog Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication is a book written by Charles Darwin that was first published in January 1868.A large proportion of the book contains detailed information on the domestication of animals and plants but it also contains in Chapter XXVII a description ofwrote of a female hybrid from an English dog and jackal kept in the Zoological Gardens of London. The hybrid was sterile, but Darwin pointed out this was an exceptional case, as there were numerous cases of jackal hybrids successfully reproducing. Robert Armitage Sterndale
Robert Armitage Sterndale
Sir Robert Armitage Sterndale was a naturalist and statesman. He was governor general of St. Helena in 1897.He wrote several books on natural history including on the mammals of India. He was one of the first editors of the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society...
mentioned jackal hybrids from British India, noting that glaring jackal traits could be exhibited in hybrids even after three generations of crossing them with dogs.
Aeroflot
OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year...
The Sulimov Dog is a Russian Jackal-Dog Hybrid originating from an initial hybrid between two Lapponian Herders and two Turkmen golden jackals. The breed was developed by Klim Sulimov for Aeroflot airline security. He is described as a Senior Research Assistant at the D.S...
s, to sniff out explosives otherwise undetectable by machinery. Breeding experiments Poodle is a breed of dog. The poodle breed is found officially in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, with many coat colors. Originally bred as a type of water dog, the poodle is highly intelligent and skillful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding...
s, jackals, and later on with the resulting dog-jackal hybrids showed, unlike wolfdog
Wolfdog
A wolfdog is a canid hybrid resulting from the mating of a wolf and a dog . The term "wolfdog" is preferred by most of the animals' proponents and breeders because the domestic dog recently was taxonomically recategorized as a subspecies of wolf...
s, jackal-dogs exhibit a decrease in fertility, significant communication problems, and an increase of genetic diseases after three generations of interbreeding. This led to the conclusion that dogs and jackals were not as closely related as once thought.
Following the example of Charles Darwin, who speculated that dogs originated from multiple wild canid species, Konradadvocated. He later rescinded this view upon taking into account the golden jackal's complicated repertoire of howling, which is absent in dogs and wolves. | eng | 4a63ff34-3268-4bfe-9c50-66925e6f2673 | http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Golden_Jackal |
It was
a most unlikely summit meeting when
CHUCK D, Public Enemy's motormouth
mainspring and founding father of lopitical rap, met Bristol maverick TRICKY,
hip-hop's bizarre British cousin. VOX was there to take
the minutes...
By DELE FADELE
Pictures ROGER SARGENT
MIDDAY. MIDTOWN Manhattan,
New York City. The waiters in this fashionably downmarket
Mexican restaurant do not like the look
of their latest customers. Shifty eyes and incredulous stares suggest they
certainly don't want any black people to lower the tone of their chic establishment
and offend the corporate high-fliers and clients who make their living
possible. The looks say: "We don't want your kind in here," the politeness
says: "OK, we see you can afford your meals," the slow service says: "Always
remember your place." and the rudeness and hostility that surfaces as the
afternoon unfolds says: "Shut up already and get the fuck out of here!" Would the treatment
be different if the haughty waiters realised this was an historic occasion?
Are they so used to playing host to Al Pacino and Robert De Niro that today's
meeting of minds from both sides of the Atlantic is srnall beer? Today's gathering is
an alternative hip-hop summit like no other, the day that Tricky finally
gets to meet Chuck D and exchange friendly words. When two mavericks renowned
for going against the grain and speaking their minds meet, surely sparks
must fly. Perhaps the waiters
know this. Perhaps they want an easy life... Well, they're not getting
one.
HUCK D is loved and loathed around
the world in equal measure for his position as the lead rapper in Public
Enemy. For ten years, he has been making controversial statements both
on and off the record about the sad plight and serious situation of the
majority of black people in America. Never one to mince
his words, he has verbally attacked the establishment, spoken out against
white supremacy. and taken his message of black upliftment from Washington
DC to Tokyo, lapan; from Accra, Ghana, to Sydney. Australia. Public Enemy as a group
have made fearsome and relentless records - typified by heavy beats and
a noisy, shrill sound - which have become less aggressive as the years
have passed. Everyone knows at least one PE record, but is everyone ready
for a Chuck D solo detour in which he focuses on the ills blighting the
corporate hip-hop industry? He's aware that some have written him off as
old hat, but he is tireless at getting his pointhome. And the 'Autobiography
Of Mistachuck' LP will
certainly rattle a few cages while PE remain in limbo until next year Tricky, for his part,
is the golden child of British alternative hip-hop - the author of uncompromising
tales of darkness, alienation and paranoia. A sometime associate of Massive
Attack, he's made the Bristol sound global, and paved the way for Portishead
amongst others. What distinguishes Tricky from his peers is a willingness
to play around with extreme images and do outlandish things in the name
of art. You certainly wouldn't
get many self-respecting rappers posing in a dress and holding a gun for
a promotional shot, let alone allowing a female accomplice - Martina -
to sing their own words of dislocation and loss, but that's what he did
on his debut LP, 'Maxinquaye', which was shortlisted for, but didn't win,
a Mercury Prize. If anything, the splendid follow-up, 'Pre-Millennium Tension',
is even more bitter and twisted than its predecessor, with rougher musical
textures and a more political slant.
TRICKY is 45 minutes late. He's just
moved from K London to New York City and is without a telephone, so it's
relief when he finally makes the appointment. In contrast, Chuck D flew
in from Atlanta this morning and has already had a few meetings about his
new label, Slam Jamz, es well as paying a visit to City Hall for a voter
registration drive, to try to make a difference in this American election
year. Although Chuck D and
Tricky couldn't be more different - with contrasting attitudes towards
stimulants and professionalism - they find common ground in the form of
mutual respect, with Tricky clearly in awe of his musical hero. The displaced
Bristolian rushes into the restaurant, sits down immediately and starts
gushing about the elder rap statesman's latest effort. Mistachuck listens
intently and tries to diffuse the situation. Doyou have
much to show for the last ten years? Chuck D: All I have now is
a memory. I remember every Public Enemy show - 1,253 in all - every city,
every incident. Tricky: I smoke weed, so
straight away it's gone. Chuck D: Yeah, you have your
artist getaway. Everybody has their thing that gives them their push. My
thing is my memory and my experiences. That's why I'm putting
out a book next year,
just to let it all out. I have a bad memory when it comes to my lyrics.
I can't remember my songs for shit. Tricky: But
you've done a lot. Chuck D: The
latest songs I've written, I studied them, I practised them, still don't
know 'em. Tricky: But
it's wicked, so wicked - your new album is so wicked. I ain't been listening
to any new music for 12 months. I listen to old music. That's the first
album I've listened to and got any pleasure out of it. Since I've been
doing my album, it's not pleasure any more, it's business. But your album,
man, is the first one I've listened to for ages, like, listened to in bed.
I ain't done that for a long, long time. Chuck D: Yeah,
it's a smoked album or somebody that doesn't smoke pot to think how somebody
who smokes thinks (laughter).
So all I did, l had to stimulate things,
I spun around 15 times and got dizzy. Busta Rhyme came to me the other
day and said: "Yo, you must've been on something " I was like: "I spun
around 15 times, man, and caught up with you guys. I mean, I caught a contact
off your vibe." Why have you moved
to New York, Tricky? Tricky: Pressure.
I'm doing a lot of press in England, my face is everywhere and people are
treating me differently. Chuck D: They
love you in this motherfucker |New York City|, man. Tricky: Yeah.
It's not always a good thing, though, is it? I'm not saying it's a bad
thing, but people are treating me differently. I'm going to clubs and things
are different in clubs. Now I'm getting grief. I got attacked in a club
last night. Chuck D: Oh
yeah? Tricky: Yeah.
In New York. Weird shit popping off. It's abnormal. Being recognised in
a club is abnormal. You know, I just try to get away from that. The main thing that
links you to Chuck D is that you did a cover version of Public
Enemy's 'Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos'. Tricky: No,
that's not it. The main thing is I grew up listening to him. I'm from a
deprived area, no education, so I never had a Shakespeare. Seriously. I
didn't get off on people like Shakespeare, It was Chuck D and Rakim. Slick
Rick... |Chuck Dcups
his head, embarrassed.| Chuck D: I'm
not good at handling this. Tricky: That's
the truth. The original 'Black Steel' was a
song about a black man being jailed for refusing to fight for Uncle Sam,
and the way
he inspired a jail uprising
and subsequent jailbreak. When you wrote the
song, Chuck, the situation wasn't as serious as it is now. A disproportionate
percentage of African-Americans are now in jail... Chuck D: Increasing
by the day. And concentration camps for he year 2000. You know what? Jail
in the United States are becoming more and more beautiful. Tricky: And
they're becoming privatised. Lock in everybody and make money off them.
It's slavery. Chuck D: Originally
when I wrote 'Black Steel', it was talking about the history of lockdowns
|heavy manners in maximum security prisons|. That was the situation
nine years ago, now it's more intense, but thoroughly prevaricated and
tucked under the rug. Brothers in jail respect me, 'cos they say: "Chuck,
you're on the real 'cos you're trying to keep a young motherfucker out
of this motherfucker". Myself and Ice-T are saying things to try and keep
people out of jail. A lot of times when people talk about "keeping it real",
they're only talking about a limited reality. Tricky: It's
almost a trendy thing. It's trendy to be a bad man. Chuck D: I'll
tell you something. People still bug the tuck out of you over here that
there are black people in England. It's stupid. Tricky: I said:
"There's a ghetto in England," and people were surprised. They think black
people over there play cricket and drink Pimms. Chuck D: That's a lot better
than it used to be. They used to think it was you guys and The Oueen. Tricky: They
don't know, they never realise... To me, you're still fighting mad... and
I don't know where you get your energy to fight. Chuck D: You
fight or you die. Tricky: Yeah,
but you're still fighting. What's weirder is that when I was young I was
going astray, but through education by Chuck D and Rakim, I kinda educated
myself. Chuck D: You're
getting older. Tricky: Yeah,
but I don't think things are getting better, I can't see these people changing
it. The music industry is making us minstrels. Take four girls, have their
hair done, get some sweet music and put them in the charts. It's getting
worse. 'Pre-Millennium
Tension' can hardly be described as minstrel music. Tricky: No.
What I'm saying is about the industry itself. Everybody knows where the
real money is. Corporations, property, da-da-da... but we think it's Mercedes
Benzes and gold chains.
Chuck
D: The things we were taught. Tricky: If I
got caught with a gun and it got into the newspapers, that's cool. That's
very good for me. Chuck D: You
could do a thousand great things and go one step over the line... That's
why I got angry with the Daily News.
After everything Flavor Flav
has done for this city on the plus side, when he had a little sniffing
situation it was in every newspaper, page three. Tricky: They
tried to crucify him. Chuck D: Tried? Tricky: Good
things don't get you respect; if you've
done bad things, that'll get you
the most respect. Chuck D: If
I get up and have a fight with that man at that table, man |points to
next table|, I've got front-page news. Yet I've just come from City
Hall, where I did a voter registration drive. Tricky: What
did you do? Chuck D: I'm
part of a whole bunch of voting campaigns. Tricky: If you
ran for election, I'd vote for you, Chuck.
THERE'S A spoken-word track on Tricky's
new LP called 'Ghetto Youth', in which a Jamaican guy talks about his life,
his philosophy and experiences. The main thing you
learn from his soliloquy is he doesn't think the ghetto is a glamorous
place to be. Tricky: I've
gone to Jamaica, where kids are starving. You could troubIe them, but they'd
say: "No, I don't want to go to prison." That's a real bad
man. A real bad man doesn't come up in your face. A real bad man has to
feed his family. That kid |in the song| never had nothing, he sells
lollipops - I've seen him, he's so intelligent. It's like:"I cannot
be involved in anything ',cos I don't want to go to prison - cos then I
won't have a family. I'm a real bad man." Chuck D: Avoiding
the trap. It seemed like a
comment on the way the industry sells ghetto lifestyles. Tricky: I've
just done a record called 'I Don't Sell Records, I Sell Guns', right? Chuck D: I think I'll
cover it on the next Public Enemy album. Tricky: You
know we gotta go into the studio, man. Chuck D: Oh
yeah! What's 'Christiansands'
about, Tricky? You've got Chuck D here, whohas... you've kinda
rejected Christianity, haven't you? Tricky: No.
No. It ain't about Christians. It ain't about religion. Chuck D: I've
taken all religions and put them in a pot and looked at them from a humanistic
point of view. I've always said Christianity is projecting a lot more than
anything else, so I've never rejected all aspects of Christianity. Before
there were books, there was religion. And religion was a natural respect
for those that came before, respect to a natural order. It's not what you
say you are, it's what you are.
Tricky:
I don't really agree with religion. I went to Helsinki to do an interview
and the person was really nasty, so I met the devil there. Then I met a
Christian on the plane going to Christiansands. It's the song, innit? |Laughter|
No deep meaning. Chuck D: Respect
for a natural order. How do your
approaches to live performance differ? Tricky: There's
no difference, it's energy. There's a lot of weak stuff live in hip-hop
and a lot of weak live stuff in rock. If you tap into energy, you're gonna
come across. Some people wanna go onstage like they live their lives: I
ain't gonna shake my ass around. Usually, I stand there with my eyes closed.
But that's just my energy. Chuck D: Exactly. I
had to overcome the obstacle of people saying rap doesn't mean shit live.
And my whole thing was to redefine my goals. To redefine the meaning of
what people do when they come to a concert. Tricky: What
you guys did was a show. I felt I was sinking every time I went
to see you. These days people think a lot more about acting. Chuck D: Acting? Tricky: Getting paid. What is this whole
rigmarole about getting paid? The history of hip-hop is littered with people
who wanted to make money at any cost. Chuck D: I think
Tricky said it. The whole ghetto concept of getting paid is more a concept
of getting paid than actually getting paid. It seems that white supremacy
has made it possible that we've gotta pay the most for God's gifts - land,
water, fresh air. We've got a lot of free shit, like concrete, sometimes
we have mass transit for a dollar or whatever, but the ghetto way of getting
paid is to be the best consumer possible for somebody else's backed business. Tricky: That's
the truth. Chuck D: Money
is a tool and influence ispower. Sometimes, getting paid can be
the worst thing that can happen. Tricky: Where's
the passion? Iused to listen to you guys and just want to write
lyrics. Passion ain't worrying about getting paid. Chuck D: It
should be fun. One of the things that turned me on to Tricky is not so
much that I was bashful him covering one of my records but that I was much
more pleased in the way he flipped it. He just took it there. And a lot
of cynics came out of the left-field, like: "This is shit, he didn't do
it justice," but it's the fact that he turned it to fit his vision - to
me, that's the same thing I try to do with R&B, or other songs that
came before me. Tricky: People
forget what a cover is. A cover now has become a good jingle. If I wanna
do good business I can cover a Madonna song, but it's not what I feel.
I don't know about business deals. Everything
I do is for my love and passion. How do you handle
attention? Tricky: Not very well. Things
haven't changed for me since I was 15. I'm still the same person. My career
has run off so
fast that I need to catch
up with it. I need to stop smoking spliff. Not because Chuck says so, but
because I've been smoking since I was 15.I need to stop drinking alcohol
because I'm scared. It's my weakness. Chuck D: I've
never pushed my beliefs on anybody. I do it, number one, 'cos I've always
played ball, so, if I smoked, I wouldn't be able to run, and, as for drink,
I never liked the taste or the smell. And I was the designated driver when
we had clubs - I didn't wanna die under someone's steering-wheel. I come
up with these reasons. It helped me. Public Enemy's sound
has always been out there. Why did you go for noise? Chuck D: It
made us stand out. It was distinct. Tricky: Thinking
music. Brainbox music. Chuck D: It's
love at first hate. It's a reflection of my personality. I've always been
against the grain. I'd always be the person that if everybody had an Afro,
I'd cut my hair bald; if everybody cut their hair bald, I'd grow some serious
shit. So, with noise, the aim was to stand out. And we did. Tricky: All
my albums are the same thing. There ain't no music on my albums, just noise. Have you got the
late 20th-century angst and the pre-millennium blues? Tricky: The
'Pre-Millennium Tension' idea is a bit of a joke. It's nothing to do with
the millennium. We're tense anyway. We're bust. We're going. We've gone
too fast, too quickly. We're in trouble. Chuck D: That's
true. Tricky: It's
just playing with words. Everyone's on about the millennium... I don't
think that's got anything to do with it. We're just bust. We've got no
chance. It's not looking good. We've gotta pay, now. Chuck D: Hey,
man, I know what he's saying. My last album |PE's 'Muse Sick N Hour
Mess Age'| was made for 1999 anyway, it wasn't really made for 1994.
We looked five years ahead. My label sometimes hates me for this. Tricky: What?
Def Jam? Chuck D: My
dealings with Mercury for the solo LP have nothing to do with Def lam.
Def Jam is not sophisticated enough and they can't always understand that
this is about fun, it's about art. It's not about pop-chasing. They can
never tell me what to do. I find joy in doing the unexpected. They're like:
"Chuck! What makes you tick?" I'm like: "What makes me tick is something
you don't understand." I'm a normal, regular,
human being, but when I'm making lyrics or verses up, I don't know what
the fuck it is. It's almost like I'm already naturally high and crazy.
I dare to wonder what weed would do to my ass. I'd probably have
|makes alien noises|
coming out of my mouth. Take an LSD trip: "Chuck takes an LSD trip, what
the fuck did he write? Oh, yo, fuck some seventh dimension shit. A viper
comes out of the last verse and sucks every listener in the bowels with
poison..." Tricky: That's
what I try to do with my lyrics. I don't want to be nice to people. I wanna
cut. I've got that negative energy in me. Why? Tricky: 'Cos
I'm conditioned. I grew up with it. Chuck D: We
were forced upon with The King's English: "You speak this way, nigger!
And you respond this way. Forget everything you've learned before." So
you've taken the King's English and reversed its fortune. Tricky: Yeah. Chuck D: In
defiance. He threw some shit at you, and you've taken it, picked it up,
repackaged it, and thrown it right back. Tricky: Like
with 'Sex Drive' on the new album. Martina sings it and I've kinda got
her on... I've never written straightforward lyrics before, but it's strange.
She sings: "I live in the ghetto forever/So you manufacture the ghetto-blaster."
What's a ghetto-blaster? They're not made in the ghetto, are they? Through
our lyrics I can live in the same space as people who don't want me to
live there. I love it. Lyrics change people's minds by taking them out
and putting them back. Chuck D:
Have you ever heard of the phrase 'kitting a car out'? You have a car And
you put all kinds of things on the car, give it an extra fender, etc. What
we're doing is kitting out words. You take the word and you customise it
for your own use and hurl it back. And then, there's the thought: "Who
said you could get away with this shit?" It's a matter of semantics. But
the thing is, on our own semantic end it happens to be entrusted and enveloped
within a culture. So the culture puts a supercharger on it, and it comes
back as a mutated monster All it is is a word. Tricky: Yeah. Chuck D: The
music, too.
CHUCK D talks about being made to
cater to an 18-35- year-old demographic and the real value of old age and
the value of wisdom, how you can't learn anything from your peers because
they're just as confused as you are. Tricky talks about being brought up
by his grandmother, despite great odds, then the conversation turns to
New York City and Western civilisation.. Tricky: In this
civilisation, there ain't much sense. You've
got kids who love the
ghetto saying: "I'm from the ghetto and I love it." That's crazy. You can
make money now saying you're from the ghetto. All my life I've been running
away from this place. What there should be is like a ghetto exchange, right,
so rich people go and live in the ghetto and we can live where they fucking
live. Chuck D: The
ghetto? The projects are not the place for fucking peace. In the '20s here,
they set up a situation where they did an experiment with rats in a place
that looked like a project, then they took some of the conditions and started
with project building programs after World War Two, where black folks were...
channelled into the projects. The concept was based on an experiment they
were going through on how people respond when compacted into a situation.
It was a trap that still maligns black people to this day... Think about the migration
of people from land in the South during Jim Crow |when black/white segregation
was enforced by law|, to go towards the Northern cities for want of
a better place, jobs and money. After 1955, families and generations were
stuck in the concrete urban jungle. What you have here are families who
are tucked in the ghetto with no hopes of getting out 'cos they have nothing
to go back to. My great-grandmother
moved to Harlem in the '30s/'40s. My father's mother moved here in 1939.
All her sisters followed from North Carolina. Everybody came to tucking
New York. Therefore in 1996, large remnants of my family are stuck with
ghetto problems - in the ghetto, can't get out, been to jail... drugs,
the whole nine, because the city has devoured large portions of my family.
Where before, they had the land. It was a different setting. Jim Crow chased
us out of the South. Tricky: Who's
Jim Crow? Chuck D: Jim
Crow is the concept of racism and segregation in the South, the exact terms
escape me, but the Jim Crow laws were there to separate: go to two different
bathrooms, drink out of two different faucets, black here and white there.
OUR FELLOW diners are attentive now,
carrying on conversations at a reasonable volume and laughing raucously,
but surreptitiously taking in every word. It's not every day you get to
hear Chuck D at full volume and full pelt.
Chuck D: If we looked back in a crystal ball, 400, 500 years, and they
were to trace some kind of lineage, you'd see a lot of crazy shit. Most
of the black folks' families have been infiltrated and mixed. And the thing
that makes me different from the Caribbeans is that black folk were a majority
in the Caribbean. Here, in the USA, black folk were a minority. So when
a motherfucker had like 200 black folk - let's say 100 black women - oh
man, that slave-owner had a field day. Making his own slaves |laughs|.
The
concept of this went on for 300 years, 300 years of this shit went unadulterated,
which was a normal way of life.
It was like:
"I've been the master of this plantation since I was 25, when my father
gave it to me, I'm 65 and I've been doing it for 40 years, making my slaves,
taking any woman I wanted, kids growing up... That's why it goes deep,
man. And people are like: "Fuck it! I wanna figure out how I get paid.
I ain't trying to hear that kind of shit. I'm trying to stay out of jail.
I've got two seeds |children|
I've gotta teed." People in the West
say: "Why are you so angry?" I ain't angry. I could
be angry and
I got a reason to be angry if I happen to sit down for a minute and say:
"You know what? I'm gonna have a drink. I'm gonna have my shit over here,
roll my shit up, I'm gonna get puff and I'm gonna fucking just wreck shit."
Mentally, at least, and be frustrated. Tension is just there.
And the only way that the tension can get spread out is that we've
gotta have a part of the land, too. Land. Space. Trees. Water. That's money.
God, this civilisation makes you pay for it. Tricky: That
lyric on your new album about Hilfiger's is so true. Tommy Hilfiger |trendy
clothes designer adopted by the streetwise|
is like guns. Guns become
like socks. I get up and put my socks on everyday. Guns have become like
that. As well as Hiftiger's |clothes|.
You can't shoot anyone unless
you've got a Hilfiger on, looking good. Chuck D: You
saw Independence Day, right? Tricky: No. Chuck D: The
thing that made that shit so corny, is that if an alien motherfucker did
decide to come down here and say: "You know what? We're gonna wreck shop,"
you're gonna see everybody saying: "We have no differences, do we?" Alien
motherfucker'll be like: 'Yo! We're taking this motherfucker!' You'll see
a white racist guy and a black guy from Namibia and the white guy will
be like: "Bro, what can we do? Help me out." The black struggle has never
been about "We're better than you." The black struggle has always been
"Respect us as human beings, too". Tricky: Survival. Chuck D: We're
all part of this motherfucking thing. When people say it's a small world,
it ain't no small world. It's a big motherfucker. I flew for 15 hours at
700mph from Sydney to LA. There's enough to go around for everybody. When
you see a motherfucker over here and he's got $7 billion - what the fucking
shit is that about? What are you gonna do with it? You got people out there
dying and starving in the street and this motherfucker has $7 billion,
what the fuck? Tricky: That's
a weird concept. When I think of some recording artists who've got that
much money and what do they do? They arrange a show for charity, when they
could just give them a couple of billion. How much can you make? How much
money do you want? Chuck D: You
can't take a motherfucking thing with you. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Now, what you do along the line of happiness is you have a good time on
earth. If a person was hitting crack or whatever. My whole thing is like:
"Yo, if that's what's gonna make you happy, and if you can find that shit,
go in the middle of a field and just fucking get
cracked out. The problem
is, when you're fucking with anybody else, robbing motherfuckers |laughter|,
or trying to get your hustle on by stepping on somebody else - yo,
you're infiltrating motherfucker's shit, man." I mean, everybody can find
Utopia on this planet and everybody is given an equal shot and an equal
understanding, of knowing how to steer, because you're only borrowing shit
anyway, you ain't keeping shit. You gotta borrow some
shit, then you pass down a legacy to your children that they have to hold
on to for life. And all this shit like: "I got $90 billion and I wanna
take it with me when I die." What kind of shit is that? That's crazy. Or
when you see someone like: "I made $1 billion, now I wanna make $2 billion..."
The fuck!? What does it mean?" Yo! Malcolm X, Martin
Luther King, Shakespeare, John F. Kennedy... Those motherfuckers been dead
like a motherfucker, they've been
dead.
It's just that they're still
here. It's part of the deeds, the legacy. That's the thing that we as black
artists can at least say: "You know what? They can kill me. But it's when
I die, it's gonna be a hell of a day. When I die, I'm gonna have shit that
they can't remove, because it's intangible." That's what luxury we have
to do these things. Tricky: Leaving
something behind. Chuck D: Whether
we're here or not here. I could be on a plane and motherfucking land in
the water. It's just that, whatever I leave, I always wanna make it known,
it's like: "We killed Chuck. Can we kill Chuck? (Laughter) Killing
him might be worse, 'cos if you kill him, that motherfucker will last 100
years. So let the motherfucker live and maybe he'll kill some aspects of
himself off." It's a crazy game. People can say they control your copyright,
but they can't control your spirit. Tricky: People
have heard it. It's in the mind, man. Chuck D: Look
at Marvin Gaye. You can't scrape Marvin Gaye from the mindset of someone
that's into R&B here in America or wherever. You cannot scrape the
legacy of Enrico Caruso in opera. It's there. That's the good thing about
art. Leonardo Da Vinci, Egyptian artwork... is just there. "If you talk about
the pyramids, you could talk about them as a cultural edifice or you could
talk about them as a spirit of an effort. That's the shit they can't get
rid of. They could probably use an atom bomb to destroy the pyramids, but
they can't destroy the strength of the spirit. Going into Africa,
it was like: "First of all, you know we have to break the spirit of these
people." And they've broken down a lot of the spirit, but the spirit of
Africa is getting stronger by the day as it's being eaten alive. It's strange,
right. It's like there's a spirit there that's just setting off the rest
of the world. People say: "You know what? We've attacked it from all around,
it's eating itself, culturally
it's attacking itself,
and there's still that spirit." And that's why the
plan... who knows what the plan was? And I'm gonna end off talking this
shit before I get into some zones. The best plan possible for the Western
world is to say: "Well, let all these countries go independent with our
help." These countries. They're only countries 'cos they were infiltrated
in the first place. Spirit is something you can't wreck... Tricky: That's
what I don't mind. Spirit is feeling, but as long as... I can't talk a
line. I don't even know how to get about, how to deal with day-to-day life.
'Cos this ain't really day-to-day life. It's not very normal. So I have
to just run things by feelings and energy. I know of good energy, I know
of bad energy. You choose what you want. I don't know how to go day to
day. Even this interview, when to get up... It's all wrong. It's so wrong. We ain't supposed to
be living in these conditions. We ain't supposed to be living with four
walls. And I feel it. You can sense it. The senses are all wrong. Chuck D: I don't
think the senses of the human spirit are being underestimated, even in
art. When you study art from the past, the only thing other than this natural
form, which is two-dimensional, the thing that exists in the third dimension
is the spirit of it. Whether we wanna be stupid or whether we wanna be
smart about it. Intellectual values. You know what has spirit? The fucking
swastika. That shit has got so much spirit in that shit. Swastika? Nazi
swastika...? Tricky: You
know, the Indians used to use it. Chuck D: Exactly. Tricky: It means
peace, that's the strange thing. Chuck D: It
means peace, and Hitler put a whole 'nother fucking spirit to it. It's
so strong that if you write this shit on a piece of paper, it'll cause
this whole fucking place to be in uproar. The spirit of that shit is just
so fucking deep. Well, enough of me talking...
CLICK. THERE was no reason to bring
up the subject of the swastika, was there? We can only be thankful Chuck
D didn't actually attempt to draw a swastika in a somewhat hostile Mexican
restaurant that keeps crayons handy for patrons to write goodwill messages
on the paper tablecloths. A swift walk down to
Polygram's massive offices three blocks away and Chuck D and Tricky go
through their paces for the photographer in a hi-tech conference room. The session has to
be hurried as Chuck is allergic to some of the chemical residues and artificial
air in this room, but he behaves like a trouper. The session over, an
exchange of numbers with Tricky, a hug, a handshake, and the promises of
two people with completely different approaches to hip-hop to work together
in the future, in some capacity, hang in the air. | eng | 6054f7d6-ae86-4732-905d-2cd27e0b5f8c | http://www.moon-palace.de/tricky/vox96.html |
Food Training – Good, Bad, or Bribery?
In reward dog training, food is sometimes used as a motivator for work and success. However, some people view the use of food rewards as dog bribery.
Is food training bribery?
More importantly, is food training effective? Is it a good way to stop bad dog behaviors, and to build a strong bond with our dog?
Is the Use of Food Bribery or Training?
Is Using Food Dog Bribery?
Dog Training - Some BIG time food bribery. Call the cops!
The Free Dictionary defines bribery as "the practice of offering something (usually money) in order to gain an illicit advantage". This is in contrast to reward which is defined as "something given in return for a service".
Reward is the broader definition, and bribery is perhaps a specialized instance of reward, where the "service" returned is illegal or illicit. Based on these definitions, it seems that bribery is not quite the appropriate term to use for food motivated dog training. Last time I checked, Sit, Down, or even Play Dead are not against the law. Even the Hump command is strictly legal.
In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary bribe is defined as "something that serves to induce or influence". This is a more general definition, that comes much closer to the meaning of reward. However, I would argue that all of dog training is about applying a stimulus in order to induce or influence the dog to stop bad behaviors, and repeat good behaviors.
Therefore, all dog training would be classified as bribery under this more broad description.
Whichever definition we choose to use, it is clear that bribery has many negative connotations, whereas reward is more neutral or positive.
Therefore, is using food in dog training something negative?
Is using food in dog training something negative?
There are three main reasons why some dog owners may consider food training to be bribery -
Food Dog Training Myth 1
The dog is doing it for the food and not for me.
Popular movies and television shows such as Lassie, portray good dogs as living only to please and protect us, their masters. Good dogs know that there is little else to life aside from pleasing humans, and doing exactly what we tell them to do. The only exceptions, are those instances whereby they cleverly thwart the villains on their own, in anticipation of their master's needs.
Not too surprisingly, real-world dogs are very different from their media counterparts.
In the real world, dogs are not slaves.
Loyalty is about a strong attachment or bond and NOT about blindly following commands without any thought.
In the real world, dogs are not slaves. They have their own needs, that are often different from our own. They like rolling in skunk, chewing on our designer shoes, and eating their own poop.
Note though that just because a dog has needs, does not mean that he has no loyalty toward us. Depending on breed, many dogs are very loyal to their pack or family. They will often protect family members with their lives, and do all that they can to ensure pack success.
Dogs, however, think and communicate differently than we do. Protecting the family and ensuring pack success, may not always mean the same things to them, as it does to us.
Loyalty is about a strong attachment or bond, and NOT about blindly following commands without thinking for ourselves.
Just because a dog has needs, does not mean that he has no loyalty to us.
Working for food is NOT some sort of canine betrayal.
Working for food is NOT some sort of canine betrayal.
It is simply an efficient way to facilitate dog training, and to build a strong relationship. Different dogs have different temperaments, so to train each of them effectively, we must identify which rewards work best. Food rewards work for some dogs, while others may prefer toys, freedom to explore, dog play, praise, or visiting with dog friends.
Reward Dog Training
Dogs that are highly motivated by praise, and human interaction, are probably closest to the Lassie ideal. Herding dogs fit well into this category because they have been bred to work closely with us. Some example herding dogs include Collies (Lassie), Border Collies, and Shetland Sheepdogs.
These dogs may be people motivated, but they also have personal goals and needs. For example, herding dogs are bred to work, and they need to engage in interesting joint activity with their human owners.
Well-trained herding dogs can achieve much together with their human counterparts. However, if left alone at home, unchallenged, and untrained, these same dogs will quickly become bored and frustrated. They will escape, chew up our belongings, or redesign our house and yard.
In other words, both human motivated dogs, and food motivated dogs are working for a reward or bribe. In one case the bribe is human attention and affection, in the other the bribe is food.
This has nothing to do with long-term love, or long-term loyalty; just shorter term motivators for a job well done.
Dog Training - Food rewards have nothing to do with long-term love, or long-term loyalty; it is just a short term motivator for a job well done.
Food Dog Training Myth 2
The dog becomes unreliable and over-dependent on food rewards.
Ok, so now we know that real-world dogs operate based on their own needs, and are not unthinking, human slaves. The question then becomes:
Is it better to only motivate our dog through non-food rewards?
Obviously we do not want to be fumbling with food when our dog is running into traffic, or preparing to jump into a filthy lake.
A dog that is trained purely based on human interaction and praise, but not on food, will presumably be more reliable. We always have the ability to give praise and affection, whereas we may not always have food with us. In a perfect world, it will be much easier on us if our dogs were highly people-motivated. However, most dogs are less motivated by praise, and a lot more motivated by food.
Most dogs are less motivated by human interaction, and a lot more motivated by food.
Food can greatly enhance and expedite the dog training process.
Once our dog has learned a particular command through repetition, we can slowly phase out the food rewards and only treat him intermittently.
Some trainers claim that as soon as we reduce the amount of food rewards, a dog will respond more slowly to commands, or just ignore them altogether.
This is NOT true.
Scientific studies on animal behavior and dog behavior show that dogs will continue to respond, even when we cut back to intermittent rewards. This was explained in detail by Ferster and Skinner in their book Schedules of Reinforcement. However, we should slowly phase out food rewards, only after our dog has properly learned the command or behavior. Remember to use a variable schedule of rewards, rather than a fixed schedule.
Once our dog has learned a particular command through repetition, we can slowly phase out the food rewards and only treat him intermittently.
Aversive Dog Training
Instead of using rewards (food or otherwise) to motivate our dog to work, we can also use an aversive stimulus.
With reward dog training we give our dog a reward when he does something right, and take away a reward when he does something wrong. With aversive dog training we apply something unpleasant/aversive when our dog does something wrong, and stop the aversive stimulus as soon as he does something right.
There are a variety of aversive methods, but the most common are leash corrections and muzzle slaps. A leash correction requires a collar and leash, while the muzzle slap can be executed with our own hands.
The advantage of these methods is that they can be applied on our dog wherever we are, without having to carry around food or other rewards. Aversive methods are frequently based on pain and fear, which not surprisingly, turn out to be strong short-term motivators. As a result, our dog may initially become more reliable at following commands. However, responsiveness to commands usually degrades over time, as our dog gets habituated to the pain.
Aversive methods are very risky, and may end up damaging our dog physically and mentally, as well as cause dog behavior issues such as aggression. These techniques may also weaken the relationship with our dog, and erode his trust in us.
As a result, most aversive techniques should only be used as a last resort, and only under the direction of a professional trainer.
It is always strange to me that opponents of reward training would talk endlessly about how giving food to dogs is inappropriate, but applying pain or some other negative stimulus is somehow considered to be the 'right' thing to do.
In fact, reward training is very effective, and carries a lot less risk than aversive training.
Reward training is very effective, and helps build a relationship that is based on trust rather than on fear.
Food Dog Training Myth 3
Shiba Inu Sephy will do good work for food.
A domestic dog that also has to work for his food, will be exercising his body and mind in a positive way.
The dog becomes obese and unhealthy.
Finally, some people worry that their dogs may become obese or unhealthy if they keep receiving "food bribes" throughout the day.
This is easily managed by using our dog's daily food rations as his work reward, rather than presenting it to him in a silver bowl. In this way, he will not be eating more than he did before. If there is food left over, we can stuff it in interactive food toys and let him work for that as well.
In the wild, wolves and wild dogs spend most of their time working for food. A domestic dog that also has to work for his food, will be exercising his body and mind in a positive way, and will be less likely to get into mischief.
If I use dog treats during training, then I make sure to reduce my dog's kibble intake accordingly. I only use healthy dog treats that do not contain fillers and unnecessary additives. Do not give a dog too many treats, and always feed him a balanced meal.
Shiba Inu Sephy and Siberian Husky Shania working on their frozen Kongs.
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Comments
Well, since most videos on YouTube are copyrighted material not belonging to the posters (commercials, music videos, tv shows) alot of them wouldn't care. But for those who actually make their own videos as art and post them, they would mind… Alot. I'm an ameture artist and I know I'd never want someone to claim my piece of art without express permission and acknowledgement that it was me who made it, not the poster. But since all the videos on youtube that I have are raw unedited stock, I really don't care who posts them, or where.
"I'd just like to see this site you're talking about that I'd 'strongly disagree with'" Heh – no no, I am not associated with any disagreeble sites. I just wrote an article on youTube videos and copyright. Was having a discussion with some people about it, and we disagreed on some key points so I was just interested in other people's opinions in terms of usage of their youTube videos.
Since he's calmed down they've been getting along alot more. He'll still try and get rough with her sometimes and she doesn't like that. We control the situation, though, so they've been learning to co-exist. Cat's tail twitching can mean a number of things, in the video here I just think it's a movement, like when you bob your leg. I know that when my cat whaps her tail around it means she's agitated, and sometimes when she's sitting and she wags it fast back and forth, most of the time she's very intent on something, like she's looking outside and sees all the things and smells things and hears animals. Just like dogs, tail-wagging doesn't always mean one thing. Yep. Usually I'll just have him sit there for 30 seconds or so with the food by his nose and make him look me in the eyes. (makes the connection between me and the giving of food) but tricks are sometimes done just for fun.
I wouldn't really mind, although I'd like to see where my videos are going. It's not an artwork or anything, and I wouldn't want people to claim my video, but whatever you want to embed I don't mind. I'd just like to see this site you're talking about that I'd 'strongly disagree with', and where my video is posted in it.
I liked both of them. The cat one is very dear. It is amazing that they stay so close to each other. It was interesting that the cat's tail was twitching the whole time I am not really sure what that means.
Lupin is such a clever dog. I liked it that he did all those commands for you before dinner. I think working for their food is a good thing.
Btw- I have an off-topic question related to youTube – do you expect someone to ask you for permission before they use your videos? or would you be ok if whomever embeds it in their site without asking for permission? What if the site contains content that you strongly disagree with?
I can get a million videos like that. All I have to do is have a camera. Here are a few more of him. The people in my developement are pretty nice. It's mostly older couples that have retired, and richer people. Most of the kids are snobby brats. Here is one of him and his ex-nemesis Rhea the cat.(They just recently started to get along, Lupin used to chase her and she'd tease him and then run away. Now he'll actually get close to her without invading her space.. most of the time.) I'm trying to teach the cat to walk on a leash so she can go on our morning walks. So far I've only gotten the harness to fit right (it's a dog harness). She's an indoor cat so going outside is really new to her. And here is one of me feeding Lupin his evening meal. It's hard to see him most of the time because it's black dog on black.
Actually that is not what I would do because you are correct that isolation would actually be a reward in this case. Also, in this case, if the dog were to show aggression, it will be most likely out of fear. My Shiba Inu used to get extremely fearful when I put him in the shower stall. I can understand – because it is small, kindda dark, wet, and he has nowhere to run if anything happened. He never got aggressive – but would stand there and shake.
Nowadays I bathe him in the backyard – usually by playing a water hose game with him. He generally doesn't like to get wet, but he is very happy to get wet for a chasing game
I think a problem with using corrections in these situations of fear is that it makes the experience even more negative for the dog. Just as you say in the collar case – you would not do corrections.
Re Cesar's methods – "3. Maybe you weren't doing it right"
Oh I am sure I wasn't doing it right. But there was only one person who ever did it "right" with my Shiba Inu and he is a trainer with 30+ years of experience, extremely confident, and had no fear whatsoever of dogs. He works in a city shelter so my Shiba Inu's antics were probably nothing to him – lol. He only did leash corrections and did not approve of alpha rolls. I did about 2-3 weeks of private lessons with him and still I was not doing it right.
Other aversive type trainers that I went to with supposedly many years of experience didn't get good results with my Shiba either. It was only that one trainer who was able to make leash corrections work.
And that I think is the main issue with Cesar Millan – most people are not going to be able to use his techniques properly, but because he is so popular – many people will try – and the results may not be good for the people or the dogs. In contrast, reward training is less risky, and while it also does require timing etc – it is easier to execute properly compared aversive training.
1. Cesar would make the other dog submit, but it would have to be done almost instantaneously. The alpha roll isn't always submitting to the other dog, just having the dog that did wrong understand that what he did was not good, and putting him next to the dog he attacked puts two and two together. But since you were asking what I would do, I would just keep going. The other owner probably wouldn't like it if I made his dog lay down beside my dog, and since I'm no expert, I wouldn't want to risk getting my dog or me bitten. In that situation, though, the other dog wasn't stable, which means your dog won't be submissive around him, only scared. They both have to be submissive to the humans to interact healthily. Remember, dogs will only follow a calm/assertive pack leader, I don't think that dog was being any of those terms right then. 2. I wouldn't use corrections if my dog was fearful (when my dog is acting fearful of strangers, I'll tell them to ignore him and let him approach them, and if they don't follow that, I'll just take my dog away). Maybe I said correction in the wrong place when I was talking about the tooth brushing thing. Since I don't brush my dog's teeth (he chews rawhides like crazy so I don't have to) I'm not sure exactly how I'd do it, but I would make sure my dog was calm/submissive when I did it. What I was getting at, though, was that people shouldn't let their dogs tell them what to do. For example, if I was giving my dog a bath, and all of a sudden he snapped at me, I would correct him until he stopped, and keep on with his bath. The problem with what you might do (I'm assuming you'd put your dog in isolation, if not, tell me) is that if I would do that, he wins. He'd get what he wanted, to get out of taking a bath, and so he learns snapping = no bath = good. Or more directly, snapping = good/gets him what he wants. But like I said, the way you do it, this may not arise. 3. Maybe you weren't doing it right. Cesar's methods take a lot of time to understand (I would know). If you do not use physical corrections at the right time and at the right intensity level, they most likely will get a worse response instead of better. My dog has never been aggressive, but he is a bit stubborn. One time when he was just a couple of months old he started guarding a bone from us. We took care of that right away, though, and he hasn't done it since. I think any way can work for any dog (except extremely "red-zone" aggressive cases, in which case I'm unsure). I've never seen a red zone case rehabilitated with solely positive reinforcement. Its just a matter of how well and how fast it will work. 4. I usually don't even reply to people who are being negative. They're just not worth the time. Just today I got this back from somebody on YouTube, "The show says to consult a professional because of the Humane Society. NatGeo also knew people would try Cesar's idiotic ideas, get hurt doing so, and that could expose them to legal liability. The Humane Society refers to Millans techniques as "inhumane, outdated, and improper". The SPCA, CPDT and other professional organizations are all critical of him and his methods. He is an outcast in his own profession. Dogs read and react to body language. All his talk about energy is nonsense." As if what the Humane Society and SPCA think are some kind of proof as to his credibility. Here is the one I was talking about in my earlier post, "Just because he uses different words dosn't mean anything. Also if you use force to train your dog then you arnt any kind of dog owner. The only thing you are fulfilling is your need to feel dominace over your dog. Victorias methods are world renowned for being the most effective in dog training but many of the leading dog experts around. Just because you copy what ceasar does on the TV in your own home means nothing.
Always fun chatting with you, too. Want to see my dog on our tread mill? He could off leash on it after only three days of training, without treats! (I tried treats, but he would cough and choke on them) running + eating doesn't work.) This was when he was seven months old.
Heh – yeah many people don't like the term tripod – but it is easier to type than 3 legged dog. Shania was born with a crooked leg – her leg bones did not connect properly. We tried to straighten the bones, but it did not work, so the surgeon had to amputate.
You bring up some very interesting points - 1. What do you think Cesar would do wrt. the dog meeting scenario? I think Cesar would want the dogs to meet and maybe have the dog that charged submit to the other dog? Which in itself is a bit strange because in the wild, the submissive dog would be the one that was submitting.
2. "My dog doesn't like putting on his collar sometimes. In this case, forcing him to put it on will only make the object more negative, that's why I get his favorite food –chicken- to entice him in" Hmmm – I suppose what I don't yet understand is why you would use food in this case, whereas in another similar case, e.g. dog being fearful of another dog, or dog being fearful of teeth brushing, you would use corrections?
3. "We can't all have a dog like this, unfortunately, so most of us have to make an effort to gain a dog's respect." Heh – that is very true. I had to go through a lot with my Shiba Inu because he is dominant, stubborn, and easily bored. Interestingly though, reward training worked a lof better on him than aversive training. I think an important point is that just because a dog is more dominant does not mean that he will respond better to physical corrections. Often times, physical corrections just make these dogs even more aggressive.
4. "They then proceeded to bash me for it, and tried to make me feel like my ways were bad." Actually I can relate to this. As I told you, I started out with aversive training so when I was looking around for other methods, I got shouted at and scolded by a lot of people. I always think it is very ironic that these people should support the use of reward techniques on dogs and yet use aversive techniques on people.
Haha, "tripod" what a silly word for a three legged dog. By the way, how did your dog become a tripod?
Well, in that case, since the dogs charged you, that tells me right off the bat that they have bad energy, energy that I wouldn't want my dog to be around. I wouldn't force my dog to meet them, in fact, your dog was probably telling you that she doesn't agree with their energy, and so she did not want to be around them. She was teaching you something about dogs that day if this is what she was doing.
While it's not always a dominance thing, meaning that your dog isn't trying to be dominant, it still might have roots in your pack leadership (I hear this argument a lot, that not every behavior problem is due to dominance, a lot of the PR side think we attribute everything to dominance). There are very few truly dominant dogs, because only so many can be leaders. That doesn't mean it's not based in whether you're being a true-enough pack leader. Take my Grandma's dog for example; Caleah is an insecure, fearful, aggressive dog. Her true nature is no where near that of a confidant pack leader, and yet these problems are all related to dominance. How? Well, my grandma and uncle treat her as a leader. When there isn't a human filling in the space of pack leader, they HAVE to fill that position, for the survival of their pack. Being the pack leader, she has no one to protect her because she is the one that is doing the protecting; this makes her very stressed and on-edge. Not being a confident dog and not being suited to be pack leader makes her insecure and aggressive to anything or anyone strange, because of all the things that are being placed on her to do that she is not suited for. It's not really a question of if your dog is being dominant; it's more a question of if you're being pack leader. A lot of times insecurity, fear, aggression, and territorial behavior are all a product of not having a pack leader to tell them right from wrong or to make them feel protected. Other things like obsession (sometimes rooted in insecurity), hyperactivity, destructiveness, and pacing, whining, barking, and other behaviors are because of lack of exercise. They have to have some way of getting rid of their excess energy. The main two reasons for most behavior problems are lack of exercise, lack of leadership, or a combination of both.
Him not liking tooth brushing isn't a dominance thing, you're right, but when he tells you "no tooth brushing" he's giving you an order. Now, the way you do it might not give him the chance to tell you "no". Like, if you started to brush his teeth and he bit you, then he'd be telling you "NO", but the way you do it this might not arise, and so you're position isn't challenged. I wolf packs they do mostly just wander around and do their own thing, but if the leader tells them to do something they will do it, because it might be very important for survival. If one of the followers has pups (only the alpha female is supposed to have pups), most of the time the leader will claim the pups. If the other female tries to be a mother to the pups the alpha will punish her for it until she stops trying. It may sound harsh, but it's just the way things go. Not saying that if your dog has pups you should steal them and punish her for getting around them, just that in a pack, what the alpha says goes. The dog's feelings aren't hurt; they just understand that in order to have a stable pack, there needs to be clear guidelines for the followers to follow.
My dog doesn't like putting on his collar sometimes. In this case, forcing him to put it on will only make the object more negative, that's why I get his favorite food –chicken- to entice him in. Once he feels pretty comfortable with coming towards the collar, I'll slip it on while he's taking the chicken. This way he voluntarily comes to and puts on the collar. To be a pack leader you don't have to tell your dog every action to make, but you do have to have rules, boundaries, and limitations. Once you set these up and your dog understands the rules, you have to correct them if they do something that is a "no-no," like peeing on the floor, getting on the couch, eating out of the garbage, or going upstairs. Until your dog understands these guidelines and follows them, you need to supervise to make sure every time he has a chance to do an unwanted behavior you can take action if he does. Once he understands, it is much less likely for him to do these things, and you can relax. Your leaders set up the rules for you in the beginning too, I hope. If just takes more persistence for a dog to learn the rules because you can't just sit them down and tell them what to and not to do, you have to be there when the action occurs to disprove.
As for your last question; If your dogs respect you and do what you say most of the time, look to you for guidance, depend on you for their protection, then yes. I can't be there to observe the way you and your dogs interact, so I can't really know if you're leader or not. One doesn't have to use corrections to be a pack leader. That is why there are many ways to train dogs! Some dogs are just naturally calm/submissive, no matter what the human is at the moment. We can't all have a dog like this, unfortunately, so most of us have to make an effort to gain a dog's respect.
Thank you for being so open. Often when I try and talk to someone who doesn't use Cesar's methods I only get sour, bitter responses. Just the other day I said to someone that Cesar's ways are not cruel and that they are about fulfilling your dog's needs, and they told me that the only needs I was fulfilling was the need to feel dominant over my dog. They then proceeded to bash me for it, and tried to make me feel like my ways were bad.
Now this is getting really interesting. Here is a different scenario that I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on.
So the other day I was out walking my tripod Siberian Husky. We met up with two off-leash dogs in our neighborhood, one of them charged us. This spooked my Sibey – she has a submissive and fearful temperament, and being a tripod feels more vulnerable around other dogs. The owner comes out and gets his dogs under control.
Then we slowly approach the dogs who are now just sitting. We get closer and closer, and finally my Sibey decides that she isn't really up for meeting them, and walks away before we reach them. I did not force her to meet. What would you do here?
The key thing about this incident is that it is clearly not a dominance thing. Just because a dog does not do something that we ask them to, does not mean that it has dominance implications. There are many other reasons for non-compliance. Even in dog/wolf packs, they are not always practicing dominance/submission behaviors. Most of the time, they are just living their life.
My Shiba Inu does not really like teeth brushing – that's it – it has nothing to do with dominance. He prefers to do pretty much anything else compared to teeth brushing. It is just a preference – nothing to do with dominance.
Similarly, he likes cheese, but doesn't like his kibble as much. So often, he won't eat his kibble. However, I only give him a certain amount of cheese and a certain amount of kibble – so if he only eats the cheese, he will go hungry. But I don't force him to eat the kibble – he eats it himself when he is hungry. The end result – he still eats the amount of kibble that I want him to eat and the amount of cheese I want him to eat – so he ends up doing what I want, but I let him decide when he wants to eat each thing.
I suppose I feel that it is not necessary to control every action in order for me to be leader. Personally, the best leaders I have had, are the ones that do not micro-manage everything that I do.
As a last question – in your mind then do you think that I am not a leader to my dogs? Does one need to use corrections to be a leader? Just curious – so please be honest
I in no way see rewarding as bribing, I see them as two different things. Like in the Dog Whisperer episode with the old lady and the dingo. The lady would always fall back on treats to get he dog to do anything, and the dog would only sometimes comply when it felt like it, where as the son of the lady could get the dog to do almost anything just by expecting it to do what he wanted. She was negotiating with the dog and not being the pack leader.
Well, the reason to have him do it then is because when he decides he doesn't want to do it, he's telling you that he has the power to control what you do -not to brush his teeth- and becomes your leader in that situation. Pack followers are supposed to do what the pack leader tells them. By doing it in a calm manner and having him realize that tooth brushing can be a calming, bonding experience for him makes you a nice pack leader.
I'm not, I can see you really wish to understand and you care about your dogs.
Now I understand where you are coming from. Although, we may just have to agree to disagree
With reward training, you motivate behaviors by giving rewards or taking away rewards. So I suppose what we see as motivation, you see as bribery.
With aversive training, you motivate behaviors by giving or taking away an aversive stimulus. So if the dog does not perform, he gets a correction until he performs. What you see as motivation, some people may call cruel or harsh (not me – I don't like to use these terms either way – just mentioning it here as a contrast to the bribery term )
You also combine your aversive techniques with reward techniques in that you not only stop corrections upon compliance, but you also give a reward for positive reinforcement.
According to animal behavioral psychology, both types of operant conditioning works. With reward training the dog performs the behavior because of the reward, with aversive training the dog performs the behavior because of the correction/aversive stimulus. Dogs have their own needs so you must give them a reason/motivation to perform certain behaviors.
I suppose what I don't really understand is why it is so important to have the dog do the brushing at that particular time. It really doesn't matter to me when the brushing occurs, so I just do it when my dog is most receptive to the activity. So what my dog gives is he lets me brush his teeth, which he doesn't really like, and what I give my dog is I let him decide when he is most comfortable to have the brushing occur. Ultimately my dog gives me what I want, but I take his needs into account while doing it.
I suppose the other thing that I am not clear on is why use corrections, when you can achieve the same end result (i.e. your dog having his teeth brushed) with just rewards.
Please do not take any of this as criticism or anything like that – I am truly just trying to understand where you are coming from Thanks for a very interesting discussion.
My exam was fine, it only took me a couple of minutes to do. I got the best grade I could possibly get on my presentation and report, so I'm happy with that.
What I was getting at was that bribery and reward are two very different things. Bribery should not be used, and rewarding should, at the right time. If food and treats are the only way you can get your dog to do anything, and if it's not there they simply will not do it, it's bribery. But if they will do something without food and you give them food to reinforce, that's rewarding. See the difference?
Most of the time a pack leader does just ask. But being calm and assertive, and the pack leader, makes the dog comply. Dogs will naturally just do what a pack leader tells them for the good of the pack. Sometimes the dog will try and defy the pack leader, and for the good of the pack, the leader will correct to keep everyone balanced. In the case of your dog and the teeth brushing, they way I would probably do it is this; first, I would make sure the dog was good and calm. I would have already calmed him down, maybe taken him for a walk, etc. Once he was calm I would put a leash on him, take him to the spot I wanted, and tell him to sit. Still making sure he was calm, I would come out with the tooth brush and paste, lift his lips and brush. If he struggled or tried to pull away, I would correct him, and once he was calm I would continue. Repeat until done, then give treats and affection. This way, the dog associates tooth brushing with being calm, and eventually I could just do it without the leash. Both ways are a give and take relationship, in Cesar's, he gives leadership, fulfillment of needs, love, and in turn the dog gives him compliance, affection, and a fulfillment of his human emotions that want to love a dog.
In general, I do not like the use of the word "bribery" when it comes to dog training. Words are powerful things and using a highly negative word like that on a perfectly valid dog training technique convinces some dog owners (not you) to not want to use food at all, which I think is detrimental to dog training.
But I am still not sure that I understand your distinction between the two terms. For me its all reward techniques – which means you reward to encourage certain behaviors. Now some dog owners reward at the wrong time, thereby inadvertently encouraging bad behaviors – but that is an issue with timing.
You bring up a good point with the pleading. That is probably more an issue with timing and energy – and not an issue with food. It doesn't matter which techniques you are using, if you approach with weak energy or angry energy, your dog is not going to listen to you – whether food is involved in the equation or not.
"this usually invoves the owner pleading for their dog to do what they want, not telling the dog what to do."
This actually brings up a really good point that relates to something you brought up in your other comment – what type of leader a dog owner should be.
For me *pleading* and *telling* are not the only two options for leadership. In between these two extremes are a range of many different possible dog-human relationships.
I don't plead with my dogs, nor do I always tell them they must do something. Most of the time, I *ask* them to give me certain behaviors. Frequently, they will comply.
For example I ask my Siberian to lie down and hold still while I brush her teeth. She always complies because she gets good treats out of it. My Shiba Inu is a bit different. Sometimes he doesn't feel like teeth brushing. So it is quite simple – he doesn't do teeth brushing, he doesn't get the food that he likes. I count to three, and if he doesn't want to do it, I leave. Later on, I try again and he is usually in a much more receptive state.
I suppose I could tell him to do it and then force him to do it the first time – but I prefer the give and take relationship that we currently have. In the end, we both get what we want – I get to brush his teeth 3 times a week and he gets his yummy cheese. I am still his leader, and there is no pleading, but I am not a dictator. With give and take, there is consensus with the least amount of unpleasantness, and no need for violence or force.
This is a separate property from being calm/assertive. You can be a calm/assertive dictator, or you can be a calm/assertive democratic leader. That is what I mean by "type of leadership".
What I was trying to say in my last comment was that you shouldn't bribe your dog (meaning that you parctically have to give it to him before they do something), because then they arn't doing it because you say. I give my dog treats all the time, but he doesn't know he's going to get the treat until after he does what I tell him, because I taught him to do things by giving him a treat every time he did a trick, and then slowly started varying when he got the treat until he'd just do it no matter what. That's a good way to treat your dog. Since my dog isn't very food motivated, though, treating him hardly works in correcting or redirecting behavior.
There is a big difference between bribery and reward. When you're bribing them, they're doing it only because it gaurantees them a nummy treat, and this usually invoves the owner pleading for their dog to do what they want, not telling the dog what to do. Reward is when you teach your dog to do something, using treats as a reward only after they do the thing you want. This creates a positive reinforcement to do what you want, and eventualy you can treat infrequently with great results.
I give my dog food only after he's had a good walk and has calmed down. this reinforces what state of mind he's in, so I always make sure it's a good state.
I think that bribery may be the wrong term to use. As you pointed out though, it is important to know when to treat and when not to treat.
Reward training, just as aversive training requires timing and technique. So you must reward the dog at the right time, to reinforce a behavior. Similarly, it is very important to time when you start your aversive stimulus and when you stop it.
All training requires timing.
"It only becomes bribery when you have to have the treat out in front of their nose where they know you're going to give it to them when they do something."
Personally, I am happy to give my dogs some food for doing something for me In fact, rather than just giving them food in a bowl for doing nothing, I use their food to get them to behave well, to do training, to do grooming, and to exercise.
This is very true. That is why reward techniques consists of 2 parts – granting a resource and taking away a resource. When you want to reinforce a behavior, you motivate by giving a reward, e.g. food. When you want to stop a bad behavior, you motivate by taking away a reward/resource, e.g. freedom, access to people, access to other dogs, etc.
Reward techniques are actually not just for encouraging behavior, but it can be effectively used to stop bad behaviors as well.
My Shiba Inu is an extremely dominant dog and he had many bad behaviors when I first got him. I started using aversive techniques, which did not work out well for me. The thing that worked best was to revoke his rights and freedoms when he started misbehaving, and he quickly learnt that the best way to get what he wants is to do what I want first.
You can use treats and food rewards to motivate your dog without bribing them. It only becomes bribery when you have to have the treat out in front of their nose where they know you're going to give it to them when they do something. I think that a balance between both methods is best. Food can work in alot of circumstances, and so can "adversive" training.
This is what Cesar does. He uses the best of both worlds, because just being a hard ass to your dogs doesn't work, and just rewarding your dog doesn't either. Only when these two are combined can we reach the true balance of pack leadership.
If those methods work for you, that's terrific! People should find a way that works for them and gets their dogs to have manners. Alot of times we get so caught up in one way or another that we fail to even give the other side a chance. It is sad that people limit themselves like this, because there is just so much out there! Why hold yourself back, right?
Hello KayKay, Actually I think that many people use a combination of both reward and aversive based dog training techniques. Some dog trainers that I talked to say that using both types of techniques may end up being confusing to the dog, but I am not very sure that I buy this argument.
As for me, I only use reward based techniques because I have tried out aversive techniques and they did not work out well for me or my dogs. The key issue with aversive techniques for me, is that it was starting to erode trust between me and my dogs. I also found it to be a lot less effective in terms of motivating my dogs, and ensuring that everyone (human and canine) enjoys a good quality of life.
I still have rules that my dogs have to follow, but I enforce those rules by managing their resources rather than using the more physical methods. And this has worked out very well for me and my dogs.
I think everyone has to discover what works best for them, and it may not be what works for someone else.
I have trained lots of dogs in the past and some have not needed these little treats at all. Some dogs are so eager to please your obvious happiness with them and patting on the head is enough. But whether it is affection or treats it is positive reinforcement more than bribery.
Yeah, using food is a great way to get your dogs to come to you. I have seen some people call their dog, and then punish the dog because he took too long to get there. Later, they wonder why their dog no longer comes when called. Me-thinks the dog is the smart one here
Hi Brad, Yeah, I think the treats and praise combo is the best way to go. My Siberian is good with a combination of both, but my Shiba is an extremely stubborn dog. Even with food, he is iffy at best. I pretty much use *everything* available to motivate him. I don't think I have met a more stubborn breed.
While training my dog, which of course is a continual process, I have found that a combination of both praise and food has been very effective. Once she learns with food, I like to make the switch to praise. Now, my dog is motivated by food, but not obsessed about it.
I usually have some 'treats' on me when we go out – a handful from the measured daily ration of food so that the dogs dog put on weight. Dogs are dogs not people, their motivations are different and to reward them using treats has different implications than, say, bribing a child with the promise of a treat in return for doing something that they have to do – homework, tidy room etc.
[LDT] What you say is very true. Food can be very useful, but only give your dog food when he is calm and giving you a desired behavior.
[Whitney] Yeah it all depends on the dog. Food motivated dogs are actually easy to train because food is relatively easy to obtain and control. My dogs are very critter motivated. Whenever there is a critter around, everything else flies out the window.
[quicksand] lol. My mom just slapped my knuckles with a ruler whenever I failed to commit a verse to memory! I like your dad's way much better
[Shal] You are lucky. Nothing really works with my little Cujo; especially when he is in one of his "black moods"
[Nancy] lol – I'll have to remember that Now to do some research on your favorite foods. Btw. what did you think of Jon Stewart?
Great hub. I have a hard time believing that some people think that using treats to train dogs is bribery. They're dogs, not people. When training Lucky, my mutant Dachshund, I tried to use treats when teaching him to speak. Now when he wants something, there are times when he'll speak to get it, especially when he sees the treat bag. So proper training is important and you have to be sure that you're training the right behavior and not something else. | eng | 612a5ef5-ba87-4c9a-bfff-949ad1d73faa | http://shibashake.com/dog/food-training-good-bad-bribery |
Holy Shroud! Was resurrection story inspired by the cloth?
The Shroud of Turin has been seen as many things over the past 620 years, ranging from true burial cloth of the risen Jesus to clever medieval fake, but Cambridge art historian Thomas de Wesselow puts together a 448-page-long case for one of the lesser-known theories in his new book, "The Sign": that the shroud's negative image of a naked, bloodied man was really produced by Jesus' decomposition, and that the stories of his resurrection were inspired by the display of that cloth to his earliest disciples.
"The message really is that the Shroud of Turin is authentic," de Wesselow told me. "This is the only rational way of understanding this image. It can be understood entirely naturalistically. There's no reason to invoke a miracle to explain the image."
De Wesselow acknowledged this could be a hard sell for believers as well as for skeptics. "There are two big things I am arguing against," he admitted.
He's already taking flak from both sides.
"It's breathtakingly astonishing," said Joe Nickell, a senior research fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry who has written extensively about the shroud. "He's clearly not a doubting Thomas. He's come up with some rather silly ideas, and then as people often do, he's fallen in love with them."
Meanwhile, in a column about the shroud, the Catholic Herald's Francis Phillips basically brushed off de Wesselow's views, saying they were "too eccentric to reproduce here."
Legends and lore for Easter "The Sign" is the latest example of shroud lore that comes out during the Easter season, just around the time when millions of Christians are dwelling on the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. (I'm linking to other examples at the end of this item.) The Shroud of Turin has a clear line of provenance going back to around 1390, but when you try to go further back, you can easily get swept up in tales of the Knights Templar and legendary relics like the Veil of Veronica and the Holy Mandylion.
De Wesselow comes at the story from his background in art history. He's been researching the story of the shroud full-time for the past five years, and has woven together an explanation from scientific findings that seem to support the shroud's authenticity, plus perspectives on the animist beliefs of ancient peoples.
"I've studied images, what they mean and how they affect people," de Wesselow said. "In the old days, people saw images as potentially alive. They had potentially a consciousness. ... That type of thinking was absolutely standard before the modern age. It has nothing to do with an optical illusion, and it has nothing to do with people being stupid."
De Wesselow picks up on the idea that the shroud is actually a "vaporograph," colored by a chemical reaction between the gases exuded by a dead body and the carbohydrate deposits on the surface of Jesus' burial cloth. Blood stains were left on the cloth as well. When the shroud was taken from the body, the ghostly image remained behind — and de Wesselow said Jesus' disciples could have interpreted that image as the spiritual manifestation of their leader.
"The appearances of the risen Jesus were simply viewings of the shroud image," he said.
Here's what de Wesselow thinks happened next: After a series of viewings in the Holy Land, the shroud was and taken to the city of Edessa in modern-day Turkey, where it came to be folded up, framed and venerated by the Byzantine Christians as the Mandylion. The cloth was transferred to Constantinople in the 10th century, and disappeared in the year 1204, only to turn up again in France in the 1300s. The shroud was transferred to Turin in 1578, and it's been there ever since.
Holes in the theory? What about the biblical references to the risen Jesus conversing with the apostles, or eating fish to prove he was really real, or letting St. Thomas touch his wounds? De Wesselow noted that the first accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection were written down decades after they supposedly occurred. "In that time, there's plenty of room for all the legends to be added to the story. ... These are stories written by sophisticated individuals later on to prove the point that there was a physical resurrection," he said.
Is there any evidence that dead bodies could actually produce the sort of vaporograph that de Wesselow is talking about? "We haven't got anything precisely similar," he acknowledged, "but I don't think that's surprising."
He pointed to a phenomenon known as the Jospice Imprint: In 1981, a cancer patient died at an English hospice and left a partial imprint of his body and face on a mattress cover. "It seems to have been formed from urine pooling around his body," de Wesselow said. That's not what he thinks happened in Jesus' case, but he nevertheless cited the imprint as "another example of a strange image."
De Wesselow totally buys into the evidence provided by the Shroud of Turin Research Project, to the effect that the image is not an artistic forgery but the real imprint of a battered man from centuries ago. That's a huge leap of faith right there. If you accept that, there are only so many types of explanations for the shroud you can come up with. De Wesselow said his explanation addresses the shroud mystery as well as the roots of belief in Jesus' resurrection.
"There are explanations involving a miracle, or that Jesus was spiritually resurrected and appeared in visions to his disciples," de Wesselow told me. "Since the 18th century, scientists have tried to explain the resurrection, and they've basically given up. They've basically forgotten about the whole problem. What I think I can do is provide a fairly coherent explanation which is completely naturalistic. It's a better alternative to the traditional Christian view."
A skeptic speaks Nickell, however, prefers to stick with his own skeptical view. "I think the resurrection appearances can be seen as pretty much the same kind of thing we have today with apparitional experiences — ghosts, if you will," Nickell said. "We could see ourselves in such a situation with, say, Elvis sightings. You can understand them as experiences that people had but were illusory."
The way Nickell sees it, the biggest argument against de Wesselow's "cloth-as-Jesus" hypothesis comes from the scriptures themselves: There are only vague references to burial cloths in Matthew, Mark and Luke. The gospel of John, meanwhile, refers to Jesus being covered by separate cloths for the face and the body, which is "fatal to the Shroud of Turin," Nickell said.
"The bottom line for me is, if this author were correct, and Jesus' shroud had survived, surely one of the holy evangelists would have made note of it," Nickell said. "If it had been kept and had a remarkable picture of Jesus on it, we would have known about it. And we don't."
So what do you think? Is the shroud a fake, a miracle, or the real relic of a dead man? Register your opinion by clicking on the poll above, and/or leaving a comment below.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said: when you've eliminated the impossible, what remains must be the truth. I'm not sure why it's easier for people to perform complex equations rather than simple addition, but they often do. Early scientist proclaimed the world was flat; case in point they know as much as their understanding permits, they don't know everything.
In essence what they're saying is that the shroud gives considerable evidence of the gospels accounts, and it could quite possibly be the burial cloth of Jesus, but scientifically speaking, a Resurrection is impossible -- it's also scientifically impossible for matter to come into existence, it changes from one form to another, that being the case, how did life originate? Skeptics are never sure, but don't believe, cause scientifically( in their limited knowledge) God can't be proven to exist. --- Little men!
Actually, majority of the testing points to it being authentic. Only thing that really points it to being a forgery is the carbon dating is the carbon dating testing. But it's been discovered in the last decade that the sample used was taken from a rewoven portion.
ItIsWhat!t!s... It is very funny that you quote Doyle. As much as his Holmes character was dedicated to logic and reason, Doyle himself was clearly not. He believed in fairies and seances, etc. He was famously tricked into believing in a picture of fairies actually.
Bobby... That's simply not true. Almost every bit of evidence points to the shroud being a fake. The fabric itself is a complex twill pattern that is a type of fabric which was not available until medieval times.
StMiller: I think you are mistaken. Even Ray Rogers who was part of the STURP team who studied it in the 70s and thought it was a fake came to realize before his death that it's likely authentic. I like how this scientist explains it...
As discussed in the previous answer, all the attempts to replicate the body image on the Shroud were partially (often totally) unsuccessful. We must admit it is not easy creating an image that is negative, has 3D encoded information, is extremely shallow, with the color intensity is determined by the surface density of fibrils all having the same RGB value, and which does not fluoresce under UV illumination. Modern technologies seem unable to produce an image with the characteristics of the Shroud image, even using the most advanced tools like those used in our experiments. As a consequence, it is unlikely that a forger could have created this image using technologies available in the Middle Ages. In addition, we must consider the body image is not the only difficult-to-replicate marking. On the Shroud there are also stains of blood with high levels of bilirubin which would be consistent with a haemolytic process caused by torture, eg whipping (the bilirubin content being only visible by UV lamps, such as those used by policemen to detect organic traces), there is the absence of image under the blood stains, and many other forensic details unknown in the Middle Ages.
I know what Rogers thought and what he thought has been proven incorrect. The cloth samples that were taken were known and verified to be representative of the entire cloth. Only one maybe two of the STURP scientists even questioned that after the fact and that point of view while widely quoted by believers has been entirely discredited. As I said before the complex weave of the fabric is a twill pattern not invented until medieval times and was not even possible from a technical point of view until then.
This relic is highly representative of the myriad of religious relics that all appeared around the same time historically. Splinters of the cross, the blood of Christ, the foreskin of Christ, etc, etc.
Before Rogers died, he sent the samples to Los Alamos which in 2008 confirmed Rogers' findings.
shroud.typepad.com/ohio_shroud_conference_me/
I've already read that article you linked. Conclusions are being drawn on speculation. Just like conclusions have been drawn on the Hungarian Pray Manuscript (shows same herringbone weave and burn marks).
The speculation that you refer to must mean the speculation over the sample issue. There is no speculation regarding the fabric weave and it's date of invention. A very thorough step by step history of Rogers "findings" is readable here..
So It was mentioned that ressurection was scientifically impossible.......Ever been on an ambulance run, and you find the patient's heart stopped, that would be dead. then you perform CPR and ....brought back to life. Or like when your bring your mother into the emergency room, and as she lays there hooked up to all the moniters, and her heart stops, and the code blue goes out over intercom, and you take her hand, and tell her it is not time yet, etc, then her heart starts beating. How about da's heart that stopped beating, EMT working on him 20 minutes and no heart beat, and you tell dad it's ok that he can finally let go, etc, and his heart starts beating again....tell me...is that ressurection?....No I do not believe in god...I found out, man and woman give life, they can take it away, and bring it back to life...been there...done that......the shroud...? Satin sheets are better!
Starsailing... We're not talking about a heart that has been briefly stopped while docs and nurses work to restart it... The resurrection in this case is supposed to be a guy dead for days and pops back up.
That speculation is that one shroud is 100% representation of all 1st century shrouds.
I take everything Joe Nickell says with a grain of salt. The problem with the Shroud debate is people are entrenched in their positions (myself included). There is "proof" for both it's authenticity and it's forgery. That's the problem. The other problem is people combine two issues that perhaps should be separated (is the shroud real and who is the man on the shroud).
The other question that comes into play (at least for me) is if it's a forgery, then who forged it? That person would have been an absolute genius, even by today's standards.
What I don't understand about shroud skeptics is that while they come up with refutations of different aspects of the shroud, I've never seen anyone come up with refutations for ALL aspects of the shroud simultaneously.
Occam's Razor: The prospect that Jesus really was "miracled" out of the shroud is simpler than the unknown alternative; many people forget how embarrassingly little we *know* about how this universe works. While skeptics have come up with close approximations of the shroud, none have solid theory on how the exact relic was created whenever said skeptics believe it was forged.
Personally, I believe it is authentic, but I don't allow my religion to rest on that belief (authentic, meaning real evidence of processes beyond our current comprehension).
ThaPyngwyn...
Explain how the prospect of Jesus being "miracles" out of the shroud is in any way simpler than the idea that a person or people forged a relic during the height of relic forgeries?! What you're saying is that divine intervention, read magic, is more simple than a man creating a hoax? We had many, many examples of the latter and none of the former. Occams Razor supports the argument with the fewest assumptions. Jesus being "miracled" out of the shroud as you suggest is riddled with assumptions; none of which have supportable examples in reality.
Bobby... I understand that it's difficult to figure out how this forgery was done, but just because we don't know doesn't mean that it isn't possible. I don't see many professionals speneding money and time attempting to replicate the shroud either. Many amateurs yes... A few experts pulled into the room for a sensationalist "history" channel documentary yes... But no true scientist, art historian, etc is going to waste their time on such an endeavor.
On a funny side note,,, the horrid inside of that new Marlins stadium tonight on ESPN seems to hint that there is no god. No god would allow such an abomination!! Seriously, who signed off on that lime green paint that made the stadium look like one giant movie filming green screen.
What I don't get about shroud believers is that they assume that just because the shroud may have actually gotten that image from having been used on a decomposing body that it must therefore have been used on Jesus even though carbon dating and weave analysis indicate that it couldn't have been woven during the time period of Jesus. There have been what, some 2-4 billion people that have lived on earth prior to the "discovery" of the shroud of Turin, and there's no reason it couldn't have been used with any of them instead of Jesus... but the assumption always jumps straight to "it must have been Jesus". Just like many of the other relics that have been found to be fakes, someone that craved money or glory probably got it off the corpse of their dead relative and claimed it was divine.
A lot of scientists have spent their life on Shroud research. I was fortunate enough to attend a lecture by the former president of STURP and all the data pointing to it's authenticity is amazing. Reading some of the original papers is eye-opening too (like the medical examination).
Again, if forged, the forger would have to be a genius (knowing forensics, Roman culture, etc). And insane.
My point is that is that since we can't explain how the Shroud of Turin was actually made, it is simpler to say that it was made by a method beyond our comprehension, rather than to make a tower of assumptions about how someone in the Middle Ages did something we can't replicate or even explain, and that whoever this forger was, only used this technique once, never divulged his secrets, and that no one else happened across the same techniques at a later date.
I never said anything about magic. Assuming intelligent design, do you think the creator of the universe, the *universe*, would be so unintelligent as to poot universes out its backside without knowing it was doing? There is no such thing as magic, only science we don't understand. And like I said, we understand almost nothing; all we really know about the world is that when one thing happens, another thing usually results. We didn't design the game, so we can only guess at the rules.
Again, if forged, the forger would have to be a genius (knowing forensics, Roman culture, etc). And insane.
Wrong. All they had to do is pull the fabric off a dead corpse.
My point is that is that since we can't explain how the Shroud of Turin was actually made, it is simpler to say that it was made by a method beyond our comprehension
It's not beyond comprehension that it was pulled off a real dead corpse. It is beyond comprehension to jump to the conclusion that the corpse it was pulled from must have been Jesus'. Even if it had dated back to the time of Jesus, which it doesn't, but even if it did, the odds that it would have been from Jesus instead of someone else are astronomically slim, ESPECIALLY if you believe Jesus ressurected instead of decomposed in the tombTry it (ladies), when you have a bunch of makeup on, just put your face in a towel and wrap it around your face. Take it off and see how it looks. I'll tell you this, it does not look like you just took a freaking picture of yourself that's for sure.
To me, it looks like someone cleverly painted this "portrait" on to the cloth.
I've long believed religions were created because people are afraid of death. It gives people something to believe in so they don't feel like everything is over when they die.
it is simpler to say that it was made by a method beyond our comprehension, rather than to make a tower of assumptions about how someone in the Middle Ages did something we can't replicate or even explain,
God of the Gaps is not a simple explanation. It's an easy one to make, but by no means is it simple.
So you're right, it's "simpler to say"... the act of speech requires less effort to say "God did it" than to provide an actual reality-based explanation.... it requires less thought to say it as well.... but the implications of "God did it" are far beyond simple.
A simple explanation is always one based in reality, not spirit-magic (magic, need I remind you, is entirely unproven). Magic-based explanations are immediately disqualified from being 'simple' by their vaporous and fanciful nature.
ThaPyngwyn...
You are ignoring the "tower of assumptions" in the fact that you assume an intelligent designer or god or... Pooter of universes as you say. That is a massive, massive assumption to even begin with. That breaks the rules of Occams Razor right away. You then jump immediately to assuming that the solution is simply beyond our comprehension.
And intelligent design does = magic. Neither are based in fact or reality.
I answered "None of the above," because I simply DON'T KNOW what the Shroud is. No one knows how it was created; carbon tests have been done but also disputed, as the cloth itself was "reweaved," which would skewer the data. I don't believe the Shroud is a "fake," since it's obviously THERE, people can touch it, photograph it, study it, etc. There are claims made about it that may or may not be correct.
The problem I have with this new theory (other than the fact that I personally DO believe in the Resurrection) is, if a decomposing body leaves that kind of imprint on a cloth, and the covering of a body was such common practice back then, then wouldn't there be alot of cloths with this vapor image on it? It seems reasonable to me that there would be, and if that's the case, how then could an image that is such a common occurrence inspire ANYONE to believe that Jesus was resurrected???
Every shroud believer I see here just reeks of delusion. It's comical that someone could actually think this is the cloth that was laid upon Jesus himself and his image is imprinted on it, and it's supposed to actually mean something to us now. I wish you believers could just take a step back and truly see how ridiculous of a notion this is. But then again, I wish you could do that for a lot of things that you do which is based on nonsense.
Be happy with your life and your religion if you must, but stop bringing up this kind of stuff as it if it could ever possibly prove anything about your hokey beliefs...because it CANNOT. 100% absolutely CANNOT.
Humans don't know enough about reality to dictate these ultimatums about what is and isn't possible. This universe shouldn't be possible according to us, but here we are. The current level of human scientific advancement doesn't set the cap on what is possible in our universe.
Now about the shroud: if it were a naturally occurring phenomenon, why is there only one recorded occurrence? (I read the "pee pool mattress" account on the link, and unless the urine of the person in the shroud pooled upward, or he was laid face-down, I don't see the relevance). Burial shrouds were common enough, why is it only this one that has an image on it?
If it was a medieval forgery, then why has the technique *never* been seen before or since? And did the forgers also travel back in time to forge the Sudarium of Oviedo?
Yes, I admit "God of the Gaps" seems like a cop-out to some; I see it more as the elephant in the room. As we learn more about the universe, we also learn there is more and more that we don't understand about it. To deem anything beyond our current comprehension magic and therefore nonexistent, is more than laughable.
This will never be resolved. The church will never release a swatch from the main part that could confirm the actual date or concur with any negative results because they have too much to lose if it is proven to not be authentic. As long as the authenticity can never be validated, believers will believe and doubters will doubt, and everything is in balance.
Did the shroud inspire the Easter story, or did the story inspire the creation of the shroud, or are they both original, or both fabrications after the fact? We'll never know, and it's in our best interest to never know.
The Easter story has no doubt been embellished several times over the years, so it can't be totally accurate regardless of when it was originally penned, but like any other myth, the value is in the message and not in the details.
P.S. The use of the word myth is based on Joseph Campbell's definition and not intended as a slam or inferring that it is untrue. One culture's myth is another culture's religion and visa-versa.
I have followed this story for years. It's vastly more interesting than any Tom Clancy book.
There really was no "debunking" of the twill used in the shroud. In the 1970's there were no records of a 3:1 twill being used before the middle ages. But more recent finds have found it in commin use in 1st century Syria and Israel.
The carbon-dating is in the 1200-1300 AD range. But it is difficult to rely on carbon dating in this case because of contamination. It is one thing to date something from an Egyptian tomb that has been sealed for 3000 years and quite another to date something that was continuously handled, especially in its earlier years of being viewed by the public from 1250 or so until about 1750 or so. There was also a fire that substantially damaged the shround. Each of these, and especially the kissing of the shroud as was done for centuries, pose a unique problem of contamination. So, in this case it is a little difficult to rely too heavily on just carbon-dating.
I have always it found interesting that a flower image on the shroud and pollen grains found on the shroud are tied to regions of Israel near the Dead Sea in springtime. And that dirt samples from the shroud are of a type of travertine limestone associated with tombs in Jerusalem.
But what makes me leave my mind open is that we have access to the internet and can check out a lot of things very easily. It was much different at the time the shroud was supposedly "manufactured." How would a person of that time known that the cruxifition woulds should be on the wrists, or know which pollens to place on the shroud, or which cloth weave to use, or even how to do negative or 3D-encoded images. Would a person in 1250 have known to use iron-based pigments to duplicate hemoglobin residue without knowing that there was iron in blood?
We also know that there was a flourishing business in "Christian artifacts" manufactured for the Crusaders to bring home from the Holy Land. Wood and nails from the "True Cross" and bones, lots of bones found their way into European church lore. But there was also, and still is, a remarkable amount of material associated with prominent persons of the age still extant. It was simply human nature of the times, in the absence of detailed descriptive art, photographs, books, etc for people to keep momentoes of important personages or events. Roman tourists, especially, liked to gather artifacts associated with important people, places or events.
I would think that this is a "fun" story to watch. Nothing great hangs on the outcome. And a lot of science is evolving that sheds more and more light on the matter. But it will never be disproved until the means of manufacture is understood. From a purely philosophical standpoint, science can never prove it is the burial shroud of Christ, but thus far it has failed to determine how the thing was madeProbably because it wasn't wrapped around a corpses face? Probably because it was only draped over a corpse while it decomposed?
ThaPyngwyn...
The problem is your logic is that your are trying to apply Occams Razor in a way that is entirely inconsistent with what it means. You are saying that since we can't yet explain exactly how it was made therefore it has to be have a supernatural source. That isn't how it works at all. As a matter of fact that is completely the opposite of how it works. Occams Razor is useful because it helps you recogniz when you are replacing fact in your logic with assumptions, so it would never lead to a solution that is more assumptions!
You know it is acceptable to not yet have an answer rather than trying to jam a supernatural answer onto something. It's ok to be in that state where an answer isn't there yet. Do you know how the large hadron collider works? If not does that mean you would consider it supernatural in nature as well?
I'm not saying that it is supernatural, only that we can't explain it right now ("supernatural" is sort of a weird term anyway; an all-knowing universe-pooter, as it were, would not need to bend the rules/nature of its universe to get things done). *We* are not nature, so to label anything that doesn't fit with our current science as "supernatural" is a mistake made throughout history.
I argue that the shroud an occurrence above our current level of advancement, rather than below. Unless one is willing to say that humans are the most intelligent and technologically advanced beings in all existence, there is someone out there who knows more than us. If you apply the concept of infinity to to this, you have something that knows infinitely more than us (e.g. a "God"), but we might not even need to get close to that (close to infinity, ha) in order to explain the Shroud of Turin.
Lies, Tell me lies, Tell me sweet little lies. There is absolutely nothing in the babble that is true. It was supposedly written by men who were most likely illiterate for their day. If your god was able to create ALL this from thin air, including Adam as a full grown being, why did your precious Jesus need a host to be born? Let me ask this: What entity created your god that was able to create all this, in your opinion? I mean how did "your god" get to be the one, from thin air mind you..
Mono-Theistic religions were created to control mankind. Those that are too weak are the ones religions prey upon. It has happened for tens of thousands of year and will continue. Why do you think religions, most specifically the Catholics refer to their throngs as a "flock?" They all live and breathe and tow the party line. Religions divide, separate and exclude. There is not 1 single main religion that is accepting of another main religion, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Etc.. They tolerate, yet don't accept their beliefs. Wars will continue based solely on religious mantra and hatred. Religions especially Christian ones spout love for ALL, yet exclude those who won't conform to their way of life. They want to make certain groups illegal in America based solely on religion, in the case of Rick Santorum, he wants to rule with Judea-Christian Sharia law. ! religion, predicated on the Catholic doctrines. All other religions banned. Gays will be banned, literally banned, made illegal under Kind Ricky
First you are pompous and ignorant simultaneously. HOW could the people that wrote the books in the New Testament have been "illiterate"? THAT WOULD MEAN THEY COULD NOT READ NOR WRITE - MORON!
Anyone reading the literature with a modicum of intelligence can not help but marvel at some of the truly great literature is part of the canon. The Gospel of John is brilliant in the use of the stories from the life of Jesus arranged for a specific purpose and you do not have to believe the stories to at least have a sense of the care and craft that went into writing it. (I do not believe in Hobbits, yet appreciate Tolkien.) Some of the writings are not at the level of John or Romans or even Revelations, but you can't dismiss it as the work of illiterates - it only demonstrates that you know nothing about which you write.
You want a philosophical debate? Here riddle me this: What mechanism is there for man as an evolutionary created animal to be able to exercise free will? If you think that man can make a choice between two viable options, what mechanism is there for that choice? How does something cause a chemical/biological path so that we can say, I chose to do that and not the other thing??
If you wish to come out and sound like you have any intelligence at least present your arguments better then a first grader. If you look at Luke and the detail of the gospel it is actually rather incredible how archaeology has backed up the stories presented in this gospel. One hundred years ago they stated the Bible was nothing more then fiction, but since then they have found Jericho, Sodom, Hezekiah's tunnel, inscriptions with both King David's and King Solomon's name. Along with this there are supporting archaeological digs and documents which strongly support the bible as a historical document. As far as the spiritual goes, this is between a person and their creator and is no different then evolution other then with evolution you have to believe millions of events happened against the laws of nature with the Bible you just have to believe that their is a God and everything else false into place. So what shows more intelligence, to believe in one thing that was supernatural or to believe in millions that go against the laws of nature?
In regards to the shroud, there was no mention of this item until after I believe 650 AD, but it could be earlier I would have to look it up, the earliest New Testament manuscript was written at about 70 AD, there is a large amount of time between the two so I would have to believe that if the shroud was that important would not have they mentioned it in the Bible, but then I guess we will never know.
420 (marijuana) does not free the mind. You are proof that it causes mental and pschyological disorders. Read your own response. Is that the thought of a rational mind? It's derranged babble. I bet you have a Pot Club Card too. Loser
AAJJ - if you would take a few moments to look up scholarship called textual criticism - you would see that it is interested in the reconstruction of the original writings of ancient texts. From it the New Testament documents can be validated to a remarkable degree of accuracy. There are ancient copies and ancient references to copies which attest to the accuracy of the record. I do not believe in the KJV as a received text, but appreciate the incredible scholarship which has enabled us to have a text (Nestle-Aland Greek Text) that is most likely 98% guaranteed to be authentic to the original. How? Check out textual criticism.
with evolution you have to believe that millions of events happened against the laws of nature
Would you care to expand on this, or are you too busy making up more "facts" to support you religious views?
So what shows more intelligence, to believe in one thing that is supernatural or to believe in millions that go against the laws of nature?
Evolution does not go against the laws of nature, it is defined by them. Do you understand what evolution is? Every "act of 'god'" or "miracle" in the bible is in direct defiance of the laws of nature, ie a flood that wiped out the entire earth, a burning bush that talked, a man who lived three days in a fish, a man that magically "parted" the Red Sea, a man who could walk on water, heal a multitude of afflictions and arise from death three days after kickin' the bucket are ALL DIRECT DEFIANCES OF THE LAWS OF NATURE!
And the bible has a lot more.
So using your measure, Tbenton, what would an intelligent person believe in?
These "morons" are pushing such a medieval archaic form of thought even in today's much more advanced theater of knowledge.
I find it funny that people today can still believe in stories of magical fruit, talking snakes, and Jewish zombies told by people who lived in an age where they didn't even know of germs or atoms or even round planets.
Please go away with your superstition. It truly makes you look so simple.
Stonedog34, Look up entropy. Basic physics. order goes to disorder, not the other way around. The biggest flaw in evolutionary reasoning is in the details. While it sounds great that surviving life forms were the ones that adapted best to their changing surroundings, let's look at what that really means. Evolutionists say that everything started from single celled organisms. How did the chemicals come together in the beginning to form the dna to make the first blueprint for the single-celled organism? We can get all of the chemicals found in an ameoba, in their exact same concentrations, and put them in a beaker and guess what? No ameoba. Can't do it with anything, plant or animal, and create life. If we could, all of our hunger probelms would go away.
Ok, let's accept that somehow, the single celled animals were created. Why become multi-cellular? How was that "decision" made? The dna just "decided" to modify itself to survive better? And why become a tree, or an insect or any other life form? Taking the idea that the fish somehow decided to grow legs and walk on land to get food implies that food was there to begin with. What food? How? It seems that once you start getting down to details, the same "belief" or faith concept has to be applied. The only real diference is that evolutionists put their faith in the concept of a billion random chemical reactions happening over and over at exactly the right time and in the exact right way to make all of the the creatures we have. In my humble opinion, it takes far less of a leap of faith to believe that some "higher power" created us and started this grand experiment we call life.
@Tbenton so you need faith to believe in evolution ? evolution is a theory, & there's always the theory of gravity (which I encourage you to test out ) we have evidence for these theories they are not faith which lacks evidence & makes up supernatural causes
I don't have a reason why that "higher power" would make us. Can't wrap my arms around it. Can't wrap my arms around infinity either. I don't know anyone that can.Hawkings can't really do it and he is way smarter than the people on this forum.
I have had far too many experiences that defy explanation on scientific terms that can be explained on spiritual terms. My ex-wife has a twin brother. Out of nowhere, she spontaneously started crying, saying that something was REALLY wrong. Didn't know what exactly, but that something was very wrong. I checked the house and all around us, but nothing. After trying unsuccessfully for several hours to calm her down, we called her parents to see if everything was ok. We found out that her twin brother had fallen over a construction site wall just a few hours previously (he was drunk at the time) and had almost bled to death before help arrived. Her parents wanted to know how we knew to call because we were living in California and her brother was in SCOTLAND, 5000+ miles away. My ex was "feeling" his life draining away and that was the "bad" feeling. What form of communication is that? What energy source do we have that can transmit electrical impulses that far? Defies explanation on scientific terms but not spiritual ones. Connection via another dimension, if you will.
Is it not possible that, just as the most informed minds of Copernicus' time did not know that atoms existed, we haven't developed enough to "prove" that other dimensions exist, or that other forces are at work in our lives?
Organized religion has always tried to do 3 things: tell us where we came from, where we are going, and how best to get there. The message gets corrupted from time to time by power brokers and ego-centric rulers, but that phenomenom is not limited to religious circles. But if a "supreme being" existed and wanted us to survive and grow as a life form, for whatever reason, following the teachings given in most organized religions will keep you moving in the right direction. Our biggest problem is that everyone of them wants or claims to be the "one" true way to enlightenment. If we could just get over that hurddle and treat everyone with diginity and kindness, all of our social problems would get much smaller if not disappear altogether.
"One of the ideas involved in the concept of entropy is that nature tends from order to disorder in isolated systems. This tells us that the right hand box of molecules (ordered) happened before the left(disordered). Using Newton's laws to describe the motion of the molecules would not tell you which came first."
In simple terms, if you throw a box of dominoes into a room, is it more likely that they will pile up uniformly or that they will spread out randomly? In order for evolution to work, you have to believe that random atoms and molecules spontaneously came together in just the right concentrations to form the myriad different structures needed to make a cell, i.e. the membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, etc. And not just do it once, but billions of times. And that is for just one life form, one type of cell. Do the math. Odds are far more likely that you got a free rides at Harvard, Yale, MIT, and CalTech on your way to the Nobel Prize in physics. Since that didn't happen, I'm going to stick to my spiritual, other dimension, higher power creationism bend. It works for me better than a bunch of dominoes on the floor.
I would appreciate it if future retorts had a little more thought given to them. I am really open about debating concepts like this. I just like to do it with informed, thoughtful people.
Your thermodynamics 'entropy' nonsense argument has been debunked a million times for decades now. Please....
One hundred years ago they stated the Bible was nothing more then fiction
Really? Scholars always knew the Bible was based on many actual places. I mean... just because someone writes a book based in New York - that doesn't mean everything in the book actually happened simply because he described New York correctly.
Let me ask this: What entity created your god that was able to create all this, in your opinion? I mean how did "your god" get to be the one, from thin air mind you..
The problem I have with people like "freethemind" is that they confuse snot-nosed putdowns for reason and logic. Even Stephen Hawking, in his recent "the Universe could have formed without a deity" argument, suggested some kind of similar, spontaneous "out of thin air" argument, that the Universe just came into being from nothing all on its own. Yes, I watched that show, no I don't buy it, but why is THAT thought so easy to accept when it's almost identical to GOD created the Universe out of thin air, even as you laugh at the GOD theory??? My answer to your snot-nosed question is this: GOD always was, and always shall be. Feel free to substitute "anti-matter" for GOD if that makes you feel better.
Although the argument that God may be a misinterpreted aspect of reality is definitely worthy, it's disingenious in the religious aspect - because in religion God is more than that. God, in religion, is a conscious and complex active entity with characteristics, moods, likes, and well some pretty damn strange behaviour (to put it lightly).
Hawking's argument is only based on the fact that before the big-bang time and space, the universe as we know it, did not exist. If there was no time or space, God could not have existed, since time and space are intrinsic values of existence. Something cannot exist outside of time and space, because existing outside of time and space is quite literally 'non-existence.'Your argument is essentially the 'watchmaker analogy'... wherein you argue that things just don't come from thin air. But I can then argue that it isn't God that always existed, but nature itself. The Universe, governed by the laws of nature (known and unknown) has always existed, in one form or another.
'God' then basically then boils down to only one thing: The concept of infinity.
I love how there is absolutely no middle ground when it comes to this. The bible bashers use science to convince themselves that it can't be true, yet when someone of science doesn't agree, then that scientist is a moron.
The bible thumpers insist that they completely understand the bible and anyone that disagrees is damned.
Maybe, just maybe none of us have died or spoke to someone after they are dead so you don't know or understand @!$%#ees. Is it that scary for you to know that you simply don't know @!$%#ees? funny.
I like evolution. It's a simple concept; traits that are better for survival tend to propagate, as "bad" traits usually result in the death of the trait carrier. Micro-evolution has been proven, and macro-evolution must exist in some form.
However, I don't think five billion years is long enough for dust kicked out of a supernova to turn itself into, say, a giraffe or a giant squid or a duckbill platypus. I don't think fifteen billion years is enough time for that to happen by accident, regardless of the size of the universe. What is the statistical likelihood, really, that a base-4 programming language (DNA) would spontaneously generate in a pool of slime, a language that just happens to be able to create velociraptors and shrews and flounders, bacteriophages and blue whales? And that our planet would be kept safe enough, long enough for us to evolve enough intelligence to ask these questions?Who knows, indeed - neither me or Mr. Hawkings. There, I said it. I KNOW I can't "prove" my beliefs, but my ability to prove or disprove is irrelevant. On another thread (having to do with the SCOTUS) people are saying all sorts of preposterous stuff - and I don't know if they TRULY believe this, or if they are just angry and ranting (probably the latter). Proof seems to be irrelevant.
Your argument is essentially the 'watchmaker analogy'... wherein you argue that things just don't come from thin air.
Generally speaking, yes - at least on THIS planet!
But
Sure, EVERY rule has its exception.
I can then argue that it isn't God that always existed, but nature itself. The Universe, governed by the laws of nature (known and unknown) has always existed, in one form or another.
Yes, you could - and in fact, that's how I personally reconcile with the theory of evolution - I just replace the phrase "natural selection" with "God." Maybe they really are the same thing - and maybe you and I really aren't that far apart, either.
Given enough time, everything that is not impossible, no matter how unlikely, will occur. One of the problems that evolution-deniers suffer from is a weak concept of the length of time involved. If the age of the earth, 4.5 billion years, were represented by the length of a football field, the entire written history of humanity, let's say 10,000 years, would be shorter than a grain of flour, 0.0008 inches. Do the math yourself. During the first half of that enormous span of time, 2 billion years, there were no multi-cellular life forms. That we don't know how the first combinations of pre-RNA came together is no proof that it is impossible or even unlikely, it's simply a statement of our ignorance: we don't know YET how the earliest self-replicating chemicals formed. Science, unlike religion, admits to ignorance, in that we have not discovered or figured out, in the puny amount of time we have been doing science, everything about the universe. But, unlike religion, which has all the "answers", all of them wrong, science is working to figure it out.
Actually, the base-4 language you mention is itself a very strong evidence for evolution. Every DNA on earth uses the same 4 sugars, G,C,A, and T. That is not really necessary - other sugars would do, my understanding is that there are about 20 sugars that could be used, but every DNA on earth uses those 4. Why? The simplest answer is that every DNA strand on earth, whether encoding a microbe or a tree or a wombat or a human, was at some time copied from a parent DNA.
Is it possible that some unknown agent or force was involved in first forming the self-replicating molecules we inherit as DNA? Yes, it is possible. What I refuse to believe is that a bunch of goat herders living 3000 years ago knew anything at all about what that might be, and so their myths are just that - fiction to fill in the yawning abyss of their ignorance, so their religion could pretend to be all-knowing.
Bourlon, the main problem with your entropy issue is that entropy refers to an isolated system. The Earth is not isolated. It is being acted upon by forces in the galaxy. The chemicals in your pools are not isolated. They are being acted on by the weather of the planet. These systems you flout are not isolated. They are being acted upon by other systems.
And to your question of how many billions of times a reaction has to occur to end up as life. It only has to happen once. Do you honestly think life is created anew with each and every baby born? That flies in the face of modern medical science. Once life was created it preferred to survive. That's not entropy or random chance. That's a biological system acting to preserve itself. And to think that out of all the planets these chemicals have coalesced on to think that it wouldn't happen is nuts. When you flip a coin and it comes up heads are you surprised if it comes up tails the next time? No. There's a given chance it will happen. Exceed that chance and the odds are overwhelmed.
As for Wise1's questions regarding why a single celled organism would "opt" to be multicellular - it doesn't. One of it's kids was "born" with an extra cell. This kid was better at processing food than the other kids and when it mated it's kids had two cells. It's called random genetic mutation and it happens all the time. It has been proven to happen and it continues to happen, even now. Look up natural human lactose intolerance. Lactose tolerance is an evolution that is pretty recent.
Precisely, Henry. It is embarrassing to read the benighted posts of refried jesus wheezers who call upon the second law of thermodynamics to protect them from the harsh light of reality but as I said earlier, these willfully ignorant cultists have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. If they are prepared to believe in a mythical deity, they are prepared to twist the laws of nature to make them conform to their bizarre religious fantasiesAnd I would argue that science only admits ignorance only up to a point. Science builds walls and declares everything within those walls to be truth. If something doesn't look like what we already know, and science hasn't yet been able to build a wall around it, then it must be untruth. This is nearly as bad as ignorance through religion, possibly worse, as it sits upon a card house of laws and theorems and proclaims "Only we possess knowledge, and none may acquire it except by us." And it can't even answer, nay, refuses to acknowledge, the simple question "Who made those cards?"
The truth is, science is built upon nothing but assumptions. Many people, especially atheists, will never admit this point, but it is the coldest, hardest fact there is. I said this in a comment above: we didn't create the game, so we can only guess at the rules. Guessing is a fun pastime, and has carried us forward for thousands of years, but guessing, no matter how accurate, is not equivalent to knowing.
That statement may satisfy your fantasies, but for christians ignorance is a safer place than facts or knowledge and you have staked your claim firmly in the realm of fairy tales. Your statement is, therefore, a lie but if it makes you feel better about yourself, then so be it. The remark remains a lie, nonetheless.
A lie? Far from it. Science is an elaborate network of assumptions built upon assumptions that we hold to, dare I say, religiously. The alternative is insanity, so we accept as absolute truth our science lest we go insane. That is to say, we have to believe that the world operates by the rules we assume so we can go about our lives day-to-day without worry.
Once again, we did not create the universe (or maybe you did; are you holding out on us?). We can therefore only guess at the manner of its operation. Yes, ignorance tends to be safer than asking questions, and science makes "safe"assumptions; if we can observe it and explain it, it must be absolute truth, right? What about things we can't observe or explain? Do you argue that everything within and without the universe can be observed with our current sensors and explained with our current knowledge?
I question these assumptions; I think we see the world as we see it, but not necessarily how it really is. You are mistaking a test drive of the universe for the blueprints. I don't discount science, but I also admit that it is a comfort blanket woven by beings that crave order.
"Science is an elaborate network of assumptions built upon assumptions..."
So, if I understand you correctly, you are saying the scientific principles that made it possible for you to post your childish fantasies on your computer and broadcast your wild ravings on something called the internet came about from scientists making an elaborate network of assumptions?
Yes. Even if we are wrong about how the world works, it still works. The Earth never cared that people once thought it was flat, the human body didn't know anything about these "four humors," and atoms worked the same way they did both before and after we realized they were divisible. Society still progressed scientifically and socially. Our assumptions will likely carry us to the figurative edge of the universe before they stop being useful, but what then?
Then you are being deliberately ignorant. Scientists didn't merely assume silicone would make a useful semiconductor for the purpose of building microchips, which were built upon knowledge gained from the careful, deliberate invention (not assumption) of transistors, which had replaced relatively sophisticated vacuum tubes. These discoveries came about from long research that expanded upon information that had previously been discovered by earlier researchers. Knowledge builds upon knowledge and begets more knowledge, in stark contrast to religious dogma which fights to remain static and immobile. If you choose to believe in an imaginary deity for which no evidence exists and yet you are comfortable pounding out your blithering ravings on a device that is many orders of magnitude more complicated then any machine in existence even a hundred years ago...never mind the huge advances in medicine, food production, energy, optics, metallurgy, genetics, aeronautics, etc. etc...then it is more than merely obvious that your fantasies are deeply rooted in blind hypocrisy and willful delusions. You are lying to yourself and not to me.
You can type your replies to defend the primitive myths of an ancient band of ignorant, lice-ridden nomads, but I will not pay any more attention to youThey are not more alike than the man in the moon. Myths are beliefs without a bit of evidence supporting it. Science is all about testing and observations. There is no theory of god.
I'm sure you will agree this conversation was over long before we began it, but if you choose now to declare its end, so be it. I will say this in closing, though. Science, the activity of linking observations and results, rests solely on the *belief* that we know exactly what we are looking at when we look at the world. This is a belief that science can no more confirm or deny than the belief in a god.
Ignorance, then, falls on those men of science who claim nothing is believed, but everything is known.
It was a message for future believers, the rest was faded. It started for "e-mail me".
Sorry, had to throw that in.
Yet on a more serious note, through the ages I am quite sure though you and others may claim my theories are mere speculation, that Jesus himself most likely had personal writings. A diary of sorts or a notebook, he was surely educated since he spent the tireless hours in the temples, reading and learning all the ways and doctrines of the faith of his people.
His mind was not one of loitering thought processes, obvious as to the goals achieved in his life. Yet any personal property of Christ was surely hidden or destroyed, as people of that era and especially now (ie: thousands traveling to the newest report of the shadow of Christ on the pillar of the church) would worship or give reverence to the article or book, more so than to the man and his achievements and what he stood for in altering the prejudiced and biased practices and beliefs of his nation.
It is probably a fact that even the Vatican itself has found far more personal items possibly belonging to Christ, or writings denoting his personal thoughts far more closely related to his daily mental train of thought than the altered personal viewpoints of the apostles, and in fear of people in mass adoring the articles more than the person, withheld their existence merely for that purpose.
To actually believe than a man so engrossed with the message he presented, it would be foolish to believe that he wrote nothing at all. Yet is is far easier to understand that those writings were withheld from the public group of his followers is believable.
On the other hand, critics would have picked apart any personal writings, and the presence of any possible words put to paper, would have drawn skepticism and doubters, and the periods of his distress and depression due to his path, journey and persecution would have allowed for some writings to be discovered that the Pope himself most likely would not want others to read.
As with the shroud, whether it is actually his or not doesn't matter. We can see the validity of my point in the present fact that people would hold the article more dear to heart than the actual words of his teachings for a righteously lived daily life.
djdrew, no I don't really believe Jesus wrote anything down. His father was a carpenter, and HE worked as a carpenter for a few years. Your average Jewish male, at that time, wasn't taught how to write (read, yes, but not write). I'm not sure why, maybe it wasn't considered important to carpenters and fishermen; maybe because paper was rare and expensive, or maybe (this was my daughter's idea) it was a form of control (you can READ the Torah, but you can't write anything about it). Writing was pretty much reserved to either very wealthy, educated people or the scribes, and the scribes were associated with the Temple, which was destroyed in A.D. 71. I believe THAT'S why there are so few accounts of Jesus' life outside of the Gospels - and most believe those were not written by any of the Apostles (even if two were named for them). The sons of fishermen wouldn't know how to write, either.
And you're right about the Shroud - it's a curious artifact, but ultimately it has no effect on whether you believe the Gospels or not.
Sorry, not so sure where you are getting your ideas from other than the type of explanations modern religion like to give their flocks for grey hole theories (as in black hole theories). Yet, lets not liken the act of learning to write with that of a child's mind. It is near impossible for an adult to not know how to write yet know who to read well unless there are mental handicaps present. Access to paper or any other form of writing instrument would have been walked around quite easily.
An although Jesus was a carpenter by trade, don't forget mention that he spent long hours at the temples with the priests who were impressed with the wisdom he had as a child, and there's no doubt the boy child would was quite more educated than your normal villager. Let's not belittle the facts just to prove a point. Also, not all the apostles were fishermen but then you knew that from the start. Yet even if handwritten by the apostles, any works would have been copies of said works today, as the originals would have long since gone to waste.
The same as the gospels, any works of Jesus would have been horded, far more than any works of the apostles. They too would have been copied and passed down. Of course this is mostly just speculation, "what if" principles but as I said, I doubt seriously if such works were present today (copies thereof) that we would be allowed to see them as they would either be glorified to much, or prove something detrimental to the faith.
The church was not built solidly on just what Jesus preached, thus the split sometimes between the apostles and the teachings, and thus the abundance of rules and regulations (doctrines) for the church after Christ's death. Of course we have the modern day church's insistence that such teachings and writings were divinely inspired, just as with the old Testament, but then again.....
I thought they analyzed the cloth, and found that it was no more than 1,000 years old. One guess is that it is a grave rubbing, where you put a cloth on a grave, and rub it.
There is nothing to tie the Shroud to Jesus, except for the myth. Early images of Jesus are clean-shaven, if that was the style.
In the Middle Ages, you could buy some of "the Virgin's milk", and other "true" fakes. This seems to be the most long-lasting pious hoax.
If you want to have a better idea of how dark Jesus must have been, read Chapter 12 of the Book of Numbers. Note the punishment given to Moses' sister, for criticizing her brother for marrying a nice black lady. (Who says the Almighty lacks a sense of humor?)
They did and you are correct, the shroud is not old enough, though the margin of error does place it as a possible. That said, I've seem imprints on fossils that look like Mary and they are over 12 million years old. Who would have known they were going to invent Christianity?
How come the shroud has never been replicated even using today's technology? Same with the tilma of Juan Diego? Until they are replicated, the only plausible explanation for their creation is supernatural or divine intervention.
If you don't think so: replicate them. It would be in your best interests to do so. You would make gobs of money.
I actually remember a documentary about the shroud and some of the scientists who analyzed it said (in a direct interview) that at the end of the day, the results have been inconclusive as to weather it was medieval or older and the evidence that they gathered seems to suggest as they put it, both. So it is very strange indeed. Also it has been analyzed in modern times (60's or 70's) only once, and they were given only like a ten day period or something to do as many tests as they wanted on it. So really there is more to this than one might think.
What I remember is that there is some dispute over whether the piece tested was part of a Middle Ages repair or part of the original. The cloth had been in a fire - most of it didn't burn. But there was some reweaving after that. Anyway, I do know there is valid evidence to support both the shroud being from the Middle Ages and from the time of Jesus. One of the things pointing to the time of Jesus was the discovery of polin from an extinct plant that grew in the modern day Israel area. How they know that polin is from that plant... beats me.
Great except below about Ray Rogers who was one of the scientists who originally studied it in the 70s. The thought it was fake until it was discovered the sample used for the carbon dating was from a reweave.
Rogers, a chemist from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, said: "I don't believe in miracles that defy the laws of nature. After the 1988 investigation I'd given up on the shroud.
"But now I am coming to the conclusion that it has a very good chance of being the piece of cloth that was used to bury the historic Jesus."
Kinda hard for something to have an image of a fictional person! Time to put the imaginary friend to bed and grow up. I dare you to tell a child that has been molested that "god" has a plan. And don't try to blame such things on your fake bogeyman!
Exactly, tertertert. And not only did he really exist, but he was really crucified - I read somewhere that's agreed to by all or at least nearly all historians as historical fact. But like you said, what happened after the crucifixion is a matter of faith.
No, the vast majority of historians do not say that the biblical jesus was a real person. You are stretching things to the breaking point.
Interestingly, there have been many messiahs over the millennia, and many operated during the Roman occupation of Israel, including Judas of Galilee, Menahem ben Judah, Theudas, Vespasian, and John of Gischala. Most The interesting thing is this: the miracles that were allegedly performed by your jesus cannot be corroborated by any contemporary texts. The middle east was a very literate place and people of the time were eager to document the history of their times. Romans, Greeks, Jews, and people of other cultures in the region made it their purpose to keep extensive records that detailed the current events of their time. It would stand to reason that a preacher who was roaming the area and raising the dead, multiplying fish and bread, turning water into wine, walking on water, and other supernatural feats of derring-do would attract the attention of local authorities. Amazingly, not a word that bespeaks of jesus as a divine character and a performer of miracles exists in contemporary documents, however. Not even second-hand references are mentioned in any records of the era. The only text that mentions jesus' miracles is the bible, and none of that was written by any of the eyewitnesses to his feats. All of the Gospels were put to paper well into the first century and on into the second century, after all of the supposed participants had passed away. To be blunt, none of the contents of the NT with regard to jesus has any secondary support to lend it even the slightest whiff of credibility.
In other words, the bible has no more claim to the truth than any other poorly written book of fiction, and jesus, as he was described in the bible, is just a collection of myths purloined from several local cultures to build a plausible deity who would be capable of hoodwinking the gullible, the willfully ignorant, and the weak minded.
Sorry, Sail, but you are just not correct with this one. Google around sometime.
There are several non-Christian references to Jesus and the crucifixion of him - I think even Pilate's office kept records, for instance. Now of course the non-Christian references won't say anything about him being the Messiah or any of that. But he lived, and was executed somewhere around Jerusalem.
There is only one weak contemporary historical reference to someone who may or may not have been the historical jesus with no mention of his divinity or any of his miracles. The quote, written by Josephus, said,"James the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ." Nothing else is said about a man who carries the reputation of being divine and a raiser of the dead. There is, however, a passage in the Testimonium Flavianum by Josephus that mentions jesus as holy person and that passage is universally regarded as an alteration by a later christian scribe. All other mentions of jesus in ancient texts were written well after jesus was alleged to have died.
I just mentioned Flavius Josephus and he does not prove your point at all. Go back and read what Josephus wrote. He did not give a contemporary account of jesus' miracles nor any mention of his as a divine character. You are not paying attention.
Good posts but... Pearls and swine, horses refusing to drink and all that. If the shroud were some evidence of the miraculous, you'd think that it would not be subject to fire nor other ravages of time, nor need mending...but so it goes.
Sail - yes, you mentioned Josephus, but conveniently ignored what I cut and pasted about how he wasn't the only non-Christian to also reference the crucifixion. Seriously, it sounds like you are so militant about your atheism that you're bending over backwards to stammer that Jesus not only wasn't a messiah but that he also was a completely fictitious character from literature.
You said any statements that historians mostly agree he lived and was crucified was a huge stretch. You were wrong. You said the only non-Gospel account of the crucifixion was from Josephus. You were wrong.
Most
Makes me think of Monty Python's "Life of Brian" - I love how the Judean People's Front and the People's Front of Judea hate eachother more than they mutually hate the Romans.
Reg: [arriving at Brian's crucifixion] Hello, Sibling Brian. Brian: Thank God you've come, Reg. Reg. " Brian: What? Reg F. J. , etc. " And I'd just like to add, on a personal note, my own admiration, for what you're doing for us, Brian, on what must be, after all, for you a very difficult time.
The shroud has been firmly established to be nothing more than a badly constructed fake. The forgery of religious artifacts was a booming industry during the Middle Ages and the Shroud of Turin is just another bogus bit of manufactured shucksterism, intended to con the faithful into making pilgrimages to Turin for the church's financial benefit.
If it had been determined to be genuine, it wouldn't be ensconced in a backwater church in Italy. It would be the crown jewel of the Vatican's collection of relics, worshiped by pilgrims from around the world. The fact that the catholic church itself is lukewarm in its support of the shroud is quite telling.
I clicked the wrong button, but wrote a response on page 4. You're most likely incorrect that the Vatican would have the shroud brought there, regardless of whether they believe its authenticity or not.
I have no doubt if the shroud were determined to be genuine, and therefore the only existing physical evidence that jesus had lived and was resurrected, that the Vatican would have had it displayed as their most precious relic. Instead, it is hung in a truly second or third class church in Italy.
When I speak of evidence, I am referring to the sort of proof that can be verified, and none exists to support the notion of a deity. I would welcome proof but none has been produced, and the Shroud of Turin is certainly not evidence of anything except gross fakery.
You seem to have a predisposition to ignore facts, because the hard fact is that there is no evidence of a god, and especially not a christian deity.
Sailcat, if it's a fake, replicate it; if you can't replicate you can't be certain it is a fake. Does it really matter where it is stored? What does where it is stored have to do with how it was created? Until you can explain how it was created and can replicate it based on your explanation, the only rational explanation is that the supernatural intervened to cause its creation.
When I speak of evidence, I am referring to the sort of proof that can be verified, and none exists to support the notion of a deity.
No deity? Then explain how the following events in human history happened if a deity with supernatural powers didn't intervene:
1. Padre Pio's ability to read the undisclosed sins of those going to him in the Sacrament of Confession. 2. The stigmata of Padre Pio and St. Francis of Assisi. 3. St. Bernadette being told during an apparition to dig for water in the ground. A spring came out that stands to this day in Lourdes. Unexplained medical cures occurred there shortly after the spring started and some continue on to this day. 4. The miracles that happened after people prayed to those who have died to aid in their cause of canonization and such miracles have been documented by the Vatican. 5. The fact that the Catholic Church has existed in its structure for nearly 2000 years. What other hierarchal institution has? It was also predicted to last and so far has come true: See Mt. 16 :13-20 6. People have been possessed by Demons. The movie the Exorcist was based on true story about a boy in St. Louis. Some power always beats the demon. That power is unquestionably God. 7. On 8. The tilma of Juan Diego has a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe that has been preserved without decay for over 500 years? How? How come it has not been replicated even using today's technology. 9. Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta's order is flourishing--yet she never had more than the clothes on her back as her possession. How did she accomplish all that? 10. Mother Angelica, the main founder of the cable channel EWTN, legs were miraculously cured. Her leg braces were no longer needed. One day, she needed $600,000 to pay for her first television transmitter. She had no money. At the time it was going to be repossessed a gentleman read one of her religious tracts she wrote years earlier and asked if he could donate $600,000--the exact amount she needed for the transmitter. She asked if he could wire the money. He did.
11. Read also about near death experience: Heaven and Hell have both been described by people who have experienced them--the descriptions of both are very similar that nobody using scientific evidence would say random chance has caused the same hallucination to so many different people.
Any time Christians present evidence, it is claimed by atheists to be lies and untrue, because God doesn't exist. It seems like circular logic. "I don't believe in God, therefore, I don't believe in the evidence, and without evidence, I don't believe in God." They want evidence. We give it to them. They don't believe it because it conflicts with their views. God could come down from Heaven and perform miracles, and they still wouldn't believe, because "God doesn't exist." If they did convert, they would say, "God is making us do what He wants, because He demonstrated His power to us, and nobody in thier right mind would go against Him."
Since you have no verifiable evidence, ccmnxc, the logic is not circular.
The Shroud of Turin and the Tilma of Juan Diego exist. You can't replicate either of them with today's technology and you can't explain how they were created--supernatural is the only logical explanation. That is verifiable evidence until you replicate either of them-and then you would make gobs of money so go for it.
On That is verifiable evidence.
Type in Padre Pio and the paranormal. So many people witnessed supernatural or unexplainable natural events about him that no reasonable person would say his life doesn't verify the supernatural.
So people have had near death experiences to say that the human experience of heaven or hell isn't verifiable would be foolish.
The others, only a fool would say that they happened by coincidence or the person was lying based on how the person lived their lives.
Would you say the visions of Hindu masters and Islamic Imams are real, as well? I would reckon you don't, but most of the world is non-christian and your attempts to legitimize the bizarre fantasies of your religion are no more real than the hallucinations of any other religion's holy men. Therefore, your hysterical religious experience is not proof of anything except the gullibility of the faithful.
Evidence is in the heart of the True believers, Christ by the Holy Spirit, dwells in those that believe. True Christians do not need physical evidence. We believe by Faith, and that comes from God. The shroud of Turin is just an object, real or fake, it will not help our faith grow, because faith comes from God alone.
God knows those that are His, Sailcat you may be His, Paul the Apostle was choosen by God and He was a murderer.
In your post you never explained how the events I mentioned in posts 7.10 and 7.14 happened if it wasn't for Divine Intervention. You are scared of making even an attempt. I am asking you again: How did those events happened without a Deity intervening to cause them to happen?
the man in the shroud has been measured well over 6 feet, even allowing for material stretching. Jesus, assuming he existed, probably wasn't over 5'5". Nowhere in the Bible is he referred to as a 'giant among men.' The face in the cloth looks far more Nordic than Hebrew. A Viking, perhaps? Maybe it's the burial cloth of Thor?
Your points concern with my long assessment of the "Shroud" and other "images" of Jesus. A Herbrew carpenter of that era, would as RL points out be well under 6' tall. In addition, carpentry even today is labor intensive; in the Bronze & Iron ages any carpenter, Jesus included, would have had massive shoulders. In all of his European portrayals, he looks like a member of the Danish Olympic Cross-country team. Finally, consider all the "stigma" signs that show up on statutes, painting, etc.; they're on the palms of the hands, victims of crucification had nails driven through their wrists.
Considering that the earliest written evidence for the gospels is long before the shroud, I think it would be best to move on without this proposal. Provocative is what NBC is looking to publish. Do your homework before you consider something.
The earliest "evidence" that some guy named Jesus or Joshua or whatever "existed" post dates related events by at least EIGHTY YEARS, and refers to Joshua ben Jusef as the Christ, a title that POST dates St Paul.
Ther is NO evidence in ANY independent source that refers to a "Jesus". There are sources that talk about "christians" ONE HUNDRED YEARS after the fact, and DON'T try to bring up the Josephus quote - it is generally regarded as a forgery, and makes the BASIC mistake of refering to the followers of Jesus as christians, a term that was not used until well AFTER Paul opened up the belief to non-Jewish followers. The gospels themselves were written 50 YEARS after the fact, and the OLDEST copies we have post date the supposed existance of some guy named Jesus by 270 YEARS (about 300 CE).
Let's see Nero condemned and persecuted Christians in Rome and he died in AD 68. That makes the events and notice of the term Christians to at least within 40 years of the death of Jesus.
Concerning Josephus, I would probably agree - the mentions of Jesus are most probably interpolations as he seemed fixated on Vespasian. But we have portions of at least one of the New Testament writings that is within 100 years of the death of Christ as well as numerous other pieces and references from external sources that vastly predate your false claims.
Concerning the Gospels - by not reading Jesus and the Eyewitnesses you are arguing a point you do not understand. Many scholards CLAIM they were written late (AD 90 - 110), but Bauckman's book points to significant internal evidence that indicates that those subjective dates should be reexamined. There is much internal evidence in the documents to indicate that they were written in a time when eyewitnesses to those events were still alive and could still verify the claims. That evidence can be found if you would read the book.
I have not read the Jesus Myth - yet, but am certainly happy to. I have read a lot of similar books. By the way, the Jesus Myth I thought I heard that Wells changed his mind and wrote that Jesus actually was an historical person. And you cite that book as evidence that he was not - curious. Citing a book that claims He lived as evidence he did not exist - got me puzzled about your ability to reason ryoushi.
By the way just did a count and there are 38 surviving New Testament documents which date before AD 300. When you compare the documentary evidence for the NT versus say - Homer, Virgil, Plato - the New Testament is much better attested than any other ancient writing.
Ryoushi - you also do not seem to understand when Paul existed. You seem to think he was after Josephus. His writings are the earliest Christian records and he was the apostle to the Gentiles, but that took place long before Josephus wrote, so how could the use of Christians be anachronistic in Josephus (out of hand)? Christians was in use already in at least Nero's day and that was before the destruction of Jerusalem, so Josephus writing after AD 70 could easily have used that term. (Again I say I do not think Josephus wrote those fragments, but I do not use stupid evidence to argue against the textual evidence.
skrekk - There are certainly features similar to all religions. Are you claiming you have evidence that Mithraism predates Christianity, because I would think you might share such PROOF with the world of scholars, who do not know of that. There are claims it predates Christianity and many scholars say Christianity predates Mithraism. So unless you have something more, the claim that it is "repackaged" is just intellectual dismissal on your part. You probably do not want to wrestle with TRUE evidence and think for yourself. Belief some snippet you heard and stick your head in the sand.
Jeff, I assume you've read Bart Ehrman. How do you respond to his work? Ehrman is a champion of the idea that Jesus most likely was a real person that inspired stories, but most of his work points to there being no other reasons to believe that the content of those stories are worthy of belief, with plenty of rational reasons as to why those stories came to be. How do you go from Jesus being real to suddenly he's been born of a virgin, died for the grace of mankind, and resurrected? It's not a short walk from a man existing to a man being a deity-incarnate. No?
Although it would kill it as a tourist attraction, why don't they just release the Shroud to the scientific community for analysis? They could figure out exactly what it is in a couple of days. Pieces of it have already been dated to around the 14th century (so we know its a hoax), but it would be interesting to know what method was used to make it.
They did release it to the scientific community. The scientific community conducted C-14 radiometric dating techniques upon it and determined that the Shroud is no more than 8 to 9 centuries old. In addition, the bloodstains have been analyzed to determine blood type. Turns out the stains were red carmine dye, a common pigment from the Middle Ages.
Since then, the Shroud has been closed off to all but Church sanctioned investigation.
The reason for the lack of on-going independent scientific research into the shroud is because it continues to be a big moneymaker for the church in Turin, and for the immediate community surrounding the church. If independent analysis of the shroud were continuing, the inevitable conclusion that it is a forgery would dry up the money brought in by tourists and addled pilgrims.
The church of Turin is not operated by complete idiots...it's run by snake oil salesmen.
Well veronica, I doubt that you know any atheists. I do not doubt that you know people who claim to be atheists. People who are angry and bitter often claim to be, but really are just trying to take out their misery on others.
It's sort of like most of the vociferous on newsvine, as shakespeare said, "Methinks they protest too much", roughly.
How do you know they have broken every commandment or are you taking a rather large, and presumptuous, leap to feel better about your own faith?
1. They can't have broke it as they don't believe in a God or gods.
2.They wont have carved images of gods. (see #1)
3. Have you never said, "Oh God!" when startled? (let's assume you haven't) The scripture says "thy God". Again atheists don't have a good so they can't claim a God to take in vain.
4. Do you cook on the sabbath? Go anywhere or do anything, like work perhaps?
5. You really think all atheists dishonor their mothers and fathers and have no love for them?
6. Do atheists get a free pass on murder? Because, as I recall, there have been plenty of "Christians" that have murdered.
7. Only atheists commit adultery? (Do we really need to list all those that profess Christianity while visiting their mistress?)
8. Again, I didn't realize atheists were cleptos! However, I do recall a fair number of Christian churches that have prosecuted for fraud. hmmmm
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Sorry Randy, but so far, you are bearing false witness that Atheists are getting a free pass at this whole "they have probably broken all the commandments" bit.
10. Only atheists covet or wish they had more money, a bigger house, a bigger bank account?
It appears that your statement is rooted in your dislike of a group of people and you are ready to use slander to prove a point.
I think Veronica's point is that many of the atheists posting here are jerks and are only here to feed their perverse desire to tear people down. If a Christian is telling you to change, they sincerely think they are doing good. The atheists here just seem to want to hurt people. Not all of them, but many of them.
I would challenge your assertion there. Simply because someone uses the excuse of "doing good" doesn't make the consequence of their actions any better. I challenge you to go to any discussion about gay rights, abortion rights, islam or any other type subject and see how "loving" the responses are.
Here is a truth. Boards like these will always bring out the nasty comments because of the anonymous nature of the beast. Yes, there are some jerks out there, from every belief system, but I can tell you that the "love" someone feels from Christians who don't believe as they do is not very fulfilling.
Hey Eileen47 and anyone else that actually still believes the made up nonsense about a resurrection. If you actually used your brains and questioned the damned clergy, you'd soon realize that as a Jew, it was the most important responsibility of any and all Hebrews, then, as well as today, to bury the dead within 24 hours or the next sundown, whichever came/comes first, excluding a death on Friday, which would mean not on Sabbath (Saturday for Jews). The bottom line is some good Jews got into the cave, removed the body and buried him. The damned religion didn't get a real start until about 80-100 A.D., so nobody was really around to tell anyone what happened; at least outside his family. So my friends, Christianity got it's start because you decided to believe something without another (totally logical) explanation. Have no fear, Judaism is an offshoot of Hinduism, which is polytheistic. Gee, wasn't Abraham a Hindu and he decided to follow just one and not all the gods? Intelligence and common sense, even without the need for Physics, tells a sane person that god is Santa Claus' brother; or was it Pinocchios' son?
Matt-2631617, you're saying that some good Jews managed to get past the Roman guards that were posted in front of the cave and steal the body of Jesus? And eleven of the disciples of Jesus were willing to be martyred for this hoax?
God is all-powerful and all-knowing. When humans don't listen to Him and intentionally ignore Him or, even worse, intentionally disobey Him, misery always follows.
Read MT 16: 13 - 20. If God is good, wouldn't He make sure that humans can be confident that they can know what human actions He says are morally right and what human actions He says are morally wrong? Jesus founded the Catholic Church by appointing Peter as Her head. Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit to protect Her from teaching error. Jesus told Peter whatever you hold bound on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you hold loose on earth shall be held loose in heaven. When the Church exercises her Magisterial Teaching Authority through official Church documents on Faith and Morals humans can be confident that these are God's pronouncements about what human actions are morally right and what human actions are morally wrong. If you disagree, where does your moral authority come from? Also, as proof, it was also predicted about 2,000 years ago that the Catholic Church would survive until Jesus Second Coming. What other hierarchal human institution has survived that long—and predicted it would be so? Given these two facts, what are the odds that the Catholic Church surviving as it has is just a "coincidence" or the reason it survived is because one set of humans is more successful at "pulling the wool" over the rest of humanity? The Bible came from the Catholic Church. It really becomes a question of authority. Catholics believe that the Church is the authority on Faith and Morals. (Read 1 Timothy 3:15.) But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. The Catholic church, and not the Bible is the foundation of Truth.
God is good. He not only revealed himself to Abraham, Moses and other Jewish Prophets, but also through Jesus and even now through the Holy Spirit. You follow God's laws you will ultimately prosper; you ignore it, you will collapse and be overrun by some other society. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit protects the Church when it makes official pronouncements on faith and morals. It is the pronouncement that is protected; the person making them or working for the Catholic Church is human and therefore sinful. In other words, it is the Holy Spirit working through Man when these pronouncements on Faith and Morals are made. God, because He is good, won't let this institution be destroyed. Otherwise humans would have to look at another human being's interpretation about what is moral and good. As such, what the Catholic Church teaches is not man controlling man, it is far greater than that--it is God leading man to happiness in this life and in the next.
The shroud has been made available for scientific analysis, with no conclusive results. As to its origin at the time of Jesus, I can't believe that. It may well have been a burial shroud for someone, but not Jesus of Nazareth.
The results have, indeed, been conclusive. It is a forgery. Independent tests at three separate institutes determined that the shroud material could be dated to 1260–1390 AD, with 95% confidence. This dating matches the appearance of the shroud in the 13th-14th centuries. Pigment has also been conclusively detected, indicating the image was added to the fabric in a conventional manner.
Objections have been raised by a few church figures, but they cannot refute the results with any authority. It is clearly a fake.
The shroud is a marvelous artifact displayed in the Middle ages and venerated as the cloth that wrapped the body of Jesus Christ. Interestingly The Catholic Church being quite sure of it's authenticity allowed a Carbon dating test to be performed on the shroud, but the sample was taken from a repaired section of the shroud, and gave a reading of somewhere in the area of 1300 C.E. that's squares with the facts of it's discovery and display...the further investigation shows that pollen is embedded into the fibers of the cloth are from Israel...and further, a complete reconstructed image was created from a computer program designed to find out if the image was genuine...the program found that the image complied with the laws of 2 dimensional impression covering a 3 dimensional corpse. The face and body looked amazingly like the indigenous people of Palestine today and further the image is literally burned into the the fabric beyond the surface, meaning that the transformation of the Christ figure was beyond anyone's understanding or ability to fake as a pinted surface image. Say what you will, it is an amazing image and no one knows how or why it has survived except that it seems to provoke devotion from believers and the opposite in non-believers, which is exactly what a rational observer expect to find in 2012.
"...but the sample was taken from a repaired section of the shroud..."
That statement has been refuted and it has been clearly established that the samples were taken from the main body of the shroud, away from the charred and patched areas. That allegation is a desperate attempt by the "faithful" to discredit the findings of the researchers.
It is important to understand that even the weave of the fabric is completely unlike anything used in the region surrounding Jerusalem in the period that jesus is supposed to have lived.
Peer reviewed by whom? The catholic church or another cultish organization? The original experts who collected the samples took them from the main body, not the patches. These were scientists and they were smart enough to take samples that were not corrupted by fire damage or the patches.
They agreed it was representative of the body of the fabric that composed the original shroud. They determined it was made in the 13th-14th centuries. The herringbone weave of the fabric was not used at the time jesus is alleged to have lived, either. The ruddy pigment with which it has been painted contains hematite, also used to make rouge. It is, quite simply, the sort of fake that was common during the middle ages. It possesses nothing so remarkable that it couldn't have been produced by a crew of skilled artisans.
problem with you, you are not well informed. It has already been proved by EVERYONE but Walter McCrone that it is not a painting. Paintings DO NOT create a 3D image. AND the negative photo you see of the image was not available to anyone BEFORE 1898!
Um... good argument? ;-) Dude, painters create the illusion of 3 dimensions all the time. Which is academic, of course: the Shroud is not historically accurate (Roman-empire Hebrews used three cloths wound laterally, not one cloth folded longitudinally,) the blood is actually red pigment, the image does not match a projection of a face onto a cloth wrapped around it (wrap a sheet around a mannequin head covered with ink and see what the image looks like. Not like the Shroud, I warrant,) and radiometric dating of the cloth (which were deliberately taken from unburnt sections of teh Shroud to avoid precisely the complications that have been mentioned) place the Shroud at somewhere between 8 to 9 centuries old. But hey... if you want to ignore all of that because you can't possibly figure out how someone painted the face to look so good, be my guest. ;-)
The image on the Shroud is not a photo-negative. You know how I know that? Look at the hair. It's black. A true photo-negative of the Shroud shows a man with white hair and beard, which hardly matches what Jesus supposedly looks like. the image on the Shroud is perfectly reproducible using bas-relief rubbing techniques available during the Middle Ages. No brushstrokes, no muss and fuss. Besides, you still haven't addressed the other problems I spoke to. care to try? ;-) | eng | f36bbe7a-ae2e-41dd-b9ff-30644fc54587 | http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/04/04/11020390-holy-shroud-was-resurrection-story-inspired-by-the-cloth?threadId=3387057&commentId=64281644 |
Building a Coherent Web:
Using Structure-Building Text and Hypertext To Facilitate
Engagement and Understanding of News About Complex Issues
1
JUNG-SOOK LEE COMPETITION
Building a Coherent Web:
Using Structure-Building Text and Hypertext
To Facilitate Engagement and Understanding
of News About Complex Issues.
Despite the Web's catapult of content into every corner of the country
during the past two decades, many questions remain about how Web browsers
navigate and process the potentially overwhelming amount of content.
This study
utilizes a cognitive approach by synthesizing literature from text
comprehension
and communication to investigate effects of text and link structure
on the Web.
From the outset, some scholars argued that the Web's network structure
was consistent with human memory (Bieber et al., 1997; Shirk, 1992) and that a
comprehender with the ability to control his/her own navigation will
learn more
than those without the freedom of control (Young, 1996).
Others argued that one's interactivity eventually overwhelms the Web
user's limited capacity to comprehend content, inhibiting learning (Darken &
Sibert, 1996; McDonald & Stevenson, 1996). This claim is supported by
data that
suggest the brain's limited capacity is quickly exceeded by a
continuous string of
information (Lang, 2000).
Related to the level of user interactivity, some researchers investigated
differences between the more passive (or "linear") print medium and
the arguably
more interactive (or "non linear") Internet structure. To measure
interactivity,
some researchers recorded the choices that users made as they navigated Web
pages and links to other Web pages (Eveland & Dunwoody, 2001; Fredin, 1997;
2
Tremayne, 2004; Tremayne & Dunwoody, 2001). The outcome was that users of
more complex sites generally engaged in more interactive behavior and
demonstrated greater cognitive elaboration and subsequent recall of content
(Tremayne & Dunwoody, 2001). At the same time, others noted effects of
familiarity with a Web site on learning. For example, the time needed
for users to
orient to novel Web sites replaces the time to actually learn content
regardless of
users' self-reported Web expertise (Dunwoody, 2001).
Mixed results from research indicating either significant differences in
learning across media (Chen & Rada, 1996) or little difference across media
(Dillon & Gabbard, 1998) may explain why some conclude that it is the
organizational structure of Web content and reading patterns that are most
interesting (Eveland & Dunwoody, 2001). Other studies found varying effects of
story structure on readers' suspense, curiosity and enjoyment
(Knobloch et al.,
2004) and some have correlated message structures with varying emotional
responses (Bower & Cohen, 1982; Knobloch et al., 2004; Lang, Newhagen, &
Reeves, 1996).
Based on this collection of findings, this study explores effects of the
relationship of news text with hypertext on the Web. Of particular
interest is news
about complex issues (such as science and technology), which is exposed to Web
users with limited knowledge for the content. This exploration is
based on claims
that four out of five Americans cannot read and understand the
science section of
The New York Times (Miller, 2004). The general question therefore, is:
How does linearity in text hypertext links affect Web browsers'
engagement and understanding (learning) of news about complex issues?
3
Dependent variables focus on the audience's interest in and understanding
of the news content. This study has two goals. First, based on theory of text
comprehension, a model is proposed for the structure of text and hypertext.
Second, an experimental design is utilized to test the structural model by
measuring readers' engagement (interest) and understanding (comprehension).
Text Comprehension and Message Structure
Many journalism educators maintain that the traditional "inverted
pyramid" structure – which places the most current details first in a
news story –
may be particularly important for news on the Web (Stovall, 2002). The pyramid
structure can draw scanning users in, encouraging them to read the
story (Foust,
2005). While the pyramid structure may be effective in communicating news
that is relatively familiar to the audience, some psychologists argue
that less
familiar news content is a form of discourse processing and not just a direct
representation of events (van Dijk, 1983). A story's lead sentence or
paragraph is
often followed by unrelated details without clarification or
explanation resulting
in poor coherence in the message (van Dijk, 1983, 1985, 1988). Poor
coherence in
unfamiliar text may play a major role in how low knowledge readers develop
relations of the concepts embedded in the text (Roller, 1990).
Based on this theory and research of models of text comprehension such
as the Structure Building Framework (Gernsbacher, 1993, 1996; Gernsbacher,
1990a) and the Construction-Integration Model (Kintsch & van Dijk, 1978) this
study applies the importance of coherence to the comprehension of
news content.
4
Fundamentally, text comprehension models predict that readers begin
building a mental representation of the text s/he is reading by first
"laying a
foundation" and then map incoming information that relates to the foundation
(Gernsbacher, 1996).
A reader's mental structure is either enhanced by new information that
relates to the previously read information or suppressed by less coherent or
unfamiliar information (Gernsbacher & Faust, 1991a, 1991b). Readers with
limited prior knowledge may be forced to "shift" by developing substructures
(Gernsbacher, Varner, & Faust, 1990b).
Similarly, the Construction-Integration model (Kintsch & van Dijk, 1978)
posits that readers' comprehension depends on the ability to generate
associative
links within the text to understand the content. This may be
particularly important
when frequent topic changes in news contribute to discontinuity,
forcing readers
to unscramble bits of information and then piece those bits together
(van Dijk,
1985, 1988). How do these models relate to the structure of news text and
hypertext, which may be less coherent?
Linearity of news hypertext: axial vs. network
Previous studies have found that the relationship between authors and
readers suggest that structure of text and hypertext may be an
important variable
and a significant dimension of difference across media (Eveland et al., 2002;
Eveland, Krisztina, & Seo, 2004). This interaction is further complicated by
inherit features of the Web itself (i.e. hypertext links) which may
further affect
coherence of the message. For example, data indicate that the amount of
5
interaction on the Web - as defined by the number of link choices – are on the
increase. One analysis of 1,500 Web stories found that the average number of
hypertext links to "related content" increased significantly between 1997 and
2001 from three links per story to more than nine links per story (Tremayne,
2004). The increasing trend of links prompts further questions about the
relationships between interactivity, news content, coherence and reader
knowledge.
To pursue these questions, this study proposes to measure understanding
of news and the relationship of that knowledge to the coherent structures of
hypertext. Engebretsen (2000) adapted previous work by Van Dijk (1988) and
others (Figure 1) to theorize the importance of coherence in hypertext links.
______________________________
Insert Figure 1 about here
______________________________
Engebretsen differentiates between an axial link structure and a network
link structure (Figure 2).
The axial link structure consists of a central main node or "trunk" in
which interactive links relate to specific hypertext in the story
(left diagram in
Figure 2). Each link within the axial structure provides the reader
with the option
for supplemental information, but the structure does not offer
readers access to
countless and potentially disorienting other links on the Internet.
6
______________________________
Insert Figure 2 about here
______________________________
A more common structure of ubiquitous links on the Web is what
Engebretsen calls the network link structure (right diagram in Figure
2). Network
structures consist of interconnected links that offer readers options
more than one
link. The network structure can connect Web users to an unlimited number of
texts, topics or subjects. The reader chooses which links are accessed and the
order in which the links are accessed.
Based on the research in cognitive psychology, there are at least two
theoretical arguments why the axial structure may provide the
strongest support
for understanding of complex news story. First, recall from the Structure-
Building Framework that incoming information during the reading process
triggers activation in a reader's mental structure. Depending on the
subsequent
information read, a reader's mental structure is either enhanced by new
information that relates to previously read information or suppressed
by unrelated
(i.e. unfamiliar) information. Secondly, according to the
Construction-Integration
model, relational density is the number of associative links between a first
sentence (in a story or paragraph) and subsequent sentences. In a
hypertext story,
an association in links does not necessarily mean an association in
story content
(or story coherence).
7
Based on these arguments, the axial structure could more reliably expose
low-knowledge readers to coherent information that consistently enhances
activation and increases the chances of relational density of
subsequent text that is
read online. For the network structure to satisfy such a process,
each node or link
in the story with links would need to provide the relational density
for activation
of a Web user's appropriate prior knowledge. It is unrealistic to
assume that a
writer of hypertext news has the time and the resources to verify that such
parameters are fulfilled in every link of every story.
While some believe that the Internet offers proper use of contextual
information because the medium satisfies users who want shorter, fact-driven
accounts as well as users wanting context, interpretation, and
opinion (Tremayne,
2004), it is not clear how such contextual information might be affected by
coherence of links when that information is read by those without prior
knowledge of the content.
To illustrate the potential complexity of one story, Tremayne (2004)
describes a CNN.com news story consisting of two to three paragraphs that
present eight different events in the War on Iraq. The story features numerous
links to additional material including: (1) the full 800-word story;
(2) two other
stories related to one of the incidents; (3) two slide shows; (4)
five video reports;
and (5) two interactive maps. Tremayne notes, "Most of these pages
have links to
still more related material" (p. 238).
Even if the linked material related to the topic of the main story, the
question is whether one can assume that the information provides the coherence
and explanation to facilitate readers' situational understanding. In
other words, is
8
the importance of coherence in text for situational understanding more or less
important to hypertext content?
Some might respond that the dominant path for textual coherence is
always when text is read line by line (Bolter, 1991). Others argue
that the popular
belief that the Internet's manipulability mass of information can
enhance human
learning is a myth (Dillon, 1996). "To date, the claims have far exceeded the
evidence and few hypertext systems have been shown to lead to either greater
comprehension or significantly better performance levels. Clearly,
mere exposure
to information is not enough for learning to occur, which we really
always knew"
(p. 31-32).
The assumption in this study is that regardless of the number or the
content of nodes, the next line of hypertext to be read by a Web user must
maintain explanatory structure building if the reader is to be
engaged and if the
story facilitates application of the reader's prior knowledge. This may be
particularly important to news about complex stories about science and
technology since studies have found that only 10 percent or less of
science stories
in 70 U.S. newspapers provided explanations of scientific terms (Long, 1995;
Long et al., 1991; Long, 1991). Accordingly:
Hypothesis 1: Explanatory structure-building news will produce greater
situational interest for stories with coherent axial links than stories in the
traditional inverted pyramid structure with network links.
Hypothesis 2: Explanatory structure-building news will produce greater
situational understanding for stories with coherent axial links than stories
in the traditional inverted pyramid structure with network links.
9
The model proposed in this study posits that a reader's interest in reading
unfamiliar news content relates to the readers situational
understanding for that
news (Figure 3). After reading a story's lead sentence or paragraph,
the reader's
cognitive system is prepared for decisions to either continue or stop
reading and
interpreting subsequent text. In the case of news on the Internet, where
competition for readers' attention can be literally overwhelming, the
structural
functions of a story's first sentence(s) could mean the difference
between a reader
continuing or terminating his/her engagement. Coherence of text and hypertext,
therefore, should ultimately affect understanding of content.
METHOD
Design
A 2 (text structure) x 2 (hypertext structure) mixed factorial design. The
within subjects factor of text structure varied on two levels:
original (inverted
pyramid) or ESB (explanatory structure building). The between subjects
independent variable story type consisted of the two levels axial
hypertext vs.
network hypertext structure.
Participants
The sample included 301 undergraduates (73% female, 27% male, 48%
sophomores, 28% juniors, mean age = 19.8 years, SD = 1.75) recruited from four
courses at a large midwestern university including: an introductory
meteorology
class, an introductory composition course, and both an introductory and
intermediate level journalism course. All students earned extra
course credit in
exchange for their participation, which was voluntary.
10
Materials
The original text from two news stories from the New York Times were
used as stories in the traditional inverted pyramid structure (Appendix). The
content of story one (health), dated July 24, 2003, covered cancer
research and
consisted of 642 words. Story two (technology), dated February 12, 2004,
reported nanotechnology and consisted of 775 words. These stories were chosen
because: (1) Both stories appeared on the New York Times' Web site, but not on
the home page; (2) Both stories contained content about science and technology
and; (3) Both stories appeared more than six months prior to the study.
Operationally, each original New York Times story was modified into the
explanatory structure-building format by performing theoretically motivated
operations. In accordance with van Dijk's analysis (1988), each
paragraph of the
story was categorized by content (i.e. history, context, reaction,
explanation, etc.)
Paragraphs were then rearranged to conform to the concepts of coherence and
explanation previous discussed in the literature. For example, number of
paragraphs in the health story was reduced from 15 to 13 and
"credits" (or details
about the researchers and their institutions) and, in the ESB
structure, the credits
were moved to after the story's situation is explained to the reader. In other
words, explanatory text was added to facts there were originally presented in
order of importance.
After arranging paragraphs for structure building, sentence-level relational
density and explanation was analyzed by dividing each sentence into individual
"idea units," where each unit conveys a single event, state, or action (Mayer,
1985). Mayer's goal is to manipulate reading strategy by applying
operations to
11
target idea units. Specifically, instead of presenting ideas in order of
"importance," Mayer manipulates text design to encourage a reader's
reflective or
elaborative processing. Mayer does this by organizing text around key
idea units
instead of dropping idea units into a text. According to Mayer,
breaking a text into
idea units helps to identify which terms and processes need
explanation so that
problem solving can occur.
Idea units may or may not supply the information for low knowledge
readers to make appropriate inferences for situational understanding.
Therefore,
the third and final step is to identify which idea units are "explanative."
To illustrate, by using the New York Times health story used in this study,
the original contained 814 words and was dissected into 222 idea units. Within
those 222 units, 55 scientific terms were identified. Of the 55
scientific terms,
only two were accompanied by explanatory text, indicating that approximately
96% of the unexplained scientific terms in the story required low knowledge
readers to use prior science knowledge to generate the appropriate
inferences for
situational understanding. The rewriting of original sentences or
paragraphs was
minimal. Modified versions of each story appear in appendix.
Participants were asked to indicate their level of interest in continuing to
read the story after the story's lead paragraph by clicking to select
one of five
statements representing a scale of 0-6 (with 0 = participant wishing
to terminate
reading and 6 = participant interested in reading more). After
reading the story in
its entirety, participants again selected one of five statements to
indicate how
interesting they found the story (with 0 = not at all interesting and 6 = very
interesting).
12
Measurement of situational understanding included a battery of different
question types, given the theoretical notion that a situational understanding
includes both recall of explicit text base information and free
recall or sorting of
details requiring reader inferences. Therefore, in addition to 12 true/false
questions and a detailed multiple choice question about explicit
details presented
by the text base, participants were required to apply prior knowledge and
generated inferences to accurately sort 15 different terms and processes into
contextual categories.
So that both stories were approximately the same word length, the last
sentences of the nanotechnology story (the longer of the two stories) were
removed. Second, two sets of five links (one set representing axial
links and the
other set network links) were added to both stories. Both sets of
links related to
the same content within the story except that the network links
connected to an
external Web site related to the story. Axial links (embedded within the text)
connected to separate window that displayed a brief explanation of
that particular
term. None of the axial links took readers to an external site with
additional links.
Readers only needed to close the link window to proceed with the main
story text.
In terms of content, based on comments from study one related to reader
interest in the health story, most occurrences of the word "tumor"
were changed
to either "growth" or "abnormal tissue." There were structural
modifications to
the texts of either story.
13
Procedure:
Approximately two weeks prior to the experiment, participants registered
online and completed the same 12 items of civic scientific literacy
used in study
one plus self-reported levels of interest and levels of familiarity
for various types
of news, including news about health, technology, sports, and politics. Each
online registrant received an E-mail confirming one of six
experimental sessions
to which they were assigned and a "subject ID" number.
Upon arrival at one of two windowless computer labs, each containing
twelve identical Macintosh iMAC computers, participants were presented a
consent form for signature and told to choose any one of the computer
stations to
begin. Each consent form included a number corresponding to a numbered menu
displayed on each computer. (Each number on the computer menu represented the
text version of the stories to be read.) After signing their consent
form, each
participant read the same on-screen instructions then clicked the menu item
indicated on their consent form.
Before clicking a second button to begin the experiment, each participant
entered their "subject ID number" so that their data could be
associated with their
online pre-test completed two weeks prior. Each participant was then
exposed to
the health and technology stories, one in the original (inverted
pyramid) structure
and the other story in the modified (explanatory structure building)
format. To
reduce the effects of order, the presentation of stories was counter-balanced.
Similar to study one (but on a scale of 0-5), participants indicated their
level of interest after reading each story's lead paragraph and after
the entire
story. After reading both stories, each participant completed an online
14
questionnaire, including how many of the five links the participant
clicked in each
story and, if clicked, how useful they found the links to be.
Identical to study one,
participants completed the same sequence of free recall, sorting and
true/false
questions used in study one with the exception of changes of a few
questions to
accommodate the shortening of technology story and a final question
asking each
participant for their cumulative grade point average. After clicking
the "submit"
button participants were exposed to a "thank you" screen, the option
of reading a
debriefing of the experiment if desired, and instructions to please
quietly leave the
lab.
Results
As a manipulation check for story familiarity on a scale of 0 to 5 (with 0
equating to no familiarity and 5 representing much familiarity with
the content),
scores were less than one for both stories (M = .98, SD =1.31 for the
health story
and M = .42, SD = .91 for the technology story). 56% of the
participants reported
"0" familiarity with the stories. Only 3 participants reported a "5"
and these three
were excluded from the study.
To test for homogeneity across participants, an analysis of variance
(ANOVA) detected no significant differences between the axial and network
hypertext groups in pre-test measures of civic scientific literacy,
the amount of
time on the Web, the amount of time browsing online news, the number of either
science courses or math courses and grade point average.
15
Table 1 first presents data each of the four repeated measures of text
structure. The four groups are then divided by the between subject factor of
network links versus the axial link condition.
Network links
For group, 1, situational interest, (M = 1.10, SD = 1.31) for the technology
(structure building) story was significantly less than interest in
the original health
inverted pyramid story (M = 2.39, SD = 1.26). ANOVA indicated an F (1,78) =
121.816, p = < .001, eta .61. Situational understanding for the
technology story in
the structure building format (M = 28.56, SD = 9.09) was also less than the
understanding of the original health text (M = 37.32, SD = 8.08). The
difference
was also statistically significant with F (1,78) = 1400.685, p = <
.001, eta .95.
These data failed to support hypotheses 1 and 2.
For the second network link group, the original technology inverted
pyramid story produced greater situational interest, (M = 2.31, SD
=1.32) than the
modified health story (M = 1.91, SD = 1.33). The difference was significant F
(1,73) = 22.652, p = < .001, eta .24. H1 is not supported. Conversely, the
original technology inverted pyramid story produced less situational
understanding (M = 30.20, SD = 8.00) than the modified health story
(M = 34.54,
SD = 8.71), and this difference was significant F (1,73) = 1331.872,
p = < .001,
eta .95. H2 is supported. Figure 4 illustrates the trends in interest and
understanding for groups 1 and 2.
Axial links
participants in the axial link structure produced results more
consistent with what
one would expect when investigating coherence in text and hypertext.
technology story (M = 1.33, SD = 1.26) was less than the
self-reported interest in
the health story modified for coherence (M = 2.43, SD = 1.35) and
this difference
was significant F (1,73) =138.16, p = < .001, eta .651. Similarly, situational
understanding of the original (IP) technology story (M = 27.12, SD = 8.66) was
also less than the understanding of the modified health version (M =
36.85 SD =
7.84) representing a statistically significant difference F (1,73) =
1404.33 p =
<.001 eta .95. Both H1 and H2 are supported.
= 1.80, SD = 1.34) was greater than interest in the original health
IP story (M =
1.57, SD = 1.40), and the difference was significant F (1, 73) =
43.43, p = < .001.
Similarly, the modified technology story with axial links (M = 32.59
SD = 8.38)
scored higher in understanding than the original health news text (M
= 27.47, SD
= 8.26) producing a significant difference F(1,73) = 1187.69 p = <.001. As in
group 3 with the axial link condition, H1 and H2 are both supported
by the results
of group 4. . The means of both groups are summarized graphically in Figure 5.
16
Unlike the results from the first two network link groups, data from
Specifically, for group 3, reader interest in the original (inverted pyramid)
Finally, in group 4, situational interest in the technology ESB version (M
17
DISCUSSION
This research proposed that unfamiliar and complex news (in this case,
news about science and technology), structured in the traditional
inverted pyramid
with network links might reduce interest and understanding of the
news content.
The rationale was that such a format may limit explanation of key
concepts to the
audience, provide greater incoherence and impute reader familiarity for the
content.
Results from two stories in two link structures elucidate how message
structure can have profound effects on the level of readers' understanding and
interest in important news issues. Therefore, based on a rich history
of research in
cognitive psychology about how individuals process textual
information, a claim
could be made that, collectively, news reporting information about complex
issues, structured for more coherence and explanation, could enhance the
engagement of low-knowledge readers and their subsequent understanding of
situations (terms and processes) in news. Clearly, link structure
appears to play a
major role in whether a given text structure is effective.
Regardless of a consistent preference for health news over technology
news by readers tested in this study, explanatory structure building
with axial
links appeared to significantly enhance situational understanding of content.
One cannot, however, avoid the possible explanation from previous
research that
more interactivity may also affect the level of content-specific
recall (Tremayne
& Dunwoody, 2001). Based on this possible explanation, a post-hoc analysis
was conducted on the total number of links clicked by each of the four groups
18
tested. Interesting, as represented by Figure 6, the axial hypertext structure
appeared to spark more link engagement (as measured by the total number of
story links clicked).
Overall, participants exposed to stories with axial links were at least three
times more likely to click on a link than an a participant reading
the same story
with a network hypertext link structure.
A closer look at interactivity by story and link condition, however (Figure
7), reveals that in the axial condition (n = 149), the difference in
self-reported use
of the five links between the original stories (MaxialIP = .82, SD =
1.32) and the
modified ESB text (MaxialESB = .69, SD = 1.23) was not statistically
different F (1,
148) = 3.185, p < ns. In the network condition (n = 146), the
difference in selfreported
use of the five links provided in the original ESB text structure
(MnetworkESB = .51, SD = .81) was more than twice the number of links used for
stories in the original IP text (MnetworkIP = .24, SD = .60)
resulting in a significant
difference in link use F (1, 145) = 17.053, p < .001.
Also, Pearson correlations of reader interest with link use revealed that the
number of links clicked for the IP story was positively related to
interest in the IP
stories r (146) = .26, p = <. 002, and number of links used for the
ESB stories was
positively related to interest in ESB stories r (145) = .17, p = <. 046. Only
interest in the original IP stories (where fewer clicks were used) correlated
significantly with situational understanding stories r (148) = .35, p
= <. 001. This
suggests that although readers reported more interest in the original inverted
pyramid stories (and consequently appeared to experience a deeper
understanding
of the inverted pyramid stories it appears that more link use in the structure
19
building (ESB) story condition meant more reader engagement. A weaker
argument, based on these data, is that greater use of network links
(independent of
the structure building process in text) appears to inhibit
situational understanding.
In summary, the difference in link use for the stories with network links is
significant. This significance (based on the fact that more links
were used for both
stories in the structure building version) may suggest that the greater use of
network links resulted in less interest and less understanding of the
stories with
network links. If so, this suggests that the coherence of text can
provide only so
much benefit to a reader on the Web. If this correct, the structure
of links and the
corresponding interactivity related to these links would appear to be
paramount to
a user's interest in and understanding of news on the Web.
Limitations:
As with any experimental study, exposing two science and technology
stories to participants in a controlled environment offers limited
external validity.
Although this poses a limitation to this study, it is important to place into
perspective the goal of this study. The goal was not to simply
measure how well
the audience comprehends a news story about science and technology, but how
the audience responds to unfamiliar news content using variations of text and
hypertext structures.
Although it could be noted that this study, like so many others, focused on
college students, it is this segment of the online population that,
arguably, should
be of primary interest to those committed to more public engagement
science and
technology (Miller, 1987, 1995).
Conclusions
with limited knowledge about the content? Results from this study suggest that
the answer is 'no," and some assumptions about the level of public
understanding
of content such as science and technology may be premature without first
verifying the effectiveness of the message structure to engage the
low-knowledge
audience for deeper understanding.
a story is structured textually and with hypertext links may reap substantial
benefits. Without such an effort, one might be content with the
assumption that
news about complex issues, such as science and technology, should generally be
directed to only the "science attentive public." This research suggests that
opportunities may exist to increase the population of that audience.
20
Can we to assume that all news is appropriately structured for an audience
Data collected in this study suggest that paying particular attention to how
21
Figure 1. van Disk's hypothetical structure of a news schema.
Source: van Dijk (1988). Reprinted with permission from the publisher
and author.
Figure 2. Connective axial link structure(left) vs. associated
network links (right).
22
Source: Engebretsen (2000).
23
Figure 3: Proposed model of reader engagement
and situational understanding of complex news.
Group 1: Network Links
Situational Interest
Situational Understanding
Group 2: Network Links
Situational Interest
Situational Understanding
Group 3: Axial Links
Situational Interest
Situational Understanding
Group 4: Axial Links
Situational Interest
Situational Understanding
Table 1. Within subject means of text vs. hypertext structure
* = highest means per group
M
STORY 1
SD
Tech ESB
1.31
9.09
1.10
28.56
Health ESB
1.33
8.71
1.91
*34.54
Tech IP
1.26
8.66
1.33
27.12
Health IP
1.40
8.26
1.57
27.47
24
M
STORY 2
SD
Health IP
* 2.39
* 37.32
1.26
8.08
Tech IP
* 2.31
30.20
1.32
8.00
Health ESB
*2.43
*36.85
1.35
7.84
Tech ESB
*1.80
*32.59
1.34
8.38
Figure 4. Situational interest and understanding with network links
25
Figure 5. Situational interest and understanding with axial links
26
\
Figure 6. Total links used by text and hypertext structure
27
28
Axial Links Network Links
Figure 7. Total links used by story, text structure and hypertext structure
29
APPENDIX
Benign Viruses Shine on the Silicon Assembly Line
ORIGINAL New York Times version
Reprinted with permission from The New York Times Company.
(Page 1)
Living organisms do a fine job of growing crystals, like the ones
that make up abalone shells, for
example. But there are lots of other inorganic materials, including
those that make up
semiconductors, that living things haven't gotten around to
producing. That may change, though,
with some help from a tiny benign virus and a professor at the
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
[ Participant clicks to indicate level of interest in story (on a
scale of 0-6)
before proceeding to next page ]
(Page 2)
Taking over where nature left off, the professor, Angela M. Belcher,
has induced the virus to
produce, at last count, roughly 30 inorganic materials with semi
conducting or magnetic
properties.
"We have forced organisms to grow some of the technologically
interesting materials that nature
hasn't had the opportunity yet to work with," said Dr. Belcher, an
associate professor of materials
science.
Now she and her team report in the journal Science that they have
selectively altered the DNA in
their viruses to generate a variety of tiny wires made of magnetic
and semi conducting materials.
Such wires may one day be part of the extremely small circuitry in
the next generation of evershrinking
high-speed electronic components. "It's amazing," she said. "Not only
does the virus
make this nice semiconductor wire at room temperature, but all the
crystals are aligned."
The shape of the new wires offers not only beauty but utility as
well, said William S. Rees Jr.,
director of the Molecular Design Institute at the Georgia Institute
of Technology and currently on
leave at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. "The
entire field of nanoelectronics
depends upon the ability to mass produce cost-effective components,"
he said, "and she has
opened the door to this."
Most nano wires currently tend to be less than uniform in shape, he
said, but Dr. Belcher has
produced highly regular forms. "Hers are all the same diameters and
length," he said. "It's similar
to grass growing in your front lawn when it's well manicured and each
blade is the same height."
Dr. Belcher's team uses the virus as a temporary scaffolding on which
the crystals grow. The
viruses are first altered by the insertion of a few amino acid
chains, called peptides, so that they
attract a particular material like zinc sulfide or cadmium sulfide.
As the material starts to form a
crystal on the virus, Dr. Belcher adds elemental components of zinc
sulfide or cadmium sulfide in
a solution, and the crystals grow into individual nanowires. Then the
virus is baked away.
It is all a matter of affinity, molecular recognition and genetic
programming, Dr. Belcher said.
"We programmed the virus to grow a particular material at a
particular length," she said. "Then we
burned off the virus and were left with single-crystal semiconductor wires."
"Viruses are nice stuff to work with," she said, but she and her
colleagues are starting to use the
technique with other organisms, too. Thomas N. Theis, director of
physical sciences at I.B.M.
Research in Hawthorne, N.Y., describes Dr. Belcher's work as part of
a relentless drive toward
miniaturization of complex electronic structures, and predicts that
it will have a big impact. "This
kind of chemistry could revolutionize many manufacturing processes by
making them less
expensive," he said.
Dr. Belcher has jointly founded a company, Semzyme, with Evelyn L.
Hu, a professor of electrical
engineering at the University of California at Santa Barbara, to try
to bring the technology to the
marketplace.
Dr. Belcher started her research into this method for making
nanowires in early 2000, when she
took a library of viruses that were identical except for one DNA
insert coded for the production of
a random peptide. She wanted to see whether, by virtue of the
peptides they produced, some of
those viruses would attract and bind with semiconducting materials.
Most had no effect and were discarded. When they did find a promising
virus, copies of it were
made by inserting it into a living bacterial cell. "Then we had a
population of a virus with some
affinity to a semiconductor," she said.
The group tested for attraction under increasingly stringent
conditions, replicating successful
candidates again and again. The procedure gradually grew more
streamlined. "By now it only
takes us two weeks," Dr. Belcher said.
That accomplished, she began using the viruses to create nanowires.
The process is independent of
the virus used. "This is actually a genetic tool kit for growing and
organizing nanowires for these
semiconducting and magnetic materials," Dr. Belcher said.
Dr. Belcher pointed out that the self-assembling her materials did
was quite different from the
dreaded self-replication so often evoked by foes of nanotechnology.
"These materials don't
replicate themselves," she said. They can be programmed only to
assemble in a particular place in
a particular shape.
30
31
Benign Viruses Shine on the Silicon Assembly Line
Modified ESB VERSION
(Page 1)
Living organisms do a fine job of growing crystals, like the ones
that make up some seashells, for
example. But there are lots of other materials, including those that
make up semiconductors, that
living things cannot yet produce. That may change, though, with help
from a tiny particle that
lives as a parasite in plants and animals. The particle is a harmless virus.
[ Participant clicks to indicate level of interest in story (on a
scale of 0-6)
before proceeding to next page ]
(Page 2)
Professor Angela M. Belcher and her research team at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
report in the journal Science that they have modified the genetics in
viruses to generate a variety of
tiny wires called nanowires, which are made of magnetic and
semiconducting materials.
Nanotechnology is a collective term that refers to developments on
the nanometer scale, or one
millionth of a millimeter in size. Such tiny wires may one day be
part of the small circuitry in the
next generation of ever-shrinking high-speed electronic components.
"It's amazing," Professor
Belcher said. "Not only does the virus make this nice semiconductor
wire at room temperature, but
all the crystals are aligned."
Taking over where nature left off, the researchers, has caused the
virus to produce, at last count,
about 30 materials that have semiconducting or magnetic properties.
Dr. Belcher started her research into this method for making
nanowires in early 2000, when she
experimented with a library of viruses that were nearly identical.
She wanted to see whether,
some of the viruses would attract and bind with semiconducting
materials. Most had no effect and
were discarded.
However, when researchers did find a promising virus, copies of the
virus were made. "Then we
had a population of a virus with some affinity to a semiconductor,"
she said. The group tested for
attraction under strictly controlled conditions, replicating
successful candidates again and again.
The procedure gradually grew more streamlined. "By now, it only takes
us two weeks,"
Dr. Belcher reported. That accomplished, Dr. Belcher, an associate
professor of materials science,
began using the viruses to create nanowires. The production process
is independent of the virus
used. "This is actually a genetic tool kit for growing and organizing
nanowires for these
semiconducting and magnetic materials," Dr. Belcher said.
She pointed out that the process her materials completed was quite
different from the selfreplication
process often noted by opponents of nanotechnology. "These materials
don't replicate
themselves," she said. They can be programmed only to assemble in a
particular place and a
particular shape.
"We have forced organisms to grow some of the technologically
interesting materials
that nature hasn't had the opportunity yet to work with," said Dr.
Belcher. Most nanowires
currently tend to be different in shape, said William S. Rees Jr.,
director of the Molecular Design
Institute at the Georgia Institute of Technology, but Dr. Belcher has
produced highly regular
forms."Hers are all the same diameters and length," said Rees. "It's
similar to grass growing in
your front lawn when it's well manicured and each blade is the same height."
It is all a matter of similarity recognition and programming, Dr.
Belcher said. "We programmed
the virus to grow a particular material at a particular length," she
said. "Then we burned off the
virus and we're left with single-crystal semiconductor wires."
32
"Viruses are nice stuff to work with," Dr. Belcher said, but she and
her colleagues are starting to
use the technique with other organisms, too.
Thomas N. Theis, director of physical sciences at I.B.M. Research in
Hawthorne, N.Y.,
describes Dr. Belcher's work as part of a relentless drive toward
miniaturization of complex
electronics and predicts that it will have a big impact. "This kind
of chemistry could revolutionize
many manufacturing processes by making them less expensive," he said.
The shape of the new wires offers not only beauty but utility as
well, said William Rees "The
entire field of nanoelectronics depends upon the ability to mass
produce cost-effective
components," Rees said, "and she has opened the door to this."
Dr. Belcher's team uses the virus as a platform on which the crystals
grow. The viruses are first
altered so that they attract a particular material. As the material
starts to form a crystal on the
virus, Dr. Belcher adds a solution of elemental components and the
crystals grow into individual
nanowires. Then the virus is baked leaving only the wires.
In the future, Dr. Belcher hopes to make materials that are not only
self-assembling but selfhealing,
too. "You design a circuit and if there's a break, it can heal
itself," she said.
Dr. Belcher has jointly founded a company, Semzyme, with Evelyn L.
Hu, a professor of electrical engineering at the University of
California at Santa Barbara,
to try to bring the technology to the marketplace.
A Budding Tumor Unmasked by the Vessels That Feed It
ORIGINAL New York Times version
Reprinted with permission from The New York Times Company.
(642 words)
(Page 1)
For a tumor to grow, it needs a good supply of blood, which it gets
by switching on the body's
process of blood-vessel making, known as angiogenesis. Researchers
are trying to develop drugs
to inhibit angiogenesis as a way of fighting tumors, but they need
ways to make sure the
inhibitors, which have so far had mixed results, are effective early
in therapy, long before the
vessels affect the tumor itself.
[ Participant clicks to indicate level of interest in story (on a
scale of 0-6)
before proceeding to next page ]
(Page 2)
One computer-based imaging technology may have the potential to
detect changes in the blood
vessels in and around tumors, signaling the power of a particular
inhibitor. The technique, an
adaptation of conventional magnetic resonance imaging, or M.R.I.,
captures up to a thousand
images taken serially of a tumor before, while and after dye is
introduced. Software analyzes the
images, characterizing what the dye (called a contrast agent) has
revealed on its journey into and
out of the tumor - leakiness, for example, a hallmark of vessels that
are being formed.
The technology, called dynamic contrast-enhanced M.R.I., is largely
confined to research
institutions conducting clinical trials and should be considered
experimental, said Dr. Peter L.
Choyke, a radiologist and chief of M.R.I. at the National Institutes
of Health in Bethesda, Md. For
the past three years, Dr. Choyke has been working on refining the
technique in collaboration with
33
Dr. Michael Knopp, a radiologist at the Ohio State University
Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
other researchers.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced M.R.I. is one of several technologies that
provide noninvasive images
of the creation of new blood vessels in animals and humans. It has
shown particular potential in
analyzing extremely small blood vessels, Dr. Choyke said, and might
therefore one day find wide
use in identifying tumors and monitoring therapies that inhibit
angiogenesis. The process yields a
loop of images that can be viewed one after another. "This process
reveals a more complete map
of regional vascular properties of a tumor than single snapshots
taken with M.R.I. could," Dr.
Choyke said.
Characterized by chaotic flow patterns and tortuous paths, blood
vessels in tumors are markedly
different from those in healthy tissue. Leaks are common. "Tumor
vessels are full of holes, and
that allows the contrast agent to leak out readily," Dr. Choyke said.
"That's one of the things we
measure." A judgment on how aggressive a tumor is can be based in
part on this permeability, he
said. "You can characterize a tumor as highly vascular - that is,
amenable to an angiogenic
inhibitor," Dr. Choyke said, in contrast to a lesion that does not
have many blood vessels. The
process might be helpful in determining whether a biopsy is necessary.
Dr. Choyke cited a woman with a high risk for breast cancer whom he
had examined recently.
"We saw a little area in the breast, a nodule," he said. "But it
didn't enhance with the contrast agent
to suggest that it was a highly permeable vascular area, so it didn't
have a pattern suggesting
malignancy." In such a case, he said, it would be possible to
postpone a biopsy.
Dr. Knopp said that dynamic contrast-enhanced M.R.I. might prove
useful in preventing incorrect
biopsy results. "We are recognizing that tumors are not a single
entity, but a heterogeneous array
of features," he said. Dynamic contrast-enhanced M.R.I. can help
guide where the biopsy is
performed. "If you have a bulky tumor, we can show where there is
active tumor tissue and areas
not as representative of the tumor."
In the experimental method described by Drs. Knopp and Choyke in
recent papers, a dye is
injected and scanning is repeated until about 10 minutes of data have
accumulated. Algorithms
analyze the images and map how permeable the blood vessels are, how
much blood is flowing and
the vessels' volume. Workstations with high-resolution displays can
present colorized images of
the data in views that create a composite of many scans.
A Budding Tumor Unmasked by the Vessels That Feed It
Modified ESB VERSION
(638 words)
(Page 1)
For a tumor to grow in your body, it needs blood, which tumors obtain
from your body's ability to
make blood vessels. Researchers are trying to stop tumors with drugs
that stop the growth of blood
vessels, and computer images may show if the drugs are working. The
process might help in
determining whether a surgical biopsy in needed, according to Dr.
Peter L. Choyke of the National
Institutes of Health.
[ Participant clicks to indicate level of interest in story (on a
scale of 0-6)
before proceeding to next page ]
34
(Page 2)
Dr. Choyke cited a woman with a high risk for breast cancer whom he
had examined recently.
"We saw a little area in the breast," he said. "It didn't have a
pattern suggesting malignancy." In
such a case, Dr. Choyke said, it would be possible to postpone a
surgical biopsy.
Dr. Michael Knopp at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer
Center said that the
computer imaging might prove useful in preventing incorrect biopsy
results. "We are recognizing
that tumors are not a single entity, but a heterogeneous array of
features," he said. This imaging
technology can help guide where the biopsy is performed. "If you have
a bulky tumor, we can
show where there is active tumor tissue and areas not as
representative of the tumor."
The computer images, taken as dye is injected into the body's tissue
can show the journey of the
dye into and out of a tumor. Up to one thousand computer images taken
before, during and after
the dye is introduced into the body can indicate if new bloods
vessels are being formed. In the
experimental method described by Drs. Knopp and Choyke in recent
papers, the dye is injected
and scanning is repeated until about 10 minutes of data have
accumulated. The images are
analyzed for how porous the blood vessels are, how much blood is
flowing and the vessels'
volume. High-resolution color images create a movie of many scans.
"This process reveals a more complete map of regional vascular
properties of a tumor than single
snapshots," Dr. Choyke said. Characterized by chaotic flow patterns,
blood vessels in tumors are
markedly different from those in healthy tissue. Leaks are common.
"Tumor vessels are full of
holes, and that allows the contrast agent to leak out readily," Dr.
Choyke said. "That's one of the
things we measure."
The technology, called dynamic contrast-enhanced M.R.I. is one of
several technologies that
provide images of the creation of new blood vessels in animals and
humans. The technology has
shown particular potential in analyzing extremely small blood
vessels, Dr. Choyke said, and might
therefore one day find wide use in identifying tumors and monitoring
therapies that creation of
blood vessels. The technology is not yet in wide use, partly, Dr.
Choyke said, because different
research groups use different software to analyze their data. He
expects a consensus to emerge in
the next few years as standard software becomes widely available and
research groups move
toward a universally accepted way of analyzing the data.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced M.R.I. is largely confined to research
institutions conducting clinical
trials and should be considered experimental, said Dr. Peter L.
Choyke. For the past three years,
Dr. Choyke has been working on refining the technique in
collaboration with Dr. Knopp, at the
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, and other researchers.
"Dynamic enhanced-contrast M.R.I. has the greatest potential - as yet
unrealized - to monitor
therapy early on," Dr. Choyke said. He expects that when drugs stop
new blood vessels from
forming, the M.R.I. will reveal changes in blood vessels that occur
before the tumor responds to
the changes by shrinking or stabilizing. But Dr. Michael O'Reilly,
who did pioneering research
with Dr. Judah Folkman at Children's Hospital in Boston said that
even if such monitoring became
possible, considerable research would still be needed. Even after
studies with the mice are
completed, Dr. O'Reilly predicted, it will be difficult to apply the
results to people.
35
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Technology Research & Development, 44, 17-27. | eng | a3340518-7a93-40f7-827d-c26bea589ada | http://list.msu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0602A&L=AEJMC&T=0&O=A&P=34332 |
Staring at that skull, I was struck by the fact that this ancient child was somebody's baby long ago. Perhaps she was sick, or maybe he e was accident-prone, or perhaps this baby was some predator's dinner. Standing there, I could picture him or her long ago, I, smiling, laughing, and reaching out to grab a mother's breast. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
From a biological point of view, the Taung child represents a specific stage of development for Australopithecines, our ancestors that lived from four to two million years ago. Paleontologists tend to concentrate on adults of any species because adulthood is the mature end product; but fossilized babies and children also give clues to anatomy and physiology, to rates of development and growth. Children are not just miniature versions of adults. There are sound evolutionary reasons why infants and children look and behave the way they do—childhood is a specifically evolved stage in the life course. The Taung child emphasizes the fact that we are not born as adults but go through a lengthy period of growth and change. In this child, and all children, are some of the most important secrets of our anatomy and behavior. There are reasons why mice are born blind and human babies cannot hold their heads up. Natural selection has opted for fawns to stand on their own soon after birth, for human infants to smile automatically, and for baby chimpanzees to cling to their mothers' fur. And all of this makes some sort of natural biological sense. The pattern of birth, infancy, and childhood in any species follows a particular course that eventually outlines adult biology and behavior.
Not all babies are the same. Human babies are rather helpless, interested mostly in food, sleeping, eating, defecating, and comfort. Compare human babies with newborn deer. When fawns are born, they immediately stand up and soon are able to run away from danger. Scientists call these two types of babies in the animal kingdom altricial and precocial. Altricial infants are born helpless, usually after a short gestation or pregnancy, and their brains tend to be not quite finished. Precocial babies usually spend more time in the womb, are more alert at birth with eyes open and a brain able to control their limbs and make them move appropriately; their central nervous systems are more advanced, compared with those of altricial infants. Altricial infants tend to be small-bodied, small-brained, and fast-breeding—^such as mice. Precocial infants tend to be largebodied, big-brained, and slow-breeding—^such as gorillas.
Both are reasonable alternative paths to survival; the altricial baby tends to grow faster after birth, whereas the precocial baby has gone through more of its development while still inside the womb. The size of die brain of typical precocial babies at birth, for example, is 4.5 times bigger than the brain of typical altricial infants of the same body weight. But the difference disappears later in life. The altricial brain grows to 7.5 times its size from birth, whereas the precocial brain grows only 2.5 times; in other words, the smaller brain grows almost three times as fast once it is out of the womb.^ This overall physical and ecological framework is necessary to put our own species into perspective. What dictates a strategy for a precocial or an altricial infant, and why did the human path lead to dependent babies? There are, of course, good biological reasons why our fetuses are born at a certain average time and at a particular size.
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These three birthing strategies—altricial, precocial, and secondary altricial—are all related to a complex of constraints and adaptations that molds one species or another. Ecologists see these strategies as a contin¬ uum. At one end are the species that produce a large number of offspring at a rapid rate while investing little in each infant, such as insects (these are called r-sekcud species). At the other end of the continuum are species that reproduce only occasionally and invest heavily in each infant (called Kselected species).^ Mice, for example, have done best by producing large litters of altricial infants that stay in a nest until they develop. I For most imgulates, the horned and hoofed animals, evolution has opted for large animals with alert, fast precocial babies. And the human line is defined by big-brained babies that come out unfinished. There is no easy answer as to why one path is taken rather than another. Sometimes chance may nudge a species in a certain direction. More often, the pattern can be explained as an adaptation to a particular set of environmental circumstances that favor this or that physical change. So far, we only know that the evolutionary history of humans has moved toward favoring big brains, which in turn necessitated developmental and physiological consequences at birth and during infancy.
In 1896, inventor Martin Cooney designed the incubator, a device veloped to aid premature babies. Cooney was the first to advocate separation of infants from their mothers as a medical procedure for the health of the child. In a bizarre combination of medicine and sideshow. Cooney gathered hundreds of premature babies (they were easy to obtain because doctors assumed premature infants would die), put them into incubators, and exhibited them at various expositions and fairs in Amer¬ ica and Europe."*^ Babies were returned when they reached five pounds. But until then, their mothers were kept away. (Cooney would not allow mothers to visit with their infants, but did give them free passes to the exposition.) A photograph of Cooney's exhibit in San Francisco in 1915 shows a brick building with the tide "Infant Incubators with Living Infants" emblazoned across the facade. Inside the exhibit were rows of tiny metal cabinets looking like microwave ovens with wrapped babies inside. It looks modern for the times, hygienic and sterile, but the mothers are nowhere in sight.
Once settled on Coney Island, Cooney saved more than five thousand premature infants over the next few decades; and to offset the cost of their care, he continued to exhibit the babies up through the 1940s New York World's Fair. Cooney's technique was so successful that it was widely adapted by hospitals across the nation when they built premature infant wards. More broadly, it became standard practice even for normal babies—^it was considered healthier for even these babies to be taken away and placed in incubators where they would be observed by nurses, rather than to be left with their mothers.
In all human cultures there is some sort of father in the typical family, either the biological father or a male maternal relative, who acts in ways that all societies would agree are paternal.^ ^ Anthropologists suggest that biological fathers in particidar have an important parenting role in societies where family life is strong, women contribute to subsistence, the family is an integrated unit of parents and offspring working for the same goal, and men are not preoccupied with being warriors These fathers must be assured of true paternity if they are going to invest in children; thus all societies have many mechanisms, such as legally sanctioned monogamous marriage and heavy punishment for adulterous wives, to reassure fathers that the children of the household are theirs. Although the degree of fathering across cultures varies, the potential for human males to contribute to infant care is great. They can provide food. shelter, protection, and daily care, and they usually do. There is also evidence that males can be intimately connected to their children, and that they have been selected by evolution to be good fathers.
s any new mother or father knows, nothing so invites advice as a new baby in the house. Other parents. Grandma, the lady next door, a stranger on the street, the family physician, and stacks and stacks of child-care books are happy to give directions about the "correct" way to care for an infant. What most parents do not know is that these various tidbits of advice, and even the consensus "rules" of parenting that have such an aura of credibility, are, for the most part, based on a mix of tradition, fad, and folk wisdom with a modicum of science. In fact, few have ever studied whether or not the rules of one society work better than the traditions of another society in producing functional, happy adults. If a parent talks to his baby, will it learn to speak earlier? No one knows. If you sleep with your baby, will it become emotionally dependent? Who knows. Yet societies establish these "rules" about various parenting techniques that imply there is a right and a wrong way to go about parenting. And the advice is usually offered in such ominous tones—^make a mistake and your child may turn out socially inept, not very bright, maladjusted, or worse—that parents often follow these rules, or accept die advice, without considering that there might be alternative ways that also make sense. In addition, even the hard-and-fast parenting rules slip and slide, evolve and change, as societies change.
;ct. What parents want even influences the very ways they label children. Sara Harkness and Charles Super found that when parents in three cultures were asked about intelligence, their views of what constitutes a smart child differed.^^ In America, an "intelligent" child is one who is aggressive and competitive; in Holland, die intelligent child is one who is persistent, strong-willed, and demonstrates a clarity of purpose; for the Kipsigis Africans, the most intelligent child is the responsible one who does his or her chores.^^ Each household tries to provide a setting that is believed to foster the culture's particular brand of intelligence. Americans use all kinds of visual and verbal stimuli to catch the baby's attention and encourage it to interact. We line the crib with black-and-white signs to stimulate vision; we converse for hours in one-on-one lessons, convinced that this verbal interaction will improve cognitive abilities. Americans try to instill self-esteem in their children; self-esteem is a word not easily translated into other languages because the trait is not part of the cultural milieu of other groups—it is of import only in a competitive self-achieving society. The Dutch, in contrast, believe that regularity, rest, and cleanliness promote intelligent development, so much so that when children throw tantrums, as they do all over the world, parents assume there has been a break in the child's routine that has caused the episode. And Kipsigis parents load their children with chores. Beginning at two years old, an age at which Americans would call them toddlers, Kipsigis children are given household tasks. By the time they are six years old, these kids typically spend half of their time working for the family. People from each culture would be incapable of raising their children any other way. Imagine an American child doing househohold chores at two, with little playtime. We would mourn die loss of "childhood," that carefree time of exploration and development. In the same way, a Kipsigis mother would be horrified to see irresponsible, lazy American children with nothing to do but play games. How could that at child, she might comment, grow up with any brains at all? The point is t that we all agree in a general sense on what intelligence is, and we all agree that to be intelligent is better than being stupid, but each culture emphasizes and appreciates different aspects of intelligence.
As the pop pundits keep reminding us, we are becoming a global culture. We share the same TV shows and movies, drink the same Coca-Cola, and shoot the same Kodak film. But this "global culture" is highly superficial—^it is only the gloss of popular culture, apparent only in what people over the world would like to buy. I am guessing that those boasting of an electronic superhighway where "anybody" can be connected to "anybody" have not traveled much in the third world; they are blinded by the affluent economy of their own culture into thinking they share much of anything with a Malaysian forester or Sudanese refugee. More illustrative is the fact that one out of every five women on the planet is Chinese, and that most of the people in the world have never spoken on a telephone. We do not share the same culture or the same economy, and it will be a long time before we do, if ever.
Anthropologist John Whiting found a simple association between climate and parent-child co-sleeping (among other behaviors).^ Evaluating 136 societies for which he had information. Whiting outlined four kinds of typical sleeping arrangements for a household: mother and father in the same bed with baby in another bed; mother and baby together and father somewhere else; all members of the family in separate beds; and all members of the family together in one bed. The most prominent pattern across cultures, Whiting discovered, was mother with child and father in another place (50 percent of the 136 cultures). In another 16 percent, the baby slept with both mother and father. Many of these cultures, he wrote, were polygynous, so that fathers were moving among households and beds, and the stable unit was actually each mother with her children. Whiting also found a connection to cold weather. Men and women, that is, couples, routinely sleep together in places where the winter temperature falls below 50 degrees—presumably for warmth more than any other reason—but they often have separate sleeping arrangements where the climate is warmer. The sleeping place of babies, on the other hand, usually conforms to a different climatic situation—they "usually" stay with mother in areas with warm climates, but in colder climates, they are swaddled in blankets and strapped to cradleboards to minimize heat loss. These cultures, however, represent a small minority of the human population.
The fear of overlaying haunts many parents in Western culture today. Most believe it is possible to roll over and squish a baby or suffocate it under a mound of blankets. But as infant sleep researcher McKenna notes, babies are born with strong survival reflexes, and they will kick and scream before they let anything clog their airways. The simple evidence that most babies around the world today sleep with a parent and they are not dying from suffocation should be enough to convince parents that it's pretty difficult to roll over on a baby and not notice. True, soft mattresses and plush pillows represent a very real risk of suffocation; also, if the baby is wrapped so tightly it can't express its natural instincts to push something away, there could be a problem. But Western parents who fear they will suffocate babies are wrong. In a healthy atmosphere, where parents are not intoxicated, on drugs, or obese, the chance of killing an infant by overlaying is zero. If this is true, why does the myth persist? The myth of overlaying persists because in many Western cultures there are also social, emotional, and political reasons to keep babies out of the parental bed. In the seventeenth century, the Catholic Church became concerned with the possible sexual vulnerability of young girls sleeping with their fathers. At the same time, European culture was developing notions of romantic love and redefining marriage as a conjugal bond rather than an economic or political unit. Suddenly the mother—father relationship took on a separateness within the larger idea of family. When the relationship of mother and father became a sacred, private, sexually intimate bond, parental privacy was born. Children, although offshoots of the bond, were not allowed to interfere with the spousal union. Infants and children, on one level, were seen as a threat to that bond and to the patriarchy that established the father as die family authority. This view later led to the Oedipus complex in Freudian psychology—a drama that cannot be played out unless it is understood that mother and father have a special, private bond in the first place.
Crying is the earliest and most compelling of infant signals," writes Ronald Barr, and surely there is no sound on earth more piercing than the cry of an infant. The ability to cry was hard-wired into human babies long ago as a potent signal to get adult attention. Like other primates, human infants needed to be able to send a message of distress to motivate action on the part of someone more able. The same kind of vocal signals are found in Rhesus monkeys, for example, which have very distinguishable distress noises called "coos." During a coo, the lips protrude into an "oh" and produce a plaintive series of cries when the infant is separated from its mother. Monkey and ape babies also shriek and scream and produce a deep-throated geek noise, all as signals to others. These signals, of course, have evolved in primates and other animals because they work; the sounds bring the mother closer. Animal babies call when something threatens or frightens them, thereby making it known that, from the infant's point of view, something is terribly wrong. For humans, nothing compels a parent to do something more quickly than a child's piercing wail. And that's why crying is, in Ronald Barr's nomenclature, a paradox. It is a signal that evolved to broadcast an infant's unhappiness and motivate a parent to address the cause of its distress. But that same signal can, very easily, send parents over the edge. For example, reports of child abuse and child homicide often contain comments about a parent's or caretaker's ultimate frustration with a crying infant, and their claims that they just couldn't take it anymore. And so what evolved as an adaptive signal can be destructive under
certain circumstances, which doesn't make evolutionary sense at all.
Crying evolved to serve the infant's purposes: to assure protection, adequate feeding, and nurturing for an organism that cannot care for itself. By definition, crying is designed to elicit a response, to activate emotions, to play on the empathy of another. The "other" is usually the mother or father or a related caretaker. The caretaker has also evolved the sensory mechanism to recognize that infant cries are a signal of unhappiness, and thus be motivated to do something about it.
This kind of symbiotic relationship certainly made sense in the EEA. Even back then we were a large-brained species whose infants had to be born early in their physical development because of the constraints of the bipedal pelvis. As a result, human babies could not yet talk and thus had to communicate by other means. In the EEA, crying probably promoted survival because it kept the mother close, resulted in the infant's being fed as she held out the breast to quiet it, and kept parents attentive against predators. A quick cry, then, made evolutionary sense, at least in the EEA. At the most fundamental level, crying is an adaptive strategy because it keeps a baby alive and well fed and therefore ultimately passes on genes and improves a parent's reproductive success.
It might also have an added evolutionary advantage. When a baby is allowed to feed continuously, ovulation in the mother and conception of the next sibling who will take over breast-feeding is delayed. And so the combination of crying and the continuous feeding that results from crying is also an effective adaptive strategy on the part of the infant; infants who evolved with these traits had a better chance of survival than those who did not. In this scenario, the infant is not simply a helpless or passive recipient of parental largess, but an active initiator of a synergistic relationship with the parent.
In some cultures today, the fit between infant cries and survival has been altered and crying has become, as in the case of colic, a maladaptive trait that no longer promotes survival. Any trait can become maladaptive when the environment changes; what once was "good" now becomes neutral or "bad" because it is no longer effective under the new conditions. When crying is continual and annoying to the point of placing the infant in danger of abuse or neglect, it is a clearly maladaptive signal. And that may be what has happened in our modern age. It is not that babies have changed, but rather that the environment in which babies send their signals has been altered.
It might also be difficult to extend the categories of temperament across cultures when the categories mean different things in different environments. For example, "difficult" babies in Western cultures are those who do not sleep for long periods and those who cry. Under a different caretaking package, these reactions would not even show up. More important, there is no reason to assume that what is "bad" in one culture will end up "bad" in another culture. Dutch researcher Marten de Vries followed a set of Masai infants in Kenya during a period of great drought in die I970s7^ He labeled babies "difficult" or "easy" based on his observation and the application of Western categories of adaptability, intense reactions, regularity, and whether or not they were manageable. He also used the standard Western Infant Temperament Questionnaire, modified for the Masai (he had to delete questions about going to the doctor and add questions about being carried), to ask parents how they perceived their babies. He wanted to categorize the babies on a continuum of temperament, and so he concentrated on the ten easiest and ten most difficult babies as his subjects. Returning three months later, he sought out the parents of the twenty babies at the extremes but found the parents of only thirteen—Masai are, after all, nomadic people. The parents had been dealing for years with the destruction that a drought causes to people who make their living off the land, and all the babies were already malnourished. In the following three months, during some of the worst of the drought, seven of the thirteen infants he had located died. But interestingly, only one of the so-called difficult babies, as categorized by Western criteria, were dead, while six of those he labeled as easy were dead. De Vries surmised that traits we perceive as difficult under ample conditions might be more beneficial to survival during times of nutritional stress. A "bad" temperament might be evolutionarily advantageous under certain circumstances or in certain environments. In times of nutritional deprivation, it may be the fretful baby that gets the most milk, or is picked up most often. It is only in our affluence that we use the negative word "difficult" to describe the fact that the baby is evolutionarily designed to gain attention. The perceptions of temperament, in other words, are relative.
About sixty-five million years ago, at the end of the Mesozoic era and the beginning of the Cenozoic, the niche once dominated by the dinosaurs was available for other creatures. The opportunistic could move into that niche now empty of large reptiles, and prosper in their place. Among these creatures that flourished were small egg-laying animals. group that had been around for at least a million years and that sported specialized patches on their chests. Sitting on their eggs, the mothers of these species gave off body heat through these warming pads. The patches also had a glandular function, secreting a liquid rich in lysozyme that coated the eggs with an antibacterial slime and destroyed harmful microorganisms. When the eggs hatched, the new infants probably licked up some of that egg-coating ooze, which turned out to be immunologically protective once ingested. It may be that the newly hatched babies were simply hydrating themselves by licking their mothers' chests for the liquid that had collected there.^ In any case, those babies who licked up the fluid gained an advantage for their efforts in terms of survival—^they either grew faster or bigger, or they were healthier than those who ignored the opportunity. Maternal ooze eventually evolved strong nutrient properties that could sustain a baby even when the mother was unable to bring back food to the nest or the infant was too weak to forage on its own. Thus lactation was born.
At first the mammary gland must have been a kind of sweat gland, an eccrine gland, a gland that excreted material to the outside of the body like those found in armpits that excrete water and electrolytes. In fact. die gland might have emitted distinctive and attractive odors that brought premammallian infants close to their mothers' chests. Eventually these chest glands changed into apocrine glands, tissue that can synthesize proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids rather than just excrete water. We know that breasts, and the liquid they manufacture, must have coevolved with the infants' ability to find the nipple, suck, and digest what was ingested. Mothers must have already been adapted to stay close to their infants and engage in some sort of positive maternal care, and ifants must have been selected to turn only to their mothers and what they offered. Eventually these premammals began to give birth to live young, and most of them developed hair. But their most distinguishing characteristic, what set them apart from reptiles and birds, was their ability to lactate from specialized glands to nourish their young. Thus began the evolutionary path of modern mammals, animals in which the female members invest highly in each offspring by manufacturing and secreting for days, weeks, or months a fluid that is the sole food of their young.
More significantly, the breast—bottle controversy has moved far away from the question of what is best for babies. The decision for substitute milk is influenced by the pressures of corporations, their advertising, and their lobbies. The money game behind the production of formula has overpowered what might be best for babies here in first-world countries and for babies more at risk in third-world countries. It takes about $1,800 a year to feed an infant some kind of powdered or canned formula. In third-world cultures, and for the working poor in developed nations, the cost is crippling. It is also undefendable given that a free alternative is readily at hand. Where medical care and hygiene are poor, many babies fed on formula become sick and die. Some researchers claim that bottle-feeding in underdeveloped countries increases the risk of infant mortality tenfold. And UNICEF estimates that 1.5 million babies die each year because they are not breast-fed. Loss of natural immunities and the lack of adequate sanitation provide an environment in which formula-feeding is not the safest alternative for infants, and thus infant mortality increases. In the West, where conditions are better and fewer babies die directly from formula-feeding, many more are sick with chronic health conditions. The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health and Safety estimates that four out of every thousand infants in the United States die because they are not breast-fed. The increase in respiratory and gastrointestinal disease, the greater number of inner ear infections, the additional allergy shots necessary, and the extra pregnancies and births that come from the loss of the contraceptive effect of lactation, all combine to increase health costs shared by all.
Interestingly, the third world seems to be more savvy about how corporations push formulas on expectant mothers. The dramatic rise in mortality among formula-fed babies in developing nations has induced some professionals to initiate changes to combat the invasion of Western infant-feeding practices. For example, in Papua New Guinea, a prescription is now needed to buy a baby bottle. In the Philippines, hospitals now forbid formula-feeding and promote breast-feeding. As a result, fewer staff have been needed to prepare bottles and less electricity has been used to sterilize equipment. The hospitals estimated they saved over $10,000 in one year from their new program. Most important, there have been rapid decreases in infant illness. Other hospitals around the world, such as one in Quito, Ecuador, have copied the Philippine initiative.
Even when women do decide to breast-feed, they sometimes feel they are thwarted by their own bodies. "Insufficient milk" is cited as a major reason women in the West terminate breast-feeding after a few days or weeks. The syndrome is fascinating because it is a clear example of a disease being "invented," defined, and then perpetuated by culture at large. In only about 5 percent of the cases is there something making it physically impossible for a woman to breast-feed. Before bottle-feeding came into vogue, women rarely, if ever, reported a lack of milk. But when breast-feeding went out of fashion in the 1940s, this new syndrome appeared. The real cause of insufficient-milk syndrome appears to be a confluence of social changes—hospitals took over the birth process and separated newborns from their mothers, doctors recommended interval feeding, and artificial formula presented a reasonable alternative. It is interesting to note that insufficient-milk syndrome appears only in Western industrial nations and has yet to be found in other cultures. Why do so many women in affluent countries say they have no milk for their babies?
Infants are compared to a growth average, but this average is based on on white, Western infants, other breeds of humans fall beneath or above the curve, resulting in their being considered "abnormal" when they are not.
A more flexible construct of normality also has practical applications. As all parents in Western culture know, there is a "normal growth curve" against which all infants are compared when they are brought in for visits to the pediatrician. This standard is used to evaluate babies' growth, and if die baby falls drastically below die curve, pediatricians recommend intervention. But pediatrician Glen Flores, who codirects the Pediatric Latino Clinic at the Boston University School of Medicine, points out that comparing Latino babies to that "normal" curve is a mistake. That initial and now widely accepted curve was developed based on a group of white bottle-fed babies from Yellow Spring, Ohio, during the I950s.^ This information is important not only because white babies are born heavier, but bottle-fed infants also grow faster and fatter than breast-fed infants, regardless of their ethnicity. In this particular case. Latino babies in America are also born smaller and therefore follow a slower growthrate curve. The curve, then, in reality is "normal" only for other white bottle-fed infants. Using that curve to evaluate Latino babies may cause pediatricians to intervene in unnecessary and inappropriate ways. And how disturbing it must be for Latino parents to be shown that curve and made to feel that their baby is not healthy. What is needed, points out Flores, is more data on birth weights, growth curves and such from various ethnic populations—that is, a widening of the concept of the normal growth curve.
Obtaining a more broadly informed view of parenting means examining parenting styles not just cross-culturally but through evolutionary history as well. Underneath the cultural twists that skew our behavior lies a natural biology, a human nature, that evolved a certain way for good biological reasons. Organic beings are, of course, subject to natural selection, and the path of evolution is not a perfect path. Contrary to popular belief, evolution does not select away all the defects and save only the perfect models. Instead, natural selection navigates a trade-off between cost and benefit; it deals with existing constraints and checks out the options, and then ends up with a compromise. Every species, every organism, is a compromise. As anthropologist Carol Worthman puts it, "Biological systems are Rube Goldberg systems. They don't always work perfectly but they work well enough." Apply that evolutionary frame¬ work to the evolved parent-infant dyad, and the same kind of Rube Goldberg solution appears. The human baby has a big head and has to be born too soon, so it is more dependent than the babies of other mammals. As a result, all kinds of mechanisms kick in to attach parents and infant in a physiological and emotional dyad. It's a patched-together sort of system, with strange bells and odd little whistles, and it often breaks down; but for the most part, it does work and babies grow up healthy.
The evolutionary perspective can be both comforting and disquieting. The best thing that evolution gives us is the flexibility to deal with all the various pathways to the same end result—a healthy, successful offspring that will grow to reproductive age and pass on more genes. "If evolution was going to design an adaptive organism," says Ronald Barr, "it would design one with multiple pathways."
Archaeologists have discovered that since the Pleistocene, humans lave always suckled infants for several years. Using biochemical analysis given human population when its children moved from breast milk to other foods. In one group of skeletons from South Dakota dated between 5500-2000 b.c., children were apparently depending on food other than mother's milk by the time they were twenty months of age.^' Recorded history also tells a similar story. Middle Eastern groups in 3000 B.C. were breast-fed for two to three years, which was the common age of weaning for Hebrew populations. At another North American site near the Missouri River dated to the seventeenth century, researchers were able to determine that infants were breast-fed exclusively for one year and that weaning was between two and six years of age. This work has been confirmed at other sites, where researchers have also found evidence that not so long ago there typically was no abrupt change from breast milk to other foods, as we often think weaning should be, but a gradual change.^ ^
In all cases, this hominid blueprint of the way babies were fed for 99 percent of human history indicates breast milk as the primary or sole Food until two years of age or so, and nursing commonly continuing for several more years.
From an evolutionary point of view, it would seem that last-feeding should be one of the more instinctual behaviors, like eating or sleeping or sex. In most mammals, if mothers don't know how to offer their milk or babies don't know how to suckle, the infant dies. If die purpose of reproduction is to pass on genes, it would seem that feeding would be one of the more hard-wired biological behaviors. In explanation, Wiessinger offered this story: A female gorilla, born and raised in a zoo, gave birth to an infant. In an attempt to nurse it, the mother held her infant incorrectly, with the back of the baby's head toward the nipple. The keepers feared for the infant's life and took the baby away. During the gorilla's next pregnancy, the keepers tried an ^ experiment. They lined up a group of breast-feeding humans outside the cage and allowed the mother gorilla to observe. When her next infant was born, the mother gorilla, too, turned the baby toward her breast and everything went fine.
The point is that breast-feeding is not necessarily an automatic response for any mammal, especially under less than natural conditions. It requires certain triggers and certain coordination between mother and offspring. And humans are no different from other species. Imagine taking a newborn calf or lamb or piglet away from its mother in order to wash it and do tests. Farmers know that any separation of mother and newborn farm animals results in rejection of the infant by the mother or an inability on die part of the baby to suckle. Although we recognize this situation in livestock, we have only recently become aware that human babies have the same sort of reflexes designed to seal the pact between mother and infant right after birth. As many pediatricians and hospital staff now know, the sucking reflex is strongest within the first thirty minutes after birth. Newborns placed on their mothers' bellies directly after birth also begin wiggling and moving determinedly toward the breast when left on the mother's body for twenty minutes. "But," explains Wiessinger, "if you take the baby away and give him a bath and take his footprints and measure him and wrap him up and bring him jack, he's lost the dance." This interruption in the loop can derail the whole process. In other words, breast-feeding is instinctually and biologically triggered, but it can also be behaviorally disrupted. For example, when the birth process became medicalized in the United States in the 1930s and more babies were born in hospitals, the number of mothers breast-feeding dropped. Also, some mothers were unable to breast-feed successfully. Their failure was, in part, probably due to the long separation of baby from mother for long periods in the hospital right after birth. Today, with birthing rooms and babies kept close to their mothers at all times, breast-feeding has been proceeding more smoothly.
In a more evolutionardy appropriate infant-caretaker scheme, the infant is a social partner, part of a dyad. Both mother and infant are interested in being in equilibrium, that is, in a stable and contented state. This goal is adiieved by mutual regulation, by reciprocity, and by keep¬ ing tabs on each other. This system nicely describes the infant-caretaker pair, and as I have presented in Chapter Two, there is a great deal of evidence that infants and those who love them are attuned to each other and have evolutionarily selected to be so. They are a biological system of interdependence that seeks the same goal—stability. The infant's part in the system is straightforward. It monitors its internal state and then announces any deficiencies, crying for food, warmth, or touch. Crying and smiling are signals of what is right or wrong with the baby's, its equdibrium. And when there is a tilt in the equilibrium, the baby tells the other part of the dyad and seeks reciprocity. The problem comes when die other half of the dyad is not checking in, or is refusing to hold up his or her part of the system; the pact is broken and a mismatch ocoirs. A mismatch, an unanswered signal, is of course not always bad. Think of a tennis game. When one player lobs a ball off to one side of the court, it makes the other player run and reach out, which theoretically pushes the opponent to be a better player in the long run. This view might be applied to the scenario of one type of Western caretaking system—food, touch, and comfort come, but not on an EEA infant-requested schedule. Th( infant-requested schedule. The system is not perfect from the baby's point of view—perhaps a few too many balls are hit out of bounds, and needs are lobbed not when asked—but the interaction does follow some sort of game plan.
What seems to work best is simple human contact. Peter Wolff long ago demonstrated that picking up a baby works better than anything else to stop any baby from crying. In another study, infant researchers BeU and Ainsworth showed in the 1970s, with a sample of twenty-six infants, that consistent and prompt response by the infant's mother is associated with a decrease in the duration of infant crying. Urs Hunziker and Ronald Barr recently took this idea even further when they experimented with different infant carrying schedules to test whether or not carrying could have a proactive effect on crying. They recruited a group of parents with newborns and asked half of them to carry their infants at least three hours per day beyond feeding time. The other subjects were not told to carry their infants any more than they normally would. When the babies were twelve weeks of age, the mothers were asked to bring in diaries in which they had noted when and how long their babies cried, The researchers found that the control mothers carried their babies on average 2.7 hours a day and the mothers involved in the experiment carried their babies about 4.4 hours per day, an increase of only 1.7 hours per day. The diaries show that during the peak crying period at eight weeks of age, both groups of babies cried with the same frequency, but those that had been carried longer cried 43 percent less in duration than those carried a shorter time per day; the frequency of crying was the same but the duration was almost half as much. The infants who were carried more also reached their crying peak on the early side, at four weeks, and leveled off at six weeks. Interestingly, when this same procedure was later tried on babies already labeled as "colicky," it didn't work as well. Even though half of the 66 colicky four-week-olds were carried 56 percent more (2.2 hours longer) than the other colicky babies, they didn't cry less. Perhaps longer carrying would have been effective if it had been done from birth, but either one month of age is perhaps too late for differences in parental style to have much effect on crying or these babies labeled as colicky were just not as susceptible to being comforted in this manner.
Although type of food and total amount of food do not seem to dramatically affect infant crying, the timing of food and the way food is delivered do seem to be of prime importance in staving off crying. Comparing members of the La Leche League, women devoted to relatively continuous breast-feeding, and a group of mothers following die more traditional American pattern of feeding on a schedule with hours between feedings, Barr and his colleagues explored the possibility that the length of time between feedings might have an effect on crying. Observing these two groups at home, and through daily diaries kept by mothers, Barr and Elias found that the quietest infants were those who were fed at short intervals and whose mothers quickly responded to their crying. Interestingly it was the combination of feeding and response, and not just food, that was so effective; the infants of mothers who fed in short intervals but were slow to respond, and of those who fed with long intervals between feedings but responded quickly, all cried a lot. In other words, it's not just the constant availability of milk that makes a baby happy, it is also an engaged mother who responds quickly.
Pediatricians and child experts suggest trying one soothing technique after another. But the best answer, according to this research, is a particular parenting style. What crying babies seem to need most, or what decreases their crying, is a caretaking package that puts their world right. And some babies seem to yell louder than others for a change if their world is not in balance.
when they are more used to sleeping alone, sleep differently when with when they are more used to sleeping alone, sleep differently when with their mothers. The babies seem to spend a greater percentage of their sleep time in levels 1-2 and less time at the deeper levels, exhibit more REM sleep, and are awake longer. In other words, they are more often moving among sleep levels, and they sleep lighter.
Christopher Richard, Mosko, and McKenna have also found that most co-sleeping pairs spend the entire night facing each other. Even if mothers normally put their babies face down on the solitary night, they position the baby on its back or side on the co-sleeping night and instinctively in a position so that mother and baby are en face. Babies seem to know this is what they want; on the co-sleeping night, even if they are on their backs and have a choice of where to look, they move their heads to face the mother. This might, at first, seem like a potentially dangerous situation. Indeed, the researchers have shown that adult women breathe out a hazardous amount of carbon dioxide at close range, especially when a blanket forms a pocket before an adult's face. But an atmosphere of CO2 in the face might also be beneficial for infants because it changes the immediate atmospheric environment for the baby and triggers the for co-sleeping babies. Work with preterm infants has shown that skin-to-skin contact increases infant skin temperature, and since babies have trouble staying warm in cold climates this is an advantage as long as they don't get overheated. Such contact also stabilizes infant heart rate and reduces crying and sleep apneas. If nothing else, co-sleeping clearly makes for a very different external environment than sleeping alone.
p; But the most startling result of McKerma's research can be observed, even by the novice, on the videotapes. No one can miss the fact that cosleeping results in more attention by the mothers. When McKenna scored mothers' co-sleeping behaviors and compared them to what mothers did when they slept in a different room and got up at night to attend the baby, co-sleeping mothers exhibited five times the protective behaviors toward their babies. They repeatedly kissed, touched, and repositioned the baby. They readjusted blankets and comforted the baby when it fretted. And sometimes these mothers, as the polygraph showed, were not even conscious. They reached out and cuddled their offspring instinctively, keeping them from harm's way.
Co-sleeping babies, then, are under constant physical supervision, and are just a whisper, a pat, and molecule of carbon dioxide away from the person who is looking after them. Solitary babies, although fed when they cry and picked up when they whimper, never receive this kind of intimate treatment during the night.
But there is more to the interaction than a matter of adults putting on i a show. When babies and adults interact, they are partners in an interactive social dance in which they jointly regulate each other, and this dance is essential for the baby's social and psychological development Renowned pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton noticed in his practice that babies and mothers seem to follow a typical pattern of play, a synchronized score that moves from attention to nonattention with both partners cueing in on each other's signals. In the lab, babies were offered a fuzzy monkey on a string; and later, when the monkey was removed, mothers were asked to play with their babies. The babies played with the stuffed monkey in a different way than they did with their mothers With the monkey, they focused on it and reached for it, but soon became bored and turned away, never looking at it again. With the mother, the baby engaged with her face, became attentive and excited, and then slowly showed signs of inattention. The mothers all seemed to be highly sensitive to the cycle of attention/nonattention and responded to the "down time" by letting the baby be; and then the cycle started all over again. In experiments where a mother was instructed to act unresponsive to baby movement, the baby repeatedly tried to engage the mother by flapping around and looking at her. When she did not respond, did not take up the baby's initiative toward interaction—looking at each other and paying attention to each other—the baby gave up, looked hopeless, and began self-comforting movements such as sucking on its fingers. As Brazelton points out, with objects the goal is to explore and discover but with people the goal is to engage. And babies happily engage in social play not with some specific goal in mind but simply to establish joint regulation with another human. This is just what one might expect from a human baby, a creature that is adapted to be both an object manipulator, or tool user, and a highly social animal, Child development expert Edward Tronick has pointed out that our most central human adaptation is our communicative competence, and one of a baby's most powerful, most highly adapted, most necessary skills is the ability to exchange on a social level with adults.
In the 1960s a slow revolution in birthing practices began in Western culture. As a result of the influence of John Bowlby's attachment theory and Harry Harlow's infant monkey experiments, the medical establishment realized the importance of physical proximity on the bonding process and babies were not necessarily removed to the nursery. The feminist movement in the 1970s, which helped women assert their wishes, furthered that revolution as it gave female nurses and mothers the support to demand that mother and father be integrated back into the early infant experience. In 1976 two obstetricians, Marshall Klaus and John Kennell, based on their research, theorized that there is a critical early—and limited—period for human mother-infant bonding. They noted a higher incidence of infant abuse and failure-to-thrive children among premature infants; because the infants were premature and had been sequestered in nurseries and away from their mothers, there had been, these doctors suggested, a breakdown of the normal mother—infant bond. They found that although 7 to 8 percent of live infants are born premature, 25 to 41 percent of battered infants were preemies. They surmised that a critical period of attachment had passed by the time the baby was sent home, and that the mother-infant pair consequently lacked the essential positive bond that links them together in a healthy emotional and physical way. Klaus and Kennell also evaluated the various amounts of time that different mothers spent with their newborns and found that those who had had early contact, within the first few minutes to the first two hours after birth, were more attentive in later pediatric exams and showed a few more interactive behaviors with their infants during these exams. Critics pointed out that the tenor of behaviors during an exam a few months later was hardly a reasonable measure of the intensity of the maternal—infant bond."'^ Nonetheless, the Klaus and Kennell work underscored the need to have babies interact immediately with their mothers or to stay with them rather than be taken to a nursery."
By 1978, even the conservative American Medical Association claimed that "bonding" is their official policy regarding mothers and infants, and that fostering the bond is an important component of the birth process. Hospitals now acknowledge that "bonding" does occur early on, and that babies can be medically managed even if they stay with their mothers. As a result, "rooming-in"—where babies and mothers stay together—is now often integrated into the medical model of pregnancy and birth. The idea that mothers, and fathers, must bond with i their newborns as soon as possible after birth is now generally accepted in our culture and sanctioned by the medical authorities. After a p period of about ninety years during which that bond was ignored, dismissed, shattered, and fully re-examined "scientifically," Western culture has now returned to accepting that babies and mothers are a natural pair.
Evidence that there is some sort of heightened awareness by mothers, caused either by biology or emotions, is seen in a mother's ability soon after birth to recognize her infant by smell and voice alone. In several studies, mothers who had spent only a few hours with their newborns were able to smell out their babies when comparing their shirts with the shirts worn by other babies. Mothers are also pretty good at hearing their infants. Women with new infants in wards usually sleep through the cries of other infants but wake up immediately upon hearing their own babies' cries. New mothers are also good at picking out the recorded cries of their own infants, sounds that are spectrographically as individualized as fingerprints. They can also correctly identify the type of cry. be it hunger or wet diapers, when recorded under varying circumstances and played back.
Although this evidence points to an innate maternal instinct for identifying and interacting with infants, it is not a fixed interaction. In fact, all these studies show that with time, mothers get better at smelling and hearing their infants, and that mothers with previous children are better at it than first-time mothers. Although women might come equipped with some of these abilities, their accuracy and skill at using them is improved with experience and learning; this would be expected in a species such as ours, in which learning plays such a major role in behavioral patterns. Even maternal attitude—a positive attitude toward children and one's own baby, which should be the most primate maternal response—changes with experience. In one study, 68 women were interviewed three times: when they were pregnant, three days after birth, and when their children were over a year old. These mothers expressed a definite increase in positive attitude toward their babies—^with time, they became more and more attached.
The real obstetrical dilemma came long after Lucy and her colleagues became extinct, when there was a sudden upsurge in brain expansion. About 1.5 million years ago, die adult hominid brain went from the Australopithecine size of 400 cubic centimeters to 750 cubic centimeters in a species called Homo habilis, the first member of our genus. In other words, the brain just about doubled in size. A mere million years later. the hominid brain doubled once again until it reached its present average size of 1200 cubic centimeters. This is quite sudden in evolutionary terms.
What was the effect of this voluminous increase in infant brain size on the birth process? The architecture of the pelvis, once it adapted to bipedalism, remained about the same for three million years. Obviously, much larger brains were not going to slide easily through a pelvis that had been designed for efficient bipedalism and small-brained newborns. The problem is architectural—the pelvis was designed as a scaffold for bipedal musculature and is as wide as it can be while still allowing women to walk efficiently. There is no way to retrofit the pelvis to accommodate a larger-brained infant. And so compromise had to come from the infant, and it did. First, there is a biological limit placed on infant brain development. Like all primates, human infants are born with a brain that takes up about 12 percent of their body weight; although destined to be highly encephalized—that is, proportionally biggerbrained as adults than other primates—yet start out with the relatively same-sized brain as any other primate. Again, we make up for this by an extremely fast rate of brain growth after birth. Second, prior to birth the bones of the skull are not fused and there is thus lots of room for smashing those bones together and molding the head as it squeezes through the pelvic passage. The "soft spots" on infant skulls, more correctly called "fontanels," are the areas where various skull bones meet—-often you can see the pulse of a heartbeat through the thin cranial membranes. In nonhuman primates these spots are almost totally fused, but in humans, they remain wide and flexible. The resulting 'cone-head" shape of the human newborn's head is simply nature's way of squeezing a child out with little damage to brain tissue.
[...]
And so we have the miracle of modern human birth—a painful, twisted journey that squeezes the infant head like Play-Doh and causes mothers unbelievable pain. And we also have all the pieces for the answer to why our infants are born so helpless. They are born with unfinished brains because the pelvis simply cannot be any wider or any bigger. If it were, women couldn't walk. Painful childbirth and helpless babies are an evolutionary compromise between selection for bipedalism, which came first. and later adult brain expansion.
Anthropologists Karen Rosenberg and Wenda Trevathan point out that the consequences are not just mechanical, they are also behavioral and social. The tight fit and tortuous route for human birth causes long and difficult labor for both the mother and the child. This trauma affects how the mother feels after birth, both physically and mentally. And infants come out rather exhausted and battered from this ordeal as well. The more than difficult process might account for the difference in style between human and nonhuman primate birth. A birth in a colony of Barbary macaques that was witnessed by two researchers, Vivika Ansorge and Kurt Hammerschmidt, was described as comparatively quick but not without pain.^° The mother, following the troop to the sleeping trees for the night, stopped several times and did stretches with her legs. a sort of dance that signaled something odd going on. She squatted. repeatedly touched her genital areas, and emitted low vocalizations which the researchers described as "moans." Eventually, she reached behind with her right arm and scooped up the baby that was coming out between her legs. She held it to her chest and it yelped. Within minutes the mother, rather dazed to be sure, moved on. There are very few descriptions of primate births because animals most often give birth at night or early in the morning. Humans, too, most often give birth in the early hours, but are hardly ever alone. Rosenberg and Trevathan suggest that the idea of attending a birth is actually an evolved strategy of our species that is necessary because human mothers are less equipped than monkey mothers to help in the process. The mother is in greater pain, the birth takes longer, and the infant comes out face down. She needs someone to catch the infant and clear its air passages. She needs someone to hand her the baby and later pull on the placenta if need be. Wenda Trevathan calls this "obligate midwifery," suggesting that we need to have attendants because the evolution of bipedalism and big babies left us no choice. And so our birthing is not just a biological event, but a social event as well. It relies on the help of family and friends, and emphasizes how important interpersonal interaction is to the human species, even when one of us first appears. | eng | d3d5b68d-3490-41d5-86f1-a678387a6f83 | http://memexplex.com/Reference/328/ |
Generational transmission of health and healing
'The intergenerational transmission of energy, love, protection, wisdom and resources has powered human cultural advancement for tens of thousands of years. It has shaped us, served us, blunted our worst tendencies, and magnified our best.' Source: What are old people for? by Bill Thomas.
The best predictor of your adult health is the health of your maternal grandmother when she was pregnant with your mother. This is true across a number of health measures, for example the maternal grandmother's height was predictive of her grandchild's birth weight. Source
1. The grandmother effect
The results of gentling versus those of isolation would appear to suggest a type of psychobiological filter that passes on positive or evolutionary behavior traits, but limits those which are maladaptive.
When female rats are handled gently during their infancy and early life, they appear at maturity less emotional, more ready to leave their cages, and less fearful of strange stimuli than do other rats. In fact, the animal is able to respond more effectively when confronted with normal situations; in other words, its emotional response to novel but normal stimuli is not as intense as it is in rats raised in the usual manner. When such rats become mothers, the body weight and readiness to explore of their young are different from those of standard controlled groups. These effects appear to be mediated through both the prenatal mother-fetus and the postnatal mother-infant relationship. Not only are the young themselves of a different temperament as the result of the early experiences of their gentled mothers, but, when these young bear babies their patterns of mothering are also different from what they would have been normally. Because the effect of the gentling that their mothers received becomes apparent in their grandchildren, it has been called "the grandmother effect." Encyclopedia Britannica, 1979 and quoted from nlpu.com
Centre for the Research on Mothering held a conference on Grandmothering in Toronto 2004.
In a study in rural Gambia, mortality statistics for children whose grandmothers had died were actually higher than mortality statistics for children whose fathers had died. In another study from India, when the maternal grandmother lived in the household, not only was child mortality reduced, but surprisingly the fertility of the mother also increased. Source
The effect on mammals of gentling:
If a male receives a great deal of touch, affection and fondling, he tends to do better than those who don't. Females who were handled gently in their youth, compared to those who were not, grew bigger and stronger. And the offspring of the gentled mammal were more active, curious, and alert! The effect of your grandmother's love of your mother is in you right now. The gentling that was given you when you were young has improved the health and well being of your children!
Another example in the effects of Maternal and Grand maternal Nutrition on Deer Mass and Vulnerability to Wolf Predation.
2. The South African Institute for Family Constellation is a good beginning resource in this area. The international site is here.
A family constellation is created where members of a group are asked to represent members of a family. Everyone is intuitively placed in a position, including an individual that takes the place of yourself whereby the family constellation comes to life. Those who represent family members begin to feel out the emotions, fears and desires of the persons concerned. Through this method disharmony comes to light. In a very remarkable and astounding way, the true story of the family is expressed and clearly seen for the 1st time. Email the author of this quote.
3. Intergenerational transfer of depression
Researchers in the U.S. have looked at three generations to find out what happens to children and grandchildren of people with depression. Myrna Weissman: 'The children of depressed parents have higher rates of depression. They begin before puberty with anxiety disorders, mostly phobias, in adolescence the rates of depression, especially in the girls, just goes sky rocketing about three times higher than the children of normals. The children don't do well in school even though there was no difference in IQ between the groups. They have more medical problems, more accidents, and they function more poorly. When we found them two years later that situation hadn't changed, ten years later they were just older and some of the boys were starting to have problems with substance abuse. And twenty years later we're finding that the offspring who are now in their mid 30s, late 30s are starting to have medical problems.' Full transcript of the interview with Wiseman on ABC Health Report
4. Raising hell - INTERGENERATIONAL TROUBLE IN THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF MARTIN AMIS AND LORNA SAGE by Kay Torney Souter
I retrieved the following article from psychoanalysis downunder June 24 2005 for readers in rural and remote Canada and Australia with poor internet connection
Issue #5 December 2004
Intergenerational transmission of trauma is a well-documented phenomenon. Urgent work done with families of Holocaust survivors, mostly in Israel and Germany, shows that traumatic and other experiences can apparently be psychologically inherited, often in the form of quasi-memories:
The children of survivors show symptoms which would be expected in they actually lived through the Holocaust They share and anguished collective memory of recurrent memories to their parents traumatic experiences. These children wake up at night with terrifying nightmares of Nazi persecution The children come to feel that the Holocaust is the single most critical event that has affected their lives although it occurred before they were born (Barocas and Barocas, 1979, p. 331)
The specificity of the transmitted material in the case of Holocaust material barbed wire, gas chambers, firing squads (ibid.) make the parent-child connection explicit: the content of the material is somehow being shared between the generation, as well as the emotional atmosphere.
The mechanisms by which this all happens are not fully understood. James Herzog describes the parental protective envelope that should shield the developing child from the potentially over stimulating or frightening elements of the parental world both intra psychic and external, and which apparently fails as a result of a history of unintegratable trauma in the case of Holocaust survivors. He also notes, however, that while unconscious material between progenitors and offspring seems to be transmitted in an uncanny and unspecified fashion. The explanatory power of the model seems most apparent in situations of gross abuse, either sexual or physical, or of major impediments to the marital relationship... (Herzog 1990: 104). In these situations, a child is presumably obliged to contain intolerable parental projections which eventually take on a memory-like quality, in the reverse of the more benign processing of the child's terrified projections by the mother (Bion, 1962).
Although Herzog thinks that 'To assess [the models] applicability to average expectable environments with less extreme provocations or actions is a more difficult task, it is argued that while a Holocaust background is a paradigm for the study of universal phenomena related to [intergenerational] trauma the mechanisms found [in survivors families] are also found in traumatic parent-child relationships without a Holocaust background(Bergmann, 1990, p.288). If this is so, it would seem logical to think that in more ordinarily, and even perhaps normally, traumatic families, the effect might persist, eventually fading, perhaps to something as modest as family style or preoccupation. Some neuropsychobiologists are interested to try to tease out such links at the more ordinary end of the spectrum (Schore, 2001). Beatrice Beebe, for example, performs microanalysis of filmed interactions of mothers and infants to trace the beginnings of relational trauma (Beebe, 2000). This line of enquiry from pathology to everyday manifestations a well-trodden path in the development of psychoanalytic theory, which, from transference issues to questions of projection and projective identification, has frequently been first elaborated in relation to florid pathology, and only later been understood to be significant in more ordinary and indeed often healthy aspects of selfhood as well.
In this essay, I look at two best-selling British memoirs published in 2000, Lorna Sages Bad Blood and Martin Amiss Experience, to trace the working out of some of these issues. My contention is that the memoirs show examples of this intergenerational transmission of unconscious material in environments which, while they could scarcely be said to be average expectable ones, are not at any rate unmeetably horrific, nor perhaps even very unusually difficult. Lorna Sage and Martin Amiss memoirs describe family situations that are bizarre enough in the way memoirs often are, but generally more carnivalesque than sickening. The memoirs themselves are written as classic dark comedies; the authors are ambitious, highly successful and sophisticated middle-aged professionals, with what appears to be a good deal of psychological insight and defended autobiographical styles. Nevertheless, the memoirs reveal the intrusion of the unmastered past of parental and grandparental material into their worlds. In both cases, the result includes an effect on self-image and bodily symptoms, and an apparent refusal to represent or even really to register, their own childhood distress. Moreover, each writer seems to reach for imagery of death and entombment to describe the effect of this parental material of the child's life. In each case it is naturalized rather than analysed: Sage continually returns to her grandfathers work near and for the cemetery, Amis to an appalling and notorious murder in his family. I suggest, however, that this is rationalising rather than rational, and that in both cases the preoccupation with entombment is a metaphor for the entrapping qualities of the intergenerational material, as well as allowing the author to deal with unspoken grief for the dead. Both writers are to different degrees also preoccupied with oral assault and deprivation: teeth, dental work, problems with food and body shape bulk large in each memoir, perhaps as a way of representing the intrusion of painful and poisonous parental material.
Like filmed interactions of mothers and infants, autobiography provides a stable text for the consideration of how relational histories can intrude into lives. Autobiographies offer space for the powerful mixing of historical data, sometimes in terms of the inclusion of an original textual voice of a dead relation, sometimes of a more neutral sort, and the conscious reflections and unconscious promptings of the grown child. This mixture can sometimes give a picture of intergenerational transmission of trauma with startling clarity, as a dead relatives experience sounds through, or below, those of the writer. One of the valuable things about life writing, however, is that the author does not need to unpick these distinctions. The original entanglement of the geographical, sexual, and psychological modalities of the child's origins can be explored. In particular, life writing allows for the exploration of one special element of this area of experience which is harder to put into words, and has to do with where the child was held in the parents mind, before its birth and after. The banal way of asking this question is to wonder whether the baby was a wanted child, as family planners ask. A more unsettling way of putting it is to ask what the baby was wanted for, and what that fact meant to her or him. Sage and Amis both explore the idea that (as is often said of the children born to Holocaust survivors) that they were wanted to repair aspects of their families worlds: Sage as therapy for her grandfather, Amis as therapy for his father. It is this therapeutic purpose of their infantile existence which seems to entrap them in the intergenerational nightmare.
To begin with Lorna Sages Bad Blood. Sage, who died from emphysema in 2001 at the age of fifty-seven, had a very successful career as an academic literary critic, spending thirty-five years at the University of East Anglia, where she had a personal chair, as did her first husband Vic Sage, whom she married and bore a daughter to at the age of seventeen. And thereby, indeed, hangs a tale, which the memoir unfolds with panache. Sages story is self-consciously structured as a classic female bildungsroman, essentially a quest story, with some twists involving sexuality and gender prejudice in the female form: dissatisfaction with her life must catapult the heroine into a series of painful clashes with her society of origin, until maturity is reached and a satisfactory resolution with society is achieved (Hirsch,1979). Sage had published on the female bildungsroman, and she gives her autobiography every fascinating angle such a tale can have. The choice of this form means that no description of her adult career is given. The story is designed to come to an end with the protagonists triumphant entrance into society, in this case, Lorna's academic success at university and the reclaiming of the child she had left with her mother while she was an undergraduate. Echoes of major nineteenth-century novels, Dickens, Hardy and the various Brontes, ripple through the work in her description of her childhood world which seemed to reach back to the Dickensian past, war, poverty, adultery, blighted sexuality, rural neglect.
The book, however, is no innocent narrative: it was written in the shadow of Sages serious and ultimately fatal respiratory illness, and foreshadows her death in a way which flags the intergenerational aspects of the authors psychic and embodied life. The memoir begins with satirically cheerful images of death: Sage declared herself particularly pleased with its first sentence:(1)
Grandfathers skirts would flap in the wind along the churchyard path, and I would hang on He was good at funerals, being gaunt and lined, marked with mortality He and I would slam out of the house and go off between the graves
One day we stopped to watch the gravedigger, who unearthed a skull it was an old churchyard, on its second or third time around and grandfather dusted off the soil and declaimed: Alas poor Yorick, I knew him well I thought he was making it up as he went along. I was like a baby goose imprinted on the first mother-figure it sees he was my black marker (Sage, 2000, pp.3-4)
The women of the family have given the little girl to the Old Devil they hate, Grandma because of her tribulations in the matters of defloration and childbirth, which Lorna (2) believes to have been extreme; mother because of Grandpas predatory sexual affairs, one of which was with her best school friend. Lorna duly becomes imprinted on her Grandpa, having been named by him after the heroine of a favourite romantic novel as, she believes, his angry association to her mothers Lorna Doone-like marriage to a peasant (ibid,.p.166). She lives her appointed role as Grandpas hobble, supposedly to impede his tendency to womanising and boozing, but in reality, the memoir posits, imbibing all his bad ways. In his despair at being the custodian of a bored pre-schooler, Grandpa teaches her to read, making her thoroughly his creature. The small Lorna, bred for books, masculinity and cynicism, distrusts the smothering, spongy womb of her grandmothers world.
Once upon a time in South Wales I had had to spend a night in a feather bed, sandwiched between [Great-Aunt] Katie and Grandma, and that ambiguous sensation of sinking back and back, down and down in a deep nest of feathers and furbelows and flesh, came to stand for Infinite regress (ibid,.p. 43)
Grandpa, on the other hand, a man of many failed talents loves the dead, declaring them more amusing than his wife had set off through the churchyard with his lamp for a private wake. He smokes as a pseudo-occupation, anything combustible (Sage, 2000, p.80). Sage provides a whole page on excerpts from grandpas diaries about his pipe whittlings and ruminations: After I had dinner, I turned my Peterson pipe into a cigarette holder as this is the more satisfactory way of smoking for me. The full weight of a pipe is too much for my teeth, am still on with the cigarettes but must go back to the pipe I think and so on interminably. Dying, he contrived to surround himself with a cloud of smoke (ibid,.p. 88).
Lorna's female relatives object to the mark of the grandfather:
my mothers worst insult was to say You re just like your grandfather. This was in my adolescence, and what she mainly meant (but couldn't bear to spell out) was that I was promiscuous, sex-obsessed. I took it as a great compliment. This of course confirmed her in her opinion, for Grandpas pride in his own awfulness was his distinguishing trait. Otherwise when you think about it, why write these diaries? Who is he writing for? (Sage, 2000, p. 77)
The enslaved granddaughter gets the Old Devils words into print at last jointly with her own, in her most successful book, thus rescuing her mentor and first love from the squalor of insignificance which is (I'm sure he believed) much worse than wickedness. Moreover, she triumphantly reincarnates the Old Devil in her career. When she considers her first University tutor, Nicholas Brooke, she puzzles,
I couldn't understand why I hadn't recognised him in the first place the brilliance, the theatricality, the edge of bitterness , the cradled cigarette, the flapping black gown this was [Grandpa] my first mentor as Id never known him, in his prime. (Sage, 2000, p.276)
The point is that Sage identifies Grandpa with books, writing, cunning, leanness, sexuality and death, all of which she embraces; and Grandma with fat, greed, spite, stupidity, primitive anti-libidinal torpor, and decaying survival into a useless and persecuting old age, all of which she rejects. The photograph on the cover of the second edition of the memoir and after Sages death is startling. It depicts a lean, handsome, saturnine Sage, sexy in a scary androgynous fashion, her cigarette burning stylishly between her relaxed fingers, as if celebrating the link between intellect, smoking, sexuality and, I think, death. In the memoirs last pages, Sage makes explicit the intellect-sex-smoke link between the wicked Grandpa and the ironical tutor. She learns, she says to drink and smoke (Sage, 2000, p. 276) in academic limbo, at the Whitchurch Old Boys Club, after being accepted at Durham, but before term had started.
This brilliant girls life seems, as she gives it to us here, shaped by other, earlier lives. Her family need her to be what Holocaust scholars call a memorial candle, named by her grandpa, living his life as it should have been, getting out of the back blocks, getting herself (and him) into print. More obscurely, she also rescues her unloved Grandmas hopes: stopping at only one baby as Grandma had longed to do, refusing housework for a life of the imagination (though hers is better-fed than poor Grandmas), and refusing sex with the husband just as Grandma did, though in Lorna's case, it was apparently an amiable arrangement, in contrast to Grandmas palsied loathing of the physical presence of the Old Devil. Her parents Laurentian marriage (middle-class girl, gifted working-class boy), their love and life destroyed in a modest way by the war, also get another chance through Lorna's transgressive sexuality the way she tells it, in any case. In conceiving in the ancient manner by sexual contact without full penetration, threshing at the barn door as it used to be called, Lorna made my mother pregnant, as she says, comically enough: her sexuality forces all sorts of issues back into family consciousness, quite therapeutically, within limited parameters.
The strangeness of Lorna's life as memorial candle is easy to see when the photos she obligingly includes are compared to the accounts of her body. Over and over, Lorna describes herself as deformed and repulsive: part of a lumpen lot: sullen, unresponsive, cowed, shy or giggly A bunch of nose-pickers and nail-biters with scabbed knees, warts, chapped skin and unbrushed teeth (Sage, 2000, p.21), herself especially as a timid, clumsy, speechless child (ibid,.p. 29); and later as a very passable village idiot (ibid,.p. 105), a sort of homeless tramp, muddy, snotty, disheveled; and later still as bizarrely un-coordinated (ibid,.p. 131), a natural malingerer (ibid,.p. 150), small grubby, uncouth, a swot, and no good at sports, with extravagant orthodontic braces, a mouthful of complicated shiny wires then thought to be grotesque an outlandish deformity (ibid,.p. 154); and when a teenager, as white trash, with disfiguring, rubbery amber-coloured blisters and elephantine ankles, legs which were stocky, too short, mottled pink (ibid,.p.:209), a body wildly allergic to every stimulus, my period [coming] every three weeks in a heavy iron-smelling flood, along with backaches, headaches and cramps (ibid,.p. 197). This apocalyptic picture of the monstrous body contrasts markedly with the photos, all of which show a Grace Kelly-like creature: an exquisitely pretty toddler and child, and then a dazzlingly beautiful young blonde with a tiny waist and perfect regular features. The filth, disease, lumpishness which are evident in the wartime photos of Sages family, and actually took a visible toll on her ancestral embodiment, are experienced in the daughter and granddaughters psychological life. Grandmas elephantine ankles, mothers hypochondria, Grandpas grubbiness, are all experienced as her own.
There is also a great deal of attention given to the truly vile food and dismal housekeeping produced by Lorna's mother and grandmother. Grandma is said to refuse to undertake any housekeeping at all, and lives on chocolates and toast. Mother despairingly moves dirt around but never removes it, and produces ghastly concoctions of shreds of grey, nameless meat and lumps of carrots and turnips floating in salty water, with a surface shimmer of yellow fat (Sage 2000:120). On one occasion she melts a plastic eggcup (intended to support the pastry lid) into a pie, and nobody notices until they have finished their servings. Lorna refuses to cook or clean at all. Nobody eats much except for Vic, who is indiscriminately hungry, (ibid,.p. 246). In the simple sense, this situation is perhaps a variation on the English intelligentsia's suspicion in the mid-twentieth century, seen very clearly in Iris Murdoch and John Bailey's disgusting housekeeping (Bailey, 1999; see also Martin Amiss review of Richard Eyres fim Iris and discussion of Bayleys elegy, 2001), that contempt for domestic comfort is a sign of intellectual superiority. It also seems, however, that, beginning with Grandmas sweets and Grandpas tobacco, nobody has cared to provide adequate oral comfort or nutrition for the children. Oral contact is humiliating, contemptuous, and unnourishing. Moreover, the family is orally stigmatised: Lorna and Vic have both inherited the wrong teeth from some ancestor whod had quite a differently shaped jaw (Sage, 2000, p.55): Vic has only a few second teeth (ibid,.p. 230), and Lornas are too many and too big. Lornas mother had associated her smashed front teeth and unsatisfactory crowns with Grandpas vileness with her friend Marj (ibid,.p.157). At the most primitive level, nobody in Lornas family can give or receive comfort: the grandparents oral perversions reappear in the descendents, physically and emotionally.
Sages memoir thus exhibits some of the features of the sharing of unconscious material between progenitors and offspring (Herzog, 1990, p.104) which is so strikingly demonstrated in survivor families. The work done by the theorists and clinicians who work with Holocaust trauma can explain something of why this beautiful, gifted girl experienced herself as dirty, ugly and mentally deficient; perhaps also why she produces another baby girl herself to be handed over to her ostensibly contemptuous and neglectful mother to name and raise, exactly as she herself had been handed over to Grandpa. In her living, redoing and undoing these experiences, Sage depicts the re-enactment and the mastering of relatively mundane but nevertheless painful parental and grandparental catastrophes. Neither Lorna nor Vic Sage ever had another child, and they stuck with their passionless marriage for a long time, by Lornas account: in true bildungsroman style, the relationship and the production of the child both resolves and frees them from their family history. As Lornas sympathetic teacher had said, seventeen was the ideal age to have a healthy baby and get on with your life (Sage, 2000, p. 255) .
Most of all, however, it would seem that Lorna Sage, writing in the face of her terminal emphysema, is comforted by being able to represent the inherited material in her life, unpleasant and disturbing as it mostly is. Looked at in one way, its all a memento mori: Grandpa resisting her mothers marriage, visually in a wonderful photograph of Lornas mother pulling him bodily into church to give her away (Sage 2000, p.167), his loathing the muck hole of Hanmer in which he fetched up, his flamboyant smoking, his declaiming over the skull, all has been reformed into a triumphant new pattern, ending with the authors own death, but imaginatively on her terms. In particular, she got out, unlike the rest of her family, who remained stuck in Hanmer, trapped in Grandpa and Grandmas case, hating each other for eternity in a single grave. Near the end of the book, Sage describes a flood in the last of the familys houses, which must have brought frogspawn with it before it receded, because one day the cellar floor was swarming with tiny albino frogs who couldnt get out, whod been eating each other down there in the dark (ibid ,.p. 254). It is a chilling image of Lornas feelings about her familys situation, trapped castaways consuming each other in the dark. The book ends by noting, rather enigmatically, that it is essential to settle for a few loose ends even if everything in your life is connected to everything else; but she hasnt shown many in her memoir. The autobiographer has seen the family material in her life, objected to it, thought about it, made use of it, and got on with her own dying, rendered less fearful by the tracing of her identification of death with her first mother, Grandpa, always good at funerals.
There is much more to be said about this complex and self-conscious work, but I would like to go on to compare it to Martin Amiss equally complex and self-conscious memoir Experience. Where Sage describes a girl raised in an isolated, repressed and somewhat deprived family, Amis's memoir (explicitly opposing his parents and grandparents innocence to his experience; and sometimes vice versa, Amis describes a boy raised in a highly sexualised, literary, privileged (not that Martin, who has mixed with the children of the aristocratic stratosphere, thinks so) and sophisticated family. In one sense, of course, Sages family with its womanising Grandpa and Lawrentian parental marriage is just as sexualised; but Amiss affectless description of repeatedly talking to Kingsley Amis while his father was actually engaged in sexual intercourse with his second wife (Amis 2000, p.87) is in another register altogether. Both memoirs arguably describe experiences of childhood neglect, and families in which there seems to be a relative failure of empathy when the suffering of the next generation is imagined. The space of dirtiness and suppression which preoccupies Sage is replaced in Amiss memoir with accounts of irresponsible permissiveness which leads to catastrophe. Where the cover of the first edition of Bad Blood shows a portrait of the author as meditative toddler, and the second edition a portrait of her in mid-life as the sexy and powerful re-embodiment of her Grandpa, both of them eminently seductive images, the cover of Amiss book shows an unforgettable image of a tiny ten year-old smoker scowling knowingly at the camera. Whose is the gaze that constructs this image, and how has it been read? How do we read it? The shadow of the photographer has been almost entirely cropped, but presumably that person thought it was cute.
Amiss memoir is very much an exploration of the inheritance from his father, written in the shadow of his death. Amazingly, he notes, they both won the same literary prize for a first novel. They both left their families. They both have plenty of phobias. They both have terrible teeth, and consequently terrible, close-lipped smiles. Martin thinks he does a better job than Kingsley, with his racist and sexist views (see his horrible poem Women and queers and children, (Amis, 2000, p.334), stuffy monarchism, and helpless angry-young-man alcoholism. But both are shameless fame-hounds, both vain, exploitative. Martin Amis knows and explores all this, but even so the memoir takes on the fathers past at a different level. The work is less explicitly about inherited memories than Lorna Sages. The troubles of Amiss parents are not explored in the way that Lorna Sage explores her grandparents: parents are closer to their offspring, and Kingsley Amis was a cannier writer, more skilled in disguise and re-imagining than Lornas poor Grandpa. But it is clear that Kingsley Amis is a tortured soul who tears his life apart and wrecks his body for no obvious reason, that Hillary Amis is loving but neglectful, unable to defend herself or her children, unable to survive by herself. Because Martin Amis cannot or will not work on the specificities of his parents experiences, much of the representation of psychic inheritance is metamorphosed into accounts of dental experience that blend the literal and the associative to a dizzying extent. He allows the dental trauma, which takes up a large amount of the memoir, to stand as the equivalent of his parents psychic material, the x in the algebraic problem:
My father and mother had been tooth-sufferers all their lives and it was already clear that I was booked in for more of the same. Take him home, our Welsh dentist told my mother (wiping his hands after a heavy session), when I was ten. Hes a wreck. And my teeth were now undergoing a deterioration that a later dentist would describe as dramatic. They didnt fit, didnt fit; when I clenched my teeth they didnt fit. The mouth is uniquely vulnerable to obsession. If theres anything going on in there, then thats where you live: in your mouth. (Amis, 2000, pp.48-9)
The entrapped rhythms of this passage emphasize the nascent craziness of feeling here: didnt fit, didnt fit; when I clenched my teeth they didnt fit. Anger or aggressive assertion dont work with this set of unstable inheritances. Lorna Sage also felt her teeth didnt fit, but did not so closely associate it with her immediate family, and her dislike of it all is much simpler, more a matter of aesthetics and inconvenience. It isnt unusual for the middle-aged baby boomer to obsess about the physical and economic agonies of problem teeth, but Amis is, as he says, very nearly a dental monomaniac (ibid,.p. 49), one who filters everything through a graspable symbol of the problems inherited from his parents, his teeth.
Even more than Sages, Amiss memoir is organized around imagery of oral assault and neglect, especially of children, as the jacket photograph suggests: accounts of two year-old Jaime, Martins half-brother and younger by twenty years, getting drunk, of the young Martin in a stew of drugs and inertia, neglected by his depressed mother, until knocked into shape by his stepmother. The memoir is dense throughout with imagery of oral assault: imagery of toothlessness, death and dental suffering in many individuals. Martins mother remarks that with her teeth out, she knows how she will look when shes dead ( ibid,.p. 85). Kingsley Amis, in old age impotent and grown vastly fat, stuffing his face with sweets so that he cant speak, notes that it seems to calm him down. Much of the narrative is preoccupied with truly horrible accounts of Martin as a suffering adult dental patient, all his teeth being extracted with four hands in his mouth at once. Whole chapters are devoted to what the teeth mean to Martin: potency, status, literariness, embodiment, selfhood, life. When the final extraction is being described, Martin farewells his teeth with lyrical stream-of-consciousness inclusiveness:
Goodbye. Goodbye. This is goodbye. You hated me. I hated you. I loved you. Be gone. Stay! Goodbye. I love you. I hate you, I love you, I hate you. Goodbye
. And it is gonethe gory remnant whisked from my sight like some terrible misadventure in the Delivery Room. (Amis, 2000, p.84)
The teeth represent intense relatedness, to self and family. Losing them is like losing a baby, or some aborted internal self. When he can make it to a mirror, he sees, not Dorothy Wordsworth or Albert Steptoe, as he had feared, ugly, sexless old people, but just himself deprived of meaning, looking stupid, gormlessly lantern-jawed (ibid,.p. 85). His teeth, inherited with all their faults and beauties from his parents, are ambivalently associated with love, intelligence, life.
The chapters in which his teeth are most thoroughly explored, dazzling displays of essayist tours-de-force, disappear into masses of lengthy footnotes, as if analysis and synthesis, body and mind, have split asunder under the stress. Oral invasion, like the small episodes of sexual assault (Amis, 2000, pp.135-141) Amis reports from his childhood, split him from self, and yet constitute the basis of his identity. But the most important instance of oral invasion, the flip side as it were of the dental suffering, is extensively implied in the dotty chapter about great writers and teeth (Transcending the Purely Dental, ibid., 180): Kingsley Amiss words have invaded his son. The father as writer is embedded within him, and Martin Amiss novels and essays appear like memories of a sort. The memoir is suffused with the contemplation and analysis of Kingsley Amiss poems, novels, essays.(3) The most valued and the most hated aspects of oral invasion and the inheritance from the family are closely linked.
Amiss own children are emphatically not shown as re-enacting family nightmares in this way. He may wish to contemplate the extent to which his fathers life shapes his, but he does not wish to think of the process continuing. The photos of Amiss five children, his illegitimate daughter, Delilah, whom he did not know about until she was grown up, his two beautiful sons by his first wife, and two cute funny little daughters by his second are by contrast all shown in poses of absolute childhood safety: the boys in studio portraits that emphasise their shiny hair, clean white shirts, trusting eyes and extraordinary loveliness; the lost Delilah looking calmly happy and prettily dressed, first as toddler and then as young woman; the youngest girls as madcap kids, grinning, squeezing each other, playing peacefully with tatty toys. All of this is reassuring in ways appropriate to the childrens different circumstances. By contrast, the older generation of Amis children are shown looking peculiar: oddly ill-kempt, spotty, rescuing each other from childish mishaps. As Amis notes, when he horrifies himself by experimentally trying to think of his sons suffering as their murdered cousin Lucy did (Amis, 2000, p.66), its excruciating to think of ones own children as part of a family pattern of suffering; (4) Lorna Sage, too, likes to think that her own daughter broke the family pattern (Sage, 2000, p.280).
To summarize, this material is horrifically condensed in the memoirs other preoccupation, the fate of Martins first cousin, Lucy Partington, the daughter of his mothers sister, who was discovered twenty-one years after her disappearance at the age of twenty-one to have been one of Fred Wests victims. Parental incompetence and thoughtlessness, which Amis clearly sees in his father and his fathers poetry, have deformed his own and his sons lives. This behaviour is unthinkably, psychotically, amplified in Fred West, rapist and murderer of his own and other peoples daughters; but in Lucy Partingtons terrible end, Amis is also confronted with what parents are neither to blame for nor can save their children from. Though in one sense Amis is exquisitely aware of the extent to which he follows in his fathers traumatic path, in another he is helpless and unconscious, as Lucy was in the Wests house. Lucys mother objected to her daughter being used in Amiss memoir, and one understands why; but it seems to me that there is an absolute need for Amis to use it as he does. The mind takes its metaphors in whatever way it needs to. Like Hamlet (whom he quotes), Amis can get an ambivalent grip on the meaning of the death of fathers, but he just cant do the same with Lucy. The problem of evil and suffering remains. Maybe Lucy was tortured for days, maybe not. No one will ever know. With the memoirs other lost and suffering girls (Amiss unknown daughter, Delilah; the dead daughter of a tutor; even Fred Wests hideously abused daughters, who are referred to with sympathy), Lucy represents the unspeakable end-point of childhood pain. To my mind, the mature Martin Amis retains some of the obnoxious characteristics he discerns in his smart-mouth teenage self, whose embarrassing letters to family are included in the memoir, but beyond all the name-dropping there is an absolute conviction and complexity to the imagery of entombment, teeth and death that structure the memoir. It comes from a deeper stratum of self, where the still young(ish) writer has to prepare himself for the working-out of the family history in his own life, the image of oneself entombed within the detritus of family tragedy.
Although the experiences described by Sage and Amis seem in many ways dissimilar, both memoirs show the effects of intergenerational trauma on the family via disturbances of body-image, neglected children, metaphors of burial, dirt and entombment, and the affectless representation of their own and their childrens childhood distress. They are more diffuse, perhaps, than the very precise inherited memories of the children of Holocaust survivors, but they have the quality of transmitted unconscious material nonetheless. The family histories make sense of the authors associations in a literal way.
REFERENCES
AMIS, Martin. Experience. London, Jonathan Cape, 2000.
Age will win. The Guardian , 21.12. 2001.
BAROCAS, C. AND BAROCAS, H. Wounds of the fathers: The next generations of holocaust victims. Int. Review of Psychoan. 6: 331-340
1. I am still pleased with the book's first words, though I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. My bitter, theatrical vicar-grandfather was my reference point, my black flag on the map of the past, my arrow pointing - "You were here", this is where you begin (Sage, 2001).
2. I refer to the character in the memoir by the name used in the memoir, to the author and historical figure by surname. Its a tricky distinction, but one forced on us by life-writing.
3. Loyally, the son makes him out (I argue) to be a greater writer than he was. Kingsley Amis did not feel the same interest in his sons work, and apparently didnt persevere with the novels he wasnt taken with.
4. Amiss fathers friend, the childless poet Philip Larkin, could do it in his poem This be the Verse
Man hands on misery to man,
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And dont have any kids yourself.Source always | eng | cd55bca7-32cc-4b7e-b3b5-e9c6f3ed2f08 | http://peterfox.com.au/family_generational_effect.htm |
The oldest state flag still in use is Denmark's 13th century Dannebrog. There are two separate meanings for the term state flag in Vexillology – the flag of state of a Government, and the flag of an individual subnational national flag of Denmark, Dannebrog, is red with a white Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges of the flag the vertical part of the
A flag is a piece of cloth, often flown from a pole or mast, generally used symbolically for signaling or identification. A textile is a flexible material comprised of a network of natural or artificial Fibres often referred to as thread or Yarn.The mast of a sailing ship is a tall vertical or near vertical Spar, or arrangement of Spars which supports the Sails Large ships have several mastsThe musical instrument is spelled Cymbal. A symbol is something --- such as an object, Picture, written word a sound a piece The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium. The term graphic design can refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines which focus on visual communication and presentation
The first flags were used to assist military coordination on battlefields and flags have evolved into a general tool for rudimentary signaling and identification, This was especially used in environments where communication is similarly challenging (such as the maritime environment where semaphore is used). Flag semaphore is a system for conveying information at a distance by means of visual signals with hand-held flags rods disks paddles or occasionally bare or gloved hands National flags are potent patriotic symbols with varied wide-ranging interpretations, often including strong military associations due to their original and ongoing military uses. Flags are used in messaging, advertising, or for other decorative purposes. Advertising is a form of Communication that typically attempts to persuade potential Customers to Purchase or to consume more of a particular Brand The study of flags is known as vexillology, from the Latinvexillum meaning flag or banner. Vexillology is the scholarly study of Flags The word is a synthesis of the Latin word Vexillum and the suffix –''ology'', meaning "studyLatin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome.A banner is a Flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol logo slogan or other message
History
Derafsh-e-kaviani, Flag of AchaemenianPersian (Iranian) Empire, 500 B. The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenid Persian Empire ( haχɒmaneʃijɒn (558–330 BC was the first of the Persian Empires to rule over significant portions of C.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica: "Flags recognizable as such were the invention, almost certainly, of the ancient Indians or the Chinese "[1] The usage of flags spread from India and China to neighboring Burma, Siam, and southeastern Asia [1]
Persians used Derafsh-e-kaviani as the flag, at the time of Achaemenian dynasty at 550–330 B. layout and formatting it should ensure no clashes with the top of the infoboxThe Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenid Persian Empire ( haχɒmaneʃijɒn (558–330 BC was the first of the Persian Empires to rule over significant portions of C. Afterwards it was used in different look by the late Sassanid era (224-651). The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire It was also representative of the Sassanid state - Ērānshāhr, the "Kingdom of Iran" - and may so be considered to have been the first "national flag" of Iran. The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empireFor a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics.
Originally, the standards of the Roman legions were not flags, but symbols like the eagle of Augustus Caesar's Xth legion; this eagle would be placed on a staff for the standard-bearer to hold up during battle. For other uses see Legion The Roman Legion (from Latin legio "military levy Conscription,"Eagles are large birds of prey which are members of the Bird order Falconiformes and family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, wasLegio X Fretensis (Latin "Tenth legion of the sea strait " was a Roman legion levied by Augustus in 41 / 40 BC But a military unit from Dacia had for a standard a dragon with a flexible tail which would move in the wind; the legions copied this; eventually all the legions had flexible standards — our modern-day flag. Dacia, in ancient geography was the land of the Dacians. It was named by the ancient Hellenes ( Greeks) " Getae "The dragon is a Legendary creature of which some interpretation or depiction appears in almost every culture worldwideWind is the flow of Air or other Gases that compose an Atmosphere (including but not limited to the Earth's)
During the Middle Ages, flags were used mainly during battles to identify individual leaders: in Europe the knights, in Japan the samurai, and in China the generals under the imperial army. Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages.For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.is the term for the military nobility of Pre-industrial Japan.China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
From the time of Christopher Columbus onwards, it has been customary (and later a legal requirement) for ships to carry flags designating their nationality;[2] these flags eventually evolved into the national flags and maritime flags of today. Christopher Columbus (1451 &ndash May 20 1506 was an Italian Navigator, colonizer A maritime flag is a Flag designated for use on Boats and other watercraft Flags also became the preferred means of communications at sea, resulting in various systems of flag signals; see International maritime signal flags. Communication is the process of conveying information from a sender to a receiver with the use of a medium in which the communicated information is understood the same way
As European knights were replaced by centralized armies, flags became the means to identify not just nationalities but also individual military units. An army (from Latin Armata "act of arming" via Old French armée) in the broadest sense is the land-based Armed forces Flags became objects to be captured or defended. Eventually these flags posed too much danger to those carrying them, and by World War I these were withdrawn from the battlefields, and have since been used only at ceremonial occasions. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All
National flags
One of the most popular uses of a flag is to symbolize a nation or country. A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as wellThe Parliamentary Triangle is the ceremonial precinct of Canberra, containing some of Australia's most significant buildingsCanberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City.For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.A nation is a Human Cultural and Social Community. In as much as most members never meet each other yet feel a common bond it may be consideredIn Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity Some national flags have been particularly inspirational to other nations, countries, or subnational entities in the design of their own flags. A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as well Some prominent examples include:
The flag of Denmark is the oldest state flag still in use. The national flag of Denmark, Dannebrog, is red with a white Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges of the flag the vertical part of state is a political association with effective Sovereignty over a geographic Area and representing a Population. This flag, called the Dannebrog, inspired the cross design of the other Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and regional flags for the Faroe Islands, Åland, Scania and Bornholm. The national flag of Denmark, Dannebrog, is red with a white Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges of the flag the vertical part of theNordic Cross Flag Nordic Cross Scandinavian Cross is a pattern of flags usually associated with the Flags of the Scandinavian countries of which it originatedThe Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe called the Nordic region, consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, The flag of Norway is red with an indigo blue Scandinavian cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag the vertical part of the cross is shiftedList of flags of Sweden The Flag of Sweden (Sveriges flagga is blue with a yellow Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges of the flagList of flags of Finland The flag of Finland, also called Siniristilippu ("Blue Cross Flag" dates from the beginning of the 20th centuryList of flags of Iceland The flag of Iceland was officially described in Law NoThe flag of the Faroe Islands is an offset cross following as with other Nordic flags the tradition set by Dannebrog.The flag of Åland refers to the geographical and political position of the Finnish islands of Åland just off the coast of Sweden: it is theThe "flag of Skåneland", or the Scanian Cross Flag is a provincial flag representing Scania, the southernmost province of Sweden.This is the flag of Bornholm. It emerged sometime in the 1970's and is used to some extent
The Union Flag (Union Jack) of the United Kingdom is the most commonly used. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located British colonies typically flew a flag based on one of the ensigns based on this flag, and many former colonies have retained the design to acknowledge their cultural history. Examples: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Tuvalu, and also the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia, and the American state of Hawaii; see commons:Flags based on British ensigns. The flag of Australia was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition held following Federation.Prior to ceding the country to British rule in 1874 the government of Fiji adopted a national flag featuring blue and white verticalThe flag of New Zealand is a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and four red stars with white borders to the rightThe current Flag of Tuvalu was instated when the country became independent in 1978, after the separation from the Gilberts in 1976The Flag of Manitoba is a variation of the Red Ensign which bears the shield of the provincial coat of arms.The current Flag of Ontario was proclaimed the official flag of the Canadian province of Ontario by the Flag Act on May 21, 1965The Flag of British Columbia, Canada is based upon the shield of the provincial arms of British Columbia.The flag of Hawaii ( Hawaiian: Ka Hae Hawaii) is the official standard symbolizing Hawaii as a U
The Tricolour of The Netherlands is the oldest tricolor, first appearing in 1572 as the Prince's Flag in orange–white–blue. The Flag of the Netherlands is a horizontal Tricolour of Red, White, and Blue.The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the NetherlandsA tricolour or tricolor (three colours is a Flag or Banner more-or-less equally divided (horizontally vertically or less frequently diagonallyThe colour orange occursWhite is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eyeBlue is a Colour, the Perception of which is evoked by Soon the more famous red–white–blue began appearing — it is however unknown why, though many stories are known. Red is any of a number of similar Colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of Light discernible by the human eye in the wavelength After 1630 the red–white–blue was the most commonly seen flag. The Dutch Tricolor has inspired many flags but most notably those of Russia, India and France, which spread the tricolor concept even further. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Flag of the Netherlands is also the only flag in the world that is adapted for some uses, when the occasion has a connection to the royal house of the Netherlands an orange ribbon is added. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands
The national flag of France, also called the Tricouleur, which inspired other nations to adopt differenced tricolors in sympathy with the revolutionary spirit with which the flag was designed in 1794. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.A tricolour or tricolor (three colours is a Flag or Banner more-or-less equally divided (horizontally vertically or less frequently diagonallyA tricolour or tricolor (three colours is a Flag or Banner more-or-less equally divided (horizontally vertically or less frequently diagonallyExamples among many: Costa Rica, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Mexico. The Flag of Costa Rica was officially adopted on November 27, 1906.See also List of Italian flags The flag of Italy ( La bandiera d'Italia, often referred to in Italian as Il Tricolore) is a TricolourThe national flag of Romania is a tricolour with vertical stripes beginning from the flagpole blue yellow and redThe Flag of the United Mexican States or Mexico is a vertical tricolor of Green, White, and Red with
The flag of the United States, also nicknamed The Stars and Stripes or Old Glory. Flags of the United States The Flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of Red (top and bottom alternatingThe United States of America —commonly referred to as the In the same way that nations looked to France for inspiration, many countries were also inspired by the American Revolution, which they felt was symbolized in this flag. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots"Examples: Cuba, Liberia, Chile, Uruguay, and the French region of Brittany. The flag of Cuba was adopted on May 20, 1902, containing a field with five blue and white stripes and a red triangle at the hoist with a white 5-pointedThe Liberian flag bears close resemblance to the Flag of the United States, showing the ex-American slave origins of the countryThe National flag of Chile, also known as La estrella solitaria ( Spanish for "the lone star" consists of two equal horizontalThe national flag of Uruguay ( Pabellón Nacional) has a field of nine equal horizontal stripes alternating white and blueThe flag of Brittany is called the Gwenn-ha-du which means white and black in Breton.
The flag of Russia, the source for the Pan-Slavic colors adopted by many Slavic states and peoples as their symbols. Examples: Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia. The current form of the flag of Slovakia was adopted by Slovakia's Constitution which came into force on September 3, 1992.The flag of Serbia is a Tricolour with Pan-Slavic colours, with three equal horizontal fields Red on the top Blue in the middleThe Croatian flag consists of three equal size horizontal stripes in the pan-Slavic colours Red, White and Blue.The national flag of Slovenia features three equal horizontal bands of white (top blue and red with the Slovenian coat of arms located in the upper hoist side
The original tricolor Flag of Iran, the source for the Pan-Iranian colors Green, White and Red adopted by many Indo-Iranian or Aryan states and peoples as their symbols. The current flag of Iran was adopted on July 29, 1980, and is a reflection of the changes brought to Iran by the Islamic Revolution Aryan is an English word derived from the Sanskrit " Ārya " meaning "noble" or "honorable"Examples: Tajikistan, Kurdistan, Republic of Ararat, Talysh-Mughan. Adopted in November 1992 Tajikistan was the last of the former Soviet republics to reveal a new flagThe Kurdish flag (also flag of Kurdistan, Kurdish: Alaya Kurdistanê, also called Alay Rengîn ("the colorful flag" first appearedThis article is about the Kurdish independence movement The same name was sometimes also used to refer to the Democratic Republic of Armenia, established in 1918The Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic was a short-lived self-proclaimed autonomous republic in Azerbaijan, that lasted from June to August 1993 Also Bulgarians who claim to be descendants of ancient Iranian people known as Thracians and Scythians adopted Pan-Iranian colors see Bulgaria. The Bulgarians (българи balgari) are a South Slavic people generally associated with the Republic of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian language "Thracians" also refers to modern inhabitants of Thrace, regardless of ethnicityThe Scythians or Scyths (Σκύθες Σκύθοι were an Iranian speaking people of horse-riding Nomadic pastoralists who dominated the PonticThe Flag of Bulgaria (знаме на България zname na Balgariya) is a Tricolour consisting of three equal-sized horizontal bands Some of Iran's non-Iranian neighboring countries also adopted these colors see Kuwait and Oman. The flag of Kuwait ( علم الكويت) was adopted on September 7, 1961 and officially hoisted November 24, Gallery TemplateNationalflags -->
Ethiopia was seen as a model by emerging African states of the 1950s and 1960s, as it was one of the oldest independent states in Africa. NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page Accordingly, its flag became the source of the Pan-African colors. The Flag of Ethiopia was adopted on February 6, 1996. The 3 traditional colors- green yellow and red- date back to the Emperor Menelik (1889-1913Two different sets of three colours are referred to as the Pan-African colours: the green gold and red first used in the Flag of Ethiopia; (Ghana was the firstExamples: Togo, Senegal, Ghana, Mali. The flag of Togo was adopted on April 27, 1960. It has five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom alternating with yellowThe origins of the flag of Senegal lie in the former Mali Federation, whose Flag was identical spare for a stylized black silhouette in the central sectionflag of Ghana was adopted in 1957 It was replaced with a variant with a white stripe in the middle from 1964 to 1966The flag of Mali is a Tricolor with three equal vertical stripes
The flag of Turkey, which was the flag of the Ottoman Empire, has been an inspiration for the flag designs of many other Muslim nations. The flag of Turkey consists of a white crescent moon and a Star on a Red backgroundTurkey During the time of the Ottomans the crescent began to be associated with Islam and this is reflected on the flags of Algeria, Azerbaijan, Comoros, Malaysia, Mauritania, Pakistan and of Tunisia. For things named Crescent see Crescent (disambiguation. In art and symbolism a crescent is generally the shape produced when a For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation.The National flag of Algeria consists of two equal vertical bars green and white charged in the center with a red Star and crescent.The Flag of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan bayrağı is one of the National symbols of Azerbaijan and consists of three equal horizontal bands from top blueThe current flag of Comoros was designed in 2001 and adopted on January 7, 2002.The flag of Malaysia, also known as the Jalur Gemilang ("Stripes of Glory" comprises a field of 14 alternating red and white stripes alongThe national flag of Mauritania was adopted on April 1, 1959.The national flag of Pakistan was designed by Syed Amir uddin Kedwaii and was based on the original flag of the Muslim League.The national flag of Tunisia (علم تونس is predominantly red and comprised of a white circle in the middle containing a red Crescent around a Five-pointed
The Pan-Arab colors, green, white, red and black, are derived from the flag of the Great Arab Revolt as seen on the flags of Jordan, Kuwait, Sudan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen and Palestine. The Pan-Arab colors are Red, Black, White, and Green and have their origins in the flag of the Arab Revolt.Green is a Color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a Wavelength of roughly 520–570- nm.White is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eyeRed is any of a number of similar Colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of Light discernible by the human eye in the wavelengthBlack is the Color of objects that do not emit or Reflect Light in any part of the Visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies ofTheThe national flag of Jordan ( علم الأردن) is based on the Flag of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War IThe flag of Kuwait ( علم الكويت) was adopted on September 7, 1961 and officially hoisted November 24, The flag of Sudan ( علم السودان) was adopted on May 20, 1970, and consists of a red-white-black Tricolor with a greenThe current flag of Syria ( علم سوريا) was re-adopted in 1980.The flag of the United Arab Emirates ( علم الإمارات العربية المتحدة) was adopted on December 2, 1971.Western Sahara ( علم الصحراء الغربية) is a territory of northwestern Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north Algeria in theThe flag of Egypt ( علم مصر) in its current form was adopted on October 4, 1984.The flag of Iraq ( علم العراق) has had five different designs since the Kingdom of Iraq was established in 1921The national flag of Yemen ( علم اليمن) was adopted on May 22, 1990, the same day that North Yemen and South Yemen The Palestinian flag ( علم فلسطين) was originally designed by Sharif Hussein for the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire in 1916
The Soviet flag, with its golden symbols of the hammer and sickle on a red field, was an inspiration to flags of other communist states, such as East Germany, People's Republic of China, Vietnam, Angola, Afghanistan and Mozambique. The flag of the Soviet Union consisted of a plain Red flag, with a hammer crossed with a sickle (the Hammer and sickle) and a Red star inThe hammer and sickle is a part of Communist symbolism and its usage indicates an association with Communism, Communist Party, or Communist stateCommunism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society basedThe flag of Germany is a Tricolour consisting of three equal horizontal bands displaying the national colours of Germany: Black,The Flag of the People's Republic of China, the "Five-Starred Red Flag ( was designed by Zeng Liansong, an Economist and Artist The flag of Vietnam, also known as the "red flag with yellow star" ( cờ đỏ sao vàng) was adopted as the flag of the Vietminh, a 2003 proposal In 2003 a new more "optimistic" flag was proposed which so far has not been formally adoptedThe Flag of Afghanistan was adopted by the transitional government of Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan in 2002&ndash2004The flag of Mozambique was adopted on May 1, 1983. It includes the image of an AK-47 and is the only national flag in the world to feature such
The The flag of Venezuela dates from 1811, the beginning of that nation's struggle for independenceVenezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on theSebastián Francisco de Miranda y Rodríguez ( Caracas, March 28, 1750 – in prison El Arsenal de la Carraca, Cadiz, Gran Colombia ( Spanish for Great Colombia) is a name used today for the Republic of Colombia of the period 1819-1831List of Colombian flags The Flag of Colombia was adopted on November 26, 1861.The flag of Ecuador, which consists of horizontal bands of yellow (double width blue and red was adopted on September 26, 1860.Yellow is the Color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M (long and medium wavelength Cone cells of the Retina about equallyBlue is a Colour, the Perception of which is evoked by Red is any of a number of similar Colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of Light discernible by the human eye in the wavelength
The flag of Argentina, created by Manuel Belgrano during the war of independence, was the inspiration for the United Provinces of Central America's flag, which in turn was the origin for the flags of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. For TheEl Salvador ( República de El Salvador,) is a country in Central America.Nicaragua (ˌnɪkəˈrɑgwə officially the Republic of Nicaragua () is a representative democratic republic and the largest nation in Central America
National flag designs are often used to signify nationality in other forms, such as flag patches. A flag patch is a piece of fabric displaying the national flag of a country
Civil flags
A civil flag is a version of the national flag that is flown by civilians on non-government installations or craft. A civil flag is a version of the National flag that is flown by civilians on non-government installations or craft The use of civil flags was more common in the past, in order to denote buildings or ships that were not manned by the military. In some countries the civil flag is the same as the war flag or state flag, but without the coat of arms, such as in the case of Spain, and in others it is an alteration of the war flag. A war flag (or military flag) is a variant of a National flag for use by the nation's military forces on landThere are two separate meanings for the term state flag in Vexillology – the flag of state of a Government, and the flag of an individual subnational state
War flags
Standing for the UK's Royal Air Force, the Ensign of the RAF displays the RAF roundel. A war flag (or military flag) is a variant of a National flag for use by the nation's military forces on landThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state locatedThe Royal Air Force Ensign is the official Flag which is used to represent the Royal Air Force.A roundel in Heraldry is any circular shape in military use it is an Emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags generally round and
German troops after surrendering to the U. S. Third Army in WW2. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The first soldier carries a white flag.
Several countries (including the United Kingdom and the former Nazi Germany) have unique flags flown by their armed forces, rather than the national flag. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces.Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German WorkersFor the military meaning see Armed forces. For the Soviet sports society see Armed Forces (sports society Armed Forces A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as well
Other countries' armed forces (such as those of the United States or Switzerland) use their standard national flag. The United States of America —commonly referred to as theSwitzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation The Philippines' armed forces may use their standard national flag, but during times of war the flag is turned upside down - the only known case where an upside down national flag signifies a state of war (and not merely distress. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP ) These are also considered war flags, though the terminology only applies to the flag's military usage.
Large versions of the war flag flown on the warships of countries' navies are known as battle ensigns. A warship is a Ship that is built and primarily intended for Combat.A battle ensign is the name given to a large War flag which is flown on a Warship 's mast just before going into battle In war waving a white flag indicates surrender. White is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eye
Flags at sea
The international maritime signal flag Delta (letter D). A maritime flag is a Flag designated for use on Boats and other watercraft
Flags are particularly important at sea, where they can mean the difference between life and death, and consequently where the rules and regulations for the flying of flags are strictly enforced. A national flag flown at sea is known as an ensign. An ensign is a distinguishing Flag of a ship or a military unit or a distinguishing token emblem or badge such as a symbol of office A courteous, peaceable merchant ship or yacht customarily flies its ensign (in the usual ensign position), together with the flag of whatever nation it is currently visiting at the mast (known as a courtesy flag). A yacht is a recreational boat It designates two rather different classes of Watercraft, sailing and power yachtsA courtesy flag (or courtesy ensign) is flown by a ship in foreign waters as a token of respect by a vessel that is visiting To fly one's ensign alone in foreign waters, a foreign port or in the face of a foreign warship traditionally indicates a willingness to fight, with cannon, for the right to do so. | NOTE Throughout this article "cannon" is used as BOTH the || singular and plural As of 2006, this custom is still taken seriously by many naval and port authorities and is readily enforced in many parts of the world by boarding, confiscation and other civil penalties.
In some countries yacht ensigns are different from merchant ensigns in order to signal that the yacht is not carrying cargo that requires a customs declaration. Cargo (or freight) refers to goods or produce transported generally for Commercial gain by ship, aircraft, train, Customs is an Authority or agency in a Country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods Carrying commercial cargo on a boat with a yacht ensign is deemed to be smuggling in many jurisdictions. Smuggling, also known as trafficking, is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons past a point where prohibited such as out of a building into a Prison
As well, semaphore flags can be used to communicate on an ad hoc basis from ship to ship over short distances. Flag semaphore is a system for conveying information at a distance by means of visual signals with hand-held flags rods disks paddles or occasionally bare or gloved hands
Shape and design
The flag of Nepal, the only national flag that is not rectangular or square. This is a gallery of Flags arranged by design Solid See also Gallery of solid flags Four examples Bicolour See also The national flag of Nepal is the only national flag in the world that is not a quadrilateral
Flags are usually rectangular in shape (often in the ratio 2:3 or 3:5), but may be of any shape or size that is practical for flying, including square, triangular, or swallow tailed. A more unusual flag shape is that of the flag of Nepal, which is in the shape of two stacked triangles. The national flag of Nepal is the only national flag in the world that is not a quadrilateral
Many flags are dyed through and through to be inexpensive to manufacture, such that the reverse side is the mirror image of the obverse (front) side. Through and through describes a situation where an object real or imaginary passes completely through another object also real or imaginary"Mirror Image" is an episode of the Television series The Twilight Zone. This presents two possibilities:
If the design is symmetrical in an axis parallel to the flag pole, obverse and reverse will be identical despite the mirror-reversal e. Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically-pleasing proportionality and balance such that it reflects beauty or g. flag of India
If not, the obverse and reverse will present two variants of the same design, one with the hoist on the left, the other with the hoist on the right. "Indian flag" redirects here For flags used by Native American peoples see the tribes' respective articles, for example the Navajo Nation. This is very common and usually not disturbing if there is no text in the design.
Some complex flag designs are not intended for through and through implementation, requiring separate obverse and reverse sides if made correctly. In these cases there is a design element (usually text) which is not symmetric and should be read in the same direction, regardless of whether the hoist is to the viewer's left or right. These cases can be divided into two types:
The same (asymmetric) design may be duplicated on both sides. Such flags can be manufactured by creating two identical through and through flags and then sewing them back to back, though this can affect the resulting combination's responsiveness to the wind. Depictions of such flags may be marked with the symbol , indicating the reverse is congruent to (rather than a mirror image of) the obverse.
Rarely, the reverse design may differ, in whole or in part, from that of the obverse. Examples are the national flag of Paraguay, the flag of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the historical national flag of the Soviet Union. The flag of Paraguay (bandera de Paraguay was adopted in 1842.The Flag of the US state of Oregon is a two-sided flag in Navy blue and gold with an optional gold fringeThe flag of the Soviet Union consisted of a plain Red flag, with a hammer crossed with a sickle (the Hammer and sickle) and a Red star in Depictions of such flags may be marked with the symbol . See:Flags whose reverse differs from the obverse. This article concerns national sub-national and historical Flags whose reverse is or was at some point of their history different from the obverse
The flag of Kiribati, a banner of arms. The Flag of Kiribati: the upper half is red with a gold Frigatebird ( Fregata minor, in Gilbertese: te eitei) flying overA banner is a Flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol logo slogan or other message
Common designs on flags include crosses, stripes, and divisions of the surface, or field, into bands or quarters — patterns and principles mainly derived from heraldry. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. A heraldic coat of arms may also be flown as a banner of arms, as is done on both the state flag of Maryland and the flag of Kiribati. A banner is a Flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol logo slogan or other messageThe flag of Maryland consists of the heraldic banners of the family of George Calvert 1st Baron Baltimore.The Flag of Kiribati: the upper half is red with a gold Frigatebird ( Fregata minor, in Gilbertese: te eitei) flying over
The flag of Libya, which consists of a rectangular field of green, is the only national flag using a single color and no design or insignia. The flag of Libya ( علم ليبيا) (adopted on November 11, 1977) consists of a simple Green field with no other characteristics
Largest flags
The world's largest flag is this 18,843 m² (202,823. 55 ft²) flag of Israel. List of flags of Israel The flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the country's establishment[3]
The largest flag, as adjudicated by Guinness World Records, is an 18,847-square-meter flag of Israel made by Filipina Grace Galindez-Gupana and unfurled at Masada Airfield in November 2007. Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records (and in previous UList of flags of Israel The flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the country's establishmentFilipinos or the Filipino people are the citizens of the Philippines.Bar Yehuda Airfield ( Hebrew מנחת בר־יהודה, minḥat bar-yehuda; sometimes known as Masada Airfield), named after Israel[4][5] This flag plus 3 other gigantic national flags and 180 smaller flags of other countries were later sewn together by Gupana's multinational team to form the world's largest banner, covering an area of 54,451 square meters. A banner is a Flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol logo slogan or other message[6]
Other large flags, in excess of 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft) that have been constructed, appear in the following list.
Religious flags
Flags can play many different roles in religion. List of flags of Israel The flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the country's establishmentMasada ( Hebrew מצדה pronounced Metzada, from מצודה metzuda, "fortress" is the name for a site of ancient Palaces andFor a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topicsThe national flag of Bahrain ( علم البحرين) consists of a white band on the left separated from a red area on the right by five triangles that serveThe Kingdom of Bahrain (in مملكة البحرين,, literally Kingdom of the Two Seas) is an Island country in the Persian GulfThe national flag of Pakistan was designed by Syed Amir uddin Kedwaii and was based on the original flag of the Muslim League.Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East andFlags of the United States The Flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of Red (top and bottom alternatingLong Beach is a city located in southern California, USA, on the Pacific coastThe flag of Tibet, also known as the snow lion flag, was introduced in 1912 by the 13th Dalai Lama, who united the army flags of various provincesHanoi ( Vietnamese: Hà Nội Hán Tự: 河[[wikt 内|内]], estimated population 3398889 (2007, is the Capital of Vietnam Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officiallyThe flag of Jainism has five colours White Red Orange Green and Dark Blue (or Black In Buddhism, prayer flags are used, usually in sets of five differently colored flags. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practicesPrayer flags are colorful panels or rectangular cloths often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding countryside or for other Many national flags and other flags include religious symbols such as the cross, the crescent, or a reference to a patron saint. Religion in National flags is the phenomenon that religious symbols are associated with national flags Flags are also adopted by religious groups and flags such as the Jain flag and the Christian flag are used to represent a whole religion. The flag of Jainism has five colours White Red Orange Green and Dark Blue (or BlackThe Christian Flag is a Flag designed to represent all of Christianity (see also Christendom) but flown mainly by Protestant churches in
Linguistic flags
As languages rarely have a flag designed to represent them[14], it is a common practice, though unofficial, to use national flags to identify them. La Francophonie is an international organisation of French-speaking countries and governments and in French, the community of French-speaking peoplesis by far the most widely spoken constructed International auxiliary language in the world Examples of this use include:
representing language skills of an individual, like a staff member of a company
displaying available languages on a multilingual website or software.
Though this can be done in an uncontroversial manner in some cases, this can easily lead to some problems for certain languages:
languages spoken in more than one countries, for examples English, Arabic, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish (see also World language)
In this second case, common solutions include symbolising these languages by:
the flag of the country where the language originated
the flag of the country having the largest number of native speakers
a mixed flag of the both (when this is not the same)
the flag of the country most identified with that language in a specific region (Portuguese: Portuguese or Brazilian flag; English: UK or US flag)
Thus, on the Internet, it is common to see the English language associated to the flag of the United States, the flag of the United Kingdom, the flag of England or an US-UK mixed flag. This is a list of states where language is a political issue Many states in the world have more than one Official language.Romanian or Daco-Romanian ( dated: Rumanian or Roumanian; self designation limba română, ˈlimba roˈmɨnə is a RomanceHistory and politics A world language is a language spoken internationally which is learned by many people as a Second language.Flags of the United States The Flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of Red (top and bottom alternatingThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the royal banner locally known as the Union Flag or popularly Union JackThe Flag of England is the St George's Cross. The red cross appeared as an emblem of England during the Middle Ages and the Crusades and
In sports
Flags flown on a beach.
Because of their ease of signaling and identification, flags are often used in sports. Sport is an Activity that is governed by a set of rules or Customs and often engaged in competitively
In Association football (soccer), linesmen carry small flags along the touch lines. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely consideredTwo assistant referees (previously known as linesmen) assist the referee in controlling an association football match They use the flags to indicate to the referee potential infringements of the laws, or who is entitled to possession of the ball that has gone out of the field of play, or, most famously, raising the flag to indicate an offside offence. A referee presides over a game of Association football. The referee has "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which Officials called touch judges use flags for similar purposes in both codes of rugby. Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School
In American and Canadian football, referees use flags to indicate that a foul has been committed in game playA referee is a person who has authority to make decisions about play in many Sports Officials in various sports are known by a variety of titles including referee The phrase used for such an indication is flag on the play. The flag itself is a small, weighted handkerchief, tossed on the field at the approximate point of the infraction; the intent is usually to sort out the details after the current play from scrimmage has concluded. In American football, the flag is usually yellow; in Canadian football, it is usually red.
In yacht racing, flags are used to communicate information from the race committee boat to the racers. Yacht racing is the sport of competitive Sailing. There is a broad variety of kinds of races and sailboats used for racing Different flags hoisted from the committee boat may communicate a false start, changes in the course, a canceled race, or other important information. Racing boats themselves may also use flags to symbolize a protest or distress. The flags are often part of the nautical alphabetic system of International maritime signal flags, in which 26 different flags designate the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet.
In auto and motorcycle racing, racing flags are used to communicate with drivers. Auto racing (also known as automobile racing, motor racing or car racing) is a Motorsport involving Racing Cars ItMotorcycle sport is a broad field that encompasses all Sporting aspects of Motorcycling.Racing flags are traditionally used in Auto racing and similar motorsports to communicate important messages to drivers Most famously, a checkered flag of black and white squares indicates the end of the race, and victory for the leader. A yellow flag is used to indicate caution requiring slow speed and a red flag requires racers to stop immediately. A black flag is used to indicate penalties.
In addition, fans of almost all sports wave flags in the stands to indicate their support for the participants. Many sports teams have their own flags, and, in individual sports, fans will indicate their support for a player by waving the flag of his or her home country.
Capture the flag is a popular children's sport. Capture the flag ( CTF) is a traditional outdoor sport often played by children or sometimes adults where two teams each have a flag (or other marker and the objective is
In Gaelic football and Hurling a green flag is use to indicate a goal while a white flag is used to indicate a point
In Australian rules football, the goal umpire will wave two flags to indicate a goal and a single flag to indicate a point. Gaelic football ( Irish: Peil, Peil Ghaelach, or Caid) commonly referred to as " football " is a form of Football Hurling (in Irish, iománaíocht or iomáint) is an outdoor team Sport of ancient Gaelic origin administered by the GaelicAustralian (rules football, or simply known as football, footy or Aussie rules, is a Team sport played between two teams of 18 playersAn umpire is an official in the Sport of Australian rules football.
For safety, dive flags indicate the locations of underwater scuba divers. Here is a glossary of Scuba diving terms A-F; Arterial Gas Embolism: a medical condition caused by gas bubbles in the bloodstream that can be caused by a too rapidScuba diving is swimming underwater, or taking part in another activity while using a Scuba set.
In water sports such as Wakeboarding and Water-Skiing, an orange flag is held in between runs to indicate someone is in the water.
Swimming flags
Open swimming area
Closed swimming area
In Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, and the United Kingdom a pair of red/yellow flags is used to mark the limits of the bathing area on a beach, usually guarded by surf lifesaversSurf lifesaving is a multifaceted movement that comprises key aspects of voluntary Lifeguard services and competitive surf sport If the beach is closed, the poles of the flags are crossed. The flags are colored with a red triangle and a yellow triangle making a rectangular flag, or a red rectangle over a yellow rectangle. On many Australian beaches there is a slight variation with beach condition signaling. A red flag signifies a closed beach (or, in the UK, some other danger), yellow signifies strong current or difficult swimming conditions, and green represents a beach safe for general swimming. In Ireland, a red and yellow flag indicates that it is safe to swim; a red flag that it is unsafe; and no flag indicates that there are no lifeguards on duty. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Blue flags may also be used away from the yellow-red lifesaver area to designate a zone for surfboarding and other small, non-motorised watercraft.
Reasons for closing the beach include:
no lifeguards in attendance
waves too strong
dangerous rip
sharks
tsunami
hurricane warning
A surf flag exists, divided into four quadrants. The top left and bottom right quadrants are black, and the remaining area is white.
Signal flag "India" (a black circle on a yellow square) is frequently used to denote a "blackball" zone where surfboards cannot be used but other water activities are permitted.
Railway flags
Railways use a number of colored flags. When used as wayside signals they usually use the following meanings (exact meanings are set by the individual railroad company):
red = stop
yellow = proceed with care
green or white or blue = proceed.
a flag of any color waved vigorously means stop
A blue flag on the side of a locomotive means that it should not be moved because someone is working on it (or on the train attached to it). A blue flag on a track means that nothing on that track should be moved. The flag can only be removed by the person or group that placed it.
At night, the flags are replaced with lanterns showing the same colors.
Flags displayed on the front of a moving locomotive are an acceptable replacement for classification lights and usually have the following meanings (exact meanings are set by the individual railroad company):
white = extra (not on the timetable)
green = another section following
red = last section
Additionally, a railroad brakeman will typically carry a red flag to make his or her hand signals more visible to the engineer. Railway signals are a development of railway flags. A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a Railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train drivers/engineers.[15]
In politics
The Rainbow flag of the LGBT social movement. A rainbow flag is a multi-colored flag consisting of stripes in the colors of the Rainbow.LGBT (also GLBT) is an initialism referring collectively to Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, and Transgender / transsexual
Social and political movements have adopted flags, to increase their visibility and as a unifying symbol.
The socialist movement uses red flags to represent their cause. Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the Means of production and distributionRed flags can signify a warning Martial law, defiance or Left-wing politics The anarchism movement has a variety of different flags, but the primary flag associated with them is the black flag. Anarchism is a Political philosophy encompassing theories and attitudes which support the elimination of all compulsory Government, iWhile anarchists have historically largely denied the importance of Symbols to political movement anarchists have embraced certain symbols for their cause In the 1970s, the rainbow flag was adopted as a symbol of the LGBT social movements. The Rainbow flag or Pride flag of the LGBT community (also known as the gay pride flag) is a symbol of LGBT pride and LGBT social movementsLesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender social movements share related goals of social acceptance of Homosexuality, Bisexuality and Transgenderism LesbianBisexual and transgender pride flags were later designed, in an attempt to emulate the rainbow flag's success. bisexual pride flag was designed by Michael Page in 1998 in order to give the Bisexual community its own symbol comparable to the Gay pride flag of theThe Transgender Pride flag was designed by Monica Helms and was first shown at a pride parade in Phoenix Arizona, United States in 2000. Some of these political flags have become national flags; such as the red flag of the Soviet Union and national socialist banners for Nazi Germany. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers
Flagpoles
"Flagpole" redirects here. For the magazine, see Flagpole Magazine. Flagpole Magazine, often abbreviated to simply Flagpole, is an Alternative newsweekly that focuses on the cultural scene of Athens Georgia
The smallest flag in the World (700 nanometers wide and about 2 nanometers high), produced at the Bilkent UniversityNanophysics Department. North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia,The Aqaba Flagpole in Aqaba, Jordan is the second tallest free standing flagpole in the world at a height of 132 meters (430 feet highA nanometre ( American spelling: nanometer, symbol nm) ( Greek: νάνος nanos dwarf; μετρώ metrό count) is aBilkent University (In Turkish: Bilkent Üniversitesi) the first private university of Turkey, was founded in Ankara on October 20Nanotechnology, sometimes shortened to nanotech, refers to a field of Applied science whose theme is the control of matter on an Atomic and Molecular
A flagpole or flagstaff can be a simple support made of wood or metal. If it is taller than can be easily reached to raise the flag, a cord is used, looping around a pulley at the top of the pole with the ends tied at the bottom. The flag is fixed to one lower end of the cord, and is then raised by pulling on the other end. The cord is then tightened and tied to the pole at the bottom. The pole is usually topped by a flat plate called a "truck" (originally meant to keep a wooden pole from splitting) or by a ball or a finial in a more complex shape. The finial is an architectural device typically carved in stone and employed to decoratively emphasize the Apex of a Gable, or any of various distinctive ornaments
Very high flagpoles may require more complex support structures than a simple pole, such as guy wires, or need be built as a mast. The highest flagpole in the world, at 160 metres (525 ft), is that at Gijeong-dong in North Korea, the flag weighing about 270 kilograms (600 pounds) when dry. The Korean Demilitarized Zone ( Korean: 한반도의 군사 분계선 is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a BufferNorth Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia,[16]
The tallest free-standing flagpole in the world is the Aqaba Flagpole in Aqaba, Jordan, with a total height of 132 meters (430 ft). The Aqaba Flagpole in Aqaba, Jordan is the second tallest free standing flagpole in the world at a height of 132 meters (430 feet high The Raghadan Flagpole, also in Jordan, is the second tallest free-standing flagpole in the world. The Raghadan Flagpole is a 1268 Metre tall Flagpole in Amman, Jordan. It reaches a height of 126 meters (410 ft) and hoists a flag that measures 60 by 40 meters (200 by 130 feet); it is illuminated at night and can be seen from 25 km (16 miles) away.
The world's biggest regularly hoisted flag, however, is the Brazilian national flag flown in the Square of the Three Powers in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. Praça dos Três Poderes ( Portuguese for Square of the Three Powers) is a plaza in Brasília, the Capital of Brazil.Brasília (bɾaˈziliɐ is the Capital of Brazil. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country along a Plateau|utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld This flag weighs about 600 kilograms (1300 pounds) when dry and measures 70×100 metres (230x330 feet). It can be seen from all parts of Brasilia and its flagpole is the tallest structure in the city.
Design
Flagpoles can be designed in one piece with a taper (typically a cone taper or a Venetian/Greekentasis taper),[17] or be made from multiple pieces to make them able to expand Architecture, entasis is the application of a convex curve to a surface for aesthetic purposes In the United States, ANSI/NAAMM guide specification FP-1001-97 covers the engineering design of metal flagpoles to ensure safety.
References
^ Since November 25, 2007, according to Guinness World Records. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS) also called the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea treaty is the international agreement that resultedEvents 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, theYear 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records (and in previous U
^ Calvert, J. Events B.Early Railway Signals. University of DenverKorea's DMZ: Scariest place on Earth. CNN (February 20, 2002).
^Cone Tapered vs. Venetian Entasis Tapered. Lingo Flagpoles Inc. Archived from the original on 2005-02-28. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.Events 202 BC - coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty 's rule
William G. Crampton; The World of Flags; Rand McNally; ISBN 0-528-83720-6 (hardcover, 1994).
External links
fotw.net, Flags of the World, an outstanding source of vexillological information, contributed to by a group of international volunteers. This is a gallery of Flags arranged by design Solid See also Gallery of solid flags Four examples Bicolour See also This is a gallery of pairs (or larger groupings of Flags that exhibit such similarity in design that they can be difficult to distinguishThis is list of flag galleries hosted on Wikimedia Commons. While browsing the galleries please use the Back button of your Web browser to get back to WikipediaThis gallery of sovereign-state flags shows the Flags of Sovereign states in the List of sovereign states.flag of south africa This is an incomplete blue white red black green, saltire flag Nicknames.Unofficial flags are either (a Flags in regular use that have no official status or (b flag concepts that have appeared in various publicationsA flag patch is a piece of fabric displaying the national flag of a countryA flag day is a Flag -related holiday—either a day designated for flying a certain flag (such as a National flag) or a day set aside to celebrate a historical eventFlag desecration is a term applied to various acts that intentionally deface a Flag, most often a National flag (though other flags can be defaced as wellFlag protocol defines the proper placement handling and use of Flags Some countries have added certain protocols into their law system while others prefer to have "guidelines"The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon.The art of flag throwing dates back to Medieval Guilds A guild's banner or Flag was considered a symbol of purity and as such it was not allowed to touchHistory The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931 a Baptist minister a Christian Socialist, and the cousin of Socialist UtopianA standard-bearer is a person (soldier or civilian who bears an emblem called an Ensign or standard iVexillology is the scholarly study of Flags The word is a synthesis of the Latin word Vexillum and the suffix –''ology'', meaning "studyThe Jolly Roger is the name given to any of various Flags flown to identify a ship's crew as pirates The flag most usually identified as the Jolly Roger todayA petrosomatoglyph is an image of parts of a human or animal body incised in rockFor a list of flags see List of flags or Gallery of flags by design. | eng | 9689e30a-5743-4d08-b527-713bd8dfe7a6 | http://citizendia.org/Flag |
Art and Visual Technology (AVT)
College of Visual and Performing Arts
NOTE: On July 1, 2001, the Division of Art and
Visual Technologies (formerly housed within the Institute of
the Arts) became the Department of Art and Visual
Technology (AVT) within the College of Visual and Performing
Arts (CVPA). The former Division of InterArts and the
VIT Graduate Program are both included within AVT. All
courses formerly listed with prefixes of ARTS and VIT are now
listed with the prefix of AVT. Courses formerly listed with
the prefix ARIN are now listed with the prefix AVT or CVPA.
103 Introduction to the Artist's Studio
(3:3:0).For non-majors only. Through a series of projects, readings,
class critiques, videos, CD-ROMs, slides, and field trips,
students are encouraged to explore materials, techniques,
concepts, and processes that are essential to the
understanding of the language of the visual arts and the role of the
artist. Students also develop imaginative thinking and
sensitivity to their visual environment.
104 Studio Fundamentals I (4:2:4). First half of a
two-semester course concerning basic visual
decision-making and the choices involved in ordering elements of a
visual vocabulary into a unified, coherent whole. Focusing on
two-dimensional design and color in a variety of media,
the course establishes a basis for comprehension and use of
a visual language.
105 Studio Fundamentals II (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
AVT 104, or permission of instructor. The second half of a
two-semester course that will introduce students to the
basic principles of three-dimensional design and how this
information applies to art making and the practical world.
Course activities are a blend of studio projects, discussions,
and presentations that focus on understanding the creative
and conceptual realm of the three dimensional arts,
including sculpture, architecture, furniture, environmental design,
and time based media.
204 Visual Thinking(3:3:0). Introduction to visual
thinking. Topics include information from visual
perception, memory, classical and modern art, performance, and
dance. Opportunities for students to assess themselves as
visual thinkers.
207 Writing Out Loud (3:3:0). Explores the
relationship between writing and the voice, looking at texts that
were written to be performed aloud. Students will write
and present their own work and have the opportunity to
develop personal and collaborative projects. This
course emphasizes composition for oral presentations, and
delivery, poise, persuasiveness, clarity, and
comprehensibility in public delivery.
215 Graphic Information Design I
(4:2:4).Prerequisites: AVT 104, 105, and 222 or equivalent, or permission of
instructor. Introduction to the elements of basic
typographical composition, including the historical development
of letter forms; recognition, use and specification of
existing typefaces; and alphabet design.
222 Drawing I (4:2:4). An introduction to the
fundamentals of drawing with emphasis on observational study
and formal composition. The student's perceptual and
rendering skills are developed through exposure to a range
of materials, methods, and formal concepts, including
effective and expressive use of lines, mass, value,
perspective, and composition.
232 Painting I (4:2:4). An introduction to the basic
techniques and principles of oil and water-based
painting through projects which combine observational study,
technique development, and the fundamentals of formal
composition, color interaction, and the articulation of
form. Students are given basic knowledge of and experience
in the preparation of various supports, the mixing of
color, and the techniques of paint application.
243 Printmaking I (4:2:4). An introduction to the
basics of hand printing with an emphasis on the translation
and transferal of images, the tools, equipment and
technical skills that enable the making of a well defined print.
Students will explore various print media with reference
to historical and contemporary models. Discussion,
presentation, and field trips will focus on the practical and
conceptual concerns of making multiple images.
252 Photography I (4:2:4). Introduction to the basic
principles and aesthetics of photography, 35mm camera
operation, and darkroom practices including film processing
and print development.
262 Sculpture I (4:2:4). An introductory course that
will give students a foundation in basic technical and
formal processes of sculpture and introduce the diverse
methods and concepts underlying the work of historic and
contemporary sculptors. Emphasis will be placed on the
exploration of various materials, technical execution,
conceptualization, and creative problem solving to enable students to
visually manifest their individual ideas.
272 Performance Studio I (4:4:2).Prerequisite: AVT
104, or permission of instructor. An introductory studio
course looking at performance as a visual art practice and
focusing on time, space and the body. The course
emphasizes the artist as performer. Students study the work of
performance practitioners, make short performance pieces,
document and exhibit their work as well as taking part in
a program of gallery and performance visits locally and
in New York.
280 Digital Arts I (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 104 or
permission of instructor. Students will learn to use both
vector and raster graphics software programs. Emphasis
will be placed on concept development, visual aesthetics
and technique. Students will produce a series of art works to
be presented in digital, printed, and HTML format.
305 Creative Processes (3:3:0). Study of the creative
process in general, with particular emphasis on the
inspiration, working methods, and final creations of various
artists. Students are encouraged to explore their own creative
processes through regular journal keeping, collaborative
exercises, and two major projects.
307 Aesthetics(3:3:0). This course aims at the creation
of heightened aesthetic perception and understanding.
Emphasis is placed on examining a broad range of
contemporary art and culture to engage an expansive conception
of aesthetic experience.
313 Graphic Information Design III
(4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 311 and 345 or equivalent, or permission of
instructor. An intermediate graphic design course with
an emphasis on publication and information design.
Students will develop a series of professional graphic
communication products.
323 Drawing II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 222 or
permission of instructor. This course builds on skills and
concepts covered in Drawing I. The student will continue
to develop rendering and observational skills, while
utilizing formal concepts and a knowledge of materials and
expressive techniques.
324 Figure Drawing (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 222
or permission of the instructor. This course will focus on
drawing through the study of the human body.
Composition, action, and design will be emphasized through a variety
of media such as graphite, charcoal, color pencil, oil
stick, watercolor, gouache, and mixed techniques.
333 Painting II (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 232 or
permission of instructor. Building on concepts, knowledge
of materials, and techniques covered in Painting I, this
course seeks to further develop the student's formal and
technical skills while enhancing her/his perceptual awareness.
As students continue to practice and develop traditional
techniques of observational painting, their development
will be enriched by the introduction of concepts,
methodologies, and approaches relevant to contemporary painting.
336 Experimental Painting (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT
232, or permission of instructor. Using late
20th century and contemporary painting as a starting place, students
will explore recent experimental and conceptual approaches
to the practice of painting, Through a series of structured
and free problems, students will be encouraged to
investigate non-traditional materials, scale, formats, surfaces, and
methods of paint application, as well as content and
concept-driven approaches to the picture plane. In the context
of expanding and defining their own practices, students
will be engaged with questions as basic as: what should a
painting look like? What should a painting do? The course
will include one field trip, slide lectures and video screenings.
337 Figurative Painting (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT
232, or permission of instructor. In this course students will
explore the human form as the main subject for a broad
array of visual, conceptual and expressive inquiries.
By using a human model for all class projects and self-portraiture
for several home assignments, students are challenged to
hone their observational skills and to investigate formal
pictorial issues. By directing attention to the expressive
properties of color, scale, space and process within the context
of observational practice, students learn conceptual and
visual thinking that makes art purposeful and engaging.
343 Printmaking II (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 243
or permission of instructor. An introduction to relief
printing, including the study of historical antecedents and their
relevancy to contemporary printmaking. Students will
learn reductive and additive techniques in preparing
printing
surfaces for single color, multi-color, and
multi-block printmaking.
345 Digital Bookmaking
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 180 or 280 or permission of the
instructor. An intermediate course in the hand printing of digitally processed
images in book format. Projects will focus on developing
visual ideas in electronic imagery and digital printing on
specialized papers for hand binding. Elements of time and
space will be explored in movable and sculptural structures.
Personal content will evolve in making booklets of
sequential or narrative digital images.
346 Digital Printmaking (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT
180 or 280 or permission of the instructor. A beginning
course in the hand printing of digitally processed images.
Projects will focus on electronic means of creating and
manipulating imagery for application within various processes
in printmaking. By exploring personal content, with an
emphasis on images of the self and languages of the
body, students will achieve skills in the multiple steps and
incremental development required in making prints.
353 Photography II (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 252,
or permission of instructor. A continuation of Photography
I, with further investigation into the aesthetics of
photography through experimentation with new films,
developers, and papers, and development of a portfolio of
photographic images.
354 Digital Darkroom (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 252
and AVT 280 or permission of the instructor. A
computer-intensive class in which the student creates digital
images from the viewpoint of a photographic artist. The
course concentrates on developing technical proficiency in the
use of digital tools from image capture to digital
manipulation and creating digital negatives for use in the analog
darkroom. On-going discussions and critiques of projects
allow the student to develop insight and aesthetic
awareness concerning the impact of computer technology on
traditional photography.
355 Color Photography I (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT
353, or permission of instructor. This course provides an
introduction to the basic concepts, theories, modern
materials, and processes of color photography with a
concentration on creative photographic expression and technique.
This combined lecture and darkroom course will expand
the student's photographic repertoire through work both
with color negative, print and transparency materials.
356 Studio Lighting I (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 353,
or permission of instructor. An introduction to the
theory, concepts and applications of photographic studio
lighting with an emphasis placed on the ability to control and
manipulate light. Students will investigate both artificial
and natural light sources and produce a series of
photographs based on a combination of technical understanding
and creative problem solving.
363 Sculpture II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 262, or
permission of instructor. An intermediate level studio
course which will give students the opportunity to investigate
a wider variety of materials, techniques, and conceptual
issues. Emphasis will be placed on individual creative
work and increasing familiarity with historical and
contemporary aesthetics.
370 Entrepreneurship in the Arts (4:2:4).
Combined lecture and studio course in developing entrepreneurial
skills in the arts. Special focus will be given to developing
communication skills, planning strategies, and nurturing
the skills that enable students to creatively solve problems
and think about opportunities. Students will conceive,
develop and present a for-profit or not-for-profit business
strategy followed by a full business and marketing plan for the
final project.
371 Visual Perception and the Arts
(3:3:0).Prerequisite: 3 credits of AVT or 3 credits of ARTH or junior standing,
or permission of instructor. Review of the major
approaches to the study of visual perception. Topics include an
analysis of picture perception, visual thinking, the relationship
between symbolic and nonsymbolic thinking and
representation, and how pathologies of vision affect art production.
372 Global Motion (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 3 credits of
AVT or 3 credits of ARTH or junior standing or permission
of instructor. Through live events, videos, and texts,
performance will be examined for the ways it reflects its
culture of origin and how it migrates interculturally. Subjects
vary, including global hip hop, Indian epics and
performance, and Japanese culture's dialogue with the West.
373 Performance Studio II (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT
272 or permission of instructor. Studio focused on the
theory and practice of collaborative performance art. Detailed
analysis of the creation and production processes from an
interdisciplinary perspective in conjunction with practical
training in multimedia technologies, body sculpture, and theater
of images. This is the second course in the Department of
Art and Visual Technology's InterArts concentration.
374 Sound and Vision (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 180
or 280, or permission of instructor. Combined lecture and
studio course that will focus on the selection, editing,
processing, and integration of sound and music
(post-production) into video and animation. Time, frequency, and
amplitude domain techniques, as well SMPTE synchronization
formats and MIDI control will be studied. Students will
post-produce the sound and music for a 5 minute
video/animation that will be due at the end of the semester.
375 Writing and Performance (4:2:4).Prerequisite:
3 credits of AVT or 3 credits of ARTH or junior standing
or permission of instructor. Explores the relationship of
word, sound, and image in performance and visual art,
performance poetry, theatre and web-based performance.
Conducted as a series of practical, critical workshops.
Students produce written papers and performance
documentation for assessment.
376 Live Movies (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 272, or
permission of instructor. Advanced performance studio
with emphasis on cinematic forms and multimedia
technologies. Also covers sound design, scenic design and
materials, production planning, and interdisciplinary
approaches to narrative and content in performance. Students
collaborate on production projects.
377 Cyberpunk (4:6:0).Prerequisite: Three credits of
AVT or three credits of ARTH or junior standing, or
permission of instructor. This course traces how cinema, music,
fiction, cultural theory, visual art, television, theater, and
performance have embraced and been shaped by
Cyberpunk and cyber-culture. Seminar, with readings, writings,
discussion, screenings, guest speakers, research projects.
378 The African American Experience in the
Performing Arts (3:3:0). Through lectures, slides, audio
recordings, videos, and films, students examine African
American contributions to the cultural fabric of American forms
and institutions. Artistic contributions are examined within
the aesthetic, political, historical, and social contexts
within which they occurred and which they, in turn, have shaped.
379 InterArts Figures (3:3:0).Prerequisite: Three
credits of AVT or three credits of ARTH or junior standing,
or permission of instructor. Seminar examining
artists-thinkers whose work has served as a nexus of interlocking
artistic concerns and disciplines. Subjects vary, but may
include such artists as Paul Robeson, Jean Cocteau, Gertrude
Stein, Serge Diaghilev, John Cage and Merce Cunningham.
381 Digital Arts II (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 280 or
permission of instructor. Students will learn how to create
realistic, three-dimensional scenes with scaled objects,
surface textures, lights, and shadows. These scenes will in turn
serve as the sets for short animations. Web. Emphasis will
be placed on idea generation, concept development,
visual aesthetics, and technical abilities.
382 Digital Art and Animation (4:2:4).
Prerequisite: AVT 381, or permission of
instructor. Digital imaging concepts as applied to computer animation. Lab assignments
introduce the technical and aesthetic challenges of
computer animation techniques. Students learn to animate
hand-drawn and computer generated images. This course focuses
on the production of a short animated digital "film" with sound.
390 Digital Media and Video Art (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 382 or permission of
instructor. Integration of the study of contemporary theory, philosophy, and artistic
practices with the application of new media and technology.
Special focus will be placed on video, visual digital, and
internet artists, their relationship to technology, and the
socio-political implications of their work. Form and content,
medium, and process of art works will be studied,
analyzed, and discussed.
392 Gallery Practices (4:1:3).Prerequisite: Three
credits of AVT or three credits of ARTH or junior standing, or
permission of instructor. Introduction to gallery practices
associated with the department's galleries, including
planning, curatorial, budgetary, advertising, installation, and
docentship activities.
393 Field Experience in the Arts
(1-6:0:0).Prerequisite: Junior standing and permission of instructor and
academic advisor. Paid or unpaid placement with an organization
in the arts, with an individual in the arts, or as a
teaching assistant, providing an introductory working and
learning experience in the field. Placement documentation to
include 45 hours of work per credit. May be repeated
for credit for a maximum of 6 credits.
394 Honors Seminar (1:0:0).Prerequisite: by invitation
to qualified Honors students. This seminar is designed for
maximum exposure to art world professionals and
experiences, aligning activities with the New York ARTS Bus
program, by means of field trips, research and creative assignments
that may also include Washington, D.C. area galleries, artist
studios, gallery talks, art events, and public art
presentations. Course work will focus on yearly themes that are current
in the art world. Selected students will be invited to work
toward achieving credit to graduate with honors in Art
and Visual Technology. Repeatable for up to 8 credits
395 Writing for Artists (3:3:0).Prerequisite: ENGL
302, or permission of instructor. A practical writing seminar
that encourages students to think of text and writing practice
in its broadest terms, including the ways in which artists
themselves have used writing, books and language.
Students are encouraged to discover the creative value and
pleasure of using writing inventively.
399 Special Topics in Art and Visual Technology (1-6:
1-6:0-6). Exploration of topical studies in Art and
Visual Technology including both the theoretical and critical
aspects of art or studio production. Topics and credit
vary with instructor. May be repeated for up to 12 credits
taken under different topics.
414 Graphic Information Design IV
(4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 252, 313 or
equivalent, or permission of instructor. An advanced
graphic design course with an emphasis on corporate 2D, 3D, and web graphic information
design systems. Students will develop professional corporate
design products and become knowledgeable about the profession's resources and range of products.
422, 423 Drawing III, IV (4:2:4),
(4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 323, or permission of instructor for 422; AVT 422,
or permission of instructor for 423. Intermediate to
advanced drawing skills and techniques with an emphasis on
individual exploration and expressive techniques. Along
with rigorous observational study, students will work from
a variety of sources to develop a broad understanding
of visual responses and solutions within contemporary
art practice.
432, 433 Painting III, IV (4:2:4),
(4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 333, or permission of instructor for 432; AVT 432,
or permission of instructor for 433. Students are expected
to have strong foundations in the principles and techniques
of the medium, as well as some familiarity with the issues
and practices of contemporary painting. Emphasis is on
further development of content and personal vision, and
formal methods and techniques relevant to their expression.
434, 435 Painting V, VI (4:2:4),
(4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 433, or permission of instructor for 434; AVT 434, or
permission of instructor for 435. Painting on an advanced
level. Students work rigorously and independently, gaining
insights into personal process and direction through
one-on-one critical dialogue with faculty and formal group
critiques. Emphasis is on individual decision making and
personal initiative.
442 Printmaking III (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 34,
or permission of instructor. An advanced print media
course in intaglio printmaking. Students will explore
traditional metal engraving and etching, as well as new related
printmaking techniques in toray and sintra plate printing. Hand
drawn, digital and photo-based imagery will be developed in a
series of related prints. This course includes the study of
historical antecedents and their relevancy to
contemporary printmaking.
443 Printmaking IV (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 442,
or permission of instructor. An advanced print media
course incorporating three dimensional applications of hand
printing. Students will develop concepts in digital
printmaking, bookmaking, sculptural prints, and installation works
focused on specific individualized themes. Issues in
contemporary printmaking will also be explored through
critical discussions, reading and writing assignments.
452 Photography III (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 353,
or permission of instructor. An advanced darkroom course
with emphasis on the fine art photographic print and the
development of a personal portfolio.
454 Photo Imaging (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 353,
or permission of instructor. Introduction to 19th century
and alternative photographic printing processes,
including cyanotype, van dyke, gum bichromate, liquid
emulsion, and image transfer. Exploration of photography's
influence and use in other mediums will also be examined.
455 Advanced Digital Darkroom (4:2:4).
Prerequisite: AVT 354, or permission of
instructor. An advanced digital imaging course with further exploration of digital photo
techniques and personal expression. Emphasis is placed on
developing technical proficiency and furthering one's personal
aesthetics. The semester will be spent creating digital negatives
to develop a digital portfolio based on an awareness
of photography's changing role as an image-making tools.
456 Large Format Photography (4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 353 or permission of
instructor. An introduction to the basic concepts, controls, and exposure theories of large
format photography. Students will work with 4"x5"
view cameras both in the photographic studio and in the
field. Darkroom techniques will emphasize tray processing
of negatives and printing in large format. Classroom
critiques, introduction to contemporary photographers and styles,
and discussions will further the student's aesthetic
knowledge of the view camera's applications.
462, 463 Sculpture III, IV (4:2:4),
(4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 363, or permission of instructor for 462; AVT 462,
or permission of instructor for 463. An intensive studio
course for advanced students to further their individual,
conceptual, and critical development. Students will be
expected to produce a body of work through self-expression,
based upon technical exploration, critical discussion, reading,
and writing components.
464, 465 Sculpture V, VI (4:2:4),
(4:2:4).Prerequisite: AVT 463, or permission of instructor for 464; AVT 464,
or permission of instructor for 465. Sculpture on an
advanced level. Students work rigorously and independently,
gaining insights into personal process and direction
through one-on-one critical dialogue with faculty and formal
group critiques. Emphasis is on individual decision making
and personal initiative.
472 Critical Theory in the Visual Arts
(3:2:1).Prerequisite: ARTH 374 or permission of instructor.
An in-depth examination of the theory and criticism that have
formed the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of
contemporary practice and critical analysis in the visual
arts. Emphasis will be on modernist and postmodernist
practices as influenced by science, philosophy, politics, and
literary theory (particularly structuralist and
poststructuralist theories).
473 Performance Studio III (4:2:4).Prerequisite:
AVT 373 or permission of instructor. Advanced laboratory
for creation and production of performance art. Emphases
include new technologies and their applications,
multimedia
scriptwriting and storyboarding, and the creation of
audio-visual performance. Students contribute to and
participate in a collaborative production.
480 Advanced Digital Media (4:2:4).Prerequisite:
AVT 382 or permission of instructor. An in-depth look at
digital media techniques including layer compositing, digital
video editing, rotoscoping and hand drawn animation.
Techniques in publishing and authoring final projects to a variety
of media such as CD-ROM, digital video tape, DVD and
the Internet will be introduced. The course will focus on
the creation of individual as well as group projects.
Emphasizes the integration of traditional techniques with
recent software applications.
483 Internet Multimedia Art (4:2:4).Prerequisite:
AVT 382 or permission of instructor. Course will investigate
and present current internet developments with a special
attention and focus on its artistic applications. Intermediate
and advanced principles of form, content design, site
mapping, aesthetic languages will be explored through the use
of HTML editing, layout, and web animation applications.
489 Internship in Art and Visual Technology
(1-6:0:0).Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Senior standing, completion
of 12 concentration credits, or permission of the
instructor and the academic advisor. Unpaid professional level
work experience related to the student's concentration and
career plans which provides an opportunity to be
apprenticed in a professional organization or with an
individual artist. Placement documentation to include 45 hours of
work per credit. May be repeated for credit for a
maximum of 12 credits.
491, 492 Independent Study in Art and Visual
Technology (1-6:0:0), (1-6:0:0).Prerequisite: Senior
standing, completion of 12 concentration credits, or permission
of the instructor. Study proposal submitted prior to
registration. Opportunity for development of advanced skills
and concepts in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other
media. Project documentation to include 45 hours of work per
credit. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of 12 credits.
495 Portfolio Preparation (4:2:4). Combination
lecture and studio production course that addresses the nature of
a professional portfolio in terms of career development
and self marketing including visual presentation of a body
of work, the preparation of professional written materials,
and the public/verbal presentation of one's work.
497 Senior Project (4:2:4).Prerequisite: senior Art
and Visual Technology major, completion of 12
concentration credits or permission of instructor.
Students participate in all aspects of the development and presentation of a
cohesive and mature body of work. Students will be required
to develop and present written materials and
documentation related to the development and presentation of their
works, as well as participate in formal oral critiques with
critics and/or Art and Visual Technology faculty members.
498 Senior Design Project (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
senior Art and Visual Technology major with completion of
12 concentration credits in photography or graphic
information design, or permission of instructor.
Students participate in all aspects of the development and presentation
of a cohesive and mature body of work. Students will
be required to develop and present written materials and
documentation related to the development and presentation
of their works, as well as participate in formal oral
cri
tiques with critics and/or Art and Visual Technology
faculty members.
522, 523 Drawing V, VI (4:2:4), (4:2:4).Prerequisite: Admission to the AVTgraduate program or permission
of instructor for AVT 522; AVT 522 or permission of
instructor for523. Drawing on an advanced level. Emphasis
on individual decision making and personal initiative.
596 Independent Study (1-6:1-6:0). Prerequisite: B.A.
or equivalent, orpermission of instructor. Independent
reading and research on a specificproject under the
direction of a department faculty member. Written reportis
required. May be repeated for credit.
599 Special Topics in Art and Visual Technology (1-6:
1-3:0-6). Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate
program or permission of instructor. Exploration of
topical studies in Art and Visual Technology, including both
the theoretical and critical aspects of art or studio
production. Topics and credit vary with instructor. May be
repeated when taken under different topics.
600 Research Methodologies (3:3:0). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program, or permission
of instructor. This graduate seminar will focus on the
development of an independent research project in the
student's area of emphasis. The course will explore the
principal methods of researching and documenting art and arts
practice. In addition to traditional methods of library
research, special emphasis will be placed on new processes of
examination and investigation through the use of
computer-aided research systems.
610 Graduate Seminar (1-4:0:0).Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission of the
instructor. Seminar course required of all AVT graduate
students four times during their course of study. Students
present their work and/or the work of contemporary artists for
discussion and peer/faculty critiques. Special focus will
be given to developing public communication and
presentation skills on contemporary issues in the arts.
Repeatable for four credits.
613 Graphic Design (3:0:6).Prerequisite: Admission
to the AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. Combined lecture and studio course covering concepts
in graphic design, digital typography, and HTML layout.
Intended for students whose area of concentration is
other than graphic design, use this course to increase the scope
of their technical expertise while developing their studio work.
614 Problems in Typography (5:2:6).Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. Combined lecture and studio course in
designing for electronic and print media. Contemporary
typeface design for digital typesetting. Design of typefaces for
use in on-screen presentations. Perceptual, visual, practical,
and aesthetic issues in typography.
616 Internet Multimedia Art (5:2:6).Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT Graduate Program or permission
of instructor. Combined lecture and studio course in
HTML layout and animation. Perceptual problems in designing
the presentation of visual and textual information for
electronic display. Exploration of how design considerations are
affected by changes in media and society.
618 Problems in Graphic Design (5:2:6).Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT Graduate Program or permission
of
instructor. Application of advanced technological
design and production methods to complex graphic design
problems. Students consider the social and cultural
implications of their aesthetic choices. Taught as a series of
studio problems.
620 Theory, Criticism and the Visual Arts
(3:3:0).Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or
permission of instructor. A cross-disciplinary graduate
seminar course focusing on the key theories and themes that
have informed 20th- and 21st-century arts practice. The
course looks at theory and criticism in a variety of contexts,
from the popular to the scholarly, and considers the role of
artists themselves as thinkers and writers.
622 Advanced Drawing (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program, or permission of
instructor. Advanced directed research in drawing with
continued development of individual aesthetic. Study of the
historical and philosophical precedents is integral to the course.
632 Graduate Painting I (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program, or permission of
instructor. Entering students are expected to be competent
painters, with technical proficiency, a disciplined process, and a
directed personal vision. Students work rigorously and
independently toward the understanding and mastery of
techniques, methods, and concepts relevant to the
formal expression of a personal content. Students are expected
to participate in critical discourse with supervising
faculty. Achievement is measured by a faculty review board at
mid-semester and at term's end.
633 Graduate Painting II (5:2:6). Prerequisite: AVT
632, or permission of instructor. Building on research and
practices established in Graduate Painting I, students
continue to develop strategies for the expression of a personal
vision and style. Progress is tracked and assessed
through periodic one-on-one critical discussions with
supervising faculty. Achievement is measured by a faculty review
board at mid-semester and at term's end.
634 Advanced Graduate Painting (5:2:6).
Prerequisite: AVT 633, or permission of
instructor. Working independently on a cohesive body of work, students must
demonstrate a through understanding and mastery of
techniques, methods, and concepts relevant to their own practices,
and be able to discuss their own work within the context
of historical and contemporary art practices. Progress
is tracked and assessed through periodic one-on-one
critical discussions with supervising faculty. Achievement is
measured by a faculty review board at mid-semester and
at term's end.
642, 643 Graduate Printmaking I, II (5:2:6),
(5:2:6).Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program,
or permission of instructor. Directed research and practice
in printmaking focuses on the individualized development
of content and technique. Emphasis is placed on
exploration and growth in the intellectual and expressive aspects of
the printmaking process.
644 Advanced Graduate Printmaking
(5:2:6).Prerequisite: AVT 643 or permission of the instructor.
An intensive course of creative exploration in print media that
furthers students' independence through the production of an
individualized body of work that reflects their specific
interests within the broader contexts of contemporary
social, technological, and cultural issues. Students will also
en
gage in collaborative studio practices to enable the
integration of many visual technologies in their work.
These may include, digital imaging, drawing, graphic
design, painting, performance, photography, and sculpture.
652 Graduate Photography I (5:2:6).Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. Critical theory and directed practice in
photography which focuses on the development of a personal voice
and working method through intellectual activity and
creative work. Emphasis is placed on the ability to explore
concepts, develop skills, and to evolve as both a
communicator of ideas and as a photographic artist.
653 Graduate Photography II (5:2:6).Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. A continuum of Graduate Photography I, this course
is an intensive critique class that concentrates on the
development of the student's creative work with emphasis
on articulating responses to others' work, the cultural
climate we inhabit and the issues involved in one's own work as
it progresses. Weekly classes will share equal time with
critical theory and hands-on studio work. Readings, visiting
artists and lecturers, and field trips will serve to provide
a variety of viewpoints as well as encourage discourse
during the semester.
654 Advanced Graduate Photography
(5:2:6).Prerequisite: AVT 653 or permission of the
instructor. An advanced graduate photography course. It is designed as an
intensive critique class that concentrates on the development of
the student's creative work with emphasis on articulating
responses to others' work, the cultural climate we inhabit
and the issues involved in one's own work as it progresses.
Weekly classes will share equal time with critical theory and
hands-on studio work. Readings, visiting artists and lecturers,
and field trips will serve to provide a variety of viewpoints
as well as encourage discourse during the semester.
662 Graduate Sculpture I (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. An intensive studio course that furthers student
independence through production of a body of work which
reflects their specific interests, including a broader context of
social, cultural, and contemporary issues. Emphasis will
be placed on self-evaluation, critical discussion, reading,
and writing components.
663 Graduate Sculpture II (5:2:6).Prerequisite: AVT
662 or permission of instructor. An intensive studio course
that furthers student independence through production of a
body of work which reflects their specific interests, including
a broader context of social, cultural, and contemporary
issues. Emphasis will be placed on self-evaluation,
critical discussion, reading, and writing components.
664 Advanced Graduate Sculpture (5:2:6).Prerequisite: AVT 663 or permission of the
instructor. Course places emphasis on individual creative production and
development, with periodic exposure of the student's work and
ideas to the critical attention of the AVT teaching faculty
and other graduate students. Writing and reading components.
670 Teaching Practicum (3:3:0 or 6:6:0).Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission
of instructor. Supervised classroom teaching practicum in
the undergraduate program at George Mason or in a
community college program. May be repeated for a total of six credits.
672 Performance Studio I (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. An introductory studio course looking at performance as
a visual art practice and focusing on time, space and the
body. The course emphasizes the artist as performer.
Students study the work of performance practitioners, make
short performance pieces, document and exhibit their work
as well as taking part in a program of gallery and
performance visits locally and in New York. Students are required
to complete a substantial research project.
673 Performance Studio II (5:2:6).Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. In-depth studio course focused in the collaborative
practice of performance art. Detailed analysis of the
creation and production processes from an interdisciplinary
perspective in conjunction with practical training in
multimedia performance, complemented by screenings, readings,
guest artists and field trips. This is the second course for
AVT MFA students whose emphasis is InterArts.
674 Advanced Performance Studio (5:2:6).
Prerequisite: AVT 673 or permission of
instructor. Advanced laboratory for creation and production of performance art.
Emphases include new technologies and their applications,
multimedia scriptwriting and storyboarding, and the creation
of audio-visual performance. Students work
independently, and also participate in and contribute to a
collaborative production.
675 Advanced Performance Topics (5:6:2).Prerequisite: AVT 673 or permission of instructor.
Opportunity for advanced study in interdisciplinary arts topics
including: African American Experience in the Performing
Arts, Cyberpunk, Global Motion, InterArts Figures, Live
Movies, Writing and Performance. Repeatable up to 15
credits when taken under different topics.
676 Sound and Music for Video and Animation
(5:2:6).Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program
or permission of instructor. Combined lecture and
studio course that focuses on the selection, editing,
processing, and integration of sound and music (postproduction)
into video and animation. Time, frequency, and amplitude
domain and processing, are studied. Students
postproduce sound and music for a 15-minute film or animation that
is due at the end of the semester.
678 Interface and CD-ROM Design (5:2:6).Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or
permission of instructor. Combined lecture and studio course
in multimedia interface and CD-ROM design. Special
focus is given to the exportation of the traditional visual and
aural artistic aesthetic to the computer environment within
a multimedia context. Assigned readings in the class are
augmented and supported by presentations of various
digital interfaces and CD-ROM examples. Commercial,
entertainment, and educational titles, as well as CD-ROM
experimental art works, are studied and discussed. Studio time
is divided between the AVT labs and area multimedia
facilities. Students conceive, design, and develop a
two-CD-ROM and/or Kiosk Interfaces that are due at midterm, and
complete a dual platform CD-ROM project that is due at
the end of the semester.
686 Three-Dimensional Digital Art
(5:2:6).Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission
of instructor. Students will learn how to create realistic,
three-dimensional scenes with scaled objects, surface
textures, lights, and shadows. Emphasis will be placed on idea
generation, concept development, visual aesthetics and
technical abilities. Students are required to render a
portfolio of high resolution images.
688 Digital Animation (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. Students will study digital 2D and 3D animation
practices. Lighting, camera movement, object motion, timing,
and texture mapping will be introduced as students plan
and produce a short animation. Emphasis will be placed on
idea generation, concept development, visual aesthetics,
and technical abilities.
693 Apprenticeship (3:3:0 or 6:6:0). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. AVT students apprentice at a local business
that conforms to their interest in visual information
technologies. May be repeated for a total of six credits.
796, 798, 799 Directed Project, Directed Reading,
Thesis (1-9:0:0), (3:0:0),(3:0:0).Prerequisite: Admission
to the AVT graduate program or permission of instructor.
Three courses comprising the M.F.A. comprehensive
experience for AVT students. Involves a study of the historical
basis for a studio project, an independent creative
production suitable for public viewing, and a written thesis
documenting the evolution of the creative problem and exploring
the intention, purpose, and relative success of the finished
production. | eng | 823897d7-cb9b-456a-8aac-66a1d395103f | http://www.gmu.edu/academics/catalog/0304/courses/avt.html |
They are considered medical devices and can be worn to correct vision
Corrective lensorAniseikonia is an ocular condition where there is a significant difference in the perceived size of images. It can occur as an overall difference between the two eyes, or as a difference in a particular meridian.-Causes:Retinal image size is determined by many factors...
is frequently credited with introducing the idea of contact lenses in his 1508 Codex of the eye, Manual D, where he described a method of directly alteringl power by submerging the eye in a bowl of water. Leonardo, however, did not suggest his idea be used for correcting vision—he was more interested in learning about the mechanisms of accommodation
Accommodation (eye)
Accommodation is the process by which the vertebrate eye changes optical power to maintain a clear image on an object as its distance changes.... another idea in 1636, in which a glass tube filled with liquid is placed in direct contact with the cornea. The protruding end was to be composed of clear glass, shaped to correct vision; however, the idea was impracticable, since it would make blinking impossible.
Thomas Young may refer to:*Thomas Young , Scottish Presbyterian and author*Thomas Young , member of the Sons of Liberty*Thomas Young , British polymath, scientist and Egyptologist...
, made a basic pair of contact lenses on the model of Descartes. He used wax to affix water-filled lenses to his eyes. This neutralized his own refractive power. He then corrected for it with another pair of lenses.
However, like Leonardo's, Young's device was not intended to correct refraction errors.
Sir, in a footnote of the 1845 edition of the Encyclopedia Metropolitana, posed two ideas for the visual correction: the first "a spherical capsule of glass filled with animal jelly", and "a mould of the cornea" which could be impressed on "some sort of transparent medium". Though Herschel reportedly never tested these ideas, they were both later advanced by several independent inventors such as Hungarian Dr. Dallos with Istvan Komàromy (1929), perfected a method of making molds from living eyes. This enabled the manufacture of lenses that, for the first time, conformed to the actual shape of the eye.
It was not until 1887 that a German glassblower, F.E. Muller, produced the first eye covering to be seen through and tolerated. In 1887, the German ophthalmologist Adolf Gaston Eugen Fick
Adolf Gaston Eugen Fick
Adolf Gaston Eugen Fick was a German ophthalmologist who invented the contact lens. He was the nephew of the German physiologist Adolf Eugen Fick, and the son of the German anatomy professor Franz Ludwig Fick....
constructed and fitted the first successful contact lens. While working in Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
In optics an afocal system is an optical system that produces no net convergence or divergence of the beam, i.e. has an infinite effective focal length. This type of system can be created with a pair of optical elements where the distance between the elements is equal to the sum of each element's...contact shells, which rested on the less sensitive rim of tissue around the cornea, and experimentally fitting them: initially on rabbits, then on himself, and lastly on a small group of volunteers. These lenses were made from heavy blown glass and were 18–21mm in diameter. Fick filled the empty space between cornea/callosityand glass with a dextrose solution. He published his work, "Contactbrille", in theArchiv für Augenheilkunde in March 1888.
Fick's lens was large, unwieldy, and could only be worn for a couple of hours at a time. August Müller
August Müller
August Müller , born in Mönchengladbach, was a medical student at the University of Kiel, Germany, and a pioneer in the manufacture of contact lenses. In 1889, he presented at the university his doctoral thesis titled Eyeglasses and corneal lenses in which he described his efforts to grind scleral Germany, corrected his own severe myopia with a more convenient glass-blown scleral contact lens of his own manufacture in 1888.
Louis J. Girard helped to popularize contact lens fitting as a medical procedure. He was co-author with Whitney J. Sampson, MD and Joseph W. Soper of a text, Contact lenses, published in 1968....
invented a similar scleral form of contact lens.
Glass-blown scleral lenses remained the only form of contact lens until the 1930s when polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or Perspex/Plexiglas) was developed, allowing plastic scleral lenses to be manufactured for the first time. In 1936, optometrist William Feinbloom
William Feinbloom
William Feinbloom was an American optometrist considered to be a pioneer in the field of low vision, visual rehabilitation, and the development of low vision devices....
introduced plastic lenses, making them lighter and more convenient. These lenses were a combination of glass and plastic.
In 1949, the first "corneal" lenses were developed. These were much smaller than the original scleral lenses, as they sat only onrather than across all of the visible ocular surface, and could be worn up to sixteen hours per day. PMMA corneal lenses became the first contact lenses to have mass appeal through the 1960s, as lens designs became more sophisticated with improving manufacturing (lathe) technology.
Early corneal lenses in the 1950s and 1960s were relatively expensive and fragile, resulting in the development of a market for contact lensRLI Corp. is an American property and casualty insurance company headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, with eighteen branch offices conducting business in all fifty U.S. states. Founded in 1965, RLI was one of the first insurers of contact lenses; the letters RLI originally stood for Replacement...
) phased out its original flagship product in 1994 after contacts became more affordable and easier to replace.
One important disadvantage of PMMA lenses is that no oxygen is transmitted through the lens to the conjunctiva and cornea, which can cause a number of adverse clinical effects. By the end of the 1970s, and through the 1980s and 1990s, a range ofbut rigid materials were developed to overcome this problem. Chemist Norman Gaylord
Norman Gaylord
Norman Gaylord was an American industrial chemist and research scientist credited with playing a key role in the development of permeable contact lens which allows oxygen to reach the wearer's eye....
played a prominent role in the development of these newer, permeable contact lenses. Collectively, these polymers are referred to as "rigid gas permeable" or "RGP" materials or lenses. Although all the above lens types—sclerals, PMMA lenses and RGPs—could be correctly referred to as being "hard" or "rigid", the term hard is now used to refer to the original PMMA lenses which are still occasionally fitted and worn, whereas rigid is a generic term which can be used for all these lens types. That is, hard lenses (PMMA lenses) are a sub-set of rigid lenses. Occasionally, the term "gas permeable" is used to describe RGP lenses, but this is potentially misleading, as soft lenses are also gas permeable in that they allow oxygen to move through the lens to the ocular surface.Drahoslav Lím was a Czech chemist. He invented polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate, the synthetic material used for contact lenses ....
who published their work "Hydrophilic gels for biological use" in the journal Nature in 1959. This led to the launch of the first soft (hydrogel) lenses in some countries in the 1960s and the first approval of the "Soflens" material in 1971. These lenses were soon prescribed more often than rigid lenses, mainly due to the immediate comfort of soft lenses; by comparison, rigid lenses require a period of adaptation before full comfort is achieved. The polymers from which soft lenses are manufactured improved over the next 25 years, primarily in terms of increasing theby varying the ingredients. In 1972, British optometrist Rishi Agarwal was the first to suggest disposable soft contact lenses.
In 1998, an important development was the launch of the first silicone hydrogels onto the market by CIBA VISION in Mexico. These new materials encapsulated the benefits of silicone—which has—with the comfort and clinical performance of the conventional hydrogels which had been used for the previous 30 years. These lenses were initially advocated primarily for extended (overnight) wear although more recently, daily (no overnight) wear silicone hydrogels have been launched.
In a slightly modified molecule, a polar group is added without changing the structure of the silicone hydrogel. This is referred to as the Tanaka monomer because it was invented and patented by Kyoichi Tanaka of Menicon Co. of Japan in 1979. Second-generation silicone hydrogels, such as galyfilcon A (Acuvue Advance, Vistakon) and senofilcon A (Acuvue Oasys, Vistakon), use the Tanaka monomer. Vistakon improved the Tanaka monomer even further and added other molecules, which serve as an internal wetting agent.
Comfilcon A (Biofinity, CooperVision) was the first third-generation polymer. The patent claims that the material uses two siloxy macromers of different sizes that, when used in combination, produce very high oxygen permeability (for a given water content). Enfilcon A (Avaira, CooperVision) is another third-generation material that's naturally wettable. The enfilcon A material is 46% water.
Corrective contact lenses
Corrective contact lenses are designed to improve vision. For many people, there is a mismatch between the refractive power of the eye and the length of the eye, leading to a refraction error. A contact lens neutralizes this mismatch and allows for correct focusing of light ontoMyopia(near or short sightedness), hypermetropia (far or long sightedness),. Contact wearers must usually take their contact lenses out every night or every few days, depending on the brand and style of the contact. Recently, there has been renewed interest in orthokeratology
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology , marketed under brand names like "", "MiracLens", "DreamLens", "i-GO OVC", "GOV", "Wake and See", "CRT" and "Emerald", is the use of rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, normally worn only at night, to improve vision through the reshaping of the corneaby deliberate overnight flattening of the cornea, leaving the eye without contact lens or eyeglasses correction during the day.
Color blindness or color vision deficiency is the inability or decreased ability to see color, or perceive color differences, under lighting conditions when color vision is not normally impaired...
, a red-tinted "X-Chrom" contact lens may be used. Although the lens does not restore normal color vision
Color vision
Color vision is the capacity of an organism or machine to distinguish objects based on the wavelengths of the light they reflect, emit, or transmit...
, it allows some colorblind individuals to distinguish colors better.
ChromaGen lenses have been used and these have been shown to have some limitations with vision at night although otherwise producing significant improvements in color vision. An earlier study showed very significant improvements in color vision and patient satisfactionin a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial showed highly significant improvements in reading ability over reading without the lenses This system has been granted FDA approval in the USA.
Cosmetic contact lenses
A cosmetic contact lens is designed to change the appearance of the eye. These lenses may also correct the vision, but some blurring or obstruction of vision may occur as a result of the color or design. In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration frequently calls non-corrective cosmetic contact lenses decorative contact lenses. These types of lenses tend to cause mild irritation on insertion, but after becoming accustomed to the lenses, the eyes typically tolerate them well. As with any contact lens, cosmetic lenses carry risks of mild and serious complications, including ocular redness, irritation, and infection. All individuals who decide to wear cosmetic lenses should check with an eye care provider prior to first use, and periodically over long term use in order to avoid potentially blinding complications.
Theatrical contact lenses are a type of cosmetic contact lens that are used primarily in the entertainment industry to make the eye appear altered, most often in horror film andmovies, where lenses can make one's eyes appear demonic, cloudy and lifeless, or even to make the pupils of the wearer appear dilated to simulate the natural appearance of the pupils under the influence of various illicit drugs.) and are used in many theatrical lenses. Due to their size, these lenses are difficult to insert and do not move very well within the eye. They may also hamper the vision as the lens has a small area for the user to see through. As a result they generally cannot be worn for more than 3 hours as they can cause temporary vision disturbances.
Similar lenses have more direct medical applications. For example, some lenses can give the iris
Iris (anatomy)Aniridia is the absence of the iris. Aniridia usually involves both eyes. It can be congenital or caused by a penetrant injury. Isolated aniridia is a congenital disorder which is not limited to a defect in iris development, but is a panocular condition with macular and optic nerve hypoplasia,...
A circle contact lens, also known as a big eye contact lens and circle lens, is a cosmetic contact lens that makes the eye's iris appear larger; this product originated from East Asia.- Design :...
. Circle lenses appear to be bigger because they are not only tinted in areas that cover the iris of the eye, but tinted prominently in the extra-wide outer ring of the lens. The result is the appearance of a bigger, wider iris.
Although many brands of contact lenses are lightly tinted to make them easier to handle, cosmetic lenses worn to change the color of the eye are far less common, accounting for only 3% of contact lens fits in 2004.
As a specialist's tool, in the hands of the untrained general public, non-prescription cosmetic contact lenses may represent a health risk.
Therapeutic contact lenses
Soft lenses are often used in the treatment and management of non-refractive disorders of the eye. A bandage contact lens protects an injured or diseased cornea from the constant rubbing of blinking eyelids thereby allowing it to heal. They are used in the treatment of conditions including bullous keratopathy
Bullous keratopathy
Bullous keratopathy is a pathological condition in which small vesicles, or bullae, are formed in the cornea due to endothelial dysfunction....Keratitis is a condition in which the eye's cornea, the front part of the eye, becomes inflamed. The condition is often marked by moderate to intense pain and usually involves impaired eyesight.-Types:Materials, which caused eye irritation, and were not wearable for extended periods of time. But when William Feinbloom
William Feinbloom
William Feinbloom was an American optometrist considered to be a pioneer in the field of low vision, visual rehabilitation, and the development of low vision devices....
introduced lenses made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or Perspex/Plexiglas), contact lenses became much more convenient. These PMMA lenses are commonly referred to as "hard" lenses (this term is not used for other types of contact lens)., which can cause a number of adverse clinical events. In the late 1970s, and through the 1980s and 1990s, improved rigid materials — which were alsoRigid gas permeable lenses are rigid contact lenses made of oxygen-permeable polymers. Initially developed in the late 1970s, and through the 1980s and 1990s, they were an improvement over prior 'hard' lenses that restricted oxygen transmission to the eye....
or 'RGP' lenses. RGP lenses are not hydrophilic and do not absorb vapours or liquids, making them suitable for use in some industrial environments.with a new refracting surface. This means that a regular (spherical) rigid contact lens can provide good level of vision in people who require strong correction, have astigmatism or suffer from diseases which distort the cornea,.
While rigid lenses have been around for about 120 years, soft lenses are a much more recent development. The principal breakthrough in soft lenses made by Otto Wichterle
Otto Wichterleled to the launch of the first soft (hydrogel) lenses in some countries in the 1960s and the approval of the 'Soflens' material (polymacon) by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
FDA in 1971. Soft lenses are immediately comfortable, while rigid lenses require a period of adaptation before full comfort is achieved. The polymer
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...
s from which soft lenses are manufactured improved over the next 25 years. Thehas been increased by varying the polymer composition.
A small number of hybrid rigid/soft lenses exist. An alternative technique is piggybacking of contact lenses, a smaller, rigid lens being mounted atop a larger, soft lens. This is done in cases where a single lens will not provide thehydrogels' became available. Silicone hydrogels have both theand the comfort and clinical performance of the conventional hydrogels. These lenses were initially advocated primarily for extended (overnight) wear, although more recently daily (no overnight) wear silicone hydrogels have been approved and launched., the silicone also makes the lens surface highly hydrophobic and less "wettable." This frequently results in discomfort and dryness during lens wear. In order to compensate for the hydrophobicity, hydrogels are added (hence the name "silicone hydrogels") to make the lenses more hydrophilic. However the lens surface may still remain hydrophobic. Hence some of the lenses undergo surface modification processes by plasma treatments which alter the hydrophobic nature of the lens surface. Other lens types incorporate internal rewetting agents to make the lens surface hydrophilic. A third process uses longer backbone polymer chains that results in less cross linking and increased wetting without surface alterations or additive agents.
Wear Schedule/Wear Indicator
A daily wear (DW) contact lens is designed to be removed prior to sleeping. An extended wear (EW) contact lens is designed for continuous overnight wear, typically for 6 or more consecutive nights. Newer materials, such as silicone hydrogels, allow for even longer wear periods of up to 30 consecutive nights; these longer-wear lenses are often referred to as continuous wear (CW). Generally, extended wear lenses are discarded after the specified length of time, according to the replacement schedule (see next section). Extended- and continuous-wear contact lenses can be worn for such long periods of time because of theirto the cornea (typically 5–6 times greater than conventional soft lenses), which allows the eye to remain healthy even when the eyelid is closed.
Extended lens wearers may have an increased risk for corneal infections and corneal ulcers, primarily due to poor care and cleaning of the lenses, tear film instability, and bacterial stagnation. Corneal neovascularization
Corneal neovascularization
Corneal neovascularization is the excessive ingrowth of blood vessels from the limbal vascular plexus into the cornea, caused by a low reception of oxygen, which is generally not received from the bloodstream, but through the air. One of the most common causes is contact lens wear, and to a...
has historically also been a common complication of extended lens wear, though this does not appear to be a problem with silicone hydrogel extended wear. The most common complication of extended lens use is conjunctivitis, usually allergicReplacement Schedule
The various soft contact lenses available are often categorized by their replacement schedule. The shortest replacement schedule is single use (1-day or daily disposable) lenses which are disposed of each night. Shorter replacement cycle lenses are commonly thinner and lighter, due to lower requirements for durability against wear and tear, and may be the most comfortable in their respective class and generation. These may be best for patients with ocular allergies or other conditions because it limits deposits of antigens and and is considered the healthiest wear schedule due to the most frequent replacement. Single use lenses are also useful for people who use contacts infrequently, or for purposes (e.g., swimming or other sporting activities) where losing a lens is likely.
More commonly, contact lenses are prescribed to be disposed of on a two-week or 4-week basis. Quarterly or annual lenses, which used to be very common, have lost favor because a more frequent replacement allows for increased comfort and fewer on-lens deposits. Rigid gas permeable lenses are very durable and may last for several years without the need for replacement. PMMA hard lenses were very durable, and were commonly worn for 5 to 10 years. Interestingly, a careful analysis of the materials used to manufacture many 'daily' disposable lenses show that they are often manufactured from the same material as the longer life disposables (4-week replacement for example), from the same company. Although the materials are the same, the manufacturing processes by which the respective contact lenses are made is what differentiates a 'daily disposable' lens from a lens recommended for two-week or 4-week replacement.
Contrary to popular belief, replacement schedule is not determined by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Replacement schedule is recommended only by the manufacturer of that contact lens. The only FDA-approved measure of contact lens wear is the 'wear indication' or 'wear schedule' (extended wear or daily wear) as was discussed in the previous section.
Design
A spherical contact lens is one in which both the inner and outer optical surfaces are portions of a sphere. A toric lens
Toric lens
A toric lens is a lens with two different powers in two orientations perpendicular to each other. One of the lens surfaces is shaped like a "cap" from a torus , while the other one usually is spherical...
is one in which either or both of the optical surfaces have the effect of
a cylindrical lens, usually in combination with the effect of a spherical lens. Myopic (nearsighted) and hypermetropic (farsighted) people who also have astigmatism and who have been told they are not suitable for regular contact lenses may be able to use toric lenses. If one eyeand the other does not, the patient may be told to use a spherical lens in one eye and a toric lens in the other. Toric lenses are made from the same materials as regular contact lenses but have a few extra characteristics:
They correct for both spherical and cylindrical aberration.
They may have a specific 'top' and 'bottom', as they are not symmetrical around their centre and must not be rotated. Lenses must be designed to maintain their orientation regardless of eye movement. Often lenses are thicker at the bottom and this thicker zone is pushed down by the upper eyelid during blinking to allow the lens to rotate into the correct position (with this thicker zone at the 6 o'clock position on the eye). Toric lenses are usually marked with tiny striations to assist their fitting.
They are usually more expensive to produce than non-toric lenses; therefore they are usually meant for extended wear. The first disposable toric lenses were introduced in 2000 by Vistakon.
Like eyeglasses, contact lenses can have one (single vision) or more (multifocal) focal pointsAccommodative insufficiency involves the inability of the eye to focus properly on an object. Approximately 80 percent of children diagnosed with CI also demonstrate AI....
multifocal contact lenses are almost always used; however, single vision lenses may also be used in a process known as monovision: single vision lenses are used to correct one eye's far vision and the other eye's near vision. Alternatively, a person may wear single vision contact lenses to improve distance vision and reading glasses to improve near vision.
Some contact lenses have small text written around the edge, such as 123 or AV. These are used to identify if the contact lens is put on correctly or not.
Rigid gas permeable bifocal contact lenses most commonly have a small lens on the bottom for the near correction, when the eyes are lowered to read, this lens comes into the optical path. RGPs must translate (move vertically) to work properly, and thus the gaze of the eye can change from the near to the distant sections, much like bifocal eyeglasses.
Multifocal soft contact lenses are more complex to manufacture and require more skill to fit. All soft bifocal contact lenses are considered "simultaneous vision" because both far and near vision corrections are presented simultaneously to the retina, regardless of the position of the eye. Of course, only one correction is correct, the incorrect correction causes blur. Commonly these are designed with distance correction in the center of the lens and near correction in the periphery, or vice versa.
Implantationes, also known as an implantable contact lenses, are special small corrective lenses surgically implanted in the eye's posterior chamber
Posterior chamber
The posterior chamber should not be confused with vitreous chamber. The posterior chamber is a narrow chink behind the peripheral part of the iris of the lens, and in front of the suspensory ligament of the lens and the ciliary processes. The Posterior Chamber consists of small space directly...to correct higher degrees of myopia and hyperopia.
Manufacturing of contact lenses
Most contact lenses are mass produced.
Spin-cast lenses – A spin-cast lens is a soft contact lens manufactured by whirling liquid silicone in a revolving mold at high speed.. The lens starts out as a cylindrical disk held in the jaws of the lathe. The lathe is equipped with an industrial-gradeas the cutting tool. The CNC lathe may turn at nearly 6000 RPM as the cutter removes the desired amount of material from the inside of the lens. The concave (inner) surface of the lens is then polished with some fine abrasive paste, oil, and a small polyester cotton ball turned at high speeds. In order to hold the delicate lens in reverse manner, wax is used as an adhesive. The convex (outer) surface of the lens is thus cut and polished by the same process.
Molded – Molding is used to manufacture some brands of soft contact lenses. Rotating molds are used and the molten material is added and shaped by centrifugal forces. Injection molding and computer control are also used to create nearly perfect lenses.
Hybrids
Although many companies make contact lenses, in the US there are four major manufacturers:
Acuvue is a brand of disposable contact lenses. They are made by Vistakon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.-Overview:Acuvue lenses got their start at Frontier Contact Lens Company, a small company that started in the 1950s and opened a branch in Jacksonville...
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
CIBA VISION is a company that researches, develops, and manufactures contact lenses and lens care products. A Novartis company, it is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia in the Johns Creek Technology Park. Manufacturing plants are also located in Germany, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia...The Cooper Companies is an American medical company. Subsidiary CooperVision was founded in 1979 and is the 4th largest contact lens maker in the world and the number one manufacturer of toric lenses...
Silicone Hydrogel Lenses
Silicone is oxygen permeable. Silicone hydrogel lenses use both their water and polymer content to transmit oxygen to the eye.
The benefits to wearers include comfort and convenience. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses contain less water and deliver more oxygen to the eye than traditional hydrogel lenses. As a result, they aren't as prone to causing dehydration. For some people who wear their lenses for long days, this can mean better end-of-day comfort and allow for overnight wear. Some brands of silicone hydrogel lenses are approved for 30 days of continuous wear.
Hydrogel materials
Alphafilcon A
Asmofilcon A
Balafilcon A
Comfilcon A
Enfilcon A
Etafilcon A
Galyfilcon A
Hilafilcon A
Hilafilcon B
Hioxifilcon A
Hioxifilcon D
Lotrafilcon B
Methafilcon A
Omafilcon A
Phemfilcon A
Polymacon
Senofilcon A
Tetrafilcon A
Vifilcon A
POLY HEMA
Contact lens prescriptions
An eye care professional is an individual who provides a service related to the eyes or vision. It is a general term that can refer to any healthcare worker involved in eye care, from one with a small amount of post-secondary training to practitioners with a doctoral level of education.-Current...
. In countries such as the United States (where all contact lenses are deemed to be medical device
Medical device
A medical device is a product which is used for medical purposes in patients, in diagnosis, therapy or surgery . Whereas medicinal products achieve their principal action by pharmacological, metabolic or immunological means. Medical devices act by other means like physical, mechanical, thermal,...
s by the Food and Drug Administration), the United Kingdom and Australia, optometristsare usually responsible. In France and Eastern European countries, ophthalmologists
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
play the major role. In other parts of the world, opticians usually prescribe contact lenses. Prescriptions for contact lenses and glassesmay be similar, but are not interchangeable.
The practitioner or contact lens fitter typically determines an individual's suitability for contact lenses during an eye examination
Eye examination
An eye examination is a battery of tests performed by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or orthoptist assessing vision and ability to focus on and discern objects, as well as other tests and examinations pertaining to the eyes....In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...s (Spherical required, cylindrical only for correction of astigmatism, reading addition required only for bifocal prescription)
Cylinder axis (Often just "Axis"; required only if a cylindrical correction is present)
Center thickness (CT; optional and seldom provided)
Brand (Optional)
Note that while a contact lens prescription may specify diameter and base curve of the ideal lens for a particular individual, many manufacturers only produce lenses at very limited intervals., which manufactures the "Acuvue 2" soft lens, only makes such lenses with base curves of either 8.3mm or 8.7mm, and only at a diameter of 14.0mm—such lenses are designed to fit a "target audience" that includes the vast majority of individuals who might fit such lenses or might at least find them sufficiently comfortable to wear.
Many people already wear contact lenses ordered over the Internet. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act |codified]] at et seq.), also known as FCLCA, is a United States federal law that aims improving consumer protection and ocular health for contact lens users.-Provisions:...
An effective date or as of date is the date upon which something is considered to take effect. This may be different from the date upon which the event actually occurs or is recorded....
in 2004, was intended to ensure the availability of contact lens prescriptions to patients. Under the law consumers have a right to obtain a copy of their contact lens prescription, allowing them to fill that prescription at the business of their choice. Some controversy has arisen over the fact that online vendors are allowed to fill a prescription if the originating prescriber doesn't respond within eight business hours, as verifications are often sent during the prescriber's closed hours, allowing even an expired prescription to be filled.
Complications
Complication, in medicine, is an unfavorable evolution of a disease, a health condition or a medical treatment. The disease can become worse in its severity or show a higher number of signs, symptoms or new pathological changes, become widespread throughout the body or affect other organ systems. A...
due to contact lens wear affect roughly 5% of contact lens wearers each year. Excessive wear of contact lenses, particularly overnight wear, is associated with most of the safety concerns. Problems associated with contact lens wear may affect the eyelid
EyelidTears are secretions that clean and lubricate the eyes. Lacrimation or lachrymation is the production or shedding of tears....
that covers the outer surface of the eye.
Studies conducted on side effects from long-term wearing of contact lenses, i.e. over 5 years, such as by Zuguo Liu et al., 2000, concludes that "Long-term contact lens wear appears to decrease the entire corneal thickness and increase the corneal curvature and surface irregularity."
Corneal keratocytes are specialized fibroblasts residing in the stroma. This corneal layer, representing about 85-90% of corneal thickness, is built up from highly regular collagenous lamellae and extracellular matrix components. Keratocytes play the major role in keeping it transparent, healing...
The corneal epithelium is made up of epithelial tissue and covers the front of the cornea. It acts as a barrier to protect the cornea, resisting the free flow of fluids from the tears, and prevents bacteria from entering the epithelium and corneal stroma.The corneal epithelium consists of several...
Langerhans cells.
CorneaAn allergen is any substance that can cause an allergy. In technical terms, an allergen is a non-parasitic antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals....
s such as fragrances . The soap should not be antibacterial due to risk of improper hand washing and the possibility of destroying the natural bacteria found on the eye. These bacteria keep pathogenic bacteria from colonizing the cornea . The technique for removing or inserting a contact lens varies slightly depending upon whether the lens is soft or rigid.
In all cases, the insertion and removal of lenses requires some training and practice on the part of the user, in part to overcome the instinctive hesitation against actually touching the eyeball with one's fingertip.
Insertion
Contact lenses are typically inserted into the eye by placing them on the index finger with the concave side upward and raising them to touch the cornea. The other hand may be employed to keep the eye open. Problems may arise particularly with disposable soft lenses; if thebetween the lens and the finger is too great the lens may turn itself inside out; alternatively it may fold itself in half. When the lens first contacts the eye, a brief period of irritation may ensue as the eye acclimatizes to the lens and also (if a multi-use lens is not correctly cleansed) as dirt on the lens irritates the eye. This may be relieved by placing a drop of saline or multipurpose solution into the lens prior to insertion, this also allows the lens to conform to the eye more quickly by lubricating both contact lens and eye surfaces. After insertion, irrigation may help if irritated, which generally should not exceed one minute. It may be noted that although with some types of contact lenses it is easy to tell if you have inserted the lens backwards (as it is usually painful and vision is impaired) you are able to determine the lens's correct position beforehand by holding the lens on the tip of your finger and squeezing the bottom of it with two fingers from your other hand, you will know you have it the correct way if the edges of the lens curve inward like a taco. If they curve out you need to flip the lens. With some types of lenses however, this is difficult as both sides look very much the same. With many lenses it is hard to tell whether they are inside out or not even when they are in the eye itself. This is because the vision and feel of the lens can be very similar for both sides. For these reasons many people try to ensure they keep visual track of the different sides of the contact lenses from the day they are open, if they suspect the lens is inside out they can always change its orientation at a later stage. It is never advisable to wear the lenses inside-out even if they feel comfortable and vision is good when doing so.
Removal
A soft lens may be removed by holding the eyelids open and grasping the lens with opposing digits. This method may cause irritation, could risk damage to the eye and may in many cases be difficult, in part due to the blink reflex
Corneal reflex
The corneal reflex, also known as the blink reflex, is an involuntary blinking of the eyelids elicited by stimulation of the cornea , or bright light, though could result from any peripheral stimulus. Stimulation should elicit both a direct and consensual response...
. If the lens is pushed off the cornea (by touching the lens with your forefinger and looking towards your nose, moving the lens) it will buckle up (due to the difference in curvature), making it easier to grasp.
As an alternative method to grasping, once the lens is moved off the cornea to the inner corner of the eye, it can be pushed out of the eye by pressing downwards on the upper eyelid with a finger. With this method there is less risk of touching the eye with the fingers, and it may be easier for people with long fingernails.
Rigid contact lenses may be removed by pulling with one finger on the outer or lateral canthus
Canthus (anatomy)
Canthus is either corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet. More specifically, the medial and lateral canthi would be described as the medial and lateral ends/angles of the palpebral fissure....
Adhesion is any attraction process between dissimilar molecular species that can potentially bring them in close contact. By contrast, cohesion takes place between similar molecules....
. The other hand is typically cupped underneath the eye to catch the lens. There also exist small tools specifically for removing lenses, which resemble smalls made of flexible plastic; the concave end is raised to the eye and touched to the lens, forming a seal stronger than that of the lens with the cornea and allowing the lens to be removed from the eye.
Care
While daily disposable lenses require no cleaning, other types require regular cleaning and disinfecting in order to retain clear vision and prevent discomfort and infections by various microorganism
Microorganism
A microorganism or microbe is a microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters, or no cell at all...A biofilm is an aggregate of microorganisms in which cells adhere to each other on a surface. These adherent cells are frequently embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance...
on the lens surface. There are a lot of products that are used to cleans contact lenses:
Multipurpose solutions – The most popular cleaning solution for contact lenses; these are suitable for rinsing, disinfecting, cleaning and storing lenses, and in most cases eliminate the need for protein removal enzyme tablets. Some multipurpose solutions are not effective at disinfecting Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoebafrom the lens. In May 2007, one brand of multipurpose solution was recalled due to a cluster of Acanthamoeba infections. Newer generations of multipurpose solutions are effective against bacteria, fungi, and acanthamoeba and are designed to condition the lenses while soaking.
In medicine, saline is a general term referring to a sterile solution of sodium chloride in water but is only sterile when it is to be placed intravenously, otherwise, a saline solution is a salt water solution...
solution – Used for rinsing the lens after cleaning and preparing it for insertion. Saline solutions do not disinfect.
Daily cleaner – Used to clean lenses on a daily basis. A few drops of cleaner are applied to the lens while it rests in the palm of the hand, and the lens is rubbed for about 20 seconds with a fingertip (depending on the product) on each side. Long fingernails can damage lenses.solution – Used for disinfecting the lenses, and available as 'two-step' or 'one-step' systems. With 'two-step' products, the peroxide must be rinsed away with saline before the lenses may be worn, because hydrogen peroxide is an irritant and strong oxidizer.
Enzymatic cleaner – Used for cleaning protein deposits off lenses, usually weekly, if the daily cleaner is not sufficient. Typically, this cleaner is in tablet form. Protein deposits make use of contact lenses uncomfortable, and may lead to various eye problems.
Ultraviolet, vibration or ultrasonic devices – Used to both disinfect and clean contact lenses. The lenses are inserted inside the portable device (running on batteries and/or plug-in) for 2 to 6 minutes during which both the microorganisms and protein build-up are thoroughly cleaned. Saline solution is typically used as multi-purpose solutions are not necessary. These devices are not usually available in optic retailers but are in some electro-domestic stores.
Some products must only be used with certain types of contact lenses. Water alone will not adequately disinfect the lens, and can lead to lens contamination and has been known in some cases to cause irreparable harm to the eye. Proper lens cleaning is important in warding off biofilm formation.
To keep the cleaning product as clean as possible, and to counteract minor contamination of the product and kill microorganisms on the contact lens, some products contain preservative
PreservativezalkBenzyl alcohol is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2OH. The benzyl group is often abbreviated "Bn", thus benzyl alcohol is denoted as BnOH. Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor. It is a useful solvent due to its polarity, low toxicity, and low vapor...
. In 1989, thiomersal was responsible for about 10% of problems related to contact lenses: because of this, many products no longer contain thiomersal. Preservative-free products usually have shorter shelf lives
Shelf life
Shelf life is the length of time that food, drink, medicine, chemicals, and many other perishable items are given before they are considered unsuitable for sale, use, or consumption...
. For example, non-aerosol preservative-free saline solutions can typically be used for only two weeks once opened. The introduction of silicone-hydrogel soft contact lens materials in 1999 made selection of the proper disinfecting solution more important.
Current research
A large segment of current contact lens research is directed towards the treatment and prevention of conditions resulting from contact lens contamination and colonization by foreign organisms. It is generally accepted by clinicians that the most significant complication of contact lens wear is microbial keratitis. Other organisms are also major causative factors in bacterial keratitis associated with contact lens wear, although their prevalence varies across different locations. These include both the Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria. Under the microscope they appear round , and form in grape-like clusters....
Streptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning...
species, among others. Microbial keratitis is a serious focal point of current research due to its potentially devastating effect on the eye, including severe vision loss.invade the eye and cause infection. Although the pathogenesis of microbial keratitis is not well understood, many different factors have been investigated. One group of researchers showed that corneal hypoxia exacerbated Pseudomonas binding to the corneal epithelium, internalization of the microbes, and induction of the inflammatory response. One way to alleviateis to increase the amount of oxygen transmitted to the cornea. Although silicone-hydrogel lenses almost eliminate hypoxia in patients due to their very high levels of oxygen transmissibility, they also seem to provide a more efficient platform for bacterial contamination and corneal infiltration than other conventional hydrogel soft contact lenses. A recent study showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Staphylococcus epidermis adhere much more strongly to silicone hydrogel contact lenses than conventional hydrogel contact lenses and that adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 20 times stronger than adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis. This might help to explain one reason why Pseudomonas infections are the most predominant.
Another important area of contact lens research deals with patient compliance. Compliance is a major issue surrounding the use of contact lenses because patient noncompliance often leads to contamination of the lens, storage case, or both. The introduction of multipurpose solutions and daily disposable lenses have helped to alleviate some of the problems observed from inadequate cleaning but new methods of combating microbial contamination are currently being developed. A-impregnated lens case has been developed which helps to eradicate any potentially contaminating microbes that come in contact with the lens case. Additionally, a number of antimicrobial
Antimicrobial
An anti-microbial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans. Antimicrobial drugs either kill microbes or prevent the growth of microbes...
agents are being developed that have been embedded into contact lenses themselves. Contact lenses with covalently attached Seleniummolecules have been shown to reduce bacterial colonization without adversely affecting the cornea of a rabbit eye and octylglucoside used as a contact lens surfactant significantly decreases bacterial adhesion. These compounds are of particular interest to contact lens manufacturers and prescribing optometrists because they do not require any patient compliance to effectively attenuate the effects of bacterial colonization.
A recent area of research is in the field of bionic lenses. LED lights and circuitry have been designed into recent contact lenses ( based on the early research of Eric Booth in the 70s, who specialized in both train engineering and electrical engineering. He attempted to design transistor circuitry in early rigid contact lenses, but not until 2011 was the research perfected with the use of red LED lighting.
See also
Bionic contact lenses are being developed to provide a virtual display that could have a variety of uses from assisting the visually impaired to the video game industry. The device will have the form of a conventional contact lens with added bionics technology...An eyeglass prescription is an order written by an eyewear prescriber, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, that specifies the value of all parameters the prescriber has deemed necessary to construct and/or dispense corrective lenses appropriate for a patient.If an examination indicates that...
The Bates method is an alternative therapy aimed at improving eyesight. Eye-care physician William Horatio Bates attributed nearly all sight problems to habitual strain of the eyes, and felt that glasses were harmful and never necessary...
Long-term contact lens use leads to alterations in corneal thickness, stromal thickness, curvature, corneal sensitivity, cell density, and epithelial oxygen uptake, etc. Other changes include the formation of epithelial vacuoles and microcysts as well as the emergence of polymegathism in the... | eng | 434b7c00-9bd0-4c3d-8662-9cf2d08991fb | http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Contact_lens |
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Watershed Values
in improving water management for a watershed. Emphasis on the downstream portion of the watershed leads mainly to simply engineered patching aimed at preventing flooding of human infrastructure.
In contrast, watershed stewardship programs aim for remediation and protection of the natural processes of the entire watershed that prevent or tame such floods. Such watershed stewardship is most effective if applied close to where the rain hits the ground, before it becomes a downstream flood crest.
For example, on June 4, 2005, 4 inches (101.6 mm) of rain fell on the rain gauges at Kennebec Lake. Assuming that the same amount of rain fell across all the drainage basin upstream of the lake (66,560 acres) and assuming that it all ran off quickly, that amount of rain would have raised the lake level by over 55 inches (139.7 cm or 4.58 feet). The lake level was carefully recorded; it rose only 14 inches. The Kennebec Lake subwatershed allowed only 6.7 % of the rain to form the flood crest.
The Kennebec Lake subwatershed is the top end of the Salmon River watershed; this moderation of the runoff provided ecosystem services to the entire Salmon River watershed all the way to Shannonville.
The upstream portion of any watershed is the most important in providing the natural processes that manage our river flows for us. The upstream portion is the most valuable portion in terms of watershed stewardship and conservation.
Moderation of runoff peaks, such as in this example, is not delivered equally by all rivers that flow down off the Canadian Shield. After the storm in the example above, the nearby Black and Skootamatta Rivers received higher flood crests, less moderated than the Salmon (see Merriam and Carmichael, Figs. 6.1 to 6.6, The Salmon River Watershed). Many rivers flowing off the Shield have very high runoff and very low amounts of rain soaking into the land. No wonder – there is a lot of bare rock and very little soil on the Shield. The expectation for 'shield rivers' is 'whitewater' in spring and wet rocks in late summer, not constancy. So how does the upper Salmon watershed (the Kennebec Lake subwatershed) moderate flow?
The answer lies in the Kennebec Wetland Complex, an area above Highway 7 extending from Highway 41 east to include Mink and Hungry Lakes and north to the Mississippi watershed just south of Big Gull Lake. In that huge area there is a wetland every 750 metres in all directions. (Hence "complex" rather than individually named wetlands.) There are so many wetlands that the Ministry of Natural Resources has been unable to describe each one in detail.
Some wetlands sit above bedrock faults and their water recharges the groundwater. Others simply trap and hold rainfall, evaporate some, cleanse the rest by processing through aquatic plants, and release it downstream slowly, thus moderating the flood crest after such storms as the one on September 8-9, 2004. This is how the upstream area of the Salmon watershed moderated the runoff from the sudden September storm.
Water runs slowly into the Salmon River at many points in the upper part of the watershed. Just below Highway 7, Big Clear Lake adds water gathered from its smaller subwatershed, joining the Salmon through Arden Creek and Arden Lake. Further downstream, at the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, Gull Creek brings water from Gull, Puzzle, Loyst, Norway, Big McNeill and Bear Lakes and associated wetlands in Puzzle Lake Provincial Park. At Erinsville, on the north edge of the Napanee limestone plain, Beaver Lake adds a little, very much more limey, water from west of Road 41.
Topographic maps and satellite images make clear that the sources of water entering the Salmon and the degree of moderation of that flow is concentrated in the upper parts of the watershed. If a program were really aimed at "protecting the sources of water", the upper watershed would be the high priority area.
Unfortunately, policy dictated by political pressure on the Conservation Authorities is focused downstream where fear of flood damage is severe but where long term moderation of floods by enhanced natural processes can not be engaged in water management.
Although the upper watershed should be given high value, the entire watershed should be planned and protected. Downstream is the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence and the Atlantic. The lower watershed on the limestone plain has the highest agricultural potential, the most development and the highest density of humans. Natural processes here require exact planning and care as we fit our activities into the system. That planning requires the acknowledgement that natural forces often are too strong to oppose and should be enlisted not challenged.
Holistic planning for the entire watershed also is needed because we are planning not only for ourselves but also for all the other living beings and vital natural processes that we must protect if we want their ecological support into the future.
GOING FORWARD
Stewardship Not Management
If we consider long-term plans for the Salmon River, some fundamental points are clear. "Management" of the river is the mistaken (and arrogant) philosophy that has resulted in disused dams, destroyed cold-water habitats, species threatened by interrupted migrations, and placing of built structures where they depend on unsustainable engineering of water levels assumed to be constant. Instead we need to think about stewardship plans.
The Whole Watershed
Stewardship thinking needs to be based on protected natural processes operating across the watershed, the naturally integrated unit of water flow. Protected natural processes are more easily sustained than managed or engineered processes. Natural processes are naturally solar-powered and consequently require no economic adjustments or questionable projections. For any planned processes that are not natural, we must accept the responsibilities – scientific, technical, economic, and managerial – for their sustenance. Historically, we have not done well at sustaining even fragments of processes of water flow on the land, let alone whole watershed "management". Consider the reasons for the "drinking water protection program", downgraded from "source water protection".
Commitment to whole watershed stewardship planning requires coordination of planning for: forestry, agriculture, tourism and recreation, transportation, communication, municipal development, and regional economics. There are many benefits from this coordinated approach. Bureaucratic fragmentation will resist the required coordination but local understanding of the watershed and strong attachment of citizens to it can provide the necessary integration.
IPAT and Other Values
Impact = Population X Affluence X Technology (IPAT) has replaced Impact = Population X Consumption but the basics are unchanged. Successful stewardship will require attention to these fundamentals. Planning to fit humans into a watershed while protecting natural processes requires avoiding critical impacts. At the same time, increases in the human population of the watershed will increase that impact. The affluence of those people also can increase the impact if it causes increased consumption of natural resources and increased production of "waste". Dynamically increasing technology also can add to the resource costs and to the environmental impacts.
Reducing the effect of the "P", the "A" and the "T" must be an objective of watershed planning. None will be stopped but long-term plans must make them less damaging.
Politics, Resources and Grassroots
Who can initiate long-term watershed stewardship planning? Conservation Authorities are the only Ontario agencies with mandates defined by watersheds. Unfortunately, integrated plans of watershed stewardship are not evident in their recent activities, although that was their original objective in the 1940's, 50's and 60's. CA budgets do not permit the detailed discovery or monitoring workneeded for holistic planning. No provincial ministries or programs have activities fitting the needs outlined here. Stewardship Councils could have applied appropriate programs. Lake associations are growing stronger but many focus mainly only on lakefront areas and do not reach out to their whole subwatersheds.
Without increased provincial funding specifically targeted on watershed stewardship, the work falls to volunteer groups. For the Salmon River watershed this means The Friends of the Salmon River and a few lake associations such as those for Kennebec, Big Clear, Horseshoe, Sheffield (if an association were formed), and Beaver.
State of the lake data for these lakes would be a good first step that could be taken by volunteers with existing support from the province, such as the Lake Partners Program. Some of these lakes already have such data in varying amounts.
Currently, provincial municipal planning rests with the townships, some of whom have voiced support for lake planning but none for watershed planning. They falsely assume that is looked after by the Conservation Authorities. This conduct of planning under the Planning Act is changing. Ultimate authority for planning is being given to some counties and predicted to move to other counties soon. Despite resistance by townships, planning capability is being developed by Frontenac County. See, for example, their excellent on-line accessible Geographic Information System. Coordination among the County, the struggling Stewardship Council, and the Conservation Authorities is underway. In May 2013, the County will support a two-day workshop where selected experts will wrestle with the question: what are the few elements that are vital to a stewardship plan for a small region?
Because planning under the Planning Act has historically been dominated by urban and suburban planning, most planners received their certification in those topics. No planning schools specialize in watershed planning or in lake planning although some group projects have appeared. With this planning history, volunteer groups must influence the thinking of the planners at County toward understanding of and priority for the different parts of a watershed. Planning objectives need to incorporate the natural processes critical to sustaining a fully functional watershed. New knowledge is needed about the interaction of natural processes with human population, built development, and tourist- and retirement-based rural economies. Our area, the Lakeland of Eastern Ontario needs creative, new planning models that recognize and incorporate the natural richness that is our future capital.
Stewardship, Not Engineered Management
Objectives need to be in terms of a naturally functioning watershed with people fitted into it and supported by it without disrupting vital processes. Past approaches holding benefits to humans, largely economically evaluated, as the sole objective are generally recognized as no longer tenable. Natural processes vital to long-term functioning of the watershed need higher priority. Without conservation of those processes the system will not truly recover from an impact. Instead, it will be degraded. Without functioning natural processes, the human component of the system will lack support in the future. We humans will not be able to fund technically engineered substitutes for the all vital watershed processes required by the entire integrated system. We have passed the times when another technical innovation can be offered believably as the solution to any problem. Just consider global climate change andglobal human population. [...]]]>
Science in Canadian Culture science. Repeated attempts to launch an English science magazine have all failed.
When l'Association Canadienne-Français pour l'Avancement des Sciences (ACFAS) held its meetings at Université de Quèbec à Montréal in 1989, le Devoir inserted a foldout containing the complete program of the meetings including all the papers to be presented and their authors and did so at no cost to ACFAS. A few years later when the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) held their North American meetings in Toronto, local news media paid little attention and certainly did not assist.
What do I mean by "science"? New pills and new gadgets are in our daily news. Does that not make "science" part of our culture? No, science is not focused on producing applications for our consumer culture. Science is not the same as technology, or even engineering, or clinical medicine. That is not how science becomes part of our culture.
When friends frequently say " … I don't get science and statistics…" when they see tables of information or any kind of numbers, it is clear that science has not been incorporated into their culture. Likewise when I hear media references such as "… science has proved something or other" it is clear that the fundamentals of science still are not generally understood.
"Science" is just a particular way of "knowing", a specific way of producing new knowledge so that the truth and meaning can be checked. This can involve careful and exact recording of observations and measurements but that is just a beginning step. The critical step is using that information to create logical hypotheses that can be tested to try to disprove them, either logically or by experiment or both. Logically, absolute proof is not possible so the scientific method dictates that we try to disprove a working hypothesis. If repeated attempts to disprove it fail then we temporarily let the hypothesis stand.
Statistics are often used in science but every number is not a statistic. There are lots of other kinds of numbers! A statistic is a measure taken from a sample of a much larger universe or population of things – too many to measure them all – so a sample is taken. The methodology and theory of statistics are used to test how well the sample represents the entire population of things and also to state the degree of certainty of any decisions made from that sample. For many questions, the most accurate answer is a probability statement. Answers given without a statement of their certainty are often suspect.
Science is used to study many kinds of questions varying from completely theoretical to very practical and applied. The notion, now commonly expressed in our culture, that only studies that result in an immediate application have value seems to result from a few bad assumptions: One is the very basic notion that all knowledge already exists and no knowledge is produced anew. Another is that we humans are omniscient and can know the utility of new knowledge before it is ever produced. A third is that the only way to evaluate knowledge is by its economic value; no value is attached to knowledge for its own cultural and intellectual worths.
Science has strongly affected the nature of our culture but, oddly, has not been incorporated into that culture. [...]]]>
Millponds: Nostalgic or Obsolete? watersheds allow water to escape over the top of the dam. That water was the top water of the pond – the water that was warmed by the sun. The heated water flows downstream warming everything in its path. This destroys all the coldwater habitats of the stream. Fish, such as brook trout, and especially their eggs and young no longer can survive without those coldwater habitats. Warmwater species from elsewhere, such as brown trout, take over, often with our help. As the original environment is further distorted, it may become preferred habitat for ecologically less appropriate species such as smallmouth bass and crappie.
For several streams flowing into Lake Ontario, species integral to the original ecosystem have been pushed out by the many little mill dams favoured by the human view of progress held a few decades ago. The Atlantic salmon population that was "landlocked" in Lake Ontario survived by migrating upstream to spawn and start their young*. Both the destruction of coldwater habitats by surface overflow from millponds and the barriers presented by the dams themselves barred the salmon from streams that had supported their population for glacial time.
Although less discussed by European settlers, American eels were even more important than salmon to first nations in the watersheds draining into Lake Ontario. These fish, not to be confused with lampreys, gather in the Sargasso Sea off Bermuda for mating. Their transparent young (elvers) migrate to the streams of the continents and up those streams to mature over a few years, before migrating back in the Sargasso to mate. Mature eels, trapped by dammed rivers, have been caught in lakes in the Salmon River watershed in the current decade.
Surface overflow dams affect not only sports fishes and eels. All invertebrates at the base of the food chain, that require cold water habitats, also are pushed out.
In addition to the barrier effects and the warm water effects, surface overflow dams also change the sediment flow downstream. As the water flow slows above the dam, silt, sand, gravel and all heavier particles carried by the water settle out and become sediment in the bottom of the pond. Not only does the pond fill up, but those settled particles don't go downstream to make up the sediments required by everything from fish eggs to mayflies.
Unless one life-stage can fly, the invertebrates as well as the fishes have their gene pool along the stream broken into isolated segments. The basic processes of evolution are impacted by this fragmentation of the streams, and the fragmentation of gene pools, by dams.
In many cases, these old dams are relicts of the past that have lost their reason for being. Their ecological effects are still causing impacts and prevent restoration of habitats critical to the survival of species. These old dams restrain the possibilities of rebuilding the faunal structure of our Lake Ontario streams and the Great Lakes. [...]]]>
Green Steps does not encompass all the ecological impacts caused by humans or all the management challenges that we must face.
The other challenges are unable to compete for attention with global change but they are all part of a united hierarchy. Global change is the largest in geographic scale and ranging down the size scale of effects and challenges we see continental effects such as forest clearing, reduction of species' ranges and populations, light pollution and many other examples. At smaller geographic scales in the same hierarchy we see local issues such as unplanned toxic effects of pesticides, roadkill of endangered species, over-fertilization (eutrophication) of lakes and streams, and all the other "NIMBY" and "IMBY" topics.
As in all hierarchies, processes operating at larger spatial scales are slower, both to come into effect and to be remediated. So, changing the global climate requires many decades to take effect and will take equally long to correct. But clear-cutting a local forest patch can happen overnight and can be regrown (to a different mix) in a human lifetime.
The take-home lesson is that programs or political platforms that address only climate change as their total green or environmental package are missing all the rest of the hierarchy that they need to address.
The local effects, such as the reduction or degradation of local habitats, must be addressed, along with the continental-scale impacts and management programs. In most cases, problems start locally and metamorphose into larger-scale issues; attending to local issues is primary in preventing the big, slow and difficult global issues [...]]]>
Expensive Frogs frogs, threatening some with extinction. In addition, bullfrogs carry a chytrid skin fungus that is deadly to many other frogs. Many species are declining globally.
How did bullfrogs get into B.C.? Non-thinking speculators in frog-leg farming bought some in. Others were brought in by gardeners just for the aesthetics of their lily ponds.
Green frogs also have been introduced but are less menacing. In eastern Ontario we have many green frogs and some bullfrogs. Why don't we have the problems seen in B.C.? Our other frogs have lived with bullfrogs over evolutionary time and have developed adaptations to prevent population decline due to bullfrog predation on their young. Possibly we also have predators that hold back the bullfrog population. Otters eat both bullfrogs and green frogs that the otters catch in winter on the muddy bottom and bring up to eat on the edge of the ice. The amphibian species and the ecosystems native to B.C. have not had the benefit of adapting over a long time to the bullfrogs.
These costly frogs are just one example of many costly invasions caused by humans moving species into ecological systems not adapted to the imported species. Consider purple loosestrife, arrived here from gardens in New England. We got Zebra mussels compliments of sea-going transportation with follow-up help from local boaters. Carp are not native to Ontario and we now are threatened by additional exotic carp species whose spread is supported by our engineering projects. European Phragmites or giant reed is expanding from an initial seeding by following the ditches along our highways. Phragmites and purple loosestrife take their choices from the habitat opportunities presented by road maintenance contracts that are insensitive to environmental effects.
Take home message? Stop moving exotics around. Some of them can become costly invasives that will threaten our native species. Learn to identify and eliminate invasives before they spread [...]]]>
Ecological Connectivity — Some Basics population survival. Populations in most environments are composed of a mosaic of subpopulations. The subpopulations each may become locally extinct, i.e. decrease to zero, but with adequate connectivity the population of the entire mosaic of subpopulations, can survive with certainty.
This is so because for every subpopulation patch that goes extinct, an empty patch is recolonized. The rate of local extinction of subpopulations is matched by a rate of recolonization of local extinctions. This recolonization is possible only if the landscape allows the animals or plants to move freely among the habitat patches that support the subpopulations.
In many environments, particularly those heavily used by humans, the habitat is very fragmented. In the extreme, the native habitat between subpopulations is replaced by unnatural, often threatening or dangerous habitat. For example, squirrels may be confined to isolated patches of woods because lack of trees in intervening habitats prevents movements by the squirrels. Movement can be even more difficult for some plants. For example, trout lilies move mainly by extension of underground rhizomes. Unless there are small populations surviving in farm fencerows, trout lilies in farm woodlots are usually completely isolated in each woodlot. In such cases, connections between patch populations will need to be breeding habitat, not just spatial corridors.
With intense fragmentation, humans also commonly may insert barriers, such as highways, gravel pits or strip malls, between the subpopulation patches thus increasing the isolation.
If the organisms can't move among the patches and patches emptied by local extinction are not recolonized, the number of empty patches will continue to increase until the species is extirpated over the entire region.
Programs attempting to conserve connectivity need to consider how quality, extent and spatial distribution of habitat affect movement behaviour in particular species. White-footed mice will use farm fields, even plowed corn fields, as breeding habitat and will move across them between patches of their usual wooded habitat. But chipmunks in that same farmland will not use farm fields and can be isolated in farm woodlots simply by lack of woody fencerows. Because they can fly, it often is assumed that birds and damselflies are unaffected by spatial distribution of habitats on the ground. But, during breeding season, some birds are unwilling to fly across open areas without any treed way-stations. Some damselflies use watery habitats for breeding but adults must be able to fly to mature woodland for foraging.
Relationships between life history patterns and movement behaviour can be critical to population survival and must be considered in landscape planning and stewardship. Trained ecologists, biologists and natural historians must oversee and evaluate computer programs and engineered landscape changes so that conservation of connectivity is understood as movement of organisms that increases the probability of population survival.
If the connections among patches are inadequate in extent or in quality of habitat, the inter-patch movement will fail to ensure population survival. [...]]]>
Science and Aesthetics in Conservation natural elements of planning such as aesthetics. That is the realm of philosophers and science can't approach such
But to learn how they valued each landscape. Values stated by the viewers can be subjected to psychological and philosophical analyses and to statistical tests to state the confidence in results.
Surely scientists have the abilities to apply their 'way of knowing' to produce new knowledge that incorporates both classical scientific variables and solid evidence on aesthetic variables into a realistic synthesis that we could use to guide and facilitate 'best management practices' to address today's conservation issues.
]]> Friendships in the Low Arctic
18 Sep 2012 15:50:04 +0000Gray Merriam [...]]]> but it also was not so many months past her sister Jocelyn's 82nd.
It also seemed a good idea to let some youngsters realize that there is more to this land than just backyards and southern towns. Ryan, our son Mike and Kim's adopted 13 year old, and Jeff and Jacqueline's adopted Michaela, about the same age, would get a memory to go back to in oncoming turbulent teen-years.
Not only the youngsters would have their first experience "up north". Jacques Baudry and Francoise Burel, landscape ecologists who I knew from their days as graduate students in Brittainy, France, and who had since seen most parts of the world, even the high plains of Mongolia, had never seen the arctic.
Mona Whitaker also had seen a lot of the earth since leaving her native Sweden, but had not had enough time in the solitude of the Canadian low arctic.
John Wegner, long time friend and research colleague had been immersed in the ecology of the northeast, the Midwest and, now for some years, the southeast, but had never spent time on the low arctic tundra.
Aileen's sister, Jodi, had come north with us eight years ago and longed to return. But her elder daughter, Chris and husband Jack had never seen these special spaces. Now they would.
So, from many directions, this group descended on Yellowknife, an experience in itself. But the next morning we all headed north, some on floats and the rest on tundra tires.
Low altitude over the tundra for a couple of hours gives one many visual stimuli and provokes many questions and thoughts. We leave the treed tundra behind with Yellowknife. It is still lakeland but now the landscape matrix is lichen-crusted bedrock. The varying texture of the land unfolds as we skim northward to the coast.
The tension between love of the land in the old way of life and the need for economic ability in the lifestyle that is advancing from the south suddenly is evident as we fly over one and then another giant hole spiraling down kimberlite "pipes" to recover diamonds from the Canadian Shield. For me, those giant holes punctured what had been the largest roadless area in North America when I first flew in to Point Lake, the head of the Coppermine River, in 1975.
Etaki diamond mines bringing development to roadless areas
Further north, other rivers rise from the tundra forming "new land". Young rivers, the Burnside and the Hood, create stable forms of this land newly out from under the glacial ice as they reshape sinuous, moving gravel sculptures into more stable landforms. Wilberforce Falls on the Hood offers lessons in humility and is willing to overpower any humans foolish enough to try canoeing those unclimbable gorges below the falls.
Small snowy crescents under the overhanging ledges that grabbed the snow from the northerly winds have persisted half way through July to remind us of where we are. The land where some snow drifts never melt — at least not in the past, before global warming.
As we followed the Burnside to its mouth, suddenly there was the covey of buildings that was the new form of the Burnside settlement and the support around the Bathurst Inlet Lodge – our home, for a few days.
Lunch welcomed us in the refurbished dining and common rooms. Refurbished because a barren ground grizzly had found interesting smells emanating from it and tore off a large section of siding and framing to get inside and open various packages such as refrigerators, stoves and all sorts of cupboards.
The "Blue Loo" was docked as usual waiting to take us anywhere in the Inlet. The "Loo" is a giant pontoon boat with an appended outhouse, in bright blue, flaunting a Nunavut flag on the afterdeck.
The dining hall and the various guest cottages are scattered among the newer houses of the residents of the settlement, many of whom are the core staff of the Lodge. As they mastered their many aspects of the lodge's functions, the original owners, ex-RCMP officer Glenn Warner, his wife Trish and family, have transferred significant shares of ownership of the business to Inuit staff.
Sam Kapolak has helped shape the experiences of all visitors to Bathurst Inlet. Sam not only captains the "Loo" but also captains the shuttle of baggage from the gravel airstrip to guests' doors. Sam also helps bring char and other staples from the land to the table. Under tutelage of Page Burt, Sam has developed advanced photographic capabilities, letting him express graphically some of his vast knowledge of the tundra plants.
Susie Kapolak captains the cookhouse, providing guests with outstanding fare for their stay in this isolated location far from supply depots.
Several other people of the Burnside settlement also support the lodge operation. Colin Fraser, a grandson of the Warners also with heritage from first nations in the Mackenzie valley, and Sam's brother, Allan Kapolak, are superior guides supporting visitors on the water and on the land. Many local women unite into the smoothly working kitchen crew.
A wayfarer from Cincinnati, Page Burt, has been in the north for a few decades supporting the Lodge and several other creations, such as Outcrop, Ltd., a book Press and public relations and research contractor, and a hotel business in Rankin Inlet on Hudson Bay. Page built on her knowledge of botany, natural history, photography and writing skills. Bathurst Inlet Lodge would have developed differently without her influence and hard work. Guest do not complete their stroll from the gravel airstrip to the lodge without Page showing them a glorious sample of the season's flowers – on the ground and in her book "Barrenland Beauties".
Our field trips on the Blue Loo were punctuated by sharp-eyed sightings by Sam or his colleagues. A golden eagle nest high on a waterside cliff was found because the guides had seen the birds flying in that area. We were led inland to the cliffside nest of a pair of peregrine falcons and watched as the hunter of the pair passed prey over in mid-air to the other mate for delivery to the chicks.
Some features were well known to Page and the other guides. A grave site had been known and respected for some years. It was on a high point and still displayed the occupant's skull and some long bones along with articles placed there for use in the next life: a Primus gas stove, enameled cups, a tea caddy, a tin to boil the tea water, and a trap. The deceased had been laid out on the rocks with his tools for the next world and left for nature to take her course
Tent rings from the Thule culture
Also well known to the guides, stone tent rings from the first native culture, the Thule, have given many visitors a less abstract feeling for a culture that dates back to the melting of our continental glaciers. This line of tent rings is now at the top of a shingle beach a few metres above the water's edge. When lived in, these tents were close to the water's edge but since the weight of the glacial ice has been removed, the tent rings have been raised up by the rising bedrock.
The guides spotted a shape on the vastness of sedge meadows below some outcropping rocky cliffs. It was a female barren ground grizzly. After checking our distance she allowed three cubs to emerge from a copse of willow. It was noteworthy that she had raised three to such healthy sizes. They spotted us before we spotted them and took turns standing upright to get better looks at this strange floating object with things crawling all over it and a funny blue box on the rear.
Sam anticipated the direction that the bears would take and move the Loo around a point where we could continue to watch as the female encouraged her three cubs to climb through a jumble of rocks up to very high, and safe, ground.
Barren ground grizzly with one cub out and two more in the willows
As the bears headed for high ground, an arctic wolf flushed away from the bears' path and headed for its version of safe ground — away from a mother grizzly with cubs.
These sightings gave our youngsters messages that none of the endangered species ads or social media messages could – and not just the youngsters!
While exploring a small island in the Inlet with Page Burt, she remarked that she had seen something in the distance that she thought was a wolverine near the island's shore. Page took off to get Allan to come around with the little outboard and try to turn the animal toward our position. I continued on in the direction Page had indicated. Soon I saw what I did not expect, a wolverine swimming strongly across the channel from the next island. I tried to get nearer to the shore where the wolverine would land but I was spotted. The wolverine stopped paddling, stared up toward me from about 300 metres, then turned and swam away toward the next island. I was carrying a 400 millimetre lens on a gunstock and was squeezing off shots during my discovery and as the wolverine swam away and climbed the shore of the next island, gave a shake and headed up the sandy slope. Despite the shake, the wolverine left a broad and distinct wet path as it climbed the slope. It had carried a large load of water that was still shedding water from its fur after more than 100 metres. That must have been a load while swimming. Anyway, this made my third, lifetime, wolverine. All around Bathurst Inlet, two in one day eight years one in 2012. Wonderful.
Back at the lodge, the local culture was displayed. Native costumes, hand-made by folks we had come to know and their friends and relatives of the Burnside community and modeled by these same folks. The youngsters of our group were invited to participate and became models and game-players along with their new Inuit friends. A native bow and arrows also were displayed. The bow was made by lashing and gluing muskox horn to antler material with binding from sinews. The shape is shortened by extreme recurves reminiscent of the horn bows made by Mongols. Yet the arrows are long indicating that the bow flexed until its limbs were nearly straight. I would have liked to try it but old, dry bows are often brittle. Where did they get the material for those arrows? How many were lost in caribou shooting?
Jeff Amos photo
Sam Kappolak gave a verbal tour of the extensive collection of Inuit artifacts that have been saved by the Warner family. Sam still knows how each tool and technique fitted together to fashion the old way of life that is now passing. Ability to make a truly fine horn bow no longer is valued. The people of the Burnside Community and others like them are being pushed into the consumer economy of the south and the old way of life will not supply the monetary resource required by consumerism.
Recently, the economic depression of that consumer economy has come to threaten the intermediate position that the Warners and Page Burt and the Bathurst Inlet lodge offered to people like the Kapolaks. The Lodge was a possible way to transform the natural riches of the land into supplementary monetary resources for these folks allowing some combination of the old and the new lifestyles. But visitors are less frequent when their southern economic flow is slowed and a year at the lodge shrinks from three or four weeks to one or two weeks. Support staff must look elsewhere for income such as jobs at diamond mines with a sixteen-year projected lifespan. Sadly, the Inuit culture is threatened.
]]> and Tankers: Great Bear Rainforest and Gateway Pipeline
11 Nov 2011 00:59:55 +0000Gray Merriam [...]]]> home to grizzlies, black bears, wolverines, grey wolves, humpback whales and orcas. But it also is home to the "spirit" bear or "Kermode" bear a very special treasure that occurs nowhere else on earth.
The spirit bear is a white black bear. White because it inherits two recessive mutant genes from its parents. It is not an albino. These special bears occur mainly on Princess Royal Island and on the smaller island to its north – Gribbell Island. (Look between Kitimat and Bella Bella.) On Princess Royal, about one in ten black bears is a white spirit bear. On Gribbell, about one in three is white. Two black bears, each with a recessive gene can produce a white spirit bear.
Both black and spirit bears (along with grizzlies) feed heavily on spawning and spawned-out salmon. Spirit bears are more successful in catching salmon than are their black cousins, an advantage that may help explain their persistence in the population. Both bears seize salmon in the water and carry them up on shore, often well into the forest. The bears often eat only the brains or the eggs from the salmon they catch. The rest of salmon is left in the forest and research that tracks isotopes of nitrogen that occur only in the sea, has shown that nitrogen from the salmon, with the help of the bears, is incorporated into the trees of the forest. The Great Bear Rainforest is fertilized from the ocean by the salmon and the bears.
Photo: Gray Merriam – Gribbell Island
By 2009, British Columbia had protected one-third of the Great Bear Rainforest from logging and put the rest of it under ecosystem-based management plans. Conservancies in those areas allow traditional uses but not logging or development. First Nations workers provide monitoring and stewardship.
Now, a dual pipeline is proposed to connect Alberta's tar sands to Kitimat. Thick crude would be delivered to tankers that could hold 2.15 million barrels of crude and would be up to 1116 feet long. The pipeline would also take "condensate", the mixture used to thin the bitumen enough to flow, back to the tar sands. The economic objective is Asian markets, including China's state-owned Sinopec oil company.
The giant tankers would have to thread a narrow, jigsaw-like passage past Gribbell and Princess Royal Islands to get to the open ocean north of Haida Gwai. The tankers would be sliding past the sunken hulk of the Queen of the North in Hartley Bay where the BC passenger ferry sank in 2006 and is still releasing diesel fuel.
Canada proposes to bid for the international Asian petroleum market with this Northern Gateway pipeline and this risky tanker passageway. As currently proposed by Enbridge, this pipeline will put the National treasure of the Great Bear Rainforest at risk. As Canadians, we should all get informed about this pipeline and tanker proposal and think about our irreplaceable National treasure to be put at risk.
]]> Steps
22 Aug 2011 23:21:06 +0000Gray Merriam today's green discussions by politicians, the main focus seems [...]]]>
In today's green discussions by politicians, the main focus seems change alone does not encompass all the ecological impacts caused by humans or all the management challenges that we must face.
The other challenges along with global climate change together form an integrated hierarchy of ecological processes and effects that must be considered together. Global change is the largest in geographic scale and if we range down the size scale of effects and challenges we see mid-size continental effects such as forest clearing, reduction of species' ranges and populations, regional spread of pests, and many other examples. At smaller geographic scales in the same hierarchy we see local issues such as unplanned toxic effects of pesticide, roadkill of endangered species, over-fertilization (eutrophication) of lakes and streams, destruction of habitat patches, and many other "NIMBY" and "IMBY" topics.
As in all hierarchies, processes operating at larger spatial scales are slower, to come into effect and slower to be remediated. Changing the global climate takes many decades to take effect and will take equally long to correct, if that is possible. But clear-cutting a local forest patch can happen overnight and can be regrown (but not duplicated and not without impacts) in a human lifetime.
Smaller scale effects influence the mid-scale processes and those, in turn, influence the largest scale effects. Looked at in reverse, the large-scale processes have effects at the continental scale and those mid-scale processes have effects at the smallest, local scale. Processes and effects at all scales are linked into an integrated hierarchy that must be considered all together; selecting only one scale, such as global change, cannot effectively manage our environmental issues.
The take-home lesson is that programs or political platforms that address only climate change as their total green or environmental package are missing all the rest of the hierarchy that they need to address. To be complete, a 'green' package must address the entire chain of effects from removal of a local habitat patch to the regulation of carbon emissions.
The local effects, such as the reduction or degrading of local habitats, must be addressed, along with the continental-scale impacts and management programs. In most cases, problems start locally and metamorphose into larger-scale issues; attending to local issues is critical in preventing the big, slow and difficult global issues. | eng | 7e533396-a999-4430-b22e-7fa94520d149 | http://www.specialplaces.ca/feed/ |
Archive
This is the 64-bit version of Ubuntu. There is little point to running down the entire catalogue. Almost everything works Out of the Box® as we have come to expect from Ubuntu. When it doesn't is when we have something to say. Further, having something to say is often limited to what little we each tend to mess with, so we only know what we use. I'm not a grand testing guru, but I'm sharing this with those who are doing something similar. Nobody here is pretending this is a proper technology review.
The primary big problem is Alsa. Currently, the hardware detection is unable to recognize every pertinent detail. For the impatient — on most recent Inspirons using ICH9 sound chips, edit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf by adding the following line to the bottom of the file:
options snd-hda-intel model=6stack-dell
Then reboot. It's that simple.
For those of you seeking clues to working it out with other machines, the solution means you have do some research, then get your hands dirty with modifying the config files by hand. I assure you it's worth it. The context is realizing a great many recent onboard chipsets, Intel in particular, are configured in so very many different ways, there is no way to know exactly what does the trick. The details are buried on the Alsa website, and can be gleaned from a hundred different bug reports and forum discussions. A good starting place is this page on the Ubuntu Community documentation website. The critical items start under the heading "Manually Specify Module Parameters":
Check the listing of possible model names Alsa uses in your distro bundled documentation. For Ubuntu, that turned out to be /usr/share/doc/alsa-base/driver/HD-Audio-Models.txt.gz, which was easily read by using zless from the commandline.
If you cannot identify what's most plausible for your hardware, start with the "auto" parameter.
Prepare yourself to keep testing different options until you get something which works properly.
In my case, the primary issue was a small amount of popping in the output, but worst of all, plugging in headphones at the front panel of the tower didn't cut the main speaker output. Alsa didn't know which output channel did what until I identified the layout by the model name. Most of the complaints were along the lines of "no headphone jack sense control". The fix I found does not fix that peculiar problem with the mixer interface, but it did fix the problem automatically.
When testing different distros to find which will work the best, I realize perfection on any particular hardware is unlikely, for the simple reason the developers can't buy a sample of everything out there. A limited number of glitches, and some do-it-yourself fixes are always acceptable with every OS. Some things are simply too much, or there may be too many little things together. Here is my experience on what I've tested so far on this machine:
CentOS 5 — This would have been my preference. I couldn't get past the IDE detection, since the installer kept loading the wrong driver first and finding nothing. The IDE driver ata_piix is unable to read it, and would prevent the AHCI driver from loading. This is a highly debated bug in the RedHat world, and it seems the developers insist the manufacturer is wrong for not including an option in the BIOS for it. They don't appear to have any interest in fixing it, and it affects Fedora, as well. Nice.
openSUSE 11.1 and 11.2 — Both were afflicted by numerous issues. Aside from the same failure to understand which model was appropriate for the ALSA driver, the instructions for debugging are missing critical steps not obvious to ordinary users trying to figure it out. Their whole approach is different from the Debian world, so the above advice may not help at all. However, there were still a large number of minor flaws which have come to characterize SUSE these days.
Debian Lenny — The installer could never find my Realtek RTL8101E ethernet port. Without having the full DVD on hand, I would not have gotten enough installed to work out a fix. (I didn't get around to testing Squeeze.)
Ubuntu 9.04 — Everything was pretty good, but I kept getting random I/O freezes. I would be typing away on something important and the system would lock up hard. A full reboot was required, and I always lost my work — that's unforgivable. Something in the way the X server interacted with the hardware was very wrong.
Update: (16 Jan 2010) After having some trouble with Ubuntu 9.10, I ran openSUSE 11.2 for quite a while. However, it just wasn't quite right, either. So I decided to give Karmic one more try, but this time I installed from a Live-Run session. Apparently this made some sort of difference in how the hardware was configured, because it is working far better than the first time.
It's easy to confuse things talking about the US Government, as if it were one single thing. It's not. The federal bureaucracy is multiple governments under a single umbrella, and occasionally competing. I have long said one of the greatest threats to the average US resident is the CIA. It's not as if they spend all their time actively ruining our lives individually, but what they really do spend their time doing is a real threat. The CIA, insofar as we can think of it as a single entity, is responsible for a very large portion of what makes it hard to live here in the US.
In particular, the CIA is the number one supplier of illegal drugs in the US, and maybe the whole world. In times past, that could easily be the number one reason for just about anything the CIA was doing in any place at all, here and abroad. Whatever else was suckering us into Vietnam, the reason the CIA was involved was simply to keep the Southeast Asian drug supply line open. It's probably the number one reason our POWs were left there. Then, when opium lost it's popularity in favor of cocaine, the CIA stayed busy south of our borders. You may recall the "Dark Alliance" series by Gary Webb in the San Jose Mercury. By whatever means, the CIA killed Webb for daring to expose the truth so very clearly. Nowadays, the number one project for the CIA is supplying heroin again, but this time mostly in Europe, including Russia. Naturally, this is a major reason for our involvement in Afghanistan and the surrounding region.
Did you know our combat assets in Afpack are used to guard poppy fields? Ask a Conservative why they don't press this issue, and it's left to Liberals to talk about it. Not that I'm supporting either side in politics, since they are both holding forth illegitimate agendas as measured by the Covenant of Noah.
Commonly abused substances are a serious threat, but we don't deal with them properly at all. In the West, we simply cannot imagine keeping government out of the picture. There are some folks fully aware of how our drug laws are what keeps this trade by the CIA so profitable. While the CIA and DEA seldom cooperate — the Lockerbie Bombing was the CIA killing DEA agents who had evidence of CIA drug running — they are two halves of the profit equation. That is, making drugs illegal and building a massive federal bureaucracy to enforce those laws is what raises the street price of things like cocaine and heroin. It takes extraordinary efforts to get past all the enforcement. The CIA doesn't control the entire supply line, but takes advantage of their free pass across the border with anything they want to ship. However much they bring to the market, while seldom threatened until delivered to lower level dealers, is very high profit.
Making the whole thing so clandestine, so criminal and socially unapproved is what makes it so dangerous. Under Noah, if you knew your neighbor (typically a cousin or such) was buying and using crack, you'd keep an eye on him. You might have a hard time justifying direct intervention in the use itself, but you'd be there to make sure that nasty habit doesn't hurt anyone else. That's how it should work. You can't prevent sinners from sinning, but it's your duty to prevent their sin from splashing all over you and anyone for whom you are responsible. Some sins are inherently dangerous to all, but not this one. If a man is determined to destroy himself, it's his choice before God. He isn't your property. So we focus on the results of his dissolute choices, and God holds us accountable for things like cleaning up his messes. That's the way it is. By having some bogus cultural expectation we can intrude more directly, we have the false justification for making a crime of what is really nothing more than self-abuse, because we reject God's call to deal with the associated consequences. If his kids starve, God says we feed them. If he beats them, God says we doctor them up and censure him for abuse, but they are not our kids — "thou shalt not covet." Our cultural malaise is what builds this hideous justification for confiscating all sorts of private property under Satan's beloved forfeiture laws. It's all about the money.
So the likes of the CIA grab big wads of illegitimate tax appropriations, then milk whomever they can via drug addictions, and sell arms at outrageous profits for wars they provoke, and who-knows-what-else to justify their existence and perquisites. The DEA scrapes in lots of dough from forfeitures, taking a share of what local police agencies haul in under some of the most egregious abuses. Meanwhile, all that military occupation keeps the contractors busy. And when the CIA wants to keep their hands clean for some obscene reason, there's always the mercenaries, like Xe (AKA Blackwater), who we now know do a lot of dirty work — assassinating Bhutto, arming the terrorists, producing false-flag bombings to keep warfare alive, etc. And if you find out Xe wants a chunk of land in your neighborhood for their terrorist training camps, God help you if you dare to resist. What they won't do they can get the CIA or some other federal or private agency to handle. What holds them all together is the money and the federal government umbrella.
The concept of "bureaucratic efficiency" had been an oxymoron since the creation of bureaucrats. His request for a separate space to simply sit and think quietly was almost unheard of in that day and time, so the agency disregarded it. Instead, he got a ship like all the others. It was therefore necessary to set the control for sleep mode, darkening the only living space in the ship, while he let his mind wander. Simply closing the eyes didn't do it. He wasn't sure why, but it simply worked that way. He would never have considered using the escape pod, as the ship itself was confining enough. Still, it was far better than hitching a ride with a freighter or military transport.
His lack of adventurous spirit was a major factor in his career choice and status. His intellect was unremarkable, but it was sufficient to use the spooler system. His one advantage was what he called "intuition." By any other name, it was simply the mental trick of leaping across logical steps, even stepping outside the path somewhat. At any rate, the process was not entirely logical, but the results were sufficiently useful to give him an edge. He wasn't sure he could teach anyone else how to do it, but that was for the neuroscience guys, and he wasn't one of them.
As with many things, neuroscience had chased a great many false leads before settling into a fairly mature path of progress. As soon as it became possible to make cyborgs by mating computer hardware directly to the neural system, it was performed on a large number of volunteers. Everyone wanted the advantage of improved memory handling and abstract number crunching. But of course, as soon as any hardware was surgically implanted, it was already obsolete. By the time any lab could produce a working prototype, someone else had already discovered a better way to interact with the nervous system.
Then the research chased a rolling upgrade by making the linking hardware modular, but even that became obsolete all too quickly. So they had on the one hand a bunch of test subjects either stuck with unsupported hardware, or undergoing a string of repetitive surgeries. Medical science, for all its advancements, never could find a way to poke artificial holes in people without causing problems of one kind or another. The tissue eventually broke down and refused to heal any more. That, on top of all the times when the process of "welding" man and machine itself went wrong.
Adding wireless technology created a really huge mess, and was still the number one problem some two centuries later. Make the receiver chip too sensitive and people couldn't easily shut off the mass of background noise from proliferating environmental signals. Automated filtering and range of other attenuations never quite worked. And what any good lab could do with decent intentions, a criminal lab could pervert with evil intent. So the entire human problem with addictions moved to this new wireless receiver neural implant technology, and each improvement only gave the "dope dealers" a new way to addict their victims. It became possible to stream into the mind an entire virtual existence, and the market in pre-recorded fantasy worlds was still the largest economic engine in the galaxy. Connoisseurs could discuss the fine-grained differences between the engines which competed in blending reality with fantasy, so you could be blissfully lost even while normally productive.
It made it also too easy to turn people into the most horrific killing machines. Rather early in the game, some worlds became almost uninhabitable. It helped to confuse things for Dr. Plimick's research, because of the constant shifting alliances and battlefields, markets, and all the other manifestations of mass human madness. For all it's good, the cyborg sciences very nearly ended the entire human race more than once. They were currently in a fairly stable and boring cycle, and he greatly preferred that sort of boredom over the alternative.
By the time he was born, Dr. Plimick was in a fairly safe environment. The huge amount of human knowledge which made up the minimum these days required at least some computer assistance, so the spooling system came into use. It was simply a very minimal, very weak wireless receptor which allowed a fairly conservative and routine transfer of actual knowledge into the brain. It did so with a minimum of disturbance to the psyche, and by its very limitations prevented anyone hijacking his mind, though it could hardly help him verify what he was being fed. That was the ancient ways of academia, something which thankfully never died out.
But it was often entirely too objective and factual, and seldom gave meaning to all the mass of data. The very safety of the system for learning also made it essentially lifeless. He would have been the same as anyone else that way, but one day during a localized power outage which hit in mid-stream of a spool, he found his brain went right on as if the data was being fed. Having no actual input, there was something which kept processing — not exactly synthesizing and extrapolating, but pulling sense from some "outside" source which was actually inside. Most importantly, it added a coloration, a value and a sense of demand which mere spooling data didn't have. He had no words to explain it, so he kept it to himself. Instead, he tested it carefully, and found it worked best when he was away from other people, and in quiet, low-light settings. It didn't always come to full blown life, but it came most reliably in such an environment.
About the only time he could reasonably do that in the hurry-hurry, high efficiency culture around him was during those times when most people were forced to use the pocket spoolers. One day, he simply didn't turn it on, but held it in the usual place so no one would notice he was not spooling, but doing something else with his brain time. Eventually, he would go to a spooling booth and simply keep the transmitter just outside the range of his receiver implant. It was this stepping outside, so very carefully, the mainstream of his academic world which gave him the edge among the mass, among whom all were accelerated by spooling to the point only a rare few could distinguish themselves. When others wasted their time with entertainment spooling, he was doing that other thing, which is how he found himself in competitive standing for one of the survey missions.
When he spooled the prospectus listing of what was known or guessed about these "lost" worlds, one jumped out at him. It was the first time he could recall having such a reaction during spooling. Normally, just about everything which wasn't automated routine physical behavior, or linked to that behavior, was almost smothered by the process of spooling data into his receiver. But that other hidden process seemed to have been waiting in the background, like a trap set for a specific prey, and it sprang on the one, oldest set of data. But its age was not what called up that other process. It was clearly something germane to the way the process worked itself, because nothing he could identify consciously made it all that special. Yet his intuition shouted this was what he had been waiting for, even though he never knew he was waiting for anything at all.
He was hoping that process would activate, giving him some new perspective, during this quiet time in the ship before the alarms notified him it was cycling off the anchor point. He knew it had, but this was the first time he sensed it without any obvious signs in his conscious mind.
Novell has taken the safe path like RHEL, in that they don't include any controversial codecs and such with the distribution. However, unlike RHEL, Novell actually cripples their bundled media players, so that you have to rebuild them, get someone else to do it, or use something else. For most releases up to 11.1, the openSUSE community provides a one-click upgrade to fix all that. You can click here for the KDE desktop and it should immediately try to install.
This has not yet been set up for 11.2, in part because the Packman part of the deal is not yet ready. But there is a repository for it, and it's part way there. I tracked down the manual route which does the same thing as the one-click. If you don't want to do Zypper from the commandline, you can, you just have to enable it through YaST: YaST > Software > Software Repositories. Click the "add" button at the lower left-hand corner and select the Community Repositories button. From the list, select Packman and Videolan and that should cover it. Then use YaST to install the packages listed in the instructions there, but not all of them.
There is one thing I don't understand: Why does the Packman Team insist on forcing 32-bit on a 64-bit system? I've never gotten an answer to that. It seems almost obscene, and I don't know of any other distros or third party supports which do that. It's not necessary, nor even the best way any more. So don't install the flash-player and the w32codecs. Instead, go get the codecs package from Mplayer HQ directly, open the package and copy the resulting files to /usr/lib64/codecs and it should work just fine. You can get the 64-bit Flashplayer directly from Adobe.com. Once you open that package, it's just a single file you should copy into /usr/lib64/browser-plugins/.
Further, as a fan of Opera's browser suite, let me warn you the version you get from SUSE is broken, trying to add some sort of Qt4 support. Just install Qt3 and use the browser you get directly from Opera; they have one marked for openSUSE 11.2 64-bit. I admit the fonts are ugly on mine, but it's functional. Flash didn't work at first, lacking any sound. After poking around, I found the mixer by default had the PCM slider all the way down. After pushing it up to about 75% I got good sound from the Flashplayer. I note in passing the installer didn't turn on the Pulse Audio, and I didn't bother trying to change that.
So maybe — just maybe — we will have a SUSE release good enough to keep. It's been awhile; the last one I kept as long as possible was 8.2.
Because this machine is so new, I realize it will take awhile for my favorite Linux distro to catch up (CentOS). So I use what does work, and it gives me a chance to review other stuff I might not normally touch.
I just finished a couple of weeks with Ubuntu 9.04. It works okay, and there are some nifty tricks, and all. It did install pretty nicely. Still, at times I would get an unexplained X-server lockup. I thought it was caused by Opera, but when I quit using Opera altogether, I still got the freeze. I'd be typing and suddenly the whole thing would freeze up totally — no keyboard, no mouse, nothing. I'd have to do a hard reboot because there was no other access to the system. I can't have that sort of thing happen just because I'm typing. Since it didn't happen under other distros, I concluded it's something in the way Ubuntu implements the drivers and such.
So right now I'm testing openSUSE 11.2-RC1. It's a good bit better than 11.1, but right now the repos are in flux, so updates and just finding extra packages is a pain. It's tolerable, but things could be better. I'm waiting for stuff to finalize in two weeks, and I'll probably keep it. So long as there aren't any major show-stoppers like that X-server freeze business.
Frankly, I don't like jumping around from distro to distro. I'm not a hobbyist. I just want to get my work done.
In the ancient literature, they called it "hyperspace." Lacking the conceptual tools for discussing the means for spatial displacement which didn't require actually crossing the space, they came up with a word which missed the point, but was still popularly used. The technical explanations were not his specialty, but he was aware enough to be able to say the something about the process of cutting across vast physical distances between star systems in modern travel. The mathematics made it seem like grabbing hold of some anchor point and sliding space around until you had brought your destination to you. The process of grabbing that anchor point and moving space took time, and they referred to as stepping into hyperspace.
Without that means of spatial displacement, there would be no particular need for him to travel. That is, there would really be no place for him to go. Humanity had long ago stumbled upon that technology, and immediately sent probes to places they had only dreamed. At first, they had to send them out, then bring them back. Information traveled at the speed of light, and this business of stepping aside from space was immeasurably quicker for unmanned machines. Send enough probes into enough distant places, and when they came back, they would have data which hinted at worlds which, as statistical probabilities had long told them, were almost like Earth. Given the vast number of stars, it was inevitable they found quite a few. It was human nature to want to explore these Terran planets first hand, with hopes of colonizing.
It took some time before anyone realized how to pass humans through that experience. First, the machines had to scale down the process of hooking up to those imaginary anchor points. All the previous speculation couldn't guess what it did to the mind of humans, and even now they still weren't exactly sure. The people came back from the initial attempts in all manner of different psychoses. Some were foetal, some permanently unintelligible with irregular noises and gestures which no computer could diagram into consistent patterns, some were afraid of everything, and the worst were those unafraid of anything. The range was limited only by the limited number of failed attempts. Eventually the scientists simply slowed the process until some invisible threshold was crossed, and folks were able to adjust.
Then the search and classification began in earnest, followed quickly by colonization. And again followed quickly by the wars. For all their brilliance, humans could not tame that instinct, could not breed it out, reason it out, technology it out — it was a permanent feature. Oddly, it was the technological advances of war which made colonization easier. They found a way to pass some weapon strikes across the anchoring process without leaving it. With weapons came the ability to transmit data, since what's the point of striking if you can't aim the weapon? They discovered it meant adding another variable to the mathematical algorithms, because an anchor point wasn't actually in any one place. As long as the anchor point was validly constructed, so to speak, something could be released from it anywhere in space. It took some doing to figure out a way to calibrate the multiple points of exit, and correlate them with known places for targeting, then receive the feedback, but it all made colonization all that much easier and efficient, since any anchor point could examine any place.
Eventually someone with power or influence got sick of the fighting and convinced others to feel the same way. Then there were truces and pieces of peace, but was never really any great peace without first an exhausting war across most of human space. This last war was particularly widespread, and many colonies lost contact with each other. Centralizing control would wax and wane with the winds of fashion, but centralized contact seemed always fundamentally essential. So after massive galaxy-wide wars like the last one, the academics who had been waiting for things to calm down would send out their researchers to survey what had changed among the known human systems. When, as was this case, they stumbled across a colony long forgotten, they were all the more eager.
Dr. Plimick was just such an eager researcher. His specialty was currently referred to as Interstellar Anthropology. Only half-way through his expected life span, he was already a member of several academic boards and associations, and on staff with three different governing entities. They had recently gotten in contact with a world which seemed to have missed the last three wars, which meant even Plimick's grandfather was not alive when this one went out of contact. So it was, Dr. Plimick was watching the few instruments he could understand on the ship's command console, indicating the predicted cyclical timing of anchoring, swapping space around, then releasing the anchor in hailing distance from the recent find. His education and experience indicated caution was essential in their approach to this "lost world."
This happens often enough it seems to be trend. I'm not the only one who experiences this. I found complaints on forums at Ubuntu and other Linux distros, as well as the Opera forums. It appears on all sorts of hardware, and the only common thread so far is Linux 64-bit.
When running 64-bit Linux, Opera can freeze. Not just the application, but it locks up the X-server with it. This happened with older versions of Opera on Linux 64, both with me and others. Apparently this is something fairly random. For some, it's so frequent, Opera becomes unusable. Others, like myself, can't seem to find a pattern. Yet, it's persistent, more with with 64-bit than 32-bit. Something about the way Opera addresses the X-server is different than most other apps which have ever troubled me. Suggestions offered don't help.
In my case, this is a show-stopper. I can't afford to have this happen. It raises the risk of having a lock-up when I am in the midst of writing something, and I have already lost material a couple of times. Given this is something going back to my experience with early Opera 9.0 releases, I suspect there is something Opera does which is not quite kosher with X and 64-bit. Until I learn something the Opera folks have done to address this, I'll be avoiding Opera in the future.
Sure as the world, some smart aleck reading this will insist there is no reason to use 64-bit for anything except databases and heavy graphics rendering. My response is something I've read in a couple of places from people who know a lot more than I do: The reason 64-bit seems helpful only in those two uses is because far, far too many developers don't yet think in 64-bit terms. Given it's been around so very long already, and is now the standard, and we aren't all that far from 128-bit hardware, it's about time folks took this more seriously. I choose to run 64-bit, exposing problems on desktop apps (let's talk about Motif, for example) until developers start getting used to it. I strongly believe it hasn't been exploited fully.
God's justice assumes you'll do your best to stay out of other peoples' way, but that their way won't mean harming you. It's a never-ending tension and renegotiation. The biggest source of conflict is unrealistic expectations, particularly regarding what God considers just, and what is possible.
Perception of some things is buried under tons of idiocy. For example, the very nature of the Internet is poorly understood by many. They expect it to be like any broadcast medium, but more convenient because you get to choose the content and timing. While it does do that, it's much more, and it's the "much more" which makes expectations unrealistic. Most people have been conditioned to operate as if their perception of the world is the most obvious one of all. A different expectation is not just different, but somehow flawed by virtue of being different.
There are a lot of folks on the Net who do understand something of it's true nature. While they chafe at restrictions arising from that nature, they at least understand it and what it takes to get around those limits. The Internet is wires and fiber lines running between computers. Because it costs money to put that hardware out there, somebody has to invest up front to get that electronic pathway installed.
It means crossing a lot of land owned by other entities, so legal access has to be negotiated under the assumption it's a necessity. It becomes a necessity not when the folks who have to surrender access want the Internet, but under a much broader notion that, if enough people on either side really need it badly enough, the guy in the middle has to yield. If we didn't have that notion, there would be a lot fewer roads, pipelines, wire networks, etc. Even paper letters in envelopes are included, because someone has to carry those things across someone else's territory. All of those things are a form of "communication" in the broadest meaning of the word. Whether the folks in the middle like or not, human life is unnecessarily burdened if public access across their domain is not allowed, so it became a matter of law and government. The bottom line is if you don't cooperate, people with guns will come and make your life miserable. There is a general assumption your right to your property is not quite absolute when that property is adjoined to others.
But the folks who are granted access can't just do what they want, either. If the government does them a special favor, the government has to make sure they don't go overboard. All the more so when the government presumes to operate somewhat according to the will of the people, or at least in their best interests. Somebody with no interest, or at least limited interest, has to referee between the two. The problem comes when that third party — government — is on the take from one of the other two. Getting your side of the negotiations heard becomes a matter of money, which can be a substitute for force, because it can hire the guns. Governments are made up of people, too, and they have personal interests. Welcome to the real world. So we discuss and debate what is fair and just, and sometimes money isn't the only thing that matters to governments, since government people have been slaughtered in the past for going too far. We can make laws to protect access in the public interest, but you really can't prevent someone destroying a means of communication crossing their land. It's too easy to make it look like someone else did it, since there are plenty of folks willing to do it for their own reasons.
It's a big mess, but so far things have fallen just above the minimum tolerable. All these things requiring access are classed as a "public utility." It has to be regulated because, let's face it, having free competition on access is not possible. A farmer can be forced to let a two-lane road cross his pasture, but he can't be forced to let five competing companies each build their own road. And the same applies to pipes, wires, etc. So we have this commonly accepted notion you put in enough means of communication to anticipate future need for some time to come, and try not to repeat the process too often. That means making it low maintenance, which is more expensive, but probably worth it for everyone involved. Sometimes folks on the other end want it bad enough they'll tax themselves to pay for it, because the folks who are best able to put the stuff in or on the ground may need a little convincing. By now, it's become the norm, so that the Internet is really a public-private partnership of sorts.
Somewhere in the mix of all this, somebody has to broker access to the Internet wires. They put big expensive computers at the end of those wires, and parcel out the signal to lots of ordinary folks. You would hardly believe how many people think having a computer with a web browser entitles them to access that privately controlled Internet. Not only do they not want to pay for that access, they aren't even fully aware of the physical necessity of plugging a wire into the back of their computer. If we add in a discussion of wireless, it changes things only a little. You can't have two competing signals on the same frequency in the same area, but the air is hard to "own," so the government manages the transmission spectrum on behalf of the governed. So access is still limited and somebody has to pay for the power to push those electrons either through the wires or through the air. At some point, you'd have to expect the resources for doing this to run into limits. As more and more powerful computers are sold more cheaply, and old ones keep working so folks can buy them used, more people want access. Worse, more and more of those wanting access have an increasingly poor understanding how it works and what they should expect.
As we debate some of the trouble naturally arising from disputes over limited supplies of what the Internet provides, it's too easy to forget what happened just a few years ago. The unhappy customers today aren't the same ones from yesterday, and the character of the average user has shifted to a lower common denominator. No one should be surprised when their demands are increasingly unreasonable. The nature of the Net makes it more and more difficult to give them what they want. The folks who use the Net to cater to those demands want fatter pipes, as do the new class of users. The folks running the Net can't do it on current terms, with the current hardware. Part of what we have forgotten are issues germane to the debate for other reasons.
It's gotten pretty tangled and messy. Nobody has clean hands here. Government people have been taking bribes from different sides at different times, though usually in forms which aren't called "bribes" under the complex laws. The folks who provide the hardware and put it in or on the ground were paid a huge amount of tax money to do more of it as a public benefit, but now they don't want to offer full access to it. There are vast stretches of unused cable in the ground, and the owners of the cables flatly refuse customer demands, and very few people are even aware of this. They want huge profits, too. The folks who are providing the stuff on the Net, which users demand, are aware of this, but if they have said anything, nobody has reported it. That's because the folks who do the reporting are usually paid by the folks who own the wires in the ground. Okay, it's more complicated than that, but it works out about the same. Then there are the big companies who have their market share in the computer hardware used by ordinary folks, and the market share of the software which runs on it, and the operating systems, too. Everyone seems to have a slice of the pie, and wants more, and fights for it — mostly by lying about what they can or can't do, how much it costs, or simply preventing anyone from a fully informed picture of the debate.
Right now, government seems inclined to do what is in its own interest, which is opening new paths to control. That hasn't always been totally bad, but it seldom works out as well as we hope. It may still be better than letting things run their own course. On the one hand, the Net itself is a powerful need of government, but broad access is their greatest potential enemy. More people know more things about the secret machinations of folks in government because of broad Internet access, and openness is not what government people like. The people who own the wires would also like to control what goes over them, because there's big profits in content right now. The folks who simply use the Net to transmit their content are threatened, and want the wire owners kept out of that business. Or, they want at least a regulated "level playing field" for competition. So far, those providers are far more popular with ordinary users. Regular users are tired of being told what they should want.
That final group of regular users is a very mixed bag, indeed. Those of us who understand best aren't in a good position to be heard. I'm not alone in wishing there was a totally separate consumer-oriented "Internet 2.0″ for all this future nonsense. It's not just old folks who pine for the Good Ole Days, but folks who use the Net as it was designed, who understand that design (to varying degrees, yes, but you have to draw your circles somewhere). I can't estimate what proportion we are, but we are substantial. The Net is our work, or the best — even necessary — tool for our work. It's not entirely a matter of how we'll put food on the table and pay our ISP bill. There is no viable replacement, so much so many of us are preparing ways to keep it going through other means (like unregulated wireless meshes). What will all this do to us? Right now, most of us support Net Neutrality because we have had too much of the Big Network access providers pretending they are unaccountable. We know for a fact they are able to provide what we need, and can make a profit at it. We know for a fact they are growing more touchy about quarterly investor reports, and ignoring the long term opportunities, which makes them utterly unresponsive — even downright nasty and hateful — to serious Net users.
Finally, it was the government which gave us the Internet in the first place. Yeah, you forgot that, too. A collection of government owned science labs, government funded universities, and government funded programs at private institutions were the first Internet. Nobody else could afford it. Then, when some folks found ways to make money from it, the first corporate networks got involved. Now those corporate networks dominate, and they've been partially regulated for a long time. As always, regulation grows when people find new ways to break the old rules. Sometimes the rules are a good idea, and quite often they are not. To think this can somehow morph into something entirely corporate is fantasy. The wires have to go somewhere, and the airwaves are limited, too. It's a give and take thing, and doctrinaire pontificating from any particular side is propaganda. There are no really good answers, and what we get won't be pretty.
I'm fully aware of how government bureaucracy works, having been a bureaucrat myself. I've also had first hand experience with corporate bureaucracy. But what I can't forget is how ugly the Big Telcos and network providers can be, how completely unreasonable and unaccountable they are after they have taken your money. Their lies have caused me more pain than government lies. I'll take my chances; I'm voting for the FCC to enforce Net Neutrality.
I can give only what I have. Some say I am able to package it nicely, and it is surely a pleasure for me to do the wrapping. But in the end, it's what's inside the packaging that counts.
It is my nature, built into my very DNA, to avoid conforming. It would be easy enough for that to become an excuse to make trouble for everyone else in the world. Lord knows, I've done that enough. Sometimes I'm really surprised I made it to 53. Somewhere back at the beginning, I managed to obtain a healthy fear of letting people know I didn't accept their ideas about the world, and simply pretend for their sakes. That's probably the reason society didn't steer me into a life of crime. Instead, I managed to masquerade my non-conformist nature and learned about tactics for expressing it.
In these latter decades of life, I'm in a better position to avoid conformity with a purpose. That is, I set aside the junk I'm fed on just about anything, examine it from other angles, seeking particularly any angle not already covered. Sure, it all depends on how important I sense the thing is, whether I really dig into it or just take a quick glance. Still, I'll probably be one of the last to buy into anything, if it matters to me at all. Right or wrong, I have a powerful sense of when something matters, and can decide instantly if circumstances demand it. The root word for "radical" is Latin radix — the root of a thing. To be a radical means someone who evaluates critically the nature of the thing, with a tendency to dismiss all the layers of social investment on top. I want to know the root nature of something, and the herd's feelings be damned; I'll rip it all off and decide for myself what I need to do with it.
Sometimes the functioning of the social structure does matter. It's that I reject the most common assumptions about what matters, there, too. I have this notion about Eden being a paradisaical ideal, what God Himself intended. When something is offered me as a reflection of that, I have an obligation before God to investigate by His revelation whether it's a reflection of His paradise or just some mythical nonsense being sold that way. Very, very often, I reject the sales pitch. A critical element in what drives me is setting things right, and irreverence about the great social standing of this or that person or idea is part of what makes it fun. But I don't do it simply to reject and shock, because that serves no purpose. I'm a radical root-hunter, not a destroyer. Society does some really stupid stuff which hurts people, and it makes me angry when someone is being squashed unjustly. If someone has to get hurt, let it be the oppressive cattle prod wielding agents of brainless conformity. That's the reason I retain some little element of violence in my nature, because I can't just let the innocent suffer. Sometimes the oppressor won't listen to anything at all, so it's simply a matter of stopping them. I don't pretend I can change anyone, but I am darned sure going to change situations if I have the power. Fixing the hurts of society can mean simply pouring the inevitable Pandora's Box of evil consequences back into the laps of those who keep opening the box.
Sometimes no one is at fault. Once in awhile I can see where something fundamental in the social structure is itself the cause of human misery. At the same time, I have to realize this may be the best we can expect. I don't forget what I preach, that Eden is a symbol of some deeper desire of God to bless His Creation, but that we are the ones who got ourselves kicked out. Eden is gone from this earth, and you can only go back there by dying. The whole thing is wrapped up in symbolism, so it has different meanings on different levels, but the point here is you should want it, even while you know you can't actually have it. Instead, you do what you can by trying to bring pieces of it back to your world, fresh glimpses of Life as God meant it to be. It's in the striving, not the achievement, so some misery is entirely the norm for our existence here.
It's the madness of rejecting the just misery of our common human condition which makes things so bad in this life. God created fire for our use. You have to get close enough to cook with it, but avoid stepping in it. The instinct for building fences and barriers to protect people from themselves does not come from God. The only truly effective safety barrier is the one built into the soul. That's not to say we don't snatch our children back from walking into the fire, but we have no choice but to let them get burned just a little, or they'll never really understand the danger. It's a sin against God to be over-protective, as if there is something virtuous in abundant caution. Super-caution only works when the situation is utterly unknown. You can have people die by taking risks, or you can kill everyone — a living death — by making risks impossible. People have to be able at some point to choose stupidity, particularly as long as it hurts only themselves. To the degree they externalize that hurt to others, we do what we can to limit them, but we cannot possibly stop them and call it "justice" — God clearly says otherwise.
Conformity has limited utility, but does have some.
So when I seem to conform, it's because I sense that matter is tested, tried from every angle, and I cannot contribute anything new. I adhere as much as I can to good rules of English grammar, but not the strictest regime. It's just a good way to get things done; it's practical. I vastly prefer the staid and stable corporate RHEL brand of Linux over all the flashy eye-candy of Ubuntu, but I can't get CentOS (a clone of RHEL) to run on my hardware just yet. I get more done with CentOS than I do with Ubuntu, but the difference isn't huge, so I compromise and run Ubuntu until CentOS catches up. I don't eat everything my appetite calls for, but observe some flexible limits. On the other hand, I utterly reject conventional American notions about nutrition, for the most part. I rarely eat out, and I'm very picky where I go when I do. I'm hardly an athlete, but I do athletic stuff so I don't have to live with high blood pressure. Besides, long solitary walks are one of the best ways to clear away the rubble of human interaction and rediscover who I am, with some hope of seeing who God intends me to be. So some of what I do seems conventional only because once in awhile, convention stumbles on what is right.
When I conform, it's only because conformity has conformed to the Truth. That's pretty rare, but it does happen. | eng | 327af721-230f-48e5-ba2a-02757f2f2c45 | http://jehurst.wordpress.com/2009/10/ |
Darkling, I Listen
Summary:
No one who enters old London ever comes out. They say that the beast devours them. When his sister disappears, John ventures into the dead zone beyond the wall, and finds a brilliant madman under a terrible curse...
Chapter Text
"The fog is coming!" One of the soldiers scream. But his cry is drowned out by the cacophony of gunfire, lines of explosions just sounding off in the air, scattering dust and sand in every direction.
He can hardly see anything beyond his own hands, struggling to stitch up a bloody tear in his comrade's side. Blood is spilling from the wound, deep and almost as dark as black, onto his fingers and over his clothes. It soaks through the material in stains that will never really wash away and make the needle slippery in his grip. John curses as more sand slaps against his face, harsher than the coldest frost bite. He blocks out the sounds of battle from his ears.
Focus, Watson, focus. He weaves in the thread again through skin (it isn't the same as mending clothes, flesh is so much softer, frailer, it haunts his dreams when he sits still enough to let it, so he has to keep moving, keep fighting, keep from remembering.) Just a bit more and the wound will be closed, he can drag Private Ryan towards the nearest truck and move on to the next soldier.
But he can feel the sudden dip in the air, as the harsh desert heat sinks into a rare night chill. He can see his breath forming in soft clouds of vapour, the goose bumps forming on his patient's skin. It is getting cloudier by the second and there's some numb feeling on his shoulder, draining his energy slowly...
"Fog is coming!" His friend Murray yells, while holding up one of their assault rifles (an L85A2, his memory recites calmly from training, with 5.56 calibre rounds, effective for close quarter combat, disadvantageous when reloading.) He is towering over Watson, blocking out what little light they are seeing from the dusty clouds. For some reason he is shaking John, trying to pry John away from his patient. "Leave him, you're done!"
But John refuses to leave. There are only a few stitches left, can't Murray see? Only a few stitches and then John can use his gift. "Buy me more time, Bill," he is saying, babbling now, the loud triggers of rounds are echoing inside his skull and he can't remember where his medical kit has gone. He can't let go of Private Ryan. He was a nice bloke, just graduated from college, has a girl he wants to marry back home. John needs to get him home. "It's fine. Its fine, I can save him!"
"John, we need to leave," Murray is saying. The sky is darkening and John can see a wall of thick and black mist edging from the enemy lines towards their position. Their platoon is falling back. Bullets can do nothing against the fog.
"Wait, my patient..."
"It's too late for him, just run, John!"
Murray grabs his arm, jerks him away from the patient. John wrestles his grip away and makes one last dash to close up the wound with his remaining thread. The rounds are growing louder, landing closer, blasting more bits of sand and stone in John's face but he can't feel it. Murray is shouting and John's gloves nearly slip but then the wound is closed, John feels relief.
"Just one more moment—" He tells Murray.
But the soldier is shouting, "We don't have another bloody moment!"
John closes his eyes, places a hand on his patient's jagged wound and concentrates, tunes out all other distractions. He urges a calmness to run through his limbs, wills it down his shoulder and through his arm, to the tips of his fingers and into the broken flesh of the wound.
When he opens his eyes, the injury has vanished and Private Ryan is staring up at John in wonder. John feels dizzy, his vision blurs, but there's no time to focus on that now because—
"Everyone duck!"
There is an explosion. John feels someone push him into the sand. Grits of it get stuck behind his eyelids and on his tongue. Some of it burns his cheeks. John begins to cough it all out, strains his muscles as he tries to get up and realizes that Murray had covered both him and Ryan with his body.
"Bill—" He attempts to say.
Murray gets up, grabbing John as well. "Not now... it's—"
"What is that?" Private Ryan yells from the ground, staring up in horror at the darkening sky (but it's always dark, just not this dark, like God is painting the whole world in black and they are the dots of imperfection in the way.) They've read about this phenomenon, but they've never been this close to seeing it.
John can feel the desert heat drop dramatically into a colder night chill than any of them have ever experienced on this tour.
There are more shots. John jumps in front of Murray, taking the line of fire. He can hear them all calling his name and the fog is coming closer. Something has his shoulder, he is telling them to leave him here but hands are pulling at his torso nonetheless because they're loyal idiots ("Leave no man behind.") and they can't see, like John can, how close the fog is coming.
"Leave them!" He hears someone else shout, "We'll all die if we stay any longer."
"Murray's been shot," Ryan is stuttering.
No, John thinks, not Murray. He needs to go to him, to sew his wounds back together and then heal him with his gift, just need to move...
"Where's Watson? Get him to heal—"
"—No time, you idiot—"
"Watson is down!"
"Shit! Grab him, leave the dead. Just run!"
No, no, take Bill instead, he wants to say, I can still use my gift. I can still heal. But they are not listening. They are running.
He hears more gunfire, frantic steps and yells. He stares in the distance at the wall of mist, rushing closer and closer to them, only the rush of the wind betraying just how close. There are whispers in his ear. Spells, he thinks, the spells of the witches (the voice of the fog.)
A curse on you, it whispers.
Then it all goes dark.
-
It is the fate of every human being to be blessed and burdened with one particular gift, no matter how great or small.
It is simply the way that it has been since the turn of the century, since the witches and demons came out of hiding and catalyzed the two (three, if you considered the cold war to be one) great wars that rained the planet with blood and patches of dead zones.
Since then the skies have always been perpetually grey. What little sunlight reaches the earth is barely enough to sustain plant life. Temperatures are colder and the fogs are things to be feared now rather than the phenomena of air patterns. They mark the coming of curses, sometimes they are the prelude to a new dead zone, a new place where none but demons and the cursed can walk.
Hardly anyone remembers what the sun looks like, though John has heard stories from the older ranking officers describing what it must be like, pure warmth on your face.
(He remembers asking his mother once, when he was very young, after reading a storybook together, "What is sunlight?" and then watching her fish helplessly for answers. He did not ask again.)
They've been fighting wars against each other, against the witches and demons for so long that they've forgotten what it means to be warm. It is only ever grey. It is only ever cold. John Watson only knows how to heal, how to kill and how to survive.
Gifts can vary from person to person. Some bitterly call them punishments for crimes in previous lives. Others refer to them as curses (like those that might be cast by witches.) John has met a man who could breathe fire out of his mouth but could never be kissed, lest he burn his lover's face off. It was a useful power, he supposed, in combat or if you were in need of heat, but he can see how this power can be more of a curse than a gift.
His mother had the gift of empathy. She could tell what other people were feeling but couldn't recognize her own emotions for the life of her. In the end, she went mad and resorted to drink, an example that Harry follows in later years. It broke John's father to see her this way. His gift was, literally, his heart. Once he gave it away to one person, he couldn't bring himself to love anyone else. Unable to watch Helen Watson waste away, Gordon Watson buried himself in his hospital work until one day, so absorbed in the work, he failed to register a fire alarm and died in the resulting fire.
Harry is a different matter entirely. Her gift is on the mental plane. One look at her eyes, and she can persuade you to do whatever she wishes (unless you are immune to such things, for which John is endlessly glad that he is, much to Harry's disappointment.) But this makes Harry question herself more. Do people surround her because they genuinely like her or because she has compelled them to? Did Clara love her for herself or did Harry compel it? Once, John asked Harry why she didn't just blindfold herself and see, but from the look in Harry's eyes, John guessed that she was too afraid to, didn't want to lose Clara.
It is ironic, that this fear is what drives Clara away, rather than the gift. But Harry blames her so-called gift anyways, turns to drink and withdraws from society. He rarely gets letters from her when he enlists in the army. Those that he does receive are Christmas cards mailed three months later, signed with a messy scrawl that shows how intoxicated she was when she wrote them.
Some gifts seem harmless. A child who can change the colours of flowers (amusing, adorable even, until John witnesses an incident where that same child changed the colours of the Taliban uniforms so that they resembled allies rather than enemies and he lost several comrades....) or an old lady whose every dish tastes heavenly no matter what it is made of (less appetizing to think of, when John encounters another man with the same power but told John that he had to use it for more disgusting ingredients like bugs or urine when he was starving alone in prison.)
John's gift is healing.
A few stitches and one touch, then the wound is gone but John's energy is depleted. The more serious the injury, the more of John's energy (life force, his mentors had called it) is traded in exchange. He dies a little each time he saves a life, but he doesn't mind. He can't heal his own injuries either. Never could. He can brave a few cuts and bruises as long as he has the power to save others. What is his life to the lives of many?
He never calls his gift a curse or a blessing. It simply is. In this world of perpetual darkness, he must accept that or the doubts will swallow him up.
Then he gets shot.
His world becomes as bleak and grey as the one that he has lived in since the fog swallowed up the real one.
-
They tell him that he's being sent back home to England. They tell him that his shoulder was shot, that he has a tremor in his left hand (the one he uses for stitching, not that it matters, he could heal things completely with his gift but it takes more energy from him.) He has a limp but he wasn't shot in the leg. It only happened when John saw Murray's body before being taken to the closest hospital, a body missing its head, littered bite marks and missing one leg.
The fog took it. You never know what the fog will leave behind when it comes. Sometimes it leaves nothing. Sometimes the beasts and demons that travel within it devour everything, leaving nothing but rubble and empty space. He'd never been so close to a fog until this mission.
It took his friend... and it took his spirit.
He is useless now. Every time he tries to heal, he can't. The calm that he needs to wash over him is gone; instead he hears the echoing voices of his nurses and his superior officers. You are relieved of your duties. Another translation for you are useless to us now.
His dreams bring the sounds of his men shouting for him to heal them, only to be shot down when the fog swallows them. He sees their faces staring at him accusingly while the eyes are lined with red veins, bleeding red tears that fall on his hands. The fog is always there, and in it, John hears the whispers. The fog seems to reach for him, calling for him...
A curse on you... it says. A curse on you until you return...
They say he screams, thrashes in his sleep and that when he wakes up, he looks as if he is searching for something that isn't there, asking for the fog to come and take him away too. They say he screams out a name they don't recognize (not yet) but it's so slurred that they can't tell what name it is.
It's no surprise that they send him to New London a week earlier than scheduled and that the first person he sees is his newly assigned therapist.
-
"Tell me something about yourself, Doctor Watson," says Ella in a clipped and professional tone. Her gift lets her disconnect from emotional situations. Therapists that are hired often have this gift, "Anything that bothers you, any concerns, your nightmares, your leg, the war."
"There's nothing to say."
John stares out the window at the (always) dreary sky, at the construction sites that are trying to build up new flats for people to live in. New London is full of construction since the dead zone appeared several years ago in what was once Central London. Most people call it Old London now... or Dead London. It's a huge dome of black fog, encompassing the whole area in shadow.
No one who dares to enter the dead zone ever returns. If they do, it's usually in pieces of flesh. Though, John has heard rumours of a powerful man in the government, who pays millions of pounds to finance expeditions into Dead London. The men and women who take that offer never return alive.
When his therapist continues to prod him for responses and then proceeds to lecture him for the rest of their booked appointment, John often takes in the details of the buildings. Absentmindedly, he wonders if Old London is still standing beyond the impenetrable black fog that surrounds it. He always wanted to live in London, before a major section of it became a dead zone.
Now the fog here seems to whisper to him too. It creeps into his head, sending images of badly lit streets, of the Big Ben and Parliament buildings, of rooftops and an eerie moon that still manages to shine through the mist. It shows him shadows of beats lurking within, of a figure in the center, calling for his name.
I think I'm going insane, he thinks of saying, I think I'm going insane and that the fog is talking to me.
"I'm fine," he lies, keeping his face blank.
He doesn't tell his therapist.
-
Harry lives in the grittier area of New London, the areas that are closest to the wall of black fog. The rent there is so ridiculously cheap that John could probably buy three flats for himself and not have to worry about his pension. No one wants to live so close to the borders of the dead zone, where they could accidentally wander in if they were intoxicated. There is something sinister about waking up in the morning and then having to look at the dead zone through your window. It frightens them.
Naturally, John seems to thrive on it.
At first he was reluctant to choose a flat so close to where his sister was residing. The rooms were hardly well-kept anymore. The wallpaper was stained from age, with traces of scratches and doodles which suggested that once a family with children had lived there. The furniture was still covered with plastic and heavy layers of dust. He saw cobwebs that still lingered in the corners despite a hasty sweep of the area.
But when he had looked out the window and saw the proximity of the fog, heard the whispers rumbling like the gunfire he heard in his dreams, John received a rush of something in his veins and replied that he would take the flat. The landlady, Mrs. Turner was overwhelmed with delight and immediately invited him downstairs for some tea.
(Her gift is in making the perfect clothes for whoever she doted on. The next day, when John moves in, Mrs. Turner gives him three newly knitted jumpers which were so comfortable that he wore them as often as possible.)
He spends his days wandering outside, walking close to the edges of New London, staring at the fog and wondering what might be hidden beyond it. Sometimes the fog's whispers mute in and out like faded radio signals. Sometimes John can hear growls and groans on the other side.
At night, when he sleeps in his creaky bedroom, he can hear screams that carry on the wind. Mrs. Turner tells him that they occur every night and that they come from the fog. She always has a weary look in her eyes when she gives any information about the dead zone, as if she is expecting him to throw up his hands and walk out of the flat.
He doesn't. Eventually Mrs. Turner loses her resigned outlook and begins to chatter on about all of the fog's oddities. She finds John's morbid interest in it endearing rather than concerning and doesn't mind coming into his rooms to do the cleaning.
"Rest that leg, dear, I'll take care of the dusting today," she says when John protests.
When John ventures further into New London, looking for employment his spirit feels drained. Everything feels more dull and pointless away from the fog. The same dreary skies, the same streets and monotony of life. Nothing happens to him save for his strange dreams. He can't connect to any of his old friends (not that he has many after Bill, and he can't bear to speak to any of his old platoon.) He works at a clinic, healing what he can and trying to counteract any curses that are inflicted by witches (but it's difficult, when he's missing the calm necessary to use his gift, he heals the old fashioned way.)
New London is a city of lies. The buildings are modern and new. People smile, greet each other for work and bustle past each other with hidden grimaces. They do their best to ignore the black dome of fog that takes up the horizon. They pretend that it's not there. They ignore the grey clouds that cover the sun. It's like there is no such thing as demons or curses. It's like there are no wars being fought all over the world to prevent the fog from swallowing them all.
They don't know the fog, not in the way that John does now.
Come inside the fog, John Watson.
He wonders, sometimes, if he is really living or if he is wandering in some twisted nightmare.
-
His sister is not answering any of his phone calls. It's been three days, and though Harry has told John to stop giving a damn about her, he can't help but worry about his older sibling. She may be an irresponsible and crass alcoholic but she always answers his texts within a twenty four hour period, whether it's with a butchered spelling of 'piss off' or a polite 'yes, I'm fine, now go piss off.'
Something slithers down his spine and John just knows that something has gone wrong.
He rushes down the stairs and tells Mrs. Turner not to wait up. His cane clatters by his side, hitting his knee, but John can't be bothered by it when his mind is screaming, don't take Harry, don't let it take Harry, please no, don't be an idiot, Harry!
-
His mother had always whispered to him, in her rare bouts of sanity, that the gift was like a cancer that would choke the living out of you in the end, something that the fog brought on every living soul.
Seeing the fate of his parents, John Watson had to agree.
But despite everything that Harry had done to him, he couldn't lose his sister too.
You won't take her from me, he thinks towards the fog as he rushes to Harry's flat and begins interrogating the poor gnarled landlord as if he is a terrorist.
He swears that he hears a deep chuckle, in a low baritone. He thinks that the fog is actually looking back at him but he sees nothing but the same black mist rising miles up into the clouds.
(But that isn't possible... and yet...)
Harry's landlord is glancing at him tentatively as John has paused in his fierce line of questions.
"Is there something wrong, lad?" The old man's eyes are kind. "Don't sorry. I'm sure your sister will turn up soon. She does... arrive home at different hours... intoxicated."
John breaks his stare from the fog and gives a shaky smile. "Yes... I'm sure she does."
He thinks that the fog's ghostly laughter follows him all the way up the street as he steps into the main street of New London.
Come and find her if you wish. Come to me, John Watson, it says.
-
"Hello, this is Rogers and Davies Insurance Company, how can we help—ah, I see. Let me check the company directory here."
The sound of leisurely typing. A pause.
"I'm sorry sir, but Ms. Harriet Watson hasn't been in attendance at the office for the past few days. Are you a relative—?"
The long wail of the dial tone.
-
"Hi, you've reached the voice mail of John Watson. Leave a message and I'll get back to you. Probably."
Beep.
"John, it's me. Clara. Harry was here the other night. She was... she was drunk, more than usual. She kept trying to come inside the house, muttering about voices in her mind. I was scared. She wanted me to come into the fog with her, whatever that meant, and when I didn't open the door, she threw her bottle through the window and tried to break in! I called the police but by the time they showed up, she was gone. I just thought you might want to know—"
The shuffling of papers (contact information, a list of acquaintances that he thinks Harry might have had contact with, a list of places where she could have gone.) A mug smashes into pieces as it slips out of his fingers. He scrambles to the phone and puts it against his ear.
"John?" His former sister-in-law whispers on the other end of the line. Her voice is like a ghost come back to haunt him, a ghost of more hopeful times, when he had thought that Harry could be happy, that she could give up her vices.
She didn't. And good, sweet Clara had had to pay the price with him.
He fights to keep his trembling hands still.
"Tell me everything you know, Clara. Did Harry really go into the fog?"
Several harsh breaths. It's difficult to tell who is more terrified from the conversation and for what reason. Clara's gift lets her know where the people she has met are at every moment of every day. She can give your coordinates exactly, better than any tracking device or satellite (but those never work in the fog, and John isn't sure if Clara's gift does.)
"...I don't know, John..." she breathes, and he feels as if he'll stop being right then, "but I think she did."
The phone drops. He sinks to his knees, ignoring the spasm of pain that comes with his limp. He hears Clara's tiny voice echoing through the emptiness of his flat, asking frantically if he's alright, but that's silly, because he's anything but and...
He looks at the window, its glass now stained with condensation but unable to hide the picture of the black fog rising up beyond the buildings at the end of the street.
You can't take away my sister away from me too, he thinks.
The fog seems to darken against the grey sky.
Then come inside, John.
-
He packs his pistol, puts it in a leather gun hoister that he kept from his army days, and several supplies of food, a medical kit, a few jumpers for warmth, a sleeping bag, rope, a knife, a compass (not that it would be of any use in a dead zone, but no one has returned alive to tell) and his phone. His bag is sturdy and will hold all the items as compactly as possible.
John is halfway down the stairs, cursing how his cane keeps bumping against his knee, when he almost bumps into Mrs. Turner. His landlady takes one look at him, before she ushers him to sit down at the sitting room, where she's already made tea for two. Before he can protest, Mrs. Turner has shoved several biscuits into his hands and he can't think of a polite way to refuse.
But Mrs. Turner has an iron grip on his wrist and there is an urgency to her movements that worries him.
"You're going, aren't you?"
John is unsure what to say.
"To the fog," his landlady clarifies. "That's where they all go eventually, people mad enough to live close to the dead zone's borders. It speaks to them until they go insane or they surrender and walk into the black mist."
His fingers crush the biscuits into broken pieces. "I've never heard of that before."
Mrs. Turner's gaze is all-knowing. "That's because they don't want you to know."
His brow is wrinkled. "They? Who...?"
"The governments. Those in power. The witches. They're all the same," Mrs. Turner whispers.
John isn't sure why he's encouraging this, maybe because he's lost his grip on reality or the fact that his landlady's story rings true for the nightmares and strange obsession he has with the fog. But he has to know, more than he has to breathe.
"Does the fog whisper to you too?"
Her lips curve into a haunted shape that isn't quite a smile anymore.
"It doesn't want me... Not yet. I'm not interesting enough for it.... wasn't then, and not now," She hasn't touched her tea yet, but she swirls her spoon into the liquid anyways. "I was there, in Old London, when the fog first came. It cast the city into complete darkness. People were screaming but I couldn't tell if they were ten feet away or inches before me. There was no light. Electric lights simply didn't work. I couldn't see my hands in front of my face and then... then I was here, on the other side of the fog, along with hundreds of others. The fog didn't want us. It said we were too boring for its game, and so it has been for the last few years."
Her hands moved to grasp his tightly.
"You're a good boy, John Watson. But heed my warning, if the fog wants you, and you walk in, there's no coming out."
-
The streets are empty of any other living presence. Only John, his cane and his backpack stand at the edge, where the road meets the smoky entrails of the great wall of mist. He looks back, only once, to survey the stained windows and broken rooftops, wondering what this section of the city must have looked like before the dead zone appeared. It was probably bustling with people and traffic, cabs winding in and out like blood cells on a circuit. Now it is a ghost town (the fog has taken all life from it.)
He turns his gaze back to the fog.
"Well then," he says conversationally, "I suppose I should just invite myself in. Just going to pop in and find my sister Harry, and then leave, just so you know."
It's crazy, talking back to the black mist as if it is a person, but he feels that he has to. He can't get rid of the strange feeling that perhaps the fog is staring back at him, that it watches him.
He should be trembling, shaking, and feeling anything right now. But John's head is clear. He moves automatically, as if he is back in Afghanistan following orders when told to or reacting instinctively when he has to save a life.
There is no clear line to where the 'wall' begins, where New London becomes Dead London. Every step he takes feels ordinary, as if he is only walking through ordinary air. But he isn't fooled. He can see how the area around him seems to darken. Slowly the mist gets thicker, blurring his vision further. The whispers in his head grow louder and more incoherent. Sometimes, John thinks that the fog is brushing against him softly.
Twenty steps in; John can still see New London behind him.
The next step, casts him in complete darkness.
-
It is exactly how Mrs. Turner had described the coming of the fog. He can see nothing, only black everywhere. The black has swallowed him whole, until the only proof John has that he is alive is the sound of his own breathing and the feel of his backpack still hung against his body.
Breathe Watson.
He keeps one hand outstretched in front of him in case he bumps into anything and takes medium sized steps that echo around him. The fog is silent for once, but he thinks, maybe, he can feel it shifting forward and back, like it is matching his own breaths. His other hand holds tightly to the cane.
For a long time, he walks. It seems like hours or forever. He isn't sure. After a while, he thinks he might throw up his head and scream for something to happen, because he's tired of walking blindly in the black.
"This is getting a bit ridiculous," John speaks up. He hasn't tired yet. They used to trek great distances when their caravan or trucks broke down, just to reach headquarters or a mission objective. "I heard that people appear out of Old London in pieces. I don't think you tire them to death. I was expecting demons to pop up or something."
He doesn't expect an answer, which is why he is surprised when the black seems to lessen, so very slightly, so that John can see his hands are silhouettes against the grey. There seems to be the outline of trees, spread far apart from each other in the distance. The fog seems to vibrate around him, like the whirl of bees rushing angrily out of their smashed hive.
John takes out his gun with his free hand, aims it straight ahead, just in case.
The fog is chuckling at him, words swirling around him ("then let the games begin, John") and then, he sees it.
Shadows, rushing out towards him, like fast brush strokes of ink in a Chinese painting. They resemble beasts of some sort, larger than any wolves John has ever seen. He can hear their snarls, more chilling than any of the wildlife he had encountered in the war.
Automatically, he shoots the first blurry creature, aiming for the heads in rapid succession.
The creatures let out pained yowls, worse than hearing his patients screaming in pain during an operation in the middle of battle. John doesn't linger on that thought, only shoots again, feeling the familiar recoil of the gun as it shoots off its rounds in his hand. His left hand is shaky, he's used to holding the pistol with both hands, but he needs the other for his cane and yet...
The creatures are getting closer, and John can see that they nearly tower over him. He hadn't estimated their size well. One could probably swallow half of his small statue in one bite.
Despite this knowledge, John feels only a rush of adrenaline. He brings up his other hand to steady his hold on his gun and fires off more rounds, hitting each beast in the head, watching the shadows interplay with each other in various shades of grey.
Yet they keep storming towards him, even though John can see that their silhouettes are missing heads and limbs, the creatures are still pursuing him.
"Demons," John whispers.
The fog is laughing.
They are gaining ground. John can hear their heavy steps, the growls and hungry rasping. He hears loud howls, like wolves but more dissonant and unearthly. He isn't sure which direction he's going or if it's the right way, but he needs to get away if only to create a new plan.
There's the outline of a tall and bare tree in the distance. The branches are spread down and symmetrical, like an awkward step ladder that's been broken into two and realigned on opposite sides. It's perfect. John increases his speed, the thump-thump of his heart keeping record of his steps.
The fog is still laughing and the creatures are getting closer, closer, closer... he thinks that everything is returning to complete black again when the tree's shadow begins to blur with the surrounding area and—
John stumbles, over something large and heavy. He nearly falls flat on his face but is able to regain his footing, out of breath. He looks around wildly, seeing only shadows and hearing the things that are after him.
"Who's there?" John asks, though he knows he shouldn't. His voice will only attract attention, direct those shadowy things closer to him.
He hears a pained whine by his feet. He drops to his knees instantly, though his self-preservation is screaming for him to keep running, that those creatures are going to eat him alive if he stops.
But he can't abandon whatever he tripped over. It's alive. And it's hurt.
John is groping around on the ground when his hand brushes against something wet. He knows instantly that it is blood, and, alarmed, moves closer. He realizes that the blood is stuck against lines of fur and as his hands move upwards, he feels the outline of furry, sharp and pointed ears, a wet and velvety nose, sharp canine teeth...
Eyes are glowing when he meets its gaze. Intelligent, grey-blue eyes that do not leave his.
It's a wolf, a large black wolf whose species and size John has never seen before. It is large enough that John could ride on its back if it were at full health. But it's also large enough to snap John into two if it wanted to.
"Beautiful," he whispers, in spite of the situation.
The wolf lets out a little whine, but he feels it lean closer to his touch.
He tries to find the wound again, so that he can heal it with his gift. Just as he attempts to find his focus, the snarls from earlier are louder than before. John jumps up. He keeps one hand on the wolf's head and points his gun forward.
The goose bumps on his spine are tingling. John doesn't need any light to know that they are surrounded. He can see the eerie, yellow eyes in the dark, staring at him in a circle. His blood is rushing in his veins; he cannot possibly defend himself from a dozen of these things at once. They will rip him apart.
He moves instinctively in front of the wolf, hoping to protect it from the other beasts. He can feel its gaze on him, like the wolf is eating him with its eyes. He fights back a shiver. Since he's going to die, he will die trying to protect this animal, he will die fighting.
"Well?" John says to the shadowy creatures around them. "Come on then. Attack me."
There is a hush, the moment when the fog stops laughing at him.
They leap for his throat from all sides. John throws himself over the wolf's still body, tries to heal the canine's wounds despite the fact that his gift has never worked when he is panicked (but please, god, let this work, let this being live) and he shoots blindly into the black.
-
"What are demons?" He remembers asking his father once, because his mother had relapsed into another bout of insanity. Gordon Watson hardly cared for much unless his wife was involved. John tried not be hurt by the indifference in his father's gaze when he stared at him. It was the fault of the gift. He knew that.
Gordon answered things clinically, keeping his attention fixed on his drugged wife on the bed.
"Creatures of darkness. They came when the fog did. They're often correlated with the fog phenomenon. It's speculated that the fog is their natural breeding ground. Some hypothesize that the reason the dead zone exist is so that witches can summon the demons more easily to do their bidding."
"Oh," John had answered, pleased he could understand most of what his father had said. "Why do witches do that?"
"To curse people, to cause suffering."
"But why?" John wrinkled his nose. He couldn't understand how anyone could intentionally cause such things.
"It's their nature. They don't need a reason."
-
He screams when he feels the creatures, several of them, claw at his front. It's like being shot all over again, but all over his body and with more consciousness slipping away with skin. But before he can do anything, he is flipped over on the ground, the blood pooling in his wounds and slipping over.
There are pained growls and grunts. Something (or something) has jumped in front of him. John hears the sound of many bodies falling on the ground, the unmistakable ripping of flesh and squelching of blood. He holds himself still, squinting at the shadows and realize that there is only one left standing.
The wolf that had been by his feet is not there anymore. It is before him, eyes fixed on John's next reaction. Apparently, his gift had worked. The wolf appears fully healed, if its confident strides have anything to do with it. It looks ferocious, the very picture of a demon from the storybooks he read to himself when his parents were slipping into madness.
He lets out a breath and begins to laugh, almost hysterically, but not quite. (His gift is working again. There is a beast in front of him, one that could tear him apart within seconds.) He can hardly believe it and he can't look away from the wolf's grey-blue orbs.
"You saved me."
It has now inclined its head, as if John has done something very interesting. Then it rushes over to John, its teeth bared out in a low growl. He realizes that it is licking his wounds and when he tries to move, it barks at him with a sharp reprimand.
He slumps backwards, wheezing and wondering if he's to die here in the fog after all. It is silent now, like a group of mourners when a coffin is buried. He hadn't realized how nervous he'd been, caught up in the adrenaline of the moment and the thoughts of protectprotectprotect... He slowly raises his hand and brushes it against the wolf's ears.
Chapter Text
It is always dark in his dreams, not that he would call them dreams anymore. They occur so often that he doesn't recall what it is to have a normal dream, only nightmares of black and fog and screams.
He's always back in Afghanistan, running, sometimes staying behind to heal the fallen, sometimes taking more bullets for Murray. But the end result is the same. Murray dies and John is lost in a spiral, unable to get up again.
They stare at him.
He can see their faces drawn in the air with wisps of smoke. His parents, his comrades, Murray, Harry, they all look at him in the darkness with accusing eyes. They've become one with the fog and they're reaching out with skeletal hands, missing eyeballs and lacking bits of torso, clawing at his arms, pulling him towards the blackening background of nothing.
"You could have saved us with your power, why didn't you save us, John?" They accuse, parts of their teeth and lips peeling away.
John can only plead with them and say, "I'm sorry," infinite times over but it is never enough.
They begin to tear him to pieces and he doesn't struggle, only yells himself so hoarse that his vocal chords feel like they are bleeding into his lungs. He can only see black, and smoke, and their hatred for him, hatred so well-deserved...
There is a howl in the night.
The last thing John sees is a pair of grey-blue eyes, shining brighter than any light he has ever seen.
Siraj, he calls it.
The screams come, but they are not his own. They continue for a long time, with the addition of snarls and vicious growls. When they stop he feels himself pressed against soft fur and begins to drift away into oblivion as the caresses shift into those of long fingertips...
-
His body is stiff against the cold hard pavement. John rolls to his side, pleased that his head is at least lying on his pack rather than cement, and mentally catalogues the damage. He keeps his eyes closed, using his gift to monitor the pain. Though he cannot heal himself, he can at least keep track of how bad off he is.
The slashes on his chest have been stitched up, John is surprised to note. He opens his eyes then and wonders who (or what) might have saved him. His muscles protest his movements but John sits up and surveys his environment. There is still fog (and it still whispers, and now caresses, his ears.) But the fog is slightly lighter. John can make out the haze of buildings on either side of him. He's lying on the pavement of a street.
In the distance, there hangs an eerie orb that radiates soft light that is enough to lighten the fog to a tolerable shade of grey but not enough for John to make out the details of the street. The orb, John realizes, must be the picture of the moon that Mrs. Turner mentioned.
The rest of the street is half cast in shadow for the lamps do not work. The only source of light comes from the not-moon which seems to hover in the center of what must be Old London. The city is still engulfed in shadows. John wonders if one step in a dark alleyway could take him back to where he was before, the terrain of black fog and demons, of miles of nothing with a few brave trees alone with the mist.
The wolf must have dragged his body into Old London since these constructed dwellings hadn't been there the last John checked. Before, he'd been running for his life from shadow demons in a sparse wasteland of black fog. Or maybe the dead zone had shifted landscapes, from sparse cement to the familiar buildings of a city. He isn't sure. Witch magic is a tricky thing and John has never tried to understand it.
Where is the wolf? He realizes.
John slowly gets up and moves his head back and forth. There is no sign of the animal that saved him anywhere. The cemented roads prevent any tracks from being made. But John does see traces of fur on his clothes and, when he leans in close to it, the ground. The fog prevents him from being able to see anymore fur. Even if he did try and find the wolf, it would be a waste of what precious time he has.
He needs to find Harry.
Silently, John says a thank you and hopes that somewhere, his sentiments are known to the wolf he has decided to name Siraj.
Quickly, John puts on his pack and feels for his cane. When he finds it, he begins to limp as fast as he can down the blurred street. He feels for his gun and is content to know that it is safely in his gun hoister.
As John continues along the line of buildings, he notices that he only needs to stand a metre from the side of the nearest shop to see the hazy door and indecipherable sign with his eyes. He is along one of the shopping areas, rows of shops parallel from one another. They are empty and John can't tell if they are dusty from years of vacancy. The mist shades too much of his sight.
He walks right past the corner and doesn't realize it for several long moments when he no longer sees the outline of buildings along his right. John doubles back, and in an instinctive decision, decides to turn left (the sinister way, in fairy lore) because it's more likely he'll run into more demons and maybe they have Harry (if they haven't torn her apart, but John can't think of that right now.)
Quickly, he tells himself, and goes further into the grey, trying to ignore the sensation that he's being watched from all around.
He probably is, he reminds himself, but doesn't let it bother him (much.)
-
The fog here is slightly different than it was when John first entered. It seems almost gentler and even cautious with him. The whispers are muted now, like subtle gushes of wind.
He still feels watched. It's an instinct that is yelling itself hoarse at him that he needs to triple check all areas. But every time John darts his eyes nonchalantly he only sees the grey and nothing to indicate that his suspicions are true.
John walks along the seventh turn. His internal map notes how far he must be from his original spot. He is heading towards the barely glowing orb in the air. The mist doesn't let up; despite how closer John is progressing. In fact, the orb seems fixed in the same place, as if John hasn't moved from his former place.
When he almost walks into another stop sign, John lets out a string of profanities under his breath. He wants to call out for his sister, but it would be a stupid move. Not only would it draw attention to his position but John might attract something worse than demons… a witch.
The last thing he needs right now is to be cursed to be blind or immobilized in a dead zone.
So he stumbles forward, utterly lost in a city he doesn't know anymore.
There are shadows in the distance, moving towards each other. John tenses and gets out his gun, pointing it straight ahead but he doesn't shoot… Not yet. The silhouettes are not nearly as large as the monsters that had tried to eat him before. In fact, they appear human sized. Yes… as John squints he can make out the unmistakable shape of a man's head and torso.
There are people here in the dead zone, still miraculously alive and (hopefully) sane enough to help him.
John dashes towards them and then slows down, doubts entering his mind. They could be witches, rather than fellow victims. But he needs to take the risk. Wandering around, lost in the dark, will not help him find Harry. If he doesn't act, he'll be stuck here until the demons come back for him.
"Hello?" John calls out.
The 'hello' echoes down the street like a ghostly wail. John keeps that in mind for the next time he hears something like it. It might be another person, shouting for help.
The hazy outlines of the two men don't stop. In fact, they are standing on the side of the street, where the pavement would be, as if they're just… chatting.
John feels so bewildered by this possibility that he nearly drops his cane. It hits his knee hard in retaliation but John can barely care for it.
He rushes closer to two figures, and is surprised, when he gets close enough to see through the mist, that he recognizes one of them.
"Mike," John blurts out, taking in the sight.
It's difficult to see, but Mike is dressed casually, as if for a walk. He is wider than he was in their days at St. Bart's and he has two chins. He has his hands shoved in to his pockets and has a checkered shirt tucked in neatly to a pair of dark trousers (John can't tell the colour, blasted fog.) His companion is another man that John doesn't know, shorter than Mike with a long beard. He's wearing a lab coat which is easier to see in the dark, perhaps a professor or scientist of some sort.
They're both grinning at each other with no care in the world, like the fog is not there and nothing strange has happened.
"Mike?" John waves a hand and shifts closer. "Hello?"
His old acquaintance continues asking the other man, a Professor Doyle, about his day.
"Lovely weather, isn't it?" Mike is saying, making John question his sanity.
"Oh yes," the professor replies, "almost sunny." It's an expression that is used to describe grey days that are so much lighter than usual that they could be sunny. John has never used it. His mother used to throw things at her children when they tried to use that slang and so the words have been taboo to him ever since. He has no idea what possesses the professor to use it now of all times.
After all, it is almost pitch black in the city.
"Hello?" John attempts again, stepping so that he is almost between them. "Can you hear me or not?"
"Did you hear about those serial suicides? Awful, isn't it? Waste of every body's time to off yourself like that," Mike continues.
"Oh yes… I have a newspaper here." The professor pulls it from under his arm, showing Mike (and John) the headlines.
Five Deaths. No Notable Pattern. Police Claim Serial Suicides?
There is a distasteful picture of five different bodies that are self-mutilated along the wrists and torso. John supresses his shivers as the Doyle puts the paper away. Whatever that photo shows, it is not suicides. A careful doctor would be able to tell.
He thinks, for a moment, that it might be the demons. This is Dead London. No one knows what happens here save for the ones who live in it (if they are alive at all.)
But before he can put much thought to the issue, Mike and Doyle are off, saying something about dinner. John walks after them and waves his hands in front of their eyes. To his dismay, they keep going as if he is the ghost invading their reality.
(And perhaps he is.)
"You really can't see me…" He breathes with dawning horror, watching as they sit down at a vacant café and begin using utensils to dig into a plate of… nothing.
John has an urge to throw up and a panicked moment of am I dead or alive? Is this a dream or reality? Have I become a ghost or am I real?
But he sees something as he stands closer to look properly at Mike and Doyle, abandoning the pretenses of personal space altogether.
Though their facial expressions and movements illustrate a casual and happy air, their eyes are wide, moving back and forth at John pleadingly. Their eyes are alive still and John has the disturbing realization that these men are trapped in the daily routines of their own bodies, unable to say or do anything else.
He remembers what Mrs. Turner said.
(… Then I was here, on the other side of the fog, along with hundreds of others. The fog didn't want us. It said we were too boring for its game…)
What had happened to the people who were still in the fog?
John is looking at the answer.
They are stuck, repeating the same day, over and over, while still aware in their own minds, yet incapable of commanding their bodies to do anything else…
"Oh god, Mike…" He puts a hand on his old acquaintance's shoulder and bites back a sob. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I wish I could do more."
It kills him inside to walk away.
-
John remembers the first time he saw someone who was cursed.
His mother had been coherent enough to take him to the clinic for a check-up. John always liked talking to the doctors that were working there, especially Doctor Hardwicke who always explained everything he was doing in a way that was easy for John to understand.
He had been reading a magazine for medicine, lent to him by one of the secretaries, and reading out the words he had problems pronouncing. Other children's mothers cooed over him, saying that he was adorable when all he wanted was to know how to say "diarrhea" and "osteoporosis." His own mum had just smiled politely, trying to tune out the emotions of everyone else.
Then a distressed father nearly broken down the door, holding his child and shouting, "Someone help me! My boy's been cursed by a witch, please cure him!"
All the other parents in the waiting room recoiled from him. The secretary picked up the phone to call the police. Security guards (all clinics need them for this type of situation) came from the doors and the hallways to restrain the man who was screaming for someone to help his son.
John had tried to speak up, ask someone to listen to the man, because couldn't they see how much he was hurting? And didn't they know that the man's distress was making his mother hurt too?
But his mum, using all her self-control, wrapped her arms around him, "No, sweetie, we can't help. Doctors can't help the cursed... only witches can..."
"Then find another witch! Ask one of them to fix his baby!" John said amidst the chaos and screams.
One of the security guards had grabbed the infant and nearly dropped him in shock, once the swaddling cloth had been removed from the boy's face.
The baby had no skin, only raw red muscle protected his little organs from being exposed to bacteria and air. Even worse, John remembered, was seeing the baby's eyes... there were none. Only empty raw red sockets that seemed to stare at everything and everyone with empty accusation.
Helen Watson covered John's eyes and hugged him close.
"Witches don't take back their curses, not until the proper terms are filled, not without a bargain."
-
Whenever John is brought another patient, in Afghanistan, one who is cursed, he tries to heal them anyways.
His energy, his life force, is depleted.
But it never works.
-
He barely knows where he's going anymore. He emptied the contents of his stomach (not that he's eaten, he just can't when he thinks of Mike and Doyle eating... nothing) into an alley way. He's sporting many bruises from tripping into postage boxes and phone booths. He barely knows what to think or do. All he can see in his mind is the picture of Mike and Doyle's eyes, looking at him pleadingly in the prison of their own bodies, asking him to do something… and yet all he could do was walk away.
If I find that witch... John entertains the thought and lets it go. If he found the witch what could he do against him or her? He'd be cursed like the rest of this city and he wouldn't be able to save Harry.
(But, oh, how he wishes it…)
Now that he is deeper in the city, he runs into more people, all going about their errands, shopping or going on dates, all looking at him with their pleading eyes and John being able to do nothing. He wants to hang his head down in shame but it would dishonour their suffering. So he walks with his head up and forces himself to look each one in the eye, to remember their face.
(He'll never forget.)
John feels cold against his neck and his cheeks and realizes that he's been crying since he left Mike and Doyle behind in the dark.
(And when John turns his head, he misses the eyes that seem to flicker in the fog, eyes that haven't left his form since he woke.
John, he thinks something whispers again.
He doesn't care who or what is talking to him anymore. He just wants to cry.)
The orb in the sky is in the same position as before, and he keeps going.
-
Eventually he really does fall flat on his face, his foot slipping on something soft and his cane flying down until it hits him in the stomach. John groans and tries to feel for his cane. Instead, he touches something cold and angular... something that feels like human fingers... only the arm that they belong to is missing an entire body.
John does what any normal bloke would do, he cries out in shock but he does not let go of the body part. Instead, he stares at it with mute fascination and racing thoughts. When he tries to get up, his hands find another missing piece, this time, a person's foot.
It is only because he has already thrown up once that he doesn't this time.
There is liquid by his thigh and John realizes that this must be blood.
-
The day that the dead zone first appeared in London was the day before John was sent to war. He had watched the aftermath of the disaster on the telly, gaping like the rest of his colleagues at the hospital. Back then, John's only experience with the fog had been the stories told by ear or the warnings his dead parents had given.
It had seemed so alien and otherworldly, watching the one and only city he wanted to live in since childhood, swallowed up by a black dome. He'd watched the interviews of those cast out of the dome dubbed Dead London with vigour.
Even when he was in Afghanistan, John listened to any news that his commanding officers could give about Old London. He bought newspapers and listened to the radio eagerly for more news about the strange fog that had eaten parts of the world.
There were rumours passed on from soldier to soldier.
They said that those trapped in Old London had turned into cannibals, monsters. They said that those trapped in Old London had become stone. Or they said that those trapped in Old London were cursed with something so horrible that to speak it would mean that you would be cursed too.
Yet one story persisted above the rest.
In Old London, they said that a beast wandered.
And this beast, worse than any demon that a witch could conjure, devoured everything in its path.
-
"...need to gather all the parts together... need to connect them all now... bury them again and again..." John hears a tiny mutter.
He looks up and makes out a white coat in the blackening mist. After more indecipherable words, a woman emerges. Her reddish-brown hair is easy to make out. It is tied in a pony tail and John sees that she's in a lab coat, carrying heavy plastic bags with her gloved hands.
She freezes when she sees him there on the ground.
"You... you're an outsider," is what she says to him.
John gapes at her, "You... you can move...?" Then, realizing how stupid that sounds, he repeats himself, "Sorry... what I meant to say is... you're not... stuck in the same movements like everybody else?"
The woman seems to flinch when he speaks, and she hovers towards him as if he might attack her if she makes any sudden movements.
"I'm chosen," she says. "Those chosen... can move as freely as they wish, only within their roles."
He frowns, confused.
But she doesn't elaborate, instead grabbing at the leg and arm that are by John's hands. She shoves them into the plastic bag, her shoulders only relaxing when they are safe in her possession.
"...Is that your gift?" John wonders aloud, "Collecting body parts and putting them back the correct way?" He'd had a mate back in university who had the same gift. John remembers that the bloke had gone to work at the morgue but hasn't heard from him since.
Again, she jumps before she nods shyly.
"Yes."
"Um, listen," John shifts uncomfortably, "have you seen any other... outsiders? Another woman, perhaps? She's taller than me by an inch and has long blonde hair down past her shoulders... and, I guess, a nicer face than mine? Likes to wear men's trousers and tight shirts? No?"
There is a loud ringing in the distance, like the bell of a clock and the woman almost drops her bag. The bell is ringing one, two, three, times and on when the woman grabs John by the wrist and whispers, "I'm sorry. I can't tell you that. That's not my role."
Gong! Gong! The bell sounds. Now on six, seven.
"What?" John wants to ask.
But the woman keeps going. "I'm the messenger, the warning. That's all I am. I can't say anymore. But listen to me, outsider. If you want to live, you'll hide like the rest of the outsiders do. Don't go out after midnight. Just stay hidden, unless you want the beast to hunt you down—"
Gong! Eight rings now.
"—So that's real, the beast? Christ... I..."
"—And don't talk to Sherlock Holmes, not if you want to keep your freedom."
Gong! That's nine.
There's another sound, footsteps. A man with a high voice is singing out a name, "...Oh Molly? Molly, my darling, where are you, poppet?"
The woman, Molly, squeaks and pulls John up.
Gong! Ten.
"Run," she says, when John tries to get more information from her. He pauses, picking up his cane and half wanting to stay and help this terrified girl, but the look in her eyes is fierce. She pushes him towards the alley cast in shadow. "Run! And remember, what I said! Don't let the beast find you!"
Gong! Eleven o' clock.
Molly runs in the other direction, carrying her bag of body parts as if it weighs nothing at all.
-
He stays pressed against the wall, ignoring the way his instincts are screaming that ducking in the dark alleyway will get him killed.
There are footsteps again.
For a moment, John thinks that the person that Molly is running from might turn and find him.
But the steps go past him and John lets out a relieved breath.
-
"Afghanistan or Iraq?" A voice asks from behind.
John jumps immediately to his feet, aiming his pistol at the intruder. To his surprise, there is a thin man in a long black coat, considerably taller than John. He can make out the stranger's head of curly black hair and a pale face. The man's blue scarf barely stands out amidst the grey fog, but it catches John's attention nevertheless.
Meeting two coherent people in the fog, it must be his lucky day.
Or an unlucky one, depending on the perspective.
"It's the only thing I haven't deduced from you yet and I've been following you for hours,"—John splutters at this admission, wondering if the man is a serial killer or a witch, warlock, thing because John should have noticed someone following him, he's a soldier, damn it—"Or perhaps you were in a different war that I haven't heard of in the years that I've recorded."
"Who are you?" John demands.
The man steps closer, so that the tip of the Browning is pressed against his chest. John opens his mouth to swear or tell him off but the man merely leans down until they are nose to nose, studying him intently. John steps back with surprise, but the stranger only steps forward.
"Hm... no, definitely Afghanistan or Iraq, you won't get that tan elsewhere," what's-his-name is muttering.
"...What are you talking about? And who are you anyways?" John frowns. He's close enough to see the man's pointy cheekbones... and the blindfold wrapped around his eyes.
John steps back again, wondering if he ran into one of the poor fools who went insane in the fog or if this stranger is blind (but then, why cover his eyes?) He has a sudden (and disturbing) urge to run his fingers over the cloth and feel if the man's eyeballs are still in place.
The blindfolded man lets out a low laugh that is not unpleasant.
"Don't play coy. You must have some idea of who I might be. My brother sent you here, didn't he?"
He begins to feel annoyed. "What are you talking about? I don't know your brother—" Unless the man was related to Murray, who he knew was an only child, "—and I certainly don't know you."
"Of course you do! The only idiots that I've recorded who have come here are either hired by Mycroft or depressed little souls that want to wander off the face of the earth!"
"What? You're daft! I told you that I don't know who you are at all!"
The stranger stills, his lips shaped in a big 'o.'
"Wait, you really don't know who I am at all, do you? It's in your facial expressions. No man that expressive could lie convincingly in front of me. No, you came to the fog freely but not for money. You're a military man, judging from the way you've packed your things. Systematic. Extremely organized. Only the necessities. Plus your dog tags and the way you pointed your pistol at me the first moment you heard a potential threat gave your former occupation away.
"You follow orders; you don't follow greedy ambitions, so you wouldn't have been approached by Mycroft to come here without an honourable reason. Your reactions to seeing Stanford, Doyle and Molly were rather telling of your compassion. Yet Mycroft didn't approach you at all with a tragic story; that would have appealed to your sense of morality. Why not? Ah, I see it now.
"Your limp, psychosomatic, easily cured by adrenaline but you forget sometimes. Mycroft didn't think an invalid could successfully infiltrate the fog and return alive. You must have a therapist, for your limp, by the way. Fire her. She's worse than incompetent, a dog could diagnose your leg better than her pathetic attempts to."
John's jaw drops. Facial expressions? How was what's-his-name able to see them through the blindfold? Was it his gift?
The man continues, gesturing so wildly that he almost hits John in the face. "You're looking for someone, but it's clearly not me. Perhaps a girlfriend or boyfriend (more likely, seeing your indifference to the former and blush at the latter). Relative? Ah, yes, your face tells the story clearly. Brother? Sister? Right then. Probably not on good terms with her, hence why she disappeared into the fog rather than seek help from a close relation.
"But you're extremely loyal or suicidal to go after her. Perhaps a martyr complex. You do have a surgeon's hands. That's a correlation that matches the evidence and your profile, Doctor Watson—"
"—My name, how do you...?"
"The dog tags," the stranger briskly replies. "I did read them before I patched you up, good doctor—"
"Wait, you're the one who did my stitches? Well thank you for—"
"—Though I am curious to know what the initials J.H. stand for, you will surely enlighten me."
"Uh... John," he stammers, "John Hamish Watson... and you...?"
But the blindfolded person keeps spilling out different details about John's life from his possessions and the way he holds himself. It's as if he doesn't notice that John is there and he is only speaking to fill up the silence.
"...obvious how you survived the first wall of the fog. You're a soldier, you fought back and when bullets had no effect on the demons, you found shelter. But I wonder how you survived the beast; surely it must have found you. The claw marks show that. It always finds outsiders. But you're in one piece so you must be hiding some sort of hidden talent, something interesting—" The stranger is rambling in a strangely endearing way.
"...Totally mad..." John shakes his head, unable to fight back the childish grin on his face, "...but completely brilliant."
The man stops speaking and faces John abruptly, "...Really?"
"Amazing. Just... amazing. All that from just observing me. You're a genius!"
"Well of course," the stranger preens, before his shoulders slump, "...but that's not what people normally say."
"What do they normally say?"
He frowns, "Recently? I can't recall. But usually it's something along the lines of piss off."
John can't help it, he giggles. "Well, they're idiots."
The stranger glances at him incredulously, like he's a different species altogether, before he says a quiet, "... Thank you."
-
They grin at each other for several more heart beats when John coughs to break the silence. The stranger walks beside him as he goes into the street, looking for any clues that might lead him to Harry. It's odd but John feels completely at ease with this man, as if they've met before somewhere fleeting and yet somehow significant to him. There is truly something familiar about this person. But John isn't sure what, as if he dreamed it up and then forgot it when he awoke in his other life.
"So, do you have a role here too then? Ms. Molly was saying something about roles... I didn't quite understand it..." John trails off. "For that matter, have you seen another woman wondering about—?"
"I wouldn't remember," the man interrupts. "Pointless data is deleted from my memory and never written in my notes, so I don't bother. And yes, I suppose you could say that I have a role in this game, but I'm not allowed to tell. There are rules." He wrinkled his nose at the last statement and if John could see his eyes, he would picture them to be glittering in disgust.
John deflates, "So you haven't seen my sister then... and I'm guessing that you can't tell me more about the dead zone here."
The man opens his mouth to say something, when he freezes.
That's when John notices that the fog around them is shifting... is becoming darker like before, ever since the clock had struck eleven. The whispers are different now, having become shouts in a different tone, something unhinged and not known to him. But now that god knows how much time has passed, the darkness and the return of the blackening shades is more noticeable... and it's getting faster.
He hears howls in the distance... and the beginning of tortured screams.
"It's beginning again, the coming of the witching hour," the stranger whispers.
Suddenly John feels himself being manhandled down the streets. He is unable to keep up with the man's long strides, his feet stumbling against his cane.
The stranger makes an impatient noise and then picks John up like he is a bride. John splutters, "What are you doing?!"
But the man is running, running while carrying John, and muttering his thoughts out loud, "This is faster. We need to get you to Baker Street, now, before the demons sniff you out... or worse, the beast comes out. I will not allow you to be eaten, not when I just found you—"
"—What?"
"The witching hour, John! The hour before midnight, before the beast comes, the demons pick off any outsiders that they can find, and I won't let them have you, not yet, not when you're so interesting and useful and—"
The snarls are getting louder. John can hardly see as the world is being painted black again, yet somehow this blindfolded person can sense the coming darkness. Somehow, he knows exactly where to go and when to turn and it's so brilliant that John can barely breathe.
The bells are ringing again in solid and ominous gongs. John has started counting them in his head. He's on one.
He sees only black, and the only proof that this madman is still here with him, is his warm arms, lifting him up.
Gong! Two.
There is the sound of a door being slammed open. The stranger is shouting into the darkness, "Mrs. Hudson! Take John and lock him inside, knock him out if you have to keep him in! It's imperative that I meet him tomorrow, he's the outsider!"
Gong! Gong! Three, four.
A soft gasp, more footsteps and then other hands, more frail and soft, moving to take him from the stranger.
"It's going to be alright, dear," the owner of the other hands whispers.
"What is going on?" John demands.
Gong! Five, six.
"Stay inside," he hears against his ear, "and don't be offended if I don't remember you in the morning. Here, take this."
A piece of paper is shoved in his hands, and John hates the fog for making him unable to see what it says.
Gong! Seven, eight.
"Show it to me in the morning," the stranger says one last time against his ear.
Then the warmth of the man's body is gone and John is spluttering once more, "Wait! Where are you going? I don't even know who you are!"
Gong! Nine, ten.
The other hands are pulling him inside. He hears the door being swung closed and the muffled answer that comes in reply.
"Sherlock Holmes," says the stranger.
Gong! Eleven, twelve.
Witching hour.
The door is snapped shut and then locked. He hears shouts outside, the man, Sherlock's shouts accompanied by a chorus of snarls and ripping flesh.
John rushes forward to the door and tries to open it.
But the person behind him, murmurs, "I do apologize for this, dear, but it is Sherlock's orders."
He feels something hit his neck, at the exact pressure point, before he falls into unconsciousness.
-
Interlude: Sherlock
-
He is busy with his deductions. Thoughts and different observations come together as he voices them out loud. He has abandoned the silly notion of keeping his deductions to himself. Now he is always speaking, he needs to, because the silly people around him don't listen to him anymore and those that do are tired of him, they want him to disappear.
Watson is an interesting puzzle, a new one.
Sherlock found him bleeding in the streets, out of one of the entrances from the demon breeding grounds of the fog into Old London. How is it that a soldier like Watson had gotten harmed by the demons? Surely he could have hidden from them and figured out where the entrance to city was? Was an old injury responsible for slowing him down? And if so, how had he survived? Once hurt by the demons (or the beast) they could smell your blood.
You couldn't escape then.
Yet Watson is alive, which means he has something hidden inside, some secret lurking within his ordinary statue that Sherlock needs to dig up and expose for himself.
He follows Watson, watches the ex-soldier and army doctor trip and stumble in the dark. It is appallingly plebeian and normal. Watson has a useless habit of caring for every unfortunate soul that he meets and it should make Sherlock abandon his trailing and just leave the man to be eaten by the demons, but Sherlock stays transfixed.
He tells himself that it is because it is so rare to find a man so genuine with his moralities and that he finds this fascinating. He ignores the other voice in his mind palace, one that is insistent and is tearing up his carefully placed thoughts so that it can be heard. He tries to smother the growing suspicion (and hope) that had grown since he found the Doctor bleeding (surviving) under such questionable circumstances.
What are you hiding, Watson?
Then Molly speaks to him, warns him, and Sherlock feels a stab of mineminemine I found him first, you can't speak to him mineminemine which prompts him to reveal himself to the outsider.
He thinks, as he lists off his deductions that this will be the end of his intrigue for Watson (for John) once the doctor sees who he really is and is disgusted (as the other outsiders must have been, he quite doesn't remember but he knows.)
But then Watson (John) says, "Mad and brilliant." John says, "Amazing."
And Sherlock knows, before his memories come rushing back during witching hour, that this man is (impossibly) the one.
Chapter Text
The first time John heals someone, it is his mother and she is dying.
He is only eight and it is a few weeks after he saw his first curse at the clinic. Helen Watson is driving the car down the road. They've just picked up some new clothes for Harry and himself. He is enjoying the comfortable silence between himself and his mother. Helen is humming a lovely tune that is light and soft, like something of Debussy. She often hums what she can hear of other people's emotions, their auras.
His mother likes the noise of John's aura the most, because it is calm. She has often described it, in her periods of awareness, as the pleasing sound of a lone piano with notes that flow like a gentle brook. It's nice and John doesn't really believe her when she claims that such soft music is coming from him. He wrinkles his nose and looks away with a blush, not wanting to contradict her. He likes it when she hums; it means that she's his mum again.
The silence is what frightens him.
"....Mummy...?" John whispers when the dull absence of noise hits him.
She is not humming anymore. Instead, she is suddenly slouched against the seatbelt, her head hanging low as if she has become a sack of flesh.
It is one of the first signs of the madness returning... The silence taunts him. It is deafening.
"...No..." The boy shrinks back. He looks around wildly, searching, searching, for what has tipped Helen's empathy off the scales. Perhaps he can stop it, make the emotions shut off somehow or get his mother away, but how will he drive the car...?
They are already driving off the lanes. There are few cars around them as it is only noon on a weekday. Then John sees it.
There is swerving truck that has crossed the intersection, even though the light was red. John doesn't have to look at the driver's seat to know that the man controlling the truck must be drunk (like how his mother becomes when she is silent, mouthing words he doesn't understand; at least, when she is sober, she yells inane profanities upon occasion, it reminds him that she is alive.) The other driver's intoxication, his emotions, is bleeding into his mother's mind.
He is eight and there is something concerning (something wrong, not normal) about how he is able to analyze the situation with such detachment, but it's too late to think of anymore because then—
The two vehicles collide. There is tumbling. John is screaming for his mother but she's out cold, she can't hear him anymore—
Fire, fire everywhere and John, little John, pulling his mother's heavy body from out of the wreckage.
There is blood, blood everywhere, staining her pretty white dress and John's white shirt. He knows, as soon as he holds her hand, that she is dying. Somehow he knows exactly where she's injured (torso, midsection, bleeding heavily, fatal wound) and how (impact brought pieces of metal into her skin) and there is still that rush of calm, calm, calm...
Heal her, says something, some instinct, inside him.
And he does.
-
Later, Helen will look at him sadly as he awakes in the hospital from physical exhaustion, a perfectly healed and healthy Helen. But instead of looking proud of him, she is holding back tears.
"Oh John," she strokes his head, "I'm so sorry that you have this gift."
-
He feels as if he is being watched.
Someone is cooking something. The scent of butter and warm bread wafts through the air and tickles John's nose. It reminds him of a time long before, when he was quite young and his mother would bake pastries as a surprise. She said it was an old Watson recipe from back when her great grandmother was a girl. John can almost taste the toast on his tongue.
He sits up warily and finds that he has been lying in a lush king-sized bed with silk (real silk!) blue sheets. The pillows are perfectly soft, as if no one has ever slept in this bed before. The room appears spotless, with no trace of dust or signs of being lived in, only a drawer for clothes and a closest crammed with suits.
And yet, there is something eerie about this room, a feeling that he is not quite alone. He glances around in paranoia, seeing nothing.
John looks up at the ceiling, seeing a poster of the periodic table there. There are other posters, of blood splatters and corpses surrounded by white chalk in a crime scene. He thinks that he should be wary and disturbed by these gruesome portraits after finding body parts in the streets yesterday, but instead he has a morbid curiosity as to who posted them up and why.
Then he remembers the other night, the demons, the cursed Londoners, Molly's warning echoing in his ears, meeting a madman and the walloping pain throbbing at the back of his skull.
"...Sherlock...!" John gets up.
He is marching to the door before he realizes it, pleased that his backpack had been placed at the foot of the bed and that his gun is still safe in its hoister. The cane is against the doorknob and so John takes it with him as he steps forward.
His head is still throbbing as John rushes into a narrow hallway and rushes down unfamiliar stairs, hand twitching against his side, brushing against his Browning. He scans the area below from the middle steps, noting that there are two ways of escape, through the window or through what looks like a sitting room. Likely a door on the right.
His eyes stray to the groundwork of the room, how much space is there and what objects clutter his way of escape. There's a kitchen, objects lying everywhere—papers, beakers, little microscope slides, petri dishes and abandoned dishes and wrappers. It's like a dump, only without the nasty smell though John thinks that he sees hints of mould, green tinged on some of the clutter.
The walls are covered with papers, maps and sticky notes. John sees a series of lines (Day number 981, 982, 983 and so on) and newspaper articles. Ink covers any blank spaces between the pages, connecting different pages together. Words like, "Serial killer" and "Pink" are littered across a span of ten documents. John also sees other words, "Remember" and "Moriarty." But the phrase that catches his eye is scrawled up from the top of the walls to the floorboards, painted on top of all the intricate notes.
"You are cursed... There is Nothing"—and the 'N' is capitalized so that it seems to eat the wall with its enormity—"you can do." John reads, looking at the menacing letters with a sense of foreboding. They seem to stare back at him, ominous and sad, whispering things just like the fog and he stills his breathing, trying to catch what exactly is being said when—
Bony hands grasp his right shoulder, John flinches and spins around, his pistol pressed against the forehead of his attacker, ready to shoot but—
His gun is gone.
John looks up and sees an elderly woman, smiling down at him with undeserved affection. She is tall and willowy, her white and greyish curls reach up to her neck and the way she regards him reminds him of his old landlady Mrs. Turner.
She is also holding his gun by gently with her thumb and index finger, right by the pistol grip and John reaches for it.
"Oh no, young man. You'll be going down for a bit of breakfast first and then I'll hand you back your weapon. We don't want to upset the house with any accidental shots. It's feeling anxious from your discomfort enough as it is," says the woman, hanging the Browning high above his head.
Normally his first instinct would be to subdue the enemy in the most efficient way possible (in this case, hitting a pressure point in her neck to knock her out) and then take back his gun, but Mrs. Turner's face appears in this lady's presence and John just can't bear to hurt her. Instead, he blurts out a sharp, "Who are you and where's Sherlock?"
"Oh, I'm the land lady, Emma Hudson," she takes his limp hand to shake it enthusiastically. "Oh, wait, I suppose that I'm not really the land lady anymore," she wrinkled her nose, "just more of a housekeeper."
A landlady? And she was speaking to him normally, as Molly had out in the fog. Was she chosen as well? And what of Sherlock? He had been left outside to fend himself from the demons in the dark. He needed to find out what happened to him, just needed to get his gun back—
Just as he moves back, it seems that the entire foundation of the building, seems to give a great creaking groan, shaking monstrously beneath him.
John is bewildered, staring at the walls and the floorboards like they might explode beneath his feet (and they might, he can only recall how many landmines he has lost good men and women to in Afghanistan.)
"Oh dear," Mrs. Hudson puts a hand to her mouth. "Have we upset you? That won't do, no that won't do at all…" She mutters and then begins to steer a shocked John down the steps and towards the kitchen area. Half of the table is covered with glass contraptions filled with green and blue liquid while the other seems to have been cleared off to make room for a plate of toast and eggs.
"Now sit you down, dear, I'll make you some tea," she tells him, pushing John down into one of the seats (an armchair that should really be in the sitting room, he notices, with several deep claw marks littering it's surface, like the poor thing has been spat out of a saw factory.)
"No, wait, where is Sherlock?" John tries to stand back up. But Mrs. Hudson has a surprisingly strong grip for her age and she pushes him back down against the back of the soft chair. John doesn't want to sit, he wants answers and he wants his gun back. There is something odd about this place and he can't get rid of the sick feeling that something is watching them…
The building begins to tremble again, while John's chair suddenly softens against his back, steady caressing his skin. He jumps out of it, spinning around holding the phantom of a pistol that is no longer in his possession. And when he looks back at the armchair, he notices that the plate of food by the table has suddenly moved forward and that there is a metal kettle sitting beside it, one that he swears no one moved yet.
"Oh dear, I'd sit back down, young man. The house doesn't like it when you're frightened; it's become rather fond of you. It's trying to cheer you up," Mrs. Hudson tells him cheerfully when she returns with a teacup and saucer.
"Cheer… cheer me up?" John thinks that he needs a minute to let everything sink in. Suddenly the overwhelming sensation of being watched makes an eerie sense because if what he thinks is true then…
"Why yes, dear. After all, you're our guest," the landlady smiles, in the exact way that Mrs. Turner always does when John compliments her jumpers, pleased and affectionate.
But instead of being comforted, John feels slightly disturbed. He tenses, feet itching to get to the door so that he can hunt down Sherlock (and Harry, he can't forget Harry, his sister, wandering in the dark, was she…? No, don't think, just run, just keep looking—) His fingers only tense, ready to grab the pistol away from this woman if need be when the flat begins groaning again, in creaks and low guttural sounds of pipes running.
It sounds like the distant and painful wails of whales, stranded on the beach, like it's crying and John catches sight of the foot of the chair, stepping on his pant leg, as if to keep him in place.
He sinks back down into the seat, feeling it tremble happily while the table inches closer to him and the plate of food moves so close to him that it nearly falls off the edge.
This flat is alive.
It takes only a few seconds for John to process this.
In truth, he feels like he has stepped into a twisted wonderland of sorts, following his drunken sister into the fog ("I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!" But what date? What occasion?), discovering disturbing curses, demons and living flats. It isn't as if he is unfamiliar with the topsy turvy nature of curses or with witchcraft in general. There are rumours; there are always rumours but coming face to face with a sentient building is something new entirely.
But like everything in Dead London, John can only accept this as a fact of life here. This isn't the 'real' world anymore, if the 'real' world had been the truth in the first place.
He wonders then, if he is Alice in this twisted metaphor, then who is the Red Queen?
("We're painting the roses red…" The haunting song echoes in John's ear, sung by a falsetto voice that sets him on edge.)
"Well," John swallows and tentatively puts his hand on the table, "this is… this is very nice. Um, thank you, for breakfast… but I'm not… exactly… hungry now."
The flat merely groans again, John can feel the tiles of the kitchen floor shifting insistently as the plate is pushed closer to him.
"Look," says John, "I know you want to… to feed me, to… take care of me, and I'm very grateful, but I'm more worried about Sherlock… and my sister. I need to go look for them, so can you tell Mrs. Hudson to bring my gun back?"
John isn't sure if that is the landlady's gift, to communicate with houses and flats. But he assumes it may be the case from the serene nods and frowns Mrs. Hudson makes when this living building makes its guttural complaints.
Everything is still, so still, that John fears that perhaps the flat has rejected his proposal and he may be trapped here with its creepy hospitality for the rest of his life, but then the tray is pushed back and he hears a soft hum from the heater down below.
Mrs. Hudson hums thoughtfully and places John's Browning in his lap. She is beaming at his incredulous face and she elbows him playfully, "221B Baker Street is very fond of you, young man. I'm so glad that she's found another human she likes, besides Sherlock. Most people end up being thrown out the chimney sweep or drowned in the bathtub."
John has no idea what to say to that and thankfully, he doesn't have to make any comment for suddenly the door that leads out of the sitting room is slammed open. The flat begins to hum, a low whistle like a flute. Mrs. Hudson and John start towards the corner and see Sherlock storming in, his clothes only mere rags against his skin, hardly presentable, while his coat is miraculously undamaged.
He is also drenched from head to toe in dark crimson liquid.
Immediately the flat's happy whistles become strangled, and the windows begin to open and close in harsh slaps.
John is by Sherlock's side before he can think but Sherlock isn't looking at him, speaking to him at all. In fact, the genius seems to be ranting on about taxis refusing to take his money and the insufferable tube with its sweaty and boring passengers. Sherlock is walking in circles in the sitting room, displacing a few stray blankets on the floor and stern clothes that might have been used as wash clothes.
"—and Lestrade still hasn't come to me about the case, the fool. I swear, Mrs. Hudson, those insects at Scotland Yard are going to ruin all the evidence by the time I'm asked to look at the bodies. God, what are the murderers in this city doing all day? Having brunch? It's so boring," the man is rambling, his steps never lingering in one place. "Only yesterday did I get a request to find someone's pet rabbit of all things, is that a joke? I don't do little childish searches not for—"
"Yes, dear, of course," Mrs. Hudson is nodding absentmindedly throughout the rant. She is tidying the table and giving John a stern look for not touching his food.
John is too busy worrying about the blood. "Mr. Holmes—" He tries to say.
But Sherlock brushes past him, shrugging off his coat and throwing it over a desk cluttered with jars of preserved eyeballs (John wonders how he had missed this collection of dismembered body parts before returning to the matter at hand.)
"Mr. Holmes," he tries again.
"—informed Mike of my search for a flatmate. With any luck, I should be moved into 221B within the week, Mrs. Hudson, now—" Sherlock stops and notices the wall, plastered with different papers and the big painted words, 'You are cursed.' He hovers for a moment, hand half-raised to touch the blackened lettering.
"Mrs. Hudson, what is this?" He demands sharply.
The landlady only shrugs and replies, "Exactly as it appears to be, Sherlock. You did post them up a few years ago since this all began."
"Don't be silly," Sherlock snaps, "I wouldn't have—but then…"
He is quiet, studying all the documents that he can.
John, still by the madman's side, has no idea what is happening. He tries to catch Sherlock's attention again, about to speak up, when Sherlock whirls to face him with his black blindfold making it seem that all his intensity is focused on him alone (and, John shivers, it probably is.)
(The flat hasn't made a sound since Sherlock has entered, the air is stagnant.)
"You," Sherlock says in a menacing tone that makes John itch for his pistol, "just who are you and what business do you have in my flat?"
John's mouth falls open. "But I… we met yesterday!"
"A client then? No, of course not... no clients allowed inside 221B with this curse... not unless... but that's impossible... Who are you really?"
"I told you, we met yesterday—"
Sherlock sneers at him, advancing until John's back is against the wall and he can only stare up into an intimidating (fascinating) black space of the blindfold.
"Oh I'm sure that's a likely story, a way for you to trap me, Moriarty. That's very clever of you, but if this game has been going on for as long as I think it has, if it's the game that I think, then I will find a way to end it even without the missing piece!" A twisted smile has formed across Sherlock's face, and John thinks, that there might be insanity there as the genius leans down until their noses are only inches apart, "I will win."
Breathing slowly, John can barely speak, much less think.
When his thoughts return to him, he finds himself upset and (irrationally) hurt.
He straightens his posture and scowls at Sherlock, "You're the one who threw me in here and told your landlady to knock me out cold! Thank you so very much for that, by the way, there's nothing more gratifying than being manhandled and kept in the dark while my new friend is being torn to pieces by demons in the fog! And now you claim to have no memory of me at all! I'm Doctor John Watson, just for your written records, Mr. Holmes, and certainly not this Moriarty fellow that you're confusing me with!"
The corners of Sherlock's mouth twist and if John could see his eyes, he thinks they would be (green? Blue? Grey?) blazing.
"A doctor? You're a good actor, just as my notes say, but you can't possibly expect me to believe you—"
John can't speak then, remembering what Sherlock told him before shoving him through the doors of 221B.
(...don't be offended if I don't remember you in the morning...)
Sherlock moves his hand, perhaps to tilt John's chin up or to press him against the wall and immobilize him.
In either case, John's built in reflexes speak for him and he grabs Sherlock's wrist, to stop anyone from touching him (oh how he screamed in the operating room, screamed if anyone tried to come near, until they sedated him) and prepared to put the other man in a twist if Sherlock should try to attack.
His fingers brush against Sherlock's pale skin and he is prepared to punch the man if necessary, when Sherlock freezes, the twisted sneer melting away into a confused lilt.
"…John…?"
He feels his shoulders relax at that familiar tone. (It's Sherlock, something is singing inside, it's Sherlock, his Sherlock again—no, can't think.)His grip subconsciously loosens, about to slip away, but Sherlock brings up his other hand to leave it there, holding on so tightly that John can't feel his fingertips.
"…John," Sherlock whispers again, with more certainty.
His throat tightens, and he isn't quite sure what is happening in that moment (nor will he ever know), but he just gives a choked laugh. And then Sherlock is laughing feverishly with him until their knees give way and they're on the floor and John has never laughed so hard in his life.
-
There's a paper, unforgotten and curled up in his pocket from when Sherlock threw him into 221B, the one that Sherlock wanted John to give to him.
It says, 'Remember this man, John Watson. He is essential. –S.H.'
It isn't needed anymore.
-
"You have questions," is what Sherlock says once they've settled into the sitting room. The black cloth covering his eyes makes it difficult for John to tell if Sherlock is staring at him or now. He thinks that Sherlock is. But the feeling of being scrutinized could be attributed to the sentient flat that hasn't made a peep since John and Sherlock had 'met' again.
It's surreal, how they settle in a semblance of normality (or what could be normal in the fog, at any rate.) Yet it feels as natural as breathing, comfortable even.
Mrs. Hudson had left them alone for a few minutes but she's returned, with two trays of eggs and toast. This time she gives both 'her boys' a stern look that prompts John to nibble at his portion. He doesn't feel hungry, can't remember if he ate anything the day before. But his gift urges him to eat and take care of himself, so he forces the food down.
Sherlock, however, seems to have finished his whole plate plus a second one in seconds for there are only crumbs left when John looks up next. Mrs. Hudson appears pleased as she takes away the dishes, patting Sherlock happily while frowning at John's barely touched eggs. "You should eat more, dear," she tells John. "Heaven knows I had a time forcing Sherlock to eat before the curse and even after. You're a good influence already, I can tell. But you really should eat."
"Yes," John fights the blush from Mrs. Hudson's mothering, "I do."
"Well, then Mrs. Hudson, you should sit down as well," Sherlock gestures to the coach. "There are some things I won't be able to say."
"Of course," she beams, settling down against several cushions and old newspapers.
John shuffles in his seat uncomfortably. He feels the chair move against him comfortingly and whispers a quiet 'thanks' to 221B, before he asks, "Just what happened before? Why didn't you remember me and why do you know me now?"
For that matter, why were Sherlock, Mrs. Hudson and Molly the only human beings that could move freely in the fog, besides John?
"…The curse? Or the rules?" John remembers snippets of what Sherlock had tried to tell him before witching hour.
"Both, actually," both heads turn to Mrs. Hudson who has her hands placed neatly together on her lap. Her back is slightly hunched under a heavy weight that John can't see and her wrinkles are more pronounced than before.
John wants to walk over and throw his arms around her, keep her smiling and carefree, but he doesn't because now is not the time. He still has Harry to find and some needed explanations about this twisted city.
"Do you mean that you are all cursed?" John asks.
"Obviously," Sherlock grumbles and John only gives him an exasperated glare which is answered by a casual smirk.
"Yes," says Mrs. Hudson. "All of this, Dead London, the people, the chosen, the beast and Sherlock, are the results of a powerful witch's curse."
"A witch?" John whispers. He has never met one before. But the stories, he certainly remembers. Human beings with no hearts, submerged in the art of demon summoning. "Who is she? Or he?" John frowns, his confrontation with Sherlock still fresh in his thoughts. "…Moriarty?"
They don't answer, they don't need to.
Sherlock's lips have returned to a deep snarl, so livid that John imagines that it might be carved there on the man's face forever. Mrs. Hudson's eyes are glassy, no longer quite there, as if her soul has wandered as far away from the fog as possible.
"As far as I know," is what Sherlock eventually replies while Mrs. Hudson nods.
"Tell me about him… or her," John demands. If this Moriarty is responsible for the fog, for luring people in and trapping them… or ripping them apart with demons then he needs to know.
"The rules," Sherlock scowls again.
Mrs. Hudson shakes her head when John turns to her. "I'm sorry. I can't say either. The rules say that I cannot aid an outsider in this manner. None of the chosen can tell you more about Moriarty. We can only tell you bits and pieces about the game, the curse."
"Chosen?"
"There are three of us," says Mrs. Hudson, "and then there's Sherlock." Before John can ask what is different about Sherlock, Mrs. Hudson explains the role of the chosen first, "I'm not sure why we're selected, but we're the only people who can give you clues and warnings about what is to come. Once an outsider enters the fog, they become players in the game."
"…The game," John repeats drily. He sneaks a glance at Sherlock, but the man is still, knees up against the armchair, blindfold obscuring everything. "So Molly… she told me she was the warning."
"Yes, that seems to be her role. She'll dissuade you and tell you the disadvantages of any moves you might make," Mrs. Hudson says. "I'm the keeper of the home base, so to speak. 221B is the only place in Dead London safe from the fog and Moriarty's influence. The demons can't enter here."
He is quiet, something rushing through his veins that he can't identify, and he doesn't realize how tightly he is gripping the side of his chair until the arm rests push back, as if trying to reassure him. John lets go, mentally apologizing to the flat.
"So I've been invited then," he says neutrally. "By who? And why? And to play what exactly?"
Mrs. Hudson shakes her head, "I can't answer that. I can only confirm what you have discovered so far and give you explanations to clarify that information. That is my role. You're meant to win the game on your own, dear. I'm sorry."
John feels a shiver run down his spine at those words. 221B seems to creak in unison with his dread.
"…The game…" he says slowly, thinking then, of the newscasts showing bloodied feet and severed heads that were sometimes recovered from the fog, of interviews of distraught relatives crying for their missing (and likely dead) loved ones, of Harry. "Playing with all these lives… this entire curse… Is this really all game to him? What kind of sick person is he?"
"Everything is a game, John," Sherlock speaks up suddenly, his voice as cold as it was when he stepped in that morning still covered in blood. "Life is a semblance and series of repeating routines and useless functions of transport. Humans move through their limited years making the same predictable mistakes, stuck in the same routines and insecurities. This is the only thing that makes life interesting."
He feels like all the warmth has vanished from his body.
"…What?" John stands up, unable to believe his ears. "Killing people, subjecting them to this torture… it's interesting? It's funny?"
"No," Sherlock snaps, and god, John wishes he could see the man's eyes to decipher what he was feeling, "Games, John. The games, the puzzles—that is what makes life interesting. Moriarty is sending a message. He's toying with us, showing how smart he is."
"Well I don't care!" John is shouting before he knows it. "This, my life, my sister's life," and yours, he thinks, "is not a plaything that can be disregarded and wiped away from the chessboard for the sake of some witch's amusement. I won't play. Once I find Harry, we'll escape the fog on our own."
He has taken his gun and is moving towards the door. There is a crash; Sherlock has knocked over a side table that carried pitches of red and green liquid, glass boxes of preserved fingerprints. "No. John, where are you going? Stop, don't leave!"
But he keeps going, hand on the knob.
The door stays locked, and John glares up at the ceiling. "Let me out," he tells the flat, "I won't be a prisoner here."
Sherlock has grabs John by the shoulder, his injured one, and with surprising strength, presses John against the door. John is ready to drop kick the other man or flip him over, when Sherlock hisses, "Don't you understand? You have to play the game, John—"
"Why should I? Why should I adhere to his rules when we could break the curse another way—?"
"There is no other way!"
There is a hush, only heavy breathing and John staring at black cloth.
"…It's you, isn't it? You're at the center of this curse, for some reason and he, Moriarty, has involved the whole city in it. It's why you can't remember things day by day, and yet you can move freely. Why you put notes on the walls… to remember whatever details you can, to break the curse…" John trails off.
Sherlock inhales sharply, his body hunched over John's form to prevent any escape. His mouth slides into a self-deprecating grin that doesn't suit him at all.
"…I cannot say…"
The rules, John remembers, everything inside him aching at this, at this helplessness.
"Sherlock," He brings up a worn hand to the madman's cheek, hesitant and unsure before settling it there. It should be awkward, strange, but John only feels his chest clench and overwhelming feeling.
"Sherlock," he says again, unsure why. He thinks the other man is looking at him, but with the black cloth, he can't be sure. "I'll help you, I swear, I will,"—to leave him here, this brilliant person, is… is unthinkable and John can't think clearly about why this burns in him so much—"but my sister… please, you have to help me find my sister first."
He watches Sherlock swallow slowly, the way the man's Adam's apple bobbles up and down in uncertainty before the low, "Alright, I will," escapes his lips.
-
The keeper of the flat pulls John aside when he limps down the stairs. Sherlock is still rummaging in the sitting room upstairs, looking at his encrypted notes of words and numbers. (When John asks if he could look through them, and perhaps glean a bit of information about the curse, Sherlock's hand freezes and the genius is forced to say that he isn't allowed to give John any clues, spoken or written. He doesn't ask again.)
"What is it, Mrs. Hudson?"
She is holding something in a plastic bag, the wrinkles around her eyes more strained as she pushes it towards John gently.
"This is for you, dear, in case you should need it."
John peers into the bag and is surprised to find a dozen rounds for his pistol, all perfectly new.
"Where did you get this?"
Mrs. Hudson puts a finger to her lips, "221B provides for any needs that it possibly can for those it favours. It likes you... and let me tell you, dear, it's the first time that it has taken a shine to anyone besides poor Sherlock."
He isn't sure what to say. Instead he says a thank you to the flat and to her, knowing that the expression is not enough to express his gratitude.
But Mrs. Hudson seems to understand. She gives John a hug, whispering, "Be careful of whom to trust, John. I'm not sure who the third chosen is, but you should be weary of the any outsiders and their agendas. And take care of yourself, for Sherlock's sake."
He feels a laugh bubble up in his throat, half strangled in his thoughts. "Sherlock's sake?"
She steps back and touches his nose in a teasing manner.
"He has his heart when you are with him, John Watson. He remembers who he used to be."
And before John can ask her to clarify, Sherlock is rushing down the steps, a propriety arm on John's back when they meet.
"This way, John, the fog awaits," he announces.
John gives one final look to 221B's keeper, in which Mrs. Hudson gives a kiss on the cheek to 'both her boys.' She pats him on the head affectionately as Sherlock drags him out, and murmurs, "I will be here during witching hour, dear."
The flat groans, the door swinging with a stubborn squeak.
Come back, it says, come back.
-
It is as dark as the unknown depth of John's nightmares when Sherlock pulls him through what he presumes is an alleyway. It is colder too. His jacket isn't enough to conceal his warmth inside. John feels his face beginning to numb. He moves to brush his hands together, in attempt to warm them, when Sherlock wordlessly hands him a pair of worn gloves.
John takes them, oddly touched and says, "Thank you."
Sherlock only turns away and takes John's wrist.
The fog shifts around them, like tissue curtains, brushing dangerously against skin. Welcome back, John hears, welcome back, would you like to play?
"Stay close to me," Sherlock says briskly though John thinks that the order is unnecessary. Sherlock's fingers are wrapped so tightly around his, that John wonders if it will be possible to pry them off in the morning, if they will be brittle like bone.
He lets himself be led right and left, left and right. His questions for their destination go unanswered. It should annoy him, that he is being ignored. But it doesn't.
Instead, Sherlock rambles and points at different landmarks. John can't see them at first, but as Sherlock's explanations grow more detailed, he begins to make out different shapes and imagine them in his mind. His guide's speeches are erratic though, on and off. Sometimes he'll go on speaking for minutes at length. Then he'll be silent, so silent that it feels that hours have passed.
Sherlock moves through the shadows as if he is a part of them. Every step is filled with confidence, without wavering. Sherlock pulls them into the darkest paths without flinching at possible ditches or demons. It's like he has a map of London inside his head. They are more than a dozen blocks away from 221B and John has memorized the number of twists and turns that it takes to return.
"Where are we going?" John asks again, if only to hear something other than the crooning of the fog, beckoning him to come closer, deeper into the city.
His companion doesn't answer. At this point, John has stopped expecting him too.
"Alright then," John replies to the silence. "How is it that you know where we're going? No offense, but your blindfold..."
"I have eyes elsewhere, John," he can practically hear the biting smile on Sherlock's face.
He wonders what the madman means by this but figures that the blindfold and ability to see without his physical eyes must be part of Sherlock's gift. He decides not to pry. This is something that John wants to solve himself.
Besides, he doesn't think he'll be able to handle another response of 'I cannot say' again.
-
There are people.
They move down the streets, in twos, threes, groups or alone, chattering away about the same insignificant things. John and Sherlock brush past them, Sherlock without saying a word, and John apologizing out loud if only to acknowledge to these people that he knows. He knows that they're trapped in this spell.
It's funny, that yesterday John couldn't bear to say anything to them, could only look them in the eyes and picture the formless words he wants to say. With Sherlock though, sentences, apologies, heart-felt feelings flow out together like perfectly woven silk, where Sherlock is the instrument and John the weaver.
"There, do you see?"
John is unprepared for the hot breath against his ear, or the hand guiding him proprietarily from the back. He and Sherlock are pressed close together, hovering in the bustling street and he feels bothered that he hadn't noticed it sooner.
"Christ, Sherlock," he mutters, but does not attempt to move away, "don't sneak up on me like that, I could have hurt you!"
A snort. "No, you wouldn't have," and before John can argue the point, Sherlock says again, "Do you see it?"
At first, he notes nothing odd than the expected parties of civilians going about their own business. He sees a mother and her children chatting to someone who isn't there (a father, perhaps, taken out of Old London for being too boring when the fog came) and a junkie arguing with a few teenagers. Everyone is up to their own business, greeting each other and going about the same day like clockwork.
But then, after he squints to make out the details in the dark, he notices it.
There are two women, weaving their way through the passer-bys on the pavement. They keep their heads down low, (seeming to) avoid all eye contact with anyone but each other. John can see that their heads are low like they are speaking with each other in hushed tones, an act, an attempt at normalcy. But the slight missteps where they nearly collide into other civilians (and the lack of attention that they receive) confirm that they are not trapped.
"Outsiders..." John whispers. "But how did you know you that they'd be here...?"
"I didn't, was hoping we might come across them in the busier districts of the city. Humans are comforted by being around other humans because of pointless social callings. It's also safer, you avoid less attention from Moriarty, I presume, if you're able to blend in... though these two morons aren't even trying to make an effort," Sherlock snorts.
He steers John forward, holding him by the shoulders, almost like a human shield except not quite. Sherlock keeps John to the left, near the buildings, as if to cover John's body from the darting and pleading eyes of the civilians on the street.
"Excuse me," Sherlock says when they are directly behind the two outsiders.
The women keep walking. There is no change in their demeanour or the pace of their footsteps. John wonders, then, how long they have also been trapped here with people who can't speak with them (and demons that roam the night) that they would be so used to ignoring the sounds of other human beings.
A twisted frown makes its way to Sherlock's face and before John can stop him, Sherlock has reached out with his free hand and pulled the taller woman away from her friend.
"Excuse me," he snarls.
"Sherlock—" John tries to move him away.
But the woman (she's tall, with cinnamon hued skin, brownie eyes and curly hair) takes one glance at Sherlock and shrieks, "Get away from me, you, you freak!" before she bolts away. Her companion (a brunette, not nearly as fazed but with dangerously wary reflexes and pale skin) has wide eyes, and they both rush away down one of the alleyways.
"Follow them!" Sherlock shouts.
And he's off, dashing down the street, a black blur against the grey.
"Hey, wait!" John shouts, blocked by a group of skaters, who are about to go to the park.
John struggles to get past them without knocking any of the teenagers over, nearly stumbles because of his limp. He looks up at the fading figures of the outsiders and of Sherlock Holmes, thinks of his haunting nightmares and bloody limits.
He's falling, the sharp pain of inevitable scabs all too present through his bones and knees. He can't find his cane in the fog. The people pass him by and if they notice him, they're too busy screaming in their own bodies to help. He's back in the desert again, watching the clouds of fog roll in, devouring his men and women, calling his name, for him to join them and—
He doesn't say anything (no doubts, no pain, nothing but the order.) Merely fixes his stare at the brilliant man before him, gets up, reaches for those long fingers and then...
He follows him.
-
They race through the shadows, blood roaring in their ears, blocking out all of the crooning of the fog. They're grinning like, like madmen, shouting cheeky comments at each other when they lose sight of their targets but it doesn't matter, because suddenly it feels like the grey is slipping away and John sees colour for the first time when he looks at the fabric covering Sherlock Holmes' eyes and imagines the hues that might be there.
He wants to paint it, craft words of poetry, run until his legs give out and never stop, not unless Sherlock told him to, not unless Sherlock were to stop existing (but then John would stop to and when did he start—)
"Welcome to London," Sherlock huffs when they stumble into another square, watching the two women duck into a dark entrance.
Subconsciously, John reaches for his cane but instead moves his hand so that it isn't hung from Sherlock's iron grip, so that his fingers are intertwined with his.
"Best tour I've ever had."
-
"Do you recognize this place?"
Their voices echo in the void in heavy breaths. John has to squint to make out the hazy outline of an entrance to the London Underground. He hasn't seen one that isn't boarded up with wood and nails since he was a little boy and his parents had taken Harry and him to a trip in Paris for a week (before the Paris Dead Zone happened when he was thirteen.)
New London's tube entrances are blocked off. The underground and the sewage are the two things that connect Old London to New London. John has heard from Mrs. Turner about the number of incidences and casualties involving policemen trying to close off tube entrances, only to be eaten by the demons lurking within. The government takes strict measures to ensure that the underground lines remain closed.
It's strange, staring into an entryway that only promises more darkness. Even the fog seems still, listening to the hollow whistles of emptiness deep within.
"No, of course you don't," Sherlock is muttering to himself again, yanking John forward as he makes gestures in the air. "Mycroft would have had them blocked off and you haven't been to London before in your life."
"How did you...?"
"Your complete compliancy in allowing me to lead you through the streets, the way you gape at every building we come across, any that might be of historical and/or sightseeing significance, when we come close enough for you to see. Obvious," is the reply.
"Fantastic," John shakes his head, wondering why he didn't think of that before. It must be frustrating, he reflects, to observe so much and wonder why ordinary people can't just think. Hearing the straightforward explanations from Sherlock's mouth make him feel like his own eyes have been opened and it's simply amazing.
A pause. They are halfway down the steps.
"Do you know... that you say that out loud?"
"Oh," John isn't sure what to say. "Well, I'm just being honest. I could stop if you'd like"—he is about to offer, but he thinks, then, of Sherlock wandering in the fogs for years on end, speaking out into a mist that never answers back—"but I won't."
There is movement, but it is too dark for him to see clearly. Something hot (breath, perhaps) ghosts his cheeks before John feels only the lingering cold and Sherlock says briskly, "This is where I've recorded sightings of other outsiders. But I didn't think that they would hide here of all places... What must be going through their tiny little brains?"
John frowns, "This is where the demons go when it isn't witching hour, isn't it? At least it is in New London. We have to block off the stations to keep the demons from coming out. It's not where I would go to find safety."
It's suicidal, like walking into a pit of ravenous wolves. What would possess any outsider to live in a place where demons thrive?
"Well then," he nods, pulling out his gun and moving to step past the other man, "all the more reason to go in."
He can't make out the expression on Sherlock's face, not when they are covered with hues of grey and black, sheets of vapour and whispers. But he can feel his own grin, a rush in his ears and as he is led into the tunnels, he thinks that Sherlock must feel the same euphoria.
They descend.
-
There is a steady drip, drip sound, the kind of sound that always puts John on edge. It makes him triple check his surroundings, lower his breathing so much that he's close to forgetting how.
Somehow, it's darker than up above, a black that is only slightly dipped in grey. The dark here is almost as oppressive as it was before witching hour, growing more so as they continue down the steps.
He can't tell if the place is deserted entirely. But he can make out weak lights where the subways would have run, before the dead zone formed. It's too dark to see anything other than that, but he has Sherlock, who guides him along with his hand.
Sherlock moves like a predator, every movement delicate and yet, there is something about Sherlock that screams of danger. It's what compels John to rashly follow the man in the first place, that, and he thinks that he might have been born mad all along and didn't acknowledge it until now.
Clumsy but rushed footsteps practically roar in the echoes in the tunnel. It's them, the outsiders.
"Wait!" John calls out, "We just want to ask you a few questions! Come back!"
Sherlock hisses and clamps his other hand over John's mouth, "Shut up, do you want the demons to hear us?"
"Mmmmf!" They're sleeping, is what he means to say.
"Not in the fog. Never in the fog."
He freezes, and he wishes he could see the other man's face, distinguish his expressions (but would that change anything?)
"Sherlock—"
Then there's a crash, screeching and the movement of several large silhouettes in shapes John remembers all too clearly from his entrance into the fog.
"Demons," John is in front of his friend instinctively, Browning pointed straight into the black. "Run, Sherlock! I'll cover you, it's alright—"
"No," hands are on his face, his shoulders, his back, pulling him back towards the exit, "no, it's not for you, it's for me... God, I've lost track of the time, it's nearly witching hour..."
"What? But—" How much time had passed between this morning to now? How many hours wasted in bed and then running around blindly through Dead London and its eerie source of light? Had the seconds gone by so quickly or...?
"It's different here, John. Moriarty can change any factors he wants. And he has. He's sped up the day again, damn it, he's interfering, we can't even hear the clock down here and I haven't even solved today's puzzle yet—"
Stumbling up the steps, being pushed towards the cement as soon as they're free from the underground—
"Sherlock, what...?"
"Get back to Baker Street, John. Now. I can't stay, I... I have to..." The other man's hands are in the air in a complicated wringing gesture. "I have to go..."
"Have to go? Is this the curse? Sherlock? Sherlock! Sherlock, come back, wait...!"
But he's gone, blended into the darkening fog as if he was never there at all.
-
Have you figured out how to play, John Watson? The fog whispers around him.
"Piss off," he says to it. "Piss off and leave me be...!"
-
His limp is back and John resorts to leaning against the buildings until he can find something that can act as a makeshift cane. He is goading himself bitterly for ever thinking that his wounds, his limits could be cured in the first place.
John has counted the number of bells from the clock tower, knowing that it's the eleventh hour only, not time for witching hour yet.... but soon. He wonders what Sherlock meant by the puzzle. Whatever it was, Sherlock had clearly finished it yesterday, before he had tended to John's wounds.
John whips around, pistol pointed towards Molly's head. She smiles grimly at him, her white coat standing out in the mist and the plastic bag of body parts by her feet.
"...Good Lord, Molly, I could have killed you!" He breathes. "What are you doing out so late? Witching hour is—"
"The pieces aren't allowed to die; John Watson," she says ominously, "only the players do... and then they become pieces themselves."
"...I... I don't understand."
Molly only offers another sad smile. "He wants you to leave," she repeats.
His brow furrows. "Who?" He asks and just as he does trepidation fills him (I'm the messenger, the warning) and he already knows.
"Moriarty sends his admiration that you've come so far—"
"But I haven't, I don't even know how I survived the first breeding grounds... I haven't done anything to participate in his sick game"—not yet, not when he promised Sherlock to break the curse no matter what—"So why...?"
"—but he's not amused anymore, by your silly little antics," Molly recites, in a monotonous tone that doesn't suit her at all. There are little cracks in her speech that betray her emotions but she stands firm through it all. It makes John want to pull her into a hug.
"You can try to play the blushing heroine for so long before you realize this... Sherlock does not care for you. He is only using you to break the curse. Inevitably, he will get bored of you, as he gets bored by all humans, and when that happens, you will no longer have his protection. Moriarty's demons will find you... and then you will be burned, from the inside out."
Anger fills him. "That's not true. Sherlock is a good man—"
"Stay away from him," Molly repeats once more, just as the fog around them seems to solidify into black. "You've already lost what you came here to find. It's over. Leave this place."
But before John can retaliate, the darkness seems to swallow her. John screams, reaches for Molly, but she only shakes her head and then there is only black.
And snarls all around him.
John feels his throat constrict and he edges so that his back is to a wall, hearing them from all sides.
Witching hour.
-
("Moriarty can change any factors he wants. And he has. He's sped up the day again," Sherlock's voice echoes in his mind.)
It is a trap, all of it. Molly serving both as a warning and a distraction to the coming darkness, while John had walked right in like the naive fool he is (always, always, why can't he just turn off his heart?)
They're going to tear him apart, and John knows that his pistol can only take out so many of these creatures before they get back up again, but at least he will die fighting (isn't that how he always wanted to go? To give his life meaning?)
"Sorry Sherlock," John says like a silent prayer. "Won't be back at Baker Street."
He points his weapon straight ahead and begins shooting like never before, at every sound, he aims and fires, doesn't bother to check if he missed. Only the thuds and shrieks of pain confirm his shots, and even then, John can't pause. He keeps firing, thanking Mrs. Hudson and 221B for the ammo. He barely knows what's there or what isn't anymore.
Are the monsters real? Or is it in his head? He can hear them everywhere, like they are synonymous with his breathing and yet he can't see them, can barely move for fear of running into one and being torn into pieces.
"God damn it," He shouts, feeling teeth latch at his arm, before he shoots at the thing that has him and begins to stumble away from the wall.
Now he doesn't have any cover, he has to watch his back, keep checking over his shoulder for things that may or may not be there...
The fog is cackling, a completely different voice from before, in high pitched and mocking song, falsetto giggles and lilted taunts. Can you shoot them all, Johnny boy? Can you find them? Or will your hands be bitten off, dragged away from your screaming body while they feast on your insides?
"Shut up!" John shouts, though he isn't sure if he's talking to the madness personified in the darkness, to the hungry breaths of the monsters or the frenzied, blurred roars of PTSD in his thoughts.
Something lashes out, cutting open the stitches at his side and John bites his tongue to prevent his scream. He won't give Moriarty the satisfaction. He's sure that the witch is watching, from somewhere in the dark. He refuses to play this game as some cut-out player.
John grabs at the creature, dwarfed by its larger figure and nearly crushed by its weight, when he wrenches his hand forward and aims for where he thinks the head is. A loud shot rings out, but the creature barely flinches, only spits at him in burning agony and pins him down.
"No!" He tries to wrestle free. He can barely feel the blood gushing from his side in the flood of adrenaline and fear. The gun is slipping from his grasp, but he has to hold on to it...
This is the way you end, Johnny boy, like the helpless being you are, the mist surrounds him.
All of the demons go silent, a tense and very present terror sinking into the air.
The creature is thrown off of John in mere milliseconds after.
John gasps, taking in air gratefully. He hears the ripping sound of flesh torn apart. Loud strangled noises, howls, more whimpering and the retreating stampede of steps (can demons scream?) Something splatters on the pavement, some of it landing on John's face and clothes. He can't make out the shapes but then...
He sees the glowing grey-blue, grey-green eyes again.
"...Siraj..." It's the wolf from before, he's sure of it. They stare at each other, scrutinizing, just breathing. The eyes come closer, the only light he can see in all of this fog and...
There is a shift of metal (one of the sewer caps?), something grabbing John by the elbow. Siraj lets out a growl, running towards John, as if to snatch him up as his next meal or carry him off as some sort of prize and—
John is pulled down the manhole.
-
Naturally he refuses to be captured without a fight. John is kicking and throwing punches at the bodies trying to hold him down. He knows that he has landed a few well placed blows on the man holding him from behind and the woman who has his legs.
"Let go of me, you bastards!" John shouts.
"Calm down," an Irish accent rings out, not one of the people pinning him down. "We're friends, not enemies."
The woman says nothing.
"Stop struggling! You're welcome for saving your arse, mate," the man, who has now forced him on the floor, spits out sarcastically. "We could have left you to be eaten by the beast and its hoards of demons. Would have been more fun."
He stops, blinking suspiciously at these people... who have... light? Where did that come from? He stares at the trio, specifically, at the Irish man (carrying many bags) who has light pouring from his fingers (His gift?) He hasn't seen such bright light since he left his flat and Mrs. Turner, since electricity. It hurts to look at it.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Outsiders, like you," the woman finally speaks. John, eyes stinging from the bright light, can see that she looks like the same brunette that he and Sherlock had tracked down hours earlier. He wonders where the other woman went, the one with cinnamon skin. "We live in the sewers and the underground, occasionally we save others like us, like you, from being eaten alive."
"That's not possible," John breathes. "You can't survive down here; it's where they live..."
"Moran's gift is most helpful in that regard," the woman indicates to the tall, built man who had wrestled John to the ground. Moran gives him a feral grin and it gives John the chills.
"He keeps us unseen by the demons. It's a sexy gift, isn't it, Sebby?" The Irishman is caressing Moran's cheek proprietarily. Moran is still, smirking down at the blood spilling from John's wound like it excites him more than any affection. John doesn't like that at all. He looks away, trying not to think of how Moran seems more demonic than any demon he's come across so far.
"Jim," says the woman, "Enough. We should look at his injuries."
"Oh very well, Anthea," Jim tosses her one of his bags. It's a med kit and Anthea catches easily.
She kneels by John's side and begins to stoically clean up the blood. Jim says something about keeping watch, while Moran sits down, staring at the blood hungrily again. John looks away, still trying to figure out how he came into this mess, into a world where the rules are unknown and he's fallen into the sewer lines (was Sherlock alright?)
"Are you one of Mycroft's agents?" Anthea asks him, just as she begins to sew the wounds (she apologized for the lack of painkillers but he doesn't mind.)
John winces, holding back his groans, "Sorry? Who's Mycroft?" It's a name that seems to ring a thread of familiarity to him but he can't recall...
Her expression is blank again, "Ah. You don't know him. Why are you here, in Dead London? Another straggler? Looking for oblivion?"
"No," John shifts. "Looking for my sister. Harry Watson, have you seen her?"
Anthea freezes, raw emotions slipping on her face for the first time, while Moran seems to have burst into laughter, his deep chuckles echoing down the tunnels like the devil's laugh before his fall .Jim, who has turned around, shakes his head sadly.
She remembers everything since the fog came; that is the curse of the chosen. They can remember and they can act. The others remember too, but they can never act. They're stuck in a loop, repeating that same day, forever.
Sherlock is different; he's the center of this. He's the only piece that can move freely and yet will never remember anything the next day.
She knows it and she isn't allowed to reveal anything to him, anything to the players, unless they figure it out themselves.
It's painful, being trapped in with only 221B for company. They are both lonely, they want to speak to another person again, someone who doesn't forget what happens day by day.
Mrs. Hudson can't bear to watch Sherlock struggle with questions (why is there fog outside, Mrs. Hudson? No one is speaking to me, Mrs. Hudson. What's happening? What are these notes here for, Mrs. Hudson?)
For the longest time, Sherlock only shows reaction to the notable differences in his day, or to the name Moriarty. Otherwise, he is indifferent now, he moves through the curse and dead London as if it were normal or worse, exciting. Occasionally he speaks to outsiders, but they never interest him long enough for him to invite them into the flat. Never.
Sherlock only lives for the daily puzzle; nothing else attracts him or speaks to him. He is a shell of who he could be, worse than how he was before the fog, worse than when he was on cocaine (but he never needs it now, no food, no drugs, just the game, and she hates Moriarty for that.)
After witnessing the same behavior, month after month, year after year, with no sign of any other outsiders or chosen, she fears that Moriarty will win, just as he said he would. She doesn't know how she'll survive another year, she considers trying to force her way out of the house, running through the myriad of demons in the night, just to be free.
But 221B comforts her, it is her only constant left besides Sherlock and she can't leave them.
And then... one day, Sherlock is back. He's shouting, with more desperation than she's ever heard from him before.
"Mrs. Hudson! Take John and lock him inside, knock him out if you have to keep him in! It's imperative that I meet him tomorrow! He's the outsider!"
A short man is pushed through the door, one with kind blue eyes and worry lines on his face. He looks fragile and stern at once, a being of opposing opposites that shouldn't be possible (and yet it is.) John is rushing to the door, concerned (actually concerned!) for Sherlock alone.
She and 221B are fond of him immediately.
They observe, in the morning, how Sherlock and the doctor interact. They've never seen their consulting detective so animated, so fixated on another human being. Sherlock is tolerant of a select few individuals, even fond at times, but never so... so...
So alive with one.
It gives Mrs. Hudson hope. She thinks that John must be the one, sends them both off to look for the doctor's sister (but she and Sherlock know what will inevitably befall all outsiders, without protection, in the end.) John will free them from the fog.
But during witching hour... John doesn't come back.
And in the morning, Sherlock returns alone, saying the same things, remembering nothing of the wonderful doctor who had changed him.
When Sherlock asks Mrs. Hudson why she isn't answering, she only gets up and locks herself in her room downstairs.
It was too much to hope, that Sherlock might be capable of caring for another human being. And now John Watson is probably dead.
Chapter 4: Part 4: Beast and Corpses
Chapter Text
"There is no point in any tears, any sorrow or guilt for your patient's death," His father tells him once, rather clinically, when John has thrown himself into a graveyard, collapsed into the dirt after running for so long. It isn't far enough. It never is. He can still see young Bennie's eyes, glassy and round, staring up at him like a porcelain doll.
John knows that his father feels nothing, no emotions, now that his mother is dead, but he can't help but scream at him, bang his fists against Gordon Watson's chest, "What is wrong with you? That was a little boy and he died because you chose to operate on his mother instead!"
Gordon doesn't flinch or move. He is like marble, immovable and without vitality. "She had a greater chance of living," he replies monotonously, a robot where his father should be. "The boy had less than ten percent."
"It doesn't matter!" John screams. "You should have tried to save him anyways. You should always try, even if you can't, you should try—"
"And waste precious energy, resources, trying to save a lost cause when you could be utilizing that time to save a greater number of lives?" Gordon looks down on him.
His fists stop and John begins to shake, unable to return his father's empty gaze. He can only glare at his father's tie, tears welling up with the immeasurable screams and shouts balled up inside his heart. It hurts so much that sometimes he wishes that he didn't care, but then he remembers his father and he takes the wish back, rips it into two.
"You cannot save everyone, John."
He breathes out a shaky sigh, refuses to wipe away the streaks on his face.
"I know that," he says.
Caring is not an advantage. Caring will not bring them back. Caring will only obscure your skill. You cannot care if you wish to become a doctor, or your emotions will blind you every time that you fail. Your patients are just subjects to operate on, nothing more.
They don't matter.
He knows this, has memorized each of the empirical and cold arguments that his father has laid out in front of him over and over again.
"But they do matter," is what John always whispers in response. "They matter to me."
And so he cares.
His heart breaks every time he fails.
-
"That's ridiculous,"—but nothing is anymore, not in the fog, but John can't think of that right now—"Harry's not dead. You haven't even met her, how can you possibly—"
"Oh, she's dead alright," Moran grins widely, his teeth gleam dangerously in the light emitting from Jim's hands. They remind John of the demons... and the wolf. The shadows are angled sharply around the contours of Moran's face, making his chin sharper, the creases and lines on his face harsher. Men shouldn't look like that, John thinks, so at home in the darkness, eager to watch other people burn.
John tightens his jaw. "I don't believe you," he says, feeling how dry his lips have become, the remaining adrenaline in his veins still pumping and screaming at him to run away before the demons find him again.
Moran laughs and it is nothing like John has ever heard before, a baritone chuckle that seems to make every shadow flicker. "Harriet Marie Watson... has a brother called John, always begging for a drink, crawling around the tunnels looking for a way out... She's not one of us anymore. It's a miracle that she even survived this long here, her type rarely does. Anyways she's one of them now, dead."
The word echoes down the tunnel and travels towards the pipes, bouncing off every surface before rippling back into his ears.
"You're lying," John begins to sit up, ignoring the unfinished stitches and his bleeding side. He bites his tongue before showing his pain, lets the blood well up in his mouth so that he can taste it (and remember that he is alive.) The sharp jolts keep him alert. His senses take in the position of all three strangers, their possible danger levels and what weapons they may be holding.
There is something off putting about these people, especially Moran. The man keeps staring at him as if he is a piece of meat, something to devour. He doesn't trust him and he hasn't forgotten Mrs. Hudson's warning about other outsiders.
(Besides, as another side of him has suspected since the ambush only a few minutes earlier, what if one of them is the witch?)
"I don't need to stay here, I have to go back," to 221B, to Mrs. Hudson and Sherlock, he gets up on his feet. "Thanks for the save; I'll take it from here."
The rounded ceiling of the tunnel and the long metal pipes threading parallel through it begin to spin when John takes his first step forward. He feels warm liquid trailing down from his shirt to his pants, staining his boots and his footsteps. He wonders what the tunnels will look like if they are ever engulfed in light. Would the demons be chased away? Would his red stained footsteps still be there?
His limp is still there and John can only tighten his grip possessively around his pistol. He can crawl if he has to; he's not staying here where the demons breed.
"Wait!"
A hand reaches out and John spins around fast enough to stop it from touching him with a protesting arm lifted up. It's Anthea, her tanned face looking grey in the dim lighting and her brown hair like a black curtain behind her. She looks tired but determined.
"You can't spend the witching hour, or even the night, here alone. You need people who know the tunnels and can keep the monsters away or you'll be eaten alive."
John hesitates. While it isn't wise to trust anyone in the fog, anyone exempt from the game that Moriarty has set up, he knows that it is suicide to wander these demon breeding grounds alone. He'll die if he goes into the dark by himself. There might not be a wolf to save him again, at least not in these underground passages. He doesn't even know the way out. These strangers have effectively trapped him here in their company.
Anthea sighs, "Please. I knew her. Your sister. She and I were... friends."
"Know," He replies tersely, wanting very much to be as far away as possible from the lunatics who are convinced that his sister is dead (but what if she is, what will John do then, but no, no, Harry isn't dead, he would know, he's her brother, he would know—) "You know her, you are friends,"—but if they are, where is Harry now?—"and if you don't mind, I'll be going now."
"Are you afraid?" Jim finally speaks, his expression unreadable from all the light he is holding. Strange, John thinks, that they all yearn for sunlight only to be so blinded when they are faced with it. Would the entire human race become blind with happiness and sorrow if they saw the sun again?
"I'm sorry?" John bites his tongue again. His whole body feels numb, like the knots tying his mind to it are being loosened.
The shadows are flickering again and the light glows brighter. He can barely make out their faces, only blurry shapes against screaming white, voices that are thinned down as in a dream.
"To find out if she's really dead, mate," Jim replies bluntly, his tone sad and sympathetic. He recognizes that tone. It's the tone that those who came to his mother's funeral, and later his father's, always use.
"I'm not afraid because she's not dead," He snaps at them, swaying slightly on his feet. "You've got the wrong Harriet Watson."
"Then you've got nothing to lose if we take you to see her."
The light stings and he has to close his eyes. Never has the darkness felt so welcome, so peaceful. He's not sure when he fell onto his knees, or when Anthea started to clean his wounds again, placing his head against her lap, whispering to ignore Moran and just think of home (that makes him laugh because he doesn't have one anymore.)
"You mean her body...?" He mumbles, imprints of dancing lights flashing in and out against his eyelids.
"No, I mean to see her die," answers the Irishman.
This is when alarm should awaken him once more, but John can't seem to open his eyes. They're heavy, not his anymore. Voices murmur within his mind for him to relax, to doze off and think of peaceful things. Aren't you tired? The familiar fog crones. Rest, Johnny boy, rest. We can play tomorrow, my dear, we can play tomorrow with the newest toy.
He groans, trying to focus back. Anthea shushes him and begins to sew up his wound again. He thinks Moran is still staring at him hungrily, can feel the eyes burning into his flesh.
"To see her die...," John can barely say. "I don't... can I really see her?"
"Oh yes," Jim's voice seems far away now. "I promise that you can see your sister soon and then you will know the truth."
He wants to ask what Jim means, what these outsiders want with him and why they're toying with his mind with lies. He wants to know how long they've been here, likely eaten away by bits of insanity, bits of hallucinations that never happened. But the voice whispering is so gentle now, such a contrast to the usually glee he hears at his expense.
Sleep now, my dear... tomorrow we can play again.
He does.
-
There he is, running again in the darkness, crashing into trees and having his clothes caught on branches. They grasp at him viciously as if to encage him in their roots forever. John rips at them and tries to reach the running shadow in the dark.
He shouts a name (but he can't quite hear what it is) but the figure ventures farther and farther away. He shouts until his voice is hoarse and it feels as the flesh in his throat will rip apart if he speaks anymore. But he has to keep trying, has to, has to—
"How can you do this, Harry? This is what mum turned to; this is what killed her—"
"No, what killed her was her damned gift and it's killing me too, goddamn it John, just let me have my escape while you go rushing into wars! I hope you get blown up just as you've always wanted—"
"No, no, Harry, that's not what I want—"
A smash. Broken glass against bits of skin and crimson. He grabs her hand—"Harry," he says desperately (feeling so tired)—and she slaps him away.
"Don't fucking touch me, John, don't even come near me!"
"Harry, please, see some reason—"
"You're supposed to be my brother!" She screams. "You're supposed to save me when I need it, you're supposed to fix me!"
"I'm here now," he is saying to the ghosts that surround him. The trees crowd closer together, rattling as they move. "Harry, please!" He yells at the figure that is barely even visible in the fog, "Come back, Harry, I'm here, come back!"
They wrap further around him, until the branches press into his skin, embedding scars and digging further around him. He feels the tips like thorns cutting into his throat, his wrists, his waist and his mouth in a choking embrace. They close in, until he can't breathe, can't even keep his eyes closed.
And suddenly the branches are arms and the trunk behind him is body.
She whispers to him, "You couldn't fix me."
There are a million things he wants to say (I'm sorry and how could you expect one person to bear all your mistakes? And I just want my sister back) but none of them come out. Only a harsh breath, hardly a whimper.
(But it's close enough.)
Her touch cuts his skin, creating careful trails and scars along his arms in senseless swirls and shapes.
"Come back," John says as he feels the cuts bleed.
She looks at him, half sad and half amused. It's her sisterly look, one he hasn't seen since grade school when she used to threaten those who bullied him with scissors. She used to dress in silly dresses and shave her head bald, run around in the mud with her dolls. She used to be a radiant girl until the drink (the gift) took that glow away.
"I can't come back, John."
Her hand strokes his cheek, leaving a scar of blood slipping down his neck. He sees her form words with his mouth, but he can't quite make out what they are, such a crucial few syllables and he can't see it—
A wolf howls in the distance.
Everything shatters.
-
"—shouldn't have knocked him out, Moran—"
He shifts on his side, feeling groggy and heavy. He tries to recall what he was dreaming but nothing comes up. It's gone. There is a light ringing in his ears, next to the eager whispers that have begun in his ear again. Good morning, the fog says gently now, a different voice than the one during witching hour, welcome back.
"...would have been out before anyways..." A voice he recognizes as Moran jeers, "I just helped him along... besides his injuries are better, aren't they, little spy?"
"Shut up. I don't take orders from you," He hears Anthea's cool reply.
John winces and slowly props himself up on his elbows. It's still dark, but the light from Jim's hands and several other orbs of light, floating like fairy lights along the tunnels cast shadows in different directions. Some silhouettes cross paths, showing the same object in contradicting sizes, long and tall or wide and stout.
There are tents of plastic sheets and abandoned rubbish bins set up along the slick tunnel walks. The sheets are held up by makeshift poles of sticks and metal bars. It's odd, but John notices huge claw marks cracking open the bricks that hold the tunnel together. Some of the tents appear hastily assembled, with more torn flaps and some sticks that have been tied together again. It's as if wild creatures have run through here.
And, John reflects, perhaps they have.
Small fires are set up within old rusty pots and pans, with a small group of people gathered around it. John squints and sees that they are dressed in grubby garments, stained from the mud and sewer water. Ash smudges their skin and faces, making them blend in with the darkness.
Other outsiders, John realizes, or what's left of them in the dead zone. He remembers what Sherlock told him during his first witching hour, how the demons pick off and target outsiders if they are not carefully hidden. He's seen the long list of those missing on his walks through New London or during the anniversary of Dead London's formation, when all the soldiers would line up and salute for three minutes of silence. There are hundreds of names on the list.
Here, John sees about six.
"Of course, always staring at your little phone," one of the figures, Moran, is gesturing, "hoping against hope that you can send a signal back towards your beloved employer... well wake up, Ms. No Name, you'll never get your phone call! He'll never get your texts. You're stuck here, forever, until someone wins the game... and no one will, ever."
There is a pause and only the random drips of water from the pipes can do anything to fill the tension that John can feel in the stagnant air.
"Then I suppose someone should break the curse then," Anthea's reply is like a dying echo.
One of the other women, who John recognizes as the other part of the pair that he and Sherlock had chased through the city and into the tunnels, scoffs, "No one will. There's no chance that anyone will ever..."—John can't hear this part of the sentence, as if it's been blotted out by an invisible hand—"...that freak. It's bad enough that the beast has been attacking our camp for the past two nights since you brought the doctor here. I wouldn't be surprised if the freak..."—another blank, John shifts closer—"...for his own sick twisted amusement."
There are murmurs of agreement that seem practised, out of habit. There seems to be no one in their little group who believes that the fog will disappear someday.
John takes this opportunity to clear his throat, prompting only five of the six heads to turn towards him. He sits up; swallowing down a groan of pain at his recently sewn wound and manages a stiff smile.
"Hello, which one of you knocked me out and took me here against my will?" He asks, his throat feeling dry from being unconscious for so long. "How long was I out anyways?"
He's not sure how they will act to his glaring. But he feels gratified that there are some guilty expressions though none from Moran.
"Oh my goodness, I should apologize on behalf of this idiot here," the woman with cinnamon-toned skin punches Moran in the arm. "I'm Sally and that's Soo Lin" she gestures to the Asian woman who smiles hesitantly.
"Hello," she says and John manages a quick of lips in return.
Sally turns towards him, "Apparently Jim wanted to get your wounds treated so he told Moran to stop you from leaving into the tunnels by yourself. They brought you to the camp two days ago."
"Two days?!" He thinks of Sherlock, wandering the city with a day's worth of memories. Did any part of him still remember John? Will John even be able to find Baker Street again from the tunnels? He has no idea where he is and what these people are capable of.
"You were bleeding very badly, mate," Jim nods. "I'm not going to apologize for saving your life... besides... you wanted to see her, didn't you?"
"Now look here—wait, what do you mean?" John asks suspiciously, "See who?"
But Jim doesn't have to answer. He doesn't have to because the seventh person at the fireplace stands up, and in the glow of the flames John can make out her face.
"...Harry..."
-
("I can't come back, John.")
-
She doesn't respond to her name. "Harry!" John says again, jumping up despite Jim and Anthea's protests that he should rest. Moran is grinning with mirth while Sally and Anderson look like they would rather be anywhere but here. Soo Lin turns her head down, expression unreadable.
He doesn't understand. His sister is looking dully into the distance, as if she cannot see her companions or John at all. She is like one of the mannequins in a shop's window display, frighteningly pale with and eerie gaze. Then she turns and begins to walk.
"Harry," John moved towards her, bypassing the fire and grabbing her arms. "Harry, please, look at me."
But she goes away from him, away from the tents and down towards the end of the tunnel. Even when John tries to pull her back, it is like she's one of the clockwork figures made in a clock tower, designed to move only as she's been created to do. John steps in front of her but is nearly knocked over as she continues forward.
He catches sight of her eyes, pupils moving around wildly and desperately as they look at him, but her body continuing despite her thoughts. She is trapped, like one of the 'pieces' Molly described, stuck in her own flesh and with no control, just like Mike and Doyle.
There is a stack of makeshift weapons at the corner of the camp, stockpiles of kitchen knives, crowbars and, John thinks, two illegally confiscated pistols.
That is where Harry walks.
"No," John whispers when he realizes what is happening. "Not Harry... please, not my sister...!"
John tries to stop her from moving towards the weapons but Soo Lin and Sally grab him, their grips digging into his skin, drawing blood. "Don't be a fool!" Sally is shouting while Anthea moves in front of him, shaking her head, "It's too late, you can't stop this—"
"It's already happened, John, she's already dead, just reliving it—"
"Let me go!" John shoves Sally and Soo Lin away.
He runs past Anthea, rushing forward just as Harry grips one of the knives, holds it to her heart, looking at him pleadingly with unspoken words ("You're supposed to fix me!") while he thinks, god, no, please, I've failed her in everything but not this time, not this time!
His fingers reach the blade. He grabs it, feeling the blade cut at his fingers, tries to pull it away from Harry, but there is something trembling in her gaze now, a softness he has not seen since he was little, when she was his only friend as they played tag in the fields.
The knife goes into her heart, ripping deep scars into John's hands.
Harry looks at him one last time, the spell on her body broken, and with one trembling hand on John's cheek, whimpers, "...You came..."
Her body falls over, a ragged doll of flesh and blood, and John falls with it, holding what once was his sister in his arms.
-
Anthea and Sally try to pull John away from Harry. They give up after awhile, when they see that he only responds with cold glares and holds on to his sister even tighter. He's not leaving her, not this time. He wasn't with her enough in life and so he will be with her in the moments after her death.
Moran's taunts barely capture his attention. He can only focus on the cold corpse in his embrace and how he is always too late.
-
The only one who comes to sit with him is Soo Lin. She has a quiet presence and doesn't try to intrude in his fresh grief. In fact, she shares the same pained eyes (not nearly as devastated as Anthea had been) and she murmurs some Buddhist prayers for which John is grateful. He'd stopped going to church when his father died, but after he was sent back to England after Afghanistan found it comforting to sit in the church pews and listen to the music. Soo Lin's quiet words are just as soothing.
He thinks that Harry would have liked it, despite her misgivings about organized Religion. He tells this to Soo Lin and she smiles at him.
"I'm glad to be of service and to lighten your sorrows, even for a short while," she lifts her head from her bow. "I've also lost a brother to the fog."
When she sees John's devastated expression, she shakes her head sadly. "No, I came into the fog to escape him... He was going to kill me—it's a personal tale, one I don't wish to share, but, I remember finding him in the city, thinking that he was going to finish his job... only for him to be torn to pieces by invisible spirits in front of my eyes."
John doesn't know what else to say but, "...How...? And why...?"
It isn't the most articulate of phrases but Soo Lin understands his meaning nevertheless. She puts her arms around her knees and tells him, "Anyone who is an outsider... and dies in the fog becomes one of those trapped in their bodies. They relive the day of their death again and again, in the same area and nothing will stop it... until the fog is gone, if ever."
His mouth goes dry again and John swallows. "That's not right. You shouldn't have to... your brother, my sister, no matter who they are, you shouldn't have to suffer through your death every day like that forever... God, what must it be like...?"
He can't imagine it, the pain that he saw there in Harry's broken gaze. She's only been stranded here for several days. He's not even sure which date she died.
Soo Lin shrugs grimly, "It is the fate that awaits all of us here in the fog. We followed the whispers and promises of dark spirits and now we are to be punished."
Soo Lin stares at him strangely, "It never tried to pull you into a contract?"
He shakes his head.
"Never offered you a miracle, salvation to your troubles?"
He shakes his head again, wondering what this means. Soo Lin only appears disturbed and she avoids looking into his eyes.
"It just... asked? And you came?"
"Yes," says John, remembering the way it crooned in his ear, how the fog had wanted him to come play (it still does) and it had only taken his sister in the hopes of coaxing him inside... "Does that mean anything to you? Do you know what it wants from me? It hasn't stopped whispering since I came..."
She doesn't answer, only backs away from him slowly, murmuring something softly in Chinese which John recognizes as protection against evil. Soo Lin retreats into one of the ruined tents, despite John's protests. She doesn't come back out.
-
"Well then, look who's decided to join us," Moran drawls, taking a drag off his cigarette, when John comes to the fire, holding Harry in his arms. He's wrapped her up in a few stray sheets he had found lying around and closed her eyes. He made sure to clean her wounds. She looks beautiful, even in death, wrapped in soft blue and white covers, as if she's only asleep.
Jim perks up and pats the seat next to him, a friendly smile on his face. The light of the fire and the orbs hovering around them makes his expression brighter. "John! Are you feeling... better now?"
"Right, because that's what you ask when a bloke sees his sister kill herself," Sally glares at them. "Give him some space."
Anthea doesn't even acknowledge him. Her brow is furrowed in deep concentration as she types out on the keypad of her blackberry. John knows that technology doesn't work in the fog and judging from the frustrated frown on Anthea's face, her handheld device still isn't giving a signal. He wonders if she does this every day in the fog, hoping that something has changed.
John ignores the pleasantries and goes straight to the point. "I need someone to lead me out of the tunnels. I'm not staying here with you people. I'm going to find Sherlock and I'm going to break the curse, then I'm going to go bury my sister."
Once more he finds himself the target of bewildered (and one hysterical) stares.
"Are you daft?!" Sally yells at him just as Moran bursts out in laughter, muttering about the insane ones and what delicious emotions they have.
"You can't go back out there. It's almost witching hour, only a few more minutes before it begins," Anthea points out without looking up from her phone. She tilts her head and tries another combination of buttons.
"I don't care," John says simply, holding his sister's body tighter. "I'm going to find Sherlock, whether you help me or not. I don't care about the fog and I don't care about the demons. I'll find a way to avoid being killed, it's just a matter of returning to the street where you kidnapped me so that I can retrace my steps."
"No," Jim stands up, "You can't leave. It's too dangerous."
"Why would you even want to seek out the freak anyways?" Sally shivers. "He'll just," she opens her mouth and no sound emerges.
"We can't tell you," Sally tightens her jaw. "If you don't know yet, even from being in the fog for this long, than we can't tell you anything. The curse doesn't let us."
John glances at her quickly, "Alright. Well then, I guess I'll be off..."
"Are you stupid?" Jim's voice deepens and takes on a dark tone. He glares at John, the soft light making his flared nostrils and wide eyes more manic and threatening. "You're safer with your own kind. To venture out during the witching hour is to go looking for your own death! And for what? This Sherlock character? What does he mean to you? This madman you met only a few days ago? Do you think he cares about you at all? If anything he sees you as a tool to use to break the curse, he does not care, he is not capable. He has—" Jim's lips move, but he stops when he sees that the words do not sound.
John glares up at him, "I will not abandon Sherlock."
"Well he'll certainly abandon you, once he gets bored," Jim tells him, and though his expression is not livid, John thinks that his eyes want to burn him.
"Look, he's not a freak and I'm not leaving him alone in this godforsaken fog!" John shouts. "Now if none of you will help me, then I'm leaving and I'm not coming back."
"Are you even listening?" Jim's voice resonates loudly in the tunnel walls. "The beast has tried to come here for the past two nights. It's looking for you. It'll find you tonight and it will devour you. I suppose that's how you want to die? With the beast in your arms?"
"Just what are you talking about?" John turns aback around. "I haven't seen a beast in the dead zone at all. There's no such thing. There's only demons and crazy outsiders like you running around causing trouble! Leave me alone, I'll find my own way."
John turns his back on them all, while Jim is yelling, "You'll regret this! You can't survive without us. You'll perish within seconds!"
Moran is still laughing (does that man do anything else?) when John hobbles past him. His laughter reminds John of the dissonant chords of an organ in an abandoned church, sharp and powerful. He still doesn't know why but he can't stand to be near Moran, the way that man stares at John... it's disturbing.
"You're an interesting soul, Watson," Moran blows a puff of smoke down at his face. "Maybe you'll ripen instead of going rotten like all the others..."
Fighting back an urge to shiver, John glowers at him, "Piss off, Moran."
He is about to limp away, feeling the weight of his gun against his trouser pockets when Anthea stands next to him, offering to carry Harry's body.
"I'll lead you to the surface," she say, her hands tender as they hold his sister's hands. "There is something I need to discuss with you anyways—"
Anthea never finishes her sentence.
Because then they hear the scattered stampede of footprints, claws and screeches and among them, the howls of a wolf.
-
The fog has changed voices again. It's taunting him, are you enjoying the game, Johnny boy? Because the endgame begins now!
-
It's not witching hour yet, John thinks at first. And then another thought, what happened to the bells? But they're underground, perhaps the clock tower's chimes don't reach so far below the city. It hardly matters now, not with the vicious growls growing closer.
"Run!" Sally yells, rushing into the tent to get Soo Lin. Her warning is drowned out by the snarls that rumble and shake the ground. The fog around them blackens so darkly that the fire is extinguished and Jim's floating orbs of light are like dull fireflies trying to navigate through thick clouds of mist. There is barely enough illumination to help them see where they are running, but it is enough to see the features on the demon's faces.
For the first time in his life, John thinks that it would have been better to be left in the dark, because the creatures are the most grotesque things he has seen in his life. He doesn't think he will ever be able to describe how they look, a combination of red flesh and bone for skin, constructed together into menacing and towering monsters with sharp teeth and glowing eyes. Even as he glances up and sees hints of skeletal limbs peeking out of the demons, like they are personifications of human corpses.
Then John blinks and they no longer look that way, they are serpentine-like things, with black and rigid scales that resemble human thumbs, their eyes ooze out crimson. When he blinks a second time, they are humanoid figures with skull faces and human heads making up the rest of their bodies. He feels like he's going to be sick from the flashing and contradicting images.
"Don't look!" Anthea yanks on his arm and forces his head away. "Jim can't turn off the lights once they're made but if you stare for too long, you'll go insane!"
He still feels as if he is going mad, but his mind is clearer without the distraction of demon images flashing through it.
"Right, we need to run, John. Do you understand? Don't confront them in the light. Just run. And remember," she pulls him close to hiss in his ear, "the only way to kill a demon or a witch, is to use a weapon that's been touched by their blood or tears. Don't try to fight them. Just run."
She pushes John away and he wants to ask her how she knows this and why she didn't mention it sooner in front of the others, for surely they could use the live saving advice? But then he sees Moran in the distance, his own gaze also oozing crimson... and he knows.
"Find Sherlock!" Anthea's voice echoes in the flickering of shadows and light. "Find him and break the curse!"
"Anthea—"
John catches sight of her rushing to the weapons pile, pulling out the two pistols with both hands, her phone safe in her bra. Several of the creatures (don't look, John, don't look) swarm around her, but she just shoots at them consecutively and for a minute, John thinks that it won't work. The demons grab at her, tearing at her skin but then they go rigid and they... and they...
And they fall.
It's the first time John has seen a demon fall without specially regulated government weapons (weapons that the soldiers so rarely get access to, that the notion that demons are immortal and unable to be killed became accepted as fact.)
A weapon that's been touched by demon/witch blood or tears.
They advance on John while he's distracted and he shuts his eyes to avoid becoming caught in their appearances. He rushes away from the thundering stampede, the litany of screams (and laughter, there is so much manic laughter), growls and ripping of what he hopes is not flesh and skin. Harry's body is heavy in his arms but he refuses to let go.
The demons are faster than he is. John hates his limp more than ever when he hears them all around him, surrounding him for the third time in the fog. His fingers itch for his gun and he resists the urge to lift his eyelids, to peek at the world in red and black.
If he has to charge through the line of creatures—of things—standing in his way, then so be it, John decides, but he's not leaving without Harry.
His hands grab the edges of one of the sheets curled around his sister's legs and he throws it up at them, hears the cloth fluttering for just one frail heartbeat in the air before it is torn to pieces and he is running again (always running.)
But his sister isn't there anymore. He feels the weight of her body lessening and when he glances down, he is horrified to see that it is shrinking away, bits of her face and lips already faded like dunes of sand. Her corpse slips away into bits of dust—the day is over, of course, and the dead don't really stay dead in Old London, they'll be back again...
He thinks he can hear them now, the bells, sounding out from all angles and surfaces around him, pointlessly trying to give tempo to the unharmonious sounds of the monsters chasing him, the monsters that tear at his back as he ducks past them, squinting only barely so that he can see where he is going.
Hello again, Johnny boy, the fog cackles.
Piss off, he replies furiously, piss off and give me my sister back!
The noises are everywhere; they surround him so that he cannot tell where the next creature will be. It's the damn tunnels and ricocheting noises. He can't tell which snarls are real and which are mere ghosts of something already said. The gunshots are faint, but it tells John that Anthea is still alive. As he shuts his eyes again, to avoid going insane from staring at the demon's true forms, he's reminded insanely of Sherlock and his blindfold.
The random thought makes him almost laugh aloud. What he wouldn't give to have Sherlock's uncanny ability to move without his eyes right now—
"It's the beast!" John hears Sally screaming from far behind him, while Soo Lin has shouting the most profane insults in Chinese at the monsters. "Don't let it touch you! Run as fast as you can—"
The beast? He nearly turns back, morbid curiosity burning in his mind, but the soldier in him orders John to keep moving.
"John, look out!"
His eyes blinks open in surprise, blinded by the dancing shadows and light, the haze of demonic forms at in front of his sight. But he doesn't focus on that. They are unimportant, blurred away because—
The wolf howls when it lunges at him, and the next thing John remembers is staring into Siraj's jaws, the teeth clamping down on him.
-
"I keep hearing these rumours," John tells Mrs. Turner, the third day that he has moved in, "about the dead zone."
His landlady tenses. It's the first time that he has brought up anything to do with the sphere of black fog that has swallowed the center of the city. John remembers that she is still half-convinced that he'll change his mind and move out.
"I'm just curious," he adds quickly. "Didn't hear too much about Old London back in the army." He'd only heard about the hoards of demons, increasing reports of soldiers picked off in the desert.
Mrs. Turner fiddles with the next two rows of her knitted jumper that she is making. "Well I suppose there's no harm in it. What would you like to know?"
"The beast," John says. "People whisper about it... and I've never heard reports of a beast in other dead zones. Why in London? And how do we know it's there?"
Mrs. Turner turns around, checking conspicuously around the corners, as if there might be eavesdroppers listening in. Witches are tricky and with what little information the world has of them, the old superstitions are never frowned upon.
"That's because the beast came first," she whispers to him, the hollows in her cheek more pronounced.
His eyes widen. "I'm sorry, what?"
She starts to knit furiously, her head shaking as she replies, "I won't say anything more, but that's what they all say. The beast appeared before the fog and they say it still roams there to this day. The folks that used to live in this area would talk of howls in the night... demons don't howl, not like the beast does. It's an eerie sound that inspires nothing but dark things. That's all I know."
He nods slowly and thanks her for telling him.
"Why did you want to know about the beast, anyways, darling?" She pauses in her knitting.
"No reason," John says, "just heard some things when I was out walking."
What he doesn't tell her is that sometimes the fog will keep whispering until he begins to scream. Sometimes the fog whispers so much that the only noise that seems to make it stop is the blood chilling howl that sometimes echoes in his dreams.
-
The wolf holds him in its mouth, throws him up in the air and catches the back of his coat with its jaws so that John is hanging out from its teeth like a cub. John gasps, feeling uncomfortable that his collar is pressing up against his neck while his legs dangle a few inches from the ground.
"Siraj," he gasps out, "Siraj!"
But the wolf does not respond to John's name for it (not that it knows that it's been labelled as Siraj yet) and instead growls at the line of demons blocking both ways of the tunnel. John can still hear Moran laughing, remembers that man's eyes flashing like a cat's—
Then suddenly the wolf plunges forward, knocking over the creatures as Siraj rushes into the calling darkness, Jim's lonely spheres of light left far behind. They are back in the dark again but Siraj seems to know where they are, because within a few moments, John is breathing fresh air again. The stagnant taste of the sewers is gone from his mouth and he can feel the fog more strongly here, pressing against his skin.
It is still cackling at him, cackling like the mad hatter.
And John cannot see through it. Everything is pitch-black save for the wolf's grey/blue/green eyes.
They are still moving. Siraj turns swiftly, left, right, right again, left. John can hear the demons still pursuing, can still picture the way they had looked (no, don't, don't think of that again, Watson, or you'll claw your eyes out—) He wonders if Soo Lin, Jim and Sally managed to survive. He wonders how far Anthea can run before her bullets run out. And Harry (no, don't think of her, just find Sherlock, find Sherlock, he had promised—)
John chokes again, feeling his coat collar being pulled on as Siraj leaps down another winding road to the left (the sinister path) and he yells, "Stop! Stop, Siraj, stop!"
The wolf doesn't listen, or maybe it hasn't heard him and so he reaches up to pull on the wolf's fur and it growls at him.
"Let me go," John chokes out, "I'm not a wolf like you. At this rate, I'll be accidentally strangled by my own coat!"
Siraj moves left once more, his growls more pronounced in what John thinks may be a narrower alley. It's difficult to say with all of this running in the dark. John thinks he might have to try to communicate with his companion again when the wolf drops him against a pile of soft trash bags.
The noises and demons are getting louder, closer.
As John is coughing, the wolf nudges him with its nose towards its back. When he gapes at it, Siraj glares at him and barks sharply, pushing him as much as it can with its head. The hoard is coming.
John looks up and meets its eyes, transfixed by their odd colouring before he climbs on.
-
Riding the wolf is different from anything he has ever experienced. Siraj moves with such speed that John feels like he is hugging onto the wolf's back for his own sanity, his cheek pressed against surprisingly soft fur. He can feel Siraj's pulse matching up with his own, beating faster and faster the longer that Siraj runs. John can barely catch his breath; there is nothing but black and noises.
The only thing that is real to him is the wolf and so John holds on.
-
He hears familiar creaking and groaning of wood boards and metal pipes when Siraj takes one final right turn. John would recognize those intense and deliberate creaks from anywhere. Its 221B and the flat sounds like she is humming a horrible medley of one of Bach's fugues combined with Beethoven's fifth symphony. Somehow the strange mixture of creaks and bangs is fitting and, John finds, oddly comforting.
There is also the startling conclusion that the wolf has deliberately led him here of all places...
"Siraj," He begins, voice muffled against the wolf's fur.
But the wolf is growling menacingly at something in front of them. John can't see it (and it kills him, not being able to help, being so blind) but he pulls out his pistol anyways, aims it straight ahead despite how useless it will be.
There is nothing but silence, silence and breathing and Siraj's protective snarls before—
It attacks from the side, hitting Siraj and consequently knocking both wolf and man to the ground. John hisses, his fists scrunched tightly against his companion before Siraj jumps up, running again, the thing, whatever it is, rushing behind him.
Siraj gives out a loud howl, this one on a different tone than the others and then John hears a door slamming open, Mrs. Hudson shouting, "Sherlock, John, in here!" while 221B makes the loudest crashes and bangs John has ever heard—
They crash into the floor, against the rugs, knocking over little tables holding various vases. There is the sound of wood snapping, probably the railings of the stair case and somehow John has ended up sprawled underneath the wolf, hidden from sight as the wolf lashes out at the thing/demon/creature/god-what-is-that that is tearing into the front lobby, ripping out bits of wallpaper.
"Mrs. Hudson!" John sees her unconscious, probably knocked out when Siraj charged into the hallway, by one of the candles (why is there light in the flat?) trying to crawl away from the thing that has grabbed her leg. He tries to get up, fumbling for his gun but the wolf snaps at him, pressing him down on the floor with its paws.
The entire flat seems to revolt, that is the only word to describe it, because suddenly all of the ceiling crumbles down on top of the demon. The tiles on the floor lift up and tie the demon down on the ground, wrapping around it's (Skin? Scales? Fur? Flesh?) body and squeezing tightly. John hears 221B's clatters and shouts as the tiles move the contained demon against the wall.
He sees knives floating in the air, glinting in the candlelight and then—
There are screams and there is blood, but none of it human.
-
The door closes shut as the flat calms down; its favourite residents and only humans safe inside. 221B seems to sigh as the blades float back into their proper drawers and a calming hum seems to echo in the flat. Only the thing that is dripping and nailed to the wall with kitchen knives serves as proof that they had nearly been eaten by a demon.
John only listens to his harsh gasps, staring up at the wolf who regards him neutrally.
In the candlelight, he can finally see what his wolf really looks like.
Siraj is huge, just as he thought it would be, with black fur that is not ragged per say, but wild and untamed with familiar curls. He can see how its face would be menacing, with the sharp creases of its forehead, the enormous ears and the way it is quick to bite down one of the demons, tearing it apart with its claws. Drool slips down from its mouth as it bares those gleaming white rows of incredibly sharp teeth.
The wolf continues to stare at him, waiting for something but John isn't sure what. He raises his hand; it isn't trembling anymore, and brushes the wolf's cheek, feeling the familiar curls. He hasn't looked away from those eyes yet. They are so bright and familiar that no matter how hard John tries to dig up the memory of where he's seen them before, he can't.
He remembers Sherlock, those blindfolded eyes and hair the same shade as this wolf's fur. He remembers how Sherlock appeared in 221B that morning, covered in blood but mostly unharmed (not my blood, John), recalls how Sherlock had to be outside during witching hour...
His mouth dries and all John can do is wet his lips.
"...Sherlock...?"
The wolf flinches and tenses, a growl already forming from his throat. But his eyes, oh, his eyes, are so intense like John has been laid bare in front of him.
They stare, some kind of tension that John can't name building up between them until—
The wolf nods, his legs bent as if to crash through the door if need be. But John presses his forehead against Siraj's nose, wrapping his arms around his neck. He thinks of everyone reliving the same day, of Harry, of Soo Lin's prayers against evil, of Anthea and of Sally's warnings. He thinks of 221B, Mrs. Hudson and Molly and the witch that is watching all of this for his own amusement.
He feels the wolf stiffen at such gentle contact and then he hears the soft whines as Siraj (no, Sherlock) wraps himself around John protectively, and that's how they stay until they drift off to sleep.
-
Interlude: Soo Lin
-
"Now don't run now, I have a job for you two... a very special job," that bastard laughs as he walks towards them. The demons run after them, they always chase.
Soo Lin and Sally do not stop to look back. Anything is better than becoming a piece in Moriarty's sick game.
Sally drags her into an empty corridor, where the sewers lead to the London Underground. They've memorized the routes months ago (though it feels like several centuries) in case of a demon ambush. But they've never had to use it, not with Sebastian Moran's gift to ward away the demons.
Soo Lin berates herself again. She should have known. There is no such thing as a gift that can make the demons go away. It was too good to be true. She was a fool to trust any other outsiders. But as Sally guards her back, Soo Lin retracts that thought. Not all of the outsiders here are like them.
Their breaths intermingle. It's strange how fear is heightened when all you can see is black. Soo Lin had thought that she could grow used to it, the witching hour, but she never does. She is as blind and terrified as she was the first night she spent in Dead London.
Her large shovel and pocket knife stay clenched in both hands. There is nothing else that they can do now. Only stand in the dark and listen.
Listen and pray.
There are demons that walk around in human skin, her old boss Shan used to tell them. You must never trust anyone you meet. You never know if they are monsters in disguise, excellent mimics of human emotions. There are very few ways to distinguish between a demon and a human client. Memorize them well.
How do you know? Her brother (oh how she loves and hates him) had demanded.
Shan had smiled eerily. A witch has no heart, no heartbeat at all. A demon... well, demons have no human desires. They only want enjoy the thrill and pain.
"How did you fake it?" She asks foolishly, "How did you fake a pulse?"
The witch clicks his tongue at her.
"There is so much you can do with a demon at your side, my dear, including... borrowing his heart. Such a simple spell, really, all witches use it. Shame you humans have never picked up on that..."
"You bastard...," Sally says from behind her.
"What was the point of this?" Soo Lin demands. "Pretending to be an outsider? Helping us survive for the past few months? I don't understand what you have to gain. Your messenger told us that we were disqualified from the game! We didn't beat you—"
But they'd lost, apparently, though Soo Lin isn't sure what they lost at. And as the losers, they run from the demons until they are eventually killed by them. But last that Soo Lin checked, the witch has never gotten involved in the chase.
He is laughing, high pitched and gleeful. It reminds her of General Shan, the way that woman's eyes lit up with pleasure when Soo Lin screamed.
"What other reason is there?" He drawls before he suddenly shouts, "I was bored!"
Soo Lin points her knife in that direction, startled by the ferocity in the witch's voice.
Something slithers past her leg and Soo Lin slashes down her knife. She only meets air. Sally, likewise, is attacking at nothing but empty space.
"What do you want, you fucker?!" Sally screams into the black.
"Oh nothing," the witch sings in a falsetto tone, "just to use you to destroy the latest player, to kill John Watson."
"But why?" Soo Lin breathes, remembering her conversation with the ex-army doctor, his far-off eyes. "You invited him to play. I thought you were having fun with him, another one of your demon friends."
A flash of light blinds her and Soo Lin gasps as the witch grabs her throat, a cruel glint in his manic eyes, "I didn't invite him!" He roars, while Soo Lin can barely register her own surprise (What? But the fog... then who...?) just as he throws her to the floor.
Sally is shouting, trying to stab the witch herself and the only thought that runs through Soo Lin's head before she feels something hit her across the face, is—
Summary:
Notes:
Chapter Text
"You should never let a witch near you, Johnny," Harry tells him as they curl up under the covers, sock clad feet tangled with one another. The lights are off and John can't make out anything but the plump round of Harry's cheek from the subtle sheen of the silver moonlight. Above them, the wooden wind chimes begin to sound as a creeping breeze brushes through the open sliver of the window.
John hugs himself and the little stuffed dog that his mother bought for him. Its name is Gladstone because the stuffed animal's fur is grey like the little pebbles that he likes to collect from the river and he likes to think that his friend is happy. He can hardly make out anything other than the gleam of Harry's eyes from beneath their checkered quilt.
The rain is steady, a light drizzle at the most, keeping rhythm with their breaths.
"Why not?" John asks, because Harry is six now, much more wise than himself by two years. "Are witches bad?" He wonders, because he's noticed how tense his parents become at the mention of such creatures. No one seems to like the very mention of them. It seems rather lonely. "Can't we make friends with one?" It would be amazing, he thinks, having a friend who could levitate things or change your eyes to different colours.
Another gust of wind blows through the window, letting a light layer of cloudy rain dampen their heads.
"But why?" He holds Gladstone more tightly, finding comfort in his soft fur against his cheek. "I don't understand."
His sister bows her head so that their foreheads are nearly touching. "Because they'll steal your heart away, John, and... eat it for their own."
John recoils back, little legs nearly dangling off the side of the bed. "Eat it?!"
"Yes," Harry nods gravely.
He shivers, curling in against himself, as if it will protect him. Gladstone is pressed so tightly to his chest that the little stuffed dog can probably hear his bones trembling. "I don't want anyone to eat my heart, Harry. Why would anyone want to do such a thing?"
His sister shifts closer to him, putting her hand against his so that their fingers are intertwined.
"I don't know, John," she says while the rain begins to fall in heavier beats against the roof, "Maybe because they have no hearts of their own."
-
He feels warmth wrapped up all around him, breathing in tune with his heartbeats. It's nice. He's surrounded by the light scent of cigarettes, sweat and pine-scented shampoo. There is something crisp and fresh about the combination muddled with a masculine husk. He hasn't dreamed at all, only a steady darkness around him that is comforting and not at all frightening like the fog. He hasn't slept better in years.
John shifts sleepily. His lips brush against something smooth and cold at the touch. The enveloping warmth wraps around tighter and John hears a familiar baritone murmur from overtop his head, "I see you've awakened."
Instinct makes John move to push back, but as he opens his eyes he can see Sherlock's signature coat there, wrapped around them both as a warm layer. The man in question has one thin arm wrapped proprietarily around John's waist while the other is studying one of John's hands with intense scrutiny.
Or, at least, it would be intense, if John could see Sherlock's eyes.
He blinked up at him in confusion. "Sorry, what did you say, Sherlock?"
"You are wearing my gloves," the man says instead, his head craned low as if he is looking down at him. There are scars on his cheeks and rips in his shirt, claw marks from the demons.
John has that familiar rush in his veins, like he is back in Afghanistan, a needle in hand while his gift flows through his hands, gunshots in the air. "Um, yes. You gave them to me to wear. Yesterday. Sorry, wait, I guess it was a few days ago..." He frowns, the events from the past few days slowly flowing back, though he is still groggy from slumber. That's unusual. He's usually wide awake. "Do you want them back…?"
"No!" The outburst is sudden and the gentle touch on his hands tightens into a death grip. "No," Sherlock says again in the familiar and aloof tone that John is more familiar with though the grip remains. "I gave them for you for a reason. You… you are something else entirely if I gave them to you."
Part of John is wondering if Sherlock always asks the men he wakes up with these questions. But the idea of Sherlock Holmes lying with anyone disturbs him and John dismisses the thoughts. His brain catches up to the implications of Sherlock's words and John draws his face away from the other man (or at least tries to, Sherlock is strong for a scrawny looking one), saying, "You don't remember me?"
He thinks he can hear 221B's tiny creaks, as the flat listens in, it's breathing in tune with theirs. He doesn't think that he has ever so anticipated an affirmative answer.
But Sherlock says, "No," and it vanishes like a passing wisp of smoke.
"Oh."
John tries not to let his shoulders drop. He feels all of his wariness, the stresses of the day come flying back. He's been injured, attacked by demons, he's met outsiders and… (what else?)
"I suppose so," John replies as casually as he can, in this position. "Being forgotten can do that to a person."
Sherlock tenses around him. "You know me."
"Well, yes."
"No, you know me. You must know what I am if I've given these gloves to you. The way you speak to me implies familiarity with my personality, my vices. You're comfortable enough with me that your old war wound doesn't act up until you're disappointed or worn out by old traumas. Despite knowing what I am, you are still here and you look at me as if… Just what are you?"
The question stays in the air between them. John feels pinned to the wall, a butterfly with clipped wings. He parts his lips, tries to think of a retort, when finally the events from the night before come rushing back.
John sits up abruptly, or at least tries to. Sherlock's arms squeeze around him tighter but John shakes his head, pushes back against Sherlock's chest and shouts, "Mrs. Hudson! Is she alright? I saw her fall—god, I'm such an idiot, should have checked up on her—but," he turns his head, wiggling in a mess of limbs, "where is she? I saw her land over there..."
But the space is empty. No sign of Mrs. Hudson. Everything has been straightened out, no thread out of place from the carpet. The candles are back on the mantels, each peeking string unmarred from fire. In fact, the demon's whole body is gone, vanished, with only the deep knife marks on the wall as the only evidence that anything monstrous was in the building.
There is a shuddering sound and John realizes that it comes from himself. This time when he tries to get up, Sherlock's arms twist him around so that the other man is on top of John.
"Where are you going?" The infuriating man demands.
"Sherlock!" He very much hisses up at him, "Come on, we need to find Mrs. Hudson. She's hurt—"
"No, she's fine for the most part, some bruises here and there but 221B has assured me that she'll make a full recovery. 221B's moved her to the bedroom upstairs—"
"Well then I need to see her, I can help," John turns his head towards Mrs. Hudson's kitchen at the end of the lobby.
Sherlock's hands grab the sides of his face and move his gaze back. "Don't be ridiculous, John. 221B will take care of it—"
"I can heal, it's my gift! She'll be up and about if you just let me heal her so—" John stops, mouth left open in surprise. "You said my name."
The madman snorts. "Of course I did. Even I know that it's custom to refer to others by their birth names."
"But you don't remember me and I never introduced myself to you... again."
Sherlock's body tenses overtop of John's. He sees the madman's lips open in a quiet 'o' before Sherlock jumps off, pulling John up by the wrists. The coat falls off of them, prompting a shiver from John. It's drafty in the flat, the chill of the fog lurking out their door. It makes him think of dark shadows, of Harry, looking at him just before the knife—no, stop, no.
The temperature warms up a few degrees automatically. John says a quick thank you to 221B before he is yanked towards the staircase.
"This is it!" Sherlock rambles in excitement. He has his coat draped carelessly over his shoulder. There are crumpled pieces of paper falling out, with notes of 'Moriarty' and 'fog' and 'curse' written on them. John supposes that this is why Sherlock didn't immediately attack him when he woke. He must have seen the gloves, been curious and looked for clues in his pocket. He knew himself well enough to have the foresight to place the clues there. John can't help but marvel in the simple genius of it.
He is stumbling after the madman, being dragged by the wrist. John almost trips on the last two steps, narrowly missing drawers and knocking over vases of dead twigs.
"—I looked over my notes," Sherlock is saying as he leads them to the wall covered with papers and clues, "but there is no mention of your name in them. Yet I knew that the name John Watson just seemed... right, natural somehow, for you. When I woke, I felt at ease with you despite the fact that you look very ordinary and mundane—oh, don't glare at me; you know it's true with that jumper of yours—"
"I like this jumper, Sherlock," Mrs. Turner put her heart into making it. John is proud to wear it. But that isn't the point. "Shouldn't we be getting to Mrs. Hudson...?"
"—Not yet, John," The man continues, dismissing John's inquiry.
But John can hear the promise in Sherlock's tone and so he waits. If Sherlock and 221B say that Mrs. Hudson isn't gravely injured then he should listen to Sherlock's explanations.
"The curse is a complicated one. There seems to be two spells at work. I have a suspicion of what they are but without knowing what the daily 'puzzle' I'm to solve is, I've no idea. There are no notes on that area," Sherlock purses his lips in irritation, throwing himself down on the sofa. He still has an iron-like grip around John's wrist and so John ends up crouching awkwardly by Sherlock's face.
"Hang on," John frowns. "How do you know what spells might be at work? I wasn't aware that anyone knew anything really on witch magic."
"Don't be silly," Sherlock snaps though his answer is muffled against the plush red cushions. "There are a lot of papers published on the subject that the public isn't privy to. Even without that, it's quite easy to deduce and learn the way magic works if one merely observes and knows where to look. Before the curse, I was a consulting detective for Scotland Yard. I made it my business to make my mind a store hold of all information necessary to solve my cases, knowledge of magic was a necessity. Quite obvious how to recognize a curse once you know the signs."
John is gaping again. "Brilliant," He says honestly, relishing how wonderful it is to be around Sherlock again. He could listen to that baritone speak for hours. "And," now that he thinks about it, "That's more information than you were allowed to tell me last time we saw each other. What do you suppose that means?"
Sherlock shoots up; his nose almost pressed up against John's, "Really? So the effects of the curse are already beginning to wear away... my memory, the strength of the rules... John, do you see what this means? You could be the one, you could. All you have to do, if my hypothesis is right, is—" But Sherlock stops, his animated gestures paused in midair. He frowns, "But you don't know what I am, do you?"
He tilts his head. "You mean that you're what they call the beast?"
John isn't sure how the curse works. But he suspects that Sherlock turns into a wolf during witching hour... that maybe, he even hunts. If it's demons or outsiders that he hunts, well, John isn't sure. His mind is numb at the latter, disbelieving. Sherlock can't be the one sending body parts to the other side of the fog; he can't be the one eating and devouring souls, not if he saved John.
It's the demons. (It has to be.)
But John doesn't ask.
The detective twists his fingers over joints of John's hand. He appears to be deep in thought, his brow furrowed and again, John wishes that damn cloth wasn't covering his eyes. Maybe then, he could read the other man.
Sherlock laughs darkly. "They called me a beast even before the curse... It doesn't matter. Come, we should attend to Mrs. Hudson." He gets up, tugging John forward again but John stays firmly in place.
"You're not a beast," he breathes (believes, believes it so much), "and anyone who says otherwise is a prick."
The grip around his wrist tightens.
"That's because you don't have all of the facts, Doctor," Sherlock replies clinically. "If you did, then you wouldn't jump to such conclusions about me."
"Well fuck the facts," John snaps. "They're not important." He ignores how Sherlock's mouth falls open in indignation, "I know you." It's presumptuous to say so when he's just met the man a few days ago, but he feels it in his blood. He knows him. "And I know what it is to be around real beasts. I fought in Afghanistan, for god's sake. The monsters are the witches and demons, people who get off on killing and torturing others. Not you."
Sherlock's lips tighten into a thin line.
"...You have too much faith in me. You'd do better to leave it all behind."
"Well, I won't," John replies.
They stand there, hovering next to each other, before Sherlock slips his fingers down to intertwine them with John's. The layer of glove is the only thing that separates them.
There are a lot of things that John wants to say. He just doesn't know how to.
-
Mrs. Hudson's room is decorated with various fabric petals and roses in vases set on embroidered silk. They almost see vibrant and are a welcome change of colour from the dreariness of the outside world. Her room is simpler compared to Sherlock's with photographs of herself and various friends. John sees a grumpy Sherlock standing in one with arms crossed. There is another where the detective is smirking with his arm around his landlady.
To John's surprise he also catches sight of a photo with Mrs. Turner and he wonders, if he had asked, would Mrs. Turner have told him about her old acquaintances in Old London? Sherlock ignores all of the pictures, muttering something about sentiment, before he kneels by Mrs. Hudson's bedside. The keeper of the house is lying under a mountain of soft knitted quilts. White cushions are gathered around her head as a guard from all things.
John can't help but think of his mother and father, lying against the white of the coffin box, as if they are sleeping.
"Her pulse is steady, breathing's normal," Sherlock says though his teeth are bared when his fingers trail over the dark bruises around Mrs. Hudson's arms. That's where the demon grabbed her, made her fall.
Silently, John leans in, puts his free hand above Mrs. Hudson's. He can feel Sherlock observing him intently, the way 221B's walls are quivering with anticipation. It should bother him, break his concentration, but John finds it soothing to listen to. As in a trance, listening to the lulls of his gift, his fingers touch skin.
He can sense every vein, every artery and capillary flowing through the patient. He can feel her hormone levels, how she hasn't been eating properly for the past few days (and she should be, John berates himself for not being here earlier.) His gift stretches out and finds the crushed blood vessels, the bruises that have barely begun to repair themselves. They are so intricate, every pattern of interwoven red lines.
John sees the tattered ends of each blood vessel like a scar on his own heart and he reaches out (there's no other word to describe it really) with his gift to bring the broken ends back together. His gift is gentle, coaxing piece by piece into weaving itself back together.
He is whispering. He does that, says soft things and murmurs of encouragement. His gift doesn't force anything to heal without the patient's permission. If anything, he only encourages the healing process to happen faster, gives it the energy (his) to come back together. It's as natural as breathing to him.
No one liked it when he talked to their injuries. Some found it soothing, in the end, but most of the time, he is given hard stares. "Do you always have to... whisper like that?" They ask him, especially in medical school, when he had assumed that was what everyone did. "Healers don't whisper, Watson," his professors had said, "they only put the veins back together."
The students took it as an omen at first, avoided him for the most part, but since he was a damn good doctor, they didn't have much to complain about other than "he whispers like a witch." In the army it didn't matter. In the army the soldiers need the whispers, need a voice to ground them back to earth.
His sister used to look at him fearfully when he did this, going into a trance, staring off tenderly at a scrape while whispering for it to get better.
"It's like you've gone away from me, Johnny, I don't like it," she had explained the first time she refused to let him heal her.
(Would he have been able to close up her knife wound if he had been on time? Would he have been able to save her if he had looked hard enough, hadn't been entranced by Sherlock, had tried to— Stop it, Watson, focus on the patient, his gift tells him. There is nothing else but the patient.)
Of course. John shoves all thoughts of last night, of outsiders and witches, of demons and curses, of sisters and glassy eyes, into the farthest corners of his subconscious as possible.
He heals. That is all he can do.
-
When he is done, it is as if ages have passed but John knows from experience that it's only been a few moments. He stares at Mrs. Hudson's unmarred skin. He can feel the delighted trembles in the floor beneath, 221B is overjoyed. John offers a small smile. Fatigue seeps into his demeanour as always after he uses his gift but relief overpowers it, makes John slump backwards on the carpeted floor.
Only he doesn't fall. He ends up leaning against Sherlock, who is saying his name over and over in hurried panic.
"I'm alright, I'm fine..." More importantly, Mrs. Hudson is fine, alive unlike his sister, wandering around in the fog, walking and then... John swallows. "It's just been a rough few days," he says. He remembers then that he was wounded earlier in the side. What little energy he had left has gone to Mrs. Hudson. A cup of tea would be nice.
The shutters snap open and closed at least a dozen times.
"You are not fine, Doctor Watson," Sherlock snarls at him and for a minute, John sees the wolf, growling at him to get on his back. He remembers its eyes of shifting colours. Such big eyes you have... such sad eyes... It's a shame to have to cover it up.
"...I'm sorry..." He says then, hand crept back up to brush against the detective's cheek. Sherlock freezes at the touch of gloved hands.
The detective leans forward and then away, mouth hovering on the edge of unformed words. "...John...?" His voice is oddly hushed, unsure.
"...I'm sorry that you're cursed... Sorry that I can't seem to figure out how to break it..."
"No, no, John, that's not true, you are... you are...." Sherlock makes a sound of annoyance moving so that he has his arms around John's shoulders. John drops his hand and looks up. "What happened?" Sherlock asks in a controlled and neutral voice.
The dismissal of emotion should hurt John, make him feel more isolated. But it doesn't. Sherlock's clinical manner has a very calming effect on John's tired mind. It lets him lay back and just spill out his thoughts when he wonders if he shouldn't do the same for Sherlock. But the detective makes an impatient noise so John tells him.
"I came here to find my sister." He blinks back the burning at the back of his eyes. "She's dead now."
-
It isn't like his sessions with his therapist.
John tells Sherlock everything from the day he got shot at Afghanistan up to the point when the wolf came into the Underground to fetch him from being devoured by demons. Part of him knows that Sherlock won't remember this tomorrow morning. Sherlock will forget like he does every night when witching hour comes unless John can recreate whatever happened that second day in the fog, when somehow Sherlock's memories from the day before returned. But John has no idea how that had happened.
But this Sherlock, this one seems to trust him. This one listens, doesn't even comment negatively when John feels that he wants to. His fingers clench against John's wrists painfully when John tells him about his injuries, about the demons and strange run-in with Moran and Jim. His lips twitch dangerously when he hears about how Mrs. Hudson got hurt. But he lets John speak freely and openly, probably cataloguing all of the information into his brain for later.
John doesn't cry, nothing of the sort, though he wants to. He's not afraid to admit that he wants to. Sherlock doesn't offer any additional comfort other than a body to lean against.
They are two people, sitting in the dark, leaning in with each other, breathing in the things left unspoken while 221B creaks and listens.
-
When John reaches the part in his story, where he discovers that the beast and the wolf are Sherlock, Sherlock bolts up, almost making John's head bang against the wall as he shoves past him to pace back and forth.
"No, you idiot, don't apologize! Just explain, explain what it is you are. Why, where, what, how is it that you've come to me and... and you're the one but you can't be, because no one accepts the beast, how could they? How could you? And even if you could, you can't possibly accept—"
"Sherlock—" John begins to stand.
"Stop it, you dolt! Sit down, you're exhausted! And don't try to offer me your pity. I don't need it. I don't need anything. You should be angry, angry at me, the curse. It's because of all of this that your sister is dead."
John stops. He's not sure how he's still able to breathe. His veins are screaming, emotions running rampant in his mind (Harry, Harry come back, you're not really gone, are you...?) Even 221B is quiet, no creaks or trembles to be heard.
"...That was a bit not good, wasn't it?"
"Sherlock, this isn't your fault," John says instead. "It's the witches. It's Moriarty. I would never blame you, not when you're the victim in this as well. We'll find a way to break the curse. Didn't you say that it's already fading?" John adds desperately. "What more do we have to do to make it go away? What do you think?"
They are at an impasse, so close (but to what?) Sherlock's jaw clenches, he moves towards John—
And then the doorbell rings.
-
"Who is that?" John reaches for his gun, just in case. The only ones it could be are the outsiders (but they don't know where the flat is, not in the fog), the chosen (but are they allowed to come here, besides Mrs. Hudson?) and then... the witch.
For a ridiculous moment, John hopes that it is the witch, so that he could shoot a bullet through Moriarty's brain and enjoy the look of surprise on his face. But then the witch would just come back. He doesn't have the right weapons (not yet.)
Sherlock is striding out of Mrs. Hudson's bedroom and towards the stairs before John can speak. He follows him closely, bringing up the rear while a series of fire pokers and other sharp objects seem to float after them. 221B, it seems, isn't going to risk another demon coming into her territory again.
He almost walks into Sherlock's back when the detective stops suddenly. Sherlock whirls around, pushing him back towards the foot of the stairs.
"Stay inside, John."
Before John can argue, Sherlock dashes to the door. The detective looks briefly through the eyehole, though it's rather useless in their situations. Outside the dead zones, on the good days when it is 'almost sunny,' one can make out the details of their guest's face. But on the bad days, it's a blur, only menacing shadow. John imagines that in the dead zone, it looks darker.
But Sherlock mutters, "Male, about five foot eleven, doesn't seem to be carrying anything heavy. Desperate movements. Seeking shelter or help perhaps. Wait, I recognize the shape of his silhouette..." He shouts, "Inspector? Is that you?"
They wait but then, half a breath later, a muffled shout replies, "Yes, god damn it! I know you probably don't know what the hell is going on yet Sherlock, or maybe you do being the bloody genius you are, but you need to let me in. Hell is running through London right now!"
"How do I know this isn't a trick? That you aren't Moriarty in disguise? Or being threatened by him so that he can gain entrance into the house?"
"For fuck's sake, Holmes. Your mad flat would eat me if I was a witch, not that it hasn't already tried to drown me once, you remember the last drugs bust. Now stop being a prick and open the bloody door!"
Sherlock frowns, turning his head towards John. Without the benefit of eye signals, John has to whisper quickly, "Can we trust him? Is he one of the chosen?"
"My notes indicate so. There is only three: Mrs. Hudson, Molly and the inspector."
"But we don't know if the witch uses the other two, since Mrs. Hudson is safe in 221B," John concludes. Molly had certainly been used as a distraction to trap him before. She called herself 'The warning' but John can't help but wonder her real role in all this...
"Let's see what he wants."
Sherlock is still. "We could be playing into Moriarty's hands."
"Well, it's better than sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves, and in my case, not knowing the hell I'm doing. Not very interesting," John readies his pistol, points it at the crack where the door will open. Behind him, 221B keeps her knives and fire pokers in midair.
The detective shakes his head, a smirk on his lips. "Very well then."
He opens the door.
They don't need to attack anyone because as soon as the inspector gains entrance, he points outside, "Look. Just shut up, and look."
-
The orb of light that is floating above the city has fallen. It looks to be on one of the towers, maybe even the Big Ben, but John can't be sure. It's... darker now, even though it's not witching hour. This fog is steady and several shades darker than before. John can't see across the street anymore.
But he can hear them.
The people, all of the people who had been stuck in their bodies repeating the same day over and over again are...
Well, they're running, running and screaming.
John can't see the exact shapes, only blurs and definite human-like figures running and crowding against each other. It's a madhouse accompanied by the sounds of broken glass and blaring cars.
Some are trying to find their children, muttering that they need to find the edge of the fog and run away. Others insist on finding their old homes and boarding them up so the demons can't find them. Then there are those who shout and scream and cry because they don't know how to react any other way. Years of being trapped, now suddenly able to spout out all that suppressed agony? John can't blame them.
And then there are the few who are clamouring about, shouting that something needs to be done. They have to get out, get out, in whatever way possible...
"Find the witch!" Someone shouts. "The witch and the beast! Burn them both!"
"Kill the beast!"
"Kill the witch!"
"Burn them both!"
The inspector shuts the door behind him just as John sees the eerie faded glow of fire being lit on shadowy sticks.
-
"You see the problem now?" The inspector demands.
"Yes," Sherlock replies.
"Alright, then what the hell is going on then?"
"It means, Inspector Lestrade, that the spell is beginning to fade... and Moriarty is going to start his counterattack."
-
They retreat upstairs. John takes that time to quietly observe the inspector. Lestrade is taller than John by a few inches, appearing to be in his late forties or so. He has silver hair and an honest look which is more than John can say about most people. The way Lestrade holds himself is casual at first glance, but John can see the weight on his shoulders, the bags under his eyes.
This is a tired man who has soldiered on for a long time.
221B has tea ready for them on a tray when they get to the sitting room. The tray floats towards Sherlock who ignores the tea entirely and takes the pot of sugar to pour some down his throat before wiping it on his sleeve in a wolfish way.
"This never gets any less creepy," Lestrade eyes the hovering tray suspiciously before reaching for one. The tray trembles in happiness which makes Lestrade jump back a bit, nearly colliding with John who is last up the steps.
"221B is just happy that someone is getting nourishment around here," John tells him gently.
Lestrade turns towards him, as if just noticing him and blurts out, "Who's this then?"
John straightens up, offers a hand, "Hello, I'm—"
"He's my doctor," Sherlock interrupts, ripping notes off of his wall and rearranging them as if it will stimulate a connection in his brain. It probably will (at least they hope.)
"John Watson," he says his name so that the inspector won't be confused.
But Lestrade doesn't shake his hand. Instead he seems to be gaping at him, looking back and forth from John to Sherlock. "Don't tell me that you're... you're the outsider? Are you responsible for all this?"
He hesitates, "Well, I'm not really—"
"Inspector," Sherlock snaps, "tell us exactly how this all came to be so far, every detail."
Looking annoyed but all too used to this kind of behavior, Lestrade gives John one final suspicious glance before he moves to stand by the window. John, deciding that he might as well take a cuppa as well, sits down on the sofa. Sherlock is as still as a mannequin in a shop display, waiting.
"Well," Lestrade begins, "I'm not sure how much you remember, Sherlock, or what you've written down..."
"Assume that I know everything about the spells."
Another irritated twitch makes its way to Lestrade's brow. The inspector takes a deep gulp from his cup. "I'm one of the chosen. I bring you to the location of the puzzle every day and I watch the..." He glances at John again, frowning, "...the beast, make sure that... it... doesn't try to end the game before all the requirements of the curse are filled."
Lestrade appears ill at admitting this role when John knows that this situation is anything but the inspector's choice. Nevertheless, Lestrade glares hatefully at his feet.
"Anyways," he goes on, "it's been normal for the past few weeks, at least normal for the dead zone. I can't leave my office except to lead you to where the puzzle is or when its witching hour and I have to find the beast. But the past few nights the beast has been, well it hasn't reported back to me. I can't find it no matter where I look and then today, this morning I saw people moving about freely, screaming, running. That's when I tried to step out of my office... I thought I'd get knocked out or turned into a frog or something but... nothing. I could just... walk."
Slowly the inspector lifts his head back up, the tired lines on his brow more pronounced than ever. "The fog is still out there and the light, well, it's fading. I thought it was a bad sign, so I went to find you."
John feels his throat go dry and any lingering appetite for tea vanish. Lestrade seems very sincere about his motives. But there's something else, something that the inspector isn't telling. John isn't sure what but he senses that it's personal and that it haunts the inspector as Afghanistan (and Harry) will always haunt John. Maybe it's the reason why Lestrade seems so determined to help Sherlock.
"Do you know what the puzzle is?" Sherlock asks bluntly, his tone cool.
The inspector opens his mouth but no words come out. "Damn it!" Lestrade slams the cup on one of the drawers beside him. Several knick knacks and Petri dishes fall off onto the floor. "I can't say."
"The curse seems to be holding strongest at the center this puzzle. If you can't tell us about the daily puzzle, when you've broken other rules today, then that tells me that the puzzle might be the key," Sherlock frowns.
"Well then we should go and solve it," John says.
Lestrade and Sherlock turn towards him, Lestrade's face wide-eyed while Sherlock scowls at him. "Don't you think that I would have solved it already for the past thousand days I've been trapped here? There's something about this puzzle, it's not an ordinary one. That would be too boring for Moriarty, too boring for me. He would do something dramatic, something to ruin me completely until I was backed into a corner..."
"Absolutely not!" Sherlock roars at them. John and Lestrade gape at him. Sherlock storms towards John, piles of reports and glass cases falling and shattering on the carpet, but he doesn't care. He grabs John by the shoulders, "Don't you see? That's what he wants. He wants you to see it. He wants you to see it and then go away, and I won't let that happen. There has to be an alternative, some other way of defeating him and I'll find it, I swear that I will—"
"Sherlock, I can help—"
"If he's the one," Lestrade also intervenes, "then you have to let him—"
"Well I don't want your damned help!"
John has no idea what to do, what to say, to make things right between them again. Sherlock won't let him in, won't tell him what is truly bothering him about the Moriarty puzzle. Or maybe he can't say but John knows this isn't the case. Oh, Sherlock could tell him if he wanted to.
He just chooses not to.
"Sherlock..." John puts a hand against the detective's chest, "...Please just—"
"No, John," is the soft reply. "I refuse to play in Moriarty's games anymore. I am not a dog that will be at his beck and call. No, we'll make him come to us."
This change in plans makes John pause, makes his blood quicken with adrenaline. "...How...?"
His detective bares his teeth again and John sees the wolf. "Moriarty's rules are crumbling because of you, John. He can't force me to solve his puzzles again and with Lestrade here, he won't have anyone else come to fetch me. No, he can come to us..."
Sherlock brushes his finger against John's cheek.
"We wait."
-
"221B," Sherlock says to the air, "make sure that our defenses are still strong. I don't want there to be any gaps that Moriarty could sneak through and attack. Check the traps in the front lobby. They may be damaged from that demon intruder from last night."
Lestrade is on his feet. "Demon intruder? But you don't get intruders!"
"Well we did," Sherlock snaps. "And have no worries, its dead now."
John frowns in the midst of Lestrade's protests that demons cannot be destroyed, at least by human means.
"Last night... how did 221B kill that demon...? I thought that only..." He waits, unsure if he should repeat Anthea's words. Only weapons dipped in a witch's or demon's blood can kill them. "Come to think of it," he recalls, "I thought only Mrs. Hudson could communicate with 221B. How are you able to understand what she is saying?"
Lestrade seems to want to say something but Sherlock makes a violent gesture towards him that makes the former inspector stop. So Lestrade gives a glare and returns to peeking out the window every five second interval.
Sherlock gives John the same biting smile from before (How is it that you know where we're going? No offense but your blindfold...) only this one is more menacing. But maybe John just can't see Sherlock without seeing Siraj as well anymore, maybe he doesn't want to. "We have a bond, 221B and me. She is a special dwelling for which such a bond is necessary, that is how I am able to understand her."
"Right," it probably has more to do with the spells that Sherlock researches. John has a ridiculous picture in his head of Sherlock pouring random chemicals into a test tube and then feeding them to the pipes, only for the flat to come to life because of his antics. It's an amusing scenario, one that almost makes him burst out in giggles. 221B is a living flat, it somewhat make sense that her tenants would need to have some kind of magical link to her.
"What kind of flat is 221B?" John asks. He feels awkward and a bit rude for talking about 221B when she's present with them but he has no way to ask her the question himself. Maybe she could write on the mirrors or something. "I mean, you don't come across sentient flats every day, do you?"
Now John finds himself wondering if London, both New and Old, is filled with different living buildings. It's a city rich with history. John wouldn't be surprised now if this were the case.
He thinks that Sherlock is about to answer, or would have, if not for the abrupt and collected knocking at the door.
Tap tap tap. Pause. Tap tap tap. Pause. Tap tap tap. Silence.
They tense, all three of them, before they hiss, "Moriarty" at the same time. Then they are rushing to the window, jumping over clutter and piles of books to pull back the curtain. Lestrade beats them to it, having thrown them as far apart as possible.
Fog greets them on the other side of the glass. But the shadows, the figures of human shapes and things, gathered by the door of 221 Baker Street are unmistakable.
John has never wanted to shoot something as he does in this moment. His finger is twitching on his gun. 221B rattles her knives. They surround the three of them protectively and, John suspects, are crowded in front of the door.
"Alright, what do we do?" Lestrade whispers. "He's here, right on your front step!"
"Don't open the door," Sherlock orders, "or the windows. Just ask him what he wants."
Lestrade nods and leans against the glass. He yells, "Tell us what you want!"
For a moment, there is no answer. The fog on the other side deepens and slithers. It whispers to John but now, he can't make out the syllables. Yet perhaps his pulse is beating to loud in his ears for him to hear anything else but Sherlock right now.
There is a high-pitched laugh, one that is hauntingly familiar to John. He frowns, goes to window to get a better listen but Sherlock pulls him back behind him.
"It's rather simple really. Someone is ruining my game. I do hate it when people cut in. It's awfully rude," the witch laughs, though the sound is muffled through 221B's walls. It sends shivers down John's spine, how normal the witch sounds, and yet on the edge of that laugh is a chord of insanity that John has not encountered before in any human being.
"Cut to the chase," Sherlock snaps.
The witch pauses. "Well, your little pet has certainly dulled you so, Sherlock darling. I don't think I like this. I don't think I like this one bit. In fact... I might do something very bad, something that might hurt the city you tried so hard to save..."
"Oh for fuck's sake, get on with it," Lestrade mutters with John's agreement.
"Give me John Watson, Sherlock," Moriarty says in a pleasant tone. "Give me the intruder and I will let your city live another day."
John chokes on his breath. 221B shakes the floor in anger while Lestrade splutters that there is no way that they can possibly give in to those demands. Sherlock only points two fingers up, in the shape of a pistol, in Moriarty's direction.
"I'm afraid the answer is no."
At first they don't hear an answer. There is a hush, so subtle that John thinks that the fog is holding its sighs, its moans, just for this one moment.
Sherlock tenses, "That spell!" Before he turns around to the door way, hands wild and grasping for John, "Leave immediately—"
John barely has time to protest when Lestrade turns on them with a knife hidden up his sleeve. The inspector's blade cuts Sherlock across the chest, a bright red scar trailing after the wound.
"Sherlock!" John shouts, rushing towards him. He needs to heal him, make him whole again—
"NO, John! Don't come any closer! They're under another curse, all of the Chosen. I should have seen it, I should have known..." The detective hisses out in pain.
"What are you talking about?" John wants to ask, to yell. He thought they had this under control. He thought the Chosen were on Sherlock's side. They seem to be old acquaintances, friends even, of Sherlock before the fog.
But when Lestrade tries to grab John, to drag the knife over John's side, he can see it.
There (just as with Harry in her death) in Lestrade's eyes are true fear and self-loathing. His lips are moving in the shape of 'I'm sorry' while he tries to resist his body's movements.
His hands are trembling, clutching so tightly that his nails dig into his own skin. Lestrade is struggling with his jaw, trying to say something, anything besides what Moriarty wants him to do.
Because it's Mrs. Hudson (can't hurt her, not can't, impossible) and the sight of her, using one of her knitting needles to cut him where his wound is makes his weak leg crumble. It's one moment's falter but that is all she needs really.
She knocks the gun from his hands to put handcuffs over them but she cannot stop crying, her eyes just as glassy.
-
"I made Clara kiss me," Harry tells him one day, when he is finishing up his medical degree, when the whispers linger (but these days he can't tell if they are the whispers of his colleagues or those in his dreams.)
John perks up, a smile breaking over his weary face. "That's wonderful! I was wondering, I mean, with the way you've been tiptoeing around her instead of just using the direct approach as you always do... I suppose that's why she's been grinning all day?"
Harry is uncharacteristically silent and it makes John nervous. Harry is only ever this silent (like their mother) when she is thinking of the gift, of the drink. She's been sober for over a year now, more like the little girl who used to hold his hand and tell him stories at night. He's frightened of losing her again.
"...Johnny?" Harry whispers. She doesn't move from the kitchen table. There is just something so lost heartbreaking about her expression that John sits up and walks to her, lets her lean her head against his jumper. It seems so long ago when she did the same for him.
"...What is it?" He asks cautiously.
His sister lets out a long breath. "Do you think that these things we can all do... these gifts... make us some sort of witch as well...? Do you think that we're just as inclined towards bigotry and mayhem and sadism, an urge to hurt others because we're not really human, we're witches?"
John nearly backs away from her in shock. But he doesn't, because she needs him to lean on. "Don't say that! It's not true, who told you that?" He'll give them a talking to; no one says that to his sister. God, he knew that people were frightened by Harry's ability but they've never actively persecuted her before—
"But it is true!" Harry shouts. "I made Clara kiss me. I looked into her eyes and I wanted it and I don't know if she did or not, but I thought it, I thought kiss me and she did! Doesn't that make me just as monstrous as those things out there? We think that the gifts are so useful, but they're just a sign of our sins. We are witches—"
"No!" John throws his arms around her and buries his head against her shoulder. "No, no, no, no, that's not true. I talk to Clara. We're friends. She's wanted to kiss you for a long time. In this case, even if you did use your gift, you were helping it along. And I know you don't mean to use it to abuse others. That's what makes you so good, Harry. You're my sister. I'd know if you were a witch."
He's babbling. He knows this. But he needs to find a way to convince her, to show her that it's alright.
John reaches for her wrist, has her feel for her pulse, the steady beats that are there.
"See?" John says desperately. "You have a heart. I'd know if you didn't. I'd know."
-
"We can't have the demon house interfere," John hears Moriarty say from outside the flat. "Burn it to the ground."
That's when the smoke drifts up towards them. John can smell it growing stronger, spilling into each room and ravenously eating any air that is there. The heat rises up, smothers him in the face none too gently. He thinks that they have about five minutes before the whole flat is consumed in flames.
221B is screeching. The knives she had are quivering. They had been ready to skewer Lestrade in a heartbeat, but not Mrs. Hudson, certainly not her... Sherlock is shouting hoarsely at the flat, telling it to move away before the enchantments and safeguards break, before everything is revealed but the flat stubbornly brings all the furniture it can and gathers it around Mrs. Hudson and Lestrade.
The Chosen are still being controlled. They try to get away but 221B moves quicker. The floorboards rip from their nails and wrap around each person. More and more floorboards, chairs, plates, gather up in a protective dome around them both.
John is dragged to the side, struggling to get the handcuffs off. He looks up hopelessly, sees Sherlock pounding at the walls wildly.
"Get away from here, you stupid flat!" The detective shouts. Fire has begun to poke out of the door, it's hungry limbs bleeding orange on the walls. "You can't protect them from Moriarty's spell; they'll end up hurting themselves under his power no matter what you do. You have to get out or everything will be ruined!"
But 221B doesn't listen. She creaks and groans some sort of response, dust falls down in fragile wisps, as if to run through Sherlock's hair one last time.
The detective's eyes widen.
He whirls around. "John. John, you need to get out—"
That is precisely when Sherlock Holmes collapses, clutching at his chest.
-
It's like seeing Harry die again and John isn't even aware of how fast he bolted towards the detective. There is a raw ache at the back of his throat, but why? Oh, he's been screaming, screaming so much that his vocal chords are feeling the strain.
His hands find their way to Sherlock's shirt. He sees the blood from Lestrade's knife, its bright red but something has darkened it, mixed it with black. A poison?
(It's going to be fine, Sherlock, everything is going to be fine, he is whispering to the broken cells and veins, I'm going to sew you back together, you'll see—)
John tears off his gloves with his teeth (stupid handcuffs!) He reaches for Sherlock's wrist just as the detective shouts, "Don't!" just to feel a pulse, just to know that Sherlock is alive.
Skin touches skin.
Sherlock's eyes widen, not just in horror, but remembrance, as memories and memories of the past few days with John Watson come flooding back.
John is staring at him with numb shock, trying to comprehend how all of this came to be.
Because he is holding Sherlock's hand, he is a doctor; he is trained to know how to do this. Because Sherlock is still breathing in front of his very eyes, despite the tremors and gasps.
But there is no pulse.
-
Interlude: Lestrade
-
Lestrade remembers, he remembers everything.
-
"You can't be serious about hiring that... that freak to work with us at Scotland Yard," Sally crosses her arms.
"Well he found the murderer, didn't he?" Lestrade asks. "We finished up the case at least three times faster with him helping out. Sure he's odd and completely unbearable to work with, but he gets the job done."
"But... but he knows things," Sally protests.
"Yes, about your affair with Anderson, we all know that—"
"Not just that!" His friend grits her teeth. "I mean about spells. He knows an awful lot about curses for a normal bloke, don't you think? Isn't that a bit odd and suspicious? No one knows anything about witchcraft and yet here he is, a walking expert on the subject."
"Well maybe he used to be a researcher for the government. You know how it is with political blokes. They have to know everything. They probably know more than they let on to the general public," Lestrade shrugs. "Nothing wrong with that."
"You can't be serious, sir. What did you see when you shook hands with him?" She demands.
Lestrade scowls and puts down his mug. He swings his feet up on the desk and grumbles, "Nothing different than what I usually see. Some shoplifting as a kid. Unpaid rent. That sort of thing."
-
"You always see the good in people," his first wife shakes her head when he walks in on her in bed with another man. "I just don't understand it; how you can trust me, trust anyone with that bias in your head. There isn't any good anymore. Not in the fog. You shouldn't look so betrayed, dear. This was bound to happen."
And maybe it was.
It's gotten him beaten up and almost killed on more than one occasion. Lestrade can feel things in people when he touches their hands. He can see the most horrible things they have ever done (shoplifting, lying, fraud, murder—) but he never wants to believe it. He used to think those images were nightmares when he was little but he knows better now. They are crimes of the past, present and future.
He saw his first wife cheating on him when he met her. But he was convinced it was a trick, a lie, some side effect of an insane gift he's never understood or asked for.
This is the moment where everything falls into place for Lestrade, and he walks away.
-
He lied to Sally about what he saw when he shook Sherlock's hand.
Lestrade sees nothing, nothing at all.
Instead of becoming apprehensive about the anomaly, Lestrade is instead pleased that he can act normally around another human being without knowing his or her darkest secrets.
Though it is odd, how much detail Sherlock will reveal about some of the most baffling curses he's seen in his life. It really is. There's a morbid glint in his eyes as he talks about the victims splattered on the ground, an excitement, almost...
Sherlock's just a weird one, that's all. An unbearably weird one.
-
Lestrade is tired of knocking on the door only to receive no answer. He lets himself in (ignoring the shriek of protests from the hinges on the door, nearly tripping over furniture towered in front of the door. Sherlock is probably doing more experiments.)
Running up the stairs, Lestrade wonders how Sherlock can live in such a messy home. All of the colours for the walls and drapes are dark and crimson. They seem to rustle as he brushes past but that's just his imagination.
"Hey Holmes, I have another case for you!" He says, prepared to break down the next door if he has to.
It's already been left ajar.
Lestrade frowns and walks into the sitting room. He gives an unimpressed snort at the mess before he looks up and there he sees it.
Sherlock is crouching on the ground, finishing up a large circle drawn in red, one that Lestrade recognizes from so many different cases and murders. It's a spell circle, used by witches alone to cast more powerful curses. There are even candles and Sherlock is muttering something in Latin. The lights turned off so that only the glow from the candles provides any light.
Something falls behind Lestrade and he stumbles back right when Sherlock's head shoots up to look at him. There is a wild glow to his eerie grey eyes, and why didn't he notice that before? How Sherlock's gaze seems to flip back and forth between different colours?
"Inspector?"
"Don't come near me!" Lestrade shouts, practically runs out of the flat altogether.
Chapter Text
The soldiers play a game, in the nights when they have nothing to do in their tents but stare off into space and think. And thinking is dangerous territory after you've seen endless mounds of bodies scattered in the sand. Thinking puts many of John's men into shock, some into asylums or hospitals, muttering to themselves about demons and angels.
(But that's silly; there aren't any angels in this world.)
There are cards and some beer (if anyone has any.) They try to ignore the moans of the wind outside; try not to think of the constant fear that perhaps the next winds will bring more demons, more spells (or worse, the fog.) But for now it's just sand, sand that wisps at their fingers for a taste of human skin. If John closes his eyes, he thinks that he can hear the desert moaning with the wind.
They quietly go through a few rounds of cards, bodies tense despite the smiles on each other's faces, before someone will say, "What do you think a witch looks like?"
The newcomers will blink slowly, having never really wondered. Witches are blurry figures in their imaginations, things that exist in tales told in the night and in the dead zones. They exist in curses but no one who's been cursed ever has a consistent description other than brightly changing eyes, shadows enveloping their bodies.
"A demon with lion's teeth," one of them will say.
"A skeleton with organs trailing from its feet."
The descriptions get more and more ludicrous as the game goes on. It helps to laugh about it, to make up the most bizarre life form as possible if only to chase away the fear. John never participates, never adds in his own comments. He had asked his fair share of questions when he was younger, to his parents and his sister. They always answered with stories (empty looks or stories.)
But one day, Murray turns to him and nudges his shoulder, "What about you, Watson? What do you think a witch really looks like?"
Heads turn and look at their captain expectantly, assuming that he'll go along with the ridiculous nature of their game.
John stares at his bottle.
"I dunno," he shrugs.
"Oh," they joke, "you're no fun. Come on, Captain, what do you think they look like?"
He peeks behind him, to the outside of the tent, to where the fog is waiting beyond the desert. He thinks of Doctor Hardwicke, trying not to crumble, telling yet another patient that there is nothing he can do against a curse. He remembers wondering how anyone could be stupid enough to make a willing contract with a witch, how anyone could bear to look at them if they appeared to be monsters.
"Like anyone of us, I suppose, they just hide whatever unique attributes they have."
The game doesn't go on after that and no one looks him straight in the eye for several more weeks at hand.
-
Everything is burning but John can't stop staring at the wrist clutched in his hands, trying to feel for something that just isn't there. He's back at the first day he touched a corpse, felt its cool and hard touch, bones that would never move again. Lungs paused in anticipation for the beat that would never come. It wasn't until his father told him to breathe that John realized he had been waiting to hear that pulse.
But this isn't a corpse. These hands are warm and…
No, his gift is wrong. There has to be a different explanation, some kind of circulatory problem or maybe John is imagining things, maybe the tremors in his hand are interfering (yet they're not shaking, not at all, not in this stress) but—when you eliminate all other possibilities all that remains is the truth.
His vision is getting blurry. John feels so light-headed but he can't help but cling to Sherlock, to touch his face. 221B is screeching and screeching, her walls are falling, crumbling into dust and grime around them. It falls on Sherlock's face, covering the pale skin and rains against John's back. John thinks he can hear Moriarty's laughter growing closer and closer.
(He laughs like the fog, during witching hour.)
John blinks, snapping out of his haze. They need to get out. Find some water. Put out the fire. But Sherlock's safety comes first; he needs to get Sherlock out. John looks around, trying to find pins, something, to pick at the handcuffs. He needs them off.
Sherlock spasms, clutching at John's wrist so tightly that it might fall off. "John," he gasps.
"It's going to be alright," he says out loud, searching, always searching.
"...John... stop it, don't be stupid! Get out, you idiot, I'm fine—"
"No you're not!" John shouts, wrenching his hands from Sherlock's grip entirely. The detective's hands seem to freeze in midair, lost without something to hold. "You, you're bleeding with some kind of poison that I can't recognize and you've collapsed from blood loss. I can't even heal you; my gift isn't even working properly. And... and I can't even feel for a pulse, my hands have to be shaking or, or—"
"—John—"
"No, Sherlock, just let me take care of it. I just need to," he coughs, smoke caught in his lungs and poisoning his insides, "just need to—"
"Don't be obtuse, John," is the low murmur he hears.
"What?" Dizzy, he looks down at the hard frown that has made its way to Sherlock's face.
"There's no need to pretend anymore," Sherlock continues, his voice growing harsher by the second, "you know what I am now. You are like the rest of them. You can put two plus two together, can't you? Or is that too difficult for your tiny, little brain?"
John pulls back his hand, feeling the sting of Sherlock's words curling uncomfortably in his gut.
"But no, you can't be—it's a lie, a, a misunderstanding or—"
When you eliminate all possibilities all that remains is—no, stop, it's not true. Just a mistake. His medical training screams at him to perform CPR, resuscitate the patient in some way but his eyes can see that Sherlock is breathing… breathing… and yet Sherlock is so perfectly still that John isn't sure if he's hallucinating, mind playing tricks...
He's yanked down by the collar of his shirt. "Don't be an idiot, John!" Sherlock practically roars into his ear, the smoke seems to expand at the sound of his voice. "You can see it and now you're observing it, you know what I am. Don't deny your instincts!"
One of the light bulbs from the ceiling comes crashing down between them, spilling jagged glass over them both and scratching them with cuts. But John can't react. He can only stare at Sherlock's form, thoughts jumping up at him, each demanding attention.
He should run now, shouldn't he?
Fire licks at their boots. The air around them is boiling, should have burned them alive by now but 221B must be protecting them, still trying to use her own brand of magic to shield her humans. It's all John can do not to crumple in the heat and grime but he can't (won't) move from his spot.
"Oh get it through your thick head," Sherlock growls when he realizes that John refuses to react. "I am your enemy. I did all of this. I made the dead zone!"
John recoils, hands against the floorboards as he subconsciously backs away. The handcuffs cut into his wrists, make him hiss. Glass digs into his skin and his fingers brush against the abandoned gloves on the ground.
"No, no, you didn't. You wouldn't—" His throat is dry, clogged up from smoke and this, this feeling that is ripping through his chest, his head, and he wishes he couldn't feel it. He wishes he didn't feel so much and maybe it wouldn't hurt—
"I know you," John tries again. "You wouldn't do this, make this, this hell. Not for anything—"
"Well you don't know me, John Watson. You have no idea just what I am capable of, no idea of what I've done to this city," Sherlock's tone darkens as he slowly gets up, a shadow against the bright flames. "You should run while you have the chance."
"You're a witch," John finds himself saying, surprised that he can even say that much. Obvious. All of London might be burned to the ground at any moment and yet he's sitting here stupidly, waiting on an answer he already knows.
The blindfold seems to darken, despite all of the grit smudged against the fabric. Sherlock's lips twitch to say more but—but then—
The fire stops moving. It's still there, so very present, but it does not jump hungrily for more fuel. It lingers in midair as 221B's screeches are suddenly wrenched away from the background.
"Now that's awfully rude and ignorant of you, Johnny boy," drawls a voice from behind. The flames seem to pause in time at his words, waiting upon his command. "'Witch' is such a general term, don't you think? We're called warlocks because we're male... though 'witch' does have a nice and chilling ring to it, I do like that. Witch. A word to drive a human into tears. Yes, I can see why humans default to that term..."
He pauses.
"WITCH!" Moriarty roars at them all, delighting at the sound.
John turns around quickly, manoeuvres his handcuffed wrists to his gun, ready to shoot. But then he sees who is there and his eyes widen in surprise.
"...Jim...?" He whispers. "But I thought... Moran..."
But said man is standing next to the witch (not Sherlock), keeping a tight grip on poor Molly's wrist. The girl is shaking but she keeps her gaze pinned straight ahead so she can ignore the demon holding her. He is smiling dangerously at John. Moran watches John with a spark of madness, licking his lips. The shadows seem to weave back and forth around him in the same madness. John suppresses the urge to shiver. Moran hasn't changed at all.
It's Jim who has. The polite looking man from before is dressed in an expensive dark suit and tie. Though he stands unassumingly, there is no mistaking him for an average business man (Death in a suit, John starts to think hysterically.) While Moran's eyes are alive with madness, Moriarty's eyes survey the building paused in fire with calculation and amusement. The madness is there, John has no doubt, but it's cleverly hidden in the obsessive way Moriarty regards Sherlock.
(And the way his eyes glow red.)
"Moriarty," Sherlock snarls from behind.
Jim (Moriarty, the witch, the one who caused all this but what about Sherlock?) tilts his head. "Hi," He sings out. The flames flicker once but remain still. Everything is still, frozen, breaths held in anticipation save for the two witches, the demon and John.
"You missed our last date," Moriarty pouts, but the undercurrent of a threat is ever present. The flames flicker once more before pausing. "I was so disappointed, Sherlock dear."
"I have more important things to do then participate in your silly little games now," Sherlock growls. This time, the smoke seems to slither closer around them, blackening the space between the two witches.
"Oh really...?" Moriarty steps closer, the red tint in his stare gleaming brighter than before. "And why is that I wonder? Have you found someone cleverer than me to play with? Is that it? No, that's impossible. I'm know that there's no one on this pitiful world more brilliant than you and I. Are you bored of me? Are you?" Moriarty's soft and pleasant tones become a shout. "Or maybe..." He looks at John, "...you think you've found the one."
John scowls at Moriarty and raises his pistol up towards the witch's chin. His arm has never been so steady in his life. He can't kill any of them without spilling witch's or demon's blood on his bullets but he can make sure that this will hurt.
"Step away from us," He says, "or I will shoot you."
"John," Sherlock says in a warning tone.
"Oh do keep your mouth shut, Sherlock dear, or you'll ruin my fun," Moriarty snaps his fingers. The fire resumes its task, viciously eating up the walls of their flat, climbing higher and higher. John and Sherlock yell out in protest and then Moriarty raises his hand for the fire to pause. "Unless you'd like 221B to be utterly destroyed now rather than later, I'd zip it."
Sherlock swears under his breath but stays quiet. John glowers up at Moriarty and spits at his feet.
Moriarty laughs. It's different from Jim's laughter (all high pitched and melodic) now in a slower and deliberate tenor.
"Oh, you're such a cute little pet, aren't you? So loyal. So obedient. You humans are a real ignorant lot, always assuming you know all, especially you, Johnny boy, you pitiful and lost little thing."
He doesn't react to the jibe, keeps himself as impassive as possible.
"Trying to play the brave hero," Moriarty hums, "but never able to save anyone. Oh, you tried. Yes, you did. You heard that your sister was missing. You searched... and you searched... trying so hard to find her. You even went into the nasty fog, how noble of you. But," Moriarty smirks, "maybe not so noble after all. Silly and whiney Harriet, always going on and on about how unfortunate she is, how horrible life is to her."
John almost drops his gun. "Wh-what...?"
"Oh Johnny!" Moriarty scrunches up his face in imitation, but another voice comes out. A voice he knows all too well, "Why do we have to have these nasty gifts? Why can't I find someone who loves me without my power? Why did Clara break up with me? Why don't you ever make it better, Johnny? Why don't you take the booze away? Why? Don't join the army, Johnny. Stay with me. Make me better, Johnny. Make me better!"
If he wasn't on his knees already, he would have collapsed. "H-Harry?"
"You abandoned me the moment you had the chance! It's all your fault, Johnny, all your fault that I'm dead!" Moriarty finishes before letting out a stream of suppressed glee. "How precious, the relationship between siblings. How much they say the love when all they do is hate. Isn't she the most annoying tart? Oh," Moriarty sees John's clenched fists, "I made you angry. So sorry. But I'm right, of course. Didn't you run off to be a toy soldier to get away from her and her nagging and her drinking? Didn't you run away from her? Leave her? Kill her?"
"Stop it!" John yells, "Just stop it!"
He shoots, or he almost does, before his training kicks in and he regains control of his grip. His fingers are trembling again in slight tremors. He can hear her voice even now, accusing him.
Harry, Harry, I'm so sorry.
"Oh," Moriarty pouts, leans in closer with a soothing tone, "seems I've hit a nerve. Let me make it better. Of course you didn't kill her, Johnny boy. You only wanted her dead, gone. What difference does it make? You got your wish in the end. She waltzed off into the fog and then we witches had her killed. Sherlock here made the dead zone. I made the demons. It all goes hand in hand, no wonder she went mad. No wonder she died. Hm, seems that we did you a favour."
"Shut up!" John yells, dropping his pistol, "Just shut up, shut up, shut up! I want nothing to do with your kind. You've ruined this city, fucked up so many people's lives. Harry's dead because of you," but is she? Or maybe she would have been driven to... to... No, just keep going, Watson, pull yourself together—"Why should I have mercy for you?"
He's out of breath, all of his hate and bitterness thrown into that last outburst. All is silent and John closes his eyes, certain that this is the moment when Moriarty will lose his temper, burn them all but—
Moriarty starts to laugh. But this time, it's unbridled mirth and triumph. It's the laugh of a mad man who has won everything (the mad hatter who married the mad queen of hearts, off with their heads, off with their heads—)
"Do you hear that, Sherlock? See? He's just like the rest."
John gasps and he whirls around, sees how pale Sherlock has become, how his fingers clench and dig into his skin, the tight set of his mouth. "No, no, wait, Sherlock, I didn't"—but he made the dead zone—"I didn't mean—"
"Oh, but you did and now I think I shall let everything burn!" Moriarty bellows. "Sherlock is mine now!"
"NO!" John shouts, standing up to tackle the witch.
The fire returns. So do the screams.
-
"If you could kill one, how would you kill it?"
It is several months after that night of cards. Some of his soldiers still cast him skittish looks, bothered by the honesty that John always projects. "People don't like to talk about witches," he remembers Harry telling him, when he'd been scolded by one of his teachers for being too nosy about 'rotten devilry.' When he had asked why not, Harry had replied, "Well, because it's easier to pretend that they don't exist if you don't admit that they're real."
John looks up abruptly, eying the private sternly, "Excuse me?"
Private Collins, a shy bloke who likes to read Shakespeare before he goes to sleep, flushes but bravely continues, "I mean, if you could capture one, a witch. Wouldn't you want to make it suffer? Want to draw out how it dies, make it remember that it can't prey on us like we're insects—"
"I'd shoot it," John says sharply. "If it was threatening me or another human being directly then I'd shoot it and then run because there is no way to kill a witch, private. And even if there was a way, what you're talking about is torture, do you understand?"
The young man stares up at John as if he is seeing a demon in front of him. He splutters, reaching out to him, "But they're not like us. They don't deserve mercy; you can't torture something that isn't human! It deserves to be punished!"
"Yes, well maybe I'm tired of seeing torture everywhere in the fog, have you ever thought of that?" John demands. "They cause so much despair, so many people to suffer. We don't need any more of that, especially if we all claim to be as human as you're saying."
John holds his gaze, one hand fluttering over the hold of his gun by his side.
"There's nothing to wonder about. Just shoot them and run. That's all you can do."
-
At this moment (just for one stupid, weak and horrible moment) when 221B begins to splinter and the floor sinks down into the lower levels (into more heat and fire), when he hears Molly crying out his name, hears Moran shouting for more blood and Moriarty just breathing, he wonders.
Then John hits Moriarty with the back of his gun and rolls off of him without checking for unconsciousness. Glass presses against his cheeks before he jumps to his feet and looks wildly for Sherlock. Sparks catch against his jumper. He can't breathe with all the smoke and the heat pressing (slamming) against his body.
The fire looks as if it is beckoning to him with hungry sharp lilts of embers. It's already taken all four walls. John doesn't know where Mrs. Hudson and Lestrade are. He only hopes that 221B has kept them buried enough (but the flat is still screaming, shrieking, holding on so desperately that he just doesn't know anymore.)
"Sherlock!" John shouts, coughing as more smoke invades his mouth. There's only fire now, bright, bright fire. It stings at his eyes, suffocates him. He feels like he's already on fire even though the flames haven't tasted him yet. He wants to go back into the dark, back to the fog where it was cool and whispered to him. This light is too much, too much...
"John," He hears.
Suddenly something has grabbed his ankle. John panics, kicking at the unknown presence before arms yank him down, backwards and he is pressed back against a familiar chest.
"Sherlock—"
The detective (witch) slams his hand against John's mouth, shutting him up. John tries to say something, tries to struggle, but nothing about the blindfold gives away Sherlock's expression. Only the snarl and the growled 'stay still' hints at the anger in him, as Sherlock shoves something against John's hands, something leather and soft... wait, what?
John stares down at the gloves now covering his hands, Sherlock's gloves. He casts another desperate and questioning look at said man, but Sherlock only snaps, "Now you can run!"
"But—"
He shoves John through the away into the flames. John screams out, tries to crawl back towards Sherlock but another grabs his jumper, pulls him up—
It's Moriarty, blood dripping down his forehead from where John hit him. The crimson streaks glisten in the wild firelight, heighten the absolute loathing present in that gaze. He's the flames of insanity encased human form, letting John dangle just above the ground.
"I think that you're done playing this game, Johnny boy," Moriarty smiles, teeth stained in scarlet. "It's time for the grown-ups to talk alone now."
Moriarty blinks slowly, as blood trails into the white of his eyes. "Alright, I will."
The floors crumble into the eager flames that are one floor below. They jump up, nipping for John's boots. The subtle crackles of long orange tongues fill John's ears. He can see the hues of orange, yellow and deep crimson all coruscating around them, writhing and reaching, so hungry for more food...
And Moriarty throws him in.
He doesn't know who is screaming anymore.
-
He always wondered what the sunlight might feel like, if the fog and the darkness ever went away. He'd asked his mother and father that question countless times (What is the sun? What is sunlight?) and receive mixed responses, changed every time.
They thought that sunlight might be just warmth—warmth by a fireplace, warmth when wrapped up in bundles of quilts, warmth of a nice cup of tea when snow touches the earth. His father proposed that sunlight was just a layer of that warmth on skin, nothing too phenomenal or special. "It's pointless to wonder," Gordon Watson had said. "This is the world we live in, we must accept that."
But John always wondered. He'd curl up with his stuffed dog Gladstone by the fire, close his eyes and just imagine.
"This is sunlight," he'd say to himself, "this is what it feels like."
Now he falls into fire, thinks back to the story of Icarus who flew too close to the sun, the foolish soul who couldn't appreciate the wings he had, the foolish soul who let them melt.
Maybe this is what falling into the sun will feel like—infernos exploding, roasting his skin, eating up his flesh until he is nothing but unrecognized char. Maybe this is punishment for curiosity, for asking questions, for wanting the sun (because now he has it, now he can scorch into smoke from too much heat.)
Sherlock, he thinks. Even now, that's all he can make out in his thoughts. Sherlock.
The flames wrap around him greedily, lick around his limbs and chest.
It's warm. So very... very...
-
The fog whispers faintly, leaving a lingering caress on his cheek before the sound of sparking fire replaces it.
He groans, pain demanding attention all over his body. There is darkness everywhere or perhaps that is because he hasn't tried to open his eyes yet. They are heavy, too heavy for him to pry open. There seems to be so much pressing down on him, layers and layers of weight. He tries to move his feet, but they're trapped, as are his fingers.
"Come help me dig him out!"
Some of the weight is lessened, moving away from the surface. He hears yet another voice he recognizes, swearing. "Fuck. This is heavy," the second presence is panting. "You wouldn't happen to have a gift that could help us out, would you?"
"My gift is useless in the dead zone," the first once replies, "and Soo Lin can't help us with this either."
"Alright, then we go back to hard labour. What fun," the second grumbles.
The weights begin to shift again and he assumes that they're resuming their work. He frowns, tries to recall what happened to him. He's a soldier (or is he a healer?) and now he's no one. He's looking for his sister (but she's gone now) and he met... he met someone... someone important... there was light, so much light, trying to devour him but the warmth...
"Don't worry, Doctor Watson," the second voice reassures him, "We're going to get you out of here."
He knows them. Yes he does. It's... Sally? And... and Anthea, the first voice. They found him. He met them in darkness, he fought monsters with them... he...
And there was a beast.
Not a beast, never a beast. Just someone that he...
The flames are still crackling from all around but the warmth is gone. Is the world still on fire? Did he turn into ash?
He starts to choke when he feels smoke returning to his lungs. A hand steadies him, thumps on his back to clear his airway. It doesn't really take away the poison from his throat and makes him splutter out in dry heaves. Two pairs of arms grab his shoulders and pull him up so that he can regain his footing against pieces of charred wood and plaster.
"Steady there, Watson," Sally tells him from his right. "You were just buried under all that rubble since the fires started. Just take a breather. You're safe."
For now at least. But Sally doesn't mention that.
John blinks slowly, sees Anthea's tired smile and Sally's concerned expression. They're standing on the foundations of 221B or at least... what's left of her.
"...Oh god..."
With a strangled cry, John pulls himself out of Anthea and Sally's grips. He falls on his knees, running his hands through the pile of ash and charred glass. But he can't feel anything. Those damn gloves, still so pristine and smudged, prevent from being able to touch the flat's remains. He wants to wrench them off, wants to shout and scream but there's nothing. Nothing emerges but this dull feeling in his mind—
221B is still screeching in his mind. The sound of metal scratching against the blackboard, turned up to maximum volume. His eardrums throb at the
"I should be dead," John says, seeing what the fire has taken (almost everything) and what is left (almost nothing.) "I should be ash, so why... why am I still alive when...?"
"Oi, don't say that!" Sally yanks on his sleeve. "You should be glad you're alive, though god knows how you even survived."
"But that's just it!" John tries to shout at her, but his voice is hoarse from all the smoke. "I shouldn't be alive. That fire wasn't normal, it was something Moriarty made. Somehow, it killed 221B. She was supposed to have the strongest defenses against magic. She was supposed to be the one place that Moriarty couldn't enter!"
"...You talk about that flat like its alive or something..." Sally mutters to herself.
And now she's gone. Just like Harry, another victim of witchcraft, of the fog...
Someone kneels beside him and presses something into his hands. John looks up to Soo Lin's sad gaze.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she tells him.
He looks down at what she's given him and finds his throat constricting achingly when he sees the golden numerical plates that used to be nailed to the brick wall of the flat. The numbers 'two' and 'two' and 'one' plus the capital letter 'B' gleam back at him in a pile. He closes his eyes and remembers the fond creaks of the flat, the way she smashed the pipes to show her annoyance or affection.
"Me too," he admits.
"221B protected you, to her last breath..." Soo Lin explains in the same soothing tone. "It's why we found you buried under rubble. Even when she could have run away, left Baker Street to set up as a different house, she didn't."
She should have, he thinks. You stupid, noble and amazing flat. You should have left.
But he can only imagine the response that the flat would have. Perhaps she would shake the floorboards to remind him that she protects her humans because she wants to. (Because she was so fond of them.) Perhaps she would make him sit down and make him recover before jumping into another dangerous situation. John can almost feel her now, in his head, smashing the pots and pans together, telling him to save their detective and landlady.
He clutches the numbers until he feels the edges cutting through the leather of Sherlock's gloves into his skin. He presses a kiss against the first number 'two' that is stained with his blood and puts them all reverently into his jacket pocket.
I'll stop him, he promises her then, and I'll bring Sherlock back to you, 221B.
Then he stands up, helping Soo Lin to her feet. (She seems to have gained a broken ankle. Clinically, John makes a note to heal that soon.)
"Where's Sherlock?" John asks them all.
Pained silence answers him.
Sally turns her face away with a scowl but there is distress in her eyes while Anthea frowns and looks back to her blackberry again. Soo Lin stares at her feet before she says, "Moriarty took him. Moriarty took all of them."
John almost stops breathing.
"That can't be. What about Mrs. Hudson and Lestrade? 221B was protecting them at least. Have you found them?"
"No, Moriarty took them too," Sally says. "He needs them for his game."
"What game?!"
"Just look around you, Watson, and tell me what you think!"
It occurs to John then that they have more lighting and visuals than usual in the fog. Normally the air is several shades darker. He always has a hard time seeing his hand as more than a shadow when he stretches out to reach for something. He can see the buttons on Sally's jacket and the key pads on Anthea's blackberry with reasonable clarity, even from where he's standing. Soo Lin, who is leaning against a makeshift crutch, looks like a faded noir photograph that has slowly regained a hint of its colourful tinge.
It's as the fog is shrinking away, retreating to whatever world it comes from. But John knows that is not true. He can feel the fog still, tickling at his skin, his lips. He can hear the desperate (but now distant) whispers in his ears, barely distinguishable.
John opens his mouth to ask but then closes it when he sees the line of angry orange glow shining over the next line of buildings.
London is on fire.
-
"Oh my god."
He can see those same hungry tongues of angry orange climbing higher than all the towers and buildings in the streets. They light up through the fog, almost outshining the round moonlike orb that still hangs at the center of the city.
There are distant cries of terror, ones he didn't notice in his numb grief. They are everywhere, echoing around them, deafening the dying whispers of the fog. The strangled cries are accompanied by the haunting growls and ripping of flesh. John thinks he can even seen smears of red along the pavement, another lone body part peaking behind an abandoned car.
"He's turned this whole place into hell," Sally says grimly. "There's nowhere to run. We would have been turned into one of those people if Anthea hadn't saved us last witching hour. Soo Lin got her leg busted up really bad when we escaped Moriarty. He's just letting his demons loose, letting them run around and eat who they like. It doesn't matter if you're a player or an outsider or just one of the pawns now. The demons are coming for all of us and there's nothing we can do."
John gapes at her in horror.
"Then we need to find Sherlock, save him! We can't let Moriarty do this; we'll have to stop him!" John shouts, searching around for a weapon. Maybe his pistol survived the fire too.
"Save the freak?" Sally exclaims, hands on her hips. "I'm sorry if no one's told you yet, Watson, but that man is one of them, a witch!"
"I know he's a witch—"
"Then what the hell do you think you're doing? Why are you still trying to save him? He made this all happen. He made the dead zone. He's probably laughing it up with his pal Moriarty, enjoying all the destruction he's caused and you want to rescue him?"
"No, Sherlock's not like that. He's not Moriarty, he's—"
"They're all like that!" Sally roars, taking him by the shoulder and shaking him. "Every last one of them! They're all the same. They want to see you suffer. Those sick bastards get off on it, enjoy it. They take away the people that you love, make you watch them suffer..." Her voice falters, "They take everything away from you until there's nothing left! All witches are the same, everyone knows that!"
"Then I'm wrong!" John roars back, "Everything that I, that we, know about witches is wrong and we need to get over it, rescue Sherlock, stop Moriarty, stop the curse... stop..."
Soo Lin embraces him then, presses his head against her shoulder and whispers soft words in Mandarin. He wants to push away, but he doesn't. Instead he marvels at the wet spot on her jumper, wonders where the rain must be coming from.
God, is he crying? He didn't think he could anymore.
"...I know he's a witch," John settles on saying, "...but that doesn't mean he doesn't care."
"He doesn't care. Sherlock Holmes doesn't care about anyone."
But he does.
Sherlock's saved John's life more times than he can remember. He searched for Harry with John even though he wanted John to break the curse first. He tried to save 221B and Mrs. Hudson and Lestrade... He held onto John so many hours ago...
Except—
(I made the dead zone.)
"Sally," Anthea says quietly, "221B wasn't the only one protecting John from the flames."
Said woman raises her eyebrow in question.
Anthea points at the gloves. Sally goes still, watching them with an expression of disbelief, as if lead has been turned to gold. "He gave those to John."
John wants to question what they're talking about but a mysterious shake from Soo Lin tells him that they shouldn't interrupt the moment. Sally is shaking, looking more vulnerable than John could ever have guessed the strong woman to be.
She clenches his jaw and nods, "Alright, Watson. Fine. I'll help you. But I'm not doing this for him. This is payback. Moriarty is going to get what's coming to him."
He doesn't know what to say to this change of heart, only—
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
Another howl interrupts them and Sally pulls out a pistol, "We need to get moving."
-
The light from the flames eating the buildings parallel to them casts an inhuman orange glow on their faces, makes them look possessed.
Each woman, John notes, is armed with a gun of some kind, probably from the underground. John wonders if they're all loaded with bullets dipped in witch's blood, if they'll kill a demon. When he asks, Anthea only smiles.
"You're from the British Government, aren't you?" Because John remembers the rumours of someone in Parliament paying millions of pounds for volunteers to go into the dead zone, Sherlock mentioning someone named Mycroft hiring people to find him, Mrs. Turner whispering about witches in the government...
Who else could know how to kill one besides the witches themselves?
To that Anthea smiles again and hands him his Browning.
He doesn't ask how she found it.
-
"Where will Sherlock be?" John asks.
Anthea points to the orb of light that hangs from the center of the city. There, John can spot a swarm of dark and murky creatures flapping around the orb, surrounding it. Demons. "That's where we saw Moriarty and Moran heading with the hostages, when we were spying on you. We think it's the center of the spell, since it's was impossible to get there before on foot."
John recalls that. On his first day in Dead London he'd tried to reach that orb but it had always stayed the same distance away, no matter how much he walked.
"But now the curse has weakened..." Soo Lin adds.
"...It's possible to get there now," John realizes.
-
After John heals Soo Lin's ankle, they all move quickly through the streets. Sally takes up the rear, eyes darting for any attack from behind. Soo Lin supports John, putting an arm around his shoulder since he's been having trouble breathing (damn smoke) and his hands won't stop shaking. He's no good as a shot if he can't make his body stay still.
Anthea leads the way, her steps quiet and deliberate. They all seem to move according to the rhythm of their heartbeats, as fast as possible before something strikes.
It's their luck when they seem a dark (indescribable) shape, thing, monster leaping towards them against the hue of orange in the background. John yells at them all to get down but Anthea pulls out an assault rifle from her bag (AK-47, John notes numbly; he hasn't seen one of these since the war) and lets out a stream of gunfire which hits the demon across the chest.
The demon roars, one huge arm slashing towards them before it falls against the road. It bleeds out black and red, red and black. The colours swirl and change, making John's vision spin.
Soo Lin tugs at his arm and Sally pushes them both forward, covering their backs with a hunting rifle. They rush down the street, ignoring the groans of the thing left behind, the thing that is groping around and yowling after them.
Don't look. John thinks of shapeless things, things too grotesque to describe and just shuts his eyes. Don't look.
There's more gunfire. Anthea is frighteningly efficient with a soldier's weapon. Her face is blank as she shoots each demon in the vital areas. Her bullets stick and do not slip away from the demons. They leave the monsters struggling on the road, in bits and pieces or crawling helplessly after them. Sometimes John thinks that he sees demon parts scattered in half, still dragging their way towards future victims.
(They see a woman and her children unable to escape the monsters, screaming as they are torn apart and just as Sally and Anthea shoot it down.)
He tries not to think about it.
As Soo Lin throws a knife a yet another shadow that creeps up on them, John can only think about running.
-
"You said Moriarty captured you before," John says in between pants, when they're two blocks away from the orb. It's huge, a large sphere of eerie light, more luminescent than the moon. The trails of light radiating from it feel like misty threads of pearly fog, reaching for John's face. It hangs above St. Bart's hospital (of all the places) hovering over the rooftop.
He has to pry his eyes away to prevent himself from being held within its haze.
The demons are all concentrated on the rooftops of the buildings, hoards and hoards of them, all writhing and changing forms of black. They jump down on the few remaining civilians that haven't run from the area. Blood stains and body parts litter the streets. There's no fire here, only monsters. The fire is behind them now, setting the entire city alight in infernos.
Anthea leads them behind one of the shops, where they try to think of a plan.
"We almost didn't," Sally grumbles. "I remember fighting back while Moran was pinning me to the floor. They tried to give us this pill. I don't know what the fuck it was for, but Moriarty was going on about how this would make us help him kill you and how he'd have Sherlock all to himself, win the game finally... Then all of a sudden, Moriarty froze. He shouted at Moran to stop, that something was wrong; the curse was lessening or something. That's when Anthea came in with her gun and distracted them. I carried Soo Lin out of there and we all ran for it."
John's eyes widen. The curse was lessening? John couldn't remember what could have possibly happened during witching hour to lessen the curse. He had found out that Sherlock was (is) Siraj and said that it was fine... then he'd fallen asleep...
"They didn't send any demons after you?" John questioned.
"No," Sally shook her head. "I think they were distracted by whatever was messing with the curse. That's when Anthea suggested we go try to find you. Strength in numbers and all..." She peeks back outside to where the hoards of demon are prowling on the rooftops, waiting to pounce on whoever tries to step towards the hospital, "...but the odds of four to hundreds of demons is a suicide mission. We're never going to make it!"
"Well we have to do something," John insists. His mind runs through several different battle scenarios and tactics, none that would be remotely successful under these circumstances. He wishes Sherlock was here, if only to tell him that he was being an idiot.
"What?" Sally throws up her hands while Soo Lin frowns, "Should we walk out there and run for our lives, while the sky rains down monsters to tear us apart? I don't know about you, but that's a stupid plan."
"Then what should—"
"Quiet," Anthea orders, her stance tense.
They all look to her, confused. But Anthea puts a finger to her lips before she points out to the open, where she has been watching the demons on the rooftops.
Slowly, John, Soo Lin and Sally peek their heads out and see it.
Every demon on the buildings surrounding St. Bart's has stopped moving. They are completely still, as black and inky statues made of silhouettes, still taking on horrific forms in the backdrop of fog and firelight. But they aren't moving, aren't howling or growling into the air. They're absolutely quiet.
They're watching them. The demons are watching them, every head craned to their position.
Anthea loads up her rifle. "Right," she pets her pocket, where her precious blackberry is, "We might have to walk out there after all."
-
They walk.
The demons just watch them; their eerie and glowing gazes seem to pierce right through John. The demons seem to breathe in harsh subtle growls, hungering for flesh. John thinks that they might pounce on them at any moment, surround and eat them all before they can ever reach St. Bart's.
But they don't.
The monsters just watch them... just breathe on them...
Soo Lin holds on to John's shoulder, supporting him the best way she can, while Sally presses her hand to his back, watching the skies warily. Anthea keeps the lead at the front and tells them not to let go of each other, not to take their eyes off the monsters that watch them.
John doesn't answer. His hands quiver slightly over his pistol. He tries not to look at the demons for too long. He's has enough madness in his own head.
"...They wait on the witch's orders," Soo Lin guesses. "Perhaps the witch wishes to deal with us personally because we've escaped and defied him."
Nonetheless, they keep walking.
The monsters just watch.
That's all.
They watch.
-
They're just two metres away from the front doors when all of the monsters come to life and begin swooping down on them all, a dark cloud of ravenous locusts.
"Run!" Sally yells and they bolt towards the door. There's gunfire, yelling and scrambling. John nearly trips but Soo Lin holds him upright.
Somehow they reach the doors but they're locked shut. Anthea shoots the lock open and the four of them push in, shutting the entrance though they know that it will do no good.
"Where are the stairs?" Sally asks.
"This way," John remembers, leading Soo Lin with him.
Quickly they go past the lobby and towards the stairs rather than the lift. They can hear the screeching and echoing snarls outside. The doors slam down and now the demons swarm into the building, faster than human legs can escape.
"Fuck!" Sally shouts, shooting away at them, trying not to let Soo Lin or John get taken. "Hurry up and go!"
They don't need telling twice. John rushes ahead, since he knows the layout better and points to the entrance for the staircase. "There!" Automatically, Anthea slams the door open and then shouts at Soo Lin and John to head in first. Sally follows after, shooting like crazy.
Anthea closes the door, but when she turns around, they're not in a staircase.
They're on the rooftop... and Moriarty is leaning back on his heels with the most dangerous red in his eyes.
"Hello, ladies and Johnny boy... so nice of you to join our final game."
-
"How, how did we get here?!" Sally looks around. The orb is even brighter in person. It hovers ominously a few feet in the air, stretching out misty tendrils across the burning city. (Come to me.) Up close, John can hear the whispers as if they are being spoken into his mind, twisting through his head. He wants to step closer, wants to reach out and—
Demons flap around the light, screeching when too much of it hits them. They stay a distance away, watching predatorily.
Off to the side, Lestrade, Molly and Mrs. Hudson are standing like statues in a great hall. Their heads are pointed straight ahead but John can see the panicked looks in their eyes, trapped in their own bodies. A table is set up in front of them, with a pair of pills settled in front of each Chosen.
Moriarty and Moran stand just in front of where the orb hovers, shadows twisting around each of them, Moran in particular.
"Magic," Soo Lin answers while staring hard at Moran. "Demons."
"Where's Sherlock?" John demands, seeing nothing of the detective anywhere. He forces his features to remain blank but on the inside, everything is shouting, yelling Sherlock's name and the whispers from the orb, they're so damn loud now. (Come to me.)
"Oh," Moriarty shrugs, "Sherlock? Well, let's see... he jumped."
All of the colour leaves John's face. "W...what?"
No, he couldn't have heard that correctly. There's no way that Sherlock would... (He has an awful image in his head, of Sherlock standing on the roof of St. Bart's in world with a blue—actual blue—sky. His madman is saying something about a note into a phone, his madman makes him watch just as he says, "I lied" and then in the worst moment of John's life, he watches his mad man fall—)
"Oh no," Moriarty shakes his head. "Sherlock didn't want to play anymore. He NEVER wants to play anymore because of YOU. So instead of indulging in our last run together, he decides to JUMP and now he won't come OUT!"
No one says a word, only watches the witch pace back and forth, something unreadable in his movements. John almost recognizes it as something... something that...
"Oh but I have a plan... I was just going to let you all get ripped apart by Moran and his kin but I have a better use for you now, Johnny boy. I'm going to make you pay. I'm going to make Sherlock come back out to try and save you again when you come crying... oh yes... and I have the perfect way to make you suffer..."
Moriarty steps towards them, Sally and Anthea raise their weapons, preparing to shoot but then Moriarty says that spell again, the same one from before—
"Tenete corda eorum!"
Instantly, Sally and Soo Lin go rigid. John puts a hand on Soo Lin in alarm, shakes her, "What's wrong? What is it?" Anthea's eyes are wide, like she recognizes this. She steps forward. But Soo Lin only shakes her head as she slowly picks up her knife...
John jumps back, remembering how Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson were turned against Sherlock and him before. It's the same spell, but Soo Lin and Sally aren't Chosen, aren't one of the pawns. They're outsiders, aren't they... unless...
"You made them eat the pills," John begins to connect the dots.
"Oh yes," Moriarty cackles, "Clever of you, Johnny boy. I cast a spell, made them think they were still struggling so I could lure out Big Brother's little agent but then you had to interfere, Johnny. You had to go muck things up with Sherlock's curse just by existing. I don't like that very much, no I don't... now here's what's going to happen..."
He snaps his fingers.
Sally, Soo Lin, Mrs. Hudson, Molly and Lestrade all hold out daggers, have them pressed up against their throats. Anthea is grabbed by Moran and twisted in a tight hold. John cries out in outrage.
Moriarty giggles, "Oh, I'm going to have so much fun watching Moran tear you apart, Johnny boy... but first, I want you to do something for me or all your friends die."
John trembles with rage. The article that Mike and Doyle were talking about, those serial suicides that were so grotesque and impossible. The way Harry tried to tell him with her eyes what was really happening... "You're controlling them with the pills. That's how you made Harry kill herself."
"Ding, ding, ding! Another point for the loyal pet. Now to the fun part... unless you want your friends to follow little Harriet so soon?"
He can feel pleading eyes from all five of his friends, telling him not to do it. But he can't let them die... he just can't.
"What do you want?" John's voice comes out.
"There," Moriarty sings, "that wasn't so hard, was it? Now I want you to fetch Sherlock for me. Drag him out like a lunatic, if you have to. Bring him back to me and your friends can live a little longer before I let Moran play with you."
John feels faint. "But you said that he jumped... that he's gone..."
"Oh yes, he jumped into there," Moriarty points at the orb. It seems to shimmer all the more. (Come to me.) "Clever of him, really. But then that's what I should expect from my other half. It should drive a human insane to go in after him. I'll enjoy the results. Your insanity will bring him rushing out here and back to me...."
John looks back up at the orb again. It calls to him, more of the luminous and foggy strands seem to stretch out to him (but perhaps that is his imagination.) Its song irks and steadies him a combination of a violin's scratchy strings screeching at the night and a comforting nocturne in the night.
This is where the fog comes from, he thinks, from something so bright...
He is stepping towards it, tuning out Moriarty's monologues and taunts. His fingers rise, he's too short to reach it, that orb. He won't be able to reach it and then—
John is burning, he screams. From the inside out, he is burning, all gone, all white and red and blue and then, all the images, so much, so much—
John Watson jumps.
John Watson is gone.
-
Interlude: Sally
-
Studying (and then practicing) witchcraft is what kills her mother, makes her destroy herself in the constant pursuit of more power, more knowledge, more, more, more—
-
"The dark arts aren't something you just... learn," her father would say one day, when Sally asks why her mother abandoned them, why her mother changed. "There's something evil about them. You learn them... and then you want to experiment with it, want to try it and then you start casting spells. Curses. You want to do more—"
Sally hates that word.
-
She remembers tugging at her mum's skirt, asking her mum if they could do something together. Maybe they could play checkers or watch the tellie. But her mum would be so absorbed in her magical texts. "Just a minute dear, I need to learn more about this interrogation spell... makes it's victims internal organs explode if they're lying... brilliant... imagine if we used that at the Yard... how efficient we'd be..."
Horrified, Sally would flinch away. But it got worse. Her mother would start bringing in skeletons dug up from their graves. She'd get pig's blood and goat hearts, make circles of red in the candlelight and chant strange words.
At night, when her father was on duty, Sally remembers hearing inhuman shrieks from the basement. She'd close her eyes and whisper that mummy was just experimenting, no harm done. Mummy wouldn't do anything bad to her, never...
But Sally has always been able to see strange colours (auras) around people. They're like halos of different coloured lights. Most people have normal colours of blue and green all mixed together in varying degrees of morality.
Her mother's steadily becomes black.
-
Once her mother asked Sally for her heart. Sally said she would give it to her mum, of course she would (because little children are naive, little children trust so much.)
Once her mother tried to kill her with a steak knife just to take out that heart.
And she did it all with adoration in her eyes.
-
Her father rushed in to stop it, authorities and police were called. Sally couldn't sleep for weeks. She hates magic right then. Hates the witches for changing her mum, hates everything to do with witch craft.
Magic is evil.
"I'm going to become a police officer just like my dad," she decides right then. "I'm going to protect people from witches."
-
Now here she is, caught in spell, knife to her throat, staring with hatred at Moriarty. She should have seen it, the black in his aura, but he'd hidden it just as he'd hidden his so-called non-pulse. But she can see it now, the black and red teaming around his person.
It's strange.
She used to hate Sherlock Holmes too. Hated him so much for studying the dark arts, despite her warnings ("Mum, mum, what are you doing...? Why are you holding the knife like that...? Mum...? MUM!") Hated him for taking on that dark tinge, making her always suspect.
Well, she was right, wasn't she? Sherlock Holmes is a witch. But...
He isn't the one making five people commit suicide. He isn't the one threatening Sally's life right now. He isn't the one who has chased her with demons.
She's not sure what kind of witch Sherlock is anymore. She always thought they were the same. But she knows what the gloves mean. She can see Watson's aura, more blue and green than any she's ever seen before. If a man like that can trust Sherlock well...
Magic is evil.
Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. But at the moment, Sally glares with hate at Moriarty, she hates this man. She hates what he represents, what he reminds her of.
("Sally, dear, may I have your heart...?")
With a flood of loathing, Sally bites her tongue, let's the blood fill her mouth and she drives the knife from her throat to her shoulder instead and then yanks out the blade, spitting out the red.
Moriarty stares at her in what she smugly recognizes as surprise.
Sally picks up her gun and points it at him.
"You can't control me."
Then she shoots.
Notes:
FANART: You can see new Darkling fanart on tumblr under my 'fanart' tag here
STATUS REPORTS: If you don't have an AO3 account you can follow me on tumblr or on twitter to get update and progress reports.
TRANSLATORS AND PODFICERS: If I have given you permission to translate my fic into another language (or do a podfic, etc.) please email me at autumn.festival14@gmail.com so I can add you to my list. Please let me know your username and what language you're going to translate to. Before, I could keep track of who I gave permission to but now with so many emails I just forget. Thank you for understanding! | eng | 0d820f72-4075-4ac2-8667-b3f36dad6a8d | http://archiveofourown.org/works/396130?view_full_work=true |
Archive for the 'Science' Category
There is something called TED talks where authoritative speakers, often with commending British accents, distill a wisdom compatible with the reigning oligarchies, and a clipped delivery. Although the subjects vary, the tone seems to be always the same.
"TED" stands for "Tech, Entertainment, Design". Anti-plutocrats should be aware that TED banned a talk where Nick Hanauer pointed out that "rich people don't create jobs". TED did not find Hanauer entertaining. By design, TED applies the technology of eradication to "ideas worth spreading". So it gave its grand prize to the pseudo-Christian "Bono" of U2 for becoming a Facebook billionaire, or to Bill Clinton for authorizing banks to invest in financial derivatives, instead of the base material world they used to belong to, before their elevation.
In a book called "Science Set Free" (USA), or: "Science Delusion" (UK) Dr. Sheldrake challenges notions about science that many take for granted: Sheldrake itemizes what he calls the 10 "dogmas" of modern science, then tries to challenge them in his own special way.
Rupert Sheldrake, Ph.D. is a biologist, author of more than 80 scientific papers and 10 books. A former Research Fellow of the Royal Society, he got a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Cambridge U. He was a Fellow in Cambridge, and Director of Studies in biochemistry and cell biology.
Here is the default world view of science educated people hold, according to Sheldrake. Every of these scientific dogmas is questionable, he says. (As I will show, little does he know…)
1. Nature is Mechanical.
2. Matter is unconscious.
3. The Laws of Nature are fixed.
4. The total amount of matter and energy is constant.
5. Nature is purposeless.
6. Biological inheritance is entirely material.
7. Memories are stored inside your brain in material processes.
8. Your mind is inside your head.
9. Psychic phenomena are impossible.
10. Mechanistic medicine is the only kind that works.
(Sheldrake believes in his own weird and unnecessary theory. He does not understand the way units relate in physics, so he went on a flight of fancy from there. He wants young giraffes' (!) minds to be educated by a mysterious force out there, not realizing that the environment itself is doing so, in subtle and mighty ways.)
What fascinated me, when I came across Sheldrake's amusing list above, is that the most established recent science itself has thrown many of these dogmas down. So Mr. S. is blissfully unawares of the true state of science. Indeed:
1) Nature is Mechanical: we are machines, "lumbering robots" (Dawkins)
What's outrageous about Dawkins, and many other leading thinkers, is that they do not seem to have a full vision of science. Question: What's mechanics? It is certainly not about mechanical robots, in the classical mechanics sense. One has to realize that mechanics is Quantum mechanics. And nobody under-stands that. quantum systems have one thing in common with conscious system, namely that they are not completely predictable.
2) Matter is Unconscious: lots of philosophy of mind in the last century is about proving that we are unconscious.
Right, well…Question: define conscious. Are sleep walkers conscious? Is an electron conscious when it decides to do whatever it's doing with the 2-slits it seems aware of? Consciousness cannot be experimentally defined.
3) Laws of Nature are fixed:
Remark: this is under constant check by physicists. When on the moon, the acceleration of gravity, a "law", has changed. The reason for the suspicion is the fact the universe itself is evolving. Also Conventional Big Bang theory creates universes from nothing; that's probably why it's false.
Einstein himself admitted that his theory of gravitation threw down the constancy of the speed of light (be it only because gravitation can make light go around in circle, or come to a stand still).
4) The total amount of matter and energy is constant.
First we should know how to detect all the matter and energy, before we assert such a thing. The whole riddle of Dark Matter and Dark Energy is that we can't do either. So, by astronomy's own reckoning, right now, we miss 96%, we fail to detect or explain, 96% of the matter and energy out there (WMAP). The WMAP seven-year analysis gave an estimate of 72.8% dark energy, 22.7% dark matter and 4.6% ordinary matter.
This science is so official that the discovery of Dark Energy has already been rewarded by several Nobel Prizes.
5) Nature is purposeless.
Question: Are we part of nature? Some of us have purpose.
6) Biological inheritance is entirely material.
Question: What is material? Is information material? Is a photon material? If it is, and it is, then information is material. Much of biology is a mix of the inherited, and the informed. Both come from material processes.
7) Memories are stored inside your brain in material processes.
What else?
8) Your mind is inside your head.
We don't know what "inside the head" means, because we don't know how many dimensions the universe really has. Some contemporary physicists have tried to depict gravity as a leak, in three dimensions, of a stronger phenomenon, in higher dimensions. It goes without saying that the same could apply to minds.
9) Psychic phenomena are impossible.
I don't know what a "psychic" phenomenon could be. Control of object by pure thinking has already been achieved in the lab by animals, including Homo.
It's not clear the placebo effect will save plutocracy, though. The illusion that bankers and oil men created for us the best of possible worlds is fraying fast. (In spite of desperate counterattacks such as those orchestrated by Sheryl Sandberg, a creature of Larry Summers, soon to be adressed appropriately on this site.)
Real, mechanical, old fashion remedies against the plutocratic plague are on the way. The European Union ordered Cyprus to levy a 10% tax on plutocrats' bank holdings. Otherwise, the EU will let Cyprus go bankrupt. It goes without saying that Cyprus' days as a tax haven are over, should Cyprus' Parliamentpass the law it has been ordered to pass. Meanwhile, ATMs are blocked.
In other anti-plutocratic news, France and Britain threatened to send sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles to the rebels fighting the major plutocrat Assad. They gave what boils down to an instructive ultimatum to the rest of Europe.
By instuctive, I mean that, many countries that were clueless when confronting Hitler, are now incited, by France and Britain, in a pedagogical manner, to learn to assume some anti-fascist standing. For some of these countries, it's like learning to walk. It's an occasion for them to learn. Obviously, France and Britain will act, and Obama's admirable USA, quite differently from Roosevelt's despicable, cowardly and greedy USA, will follow.
Even Conservative PM Cameron had his fill with major plutocracy, so he rolls out the missiles. Nice.
Abstract: Homo Sapiens, fundamentally, is all about force. And thus, so is humanism. So is wisdom.
The name of the species is "Homo Sapiens Sapiens". In English: "Man Wise Wise". And in which sense is Man Wise Wise wise about? Wise in the usage of force.
And how did all this wisdom arise? Through genetic mutations that force facilitated, and implemented. The force of the most domineering species, those even lions feared, the human species. Force protected our fragile, growing brains. And the usage of force has become much more extensive since man has become super brainy. Brains are all about mustering, and mastering, forces.
So how come conventional humanism ignores this powerful evidence? Simply because conventional humanism tends to be the humanism masters prefer their slaves to have. Even Nietzsche's 'Amor Fati' is so affected. So is Existentialism. Real man does not just exist out there.
A human being in full creates worlds, using force, inside out.
***
FORCE ME UP:
It's not even sad, and certainly true that man is about force. Molded by forces, creating new ones. It should be forcefully celebrated. Celebrations are often about force: contemplate fireworks. Those who disagree with this evidence live in denial. OK, living in denial can be best: so does the resigned sheep, when eaten by the wolf. Force is good, when well directed. Just ask bacteria. And good does not happen without force. Such is the theme of this essay: NO FORCE, NO LIFE, NO INTELLIGENCE, NO MORALITY.
Force.
A word conventional humanism has been avoiding as if it had the plague. Thus the ostrich's head is deep in the sand, and its juicy rump, up in the air, ready for clawing by lions. "Why can't wolves eat grass, as we do?" bleat the sheep. Some questions, like the moon, have no moral answer.
Here you have an animal (man) driving the entire biosphere to extinction. And some ecologists observing this deplore the usage of force? But it is force that destroys the biosphere, force applied by man, and only other forces applied by man can stop those destroying forces.
An American acquaintance reading a tweet about force as an essential part of humanism, denounced me as "too far off", adding he was "off", "unfriending" me right away. That brutality was fully coherent with yesterday's humanism's hysteria on the subject of force.
That got me to think: why does conventional humanism hate force so much? Why does it want to be weak so much? How can one hate force so much, in a world, a civilization, that rests on force, so much?
My irascible (ex)correspondent confused "force" and "abuse". Those who have studied physics know that force (or, even better, potential) is fundamental to (all of) physics. What is fundamental to physics is fundamental to man.
Anything can be abused. Anything.
Those who forcefully deny force as an overwhelming concept, are, at best, hypocrites. And, at worst, severely retarded. How come so much common philosophy got so retarded, then, that so much of the folks also are, and does this explain the civilizational crisis we are experiencing?
The irascible clown was prisoner of a deeper flaw than faulty logic: simplistic semantics, too meager a context to support reality. In his context, force is abuse, a manifestation of evil. However, in its physical sense and more frequent occurrence, force is just what brings change. In particular what turns oppressive infamy into delicious salami.
This, neglecting the importance of context, was Socrates' main strategic character flaw. Socrates set-up for himself little logical games he then won (easily, as he had rigged the context). But, as Alexander showed when he cut the Gordian Knot, logic is nothing if one uses force, and more of a context often gives greater force.
Nietzsche too neglected context when he embraced fate. The Franks he alluded to, calling them "noble" were not just free of other men, they were free of fate as much as they could get the better of it, in a good fight they always welcomed. They welcomed hatred and resentment as calls to violent, forceful action. That, in turn was directed towards many hostile forces, including intolerable Christianism and invasive Islamism.
***
LIFE IS FORCE. INTELLIGENCE EVEN MORE SO:
At first sight, life is an orderly organization, but the Second Law of Thermodynamics says that entropy, that is, disorder, keeps on increasing. So life contradicts the Second Law, on the face of it. That law can be contradicted only by the application of force. That is the first obvious way in which force enters what defines us. Even an urchin's symmetry is the expression of force.
That leads to a number of philosophico-physical questions: what is force? Where does the organizing force that defines life come from? Those questions are very deep, and involve the deepest philosophy of mathematics too; we will eschew them here (however, see the note).
What is force? A deviation from routine, an inflection of inertia, a change of geodesics. Short of changing the trajectory of the planet itself, certainly extinguishing the biosphere qualifies as a considerable change of trajectory. A considerable usage of force.
***
FORCE, ESPECIALLY THE FORCE OF TRUTH, ALLOWED MAN TO BE:
What is intelligence? Using force to one's advantage. Picture a bacteria going up stream towards a food source the smell of which it detected. It is using the force of its propelling system to its (future) advantage. If the bacteria had no possibility of using force, it could not deflect its existence closer to its (future) subsistence.
Chimps were never far from trees. Not so with the ancestors of man, thanks to their usage of force. The very principle of man was to evolve into an all conquering ape who uses so much force, the lions themselves contend in vain. Thus the apeman could settle the savannah park, and also the rest of the planet. And force was not just about protection, but energy procurement. Eating energy and protein rich meat allowed more time and energy for thinking (and first of all, about projecting more force, such as about how best to hunt, make war, and grab lots of females)
Of course, there is no civilization without force: civilization means cities, and one needs force to build houses, let alone operate a city, and keep it alive, by forcefully bringing goods and water to it, while evacuating waste. The Greco-Roman empire existed because of long distance trade, rendered possible by 10,000 ships, all using force. Force could be used passively: see aqueducts and other hydraulics.
What is intelligence? Doing the right thing. "Doing": how does one do anything without force? No doing, nor even ding, without force.
***
WHY ARE SO MANY MENTAL SYSTEMS ADVERSE TO FORCE? ALTHOUGH CIVILIZATION RESTS ON FORCE?
Naturally civilization has to be civil, and so the usage of illegal force within society has to be discouraged. Oppressive mental systems hide behind that to implement their oppression of the full, but innocent nature of man.
The cruel masters, the plutocrats, fear that force will be used against them. So they instill the People with the fear of force. Not only the fear that this terrible thing could be used against the innocent, but also the fear of wielding it against abuse.
That is why Christianity was a slave religion: so that there would be masters, who reigned with their minds, rather than tiring themselves beating up their subjects as much as they otherwise would have to. The occasional execution helped: the last person assassinated by the church for heresy was in the Nineteenth Century. This violence of Christianity by mental means unfolded until the Twentieth Century: the papacy, namely Pie XII, was an active collaborator of Nazism, the religion of the Master Race, and was so effective that nobody think of it to this day.
Although Nietzsche posed as the re-evaluator of all values, and an adversary of "slave religion", Nietzsche was all about having the force to accept the force of one's fate. That alleviated subjects from extraneous baggage such as resentment, he opined. But what is wrong about resentment? If I resent Obama and Krugman for having set-up too small of a real stimulus to the economy of the USA, there is nothing wrong with me. It reminds me there is something wrong with them.
Nietzsche, following a lot of top thinkers of the enlightenment, spent a lot of time heaping scorn on Christianity. However, he was the son of a pastor, and his belief in fate is immediately recognizable as the old Christian quandary of the problem of Grace and the Christo-Muslim attitude symbolized by the slogan "Inch Allah!"
And what of many of the French intellectuals of the mid Twentieth Century, those who embraced decolonization, Mao, after embracing Vichy and Stalin? Well, they embraced all these mighty forces, because they were weak. Weakness was their religion. They produced an obscure philosophy, Existentialism, whose shadowy existence denied context. It had no more impact on infamy and plutocracy than Heidegger putting on his Nazi uniform had on civilization. Heidegger, too, was weak, and thus their hero.
Nietzsche was clear, strong in his elocution, and said many good little truths. However Nietzsche embraced the oldest message of the leaders of empire: learn to love your fate. Many French philosophers (Sartre, Foucault, etc.) were neither clear nor strong enough to embrace anything, but themselves, and the sycophants who licked their bottoms clean.
As Sartre puts it in his 'Existentialism is a Humanism': "man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards." That is silly. Man does not just exist, and "surge". Humans are molded by forces, including some mental ones from caregivers. There is a debate of forces at work, and that debate is called man.
***
WHEN MAN IS SO STRONG AS TO BE A MAKER:
Nietzsche could not escape his own fate. Nobody can. For this travel that we cannot escape, Nietzsche enjoins to carry as little baggage as possible. No resentment. So be it. But so what?
Nietzsche was just scratching the surface of the nature of man, when he proclaimed again the religion of accepting one's fate, a religion very well known, indeed, as it is the one the masters prefer, ever since plutocracy appeared, and it has ruled. Nietzsche's message was without any originality.
Verily, Nietzsche and the slave religions missed the big picture completely. Man is strong. Although man has to embrace fate, man is also a creator of worlds, and a maker of fate itself. For those who doubt that, have a look at the tortured planet. Fate is elaborated there, poisoned river, after polluted sea, extinguished species, after mercury sprinkled Arctic, melting icecap, after dying plankton, and burned out forest.
For those who doubt that, have a look at the grander work of man.
***
WHEN FORCE IS USED TOO LATE:
During their reign, the Nazis assassinated one million and a half Jewish children. With the best of intentions, of course.
The Nazis killed even more innocent children, and people, than that. However, by 1935, it was clear, considering the Nuremberg racial hatred laws, that the Nazis had they set the framework for such a holocaust.
Yet, they were not opposed, and the United Kingdom and the USA (among other vermin, such as Sweden) kept on collaborating with the would be mass murderers, transferring ever more power to them. (Even thoroughly hostile the French republic, led by a Jew, sent her athletes to Berlin in 1936.)
Why? Lack of force. Lack of desire to use force. Lack of relish for the usage of force. Force was not used. Neither intellectual force, nor physical force. Force was nowhere to be seen. Yet, what greater delight than to crush a terrible infamy such as Nazism? If that pleasure does not exist enough, it ought to be taught.
When finally France and Britain decided to use force, September 1, 1939, it was all too late, and the alliance between Hitler, Stalin and American plutocrats had become nearly unstoppable. 70 million dead were what it took. OK, better late than never. Millions of assassinated children were part of the price paid for having not enough intellectual and moral force in a timely manner.
Now one can see something similar with the spectrum of Merkler rising. Fortunately, she is in the process of being stopped in her tracks by the force of the (mostly French) electorate. The others have been there, and seen that, this time they have the force.
***
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO REALIZE FORCE IS THE ESSENCE OF INTELLIGENCE? THUS MAN?
Because only force allows to do what is necessary.
Just look at the austerity programs implemented around the West, from Greece to the USA. Austerity is characterized by a renunciation of force. It's something monks do (thanks to others, in the background, who are working and fighting for them).
When Obama came to power, instead of being forceful like the wheelchair bound Roosevelt, who closed all the banks, and enforced a giant WPA, Obama put in place a tiny real stimulus program (not any larger than that of Sarkozy in France). OK, Obama played basketball a lot, so he felt very active. The activity of the spinal cord, not that of the higher mental functions FDR displayed.
Merkel has been much more devious. Whereas she embarked on heavy stimulus inside Germany (10% GDP!) plus massive Kurtzarbeit and other socialist, central planning tricks, all of which bore excellent fruit, she has been pushing deliriously on murderous austerity on the rest of Europe, earning herself full Nazi garb in caricature, and theperfidic nickname of 'Merkler' from yours truly. (That theme will be developped in the next essay.)
Europe is equipped with the most plutocracy friendly banking system in the world. Unbelievable, but true. All the screaming from wall Street about Europe being a 'welfare state" masks that fact. And all banking systems in existence are plutocracy friendly, as the Chinese Prime Minister admitted recently about big Chinese banks (adding that was intolerable). To break that institutional state of affairs, force has to be used. Mental force, physical force (white nights of debates among politicians, economists, and philosophers, studying of the situation by the common citizenry, demonstrations…)
Similarly, to build a world sustainable economy, massive force has to be used.
The root of the financial-economic-social-civilizational crisis is that plutocracy has envenomed democracy with torpor and a paralysis of the mind. As the People got persuaded that force was anathema, the forces of evil were left unopposed. So, out of the lofty, thoroughly idiotic perspective that humanism had nothing to with force was born, naturally enough, a humanism without force. And now a civilization without force, something that does not grow anymore, but implodes onto itself.
Time for some vigor. Voltaire's recommendation to crush infamy requires some force. Let's gather it. It starts with observation, analysis, resolve. It's not as bad as when our ancestors had to face real lions.
Context is made of bits and pieces of semantics, and all connect to the emotional. To be a human in full, it's important to feel good about force. Otherwise one will end up without dignity, as the dinner of hyenas, or banksters. A weak, degenerated version of humanism is bringing us, and our biosphere, to an ominous doom. Time for some glory.
***
Patrice Ayme
***
Note on life's vital principle. How come life grow within an ever more chaotic world? How does life overwhelms the second law of Thermodynamics? This is related to a thought experiment called Maxwell's Daemon. The Daemon separates gas molecules, fabricating a cold compartment in a tank. Maxwell did not present a mechanism to do this. Nor does life.
My hunch though is that a so far unrevealed force, tied to low energy Quantum Mechanics, the collapse force, is what presides to the rise of this order. Big particle accelerators cannot study that force. (But research towards the Quantum Computer will.)
It turns out that the OPERA "observation" of Faster Than Light neutrinos seems to have been caused by a not-fully-screwed-on right optical cable.
(It's fascinating that the pitfall had not been detected earlier: because we use electronic computers, not photonic computers, information down an optical cable has to be transformed into electrons, and, because we are still at a gross point of technology, that means plenty of optical energy has to ramp up, until enough electrons can be excited, and generate a signal. If screwing is not right, the ramping up of power takes longer… Hence the infamous delay!)
Too bad. But let's not forget we have neutrinos from a supernova that arrived several hours before the photons. However, that's explained by supernova explosion theory: as the explosion proceeds, light gets bottled inside star material for a while, whereas the neutrinos of the intense thermonuclear explosion involving heavy elements rush out; in the sun, thermonuclear photons take hundreds of thousands of year to get out of the thermonuclear region, in the core, where they are produced. So it looks as if I will have to hold my faster than light horses a while back longer. Yet, Einstein's own theory of gravitation, especially when cosmologically modified, means that the speed of light is all too relative…
(Physics) Professor Matts Strassler asks on his (excellent) blog, a "Question to Laypersons: Your Views on the Neutrino Saga."
This was the occasion for me to roll a few of my pet themes. (I have to relax with rather innocent considerations as I prepare an essay bound to make me many new friends, where I compare Arabized regimes to Vichy style regimes, just worse, that have perdured, for more than 13 centuries…)
"Prof" Strassler "would like to ask YOU a question or two. And by "you", I mean non-scientists. I would like to know how seeing this episode unfold changed (or did not change) your view of science, or physics, or particle physics… Are you disappointed in or pleased with the scientific process as you saw it unfold? Are you more suspicious of or less suspicious of scientists and/or of science now that you've seen this happen? I think these are things that many scientists would be curious to learn."
I commented this way: Don't we all know quite a bit of science? … Say relative to, hmmm, Newton? We are living in a scientific society, whether we admit it or not.
By the time of Newton it was not know that there was such a thing as oxygen, it supported life, and oxidized stuff. That was a century after Newton's apogee. Many a commoner not having formally studied science out of high school could reconstitute Lavoisier's experiments nowadays.
Similarly for Pasteur's experiences on spontaneous generation or… pasteurization. And the idea of vaccination, formalized by Pasteur is also well known. As is continental drift.
You can go in the middle of Africa, meet a woman who does not know how to read, but she may well known Pasteurization… and why.
The basic ideas of the Quantum are less well known, true.
However this is partly the result of an anti-French bias, because the luminously simple idea of the French medievalist, prince de Broglie, is not taught, and, instead, Germano-Nazi physicists, such as Heisenberg, with their appropriately dark mumblings, are always evoked by those perhaps nostalgic of the Aryan, anti-French order… But I digress… As far as I am concerned, just like Einstein sucked Poincare' dry, so did Heisenberg and Schrodinger with De Broglie (not to say they were not great scientists; just smaller, with smaller ideas; thus erroneously teaching the small for great has real consequences on… mass science, the science the masses know!)
But let's go back to the ideas of Prof Strassler, which are shared with many scientists, namely that they stand on the shoulders of giants just like themselves, as they are a race of giants.
That's how this fool of Chu got into supporting stupid (and intrinsically corrupt!) enterprises such as Tesla (465 million dollars of taxpayer money, so that Silicon Valley plutocrats can drive an electric sport car made in France, powered by glued up together laptop batteries; or Solyndra, more than half a billion from the taxpayers, for a tech that was obviously not going to work). OK, Chu, the energy secretary, has a Nobel in Physics, but that just means he was part and parcel of some intelligent project, and that he may have had, personally an intelligent moment.
But diligent a lot, and intelligent, once, does not mean diligent always, and intelligent always. Certainly not, especially if one suddenly imagines one belongs to a race of giants.
For more context on the preceding, see the New Republic (January 25, 2012):
What did I want Chu to do? Instead of playing Venture Capitalist with 25 billion dollars, just fund fundamental research, make sure you can persuade people energy taxes have to be risen, make sure solar plants go up in the high altitude desert south west USA, and that very high speed train lines, in the North East and California get build.
On the latter there was an interesting development: those geniuses realized that in France Very High Speed trains mostly use conventional lines (one can use conventional methods with trains up to 125 mph, 200 km/h). By doing same as the French, the cost of Very High Speed rail in California crumbled down to 60 billion dollars, and still only 3 hours downtown San Francisco to downtown LA… roughly the time to go to the airport and pass security. Morality; go to Europe, and learn.
The expression "layperson" is shared by many a scientist, mathematician, and university type. Maybe not verbally, but certainly conceptually. However, that's an error.
Indeed the expression "layperson" hints that scientists are some sort of priests. It reminds me of a short story of Isaac Asimov, where civilization has devolved, and, on a planet with multiple suns, the rabble hunts the few remaining astronomers, when an exceptional night occurs.
I also wonder what defines a "scientist"? A scientific degree? But what is really so special in common between a paleontologist and a mathematician? OK, mathematicians maybe do not qualify as scientists? But then a lot of theoretical physics, on the edge, is little else than mathematics gone so wild that even mathematicians avert their eyes (until it works, then they come to make it appear they invented it themselves…)
Something else: a lot of, say, cosmology is a magnificent razzle-dazzle show in full view of "laypersons". However, a lot of the certainty there seems to have an OPERAtic component: bold assertions, not all the details in for sure (I am alluding, say, to cosmic inflation).
One thing scientists ought to remember is that scientific research is one thing, science itself, that is, certain knowledge that is indeed certain, is something else. It would be good to teach that to the public too, as it would help it learn to search for truth, and not to confuse inquiry with certainty.
Science is just the result of observant and sophisticated common sense. One sees both faling, increasingly, in the USA. A good indicator of that are the "Stand Your Ground" laws in the USA. Those allow any brute carrying a concealed weapon to assassinate anybody who gets in their way, as long as they can build a half way plausible story about the ground on which they stand. In particular if they don't like the race of their victim.
As far as the gun lobby and the plutocratic lobby are concerned, it's perfect. Marie Antoinette, being told people ran out of bread, supposedly quipped:"Let them eat cake!" (actually brioche, a viennoiserie, a type of pastry made where she came from!) As far as the gun lobby and the plutocratic lobby are concerned, it's :"Let them eat lead!" Better: let them serve it, to each other.
That average Americans fell for such a divisive tactic is a testimony to not knowing anymore what common sense is. Something studying carefully the genesis of science can remedy. That is precisely while plutocrats hid behind theocrats to forbid the teaching of critical thinking. For teaching critical thinking, one cannot just teach literary criticism. Because it's harder to show error, for certain in literature, or even philosophy.
In science, and science history, it's much more clear cut. Both the truth, and the errors (and why the later happen, itself a type of meta knowledge).
More generally, the most important subject of study at school ought to be the history of big ideas, big errors, vast delusions, and immense progress. Our civilization surfs on a tsunami of thoughts.
Main Idea: Theoretical triage on Special Relativity leaves the theory in shambles at high energies. A precise mechanism to blow up the theory is produced which may cause Faster Than Light (FTL).
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Abstract: I don't know whether neutrinos go faster than light or not. The OPERA neutrino anomaly rests on some guess work on the shape of long neutrino pulses, so its superluminal results may well be a mirage. (The experience will soon be run with very short pulses.)
However neutrinos may go Faster Than Light. Why not? Because the idea has caused obvious distress among many of the great priests of physics?
In science one should never suppose more than necessary, nor should one suppose less than necessary. Faith is necessary in physics, but it should reflect the facts, and nothing but the facts. Such is the difference between physics and superstitious religion.
There are reasons to doubt that the leanness of Relativity reflects appropriately the subtlety of the known universe. This is what this essay is about.
OK, I agree that the equations of what Henri Poincare' named "Relativity", seem, at first sight, to lead one to doubt Faster Than Light speeds. Looking at those equations naively, and without questioning their realm of validity, it looks as if, as one approaches the speed of light, one gets infinitely heavy, short, and slow.
However, adding as an ingredient much of the rest of fundamental physics, I present below an argument that those equations ought to break down at very high energies.
As my reasoning uses basic "Relativity" (Special and General), plus basic Quantum physics, one may wonder why something so basic was not pointed out before.
The answer is that, just as in economics most people are passengers on the Titanic, in cattle class, so it is in physics.
Most people have a quasi religious approach to "Relativity", and their critical senses have been so stunted, that they even fail to appreciate that Einstein did not invent "Relativity" (as I will perhaps show in another, gossipy essay). This is of some consequence, because Einstein had a rather shallow understanding of some of the concepts involved (as he proved aplenty in his attempts at a Unified Field Theory… Pauli called them "embarrassing"… well, may be, my dear Wolfgang, all of Relativity was embarrassing, another collective German hallucination…)
The logic of the essay below is multi-dimensional, but tight. As it throws most of relativity out, I am going to be rather stern describing it:
1) At high energies, absolute motion can be detected. This renders Galileo's Relativity, and its refurbishment by Poincare', suspicious.
2) Time dilation is real. There is no "Twin Paradox' whatsoever; fast clocks are really slow. This is well known, but I review the physical reason why.
3) Length contraction is also real. Moving rods really shrink. It is not a question of fancy circular definitions (as some have had it). I show this below by an electromagnetic argument which makes the connection between relativistic transformation and Maxwell equation obvious.
4) A contradiction is derived. A particle would suffer gravitational collapse if its speed came close enough to the speed of light, as it would get confined within its Schwarzschild radius, should the equation of "Relativity" remain the same at all energies. A particle gun, at high enough energy, would become a black hole gun. That would violate all sorts of laws.
Thus "Relativity" breaks down. The simplest alternative is that some of the energy spills into acceleration (beyond c!) instead of mass acquisition.
5) Einstein's conviction that Faster Than Light is equivalent to time travel is shown to be the result of superficial analysis. If the equations of relativity break down at high energies, they cannot be used to present us with negative time. Although I will not insist on this too heavily in this particular essay, Einstein got confused between a local notion (time) and a non local one (speed, and its parallel transport around loops).
As an humoristic aside, should high energy neutrinos go faster than light, it should be possible to measure time beyond the speed of light, using a high energy neutrino clock.
Thus a reassessment of "Relativity" is needed, starting with the name: if all the "Relative" laws blow up at high energies, that is, at high velocity, uniform motion is not relative, but absolute. The theory of Relativity ought to become the Theory of Velocity (because, at intermediate energies, all of the laws of the present "Theory of Relativity", including fancy rotational additions of velocities, do still apply!) Mach's principle, already absolute for rotational motion, and already favoring a class of uniform motion, would become absolute for any motion.
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ABSOLUTE, UNIFORM MOTION IS DETECTABLE… IF ENERGETIC ENOUGH:
Poincare' named the theory that he, Lorentz and a dozen other physicists invented, "Relativity". Yes, Poincare', not Einstein: this essay is about truth, not convention to please a few thousand physicists and a few billions imprinted on the Einstein cult. (And I like Einstein… When he is not insufferable.)
That name, "Relativity", may have been a mistake. A better name, I would suggest, would be "THEORY OF VELOCITY", for the following reasons:
In 1904, summarizing the experimental situation then, Henri Poincare' generalized the Galilean relativity principle to all natural phenomena into as he wrote:
"The principle of relativity, according to which the laws of physical phenomena should be the same, whether to an observer fixed, or for an observer carried along in a uniform motion of translation, so that we have not and could not have any means of discovering whether or not we are carried along in such a motion".
A first problem is that the American Edwin Hubble, and others, ten years after the precocious death of Poincare', discovered cosmic expansion, which defines absolute rest. OK, Galileo would have said:
"Patrice, just don't look outside, I told you to stay in your cabin, in the bowels of the ship." Fair enough, but rather curious that inquiring minds ought to be blind.
However, fifty years after the death of Poincare', the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) was discovered. That changed the game completely. You can stay in the bowels of the ship all you want, Galileo, when you move fast enough relative to the CMB, the wall of your cabin towards your uniform motion, v, will turn incandescent, and then into a plasma, as the CMB will turn into gamma rays, thanks to the Doppler shift. Even burying Galileo's head in the sand will not work. Even a Galileo ostrich can't escape a solid wall of gamma rays.
Relativity fanatics may insist that they are correct in first order, when they don't go fast enough. OK, whatever: the equations of "Relativity" do not change shape with v, but, as I just said, the bowels of Galileo's ship will always disintegrate, if the speed is high enough.
When equations don't fit reality, you must them quit. That's why it's called science.
But let's forget this glaring problem, as I said, I have found a much worse one. To understand it requires some background in so called "Relativity", the theory of Gravitation (so called "General Relativity", an even more insipid name), and Quantum physics.
We have to go through some preliminaries which show that time dilation and length contraction are real physical effects. There is nothing relative about them. So it's not just the relativity of uniform motion which is not relative. It is the other two basic effects of relativity which are not relative either.
People can write all the fancy "relativistic" equations they want, a la Dirac, and evoke some spacetime mumbo jumbo . Those equations rest on, and depict, the three preceding relative effects, and if these are not relative at high energies anymore, one cannot use them at very high energies either. Paul Dirac can sing song that they are pretty all he wants, like a canary in a coal mine. Physics is not a fashion show. It's about what's really happening. If the canary is dead, it's time to get out of there.
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POINCARE'-LORENTZ LOCAL TIME (prior to 1902):
One central notion of standard relativity is "Local Time", which Poincare' named and extracted from the work of Lorentz (sometimes calling it "diminished time"). We have:
t' = t multiplied by square root of (1- vv/cc)
[Because of problems with the Internet carrying squares and square roots properly, I write cc for the square of c, instead of c^2, as some do, etc… After all, it's exactly what it is. In the end, mathematics is eased, and rendered powerful by abstraction, but it is all about words.]
So when v= 0, t' = t and when v = c, t' = 0, or, in other words, t' stops. Here t' is the time in the coordinate system F' travelling at speed v relative to the coordinate system F, with its time t. More exactly t is what one could call "local electromagnetic time". Some physicists would get irritated at that point, and snarl that there is nothing like "local electromagnetic time". In science precision is important: we are more clever than chimps because we make more distinctions than chimps do.
How do we find t' knowing t? We look at a light clock in F' from F. If we look at a light clock perpendicular to v, in F', from F, we see that light in F' will have to cover more distance to hit the far mirror of the light clock. That clock will run slow. If we suppose there is only one measure of time in F', that means time in F' will run slow. (This unicity of time is a philosophical hypothesis, but it has been partly confirmed experimentally since.) This is what Poincare' (also) called "diminished time", in his 1902 recommendation of Hendrick Lorentz to the Nobel Prize in physics (for what Poincare' called the Lorentz transformations).
The math to compute t' from t use nothing harder than Pythagoras' theorem. The idea is to compare two IDENTICAL light clocks, both perpendicular to v, one in F, standing still, the other in F', moving along at v, and separated by some distance that light covers in time t. We look at the situation from F. When the F' light has gone from one mirror to the other in the moving clock, it has covered ct'. Why that? Well we don't know (yet!) what t' is, but we know light is supposed to always (appear to) go at the same speed, the astronomers' practice, as Poincare' reiterated in 1898.
Meanwhile the origin where the light emanated from in F' has moved by vt'. By Pythagoras:
(ct')(ct') = (vt')(vt') + (ct)(ct). This is the relation between t' and t above.
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FITZGERALD CONTRACTION IS A REAL PHYSICAL EFFECT:
The Irish physicist Fitzgerald suggested that, to explain the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment, the arm of the instrument was shortened, as needed. What is the Michelson-Morley device? Basically two light clocks at right angles, one perpendicular to v, the other along v. These two arms allow to make light interfere, after it has gone back and forth either along the direction of v, or perpendicular to it.
No difference was found. The way I look at it, it shows that electromagnetic time is indifferent to direction. The way it was looked at then was that there was no "ether drag".
What is going on physically is very simple: F' moves relative to F. Light released at x = x' = t = t' = 0 is going to have to catch up with the other mirror. (notice that this is a slight abuse of notation, as the xs and ts are in different dimensions, and F and F' in different coordinate systems…) Suppose v is very high. Seen from F, it is obvious that photons will take a very long time to catch up with the mirror at the end of the arm. Actually, if v was equal to the speed of light, it would never catch up (if someone looked in a mirror, when going at the speed of light, she would stop seeing herself).
Well, however, the M-M device showed no such effect. Thus the only alternative was that the length of the M-M interferometer shrank, as Fitzgerald proposed in 1892 (13 years before Einstein's duplication).
Poincare' introduced "Poincare' stresses" to explain the effect as a real physical effect. That was explored further in 1911 by Lorentz, and then worked out in even more detail in the 1940s, using Dirac's quantum electrodynamics.
The reason I am giving all these details is that Einstein could not understand Poincare's insistence on "mechanical" models. That's OK; not everybody can be super bright.
Einstein preferred the more formal insistence that the arm along v had to shrink, because c was constant, and that was it. This was exactly Fitzgerald's initial reasoning, and it does not explain anything: true it seems necessary that the arm will shrink, but is it really happening, and if so, how? Einstein's platitude about the mind of god, who he was most apt to seize, are just plain embarrassing… Especially as it turns out that, in this case, the one who got the idea was Poincare'. Maybe a god to Einstein, but to me, just a man. (All the more confusing as Einstein tried to refer, and defer, to Poincare' less than justice required.) By clinging to Fitzgerald's original vision like a rat to a reed in the middle of the ocean, Einstein aborted the debate with a hefty dose of superstition.
As the detailed development of Quantum Field Theory showed, the mechanical models were the way to go. They reveal a lot of otherwise unpredictable, unanalyzable complexities. Just as we are going to do below.
So what is happening with the relativistic contraction?
Maxwell equations tell us how the electromagnetic field behave. In ultra modern notations, they come down to dF =0, d*F = q (d being covariant differentiation). Very pretty.
Maxwell is not all, though. The Lorentz force equation tells us how particles move, when submitted to the electromagnetic field. It is:
Force = q(E + vB)
[E, B are vector fields, vB is the (vector) cross product of the particle velocity, the vector v, with B.]
Let's suppose the particle moves at v. As it does, it will be reached simultaneously by the electromagnetic field from two different places. Say one of these field elements will be a retarded component, Fretarded, and the other is obtained from Pythagoras theorem, using the same sort of diagram used for a light clock. One can call that component Frelativistic. Frelativistic is proportional to the usual gamma factor of relativity, namely 1/sqrt(1-vv/cc). The total field incorporates Fretarded plus Frelativistic. The relativistic component basically crushes any particle sensitive to the Lorentz force in the direction of motion.
In particular, it will crush electronic orbitals. So atoms will get squeezed. That reasoning, by the way, explain directly, physically why the Lorentz transformations are the only ones to respect the Maxwell equations. It is better to achieve physical understanding rather than just formal understanding (by the way, professor Voigt found the formal argument for the Lorentz transformations in 1887, 18 years before Einstein).
How do formal relativists a la Einstein look at this? They look at it eerily, not to say… ethereally. Max Born, a Nobel Prize winner (for the statistical interpretation of the Quantum waves), a personal friend of Einstein expounds the formalism with coherently infuriating declarations around p 253 of his famous book "Einstein's Theory of Relativity".
"For if one and the same measuring rod…has a different length according to it being at rest in F, or moving relative to F, then, so these people say, there must be a cause for this change. But Einstein's theory gives no cause; rather it states that the contraction occurs by itself, that is an accompanying circumstance to the fact of motion. In fact this objection is not justified. It is due to too limited view of the concept "change". In itself such a concept has no meaning. It denotes nothing absolute, just as data denoting distances or times have no absolute significance. For we do not mean to say that a system which is moving uniformly in a straight line with respect to an inertial system F 'undergoes a change' although it actually changes its situation with respect to system F.
The standpoint of Einstein's theory about contraction is as follows: a material rod is physically not a spatial thing, but a spacetime configuration."
This sort of theology will remind some of Heidegger's writings, when the pseudo philosopher looks for the "ground" and never finds it. Too much relativity will do that for you. Stay with confusion, end up with Auschwitz.
Could it be that, according to Born, a bird which flies by does not change, as it 'actually changes its situation as a spacetime configuration'. Thus the bird at rest on its branch has not changed into a bird flying. Maybe Born should have received another Nobel for this other wonderful theory?
What Born forgets is this: 1) let's suppose there is something as absolute rest (given, once again, by the reality of the CMB). 2) then a fast frame passing by has been colossally accelerated first before reaching that high relative speed when vv/cc approaches 1. So the fast frame has undergone an absolute change… And I explained what it is.
3) trying to play relative games between relatively relativistically moving frames does not wash, as there is privileged state of rest (or quasi rest: the Earth moves at 370 km/s relative to the CMB).
The derivation I sketched above provides with a cause for the change. It shows that, by reason of the uniform displacement, a real boost in the e-m field occurs which causes the contraction. So, basically it's the electromagnetic geometry of uniform motion which causes the Lorentz transformations. It's deep down not mysterious at all.
The reasons for real time dilation and real length contraction are plain, and absolute.
This is all about the geometry of electromagnetism. When Einstein wrote down in marble his formal considerations about relative this, relative that, a full generation would elapse before the discovery of the neutrino, which responds to weak interactions (OK, there is an electroweak theory, but we are not going to remake all of physics in this essay!)
By the way, I can address in passing another confusion: some will say that by standing on the surface of the Earth one undergoes an acceleration of one g (correct!), and thus why would an acceleration of one g in a straight line for a year (which is enough for high relativistic speeds) cause all these absolute changes I crow about?
The reason is simple: in one case no energy is stored, the acceleration is purely virtual, as the ground is in the way. In the other case, a tremendous amount of energy is concentrated piles up inside the moving body.
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CLINCHER: YOU CAN'T ALWAYS SQUEEZE WHAT YOU WANT, BUT IF YOU TRY SOMETIMES, YOU GO FTL:
The Schwarzschild radius is given by R = 2GM/cc, where M is the mass of the body, G is the universal constant of gravitation, and c is the speed of light.
The energy of a particle is E = hf, where h is Planck's constant, and f the frequency of its matter wave. Plug in Poincare' mass-energy relation: E = M cc. Now E/cc is inertial mass M. Thus it causes, by the equivalence principle, the gravitational mass: hf/cc.
But now comes the clincher: As the particle accelerates, at ever increasing speed v, its matter wave will shrink ever more, from (Fitzgerald) length contraction. At some point the wave will shrink within the Schwarzschild radius of the particle.
If one takes the gravitational collapse of the particle within itself at face value, the particle would exit physics, never to be seen again, but for its gravitational effect. That is obviously impossible.
So something has to give in the equation f = ma; here f is the force through which one pumps energy in the system (an electromagnetic field, or a muon jet, whatever), m is the relativistic mass, and a is the acceleration. What we saw is that m is bounded. Thus a has to augment, and the particle will accelerate through the speed of light. QED.
Some could object that I used the photon energy relation: E = Hf, instead of M = (Rest Mass)/ sq. root (1 – vv/cc). But that would not change the gist of the argument any.
[Neutrinos are suspected of having a non zero mass, because they oscillate between various states; but the mass is so small, it's not known yet. Similarly the question of the photon rest mass is an experimental problem!]
Another objection could be that I used the Schwarzschild radius, but it does not apply to single particles. Indeed, the initial argument (Tolman Oppenheimer Volkoff), was that the gravitational force would overwhelm the nuclear force inside an extremely dense star. The nuclear force is repulsive at short distance.
[I tried to show a picture of the nuclear force, but I had to give up as the WordPress primitive system does not allow me to.]
A rough sketch of the force between two nucleons shows a strong repulsive peak, which is, however finite. The force depends upon gluon exchanges, is very spin dependent, etc… The idea of TOV was that gravitation would overwhelm it, and neuron degeneracy, under some circumstances. The basic ideea in this essay is the same, although it is the all too real Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction, not gravity, which does the crunching.]
Previously Einstein had tried to demonstrate the Schwarzschild singularity had no physical meaning. His argument was contrived, erroneous. TOV succeeded to prove Einstein wrong (Hey, it can be done!)
Besides, all these subtleties can blown away by looking at particles the strong force is not applied to, such as photons or neutrinos. They both have mass, as far as creating geometry is concerned.
In the Schwarzschild computation, a term shows up, causing a singularity at a finite distance. The term is caused purely by the spherical coordinates, and the imposition of the vacuumEinstein gravitational equation. It is indifferent to kinetic effects (an important detail, as I put the Fitzgerald squeeze on). That term is identified to a mass for purely geometrical reasons. That mass will appear through Poincare's E = mcc, or m = hf/cc, after plugging in the de Broglie relation.
In any case f = square root [ccccc/2Gh]. Plugging in the numbers, one gets trouble when the frequency gets to ten to the power 43 or so. That's about ten to the power 16 TeV, or 2 tons of TNT. About one million billion times more energetic than the CERN neutrinos. But then, of course, the effect would be progressive, somehow proportional to energy. (Also see Large Dimensions below.)
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EINSTEIN GRANDFATHER OBJECTION SELF CONTRADICTING:
Conventional physicists will make the following meta objection to the preceding. According to lore of the standard theory of Special Relativity, the preceding scheme is completely impossible. Countless physicistswould say that if one had a particle going faster than light, one could go back in time. Einstein said this, and everybody has been repeating it ever since, because Einstein looked so brainy.
Or maybe because he was also German. Thus he had got to have invented the Poincare'-Lorentz relativity! (We meet here again the Keynes-Hitler problem, that, in much of the Anglo-Saxon world, blind admiration for anything German, reigns sometimes to the point of spiting reason. I am myself fanatically pro-German, but there are lines of prejudice I will not cross).
OK, granted, there is some mathematical superficiality to support Einstein's confusion between speed of light, time, and causality. Those mathematics are reproduced in the next chapter, where the mistake is exposed.
There are three problems with using the Grandfather Paradox to shoot down my reason for FTL.
The first objection is that Einstein's General relativity itself makes possible The "Grandfather Paradox". So it is rather hypocritical to use it to fend off contradictions of (Special) Relativity.
That grandfather paradox increasingly haunts standard fundamental physics. The paradox arises from "Closed Timelike Curves", which appear in (standard) Relativity (not in my version of Relativity). Hawking was reduced around 1992 to the rather ridiculous subterfuge of a "Time Protection Conjecture".
The second objection to the objection is that, in practice, experimentally, the objection has proven irrelevant, by years of increasingly precise experiments. Basically what happens is that Quantum theory allows Faster Than Light teleportation of some sort ("states", as the saying goes). And experiments are confirming this, leading to claims that time travel has been achieved, experimentally. There are many references, here I give one from July 2011, one of the authors, professor Lloyd from MIT is a Principal Investigator, on just this sort of problems.
Personally I have no problem with the results: they fit my vision of things, which is very friendly to Faster Than Light. But I have a problem with the standard semantics of "time travel", which comes straight from the way Einstein looked at time.
Einstein was, in my opinion, very confused about time. He notoriously said: "time is nothing but a stubbornly persistent illusion". In my vision of physics, time is fundamental, and it has nothing to do with space. I believe the notion of spacetime applies well to gravitation, at great distances, such as Earth orbit. I used above one of the staples of "General Relativity", the Schwarzschild radius, but very carefully, from first principles. When people argue "time travel", they argue from later principles, later day saints, so to speak. They confuse cornucopia and utopia.
I believe this: Time is the measure of the change of the universe. It's not subject to travelling. But it is subject to confusion, and Einstein is the latter's prophet.
(I also believe that the second Law of Thermodynamics applies even at the subquantal level (the subquantal level is what those who study entanglement, non locality, in Quantum physics, such as the authors I just quoted, tangle with). OK, the latter point is beyond this essay, the main theme of which does not use it at all.)
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THE EINSTEIN GRANDFATHER ERROR:
The third objection to using the grandfather paradox to contradict me is much more drastic, and revealed by my own pencil and paper (the following is just an abstract of my reasoning). The conventional reasoning due to Einstein is faulty (and faulty in several ways).
Most specialists of relativity subscribe to statements such as "it should be possible to transmit Faster Than Light signals into the past by placing the apparatus in a fast-moving frame of reference".
Einstein's argument rests on equations for time such as t' = (t – xw/cc)/square root of (1- vv/cc).
In this v is supposed to be the speed of a moving frame, and w the speed of an alleged Faster Than Light signal. One sees that, given a w > c, there is a v close enough to, but inferior to, c, such that t' becomes negative.
t' is time. So what we have, given a Faster Than Light signal w, frames moving with enough of a speed v in which events seem to be running in reverse. Thus Very Serious Professors have argued that the putative existence of that FTL w reverses causality. They abbreviate this by saying that time travel a consequence of FTL. And what do I say to this howling of the Beotians? Not so fast.
Indeed, this ought to be physics, not just vulgar mathematics. One argument was overlooked by Einstein, who apparently believed blindly in Poincare's Relativity Postulate even more than his author himself did.
We have discovered above that there is a limit energy, beyond which Relativity breaks down. Thus the Lorentz transformations break down.
Let's look at the situation in a more refined way. What happens to the traditional transverse light clock encountered above, and in all traditional Relativity treatises? Well, in this thought experiment, admitting my reasoning above as valid, the light clock, if made energetic enough, will start to accelerate faster than light. So it would stop functioning, because light will not be able to catch up with it. This may sound strange, but it's not. In the mood of the preceding, it just says that the light used is limited in energy, and the clock is not. To still keep time for a while, we may have to use a high energy neutrino clock (supposing that neutrinos, indeed, travel Faster Than Light; a neutrino clock is build exactly like a photon clock, with the photons replaced by neutrinos).
This is why the Lorentz transformation fail; because the clock fail, as the light cannot catch up with the mirror. Pernicious ones could claim I self contradict, as my argument used the Fitzgerald contraction. Yes, I used it, because it failed. In my logic, the contraction fails first.
Another argument is that the alledged violations of causality hard core relativists find in the apparition of negative times are much less frequent than they fear, because time dilation dilues the statistics. A relativistic point they absolutely ignore. Also, as I have argued in the past, in Quantum physics non locality, in conjonction with Faster Than Light space expansion implies violations of local causality. Basically Quantum entanglements can happen beyond the space horizon given by the cosmic FTL expansion (which is an experimental fact).
Thus causality has to be taken with a grain of salt, and plenty of statistics (a characteristic of modern physics, at least since Boltzman).
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AND LET'S NOT FORGET FASTER THAN LIGHT FROM THE QUANTUM…
In physics, these days, a thousand theories blossom, and nearly a thousand fail miserably. So, on the odds, it ought to be the case with the preceding theory. However the preceding rests on fundamentals, whereas much of the fashionable stuff rests on notions nobody understands, and few bothered to study (such as the interdiction of FTL, which rests just on the shallow logic of Einstein exposed above).
An interesting sort are the Large Extra Dimension theories (pertly instigated and made popular by the famous Lisa Randall, a glamorous professor from Princeton, Harvard and Solvay, author of the just published "Knocking On Heavens' Doors"). They would help the preceding arguments, by lowering considerably the threshold of relativity's high energy failure. Thus, if superluminal neutrinos are indeed observed, in light of the preceding, they would suggest the existence of Large Extra Dimensions.
Many of the theories which have blossomed are "not even wrong". The obsession with superstrings was typical. Why to obsess with those, when basic Quantum theory had not been figured out? Is it because superstrings cannot be tested?
Basic Quantum theory is subject to experiments, and some have given spectacular, albeit extremely controversial results. There was curiously little interest to confront those tests. If nothing else, the OPERA experiment illustrates that the failure of Relativity at high energy can be tested (OPERA was really out to test neutrino oscillations, which are, already, a violation of Relativity in some sense, as they confer a (rest?) mass on a particle going at the speed of light!)
The preceding theory, and its absolute frame, fits like a glove with the idea with an absolute (but stochastic and statistical) space, constructed from Quantum Interaction (or "potential" as Bohm has it). That would partly cause the CMB. That theory rests on the predicted failure of standard Quantum theory at large distances, and the existence of an extremely Faster Than Light interaction. It's getting to be a small world, theoretically speaking…
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Patrice Ayme
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P/S: The reasoning above is so simple that normal physicists will not rest before they can brandish a mistake. So what could that mistake be? Oh, simply that the perpetrator, yours truly, did not use full Relativistic Quantum Mechanics, obviously because s/he is ignorant. But referring to Relativistic Quantum Mechanics, by itself, would use in the proof what one wants to demonstrate with the proof. Relativistic Quantum Mechanics assumes that Relativity is correct at any speed. I don't. I don't, especially after looking outside.
OK, that was a meta argument. Can I build a more pointed objection? After all, Dirac got QED started on esthetic grounds, while elevating relativity to a metaprinciple. But beauty is no proof. Nor is the fact that Dirac's point of view led to several predictions (Dirac equation for electrons, Spin, Positrons).
One could say that the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP) would prevent the confinement of a particle in such an increasingly small box. However, the HUP is infeodated to general De Broglie Mechanics (GDM), and there is no argument I see why GDM could not get confined..
Let me add my spice to the excellent decision of Obama to change the strategy of NASA back to what it used to be, and what it ought to be: shaping the sharp edge of science and technology, where the profit motive does not provide enough lift.
Obama proposes to drop Bush's going-back-to-the-moon-because-it-is-there-and-we-can-do-it-with-wheelbarrow "Constellation" program. "Constellation" is a nice French word, that was the best to be said about it, before burying it in shame.
"Constellation" was only going to use old technologies for a backbone, with a varnish of new gimmicks. When I say old, I mean really old. Example: the Ares I idea came from China, a millennium ago (the inventor died in the process).
Instead of using obsolete technologies that ought to, and could have been, deployed 30 years ago, Obama proposes to push for new technologies, an unusually bold, courageous and clever plan (for an administration known for its Summers of our discontent).
Inventing really new technologies was what NASA used to do in the 1950s (with the glorious X program). At the time the idea was to push for new technology, and new science. Going to orbit, and then the moon, qualified as such, back then. But we have been to the moon, and we do not have the technologies to stay to the moon sustainably (which would be the only way to progress scientifically, technologically and economically there).
True, sending explorers to Mars would bring a huge scientific progress, but we simply do not have the means to do this reasonably yet… Considering that robots can do plenty there (pushing robot tech in the process, no doubt most profitably in the most down to earth manner.) in particular, a French-American robotic Mars sample return mission that was scrapped (too expensive, said the USA), could be revived.
Obama is thus entirely correct to go back to the way it used to be.
If worse come to worse, and private USA companies cannot go to space safely and effectively, the USA does not have to use Soyuz forever. Indeed the French led European rocket, Ariane V, and its Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle, modulo a bit of tinkering, would be a perfect replacement for the Ares program: whereas Ares I promised to be an even stupider vehicle than the Shuttle, Ariane V, with its hydrogen propulsion, and safety and effectiveness record, is perfectly state of the art. Besides the French have embarked on the future Ariane VI program, and, knowing them, they will not quit.
Indeed, remembering 1940, the French view is that superiority in aerospace is of the strategic essence. The USA can afford to be more relaxed, considering it is better defended by demography, geography, and history.
After Japan attacked at Pearl Harbor, it got quickly defeated because the USA was more mass technological. What do I mean by this? The USA had much more pilots, for example, including thousands of women pilots, who helped crucially the military effort in the Pacific, by flying very dangerous cargo missions. After Midway, when the competent Japanese fliers ended in the drink, or as combustible on the flaming Japanese carriers, Japan did not have enough competent pilots to train others and fly missions. Equivalent losses would not have stopped the American juggernaut.
The USA also had much more technologically competent individuals and private companies than Japan (or Germany) did.
As a result, the USA was a republic of engineers, and had much more advanced technologies than Japan, that it was able to deploy quickly. American carriers with armored decks and steam catapults, the imperial Navy did not have. So quickly the Americans were flying much better, well armored planes into battle, and turning their radars on. Superb Japanese binoculars came short during the night battles the Americans relished. Besides the USA had cracked the Jap codes, and USA submarines were superior, preventing the great rising sun imperial contraption to ship anything much between the dozens of thousands of islands on which it had cleverly spread countless garrisons (sometimes discreetly reduced to cannibalism).
It will be good, this time, for the core of the West, the European Union and the USA, to operate more as a unit, in a timely manner. Things got messy in the Second World War (and also the First world War) precisely because Europe and America did not operate as a unit to start with (instead some rogue American plutocrats went to operate as a unit with… Hitler!).
The USA waited malignantly until France and Britain won the war for them (WWI), or nearly lost it (WWII). It was great for the so called "American Century", but that did not last too long… And the 75 million or so who died in WWII, among others, sure did not find the strategy most profitable (differently from Wall Street, which laughed all the way to its associated banks!)
It is not well known that the "Manhattan Project" truly started with the French "War Ministry" in January 1938 (you will probably not find this information on Wikipedia, and I will not bother putting it there). The French removed all the nuclear patents deposited by French scientists, and insured the cooperation of Norway in a determined nuclear bomb effort, extended later to the UK, and then the USA, which ended by hastening the end of WWII with as little blood and roasted flesh as possible(as everyone does not know yet).
My point? Because of a tradition of technological, scientific, and generally mental supremacy in the West, there is much more to be gained in cooperating, than by having everyone sulking in its corner.
The Eurofighter, and the F35 Lightning, are examples of contemporary major multinational military programs (on these superiority fighters and the Franco-French Rafale does, and will, the air supremacy of the West depends).
Less well known, France used the USA to mass produce the 75mm gun in the First World War, helping to save France (the "75" was perhaps France's main weapon in WWI).
But not just that: USA private companies learned to mass produce the "75" with higher precision than they could initially muster (the Ford Model T would come out of that new technological tradition of massive precision, a decade later).
So welcome to the future! One of the reasons the European Union was created was to make economies of scale, and synergies of mental efforts. For example, although all Airbus models are assembled in Toulouse, France, all Airbus' wings are conceived and constructed in Wales (UK).
There is no reason why the same economies of scale could not be extended systematically to the USA, as a collaborator of the EU (the Saturn robot, Huyghens-Cassini, is a splendid example of this; Boeing's 787 another, with Japan thrown into the mix, as Mitsubishi now traditionally makes Boeing's wings, which is more crafty than fighting Boeing's planes; by the way, Airbus is now more of an American company than Boeing itself…)
In other words, nothing prevents its errant colony to come back ever closer to its parent, Europe, in order to achieve a better union… And others should, and ought to join in, which means, democratize (and the eye was on Beijing.) Traps related arguments just were similar broke Super Although | eng | 39c95080-4c4f-41b9-862e-326f861b52b1 | http://patriceayme.wordpress.com/category/science/ |
Race
This article is about race as a concept of intraspecies classification. For the many types of competitive sport, see racing.
The FBI identifies fugitives by photographs, physical features, occupation, nationality, and race. From left to right, the FBI identifies the above as belonging to the following races: White, Black, White (Hispanic), Asian. Top row males, bottom row females.
The term race is used in a wide variety of contexts, with related but often distinct meanings. Its use is often controversial, largely because of the political and sociological implications of different definitions, but also because of disagreements over such issues as whether humans can be meaningfully divided into multiple races.
In biology, some people use race to mean a division within a species. Thus, in certain fields it is used as a synonym for subspecies or, in botany, variety. In the case of honeybees, for instance, it stands as a synonym for subspecies. In this usage, race serves to group members of a species that have, for a period of time, become geographically or genetically isolated from other members of that species, and as a result have diverged genetically and developed certain shared characteristics that differentiate them from the others. Although these characteristics rarely appear in all members of the group, they are more marked in or appear more frequently than in the others.
The analyses of most social scientists conclude that the common social notions of race are social constructs. These defintions of race are derived from custom, vary between cultures, and are described as imprecise and fluid. Often these definitions rely on phenotypic characteristics or inferred ancestry. The analysis of human genetic variation also provides insight into human population history and structure. The recent spread of humans from Africa has created a situation where the majority of human genetic variation is found within each human population. However, as a result of physical and cultural isolation of human groups, a significant subset of genetic variation is found between human groups. This variation is highly structured and therefore useful for distingushing groups and placing individual into groups. Admixture and clinal variation between groups can be confounding to this kind of analysis of human variation. The relationship between social and genetic definitions of race is complex. Phenotypic racial classifications do not necessarily correspond with genotypical groups; some more than others. To the extent that ancestry corresponds to social definitions of race, groups identified by genetics will also correspond with these notions. Whether human population structure warrants the distinction of human 'races' is a matter of debate, with majority opinions varying between disciplines. Some biologists prefer the term population to race. Similar reasoning has lead some to describe races as (inbred) extended families.
The remainder of this article reviews debates over the scientific validity of the concept of race in human beings; the historical construction, social functions, and cultural meanings of racial schemata; and the ethics and politics of the term.
Overview
Some people believe that certain characteristics of the species Homo sapiens justify classification of humans into various races. Such characteristics include physical characteristics, culture, geography, religion, language, nationality, etc., but do not include contingent factors such as a common history of disease. The practice of dividing humans into races emerged during the Enlightenment as a way of justifying the enslavement and oppression of others who were deemed to be of "inferior" non-white races, and therefore supposedly best fitted for lives of toil under white supervision; to the extent that it made the distance between races seem nearly as broad and insurmountable as that between species, it helped ease unsettling questions about the appropriateness of treating other human beings as if they were mere pack animals. The practice was at that time generally accepted by both the scientific and lay communities.
In the early-to-mid 20th century, many scientists began questioning previously accepted causal relationships between biological and cultural attributes. Some scientists also began questioning the taxonomic validity of race attribution, especially in the decades immediately after the Second World War (in the course of which racialist theories served to justify enormous genocidal crimes; see eugenics and the Holocaust). This questioning gained particular momentum in the 1960s, in the context of the U.S. civil-rights struggle and the emergence of numerous anti-colonial movements worldwide. As new data began to emerge in the 1960s indicating that most human genetic variation was actually within races rather than between them, many scientists came to reject the concept of race as a biological fact altogether, at least as it applies to humans. Nevertheless, the belief that human races exist remains almost universal amongst lay audiences, and like any belief held by a large number of people, is significant in itself regardless of its scientific validity. The concept of race continues to impact people through its effects on social behaviour (see communal reinforcement).
In biology, a race was defined as a recognisable group forming all or part of a monotypic or polytypic species. A monotypic species has no races (this can also be expressed: "a monotypic species has only one race"). Monotypic species can occur in several ways:
All members of the species are very similar and cannot be sensibly divided into biologically significant subcategories.
The individuals vary considerably but the variation is essentially random and largely meaningless so far as genetic transmission of these variations is concerned (many plant species fit into this category, which is why horticulturists interested in preserving, say, a particular flower color avoid propagation from seed, and instead use vegetative methods like propagation from cuttings).
The variation between individuals is noticeable and does follow a pattern, but there are no clear dividing lines between separate groups: they fade imperceptibly into one another. This is called clinal variation, and always indicates substantial gene flow between the apparently separate groups that make up the population(s). Populations that have a steady, substantial gene flow between them are likely to represent a monotypic species even when a fair degree of genetic variation is obvious.
A polytypic species thus has two or more races (or, in current parlance, two or more "sub-types"). These are separate groups that are clearly distinct from one another and do not generally interbreed (although there may be a relatively narrow hybridization zone), but which would interbreed freely if given the chance to do so. Note that groups which would not interbreed freely, even if brought together such that they had the opportunity to do so, are not races: they are separate species.
Humans clearly vary considerably – enough to have made early scientists accept the correctness of Carolus Linnaeus' view that humans should be divided into several sub-species. By far the greater part of human genetic variation, however, occurs within "racial" groups and the variation between racial groups accounts for between 5-7% of the total.² Nevertheless, although the difference between races is less than 10% of the difference within any particular race, this does not in itself invalidate the suggestion that there might be different races of Homo sapiens sapiens. Indeed, the genetic variation between races is highly structured, so that when many points of variation are considered it is possible to distinguish groups and allocate individuals into groups. Moreover, the rules of biological classification do not set any 'smallest allowable difference' between taxa: any distinct difference is sufficient.
However, a distinct difference is only one of the two conditions that must be satisfied before a different form can be classified as a sub-species or even a race; the second is the lack of significant gene flow between populations. In the case of human "races", although there has historically been little or no direct gene flow between distantly separated populations such as the aboriginal Australians and black Africans, it is nonetheless incorrect to assume that there has been little gene flow between the various races, as all that is required for it to occur is that locally adjacent populations interbreed, as has typically been the case. In fact, enough such gene flow has occurred throughout human history that the most recent common ancestor of all humans alive today has been estimated as living as recently as 3,500 years ago [1] ( although this does not necessarily constitute significant gene flow.
In recent centuries there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of gene-flow occurring even between geographically very distant human populations. People began engaging in intercontinentel travel on an ever more regular basis, and today such travel is widespread. As such, interbreeding between previously separated peoples is now not only possible but widespread. Given this change, the lines between races are fading, and have perhaps already been totally removed in some regions, particularly in Latin America and parts of Southern Africa.
Given the way that different human races fade gradually from one to another in many parts of the world, the overwhelming majority of the current generation of cultural anthropologists draw the conclusion that human racial variation is in fact clinal, and that the human species is monotypic. However, this is also true for differences between sub-species, and even species, in other animal populations. Generally, an amount of change sufficient to label two different animal populations as different sub-species is often no longer considered enough to label two different human populations as being of different races.
Of course, the delicacy of this definition has left the issue much in debate, especially among physical anthropologists, for if "clines" lead to large areas of separate near-homogeneity, as they seem to do in places like Kenya, Sweden and China, then the people in these areas seem marked off by delimiters resembling nothing so much as the traditional physiological touchstones of "race". A counter-argument is that what often seems to the naked eye to be a "near-homogenous" population is often nothing of the sort, and indeed, recent evidence indicates that genetic variation occurs in a smoothly gradient fashion even in such regions, with the apparent gaps previously noted turning out to have been merely artifacts of sampling techniques that implicitly presumed the existence of near-homogenous and genetically distinct populations.
Scientists who maintain race as an important biological concept point out that in determining overall relatedness the entire genetic cohorts of groups must be compared, and that when this is done, it is possible to recover the traditional racial groupings, provided one uses enough of the right markers. The caveat to this finding is that one must decide how finely one chooses to distinguish between groups, such that one can determine two "races" (Africans vs. non-Africans), three, four or more. Thus, the number of races discovered by these methods will be arbitrary. Moreover, some of the groups which emerge as "races" under closer scrutiny would hardly be recognized as such in the conventional sense. It is important to keep in mind that it is not necessarily the case that any two given individuals of the same race will be genetically closer than will two people of different races.
Some biologists believe that the tendency to view races as a social construct, or as not biologically significant, is incorrect, and is influenced not by science but by racial politics and political correctness. They claim that researchers on racial differences are often attacked as racists, even if said researchers espouse liberal sociopolitical views and claim to be against racism. A number of books and articles in recent years attempt to rebut what the authors see as biased science. Vincent Sarich and Frank Miele, in Race: The Reality of Human Differences, claim that "racial differences in humans exceed the differences that separate subspecies or even species in such other primates as gorillas and chimpanzees" and hold that "race is a biologically real phenomenon with important consequences". A number of scientists have supported this currently controversial view, including Ralph L. Holloway, Professor of Anthropology, Columbia University; Arthur Jensen, University of California-Berkeley; Joseph Carroll, University of Missouri-St. Louis; and Thomas J. Bouchard, Jr., Prof. of Psychology, University of Minnesota.
Historians, anthropologists and social scientists today are apt to describe the notion of race as it applies to human beings as a "social construct", preferring instead to use the concept of "population," which can be given a clear operational definition. The concept of biological race, however, has proved resilient and is still used in day-to-day speech even among those who, when questioned, reject the formal existence of race. This may be a matter of semantics, in that such scientists and laypeople use the word race to mean population, or it may be an effect of the underlying cultural power of the concept of race in racist societies. Whether it be race, population, or some other appellation, a working concept of sub-specific clustering can still be useful, because in the absence of cheap and widespread genetic tests, various gene mutations that have been historically strongly linked to membership of certain human subgroups (see Cystic fibrosis, Lactose intolerance, Tay-Sachs Disease and Sickle cell anemia) are difficult to address without recourse to a category higher than "individual" and lower than "species". Nonetheless, as direct genetic tests for various conditions become ever cheaper, and as detailed haplotype maps and SNP databases become available, there should be an ever-diminishing need to seek recourse in race as a stand-in for the desired information. This is just as well, as the current rate of heightened inter-group mating is steadily reducing the predictive power of race; a telling statistic is that, stereotypes notwithstanding, an overwhelming percentage of babies born with Tay-Sachs in North America nowadays are not from families identifying themselves as Jewish.
History of the term
The historical definition of race, before the development of evolutionary biology, was that of common lineage, a vague concept interchangeable with species, breed, cultural origin, or national character ("The whole race of mankind." – Shakespeare; "From whence the race of Alban fathers come" – Dryden).
The word race, interpreted to mean common descent, was introduced into English in about 1580, from the Old French "rasse" (1512), from Italian razza, which may have been derived from the Latin word generatio (a begetting).
This late origin for the English and French terms is consistent with the thesis that the concept of "race" as defining a very small number of groups of human beings based on lineage dates from the time of Columbus. Older concepts that were also at least partly based on common descent, such as nation and tribe, entail a much larger number of groupings.
The first published classification of humans into distinct races seems to have been François Bernier's (1620–1688) Nouvelle division de la terre par les différents espèces ou races qui l'habitent ("New division of Earth by the different species or races which inhabit it"), published in 1684. Bernier (1625–1688) distinguished four "races":
Europeans, including South Asians and North Africans, but excluding Lapps
Far Easterners and Native Americans
Sub-Saharan Africans
Lapps
The 19th century concept of race was based primarily on morphological and cosmetic characteristics such as skin color, facial type, cranial profile and amount, texture and color of hair. Though such characteristics have since been declared by many experts to have a minimal relationship with any other heritable characteristics, they retain some persuasive force because it is easy to immediately distinguish people based on physical appearance.
Because people of different races can interbreed, this method of classification is "weak" in the sense that it can be difficult to determine to which categories some borderline individuals belong. (Contrast the difficulty of determining to which group a child of mixed parentage belongs with the much more clear-cut decisions involved in determining membership in species). In other words, racial purity does not have a clear biological meaning. On the other hand, it is clear that for an extended period of time after Homo sapiens' first migrations from Africa (probably around 80,000 BCE) and before the rise of wheeled and seagoing transportation (around 3,000 BCE), geographically isolated groups of people underwent some degree of divergent evolution. Whether that degree was high enough to merit strict taxa beneath the species level is the primary question that has roiled the generations of human biologists since the 1800s. It is a complicated issue full of semantic and emotional pitfalls, with much at stake on the consensus, for educators, physicians, political officeholders, judges, law enforcement officers and many others look upon scientific findings as the bedrock authority for their curricula, diagnostic methods, budget expenditures, case law and criminal suspect profiling.
Among the 19th-century naturalists who defined the field were Georges Cuvier, James Cowles Pritchard, Louis Agassiz, Charles Pickering (Races of Man and Their Geographical Distribution, 1848), and Johann Friedrich Blumenbach. Cuvier enumerated three races, Pritchard seven, Agassiz eight, and Pickering eleven. Blumenbach's classification was widely adopted:
the Caucasian, or white race, to which belong the greater part of the European nations and those of Western Asia
Researchers in the decades following Blumenbach classified the Malay and American races as branches of the Mongolian, leaving only the Caucasian, Mongolian, and Ethiopian races. Further explication in the early and mid twentieth century, notably by American anthropologist Carleton S. Coon, arrived at three primary races (Negroid, Caucasoid, Sinoid) with a small number of less widespread races (especially "Australoid").
In Blumenbach's day, physical characteristics like skin color, cranial profile, etc., went hand in hand with declarations of group moral character, intellectual capacity, and other aptitudes. The "fairness" and relatively high brows of "Caucasians" were held to be apt physical expressions of a loftier mentality and a more generous spirit. The epicanthic folds around the eyes of "Mongolians" and their slightly sallow outer epidermal layer bespoke their supposedly crafty, literal-minded nature. The dark skin and relatively sloping craniums of "Ethiopians" were taken as wholesale proof of a closer genetic proximity to the other great apes, despite the fact that the skin of chimpanzees and gorillas beneath the hair is whiter than the average "Caucasian" skin, in the face of the reality that the thin lips characteristic of "Caucasians" are actually shared by all the other hominids, despite the fact that sloping foreheads are about as common amongst Englishman and Germans as amongst "Ethiopians" (with "primitive" brow ridges even more common amongst "Caucasians"), and even though the straight and relatively profuse body hair of Europeans is most akin to the original hominid condition. By Coon's day, group physical characteristics were, for the most part, unhitched from assessments of group character and aptitude.
Modern criticism of the biological significance of race can be dated to the publication in 1935 of a book by Julian Huxley and A.C. Haddon:
We Europeans: a survey of "racial" problems (London: Jonathan Cape, 1935).
In everyday speech, race is often used to describe populations that are better defined as ethnic groups. This often leads to discrepancies between "scientific" views on race and popular usage to the term. For instance in many parts of the United States, categories such as Hispanic or Latino are used to define race in much the same way as terms such as white and black have been traditionally used, though Hispanics constitute a linguistic and cultural grouping that may come from a wide variety of backgrounds. It is also true that in the United States, thanks to the one-drop rule, the term "black" subsumes people with an extremely broad range of features and ancestry under a single label, even though many of those who are termed "black" would be more accurately described as "white" under any objective terminology. In much of Europe groups such as Roma, Turks, and Arabs are commonly defined as racially distinct from "white" Europeans, though all of these groups are considered to be "Caucasian" in traditional physical anthropology.
Politics of race
The concept of race was applied at the time of Blumenbach by political theorists such as Johann Gottfried von Herder to nationalist theory in order to develop a militant ethnic nationalism. They posited the historical existence of "races" such as the German and French race, branching from basal races supposed to have existed for millennia, such as the "Aryan" race, and believed political boundaries should mirror these racial boundaries. Later, one of Hitler's favorite sayings was "Politics is applied biology". Hitler's ideas of racial purity led to atrocities on an unprecedented scale, and "racial cleansing" or "ethnic cleansing" as a sociopolitical motivation or justification has reared its head several times since Hitler (particularly in Cambodia, the Balkans and East Africa). In one sense, such "cleansing" is merely another name for the tribal warfare and mass murder that has afflicted human society from time out of mind. But these crimes seem to gain an extra intensity and thoroughness when the perpetrators believe their acts are sanctioned on scientific grounds.
Inequalities based on presumed racial differences have been a concern of United States politicians and legislators since the country's founding. In the 19th century most "white" Americans (including abolitionists) explained racial inequality as an inevitable consequence of biological differences. In the second half of the 20th century, political and civic leaders as well as scientists debated whether racial inequality is biological or cultural in origin. On one end of the political spectrum, some argued that current inequalities between blacks and whites are primarily cultural and historical, the result of such historical wrongs as slavery and segregation, and could be redressed through such programs as "affirmative action" and "Head Start." On the other end of the spectrum, a movement to redirect tax money away from remedial programs for minority phenotypes was based on interpretations of aptitude test data which, according to advocates, showed that race-linked differences in basic ability are biological in origin and cannot be leveled even by intensive educational efforts. In electoral politics, many more members of racial and ethnic minorities have won important offices in western nations compared to earlier times, although the very highest offices tend to remain in the hands of racial/ethnic majorities.
Religious leaders active in the United States began to decry segregation and discrimination based on race in the latter half of the 20th century. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King famously requested people to form a society where people were judged "on the content of their character, not the color of their skin."
Anthropological and genetic studies of race
In the 19th century many natural scientists made three claims about race: first, that races are objective, naturally occurring things; second, that there is a strong relationship between biological races and other human phenomena (such as social behavior and culture, and by extension the relative material success of cultures); third, that race is therefore a valid scientific category that can be used to explain and predict individual and group behavior. In the 20th century, mainstream anthropologists and others rejected each of these claims, while continuing to study between-group genotypic and phenotypic variations. By the end of the 20th century, most social and many natural scientists turned to the "population" concept to talk about these variations, arguing that accounts of "race" (within both the popular and scientific literatures) are socially constructed. Some social and natural scientists, however, argue that new studies in molecular genetics support a nomenclature strongly reminiscent of traditional racial and ethnic terminology.
Since human beings are among the most complex entities we know of, and as ethical considerations preclude much of the kind of experimentation routinely carried out on other animals, the empirical study of man is in many ways the most difficult of all. It is no surprise that fields like anthropology, human genetics and psychology are in flux, and the state of these fields may change radically during this century as advances in the more elementary sciences are synthesized into increasingly objective definitions of "human nature". Recognition of sub-specific group traits may find a place in these definitions, probably without, however, the valuations of overall superiority and inferiority formerly attached to them.
A rejection of 19th century assumptions was initiated by Franz Boas, the founder of American academic anthropology. In the first decades of the 20th century he studied the relationship between race and height in New York City, discovering that the children of immigrants were taller than their parents. Although height is clearly primarily a biological phenomenon, he concluded that an individual's height was determined not only by inheritance but by environment as well (in this case, better pre- and neo-natal care, especially nutrition). Boas's conclusion has been confirmed many times since, for example by the remarkable gain in the average height of Japanese people since the dietary changes that followed the end of World War II. But it was counter-intuitive, because in typical populations under relatively stable environmental conditions, about 80% of the variation in individual height is due to genetic variations, and at any point in time, human subgroups tend to have different average heights. As a result, many of Boas's students continued to accept the existence of race as a biological fact. But they concluded that there was no relationship between biological race and other human phenomena (such as social behavior, culture, intelligence and morality).
By the 1950s most anthropologists had come to question the very existence of race as a biological phenomenon. This rejection was based on three facts. First, they pointed out that the preponderance of evidence suggests that all human beings are descended from a common ancestor (although this fact alone has little bearing on the subsequent formation or non-formation of new subgroups). Second, they observed that there are many biological differences between people that are not taken into account by race (for example, blood type). Finally, they pointed out that oftentimes the genetic differences between members of the same race are greater than the average genetic difference between races. For example, the variation in blood types within specific groups is 85%, but the total variation between groups is only 15% (see the American Anthropological Association's Statement on Race [2] (
These developments had important consequences. For example, some scientists developed the notion of "population" to take the place of race. This substitution is not simply a matter of exchanging one word for another. Populations are, in a sense, simply statistical clusters that emerge from the choice of variables of interest; there is no preferred set of variables.
The "populationist" view does not deny that there are physical differences among peoples; it simply claims that the historical conceptions of "race" are not particularly useful in accounting for these differences scientifically. In particular, populationists claim that:
knowing someone's "race" does not provide comprehensive predictive information about biological characteristics, and only absoltuely predicts those traits that have been selected to define the racial categories, e.g. knowing a person's skin color, which is generally acknowledged to be one of the markers of race (or taken as a defining characteristic of race), does not allow good predictions of a person's blood type to be made;
in general, the world-wide distribution of human phenotypes exhibits gradual trends of difference across geographic zones, not the categorical differences of race; in particular, there are many peoples (like the San of S. W. Africa, or the people of northern India) who have phenotypes that do not neatly fit into the standard race categories.
focusing on race has historically led not only to seemingly insoluble disputes about classification (e.g. are the Japanese a distinct race, a mixture of races, or part of the East Asian race? and what about the Ainu?) but has also exposed disagreement about the criteria for making decisions— the selection of phenotypic traits seemed arbitrary.
Since the 1960s, some anthropologists and teachers of anthropology have re-conceived "race" as a cultural category or social construct, in other words, as a particular way that some people have of talking about themselves and others. As such it cannot be a useful analytical concept; rather, the use of the term "race" itself must be analyzed. Moreover, they argue that biology will not explain why or how people use the idea of race: history and social relationships will.
Other anthropologists and human geneticists argue that race is indeed a valid and valuable concept and that those holding the opposite view allow their social consciences (laudable per se) to confuse and delay accurate interpretations and applications of empirical data. They are not convinced by the substitution of the term population for the term race, because it leads to a potentially harmful imprecision in communication (for example, when one could simply say "caucasian" one is instead compelled to say something like "an individual of the western Eurasian population", and when that individual doesn't happen to currently reside in western Eurasia one must say "an individual whose ancestors were of the western Eurasian population"). Recent studies by population genetics researchers indicate that the small portion of human genetic which occurs along the the traditional conceptual lines of race does so in a clinal fashion, which is to say that it can be mapped out along smoothly varying gradients in a manner analogous to that used employed in topographical maps. At no location in the world is there a sharp genetic discontinuity between races, and the use of racial markers in medical genetics is only justifiable where the various racial groups hail from regions that are geographically very distinct. This is still true for the most part in the United States, whose constituent population is drawn mostly from Western Europe, coastal West Africa and East Asia (though as intermarriage rates continue to increase, it cannot be expected to be indefinitely true), but it is extremely unlikely to hold in places like Russia, where racial variation occurs in a smooth continuum from west to east, in Latin America, where admixture is almost everywhere the norm, or in a Western Europe increasingly settled by people from the Middle East and North Africa. Racial DNA markers of the sort employed by American police officers are effective in that country largely because "whiteness" has historically been defined as the complete absence of black ancestry, not because the phenotypical distinctions between "white" and "black" looking Americans are so easily distinguished using genetics. In Brazil and Cuba, where interracial admixture has not been burdened by a "white" vs. "less than white" dichotomy, racial DNA markers are often utterly uninformative about a person's physical appearance.
Example: United States
In the United States in the 19th century, African-Americans, Native Americans, and European-Americans were each classified as different races. But the criteria for membership in these races were radically different. The government considered anyone with "one drop" of Black blood to be Black. In contrast, Indians were defined by a certain percentage of "Indian blood". And to be White one had to have "pure" White ancestry. These differing criteria for membership in particular races has little to do with biology and much to do with political relations between Blacks and Indians on the one hand, and Whites on the other.
By these criteria, it was very easy for a child to be categorized as Black. This likely reflects the requirements of the slave-economy of the U.S. South, for the vast majority of slaves were classified as Black. Even the child of an enslaved African woman and a White master was considered Black, or "of African descent." More importantly, such a child would be a slave. In comparison, it was harder for a child to be classified as Indian. After a few generations of inter-racial marriages, a child might not be considered Indian at all. This likely reflects the requirements of the U.S. economy during the period of westward expansion, although the greater outward similarity of "Whites" and "Indians" surely came into it. Indians had treaty rights to land, but if an individual with one Indian great-grandparent was no longer classified as Indian, they would lose special rights to land. At a time when Whites ruled both Blacks and Indians, it is no coincidence that the hardest race to prove membership in was White.
Even the so-called politically correct terms used in the United States of African-American, or Hispano-American keeps this logic, where descendancy is more important than skin color.
Example: Brazil
Compared to 19th century United States, 20th century Brazil was characterized by a relative absence of sharply defined racial groups. This pattern reflects a different history and different social relations. Basically, race in Brazil was biologized, but in a way that recognized the difference between ancestry (which determines genotype) and phenotypic differences. There, racial identity was not governed by a rigid descent rule. A Brazilian child was never automatically identified with the racial type of one or both parents, nor were there only two categories to chose from. Over a dozen racial categories would be recognized in conformity with the combinations of hair color, hair texture, eye color, and skin color. These types grade into each other like the colors of the spectrum and no one category stands significantly isolated from the rest. That is, race referred to appearance, not heredity.
One of the most striking consequences of the Brazilian system of racial identification was that parents and children and even brothers and sisters were frequently accepted as representatives of opposite racial types. In a fishing village in the state of Bahia an investigator showed 100 people pictures of three sisters and were asked to identify the races of each. In only six responses were the sisters identified by the same racial term. Fourteen responses used a different term for each sister. In another experiment nine portraits were shown to a hundred people. Forty different racial types were elicited. It was found, in addition, that a given Brazilian might be called by as many as thirteen different terms by other members of the community. These terms are spread out across practically the entire spectrum of theoretical racial types. A further consequence of the absence of a descent rule was that Brazilians apparently not only disagreed about the racial identity of specific individuals, but they also seemed to be in disagreement about the abstract meaning of the racial terms as defined by words and phrases. For example, 40% of a sample ranked moreno claro as a lighter type than mulato claro, while 60% reversed this order. A further note of confusion is that one person might employ different racial terms for another person over a short time. The use of term varies with the personal relationship and mood. The brazilian census admits one's race by the title the person gives to her or himself, and as a consequence hundreds of races appeared in the research, varying from blue (which is blacker than usual black) and green (which is whiter than usual white).
Consequently, people change their racial identity over their lifetimes. This is not the same as "passing" in the USA. It does not require secrecy and the agonizing withdrawal from friends and family that are necessary in the United States and among Indians of highland Latin America. In Brazil passing from one race to another occurs with changes in education and economic status. A light skinned person of low status is considered darker than a dark skinned person of high status.
So, although the identification of a person by race is far more fluid and flexible in Brazil than in the USA, there still are racial stereotypes and prejudices. African features were considered less desirable; blacks were considered inferior, and whites superior. These racist stereotypes are obvious relics of the slave-based plantation system. The complexity of racial classifications in Brazil is reflective of the extent of miscegenation in Brazilian society, which remains, highly, but not strictly, stratified along color lines.
Race and intelligence
Some researchers have proposed and studied possible relationships between race and intelligence. They argue that the average intelligence of racial populations differ. Such proposals have a long history, but many contemporary experts argue that they have always been wrong; see the American Anthropological Association's Statement on Race and Intelligence ( One of the best known dissents to this opinion can be found in the works of Arthur Jensen, a controversial Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Jensen claims his primary research in the field has found a high heritability of "the intelligence factor" with statistically significant genotype-based variation between populations. In 1974, an English biologist named John Randal Baker presented a lengthy argument in favor of innate racial differences in intelligence in a massive volume titled "Race" (Oxford University Press,1974), in which he claimed that there had been a systematic, politically-motivated suppression of classical biological anthropology outside Germany since the 1930s, and went on to attempt to demonstrate a relation between five historical civilizations (Sumerian, Egyptian, Indus valley, Helladic-Minoan and Sinic) and the supposed biological dispositions of their creators. Many arguments against the sorts of claims made by the likes of Jensen and Baker have also been made, perhaps the best known of which was presented in The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould, Professor of Zoology at Harvard University.
Although Gould's counter-arguments are themselves controversial, there are others which are far less so; a powerful and still valid criticism of the claims made by Jensen and his followers is that in drawing the conclusions they do, they confuse the meaning of the term heritability, which has a technical meaning in genetics whose implications often run counter to our intuitions. In particular, Jensen and company not only try to draw conclusions about between-group heritability from studies on within-group heritability, but they also assume that heritability is a fixed quantity even for one group, and to round it all off, they draw the conclusion that a trait with a high heritability will be relatively unresponsive to intervention; in fact, none of these inferences are valid.
For instance, height is estimated in most populations to have a heritability of 0.9, which is about as extreme as a trait which varies within a population can get, and yet it has risen dramatically in most populations across the globe in the space of a few generations; all its high heritability tells us is that if people within a particular group have children, the rank ordering of the heights of their children will be extremely similar to that of the parents, not that height could not increase in the space of a generation by as much as a foot or more. In the same vein, given any particular group of individuals, the more similar their environments, the higher the heritability of a particular trait will be, as heritability is defined simply as the ratio of genetic to environmental variation; this is why it is invalid to attempt to generalize from heritability studies on white middle-class Americans to draw conclusions about the "innate" capabilities of white and black people, when the latter group not only have many cultural traits which set them off from the white majority, but are also disproportionately encumbered by material hardships of all kinds maybe partly being a result of their supposed incapability.
Phylogenetic representations
A phylogenetic tree like this one is usually derived from DNA or proteinsequences from human populations. Indivduals from the various continental groups tend to be more similar to one another than to people from other continents. The tree is rooted in the common ancestor of chimps and humans, which is believed to have originated in Africa. Note: vertical distances are not meaningful; double dashed lines indicate segments that are not to scale.
Some people define their ideas of race in terms of the genetic similarities of groups of individuals that have formed when the human species migrated across the globe and subsequently adapted to new environments or was otherwise changed genetically.
Recent genetic analyses have enabled the concept of race to be represented in somewhat cladistic terms. These studies have indicated that, as already known, Africa was the ancestral source of all people. Australian aborigines were found to be an early out-group that remained isolated. All other groups, including Europians, Asians, and Native Americans, were found to be a single related (monophyletic) group resulting from a later out-migration from Africa, which could reasonably be divided into more or less the equivalents of West and East Eurasian groups, although of course recognizing that there are many intermediates. Here the problem arises of distinguishing black Africans as a racial group; it doesn't work because it is a paraphyletic classification. In other words, under a phylogenetic classification, considering black Africans as a single racial group would require one to include every living person on Earth within that single African "race", because the genetic variation of the rest of the world represents essentially a single subtree within that of Africa. Also, it has long been known that groups such as the Khoisan were as different from other sub-Saharan groups as are Europeans and Asians (though even with the Khoisan the distinction is no longer so clearcut, as a large amount of intermarriage with both Europeans and Bantu-language speakers has occurred over the last three centuries).
Race in biomedicine
There is an active debate among biomedical researchers about the meaning and importance of race to their research.
Several questions are being considered:
When should race be taken into account when studying humans?
What definition of race is appropriate for biomedical research?
Do the biological differences between races justify the use of racial categories in research?
Can genetic assignment to population groups be used in lieu of self-identified race?
What are the ethical implications of using race in research?
The primary impetus for considering race in biomedical research is the possibility of improving the prevention and treatment of diseases. Many previous studies have observed that disease susceptibility and environmental responses vary by race. Thus, some researchers believe that race may be an informative category for biomedical research. Others fear that the use of racial categories in research may cause social harm.
In biomedical research, the 2000 US census definition of race is often applied. This grouping recognizes five races: black or African American, white, Asian, native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska native. However, this definition is inconsistently applied between studies.
From the perspective of genetics, human population structure is the result of patterns of mating. Historically, the greatest influence on mating patterns is geography. Genetic research has shown that the greatest genetic differentiation among humans corresponds with continental groupings. To the extent that racial labels correspond with continental groups, some argue that they are informative for biomedical research.
In multiracial societies such as the United States, racial groups also differ by social and cultural correlates such as economic status and access to healthcare. These factors are believed to explain some of the differential health care outcome between races. An open area of investigation is whether racial differences persist in studies where social and cultural correlates are taken into account.
The existence of genetic differences among races is well accepted. In general, genetic clusters exist which correspond tightly to the census definition of race and to self-identified ancestry. One large exception to this correspondence is that South, Central, and West Asians (e.g. Asian Indians) cluster with Europeans and are separate from East Asians. The association between race and genetics also breaks down for groups such as Hispanics, which exhibit a pattern of geographical stratification of ancestry. The biomedical relevance of genetic differences among races is a matter of debate. Some researchers argue that the available evidence supports the notion that some of the genetic differences between races has biomedical significance, and thus should be studied.
An alternative view argues that the underlying genetic-cluster categories can be used in lieu of racial labels for biomedical purposes. Proponents of this view argue that by directly examining the genotype, the problem of using racial labels can be avoided. Moreover, they argue that genotyping is more reliable than using self-identified race as a proxy for ancestry. Some fear that the use of racial labels in biomedical research runs the risk of unintentionally exasperating health disparities.
Proponents of using race in biomedical research argue that ignoring race will be detrimental to the health of minority groups. They argue that disease risk factors differ substantially between racial groups, that relying only on genotypical classes ignores non-genetic factors that impact health, and that minorities would be poorly represented in clinical trials if race were ignored.
Indeed, it is preferable when considering biological relations to think in terms of populations, and when considering cultural relations to think in terms of ethnicity, rather than of race. Instead of classing people into one "group", say "Caucasians" or Europeans you have Britons, Frenchmen, Germans, Nords, western Slavs and Celts rather than having a term implying a ("possible") ancestor group in the Caucasus that is too distant for consideration and moreover reaching to groups including eastern Slavs, Roma,Persians and Indians, and others that differ notably, both culturally and to a lesser yet still noteworthy extent physically, from the aforementioned ethnic groups There can be as much difference between two ethnicities grouped into a "race" as between either of those and an ethnic group grouped (often arbitrarily) into another "race."
External links
David Serre, Svante Pääbo, "Evidence for Gradients of Human Genetic Diversity Within and Among Continents" ( Genome Research 14:1679-1685, September 2004.
Skadi Forum, "Race & Science" ( Section dedicated to the scientific study of the human species and its races; ethnic, social, and physical anthropology; the racial and subracial classification of individuals; as well as human genetics and behaviorism. | eng | 7051bc78-9212-4179-9bf4-f59950d70406 | http://askfactmaster.com/Race |
Shah Ahmed
So, you've just become a new homeowner, or you're thinking of becoming one..... now, what is it going to cost to maintain it?
First, there's the one per cent rule, which claims that normal maintenance on a home is about one per cent of the value of the home per year. This means that a $250,000 home would cost about $2,500 per year to maintain. This would cover normal replacement of worn out components such as a failed water tank one year, roof repair another year, and the furnace the next.
Then there's the three per cent rule; some experts say that home buyers should plan on spending three per cent of the value of the home in the first year. This is because new homeowners will likely purchase blinds and/or drapes, change some or all of the decor and maybe buy some appliances.
A Home Inspection (before you buy) will give you an idea of what is wearing out and what will last for a while. For example, because the high efficiency furnace was installed a just a year ago, you likely won't be buying a new furnace for at least 15 years, since they last, on average, 15-20 years. Or you know the shingles have never been replaced, they're looking a little rough and the house is 18 years old; count on getting up on the roof (or hiring someone) in the next year or so. Asphalt shingles last approximately 12 -20 years. This is not a reason to not buy the house, not a defect, just a something to be aware of.
Here are the typical life cycles of the most common home components:
Furnace > 15-20 years
Air conditioning system > 12-15 years
Water tank > 12 years
Sink garbage disposal > 10 years
Appliances > 12-20 years (varies substantially)
Asphalt shingles > 12 - 20 years
High-end asphalt shingles > 20-30 years
Cedar shingles > 20-35 years
Garage door opener > 10-15 years
Care and maintenance is the key. Generally anything will last longer if it is not abused, kept clean and dry, and used only for the purpose it was intended.
Water is our most precious resource on earth; every living organism is dependent on it for survival. Less than 30% of people around the world have access to safe drinking water. As the climate changes, we will likely see that access to clean and safe water will become more important than ever.
While access to clean water is not an issue for most Canadians, it makes sense to be more water conscious for the following reasons:
Less environmental impact by deferring the need to supply water from new sources and by reducing the energy and materials required to treat and deliver water.
We all can take immediate steps starting in our own households to more efficiently use water so there is enough to go around.
Be water conscious Just like you think about saving energy by turning off your lights, switching off the power strip and charging your phone with your solar charger, you should be just as conscious about conserving water. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, use less water when hand washing dishes, don't use hot water to defrost food, and take shorter showers. We all know these things and mean to do them, but sometimes we forget. Program these simple changes into your daily routine and be conscious about water use.
Fix leaks A dripping tap sends your money down the drain. If your tap is leaking one drop per second, you are wasting over 9,460 litres of water per year. You can fix this problem by replacing a simple washer. Even if you have to change the entire tap, it'll cost less than what you're wasting. Also, check your toilet, it might be leaking too even if you don't hear it. You can check for a leak in your toilet by adding a few drops of food colouring to the tank. If within half an hour the coloured water has disappeared from the bowl, you'll know you've got a leak.
Use low water flow fixtures Low flow showerheads and faucet aerators save up to half of water used without compromising your shower quality and washing experience. Also, take the opportunity to install a low-flow toilet and save even more money! Since 30% of the water consumption in your home is from toilet use; the older the toilet, the greater the use. Old toilets use at least 16-20 litres per flush. However, more recent models use about six litres or, if you install an ultra low-flow head, your toilet will use as little as three litres of water per flush-a big difference for huge savings!
Wash full loads Use your appliances efficiently by washing only full loads of dishes or clothes. Wait the extra meal to have enough dishes or another day until you have enough clothes to make running that appliance worth it. While some appliances have settings for smaller loads, most do not, and use just as much water to wash a few things as it does to wash a full load.
Replace old appliances Energy Star rated appliances save you energy, water, and money! Energy Star rated washers use half the water and energy per load of older models. If you're looking for a new washing machine, frontload washing systems have a much larger capacity and save a lot of water and energy. Also, take the time to look at investing in a dishwasher. This might surprise many but washing your dishes by hand in your sink uses more water than running an Energy Star rated dishwasher. Hand washing your dishes twice daily uses about 70 litres of water while a dishwasher, filled to the maximum, uses only 30 litres.
Saving water saves you money From leaky taps and running toilets to watering your lawn, there are many things around your house that drain your money if you are not aware of them. You can be green and save water and money by following the above steps-use less and you'll save more!
Mortgage rates are at their lowest in years. Here are a few issues to consider, whether you are taking a new mortgage on a home purchase, or re-newing your mortgage term.
You want to make sure you get the best interest rate. If you go to the financial institution you are currently dealing with, you will most likely be quoted the "posted rate". This rate is generally up to 1% higher than you should have to pay. Doing some competitive market research before hand can be helpful to negotiate a better rate.
Open vs Closed Mortgages
When selecting a mortgage, you can choose to pre-pay it in part of full at any time without any penalty. This is called an "open" mortgage. You pay a slightly higher rate for an open mortgage, as the lender has no certainty if you will pay it off before the end of the term. Alternatively, you can lock a mortgage for a period of time at the same rate, e.g. for 3 or 5 years. This is called a "closed" mortgage. If you pre-pay a closed mortgage before the term is over, you will have to pay a penalty.
Fixed vs Variable Interest Rate
When you take out a mortgage, it could be at a fixed interest rate for the duration of the term, e.g. 5% for the 5 year term, or it could be at a variable rate. This is generally set at the prime bank rate or below that, and can vary weekly based on any change in the prime rate. Generally, a variable mortgage is lower than a fixed mortgage. Some people prefer rate certainty for the term so they can budget accordingly. Others prefer to monitor mortgage rates and convert to a fixed rate mortgage if the rates start going up.
Monthly Payments vs Accelerated Mortgage Payments
Many people routinely pay their mortgage payments monthly. However, if you pay more frequently than that, e.g. every 2 weeks or every week, your savings on interest over time is phenomenal.
Title Insurance gives homeowners protection should someone else claim a legal interest in their property. It also protects homeowners against loss resulting from pre-existing municipal work orders, survey issues, certificate of location defects, unpaid taxes by previous owners and a number of other covered title risks such as Title Fraud.
What is Title Insurance? When you purchase a home you're actually paying for title to the land: you acquire the right to occupy and use the space. Part of the price paid will be for the improvement, or the actual home, but the major cost of most property is the land itself. You obtain title to property when the owner signs the deed (transfer document) over to you. Title is then registered in the government's land registration system.
Prior to closing, public records are "searched" to determine the previous ownership of the property, as well as prior dealings related to it. The search might reveal, for example, existing mortgages, liens for outstanding taxes, utility charges, etc., registered against the property. At closing, the buyer expects the property to be free of such claims, so normally they must be cleared up before closing. For example, the seller's mortgage will be discharged and outstanding monetary expenses (such as taxes and utility charges) will be paid for (or adjusted for) at closing.
If the title is restricted by rights and claims of others; this could in turn limit your use and enjoyment of the property and even bring financial loss. However, such issues may not be discovered or remedied before closing. Title insurance will protect you against these situations.
Do I need Title Insurance? Title insurance is not a requirement in some provinces. To fully understand what type of protection title insurance can provide you, talk to your lawyer, title insurance company or insurance agent/broker to determine whether or not you should purchase title insurance or if other options exist. Once you get all the facts, you can make an informed decision based on your specific situation and needs.
Who is protected with Title Insurance? Title insurance policies can be issued in favour of a purchaser (on new/resale homes, condos and vacation properties), a lender, or both the purchaser and lender. Lenders will sometimes require title insurance as a condition of making the loan. Title insurance protects purchasers and/or lenders against loss or damage sustained if a claim that is covered under the terms of the policy is made.
What does Title Insurance cover? For a one-time fee, called a premium, a title insurance policy may provide protection from losses, such as:
Unknown title defects (title issues that prevent you from having clear ownership of the property);
Existing liens against the property's title (e.g., the previous owner had unpaid debts from utilities, mortgages, property taxes or condominium charges secured against the property);
Encroachment issues (e.g., a structure on your property needs to be removed because it is on your neighbour's property);
Title fraud;
Errors in surveys and public records; and other title-related issues that can affect your ability to sell, mortgage, or lease your property in the future;
Your title insurance policy will protect you as long as you own your property, and will cover losses up to the maximum coverage set out in the policy. It may also cover most legal expenses related to restoring your property's title.
For a risk to be covered, generally it has to have existed as of the date of the policy. As with any type of insurance policy, certain types of risks might not be covered, for example, native land claims and environmental hazards are normally excluded. Be sure to discuss with your lawyer what risks are covered and what are excluded.
How long is the insurance coverage? Residential title insurance coverage lasts as long as you own the property. Most residential title insurance policies extend coverage to your heirs through a will, to a spouse in the event of a divorce, or to children when the property is transferred from parents to children for nominal consideration.
In the case of title insurance covering a
The premium for title insurance is paid once (at the time of purchase). Generally speaking, in Canada the purchaser of the property pays for the title insurance, though there can be situations where the seller pays for it. Some policies automatically cover both the purchaser and lender; others will cover both for a small additional fee.
Protection and peace of mind Title It is important to keep in mind that title insurance does not replace legal advice when purchasing property.
If your home is important to you, don't overlook this important piece of insurance.
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I Have the most effective Marketing system to sell your house. I am Graduate in Computer Sciences. & today every thig is getting on to World wide web. Now It comes to who do it better. You will get the best exposure for your property. I will get your listing to hundreds of web sites including videos, virtual tours. It not only sells fast but you will get a good return of your house.
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You can get automated e mail alerts Direct to your Email. by Just putting some information into AUTOMATED SEARCH tab on my web site.
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Sincerely, Shah | eng | 97c3f59b-dfcc-4f2c-ab83-c948e57cfe98 | http://localism.com/neighbor/saskrealestate?page=5 |
"The answer is blowing in the wind." This lyric from the Bob
Dylan song came to mind when I read a recent letter that was
critical of J.D. Mullane and the Catholic Church. The letter writer
invoked the 1960s as a time of change that left the country in a
better position than before. In fact, those familiar with the Bible
might think Dylan a bit of a prophet considering the words of
Christ to Nicodemus: "The wind blows wherever it wishes, and you
hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where
it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
People born of the spirit are those who understand the teachings
of the Church and wisdom of those teachings. The writer claimed
that church attendance has declined because "members have finally
begun to think and act for themselves and their families." Huh?
Hello? Church attendance has declined because people have made a
conscious decision to ignore what is right and have succumbed to
worldly attractions. People who do not know or understand the
Catholic Church do not know where it came from or where it is going
but people born of the spirit certainly know.
They know that the Church is the single most important source of
charity on the globe. They know that a woman's right to choose
means that she can choose death for her baby. They know that 40
years of abortion and contraception on demand have not made our
country better. The divorce rate has doubled and we have the
highest rates of non-marital pregnancies and sexually transmitted
diseases in the history of our country due to a government that
promotes birth control.
The writer used the term "absurd dogma" to describe Church
teaching. What is truly absurd is the logic of the letter writer
given the evidence of what has transpired in our society by those
who ignore Church teaching. The writer stated, "give me progressive
change anytime over the alternative, stagnation and decline."
I call broken marriages and families, "stagnation and decline."
I call a culture of teaching young people to use contraception
instead of abstaining from sex, "stagnation and decline." I call
millions of people who were denied life due to abortion,
"stagnation and decline." When sex is separated from procreation
and becomes just another activity, unborn children suffer due to
abortion and unstable family situations. Women suffer because they
feel obligated to succumb to desires of men and consume
contraceptive medications that have near term side effects and may
increase the likelihood of breast cancer later in their lives.
The Catholic Church has been at the forefront of the message to
people that the distortion of the sexual relationship between a man
and a woman outside of marriage has led to many of the problems
facing our society today. This is common sense and the fact that
government leaders and their progressive supporters ignore the data
is simply stunning.
Many people in this country such as the letter writer who
describe themselves as secular progressives adhere to a dogmatic
belief on how life should be despite the evidence all around them
that abortion and contraception on demand are not moving the
country forward but toward "stagnation and decline." They are
forcing their "absurd dogma" on all Americans while pointing their
finger at Catholics and people of other faiths as attempting to
restrict or eliminate freedom in the country. They call people of
faith who actually exercise their faith in the voting booth as
backward and anti-progress. Are more broken marriages and families
progress?
"Yes, how many times can a man turn his head, pretending he just
doesn't see? The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind, the
answer is blowin' in the wind."
Robert Morrison, Lower Makefield, is a life
science industry executive. He is married and father of four
school-aged children.
Welcome to the discussion.
21 comments:
So let me get this straight. Because more and more people are waking up and realizing that talking devil snakes aren't real, the earth is way more than 5,000 years old, and chances are nobody named Jesus Christ was killed and able to come back from the dead three days later, somehow that's leading to a moral decay?
Religious wackjobs need to let legislators handle public policy, not priests. Why would I listen to the teachings of an organization that covers up the molestation of young boys anyway? Is that what the church ment to teach about sexual relations?
Yikes. "When sex is separated from procreation and becomes just another activity..." You are soooooooooooo completely wrong about the Catholic Church's teaching about this, dear. According to the Catholic Church, sex is an act between two married people only, certainly---the rituals surrounding the sacrament of matrimony are all about 2 people becoming one and sex is the literal portion of that union. Sex is indeed separated from procreation in the eyes of the Catholic Church but we all know sex can lead to procreation. If 2 people marry and can't have children, they still have sex---it's not a violation of Catholic doctrine, it's not a sin. For example, if a young woman has a hysterectomy and gets married and has sex, she knows she can't conceive a child but it's not a sin. Likewise, if 2 older folks are married and are well past her childbearing years---also okey dokey with the Church. I learned this in Catholic grade school right here in Lower Bucks...from nuns! Your basic statement is completely flawed. You may have had a valid point in there somewhere but you completely lost all credibility when you wrote what you think is true but not what's actually true. You make Catholics look bad with false statements like that.
PS "...consume contraceptive medications that have near term side effects and may increase the likelihood of breast cancer later in their lives..." Um, you might want to look at some RECENT research on oral contraceptive medication to get some actual facts on the "increase the likelihood of breast cancer" thing you're trying to pass off as medical knowledge.
Why do the evangelical Christian and Catholics think they can continue to push their radical ideas and policies on all Americans? The administration offered a compromise which the Church bishops slapped away. They want all of their employees to be forced to follow their archaic rules. Nonsense....just go away!
And most Americans would have respected the CC if they reacted as vehemently about the child abuse in their church as they did contraception. And they wonder why nobody respects their opinions anymore.
Mr. Morrison, what you had to say makes so much sense and thanks for saying it.!
Birth control pills are linked to breast cancer and infertility issues. Birth control can lead to spontaneous abortions. How many people know that? It can prevent an already fertilized egg from implanting.
How in the world is the Catholic Church in opposition to the Constitution? The Catholic Church is the premier protector of human life and equality; that's why the Church's position on abortion is so important. How many are fighting for the weakest in society (the unborn) like the Church is?
This administration, however, is the one that doesn't uphold the Constitution. It demands the Catholic Church violate its conscience or else. How is that American? It isn't. It's tyrannical and its unconstitutional!
Genie2, are you able to buy contraceptives? Yes? Then what's your problem? Oh, I see, you want it for free! You work for a Catholic organization? Yes? Then you must be like the Duggars with 20 kids. No? Then what's your beef?
Android... people with your view whine that Big Government is intruding in you life....but YOU keep making social issues like contraception and religion political ones. You must learn to keep your religious beliefs out of my politics.
Eyemrite ( I am right) is wrong. Natural family planning is unrelaible. Becoming pregnant when pregnancy is not wanted causes unnecessary stress in a marriage. Furthermore, sex should be for more than just having babies. Sex should be able to be enjoyed. The contraception use and method should be decided only by the couple, not by any outside 'authority.'
I have no idea what 'sex on demand' means. In a loving relaionship, it is by mutual consent, not a one sided demand. If it is one sided, it is rape.
The piece was about the abortion and contraception INCREASING divorce, etc. The church teaches that natural family planning can be used in the case when a family cannot afford additional children. Couples who practice natural family planning have a 0.05% divorce rate. Sounds like a cure to me. He never stated religion stops these things but people of faith who refrain from sex on demand, etc. will realize a DECREASING divorce, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. Sorry, your denial is a dream and nothing more.
I haven't seen any Catholic bashing so the request to stop it makes no sense. As for the issues, divorce is a problem but it always has been and surely always will be. Religion does not prevent the desire of couples to divorce one another .Broken families are the direct result of people who are more interested in self then in the children they have created. Again, religion does not prevent it. Sexually transmitted diseases are not stopped by religion either.If religion cured these things authors would have nothing to write about.
Morrison's premise is his religion does cure these things and that is not supported by anything. It's his dream and nothing more.
To all the Catholic bashers, stop with bashing and address the issues raised in this piece: divorce, broken families, sexually-transmitted diseases. People started leaving the church long before the priest sexual abuse scandal. And since you folks are all in favor of contraception, why not do a little research on the connection between oral contraceptives and breast cancer? No studies have been done to measure the long term risk and the drug labels clearly state that studies have not been done on women less than 18 years old. Yet there are millions of teens consuming these pills on a daily basis. Just as they finally made the connection with hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer in older women, the science is telling us that we can predict a tidal wave of breast cancer cases when the women who have been consuming these pills for 20+ years hit their 60s. Progress?
Disagreeing with a Catholic position is not Catholic bashing . Disagreeoing with a Catholic position has nothng to do wth the left or the right. Disagreeing is simply having a difference of opinion and many, many Catholics disagree with the 'official' positions. And the statistics quoted are that Catholics use birth control as much as anyone else and Catholics alsohave abortions. The point is, people make decisions based on their needs and that is called freedom of choice. Hopefully we are not going to reduce our freedoms.
Catholic bashing is fashoinable for the bitter left and that bigotry was encouraged by the disgusting priests who violated children and then covered it up. May they all rot in H3ll.
That said, the left is missing the point.This is not about Catholics. It is about the long arm of Big Government.
As infiriating as it is to see sissies like Chris Matthews and hear his waterboy Smericinish and read the words of you pathetic people, I know that the ultimate goal of defeated BHO is well-served by your tone deafness.
I would only add that while it may be the Catholic Church that is currently topical on these issues, in my opinion the church is now consciously emulating the very secular tactics of the so-called Religious Right and evangelicals. They are striving to become a subset of the Religious Right, and actually are already.
While there is a good deal of irony in that, that irony is a subject for another thread. I would close with, it is usually a good idea to choose your friends carefully, even if you perceive those friends as winning.
The dogma of the Catholic Church has always been in conflict with the Constitution of the United States. It is very evident in political elections where burdens are placed on the backs of Catholic candidates and Catholic voters that are not placed by the church on all Americans. It is a disadvantage to be a Catholic legislator in this country and it should not be. Catholics have to made calls that non Catholics do not have to. The Catholic legislator and his faith should be private between him and his Bishop. It was outrageous for the Bishop in Massachusetts to publicly declare Kerry would be denied the sacrament of communion. That should have been kept private, clearly it was made public to influence voters. If the church is going to lobby for candidates and get into the political arena then it must lose its tax exemption.
To exercise the Catholic faith in the voting booth when both candidates support the right to choose should give the voter two choices. But it does not, we are expected to vote against the Catholic even if he might be the better candidate over all. That is a religious bias the church imposes against Catholic candidates.
This is not a country with a state religion. Each to his own and when the church started over reaching and using the pulpit to convey the Catholic candidate should not be elected because he supports the right to choose when in fact the non Catholic candidate also supports the right to choose the church lost some creditability. This type of selection could lead to a leader that launches a war of choice causing the death of 5 thousand Americans and countless maimed and blinded and an economy in tatters. Oh wait. It did. The economy has affected the ability to support school tuition and pay other bills and so we are now losing our schools.
How will voting for candidates based on Catholic dogma save our schools? Catholic dogma opposes war. We got 2.
If we adhere strictly to dogma then we must all vote for Santorum for president. We will then have a religion based presidency and all that goes with it, something the founders declared Independence from.
Redhead has it right. The Church has lost its flock not because of the dogma, but because of the men behind it. The outrage over the birth control mandate begs the question: Where was the Church outrage over its pedophile priests? How many children in Boston suffered because a Bishop protected the criminals while turning a legislator into one?
The Catholic Church has to heal itself. If it cannot hold on to its flock then the church is failing and has its politics to blame. Politics are man made, not God given.
I think it is time to end the intrusion into the religious faith of candidates. No one has a lock on morality, but to single out the Catholics does a great disservice to the country as there are many non Catholics with moral compasses that are not as centered. We need to make our selections based on reality and in accordance with the times in which we live.
Mr. Morrison's view of sex is one dimensional. I feel sorry for him and if he's married, I feel sorry for his wife too. From past guest editorials he's written, I infer that his one dimensional view of all life has to make him a terribly frustrated individual.
If he's happy with the church's teachings, that's fine, but he seems to want all of us to submit to those teachings and for many of us, that doesn't work. I vividly remember when I was in the service and a neighbor literally had 7 children and desperately wanted to use birth control but, as she lamented, her pope wouldn't let her. That's not the life for anyone who can think and that's is not the life that the church shoulod impose on the rest of us.
Mr. Morrison, you're probably a decent guy, but your beliefs about contraception make no sense, especially if you claim to oppose abortion. There is no moral justification for opposing contraception - none, and you offer none. The Church's position on the issue will change someday, just as it has had to rethink its position on other issues. It is absurd that you talk about others wanting to eliminate freedom when you oppose the use of contraception.
As for people turning away from the church, Mr. Morrison, you conveniently did not mention that the Catholic leaders in this country turned their backs on the most vulnerable by hiding abusers, allowing abuse to continue, and still, to this day, refusing to cooperate with authorities. How can Catholics trust their leaders when those leaders are not trustworthy? Catholics made the conscious decision to stop attending Mass because they were forced to question whether those standing at the pulpit have any moral authority to preach what is right and wrong. | eng | 4ed307d6-52bb-43bf-ab08-f1d1d768d688 | http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/opinion/ignoring-church-teachings-got-us-to-where-we-are/article_c887b5ae-2ea9-5e38-b299-e25f95dd4531.html |
Battle of Hamburg
The Battle of Hamburg, codenamedOperation Gomorrah, was a series of air raids conducted by the RAF on the city of Hamburg beginning in the end of July 1943. It was at the time the heaviest assault in the history of aerial warfare and was later called the Hiroshima of Germany by British officials.
The operation was originally formulated by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with help from Air Chief MarshalArthur "Bomber" Harris (who famously said of the Germans "They have sown the wind, and now they shall reap the whirlwind") and was actually a joint effort between the RAF Bomber Command, the RCAF, and the USAAF (specifically 8th Air Force Bomber Command), who combined to create an "around-the-clock" bombing mission spanning 8 days and 7 nights — The British conducting the night raids and the Americans following with the daylight raids.
On 24 July, at approximately 00:57AM, the first bombing started by the RAF and lasted almost an hour. A second daylight raid by US Army Air Force was conducted at 2:40PM. A third raid was conducted on the morning of the 26th. The night attack of 26 July at 00:20AM was extremely light (due to a severe thunderstorm and high winds over the North Sea during which a considerable number of bombers jettisoned the explosive part of their bomb loads) with only two bomb drops reported. That attack is often not counted when the total number of Operation Gomorrah attacks is given. There was no day raid on the 27th.
On the night of 27 July, shortly before midnight, 739 aircraft attacked Hamburg. A number of factors combined to give the enormous destruction that followed; the unusually dry and warm weather, the concentration of the bombing in one area and that the city's firefighters were unable to reach the initial fires — the high explosive "Cookies" used in the early part of the raid had prevented them getting into the center of the city from the periphery where they were working on the results of the 24th. The bombings culminated in the spawning of the so-called "Feuersturm" (firestorm). Quite literally a tornado of fire, this phenomenon created a huge outdoor blast furnace, containing winds of up to 240 km/h (150 mph) and reaching temperatures of 800 °C (1,500 °F). It incinerated some eight square miles (21 km²) of the city, causing asphalt on the streets to burst into flame, killing many that had both taken shelter and not. Most of the casualties (40,000) caused by Operation Gomorrah happened on this night.
On the night of 29 July, Hamburg was again attacked by over 700 aircraft. The last raid of Operation Gomorrah was conducted on 3 August.
Operation Gomorrah caused at least 50,000 deaths, mostly civilians, and left over a million other German civilians homeless. Approximately 3,000 aircraft were deployed, 9,000 tons of bombs dropped, and 250,000 houses destroyed. No subsequent city raid shook Germany as did that on Hamburg; documents show that German officials were thoroughly alarmed and there is some indication from later allied interrogation of high officials, that Hitler thought that further attacks of similar weight might force Germany out of the war. Hamburg was hit by air raids another 69 times before the end of World War II.
RAF Bomber Command lost 12 bombers on the first day of the attack. In total during the war, 440 were lost over Hamburg.
Time line of Hamburg air raids during World War II
Bombing raids by the RAF on Hamburg took place:
The night of 10/11 September 1939: 10 aircraft dropped leaflets.
The nights of 15/16 November and 16/17 November 1940: A heavy raid by a total of over 200 aircraft. On the first night damage was caused to the Blohm & Voss shipyard and over 60 fires were started. On the second night only 60 aircraft found their target and damage was far less. These two nights of bombing were only 24 hours after a very large raid by the German Luftwaffe on Coventry on the night of 14/15 November 1940. However the raid must have been planned more than 24 hours in advance, so although these raids are often stated to be revenge attacks, it is unlikely that they were planned to be so.
The night of 12/13 March 1941: heavy raids on Hamburg, Bremen and Berlin by a total of 257
The night of 13/14 March 1941: 51 people were killed, the highest number in a single raid to date
April 1941. During this month Hamburg was a main target.
May 1941. Hamburg was bombed several times during the month. Raids now usually contained about 100 bombers.
The night of 11/12 May 1941: a heavy raid by 92 aircraft.
The night of 27/28 June 1941: a raid on Bremen but most bombed Hamburg - an error of 50 miles. 11 out of 35 bombers were shot down by night fighters.
The night of 14/15 January 1942: Heavy raid by 95 aircraft. Only 48 aircraft claimed to have bombed Hamburg. Altona station hit and 12 fires, 7 of them large ones, were started. Six people killed and 22 injured. No aircraft reported lost.
The night of 15/16 January 1942: Heavy raid by 96 aircraft. 52 bombers claimed to have bombed Hamburg successfully. 36 fires started 3 of them large, 3 people killed and 25 injured. 11 Bombers lost.
The night of 17/18 January 1942: Bremen the main target for 83 aircraft, but Hamburg bombed as a secondary target causing 11 fires and casualties of 5 dead and 12 injured in Hamburg. Four bombers lost.
The night of 16/17 February 1942: small raid by one or two bombers. No details.
The night of 8/9 April 1942: largest raid to date on a single target. Carried out by 272 aircraft. Raid was considered a failure. 17 people were killed and 119 injured. 5 planes lost.
The night of 17/18 April 1942: large raid by 173 aircraft. 75 fires, 33 classed as large were started. 23 people were killed and 66 injured. 8 aircraft lost.
The night of 3/4 May 1942: small raid by 81 aircraft, dispatched on the 100th anniversary of a great fire in Hamburg. 53 aircraft were estimated to have hit the target. 113 fires started, of which 57 were large. 77 were killed, 243 injured and 1,624 bombed out. 5 aircraft were lost.
The night of 26/27 July 1942: Large raid by 403 aircraft. Widespread damage was caused, mostly in housing and semi-commercial districts rather than in the docks and industrial areas. At least 800 fires started, 523 of which were large. 823 houses were destroyed and more than 5,000 damaged. More than 14,000 people were bombed out. 337 people were killed and 1,027 injured. 29 aircraft were lost, 7.2% of the force.
The night of 28/29 July 1942: large raid by 256 aircraft. Bad weather meant only 68 bombed in the target area. 56 fires, 15 of them large, were started. 13 people were killed and 48 injured. Bomber losses were high, 15.3% for the main group bombing that night.
The night of 13/14 October 1942: light secondary target raid. 2 large fires were started. 8 people were killed and 43 injured.
The night of 9/10 November 1942: heavy raid by 213 aircraft. There were 26 fires started of which 3 were large. 3 people killed and 16 injured. 15 aircraft lost, 7.0% of the force.
The night of 30/31 January 1943: medium raid by 148 aircraft. It was the first H2S radar attack of the war. H2S use was not successful and the bombs were scattered. However 119 fires were started of which 71 were large. 58 people were killed and 164 injured. 5 aircraft were lost, 3.4% of the force.
The night of 3/4 February 1943: heavy raid by 263 aircraft. Bad weather affected the bombers with many turning back early. Damage was light for what was planned to be a large raid. 16 bombers were lost, 6.1% of the force, many to night fighters.
The night of 3/4 March 1943: heavy raid by 417 aircraft. The Pathfinders marked the wrong target, mistaking a mud bank for the docks with their H2S radar, so most of the bombs landed 13 miles downstream from the centre of Hamburg, around the small town of Wedel. Those bombs which landed on Hamburg did considerable damage starting 100 fires, killing 27 people and injuring 95. The damage to Wedel was extensive. 10 aircraft lost, 2.4% of the force.
The night of 13/14 April 1943: nuisance raid by 2 Mosquitos.
The night of 26/27 June 1943: nuisance raid by 4 Mosquitos.
The night of 28/29 June 1943: nuisance raid by 4 Mosquitos.
The night of 3/4 July 1943: nuisance raid by 4 Mosquitos.
The night of 5/6 July 1943: nuisance raid by 4 Mosquitos.
The night of 24/25 July 1943: large raid by 791 aircraft, marked the opening of the "Battle of Hamburg". A countermeasure against the radar-directed German nightfighters in the form of "Window" was used for the first time. In the clear weather visual and H2S marking was accurate and on the town centre. 728 aircraft dropped their bombs in 50 minutes. Less than half the force bombed within 3 miles of the centre with a bomb creepback of six miles. Damage was caused in the central and north-western districts, particularly in Altona, Eimsbüttel and Hoheluft. The Rathaus (Town Hall), the St. Nikolai church, the main police station, the main telephone exchange and the Hagenbeck Zoo were among the well-known landmarks to be hit. About 1,500 people were killed which was the largest outside the range of the "Oboe" radio navigation system which helped to concentrate the bombing pattern. Thanks to the use of Window only 12 aircraft were lost, 1.5% of the force.
The night of 25/26 July 1943: diversionary nuisance raid by 6 Mosquitos.
The night of 26/27 July 1943: nuisance raid by 6 Mosquitos.
The night of 27/28 July 1943: large raid by 787 aircraft guided in by Pathfinders using H2S. Bombing about 2 miles east of city centre. Because of the unseasonally dry conditions, a firestorm was created in the built-up working-class districts of Hammerbrook, Hamm, Borgfelde and Rothenburgsort. The bombing was more concentrated than the RAF was usually able to manage at this stage of the war. In just over half an hour it is estimated that 550-600 bomb loads fell into an area measuring only 2 miles by 1 mile and this gradually spread the fire eastwards. The firestorm lasted for about three hours, consuming approximately 16,000 multi-storyed apartment buildings and killing an estimated 40,000 people, most of them by carbon monoxide poisoning when all the air was drawn out of their basement shelters. Fearing further raids, two-thirds of Hamburg's population, approximately 1,200,000 people, fled the city in the aftermath.
The night of 28/29 July 1943: nuisance raid by 4 Mosquitos.
The night of 29/30 July 1943: large raid by 777 aircraft guided in by pathfinders using H2S. The plan was to bomb the untouched northern suburbs. But a mistake in mapping led to the bombing of an area just north of the area devastated by the firestorm three nights before. The residential areas of Wandsbek and Barmbek districts and parts of the Uhlenhorst and Winterhude were severely damaged and widespread fires but no firestorm. 28 aircraft 3.6% of the force was lost.
The night of 2/3 August 1943: A large raid by 740 aircraft dispatched on a raid to Hamburg but bad weather stopped all but a few bombers reaching Hamburg; many bombed secondary targets instead. 30 aircraft, 4.1% of the force was lost.
The night of 22/23 August 1943: diversionary nuisance raid by 6 Mosquitos.
The night of 5/6 November 1943: Hamburg and other cities raided by a total of 26 Mosquitos.
The night of 29/29 July 1944: large raid by 307 aircraft. The raid was not a success, the bombing was scattered and German sources estimated that only 120 bombers landed their load on the city. 22 aircraft were lost mainly to night fighters.
The night of 26/27 August 1944: diversionary nuisance raid by 13 Mosquitos.
The night of 29/30 August 1944: diversionary nuisance raid on Hamburg, one of five cities bombed by a total of 53 Mosquitos.
The night of 6/7 September 1944: nuisance raid by 32 Mosquitos.
The night of 26/27 September 1944: diversionary nuisance raid by 6 Mosquitos.
The night of 30/1 October 1944: raid by 46 Mosquitos.
The night of 12/13 October 1944: raid by 52 Mosquitos. 1 aircraft lost.
The night of 30 November 1944 – 1 December 1944: diversionary raid by 53 Mosquitos.
The night of 11/12 December 1944: raid by 28 Mosquitos.
The night of 27/28 December 1944: nuisance raid by 7 Mosquitos.
The night of 16/17 January 1945: diversionary nuisance raid by 9 Mosquitos.
The night of 8/9 March 1945: large raid by 312 aircraft. It was an attack intended to destroy the type XXI U-boats being built in the Hamburg shipyards, but cloud cover limited the damage done. 1 aircraft lost.
The night of 21/22 March 1945: raid by 159 aircraft on the Erdölwerke refinery, which was put out of action for the rest of the war. 4 aircraft lost.
The night of 30/31 March 1945: raid by 43 Mosquitos.
The day of 31 March 1945: large raid by 469 aircraft on the Blohm + Voss shipyards to destroy the type XXI U-boats under construction. Cloud cover prevented serious damage to the target, but there was considerable damage to houses, factories, energy supplies and communications over a wide area of southern Hamburg. 11 aircraft lost mainly to German day fighters.
The night of 2/3 April 1945: nuisance raid by 1 Mosquito.
The day of 8 April 1945: USAAF raid on the shipyards.
The night of 8/9 April 1945: large raid by 440 aircraft on the shipyard areas but partial cloud caused the raid to become dispersed. There was some damage to the yards by it was not clear whether the damage was American or British or both.
Aftermath
Cityscape
The totally destroyed district of Hammerbrook, in which mostly longshoremen lived, was not rebuilt as housing area but as a commercial area. The adjoining district of Rothenburgsort shared the same fate, as only a small area of housing was rebuilt. The underground line which connected these areas with the central station was not rebuilt either.
In the destroyed residential areas many houses were rebuilt across the street and therefore do not form connected blocks anymore.
The hills of the Öjendorfer Park are formed by the debris of destroyed houses.
Memorials
Several memorials in Hamburg remind at the air raids during World War II:
The Nikolaikirche, which was largely destroyed during the bombing, has been made into a memorial against the war. The spire of the church, which was used by the bomber pilots as aiming point, endured the attacks.
Memorial at the Hamburger Strasse - a memorial for those who died in a shelter under the Karstadt department store at the corner Desenißstrasse/Hamburger Strasse. The department store was hit by a bomb in the night of 30 July. The people in the air raid shelter below were killed by the heat and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The victims of the air raids were buried on the Ohlsdorf cemetery in mass graves. The memorial "Passage over the Styx" by Gerhard Marcks is in the center and shows how Charon ferries a young couple, a mother with her child, a man and a desperate person over the river Styx.
Many houses rebuilt after World War II show a memorial plaque with the inscription "Destroyed 1943 - ... Rebuilt" to remind of their destruction during the air raids in July 1943. | eng | e2e56d15-f927-49e1-9583-9c1b143e3b1f | http://www.reference.com/browse/Hagenbeck+Zoo |
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Monday, January 31
The question may strike you as odd, yet due to the teaching of Evolution, many Christians have tried to insert a gap of unknown time between Genesis 1:1-2, during which the fossils were formed, dinosaurs lived, the like. Though a Scriptural basis is claimed, is there an actual basis, or is it merely a misinterpretation of the biblical account? Let us examine the theory - and what the Bible tells us. (Photo credit to: LambFood, Dan Lietha)
Though there are many attempts to harmonize Scripture with Evolution or long ages, such as Theistic Evolution or Progressive Creationism, each of these has biblical - and scientific - inconsistencies. There are several different versions of what occurred during this alleged Gap, but one of the more well-known ones is the ruin-reconstruction theory, an off-shoot of the Gap theory. Most versions place millions of years of geologic time in between Genesis 1:1-2, including fossils, which indicates death.
Now, Genesis 1:1-2 says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God [the Holy Spirit] was hovering over the waters." (NIV) So, why is it so difficult to accept this theory of a Gap? Most adherents of this theory have allowed the theories of secular scientists to determine what Scripture is saying, and have accepted millions of years and a fossil record. Understand this does not mean they accept evolution, but accept millions of years.
Some of the adherents of this theory place the Fall of Lucifer (Satan) during this time. However, this appears to contradict the Bible, as God describes his Creation on Day Six as perfect. (Genesis 1:31) Also, on the seventh day, God rested, and therefore was not at war with Satan and his angels. Therefore, it is logical to place the Fall of Lucifer after the six days of creation, occurring, at the earliest, on day 8. The ideas and concepts accepted into this theory draw from ideas outside of Scripture, opening the door to compromise.
Perhaps the earliest trace of this theory comes from the writings of Episcopius, a Dutchman who lived from 1583-1643. Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847) was the first to popularize this theory, however. Chalmers was a Scottish theologian as well as the first moderator of the Free Church of Scotland. Although Chalmers' writings did not give much information in regards to the gap theory, other writers, such as Hugh Miller, provided more information.[1] Arthur C. Custance, 20th-century writer, wrote Without Form an Void, published in 1970.[2]
The Scofield Reference Bible, The Newberry Reference Bible, and Dake's Annotated Reference Bible also support the gap theory and have had a great impact on the spread of this theory. As stated in the Scofield Study Bible, "Relegate fossils to the primitive creation, and no conflict of science with the Genesis cosmology remains."[3] This in itself is a compromise of biblical authority, showing that faith is put more in man's word than God's Word.
The gap theory, essentially, has three basic beliefs: 1) A literal view of Genesis, 2) a belief in an unknown age of the earth, and 3) fitting fossils and geologic strata into Genesis 1:1-2. Weston Fields provides a good overview of this theory, [4] "In the far distant dateless past, God created a perfect heaven and perfect earth. Satan was ruler of the earth which was people by a race of 'men' without any souls. Eventually, Satan, who dwelled in the garden of Eden composed of minerals (Ezekiel 28), rebelled by desiring to become like God (Isaiah 14). Because of Satan's fall, sin entered the universe and brought on the earth's judgment in the form of a flood (indicated by the water of 1:2), and then a global ice age when the light and heat from the sun were somehow removed. All the plant, animal, and human fossils upon the earth today date from this 'Lucifer's flood' and do not bear any genetic relationship with the plants, animals, and fossils living upon the earth today."[5]
During the nineteenth century, there was an increasing acceptance of uniformitarianism, which is the belief that the geological changes around us occurred slowly and roughly at the present rate, with the fallacy that the present is the key to the past. There are a number of problems with the Gap Theory/Ruin-Reconstruction Theory. Take for example, Exodus 20:11.
Exodus 20:11 states, "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." From a clear reading of Scripture, of Genesis 1, Exodus 20:11, and Mark 10:6, it seems evident that God is referring to six literal days. There is no time for a gap. Another major issue is the millions of years of fossils.
If there were fossils before Creation, this would indicate that sin, death, and suffering existed before Creation as well. However, Genesis 3 and 1st Corinthians 15 clearly show us that sin came through Adam, so that sin did not enter into the world until after Day 7. Also note that 1st Corinthians 15:45 states that Adam was the first man, eliminating the possibility that there was a race of soulless humans that died in Lucifer's flood. The concept of Lucifer's flood is found nowhere in Scripture.
Another issue would be the millions of years of geologic history. Consider the following: In verse 1-2 of Genesis, the earth was "formless and empty." When the six days of Creation occurred, there were physical changes to the earth - which would have left virtually no trace, severely disrupted if not altogether destroyed. Also, the gap theory essentially eradicates the fossils, rock, and strata laid down during a worldwide flood. Because of this, the position is changed to a local flood, which, as shown in past entries, is not consistent with the Bible. (See entry: "Was The Genesis Flood Local?")
Genesis depicts the Flood as Global. The water covered the earth for an entire year (Genesis 6:17, 7:19-24), only eight people, including every air-breathing creature, survived (Genesis 7:23). Isaiah 54:9 says, "To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth." Clearly, God is referring to a global flood. In 2nd Peter 3:5-6 we read, "But they deliberately forgot that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed."
Jesus clearly also believed in a Global Flood. "For in the days of (Matthew 24:38-39) Jesus, who is God, believed in a global flood. Essentially, belief in a re-creation of the Earth goes against Scripture in this way: it shows that the flood was not global, even though the Bible clearly shows this, it shows that there was a flood from Lucifer, and that there were soulless men before Adam, even though Scripture teaches that Adam is the first man.
Also, the gap theorist would have to ignore the evidence for a young creation, such as (but not limited to): the amount of helium in the atmosphere, helium in the ground, meteor dust, buildup of carbon 14, size of human population, natural plutonium, amount of sodium in the sea, amount of sediment in the sea, erosion of the continents, oil leaks in the earth, orphan radioholes, natural gas in the earth, lifetime of meteor showers, interplanetary dust removal, coral reef growth, peat bag growth, multi-layer fossils, oldest living plants, human civilizations, river delta growth, amount of uranium in the sea, neutrons and lead, rotation of spiral galaxies, decay of comets, carbon-14 in meteorites, interstellar gas expansion, hardening of rocks, decay of Saturn's ring, amount of potassium in the sea, Titan's methane loss, Niagara Falls, stone age burials, uranium decay, leaching of chlorine, internal heat of Io, the Recession of the Moon, the planet's magnetic fields, solar radiation, and many other evidences.[6] (See series: "Evidence for a Young Creation")
Also, the gap theory does not accommodate standard uniformitarianism geology within its alleged long ages, which do not allow for a worldwide flood - be it Lucifer's Flood or Noah's Flood, though again, Lucifer's flood is nowhere mentioned in Scripture and is an outside idea. More importantly, the gap theory undermines the gospel at its very foundation. By accepting millions of years, more credence is given to evolutionist ideas, and this must also lead adherents to accept that Romans 5:12 and Genesis 3:3 refer to only spiritual death, not physical death, which contradicts Scripture, such as Genesis 3:22-23 and 1st Corinthians 15.
Man's actions, the actions of Adam, led to sin, which 1st Corithians 15 reveals affected all of creation. Part of the basis for the Gap Theory is an interpretation of "create" which is both grammatically and biblically unsound. These Hebrew words are Bara and Asah. The word bara typically means "to create," in the way of producing something which did not previously exist, i.e. ex nihilo. Ken Ham of Answers In Genesis states:
Credit to: Dan Lietha
"...according to Exodus 20:11, God "made" (asah) the heavens and the earth and everything in them in six days. If God made everything in six days, then there is clearly no room for a gap. To avoid this clear scriptural testimony against any gap, gap theorists have alleged that asah does not mean "to create," but "to form" or even "re-form." They claim that Exodus 20:11 refers not to six days of creation but to six days of re-forming a ruined world. Is there such a difference between bara and asah in biblical usage? A number of verses show that, while asah may mean "to do" or "to make," it can also mean "to create," which is the same as bara. For example, Nehemiah 9:6states that God made (asah) "heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them." This reference is obviously to the original ex nihilo (out of nothing) creation, but the word asah is used. (We may safely assume that no gappist will want to say that Nehemiah 9:6 refers to the supposed reconstruction, because if the passage did, the gappist would have to include the geological strata in the reconstruction, thereby depriving the whole theory of any power to explain away the fossil record.) The fact is that the words bara and asah are often used interchangeably in the Old Testament; indeed, in some places they are used in synonymous parallelism (e.g., Genesis 1:26–27, 2:4; Exodus 34:10; Isaiah 41:20, 43:7). Applying this conclusion to Exodus 20:11, 31:17, and Nehemiah 9:6, we see that Scripture teaches that God created the universe (everything) in six days, as outlined in Genesis 1."[7]
Indeed. Now, adherents of the gap theory claim that Genesis 1:1-2 allows and even necessitates a gap. From straightforward reading we may understand that verse 1 and 2 are subject and clause. Gap Theorists believe that it is translated from "the earth was without form and void" to be "the earth became (or had become) without form and void." Not that the meaning of the word is certainly controlled in context, and thus "was" is the natural translation of the Hebrew word "hayetah." Genesis 1:1-2 shows a sequential clause, necessitating not a gap, but a cause-and-effect.[8]
The King James version of the Bible uses the word "replenish" in Genesis 1:28, and gap theorists sometimes use this to justify their position, claiming that God was commanding Adam and Eve to re-fill the earth, not just fill it. However, in 1611, replenish meant to refill. Today it means to re-fill, but when the translation was written, the use of the word meant "to fill." God was commanding Adam and Eve to fill up the earth, not refill.[9]
Please understand that none of this has been written to degrade anyone or attack them, but to illustrate the fallacious nature of this theory. If this theory is to be believed, several things found in the Bible must be rejected, in place of outside ideas, such as Lucifer's Flood, which would negate Noah's Flood. Adam and Eve sinned, which led to the Fall of Man and all of creation. Their sin therefore required a savior, who is Christ Jesus. Romans 10:9 says, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that he is risen from the dead, you will be saved." 1st John 1:9 tells us that we must also confess our sins. I urge you to turn to Christ today.
Did God re-create? The belief, like many others, will continue on, but it is clear from a close look at Genesis and the theory that the two are not mutually compatible. The support given from a biblical basis for this theory is easily explained, though not all of it was covered here. The answer? "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Thank you for taking the time to read this entry of "The Truth," please feel free to comment below (but please remain kind in your comments), email vexx801@yahoo.com or the Ministry team at thetruth.ministryweb@gmail.com, visit the facebook page, or visit the ministry page. Take care, dear reader, God bless! Troy Hillman
Saturday, January 29
Too often, Hell is a subject - and a place - not seriously taken into consideration. Yet the Bible mentions this place many times, especially in the four gospels found in the New Testament. Hell is mentioned all throughout the Bible, and as we know that Jesus is God, we can ensure that what he tells us about Hell is true. What did Jesus say on this subject? (See entry: "Is Jesus Really God?". Photo credit to: UCB)
Hell itself is "the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41, NIV, see entry: "Why Was Hell Created?") However, when Satan fell, (Isaiah 14:12-20, Ezekiel 28:12-17, Luke 10:18, etc) he entered into the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve, our ancestors, dwelled. Disguising himself as a snake, Satan approached Eve and made her question God's command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
This was before there was any sin. However, "when." (Genesis 3:6-7) In that moment, God's perfect creation became corrupted by sin. (See entry: "Satan and the Origin of Evil")
Romans 6:23 tells us, "...the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." With each passing generation, sin has become more and more invasive. Once man sinned, this caused condemnation for all to eternal torment in Hell. Why? "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23) When Adam and Eve sinned, their sin required atonement for them to be cleansed of that sin: necessitating a Savior.
God the Son, who took the name of Jesus during his time on Earth around 2000 years ago, came to pay the penalty. When He died on a Roman cross on Golgotha, God the Father had to turn his face from Jesus, so that every sin, past, present and future of humanity, would be placed upon him, and He bore the iniquity of us all. We truly have all broken God's Commandments (see entry: "The Ten Commandments - Have We Followed Them All?"), and "whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." (James 2:10)
It is because of our sin that we are sentenced to Hell. God sends no one to Hell, we send ourselves there by the choices that we make, as we are all given free will. If we did not have free will, we would have no real choices, no real emotions, we would all effectively be robots. Without Christ, we are unable to enter into Heaven, and therefore we enter in Hell upon death. What exactly did Jesus tell us about this place? Is it real? Is the fire literal? The answer to both are yes.
Mark 9:43-48 says, "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall *Note: This does not mean go out and mutilate yourself.
Jesus indeed does say much about Hell. There are forty-six verses in which Jesus speaks on Hell, this is not counting any of the Old Testament nor the remainder of the New Testament, though not all will be presented here. "...anyone who says, 'You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of Hell." (Matthew 5:22) "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) "But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:12)
Jesus continues, "Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."Matthew 10:28) In hell, people are not merely there in spirit, but in bodily form. Their senses are greatly increased, there is a foul odor, screams, the heat is unbearable, the people are always thirsty, always hungry, their desires (sex, drugs, etc) are multiplied and never fulfilled, there is a pervading fear, you have no strength, no rest nor sleep, no mercy, no water, no life, you are naked, you do not have time to get lost in your thoughts, and there is no purpose - all is over, lost, gone.[1]
There are many other verses on Hell. "...and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:50) There are those who believe that people who end up in Hell are either annihilated (Annihilationism) or are eventually saved out of Hell, having served time. (Universalism) However, both views are not biblically sound. Even from the aforementioned verses, it is evident that Hell is eternal torment, not annihilation nor eventual rescue. This is why it is so important to be saved from Hell.
Consider Matthew 25:46, "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." John 10:28 makes it clear that life for followers of Christ is eternal, and Revelation 20:10 makes it clear that life in Hell is eternal, non-stop, never-ending. Revelation 20:15 is one of the saddest verses found in God's Word. "All whose names were not found written in the book of life were thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 21:8 continues, "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur."
Jesus does tell us more in the Gospels. Time and time again He describes the "weeping and gnashing of teeth," the "eternal fire," the "outer darkness," the "worm [that] does not die, and the fire is not quenched." He also makes it clear that Hell is not temporal, but eternal. It is a hard concept to grasp, and indeed it is difficult to imagine eternal pain, yet it is occurring even as this is written, an eerie and terrible thought.
Mark 3:29 reveals, "But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin." In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus reveals not a parable but an account of a man named Lazarus, a Rich Man, and Abraham. Now, the general belief is that Hell is located either in the "heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40) or in another dimension. Those who have claimed to have been shown Hell and lived to tell the world about the truth of its existence claim that Hell is located in the core of the earth. There are 52 verses that refer to the location. (For more on this subject, see entry: "Location of Hell: Harrowing of Hell")[2]
Luke 16:19-31 gives the following account. [This was at the paradise section, before Jesus died, no one could enter into Heaven.] The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades [Hell],. 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced if someone rises from the dead.'"
If we do not believe the Bible (Moses and the Prophets make up most of the Old Testament), how then will we ever believe? There are, as stated, many other verses on Hell. Ezekiel 26:20 for example, Psalm 140:10, "Let the burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they may not rise up again."
The point of this entry is not to cause resentment or similar feelings, but to show that Hell is not a mythological place. Many people who have been shown clinically dead and then revived describe experiences of Hell. (For example, the experience of Bill Wiese, see here.) Hell is truly a literal place, and an eternal destination, one which I would not recommend to anyone, no matter who you are or what you may have done.
The good news is that the Creator entered into His Creation to atone for our sins, for the darkness inside of us all. How then can we be saved from this eternal destination, and change our destination to Heaven? "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and if you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) 1st John 1:9 continues, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
According to Dave Hunt in Defense of Faith, "We may rest assured that no one will suffer in hell who could by any means have been won to Christ in this life. God leaves no stone unturned to rescue all who would respond to the convicting and wooing of the Holy Spirit. As for the fate of [the damned] being eternal, it could not be otherwise. Death is not the cessation of existence but the continuation of the eternal being with which God lovingly endowed man--but now in painful separation from God and all else in utter darkness and loneliness."[3]
Thank you for reading this entry of "The Truth." Feel free to email vexx801@yahoo.com or thetruth.ministryweb@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, comment below, (but please remain civil) visit the facebook page, or visit the Ministry homepage. Take care, and may God bless. Troy Hillman
Thursday, January 27
For centuries, all over the world there have been reports of strange creatures. More often than not, these encounters and reports are dismissed as the products of over-imagination, wishful thinking, or mistaken identification of another creature. But is there something to this? Could dinosaurs really still be alive today? We will attempt to find the answer. (Photo credit to: Genesis Park, Sandra Mansi, Various)
Dinosaurs have been discussed at length in past series, such as "Dinosaurs of the Bible" and "Evidence for a Young Creation (Part Four)." The general belief of Young-Earth Creationists regarding Dinosaurs are as follows: Dinosaurs, meaning, "terrible lizard," were created by God on Day Six with all other land creatures. The water-dwelling dinosaurs of course, were created on Day 5.
Genesis 1:29-30 says, "Then God said, ' In the beginning, everyone ate plants: including dinosaurs.
Like all other creatures, dinosaurs were put onto Noah's Ark during the Flood. There were only about 50 kinds, this does not include water dinosaurs, since it was a flood, and none of the water creatures had to be put on the Ark. The dinosaurs that were not on the ark were fossilized during the catastrophic global flood, thus the reason we find fossilized dinosaurs. If there were dinosaurs on the ark, where are they now? What became of these creatures?[1]
When the floodwaters receded, the world was a very different place. Noah was given permission to eat meat (Genesis 9:1-3), which more than likely led to the eventual extinction of several species, as Noah and his family, as well as we his descendants could have hunted such creatures down. Instead of chicken for dinner, the meal would be dinosaur. This does not, however, account for the many reports, the many ancient depictions of dinosaurs, dinosaurs in the Bible, fossil evidence, and fossilized dinosaurs: including fresh blood cells!
Though not every Christian agrees, Young Earth Creationists tend to agree that Dinosaurs are found all throughout the Bible. The word "dinosaur" was not invented until the early 1840's, and the dinosaurs found in Scripture are referred to as dragons, behemoth, leviathan, serpents, cockatrice, or basilisks. For example, Job 40-41 describes both the Behemoth and Leviathan. In the series mentioned earlier, more detail is given regarding these creatures, but the basic belief is that the Behemoth was a Sauropod, and the Leviathan most likely a Kronosaurus or Sarcosuchus.
The Leviathan was around during the time of Job (1500's/1400's), and was at least around during the time of King David, as evidenced by Psalm 74:13-14 and Psalm 104:25-26. Isaiah also refers to the Leviathan in Isaiah 27:1. Though some believe that the Leviathan was merely a mythological creature or even an angelic creature created by God and shown to Job, certain references seem to contradict this concept.
Dragons are mentioned many times in Scripture, though they are translated differently in modern translations. Dragons, however, are merely dinosaurs. Dragons are a variety of gigantic reptiles reported over several centuries in over 200 places. As stated by the World Book Encyclopedia, "The dragons of legend are strangely like actual creatures that have lived in the past. They are much like the great reptiles which inhabited the earth long before man is supposed to have appeared on earth. Dragons were generally evil and destructive. Every country had them in its mythology."[2]
Though it is assumed by many that fire-breathing is scientifically impossible, it certainly is possible that certain kinds of dinosaurs possessed this sort of defense. For example, by producing methane or other inflammable gas in its digestive system, dinosaurs could expel this by a means of ignition, thereby producing fire. Since these were likely soft tissue, we would not expect to find these systems fossilized. Some believe that luminescence given off by some creatures. The ropen reported in New Guinea is said to give off a luminescence that the locals believe is fire, because it looks like hot embers.[3]
Reports of dragons and dinosaurs are so often dismissed because the world has been led to believe by means of Evolutionary principles, so if a dinosaur is reported or even captured on film or photo, it is dismissed as a fraud, because a living dinosaur does not agree with the Evolutionary worldview. This does, however, agree with a Biblical Worldview, and the "great dinosaur mystery" is easily solved: Dinosaurs were created on Day 6, some survived the Flood, and are not as populous in number in recent years, but are reported in remote regions of the world.
In 1965, the National Geographic Magazine stated that the number of new animal species discovered each year is about 50 mammals, 100 fish, 15 birds, and 5,000 insects.[4] Studies show that only about 5% of our Ocean has been explored. Is it too hard to believe, then, that there are many other undiscovered species: or species that we know of but refuse to accept as still existing?
People who live in the jungle have claimed for years to have seen what can be described as sauropod dinosaurs, such as the Brontosaurus or Diplodocus, or perhaps the Apatosaurus. One example is the "Mokèlé-mbèmbé." This creature is said to be similar to an Apatosaurus and have been reported in Central Africa. Missionaries and explorers also claim to have seen these creatures. Many expeditions have been conducted in search of the Mokèlé-mbèmbé, particularly in the Congo River basin.[5]
The basin itself is roughly larger than the state of Florida in the United States, and Government reports state that 80% of this area remains unexplored. Television Channels such as National Geographic (Danger Encounters), Syfy (Destination Truth), and the History Channel (MonsterQuest) have investigated this creature. The results were inconclusive, and do not prove nor disprove anything.[6]
Another possible living dinosaur is the Pterosaur, or a Pterodactyl. A press release in 2006 stated the following: "Intermittent expeditions on Umboi Island, Papua New Guinea, from 1994 through 2004, resulted in the compilation of eyewitness testimonies that substantiated a hypothesis that pterosaurs may not be extinct."[7] As stated on CW, also in 2006, "[in] Papua New Guinea, a creationist explorer, Paul Nation, recorded 17 seconds of digital video of what investigators believe is evidence for the bioluminescence of creatures called "indava" and "ropen." They also believe that these are Rhamphorhynchoid (long-tailed) pterosaurs. Early in March, 2007, a physicist completed his report on his findings on this video footage: The lights were not produced through a hoax and they were not of any campfire, airplane lights, or meteors. They were also shown to not be from camera artifacts."[8]
Plesiosaurs are also suspected to still be alive in different locations around the world. These dinosaurs were ocean-dwellers that could reach up to 100 ft. in length, were slow swimmers, had flippers, and were carnivorous creatures that fed on fish. Fossils of these dinosaurs can be found in many museums, many believe that these creatures survived the Flood and that several are still around today.[9]
One of the most famous is alleged to live in Loch (meaning "lake") Ness in Scotland. Loch Ness is about 24 miles long, and is estimated at over 700 feet deep. The first recorded sighting of a creature in Loch Ness dates back to 565 BC, when Saint Columba visited. We have no way of knowing whether or not this actually occurred, but it is the first recorded sighting. The account is found in Life of Columba, in "Of the Driving Away of a Certain Water Monster by Virtue of Prayer."[10]
Lake Champlain Mansi Photograph
"Also at another time, when the blessed man was for a number of days in the province of the Picts, he had to cross the river [Ness]. When he reached its bank, he saw a poor fellow being buried by other inhabitants; and the buriers said that, while swimming not long before, he had been seized and most savagely bitten by a water beast. Some men, going to his rescue in a wooden boat, though too late, had put out hooks and caught hold of his wretched corpse. When the blessed man heard this, he ordered notwithstanding that one of his companions should swim out and bring back to him, by sailing, a boat that stood on the opposite bank. Hearing this order of the holy and memorable man, Lugne mocu-Min obeyed without delay, and putting off his clothes, [except for] his tunic, plunged into the water. But the monster, whose appetite had earlier been not so much sated as whetted for prey, lurked in the depth of the river. Feeling the water above disturbed by Lugne's swimming, it suddenly swam up to the surface, and with gaping mouth and with great roaring rushed towards the man swimming in the middle of the stream. While all that were there, barbarians and even the brothers, were struck down with extreme terror, the blessed man, who was watching, raised his holy hand and drew the saving sign of the cross in the empty air; and then, invoking the name of God, he commanded the savage beast, and said: 'You will go no further. Do not touch thou that man; turn back speedily.' Then, hearing this command of the saint, the beast, as if pulled back with ropes, fled terrified in swift retreat..."[11]
Personally, I have been fascinated by the Loch Ness Monster since childhood, and have read a great many books on the subject. There are hoaxes, yes, but there are also eyewitness testimonies and hard-to-explain pictures, sonar readings, and footage. While there are some natural phenomena such as logs, sturgeons, or other such things in the Loch, sonar, pictures, and film as well as reports including reports from credible Scientific Organizations indicate that there is a creature of significant size in the Loch, if not a small family.
There is plenty of food each year to sustain a population, and reports indicate that the creatures are scared off by noise. The sightings became more frequent in 1933 when roads were finally built along the Loch, perhaps because the creatures were curious as to what all the noise was about (workers blowing out rocks to build the roads) or perhaps the creatures were always there, not surfacing often, therefore not seen often until roads were built.
Other locations around the world, such as Lake Champlain (Champ), Lake Okanagan (Ogopogo) have been subject to film, picture, and many reported sightings. The White River Monster in Arkansas, a sighting in Kodiak, Alaska, Trunko in South Africa, Alkali in Lake Alkali, Nebraska, Lake Tahoe in California, a creature in Lake Erie (Bessie), five lakes in Utah, and many others support living dinosaurs. These lake creatures have also been reported in the ocean, which is not hard to believe, since only 5% of the ocean has been explored, leaving 95% for such creatures to roam.[12]
Indeed we do find "living fossils," such as the Glass Sponge, the Vampire Squid, or the Coelacanth. The Coelacanth is a fish thought to have gone extinct (in evolutionary terms, millions of years ago) but was found alive and well: and unchanged, not the slightest bit evolved, in 1938. Other created kinds, such as alligators and crocodiles, is thought to have lived millions of years ago, yet are still alive and unchanged.[13]
Flying reptiles have been reported all over the world, from the Thunderbird which shows up in Africa at funerals to feed to sightings in Switzerland in 1649. A leviathan, or rather, a sea monster, was reported during World War I by a German submarine. The account is as follows:14]
The city of Nerluc, France is named in honor of the killing of a "dragon" that took place there. The animal was described as being bigger than an ox, and having long, sharp, pointed horns on its head. It is believed to be a Triceratops. ChristianAnswers.net points out the importance of China, "Thousands of dragon stories and pictures can be found in ancient Chinese books and art. One interesting legend tells about a famous Chinese man named Yu. After the great world flood, Yu surveyed the land of China and divided it into sections. He "built channels to drain the water off to the sea" and helped make the land livable again. Many snakes and "dragons" were driven off from the marshlands when Yu created the new farmlands. Some old Chinese books even tell of a family that kept "dragons" and raised the babies. It is said that in those days, Chinese kings used "dragons" for pulling royal chariots on special occasions. Ancient Chinese books even tell of people using dragon's blood, fat, brains, and saliva for medicine."[15]
Herodotus, a respected Greek explorer, described small flying reptiles in Egypt and Arabia, matching descriptions of the Ramphorhynchus. The creatures had snake-like bodies and bat-like wings, and Herodotus was shown a canyon with piles of the bones. Aristotle, another respected Greek, reported that in his day, these creatures were common in Ethiopia. People of the past had no trouble believing these things, because they saw them firsthand. But when someone sees one today, because it does not agree with Evolution, or is hard to explain away, it is dismissed or scoffed at.[16]
Early on, I mentioned ancient dinosaur depictions. Though covered in the series mentioned in the beginning of this entry, these are great in number. Dinosaurs are depicted in pottery, cave paintings, carvings, accounts, ancient constructs, burial stones (point of controversy), paintings, sculptures, and what have you. (To view a few of these, go here.) The point to consider is this: if dinosaurs went extinct 64 million years ago and were not re-discovered until the 1800's, why do we find so many accurate depictions and accounts of dinosaurs?
Often, these things are either disregarded, "explained away," or ignored by secularists, as it does not agree with their worldview. However, dinosaurs of a Young Creation still existing today certainly agrees with a Young Creation, and that is what we find. Sauropods, Plesiosaurs (having been trapped in lakes due to the Ice Age which followed the Global Flood), Flying Dinosaurs, and others have been reported, recorded, photographed, and filmed time and time again. Though much of these are in question, there are some evidences which are not as easily explained away.
It would take many entries to examine and discuss each and every sighting of dinosaurs, even in the last century alone, examining which are more credible and scientific than others. However, the point of this entry was to open the mind to the many different aspects that this topic opens up, especially Christianity. If all of this is true, that would lead us to the conclusion that the earth is young. However, the Evolutionist model is not for a Young Creation, but a Biblical model is.
Tuesday, January 25
In the past few centuries, man comes up with yet another alleged "new perspective" on biblical doctrine. When this occurs, we ought to proceed and cautiously and examine the claims of this perspective, to see if it agrees with Scripture, much like the Bereans. More often than not, these new ideas are not new at all, and it turns out that they disagree with the Bible instead of offering a "new perspective." (Photo credit to: Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier 16th century, Apple)
The first time we find a "new perspective" on things is in the Garden of Eden, in Genesis 3:1. "Did God really say..." Satan, disguised as a serpent, tries to cast doubt in Eve's mind. He succeeds. How often can we say that we hear similar things? "Did God really say that? Did he really mean that? Surely not! He must have meant this!" There's a familiar saying that goes something like, "God said what he meant and He meant what He said."
There is a movement called the "New Perspective on Paul." This view, however, is completely unbiblical, undermining and redefining key doctrines found in Scripture that are at the very foundation of the Christian faith. Once you remove the foundation, the rest of the building falls. That is why The Truth Ministries focuses much on Creation, especially a literal interpretation of Genesis 1-11. If our very foundation is not stable, the building will fall. If the Fall of Man, Global Flood, and Tower of Babel are all myths and allegories, then our foundation is shaken.
In what way? Consider this: if Man never fell to sin by eating from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, why then would we need a Savior (Jesus Christ) if we never fell in the first place, if it was all a story? Now, despite the fact that some of the "New Perspective on Paul" adherents includes a few leading New Testament scholars from secular universities, most notably N.T. Wright, this view is gaining ground among several churches.
The very heart of this fallacious teaching is that, for centuries, Christians have "misunderstood" Paul and his teachings, necessitating a new perspective on Paul. The idea is that these latter day scholars are so wise that they are able to figure out the right, the correct, perspective on Paul the Apostle, when scholars from Paul's day could not. The "New Perspective on Paul" movement has been likened unto the Jesus Seminar group, who, a few years ago, decided they could pick and choose what Jesus said and what he didn't say.
Jesus Seminar and its findings were not based on any historical evidence or data, but on assumptions and faulty opinions. Beads were given, and if you thought a phrase was something Jesus would say, you put a specific color bead in. If not, you put the other bead in. This way of dictating truth is fallacious and is not based on any actual evidence, just opinions. The arrogant attitudes implied by both the Jesus Seminar and New Perspective on Paul are quite evident.
Now, there are four general concepts of this argument. There is a belief that Christians of the 1st century AD misunderstood Judaism, saying that Paul was not fighting against Jews who promoted a religion of self-righteousness as well as salvation through works, and also that the Pharisees were not legalists. As stated by GotAnswers.org, "... the Bible describes the Pharisees as those who 'neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness,' straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel' and ones who "cleaned up the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence" (Matthew 23:23-25). The view that first century Pharisees were not legalists and their religion was not one of self-righteous and works-based salvation directly contradicts Jesus' own words in this and numerous other passages."[1]
The second belief is that Paul certainly did not have a problem with the doctrine of works-based salvation; his only problem was the way in which the Jews treated the Gentiles, not a different over how someone was saved or justified before God. On the contrary, in both Galatians and Romans, Paul clearly condemned the work-based salvation which was beings used to lure Galatians way from the Gospel message. In fact, Paul said that anyone who preached a gospel other than the one that he preached ought to be "eternally condemned." (Galatians 1:8-9)[2]
Scripture itself shows that this alleged "New Perspective on Paul" is based on unbiblical teaching, which is a very dangerous teaching indeed. Another verse to consider is found in Ephesians 2:8, which says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." The third unbiblical belief of this "New Perspective on Paul" movement is that the gospel is about the Lordship of Jesus and not a message of personal salvation and redemption from sin. Most definitively the Lordship of Jesus is an important part of the Gospel, but if that is all there is, how is this good news?[3]
It is impossible to make Jesus Lord of your life without first being cleansed of sin and, following that, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It is only the Spirit that can allow us to yield to the Lordship of Jesus. From the Scriptures, it is evident that the hope of Christians is a Savior whose sacrifice atoned for all of humanity's sins and that it is for this reason that the gospel is "good news", because "it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16)
The fourth - and the most dangerous - false teaching of this group is the view on the doctrine of justification through faith, which is a central and vital Christian doctrine. According to adherents of this teaching, when Paul wrote on justification he was not speaking of individual and personal justification where a guilty sinner is declared righteousness on the basis of his or her faith in Christ, instead they claim that when Paul wrote about justification, he was actually speaking of how someone could tell if a person was "a member of the covenant family" or not.[4]
Advocate N.T. Wright writes, "Justification in the first century was not about how someone might establish a relationship with God. It was about God's eschatological definition, both future and present, of who was in fact, a member of his people." The issue is that this distorts the biblical teaching on justification by faith, and instead teaches that the doctrine of justification from Paul was merely concerned with the Gentiles' standing in the covenant community, and had nothing to do with a guilty sinner being declared justified before God.[5]
However, we simply cannot disregard nor can we redefine justification and still be considered Christian or Biblical. The teaching on justification through faith is essential to Christianity and if changed, the "new perspective" is very dangerous. N.T. Wright often argues against 2nd Corinthians 5:21 which clearly says, (NIV) "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The movement came about in this fashion: in 1963, Lutheran Krister Stendahl published a paper arguing that the typical Lutheran view of the Paul's theology did not fit with statements found within Paul's writings, and in fact was based more on mistaken assumptions about Paul's beliefs. E. P. Sanders published Paul and Palestinian Judaism in 1977, in which he analyzed Jewish literature and Paul's writings in which Sanders argued that the orthodox Lutheran understanding of the theology of Judaism and Paul were arbitrary. Sanders continued to publish several books and articles, and was joined by James D. G. Dunn.[6]
Dunn labeled the movement "The New Perspective on Paul" in 1982. The work of Sanders and Dunn influenced large number of scholars to study, discuss, and debate these issues. Many books and articles dealing with "The New Perspective on Paul" have since been published. As aforementioned, Anglican Bishop N. T. Wright has written several books in an attempt to popularize this movement.[7]
In an article, Piper states, "...How can that be that good news for him unless you begin to explain the meaning of Jesus' death and what he achieved. What makes the resurrection good news is that now reconciliation with God can be enjoyed by faith, and you can move from being on the wrong side to the right side. All of that is a necessary explanation of what makes the resurrection of Jesus Christ "gospel." Wright's view is a shift in emphasis. He believes in the death of Christ; he believes in the substitutionary atonement; he believes in penal substitution. But he is always backgrounding these things so that the universal lordship of Christ is foregrounded. It's the negations he makes that are so troubling, not his affirmations."[9]
In other words, the teachings from the "New Perspective on Paul" are unbiblical and fallacious at best. Do not base your salvation on opinions regarding God's Word, but on God's Word itself, that salvation comes through justification by faith, and through acceptance of Christ Jesus. Romans 10:9, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and if you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
1st John 1:9 continues, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It does not get more clear than that: to be saved, confess the name of Jesus Christ as Lord, and if you genuinely believe in your heart that he died and rose again, and if you confess your sins and repent, you will be saved. (We must confess our sins daily, however, not just once.)
Thank you for taking the time to read this entry of "The Truth." Feel free to comment below, (yet please remain civil in your comments) email me at vexx801@yahoo.com or our ministry team at thetruth.ministry@gmail.com, visit the facebook page, or visit the Ministry homepage. Take care, dear reader, and may God bless. Troy Hillman
Monday, January 24
The claim is sometimes made that we cannot eat certain foods like pork or shrimp because of the Old Testament laws, the Ceremonial Law found in Leviticus. Is there any truth to this, and does the New Testament actually give us an answer on the common question, "which foods are we allowed to eat?" The New Testament gives us an answer. (Photo credit to: Saving Dinner, InfoRochester)
Let us examine what the Bible tells us about this subject. The full text can be found in Leviticus 11. In this chapter, God commands the Israelites not to eat creatures such as: camels, hyrax, rabbit, pig, sea creatures that do not have fins and scales, (such as shrimp) eagles, vultures, red kite, ravens, certain owls, hawks, heron, all flying insects that walk on all fours, weasel, rat, monitor lizard, wall lizard, skink, chameleon, and others. (Also found in Deuteronomy 14:1-21)
If this is so, should these creatures not still be outlawed for consumption? Would we, by eating shrimp, pork, and other unclean foods, be sinning against God, breaking his law? Understand this: the purpose of the dietary law was to separate Israel from other nations, these laws did not and do not apply to any other nations. Another point is the reason for these laws, aside from setting them apart.
People often wonder about why there is so much war and so many laws in the Old Testament. Consider this: if Israel did not strike down the surrounding nations, would they not have been stricken down themselves, therefore wiping out the bloodline of the Israelites? If they did not have laws to follow, such as abstaining from unnatural sexual impurities, unclean foods, and many other such things, the bloodline would have been polluted even further, and it also may have led to deaths.
Now consider this: God had a reason for all these laws and wars between Israel and its surrounding nations. What was it all for? What end would it meet? Protection. Not just protection for the nation of Israel, but protection for the future birth of King David. If the Israelites did not destroy surrounding nations and did not follow the laws, they would have been wiped out, and King David never born.
Consequently, King David was the ancestor of Jesus Christ. If King David was never born, Jesus would have never been able to fulfill prophecy, Jesus would have never been born into the royal line, not born in the City of David, and Israel would have been wiped out, therefore, the Romans would not have had Judea under Roman control, there would not have been Pharisees nor Sadducees, and Jesus would never have shed his blood.
In other words, these laws and wars were for the protection of the bloodline so that Jesus could enter into Creation to die for all of humanity's past, present, and future sins. Had Israel not had guidelines, had the nation been wiped out, we would be without a Savior, without hope. That was the purpose for the many wars of the Old Testament, for the many laws.
Now that we understand this, we may also understand that when Jesus died and rose again, he initiated the New Covenant. In fact, God himself declared in the Old Testament that a New Covenant would arise. Jeremiah 31:31-32, "'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant though I was a husband to them,' declares the Lord."
Jeremiah 31:33 concludes, "'This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,' declares the Lord. 'I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'" The New Testament reveals several times (for example, Acts 11:18) that this New Covenant was offered not only to the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well: to all of humanity, if we only accept Jesus as Savior. (See entry: "Covenants: Old and New")
But what about unclean foods? Does the New Testament reveal the New Covenant's law on foods? Indeed it does. Acts 10:9-16 says, " and birds. Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to Heaven."
God has made all foods clean. However, there are those who may not believe that this passage is referring to this. It is not the only reference we find in the New Testament. Mark 7:17 certainly gives us the answer to this question, "Do Old Testament Food Laws Still Apply?" It says, "...In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean." The Bible is very clear: Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant when he initiated the New. (Romans 10:14, Galatians 3:24-26) Under the New Covenant, all foods are clean, including, for example, pork and shrimp.
Romans 14 reveals that not everyone is mature enough in faith to believe that all food is clean. Romans 14:20, "All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble." There are those who argue that "God hates shrimp," in the same manner that some argue, "God hates [homosexuals]." Actually, nowhere in Scripture can this be found. The alleged basis for the argument is found in Leviticus, but the argument by both parties is fallacious.
Since Christ fulfilled the Old Covenant, including the Ceremonial Law, those laws no longer apply. (The Ten Commandments still apply, as seen clearly throughout the New Testament.) However, as evident from Romans 1:26-27 and 1st Corinthians 6:9, God does not hate homosexuals, he declares them immoral and unnatural - let no one claim that I have a problem with homosexuals, I am merely citing this for the sake of answering the above question.
In other words, both the God Hates [Homosexuals] movement and the GodHatesShrimp.org movement are fallacious and demonstrate a lack of understanding in regard to Scripture and the Old and New Covenants. The God Hates Shrimp movement was formed to mock Christians who use Old Testament Law try prove a point about sexuality, when instead we need to look at the entire context. The overall point? Jesus declared all foods clean, so no, the Old Testament food laws do not still apply.
Thank you for taking the time to read this entry of, "The Truth." Please remain civil in your comments, and feel free to email me at vexx801@yahoo.com or the Ministry team at thetruth.ministryweb@gmail.com, visit the facebook page, or visit the Ministry homepage. Take care, dear reader, and may God bless! Troy Hillman
Sunday, January 23
It is a question asked by many. "Why would God create such a horrible place, if he is supposed to be a perfect God?" Indeed God is perfect, and the Bible makes it perfectly clear why Hell was created. We often question God for his reasons about certain things, especially in the area of Hell, pain, suffering and Death. (Photo credit to: StarrySkies)
In Matthew 25:41, Jesus makes it clear that Hell was created for Satan and his angels. "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'" Hell was not created for man, but for the fallen angels. It was not the original plan to be the eternal destination for the unsaved, as Man was created to live forever with God in Heaven. If this is so, then why do the unsaved end up in Hell upon death?
Bill Wiese describes it as such: "Man is a spirit, he possesses a soul (mind, will, and emotions), and he lives in a body. For the ease of discussion, I will use the word soul to represent both soul and spirit. The soul cannot die, in the way we think of death. Death to the soul means to be separated from God. It does not mean cease to exist. If man rejects the only way provided for entrance into heaven, then there is no other place for the soul to go. Our physical bodies can only exist on this earth. They cannot exist in outer space or under the water. In the same way, our soul was built to exist in one of two places - heaven or hell."[1]
Hell is a place utterly void of God's presence. Once we understand that God is good (Psalm 25:8, 34:8, 100:5) and that God is love (1st John 4:16), as well as the fact that all good things come from Him, we come to understand that when all of these things, including God's influence, goodness, and His attributes are totally removed, all that remains is utter destruction, death, chaos, fear, despair, evil, and hatred. Once God is removed, all good things go with him, this is why Hell is utter destruction and despair.
In other words, God did not have to create Hell as such a horrible place, but once His presence was removed from the equation, Hell became desolate, because God's glory, grace, goodness and love were all removed from it. Henry M. Morris, PhD and Martin E. Clark state, "Essentially, Hell is a place where all aspects of the presence of God will be completely withdrawn forever.... Thus, in hell there will be no love, for 'God is love.' There will be no light, for 'God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.' There will be no peace, or rest, or joy, since these are all attributes of God. On the contrary, there will be eternal corruption, strife, rebellion and hatred."[2]
Without the presence of God, a place will automatically be desolate and horrible. Another point we need to consider is that Hell is where God's wrath is poured out. We have already established that Hell was created for Satan and his angels. Hell is still meant for that, but now, because of the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden, sin corrupted God's perfect creation, and Hell is now also a place of punishment for the unsaved who reject God and do not follow Jesus.
However, you do not have to go there. God gave us free will, so that we may make our own choices in life. If he did not give us free will, we would all love him automatically, and we would be as robots. But God, in His loving mercy, gave us free will, not so that we would wind up in Hell, but so that we may make the right decisions and that we may love Him willingly.
God has warned us over and over that there is a punishment for sin and wrath to come. (see Romans 1:18, 6:23; Ephesians 5:6; 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20:15) We could think of this in another way. If your country's leaders built prisons to house to criminal, would you call them bad? Prisons are built to protect the innocent from the criminal. For example, when the Europeans first came to North America, they saw a land beautiful and saw the potential for growth and production, they did not come and say, "I wonder how many prisons we can build here?"
Hell was not God's intent when everything was created. It was made due to Satan's rebellion along with his angels. (see Isaiah 14:12-20, Ezekiel 28:12-17, Luke 10:18) It is our choice whether we go to Heaven or Hell. If we are ignorant of the law and choose to disobey, we are without excuse, we remain responsible for our own actions. Understand that God does not send anyone to Hell, you send yourself there.
As said by Dr. Bruce W. Dunn, "Fire burns. Gravity kills. Water drowns. And you can say, "God is love, God is love, God is love," until you're blue in the face. But water will still drown you, fire will burn you, and gravity will kill you, and sin will damn you no matter how much you say about a loving God. God just set up life that way. He set up the rules. He set up the laws by which we are to live. And if we break those laws, they break us, and we pay the consequences."[3]
James 2:10 tells us, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." We have all broken God's Commandments, and since "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 6:23) we are in need of a Savior. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23) (See entry: "The Ten Commandments - Have We Followed Them All?")
John 3:16-18 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his sonConsider what is said in Romans 1:18-23, 25. "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of human beings who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal human beings and birds and animals and reptiles... They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen."
We are without excuse, and we know that Christ is the key to salvation. As put by Chuck Colson, "In a sense, the concept of hell gives meaning to our lives. It tells us that the moral choices we make day by day have eternal significance, that our behavior has consequences lasting to eternity, that God Himself takes our choices seriously. The doctrine of hell is not just some dusty theological holdover from the Middle Ages. It has significant social consequences. Without a conviction of ultimate justice, people's sense of moral obligation dissolves, and social bonds are broke. Of course, these considerations are not the most important reason to believe in hell. Jesus repeatedly issued warnings that if we turn away from God in this life, we will be alienated from God eternally. And yet, although "the wages of sin is death," Paul also says that "the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). While breath remains, it is never too late to turn to God in repentance, and when we ask for forgiveness, God eagerly grants it."[4]
How can we be saved? As mentioned many times on this blog, but it holds the same power, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) We also must repent - and confess our sins to God. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1st John 1:9) Understand that contrary to popular opinion, "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Christian author and Apologist, C.S. Lewis, once stated, "I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful, rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the inside. All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened. And yourself, in a dark hour, may will [a grumbling] mood, embrace it. Ye can repent and come out of it again. But there may come a day when you can do that no longer. Then there will be no you left to criticize the mood..."[5]
Understand that none of this is said to make anyone angry, but to show that we are certainly in need of a Savior, and why Hell was created. It is a very real place, a literal fire, Hell was created for Satan and his angels, but because of the sin of humanity, we are condemned to Hell without a Savior: Jesus Christ. Thank you for taking the time to read this entry of "The Truth." Feel free to comment below, email vexx801@yahoo.com, the ministry team at thetruth.ministryweb@gmail.com, visit the facebook page, or visit the Ministry homepage. Take care, and may God bless! | eng | 8f626232-936a-4910-bcb8-125f3024d2df | http://thetruth-blog.blogspot.jp/2011_01_01_archive.html |
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A mother's experience of racism can affect her child's early development, research shows
In the news
Racism can delay child development Source: Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 03/07/12 A mother's experience of racism can affect her child's early development, research shows. The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, used data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study of 2316 ethnic minority mothers and their five-year-old children. Interpersonal racism ('received insults'; 'treated unfairly'; 'disrespectful treatment by shop staff') was not linked with any effects on key measures of child development. However racism in the family's residential area was associated with socio-emotional difficulties and poorer spatial abilities. Verbal and non-verbal ability scores were not affected. The researchers say that early child development and ethnic health inequalities interventions should also incorporate measures to tackle racism.
MPs criticise barriers to dementia care Source: All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia 03/07/12 Early diagnosis is key to improving the lives of people with dementia. But fewer than half of all people with dementia have a formal diagnosis and diagnosis rates vary widely across the UK, an inquiry by the All Party parliamentary Group on Dementia has found. Diagnosis rates ranged from 70 per cent in Belfast to just 40 per cent in some parts of Wales. Barriers to diagnosis highlighted in the inquiry included poor public awareness of dementia, so people don't seek help from their GP; poor knowledge of dementia among GPs and failure to refer for assessment; poor and variable access to specialist memory services, and lack of good quality post-diagnosis support. The MPs says the Government and the NHS should act to improve early diagnosis and availability of high quality post-diagnosis support.
Government announces urgent measures to protect children in care Source: Department for Education 03/07/12 The Government has brought forward new measures to protect children in care from sexual exploitation. Early findings from an investigation into child sexual exploitation by gangs and groups by the Deputy Children's Commissioner Sue Berelowitz show that a disproportionate number of groomed and sexually exploited children come from within the care system and that some residential homes are specifically targeted by abusers. Some 45 per cent of children in care are placed outside their home borough, which the Government accepts increases their risk of exploitation. In future local authorities will have to conduct better checks about child safety when placing children outside their home boroughs and improve their systems for tracing children missing from care. The Government will also carry out a review of the quality of care and safety in children's care homes. Local authorities will also be able to tell police the locality of residential care homes so they can offer better protection.
Survey shows variations in end of life care Source: Department of Health 03/07/12 People dying from cancer, younger people and those dying at home or in a hospice generally receive better end-of-life care than people who die in hospital, the first-ever national Government survey of bereaved relatives has found. Just over 22,000 people responded to the survey. The highest 'outstanding' ratings for quality of care were from relatives of patients who died in hospices (20%) or at home (19%); the lowest were for deaths in hospital (7%). Ratings for being treated with dignity and respect by staff were also highest in hospices (87% for doctors, 80% for nurses) and for primary care staff, but just 57 per cent for hospital doctors and 48 per cent for hospital nurses. Pain relief was best among patients who died in hospices and worst among those who died at home. The majority (85%) of people were said to have been involved in decisions about their care as much as they wanted. More than nine out of ten relatives said that staff dealt with them sensitively after the death.
Parents 'afraid' to discuss their child's weight Source: MEND 02/07/12 More than one in three (37%) parents say they are afraid to talk to their child about weight problems in case it damages their self-esteem, a survey by (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it!) and parent website Netmums has found. This rises to nearly two thirds (65%) among parents who say their child is overweight or obese; 72 per cent of these parents say they find it difficult to help their child to eat healthily and cut down on foods with high fat and sugar content. MEND and Netmums say parents want more support and help to discuss weight problems with their children.
CQC report highlights midwife shortages Source: Care Quality Commission 28/06/12 The first in a new series of quarterly Market Reports published by the Care Quality Commission has revealed a growing shortfall in the ratio of midwives to live births in England. The CQC says numbers of live births have risen by 21 per cent over the past ten years, but numbers of midwives have gone up by only 15 per cent. Births have also become increasingly complex: for example, the numbers of live births among women over 40 have trebled in the past 20 years to nearly 28,000 a year. The CQC also says that 15 per cent of the 141 trusts offering midwifery services have less than the recommended ratio of midwives to live births. The Royal College of Midwives says its own figures show a far larger shortfall in staffing levels, and almost twice the vacancy rate calculated by the CQC.
People with severe mental illness at higher risk of death Source: NHS Information Centre 28/06/12 Adults with severe mental illness have a mortality rate three times as high as that in the general population, new data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show. Roughly 13 in every 1,000 people aged 18–74 with a serious mental health condition died in 2009/10, compared with four in 1,000 in the general population. People with severe mental illness are known to have a much higher death rate but this is the first time the figures have been calculated by linking mortality rates to the Mental Health Minimum Dataset (MHMDS), which forms the official record of NHS services for people with serious mental health problems.
Young people abandon education Source: Guardian 28/06/12 The numbers of young people leaving school at age 16 have gone up for the first time since 2001, Government statistics reveal. According to official Government figures, 70.5 per cent of young people aged 16–18 were in full-time education in 2011, down from 70.6 per cent in 2010. This means some 32,000 fewer young people are staying on at school or college after the official school-leaving age. The proportion of 16– 18 year olds not in education, employment or training has gone up by eight per cent. The Government is to raise school leaving age next year so that young people will have to stay in education or training until they are 17, rising to 18 in 2015.
Cognitive therapy eases arthritis pain Source: Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 27/06/12 A randomised controlled trial (RCT) has found that cognitive therapy can ease the pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has already been shown to be effective in reducing the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. This study, published in the Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, sought to find out which element of CBT was more helpful. A total of 104 people with classic or definite RA were randomly assigned to receive either CBT, cognitive therapy (CT) or behavioural therapy (BT). Participants were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and at six months using measures of disease, joint function, disability and psychological functioning. At six months, the only difference in outcomes was in the measures of tender joints, which were lower among people receiving CT and CBT. The researchers say that behavioural therapy is not needed to relieve the pain.
Bullied kids may suffer poor adult health Source: PLoS ONE 27/06/12 Unpopular kids at school may suffer poor health in adulthood, research suggests. The study followed up teenagers reported by their teachers to be socially isolated and to have difficulties building good peer relationships, using data from a 27-year Swedish cohort of school leavers. A total of 1010 were still participating in the study at age 43. The research found a clear link between teenage peer problems and poor health in adolescence as well as in adulthood. In adulthood, those with past experience of peer problems were more distressed, smoked more, had poorer diets but drank less alcohol. They also had a much higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome – an umbrella diagnosis for a range of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. The study also found that the relationship was cumulative – the greater the peer problems in adolescence, the greater the risk of illness in adulthood, regardless of psychosocial and socio-economic factors. The researchers say their findings support the growing body of evidence of the link between social problems and poor health, and say it is likely to be linked to the body's stress mechanisms.
Most people 'bounce back' after natural disasters Source: PLoS ONE 26/06/12 Most people recover quickly from natural disasters and are not at risk of long-term mental illness, a US study shows. The study followed up 658 adults two to five months after Hurricane Ike struck Galveston and Chambers counties in the US state of Texas, on September 13, 2008. Follow-up assessments were conducted at five to nine and 14 to 18 months after the hurricane to see if prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), depression and suicidality rose and persisted in the first 18 months after the hurricane. The researchers found that past-month prevalence of PTSD, due both to the hurricane and other traumatic events, was the most common psychiatric disorder two to five months post-hurricane but that there was a decrease in all mental disorders (20.6% to 10.9%) and hurricane-related PTSD (6.9% to 2.5%) over time. They say the vast majority of people exposed to the hurricane 'bounced back' and showed no long-term mental health consequences.
Study challenges fish diet advice Source: PLoS ONE 19/07/12 A diet high in oily fish does not prevent depression among older people in low and middle income countries, evidence from a major international study on ageing and mental health shows. The study compared fish consumption with rates of depression in older people aged 65 years and over living in the community in China, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. Data were available for nearly 15,000 people. Lifestyle factors, including nutrition, can influence late-life depression and n-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 LC PUFAs), commonly found in oily fish, are believed to play a key role. But, despite some variation between countries, associations between high fish consumption and levels of depression were almost entirely explained by socio-demographic, lifestyle and health characteristics, the research showed. The researchers conclude that eating fish is good for health but that there is no evidence that increasing fish consumption will prevent late life depression in this population.
Review calls for better data on antipsychotic weight gain Source:PLoS ONE 15/06/12 Researchers who have tried to create a comprehensive guide to the weight-gain risk of every antipsychotic in current use say these data should be fully, reliably and independently researched and published. The review found that most antipsychotics were associated with weight gain but the quality of the studies varied widely and the data were not always available, so it was difficult to reliably quantify this. Many trials did not include weight gain among the reported side effects, or assessed it in different ways; most had high dropout rates. The researchers say their findings highlight the need for the development of psychotropics that are not associated with weight gain. They also say there needs to be a better understanding of the pharmacogenetics of psychotropic drug response so psychiatrists can minimise risk of weight gain by more informed and targeted prescribing. Nearly a third of the studies covered in the review were directly funded by pharmaceutical manufacturers, and many others did not declare their source of funding.
Psychiatrists fail to diagnose bipolar disorder Source:Bipolar UK 27/06/12 People with bipolar disorder can have the symptoms for, on average, 13 years before it is formally diagnosed, a survey by Bipolar UK with Bipolar Scotland and the Royal College of Psychiatrists has found. This is longer than in previous surveys. The survey, of 706 people with a diagnosis of bipolar and relatives/carers (19% of respondents), found that for most respondents the symptoms began at age 23. Just 15 per cent were diagnosed promptly; 85% had difficulty in getting the right diagnosis and most were wrongly diagnosed with depression. Of these, 71% felt their symptoms had been made worse by being given the wrong treatments, such as antidepressants or sleeping pills. In a separate survey of mental health professionals, 43 per cent said they rarely or never spoke to a relative or carer of the person to obtain a corroborative history.
Employers urged to offer flexible working to support mental health needs Source:Department of Health 27/06/12 The Government is urging employers to do more to help people with mental health problems stay in work. A number of major employers, including EDF Energy and EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, have signed up to a Department of Health public health Responsibility Deal pledge to support employees with mental health needs in the workplace. The Department of Health has published guidance on what organisations can do to help people living with mental ill health stay in their jobs, including offering flexible working hours, paid and unpaid leave for medical appointments, phased returns to work after periods of ill health, providing quiet spaces for breaks and agreeing to job-share arrangements. Poor mental health currently costs the economy an estimated £105 billion and is the most common reason for incapacity benefit claims.
Adult DVDs may damage children's mental health Source: British Psychological Society 27/06/12 Media violence does have an effect on children's behaviour, a review of research on children and violent films, television and computer games shows. The review of research over the past 18 years found that, in young children, violent imagery has short-term effects on arousal, thoughts and emotions, and increases the likelihood of aggressive or fearful behaviour. There was less evidence for older children and teenagers but some evidence that boys are more likely than girls to behave aggressively after watching violent media. The researchers highlight methodological difficulties in linking behaviour with past viewing, and found only weak evidence linking exposure to violence in the media directly to crime. But they say growing up in a violence family predisposes a child to anti-social behaviour and delinquency and makes these children more likely to act out the violent scenes they have seen on adult DVDs and computer games.
Northern Ireland renews male suicide reduction pledge Source: Northern Ireland Executive 26/06/12 The Northern Ireland Government has extended its Protect Life suicide prevention strategy to target the higher suicide rates among young men in deprived areas. The renewed strategy will run to end of March 2014. Some 300 people a year die by suicide in Northern Ireland, but the rate doubles in deprived areas. Men are at three times greater risk of suicide than women, and the risk is highest among young men in deprived areas. The refreshed strategy and action plan includes a number of new cross-Government initiatives, including the involvement of sporting organisations in promoting mental health and wellbeing messages, arts projects to improve mental health and providing community-based health checks in rural areas.
Councils may have to sacrifice libraries to pay for social care Source: Local Government Association 26/06/12 Councils may be forced to close libraries and leisure centres and other non-statutory services to cover the rising costs of adult social care, a report from the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned. The LGA calculates that spending on social care will swallow up 45 per cent of council budgets by 2020. It says the rising costs of providing social care and waste services will reduce funds available for other services from £24.5 billion in 2010/11 to £8.4 billion due to a £16.5 billion funding shortfall between council funds and the amount needed to maintain services at current levels. A recent YouGov survey found that libraries and leisure facilities were the most frequently used council services; just 11 per cent of respondents had any experience of elderly care provided by social services.
Better mental health care could cut re-offending Source: Centre for Mental Health 25/06/12 Better, ongoing access to mental health care should be available to offenders through the criminal justice system to help break the cycle of repeat offending, a report from Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth University and the Centre for Mental Health says. The report is based on a research project known as COCOA (Care for Offenders: Continuity of Access), which found that offenders with mental health problems get much less care than those with addictions. It says that liaison and diversion services currently being developed across England to keep people with mental health problems out of prison should provide on-going mental health care and not just simply divert offenders to existing, 'hard-pressed', specialist mental health services.
Cameron sets out manifesto for welfare reforms Source: The Guardian 25/06/12 Prime Minister David Cameron has set out a hard-line agenda for welfare reform if a Conservative Government is re-elected without its Liberal Democrat partners. In a wide-ranging speech Cameron outlined proposals to end the 'culture of entitlement' and close the 'welfare gap' between the incomes of unemployed welfare claimants and people in low-waged employment. Housing benefits could be stopped for young people under 25. People earning over a minimum level could be made to give up social housing. Benefits could be time-limited and claimants could be required to 'work for dole'. He also criticised families with several children who are dependent on welfare benefits. One in six children in Britain is living in a workless household – one of the highest rates in Europe: 'Quite simply, we have been encouraging working-age people to have children and not work, when we should be enabling working-age people to work and have children,' Cameron said.
CQC review deplores standards in learning disability care homes Source: Care Quality Commission 25/06/12 A national review of residential care homes for people with learning disabilities has revealed that nearly half do not meet minimum standards of care. The review was prompted by the BBC exposé of the independent sector Winterbourne View care home in May 2011. The CQC carried out a special inspection of 145 homes in England and Wales and found that 48 per cent failed on its standards for care and welfare and safeguarding residents from abuse. NHS homes came out best in comparison with independent sector homes and homes run by adult social care services (ASC). ASC homes had the poorest record on safeguarding residents from abuse and misuse of restraint. Some residents had been in residential care for up to 17 years, suggesting major flaws in care planning, the CQC says.
Government steps in to stem Olympic crisp binge Source: Department of Health 22/06/12 The Government has launched a national campaign to keep the nation moving through the Olympics. Some 1,200 hours of sport will be broadcast on the television during the summer. According to a Department of Health survey, more than half the 93 per cent of the population expected to watch the TV coverage of the Olympics will snack on crisps, four in 10 adults will drink alcohol and one in five will eat a take-away meal. The Department of Health is worried about the impact on the nation's health. The Games4Life initiative offers a free activity pack for adults and children with ideas for exercises and activities and a Fun Generator app with 100 ideas for family fitness.
Government backs parental guide on body image Source: Media Smart 22/06/12 Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone has backed a new guide for parents to help them educate their children about body image and self-esteem. The pack was developed for parents of 6-11 year-olds by the not-for-profit organisation Media Smart. A pack for primary school teachers was launched last year. The pack encourages children to think about how and why media images may have been altered and the effect this can have on their own body image. It also explores how ideas about the 'perfect' body have changed through the ages and offers tips for parents on how to talk to their child about the subject. The Government has supported the pack as part of its Body Confidence campaign.
Local authorities cut care home rates Source: Laing & Buisson 22/06/12 Independent sector care homes could close because local authorities are not paying providers enough to maintain standards of care, a report from Laing & Buisson healthcare data analysts warns. The report says that, on average, local authorities have increased the fees they pay to place an elderly person in care by just 1.6 per cent, against cost inflation of 2.5 per cent, amounting to a cumulative 4.8 per cent fall in local authority funding in real terms since 2010/11. However the survey also found that the trend among local authorities to reduce use of care homes appears to be stalling, despite government policy supporting homecare as the preferred and more cost-effective option for elderly care: 42% of councils said they did not expect any reduction in the number of people whom they support in residential or nursing care homes in 2012/13.
Department of Health sets up carers employment group Source: Department of Health 21/06/12 Care Services Minister Paul Burstow has created a new, joint government and employers working group to spearhead action to support carers so they don't have to give up paid work because of their caring responsibilities. The group will explore how employers, statutory services and providers can work better together and what the social care system and the independent sector can do to better support informal carers so they can stay in work. Carers UK, the national carers campaign group, has warned of growing pressure on carers who are juggling both childcare and supporting older and disabled family members along side employment.
'Green' exercise halves risk of poor mental health Source: Glasgow University 20/06/12 Regular exercise in a natural environment may cut the risk of mental ill health by half, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Glasgow compared the benefits of physical activity for mental health in natural and non-natural environments. Regular exercise in natural environments such as forests and parks seemed to protect against mental ill health; non-natural environments like a gym, did not. The observational study, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, used data from the Scottish Health Survey 2008. Only activity in natural environments was associated with a lower risk of poor mental health. Lead researcher Professor Richard Mitchell of the Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, said he was surprised by how much better it is for mental health to exercise in a green place rather than a gym.
NHS trusts warn of rising mental health demand Source: NHS Confederation 20/06/12 Cuts in local authority services are increasing demand for NHS mental health care, a survey by the NHS Confederation shows. In the survey of 252 NHS and independent sector healthcare organisations, three out of four said that there had been a rise in demand for mental health services because of local authority cuts, and 87 per cent said there had been an increase in demand for community services. The survey also highlighted growing fears about future healthcare services: 85 per cent expected the financial situation to worsen over the next 12 months; nearly two thirds (63%) said patient experience was likely to suffer and nearly half (49%) said waiting times would rise. However respondents were split roughly 50/50 on whether patient services would decrease because of lack of funding.
MP seeks to overturn mental illness ban on MPs Source: 20/06/12 A Bill to remove longstanding legislation that prevents some people with a history of mental illness from being a company director, an MP, a school governor or from sitting on a jury was presented in Parliament on 20 June. Conservative MP Gavin Barwell MP was among the 20 MPs who came top of the ballot of MPs to win Parliamentary time to present a Private Members Bill of their choice. The Bill has been welcomed by mental health charities. Paul Jenkins, chief executive of Rethink, said: 'It's absurd that capable, intelligent people are being excluded from key aspects of citizenship, based purely on the fact they have an illness, irrespective of how well they may be at the time.' Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, said: 'This is the last form of legalised discrimination. Barriers to equality such as this need to be eradicated once and for all.'
IAPT stats show small rise in numbers coming off benefits Source:NHS Information Centre 19/06/12 The latest quarterly statistics for IAPT show that 246,945 people were referred for psychological therapies in the period January 2012 to March 2012 (Q4). This represents a 12.9 increase on the previous quarter (Q3) and an access rate of 2.5 per cent, up from 2.1 per cent in Q3. A total of 149,849 people entered treatment (an increase of 14.4 per cent since Q3) and 86,052 people completed a minimum of two treatment contacts. Of these, 75,558 were at clinical caseness at the start of their treatment and 34,492 (45.6 per cent) were 'moving to recovery' – a small increase from 43.6 per cent in Q3. A total of 5,669 IAPT clients moved off sick pay and benefits – an increase of three per cent over Q3.
Young Mind launches early intervention campaign Source: Young Minds 19/06/12 Young Minds has launched a national initiative to improve early intervention services for children and young people with mental health problems and their families. The BOND (Better Outcomes, New Delivery) project is funded by Department for Education. It will test new approaches to joint working between statutory and voluntary sector services and provide intensive support, one to one coaching and action learning sets, for voluntary and community sector organisations, commissioners and schools across England. It will work in five locations across England over the next 18 months, drawing together NHS, local authority and voluntary sector organisations working with children and young people.
Government action needed to solve youth unemployment crisis Source: Work Foundation 19/06/12 The Government must to do more to solve the growing problem of long-term youth unemployment, the Work Foundation has said in a new report. The report is as part of its Missing Million two-year programme on unemployment among the young. The Work Foundation says the Government's response to youth unemployment is insufficient and fragmented; responsibilities for improving work opportunities for young people are split across departments with no coordination at a national level. It says there should be a dedicated national unit headed by a minister that has as its main priority long-term youth unemployment, which has more than doubled since the start of the recession and quadrupled over the past decade. Currently some 264,000 young people have been out of work for over 12 months.
PiP breast implants 'not toxic' Source: Department of Health 18/06/12 The PiP sub-standard breast implants do have a higher rupture rate but the gel is not toxic, the Department of Health expert group charged with reviewing the risk to women's health says in its final report. The NHS Medical Director's expert group says the PiP implants have twice the rupture rate of other implants but that the gel material, although sub-grade, is not carcinogenic or toxic and poses no long-term health risk. However it says women's anxiety relating to the breast implants is itself a 'form of health risk' and that all providers, including NHS trusts, should contact all women who received PiP implants and offer to remove and replace them at no cost. It confirms the earlier Department of Health ruling that the NHS will remove but not replace implants carried out in the private sector if the surgeon or provider is no longer in business or refuses to do so.
Alzheimer's programme aims to cut antipsychotics Source: Department of Health 18/06/12 A programme that has cut antipsychotic prescribing in care homes for people with Alzheimer's disease by 50 per cent is to be rolled out to 150 care homes with £100,000 funding from the Department of Health and the HC-One care home group. The initiative is part of the Department of Health's response to the 'Dementia Challenge' launched by Prime Minister David Cameron in May. The Focused Intervention Training and Support Programme (FITS) is an intensive 10-day training that teaches care home staff simple techniques to enhance person-centred care, including life story work and introducing hobbies and pastimes into people's daily care. Antipsychotics are known to double the risk of death, treble the risk of stroke and can leave people with dementia unable to walk or talk. A trial of the FITS programme found that it halved antipsychotic prescribing in care homes, with no significant increase in agitated or disruptive behaviours.
Homeless women need more help Source: St Mungo's 18/06/12 Action is needed to stop women becoming homeless and improve homelessness support services, the national charity St Mungo's says. St Mungo's has launched a new campaign, Rebuilding Shattered Lives, to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by homeless women and those at risk of becoming homeless. More than one in ten people sleeping rough in London and over half those living in temporary accommodation in England are women. St Mungo's says homeless women face greater difficulties than homeless men: over a third (34%) of St Mungo's female clients who have slept rough say that domestic violence led directly to their homelessness; almost half of St Mungo's residents are mothers (45%) and many have been traumatised by the loss of their children; 55% use alcohol or drugs, and 11% were brought up in care.The campaign aims to raise the profile of homeless women and find policy and practical solutions.
Report calls for cultural shift to tackle poor elder care Source: NHS Confederation 18/06/12 A 'major cultural shift' is needed to drive up standards of health and social care for elderly people, a report from the Commission on Improving Dignity in Care says. The commission is a joint initiative of the NHS Confederation, Age UK and the Local Government Association. It says the new Equality Act will give legislative muscle to boost efforts to improve care of the elderly but that health and social care leaders must also lead a change in attitude. Public sector workers should be the 'beacons' for good practice and challenge age discrimination, instead of mirroring widespread negative social attitudes towards older people. It says the NHS and social care services should introduce 'always events' setting out basic standards of good practice that should be mandatory, such as listening to and acting on service user and carer feedback. It also urges the Government to extend protection under human rights legislation to cover self-funding older people in independent care homes, not just those placed by their local authority.
Carers' health 'buckling under strain' Source: Carers Week 18/06/12 Two in five unpaid carers are putting their own health at risk by delaying medical treatment in order to care for an ill, frail or disabled person, a survey by a national alliance of carers organisations has found. In the Carers Week survey of 3,400 carers, 83 per cent said that caring had a negative impact on their physical health; 87 per cent said caring had a negative impact on their mental health; 64 per cent carers blamed their poor health on a lack of practical support and 50 per cent said they did not receive enough financial support. The Carers Week charity partners say this is further evidence of a growing care crisis and are calling for sustainable social care funding, better signposting and access to support services and for regular health checks to be offered to carers.
MPs condemn 'scandal' of runaway children Source: Children's Society 18/06/12 Hundreds of children are going missing from local authority care homes, where children and young people are three times more likely to run away than are children living at home. An inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on runaway and missing children and looked-after children and carer leavers has condemned the children's care home system as 'not fit for purpose'. It says the numbers of children going missing is a 'scandal… that is pretty much unnoticed', and puts hundreds of vulnerable young people at risk of physical and sexual abuse. The MPs found that almost half of all children in homes are placed outside their home local authority despite evidence this encourages them to run away, and that police are often prevented from knowing the addresses of children's homes so cannot offer protection from predatory sex abusers. The children's minister Tim Loughton has accepted the findings of the report and has pledged Government action, including a review of the effectiveness of children's homes.
Layard renews pressure to improve access to psychological therapies Source: London School of Economics 18/06/12 A new report from the London School of Economics and Political Science has condemned as 'shocking discrimination' the lack of talking therapies for people with mental health problems. A group of leading professors of economics, psychology and psychiatry led by Professor Lord Layard says that mental illness now accounts for nearly half of all ill health among working age adults and is more disabling than most chronic physical disease, yet only one in four are getting any kind of treatment from the NHS. It says NHS commissioners have received £400 million to complete the national roll-out of IAPT, but many are not using the money for this purpose. The report cites evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy can lead to rapid recovery from depression or anxiety disorders in over 40% of cases and emphasises the need for continued funding to complete the six-year IAPT programme as planned, and to continue the programme for children and young people up to 2017.
Cuts in day services 'a false economy' Source: Unison 17/06/12 Cuts in day care services are putting lives at risk and will increase pressure on NHS services, the trade union Unison has warned. In a study conducted for Unison by the University of Birmingham's Health Services Management Centre, 57 per cent of social workers said they have seen day centres close down. Services for elderly people were hardest hit, followed by day care for people with learning and physical disabilities. Two thirds said that access to services was being restricted, and two thirds also reported increased charges for attendance, meals and transport, and cuts in trips and activities. Users are also being told to go to centres further away from home, making it difficult for them to attend. 'For elderly people, day centres guard against loneliness. Research has revealed loneliness to be as deadly as smoking, alcohol or obesity for a person's health, so these cuts could cost lives,' Unison's head of local government Heather Wakefield warned.
Group counselling better than individual coaching for parents of children with learning disabilities Source: Psychotherapy Research online 15/06/12 Group counselling and individual coaching both help parents with disabled children cope better with the stress of their role, but group counselling is more effective because of the opportunities for peer support, new research shows. Researchers compared outcomes for 169 parents who were non-randomly assigned to receive one-to-one coaching (n=45), group counseling (n=93) or no intervention (n=31). Participants were assessed for stress and coping, perceived social support and bonding with therapist/group. Outcomes were better for parents in both intervention groups compared with the control group but parents receiving group counselling reported lower stress levels than those receiving coaching. Bonding was the key factor that explained the difference.
Rich are getting poorer Source: Institute for Fiscal Studies 15/06/12 The gap between the richest and poorest 10 per cent of the UK population is narrowing – but only because the very rich are getting poorer, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says. An IFS analysis of the annual Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data shows that everyone got poorer in 2010–11 but the richest lost most. Incomes in families in the poorest 10 per cent of households in the UK fell by 1.1 per cent in 2010–11; incomes of the wealthiest 10 per cent of households fell by 5.5 per cent. The IFS says the figures show that rising prices and higher taxes had a greater impact on living standards than rising unemployment. The figures also reveal a reduction in income inequality: the ratio between the incomes of the highest and lowest 10 per cent of households fell from 4.1% to 3.9%, its lowest level since 1987.
Voluntary sector partnership fund invites applicants Source: Department of Health 15/06/12 Applications are being invited for the 2013–14 Department of Health-funded Voluntary Sector Partnership awards. The awards are available to charities to test and develop innovative approaches to improve health and social care. Winners of last year's awards, which totaled £6.8 million, included the Motor Neurone Disease Association's scheme to develop a national wheelchair service, Maternity Action's programme to support women to breastfeed on their return to work after maternity leave, and the Disabled Living Foundation's online library of small electronic aids where users can try them out before they buy them and share feedback with other potential purchasers.
Oxfam warns of 'perfect poverty storm' Source: Oxfam 14/06/12 The UK could return to inequality levels not seen since Victorian times, the international aid charity Oxfam has warned. A new report, The Perfect Storm, documents how the UK Government's deficit reduction strategy is disproportionately affecting those on the lowest incomes by targeting budget cuts rather than tax increases. Oxfam says a 'perfect storm' of factors, including increasing unemployment, lack of secure work, rising living costs and falling incomes and cuts to welfare and public services, are having the greatest impact on the UK's poorest citizens. It says people in work are also suffering: three in five working-age adults in poverty are from working households because employers are cutting full-time jobs and introducing temporary contracts and part-time working and more people are relying on insecure, low-paid employment. It says the Government should reverse its planned cuts to working tax credits and increase the minimum wage to help keep people out of poverty and help them back into work.
Gender inequality in the home raises mental illness risk for women Source: PLoS One 13/06/12 Women who do more domestic work in the home are more likely to experience psychological distress if they are also in an unequal power relationship with their partner, Swedish research shows. Data from cohort of Swedish school pupils followed up over 25 years (n = 371 women, 352 men) were used to explore the links between gender inequality, domestic responsibilities and socio-economic inequality within couple relationships. The results showed that having total responsibility for domestic work was associated with higher psychological distress among women, as was unequal responsibility for domestic work combined with gender inequality in the couple relationship. The researchers say it is not just the question of whether the responsibility for domestic work is equal or not, but also the relationship context in which the responsibilities are divided between the couple that influences mental health.
App colour-codes phone message moods Source: University of Portsmouth 12/06/12 Computer scientists at Portsmouth University have developed a mobile phone app that automatically colour codes incoming messages so people know if they're getting good or bad news. The app uses 'sentiment analysis' to classify text messages and codes them red, orange or green, depending on whether they are relating good, neutral or bad news. Master's student Lorraine Chambers and senior lecturer Mohamed Gaber say: 'Information has an immense power. Whether we are reading a worrying social media news story or a warning email from our manager, messages can upset mood and increase stress level, just as good news and encouraging emails can cheer you up. The ultimate objective of this application is to make the user aware of the negative contents they receive so they are able to manage their stress in the best possible way.'
Reports highlights poor use of new Mental Health Act powers Source: Mental Health Alliance 11/06/12 Introduction of the new community treatment orders, coupled with a rise in the numbers of patients detained in hospital are increasing overall use of compulsion within the mental health services, a report from the Mental Health Alliance says. The Alliance has reviewed use of new powers introduced under the Mental Health Act 2007. These include the new compulsory community treatment orders (CTOs) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which were designed to protect the rights of people unable to give consent to or refuse treatment. The Alliance says the right to independent mental health advocacy and new laws protecting children from being placed in adult inpatient wards have been significant changes for the better but that overall levels of compulsory treatment have increased. It also says use of DoLS varies widely across the country, suggesting it is not being applied consistently and that very vulnerable people are not receiving protection. It says action is needed to reduce compulsory treatment and that the DoLS scheme should be reviewed by Government to ensure it is implemented fully and the rights of vulnerable people are not overlooked.
Campaign challenges mental health clichés Source: Time to Change 11/06/12 'Pull yourself together' has come top of the cliché chart in a national online poll commissioned by the mental health campaign charity Time to Change. Other frequently used unhelpful comments include 'There are people out there much worse off than you' and 'Snap out of it'. Time to Change has launched a new campaign called 'It's time to talk. It's time to change', which includes a new viral film with tips on how to start a conversation about mental health (see People with a mental health problem say that being prepared to listen, and being open minded and non-judgmental are the three most important factors that help them talk about and cope with mental ill health.
Persistent poverty affects children's learning Source:Centre for Longitudinal Studies 13/06/12 Living in poverty since infancy has a major impact on children's development, new research shows. The research uses data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a long-term project that is following up some 8,000 children born in the UK in 2000–01. It shows that, at age seven, a child who has lived in persistent poverty since birth ranks 10 levels lower on a range of ability tests than their peers who have never been poor, even when family circumstances and parenting skills are taken into account. Poverty – especially persistent poverty – has a greater impact on cognitive development than factors such as whether or not parents read to their children, take them to the library, or help them with reading, writing and maths, the researchers say.
Report highlights risk of breast cancer return Source:Macmillan Cancer Support 12/06/12 Nearly one in four women who have been treated for breast cancer will have a recurrence of the disease within 10 years, a study funded by Macmillan Cancer Support has found. The study, the first in the UK, found that 22.6 per cent of 1000 women who were first diagnosed between January 1999 and March 2002 had a recurrence of the disease within ten years. Half those (51%) who developed recurrent breast cancer lived for over three years disease-free and survived for up to 18 months on average after the recurrence; some (5%) survived for at least 10 years. Macmillan Cancer Support says NHS resources tend to be directed towards women with a first-time diagnosis and that the NHS should improve care for women with recurrent breast cancer.
Eating disorders rising among men and boys Source:South West London & St George's NHS Trust 12/06/12 Increasing numbers of boys and men are seeking help for eating disorders, specialists at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) have warned. In 2011/12 nine per cent of patients receiving treatment from the trust's specialist unit for eating disorders were male, up from three per cent in 2010/11. The latest NHS statistics show a 16 per cent increase in hospital admissions for men with eating disorders, more than half of whom are aged under 18 years.
Motivation 'not a factor' in school-based counselling outcomes Source: Counselling and Psychotherapy Research 12/06/12 Motivation may not be an important factor in outcomes from therapy for children and young people, a study of young people attending a school-based counselling service in Glasgow suggests. Researchers asked 81 young people attending the service to complete a questionnaire asking how much they wanted to come to counselling, if it was their choice, had they ever found it helpful to talk to someone when sad, upset or worried, and if they thought counselling would be helpful. Analysis showed that, unlike adults, motivation in these young people was not related to outcomes. The researchers highlight some weaknesses in the methodology of the study but suggest that school counselling services should be wary of concentrating only on students who appear motivated or keen to attend counselling; those 'sent' to counselling may benefit just as much.
Public approval for NHS falls Source: Kings Fund 12/06/12 Public satisfaction with the NHS has fallen sharply in the past 12 months, from 70 per cent in 2010 to 58 per cent in 2011, results from the 29th annual British Social Attitudes survey show. The 12-point fall is the largest drop in satisfaction in one year since the survey started in 1983. The survey also found a drop in public satisfaction with individual NHS services: satisfaction with GP services fell by four points to 73 per cent, and with accident and emergency services by seven points. However satisfaction with NHS dentistry service rose to 56 per cent from an all-time low of 42 per cent in 2008. Analysts say this is due to increased funding and improved access to NHS dental services. They say there is no objective evidence that quality of NHS care has fallen overall and that the drop in satisfaction may be due to a perceived deterioration in NHS services, or to more general disquiet about the national economy.
Fearful mice calmed by cannabinoids Source:Molecular Psychiatry 12/06/12 Researchers in America have found a way to increase levels of a naturally occurring endocannabinoid chemical in the brain that may help treat people with anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), breaks down the endocannabinoids in the brain, but scientists have been able to block the action of the FAAH in mice, which made the mice less fearful. They say the effect is like that of smoking marijuana. They have also discovered that human genetic differences related to the same brain chemistry influence how well people cope with fear and stress. People with a version of the FAAH gene associated with lower enzyme function and thus with higher endocannabinoid levels showed a greater decrease in activity in the amygdala in response to pictures of threatening faces. The researchers say further studies are now needed to confirm the connections between FAAH variation and PTSD risk as well as the potential of FAAH inhibition as a treatment for fear-related disorders.
Homecare cuts 'risk lives' Source:British Red Cross 11/06/12 Cuts by local authorities of vital homecare services are putting the lives of elderly and vulnerable people at risk, the British Red Cross has warned. In a survey of GPs and the general public, 88 per cent of GPs said patients are being put at risk due to lack of social care support; 88 per cent of GPs and 80 per cent of the public said that lack of investment and cuts to social care services are driving down standards, and 85 per cent of GPs and 82 per cent of the public said that thresholds for local authority social care support are being raised because of lack of funding. The Red Cross says homecare can save the NHS thousands of pounds: an analysis of its own health and social care services found that home-based support can save the NHS up to £10,000 per patient per year.
Scotland's higher suicide rates 'due to mental illness and alcohol' Source:Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health Online First 10/06/12 Higher levels of mental illness and alcohol misuse are the main factors behind Scotland's high suicide rates, a comparison of national and local data reveals. Researchers compared a range of social, cultural and health-related factors at postcode and health board level in Scotland and local authority and primary care trust level in England. They found that Scotland's suicide rate in the period 2001–2006 was 79 per cent higher than in England; younger Scottish men and women aged 15–44 years were at double the risk of suicide of their English peers. Overall, 57% of the risk in Scotland was explained by higher rates of prescriptions for psychotropic drugs (which were used as a proxy for rates of severe mental illness), alcohol and drug use, socioeconomic deprivation, social fragmentation and other health-related indices. The use of psychotropic drugs was the variable most strongly associated with differences in suicide risk, followed by alcohol misuse. These should be the main focus of any suicide preventions strategy, the researchers say.
Neurofeedback may help treat depression Source:Cardiff University 08/06/12 People with depression can be trained to use neurofeedback to control the part of the brain associated with low mood, researchers at Cardiff University claim. The researchers conducted a trial using MRI scanners to show people with depression how their brains reacted when they looked at positive images. After four sessions of treatment, the eight people in the trial all reported significantly improved mood. A control group of eight people also with depression who were instructed simply to think positive thoughts reported no improvement in mood. The researchers say the MRI scans allowed participants to work out for themselves the kinds of images that were most effective for improving their mood, giving them a sense of control over their own brain activity. The team has now launched a larger randomised controlled trial, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of this technique on depression.
Care Quality Commission appoints new chief executive Source:Department of Health 08/06/12 David Behan CBE, current Director General of Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships at the Department of Health, has been appointed Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The previous Chief Executive Cynthia Bower announced her resignation from the post in February. The CQC has been criticised for failing to carry out adequate inspections to protect vulnerable people in care homes. David Behan has led work to reform adult social care and to deliver the reforms in the Health and Social Care Act 2011. He was the first Chief Inspector of the Commission for Social Care Inspection and was awarded a CBE in 2004 for services to social care. He will take up his new role in July.
London shops offer safety to bullied teenagers Source:Citizens UK 07/06/12 The London CitySafe campaign, part of the Citizens UK community action network, is to establish 300 'safe havens' for victims of bullying throughout the capital for 100 days, during the period of the Olympic Games. The charity has persuaded 300 businesses across 19 London boroughs to put up a CitySafe sign to show young people and other victims of crime that they can seek refuge there. It echoes the ancient tradition of declaring a truce 50 days before the start of the Olympic Games. A trial safe zone in north Liverpool led to a 29 per cent reduction in violent crime within 50 metres of the safe haven.
Government increases investment in public service 'enterprise' Source:Department of Health 07/06/12 The Department of Health and Cabinet Office have increased financial support for frontline health and other public sector staff who want to set up their services as a social enterprise. The Department of Health has added a further £19 million to the £100 million paid out to public sector social entrepreneurs over the past five years, and the Cabinet Office has established a new £10 million 'Mutuals Support Programme' to help future public sector worker-run services. Some 600 social enterprises have so far been set up by former NHS staff to provide services to the public under the Government-backed scheme. Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley said the extra funding ' will help roll out more of these services across the health service and shift power and control to frontline workers'.
Campaign seeks to raise awareness of childhood abuse Source:Clarifi Consulting 07/06/12 A childhood sexual abuse (CSA) training consultancy is calling for a national campaign to raise awareness of its lifelong effects. Clarifi Consulting works with abuse survivors and runs specialist training workshops for counsellors, social workers and frontline health professionals. They say that people who are still suffering the effects of childhood sexual abuse in adulthood find it hard to disclose their history and, without help and treatment, the damage can affect their own families and future generations. They want to launch a national childhood sexual abuse survivor week in 2013, which they believe will help combat the stigma and enable people to seek help for CSA. An estimated one in four women and one in six men will have experienced childhood sexual abuse, leading to significant health and social problems. Clarifi Consulting are calling on all charities and organisations working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse to contact them and work together to launch the week.
MoD launches Army anti-stigma campaign Source:British Army 06/06/12 The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched the second phase of its 'Don't bottle It Up' campaign aimed at tackling stigma associated with mental illness in the Army. The campaign is designed to challenge the assumption that all mental health problems in the Army relate to combat stress. Concerns over money and employment, fears about job cuts and changes in Army structures and domestic troubles are among the main contributors to anxiety-related mental health disorders, and the Army wants to encourage soldiers and their families to seek help for these difficulties. Phase two of the Don't Bottle It Up mental health stigma campaign features on a new page on the Army website ( offering help and advice to soldiers and family members. The site will be updated regularly with case studies and personal experiences of soldiers and officers to challenge the stigma of admitting to having mental health problems.
Premature birth linked to mental illness Source:Archives of General Psychiatry online first 01/06/12 Premature birth increases the risk of serious mental illnesses in later life, an analysis of population health records shows. Researchers analysed data from 1.3 million people born in Sweden between 1973 and 1985. Of 10,523 people admitted to hospital for treatment for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, 580 had been born prematurely. Full-term children had a two in 1,000 chance of psychiatric hospital treatment. For premature babies born before 36 weeks, the risk was four in 1,000 and this rose to six in 1,000 for those born before 32 weeks.
No clinical evidence for menopausal anxiety Source:Journal of Affective Disorders 01/07/12 There is no hard evidence of a link between menopause, hot flushes and increased anxiety that would justify a formal psychiatric diagnosis, researchers say. A systematic review of studies published between 1960 and 2011 found nine on the relationship between menopause and anxiety, two on menopause and panic disorder, and eight on anxiety and hot flushes. Overall, anxiety symptom levels reported in the studies were low throughout the menopausal transition but, say the researchers, all the studies were marred by poor measurement of both menopausal status and anxiety symptoms and relied heavily on the use of brief, often non-validated measures of anxiety symptoms. Psychosocial factors such as attitude to menopause and overall attitude to life or changes in family life were important predictors of hot flush severity. | eng | 6fc858ff-d5fb-40a8-987c-e84b105d4d90 | http://www.therapytoday.net/article/show/3160/ |
Intelligent design (ID) is a form of creationism promulgated by the Discovery Institute, a politically conservative think tank based in the U.S.[1] The Institute defines it as the proposition that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection."[The teleological argument, also known as the design argument, is one of three basic religious arguments for the existence of God which have been advanced for centuries (the others being the ontological argument and the cosmological argument). In the 13th century Thomas Aquinas argued that natural things act to achieve the best result, and as they cannot do this without intelligence, an intelligent being must exist, setting the goal and providing direction, and this being is God. The version formulated in 1802 by the theologianWilliam Paley used the watchmaker analogy to argue that complexity and adaptation in nature demonstrated God's benevolent and perfect design, for the good of humans. Paley's natural theology strongly influenced scientists of the time, including Charles Darwin, who began with the assumption that God had designed nature and were open to a deistic interpretation that this design was implemented by laws. While Darwin's natural selection explained complexity and adaptation without the need for a designer, he was still inclined to think that everything resulted from designed laws,[18] by which Nature's God shaped life. Intelligent design has Paley's religious argument from design at its centre, but unlike Paley's openness to deistic design through God given laws, the point of intelligent design is to seek scientific confirmation of repeated miraculous interventions in the history of life.[1]
By 1910 evolution was not a topic of major religious controversy in America, but in the 1920s Fundamentalist Christianity engaged in the Fundamentalist–Modernist Controversy took up opposition to evolution,[1] and effectively suspended teaching of evolution in U.S. public schools. In the 1960s, after evolution was reintroduced into the curriculum, Young Earth creationists promoted Creation Science as "an alternative scientific explanation of the world in which we live", which frequently invoked the design argument to explain complexity in nature. These explanations prefigured the intelligent design arguments of irreducible complexity, even featuring the bacterial flagellum. Attempts to introduce this in schools led to court rulings that Creation Science is religious in nature, and thus cannot be taught in public school science classrooms. Intelligent design is also presented as science invoking Paley's religious argument from design. It shares other arguments with Creation Science but differs in avoiding overt literal Biblical references such as the age of the Earth and Noah's Flood.[14]
In March 1986, a review by Meyer used information theory to suggest that messages transmitted by DNA in the cell show "specified complexity" specified by intelligence, and must have originated with an intelligent agent.[20] In November of that year Thaxton described his reasoning as a more sophisticated form of Paley's argument from design.[21] At the Sources of Information Content in DNA conference in 1988 he said that his intelligent cause view was compatible with both metaphysical naturalism and supernaturalism.[22]
Intelligent design avoids identifying or naming the intelligent designer—it merely states that one (or more) must exist—but leaders of the movement have said the designer is the Christian god.[n 2][23][n 6][n 7] Whether this lack of specificity about the designer's identity in public discussions is a genuine feature of the concept, or just a posture taken to avoid alienating those who would separate religion from the teaching of science, has been a matter of great debate between supporters and critics of intelligent design. The Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District court ruling held the latter to be the case.
The phrase "intelligent design" has been found in literature unrelated to the modern usage of the term.[25][26] While intelligent design proponents have pointed out examples, they have failed to show that these usages had any influence on those who instigated the intelligent design movement. The phrase did appear in explicitly creationist writings such as The Natural Limits to Biological Change published in 1984 by Lester and Bohlin. The creationist author A. E. Wilder-Smith has been cited as an influence by intelligent design proponents, and in a 1968 publication he argued that the mammary glands in whales could not have arisen by chance mutations, but were more plausibly the work of "an intelligent nipple designer". However, the first place that the term was systematically used, defined in a glossary and claimed to be other than creationism was in the 1989 textbook Of Pandas and People.[25][27]
Use of the terms "creationism" versus "intelligent design" in sequential drafts of the book Of Pandas and People[28]
A Discovery Institute report says that Charles Thaxton, editor of Of Pandas and People, had picked the phrase up from a NASA scientist, and thought "That's just what I need, it's a good engineering term".[29] In drafts of the book over one hundred uses of the root word "creation", such as "creationism" and "Creation Science", were changed, almost without exception, to "intelligent design",[15] while "creationists" was changed to "design proponents" or, in one instance, "cdesign proponentsists" [sic].[28] In June 1988 Thaxton held a conference titled "Sources of Information Content in DNA" in Tacoma, Washington,[22] and in December decided to use the label "intelligent design" for his new creationist movement.[30]Stephen C. Meyer was at the conference, and later recalled that "the term came up".[31]
Of Pandas and People was published in 1989, and was the first book to make frequent use of the phrases "intelligent design", "design proponents", and "design theory", thus representing the beginning of the modern "intelligent design" movement.[32] "Intelligent design" was the most prominent of around fifteen new terms it introduced as a new lexicon of creationist terminology to oppose evolution without using religious language.[33] It was the first place where the phrase "intelligent design" appeared in its present use, as stated both by its publisher Jon Buell,[14][34] and by William A. Dembski in his expert witness report.[35]
The National Center for Science Education has criticized the book for presenting all of the basic arguments of intelligent design proponents and being actively promoted for use in public schools before any research had been done to support these arguments.[32] Although presented as a scientific textbook, Philosopher of science Michael Ruse considers the contents "worthless and dishonest". An ACLU lawyer described it as a political tool aimed at students who did not "know science or understand the controversy over evolution and creationism." One of the authors of the science framework used by California Schools, Kevin Padian, condemned it for its "sub-text", "intolerance for honest science" and "incompetence".[24]
The term "irreducible complexity" was introduced by biochemist Michael Behe in his 1996 book Darwin's Black Box, though he had already described the concept in his contributions to the 1993 revised edition of Of Pandas and People.[32] Behe defines it as "a single system which is composed of several well-matched interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning".[36]
Behe uses the analogy of a mousetrap to illustrate this concept. A mousetrap consists of several interacting pieces—the base, the catch, the spring and the hammer—all of which must be in place for the mousetrap to work. Removal of any one piece destroys the function of the mousetrap. Intelligent design advocates assert that natural selection could not create irreducibly complex systems, because the selectable function is present only when all parts are assembled. Behe argued that irreducibly complex biological mechanisms include the bacterial flagellum of E. coli, the blood clotting cascade, cilia, and the adaptive immune system.[37][38]
Critics point out that the irreducible complexity argument assumes that the necessary parts of a system have always been necessary and therefore could not have been added sequentially.[8] They argue that something that is at first merely advantageous can later become necessary as other components change. Furthermore, they argue, evolution often proceeds by altering preexisting parts or by removing them from a system, rather than by adding them. This is sometimes called the "scaffolding objection" by an analogy with scaffolding, which can support an "irreducibly complex" building until it is complete and able to stand on its own.[n 8] Behe has acknowledged using "sloppy prose", and that his "argument against Darwinism does not add up to a logical proof".[n 99]
In 1986 Charles Thaxton, a physical chemist and creationist, used the term "specified complexity" from information theory when claiming that messages transmitted by DNA in the cell were specified by intelligence, and must have originated with an intelligent agent.[20] The intelligent design concept of "specified complexity" was developed in the 1990s by mathematician, philosopher, and theologian William Dembski.[39] Dembski, Research Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, states that when something exhibits specified complexity (i.e., is both complex and "specified", simultaneously), one can infer that it was produced by an intelligent cause (i.e., that it was designed) rather than being the result of natural processes. He provides the following examples: "A single letter of the alphabet is specified without being complex. A long sentence of random letters is complex without being specified. A Shakespeareansonnet is both complex and specified".[40] He states that details of living things can be similarly characterized, especially the "patterns" of molecular sequences in functional biological molecules such as DNA.
Dembski defines complex specified information (CSI) as anything with a less than 1 in 10150 chance of occurring by (natural) chance. Critics say that this renders the argument a tautology: complex specified information cannot occur naturally because Dembski has defined it thus, so the real question becomes whether or not CSI actually exists in nature.[42][n 10][43]
The conceptual soundness of Dembski's specified complexity/CSI argument has been discredited in the scientific and mathematical communities.[10][44] Specified complexity has yet to be shown to have wide applications in other fields, as Dembski asserts. John Wilkins and Wesley Elsberry characterize Dembski's "explanatory filter" as eliminative, because it eliminates explanations sequentially: first regularity, then chance, finally defaulting to design. They argue that this procedure is flawed as a model for scientific inference because the asymmetric way it treats the different possible explanations renders it prone to making false conclusions.[45]
Richard Dawkins, another critic of intelligent design, argues in The God Delusion that allowing for an intelligent designer to account for unlikely complexity only postpones the problem, as such a designer would need to be at least as complex.[46] Other scientists have argued that evolution through selection is better able to explain the observed complexity, as is evident from the use of selective evolution to design certain electronic, aeronautic and automotive systems that are considered problems too complex for human "intelligent designers".[47]
Scientists have generally responded that these arguments are poorly supported by existing evidence.[49][50]Victor J. Stenger and other critics say both intelligent design and the weak form of the anthropic principle are essentially a tautology; in his view, these arguments amount to the claim that life is able to exist because the Universe is able to support life.[51][52][53] The claim of the improbability of a life-supporting universe has also been criticized as an argument by lack of imagination for assuming no other forms of life are possible. Life as we know it might not exist if things were different, but a different sort of life might exist in its place. A number of critics also suggest that many of the stated variables appear to be interconnected and that calculations made by mathematicians and physicists suggest that the emergence of a universe similar to ours is quite probable.[54]
UFO religion as a real-life example of an extraterrestrial intelligent designer view that "make[s] many of the same bad arguments against evolutionary theory as creationists".[55] The authoritative description of intelligent design,[n 11] however, explicitly states that the Universe displays features of having been designed. Acknowledging the paradox, Dembski concludes that "no intelligent agent who is strictly physical could have presided over the origin of the universe or the origin of life".[56] The leading proponents have made statements to their supporters that they believe the designer to be the Christian god, to the exclusion of all other religions.[n 2][23]
Beyond the debate over whether intelligent design is scientific, a number of critics argue that existing evidence makes the design hypothesis appear unlikely, irrespective of its status in the world of science. For example, Jerry Coyne asks why a designer would "give us a pathway for making vitamin C, but then destroy it by disabling one of its enzymes" (see pseudogene) and why he or she would not "stock oceanic islands with reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and freshwater fish, despite the suitability of such islands for these species". Coyne also points to the fact that "the flora and fauna on those islands resemble that of the nearest mainland, even when the environments are very different" as evidence that species were not placed there by a designer.[57] Previously, in Darwin's Black Box, Behe had argued that we are simply incapable of understanding the designer's motives, so such questions cannot be answered definitively. Odd designs could, for example, "have been placed there by the designer ... for artistic reasons, to show off, for some as-yet undetectable practical purpose, or for some unguessable reason". Coyne responds that in light of the evidence, "either life resulted not from intelligent design, but from evolution; or the intelligent designer is a cosmic prankster who designed everything to make it look as though it had evolved".[57]
Intelligent design proponents such as Paul Nelson avoid the problem of poor design in nature by insisting that we have simply failed to understand the perfection of the design. Behe cites Paley as his inspiration, but he differs from Paley's expectation of a perfect Creation and proposes that designers do not necessarily produce the best design they can. Behe suggests that, like a parent not wanting to spoil a child with extravagant toys, the designer can have multiple motives for not giving priority to excellence in engineering. He says that "the argument for imperfection critically depends on a psychoanalysis of the unidentified designer. Yet the reasons that a designer would or would not do anything are virtually impossible to know unless the designer tells you specifically what those reasons are." This reliance on inexplicable motives of the designer makes intelligent design scientifically untestable. Phillip E. Johnson puts forward a core definition that the designer creates for a purpose, giving the example that in his view AIDS was created to punish immorality and was not caused by HIV, but such motives cannot be tested by scientific methods.[58]
Asserting the need for a designer of complexity also raises the question "What designed the designer?"[59] Intelligent design proponents say that the question is irrelevant to or outside the scope of intelligent design.[n 12] Richard Wein counters that the unanswered questions an explanation creates "must be balanced against the improvements in our understanding which the explanation provides. Invoking an unexplained being to explain the origin of other beings (ourselves) is little more than question-begging. The new question raised by the explanation is as problematic as the question which the explanation purports to answer".[43] Richard Dawkins sees the assertion that the designer does not need to be explained, not as a contribution to knowledge, but as a thought-terminating cliché.[60][61] In the absence of observable, measurable evidence, the very question "What designed the designer?" leads to an infinite regression from which intelligent design proponents can only escape by resorting to religious creationism or logical contradiction.[62]
The intelligent design movement is a direct outgrowth of the creationism of the 1980s.[13] The scientific and academic communities, along with a U.S. federal court, view intelligent design as either a form of creationism or as a direct descendant that is closely intertwined with traditional creationism;[64][n 13][65][66][67][68] and several authors explicitly refer to it as "intelligent design creationism".[13][69][n 14][70][71]
The movement is headquartered in the Center for Science and Culture (CSC), established in 1996 as the creationist wing of the Discovery Institute to promote a religious agenda[n 15] calling for broad social, academic and political changes. The Discovery Institute's intelligent design campaigns have been staged primarily in the United States, although efforts have been made in other countries to promote intelligent design. Leaders of the movement say intelligent design exposes the limitations of scientific orthodoxy and of the secular philosophy of naturalism. Intelligent design proponents allege that science should not be limited to naturalism and should not demand the adoption of a naturalistic philosophy that dismisses out-of-hand any explanation that includes a supernatural cause. The overall goal of the movement is to "defeat [the] materialistworld view" represented by the theory of evolution in favor of "a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions".[n 15]
Leading intelligent design proponents have made conflicting statements regarding intelligent design. In statements directed at the general public, they say intelligent design is not religious; when addressing conservative Christian supporters, they state that intelligent design has its foundation in the Bible.[n 16] Recognizing the need for support, the institute affirms its Christian, evangelistic orientation: "Alongside a focus on 'popularize' our ideas in the broader culture."[n 15]
Barbara Forrest, an expert who has written extensively on the movement, describes this as being due to the Discovery Institute's obfuscating its agenda as a matter of policy. She has written that the movement's "activities betray an aggressive, systematic agenda for promoting not only intelligent design creationism, but the religious world-view that undergirds it".[73]
The strategy of deliberately disguising the religious intent of intelligent design has been described by William Dembski in The Design Inference.[80] In this work Dembski lists a god or an "alien life force" as two possible options for the identity of the designer; however, in his book Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science and Theology, Dembski states that "Christ is indispensable to any scientific theory, even if its practitioners don't have a clue about him. The pragmatics of a scientific theory can, to be sure, be pursued without recourse to Christ. But the conceptual soundness of the theory can in the end only be located in Christ."[81] Dembski also stated, "ID is part of God's general revelation [...] Not only does intelligent design rid us of this ideology (materialism), which suffocates the human spirit, but, in my personal experience, I've found that it opens the path for people to come to Christ".[82] Both Johnson and Dembski cite the Bible's Gospel of John as the foundation of intelligent design.[23][n 16]
Barbara Forrest contends such statements reveal that leading proponents see intelligent design as essentially religious in nature, not merely a scientific concept that has implications with which their personal religious beliefs happen to coincide.[n 20] She writes that the leading proponents of intelligent design are closely allied with the ultra-conservative Christian Reconstructionism movement. She lists connections of (current and former) Discovery Institute Fellows Phillip Johnson, Charles Thaxton, Michael Behe, Richard Weikart, Jonathan Wells and Francis Beckwith to leading Christian Reconstructionist organizations, and the extent of the funding provided the Institute by Howard Ahmanson Jr., a leading figure in the Reconstructionist movement.[83]
Not all creationist organizations have embraced the intelligent design movement. According to Thomas Dixon, "Religious leaders have come out against ID too. An open letter affirming the compatibility of Christian faith and the teaching of evolution, first produced in response to controversies in Wisconsin in 2004, has now been signed by over ten thousand clergy from different Christian denominations across America. In 2006, the director of the Vatican Observatory, the Jesuit astronomer George Coyne, condemned ID as a kind of 'crude creationism' which reduced God to a mere engineer."[84]Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe, a proponent of Old Earth creationism, believes that the efforts of intelligent design proponents to divorce the concept from Biblical Christianity make its hypothesis too vague. In 2002 he wrote: "Winning the argument for design without identifying the designer yields, at best, a sketchy origins model. Such a model makes little if any positive impact on the community of scientists and other scholars… The time is right for a direct approach, a single leap into the origins fray. Introducing a biblically based, scientifically verifiable creation model represents such a leap."[85]
Likewise, two of the most prominent Young Earth creationism organizations in the world have attempted to distinguish their views from intelligent design. Henry M. Morris of the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) wrote, in 1999, that ID, "even if well-meaning and effectively articulated, will not work! It has often been tried in the past and has failed, and it will fail today. The reason it won't work is because it is not the Biblical method." According to Morris: "The evidence of intelligent design… must be either followed by or accompanied by a sound presentation of true Biblical creationism if it is to be meaningful and lasting."[86] In 2002, Carl Wieland, then of Answers in Genesis (AiG), criticized design advocates who, though well-intentioned, "left the Bible out of it" and thereby unwittingly aided and abetted the modern rejection of the Bible. Wieland explained that "AiG's major 'strategy' is to boldly, but humbly, call the church back to its Biblical foundations… [so] we neither count ourselves a part of this movement nor campaign against it."[87]
Several surveys were conducted prior to the December 2005 decision in Kitzmiller v. Dover, which sought to determine the level of support for intelligent design among certain groups. According to a 2005 Harris poll, 10% of adults in the United States viewed human beings as "so complex that they required a powerful force or intelligent being to help create them".[94] Although Zogby polls commissioned by the Discovery Institute show more support, these polls suffer from considerable flaws, such as having a very low response rate (248 out of 16,000), being conducted on behalf of an organization with an expressed interest in the outcome of the poll, and containing leading questions.[95][96][97]
A series of Gallup polls in the United States from 1982 through 2008 on "Evolution, Creationism, Intelligent Design" found support for "human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced formed of life, but God guided the process" of between 35% and 40%, support for "God created human beings in pretty much their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so" varied from 43% to 47%, and support for "human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in the process" varied from 9% to 14%. The polls also noted answers to a series of more detailed questions.[98]
The film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed sparked further controversy in 2008. This documentaryfilm, hosted by Ben Stein, presents allegations that the mainstream science establishment, in a conspiracy to keep God out of science laboratories and classrooms, suppresses academics who believe they see evidence of intelligent design in nature or criticize evidence of evolution.[99] The film includes interviews with scientists and academics who were misled into taking part by misrepresentation of the topic and title of the film. Michael Shermer describes his experience of being repeatedly asked the same question without context as "surreal". Review screenings were restricted to churches and Christian groups, and at a special pre-release showing, one of the interviewees, PZ Myers, was refused admission. The production company, Premise Media, also has helped finance some religious films such as The Passion of the Christ. The Anti-Defamation League denounced the film's allegation that evolutionary theory influenced The Holocaust.[100][101]
Advocates of intelligent design seek to keep God and the Bible out of the discussion, and present intelligent design in the language of science as though it were a scientific hypothesis.[n 17][n 19] For a theory to qualify as scientific,[n 21][102][n 22] it is expected to be:
Consistent
Parsimonious (sparing in its proposed entities or explanations, see Occam's Razor)
Useful (describes and explains observed phenomena, and can be used in a predictive manner)
Empirically testable and falsifiable (potentially confirmable or disprovable by experiment or observation)
Based on multiple observations (often in the form of controlled, repeated experiments)
Correctable and dynamic (modified in the light of observations that do not support it)
Progressive (refines previous theories)
Provisional or tentative (is open to experimental checking, and does not assert certainty)
For any theory, hypothesis or conjecture to be considered scientific, it must meet most, and ideally all, of these criteria. The fewer criteria are met, the less scientific it is; and if it meets only a few or none at all, then it cannot be treated as scientific in any meaningful sense of the word. Typical objections to defining intelligent design as science are that it lacks consistency,[103] violates the principle of parsimony,[n 23] is not scientifically useful,[n 24] is not falsifiable,[n 25] is not empirically testable,[n 26] and is not correctable, dynamic, provisional or progressive.[n 27][n 28][n 29]
Intelligent design proponents seek to change this fundamental basis of science[104] by eliminating "methodological naturalism" from science[105] and replacing it with what the leader of the intelligent design movement, Phillip E. Johnson, calls "theistic realism".[n 30] Intelligent design proponents argue that naturalistic explanations fail to explain certain phenomena and that supernatural explanations provide a very simple and intuitive explanation for the origins of life and the universe.[n 31] Many intelligent design followers believe that "Scientism" is itself a religion that promotes secularism and materialism in an attempt to erase theism from public life, and they view their work in the promotion of intelligent design as a way to return religion to a central role in education and other public spheres.
The failure to follow the procedures of scientific discourse and the failure to submit work to the scientific community that withstands scrutiny have weighed against intelligent design being accepted as valid science.[106] The intelligent design movement has not published a properly peer-reviewed article supporting ID in a scientific journal, and has failed to publish supporting peer-reviewed research or data.[106] The only article published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal that made a case for intelligent design was quickly withdrawn by the publisher for having circumvented the journal's peer-review standards.[107] The Discovery Institute says that a number of intelligent design articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals,[108] but critics, largely members of the scientific community, reject this claim and state intelligent design proponents have set up their own journals with peer review that lack impartiality and rigor,[n 32] consisting entirely of intelligent design supporters.[n 33]
Further criticism stems from the fact that the phrase intelligent design makes use of an assumption of the quality of an observable intelligence, a concept that has no scientific consensus definition. William Dembski, for example, has written that "Intelligence leaves behind a characteristic signature". The characteristics of intelligence are assumed by intelligent design proponents to be observable without specifying what the criteria for the measurement of intelligence should be. Critics say that the design detection methods proposed by intelligent design proponents are radically different from conventional design detection, undermining the key elements that make it possible as legitimate science. Intelligent design proponents, they say, are proposing both searching for a designer without knowing anything about that designer's abilities, parameters, or intentions (which scientists do know when searching for the results of human intelligence), as well as denying the very distinction between natural/artificial design that allows scientists to compare complex designed artifacts against the background of the sorts of complexity found in nature.[n 34]
Among a significant proportion of the general public in the United States, the major concern is whether conventional evolutionary biology is compatible with belief in God and in the Bible, and how this issue is taught in schools.[109] The Discovery Institute's "Teach the Controversy" campaign promotes intelligent design while attempting to discredit evolution in United States public high school science courses.[13][110][111][112][113][114] The scientific community and science education organizations have replied that there is no scientific controversy regarding the validity of evolution and that the controversy exists solely in terms of religion and politics.[115][116][117]
Eugenie Scott, along with Glenn Branch and other critics, has argued that many points raised by intelligent design proponents are arguments from ignorance. In the argument from ignorance, a lack of evidence for one view is erroneously argued to constitute proof of the correctness of another view. Scott and Branch say that intelligent design is an argument from ignorance because it relies on a lack of knowledge for its conclusion: lacking a natural explanation for certain specific aspects of evolution, we assume intelligent cause. They contend most scientists would reply that the unexplained is not unexplainable, and that "we don't know yet" is a more appropriate response than invoking a cause outside science. Particularly, Michael Behe's demands for ever more detailed explanations of the historical evolution of molecular systems seem to assume a false dichotomy, where either evolution or design is the proper explanation, and any perceived failure of evolution becomes a victory for design. Scott and Branch also contend that the supposedly novel contributions proposed by intelligent design proponents have not served as the basis for any productive scientific research.[118]
In his conclusion to the Kitzmiller trial, Judge Jones wrote that "ID is at bottom premised upon a false dichotomy, namely, that to the extent evolutionary theory is discredited, ID is confirmed." This same argument had been put forward to support creation science at the McLean v. Arkansas trial which found it was "contrived dualism", the false premise of a "two-model approach". Behe's argument of irreducible complexity puts forward negative arguments against evolution but does not make any positive scientific case for intelligent design. It fails to allow for scientific explanations continuing to be found, as has been the case with several examples previously put forward as supposed cases of irreducible complexity.[119]
The insistence of intelligent design on repeated miraculous interventions rather than designed laws raises theological difficulties for those who believe that God's design must be perfect and should not need such changes. The claim to be scientific implies that science can test religion, and the problem of evil raises the issue of a lack of miraculous intervention to reduce suffering.[1] Intelligent design proponents avoid the problem of poor design in nature by insisting that we have simply failed to understand the perfection of the design, or by proposing that designers do not necessarily produce the best design they can, and may have unknowable motives for their actions.[58]
Intelligent design has also been characterized as a God-of-the-gaps argument,[120] which has the following form:
There is a gap in scientific knowledge.
The gap is filled with acts of God (or intelligent designer) and therefore proves the existence of God (or intelligent designer).[120]
A God-of-the-gaps argument is the theological version of an argument from ignorance. A key feature of this type of argument is that it merely answers outstanding questions with explanations (often supernatural) that are unverifiable and ultimately themselves subject to unanswerable questions.[121]Historians of science observe that the astronomy of the earliest civilizations, although astonishing and incorporating mathematical constructions far in excess of any practical value, proved to be misdirected and of little importance to the development of science because they failed to inquire more carefully into the mechanisms that drove the heavenly bodies across the sky.[122] It was the Greek civilization that first practiced science, although not yet a mathematically oriented experimental science, but nevertheless an attempt to rationalize the world of natural experience without recourse to divine intervention.[123] In this historically motivated definition of science any appeal to an intelligent creator is explicitly excluded for the paralysing effect it may have on the scientific progress.
On December 20, 2005, Judge Jones issued his 139-page findings of fact and decision, ruling that the Dover mandate was unconstitutional, and barring intelligent design from being taught in Pennsylvania's Middle District public school science classrooms. The eight Dover school board members who voted for the intelligent design requirement were all defeated in a November 8, 2005, election by challengers who opposed the teaching of intelligent design in a science class, and the current school board president stated that the board does not intend to appeal the ruling.[126]
In his finding of facts, Judge Jones made the following condemnation of the Teach the Controversy strategy:
"Moreover."
Judge Jones himself anticipated that his ruling would be criticized, saying in his decision that:."[127]
"The Dover decision is an attempt by an activist federal judge to stop the spread of a scientific idea and even to prevent criticism of Darwinian evolution through government-imposed censorship rather than open debate, and it won't work. He has conflated Discovery Institute's position with that of the Dover school board, and he totally misrepresents intelligent design and the motivations of the scientists who research it."[128]
Subsequently, the decision has been examined in a search for flaws and conclusions, partly by intelligent design supporters aiming to avoid future defeats in court. In the Spring of 2007 the University of Montana Law review published three articles.[133] In the first, David K. DeWolf, John G. West and Casey Luskin, all of the Discovery Institute, argued that intelligent design is a valid scientific theory, the Jones court should not have addressed the question of whether it was a scientific theory, and that the Kitzmiller decision will have no effect at all on the development and adoption of intelligent design as an alternative to standard evolutionary theory.[134] In the second Peter Irons responded, arguing that the decision was extremely well reasoned and spells the death knell for the intelligent design efforts to introduce creationism in public schools,[135] while in the third, DeWolf et al. answer the points made by Irons.[136] However, fear of a similar lawsuit has resulted in other school boards abandoning intelligent design "teach the controversy" proposals.[13]
In April 2010, the American Academy of Religion issued Guidelines for Teaching About Religion in K-12 Public Schools in the United States, which included guidance that Creation Science or intelligent design should not be taught in science classes, as "Creation science and intelligent design represent worldviews that fall outside of the realm of science that is defined as (and limited to) a method of inquiry based on gathering observable and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning." However, they, as well as other "worldviews that focus on speculation regarding the origins of life represent another important and relevant form of human inquiry that is appropriately studied in literature or social sciences courses. Such study, however, must include a diversity of worldviews representing a variety of religious and philosophical perspectives and must avoid privileging one view as more legitimate than others."[137]
In June 2007 the Council of Europe's "Committee on Culture, Science and Education" issued a report, The dangers of creationism in education, which states "Creationism in any of its forms, such as 'intelligent design', is not based on facts, does not use any scientific reasoning and its contents are pathetically inadequate for science classes."[138] In describing the dangers posed to education by teaching creationism, it described intelligent design as "anti-science" and involving "blatant scientific fraud" and "intellectual deception" that "blurs the nature, objectives and limits of science" and links it and other forms of creationism to denialism. On October 4, 2007, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly approved a resolution stating that schools should "resist presentation of creationist ideas in any discipline other than religion", including "intelligent design", which it described as "the latest, more refined version of creationism", "presented in a more subtle way". The resolution emphasises that the aim of the report is not to question or to fight a belief, but to "warn against certain tendencies to pass off a belief as science".[139]
On June 25, 2007, the UK Government responded to an e-petition by saying that creationism and intelligent design should not be taught as science, though teachers would be expected to answer pupils' questions within the standard framework of established scientific theories.[147] Detailed government "Creationism teaching guidance" for schools in England was published on September 18, 2007. It states that "Intelligent design lies wholly outside of science", has no underpinning scientific principles, or explanations, and is not accepted by the science community as a whole. Though it should not be taught as science, "questions about creationism and intelligent design which arise in science lessons, for example, as a result of media coverage, could provide the opportunity to explain or explore why they are not considered to be scientific theories and, in the right context, why evolution is considered to be a scientific theory". However, "Teachers of subjects such as RE, history or citizenship may deal with creationism and intelligent design in their lessons".[n 4]
The British Centre for Science Education lobbying group has the goal of "countering creationism within the UK" and has been involved in government lobbying in the UK in this regard.[148]Northern Ireland's Department for Education says that the curriculum provides an opportunity for alternative theories to be taught. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)—which has links to fundamentalist Christianity—has been campaigning to have intelligent design taught in science classes. A DUP former Member of Parliament, David Simpson, has sought assurances from the education minister that pupils will not lose marks if they give creationist or intelligent design answers to science questions.[149][150] In 2007, Lisburn city council voted in favor of a DUP recommendation to write to post-primary schools asking what their plans are to develop teaching material in relation to "creation, intelligent design and other theories of origin".[151]
Plans by Dutch Education Minister Maria van der Hoeven to "stimulate an academic debate" on the subject in 2005 caused a severe public backlash.[152] After the 2007 elections she was succeeded by Ronald Plasterk, described as a "molecular geneticist, staunch atheist and opponent of intelligent design".[153] As a reaction on this situation in the Netherlands, in Belgium the President of the Flemish Catholic Educational Board (VSKO) Mieke Van Hecke declared that: "Catholic scientists already accepted the theory of evolution for a long time and that intelligent design and creationism doesn't belong in Flemish Catholic schools. It's not the tasks of the politics to introduce new ideas, that's task and goal of science."[154]
Muzaffar Iqbal, a notable Muslim in Canada, signed the Scientific Dissent list of the Discovery Institute.[155] Ideas similar to intelligent design have been considered respected intellectual options among Muslims, and in Turkey many intelligent design books have been translated. In Istanbul in 2007, public meetings promoting intelligent design were sponsored by the local government,[156] and David Berlinski of the Discovery Institute was the keynote speaker at a meeting in May 2007.[157]
In 2010 the ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Book Trust published an intelligent design book titled Rethinking Darwin: A Vedic Study of Darwinism and Intelligent Design chapters included contributions from intelligent design advocates William Dembski, Jonathan Wells and Michael Behe as well as from Hindu creationists Leif A. Jansen and Michael Cremo.[158]
The status of intelligent design in Australia is somewhat similar to that in the UK (see Education in Australia). When the former Australian Federal Education Minister, Brendan Nelson, raised the notion of intelligent design being taught in science classes, the public outcry caused the minister to quickly concede that the correct forum for intelligent design, if it were to be taught, is in religious or philosophy classes.[159] The Australian chapter of Campus Crusade for Christ distributed a DVD of the Discovery Institute's documentary Unlocking the Mystery of Life to Australian secondary schools.[160] The head of one of Australia's leading private schools supported use of the DVD in the classroom at the discretion of teachers and principals.[161]
"The Discovery Institute is the ideological and strategic backbone behind the eruption of skirmishes over science in school districts and state capitals across the country". In: Jody Wilgoren. Politicized Scholars Put Evolution on the Defensive. The New York Times. August 21, 2005 [cited 2012-06-16].
^ abc"the writings of leading ID proponents reveal that the designer postulated by their argument is the God of Christianity". Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, 04 cv 2688 (December 20, 2005). , Ruling p. 26. A selection of writings and quotations of intelligent design supporters demonstrating this identification of the Christian god with the intelligent designer are found in the pdf Horse's Mouth by Brian Poindexter, dated 2003. William A. Dembski, a senior fellow of the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, when asked in an interview whether his research concluded that God is the Intelligent Designer, stated "I believe God created the world for a purpose. The Designer of intelligent design is, ultimately, the Christian God". Devon Williams (December 14, 2007). "CitizenLink: Friday Five: William A. Dembski". Focus on the Family. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
^ ab"Teachernet, Document bank". Creationism teaching guidance. UK Department for Children, Schools and Families. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2007-10-01. "The intelligent design movement claims there are aspects of the natural world that are so intricate and fit for purpose that they cannot have evolved but must have been created by an 'intelligent designer'. Furthermore they assert that this claim is scientifically testable and should therefore be taught in science lessons. Intelligent design lies wholly outside of science. Sometimes examples are quoted that are said to require an 'intelligent designer'. However, many of these have subsequently been shown to have a scientific explanation, for example, the immune system and blood clotting mechanisms. Attempts to establish an idea of the 'specified complexity' needed for intelligent design are surrounded by complex mathematics. Despite this, the idea seems to be essentially a modern version of the old idea of the "God-of-the-gaps". Lack of a satisfactory scientific explanation of some phenomena (a 'gap' in scientific knowledge) is claimed to be evidence of an intelligent designer."
^"ID is not a new scientific argument, but is rather an old religious argument for the existence of God. He traced this argument back to at least Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century, who framed the argument as a syllogism: Wherever complex design exists, there must have been a designer; nature is complex; therefore nature must have had an intelligent designer." "This argument for the existence of God was advanced early in the 19th century by Reverend Paley" (the teleological argument) "The only apparent difference between the argument made by Paley and the argument for ID, as expressed by defense expert witnesses Behe and Minnich, is that ID's 'official position' does not acknowledge that the designer is God." Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, 04 cv 2688 (December 20, 2005). , Ruling, p. 24.
^ abElizabeth Nickson (2004). "Let's Be Intelligent About Darwin". Christianity.ca. Archived from the original on 2007-07-08. "Phillip Johnson: Our strategy has been to change the subject a bit so that we can get the issue of Intelligent Design, which really means the reality of God, before the academic world and into the schools.". "This isn't really, and never has been a debate about science. It's about religion and philosophy." Johnson 1996. World magazine. Witnesses For The Prosecution. "So the question is: "How to win?" That's when I began to develop what you now see full-fledged in the "wedge" strategy: "Stick with the most important thing"—the mechanism and the building up of information. Get the Bible and the Book of Genesis out of the debate because you do not want to raise the so-called Bible-science dichotomy. Phrase the argument in such a way that you can get it heard in the secular academy and in a way that tends to unify the religious dissenters. That means concentrating on, "Do you need a Creator to do the creating, or can nature do it on its own?" and refusing to get sidetracked onto other issues, which people are always trying to do." Johnson 2000. Touchstone magazine. Berkeley's Radical An Interview with Phillip E. Johnson at the Wayback Machine (archived June 9, 2007)
^Stephen C. Meyer: "I think the designer is God ..." (Darwin, the marketing of Intelligent Design. Nightline, ABC News, with Ted Koppel, August 10, 2005); Nancy Pearcey: "By contrast, design theory demonstrates that Christians can sit in the supernaturalist's "chair" even in their professional lives, seeing the cosmos through the lens of a comprehensive biblical worldview. Intelligent Design steps boldly into the scientific arena to build a case based on empirical data. It takes Christianity out of the ineffectual realm of value and stakes out a cognitive claim in the realm of objective truth. It restores Christianity to its status as genuine knowledge, equipping us to defend it in the public arena". (Total Truth, Crossway Books, June 29, 2004, ISBN 1-58134-458-9, pp. 204–205)
^Some of Dembski's responses to assertions of specified complexity being a tautology can be found at William A. Dembski. "Another way to detect design". ARN. Retrieved 2012-06-16.
^Dembski. Discovery Institute. Questions About Intelligent Design [cited 2012-06-16]. "The theory of Intelligent Design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection."
^IDEA "One need not fully understand the origin or identity of the designer to determine that an object was designed. Thus, this question is essentially irrelevant to intelligent design theory, which merely seeks to detect if an object was designed ... Intelligent design theory cannot address the identity or origin of the designer—it is a philosophical / religious question that lies outside the domain of scientific inquiry. Christianity postulates the religious answer to this question that the designer is God who by definition is eternally existent and has no origin. There is no logical philosophical impossibility with this being the case (akin to Aristotle's 'unmoved mover') as a religious answer to the origin of the designer..." FAQ: Who designed the designer? FAQ: Who designed the designer?
^National Science Teachers Association, a professional association of 55,000 science teachers and administrators "National Science Teachers Association Disappointed About Intelligent Design Comments Made by President Bush" (Press release). National Science Teachers Association. August 3, 2005. "We stand with the nation's leading scientific organizations and scientists, including Dr. John Marburger, the president's top science advisor, in stating that intelligent design is not science....It is simply not fair to present pseudoscience to students in the science classroom."
^Robert T. Pennock. Wizards of ID: Reply to Dembski. In: Robert T. Pennock. Intelligent Design Creationism and Its Critics: Philosophical, Theological, and Scientific Perspectives. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press; 2001. ISBN 0-262-66124-1. "Dembski chides me for never using the term 'intelligent design' without conjoining it to 'creationism'. He implies (though never explicitly asserts) that he and others in his movement are not creationists and that it is incorrect to discuss them in such terms, suggesting that doing so is merely a rhetorical ploy to 'rally the troops'. (2) Am I (and the many others who see Dembski's movement in the same way) misrepresenting their position? The basic notion of creationism is the rejection of biological evolution in favor of special creation, where the latter is understood to be supernatural. Beyond this there is considerable variability..." p. 645–667.
^ abc"The social consequences of materialism have been devastating. As symptoms, those consequences are certainly worth treating. However, we are convinced that in order to defeat materialism, we must cut it off at its source. That source is scientific materialism. This is precisely our strategy. If we view the predominant materialistic science as a giant tree, our strategy is intended to function as a 'wedge' that, while relatively small, can split the trunk when applied at its weakest points. The very beginning of this strategy, the 'thin edge of the wedge,' was Phillip Johnson's critique of Darwinism begun in 1991 in Darwinism on Trial, and continued in Reason in the Balance and Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds. Michael Behe's highly successful Darwin's Black Box followed Johnson's work. We are building on this momentum, broadening the wedge with a positive scientific alternative to materialistic scientific theories, which has come to be called the theory of intelligent design (ID). Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions".Wedge Document Discovery Institute, 1999. (PDF file)
^ abc"I have built an intellectual movement in the universities and churches that we call The Wedge, which is devoted to scholarship and writing that furthers this program of questioning the materialistic basis of science. [...] Now the way that I see the logic of our movement going is like this. The first thing you understand is that the Darwinian theory isn't true. It's falsified by all of the evidence and the logic is terrible. When you realize that, the next question that occurs to you is, well, where might you get the truth? [...] I start with John 1:1. In the beginning was the word. In the beginning was intelligence, purpose, and wisdom. The Bible had that right. And the materialist scientists are deluding themselves." Johnson 1999. Reclaiming America for Christ Conference. How the Evolution Debate Can Be Won
^ ab"...intelligent design does not address metaphysical and religious questions such as the nature or identity of the designer," and "...the nature, moral character and purposes of this intelligence lie beyond the competence of science and must be left to religion and philosophy". In: Discovery Institute. Truth Sheet # 09-05 Does intelligent design postulate a "supernatural creator? [cited 2007-07-19].
^Phillip Johnson. 'Keeping the Darwinists Honest' an interview with Phillip Johnson. 1999."Intelligent Design is an intellectual movement, and the Wedge strategy stops working when we are seen as just another way of packaging the Christian evangelical message. [...] The evangelists do what they do very well, and I hope our work opens up for them some doors that have been closed".
^ abPhillip Johnson. Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity. 1999."...the first thing that has to be done is to get the Bible out of the discussion.... This is not to say that the biblical issues are unimportant; the point is rather that the time to address them will be after we have separated materialist prejudice from scientific fact".The Wedge
^Barbara Forrest. Expert Testimony. Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial transcript, Day 6 (October 5) "What I am talking about is the essence of intelligent design, and the essence of it is theistic realism as defined by Professor Johnson. Now that stands on its own quite apart from what their motives are. I'm also talking about the definition of intelligent design by Dr. Dembski as the Logos theology of John's Gospel. That stands on its own. [...] Intelligent design, as it is understood by the proponents that we are discussing today, does involve a supernatural creator, and that is my objection. And I am objecting to it as they have defined it, as Professor Johnson has defined intelligent design, and as Dr. Dembski has defined intelligent design. And both of those are basically religious. They involve the supernatural".
^See, e.g., Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University. Thoughts on Evolution and Intelligent Design; 2005. "Q: Why couldn't intelligent design also be a scientific theory? A: The idea of intelligent design might or might not be true, but when presented as a scientific hypothesis, it is not useful because it is based on weak assumptions, lacks supporting data and terminates further thought."
^The designer is not falsifiable, since its existence is typically asserted without sufficient conditions to allow a falsifying observation. The designer being beyond the realm of the observable, claims about its existence can be neither supported nor undermined by observation, making intelligent design and the argument from design analytic a posteriori arguments. See, e.g., Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, cv 2688 (December 20, 2005). Ruling, p. 22 and p. 77.
^Intelligent design professes to offer an answer that does not need to be defined or explained, the intelligent agent, designer. By asserting a conclusion that cannot be accounted for scientifically, the designer, intelligent design cannot be sustained by any further explanation, and objections raised to those who accept intelligent design make little headway. Thus intelligent design is not a provisional assessment of data, which can change when new information is discovered. Once it is claimed that a conclusion that need not be accounted for has been established, there is simply no possibility of future correction. The idea of the progressive growth of scientific ideas is required to explain previous data and any previously unexplainable data. See, e.g., the brief explanation in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, 04 cv 2688 (December 20, 2005). p. 66.
^"Nobel Laureates Initiative" (PDF). The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity. September 9, 2005. Retrieved 2007-07-19. The September 2005 statement by 38 Nobel laureates stated that: "Intelligent design is fundamentally unscientific; it cannot be tested as scientific theory because its central conclusion is based on belief in the intervention of a supernatural agent".
^Phillip E. Johnson. Access Research Network. Starting a Conversation about Evolution: Johnson, Phillip; August 31, 1996 [cited 2012-06-16]. "My colleagues and I speak of 'theistic realism'—or sometimes, 'mere creation'—as the defining concept of our [the ID] movement. This means that we affirm that God is objectively real as Creator, and that the reality of God is tangibly recorded in evidence accessible to science, particularly in biology."
^Enlisting Science to Find the Fingerprints of a Creator; March 25, 2001 [cited 2012-06-16]. "[Phillip E. Johnson quoted]: We are taking an intuition most people have and making it a scientific and academic enterprise.... We are removing the most important cultural roadblock to accepting the role of God as creator."
^Is It Science Yet?: Intelligent Design Creationism and the Constitution [PDF]. Washington University Law Quarterly. 2005 [cited 2007-07-18];83(1). "ID leaders know the benefits of submitting their work to independent review and have established at least two purportedly "peer-reviewed" journals for ID articles. However, one has languished for want of material and quietly ceased publication, while the other has a more overtly philosophical orientation. Both journals employ a weak standard of "peer review" that amounts to no more than vetting by the editorial board or society fellows."
^TalkOrigins Archive. Index to Creationist Claims; 2006. "With some of the claims for peer review, notably Campbell and Meyer (2003) and the e-journal PCID, the reviewers are themselves ardent supporters of intelligent design. The purpose of peer review is to expose errors, weaknesses, and significant omissions in fact and argument. That purpose is not served if the reviewers are uncritical"
^"For human artifacts, we know the designer's identity, human, and the mechanism of design, as we have experience based upon empirical evidence that humans can make such things, as well as many other attributes including the designer's abilities, needs, and desires. With ID, proponents assert that they refuse to propose hypotheses on the designer's identity, do not propose a mechanism, and the designer, he/she/it/they, has never been seen. In that vein, defense expert Professor Minnich agreed that in the case of human artifacts and objects, we know the identity and capacities of the human designer, but we do not know any of those attributes for the designer of biological life. In addition, Professor Behe agreed that for the design of human artifacts, we know the designer and its attributes and we have a baseline for human design that does not exist for design of biological systems. Professor Behe's only response to these seemingly insurmountable points of disanalogy was that the inference still works in science fiction movies".—Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, cv 2688 (December 20, 2005). , p. 81
^Illustra Media. WIRED Magazine response [archived 2008-12-20; cited 2007-07-13]. "It's also important that you read a well developed rebuttal to Wired's misleading accusations. Links to both the article and a response by the Discovery Institute (our partners in the production of Unlocking the Mystery of Life and The Privileged Planet)"
^Emma Kippley-Ogman. "Judaism & Intelligent Design". Retrieved 13 November 2010. "But there are also Jewish voices in the intelligent design camp. David Klinghoffer, a Discovery Institute fellow, is an ardent advocate of intelligent design. In an article in The Forward (August 12, 2005), he claimed that Jewish thinkers have largely ignored intelligent design and contended that Jews, along with Christians, should adopt the theory because beliefs in God and in natural selection are fundamentally opposed."
^Tom Frame (2010-09). Evolution, Creationism, and Intelligent Design. ISBN9781459603530. Retrieved 13 November 2010. "Michael Denton, Darwin and Intelligent Design In contrast to the other would-be pioneers of Intelligent Design, Denton describes himself as an agnostic, and his book was released by a secular publishing house."
^"Is Discovery Institute a religious organization?". Retrieved 13 November 2010. "Discovery Institute is a secular think tank, and its Board members and Fellows represent a variety of religious traditions, including mainline Protestant, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, and agnostic. Until recently the Chairman of Discovery's Board of Directors was former Congressman John Miller, who is Jewish. Although it is not a religious organization, the Institute has a long record of supporting religious liberty and the legitimate role of faith-based institutions in a pluralistic society. In fact, it sponsored a program for several years for college students to teach them the importance of religious liberty and the separation of church and state."
The AAAS, the largest association of scientists in the U.S., has 120,000 members, and firmly rejects ID
70,000 Australian scientists and educators call on schools not to teach intelligent design in school science classes. [3]
List of statements from scientific professional organizations on the status intelligent design and other forms of creationism in the sciences.[4]
The scientific journal Nature characterized it in an editorial as an "insidious" form of "anti-Darwin activism" spreading from America to Europe, and urges instructors emphasize to students it is not a scientific discipline when discussing it. Nature Methods Editorial (2007). "An intelligently designed response". Nat. Methods4 (12): 983. doi:10.1038/nmeth1207-983.
^Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law and Education. InterVarsity Press; 1995. ISBN 0-8308-1929-0.[Johnson positions himself as a "theistic realist" against "methodological naturalism".]
^"ID's home base is the Center for Science and Culture at Seattle's conservative Discovery Institute. Meyer directs the center; former Reagan adviser Bruce Chapman heads the larger institute, with input from the Christian supply-sider and former American Spectator owner George Gilder (also a Discovery senior fellow). From this perch, the ID crowd has pushed a "teach the controversy" approach to evolution that closely influenced the Ohio State Board of Education's recently proposed science standards, which would require students to learn how scientists "continue to investigate and critically analyze" aspects of Darwin's theory." Chris Mooney. The American Prospect. December 2, 2002 Survival of the Slickest: How anti-evolutionists are mutating their message
^Nick Matzke's analysis shows how teaching the controversy using the Critical Analysis of Evolution model lesson plan is a means of teaching all the intelligent design arguments without using the intelligent design label.No one here but us Critical Analysis-ists... Nick Matzke. The Panda's Thumb, July 11, 2006
^"Some bills seek to discredit evolution by emphasizing so-called "flaws" in the theory of evolution or "disagreements" within the scientific community. Others insist that teachers have absolute freedom within their classrooms and cannot be disciplined for teaching non-scientific "alternatives" to evolution. A number of bills require that students be taught to "critically analyze" evolution or to understand "the controversy." But there is no significant controversy within the scientific community about the validity of the theory of evolution. The current controversy surrounding the teaching of evolution is not a scientific one." AAAS Statement on the Teaching of EvolutionAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science. February 16, 2006 | eng | af73e4bb-8bcc-4e25-b113-a24c112924a7 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design |
CS-TR-4058
Course: TOMOS 1028, Fall 2008 School: Maryland Rating:
Word Count: 16871
Document Preview tools, technology is changing the way children live and learn. As these new technologies become ever more critical to our childrens lives, we need to be sure these technologies support children in ways that make sense for them as young learners, explorers, and avid technology users. This may seem of obvious importance, because for almost 20 years the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) community has pursued new ways to understand users of technology. However, with children as users, it has been difficult to bring them into the design process. Children go to school for most of their days; there are existing power structures, biases, and assumptions between adults and children to get beyond; and children, especially young ones have difficulty in verbalizing their thoughts. For all of these reasons, a childs role in the design of new technology has historically been minimized. Based upon a survey of the literature and my own research experiences with children, this paper defines a framework for understanding the various roles children can have in the design process, and how these roles can impact technologies that are created. Categories and Subject Descriptors: H.1.2 [Models and Principles]: User/Machine Systemshuman factors; H.5.2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]: User Interfacesevaluation/methodology; interaction styles General Terms: Human Factors, Design, Theory Additional Key Words and Phrases: Children, design techniques, participatory design, evaluation, educational applications
1 CHILDREN AND TECHNOLOGY Computers for kids need to be fun like a friend, but can make me smart for school. They should also be friendly like my cat. The real thing is that they shouldnt make me have to type since I dont like that. I can talk much better! (Researcher Notes, April 3, 1999, Quote from an 8 year-old child). Children have their own likes, dislikes, curiosities, and needs that are not the same as their parents or teachers. As obvious as this may seem, we as designers of new technologies for children, sometimes forget that young people are not just short adults but an entirely different user population with their own culture, norms, and complexities (Berman, 1977). Yet, it is common for developers of new technologies to ask parents and teachers what they think their children or students may need, rather than ask children directly (Druin et al., 1999; Druin, 1996). This may in part be due to the traditional power structure of the all-knowing adult and the all-learning child, where young
HCIL Technical Report No. 99-23; Submitted to Transactions on Computer Human Interaction Allison DruinUniversity of Maryland
people are dependent on their parents and teachers for everything from food and shelter, to educational experiences. At times, these relationships may make it difficult for children to voice their opinions when it comes to deciding what technologies should be in schools or at home. In addition, we as designers of technologies have our own biases and assumptions about children. Some of us may be parents of our own children, but all of us were once children ourselves with special memories of what we liked and didnt like about the world. We may also have our own preconceived notions about learning theories and educational strategies, thanks to the many years of schooling that we all had to endure (Druin & Solomon, 1996; Papert, 1972; Solomon, 1986). All of this adds up to a large amount of personal experience about young people that we may or may not choose to bring with us when we develop new technologies for children. But as we know, these personal impressions may not be enough to support todays children. While they are fast becoming tomorrows power-users of everything from the Internet to multimedia authoring tools (Report to the President on the Use of Technology to Strengthen K-12 Education in the United States, 1997; Fulton, 1997). They are still children that must go to school and depend on their teachers and parents for learning and living in this complex world. In addition, as we know, young children have a more difficult time verbalizing their thoughts, especially when it concerns abstract concepts and actions (Piaget, 1971; Piaget, 1973). While children can be extremely honest in their feedback and comments concerning technology, much of what they say needs to be interpreted within the context of concrete experiences (Druin, 1999). For all of these reasons, a childs role in the design of new technology has historically been minimized. In the Human-Computer Interaction community, we have a short but rich history of developing shared paths for communication between diverse users and technologists. However, this history of shared communication is even shorter and less developed for our children as users, testers, informants, and partners in the technology design process. With the emergence of children as an important new consumer group of technology (Heller, 1998), it is critical that we support children in ways that are useful, effective, and meaningful for their needs. With this in mind, we need to question how we can build new technologies that respect children for their ability to challenge themselves and question the world around them. We need to understand how we can create new technologies that offer children control of a world where they are so often not in control. I believe it is in understanding the role that children can play in the technology design process that will lead to answers. The better we can understand children as people and users of new technologies, the better we can serve their needs. This paper will suggest a framework for understanding the role children have historically had in the technology design process. How these roles can impact the technologies developed and the research methods that are used will be discussed based upon a survey of the literature. How these roles for children compare to adult participation will also be examined, along with the strengths and challenges associated with children in the design process. By understanding this framework in regards to the childs role, it is my belief that we can make more informed decisions about our research and development practices that can have lasting effects for the future.
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2 THE EMERGENCE OF CHILDREN IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS A growing body of literature has emerged that discusses children, technology and humancomputer interaction issues. Once relegated to one or two CHI conference papers a year (e.g., Frye & Soloway, 1987; Malone, 1982; Verburg, Field, St. Pierre, & Naumann, 1987; Wilson, 1988). Todays HCI conferences include multiple paper sessions, panels, demos, and tutorials on these topics (e.g., Colella, Borovoy, & Resnick, 1998; Druin, 1999; Loh et al., 1998; Salzman et al., 1999; Smith & Reiser, 1998; Stewart et al., 1999; Umaschi Bers et al., 1998). Once thought to be the academic pursuit of educators and child psychologists, early discussions about childrens interaction with technology primarily appeared in academic books (e.g., Davis, 1984; Dwyer, 1980; Papert, 1980; Solomon, 1979; Suppes, 1969), sporadic technology-oriented journal publications (e.g., Alpert & Bitzer, 1970; Candy & Edmonds, 1982; Hunka, 1973; Stodolsky, 1970), publications for educational researchers (e.g., Davis, 1976; Goldberg & Suppes, 1972; Lepper, 1985; Searle et al., 1974), or conferences for educational researchers (e.g., Amarel & Swinton, 1975; Feurzeig & Papert, 1968; Hoyles, 1985; Papert, 1972; Solomon, 1979). These early discussions focused on the impact that new technologies could have on children as learners. With this understanding, researchers suggested new directions for future technology development, and new possibilities for future learning experiences with technology. During these early years, there were only rare instances where children had more direct involvement with technology developers, and actually tested experimental technology before it was in wide release. Interestingly enough, the development of programming languages such as Logo (Papert, 1977) and SmallTalk (Goldberg, 1984), brought children into the process more than any other technologies created for children during the 1970s and early 1980s. In terms of the HCI community, the first conference paper publication concerning children and HCI issues, was published at the 1982 Gathersburg Conference that led to the establishment of Special Interest Group on Computer Human Interaction (SIGCHI) (Malone, 1982). This paper discussed a study that was done by Tom Malone (at the time from Xerox PARC) in which he analyzed childrens use of games. From his results, he proposed general HCI guidelines for designing enjoyable user interfaces. Malones paper was the only one of 75 papers in the proceedings that discussed children as users. Subsequent Computer Human Interaction (CHI) conference papers on children and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) issues were not published until five years later, at CHI+GI87 (Frye & Soloway, 1987; Verburg et al., 1987). Interestingly enough, the paper presented by Fry & Soloway (1987) was entitled Interface design: A neglected issue in educational software. The sporadic appearance of papers that discussed children and HCI issues would not significantly grow until the early 1990s (e.g., Berkovitz, 1994; Noirhomme-Fraiture et al., 1993; Pausch et al., 1992; Steiner & Moher, 1992; Strommen, 1994). As the literature grew, so too did the active involvement of children in the technology development process. By the mid 1990s, childrens roles as informants and design partners were discussed in papers that focused on everything from initial technology brainstorming experiences to final evaluation phases (e.g., Cypher & Smith, 1995; Druin
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et al., 1997; Druin et al., 1999; Inkpen et al., 1997; Oosterholt et al., 1996; Scaife et al., 1997). Based upon an analysis of the literature and my research with children as design partners, I have come to see four main roles that children can play in the technology design process: user, tester, informant, and design partner. In the role of user, children contribute to the research and development process by using technology, while adults may observe, videotape, or test for skills. Researchers use this role to try to understand the impact existing technologies have on child users, so future technologies can be changed or future educational environments enhanced. In the role of tester, children test prototypes of technology that have not been released to the world by researchers or industry professionals. As a tester, children are again observed with the technology and/or asked for their direct comments concerning their experiences. These testing results are used to change the way future iterations of the pre-released technology are developed. In the role of informant, children play a part in the design process at various stages, based on when researchers believe children can inform the design process. Before any technology is developed, children may be observed with existing technologies, or they may be asked for input on design sketches or low-tech prototypes. Once the technology is developed, children may again offer input and feedback. And finally, with the role of design partner, children are considered to be equal stakeholders in the design of new technologies throughout the entire experience. As partners, children contribute to the process in ways that are appropriate for children and the process.
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Figure 1: The four roles that children may have in the design of new technologies
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I have come to see that each role, user, tester, informant, or design partner can shape the technology design process and impact the technologies that are created. While each role for children is used today by some portion of researchers or developers, each role has its own historical roots with its own challenges and strengths. These roles are not
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necessarily different from that of adult users however the methods, context, and challenges can be different thanks to the involvement of children. Choosing to use any of these roles with children may depend, among other things, on the projects resources, timeframe, and the philosophy of the researchers involved. While each of these roles have clear differences, each role includes aspects of those roles that historically have come before it (see Figure 1). For example, in the role of informant, children may be asked to test certain prototypes (as a tester), as well as be observed with competing software (as a user). The sections that follow will present a detailed analysis of what it means to have children as users, testers, informants, or design partners in the design process. The historical context of each role, the research methods needed for such a role, the impact that this can have on technology, and the strengths and challenges will be presented. While all four roles will be discussed in a somewhat similar manner, it should be noted that this paper was written by a researcher who is actively involved with children as design partners. Whatever biases and experiences I have had with children will no doubt color my discussions. In particular, a more personal look at the role of design partner will be presented. It is my belief that with a better understanding of all of these roles, we can make more informed decisions about our design practices that can have lasting effects for the future of childrens technologies.
3 THE CHILD AS USER The first and oldest role that can be seen in the literature is that of the child as user. With this role, the child is a user of technology while the adult looks to understand the childs activities with various methods. Children may be observed, videotaped or tested before and/or after technology use. In this way, researchers can come to understand the impact technology has had on the childs learning experience. There are generally two reasons for researchers to ask children to take on the role of technology user: (1) To test a general concept that may help inform future technology developers (2) To better understand the process of learning which may contribute to future educational practices. With this role, the technology used is not continually being developed and changed. The technology has been created and distributed widely for commercial or research purposes. 3.1 Historical Context The role of child as user is perhaps the oldest and today remains a common role for children in the research process. This role first emerged in publications, in the late 1960s and early 1970s (e.g., Suppes, 1969; Hunka, 1973; Stodolsky, 1970). This was a time when mainframe computers were common, and educational applications were by and large drill and practice experiences in everything from math to English. The computer was an individualized teacher and led a child through a series of carefully moderated exercises. The curriculum was broken down into small concept blocks with exercises that had different levels of difficulty. When the computer presented reading materials and questions to answer, and the child was asked to respond. If for example, a correct answer was given, the child was rewarded by being allowed to go to the next level of materials. If the child answered incorrectly, he/she was asked to try again (Suppes, 1969; Davis, 1976; Solomon, 1986).
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Figure 2: Sample interaction with drill and practice experience
While these technologies automated the learning experience, they did not offer a great deal of control to the child learner and user. What was to be covered and how it was to be presented was pre-programmed by the computer system. In some sense, this lack of user control was also reflected in the limited involvement of the technology user in the development process. In the 1960s and 1970s SIGCHI did not exist and the first CHI conferences were not until the early 1980s. But even in the early years of CHI conferences, papers still discussed users in regards to technology development as not really knowing what they needed. In one paper that discussed a survey of 445 designers, almost nobody recommended that potential users become even for only brief periods of time, part of the design team (Gould & Lewis, 1983, p. 51). This can be strongly contrasted with the cooperative design movement that was emerging at the time from the Scandinavian countries which promoted the notion of co-design with users (Bjerknes et al., 1987). In terms of children as technology users, the majority of the literature during the 1970s and 1980s reflected their limited involvement in the technology development process (the few exceptions will be discussed in later sections). The terminology that was used to describe childrens involvement, offers a glimpse into the role of users at that time. Such phrases as, the subjects task, allow the user, children should be used, were common and all suggest that users, especially children, had little control in the research process. The main contribution of children as users was seen in the observations that researchers could make of them, the work children accomplished using the technology and the tests children took before and after using technology. These experiences could tell researchers more about the impact of technology. The role of child as user can still be seen today. It is more common in the literature of educational and child psychology, as well as the broader educational research community, but it still can be seen as a tool to consider the future of new technologies and new educational uses of technology. 3.2 Methods Used The research methods utilized when children are users in the technology design process vary depending on the information of interest, the size of the user population involved, the research philosophy, and the experience of the researchers involved. Typically researchers will use some methods of observation to look for patterns of activity, and general user concern (e.g., Burov, 1991; Candy & Edmonds, 1982; Hunka, 1973; Neal & Simons, 1983; Nicol, 1988). This can take the form of observations via one-way mirrors or live television monitors. Video cameras can also be used to capture data for later analysis (e.g., Fell et al., 1994; Goldman-Segall, 1998; Lester et al., 1997; Plowman et al., 1999). For example, in a recent study by researchers at the University of Sussex, the Open University, and the Scottish Council for Research in Education, video was used to
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record two forms of data: One (video camera) recorded the group of learners at the computer to capture talk, movement, gesture, and machine interaction; the other (captured) the screen image, taken from the computer via a scan converter. The videotapes were mixed in an editing suite, transcribed, and used for very detailed analysis of learners talk and behavior, and their path through the material (Plowman et al., 1999, p. 314). In addition to video, participant observation where researchers are in the room with users can also be of value (e.g., Nicol, 1988; Pelegrino et al., 1991; Plowman, 1992). It is common for researchers to become a part of classroom activities demonstrating software, answering questions, and more. At the same time, it is quite common to include teachers in the research experience. They too can collect data thanks to their own first-hand experiences in the classroom (e.g., Koenemann et al., 1999; Rose et al., 1998). Childrens use of the computer can also be captured and understood through system logs showing patterns of interaction with different system tools (e.g., Candy & Edmonds, 1982; Jackson et al., 1998; Neal & Simons, 1983; Searle et al., 1974). These methods were useful, for example, in understanding early hypermedia technologies with children. Researchers at Apple Computer observed childrens reactions to HyperCards menus and commands, as well as tracked their navigation patterns in various information spaces (Nicol, 1988). In addition to activity observation, data concerning user impressions can also be collected. Qualitative surveys can be given to children concerning their like, dislikes, difficulties, and interest areas. For instance, interviews can be conducted after the use of technology, which can help to clarify childrens motivations and pinpoint specific reactions to particular technology features (e.g., Jackson et al., 1998). More formal quantitative surveys can also be administered, where questions are answered on a numerical scale or with various options (e.g., Burov, 1991; Lester et al., 1997; Salzman et al., 1999). These kinds of surveys can be at times difficult to develop. The survey language needs to be age appropriate, and easily comprehensible. Information can also be collected concerning the impact that technology has on the childs learning of a subject area. It is common for tests to be given to children before and after the use of technology over a period of time. Typically, these tests are quantifiable instruments concerning subject matter knowledge (e.g., spelling, math, science, etc.) (e.g., Burov, 1991; Candy & Edmonds, 1982; Hunka, 1973; Salzman et al., 1999; Searle et al., 1974). In some cases, ethnographic or qualitative descriptions of children as technology users are done to capture data as well. In these case studies, a small number of children can be observed over an extended period of time (e.g., Blomberg et al., 1993; Plowman, 1992; Solomon, 1986). Data collection can be done, by asking children to write their thoughts in journals. Teachers and researchers may also write down their observations over time. Interviews with the children and teachers may also be conducted. Finally, results of the childrens work using the computer can be analyzed as well. For example, researchers at the University of Michigan collected software models created by 9th grade students (age 15-16). These students used special software to build for example, models depicting environmental changes in streams or global warming. These software models were later collected and analyzed by researchers to better understand the students use of certain software tools (Jackson et al., 1998).
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Many times researchers will collect information about users in multiple ways, so that results from one research method can explain another. For example, in the case of Vanderbilt Universitys researchers, they gave children an initial paper and pencil test that measured problem-solving capability in mathematics. They then observed classes of teachers and students with technology (Pelegrino et al., 1991). Afterwards, they again administered a similar test. What they found was that childrens test scores rose considerably after their use of technology. Their classroom observations showed them why. What they saw was an active engagement with the subject matter through the use of technology (Pelegrino et al., 1991). Data collection like this can also be useful when comparing users and non-users of technology. Many early studies compared children who used computers with children that had never used the technology. The Vanderbilt researchers did just this with their study. Not only did they look for change in those children who used their technology, but they compared those changes with children who did not use their technology. This exhaustive study followed over 1,300 children for over a year and offered numerous insights into the use and impact of the Jasper Woodbury technology (Pelegrino et al., 1991).
Figure 3: "Get Out the Vote": Part of the Jasper Woodbury Series on Complex Trip planning Students must prepare plans to drive as many voters as possible to the polls on election day. Students must prioritize goals, identify strategies, organize data and develop algebraic shortcuts. (
When analyzing the data collected in studying children as users of technology, again, there are numerous methodologies. Depending on the kind of information researchers are looking for, can dictate the ways data should be analyzed. For example, some researchers look to see how fast a task can be done (e.g., Burov, 1991; Fell et al., 1994; Searle et al., 1974; Suppes, 1969); others look to see how many content questions can be answered after a child uses a piece of technology (e.g., Burov, 1991; Candy & Edmonds, 1982; Hunka, 1973; Salzman et al., 1999; Searle et al., 1974). Still others try to understand changes over time in childrens activities. Do they recognize their mothers voice faster? (Fell et al., 1994) Do they get motion sickness? Is their motion sickness reduced? (Salzman et al., 1999). In all cases, the research methods are used to understand the impact that technology has on the child user. From this understanding, future technologies may be changed or developed. In addition, these new insights can offer a better understanding of how children learn, which can lead to new theories for education and new teaching practices with technology. 3.3 Impact of this Role on Technologies When children are in the role of users, adult researchers can stand back from day-to-day development issues, and look at the big picture. Researchers may have concerns about certain kinds of software for children, or they may wonder what the best ways are for
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children to learn with particular technologies. Whatever their questions, researchers look to develop general recommendations for the future. One such recommendation concerning multimedia was made after a recent study with children as users. Researchers suggested, Multimedia interactive learning environments need to be designed so learners are able to both find narrative coherence and generate it for themselves (Plowman et al., 1999, p. 316). How much immediate impact can these general research recommendations have on technology? It is not clear. The time between the development process, the child as user, and the published study could take years. In the meantime, technologies are continually changed, revised, and updated. For this reason, the role of child as user is used more commonly by researchers rather than industry practitioners. The impact that this role can have on technology may be less immediate or more difficult to pinpoint. 3.4 Challenges of Child as User The challenges of this role for children can be reflected in the limited input they have in the technology development process. Children can be thought of as objects to be watched or tested, they do not initiate changes in research techniques. More traditional research methods of surveys and written tests can be difficult or stressful for young children to negotiate. Therefore, this role may be one that children are not as comfortable with as other roles later described. They may be frustrated with the lack of control or uninterested in the activities. For example, in the Vanderbilt University study (Pelegrino et al., 1991), researchers reported that, Assessments were often less pleasant and informative for students and teachers than hoped (McGilly, 1995, p. 76). In other words, the data collection experience of testing was something that students and even teachers found difficult. Researchers need to keep this in mind when designing ways to understand the impact technology has on children. For teachers, the role of child as user may also be challenging. No matter how simple the research methods are, teacher involvement is still needed, from changing class time to accommodate researchers, to spending their own time contributing to the data collection. In todays schools, where national curriculums and mandated testing are common, little time can be afforded for such outside research activities. For technology developers this role may offer less timely feedback to the development process. If children are only to use already released technology, then the results of the research are limited to offering suggestions for future researchers interested in developing a similar technology. If children can use technologies before they are released, children may have more immediate input into the technologies that are being developed (see next section on the role of children as tester). 3.5 Strengths of Child as User An important strength of this role for children is that they can be incorporated into the technology development process somewhat easily. Since this role asks for children to be users, little if any changes need to be made to a childs school day. Obviously parental permission needs to be obtained and teachers need to accommodate researchers technology, but the majority of todays children already use technology in some form. In addition, it is not unusual for children in school to be continually observed and assessed
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by adults. From the childs standpoint, little needs to change in their day-to-day activities to be included in the technology research process. Another strength of this role is the outcome of such comprehensive research studies as the Vanderbilt University work (Pelegrino et al., 1991). When researchers analyzed over 1,300 students (8-12 year old) during the 1990-1991 school year, classroom educators felt comfortable with the striking results that showed technology helped children learn. These results can affect technology being developed in the future. But more immediately, results such as these can start to make changes in the classroom. More traditional educators can begin to integrate new technologies in their classroom in ways reflected by the research. For researchers, when a child is in the role of user, it may be easier for them to accomplish their research more quickly. Researchers have some semblance of control when defining the research activities. Children are told to do one activity and then the next. Once these activities are completed the research can be analyzed and conclusions can be drawn. With children in other roles (described in later sections), children have more input into the research design, which can at times slow down the process. The last strength of this role is for HCI researchers. The exciting part of when children are users, is that researchers come to better understand children. No matter the limitations, this role enables adults and children to answer research questions that can have far-reaching impact on the future of technology and education. 4 THE CHILD AS TESTER A more recent role for children in the development process is that of tester. With this role, children test prototypes of emerging technologies. The goal of this role is for children to help in shaping new technologies before these commercial products or research projects have been released to the world. As a tester, children may again be observed with technology, and the impact on children can be assessed. Many times adults may ask for direct feedback from children by asking them such questions as, What did you like? What was too boring? What was too hard? It is important to note, that with this role the initial brainstorming and design phase has already been accomplished by adults. Children do not begin their role as tester until initial prototypes have been created. 4.1 Historical Context The role of the child as tester was rare until the late 1980s and early 1990s. Before that time, only a few unique instances of child as tester could be found. Interestingly enough, these instances have come to be considered pioneering work in technologies for children. Today, there are few people focused on HCI and children, who do not know of Seymour Paperts Logo research group at MIT. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, this group developed not only a new programming language for children, but pioneered a new approach to teaching and learning with technology. They suggested that the computer need not tell the child what to do, but the child could tell the computer what to do in ways that the child chose. In doing so, the child could construct his/her own paths to knowledge. This has since come to be called a constructivist or constructionist approach to using technology (Hoyles, 1985; Papert, 1972; Solomon, 1986).
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As it happens, these ideas evolved and new technologies were developed with the role of the child as tester. It may well have been Papert and his colleagues deeply held belief in children as builders, scientists, and learners that led to the early inclusion of children in the technology design process, much earlier on than most researchers of their time. Papert and his colleagues frequently point out in talks even today, of instances where children changed the way Logo researchers considered implementing a feature or where children found a problem that adults never saw (Solomon, 1986). For example, when the Logo program was first developed, it was completely text-based. Logo programs could be created to manipulate words and sentences, but not images or graphics. Realizing the need for more concrete objects to play with, the Logo turtle was developed, so that children could draw with the Logo programming language (Papert, 1980). This could not have been developed without the input of children as testers during the earliest prototyping stages of Logo. Now going on 30 years, the Logo research team still works in a similar way: develop a working prototype, try it out with children and teachers, and then revise it based on input.
Figure 4: The Logo Turtle was originally a robotic creature that moved around on the floor (A.) It later became a Screen Turtle (B.) Both could be directed by typing Logo commands at the computer. (
Was this common practice in the early 1970s? No, this was not in any way. What was much more common was the design practices of Patrick Suppes and his group at Stanford. They were the driving force behind what we have come to know as drill and practice (Druin & Solomon, 1996). Their research activities consistently involved children as users. Were Papert and his team the only researchers at that time to involve children as testers? Not exactly, Alan Kay and Adel Goldberg at Xerox PARC developed a programming language in the 1970s with children as testers (Goldberg, 1984). This language was called SmallTalk. While it was not expected to be used only by children, Alan Kay believed that children could offer powerful new insights into future technologies (Solomon, 1986). It was not until the late 1980s and early 1990s, that children as testers were consistently reported in the literature. This coincided, not surprisingly, with a general trend in the HCI literature toward developing better interfaces for non-programming endusers. No longer was the HCI community primarily concerned with developing better
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interfaces for programming (Grudin, 1990). By CHI90, numerous papers and panels reflected this move toward embracing non-technical users and bringing them into the design process. Participatory Design, (Blomberg & Henderson, 1990; Johnson et al., 1990; Montford et al., 1990) Heuristic Evaluation (Nielsen & Molich, 1990), and Contextual Design (Wixon & Holtzblatt, 1990) were all discussed in paper and panel sessions. At that same time, researchers and industry professionals were beginning to discuss the child as tester in paper and journal publications. An early example of this was in the late 1980s, at the Bank Street College of Education where researchers were developing Palenque, an interactive multimedia environment based on the popular Voyage of the Mimi product (Wilson, 1988). It enabled children to explore virtual multimedia worlds that included tropical rainforests, rivers, a temple, museum and palace. Children tested the technologys navigation tools, museum database of multimedia information, the appeal of the interface, and the comprehension of the menus and icons (Wilson, 1988). Continual feedback from children at the Bank Street School for Children, helped to shape and change this technology. During the 1990s, the role of child as tester has come to be common in both industry and academia (e.g., Berkovitz, 1994; Noirhomme-Fraiture et al., 1993; Moshell & Hughes, 1996; Strommen, 1994). CD-ROM products have been child-tested at companies such as Childrens Television Workshop (Strommen, 1994), Electronic Arts (Super et al., 1996), and Living Books (Druin & Solomon, 1996). Even todays interactive plush animal interfaces have been child-tested (e.g., Microsofts Barney (Strommen, 1998), MIT Media Labs SAGE (Umaschi Bers et al., 1998). Today, it is a surprise, if children do not test commercial technology products. 4.2 Methods Used When children are included in the development process as testers, the methods used by children and adults can be diverse. As with the case of child as user, researchers and industry professionals look to understand the child testers activity patterns, likes/dislikes and changes in learning. However, with the role of child as tester, the goal of the childs involvement is somewhat different. Children are testing the technology to see if it meets the design goals. Larger research questions about education and future directions in HCI are less the focus. What matters more often are the more immediate issues: What parts of the technology are confusing? What parts do children like? Can children learn with the technology? Where are the bugs? The number of times that children and adults may attempt to answer these questions with test sessions can vary. In the case of the Living Books Company (now a part of Broderbund which is a subsidiary of The Learning Company) developers work with children after every few screens they develop. For example, with the CD-ROM title, The Tortoise and the Hare, children let developers know that they were unhappy when they selected a particular hotspot (Druin & Solomon, 1996). With this selection, the Hare would run out, read a newspaper, crumple it up, and leave it on the ground. Many children felt that the hare was littering. So designers added an additional hotspot animation. Today, with the resulting product, if children select the crumpled paper on the ground, the Tortoise says, Hey Hare, did you forget to recycle that paper? (Druin & Solomon, 1996).
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Figure 5: From the Living Books CD-ROM, Tortoise and the Hare (
Other product teams do not have the time or resources to work with children so often. In the case of Kid Pix, when it was first released back in 1989, Broderbund sponsored their first Kids Day. It was a weekend testing day for 20 children to try out Kid Pix. Developers offered their testers cookies for a break and a crafts table with paper, glue, glitter, etc.just in case the testers got bored. As it happened, no one ate any of the cookies or used any of the crafts. Broderbund determined that Kid Pix would be a hit (Druin & Solomon, 1996). How focused or broad the testing activities are, depends on the needs of the product or project. There may be certain areas of the product that developers have questions or concerns about. Therefore, that particular area will be heavily tested. In the case of Microsofts Actimates/Barney, developers wondered if it was alright for a child to be interrupted in a song or game if the child selected something else. Therefore, developers observed children with a Barney that could not be interrupted. Through child-testing, they found that children became frustrated with Barney, if they could not interrupt themselves and move on to another activity (Strommen, 1998). The number of children needed during the testing process can vary. If the prototype is still in its early stages, then a few children for a few hours, can be all that is needed to spot the big problems. For example, at Northwestern University, researchers worked with six Middle School students (ages 12-14) to initially test the general functionality of the Progress Portfolio software (Loh et al., 1998). Thanks to these early observations of children using the software, researchers were able to pinpoint the need for additional work in the areas of capturing and annotating (Loh et al., 1998). The number of children as testers may also be limited if the methods used offer large amounts of data. In the case of SAGE (Storytelling Agent Generation Environment), researchers were interested in better understanding how this stuffed-animal interface for storytelling could support seriously ill children (ages 7-16) in a cardiac unit of Bostons Childrens Hospital (Umaschi Bers et al., 1998). With this understanding, researchers hoped to change SAGE for the future, and develop design recommendations that might be useful for future researchers working with this same user population in hospitals. The way they chose to answer their questions, was to interpret the stories of eight children who used SAGE. Researchers looked at these stories to try to understand the role that the child plays when using the technology, what personality the child takes on, and in what way the child might be symbolically representing themselves in the story. With countless pages of data to read and analyze, eight children offered researchers the information they needed.
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Figure 5: SAGE: Storyteller Agent Generation Environment (
4.3 Impact of this Role on Technologies The impact that children can have as testers of technology is somewhat immediate. If a child suggests a new feature or finds a previously undiscovered bug, researchers/ developers can immediately make changes if they have the time or resources. While it is ultimately up to adults to make the final decision of what will be changed, children do have some input. That is empowering for children and good for future technologies. Ultimately, technologies may be more interesting, usable, and desirable for children if they have been changed in the design process because of children. How much can this role impact new technologies? It truly depends on the time the university researchers or industry professionals have to listen. If a product has a short development cycle, then it is unlikely that large changes will be made to technology even if children offer feedback. In addition, we need to keep in mind that ultimately the technology started out in development by adults. The brainstorming, idea generation, and the initial technology creation all happened before children were asked to test the prototype. Therefore, while children can have some impact in the development of new technologies, their input is minimal compared with that of adults. 4.4 Challenges of Child as Tester As was the case for child as user, the challenges of this testing role for children have to do with the limited input they can have in the technology development process. With the role of child as tester, young people can have more immediate impact on the technologies than with the role of child as user. However, childrens impact can still be limited. Adults have the first say in what will be created before children ever see something to test. Once children have an opportunity to suggest changes, there is a chance that these changes may never get made, since it is ultimately up to adults to make those changes. If adults dont agree with the feedback, or if adults decide that the changes are less important then getting the product out the doorchanges just wont happen. For teachers, this role may also be challenging. As was the case with the child as user, teachers may need to be involved. Spending class time on testing new technology rather than learning spelling, may be difficult to negotiate. In addition, for parents this role may also be problematic. It may necessitate children to be taken to a lab outside of school, or researchers may ask to come to their home. This necessitates time and energy, which many of todays parents have little. For technology developers, this role may offer more than they expected. Children are incredibly honest and at times harsh in their assessments of technology. Children have
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little patience for what they dont like and they will let technology developers know exactly just that. Even adults can have their feeling hurt when they hear a child say they dont like a piece of technology that took months or years to create. If children are not a part of the initial brainstorming process, then children as testers may offer some serious surprises. While this research information can ultimately make a successful product or project, it can also derail a development schedule with some surprising results. 4.5 Strengths of Child as Tester The strength of this role for children is that they can feel empowered. They can feel that adults want to listen to what they have to say about new technologies. Again, as with the role of child as user, the role of child as tester asks children to do little more than use technology. Many children already use technology, therefore few skills need to be learned to be included in the technology design process. When a child is in the role of tester, extraordinary amounts of time may not be needed to find initial results. For researchers or product developers on a tight schedule or budget, this can be an important consideration. A one-day workshop can be offered at the lab or in a school. After-school programs can be developed that need little teacher involvement. Depending on the kind of technology that is being tested, school complexities may be kept to a minimum. Ultimately the strength of this role can be in the impact that such a role can have on new technologies. For educators, it can mean more usable technologies for teaching. For parents it can mean, better technologies for their familys home entertainment and informal learning experiences. For children it can mean technologies that they want to use, rather ignore or be frustrated by them.
5 THE CHILD AS INFORMANT With this role, the child plays some part in informing the design process. Before any technology is developed, the child may be observed with existing technologies, or they may be asked for input on paper sketches. Once the technology is developed, the child may again offer input and feedback. With this role, the child plays a part in the design process at various stages, based on when researchers believe they can be informed by children. 5.1 Historical Context The role of the child as informant did not emerge in the HCI literature until the middle of the 1990s. There was literature before this time that discussed children informing the design process, but primarily as users for observation or as testers of prototypes. Until the 1990s, children were not discussed as design participants who offered design directions, or prompted the start of new projects. Interestingly enough, the emergence of this informant role for children coincided with the establishment of a new CHI conference submission category called, Design Briefings. This publication category focused on the methods of design, rather than the technology results. While these conference submissions were not just about the design process with children, they may have helped to bring to the attention of the HCI community the presence of children in the process (e.g., Druin, Stewart, Proft, Bederson, & Hollan, 1997; Halgren, Fernandes,
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& Thomas, 1995; Oosterholt, Kusano, & de Vries, 1996; Piernot, Felciano, Stancel, Marsh, & Yvon, 1995; Rader, Brand, & Lewis, 1997; Scaife, Rogers, Aldrich, & Davies, 1997). From this point on, the design of childrens technologies and the design processes used, became frequent publication topics at CHI conferences. This timing also coincided with the growth of the multimedia industry worldwide. CD-ROM software titles were becoming financially lucrative and CD-ROMs were being sold as a standard component in most PCs. According to the Software Publishers Association, over one billion dollars (US) of educational software was sold in 1994 (Investors Business Daily, 1995). In all likelihood, children as informants were a part of the design process much earlier in HCI history, but adult researchers were not formally recognizing their presence. For example, folklore could be heard among industry professionals that described how children shaped and changed design directions. Craig Hickman, creator of Kid Pix and Roger Wagner, creator of HyperStudio, were among those with stories to tell, but little was documented in academic journals or conference publications (Druin & Solomon, 1996). It wasnt until 1997, that the role of child as informant became more clearly defined. It was at that time that Scaife et al., presented Designing for or designing with? Informant design for interactive learning experiences (1997). In this critical CHI 97 publication, they described the notion of informant design. The authors questioned when children should be a part of the design process, and what contributions could be important for the design of technology. Before this time, numerous researchers were including children in the design process, but not making a distinction of when. Were children testers at the end of the design process? Were children partners working throughout the process? Were children informants helping the design process at various critical times? Scaife and Rogers (1999) continued to question these important notions in their follow-up publication, Kids as informants: Telling us what we didnt know or confirming what we knew already. In this book chapter, they explained, What is not in doubt, then, is that children can be brought into the design process and make a contribution. What is less clear is whether we can generalize about the relationship that they can be expected to have with designers (p. 30). Out of these critical discussions by Scaife and Rogers, a clearer understanding of the child as informant began to emerge. As this role has come into sharper focus, both industry professionals and academic researchers have found it quite useful. An example of this informant role can be seen in the design of Knowledge Adventures popular CDROM, My First Encyclopedia. This educational software for young children throws away the traditional interface elements of windows and menus, and instead uses a picture of a tall tree as an interface mechanism. By selecting any of the trees branches, video guides support young users in finding information. This simple visual interface for an encyclopedia was designed by a team led by Roger Holzberg. When this team began their work, Holzberg went to daycare centers and preschools looking for childrens input. He asked children, Where do you most like to play after you go home from school or daycare? Their most common replies were, (1) play outside and (2) climb a tree (Researcher Notes, April 5, 1995, Telephone Interview with Roger Holzberg). Therefore, thanks to the inspiration of children as informants, a tree was developed as an interface. Could Holzberg and his colleagues have developed a tree without the help of children? Perhaps, but with children suggesting directions at the very start of the
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design process, a tree quickly became obvious as an interface metaphor. Holzbergs experience is not unique. Many industry professionals or academic researchers have now come to acknowledge the role of children in setting directions for everything from new digital library interfaces (Wallace et al., 1998) to new programming languages for children (Smith & Cypher, 1999). 5.2 Methods Used When and how children are informants varies a great deal between design teams. Some, as in the case of Knowledge Adventure, have an idea for a product, but are looking for an interface direction. Others, such as Cypher and Smith (1995, 1999), may wonder if their initial project idea is even appropriate for elementary-school children. While still at Apple computer, Cypher and Smith asked the questioncan children program their own interactive simulations? To begin to address this, the design team worked with fifthgrade children (ages 10-12) and asked them to program a friend around a room by placing 3M Post-It notes with programming instructions on their clothing. For each PostIt note, another command could be executed. The team learned that children could program these kinds of simulations, and that they might really like to do so (Cypher & Smith, 1995). Since that time, a product first called KidSim and now called StageCast Creator has been developed, and the design team has started a new company ( There are numerous ways to bring children as informants into the design process. At the start of a project or product design, teams may decide to observe children using existing technologies. In this way, design directions may not necessarily be expressed directly by children, but may be implied by their actions. These methods of observation are similar to the ones outlined when children are users or testers. What differs from those methods is when these observations happen and how directly it can affect the design of new technology. In the case of researchers from the University of Michigan, they began their project by observing 6th and 9th grade students (ages 11-16 years old). They watched the students use of web search engines and browsers while studying science (Wallace et al., 1998). From these observations, researchers became convinced that web tools were not sufficient for learners searching out information. The search engines returned too many hits, and students seemed to become bored. In response, the research team developed Artemis, software that supports learning with digital information resources. This is now a part of the University of Michigans Digital Library initiative.
Figure 6: An example of the Artemis software that was developed at the University of Michigan (
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Initial ideas or observations of children from the start of a project are not the only time children can inform the design process. They can be involved at any time the design team believes it needs direction or support. For example, Scaife and Rogers (1999) after realizing a prototype they had developed was considered dull by children, decided to probe further. To do so, they used low-tech sketching materials and artifacts. They asked the children to sketch what they thought software could be like that would teach other children about food webs. After minimal results from this method, the team gave laminated cut-outs of organisms to the children. The children manipulated these cut-outs and told researchers what could be done to make software. With this method, the children didnt get caught up in the details of drawing animals (as they had while sketching) and concentrated on the interaction and behaviors of the animals. Low-tech materials, interviews, design feedback on prototypes, can all be used continually as methods for informants. What is critical, is that the materials and methods are age appropriate for working with children. Many of these methods are similar to previously described techniques for when children are in the role of user or tester. What differs is when and how often these techniques are used during the design process. There is no magical formula of what to do when. However, what is certain, is that a design team can choose to include children as informants in various ways and at numerous times. Depending on the needs of the team and the specific project, differing methods may be chosen. 5.3 Impact of this Role on Technologies When children are informants, they can have an impact on technology from the very beginning of the design process. While children are not continually a part of the design process, children can have an impact on what directions are taken, how the technologies are shaped, and ultimately how they are evaluated. How much can this role impact new technologies? It truly depends on the university researchers and/or industry professionals that choose to work with children. If the project is pressed for time, then there may be fewer opportunities for adults to work with children. If the adults on the project choose not to listen or not to agree with the childrens input, then in all likelihood, childrens impact may still be minimized. The dilemma has been explained in this way, On one hand, the kids come up with many wonderful suggestions that the design team would not have come up with On the other hand, many of their ideas are completely unworkable in computational terms, and furthermore, could conflict with pedagogical goals of the software So how do we know when to say yes and when to say no to kids ideas? (Scaife & Rogers, 1999, p. 44). Ultimately, it is the adults on the team that choose what ideas may be used and the times to be informed by children. Therefore, while children can have a great deal of impact throughout the design process, it depends very much on the context of the experience. 5.4 Challenges of Child as Informant As has been the case for all the previous roles, the challenge of this role for children is that ultimately adults are still in charge. While children can have more continual impact on the technologies that are being created, their impact can still be limited. Adults have to decide when to work with children, how to work with them, and ultimately what they
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choose to hear from children. Directions are set by adults, as well as deadlines. Therefore, while this role of child as informant gives children the most say of any of the previous roles, it still has its challenges. For teachers, this role may be challenging. No longer may there be regular times to meet with researchers. Thanks to the flexibility of this role, there may be times when researchers are not in the classrooms. There may be other times that researchers are in the classrooms continually. This research flexibility may be problematic to structure given the limitations of the school day. For technology developers, this role may need more time than any of the previous roles discussed. Because it brings children into the design process from perhaps the start of the project, more resources need to be allotted for activities to be accomplished. Therefore, the role of informant can cost time and money to accomplish. 5.5 Strengths of Child as Informant The strength of this role for children is that they can feel empowered and challenged by the experience. Children can feel that adults want to listen to what they have to say about new technologies. Since children may be in a position to offer input at various times, children may also be challenged by many aspects of the problem-solving and brainstorming experiences. For researchers, when a child is in the role of informant, there can be flexibility in when and where activities take place. In some cases, it may be more appropriate for children to work in schools. At other times, the university lab or industry offices may be more suitable. Schedules can be worked around for teachers and researchers, since there will be various times that it is not necessary to work with the children. Another strength of this role is the impact this role can have on new technologies. As with previous roles, when children are involved in the design process exciting new technologies for the home and school can be designed. For children, this can mean technologies that are less frustrating and more compelling to use.
6 THE CHILD AS DESIGN PARTNER The role of child as design partner is similar to that of an informant, however, this role suggests children will be a part of the research and design process throughout the experience. With this role, the child is an equal stakeholder in the design of new technologies. While a child cannot do everything that an adult can do, they should have equal opportunity to contribute in any way they can to the design process. For example, adult researchers that are visual artists or educators can support the technology design process with domain specific expertise and experience. The same can be said of child researchers. They too have special experiences and viewpoints that can support the technology design process that other partners may not be capable of contributing (Druin, 1999). With this role of design partner, the impact that technology has on children may not be as significant as the impact children can have on the technology design process. This role for the child is one that my research is strongly committed to supporting. For the past five years, my research teams have been developing new technology design methodologies to support children in their role as design partners. What follows is a discussion of how these methodologies evolved, what methods we use today, and how
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these methods can impact the technologies that are developed with children as design partners. As with each of the previous roles, the strengths and challenges will be examined in comparison to other approaches. 6.1 Historical Context We have a belief at the University of Maryland that partnering with users is an important way to understand what is needed in developing new technologies. This belief has been heavily influenced by research practices over the past 20 years: the cooperative design of Scandinavia (Bjerknes et al., 1987; Greenbaum & Kyng, 1991; Sundblad, 1987), the participatory design of the United States (Blomberg & Henderson, 1990; Greenbaum, 1993; Johnson et al., 1990; Schuler & Namioka, 1993), and the consensus participation of England (Mumford & Henshall, 1979). As Greenbum and Kyng (1991) have explained, We see the need for users to become full partners in the cooperative system development process.Full participation of (users) requires training and active cooperation, not just token representation (pp. ix-1). This partnership between users and researchers from different disciplines was first exemplified in the Scandinavian cooperative design work beginning in the 1970s. It was during this time that employee influence through trade unions grew, and collaborations between workers, management, and researchers influenced how new technologies could be created for and used in the workplace. Cooperative design methods supported the development of new technologies for carpenters, typographers, bankers, manufacturers, and more (Bjerknes et al., 1987; Greenbaum & Kyng, 1991; Schuler & Namioka, 1993; Sundblad, 1987). This approach to design attempted to capture the complexity and somewhat messy real-life world of the workplace. It was found that many times there were not sequential tasks accomplished by one person, but many tasks done in parallel and in collaboration with others. Interestingly enough, this description could also easily refer to the complexity and messiness of a childs world. In any case, this workplace design approach was not confined to the Scandinavian countries for long. By the 1990s, these practices were being adapted and applied to research with children (Druin, 1996; Druin et. al., 1997; Druin, 1999; PDC'96: Participatory Design Conference, 1996). As an individual researcher, my methods with children first took root in an intellectual environment that embraced building technology for children in a constructivist model of education. In the early 1980s, at the MIT Media Lab, I was a part of a community of researchers that deeply felt children should construct their own paths to knowledge, and that computer tools should support children as builders, designers, and researchers. It was a community that was grounded in years of developing Logo and Smalltalk programming languages for children. Yet, surprisingly enough, if you looked closely at the design practices of this community of researchers, it was not common to find children as researchers or partners in developing those constructivist tools. Children were primarily testers, and adults came up with the great ideas. It would take me almost five years to begin to understand the full extent of a design partner, why children could be partners, and how partnering can come about (Druin, 1999). It did not happen suddenly one day, but rather, these concepts and understandings evolved slowly over time with numerous research and development experiences with children. I found that I personally as a researcher moved from working with children as
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testers, to informants, to finally and firmly as design partners. In my early work at the MIT Media Lab as a Masters student developing NOOBIE, children tested ideas, offered suggestions, but I was clearly the one with the idea to build a 6-foot stuffed computer that replaced the keyboard and mouse with hugging and squeezing (Druin, 1987). In my later work with children in New Mexico, children were clearly a part of the brainstorming process, but not continually (Druin et al., 1997). While I referred to them as my partners even then, it has now become clear that they were only a part of the design process more sporadically than continually. Today, children are most definitely our partners in all that we do at the University of Marylands Human-Computer Interaction Lab. Twice a week, children ages 7-11, join researchers from computer science, education, art, robotics, and more. Together we have become what I now call an Intergenerational Design Team pursuing projects together, writing papers, and creating new technologies (Druin, 1999; Druin et al., 1999). This intergenerational design team has produced research projects that include storytelling robots (Druin et al., 1999), collaborative zooming software for storytelling (Benford et al., Submitted) and most recently web pages for kids about the United States Census Bureau ( This partnership with children is not isolated to the University of Maryland. Children as design partners have migrated to Europe becoming a critical part of our research methodology in a three-year project funded by the European Unions i3 Experimental School Environment initiatives (Druin et al., Submitted). KidStory, is a collaboration between almost 100 children and 25 adult researchers in Sweden and England to develop new collaborative storytelling technologies for children (Benford et al., Submitted). Researchers at the Swedish Institute of Computer Science, the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, and the University of Nottingham are collaborating with us at the University of Maryland in generalizing our methods of children as design partners. While KidStory has just finished its first year, we can already see how children as design partners have impacted the technologies we have developed. Two hundred twenty-two design suggestions have been collected from the childrens journals that have led to significant development efforts in designing new storytelling technologies.
Figure 7: An example story being created in the KidPad collaborative software. This work is developed as a part of the KidStory research project in partnership with children in Sweden and England (
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6.2 Methods Used The research methods we use, whether in Maryland, Sweden, or England, have come to be called cooperative inquiry (Druin, 1999). These methods have evolved and developed over the last five years. They began as methods for bringing adult users into the technology design process. Such methodologies as contextual design (Beyer & Holtzblatt, 1998), cooperative design (Bjerknes et al., 1987), and participatory design (Greenbaum & Kyng, 1991; Schuler & Namioka, 1993), call for adults from different domains to partner with technologists during the technology design process. From brainstorming methods that ask users and designers to sketch out ideas (participatory or cooperative design), to interviewing methods that can capture user tasks, roles, and design ideas (contextual design), innovative research methods are being found to work with users. While these methodologies for adults offered an excellent beginning structure for our research, they needed to be adapted to suit a team that included children, for example, to overcome the teacher-student paradigm invoked by groups of older and younger researchers in favor of co-equal partnerships. Over the years, our note-taking practices, interview procedures, data analysis, and day-to-day team activities have evolved. For example, we have found that interviewing procedures for adults are not appropriate for speaking with children. We have since changed everything from what team members should use as notepads (small and inconspicuous) and how they should dress (informal), to the process of capturing and synthesizing data (Druin, 1999). In general, we have found that both children and adults need time to negotiate a new power structure, in which neither adults or children are completely in charge. Both must begin to work together toward common goals. Children need to learn their new role as design partners. We do this by introducing the notion of invention, by asking such questions as: What is an invention? How are inventions created? When do we know something needs to be invented? Children work with team members on introductory design experiences, such as inventing a new sandwich; redesigning a new milk carton; and finding objects in their classroom to fix. In each case, children and adults work together in small groups to brainstorm and discuss what is wrong with the existing technologies. Teams might, for example, decide that the problem with a milk carton is that it is too difficult for young children to pour from, and therefore it needs to be redesigned so that children cant spill milk easily. We have had groups prototype the perfect spill-proof milk carton out of plastic tubes, clay, and straws. We have had others groups decide that milk containers should be more fun and so children should be able to spill in interesting ways. (KidStory Research Notes, Class Session #8, Stockholm, Sweden, March 16, 1999). We have found, as children accept their role as design partners, they better understand their role in evaluating and redesigning computer-related technologies, such as a new mouse or a piece of software. Research partners young and old become accustomed to working together as critics, designers, and inventors. Adults do not give assignments to children who do all the work. Instead, all design partners establish common goals and participate in collaborative development activities. Low-tech prototyping tools (e.g., paper, crayons, clay, string, LEGO bricks, etc.) provide material to sketch ideas. Researcher journals for children and adults serve as a repository for ideas and research evaluation. These journals may be used to sketch design ideas, collect photos of technology artifacts, or reflect on team activities. Depending on the age,
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discipline, or note-taking style of the researchers, different methods of describing or capturing their thoughts can be used (e.g., drawings, text, photos, computer printouts, etc.). As time goes on, our team members have begun to see themselves as technology design partners: children begin to see themselves as researchers and adults begin to see themselves as partners. This can take as long as 6 months, but the team moves from wondering how this is done, to planning what will be done (Druin, 1999). Children and adults alike gather field data, initiate ideas, test, and develop new prototypes. Team members do what they are capable of, and learn from each other throughout the process. We try to keep in mind that it is not easy for an adult to step into a childs world, and likewise it is not easy for a child to step into an adults world. We have found that no single technique can give teams all the answers they are looking for, so a combination of techniques has been adapted or developed that form the methodology of cooperative inquiry (Druin, 1999). These techniques do not necessarily offer a magic formula for working with children, but rather a philosophy and approach to research that can be used to gather data, develop prototypes, and forge new research directions. Cooperative inquiry activities include: (1) Contextual Inquiry: To observe what children do with what technologies they currently have. Younger children can have a difficult time abstractly discussing the world around them. Merely asking children what they want in new technologies will not produce the user input that is needed for the design process. Therefore, observation techniques specifically developed to understand childrens exploratory activity patterns are used. This includes having adults observe children and having children observe children using technology. Notes are taken with drawings, words, and video. It is critical that children are as much a part of the data collection as adults. For example, we rarely if ever have adults use video cameras to capture childrens interactions. We found that the camera was obtrusive and children could rarely feel comfortable (Druin et al., 1999; Druin et al., 1997). We have since discovered however, if children take the video footage of other children, the discomfort disappears. When using contextual inquiry observation and note-taking, we often look for children outside of the team to observe, so that all team members (children and adults) have a chance to watch. The note-taking techniques of adults and children obviously differ. But two techniques been developed to suit the needs of adults and children. We have found that adults gather data effectively by writing short text descriptions of conversation and activities (see Table 1). On the other hand, children seem to be effective in combining drawings with small amounts of text to create cartoon-like flow charts (see Figure 8). Once the adult notes have been compiled for a session, the adult notes are compared with the child notes. The adult notes are highlighted in the places that the child researchers have recorded in their notes. In this way, child and adult perspectives are captured. We have found that the child researcher summaries of the data, enabled adult partners to see ideas they had originally overlooked (Druin, 1999). Besides comparing the adult and child notes, we also analyze the text descriptions of the adults. We begin by analyzing the quotes and activities for activity patterns. By this we mean experiences children have repeatedly during a session. After identifying these patterns of activity, we are able then to identify the roles that children take on as they use different technologies (Note: these roles are not the same roles described in this paper,
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but the roles of technology usee.g., child as storyteller, collaborator, leader). Lastly, we look at all of the previous information and formulate design suggestions that can lead to further development of project work.
Time 0932 RAW DATA: Quotes F: No, youre only erasing all the time. Lena, stop! L: [To adult:] Can you help me, Im trying to draw a circle. F: I know how to! L: Hello, I want to move it here! F: Get the red instead! F: But! F: There! F: Now you really have to stop! 0945 L: Not a head! F: What do you want, then? L: A sun! Asks adult to help her Activity Patterns Struggling for Ownership DATA Roles Leader ANALYSIS: Design Ideas Make ownership options
Activities
Seeks help
Learner
Help option
0935
L. is taking the mouse from F, puts the tools back again by help of the box
Struggling for control of input device
Leader
Multiple input devices and/or collaborative software tools
L. takes the hand, takes the yellow crayon, draws a curve
Drawing
Artist Leader
F. takes the mouse, rubs everything away
Struggling for control of input device
Leader
Multiple input devices and/or collaborative software tools
Table 1: Portion of a contextual inquiry diagram created by adults observing two 7 year-old children in a School in Sweden
Figure 8: Contextual inquiry notes by a 7-year old child in the United States
(2) Participatory Design: To hear what children have to say directly by collaborating on the development of low tech prototypes. In addition to collecting data through observation, we have found that there is a need to hear from children directly (Druin et al., 1997; Druin, 1999). Participatory design techniques can enhance what we have come to understand from observation. This does not mean that participatory design must follow contextual inquiry. However, we have found that contextual inquiry enables us to first explore numerous ideas through observation. Then, during our data visualization, we focus on an area of interest to pursue more in-depth participatory design prototyping. For example, our contextual inquiry observations led to an understanding that children
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wanted to collaborate with technology. This insight was taken into a participatory design session where low-tech materials were used to prototype collaborative storytelling technologies for the future (e.g., see Figure 9). In these participatory design sessions, small groups of three to four children with two to three adults create low-tech prototypes out of paper, clay, glue, crayons, etc. The low-tech tools give equal footing to adults and children. We have found that there is rarely a need to teach people how to prototype, since using basic art supplies comes naturally to the youngest and oldest design partners. The low-tech prototypes that are developed support the brainstorming and idea generation stage of the design process. This form of prototyping is inexpensive, yet quite effective in quickly brainstorming new ideas or directions. It is from these low-tech prototypes that high-tech prototypes emerge.
Figure 9: An example of a low-tech prototype for a new storytelling technology. The design team explained that you can tell a story by talking through the straw/microphone. Feathers on the machine tickle you and make you laugh at the story. You can look into the machines eyes to see the story going on. In addition, the machine can fly to other places to re-tell and collect other stories (KidStory Researcher Notes, Nottingham, England, November, 1998).
(3) Technology Immersion: To observe what children do with extraordinary amounts of technology (similar to what they might have in the future). This process came out of our need to understand how children can use large amounts of technology over a concentrated period of time (Druin et al., 1997). We have found that if children are only observed with the technology resources they currently have, then what they might do in the future with better circumstances could be missed. Many children still have minimal access to technology in their homes or school. If time is not a limiting factor then access to the newest technologies can be. However, in the future we expect these limitations to change. Therefore, by establishing today a technology-rich, time-intensive environment for children, the observation techniques of contextual inquiry can be used to capture many of the activity patterns that perhaps might be over-looked in lesser circumstances. With technology immersion, it is critical that children not only have access to technology intensively, but are also supported as decision-makers in this technology environment. All too often, we are only able to glimpse what children do with technology, and those activities are heavily influenced by what adults say they must be. There must be the
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freedom for children to accomplish a task that is meaningful for them. Without these ingredients, it is difficult to understand childrens technology wants or needs. Technology immersion experiences can be as large as a CHIkids program (60+ children and 25+ adults) or it can be as small as camp-like experience for six children and four adults in our own labs (Druin, 1999). The combination of observation, low-tech prototyping, and time-intensive technology use, we have found can lead to the development of new technologies. Activity patterns and roles can suggest new design directions. Artifact analysis on low-tech prototypes can suggest new technology features. And technology immersion with alpha and beta technologies can lead to revision and eventual products. 6.3 Impact of this Role on Technologies The impact that children can have as design partners is enormous. Throughout the design and development process, childrens voices are heard and can have a dramatic effect on the design of new technologies. While children are a critical part of the team, they do not dictate what must happen. They contribute as partners with adults in changing and designing technologies. How much can this role impact new technologies? Again, as with the role of informant, the amount of impact truly depends on the university researchers and/or industry professionals that are a part of the team. Being a design partner with children is not something that comes naturally for adults and therefore, can slow down a team when a difficult situation arises. As with any interdisciplinary team of researchers, diverse individuals and experiences can offer a richness of ideas and talents. It can also be difficult to negotiate effective collaborations and communication paths. Therefore, while children can have a great deal of impact throughout the development process, it depends very much on the context of the design partners. 6.4 Challenges of Child as Design Partner The unique challenge of this role, is that adults are not in charge, but neither are children. Design partners must negotiate team decisions. This is no easy task when children are accustomed to following what adults say, and adults are accustomed to being in charge. Methods of communication, collaboration, and partnership must be developed that can accommodate children and adults. Due to this unique challenge, the development process can take more time than with other roles. If tight deadlines are looming, this can be very difficult on a team. When children are design partners, the traditional structures of school can also be a challenge to negotiate. The design team activities must work around the limitations of the school day. If children are to be an on-going part of a design team that is not located in a school, then parents must take on the burden of transportation as well. In addition, the challenge of an on-going partnership with children must also be considered. No longer are children only a part of the research activities for a day, or a month. On-going years of collaboration, means at a very young age, a commitment to research team activities that can infringe on a childs afterschool activities. Another challenge that must be overcome is the difficulty in finding researchers or industry professionals that want to work with children as partners. It is assumed that educators have been trained to do this kind of work, but they have been taught to teach
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not partner with children, and therefore, old habits must be challenged. With computer scientists, artists, and many other disciplinary professionals, the patience, experience, or desire to work with children may not be the reasons why they went into their respective professions. Therefore, team members need to be selected that can enjoy the messiness, noise, and unconventional research activities this kind of collaboration can bring. Yet another challenge may be in deciding how to best understand the changes that are occurring in child and adult partners. Traditional methods of observation or testing of children may get in the way of developing a sense of partnership among team members. Educational researcher Jan Hawkins has pointed out, it is critical that we develop evaluation methods that can be a system in which the pedagogy is not in tacit conflict with the accounting. (Hawkins, 1996). This is no small challenge if children and adults are truly to be partners. Therefore, we believe that it is important to look for change in social and cognitive development using procedures that are supportive of the partnership experience. 6.5 Strengths of Child as Design Partner The strength of this role for children is that they can feel quite empowered and challenged by the design partner process. Children have so few experiences in their lives where they can contribute their opinions and see that they are taken seriously by adults. This experience can build confidence in children academically and socially. It can also produce what we have come to call design-centered learning (Druin, 1999). This is a kind of learning that can come out of design experiences. We have seen that children and adults can experience changes over time due to their partnership and common design goals. Children can grow to see themselves as something more than users of technology. They can come to believe that they can make a difference. In the case of the KidStory project, we asked all children to keep a journal in the first year. After coding these journals, we found that there were 13 instances in the Fall, as opposed to 164 instances in the Spring where children displayed examples of being an inventor. While there are almost 100 children we work with, 164 does not seem like a great deal overall, but the change over time is very interesting. We are examining if this frequency change continues in subsequent years of the project. For adults, they too can change as collaborators, researchers, and developers. Research methods long-used by experienced professionals may have to change due to the introduction of children. In addition, research directions may drastically change, again thanks to this collaboration with children. A unique strength of the design partnering experience is that there is no waiting to find out what direction to pursue. Instant feedback from children at every moment can be had if needed. This offers a great deal of flexibility for development activities. If researchers know that children will always be available at certain times, then less formal schedules need to be made. Another strength of this role is the impact that such a role can have on new technologies. For educators, parents, and children, it can mean innovative technologies for teaching, entertainment, and learning. While this role of design partners is still relatively new, it has shown promising results for future new technologies.
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7 SUMMARY Let me argue, that the actual dawn of user interface design first happened when computer designers finally noticed, not just that end-user Role of Children in the Design of New TechnologyAllison Druin University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies Human-Computer Interaction Lab College of Education, Human Development Department allisond@umiacs.umd.eduChildren playPOPULATION POLICY AND HUMAN CAPITAL ACCUMULATION IN CHINA Xiaoyu Wu, Ph.D., 2008Directed By:Professor Seth Sanders, Department of EconomicsChina, the most populous country in the world, has had high economic growth
ABSTRACTTitle of Document:POPULATION POLICY AND HUMAN CAPITAL ACCUMULATION IN CHINA Xiaoyu Wu, Ph.D., 2008Directed By:Professor Seth Sanders, Department of EconomicsChina, the most populous country in the world, has had high economic growth | eng | 2e5006ec-b3e3-4f0b-92f3-29dd04253d0c | http://www.coursehero.com/file/1352870/CS-TR-4058/ |
it involved we interestedI like to share good training guides when I come across them, so here is a quick summary and a link to Bamboo Shoots. It was originally created by Plan in Cambodia.
Bamboo Shoots is a training manual on child rights, child centered community development and child-led community actions for facilitators working with children and youth groups. You can download it here.
Bamboo Shoots was developed to: Increase children's understanding of their rights as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC); raise children's awareness of their rights and build their capacities to claim them; create opportunities for children to recognize, identify and prioritize issues and problems or gaps in relation to child rights violations; and provide opportunities for children to influence agendas and action regarding identified and prioritized child rights violations.
Bamboo Shoots takes complicated concepts and breaks them down into easy language and engaging, interactive sessions. It also offers good resources and background material for facilitators so that they can manage the sessions well.
Part One:
I like this manual because it starts off right in the first chapter with the importance of setting the tone and the context for good child and youth participation. It provides ideas on selecting participants and facilitators, and gives a description of a good facilitator. It provides recommendations on the setting and practical considerations for managing a workshop with children, as well as good paragraph to help think through when and when not to include other adults in the training.
The guideline goes through the 6 principles for making child participation a reality:
Non-discrimination and inclusiveness
Democracy and equality of opportunity
Physical, emotional and psychological safety of participants
Adult responsibility
Voluntarism, informed consent and transparency
Participation as an enjoyable and stimulating experience for children
It shares Plan's code of ethics on child participation and important steps to follow in working with children, as well as tips on how to establish a good working relationship with children, how to help children learn and develop their potential, how to help children build self-confidence and self-esteem, and how to encourage children to develop a responsible attitude towards others and a sense of community. There is a section on how to keep children safe also and an explanation of a facilitator's 'duty of care'.
A last section of part one lists common facilitation techniques and tools, such as: role-play, working in pairs and groups, idea storming, whole group discussion, questioning, projects, buzz sessions, drawing, photographs, video, word association, recreating information and more; and gives ideas on when they are most useful.
Part Two:
Section 9 on community mapping
The next section has very complete sessions on:
the concept of rights
the history of human rights, and international treaties on rights
children's rights as human rights
duties and responsibilities in relation to child rights
making sure children are involved
child rights and daily realities and making a child rights map
gaps in fulfilling child rights
setting priority problems and violations of child rights
creating an action agenda and proposed solutions to the gaps identified
Each session comes complete with a pre-training assessment, reading material for facilitators and handouts for participants.
Part Three:
The last section of the manual helps facilitators take children through the steps to child-led community action, including children's participation in all the program and project cycles: assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Needs-based vs. Rights-based
It also explains Plan's rights-based child-centered community development approach, the foundations of that approach, and the difference between needs-based approaches and rights-based approaches. It goes on to cover planning and supporting child-led community action.
The last section of the guide offers a list of resources and references.
For anyone working with children, or even anyone looking for an excellent comprehensive community training package on rights and community-led action, I really recommend checking out Bamboo Shoots. Whether you are working through media and ICTs or using more traditional means for engaging children, this is a great guide on how to do it well from start to finish. I'll be referring to it often.
Plan's Kwale District office in Kenya has been very successful in building innovative community-led programming that incorporates new ICTs. I had the opportunity to interview Salim Mvurya, the Area Manager, last week, and was really struck by his insights on how to effectively incorporate ICTs into community-led processes to reach development goals and improve on child rights, child protection and governance.
In this video, Salim gives some background on how Plan Kwale has been using ICTs in their programs since 2003 (1:11). He shares ideas about the potential of new ICTs (3.42) and some key lessons learned since 2003 (5.03).
Watch the video to get the advice straight from Salim. Or if your internet connection is slow or you're like me and you like to skim through an article rather sit still and watch a video, the transcript is below.
In a second video,Salim gives really astute advice to the tech community (0.15), corporations (1.19), and development organizations (1.57) on how to successfully integrate ICTs to enable good development processes. He also mentions the importance of moving with the times (4.43). Read the transcript here.
Transcript for Part 1:
ICTs and development Part 1: ICT tools for child rights, child protection and social accountability
My name is Salim Mvurya, I'm the Area Manager for Plan in the Kwale District. My core responsibility as an area manager is to provide leadersip to the Kwale team in both program issues and also operational issues within the organization. This week we have been here in a workshop where we've been focusing mostly on issues of ICT for development and particularly what we've been learning here is the issue of mapping. We've also learned Ushahidi. We've also learned from our colleagues in Kilifi on mGESA (a local application of mGEOS that Plan Kenya, Plan Finland, University of Nairobi and Pajat Mgmt are developing) and basically we have been looking at this workshop as providing opportunities for using ICTs for development, but more particularly for us in Kwale is the issue of child protection and youth governance.
How has Plan Kwale been using ICTs for issues of child rights, child protection and child participation?
ICT in Kwale has a bit of a long history and it's because of the issues on child rights. Kwale has a number of issues. Child marriages, issues of violations of child rights through sexual exploitation, and child poverty. So the efforts to do media started in Kwale in 2003 when we rolled out our first video that was done by children at the time to profile some of the issues of child marriage. But more importantly in 2005, we began to think greatly how we can bring the voices of children to duty-bearers and at time we thought of having a children's community radio.
Because of lack of experience, we were thinking maybe at the end of that year we could launch the radio station. But then it took longer than we envisioned because we needed to roll out a participatory process. Alongside the same time, we had ideas of community-led birth registration which was being done in one community based organization. But later we also thought about looking at how ICT can help us in moving that direction.
Then we also had this idea of inter-generational dialogue, where children and youth can sit with duty-bearers and discuss critical issues affecting them, so we began using youth and video there, children and video, and showing those videos in a community meeting where then people could discuss the issues. Alongside the same time we were partnering with various media houses and also rolling out radio programs where people could listen and also foster some discussions on children.
So it's been a long journey but I think what we are seeing is that we need now to consolidate the gains, the experiences and efforts so that we can have a more strategic approach to ICT for Development and this workshop basically provides us with an opportunity and a platform to think much more.
What potential do you see for some of the newer ICT tools for your work in Kwale?
I see great potential in some of the tools that have been learned here this week, more particularly to get information at the click of a button from the ground. We could use the tools to map out resources out in the community, to map zones where there are a lot of issues on child protection, areas where we have issues like low birth registration… There is great potential for the tools that we've learned here to assist us not only in planning for projects, but in issues of social accountability. For example if you map out the areas where we have projects for Constituency Development Fund you can easily see where we have projects that have been done well but where we also have projects where maybe communities will need to discuss much more with duty-bearers to be able to, you know, foster issues of social accountability.
What are your biggest challenges? What mistakes have you made?
One thing that we've been learning in the process… well, you know sometimes we have ideas that we think can work in the next week, like for example the children's community radio when we were thinking about it we were thinking that it could take off in about 2 months. But what we learned is that there are processes to be involved. Communities have to be prepared well for sustainability. Children have to be trained, there needs to be capacity building. You have also to conform to government procedures and processes.
The same also with birth registration. We thought in 6 months we could send an SMS and get your birth notification, but what we have also learned is that it takes a process. It takes awhile. You have to get the government buy in. You also have to work on software, where the government is having a critical input. Because, although it is a pilot, we also think that if it works well then it has to be replicated, so it has to conform with the thinking in government. Also, with the issues of youth and media, one thing that has to be very clear is that you have to get youth who are committed, so you start with a bigger group, and you end up with those who are passionate
So I think it's very critical when somebody is thinking about ICT for Development that, one, you look at the context: is it relevant to that area? What kind of skills are needed? What kind of processes for sustainability? but also getting the passion. Getting people who are passionate to lead the process is also a very critical lesson.
Nothing to do with the topic of this post, but the Kwale coast is gorgeous.
Last week I was in Kwale, at a Plan Kenya hosted workshop as part of the Youth Empowerment through Technology, Arts and Media program. The team at Plan Kwale has been pointedly using ICTs in their community development programs since 2003 (not counting email and Internet of course) when they began working with radio and video as tools for raising awareness about children's rights.
It's really impressive to see how they've moved forward with very strategic ideas for integrating ICTs to help reach programmatic and development goals, especially in the areas of youth and governance, universal birth registration, and child/youth-led advocacy around rights and protection issues.
Over the 6 day workshop, the main things we wanted to do were:
look at the development context in Kwale, Kinango and Msambweni Districts (South Coast areas where Plan operates via the Kwale Office)
better understand the perspective of youth in the 3 districts
remind ourselves of rights-based approaches to community development
discuss youth issues, governance, advocacy, violence against children and gender within the local context
look at the ICTs currently being used by youth, communities and Plan in the Kwale Development Area
share and discuss new social media and ICT tools and ways they can be used
practice using new social media and ICT tools and see if they can be useful and sustainable in the 3 districts
determine next steps for integrating social media and new ICTs in specific local initiatives and plan for how to build on them in Plan Kenya's overall work
Some elements that made the week positively brilliant:
workshop participants
Engaged and committed stakeholders
We were a group about 20, including staff and university student interns from Plan's Kwale and Kilifi District Offices and Plan's Country Office in Nairobi; Government District Youth Officers ('DYOs') from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture; Youth Council members from Kwale, Kinango and Msambweni; 2 staff from Map Kibera and 2 youth mappers from Kibera.
This mix meant that we had a variety of perspectives and opinions, including those of youth from local communities, partner organizations, local government, frontline staff, protection and governance technical advisors, ICT managers, and senior level program managers. This helped to ensure that we were grounded in reality, technically and thematically sound, able to cross-pollinate and integrate new ideas with solid experience and practice, and take decisions immediately forward to a higher level.
Local partners and youth-youth networking
Peer-peer learning and exchange among all the participants was a big plus. Plan and Map Kibera have very similar visions and values, yet each has its own area of specialized technical expertise and experience. The youth participants from local councils from the 3 South Coast districts and the youth mappers from Kibera brought different perspectives into the workshop which enriched the discussions. We all learned a lot from each other. Combining expertise as partners brought the workshop to a whole new level, and will help to ensure that the efforts are sustainable and can be built on and expanded. The youth in Kwale can now extend their skills to more youth in their communities, the youth mappers from Kibera can take home new ideas to improve their work, the university-level interns gained practical experience, and the buy-in from the local government's District Youth Officers (who manage government funds) in the 3 participating districts can help provide the necessary support to broaden the efforts.
Flexible workshop methodology
We had certain goals that we wanted to achieve and we were clear on that, but we let the agenda flow. We started by taking a deep look at the local context and resources. We heard from local experts in the areas that we wanted to focus on (youth and governance, child protection) as well as community youth and local authorities. We spent time getting to know some new tools and discussing the pros and cons of using them.
Hands-on with FrontlineSMS
Hands On Work
We had practical sessions and hands-on work on blogging, FrontlineSMS, Ushahidi, Map Kibera, and mGESA (a local application of the mGEOS mobile platform co-developed by Plan Kenya, Plan Finland, University of Nairobi and Pajat Management and being piloted in Kilifi).
This was important for helping participants feel confident about doing some of the work once the training team was gone. I imagine however that more practice will be needed during some follow up sessions, as most of the participants don't have regular computer and Internet access for enhancing their skills on a daily basis with additional practice and exploration.
We spent one day mapping our Hotel on Open Street Maps, and another day in Kinango, mapping specific points in 4 teams. Lessons learned during hands-on work included the importance of engaging and involving the community ahead of time, so that rumors about why people are mapping the community don't fly. In my group, for example, we were moving around with George the District Youth Officer from Kinango. Someone that he ran into joked to him "Oh, now Kinango is going up for sale!" A joke, but nonetheless if people don't know why we were mapping, this or other rumours can quickly spread. (See the video about mapping in Kinango at this link and the background blog post here.)
End goals + new tools + back again
By starting with people's expectations for the workshop, analysis of the local context, and an understanding of the goals that youth and staff wanted to achieve together, we could be sure that we stayed true to where we wanted to end up. At the same time, by learning about new tools, things that weren't possible before became imaginable and people started to innovate and mix their existing knowledge and experience with some new ideas.
Combining the two, and having a good variety of perspectives in the room and a lot of space for discussion and practice means that next steps will be more achievable and sustainable, because people are clear and agree about where they want to go, and they feel capable of incorporating some new tools and ideas to get there.
The first day, the context analysis was very focused on youth and governance, transparency and social auditing, so we pulled out the 10 Tactics video by Tactical Technology Collective (which @hapeeg had given to me a couple days earlier). This video series talks about 10 tactics for turning information into action. It really sparked ideas among the participants for how they could use social media and ICTs in social accountability work and human rights/child rights work. Map Kibera partners also shared a tool developed by SODNET (SMS for social auditing of the Constituency Development Fund).
We talked about the use of mapping and SMS in child protection work. One of the main child protection issues in the south coast area is the distance that a child, girl, family has to travel in order to report an abuse. Women's lack of economic power, inability to own property and the importance of marriageability also mean that often women and girls feel unable to speak out or protest abuse when it's happening. It's still not certain what role ICTs can play in this context given the risks involved to those who report, but Plan's child protection point person, Mohammad, is planning to host a series of meetings with local child protection authorities to discuss possible ways forward.
Digital mapping was immediately cataloged as an important tool for identifying resources, advocating for services and holding government accountable through social auditing. It was also recognized as a potential income generator once areas, shops and local businesses could be added to an on-line map, or if youth could purchase GPS units with funding from the District Youth Office and charge for their GPS services. George, the District Youth Officer for Kinango talks in this video about how mapping can be useful to the Kinango community, even if most members don't have access to computers and broad band. (Click the link or watch below)
Information and communication gap analysis –> ICT integration plans
ICT integration for youth and governance program
Early on in the workshop, we worked in 2 groups to analyze the goals for the Youth and Governance and the Child Protection programs that Plan is supporting in Kwale. The groups discussed the information and communication gaps that needed to be filled in order to move towards the goals of the 2 initiatives. We looked at what ICT tools might best help reduce the gaps, from existing traditional tools (like meetings, face-to-face advocacy, drama, town criers, radio) to those new(ish) tools that we had discovered (see above paragraph) that might be useful to try out given the goals in the 2 key areas. The groups revisited this gap analysis on the last day after having had more hands-on use of the different tools and turned the gap analysis into an action plan.
ICT integration for child protection programs
Management buy-in and leadership
While the 2 groups worked on local action plans for integrating ICTs into their work, senior management from Plan's Kenya office created their own action plan for how to build on the workshop experience, engage mid-level managers and other key staff in ICT integration, further develop partnerships and solidify cross-cutting incorporation of ICTs into Plan's work in Kenya. The Kwale and Kilifi program units have been innovators within Plan for several years. Learning from, supporting and building on concrete work that they are doing on the ground allows for a solid and feasible country strategy based on reality. Having a strategy built from the ground up and with solid support and buy-in from national management means that there is less risk of donor led ICT funding, and more probability that new resources mobilized for ICT work go towards real needs and have better results.
The basic premise of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (referred to as the 'CRC') is that children are born with fundamental freedoms and the inherent rights of all human beings.
According to the CRC, the 4 main categories of rights that children have are survival, development, participation and protection. The CRC's guiding principles help further shape the way that child rights should be interpreted. These are non-discrimination, the best interest of the child, right to life, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child.
Child protection concerns a child's right not to be harmed and to protection from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. It involves the duty of care placed on those that work with children or that come into contact with children. It encompasses the responsibilities, measures, and activities that must be undertaken to safeguard children from both intentional and unintentional harm.
Child protection encompasses many different areas, such as juvenile justice systems and a child's right not to be tried as an adult or incarcerated with adults; special care needed by unaccompanied children; protection from sexual exploitation and dangerous forms of child labor; prevention of trafficking and harmful traditional practices such as female genital cutting; support for children in emergency and conflict situations; prevention of exploitation by the media; the right not to be abused or taken advantage of by family, caregivers or institutions; and so on. This link gives an explanation of a protective environment, and this one offers an excellent broad overview of child protection.
Child protection policies and strategies create mechanisms to prevent any type of harm to a child.
Child protection in youth media programs
The organization where I work frames its efforts within the CRC. Most of the programs that I focus on are related to child participation and child protection. These two areas go hand in hand, because good participation initiatives need to take child protection into consideration, and good protection initiatives are only successful when children participate in designing them and in protecting themselves. Children should both know what their rights are and take an active part in achieving them and in protecting themselves.
This week, for example, I'm at a workshop with a small group of colleagues, teachers and local partners from the Upper West Region of Ghana. We're preparing for a youth arts and media project that they will implement in June. By the end of this facilitator workshop, we will have a localized training plan that fits the context of the community and the youth participants, and the facilitators will have learned some new media skills that they will train the youth on when the project starts.
As part of the facilitators' training, we cover the CRC, going in depth on child participation and child protection. There is always a certain tension between these two areas. We want to encourage children to participate to their fullest, yet both children and adults need to be aware of potential risks that participation can bring with it, and know how to mitigate and manage them.
Three child protection risks that we are focusing on with facilitators at this week's workshop are:
Intentional or unintentional abuse by staff or local partners
Retaliation or harm to a child who appears in a media story or art piece on a sensitive issue
Retaliation or harm to a child who authors or creates media or arts on a sensitive issue
Internal child protection policies
To begin our sessions on child protection, my colleague Joyce covered our organizational Child Protection Policy, which clearly states our intention to protect children from harm and advises that we will take positive action to prevent child abusers from becoming involved with the organization.
Joyce explained that child abuse is never acceptable:
Child abuse in our case is defined as: All forms of physical abuse, emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect or negligent treatment, commercial or other exploitation of a child and includes any actions that result in actual or potential harm to a child.
Our child protection policy applies to staff at all levels, including board members, volunteers, community volunteers, supporters, consultants, contractors; partner organizations, local government people who have been brought into contact with children via our organization, visitors, donors, journalists, researchers and any other type of person or institution associated with us.
We recognize that child abuse may be a deliberate act or it may be failing to act to prevent harm. Child abuse consists of anything which individuals, institutions or processes do or fail to do, intentionally or unintentionally which harms a child or damages their prospect of safe and healthy development into adulthood.
We follow through on cases of child abuse to the fullest extent of the law.
Point three, unintentional abuse, refers to situations where someone has good intentions but their lack of planning, knowledge, foresight, or their recklessness puts children in harm's way. As Joyce explained, "It's like an excursion that is not well planned." The good intention is to take children out so that they could have some fun. But if proper care is not taken to plan the trip and ensure children's safety during the trip, then unintentional harm could be done. A child could be lost, a vehicle could be unsafe, a child could drown. Though the good intention of the person planning this event is not in question — they wanted the children to have fun and enjoy themselves — if proper planning is not done and something happens that causes harm to a child, it is still considered child abuse. Good intentions are not enough.
Since this is a youth arts and media project, we need to think about the use of children's images and identities in the media: print, broadcast, radio, internet or visual arts. The CRC asserts that every child has the right to privacy, and this extends to the right not to have their image used for any purpose for which they have not given consent.
Key points related to the use of children's images and working with children's stories include:
If the person is below 18, you must seek the consent of the parents/guardians
Consent forms must be kept securely for future audit or proof purposes
A child's real name should not be used in publication or broadcast unless they would benefit from increased self-esteem by seeing their name in print
The information given about the child should not allow their precise location to be identified (either directly or indirectly)
A story should not be published, with or without names or identities altered, if it could put a child, siblings or peers at risk
The best interest of the child comes above all else
Helping people see the implications
Expanding on the aspects above, Joyce offered ideas on how to discuss and ensure that children and adults that might portray others, or be portrayed in media, are aware of all the implications and potential risks:
Today's media is global and can be accessed anywhere in the world through the internet.
When you talk to the media nowadays, you are talking to the world. The story may not reach everybody in every country, but you can be sure that it will reach further than you can imagine.
Ask yourself the following:
How would friends and family react if they saw the story, or found out that it had been published?
Think through who might be harmed. Would the subject of the article, artwork or video be at risk of any harm if someone saw it? Could this story or artwork put anyone in danger?
This story can stay documented for years. How would the person feel if their children were to read the story in a few years?
There is no guarantee that this story cannot be seen by people whom you do not want to know about it. Help people thoroughly understand the implications of sharing their stories. This protects not only the subject of the story, but the person who is authoring the story.
Are there people we need to protect when telling our story? Friends that we need to protect? What needs to be edited out so that nobody is implicated in the presentation of the work?
To illustrate some of the points above, we used 2 examples. A New York Times/Nick Kristof article that identifies a child from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was raped and his opinion piece on why he believes that was OK, and a scenario where a film is made of a girl who reports that her mother beats her and doesn't allow her to attend school.
General consensus from the group in our workshop on the New York Times case was that child protection and media guidelines were not followed, and that Kristof was reckless and unintentionally put the girl at risk. Workshop participants felt that appropriate respect for the child was not shown. "The journalist would never be able to do that in the US". One participant exclaimed "So, he didn't feel that any Congolese would ever be enlightened enough to access the story?" It was recognized that "his intention was good, that people should know about these terrible crimes, but there is no need to share all the specifics." Participants wondered whether this was in the best interest of the girl, and how she would feel in the future if someone she knew found the article. "In our culture, this type of thing can be very stigmatizing." Participants asked why technology wasn't used to cover the girls' face and disguise her voice, or why she wasn't filmed from behind to conceal her identity. The conclusion was that this story could have been told in a way that protected the child and had equal impact on readers. [Update: Laura over at Texas in Africa has a great post on Connectivity and Child Protection which comes to the same conclusions. You can also find related posts from awhile back on Wronging Rights.]
In the second scenario, consensus was that the story could create difficulties for everyone involved. One participant commented that the mother might get angry and beat the child even more. Another said that it the whole village might feel betrayed by the child exposing the story. "When a child does something, people ask – from which village are you? From which house? From which family? Whatever you do to a member of the village you do to the whole village. This can cause a threat to the child by the whole village. Those who give out the story, if they are known by the village, will also be at risk." Another issue was that the community might say that the children are given too much power. "They will wonder who is behind it and may not wish to work any longer with the organization that is supporting the project." It was suggested that if a story like this were filmed, it should show a resolution, a happy ending, so that it could be used as an example. "That way you can favor all who are involved." The group concluded that when topics are quite sensitive or individuals are implicated, the story should be altered to protect identity and the same situation could be brought out using simulations, song, theater or drawings.
As we are training children as citizen journalists in this project, case studies that highlight the potential risks and impact of a story are critical learning tools.
In conclusion….
Child protection needs to be considered whenever children are involved. Adults and children need to be aware of potential risks and thoroughly discuss how to mitigate them. Mechanisms need to be in place to address any intentional or unintentional harm that could be caused to a child or children. There are plenty of good resources around on how to do this, so there is really no excuse not to.
In February I was in Benin to support staff to pilot the idea of using SMS reporting (FrontlineSMS) and digital mapping (Ushahidi) to strengthen local and national systems for reporting, tracking and responding to violence against children. We conducted 2 workshops in mid-February with youth leaders, frontline staff, community members, local authorities from the Center for Social Protection (CPS) and representatives from the Ministry of the Family to get things started.
Since February, staff in Benin have been following up with workshop participants and with local authorities and institutions, including: the Prefect, the Mayors, community supervisors, animators of the children's/youth media clubs, headmasters and other school authorities and the CPS. The youth in one community did a radio program about violence against children and talked about SMS reporting. They also designed an information sheet that's been hung up all over the town to encourage the population to report cases of violence.
Henri, Plan Benin's ICT Director who facilitated at the Benin workshops, went to Togo to replicate the training with staff and youth there. He and Carmen, who manages the overall VAC project in Benin, have also been observing and collecting feedback on the system to see where it needs tweaking. They have put a project plan together for the next 6 months or so.
Carmen the VAC project coordinator in Benin.
Observations that Henri and Carmen shared and some thoughts we have about resolving them:
Issue:
Most people call instead of sending SMS
Hmmm….
Why? Habit? Literacy? Unclear indications of what to do or unclear expectations of what the system is for? We need to find out more about this. It would be good to know exactly what kind of volume we are talking about total in terms of SMS vs calls. (I will update this post when I find out.)
Should we start taking calls too then? And are there resources and capacity to manage calls in addition to FrontlineSMS (which is automated)? How are we linking with the Child Help Line in Benin?
Could both calls and SMS be administered in the Ushahidi system? Eg., Just as an administrator needs to review any SMS's that come into Ushahidi before approving them, someone could be tasked with inputting information from a phone call into the Ushahidi back end to then trigger the rest of the process (verification, response, etc). And how would that impact on pulling data out of the system for decision making? (See this post for more information on how the system is currently conceived)
Issue:
Some people are sending a re-call SMS (asking us to return the call)
Hmmm….
We need to find out why people are sending re-call messages instead of SMS's. Because in the current set-up, text messages are not free? Literacy issues? Because our system looks like something else they've done where re-call was the norm? Something else?
If it's due to low literacy or language issues, how can we open the system to those who cannot read/write or who do not use French?
Plan Benin is discussing with the GSM provider to find a way to send back an automatic reply SMS informing people not to call but to send a message, and to take this opportunity to indicate in the message what is expected as information. But if literacy/language is the issue, we will not have solved anything by doing this…. Sounds like we really need to make sure calling is an option, and that good integration with the national Child Help Line is a real priority.
Plan Benin is also negotiating getting a "green line" or free short code, so that might resolve part of this.
Issue:
Many people are not using the key word 'HALTE' (stop) at the beginning of the message, meaning that the commands don't trigger the messages to automatically send the information to Ushahidi. (In the current system, each SMS should include the key word 'HALTE'. This key word triggers a "thanks for your message" automatic response from FrontlineSMS, and the forwarding of the message to the Ushahidi back end for subsequent management and follow up by local authorities.)
Hmmm….
Staff noticed that most (but not all) of the messages without the key word ''HALTE'' contained the word 'enfant' (child). Henri has added 'enfant' as a key word in addition to 'HALTE' — and says it is working fine. So we will assess if this helps.
Another alternative would be to not use any keywords – we will need to look into whether we can set FrontlineSMS up so that any SMS that goes to that number gets auto forwarded to Ushahidi.
Early draft of a poster promoting violence reporting by SMS
Issue:
Most of the messages are too vague to find the place and the victim for responding (and people do not have GPS enabled phones). We have suggested that an SMS report should contain certain information [HALTE+type of violence+where it's happening (eg., school, home, etc)+village name+district+age+sex+name of child if known], but people don't follow the suggested format.
Hmmm….
How can we simplify it or better explain the type of information that's needed? Something we need to dig deeper into and consult with users to figure out. Carmen's take is that we are at the beginning of the process and we need to be patient and sensitize a lot so that people get used to the idea and understand how things work.
Issue:
Compatible FLSMS phones and modems are very difficult to find. We were only able to find one phone that was compatible in Benin (a used one) because newer phone models are not compatible and the modems we found refused to connect.
Hmmm….
We really need to get this resolved since the entire system in Benin rests on one phone. What if it stops working? It's really difficult to expand the project without a larger set of phone/modem options. We'll work with the FrontlineSMS forum or staff (both are always super helpful on this kind of thing) in the next couple weeks to figure out how to resolve the compatibility issues, because there are modems available in West Africa that should be compatible, but that we couldn't get to function.
Issue:
We planned for community response teams to be able to subscribe to alerts on Ushahidi, so that when there is an incident reported in the zone where they work, they would be alerted by SMS and could set the follow up process in motion. But we haven't been able to get the alerts working on Ushahidi or set up email reporting there.
Hmmm….
We discussed with the Ushahidi team and the problem was that not all the strings of code in Ushahidi had been translated into French yet. Thanks to @theresac and @penelopeinparis, who volunteered to translate a load of strings, we are getting everything into French, and Henry at Ushahidi is helping get alerts working. We still need to finalize all the elements on our Ushahidi page however and get everything working. We'd also like to customize our Ushahidi page to make it our own, similar to the customizing that Voices of Kibera has done with their Ushahidi instance.
Any additional thoughts or help on the above issues are most welcome!
As for next steps, Henri and Carmen shared their plans:
Present the system to political and administrative authorities, including: head of the Brigade for the Protection of Minors, juvenile judges, Ministry of the Family's Director for Children and Adolescents, Director of Family Programs, Minister of ICTs, cabinet and authorities who regulate telecommunications, Ministry of the Interior and Public Security, National Assembly, mayors and prefects, schools and teacher-parent committees, community authorities, media
Train staff, government partners, school and parent committees, and local NGOs on the reporting system, including a 1-day workshop with all Plan staff and a 1 day workshop with local NGO partners, schools and government staff
Accompany child protection committees and organized youth groups to use the system. This will be done by holding sessions with organized children and youth groups at village level to reinforce and raise awareness on the reporting system; training child protection committees to use the new reporting system; holding one day sessions each month with the village level child protection system staff to discuss follow up on reports that have come in, and installing FrontlineSMS in each local site and adding local focal points as Ushahidi administrators
Strengthen awareness in the public and with leaders to support violence reporting by developing a communications plan to generate awareness on the issue of violence, the importance of reporting, and the mechanisms to report via SMS; supporting youth to use arts and theater to raise awareness on the issue of violence against children; talking with religious leaders and village chiefs; creating television, radio, newspaper and web advertisements to reach the general public and decision makers
Secure a free short code (target: by May)
Conduct a national level evaluation workshop with involved local and national actors (in 6 months)
As we move forward, more questions will surely come up and we'll need to continually tweak things. But I feel that we're off to a good start. The fact that people are calling in and SMS'ing in is a good sign already that the program has some potential, and that people are willing to report violence against children | eng | 27404652-e2d3-4b52-94ad-0171454d478f | http://lindaraftree.com/tag/protection/ |
Parashat Naso, 5773, 2013: Understanding the Blessing of the Kohanim best-known passages in the entire Torah is that of Birkat Kohanim (the Blessing of the Kohanim): The L-rd spoke to Moses saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: This is how you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them: "May the L-rd bless you and watch over you. May the L-rd cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May the L-rd raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace." They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them. (Sefer Bamidbar 6:22-27, this and all Torah and Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) Herein, Hashem summons the Kohanim to serve as the viaduct through which His divine beneficence flows and comes to rest upon our people. Thus, the bracha (blessing) is pronounced by the Kohanim, but not actually given by them. The source of the blessing, like all brachot, is Hashem Himself: "They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them." The Blessing of the Kohanim is composed of three parts: 1) A request that Hashem should bless and watch us 2) An appeal that G-d should cause His countenance to shine upon and favor us 3) An entreaty that our Creator should raise His countenance toward us, and grant us peace The familiar words "bless," "watch," and "peace" appear to be quite accessible. Yet, we may honestly be left a bit confused when the Kohanim beseech Hashem to have His countenance shine upon and favor us, and be raised toward us. When we witness this stirring event, we may feel that the content of the bracha remains elusive, just beyond our reach. As in all instances of authentic Torah interpretation, we must turn to the giants of our exegetical tradition to enlighten us as to "the story behind the story." It is to this task that we now turn. The great Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzhak (Rashi, 1040-1105) provides us with a midrashically-based interpretation of the Kohanim's tripartite bracha. He explains that the two words "bless" and "watch" refer to physical possessions that have been mercifully bestowed upon us by Hashem: May [the L-rd] bless you: that your possessions shall be blessed. - [Midrash Tanchuma Naso 10, Sifrei Naso 1:144] and watch over you: that no thieves shall attack you and steal your money. For when one gives his servant a gift, he cannot protect it from all other people, so if robbers come and take it from him, what benefit has he [the servant] from this gift? As for the Holy One, blessed be He, however, He is the One who [both] gives and protects (Midrash Tanchuma Naso 10). There are many expository interpretations in the Sifrei . In contrast, the two verses that focus upon G-d's "countenance," refer to overarching aspects of how we ideally would like Him relate to us. In the first instance, the Kohanim ask: May the L-rd cause His countenance to shine to you: May He show you a pleasant, radiant countenance. - [Midrash Tanchuma Naso 10, Sifrei Naso 1:144] and favor you: May He grant you favor - [Sifrei Naso 1:144] According to Rashi, as based upon his selected Midrashic sources, the notion of having Hashem's "face" shine upon us depicts the manner in which we long to be treated by our Creator. This idea is strikingly illustrated by the beautiful Shabbat zemirah (liturgical poem) entitled "Yedid Nefesh" ("the Beloved of my Soul"). Given its power and scope, it is little wonder that it is one of the most universal and oft-sung zemirot. It describes our Creator as our Beloved, and depicts our most intimate relationship in the world. Our very souls, in some mysterious and ineffable manner, merge with G-d as we ascend to higher and higher levels of spirituality. This is possible if, and only if, the essence of our being is connected to Him in our transcendent quest for spiritual union. Thus, we ask Hashem to shine His countenance upon us, and be our guide on our journey toward Him. This is the greatest and deepest favor (chane) that we could ever be shown and receive in this world. The second occurrence of "panav" ("May the L-rd raise His countenance toward you") is different in kind and degree than the first. Whereas the first time we encounter the term the focus is ultimately positive, in this instance, the bracha entreats G-d to refrain from expressing His wrath toward us when we fail to properly fulfill the mitzvot. Thus, Rashi states: "May the Lord raise His countenance toward you: by suppressing His wrath. [Sifrei Naso 1:144]." Given the trials and tribulations of Jewish history, this is certainly a bracha that we long to see realized, soon and in our days. Birkat Kohanim concludes with the eternal Jewish hope "and grant you peace." Maimonides (the Rambam, 1135-1240) helps us to understand the overarching import of shalom within Judaism via a seminal philosophical statement that appears as the final words of Hilchot Megillah and Chanukah. Therein, the Rambam discusses a situation of financial triage in which an individual has extremely limited funds. He presents two scenarios: One has money to purchase either Shabbat candles or Chanukah candles, and one has money to buy Shabbat candles or wine for Kiddush. Which takes precedence? Maimonides is unequivocal in his response: "Ner beito kodem meshum shalom beito" ("Shabbat lights must be purchased prior to either Chanukah candles or wine because of the peace of his home"). We must remember that the Shabbat lights in this context may very well have been the only lights in the home. Therefore, without this small amount of illumination, people would trip into one another, arguments would become rife, and the Shabbat evening would become a dark and dreary time. In short, there would be a manifest diminution of peace in the home. Therefore, and without mitigation, the Rambam codifies the law that Shabbat candles take precedence over fulfilling either the mitzvah of Kiddush or Chanukah candles, even though Kiddush is a positive Torah commandment, and Chanukah candles are a Rabbinic obligation. Beyond a doubt, the value of shalom beito trumps these other mitzvot, based upon its overriding and singular import. On measure, shalom emerges as the ultimate goal of Birkat Kohanim. Little wonder, then, that Chazal (our Sages of blessed memory) concluded the Shemoneh Esrai (Silent Prayer) with these truly stirring words that, in part, parallel the Birkat Kohanim: Bestow peace, goodness and blessing, life, graciousness, kindness and mercy, upon us and upon all Your people Israel. Bless us, our Father, all of us as one, with the light of Your countenance. For by the light of Your countenance You gave us, L-rd our G-d, the Torah of life and loving-kindness, righteousness, blessing, mercy, life and peace. May it be favorable in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel, at all times and at every moment, with Your peace. Blessed are You L-rd, who blesses His people Israel with peace. ( May the words of this bracha be realized for us soon and in our day – both individually, and as a nation Bamidbar 5773, 2013: Each Person is Truly a World Chazal (our Sages) named the fourth book of the Torah "Sefer Hapekudim" (the "Book of Counting"), which is translated in English as "Numbers." It received this title since both the sefer and our parasha begin with a census of our people. Rashi (1040-1105) points out that this is actually the third time that our forebears were counted. The first tally took place when we departed Egypt, and the second, after we flagrantly erred with the incident of the Egel Hazahav (Golden Calf). These were very logical censuses. After all, it was crucial, for a variety of reasons, to know exactly how many men were available to be mustered for war. Thus, we were counted when we left Egypt. So, too, it was very reasonable for us to be counted following our great chet (sin), since it was once again critical to know how many had survived its aftermath. At first blush, however, the census at the beginning of our parasha appears to be without rhyme or reason. The truth, however, is far different. This act of counting served a higher and nobler purpose. It was neither an act of utilitarian counting, nor was it even very practical. Instead, this census was an act of true love; namely, the love that exists between Hashem and our people, which is so beautifully and powerfully portrayed in Shir Hashirim (the Song of Songs). Based upon this approach, Rashi answers the "why" question regarding this particular act of counting and teaches us: "Because of their beloved status before Him, He counted them at all times." I would submit, moreover, that Hashem counted us because each one of us is truly precious in His Divine eyes. Each individual among the Jewish people is a jewel in our King's crown. Like an earthly king, so to speak, He counts His priceless jewels. So, too, Chazal focused upon the irreplaceable value of each and every individual among the Jewish people. The last mishnah in the fourth chapter of tractate Sanhedrin deals with the technical topic of how to guarantee the veracity of would-be witnesses. In this context, we are taught one of the most fundamental concepts of Judaism, namely, the sanctity of the individual: Therefore, man was created alone to teach you that anyone who destroys even one soul (individual) from the Jewish people is considered by the Torah as if he has destroyed an entire world. [So, too,] anyone who saves even one soul (individual) from the Jewish people is considered by the Torah as if he has saved an entire world. The world-renowned Talmud commentator, Rabbeinu Shmuel Eliezer Ben-Yehudah Halevi Edels (known as the Maharsha, 1555-1631), carefully analyzes the above passage and suggests the following deeply insightful interpretation: "The phrase in the Mishnah is very exact when it states: "nefesh achat m'yisrael" (one soul from the Jewish people) since the form of man who was created alone is the image of G-d, the One of the world…" The Maharsha, by focusing upon the word "nefesh," and its connection to Hakadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One Blessed be He), is urging us to recognize the stamp of Hashem that is uniquely engraved upon each and every member of the Jewish people. This concept overflows with profound ramifications. In a word, when we interact with another individual, we must remember that we are relating to someone within whom the presence of Hashem is to be found. Therefore, regardless of the person's social and economic stature, or his level of education, he is kadosh (holy) since he is, in truth, G-d's representative in this world. This thought naturally leads to the following conclusion: We are required to treat each other with kavod (respect) since, by doing so, we are ultimately recognizing G-d's presence amongst us. In this way, we recognize that, as Hashem so clearly demonstrated at the beginning of our parasha, every Jew truly counts and deserves to be counted Behar-Bechukotai 5773, 2013: Focusing Upon Our Essence thornier, daily halachic problems is that of which bracha (blessing) to recite on a particular food. Not too surprisingly, a vast literature has been created by our poskim (halachic decisors) that contains a plethora of opinions and approaches regarding every questionable item. Bread, wine, cake, fruit, vegetables, and water – by way of illustration - all have their specific blessing to be recited before one is allowed to enjoy Hashem's bounty. Talmud Bavli, Berachot 35a teaches us this idea in the following formulation: Our Rabbis have taught: It is forbidden to a man to enjoy anything of this world without a benediction, and if anyone enjoys anything of this world without a benediction, he commits sacrilege. What is his remedy? He should consult a wise man. What will the wise man do for him? He has already committed the offence! — Said Raba: "What it means is that he should consult a wise man beforehand, so that he should teach him blessings and he should not commit sacrilege." Rab Judah said in the name of Samuel: "To enjoy anything of this world without a benediction is like making personal use of things consecrated to heaven (hekdash), since it says: "The earth is the L-rd's and the fullness thereof." (Translation, Soncino Talmud, brackets my own) It is now quite clear that we are mandated to recite a benediction prior to eating any food, and that we need to do this in an knowledgeable and thoughtful manner. Nearly everyone, however, encounters the following question: "Which blessing should be recited over a food composed of clearly differentiated ingredients?" For example, what bracha does apple pie or an ice-cream cone require? In these examples, we have foods composed of two different items competing for one mandated blessing. Therefore, it is frequently unclear exactly what one ought to do. By definition, one of the foods is of secondary import (tafel) to the primary one (ikar). The question, of course, is which is which? In time honored Jewish tradition, the answer to our query is a resounding: "It depends." The determinant in this case, according to many poskim, is subjective in nature. Whatever is of singular importance to me, whichever food is more pleasing and desirous in my eyes, will become the ikar and the other food the tafel. In such an instance, only the main food receives the bracha, while the other does not. Clearly, ikar and tafel are both essential concepts in, and constitutive elements of, this area of Halacha. In a manner of speaking, Parashat Bechuchotai is also focused upon the concepts of ikar and tafel. The very first pasuk states: "If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them." (Sefer Vayikra 26:3, this and all Bible and Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) Rashi (1040-1105) explains this verse based upon the halachic Midrash known as the Sifra: If you follow My statutes: I might think that this refers to the fulfillment of the commandments. However, when Scripture says, "and observe My commandments," the fulfillment of the commandments is [already] stated. So what is the meaning of "If you follow My statutes?" It means that you must toil in the study of Torah [Torath Kohanim 26:2]. The key here is to "toil in the study of Torah." This, then, is the meaning inherent in the expression, "If you follow My statutes." The Midrash and Rashi are teaching us a crucial point regarding Jewish life and living: Torah must ever be our ikar, our essence – and the center of our lives. The one and only way in which Torah can achieve this status is if we are committed with our complete hearts and souls to its study. In a word, we must encounter the Torah, and lovingly develop a heartfelt relationship with it. This requires strenuous hours of assiduous learning and study, i.e., toil. If we will devote ourselves in this manner, the Torah will become our ikar, our essence, and everything else in the world will be tafel to its sublime power and beauty. With Hashem's help, may we continue to grow in our love of, and devotion to, our holy Torah. Moreover, may it become, and always be, our ikar - the true essence of our being Emor 5773, 2013: Understanding Mikra'ei Kodesh more ubiquitous terms that appears in Chamisha Chumshei Torah (the Five Books of the Torah) is mikra kodesh (literally, "something called holy," i.e., the Festivals, pl. mikra'ei kodesh). There are a total of 19 cases of our expression in Sifrei Shemot, Vayikra, and Bamidbar, including 11 instances in our parasha. In addition, Chazal (our Sages of Blessed Memory) utilized our phrase in every Friday evening and Yom Tov Kiddush, as well as throughout the Shabbat and Yom Tov tefilot (prayers). Given human nature, however, precisely because of the pervasive usage of "mikra kodesh," and its plural variant, we have become desensitized to its meaning and significance. As such, we need to "step back" and encounter it anew, in order to understand at least a small part of what the Master of the Universe was communicating to us when He used this term in His holy Torah. Rashi (1040-1105) shares his understanding of "mikra kodesh" with us in his comment on a verse that is found in our parasha (Sefer Vayikra 23:35): a holy occasion: [This expression mentioned in connection with Yom Kippur, means that you are to] sanctify it [the day] through [wearing] clean garments and through prayer, while [this expression mentioned in connection] with the other holy days, [means] sanctify it with food and drink, through [wearing] clean clothes and through [their own special] prayers. — [See Torath Kohanim 23:186] (This and all Bible and Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) Rashi, based upon his Midrashic source, stresses the positive aspect of mikra kodesh. In his view, these holy days require explicit demonstrations of their unique identity (i.e. their kedushat hayom). Therefore, we don special clothes, recite inspiring prayers, and, with the exception of Yom Kippur, eat the finest meals we can afford – replete with the most delectable beverages. The Ramban (Nachmanides, 1194-1270), in the first of his three explanations of our term as found in his commentary on our parasha (Sefer Vayikra 23:2), also emphasizes the positive characteristics of the Festivals: Mikra'ei kodesh: And it will be on this day that everyone will be called (keruim) and gather together to sanctify His Name. This is the case since it is a commandment incumbent upon the Jewish people to join together in the House of the L-rd on an appointed day to sanctify the day in an explicit public manner through prayer (tefilah), praise (hallel) to the Almighty, and with clean garments. Moreover, [the Jewish people] are obligated to make this a day of feasting as is stated in the tradition (Heb. kabbalah, i.e., Sefer Nechemiah 8:10): "And he [Nechemiah] said to them [the Jewish people], 'Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks and send portions to whoever has nothing prepared, for the day is holy to our L-rd, and do not be sad, for the joy of the L-rd is your strength.'" Nachmanides' second elucidation of the term "mikra kodesh" is language-based in nature. He posits that it is a derivative of "karui ha'edah" ("called, invited, or summoned to the congregation") and supports this interpretation based upon the phrases in Sefer Shemuel I: 9:13: "and afterwards the invited guests will eat," and Sefer Yeshayahu 4:5: "and over all those summoned therein, " wherein this statement refers "to those places that are called in this manner since this is where those summoned to the congregation will gather." Nachmanides' third exegesis of "mikra'ei kodesh," contains some similarities to his first explanation and to that of Rashi. Herein, he bases himself upon Onkelos, the quintessential First and Second Century Torah scholar: And Onkelos determined that this phrase is similar in kind to "Jacob called for his sons and said, 'Gather and I will tell you what will happen to you at the end of days.'" (Sefer Bereishit 49:1) – this is an expression of "happenings" ("me'ora"). On each day that will ensue [that is called a "mikra kodesh,"] you must make them holy. And our Rabbis, may they be remembered for a blessing, said: "Celebrate them through food, drink, and clean clothes." This means that their nature in your eyes should not be similar in kind to the other days, instead, make them an occurrence of holiness – and differentiate them in their foods and dress from a regular weekday to one that is holy. This, too, is the opinion of Onkelos. (Translation, underlining, and brackets my own) My rebbe and mentor, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zatzal (1903-1993) known as "the Rav," by his followers and disciples, expanded upon Onkelos' analysis as presented by the Ramban and stated: It appears from Onkelos' understanding that the Festivals are called "mikra kodesh" because great, lofty and exalted events took place on these days. For example: the Exodus, the Giving of the Torah, and matters similar in kind. The essence of the holiness of the Festivals is rooted in the wonders and miracles that the Holy One blessed be He brought about on these days. [In conjunction with this idea, we must note] that the Departure from Egypt is not simply the rationale for the Festivals; rather, it is the fundamental basis of their essential holiness and qualitative nature as chosen days. We may adduce a proof: We mention the phrase, "a remembrance of the Departure from Egypt," in each and every Kiddush – whether it is recited over a cup of wine or in the liturgy. This indicates that this commemoration represents the fundamental underpinning for the holiness of, and for, each mikra kodesh. (Shiurim l'Zacher Abba Mari, Volume I, pages 151-152, first edition), translation, bolding, and brackets my own) In contrast to the interpretations we have examined thus far, Rashi's grandson, Rabbeinu Yaakov ben Meir (Rabbeinu Tam, 1100-1171), took an entirely different view in his understanding of mikra kodesh. Unlike his grandfather, who stressed the importance of positive actions that personify the uniquely holy character of the chagim (holy days), Rabbeinu Tam stressed the importance of refraining from melacha (creative physical activity) based upon the Beit Din (Court of Law) having declared this day to be one that is endowed with holiness: It appears in Rabbeinu Tam's view that we call such days "mikra kodesh" because we recognize that the Beit Din has sanctified the day – and we refrain from doing melacha because of the holiness of the day (kedushat hayom). Such a day, however, is not called "mikra kodesh" when the cessation of creative activity is done for a reason other than the holiness of the day – such as out of mere laziness to undertake melacha. (Tosafot, Talmud Bavli, Shevuot 13a, s.v. lo karu mikra kodesh) Here, too, we can look to the Rav for insights as to how we can best understand the deeper meaning inherent in Rabbeinu Tam's position: Rav Soloveitchik zt"l expanded on this interpretation of Rabbeinu Tam that a person's motive for refraining from melacha is essential.Chazal (Berachos 20b) teach us that women are obligated to recite Kiddush on Shabbos according to the Torah. Notwithstanding Kiddush being a time bound positive mitzvah from which women are usually exempt, there is a halachic connection between Kiddush and the prohibition of melacha, in that whoever is forbidden to do melacha on Shabbos is obligated to recite Kiddush. This halacha is derived from the tradition that the terms "Shamor" and "Zachor" used in the Torah concerning Shabbos were recited simultaneously by Hashem. "Shamor" refers to the prohibition of melacha where "Zachor" is the source for the positive obligation to recite Kiddush. The connection between Kiddush and melacha is not only a technical one concerning who is obligated to perform the mitzvah of Kiddush. Kiddush is linked to melacha because the purpose of Kiddush is to make a verbal declaration why we are refraining from melacha. Rather than merely taking a day off from work, we begin Shabbos with an affirmation, through our recitation of Kiddush, that Shabbos is a mikra kodesh. As such, refraining from melacha on both Shabbos and Yom Tov is only complete if accompanied by Kiddush. (Rabbi Sobolofsky, "Mikra Kodesh," underlining my own) Given the different approaches to mikra'ei kodesh that we have presented and analyzed, it is manifestly evident that our Mo'adim (Festivals) are multifaceted in their essence and nature. Beyond a doubt, each mikra kodesh emerges as a holy and supernal gift bestowed upon our people by the Master of the Universe. Therefore, with G-d's beneficent love and help, may we be zocheh (merit) to honor His mikra'ei kodesh with the respect and dignity they deserve Acharei Mot - Kedoshim 5773, 2013: Judge Your Fellow Man Favorably You shall commit no injustice in judgment; you shall not favor a poor person or respect a great man; you shall judge your fellow with righteousness. (Sefer Vayikra 19:15, this and all Bible translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) Our underlined phrase, "you shall judge your fellow with righteousness," is found in the second of the two parshiot we read this Shabbat. As noted in Talmud Bavli, Shevuot 30a, one of the interpretations of this expression is the obligation to judge our fellow Jews in a favorable fashion: "Our Rabbis taught: 'You shall judge your fellow with righteousness' - judge your neighbor to the side of merit (Hevay dan et chaverchah l'kaf zechut)." This idea is echoed in the famous words of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Perachyah, head of the Sanhedrin in the latter half of the 2nd century BCE: "Establish a permanent and lasting connection with your Rabbi, acquire a friend (i.e. intimate confidant), and judge all people in a meritorious manner." (Pirkei Avot 1:6) At first blush, it appears that the exhortation to "judge all people in a meritorious manner" may very well be a morally positive act devoid of any clear halachic mandate - i.e., a mere description of ideal behavior that lacks prescriptive force. In reality, however, nothing could be further from the truth. No less than two 13th century giants among the Rishonim (11th-15th century Torah Sages), the anonymous author of the Sefer HaChinuch and Rabbeinu Yonah in his Shaarei Teshuvah (Gate III, section 218), assert that the action (ma'aseh) of judging one's fellow to the side of merit is a fulfillment (kiyum) of "…You shall judge your fellow with righteousness." Therefore, it is a positive Torah commandment that is counted in the Taryag Mitzvot (613 Commandments). Accordingly, the Sefer HaChinuch states: Moreover, included in this commandment [you shall judge your fellow with righteousness] is the concept that it is fitting and proper for everyone to judge his friend in a positive way. As such, he should only interpret someone's actions and words in a virtuous manner… The underlying reason inherent in this mitzvah is to engender peace and good will between all people. We, therefore, find that the essence and overall intention of this Divine directive is to facilitate peace in the communities of men – through fair, generous, and righteous judgment – replete with the removal of any doubts regarding the intentions of their fellow man's actions. (Rabbi Chaim Dov Chavel edition, Commandment 217) Rabbeinu Yonah (op. cit.) provides us with a well-defined roadmap for implementing this commandment in our daily lives: Behold, when you see someone that says a certain thing, or performs a particular action wherein you can judge his words or actions in either a negative or positive manner, if the one who has performed this act is known to be a G-d-fearing individual (yireh Elokim), then you are obligated to judge him as being absolutely guiltless in this behavior. This is the case, even if the matter – upon due reflection – logically appears to place him in the category of one who is, indeed, guilty. If the individual who has performed the questionable action is considered to be on the middle level (bainoni) of human behavior i.e., wherein he usually is careful and holds himself back from sinning – yet, on occasion, does sin – here, too, one should remove his doubts regarding the actor's undefined conduct and judge him as being guiltless. (Underlining my own) Fulfilling this commandment, and the concomitant development of the middah (ethical characteristic) of judging one's fellow man favorably, were deemed to be so important in the overall scheme of Jewish living that our Sages declared: "One who judges his fellow man in a positive manner will be rewarded by having the Omnipresent One (haMakom) judge him in a positive fashion." (Talmud Bavli, Shabbat 127) Therefore, Rabbeinu Yonah concluded this section with the following words: "[In the case of the bainoni,] if the action appears to be negative in nature, you should perceive it as only being doubtfully so (k'mo safek) – and do not judge him as being guilty." It should be noted that we extend the benefit of the doubt only to the yireh Elokim and the bainoni. A rasha (one whose behaviors are deemed to be consistently negative and in purposeful violation of the Torah's ethics and values) who performs problematic actions, however, is judged as guilty in order to protect the fabric of society from being ripped asunder. Rabbi Baruch Halevi Epstein (1860-1941), author of the monumental commentary on the Torah entitled, Torah Temimah, opined that the halachic principle underlying the Torah obligation to judge all men favorably is that of chezkat kashrut (the pre-existent assumption of positive status). Fascinatingly, this legal concept is partially echoed in American jurisprudence wherein the general operating norm is the presumption of innocence: presumption of innocencenoun a fundamental protection for a person accused of a crime, which requires the prosecution to prove its case against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. This is opposite from the criminal law in many countries, where the accused is considered guilty until he/she proves his/her innocence or the government completely fails to prove its case. (Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill, The above sources and commentaries allow us to understand Chazal's (our Sages) prologue to each chapter of Pirkei Avot: "Every member of the Jewish people has a share in the World to Come, as the text states: (Sefer Yeshiyahu 60:21): 'And your people are all righteous, they shall inherit the land forever. They are the branch of My planting, the work of My hand in which to take pride.'" (Underlining my own) May each of us be zocheh (merit) to judge our fellow man favorably and with mercy and compassion. Then, we, too, will be among those about whom our Sages declared: "One who judges his fellow man in a positive manner will be rewarded by having the Omnipresent One (haMakom) judge him in a positive fashion." Tazria-Metzora 5773, 2013: Kol Yisrael Chaverim (All the Jewish People areFriends) major focal points of our parshiot is the spiritual malady manifested in a physical fashion, known as tzarat. This disease is unidentifiable with any of the skin ailments that exist in our own time. As such, Rabbi Shmuel ben Meir (Rashi's grandson known as the Rashbam 1080-1158), introduces our topic in the following manner: All of the sections dealing with the afflictions (negayim) affecting people, garments, houses and the manner in which they appear as well as the number of days requiring sequestering, the white, black, and golden identifying hairs may not in any way be understood by following the simple and direct meaning of the text. Neither may we rely upon standard human knowledge and expertise. Instead, we must follow the analysis (midrash) of the Sages, their decrees, and the inherited body of knowledge that they received from the earliest Sages. This is the essence [of this mater]. (Translation and brackets my own) In a word, the only way to understand tzarat is from the Torah-spiritual viewpoint, rather than from a medical-dermatological perspective. Tzarat is a major part of the general body of Jewish Law known as Tumah and Taharah (Laws of the Ritually Impure and Ritually Pure). An entire section of the Mishnah is entitled "Taharot" ("Purities"), and page after page of the Talmud discusses the intricacies of this fundamental area of Halacha. Unfortunately, however, very few people today, regardless of their level of intellectual acumen and scholarly achievement, have mastered this area of study. Likewise, the Rambam (1135-1204), in his paradigm-changing work entitled Commentary on the Mishnah, noted this lacuna of knowledge in his own time: And you know that today, because of the multiplication of our sins, that if you were to encounter the leaders of the yeshivot throughout the Jewish people, and all the more so, those of the various synagogues, you would find that this entire subject remains difficult for them. This is the case, [even though] there are many explicit Torah verses and Mishnaic passages [that deal explicitly with this area of Halacha] and sources that are even clearer and simpler than these works. Maimonides attributed the ignorance of the Laws of Tumah and Taharah to the lack of Torah scholars who devote their time to this study, and to the difficulty of this material: You should not be amazed by this situation at this time of Exile and by the lack of concerted study of this material – since it is a direct result of too few scholars engaged in its study. [Moreover,] we have already found that at the time of the Beit Hamikdash (the Holy Temple) and during the period of the Prophets, that they were in doubt regarding matters pertaining to Tumah and Taharah… Even the kohanim who served in the Beit Hamikdash who perforce needed to know these laws more than anyone else, because of the great effort needed to know [and master] the Laws of Tumah and Taharah – since many of these laws pertain solely to the Beit Hamikdash and its holy items - [remained confused in this area of Halacha]. (Introduction to Mishnah Kalim, ed. Rabbi Yosef David Kapach, p. 22, translation and brackets my own) Little wonder, then, that the Rambam made the study of this subject an essential part of his literary legacy. As such, he meticulously examined each and every detail of this category of Halacha – both in the Commentary on the Mishnah and in his magnum opus of Jewish jurisprudence, the Mishneh Torah. Given the complexities and concomitant stringencies that often accompany the Laws of Tumah and Taharah, one is nearly thunderstruck by the following Mishnaic/Talmudic passage found at the end of Talmud Bavli Chagigah, folio 26b: To Hallowed Things. A Tanna taught: They [i.e. the unlettered and unschooled - amei ha'aretz] are trusted in regard to large [and certainly small] earthenware vessels for hallowed things. Why is this? – Because no furnaces were erected in Jerusalem {and, therefore, no vessels could be constructed]. During a festival also in regard to Terumah [the amei ha'aretz were believed regarding the Laws of Tumah and Taharah] Whence is this deduced? — R. Joshua b. Levi said: Scripture Says: So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, associated as one man (Sefer Shoftim 20:11, entire translation, The Soncino Talmud, with my brackets and emendations) The phrase "During a festival also in regard to Terumah " is nothing less than amazing. Suddenly, the unlettered and unschooled were granted the same level of credibility (ne'emanut) in regards to the complicated Laws of Tumah and Taharah as the greatest Torah scholars. This is the case even though, by definition, the amei ha'aretz were denied this self-same status during the entire remainder of the year! As noted, the Talmud bases this remarkable halachic shift upon a pasuk (verse) that appears in Sefer Shoftim 20:11: "And each person of Israel gathered to the city as one individual – as friends." As Rav Pinchas Kehati zatzal (1910-1976) noted in his monumental commentary on the Mishnah: "The text [of Sefer Shoftim] at the time of the gathering together of all the people calls them all 'chaveirim' ('friends')." In addition, "… since the Festival is a time of gathering together, from here we can learn that even the amei haaretz were considered to be ritually pure at this time – no less than the sophisticatedly trained individuals." In my opinion, our Mishnah is teaching us far more than an essential and crucial point of Jewish jurisprudence pertaining to the Laws of Purities and Impurities. I believe it is also teaching us an approach as to how we should perceive and encounter our fellow Jews. Unfortunately, we live in an age of manifest pirood (split). Each one of us, even if we do not label ourselves, is labeled and defined by others as to what kind of Jew we are and where we stand on the religious/non-religious/not-yet-religious spectrum. The result of this kind of thinking is alienation and disaffection from our fellow Jews. Instead of banding together in love and tolerance, we are split by groundless hatred (sinat chinam) and distrust of one another. In stark contrast, the Mishnah and Talmud remind us of what binds us together, and what is truly important: Kol Yisrael Chaveirim (All the Jewish People are Friends). If we can remember this message, and put it into everyday practice, we will be well on our way to building the kinds of bridges of understanding that are necessary to bring the Mashiach (the one and only Messiah). Tzav – Shabbat Hagadol 5773, 2013: Rabbi Soloveitchik Encounters Rabban Gamliel: Two Questions The Haggadah is a trans-historical multi-layered document that is the product of numerous Jewish cultures both in Israel and the Diaspora. Thus, on many levels, it may be viewed as one of the preeminent post-Tanach (Hebrew Canon of Scripture) works since it so effectively captures the pathos, ethos, hopes, and visions of the entirety of our people. Little wonder, then, that it has always been, and continues to be, the focal point of the Passover Seder experience. This leads us to ask an essential question: "Excluding actual quotes from the Bible, what is probably the most ancient and fundamental section of the Haggadah?" I believe that a very legitimate answer to this query is the portion of the Haggadah popularly known as "Rabban Gamliel hiyah omer," ("Rabban Gamliel used to say"): Rabban Gamliel used to say: Whoever does not mention these three things on Passover does not fulfill his obligation, and these are they:
the Passover-offering (Pesach),
unleavened bread (Matzah),
and bitter herbs (Maror).
[The] Passover-offering [is offered] because the Ever-present One passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt. Unleavened bread [is eaten] because our forebears were redeemed from Egypt. [The] bitter herb is [eaten] because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our ancestors in Egypt. (Mishnah, Talmud Bavli 116a-b) Rabban Gamliel's initial statement: "Whoever does not mention these three things on Passover does not fulfill his obligation," immediately grabs our attention. Taking this phrase at face value, it appears that the obligation in question is that of Sippur Yitziat Mitzraim (the re-experiencing and retelling of the Pesach story). What exactly is Sippur Yitziat Mitzraim? In broad strokes, my rebbi and mentor, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903-1993), known as "the Rav" by his students, described the underlying narrative of the Exodus, and the consequent mitzvah for it to be retold "… as the story of Jewish destiny for all time – the eternal story of an eternal people. (Public lecture, March 1977, transcription my own) Thus, even though there are countless commentaries and halachic analyses concerning Rabban Gamliel's statement, the direct explanation of his assertion seems to be that somehow, and in some yet to be determined manner, "the eternal story of an eternal people" will not be adequately told if one fails to explicitly mention Pesach, Matzah, and Maror. The question, of course, is "Why?" The Rav was fond of the analytical and conceptual distinction between a nisa (object) and a nosa (subject). The former is something or someone acted upon, whereas the latter is an actor in the historical drama we call life. At first blush, we look at Pesach, Matzah, and Maror as mere objects that must be consumed during the Seder (i.e. inclusive of the Korban Pesach when the Holy Temple is extant). Yet, in a creative tour de force, Rav Soloveitchik perceived each of these items as a nosa, as an active participant in the mitzvah of Sippur Yitziat Mitzraim: Sippur Yitziat Mitzraim is a blend of storytelling, Torah teaching, and eating symbolic food items. It is a fusion of the spoken word and the physiological functions of eating and drinking, the intermingling of physical pleasure with Torah debate, the combining of the word of G-d with an activity motivated by biological pressure and characteristic not only of man but of animals. Eating the paschal sacrifice, mazzah and maror constitutes a double mizvah. The mizvat akhilah, physically consuming these items, is per se, a religious performance, a maaseh kiyum mizvah. But eating the Pesach, mazzah, and maror is also the instrument or medium of Sippur Yitziat Mitzraim, telling the story of the Exodus. We narrate the story not only through speech but through eating as well. [Therefore,] in order to fulfill the mizvah of sippur in the most perfect manner, one must interpret and explicate the symbolic meaning of Pesach, mazzah, and maror. (Based upon the March, 1977 public lecture, as recorded in Rabbi Menachem Genack's, The Seder Night: An Exalted Evening, pages 92-93, bolding, underlining, and brackets my own) To clarify, and as I remember having heard when I attended the lecture myself, Pesach, Matzah, and Maror are far more than mere objects; instead, they are actual subjects and mesapprim (story tellers) of the Sippur Yitziat Mitzraim. The second query that we might well ask on this Mishnah pertains to the order of the listed items. The Rav asked precisely this question in one of his lectures on Passover and the Haggadah: Why is the order of the three Mitzvos recorded as Pesach, Matzah and Maror? What is the significance of this sequence? Historically, it would be more accurate that the order be Maror, Pesach, and Matzah, as the bitter torment preceded the Korban Pesach, and both preceded the baking of the Matzos, which took place on the day of the 15th? The sequence that the Haggadah provides is that of the importance of the Mitzvos. Pesach is the primary Halacha; [whereas] the Mitzvah of Matzah is dependent upon that of Korban Pesach… However, there is a second Mitzvah of Matzah, that of eating it with Maror… Maror has no Torah obligation today, for it is completely dependent upon the Korban Pesach; Maror is only a Rabbinic commandment when there is no Korban, and it thus is last in the sequence… This is the meaning of the sequence that we have in our Haggadah. (Transcribed from a public lecture by Rabbi Aton Holzer, Pesach to Go, Nissan 5768, page 22, underlining, brackets, and editing my own) Once again, the Rav illuminates a classic exegetical and conceptual problem inherent in Rabban Gamliel's statement. True, were we to focus primarily upon the historical pain and suffering of our Egyptian forebears, the order should have been Maror, Pesach, and Matzah. Yet, as significant as the crucible of misery that the 210 years of slavery represents, the everlasting and supernal nature of the mitzvot must take precedence. Therefore, since "the Mitzvah of Matzah is dependent upon that of Korban Pesach," Pesach, perforce, must be mentioned prior to Matzah, with Maror constituting the final part of the triumvirate. With Hashem's help, may we be zocheh (merit) to experience the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu (our Righteous Messiah), the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple), and the ingathering of the Exiles of our people, so that we may once again joyously offer the Korban Pesach, and eat our Matzah and Maror in the manner that the Torah prescribes. Then, and only then, will our Sippur Yitziat Mitzraim finally achieve true perfection. May this time come soon and in our days! V'chane yihi ratzon. Shabbat Shalom and Chag kasher v'sameach!Parashat Vayikra 5773, 2013: Korbanot: The Meaning for Our Time Many authentically observant Jews are deeply conflicted about the reinstitution of animal sacrifices. Korbanot, as a class of mitzvot that Hashem commanded, present them with no particular problem per se, i.e. they theoretically accept the obligation to perform these mitzvot with the same respect that they have for all other commandments. The problem for them, however, resides in the return of the practice of the korbanot. On the emotional level they honestly feel that modern man is alienated from this form of "ancient and bloody" worship. Therefore, they experience a psychological disconnect between what the Torah commands and their 21st century persona. I honestly believe this observation to be an accurate one, regardless of how many drashot (Torah homilies) end with a statement of hope for the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu (the true Messiah), the ingathering of the exiles, and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash (the Holy Temple) - even though these events will unquestionably bring about the reestablishment of the korbanot. As the Rambam (Maimonides, 1135-1204) states: King Messiah will arise in the future and return the kingship of David to its former greatness and glory. He will rebuild the Holy Temple and gather all of the exiles to the Land of Israel. All of the laws will be in effect during his days just as they were in earlier times. We will [once again] offer korbanotand keep the laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years just like all of the other laws stated in the Torah. (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 11:1) In my estimation, the absence of an ardent desire to reinstitute the korbanot is based upon a fundamental lack of understanding of the nature of their meaning. On measure, the purpose of this form of worship seems elusive to many. As a result, many of our commentators have wrestled with explanations for the korbanot that could be "heard" by their generation. In my opinion, Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch's analysis, as found in his commentary to Sefer Vayikra 1:2, offers a trenchant treatment of this difficult and seemingly arcane subject. Rav Hirsch begins his discussion of the word "korban" by suggesting, "We have no word which really reproduces the idea which lies in the expression korban." He explains that defining this word by the term "sacrifice" completely fails to denote its authentic meaning. Moreover, since sacrifice "…implies the idea of giving something up that is of value to oneself for the benefit of another, or of having to do without something of value…" it is actually diametrically opposed to the meaning and essence of korban. Even the term "offering" fails to communicate what the Torah means by our term: "Also the underlying idea of 'offering' makes it by no means an adequate expression for korban. The idea of an offering presupposes a wish, a desire, a requirement for what is brought, on the part of the one to whom it is brought, which is satisfied by the 'offering'. One can not get away from the idea of gift, a present. But the idea of a korban is far away from all this." If a korban is neither a sacrifice nor an offering, how is it to be defined? Rav Hirsch suggests the following: It is never used for a present or gift, it is used exclusively with reference to Man's relation to G-d, and can only be understood from the meaning which lies in the root krv. Krv means to approach, to come near, and so to get into close relationship with somebody. This at once most positively gives the idea of the object and purpose of hakravah (drawing close) as the attainment of a higher sphere of life. [Emphasis my own] This concept of korban as the vehicle whereby one obtains "the attainment of a higher sphere of life" is the essence of Rav Hirsch's understanding of our term. The idea of approaching Hashem in a true I-Thou relationship (in Martin Buber's sense) via the korban thus "…rejects the idea of a sacrifice, of giving something up, of losing something, as well as being a requirement of the One to Whom one gets near…" The makriv (he who brings the korban) has an overwhelming desire to draw near to his Creator, to communicate, as it were, with Him. The makriv, therefore, earnestly wants to have something representing himself "come into a closer relationship to G-d, that is what his korban is…" From this perspective, the korbanot emerge as a symbolic fulfillment of the celebrated second verse of the Shema: "And you shall love the L-rd, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your means. Therefore, the goal of a korban is to enable "kirvat Elokim, nearness to G-d" which, by definition, is "the attainment of a higher sphere of life." Dovid HaMelech (King David) taught us a powerful and poignant lesson when he declared: "kirvat Elokim li tov" ("Closeness to G-d is what is truly good for me," Sefer Tehillim 73:28). This, as Rav Hirsch so eloquently opines, is the purpose of a korban. With this in mind, and with our Creator's help, may we be zocheh (merit) to read and study Sefer Vayikra with both newfound joy and understanding, and may each of us once again long for the reinstitution of the korbanot in Hashem's soon to be rebuilt Beit HaMikdash Vayakel – Pekudei - HaChodesh, 5773, 2013: Mirrors, Mirrors, On the Wall - and in the Mishkan shlaimah of Yosef Shmuel ben Miriam. You [Moshe] shall make a washstand (kiyor) of copper and its base of copper for washing, and you shall place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water therein. (Sefer Shemot 30:18) And he [Bezalel] made the washstand (hakiyor) of copper and its base of copper from the mirrors of the women who had set up the legions, who congregated at the entrance of the tent of meeting. (Ibid. , 38:8) He [Moshe] placed the washstand (hakiyor) between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and there he put water for washing. (Ibid. , 40:30, these and all Bible and Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) These three pasukim (verses) are found, respectively, in Parshiot Ki Tisa, Vayakel, and Pekudei. Each speaks about the kiyor, the washstand that was in the Mishkan (Portable Desert Sanctuary). The middle verse, however, differs from the other two in that it describes the origin of the copper from which the kiyor was fashioned: "... from the mirrors of the women who had set up the legions, who congregated at the entrance of the tent of meeting." This is a perplexing statement to say the least, and it begs to be interpreted. We can readily ask three questions: 1 What was the original purpose of the mirrors? 2 Who were "the women who had set up the legions?" 3 What or who were the legions? It is to these questions that we now turn. Rashi, the Prince of Commentators (1040-1105), addresses all of our inquiries in his famous comment on Sefer Shemot 38:8: from the mirrors of the women who had set up the legions: Heb. הַצֹבְאֹת בְּמַרְאֹת Israelite women owned mirrors, which they would look into when they adorned themselves. Even these [mirrors] they did not hold back from bringing as a contribution toward the Mishkan, but Moses rejected them because they were made for temptation [i.e., to inspire lustful thoughts]. The Holy One, blessed is He, said to him, "Accept [them], for these are more precious to Me than anything because through them the women set up many legions [i.e., through the children they gave birth to] in Egypt." When their husbands were weary from backbreaking labor, they [the women] would go and bring them food and drink and give them to eat. Then they [the women] would take the mirrors and each one would see herself with her husband in the mirror, and she would encourage him with words, saying, "I am more beautiful than you." And in this way they aroused their husbands desire and would have relations with them, conceiving and giving birth there, as it is said: "Under the apple tree I aroused you." (Megillat Shir HaShirim 8:5) This is [the meaning of] what is הַצֹבְאֹת בְּמַרְאֹת [lit., the mirrors of those who set up legions]. From these [the mirrors], the washstand was made, because its purpose was to make peace between a man and his wife… (Emendations for clarification my own) Let us now analyze Rashi's forthright and compelling exegesis of our verse: 1. "The mirrors of the women who had set up the legions" refers to the mirrors our female forebears used in Egypt to make themselves as attractive as possible to their spouses. Our male ancestors had all but given up hope regarding the possibility of a Jewish future. Their despondency, in conjunction with almost total physical exhaustion, lead them to separate themselves from their wives – thereby potentially ending the prospect for a new generation. The women refused to accede to their husbands' dire prognostication and acted in such a manner as to ensure that a new generation of Jewish children would enter the world. In our Sages estimation, these Jewish women were authentic champions of the spirit. Little wonder, then, that Talmud Bavli, Sotah 11b states: "Because of the reward of the righteous women [for having and raising children under nearly impossible conditions] that were in that generation [i.e. the final generation in Egypt bondage], the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt." 2. "The legions" refers to the children born to the heroic Jewish women immediately prior to the Exodus from Egypt, whose lamrot hakol (against all odds and obstacles) attitude guaranteed the survival and future of our people. 3. Moshe, and by extension the entire Jewish people learned an invaluable and eternal lesson from the interchange that he had with the Holy One blessed be He. G-d created us with two inclinations, namely; the yatzer hatov (inclination intrinsically dedicated to altruistic behaviors and mitzvot performance) and the yatzer hara (the predisposition inherently dedicated to selfish behaviors and "doing whatever you want"). Prima facie, one might have thought that only the first one could be used to serve the Almighty. As Rashi on Sefer Devarim 6:5 notes, however, nothing could be further from the truth: And you shall love [the L-rd]: Perform His commandments out of love. The one who acts out of love cannot be compared to the one who acts out of fear. If one serves his master out of fear, when the master sets a great burden upon him, this servant will leave him and go away [whereas if out of love he will serve him even under great burden] (Midrash Sifrei 6:5). With all your heart: Heb. לְבָבְךָ בְּכָל [The double "veth" in לְבָבְךָ, instead of the usual form לִבְּךָ, suggests:] Love Him with your two inclinations [the good and the evil]. (Midrash Sifrei; Talmud Bavli Berachot 54a) … Therefore, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him [Moshe], "Accept [the mirrors], for these are more precious to Me than anything because through them the women set up many legions in Egypt." In other words, Hashem taught Moshe and the entire Jewish people for all time that even the yatzer hara can and should be used to serve our Creator. May we, like the holy and visionary Jewish women of Egypt, be zocheh (merit) to serve Hashem with both the yatzer hatov and the yatzer hara, and may the mirrors upon our walls ever be placed in the sanctuaries of our hearts. In that way, may we experience the coming of Mashiach Tzidkanu (the Righteous Messiah), the ingathering of the Exiles, the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash (the Holy Temple), and the complete fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy: "And the L-rd shall become King over all the earth; on that day shall the L-rd be one, and His name one." (Sefer Zechariah 14:9) Ki Tisa - Parah, 5773, 2013: Judaism and the Concept of Freedom Now the tablets were G-d's work, and the inscription was G-d's inscription, engraved on the tablets. (Sefer Shemot 32:16, this and all Bible translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) Rabbi Yehoshuah ben Lavi noted: It says in SeferShemot 32:16: "And the tablets were the work of G-d, and the writing was the writing of G-d (charut) engraved upon the tablets." Do not read the [non-vocalized] word as charut (engraved), instead read it as cheirut (freedom). [This is so] since there is no one who is truly free except for one who engages in Torah study. Moreover, anyone who involves himself with Torah on an ongoing basis will be elevated… (Pirkei Avot 6:2) Rabbi Yehoshuah ben Lavi's Midrashic-level understanding of our verse equates engagement in, and loyalty to, the Torah with the highest heights of human freedom. This, in turn, leads us to ask a crucial question: "What is the Torah's idea of freedom?" I believe that our understanding of the Torah's concept of freedom may be advanced by two terms developed by Sir Isaiah Berlin (1909-1997), in his 1958 Inaugural Lecture delivered before the University of Oxford. In this lecture, published under the title "Two Concepts of Liberty," Berlin uses the terms "liberty" and "freedom" interchangeably (Isaiah Berlin, Four Essays on Liberty, Oxford University Press, 1971, page, 121). In the course of his discussion, he identifies and defines "negative freedom" and "positive freedom." He begins by noting that: "Like happiness and goodness, like nature and reality, the meaning of this term [freedom] is so porous that there is little interpretation that it seems able to resist." He suggests the following definition for negative freedom: I men beyond a certain minimum, I can be described as being coerced, or it may be, enslaved. …Coercion implies the deliberate interference of other human beings within the area in which I could otherwise act. You lack political liberty or freedom only if you are prevented from attaining a goal by human beings (page, 122). In stark contrast, he defines positive freedom in the following manner: I wish my life and decisions to depend on myself, not on external forces of whatever kind. I wish to be the instrument of my own, not of other men's acts of will. I wish to be a subject, not an object; I wish to be somebody, not nobody; a doer-deciding, not be decided for, self-directed and not acted upon by external nature or by other men as if I were a thing, or an animal, or a slave incapable of playing a human role, that is of conceiving goals and policies of my own and realizing them…. I wish, above all, to be conscious of myself as a thinking, willing, active being, bearing responsibility for my choices and able to explain them by references to my own ideas and purposes (page, 131). I believe that we can utilize Berlin's concept of negative freedom to help us understand what the servitude in Egypt, and the Exodus therefrom, represented. As slaves to Pharaoh, we were "unfree," coerced. We were trapped in a ceaseless cycle of misery and angst wherein others interfered with our most basic activities. We were obstructed by our taskmasters and prevented from attaining nearly all of our goals. The Exodus from Egypt, therefore, allowed us to enter into negative freedom, wherein: "no man or body of men interferes with my activity." In short, we were no longer coerced; we were no longer slaves "incapable of playing a human role." We were free from the misery and servitude imposed upon us by our merciless Egyptian overseers. Yet, this political liberty was just the beginning of Hashem's plan for our people, a necessary step toward the next stage of freedom: positive freedom. As a nation, we achieved positive freedom when we received the holy Torah. Suddenly, by the grace of HaKadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One Blessed be He), we were transformed into a nation of subjects instead of objects. After 210 years, we were finally able "to be conscious of [ourselves] as thinking, willing, active being[s], bearing responsibility for [our] choices." We became capable of "conceiving goals and policies of [our] own and realizing them." Most of all, we had a lens through which all of our desires, hopes, and dreams could be viewed: the Word of G-d Himself. This was, and is, the most positive concept of freedom that one can imagine. For Rabbi Yehoshuah ben Lavi, the study and practical application of the words of our Creator and His earthly representatives (Chazal, our Sages) is, by definition, the ultimate act in which a truly free individual can engage. Why? Perhaps it is because by challenging ourselves to understand His Torah, we come to encounter Hashem. With awe and humility we recognize the total otherness of our Creator, while simultaneously striving to comprehend His words and the thoughts and concepts they contain. Like Yaakov Avinu, we know that when we study Torah, and live by its precepts, we are entering into a place that is so holy and so filled with the Divine Presence that our innermost-beings must declare: "Mah norah hamakom hazeh" ("How awe-filled and awe-inspiring is this place," Sefer Bereishit 28:17). Rav Tzadok HaKohen Rabinowitz of Lublin (1823-1900), in his work, Pri Tzaddik, offers a fascinating understanding of our initial pasuk (verse): When the Torah states: "...engraved – charut - on the tablets," we should interpret this as meaning to have freedom – chairut - from the Angel of Death (Midrash Shemot Rabbah 32:1). The Angel of Death is explicitly identified in Talmud Bavli, Baba Batra 16a as the Evil Inclination… As it is stated in Pirkei Avot 6:2: "… there is no one who is truly free except for one who engages in Torah study. Moreover, anyone who involves himself with Torah on an ongoing basis will be elevated…" [Why did Rabbi Yehoshuah ben Lavi make the preceding statement? This is because] beyond a shadow of a doubt, the moment of Giving of the Torah was equivalent to the Creation of all creatures - when the Almighty fashioned man in absolute moral perfection. This is the case since, at the time the Jewish people heard the first utterance of the Ten Commandments, "Anochi" ("I am the L-rd your G-d"), the Torah became permanently affixed in their hearts (Midrash Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:15), and they achieved the final stage of perfection. From this point onward, the Jewish people's hearts would constantly be joined to the recognition of Hashem's awesome stature and to His love – may He be blessed. Moreover, henceforth, the Jewish people would no longer need physical tablets of stone – since, all the words of the Torah were now engraved forever on the tablet of their hearts. May we all be zocheh (merit) to have the words and concepts of our holy Torah engraved upon our hearts. Then, with G-d's help, we will be truly free. | eng | ac7aaebd-d6ce-4624-a43d-0fa04f390c2a | http://www.reparashathashavuah.org/ |
As well as celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity this month, on May 22, we are also on the eve of another international climate change conference: the 34th session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), which are responsible for providing advice and guidance for the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The two bodies will be meeting in Bonn, Germany from June 6 to 16.
The issues of climate and biodiversity are, in fact, very closely linked. Climate conditions enabled the development of the rich biodiversity of life on earth, which took two million years to reach its current state. The climate crisis and its devastating impacts are threatening biodiversity and drastically impoverishing the world's ecosystems today.
The importance for the world of the conservation of biodiversity continues to be underestimated and undervalued by the parties to the climate change convention. While there is renewed emphasis on tropical forests at the international level, this is not due to their biodiversity, but rather their capacity to store carbon and to serve the interests of the countries that have historically contributed the most to global warming and yet refuse to take responsibility by adopting measures to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This extremely limited and deceptive view of forests has given rise to a mechanism known as REDD: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Promoters of this mechanism claim that it will also contribute to preserving the world's biodiversity. But is this really true?
In the first place, it should be stressed that very often, biodiversity is associated only with tropical forests. Nevertheless, while legal protection of most of the world's forests is already rather precarious and inefficient, the situation is even worse for other ecosystems that are also hugely important in terms of their wealth of biodiversity, such as mangroves, savannahs, grasslands, and others. Because they are less protected, these ecosystems are more rapidly destroyed to make way for shrimp farms or monoculture plantations of sugarcane, soy beans, oil palms and eucalyptus trees. As a result, while short-term profits are the only consideration, biodiversity continues to be destroyed – in tropical forest areas and elsewhere – without full awareness and recognition of its importance for the future of the planet.
Another basic problem is that the populations who have traditionally lived in ecosystems such as forests, mangroves, savannahs and grasslands are commonly excluded from them, as if they did not form an integral part of biodiversity. As a consequence, there is no consideration of the coexistence and knowledge of local populations on every continent, or of their relationships with the ecosystems that they depend upon for their survival and quality of life. For these populations, the ecosystems in which they live are essential as a means of providing everything they need for their nutrition and health, as well as for maintaining their ways of life.
In order for the upcoming negotiations in Bonn to give rise to sound advice and guidance for the implementation of the climate change convention, there must be recognition not only of the importance of biodiversity for humanity, but also acknowledgement of the fundamental presence of human beings as an integral part of biodiversity in every ecosystem. This means that initiatives to prevent deforestation must include such measures as recognition of the rights of local populations over their lands, where they have traditionally coexisted with the forest and with other ecosystems. However, in many of the plans drawn up by the governments of countries with tropical forests to obtain financing through REDD, the rights of the people who live in the forests are not recognized. On the contrary, these people are often accused of being mainly responsible for the destruction of forests.
Yet what we see in practice is that the governments discussing and implementing REDD continue to insist, at the same time, on maintaining a model of development that continues to destroy the planet's biodiversity, and on the discourse of the need for "sustainability" and actions to combat climate change. And so in areas of high biodiversity, they continue building and implementing new mega-dams and industrial monoculture tree plantations, new mining operations and logging concessions, new highways and oil wells. Those who are mainly responsible for this ongoing destruction are in fact big corporations, and transnational corporations.
In order to effectively confront these destructive activities, we once again urge the SBI and SBSTA to consider what forest peoples on every continent have demanded time and time again: the recognition of their rights over their lands and over the forests where they live, and full involvement in the design and implementation of biodiversity conservation policies in their regions, as well as the strengthening and expansion of local economies based on multiple use of forests – something that these peoples have practiced for centuries, without causing destruction. Without a doubt, this is the route to follow.
Certification has become a perverse tool in the hands of big corporations that are using it like a "green seal" to impose intrinsically damaging systems of production that become a menace to valued ecosystems. This is happening now to a highly biodiverse ecosystem like mangroves.
Several.
Having participated themselves in one of the so-called "shrimp aquaculture dialogues," these opposing NGOs have verified a worse case scenario whereby a predetermined end product - certification standards for farmed shrimp - is overriding any fair and inclusive stakeholder or resourse user involvement in that process. Instead, the majority of those attending these "dialogues" were shrimp industry representatives, and local resource users. The vast majority of those affected by shrimp farming were noticeably absent from the entire three year process. This lack of local community input into the "dialogue" brings the whole effort to certify farmed shrimp into serious contention, especially contradicting WWF's stated claims that its standards represent the affected local communities.
Mangrove Action Project, along with other Conscientious Objectors to the whole flawed "aquaculture dialogue" process have tried unsuccessfully to convince WWF and its allies to not release its standards under the banner of "social and environmental standards," as this is just not fairly representative of their mainly technical standards which at most might be labelled Best Management Practices (BMPs) only.
However, one of the big arguments we have with WWF, in addition to our contention that there is no local community input to the standards, is that WWF has not tried to directly alert its wide membership and the public in general to avoid the unsustainable cheap consumption of shrimp. If consumers of farmed shrimp would simply reduce their demand for the product, there would be an immediate reduction in the expansion of the industry, and consequently a reduction in the damage done by these resource hungry shrimp farms, thus greatly lessening the adverse effects of this ever expanding industry that encroaches upon new and unspoilt grounds.
Furthermore, industrial shrimp farming is largely an unsustainable and destructive process that should not be condoned by any existing standards as "more sustainable." The industry that WWF hopes to certify is mainly an open, throughput system of aquaculture that actually degrades the very ecosystems and resources needed to support it in the first place.
In the last 30 years, the rapid and largely uncontrolled expansion of the shrimp aquaculture industry has led to immense environmental and social problems, which have only recently been brought to light. Among the most serious problems is the degradation and loss of natural coastal resources. Unsolved pollution problems still plague the industry, despoiling once fecund waters of nearby estuaries and inshore coastal bays. Formerly rich fishing grounds are being impacted, and vital fish breeding and nursery habitat are being lost to the encroaching shrimp farms.
The overall setup processes and operations of industrial shrimp aquaculture are tremendously disruptive to the delicate and complex balance of coastal ecology. Vast stretches of invaluable mangrove forests are cleared to make way for shrimp ponds. Shrimp farms replace diverse, multiple resource environments with large-scale mono-culture operations. Worldwide, over a million hectares of valuable mangrove forests have been destroyed by shrimp farming alone--and this in only the last two- three decades!
Other important coastal habitats, such as mud flats, sea grass beds, and coral reefs have been degraded or ruined. Also, once productive farmlands have been left fallow, and important waterways and underground aquifers have been dangerously contaminated. .
Industrial shrimp aquaculture first destroys the local means of livelihood and ruins longstanding jobs by removal of the mangroves and salinization of the lands where traditional livelihoods such as farming and fishing are no longer viable options for most.
This $40-$60 billion megalith is itself fed by the gross appetite of unwary consumers in the North that the same industry so cleverly created with its successful promotion of cheap imported shrimp. Industry proponents assume there is no other way but forward with shrimp production in the South because there are no longer other options, while they also assume there is no better way to feed the North's growing appetite for seafood than via shrimp imports from the South. Certification turns into a profitable permit for industrial shrimp farming companies, which find a way of "greenwashing" their image and even find a new market for concerned consumers in the North.
In an Open Letter addressed to the committee members of the WWF-led Aquaculture Dialogues (1), activists from more than 40 organizations around the world denounce the intention of the ShAD General Steering Committee (ShAD/GSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council's (ASC) to establish standards for shrimp aquaculture certification which will mean the perpetuation of "unsustainable and destructive open-throughput systems of aquaculture -- with a legacy of 400,000 hectares (and counting) of abandoned ponds in producer-nations".
The Conscientious Objectors say that ShAD "puts too much trust in the industry to monitor and regulate itself. The certification programme depends upon an untried and untested auditing system. Other critical aspects of the process too require a "leap of faith" -- that previously disastrous practices will miraculously reverse their effects once the ShAD standards are released."
The open letter, which will be circulating for signatures for 2 months, reflects the determination of the activists that "have unanimously decided that we cannot support the ShAD General Steering Committee (ShAD/GSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council's (ASC) intentions or actions towards establishing standards for shrimp aquaculture certification".
Often hidden, neglected or unknown, the underlying causes of deforestation are multiple and varied. And even odd.
Maybe many people are rather familiar with the idea that overconsumption in high-income countries constitutes a major underlying cause of deforestation but not so aware that pet's consumption patterns share responsibility for the dissappearance of forests.
According to The Guardian (1) a new study for the British Department of Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – Mapping and Understanding UK Palm Oil Use (2) – reports that Great Britain imports more than half a million tonnes of palm oil a year but even more palm kernel meal – a lucrative by-product of the production of palm oil. Palm oil comes from the oil palm's fruit, while kernel meal comes from palm nuts. Great Britain imports five times as much kernel from Indonesia as palm oil and more than a tenth of all the world's palm kernel meal mostly for animal feed.
"British cats, dogs, cows, pigs and even goldfish are helping destroy the rainforests of south-east Asia", says The Guardian, pointing to manufacturers of animal feed AB Agri, owned by Associated British Foods, and BOCM Pauls, plus the commodity trader ED&F Man as major actors.
Oil palm is mainly grown on large scale tree plantations. Malaysia and Indonesia have become the largest producers and exporters of palm oil. In those countries the expansion of the industrial plantations of oil palm that cover millions of hectares has decimated forests and encroached territories of indigenous communities (see WRM Bulletin 134).
The oil palm business also has heavy impact on the environment as a consequence of the several million tons of solid oil wastes, palm fiber, and shells it causes as well as other several million tons of palm oil mill effluent, a polluted mix of crushed shells, water, and fat residues that have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. Further, most palm- oil cultivation need the use of petroleum-based pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers thus not only polluting on a local level but also contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. (3)
A medium-size dog has roughly twice the ecological footprint of a Toyota Land Cruiser, say New Zealand Robert and Brenda Vale (4). (An ecological footprint is the average amount of land and sea required to create a product and then absorb its waste).
It's not about starving pets but reflecting on how pets in rich countries have become another market niche where the environmental costs of (over) consumption are hidden and big corporations reap unaccountable profits.
- Brazil: Environmentalists murdered in the Amazon and debate over a new Forest Code: Impunity must end!
On May 24, environmental activists José Cláudio Ribeiro da Silva and Maria do Espírito Santo, who were husband and wife, were shot and killed near their home in the southeast of the state of Pará, in the Amazon rainforest region of Brazil. As leaders of the National Council of Extractive Workers (CNS), formerly known as the National Council of Rubber Tappers, they fought for the sustainable and diversified use of the forest and against illegal logging and deforestation. Their murders are two more on a long list that seems never-ending…
The logging industry, which yields exorbitant profits, is at the root of this violence, and continues to be a direct cause of significant deforestation in the Amazon region. Further deforestation is caused by large landholders clearing new pastureland for cattle to supply the huge meat-packing plant established in the region, financed by the Brazilian government through the state-owned Brazilian development bank, BNDES, and run by big transnational corporations in the meat marketing industry. Brazil is already the world's leading exporter of beef, and the Brazilian government has set a goal of doubling beef exports this decade.
Other industrial interests, like the expansion of soy bean plantations to produce animal feed for industrialized countries and biodiesel for the domestic market, iron and bauxite mining, and hundreds of planned hydroelectric dam projects like Belo Monte in Pará, promise to destroy hundreds of thousands more hectares of forests, along with all their natural wealth and biodiversity. Added to this is the pressure exerted by the expansion of sugarcane plantations for ethanol production, which the Brazilian government aims to increase several times over. Although this expansion is concentrated in the central-western area of the country, where it is contributing to the destruction of the Cerrado tropical savannah ecosystem, it is displacing the cultivation of other crops and pushing them towards the Amazon region, leading to yet more deforestation.
This is the background to the current heated debate in the Brazilian Congress over one of the most controversial bills proposed in recent years: the reform of the country's Forest Code, spearheaded by Deputy Aldo Rebelo. The bill was passed by the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Brazilian Congress, on May 24 – the same day as the brutal murder of the two environmental activists. It will now move up to the Senate.
What is the Forest Code?
The current Forest Code is a 1965 law that stipulates, among other provisions, that the owners of all rural landholdings in Brazil must maintain a certain percentage of the native forest on their property as a "legal reserve", which cannot be cut down. The percentage ranges from 20% in the Mata Atlântica or Atlantic Forest region to 80% in the Amazon Rainforest region. In addition, the Code includes the category of Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs) for forests in particularly sensitive areas such as riverbanks and the tops and slopes of hills. For instance, depending on the width of a river, the Code stipulates that a strip of at least 30 metres along its banks must be protected from deforestation.
Why are changes to the Forest Code being discussed?
Currently, the vast majority of farmers do not comply with the stipulations of the Forest Code. The situation is most serious when it comes to large agribusiness landholdings in the Amazon. Almost none of their owners respect the requirement to preserve 80% of the forest cover on their properties as a legal reserve. This has become increasingly obvious as Brazilian federal government agencies have stepped up monitoring, control and the application of fines in recent years.
What are the changes proposed?
The reforms proposed by Deputy Rebelo include, among others, an amnesty for landowners who illegally deforested areas that they were required to protect as legal reserves up until July 2008. They also include the reduction of the size of legal reserves and PPAs, opening the way for further deforestation. Legal reserves would no longer be required whatsoever on landholdings of up to four "rural modules" (the equivalent of 400 hectares in the case of the Amazon region). And, to the benefit of tree plantation companies, up to 50% of deforested legal reserves can be "recovered" through the establishment of monoculture plantations of exotic tree species, such as eucalyptus. Moreover, this so-called "reforestation" would not need to be carried out on the specific landholding in question, but could take place elsewhere in the region, allowing for vast areas of nothing but monoculture plantations. The proposed changes would also take away jurisdiction over environmental management from the federal government.
The reforms proposed by Rebelo serve the interests of large landholders in the agribusiness sector, who are represented in Congress by the so-called ruralista bloc of lawmakers. They are pushing for a thorough revision of the Forest Code that will allow them to further expand their operations and will grant an amnesty for fines already handed out for illegal deforestation – some of which are owed by ruralista deputies and senators themselves!
In the meantime, social movements representing rural workers, environmentalists and scientists want to maintain the current Forest Code and would like to see complementary measures to guarantee the protection of the environment and small-scale family farming, which is in a completely different class from the large-scale operations of the agribusiness sector.
What is at stake?
What is at stake is the struggle for the conservation of forests and water resources in Brazil versus a "developmentalist" model that serves the interests of the logging industry and big national and transnational agribusiness companies, who want larger areas of land to fill with cattle, soy beans, corn, eucalyptus trees, etc. as well as an amnesty, in other words, impunity for those responsible for illegal deforestation. It should be mentioned that according to reports from monitoring agencies, deforestation rates in states like Mato Grosso have begun to rise at a frightening pace in the last few months, after years of consistently decreased rates. In addition to an amnesty for illegal deforestation that has already taken place, if the proposals of the ruralista bloc are passed, tens of thousands of hectares of forest could be legally destroyed, undermining all of the good intentions and efforts aimed at reducing deforestation, which Brazil so proudly publicizes both nationally and internationally.
Finally
In 1965, when the current Forest Code was adopted, the protection of biodiversity was already an important argument in its favour. Today, however, there is the added importance of the role of forest conservation with regard to climate change, which is primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions from industrialized countries but is aggravated by deforestation, which further contributes to carbon emissions. The impacts of climate change affect everyone, but they particularly affect the most vulnerable sectors of the population, not to mention the increased flooding that will inevitably result if forests in fragile areas like riverbanks, hilltops and slopes are cut down because they are no longer protected as PPAs. And once again, it is the most vulnerable sectors who will be hardest hit.
Brazil's territory encompasses the largest tract of rainforest in the world, and the country strives to portray itself internationally as a champion of the environment and a "green" economy. Maintaining and strengthening the current Forest Code is crucial for preserving this rainforest and thereby protecting the future of the planet, and especially the future of Brazil and the local, indigenous and traditional communities who struggle to defend it.
Maintaining the Forest Code also means fighting back against the endless greed for profits of the large landholders, logging companies and national and transnational agribusiness corporations who are destroying this priceless natural resource. This was the struggle waged by José Cláudio and Maria. To ensure that their struggle was not in vain, we must defend the current Forest Code, and cannot allow an amnesty for those guilty of deforestation and destruction – first and foremost, the large landholders. At the same time, we demand a thorough investigation of these murders and, above all, rigorous punishment for those who killed José Cláudio and Maria and so many others who have lost their lives in the struggle to defend the Amazon rainforest.
By Winfridus Overbeek, International coordinator of World Rainforest Movement, e-mail: winnie@wrm.org.uy
After almost five month's of dithering, Indonesia's two-year forest moratorium started this month. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono faced a choice between two options: one version of the moratorium would have prevented new concession in all forests and peatlands; another version applied only to primary forests and peatlands. Yudhoyono chose the second.
The fact that the moratorium was welcomed by Asia Pulp and Paper, a company with one of Indonesia's worst records for forest destruction, indicates just how little companies will have to change from business as usual as a result of the moratorium.
There was the possibility that existing concessions (of which there are a very large number in Indonesia – many of which overlap and many of which are illegal) could be, at least, reviewed. It seems extremely unlikely that this will now happen. An indicative map is part of the presidential instruction that brings the moratorium into force (or farce as one commentator puts it). The indicative map shows the area of primary forest and peatlands that is to be protected for the two-year period of the moratorium. Huge white areas are carved out of green area representing primary forest, particularly in Papua – these represent existing concessions. Two national parks in Sumatra are completely omitted from the map.
The already weak moratorium is filled with loopholes. Existing concessions are specifically excluded from the moratorium, as are concessions that have already "received approval in principle" from the Minister of Forestry and the extension of existing permits. "National development" projects are excluded – the presidential decree includes a list: geothermal, oil and gas, electricity, land for rice and sugar cane.
The moratorium is part of Norway's US$1 billion dollar REDD deal with Indonesia. Norway has also promised US$250 million to Guyana and US$1 billion to Brazil.
In March 2011, members of civil society and members of parliament in Guyana wrote to Norway's Minister of the Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim. The letter listed "eight key problems with the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Guyana and Norway". Part of the problem is that deforestation is increasing in Guyana and the first project in President Bharat Jagdeo's Low Carbon Development Strategy is a controversial hydropower dam in the middle of the rainforest. Construction of the access road has started, but is way behind schedule and the project is plagued with allegations of corruption and mishandling of funds.
The letter generated a large amount of discussion inside and outside Guyana. Almost two months after receiving the letter, Solheim replied, but wrote that, "It will not be possible to go into the details of your letter here". Now Solheim has received another letter, requesting that he provides a detailed reply to the eight problems.
In Brazil, things are looking even worse. The rate of deforestation, which had fallen in recent years, shot back up this year. In March and April, nearly 593 square kilometres of forest were cleared – an increase of 470 per cent compared to the same two months last year.
One possible reason for the dramatic increase is that the increase in deforestation is the fact that the government has been discussing dramatically weakening the country's forest code. Ranchers are clearing forest anticipating that the weakened forest code will be passed and that an amnesty will be granted for previous illegal logging. On 24 May 2011, Brazil's House of Congress approved the amended forest code. It now goes to the Senate and, if approved there, requires the approval of Brazil's president Dilma Rousseff.
The debate surrounding Brazil's Forest Code (see article in this issue) reveals one of the perverse incentives of REDD. Governments with good laws in place, with good governance and with decreasing rates of deforestation stand to gain little from REDD. But with deforestation soaring, Brazil might just do very well out of REDD.
Meanwhile Brazil continues to push ahead with the Belo Monte hydropower dam, that has been opposed for 20 years by the indigenous peoples living in the Xingú watershed. Brazil is also pushing to include "forests in exhaustion" in the clean development mechanism – a proposal that amounts to no more than a subsidy for industrial tree plantations.
Two great videos came out recently in Europe, highlighting different problems with the way REDD is currently developing. The first, produced by a Dutch TV programme, Keuringsdienst van Waarde, looked into carbon offsets and found that they could buy an area of Brazil's rainforest for as little as one cent per square metre. The programme is fascinating, in turns shocking and funny, and raises a series of problems with the idea of carbon offsets.
For the second video, journalists from the London-based magazine Don't Panic went undercover to see just how far Conservation International would go to help greenwash polluting corporations. Their first problem was that CI already works with a list of Corporate Partners that looks like a who's who of planetary destruction, including ArcelorMittal, BHP Billiton, Cargill, Chevron, Goldman Sachs, Kimberly-Clark, McDonald's, Monsanto, Rio Tinto, Shell and Wilmar International.
Don't Panic's journalists pretended to be representatives of Lockheed Martin, the world's biggest arms manufacturer. Conservation International's representative didn't see any problems and suggested a "carbon offset strategy" and that "Lockheed Martin" could "offset" its polluting and deadly operations by buying a forest in Madagascar, Asia or Africa. Don't Panic wanted to find out whether Conservation International is "any more than a green PR company?" The answer, clearly, is no.
The Shawi indigenous people, also known as Chayhuitas, live in the territory made up by the basins of the Paranapuras and Cahuapanas Rivers, located in the provinces of Alto Amazonas (in the region of Loreto) and San Martín (in the region of San Martín). Distributed among 180 communities, the Shawi share a system of social organization and symbolic representation. Traditionally hunters and gatherers, they also practice agriculture, growing crops like cassava, corn, beans, rice, peanuts, bananas, pineapples, papayas, cotton and tobacco. (1) They also raise poultry and small animals, in addition to cattle. They market rice, peanuts, corn and beans, and currently practice fishing as well.
Like many other indigenous peoples, the Shawi suffered the horrors of Spanish colonization, struck down in droves by weapons and disease and forced into slavery. Independence from Spain did little to improve their lives: the Amazon rubber boom brought with it the tyranny of the rubber barons.
Years later, in 1974, the Law on Native Communities recognized the right of indigenous peoples in Peru's Amazon region to collective ownership of their territories, although this was limited to the lands immediately surrounding established settlements. In 1977, however, the Forestry and Wildlife Law prohibited the titling of land designated as "suited to forestry" within the area of indigenous communities; this land would instead be transferred to state ownership. This measure totally undermined the rights of Amazon indigenous communities, since practically all of the land in the vast forested plain of the Amazon basin is "suited to forestry" and consequently, the indigenous peoples living there would be denied access to the forest, on which they largely depend for their livelihoods.
The Constitution of Peru recognizes the existence of native communities even when they are not registered as legal entities in public registers, but in order to obtain land ownership titles, communities must be officially registered. In accordance with the Law on Native Communities (article 11 of the Constitution), the state grants indigenous communities ownership titles for land suited to agriculture and the right of use for land suited to forestry. The land titling process for indigenous communities is extremely slow and bureaucratic, and is not viewed as a priority by the Peruvian government. In the meantime, activities like agriculture, forestry, oil operations and mining are rapidly expanding into territories where land titling remains pending. (2)
And in this context, Amazon indigenous communities have been hit with yet another violation of their rights.
On April 27, the Shawi people of the communities located in the district of Pongo de Caynarachi, in the province of Lamas, and the district of Papaplaya, in the province and region of San Martin – who are represented by the Shawi Indigenous Regional Federation of San Martín (FERISHAM) – denounced in an open letter that they have learned that a Korean company, ECOAMERICA, has applied for the registration and titling of more than 72,000 hectares of land, at a price of 80 cents [in the local currency] a hectare, for crop production, logging and livestock raising. The land in question is made up by the territories of two Shawi communities and one Kechwa community, who have ancestral rights to these territories and have been officially registered as legal entities. (3)
The company had submitted its application to the Commission for the Formalization of Informal Ownership (COFOPRI) in the province of Loreto, an agency whose existence was completely unknown to the indigenous communities and others living in the area. After a considerable amount of legal wrangling, the application has now been put on hold, pending a decision by the Constitutional Court.
In response to this situation, the Shawi people declare in their open letter: "Our native communities do not have property titles, we have only legal recognition, and we are in possession of our ancestral territories. It is not just for our community lands to be valued at 80 cents a hectare; they want to hand them over without understanding the significance of the spiritual life of nature, of the trees, of the animals that the Shawi indigenous people protect.
"We are not accustomed to resolving our problems with their laws, we are not part of the process, we do not exist for the government, we do not have the resources to defend ourselves in the face of this situation. No government authority complies with ILO Convention 169, which says that the territories of indigenous peoples must be respected and that governments must do what is necessary to ensure that they are respected. No government authority has issued a statement or intervened. What do we have to do to be heard, and to receive justice?
"The Shawi indigenous people are saddened and angered. Tomorrow we could lose our ancestors' territory, our mother earth, where we hunt animals and gather medicinal plants to cure our illnesses. The living forest helps us cover many needs. The government gives us nothing: the school has been abandoned, the children have no teachers. We are worried by the procedures that this company has initiated with regard to the forests, because we live at the headwaters of the rivers, and we believe we could be affected. We want peaceful dialogue, we want to be heard and our rights to our territory to be respected. We don't want to suffer another Baguazo (4) but we are prepared to fight for our lands. If we must we will seek justice in accordance with our own customs.
"We do not understand why the government would hand over our lands to this company without consulting us, in silence. We are not second-class citizens, we are Peruvians, citizens with other customs, with a different culture. For years we have been asking for the titles to our land and the demarcation of our territory. And yet the requests of this company, which is not even based in the country, are being attended to because of its economic power."
The Coordinating Committee for the Development and Defence of Indigenous Peoples in the San Martín Region (CODEPISAM) has endorsed this denunciation and stated, "For indigenous peoples, this is not a legal matter, rather it is the duty of the regional and national authorities to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, their territories, and their natural resources." (5)
But the efforts to strip Peru's indigenous and peasant communities of their land and forests are much more widespread and are also reflected in Bill 4141 for a new Forest and Wildlife Law. Dozens of indigenous and peasant farmer organizations recently joined together to voice their opposition to the proposed new law, which would violate their rights and promote the invasion of vast agro-industrial plantations. (6) The indigenous peoples and peasant farmers of Peru are standing firm and remaining alert to fight these threats to their rights and livelihoods.
- Chile: A disastrous forestry model with new "branches" in Latin America
What the big forestry companies have done with our territories in Chile is so devastating, so sad and so irreversible that it brings to the mind the "shock doctrine" described by Canadian author and activist Naomi Klein in her book of the same name (1). Using the same line of reasoning, we can state that in less than 30 years, our native forests have been steadily and systematically replaced by monoculture tree plantations under a model promoted during the Chilean military dictatorship and sustained over the following years by a predatory and unjust economic system which is so difficult to combat that today, now that is a fait accompli and continues to be upheld by surreptitious violence, we are simply in a state of shock.
The Chilean forestry sector is dominated by two business groups: CMPC, run by the Matte family, and Arauco, owned by the Angelini family. The assets and economic power of both families grow in size year by year. And this is not a minor detail; it is important to stress, because the huge profits made by these companies that control the entire export circuit (with more than 600 million dollars in revenues each according to their 2010 annual reports) have not been obtained through extraordinary entrepreneurial talent. Rather, they have been earned at the expense of enormous damage, most of it irreparable, to the natural ecosystems and the local communities who have lived since ancestral times (the Mapuche people) or for more than a century (peasant farmer communities and settlers) in the territories where tree plantations are concentrated (Regions VII to X).
Moreover, companies like Arauco acquired many of their industries and landholdings during the military dictatorship through privatization processes imposed on every sector in the national economy, leading to heavy losses for the national treasury (the total losses incurred by the Chilean state through the sale of state-owned companies are estimated at 7.8 billion dollars at today's prices). And if this were not enough, the big forestry companies have received millions in government subsidies to establish hundreds of thousands of hectares of monoculture pine and eucalyptus plantations, which have frequently been created by replacing native forests.
The "dance of the millions" we describe here is danced by only a small few: these hefty profits are not shared by the 133,000 workers in the forestry industry. According to a study from the Department of Labour of the Bio Bio Region (Region VIII), only 25% to 30% of forestry workers have permanent contracts and 82% live below the poverty line, as the predominance of sub-contracting has made it difficult to obtain collective bargaining rights.
While all of this is happening, the millions of hectares of tree plantations are feeding a forestry industry geared to export, which generated 5.4 billion dollars in revenues in 2008, raising the forestry sector's share of the country's total exports to 13%. In the meantime, in the same rural areas where tree plantations and the forestry industry prosper – Regions VIII, IX and X – UNDP human development index scores (based on income, health and education statistics) are the lowest in the country.
On top of all this: around 17.7% of Chile's national territory is covered with native forest, which represents, according to studies, less than half of the native forest cover before the arrival of the Spanish, and which continues to be destroyed today. Recent studies indicate that in the Los Ríos region, more than 20,000 hectares of native forest have been replaced by tree plantations in the last decade. Among its most recent scandals, Arauco was sentenced to making reparations for the environmental damage caused by the death of 33 specimens of araucaria, a native tree, to establish a plantation of exotic trees in the Bio Bio region. We should also mention the destruction of the Río Cruces Nature Sanctuary in southern Chile, for which the company was publicly sentenced and fined.
By way of example, we could cite the independent expert reports commissioned by Judge Gloria Hidalgo of the 1st Civil Court of Valdivia as part of the legal proceedings initiated six years ago by the government of Chile against CELCO-Arauco. Six independent experts – including a geographer, ecologist, biologist and chemical engineer – concluded that there is a direct link between the company's pulp mill waste discharges and the destruction of the Sanctuary. According to the experts, CELCO-Arauco has caused the ecological collapse of the wetlands, the "sudden and total death" of aquatic plants, the death of huge numbers of swans and other bird species, the loss of biodiversity, and a drastic increase in the contamination of the Sanctuary's waterways and sediments. (2)
Nevertheless, as if none of this had happened and was merely the figment of the imagination of a few individuals, the big forestry companies have continued to find endless means to further expand their influence. Arauco, the most powerful forestry company in Chile, has extended its tentacles to every single sector of society. One of the strategies it has used is to insert itself into the academic life of universities that train forestry engineers by funding infrastructure and research. The most recent case was this past March 30, when the School of Forest Sciences and Nature Conservation of the University of Chile and Celulosa Arauco Constitución (CELCO) joined together to cut the ribbon at the official inauguration of the university's new Arauco Pavilion – leading numerous organizations to join forces to circulate a letter of condemnation (in Spanish The company also participates in international fairs and spends millions of dollars on publicity campaigns with unscrupulous slogans like "Bosques de Verdad para Chile" ("Real Forests for Chile"), alluding to its tree plantations, among other strategies.
Arauco has expanded its forestry model to other parts of Latin America, as well. In 1996, it bought the largest forestry company in Argentina, Alto Paraná S.A. Now it has moved on to Uruguay: through a joint venture with the Swedish-Finnish company Stora Enso, it is preparing to begin construction on a pulp mill in the department of Colonia, which is scheduled to enter into operation in the first half of 2013. Arauco strives to portray itself as an international model for "sustainable development" of forestry products. It claims to express this vision through "the search for opportunities for sustainable growth" and "efficient management that is responsible to the environment, local communities and future generations." Well then, watch out Argentina and Uruguay, because in Chile, these principles have been systematically ignored.
(1) In her 2007 book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, Klein argues that free market policies have risen to prominence in some countries because they were pushed through while citizens were reacting to disasters and upheavals. She compares this economic shock doctrine to the original shock therapy, in which mentally ill patients were treated with the application of electric shocks.
When Kenyan Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai launched in 1977 the Green Belt Movement – promoting the planting of indigenous trees in forest catchment areas and riparian reserves, private farms with high community access, and public spaces to preserve local biological diversity – she was wary that that the introduction of exotic plant species can have a severe effect on the balance of the ecosystem.
Professor Maathai called for a ban on commercial eucalyptus tree plantations in the country on the grounds that their high rate of water demand was contributing to the depletion of water.
Not only Maathai is aware of the impact of eucalyptus plantations on water: "munyua mai" (water guzzler) is the name given by Maathai's native Kikuyu to the tree.
In 2002 fast growing species Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis had been introduced to Kenya from South Africa and planted in great numbers everywhere. Some years later the effect of eucalyptus on water was felt when water sources began to deplete.
In 2009, environment minister, John Michuki, issued the directive to cut down eucalyptus tree species growing near water sources in an attempt to lessen the impact of the drought that was ravaging the country.
However, Minister for Forestry and Wildlife, Noah Wekesa, has launched guidelines for farmers who want to plant different species of eucalyptus.
Maathai has accused Wekesa of failing to curb eucalyptus in highlands despite the adverse effect of the trees on the soil, the water cycle, biodiversity and local vegetation. She said the government should discourage all species of eucalypts in highlands and water catchments.
Wekesa said eucalyptus fulfils local timber demands because it grows fast but Maathai argued that there are alternatives like native bamboo, which grows very fast, takes in little water, holds soil together and stops erosion, and has proved very useful in many countries where it is widely used for construction besides food and medicine.
Standing far apart from the large-scale tree monoculture model, Maathai had already stressed the need to "expand existing proven and integrated tree-based practices such as combining conservation agriculture with agro forestry — what we might call "evergreen agriculture" (See WRM Bulletin 147). This would make it possible to achieve environmental benefits and sustainable food security and livelihoods. To achieve this will need sound decision support mechanisms from researchers — supported by policymakers for effective implementation — that builds on knowledge, partnerships and capacity."
The High Court in Kuching, the capital city of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak in the island of Borneo, has made a landmark decision when it ruled out on last 20 February that any joint venture agreement between a non-native and native in oil palm plantation is in contravention of the Land Code that provides that 'a person who is not a native of Sarawak may not acquire any rights or privileges whatever over native customary right".
The decision is a victory for plaintiff ethnic Ibans, natives of Sarawak in the Pantu Land district, who have sued The Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), Pelita Holdings Sdn Bhd, Tetangga Arkab and the state government of Sarawak on behalf of themselves and 90 others.
The plaintiffs claim to be entitled to native customary rights over land in an area that had been undertaken by the defendants to establish an oil palm plantation under a joint venture agreement.
The Court declared the Ibans are entitled to their claim to land under the argument that "the natives have been deprived of their native customary rights land which is a source of their livelihood and lost the rights to their property which are violations of Articles 5 and 13 of the Constitution".
And furthermore said that "It matters not that the landowners have been paid some dubious money of RM120.00 per hectare, a misery sum considering the fact that oil palm planted on their land had been harvested for more than three years."
The decision of the court has wide implications for more than 20 joint venture agreements between non-natives and natives in the oil palm plantations as well as for the almost 200 lawsuits pending in the Sarawak courts relating to claims by indigenous people on lands being used for oil palms and logging.
And quite important, it restrains the companies from "entering, occupying, clearing, harvesting or in any way howsoever carrying out works in the plantiffs' native customary rights land".
In Sarawak state, once covered by rainforest, first logging and later oil palm plantations have cut down forests displacing thousands of forest people, some of whom have lived for centuries by fishing, hunting and farming in the jungle.
For many indigenous people who want to preserve their communal way of life in long houses that each are home to some 400 people, this means defending the forests that sustain them.
An Iban group of Sarawak living in the riverside (1) is determined to defend their land and has rejected an offer from a palm oil company to pay each family around US$ 66 – a tiny amount even for people with simple means as them.
The village chief says it's not about the money. "We depend so much on the forest. We don't want to sell, the forest is not for sale".
- Uruguay: The power of the plantation and pulp company Montes del Plata
Montes del Plata is the name of the joint venture created for operations in Uruguay by two forestry, pulp and paper transnationals: Arauco of Chile and the Swedish-Finnish company Stora Enso. The two have joined forces to build and operate a pulp mill that will produce at least 1.45 million tons of pulp annually.
As a result of this merger, the Montes del Plata consortium became the largest landowner in the country. It controls 250,000 hectares of land devoted to monoculture tree plantations, which will provide the raw material needed by its mega-pulp mill.
On May 25, construction work on the mill was initiated in the town of Conchillas, in the department of Colonia, despite the fact that the company has yet to release the assessment of the social impact of its operations on the region that had been demanded by the Uruguayan government's environmental authority, DINAMA. The construction of this mega-project, scheduled to take two years, will involve the hiring of up to 6,000 workers at peak times – most of them foreigners, according to predictions – who will descend on a town of around 500 inhabitants.
On top of this, a Uruguayan publication recently leaked excerpts from a "secret" investment contract signed between Montes del Plata and the Uruguayan government, in which both parties are prohibited from divulging any information related to the agreement by a "confidentiality" clause.
The contract establishes exceptional and considerable economic benefits for a transnational investment that would not be available to any Uruguayan company. Hidden behind phrasing such as "the parties will make every possible effort to find solutions" are hours and hours of meetings between representatives of the company and the Uruguayan government, which were clearly a great success for the company. The agreement even stipulates that in the future, the company will be compensated for "significant changes in the tax regime or with regard to permits and authorizations which negatively affect the economic conditions of the project." To learn about some of the benefits established in the agreement see "The secret investment contract between the Uruguayan government and Montes del Plata" at:
The Uruguayan organization Grupo Guayubira, which has long opposed the expansion of monoculture tree plantations (and the pulp mills that accompany them) for their environmental and social impacts, has stated its condemnation of the manipulation and pressure exerted by this foreign company and warned that these types of negotiations threaten the country's sovereignty: "This secret contract defines the course of the use of the country's natural resources, its land management, its environment, essentially, the course of national development, conditioning the possibilities of intervention by Uruguayan society and the nation's sovereign action for a very long period of time." | eng | 28534b57-c0bc-4c6f-8df1-dd7721ce5323 | http://www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/166/viewpoint.html |
Hosni Mubarak seems to have gotten another
day to pursue his bold vision of remaining president of Egypt
for another day. After Mubarak declared his intention to stay in
office in a late-night address, President Obama called to deliver
what is being characterized as a
stern talking-to, which doesn't sound as stern as all that.
The fecklessness of U.S. foreign policy, in
contrast to the generally pro-protest tone of the American media
and (as far as I can tell) population, makes me wonder what all
this says about the American "street." As Reason's man about town
Charles Paul Freund wrote
extensively back in the days of the Bush Administration's
"Freedom Agenda," the choice between Islamists and dictators may be
a false choice. But one fact stands out: In all but one of the
places you can credibly claim a "Jasmine Revolution" is occurring,
the protesters are trying to bring down a government that is to
some degree (in the case of Egypt and Jordan, a very great degree)
an American ally. Only in Lebanon, where Hezbollah's procedural
takeover prompted violence from followers of Saad Hariri, was any
part of the pan-Sunni uprising tilted toward a U.S. friend. (And
Lebanon, which is dealing with its own cluster of catastrophes,
can't really be considered part of this movement.)
That's not an intractable situation. Mark LeVine
argues here that Obama needs to get past his aversion to
talking democracy, and Ronald Reagan's last-minute turn on
Ferdinand Marcos is still the great example of a successful
realignment of policy toward a teetering dictator.
The question is who's lined up to take over Egypt.
Ayman Nour, the Mubarak challenger who spent four years in
prison following the 2005 election, has reportedly been
injured in the demonstrations. Nobel laureate Mohammad
ElBaradei, who just two days ago seemed like a joker trying to
jump in with the winning side, has had his reputation
burnished by being
hosed down and put under house arrest by the regime. He also
has a history of opposition to U.S. policy that makes it hard to
tag him as an American puppet. But those are both long shots.
Mubarak's prisons hold plenty of innocent people and honorable
dissidents, but they also hold some of the
worst people on this planet.
Mubarak's going down at all is
another long shot. Apparently phone usage has been restored and
the internet can't be
turned off forever. But what is euphemistically called Egypt's
"extensive security apparatus" plays out in reality as a situation
where a great many people are implicated in the regime's crimes and
have a lot of incentive to keep it in place. In a world where you
can't even count on The New York Times to go out of
business, you can never underestimate the ability of a discredited
institution to linger.
Obama is not to blame for this. Nor was Bush, or Clinton, or the
other Bush, or any other president from living memory. You could go
all the way back to Franklin Roosevelt and his great ambassador
James S. Moose (who famously described Arabic as a language
that "opens the door to an empty room") and still not have the
first thread of America's potentate-oriented Middle East policy.
It's a long-ingrained habit, and it will take a long time to lose.
But you have to start somewhere.
And in answer to Michael Moynihan's calumny
against Omar Sharif, here's a lesson in what happens when you
try to kill the king and miss: Sharif as a Nazi with a conscience
in the fantastically great and almost totally forgotten Night
of the Generals't think of a single instance in his public life where
Obama has publicly favored freedom over government control. Of
course he would favor a tin pot dictator like Mubarak over the
choice of the Egyptian people. That is just how he rolls.
As much as I dislike BO, it's not necessary for him to really
oppose freedom to explain his foreign "policy". It seems more
likely he's just trying to keep the status quo going overseas (and
thus not get blamed for anything new happening) so that he can
concentrate on looting the treasury here at home.
I thought it was ridiculous and insulting when Bush gave up golf
as a way of "sharing the sacrifice" of the troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
But now that years have passed, it seems like more of a nice
gesture. Obama doesn't seem to be willing to give up any of the
comforts of his wealthy lifestyle no matter what happens. Perhaps
it's an old money vs. new money thing.
You don't have to hate democracy to think the devil you know
(Hosni) is better than the devil you don't know (Islamists).
Besides, given the hate of the US in the Middle East the US
President coming out for either side is probably like Obama
endorsing a GOP presidential nominee.
I'm afraid rights-infringing governments are all that's on the
menu, Cyto. As for the terrorism bedwet, we certainly have no right
to prop up a government that terrorizes its own people just to
allay our terrorism fears.
The menu I was speaking of was for an Egyptian government. The
choice isn't between a US-type government (which is decent [at
least domestically] despite a few rights infringing warts) and
tyranny, it's between one sort of tyranny or another.
And yes, America/Israel has the right to destroy any
government that supports terror against it.
I agree in principle, but the standard should be that there is
material support for an imminent, credible danger of a significant
attack, not simply a government leader mouthing off about how
terrible he thinks Israel or America is.
And keep in mind the possible MB government doesn't even exist
yet, so it ipso facto does not support terror.
Although there was
this story from back in July 2010 on Egypt, which noted in
passing:
The Obama administration ended support for a small fund
operated by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo that supported groups
promoting Egyptian democracy and that bypassed any clearance from
the Egyptian government.
That would be the money funding the activities mentioned in the
recent
Daily Telegraph article (note that the funding in the article
happened in 2008.)
One explanation seems to be that the Egyptian government found
out about it, and demanded that the Obama Administration stop
it.
It's hard to say whether the future will hold something better
than Mubarak when we don't know what the future holds.
It's more than just preferring the devil we know too--was Iran
under the Shah better than under the Mullahs? That's a question for
the Iranian people to answer, but it's a question American
presidents need to answer too.
There's no saying that Egypt will end up like Iran, but there's
no saying it won't either. I have a hard time imagining the Muslim
Brotherhood relegating themselves to the loyal opposition should
they lose an election, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or
shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her
prayers be.
But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.
She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of
all.
She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.
She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her
voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example.
She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than
her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she
would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the
wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and
ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of
freedom.
The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change
from liberty to force....
She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no
longer the ruler of her own spirit....
Furthermore, we do NOT have a right to keep oppressive
governments in power in other countries just to allay our
speculative fears about what might follow them. That I even have to
state this on a purportedly libertarian site is shocking. It's as
if the wonderful, holy, self-evident principles of the Declaration
of Independence are assumed to only apply on American soil.
How would you feel if Iran started interfering in our elections
because they thought a particular candidate posed a threat to them?
(And in the case of some candidates, the Iranians would probably be
more provably right about that.)
It's sad to see that your position on the mosque wasn't an
abberation, but evidence that you've fully swung to the neocon
side. Enjoy the company of your new pals, but stay away from the
urine stains on the mattress.
"Furthermore, we do NOT have a right to keep oppressive
governments in power in other countries just to allay our
speculative fears about what might follow them."
The sole legitimate function of government is protecting our
rights.
...from foreign threats among other things.
Make themselves a threat to the people of the United States, and
not only do we have a right, we have a duty to defend
ourselves.
I'm not a CIA analyst. I don't know how much of a threat the
Muslim Brotherhood et. al. pose to the American people. How many
times have I said that over the last 24 hours?
If they were a significant threat, then we had a right to defend
ourselves--and as bad as Mubarak was, he probably cost a lot less
and did a lot less civilian damage than some of the other
options.
We certainly shouldn't take any options off the table out of
concern for anything other than American interests! I feel very
strongly that American foreign policy should be run with American
interests in mind.
If the Muslim Brotherhood comes to power and we see some kind of
Iranian style theocracy--and they become an enemy of the U.S. like
Iran has?
I'll certainly support embracing that government if it's in our
best interests to do so.
American foreign policy should never include oppressing, or
aiding the oppression of innocent human beings unless there is a
clear and present danger of significant harm to individual
Americans. A Rube Goldberg sequence of events involving a
government that does not exist yet and quite possibly will never
exist does not even come close to meeting that threshhold.
America is not an ethnic-based nation, it is a nation based on
an ideal, that all humans have basic rights and should govern
themselves. It would be pragmatically ill-conceived for the US to
protect the rights to people outside our borders, but we certainly
shouldn't be involved in violating them ourselves! Again, I can't
believe I'm having to state this.
So all other countries have the right to invade us if we
contemplate invading them?
I get it, you're a neocon. Problem is you've been wrong about
everything since the dawn of time.
If you would understand cause and effect, you'd realize its your
very policy of invading countries worldwide that is creating the
very terrorists...which you purport to be the reason you need to
invade.
I gave specific examples--I talked about opposing the Iraq War!
How our foreign policy should be America's, not Iraq's, not
Egypt's, not anybody else's interest--but America's, and you think
I'm a necon?
No, you said that we should whatever is in our interest, even if
that is invading other countries...the same rational provided by
the neocons. You didn't think it was "wrong" to invade Iraq, you
just didn't think it was good "policy." See, even the neocons
disagree sometimes.
That said, if you were truly using a rational calculus, you'd
determine if invading countries had a worse effect in the long run,
even if it was helpful to invade them in the short term. Plus,
you'd consider the violation of international law, the obvious
deaths that would ensue, etc - and the fact that the gross majority
of invasions have failed to reach their "objective" or actually
promote democracy in the long run.
"No, you said that we should whatever is in our interest,
even if that is invading other countries...the same rational
provided by the neocons."
I never said we should invade whatever country that's plotting
against us--I said if anybody presents a security threat to the
American people, then wherever they are, that's our business!
I'm actually still a big believer in the Powell
Doctrine. I don't think we should ever commit troops unless we pass
all those tests.
I'm also a pragmatist. That sometimes means working with
unsavory types wherever our enemies happen to be--when it's in our
best interest to do that.
Tulpa suggested we don't have a right to use vicious dictators
against our enemies--I would argue we have a right and a duty to
protect the American people from those who mean us harm. ...in all
sorts of ways.
That makes me the opposite of a neocon. If supporting democracy
in some despotic country is in our best interests--I'm right with
that. But sometimes? We need to work with some unsavory types.
The regime in Pakistan isn't exactly my idea of a bunch of nice
guys. To whatever extent the official regime continues to work with
us against Al Qaeda and the Taliban? That's to our benefit.
Like I said, the regime in Pakistan--there probably aren't any
good guys in Pakistan to work with. So, what are we supposed to
do--nothing?! They have nukes!
I think it's in our best interests to work with them even if
they aren't nice people.
Again, that makes me the opposite of a neocon. If America
hating, Al Qaeda allies took control of the Pakistani government
and Pakistan's nukes, do you think I'd support them--just because
they came to power by democratic means?
Hell no!
Really, it's time to stop being so naive. We won the Cold War
with some pretty brutal pragmatism--a lot of which came back to
bite us in the ass. In other words, a lot of that really wasn't in
our best interest...'
Doesn't mean we should abandon all that stuff when it's in the
best interest of the American people.
"That makes me the opposite of a neocon. If supporting democracy
in some despotic country is in our best interests--I'm right with
that. But sometimes? We need to work with some unsavory types."
...which is why the neocons have us invading Iraq, and not Saudi
Arabia...
...listen, you're a neocon. You guys just can't agree on exactly
who to attack...but you are using the same shortsighted
framework.
And your shortsighted history of the Cold War further proves my
point...
You think the world is a game for the US imperialists to play
with - and we have more of a right to exist than anyone else. You
will kill every other person in the world if that's what it takes
to promote "our" interests...which i'm sure we can't even agree
on.
Your "morality" is so low it doesn't rise to the level of
repugnant. I'm glad you can live with that; i'm hoping the majority
of us can't, for humanities sake.
"It's sad to see that your position on the mosque wasn't an
abberation, but evidence that you've fully swung to the neocon
side."
My position on that stupid mosque was, is and always will be
that the jackhole building that thing is a jackhole for doing it,
but he should be allowed to build whatever he wants on his own
property--even if he wanted to build a memorial to the
hijackers!
I'm really bothered by the fact that you refuse to come out
against committing genocide to lower gas prices.
It's really not hard to see what American foreign policy
priorities should be:
1. Do not harm innocent Americans or deprive them of their civil
rights.
2. Counter any foreign material, credible, imminent threat of
significant harm to Americans.
3. Do not harm any innocent human beings or deprive them of human
rights, or support those who do.
4. Protect other American interests.
Well, as mentioned,
the Bush Administration was supporting the pro-democracy
Egyptians. But the
Obama Administration decided to end that support, and to only
channel funds through the Egyptian government directly rather than
upset our ally.
I feel the same way about this as I did about Iraq. ...in Iraq,
whether the invasion was worth all the Iraqi bloodshed wasn't the
primary question for Americans to answer. That was a question for
the Iraqi people to answer.
Our question is whether what we did in Iraq was worth it
relative to what we got out of it strategically in terms of
American interests, costs and especially American casualties.
I think Iraq is in Iran's orbit now. I opposed the war on those
strategic grounds at the time right here at Hit & Run, and I
opposed it on humanitarian grounds too. So much Iraqi bloodshed!
Seemed a high price to me.
I see Iran that way too. It's hard to imagine the Iranian people
wanting to go back to the time of the Shah, but American interests
are another question entirely.
The President had to decide whether supporting the Shah was
better for the American people--given the context of the Cold War.
If supporting the Iranian Revolution was in America's best
interests all along?
Then I'm all for the President supporting American
interests.
Somebody's gonna have to make that case though. If the new
government of Egypt comes in and it's a legitimate reflection of
the Egyptian people, then the Muslim Brotherhood will--at the very
least--have a big seat at the head of the policy table.
Somebody... Anybody? Say it's a necessary evil? Okay. But go
ahead and make the case about how the Muslim Brotherhood sitting at
the head of the policy table is a good thing by itself for the
American people, and...
I guess it's a never ending entertainment spectacle - that
Americans are 'responsible' for this, or 'caused' that, or can
'influence' some other thing.
Well, guess what. We can't, don't, and won't. Collectively 'we'
sit on the sidelines looking at our Boob tubes chattering away
about the shaky and grainy images presented to us by our media
outlets seeking eyeballs they can charge their advertisers for
hemorrhoid creams and hair lotions about.
Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt - they all totally depend upon how much
crap their people are willing to put up with, and what will make
them take to the streets and proclaim 'fuck this shit'. The mobs
will either get behind 'change' or just burn stuff down.
And there's not a goddamn thing anyone on this side of the
planet can do, except marvel in the sunshine of yet another fucking
day.
Only insofar as our clueless leadership class has mindlessly
thrown money at the currently top of the heap dog pack 'running'
shit in some other place besides here. Present American
'leadership' toadies are really only about responsible for not
peeing their own underwear (if they have any on) as they do a
reactionary tap dance feigning relevance to the media echoed tune
being covered wall-to-wall on just about every channel except the
fucking food network on television, and every column-inch of any
sort of textual information feed. The 'Hope and Change' that scares
the shit out of them at this poijnt is that folks may just catch on
that their only two real choices in the matter boil down to a)
shit, or b) go blind, because in actuality while they love to tell
themselves that the world would grind to a fucking halt on its axis
absent their glorious manna of wisdom from on fucking high, the
reality is that their activities really have about as much actual
impact on the larger scheme of things than two water beetles
preening and strutting because a leaf randomly fell into the
pond.
They're in no position, or of cognizant ability to do so at any
rate, to have any sort of 'role' other than clown car side show for
the events unfolding. Even 'effective' leaders could do little
better. But they keep up the noises in hopes that if the bunch that
ends up on the dogpile after all the barking is done with likes to
sniff butts and pretend niceties with our assholes what pretend to
be big shots, then they can claim credit, despite their
fecklessness, and if the dogs that run the pack tend to growl and
bare teeth in the end, they can pretend to be 'serious' and
'concerned' while promising to 'fix' things - in actuality about as
well as a diamond polisher using a 10 pound sledgehammer.
My greatest concern for Egypt is that any party that will take
over from Mubarak is likely to instil the wrong kind of economic
policies. They likely increase food and fuel subsidies, so that
less foreign reserves are available to purchase needed capital
goods from abroad. In such a situation, people will likely flock to
the populist Muslim Brotherhood, making things even worse.
Governor Brown is proposing the elimination of nearly
400 local redevelopment agencies (RDAs), which use a portion of
local property taxes in certain blighted areas to invest in
construction, redevelopment, and beautification projects. With the
state on the hook for reimbursing schools for that lost tax money –
to the tune of about $1.8 billion a year – Brown is suggesting that
California can no longer afford that cost.
He has come under criticism from dozens of mayors who say the move
will be catastrophic. Some have gone out of their way to call his
idea "hypocritical," in that Brown's own residential loft in
Oakland was an award-winning example of development funded partly
by the kind of agency Brown wants to eliminate. Moreover, Brown's
eight years as mayor of Oakland were arguably one of the most
ambitious urban-restoration periods in modern California
history.
"This budget proposal to eliminate redevelopment is more budget
smoke and mirrors that will bring little financial gain for the
state but will cause widespread and significant economic pain in
communities throughout California," wrote John Shirey, head of the
California Redevelopment Agency, in a statement.
These are government programs; of course they are
unequivocally beneficial to the community!
Where would beautification come from, if local development
agencies weren't there to provide it?
A program that allows airports to replace government
screeners with private screeners is being brought to a standstill,
just a month after the Transportation Security Administration said
it was "neutral" on the program.
TSA chief John Pistole said Friday he has decided not to expand the
program beyond the current 16 airports, saying he does not see any
advantage to it.
--------
But on Friday, the TSA denied an application by Springfield-Branson
Airport in Missouri to privatize its checkpoint workforce, and in a
statement, Pistole indicated other applications likewise will be
denied.
"I examined the contractor screening program and decided not to
expand the program beyond the current 16 airports as I do not see
any clear or substantial advantage to do so at this time," Pistole
said.
------
A union for Transportation Security Administration employees said
it supported the decision to halt the program.
"The nation is secure in the sense that the safety of our skies
will not be left in the hands of the lowest-bidder contractor, as
it was before 9/11," said John Gage, president of the American
Federation of Government Employees. "We applaud Administrator
Pistole for recognizing the value in a cohesive federalized
screening system and work force."
Many of the supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt
support them simply because they are the most organized opposition
to Mubarak. It's like a bunch of people voting for Kerry just to
get rid of Bush. It doesn't mean they liked Kerry.
Before we hear the words "systemic failure" again, we should take
another look at regulation-based security and recognize that
compliance with procedure is not enough when it comes to stopping
terrorism threats.
First, who is to say the Muslim brotherhood is that popular? It
amazes me how racist people are. Everyone on this board assumes
that the people who are doing this must want some kind of a whacked
out Muslim law. Bullshit. They want a government that doesn't
oppress the hell out of them. Maybe I am naive but I don't buy into
the fact that every disatisfied person in the middle east is just
dying for a fundementalist muslim government.
I would lay it as really low. The only real Suni theocracy in
the region is Saudi Arabia and they are likely to be next on the
chopping block after Egypt. I would also point to the experience in
Iraq. Al Quada tried to set up a theocracy in Suni areas that they
were able to contol in 2004 and 2005. And the Sunis after about
decided to hell with that shit and started working with the
Americans.
Most Muslims and Arabs are not fundementalist whackjobs. And
they don't want a fundementalist government. They may not want a
fully decadent western style culture. But they don't want a
theocracy either. Yeah, maybe the nut cases will have enough guns
to take over and enforce one. Most Russians didn't want a communist
state. But, if that happens it will be the result of the failure of
the majority to stop a fanatical minority.
It depends on what the Egyptian army decides, the real power
behind the throne. I could see, based on history going much farther
back, how such a unifying ethos could take hold. I maintain that
Islam, even so-called "moderate" Islam, is incompatible with either
direct democracy or a constitutional republic. When the Islamic
Martin Luther appears on the scene, I'll then lend much more
credence to your view.
And yes, Russians did want a strong, centralized authority, of
course after both Lenin and Stalin got through with them.
Iraquis worked with the Americans as a Hobson's choice, largely
using them to depose Hussein. "Enemy of my enemy is my friend" and
all that drivel.
I'm not sure which is funnier, your ignorance of the existence
of Muslim republics such as Turkey, or your crediting Martin Luther
for making democracy possible in Christendom. The Magna Carta was
written in a Catholic country, you know.
Gaia-worshipping, eco-theology is just SO compatible with
liberty and democracy.
As is the religion of psuedo-science and outright quackery, yes
so compatible as well. Read: Social "Science", climate "chaos", and
other tomfoolery.
And outright secular humanism, the religion of strong
centralized government with bureaucracy as deity. Nope, no
conflicts there.
And you are correct, Christendom, has more often than not, been
dragged kicking and screaming towards liberty and democracy
(wisely, regarding a direct democracy, IMO), but at least it got
there, and is now in danger of being snuffed out by the
aforementioned factors.
Christianity, while some of it's adherents do have issues with
liberty in the classical sense, i.e. busybody interloper types, I
still submit, of the aforementioned ethos, the Christendom is most
compatible with liberty and limited government.
Well, the jury's still out on my intelligence, but I'm
definitely not a Christian anymore, so the beliefs I state are not
mine. Indeed, they are not the beliefs of most Christians in the
US, as beliefs in the importance of freedom of speech and freedom
of religion have been grafted on top of more (small-o) orthodox
Christian beliefs that would seem to contradict that importance.
Thus, most Christians in the US are not really Christians in the
full sense.
OK, you got me there. I was speaking from a Catholic
perspective, which I believe also lines up with an
Orthodox/mainline Protestant perspective on that issue.
I assume you are a full-blown sola fide Protestant, in
which case I regret to inform you that your fundamental tenets fly
in the face of both early Christianity and pre-Christ Judaism.
Sorry, your argument is not with me, it's with the Epistle of James
("faith without works is dead").
Tulpa|1.29.11 @ 2:45PM|#Which is a fundamental mis reading or Christian theology. In
which, god gave humans the freedom to accept or reject him and no
government of men can claim to do what he did not, ie force
belief.
While liberty often leads to democracy, they are certainly
not synonymous.
I submit these terms suffer from great conflation and are
mutually exclusive. The Founding Fathers wrote extensively on this
subject and I also believe much of our current woes stem directly
from the ratification of the 17th amendment. Direct democracies
implode under mob rule.
Or maybe it is your paternal western liberal racism coming out.
In the end MNG, you leftists are all the same. You don't think
anyone can do well without the help of the good white man. Thank
you for continueing the centuries old tradition of white
supremacy.
What does the popularity of the Muslim Brotherhood have to do
with race? This is ideology not a race.
And no one is saying that every dissatified person in the Middle
East wants an Islamic theocracy. But then again, neither did the
disparate groups that united against a common enemy-- namely the
Shah-- during the 1979 Revolution in Iran. But that is what they
got.
At the University of California-Irvine, student Ricardo
Sparks, co-chairman of the university's Black Studio Union, lodged
a formal complaint when the Pippin Commons cafeteria tossed
together a last-minute meal and sign reading "MLK Holiday Special:
Chicken and Waffles" without university oversight, according to the
Los Angeles Times.
UC Irvine spokeswoman Cathy Lawhon acknowledged that the
cafeteria's choice of menu on Jan. 17 was not in "good taste," and
said all managers and chefs will undergo cultural sensitivity
training.
-MSNBC.com
WTF. Chicken and waffles is a big deal in the south. And it is
some good stuff to. What the hell is wrong with people? Chicken and
waffles is just good food that southern black people happened to
invent and like. What is insulting about that? Hell I bet MLK
himself enjoyed his share of chicken and waffles.
As true racism becomes more and more marginalized and
non-existant, it has and will be even more apparent that the cudgel
of race card will be applied to more and more ridiculous things and
will become examples of res ipsa loquitur in idiocy and
imaginary bogeymen.
"I didn't get what I want and when I did, it wasn't given the
way I want == TEH RACISM"
The race card is like welfare and power: insidious, addicting
and never given up willingly. Political correctness, your sown
seeds have be reaped.
I don't see anything in the blurb about racism, just it not
being in "good taste." And it probably wasn't a smart idea given
the history of the matter to do that. If you ran a business and
your manager did that for MLK day you'd probably call him in and
say "Man, c'mon and use your head dude" even if you thought it was
silly to get upset over it.
I mean, the only thing more tiresome than the outrage of
political correctness is the feigned outrage over the outrage of
political correctness. "Why I can't imagine what they thought was
wrong about that, why what thin skin they have, I'm outraged at
their outrage!"
The world's current economic model is an environmental
"global suicide pact" that will result in disaster if it isn't
reformed, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon warned Friday.
Ban said that political and business leaders need to embrace
economic innovation in order to save the planet.
"We need a revolution," the secretary-general of the U.N. told a
panel at the World Economic Forum on how best to make the global
economy sustainable. "Climate change is also showing us that the
old model is more than obsolete."
He called the current economic model a recipe for "national
disaster" and said: "We are running out of time. Time to tackle
climate change, time to ensure sustainable ...
growth."
Yeah, in fact why wait for the results? It's not like any of the
neo-cons' previous five-minute enthusiasms -- for democracy and
whiskey and sexy or the purple-finger revolution or the Beirut
"freedom babes" -- turned out to be premature.
Maybe it won't work out Tim. But I would rather be on the side
of the good than on the side of "keep the animals in the zoo under
a dictatorship". Which side are you on?
No one is saying invade Egypt. But why is it so damned hard for
you to admit that maybe the people in Egypt have the right to get
rid of their piece of this government and that maybe they aren't
all the fundementalist animals you apparently think they are.
Fuck you Tim. Really, fuck you. That any so called "libertarian"
would be fretting about a piece of shit like Mubarack finally
gettting his is pathetic.
Just what are you saying here? Do yout think the Egypitans would
rather live under Saddam? Do you think that the Egyptians have seen
Iraq and decided that tyranny is the wave of the future and that is
why they are revolting? Is it even possible in your mind for an
Arab to want a better government or better life? Or in your mind do
they all just revolt and constantly long for an even more muderous
and oppressive goverment?
What do you want the US to do? Send troops in to prop the
government up? Tell the Egyptians that "we know your government
sucks but we don't trust you crazy bastards to govern yourselves so
you are just going to have to take one for the team here"? That
really seems to be your position here.
I'm reacting to the suggestion that George W. Bush's Reverse
Domino Theory was right all along!
If there's anything nobody needs to poll for? It's the
Arab world's collective opinion of George W. Bush and his record in
Iraq.
It's in the toilet.
You know what one of the biggest things driving this is...?
Food inflation.
Not emulating Iraq.
If you told all those Egyptians that everyone was interpreting
their actions these past few days as an endorsement of George W.
Bush's Iraq policy? They'd have half a mind to go home, close their
doors and leave Mubarak to do his worst.
But they wouldn't do that--they'd probably just laugh. They'd
laugh and laugh and laugh.
84 percent favor the death penalty for any Muslim who changes his
religion.
Asked if they supported "modernizers" or "Islamists" only 27
percent said modernizers while 59 percent said
Islamists:
Forget democracy, that country is proper fucked. The only hope
for the (clearly very few) reasonable, thoughtful people who manage
to survive growing up in a society like that with their humanity
intact is to simply get the hell out and leave the country to the
backwards medieval mentality inculcated in the masses by a barbaric
religion based on the musings of a child molester.
I agree, unless of course they go the way of Turkey, all secular
and such. Fat Chance!
This Tulpa, is precisely why I referenced Luther and his Great
Protestant Reformation, which did eventually quell the great
majority of medieval fondness for torture and amputation so
prevalent in Islamic societies today. Not to mention imposition of
Sharia Law in societies they infiltrate and gain sizable
percentages of the population they inhabit. When such proclivities
and attitudes are tempered by some religious figure in a fashion as
Luther, then I will buy that Islam dominated society and liberty
are compatible.
Indeed, yet how often do you hear of the Jesuits, Benedictines,
Anglicans and other religious orders holding such views today, or
most Protestant groups openly advocating such barbarity, including
the Lutherans?
I have yet to hear of such repudiation from even so-called
"moderate" Islamic groups.
Retribution from whom? The current Egyptian government would be
more likely to exact retribution on those expressing a view deemed
too Islamist, not on those who fail to express such a view. If
anything that would tend to suppress the true support for
Islamists, not exaggerate it.
Nobody said the poll had anything to do with the regime or with
"local jihadist death squads." Obviously the question is who would
be more likely to pressure people to respond in a given way.
So who would a person be more fearful of knowing how one
answered a question - the all-invasive government that can shut
down internet and eavesdrop on phone conversations at will, or the
"local jihadist death squad"?
At any rate, poll numbers like these are not to be taken as
exact by any means. But, even if the numbers are off by a
significant amount (and who knows what direction they're off) the
original point stands. So what if only 70% want to stone women to
death? The barbaric mindset you're dealing with is still
pervasive.
Perhaps, instead of getting people to make your argument for
you, you should actually lay out the argument using facts,
statistics, and their relation to our current economic situation,
you passive-aggressive goon. Or would that simply cut into your
OKCupid and Reddit browsing time?
I have several times...tired of having to disprove every
false assertion.
Really? Where? I've seen a lot of commenting splooge on your
part, but no actual facts or evidence. Your primary MO seems to be
"Throw out a random academic theory, then try to make the
commenters prove a negative using the random theoretical framework
typed up out of thin air."
If you read between the lines,
What is this, relationship counseling? Save the mind-reading
exhortations for your neglectful boyfriend.
i just proved that our country can handle much more debt
than we actually have,
You do realize part of that debt was paid down
through 1957, correct? Christ, the whole point of Eisenhower's
farewell address was to warn against the very thing you've been
vigorously advocating (academics, bless their tunnel-visioned
hearts, only focused on the military-industrial side and ignored
the rest).
You seem to be contending that we can ramp up debt exponentially
forever, particularly when simple interest payments on the debt
alone took up 4.63% of federal spending last year, and 18%
increase--which will get worse as the government will likely have a
deficit north of $2 trillion next year.
Secondly, your debt-to-GDP ratio doesn't mean shit when most of
that GDP growth is due to deficit spending.
You cannot run deficit spending that counters actual production
forever. It's as simple as that, but your "deficits don't matter"
stance is duly noted.
Debt, all debt, has to either be paid back or defaulted on.
There's no other choice, which is likely the reason why the Fed is
now the largest shareholder of our debt--if you didn't realize
this, you should probably ask yourself if it's really wise to have
our country's finances in the hands of an organization that aided
and abetted the housing bubble.
Again, debt to GDP ration was worse after WWII than it will ever
be on our current budget path, as soon as we fix our healthcare
costs in the out years like every other industrialized nation has.
SS requires a minor tweak equivalent to the bush tax cuts for the
rich over the next 75 years. Small potatoes.
Again, fake debt fear mongering...you people should be smarter
than getting duped by conservatives...
...and you realize as soon as its fixed, its these same exact
conservatives that will gain power again and blow another big hole
in the budget?
The third option to pay down the debt is the dreaded I word:
inflation...which is what actually paid down the debt after WWII.
We can have steady 2% inflation forever - and use it to stimulate
the economy.
I know you people think that's "stealing" and all that...but for
the sake of a discussion of the consequences of government
debt...it is a policy that will work to prevent the consequences
you are warning against.
Again, debt to GDP ration was worse after WWII than it will
ever be on our current budget path, as soon as we fix our
healthcare costs in the out years like every other industrialized
nation has.
Jesus christ, you really are a dumbass college student. You
obviously paid no attention to the actual mathematical facts in the
link I posted, presumably because it didn't fit into your idiotic
psuedo-academic bubble.
Healthcare costs have gone up at twice the rate of inflation,
and you're full of sand if you're dumb enough to believe Obamacare
is going to fix that. Even the CBO admitted that it had to
double-count to get the figures where the Democrats wanted
them.
SS requires a minor tweak equivalent to the bush tax cuts
for the rich over the next 75 years. Small potatoes.
What are you, some agent provocateur deliberately spouting dumb
crap? Your beautiful theory of fixing social security is even more
long-term than Paul Ryan's roadmap for fixing the deficit. 75
years? After the Reagan fix of 1983 crapped out
after less than 30 (even while bolstered, in no small part, by the
inflation you say will save us)? You must be high.
...and you realize as soon as its fixed, its these same
exact conservatives that will gain power again and blow another big
hole in the budget?
LOL--you honestly think the Democrats are going to be in power
for the next 75 years to prove your theory correct?
The third option to pay down the debt is the dreaded I word:
inflation...which is what actually paid down the debt after
WWII.
Wrong, dumbass--otherwise we would have paid down the debt every
year since the end of the war.
We can have steady 2% inflation forever - and use it to
stimulate the economy.
Clearly you have no concept of compound interest if you're
actually foolish enough to think we can inflate our problems away.
Are you even paying attention to what's going on in Egypt? You
realize that their pound, pegged to our dollar, inflated at over
18% this past year, and has been inflating for years? How well is
that working out for them? And you REALLY think that isn't going to
come back and bite us in the ass eventually? I'll take that bet
with you any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
I really can't make it any plainer--we're on the verge of a
fiscal meltdown with a total debt to GDP ratio of 350%. Bernanke is
making it worse with his money-printing and debt-purchasing--if you
hadn't noticed, the upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt were sparked by
inflation on commodoties that made things like bread more
expensive. If you remember history (and you're a dumbshit college
student, so I know that's not the case), that's all it took for the
French Revolution to start.
I really don't give a shit what your college professors say,
because they have no clue what they're talking about and live on
theories, not facts (as you so aptly demonstrate every time you
post). Come back when you have some actual facts and figures to
back up your claims other than wildly presumptuous bullshit and you
might not get so heavily abused.
I know you people think that's "stealing" and all that...but
for the sake of a discussion of the consequences of government
debt...it is a policy that will work to prevent the consequences
you are warning against.
The secularists in Egypt will be liquidated by the Muslim
Brotherhood once they (the Brotherhood) achieve power, just like
the the secularists in Iran were liquidated once the Shah was
deposed.
I pity the Copts should this play out like it appears to be
playing out. Their days are numbered.
Anybody saying "the Brotherhood is not like the Taliban or Al
Qaeda" is a fool. The Brotherhood is one of the largest Islamic
terror groups on the planet. They are very much for strict
application of Sharia law and the global supremacy of Islam,
exactly as the Quran and Muhammad prescribed. CAIR is a Brotherhood
front group. The Brotherhood ships imams all over the world; it is
estimated that most US imams are Brotherhood or Saudi trained.
Which of the things I've said isn't true? All of it is
verifiably true.
Also, don't forget Egypt is home to Al-Azhar "University", the
closest thing Islam has to a papacy and the leading institution of
Islamic thought, calling for Islamic global supremacy and strict
Sharia law. Its students have been known to execute their own
professors for insufficiently strict adherence to Sharia.
So I guess polls now determine if you are allowed to run your
own country? So fucking what what the polls say. If the Egyptians
want to set up some fucked up theocracy that is their business. As
long as they don't harbor terrorists against us that is their
business.
Aren't you people always the ones claiming that the terror
threat is a myth? If that is true, why shoul anyone here care what
kind of government the Egyptians choose to have? And if you are
going to wet your pants over this, you might ask yourself why
If the Egyptians want to set up some fucked up theocracy
that is their business. As long as they don't harbor terrorists
against us that is their business.
It would necessarily follow that if the US is to have no say so
in whatever type of government Egypt wishes to adopt, including if
they wish to harbor anti-US terrorists, then the US cannot
interfere with this policy. Isn't placing such a condition (read:
no harboring anti-US terrorists) de facto having a hand in
how they implement Egyptian self-governance?
Every county in the world lives under the condition that they
can't make war against other countries. Harboring terrorists who
attack other countries is making war on those countries. So, yeah
it is a condition. But it is one that comes with nationhood. You
can't make war on other countries and not expect them to fight
back.
I thought having a country full of liberty means accepting that
other countries may have associations with unpleasant people with
nefarious motives, up to and including allowing safe haven for such
peoples, who by the definition of liberty, have a right to
self-determination.
Part of your duty as a sovereighn is to make sure that you
control you borders. If you allow people in your country to make
war on other countries, that is no different than making war
yourself. That has been the case for hundreds of years. That is
just the barbary pirates case.
By your logic, the US had no right to attack the Taliban even
though the Taliban harbored terrorists who attacked the United
States and refused to turn them over. Not even the UN thinks that.
You may think that being a nation means that it is okay to
encourage and harbor organized groups who attack other countries,
but you are the only person who thinks so. And there is good reason
for that. It is a nonsensicle position. If you can't use your army
to make war on someone, you can't allow private armies in your
country to do the same. And further, the nation attacked has a
right of self defense, meaning they can attack your country to stop
the people from attacking them.
And by your logic John, you make the case for the US having
every right in the world for the US to dictate the terms of a new
Egyptian government. Yet you scream "Yay! Freedom and liberty and
self-determination for the Egyptians (who are looting, raping and
running roughshod over individual rights left and right. I wonder
how the Coptics are doing right now?)"
Perhaps you so quickly forget the Iran debacle and reaping seeds
sown on that clusterfuck?
You sound like a Carter worshiper. In fact, you might as well
support Barack O'Carter II.
You are just being pedantic and stupid. They can have whatever
governmetn they like. But if they attack someone else, be it us or
Israel or whomever, that country has the right to fight back. And
that right extends to when they harbor terrorists. That is just
page 2 of international law. That is not telling them what kind of
government they can have. That is telling them they can't attack
other countries.
I'm being consistent John. As for international law, Islamic
countries have a long and cherished history of thumbing their
spited noses at international law and "Imperialist American Pigs"
in particular.
I suppose you believe Iran's nuclear program is peaceful as
well. You suggested earlier that you are naive, and this line of
convoluted logic of yours confirms it. If the new Egyptian
government (and the UN) chooses to turn a blind eye to
brutalization and marginalization of the Copts, would you support
that under the logic of Egypt can have whatever government it
wants?
If and when that happens, then we will deal with it. But you
can't say, "people of Egypt you can't revolt against your corrupt
horrible dictator because we think the new government might do bad
things". And that seems to be your position.
And your position seems to be "Egypt can do whatever the hell it
wants and the US or UN has no say so, because that would infringe
on Egypt's sovereignty."
My position is let Egypt do what it wishes to do and the US
stays out of it period, and when the Coptics are either decimated
or reduced to even lower sub-Muslim status, I don't to hear one
iota of outrage when it happens. John, your train of thought sounds
terribly progressive.
And what do you want to do about it? Support Mubarack? Tell the
Egyptians to fuck off? That isn't going to help. If the people of
Egypt will no longer tolerate that regime, the regime is done. The
only thing we could do about it is send in troops to prop up the
government. And I don't think you would like that very much.
They can do what they like. They can revolt against Mubarack and
put in a new govenrment. That government, like every other
government, will have to live by the same international law
everyone else does. If they are stupid enough to harbor terrorists
or start a war with Isreal, then they and the Egyptians will face
the consiquences.
Maybe you guys are right. Maybe the majority of Egypians and the
majority of Muslims in the middle east want an aggressive theocracy
like Iran. If that is the case, you might want to think about what
that means. Look we can't continue to control the middle east
through friendly oppressive dictatorships. Egypt is showing us
those days are over. Maybe the whole "war of civilizations" thing
is true. Maybe these people have taken leave of their sense and
they are not going to quit until we or someone else kills them.
What other conclusion can you make if the majority of the middle
east wants a theocracy intent on making war on anyone who is not
Islamic?
One other thing to think about. The Iranians thought Islamism
was a great idea thirty years ago. Now they hate it. The next
regime in Iran is not going to be an Islamist one. At some point
people have to learn the hard way. Egyptians think Islamism is
great because they have never had to live under it. The more we
oppress it the better it will look. Long term, they are going to
have to learn for themselves. You guys act like an Islamist state
is the end of history or something.
And yet these Islamic countries have yet to learn such lessons
which are very recent history. Yet they keep repeating them,
proving that liberty and Islamic theocracy is incompatible.
You tout that Mubarak is horrible for liberty (true) yet the
freedom to choose an equally, if not more repressive government is
just wonderful and dandy and peace, love and liberty will steer the
stars?
I asked you earlier if a theocracy is likely in Egypt and you
replied "I would lay the odds as really low." I submit this
Egyptian revolution is Iran recycled and a theocracy will be
instituted with the Egyptian peoples blessing, more of that cutting
one's nose to spite the face so prevalent in Islamic
theocracies.
No I won't retract that statement. I still lay the odds of Egypt
turnign into another Iran as pretty low. The fact is some people
really are religous. And they wouldn't care if they banned booze in
Egypt and made it a more conservative country. But, it is their
country not mine. So I am not too concerned about that.
Beyond that, what is your position here? My position is that we
can't stop this by propping up dictators anymore. And that we are
going to have to let this run its course and let the people of
Egypt figure out for themselves what kind of government they want.
And if that is a more conservative religious government, so be it.
If they decide to go crazy and make war on us, they can live with
the consiquences.
What is your position? I can't make it out. It seems to be that
the Egptians are all crazy fundementalists and can thus never be
allowed to have any say over their government. If your position is
not that, what is it? And if it is that, it is first immoral. Who
are we to say that entire countries should have no say in how their
governments are run. And it is also completely unrealistic. We
cannot continue to pay people like Mubarack to oppress these
people. They are not going to take it anymore.
No, I'm not saying that ALL Egyptians are crazy fundamentalists;
however I believe that the segment of the crazy fundies will come
out on top, instituting one form of oppression for another, and the
US should butt out. And if the Coptics pay the price for this
"Egypt can have whatever government it likes at the expense of
those pesky Copts (who have only been in Egypt since the 2nd
century)", I don't wish to hear feel good crap about liberty when
the Coptics are denied their right to self-determination in lieu of
"Yay! Revolution!" The UN sure as shit won't speak up for them.
Important caveat: no one has the right to oppression. Free
nations such as America have the right to invade, annex, and
otherwise precipitate regime change as long as the country is freer
after than before. That doesn't mean we should do it but we have
the right to.
Free nations such as America have the right to invade,
annex, and otherwise precipitate regime change as long as the
country is freer after than before.
????
Where does this particular caveat come from? If America has to
invade, annex, or otherwise precipitate regime change in a country
in self defense, why is there any obligation to leave the country
"freer after than before"?
Even pretending you could ever know in advance whether an
invasion will actually make the country freer, war necessarily
involves killing large numbers of innocent civilians. Life is more
important than freedom, unless the person whose life is in question
has explicitly decided otherwise. | eng | 553af397-225f-4dea-9544-72474be7ead2 | http://reason.com/blog/2011/01/29/start-the-revolution-without-a |
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Philadelphia (CNN) -- Outside Independence Hall, ask a graduate student in line to see the Liberty Bell what he thinks of gerrymandering, and you might get this answer:
"I think Gerry Mandering is a great guy."
No, he isn't.
Gerrymandering is the term for the way politicians draw boundary lines for legislative districts in a way designed to keep one party or the other in power in that particular district.
In the last 10 years, 78% of the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives -- almost four out of every five members of Congress -- did not change party hands even once.
In California, with 53 seats -- the most in the nation -- incumbents were kept so safe that only one of those seats changed party control in the past decade.
David Wasserman, redistricting expert for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, says only 20 races for Congress are expected to be tossups in the 2012 election. That's only 20 out of the 435 seats in the House.
"In general elections, it's almost rigged," he said.
More on the history behind gerrymandering
The lines are redrawn for seats in Congress each 10 years after the U.S. Census measures population shifts. That process is going on now in states across the country.
Among CNN's findings:
The South
Race has been used to create a political divide in the South. In the five Deep Dixie states -- South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana -- only nine Democrats are left in Congress. Only one is white. He is Georgia Democrat John Barrow, and Republican control in that state's legislature has led to his home city of Savannah being excluded from his current district.
In 2010, Republicans captured control of North Carolina's legislature for the first time since shortly after the Civil War. They drew district lines in a way to pack 49% of all of North Carolina's African-American voters in just three of the state's 13 congressional districts. That left the other 10 districts mostly white and predictably Republican.
Democrats in North Carolina accuse the GOP of political "resegregation." A court battle is looming.
Illinois
After the GOP landslide in 2010, this is the only battleground state winning or losing a seat where Democrats remain in control. They pushed through their new map over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Most of the five freshmen Republicans elected to Congress last time will face difficult races to return for a second term.
Nowhere is gerrymandering more apparent than in Chicago's 4th District, where a grassy strip hardly a football field wide, stuck in between two expressways, connects the top and bottom halves of a district designed to keep a Hispanic in Congress.
According to the 4th District Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat, Chicago has an Irish district, a Polish district, a Jewish district and three black districts. Look at a map and all have irregular, unusual lines. This is not a matter of party control. All the incumbents are Democrats. The lines preserve racial and ethnic heritages.
In Illinois, it is the GOP that is suing Democrats to try to overturn the new map.
California
Voters have revolted. In 2010, they passed an amendment to the state constitution to take redistricting out of political hands and have a citizens commission redraw the lines. It was forbidden to favor incumbents.
As a result, more than half of California's 53 representatives were placed in the same district with another colleague for the 2012 election. As many as 15 could lose or else face retirement to avoid losing.
"Fifteen out of 53 does not sound like a lot," Wasserman said. "But compared to most other states, that's an avalanche."
Party politics did give way to social politics. Latinos, who accounted for most of California's population growth, could win as many as nine seats next year. The African-American population shrank, but under pressure, the citizens commission retained the three traditionally black seats in south Los Angeles.
Florida
Voter reform met resistance here. Three million people voted to pass amendments last year that say the legislature cannot not favor or penalize incumbents or political parties when it redraws the lines.
Two members of Congress -- Democrat Corrine Brown, who is African-American, and Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, who is Hispanic -- filed a lawsuit in federal court to try to overturn what the voters had done. Florida's House of Representatives, using taxpayer money, hired a law firm to support them in opposing the taxpayers' will. Their argument: The U.S. Constitution has given the legislature the sole responsibility for redistricting.
A federal judge rejected that argument and threw out the lawsuit. But the two incumbents, supported by the legislature, are appealing, and they say the case could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Iowa
For three decades now, Iowa has had a nonpartisan redistricting system. Two legislative staffers draw the maps in secrecy without political interference. "In Iowa, it is understood incumbent protection is not the name of the game," one of those staffers said.
As a result, Iowa has the nation's only congressional race next year where a longtime Republican incumbent, Tom Latham, is paired against a longtime Democratic incumbent, Leonard Boswell. Past voting patterns indicate they could be separated by no more than 1%, either way.
Iowans like it this way, and that includes Latham. He said, "I think if you sit in a very safe district, a lot of times these people will ignore the public will. They won't have to listen because they can do whatever they want to, and vote however they want to, and not be held accountable for it."
As Wasserman put it, "Americans are basically between the ideological 40-yard lines. But the districts aren't. And that's part of the reason Congress is so polarized."
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Joe - - treatableTwo university officials stepped down after they were charged with lying to a grand jury and failing to report the 2002 charge to police, an assault which allegedly took place in a shower in the football building.
A grand jury report said the attack was witnessed by Mike McQueary, a graduate assistant at the time. Now the receivers coach but on administrative leave, McQueary told the grand jury he went to his father first and then to Paterno, who in turn spoke with his boss but didn't go to the police.
When the state's top cop said Paterno failed to execute his moral responsibility by not contacting police, public outrage built and the trustees acted.
Besides the criminal case against Sandusky, the university announced last week it was conducting its own probe - and that was before the NCAA said Friday that college sports' governing body would also start an inquiry.
NCAA president Mark Emmert said in the letter to Penn State president Rod Erickson that the probe will look at "Penn State's exercise of institutional control over its intercollegiate athletics programs."
At one time, that would have never been a question with Paterno, widely regarded as college football's model for running a clean program. He placed as much pride in graduating players as getting to bowl games, and consistently had Penn State among the top-rated academic programs in the country.
Paterno has donated millions back to the university, and his name graces a campus library - not a football facility or athletic complex.
Prior to his firing, Paterno pressed on with coaching in spite of a number of recent ailments. He often walked into news conferences fighting back sniffles, and Paterno often passed it off as nothing more than an annoying cold.
He was said to be in good health this preseason - getting back to his routine of walking around town - before a receiver accidentally blindsided him during preseason drills in August, leaving him with an injured right shoulder and pelvis.
Known for his stubbornness and high pain threshold, Paterno walked away from the collision and stayed on his feet for the rest of the practice period before being encouraged to get checked out by a doctor. The injuries forced him to spend most of the season in the press box.
During the 2010 offseason, Paterno scaled back personal appearances because of an intestinal issue and an adverse reaction to antibiotics prescribed for dental work.
Paterno ran practices from a golf cart in 2008 and spent much of that season in the press box after injuring his hip while trying to show players how to perform an onside kick in practice. Two years earlier, he broke his leg in a sideline collision during Penn State's game at Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium.
"Anyone who has ever been around coach Paterno knows he has tremendous drive and fight," acting athletic director Dave Joyner said in a statement. "The Penn State community will be in his corner and wishes him a speedy recovery."
Lung cancer kills 1.4 million people around the world each year. In the United States, 221,130 new cases and 156,940 deaths are expected this year. The disease is typically diagnosed in older people. About 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with lung cancer are over age 65.
"There's a significant number of people who are diagnosed in their 70s and 80s," said chief medical officer Dr. Otis Brawley of the American Cancer Society, who has no involvement in Paterno's treatment.
"Generally when I hear that a person has a treatable form of lung cancer, it means the person may very well benefit from surgery to remove a part of the lung," Brawley said.
While the surgery can be invasive, people who undergo the operation "can do well after that," he said.
The lights were dim Friday night at Paterno's modest ranch home next to a park near the end of a dead-end street. A few TV photographers waited across the street for any sign of the coach.
About a mile away, a steady stream of fans arrived in pairs to take pictures at the life-sized bronzed statue of Paterno outside Beaver Stadium. Jill Varady, 24, of York, said she found out about Paterno's illness after her aunt posted a comment on Facebook.
Despite the scandal, the school should now let Paterno "definitely let him finish the season, and then ... let him retire," Varady said. "We probably will never know everything that happened."
The illness didn't change the perception of how Paterno handled the Sandusky situation, said Tessa Drawbaugh, 26, of State College. "But as far as other than that, he's an icon," she said. "Everybody wants him to be well."
Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Friday, November 18, 2011
(CNN) -- A pilot stuck in the lavatory may sound like the opening line of a joke, but it triggered a terror scare on a flight from Asheville, North Carolina, to New York on Wednesday evening.
Delta 6132 -- operated by Chautauqua Airlines -- was about 30 minutes from LaGuardia Airport when the pilot went to use the bathroom.
Unbeknownst to the crew, he became trapped in the lavatory because of a broken door latch.
(The sole flight attendant on the plane couldn't help him because she had entered the flight deck when he left, per security protocols that require two people to be in the cockpit at all times.)
"After trying unsuccessfully for several minutes to open the door, a nearby passenger heard the noise of the efforts and tried to help," said Peter Kowalchuk, a spokesman for the airline.
"When the passenger was not able to open the door from the outside, the captain told him how to notify the flight deck of his situation."
The passenger dutifully complied, but apparently had a heavy accent, which combined with the suddenly-missing pilot spooked the first officer.
The tense conversation between the crew and air traffic control was posted on LiveATC.net, a website that shares live air traffic communications.
"The captain has disappeared in the back, and uh, I have someone with a thick foreign accent trying to access the cockpit," the co-pilot says in the recording.
"The captain disappeared in the back, went to use the restroom. By all indications, what I'm being told is he's stuck in the lav and someone with a thick foreign accent is giving me a password to access the cockpit and I'm not about to let him in."
Air traffic control responds by saying: "You guys ought to declare an emergency and just get on the ground."
But later, the pilot suddenly reappears at the controls.
"This is the captain. I'm back in the cockpit. Lavatory door malfunction," he says.
The controller on the ground is cautious: "I just want to make sure: Was there any disturbance in the airplane?"
"Negative," the pilot responds. "The captain -- myself -- was in the lavatory and the door latch broke and had to fight my way out of it with my body to get the door open."
The first officer did the right thing in securing the flight deck when he was not able to personally confirm the status of the captain, Kowalchuk said.
"No one was ever in danger and everyone, including the good Samaritan who tried to help the (captain) as well as the crew, are to be commended for their actions," he added.
The plane, with 14 passengers and three crew members on board, made an emergency landing at LaGuardia with the pilot at the controls.
The school placed Fine on administrative leave Thursday "in light of the new allegations" and an investigation by the Syracuse City Police.
In a statement released by one of his attorneys Friday, Fine said the allegations have been thoroughly investigated multiple times and that he has fully cooperated with past inquiries.
"Sadly, we live in an allegation-based society and an internet age where in a matter of minutes one's lifelong reputation can be severely damaged. I am confident that, as in the past, a review of these allegations will be discredited and restore my reputation. I hope the latest review of these allegations will be conducted expeditiously.
"Finally, I appreciate (Chancellor Nancy Cantor's) statement that I should be accorded a fair opportunity to defend myself against these accusations. I fully intend to do so. There should never be a rush to judgment when someone's personal integrity and career are on the line."
Cantor vowed Friday that the school will not turn a blind eye to child molesting allegations that resurfaced just two weeks after the Penn State scandal.
ESPN reported the accusations were made by two former ball boys.
Bobby Davis, now 39, told ESPN that Fine allegedly molested him beginning in 1984 and that the sexual contact continued until he was around 27. A ball boy for six years, Davis told ESPN the alleged abuse occurred at Fine's home, at Syracuse basketball facilities and on team road trips, including the 1987 Final Four.
Davis' stepbrother, Mike Lang, 45, who also was a ball boy, told ESPN that Fine molested him starting while he was in fifth or sixth grade.
Fine is in his 35th season as a Syracuse assistant. No one answered the door at his home Friday.
"We hold everyone in our community to high standards and we don't tolerate illegal, abusive or unethical behavior - no matter who you are," Cantor said in an email Friday morning to students, faculty and staff.
"The dilemma in any situation like this, of course, is that - without corroborating facts, witnesses or confessions - one must avoid an unfair rush to judgment. We have all seen terrible injustices done to the innocent accused of heinous crimes. And we've all seen situations where the guilty avoid justice. "
Syracuse police spokesman Tom Connellan says Syracuse University did not contact police in 2005 when the school was informed of allegations of "inappropriate contact" by an associate men's basketball coach.
In an email Friday morning to students, faculty and staff, Cantor repeated that the school was contacted in 2005 by "an adult male who asserted that he had reported allegations in 2005 of abuse in the 1980's and 1990's to the police" and that the accuser told the school police had declined to pursue it because the statute of limitations had expired.
She said the school conducted its own four-month investigation at that time, including interviews with people the accuser said would support his allegations, but that all of them "denied any knowledge of wrongful conduct" by the associate coach.
In an email to The Associated Press, Kevin Quinn, the school's senior vice president for public affairs, said that when the school learned of the allegations in 2005, "it had already been reported to the Syracuse City Police and was already addressed within the criminal justice process."
"Therefore, the police would have notified the District Attorney's Office if appropriate under the circumstances. Nevertheless, we immediately launched our own investigation of our employee to determine the facts. If that investigation had revealed any evidence or corroboration of the allegations or any criminal conduct, we would have reported it to the authorities immediately."
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick told The Post-Standard in Syracuse his office will conduct a complete investigation into what was known and done in the past about these child molestation allegations.
Fitzpatrick said prosecutors were never notified when Syracuse police were told of the complaints back in 2002 or 2003 and when the university conducted its own investigation of the allegations in 2005.
Calls to Fitzpatrick by the Associated Press on Friday were not immediately returned.
Prior to Aug. 5, 2008, when New York's law changed and the statute of limitations was eliminated, prosecutions for felony sex abuse of a child had to begin within five years after authorities learned about it or within five years after the child turned 18.
New York lawmakers have since eliminated the statute of limitations on Class B sex felonies, which include aggravated sex abuse and course of sexual conduct against a child. However the old law applies to previous cases.
Both ESPN and The Post-Standard of Syracuse said they first investigated Davis' accusations in 2003 but decided not to run a story because there was no independent evidence to corroborate the allegations.
Davis told ESPN that Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim knew he was traveling on the road and sleeping in Fine's room.
"Boeheim saw me with Bernie all the time in the hotel rooms, on road trips," Davis said. "He'd come in, and see me laying in the bed, kind of glance at me like, `What are you doing here?' But he wouldn't say that. He'd just scowl. And I would look at him like, I'd be nervous. I felt embarrassed `cause I felt stupid that I'm there. I'm not supposed to be here. I know it, and Boeheim's not stupid."
In a telephone interview Thursday night with the AP, Boeheim defended Fine: "This kid came forward and there was no one to corroborate his story. Not one. Not one. ... They said I walked into Bernie's room on the road and saw this. I have never walked into Bernie's room on the road. This isn't true. This just isn't true."
In an on-camera interview with ESPN, Davis said he was sexually abused "hundreds of times." When asked why he didn't come forward during the 16 years he accuses Fine of molesting him, Davis said: "I honestly didn't think anybody would believe me."
Robert Edelman, a mental health counselor who is CEO of the Village Counseling Center in Gainesville, Fla., says it's rare, in cases of child sex abuse, that the abuse or a sexual relationship extends past childhood.
"Many victims do continue to have relationships with their perpetrators but are able to stop the abuse from continuing when they realize they have control and can protect themselves," he said. "Usually, when children get older, learn new skills and clearly recognize that the sexual abuse is inappropriate and not their fault, they develop ways to get away from the perpetrator."
"Unfortunately, many victims do blame themselves and believe they could have stopped the abuse when they could not have," Edelman added. "In rare cases in which the abuse continues into adulthood, these victims are even more confused, blame themselves more intensely and feel even more helpless, especially when they came forward as children and the abuse did not stop."
Mark Chaffin, pediatrics professor who is research director at the University of Oklahoma's Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, says these types of cases "are not common, but they do happen."
He cited incest cases where a father molests his daughter or step-daughter for years in the context of a dominating and controlling relationship.
"In these cases, there may be almost a sort of learned helplessness in which the victim feels powerless to stop what is happening or to say no," Chaffin said.
"This can even be complicated by the fact that, in some instances, the victim may come to initiate sexual behavior. Still not what one would describe as a happy relationship or a love affair, and the relationship often retains a clearly exploitive stain carried forward from its abusive origins."
Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Diego, California (CNN) -- When is wearing a T-shirt with the American flag on it considered provocative?
Answer: When you wear it to a high school with a dress code that explicitly prohibits "any clothing or decoration which detracts from the learning environment." And when the high school, where 20% of the 1,300 students are English-language learners and 18% come from low-income families, has been described by the San Francisco Chronicle as having "an ethnically charged atmosphere."
And when, despite concerns about potential violence, you and some of your friends make your patriotic wardrobe choices on, of all days, Cinco de Mayo.
Last week, Chief U.S. District Court Judge James Ware said as much when he dismissed a lawsuit by a group of students and their parents against the Morgan Hill Unified School District in North California. The plaintiffs had alleged that, on May 5, 2010, the students' rights to freedom of speech were violated when Live Oak High School Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez ordered them to remove or turn inside out T-shirts bearing the American flag. The students refused, and two of them were sent home.
Under ordinary circumstances, wearing a T-shirt with the American flag on it would probably not be a big deal. But this high school is no ordinary place, especially not on Cinco de Mayo. It's a cultural powder keg.
The previous year, in 2009, a group of Mexican students marked the holiday by walking around campus holding a Mexican flag. A group of white students responded by hanging a makeshift American flag from a tree and chanting "USA." According to the Chronicle, tensions flared and the two groups faced off with profanity and threats.
Little wonder that when some students showed up at school wearing T-shirts with American flags on them administrators decided to err on the side of caution.
Meanwhile, the judge did the right thing in dismissing the case and declaring that administrators had the right to take preventive action if there was a "reasonable fear" of violence.
Score one for common sense. Can you imagine where we'd be if the court had gone the other way and stripped school officials of the power to maintain order?
It's easy for conservative radio talk show hosts and other right-wing commentators to criticize the administrators, but they weren't there. They're speaking from ignorance. They don't have even the most basic understanding of the mood at the high school or the events of previous years.
Conservatives are confused. For the last four decades, they have chipped away at the idea that students' free speech rights should trump every other consideration. The Supreme Court established those rights in 1969 in a case called Tinker v Des Moines Independent Community School District.
In that case, a group of high school and junior high school students were suspended when they wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The high court declared that students don't "shed their constitutional rights to free speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate."
But since Tinker, and at the urging of conservatives, the Supreme Court has curtailed First Amendment rights of students, especially when the expression of those rights is disruptive, obscene or might lead to violence.
It did so in three other cases: Bethel School District v Fraser (1986), in which the high court held that a high school student's speech during an assembly -- filled with sexual innuendo -- was not protected; Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier (1988), in which the justices held that schools can regulate the content of student newspapers; and Morse v Frederick (2007), in which the Court held that school officials can restrict student speech at a school-supervised event even if it takes place off-campus.
That's the new legal reality, and it's one that conservatives helped create. Now they have to live with it.
The other problem is the parents, who did their offspring no favors by encouraging them to play the victim and call a lawyer. They were so eager to sue and teach their kids to stand up for their rights that they neglected to teach them that, in our system, rights come with responsibilities.
Like this one: Americans have the responsibility to treat one another, and one another's cultures, with respect. Just because someone shows cultural pride -- St. Patrick's Day, anyone? -- doesn't mean it's an expression of anti-Americanism. Quite the opposite. America is all about coming together as one, while preserving the cultural attributes that make us unique.
There's the rub: The students who brought the lawsuit against school officials claim to be proud of the American flag. But it's obvious they don't have the foggiest idea what it represents. And, when they had the chance, their parents failed to teach them.
(CNN) -- A former mayor in Rwanda has been convicted of genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity over the deaths of 2,000 Tutsis during the country's 1994 genocide, the U.N.-backed International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda said Thursday.
Former Kivumu mayor Gregoire Ndahimana served as a leading facilitator and commander in the slaughter of Tutsis in Kivumu, where an estimated 4,000 Tutsis were murdered, according to the ICTR's Summary of Judgment.
According to the judgment, Ndahimana was present during a massacre at the Nyange Catholic church where 2,000 Tutsis died over 10 days from 6 April 1994 to 16 April 1994, in one of the bloodiest sites of the genocide.
His presence "had an encouraging effect on the principal perpetrators," particularly because he was an authority figure, the tribunal found, ruling that he "aided and abetted genocide."
Ndahimana was also found guilty of "extermination as a crime against humanity by aiding and abetting as well as by virtue of his command responsibility over communal police in Kivumu," the judgment said.
Ndahimana was sentenced by a majority of the Trial Chamber's three-judge panel to a single sentence of 15 years imprisonment, the ICTR said, with credit for two years already served.
"The Chamber has considered the gravity of each of the crimes for which Ndahimana has been convicted," the judgment said.
Gruesome reports by survivors and other witnesses accused Ndahimana of joining local police and a priest in ordering assailants to bulldoze Nyange church, killing 2,000 Tutsi refugees who had sought sanctuary there.
A majority of the judges ruled that Ndahimana was present during the demolition of the church, but did not find it proven that he instigated or supervised the attacks.
A trained agronomist, Ndahimana served as "bourgmestre" of Kivumu, a commune in the prefecture of Kibuye near Lake Kivu.
According to a United Nations study, at least 59,050 people, or 12.4% of the Kibuye population, were killed during the genocide, accounting for more than three-quarters of the prefecture's Tutsi population.
The Rwandan genocide was triggered by the April 6, 1994, shooting down of a plane carrying the nation's Hutu president.
Ethnic violence erupted and Tutsis were killed systematically by Hutus over the course of three months.
The United Nations estimates that some 200,000 people participated in the perpetration of the Rwandan genocide.
In all, some 800,000 men, women, and children -- mostly Tutsis but also moderate Hutus -- died.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The past two years around this time, I've laid out the Mandel Plan for a revamped college football postseason. It's a detailed, practical and -- most importantly -- realistic model for a plus-one playoff that more often than not would solve whatever BCS controversy hovers over a given season.
On the surface, this year is no different. Irked by the idea of a regular-season rematch in the national championship game? Worried about choosing between Alabama and Oregon if it comes to that? Here's how easily that problem could be solved, based on the current standings:
• Semifinal 1: No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Oregon
• Semifinal 2: No. 2 Oklahoma State vs. No. 3 Alabama
All viable contenders are accounted for. No team could honestly say it's been slighted, unless further upsets occur (like Arkansas beating LSU), in which case the bracket would be updated accordingly. The importance of the regular season would be preserved. Problem solved.
However, my goal remains to provide a solution that actually stands a chance of being implemented -- unlike, say, a full-scale playoff bracket that includes the Sun Belt champion and renders the major bowls meaningless. To this point, the Mandel Plan was based on the current BCS model and calendar. However, all indications point to the BCS structure going through a massive overhaul beginning with the 2014 season.
"I'm very excited about the six months ahead, because I think the [BCS] group has a chance to make some decisions that will be for the good of this game for the next generation," BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock said Monday following a meeting of the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee in San Francisco.
Most notably, there is a growing sentiment for eliminating automatic qualifying berths entirely. The ongoing conference realignment madness -- in which teams from Idaho and Utah stand poised to join a conference based in Rhode Island -- has put several leaders over the edge.
"There's a lot of ideas I've heard floated," said Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott. "The AQ status thing is ripe because people are troubled in some cases by the appearance it's in the name of attaining AQ status or preserving AQ status. People would like to think conference alignment has to do with a lot more than AQ status."
A high-ranking BCS source told me "almost everyone" wants to do away with AQ bids, but they've yet to focus in on a specific alternative.
No group would be more thrilled by such a move than the bowls themselves, which are sick of having undesirable teams forced upon them, a la 8-4 Connecticut last season. However, the Rose Bowl, for one, is not going to end its century-old partnerships with the Big Ten and Pac-12. Whatever the new model, there would still be some affiliation between certain bowls and conferences.
"The thinking about AQ status is pretty different for the Pac-12 and Big Ten than it is for everybody else," said Scott. "It isn't as relevant given our unique relationship with the Rose Bowl. It doesn't really matter for us one way or the other whether there's AQ status or not."
Another issue being discussed is the two-teams-per-conference limit. SEC commissioner Mike Slive and Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany have expressed support for eliminating it, and understandably so since their leagues' teams are generally the most sought-after. Scott was more skeptical, saying, "It could be seen as a step in the wrong direction when there's so much scrutiny about access [for the smaller conferences]."
If AQ bids go away, however, the access issue may be rendered moot. There would no longer be an official distinction between, say, the Big 12 and the Mountain West. That would also include the revamped Big East, which was already facing a challenge to maintain its AQ status.
There's another, less publicized issue looming, and unfortunately it could potentially stop a plus-one dead in its tracks. Last month, the NCAA's bowl task force -- formed in response to last spring's Fiesta Bowl scandal -- recommended several changes for the Board of Directors to consider. One of those is to narrow the window during which the bowls are played, ending closer to Jan. 1.
"The NCAA folks do not want the bowl season to extend far into the second semester, and we're going to have to live within that calendar," said Hancock.
However, in the incestuous world that is college athletics, the chairman of that task force, Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman, also serves on the BCS' oversight committee. Something tells me he can find a way to make the two organizations' desires mesh before the Board votes on the proposals in April. The key is not to play the title game any later than this year's Jan. 9 date.
Therefore, the revised Mandel Plan is based on the following assumptions:
1. There will be a fifth BCS bowl, the Cotton, added to the lineup to maintain 10 berths. (This is considered a near-given for the next contract.)
2. All BCS participants must meet a minimum Top 16 ranking.
3. There will be no more AQ berths, though the Rose Bowl will retain first rights to the Big Ten and Pac-12 champions, provided they meet the minimum ranking and don't need to be moved to a semifinal site (see below). Other bowls may still choose based on geography or traditional conference loyalties, but it won't be iron-clad.
4. There will no longer be a two-teams-per-conference limit.
5. A new model for revenue distribution will pay a baseline amount to all 11 FBS conferences, which then receive a sizeable payout for each team they place in a bowl and a smaller payout for each additional team. No league goes broke if it has a down year, and no league gets inordinately rich for placing three teams.
6. A draft order will be set in which the bowls choose their matchups -- not individual teams, mind you, but matchups -- and rotate annually.
7. Bowls that select the No. 1 and 2 teams will automatically be assigned the corresponding opponents (No. 1 vs. No. 4, No. 2 vs. No. 3) and become semifinal sites. If the Big Ten or Pac-12 champ is ranked No. 1 or 2, the Rose Bowl will become one of those semifinals. If the Big Ten or Pac-12 champ is ranked No. 3 or 4, the Rose Bowl must surrender it to the semifinal site. Presumably, the bowls with the first two choices in a given year would opt to stage a semifinal but are not required to.
8. As is the case today, the national championship game will be staged at one of the five BCS sites, at least a week after the semifinals but no later than Jan. 9. To accommodate that within this year's calendar (when Jan. 1 is a Sunday), two games were moved to New Year's Eve and a third to the early afternoon slot before the Rose Bowl.
To set this year's hypothetical lineup, I used the current BCS standings and tweaked this year's at-large rotation to establish the following draft order: 1) Fiesta, 2) Orange, 3) Sugar, 4) Cotton. I flipped the Orange and Sugar bowls so as to preclude the same city from getting to host both a semifinal and championship game. The order would shift annually, and the Cotton would be treated the same as the others.
I also considered each league's highest-ranked team as of today its champion.
Here is the lineup I came up with. Afterward, I'll explain how I arrived at it.
The Fiesta Bowl uses its No. 1 choice to take Oklahoma State from its old partner, the Big 12, knowing Cowboys fans will be tripping all over themselves for their first BCS trip. Thus the Fiesta gets the first semifinal.
The Orange, with the second pick, plucks LSU to snare the other semifinal matchup. Tigers fans will travel in droves knowing the championship game will be in their backyard. The Rose Bowl, in turn, loses Oregon, and not surprisingly opts to replace the Ducks with another Pac-12 team, Stanford.
The Sugar, with the third pick, opts for the highest-ranked available team, Oklahoma, and pits it against Clemson -- making its first BCS trip -- as opposed to Arkansas, which played in the same game last season.
The Cotton, with the fourth pick, jubilantly snaps up former SWC participant Arkansas to go against Virginia Tech, which has never played in the Cotton Bowl.
The Rose ends up with the least appealing matchup, but that's by the game's own choosing. Michigan State's conference affiliation is far more important to that game than its record.
Now, let us count the ways this proposal is an upgrade from the current BCS format.
Most importantly, it ensures all worthy contenders have a shot at the championship. There are many who feel Alabama is still the second-best team in the country, regardless of Oklahoma State's undefeated record. The Tide get a chance to prove that; the Cowboys get a chance to disprove it.
Secondly, nine of the Top 10 teams are represented. That's only happened once (in 2007) since going to 10 berths in 2006.
No one is forced to take an unranked Big East champion.
And the bowls' newfound flexibility allows for fresher participants. Rather than going to the Fiesta Bowl for the fourth time in six seasons, Oklahoma goes to the Sugar Bowl for the first time in eight years. Rather than going to the Orange Bowl for the fourth time in five years, Virginia Tech goes to a brand-new destination.
Critics will note the lack of teams from the current non-AQ leagues (Houston, Boise State, etc.). However, nine of the 10 teams are ranked higher than those squads. Had Boise remained undefeated and finished in the top five, I have no doubt a bowl would select it.
Not only is this an improvement over the current system, but this new version of the Mandel Plan is even better than the old one.
(CNN) -- Anita Mills was 382 pounds when a family doctor gave her four simple rules to lose weight:
1. Eat 8 ounces of food every 3 hours
2. No sugary drinks
3. Do not skip meals
4. Do not tell anyone what you're doing
Now 242 pounds lighter, Mills credits that last tip for helping her through the most difficult months of her weight loss journey. Not having someone questioning every bite or trying to persuade her to relax on weekends helped her focus on the goal.
"It's so much better to walk into a room and have someone say, 'Hey, did you do something different?' than to announce, 'I'm on a diet,' and have people pointing fingers at you," she said.
The advice seems counterintuitive. Weight Watchers and similar groups tout support as a major reason for their programs' success, and studies have found that accountability is important in accomplishing a goal. But telling family, friends and Facebook about your diet plans could have a detrimental effect, some experts say.
Mills' doctor, Jon Walz, gives all of his weight loss patients the same rules. He blames the need for secrecy on the culture of obesity. Since childhood, he says, we've searched out people who look and act like us.
"People who are obese live with obese people. They find obese friends. Most (patients) don't recognize how bad a lifestyle they have, how self-defeating a lifestyle is.. They think that culture's normal."
As human beings we have a difficult time with change, Walz continues. So when someone we love alters his or her lifestyle, we have a problem dealing with it -- even if that transformation is positive.
"Deliberately or not, the family, the friends, the other people who are part of that individual's culture will resist the change," Walz says. "(They) will try to change them back to what the culture tolerates."
Mills has discovered the truth in his theory. After she dropped a significant amount of weight, she couldn't hide her diet anymore. That's when friends started drifting away.
"People are mean -- people who you would normally think would be supportive. One friend told me she liked it better when I was the fat friend. That hurt," Mills said.
There are other reasons to keep your weight loss plans to yourself.
Dr. Peter Gollwitzer, a professor of psychology at New York University, studies how goals and plans affect cognition and behavior. In his research paper, "When Intentions Go Public," Gollwitzer describes how spilling the beans -- and the resulting response -- can change someone's actions.
Everyone has what Gollwitzer terms an "identity goal" of some kind, whether it's to be a good mother or a better scientist. In the case of weight loss, that goal is to be a successful dieter.
To reach an identity goal, you need indicators of your accomplishments. For a scientist it's published research papers or a boss' recognition. For a dieter it could be pounds dropped or praise from friends/family when they see how great you look.
Gollwitzer's studies found that when you tell people what you intend to do, and that intention is acknowledged, the recognition qualifies as an indicator of accomplishment.
"The danger is that you feel that you have already reached the goal and because of that you don't have to act on it any more," Gollwitzer says.
In other words, when you tell a friend that you're planning to drop 20 pounds and she notices your good intention, you no longer feel the need to follow through with exercise or healthy eating.
There are a number of ways to avoid this phenomenon.
"One is simple --
Select those people carefully, fitness and nutrition expert Bonnie MeChelle warns. The author of "Accountability is Key" says people with negative energy or a trainer that doesn't fit your style, won't help. But if you do find someone who will hold you responsible, share away.
"Tell them everything," MeChelle says. "Accountability is key because if you keep everything to yourself, no one is going to know what you're doing -- no one is going to know if you fall off the wagon."
Whether you choose to share your diet plans or keep them secret, it's important to remember exactly who you're losing weight for.
"If you're losing weight to please other people, your motivation will not be sustained to keep going when the going gets rough," MeChelle says.
And until you drop those extra pounds, you're the only one who has to know.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
(CNN) -- A motorcade carrying Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Philippines was pelted with eggs and other objects Wednesday, the State Department confirmed, but the car carrying Clinton was not hit and there were no injuries.
The incident occurred at 2:45 p.m. in Manila, when the motorcade was traveling from the presidential palace to another location, deputy State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in Washington
"The secretary's motorcade ran into a crowd of approximately 40 to 50 people, protesters," Toner said. "They threw objects at the lead vehicle -- I believe it was eggs and paintballs, they maybe threw rock -- and the motorcade pulled out of that area and went to the next scheduled meeting place."
Toner later clarified that the "paintball" was more likely a balloon filled with paint. He also said that at no time was Clinton in danger.
Clinton is in the Philippines for commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. As part of that treaty, she signed the Manila Declaration binding the countries to work together on a variety of mutual interests.
(CNN) --
"The most difficult part was the uncertainty," he recalls. "Your heart is 30% damaged, and they tell you this could affect you the rest of your life." He was about to receive an infusion of stem cells, grown from cells taken from his own heart a few weeks earlier. No one had ever tried this before.
About three weeks later, in Kentucky, a patient named Mike Jones underwent a similar procedure at the University of Louisville's Jewish Hospital. Jones suffered from advanced heart failure, the result of a heart attack years earlier. Like Milles, he received an infusion of stem cells, grown from his own heart tissue.
"Once you reach this stage of heart disease, you don't get better," says Dr. Robert Bolli, who oversaw Jones' procedure, explaining what doctors have always believed and taught. "You can go down slowly, or go down quickly, but you're going to go down."
Conventional wisdom took a hit Monday, as Bolli's group and a team from Cedars-Sinai each reported that stem cell therapies were able to reverse heart damage, without dangerous side effects, at least in a small group of patients.
In Bolli's study, published in The Lancet, 16 patients with severe heart failure received a purified batch of cardiac stem cells. Within a year, their heart function markedly improved. The heart's pumping ability can be quantified through the "Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction," a measure of how much blood the heart pumps with each contraction. A patient with an LVEF of less than 40% is considered to suffer severe heart failure. When the study began, Bolli's patients had an average LVEF of 30.3%. Four months after receiving stem cells, it was 38.5%. Among seven patients who were followed for a full year, it improved to an astounding 42.5%. A control group of seven patients, given nothing but standard maintenance medications, showed no improvement at all.
"We were surprised by the magnitude of improvement," says Bolli, who says traditional therapies, such as placing a stent to physically widen the patient's artery, typically make a smaller difference. Prior to treatment, Mike Jones couldn't walk to the restroom without stopping for breath, says Bolli. "Now he can drive a tractor on his farm, even play basketball with his grandchildren. His life was transformed."
At Cedars-Sinai, 17 patients, including Milles, were given stem cells approximately six weeks after suffering a moderate to major heart attack. All had lost enough tissue to put them "at big risk" of future heart failure, according to Dr. Eduardo Marban, the director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, who developed the stem cell procedure used there.
Cedars-Sinai: Helping the heart heal itself
The results were striking. Not only did scar tissue retreat -- shrinking 40% in Ken Milles, and between 30% and 47% in other test subjects -- but the patients actually generated new heart tissue. On average, the stem cell recipients grew the equivalent of 600 million new heart cells, according to Marban, who used MRI imaging to measure changes. By way of perspective, a major heart attack might kill off a billion cells.
"This is unprecedented, the first time anyone has grown living heart muscle," says Marban. "No one else has demonstrated that. It's very gratifying, especially when the conventional teaching has been that the damage is irreversible."
Perhaps even more important, no treated patient in either study suffered a significant health setback.
The twin findings are a boost to the notion that the heart contains the seeds of its own rebirth. For years, doctors believed that heart cells, once destroyed, were gone forever. But in a series of experiments, researchers including Bolli's collaborator, Dr. Piero Anversa, found that the heart contains a type of stem cell that can develop into either heart muscle or blood vessel components -- in essence, whatever the heart requires at a particular point in time. The problem for patients like Mike Jones or Ken Milles is that there simply aren't enough of these repair cells waiting around. The experimental treatments involve removing stem cells through a biopsy, and making millions of copies in a laboratory.
The Bolli/Anversa group and Marban's team both used cardiac stem cells, but Bolli and Anversa "purified" the CSCs, so that more than 90% of the infusion was actual stem cells. Marban, on the other hand, used a mixture of stem cells and other types of cells extracted from the patient's heart. "We've found that the mixture is more potent than any subtype we've been able to isolate," he says. He says the additional cells may help by providing a supportive environment for the stem cells to multiply.
Other scientists, including Dr. Douglas Losordo, have produced improvements in cardiac patients using stem cells derived from bone marrow. "The body contains cells that seem to be pre-programmed for repair," explains Losordo. "The consistent thing about all these approaches is that they're leveraging what seems to be the body's own repair mechanism."
Losordo praised the Lancet paper, and recalls the skepticism that met Anversa's initial claims, a decade ago, that there were stem cells in the adult heart. "Some scientists are always resistant to that type of novelty. You know the saying: First they ignore you, then they attack you and finally they imitate you."
Denis Buxton, who oversees stem cell research at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health, calls the new studies "a paradigm shift, harnessing the heart's own regenerative processes." But he says he would like to see more head-to-head comparisons to determine which type of cells are most beneficial.
Questions also remain about timing. Patients who suffer large heart attacks are prone to future damage, in part because the weakened heart tries to compensate by dilating -- swelling -- and by changing shape. In a vicious circle, the changes make the heart a less efficient pump, which leads to more overcompensation, and so on, until the end result is heart failure. Marban's study aimed to treat patients before they could develop heart failure in the first place.
In a third study released Monday, researchers treated patients with severe heart failure with stem cells derived from bone marrow. In a group of 60 patients, those receiving the treatment had fewer heart problems over the course of a year, as well as improved heart function.
A fourth study also used cells derived from bone marrow, but injected them into patients two to three weeks after a heart attack. Previous studies, with the cells given just days afterward, found a modest improvement in heart function. But Monday, the lead researcher, Dr. Dan Simon of UH Case Medical Center, reported that with the three-week delay, patients did not see the same benefit.
With other methods, there may be a larger window of opportunity. At least in initial studies, Losordo's bone marrow treatments helped some patients with long-standing heart problems. Bolli's Lancet paper suggests that CSCs, too, might help patients with advanced disease. "These patients had had heart failure for several years. They were a wreck!" says Bolli. "But we found their stem cells were still very competent." By that, he means the cells were still capable of multiplying and of turning into useful muscle and blood vessel walls.
Marban has an open mind on the timing issue. In fact, one patient from his control group e-mailed after the study was complete, saying he felt terrible and pleading for an infusion of stem cells. At Marban's request, the FDA granted special approval to treat him. "He had a very nice response. That was 14 months after his heart attack. Of course that's just one person, and we need bigger studies," says Marban.
For Ken Milles, the procedure itself wasn't painful, but it was unsettling. The biopsy to harvest the stem cells felt "weird," he recalls, as he felt the doctor poking around inside his heart. The infusion, a few weeks later, was harder. The procedure -- basically the same as an angioplasty -- involved stopping blood flow through the damaged artery for three minutes, while the stem cells were infused. "It felt exacfly like I was having a heart attack again," Milles remembers.
Milles had spent the first weeks after his heart attack just lying in bed re-watching his "Sopranos" DVDs, but within a week of the stem cell infusion, he says, "I was reinvigorated." Today he's back at work full time, as an accounting manager at a construction company. He's cut out fast food and shed 50 pounds. His wife and two teenage sons are thrilled.
Denis Buxton says the new papers could prove a milestone. "We don't have anything else to actually regenerate the heart. These stem cell therapies have the possibility of actually reversing damage."
Bolli says he'll have to temper his enthusiasm until he can duplicate the results in larger studies, definitive enough to get stem cell therapy approved as a standard treatment. "If a phase 3 study confirmed this, it would be the biggest advance in cardiology in my lifetime. We would possibly be curing heart failure. It would be a revolution."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
State College, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky insisted in an interview Monday he is "innocent" of charges that he sexually abused young boys, denying to NBC's Bob Costas that he's a pedophile.
In a telephone interview with NBC's "Rock Center With Brian Williams," Sandusky admitted that some details in the graphic 23-page grand jury report released earlier this month are correct.
"I could say I have done some of those things," he said. "I have horsed around with kids I have showered (with) after workouts. I have hugged them, and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact."
Still, Sandusky claimed he has been falsely accused of crimes. When pressed, the 67-year-old Sandusky said the only thing he did wrong was having "showered with those kids."
Costas asked directly: "Are you sexually attracted to underage boys?"
Sandusky repeated the question, paused, and responded, "No. I enjoy young people."
Asked if then-head football coach Joe Paterno had ever spoken to him about his behavior or expressed disapproval, Sandustry said simply, "No."
And asked if he felt guilty over the spreading fallout that has affected the university and prominent university figures including the fired Paterno, Sandusky responded, "I don't think it was my fault. I obviously played a part in this ... I shouldn't have showered with those kids. That's what hits me the most."
Sandusky's lawyer, Joe Amendola, said Monday night that showering with children does not equate automatically to sexual assault.
"Jerry Sandusky is a big, overgrown kid. He's a jock," Amendola told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "The bottom line is jocks do that -- they kid around, they horse around."
Sandusky was arrested on November 5, after the release of the grand jury report detailing alleged crimes that he committed between 1994 and 2009. Some of those allegedly happened on Penn State's campus, including one witnessed by then-graduate assistant coach Mike McQueary in 2002.
McQueary told Paterno what he had seen, and Paterno then alerted then-athletic director Tim Curley, but law enforcement didn't learn of the alleged incident until years later.
In the interview with NBC's Costas, Sandusky flatly denied that McQueary witnessed what has been described in some accounts as Sandusky's rape of a young boy. He said instead that he and the boy were in the shower, "snapping towels" and engaging in horseplay.
Regarding the 2002 incident, Amendola said "the kid was messing around and having a good time" in the shower with Sandusky, adding that McQueary felt "uncomfortable" upon seeing it. He denied the more graphic details offered in that and other allegations, claiming that the prosecution's case lacked sufficient evidence and witnesses.
"They have throwing everything they can throw up against the wall," Amendola said of prosecutors' case. " And they're saying, (out of) all these accusations, some of them have to be true. But when you take it apart, they don't even have victims in several of their cases."
After Sandusky was charged this month with 40 counts of sexually abusing children, Judge Leslie Dutchcot freed him on $100,000 bail, against the wishes of prosecutors.
A biography of Dutchcot posted on the website of the law firm Goodall & Yurchak lists her as a volunteer for Second Mile. It is not clear whether Dutchcot currently has any affiliation with the organization.
CNN tried to contact the judge but has not received a response.
School trustees fired university President Graham Spanier and Paterno last week on the heels of Sandusky's arrest, while McQueary was put on administrative leave.
And on Monday, in an indication of the scandal's fallout spreading beyond Penn State, U.S. Navy spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Alana Garas said that the U.S. Navy secretary recommended that Spanier "be removed from the board of advisers to the presidents of the Naval Postgraduate School and Naval War College."
Also on Monday, the board of directors for the charity that Sandusky founded -- Second Mile -- announced that its CEO had resigned. The CEO of 28 years, Jack Raykovitz, a licensed psychologist, "and the board believe this is in the best interests of the organization."
David Woodle, the board's vice chairman, will take over day-to-day operations.
Saying that the "safety and well-being of the children" is central to its mission, the board announced it will conduct an internal investigation and make "recommendations regarding the organization's future operations. We hope to have those findings by the end of December."
The organization vowed to cooperate fully with the state attorney general's investigation.
Sandusky molested young boys after developing close relationships with them through Second Mile, according to the grand jury report.
The group said Sandusky has not been involved with its children since he told officials in November 2008 he was being investigated over "allegations made against him by an adolescent male."
Sandusky and his wife were a host family through another charity, the New York-based Fresh Air Fund, which sends inner-city children to volunteer families and camps in non-urban locales, spokeswoman Andrea Kotuk said. She added that the charity isn't yet sure when the Sanduskys were hosts, saying workers there were reviewing records and cooperating with authorities in Pennsylvania.
On November 7 -- two days after Sandusky's arrest -- the ex-wife of Sandusky's adopted son filed a petition for "temporary emergency modification of custody," according to a filing by the woman's lawyer Justine F. Andronici.
Jill Jones asked that her ex-husband, Matt Sandusky, "not permit the children to be around Jerry Sandusky and that the children not be taken to Dorothy and Jerry Sandusky's residence." The document claims that Matt Sandusky took the children to his parents' home on the day before the request was filed.
The Sanduskys' neighborhood has been affected as well, with the road to his home blocked off and private property signs up on his lawn after police said a cinder block was thrown through a window there.
Prosecutors: Coach went from mentor to predator
Since Sandusky was freed, an elementary school bordering his home has taken steps to ensure student safety. Sandusky's backyard is next to the playground at Lemont Elementary School.
When he was released on bail, Sandusky, the former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator, was told not to go near children.
State College Area School District Superintendent Robert J. O'Donnell told The Patriot-News newspaper by e-mail that the school principal "has taken additional administrative action to ensure our children are safe." O'Donnell didn't say what steps were taken.
On Sunday, Melissa and Carl Anderson, the parents of two little boys who live near the school, questioned why he was out on bail.
"It baffles my mind," Melissa Anderson said.
"The presumption of innocence -- we all like to believe in that and we do in this country -- but I think there's a level of protection that a neighborhood and community is entitled to," Carl Anderson said.
The Andersons were once such fans of the coach that they own an autographed, limited-edition copy of his book, "Touched -- The Jerry Sandusky Story."
"For me ... it alternates between anger and sadness," Carl Anderson said of his sentiments now. "It really is a loss of wholesale community innocence."
How Paterno can promote healing
Curley and Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Gary Schultz have been charged with failing to report the abuse to authorities and misleading investigators. Prosecutors determined they had a legal duty to report the alleged abuse, but not McQueary and Paterno.
On Monday, the Big Ten Conference announced that Paterno's name is being pulled from the football championship trophy to be awarded next month at the conference's first championship game in Indianapolis, Indiana.
"The trophy and its namesake are intended to be celebratory and aspirational, not controversial," Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement. "We believe that it's important to keep the focus on the players and the teams that will be competing in the inaugural championship game."
The trophy was going to be named after both Paterno, the winningest coach in top-level college football history, and Amos Alonzo Stagg, a founder of the Big Ten. It will now be called the Stagg Championship Trophy.
New Penn State President Rodney Erickson, meanwhile, tried to help his school move on Monday -- after a week that he said "tested the character and resilience of the Penn State community."
In a statement on the school's website, Erickson said he wanted to say "how proud of I am" of the school. He cited a candlelight vigil for abuse victims that thousands took part in Friday night and the Penn State-Nebraska football game on Saturday, which included a moment of silence.
"Today, we are back to class and the business of running this university," he wrote.
"Collectively, we need to show the nation and world that Penn State cares, and that Penn State is a community of individuals committed to moving forward with a shared sense of purpose."
Monday, November 14, 2011
(PEOPLE.com) -- For new mom Pink, balancing a busy career and motherhood is really just a matter of proper timing.
"As long as my boobs are at home at a certain hour, I can do whatever I want," the singer-actress, 32, told PEOPLE at the Hollywood premiere of "Happy Feet Two."
Pink, who voices the character of penguin Gloria in the 3D computer-animated film, finds participating in family-oriented movies more meaningful now that she and husband Carey Hart have daughter Willow Sage.
"It just touches a different part of your heart," she says.
And while 5-month-old Willow isn't yet old enough to see her mom's movie, Pink says she is looking forward to showing it to her in the future.
"In a couple years, I'm going to scare the crap out of my daughter with this movie!"
Last week, during an appearance on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Cain said he still has the support of his wife.
"My own wife said that I wouldn't do anything as silly as what that lady was talking about, because she does know me," Cain said about one of the accusers, Sharon Bialek.
"I've been married for 43 years to the same woman and I'm proud of it."
At least four women have accused the GOP presidential hopeful of sexual harassment.
In a statement last week, Cain campaign spokesman J.D. Gordon said, "There have been a number of interesting revelations that the public has learned about these women over the past few days. We hope the court of public opinion will take this into consideration as these women continue to try and keep this story alive."
The attorney for a woman who accused Cain of sexual harassment in the late 1990s said Thursday his client is not prepared to hold a news conference about the allegations until all the other reported victims agree to join her.
Joel Bennett said his client, Karen Kraushaar, has tried to reach two other women who also claim they were sexually harassed by Cain during his 1996-99 stint as head of the National Restaurant Association.
Another accuser, Bialek, has agreed to attend a joint news conference with Kraushaar, but without the participation of all the alleged victims, Kraushaar doesn't want to proceed, Bennett told reporters.
The sexual harassment accusations have dominated Cain's campaign since they were first reported October 30 by Politico. He had surged to the top of the polls with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, but now faces questions about his moral fiber as well as his campaign's ability to deal with the controversy.
While controversy swirls around Cain, his campaign is continuing to see a major financial boost.
The campaign announced Thursday it has brought in more than $9 million since October 1.
Cain has repeatedly and vehemently denied the sexual abuse allegations. Some analysts have said the accusations are helping him to build support among conservative activists and the impressive fundraising totals are one sign of that.
While Cain has soared in popularity in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, his wife has remained out of the spotlight. Gloria Cain is rarely seen on the campaign trail and had been unavailable to media outlets clamoring to speak with her.
Cain, 65, has said previously he's trying to keep his family protected from the ups and down of running for president. Gloria Cain had a pacemaker implanted in 2005 to help with a serious heart fibrillation, according to his book "This is Herman Cain! My Journey to the White House."
"Gloria continues to be a steady source of devotion and inspiration, never more so than now," the candidate writes in his book.
"Some people have certain expectations concerning the traditional politician's wife, though, and I'm often asked: 'Where is your wife? Why isn't she campaigning with you?'
" 'She is at home,' I answer.
"And Gloria will tell them that she's not running but she supports me 100%. That's all I need." | eng | 1ed22379-dbaa-4959-a96c-47d0037bbfc9 | http://bobscurrentevents.blogspot.com/2011_11_13_archive.html |
In B2B telemarketing,
the vital importance of careful planning of the telemarketing
script is often not understood. Yet a telemarketing consultant
can easily double, quadruple or 10-x the results of telemarketing
by creating a script...
The telemarketing
script and its vital importance to the success of your telemarketers
There are many things that could
go wrong in telemarketing, of course... but one particular point
seems to be almost etched upon our mind as a mistake everybody
MUST make.
That mistake
is the belittling of the importance of the telemarketing SCRIPT.
Those who plan
the telemarketing activity pooh-pooh the relevance of the script.
Those who TRAIN
telemarketers tend to do just the same, underestimate the significance
of the script. And those who USE the script — telemarketers
— continue the trend, arguing against the script, changing
it unannounced or even so they're not AWARE of changing it...
It seems that
the human experience cannot easily tolerate following a closely
laid path on doing something. We feel a need to improvise, to
change, to omit, to add... anything BUT follow the script meticulously
EXACTLY AS IT IS.
Obviously,
the script is like a policy of your company. It's how the senior
management WANTED your company to be presented by your telemarketers.
If they had
NOT wanted the telemarketing to use this script and present the
company in this way then they would NOT have installed that script,
right?
So... why then
does just about everyone IGNORE or FIGHT this same script?
Well... that's
just how it is. It doesn't actually matter WHY they fight a telemarketing
script.
The important
thing to know is that they DO... and that it's something that
just about every telemarketer will do instinctively.
It's vital
to know that just so you don't go out on wild goose chases to
CHANGE your script as a result of the criticism it receives.
If you change
it then you're on for an endless cycle of changes, at the end of which
you'll be MORE confused and have FEWER results than when you
started on this path of change.
So the first
advice is not to follow any single remark that suggests the telemarketing
script should be changed in any way.
That includes
omitting something, changing the order of questions or sentences,
adding something to the script (whether ad lib or in written
form) and anything else that would factually constitute A CHANGE.
The way you
change a telemarketing script is by way of RESEARCH.
Researching
the need of change for your telemarketing script
There are many
ways of researching your telemarketing script for need of change.
The most obvious
one would be to conduct a market research survey within your
target group to hear what THEY think.
What do the
telemarketers of your industry do that IRRITATES the average
prospective customer?
What does your
industry's telemarketing LACK in terms of information or in way
of NOT creating an understanding about something, not giving
some data the target person needs... and so on?
What do they
like, what do they need (but think it's not available), what
do they dislike, how do they think you should approach them,
what specific words or key phrases do they use about these things
(so you can ensure your telemarketing script COMMUNICATES to
them and is understood the way you want)... what?
I stress that
it must be based on what the target group thinks, not
on what you think they think and not even on what
you're absolutely dead-certain they think (but you've
not verified it with an accurate survey).
In all honesty,
very few telemarketing scripts are based on any form of accurate
market research on the target group.
It's part of
human nature to be CERTAIN THAT YOU KNOW these things... but
what you know is all from the OPPOSITE VIEWPOINT to that of a
potential client.
Thus, most
telemarketing scripts tend to be experienced as self-promoting
and downright alien by those who receive the patter from your
telemarketers.
In fact, telemarketing
has gone on this way for so long that now most target persons
make their decision within the first 2-5 SECONDS from the onset
of the telemarketer's script... and the downright APPALLING
lack of results (that's equally appallingly accepted as "a
reality of life" within businesses) proves that overwhelmingly
that decision is "not to continue with this telemarketer."
The fact that
telemarketing produces poor results is not due to some law of
nature but merely caused by telemarketing scripts built on
assumptions and "traditional marketing approach"
(read: self-promoting, self-aggrandizing fancy-talk that does
not create a positive differentiation in the mind of the receiver).
So your first
point of research would be to survey what your target group actually
thinks and, above all, how THEY see these things from THEIR viewpoint...
and your script must then use THEIR viewpoint in its approach
and contents.
NOTE:In the Professional B2B-sector Telemarketing
Guide
you also receive a sample script for conducting just this kind
of a market research survey among your target group in order
to nail down WHAT your telemarketing script should include and
how it should be planned.
Once you do
have a telemarketing script that's based on some form of researched
and proven facts about the views of your target group, it's likely
that this script still needs some tweaking.
One can plan
a telemarketing script only so far with a "dry run"
and its true strengths and weaknesses come to view only once
you start using it with live prospects.
Now, you can
conduct "a survey" among your telemarketers. Ask them
where the script staggers, which questions or sentences they
need to repeat to most prospects, where in the script do they
lose prospects... and so on.
At this point,
do not make changes to the telemarketing script yet but merely
DOCUMENT these points.
Next, listen
in on each telemarketer who gave feedback on the telemarketing
script. Does the problem depend on HIS/HER rendition of the script
— does they go through the script exactly as it is written
OR, do they actually ADD something there, CHANGE something...
alter it in any way at all?
If they do
then disregard their feedback on changing the script and, instead,
correct them on that point and have them rehearse speaking that
part of the script with you until they can render it correctly.
Then check
back a few days later, listening in (preferably so they don't
notice you're doing it) and see if they've kept to adhering to
the script or slipped back to altering the telemarketing cycle
as previously. Correct again if needed.
Once you have
done this a few times AND now have data from all telemarketers
for a period of time, ONLY THEN start considering altering one
aspect of it slightly to improve it.
Pick the earliest
point in the telemarketing script and juggle it around SLIGHTLY
by reviewing the market research survey data from your target
group (so as to adopt the clients' viewpoint) and alter that
point (question, statement) just a bit... and then implement
that with your best telemarketer. Let him/her use it a while
before evaluating the results.
If it's an
improvement, make the change permanent and now do the same with
the NEXT point in the telemarketing script giving problems for
your telemarketers.
If it isn't
an improvement then drop it and try again.
Beware of going
into any changes of your telemarketing script because one or
two people say so or since one or more prospects react to it
in a negative way.
No telemarketing
script can ever please everyone. Decision-makers react to things
emotionally and a seething response can just as well be caused
by the guy's wife telling him off just prior to your telemarketing
call... it need NOT be the telemarketing scrip at all.
So don't jump
into conclusions about the script. Research, observe, verify
it from several sources and then create a small change and TEST
its results.
Telemarketing
scripts and the blindness of expertise
You're not
going to like this but it needs to be said: The biggest weakness
of any competent person who's a top expert in some field is that
we tend to take granted that that same expertise extends to OTHER
related fields of knowledge.
This is usually
the case with creating a telemarketing script. Because a person
is so intimately familiar with the customers and one's own technical
area of expertise, we assume that this makes us best qualified
for creating the telemarketing script and approach.
Yet telemarketing
is a very specific area of communication in which one needs to
be an expert of communication rather than the specific technical
field which it promotes.
The intimate
technical knowledge of the service / product line being promoted
as well as experiences from existing clients can actually both
be more of a liability rather than an asset in planning a telemarketing
script for that business activity.
Knowledge of
communication techniques combined with an OUTSIDE VIEWPOINT will
always produce a far more efficient set of telemarketing tools,
simply because telemarketing needs to apply to the CLIENTS' experiences
of YOU rather than the other way round.
You can't go
into much technical detail in telemarketing anyhow, so the technical
understanding required in planning a first-contact telemarketing
tool is easily obtained from you in a briefing.
But the experience
and/or knowledge of creating telemarketing tools takes years
to achieve.
It requires
thousands of hours of experience from hundreds of B2B / technical
telemarketing assignments (and equally many market researches
of their target groups) to acquire CERTAINTY in creating telemarketing
tools that produce the kind of results one SHOULD expect from
a telemarketing activity.
Yet few business
owners and/or top executives come to think of it this way. It's
so everyday to hear various experts and consultants extol their
own expertise that we become dubious of all promotion.
It's an old
maxim that the FEELING of expertise diminishes in a reverse ratio
to the number of telemarketing campaigns that one plans and sees
the results thereof in practice.
The more experienced
and expert one becomes in planning telemarketing systems and
scripts, the more one understands one's limitations, in other
words.
For those who've
planned no (or few) telemarketing campaigns (or who've not meticulously
documented the results and evaluated them in light of the true
potential of telemarketing), it feels easy to create a telemarketing
script.
It's an oversight
which is easily made by any competent executive and its power
is directly dependent on NOT REALISING the existence of this
thinking.
Once we look
at it from this viewpoint, it becomes obvious that, in light
of the vast expense of telemarketing itself, it might be a good
idea to spend a few pennies to have the best possible telemarketing
script (based on research of the target group's viewpoint) in
order to extract the best possible horsepower (results) from
the telemarketing activity.
It's bean counting
really. The more one can increase the results of the telemarketing
activity, the lower one can push the relative COST of it.
But where would
you turn to have a telemarketing script and/or system devised
in such expert manner?
Searching in
vain for expertise in creating telemarketing scripts?
Indeed, where
does one FIND an expert of telemarketing scripts?
It's actually
NOT hard to see WHY most businesses don't look for a telemarketing
expert for creating a script and tools for their telemarketers.
Broadly speaking,
there aren't any!
Well, I consider
myself one, what with some 100 campaigns created for different
technical B2B companies... but I actually am not aware of ANOTHER
telemarketing consultant.
If you search
the Internet, you'll find this out too. You'll see that 99.99%
of what passes for "telemarketing experts" out there
are telemarketing agencies whose idea of service is that they
make the telemarketing calls for you.
Their attention
is wholly concentrated on HAVING telemarketers and those people
possessing a pleasant telephone manner.
They sell "hours"
or "calls" or even "contacts" but usually
they never mention the expertise of creating a telemarketing
script and planning the correct approach.
So obviously
you would not call these guys to find expertise in CREATING a
telemarketing system for YOUR in-house use, right?
Because it
seems like an intellectual exercise and since there aren't any
experts available to do it, we create our own telemarketing script
without giving it a second thought.
In the realm
of the physical this would never happen. A manufacturing company
wouldn't consider manufacturing all the technical equipment and
machinery needed to manufacture their product. They would turn
to someone whose expertise that is and BUY the machinery.
A company offering
CAD drawing or 3D rendering would not ever try to create the
software they use but turn to expert software companies.
Yet it's not
really different with telemarketing.
Your telemarketing
system is the "software" with which your telemarketing
activity operates... and the results can be only as good as the
"software" directing the activity.
Your telemarketing
script is essentially "that which produces results"
in the hands of telemarketers in your telemarketing activity specific | eng | 9faf435f-323f-4194-bc50-987cc8d853f4 | http://www.telemarketingtips.info/telemarketing-script.html |
Tag Archives: honeybee
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A handful of foragers return home early one morning, their stomachs heavy with nectar. They have found a good source of food, but it will take more honeybees to collect it all.
Inside the hive a worker suddenly charges at a bee, pushing with her head and grabbing with her feet. She jumps on top of the bee and shakes her abdomen up and down. The bee responds to this strange behaviour by walking off to the hive entrance. There she will watch the waggle dances on the propolis dance floor and join the foraging efforts of her sisters.
The worker had demonstrated the dorsoventral abdominal vibrating dance or DVAV, a dance to recruit more bees to forage during a sudden or plentiful flow of nectar.
The DVAV might also be used on a queen bee to make her move towards the entrance when it is time to swarm.
6.6 The methods of communication used by the honeybee including food sharing (trophallaxis), dancing, scenting and vibration.
After a busy start to February, I'm back to the bee books for the honeybee behaviour exam in March. This week it's all about the social network. Honeybees have evolved a complex social network that involves communicating through dance, food and scents.
1 Trophallaxis (food sharing)
Unlike beekeepers who chat over tea and cake, bees exchange food and communicate by regurgitating into each other's mouths. This makes me very thankful to be a beekeeper and not a bee!
Food sharing, or trophallaxis, is when two worker bees share the crop content (a mix of nectar and other substances) in their honey stomachs, which results in an exchange of information about each other and about the colony. The clearest account I have read of trophallaxis is given by Celia F Davis in The Honey Bee Inside Out (pages 106–7), making a potentially confusing topic actually simple to understand:
'It starts with one worker begging for food or another offering it. A begging bee pushes its proboscis [tongue] towards the mouth of another bee. The other bee then opens its mandibles, pushes its proboscis forward and regurgitates a drop of nectar from its crop, which the begging bee takes. An offering bee will regurgitate a drop of nectar and offer it to another bee. The result of this is that the crops of adult workers throughout the colony will contain the same mix of nectar and other substances at the same concentrations.'
Celia F Davis. The Honey Bee Inside Out
This method of food exchange is very rapid. Studies found that coloured or radioactive nectar fed to a few workers was spread to more than half the workers in the colony within 24 hours.
What's the point of trophallaxis? Well, it gives each bee the 'common colony stomach', says Davis, so that they all have the same smell. This is how bees from the same colony can recognise each other; for example, guard bees can recognise returning foragers as members of their colony. It also ensures that 'all the bees in the colony have a continuing appreciation of the quality of incoming nectar and pollen sources and their abundance in the colony', which in turn can affect:
foraging behaviour
brood rearing and division of labour between house (inside) bees
queen's rate of egg laying
Trophallaxis and other methods of communication
Trophallaxis can play a part in the exchange of scent (chemical) messages, when bees touch antennae during nectar sharing. Food sharing can also happen during the waggle dance when the dancer gives a taste of nectar to another bee to show how good it is.
2 Dancing
Honeybees are very good choreographers and they use different dances to communicate including the DVAV, round dance, sickle dance and, everyone's favourite, the waggle dance.
The waggle, or wagtail, dance is a figure of eight movement with a little waggle in the middle. It is performed by foraging honeybees who find a good source of forage (trees or flowers) and then fly home to tell everyone else.
It goes something like this…
The bee walks in a straight line waggling her bottom and buzzing her wings. She then turns and loops back to where she started. She walks along the straight line again, waggling her bottom and buzzing her wings, then loops back in the other direction creating a figure of eight on the dance floor. The straight line indicates the direction of the food and the number of waggles indicates the distance.
In the bee world, the vertical face of the honeycomb (imagine sections of comb hanging down inside the hive) represents the sun, and the angle of the straight line to the vertical indicates the position of the trees or flowers to the sun. For example, if the straight line is run at a 60 degree angle, then the food source is 60 degrees to the sun.
As the sun is always moving across the sky, the dancer calculates the sun's movement by adjusting the angle of her dance every four minutes by one degree to the west.
Round dance
The round dance is performed as a simple loop. It doesn't give directions like the waggle dance and simply says 'Go get it!' The round dance is used when a food source that has a particularly high sugar content is not far from the hive, for example: a field of oilseed rape, other hives or an M&M factory! There must have been a lot of excited French bees doing the round dance last year after discovering vast quantities of blue sugar syrup nearby.
Sickle dance
The sickle dance is a figure of eight without the waggle in the middle. It is somewhere between the round dance and the waggle dance and it is used when the distance to the forage is somewhere inbetween. It says, 'around the corner and up the next street'.
There are other dances that have been observed inside the hive.
Jostling dance: a prelude to the waggle dance. Foragers returning from a successful trip will run and push other bees to let them know they are about to do the waggle dance.
Spasmodic dance: a variation on the jostling dance that includes food sharing, and presumably gives the same message.
Trembling dance: while the DVAV dance recruits more foragers, the trembling dance seems to recruit more receiver and storage bees to help foragers unload nectar and pollen. Davis says: 'A bee runs about on 4 legs and twitches and trembles. If it meets a bee performing a wagtail dance, it head-butts it and briefly pipes.'
Apparently, the time it takes for a forager to unload her nectar influences the type of dance that is performed. If the forager takes 20 seconds or less to unload nectar, the DVAV dance is performed to recruit more workers to forage. However, if the forager takes 40 seconds or more to unload, then the trembling dance recruits more bees to help process nectar being brought into the hive.
The dance language of bees is varied and complex, and care should be taken in the interpretation, says Davis. For example, the trembling dance can also be a request for grooming. Other dances, like the DVAV dance and the buzzing run, have also been connected with swarming.
The buzzing run is where a bee runs in a straight line while buzzing its wings and collides with another bee – they touch antennae, buzz and run off to collide with more bees. The dance has a cascading effect across the hive with bees buzzing, running and colliding until they swarm. Davis says that the buzzing run is performed again by the swarm before flying off to its new home, and it is then sometimes called the break dance.
3 Scenting
A worker waving her abdomen in the air – exposing her Nasonov gland and fanning her wings to spread the scent to guide foraging bees back to the colony.
As an aromatherapist, I envy bees living in a world of aromas. The hive is like a perfume factory with a scent for every occasion, including: to communicate, to stimulate and suppress behaviour, to coordinate activities, to attract and to alert among many other things.
These important scents are pheromones – chemical substances that are secreted to affect a specific reaction. A helpful definition of pheromones was coined in the 1950s:
'Pheromones are substances which are secreted to the outside by an individual and received by a second individual of the same species in which they release a specific reaction which may be behavioural, developmental or physiological.'
The chemicals are made in glandular cells and secreted by glands, specifically exocrine glands, that secrete substances outside the body. (Humans, for example, have an endocrine system – endocrine glands – that secrete chemical substances such as hormones inside the body. A very basic biology lesson!)
In the hive, pheromones are released by queens, workers, drones, brood and even comb. As many pheromones used by honeybees have been covered in other posts, for the purpose of this part of the syllabus here's a quick summary:
There is so much to explore about the world of pheromones that I may revisit this in another post.
4 Vibrating
Finally, a form of communication largely used by queen bees, although sometimes used by workers, is piping and it can be associated with swarming. Virgin queen are known to pipe inside their cells and it is thought that they are warning their sister queens-in-waiting that they have a rival for the throne! After emerging from her cell, an unmated or mated queen also makes this noise by resting her thorax on the comb and vibrating her powerful flight muscles.
A worker honeybee is patrolling the hive. She walks around the colony watching her sisters clean cells, nurse brood, build comb and fan nectar. She sees drones being pushed aside by returning foragers impatient to unload heavy baskets of pollen. She turns as the queen walks past looking for suitable cells to lay eggs.
Such is the constant activity of the hive that it almost causes her to miss a haphazardly laid egg. Almost. She pauses. The egg lies lopsided along the wall of the cell, not neatly deposited at the bottom. The queen, a precise egg-layer, is never so careless, so the worker climbs in the cell to investigate. Every egg laid by the queen has a signature scent (pheromone) but this egg does not have her mother's tag – it has been laid by one of her sisters, a rebellious laying worker.
The queen does not need to fear insurrection because her daughters are very efficient at policing themselves. Without hesitation, our worker eats her sister's egg and if she happens to catch her sister laying more eggs, she will not treat her kindly.
My fourth post for BBKA module 6 honeybee behaviour covers syllabus item 6.5, which discusses the social organisation of the honeybee colony as a well-structured and highly hierarchical community. This time my revision notes are summarised and illustrated by beautiful infographics created for my blog by designer Keith Whitlock.
6.5 The social organisation of the honeybee colony including worker policing.
The honeybee is a eusocial insect, which describes an advanced level of social organisation. The most familiar examples of eusocial insects are bees, ants and wasps, which all belong to the insect order Hymenoptera.
Eusociality is demonstrated by:
colony of overlapping generations from eggs and larvae to young and fully mature adults
caste system that divides labour between reproductive individuals (queen) and sterile individuals (workers)
responsibility for rearing young shared by large numbers of sterile individuals on behalf of the reproductives
The organisation of a honeybee colony revealing a eusocial society is given below:
Now that's understood, here's how the bees get organised inside the hive.
The queen (diploid, fertile reproductive individual)
The queen is the most important bee in the colony. She lays eggs, providing a constant supply of new bees, and produces queen substance to control the workers and keep the colony working together as a cohesive whole.
Egg layer The queen fulfils the role of egg-layer thanks to the royal jelly that she is continually fed in copious amounts as a young larva, thus ensuring she has fully developed ovaries and is able to mate. It is only the queen who can lay both fertilised eggs (which become female workers or potential new queens) and unfertilised eggs (which become male drones).
The queen mates not long after hatching and lays around 1,500 eggs per day; she may live between 3–5 years (see revision post 6.2 to 6.3 the life of the queen). She is not only a prolific egg-layer, she is also precise. With her long abdomen, she carefully deposits one egg, placed neatly in the centre, at the bottom of a cell (fertilised with a single sperm or left unfertilised) and marked by a pheromone so that the workers can recognise eggs laid by the queen.
Queen substance
The queen secretes a substance from her mandibular glands called queen substance – a heady mix of chemicals of which the main component is the pheromone 9-oxodec-2-enoic acid (9-ODA). The queen substance is constantly spread throughout the hive as workers lick the queen and then pass the chemicals to other bees. Queen substance, combined with a pheromone given off by her own brood, inhibits the development of the workers' ovaries – effectively it acts as a natural contraceptive! It is quite effective as normally only 0.01% of workers can produce full-sized eggs and only 0.1% of drones in a hive are the sons of laying workers.
Queen substance modifies worker behaviour in other ways:
inhibits building of new queen cells
stimulates foraging activities for nectar and pollen
encourages workers to build honeycomb
The pheromone 9-ODA is also released by the queen as a scent to attract male drones during her mating flight.
As the queen gets older her queen substance becomes weaker, and her egg-laying decreases, so that she has less control over her workers. They will eventually build queen cells to replace her.
Workers and worker policing (diploid, infertile non-reproductive individual)
If you see a honeybee foraging on a flower in spring and summer she is likely to be a female worker. Almost every bee inside the hive is a worker and female.
Workers are the worker caste and carry out all the tasks for the colony (see revision post 6.1 the role of the worker bee). They live for around 40 days in spring and summer and between 5–6 months over autumn and winter.
Development of infertile females
After hatching, all young larvae are fed royal jelly for three days and then put on a diet of brood food, unless specially selected to become queens. Larvae who are continually fed royal jelly become queens with fully developed ovaries and are able to mate. Worker larvae are not fed royal jelly after day three of their development, have under-developed ovaries and are not able to mate. Their ovaries are unlikely to develop as adult bees due to the pheromones given off by the queen substance and the brood.
Worker policing
However, some workers may produce full-size eggs in their ovaries and become laying workers. Their progeny are destined to become drone because they cannot mate and have no sperm to fertilise their eggs.
Laying workers are quite careless. They may lay more than one egg per cell and because their abdomens are shorter than the queen's the eggs are often laid haphazardly against the cell wall. They do not differentiate between worker-sized and drone-sized cells, laying drone eggs in worker-sized cells that hatch as drones with stunted growth.
Most importantly, worker-laid eggs are not marked by the queen's pheromone, which helps other workers to police their illegal egg-laying activities. Worker-laid eggs are usually removed from cells and eaten by other workers (a practice known as oophagy).
Drones (haploid, fertile reproductive individual)
Drones are the male bees of the colony and it is thought that their only role is to mate with virgin queens (see revision post 6.2 to 6.3 the life of the queen). A drone hatches from an unfertilised egg and inherits one set of chromosomes from his mother, the queen; for this reason, a queen cannot mate with drones from her own colony due to the risks of inbreeding.
Drones that mate with a virgin queen on her mating flight will die in the act, and drones that don't mate but live to the end of the summer will eventually outlive their usefulness to the colony and be evicted by their sisters.
Drones do no work inside the hive, although beekeepers have observed in spring and summer that colonies with fewer drones can be bad tempered. Perhaps drones fulfil another purpose not yet discovered.
I'm looking forward to exploring the next item on the syllabus – dancing bees!
When Rosemary, a lovely beekeeper at our apiary, gave me a book about the true story of a man who discovers the wonders of bees and honey on a farm in Italy, I packed it in my flight bag for a trip to Rome. I should have sub-titled this post: 'A beekeeper in Rome', because it is the story of my Roman holiday and the book that accompanied my travels.
Honey and Dust: Travels in search of sweetnessby Piers Moore Ede begins as Piers, a young British environmentalist writer, is seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident in San Francisco and loses sense of his life's purpose. He goes to recuperate on a farm owned by a beekeeper in Italy and rediscovers his passion for life with the help of Gunther and his bees.
Hillside views seen from the Colleseum. The opening chapters of Honey and Dust set in rural Italy were exciting in-flight reading on my way to Rome.
One sunny afternoon, Piers and Gunther take a walk, through a copse of trees, to a thicket of rosemary bushes, to where Gunther keeps his beehives. The gentle Italian bees are busy foraging nectar from the heavy-scented rosemary, 'Rosmarino. Strong honey'. Gunther cuts a wedge of honeycomb from one of the hives to share with Piers:
'That was my first taste of honey straight from a hive. We stood there in the clearing, with the afternoon sun warm upon our faces, honey running down our fingers, and let the sweetness wash over our tongues. The honey, indeed, had a strong taste of rosemary, and to see the spiny green bushes right beside us, and then to taste the result here and now, was by no means any great scientific discovery, but it felt strangely wonderful – like an insight into the order of things.'
It is a magical moment for the reader too, and I knew then that I would love this book. By the time our plane landed in Rome, I had joined Piers in the Middle East as he began his quest to find and taste the world's most wondrous honeys.
A beekeeper in Rome
Rome is an amazing city. The ancient world sits comfortably with the modern world. It has style and glamour alongside history and tradition. The coffee is amazing too.
Rome – The Eternal City.
The story of the ages is told on every street. Here is the Colleseum.
The Papal Swiss Guard at Vatican City is the only Swiss Guard that still exists.
Ah, Roma! Romance in Rome as we come across an Italian TV crew filming a love story.
I like tea not coffee. Italian coffee is delicious!
Sitting with my friends in a cafe overlooking the Colleseum, I reflected how my journey was similar to Piers: exploring a vibrant and beautiful world which in parts has vanished.
A disappearing world
Honey flowed like rivers in ancient times. The Romans were Master Beekeepers with a particular fondness for thyme honey. Virgil and Pliny expounded the health-giving virtues of this golden nectar, and wrote detailed descriptions of beekeeping and the qualities of bees. However, Virgil thought queen bees were kings and warned of finding king cells in hives. The art of beekeeping declined in Ancient Rome with the fall of the Roman Empire.
Piers' first stop on his tour of the world of apiculture is Beirut, but sadly he encounters varroa early in his journey. Wadih Yazbek, the son of a famous Lebanese beekeeper, explains that the honey-gathering traditions of the mountains was a practice of happier times:
'It is not just us, the people, who have suffered in this last century. The land itself has taken many savage blows. And the wild bees, in consequence, have grown quiet. Of course, we beekeepers make sure that the bees survive – but in the wild, in caves and trees, they no longer make their homes as they used to. The varroa mite has hit us badly here.'
Piers' realisation that the honeybees of the wild and domesticated hives are disappearing as colony after colony is ravaged by varroa makes his quest to find honey even sweeter. I finished reading the chapters in the Middle East as our first day in Rome came to an end, sitting in the beautiful gardens of Villa Borghese and enjoying very good Italian ice cream.
Villa Borghese is the second largest public park in Rome with beautiful landscaped gardens and an enchanting lake.
The Temple of Asclepius, the god of medicine, stands in the centre of the lake.
There are hidden fountains…
… and secret terrapin pools.
Vatican – the city of angels and demons
The next day we visited the Vatican – a city in a city – and I heard rumour that the pope keeps his own hives. While I didn't see a bee, the Vatican experience can only be described as pure sensory overload. You need a guide, and a day, to see the Vatican.
Once inside, I used an entire 8GB memory card on my SLR and it was worth every shot. The highlight was Michaelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel, which is – indescribable. However, filming is forbidden inside the Sistine Chapel to protect the incandescent artwork, and because the Vatican owns the copyright. I wonder what Michaelangelo would have thought of that?
Inside the Vatican – a hall of gold and light.
Art so beautiful and breathtaking.
Gods and goddesses…
Angels…
… and demons.
Afterwards, we sat quietly inside a family-run restaurant and digested all that we had seen and heard. As a storm threatened to break the sunshine, we were invited to stay past closing time to share a complementary bowl of cherries and limoncello.
I took a peek inside my book to see what Piers was doing in Nepal. What struck me as I read Honey and Dust was the easy connections that Piers made with everyone he met. Whether visiting noisy war-torn capitals or the rooftop of the world, people warm to the young writer and invite him into their homes to share a unique insight into their hidden lives.
Out of the storm – we are welcomed into a family restaurant.
Limoncello and cherries! A risky combination.
That evening we climbed the turrets of Castel Sant'Angelo, went for tapas and enjoyed drinks in a restaurant opposite the Pantheon. I went to bed exhausted, and not sure if I was excited to wake for Rome or Piers' trek with Nepalese honey hunters through dense forests.
The Pantheon by moonlight.
Italian wine best enjoyed on a warm evening in Rome.
Falling in love with Rome
On Sunday morning we stumbled across mass at the Pantheon on our way to the Fountain de Trevi. The Pantheon is one of the best preserved buildings of Ancient Rome. The rotunda uses an intricate honeycombed structure of hidden chambers to strengthen its walls.
I stood at the entrance of the Pantheon watching as thousands of rose petals were poured through the oculi of the dome and tumbled down the shafts of sunlight.
The Pantheon was built to honour all the gods of Ancient Rome.
Rose petals falling from the oculi during mass.
The breathtaking Fountain de Trevi.
After tossing a coin in the waters of the Fountain de Trevi to make a wish, we separated to take our own mini adventures before meeting for lunch at the Campo de' Fiori, or the Square of Flowers.
Picturesque streets.
Pastoral scenes.
Wall flowers.
City views.
People-watching.
I arrived before my friends and sat in the shade enjoying Sicilian lemonade with a spot of people-watching and reading.
Intrepid travellers
Piers was doing some people-watching of his own, sitting with laughing Nepalese children as intrepid honey hunters scaled a mountainside. The passage was the most absorbing in the book. It was incredible to imagine that this is how beekeepers in faraway parts of the world collect honey. Piers' own life and brush with death is brought into perspective:
'At times I could barely watch. The margin for error was simply too small. Every man here had his life in the balance, and yet the seeming levity with which they worked made it seem as if they didn't care. It brought my own small encounter with mortality into the sharpest focus. Did these men fear death so little because of its constant proximity in their lives? And why do we, in the developed world, fear death so much? It also highlighted, as clearly as anything could, just how far man will go for the sensation of sweetness on his tongue. Quite simply, they were prepared to risk their lives for it.'
Once collected, wild Nepalese honey presents a further risk from the deadly rhododendron flowers that the bees forage in spring. Piers waits for the honey hunters to taste-test their hard-won nectar before sipping the 'wondrous toxic honey' with traces of poisonous pollen. He soon feels the effects:
'It resembled drunkenness at first, but then became visual, like a magic mushroom trip I remembered from university. Painted dots were dripping across my irises like technicolor rain. My body felt light and tingly, filled with warm rushes and heat-bursts. It was wild and strangely wonderful.'
The relentless afternoon heat in Rome made my friends and me feel a little dazed, so we took Sunday afternoon at a slower pace and wandered past the Spanish Steps. As a Londoner I appreciated a city that was bustling but also relaxed. Italians seem to take life at their own pace and there is always time for coffee and cake.
Egyptian obelisk at Campo de' Fiori (the British didn't take this one).
Roman soldiers.
The Spanish Steps.
My Bulgarian friend Dani, mistaken for the mysterious 'Russian lady', charms the local police for a photo. If you arrest us, can we stay?
Return to the dust world
I finished reading Honey and Dust before our flight back to London, following Piers' spiritual journey through Sri Lanka and India. In-flight entertainment was offered by re-reading the passages that describe the secret life inside the hive:
'It all starts with nectar,* a sweet, sticky substance produced by flowers, and loved, above all, by bees. Probing inside the flower, the bee sucks up this sugary substance and stores it in a 'honey sac' – essentially a second stomach. Flitting from flower to flower until the honey sac is full, the bee then returns to the hive… One jar of honey is also the result of about 80,000 trips between flower and hive, the result of about 55,000 miles of flight, and the nectar from around 2 million flowers.'
Back home in London, I missed Rome but I was left with wonderful memories and Honey and Dust would forever be indelibly entwined with my trip.
The Vatican in light and shadow.
As a beekeeper, I found Nepal to be the real beating heart of the book, which brought to life the ancient practices of our craft carefully preserved by forest tribes who are themselves fading from the roar of encroaching civilisation.
Honey and Dust is an enchanting read that I highly recommend to beekeepers and to anyone who is interested bees and honey, but with a word of warning that once tasted you will become addicted to the sweet world of the bee.
The National Bee Unit (NBU) issued a starvation risk this week and urged UK beekeepers to check their colonies for food supplies:
'With the continued spell of poor weather in many areas of the UK, reports are coming in from Regional and Seasonal Bee Inspectors of starving bee colonies, where the beekeeper is not aware that the bees are severely short of food, or the colony(s) have already starved to death.'
While in May it seemed unusual that we were still feeding our bees, the NBU's latest news alert – a starvation risk in June – reinforced what an unsettled year this has been for many UK beekeepers and their bees.
There is forage for pollinators like this hoverfly I spotted in my workplace's medicinal garden, but the rain has made it difficult to collect nectar and pollen.
Bee colonies at particular risk of starving include those with the supers (honey crop) removed, hives which have been split or artificially swarmed, nucleus colonies, colonies collected from swarms, and even larger hives which haven't swarmed but which haven't gathered sufficient food due to rain. So basically most hives are at risk because of the poor weather in the UK!
'Please, sir? Can we have some more?' Nucleus hives which are smaller and more vulnerable may be at risk of starvation.
Emily and me have fed our bees all season as a combination of rain and drone laying queens has prevented our hives from growing to full strength. Yet I was concerned by the NBU's alert and emailed Andy Pedley to send the news to Ealing beekeepers. On Saturday morning I mixed enough sugar syrup for our two hives and the other colonies at the apiary.
Hefting a heavy bag of beekeeping supplies on tube and foot, I arrived at the apiary in time to tag along with Andy's beginner beekeepers session. Emily, Albert and me have all taken the introduction to beekeeping course, but we watched and listened to Andy's practical tutorial with interest. In beekeeping it never hurts to be reminded of the basics and there is always something new to learn when observing an experienced beekeeper inspect a hive.
Spotted – a group of beginner beekeepers at the apiary.
Andy picks out a frame from a nuc to show the group. There are black bees and light gold bees which may indicate that the queen has mated and is laying different coloured bees, or that two colonies were combined to make a nuc.
Andy and the beginners had fed the colonies they visited, so Emily and me opted for ginger beer and cake before inspecting our bees. Emily had brought a bottle of ginger beer and there was plenty of cake to choose – almond and fruit to chocolate and pecan. It was like Jubilee all over again!
Beekeepers well fed, we visited our recently combined hive and the new nucleus colony with Albert and Pete, a beekeeper-in-training.
A gift-wrapped box of bees from Osterley Park was found sitting next to our spare hive last week!
Last Saturday we had received a gift-wrapped box of bees from Osterley Park, which the apiary has given us to keep as a training hive for beginners. The Osterley bees had filled their five-frame nuc, so we moved them across to a hive and I spotted the new queen, another bright orange beauty, who we named Ginger. We had closed up the small colony with dummy boards and insulation in the roof to keep them warm, and, of course, left a full feeder of syrup above the crownboard.
This Saturday was our first real inspection of the Osterley bees, but they were not doing as well as hoped. The extra frame of foundation was barely drawn out with comb and there was not much sign of worker brood.
Our new Osterley bees are gentle and calm – Emily and me have always been lucky to have good natured bees.
Albert noticed that the queen was moving too fast and erratically across the frame, and Emily observed drone cells in the centre of the comb – two signs that all might not be well with the queen. Without knowing the full history of these bees, it was too early to decide what could be happening so we closed the hive with insulation and freshly made sugar syrup in the roof.
Fortunately, our combined hive is doing well and Neroli has settled into her queenly duties. On the Jubilee weekend we had combined our two hives because one hive had failed to re-queen and was too weak to continue. But last week revealed that the colonies had not combined successfully and the bees in the top box were bad tempered. It was one of those moments in beekeeping when three beekeepers stand in front of a box of bees scratching their heads and wondering what to do next. Believe me, it happens quite often!
Grumpy bees – last week the drones in the top box of our combined hive were not too happy!
Albert had been there that Saturday and the three of us managed to work out the problem. The queen excluder above the bottom box had also excluded the drones (who are larger than workers) in the top box from moving down. The poor frustrated drones had been trapped in the top box for a week and were letting us know that they were not happy by buzzing loudly.
It was easily remedied by removing the queen excluder and remaining newspaper allowing the two colonies to meet up. We had separated the two brood boxes with a super to encourage the bees to move honey from the top box into the bottom box.
The bees have started taking the honey from the comb in the top box to move into the bottom box. Notice the large holes in the wax comb at the bottom of the frame – our bees also tend to rob wax from frames to use in other parts of the hive.
Happily, this week the bees had followed the books and were getting along just fine. The frames of honey in the top box directly above the brood nest had been emptied, good girls! Albert suggested giving our bees a helping hand by using a hive tool to score across the remaining combs of honey, and then place these above the brood nest again. The workers seemed to appreciate our efforts and immediately got to work. Hopefully, next week the top brood box can be removed completely and both colonies will be in one box.
Emily uses a hive tool to score across the comb and make it easier for the bees to rob out the honey.
We carried out a quick inspection of the bottom box because there was no need to disturb the recently mated queen and her bees. There were signs of healthy worker brood nicely patterned across the comb, growing stores of pollen and nectar, and even a propolised 'dance' floor at the entrance of the hive. Neroli appears to be an excellent queen like her mother Lavender.
It was another good Saturday's beekeeping. Here is a short clip of our activities.
Related links
National Bee Unit guidelines on feeding bees: the NBU has provided advice for beekeepers who are concerned or unsure about food supplies in their hives:
Heft a hive by lifting the hive from below the floor to check its weight. If the hive is light, it should be fed.
Feed with sugar and water mixed at 2:1 ratio or using a ready mixed syrup from a beekeeping supplier.
Use fondant in an emergency if nothing else is available, although liquid feed is more appropriate for this time in the season.
Large starving colonies will take 1 gallon (5 litres) of syrup and smaller colonies can take ½ gallon (2.5 litres), but the hives should be checked after feeding within a few days.
This interesting article in the London Evening Standard explores an area that has worried the city's expert beekeepers for some time. Are there too many hives in London and not enough forage for bees? Read about it here.
Emily and me did less tea drinking and more proper beekeeping last weekend, captured beautifully on camera by Emily's 'entourage' Drew Scott!
Things can happen fast in bee-land. Barely a month has passed since the Bailey comb change, but there has been a drone-laying queen, a suspected case of foul brood and the unexpected appearance of a virgin queen. That's just one hive. I sat on this post for a while thinking back on the lessons learned in the past few weeks.
Rain had prevented our hive inspections for two weekends following the Bailey comb change, but when the sun came out after Easter bank holiday Emily went to check on our bees. What she found inside Queen Rosemary's hive would worry most beekeepers, so she raised the alarm by emailing the secretary of our association, Andy Pedley.
'I am worried our hive has some kind of brood disease,' wrote Emily. 'There is virtually no healthy worker brood, lots of drone brood, and some dried up larvae, some that look a bit scaly, and some that look a bit bloated.'
Emily thought our bees were grumpy and a bit aggressive, which can be a sign of a failing queen or being queenless. She spotted cells filled with pollen with a film of honey on the top, which can also indicate being queenless.
Andy is a very experienced beekeeper, a sentinel apiarist for the Middlesex area, and apprentice to the queen's beekeeper, John Chapple. So he really is the bees knees! Andy offered to meet at the apiary on Saturday to test our hive for bacterial disease.
What followed was a week of worry as I wondered how our bees could have declined so quickly. At the last inspection every cell in every brood frame had been scrutinised while we tried to find the queen and eggs, and there was no sign of disease. But now we had a suspected brood disease like European foul brood (EFB), which is not good but can be treated, or American foul brood (AFB), which is untreatable – destroy the hive, burn the remains and salt the earth!
On Saturday we arrived at the apiary to find Andy was already there. When I told how beekeepers from New York had kindly tried to help identify the brood disease on Emily's blog, Andy shook his head in amazement and marvelled at the inter-web, then he said cheerfully, 'Right, let's go have a look'.
Andy used tweezers to pull out and examine a few larvae, then disposed of them in the smoker for hygiene. The first few were healthy white grubs with yellow tummies from the pollen they had eaten. So far so good. He then found a couple of larvae that were discoloured and slimy, and used the EFB and AFB kits to test for disease. The kits are similar to pregnancy tests: a sample is dropped onto an indicator, then you wait three minutes and…
One larvae is popped into a vial of spirit and shaken. It is important to use only one larvae for the test or this can affect the results, Andy explained, because EFB is always present in bee colonies at low levels.
Andy used a pipette to drop a sample on the indicator. Then we waited three minutes. Breathe.
One line under 'C' for 'control' is a negative result, two lines under 'C' and 'T' for 'test' is positive. Both our tests for EFB and AFB only had one line under 'C', phew! You can't see it clearly on this photo so I have drawn a pink line.
All clear! Both tests for bacterial disease were negative, phew! But it was not over…
This was not a case of EFB or AFB but a lack of TLC. The larvae had become cold and hungry because Rosemary was a drone-layer, explained Andy, so there were not enough workers inside the hive to nurse the baby bees. Unless the queen was replaced the whole colony would die out.
This is the moment I had been dreading as a beekeeper – disposing the queen for the good of the hive. In the past, our bees have been very good at superceding their own queens, and Emily and me have preferred to let them do this. However, they may have been unable to supercede Rosemary without enough viable fertile larvae. I felt I should step up to the plate and get the job done, but Andy kindly and quickly did the deed. It seemed fitting because he has a history with our flighty queen.
Andy mashed the honeycomb around the young larvae to encourage the bees to find it and build a queen cell.
Blissfully unaware of the untimely death of her sister, we took a frame from Queen Lavender's hive that had young worker larvae and placed this inside Rosemary's hive hoping that our bees would now raise a new queen. Andy mashed the honeycomb around the larvae to encourage the bees to find them and build queen cells.
A frame of young larvae placed in Rosemary's hive so her daughters can raise a new queen to ensure the colony survives. They will have to work fast as there are not many workers left, I caught one on camera immediately flying over the frame to where we had put the new larvae.
Lavender's hive was thriving with healthy-looking bees, lots of workers and brood. I found Lavender happily climbing on a frame so we caged her to complete the Bailey comb change. With Lavender now in the top brood box and queen excluder beneath, all the bees can move up into their new home.
Emily releases Queen Lavender from her cage and into the top brood box. (She is the largest bee in the colony, I have put a pink circle around her.)
Emily's boyfriend, Drew, took these lovely shots of us doing some proper beekeeping.
The business of beekeeping done for the day, there was still the afternoon meeting at the scout hut for the second Saturday of the month. Elsa had brought a chocolate celebration cake and I got the tea on.
On Monday the bee inspector visited the apiary and there was a surprise email from Andy titled 'Rosemary's baby':
'When Caroline checked the hive, we found an emerged queen cell in the bottom corner of one frame. Caroline then spotted a queen – very dark coloured. The frame that we put in had not got queen cells pulled out and indeed the section that was prepared for queen cells was being repaired!'
So it seems our bees were one step ahead of us as usual, and were already raising a new queen to replace Rosemary. While we are hoping that Rosemary's baby is not diabolical, it has inspired a name for our new queen thanks to Deborah Delong of Romancing the Bee who gave me this verse about myrrh:
'Its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom.'
Queen Myrrh has emerged in a storm of rain and wind this week – not good for a virgin queen who must fly out and mate. Fingers crossed that our diabolical queen will have fair weather soon!
'You would have to be living on Mars for the past few years not to be aware of the bee problem,' said Dr Stuart Roberts of Reading University's Centre of Agri-Environmental Research, speaking at the Federation of Middlesex Beekeepers Association's annual Beekeepers Day on Saturday 25 February.
Like many new beekeepers, I had heard about the 'bee problem' and started beekeeping to find out why this was happening and what I could do to help. So I was excited to find out that Dr Roberts would be giving a talk on 'The decline of insect pollinators' at our Beekeepers Day. His presentation looked at whether bees are disappearing, what are the drivers of their decline, why does it matter, and what can be done about it.
But first, what do we already think that we know about the bees disappearing?
Bee decline – a widely held belief?
'If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.'
This quote, attributed to Albert Einstein, may have catapulted the plight of the bee into the public imagination. However, there is no real evidence that Einstein said this – the earliest written record is from a group of French beekeepers in 1992 – and also the statement is not entirely true. While life on Earth would be considerably less pleasant without bees, it is unlikely that we would vanish with them.
Yet almost every week there seems to be another headline about bee disaster and imminent catastrophe – from varroa mites and chemical pesticides to giant Asian hornets and zombie parasites, the poor old bee isn't having much luck. The media has helped to raise public awareness about the bee, but also may have promoted a few bee myths.
Dr Roberts' talk sorted fact from fiction with evidence-based research from Reading University, and left me feeling encouraged that we can all do something to help both the honeybee and other bee species.
To discover if the decline of bees is real or imagined, we need to ask the question: 'Does it affect all bees everywhere?' said Dr Roberts. While in the UK we have only one species of honeybee (Apis mellifera), which the media often refers to as 'the bee', we also have around 25 bumble bee species and around 240 other bee species such as solitary bees. Worldwide there are about 9 species of honeybees, 240 species of bumble bees and 19,300 other bee species of incredible variety. So counting numbers of bees to determine whether all bees are in decline is a huge task.
Diversity of bee species is not the only challenge to scientists. Data also presents a problem because it is inconsistently gathered across different countries, and often widely scattered in obscure journals. The migration of colonies across vast areas for the pollination industry, such as in the US, makes it more difficult to gather reliable information about bee colonies.
Therefore, Dr Roberts and his colleagues at Reading University's Centre of Agri-Environmental Research have spent the past four years collecting data on the numbers of honeybees, and other bee species, in the UK and the Netherlands. Their findings revealed that there has been a 23% decline in bee colonies and a 36% decline in beekeepers in central Europe since 1985. The diversity of bee species is also now in decline, although, as Dr Roberts commented, it is worth noting that some species of bees are simply rare! Unsurprisingly, this research suggested parallels in the decline of insect pollinators and the plants that they pollinate in both the UK and the Netherlands.
For each theory on why the bees are disappearing, there is an outlandish suggestion, said Dr Roberts. Some of these are merely fanciful from car exhausts and electro-magnetic fields, 'For which there is not enough evidence', to mobile phones, 'Responsible for every evil on the planet'. Then there are theories that are just bonkers from Osama Bin Laden, 'At least now testable', to the Rapture, 'Difficult to test'.
Unfortunately, the most likely driver of decline is an unlikely driver of news headlines around the world. The cause of the decline of pollinating insects is multifactorial, Dr Roberts explained: 'Science would be easier, but a lot less interesting if everything could be hung upon a single cause'.
A variety of stressors are affecting bees:
Monoculture
Exposure to agricultural chemicals
Long-distance migration
So basically:
Boring diet
Exposure to pollution
Too much travel
All things that make humans feel stressed and unwell too!
Combine the bee's stressed and weakened immune system with varroa, the small hive beetle and a pathogenic cocktail of other bacteria, viruses and parasites – and you can see why there might be a problem.
There is already a concern among some London beekeepers that there may not be enough plants to support the increasing numbers of urban hives. While you might imagine that this could be a potential problem for city bees, who face the same problems as people living in densely populated areas, unfortunately their country cousins aren't doing much better. Reading University is continuing to look at the synergy between insect pollinator decline and the decline of their natural habitat, but other studies show that this is very likely to be a significant driver of decline.
Climate change is currently not too much of a threat, said Dr Roberts, although it has the potential to be a clear driver for the future.
Who cares if bees disappear?
Beekeepers and farmers do. Häagen-Dazs isalso quite worried about the bees disappearing, apparently, because many ingredients of their flavoured ice cream are dependent on insect pollination. Wider society should also be worried: the value of insect pollinators to UK agriculture is £402m per annum; of which honeybees contribute £38m per annum. Everyone who enjoys eating apples should care, because they are solely pollinated by bees.
What's the alternative to insect pollination? There isn't an alternative. Dr Roberts sent a group of students from Reading University armed with paint brushes on a mission to find out how long it would take for people to pollinate plants. The results were painstaking and confirmed that the value of protecting insect pollination is high.
This is similar to a story that I have heard before. Last year, John Chapple of Ealing and District Beekeepers Association and beekeeper to the queen's hives at Buckingham Palace, told us about his visit to Oman, as part of a group of beekeepers, to help reintroduce the honeybee to the country. One of Oman's major exports is dependent on bee pollination – dates! The Omani government is now investing in a state-funded national beekeeping programme, after finding out to their cost that human labour to pollinate date palms is not a viable option.
What can we do to help the bees?
'Is it a catastrophe? Not yet, but it could be,' said Dr Roberts. Fortunately, we may have become aware of the bee problem in time to stop the honeybee, and other bees, disappearing from the world, and with them perhaps strawberries, watermelons, tangerines…
Dr Roberts said that governments could help bees by adopting agri-environmental policies, promoting conservation action and continuing to raise public awareness about the bee problem. He stressed the need for monitoring programmes, investment in sound science that is evidence-based, and consistent data that is made readily available.
While government strategies may have the greatest impact on the decline of insect pollinators, applying individual measures will maximise the effect. This means that we can all help the bees, as Dr Roberts suggests:
Bees need gardeners – plant bee-friendly plants in your garden and make sure that there are enough flowers for bees to forage from early spring to autumn.
Solitary bees need keeping too – put up a 'bee hotel' to make a home for other bee species in your garden.
Other ways to help bees include telling your family and friends how they can help too, taking part in a sponsor-a-hive scheme, and fundraising for bee charities by organising a cake sale or a book swop!
So it seems the disappearing bee is one to watch rather than a countdown to catastrophe. Dr Roberts gave me a clearer picture of why bees are starting to decline and also what we can do to prevent it.
'Despite widespread concern about declines in pollination services, little is known about the patterns of change in most pollinator assemblages. By studying bee and hoverfly assemblages in Britain and the Netherlands, we found evidence of declines (pre- versus post-1980) in local bee diversity in both countries; however, divergent trends were observed in hoverflies. Depending on the assemblage and location, pollinator declines were most frequent in habitat and flower specialists, in univoltine species, and/or in nonmigrants. In conjunction with this evidence, outcrossing plant species that are reliant on the declining pollinators have themselves declined relative to other plant species. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest a causal connection between local extinctions of functionally linked plant and pollinator species.' Science 21 July 2006: Vol 313 no 5785 pp 351-354 DOI: 10.1126/science.1127863
When the Chelsea Physic Garden held an afternoon of honey tasting, Emily and me went to represent the honey-eating skills of Ealing's beekeepers.
The afternoon began with a talk about honey from Peter James, or Peter the Beekeeper, who traced the trail of honey from the earliest rock paintings to the modern-day industry largely in Europe, South America and Africa. Honey has been valued for food and medicine throughout history, and more recent research suggests that manuka honey is useful against the superbug, MRSA.
Peter explored the alchemy of honey production from the insect's manipulation of a flower to the transformation of nectar into honey inside the hive. As it turns out, there is as much to say about honey as there is about bees. When honey crystallises each sugar crystal is as unique as a snowflake. 'A fantastic array of shapes,' commented Peter. 'It's a different world in every jar.'
Last summer I spotted this honeybee foraging with a hoverfly on echinacea in the RCP medicinal garden. She was moving very slowly and seemed to be at the end of her lifespan.
We paused to stop at a slide of a honeybee foraging on a flower. 'Look closer and you'll see that her wings are frayed and falling apart,' said Peter. Honeybees have limited flying miles and spend them carrying nectar and pollen back to the hive. 'She will work, work, work until she drops down dead,' said Peter dramatically.
Bees also use their wings to fan the nectar inside cells to evaporate its water content. When the water level is low enough the newly made honey is capped off by the bees and ready for beekeepers to harvest. The water viscosity of honey must be 20% or less because honey is hydroscopic, meaning that it attracts water. If you leave the lid off a jar of honey it will draw water from the air, and honey with high water viscosity could ferment. 'That's how mead was discovered, someone left the lid off the jar,' mused Peter. Did bees introduce us to alcohol too? It's a nice thought. Peter passed around a refractor with a drop of honey so that we could all look at the viscosity.
Then it was time to taste the honey.
'Mutiny on the Bounty' honey from the Pitcairn Islands tasted dark and interesting.
The first honey pot was a delicate acacia the colour of white gold and elegantly floral. Peter asked us to describe our taste experience and it was interesting how much this varied from 'like flowers' to 'woody', and even 'Inoffensive, it didn't taste of honey'.
Next we tried a honey harvested from the lavender fields of France. It smelt and tasted like lavender, but it was also buttery and mellow with citrusy notes.
Two honeys from the Chelsea Physic Garden crop showed what a difference a season makes: the spring honey was full of mint and the summer honey was bursting with ripe fruit. Chelsea's bees have a rich diet thanks to the botanical garden's trees and flowers.
My favourite was 'Mutiny on the Bounty' honey from the Pitcairn Islands, which was dark in colour and complex in flavour. Its taste created a vivid image of tropical rainforests followed by layers of sweet sensations from woody, minty, caramel and toffee.
Last but not least, Peter let us sample a tiny jar of South American honey foraged from Yucatan trees. It was almost black and treacly with a strong exotic flavour a bit like rum. Someone said 'aggressive'.
Home-made honey cake drizzled in honey with crème fraîche.
The day was getting on and usually by three o'clock on a Saturday Ealing beekeepers are full of tea and cake. Emily and me were starting to feel a bit fidgety, but luckily Peter must have known we were coming because he had arranged a great spread of tea and honey cake with crème fraîche.
It was an afternoon well spent and though the first event of its kind, Peter said the Chelsea Physic Garden was planning to hold more honey tastings. All that honey and cake had warmed-up our appetites, so Emily and me rushed off to the garden's Tangerine Dream Café to enjoy a spinach and cheese tart with lentil, olive and pomegranate salad.
The Chelsea Physic Garden is a great place to visit and even in winter there are interesting things to see, like these four trees in a row…
Oxalic acid is an effective treatment against varroa. It burns the feet and tongues of the varroa mites so that they fall off the bees! The treatment is only given in winter when the mites are living on adult bees and there is no brood for the acid to damage.
This weekend the apiary gave the hives oxalic acid as a way of saying 'Happy New Year' to our bees. The bees were not pleased, as they do not like their cosy cluster being disturbed in winter, and flew up as soon as the crown board was lifted. John Chapple, who is rarely seen behind a veil, observed that even he wears a bee suit when giving oxalic acid to the bees. Although the bees were not pleased, Emily and I enjoyed saying hello to our ladies again, and both hives looked healthy and strong.
The treatment is given as a pre-mixed solution of 3% oxalic acid in sugar syrup and warmed slightly so that it won't chill the bees. About 5ml of solution is dribbled in-between each gap in the frames where the bees are clustered, called seams of bees. The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) have a good advisory leaflet on oxalic acid cleansing. It is a simple treatment to do, but it is critical to get the dosage right as over-dosing will harm the bees.
Lavender's ladies were quiet and well behaved for their treatment, while Rosemary's ladies were livelier. Believe it or not, our bees are much calmer than this in the summer! My first video, I hope to do more this year, shows Emily treating Rosemary's hive:
Look how disgusted our bees are that we tore apart the sticky propolis insulating the hive! Sadly one bee was squashed as we closed the hive, but we rescued stragglers who had got cold and slow in the roof and carried them around to the entrance of the hives. It was fun to watch them climb in and re-join their sisters.
The BBKA say that oxalic acid is an important part of varroa management alongside other treatments and methods to keep varroa 'below a level that damages the colony'. As varroa levels at the apiary increased in late autumn, it is hoped that the oxalic acid will help all the hives to stay healthy until spring. There is some talk among beekeepers about replacing treatments like oxalic acid and fumidil with 'natural' treatments, but I will write about this in another post in 2012 alongside a re-launch of my blog coming soon.
She visited the apiary on the promise of no bees, 'The bees will be sleeping because it is almost winter', I said. This isn't entirely true. Bees don't sleep. But the apiary is generally quieter in late autumn and winter, except for a few bees taking a chance flight in a pocket of warm air and a few crazy beeks huddled around the apiary long table in the hope of tea and cake.
A small crowd greeted my mum, step dad and me on Saturday afternoon and enjoyed watching my mother nervously approach the hive area. We visited Rosemary's hive first and no one was flying so mum was very happy. 'That's very nice,' she said of the hive. Opposite, Albert's and John's bees were active, but we walked past unnoticed.
Next we visited Lavender's hive and I attempted to show my mum the mouse guard. She raised her head from where she stood at the back of the hive and pretended to see it: 'Yes, that's very nice'.
My step dad, Bryan, then became fascinated with inspecting the canal that runs behind the apiary. Meantime, I carefully lifted the roof off Lavender's hive to see if they had drunk their syrup. About half an inch of syrup was left in the feeder and three bees were drinking. I beckoned my mum over so that she could see a real live bee, promising that it couldn't fly out of the feeder. She quite liked watching it drink and said, 'Ooh, look at that'.
I quickly put the roof back to keep our bees warm. Emily and I probably won't open our hives until the apiary does the oxalic acid treatment in December. We do this to keep down the levels of varroa inside the hive until spring. I pulled out the varroa board underneath Lavender's hive and showed mum and Bryan a few varroa. Most of the debris on the board was clumped together in one area, which suggests that our bees are clustered on brood frames towards the entrance of the hive.
So we left the bees in peace and went to enjoy a cup of tea. There was no milk and as my mum is not a hardened beek accustomed to drinking black tea I found her some coffee instead.
Don arrived with his dog Annie, a gorgeous, friendly alsatian. Mum and Bryan love dogs (and so do I) so this delayed our goodbyes. As we left, my mum and step dad were invited by the beeks to come back for summer inspections on the promise of 'much more bees and also cake'.
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Following on from my post Reflections on a year in beekeeping, I have been lucky to share my bee adventures this year. Here are 10 reasons why every beek should have a hive partner.
#1 Beekeeping is a two-man woman job. An extra pair of hands (and eyes) is handy for hive inspections. You can both lift parts of the hive when they are sticky (particularly propolised queen excluders) and work with levers and smoke to close the hive without squishing bees.
#2 You have to make a lot of frames. 11 frames per brood box and 10 frames per super (National hive). With a hive partner you can knock these up in half the time when you need to put another brood box or super on the hive. At least, that's the theory.
#3 A super of honey weighs around 60 pounds. If like Queen Elizabeth I you have the heart and stomach of a beekeeper but the body of a weak and feeble woman, you will need a hive partner to help lift a full super of honey. This is true.
#4 There are about 50,000 bees and only one of you. A hive partner helps even the odds.
#5 Queens can be tricksy. Even experienced beeks can sometimes have trouble spotting and caging queens – she is good at running and hiding. Try holding up a frame covered by about 2,000 bees, spotting the queen, caging her and marking her as the workers try to free her – with only two hands. Good luck! Three beeks couldn't cage and mark our flighty queen.
#6 Two beeks are better than one. Staying one step ahead of the bees and predicting what they will do next is not easy. When you find a queen cell, or perhaps five, it helps to discuss a plan of action with a hive partner preferably over tea and cake.
#7 Extracting honey is a lot of work. Clearing bees from supers is the easy bit, but it helps to have a hive partner to shake off stragglers and take home bee-free frames. Then there's decapping frames, spinning off the honey, filtering, jarring and labelling. It's more than an evening's work for just six frames one hive, so it helps to share honey extraction with a hive partner.
#8 Beekeeping is an expensive hobby. Bees are high-maintenance. Assume one extra hive for every colony for a shook swarm or bailey comb change, nucs and spare hives for artificial swarms, spare frames, jars and labels, mouse guards, sugar and fondant, medicines… It's easier to spread the cost of a year in beekeeping between two beekeepers!
#9 You will have more than one hive. Once you are started on this dodgy path there is no stopping. By the end of your second year beekeeping, it's likely you will have at least two hives to keep.
#10 Beekeepers don't have holidays. We don't joke about this. You don't know what naughtiness your bees will get up to while you are away. A hive partner can cover your holidays between March and September.
And finally..
#11 Beekeepers need tea and cake after hive inspections. I forgot to add this, but it is essential. Make sure you get a hive partner who bakes | eng | b05af1f3-1e0e-498b-8ec1-98e06a7a9611 | http://missapismellifera.com/tag/honeybee/ |
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – Researchers are confident that complete sentences could still be understood today, using the linguistic "common language" allowing different groups to communicate.
Professor of Evolutionary Biology Mark Pagel and his team predict that certain words would have changed so slowly over long periods of time as to retain traces of their ancestry for up to 10,000 or more years.
"We discovered we could predict a rate of evolution for words," Professor Pagel says. "There was a small subset of words that evolved so slowly over time they might last up to 20,000 years. You realize, 'golly, I might be able to predict words that link these families,' and we found these 23 words that have a common ancestor."
The 23 words include Mother, Fire, to spit and worm, which would have sounded very different, Professor Pagel says. "The words would not sound exactly the same, but they would be recognizable, or in a form that we could easily learn to recognizable.
"The words for mother, for instance, sound like mama or something similar.
"If we were to sit round a campfire, we could have a basic conversation."
Previous studies have examined shared sounds among words to identify those that are likely to be derived from common ancestral words, such as the Latin "pater" and the English "father." The difficulty with this approach, the team said, is that two words might have similar sounds just by accident, such as the words "team" and "cream."
To combat this problem, Professor Pagel's team showed that a subset of words was used frequently in everyday speech, are more likely to be retained over long periods of time.
Sound similarities are discovered they do not merely reflect the workings of chance. "The way in which we use a certain set of words in everyday speech is something common to all human languages," Pagel said.
"We discovered numerals, pronouns and special adverbs are replaced far more slowly, with linguistic half-lives of once every 10,000 or even more years.
"As a rule of thumb, words used more than about once per thousand in everyday speech were seven to ten times more likely to show deep ancestry in the Eurasian super-family. The research shows they each probably stem from a common language ancestor.
"As words evolve they change, such as P to F transition, which change over time."
Calling for more research into common languages, Professor Pagel noted that "The fact we can find these ancient links should encourage us to do more of it. We can test interesting questions about human migration and evolution through these links."
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told Jewish leaders on Monday that the European Union needed better legal means to fight racism in member states.
Speaking amid growing racism against Jews and Roma in Hungary, he told the World Jewish Congress (WJC) assembly that the EU's legal options to curb violations of democratic norms were either as weak as toothpicks or as strong as bazookas.
"Between the toothpick and the big bazooka, there is not an instrument we can (use) if concerning developments start in a government or in a country," he told WJC leaders, who held their assembly in Budapest to highlight rising anti-Semitism here.
"Tolerance is wise," he said the four-yearly assembly, but "tolerance in the face of intolerance is historic foolishness".
About half a million Hungarian Jews died in the Holocaust, the German mass murder of 6 million Jews during World War Two.
Four EU members: Denmark, Finland, Germany and Netherlands, have proposed the European Commission should be able to take action when fundamental rights are violated, without having to go through the complicated steps that now exist for such cases.
But the proposal, which Westerwelle said was supported by about three quarters of all EU foreign ministers, names no countries causing concern and puts forward no concrete plans.
Brussels has threatened to take legal action to overturn recent constitutional changes that limit the powers of Hungary's top court. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also clashed with Brussels over legislation on the media and the central bank.
EXTREMISM
Westerwelle mentioned far-right Jobbik, which has 43 of 386 seats in parliament and whose leaders addressed several hundred nationalists at a protest in Budapest on Saturday.
Anti-semitism had no place "in Berlin nor in Budapest nor anywhere else in Europe or in the world", Westerwelle said.
He spoke as the surviving member of a German neo-Nazi cell went on trial in Munich for a series of racist murders that scandalized Germany and exposed the authorities' inability or reluctance to recognize right-wing hate crime.
He did not mention the trial but the standing ovation he received after his speech indicated the delegates from about 100 countries around the world did not interpret this as a bid to avoid the issue, contrary to their reaction to Orban.
The WJC stated its disappointment on Sunday evening after conservative Orban avoided mentioning Jobbik when he delivered a strong denunciation of anti-Semitism in his opening address.
While the government has taken steps against anti-Semitism, critics say it does not draw a clear enough line against Jobbik, which competes with it for votes of nationalist Hungarians frustrated by the deepening economic crisis.
Jobbik is particularly effective at raising support among young people through social media, opinion polls show.
Orban's Fidesz party opposes anti-Semitism but has taken controversial stands, such as adding literary texts by known anti-Semites to the school curriculum, as it competes with Jobbik for the votes of Hungarian nationalists.
The WJC's three-day meeting plans to issue a study focusing on the growth of right-wing extremism in Europe, especially in Hungary, Greece and Germany.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic online) – Researchers believe that the item in its heyday was more like a gleaming crystal. Archaeologists now think that it may be an example of a fabled Viking navigational aid known as a sunstone, able to pinpoint the location of the sun even when cloud or fog made it invisible in the skies above.
The Alderney crystal could be the world's first known specimen is likely to cause almost as big a stir as might the capture of a leprechaun, or the discovery of King Arthur's sword.
As published in the scientific journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society, physicists at the University of Rennes in Brittany say that the Alderney crystal remains one of the great maritime mysteries: how to explain the nautical prowess of the Vikings in an age long before the invention of reliable magnetic compasses.
Vikings raped and pillaged their way from Scandinavia to reach not just British shores but also those of North America, where they are believed to have set up colonies in the 10th century. One of the great mysteries was as to how they were able to accurately navigate to foreign lands. Their vessels held up to 120 men and crashing through the waves at up to 15 knots – almost 20 miles per hour. An error of just a few degrees could take them rapidly off course
Essential to their navigation was there place in relation to the sun. Historians have long wondered how they navigated on the days when weather conditions or the time of the day meant that the sun was out of sight.
An Icelandic legend about the travels of the Norwegian king Olaf in the 11th century refers to sunstones.
One winter's day, Olaf met a farmer's son named Sigurour, who boasted that he could sense the position of the sun even in a snowy sky. According to legend, the assembled company looked out of the window but "could nowhere see a clear sky." After asking Sigurour to tell him where the sun was, the king ordered his minions to fetch "the solar stone" to test the young man's claims.
'He held it up and saw where light radiated from the stone and thus directly verified Sigurour's prediction.'
Sunstones are also found in the inventories of several churches and one monastery in 14th-century Iceland. No official sunstones have ever been found, until scientists began to investigate a crystal called Icelandic spar, which would have been quite common in the Vikings' homelands.
The crystal has a peculiar molecular structure, which means that light passing through it is split into two. Rotating the crystal eventually exposes the point where the two beams converge, and it is this angle that indicates the direction of the sun.
The jury is still out. Left languishing in a wooden box with only a purple velvet lining to dignify it as anything other than a nondescript piece of rock, the Alderney crystal may soon be retrieved from the storeroom and honored with its own display cabinet.
LONG ISLAND, NY (Catholic Online) – In my previous article the case was made for a microscopic analysis of the "Masculine Genius." Before sinking knee deep in the "Masculine Genius" it is important to put the concepts of masculinity and femininity into perspective. Masculinity and femininity are forever entangled in a relationship that cannot be dissolved. Neither can exist without the other and both desire the other continually.
This wonderful dance of energy between the masculine and feminine is symbolic of God Himself. God is manifested to us as an indivisible union of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This relationship is so sacred, beautiful, and inspirational that its value is incomprehensible to all but God. God gives us a sense of Himself, however, by revealing His relational likeness through the physical world around us and even our very selves.
Anyone who has taken high school chemistry has learned about how tiny atoms of hydrogen form bonds with atoms of oxygen to make water. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms relate through their shared electrons. An even stranger relationship in science that has been in the spotlight recently is quantum entanglement. Those in the scientific community sometimes refer to quantum entanglement as "spooky action" because it involves very tiny particles affecting each other over very large distances after a previous interaction! Sounds like these particles have some sort of a relationship!
Despite having created a physical world so fundamentally reflective of relationship, God saved the highest relational honor for man. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Genesis 1:27 God created man in His very own image which is to say He gave man the ability to understand himself. This understanding is profoundly experienced through the marriage of man and woman, male and female. Blessed John Paul II discusses the beautiful nature of this relationship in great detail in his "Theology of the Body."
"Theology of the Body" is a wonderful work for those curious about the mechanics of relationship. The beauty of the "Theology of the Body," however, is that it is experienced everyday and in ways you do not even recognize. I can attest to this experience. God has blessed me with the heart of a wonderful woman through whom He has revealed much to me. This woman is my fiancée and she is a talented dancer.
Prior to meeting my fiancée, dance was as far from my mind as the galaxies at the edge of the known universe. This, I now realize, was because it was challenging for me to be receptive to the talents of others that were foreign to me. I could never have imagined though how inspirational my fiancées dancing could be in helping me understand the relationship between the masculine and feminine.
Music is a somewhat of an invisible force in a dance that is made visible by a dancer. The dancers become the music by letting its emotion and beat be reflected in certain movements. This reflection is one of the amazing things about dance because it is how a dancer remembers the dance. Listening for a certain beat count or tempo clues the dancer as to which moves to use and how much energy to put into them. The dance is ultimately guided by the music – thus a dance about something joyful will look different from a dance about something sad.
The music also serves an important purpose of keeping dancers in synch when there are multiple dancers on stage. If a stage of 10 dancers danced to their own will, utter chaos would ensue. Dancers may collide, trip over each other, or just make the dance look very inartistic. I found the music is quite symbolic of the spiritual nature of masculinity.
The music certainly serves a purpose for the dancers but the dancer also does something equally important for the music. A dancer is a physical manifestation of the invisible beauty in music. Without a brilliant display of visual technique, it is very difficult for most human beings to truly appreciate the emotion and complexity of music.
It would be a shame if a beautifully composed song(s) was lost to time because no one could truly appreciate it. As visual beings, we remember and understand a great deal by seeing things. In fact, many of our memories are formed by things we see whether they are good or bad. I found the dancer is thus symbolic of the spiritual nature of femininity.
Any manifestation of masculinity or femininity can be demonstrated separately as can music and a dance, but …
State Legislation Restricting Use of Foreign or Religious Law("The Pew Forum," April 8, 2013)
Between 2010 and 2012, lawmakers in at least 32 states introduced bills to ban state courts from considering foreign or religious laws in their decisions. During this period, six states – Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Tennessee – enacted such bills into law. The Oklahoma law, which explicitly banned Islamic law (or sharia), was struck down in 2010 when a federal district court ruled that the law infringed upon Muslims' constitutional rights. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court's decision on the Oklahoma law in January 2012. The other five states still have their bans on judicial consideration of foreign or religious law on the books.
The laws enacted in Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, South Dakota and Tennessee have broader, more neutral language than the 2010 Oklahoma law and do not mention sharia or other religious laws by name. Indeed, only 21 of the 92 bills introduced between 2010 and 2012 cite sharia or other religious laws directly. The text of many of the remaining 71 bills is similar or identical to model legislation known as "American Laws for American Courts" (ALAC). The template was drafted by David Yerushalmi, a New York attorney who has become a leading anti-sharia spokesman, and is promoted by the American Public Policy Alliance, an advocacy organization that works with state legislators on public policy initiatives. According to the organization's website, the model law is intended to ensure that Americans' constitutional rights are not infringed by state courts' consideration of foreign or religious laws, including sharia. (For more on religious law and judicial systems, see Applying God's Law: Religious Courts and Mediation in the U.S.)
Click on a state to read about the legislation proposed or enacted there to ban the use of foreign or religious law in state court decisions. On the Bill Details tab, click on a bill number to read additional bill details on the state legislatures' websites.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – The Russian media is widely reporting that their diplomats in North Korea have been advised to leave the country because of the threat of imminent war. Other diplomats have been told the same.
These antics are just that, antics. North Korea has not taken substantial preparations for war, only superficial ones. For example, their military remains unmobilized, a genuine and expensive first step that is required if a nation is serious about fighting.
The expert consensus is that Kim Jong Un is bluffing, and flexing his muscles for domestic reasons. Kim Jong Un likely feels the need to demonstrate his strength and consolidate power and this is easily done by manufacturing a domestic crisis and making demonstrations, and protestations of strength.
The greatest concern is that something inadvertent will occur to push the situation over the brink. With tensions running high, a mistake by one side could result in immediate retaliation by the other, sparking a conflict.
It could be as simple as a trawler straying too far north, or south, or a jet passing too close to nervous defense system operators.
Diplomatically, the North has given the South and its allies, especially the United States and Japan, plenty of casus belli to attack. The North has severed diplomatic ties, sealed its border, and declared the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War "invalid." In addition, the country has "reserved" the right to attack preemptively other countries with nuclear weapons and says it will step up its nuclear weapons development program.
The possibility of a limited, but crippling first strike by the United States does exist, should the current administration decide that Kim Jong Un needs to be crippled militarily. Specific targets would include their nuclear development program.
However, any strike by either side appears incredibly unlikely.
For now, U.S. and allied joint exercises will continue in the region and North Korea will keep up with its antics. It seems understood by both sides that war would benefit none and as long as Kim Jong Un can continue grandstanding for his people while the world rolls its eyes, everything will return to normal within the next couple months.
Who's going to watch or feed them and make sure they get to class on time? Better yet, who's going to keep their souls clean when invitations to raucous parties become the norm?
In the case of many public colleges, it's a moment when Catholics scurry for the campus map to locate the nearest church. What they find are Newman Centers typically located right off campus and a chaplain ready to reach out to their children as a spiritual guide and friend.
"I'll always have a parent look at me and say, 'keep an eye on my son,'" said Father Thomas Ryan, the chaplain at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Four of the public colleges inside the Archdiocese of Baltimore have a Newman Center with chaplains. Father Edward S. Hendricks has been at Frostburg State University for 14 years, making him the longest-tenured chaplain and the perfect person to be the director of campus ministry for the archdiocese.
"As chaplains, we are more and more immersed in everyday life on campus, which is great," Father Hendricks said. "You have to earn your way there. It's not going to happen the moment when you get there, but it happens over time."
When he was tapped to be the Johns Hopkins chaplain in 2002, Father Ryan was hoping to appeal to Catholics on campus and further their Sacramental life, not knowing that the popularity of his outreach would extend eventually to Hopkins' satellite campuses.
"There's just something very invigorating about this work," Father Ryan said.
In the four years he has worked with Catonsville's University of Maryland Baltimore County students, Father Richard A. Gray has seen Mass attendance rise from 50 a week to 80 to 90 students.
"We offer an avenue for students to practice their catholic faith once they are not forced to go to Mass by their parents," Father Gray said.
Students can also be baptized, confirmed and have the sacrament of reconciliation among many other services.
Towson University's Father T. Austin Murphy enjoys a strong relationship with his students thanks to an effort to engage them in the social norms of the day. He routinely exchanges e-mails with Newman Center regulars and keeps a popular page on the popular Web site Facebook.
"A year ago, I didn't know what Facebook was," he said. "Now, I have all these friends and we use it to promote events. That gets a lot of people going. The thing with the college kids, and particularly young people, is it's all about networking with their friends."
Most of the centers have Newman Nights, where regulars drop-in for social activities.
Each has built a strong individual community through their archdiocesan-funded outreaches. Students routinely participate in social justice activities and become the best evangelizers for the centers.
"I always have to remember when I'm out that I'm representing Newman," said Towson senior Laura Vesely, who is also the president of the Newman Club on campus.
Father Hendricks said there are at least two new Catholics a year and about three to eight confirmations a year at Frostburg.
"Some students come from a Catholic background but they very often don't go to church," he said. "They come out of curiosity. They're investigating their faith, and it's because of their peers. In a lot of cases, fellow students have more influence on them coming to church than I do."
Father Ryan said Johns Hopkins has a strong undercurrent of faith on campus, with 21 different traditions represented. During any given week, 150 to 200 students will attend the two Masses at the school, he added.
For many years, UMBC was regarded as a commuter school with little campus life. The school has sought to change that perception by increasing the residence halls to house the current 4,000 students living on campus.
Father Gray, who is part-time at UMBC while helping the Hispanic ministry for Harford County's St. Francis de Sales and St. Margaret, said UMBC allows him to reach people on the ground floor.
"I enjoy the kids who are mature in their faith who were lukewarm Catholics who discovered our ministry," he said.
Just because students attend Mass, doesn't mean they're are on their best behavior. They face the same temptations of drugs, alcohol and sex many students do throughout their academic careers.
"They hear all sorts of wild stuff and they see all sorts of wild stuff," Father Murphy said. "Everything is pierced. Everything is tattooed."
Not all temptations are in public, however. Many of the chaplains say there is a growing concern about the number of male students admitting they spend a large amount of time watching Internet pornography on the easily accessible campus networks.
"It's becoming a real serious issue because it's so available," Father Hendricks said. "Because we're on a public campus, there's no filter. I think we're seeing more and more of it."
Some students are blocking themselves from normal social interaction, the priests say, because of large amounts of time on the Internet, through social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace as well as Instant Messengers.
The four chaplains routinely meet to discuss such concerns, but also share tips about trends that might make their way to another campus.
No matter what difficulties might arise, all agree they enjoy fostering the growth of the next generation of Catholics.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – On Tuesday, a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flew over South Korea in what appears to be a show of force for the North Koreans. The bomber flew from its base in Missouri to South Korea, dropped dummy bombs on a target, then flew home as quietly as it came.
The bomber's appearance over South Korea was probably intended to demonstrate to North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong Un, that the U.S. has the easy ability to strike his country without warning.
So far, the North has shown no reaction.
North Korea remains the world's most secretive and elusive country. Governed by a totalitarian dynasty, now in its third generation, just what happens in the country remains a mystery to most. Reports tell of a massive population of people living in abject poverty, constantly threatened with imprisonment and death by a brutal regime. Famine is a chronic threat.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un and his comrades in the government and military, live luxurious lives, drunk with power.
Political experts suggest that to assert his power over the country, Kim Jong Un, the young son of the late Kim Jong Il, has been doing a lot of saber rattling. Despite the tough talk, North Korea may not be near the brink of war at all. Instead, the bellicose rhetoric could be more for his people than the outside world.
It is thought that so long as North Korea can keep up the appearance of threat by the West, the government can justify brutal and dictatorial control over the people.
The flight of the B-2 would only serve Kim Jong Un's purposes then, by giving the North Koreans another excuse to increase the rhetoric and act out once again, possibly with another nuclear test, or some form of belligerence, such as the sinking of a ship near border waters, or the shelling of targets over the border. Both types of attack have been used in recent years, killing several people in the South.
Despite the North's excessive belligerence, no attack has sparked conflict.
Although it appears both North Korea is actually reluctant to fight, it would be a mistake to dismiss the threat in its entirety. North Korea has one of the world's largest militaries and the country has spared little expense on it. The North also has several short-range missiles that can strike targets across South Korea with conventional warheads.
Although the country has nuclear weapons, it is unclear if these can be deployed in combat; it's not a question anyone would like to see answered by the North.
For the moment, the world waits to see how Kim Jong Un will spend his new political currency, given him by Tuesday's B-2 flight. Perhaps a policy of de-escalation and careful ignorance of the North's behavior would be more conducive to peace than feeding the North's rhetoric machine with new fodder.
The author describes how she was raised by religious parents and a father that scared off boys while cleaning his gun, how she fell in love in college and "relinquished" her virginity unexpectedly on Cheez-It crumbs behind a couch in an off-campus apartment while "roommates farted and belched like cannon-fire in adjacent rooms," how she began taking birth control pills and used them for the next five years as a "serial monogamist," how after she had her heart broken and broke a few herself she decided to take a "leave of absence" and become abstinent, how a broken-hearted young man still pursued her with roses, poetry, and silly declarations of love, how she got pregnant and to her relief miscarried so she was "spared, making a choice" that might "haunt" her for the rest of her life, and finally how some ten years later she gave birth to two daughters with her husband "at just the right time, with exactly the right partner."
What does she credit for things working out well? Birth control, because abstinence got her pregnant.
Her point is this: "…sex should NOT BE a MORAL ISSUE, it should be a PRACTICAL ISSUE." [Emphasis hers.]
She plans to take her daughters to Planned Parenthood when they are in high school because although she hopes "they will only give themselves to men who cherish them" she believes it is better to be "practical" and dispense with any "moral imperatives" so they won't ever experience shame or blame. She concludes, "Knowledge is power."
Take a deep breath, relax your face muscles, and let's examine the logic of this statement because this is a serious issue that needs to be clarified. I once thought this way too, until I realized 1) everyone needs a moral code, and 2) words mean things. We need definitions. We have to know what we are talking about. The word "practical" is derived from the Latin practicalis and it relates to practice or action. The word "moral" stems from môrâlis and is concerned with ethics. Animals merely act without any rational consideration; but humans can act thoughtfully, can reason about morality, and don't have to be slaves to base appetites. I know – it's countercultural, but let it sink in. It's the truth.
There's a word that has become rather distorted, and it relates to choosing actions based on knowledge. That word is "conscience" from cum alio scientia, with other knowledge, science from experiment, and it begins with the individual. A rational being (i.e. a person) has the ability to use reason and act in a conscionable way. By an active power of the soul, we use our intellect to gain knowledge, and it, admittedly, can be difficult. A properly formed conscience is not the work of a lazy intellect. So what's the difference between acting "practically" and acting "morally"? Really nothing, except the former is repetitious, and the latter implies a need for deeper thought and introspection. Someone may say, "Well, acting practically means to make good choices without appealing to harsh judgment." That, however, is a travesty to logic. To know what is good, one must judge, so the issue is still a moral issue, just without using that Big Scary Word. And without guidance you end up saying something silly like, "Birth control is the responsible thing to do when you aren't going to be responsible in the first place." Logical fail.
This confusion stems, in part, from the use of the word "sex." Let's examine that word. It comes from the Latin word secus which refers to the state of being male or female, sexual organs. The union of two bodies is sometimes called intercourse, but if we're talking about people instead of animals, we need a word that represents the union of both body and soul. "Intimacy" from the Latin intimus refers to the inmost, deep-seated, inner nature, that thing between a man and woman that is the deepest union, not isolated to a physical act. It encompasses – is the very wellspring – of the entire union and relationship.
NEW YORK, NY (Catholic Online) – As Oscar Wilde once put it, "A cynic knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing." Bloomberg's ads are certainly cynical. The posters, which were plastered around the city on Monday target teens and highlight the costs of teen pregnancy.
Featuring crying babies, the posters decry the expense and challenge of being a teenage parent. Posters read:
-I'm twice as likely not to graduate high school because you had me as a teen.
-Got a good job? I cost thousands of dollars each year.
-Dad, you'll be paying to support me for the next 20 years.
-Honestly Mom, chances are he won't stay with you. What happens to me?
These ads highlight to cost of being a teen parent, but they also fail to demonstrate the value of every human life and the gift that is motherhood. Having a child, even as a teen, can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. While some of those changes may be challenging, the joy of parenthood is also very rewarding.
Planned Parenthood also has its problem with the ads, blasting them because they say the ads shame teen pregnancy and perpetuate gender stereotypes. Catholic Online agrees – at least in part.
Haydee Morales, vice president of Planned Parenthood of New York City said, "The latest NYC ad campaign creates stigma, hostility and negative public opinions about teen pregnancy and parenthood rather than offering alternative aspirations for young people."
Morales then called for more education, although not of the type that will actually help with the problems associated with teen preganancy.
Teens are best served by abstinence education and being taught the value of marriage and the virtues of chastity and patience.
Though teens can – and do - make wrong choices in life. Though they can and do engage in inappropriate and immoral behavior, God does not make mistakes. Every child is an intentional gift from God and an opportunity for his or her parents to serve as responsible stewards of new life, regardless of their youth and finances.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – A recent study has shown that manuka honey can fight back on two fronts, killing MRSA and other superbugs, but also prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Professor Dame Sally Davies described the growing presence of drug-resistant super bugs as a "ticking time bomb" which could leave millions vulnerable to untreatable germs within a generation.
However, a new study in Australia offers a solution. At the University of Technology Sydney, tests were carried out on manuka, kanuka and clover honeys to find which was best at treating bacteria commonly found in chronic skin wounds.
By far the most capable at treating wounds Comvita medical-grade manuka honey, made by bees foraging on New Zealand's manuka trees. When combined with common antibiotics, the honey hampered the spread of bacteria on wounds.
More importantly, scientists found the honey prevented the bugs from developing any resistance to antibiotics. "Manuka honey should be used as a first resort for wound treatment, rather than the last resort, as it so often is," Professor Liz Harry, of the university said.
A previous study which found that the honey was effective against more than 80 types of bacteria, including MRSA. Commercial honey bought at shops is not suitable as it needs to be sterilized to make it medical grade.
Infections have since become more difficult to defeat, but no new class of antibiotic has been discovered since the 1980s.
A previous study that found manuka honey is effective against more than 80 different types of bacteria, including hospital superbug MRSA.
"We have shown bacteria do not become resistant to honey in the laboratory. Consistent with these facts, we also found that if MRSA were treated with just rifampicin [antibiotic], the superbug became resistant very quickly," Harry said.
"However, when manuka honey and rifampicin are used in combination to treat MRSA, rifampicin-resistant MRSA did not emerge. In other words, honey somehow prevents the emergence of rifampicin-resistant MRSA – this is a hugely important finding."
With overuse of antibiotics partly blamed for the increase in resistant superbugs, doctors are being asked to prescribe fewer antibiotics to patients. While infections are becoming increasingly difficult to beat, no new class of antibiotic has been discovered since the 1980s.
"With the existence now of bacteria that are resistant to all available antibiotics, and the death of new antibiotics on the market, manuka honey should be used as a first resort for wound treatment, rather than the last resort as it so often does," Harry adds.
Though some are quick to blame the manufacture of biofuels for an increase in food prices to the world's most impoverished, local farmer and Chairman of the U.S. Grains Council, Dale Artho, disagrees.
"The claim that ethanol is the reason for rising food prices is misleading at best," he said. He pointed to a recent study by the Texas Agri-Life Extension Service, indicating a total waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard would reduce corn prices by only 30 cents per bushel — a 5 to 8 percent decrease, he says, based on current prices. That study is available at
"We need to look no further than the skyrocketing energy costs to find where the true increases in food prices begin," Artho said.
"Consumers are hit with a double whammy. Oil at more than $115 per barrel not only drives up fuel prices but prices at the grocery store. Production, distribution, manufacturing and packaging costs—escalated by the price of oil—play a much bigger role in rising food costs than the price of corn," he said.
"The skyrocketing price of oil, surging global demand for grains and meat, poor harvests in key production areas around the globe, and a weakened U.S. dollar are the real factors determining world grain and food prices," he said. "The production and use of ethanol, while increasing demand for corn & sorghum, is not contributing significantly to food price escalation. It is, however, helping to keep oil prices lower than they might otherwise be," he said, which has the indirect affect of lowering prices of all commodities that have to be delivered.
"The food versus fuel debate affects Christians in an intrinsic and intimate way," Artho said, "because food is an integral part of our life with Jesus. Scripture is full of examples of the sanctity of food: Abel offering the lamb, Melchizedek offering bread and wine, massa and quail in the desert during the Exodus, Jesus giving us His body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharistic celebration of the Last Supper.
"Jesus taught us the importance of food in our spiritual and everyday life," he said. "We have been taught not to waste food but instead to appreciate food as the fuel of life. How we use food is an indicator of our Catholicity."
Artho is a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Vega. He is Chairman of the U.S. Grains Council, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building export markets for barley, corn, sorghum and their products. The Council is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has nine international offices and active market development programs in more than 50 countries.
Artho is also President of the Board of Directors of Catholic Radio of the Texas High Plains, which owns and operates St. Valentine Catholic Radio, KDJW 1360 AM in Amarillo.
Narrowing down lists of about a dozen potential popes to a handful of serious hopefuls will be one of the main tasks of the closed-door meetings that Catholic cardinals begin on Monday.
The lists circulating in public, mostly drawn up by Vatican journalists based on private chats with Catholic prelates, look more credible than some that floated around during the last conclave in 2005, according to Chicago Cardinal Francis George.
"All of them I've seen – unlike last time – are in fact good candidates," he told journalists on Thursday evening. "You've done our work for us."
Like other cardinals now in Rome preparing the general congregations, the pre-conclave meetings where they openly discuss the Church's problems and whisper about who should confront them, George declined to name any names.
An informal list of possible candidates is probably emerging, he said, "but it isn't winnowed yet".
One reason the process is so mysterious is that candidates do not announce their ambition and canvassing votes is taboo.
A spoof campaign poster for Ghanian Cardinal Peter Turkson plastered around Rome drew howls of laughter from passers-by who had just voted in Italy's general election at the weekend.
FRONTRUNNERS FOR NOW
While there are no official candidates, several names are frequently mentioned in Rome as "papabile" (potential pope).
The following list of the names most often cited is alphabetical, not in order of their chances, and may change between now and when the conclave is held in mid-March.
- João- Timothy Dolan (USA, 63) became the voice of U.S. Catholicism after being named archbishop of New York in 2009. His humor and dynamism have impressed the Vatican, where both are often missing. But cardinals are wary of a "superpower pope" and his back-slapping style may be too American for some.
- Peter Erdö (Hungary, 60) ranks as a possible compromise candidate if the conclave's European majority do not back an Italian but are wary of a pope from overseas. His two terms as head of a European bishops council and strong links with African church leaders shows strong support among two important groups.
- Sean O'Malley (USA, 68) has been touted as a "clean hands" candidate since he was named to three U.S. dioceses in a row to settle sexual abuse scandals. Appointed to Boston in 2003 after a major crisis there, he sold off archdiocesan properties and prompted protests by closing down little-used churches.
- Marc Ouellet (Canada, 68) is effectively the Vatican's top staff director as head of the Congregation for Bishops. He once said becoming pope "would be a nightmare". Though well connected within the Curia, the widespread secularism of his native Quebec could hurt him and even friends say he is not charismatic.
- Gianfranco Ravasi (Italy, 70) has been Vatican culture minister since 2007 and represents the Church to the worlds of art, science, culture and even to atheists. This profile could hurt him if cardinals decide they need an experienced pastor rather than another professor as pope.
- Leonardo Sandri (Argentina, 69) is a "transatlantic" figure born in Buenos Aires to Italian parents. He held the third-highest Vatican post as its chief of staff in 2000-2007. But he has no pastoral experience and his job overseeing eastern churches is not a power position in Rome.
- Odilo Scherer (Brazil, 63) ranks as Latin America's strongest candidate. Archbishop of Sao Paulo, largest diocese in the largest Catholic country, he is conservative in his country but would rank as a moderate elsewhere. The rapid growth of Protestant churches in Brazil could count against him.
- Christoph Schönborn (Austria, 67) is a former student of Pope Benedict with a pastoral touch the pontiff lacks. The Vienna archbishop has been seen as papal material since editing the catechism in the 1990s. But some cautious reform stands and strong dissent by some Austrian priests could hurt him.
- Angelo Scola (Italy, 71) is archbishop of Milan, a springboard to the papacy, and is many Italians' bet to win. An expert on bioethics, he also knows Islam as head of a foundation to promote Muslim-Christian understanding. His dense oratory could put off cardinals seeking a charismatic communicator.
- Luis Tagle (Philippines, 55) has a charisma often compared to that of the late Pope John Paul. He is also close to Pope Benedict after working with him at the International Theological Commission. While he has many fans, he only became a cardinal in 2012 and conclaves are wary of young candidates.
- Peter Turkson (Ghana, 64) is the top African candidate. Head of the Vatican justice and peace bureau, he is spokesman for the church's social conscience and backs world financial reform. He showed a video criticizing Muslims at a recent Vatican synod, raising doubts about how he sees Islam.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – Professor Fabrice Wallois of Picardie University in Amiens, France says that the findings suggest that early in the development of the brain it begins to decipher distinct sounds or "phonemes."
Using bedside functional optical imaging, Wallois and colleagues scanned 12 sleeping 28-32-week gestation age pre-term infants, the earliest age at which cortical responses to external stimuli can be recorded.
Wallois said that babies as young as three months before birth, a baby's brain establishes neural functions that help decipher human speech. At birth children can discriminate some syllables and recognize human speech but how these immature brain cells process it remains unclear.
This is the earliest age for neuronal responses to external stimuli and Prof Wallois found the premature brain can perceive differences in syllables.
The tests produced responses in the right frontal region of the brain, which is the first part of the brain to form, syllabic changes also sparked responses in the left hemisphere. This suggests certain linguistic brain areas exhibit a sophisticated degree of organization as early as three months prior to full term.
"We observed several points of similarity with the adult linguistic network. The research gives a new insight into the way mothers communicate with their babies – and how language skills develop," Wallois said.
"First, whereas syllables elicited larger right than left responses, the posterior temporal region escaped this general pattern, showing faster and more sustained responses over the left than over the right hemisphere.
"Second, discrimination responses to a change of phoneme (ba vs. ga) and a change of human voice (male vs. female) were already present and involved inferior frontal areas, even in the youngest infants.
"Third, whereas both types of changes elicited responses in the right frontal region, the left frontal region only reacted to a change of phoneme.
"These results demonstrate a sophisticated organization of areas at the very onset of cortical circuitry – three months before term.
"They emphasize the influence of innate factors on regions involved in linguistic processing and social communication in humans."
The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – Anytime something unusual happens, conspiracy theorists come out of the woodwork to claim they have secret knowledge or a unique perspective that explains everything. In the case of Benedict's resignation they are claiming that he was compelled to resign in the face of pressure from nefarious lobbies within the Church.
The latest conspiracy, is related to the assignment of a Vatican minister to Colombia. Speculation claims that Monsignor Ettore Balestrero, an Italian who occupied a post that roughly translates to that of foreign minister in the Vatican.
The Vatican is emphatically denying rumors that the decision to transfer Balestrero was connected to the Vatileaks scandal in which Benedict's butler leaked confidential Church documents to a reporter.
Some quarters of the Italian media are speculating that the move was a punishment for Balestrero. What Balestrero's role in the scandal was remains unclear because the report is still secret. However, word of his mention in the report, which was secretly prepared by church cardinals, has been leaked.
Balestrero has connections to the Vatican bank and may have been involved in the banking scandal. His new post could be an effort to clean up the financial arm of the Church.
This transfer, some speculate, suggests that the Pope was compelled to resign as a result of corruption within the Vatican, some of which could linked to Balestrero in the secret report.
However, that Balestrero has done anything wrong is empirically denied given the nature of his transfer. The Vatican has stated this his transfer was planned well in advance of Benedict's resignation and that his new post is considered both important and prestigious. From Bogata, Balestrero will be part of the umbrella group that oversees conferences of all the bishops of South America.
Such a transfer is inconsistent with one who may be tainted with scandal.
Nonetheless, the theories will abound, and with Benedict planning an a secluded retirement, there may not be much opportunity to quell the conspiracy theories. Then again, such notions aren't all that unusual. The Church has always been plagued with accusations of scandal throughout its history. Sadly, some of the scandals have been quite real, but many of them have simply been vicious stories concocted by enemies of the faith.
The good news is, the Church is protected and resilient, and it always survives attempts to destroy it, further proof of its divine favor and faithful devotion to its sacred responsibility. | eng | 7aa0ea8d-7acd-4cce-b2f9-0b887057dd02 | http://dapssav.org/category/religion |
Earn money by recycling. Terracycle buys plastic wraps, candy wrappers, and a whole slew of plastic containers from groups, schools, and fundraisers, to reuse for their business. They make everything they sell out of trash!
The Eco-Capitalist blog from Tom Szaky, the CEO of TerraCycle, who writes about driving up business profits by being environmentally and socially responsible. Read more >>
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Read about schools that have raised test scores of their students by using the environment to help teach content. EETAP is offering the publication "Advancing Education Through Environmental Literacy" along with the accompanying CD "Teaching Standards Naturally" at no cost. The publication focuses on how education and the environment can be linked to advance student learning. The CD provides a sampler to 43 free EE activities linked to different grade levels. Booklet and CD produced by EETAP and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
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The October 10, 2007 issue of Edutopia "Go Green 2007: Education for the Ecosystem" is devoted to environmental education. Search the Go Green resource database by topic for activities such as field trips or lesson plans by grade-level. Learn about schools involved in innovative learning projects on cool schools and sustainable schoolyard design. Read the articles on EE activities happening in and out of the classroom.
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HippoWorks.com has just produced a new 12-part cartoon series "One by One, Ton by Ton, Let's Stop Global Warming!" to help teach kids about this important environmental issue and what they can do to stop it. A new episode will air every week.
As an educational tool for teachers, each episode concludes with questions and a glossary for a follow-up classroom discussion. Previous cartoons from Hippo Works have promoted energy conservation, awareness about animal extinction, and green living. The weekly cartoonlets are a free offering, for subscribers or for your Web site!
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Check out this episode of "Today's Green Minute" with Jim Parks. Learn how cell phone recycling can help reduce the impact of mining operations that threaten lowland gorillas.
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The sustainable footprint project is a Netherlands-based project aimed at making students aware of the consequences of their lifestyle including teachers progams for "problem oriented learning". Plus a series ot thematic lessons and guidelines for internationalising project and relevant links. Extra: A footprint quiz for the younger students (12-15) and a "design for the future" assignment.
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Rustle the Leaf is an online outreach that uses syndication-quality, weekly comic strips and other creative tools to communicate essential environmental themes and truths. Our goals are to encourage environmentalists, to facilitate the sharing of environmental views in an engaging, nonconfrontational manner, and to introduce and reinforce environmental education with people ages 6 to 106. Teachers resources include downloadable monthly lesson plans and a students activities section.
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Project Learning Tree's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood has been selected a Learning ® Magazine 2011 Teachers' ChoiceSM Award winner. Designed for educators who work with children ages 3 to 6, PLT's Early Childhood Guide and CD offers 130 experiences to engage children in outdoor exploration and play using their senses, seasons, and neighborhood trees. Since it was published in February, over 15,000 copies have been distributed to early childhood educators across the country through PLT professional development workshops.
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Help teach students to protect the environment with everyday choices! From soccer balls to cell phones to DVDs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "life cycle poster series" teaches students to understand the environmental impacts of everyday products. These posters track where products come from, how they are manufactured and transported, how to maximize their useful life, and what happens to them after use. The series helps teens (grades 6-12) make informed decisions to protect the environment in their day-to-day lives. Also available in Spanish. To order your free copies, visit the Web site.
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Students first discuss how oil gets into the water supply. Then, students investigate how oil affects the ocean and the organisms that live in it. Afterwards, students determine how best to attempt cleaning up an oil spill. The experiment helps students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills.
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The National Science Teachers Association provides experts' reviews of the best K-12 trade books, teacher publications, and software available for science teachers.
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"Designed for use by teachers and water quality professionals, the activities teach youth through experimental learning methods the importance of preserving and enhancing water resources. The inter-disciplinary books are designed to supplement existing curricula and are correlated with U.S. curriculum standards." Units for K-2, 3-5, 9-12 and a Spanish version can be ordered online. NPEEE Review for Grade Level: 9-12
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In this unit students learn about the origins and properties of oil as well as what humans use it for. They then confront the effects that oil has on water and wildlife. The unit concludes with a discussion of the role students may have in protecting and cleaning our waters.
Oil, Oil Everywhere
Students learn about where oil comes from and what we use it for. Then students witness an in class demonstration of an oil spill.
In this lesson students create and advertising campaign using paper shopping bags. On the bags students write messages, encouraging others to advocate for legislation that will protect the environment from human caused disasters such as oil spills.
University of Texas Library collection of virtual field trips and guides throughout the United States and Canada. Developed as course components, the sites contain local geological or earth science information and include links to downloadable versions of published paper texts.
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Monthly National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) series introduces a variety of learning adventures and lesson plans designed for K-12 educators and students. Current issue has students investigating the migration of land and marine animals such as eagles, turtles, dolphins, swans, and harp seals.
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Students watch as their teacher simulates an oil spill. Following the demonstration, groups of students race to figure out the best way to clean up the spill before it reaches land. Students then discuss their observations.
This series of lessons covers an overview of the origins, benefits, and properties of oil. Students watch a demonstration of what happens during an oil spill. Then they conduct an investigation into clean up methods, followed by an evaluation of the oil spill's repercussions.
An ongoing series of free teaching modules developed by education faculty and professional developers, and sponsored by the George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF). The modules draw from GLEF's archives of best practices and correlate with ISTE/NCATE NETS standards.
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A searchable database and links to online adventures, maps & geography, free printable lesson plans, software programs and each of the National Geographic magazines.
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A grade 11 social studies course written by the North Vancouver Teachers. Specific topics include environmental changes over time. Chapters include: A Global Village; Population; Rich and Poor; Resources; and Aid.
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The Learning Site is a tremendous resource for educators interested in incorporating environmental curriculum in the classroom. All of the Rainforest Alliance's education materials are completely free and meet national standards as compiled by Mid-Continent Research for Education and Training.
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Fisheries Learning on the Web (FLOW) is a comprehensive curriculum about the Great Lakes ecosystem, geared toward upper elementary and middle school. Lessons are aligned with science and social studies standards.
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In this lesson, students read and discuss the chain of events connected to the BP oil spill and clean up attempts in the Gulf of Mexico. Students then design their own experiment, asking and answering questions concerning possible clean up options or environmental/ economic repercussions.
While this page does not include any specific lesson plans, it makes a good reference for teachers who would like to discuss the BP oil spill in class. The NY Times provides links to an interactive map to track the progression of the oil spill, as well as short articles for students to read.
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This is an interactive site where students can explore the impact of different toxins on their home environment. Students can explore the site to watch colorful, animated representations of toxic chemicals infiltrating their home or school environment (city, farm, port, or town).
Award-winning, Web-based curriculum material for grades 4-8. Each standards-based lesson features an engaging activity focusing on one of three primary areas: ecosystem, water or fish.
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Each weekday, Pulse of the Planet provides its listeners with a two-minute sound portrait of Planet Earth, tracking the rhythms of nature, culture and science worldwide and blending interviews and extraordinary natural sound.
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The Rainforest Alliance Learning Site is filled with free lesson plans, stories, presentations, posters and species profiles for K-6th grade. This standards-based multidisciplinary curriculum teaches science, math, language arts and social studies skills, and presents information on biodiversity and local communities while giving students opportunities for action. All resources are free of charge.
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Public Broadcasting System (PBS) hosts the Shape of Life website, a project of Sea Studios Foundation, features activities, explorations, and experiments for K-12 formal and informal educators, students, and families. Includes accompanying downloadable activity guide.
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Solitary bees, like the orchard mason bee (Osmia), can be very good pollinators for early spring plants and fruit trees. It is very easy to make an abundance of housing for these loner bees and it is fun to watch them move in. They are especially important, because many social bees are in peril.
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Buy, Use, Toss? A Closer Look at the Things We Buy, is a free interdisciplinary curriculum unit from Facing the Future that leads students through an exploration of the system of producing and consuming goods that is called the materials economy. Students learn about the five major steps of the materials economy (Extraction, Production, Distribution, Consumption, and Disposal) and are asked to analyze the sustainability of these steps to determine how consumption can benefit people, economies, and environments."Popular Education is a tool to raise people's critical awareness about the world around them, based on their personal experience." Ozone and Sustainable Transportation Exercises using popular education methodology can be viewed online (adapted from Friends of the Earth (Canada)'s Ozone Protection Workshop Kit).
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Web page offering printable graphic organizers. A graphic organizer is an instructional tool used to illustrate a student or class's prior knowledge about a topic or section of text.
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These learning activities offer creative methods for integrating use of eLibrary resources into classroom instruction. Developed by experienced educators with subject-matter expertise, the activities have been aligned to national standards and developed for four grade levels and four subject areas.
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Includes a database of University and K-12 school projects nationwide and internationally. As well as resources for starting your own project. A project of Interstate Renewable Energy Council's PV for YOU Program.
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Check out the Spring 2006 eField Trip "Butterflies: Unlocking the Mystery of Metamorphisis" presented in an engaging format and designed to meet national education standards. Classrooms register for free. Also available now and through the rest of the year: Renewable Energy: POWERful Choices.
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National Ocean Service (NOS) Discovery Kits were developed for high school teachers and students and are adaptable to undergraduate or middle school level. Discovery Kits: Corals, Tides & Water Levels, and Geodesy, provide tutorials, roadmaps, and lesson plans designed to work together, but can be used independently as well.
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Ducks Unlimited site provides a variety of resources on wetland education. Three new units developed for grade levels 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12, in wetland ecosystems series consists of an educator's guide and accompanying student journal, experiments, and activities.
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New Hippoworks.com program designed to teach kids about global warming with activities, lesson plans and printable materials for teachers, and a carbon calculator to help students figure their global footprint.
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A real time data module for elementary students to explore weather phenomena locally and globally. Teachers can find many fun classroom activities divided into three sections: introductory activities, real time data activities, and language arts activities related to weather.
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Background information on the ecology and natural history of prairie organisms, tips on prairie plant and animal identification (and ecological function), and interactive learning games ("Build a Prairie"). Developed by Minnesota IDEALS.
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"A Guide to Creating Vernal Ponds"; new book (downloadable in pdf format) describing how to establish small wetlands for improving outdoor classrooms and wildlife habitat. Hard copy can also be ordered online.
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The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is an integrated art and science curriculum developed to teach environmental science and habitat conservation. Participants complete a "term paper" using visual rather than verbal articulation to show what they have learned.
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Hands on the Land (HOL) is a network of field classrooms stretching across America from Alaska to Florida and is sponsored by Partners in Resource Education, a collaboration of five Federal agencies, a non-profit foundation, schools, and other private sector partners. HOL provides a national network of field classrooms to enhance kindergarten through high school student-learning. Site provides teaching materials, resources for students, educational program information, teacher bulletins, and more.
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Based on curriculum developed for California schools, the Advanced Placement Environmental Science course developed by the University of California College Prep initiative is now available through the EoE Web site. The online course covers all material outlined by the College Board and includes 25 chapters on topics ranging from energy flows to environmental laws and regulations, and the chapters may be used independently or sequentially as a full course. In addition, the chapters can serve as resources for teachers and students in other science courses at the high school or undergraduate level. The EoE is one component of the Earth Portal, which also include the Earth Forum, presenting blogs by scientists, and Earth News, featuring the latest environmental news from around the globe.
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Teachers' Corner is a new Web-based clearinghouse for Great Lakes and fisheries K-12 education resources. All educational materials included on the site were professionally reviewed, and many provide a FREE lesson correlated to Michigan Science Benchmarks. Other features include a chart to compare materials side-by-side, links to relevant resources and organizations, and a discussion forum. Created under the supervision of Dr. Michaela Zint, School of Natural Resources & Environment and School of Education, University of Michigan through a grant from the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
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The Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) environmental health science lessons meet National Science Education Standards in biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, and physical science, and are targeted at students in grades 9-12. All EHP news articles and lessons can be downloaded for free from this Web site.
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Colorado Foundation for Water Education free online lesson plans for teachers that address the interdisciplinary study of watersheds, and assist students with submissions to the River of Words Poetry Contest. Self-paced lesson plans, integrating culture, history, poetry and watershed science.
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To mark the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth, the 150th anniversary of his publication on the origin of species, and the 400th anniversary of the publication of Kepler's first two laws of planetary motion, the American Institute of Biological Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and more than 150 other organizations, have declared 2009 the Year of Science. Each month, the Web site will focus around a scientific theme, and include related resources, activities, video clips, podcasts, student challenges, citizen science opportunities, and more.
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The Pine Barrens: up close and natural is an exploration of the plants and animals that live in the extraordinary ecosystem of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Pinelands Preservation Alliance is now offering an accompanying free 52-page teacher's guide to this film on CD-ROM.
NASA educational product series consists of five classroom problem-based modules for studying clouds, energy, precipitation, weather and wind. Learning activities, assessment rubrics and prerequisite knowledge are included in these downloadable booklets, correlated to national academic standards for grades 5-12. Each was designed to be used independently.
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This student EE program in Ontario, Canada, engages students by providing class modules and labs on biodiversity. The outdoor activities give students a chance to utilize their knowledge and see how they can directly impact the environment.
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Information for Grades 6-12 teachers to plan educational activities for students to protect and clean up watershed environments. Projects include trash cleanup, stencilling storm drains, testing soil nutrients, composting, planting to prevent erosion, and water quality monitoring. Instructions are provided, and links to related information are provided for teachers and students. From the Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE).
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For students and teachers in grades 9-12, exercises are adaptable to grade levels. Activities include an "Engagement" exercise, a Student Exploration project, and ideas for extended study. "The materials align with National Learning Standards for Science, Geography, Social Studies, Language Arts, Environmental Education, and Technology."
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ETE is a series of interdisciplinary, problem-based learning modules for high school students (online). The project engages student teams in addressing real-world problems related to weather, population growth, biodiversity, land use patterns, volcanoes, water pollution, and global warming. Teams analyze remotely-sensed images to come up with solutions to open-ended earth science problems.
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"An interdisciplinary course for high school students (9-12) that emphasizes how scientists from a wide variety of fields work together to understand significant problems of global impact." Including climate change, energy use, biodiversity and population. A project of the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley.
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The latest of NOVA's High Adventure series "Descent Into the Ice" explores the highest point in western Europe - Mont Blanc. The program is a Journey to the Center of the Earth-style voyage into the eerie inner world of glacial cracks, crevasses, ice shafts, pits, water wells, and tunnels, as glacionauts search for evidence of hidden lakes that form through the intricate action of melting ice. Accompanying teaching materials, classroom activities, and an interactive site for students.
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Submitted by teachers at a workshop emphasizing urban EE, downloadable lesson plans on air and water quality, solid waste, and land use planning. From the Chicago Academy of Sciences.
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"NASA offers a variety of educational products and resources in the area of Earth Science. Check out the teachers' guides, videos and links to other materials available to educators." (Some resources are available for download in PDF format). For K-12, post secondary, and informal educators.
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Kids learn how they can help exotic cats like tigers and jaguars meet the challenge of surviving the 21st century. All included resources and lesson plans (Grades 3-6) are free for educational, nonprofit, or personal use. By John H. Burkitt.
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Site provides new teaching materials each week for 30 weeks during the school year covering a wide variety of information on animals and plants, interdisciplinary activities, various reading levels, and access to a professional naturalist via email.
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Site provides a variety of activities and lesson plans for the classroom and the curious, geared toward middle school teachers students. The Idea Factory contains ideas, words of advice and wisdom from teachers for teachers. Sign up to receive the Lesson or Science Experiment-of-the-week. The Junk-Box and Junk-Yard challenges are designed to teach students how to build a science project from discarded objects.
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The FUNDRED Dollar Bill Project is a national project intended to support the rebuilding of New Orleans by making the environmental conditions safer for its residents. The FUNDRED Dollar Bill "artworks" created by students across the country will be collected by armored truck and delivered to Washington, DC. Those drawings will ultimately contribute to developing awareness and delivering solutions for the environmentally responsible rebuilding of New Orleans.
National Geographic classroom activities about reasons for seasons with embedded links for illustrating Earth's seasonal positions around the Sun. Learn the long and short of the changing of the seasons, then self-test using the cosmic map.
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"Attention, Class!!! 16 Ways to Be a Smarter Teacher," published in 2001, by Fast Company, was originally written for businesses on developing more effective leadership skills, translates into practical advice for teachers.Live Electronic Field Trip from the U.S. Forest Service for Grades 5-8 on America's rainforests. Join experts on location in the tropical and temperate rain forests to learn about rain forest ecosystems, current research, human needs and management challenges. Sign up to participate.
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Created by scholars at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Globalization101.org teaches high school and college students about policy aspects of globalization related to civics, environment and economics, without any fees or charges. The site is aligned to state standards and includes issue briefs, news analyses, lesson plans, video interviews with experts, and useful links. The content also aligns with course requirements for AP Environmental Sciences.
The National Library of Medicine's Tox Town web site offers a new Hurricane Katrina (and Rita) web page that lists environmental health concerns following the disaster and during the clean-up effort. Topics include mold, pest control, worker health, drinking water, trash burning and many more. Suggested for high school students, educators, and the concerned public, the four neighborhood scenes use color, graphics, sounds and animation to add interest to learning about connections between chemicals, the environment and the public's health.
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Education program contains science, social studies, and language arts lessons for the high school level. Each lesson relates to an article in Terrain magazine, which covers relevant environmental issues, and fulfills at least one of California state standards. Archived lesson plans also available.
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Articles and lessons (MS-undergrad) focus on issues in biodiversity, environment, genome, biotechnology, evolution, new frontiers in the sciences, and education. Lessons are written by educators and correlated to NSES standards.
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Remember mnemonics? "Every Good Boy Deserves Favor" (notes on the staff) or "Spring Forward, Fall Back" (daylight savings rule)? There's a mnemonics website covering subjects from Astronomy to Weather where you can add your own or look up some old favorites.
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Take your students in grades 5-8 on a distance learning adventure to the tropical and temperate rain forests during live webcast and broadcast on October 14. Join experts on location in Puerto Rico and Alaska to learn about these important ecosystems, predator-prey relationships, the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, why rain forests are important, and the native cultures of Puerto Rico and Alaska. Visit the website for more information, to register, and for free lesson plans.
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For K-12 teachers and nonformal educators, the AIS Guide is available online or in pdf format. Includes aquatic exotic plants and animals educational materials, multimedia resources and information, and species field guide. From the University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program.
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North Carolina Museum of Art online educational resource, featuring nature and science activities that can be used in environmental education. Includes K-12 lesson plans and activities searchable by region, subject, and grade"The Awesome Library organizes the Web with 15,000 carefully reviewed resources, including the top 5 percent in education." Special sections for students, teachers and parents. Lesson plans for grades K-12
Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) interdisciplinary projects that teachers can use to enhance their curriculum through use of the Internet. Focus is on projects that utilize realtime data from the Internet, and collaborative projects that reach peers and experts around the world via the Internet. Some of these collaborative projects include "Down the Drain: How much water do you use?"; "The Global Water Sampling Project: An investigation of water quality" for grades 9-12; and "The Square of Life: Studies of Local and Global Environments" for grades 1-5. Each project has a brief description and links to the National Science Standards and NCTM math standards it supports.
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Educational site featuring cotton as a vehicle to teaching Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies. Resources, activities, lessons and products are meant to assist educators in giving their students the whole unit experience through an inquiry-based approach, while meeting many National Education Standards.
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Provides a database of resources searchable by grade, subject, and resource type (lesson plans can be printed off the web). Some EE related areas include Animals, Oceans, Earth and Life Science. Activities are correlated to National Learning Standards.
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Materials compiled and reviewed by the Environmental Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Extension, that will help you to develop a community-based, youth water education program that targets youth and links key community members in partnerships while working toward common water education goals.
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Find out how to join a teams of conservation researchers around the world on expeditions from 1-3 weeks long. Also discover lesson plans and web sites developed by past teacher volunteers while they were in the field. Funding is available for students (16+) and educators.
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Lesson plans and activities for elementary, junior high, and high school students to explore alternative energy sources. Can be downloaded in one large file (Complete Text), individual chapters, or on three compact discs.
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Explore ground-level ozone through an online teaching unit designed for grades 6-9, correlated to National Science Eduation Standards and Excellence in Environmental Eduation: Guidelines for Learning. Students will discover the science underlying ozone formation while using real world data, EPA's Air Quality Index, the scientific method, graphing, math and data interpretation skills.
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The EPA Explorer's Club is designed like a clubhouse with various rooms. Filled with educational activities in the art room, game room, science room, and pages where kids learn about air, water, garbage & recycling, plants, and animals.
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Created by the EPA, The Water Sourcebooks contain 324 activities for grades K-12. This environmental education program explains the water management cycle using a balanced approach showing how it affects all aspects of the environment. Activities are available online in PDF and are also available on CD-ROM.
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learningscience.org site offers free, high-quality Web interactives for the classroom in various areas of science studies listed by learning standards for grades K-4 and 5-12. Links to long and short interactive lesson plans, data collection, imaging, and more.
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CLEARING is one of the oldest publications for environmental and place-based education in the country. First published in 1978, CLEARING is a quarterly magazine for formal and non-formal educators that features thought-provoking perspectives, insightful resource reviews, grade- and subject-specific activities and lesson plans, and news from regional EE associations in the western US and Canada. Available in print and online.
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YES! magazine is an ad-free quarterly journal published by the Positive Futures Network, an independent, nonprofit organization supporting people's active engagement in creating a just, sustainable, and compassionate world. Our stories are about real people making positive change in the real world. They are stories of hope that are especially inspiring to young people.
YES! honors classroom teachers for engaging and inspiring the next generation. Thanks to the generosity of our funders we can provide K-12 classroom teachers and college faculty with a one-year introductory subscription at no cost.
Sign up now and start your free year of YES! with our next issue devoted to climate change solutions with compelling stories by Bill McKibben, Joanna Macy, youth, and others about what's needed for us to meet this global challenge.
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OzonAction Education Pack provides primary school teachers with practical, hands-on and entertaining curricula material to educate students about the protective role of the ozone layer and the causes and consequences of its depletion.
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Facing the Future is offering Climate Change: Connections and Solutions, a set of two-week interdisciplinary curriculum units for students in grades 6-8 and grades 9-12, in pdf format. Aligned with national science and social studies standards, the lessons begin by building a foundation of understanding climate change and ends with students being able to communicate complex and interconnected issues related to climate change.
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Through MonarchLIVE - A Distance Learning Adventure, students can follow the magical migration of monarch butterflies through a series of free live, interactive field trips broadcast from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. Participating teachers can apply for one of Project Learning Tree's GreenWorks! grants to create a butterfly garden in their schoolyard or community.
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With the UV Index on the rise, it's time to remind your students to Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap! EPA encourages educators to promote sun safety before the second annual Don't Fry Day on the Friday before Memorial Day (May 28, 2010). We need your help; go online and pledge to incorporate sun safety into your spring and summer activities. Participating classrooms and informal education organizations will receive a Don't Fry Day poster and a set of sun safety stickers.
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MeetTheGreens.org kids' guide to looking after the planet has just added a new activity guide. It pairs hands-on activities to deepen kids' understanding of topics like recycling and global warming with campaigns to reduce junk mail and get drivers to stop idling cars. This innovative, Web-only project comes from WGBH in Boston, the producer of shows like ZOOM, ARTHUR, Frontline, & NOVA.
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Interactivate is free, online courseware for exploration in science and mathematics. The site is structured around collections of activities, lessons, and discussions and is browsable by subject, topic, audience, and resource type.
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Online course is a primer on how weather events relate to the health of a watershed, and how the public can take simple actions to protect watershed health. The on-line curriculum contains a collection of graphics that make it easy for meteorologists and others to explain watersheds visually.
Zoom in on any place on the planet to explore. Google Earth is a virtual globe that brings satellite images and local facts into view with streaming technology and 3D imagery. Use Google search to show local points of interest, travel routes, and more. Google Earth is free for personal use and no registration is required. Upgraded versions are also available.
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Teachers and students in grades 4-12 classrooms are invited to participate this winter/spring in Journey North's Mystery Class project in which students try to find 10 secret classes hiding around the globe using the changing sunlight at each site as the clue. Students develop a deep understanding of important concepts by puzzling them out in real time.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Web site provides educators, emergency managers, or anyone interested in learning about weather with comprehensive, well-organized, colorfully illustrated curricula designed to help teach about the the Earth's atmosphere. The self-contained modules include complete lesson plans and review questions.
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The Electronic Naturalist Web site is a project of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History providing plant and animal information with illustrations, weekly lesson units, and access to a naturalist with "Ask a Naturalist." eNaturalist memberships are free and provide previews of lessons, how those units align to national standards, weekly e-Naturalist newsletter, and the monthly Peterson Journal Online.
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The Center for Life Sciences Education at Virginia Commonwealth University presents "The Secrets of the Sequence Video Series" for teachers to incorporate advances in the life sciences into their classrooms. Each of the 50 short (8-10 minute) videos come with a lesson plan and activities.
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Baffin Island is ground zero for climate change. No better place exists to witness the disruption of ecosystems and cultures by climate change. This February, Will Steger and his expedition team of Inuit hunters, explorers and educators, embarked on a four-month-long expedition on Baffin Island to get a first-hand look at how global warming is impacting the Arctic landscape, wildlife, and human communities. Students and teachers around the country can follow along with the Expedition using the freely available educational curricula. In addition, the Global Warming 101 website provides the wider community with tools, resources, and information that builds a solid understanding of the issue as well as motivation to slow global warming through personal and legislative action.
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Looking for an inspiring lesson to engage your middle and high school students at the end of the school year? Or the perfect faculty workshop? Facing the Future's interdisciplinary activities provide a starting place for young people to think critically about issues facing the planet and to find entry points for making a difference in their local and global communities.
National Public Radio (NPR) and National Geographic host the Climate Connections Web site full of news items, interesting facts, practical ideas, and a daily podcast. An interactive map allows visitors to follow NPR reporting on areas of the world impacted by global warming, and the Wild Chronicles offers videos on a variety of wildlife and global warming issues.
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This Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) lesson plan is for undergraduate and advanced high school instructors providing lecture slides, worksheets, homework assignments, essay suggestions, and links to other resources.
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From the Smithsonian Museum, The Dynamic Earth Web site offers a multimedia presentation or printable version of Gems and Minerals, Plate Tectonics and Volcanoes, Rocks and Mining, and The Solar System.
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Combine the power of radio, the internet, and Project Learning Tree activities to enhance learning in the classroom. Earth & Sky produces short daily radio shows on a range of environmental topics. These 90-second shows can also be downloaded for free from the internet and many are correlated to Project Learning Tree (PLT) activities.
Both Web sites provide a wealth of additional resources for educators and students for each radio show and PLT activity.
Supported by grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the "Encyclopedia of Life" is a global effort to document all 1.8 million named species of animals, plants, and other forms of life on Earth. The encyclopedia will be a multimedia Wikipedia-style Web site, providing downloadable information on each species. The Field Museum, Harvard University, the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Biodiversity Heritage Library partnered to launch the project.
Published by a professional geologist, Geology.com offers a wealth of information, including a geology dictionary, news, over 160 country maps, hundreds of satellite images, and 250 U.S. state maps.
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Claude's Got the Scoop on Soil! Web site provides educational materials targeted for students in grades 4-6 to learn about how soil is made, who really needs soil, and what happens to soil if you don't take care of it.
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Free Web-based curriculum to help teachers bring global environmental issues to science and social studies classrooms. The WEBB curriculum engages students in a dynamic study of local and global issues to prepare them for citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world. Sponsored by Global Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
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This 8-module, middle school environmental history curriculum allows teachers to download in pdf format, self-contained activities based upon archival materials. Each module is a compilation of primary resources--documents, maps, newspapers, oral histories or photographs--that students will be asked to examine and analyze in order to synthesize insights about human interaction with the environment
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Leverage Curious George's appeal to bring earth science learning to young kids. PBS has created easy-to-use resources for educators that are free and online. The resources outline how to set up and run hands-on "Curiosity Centers" where children can make their own discoveries about sand, water, soil, wind, and recycling. How-to includes simple materials lists, learning goals, leader notes, and tips for success. Over 80 three-minute video clips showing kids exploring science are also available.
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The Forest Resource Environmental Education (FREE) Network is frequently updated and contains more than 100 interactive, scientifically-sound resources for students and teachers at all grade levels to learn about forests and forest management. The network was started by the University of Minnesota and is now hosted by Dovetail Partners, a non-profit environmental organization based in Minneapolis. Visit the site for classroom resources and take the popular environmental quiz!
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National Wildlife Federation's new ClimateClassroom.org website is designed to help parents and teachers talk to students of differing ages about global warming. Its features include guidelines for parents, proposed new national global warming educator guidelines, age-adapted sources of useful curricula, a downloadable slide presentation for kids, presenter's guide, and more.
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Pennies for the Planet is a nationwide campaign that taps into the amazing power of kids to help critical conservation projects. For the last several years, kids have helped save wild places and wildlife in the United States and around the world. This campaign is created to promote conservation action and support current and future environmental leaders. Materials including a full color poster and educator's guide, a newsletter for kids, and a participation form with incentives and awards are available for download from the Web site for classroom or at-home use.
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This climate change guide is for teachers to help students (grades 7-12) investigate the evidence and causes of climate change, examine its impacts on ecosystems, explore and discuss varied social and cultural perspectives, and get involved helping to solve this local and global predicament. The guide includes 12 engaging activities suitable for classes in English and language arts, environmental education, math, science, art, and social studies, and the activities are tied to Wisconsin's model academic standards. Preview online, order free copies, or download the pdf.
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This new online science curriculum from NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a complete set of estuarine science curricula to help grade 9-12 teachers incorporate coastal and estuarine science into any general science class. Each of the four modules tells the estuary story through one of three domains - earth, life, or physical science.
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Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) set of teaching materials geared towards students and teachers in grades 9-12. Individual exercises are adaptable to different grade levels and engage students in an exploration of the impacts of global climate change on ecosystems and natural resources. In pdf format.
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University of the Arctic "Introduction to the Circumpolar World" module for students (grades 9-12) addressing climate change and potential environmental changes in the Arctic.
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The Go Green Database is aimed at teachers and educators who need environmental resources to use in classrooms and schools. The Database is a directory that can be searched by topics such as climate, energy and recycling, by resource type such as lesson plans, field trips and design projects.
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One of our many useful resources available on the 501(c)3 Pollinator Partnership's Web site is the "Nature's Partners: Pollinators, Plants, and You" curriculum. It is designed to educate young people about pollinators and the important role they play in providing many of the foods we eat and the plant fiber used in our clothing and household goods, and ways they can help pollinators survive and flourish by protecting and creating pollinator-friendly habitat. The copywritten curriculum is available for free download for educators and others who will not use the curriculum for profit.
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Want to learn more about the birds in your community? This project can help! Written and narrated by high school students from Boston, Massachusetts, the Urban Bird Sounds Project features recordings and descriptions of birds, tips for remembering their songs and calls, and short quizzes to test your skills. To learn more, download audio, try the quizzes, or order a free copy, visit the Web site.
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The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy offers 350 downloadable lessons and activities on energy efficiency and renewable energy, organized by grade level and topic.
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From The JASON Project, this free and online curriculum is designed to teach students (grades 5-8) how powerful storms form and how advanced technology is used to better understand and forecast weather. The five- to nine-week core science unit covers key middle school National Science Education Standards, and can be aligned to state standards.
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Visit the ThinkEarth Web site for two easy-to-conduct surveys that will help lessen your environmental impact. The home survey can be conducted by family members, and the school survey can be conducted as a class project from grade six and up. Once survey answers are entered online, personalized recommendations are generated to show you how to better "Think Earth." The free, broad-based surveys cover air quality, energy and water conservation, and waste reduction.
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Using this online activity students can analyze the spatial patterns of daily temperature extremes, examine the relationship of coasts, latitude, and altitude to temperature extremes across the USA in a hands-on, GIS-based environment.
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Greenbelt Alliance is a bay area-based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving open space and promoting smart-growth. One goal is to educate young people about the urban natural world. Our unique curriculum, "The Greenbelt in Your Schoolyard", can be used in many different youth programs called for grades 3-8. To receive a copy, email or download the PDF online.
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TEAMS is a satellite distance learning provider of instruction for the elementary grades. The site contains Internet projects, lesson plans and other resources for K-12 educators.
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Walden Media is offering these interdisciplinary, downloadable educator guides to accompany their films and books. The lesson plans are written by educators for educators and comply with national standards in content areas.
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The CAPCO Classroom Aerosol Adventure Kit contains all of the materials necessary to teach your students about the Earth's protective upper ozone layer, CFCs, and aerosol products in a fun and active way. The kit includes a teacher's guide, classroom activities, experiments, homework assignments, and the DVD, "Another Awesome Aerosol Adventure," created by the makers of "Beakman's World." It is a perfect compliment to standard teaching materials and an excellent way to meet state SOLs. The kit is free and can be ordered or downloaded from CAPCO's Web site.
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EPA is working with 20th Century Fox in connection with their new movie, Dr. Seuss' "Horton Hears a Who" to help Americans and their kids learn about energy efficiency and ENERGY STAR. Using the lyrical rhymes and colorful illustrations that are the hallmarks of Dr. Seuss, EPA has two new brochures to remind us that - with help from Horton and ENERGY STAR - we can all do our part to fight global warming, save energy, and protect the earth. Both brochures are downloadable from the Web site.
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This Spring, National Geographic Explorer Will Steger and a team of young adventurers from Norway, Great Britain, Canada, and the U.S. will bring their High Arctic dogsled expedition to educators and learners through multimedia dispatches.
Endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA), this adventure learning project includes standards-linked multidisciplinary lesson plans appropriate for middle school and older students that explore how climate shapes the past, present, and future for members of the High Arctic community. In addition to the free lesson plans, the site includes discussion starters that challenge students to think critically and form well-supported opinions.
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From the Will Steger Foundation's Global Warming 101 initiative, Arctic Community Curriculum focuses on community, solutions, and positive messages of hope and action in response to the challenge of climate change. Based on the idea that we are all members of the community of Planet Earth, the curriculum looks in detail at a specific area, namely the Arctic, to help us appreciate the meaning of community. The Arctic Community Curriculum is free of charge and compliments the other educational resources available through the Web site.
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New online journal, Lessons in Conservation (LinC), provides educators and students with the most up-to-date resources and thinking in biodiversity conservation. Published semi-annually, the official publication of the Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP) is a collaborative project to develop capacity aimed at sustaining Earth's biological and cultural diversity. The teaching modules presented include documents summarizing a wide range of topics, field or laboratory exercises, and relevant short case studies with teaching notes to help educators tailor their lessons to local issues or questions. All modules include current, peer-reviewed content and are designed to facilitate active approaches to teaching and learning.
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This Web site is part of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy outreach program using "the beauty and scale of the universe to inspire very young children in underprivileged environments." Site offers a wide variety of educational materials such as online activities, games, animations, films, and teachers' materials.
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On May 1st, join naturalists from around the country to explore our estuaries. EstuaryLive is a free, live, interactive field trip through our nation's estuaries. Participants have an opportunity to submit questions directly to field trip leaders during the broadcast. This year's program will feature segments from three of NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserves: Hudson River (New York), South Slough (Oregon), and Padilla Bay (Washington). Included will be a discussion of the impacts of global climate change on our coastal ecosystems.
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Keep America Beautiful, Inc., received a $75,000 grant from the Office Depot Foundation to redesign and enhance its Clean Sweep U.S.A. EE Web site. This educational math and science classroom resource for students (grades 4-8) now includes lessons on litter prevention and beautification and features interactive learning modules that help students, teachers, and families address real-world issues about waste.
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Project Learning Tree (PLT), in partnership with the World Forestry Center, has completed a new set of secondary activities Global Connections: Forests of the World. The module consists of nine activities that provide students with the opportunity to do research and apply critical thinking skills to consider the social, economic, and environmental implications that underlie decisions about forest management. Educators can use the module in biology, geography, agriculture, and other science and social studies courses at the high school or early college level.
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Earth Science Week is October 12-18, and the theme for the 2008 is "No Child Left Inside." The Toolkit is a key educational support product and contains several resources developed by the American Geological Institute (AGI) including a 'Journey to Center of Earth 3D' Educator Guide, posters, activity calendar, 3D postcard, Earth Observations CD from NASA, field notebook, and much more.
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Take a Cloud Walk, a new addition to the award-winning Take a Walk book series by Jane Kirkland, is available as a free PDF download. In this full-color, 30-page book, readers learn the basic names and shapes of clouds, why they move, why they are white, how they affect climate change, the difference between weather and climate, and weather terms and conditions such as hail, lightning, and fog. Meteorologists Jim Cantore (the Weather Channel®) and "Stormin" Bob Swanson, (USA Today) participated in this fun book giving kids a closer look at clouds. Get your copy at Jane's new Web site for educators, where you can find many other free resources for educators.
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Begins with October 10 kickoff and continues throughout the 2008-09 school-year.
Experience this spectacular natural phenomena where millions of monarchs migrate thousands of miles from Canada and the United States to overwinter in the mountain peaks in states of Mexico and Michoacán in Mexico. MonarchLIVE is a distance-learning adventure, that follows the annual migration of monarch butterflies with six electronic field trips during the school year, including two Web casts and broadcasts in February 2009 from the monarch butterflies' overwintering habitat in Mexico. The electronic field trips will be available by Webcast or through a satellite downlink.
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The University of Colorado CIRES Education and Outreach group is offering this free educational DVD about climate change and its effects on polar regions. Polar Visions is an exciting, visually stunning film by Ryan Vachon, about the causes and effects of climate change in polar regions. The film contains seven stand-alone segments appropriate for use in all kinds of science classrooms and informal settings from the middle level through college, and was developed to align with the National Science Education Standards across all science subjects.
This National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Project 2061 resource is a collection of conceptual strand maps showing how students' ideas and skills lead to literacy and how learning goals relate to each other and progress from grade-to-grade.
The URL is:
This Facing the Future two-part math resource engages students in learning foundational algebra and geometry through real-world data on global issues. The teacher's guide and corresponding student workbook contain 15 lessons on topics such as climate change, population, and financial literacy. All lessons were inspired, researched, designed, reviewed, and pilot tested by educators in the field.
The URL is:
Population Connection announces the release of its new secondary-level curriculum, Earth Matters: Studies for Our Global Future, 3rd edition on CD-ROM. This new edition is completely updated and greatly expanded to include 32 readings and 43 innovative teaching activities to help students understand the complexities of population pressures, climate change, natural resource use, wildlife endangerment, distribution of wealth and food, urbanization, public health, gender equity, economic progress, and how these issues are interrelated.
The URL is:
The Library of Congress has compiled a collection of resources supporting education on nature and the environment. The multimedia resources include presentations, exhibitions, Webcasts, news, and classroom materials.
The URL is: | eng | 464f3897-2218-47c0-a55e-8922d400cc31 | http://eelink.net/pages/Lesson+Plans |
Medicare is health insurance for all people who are 65 years or
older, along with a subset of younger people who suffer from
dialysis-requiring kidney failure and a few other disabilities. The
program costs $560 billion a year and serves around 49 million
people. Medicare benefits break down into four distinct
parts.
Part A, "hospital insurance," covers in-patient stays in medical
facilities (including nursing homes and some home care) and
generally does not require any sort of premium payment from
beneficiaries. Part B is "medical insurance," designed to replace
coverage that seniors used to get through their jobs. Recipients
pay a premium that ranges from $99 a month for individuals with
adjusted gross incomes under $85,000 (95 percent of all recipients)
to $320 for those pulling in $214,000 or more. Part C is a
voluntary program, also known as Medicare Advantage, in which
beneficiaries enroll with government-certified private insurers who
in exchange for a flat monthly fee from the feds provide the same
coverage as Parts A and B, typically throwing in extras not covered
by standard Medicare, such as vision, hearing, and dental programs.
Depending on various factors (such as whether the operator runs a
health maintenance organization or a preferred provider
organization, whether the insured wants drug coverage or no
deductibles, etc.), Medicare Advantage may charge fees on top of
the basic premium. Finally, Medicare Part D, which took effect in
2006 under legislation passed as part of the Medicare Modernization
Act in 2003, covers prescription drugs. Premiums for drug coverage,
which has a mandated annual deductible of $320, start around $25 a
month and vary based on the patient's income, needs, and
preferences regarding deductibles vs. co-payments.
When Social Security first started cutting checks, America was
still in the throes of the Great Depression. Retirement was a rare
and wonderful thing, as most people worked pretty much until the
day they died (the average life expectancy at birth was 47.3 years
in 1900; 68.2 years in 1950s; and 78.5 years in 2009). When
Medicare was created, seniors were more likely than the average
American to be poor. Although neither of those things is true
anymore, spending as a percentage of federal outlays on both
programs continues to grow and shows no signs of slowing down.
Because it is on automatic pilot, spending on entitlements can
grow without political consequence or fiscal conscience. Between
1975 and 2000, spending on all entitlements grew at an average
annual rate of 3.96 percent, while annual GDP growth was 3.27
percent. Then the ratio really started to deteriorate: Between 2000
and 2010, entitlement spending grew 5.3 percent a year while the
economy managed just 1.81 percent. The Great Recession has added a
bit to that disparity (Medicaid rolls tend to swell during
downturns), but it's far from the whole story. The aging of the
population and the expansion of Medicare to include prescription
drug coverage—at a cost of $338 billion from 2006 through the end
of 2011—are the major reasons entitlements grow faster than the
economy. And given that the oldest baby boomers are turning just 66
this year, we haven't seen anything yet.
Who Pays?
Social Security and Medicare are paid for through a combination
of specifically earmarked payroll taxes, general tax revenue, and
borrowing. Under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA),
most workers pay 6.2 percent of their earned income in taxes
earmarked for Social Security payouts to current beneficiaries (a
rate that has been temporarily reduced to 4.2 percent as a means of
"stimulating" the economy). Employers kick in another 6.2 percent
to the same fund. Over the years, the amount of gross wages subject
to the Social Security tax has been adjusted upward; in 2012 it
maxes out at $110,100. FICA also levies a tax of 2.9 percent (split
equally between employee and employer) to cover a portion of
Medicare. The Medicare tax is not subject to a regular compensation
limit and is applied to every dollar of wages.
Theoretically, total contributions to Social Security are
designed to cover the full cost of the program. That is, the usual
amount of 12.4 percent in payroll taxes paid by workers and
employers should provide enough revenue to pay for current and
future outlays. Historically, Social Security has had far more
people paying into the system than drawing funds from it, so the
program amassed a surplus in its trust funds that since 1983 has
been automatically invested in a mix of short-term and long-term
government securities. But those favorable demographics have
changed dramatically.
In 1940 there were 159 workers for each beneficiary. Today there
are fewer than three. Last fall Mitt Romney, whom the Obama
administration accuses of wanting to "dismantle" old-age
entitlements, attacked Texas Gov. Rick Perry during a Republican
presidential debate for calling Social Security "a Ponzi scheme," a
scam in which current investors are paid profits from new
investors, not out of actual returns. "The term Ponzi
scheme is over the top, unnecessary, and frightening to many
people," Romney said. That may all be true, but it doesn't change
the reality that current workers are indeed paying for current
retirees, not for their future selves, which means that as the
number of contributors falls, payouts cannot continue at the same
rate. The only options are to reduce benefits, increase
contributions, or some combination of both.
While life spans have increased and birth rates have decreased,
Social Security's revenue has not been able to keep pace. In 2010
Social Security entered into a permanent cash-flow deficit, meaning
annual payroll tax revenue is no longer sufficient to cover annual
benefits. (The last time this occurred was in the early 1980s, when
Congress responded by gradually raising payroll taxes and the
eligibility age.) For now, benefits therefore must be partially
covered by interest income from the assets in the trust funds.
After 2021, Social Security will have to cash in the trust fund
assets—currently around $2.7 trillion—to pay full benefits until
the trust fund is exhausted.
In 2011, according to the most recent report from the Social
Security trustees, released in April, Social Security raised $691
billion from payroll taxes and general revenue while paying out
$736 billion in retirement benefits. The $45 billion shortfall was
covered by money in the plan's various trust funds. The Trustees'
Report projects that at current tax rates and benefits levels the
trust funds will be completely exhausted by 2033. That's three
years earlier than the projections made in 2011 and seven years
earlier than projections from 2006. The day of financial reckoning
is approaching with accelerating speed. And that situation hasn't
been helped by the temporary two-percentage-point cut in payroll
taxes Congress enacted in December 2010 to let Americans keep more
of their money during the economic downturn, since Congress refused
to offset the reduced revenue with benefit cuts.
Current law holds that when the trust funds are depleted,
benefits must be cut to the level of payroll tax revenue. As it
stands, that would amount to a 25 percent haircut or, in current
dollars, $307 off the average retirement check of $1,229.
Compounding the problem is that the government has already spent
the Social Security surpluses to pay for other expenses. Absent tax
increases or benefit cuts, all operating deficits will not actually
be covered by past savings but by new borrowing.
Medicare's finances are in even worse shape. Costs are rising
more quickly, and, unlike the Social Security levy, the Medicare
payroll tax was never designed to fully cover benefits. Currently
only one-third or so of Medicare costs are covered by payroll
taxes, a fraction that will get smaller over time. All told,
payroll taxes, along with dedicated funding sources such as premium
payments, state transfers, and taxes on benefits, cover around half
of all Medicare costs. The rest comes from general tax revenue and
borrowing.
Looking down the road, the picture is bleaker still. According
to the most recent trustees' report, the Medicare hospital
insurance (H.I.) trust fund will run out of assets in 2024. As with
the Social Security trust funds, if the H.I. fund is depleted,
Medicare will by law be able to pay out in benefits only what the
program collects in taxes.
Even though payroll taxes aren't enough to fund Medicare and
Social Security, they impose a major burden on workers, especially
younger workers, who are likely to make less money and thus pay a
higher percentage of their income to support retirees who are
already as a group more affluent Boomer, permit me to take this opportunity to step up, do
the right thing, and publicly express the appreciation of all my
generation to all you young'uns. Thank you for carrying the
financial burden of healthcare for all of us fat-ass aging Boomers
on your backs for most of your working life over the next 30-40
years.
Now I know you "generation x","y","z", "millies", or whatever
you call yourselves are the very generations that put Obama in
office, are by extension responsible for and disproportionately
support Obamacare. Since we Boomers will be the primary
beneficiaries consuming the lion's share of the costs and expenses
of Obamacare, Medicare, etc. and the increased burden of paying for
the ACA mandate/tax, Medicare and the rest will fall on you,
well... all we can do is sit back, offer our thanks and this one
bit of advice:
Don't tell anyone, but it really is a Ponzi scheme and like all
Ponzi schemes, will only work for as long as more new suckers can
be found to "invest" so that older "investors" can cash out at a
"profit". To be clear: That would be us Boomers cashing out with
your new "investments".
So here is our sage advice for you poor young suckers - You need
to get real busy making lots and lots of babies. As many as you can
as fast as you can. You are going to need a lot more of them if
there are going to be enough in the next generation to support you
as you will be supporting us.
Retirement was a rare and wonderful thing, as most
people worked pretty much until the day they died (the average life
expectancy at birth was 47.3 years in 1900; 68.2 years in 1950s;
and 78.5 years in 2009).
The life expectancy at birth is an inappropriate statistic; Life
expectancy at age 18 would be far more appropriate as people who
die before they enter the workforce are irrelevant from a SS
perspective.
Moreover, it's important to understand what a Life expectancy
is: it merely states the age at which half of a population is going
to croak.
So if you look at the life expectancy of 40 year old ex-MLB
pitchers, and arrive with a number like 80, it means that half the
people won't make it to their 8-th birthday and half will.
No, Tulpa, life expectancy is NOT a mean. Tarran is correct,
that life expectancy at birth is the age at which you're more
likely to be dead than alive, given that you were born. Life
expectancy at, say, age 50 is the age at which you're more likely
to be dead than alive, given that you made it to age 50.
Please note that, until the age of sanitation, *most* human
beings born died when they were still children. In many places
without clean water and such, they still do. Obviously, this drives
down life expectancy at birth, while having only a limited effect
on life expectancy at age 50. So this is why, despite having a life
expectancy at birth of about 38 in the US in 1776, our nation's
founders could set the minimum age to be president at 35. It's NOT
the case that 35 was super elderly in 1776, as is evidenced by the
age at death of most of the Founding Fathers. It IS the case that
tons of children died in 1776.
(Btw, I teach epidemiology. Breaking students of their
commonsense understandings of the phrase "life
expectancy"--misunderstandings that Nick Gillespie and Veronique
deRugy have, as does Tulpa--is something I have to do all the
time.)
Smack, how do you think the "*expected* average number" is
calculated? While I agree that your neatly copied and pasted
definition has the word "average" in it (though I note you omitted
Wikipedia's "(in the statistical sense)" following the word
"expected" in your CP), "average" can mean lots of different
things.
Life expectancy at birth is NOT calculated by adding up all the
years all the individuals born that year lived, and then dividing
by the number of individuals in the population. Indeed, that would
be sort of a trick, since it would involve knowing when everyone
born in a given year was going to die.
Instead, life expectancy calculations are probability
calculations. (This is what "expected (in the statistical sense)"
means.) We don't need to know when all babies born this year will
eventually die to calculate the life expectancy at birth (2012),
because we know the probability that in 2012 that any given baby
will die in year one of life. (And we have this probability
information for year 2, year 3, and so on.) Look up "actuarial
tables" for more information on how that's done.
We can then combine those probabilities to answer questions
like: "given that you were born in 2012, at what age are you more
likely to be dead than alive?" and "given that you had already made
it to age 65 in 2012, how many years are you expected (in the
statistical sense) to have left"? That's what "life expectancy"
means.
The point is: life expectancy at birth is primarily a function
of infant mortality, which is irrelevant when discussing retirement
ages. Someone born in the U.S. in 1900, who lived to age 20, could
expect to live to average age 65.6, not 47.3 as suggested in this
article. I agree with the rest of the points made in the article,
but this issue of people misunderstanding the difference between
"life expectancy at birth", versus "life expectancy at adulthood"
is a particular bugbear of mine.
Of course those "cost controls" would be better off were they
performed by private insurance companies who are NOT being forced
to insure everyone in America whether they can afford health
insurance or not, for patients who are paying them for the specific
service of providing payment for their medical care.
If you were to stick that in an IRA, conservatively earning 5%
interest over 40 years.
And, at the end of the 40 years, draw 4% of the principal as an
income. You would have an indefinite income stream of approx 60% of
your original income.
Social security sucks because it is 'invested' in govenrment
bonds which thanks to the price-controls established by the fed,
produce very little income.
The argument against investing social security into the stock
market is that the government then becomes the biggest stockholder
and the U.S. would become an outright fascist state very rapidly
under such a regime.
This is probably the best (only?) solution. The gov't would
quickly learn that means-testing is the only possible path forward.
A lot of people would get screwed in the process, but they can
afford it and they made the decisions that brought us to this, so
they also deserve it.
Us younger folks would still be stuck with the bill, but it
would be considerably smaller.
This is probably the best (only?) solution. The gov't
would quickly learn that means-testing is the only possible path
forward. A lot of people would get screwed in the process, but they
can afford it and they made the decisions that brought us to this,
so they also deserve it.
Us younger folks would still be stuck with the bill, but it would
be considerably smaller.
^^THIS^^
That I'm being held liable for decisions made on my behalf
decades before I was born is fucking bullshit.
Fuck the old fucks who are trying to hold me responsible for
paying off their obligations.
You also should "fuck the old fucks" who are responsible for the
decisions made on your behalf in the U.S. education system, for
creating a system that produced a lot of people who can't express
themselves publicly without four profanities in two sentences.
Hold the fuck on. The entire article is about how the elderly
are by far the richest demographic in the US, and that the young
are the poorest, and have been getting progressively poorer and
poorer for decades, yet your argument is that I'm the fucking sheep
because you assert that most for those on SS "need" it?
You sir, an addle-brained sophist who is too lazy to complete a
thought. You probably still shit your pants just because you're too
lazy to get up. It's clear you have no agenda other than to
distract or annoy people. You certainly can't make a coherent
argument. Why don't you take a month off from posting and try to
actually learn what an argument is, and then come back and make
one. It would be so much more interesting to the other people than
what you currently do 53 years old,self
employed, Evil Rich because I have money in my pocket. Fuck
Everyone. I didn't start that way. Get a job and work your ass off
just like the old man.
Generation Gap My Ass. Get to work.
Lol you know, my father worked his ass off too. He was a smart
but ignorant Hogh School Dropout (not as a put down but the literal
meaning) but you would never find a harder worker until untreated
PTSD from 4 tours in Nam plus agent orange related COPD finally
destroyed his ability to work and even still with him being
effectively "retired" he spends all his time working on his house.
What's he got to show for it? Not a damn thing, he lives off of a
VA disability pension.
Hard work is far from a guarantee of success. This is of course
not a call for government intervention, there is no reason why hard
work in and of itself should be a guarantee of success in life if
for no other reason than being creativly lazy leads to more new
discoveries than perspiration ever has but it also means we need to
understand that the overwhelming majority of "poor" people were
hard workers and their poverty does not make them disposable once
they cannot effectively work any longer 54
years old,self employed, Evil Boomer because I
don't have money in my pocket. (47% Tax on
earnings)Fuck Everyone. I didn't start that way. Get
two jobs and work your ass off just like the old
man.
Generation Gap My Ass. Get to work(and stop taking my
earnings).
1. Pull capital investments an go into gold or commodities that
hold value, including ones you can take possession of and
secure.
2. Retire early and work for cash only if you can.
1. Barter. Anyone producing a commodity or providing a service
can barter. Build a large stock of commodity or save up a few
months expense $ while making long term barter arrangements with
other producers/providers. Then downsize the retail side and
transition to 75% barter.
4. Get out of blue states and set up your barter system in
smaller towns in red states.
I appreciate the advice. FL seems to be similar to New
Hampshire(which I have not ruled out) in that way.
But I'm looking at mobile homes and inland condo's at about
$25-35K. RE taxes are $600 - $700/yr. The taxes could go up 11X and
still be less than what my landlord pays today. And hers will be
rising too if property values rise.
I lived in FL 30 years ago. Between bikes, buses, cabs, and
friends I got by without any car. The rain was no fun, but I did
not have to deal with Winter's ice and narrowed roads.
Still, I will be sure to give KY a look. But I suspect my total
tax and transit costs will be higher there.
Gillespie/de Rugy make some logical errors in their attempt to
blame it on the Baby Boomers.
They by asking if the Boomers will "stop sucking up more and
more money from their children and grandchildren." Then they
present statistics about how "people 65 and older have much lower
poverty rates than most other demographic groups".
These are NOT the Baby Boomers. The Boomers are between 66 and
48. Only the oldest Boomers fall into the wealthy over-65 group.
Most over-65's are parents of the Boomers.
There's no reason to assume that Boomers will have the same
wealth as their parents who built much of their wealth in real
estate appreciation and defined-benefit pensions. Their children
are less likely to experience those gains. Furthermore, the Boomers
are paying higher Soc Sec taxes than their parents did. In other
words, it's the pre-Boomers who are "sucking up ... money from
their children ..."
That doesn't mean Boomers are blameless. They may have been
dealt a bad hand but, in spite of decades of SS insolvency
warnings, most have done little to prepare for retirement. I
predict more of the Boomers will "need" Social Security.
I also predict that they'll turn those decades of warnings
around to blame the government: "You've known all along that the
system was broken, you did nothing to fix it, but you kept taking
my money. You owe me."
It's not the Boomers fault yet, but there could be riots when
the Boomers really do retire and the $$ aren't there.
And voting is for the old. I predict you're correct wrt the
"complete political submission to boomer will" since those are the
people who will vote in large numbers for pols who promise to keep
the gravy train going.
I'd have to see evidence that any boomer has ever based his vote
on a pol voting to continue SS as is. No boomer I know does. In
fact, most of the boomers I've been approaching retirement age with
had the same fears that SS would be insolvent before they reached
retirement age as all the young'ns here seem to.
That is something that "greatest generation" voters did even
when the proposed reform promised to not reduce any benefits being
paid to current recipients or those close to retirement age.
Uh, the boomers have been dealt the best hand in history. The
problem, and it's not their fault, is that there are so damn many
of them that when they hit peak retirement (number of retirees
maxes out before they start to die in significant numbers) that an
ever-decreasing workforce (punks, Gen-X and younger) will be left
to support them.
And this is really going to suck for the tail end of the boomers
and for the punks. Because at some point they're going to stop
building more nursing homes and there will be waiting lists.
The problem, and it's not their fault, is that . . . an
ever-decreasing workforce will be left to support
them.
No, it pretty obviously is their fault. They could have averaged
four children per woman, but they chose not to have them. Now those
kids aren't around to support them. The math is of their own
making.
Baby Boomers lived lives that were substantially more luxurious
than the lives of their parents, whether you're talking average
house size, average cars per family, number of televisions per
household, et cetera. They could have had less luxurious lifestyles
with the extra money going into extra kids (or extra retirement
savings), but they chose otherwise.
Hah. I was foolish enough to buy into the ZPG bullshit. "We're
ruining the planet with too many people! Have only enough to
replace yourselves." It was all a scheme to screw over the next
generations, eh?
"boomers have been dealt the best hand in history." When it
comes to retirement, I respectfully disagree.
Real Estate:
From 1963 to 1993 the median price of a new home increased just
over 700%. From 1973 to 2003 it increased 600%. From 1980 to 2010
it increased about 340%. Maybe real estate will bounce back and the
Boomers will see the same appreciation that their parents had, but
it's not likely.
I'm not allowed a third link, but there are many articles on the
shift to defined contribution pensions. Most Boomers are stuck with
whatever their 401K/403B returns. The return on major indices over
the last 20 years has been mediocre. The 10 year return is pretty
good because we were in a recession in 2002 but the 5 year return
is negative.
As for the nursing home situation. I'm a late Boomer (49) and
I'm hoping it works in my favor. Maybe the older Boomers will die
off leaving a glut of available rooms at bargain prices.
Thank you, BikeRider. The people who have been fighting any kind
of changes to SS and Medicare for the last thirty years or so have
been the "greatest generation" who began retiring in the 1970s and
who benefitted from payouts that far exceeded their payed in FICA
taxes.
It's true that boomers will collectively collect more in
benefits over their lifetimes but no individual boomer will ever
collect as much as either of his "greatest generation" parents
did.
The trouble is that the time to "to end Social Security and
Medicare and replace them with a true safety net that would help
poor Americans regardless of age" was about twenty-five or thirty
years ago when the first sign of the unsustainability of the system
started showing.
But anything along those lines was instantly seized upon by the
AARP as an attempt to throw poor old Aunt Maude out into a
snowbank.
You'll be fine as long as you can find a decent job and live
your life as if you'll get nothing back from the government in your
old age. True, you might spend your whole life renting and you
probably will never be able to afford kids, a nice car or
vacations. But hey, you'll be alive, right? That's something, at
least.
Imagine a few years from now after you've graduated and
gotten a good paying job. You're sitting in your house when someone
knocks on your door. You open it and there's an old man standing on
your porch and he's screaming at you "Give some money, you sorry
little ingrate! I fought and nearly died in WW2/ Korea/ Vietnam so
that you could have the freedom to pay for my retirement! And don't
you dare hold out on me! Oh, and here; pay these doctor's bills for
me too! Now I'm off to my nice big house in a gated age restricted
community in my nice big Cadillac. See you next month,
peckerwood!".
That's Social Sec. and Medicare in a nutshell. My prediction:
Grey
Dawn.
This was in ~1999 or 2000 (I forget which year I took econ),
before the boomers started retiring. Since the boomers didn't
really fight any major wars (does Grenada count?), they can't even
claim the "war vet/ nearly died for you/ defeated evil"
argument.
Actually given that the bulk of the soldiers in Vietnam were 18
- 20 year old draftees the boomers would have started appearing in
theatre as soon as 1963 and been the bulk of the army by 1966.
Given that US involvement in the war didn't end until 72 and that
the bulk of the real fighting occurred between 66 and 71 it is fair
to say that the Boomers did fight the Vietnam War.
This article also unfairly pins quite a bit of the sins of the
so called Greatest Generation on the Boomers. The fact is that the
Generation which lived through the Depression and the War Years is
given way too much of a pass on economic issues because they really
are the ones who made a mess of things. The only real culpability
the Boomers have is that they didn't do anything to fix the problem
once they got into power, rather they stuck their heads into the
sand, pretended the problems didn't exist and doubled down on the
failed policies that created them.
Now comes the question as Gen X enters our 40's and we start
getting a little political power, most of us seem to recognize that
the entitlement state isn't working, do we have the vision and
courage to actually fix anything though, because if we don't, there
probably be enough of a country left for Gen Y to really have a
chance of fixing things.
I thought it was higher, I though it was closer to 25 or so
(WWII was 26). That number does seem to indicate that boomers were
most involved in the fighting since the major combat activity was
from 1965 to 1971 or 2. Before 1965 our only troops were
"advisors".
Yeah I am familiar with that statistic, however I suspect a good
number of the volunteers were like my father, they volunteered
because they figured they would be drafted anyway and by
volunteering they had at least some choice in what kind of job and
which service they were assigned to (my father joined the Army with
a prefered slot of aircraft mechanic after his 2 older brothers
were drafted into the Marines)
generational warefare over public assets is nothing new.
Politicians, based on their recent lack of help with the economic
mess we're in, will permit social security and medicare to utterly
fail before they will "Do Anything" to properly fix the system.
This is the nature of representative government and the reason it
ultimately will fail. These process take hundreds of years but they
are inevitable.
"Yet the trust funds are not purely an accounting fiction, as is
widely claimed; they are actual assets that the government has
borrowed against and, as such, represent liabilities."
Huh??
This conclusion is disproved by the sentences preceding it, is
intenally inconsistent, begs the logical question, and is prima
facie untrue.
Consider Joe Taxpayer. When Joes goes to the Social Insecurity
Lock Box, he finds a note reading "IOU in the amount of $X, signed,
Joe Taxpayer". By the logic of the quoted sentence above, Joe now
has a valuable asset, which he can use as the basis of a new loan.
If your grasp of economics leads you to claim that an IOU Peter
writes to Paul can be the basis of additional borrowing by Peter...
it's time to examine your premises.
Is the answer that it's 'antisemitic' to note this and simply
ask wherefrom such disproportionality obtains?
When one looks at who chairs, say, the SEC and the FDIC and
commodities trading, and who chairs the council of economic
advisors to the prez, and you find it's similarly Jewish... what's
the 'enlightened' answer there - Jewish control of banking is an
'antisemitic canard'?
How about the lies getting us involved in Syria and Iran, two
countries which don't threaten us at all, and the absurd pro-Israel
resolutions and legislation passed unanimously in our Congress,
even as we cast veto after veto at the UN to protect Israel from
what are objectively, unequivocably war crimes?
Israel's always right, and anyone who says any different is an
anti-semite, is that it?
The point isn't that racism its cool - but that hiding from the
truth as to the disproportional power of an ethnoreligious group
which often have loyalty to a foreign country first isn't wise, or
kind, or honest, or fair.
And ignoring it is going to lead us into a series of neocon
planned wars.
And yes, Virginia - the neocons are disproportionately right
wing Jews with ties to Israel.
Time to speak honestly about this or simply give up on avoiding
elective, blowback-inducing interventionist wars for Israel's
benefit.
As to the economy - when a group making up 3% of the population
seems to be more or less running the economy and banks and we're in
a huge recession and about to go to war, again... fair-minded,
honest, peace and justice types [even the non-statists] need to
acknowledge that the US has a "Jewish Question" because of the
over-influence of that minority group in finance, media and foreign
policy, and their loyalty to a foreign power.*
*More Jewish Americans volunteer for the IDF than the American
military. KINDLY spare me the 'it's just a canard' routine... it's
simply not a mere 'canard.'
Actually no, when Joe goes to the social security lock box he
finds a not there saying ""IOU in the amount of $X, John the
Tapayer signed, Joe Taxpayer legal guardian of John ".
See Joe is not promising to pay himself, he is promising that
his kids will pay him and at the moment under current law Joe's son
John is legally obligated to make that payment. Sure that law can
change at any time but given that the elderly have traditionally
had FAR more political power than younger generations it is
unlikely that the law will be changed and our kids will be far
poorer than we were as a result.
I sure could have used the extra dough when I first started
working and paying for everything on my own in 1976, but I looked
down at my pay stub and saw that FICA took a nice chunk (as did
Uncle Sam.) I asked my dad, "What the hell is this?" He told me
that that was my insurance for retirement. "You're supporting your
grandmas." I thought it was a ripoff then, but now that I'm 55, it
seems like a deal to me! OK, government, end this thing, but first,
give me back MY money, that I've pumped into this scam for 35
years.
"They should be replaced with social welfare programs that cover
all citizens, regardless of age, but only those who are too poor or
incapacitated to take care of themselves."
....Life in the fantasy world of socialist (choom-induced)
benevolence is really heart warming !!!!
Get real Gillespie de Rugy: the current out-of-control SS
disability taxpayer rip-off and the even more out-of-control OBOZO
food stamp taxpayer money give-away PROVE that government run
(especially, leftist governments) simply REWARD slugs, slackers,
deadbeats, liars, freeloaders, losers, taxpayer-leeches, cheaters,
ILLEGALS and potheads who do nothing but suck on the teat of the
BIG GOVERNMENT NANNY-STATE and don't seriously address (because
they can't) the actually issue of "helping the poor" and making
certain that only the truly needy get benefits.
So, end Social Security and Medicare, who/what pays me BACK my
principle (contributions) of $385,000.00, plus, my interest (4%?)
on a lifetime of payments?
I am a fairly recent 64 yr old addition to the Social Security
rolls. I'd happily exchange Medicare and Social Security programs
to get it. Can you get if for me?
Many in my generation actually paid its own way. I need the
money, but would exchange part of it to put all the bureaucrats and
politicians in jail and end all their ill-gotten benefits. Indeed,
they ought to lose, too, as that is the problem with our political
system, they make a mistake and we pay...not them!
So all the people who actually saved their money should be
denied due to means testing and the people who spent every penny
they earned throughout their life will be the ones deemed
qualified? I agree something needs to be done to change the whole
stinkin' system but your suggestion is ripe for abuse and also
punishes those who lived frugally.
While this article looks at costs of Medicare, it doesn't
examine how successful Medicare is in reducing health costs for
seniors. And examination of that question shows Medicare is a huge
failure.
David Goldhill, CEO of the Game Show Network, author of "How
American Health Care Killed My Father" and life long Democrat,
writes: "So even with the government paying almost all of their
bills, today's seniors pay a higher share of their income for
health care than seniors did before Medicare."
Thus, after paying for Medicare all their lives, seniors today
spend a higher share of their income on medical care than they did
before Medicare existed. This suggests that just abolishing
Medicare would lower health care costs for seniors. It proves that
whenever government meddles in a market, it distorts the market and
increases prices.
As PJ O'Rouke, the wise one, said "If you think things are
expensive now, just wait until government makes it free."
I appreciate the author's explanation of the costs and
redistribution from one generation to another. But the value of
these government programs is a better question to ask than whether
redistribution among generations is affordable, wise or moral (the
answers being it's not affordable, it's not wise, it's immoral, and
it's popular with politicians and seniors). | eng | 16292b66-75f7-4b14-8ac6-b5fb2d37ed2a | http://reason.com/archives/2012/07/23/generational-warfare/2 |
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Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for determining the location of a target
computer device, such as a server in an array of interconnected servers.
In one embodiment, a method comprises selecting a first server defining a
first point of an axis of a reference coordinate system and selecting a
second server defining a second point of the axis. A first cable is
connected from the target server to the first server and a second cable
is connected from the target server to the second server. The location of
the target server is determined according to the length of the first
cable, the length of the second cable, and the locations of the first and
second servers. The axis may be designated using an axis cable, by
connecting a first end of the axis cable to the first server and
connecting a second end of the axis cable to the second server.
Claims:
1. A method comprising: in an array of computer devices having a
plurality of rows and columns, selecting a first computer device defining
a first point of an axis of a reference coordinate system and selecting a
second computer device defining a second point of the axis; connecting a
first cable from a target computer device whose location is to be
determined to the first computer device and connecting a second cable
from the target computer device to the second computer device;
determining the length of each of the first and second cables; and
determining the location of the target computer device within the
reference coordinate system according to the length of the first cable,
the length of the second cable, and the locations of the first and second
computer devices.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting the first
computer device defining the first point of the axis by connecting a
first end of an axis cable to the first computer device; and selecting
the second computer device defining the second point of the axis by
connecting a second end of the axis cable to the second computer device.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: automatically designating
the first computer device as the origin in response to detecting the
connection of the first end of the axis cable to the first computer
device prior to detecting the connection of the second end of the axis
cable to the second computer device.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: automatically determining
the length of the axis cable; and determining the location of the second
computer device according to the length of the axis cable.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location the target
computer device with respect to the reference coordinate system
comprises: identifying a first subset of computer devices in the array
that are connected to the first computer device by a cable equal to the
length of the first cable; identifying a second subset of computer
devices in the array that are connected to the second computer device by
a cable equal to the length of the second cable; and determining the
location of the target computer device as the intersection of the first
and second subset of computer devices.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: interconnecting the array
of computer devices in a fully meshed configuration, such that each
computer device in the array is connected by a first cable to the first
computer device and by a second cable to the second computer device, and
the target computer device may be any computer device in the array.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: routing the cables in a
taxi-cab configuration comprising substantially only ninety-degree cable
bends along a pathway between computer devices; and interconnecting the
computer devices using cables that differ in length by multiples of a
fixed increment.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: routing the cables in a
straight line configuration comprising substantially no cable bends.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: using triangulation to
determine the location of the target computer device in the array of
computer devices.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the column and row spacing of the
computer devices in the array are substantially equal.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a cable length
of any of the cables by transmitting a signal through the cable and
measuring a length-dependent behavior of the signal.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: electronically storing a
cable length of each cable on a storage device included on the cable; and
automatically reading the cable length from the storage device in
response to connecting one or both ends of the cable to one of the
computer devices in the array.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the target computer device to be
located comprises one of a plurality of servers or one of a plurality of
multi-server chassis.
14. A computer program product including computer usable program code
embodied on a computer usable medium for locating a target computer
device in an array, the computer program product including: computer
usable program code for designating a first computer device as a first
point of an axis of a reference coordinate system and designating a
second computer device as a second point of the axis; computer usable
program code for registering the connection of a first cable from a
target computer device to the first computer device and detecting the
connection of a second cable from the target computer device to the
second computer device; computer usable program code for determining the
length of each of the first and second cables; and computer usable
program code for determining the location of the target computer device
within the reference coordinate system according to the length of the
first cable, the length of the second cable, and the locations of the
first and second computer devices.
15. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising:
computer usable program code for selecting the first point of the axis in
response to the connection of a first end of an axis cable to the first
computer device; and computer usable program code for selecting the
second point of the axis in response to the connection of a second end of
the axis cable to the second computer device.
16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising:
computer usable program code for automatically designating the first
computer device as the origin in response to detecting the connection of
the first end of the axis cable to the first computer device prior to
detecting the connection of the second end of the axis cable to the
second computer device.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, further comprising:
computer usable program code for automatically determining the length of
the axis cable; and computer usable program code for determining the
location of the second computer device according to the length of the
axis cable.
18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer usable
program code for determining the location the target computer device with
respect to the reference coordinate system comprises: computer usable
program code for identifying a first subset of computer devices in the
array that are connected to the first computer device by a cable equal to
the length of the first cable; computer usable program code for
identifying a second subset of computer devices in the array that are
connected to the second computer device by a cable equal to the length of
the second cable; and computer usable program code for determining the
location of the target computer device as the intersection of the first
and second subset of computer devices.
19. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising:
computer usable program code for determining a cable length of any of the
cables by transmitting a signal through the cable and measuring a
length-dependent behavior of the signal.
20. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising:
computer usable program code for automatically reading a cable length of
each cable from a storage device on the cable in response to connecting
one or both ends of the cable to one of the computer devices in the
array.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to management of a network of
servers, and more particularly to tracking the location of servers within
a datacenter.
[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0004] Large, sophisticated computer systems are often formed by
interconnecting a plurality of smaller computer systems to combine the
computing resources of the smaller computer systems. For example, a
multi-blade server chassis may provide the combined computing resources
of a plurality of blade servers in the server chassis. Multiple server
chassis may be supported on racks to form even larger computer systems. A
datacenter may include numerous equipment racks on which a large number
of server chassis are supported. A large computer system comprised of
multiple server chassis typically requires numerous, very specific cable
connections to achieve the desired system configuration.
[0005] When deploying a large number of systems in a datacenter, it
becomes challenging to track and determine the location of all the
servers within the datacenter. Conventionally, when an issue arises with
a server, a visual alert such as a bluelight identifier on a particular
server may be activated to indicate which server has an issue. However,
in a large data center, it is possible to have multiple alerts from
different servers at a particular moment, making it difficult to
determine which of the servers has a particular issue. Alternatively,
alerts may be sent out over a local area network (LAN) containing the
name of the server having a particular issue along with a description of
the issue. However, the name of the server is not always helpful in
locating where that particular server is located. Knowledge of the type
of server having an issue can also be helpful, except that many servers
of the same type may be present in the datacenter.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method. In an
array of computer devices having a plurality of rows and columns, a first
computer device is selected defining a first point of an axis of a
reference coordinate system and a second computer device is selected
defining a second point of the axis. The first and second computer
devices are optionally selected using an axis cable by connecting a first
end of the axis cable to the first computer device and connecting a
second end of the axis cable to the second computer device. A first cable
is connected from a target computer device whose location is to be
determined to the first computer device. A second cable is connected from
the target computer device to the second computer device. The length of
each of the first and second cables is determined. The location of the
target server within the reference coordinate system is determined
according to the length of the first cable, the length of the second
cable, and the locations of the first and second computer devices.
[0007] Another embodiment provides a computer program product including
computer usable program code embodied on a computer usable medium for
locating a target computer device in an array. The computer program
product includes computer usable program code for designating a first
computer device as a first point of an axis of a reference coordinate
system and designating a second computer device as a second point of the
axis. Computer usable program code is provided for registering the
connection of a first cable from a target computer device to the first
computer device and detecting the connection of a second cable from the
target computer device to the second computer device. Computer usable
program code is provided for determining the length of each of the first
and second cables. Computer usable program code is provided for
determining the location of the target computer device within the
reference coordinate system according to the length of the first cable,
the length of the second cable, and the locations of the first and second
computer devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an array of servers to be
interconnected using taxi-cab cable routing.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a flowchart generalizing the method of locating a target
server within an array of servers interconnected using taxi-cab cable
routing.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the array of servers
interconnected using direct cable routing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method
for individually locating computer devices, such as servers or
multi-server chassis, in a computer system comprising a plurality of
interconnected computer devices. In one embodiment, an array of servers
is interconnected using a plurality of data cables. In a fully-meshed
configuration, for example, each server in the array is connected to each
of the other servers in the array by a data cable. The array of servers
may be the servers in a rack on which a plurality of multi-server chassis
are supported, resulting in a plurality of rows and columns of servers.
Two servers in the array are selected to define an axis of a reference
coordinate system by connecting them together with an axis cable. The
location of a target server may be determined using the length of a first
cable connecting the target server to the first server, the length of a
second cable connecting the target server to the second server, and the
distance between the first server and the second server. In one
embodiment, each of the servers in the array of servers are
interconnected using taxi-cab cable routing. In another embodiment, each
of the servers in the array of servers are interconnected using direct
cable routing. The choice of taxi-cab cable routing or direct cable
routing affects the analysis used by a systems management device to
locate the servers within the array.
[0012] In the embodiments disclosed below, the two points defining the
reference axis are optionally identified by the connection of an axis
cable. The axis cable may be one of the cables used to interconnect the
servers in a fully-meshed configuration, or a separate cable. The axis
cable is connected at one end to the first server that is designated as
the origin. The axis cable is connected at the other end to a second
server, which it typically in the same row or column, designated as the
origin. The axis cable is thereby aligned with the desired reference axis
defined by point locations of the first and second servers. The
connection of the axis cable to the first and second servers is detected
by a systems management device, and thereby defines the axis of the
reference coordinate system. One or both of the first and second servers
can determine the length of the axis cable, as discussed in greater
detail below. Thus, the locations of the first and second servers are
known by virtue of being used to define the reference axis. By virtue of
the fully-meshed configuration, each of the other servers in the array
will be connected to the two servers defining the reference axis. The
location of any other server in the array may therefore be located
according to the length of a cable connecting that server to the first
server (at the origin) and the length of another cable connecting that
server to the second server (at the second point along the axis).
[0013] The embodiments disclosed below and illustrated in the figures are
directed, by way of example, to individually locating servers in one or
more racks. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
disclosed systems and methods may be used to locate computer devices of
any type within an array of computer devices. As used herein, the term
"computer device" is generally understood to include a device having at
least one processor, which may be mounted on a motherboard, and one or
more physical networking ports for cooperatively connecting with selected
other computer devices using cables. Non-limiting examples of a computer
device include a server, switch, router, module and chassis. A computer
device may optionally be modular in the sense that it may be a
self-contained unit that is physically separable from other devices or
modules and may be removably positioned in one of a plurality of
predefined locations provided in a structural framework. For example, in
a blade server system, a rack provides a structural framework for a
plurality of chassis, while each chassis provides a structural framework
for one or more servers. Thus, on one level, each rack-mountable chassis
in a multi-chassis system may be regarded as a computer device; and on
another level, individual servers, workstation blades, and other
chassis-mounted devices may also be regarded as computer devices.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer system 10 having an
array of servers 12 to be interconnected using a "taxi-cab" cable
routing. The array of individual servers 12 includes a plurality of "N"
columns 14 (i.e., from left to right) and "P" rows 16 (i.e., from top to
bottom), where N=4 and P=4 in this example. To simplify illustration of
the inventive features, the servers 12 are schematically shown with a
square shape and with uniformly spaced rows 14 and columns 16, wherein
the row spacing equals the column spacing. However, recognizing that a
server may have a rectangular or oblong frontal shape and that an
arrangement of servers in a computer system may have a different number
and spacing of rows and columns, the methods disclosed herein may be
applied to any arrangement of servers having different combinations of
server shape, number of rows and columns, and row and column spacing.
[0015] The array of servers 12 may represent the arrangement of servers 12
positioned in a rack, as generally outlined at 20. The servers 12 may be
supported directly on the rack 20 or, more commonly, the servers 12 may
be removably inserted into one or more rack-mounted chassis (omitted for
clarity). The size of the array in this instance is determined by the
number of servers 12 per rack 20 and the number of racks 20 in the system
10. Here, there is a single rack 20 supporting an array of sixteen
servers, with four servers 12 per row 14 and four servers 12 per column
16. Each row 14 of four servers 12 may represent the servers of one 4U
(four servers per unit) chassis, for example, with four
vertically-arranged chassis being stacked or otherwise supported on the
rack 20. Typically, the individual chassis will include individual
chassis bays having a standard size and with a uniform spacing between
server bays. Thus, four vertically spaced chassis having four servers 12
per chassis in the rack 20 may provide the four rows 14 and columns 16 of
servers 12 in the array.
[0016] The servers 12 in the system 10 may be interconnected using
electronic data cables 32. The cables 32 may be any of a variety of data
or networking cables known in the art, and are used to provide data
connections between servers 12. Only three cables are shown in FIG. 1 by
way of example, including two data cables 32A, 32B and an axis cable 30.
However, according to the method, as many data cables 32 of assorted
lengths may be provided to allow an installer to interconnect the servers
12 in a fully-meshed configuration, in which each server 12 is connected
by a separate data cable 32 to every other server 12 in the array. In the
example array of sixteen servers 12, a fully meshed configuration will
require any one server 12 to be connected to each of the other fifteen
servers 12 in the array.
[0017] According to one embodiment, a method is provided wherein the
location of any target server T(x,y) may be determined with respect to a
reference coordinate system (x,y). By way of example, the target server
in FIG. 1 is T(1,2). According to the method, the reference coordinate
system is automatically determined by the connection of a special axis
cable 30. The axis cable 30 may be one of the data cables 32 used to
provide the fully meshed configuration, or a separate cable, and need not
by physically different from the other cables 32. The identity of the
axis cable 30 is communicated to a systems management device 18 that
stores the coordinates of the servers 12 that this particular cable is
the axis cable 30. The identity of the axis cable 30 may be communicated,
for example, using an IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface)
command, by a configuration utility, or by pressing a front panel button.
In another embodiment, the points along the reference axis defined by the
axis cable 30 may be manually input into the systems management device 18
via a systems management interface.
[0018] The systems management device 18 may include processors on
individual servers 12, one or more chassis management module, or a
combination thereof. In the present embodiment, wherein individual
servers 12 are to be selectively located, the systems management device
18 may comprise a micro-controller configured with management firmware,
such as a baseboard management controller residing on one or more server
12 in the array. The systems management device may alternatively include
a dedicated multipurpose device running management firmware, such as a
chassis management module for managing a plurality of the servers 12
within a particular chassis. The systems management device may also be
configured as a server 12 running management software from within its
operating system, which optionally reports to a chassis management
module. In another embodiment wherein each of a plurality of different
chassis are to be selectively located, the systems management device 18
may be a chassis management module residing on one of the chassis,
wherein that chassis management module handles the interconnections for
the plurality of chassis.
[0019] The installer (person) will preferably ensure that the axis cable
30 extends the full length or height of the array of servers being
networked together. The x-axis of the reference coordinate system is then
defined by locations of the two servers 12 that the installer chooses to
connect using the axis cable 30. The axis cable 30 is routed directly
between the first and second servers, and is therefore generally aligned
with the x-axis it defines. When the axis cable 30 has been connected and
the reference coordinate system identified, the location of each other
server 12 in the array may be determined, as represented by coordinates
of the reference coordinate system. Here, the axis cable 30 has been
connected at one end to a first server, defining the origin (0,0), and
then connected to a second server at (N,0). The length of the axis cable
30 determines the value of "N." Here, a unit spacing between servers 12
is equal to one unit, so the axis cable 30 is four unit longs, setting
N=4.
[0020] The location of each server 12 may be represented by the
coordinates of a selected point on the server. Here, for example, the
point location of each server 12 is taken at the center of the server 12,
as viewed from the front. The cables 30 and 32 are schematically shown as
extending to the center of each server 12, although the actual physical
location of the connectors may be anywhere on the server 12. A cable 32
may be connected to connectors having the same relative position on the
two connected servers 12, so that the length of the cable is of a more
predictable length based on the relative positioning of the two connected
servers 12.
[0021] The cables 32 may be routed in a known manner to facilitate the
mathematical determination of server location. In the configuration of
FIG. 1, the cables 32 are routed in a "taxi-cab" configuration,
comprising substantially only ninety-degree bends within the XY plane,
where the y-axis is considered to be perpendicular to the x-axis defined
by the axis cable and passes through the origin (0,0). Special hardware
such as cable guides may be used to guide and secure the data cables 32
in the taxi-cab configuration. The cables 32 are provided in an
assortment of different cable lengths, so that any two servers 12 may be
connected using a data cable 32, following the taxi-cab routing without
excess slack. The taxi-cab configuration allows the servers 12 to be
interconnected by data cables 32 of different lengths that vary in size
by multiples of a fixed unit. One "unit" in this example equals the
spacing between any two servers 12. For example, an "L1" cable is one
unit long, an "L2" cable is two units long, an "L3" cable is three units
long, and so forth. Thus, an L1 cable may be used to connect adjacent
servers 12, an L2 cable may be used to connect servers located two units
apart, an L3 cable may be used to connect servers located three units
apart, and so forth. Here, the distance between two servers means the
distance along the path of the cable between those two servers, rather
than the straight-line distance. By way of illustration, a first cable
32A, having a length L3, connects the target server T(1,2) with the first
server at (0,0), and a second cable 32B, having a length L4, connects the
target server T(1,2) with the second server at (4,0).
[0022] The length of each cable 30, 32A and 32B may be determined by the
systems management device 18 in a variety of ways. In one implementation,
the length of each cable may be stored in a machine-readable format on an
electronically readable storage device of the cable 32. For example, the
cable length may be stored on a chip with Vital Product Data (VPD) on
each cable 32. VPD may be burned onto an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory) associated with a hardware component (in
this case, on each data cable 32).
[0023] Alternatively, the length of each cable 30, 32A, 32B may be
determined by transmitting a signal through the cable and measuring a
length-dependent behavior of the signal. For example, the length of the
second cable 32B may be determined by generating a signal 36,
transmitting the signal from a first end 33 of the second cable 32B, and
measuring the amount of time it takes to reach a second end 34 of the
second cable 32B, or by measuring the amount of time it takes for the
signal 36 to reflect off of the second end 34 and return to the first end
33 of the cable 32B. Then, a known signal propagation rate may be plugged
in to a formula to determine the length of the cable 32.
[0024] The location of the server T(1,2) or any other server 12 in the
array may then be determined with respect to the reference coordinate
system (x,y). Specifically, the location of a target server may be
mathematically determined from the length of the data cable 32 connecting
the target server to the first server at (0,0) and the length of the data
cable 32 used to connect the target server to the second server at (N,0).
For example, the first cable 32A connecting the target server T(1,2) to
the origin (0,0) is three units long, and the second cable 32B connecting
the target server T(1,2) to the second server at (N,0) is four unit long.
With the taxi-cab cable routing, a first subset of servers {(3,0), (2,1),
(1,2), (0,3)} may be determined that are each three units away from
(0,0), as identified by a first diagonal line 41 through the first subset
of servers Likewise, a second subset of servers {(0,1), (1,2), (2,3)} may
be determined that are each four units away from the second server at
(N,0), as identified by a second diagonal line 42 through the second
subset of servers. The intersection of these two subsets {(3,0), (2,1),
(1,2), (0,3)} and {(0,1), (1,2), (2,3)} is the pair of coordinates (1,2),
which is the location of the target server T(1,2). Graphically, this is
confirmed as being the intersection of the two diagonal lines 41, 42.
Thus, the location of the target server T(1,2) can be determined based on
the lengths of the cables 32A, 32B connecting the target server T(1,2) to
the two servers connected by the axis cable 30. This method of
determining the two subsets of servers and identifying their intersection
may be accomplished in any of a variety of mathematical approaches which
will be recognized by one skilled in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure. For example, to implement this method, an assembly programmer
may choose an algorithm that is chipset-optimized for fastest possible
computation, or a software architect may choose an algorithm having the
fewest total steps.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart generalizing the method of locating any
particular server (i.e. a "target server") within an array of servers
interconnected in a taxi-cab configuration. In step 50, an axis cable is
connected to first and second servers. To connect the axis cable, a first
end of the axis cable may be plugged in to a connector on the first
server and a second end of the axis cable may be plugged in to a
connector on the second server. In step 52, a reference coordinate system
is defined by the connection of the axis cable to the first and second
servers. The point locations of the first and second servers may define
points along an axis of the reference coordinate system. A user may
define which of the first and second servers is the origin of the
reference coordinate system by which end of the cable the user plugs in
first. For example, if the user plugs in the first end of the axis cable
to the first server prior to plugging in the second end of the axis cable
to the second server, the location of the first server may be
automatically designated by a systems management device as the origin and
the location of the second server, accordingly, defines a point along the
axis. The length of the axis cable may determine the coordinate of the
second server. For example, if the axis defined by the axis cable is
treated as the "x" axis, and the cable has a length of N units, then the
location of the second server is (0,N).
[0026] Steps 54-62 are used to determine the location of the target server
with respect to the reference coordinate system defined by the axis
cable. The target server may be any server in the array other than the
first and second servers to which the axis cable is connected, whose
locations are known by virtue of their connection to the axis cable. In
step 54, the target server is connected to the first server using a first
cable. The length of the first cable is determined, such as by
electronically reading VPD included with the first cable or by generating
a signal and measuring a length-dependent property of the signal. In step
56, the target server is connected to the second server using a second
cable. The lengths of the first and second cables may be similarly
determined. In step 58, a first subset of servers is determined that are
connected to the first server by cables having the length of the first
cable. In step 60, a second subset of servers is determined that are
connected to the second server by cables having the length of the second
cable. In step 62, the location of the target server is determined as the
intersection of the first and second subsets of servers. The
determination of the first subset of servers in step 58 is, essentially,
a step of determining which servers in an array could be the first
cable-length away from the origin. The determination of the second subset
of servers in step 60 is, likewise, a step of determining which servers
in the array could be the second cable-length away from the second server
(e.g. N,0). The determination of the intersection of these two subsets of
servers is essentially a step of determining which one server in the
array can be both the first cable length away from the first server and
the second cable length away from the second server. Such determinations
may be performed mathematically using any of a variety of algorithms.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the computer system 10, wherein
the same array of servers 12 of FIG. 1 are to be interconnected using a
"direct" cable routing instead of the "taxi-cab" cable. A first cable 32C
is routed in a straight-line path, directly from the target server T(1,2)
to the server at (0,0). A second cable 32D is routed in a straight-line
path, directly from the target server T(1,2) to the server at (N,0). The
direct-routed first and second cables 32C, 32D are shorter than the
taxi-cab routed first and second cables 32A, 32B of FIG. 1. Because of
the direct routing, a set of cables having particular lengths are
required to interconnect the servers 12 in a fully meshed configuration.
As a result, the cable lengths will not vary in size by multiples of a
fixed unit, as they did in the taxi-cab configuration. However, a fully
meshed configuration may still be achieved with a finite number of
different cable lengths. The direct routing also avoids some of the
hardware required to guide and secure the cables in the taxi-cab
configuration of FIG. 1.
[0028] As in the taxi-cab routed cabling configuration of FIG. 1, the
location of the two servers 12 connected by the axis cable 30 are known
because those two servers define points (0,0) and (N,0) along the
reference axis. However, determining the location of a target server
within the array may not require determining first and second subsets of
servers that are first and second cable lengths away from the two servers
(0,0) and (N,0). Due to the direct routing, it may turn out that for a
given cable length, only one server in the array may be the given cable
length away from (0,0) or (N,0). For example, assuming the cable lengths
are determined with sufficient precision, only the target server T(1,2)
is the length of the first cable 32C away from the origin (0,0), and only
the target server T(1,2) is the length of the second cable 32D away from
(N,0).
[0029] Rather, a mathematical formula may be applied to determine the
location of a target server. For example, using trigonometry, the
distance between two points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) on a Euclidean plan may
be determined by the known distance formula, d=SQRT ((Δx)
2+(Δy) 2))=SQRT ((x2-x1) 2+(y2-y1) 2). Consequently, using cables
of precisely-determined length, the precise location of the target server
may be determined, rather than using the length units defined according
to the server spacing in the taxi-cab routed configuration of FIG. 1.
[0030] Referring generally to both the taxi-cab routed cabling
configuration of FIG. 1 and the direct-routed cabling configuration of
FIG. 2, the order in which the data cables are connected may be
considered in performing the method. In one embodiment, the first cable
to be connected may be automatically deemed by a systems management
device to be the axis cable. The first cable to be connected, deemed as
the axis cable, is then used to define the coordinate system with respect
to which all subsequently connected servers are located. This approach is
particularly useful in an embodiment wherein the axis cable is one of the
set of data cables used to interconnect the servers in the array.
Connecting the axis cable first provides a way for a system installer to
select which row or column of servers to be selected for the reference
axis, and for the system to automatically infer which one of the many
cables used in the system is to be regarded as the axis cable.
[0031] In another embodiment, the identity of the axis cable may be
determined irrespective of the order in which the cables are connected. A
system may be fully cabled, such as in a fully meshed configuration,
before an axis cable is identified and a reference coordinate system is
defined. For example, an installer may first fully cable the system in
the desired configuration, while ensuring that at least one cable extends
the full length or height of the array of servers being networked
together. After visually verifying that the system is fully cabled, the
installer may designate to the system which of the cables is the axis
cable, or the system may determine on its own which of the cables is the
axis cable, such as if one of the axis cables is identified by its VPD as
being the axis cable. Anytime thereafter, the system may perform the
steps of automatically determining the locations of the servers in the
array.
[0032] The systems management device may wait until the system is fully
cabled and then perform the process of automatically determining the
locations of the servers within the array. The system may wait for
instructions from the installer that the system has been fully cabled.
Alternatively, the system may be prepared to determine the location of a
particular server in the array as soon as that server has been connected
to both the origin server (0,0) and the server at (N,0), even when the
system is not yet fully cabled. If the systems management device is in
communication with two servers that determine the axis, then the systems
management device may be able to detect when a selected target server in
the array has been cabled to those two servers. Thus, in many cases, the
system need not be fully cabled for the locations of at least some of the
servers to be determined.
[0033] Rather than determining the locations of all of the servers in the
array, a systems management device may instead selectively determine the
locations of servers, on an as-needed basis. For example, in the course
of operating an array of servers, such as in a datacenter, it is natural
for an occasional issue to arise, such as a detected error condition or
maintenance requirement for a particular server. An alert may be
generated in response to the detected issue. In a datacenter with
hundreds or thousands of servers, the location of a server may be
determined in response to such an alert, and the location of the server
generating the alert may be identified to an administrator using the
disclosed methods.
[0034] It should be understood that the methods of the present invention
may be performed by the systems management device, the servers, or some
combination of the systems management device and the servers. In
particular, many of the foregoing discussions focused on the systems
management device determining the location of a target server. In order
for the systems management device to make this determination, it is
necessary to know the cable lengths to the first and second servers. The
systems management device may obtain these cable lengths from the target
server, or from the first and second servers so long that the particular
server can identify the relevant cable. However, it is equally possible
for the target server to determine its own location, which allows the
target server to provide its location to the system management device
along with an alert. For example, the target server may determine the
lengths of the first and second cables and receive data indicating the
locations of the first and second servers, such that the target server
can determine its location.
[003536 suitable3738] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to
wireless, wireline4142components and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or addition of
one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof. The terms "preferably," "preferred,"
"prefer," "optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate
that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not
required) feature of the invention.
[0044 invention has been presented for
purposes of illustration and description, but itinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enable
others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for
various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. | eng | 025b58f6-9e65-429f-8b01-e53d8171922e | http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20120209988 |
Medieval II: Total War FAQ PC
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o======================================================================o
| |
| Medieval 2: Total War |
| |
o======================================================================o
Version 1.02
Written by: Nathan Garvin
Email: Theendbringer (at) Hotmail (dot) com.
If you're going to email me about this guide, make sure you put
"MEDIEVAL 2: TOTAL WAR" in the title, or I'll probably end up deleting
it as junk.
I have no affiliation with Sega, the Creative Assembly, or any other
parties involved with this game. This is a not-for-profit fan-made
guide. If you wish to post, mirror, or quote this guide, feel free to do
so. Credit would make me happy, an email would make me feel good. Let
your conscience be your guide, just like all good people.
Now, I know this is a not-for-profit FAQ, but FAQ writing is time
consuming work. If you wanted to show your appreciation for this FAQ
and/or support for future FAQs by donating to my PayPal account, that
would be an above-and-beyond gesture. If every person who downloaded
my FAQs donated a penny.. well, it would help out immensely. Now,
without anymore PBS-style solicitation..
devil%40hotmail%2ecom&lc=US&item_name=HaeravonFAQs¤cy_code=USD&bn
=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted
If you liked this FAQ, don't be afraid to click at the top of the
screen to recommend this to other people. It's good for the motivation.
This FAQ was made in Notepad, and is best viewed in a simple text
editor. The default text is Lucida Console at size 10 font, but any
fixed-width font will work.. if not with the intended aesthetics intact.
Table of Contents
o======================================================================o
I. Introduction {INT000}
1. Using this FAQ {INT001}
II. Picking your Faction {PCK000}
1. Garrison {PCK001}
2. Infantry {PCK002}
3. Cavalry {PCK003}
4. Archers {PCK004}
5. Navies {PCK005}
III. The Factions {FCT000}
1. England {FCT001}
2. France {FCT002}
3. Holy Roman Empire {FCT003}
4. Spain {FCT004}
5. Sicily {FCT005}
6. Venice {FCT006}
7. Milan {FCT007}
8. Scotland {FCT008}
9. Byzantine Empire {FCT009}
10. Russia {FCT010}
11. Moors {FCT011}
12. Turks {FCT012}
13. Egypt {FCT013}
14. Denmark {FCT014}
15. Portugal {FCT015}
16. Poland {FCT016}
17. Hungary {FCT017}
IV. Faction By Rank {FBR000}
V. Guilds {GLD000}
1. Knightly Orders {GLD001}
2. Merchant's Guild {GLD002}
3. Swordsmith's Guild {GLD003}
4. Theologian's Guild {GLD004}
5. Thieve's Guild {GLD005}
VI. Region Advice {RGA000}
1. British Isles {RGA001}
2. France {RGA002}
3. Iberia {RGA003}
4. North Africa {RGA004}
5. Germany {RGA005}
6. Denmark {RGA006}
7. Italy {RGA007}
8. Greece/Illyricum/Balkans {RGA008}
9. Hungary {RGA009}
10. Poland {RGA010}
11. Russia {RGA011}
12. Asia Minor {RGA012}
13. The Holy Lands {RGA013}
14. Egypt {RGA014}
VII. Hints/Tips {HNT000}
VIII. Updates/Thanks {UPD000}
o======================================================================o
| |
| Introduction {INT000} |
| |
o======================================================================o
I started playing Medieval 2: Total War hoping for the next Rome: Total
War. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised, as it did pretty much
everything I hoped it would. It was the typical Total War strategy game,
but prettier than Rome. Sure, I don't personally like the Medieval era
as much as antiquity, but that's just because I took many more classical
studies classes and ancient histories than Medieval histories. In fact,
the last history I'm well-versed in is Later Roman History, which
really only extends until about 700 A.D. with the emergence of Islam and
the rapid loss of the Middle East by the Byzantine Empire. Poor Emperor
Heraclius.. Anyhow, I've found this game to be an excellent title, and
thanks to Steam and the shoddy quality of Empire: Total War it's likely
to be the last Total War title I play for a while. Also, because my new
computer hates Rome: Total War and likes to crash after several battles
I've pretty much replaced it with Medieval 2. So far I've played
England four times, France three times, the Holy Roman Empire twice,
Spain twice, Sicily twice, Venice once, Milan twice, Scotland once,
the Byzantine Empire twice, Russia once, the Moors once, Egypt once,
Denmark once, Portugal twice, Poland once, and Hungary once. Considering
how much I've played, and because I like writing FAQs (those opinions
just get bottled up and need an outlet!) I decided to make this FAQ
which describes the factions, their strengths, and their weaknesses.
Version 1.02 includes detail information about the map, which I have
broken into various strategic zones. This includes how I think the area
should be utilizied, and will hopefully give you step-by-step goals for
conquest. I've also included some information about Guilds and Agents.
While not going into great technical depth about them, I aim to provide
some opinions on what to build and what, and various tactics you can
employ with your agents.
Using this FAQ {INT001}
o======================================================================o
Below I will list some of my quirks, organizational methods, and various
other tidbits that will help you navigate this guide. For starters,
during the main FAQ I'll break up the various chapters and
organizational components of the guide with a large heading:
o======================================================================o
| |
| Large Heading |
| |
o======================================================================o
During the FAQ, I'll break up different areas with a thick line:
Thick line
o======================================================================o
Multiple parts of a mission in the same area will be broken up with a
thin line. This breaks up the missions into a series of steps, and
limits how much unbroken text you'll have to read at once. Nobody likes
wordiness:
Thin line
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Of course, I reserve the right to break my own rules during the FAQ..
mostly due to being scatter-brained and working on the FAQ in shifts
over the course of time. Life and all. So cut me some slack. Besides,
this organizational scheme is mostly for consistency and ease-of-use.
o======================================================================o
| |
| Picking your Faction {PCK000} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Unlike in Rome: Total War, there are no overpowering factions in
Medieval 2: Total War. In Rome you had the Romans (obviously) with
arguably the best infantry and cavalry in the game. In Medieval 2,
almost all European Christian factions have access to Feudal Knights,
which are powerful melee and cavalry units in a pinch. In effect, the
only way for you to find superior forces lies in looking at other
factors. Namely good starting positions, good opportunities, and
exceptional units. Keep in mind though, by 'exceptional', most units
exceed Feudal Knights by a point or two at best. So, to break it down,
this is how I 'score' factions.
I consider the Garrison, Infantry, Cavalry, Archers, and starting
locations of the factions and rate each of them separately. I then
consider their strengths and give the faction a score that represents
their relative ease of use and military strength. This is not an exact
science, and frankly you'll get more by reading than by simply looking
at the number of stars I give them.
<<>> {PCK001}
o======================================================================o
Some factions have vastly differing Garrison units than others. For
instance, most Italian factions are completely able to rely on their
Garrisons, whereas armies are mandatory for northern European factions.
In the Garrison section I will rate the power, versatility, and
economics of the factions' Garrison units taken as a whole. Keep in mind
that Garrison units are rated individually as part of the factions'
Infantry, Cavalry, or Archery corps. Since the primary function of a
Garrison apart from the conventional army is to fill Garrisons with free
upkeep units, a faction's Garrison rating will largely depend on the
efficacy of the units that can be stationed in cities upkeep free.
* This faction can only produce weak garrison units that lack
versatility.
** This faction can produce weak garrison units, but they have
good variety (Infantry and Archers, for example.) Or they have
one exceptional unit.
*** This faction can produce decent garrison units that are capable
of holding cities without the help of castle-based armies.
Granted, this might not mean that the garrison can survive a
full, powerful army, but they aren't likely to get routed by a
few strong units or many mediocre ones. The standard for
comparison here are Italian Spear Militias.
**** This factions can produce a variety of mediocre units, for
example Italian Spear Militias and Pavise Crossbow Militias. Or
they can produce one very powerful garrison unit that exceeds
the base (Italian Spear Militias are overpowered by Byzantine
Infantry.)
***** This faction has a powerful, versatile garrison, which can
produce strong units capable of fending off castle-based armies.
Bonus points for units that can be garrisoned upkeep free, and
for factions with multiple types of units (Infantry, Archers,
and Cavalry.)
<<>> {PCK002}
o======================================================================o
All Catholic factions gain access to Dismounted Feudal Knights, and
therefore these guys serve as the standard for comparing other infantry
units to. Depending on relative power, economics, and ease-of-access of
the factions units, I will rate each factions' Infantry, taking all the
following factors into consideration:
* The faction does not have access to Dismounted Feudal Knights,
and the infantry they have instead is significantly less
effective.
** The faction does not have access to Dismounted Feudal Knights,
and the infantry they have instead is somewhat less effective.
*** Dismounted Feudal Knights are the best, or on par with the best
unit the faction receives.
**** The faction has access to heavy infantry that is somewhat better
than Dismounted Feudal Knights overall.
***** The faction has access to heavy infantry that is significantly
better than Dismounted Feudal Knights overall.
Statistics
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Dismounted Feudal Knights have a base Attack of 13, a base Defense of
21, one Hit Point, and come in squads of 120 (largest unit size
setting). They also receive a Combat Bonus in Woods or Snow, have Good
Morale, and Good Stamina. Any variations from the above stats affect
the rating of this unit.
Economics
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Dismounted Feudal Knights cost 570 florins, and have an upkeep of 225
florins per turn. Frankly, the upkeep of a unit is more important than
its initial cost, as army upkeep is what will drain your coffers. Units
range from 90 to around 400 florins of upkeep per turn. Anything above
225 florins a turn will negatively impact the units' rating, whereas
anything below it will positively impact the units' rating.
Accessibility
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
You gain access to Dismounted Feudal Knights when you upgrade a Castle
to a Fortress. It can be a big difference to get access to units with
a Fortress as opposed to a Citadel. Being able to train units sooner
will improve their rating, whereas a unit that takes longer to train
will have a lower rating.
<<>> {PCK003}
o======================================================================o
All Catholic factions have access to Feudal Knights, and just like with
Infantry I will use the mounted versions to serve as a standard for
comparison. Depending on relative power, economics, and ease-of-access I
will rate the faction as follows. Note that I will count Missile Cavalry
as both Archers and Cavalry, and rate them depending on their strengths
in both categories.
* The faction does not have access to Feudal Knights, and the
cavalry they have instead is significantly less effective.
** The faction does not have access to Feudal Knights, and the
cavalry they have instead is somewhat less effective.
*** Feudal Knights are the best, or on par with the best unit the
faction receives.
**** The faction has access to heavy cavalry that is somewhat better
than Feudal Knights overall.
***** The faction has access to heavy cavalry that is significantly
better than Feudal Knights overall.
Statistics
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Feudal Knights have a base Attack of 10, a base Defense of 16, one Hit
Point, 80 soldiers per unit, and a Charge Bonus of 6. They also have
the ability to form a wedge, the 'May Charge Without Orders' ability, and
Good Stamina and Good Morale. The lack of May Charge Without Orders
ability will be a plus on other Cavalry, as well stats and abilities
that exceed those of the Feudal Knight. Obviously lower stats will
result in a worse rating.
Economics
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
A unit of Feudal Knights costs 250 florins per turn to maintain. Other
units that cost less will get a favorable score, units that are more
expensive will have that factor considered negatively. Cavalry units can
get fairly expensive, but few get noticeable cheaper than 250 florins..
at least, not without suffering in power.
Accessibility
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Just like with Dismounted Feudal Knights, you get Feudal Knights when
you upgrade a Castle to a Fortress. The longer it takes to get access to
a unit, the lower it will be scored.
<<>> {PCK004}
o======================================================================o
Rating Archers is trickier, as there no one 'standard' for the majority
of the games' factions. However, as a number of factions gain access to
Pavise Crossbowmen, we'll use those as a standard, although it might be
somewhat high for an 'average'.
* The faction does not have access to Pavise Crossbowmen, and the
Archers they have instead is significantly less effective.
** The faction does not have access to Pavise Crossbowmen, and the
Archers they have instead is somewhat less effective.
*** Pavise Crossbowmen are the best, or on par with the best unit
the faction receives.
**** The faction has access to Archers that are is somewhat better
than Pavise Crossbowmen overall.
***** The faction has access to Archers that is significantly better
than Pavise Crossbowmen overall.
Statistics
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Pavise Crossbowmen have a melee attack of 6, a ranged attack of 12,
and 14 defense. They cost 125 florins for a unit of 120, and the useful
traits "Effective Against Armor" and "Long-Rang Missiles". The biggest
stat to keep track of is their ranged attack, followed by defense. Not
having the two traits mentioned above should be viewed as a significant
negative on other units. The more missile damage a unit does, the more
they kill, obviously. The longer their missile range, the sooner they
can fire on the enemy, upon which the entire usefulness of a ranged
units hangs. A unit that gets outshot by other archers is at an extreme
disadvantage.
Economics
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Pavise Crossbowmen cost 125 florins per turn to maintain. Other
units that cost less will get a favorable score, units that are more
expensive will have that factor considered negatively. Most ranged units
don't cost much more, unless they are hybrid units (good for infantry
and archery.)
Accessibility
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Most factions gain access to Pavise Crossbowmen from Archery Ranges,
or from Militia Drill Squares. Units that are available earlier will be
rated favorably.
<<>> {PCK005}
o======================================================================o
In Medieval 2: Total War, navies are pretty simple. You don't get to
actually play out the battles, so there's really no tactical
considerations to be made. Also, considering that the strength of any
factions navy is mostly dependant on whether the ships they recruit are
from a Port, Shipwright, or Dockyard, I won't get into Navies too much.
Suffice to say, the winner of a Naval engagement solely depends on the
strength and manpower of the Navy in question.
o======================================================================o
| |
| FACTIONS {FAC000} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Below I'll list all the factions in the game, discuss the strengths
of their Garrisons, Infantry, Cavalry, Archers, and their starting
Location. Each category has between a * and ***** rating. I'll total up
all the scores and give the factions a rating based upon them. Since
Medieval 2 is fairly well balanced (compared to Rome) all factions have
between a 15 and a 22 rating, so they're all playable. This is the meat
of the FAQ, and I'll try to tell HOW to use the units where applicable,
and not just which ones to use. In the Location section I'll explain
not only their starting position, but what you should do in the game.
Keep in mind, your play experience will differ. If France is
excommunicated while you're playing Milan, you might just end up taking
Toulouse early, for example. As opportunities and challenges vary, so
should your strategy.
Rating: 20/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| ENGLAND {FAC001} |
| |
o======================================================================o
England is one of the most powerful, well-mixed northern European
factions in the game, with great Infantry, Archers, and above average
Cavalry. Their gunpowder units aren't as strong as, say, Spain, but
they do start out with a good location. All you have to do to make it
as the British is defeat the Scots, secure the British Isles, and wait
until you get Armoured Swordsmen. After that, France and the Holy Roman
Empire should be easy to subdue.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Given time, England can get a fairly decent militia, the stars of which
are their Heavy Billmen. For militia units, Heavy Billmen are fairly
good, but by the time you get access to them you've probably already
made it past the point at which having powerful standing garrisons would
have been crucial. Still, it never hurts to have a good unit, even late.
Other than that they have the standard mix of European-style miltias.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
You might start out slow as England.. oh.. do you start out slow.. but
England will eventually be able to field Armoured Swordsmen; extremely
cost-effective knights that will allow them to spawn many powerful
armies. They might not have the outright most powerful army, but taking
economics into account, they certainly have one of the best. England can
also field English Knights, which are heavy on attack, but only moderate
in defense. They are still a powerful, if more expensive unit. Until you
get a barracks built you'll need to rely on Billmen. They are decent
infantry, and should be more than enough to hold back the Scots and
French.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Nothing exceedingly great on the cavalry front, they have the English
Knight, which is a slight improvement over the Feudal version.. still,
many other factions possess better cavalry. Also, you'll be waiting a
long time to get access to English Knights, when Feudal Knights will
be available long beforehand.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Retinue Longbowmen are great archers, which good armor, range, and
respectable missile damage. Of course, the French actually have better
archers in their Scots' Guard, but Retinue Longbowmen are cheap and
effective.. if a bit hard to get. While you wait for them, the English
are well-served by Longbowmen and Yeomen Archers. England will have
better archers in the early to mid game than almost every faction
they'll come into conflict during this time. Longbowmen and Yeoman
Archers simply out-class anything the Scottish, French, Holy Roman
Empire, Spanish, Portugeuse, Moors, and Danes will be able to throw at
you. Once you get Retinue Longbowmen, England's place in the archery
elite-or at least the archery-well-to-do-is ensured.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The English are located on the British Isles, of course. This provides
them a natural barrier against attack. If you have continental armies
seriously threatening your safety on England, you're doing a miserable
job. They have two rivals at the beginning of the game-the Scottish,
and the French. Other powers, especially Milan, the Holy Roman Empire,
and the Danes will cause you trouble eventually, but at first you need
only seriously worry about the Scottish. Build a respectable army on
the mainland to keep neighbors from viewing you as prey (make alliances,
with France especially if you want to make life easier.) Take rebel
settlements in the north early on to provide you with income, but focus
most of your energy on the Scottish. They start out particularly strong,
with a force of Highland Nobles to cause you trouble, but the margin
of victory and defeat with them is one battle. If you can eliminate
the Scottish and secure the British Isles, you can maintain all that
property with one standing army.. especially when the Danes are dealt
with.
English lands aren't the richest, and until you can mass-produce Billmen
you need to be careful. They certainly don't have the startup time that
Italian armies do, but they're much safer than the Holy Roman Empire
and France. Once you get Armoured Swordsmen, abuse them. If you get them
quickly, you can get a significant jump on the enemy, and decimate foes
with impunity.
Rating: 20/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| FRANCE {FAC002} |
| |
o======================================================================o
France is an appealing choice for any player familiar with the mechanics
of Total War games. They have plenty of starting options, a strong
Infantry, Cavalry, and Archers, and most of all, they have plenty of
units to choose from in any of their branches. If you're a new gamer,
they can be rough to get off the ground, as their better units require
you to climb the tech tree fairly high. It might be delayed
gratification, but it's worth it when you reach the pinnacle of Frances'
might. As a note, France is the only faction I've cleared the map with..
well, except for the Papal States, of course.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
France starts with a standard garrison for Catholic factions, the
typical Spear Militia and Town Militia with a Crossbow Militia to give
them some depth. They get Vouge Militias later on, and two forms of
Pike troops if you keep upgrading, the latter of which comes late in the
game. If you climb the tech tree high enough, France will gain access to
Scots Guard (which come with the upgrade to a Huge City) and Gendarmes,
which require a bit more work. What you end up with in France are cities
that can produce reasonably powerful knights, great archers, and
mediocre infantry. France has great diversity in their garrisons, but
by the time you gain access to these units, France's armies have made
them obsolete. Oh, and their mighty garrison units typically don't get
the privilege of being upkeep free.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The French start out a bit weaker than England to the north, but they
are mostly a match for the Holy Roman Empire. The real problem are the
Milanese, which can field masses of Italian Spear Militias and Genoese
Crossbow Militias. If you use Armored Sergeants until you can raise a
Citadel you may just survive long enough to train Dismounted French
Nobles, which are equal to English Knights. They might be expensive, but
they make overwhelmingly powerful infantry. They'll suffer at range from
archers since they lack a shield, but if they get into contact with the
enemy, they're going to hurt them-a lot.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
As you'd expect, France has a staggering, even redundant selection of
cavalry to choose from. If there's one thing France does well (and
there's more than just one) it's cavalry. Not only do they have the
typical Feudal Knights, but they also have Noble Knights, Lancers, and
Chivalric Knights, the latter of which only requires a Baron's Stables
to create. The Noble Knights are powerful and expensive, and more than
a match for any other knight in the game. Even though all of France's
most powerful castle-based cavalry has the annoying 'May Charge
Without Orders' trait, their diversity, accessibility, and power make
France perhaps the most cavalry-affluent faction in the game.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
You'd think, from a historical standpoint, that France would be
relatively underpowered in the missile department, what with England
constantly using their bowmen to win against France's heavy armor
(the battles of Agincourt and Crecy for example). However, that is not
The Creative Assembly's take on France, as they have two superb missile
units, the castle-based Aventuriers and the city-based Scot's Guard.
Both are excellent, heavily armed and armored archers, and frankly both
are probably better than Retinue Longbowmen. They both take a while to
get, however, and unlike England, France really doesn't have an answer
for Longbowmen and Yeomen Archers. For the balance of the game you'll
be stuck with Crossbowmen. Still, once you get them you'll have
versatile and powerful archers you can recruit from both cities (Scot's
Guard) and castles (Aventuriers).
<<>> **
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
France starts out fairly compromised, with lots of room to expand and
lots of competition. You can bet that within the first fifty turns
you're going to have trouble with England, the Holy Roman Empire, Milan,
Spain, Portugal, and Denmark. While by 'trouble' I don't necessarily
mean open warfare, you will have to keep your borders guarded reasonably
well to deter potential attacks. Looking at France's location, you can
see this is going to be a feat, as armies to cover this much ground
will be expensive. Getting hold of the eastern castles before the Holy
Roman Empire is a must. With Metz and Bern you can provide reasonable
protection for your eastern cities (Paris and Rheims), Angers and Caen
will protect your northern coast, and Bordeaux and Toulouse will
protect against invasions from Iberia. It's a bit of a task to secure
these locations, but once you manage and stock them with Armored
Sergeants you'll be off to a good start.
Chances are, either Spain or Portugal will harass Rennes or Bordeaux.
Milan typically expands into Bern and/or Dijon, and will challenge
Marseille-sooner rather than later if you leave it unprotected. England
will be a pain eventually, requiring you to expend resources garrisoning
against them in Angers. Denmark and the Holy Roman Empire are usually
at odds with each other before they bother you, but Denmark may well
seize Bruges and/or Antwerp before you can, and the Holy Roman Empire
will contest the eastern castles with you. Starting too many wars will
run you dry and cause you to have trouble with the Pope. The key to
France is early expansion followed by settling in and climbing the tech
trees. Allying with your neighbors in the early going will buy you some
time, and allying with the Pope before you get into fights with other
Catholic factions will allow you to recover from the inevitable loss of
favor. The LAST thing you want to do as France is get excommunicated.
The CPU does it all the time and it typically ends with them losing
Toulouse. Don't follow suit.
With such a staggering series of challenges, the best advice that can be
given is to secure at LEAST one castle in the east and get some Armored
Sergeants training to withstand the Billmen of England, the rival
Spearmen of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Italian Spear Militias of
Milan. Your first conquest after securing what is modern-day France
should be to exert control over the British Isles. If you can land a
fleet at Nottingham and create a base of operations there, you can
fight a war of attrition against the English while staying on the
defensive on the continent. Once England is yours (which may take a bit,
depending on how anal the Pope is) you can defend it with just one army.
This will provide the revenue you need to expand your castles on the
continent and slowly exert control over your neighbors. Tackling
Iberia is a good second move, as it has a good number of castles for
the taking, which can then guard adjacent cities. If you ever have
enough money to create three standing armies to invade in one direction
while maintaining your border presence, you're on your way. Breaking
into Italy and central Europe will be a chore, considering that France
will be almost entirely reliant upon castle-spawned armies for their
military might, multiple armies to conquer and allow depleted units to
retreat and get retrained are a must. Once your income is high enough
to expand with impunity, France can expand its borders by leap-frogging
multiple armies with the ultimate goal of conquering castles and
mopping up whatever cities you might have left in enemy hands nearby.
Rating: 15/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE {FAC003} |
| |
o======================================================================o
What does the game mean when it says the Holy Roman Empire doesn't get
the late period professional armies that France and England do? Well,
frankly, both France and England have stronger, more diverse units,
while the Holy Roman Empire largely relies on outdated plate armor,
maces, and tactics. Does this mean they are a weak faction? Not really,
but their units just aren't as overwhelming as other European factions.
A good choice for an intermediate gamer looking for a bit of a
challenge. Most of their units are no more powerful than the standard
Feudal variety, but Zweihanders and Imperial Knights add a flavor that
is wholly German to an otherwise uninspiring Catholic faction.
<<>> **
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
What you'd expect of a Catholic faction, they have Town, Spear, and
Crossbow Militias in the early going, and eventually get Halberd and
Pike Militias, none of which are all that good. Their one odd and
exceptional unit in the garrison are the Forlorn Hope, a unit of
powerful two-handed swordsmen that outclass Zweihanders. They're
relatively cheap, too. The only problem? They take forever to gain
access to, and they only have half the unit size of a normal infantry
unit. More interesting than useful really, and compared to the garrison
units other factions get, it just doesn't make sense why Forlorn Hope is
so limited, when say, Varangian Guard is stronger and suffers no such
handicap.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Holy Roman Empire doesn't have very powerful infantry units. They
get Dismounted Imperial Knights, and although they are 'Effective
Against Armour' their stats are patently inferior to the Dismounted
Feudal Knight. Their Zwei-Handers are weaker than the standard as well,
but at least they are appreciably cheaper. Even still, to get them you
need to upgrade to an Armoury, so pick your poison. You'll probably
have to settle for Armoured Sergeants to survive the first part of the
game, and be really choosy with who you attack. Feudal armies aren't
going to be cheap enough to give you the number of armies you'd need
to war on all fronts.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Holy Roman Empire is able to recruit Imperial Knights-which are the
equivalent of English Knights-and they only need access to an Earl's
Stable to do so. In fact, these knights don't even require a stable if
you're willing to wait for a Citadel! On the expensive end, the Holy
Roman Empire also can recruit Gothic Knights, which are almost as
powerful as the crusader knights. Ultimately, their Cavalry is slightly
better than normal.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The best missile unit the Holy Roman Empire can recruit are Pavise
Crossbowmen, which makes them utterly average in the ranged department.
They can recruit Mounted Crossbowmen as well, but they aren't really
anything special.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Holy Roman Empire is in the middle of Europe. Nowhere else is there
more competition for land or more borders to defend. In the north you'll
contend with Denmark. Poland and Hungary lie in the east, the Italian
states in the south, and France and England in the west. For all this,
however, the Holy Roman Empire has less ambitious adversaries than, say,
France. Venice and Sicily will likely ignore you, and if you expand
early and keep a border presence you'll turn the Holy Roman Empire's
biggest liability into a true asset.
Granted, it takes some experience to do, but if you seize Hamburg in
the north you can keep Denmark at bay. Taking Metz will provide defense
against France and Bern will hold back Milan. The big competitor for
your potential lands is Poland in the east, so grab Stettin and fortify
it to keep them at bay. If you ally with all your neighbors, expand
into the aforementioned castles and build up garrisons you'll put
yourself into an extremely strong position. Milan is likely to be the
primary agitator in the early going, as it seems to always be
dangerously ambitious. Take Florence so you have two cities in Italy
from which you can train troops and hopefully hold back a Milanese
attack.
For advanced players, if you move fast, secure early victories, and
hold your ground you can get the Holy Roman Empire off the ground in
a big way, then rest up until they have access to more powerful troops.
By turn forty I had eliminated Milan, controlled a total of twenty
territories, and was ready to drive Hungary from Budapest. I also had
140,000 florins, and interestingly enough a military score of 140,000,
with a crusading army en route to Antioch. That's a stellar start by any
measure. It's not an obviously promising position, but with a little
gusto in the early going you can secure it very well. Also, the computer
simply doesn't seem as tenacious with attacking the Holy Roman Empire as
it does with, say France. By the time Denmark, France, and Poland become
a problem you've had time to prepare for them. Some of the Holy Roman
Empire's lands are fairly rich in iron, and they have immediate access
to the textiles in Italy as well, not to mention the gold mine in
Ragusa and the amber and silver mines in Poland.
Rating: 19/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| SPAIN {FAC004} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Spain is the undisputed master faction of the Iberian peninsula-at least
in the beginning of the game. They have the north-western and central
part of the map well locked up, and with just a tiny bit of gusto they
can secure additional areas and out-produce the Moors. Portugal-although
arguable a military match for Spain-are at a severe disadvantage
economically, and should be easy to dispose of. They combine a cheap and
powerful infantry (Sword and Buckler Men and Swordsmen Militias) with
good gunpowder units and access to Chivalric Knights to devastating
results.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
In addition to all the typical Catholic units, Spain gains access to
Swordsmen Militias, which are cost-effective, powerful units well-suited
for protecting your cities. They also can train Musketeers, one of the
more powerful gun units in the game. It might take time, but your cities
wont have to rely on Spear Militias. They also get Jinetes, which can
support your armies while you wait for Feudal Knights.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
In addition to the standard Dismounted Feudal Knights, Spain can train
the powerful and cost-effective Sword and Buckler Men, which are nearly
as strong as Feudal Knights, but at nearly half the cost. They also
get Dismounted Chivalric Knights, which are a teeny bit more powerful
than Dismounted Feudal Knights at the same upkeep.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
As I mentioned earlier, the big boon for Spain are their Chivalric
Knights. Unlike the Dismounted Chivalric Knights, the mounted versions
are appreciably more powerful than Feudal Knights. It's really all
Spain has, but it's a good addition, especially for the same upkeep.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Aside from Pavise Crossbowmen, Spain really only has Musketeers. They're
good, especially against armor, but you get them so late it's not a
great advantage.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Unlike Portugal, Spain starts out with Leon and Toledo, which are
adjacent, if nothing else. For some quick expansion they can seize
Valencia and Zaragoza. Your first move should be to drive the Moors out
of Iberia, and with the resources you gain from those new territories,
turn on Portugal. Toledo is a great castle that tends to grow quickly..
which is useful, considering Spain needs a Fortress to get going, and
a Citadel to become powerful. In all, Spain is probably the faction the
most well-suited for seizing Iberia. Once this is done you should
either slowly expand through France or the more profitable African
provinces. If you succeed in conquering Iberia, you should be nearly
invulnerable.. ignoring a catastrophic series of defeats.
Rating: 19/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| SICILY {FAC005} |
| |
o======================================================================o
While Milan might start out richer, I typically prefer playing Sicily.
I consider them to be the most powerful Italian Army in the game, which
makes them candidate for the strongest faction out there. Most of their
perks rely on maintaining castles though, and there are certainly some
tricks you must pull to get them off the ground easily. For starters,
gaining control of Florence and allying with the Pope are both musts.
After that, surviving Milan's unpredictable early advances should be
your top priority. If you leave a poorly defended city, around, don't
be surprised if a Milanese navy leaves an army behind to cause you
trouble. Once Italy is secured, Sicily can progress at leisure through
the game. Most enemies will fall to militia armies, and when that
doesn't work, there are always Norman Knights.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Like all Italians factions, Sicily has great militia units. Italian Spear
Militias will out-class European Militias for most of the game, and at a
bargain, too. However, when push comes to shove, Sicily has a noticeable
less versatile garrison selection than other Italians. What more could
you need than Italian Spear Militias and Pavise Crossbow Militias? Well,
the ability recruit cavalry without a merchant's guild and round out
your garrison armies fully would be nice. Also, demerits for having such
a poor selection of gun units. Hand Gunners don't count as gunmen,
they're just guys in armor hoping they don't get killed by their own
backfire.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Sicilians have the Dismounted Norman Knight-instead of the
Dismounted Feudal Knight.. which is practically the same thing. They do
have Sword and Buckler men as well, which are patently superior to
Broken Lances, and cheap to boot. Overall Sicily has access to a rather
versatile infantry corps.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Like with infantry, all Sicily does is swap out the Feudal Knight for
the Norman Knight. Fortunately though, you get a lot more bang for your
buck. The Norman Knight is almost as strong as a general's bodyguard
(sans the hitpoints), or about as strong as your typical knightly order.
This gives them an obvious bonus in the cavalry department, and puts
them on a higher tier than most other cavalries.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Like other Italian factions, Sicily receives Pavise Crossbowmen and
Pavise Crossbow Militias, and fairly early on in the case of cities.
They also can train Muslim Archers, but they're not really any better
than Pavise Crossbowmen. In fact, Muslim Archers are inferior to both
Venetian Archers and any Genoese Crossbowmen. Still, it's nothing a
great cavalry can't fix.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Sicily is safely barricaded behind the Papal States in southern Italy,
and if you ally with the Pope, you'll be pretty well protected against
land armies. Unfortunately, you'll have to hit the seas to expand
anywhere. Your first move should be to take Florence, and thus contest
the northern Italian factions as well. As long as you locally outproduce
your competitors, you'll be able to do well against Milan. If you expand
across to Durazzo you'll probably get into scraps with Venice and the
Byzantine Empire, so you might want to hold off on that until you've
ousted Milan and the Holy Roman Empire from Italy. If you take the
islands to the west you'll probably have to worry about invasions from
Spain, Portugal, the Moors, and/or Milan, so it would do you well to
keep them fortified. After claiming Italy you've got more options, but
few clear cut opportunities. You should be more than a match for Iberia
if you move quickly, and if you eliminate the Moors you'll have access
to the plentiful resources around Timbuktu and Arguin.
Rating: 20/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| VENICE {FAC006} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Venice starts out in a promising position, and with a little work they
can begin making massive amounts of income while their militias hold off
competitors long enough for their castles to evolve, enabling them to
train some of the best infantry units in the game for the price. Every
Italian faction has something to boast, Milan has its archers, Sicily
has Norman Knights, and Venice has Venetian Heavy Infantry.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Another Italian faction, the Venetians have powerful early-game
militias. In addition to the Italian Spear Militias and Pavise Crossbow
Militias all Venetian garrisons can train cavalry in cities. Once the
city gets big enough they can even train Broken Lances, giving Venice
a well-rounded and potent garrison indeed.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Surprisingly, Venice has a healthy selection of infantry, including
their unique Venetian Heavy Infantry, which is balanced in offense and
defense, effective against armor, cheap, and powerful at charging. This
is all the infantry you'll ever need, and I'd put them up against
Dismounted Feudal Knights any day. The only real weakness they have is
the lack of "Good Morale", which makes them a touch more finicky than
knights. Other than that they get Dismounted Men at Arms, which are
less powerful and cheaper than Dismounted Feudal Knights.. at least in
the initial purchase.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Although they have Men at Arms, Venices' best cavalry units are still
Feudal Knights. I don't know why they make you wait so long to get a
crappy unit like Stradiots, but overall Venice just breaks even with
their cavalry.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Not only does Venice have the Pavise Crossbow Militias you'd expect of
Italy, they also have Venetian Archers, which are bow-carrying, heavily
armored substitutes, all in all on par with Pavise Crossbow Militias.
They aren't effective against armor, and they cost more, but they fire
faster. And they look spiffy walking behind Venetian Heavy Infantry.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
As the description says, Venice has a great defensive start. They're
spread out next to a number of rebel cities just begging to be
conquered, and although they're rather far flung, within the first
couple of turns they can easily double their territory. Also, as an
Italian faction with strong militias, they can hold their territories
with ease. They are adjacent to the Byzantine Empire, which, if you
move quickly is very vulnerable in the early game to the far-superior
Italian Militias. If you wait too long and the Byzantines get access
to Byzantine Infantry you'll probably regret it. The obvious first
move is to take Florence before Milan can. Once you have two cities in
Italy, you're as likely as anybody to take control of the entire
peninsula. Afterwards, you should build up garrisons and wait for
Milan to leave itself vulnerable, whilst focusing your army on taking
out the Byzantine Empire. This will eventually end up provoking
Hungary and the Turks, but if you take the Byzantine territories, you'll
be able to out-finance them.
Rating: 19/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| MILAN {FAC007} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Milan is probably the most obviously 'Italian' of the Italian factions.
Their units just aren't as diverse as Sicily and Venice. For example,
Sicily draws upon Norman Knights and Muslim archers, and Venice has
unique infantry and archers. Milan, however, has the best archers of
the three factions, and the typically Italian Men at Arms and Broken
Lances.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Milan possibly has the most complete, powerful garrison in the game.
Like the other Italian factions they can recruit Italian Spear Militias,
but they also have the improved Genoese Crossbow Militias. It's not a
huge improvement, but any edge is worth having. They can also train
Broken Lances and Famiglia Ducale eventually, which are expensive, but
on par to Feudal Knights. This versatility means Milan never really has
to use castles.. in fact, their armies are so weak it might be a better
idea to simply convert some castles into cities.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Milan is the most limited Italian faction when it comes to infantry, and
will have to rely on Feudal Knights for the most difficult battles.
Dismounted Men at Arms and Broken Lances just aren't superior.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Milanese don't really have anything special to talk about in the
cavalry department, although they do get a great variety they can
recruit from cities. Their best units are Feudal Knights, although
Famiglia Ducale are an expensive alternative.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Instead of Pavise Crossbowmen and Militias, the Milanese have Genoese
versions, which are superior to the normal versions. In addition to
better stats, they have better abilities, as well.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Of all the Italian factions Milan is the one that is best able to
secure Italy in quick order. They control both Milan and Genoa, and
are capable of taking Florence in short order as well. With three
prosperous Italian cities in hand early on, you can quickly stock up on
garrison units and expel Venice and the Holy Roman Empire from Italy.
If you're quick you can also secure yourself a base to the north,
ideally taking Dijon. With the northern European factions suffering
from poor castle units and outmatched militia units, you can pretty
much have your way with France and the Holy Roman Empire in the early
going. Expand west first, as the Holy Roman Empire is by far the weaker
of the threats you'll have. If you can eradicate France, you can then
decide on whether to assault Iberia or England next.. after taking
Italy for yourself, of course. Abuse your superior militia units, your
prosperous cities, and your local superiority in Italy and you'll be
fine. Before making any overseas ventures, just keep in mind that each
island you take will need powerful garrisons in case Sicily, Spain,
Portugal, or the Moors attack, and this isn't cost-effective when one
strong garrison army can threaten numerous French and Holy Roman
territories.
Rating: 15/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| SCOTLAND {FAC008} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Scotland is an.. interesting faction. Of all the factions in the game,
Scotland seems the most unfinished, and the most related to a Rome:
Total War faction. Not a good one, mind you, like Rome, the Selucid
Empire, or Egypt, but one of those half-completed barbarian factions
whom, for a lack of historical evidence or longetitivity got stuck
having various warbands. This doesn't mean Scotland is bad, in fact,
they've got a good infantry, but they receive no gunmen whatsoever,
cannons excluded, and they can only upgrade their city barracks to
Militia Drill Squares. I don't know.. a lot of their units seem to be
based around the pike, which is historically accurate.. at least for
a large period of time during which the game takes place during, but the
idea that Scotland would simply not evolve with the times is hard for me
to swallow. Even the Byzantine Empire had some innovations, and they
were conquered in 1453! Would fear of English cavalry keep Scotland
mired into pike formations late into the 1500s? Did a crossbow never
find its way into Scottish hands? Is the alternative any better though,
to simply invent Scottish units in the case that in an alternate game
world Scotland conquered England and became more prominent? In any
event, if Scotland is able to copy Feudal Knights, they should have
Pavise Crossbow Men as well. Or failing that, they should have Scots
Guard. I mean, France gets better Scottish archers than Scotland?
Seriously?
<<>> *
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Scotland has a rather poor garrison. For starters, they don't get any
archers from cities whatsoever, and their Scots Pike Militias just suck.
They will get Noble Pikemen, which are decent units, but they are few,
and require a Huge City to get them. Also, they don't get free upkeep,
which kinda sucks considering that they're pretty expensive. Still,
access to a halfway decent unit is better than nothing.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The one thing Scotland does well is infantry. Noble Swordsmen are just
great. They're cheaper and stronger than Dismounted Feudal Knights,
although you have to wait for a Citadel to get them. In the mean time
you can get Highland Nobles fairly soon, and they're more than a match
for other Castle-based units, especially early on. They're not a subtle,
defensive unit, but you can create them in mass, mixed in with
Highlanders (if you need to get your numbers up). Their good early to
mid game infantry means they can take land at leisure early on. Their
Noble Swordsmen mean they can keep it.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The one unique horse of Scotland, Border Horse, are decent light cavalry,
but no match for the Mailed Knights the rest of Europe will have. Later
on they get Feudal Knights, and that's as good as you get with Scotland.
<<>> **
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Instead of Peasant Archers and Crossbowmen Scotland has Highland
Archers, which are a fair substitute. Later they get Noble Highland
Archers, which are better, but still not as good as Pavise Crossbowmen,
and certainly no match for England's Retinue Longbowmen.. or Yeomen
Archers, for that matter. Decently defended, Scotland fields something
that's more of a hybrid unit than a full archer, and although they
decent stats, they're not effective against armor and they don't have
long range missiles.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
They share the British Isles with England, which is a great starting
position for anybody. If you're quick, you can jump on York before
England, and even grab hold of Dublin. Whoever gains more cities faster
will win the British Isles. Although England out-fights them later in
the game, you'll find Highland Nobles to be a match for Billmen. You
need to be wary of England's heavier cavalry and better archers, but
Highlanders are cheap and effective units for early Scottish expansion.
Once you take Nottingham, England is all but finished. Kick them off
the island and you'll be in a prime position to expand where you wish.
A good move after England would be to either harass Denmark, or invade
France, where your infantry superiority can do good things for you,
before the enemy has a chance to tech up.
Rating: 21/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE {FAC009} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Oh Byzantines, how I love you. Let me count the ways.. anybody who loved
Rome: Total War should, in theory, love the Byzantine Empire. After all,
who doesn't love the deluded bastard child of a faction that ruled in
an earlier game? The Byzantines are about as 'Roman' as the United
States today are English. Sure, we started out there.. but a lot has
changed. In any event, the Byzantines have a lot of weapons, in fact,
if you ignore the fact that they're woefully under-equipped in the
gunpowder territory (I know I do!) they might just be one of the most
versatile factions in the game. They can go toe to toe with Catholic
factions thanks to their expensive Latinkon, and they can go with
cheaper-but-effective units like Dismounted Byzantine Lancers and
Byzantine Guard Archers. If that's not good enough, they have strong
horse archers (totally outclassing the Mounted Crossbowmen of
western powers) and Byzantine Infantry, strong garrison units that
keep even the Italian militias at bay. Best of all, they have perhaps
the strongest city-based infantry unit in the game, the fearsome
Varangian Guard. The only chore is keeping the Byzantines alive long
enough to gain access to all these weapons.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Byzantine garrisons don't start out too promising. In fact, they
get the same units most Catholic factions do. However, when you get a
Militia Drill Square you'll be able to start training units of Byzantine
Infantry, which are powerful and cheap. Sure, they're not quite a match
for Dismounted Feudal Knights, but they're much more affordable, and
really, they can go the distance with most other infantries. Then there
are the Varangian Guard units.. Which are almost as powerful as
Dismounted English Knights for much less upkeep. It takes a bit to get
them, and you can never train very many at once, but this is probably
the strongest garrison unit in the game. A city full of Varangian Guard
doesn't have to worry about much.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
In addition to their great militia infantries, the Byzantines get a
slightly more powerful version of their Byzantine Infantry at Castles.
Dismounted Byzantine Lancers are pretty much the exact same thing as
Byzantine Infantry, but with better abilities. This ensures that both
their cities and castles have good troops they can call upon. Just to
round things out, they also get Dismounted Latinkon, which are Byzantine
versions of Dismounted Feudal Knights. And of course, when you just need
power you can throw in Varangian Guard, which are as strong as Infantry
gets.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
There's not really much spectacular on the cavalry front of the
Byzantine Empire. They have Latinkon, which match up well against Feudal
Knights. They also have Byzantine Lancers, which are cheaper, weaker
alternatives. Their real advantage lies in their Vardariotai, powerful
horse archers that are about as strong in melee as Feudal Knights. Once
they've discharged their missiles, they make very good, very fast
cavalry in a pinch. Also, you can recruit them very early in a castle,
making them units you'll probably learn to abuse early, and keep using
throughout the game. In fact, in most 'complete' Byzantine armies I
forgo the use of normal cavalry in favor of Vardariotai. If that's not
enough, you also can train Kataphractoi. They're not really a match
for Latinkon, but, well, versatility is still something, no?
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Byzantines will get access to Trebizond Archers fairly early on,
which might not be the best archers in the game, but they'll see you
through your initial struggles. They're the Byzantine equivalent of
Longbowmen, and will ensure that you outclass neighboring factions'
archers. Later on you'll be able to upgrade to Byzantine Guard Archers,
which are mostly a match for the Pavise Crossbowmen who will plague
your borders. They don't have long ranged missiles, but they have good
stats otherwise, and double as effective infantry units. Last but not
least you have Vardariotai, amongst other cavalry archers. Not only
are they as strong as Feudal Knights, they are effective archers as
well. How to use them? Read below.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Byzantine Empire starts out fairly compromised and spread out. They
have access to numerous areas to expand, but taking them will bring you
into conflict with Hungary, the Turks, and most importantly, Venice. No
matter what you try, your odds of staying out of trouble with Venice is
slim. So, when you can't join 'em, beat 'em. Take Iraklion from them as
soon as it's vulnerable. Heading west and taking Durazzo will provoke
Venice, and it'll be difficult to hold such a small city against Venice
and it's Italian Militias. If anything, you should take Ragusa so you
have a base of operations which has a legitimate chance of stopping
Venetian invasions without importing new troops.
After you secure the areas around Constantinople and have firm footing
against Venice you should play it defensively for a while, at least
until you have access to Dismounted Byzantine Lancers or Byzantine
Infantry to rightfully contend the Italian Spear Militias of Venice.
If you really need to, Byzantine Spearmen, Trebizond Archers, and
Vardariotai will provide a serviceable if not impressive early army.
Survive, secure the local areas, and pit the resources of Greece and
Asia Minor against those of Italy. The Byzantines don't really have a
great front that they can press, but their proximity to Italy makes it
a good target. If you keep pushing omni-directionally and leap-frogging
standing garrisons you should have little trouble out fighting your
neighbors, just so long as you survive the first forty rounds or so.
Once you take Italy and incorporate its large, rich cities into your
empire you'll be nigh unstoppable.
The biggest factor in easily surviving the initial turns of the game is
using Vardariotai effectively. As heavy cavalry, they'll outpower
anything your neighbors throw at you, and against infantry they can be
brutal. Set up your archers and infantry away from the enemy and keep
them on defense, preferably on high ground. Use your Vardariotai
independently as a detached unit from your main army and advance them
along the flank of the enemy. Keep them on higher ground, along the
path the enemy army will advance. If they're on high ground, have a
line of fire to the enemy, and don't get caught in melee you can kill
anywhere from 10%-30% of an enemy army of Italian Militia units as they
approach with just four units of Vardariotai. This doesn't even include
the extra casualties they'll inflict when they're out of ammo and get
to chase down (hopefully) tired, demoralized, and routing units. An
army of 10 Byzantine Spearmen, 6 Trebizond Archers, and 4 Vardariotai
used defensively can easily thwart any enemy in the early game. Keep
your Vardariotai away from Pavise Crossbowmen, as they'll be outranged
and out-gunned unless they have much higher ground. Also, siege
equipment can make you sad in your pants if you aren't careful.
So, this was a long description, but lets summarize. Secure local
rebel settlements as normal. Then take the islands of Rhodes and
Iraklion, and hold ground against Venice. Make maneuvers to take land
from the Turks, Hungary, and Venice. If you can build one full army
(see above) and siege a city you should be able to hold on defensively
until they are worn down, or they attack you to disastrous results.
After you get Byzantine Infantry/Dismounted Byzantine Lancers expand
with abandon, just as quickly as you can build up armies and take new
training sources on the front. Set your aims for Italy, but don't
miss opportunities if other enemies leave themselves open.
Rating: 20/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| RUSSIA {FAC010} |
| |
o======================================================================o
At first glance, Russia looks more problematic than prosperous, as they
only control one territory and none of their units are overwhelmingly
powerful. However, there is opportunity in their seclusion, and
although their units wont out-stat European armies, they are extremely
versatile and most of the time are cheaper. To help even things out,
many of them have the "Effective Against Armor" ability, which will
help even the odds.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
What Russian garrisons lack in power, they make up for in versatility.
They can train Spear Militias, Archer Militias, and Cavalry Militias
from any city. When they progress far enough they will be able to
produce Berdiche Axemen. They aren't quite Varangian Guard, but they
have good attack, reasonable defense, "Good Morale" and "Good Stamina",
and are "Effective Against Armor". It's not the best, but it sure beats
being stuck with Spear Militias. They beat out Italian Militias as well..
if only they had good archers to back them up..
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Attack 11 and Defense 15 are the operative stats for Russian infantries,
with both Dismounted Boyar Sons and Dismounted Druzhina having the same
stats and abilities. This might not be the 13 Attack 21 Defense of
Feudal Knights, but since both infantries are a good bit cheaper and
"Effective Against Armor" which makes them just as good in my eyes.
Since you get two unit pools to recruit from, Russia can draw powerful
armies out of a Fortress with unmatched speed. Until you get them you'll
have to settle for Spearmen, which are just as strong as Italian Spear
Militias. Decent infantries recruitable en masse from Fortresses, with
good defensive spearmen until you get there? Sounds good to me. When
you just need to have power though, there's always Berdiche Axemen.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Again with the 11 Attack 15 Defense the Russians have Druzhinas, which
are capable heavy cavalry that's roughly on par with Feudal Knights.
When you climb to the top of the tech tree you'll be able to recruit
Tsars Guard, which are ridiculously powerful cavalry units. Russian
cavalry is-as a rule-a little weak on the charge, but otherwise they
are more than a match for Feudal Knights, and Tsars Guard just might be
the most powerful cavalry in the game. In addition, they gain access to
Dvor Cavalry, which are as strong as Feudal Knights themselves, but
good cavalry archers to boot. In my mind they're not as strong as
Vardariotai, since they're not as fast and hence not as good at
skirmishing, but they do have great missile damage for a cavalry archer.
They also require extra work to recruit, whereas Vardariotai can be
trained very early. End of the story, however, for having two types of
good missile cavalry (Cossack Cavalry and Dvor Cavalry) a unit capable
of matching Feudal Knights when you need to (Druzinhas) and a super
powerful and expensive unit of cavalry (Tsars Guard) the Russians get
the top score.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
In addition to the standard (and poor) Archer and Crossbow Militias
Russia can train Dismounted Dvor, which lose none of their potency in
switching from horseback to infantry. They are strong hybrid unit with
good Attack, Missile Attack, and Defense. They also have "Long Ranged
Missiles", "Good Morale" and "Good Stamina". You'll pay for their
versatility, however, as at 225 florins per turn they're one of the most
expensive archers. You also get the pleasure of commanding Dvor, which
are potent missile cavalry. Although they're nearly as good as
Vardariatoi, they're not nearly as necessary. Once you get access to
gunpowder you'll be able to train Cossack Musketeers from any Huge City.
These guys are nearly as good as Portuguese Musketeers, being less
armored and more vulnerable to missiles, but with better attack.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Russians might be off by themselves in the middle of nowhere, but
this provides them plenty of opportunity to consolidate their power and
claim a great, easily defended, prosperous stretch of land composed of
the north eastern provinces. There's really no reason they can't take
all the territory north of the Black Sea, and if you're quick you can
expand west and take the castles bordering Poland and Hungary (Vilnius,
Halych, and Iasi), building up a strong defensive wall of armies. As
long as the Mongols and Timurids don't appear by Sarkel and decide to
gut your lands, you're as secure as can be. After you take the north
east you have plenty of expansion opportunities. Taking Denmark is a
good way to grab three territories, all of which can be guarded from
Hamburg. The areas around Kiev and Caffa have slaves to trade, which
will help your conquests of Denmark. After you eradicate the Danes,
you might want to postpone any further assaults until you have more
Fortresses. Once you can train Dismounted Boyar Sons and Druzhina, you
can take out Poland and Hungary on a whim. Taking Thorn early in the
game is an even better idea, however, as it's the fastest growing
castle in the region. Best of all, once Thorn is taken Poland has very
little ability to retaliate, as they're deprived of their greatest
army-building center. This allows you to simply convert Vilnius and
Smolensk into cities, as the Thorn-Halych, Iasi line is more than
sufficient defense. Better still, after securing Thorn head south and
grab Bran and Sofia and you'll have a potent enough defense to grow
(using Spearmen and Woodsmen until you can train Dismounted Boyar Sons
and Druzhina.) It's also an excellent springboard into Poland, Germany,
Illyricum, and Greece, where the money lies.
Rating: 22/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| MOORS {FAC011} |
| |
o======================================================================o
The Moors are one of the most integrated Muslim factions in the game,
as befits them historically. Having occupied Catholic Iberia, the Moors
eventually get a number of 'Catholic' units, such their own versions of
heavy infantry and cavalry. Even El Cid fought for Moorish leaders!
They are an interesting blend of Muslim, African, and Catholic forces
that get off to a slow start, but have a great position in Iberia and
Africa. Although they have weak archers, their infantry, cavalry, and
versatile militias make up for it. Lets just say that a full-stacked
late game Moorish army was the ONLY single army I've ever been able to
field against a full army of Timurids led by their faction leader and
supported by Elephants and emerge victorious (although it was a close
victory.)
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
From the early going the Moors have a versatile, if not overwhelming
garrison. They can train both infantry and archers once sufficiently
upgraded, and with a good enough racing track you train Granadine
Jinetes, whose range attacks will serve you well against the superior
infantries of neighboring Catholics. Arab Cavalry, also from racing
tracks are a about as good as Merchant Cavalry Militias. Once you
upgrade to a Huge City you can recruit Christian Guard units from a
city, which are cavalry on par with any knightly order. The big star of
their garrison units are Urban Militias, which are the Moorish
equivalent of Byzantine Infantry or Swordsman Militia. In fact, it's
such a good infantry your cities will most likely be a better source of
soldiery than your castles for most of the game! It's a versatile
militia in the early game, and powerful late in the game. How do the
Moors stack up against Milan? Well, Urban Militia and Christian Guards
are obvious improvements over the Milanese garrison units, but Genoese
Crossbowmen far outclass the Crossbow Militias the Moors get. The end of
the day? Flip a coin. They both have superior garrisons.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
It's rough in the early going as the Moors. Until you get a Fortress
you're going to be stuck with Spear Militias. Berber Spearmen are only
a tiny improvement, and frankly it's just easier relying on militias
early on. Once you have a fortress however, you'll get Dismounted Arab
Cavalry, which are as powerful as Italian Spear Militias. Now think
about it. At the same time Catholics are getting Dismounted Feudal
Knights, you're getting Italian Spear Militia-equivalents. That's not a
good matchup, and worse, they don't become available to train terribly
quickly. You can train Lamtuna Spearmen if you build a Barracks, but
they're not really an improvement. So why the five stars? One, you'll
get Urban Militias from your bigger Iberian cities quickly enough to
field them against Feudal units. Second, they will eventually get
Dismounted Christian Guards. These guys have "good morale", "good
stamina", 16 attack, 23 defense, and all for an upkeep of 175 florins a
turn. This perhaps the most powerful castle-based unit in the game, and
wrestles with Varangian Guard for the most powerful infantry. It takes
a while, but once you can field them, you're going to absolutely
dominate your opposition.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Moorish cavalry is both varied, and largely incapable of matching
Catholic factions in head-on conflicts. Arab Cavalry makes decent light
cavalry, and Granadine Jinetes are both good light cavalry and good
missile cavalry. Still, for the best cavalry units the Moors have in
the early parts of the game they can't compete with Mailed Knights or-
just to throw out an example-Vardariatoi. You can get Granadine Lancers
from Fortresses, but they're only a one point upgrade over Arab Cavalry
for the full cost of a Feudal Knight. Only when you get Huge Cities
or Caliph's Stables do you gain access to the mighty Christian Guard,
which are as powerful as the knightly orders and as cost-effective as
heavy cavalry gets. It takes a while, but they do get a unit capable of
competing with the Catholic factions.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
You'll quickly find out that despite the fact that the Moors have plenty
of missile units, they have very few goods ones. Desert Archers are
decent missile units, and I ended up using them for most of the game.
They are, however, inferior to Pavise Crossbowmen. Their Peasant
Crossbowmen are stronger than those fielded by Catholic factions, but
they're not much of a substitute either. They get a host of missile
cavalry, but again, most aren't great as just archers, although Granadine
Jinetes are overall decent units (they sure made a mess of the Papal
Guard I fought when attacking Rome!) The only saving grace the Moors have
are their Sudanese Arquebusiers, which are decent gunmen, even if they
are poor on defense and lacking long ranged missiles. Again, it's their
variety rather than any overwhelming units that bring them up to snuff..
just barely. Their Camel Gunners are also worth a mention, they come
late, and they're expensive. They are, however, fairly powerful, although
I've found them to be quite vulnerable to cavalry, which Granadine
Jinetes can outrun better.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Moors are strongly entrenched in southern Iberia, and they also
possess Marrakesh and Algiers. If you quickly recruit as much of a
garrison as you can in Corduba, it can easily protect both itself and
Granada, and by extension, the land route into Africa. Marrekesh can
be protected by Algiers in the east, making you fairly well-protected
against all land advances, and in the early going Portugal and Spain
shouldn't be too aggressive with their navies. You MUST build up
Corduba quickly, however, as the Catholic factions around you will leap
upon any vulnerability, and Spain and Portugal both start out with land
armies enough to defeat the starting forces of the Moors.
Unlike most other factions, with the Moors you should focus on defense
right from the start. Build up town garrisons and convert Granada into
a city.. the early forces recruited from a castle aren't anything
special, and you could do with the money more than the pathetic units
you can recruit. This means building up Spear Militias in Corduba and
Marrakesh, upgrading cities, and biding your time. When you have a
strong enough army in Marrakesh, take it down to attack Timbuktu and
Arquin. These cities can both be easily conquered by a relatively small
general-led army of garrison forces (about eight units or so is
probably more than enough.) Not only will this add to your income
without expanding your fronts, but the trade resources here are some of
the richest in the world. Gold, slaves, and ivory are all abundant, and
a good merchant can make over 1000 florins a turn on ONE resource. Even
a bad one can make 300+ from ivory. Take control of all these resources,
and these bottom two cities will earn you at least 4000 florins of
income per turn (including the city income). This is with a startup
cost of whatever it took to train the garrison units and the cost of
training the merchants, but it is well worth the investment. Once these
cities are yours you'll be well funded enough to take Iberia for
yourself. During the same time, if Portugal leaves Lisbon open, feel
free to take it. It's a vulnerable city for them and easy pickings, so
long as you don't leave Corduba too vulnerable while doing so.
Even with a paltry initial military, the Moors' location allowed me to
leisurely take Iberia by turn 50 and have a 125,000 florin windfall.
Don't bother attacking anything before you chase Spain and Portugal out
of Iberia, this war is destined to happen. The first goal of any Iberian
faction is to take uncontested control of the peninsula, much like
with the British Isles and Italy. Afterwards, you should have climbed
the tech tree enough to get decent castle units (from Toledo, at least).
You should then deal with Sicily, who has doubtlessly proven to be at
least a minor annoyance. Take control of north Africa (ignoring Egypt
for now) then take the islands around Italy. Once Palmero is yours,
build up a force for the next great goal of the Moors-conquering Italy.
Large cities can train Urban Militias, which are vital to maintaining
your empire. Once Iberia and Italy have fallen, you're practically too
rich and too well-entrenched to lose. Occupy France to eliminate this
last front, then England, and begin to burn eastward across Europe.
Don't be afraid to attack France before or during your Sicilian
campaign, especially if they leave Toulouse and/or Bordeaux vulnerable.
You don't want to let them climb the tech tree too high and have to
match Dismounted Arab Cavalry against Dismounted Feudal Knights! This is
as good of a starting position as you can ask for in this game, with a
strong position in Iberia and easy access to two of the richest resource
territories.
Rating: 19/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| TURKS {FAC012} |
| |
o======================================================================o
The Turks, the folks who captured my beloved Byzantine Empire, and put
the final stake through the heart of the delusion that was the Roman
Empire. Historically they won a great deal of their fights by out
smarting their enemies, especially the Byzantines, whom seemed all too
eager to march into Turkish ambushes. They're also another former Asian
steppe faction who invaded Asia Minor and the Middle East and took up
the mantle of the Islamic dynasties they displaced. Such renewal kept
the faith and culture from stagnating, and for a long time allowed the
Muslim world to be much more culturally and scientifically advanced
than Europe. It also helped that until recent history, Muslim regimes
were notably tolerant of other religions, whereas the Medieval Christian
philosophy leaned more towards burning every book that wasn't the bible,
and every man, woman, and child who discredited Genesis. But how do they
play?
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Like the Moors, they have a FANTASTIC garrison. In fact, almost every
Turkish unit worth deploying comes from a town. Notably their Saracen
Militias (which are the Turkish equivalent of Italian Spear Militias)
will probably be your go-to infantry for.. well.. the whole game. They
can also recruit their Janissary units here, which include average
infantry, good archers, and excellent musketeers. If that's not enough,
from race tracks you'll also be able to train Siphais, which are fair
horse archers. Keep in mind, it'll take a while before you can train
the Janissary archers, but when you can you'll have one of the best
garrisons in the game. Weaker than the Moors? To be sure, how can you
compete with Granadine Jinetes, Christian Guard, and Urban Militia? But
Saracen Militias, Janissary Archers/Musketeers, and Siphais are still
far above what most militias get, and typically for a low upkeep.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Lets start out by saying this. The Barracks buildings on castles are
just for show for the Turks. Nothing great comes out of them, and it's
not even worth building. Dismounted Siphai are fair units, but they
only come three at a time, making them slow to train, and they're just
not much better than Saracen Militias, an certainly not up to taking on
Dismounted Feudal Knights! Janissary Heavy Infantry is another fair
unit, yet another unit that just doesn't exceed Saracen Militias enough
to recommend them. Stick with Saracen Militias and stay defensive.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Like the Moors, the Turks have to a wait a bit to get a good cavalry
unit. Fortunately, when you build a Fortress you'll gain access to
Siphai Lancers, which are more or less a match for Feudal Knights,
allowing for cheaper upkeep to resolve any power differences. Their
Siphais are also fair horse archers, but the Vardariotai from the
Byzantine Empire spoiled me, and all the Turkish missile cavalry just
doesn't match up. When you build a Citadel and get the most expensive
stables, you can train Qapukulu, which are as powerful as any cavalry
in the game, and cheaper than Noble Knights. In fact, it's one of the
few good reasons to keep castles for the Turks. For having full-fledged
horse archers, a unit to match up with Feudal Knights, and for having a
cavalry as good as Qapukulu, the Turks gain the ultimate score for
cavalry
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Think the Byzantine Empire when you think about the Turks' archers.
They too, get a unit of hybrid infantry/archery that is cheap and
powerful. Frankly however, they're only about as good at their archery
as Pavise Crossbowmen, and I'd prefer a unit of Infantry to stand up
and fight better. Still, Ottoman Infantry is a handy unit. They also
get Siphais, which are fair horse archers. Where they get the big
points are from their Janissary missile units. No, not their archers,
those guys aren't much better than Pavise Crossbowmen either. But their
Janissary Musketeers are superb. Of course, we all know what the word
'musket' means in Medieval 2.. you're waiting until about turn 100 to
get them, and even then, only from your biggest cities.
<<>> **
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Turks begin play firmly in control of Asia Minor, and claiming the
rebel settlements around you should obviously be your first priority.
You'll have access to good resource nodes by Nicaea and Constantinople,
and in the south by Antioch and Damascus. You only have to beat the
Byzantines to the punch to claim as much territory as you can, and
wiping them out should be your top priority. Once Asia Minor is yours
you have three options. You could attack Egypt to the south, but if you
ally with them early on, they should leave you well enough alone. Also,
taking out Egypt means you'll be the one dealing with the inevitable
crusades instead of Egypt. Just prepare to have crusading armies
march through your lands on their way to Antioch. The next choice is to
move north into Russia, but the lands on the north eastern edge of the
map are far apart, poor, and not really worth the endeavor. Plus, taking
that land pretty much guarantees you'll be the target of the Mongols AND
the Timurids. This is a HUGE problem for the Turks, as two of the three
ways you can expand are into likely invasion territories. The Turks
pretty much have the misfortune of being the target of such raids
(ironic, considering where they came from). Although if you're lucky
they might just attack Antioch and invade you slowly, rather than
quickly. This leaves our third option, across to Constantinople. This
is a lucrative expansion, but you'll draw a hornets nest of angry
Catholics upon your head even if you do displace the Byzantines, as
the Hungarians and the Venetians will just be chomping at the bit to
get at you. Still, the lands are plentiful and territories are close
together. It also sets the stage for you to be able to take Italy, so
although it's probably the toughest choice, it's probably also the
best. Their weak infantry and plentiful archers make defensive fighting
a must, I typically go with 8 units of Saracen Militia, 8 units of
Ottoman Infantry, and 4 units of the strongest cavalry I have (usually
Siphai Lancers). Hopefully the enemy attacks you and you can get a good
defensive position.
Rating: 18/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| EGYPT {FAC013} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Egypt, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, is still alive and
well in Medieval 2: Total War. Nobody is as good as assimilating and
evolving culturally as the Egyptians, and thus they've survived conquest
by the Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Muslims, morphing to fit their new
role in the world. Just how have they adapted in Medieval 2?
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Again, another outstanding Muslim faction with a garrison to cry for.
They just liked having their palaces in large cities, instead of crazy
Europeans, who liked drafty castles. Like the Turks, you can train
Saracen Militias, which are a decent Infantry unit and healthy addition
to any garrison. They also can train Arab Cavalry and Mamluk Archers
from their Race Tracks, which give them versatility in the cavalry and
missile cavalry department. Last, but certainly not least they can train
Tabardariyya, which are almost as good as Varangian Guard.. or in other
words, cheap, powerful infantry with great attack. They have less
defense and more stamina, for an all-round awesome infantry unit.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Saracen Militia not cutting it for you? Then get Tabardariyya. It takes
a while, and it's not the best unit, but it's better than Dismounted
Feudal Knights. Ultimately, the ability to exceed Saracen Militias are
one of the features the Turks lack. Egypt also can train Dismounted
Arab Cavalry, which are about as strong as Saracen Militias, and give
their castle units a little more back-bone.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
You'll get Arab Cavalry from cities, but where the Egyptians really
strike gold are with their Mamluks. Their Mamluk Archers are decent
mounted archers with some teeth in melee.. still not as good as
Vardariotai, but worth mentioning. Their Mamluks are roughly as good as
Feudal Knights, and their Royal Mamluks are just ungodly strong. Simply
put, they've got a versatile and useful cavalry at all stages of the
game.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Again with the archers.. The best unit the Egyptians get for most of the
game are Desert Archers, which are better than Peasant Archers by a bit,
but we're shooting for more, aren't we? Unfortunately, there are no
Ottoman Infantry units to come save the day for Egypt. Mamluk Archers
are decent, but they won't make up for the lack of conventional foot
archers. Once you get gunpowder you can train the same Sudanese
Arquebusiers the Moors get. It's late, and barely adequate, so be ready
to rely on Desert Archers for a long while.
<<>> *
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Egypt, like the Russians, are pretty much left alone in their own little
corner. You'll start off with three rich little territories which can
be exploited for resources, especially around Alexandria and Cairo. You
should send an army south quickly to take Dongola and convert it into a
city. Then you can exploit the rich resources around it as well. Your
early game goal is to expand and take as much of the Middle East as you
can, especially around the Mediterranean Sea. Antioch and Damascus to
the north are particularly rich, but Baghdad, Jedda, Aleppo, and Mosul
all have resources worth taking. And you'll need them, because Egypt is
not only likely to suffer the most crusades (Antioch and Jerusalem
especially) but you'll likely be the target of the Mongols and Timurids
as well. They might have a virtual paradise of free land just begging
for the taking, but you must move quick, build up your cities, and dig
in, because the Mongols are not a joke, and require many standing armies
to defeat them. You can appease your only immediate neighbors, The
Turks, by striking an early alliance and keeping your borders defended.
The whole time you're expanding east and preparing for the Mongols you
need to also turn an eye to the west, your only viable expansion
options later. This means either marching across Africa, or building a
navy.. the later of which will probably serve you better. Travel in
force and pick a defendable location from which to make your stand. The
easiest choice is to probably attack Rhodes or Iraklion, which is
somewhat nearby in case you need to send reinforcements. Once those two
locations are secure, leap frog your garrison from Rhodes to Athens, and
continue up that coast. Thessalonica and Constantinople are great prizes,
and with those two big cities under your thumb, you may stand a real
chance at taking Italy. There's no real respite for the Egyptians, and
honestly, it might be easier to get rid of the Turks, likely after the
Mongol invasions and before the Black Death would be a good time to
quickly attack and take Asia Minor (between rounds 60 and 120). Then
you'll have consolidated the east for yourself, you'll have plenty of
places to draw troops from when the Timurids arrive, and if you attack
the Byzantines and Venice earlier, you can quickly attack the Turks
from Egypt and Greece.
Rating: 18/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| DENMARK {FAC014} |
| |
o======================================================================o
The Danes suffer from a case of the Paganies, as they are located in
the north of the map and were only converted to Catholicism relatively
recently. Unlike the Polish, who have also recently converted and still
show signs of transition that gives them a steppe horse background the
Scandanavians have a Viking history, which gives them formidable-if
untamed-infantry separate from the Feudal tradition of southern, more
steadfastly Catholic factions. Of course, they also benefit from the
Feudal tradition as well, which is great.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Danish can recruit all the basics, Spear Militia and Crossbow
Militia, but they can also retrain fair spearmen in their Sword Staff
Militias, which are a universal improvement over Spear Militias. I'm not
sure I'd compare them to Italian Spear Militias, but it's close. Also,
they can train Norse War Clerics from any city that has an Abbey or
greater church, which are better than Feudal Infantry. It's a very handy
unit, and gives the Norse a well-rounded if not overpowering militia.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
From the word go you can recruit Viking Raiders from any Castle, which
might not be the most powerful Infantry in the game, but at 9 Attack and
9 Defense with "Effective Against Armor" and "Good Stamina" they are
much better than the militia units most factions have to use to get off
the ground. When they get a castle they can train Dismounted Huscarls,
another unit you'll have pretty much at the beginning of the game.
Another strong-against armor unit, they might not be as strong as
Dismounted Feudal Knights, they're comparable due to their good stats,
abilities, and cheap upkeep. Of course, they get Dismounted Feudal
Knights as well, but that's not all. Once you get a Drill Square you
can recruit Norse Swordsmen, which are as good as Byzantine Infantry,
and will allow you to make effective and cheap Infantries. Better yet,
you'll also get Norse Axemen, who are good offensive infantry. At the
height of the tech tree you'll get access to Obudshaer, which are
incredibly-well off anti-cavalry infantry. Their stats are only
mediocre, but they have great abilities that will devastate enemy
cavalry. Overall the Danish have very versatile and cheap Infantry units
which they can recruit in great numbers, but they don't have one single
overwhelming unit.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Once again, the Danish will get effective military units very early in
the game in their Huscarls, which are just as good as Feudal Knights.
Of course, they get Feudal Knights too. Once they get high-end stables
you can train Chivalric Knights, which are superior to Feudal Knights.
It's a good and versatile cavalry corps.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Norse Archers are the noticeable Danish archers, and they have good
stats.. good enough that they could serve as hybrid infantry if you
needed them to-which you don't, because the Danes have great Infantry
already. Unfortunately, their stats are good, but they don't have good
archery abilities, making them overall average archers.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Denmark starts in the north center of the map, which might make them
seem vulnerable.. but without ships, the only faction that can easily
bother you is the Holy Roman Empire. You'll outclass them in infantry
from turn one to turn one hundred (should they last that long!) With
decent garrisons and strong early game castles, the cluster of castles
south of Arhus are incredibly appealing. Taking hold of Stettin,
Hamburg, Madgeburg, and Thorn will give you a great base with which to
start your conquest of Europe. It doesn't really matter if you annoy
Poland and the Holy Roman Empire either, as neither faction can hold
against your Viking Raiders, Dismounted Huscarls, Norse Swordsmen,
Huscarls, and Norse Archers until they get Fortresses, which if you move
fast, they wont in any sort of time frame to oppose you.
Building multiple, strong armies will be aided by the fact that most
Danish units have an upkeep of about 150 florins, but you'll need more
to furnish a truly great hold on northern Europe. The starting lands of
Denmark are fine and mostly inaccessible, and various resources outside
Stockholm will help you a great deal. However, to really get the money
flowing you should build up an army in Oslo and sail to the British
Isles. With your strong infantry, you should be able to easily seize
Nottingham and hold it. Within a short amount of time you'll be able to
conquer the whole of England, and be able to hold it with one army.
This will allow you to spread out and conquer at will. After all, what
kind of Viking would you be if you didn't attempt to conquer England?
You might not have the free areas of expansion to target like other
factions, but it shouldn't be much trouble stealing from other Catholics
to get what you need.
Rating: 20/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| PORTUGAL {FAC015} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Portugal functions much like Spain, but with several key differences.
One, Portugal has a more compromised starting position, although both
end up at the same conclusion: drive the Moors back to Africa and
secure Iberia for yourself. Instead of Portuguese Knights your go-to
unit will be Chivalric Knights. And both factions will wait a good long
time for the privilege of training good infantry and cavalry. Portugal
does have one small edge though, they get Portuguese Arquebusiers, which
are significantly stronger than Musketeers.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Portugal gets pretty typical garrison units, with one notable exception,
the Swordsman Militia. Considering their cost, these guys are just
about as good as Dismounted Feudal Knights when you need to fortify a
city.. provided you build a Militia Drill Square. They also train all
of their superb gunpowder units from cities, including Portugese
Arquebusiers and Jinetes, which are strong, fast, missile cavalry units.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Portugal starts out slow in the infantry front. In fact, you'll be
relying on various javelin soldiers and light infantry to get by in the
early going. After that, they mainly have to rely on Dismounted Feudal
Knights. Eventually, you gain access to Dismounted Portuguese Knights,
which are the same thing as Dismounted English Knights. Also Portugal
gains Aventuros, versatile and reasonably strong spearmen with one
flaw-they like to charge at enemies. Not a great trait for a defensive
unit. Personally I'm not a fan of Portugal's infantry, but they do have
reasonable strong units, even if it does take time for them to get
them.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Early on you'll have access to Jinetes, from so many areas you'll
probably have no idea what to do with them all. They.. fill a need
until you get Feudal Knights. When you get a Citadel you'll be able to
train Portuguese Knights, which are slightly more powerful than Feudal
Knights.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
For the spread of the game you'll be relying on Pavise Crossbowmen.
Later-much later-you'll get access to Musketeers from your cities, which
are wholly superior missile units. Better yet, Portugal can train
Portuguese Arquebusiers, which are better armed, armored, and have
better traits than Musketeers. The only problem? You'll have trouble
managing armies comprised of castle-and-city based units. Lets just say
retraining becomes a chore. Nonetheless, an army full of Swordsmen
Militia units and Portuguese Arquebusiers is a force to be reckoned
with.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Portugal has the same opportunities and problems of Spain, but with one
significant difference. Portugal is split by Spain. Lisbon is separated
from Pamplona. It doesn't really matter too much, as Portugal's city
units are just as good as their castle ones early on. Zaragoza is an
obvious expansion, but after that it becomes tricky. Expanding out of
Iberia will almost certainly result in you fighting France and/or Milan.
These are fights you really don't need in the early going, although it
is possible to take Bordeaux and/or Toulouse and hold them until they
upgrade into Fortresses. Securing Iberia is the first thing you should
do. Once the Moors are driven out you can work on Spain, whom you can
out-resource with Corduba in your grasps. After Spain is gone, focus
on taking north-eastern Africa. The resources around Timbuktu will
prove vital to your conquest of Europe.
Rating: 15/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| POLAND {FAC016} |
| |
o======================================================================o
The Polish are on the far reaches of Catholic Europe, the last bastion
of Catholicism in the east. They're a mix of eastern nomadic steppe
tradition and western feudalism, and bring elements of both into their
military. They're also a rare Catholic faction in the fact that they
don't receive Feudal Knights, showing their age as one of the youngest,
most tentative of the Catholic factions.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The only thing special about the Polish garrison is the fact that they
can recruit Hussars from towns, which are about as good as Feudal
Knights. Other than that they have access to Spearmen and Crossbow
Militias, giving them access to all three branches of the military.
Although most of them aren't anything to talk about.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Poles have a variety of early-game infantry choices, including
Dismounted Polish Nobles and Spearmen, which are both as good as Italian
Spear Militias. They'll see you through the early game, but come time to
upgrade to Fortresses, you'll be missing Dismounted Feudal Knights.
Poland has to wait until they get a Citadel to train Dismounted Polish
Knights. They are an improvement over Dismounted Feudal Knights,
although a very, very slight improvement. considering the fact you get
them so late is offset a bit by the fact that they get decent Infantry
while you wait.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Polish have a wide variety of Cavalry. They get Polish Nobles which
are strong missile cavalry. In fact, you'll have to rely on them pretty
much as much as the Byzantine Empire has to rely on Vardariotai. Once
you upgrade your Castles a bit you can train Polish Retainers, which are
notably less powerful than Feudal Knights. Fortunately you'll get Polish
Knights and Polish Guard, which are as strong as each other.. and both
are better than Feudal Knights. Overall, the Poles have a better than
average cavalry. In fact, they're just about as good a cavalry as you
can get in the game. The fact that Hussars are better than Feudal
Knights and can be trained from both Cities and Castles gives them a
powerful, versatile Cavalry corps.
<<>> **
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Polish Archers just suck. The best they get are Lithuanian Archers,
which are weaker than Pavise Crossbowmen by a good deal. You'll likely
have to rely on their Polish Nobles to get the job done, but you'll
struggle in the ranged department the whole game. It'll become an acute
problem if the Mongols show up and burn their way across Russia. The
fact that they don't get a single unit with "Long Ranged Missiles" means
you'll be outshot the whole game. At least their Polish Nobles are good
missile-cavalry, which is really all Poland has to offer.
<<>> **
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Poles are sandwiched between Russia and the Holy Roman Empire. This
means they'll have to deal with a spread-out location without the good
resource nodes that Russia has access to. Granted, Krakow has some
resources, and amber abounds around Vilnius, Halych, Riga, and Novgorod.
Although, like everything else, they're rather spread out. You've got
plenty of room to expand, but with expansion comes problems. Hungary,
Denmark, Russia, and the Holy Roman Empire will all pester your borders,
and the key to surviving with Poland is expanding fast, far, and early,
and using your superior infantry units to your advantage before the
enemy gets Dismounted Feudal Knights. And, of course, hoping the Mongols
don't ever come after you. Russia is an obvious first target, but they
are so spread out that it's not the most cost-effective way to build up
money-making territories, territories you'll need to scratch and claw
your way across Europe.
If anything, you should attack Hungary first (after securing local
territories, of course). If they leave Bran open, you should jump upon
it. With Hungary deposed you can tackle the Byzantine Empire, and
secure their rich cities. Keep in mind, however, that their city
garrisons are horrible, and you MUST have a castle on the front to hold
lands you take. In the west, this will probably be Thorn. There's no
real respite for Poland, and you'll need to manage multiple fronts at
once, pretty much by default. You can eliminate one front by taking out
Russia, but then you have worry about the Mongol invasions. Just spread
south and west, taking castles as you go (especially striking out from
Thorn to steal Hamburg and Stettin). If the Holy Roman Empire ever gets
itself excommunicated, you're in the money. Just hold your fronts and
expand as opportunity presents itself. If there's any silver lining to
your position, it's the fact that the Holy Roman Empire is as weak
militarily as you are.
Rating: 18/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| HUNGARY {FAC017} |
| |
o======================================================================o
The Hungarians are yet another eastern faction new to Catholicism. They
are sandwiched between the two Orthodox factions in the game (Russia and
the Byzantine Empire). This should be seen as an opportunity though, as
both can be displaced without angering the Pope. They are a difficult
faction however, as they'll need castles for their best infantry and
cavalry, but cities to recruit Pavise Crossbow Militias.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Hungarians have a health garrison, mostly due to the fact that they
can readily recruit Pavise Crossbow Militias from their cities. The fact
that you can train Hussars from your cities as well makes them a little
more versatile and powerful than average militias.
<<>> ****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Relatively early on you'll be able to train Croat Axemen, which are
powerful enough infantry for the early-going. Later you'll get Pavise
Spearmen, which.. are really only as good as Italian Spear Militias.
Once you get a Citadel you can train Dismounted Chivalric Knights,
which are better than Dismounted Feudal Knights for the same cost.
Hungary has an Infantry corps that is slightly stronger than average.
<<>> *****
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The first strong cavalry units you can train are Hungarian Nobles, which
are good missile cavalry units you can make in any castle. Hussars from
cities are about as strong as Feudal Knights, but the real great unit
the Hungarians get are Chivalric Knights, which are stronger than
Feudal Knights. You also can train Royal Banderium, which are superior
in only the fact that they won't "Charge Without Orders". The Polish
cavalry is strikingly similar, both being greatly superior to standard
Feudal Knights.
<<>> ***
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The best archers the Hungarians have are their Pavise Crossbow Militias,
which makes them pretty average. Hungarian Nobles are useful and strong
missile cavalry units, and serve a comparable role in Hungarian armies
as Jinetes do in Portuguese and Spanish armies, and can get you through
the early part of the game.
<<>> **
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Hungarians, like the Polish, start out fairly vulnerable. On the
plus side the Hungarians are less spread out and have mountains largely
protecting them. On the negative side, Budapest is a fairly vulnerable
city next to Vienna, and will likely draw you into conflict with the
Holy Roman Empire and Venice. The Polish and Byzantine Empire are other
problem factions for you, the latter of which you should target from
the beginning of the game. The sooner you can take Constantinople, the
better. You should also expand to the north as far as you can.. Taking
Iasi will be a good move in holding back the Polish. You should also
take Caffa for the slaves you can trade, and think about heading up
north to Kiev for the same reason. Down south Sofia is an absolutely
vital defense against the Byzantine Empire. Once you have these
locations you can work on climbing the tech tree and assembling an army
to take out the Byzantine Empire. From there, your goals are less
clear, but taking Venice out of the picture would be a good first step
towards the conquest of Italy. You could also invade Asia Minor, but
this invites potential trouble when the Mongols show up.. but so long
as you don't take Antioch you should be fine. Conflict with the Holy
Roman Empire is unavoidable, so you might consider taking Vienna,
followed by Innsbruck. This latter conquest will allow you to house a
local castle-based army which will be essential to conquering Italy.
Lets face it, Croat Axemen have a much better chance of taking out
Italian Spear Militias than Spear Militias. If you advance north, you
should aim at taking Polish castles in order to get a strong foothold.
Then, and only then you can take the cities north of Italy.
o======================================================================o
| |
| List of Factions by Rank {FBR000} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Faction Garrison Cavalry Location
Infantry Archers Overall
Moors ***** ***** **** *** ***** 22/25
Byzantine Empire ***** ***** **** **** *** 21/25
England *** ***** **** **** **** 20/25
France **** **** ***** ***** ** 20/25
Portugal ***** **** **** **** *** 20/25
Russia **** **** ***** **** *** 20/25
Venice ***** ***** *** *** **** 20/25
Milan ***** *** *** **** **** 19/25
Sicily **** **** **** *** **** 19/25
Spain **** **** **** *** **** 19/25
Turks ***** *** ***** **** ** 19/25
Denmark *** **** **** *** **** 18/25
Egypt ***** **** ***** *** * 18/25
Hungary **** **** ***** *** ** 18/25
Holy Roman Empire ** *** **** *** *** 15/25
Poland ** *** ***** ** ** 15/25
Scotland * ***** *** ** **** 15/25
o======================================================================o
| |
| Guilds {GLD000} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Here I'll discuss various Guilds and Agents. This will be a somewhat
brief section, as I won't go into the mechanics of luring Guilds to
territories, nor will I talk about most of them at all-for simplicities
sakes there are five useful 'types' of guilds, which I will talk about
below.
Knightly Orders {GLD001}
o======================================================================o
For factions with weak calvary, getting a knightly order to set up shop
in a castle could be a good idea. Still, as most knightly orders aren't
hugely superior to Feudal Knights, and since they can only be retained
at a territory with that guild, this makes them highly regionalized
troops. As far as I'm concerned, it's almost always better to have a
Swordsmith's guild. Note that Knightly Orders are only available to
Catholic factions. Orothodox and Muslim factions are stuck with whatever
cavalry the designers gave them.
Merchant's Guild {GLD002}
o======================================================================o
Merchant's Guilds increase trade, and should be the guild of choce for
most of your cities. Especially onces like Timbuktu, Arquin, Zagreb,
Vienna, Constantinople, Alexandria/Cairo, Antioch, and Kiev, which all
have great resources in or near them. Don't expect Merchant's Guilds to
outright increase the money a city makes, however. Instead train
Merchants in the cities listed above once they have guilds to produce
top-quality traders who can make you a great amount of florins by
trading nearby resources.
Swordsmith's Guild {GLD003}
o======================================================================o
Swordsmith's Guilds upgrade your weapons. That's a good thing. A
Swordsmith's Headquarters upgrades your weapons in EVERY territory.
Which is a phenomonal thing. Accept them readily in castles for superior
forces. I would say the same goes for Woodsman's Guilds (for archers)
and Horse-Breeders Guilds (for cavalry) but I've never managed to get
them to upgrade into higher guilds, making them less useful.
Theologian's Guild {GLD004}
o======================================================================o
Every territory should have a city with one Theologians Guild. Heretics
and Witches respawn throughout the game, and if you don't have the
ability to produce Priests/Imams to get rid of them (and reconvert the
populace) life will be hard. In the following section I suggest central
cities in which I typically build such guilds.
Thieve's Guild {GLD005}
o======================================================================o
Only rarely do I build a Thieve's Guild, and typically only in areas
where I feel I'll need to counter-spy regularly. This means areas with
lots of cities, and nearby factions that are hard to eliminate quickly-
the primary example of which is Italty. One Thieve's Guild here can
quickly service not only Italy, but Germany, France, and Greece. I don't
use Assassin's much, so an Assassin's Guild isn't very useful for me.
Besides, when I do create an Assassin or two, I just 'train' them on
rebels nearby, which is just as good as having a guild.
o======================================================================o
| |
| Region Advice {RGA000} |
| |
o======================================================================o
In this section I'll talk about various parts of the map which I will
group together into 'regions'. These areas have a central 'theme' for
conquest, the ways to use and secure such areas. The entire goal of this
game is to conquer as much land as possible, and the best way to do this
is to have large groups of cities protected by a handful of professional
armies. To protect your money making cities, you'll have to make use of
a city-per-army ratio that is sustainable, and in practice this becomes
a city-per-castle calculation, as Castles should house your armies and
become regional bastions from which you can defend your relatively
weak cities.
British Isles {RGA001}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Nottingham
Suggested Religious Centers: Edinburgh/York
The British Isles include the territories of London, Nottingham,
Caernarvon, York, Edinburgh, Iverness, and Dublin. Originally three of
these areas (Nottingham, Caernarvon, and Iverness) are castles. This is
a classic cash-territory, as it's a small island which can be entirely
protected by one castle. Due to its rapid growth, relative lack of good
resources, and central location, you should keep Nottingham a castle,
and convert the other two to cities. Once held by a strong army, you can
protect the entirity of the British Isles with one army at Nottingham,
making this an extremely profitable territory.
France {RGA002}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Caen-Angers, Toulouse-Bordeaux,
Metz-Bern-Schlaufen
Suggested Religious Centers: Paris/Rheims
France is a bit trickier than the British Isles, and it will cost a lot
more to maintain. If you don't control Britain, you'll need to keep
armies at Caen and Angers to protect the northern coast. Iberia is
fortified to the south by Toulouse and Bordeaux, and in the east you
have a line of castles that protects you (the Bern-Metz-Staufen-Hamburg
line). The interior cities include Paris, Rheims, Bruges, Antwerp,
Rennes, Dijon and Marseille. By expanding until you have at least two of
the castles to the west (ideally Bern and either Staufen or Metz) you
can handle aggression from both Italy and Germany. With Angers and Caen
in the north and Toulouse and Bordeaux in the south you can handle all
of France with about three standing armies, although four are ideal to
handle the possibility of a dual German/Italian threat to Metz/Staufen/
Bern. Even with all these areas secure, you'll still be vulnerable to
attacks on Bruges and Antwerp until you take Hamburg, and Marseille is
vulnerable to Italian armies until you invade. In all, given the armies
needed to maintain the fronts of France, it just about breaks even for
most of the game in economics.
Iberia {RGA003}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Toledo
Suggested Religious Centers: Corduba
Iberia is more like Britain, it's a cash-crop peninsula. Unlike Britain,
however, it's occupied by three factions, and can take some doing to
secure. It consists of Pamplona, Zaragoza, Valencia, Leon, Toledo,
Corduba, Lisbon, and Granada. Granada is frankly useless as a castle
under any circumstances, and should be converted into a city, although
Pamplona can be useful if you don't control Bordeaux/Toulouse. However,
since both can usually be taken, it's probably more advisable to secure
your holdings in Iberia by taking those castles rather than building up
Pamplona. If attacking from the north into Iberia, Pamplona makes a good
temporary castle until you can grab Toleda. Valencia might be useful to
defend against invading Italian armies, but it's only marginally useful
as a castle. The lynch-pin of Iberia is, of course, Toledo. Centrally
located, one army can protect all of Iberia (especially true if you have
other armies expanding your borders to the north/south. Unless the Moors
somehow gain control of Tunis and use Algiers to good effect, you've
little to fear from the south once you've expelled them from Iberia.
North Africa {RGA004}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Tunis
Suggested Religious Centers: Algiers
A widespread territory that consists of Marrakesh, Algiers, Timbuktu,
Arquin, Tunis, and Tripoli. Its size makes it hard to defend against
attack, although frankly Tunis, Tripoli, and Marrakesh are the three
cities most likely to be attacked. I suggest keeping only one castle
here-Tunis. Securing this early for the Moors is a good idea to defend
against European encroachment. Sicily, however, also should make effort
to claim it, as it's a spring-board to the rest of North Africa. For
most factions, however, it's better as a city (especially the Italian
factions) as they can raise stronger, cheaper troops there faster than
they could with a castle. Also, since Palermo is nearby, it's not ever
really necessary to keep any castles in North Africa so long as you're
willing to take Palermo. Marrakesh is almost a non-issue as far as
defensibility is concerned. It's highly unlikely that you'll ever
control Marrakesh without controlling some of Iberia, and if you're a
European (not Italian) power, you should invade North Africa through
the more defensible Iberian peninsula. Italian factions can train great
milita in Marrakesh, giving it all the defense it will ever need. Note
that Tripoli is subject to attacks from Italians, Byzantines,
Egyptians, and later Mongols and Timurids. This makes it a very un-
appealing location. It's not very wealthy, subject to potential attack
from many sides, and the only solution is to make it a castle that
really only defends itself. Once North Africa is secure (either from
Tunis or Palermo, ideally) its great resources in Arquin and Timbuktu
make it a great resource. Still, unless you're aggressive, you'll have
trouble turning a profit here. If you have armies in Italy, Iberia, and
France, there's not much chance you'll have to worry about invasions
into North Africa.
Germany {RGA005}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Metz-Bern-Schlaufen, Hamburg, Innsbruck,
Magdeburg-Stettin
Suggested Religious Centers: Nuremburg/Breslau
The realm I denote as 'Germany' consists roughly of the following areas:
Hamburg, Frankfurt, Staufen, Bern, Nuremburg, Innsbruck, Vienna, Prague,
Breslau, Magdeburg, and Stettin. It's status as a middle kingdom makes
it a bit difficult to denote its barriers, so for the sake of argument
I've given it a more political boundary rather than anything else. To
the west you have a line of castles that adequately defend the French/
German border (Metz-Staufen-Bern) as well as incursions from Italy
(Bern-Innsbruck). To the north you'll have to rely on Hamburg to keep
the Danish at bay, and this it will do to a large extent. Over to the
north and east you've got Stettin and Magdeburg to deal with the Polish.
Thorn makes a natural expansion point into Poland, but the big problem
with Germany is that the south and east is completely unprotected by
castles. Granted, Poland and Hungary are vulnerable, too, but you'll
have to either be very aggressive, or you'll have to convert a city into
a castle. You really need to secure as many fronts as you can, which
will allow you to hold a defensive line (as well as build up forces
therein for offensive pushes). For factions invading into Germany, the
lack of castles can really prove problematic unless you're immensely
wealthy-with enough armies to push through into the castles in Illyricum
and along the Poland/Russian border. Of course, if you do have a good
selection of garrison units (like the Italian factions) then the
concentration of castles along the western and northern end of Germany
are nothing short of excessive. Since it's just not profitable to
maintain large garrison armies inside cities to the east, you should
either just expand eastward until you take Bran, Halych, Thorn, Iasi,
Ragusa and/or Sofia. Really, however, if you're going to expand
southward into Ragusa/Bran, you might as well just go ahead and sweep
the Byzantines out of Greece altogether. Whatever you do, however, don't
plan on holding Breslau and Vienna and just holding those lands with
light garrison forces. Poland and Hungary will punish you for it (as
soon as Hungary turns Bran into a fortress, holding Vienna/Budapest
becomes problematic.) As much of a problem as the location of Germany is
for the Holy Roman Empire, it really just dictates your initial
eastward expansion. For other castle-based armies to the west (France,
Scotland, England, Spain, and Portugal) Germany is a formidable barrier
to expansion. If anything, expanding through Italy, and securing
Illyricum/Greece will make conquering Germany/Poland easier, as you can
invade from the south and the west. Keep in mind that if the Mongols
invade around Sarkel and push eastward, they can easily conquer all of
Russia and Poland. This is a worst-case scenario for mid-to-late game
expansion, as you'll be forced to contend with awesome Mongolian
armies without the benefit of well-established castles. Nothing sucks
more than pushing past Thorn only to find that all the eastward castles
are.. well.. still castles, and are not capable of supporting Citadel-
trained armies.
Denmark {RGA006}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Hamburg
Suggested Religious Centers: None
Denmark is a relatively small area that consists of Stockholm, Arhus,
and Oslo. Small it might be, but it's well defended, and has just as
good a claim on Helsinki and Riga as the Russians, and on Hamburg,
Stettin, and Magdeburg as the Holy Roman Empire. In fact, stealing
Hamburg early is absolutely essential for Denmark, as it leaves northern
Germany vulnerable, the the three principle Danish territories secure.
The only thing Denmark has to fear are attacks from the Holy Roman
Empire and Poland by land (which can be casually deflected from the
opportunistically located and fast-growing Hamburg) and potential
invasions by sea from Russia, Poland, and England, although these will
only occur if these factions become overly secure. You should convert
Oslo into a city, as it will serve little strategic importance as a
castle. In fact, only if England attacks will you even care about it,
but despite this possibility, it's just not cost effective to maintain
an army in Oslo. Forces invading Denmark need only take Hamburg to make
the fall of the three Danish territories inevitable. Whomever controls
Hamburg, controls Denmark, making it an easily-defendable and profitable
part of the map.
Italy {RGA007}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Bern-Innsbruck, Palermo
Suggested Religious Centers: Milan, Genoa, Florence, Bologna, Venice,
(ideally Rome)
Italy consists of Ajaccio, Cagliari Milan, Genoa, Venice, Bologna,
Florence, Rome, Naples, and Palermo. All of these cities are initially
prosperous for anybody who conquers them (unlike the cities in the Holy
Land). They're also close together (for easy chain-conquering) and are
a notorious barrier for castle-based armies. None of the cities on the
Italian mainland are castles, and frankly, none of them should be made
into castles. A faction that secures Bern and Innsbruck should have
little trouble raiding northern Italy and subduing Milan, Genoa, Venice,
Bologna, and Florence. On the other hand, if you approach from the south
and take the wonderful castle at Palermo (wonderful for being an island
and fast-growing) you can launch raids with impunity on the rest of
Italy-provided you've got a navy that's up to snuff. For native Italian
factions, securing all of Italy is incredibly easy-just train up a
city-based army and garrison in Milan or Venice and the entire
prosperous northern Italy is yours. For castle-based invaders, take
Bern and Innsbruck, then conquer northern Italy. Once done, move a
Bern/Innsbruck army to Palermo and you've got the entire area under your
control. The islands of Ajaccio and Cagliari seem like good defensive
castles, but I always turn them into cities. They're not likely to
serve any special function that Palermo can't serve, and you shouldn't
rely on nearby islands to defend your Italian holdings. Also, it's just
not cost-effective to defend them both with castle-based armies. Since
they are vulnerable to attacks (Portugal, Sicily, Milan, and the Moors
are the most ardent offenders here) they shouldn't be ignored, however.
After securing the Italian penninsula and Sicily, it's a good idea to
move onto North Africa and Iberia. After all, if you're attacking them,
they'll be too busy to attack Ajaccio and Cagliari, which can then be
converted into cities and allowed to grow prosperous in peace. As for
castle-based invaders, Italy is only defended in the north. Marseille
and Zagreb lie to the east and west (respectively) and there's no good
castles to hold northern Italy from attacks to the east and west. Ragusa
just isn't in a great position to defend Italy. This leaves you with the
options of relying on Bern/Innsbruck (which can take more than one turn
to send relief and leaves themselves vulnerable) or just building up
what militia you can and hope it's adequate. That or convert Zagreb into
a castle. Even though most of it's money comes from its mines, it still
seems like a waste, however. Although it's not as bad as-say-Germany,
(all the Italian cities are nearby, and can be controlled by one army in
a fort) Italy does present a bit of a road-block for castle-based
armies.
Illyricum/Greece/Balkans {RGA008}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Bran-Sofia, Ragusa, Corinth
Suggested Religious Centers: Thessalonica
Known by many names, I'll just refer to the area east of Italy and
south of Bran as Greece. Because for the most part, that's who lived
there at this time. Greece isn't nearly as prosperous in Medieval 2 as
it was in Rome, as all the Greek cities have been combined into the
territory of Corinth. This territory consists of Zagreb, Ragusa,
Durazzo, Sofia, Thessalonica, Corinth, Iraklion and of course,
Constantinople. For castle-based factions such as Poland, Germany,
Hungary, and the Byzantine Empire, this area can be a bit of a quagmire-
which is unfortunate in the last two cases, as this area is their most
obvious area of conquest. To the east lie the powerful Italian states,
and Sicily and Venice are in a good position to take Zagreb, Ragusa,
and possibly Durazzo, the latter of which can be a cause of endless
headaches for its owner, as it's slow-growing and can easily be the
cause of war between weak holders and aggresive and opportunistic
takers. Ragusa is the only castle that can stave off (at least
partially) Italian aggression, but Venice can (and will) attack from
the sea if Iraklion is left in their hands, and Sicily will doubtlessly
prove itself belligerant along the eastern coast as well. As for
Hungary/Byzantine, the first goal must be to secure Sofia. If one
doesn't, the other will, and both need it to protect their interior
cities. Thankfully Sofia doesn't have an overwhelming rebel garrison,
and it's relatively fast-growing. Unfortunately it'll likely draw
Italian aggression before long (from whomever the successor is in the
inevitable Venice/Milan battle). Either way, it must be taken early,
upgraded quickly, and garissoned strongly. Corinth is almost a waste of
a castle unless you're either an invading faction that needs castles to
create powerful armies or the Byzantines, who start out with it. In
the former case it can spring-board your attacks at Thessalonica (and
from there ideally to Sofia). The Byzantines need it for peace of mind,
and because it's likely to be their strongest castle early-on. Once it
is upgraded into a Fortress, the armies therein can be taken to conquer
northern Illyricum in detail, something that remains difficult until
you've got Dismounted Byzantine Lancers and Byzantine Guard Archers.
Ultimately Illyricum is tentatively held by Ragusa (which declines in
usefulness severely after Italy is taken) in the east, Sofia in the
north, and Corinth in the south. Attacks from the west need to be
blocked by having a strong garisson at Constantinople, even for weak
milita powers. Frankly, there's almost certainly going to be a jihad
called against the city, so it needs to be up to snuff even if it's
no longer your frontier with Asia Minor. Expansion to the north is
relatively easy (thanks to Bran). As for the west you'll need to take
Iconicum from the Turks (which isn't difficult thanks to their generally
low-quality units) and Caesarea, at which point you've got a strong
castle from which to threaten the Holy Land. Ultimately it's easier for
Italian factions to strike into Illyricum than it is for castle-based
factions to hold it, as most of their territories are too far away to
support each other quickly. For an Illyricum-based faction, the best
way to strike out to the east is probably just to take Palermo and use
Sicily as a base from which to conquer Italy-although this will
probably require two fronts (from Ragusa and then Innsbruck in the east
and Palermo in the south). For native Illyricum factions (Hungary/
Byzantine) at least they can defend cities with garrisons after they
grow to a large city.
Hungary {RGA009}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Bran-Sofia, Iasi
Suggested Religious Centers: Budapest
Hungary is a rather small area that consists of the areas north of
Illyricum, south of Poland/Russia, and east of Germany. Namely Budapest,
Bran, Bucharest, and Iasi. Of these, only Budapest is really wealthy,
and Bran is the only good castle. Much like Thorn for the Polish, Toledo
for the Iberians, and Nottingham for the English, Bran is the lynch-pin
of the nation, as it'll grow to a fortress the fastest and allow for
Hungary to defend itself. Invading into Hungary isn't a difficult
proposition, however-one merely needs to take Bran and their fighting
power is either irradicated, or mostly so. Budapest presents a weak
point for Hungary, and it'll almost certainly lure Hungary and the
Holy Roman Empire to it. Aside from building up a strong garisson or
camping an army out nearby, there's just not much to do about it. Bran
is an excellent castle, but Sofia to the south really should be taken
if you plan to move in on Illyricum. If you take Iasi too you'll have
another (if underwhelming) castle that can defend against Russia and
Poland in the north, leaving Bran essentially frontierless. This allows
you to use it to persue wars of expansion (especially to the east, where
Budapest remains vulnerable. Militarily, Hungary is easier to defend
than Illyricum (save Budapest) although it's much less wealthy. From
Hungary, it's fairly easy to invade into Russia to the north, but it's
more profitable by far to take Illyricum in the south. Italy should be
ignored or attacked only once you have the resource of Greece in your
hands.
Poland {RGA010}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Hamburg, Magdeburg-Stettin, Thorn, Iasi
Suggested Religious Centers: Prague/Breslau
Poland is another central territoriy that consists of the areas east of
Germany, west of Russia, and north of Greece. Namely the territories of
Prague, Breslau, Krakow, Thorn, and Halych. There's some amber near
Krakow and Halych, and these are the best natural resources Poland has.
The best strategic resource, however, is the castle of Thorn, which is
one of-if not the-quickest growing castles in the east. It's a sturdy
enough defense to keep Russia at bay, and a great area from which to
launch raids into Germany. Unfortunately, none of the other 'native'
Polish territories are great-Halych is perhaps one of the worst castles
in the game, and might as well be converted into a town. Honestly, it
barely makes it to a fortress before the Mongols invade around turn 67,
and by then it's long since been obsolete. So Poland-like so many other
factions-needs to seek security beyond its own borders. The territory of
Poland needs to be secured by Magdeburg-Stettin in the west, and Iasi is
a much better castle than Halych. Of course, if you go as far as Iasi,
why not take Bran-Sofia? Poland, in the end, is very secure. Thorn
allows you to compete with Germany, and although the cities of central
Germany don't provide good fronts, they don't pose significant threats,
either. To the east, Russia is more of a problem than an opportunity,
but it is a problem that Poland is at least equipped to defend against.
Whomever controls Thorn controls Poland, and reaching Poland's eastern
castles is the logical way to secure your front-whether you're invading
from Germany or Russia.
Russia {RGA011}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Thorn, Sarkel
Suggested Religious Centers: Kiev/Moscow
Anything east of Poland is considered the territory of Russia, and
really no other faction has much claim to these regions, even though
it's possible the Danish will threaten Riga and Helsinki, the Polish
contest the borders, and the Hungarians, Byzantines, and Turks might
make attempts at Kiev, Caffa, and in the case of the latter, Sarkel,
it's land that really only a player controlled Russia is in any position
to claim with ease. In detail the territories of Russia are Riga,
Vilnius, Novgorod, Helsinki, Kiev, Moscow, Smolensk, Ryazan, Caffa,
Bulgar, and Sarkel. Of them, none of them are great castles, and a few
(Kiev, Moscow, Novgorod) are fairly wealthy cities. There are slaves
near Kiev, Caffa, and Sarkel, but the resources of Russia aren't too
extraordinary. The biggest problem Russia has is its size. Their
territories are numerous, but they are mostly spread out, fairly slow
growing, and vulnerable to attack. The best tactic I've discovered is
to just conquer everything between Thorn and Sarkel, convert them all
into cities, populate them with enough Spear Militia to keep them
civil, and let them grow in peace with a low tax rate. Using mercenaries
as you expand eastward is a good way to maintain a healthy number of
troops without worrying about depleting units. After all, if your
mercenaries are low in number, just hire more. Some might find it
dubious not to place any castles as defenses in the Russian interior,
but frankly, they're too slow-growing and spreading out to 1) defend
nearby cities against opportunistic enemy raids, and 2) to hold out
against Mongol/Timurid invasions. Since they can't defend themselves or
other settlements, what's the point? They'd be better served striving
to become Huge Cities, from which Berdiche Axemen can eventually be
trained. As for fronts, Sarkel is.. well.. adequate to defend against
Turkish invasions through the mountains. Beyond that, just hope the
Mongols don't invade into Russia. There's really not much you can do
about a Mongol invasion into Russia by turn 68. If you try to be a go-
getter and invade Tbilisi it makes a good frontier-castle too, but the
Mongols WILL sack it if they appear nearby for no good reason. It's just
better to leave it alone. On the western front, the wonderful castle of
Thorn is the greatest castle in the area, and should be taken very
early in the game. This alone will allow Russia to hold back Catholic
forces from the west. Iasi and Bran will do the same in the south, and
provide a great springboard for invading the Byzantine Empire. If you
invade into Russia, after pushing past Vilnius Russia will fall with
pitiful ease-again, Russia and the Russian territories live and die by
their fronts. Their cities are just too spread out to stand against a
strong army, and are terribly easy to conquer peice-meal.
Asia Minor {RGA012}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Caesarea, Tbilisi
Suggested Religious Centers: Iconicum
Asia Minor is, for the purposes of this guide and game, every region
on the penninsula between the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Being
blatantly unfaithful to geographical and political boundaries, I also
include the mountainous regions immediately east of the penninsula, all
the way to the end of the map. This division is made for three reasons:
first that this entire area is ripe pickings for only one faction (the
Turks), and hence tends to form one political region. The second reason
is due to the religious attitudes of the games' factions (you'll see
plenty of crusades/jihads called against Constantinople, Antioch,
Baghdad, and Jerusalem, but none against Caesarea, Trebizond, or
Tbilisi, making these regions to the north decidedly not part of the
'Holy Land' area.) Third, because of the paths the Mongols take. Thus
the regions in the 'Asia Minor' area are Nicaea, Smyrna, Rhodes,
Iconicum, Caesarea, Trebizond, Yeveran, and Tbilisi. The castle of
Caesarae is a potent barricade to the Holy Land, although Symrna to the
west leaves much to be desired. Tbilisi might seem like a good northern
border (and geographically, it is) but considering that the Mongols
will certainly gut it if they appear nearby, it's nearly impossible to
bring up to snuff in time. Few of the towns of Asia Minor are very
rich, and the area is really suited for the Turks more than any other
faction. They are the Islamic Milan-they do better when they focus on
cities rather than castles, and their early game 'militia-rush' can do
to Asia Minor what Milan's militia-rush does to Italy: provides a number
of cheap-to-maintain armies rampaging from around well-defended cities.
By turn 40 it's quite easy for an enterprising Turkish faction to
declare a handful of jihads and conquer not only the whole of Asia
Minor, but the Holy Lands and Constantinople, as well. More than
anything else, Asia Minor is a spring-board to the much more wealthy
areas of Greece and the Holy Lands (depending on which direction you're
invading from). Most factions will find it hard to defend, and many
castle-based factions will find it a slow-if-not particularly resistant-
to conquer. Whether invading from the Holy Lands or from Asia Minor,
Caesarea is the territory to get. Once in your control you secure
Antioch from the west and Iconicum from the east. A faction that's
looking to conquer Asia Minor by invading from the west (which would be
most factions, I imagine, since most factions start to the west) can
secure the richest two cities in Asia Minor (Iconicum and Nicaea) from
Caesarea. Rhodes, Smyrna, and Trebizond start out as castles, but none
of those locations are terribly useful for deployment. Trebizond is
too isolated to be of much use, and Smyrna and Rhodes are both made
inadequate by the superior castle at Corinth, a short sail across the
Aegean. Ultimately Asia Minor-despite my best efforts to consolidate it
into one entity-makes more sense as two. You've prosperous and fast-
growing western territories, and slow growing, relatively distant and
poor territories to the east, split in half at Caesarea.
The Holy Lands {RGA013}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Caesarea, Gaza, Acre, Aleppo
Suggested Religious Centers: Alexandria/Cairo, Jerusalem
Ah, the Holy Lands, this is what this game is really about, isn't it?
This sprawling area makes up the south eastern section of the map, and
it borders Egypt to the west, and Asia Minor to the north. It consists
of the following territories: Adana, Antioch, Aleppo, Acre, Edessa,
Mosul, Baghdad, Damascus, Nicosia, Acre, Jerusalem, Gaza, Jedda. Really,
however, we can trim this down quite a bit. Everything east of Aleppo is
not likely to come under attack from crusaders, nor is it an area of
immediate concern to crusading armies. Also, it's just not practical to
defend these areas, since they won't come under attack from conventional
factions, and since they're almost impossible to defende against the
Mongols and Timurids. Hence they should mostly be kept as cash-cities,
granted a skeleton garrison, and left to make you money. On the
Mediterranean coast you've got the two principle cities of the Holy
Lands-Antioch and Jerusalem. These regions will see plenty of attention
from Catholics and rampaging steppe hordes alike, and should therefore
be the focus of your defense. Each city is liberally surrounded by
castles. Gaza defends against Egypt, and Acre lies between the two
prominent cities-both are great, fast-growing castles that can be relied
upon to get you decent troops quickly. Crusading armies are well-advised
to seek these out shortly after arriving in the Holy Lands so they can
build armies capable of keeping their ill-gotten gains. Aleppo is less
prominent, but if taken care of it can grow fast enough to serve against
the Mongols-if you have it most of the game previously. Adana is
opportunistically located, but it's far inferior to Caesarea, which is
just a turn or two north of it. With such a superior castle so close
guarding practically the same area, you should endeavor to make it your
front to Asia Minor if at all possible. Nicosia can be useful as a
castle to provide support to Antioch, but in the long run it'll probably
serve better as a city-it'll be hard enough supporting armies around
Antioch without keeping a standing force on Nicosia. Mosul starts as a
castle, but it's not particularly fast-growing or close enough to other
areas to provide an adequate defense. The Turks from the north probably
won't pressure you enough to make anything greater than garrisons
mandatory, and Mosul simply won't stop the Mongols. It's better off as
a city. Since the Mongols are mostly likely going to invade Tbilisi or
Baghdad, shore up your defenses around Antioch. Three strong armies can,
in my experience, withstand the brunt of the Mongol invasion if you wait
around Antioch and guard the bridges, rivers, and mountains passes so as
to force the over-eager Mongols to attack into two-to-one and three-to-
one odds. In practice this works best with factions that possess strong
militias, as Antioch, Adana, Damascus, and Jerusalem can all provide
fresh troops (and retraining). Castle-based factions must rely on
Caesarea, Gaza, and Aleppo for primary defense, recruitment, and
retraining. With any luck the Mongols will bypass Aleppo to attack
Antioch (at least, if you leave a path to Antioch open to lure them in.)
Gaza will need to provide supplementary reinforcements and retraining.
In essence, the Holy Lands are the most difficult to hold areas in the
game. There's plenty of wealth near Antioch, Aleppo, Damascus, Baghdad,
and even some near Jedda, but the primary importance of the Holy Lands
is the one imparted unto it by history-for a faction to properly
conquer the world, many of them must have Jerusalem under their control.
Before you play Egypt or the Turks, and before you send an army to
conquer, just keep in mind, it's not for the faint of heart. The native
Turks and Egyptians aren't half a bother, but the Mongols and Timurids
will make this conquest a bother. It's the most difficult part of the
game, and building up your home region is mostly just in anticipation
to attacking the Holy Lands.
Egypt {RGA014}
o======================================================================o
Suggested Castles/Front: Gaza
Suggested Religious Centers: Alexandria/Cairo
Egypt consists of just four areas, and could just as well be included
as part of the Holy Lands-except they're more prominent as the ancient
lands of antiquity, as.. well, as Egypt. You really only have two easy
options for expansion-into the Holy Lands, which Egypt has more claim to
than any other faction, or by sea. The desert to the west is long and
barren enough to provide a significant barrier to enemies (but keep a
garrison at Alexandria or Cairo, as it's not improbable that Sicily
won't take Tripoli and send an army to Egypt.) To the west the best
defense is Gaza. Either Alexandria or Cairo should become a religious
center, while one of either Alexandria, Cairo, or Dongola should have a
Mercant's Guild, to better exploit the boundless wealth of Egypt.
Ultimately, the survival of the Egyptian territory depends on turning
the Holy Lands into a cash-crop and coastal defense. Crusaders nor
Mongols will be satisfied by just taking the Holy Lands.
o======================================================================o
| |
| HINTS/TIPS {HNT000} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Generally you want to be aggressive in the early going of the game to
seize as much land as possible. Don't dally about waiting for better
forces-train whatever you've got and send it in mass at the enemy. Once
you've taken all the easy-pickings at the beginning, bunker down until
you get your better troops.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Always lead attacking armies with a general, as captain-led armies in
Medieval 2: Total War are prone to defecting. Don't waste the time and
cost of an entire army just because you were too lazy to find a
general to lead them. Keep in mind that generals with less than five
Loyalty are prone to defection as well. A general with four Loyalty
might not readily defect, but any general with less than four is highly
likely to defect.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Generals are strong units that regenerate lost troops over time. If
you have a number of generals just loitering about in towns, group
them up to make a 'general army' and go hunting small armies of enemies
and rebels. This serves a higher purpose than just putting your
resources to good use-it's a good way to build up good traits, too.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Generals can build watch-towers, which greatly expand your line of
sight and help you spot enemy movements. Watch towers are absolutely
vital to keeping your borders secure and anticipating enemy movements.
They also attract rebels, which you can use to keep them clear of
roads, bridges, and vital passes.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Keep strong garrisons and armies at your borders to deter enemy
assaults. Some factions are more aggressive than others, but most will
decide to attack weaker targets if you present a strong presence.
Conversely if you leave yourself open, even relatively docile and
amicable neighbors will turn on you.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Use passive-aggressive tactics to force enemies to fight on your terms.
Siege towns, block roads and bridges, and otherwise provoke the enemy
to attack you whenever possible. This will put you in the role of the
defender, which will make the battle time limit work in your favor and
force the enemy to march on you. This will allow you to position your
army in a strong defensive position.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
When in a defensive position, set your armies up on high ground, with
defensive infantry in front of archers. Four or five units of archers
defended by eight to ten units of infantry will decimate most foes
before they can even close.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Broken enemies might recover and cause you trouble again. If you have
a unit that can pursue the enemy, they will likely never regain their
morale. Drive enemies from the field when you have cavalry or when it
won't leave an infantry unit vulnerable!
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
When auto-calculating battle results, keep in mind that the more
siege equipment you create, the lower casualties you'll suffer in the
attack, so don't let your armies siege idly!
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Enemy generals almost never die when you auto-calculate a battle.
Send in several groups of cavalry to surround enemy generals and
eliminate them for good.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Units inflict more damage when they attack enemy flanks, and even
more still when they attack from the rear. Use faster units to
maximum effect by attacking from the flank or rear when you can,
especially with skirmishers, mounted archers, and cavalry.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Be careful with your siege equipment when attacking cities, forts,
and castles. If all your siege equipment is destroyed you lose the
battle. Also, if you run out of ammunition with your siege weapons,
you'll lose as well.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
When you take a town, you'll get the option to occupy it, massacre
the population, or sack the town. Occupying is what you should
choose in most situations, but if the town has a low public order,
exterminate the population to prevent riots. If you feel you can't
hold onto a town you capture, sack it. This will reduce the
population and destroy most of the buildings. It's not a good option
for a city you plan to keep, but if you know you won't be able to
hold onto it in the long-run, it will at least become unviable for
the enemy for some time, and will take a lot of time and money to
rebuild.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
When you defeat an enemy army, you'll get the option to release,
ransom, or execute any enemies you take prisoner. Ransoming is a
good enough way to make money, and if they don't pay up you can
kill them guilt-free. If you release them, you get to be a nice
guy.. but this is not a good choice, as enemies you set free WILL
fight again. Executing increases your dread, but it does get rid of
the enemies for good.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Ally with the Papal States early. This will make them less likely to
cause you mischief, especially if you're a Catholic faction.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Do not get excommunicated! If the Pope declares a crusade on your
faction, and hostilities begin with the Papal States it will be very
hard to get back in the Pope's good graces.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
If your reputation with the Pope is low, don't lay siege to enemy
cities, as this might cause the Pope to demand you to stop attacking
the faction without you gaining anything. Bring any piece of siege
equipment with your attacking army to siege it automatically. If the
Pope forces you to stop attacking the faction, at least you'll have
gained a new territory first.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
When the Pope issues a Crusade have a general gather a number of
cheap garrison units and join the crusade. Then you can recruit
very cheap crusader mercenaries to bring your crusading army up to
snuff.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Always have a navy ready to transport crusading armies. This avoids
roadblocks and delays which can lead to desertion. Also, it lets
you beat the other factions to the punch.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
When you particpate in a crusade, you gain florins and your crusading
army gains experience. Your generals gain a vast number of beneficial
traits and retinue. Taking generals on campaign is a GREAT way to
train up awesome generals.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Try and request crusades against Orthodox, Muslim, or excommunicated
factions when it is beneficial for you. There's nothing better than
getting the Pope to declare a crusade against a city or castle you
were planning to take anyways, making the job quicker, easier, and
more profitable.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Jihads function in all ways like Crusades, except instead of
requesting one from the Pope you declare one through your Imams. When
eying new territory, it is always a good idea to declare a jihad before
attacking to make the endeavor more profitable and quicker for you.
Note that Jihad mercenaries are not nearly as powerful as Crusade
mercenaries, so have a strong army ready BEFORE you declare a Jihad.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Having trade-rights with other factions allows you to make MUCH more
money per turn with a merchant, so long as you're trading on
resource nodes that are on adjacent territories.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Timbuktu and Arquin are two of the richest resource areas in the
entire game. If you get a chance to sieze them, you'll greatly
increase your earnings.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
When creating merchants, keep in mind that although they do not have
an upkeep, they do have a hefty inital cost of 500 florins. If you
do not make this money back during the life-time of the merchant,
you've wasted florins. I typically keep a 50 florins/turn rule of
thumb for resources.. if the resource doesn't make at least that
much money per turn, it's probably a waste of time to trade it.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Use Spies and Assassins to lower the morale of cities. If a city has
a small garrison, you can send in two Spyies to ferment unrest
(sometimes up to 50 or 60%!). Then assassinate any generals in the
city, and sabotage buildings that increase public order (barracks,
churches, inns, town halls, etc.) Sometimes you can get enemy
cities to rebel, which allows you to reclaim it from the rebels
without angering the original owner of the faction.. providing you
don't get caught. Fortresses tend to be more resilient to this
tactic as they have smaller populations.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
So long as their generals are alive the Mongols and Timurids will
continue to be a pain. Assassins a great way to eliminate pesky
generals, and forming 'hit squads' of generals to chase down and
eliminate theirs.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Gunpowder arrives around turn 100, at which point you'll be able to
train gunpowder units, including cannons and higher-tier navies.
You'll need to build new buildings to gain access to these units,
however.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Weapons that are 'effective against armor' ignore some or all of an
enemies armor bonus to defense. Make use of gunpowder weapons
against heavily armored enemies.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
One Basilisk is all the siege equipment you'll ever need, as this
cannon has the ammunition and power to punch holes through multiple
fortificatons in a single battle.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Black Death usually occurs around turn 120. When you get the
notification that the Black Death is coming, get all of your expensive
armies out of cities and castles and build a fort for them to stay in.
As long as they stay out of all cities and castles, they won't get the
plague, and won't cost you an arm and a leg to retrain them.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
When the Black Death comes, the economy in the game will all but
shut down for several turns. Just wait the plague out and you'll
eventually start earning money again.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Mongols show up between turns 60 and 70 and mostly consist of horse
archers, horsemen, and foot archer/infantry hybrids. For some reason,
their cavalry is matched unfairly against most other cavalries, no
matter how good their stats match up.. at least from what I've noticed,
attacking Mongolian cavalry head-on with other cavalry is an effort
doomed to result in heavy casualties. They also get very powerful
Elephant troops. Being honest, I've not found a good way to deal with
Mongols, as they are a match for pretty much any faction's army. I
typically deal with the Mongols by having many armies in the vicinity as
possible. I typically make my stand at Antioch, blocking off all the
access routes, and auto-calculating the engagements when I can match
multiple armies against them.. eventually I win the war of attrition
against their superior units, great generals, and the fact that they
have no upkeep.. I never said it was easy.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Mongols enter the world map in three main areas (although their
exact point of entry may vary a bit, their routes will not.) Sarkel,
Tbilisi, and Baghdad. If they invade Sarkel they will continue across
Russia, sacking the eastern territories. This is bad for Russia and
Poland in the short run, as the Mongols will most likely be too
powerful for either one to withstand (especially if you're warring off
in other territories!) Although it's rare, I've seen the Mongols spread
as far east as Budapest. If they invade near Tbilisi, they will sack the
aforementioned territory and continue on until the reach Antioch. After
they capture it, they'll proceed to conquer the Holy Lands and Asia
Minor (although their progress into the latter is usually secondary to
the former.) If they appear near Baghdad, they'll also move onto
Antioch. Both routes are horrible if you're the Turks and especially
Egypt. It's a long-shot that by turn 68 either one of those two factions
will have built up enough troops in Asia Minor/the Holy Lands to repel
a Mongol invasion, and in the long term the Mongols will proceed across
Africa to assault the notoriously hard-to-support Tripoli. They'll also
get around to Constantinople, given time, but they'll likely attack as
part of a jihad before they reach Constantinople by sheer expansion.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The best way to neutralize Mongol armies (besides trying to fight them
three or four armies to one) is to lead with good generals. In a recent
play as England I was able to defeat Mongol armies decisively with two-
on-one, one-on-one, and two-on-two engagements. My king led the armies
(after successfully crusading against Jerusalem) and ended with 6 stars
of Command. After a few victories against the Mongols he was a 10 star
general and didn't lose any battles against Mongols when he fought a
force of equal size. If you take on a Mongol army that has a powerful
general with a captain, expect to experience some difficulties. Within
twenty years my king had exterminated the Mongols while controlling
only the two fortresses of Gaza and Acre from which troops could be
recruited. Not bad.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------->
The Timurids show up very late in the game.. which is fortunate, since
odds are you'll have won before they appear. They have forces similar to
the Mongols but with one brutal difference: Their elephant units have
cannons mounted on them, and are incredibly, outstandingly, decisively
powerful units that are VERY hard to kill. Of course, if you let
Mongols sieze a homeland and climb the tech tree they'll get these
units too.
o======================================================================o
| |
| Updates/Thanks {UPD000} |
| |
o======================================================================o
Version 1.0 to 1.01 changes (5/3/2010)
o=o Added the "Hints/Tips" section.
o=o Corrected numerous grammatical errors.
o=o Tweaked several rankings.
o======================================================================o
Version 1.01 to 1.02 changes (3/4/2011)
o=o Added the "Guilds" section.
o=o Added the "Regional Advice" section.
o=o Fixed more typos and other grammatical errors. | eng | 3fcd507d-8c23-4c2d-95e9-c67950e5442b | http://faq.cheatcodes.com/pc/medieval-ii-total-war/94844/ |
Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Joshua Sondheim (born March 22, 1930) is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple (eight, more than any other composer) including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City
In addition to theatre, he has contributed to movies as well, including the 1981.
He was also president of the Dramatists Guild from 1973 to 1981. On September 15, 2010, in honor of his 80th birthday, thewas renamed the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in his honor. He is also the only living composer with a quarterly journal published in his name.
Early years
Sondheim was born to a Jewish family in New York City, to Etta Janet (née Fox) and Herbert Sondheim. He grew up on the Upper West Side
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River and between West 59th Street and West 125th StreetDoylestown is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 8,380. The borough is the county seat of Bucks County.- History :...
. Herbert was a dress manufacturer and Foxy, his mother, designed the dresses. As an only child of well-to-do parents living in the San Remo
The San Remo
The San Remo is a luxury, 27-floor, co-operative apartment building in New York City located between 74th and 75th streets, about 1/10 of a mile north of the Dakota building The San Remo is described by Glen Justice of the New York Times as "a dazzling two-tower building with captivating views... journalist...
's biography, Stephen Sondheim: A Life, as having had an isolated and emotionally neglected childhood. While living in New York, Sondheim attended the Ethical Culture
Ethical Culture
The Ethical movement, also referred to as the Ethical Culture movement or simply Ethical Culture, is an ethical, educational, and religious movement that is usually traced back to Felix Adler...
New York Military Academy, or NYMA, is an American private boarding school located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. It was founded in 1889 by Charles Jefferson Wright, a Civil War veteran and former school teacher from New Hampshire who believed that a military structure provided the best... where he wrote his first musical ("By George!"). He also spent several summers at Camp Androscoggin
Camp Androscoggin
Camp Androscoggin is an all-boys summer camp in Wayne, Maine, and one of the oldest in the state. It is ACA accredited. It was founded in 1906 by Edward M...
Very Warm for May is a musical composed by Jerome Kern, with a libretto by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was the team's final score for Broadway, following their hits Show Boat, Sweet Adeline, and Music in the Air...
, a Broadway musical he saw at age nine. "The curtain went up and revealed a piano," Sondheim recalled. "A butler took a duster and brushed it up, tinkling the keys. I thought that was thrilling."
When Stephen was ten, his father, a distant figure, abandoned him and his mother. His father sought custody of Stephen, but because he had left Fox for another woman (Alicia), his efforts failed. Herbert and Alicia had two sons together. In his interview with Meryle Secrest Sondheim explained how his childhood was lonely. " I was what they call an institutionalized child, meaning one who has no contact with any kind of family. You're in, though it's luxurious, you're in a n environment that supplies you with everything but human contact. No brothers and sisters, no parents, and yet plenty to eat, and friends to play with and a warm bed, you know?"
Stephen famously despised his mother; he once wrote a thank-you note to close friend Mary Rodgers
Mary Rodgers
Mary Rodgers is an American composer of musicals and an author of children's books. She is a daughter of composer Richard Rodgers and his wife, Dorothy Rodgers, as is her sister, Linda Rodgers Emory...
that read, "Dear Mary and Hank, Thanks for the plate, but where was my mother's head? Love, Steve." When his mother died in the spring of 1992, he did not attend her funeral. His mother was allegedly psychologically abusive and distant, using Sondheim as a form of replacement for his father. Sondheim recalls "She would hold my hand in theatres." Sondheim said, "My mother was very angry at my father for leaving her, and she used me as a whipping boy. And she also had a set of values that even at that age I knew were suspect, in that she liked celebrities and money a lot. And, in a way, it was lucky for me, because I never would have met the Hammersteins if she hadn't liked celebrities. They had a son my age, Jamie, and we became fast friends, and that's how I sort of got adopted by them."
Mentored by Oscar Hammerstein II
At about the age of ten, around the time of his parents' divorce, Sondheim became friends with Jamie Hammerstein, son of the lyricist and playwright. The elder Hammerstein became Sondheim's surrogate father, and had a profound influence on him, especially in developing a love for musical theatre. It was at the opening of Hammerstein's musicalHarold Smith Prince is an American theatrical producer and director associated with many of the best-known Broadway musical productions of the past half-century...
, who would later direct many of Sondheim's shows. While at George School
George School, Sondheim wrote a comic musical based on the goings-on of his school, entitled By George. It was a major success among his peers, and it considerably buoyed the young songwriter's ego; he took it to Hammerstein, and asked him to evaluate it as though he had no knowledge of its author. Hammerstein said it was the worst thing he had ever seen. "But if you want to know why it's terrible," Hammerstein offered, "I'll tell you." The rest of the day was spent going over the musical, and Sondheim would later say that "in that afternoon I learned more about songwriting and the musical theater than most people learn in a lifetime."
Thus began one of the most famous apprenticeships in the musical theatre, as Hammerstein designed a kind of course for Sondheim on the construction of a musical. This training primarily involved having Sondheim write four musicals, each with one of the following preconditions:High Tor is a 1936 play by Maxwell Anderson. Twenty years after the original production, Anderson adapted it into a television musical with Arthur Schwartz.-Play:...
;
Based on an existing novel or short story not previously dramatized (which became his unfinishedMary Poppins is a Walt Disney Theatrical musical based on the similarly titled series of children's books by P. L. Travers and the Disney 1964 film. The West End production opened in December 2004 and received two Olivier Awards, one for Best Actress in a Musical and the other for Best Theatre...
The Sherman Brothers are an American songwriting duo that specialize in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman ....
);
An original (which became Climb High).
None of these "assignment" musicals were ever produced professionally. High Tor and Mary Poppins have never been produced at all; the rights holder for the original High Tor refused permission and his musical Mary Poppins was not finished.fraternity. His first teacher at Williams was Robert Barrow, and according to Sondheim
...everybody hated him because he was very dry, and I thought he was wonderful because he was very dry. And Barrow made me realize that all my romantic views of art were nonsense. I had always thought an angel came down and sat on your shoulder and whispered in your ear 'dah-dah-dah-DUM.' Never occurred to me that art was something worked out. And suddenly it was skies opening up. As soon as you find out what a leading tone
Leading-tone
In music theory, a leading-note is a note or pitch which resolves or "leads" to a note one semitone higher or lower, being a lower and upper leading-tone, respectively....is—Oh my God! The logic of it. And, of course, what that meant to me was: Well, I can do that. Because you just don't know. You think it's a talent, you think you're born with this thing. What I've found out and what I believed is that everybody is talented. It's just that some people get it developed and some don't. journalist...
, "I just wanted to study composition, theory, and harmony without the attendant musicology that comes in graduate school. But I knew I wanted to write for the theatre, so I wanted someone who did not disdain theatre music. Milton, who was a frustrated show composer, was a perfect combination." Babbitt and Sondheim were both fascinated with mathematics and together they studied songs by various composers, especially. Sondheim told Secrest that Kern had the ability "to develop a single motif through tiny variations into a long and never boring line and his maximum development of the minimum of material." Sondheim then said of Babbitt, "I am his maverick, his one student who went into the popular arts with all his serious artillery."resources for yourself yet, so I'm not going to teach you
atonal." Sondheim agreed, and despite frequent dissonance
Consonance and dissonance
In music, a consonance is a harmony, chord, or interval considered stable, as opposed to a dissonance , which is considered to be unstable...
Diatonic and chromatic are terms in music theory that are most often used to characterize scales, and are also applied to intervals, chords, notes, musical styles, and kinds of harmony...
.
Broadway lyricist
"A few painful years of struggle" followed for Sondheim, during which he continually auditioned songs, living in his father's dining room to save money; he also spent time in Hollywood writing for the television series Topper
Topper (TV series). He devoured 1940s and '50s films and has called cinema his "basic language." (His film knowledge got him through The $64,000 Question contestant tryouts.) Sondheim has expressed his dislike of movie musicals, favoring classic dramas like, and A Matter of Life and Death. He adds that "studio directors like Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz was an Academy award winning Hungarian-American film director. He had early creditsas Mihály Kertész and Michael Kertész...
Saturday Night is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and the book by brothers Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein, based on their play, Front Porch in Flatbush....
, which was never produced on Broadway and was shelved until a 1997 production at London's Bridewell Theatre. In 1998 Saturday Night received a professional recording, followed by a revised version with two new songs and an Off-Broadway run at Second Stage Theatre
Second Stage Theatre. "I don't have any emotional reaction to 'Saturday Night' at all -- except fondness," Sondheim says. "It's not bad stuff for a 23-year-old. There are some things that embarrass me so much in the lyrics -- the missed accents, the obvious jokes. But I decided, Leave it. It's my baby pictures. You don't touch up a baby picture -- you're a baby!"Arthur Laurents was an American playwright, stage director and screenwriter.After writing scripts for radio shows after college and then training films for the U.S...
's book. When he was 25, Sondheim was introduced to Bernstein, who had heard Saturday Night and quickly hired him to write the lyrics to West Side Story. The 1957 show, directed by ran for 732 performances. While this may be one of the best-known shows Sondheim ever worked on, he has expressed dissatisfaction with his lyrics, stating they do not always fit the characters and are sometimes too consciously poetic. It has been rumored that while Bernstein was off trying to fix the musical Candide
Candide (operetta), Sondheim wrote some of the music for West Side Story, and that Bernstein's co-lyricist billing credit mysteriously disappeared from the credits of West Side Story during the tryout, presumably as a trade-off. Sondheim himself insisted that Bernstein told the producers to list Sondheim as the sole lyricist. Sondheim would have liked to write the music as well, but, the star, insisted on a composer with a track record. Thus,was hired. Sondheim questioned if he should write only the lyrics for another show, but Hammerstein told him writing for a star would be valuable experience. Sondheim worked closely with book writer Arthur Laurents to create the show. It ran 702 performances.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart....
. It opened in 1962 and ran 964 performances. The book, based on the farces of PlautusLarry Simon Gelbart was an American television writer, playwright, screenwriter and author.-Early life:...
. Sondheim's score was not especially well received at the time. Even though the show including best musical, Sondheim did not even receive a nomination. In addition, some critics felt the songs were not properly integrated into the farcical action.
At this point, Sondheim had participated in three straight hits. His next show ended the streak. Anyone Can Whistle
Anyone Can Whistle. He has said that this is the one project he has regretted. In 1966, he semi-anonymously provided the lyric for "The Boy From...
The Boy From...
"The Boy From..." is a song with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and music by Mary Rodgers. It was originally performed by Linda Lavin in a 1966 Off-Broadway revue entitled The Mad Show..... (The official songwriting credit went to the linguistically minded pseudonym "Esteban Rio Nido", which translates from the Spanish to "Stephen River Nest". In the show's playbill
Programme (booklet) with Bernstein.
Collaborations with Hal Prince (1970–1981)
After the completion of Do I Hear a Waltz, Sondheim has devoted himself to both composing and writing lyrics for a series of varied and adventurous musicals, beginning with the innovative "concept musical
Concept musical. He also displays a penchant for angular harmonies and intricate melodies. His musical influences are varied; Sondheim has claimed that he "loves Bach" but his favorite period isHarold Smith Prince is an American theatrical producer and director associated with many of the best-known Broadway musical productions of the past half-century...
on six musicals between 1970 and 1981. Company (1970) centered on a set of characters and themes rather than a straightforward plot. Follies
Follies, was one of his greatest successes. Time magazine called it "Sondheim's most brilliant accomplishment to date." Notably, the score was mostly composed in waltz time
Time signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
(either ¾ time, or multiples thereof.) Further success was accorded to A Little Night Music when "Send in the Clowns" became a hit single for University of Colorado.-Musical career:Collins was born and raised in Seattle, Washington...
. Although it was Sondheim's only Top 40 hit, his songs are frequently performed and recorded by cabaret artists and theatre singers in their solo careers.on November 23, 1975 and closed on December 7, 1975. It ran for 40 previews and 17 performances. The lyrics and music were with additional lyrics from other lyricists, including Sondheim. It was conceived and written by Betty Comden
Betty Comdenand Norman L. Berman. The production was directed by Michael Bawtree with a cast of Jack Bittner, Margery Cohen, Jim Corti, Ed Dixon
Ed Dixon
Ed Dixon is an American character actor, playwright and composer, who has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including No, No, Nanette, King of Schnorrers, The Three Musketeers, Les Misérables, Cyrano, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Iceman Cometh, The Best Man, How the Grinch Stole Christmas ,... was the most non-traditional of the Sondheim—Prince collaborations, an intellectual exploration of the westernization of Japan. Sweeney Todd (1979), Sondheim's most operatic score and(which, along with A Little Night Music, has been seen in opera houses), once again explores an unlikely topic, this time murderous revenge and cannibalism
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh of other human beings. It is also called anthropophagyGeorge Furth was an American librettist, playwright, and actor.-Biography:Furth was born George Schweinfurth in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Evelyn and George Schweinfurth...
, is one of Sondheim's more "traditional" scores and was thought to hold potential to generate some hit songs (Frankeach recorded a different song from the show). Sondheim's music director, Paul Gemignani
Paul Gemignani
Paul Gemignani is an award-winning American musical director with a career on Broadway and West End theatre spanning over thirty years.-Life and career:...
, said, "Part of Steve's ability is this extraordinary versatility." Merrily, however, was a 16-performance flop. "Merrily did not succeed, but its score endures thanks to subsequent productions and recordings. According to Martin Gottfried
Martin Gottfried
-Early career:Gottfried is a 1959 graduate of Columbia College in New York City, and attended Columbia Law School for three semesters, next spending one year with U.S. Army Military Intelligence...
, "Sondheim had set out to write traditional songs... But [despite] that there is nothing ordinary about the music." Sondheim and Furth have extensively revised the show since its initial opening.
In the late nineties, Sondheim reunited with Hal Prince for the musical comedy Wise Guys, a project that took a long time to complete that follows brothers Addison
Addison Mizner
Addison Cairns Mizner was an American resort architect whose Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival style interpretations left an indelible stamp on South Florida, where it continues to inspire architects and land developers. In the 1920s Mizner was the best-known and most-discussedwas announced for Spring 2000, the New York debut of the musical was delayed. Rechristened Bounce in 2003, the show was mounted at the Goodman Theatre
Goodman Theatre
The Goodman Theatre is a professional theater company located in Chicago's Loop. A major part of Chicago theatre, it is the city's oldest currently active nonprofit theater organization...
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C...
in Washington, D.C.. Bounce received disappointing reviews and never reached Broadway. A revised version of Bounce premiered off-Broadway at The Public Theater under the new name Road Show from October 28, 2008 through December 28, 2008, under the direction of John Doyle
John Doyle (director)
John.
Collaborations with John Weidman (1976–) had music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by John Weidman. It opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre
Winter Garden Theatre
The Winter Garden Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 1634 Broadway in midtown Manhattan.-History:The structure was built by William Kissam Vanderbilt in 1896 to be the American Horse Exchange....
on January 11, 1976, and closed after 193 performances on June 27, 1976(1990) with music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Weidman. The show opened off-Broadway at the Playwrights Horizons
Playwrights Horizons
Playwrights Horizons is a not-for-profit Off-Broadway theater located in New York City dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers, and lyricists, and to the production of their new work....
on December 18, 1990, and closed on February 16, 1991 after 73 performances. The idea came from when Sondheim was a panelist at producer Stuart Ostrow's Musical Theater Lab, and he read a script by playwright Charles Gilbert. Sondheim asked Gilbert for permission to use his idea. Gilbert consented and offered to write the book; but Sondheim declined, having already had collaborator John Weidman in mind.
Weidman would also write the book for Road Show, with music and lyrics by Sondheim.
Collaborations with James Lapine (1984–1994)
The failure of Merrily greatly affected Sondheim; he was ready to quit theatre and do movies or create video games or write mysteries. He was later quoted as saying, "I wanted to find something to satisfy myself that does not involve Broadway and dealing with all those people who hate me and hate Hal." The collaboration between Sondheim and Prince would largely end after Merrily – until the 2003 production of Bounce, another failure.
However, instead of quitting the theatre following the failure of Merrily, Sondheim decided "that there are better places to start a show", and found a new collaborator in the "artsy"for Sunday in the Park with George. It is one of only nine musicals to receive this prestigious award. The show had its first revival on Broadway in 2008.
The Sondheim–Lapine collaboration also produced a musical reimagining classic fairy-tales(1994).
Later work
Regarding his interest in writing new work, Sondheim was quoted in a 2006 Time Out: London interview as saying, "No... In December 2007, however, Sondheim said that, along with continued work on Bounce, he was "nibbling at a couple of things with John Weidman
John Weidman."
Lapine created a "multimedia revue", formerly titled Sondheim: a Musical Revue, which had been scheduled to premiere in April 2009 at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia. However, that production was canceled, due to "difficulties encountered by the commercial producers attached to the project...in raising the necessary funds". A revised version, Sondheim on Sondheim
Sondheim on Sondheim a limited engagement from March 19, 2010 in previews, opening April 22 through June 13. The cast featured Barbara Cook
Barbara Cook
Barbara Cook is an American singer and actress who first came to prominence in the 1950s after starring in the original Broadway musicals Candide and The Music Man among others, winning a Tony Award for the latter...
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss AmericaLeslie Kritzer is an award-winning Broadway actress. She is from Livingston, New Jersey.-Biography:Kritzer, a 1999 graduate of the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, has also appeared on Broadway in Hairspray and was the character Serena in Legally Blonde The Musical...
.
Conversation with Frank Rich
On April 28, 2002, during the Sondheim Celebration at the Kennedy Center, Sondheim and Frank Rich
Frank Rich
Frank Rich is an American essayist and op-ed columnist who wrote for The New York Times from 1980, when he was appointed its chief theatre critic, until 2011...
of the New York Times held a "conversation". In March 2008, Sondheim and Rich appeared in four interviews/conversations in California andtitled "A Little Night Conversation with Stephen Sondheim". In September 2008, they appeared atOberlin is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States, to the south and west of Cleveland. Oberlin is perhaps best known for being the home of Oberlin College, a liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students...
The Cleveland Jewish News is a weekly Jewish newspaper headquartered in Beachwood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The newspaper contains local, national, and international news of Jewish interest.It was formed in 1964...
reported on the Oberlin event, writing: "Sondheim said: 'Movies are photographs; the stage is larger than life.' What musicals does Sondheim admire the most?, which he saw six times. Sondheim took a dim view of today's musicals. What works now, he said, are musicals that are easy to take; audiences don't want to be challenged." Sondheim and Rich had more conversations on January 18, 2009 at on February 21, 2009 at the Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and on April 20, 2009 at the University of Akron College of Fine and Applied Arts, EJ Thomas Hall, Ohio. The conversations were reprised at Tufts and Brown Universities in February 2010 and the University of Tulsa in April 2010. They spoke again) at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on February 4, 2009, during which he spoke of many of his songs and shows. "On the perennial struggles of Broadway: 'I don't see any solution for Broadway's problems except subsidized theatre, as in most civilized countries of the world.'"
The Salt Lake Tribune is the largest-circulated daily newspaper in the U.S. city of Salt Lake City. It is distributed by Newspaper Agency Corporation, which also distributes the Deseret News. The Tribune — or "Trib," as it is locally known — is currently owned by the Denver-based MediaNews Group....
's former theatre critic Nancy Melich in front of an audience of 1200 at the Kingsbury Hall
Kingsbury Hall
Kingsbury Hall is a center for the performing arts located on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Utah.-History:Kingsbury Hall was built in 1930. It was named after Joseph T. Kingsbury, former president of the University. Many of Utah's performing arts organizations started in...
. Melich said of the night
He was visibly taken by the university choir, who sang two songs during the evening, 'Children Will Listen' and 'Sunday', and then returned to reprise 'Sunday'. During that final moment, Sondheim and I were standing, facing the choir of students from's opera program, our backs to the audience, and I could see tears welling in his eyes as the voices rang out. Then, all of a sudden, he raised his arms and began conducting, urging the student singers to go full out, which they did, the crescendo building, their eyes locked with his, until the final 'on an ordinary Sunday' was sung. It was thrilling, and a perfect conclusion to a remarkable evening—nothing ordinary about it.
Work away from Broadway
Sondheim's career has been varied, encompassing much beyond the composition of musicals.New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
. In 1987, Time referred to his love of puzzlemaking as "legendary in theater circles," adding that the centralwas inspired by Sondheim. (There was a rumor that Sleuth was given the working title Who's Afraid of Stephen Sondheim?, but in a New York Times interview on March 10, 1996, Shaffer denied ever using the title.) Sondheim's love of puzzles and mysteries can also be seen in the intricate "whodunit" he co-wrote with longtime friend Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins was an American actor, best known for his Oscar-nominated role in Friendly Persuasion and as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho , and its three sequels.-Early life:...Richard Benjamin is an American actor and film director. He has starred in a number of productions, including Goodbye, Columbus , based on the novella by Philip Roth, and Westworld .-Life and career:...
.
He tried his hand at playwriting one more time – in 1996 he collaborated with. It was not a success, and the Broadway production closed after 29 previews and 17 performances.
His compositional efforts have included a number of film scores, notably a set of songs written forUnfinished/canceled works
Mahagonny-Songspiel, also known as The Little Mahagonny, is a "small-scale 'scenic cantata'" written by the composer Kurt Weill and the dramatist Bertolt Brecht in 1927...
, although he did not state the time. He said, "But, I'm not a Brecht/Weill fan and that's really all there is to it. I'm an apostate: I like Weill's music when he came to America better than I do his stuff before.... I love The Threepenny Opera but, outside of The Threepenny Opera, the music of his I like is the stuff he wrote in America – when he was not writing with Brecht, when he was writing for Broadway." He was also asked to musicalize Nathanael West
Nathanael West
Nathanael West was a US author, screenwriter and satirist.- Early life :William Goldman is an American novelist, playwright, and Academy Award-winning screenwriter.-Early life and education:...
on Singing Out Loud, a movie musical, in 1992. Sondheim stated that Goldman wrote one or two drafts of the script and Sondheim wrote six and a half songs, only to have directorlose interest in the project. The songs Dawn and Sand from the project were recorded for the albums Sondheim at the Movies and Unsung Sondheim. Sondheim and scheduled to play at the Lincoln Center in 1969, but whenleft the project, it went unproduced. Sondheim also wrote some new songs for a proposedfilm, including one entitled Rainbows, which Sondheim said will be in his second book (to be published in October 2011). The project never got further than a readthrough.on a musical entitled All Together Now. McNally said, "Steve was interested in telling the story of a relationship from the present back to the moment when the couple first met. We worked together a while, but we were both involved with so many other projects that this one fell through". The script, with concept notes by McNally and Sondheim, is archived in the Harry Ransom Humanities ResearchBooks
Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes is a book by American musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim...
(2010), a collection of his lyrics "from productions dating 1954–1981. In addition to published and unpublished lyrics from West Side Story, Follies and Company, the tome finds Sondheim discussing his relationship with Oscar Hammerstein II and his collaborations with composers, actors and directors throughout his lengthy career." This book, part one of a two part series, is named after a song he wrote for Sunday in the Park With George. Sondheim said "It's going to be long. I'm not, by nature, a prose writer, but I'm literate, and I have a couple of people who are vetting it for me, whom I trust, who are excellent prose writers." Finishing the Hat was published in October 2010. The review of the book in The New York Times stated that "The lyrics under consideration here, written during a 27-year period, aren't presented as fixed and sacred paradigms, carefully removed from tissue paper for our reverent inspection. They're living, evolving, flawed organisms, still being shaped and poked and talked to by the man who created them." The book was number 11 on The New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction list for November 5, 2010.
The follow-up book, Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981–2011) with With Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany was released on November 22, 2011. The book begins with Sunday in the Park With George, where Finishing the Hat stopped, and includes sections on his work in movies and television.
Julius J. Epstein was an American screenwriter, who had a long career, best remembered for the adaptation - in partnership with his twin brother, Philip, and others - of the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's that became the screenplay for the film Casablanca , for which its team of writers...
Philip G. Epstein was an American screenwriter most known for his adaptation in partnership with his twin brother, Julius, and others, of the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's which became the Academy Award-winning screenplay of the film Casablanca .Epstein was born in New York City andJohn Dexter was an English theatre, opera, and film director.- Theatre :Born in Derby, England, Dexter left school at the age of fourteen to serve in the British army during World War II. Following the war, he began working as a stage actor before turning to producing and directing shows forJames Goldman was an American screenwriter and playwright, and the brother of screenwriter and novelist William Goldman.He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up primarily in Highland Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb and Passion. He has frequently collaborated with Stephen Sondheim and William Finn.-Biography:Lapine was born in Mansfield, Ohio and graduatedJerry Zaks is a German-born American stage and television director, and actor. He won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play and Drama Desk Award for directing The House of Blue Leaves, Lend Me A Tenor, and Six Degrees of Separation and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and Dramaarry Me A Little is a musical with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman René. The revue sets songs cut from Sondheim's better-known musicals to a dialogue-free plot about the relationship between two lonely New York single people, who are in emotional conflict(2010) are anthologies or revues of Sondheim's work as composer and lyricist, featuring both songs performed and cut from productions. Jerome Robbins' Broadway
Jerome Robbins' Broadway
Jerome Robbins' Broadway is an anthology comprising musical numbers from earlier shows that were either directed or choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Robbins won his fifth Tony Award for direction of the show....
features "You Gotta Have a Gimmick" from Gypsy, "Suite of Dances" from West Side Story
West Side Story
West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart....
. A new revue, Secret Sondheim ... a celebration of his lesser known work, conceived and directed by Tim McArthur, plays the Jermyn Street Theatre
Jermyn Street TheatreHot Spot is a musical with the book by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, lyrics by Martin Charnin, music by Mary Rodgers, and additional lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim. It had a brief run on Broadway in 1963...
Mary Rodgers is an American composer of musicals and an author of children's books. She is a daughter of composer Richard Rodgers and his wife, Dorothy Rodgers, as is her sister, Linda Rodgers EmoryMary Rodgers is an American composer of musicals and an author of children's books. She is a daughter of composer Richard Rodgers and his wife, Dorothy Rodgers, as is her sister, Linda Rodgers EmoryTwigs is a play by George Furth, with incidental music by Stephen Sondheim.It consists of four vignettes involving three sisters and their mother, each focusing on one of the women as she confronts various issues with the man in her life. Emily is a recent widow, relocating to a new apartment, who...
Candide is an operetta with music composed by Leonard Bernstein, based on the novella of the same name by Voltaire. The operetta was first performed in 1956 with a libretto by Lillian Hellman; but since 1974 it has been generally performed with a book by Hugh Wheeler which is more faithful to...
– Second Version (1974) (new lyrics by Sondheim; original lyrics John Latouche, Jerry Leiber, and Stephen Sondheim; written and conceived by Comden and Green, with Michael Bawtree, Norman L. Berman and the Chelsea Theatre Center.
Mary Rodgers is an American composer of musicals and an author of children's books. She is a daughter of composer Richard Rodgers and his wife, Dorothy Rodgers, as is her sister, Linda Rodgers Emory...(1996 on Broadway), a "comedy thriller" (non-musical play), co-written with George Furth.(2007), incidental music for a Public Theatre production of thetragedy, composed with orchestrator Michael Starobin. The production was directed by
Film and TV the romance between Ella, a department store denizen, and Charles, a poet who decides to live in the department store after renouncing the world. Four songs, including the cabaret standard "Take Me To The World" and the well-loved, if lesser-known, ballad "I Remember".The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
June Moon is a play by George S. Kaufman and Ring Lardner. Based on the Lardner short story "Some Like Them Cold," about a love affair that loses steam before it ever gets started, it includes songs with words and music by Lardner but is not considered a musical per se.At its center is Fred...
George Simon Kaufman was an American playwright, theatre director and producer, humorist, and drama critic. In addition to comedies and political satire, he wrote several musicals, notably for the Marx BrothersStavisky... is a 1974 French film drama based on the life of the financier and embezzler Alexandre Stavisky and the circumstances leading to his mysterious death in 1934. This gave rise to a political scandal known as the Stavisky Affair, which led to fatal riots in Paris, the resignation of two...
(1974).
In 1976 Sondheim appeared, together with theatre critic Frank Rich, John Weidman (book for Pacific Overtures) and members of the original cast of Pacific Overtures in a television program titled "Anatomy of a Song." Sondheim plays piano as cast sings the song "Someone in a Tree". Sondheim discusses his working methods, the genesis of the show, and names "Someone in a Tree" his favorite song to date., (1977) a movie adaptation of the stage work. Several of Sondheim's songs were dropped for the film version. However, he wrote a completely new song entitled "The Glamorous Life" to take the place of the song by the same name from the stage version. Sondheim also wrote new lyrics to "Night Waltz."
Warren Beatty born March 30, 1937) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and director. He has received a total of fourteen Academy Award nominations, winning one forCamp is a 2003 American independent musical film written and directed by Todd Graff, about an upstate New York performing arts summer camp. The film is based on Graff's own experiences at a similar camp called Stagedoor Manor. The film was released in 2003 by IFC Films.-Plot:The film centers on theYokel Chords" is the fourteenth episode of the eighteenth season of The Simpsons, which was originally broadcast on March 4, 2007. It was written by Michael Price, and directed by Susie Dietter. Guest starring Meg Ryan as Dr. Swanson, Peter Bogdanovich as a psychiatrist and Andy Dick, James...
" as himself (2007).
Sweeney Todd, (2007) a movie adaptation of the stage work, made with Sondheim's participation and approval, was directed by All choral numbers were cut to focus more on the primary characters. The movie, in the USA and abroad, grossed over $150 million.
Follies (2012), in pre-production is the film of Sondheim's Follies, with a script by Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin.
Sondheim is mentioned in the first Smokey and the Bandit movie by Sally Field
Sally Fieldat 56.05 into the movie she says he has really revolutionized the American Musical Theater; Burt Reynolds asked who he was.
Honors and awards
Sondheim at 80
Several benefits and concerts were performed to celebrate Sondheim's 80th birthday in 2010. Among them were's Sondheim: The Birthday Concert, which was held March 15 and 16, 2010 at Lincoln Center's The concert included Sondheim music and songs performed, in some cases, by the original performers.Jennifer Lin Colella is an American actress and singer, best known for her work in Broadway musicals.Jenn Colella has been a familiar face in the New York theatre scene since starring as Sissy in Urban Cowboy on Broadway, for which she received an Outer Critic's Circle Award Nomination.Since then,...George Hearn is an American actor and singer, primarily in Broadway musical theatre.-Early years:Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Hearn studied philosophy at Southwestern at Memphis, now Rhodes College before he embarked on a career in the theater, training for the stage with actress turned actingKaren Olivo is a stage and television actress, who is known for originating the role of Vanessa in the Tony Award–winning musical In the Heights both on and off Broadway. She won her Tony Award for her performance as Anita in the revival of West Side Story...
Laura Ann Osnes is an American stage actress, and the winner of the role of "Sandy" on the televised Grease: You're the One that I Want! competition. She played Sandy in the 2007 Broadway run of Grease, which opened August 19, 2007, starring alongside the other winner, Max Crumm, who played theMaria Riccetto is an Uruguayan ballet dancer and a soloist with American Ballet Theatre .-Biography:Ms. Riccetto was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and began studying ballet at the Uruguay National Ballet School in 1990. She was hired as a professional dancer in 1995 by the national ballet company,...also made a special appearance to pay tribute to his longtime collaborator. The concert was telecast on the PBS "Great Performances" show during November 2010, and the DVD of the performance was released on November 16, 2010.benefit Sondheim 80 was held on March 22, 2010. The evening included a performance of Sondheim on Sondheim, plus dinner and a show at the New York Sheraton. There was "a very personal star-studded musical tribute" with new songs by contemporary musical theatre writers. The composers, who sang their own songs, included Tom Kitt
Tom Kitt
Tom Kitt is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He served as a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South constituency from 1987 to 2011. He also served as Government Chief Whip from 2004–08.-Early and private life: Lopez is an American composer and lyricist of musicals best known for co-writing the Broadway musical Avenue Q and for co-creating the musical The Book of Mormon, receiving Tony Awards for both works....birthday celebration and benefit concert on April 26, 2010 featured (in order of appearance): Michael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He has performed in many stage musicals and plays, including in several Stephen Sondheim musicals: Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Road Show, and PassionBradley Darryl "BD" Wong is an American actor, best-known for his roles as Dr. George Huang on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as Father Ray Mukada on HBO's Oz, Henry Wu in the movie Jurassic Park, and for his starring role as Song Liling in the Broadway production of M...
Alexander Hanson is a British stage actor who has appeared in numerous plays and musicals in the West End, and recently on Broadway.-Personal life:Hanson is an alumnus of Guildhall School of Music and DramaKim Crosby is a NASCAR Busch Series driver and professional driving instructor. Before she became a NASCAR driver, she served as a middle school principal, resigning in December 2004 to focus full-time on her racing career.Crosby originally was a drag racer, competing in the NHRA and IHRA for. During the concert, greetings were read. These greetings were written by: Sheila"Not a Day Goes By" is the title of a song written by Maribeth Derry and Steve Diamond, and recorded by American country music band Lonestar. It was released in January 2002 as the fourth and final single from their album, I'm Already ThereBarbara Cook is an American singer and actress who first came to prominence in the 1950s after starring in the original Broadway musicals Candide and The Music Man among others, winning a Tony Award for the latterwere originally scheduled to perform, but withdrew from the concert. One of the beneficiaries of the concert was Young Playwrights Inc.
On July 31, 2010, a BBC Proms concert was held to celebrate Sondheim's 80th Birthday London. It featured songs from many of his musicals, including a performance of "Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music
A Little Night Music(reprising her role as Desirée from the 1995 production of that musical), and performances from many other stars of opera, Broadway, stage and screen, including Bryn Terfel
Bryn TerfelMarilyn Maye is an American cabaret singer and musical theatre actress. She began her career as a young child performing in Kansas in both live concerts and on the radio. After graduating from high school, she moved to Chicago where she drew the attention of Steve Allen, performing first on The...
Alexander Cesare Gemignani is a Broadway actor and tenor. Gemignani was raised in Tenafly, New Jersey and is a graduate of the University of Michigan's Musical Theater Department...
were all on hand to sing songs including "I Remember", "Another Hundred People", "Children Will Listen", and "Getting Married Today". Sondheim made an on-stage appearance during the concert's encore of his song "Old Friends".
The American Academy of Arts and Letters is a 250-member honor society; its goal is to "foster, assist, and sustain excellence" in American literature, music, and art. Located in Washington Heights, a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan in New York, it shares Audubon Terrace, its Beaux Arts campus on...
The Meadows School of the Arts is an art institute in Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas, USA. It is known for its professional music, dance, theatre, art, art history, arts administration, and advertising programs, as well as its cinema, journalism, media, and public relations network January 12, 1995)
Special Award, Olivier Award, 2011, "in recognition of his contribution to London theatre"; the award was presented at the ceremony by Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York CityRichard John Kind is an American actor known for his roles in the sitcoms Mad About You and Spin City .- Early life :...
, all of whom had taken part in the musicals of Sondheim. The center is the first one in the world named after him, with a Broadway theatre the second.
The Stephen Sondheim Society
In 1993 the Stephen Sondheim Society was set up to promote and provide information about the works of Stephen Sondheim. The Sondheim Review
The Sondheim Reviewis a quarterly magazine devoted to Sondheim's work. The Society aims to create a greater interest and appreciation of them by means of circulating information and providing a focal point where those interested can share such interests. It issues news, provides education, maintains a database of information, organizes productions, meetings, outings, and other events, assists with publicity and promotion, publishes articles, and performs other tasks.
The Stephen Sondheim Society's Student Performer of the Year Competition
An annual event, the competition gives 12 young musical theatre students from top UK drama schools the opportunity to compete for a prize of £1,000. Per Sondheim's request, a prize is also offered for a new song by a young composer, judged by. Each contestant performs one Sondheim song and one new song. The 2010 event was judged by Maureen Lipman
Maureen LipmanSally Ann Triplett is a British singer and actress most famous for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and many West End productions.-Eurovision:...
and others who awarded Alex Young the winner. She sang Sunday in the Park with George and I Clean Up Around Here by Christopher Hamilton and Susannah Pearse. Second place went to Lewis Oatley, who sang Not While I'm Around and What Kind of Life Is This, Masha? by Conor Mitchell
Conor Mitchell
Conor Mitchell is an Irish composer and writer. His play, The Dummy Tree, was commissioned by the Royal National Theatre for their 2009 New Connections series.He is currently working on a new solo musical for Nigel Richards....
. The latter song won joint first place in the new song competition with Gwenyth Herbert's Lovely London Townreference his work in some way, through the use of either song titles or lyrics.
Musical Theatre Development
In 1990, Sondheim took the Cameron Mackintosh chair in musical theatre in this capacity ran workshops with promising writers of musicals, such asStephen Keeling is a British composer and musician who works predominantly in musical theatre.- Biographical details :Born in 1966 in Staffordshire, England, he trained at Goldsmith's College, University of London, gaining an honours degree in music...
and others. These writers jointly set up the Mercury Workshop in 1992, which eventually merged with the New Musicals Alliance to become MMD, a UK-based organisation developing new musical theatre, of which Sondheim continues to be patron.
The Sondheim Award
The Signature Theatre, Arlington, Virginia, established a new award, "The Sondheim Award", "as a tribute to America's most influential contemporary musical theatre composer." The first award was presented at a gala fund-raiser on April 27, 2009, with help from performers, Will Gartshore and Eleasha Gamble. Sondheim himself was the first recipient of the award, which also includes a $5000 honorarium for the recipients' choice of a nonprofit organization. The 2010 honoree wasas honorary hosts for the Gala Benefit held on April 12, 2010. The 2011 honoree was Bernadette Peters.
The Stephen Sondheim Theatre
A Broadway theatre at West 43rd Street in New York City, The, was renamed The Stephen Sondheim Theatre on September 15, 2010, in honor of his 80th birthday. In attendance were. Sondheim said of the naming, "I'm deeply embarrassed. Thrilled, but deeply embarrassed. I've always hated my last name. It just doesn't sing. I mean, it's not Belasco
David Belasco Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 242 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan.Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, it opened as the Royale Theatre on January 11, 1927 with a musical entitled Piggy...
. But it just doesn't sing." Lane said of the day, "We love our corporate sponsors and we love their money, but there's something sacred about naming a theatre, and there's something about this that is right and just."
The Pee-wee Herman Show is a stage show developed by Paul Reubens in 1980. It marks the first significant appearance of his comedic fictional character, Pee-wee Herman, five years before Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and six years before Pee-wee's Playhouse.
Personal life 2009, Alan Franks wrote: "Sondheim came out as gay only when he was about 40, and did not live with a partner until he was 61. This was Peter Jones, a dramatist; the two lived together for several years, until 1999." Sondheim discussed relationships in an interview with Frank Rich, who wrote, "His long solitary spell, he says, didn't faze him.... Well, in his case, does being gay play a part in it? 'Homosexuality, certainly it's a part of it. But the outsider feeling – somebody who people want to both kiss and kill – occurred quite early in my life.'" Sondheim's social life in the NYC gay scene is also discussed in many books by Alan Helms.
See alsoEmma Williams is a British actress. After, going to North Halifax Grammar School and studying at the Stage84 stage school in Idle, West Yorkshire, she has had a successful career in TV, film and on stage....
who along with being a MusicalTalk presenter, also starred as Johanna for this concert. | eng | 20ec3aaa-301b-445b-8af3-9386a8d03cdb | http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Stephen_Sondheim |
Not to be confused with Royal family. A royal family is the extended family of a monarch. Generally the head of a royal family is a king or queen regnant
Royalties (sometimes, running royalties) are usage-based payments made by one party (the "licensee") to another (the "licensor") for ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property (IP) right. Intellectual property ( IP) is a legal field that refers to creations of the mind such as musical literary and artistic works inventions and symbols names
Royalties can be determined as a percentage of gross or net sales derived from use of the asset or a fixed price per unit sold. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] but there are also other modes and metrics of compensation. A royalty interest is the right to collect a stream of future royalty payments, often used in the oil industry and music industry to describe a percentage ownership of future production or revenues from a given leasehold, which may be divested from the original owner of the asset. The petroleum industry includes the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transporting (often by Oil tankers and pipelinesThe music industry is the business of Music. Although it encompasses the activity of many music-related businesses and organizations it is currently dominated by the "bigLeasehold is a form of property tenure where one party buys the right to occupy land or a building for a given length of time[8]
License agreements
A license agreement defines the terms under which a resource or property such as petroleum, minerals, patents, trademarks, and copyrights are licensed by one party to another, either without restriction or subject to a limitation on term, business or geographic territory, type of product, etc. The verb license or grant license means to give permission The noun license is the document demonstrating that permissionPetroleum ( L petroleum, from Greek πετρέλαιον, litA mineral is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition a highly ordered atomic structure and specificA patent is a set of Exclusive rights granted by a State to an inventor or his assignee for a fixed period of time in exchange for a disclosure of an A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individualCopyright is a legal concept enacted by Governments, giving the creator of an original work of authorship Exclusive rights to control its distribution usually forThe verb license or grant license means to give permission The noun license is the document demonstrating that permission License agreements can be regulated, particularly where a government is the resource owner, or they can be private contracts that follow a general structure. However, certain types of franchise agreements have comparable provisions. Franchising refers to the methods of practicing and using another person's Philosophy of business.
Non-renewable resource royalties
The owner of petroleum and mineral resources may licence a party to extract those resources, paying a resource rent, or a royalty on the value or the resultant profits. In economics rent is a surplus value after all costs and normal returns have been accounted for i Where a government is the owner of the resource the terms of the licence and the royalty rate are typically legislated or regulated. For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government.This article is for the legal term For regulation of genes see Regulation of gene expression. An example from Canada's North is the federalfrontier lands petroleum royalty regime. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk PageFrontier lands are Crown owned lands in Canada 's North and offshore areas not under the jurisdiction of a federal/provincial shared management agreement The royalty rate is determined as an incremental rate from 1-5% of gross revenues until costs have been recovered, at which point the royalty rate increases to 30% of net revenues or 5% of gross revenues. In business revenue or revenues is Income that a company receives from its normal business activities usually from the sale of goods and servicesIn business revenue or revenues is Income that a company receives from its normal business activities usually from the sale of goods and services In this manner risks and profits are shared between the Government of Canada as resource owner and the petroleum developer. This attractive royalty rate is intended to encourage oil and gas exploration in the remote Canadian frontier lands where costs and risks are higher than other locations.
Patent royalties
A patent gives the owner an exclusive right to prevent others from practicing the patented technology in the country issuing the patent for the term of the patent. A patent is a set of Exclusive rights granted by a State to an inventor or his assignee for a fixed period of time in exchange for a disclosure of an In Anglo-Saxon law, an exclusive right is a de facto non-tangible Prerogative existing in law (that is the power or in a wider sense Right The term of a Patent is the maximum period during which it can be maintained into force The right may be enforced in a lawsuit for monetary damages or to prohibit use of the patent. Monetary damages, in civil law, refers to compensation given to an injured party by a liable party In a patent license, royalties are paid to the patent owner in exchange for a license to practice one or more of the four basic patent rights: to manufacture, use, sale, or advertise for sale, a patented technology. The verb license or grant license means to give permission The noun license is the document demonstrating that permission
Patent rights may be divided and licensed out in various ways, on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis. The license may be subject to limitations as to time or territory. A license may encompass an entire technology or it may involve a mere component or improvement on a technology. In the United States, "reasonable" royalties may be imposed, both after-the-fact and prospectively, by a court as a remedy for infringement.
Know-how royalties
In addition to licensing the applicable patents, a company may need to learn how to manufacture a product. This knowledge, standing alone or together with a patent license, may be obtained through a know-how license. In the context of industrial property now generally viewed as intellectual property (IP know-how (or knowhow as it is sometimes written is a component in the transfer Know-how is trade secret information in combination with data, techniques, or human and intellectual expertise, that helps a company exploit a licensed technology. A trade secret is a Formula, practice, Process, Design, instrument, Pattern, or compilation of Information which Know-how may help a company achieve better operational efficiency, manufacturing productivity, or product/system quality. Know-how royalties may be stated as distinct from patent royalties since their periods of validity vary. The rates vary widely.
Trademark royalties
Trademarks are words, logos, slogans, sounds, or other distinctive expressions that distinguish the source, origin, or sponsorship of a good or service (in which they are generally known as service marks). A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individualIn some countries notably the United States, a Trademark used to identify a service rather than a product is called a service mark or servicemark Trademarks offer the public a means of identifying and assuring themselves of the quality of the good or service. They may bring consumers a sense of security, integrity, belonging, and a variety of intangible appeals. The value that inures to a trademark in terms of public recognition and acceptance is known as goodwill.
A trademark right is an exclusive right to sell or market under that mark within a geographic territory. The rights may be licensed to allow a company other than the owner to sell goods or services under the mark. A company may seek to license a trademark it did not create in order to achieve instant name recognition rather than accepting the cost and risk of entering the market under its own brand that the public does not necessarily know or accept. Name recognition is a concept used in Politics to describe number of people who are aware of a Politician. Licensing a trademark allows the company to take advantage of already-established goodwill and brand identification.
Like patent royalties, trademark royalties may be assessed and divided in a variety of different ways, and are expressed as a percentage of sales volume or income, or a fixed fee per unit sold. When negotiating rates, one way companies value a trademark is to assess the additional profit they will make from increased sales and higher prices (sometimes known as the "relief from royalty") method.
Trademark rights and royalties are often tied up in a variety of other arrangements. Trademarks are often applied to an entire brand of products and not just a single one. A brand is a collection of Images and ideas representing an economic producer more specifically it refers to the descriptive verbal attributes and concrete symbols such as a Because trademark law has as a public interest goal the protection of a consumer, in terms of getting what they are paying for, trademark licenses are only effective if the company owning the trademark also obtains some assurance in return that the goods will meet its quality standards. When the rights of trademark are licensed along with a know-how, supplies, pooled advertising, etc. , the result is often a franchise relationship. Franchising refers to the methods of practicing and using another person's Philosophy of business. Franchise relationships may not specifically assign royalty payments to the trademark license, but may involve monthly fees and percentages of sales, among other payments.
Copyright royalties
Copyright law gives the owner the right to prevent others from copying, creating derivative works, or publicly performing their works. In Copyright law, a derivative work is an expressive creation that includes major basic copyrighted aspects of an original previously created first work Copyrights, like patent rights, can be divided in many different ways, by the right implicated, by specific geographic or market territories, or by more specific criteria. Each may be the subject of a separate license and royalty arrangements.
Copyright royalties are often very specific to the nature of work and field of endeavor. With respect to music, royalties for performance rights in the United States are set by the Library of Congress' Copyright Royalty Board. The Library of Congress is the De facto National library of the United States and the research arm of the United States Congress The Copyright Royalty Board is a US system of three Copyright Royalty Judges who determine rates and terms for copyright Statutory licenses and make determinationsMechanical rights to recordings of a performance are usually managed by one of several performance rights organizations. A mechanical license is a (often required license that grants certain limited permissions to work with study improve upon reinterprete re-record (etcPerformance rights organizations (PROs provide intermediary functions particularly royalty collection between copyright holders and parties who wish to use copyrighted works publicly Payments from these organizations to performing artists are known as residuals. The definition of an artist is wide-ranging and covers a broad spectrum of Activities to do with creating Art, practicing the Arts and/or demonstratingA residual is a payment made to the creator of performance art (or the performer in the work for subsequent showings or screenings of the (usually filmed workRoyalty free music provides more direct compensation to the artists. Royalty-free music commonly refers to stock or ' library music ' licensed for a single fee without the need to pay any subsequent Royalties. In 1999, recording artists formed the Recording Artists' Coalition to repeal supposedly "technical revisions" to American copyright statutes which would have classified all "sound recordings" as "works for hire," effectively assigning artists' copyrights to record labels. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar)The Recording Artists' Coalition ( RAC) is an American Music industry organization that represents Recording artists and attempts to defend their rightsIn the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music[9][10]
Book authors may sell their copyright to the publisher. An author is defined both as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is createdCopyright is a legal concept enacted by Governments, giving the creator of an original work of authorship Exclusive rights to control its distribution usually forPublishing is the process of production and dissemination of Literature or Information &ndash the activity of making information available for public view Alternately, they might receive as a royalty a certain amount per book sold.
Some photographers and musicians may choose to publish their works for a one-time payment. A photographer is a person who takes a Photograph using a Camera.A musician is a person who plays or writes Music. Musicians can be classified by their roles in creating or performing music An instrumentalist plays a This is known as a royalty-free license. Royalty Free refers to a type of contract between a two entities (the licensor and licensee that is employed when licensing the rights to use content such as photographs
Other royalty arrangements
The term 'royalty' also covers areas outside of IP and technology licensing, such as oil, gas, and mineral royalties paid to the owner of a property by a resources development company in exchange for the right to exploit the resource. In a business project the promoter, financier, LHS enabled the transaction but are no longer actively interested may have a royalty right to a portion of the income, or profits, of the business. This sort of royalty is often expressed as a contract right to receive money based on a royalty formula, rather than an actual ownership interest in the business. In some businesses this sort of royalty is sometimes called an override.
entering into a strategic alliance. Leaseback property is a type of Finance transaction Leaseback arrangements After purchasing an asset the owner enters a long-term agreement by which the propertyDrug development or preclinical development is defined in many pharmaceutical companies as the process of taking a new chemical lead through the stages necessary to allow itLump sum is a one-time payment of Money, as opposed to a series of paymentsA cross-licensing agreement is a Contract between two or more parties where each party grants rights to their Intellectual property to the other partiesA Strategic Alliance is a formal relationship between two or more parties to pursue a set of agreed upon goals or to meet a critical business need while remaining independent organizations
In discussing the licensing of IP, the terms valuation and evaluation need to be appreciated. Valuation is considered as one of the most critical areas in Finance; it plays a key role in many areas of Finance such as buy/sell Solvency, Merger
Evaluation is the process of assessing a license in terms of the specific metrics of a particular negotiation, which may include its circumstances, the geographical spread of licensed rights, product range, market width, licensee competitiveness, growth prospects, etc.
On the other hand, valuation is the fair market value (FMV)of the asset - trademark, patent or know-how - at which it can be sold between a willing buyer and willing seller in the context of best awareness of circumstances. Fair Market Value (FMV is a term in both Law and Accounting that is based on the Economics term of "market value The FMV of the IP, where assessable, may itself be a metric for evaluation.
where the IP is the residual after deducting the other components from the market valuation of the stock. A stock market, or (equity market is a private or public market for the trading of company Stock and derivatives of companyMarket capitalization/capitalisation (aka market cap, mkt cap or capitalized/capitalised value) is a measurement of Corporate or EconomicIn Financial accounting, a balance sheet or statement of financial position is a summary of a person's or organization's balancesWorking capital, also known as net working capital, is a financial metric which represents operating liquidity available to a businessFixed asset, also known as property plant and equipment (PP&E is a term used in Accountancy for Assets and Property which cannot easily beIntangible assets are defined as identifiable non-monetary Assets that cannot be seen touched or physically measured which are created through time and/or effort and that are One of the most significant intangibles may be the work-force.
The method may be quite useful for valuing trademarks of a listed company if it is mainly or the only IP in play (franchising companies).
Approaches to Royalty Rate: Intellectual Property
The rate of royalty applied in a given case is determined by various factors, the most notable of which are:
To correctly gauge royalty rates, the following criteria must be taken into consideration:
* the transaction is at "arms-length"
* there is a willing buyer and a willing seller
* the transaction is not under compulsion
Approaches to Royalty Rate Determination and Illustrative Royalties
There are three general approaches to assess the applicable royalty rate in the licensing of intellectual property. The Technology Life Cycle (TLC is an important tool The diagram below illustrates the typical life-cycle of a manufacturing process or production system from the stages of its initial conception They are:
1. The Cost Approach
2. The Comparable Market Approach
3. The Income Approach
For a fair evaluation of the royalty rate, the relationship of the parties to the contract should:
- be at 'arms-length' (related parties such as the subsidiary and the parent company need to transact as though they were independent parties)
- be viewed as acting free and without compulsion
The Cost Approach
The Cost Approach considers all the elements of cost that have been employed to create the intellectual property and to seek a royalty rate that will recapture the expense of its development and obtain a return that is commensurate with its expected life. Costs considered could include R&D expenditures, pilot-plant and test-marketing costs, technology upgrading expenses, patent application expenditure and the like. A patent application is a request pending at a Patent office for the grant of a Patent for the Invention described and claimed by that application
The method has limited utility since the technology is not priced competitively on 'what the market can bear' principles or in the context of the price of similar technologies. More importantly, by lacking optimization (through additional expense), it may earn below its potential.
However, the method may be appropriate when a technology is licensed out during its R&D phase as happens with venture capital investments or it is licensed out during one of the stages of clinical trials of a pharmaceutical. Venture capital (also known as VC or Venture) is a type of Private equity capital typically provided to immature high-potential growth companiesIn health care clinical trials are conducted to allow safety and Efficacy data to be collected for new drugs or devices
In the former case, the venture capitalist obtains an equity position in the company (developing the technology) in exchange for financing a part of the development cost (recovering it, and obtaining an appropriate margin, when the company gets acquired or it goes public through the IPO route). Initial public offering (IPO, also referred to simply as a "public offering" is when a company issues Common stock or shares to the public for the first
Recovery of costs, with opportunity of gain, is also feasible when development can be followed stage-wise as shown below for a pharmaceutical undergoing clinical trials (the licensee pays higher royalties for the product as it moves through the normal stages of its development):
A similar approach is used when custom software is licensed (an in-license). Custom software (also known as Bespoke software) is a type of Software that is developed either for a specific organization or function that differs The product is accepted on a royalty schedule depending on the software meeting set stage-wise specifications with acceptable error levels in performance tests.
The Comparable Market Approach
Here the cost and the risk of development are disregarded. The royalty rate is determined from comparing competing or similar technologies in an industry, modified by considerations of useful 'remaining life' of the technology in that industry and contracting elements such as exclusivity provisions, front-end royalties, field of use restrictions, geographic limitations and the 'technology bundle' (the mix of patents, know-how, trade-mark rights, etc. ) accompanying it.
Although widely used, the prime difficulty with this method is obtaining access to data on comparable technologies and the terms of the agreements that incorporate them. Fortunately, there are several recognized organizations, among them, RoyaltySource, Royaltystat, Knowledge Express, etc (see 'Royalty Rate Websites' listed at the end of this article) who have comprehensive information on both royalty rates and the principal terms of the agreements of which they are a part. There are also IP-related organizations, such as the Licensing Executives Society, which enable its members to access and share privately assembled data.
The two tables shown below are drawn, selectively, from information that is available with an IP-related organization and on-line. [11][12] The first depicts the range and distribution of royalty rates in agreements. The second shows the royalty rate ranges in select technology sectors (latter data sourced from: Dan McGavock of IPC Group, Chicago, USA).
Royalty Distribution Analysis in Industry
Industry
Licenses (nos. )
Min. Royalty,%
Max. Royalty,%
Average,%
Median,%
Automotive
35
1. 0
15. 0
4. 7
4. 0
Computers
68
0. 2
15. 0
5. 2
4. 0
Consumer Gds
90
0. 0
17. 0
5. 5
5. 0
Electronics
132
0. 5
15. 0
4. 3
4. 0
Healthcare
280
0. 1
77. 0
5. 8
4. 8
Internet
47
0. 3
40. 0
11. 7
7. 5
Mach. Tools.
84
0. 5
26
5. 2
4. 6
Pharma/Bio
328
0. 1
40. 0
7. 0
5. 1
Software
119
0. 0
70. 0
10. 5
6. 8
Royalty Rate Segmentation in Some Technology Sectors
Industry
2-2%
2-5%
5-10%
10-15%
15-20%
20-25%
Aerospace
50%
50%
Chemical
16. 5%
58. 1%
24. 3%
0. 8%
0. 4%
Computer
62. 5%
31. 3%
6. 3%
Electronics
50. 0%
25. 0%
25. 0%
Healthcare
3. 3%
51. 7%
45. 0%
Pharmaceuticals
23. 6%
32. 1%
29. 3%
12. 5%
1. 1%
0. 7%
Telecom
40. 0%
37. 3%
23. 6%
Commercial sources also provide information that is invaluable for making comparisons. The following table provides typical information that is obtainable, for instance, from Royaltystat:[13]
Coverage : Exclusive patent license to make, have made, use and sell products incorporating biological materials, including genes, proteins and peptide fragments, expression systems, cells, and antibodies, for the field of plant disease
The comparability between transactions requires a comparison of the significant economic conditions that may affect the contracting parties:
The Income Approach
The Income approach focuses on the licensor estimating the profits generated by the licensee and obtaining an appropriate share of the generated profit. It is unrelated to costs of technology development or the costs of competing technologies.
The approach requires the licensee (or licensor): (a) to generate a cash-flow projection of incomes and expenses over the life-span of the license under an agreed scenario of incomes and costs (b) determining the Net Present Value, NPV of the profit stream, based on a selecteddiscount factor, and c) negotiating the division of such profit between the licensor and the licensee. Net present value ( NPV) or net present worth ( NPW) is defined as the total Present value (PV of a Time series of Cash flowsDiscounts and allowancesIn Finance and Economics, discounting is the process of finding the present value of an amount of cash at some future date and along with
The NPV of a future income is always lower than its current value because an income in the future is attended by risk. In other words, an income in the future needs to be discounted, in some manner, to obtain its present equivalent. The factor by which a future income is reduced is known as the 'discount rate'. Thus, $1. 00 received a year from now is worth $0. 9091 at a 10% discount rate, and its discounted value will be still lower two years down the line. For the interest rate charged to Banks for borrowing short-term funds directly from the Federal Reserve, see Discount window.
The actual discount factor used depends on the risk assumed by the principal gainer in the transaction. For instance, a mature technology worked in different geographies, will carry a lower risk of non-performance (thus, a lower discount rate) than a technology being applied for the first time. A similar situation arises when there is the option of working the technology in one of two different regions; the risk elements in each region would be different.
The method is treated in greater detail, using illustrative data, in Royalty Assessment. Royalty rate assessment is a practical tool to gauge the impact of a royalty commitment in a technology contract to the business interests of the contracting parties
The licensor's share of the income is usually set by the '25% rule of thumb', which is said to be even used by tax authorities in the US and Europe for arms-length transactions. The share is on the operating profit of the licensee firm. Even where such division is held contentious, the rule can still be the starting point of negotiations.
Three aspects to the profit of the enterprise must be noted:
(a) the profit that accrues to the licensee may not arise solely through the engine of the technology. There are returns from the mix of assets it employs such as fixed and working capital and the returns from intangible assets such as distribution systems, trained workforce, etc. Allowances need to be made for them.
(b) profits are also generated by thrusts in the general economy, gains from infrastructure, and the basket of licensed rights - patents, trademark, know-how. A lower royalty rate may apply in an advanced country where large market volumes can be commanded, or where protection to the technology is more secure than in an emerging economy (or perhaps, for other reasons, the inverse).
(c) the royalty rate is only one aspect of the negotiation. Contractual provisions such as an exclusive license, rights to sub-license, warranties on the performance of technology etc may enhance the advantages to the licensee, which is not compensated by the 25% metric.
The basic advantage of this approach, which is perhaps the most widely applied, is that the royalty rate can be negotiated without comparative data on how other agreements have been transacted. In fact, it is almost ideal for a case where precedent does not exist.
It is, perhaps, relevant to note that the IRS also uses these three methods, in modified form, to assess the attributable income, or division of income, from a royalty-based transaction between a US company and its foreign subsidiary. The[14] (since US law requires that a foreign subsidiary pay an appropriate royalty to the parent company). The law of the United States was originally largely derived from the Common law system of English law, which was in force at the time of the RevolutionaryA holding company is a company that owns part all or a majority of other companies' outstanding Stock.
Patent royalty rates
Patent royalty rates are influenced by the importance of the patent and its value to the products. Some realms of business have conventions regarding royalty rates and other license terms. Royalties are often computed as a percentage of the value of the finished product made by using the patent. To illustrate, the following are prevalent rates within the United States pharmaceutical industry:[15]
a pending patent on a strong business plan, royalties of the order of 1%
Royalty rates may also be affected by whether a patent is strong (i. A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals the reasons why they are believed attainable and the plan for reaching those goalsMarket share, in Strategic management and Marketing, is the percentage or proportion of the total available Market or Market segment that is e. broadly written, seemingly valid) or weak; whether it is a fundamental patent or merely a slight improvement on a known technology; whether substitute technologies are available or an ability to work around the patent; the extent of the contribution of the patented technology to the value of the final product and whether there are other patents that must also be licensed (in which case there is a practical limit on how much royalty can be paid to license each).
With regards to the actual rates of royalty payments in the industry, the Licensing Economics Review [16], [17], reported in 2002 that in a review of 458 license agreements, over a 16-year period, it found that an average royalty rate of 7. 0%. However, the range extended from zero percent to 50 percent. All of these agreements may not have been at 'arms length'.
Trademark royalty rates
In a long-running dispute involving the valuation of the DHL trademark of DHL Corporation,[18] it was reported that experts employed by the IRS surveyed a wide range of businesses and found a broad range of royalties for trademark use from a low of 0. The 7% to a high of 15%.
Music Royalties
Unlike other forms of intellectual property, music royalties have a strong linkage to individuals - composers (score), songwriters (lyrics) and writers of musical plays - in that they can own the exclusive copyright to created music and can license it for performance independent of corporates. Recording companies and the performing artists that create a 'sound recording' of the music enjoy a separate set of royalties from the sale of recordings and from their digital transmission (depending on national laws).
With the advent of pop music and major innovations in technology in the communication and presentations of media, the subject of music royalties has become a complex field with considerable change in the making.
A musical composition obtains protection in copyright law immediate to its reduction to tangible form - a score on paper or a taping; but it is not protected from infringed use unless registered with the copyright authority; for instance, the Copyright Office in the United States, administered by the Library of Congress. Musical composition is an original piece of Music the structure of a musical piece the process of creating a newThe United States Copyright Office, a part of the Library of Congress, is the official UThe Library of Congress is the De facto National library of the United States and the research arm of the United States Congress No person or entity, other than the copyright owner, can use or employ the music for gain without obtaining a license from the composer/songwriter.
Inherently, as copyright, it confers on its owner, a distinctive 'bundle' of five exclusive rights:
(a) to make copies of the songs through print or recordings(b) to distribute them to the public for profit(c) to the 'public performance right'; live or through a recording(d) to create a derivative work to include elements of the original music; and(e) to 'display' it (not very relevant in context).
Where the score and the lyric of a composition are contributions of different persons, each of them is an equal owner of such rights.
These exclusivities have led to the evolution of distinct commercial terminology used in the music industry.
They take four forms:
(1) mechanical royalties from the recording of composed music on, CDs and tape
(2) performance royalties from the performance of the compositions/songs on stage or television through artists and bands
(3) synch (for synchronization) royalties from using or adapting the musical score in the movies, television advertisements, etc. and
(4) royalties from 'print rights'
With the advent of the internet, an additional set of royalties has come into play : the digital rights from simulcasting, webcasting, streaming, downloading, and online "on-demand service".
In the following the terms 'composer' and 'songwriter' (either lyric or score) are synonymous.
Mechanical Royalties
The term 'mechanical' and mechanical license has its origins in the 'piano rolls' on which music was recorded in the early part of the 20th Century. A mechanical license is a (often required license that grants certain limited permissions to work with study improve upon reinterprete re-record (etc Although its concept is now primarily oriented to royalty income from sale of CDs, its scope is wider and covers any copyrighted audio composition that is rendered mechanically, i. Royalties (sometimes running royalties) are usage-based payments made by one party (the "licensee" to another (the "licensor" for ongoing use of an e. without human performers:
*musical toys etc. A ringtone or ring tone is the sound made by a Mobile phone to indicate an incoming call or text messageMIDI ( Musical Instrument Digital Interface, ˈmɪdi is an industry-standard protocol that enables Electronic musical instruments Computers
The United States treatment of mechanical royalties is in sharp contrast to international practice.
In the United States, while the right to use copyrighted music for making records for public distribution (for private use) is an exclusive right of the composer, the Copyright Act provides that once the music is so recorded, anyone else can record the composition/song without a negotiated license but on the payment of the statutory compulsory royalty. Thus, its use by different artists could lead to several separately-owned copyrighted 'sound recordings'.
The following is a partial segment of the compulsory rates as they have applied from 1998 to 2007 in the United States [19]. The royalty rates in the table comprise of two elements: (i) a minimum rate applies for a duration equivalent to 5 minutes, or less, of a musical composition/song and (ii) a per-minute rate if the composition exceeds it, whichever is greater.
Compulsory Mechanical Royalty Rates - United States
Period
Royalty Rate
01-01-1998 - 12-31-1999
7. 10 cents or 1. 35 cents/min
01-01-2000 - 12-31-2001
7. 55 cents or 1. 43 cents/min
01-01-2002 - 12-31-2003
8. 00 cents or 1. 55 cents/min
01-01-2004 - 12-31-2005
8. 50 cents or 1. 65 cents/min
01-01-2006 - 12-31-2007
9. 10 cents or 1. 75 cents/min
In the predominant case, the composer assigns the song copyright to a publishing company under a 'co-publishing agreement' which makes the publisher a co-owner of the composition (the composer may also be the publisher). The publisher's role is to promote the music by extending the written music to recordings of vocal, instrumental and orchestral arrangements and to administer the collection of royalties (which, as will shortly be seen, is in reality done by specialized companies). The publisher also licenses 'subpublishers' in other countries to similarly promote the music and administer the collection of royalties.
Normally, of every 100 units of currency that flows to the publisher gets divided as follows: 50 units go to the songwriter and 50 units to the publisher. However, the music writer obtains a further 25 units from the publisher's share (as a co-publisher). In effect, the co-publishing agreement is a 75/25 share of royalties in favor of the songwriter if administrative costs of publishing are disregarded. This is near international practice.
When a company (recording label) records the composed music, say, on a CD master, it obtains a distinctly separate copyright to the sound recording, with all the exclusivities that flow to such copyright. The main obligation of the recording label to the songwriter and her publisher is to pay the contracted royalties on the license received.
While the compulsory rates remain unaffected, recording companies, in the US, will, typically, negotiate to pay not more than 75% of the compulsory rate where the songwriter is also the recording artist [20]. and will further (in the US) extend that to a maximum of 10 songs, even though the marketed recording may carry more than that number. This 'reduced rate' results from the incorporation of a "controlled composition" clause in the licensing contract [21] since the composer as recording artist is seen to control the content of the recording.
Mechanical royalties for music produced outside of the United States are negotiated - there being no compulsory licensing - and royalty payments to the composer and her publisher for recordings are based on the wholesale, retail, or 'suggested retail value' of the marketed CDs. In a compulsory license a government forces the holder of a Patent, Copyright, or other Exclusive right to grant use to the state or others
Recording artists earn royalties only from the sale of CDs and tapes and, as will be seen later, from sales arising from digital rights. The term Digital Rights is indicative of the freedom of individuals to perform actions involving the use of a computer any electronic device or a communications network Where the song-writer is also the recording artist, royalties from CD sales add to those from the recording contract. A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or bothA recording contract (commonly called a record deal) is a legal agreement between a Record label and a Recording artist (or group where the artist
In the US, recording artists earn royalties amounting to 10%-25% (of the suggested retail price of the recording ( depending on their popularity but such is before deductions for 'packaging', 'breakage','promotion sales' and holdback for 'returns', which act to significantly reduce net royalty incomes. The ( manufacturer's) suggested retail price ( MSRP or SRP) list price or recommended retail price ( RRP) (originally
In the US, the Harry Fox Agency, HFA, is the predominant licensor, collector and distributor for mechanical royalties, although there are several small competing organizations. The Harry Fox Agency is the United States of America's largest agency collecting and distributing Mechanical license fees on behalf of music publishers For its operations, it charges about 6% as commission. HFA, like its counterparts in other countries, is a state-approved quasi-monopoly and is expected to act in the interests of the composers/song-writers - and thus obtains the right to audit record company sales.
In the U. K. the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society, MCPS (now in alliance with PRS), acts to collect (and distribute) royalties to composers, songwriters and publishers for CDs and for digital formats. The Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society ( MCPS) are an organisation who pay royalties to composers songwriters and music publishers when the music they have created is sold It is a not-for-profit organization which funds its work through a commissions on aggregate revenues. A non-profit organization ( abbreviated "NPO" also "not-for-profit" is a legally constituted Organization whose objective is to support or engage The royalty rate for licensing tracks is 6. 5 per cent of retail price (or 8. 5 per cent of the published wholesale price.
In Europe, the major licensing and mechanical royalty collection societies are:
Conventional Forms of Royalty Payment
In the conventional context, royalties are paid to composers and publishers and record labels for public performances of their music on vehicles such as the jukebox, stage, radio or TV. Users of music need to obtain a 'performing rights license' from music societies - as will be explained shortly - to use the music. Performing rights extend both to live and recorded music played in such diverse areas as cafés, skating rinks, etc.
Licensing is generally done by music societies called 'Performing Rights Organizations' (PROs), some of which are government-approved or government-owned, to which the composer, the publisher, performer (in some cases) or the record label have subscribed.
The diagram on the right titled 'The Performance Rights Complex' (Courtesy shows the general sequences by which a song or a composition gets to be titled a 'performance' and which brings royalties to song-writers/publishers, performing artists and record labels. How, and to whom, royalties are paid is different in the United States from what it is, for example, in the UK. Most countries have practices more in common with the UK than the US.
In the United Kingdom there are three principal organizations:
(i) PPL (for Phonographic Performance Ltd)
(ii) PRS (for Performing Rights Society), and
(iii) MCPS (for Mechanical Copyright Protection Society)
who license music (to music-users) and act as royalty collection and distribution agencies for their members.
PPL( - claimed to be the largest in the world - issues performance licenses to all UK radio, TV and broadcast stations, as also to such diverse users as clubs and bars who employ sound recordings (tapes, CDs), in entertaining the public and collects and distributes royalties to the record label for the sound recording and to featured UK performers in the recording. Performers do not earn from sound recordings on video and film.
PRS, which is now in alliance with MCPS, ( collects royalties from music-users and distributes them directly to song-writers and publishers whose works are performed live, radio or on TV on a 50:50 basis. MCPS licenses music for broadcast in the range 3– 5. 25% of net advertising revenues [23]
MCPS also collects and disburses mechanical royalties to writers and publishers in a manner similar to PRS. Although allied, they serve, for now, as separate organizations for membership.
The next diagram (Courtesy: shows the sequences in the licensing of performances and the royalty collection and distribution process in the UK. Every song or recording has a unique identity by which they are licensed and tracked. Details of songs or recordings are notified to the PROs directly, or through Catco, an electronic tracking system. It needs to be clarified that while blanket licenses are commonly issued to music-users, the latter are responsible for 'usage returns' - the actual frequency of performances under the license - which then becomes the basis for the PRO to apportion royalties to writers, publishers and record labels. (DIY 'indies' are 'do-it-yourself' independent song-writers (and, often, the performers as well) who record and publish under their own labels).
In the UK. , music is licensed (and royalties 'paid on it) at the track level.
There is also a separate organization, VPL ( in the UK, which is the collecting society set up by the record industry in 1984 to grant licences to users of music videos, e. g. broadcasters, program-makers, video jukebox system suppliers. The licensing income collected from users is paid out to the society's members after deduction of administrative costs.
There are different models for royalty collection in the European countries. In some of them, mechanical and performing rights are administered jointly. SACEM (France), SABAM (Belgium), GEMA (Germany) and JASRAC (Japan) work that way.
In the United States, on the other hand, the ASCAP, BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc) and SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors & Composers) are the three principal Performance Rights Organizations (PROs), although smaller societies exist. The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers ( ASCAP) is a non-profit Performance rights organization that protects itsSESAC, originally the Society of European Stage Authors & Composers, is the smallest of the three Performance rights organizations in the United States The royalty that is paid to the composer and publisher is determined by the method of assessment used by the PRO to gage the utilization of the music, there being no external metrics as in mechanical royalties or the reporting system used in the UK. Very basically, a PRO aggregates the royalties that are due to all of the composers/songwriters who are its members and each composer and publisher is paid royalties based on the assessed frequency of the music's performance, post deductions of charges (which are many). The PROs are audited agencies. They directly pay the songwriter and the publisher their respective shares. (If part of the publisher's share is retained by the songwriter, the publisher pays the songwriter that part of the publisher's share).
Typically, the PRO negotiates blanket licenses with radio stations, television networks and other 'music users', each of whom receives the right to perform any of the music in the repertoire of the PRO for a set sum of money.
PROs use different types of surveys to determine the frequency of usage of a composition/song. ASCAP uses random sampling, SESAC utilizes cue sheets for TV performances and 'digital pattern recognition' for radio performances while BMI employs more scientific methods. Sampling is that part of Statistical practice concerned with the selection of individual observations intended to yield some knowledge about a population of concern
It is to noted that in the United States only the composer and the publisher are paid performance royalties and not performing artists (digital rights being a different matter). Likewise, the record label, whose music is used in a performance, is not entitled to royalties in the US on the premise that performances lead sales of records.
Where a performance has co-writers along with the composer/songwriter - as in a musical play - they will share the royalty.
Royalties in Digital Distribution
'Digital music' has been around for quite a long time if we consider that music is encoded in digital format on compact disk and tape and decoded from them to obtain the conventional analog form for listening. However, the term 'digital music' typically applies to internet and wireless (mobile) technologies. These have begun to give music a different direction by their capacities to internationally distribute the music for instant hearing or storage by private and public persons. Digital music is generally expected to become the predominant form by which music is 'used' in the longer term.
The term 'digital music' typically applies to music that is distributed over the internet. Digital music files can be identified by serial numbers embedded in the data ('watermarking') or natural patterns in the data ('fingerprinting').
However, compact disks will continue to be the major form of musical reach and storage for now. For instance, the revenue from the sales of CDs in the US currently (2007) far outweighs that from digital downloads, representing some 85% of music sales, or 81 million units per quarter [24]. Also, as the following data [25] : illustrates, the amount of music (tracks) available on CDs (stored music)is extremely large compared to what is available in digital format:
PPL's CatCo holds details of over 7 million recordings
There are 15 million published works with ISWC codes (and many more without)
Nonetheless, there been a decline in CD sales over the past 7 years in the US (perhaps less so in the EU). At the same time, digital tracks legally downloaded from the internet continue to be a growing force, track downloads totalling 417. 3 million units in the first half of 2007 - a 48. 5% increase over the corresponding period last year according to Nielsen SoundScan [26]. Apple Inc's sale of over 100 million iPods and the strong presence of iTunes and eMusic (a subscription service) in the US, and now in EU (18 countries), testify to the strong emergence of digital music. This is further emphasized by the large presence of internet broadcasts of live and internet-only radio stations ('streamed music'). They represent the 'buy' and 'listen' choices.
US Regulatory Provisions
Regulatory provisions in the US, EU and elsewhere is in a state of flux, continuously being challenged by developments in technology; thus almost any regulation stated here exists in a tentative format.
The Copyright Act of 1976 identified "musical works" and " sound recordings" eligible for copyright protection. The term "musical work" refers to the notes and lyrics of a song, while a "sound recording" results from its fixation on physical media. Copyright owners of musical works are granted exclusive rights to license over-the-air radio and TV broadcasts, entitling them royalties, which are, as said earlier, collected and distributed by the PROs. Under the Act, record companies and recording artists are, presently, not entitled to royalties from radio and TV broadcasts of their music, except in the case of digital services and webcasts where copyright owners and performers obtain royalties (see later). This is in contrast to international standards where performers also obtain royalties from over-the-air and digital broadcasting.
In 1995, the Congress introduced the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act (DPRA), which became effective Feb 1, 1996. This Act granted owners of sound recordings the exclusive license to perform the copyrighted work publicly by means of digital audio transmissions but it exempted non- subscription services (and some other services). Where the rights owner could not voluntarily reach agreement with the broadcaster, it could avail of compulsory licensing provisions. Under the Act, the compulsory royalty (the royalty schedule follows) was to be shared in the manner: 50% to the record companies, 45% to featured artists, 2½ % to non-featured musicians through AFM (American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada [27] and 2½% for non-featured vocalists through AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists [28]. Congress also created a new compulsory license for certain subscription digital audio services, which transmit sound recordings via cable television and Direct Broadcast Satellite on a non-interactive basis in the absence of a voluntary negotiation and agreement.
In 1998, the Congress amended DPRA to create the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by redefining the above-noted subscription services of DPRA as "preexisting subscription services" and expanded the statutory license to include new categories of digital audio services that may operate under the license. In effect, DCMA created three categories of licensees:
In addition to the above, a fourth license was created permit webcasters to make "ephemeral recordings" of a sound recording (temporary copies) to facilitate streaming but with a royalty to be paid.
Non-subscription webcasting royalties have also to be shared between record companies and performers in the proportions set out under DPRA.
The Table below titled SUMMARY OF STATUTORY ROYALTY RATES FOR DIGITAL WEBCASTING - UNITED STATES encapsulates the royalties set for non-interactive webcasting.
To qualify for compulsory licensing under non-subscription services, the webcasting needs to fit the following six criteria:
it is non-interactive
it does not exceed the sound recording performance complement
it is accompanied by information on the song title and recording artist
it does not publish a program schedule or specify the songs to be transmitted
it does not automatically switch from one program channel to another, and
it does not allow a user to request songs to be played particularly for that user.
An inter-active service is one which allows a listener to receive a specially created internet stream in which she dictates the songs to be played by selecting songs from the website menu. Such a service would take the website out from under the compulsory license and require negotiations with the copyright owners.
However, a service is non-interactive if it permits people to request songs, which are then played to the public at large. Nonetheless, several rules apply; such as, within any three-hour period, three cuts from a CD, but no more than two cuts consecutively can be played, or a site can play four songs from any singer from a boxed CD-set, but no more than three cuts consecutively, etc!
The SoundExchange, a non-profit organization, is defined under the legislation to act on behalf of record companies (including the majors) to license performance and reproduction rights and negotiate royalties with the broadcasters. It is governed by a board of artist and label representatives. Services include track level accounting of performances to all members and collection and distribution of foreign royalties to all members [29].
In the absence of a voluntary agreement between the Sound Exchange and the broadcasters, CARP (Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel) was authorized to set the statutory rates as could prevail between a 'willing buyer' and a 'willing sellers'. It is to be noted that SoundExchange only handles the collection of royalties from compulsory licenses for non-interactive streaming services that use satellite, cable or internet methods of distribution
To recap, under the law three types of licenses are required for streaming of musical recordings:
(a) a performance license applicable for underlying words( lyrics) and music (score) (b) a performance license applicable to the streaming the sound recording (c) a storage license for the passage of a sound recording through a file server
The royalties for the first of the above two licenses are obtained from Sound Exchange and the third from the PROs. Failure to make required payments constitutes copyright infringement and is subject to statutory damages.
Both broadcasters (involved in webcasting) and pure-internet non-broadcasters are required to pay these royalties under the rules framed under the Act. All webcasters are also required to be registered with the Copyright Office.2. Commercial Broadcaster3. Non-CPB, non-commercial broadcasts: 02¢
9% of performance fees due
(b)All other internet transmission
0. 05¢
9% of performance fees due
4. Business Establishment Service:
DMCA Compliant Service
Performance Fee (per performance)
Ephemeral Licence Fee
(a)Simultaneous internet retransmission of over-the-air AM or FM radio broadcasts
Statutorily Exempt
10% of gross proceeds
Minimum Fee
All Cases
$500 per year for each licensee
UK Legislation
The United Kingdom adopted the European Copyright Directive EUCD in 2003 and the meaning of broadcast performance was broadened to cover "communicating to the public". This then included music distribution through the internet and the transmission of ringtones to mobiles. Thus a music download was a copy of proprietary music and hence required to be licensed.
After a prolonged battle on royalties between online music companies such as AOL, Napster and the recording companies (but not all of them), represented by the British Phonographic Industry, and organizations representing the interests of songwriters (MCPS and PRS) a compromise was reached, leading to a subsequent 3-year interim legislation (2007) adopted by the UK Copyright Tribunal under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act,[31] . The legislation, referring to a new JOL (Joint Online License), applies only to music purchased within UK.
The applicable royalties are given in the Table below which, interestingly, also includes music downloads and music services through mobile devices. This path-breaking legislation is expected to become the model for EU (which is yet to develop comprehensive legislation), and perhaps even extend to the US.
Note that the new legislation includes the distinction between downloads of musical tracks from iTunes and other stores, which were considered 'sales' and the webcasts considered 'performances'.
In brief, the compromise reached is that songwriters will receive 8% of gross revenues (definition follows), less VAT, as royalty for each track downloaded bridging the demand of the artists demanding a 12% royalty rate (what was, otherwise, the norm for a CD) and music companies holding out for 6. Value added tax ( VAT) or goods and services tax ( GST) is a consumption Tax levied on value added. 5%, slightly higher than the 5. 7% paid for a 79p track sold by iTunes [32]. A minimum of four pence will be paid, in the new legislation, if tracks are discounted.
PC subscription: £0. 40/subscriber/month Limited Subscription: £0. 20/subscriber/month All others: £0. 0022 per musical work communicated to the public
Special Webcasting
(premium or interactive service where 50%+ of content is by single band/artist)
8%
Subscription: £0. 0022 per musical work (if not subscription);
if the service is subscription, minimum to be negotiated
Premium or interactive webcasting
6. 5%
Subscription: £0. 22/subscriber/month;otherwise, £0. 00085 per musical work communicated to the public
Pure webcasting
6. 5%
Subscription £0. 22/subscriber/month; otherwise 0. 0006/musical work communicated to the public
Service
Royalty Rate and Minimum
Mobile or Permanent downloads and other mobile services
Rates and minima as per services above, except that: For mobile Permanent Downloads, revenue is reduced by 15%
For all other Mobile services revenue is reduced by 7. 5%
The above reductions to apply until prices converge with non-mobile services.
It should be noted that not all music providers in the UK were part of the compromise that led to the legislation. For those not participating - principally, AOL, Yahoo and RealNetworks - the Tribunal set the royalty rate for pure webcasting at 5. 75%.
UK legislation recognizes the term online as referring to downloading digital files from the internet and mobile network operators. Offline is the term used for the delivery of music through physical media such as a CD or a DVD,
A stream is a file of continuous music listened to through a consumer's receiving device with no playable copy of the music remaining.
Permanent Downloads are transfers (sale) of music from a website to a computer or mobile telephone for permanent retention and use whenever the purchaser wishes, analogous to the purchase of a CD.
A Limited Download is similar to a permanent download but differs from it in that the consumer's use of the copy is in some way restricted by associated technology; for instance, becomes unusable when the subscription ends ( say, through an encoding , such as DRM, of the downloaded music).
On demand streaming is music streamed to the listener on the computer or mobile to enable her to listen to the music once, twice or a number of times during the period of subscription to the service.
Pure Webcasting is where the user receives a stream of pre-programmed music chosen by the music service provider. It is non-interactive to the extent that even pausing or skipping of tracks is not possible.
Special webcasting is a service where the user can choose a stream of music, the majority of which comprises works from one source – an artist, group or particular concert.
Simulcasting, although not in the Table above, is the simultaneous re-transmission by a licensed transmission of the program of a radio or TV station over the internet of an otherwise traditional broadcast. The person receiving the simulcast normally makes no permanent copy of it. It is defined in the legislation as an offline service.
'Gross Revenue', which is comprehensively defined in the legislation, summarized here, means, all revenue received (or receivable) by the licensee from Users, all revenue received through advertisements associated with the music service, sponsorship fees,commissions from third parties and revenue arising from barter or contra deals. No deductions are permitted except for refunds of unused music due to technical faults.
The advertising revenue which is shared between the artist and music provider is defined as:
when the advertising is in-stream;
when the music offered forms the only content of a page featuring advertising (excluding the advert itself); and
when the music offered forms more than 75% of a page featuring advertising (excluding the advert itself).
Synchronization Royalties
The term synchronization comes from the early days of the talkies when music was first synchronized with film. A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image as opposed to a Silent film. The terminology originated in US industry but has now spread worldwide.
Because it would be impractical to join music to film or images without making a "copy" of the music, it is clear that some sort of license is needed – but the legal argument is difficult to construct. In the UK and elsewhere, with the exception of the US,, there is apparently no legal prohibition to the combination of audio and visual images and no explicit statutory right for the collection of synch royalties. In the US, however, the Copyright Act defines the audiovisual format as that of combining images with music for use in machines but there is no explicit rate set such as the 'compulsory royalty rate' for copying music but there are instances of courts implying the synchronization right ( version at but even so it is an amorphous colloquial commercial term of acceptance.
Synchronization royalties('synch licenses') are paid for the use of copyrighted music in (largely) audiovisual productions, such as in DVDs, movies, and advertisements. Music used in news tracks are also synch licenses. Synchronization can extend to live media performances, such as plays and live theatre. They become extremely important for new media - the usage of music in the form of mp3, wav, flac files and for usage in webcasts, embedded media in microchips (e. MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a Digital audio encoding format using a form of Lossy data compression WAV (or WAVE) short for Waveform Audio format, is a Microsoft and IBM Audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream onFree Lossless Audio Codec ( FLAC) is a File format for lossless Audio data compression.A webcast is a media file distributed over the Internet using Streaming media technology g. karaoke), etc but the legal conventions are yet to be drawn. (kɑːrɑːˌoʊkɛ in Japanese karaoke) is a form of Entertainment in which Amateur Singers sing along with recorded Music (and/or a
Synchronization royalties are due to the composer/song-writer or her publisher. They are strictly contractual in nature and vary greatly in amount depending on the subjective importance of the music, the mode of production and the media used. The royalty payable is that of mutual acceptance but is conditioned by industry practice.
It is useful to note in this connection the concept of the 'needle drop' (now laser drop) in that the synch royalty becomes payable every time the needle drops 'on the record player' in a public performance! All openings and closings, every cut to advertisements, every cut back from ads, all re-runs shown by every TV company, in every country in the world generates a 'synchro', although a single payment may be renegotiable in advance.
It might be noted that there is a category of royalty-free music in the field of synchronization. This refers to the use of music in a 'library' for which a one-time royalty has been negotiated. It is an alternative to needle-drop negotiation.
In terms of numbers, royalties can range from, say. $500-2000 for a "festival-use license" to $250,000 or more for a movie film score. For low budget films, which are deemed less than $2 million, the royalties range from 3%-6% ( or it could be per song per usage.
External links
References
^Focus: Tax and Intellectual Property – April 2004. In the field of Intellectual property licensing an advance against royalties is a payment made by the licensee to the licensor at the start of the period of licensingIntellectual property ( IP) is a legal field that refers to creations of the mind such as musical literary and artistic works inventions and symbols names Allens Arthur Robinsonroyalty (definition). law. com .
^ UNIDO International Workshop on Technology Transfer Negotiation and Plant Level Technology Needs Assessment, 7-8 December 1999, New Delhi. The World Intellectual Property Organization ( WIPO) is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations.
^ Dave Tyrrell. Intellectual Property & Licensing. Vertexroyalty interest (definition). SchlumbergerFour little wordsSample: License Parameters. Retrieved on 2007-09-26. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a
^Treasury EvaluationsSample: License ParametersCompulsory Rates for Mechanical royalties'Reduced Rate' RoyaltiesRoyalties on Controlled CompositionLanguage of the Music BusinessSongwriters challenge UK online royalty rateSale of Music Long in DeclineWhat is Digital DistributionU.S. H1 Album Sales Down 15.1%.American Federation of MusiciansAmerican Federation of Television and Radio ArtistsThe Sound ExchangeSECTION 114 (f)2 and 112(eArtists bid for CD parity on digital royalties | eng | 9050a590-5975-414d-85ad-55031f801c48 | http://www.citizendia.org/Royalties |
Research Trials in the Center forHeart Failure
Clinical research trials search for new and better ways to understand and treat disease. Participating in a clinical research trial is an informative learning experience for the volunteer. Please consider volunteering in a clinical research trial as your participation will contribute to important advancements of medical knowledge. The following clinical research trial(s), specific to heart failure, are currently recruiting volunteers:
AC6: Ad5.hAC6 Gene Transfer for CHF
This research study is looking for patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). The purpose of this research study is to find out 1) whether a study treatment called gene transfer using an investigational agent called Ad5.AC6 (adenovirus-5 encoding (adenylyl cyclase type 6) can be given safely to persons subjects (or people) with congestive heart failure and 2) whether this agent may be of benefit in heart failure.
Gene transfer means that genes are introduced into cells within the subject's body and the cells then produce the specific protein that the gene directs, in this case, a protein known as adenylyl cyclase type 6 (AC6). In animal experiments, it was found that increased amounts of AC6 protein in heart cells appeared to make the heart pump more vigorously. The gene is carried into the subject's heart cells by a modified (changed) virus. The virus that has been changed is an adenovirus (Ad5), a virus that sometimes causes a brief cold. The adenovirus is changed so that it cannot reproduce itself and therefore is far less likely to cause an infection.
This is a phase I/II study which means that this agent, Ad5.hAC6, is investigational and not approved for use by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). A phase I/II study is set up to look at the safety and effectiveness of a new drug. Patients will be assigned to receive either one of two groups: Ad5.AC6 or placebo (inactive substance). There is a 75% chance of receiving Ad5.AC6 and a 25% chance of receiving placebo and there is a three in four chance that a subject will be on the Ad5.AC6 arm of treatment.
Participation in this study will last for about 12 months, with most of the visits being in the first 12 months, and a follow up telephone calls made 2 and 3 years after enrollment on month 24 and month 36. The total number of study visits over the first 14 months will be about 16 visits. There may be an instance in which a study visit will need to be split into two separate days and this may increase the total number of study visits.
Fifty-six subjects will take part in this study at 4 study centers including Northwestern University.
Research Trial Contact Information:
For more information, interested participants and clinicians may contact Dan Roshevsky at (312) 695-3264 or e-mail droshevs@nmh.org
The AVOID-HF trial is recruiting Heart Failure patients who have been admitted to the hospital for treatment of excess fluid in the lungs or legs.
When patients come to the hospital with too much fluid, they can be given a liquid diuretic through a needle into a vein in the arm, ("IV diuretics"). Treatment with IV diuretics can work very well to remove fluid from the body; however, the response may vary from person to person. Another way to remove the extra fluid from the body is called aquapheresis therapy (also called "blood filtration" or "ultrafiltration"). This method removes a little bit of water from the blood through a filter over time. Aquapheresis therapy for this study will be done with the Gambro UF Solutions, Inc. (formerly known as CHF Solutions, Inc.) Aquadex FlexFlowTM System ("Study Device"). The Study Device and aquapheresis therapy are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The purpose of the research is to learn if patients who have received aquapheresis therapy have fewer Heart Failure events (i.e. having to go back to the hospital or emergency room to be treated for Heart Failure) compared to patients who have received IV diuretics. Also, the study will look at quality of life for heart failure patients that have received aquapheresis therapy or IV diuretics.
A total of 810 patients will take part in this study at a minimum of 25 study sites in the United States. We plan to enroll up to 20 participants here at Northwestern.
Research Trial Contact Information:
For more information, interested participants and clinicians may contact Elonia Martin at (312) 926-2671 or elmartin@nmh.org
Mechanical Circulatory Support: Development & Use of Quality of Life Instruments
The purpose of this study is to develop a questionnaire, to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL), to help evaluate the impact of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices on heart failure patients who receive these devices. As MCS technology evolves, survival is expected to improve, and the risk of adverse events is expected to decrease. However, future use of devices will depend not only on survival and the risk of adverse events, but also on HRQOL, which is less well defined. We believe that this questionnaire will help standardize HRQOL information received from patients and their caregivers about these devices and support patients and physicians in the treatment decision-making process.
The study is looking for participants who are either:
Going to receive, or have received, a mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD)
OR
A caregiver for a patient who is going to receive, or has received, a mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD)
The study will involve interviews with up to 15 participants who are going to receive a MCSD, 40 participants who have received a MCSD, and 20 caregivers for patients who have received a MCSD.
Research Trial Contact Information:
For more information, interested participants and clinicians may contact the Clinical Trials Unit at (312) 926-4000 or e-mailheartresearch@northwestern.edu
The CTOT-11 study is recruiting heart transplant patients who tested negative for a PRA test. PRA stands for Panel Reactive Antibody, which is a test to measure antibodies in the blood and is routinely done on patients waiting for a transplant. Antibodies are substances involved in certain types of rejection after organ transplant.
All people who have a heart transplant are at risk for developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). CAV means narrowing of the heart transplant vessels, which is associated with poor heart transplant function. People who develop antibodies after transplant have a higher risk of developing CAV. Infections, high cholesterol, and rejection also increase the risk of developing CAV. People who develop CAV usually have to receive another transplant.
The purpose of this research study is to see if a drug called Rituximab ("study drug") prevents CAV. The study drug is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of a form of cancer called Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, it is not approved for treatment of injury after transplant, and therefore is considered experimental in this study. The study drug destroys certain types of white blood cells called B cells. B Cells are important cells in the immune system that help the body fight infection. One way that they do this is by producing substances called antibodies. B cells and the antibodies they produce are also involved in some kinds of rejection after organ transplantation. The study drug decreases the number of B cells in the blood and other tissues. We are trying to see if decreasing B cells with the study drug can prevent injury to the transplanted heart.
Approximately 20 centers in the United States are expected to participate. The study will enroll 400 subjects total, and we hope to enroll up to 20 subjects here at Northwestern.
Research Trial Contact Information:
For more information, interested participants and clinicians may contact Rachel Zmora at (312) 695-1991 or e-mail rzmora@nmh.org
Left Atrial Pressure Monitoring to Optimize Heart Failure (LAPTOP-HF)
This research study is looking for patients diagnosed with heart failure (HF). Patients with HF have blood that moves through the heart and body at a slower rate causing increased pressure in the heart. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers of the heart respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body. This helps to keep the blood moving, but in time, the heart muscle walls weaken and are unable to pump as strongly. Eventually, the following symptoms may develop: shortness of breath, swelling of the feet and legs, dizziness, fatigue and weakness, reduced exercise capacity and irregular heartbeats. Doctors use these symptoms to evaluate the severity of HF and help determine doses of medications for their patients. However, by the time symptoms occur, some patients may need to be hospitalized to control their HF.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational device intended to treat HF. The Left Atrial Pressure (LAP) Monitoring Systems is designed take readings of the blood pressure within the heart. These readings may help physicians decide if changes are needed to medications before patients develop symptoms or require hospitalization. The information collected will be evaluated to see if subjects with the study device have less heart failure related hospitalizations than those who do not have the study device. Approximately 730 subjects will be enrolled in the study at up to 75 sites in the United States.
The LAP Monitoring System is investigational in the United States and has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Research Trial Contact Information:
For more information, interested participants and clinicians may contact Dan Roshevsky at (312) 695-3264 or e-mail droshevs@nmh.org
This study is looking for patients who have advanced heart failure symptoms and are not eligible for cardiac transplantation.
The purpose of the study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the HeartWare® VAS study device, in treating the condition of chronic advanced heart failure. There are two LVADs in study: the HeartWare® VAS, the study device, which is investigational, meaning that it is not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA); and the HeartMate II® Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) which has been approved by the FDA for Destination Therapy.
Chronic advanced heart failure is a condition in whch a heart cannot pump enough blood to the body's organs. People with heart failure cannot exert themselves because they become short of breath and tired. With chronic advanced heart failure, cellular malnutrition can occur with symptoms of tissue wasting and weight loss. Heart failure symptoms can reach a point where a patient becomes a candidate for LVAD implantation as long-term therapy (known as Destination Therapy). An LVAD is used to help support the body's blood circulation (flow). Because the heart cannot pump strongly enough to adequately circulate (move) the blood, an LVAD will take over the pumping function of the left ventricle. An LVAD does not replace the heart but works along with the heart to help pump blood. The "study device" and approved LVAD are battery-operated, mechanical pump-type devices that are surgically implanted.
Research Trial Contact Information:
For more information, interested participants and clinicians may contact Tanisha Abraham at (312) 926-0846 or e-mail tabraha1@nmh.org
Effects of Ranolazine in Patients with Angina Due to Right Ventricular Ischemia in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
This research study is looking for patients with pulmonary artery hypertension that experience chest pain (angina) or symptoms that suggest there is reduced blood flow to the heart. Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a disease of the blood vessels in the lungs and starts when small blood vessels tighten up and become narrow. As a result, the heart must work harder to push the blood through the narrowed blood vessels, resulting in an increased pressure in the lungs and increased stress on the heart. As the disease progresses, less blood is able to flow out of the heart, through the lungs, and into the body, and more symptoms (such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain) begin to appear.
The purpose of the study is to determine if using the medication, ranolazine, for three (3) months can help improve the heart's ability to pump blood, increase exercise capacity and improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with PH. Ranolazine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of angina, but is considered experimental for treating PH in this study.
Research Trial Contact Information:
For more information, interested participants and clinicians may contact Hamorabi Mkrdichian at (312) 926-2773 or e-mailhmkrdich@nmh.org
This study is being done to collect information on patients who have transthyretin-associated amyloidosis. This includes patients whose disease is hereditary (passed down from a parent to a child) and patients who have developed the disease spontaneously (not passed down by parent to child). Patients involved in the study will have medical information collected from visits to Northwestern University. As there are many unanswered questions about this disease, the Transthyretin-Associated Amyloidosis Outcome Survey (THAOS) was created in order to understand the disease better and improve the care of patients.
Research Trial Contact Information:
For more information, interested participants and clinicians may contact Hamorabi Mkrdichian at (312) 926-2773 or e-mailhmkrdich@nmh.org | eng | fa34d963-5e47-477e-b9bd-d2e5d456a596 | http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/ctu/current_research/heart-failure.htm |
San Pedro, Los United States. It was annexed in 1909 and is a major seaport of the area. The district has grown from being dominated by the fishing industry
Fishing industry
The fishing industry includes any industry or activity concerned with taking, culturing, processing, preserving, storing, transporting, marketing or selling fish or fish products....
to become primarily a working class community within the city of Los Angeles.
Geography
Climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
zone (Köppen climate classification), experiencing mild, wet winters and warm to hot summers. Breezes from the Pacific Ocean tend to keep the beach community cooler in summer and warmer in winter than those in further inland Los Angeles; summer temperatures can sometimes be as much as 18 °F (10 °C) warmer in the inland communities compared to that of San Pedro and other Los Angeles coastal communities. The area also sees a phenomenon known as the "marine layer", a dense cloud cover caused by the proximity of the ocean that helps keep the temperatures cooler throughout the year. When the marine layer lasts for days at a time and extends farther inland during the months of May and June, it is called June Gloom
June Gloom
June Gloom is a southern California term for a weather pattern that results in cloudy, overcast skies with cool temperatures during the late spring and early summer. June Gloom in southern California is caused by the marine layer effect common to the West Coast, and is enhanced by the Catalina eddy...
.
History
The site, at the southern end of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, on the west side of San Pedro Bay
San Pedro Bay (California)
San Pedro Bay is an inlet on the Pacific Ocean coast of southern California, United States. It is the site of the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, which together form the fifth-busiest port facility in the world and easily the busiest in the Western Hemisphere...
, was used by Spanish ships starting in the 1540s.
Origin of name
San Pedro was named for St. Peter of Alexandria, a Fourth Century bishop in Alexandria, Egypt. His feast day is November 24 on the local ecclesiastical calendar of Spain, the day on which Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese explorer noted for his exploration of the west coast of North America on behalf of Spain. Cabrillo was the first European explorer to navigate the coast of present day California in the United States...Sebastián Vizcaíno was a Spanish soldier, entrepreneur, explorer, and diplomat whose varied roles took him to New Spain, the Philippines, the Baja California peninsula, the California coast and Japan.-Early career:...
(1548–1624) officially surveyed and mapped the California coastline, including San Pedro Bay, for Tongva , also referred to as the San Gabriel Band, are a historic Native American people who have inhabited an area in present-day Los Angeles and Orange counties, California, for many centuries before the arrival of Europeans. Tongva means "people of the earth" in the Tongva language, an...
, or Gabrielino, Indians called the San Pedro area Chaaw.
Settlement
European settlement began in 1769 as part of an effort to populate California, although trade restrictions encouraged more smuggling than regular business. Rancho San Pedro
Rancho San Pedro
Rancho San Pedro was one of the first California land grants, and the first to win a patent from the United States. The land grant was validated by the Mexican government at in 1828, and a US patent validating was issued in 1858 The land was granted in 1784 by King Carlos III to Juan Jose Dominguez, a retired Spanish soldier who came to California with the Gaspar de Portolà trade restrictions were lifted, and the town flourished.
Under United States control after 1848, when the United States defeated Mexico in the Mexican-American war, the harbor was greatly improved and expanded under the guidance of Phineas Banning
Phineas Banning
Phineas Banning was an American businessman, financier, and entrepreneur.Known as "The Father of the Port of Los Angeles," he was one of the founders of the town of Wilmington, which was named for his birthplace...
and John Gately Downey, the seventh governor of California after the Free Harbor Fight
Free Harbor Fight
Free Harbor Fight refers to the legal battle in the late nineteenth century on the West Coast of the United States, around the case Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce vs. Huntington and the Southern Pacific....
. San Pedro has now become the largest port on the West Coast of the United States and the busiest port in the countryships from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 1919 when tension arose between the United States and Japan over the fate of China. San Diego Bay anchored in San Pedro Bay on 9 August 1919. Local availability of fuel oil minimized transportation costs, and consistently good weather allowed frequent gunnery exercises off the nearby Channel Islands of California
Channel Islands of California
The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California along the Santa Barbara Channel in the United States of America...
The Scouting Fleet was part of the United States Fleet in the United States Navy, and renamed the Scouting Force in 1930.Established in 1922, the fleet consisted mainly of older battleships and initially operated in the Atlantic...
were transferred from the Atlantic to San Pedro in response to the 1931 Japanese invasion of Manchuria. By 1934, 14 battleships, two, 14 cruisers, and 16 support ships were based at San Pedro. On 1 April 1940,Shore leave is the leave that professional sailors get to spend on dry land. It is culturally infamous for its excess. Sailors without family obligations and with basic lodging needs provided aboard ship may spend their wages for the journey in a brief period of extravagance ashore and return to...
port for Navy ships through World War II; but the battle fleet never returned.
Los Angeles annexation
In 1906, the City of Los Angeles annexed the Harbor Gateway, a long narrow strip of land connecting the city to the coast, and in 1909, the city annexed San Pedro and the adjacent town of Wilmington
Wilmington, Los Angeles, California. The odd shape is still seen in the map of the city.
Port of Los Angeles
San Pedro, Wilmington, and Terminal Island are the locations of the Port of Los Angeles.
Locations of interestThe California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
The Los Angeles Maritime Museum is a non-profit museum.-The Museum:The Los Angeles Maritime Museum is located on the main channel in Los Angeles Harbor, San Pedro, California, in the former Municipal Ferry Terminal building. The ferry ceased after the Vincent Thomas Bridge was opened to traffic in...
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is an aquarium in San Pedro, California, United States, a community within Los Angeles. It concentrates on the marine life of Southern California...
had its origins in the old Cabrillo Beach Marine Museum which was located in the historic Bath House at Cabrillo Beach. Thehouse, a Victorian-era structure built in the late 19th century, still exists as a museum and park on a bluff overlooking the ocean. The Korean Bell of Friendship
Korean Bell of Friendship
The Korean Bell of Friendship is a massive bronze bell housed in a stone pavilion in Angel's Gate Park, in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, CaliforniaMary Star of the Sea Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located in San Pedro, California, dedicated to Our Lady, Star of the Sea. Located on a hill overlooking the Port of Los Angeles, Mary Star of the Sea has sometimes been known as the "Fishermen's Parish" because of its close ties with...
is a prominent landmark with a steeple-top statue overlooking the harbour.
The Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Cars are a 1.5-mile heritage streetcar line in San Pedro, Los Angeles, home of the city's port. Their route runs south over a former Pacific Electric right-of-way from the World Cruise Center cruise ship terminal under the Vincent Thomas Bridge to the...
was opened, along the waterfront between downtown San Pedro and the Cruise Ship Terminal. This line includes two newly constructed trolleys built to resemble the wood-bodied 500 class cars introduced in 1905 for the Pacific Electric Railway
Pacific Electric Railway
The Pacific Electric Railway , also known as the Red Car system, was a mass transit system in Southern California using streetcars, light rail, and buses...
, which once operated more than 1000 miles (1,609.3 km) of track running streetcars and interurbans in Southern California. The 1.5 miles (2.4 km) line operates along former Pacific Electric right-of-way. The line, rebuilt and maintained by the Port of Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles, also has one original restored Pacific Electric interurban, which is used only for special charter excursions and special events. The original car is in fact Pacific Electric 963 (former Los Angeles Pacific 713 as built in 1907) rebuilt by Richard Fellows and renumbered 1058. Discussions have been held to extend the line to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is an aquarium in San Pedro, California, United States, a community within Los Angeles. It concentrates on the marine life of Southern California...
Twenty-Eighth Street in San Pedro, between Gaffey Street and Peck Avenue, is the steepest section of public roadway in Los Angeles. For about 50 feet (15.2 m), the street climbs at a 33.3% angle, although the rest of the street is less steep.
There is also "sunken city" that is just east of Point Fermin where the land literally "sunk" into the sea.
Special events
"Warner On Wednesdays Film Festival (W.O.W.)" and live musical theatre and plays performed throughout the year by The Relevant Stage Theatre Company, the resident theatre company at the historic Warner Grand Theatre, which also produces a Summer Performing Arts Youth Camp known as TRS Youthorizons.
"Be Entertained" year-round by the Golden State Pops Orchestra throughout San Pedro (resident orchestra at the historic Warner Grand theatre and featured ensemble at the Cabrillo Beach 4 July Celebration....
- Shakespeare by the Sea :Shakespeare by the Sea is a nonprofit organization that was launched in 1998 by Producing Artistic Director Lisa Coffi. Shakespeare by the Sea offers a free repertory season that runs for nine weeks throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. All performances are admission...
Festival, held at Point Fermin Park each summer. The company offers free presentations of Shakespeare's works in a family friendly environment.
First Thursday Artwalk & Dining, held in Downtown San Pedro on Sixth and Seventh Streets between Pacific Avenue and Mesa.
Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture, held at Point Fermin Park. Now in its 16th year, FPAC is the largest presenter of Philippine arts and culture in Southern California presenting over 1200 artists in 9 disciplines and attracting over 20,000 audience members from all over the country. The event will be September 8 & 9.at the Warner Grand Theater. The event is put on by the San Pedro City Ballet and usually takes place in late November. General seating is typically sold out and tickets for balcony seats are donated to local schools.
Annual Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival, "To build a bridge between the people of the region and the people of the world. Held in May.
Demographic history
Ethnically diverse, San Pedro was a magnet for European immigrants from various countries for years, reflected in the number of restaurants representing diverse cuisines, especially Croatian, Portuguese, Mexican
Mexican cuisine centered on the "Via Italia" (South Cabrillo Avenue). Estimates state that the community numbers about 45,000 Italian-Americans. San Pedro is also considered the heart of the Croatian and Norwegian communities in Los Angeles. The Croatian community, originally composed of seafarers and fishermen from the) region, has been present in San Pedro since the settlement began more than 200 years ago. The City of Los Angeles even named a stretch of 9th Street "Croatian Place" in honor of the city's old Croatian community. There are reportedly more than 35,000 Croats in San Pedro, making it the biggest Croatian community on the Pacific. The Norwegian presence can be felt at the Norwegian Seamen's Church
Norwegian Seamen's Church, San Pedro
The Norwegian Seamen's Church is a Norwegian Church Abroad that doubles as the Church of Sweden Los Angeles , also known as the Swedish Seamen's Church. It is located in the San Pedro area of Los Angeles, California and is also part of the Church of Sweden Abroad...
.
A large portion of San Pedro is also composed of Mexican-Americansimmigrants and African-Americans with long-time roots in the community. Much of their populations are based in the older, east side of the community surrounding the downtown area and bordering the Port of Los Angeles.Demographics (today)and 4.4% belong to other groups. Mexican (31.5%) and Italian (8.4%) are the most common ancestries.
"19,639 (24.5%) of residents are foreign born, low for the city of Los Angeles but about average for the county. Mexico (49.8%) and Italy (4.4%) are the most common foreign places of birth".
"22.8% of residents 25 and older have a four-year degree".
"The median age is 34".
"Average household size is 2.5 people".
"There are 3,393 families headed by single parents. The rate is 17.5%. The percentages of divorced males, divorced females, widowed males and widowed females are among the county's highest".
"There are 6,559 veterans, or 11.0% of the population. The percentage of veterans who served during 1990-99 is among the county's highest".
Economyhad its United States headquarters in San Pedro. In 1997 the airline moved its U.S. headquarters to Norwalk, California
Norwalk, California.
San Pedro also has the Port' O Call Village which is close to the water with many seafood restaurants and art galleries.
Government and infrastructure
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn' office is located on Beacon Street.The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the San Pedro Post Office at 839 South Beacon Street and the Eastview Post Office at 28649 South Western Avenue. The USPS also operates the Seafarers Post Office at Suite A at 93 Berth in close proximity to the San Pedro Post OfficeFederal Correctional Institution, Terminal Island is a low-security prison for men located on Reservation Point on Terminal Island and in San Pedro, Los Angeles. The other Federal prison in the Los Angeles area is the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angelesand in San Pedro.
Public schools
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
. The area is within Board District 7. As of 2008 Dr. Richard Vladovic represents the district.
San Pedro High School, Mary Star of the Sea High School, and the Port of Los Angeles High School are primary senior high schools within the region. San Pedro High School is home to the protected landmarks in the form of The English Language Arts and Administration Buildings (c. 1939, 1936, resp.). The school recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2003. It is home to both the Marine Science and Police Academy Magnet programs. Port of Los Angeles High School is a public charter high school, fusing a college preparatory program with elective coursework in International Business and Maritime Studies. Such studies reinforce the significant impact of California's ports on the global economy and international trade.
As of 2002 test scores tend to be higher in the area's elementary schools than in its middle and high schools.
Primary schools (Grades 1–5)
15th Street Elementary
Bandini Elementary
Barton Hill Elementary
Cabrillo Early Education Center
Cabrillo Elementary
Leland Elementary
Park Western Harbor Magnet
Point Fermin Elementary
San Pedro/Wilmington Early Education Center
South Shores Magnet for the Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School
Taper Elementary
Taper Avenue Elementary Technology Magnet Center
White Point Elementary
Crestwood Elementary
7th Street Elementary
Secondary schools (Grades 6–12)
Dana Middle School
Dodson Middle School (though actually located in Rancho Palos Verdes it is part of LAUSD)
San Pedro High School is a public high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District and is located in the San Pedro portion of the city of Los Angeles, California. In 2003, the school celebrated its 100th Anniversary....
Private schools
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. state of California. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the archdiocese comprises the California counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The diocesan cathedral is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the...
Rolling Hills Preparatory School is a private coeducational school in San Pedro, California.Founded in 1981, the school has approximately 236 students enrolled in grades 6 through 12. Approximately 26% of students receive some degree of financial aid.The Head of School is Peter McCormack.From 1981...
Mary Star of the Sea High School is the only private, Roman Catholic high school in San Pedro which serves the Los Angeles Harbor and surrounding communities. The school is operated by Mary Star of the Sea Parish under the supervision of the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Los...
—Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Libraries
The Los Angeles Public Library system serves the residents of Los Angeles, California, United States. With over 6 million volumes, LAPL is one of the largest publicly funded library systems in the world. The system is overseen by a Board of Library Commissioners with five members appointed by the...
operates the San Pedro Regional Branch Library at 931 South Gaffey. The library offers free Internet access as well as movies and books. A library card is required for any loan. This library was opened in 1983 in the presence of the late Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley
Tom Bradley (politician)
Thomas J. "Tom" Bradley was the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles, California, serving in that office from 1973 to 1993. He was the first and to date only African American mayor of Los Angeles...
.
Churches and community services
San Pedro has Catholic, Baptist (Southern and American Baptist Association), Pentecostal, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish, Presbyterians, Seventh Day Adventists and Hope Chapel congregations. There are also bilingual churches like the Korean Methodist Church on 6th St, the Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana (First Baptist Mexican Church) on Centre and Sepulveda, built in 1922. This church is associated with the American Baptist Churches USA. The Hispanic Salvation Army on Bandini Street and also Faro de Esperanza (Lighthouse of Hope) from the Assemblies of God. In San Pedro, some churches give other community services such as free meals, ESL for Hispanics and computer classes. Homeless people may get free meals thru the First Baptist Church on the 500 block on 7th St or the Mary Star of the Sea church on the 800 block. Along 7th St in San Pedro, there are four congregations: the Beth-el Jewish Synagogue, the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, the First Baptist Church (Southern Association), and the Saints of the Latter Days church (Mormons).
Notable residents
Elmer Batters was a pioneer fetish photographer who specialized in capturing artful images of women with an emphasis on stockings, legs, and feet: ahead of his time in popularizing foot fetishism imagery as erotic entertainment.-Career:Batters started out publishing his photographs himself, and...
Jay Meuser was an American abstract expressionist painter. Meuser's style was versatile and his works prolific, in his lifetime he worked as an illustrator, portrait painter and cartoonist for several newspaper editorial pages.-Biography:He married Dorothy Ellen Morris in 1938...
, Abstract Expressionist Artist lived in San Pedro from 1944 until his passing away in 1963. A bronze plaque is mounted on a building in his honor in the heart of the art gallery district on 7th Street in San Pedro.
Scott Brian Stantis is an American editorial cartoonist.-Career:Scott is currently the Editorial Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune and USA Today. He began his career with The Chicago Tribune on September 1, 2009 following the paper's nine-year search to replace Jeff MacNelly, who died in June 2000...
, Editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune and USA Today and creator of the comic strips "The Buckets" and "Prickly City". Lived in San Pedro 1977–1986 and married a woman from San Pedro., had regular recurring roles in the well-known soap operas Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place. Starred in 1997 filmSharon Marie Tate was an American actress. During the 1960s she played small television roles before appearing in several films. After receiving positive reviews for her comedic performances, she was hailed as one of Hollywood's promising newcomers and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award forDarryl Lynn "D. L." Hughley is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is perhaps best known as the star of the ABC/UPN sitcom The Hughleys, and as one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film The Original Kings of Comedy. Additionally, he has been the host of CNN's D. L...
Actor-writer Kirk Harris has been the lead actor in several films that have had arthouse theatrical releases in the US.He is currently starring in the western thriller "The Sorrow" for director Vernon Mortensen. He stars in the film with newcomer Ryan Ballance, John Savage, Michael Madsen and...
, actor and filmmaker. Starred in Chamaco with Martin Sheen and Michael Madsen, among other films. Lives in South Shores, San Pedro.
John Bettis is an American lyricist who has co-written many famous popular songs over the years. In 2011, John was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame....
: Lyricist for many big artists including: Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Carpenters, Whitney Houston and others. He has won an Emmy award and has been nominated for an Oscar for his work on the Godfather III theme song.
Minutemen: the band members for the influential and eclectic grew up in San Pedro and the band was formed there. Bassist/songwriterstill lives in San Pedro and is an active participant in its music scene. Drummer3rd Strike was a nu metal group, started by Jim Korthe , Todd Deguchi , Erik Carlsson , PJ McMullan and Gabe Hammersmith . Their lyrics were primarily based upon the former lives of the group's members...
, grew up in San Pedro. He died in his San Pedro home in January 2010.
Kosmos Express was a rock band from the 1990s. They were represented in both the mainstream and Christian market.-Biography:From early 1997 to mid-1998, Kosmos Express released two critically acclaimed records, Now, featuring the hit song "Beautiful", co-produced by Craig Nepp and Simulcast,...
Miguel Jontel Pimentel, who performs under the mononym Miguel, is an American recording artist, songwriter and producer. Signed to Jive Records in 2007, Miguel released his debut album, All I Want Is You, in November 2010. The album was preceded by the release of the single "All I Want Is You",...
John S. Gibson, Jr. was a powerful San Pedro, California, politician who was on the Los Angeles City Council for thirty years between 1951 and 1981. He was the president of the council for sixteen of those years and was acting mayor when the mayor was out of the cityJanice Kay Hahn is the U.S. Representative from California's 36th congressional district and a member of the Democratic Party. She was previously a Los Angeles City Councilwoman representing the 15th district from 2001 to 2011...
August E. Henning, known as A.E. Henning, was a civil engineer and businessman who was a member of the Los Angeles City Council between 1929 and 1933, disbursement officer for the California State Emergency Relief Administration from 1934 to 1937 and chief of the Park Division, California...
, Los Angeles, California, City Council member, 1929–33
Xavier Hermosillo, former Chief of Staff for the State of California Republican Party. Former award-winning newsprint reporter, television commentator and radio talk show host.
Joe Hill, born Joel Emmanuel Hägglund in Gävle , and also known as Joseph Hillström was a Swedish-American labor activist, songwriter, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World...
, a radical songwriter, labor activist, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World, lived and worked in San Pedro in the early years of the 20th Century and here began his labor organizing years.Vincent Tomasevich-Thomas was a Democratic Party politician from California who represented San Pedro's 68th and 52nd Districts in the California Assembly from 1941 to 1979. -Childhood and education:...
, California Assemblyman representing the 68th (later redrawn as the 52nd) Assembly district from 1940 through 1978. The famousis named after him. Thomas lived in San Pedro until his death in 1980,
John Main Olguin was an American aquarium official who served as the museum director of the Cabrillo Marine Museum, which has since been renamed the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, from 1949 until 1987, when he became director emeritus...
Founded in 1967, the American Cetacean Society was the first whale conservation group in the world. ACS is a 501 non-profit organization with an office in San Pedro, California and chapters in Los Angeles, Orange County, Puget Sound , Monterey, San Francisco, and a Student Coalition based out of...
and the "father of recreational whale watching."
Sports
Joe Amalfitano, long-time third base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Part of the 1981 and 1988 World Series championship teamsDenise Austin is an American fitness instructor, author, columnist, and former member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.-Early life:Austin was born Denise Katnich in San Pedro, California...
, Fitness personality
Ronnie Barber Sr., played tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the old AFL.
Mario Danelo was an American college football placekicker.-High school career:Danelo was an all–Los Angeles linebacker at San Pedro High School in San Pedro, California. Danelo was also a fullback and kicker at his high school...
, record-setting ex-placekicker for the 2006 NCAA national champion USC Trojans fell to his death in the cliffs overlooking Santa Catalina Island in San Pedro in 2007.
Gary Gabelich was a Croatian-American race car driver who set the land speed record with his rocket-powered vehicle "Blue Flame" on October 23, 1970, achieving an average speed of . Only 13,000 lbs. s.t...
, set the Guinness Book of World Records driving his rocket-powered "Blue Flame" vehicle for a world land speed record of 622.287 M.P.H. at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah on October 23, 1970. Record stood for 13 years.
Robert Edwin Gross is a retired American basketball player formerly in the NBA. A 6'6" 200 lb forward, he attended Seattle University and California State University, Long Beach, and was selected in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He was also selected in the 1975 ABA Draft by...
Brian David Harper is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for teams in both the American and National Leagues during his 16-year career and is currently the manager of the Chicago Cubs' AA club, the Tennessee Smokies.-Minor leagues:Harper was drafted by the California Angels in...
Dennis Wayne Johnson nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics and coach of the Los Angeles Clippers...
, Boston Celtic and Seattle SuperSonics basketball great in the 1970s and 1980s. Won three NBA championship rings.
Edward James Jurak is an American retired baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball from 1982 through 1989. He played for the Boston Red Sox from 1982 to 1985, the Oakland Athletics in 1988, and the San Francisco Giants in 1989...
, utility infielder for the Boston Red Sox in the 1970s and 1980s.
Andy Lopez, former head baseball coach of at the University of Florida. Coached Pepperdine University in 1992 to the College World Series title. Currently the head baseball coach at the University of Arizona.
Haven Christopher Moses is a former American football wide receiver. Haven played collegiately for Los Angeles Harbor College and San Diego State University. He was drafted by the American Football League's Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1968 Draft and played for the Bills from 1968 to...
, former starting wide receiver for the Denver Broncos in the 1970s. Started in Super Bowl XII versus the Dallas Cowboys.
William Dean "Willie" Naulls is a retired American basketball player. A 6'6" power forward/center, he played professionally in the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1966....
, ex-UCLA basketball great. Played power forward/center for New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics. 4-time NBA All-Star with the Knicks in the 1950s. Won 3 NBA Championships with the Celtics in the 1960s.
Robert Allen Nen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He spent most of his career as a closer. He is the son of former major league first baseman Dick Nen. He currently works in the Giants' front office as a special assistant to General Manager Brian Sabean.Nen is best Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...Timothy Jon "Tim" Wrightman is a former professional American football tight end. He played for two seasons for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Wrightman played college football at UCLA and was drafted in the 3rd round by the Chicago Bears in the 1982 NFL draft...
Petros Papadakis is an American television personality and radio co-host of the Petros and Money Show on Fox Sports Radio. He is a former tailback and American football team captain for the University of Southern California Trojans football team. He is also known as "The P."Papadakis's family...
Richard Willard Armour was an American poet and author who wrote over sixty-five books.-Life and work:Armour was born in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. His father was a druggist, and Armour's autobiographical Drug Store Days recalls his childhood in both San Pedro and Pomona...
, poet and author who wrote over sixty books, was born in San Pedro on July 25, 1906.
Richard Henry Dana Jr. was an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts, a descendant of an eminent colonial family who gained renown as the author of the American classic, the memoir Two Years Before the Mast.... Dana was not a resident but rather a famous visitor to San Pedro, who wrote about the experience in his memoir. San Pedro's first middle school is named after him.
"Two days brought us to San Pedro, and two days more (to our no small joy) gave us our last view of that place, which was universally called the hell of California and seemed designed in every way for the wear and tear of sailors. Not even the last view could bring out one feeling of regret. No thanks, thought I, as we left the hated shores in the distance, for the hours I have walked over your stones barefooted, with hides on my head, -- for the burdens I have carried up your steep, muddy hill, --for the duckings in your surf; and for the long days and longer nights passed on your desolate hill, watching piles of hides, hearing the sharp bark of your eternal coyotes, and the dismal hooting of your owls." Excerpt from Two Years Before the Mast
Two Years Before the Mast[At the time, San Pedro had no dock. Everything had to be loaded onto smaller boats and rowed ashore.]on the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. She briefly lived in East San Pedro (Terminal).
"In those days it [East San Pedro] was a company town, a ghetto owned and controlled by the canneries. The men went after fish, and whenever the boats came back-day or night-the woman would be called to process the catch while it was fresh. One in the afternoon or four in the morning, it made no difference...I can still hear the whistle--two toots for French's, three for Van Camp's--and she [Mom] and Chizu would be out of bed in the middle of the night, heading for the cannery." Excerpt from"The worst times were when he was "on the beach" - on shore, in San Pedro, California, between ships and broke. "I slept in boxcars and under piles of lumber, and took jobs no one else wanted. I was 18 and looked 24. There were several times I went three and four days without eating. I didn't beg or steal, just went without. I'd like to recover for my readers what it's really like to be hungry. I have a penchant for stories about survival, lessons in survival. I've been a survivor most of my life." L'Amour chronicled some of his experiences on the beach in San Pedro in is 1980 book Yondering
Yondering
Yondering is a collection of short stories by popular American author Louis L'Amour. Rather than deal with L'Amour's traditional subject matter of the Old West, Yondering contains adventure stories, primarily set in the first half of the 20th century...
.."
Sandrot Meallet, author of the novel
Edgewater Angels.
"Meallet calls the people he grew up with in the Rancho San Pedro Housing Project ' the most wonderful people I ever knew. These kids had to grow up in a constant state of cultural crisis, always reacting to the police, their messed up parents, and neighborhood gang leaders. It takes superhuman strength to get through it and be aware.' ", though it is based upon the true story of a girl who lived alone on a California island for eighteen years, came from the memory of my years at San Pedro and Dead Man's Island
Deadman's Island (San Pedro)
Deadman's Island was one of two islands near San Pedro, Los Angeles, California in the 19th century. The land, sometimes referenced as Dead Man's Island, Isla Del Muerto, and Reservation Point, was dredged away in 1928 as part of a harbor development effort...
, when, with other boys my age, I voyaged out on summer mornings in search of adventure."
John Shannon is a contemporary American author, lately of detective fiction. He began his career with four well-reviewed novels in the 1970s and 1980s, then in 1996 launched the Jack Liffey mystery series...
Louis Adamic was a Slovenian American author and translator.- Biography :Adamic was born at Praproče Mansion in Praproče near Grosuplje, in what is now Slovenia...
, even Richard Henry Dana stayed [here] for a time. I could ride the ferry across to Terminal Island, hang out at the docks, walk down the harbor among the commercial fishing boats with old Sicilians and Croatians mending their nets, catch crawdads in Averill Park."
What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality and Blessing of the Animals grew up in San Pedro.
"San Pedro was a great place to grow up because it was such a close knit fishing village that helped me develop love for animals and the environment. My connection with nature and animals began at our home near the cliffs of Royal Palms and my professional path began at the Cabrillo Beach Museum under the tutelage of John Olguin. John was the first to put me in front of an audience. As for my writing? In the 9th grade we produced a magazine called, "The Perpetual Wave" and I believe that the article inside the magazine was my first published work, born and raised in San Pedro), producer of the award-winning underground film "Night Train"
Night Train (1999 film)
Night Train is a 1999 film directed by Les Bernstien and starring John Voldstad, Barry Cutler, Nikoletta Skarlatos, Pedro Aldana, Donna Pieroni and Dan Shor. Night Train was filmed almost entirely in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico....
Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
and Best New Director at the 2000 FantaSporto International Film Festival in Porto, Portugal
PortoCroatian Americans are citizens of the United States of Croatian descent.-Numbers:According to the 2007 US Community Survey, there are 420,763 Americans of full or partial Croatian descent....
in 1958, annexing the Croatian Hall in the early 1970s). Grandson of Vido Druskovich, a fisherman on the locally legendary fishing vessel "San Pedro Boy", on which he lost his life in April 1971. From 1999 to 2006, Anthony was the Los Angeles Regional Director for Burning Man
Burning ManKXLU is an FM radio station broadcasting out of Loyola Marymount University in southwest Los Angeles, California. It was first on the air in 1957, and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. It is a non-commercial college radio station that plays many styles of music broadly classified under...
radio personality Brother Matt Matich, with whom he is an occasional guest on The Watt From Pedro Show Anthony lived next door to musician Krist Novoselic
Krist Novoselic, a fellow Croatian-American, when Krist lived with his family in San Pedro, prior to their moving to Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen, Washingtonwhere, some years later, Krist became the bassist in the rock band Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade is a documentary film directed by Lincoln Ruchti about the golden age of video arcade games. The film premiered January 22, 2007 at the Sundance Film Festival and has also been shown at the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival, as well as other film...
Robert Towne is an American screenwriter and director. His most notable work may be his Academy Award-winning original screenplay for Roman Polanski's Chinatown .-Film:...
, writer, director, producer, actor. Raised in San Pedro. His father owned a popular dress shop that was on 6th Street. One of the best script doctors in Hollywood, he contributed crucial scenes to such films as.-Plot:...
Shampoo is a 1975 satirical film written by Robert Towne and directed by Hal Ashby. It stars Warren Beatty, Julie Christie and Goldie Hawn, with Lee Grant, Jack Warden, Tony Bill and in an early film appearance, Carrie Fisher....
Writers Guild of America, West is a labor union representing film, television, radio, and new media writers. The Guild was formed in 1954 from five organizations representing writers, which include the Screen Writers Guildand The Godfather, as the third greatest English language screenplay of all time.
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
talk show on cable TV. The series was created and produced with his brother Jeff Manghera, who handled the production chores. Their show, Pete's Place, was broadcast on Cox Communications Inc., Palos Verdes (previously Dimension Cable) from February 1994 to December 2008 and had included many notable personages, including Rep. Jane Harmon (D-CA), Mayor James Hahn, and District Attorneys Steve Cooley and Gil Garcetti. The series ended production in December 2008 when the Public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV channel and production studios were eliminated by Cox Communications, Inc..
Enzo Giobbe - Director of photography on many Hollywood and European movies. Director and cinematographer on some of the most popular music videos during the 1980s. Raised in San Pedro. His father was a well known commercial fisherman who owned several fishing boats. His mother owned a popular children's clothing store on 6th Street.
The Mexican Mafia , also known as La Eme , 13 is a Mexican American criminal organization, and is one of the oldest and most powerful prison gangs in the United States.-Foundation:...
prison gang. Joe, who was of Croatian-American heritage spent his early years in San Pedro. Moved to East L.A. in his teens. He was the link between the Mexican Mafia and the West Coast Italian crime syndicates criminal activities of the 1970s. Joe Morgan was the character " JD " in Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos is an American actor and director. Among his most memorable roles are William Adama in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, Lt...
American Me is a 1992 biographical crime drama film produced and directed by Edward James Olmos, his first film as a director, and written by Floyd Mutrux and Desmond Nakano. Olmos also stars as the film's protagonist, Montoya Santana...
.
Television(2007)
in Season 2, Episode 12 - The Mountain King, scenes are shot in San Pedro near Point Fermin and Cabrillo Beach. The original Don's wife, Anna Draper, is shown to live in the area.
"Don disembarks from a bus at San Pedro, pauses to look around in a picturesque manner, and heads on his way."
"It appears that Don and Anna lived for a time in the San Pedro area of L.A."The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
(2003)
The popular television show The O.C. filmed on location in San Pedro; footage taken include 5 scenes in 4 different episodes.(1994) was filmed at San Pedro High School.
Mr Show with Bob and David (1998)Season 4 Episode 5
"Knight Rider"
TV-Series 1982–1986
"Wonder Woman"
TV-Series 1975–1979
"The A-Team"
TV-Series 1983–1987
"Who's the Boss"
TV-Series 1977
The San Pedro Beach Bums
Film
The community of San Pedro, California is a very popular location for filming. Films shot in San Pedro include:
"The Most Dangerous Game", also published as "The Hounds of Zaroff", is a short story by Richard Connell. It was published in Collier's Weekly on January 19, 1924....
is a 1932 film adaptation of the 1924 short story of the same name by Richard Connell
Richard Connell
Richard Edward Connell Jr. was an American author and journalist, probably best remembered for his short story "The Most Dangerous Game". Connell was one of the most popular American short story writers of his time and his stories appeared in the Saturday Evening Post and Collier's WeeklyEscape from the Planet of the Apes, directed by Don Taylor, is a 1971 science fiction film starring Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Bradford Dillman and Ricardo Montalbán. It is the third of five films in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs, the second being Beneath the...
Kim Hunter was an American film, theatre, and television actress. She won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, each as Best Supporting Actress, for her performance as Stella Kowalski in the 1951 film A Streetcar Named Desire...
-Early life:Bradford Dillman was born on April 14, 1930 in San Francisco, California, the son of Josephine and Dean Dillman, a stockbroker. He studied at Town School for Boys and St. Ignatius High School. Later he attended the Hotchkiss boarding school in Connecticut, where he became involved in...Beneath the Planet of the Apes is a 1970 American science fiction film directed by Ted Post and written by Paul Dehn. It is the second of five films in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P. JacobsMystery film is a sub-genre of the more general category of crime film and at times the thriller genre. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of a crime by means of clues, investigation, and clever deduction.The...
and part psychological drama. The movie won several high-profile awards, including an Academy Award in 1975 for Best Writing and Original Screenplay for Robert Towne
Robert Towne
Robert Towne is an American screenwriter and director. His most notable work may be his Academy Award-winning original screenplay for Roman Polanski's Chinatown .-Film:..., the 1980 comedy film which tells the story of Judy, a wealthy Jewish woman, who joins the Army when her new husband dies on their wedding night.Kurt Vogel Russell is an American television and film actor. His first acting roles were as a child in television series, including a lead role in the Western series The Travels of Jaimie McPheetersWilliam Friedkin is an American film director, producer and screenwriter best known for directing The French Connection in 1971 and The Exorcist in 1973; for the former, he won the Academy Award for Best DirectorJohn Michael Turturro is an American actor, writer and director known for his roles in the films Do the Right Thing , Miller's Crossing , Barton Fink , Quiz Show , The Big Lebowski , O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the Transformers film series...
John Pankow is an American film and stage actor. He is perhaps best known for a supporting role on the sitcom Mad About You .-Early life:...
, and others. The film tells the story of how two U.S. Secret Service agents set out to arrest a counterfeiter, using any means necessary. The agents do not let the law stand in their way.
Wanted: Dead or Alive is a 1987 film directed by Gary Sherman and starring Rutger Hauer as Nick Randall, the descendant of the character played by Steve McQueen in the television series of the same name.Mary Stuart Masterson is an American film, stage and television actress and director.-Early life:Masterson was born in New York City to writer/director Peter Masterson and actress Carlin Glynn. She has two siblings: Peter Masterson Jr., and Alexandra Masterson, who are both involved in the...
. It was one of the many successful teen dramas written by John Hughes in the 1980s, although this one was directed by Howard Deutch
Howard Deutch
Howard Deutch is an American film director. His most recent theatrical release was My Best Friend's Girl, starring Jason Biggs, Kate Hudson, Dane Cook, and Alec Baldwin...
John Ellison is an American/Canadian musician, best known for writing the song "Some Kind of Wonderful". He was born in Landgraff, a small, poverty-stricken coal mining village near Welch, West Virginia, on August 11, 1941, and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, receiving his...series. It was released in 1988. The film was directed by Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin is a Finnish-American film director and producer. He is best known for Die Hard 2 , Cliffhanger , The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea...
.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, the 1988 comedy film, the first in a series of movies starring Leslie Nielsen
Leslie Nielsen
Leslie William Nielsen, OC was a Canadian and naturalized American actor and comedian. Nielsen appeared in more than one hundred films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying more than 220 charactersDamon Kyle Wayans is an American stand-up comedian, writer and actor, one of the Wayans brothers.-Early life:Wayans was born in New York City, New York, the son of Elvira, a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Wayans, a supermarket manager...
The Abyss is a 1989 science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron. It stars Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn. The original musical score was composed by Alan Silvestri...
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities Elizabeth Mastrantonio is an American actress and singer known for her role as Carmen in The Color of Money, as well as for her roles as Lindsey Brigman in The Abyss, Gina Montana in Scarface, and Maid Marian in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.-Personal life:Mastrantonio was born in Lombard,......
Demi Guynes Kutcher , known professionally as Demi Moore, is an American actress. After minor roles in film and a role in the soap opera General Hospital, Moore established her career in films such as StJames Thomas Patrick "J. T." Walsh was an American character actor. He appeared in many well-known films, including Nixon, Hoffa, A Few Good Men, Backdraft, Miracle on 34th Street, Breakdown, and Good Morning, Vietnam.Walsh was known for his roles as "quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs"...Phillip Noyce is an Australian film director.-Life and career:Noyce was born in Griffith, New South Wales, attended Barker College, Sydney, and began making short films at the age of 18, starting with Better to Reign in Hell, using his friends as the castL.A. Takedown is a crime/thriller made for TV movie that aired on NBC on August 27, 1989 at 9 pm. It was written and directed by Michael Mann, and its ensemble cast includes Scott Plank, Alex McArthur, Michael Rooker, Daniel Baldwin, and Xander Berkeley. Takedown starred Plank as Det. Vincent HannaOutbreak is a 1995 American disaster film starring Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Spacey. The film was directed by Wolfgang Petersen. In addition, Outbreak features Cuba Gooding, Jr., Donald Sutherland, and Patrick Dempsey....A Walk in the Clouds is a 1995 American romantic drama film directed by Alfonso Arau. The screenplay by Robert Mark Kamen, Mark Miller, and Harvey Weitzman is based on the 1942 Italian film Four Steps in the Clouds by Piero Tellini, Cesare Zavattini, and Vittorio de Benedetti.-Plot:Shortly after-Biography:Arau was born in Mexico City, the son of a doctor. He directed the films Zapata: The Dream of a Hero, Like Water for Chocolate , A Walk in the Clouds with Keanu Reeves and Anthony Quinn, and the Hallmark Hall of Fame production A Painted House, adapted from the John Grisham novel of the...
and produced by the Zucker brothers; it is a remake of a 1942 Italian film of the same title. It starsAitana Sánchez-Gijón is a Spanish-Italian film actress.Best known for playing dramatic roles in Spain, Sánchez-Gijón is known in the United States for her portrayal of Victoria Aragon, a pregnant and abandoned Mexican-American winegrower's daughter who is helped by travelling salesman Paul Sutton ... televisionCalogero Lorenzo "Chazz" Palminteri is an American actor and writer, best known for his performances in The Usual Suspects, A Bronx Tale, and his Academy Award nominated role for Best Supporting Actor in Bullets Over Broadway....Peter William "Pete" Postlethwaite, OBE, was an English stage, film and television actor.After minor television appearances including in The Professionals, Postlethwaite's first success came with the film Distant Voices, Still Lives in 1988. He played a mysterious lawyer, Mrdirected and written by American actor Sean Penn. It starsChristopher Crosby "Chris" Farley was an American comedian and actor. Farley was a member of Chicago's Second City Theatre and cast member of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1995....
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
. Written by Mark Feldberg and Mitchell Klebanoff and directed by Dennis Dugan
Dennis DuganShou Wan Por , known professionally as Robin Shou, is a Hong Kong martial artist and actor. Frequently appearing in numerous martial arts films, Shou was most successful for playing the role of Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat & Gobei with the late Chris Farley in Beverly Hills Ninja.-Career:Shou's firstBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC ComicsRobin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...Michael Gough was an English character actor who appeared in over 150 films. He is perhaps best known to international audiences for his roles in the Hammer Horror films from 1958, and for his recurring role as Alfred Pennyworth in all four movies of the Burton/Schumacher Batman franchiseArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....Amistad is a 1997 historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg based on the true story of a mutiny in 1839 by newly captured African slaves that took place aboard the ship La Amistad off the coast of Cuba, the subsequent voyage to the Northeastern United States and the legal battlefilm based on a slave mutiny that took place aboard a ship of the same name in 1839, and the illegaland the second Jurassic Park film as part of the Jurassic Park franchise.John McNaughton is an American film and television director, originally from Chicago, Illinois.-Biography:His first feature film, made in 1986, was Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, a film McNaughton directed, co-wrote, and co-produced. Numerous complications plagued the controversial film,...which tells the story of United States forces during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. It marked, the 1998 American comedy film written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges
Jeffrey Leon "Jeff" Bridges is an American actor and musician. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Otis "Bad" Blake in the 2009 film Crazy Heart....In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie into a film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham CarterEdward Harrison Norton is an American actor, screenwriter, film director and producer. In 1996, his supporting role in the courtroom drama Primal Fear garnered him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor-Life and career:Sena. Sena directed several of Janet Jackson's...
Scott Rosenberg is an American actor, screenwriter and film producer.- Biography :Born in Needham, Massachusetts in 1963, Rosenberg received a Bachelor's Degree from Boston University. He earned his MFA from UCLAJonathan Mostow is an American film director, writer and producer.-Biography:A graduate of Hopkins School in New Haven, Connecticut and Harvard, Mostow also trained at the American Repertory Company and New York City's Lee Strasberg InstituteHarvey KeitelHarald Zwart is a Norwegian film director.Although born in the Netherlands, Zwart was raised in Fredrikstad in Norway. As early as age eight, he started making short films. He attended the Dutch Film Academy in Amsterdam where he received great acclaim for his student film Gabriel's SurprisePaul Reiser is an American stand-up comedian, actor, television personality, author, screenwriter and musician. He is most widely known for his role on the long-running television sitcom Mad About YouThe Naked Gun 2½:...
the 1991 sequel to the 1988 film The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! was also filmed in San Pedro.Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 American biographical comedy-drama film based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., who, before his 19th birthday, successfully performed cons worth millions of dollars by posing as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor, and a Louisiana parish prosecutor Nathanson is an American film writer, film producer, and director.He is best known for his work on the Rush Hour series, Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, and The Last Shot, and has also co-written a story draft for the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull with George Lucas...
loosely from the book by Frank Abagnale, Jr. and Stan Redding. The lead actors wereA Man Apart is a 2003 action-thriller-drama film directed by F. Gary Gray and released by New Line Cinema. The film stars Vin Diesel and Larenz Tate. The story follows undercover DEA agent Sean Vetter who is on a vendetta to take down a mysterious drug lord named Diablo after his wife is murdered...
The Shape of Things is a 2001 play by American author and film director Neil LaBute and a 2003 American romantic comedy-drama film. It premièred at the Almeida Theatre, London in 2001 with Paul Rudd as Adam, Rachel Weisz as Evelyn, Gretchen Mol as Jenny, and Fred Weller as Phillip. The play was...
Neil N. LaBute is an American film director, screenwriter and playwright.-Early life:LaBute was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Marian, a hospital receptionist, and Richard LaBute, a long-haul truck driver. LaBute is of French Canadian, English and Irish ancestry, and was raised in Spokane,...Gretchen Mol is an American actress and former model. She is known for her roles in films like Rounders, Celebrity, 3:10 to Yuma, The Thirteenth Floor,and The Notorious Bettie Page, where she played the title character...
Frederick Weller is an American actor.- Personal life :Weller was born in New Orleans and is a cousin of actor Peter Weller. He is a graduate of Jesuit High School, a Catholic all-boys high school in New Orleans, and the University of North Carolina. He married Ali Marsh on September 6, 2003...Peter Segal is an American film director, with credits in producing, writing, and acting. He has had general success in the comedy film genre.-Filmography:*Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult *Tommy BoyThe Black Dahlia is a 2006 neo noir crime film directed by Brian De Palma. It is based on the novel of the same name by James Ellroy, writer of L.A. Confidential and starred Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank. The story is based on the murder of Elizabeth ShortShelter is a 2007 American film directed and written by Jonah Markowitz. It stars Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe, and Tina Holmes. It was the winner of "Outstanding Film – Limited Release" at the 2009 GLAAD Media Awards, Best New Director and Favorite Narrative Feature at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film...
Tina Holmes is an American television and film actress.- Early years and education :Holmes grew up in New York City and Connecticut. An Ivy Leaguer, she attended Yale University for two years followed by a move to Paris, France studying French Literature at the Sorbonne...
. A big part of the story takes place in San Pedro and Zach, the hero, lives there with his family.Matthew George "Matt" Reeves is an American film writer, director and producer.-Early life:Reeves was born in Rockville Centre, New York, and raised in Los Angeles, California. He began making movies at eight years old, directing friends with a wind-up camera. Reeves met and became friends with J.J...
Jeffrey Jacob "J. J." Abrams is an American film and television producer, screenwriter, director, actor, and composer. He wrote and produced feature films before co-creating the television series Felicity...
Drew Goddard is an American film and television screenwriter and producer best known for his collaborations with Joss Whedon and J.J. Abrams .Goddard joined the crew of Lost as a freelance writer for the first season in 2004, the 2008 comedy superhero film directed by Peter Berg and starring. The train wreck scene was filmed in San Pedro, California, in conjunction with Pacific Harbor Line RR. PHL SD18 diesel locomotive #40 was changed by the movie crews to the fictitious Southland & Western RR.
...
the Disney movie about special agent pets had a few action sequences towards the end of the film taking place on 9th street and Ports O' Call. When the rodents showcase their hamster ball motorcycle you can clearly see the port of LA in the distance. When the government agents reach a fictional theme park, they are actually in the Ports O' Call parking lot when they set off all of the fireworks .
(500) Days of Summer, the 2009 film where the wedding scene in the park was filmed at theThe Ugly Truth may refer to:*The Ugly Truth , a 2009 romantic comedy*"The Ugly Truth", an episode of the TV series Farscape*Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth, the fifth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series...
(2009)
Fast & Furious (2009)
Press
Many city residents subscribe to or purchase the local newspaper, the Daily Breeze
Daily Breeze
The Daily Breeze is a 70,000-circulation daily newspaper published in Torrance, California. It serves the South Bay cities of Los Angeles County. Its slogan is "LAX to LA Harbor".- Early history :...
. In 2003, it created a weekly, More San Pedro, in the San Pedro Harbor Area. More San Pedro was cancelled in 2008 after the Breeze was purchased by The San Pedro News-Pilot, long the area's daily newspaper, ceased publishing in 1998. The News-Pilot traced its history back to 1906; it was created from the merge of the San Pedro Daily News and the San Pedro Pilot. Some of the staff of the N-P were hired by the South Bay Daily Breeze; still covering San Pedro is former News-Pilot reporter Donna Littlejohn. A community website, called is not connected to the original newspaper of a similar name. In 2002, the Long Beach Press-Telegram
Long Beach Press-Telegramlaunched the monthly publication San Pedro Magazine serving the San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes areas. San Pedro Magazine was cancelled in December 2008 after the Press-Telegram eliminated their magazine department. In January 2009, a new independently-owned monthly magazine called San Pedro Today debuted. Other papers available for subscription or purchase include. San Pedro is also the publishing home of the free left-leaning alternative newspaper, the Random Lengths News.
See also
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy is a non-profit organization that is based in Palos Verdes, CA, whose mission is "Preserving land and restoring habitat for the enjoyment and education of all." Founded in 1988, the PVPLC has protected of open space as nature preserves on the Palos... | eng | 9e036cea-4380-48dc-a920-5b44f24915bf | http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/San_Pedro,_Los_Angeles,_California |
How does online fraud work?
Online fraud usually begins with someone sending millions of
phishing emails disguised as messages from a trusted company or brand.
The typical phishing email will contain a story concocted to
lure you into taking an action, such as clicking a link or button in the
email (or less often, calling a phone number).
These links or buttons will take you to a fraudulent website
which will also mimic the appearance of the well-known company's
website. You will then be asked for personal information, like your bank
details, credit card number, National Insurance number, or account
password. So you think you're giving information to a trusted company
when, in fact, you're sharing it with criminals.
Sender's email address
To give you a false sense of
security, the 'From' field may include an email address which looks like
it is from a trusted brand. Beware, email addresses can be altered
easily.
Generic email greeting
A typical phishing email will
use a generic greeting for everyone, such as 'Dear User' or 'Dear
Customer'. All PayPal emails will greet you by your first and last name.
False sense of urgency
Most phishing emails threaten
that your account will be in jeopardy if you do not undertake some
action immediately. An email that urgently requests you to supply
sensitive personal information is usually an attempt at fraud.
Fake links
Many phishing emails have links
which look valid, but send you to a fake site. Always check where a link
is going before you click: move your mouse over the URL in the email
and look at the URL in the browser. As always, if it looks suspicious,
don't click it. Open a new browser window and type the URL (e.g.
Attachments
Attachments in phishing emails are dangerous.
Never click on an attachment in a suspicious or unusual email: it may
download spyware or a virus on your computer. LovelyJubbly (and most reputable
companies) will never email you an attachment or a software update to
install on your computer.
The item watch features lets you keep a
close eye on any auction without having to place a bid on it. This feature
means you can be kept up to date on how an auction is doing and prepares you to
place a winning last minute bid. You can watch any auction by clicking on the
"Watch this item" link on any auction page.
If
the option is available you can use "Buy Out" to purchase the item immediately
at loveleyjubbley without having to place a bid. Some sellers offer such an
option which can be used at any time until a bid has been placed over any
applicable reserve price.
The
"Buy Out" option will appear on the item details page, you will be asked to
confirm your intention to buy out the item before the sale is concluded. Buy
out's cannot be retracted.
The auction watch features notifies you
of newly listed auctions which contain keywords you have chosen. For example if
you are looking for a new Digital Camera you could enter in those keywords from
within your members area area. Each time a new auction is listed containing
those keywords you will be notified via email.
To list your item with loveley jubbley
simply click on the "Sell" link found on the header navigational bar. The
listing process is split up into several main sections, notably:-
Category selection
Item Details
Auction Settings
Shipping and Payment
Listing preview
Listing confirmation
The listing process is developed in such
a way that you are guided through every step seamlessly.
The first part of the process is to
choose the category you wish to list your item in, this can be revised at any
time by using the "Previous Step" navigation button.
< p>
Step two enables you to enter your item
title and description, a full wysiwyg editor is in place to enable you to use
HTML descriptions.
If you have a voucher code to redeem this
can be entered just below the description field.
Moving on to step three, this is the
biggest stage of the listing process. On this step you can set the following:-
· Auction type:-
Standard Auction
This is a single quantity auction
Dutch Auction
Dutch auction enables you to list a
multiple quantity auction, for example if you have 100 pens to sell you can
list all of these together in a single lot. Bidders will be able to select how
many they wish to bid for.
· Currency:-
You can select your preferred auction
currency using the drop down menu available
· Quantity:-
This field is only active if listing a
Dutch auction, please see above for an explanation of this listing type
· Auction Starts At:-
This requires you to enter the minimum
bid you are willing to accept, you can also set a reserve price to ensure you
do not sell the item for this amount. Please see below for more information on
this.
· Reserve Price:-
Enabling a reserve price affectively
means you will not sell the item for less than the amount set, for example you
can set the start price at 5.00 but only accept winning bids over 50.00, should
a bid be placed for 49.99 the item will close without a winner.
· Buy out (if available):-
Buy out allows you to set an amount you
are willing to sell the item for – straight out. For example you can set the
start price to 10.00 but offer interested parties the option to buy the item
immediately for 100.00.
You can also list buy out only auctions,
these auctions remove all bidding options meaning the listing can only be
purchased for a set amount. To set a buy out only auction you need to set the
buy out value to be exactly equal with the start bid.
· Offer-Range (if available):-
You can set a price bracket in which you
are willing to listing to offer, for example if you set the price brackets from
15.00 to 100.00 interested parties will be able to offer you an amount within these
brackets, you can opt whether to accept or decline these offers at any time via
the members area.
· Bid increment:-
This option can be used to set your own
custom bid increment if preferred.
· Item featuring (if available):-
The following options are available to
you (fees may apply), these will highlight your item on site to ensure they
reach more visitors:-
§ Home page featured
§ Category featured
§ Bold text
§ Highlighted background
· Set start/end time:-
You can either opt to list your item
right away and set a defined number of days for it to be live for or you also
have the option to define your own custom start/end time.
· Private Auction:-
Private auction will hide the bidders
identity on the item details page
· Image upload:-
To accompany your item you can either
upload images from your local computer or enter the URL of an image(s) hosted
elsewhere
· Media upload:-
In addition to images you can also upload
media files, please note only .avi/.mpeg/.mov are supported.
· Auto Re-List
For convenience you can opt to have your
items automatically re-listed for you, options are available to allow you to
select whether the item should be re-listed if sold and how many re-list
attempts should be made.
On the next step you can set your
shipping and payment preferences including your shipping rates and available
methods of delivery.
Proceeding on, you can then review the
listing and make changes if required, please note you can still edit your
listing once live via the members area.
Help : FAQ : Fraud Prevention and Resolution
Find questions and answers relating to stemming fraud and how to deal with it
if you come across any within eBid. Click on the eBid Help Desk link to go back
to our FAQ index page.
1. What is online auction fraud?
2. Why does it happen?
3. Who does it?
4. Why do they do it?
5. Most common online auction Fraud scams and ways to spot them.
6. How can I stop this happening to me?
7. Online Security - How do I know that an email is really from Lovelyjubbly
8. Spam. How to spot and prevent it.
9. Credit & debit card information.
10. Securing Your Account and Reporting Account Theft
1) What Western Union) - seller insists that you
pay by wire transfer and your payment is safe because money will not be
released without a password or ID code. This is not true. If they insist on a
wire transfer it is almost certainly a scam.
• Will only provide you with a mobile, pager or voice messaging system.
• Landline number is always engaged or "please leave a message".
• Hotmail account or another third-party email address/free mail address's.
• High priced auctioned item from a member with zero feedback.
• Offers to complete the sale before the auction has finished - contact
telephone number or email in the text of the auction.
• Requesting your banking details after the auction has closed and then setting
up direct debits with your banking information. Always use a payment provider
such as Paypal/netteller or moneybooker to avoid giving your banking
information.
• Makes an excuse why they cannot use the Escrow Payment facilities.
• Fraudulent escrow services (what is escrow?) - Sellers offering to use an escrow
company that is not regulated by the FSA.
If you have any doubt or suspicions contact us before doing anything!
6) How can I stop this happening to me?
The best ways to be sure about your transaction's are :
1. Use sellers with good feedback and read the comments that others have left.
2. Ask for phone numbers and speak to the seller.
3. Use paypal/moneybookers/netteller Escrow Payments (UK & Europe)
4. Pick up and pay for the goods in person believe an email is spam and contains an
attachment, do not open it. You should also set your defaults setting to not
show images in your incoming emails as images may alert the sender that you
have opened the email.
2. Be careful with your primary email address. Your main email address should
only be given to companies and people you absolutely trust. You can obtain free
email addresses to use to register on websites you never intend to visit again.
3. Don't choose a guessable email address. An email address like
John.Smith@hotmail.com or hamburger@yahoo.com is easily guessed by a spammer
because they use simple names or commonly used words that can be found in the
dictionary.
4. Read privacy policies on websites. A good privacy policy commits to never
selling your email address.
5. Read the Help section for your email program and ISP guidelines on Spam.
Your Internet Service Provider should be able to provide further information
and Tools to help fight Spam.
6. Don't forward marketing emails. Forwarding Marketing emails will result in
your contacts getting spammed.
9) Credit & debit card information.
Secure debit and credit card encryption.
1. All debit and credit card information entered is sent via secure encryption
to our merchant providers.
2. Lovelyjubbly does not keep or hold any of your card information on file.
This others who may use your account to
verify that they did not make any changes.
2. Secondly, if no family members or associates have changed your Lovelyjubbly
information please contact Lovelyjubbly support immediately with all relevant
information.
3. Note: Sensitive debit and credit card information submitted to lovelyjubbly
is not stored at or on lovelyjubbly's servers and cannot be accessed through
your Lovelyjubbly account. The most common way for an Lovelyjubbly account to
be compromised is by replying to a "spoof" or "phishing"
email (see 7 above) designed to access members" passwords and other
sensitive information. You should take steps to protect your identity if you
provided information to a spoof Web site or replied to a spoofed email. This
includes contacting Lovelyjubbly support through necessary channels. If you
have given out sensitive information such as card or bank details you need to
contact your card/bank provider immediately.
Placing a bid on an item you are interested in couldn't be
easier, when viewing the item details page you will have two areas from where
you can place your bid, one next to the item details and a second at the bottom
of the page.
To place you're bid simply enter the amount you wish to bid
e.g. 50.00. Please note no currency symbols are required. The bid will be
placed in the auction currency.
Once done you will be asked to review your bid, and you will
also be able to view vital item details such as the shipping conditions before
confirming your bid. To submit you're bid simply press the "Place Bid"
button.
If your bid is high enough to take the lead in the auction a
confirmation message will be displayed to you, however if your bid has not
taken the lead be it due to a higher proxy bid or not meeting the reserve price
you will be invited to make a further bid.
Should you decide to retract your bid this can be done via
the "Current Bids" section of the member's area.
You can also place a proxy bid, proxy bidding allows you to
place your "High Bid". At all times you will only pay the lowest required
bid should you win the auction. For example, if the current bid on an
auction is 500.00 you can place a proxy bid of 2,000. Should you remain
the only bidder you will only pay 500.00. However should the item receive
other bids the site will automatically re-bid for you (up to 2,000 in this
scenario) to ensure you remain in the lead?
The
item watch features let you keep a close eye on any auction without having to
place a bid on it. This feature means you can be kept up to date on how an
auction is doing and prepares you to place a winning last minute bid. You can
watch any auction by clicking on the "Watch this item" link on any auction
page.
If the option is available you can use "Buy
Out" to purchase the item immediately at LovelyJubbly without having to place a
bid. Some sellers offer such an option, which can be used at any time
until a bid has been placed over any applicable reserve price.
The "Buy Out" option will appear on the
item details page, you will be asked to confirm your intention to buy out the
item before the sale is concluded. Buy out's cannot be retractedAn
auction is a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them
up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder. In
economic theory, an auction may refer to any mechanism or set of trading rules
for exchange.
There
are several variations on the basic auction form, including time limits,
minimum or maximum limits on bid prices, and special rules for determining the
winning bidder(s) and sale price(s). Participants in an auction may or may not
know the identities or actions of other participants. Depending on the auction,
bidders may participate in person or remotely through a variety of means,
including telephone and the Internet. The seller usually pays a commission to
the auctioneer or auction company based on a percentage of the final sale
price.
To list your item with LovelyJubbly simply click on the
"Sell" link found on the header navigational bar. The listing process is split
up into several main sections, notably: -
Category selection
Item Details
Auction Settings
Shipping and Payment
Listing preview
Listing confirmation
The listing process is developed in such a way that you are
guided through every step seamlessly.
The first part of the process is to choose the category you
wish to list your item in, this can be revised at any time by using the
"Previous Step" navigation button.
Step two enables you to enter your item title and
description; a full wysiwyg editor is in place to enable you to use HTML
descriptions.
If you have a voucher code to redeem this can be entered
just below the description field.
Moving on to step three, this is the biggest stage of the
listing process. On this step you can set the following:-
Auction type: -
Standard Auction
This is a single quantity auction
Dutch Auction
Dutch auction enables you to list a multiple quantity
auction, for example if you have 100 pens to sell you can list all of these
together in a single lot. Bidders will be able to select how many they wish to
bid for.
Currency: -
You can select your preferred auction currency using the
drop down menu available however the default setting is (GBP) British Pounds.
Quantity: -
This field is only active if listing a Dutch auction please
see above for an explanation of this listing type
Auction Starts At: -
This requires you to enter the minimum bid you are willing
to accept, you can also set a reserve price to ensure you do not sell the item
for this amount. Please see below for more information on this.
Reserve Price: -
Enabling a reserve price effectively means you will not sell
the item for less than the amount set, for example you can set the start price
at 5.00 but only accept winning bids over 50.00, should a bid be placed for
49.99 the item will close without a winner.
Buy out (if available):-
Buy out allows you to set an amount you are willing to sell
the item for – straight out. For example you can set the start price to 10.00
but offer interested parties the option to buy the item immediately for 100.00.
You can also list buy out only auctions, these auctions
remove all bidding options meaning the listing can only be purchased for a set
amount. To set a buy out only auction you need to set the buy out value to be
exactly equal with the start bid.
Offer-Range (if available):-
You can set a price bracket in which you are willing to
listing to offer, for example if you set the price brackets from 15.00 to
100.00 interested parties will be able to offer you an amount within these
brackets, you can opt whether to accept or decline these offers at any time via
the members area.
Bid increment:-
This option can be used to set your own custom bid increment
if preferred.
Item featuring (if available):-
The following options are available to you (fees may apply),
these will highlight your item on the site to ensure they reach more visitors:-
§ Home page featured
§ Category featured
§ Bold text
§ Highlighted background
Set start/end time: -
You can either opt to list your item right away and set a
defined number of days for it to be live for or you also have the option to
define your own custom start/end time.
Private Auction:-
Private auction will hide the bidders identity on the item
details page
Image upload:-
To
accompany your item you can either upload images from
your local computer or enter the URL of an image(s) hosted elsewhere,
this is done by ether entering the URL of the picture you want to use or
by clicking the browse button and selecting the picture saved on your
computer, and then upload file to place the picture in your listing.
Media upload:-
In addition to images you can also upload media files,
please note only. avi/.mpeg/.mov are supported.
Auto Re-List:-
For convenience you can opt to have your items automatically
re-listed for you, options are available to allow you to select whether the
item should be re-listed if sold and how many re-list attempts should be made.
On the next step you can set your shipping and payment
preferences including your shipping rates and available methods of delivery.
Proceeding on, you can then review the listing and make
changes if required, please note you can still edit your listing once live via
the members' area edit function.
Help: FAQ: Fraud Prevention
and Resolution
Find questions and answers relating to stemming fraud and how to deal with it
if you come across any within LovelyJubbly. Click on the LovelyJubbly Help link
to go back to our FAQ index page.
1. What is online auction fraud?
2. Why does it happen?
3. Who does it?
4. Why do they do it?
5. Most common online auction Fraud scams
and ways to spot them.
6. How can I stop this happening to me?
7. Online Security - How do I know that an
email is really fromLovelyjubbly 8.
Spam. How to spot and prevent it?
9. Credit & debit card information.
10. Securing Your Account and Reporting
Account Theft
1) what
Western Union) - seller insists that you pay by wire transfer and your payment
is safe because money will not be released without a password or ID code. This
is not true. If they insist on a wire transfer it is almost certainly a scam.
• Will only provide you with a mobile,
pager or voice messaging system.
• Landline number is always engaged or
"please leave a message".
• Hotmail account or another third-party
email address/free mail address's.
• High priced auctioned item from a member
with zero feedback.
• Offers to complete the sale before the
auction has finished - contact telephone number or email in the text of the
auction.
• Requesting your banking details after
the auction has closed and then setting up direct debits with your banking
information. Always use a payment provider such as Paypal/netteller or
moneybooker to avoid giving your banking information.
• Makes an excuse why they cannot use the
Escrow Payment facilities.
• Fraudulent escrow services (what is
escrow?) - Sellers offering to use an escrow company that is not regulated by
the FSA.
If you have any doubt or suspicions contact us before doing anything!
6) How can I stop this happening to me?
The best ways to be sure about your transaction's are: -
1. Use sellers with good feedback and read
the comments that others have left.
2. Ask for phone numbers and speak to the
seller.
3. Use paypal/moneybookers/netteller
Escrow Payments (UK & Europe)
4. Pick up and pay for the goods in
person
believe an email is spam and contains an attachment, do not open it. You should
also set your defaults setting to not show images in your incoming emails as
images may alert the sender that you have opened the email.
2. Be careful with your primary email
address. Your main email address should only be given to companies and people
you absolutely trust. You can obtain free email addresses to use to register on
websites you never intend to visit again.
3. Don't choose a guessable email address.
An email address like, John.Smith@hotmail.com or hamburger@yahoo.com, is easily
guessed by a spammer because they use simple names or commonly used words that
can be found in the dictionary.
4. Read privacy policies on websites. A
good privacy policy commits to never selling your email address.
5. Read the Help section for your email
program and ISP guidelines on Spam. Your Internet Service Provider should be
able to provide further information and Tools to help fight Spam.
6. Don't forward marketing emails.
Forwarding Marketing emails will result in your contacts getting spammed.
9) Credit & debit card information.
Secure debit and credit card encryption.
1. All debit and credit card information
entered is sent via secure encryption to our merchant providers.
2. Lovelyjubbly does not keep or hold any
of your card information on file. This
others who may use your account to verify that they did not make any changes.
2. Secondly, if no family members or
associates have changed your Lovelyjubbly information please contact
Lovelyjubbly support immediately with all relevant information.
3. Note: Sensitive debit and credit card
information submitted to lovelyjubbly is not stored at or on LovelyJubbly
servers and cannot be accessed through your Lovelyjubbly account. The most
common way for a Lovelyjubbly account to be compromised is by replying to a
"spoof" or "phishing" email (see 7 above) designed to
access members" passwords and other sensitive information. You should take
steps to protect your identity if you provided information to a spoof Web site
or replied to a spoofed email. This includes contacting Lovelyjubbly support
through necessary channels. If you have given out sensitive information such as
card or bank details you need to contact your card/bank provider immediately.
After the Auction Closes
& Making Payments
Find questions and answers about what to do after an auction closes or you use
(Buy Now) to purchase an item. Click on the Help Centre link to go back to our
FAQ index page.
1. What do I do after the auction has
finished?
2. Where is the information?
3. Item won or sold?
4. Where can I find the buyer/seller email
address?
5. If I "add a note" does it
show to the other party?
6. How can I send a reminder for payment?
7. How can I log the auction as being
paid?
8. The winning buyer has marked the
auction as "Payment Sent", but I have not received payment.
9. What if the buyer doesn't pay for the
auction?
10. How can I log the item as being
shipped?
11. How can I request feedback?
12. How can I post feedback?
13. Can I change the text/rating of
Feedback I posted previously?
14. What is Escrow?
15. How can I pay or accept payment via
moneybookers.com?
16. How can I pay or accept payment via
PayPal.com?
17. How can I pay or accept payment via
Google Checkout?
18. Why do my buyers not see the shipping
amount in my Paypal invoice?
19. Can I download my sales data?
1) What do I do after the auction has finished?
Lovelyjubbly.com acts as the venue for sellers to conduct auctions and for
bidders to bid on sellers' auctions. Lovelyjubbly is not involved in the actual
monetary transaction between buyers and sellers; this can be done via a third
party company like Moneybookers.com or PayPal.com. We give you the facility to
manage this transaction after an auction is closed or a Buy Now is made.
When the auction closes the Buyer and Seller will see in there members area
items won or item sold. The members' area contains options for payment,
questions, feedback etc. If the seller has chosen to accept a payment option
that is integrated with Lovelyjubbly (moneybookers.com, PayPal and Google
Checkout) then you should see links to make payment immediately. Otherwise you
can use the members' area to contact each other and arrange delivery and
payment for the item. If you do not hear from your counterparty immediately
please be patient, there is in all likelihood a legitimate reason why they have
not responded.
Once you have received payment we would recommend sending the item as quickly
as possible. You are much more likely to receive a positive feedback from a
purchaser who receives a timely posting. Where possible obtain a postal
reference or tracking number. If you send an item with a tracking number you
could pass this to the purchaser so they can track the delivery.
Lovelyjubbly recommend moneybookers.com for all your online auction payments,
they offer instant and escrow transactions for increased security.
After the payment and delivery have taken place, please leave feedback for each
other to give other users an insight into the reliability and overall quality
of each other. For more information please visit our Feedback FAQ section
(please see the menu to the left of the page).
Go to your "My Feedback" section of your own members' area to leave
the counterparty feedback.
2) Where is the information?
If you were involved in an auction as a buyer or a seller you will see all the
information relating to the item being bought or sold in your members area on
the left side menu the overview page for the closed auction in question. You
can find - members' area selling - Sold and then clicking on the individual
auction.
The member's area allows you and the counterparty to keep track of payments,
shipping, payment reminders and NPB (non paying bidder) reports.
3) Item's won or sold?
In the members area the left side menu gives lots of information
BIDDING/SELLING:
. Invoice not yet sent. The Send invoice option is opened using the drop down
menu in the sold item page.
. Payment details not entered. If the seller selects payment received from the
drop down menu in the sold item page, or the bidder selects payment sent from
the drop down menu, this icon will show as green.
. Shipping details not entered. Once the seller marks the item as shipped from
the drop down menu in the sold item, this icon will show green.
. You have not left feedback. You can leave feedback by choosing the
"Leave Comments" option from the sold item drop down menu.
. You have not received feedback. If you have not received feedback from the
counterparty, you can message "message board" from the menu.
More detailed information on some of these topics can be found below.
4) Where can I find the buyer/seller email address?
Once the auction is closed all successful parties are sent a confirmation
email. The email contains the counterparties address and email. You can also
contact the counterparty by using the "message board" facility from
the right hand menu on sold/won items list
5) If I "add a note" on the sold item, does it show to the other
party?
In the drop down menu on the Members area page there is an option to
"message board". This will be seen by the counterparty.
6) How can I send a reminder for payment?
You can send a payment reminder to a successful bidder of your auction by going
to the Members area and selecting the "Sold items" option from the
left hand menu and use the message board.
7) How can I log the auction as being paid?
To log the item as paid, access the members' area - Auctions I Bid On, and
click on the individual auction listing. Using the drop down menu, select:
"Mark as Payment Sent".
8) The winning buyer has marked the auction as "Payment Sent", but I
have not received payment.
If the auction has been marked as "Payment Sent" by the counterparty
and you have no record of receiving the payment, you can reset the payment
status by going to the drop down menu in the Members area and select
"Payment Not Received Dispute".
9) What if the buyer doesn't pay for the auction?
If you have allowed a reasonable time to elapse and you have not received
payment, you should request payment by choosing "Send Payment
Reminder" from the drop down menu on the sold item. If you have been
unable to contact the counterparty and no payment has been received please
leave the appropriate feedback or report the user as a Non Paying Buyer using
the drop down menu on the sold item page.
If you wish us to review any fees as a result of the action of a non-paying
buyer, simply contact us via our contact form on the index page. Please ensure
you have left Negative reputation or reported the user as a Non Paying Bidder
prior to contacting us. You may re-send an invoice, which will count towards the
2 reminders needed before an NPB report can be recorded.
10) How can I log the item as being shipped?
To log the item as shipped, access the members' area- selling/ Sold item, and
click on the individual auction listing. Using the drop down menu, select:
"posted / sent".
11) How can I request feedback?
To request feedback for a particular auction you can use the "Request
Feedback" option from the drop down menu on the After Auction Log page.
You will then be taken to the feedback page. Alternatively go to the Feedback
section, which can be found at - my Lovelyjubbly - my Feedback (right hand
menu) and click on the "Request FB" tab to bring up the auction list.
You should then select the S button to send out a feedback request for that
specific auction.
12) How can I post feedback?
To post feedback for a particular auction you can use the "Leave
comments" option from the drop down menu on the members' area. You will
then be taken to the reputation page. Alternatively go to the leave comments
section, which can be found at - members' area - reputation top menu buttons my
reputation, leave comments, then select the auction item, remember others read
this also so no foul style language please.
13) Can I change the text/rating of Feedback I posted previously?
Go to your members' area and you can see the comments you have made A list of
auctions is shown with the comments and ratings shown. These can't be edited,
please make comments when the transaction is complete.
14) What is Escrow?
The dictionary definition of auction payments is 'money or goods held by a
third party pending fulfillment of some condition', that is, you use a
middleman to handle your transaction at no risk to yourself.
You should use this service if you are sending substantial funds to a member
that has no or little feedback. Visit moneybookers.com
15) How can I pay or accept payment via PPPay.com?
You will need to open an account at Moneybookers.com. Once you have done this
you can add your moneybookers username (email) to your "My Personal
Details" section of "my account". This will allow buyers to
checkout immediately via moneybookers.com when they buy from you. Make sure you
check moneybookers Instant or moneybookers Escrow as a payment option when you
start your auctions to enable the moneybookers checkout.
To make payment via moneybookers.com you do not have to sign up beforehand but
it is advisable so that you don't have any delays due to security checks. You
can pay for your items in a normal shopping cart manner by entering your card
details after you have won your item, you will see a checkout form and button
to click to start the process. More details can be seen on the moneybookers FAQ
page.
16) How can I pay or accept payment via PayPal.com?
To accept payment via PayPal you will need to open an account at PayPal. Once
you have done this SELLER+ account type holders can then add their PayPal
username (email) to their "My Personal Details" section of "My
account". The integrated checkout will not show to your buyers unless you
have stored your PayPal username (email) with lovelyjubbly. This will allow
buyers to checkout immediately via PayPal when they buy from you. Make sure you
check PayPal as a payment option when you start your auctions to enable the
PayPal checkout. SELLER account type holders can open a PayPal account also and
add PayPal as an option on their auctions but there won't be an automatic
checkout available to their buyers. They will need to contact them with their
PayPal details after the auction has closed or Buy Now has taken place.
NEW SELLER account type holders can now choose the "Platinum Auction"
option to enable an integrated PayPal checkout for an auction.
To make payment via PayPal you do not have to sign up beforehand but it is
advisable so that you don't have any delays due to security checks. As long as
you are purchasing from a SELLER+ LovelyJubbly-er you can pay for your items in
a normal shopping cart manner by entering your card details after you have won
your item, you will see a checkout form and button to click. If your seller is
a SELLER lovelyjubbly-er you can contact them via the message board to ask for
their PayPal details..
17) How can I pay or accept payment via Google Checkout?
To accept payment via Google Checkout you will need to open an account at
Google Checkout. Once you have done this SELLER+ account type holders can then
add their Google Checkout details (Merchant ID and Merchant Key) to their
"My Personal Details" section of "My account". This will
allow buyers to checkout immediately via Google Checkout when they buy from
you. Make sure you check Google Checkout as a payment option when you start
your auctions to enable the Google Checkout option. The integrated checkout
will not be available unless you add your Google Merchant ID and Merchant Key
details to lovelyjubbly, they can be found within your Google Checkout account.
As well as adding Merchant ID and Merchant Key to lovelyjubbly you must also
add our callback URL to
your Google Checkout account. Also choose the Callback method: XML and Shopping
trolley post security: OFF.
SELLER account type holders can open a Google Checkout account also and add
Google Checkout as an option on their auctions but there won't be an automatic
checkout available to their buyers. They will need to contact them with their
Google Checkout details after the auction has closed or Buy Now has taken
place.
NEW SELLER account type holders can now choose the option to enable an
integrated Google Checkout for an auction.
To make payment via Google Checkout you do not have to sign up beforehand but
it is advisable so that you don't have any delays due to security checks. As
long as you are purchasing from a SELLER+ lovelyjubbly-er you can pay for your
items in a normal shopping cart manner by entering your card details after you
have won your item, you will see a checkout form and button to click. If your
seller is a SELLER lovelyjubbly-er you can contact them via the message board
to ask for their Google Checkout details.
18) Why do my buyers not see the shipping amount in my PayPal invoice?
If you have sent your buyer a PayPal invoice and no postage or shipping is
shown on the invoice, your PayPal postage settings may be overriding the
lovelyjubbly postage details. To check this go to your PayPal account - My
Account - Profile - and under the Selling Preferences header select Postage
Calculations. Your preferences can be amended from here.
19) Can I download my sales data?
If you require sales data for your own records, you can download this via the
"my account" page of the members area. The "account
history" link at the top of the page will output a .txt (tab separated
file) that you can open in excel or any other spreadsheet program. Sales will
be shown 1 per row from the dates selected. With the following fields: - | eng | e8bcfb0f-87d3-4dfc-ba38-64fb582c1f82 | http://www.lovelyjubbly.com/content_pages.php?page=help |