text:
Anthropometric characteristics of roadside auto-mechanics: a case study
Oluranti Adetunji ABIOLA*, Adekola Olayinka OKE, Olufemi Adebola KOYA
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 22005, Nigeria
E-mail(s): abiolaolurantiadetunji@yahoo.com; okekola@oauife.edu.ng; afemikoya@yahoo.com
* Corresponding author, phone: +2348051822714
Aim: The study evaluated the relevant/corresponding anthropometric characteristics of the people involved in engine-repair activities. The study was carried out on the selected roadside auto-engine repairers along Lagos-Ibadan express way, in Nigeria. This was with a view to providing ergonomic design data for optimal working condition among this set of workforce and redesigning the mechanics inspection-pit. Material and methods: The static and the functional anthropometric characteristics of the mechanics were measured. The data obtained from 110 auto-mechanics, randomly selected, were employed to evaluate efficient design parameter for roadside workstations. Results: The results indicated that inspection-pit is about 1626 mm deep; seat height ranges between 375 mm and 405 mm; optimal work posture sitting is between 483 mm and 622 mm. Conclusions: Adopting the data presented in this paper in optimizing the auto-mechanics working conditions for effective workplace comfort and productivity among the roadside auto-mechanics in Nigeria will be of immense advantage.
Engine-repair; Inspection-pit; Posture; Workstations; Ergonomics; Measurement; Automotive; Roadside
The health of the automotive industry in Nigeria depends on the effectiveness and capabilities of roadside auto-mechanics. In Nigeria, auto-mechanics are usually low-waged people, illiterate or semi-illiterate workforce, (those without formal education), often without adequate innovative and managerial skills for the trade [1, 2]. The male workforce dominates the trade and it is associated with high rates of occupational health hazards compared to workers in other professions [3]. Engine-repair auto-mechanics move around to carry out on-the-spot repair of broken down vehicle, and where on-the-spot repair is not possible they tow such vehicle to workstations along the road for repair. A typical workstation used by the roadside auto-mechanics is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. A typical automobile mechanic workstation along Lagos-Ibadan expressway
The roadside auto-mechanics lack appropriate equipment and therefore settle for improvising which was cumbersome to use. Some of such improvised equipment used are: files instead of grinding machine, their teeth instead of pliers, stone instead of a hammer, stone/rim instead of a chair and load lifting with hand. Improvised equipment and techniques are usually awkward and strenuous to use [3], and being manually operated has necessitated the need for the mechanics to work in the awkward postures. Keyserling et al. [4] have made similar submission. The inspection-pits were self-made with irregular shape and dimension, tools are kept far from the repair points and car-for-repair parked at irregular intervals. Incidentally, standards for the treading auto-mechanics inspection-pit dimension are scarce in literature; the only one found is from Beccastrini [5] who stated that the depth of inspection-pit should be between 140 and 160 cm with a ladder or steps for access. Auto-mechanics perform tasks such as lifting, reaching, hammering, cutting, boring, turning, scraping, riveting, tapping, threading, screwing, bolting, bonding, gluing, clamping, chipping, dipping, inserting, lubricating, pressing, pulling, replacing of components, washing or cleaning, welding, grinding, filing or chiseling, heating, burning, blowing, dismantling, aligning, assembling, servicing, general work, inspection and test driving.
In Nigeria today, the educated young people who are well positioned to fully appreciate the challenges of roadside auto repairs are not attracted, because current practice is arduous, techniques are crude, and workstations are not well structured. The use of improper tools has been identified as a cause of fatigue, pain in the muscles and [4, 6], particularly when used repetitively or for a prolonged period. When tools necessary to perform the various tasks are not properly selected, used or cared for, their advantages are lost to the auto-mechanics. Automobile engine-repair workers during a typical day adopt different work postures, are exposed to poor working environments, and are engaged in repetitive work, which might impose stress and further lead to injury [3].
In determining the performance of mechanics, the output is a critical parameter. In order to improve on the output, it is important to ensure that the operating environment is both effective and efficient. The intent is that minimum manpower and efforts are used by the mechanics to achieve optimum productivity; while outputs in terms of the quality and quantity of the serviced vehicles are enhanced. One area that is used in the industrial engineering profession to achieve this is the subject of ergonomics.
Ergonomist aims at designing work and environment for people so that they can work easily, effectively and safely. Ergonomics uses various tools and techniques, as well as the long-established anthropometry. Anthropometric measurements are essential as basic descriptive information on body composition and nutritional status. They are linked to energy intake, physical activity, energy metabolism, and metabolic efficiency. Through anthropometry, ergonomists collect information about people so that work, machines, tools and environment are fitted to humans [7].
Burdurlu et al. [8] and Oke et al. [9] revealed that body measurements of individuals vary with factors like age, gender, nutritional status, genetic structure, etc. For this reason, in designing equipment or workstations, it is necessary to consider the differences in body measurements and adjust the product sizes accordingly. These measures may be the upper, average or lower values of the anthropometrical findings [9, 10, 11].
Thus, the focus of this work was to consider the interaction between the engine-repair personnel otherwise called auto-mechanics and their workstations (broken down engine, seat and inspection-pit). It is expected that the availability of the anthropometric data will facilitate the design of a more efficient workstation (inspection-pit, seat height and optimal work level), and provide information required to improve auto-repair techniques among roadside mechanics. Currently, there are no such data addressing the current workplace conditions of roadside auto-mechanics in Nigeria, hence this study.
Study sample
The workstations of roadside automobile engine-repair mechanics along Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Nigeria were purposefully selected for the study because according to Abiola et al. [12], the area has a high volume of vehicular traffic of about 250,000 vehicles plying the road on a daily basis. The traffic motorway runs through Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states of Nigeria. The road comprises of several roadside auto-mechanic workstations; located in Berger Area, Mowe, Arepo, Ibafo, Redemption camp, Shagamu, Ogere, Methodist, Felele, Soka, Sonyo, Boluwaji, Academy, Olorunsogo, Ayekale and Oremeji and distributed along the expressway as shown in Figure 2. The mechanics provide cheap and emergency services, for road users who have their vehicle broken down.
A fraction of not less than 80.3% of the total population of the auto-mechanics along the surveyed area that gave consent was randomly selected for the study as shown in Appendix A. The sample size of auto-mechanics selected for the study followed a confidence interval of 3.3 at 95% confidence level. The distribution of the personnel at the workstations comprised of master mechanics, journeymen (apprentices who had undergone training but had no workshops of their own), and apprentices, still undergoing training. They were then classified into five age groups, such as, below 25, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, and above 54 years.
Figure 2. Distribution of roadside auto-mechanics on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Berger (E1); Arepo (E2); Ibafo (E3); Mowe (E4); Redeem (E5); Sagamu (E6); Ogere (E7); Methodist (E8); Felele (E9); Soka (E10); Sanyo (E11); Boluwaji (E12); Academy (E13); Muslim (E14); Olorunsogo (E15); Ayekale (E16); Oremeji (E17); Sawmill (E18); Iwo road (E19)
Anthropometric method and data collection
A thorough assessment of the activities of the auto-mechanics in the study areas was surveyed. During the survey, the predominant tasks and corresponding work postures adopted by the auto-mechanics during engine repairs were physically inspected and noted. The researchers went to all the auto mechanics workshops along Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Nigeria with comprehensively designed questionnaire (Appendix B) to elicit information from the personnel. With the consent of those who were given the questionnaire, they were also interviewed to gather more information about their work condition. Permission was also sought to do physical observation of their workplace while they were at work. Sizeable number of them consented and the information and physical inspection were carried out. The questionnaire was divided into two different sections, such as personal data and anthropometric measurements. This was to obtain information such as age, gender and body size of the auto-mechanics; following the method described by Oke et al. [9].
The questionnaires used in this research were filled out by the questioner. The questions were read out to the illiterate auto-mechanics in either Yoruba or Pidgin English, which are the languages mostly understood by the mechanics in the study area.
The body sizes of each auto-mechanic were measured using traditional measuring techniques as described by other researchers [7-, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. Other methods used for measuring the human body dimensions, such as the three-dimensional scanners are expensive, highly sophisticated, and were not available. The traditional measurements have however been used for many years [14] and anthropometric data so obtained have been shown to be as reliable and accurate as those obtained by some of the high-tech methods [7].
As previously described [9-, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15], the following human body (static) dimensions were measured with respect to the different work postures common to roadside auto-mechanics in Nigeria, during repair work:
· Body Stature: the vertical distance from the top of the head to the foot resting surface (BS, Figure 3a).
· Shoulder Height Standing: the vertical distance from the top of the shoulder to the foot resting surface when in standing position (SHS, Figure 3a).
· Shoulder Height Bending: the vertical distance from the top of the shoulder to the foot resting surface when in bending position (SHB, Figure 3b)
· Knee Height Sitting: the vertical distance measured from the foot resting surface to the knee cap when in standing position (KHSi, Figure3c).
· Knee Height Supine: the vertical distance measured from the foot resting surface to the knee cap when in supine position (KHSu, Figure 3d).
· Optimum Manual Work Level: vertical distance from the foot resting surface to the aimed object when in standing position (OWL, Figure 3a).
· Optimum Manual Work Level Sitting: vertical distance from the foot resting surface to the aimed object when in sitting position (OWLSi, Figure 3c).
· Height Reach: vertical distance from the foot resting surface to the aimed object (HR, Figure 3a).
· Body Width: horizontal distance from the popliteal to the aimed object (BW, Figure 3b)
· Supine Width: vertical distance from the finished floor level to the aimed object (SuW, Figure 3d)
· Popliteal Height: vertical distance from the foot resting surface to the bottom of the Popliteal (PH, Figure 3a).
· Base Height of a Typical Passengers' Car: vertical distance from the bottom of the automobile to the finished floor level of the roadside automobile workstations. Average BHC of various automobile found under repair along the study area was 275mm (BHC, Figure 4).
The body mass of each roadside auto-mechanics in standing posture was taken on a digital clinical weighing scale (TD-2551, TaiDoc Technology, Taiwan) measured in kilograms. Their body dimensions were taken in four important work (functional) postures, as shown in Figure 3, measured in millimeter with a measuring tape and an improvised stadiometer (an adjustable shaped wooden improvised tool) used by Oke et al. [9] to enable perpendicularity of the measured surface and the datum. Each member of a two-man team took these measurements twice with an accuracy of ±1mm and the average value was calculated.
Figure 3. Anthropometric characteristics: Body stature (BS); Shoulder Height standing (SHS); Shoulder Height Bending (SHB); Knee Height Sitting(KHSi); Knee Height Supine (KHSu); Optimum manual Work Level (OWL); Optimum manual Work Level Sitting (OWLSi); Height Reach (HR); Bending Width (BW); Supine Width (SuW); Popliteal Height (PH) [9, 10]
Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyzed and compare the data. Anthropometrical data were analyzed by finding the average, standard deviation, minimum and maximum according to fit auto-mechanics to their job.
In order to achieve a good fit and more suited work friendly environment, the anthropometric measurements were used to derive height of inspection-pit (IPH), seat height (SH) and optimal work level (OWL) for auto-mechanics in standing and sitting posture to prevent discomfort which may arise from stooping and other awkward posture [16] as shown in figure 3 and 4.
The height of inspection-pit for the assessment of the automobile under-side was computed as the difference of the auto-mechanics height reach and the base height of a typical passengers' car, including an allowance of -212 mm for the worker's headroom, as:
IPH = (HR-BHC) – 212 mm (1)
where IPH = Inspection-Pit Height, HR = Height Reach, BHC = Base Height of a typical passengers' Car.
Figure 4. A sectional view of a workstation; Base Height of a typical passengers' Car (BHC); Inspection-Pit Height (IPH)
The inspection-pit height is gotten from mean height reach as this will provide enough headroom for the auto-mechanics no matter their body stature. The minimum and maximum seat height were derived from the idea established by [9] as follow:
Seat height (SH) = 0.88(PH) ≤ SH < 0.95(PH)
This allows for clearance of between 5% and 12% and with the assumption that most auto-repairers in the study area do not wear shoes.
Optimal work level sitting (OPWSi) = 0.94(KHSi) ≤ OPWSi < 1.21(KHSi).
This is with the assumption that 'X' which is the difference between the Knee Height Sitting (KHSi) and the Optimal Work Level Sitting (OWLSi) is between 15mm and 45mm.
Sample population
The distribution of the 110 engine-repair auto-mechanics randomly selected from the population is shown in Figure 5. It is shown that (39.1%) of the sample fall within the age range of 25-34 years; while those above 55 years is the least (3.6%) in population as indicated in Appendix C. Furthermore, approximately 52% of the mechanics are above 34 years.
Figure 5. Distribution of the age groups of the auto-mechanics in the study
Anthropometric characteristics
A total of ten anthropometric characteristics, such as, Body stature (BS); Shoulder Height standing (SHS); Shoulder Height Bending (SHB); Knee Height Sitting(KHSi); Knee Height Supine (KHSu); Optimum manual Work Level (OWL); Height Reach (HR); Bending Width (BW); Supine Width (SuW); Popliteal Height (PH) and Weight of the roadside auto-mechanics in the study are shown in Table 1.
Design parameters
The IPH developed relative to the anthropometric measurement was 1626 mm that is appropriate for all the roadside auto-mechanics in the study area without exception.
Table 1. Summary of anthropometric characteristics of the auto-mechanics (all dimensions are in mm, and weight in kg)
Anthropometric measurement (mm)
Mean (SD)
Body stature
1701 (77.3)
Shoulder height Standing
Shoulder height Bending
Knee height Sitting
Knee height Supine
Optimal work level
Optimal work level Sitting
Height reach
Bending width
Supine width
Popliteal height
Considering the average PH as shown in Table 1, the SH of auto-mechanics in the study area ranges between 375 mm and 405 mm. It will be assumed that over 95% of the auto-mechanics will find the SH most suitable.
In standing posture, the minimum OWL was 840mm while the maximum was 1190 mm as in Table 1. OWLSi was evaluated as between 483 mm and 622 mm. X which was the minimum vertical clearance between the knee and work level was 13 mm to 21 mm.
As can be seen in Figure 5, analysis of the results shows that most of the roadside mechanics are in their middle-aged and above. Meanwhile, it is well recognized that over 70% of Nigerian demographic populations are youth [17, 18]. They are currently not well represented in roadside automobile repair work. However, one of the greatest challenges facing the Nigeria economy is youth unemployment, which has maintained a rising trend over the years. Youth unemployment is a global issue, and one of the most serious socio-economic problems confronting many African nations [19, 20]. Apart from representing a threat to a country's manpower resources, unemployment impedes social progress, and leads to lower income and low social well-being [19].
The data collected on the anthropometric characteristics of the mechanics, as presented in Table 1, are useful in specifying design parameters for the roadside mechanic workstations. It is also useful in designing the ergonomic specifications for imported or outsourced equipment for the roadside auto-mechanics.
Our interaction with the roadside auto-mechanics along the study area shows that they lack formal education and financial sustainability [1, 2]. This form one of the reasons they have mostly settle for improvised equipment, irregular inspection-pit (such as the one shown in Figure 1), and unfriendly work environment. Improvised equipment and techniques have proved to be awkward and strenuous to use [3].
Hand tools may seem harmless, but they are the cause of many injuries [4] and when it is self-made or improvised, it can result in major accident in the workstations, since they lack standard and have no appropriate use. The unpleasant workstations of the auto-mechanic will no doubt lead to a stressor, health failure and loss of man hour [3, 21]. The resultant effects enumerated as the cause of the current working conditions can be alleviated by fitting the repair tasks and the workstations to the auto-mechanics.
The result of comparison of body stature of roadside auto-mechanics along Lagos-Ibadan express way, Nigeria with workers in other countries is presented in Figure 6. Mean body stature of local roadside mechanics is 1701 mm as shown in Appendix D with a standard deviation of 77.3 mm which is taller than the average stature of Indian workers by 94 mm as well as Chinese and Philippine workers by about 24 mm [22]. But, it was found that Iranian workers are taller by 36 mm. Meanwhile, when compared to Nigeria, the popliteal height of Iranian, India and China worker is lesser by 37 mm, 9 mm and 13 mm respectively. Whereas, the popliteal height of Philippine workers is higher by 7mm compare to their Nigeria counterpart.
These data will be of great help when designing workstations suitable for workers outside engine repairers' group. This data is also useful in the morphological features of Nigeria as a whole and should be considered in economical exchanges among countries [22, 23].
A close look at the results of all the anthropometric measurements taken in this study and presented in Table 1, reveals that more suitable and ergonomically designed workstations can be developed in other to optimize the ergonomics of working conditions. This will mitigate hazard among auto-mechanics, stimulate comfort and increase productivity.
Figure 6. Comparison of body stature, shoulder height standing, and popliteal height of the roadside mechanics in the study area with workers in other countries
The inspection-pit, seat height and optimal work level developed were more suited almost all the auto-mechanics. For auto-mechanics working in a supine posture, job or automobile should be raised to leave a clearance of about 520 mm (maximum supine width) between its bottom and the floor level.
Our results showed that Lagos-Ibadan Expressway had at least 1 auto-mechanic per kilometer of the expressway. The predominant tasks undertaken by roadside auto-mechanics were reaching, lifting, pressing, and screwing. The corresponding work postures are standing or bending, sitting and supine. The mode of handling involved in accomplishing these tasks can be considered as strenuous, exerting considerable discomfort.
Roadside auto-mechanic workstations should therefore be designed based on the assembled anthropometric data. This is with a view to reducing stresses associated with the current workplace conditions and optimizing the conditions for effective workplace comfort and productivity among the roadside auto-mechanics in Nigeria.
The authors are grateful to all the roadside auto-mechanics along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and 'Unique' auto-repair center at Ile-Ife for their support in data collection for the study.
1. Udebuani A. C., Okoli C. G., Okoli I. C., Nwigwe H. C., Ozoh P. T. E., Assessments of the volume and disposal methods of spent engine oil generated in Nekede mechanic village, Owerri, Nigeria, Report and Opinion, 2011, 3(2), p. 31-36.
2. Khan A. A., Inam S., Idrees M., Dad A., Gul K., Akbar H., Effect of automobile workshop on the health of status of auto-mechanics in N.F.P., Pakistan, African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2010, 4(4), p. 192-200.
3. Vyas H., Das S., Mehta S., Occupational injuries in automobile repair workers, Industrial Health, 2011, 49, p. 642-651.
4. Keyserling W. M., Brouwer M., Silverstcin B.A., A checklist for evaluating ergonomic risk factors resulting from awkward posture of the leg, trunk and neck, International Journal of Ergonomics, 1992, 9, p. 283-301.
5. Beccastrini S., Car repair shops – Mechanical and engines for the repair of vehicles in the Florence area, 1998, available online, http://s3.amazonaws.com/zanran_storage/www.ispesl.it/ContentPages/2448140861.pdf. (Accessed July, 2016)
6. Ferreira J. J., Boocock M. G., Gray M. I., Review of the risks associated with pushing and pulling heavy loads, Health and Safety Laboratory Broad, Lane Sheffield 2004, S3 7HQ, p. 1-95.
7. Mokdad M., Al-Ansari M., Anthropometrics for the design of Bahraini school furniture, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2009, 39, p. 728-735.
8. Burdurlu E., Usta I., Ilce C., Altun S., Elibol C., Static anthropometric characteristics of 12-15 aged students living in Ankara/Turkey, 2006, available online, http://www.sdergi.hacettepe.edu.tr/makaleler/eb.pdf (Accessed July, 2016)
9. Oke A. O., Oladejo K. A., Fashogbon S. K., Match between school furniture dimension and pupils' anthropometric characteristics in South-West Nigeria, Ergonomics South Africa, 2012, 24(1), p. 40-54.
10. Tunay M., Melemez K., An analysis of biomechanical and anthropometric parameters on classroom furniture design, African Journal of Biomechanics, 2008, 7(8), p. 1081-1086.
11. Reed M. P., Flannagan C. A. C., Anthropometric and Postural Variability: Limitation of the Boundary Manikin Approach, Society of Automotive Engineers Publication, USA, 2000, p. 1-6.
12. Abiola O. A., Oke A. O., Koya O. A., Adewole B. Z. Simulation study of auto-mechanics tasks, Leonardo Journal of Science, 2016, 29, p. 13-24.
13. Hung P., Witana C. P., Goonetilleke R. S., Anthropometric Measurements from Photographic Image, Kuala Lumpur: Damai Sciences, 2004, p. 764-769.
14. Kroemer K. H. E., Kroemer H. J., Kroemer-Elbert K. E., Engineering physiology: Bases of human factors engineering/ergonomics, Fourth edition. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2010, p. 1-331.
15. Lee C., Ergonomic study of VDT workstations for wheelchair users, International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, 2007, 5(2), p. 97-113.
16. Yukishita T., Lee K., Kim S., Yumoto Y., Kobayashi A., Shirasawa T., Kobayashi H., Age and sex-dependent alterations in heart rate variability: Profiling the characteristics of men and women in their 30s, Anti-Aging Medicine, 2010, 7(8), p. 94-99.
17. NPC, Report of livebirths, deaths and stillbirths in Nigeria, National Population Commission, Abuja, 2008, p. 11.
18. Salami C. G. E., Youth unemployment in Nigeria: A time for creative intervention, International Journal of Business and Marketing Management, 2013, 1(2), p. 18-26.
19. Obadan M. I., Odusola A. F., Productivity and unemployment in Nigeria, Published by the National Centre for Economic Management & Administration (Ncema), Ibadan, 2000, p. 1-36.
20. Ajufo B. I., Challenges of youth unemployment in Nigeria: effective career guidance as a panacea, International Multidisciplinary Journal, 2013, 7(1), p. 307-321.
21. Darby F., Walls C., Gander P., Dawson S., German D., Stress and fatigue. Their impact on health safety in the workplace, Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour, 1998, p. 1-51.
22. Davoudiantalab A., Meshkani M., Nourian S., Mofidi A., Anthropometric dimensions of Iranian male workers and comparison with three Asian countries, International Journal of Occupational Hygiene, 2013, 5, p. 166-171.
23. Shinde G. V., Jadhav V. S., Ergonomic analysis of an assembly workstation to identify time consuming and fatigue causing factors using application of motion study, International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2012, 4(4), pp. 220-227.
Table 2. Summary of study population
Roadside Mechanic Locations
Auto-Mechanics Population
Used for Study
Arepo
Ibafo
Shagamu
Ogere
Felele
Sonyo
Boluwaji
Olorunsogo
Ayekale
Oremeji
110 (80.3)*
* Percentage of total population mechanics surveyed
- No consent for study
QUESTIONNAIRE SAMPLE
Questionnaire on Anthropometric Characteristics of Roadside Auto-Mechanics
(Please, thick appropriately where necessary)
SECTION 1: Personal Data
1. Age: Below 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 Above 55
2. Gender: Male Female
3. Body mass:
4. Daily working hour:
5. Auto-mechanic location: ………………………………………………...
SECTION 2: Anthropometric Measurement (mm)
6. Body stature (S)
7. Shoulder height standing (SHS)
8. Shoulder height bending (SHB)
9. Shoulder height stooping (SHSt)
10. Knee height Standing (KHS)
11. Knee height supine (KHSu)
12. Optimal manual work level (OPW)
13. Height reach (HR)
14. Bending Width (BW)
15. Supine Width (SuW)
16. Stooping Width (StW)
17. Popliteal Height (PH)
Table 3. Distribution of the age groups of the auto-mechanics in the study
Age Group (Yrs)
Table 4. Comparison of body stature, shoulder height standing and popliteal height of the roadside mechanics in the study area with workers in other countries


text:
Small Business to Small Business News, Advice and Product Reviews
Smart Social
Music Business in 2020: 4 Predictions from Industry Insiders
Take a look at the 4 predictions from industry insiders about what the music business in 2020 holds for all of us.
From the development of file sharing to the democratisation of music-making technology, the past decade has delivered a series of seismic shocks to the international music industry. With the advancement in technology, music lovers can now listen to music and wager in online casinos, such as https://www.vegaswins.co.uk/ simultaneously. Here are some predictions from the insiders on the music business in 2020.
AI Will Reshape the Industry
Artificial Intelligence will automate a whole host of expensive and complicated processes across music creation and advertising. This will cut out the middlemen and democratise the industry. Tools such as voice synthesis will make it easier for thousands of musicians around the world to create high-quality, professional sounding music. Almost everyone will have the tools needed to be a global pop star. People who have never considered themselves artists will be able to make music for the first time with the help of AI.
Copywriting Laws Will Catch Up with New Trends
The internet is a superior model for the delivery of media and is inspiring new business models in the music industry. People are now tuning in to all-you-can-listen programs, such as iTunes and Spotify. Where owners once removed infringing media on various platforms, they now rely on it as a valuable source of entertainment. Music fans also want all of their favourite content to be accessible on all their devices, but do not care whether they own it or not. They also want the opportunity to interact with the music they listen to, be it through mash-ups or fan videos. Unfortunately, copyright laws are old-fashioned and do not allow these kinds of trends to develop.
As copyright laws have become unenforceable, artists consider alternative measures for recovering the cost of recording and distributing music in the following year.
Artists Will Have to Achieve Success on Their Own
People around the globe will be saturated with music by the year 2020. There will be famous artists whose music has reached the masses with the support of a good team, but most singers will have to achieve success on their own. With the help of technology, successful DIY musicians will be able to:
• Use social media and analytics to connect with their fans and fund their projects
• License their music for television, games and ads
These musicians can partner with products and services companies for branding and advertisement. All these things will be done with the ultimate goal of getting their music into the ears of their curators. Cutting through the clutter will be hard, but great music and lots of hard work will lead the way to success.
The Way We Consume Music Will Change
In 2020, smart speakers and voice-mediated music consumption will change the way we consume music. Voice queries will allow users to listen to music that suits their immediate moods or preferences without having to deal with text interfaces or toggle through playlists. For instance, Alexa now understands casual music queries about songs you've listened to in the past.
Marketme
Marketme is a leading small business to small business news, marketing advice and product review website. Supporting business across the UK with sponsored article submissions and promotions to a community of over 50,000 on Twitter.
Outsourcing Options That Are Worth The Money
6 Tips for Organizing Your Small Business Finances
Research tips for choosing the right price for your products
How To Do Train Business Travel Right
Leisure and Life
Benefits of an office filtered water system
Ultimate Guide To Taking Care Of Your EV
The Importance Of Keeping Up With Google Algorithm Updates
A brief guide to bridging finance for developers
#SMAUK500 Leaderboard
Marketme.co.ukFollow
We accept #SponsoredBlogs #BackLinks #ProductReviews #Blogging #ContentMarketing. Reviews by @DinosaurmanUK. Founded by @ChrisWalkey [email protected]
Marketme.co.uk@marketme·
Calling all #SocialMedia Influencers - Get in contact with @GlassofBubbly to secure your free ticket for the amazing annual #Champagne & Sparkling #Wine trade / press tasting at the Savoy Hotel on April 7th: https://www.glassofbubbly.com/tasting-events/
If both were available to purchase in stores, which would you go for? #Marathon #snickers #PleaseReTweet
(c) 2010 - 2018 Marketme.TV LTD - Built by RDT Systems Limited

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Are you currently searching for a home that is for you? Well, this might be your luck because the answer that you are looking for might be on homesfindit.com. It is a website wherein you could find anything and everything about homes.
Are you ready to take a brief tour? The firs stop is to view the different homes for sale. In this site you could see different types and kinds of homes for sale. Various styles of homes are available. You could choose from a wide array of French Homes, Foreclosure homes, and other different models. In case that you are more interested in the location, there are different homes for sale located in Deer Park, Park City, Canada homes, Aurora Colorado homes, Colorado springs, and many more.
Just take your pick from the variety of choices. In case you prefer luxury homes from ordinary homes, they are also for sale in this site, some of these luxury homes are from Phoenix Arizona, luxury Douglas county homes, homes in Colorado springs, and many other locations. There are different varieties of luxury homes that would help you in picking one that just suits you. These kinds of homes are true to their name for providing a more sophisticated and comfortable living than ordinary homes could provide In case that you are on a tight budget, you could find homes that are being sold by owners.
These are homes that have previous owners and most of them are much cheaper than brand new ones. You could select or single out that perfect home from a wide array of homes listed on this site with your preferences not being overlooked of course. For people that are into real estate property listings in choosing their new homes, these are also available in homesfindit.com. There are different estate property listings in the site like Placer Real Estate Agency, Texas Real Estate - Property Listings, RTP Real Estate, Real Estate in Kona Hawaii, and many more.
Just be sure that you read the details well so that once you made contact with them, you have a clear grasp of things and the procedures would be a lot more workable. Real estate homes are usually convenient because all that your needs are all taken cared of, all with an advantage of reasonable pricing. The purpose of this site is to inform people of the great deals on real estate homes that they could avail. If you have any home plans for your own home, this is also the best place for you because there are tips and guidelines that you could read in making your home plans. It could help you decide on what kind of home plans you intend to have like classic, craftsman, Mediterranean, or luxury home plans. Whatever you want, it's all in here.
The next thing that you would need is choosing fine and trustworthy home builders that would be responsible in building your home. There are several home project options presented by this site. There are different choices and you could take your pick here based on your budget or schedule.
Finding your perfect home requires a great deal of effort in your part and homesfindit.com could really help you in making these choices and decisions. .


text:
Author: Suzanne Buffam
Suzanne Buffam's first collection of poetry, Past Imperfect, won the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award for Poetry and was named a Book of the Year by the Globe and Mail. Her second collection of poetry, THE IRRATIONALIST, was a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize. Most recently, she is the author of A PILLOW BOOK (Canarium Books, 2016). Her work has appeared in international anthologies and publications, including Poetry, jubilat, Denver Quarterly, Colorado Review, Books in Canada, and Breathing Fire: Canada's New Poets; her poetry has been translated into French, German, Spanish, and Slovenian. She lives in Chicago.
A Pillow Book
Canarium Books
By Suzanne Buffam
Poetry. Literary Nonfiction. Not a narrative. Not an essay. Not a shopping list. Not a song. Not a diary. Not an etiquette manual. Not a confession. Not a prayer. Not a secret letter sent through the silent Palace hallways before dawn. Making a dayb...
1 Currently In Stock PAPERBACK $14.00 4/1/2010
The Irrationalist
Poetry. In acclaimed poet Suzanne Buffam's second collection, her unusual range, formal rigor, and imaginative force are on full display as we are introduced to the wry meditations of a literary "irrationalist" who pursues her own poetic logic beyon...


Fully furnished, short-term apartments and residences.
Located in some of the most desirable suburban towns in New Jersey: Summit, Millburn/Short Hills, Maplewood, and more, HostedQuarters offers fully furnished short-term apartments and residences for those who are in need of temporary housing while life is in transition.
In need of a temporary housing while you renovate?
Are you a corporate executive on a temporary assignment?
Are you in-between the sale of your home and your next purchase?
If you are looking for temporary housing or a luxury apartment for rent, with flexible lease terms, we can help.
Traveling for more than a weekend?
Spending the winter someplace warm?
Cooling off at the beach for the summer?
Own a rental property you'd rather someone else manage?
All rights reserved. Hosted Quarters 2019.


text:
Home Forums > Religion, Faith, and Theology > Alternative >
Nirvana: a Theosophical perspective
Discussion in 'Alternative' started by Nick the Pilot, Apr 19, 2009.
nativeastral fluffy future
a university course; but as l'm in 2 minds it may show and am unprepared [see no forward planning ouch!]
nativeastral, May 3, 2009
Here is a well-known "center everywhere" quote.
"That [nirvanic] consciousness, wide as the sea, with 'its center everywhere and its circumference nowhere,' is a great and glorious fact." (The Inner Life, page 148)
Nick the Pilot, May 5, 2009
Hi everybody.
Here is another quote, hinting at Nirvana as being the opposite of annihilation.
"...but when a man attains [Nirvana], it seems to him that his consciousness has widened to take in all that, not that he is merged into something else. And he is right, for that which he had ignorantly supposed to be his consciousness was never his at all, but only the shining of the divine power and wisdom and love through him, and he is now at last beginning to realize that stupendous fact." (The Inner Life, page 148)
'Vedanta's fundamental principle is that because there is no such thing as the "I," you cannot
live for yourself, whether "you" are an individual, a family, a community, a nation or a race.
It is not truth and therefore such separation will go, even though it will take a long time'
PBThesisPt1.pdf (application/pdf Object)
dont know if you are familiar with paul brunton, but he did engage with theosophy for a while, and this thesis l found would be interesting to those studying orientalism. if anyone finds his work online, please let me know!
nativeastral,
The concept of no-self or no-I are important concepts in Theosophy and Buddhism (and apparently in Hinduism too, from the looks of your post). The concept of no-self is also important in this discussion of Nirvana, because Nirvana is a condition where "that which separates you from me" begins to get stripped away.
I find it fascinating that the concept of no-self does not get much acknowledgement in Christianity. It does get mentioned right on the first page of the Bible. The Firmament is an important element of the Christian story, and it is this Firmament that "separates us from God" (to use Christian-like terminology). It is good to know that even Christianity teaches the concept of no-self (and, by extention, the concept of Nirvana) if we just know where to look for it. It also supports the idea that all major religions sprouted from one original religion -- another key Theosophical teaching.
...Did you get the university course?
hi nick
l forgot to mention that quote was from a 'neo hindu' pandit called Iyer who followed an inclusivist approach after Vivekananda [the disciple of Ramakrishna] who represented 'sanatana dharma' by attending the Parliament of religions in Chicago in the late 1800's. He [Iyer] thought it fortuitous and fated to bring about this message during the Hitler era.
sometimes things upside down or inside out look the same!
l wont hear about course yet but blanked out during it whilst recalling that my van had broken down the night before and was stuck illegally somewhere far away
"...stuck illegally somewhere...."
Here is another quote which says that, compared to nirvanic consciousness, the physical world is a delusion.
"The truth is that what is commonly understood by individuality is a delusion and has never existed...." (The Inner Life, page 148)
Nirvana as being everywhere at once.
"Any description of Nirvana which we may attempt must sound strange. No words that we can use can give even the least idea of such an experience as that, for all with which our minds are acquainted has long ago disappeared before that level is attained.... The man feels as if he were everywhere, but could focus anywhere within himself, and wherever for a moment the outpouring of force diminishes, that is for him a body." (The Masters and the Path p. 200)
Nick the Pilot, May 10, 2009
Another thought on Nirvana not being annihiliation.
It has been said that Nirvana is annihiliation, the disappearance of the very essence of our being. Theosophy teaches the opposite. Nirvana is seen as an increase in our abilites, not a decrease. One author described Nirvana as fullness, not emptiness:
"So often the expressions used [to describe Nirvana] may seem to indicate a void. Hence the western idea of annihilation. If you think of it as fullness, you will realise that the consciousness expands more and more, without losing utterly the sense of identity; if you could think of a center of a circle without a circumference, you would glimpse the truth." (George Arundale, Nirvana — An Occult Experience, page 244)
Nick the Pilot said: ↑
yeh l know, was rolling about myself at the time trying to get the frigging bust tyre off then knocking a rusty nut with a wrench trying to get the spare tyre out then finding it bare, flat and the wrong size! no delusion of the physical world there. no discrepancy between appearance and reality!
any one got a vehicle.must run well, have an m.o.t. preferably with a towbar
and must be very cheap??!!
nativeastral, May 11, 2009
Dharmaatmaa New Member
Nick the Pilot,
I've got no time to read the thread now, so I can't partake in the discussion. I just wanted to do what I promised a couple of months ago.
You said that I could give you an address of the electronic form of the theosophical paper, in where is situated the article I translated to Russian.
It's A.P. Sinnett's article about the septenary chains of planets called Esoteric Teaching. To be frank, it wasn't read in Russia before, and was widely discussed when the translation was prepared.
Now, it was published in "The Theosophical Bulletin" (Теософский Вестник) of Moscow.
You can find it here - http://www.theosophy.ru/files/vestnik-4.pdf. It's all in Russian, but what I have to say - we live in a globalization world.
Dharmaatmaa, May 12, 2009
Dharmaatmaa,
I am glad to see that Theosophy is slowly being translated into Russian.
The idea that the Earth is part of a chain of seven planets is a basic Theosophical concept. Thanks for helping to spread such basic teachings.
Here is another anti-annihilation quote:
"Madame Blavatsky often spoke of [nirvanic] consciousness as having its center everywhere and its circumference nowhere, a profoundly suggestive sentence, attributed variously to Pascal, Cardinal de Cusa and the Zohar, but belonging by right to the Books of Hermes. Far indeed from annihilation [annihilation as used to describe Nirvana] is such consciousness; the Initiate reaching it has not in the least lost the sense that he is himself; his memory is perfectly continuous; he is the same man, yet all this as well, and now indeed he can say 'I am I' knowing what 'I' really means." (The Masters and the Path p. 199)
George Arundale wrote of Nirvana as love:
"Nirvana ... is not annihilation, but an infinitely deeper radiance, an infinitely deeper wisdom, power, love." (George Arundale, Nirvana — An Occult Experience, page 120)
George Arundale wrote of Nirvana as radiance.
"Trying to describe what I must call down here the Nirvanic body, the only word that comes to me in substitution for 'body' is radiance....
"In some ways, from the standpoint of the lower planes, the word transcendence is more appropriate even than radiance, for it indicates the going beyond every single limitation worn by the planes beneath. Time, space, form — these are transcended. They have ceased to manifest, though remaining in potentiality.... I am well aware that such transcendence suggests an annihilation of all that on the lower planes seems to make life real-the ego, the personality, the individuality. If these are gone, what remains? Is Nirvana, after all, the annihilation which some philosophers have thought it to be?
"My answer is that all these things, however substantial they may appear down here, however much they may seem to be our ultimate foundation, are themselves but reflections of a nobler substans, themselves rest on deeper foundations still. Individualized Divinity exists in Nirvana, and doubtless in para-Nirvana too, even though its reflections as time, space, form and as the lower individualities we know as ego, personality and individuality, are unmanifest, potential. We have to learn that individuality does not necessarily demand description in terms of time and space and form as we know these in the outer worlds. There is individuality in other terms, in terms of Nirvanic time, Nirvanic space, Nirvanic form-the archetypes of lower time, lower space, lower form." (George Arundale, Nirvana — An Occult Experience, pages 111-112)
Forsaking Nirvana to Do Service Here in the Physical World
George Arundale wrote: (Note Mr. Arundale's description of this physical world as a prison-world.)
"I have entered Eternity. The past is for ever behind me. I am delightfully lost in the rapture of pure being. I am. And in these two words is a fathomless, limitless ocean of bliss supreme. But stay! What is this that I hear? What sounds are these that enter into my joy? Can it be — yes, it is — the call of my prison-worlds. But what have I now to do with my prison-worlds? They are behind me, and never need I return to them again. As I realize that I am free, so gloriously free, I feel how wonderful it is to know my safety in the power of this freedom. No power from prison-world can draw me back, for the power of my freedom transcends all other power below. For a moment again I lose myself in rhythmic ecstasy, and then — what is this strange thing which has come upon me? Am I dissatisfied with such a freedom? Am I, it seems impossible, beginning to want to return? It is true. Across the infinite spaces I have placed between myself and the far-off prison-worlds, come to me the cries of those whom prison-fetters still are binding. Can I honorably ignore them? Yes; and yet I cannot ignore them. Let this freedom, this ecstasy, go. I will have none of it while prison-worlds still call — prison-worlds of every kingdom, prison-worlds of the worlds, of systems, of universes. And as I thus resolve, I find myself apparently turning away from my bliss, and all Nature round me watches my return in solemn stillness, and, I must add for truth's sake though I shrink from writing the words, almost as if in homage.
"Back, back, I go, and at last I am at the doors of that prison-world I left so recently, but which seems an eternity away from me. The doors open. I enter. And as I enter, it is as if I heard: 'You went to your freedom as was your right, for you have won it. The call of freedom came, and your ears were ready to hear, for you had fulfilled many of those vows the Monad made in the beginning of time, and in their fulfilment their fetters must needs drop away. Yet for many of your comrades from long ago the fetters still remain; and you have done well to heed the cry which came to you across the empty spaces. No bliss, however rapturous, must ever dull the ear to the cry of suffering and need; rather must it make the ear more sensitive, and the feet more speedy to succor.'
"And so I find myself back in the old routine of prison-life, and am content, for I am needed where I am. But what is this change which has come about? Surely I am not still in prison? Is there a mistake? Have I felt the cry unheeded? I look around me. The age-old prison-world is round me. Yet I am different. I have not returned alone. Something glorious has returned with me, and in its magic the imprisonment seems no imprisonment. It is imprisonment, and yet it is not. Slowly upon me dawns the fact that while the form is there, the life has become free. I dwell a free man in the form. No longer am I bound upon it. No longer need I return to it life after life its slave, though I may return its master. Form has become the servant of my life. Another miracle of transubstantiation, for within the forms freedom has been substituted for necessity. Have I not brought Nirvana back with me? Have not the swaying ecstasies of Divinity-attuned rhythm entered into my very being, thus abiding with me even in the prison-worlds? All I thought I must leave is with me forever. There is no loss in renunciation, only gain. There is no loss in sacrifice, only gain. And this gain is the supreme gain of gains — the gain of added Unity, and of the Love, the Wisdom and the Power which are its threefold agpect." (George Arundale, Nirvana — An Occult Experience, pages 233-235)
Netti-Netti New Member
Apparently Gautama Buddha attained Nirvana shortly before is death. I think he was in his eighties. What is the trajectory/time frame for Theosophists?
Netti-Netti, May 19, 2009
Netti-Netti,
As far as I can tell, the "trajectory/time frame for Theosophists" is the same for Buddhists and Hindus. A person achieves enlightenment during his or her lifetime, and then lives out the rest of his or her physical life. Then, the person can either enter Nirvana, or return for another physical rebirth. (There are also intermediary options available, called Sambhogakaya. I wonder if Vaj, etc., will agree with me on this....)
The only real difference that I see between Theosophy and Buddhism is the idea of achieving nirvanic consciousness at the moment of enlightenment. I have not heard such teachings from Buddhist teachers.
It should be pointed out that Buddha lived for many years after achieving enlightenment, then entered Nirvana after his physical death. This follows the Theosophical as well as Buddhist explanation of what transpired. I would not say that Buddha achieved Nirvana shortly before his death, but this is a Theosophical interpretation not a Buddhist one. Pehaps Vaj, etc., can supply us with a "correct" Buddhist timetable of the events in Buddha's life.
I would say there is a difference between the Theosophical and Buddhist ideas of what "entering Nirvana" means. I must say I am still unclear as to the Buddhist answer to this question. The Theosophical answer is that Nirvana is a plane of existence, just like the Physical and Astral planes of existences. A nirvani who still lives in a physical body can "go" to Nirvana at night in full consciousness. The nirvani will then reside on the Nirvanic plane continuously when his or her physical body finally dies. Nirvanic consciousness and residence in Nirvana lasts for a long time, but will only last until consciousness is achieved on even higher planes of existence, for example, the Parinirvanic plane, the Mahaparinirvanic plane, etc. I have never heard Buddhist teachings give this type of detailed explanation.
serpentina New Member
So for Buddhists it's more like metanoia.
serpentina, Nov 5, 2018


text:
Space For It All
Carmen Haakstad: Looking Within
Fabulous in Fibre
Three Fairview Artists
I had the incredible opportunity this summer to meet with a number of different Peace Country artists and to read at some length about Alberta art. I started off sceptical that there was such a thing as a distinctive art of this place. Other regions in this country have long-established art traditions. Central Canada has the Group of Seven. The Atlantic Provinces have "Maritime Realism" – Christopher Pratt, Mary Pratt, Alex Colville, and the like. Coastal British Columbia has Emily Carr, and a strong tradition of West Coast Aboriginal Art. The Arctic has its Inuit carvers and printmakers. But the Peace Country?
What I became convinced of was only this: that the art of this place is diverse. Perhaps because we don't have the depth of tradition that other parts of the country have, we have the freedom of a blank palette, so to speak. Up here, in "the real hinterland" (as Mary-Beth Laviolette calls it in An Alberta Art Chronicle), an artist can hear him or herself think.
Some of the art I've seen is intimately rooted to this place – think of Peter von Tiesenhausen's work. Other artists have made art that responds to this place – think of Sarah Alford – or its traditions. Think of Vicki Hotte and Holly Crichton, making art about the ranching way of life; or Carmen Hakstaad and Brenda Strom making art about hockey. Many others depict this place in their art – think of the landscapes of Jim Stokes, Robert Guest, and many others. And then there are those of us whose art doesn't seem to have much to do with the Peace Country at all. And that's okay too.
Is there a distinctive Peace Country art style? I don't think so. But maybe that's the point. I think when you live here with the wide open lands and skies, you develop a limitless sense of what's possible. In the words of Sarah Alford: "I think that the world is so big that there's room for everything. I think there's room for the incredible, challenging, difficult work that people make, and I think there's room for the extremely beautiful. There's space for it all."
Here at Art of the Peace, I am the new Editor! I am hoping to start a "Letters to the Editor" column, but first, I need to hear from you! Let me know what you like (or don't like) about the magazine, and what you'd like to see more of. Respond to any of the articles, or send me news of what's happening in your community, in the area of visual arts. You can contact me at art@artofthepeace.ca .
Wendy Stefansson
Twenty years after the Peace Summerschool of Landscape Art, watercolour and landscape still reign supreme with these former students.
By Eileen Coristine
http://www.artofthepeace.ca/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/bernice-trider-summer.jpg" title="Bernice Trider, Summer from Seasons of the Peace Series" alt="Bernice Trider, Summer from Seasons of the Peace Series" align="right" height="199" width="275" />
Bernice Trider
"You didn't know there was so much art going on in Fairview back then did you?" Bernice asks, referring not only to the Peace Summerschool of Landscape Art, but also to three-day Peace Art Festivals and university credit courses that she took part in during the 1980s."The Landscape School was great, really intense," Bernice says. "I wished I was staying at the college instead of at home so I could have been totally focussed on it." She loved the field trips to Whitelaw, Sand Lake and other local spots. Those locations inspired many paintings. One of those paintings, of Cliff Paul's farm, won her the Peace Watercolour Society "On the Spot Painting Award."Bernice began painting in 1969, returning to her childhood love of art. "At school I couldn't wait for Friday afternoon art classes," she remembers. "Once, after my children were a bit bigger, I saw a local art show in all the store windows in Fairview. I was enthralled. I haven't missed a possible workshop since."Oils were the starting point for Bernice's painting career, but that all changed after a 1980 course by Robert Guest. "I fell in love with watercolour because I liked what I did," she explains. "My work was now so much more soft and subtle."Bernice is an avid art student who does a lot of research and reading. "I would have liked to have gone to college and learned design," she says. Still a very active painter, Bernice is currently toying with the idea of watercolour portraits. Although a different subject, portraiture is consistent with her style, which she describes as realistic.Clearly Bernice has enjoyed her times of learning and painting in the Peace. "I've hada great time," she tells me, her smile the picture of pleasures recalled.
http://www.artofthepeace.ca/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/bernice-trider-summer.jpg" title="Greg Jones, Harold's Murcury. Photo by Ziggy's, Fairview" alt="Greg Jones, Harold's Murcury. Photo by Ziggy's, Fairview" align="left" height="331" width="225" />
"My mother put a set of paints in front of me when I was nineteen and convalescing from a motorcycle accident," says Fairview painter Greg Jones. "That's how I started."Greg then began taking local workshops and the credit courses that were held at Fairview College through Grande Prairie Regional College. Teachers like Jim Adrain and Robert Guest were very encouraging and helpful. "Those classes were filled mainly with older ladies, many of whom became good friends," Greg remembers. Since then many of those ladies have attended workshops by Greg and are always asking for more.In 1984 and '85 he attended Peace Summerschool of Landscape Art. Greg spent many hours in the field with the instructors. "I really latched onto Laine Dahlen's way of painting," says Greg.Greg had taken some drawing classes from fellow Summerschool student Doris Reynolds, but it wasn't until later that he really appreciated the influence that she had had on him. "After I came back from art school, I recognized Doris' talent. It was a great influence to see this in a local person."While doing further studies at Red Deer College, Victoria College of Art and Alberta College of Art and Design, Greg tried out many materials and genres, but has always returned to what he calls his "minimalist landscapes" in watercolours. "I'm not sure where that came from, but people really respond to them because they are stark, like a relief."An event that resulted from the Summerschool had a huge impact on Greg's future. "Fairview College bought a piece of mine and tucked it away in the president's office. One month later I saw it, in the same room as their A.Y Jackson. That inspired me so much."Greg now resides near Calgary but visits Fairview every month. He says he is planning more workshops for his old friends from the Peace.
http://www.artofthepeace.ca/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/bernice-trider-summer.jpg" alt="Doris Reynolds, Russian Orthodox Church at Hines Creek, pen and ink" align="right" height="219" width="275" />
Doris Reynolds
"I paint what I see," says Doris. "I've never done abstracts. My favourite subjects are landscapes, and the Peace Valley and Mountain Parks provide never-ending inspiration for my work."Doris was directly involved as a planner of the Peace Summerschool of Landscape Art throughout the four years in which it ran. "The courses ran ten days, started with a show and sale by the instructors and ended with a show and sale by the students, both at Fairview Fine Arts Centre," she remembers. "The school's main emphasis was to work directly from nature when possible."Although the instruction by such accomplished artists as Robert Guest, Euphemia McNaught, Laine Dahlen and Inez Demuynck inspired and motivated her, Doris was already an established local artist and instructor in her own right. She remembers: "My mother was artistic and we always had paper and pencils." To this day, Doris says, "I like to make detailed sketches. My sketch pad and pencils are always part of my gear, wherever I travel."Doris began painting by teaching herself to use oils. That inspired her to go to classes, where she met Robert Guest and Jim Adrain. "They encouraged me to try watercolours, and I tried but struggled. I couldn't switch until I took two weeks just playing. Then I sort of got the hang of it." Doris had soon left oils behind and begun using watercolours or pen and ink for her realistic, detailed work.This past summer Doris painted enthusiastically and framed half a dozen new works, following a field trip to Buffalo Lakes with other Peace Watercolour Society members.


text:
Custom Films
Download Purchase
Bring Your Idea To Life
The Battle For Earth production team is capable of fulfilling all of your custom requests both within the SHIP genre and beyond. To keep the process as simple as possible, please read the following before submitting custom requests, and include as much of the information as you can. Submit all requests to info@thebattleforearth.com. We'll do our best to reply within 24 hours with confirmation that we've received it and what the plan is going forward. We look forward to making your film come to life!
Email TBFE
TBFE Custom Commercial
How To Create A Custom Film Request
1. Choose a lead actress(es). The actresses below are a good starting point. Some we have worked with, some have expressed interest in the project, and some of them have agents that have indicated interest. Please remember actresses often take time off and just because somebody is listed, doesn't mean they're actively shooting. They may not want to travel, or they may have become disinterested in the project for whatever reason. For these reasons, we will have to clear availability once you've requested someone and that will require us communicating with them or their agents. Further, you're certainly not limited to the list below. If you don't see someone listed that fits your needs, I'll be happy to give you the list of agencies we work with, and you're welcome to explore yourself. Once you select someone, we can then inquire into their interest. If you have someone specific in mind, just let us know and we'll contact her! If you don't have a preference, please indicate that and we'll be happy to help choose! Do Keep in mind R vs PG. While each actress may have different limitations, R indicates the actress is OK with sexual concepts or scenarios.
2. Choose a costume. If we have a costume in house that works for your vision, that's the easiest. Otherwise, we're happy to have it created and we have a number of talented contacts we consistently use! Costumes in house are currently: WW with corset, WW one piece, New WW one piece, Supergirl, Solaria 1 piece, Solaria 2 piece, Powergirl, Sunder, Redwing, Blue Swan, Sonique, Ninja Girl, Marvelous, Excelsia, Shadowing, Widow, Bastat
4. Give us the locations or props. As you're putting your idea down, you may wonder what locations are available, what sets you can request, or what props are in-house. We certainly have no issue renting locations, but the following are available with no extra cost: Villain's or monster's lair, laboratory, dungeon, warehouse, bar, dance club, living room, bedroom, office/control room, and depending on the time of the year, various outside locations for pickup scenes, dialogue, or pg fights. We are constantly rotating sets so if you're envisioning your scene in a specific set you've viewed in a prior film, it was likely shot months ago and likely does not exist anymore. As far as props are concerned, we don't usually throw things out, so if you've seen something before, you're welcome to request it!
5. Let us know the total length you're looking for. We're typically able to film 20-35 min in a day. Every project is different and it's often difficult to determine length in advance, but do your best to give us a range as you envision it. We'll do our best to translate that to how much time will be involved to create it!
6. Let us know your budget. Folks come with a diverse set of requests, and an even broader set of expectations. We're more than happy to accommodate various budgets and are creative in figuring out workarounds. It certainly helps to know in advance how much financing each project has available, so that we can better design the production to fit your budget while still fulfilling your requests. For further details on cost, see below!
8. Some tips to think about. Do your best to keep things general when it comes to blocking, camera shots, specifics on set design, and dialogue. We have writers submitting to us from a variety of different backgrounds. Some give us general concepts with a focus on a number of different elements, whereas some literally envision the scene as they're writing it and come to the table with full scripts. We love working with both extremes and everything in between, but for the writers with a specific vision, please remember we are creating these films typically in a day. We appreciate detail but if it gets too specific, that often takes more time to execute. We're always happy to complete the project as requested, but just know the cost may be higher as it may take longer. This definitely applies to dialogue as well. The quickest and typically the most fluid, convincing, and comfortable feeling scenes are usually improvised within the parameters set by the customer. We again have no issue reproducing dialogue down to the specific word, but it will take extra time and therefore extra cost! Just food for thought as you're creating!
9. To heck with all of it! If all of these details seem a bit much, toss everything to the side and simply write what you're seeing or submit what you've got. We're used to working from a variety of starting points, and we'd rather get the process started and remodel it if necessary! We always look forward to reading everyone's ideas, and since this project is entirely customer based, we very much appreciate your contributions to date, and continued support as we do our best to capture and display your visions now and in the future!
10. Send a script or synopsis to info@thebattleforearth.com!
Some Talent Options
LIly Lou
Charly Summer
Ophelia | R | Local
Alyx Star | R | Local/May Require Travel
Noire | R | Local
Bella Rolland | R | Requires Travel
Arielle or Olive | R | Requires Travel
Ashley Lane | R | Local/May Require Travel
Blair Williams | R | Requires Travel
Layla Rylan | R | Local
TBFE Documentary
If you're at all curious about the process, feel free to watch this documentary created by the network Fusion specifically on this project. It might give some further insight into how TBFE creates a custom film
Here are some general numbers as you try and imagine what the budget might be for your project. When you receive a quote, it will be broken down to the following categories:
Talent - We pay talent on a day rate and for actresses, this can range from 800-1600 depending on the actress and the content. Most male actors are paid 200-350 and supporting actresses can range from 300-1000, again depending on the actress and content. If we hire an actress from an agency, there's often an extra fee of anywhere from 100-150, and if someone is flying in, we'll need to account for flight/lodging, usually somewhere around 500-700 depending on what city they're coming from..
Crew - Standard crew fee is 600 which covers a camera operator and audio supervisor. For larger projects or more complex days, we'll hire one or two more bodies which will cover lighting, set design, transportation, food, running errands, backing up footage, reviewing footage, and transcoding on set. This can range from another 200-350.
Wardrobe - In house costumes are certainly available for both actresses and actors, but if you'd like to have something created, we have access to some incredibly talented seamstresses/costumers, and obviously the internet as well. This cost will certainly vary per project from 0 on up! We're happy to purchase an inexpensive costume option online, but remember these may come with their own set of challenges, and may need to be altered prior to the shoot. Also, packaged costumes will typically last one or maybe two shoots max before falling apart. For custom made costumes, a typical leotard with cape such as Supergirl would go from 350-450. On the other end of the spectrum, a complicated villain costume could be over 1000.
Practical FX - This is typically 0 unless specific practical fx are requested such as makeup..
Props - We have a prop department that already covers most scenarios. So this cost is typically 0 but could be more with special requests.
Locations - As detailed above, we have access or can create a villain's or monster's lair, laboratory, dungeon, warehouse, bar, club, living room, bedroom, office/control room, and depending on the time of the year, various outside locations for pickup scenes, dialogue, or pg fights. Other locations are available and will come with their own fees.
Studio - This is set at 250 for TBFE's own studio and covers building rental, consumables, and a cleaning fee.
Food - This covers one meal for cast and crew and snacks/drinks on set. This will range from 250-400 per day, depending on the size of the production.
Editing Fee - Most projects are filmed in 1 day and the editing fee would typically be 500-800 depending on complexity of action sequences. If the film is entirely action based, that would be the most complex, and if it's sexual peril or dialogue with long running shots, that would be the simplest. If it's a larger project with multiple days, this number averages out to 500-800 per day of filming. This fee is paid directly to my assistant editor and includes the following steps: 1st pass to compile chosen or marked clips, 2nd pass to tighten, 3rd pass to address hits and manipulate timing, 4th pass to sweeten, transfer to head editor.
Visual FX in post - 4 or 5 visual FX in post are just fine and we won't charge extra. If the script calls for more than that, we'll need to include a separate fee for this. Our VFX contractor works by the project or by hour so this can range from an extra 250 dollars to thousands.
Other thoughts on Cost
I do not charge a "profit margin", or for any of my time whatsoever. This includes shooting, directing and all post consisting of color grading, color correction, music score, sound design, audio mixing, and audio mastering,
If you'd like to make payments, that's certainly an option. We only ask the balance is paid in full prior to the shoot. Because of this, we'd just need to know a ballpark schedule or timeline of payments so we can appropriately schedule the shoot!
Once you send us a quote, I'll get back to you with a line itemized breakdown of costs. Once the budget is signed off, the next step is payment. We typically accept payment through PayPal but other forms are just fine. At that point, TBFE will schedule your film. It can take a few days to a few weeks to lock in a date, but we'll let you know once we have something. It's often weeks to months before we can film something, as it depends on how booked we are currently, actresses travel schedules, and the challenge of organizing everyone. Rest assured we go for the earliest date possible! Once we have your project filmed, we turn the footage over to our assistant editor. At this point, the timeline will depend on how many projects are in front of yours. This varies greatly and is often difficult to estimate. We edit projects in the order they were commissioned and it's not uncommon to have 15 to 20 projects in the pipeline. The customer's most common complaint in this process has been the wait after something has been filmed. The best-case scenario from filming date to deliverable is a month and the worst case has been up to 6 months. We understand this can be maddening as everyone is excited to receive their project. Please keep in mind it can easily take 2 weeks of work to finish a project not counting filming. The assistant editor, head editor, and visual FX editor all must coordinate to complete the project. Also, the project goes through Allen for final tweaks, scoring, sound design, color grading, mixing, and mastering. During the wait for final product, we are happy to supply screen grabs and even bits of the film. We do our best to keep folks up to date with the production timeline and are currently developing a calendar to keep folks updated real-time. Rest assured we are motivated to complete the project as quick as possible as we don't make any money until we complete and release something! Once the film is complete and prior to public release, you'll be the first to receive a copy in either 1080P at 7000 kbps, or 4k at 20000 kbps date rate upon request. We'll also include all promotional material at full res.
Onwership And Rights
When you order a film from TBFE, you have complete control over every aspect including actors, story, wardrobe, locations, etc. During the process, we'll be happy to advise and guide but it's ultimately your film and your final decision. In exchange for this, TBFE takes ownership of the final product. We sell the film to the public to recoup costs and attempt to make some money, which in turn runs the business and infrastructure. A custom order is often tailored to the customer's specific preferences. Because of this, it may not always be a "box office" success. It is not uncommon to barely break even with just enough to continue the business model. For this reason, TBFE will often take footage from your custom and combine it with footage we finance in house to create what we believe will be a marketable film. At the end of the day, you order your fantasy and we film it for you exactly as you've requested!
More On Actress Limitations
Please remember each actress will have slightly different boundaries or limitations. PG vs R is a very broad description to a more complicated issue. In general, if you're wondering whether a particular actress will film specific content, just ask us and we'll double check if we're unsure. It is not uncommon for many actresses to be comfortable shooting nudity but not comfortable with more aggressive sexual concepts and themes. In other words, please don't assume because an actress is from an adult agency, she'll be 100% comfortable with aggressive sexual concepts! The safety, security, and comfort of cast and crew is absolutely paramount to TBFE and comes first in any situation!
Studio And Gear
We are located in Portland and have professional level gear operated by skilled industry veterans. TBFE uses Sony A7sII's and films native 4k. We have access to any lens for any look, and have multiple shooting locations within the studio, as well as the ability to rotate sets for a variety of different looks. Audio is recorded using industry standard recording equipment and mics. All editing and post not including certain visual fx is handled through Adobe's Master Suite, Nuendo, and Protools.
The Battle For Earth
© 2019 By Reality Bytes Productions.


text:
LEX 18 In-Depth
Quick links... Top Stories Positively LEX 18 LEX 18 In-Depth Investigative Videos Covering Kentucky Covering the Nation Covering Your World Coronavirus State of the Commonwealth LEX 18 News App
Dr. Demetrus Liggins talks new role as Fayette County Public Schools superintendent
Dr. Demetrus Liggins experienced his first day of "school" about three weeks before the students in his district will get their first day.
By: Michael Berk
LEXINGTON, Ky.(LEX 18) — Dr. Demetrus Liggins experienced his first day of "school" about three weeks before the students in his district will get their first day.
"I am extremely excited for my first day with the Fayette County Public Schools," the new superintendent told a group of reporters on Monday morning.
Hired during the spring to replace the late Emmanuel Caulk, Liggins's day-one schedule was full and it included a session with members of the media, visits with Ignite program summer school students and teachers, and it'll culminate with his first school board meeting Monday night. His talk with reporters was dominated by COVID-19, the Delta Variant, and the potential for a repeat of health safety guidelines in school, including face coverings.
"I'm going to meet with the core team tomorrow and make absolutely sure that we listen and ultimately decide what's best for having school," Dr. Liggins said.
Liggins, like most educators, is a proponent of in-person instruction, and he's aware of the many disadvantages created by virtual learning during the last school year. His district in Texas, where he previously worked as superintendent, offered in-person and virtual learning for the entire year, never choosing to ditch the in-person part at any point during the year.
"It was a struggle as it was for every district in every state," he said of the last school year.
"I just want to make sure this year we can put systems into place to make sure students continue to be in person. I think students suffered tremendously last year with their learning," Dr. Liggins added.
Liggins didn't put a timetable in place for making a decision on a mask-wearing policy, saying only that the team will make a decision with enough time to allow the district's families to adjust.
"My personal beliefs aside, I have to listen to the health professionals," he said.
Dr. Liggins said he doesn't envision a vaccine mandate being put in place by the district, at least not when they are still in the emergency-use-authorization phase. Beyond that, he referenced the many vaccine mandates that are in place to combat contagious diseases such as, measles and varicella (chickenpox).
But a vaccine mandate for COVID-19 is a conversation for another time.
After all, today was just his first day and already he's got some major decisions looming, specifically regarding health protocols for the coming school year.
"Once all of the brains are at the table I want to get (the decisions) out as soon as possible. As soon as we have enough solid information to make a decision that makes sense, and that is going to support in-person instruction," he said.


text:
Gym class that's like 'stepping into a video game'
With the gym lights turned down low, video-game music throbbing, and a state-of-the-art projector system casting space-age targets onto two walls, a new kind of phys-ed class aimed at getting the post-Nintendo generation to get up and run around has arrived in the Philadelphia area.
It took the kids at the Valley Day School in Morrisville a few minutes to get the hang of newfangled games that were part-dodgeball, part-basketball, and part-Super Mario Brothers. But after several minutes of sometimes mad scrambling across the gym floor, one group of fifth and sixth graders was giggling and squealing and their hearts were almost certainly racing.
It's exactly what the Canadian developers of this newfangled hybrid gym class, called the Lu Interactive Playground, were going for.
The $28,000 price tag for the system includes the two large projectors on the ceiling, two other devices that house lights and the computers that help teachers control 25 different games using hand-held controllers with keyboards. The games are projected on opposing gym walls, with synchronized lighting and sound effects, inviting kids to throw balls at targets ranging from animals to math problems to objects floating through space.
"It's very fun – you get to interact with it, play around with it." said eighth grader Scott Dangler, 13, of the sporting spectacle from augmented-reality design firm SAGA. "It's like dodgeball – but more fun."
Bemused but entertained by the high-tech competition he called "a very good workout" was physical education teacher James Romano – also the Jenkintown girls' basketball coach, who just notched his 600th victory in his 36th season. Said Romano: "I don't even have a cellphone – so this is outer space for me!"
Gym class had long been the last low-tech holdout as sleek laptops, virtual-reality goggles and other computer-driven learning tools have taken over traditional classrooms. But the computer age has also sparked the skyrocketing popularity of home video games and a rise in childhood obesity that experts have linked in part to kids shunning outdoor exercise to spend hours with their game controllers or on the web.
The concept behind SAGA's Lu, which launched less than a year ago in a Quebec elementary school and which the company has installed in 30 locations worldwide this year, is quite simply that if you can't beat video games, join them – by creating fast-moving games that drop kids into a high-tech playing field of augmented reality. The only other U.S. location is at a public elementary school in St. Louis.
"The kids we had in mind when we designed this were kids who were not really into sports, not good at sports or interested in sports," said SAGA CEO Vincent Routhier. Designers looked at "how can we find a way to make them active a little more – while they are not realizing they are training or exercising…" he said. With a background in film production, he got the idea for the Lu after seeing a video of a gym teacher who had hooked up his iPad to a projector to create interactive games for kids.
The idea of integrating computer technology into gym class is not completely new. It started with Dance Dance Revolution, the turn-of-the-millennium game that got kids moving their feet to video cues on a screen. Other gym classes make use of technology to allow students to monitor their heart rate, or to receive instruction from a video screen while the teacher is freed up to coach kids on their individual technique.
One experimental concept that gained traction in as many as 700 classrooms across the Philadelphia School District was Johnson & Johnson's Activity Works, which asked kids to get up and move around during simulated activities like trips to a rainforest or outer space. Bettyann Creighton, the executive director of health, safety and physical education for the city schools, said the classroom exercise raised student heart rates and improved learning.
"The brilliant part about all of this is more and more teachers are understanding that movement and physical activity really does bring improvement in academic achievement," Creighton said. "It turns the brain on for learning."
Science supports that. One 2013 study of 12,000 Nebraska schoolkids, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, found a strong correlation between a child's physical fitness and higher achievement scores. That's created an opening for high-tech entrepreneurs who say the best way to get students excited about exercise is to co-opt their fixation with video games.
Jarrod Saracco, a Delaware-based fitness industry consultant, said "it doesn't matter if the kid's an athlete or a video gamer…they're both very competitive in their own nature. That kid playing Minecraft or Xbox, he wants to beat the game as much as [the] kid playing sports wants to beat his game."
One of Saracco's clients, Illinois-based Exergame Fitness, has created what relationship manager Parker Johnson called "an active learning lab" for kids at YMCAs or school gymnasiums, using exercise bikes or projections onto walls and floors. Johnson said the firm believes its products are particularly valuable for kids with anxiety issues or ADHD. "Exercise is a great way to settle the mind," he said.
But Cheryl Richardson, senior director of programs at SHAPE America, a society of health and physical educators, said the new opportunities created by augmented reality in gym class could raise potential pitfalls for some students.
"It would probably not be a very friendly environment for students with autism – it could just be overwhelming," Richardson said, adding she was also concerned whether the fast pace allows teachers to work with kids on skills that are traditionally part of phys-ed class, like encouraging good teamwork.
At the Lu session at Valley Day School, which has 90 kids in kindergarten through 12th grade who require emotional and academic support, Romano acknowledged that a lot of older kids prefer the sports they grew up with, like basketball or volleyball, which the school still offers, but that begins to change somewhat after they see how much the younger kids enjoy the new interactive games.
Seventh grader Emma Prendergast, 13, said "I actually enjoy it, though I much prefer traditional games" that have a little more freedom. "With the computer you have to play the game the way it's designed."
Education director Ron Hall said the lights and sounds and images are engaging and create an emotional connection for kids, especially those who dislike traditional sports. The system can also project movies or PowerPoints, an added value that he used to sell it to the school's board of directors.
"Now we've got to turn our brains on!" exclaimed Hall as he switched to a math game. The problem 9 plus 6 popped up on the screen surrounded by various numbers. Six fifth and sixth graders started throwing balls until they hit the right answer.
"Little kids love it because of the sound and the music," Romano said. "It's an extension of computers. That's the generation we live in. It's stepping into a video game."
After math it was time for spelling. A picture of a bull popped up and the kids quickly threw balls at letters to spell the word. Then came a tough one…rhinoceros. After R, they were stumped. But it didn't matter. They kept throwing balls until the game was over and it was time to go back to class.
The game, said Keirra Ciotti, 10, as she skipped back to class, was "spectacular."


text:
Роберт II (†1156), норманський граф Аверський (1127—1156), князь Капуанський (1127—1156).

Єдиний син князя Йордана II.  У грудні 1127 папа Римський Гонорій II прибув до Беневенто з метою організації походу проти графа Сицилійського Рожера II щоб запобігти об'єднанню цього графства з герцогством Апулійським. 30 грудня того ж року Роберт вступив на престол і став прихильником папи. Проте, оскільки він був людиною слабої волі в 1129 визнав сюзеренітет Рожера, а 25 грудня 1130, Роберт, як головний васал, поклав королівську корону на голову Рожера.

У 1132 Роберт разом з іншими італійськими васалами короля Сицилії повстав проти Рожера за підтримки папи Іннокентія II у коаліції з королем Франції Людовиком VI, королем Англії Генріхом I, імператором священної Римської імперії Лотаром III. Роберт переміг Рожера у битві біля Ночери 24 липня 1132. У відповідь Рожер спалив Аверсу та підкорив своїй владі у 1134 графа Аліфе Ранульфа та номінального васала Візантії неаполітанського дуку Сергія VII. Роберта було вигнано з міста, Рожер проголосив князем свого третього сина Альфонса (1135).

Роберт утік до Пізи, де зібрав флотилію та розпочав війну проти Рожера. Він напав на Амальфі і здобув багато трофеїв. Навантажений цією здобиччю та рекомендаціями папи Роберт подався до Німеччини прохати допомогу імператора. Весною 1137 імператор разом з Іннокентієм II, герцогом Баварським Генріхом Гордим та великим військом рушив на південь. Об'єднане військо здобуло Беневенто, Барі та Капую, призначивши Ранульфа герцогом Апулійським, а Роберта князем Капуанським. Однак, після від'їзду імператора Рожер знову захопив Капую. 25 липня 1139 Роберт і папа зазнали поразки від війська Рожера у битві на ріці Гарільяно поблизу Галуччо,  Папа потрапив у полон, а Роберт врятувався втечею. Після смерті Альфонса у 1144 Рожер призначив свого четвертого сина Вільгельма князем Капуанським. По смерті Рожера у 1154 Вільгельм спадкував йому як король і герцог, а Роберт у 1155 заволодів Капуєю. Через рік Вільгельм приєднав князівство до королівства Сицилії.

Роберт мав сина Йордана, який жив у Константинополі та служив Візантії як диполомат.

Джерела

|-

|-

Капуанські князі
Персоналії за алфавітом
Померли 1156
Графи Аверські
Італо-нормани

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Rep. Duncan Hunter says his unit probably killed 'hundreds' of civilians in Iraq, including women and children
Uh, what?
By Haley Britzky | Published Jun 2, 2019 7:40 PM
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) is at it again. And by "it," I mean willingly offering up information about questionable shit he did while he served as a Marine.
In an interview for Barstool Sports' Zero Blog Thirty podcast, Hunter was asked about his support of Navy SEAL Chief Edward "Eddie" Gallagher, who has been accused of war crimes including stabbing a captured ISIS fighter to death.
Hunter responded that he "frankly care" if the ISIS fighter was killed, and that "even if everything the prosecutors say is true in this case, then Eddie Gallagher should still be given a break, I think."
"I just feel like it's such a slippery slope, and it goes against our honor so egregiously if that is the case," one of the hosts, also a former Marine, said to Hunter.
"So how do you judge me?" He responded. "I was an artillery officer and we fired hundreds of rounds into Fallujah, killed probably hundreds of civilians, if not scores, if not hundreds of civilians. Probably killed women and children if there were any left in the city when we invaded. So do I get judged too?"
The Pentagon has been forced to reckon with its civilian casualty problem in recent months. In February, Washington Post reported that the department "launched a major examination" after criticism that it has failed to protect innocent civilians in counterterrorism operations. In 2017, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "stressed the Pentagon's commitment to keeping civilians safe," the Post reports, though he admitted that zero casualties "has never been achieved before in warfare."
But Hunter's comments appear to suggest that civilian casualties, including women and children, are simply an unavoidable part of warfare regardless of DoD policy. And the circumstances he's referring to — indiscriminate artillery fire during an engagement with the enemy — is entirely different than the purposeful murder of one specific prisoner that Gallagher is accused of (Hunter's office did not respond to request for comment from Task & Purpose).
Hunter has a knack for openly admitting to questionable things he did during his time in the U.S. armed forces; he recently said that he, too, took a photo with the corpse of an enemy combatant, another one of the crimes Gallagher is accused of.
SEE ALSO: 3 members of Navy SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher's defense team have close ties to Trump
WATCH NEXT: A Navy SEAL Is Accused Of Committing War Crimes In Iraq
civilian casualties
civilian deaths
duncan hunter
eddie gallagher


Every 15 minutes an African elephant is slaughtered in the wild.
On September 22nd, the Government of Tanzania, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, University of Dar es Salaam and other partners convened the first ever "National Elephant Day" to raise awareness and discuss the serious impact that elephant poaching is having on Tanzania's biodiversity, social and ecological health, tourism industry and last but not least, the survival of the beloved species itself.
Discussants from various interest groups came up with a number of recommendations which aimed at taking concrete measures to halt the killing of elephants. The recommendations were mainly related to governance, conservation, security, socio-economic and tourism. Generally participants felt there was need for joint efforts of all interested parties including communities at village levels to increase efforts in conservation and safeguarding wildlife.
Poaching of the African Forest Elephant is a serious issue in Southern Tanzania as well as other districts where elephants are free to stray outside of national park surveillance. As a result, the population of this magnificent creature (arguably the most significant mammal to Tanzania's ecosystem and tourism industry) has decreased by two thirds since the 1950s. A study conducted by Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) revealed that the number of elephants in two wildlife sanctuaries in Tanzania indicated a sharp fall by more than 40 percent in just three years, as poachers increasingly killed the animals for their tusks. The study was conducted in the Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park and revealed elephant numbers had plunged to 38,975 in 2009 from 70,406 in 2006 (TAWIRI 2010). Given the estimated total elephant population in Tanzania is between 110,000 and 140,000; it was feared that with such a large drop in numbers over such a short period of time this may wipe out the country's elephant population within 7 years.
Elephant extinction in Tanzania would bring serious consequences in the tourism industry, as well as undo significant economic gains realized over the past years. Results of the above study by TAWIRI led President Jakaya Kikwete to order an investigation in early 2012 (Daily News 11 January 2012). Incidences of illegal seizures of ivory and illegal killings in 2011/2012 were sighted as the worst in decades with a number of large ivory seizures (UNEP, 2012) as indicated below and through the link where some of the cases in and outside Tanzania are reported. Presently, the estimated number of African elephants is about 0.5 million in the entire African range states (Blanc et al., 2007). Since 2004, this species, Loxodonta Africana, was classified as "vulnerable to extinction" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Under the leadership of the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are providing support towards improving the effectiveness of national parks in addressing the threats to biodiversity through the "Strengthening the Protected Area Network in Southern Tanzania" project. This US $6.3 million programme support aims at creating a coordinated landscape management approach in the Greater Ruaha Landscape (GRL) and Greater Kitulo-Kipengele Landscape (GKKL) to serve as a shield against human-induced pressures on southern Tanzania's threatened biodiversity. The Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania and is now the second largest wildlife protection area in Africa after Kafue National Park of Zambia. The Ruaha National Park is one of the last great strongholds for the African elephant.
UNDP was represented at the National Elephant Day - Siku Ya Tembo Kitaifa event by Gemma Aliti (Programme Associate) and Vito Scuderi (Junior Professional Consultant). This first time annual event began with an "Elephant March" that started at the University of Dar es Salaam, concluding at the Mlimani Conference.


text:
'Am I on the 'No Fly' List?'—and Other FAQs to the FBI
Want to know if you're on it? That's classified. And trying to get off of it? No one can tell you how.
By Conor Friedersdorf
Lucas Jackson / Reuters
Days ago in Portland, Oregon, a federal attorney answered questions posed by Judge Alex Kozinski in a hearing about the government's classified watch lists for suspected terrorists, like the one colloquially referred to as the "No Fly List." The ACLU has challenged the list on behalf of clients who think they're on it for reasons unknown to them and would like the chance to demonstrate they don't belong there. The problem? Federal authorities have set up a Kafkaesque system where you never get to know anything about why you're denied permission to fly.
Audio from oral arguments is now posted. Ben Wizner, the Director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, summarizes a particularly troubling exchange from the hearing:
Chief Judge Alex Kozinski had a simple question for the government attorney: What would you do if you found yourself on the No Fly List? After some hemming and hawing, the attorney said that he would seek "redress" from the Department of Homeland Security—even though DHS does not place people on the No Fly list and has no authority to remove them (that's the FBI's job). Because, the lawyer conceded, DHS would not be able to confirm or deny whether he was on the list, he would then seek review in a federal appellate court. And what would the court be able to do?, asked Judge Kozinski. Not much, said the government lawyer. In fact, the lawyer would not even concede that a federal court possessed the authority to order someone removed from the No Fly List. In other words, according to the United States government, the only redress that is available to a watch-listed citizen is to hope that some government bureaucrat will correct a mistake or change his mind.
For fun, I clicked over to the FBI's Frequently Asked Questions webpage about the No Fly List. Let's learn together:
Can I find out if I am in the TSDB? (That's Terrorist Screening Database)
The TSC cannot reveal whether a particular person is in the TSDB. The TSDB remains an effective tool in the government's counterterrorism efforts because its contents are not disclosed. If TSC revealed who was in the TSDB, terrorist organizations would be able to circumvent the purpose of the terrorist watchlist by determining in advance which of their members are likely to be questioned or detained.
I am having trouble when I try to fly or cross the border into the United States. Does this mean I am in the TSDB?
No. At security checkpoints like our nation's borders, there are many law enforcement or security reasons that an individual may be singled out for additional screening. Most agencies have redress offices (e.g., Ombudsman) where individuals who are experiencing repeated problems can seek help. If an individual is experiencing these kinds of difficulties, he/she should cooperate with the agency screeners and explain the recurring problems. The screeners can supply instructions on how to raise concerns to the appropriate agency redress office.
So they won't tell you if you're on the list, and if you're denied the ability to fly you could be on it ... but then again, not necessarily, because other government agencies have their own secret blacklists.
This is my favorite question and answer:
How does TSC ensure that the TSDB is accurate?
The TSC has a staff dedicated to redress and quality assurance that conducts comprehensive as well as case-specific reviews of TSDB records to ensure they are current, accurate, and thorough. TSC conducts research and coordinates with other federal agencies to ensure the terrorist record is as complete, accurate, and thorough as possible. TSC's redress and quality assurance process has resulted in the correction or removal of hundreds of records in TSDB.
That they made hundreds of mistakes on their terrorist list is supposed to make us feel better because eventually they were corrected. A handy link is also offered to the "Redress Procedures" webpage.
My favorite part of that page:
Filing a Redress Inquiry
The TSC does not accept redress inquiries directly from the public. Instead, members of the public should contact the relevant screening agency with their questions or concerns about screening.
Another passage that is supposed to be reassuring appears over at the Department of Homeland Security website:
Many people erroneously believe that they are experiencing a screening delay because they are on a watchlist. In fact, such delays are often caused merely by a name similarity to another person who is on the watchlist. Ninety-nine percent of individuals who apply for redress are not on the terrorist watchlist, but are misidentified as people who are.
So in addition to the hundreds of people put on the list wrongfully and eventually rescued and the unknown number of people who are on it wrongfully to this day, there are thousands more American citizens made so paranoid by their own government that they're convinced they are on a terrorist list, which the government will neither confirm nor deny. I'm with J.D. Tucille: "Invoking Kafka tends to draw the oh-so-jaded cliché police, but it seems appropriate enough here."