text:
Noah, the Flood and the Edgar Cayce material
by Kevin J. Todeschi
Perhaps more than any other Old Testament tale, it is the story of Noah and the Flood with which individuals of all ages and religious backgrounds are most familiar. In Christian, Jewish, and Islamic literature, the story of the Deluge plays an important role. However, tales of a global flood are not limited to the Bible or the Koran. In addition to the story of Noah, there are actually more than two hundred Flood traditions scattered throughout the world. Next to the Genesis tale, the most well known account was not even discovered until the latter half of the nineteenth century when twelve tablets were unearthed at Nineveh. These tablets detailed the Gilgamesh Epic and the adventures of Utnapishtim–a Babylonian Noah–and created a worldwide fascination with the Flood, while lending further credence to the possibility of a deluge of mythic proportions.
In the Christian world, the story of Noah has played an important role for two thousand years. At one time the tale was even more important in the lives of individuals than it is today. It was once seen as a story that perfectly embodied the potential that humankind had for degeneration and evil–a story that Jesus brought to mind in the hopes that Christians would ever be watchful of their ways (Matthew 24:37-39). Between the Middle Ages and the nineteenth century the fact that fossilized bones of sea creatures could be found on mountain ranges throughout the world was generally believed to be proof that the Flood had occurred. In Christian medieval towns while Biblical mystery-moral plays were making the circuit the story of Noah and his family was a frequent favorite. Even with the discovery of plate tectonics in the 1800s and the knowledge that ice sheets had once covered much of the Northern Hemisphere– challenging the medieval belief that "fish bones on mountaintops equals world-wide deluge"–the belief in Noah's Flood was never doubted by those faithful to scripture.
What may be most interesting to students of the Edgar Cayce material is that between March 1939 and July 1944 a number of individuals had past-life readings from Edgar Cayce and were told that they had been members of Noah's immediate family! The Cayce readings also provide additional information about the Flood story. From Cayce's perspective, Noah and his family were not the only individuals saved from the destruction. The readings suggest that the Flood occurred during the second destruction of Atlantis and corresponded to an Atlantean migration to all parts of the world. Noah's family somehow preserved the consciousness that had been brought into the earth through Adam and the followers of the Law of One and were instrumental in helping to continue the spiritual and mental evolution of humankind. Perhaps what is most unique from the readings' standpoint is that God did not send the Deluge; instead, the Divine intervened to prevent humankind from completely destroying itself.
Edgar Cayce also provided detailed information about Noah's family, including the names of Noah's daughters-in-law (Rezepatha, Maran, and Shelobothe), whose names are not mentioned in scripture. Clairvoyant insights also suggest that humankind had become so evil and degenerate during Noah's time that misshapen mixtures and half-human beasts had begun to populate the earth, and would eventually become the basis for the legendary creatures of Greek and Roman mythology.
Essentially, the biblical account of Noah and the Ark is contained in Genesis 5-9. It is the story of an old man, singled out from among the corrupt and wicked of the rest of the world, who found favor in the eyes of God. God told Noah that He had decided to destroy man's evilness. He gave Noah instructions to build an enormous craft and to enter into it with his wife, his sons, and his son's wives, as well as two of every kind of creature (birds, mammals and reptiles), and enough food for him to keep all of the Ark's inhabitants alive for the duration of the Flood that was coming to destroy the earth.
According to the Old Testament, the Ark's incredible dimensions measured three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. Historically, a cubit is thought to be the length of a man's forearm, or somewhere between eighteen and twenty-two inches. It is interesting to note that the Ark's dimensions of six to one (length to width) were considered so seaworthy that Marine architect George W. Dickie purposefully used the same ratio when constructing the U.S.S. Oregon, which was launched in 1898. For a time, the Oregon was considered the flagship of the American fleet and was one of the most stable vessels ever constructed.
More than one year after Noah and his family first entered the Ark, the craft's inhabitants disembarked. Noah offered a sacrifice of burnt offerings in thanksgiving for having survived the Deluge and God set a rainbow in the sky as promise that He would never again destroy the earth by flood. From a literal approach to the traditional story, all of humanity is credited with having descended from one of Noah's three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
In terms of the biblical account, what may come as a surprise to many individuals familiar with the Genesis story is that there is more to the tale than is generally gleamed from a simple reading of the text. In fact, what is not generally known by the modern world is that Genesis contains not one account of the Flood story but two! Over the years theologians and religious scholars have isolated at least three major sources within the book of Genesis: the J source, the P source, and the E source, standing for Jehovah, the Priestly document, and Elohim, respectively. Both the J source and the P source have their own accounts of the Deluge.
Originally, the different sources of Genesis were discovered because of the way in which the sources referred to God. The J source uses only the name "Yahweh" (Lord) when referring to the Deity; the P source uses the names "Elohim" (God) and "El Shaddai" (God Almighty), and the E source uses both "Yahweh" and "Elohim."
The Jehovistic source dates from the eighth or ninth century B.C. J is concerned with thorough descriptions, the personality of the characters, and the care and involvement of a loving God with His creation. The P document dates from the period after 586 B.C. (when Jerusalem was taken by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Jews were carried into captivity). P is most interested in the literal interpretation of the Law, tradition, and the manner in which God guides his chosen people. Perhaps the most distinctive element in P is the author's interest in family genealogies and a seemingly endless number of "begettings," through which can be documented the purity of the line that God used to direct His activities in the earth. However, because of the merging of the independent narratives, we are faced with certain duplicities within the Genesis account, including:
For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall die...Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. (P Source, Genesis 6:17 & 22)
...I will send rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground. And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. (J Source, Genesis 7:4-5)
Major differences between these two sources also include the number of animals Noah was instructed to take upon the Ark, and the length of the Deluge:
J Source:
Seven pairs of birds and clean animals and one pair of unclean (Genesis 7:2) The rain lasted 40 days and 40 nights and the water evaporated after three seven-day intervals of Noah releasing the dove; total = 61 days (Genesis 7:4, 7:12, 8:6-8, 8:10, 8:12)
P Source:
Only one pair of each creature came into the Ark (Genesis 6:19) The water lasted 150 days and remained on the earth for a total of one year and eleven days (Genesis 7:11, 8:14) Anchor Bible
Historically, the separate narratives of the J and P sources were combined by a redactor (compiler) whose job was to bring the two accounts carefully together, discarding superfluous material in the process. As one example of the redactor's work, there is only one account of the Ark's construction (Genesis 6: 14-16).
What is perhaps most amazing about the Noah story is the many ways in which seemingly unrelated sources often draw similar conclusions from the tale. For example, because of the information contained in Genesis 2:5-6, a number of Christian authors believe that rain was absent from pre-deluge earth and that the planet received moisture from a water vapor canopy that engulfed it: "…for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth…But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." This same premise was also advanced by Austrian-born philosopher, educator and clairvoyant, Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), the founder of the Anthroposophical Society.
Steiner reportedly possessed the ability to perceive information beyond the material world, from a "spiritual world" that was just as real to him as the physical world was to others. In describing the pre-deluge earth, Steiner stated:
…at that time the air was saturated with water mist vapors. Man lived in the water mist, which in certain regions never lifted to the point where the air was completely clear. Sun and moon could not be seen as they are today, but were surrounded by colored coronas. A distribution of rain and sunshine, such as occurs at present, did not exist at that time. It only appeared in the post-Atlantean period. Our ancestors lived in a country of mist… (Steiner, "Cosmic Memory," pg. 253)
Some individuals contend that it was the disappearance of the water vapor canopy and the resulting influx of solar radiation that became responsible for the tremendous decrease in humankind's longevity–from almost 1,000 years to the present span of seven to ten decades. Scripture further supports this premise in that, immediately after the Flood, life spans begin to decrease with each subsequent generation. In addition, the absence of rain suggests that the earth had no system of winds until after the Flood. A proposition that is supported, interestingly enough, by a literal reading of Genesis 8:1 with the first biblical mention of wind occurring after the Deluge: "…And God made a wind blow over the earth…" Steiner's reference to the continent of Atlantis also places the timing for the Great Flood as occurring long before the traditional date of occurring somewhere between 2,350 and 2,500 B.C.E. In fact, Steiner pointed out:
Nearly all the peoples who have left reliable records or legends refer to the Flood as having taking place about three thousand years before the Mystery of Golgotha [the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus]; that is the period indicated by the legends…Obviously it does not refer to the Atlantean catastrophe, for that took place very much earlier. (Steiner, "Earthly," pgs. 128-129)
In addition to being a symbol of spiritual faith, for some the Ark is also considered to be a psychological symbol–an archetype of human experience. The Flood story is an archetype because it is a part of the human experience all over the world. Over and above its literal truth, in Jungian psychology the Ark can be seen as a symbolic representation of transformation and change because the ship's occupants underwent a journey over which they had no control and yet somehow ended up at a higher level of awareness because of their catastrophic experience. In most of these diluvial accounts, legend describes how a family survives a deluge of enormous proportions. Prior to the disaster, the family generally pulls together everything that is part of their world (such as the animals in the story of Noah described in Genesis) and finds refuge in a craft or a ship in which they can ride out the storm. Oftentimes, the family has no control over their journey for the ship is inundated from above and below and they are forced to simply ride out the storm. At the end of the flood, the craft generally finds higher and stable ground and the occupants can disembark and begin their lives anew. Everything that was a part of their old world is now a part of their new (e.g. the animals get off the Ark as well). The difference is that now all of the ship's occupants find themselves upon higher ground.
As an archetype, the Great Flood Myth symbolizes the pattern of being overwhelmed by personal transformation and change and yet somehow becoming a more enlightened individual because of the experience. What is fascinating about the archetypal significance of the tale is that in the last decade of the twentieth century the story of Noah experienced a tremendous rise in popularity. Almost overnight the market seemed flooded with numerous children's toys, night lights, magnets, collector's plates, ornaments, clothing, figurines and even several movies about Noah's Ark. The archetypal reason was not because for some inexplicable reason this man and his family suddenly fascinated society. Instead, it was because so many individuals apparently felt in the midst of personal transformation and change themselves that the psychological archetype resurfaced. People felt motivated to put a Noah's magnet on their fridge because subconsciously it resonated to something they were experiencing deep within themselves.
There is also historical verification of the existence of the Ark in the form of eyewitness accounts of the craft upon Mount Ararat in Turkey near the borders of Armenia and Iran by many reputable investigators, scholars, military professionals, and theologians. In fact, there have been more recorded sightings of Noah's Ark since 1840 than during any other period of recorded history! This is especially amazing consider that any ascent of Mount Ararat has been an extremely difficult undertaking. The mountain's base covers approximately 500 square miles, and its highest peak soars to almost 17,000 feet. Generally, reports of the Ark's sighting have only occurred after an unusually warm period of months, when the ice has had a chance to thaw but night time temperatures even during the summer can drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below zero, and winds at the summit of the mountain sometimes reach a velocity of 150 miles per hour. The mountain is infested with poisonous snakes at lower levels, and mountain lions and bears often roam the ravines. Also, it is not uncommon for a storm to occur daily upon Ararat. Armenian legend suggests that God Himself hid the Ark upon the mountain until the time is right to prove to individuals all over the planet that the story is true.
The Cayce readings do confirm the validity of the Noah story and stated in 1944:
For as has been given from the beginning, the deluge was not a myth but a period when man had so belittled himself with the cares of the world, with the deceitfulness of his own knowledge and power, as to require that there be a return to his dependence wholly–physically and mentally–upon the Creative Forces. Edgar Cayce reading 3653-1
Regardless of whether or not we believe the Flood story, Noah is the symbol of great faith, heightened consciousness, and overcoming tremendous difficulties. People all over the world, often separated by vast distances of time and geography have similar stories to tell of a deluge and its effects upon the planet. By studying the story of the Flood and the traditions around the world we can see our connectedness at a very deep level. It is a timeless myth, with historical and spiritual significance; it is a myth for peoples all over the earth, cutting across time and cultures. It is the story of humankind's transition from one age to another from an old world that has lost its innocence to a place of a brand new creation even better than the starting point. It is the story of a meaningful journey that may be especially relevant for us today.
KEVIN J. TODESCHI is Executive Director and CEO of Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. He is also the author of countless articles and more than twenty books, including Edgar Cayce on Soul Mates, God in Real Life: Personal Encounters with the Divine, and Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records. An Ark enthusiast for more than 30 years, his master's thesis, The Ark Myth, brings together scripture, history, religious scholarship, metaphysics, and myth. His most recent book is a novel, The Rest of the Noah Story.


text:
Take corrective steps to stop recurring administrative issues in DD, AIR: Committe?e
BB Nagpal | 17 Apr 2017 18:50
Indie Music Label aspires to build and promote Indian Indie Music: Naushad Khan
'Most Trusted Brands' ranks Mastiii Music as India's Most Trusted Music TV Channel
Universal Music Group signs an exclusive deal with the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Universal Music leads vinyl market in India
BIG FM, Hungama Artist Aloud tie up to launch 'The Blue Mic' for indie music
AIR | Doordarshan | All India Radio | Information and Broadcasting ministry | Parliamentary Standing Committee..Content | transmitters | Indian CAS | Arun Prabha | Multichannel Automated Playback facility |
NEW DELHI: While expressing disappointment that both All India Radio and Doordarshan had failed to use the amounts allocated under the budget for 2016-17, a Parliamentary Committee said "concrete steps may be taken to resolve all longstanding administrative issues"
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to Information and Broadcasting Ministry recommend that Doordarshan and All India Radio need to make sincere and sustained efforts in creating high quality content that can connect with people coupled with strong marketing strategy.
Need to address recurring structural and procedural issues in DD and AIR
Keeping in view the financial performance of AIR and DD during 2016-17, the Committee said it was inclined to conclude that the underutilization of funds could have been avoided had the Ministry addressed the recurring structural and procedural issues.
The Committee felt that this has reflected poorly on the overall performance of Prasar Bharati which is also evident from the reduced fund allocation for both AIR and DD in 2017-18.
To boost the performance of AIR and Doordarshan, the administrative problems as well as implementation related issues need to be resolved on priority. The Committee are of the firm opinion that unless these administrative and implementation related issues are addressed on priority, there is bleak scope for desired performance in the spheres of AIR and Doordarshan.
Emphasis on promotion of DD/AIR Archives
It noted that both AIR and DD have rich archives including biographies and old speeches of eminent persons which should be made use for qualitative content.
Apart from generating revenue for Prasar Bharati, this will motivate young generation and expose them to the rich heritage of the country.
AIR Financial and physical performance
The Committee noted that All India Radio had has been able to spend Rs 1.0827 billion which was only 61.17% of the allocated fund of Rs 1.77 billion at Budgetary Estimates and Revised Estimates stage for the year 2016-17.
The Committee noted that for the year 2017-18, the budgetary allocation for AIR has been reduced from Rs 1.77 billion to Rs 1.54 billion.
The Ministry attributed improper response against major tenders, delay in delivery of a major imported consignment and some other administrative reasons for this underutilization. The Ministry said there had been acute shortage of staff in AIR at all levels particularly at middle and lower professional levels; and the transition from Government organization to corporate sector has witnessed almost a complete halt on recruitments, trainings and promotions.
As far as acquisition of land for new setups is concerned, the Ministry proposes taking up the matter with respective state Governments for speedy disposal of the issues. The Ministry have also apprised that some Schemes are not implemented in time due to local issues including law and order particularly in the north east regions and border areas.
However, AIR has increased the total number of transmitters from 432 (MW-148, SW-48, FM-236) as on 31 March 2012 to 610 (MW-143, SW-48, FM-419) which include 195 100 W FM Transmitters as on 10 February 2017.
DD Financial and physical performance
Similarly, Doordarshan has spent only Rs 1.7655 billion which is only 65% of the allocated fund of Rs. 2.73 billion at BE and RE stage for 2016-17.
As a result, the allocation for Doordarshan has been reduced from Rs 2.21 billion to Rs 2.13 billion
The Ministry has cited cancellation of tenders due to administrative/technical issues to be the reasons for this underutilization.
Doordarshan during 2016-17 completed technical facility for launch of the new TV Channel "DD Arun Prabha"; placed orders for implementation of Indian CAS (iCAS); for its DTH platform Free Dish; the Multichannel Automated Playback facility set up and installation of Multi Camera Studio Production facility in HDTV format are in progress at Central Production Centre in Delhi; the old ageing HPT replaced by new 10 KW HPT at one location; and completed all towers of Prasar Bharati House. (In fact, Prasar Bharati and Doordarshan are now housed in the same premises.)
MUMBAI: Mirchi, India's no.1 city-centric music and entertainment company, has launched its latest initiative, Sunn Siren Sunn, in collaboration with Medulance, a GPS-based technology platform for fast and reliable first-point medical attention.
| 15 Dec 2022
Mirchi 95 collaborates with Cult.Fit to create the first-ever drive-time workout
MUMBAI: Mirchi, India's no. 1 city-centric music and entertainment company, launched its latest initiative, TRAFFIT, in collaboration with Cult.Fit.
The National Press Club and NYF Radio Awards Cement Their Partnership with the Creation of the National Press Club Award
MUMBAI: The National Press Club has partnered with the New York Festivals® 2023 Radio Awards to create an exclusive new award, The National Press Club Award.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog
Published By Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman LLC
Free Consultation - Call 24/7 (617) 367-2900
Mitchell v. City of Warren: Products Liability Personal Injury Cases
by Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman
Mitchell v. City of Warren, a case from the United States Court of Appeal for the Sixth Circuit, involved a rather unusual set of circumstances that resulted in the tragic death of plaintiff.
According to court records, an officer responded to a call for assistance to provide backup to another officer who was in the process of conducting a traffic stop. The first officer alleged plaintiff was driving with expired license plates when the officer initiated the traffic stop. The 16-year-old plaintiff then allegedly ran from his car and tried to hide in an abandoned house.
The second responding officer arrived as the first officer was attempting to secure plaintiff. At this point, there was a struggle between plaintiff and arresting officers, and second responding officer took out his police-issued taser and fired at plaintiff. As our Boston personal injury attorneys can explain, tasers work somewhat differently that most people are aware. The devices actually fire a barbed projectile, called a taser dart, that resembles a miniature harpoon or straightened fish hook. The dart has a barb at the end that is designed to go through clothing and pierce suspect's skin, where it gets embedded. After being tased, paramedics often have to cut the barb off the dart in order to remove it from suspect. A taser fires two darts at the same time.
In this case, one dart hit plaintiff in his heart. The second dart hit plaintiff a few inches below his heart. Suspect fell to the ground and was nonresponsive. The taser current had stopped plaintiff's heart. Police called an ambulance to the scene, but paramedics were unable to revive plaintiff, and he was pronounced dead on scene.
Victim's family filed a lawsuit against the city, the officers, and the maker of the taser device. The city settled the other claims, and the lawsuit proceeded against the maker of the taser. As part of the discovery process, officers testified the manufacturer trained that the device was safe even if it was fired at a suspect's chest.
The defendant filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming, under Michigan law, there was no duty to warn a buyer of a risk after the product was sold, and there was no duty assumed by performing a training series. There was no proof the officer who fired at suspect would have ever seen a warning, had one been issued. Unfortunately for plaintiff's family, appellate court affirmed summary judgment for the defendant.
It is not clear that the result would be the same had the case occurred in Massachusetts, as our courts tend to side with plaintiffs is many situations. Massachusetts, and Boston especially, is no stranger to cases involving people injured or killed by supposedly non-lethal or less lethal weapons. Many will recall the 18-year-old Emerson student who was killed during a celebration following the Patriots Super Bowl. In this incident, a paintball filled with pepper spray was allegedly fired at point black range, and it went through her eye, causing deadly brain damage.
If you are injured in an accident in Boston, call the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman for a free and confidential appointment — 1-888-367-2900.
Mitchell v. City of Warren, August 21, 2015, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
More Blog Entries:
New Guidelines for Identifying Causes of Newborn Brain Injury, October 21, 2014, Boston Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Posted in: defective products
Updated: August 26, 2015 11:19 am
Free Consultation No Fee Unless Successful
Accident News (1151)
Child Injuries (110)
Pedestrian Accidents (106)
Work Accident (75)
Worker's Compensation (68)
Work Injury (65)
Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog
Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog
Massachusetts Social Security Disability Lawyers Blog
Mesothelioma Lawyers Blog
Product Liability Lawyer Blog
Bike Accident Lawyers Blog
Hockey Player Can't Sue Other Players for Injuries, Massachusetts Appeals Court Rules
Boston Uber Crash Considerations for Bicyclists, Pedestrians and Passengers
Massachusetts Property Injuries: Premises Liability and Sovereign Immunity
Refer Your Clients to Us
MASSBAR
RainForestMaker
Replanting the Trees We Use
Phone: (617) 367-2900Fax: (617) 722-9999


Five companions have traveled up the mountain. On the way home, the car they drive crashes. They intend to seek help in a village nearby. It turns out that they encountered is a herd of zombies. How the story of the entire population of the village is turned into a zombie? And, how are they to be out of this zombie village?


So follow this guide and find out Windows 8 product key with ease. Different ways to find Windows 8 product key: If you are have purchased a copy of Windows 8 online or in the form of DVD retail package, you should have got an email confirmation your purchase.... So you've got a Windows 8.1 ISO, but it is not letting you start the installation before inputting the product key? This is because Windows setup finds out which version to install from the Product Key and hence product key is needed before proceeding with the installation.
So you've got a Windows 8.1 ISO, but it is not letting you start the installation before inputting the product key? This is because Windows setup finds out which version to install from the Product Key and hence product key is needed before proceeding with the installation.... To identify your system type, right click on Computer and click Properties Inside the System Properties page, the system type will be listed.
So you've got a Windows 8.1 ISO, but it is not letting you start the installation before inputting the product key? This is because Windows setup finds out which version to install from the Product Key and hence product key is needed before proceeding with the installation.... 28/12/2014 · For Win 8/8.1 I would not worry about the OS key. It is hard wired in the BIOS. It is hard wired in the BIOS. Belarc Advisor is a good tool to find all other keys.
So you've got a Windows 8.1 ISO, but it is not letting you start the installation before inputting the product key? This is because Windows setup finds out which version to install from the Product Key and hence product key is needed before proceeding with the installation.... So follow this guide and find out Windows 8 product key with ease. Different ways to find Windows 8 product key: If you are have purchased a copy of Windows 8 online or in the form of DVD retail package, you should have got an email confirmation your purchase.
To identify your system type, right click on Computer and click Properties Inside the System Properties page, the system type will be listed.
I was asking this question myself as well. How to find out the correct Windows 10 license key on machine that I have just upgraded from previous Windows 8 or Windows 7.


From deep space to deep waters, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home engages the ever-stalwart crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise in a humanistic quest that begins and ends in the twenty-third century but unfolds for the most part in modern-day San Francisco. Along with its customary quota of spaceships and transporter beams, the latest adventure called for a representation of the planet Vulcan, a unique time travel effect, major storm sequences on earth and a totally convincing simulation of two humpback whales.
Forty-three years after toppling from the Empire State Building, King Kong was called upon to take an even greater tumble from the World Trade Center. Now, another decade later, the long-suffering ape has been resurrected once more for King Kong Lives — again as an ape-suited actor augmented by full-size mechanical artifacts. Discussing their work on the film are creature creator Carlo Rambaldi, production designer Peter Murton, visual effects supervisor Barry Nolan, and model shop supervisors David Jones and Dave Kelsey.
Even with full support from the U.S. Navy, the producers of Top Gun realized that some of the sequences planned for their film would have to rely heavily on special effects. To create crash scenes and aerial explosions that would simulate actual air-to-air photography and intercut convincingly with live-action flight footage, visual effects supervisor Gary Gutierrez and his USFX organization launched an intensive campaign employing large-scale miniatures, outdoor settings and innovative pyrotechnics.


Note This release also contains updates for Windows 10 Mobile (OS Build 15063.1206) released July 10, 2018.
Addresses an issue with form submission in Internet Explorer.
Updates Internet Explorer's Inspect Element feature to conform to the policy that disables the launch of Developer Tools.
Addresses an issue that, in some cases, causes the wrong IME mode to be chosen on an IME-active element.
Addresses an issue in which DNS requests disregard proxy configurations in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.
Security updates to Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Windows apps, Windows graphics, Windows virtualization, Windows kernel, and Windows Server.
This issue is resolved in KB4345419.
Restarting the SQL Server service may fail occasionally with the error, "Tcp port is already in use". This issue is resolved in KB4345419.
When an administrator tries to stop the World Wide Web Publishing Service (W3SVC), the W3SVC remains in a "stopping" state, but cannot fully stop or be restarted. This issue is resolved in KB4345419.
This issue is resolved in KB4343885.
For a list of the files that are provided in this update, download the file information for cumulative update 4338826.


text:
The rising global interest in coal fires
In eastern India, north of the Damodar River, approximately 70 fires are burning in the Jharia coalfield, the largest coalmine fire complex in the world. The majority of fires in Jharia ignite when coal, exposed to air during mining operations, spontaneously combusts. Particulate matter and noxious gases emitted from the burning coal — including sulfur, carbon and nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons released at the surface from gas vents, ground fissures and the soil — have caused illnesses that range from stroke to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Read more about The rising global interest in coal fires
Extinction-era coal linked to Chinese cancer epidemic
At the close of the Permian, 252 million years ago, conditions on Earth took a turn for the worse, nearly wiping out life on land and at sea in the planet's most severe extinction event. Now, eons later, geologists are implicating a coal seam that dates to the "Great Dying" at the Permian-Triassic boundary in one of the modern world's worst cancer epidemics.
Read more about Extinction-era coal linked to Chinese cancer epidemic
Crystal Ball EARTH: Natural Hazards: Reducing society's risks
The global financial disaster of 2009 has many parallels with catastrophic natural hazards. It struck pretty much without warning, its impact was greatly exacerbated by an incredibly complex system of cascading consequences, and finally, mechanisms supposedly in place to mitigate the worse impacts (regulations, in the case of the financial system) failed. There was awareness that such a meltdown could theoretically occur, but it was considered such a low-probability event that it was evidently not worth planning for.
Read more about Crystal Ball EARTH: Natural Hazards: Reducing society's risks
Crystal Ball EARTH: Agriculture: The future will have a different face than the past
Tomorrow's agriculture is facing an immense challenge. By 2050, the world's population will reach somewhere between 9 billion and 10 billion people, and a greater proportion of those people will be enjoying a richer diet than today's population. That means farmers will have to grow twice as much food. The world has already witnessed a preview of what might happen if large populations don't receive an adequate supply of food: They do not accept their fates passively.
Read more about Crystal Ball EARTH: Agriculture: The future will have a different face than the past
Report from Ground Zero
How geoscientists aid in the aftermath of environmental disasters
Read more about Report from Ground Zero
Air pollutants from "megacities" a growing problem
Megacities — cities with populations equaling or greater than 10 million people — are producing an unprecedented amount of air pollution, according to scientists at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
Read more about Air pollutants from "megacities" a growing problem
'The Big Necessity' Reclaiming feces
In her new book, "The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters," freelance journalist Rose George argues that experts and citizens alike must overcome their aversion to all things fecal — or else face one of the most serious public health risks on the planet. If handled properly, George says, waste water can even be reclaimed as potable water. Recently, EARTH contributor Brian Fisher Johnson talked with George about her book, which was released on Oct. 14.
Read more about 'The Big Necessity' Reclaiming feces
West Virginia Coal: Dirty water, dirtier politics - but will there be a cleaner future?
Coal has always been king in West Virginia. For more than 250 years, the mining industry has ruled the Mountain State, sometimes running roughshod over worker's rights, public safety and West Virginia's mountain ecosystems in the push for higher yields. Coal mining is not without its benefits: West Virginia's mines produce 15 percent of our country's coal and half of our coal exports. And the industry provides 40,000 jobs and contributes $3.5 billion to the Mountain State's economy. Now with U.S.
Read more about West Virginia Coal: Dirty water, dirtier politics - but will there be a cleaner future?
Toxic tide
In the Gulf of Mexico lurk menacing masses of single-celled organisms known as red tides. Scientists have long known that the potent toxin they produce can kill fish and birds, wreak havoc on the human nervous system and cause wheezing, sneezing and asthma flare-ups. But new research suggests that it can also damage DNA, which could lead to more subtle, longer-term health consequences.
Read more about Toxic tide


We CopierQ8.com are specializing in the Repair, Service, Supplies, and Sales of new and Refurbished both analog and digital copiers and Laser Printers. Also most fax machines and laser Color printers in today's marketplace. We have been in the business for over past 15-years with experienced in the sales and service of all the brands of Copier/Laser Printers.
We are fast & Professional, when we do our repairs. We always committed to provide the best possible solutions to our clients using cutting edge technologies and repair tools. We are punctual, because we know that your time is precious. We mostly use original parts or reliable compatibles depending on your choice, according to the cost of them.
Our goal is to provide our customers, for office and medium size business accounts, with the most cost efficient, timely, honest, reliable and knowledgeable service at 24/7. Our motto has always been, "committed to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction." Along with the toner supplies, cartridges, and equipment needed to go with that service.


Home Blog How do I make a workplace injury report?
If you get injured at work, you may be able to seek compensation. Work injuries can include physical and psychological injuries. Whatever your injury is, you'll first need to notify your employer that you've been hurt. How do you do that? In this article, we take a look at how to make a workplace injury report and what happens next.
Firstly, you should immediately notify your employer about your injury. This can be done verbally or in writing. You should include the relevant details about the injury including what it is, when and where it happened, as well as what caused the injury.
Your employer then has 48 hours to notify the insurer about the injury. Again, notification can be also be in writing or verbally over the phone.
details of the injury including a description of the injury, when the injury occurred, and how it happened.
Before you make a formal claim for compensation, you'll need to visit a doctor to receive a workers' compensation certificate of incapacity. The form should be sent to the insurer within seven days. And it can be done either by you or your employer. It will then be up to the insurer to assess your claim and decide whether to accept it and commence payments, or to dispute your claim. The insurer has 21 days to assess your claim and determine liability.
What workers' compensation payments can you expect?
Upon notification of the injury, the insurer may commence provisional payments before a decision on liability is made. Provisional payments include up to 12 weeks of payments for loss of income, as well as payments for reasonable medical treatment.
If your claim is accepted, then the insurer will advise you on the amount of your weekly payments. Weekly payment amounts are determined by a range of factors, including the severity of your injury, your capacity to work, your average weekly income prior to the injury and the amount of time you'll need to take off work.
What happens if your claim is disputed?
Workers' compensation claims don't always run smoothly and sometimes claims are disputed by the insurer. In these instances, having a workplace injury lawyer on your side can make the difference between gaining your payments or not. An experienced workers' compensation lawyer will be able to give you a realistic assessment of your chances for success and help you to progress your claim.
If your injury was caused by the negligence of your employer, you may also be able to make a common law claim for compensation. Firstly, you'll need to be able to prove that your injuries were caused by your employer's negligence. You'll also need to show that you've suffered significant injuries – at least 15 percent of the standard, known as 'whole person impairment'. If successful, compensation is provided as a lump-sum payment. Again, an experienced compensation lawyer will be able to advise you on the merits of your case and the best way to proceed.
There are many things that an experienced workers' compensation lawyer can help you with, including advising you on the procedure to make a claim, gathering the evidence you need to challenge a disputed claim, and representing you at the Workers' Compensation Commission and in court. Our friendly team at NSW Compensation Lawyers can help you every step along the way. Contact us today on 02 9601 0088.


text:
Q: C#: how to handle floats properly In my code i write the following line:
return ((value / 120) * 1440).ToString();

Now this returns me 0 when the value in value is less than Zero because it treats the result of (value / 120) as an integer where as i need C# to treat this result as float is there any way to achieve this?
Example:
If Value = 80
Then,
This function returns me 0 whereas i want this function to return me 960

A: return ((value / 120.0) * 1440).ToString();

A: Dividing by 120.0(which is a double)
converts value also to double and divides
((value / 120.0) * 1440).ToString();

A: or this:
float value = 80;
Console.WriteLine( ((value / 120) * 1440).ToString() );

A: If you specifically want a single-precision float you can use 120.0f, or 120.0 for a double-precision (double).
You can read up on floating-point literals for more information.

A:
return ((value / 120.0) * 1440).ToString();

or you can define value as float type.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Tampa Pub Crawl is goin' Green with a twist this year by giving you a St. Patrick's Day practice run before the official St. Patrick's Day. Grab some green and get lucky on this TPC tradition!
Join the City of Inverness in its proud tradition of celebrating the green. Join us from 4-7 p.m. with all the great activities such as DRC Sports Shamrock Scamper 5K, St. Patrick's Parade and Shamrock the Block free concert featuring the Doerfels Band!


Please see our Clinic Schedule for the next available clinic day.
Giving birth to even one litter can create stress and health risks for any animal.
Mating behaviors such as territorial marking and roaming may be relieved by spaying or neutering your pet. There is no evidence that spaying or neutering changes your pet's personality or creates bad new behaviors.
Spaying or neutering your pet is one positive way you can personally help reduce the number of unwanted animals ending up in shelters. Cache Humane Society can spay or neuter your pet when they reach 4 months and a minimum of 4 pounds.
Some conditions may not be discovered until the animal is in surgery. The owner should be prepared to cover these extra costs should they arise.
Please call us at (435) 792-3920 to schedule your pet's spay or neuter today.
We take every precaution to keep your animal safe and away from sick animals in the shelter. It is very unlikely that your healthy, vaccinated animal will become sick while here for a spay/neuter, but it is possible.
Please make sure your animal is in good health and properly vaccinated prior to scheduling it for surgery. If your pet isn't feeling well, please call us to reschedule!
Take away your pet's food after midnight, but leave their water.
All cat must be brought in their own carrier with a clean towel inside. We do have carriers to rent for $5.
Feral Cats must be in a humane cat trap. Please look at our Trap Neuter Return page for more information about renting feral traps from Cache Humane Society.
Your pet should mostly stay inside for 24 hours after surgery so you can keep them warm and monitor their recovery. They may be a little off balance and uncoordinated.
Some nausea is normal after general anesthesia. Please let us know if your animal will not eat or drink, becomes lethargic, or vomits/has diarrhea more than 48 hours after surgery.
Restrict you pet's activity for 7 days. Try to avoid lots of running and jumping!
Your pet's stitches are dissolvable and shouldn't get wet for 7 days. Baby wipes and light sponge baths are OK.
Check the incision site regularly for excessive bleeding or leakage. Do not allow your pet to lick or bite the incision. Cones are available at the shelter.
Your pet should only take the pain medication we provide. Human medication such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol and Aspirin are not safe for your pet and medications previously prescribed by your veterinarian may not be compatible with our medications.
Do not hesitate to contact us during business hours if you have any concerns about your pet immediately after surgery. However, we are not a full-service clinic and do not always have an on-site veterinarian.
Do not allow a spayed female to attempt to mate for a month after surgery, this can cause internal bleeding. If you have male pets, monitor interactions closely so no attempted mating occurs.


text:
Home Stories Podcast
Episode 25: Live at the Summit: Mandy Harvey on Finding her Rhythm
At our most recent No Barriers Summit at Lake Tahoe this past June, our three hosts were joined on stage by Mandy Harvey for a special live production of our podcast.
Mandy Harvey is an award-winning singer and songwriter who also happens to be deaf. Mandy was a Vocal Music Education major at Colorado State University, when she lost her residual hearing at age eighteen due to a connective tissue disorder that affected her nerves.
She left the program and pursued several career options, including education, but returned to music in 2008, as her true passion could no longer be denied. She quickly became a successful performer and has released three albums and won numerous awards.
Most notably, in 2017 she was on America's Got Talent, where her performance of her original song "Try," sung while playing the ukulele, moved Simon Cowell to press his Golden Buzzer and send Mandy straight to the Quarterfinals. She went on to make the Finals and placed 4th overall.
Watch her performance here!
Mandy is also an ambassador to both No Barriers USA and Invisible Disabilities with a mission to encourage, inspire and assist others to break through their personal barriers.
Though her hearing loss is profound, her timing and pitch are perfect and her passion is tremendous. With support from friends, family and her faith, Mandy continues to find joy in music.
Our hosts talk with Mandy about the hard work and dedication that goes into being an award-winning singer and the efforts she puts in to not only keep up the quality of her own work and continue to tour and perform, but how she translates her style to teach others to "find their rhythm."
Mandy recently released her latest single: "Release Me" and the music video is incredible. Watch (and share) it here.
Follow Mandy on Facebook: @mandyharveymusic
Follow Mandy on Instagram & Twitter: @mandyharvey
Visit her website: Mandy Harvey Music to learn more.
Episode Transcript
Mandy: What I want you to focus on is not my deafness. What I want you to focus on is the hard work, the blood, sweat and the tears, the community that I try to build the performances and the songs that I write. The fact that I happen to have barriers, that's obvious, and I talk about it proudly because we all do. That's just a part of who I am. Fine, but it's not the only thing that I am.
Erik: It's easy to talk about the successes, but what doesn't get talked about enough is the struggle. My name is Erik Weihenmayer. I've gotten the chance to ascend Mount Everest, to climb the tallest mountain in every continent, to kayak the Grand Canyon, and I happen to be blind. It's been a struggle to live what I call a No Barriers life, to define it, to push the parameters of what it means. Part of the equation is diving into the learning process and trying to illuminate the universal elements that exist along the way. That unexplored terrain between those dark places we find ourselves in in the summit exists a map. That map, that way forward, is what we call No Barriers.
Dave: Today we meet Mandy Harvey, an award-winning singer and songwriter who also happens to be deaf. You may know Mandy from her 2017 America's Got Talent performance that earned her the Golden Buzzer press by Simon Cowell, which sent her straight to the quarter finals. She went on to make the finals and placed fourth overall. Please enjoy this live podcast that we recorded on stage at our No Barriers Summit at Lake Tahoe this past June.
Dave: Welcome to the No Barriers podcast. We are really excited to be broadcasting live from the No Barriers Summit in Lake Tahoe. We have another amazing guest with us, Mandy Harvey. Jeff and Erik are sitting here at my side. We're looking out on the mountains. It's a sunny, beautiful day. If you are listening to this podcast for the very first time, you may be wondering, what the heck is the No Barriers podcast? What is this podcast all about? Erik, tell us.
Erik: Well for me, it's not about looking into the mountains, Dave. Just to correct you there.
Dave: Good point. Good point.
Erik: No, but it's been a beautiful summit. We've been having such a great time. Amazing speakers. My family and I just did an amazing race where it was this accessible, inclusive adventure race. One of the activities you had to read Braille, so I was at a huge advantage. So yeah, it's been really good so far.
Jeff: I think the fix was in on that.
Erik: Yeah. I had insight. I had an insight judge.
Dave: The No Barriers Summit is really about how all of us have barriers in our lives and so people come here from all walks of life. They may have a physical barrier. They may be dealing with something emotional. They may be just seeking purpose in their life. The podcast is about all of those things. We interview people on this podcast that are going through some incredible challenges in their life, and we learn what they faced and how they got through it. Or maybe they're still working through it. That's what this podcast is all about. So we want to get started right away. Here we are at the No Barriers Summit, which has all these activities going on that are challenging people to try something new. Jeff, I understand that you just had an amazing experience with our guest, Mandy Harvey in her workshop. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
Jeff: Yeah. So one of the things that we offer here at the summit are workshops where you can go in and really have an experiential opportunity with an expert, somebody who can provide a medium or a theater for you to learn and extend yourself. I sat in on on Mandy's today, and it was remarkable how she had everyone channeling the vibration of the music really going through her process of interpreting music, which for all of us that can hear perfectly fine, we just rely on that one sense. Mandy really required all of us to do something that perhaps we've never done. The workshop wrapped up, all of us were obviously moved by it and receptive and open. Everybody started to file out of the room, and a couple of really remarkable events happen almost on top of each other, both with some of our No Barriers Reach Scholarship recipients.
Jeff: One woman was named Megan, I believe, who sort of did an impromptu duet with Mandy, which brought all of us to tears because it was just this gorgeous blending of sounds and feeling and sort of Mandy walking through this delivery with this young woman. It was phenomenal. That happened.
Erik: But she was blind too, right? Megan?
Jeff: She was blind. Sorry. Yeah, I forgot that part.
Erik: Yeah, that's cool.
Jeff: It was that angelic voice to almost match Mandy. The two of them together. Okay. So yes, everybody wiped away their tears. That was amazing. Then there was only about four or five of us left in the room, and a young woman, another Reach recipient named Melissa, I believe, who was probably somewhere in the audience here, an amazing young woman I met yesterday who was so powerfully moved by Mandy, this sort of inner soul came out of her. Her mama was with her. Her mama had this reaction, like she maybe never seen it before. She just allowed herself to just burst forth with love and appreciation and love for Mandy and what Mandy did for her. I tried to hold back crying for like a good 20 or 30 seconds and then I just couldn't do it anymore. I let it flow. I felt like that was the most absolute distillation of what No Barriers means was that moment for me and watching Mandy touch someone on that level, that very deep primal, human level. It was very moving for me. Mandy, it's an absolute honor to be here with you today.
Mandy: Oh. Thank you.
Dave: Are you going to do a duet together next?
Jeff: Yeah, no.
Mandy: Oh, yeah.
Dave: Mandy, how do you do that? What do you attribute this special power of yours to reaching people at that deep level?
Mandy: Well, I think in that instance, she's an incredible person, and I've gotten to get to know her a little bit throughout the summit. We've kind of passed each other several times and cheered each other on. It's not necessarily anything that I feel like I'm just doing. I think that it's when you have that open communication and you have that community where it feels like both of us are being respected, but we're also both kind of laying out everything that we have right there on the table, and it's being appreciated and loved on. It's just an emotional experience. So in this case, she got to experience music in a different way, and that allowed her to express herself in a little bit of a different way. It was just her dumping out emotion and then being able to be there to wrap my arms around her as you cry together and you get excited together. They weren't sad tears. They were all happy tears.
Mandy: That's the point of No Barriers is that we're building community. It's not just having a beautiful experience or learning certain things. It's about creating that rope team, that community where you're going through life together. In that moment we got to be very connected, and we were each other's rope team, and we were ready to take on the world. So everybody could feel that. I think that's what was overwhelming is that she was like, "I mean what you said yesterday, I'm with my people." So it was just her being able to be herself, unashamedly herself, and that's the most beautiful thing that I can be a part of.
Jeff: That's amazing, Mandy. Really amazing.
Erik: So Mandy, as a deaf person and you're teaching people how to sing and use their voices and write their songs, it's like the Jamaican bobsledders back in the '80s. Right?
Mandy: Yeah, yeah.
Erik: Do you ever feel like that? Do you ever just step out of yourself and go, "Wow, this is really a crazy ride that I'm on."?
Mandy: I really try not to think about it too much. Once you start about what you're doing, it makes you nervous and that you just don't do it as well I think. My goal is to not make people professional anythings. My goal is to have them step into my world for a change and in a doing so, it reminds them that our worlds are not that different because at the end of the day, you're always feeling music first. Everybody does. That's something that we all get to experiences as sound is actually hitting your body. Other people who have the ability to hear, I feel as if it's a sense that they don't pay attention to because they don't have to.
Mandy: That's true about life in general. The whole point of this entire summit is to experience new things, but also to open your eyes and open your awareness to how other people are living their lives and to move away judgment and to move away our preconceived notions of what is possible and what is not. When you get to step into a different understanding of something, you get to have that added benefit of it's not just about experiencing music differently, it's appreciating that people can have a positive beneficial life, living it differently.
Erik: But the vehicle is music. Right? So I heard that one of the things you do is you get people to experience music through their body. That's really interesting. How do you do that?
Mandy: Well, first I kind of walked them through allowing them to take control of their body. So understanding that when they're making noise, those muscles are being contracted and used, and it's up to them to make that noise to begin with. But when they're making that noise, it's not just, "Oh, sound just came out of my mouth." You're forcing that sound to come out of your mouth and to know how that feels and to know that you can mimic that feeling over and over again, even if you can't hear it, you could create that sound.
Mandy: Then from there we played with opening ourselves up and getting a little bit more comfortable with being weird and being a little bit loosey goosey in the room, and then sitting down on the floor and taking off our shoes and feeling vibrations of songs through the floor. Then seeing how the change happens when you're first experiencing music that way and you're not paying attention to the vibration still because you just can't let that go. Then eventually as you're sitting there and as the song continues, you start trying to find one beat and then you start paying attention to it. Then it becomes so blatantly obvious that that sound is there. You're like, "Wow, how have I never paid attention to this before?" It's like, "I have no idea. Wake up."
Erik: There's this idea in science of neuroplasticity, right? It's the idea that like sight isn't in your eyes, it's in your brain. I think sound is also not in your ears. It's in your brain. Right?
Mandy: Yeah.
Erik: You're listening to the feeling of those vibrations. Does it soon begin to just sound like music the way you used to hear it in your brain?
Mandy: No, in my mind, because it's textural. Actually, it's almost as if the sounds have an attached color and shape. Instead of them having a noise, they have a look. Specific noises, when I used to be able to hear them as being booming to me, now they're warm and they're thick and they're darker, richer colors. So then as you're playing a song, you get to have all these different layers and all these different colors on top of each other and it kind of creates a painting of what that song sounds like instead of it having to be just sound. I don't need to worry about having a trumpet sound like a trumpet in my mind. I let that go a long time ago, but I'm perfectly happy with having a trumpet always be a sharp orange sound.
Dave: Now, Mandy, many of our listeners will know you because of a video from America's Got Talent that went viral, where you were singing the song Try, and Simon Cowell hit the Golden Buzzer. I personally remember this night very vividly with me and my kids watching you and then refreshing our computer every hour to see hundreds of thousands of views and eventually you told me that this was seen by a half a billion people around the world. My question to you about this is tell us what that felt like in the moment and then contrast that with how it kind of feels now to know what you sparked.
Mandy: Yeah. Well, in a moment it was very overwhelming. I had no idea really what that meant. I'd not seen the show before. I didn't know exactly know what a Golden Buzzer would lead to. Even if you get a Golden Buzzer, it doesn't mean that it's going to become mega viral the way that it went. But in that moment it was this beautiful wash of I just got embraced and my music was appreciated. The thing that I loved most about it being Simon and what he had to say is he said nothing about my story. He was talking about the song that I wrote and my tone and the connection with the audience. He was talking to me as a musician because even if I had showed up and not been the best musician, he would not have done that. He would not have purposely put himself in that position. It was kind of like another nod to say that, no, I've worked my butt off. Really. I work my butt off every day, and now other people are appreciating the work.
Mandy: So in a moment that was nice because it was just like a relief, a relief that I didn't get booed off the stage, but it was just a relief. As it became on to a life of its own, it really has made me aware that it's not necessarily my voice, it's not necessarily the song, it's that people are starved for hope and people are starved for encouragement and every single person is smacking into a wall. Whether it's an invisible barrier, whether it's something going on in their personal life, like struggling with finances or a job or relationships or something very obvious where they're confined because of cancer or MS or something physical. Every single person is hitting something. And that's something that binds us all as people.
Mandy: So I think that video started as a conversation and flew the way that it flew just because people really want to have themselves be cheered on. People want to know that it's okay to be broken, that you can still get back up and try again. For that to take on a life of its own and move forward has been such a beautiful thing but also a deep motivator to not have that be my biggest thing. It can't be my Everest. There has to be so many things that we do afterwards. It's the same with Erik when he climbed that mountain and he got pulled aside and he said, "This cannot be the biggest thing that you ever do with your life." That's the same with AGT. That's not going to be the best and coolest and biggest thing that I ever do with my life. That was a really cool moment. Let's go further.
Jeff: Yeah, Mandy. All right, Mandy, I've got a question for you. I heard from a mutual friend of ours that there was a time when you wanted to be known as a singer. You did not want to be known as a deaf singer.
Jeff: I want to know, was there a moment that required you to pivot, or was it a slower transformation into you absolutely embracing who you are?
Mandy: I don't really think that I've pivoted. I think I still stand by that. I want to be seen as a musician. I happen to be deaf. I have no shame in being deaf. I have shame in having Ehlers Danlos syndrome and being limited physically. I have no problem with that at all. I've embraced myself to the core, but I refuse to be a pity story for other people. I don't want to be known as, "Oh, she's pretty good for a deaf girl." What does that even mean? Because in that statement, you've already limited all deaf people to being under par.
Jeff: Substandard. Yeah.
Mandy: You've already limited the entire community to not being good enough as a hearing person. You've already put them in a small box, and I refuse to have that happen because there's nothing wrong with what barrier you have in your life. That doesn't define you. You are you. Whether you have barriers, that is a part of your journey. That's not the definition of who you are to your core. I refuse to have people put me in that small box. I'm not going to be good enough for a deaf girl. That means nothing to me. So that has never changed. The fire for that I think has only gotten more severe, and people get it. Once they were like, "Oh, you're that deaf girl." I'm like, "You're going to start to feel a little bit of a burn." Like, "Yeah, I am that deaf girl. What of it?" You know? It's like, "Oh, you're pretty good for a deaf girl." And I'm like, "Oh man. The lack of education right there is blinding. It's just so obvious that you see no value in a person as being a person."
Mandy: What I want you to focus on is not my deafness. What I want you to focus on is my work ethic, the hard work, the blood, sweat and the tears showing up past when my body is broken and doesn't want to be there. I want you to focus on the accomplishments of my life. I want you to focus on the community that I try to build. I want you to focus on the performances and the songs that I write. The fact that I happen to have barriers, that's obvious, and I talk about it proudly because we all do, and that's just a part of who I am. Fine, but it's not the only thing that I am.
Jeff: Awesome.
Erik: Now, Mandy, when you are performing, and we'll get into this, but even like writing your own music. I mean it's hard not to sort of step back and have this sort of ... you're almost like a mystical, like a guru or something.
Mandy: Yoda.
Mandy: It's Yoda.
Erik: She's like the singing Yoda. You don't look like Yoda, I don't think.
Mandy: Well, you never know, you know. Some days.
Erik: But really part of the No Barriers journey is this idea of pioneering, which we've been talking a lot about at the summit, and you're a total pioneer because you've innovated, right? This is painstaking work, right? This isn't like a mysterious mystical process. This is just getting down and dirty and getting ... You know, technology, I know you use an iPhone to learn music and vibration through your feet and you have visual cues with your band. Talk us through the pioneering process that you use.
Mandy: Well, I think that this is interesting because people think like once you figure it out, you're done. Like once you've climbed Everest that you have the ability to always climb Everest. That's just not true. It's like if every day is a new workout and every day is new muscles that have to be trained. So when I start using visual tuners and then feeling on my throat every one of those notes and doing all of those scales and doing all of that work, every day, that placement of where that muscle feels is a little bit in a different place. If I have a cold, it's going to be shifted. If it's dry, it's going to be shifted. So every day I have to re learn where I am that day and retrain myself to feel correctly. That that's never going to stop.
Mandy: It's never going to stop for me to do all of this speech therapy that I do because people are like, "Wow, it's just because you lost your hearing later in life that you speak so clearly." That's a huge thing that has changed how I talk. But I do so much speech therapy on a daily basis and I continuously sing on a daily basis to keep that up and nobody even sees or recognizes any of that work, and that's fine. I do that work for me. But every day is a new challenge and having EDS, my limbs fall asleep. So being able to feel through the floor, the vibrations, that's not always a luxury that I have. I have to pivot and find creative solutions for what that day is bringing and then go from there.
Erik: You have these certain notes, I thought you told me once, that you remember.
Erik: That you start from there in your brain and you kind of branch out, right?
Mandy: Yeah. I do the same patterns every day. You just pick a single note, whether that's a G or a C.
Jeff: Can we hear it? Can we hear it?
Mandy: Then you pick one, and then you go and do the scale and find where that is every day. Then you do it over and over and over and over again. Like today, I don't have to sing, so I haven't had to do that aspect of it today.
Jeff: I got this sense that you use your throat almost as like a fret board when you were learning. Is that fair?
Mandy: Yeah, it's its own instrument, and that's something that everybody can learn to have, how they feel and how loud you talk, the strain that it puts on your throat so that you can get a gauge of, if I speak at this level, this is how it feels. Then if people are leaning in and not hearing you enough, you speak louder and then you feel the harshness gets stronger, or you speak softer, and you can feel that it doesn't hurt as much to talk, and you kind of learn how to gauge the room. But it's a lot of math and it's a lot of work and it's a lot of frustration that I deal with in my own rights. Like after speaking for two hours, I have an intense headache because it's a lot of work, and I keep doing it because it's worth it to me.
Dave: So speaking of keeping on because it's worth it to you, I know you are constantly on the road. You were recently singing for the Danish Royal family in Europe. You've been on several European tours, but I also know that you always take time when you can to go visit schools while you're traveling. Tell us a little bit about your passion for working with youth and why you think it's so important.
Mandy: I visit a lot of schools. I go to community centers, but I visit a lot of schools, elementary through high school. I normally give a presentation mixed in with singing. The point of it is to encourage people to dream but not just limit themselves to one singular dream. Because in my life I limited myself to only having one, which was music education and then when that didn't pan out the way that I thought it should, I lost my entire identity in it.
Mandy: What I want to encourage students to know is that barriers are real, that we judge each other so quickly and that you don't know what that person's dealing with. So to be more compassionate to each other, to dream big, but to have the understanding that your first time out of the gate failure is real, and you're going to fail at some point in your life and that's okay. You have the ability to get back up, brush your knees off and try again. All of those dreams that you want to accomplish, there are thousands of different ways to make that real. That it's not just I have to go to school, I have to become a music teacher, I have to do this.
Mandy: The core of my dream was to build community and encourage people to express themselves with music. Just because I'm doing performance, doesn't mean that that's changed. I'm still building community and I'm still encouraging people to express themselves with music. So you have to be able to dig deeper into what the core of your dream is, what the actual roots are, and find multiple avenues of where that's going to be successful.
Dave: Well, Mandy, that is an amazing message for us to close on. I know you have a workshop you're about to go lead in just a few minutes.
Mandy: Yeah, I've got another two hours to talk and gain another migraine.
Dave: It is an honor to just have a little bit of your time here. We are so grateful for you to be a member of our community for so many years, and we wish you the very best of luck in all that you're trying to do.
Mandy: Oh. Well, thank you. Well, I love it here, and I'm truly honored. I'm honored to be a part of it, and I'm honored to have so many incredible people who have transformed my life so that I can be giving back. You guys up here on the board, Kyle Maynard back wherever he is, Heather Thompson and all of her team. There's been so many people who have wrapped their arms around me and pushed me forward. It's my pleasure. For sure.
Dave: Well for those of you who are regular podcasts listeners, you know this is the moment in our podcast where we reflect a little bit on what we just heard. So Erik and Jeff, another great conversation. What stood out for you in the conversation?
Jeff: Well, you go first please. I've got a lot to say.
Erik: All right. I'll just go back to this pioneering piece of this No Barriers story. I really find it fascinating because Mandy spends a ton of time, tons of time, really like trying to use all the technology so that she can not only practice songs that she knows but write music, beautiful new songs. She's told me that it's thousands of hours of work. I think it's really important for people to know that this stuff doesn't just happen. Every time I've listened to Mandy, she's been flawless, like beautiful, polished, like you walk away going, "Wow, this is amazing." But that's because she puts in an incredible amount of time to do things and learn things in a different way, and it's probably in a slower way than if she could be doing it with her hearing.
Mandy: A lot slower.
Erik: You're not supposed to be here.
Mandy: I'm sorry.
Jeff: Be as silent as us.
Erik: That was the joke. You can still be here.
Jeff: Stay. Don't go anywhere.
Dave: Yeah. Don't go anywhere. Jeff, what did you hear?
Jeff: Well, Erik's point was probably the thing that struck me the most for fear of repetition. I feel like the workshop today was, in my mind, one of the most powerfully emotional experiences that I've had in any No Barriers event because Mandy provides a medium that allows people to listen and feel and express in a manner that maybe they never had. I feel like she said the word, "Yoda up." Man, that girl is straight up Yoda. She channels something that I think we could all try to strive for because she reaches people, and isn't that the goal of everything we do is to try and reach people? She does it through music and through vibration and through teaching and through being open and receiving and giving love. I was absolutely moved to tears just listening and watching her today.
Dave: Yeah, and I think for me, she reaches people and she unleashes them too. I think the idea of how could we get as many people as possible that we can reach and unleash through stories like Mandy. That's what No Barriers is all about. That's what this podcast is about in some respects as well. So if you liked this podcast, we encourage you to share it with a friend. If you are listening for the first time, you can find the No Barriers podcast on Spotify, iTunes and anywhere where you listen to and find your podcasts. You can always look for show notes at nobarrierspodcast.com. Thank you so much for listening.
Erik: No barriers.
Jeff: Thank you, Mandy.
Speaker 1: Thanks to all of you for listening to our podcast. We know that you have a lot of choices about how you can spend your time, and so we appreciate you spending it with us. If you enjoy this podcast, we encourage you to subscribe to it, share it, and give us a review. Show notes can be found at nobarrierspodcast.com. Special thanks to the Dan Ryan band for our intro song, which is called Guidance. The production team behind this podcast includes producers, Didrik Johnck and Pauline Shaffer. Sound design, editing and mixing by Tyler Kottman, graphics by Sam Davis, and marketing support by Karly Sandsmark, Megan Lee, and Jamie Donnelly. Thanks to all you amazing people for the great work you do.
Pioneering: Easier Said Than Done (But You Can Do It Too)


Life is a path with a beginning and an end.
Around each bend in that path you'll encounter mystery and choice.
May be far different from the journey you finish.
Lovely photo and thoughts. It's difficult to plan. like they say: life is what happens while you're making plans.
Where would the fun be if we knew exactly how it was all going to turn out. Most of what is going on in my life, the photography and writing in particular, were not even faint blips on the radar of where I thought my life was headed.
Photography is definitely something that keeps me going and that gives me a lot of pleasure. Work wise I'm stuck in a boring side track, so I need to use my creativity on other levels to avoid blowing my head off.
Where does it lead? When was it last used? All things to ponder as one looks toward the bend in the line.
I admire the lighting and composition of this picture, it is really beautiful. It leads the eye and the mind straight down the tracks into the unknown.
Thank you. I'm always pleased and appreciative to hear more thoughtful comments on my photos.
Exactly! We all begin and end the same exact way. How we live the journey, and embrace the surprises is what makes life worth living.
Your photography is simply exquisite! I look forward to every shot and usually GASP! Thanks for sharing!
Jodi that is such a wonderful compliment. Thank you!
Really draws me in to this scene.
Great shot, the colours are beautiful, and it really gets the imagination going as to what's hiding around the corner. I wonder how many different things have been imagined after looking at your photo!
Thank you. Great and thought provoking insight. I'd never really thought about how it might affect other people. It does make you wonder what others are looking forward to around their next bend.
A path to the unknown. Lovely editing!
It ends the same for all of us, but what happens along the way? I wonder.
Great colors and composition – where DOES it lead to?
Jeff, not only is the photo just fabulous, your words speak the truth! We can't always tell where the journey will end.


text:
Quad9 Files Appeal Against Copyright Lawsuit from Sony Music Germany
Author: Koen Stegeman
HostingJournalist.com · Quad9 Files Appeal Against Copyright Lawsuit From Sony Music Germany
Internet security non-profit Quad9, a non-profit Swiss DNS provider delivering a free service replacing a default ISP or enterprise DNS configuration, has filed an objection against an interim injunction obtained by Sony Music Germany from the Hamburg Regional Court. This injunction requires Quad9 to implement network blocks which might establish a precedent for other Internet companies caught up in copyright disputes in Germany and other EU countries.
Unlike many other DNS resolvers, Quad9's free service is privacy-friendly and safeguards against phishing and malware assaults by not keeping personal data about browsing behavior. Quad9 is now required to execute DNS blocking for a domain name mentioned in the injunction that resolves to a website suspected of supplying links to copyrighted content as a result of the interim order imposed by the Hamburg Regional Court.
In its fight against Sony, Quad9 has the support of the German-based Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte e.V. (GFF) and the eco Association of the Internet Industry (eco.de). The GFF is a non-profit organization located in Berlin that was established in 2015. Its goal is to create a long-term structure for effective strategic litigation in the areas of human and civil rights in Germany and throughout Europe. The GFF's current lawsuits are focused on preserving equal freedom for all, as well as protecting privacy, freedom of information, and the press.
"If non-profit IT security projects like Quad9 must bear the costs of combating copyright infringements, they can no longer offer their services in Germany in a way that covers their costs," said GFF project coordinator Julia Reda. "As a result, everyone's IT security suffers."
Setting a Precedent for European Cybersecurity
"This isn't just about Quad9's DNS recursive security capabilities; it has a much broader application to a wide range of internet services, and service providers," said John Todd, Managing Director of Quad9.
"We view this case with Sony Music as a much bigger issue outside of Quad9's mission to keep the Internet safe," said John Todd, Managing Director of Quad9. "This eventual final outcome of this ruling will set a precedent for European cybersecurity and policy. This isn't just about Quad9's DNS recursive security capabilities; we believe it has a much broader application to a wide range of internet services, and service providers should understand the implications of either outcome of the case."
"The German Bundestag abolished the German interferer liability for Internet access providers years ago to facilitate the operation of open WIFIs," added Reda. "The view of the Hamburg Regional Court, according to which DNS providers such as Quad9 cannot invoke this exemption from liability, must not be allowed to prevail under any circumstances."
"Since the announcement of the ruling in late June, Quad9 has received significant support from the Internet community, both in public statements as well as support in-kind from partners who are helping with our objection to the ruling," added John Todd. "We are especially grateful to the Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte (GFF) for the excellent legal support and ongoing advice they've been able to provide to our legal team at Rickert Law."
DNS blocking
dns provider
domain name servers
Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte
John Todd
Julia Reda
Sony Music Germany
Previous articleFlorida Data Center Construction Week 19 | HostDime
Next articleLeverage the Edge
https://HostingJournalist.com/author/KoenStegeman
Skilled in journalism, online publishing as well as content marketing, Koen Stegeman is the Editor-in-Chief of HostingJournalist.com with a demonstrated history of working in the international newspaper, magazine and digital media industries.
Prancer Unveils Cloud Security Automation as Code
Mitiga's Cloud Incident Readiness and Response Solution Now Backed by Blackstone
Rubrik Unveils Enhanced Cyber Resilience Solutions
Cambridge Quantum Unveils Quantum-Enhanced Cryptographic Key Generation Platform
Lacework Unveils Free Cloud Care Program to Aid in Industry Fight Against Log4j
Dr Chris Folkerd – UKFast
How to Create Email Forward in DirectAdmin – Host1Plus Tutorials
How to transfer files using FileZilla
Introduction to IBM Business Operations Connect


text:
Royal Enfield Motorcycles Facing Financial Turmoil
Now In Its Third Century, The Last Of The Surviving Original British Motorcycle Marques May Be Headed For The History Books. The Nostalgic 500cc Bullet Is The Longest-Running Model In Motorcycling History.
The last of the once-dominant British motorcycle brands to (sort of) survive the rise of the Japanese motorcycle industry may finally be succumbing. Royal Enfield's parent Eicher Motors has announced that it plans to spin off the classic Brit bike brand, which actually produces bikes in India these days. Although Eicher is putting a happy face in the situation, presenting it as an opportunity for the brand to get much-needed infusion of capital, observers see the move as Eicher abandoning its financial support for Royal Enfield, which makes less than 30,000 of its traditional -- some would say "obsolete" -- 250, 350 and 500cc singles each year. If the newly liberated company is unable to find the necessary cash, its prospects appear bleak.
Royal Enfield started building bicycles in 1898 and produced its first motorcycle in 1900. It began using its own engines in 1914, and the forefather of the current line of bikes, the first Bullet, was built in 1932. After World War II, Royal Enfield sometimes seemed to be one of the more innovative British makes and offered a line singles, V-twins, and the vertical twins it was best known for. A 500cc vertical twin introduced in 1948 eventually grew to 736cc and became the Interceptor, the best-know model in the U.S. The Bullet was licensed for manufacture in India, where it was first produced over half a century ago and has been produced continuously since, with remarkably few changes.
Royal Enfield motorcycles made their first real foray into the U.S. market in the late 1950s, when 500 and 700cc vertical twins were sold with Indian badging as the troubled American brand tried to ward off the advances of other British marques in the new world. That arrangement ended in 1960. The early 1960s saw some U.S. racing successes for Enfields, probably most famously the amazing desert-racing performances of Eddie Mulder on an Interceptor tuned by the recently deceased Mel Dinesen. But the company was beginning to flounder, and changed hands in 1962.
It was a time of diminishing fortunes for the British motorcycle market. The revered Vincent brand had ceased production in the mid 1950s. As motorcycling rolled into the 1960s and the Japanese companies revealed a brave new reality, AJS, Ariel, BSA, Greeves, Matchless, Norton, Triumph, Velocette and others had either gone under or were feeling the water rise. They were simply unable to match the pace of technological innovation demonstrated by the Japanese at any price and certainly not at the prices Japanese bikes were selling for. By the mid 1960s, Royal Enfield was only making Interceptors, but its financial woes persisted. The British company eventually gave it up in 1970.
However, the Indian entity has soldiered on, making inexpensive, if unsophisticated, motorcycles mostly for its home market. In the U.S. they are valued primarily for their authentic nostalgia, but they suffer in any functional comparison to modern motorcycles. The Bullet is undoubtedly the longest-running motorcycle model in history.
Some recent Royal Enfield models, such as this Thunderbird (which is not sold in the U.S.) have developed a definite cruiser style
The Bullet Military model milks the nostalgia of a Royal Enfield to the hilt. Like the other U.S. Bullet models, it now has electric and kick starting.
In the case of the Royal Enfield Bullet Deluxe, nostalgia is almost exactly what is used to be.
The latest Royal Enfield model for the U.S. market is the five-speed Bullet Electra-X, which has an alloy engine, electric start, and a disc brake up front. All U.S. models displace 499cc and make a bit under 25 horsepower.


text:
'use strict';

const crypto = require('crypto');
const fs = require('fs');
const request = require('request');
const _ = require('lodash');

const instances = {};

function Alipay(config) {
  this._config = _.extend({
    partner: '',
    seller_id: '',
    notify_url: '',
    service: 'mobile.securitypay.pay',
    payment_type: '1',
    _input_charset: 'utf-8',
    it_b_pay: '1d',
    sign_type: 'RSA'
  }, config);
  if (config && config.rsa_private_key) {
    this.rsa_private_key = fs.readFileSync(config.rsa_private_key);
    delete this._config.rsa_private_key;
  }
}

/**
 * 获取实例
 * @param {string} name 实例名称
 * @returns {Alipay}
 */
Alipay.getInstance = function (name) {
  if (!instances[name]) {
    instances[name] = new Weixin();
  }
  return instances[name];
};

/**
 * 初始化
 * @param config
 * @returns {Alipay}
 */
Alipay.init = function (config) {
  _.extend(this._config, config);
  if (config.rsa_private_key) {
    this.rsa_private_key = fs.readFileSync(config.rsa_private_key);
    delete this._config.rsa_private_key;
  }
  return this;
};

/**
 * 验证一个通知是否是支付宝发出的,Promise返回bool值,不抛出异常
 * @param notify_id
 * @returns {Promise}
 */
Alipay.verify = function (notify_id) {
  let config = this._config;
  return new Promise(function (resolve) {
    request('https://mapi.alipay.com/gateway.do?service=notify_verify&partner=' + config.partner + '&notify_id=' + notify_id, function (error, response, body) {
      resolve(body == 'true');
    });
  })
};

/**
 * 创建支付参数
 * @param data
 * @returns {string}
 */
Alipay.createPayReq = function (data) {
  _.extend(data, this._config);
  let link = createLinkstring(paramsFilter(data));

  let signer = crypto.createSign('RSA-SHA1');
  signer.update(link, 'utf8');
  data.sign = encodeURIComponent(signer.sign(this.rsa_private_key, "base64"));

  return createLinkstring(data);
};

module.exports = Alipay.prototype = Alipay.default = Alipay;
Alipay.call(Alipay);

/**
 * 除去数组中的空值和签名参数
 * @param params 签名参数组
 * @return {object} 去掉空值与签名参数后的新签名参数组
 */
function paramsFilter(params) {
  return _.reduce(params, function (result, value, key) {
    if (value && key != 'sign' && key != 'sign_type') {
      result[key] = value;
    }
    return result;
  }, {});
}

/**
 * 把数组所有元素,按照"参数=参数值"的模式用"&"字符拼接成字符串
 * @param params
 * @returns {string}
 */
function createLinkstring(params) {
  let arr = [];
  for (let key in params) {
    arr.push(key + '="' + params[key] + '"');
  }
  return arr.join('&');
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Tea Tuesdays: Butter Up That Tea, Tibetan-Style
By Tove Danovich
Published May 5, 2015 at 3:55 PM MDT
Antoine Taveneaux
via Wikimedia Commons
A monk pours butter tea at the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet.
Butter (arguably) makes everything better – even tea. For Chime Dhorje, who works at Café Himalaya in New York City, the butter in the cup of tea before him ideally comes from a yak.
Yak butter tea is often referred to as the national drink of Dhorje's homeland, Tibet. Tibetans drink it all day long — up to 60 cups a day, it's said — though they're not the only ones who enjoy it: It's consumed in countries throughout the Himalayas.
In those lofty Himalayan mountains, a few cups of yak butter tea would be a welcome respite from the cold, thin air. And Dhorje tells The Salt that butter tea, or po cha, is a comforting reminder of home. But yak butter is pretty hard to come by in New York. So Dhorje, and anyone who orders it at Café Himalaya, has to make do with butter from a cow.
Back in Tibet, yak butter is plentiful; yaks have been a prime source of milk, meat and fiber for thousands of years. Yaks are well-suited to Tibet's rugged landscape, high altitude and extreme weather. They're also not picky eaters and have thrived there since they were first domesticated around 800 B.C.
Making butter tea the traditional way is a time consuming process. First, you'll need a brick of tea — most recipes call for Pu-erh or Pemagul black tea. You'll crush it, soak in cold water and then boil it for multiple hours. Once the tea has steeped, it goes into a long wooden churn referred to as a cha dong. Then, butter, milk and salt are added and churned until thoroughly mixed. Luckily, modern Tibetans can speed up the process by using loose leaf tea and a blender.
Butter tea likely became a staple of the Tibetan diet soon after tea was introduced to the country during China's Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). In The Story of Tea, authors Mary Lou and Robert Heiss describe how a Chinese princess was married to the king of Tibet, opening up tea and other trade between the two countries.
The introduction of this hot beverage to Tibet "provided them with warmth and supplemented their meager diet," the Heisses write. And while no one knows exactly when yak butter was added for the first time, it's likely that it didn't take long.
In addition to the warmth it provides, butter tea may be an important part of cold, high-altitude diets. Above 10,000 feet, the human body loses water roughly twice as fast as it would at sea level, making the risk of dehydration high. The addition of salt to this tea helps Tibetans (and non-natives) stay hydrated in the cold Himalayan Mountains.
/ The Gonger/Flickr
The Gonger/Flickr
Yak butter tea is yellowish in color and has the consistency of soup.
The tea is such a large part of their diet that, until recently "every Tibetan owned a por pa or tea bowl," writes Rupert Faulkner, an author and senior curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, in his book Tea East & West. He adds that the bowls even snugly fit into the pocket of the chupa, a traditional piece of clothing worn by men and women alike.
Today it's more common to see Tibetans drinking their butter tea from thermoses. It's also part of Tibetan hospitality to offer guests a bowl of butter tea, which is a yellowish color and has the consistency of soup. And a good host will refilling the bowl to the brim again and again until it's time for goodbyes — at which point a polite guest will drain what's left.
To the Western palate, yak butter may taste strange at first, perhaps because resilient yak can survive on a meager diet of grasses and shrubs. This makes for a very different taste than the sweet butter we're used to, produced by corn-fed cows. The Heisses describe the yak butter tea as having an "oily and fatty texture which coated our mouths."
One Westerner, however, was deeply inspired by yak butter tea, so much that he started a company riffing off the idea. Heard of Bulletproof Coffee? It was "invented" by Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor David Asprey after he tried yak butter tea in Tibet. It combines grassfed-butter, oil and coffee into a breakfast of champions Asprey claims will suppress the appetite and give your brain a boost. (Many are dubious of these claims; read Gizmodo's takedown here.)
Tea Tuesdays is an occasional series exploring the science, history, culture and economics of this ancient brewed beverage.
Tove Danovich is a writer based in New York City.
Tove Danovich


New York Post reporter Susannah Cahalan tells the astonishing true story of her inexplicable descent into madness and the brilliant, lifesaving diagnosis that nearly didn't happen.
Review by David Lynch, Ph.D.
Suppose you thought that you were losing your identity—changing almost overnight and doing things you could not explain? This inexplicable scenario helps launch Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, in which Susannah Cahalan chronicles her experience with the rare disorder anti-NMDA- receptor encephalitis. The onset of this newly identified entity results from the production of antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). The NMDA receptor regulates synaptic plasticity in the brain and is critical for learning and memory. The syndrome evolves over days to weeks and presents as a psychosis similar to that seen in schizophrenia. Cahalan, who suffered from seizures and other neurologic symptoms, creates a medical detective story from a patient's perspective as she captivatingly describes her descent into madness. The result is entertaining reading that gets us to think about the biological origins of our own personalities.
Cahalan presents her experience as a remembrance three years after the onset of her disorder. At the book's beginning, she is a young reporter struggling to find story ideas that will resonate with her editors at the New York Post. Over several weeks, she gradually finds her personality changing as she begins suffering from paranoia and hallucinations and withdraws from her friends and colleagues. She describes her thoughts (as she perceives them at the time) and confusion about the origin of her symptoms. Associated with her uncertainty is the realization that the medical community has no explanation for her rapid change.
Eventually, Cahalan develops the neurological features that lead to a correct diagnosis by a medical team at the NYU Langone Medical Center. After weeks of downward spiraling, the team puts all the facts together and arrives at the answer: anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis, a multistage, autoimmune disease that varies wildly in its presentation. Cahalan slowly recovers after undergoing immunomodulatory therapies (steroids, IVIG treatment, and plasmapheresis) in the hospital for a month, plus six months of outpatient follow-up.
For a neuroscientific audience, Cahalan's story stimulates readers to think about the essence of the brain and the personality on several levels. First is the way that she portrays the early events of her encephalitis. She is never sure whether her bizarre behavior is being driven by a disease or is the result of reactions to stress or other events. These reactions include irrational fears of jealously, emotional lability, and even illusions that she can sense other people's thoughts. Almost all of her friends attribute these behaviors to the demands of her job or to psychological issues, but she later realizes that they are subtle early symptoms of anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis. To a neuroscientist, Cahalan's attempt to decipher her symptoms represents the core of the discussion about where the neurological features of disease end and those of psychiatry begin. It also shows the overlap between these disciplines. In addition, with treatment, the changes in Cahalan's personality reverse not immediately but over long periods of time. This is consistent with the idea of a resilient, structural basis of memory and personality that is attacked by anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis but is then slowly rebuilt. One issue, which Cahalan describes, is that anti-NMDA- receptor encephalitis is associated with a significant amnesia for the period of acute illness. Cahalan was able to trigger exquisite firsthand details about the experience by revisiting her family's notes, diaries, and recollections, and she points out that it is difficult to tell where her personal memory ends and others' memories begin. This paradox gives readers fascinating insight into the way that people constantly construct their own perceptions.
Brain on Fire is also very effective as an illustration of the diagnostic odyssey of an individual with an unknown disease. Cahalan's signs seem so clear as she presents them three years later, now that the number of individuals reported with anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis has risen from several hundred to many thousands and the disorder is no longer a research curiosity. Cahalan was diagnosed and treated only after weeks of progression, after finally being admitted to a specialized neurology service in a tertiary care center—and even at that center, the tale is presented as if only one specialist was familiar with the condition. Viewed from that perspective, Cahalan could be considered lucky even to have received the correct diagnosis. The author does not condemn physicians unaware of the diagnosis, as she recognizes the difficulty in staying abreast of new developments in medicine. The book is dedicated to undiagnosed patients, a group that goes far beyond anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis. Even in the age of whole-genome sequencing, the medical community lacks much information about even common diseases, much less rare ones. Good news is that the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program is currently undergoing revision and expansion, in recognition of the number of disorders that remain unknown and might become recognizable.
In some ways, Cahalan oversimplifies the medical and scientific communities. For example, she essentially attributes her diagnosis and the original discovery of anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis to single individuals. This presentation fails to recognize the manner in which medical care is delivered by interactive teams and the collaborative way that science moves forward. But the perspective presented provides insight on how people outside the medical and scientific communities view their work, and suggests that there is a need for broader education on the collaborative nature of the scientific and medical fields, particularly as the available time for such collaboration decreases.
Another misperception reflects the increasing incidence of anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis. As Cahalan notes in her discussions with neurological experts, it is easy to speculate that this disorder might be responsible for many episodes of demonic possession or mental illness throughout history. However, this speculation does not match present medical observations, as untreated anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis is an almost uniformly debilitating disease; scientists have identified few spontaneous survivors who did not have ICU-level care in the acute period. Thus, it seems unlikely that this specific disorder caused such reversible events throughout history, though an as-yet-unappreciated variant conceivably could have done so.
After reading Cahalan's riveting account, neuroscientists may wonder about the specific molecules that influence memory and personality, while physicians may contemplate where the next new disease will arise.