Very early Thursday morning, hundreds of volunteers will join The Salvation Army, the Community Kitchen, the Union Gospel Mission, Brainerd Baptist and the Downtown Vineyard Churches, among others, to set up tables, chairs, heaters, a children's play area and to decorate at the pavilion on Carter Street across from Finley Stadium.
Last year, 1,700 meals were served, and Unity leaders expect to serve more than 2,000 on Thursday from 11 am to 1 pm. In addition, nearly 200 meals will be taken to Chattanooga Police Department Precinct Houses, and The Salvation Army will be delivering 500 meals to shut-ins and the elderly from its 800 McCallie Avenue location.


text:
Ryo Okumoto
Merchandise that uncoils
Ryo Okumoto Merch
Kamikaze To The Sun (Audio)
SKU KMKZ01
Recorded in Los Angeles in October 2020, these two songs from Spock's Beard were performed for the "Fusion Online Christmas Cracker" benefit livestream that aired on YouTube on November 28, 2020.
This album is provided as a set of downloadable audio files, in various formats:
Uncompressed WAV files, for high-quality playback or burning to CD.
MP3 (320kbps)
AAC (192kbps), m4a files
FLAC lossless
Distance To The Sun (feat. Keiko Okumoto)
Ryo Okumoto: Keyboards, Piano
Keiko Okumoto: Vocals
Kamikaze: Dave Meros (bass), Alan Morse (guitar), Nick D'Virgilio (drums)
Distance To The Sun: Music and lyrics by Neal Morse
Recorded in October 2020 at Ryo's house in Los Angeles.
Chief Uncoiling Officer
This is the official merchandise store for Ryo Okumoto, musician based in Los Angeles, California and Osaka, Japan.
Rock on with your socks on! Preferably from this store!
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'Stay humble': Investors urged not to rush into UK assets after Brexit blow
London's financial district Canary Wharf in London. (AP)
Reuters, London Wednesday 16 January 2019
While markets are buying the view that the historic defeat suffered by Prime Minister Theresa May in parliament cuts the chances of a chaotic Brexit, some financial advisors are urging clients not to overestimate their ability to make bets on British politics.
The overwhelming rejection of May's deal to leave the European Union has, so far, triggered a mild rise in the pound, lured buyers into domestic British companies and been a slight positive for Ireland's top share index, a barometer of Brexit sentiment.
Some investors have started covering bearish short positions in British banks and housebuilders, among the sectors hit hardest by uncertainty over Britain's painful divorce from the European Union.
But wealth managers are warning investors against piling into UK assets given more uncertainty lies ahead, illustrated initially by a confidence vote in the government on Wednesday evening and lack of clarity about May's 'Plan B' for Brexit.
"We believe that investors are getting ahead of themselves," said Azad Zangana, a strategist at Schroders, a view shared by Dean Turner, UK economist at UBS Global Wealth Management.
"UK assets will continue to be vulnerable to the political volatility and we don't expect this will subside until a concrete conclusion emerges," Turner argued.
"We do not advocate investors take directional views on sterling, gilts or UK stocks while this clarity void remains so large," he wrote to clients, adding that "investors would be wise to limit any UK exposure at benchmark levels".
Turner had already warned in November that while any person could take a view about how UK politics and Brexit might unfold, no one, given the very chaotic nature of politics, could actually claim to have an actionable edge over these events.
Philippe Waechter, chief economist of France's Ostrum Asset Management, also believes that humility is necessary.
"Humble and modest"
"One had to be humble and modest," he told Reuters, advising investors to be wary of the consensus view that a 'no-deal' Brexit was unlikely.
Still for some, Tuesday's vote and May's pledge to seek cross-party support for another draft agreement fueled optimism that Britain will avoid a painful exit at the end of March, potentially reinvigorating the UK market's appeal for investors.
"It's a good entry point", for long-term investors even with short-term volatility ahead, said Charles St Arnaud, a strategist at Lombard Odier Investment Managers.
Investors have shunned or cut exposure to UK stocks and sterling over the past two years amid worries about a hard departure from the bloc and the potential damage to Britain's economy.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch's latest survey showed UK stocks were still the least favoured by both global and European investors.
However, even among analysts who believe in a positive end-game for UK assets, the long and winding road to Brexit simply means too much volatility to take immediate action.
For Michael Strobaek, global chief investment officer at Credit Suisse, "the ongoing political uncertainty and UK economic weakness means we remain neutral on UK equities."
And there is no shortage of negative scenarios ahead.
Paul O'Connor, head of the UK-based multi-asset team at Janus Henderson, warns that if a cross-party Brexit deal is agreed, a change of prime minister would likely follow and a new eurosceptic Conservative leader might trigger more confusion and limit the upside for UK assets.
"Basically it means that no sooner have we celebrated a soft Brexit, we have to start thinking about who's going to be handling (the next round of) negotiations."
"That shapes the strategic perception of the UK. That's a story for the next few months and years."
British MPs vote overwhelmingly to reject Brexit deal
Sterling falls as investors prepare for Brexit vote
UK PM May: Rejecting Brexit would be catastrophic
EU insists will not renegotiate Brexit deal


The signed John Shurna, a sweet-shooting forward from Northwestern, to a one-year contract, said his agent, Mark Bartelstein. The deal is partly guaranteed. Shurna, who stands 6 feet 10 inches, converted 44 percent of his 3-pointers last season at Northwestern while averaging 20 points a game. He is frequently compared to the Knicks' Steve Novak because of his height and shooting ability. With Shurna, the Knicks have 16 players under contract, counting training camp invitees.


text:
What are you playing right now?
Page 40 of 40 First ... 30 38 39 40
Thread: What are you playing right now?
TheDarkOne
A Cryptic Wizard
California (when not in Storybrooke, ME)
Lv. Percent
Originally Posted by mrz84
I think I know of that hack, is it this one http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/80/ ? It changes some cosmetics for stuff [colors, character designs, etc]
Either way, they also announced a remake of SD3 in the same vein as SoM got last year for both PS4 and Switch that will be released early next year.
I was looking for a RT hack of SD3 and evidence I have come across has lead me to the conclusion that such a hack does not currently exist. Plus I didn't like the new color palettes in the above hack.
I knew about the SoM remake, but since SD3 never saw an official US release I didn't think they would do that one.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
Wizrobe
K-Town
Originally Posted by TheDarkOne
It exists now, somebody was able to extract the rom from the switch version and it is playable in emulators.
Woo hoo, look at the tektites dance!
I just think I'd be happier as a pretty lesbian girl. -- Glenn the Great
How many licks to get to the center
Can confirm it works. The text is massively improved too. Obviously, there won't be any link-posting, but it took me literally about ten seconds to find.
Download Lands of Serenity today! You will be knocked comatose by its sheer awesomeness.
The Titan's Quest, best played in the bathroom as the excitement can be somewhat...overwhelming.
Official AGN Discord Channel
Official ZC Dev Discord Channel
Gel Just registered
X-Box One-X
Hi, Zim here.
On Microsoft X-Box-X:
Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite, Sigma kicked my ass first try as usual but after I learn some patterns I'd probably win eventually but gave up for the night.
Forza Horizon 4, Resident Evil: Biohazard (7), and I'm currently waiting on Final Fantasy XV to install to see what it's like as a final store-bought version.
I still haven't given up completely on Zelda Classic either, but have put my work on hiatus lately because of unforseen circumstances again, and to be honest, I just needed a break anyway.
As my prior message about side-view scrolling screen platforming goes the build is complete and can function as 60 fps pretty good on both of my laptops, Windows 7 and Windows 10.
As far as fully completing a submitted demo of it, I still in a way want to complete some additional functions as the character is stuck in the middle of the screen where the background always shifts around him on a gigantic 18-map grid with 9 layers of data on each screen that loops around to the top to bottom and east to west and vice-versa fasion instead of one map or chunks of screen, but I think the fans would like to see the player able to go to the edges of screen and panning screen transitions more like the classic Megaman games which I know in my mind exactly how to code it but just haven't been motivated to finish it up lately, including the NPC AI and movement of classics like Sniper-Joe, which Joe comes fully equipped with shield and gun, and those little colored hoppy dudes in some of the levels that look like a spring-loaded robot of some kind. Maybe within the next year or so. I'm between houses and jobs right now so finding the time to volunteer for Zelda Classic lately has been scarce, not to mention I just need to go out there and live my real life RPG of being myself for awhile to ease some tension being a volunteer employee has caused over the years. I'm calling it a long-overdue vacation time for the time being, however, I've still been beta testing my builds sometimes, especially after updates from Microsoft to make sure they didn't break my game or slow it down and so-far so-good, they remained stable.
I am very interested in purchasing a Nintendo Switch eventually also, to play games like the new Trials of Mana, Blaster Master, Binding of Issac, and probably even LoZ: Breath of the Wild again because I didn't 100% the game when I owned it and missed out on the Hylian motorbike for completing all 100 shrines. Instead I ended up selling off my whole system to a guy with a family for 100 USD even though it was worth much much more than that to me because I was stressing out about bills and needed to ditch my cargo anyway or something at the time to relieve some stress. So now I'm playing tight-budget game with my life and getting by fairly good anyway. I have prospects hammered out that seem to be good options for me starting next month and things are going well in my life aside from that so it is nothing to stress out about anymore in the now and near future currently, so over the next few years I'll probably get back into the ZC modding game again and finish up the platformer code for fun and probably publish it in time, or especially if AGN hosts another build-launch finalist pre-packaged code/graphics winner for a bundle opportunity to get my name on some credits, however, although I have already had prior experience with CAPCOM authoring content, like Resident Evil and Megaman X particularly, we'd maybe have to do a little additional kiss-assery to get a final Okay from the lead devs in those departments to get a Megaman Classic build under AGN's belt particularly for copyright reasons, as I don't own the entirety of the franchise as my name isn't the only person involved.
Other than that, I haven't written to AGN or it's clients for awhile so I figured a nice little long explanation might be in order because I haven't stayed in touch as well as I would've maybe have liked to and am being treated for Schizophrenia still currently (withdraw from relationships and abnormal behavior) but things are going well and I'm getting better by the day.
Thanks for your time and hope you have a wonderful day.
Sincerely and Yours Truly,
Your neighbor,
Zim Hall
P.S. Oh, and I've also recently been playing a game about Invader Zim on Facebook with people that seemingly have never heard of me that think Invader Zim originated in the year 2000 and "Jhonen Vasquez" did all the work and pitched it to Nickolodeon who, alledgedly, approved it overnight, whereas really I published and authored a one-page Invader Zim cover page and handed it to my teacher when I was in 6th grade (1996-1997, approximately) and they don't believe me because of a pseudonym on the bottom of the page that stated in writing "By Jhonen Vasquez," which I remember specifically because of the fact that I inadvertently used part of my friend Joan Scheuffel's name and hoped she wouldn't be mad at me for infringing, but these kids on facebook seemed convinced that I'm lying completely and they're calling me a fake for writing a "fan comic" because their math is waaaay off or something.
I referred them to the Eisbrecher: Svichen Uns video searchable on YouTube about where things came from which some majorly powerful looking people agreed to produce after I was video dating some German woman on the "Utherverse" for awhile and learned some Deutch over the year and wrote a song called Svichen Uns meaning Came From.
The last one on the page said that they don't even know I exist because it seems like I'm faking fame and I replied that without a search warrant, which it is not illegal to be an author or a human, that I have no reason to provide them with proof anyway, but that my full legal name given at birth in Carona, California, is in fact Zim Indro Hall in 1983 and I am now 35 years old but apparently they don't believe that but some of them did.
Anyway, in summary, Comcast in my local neighborhood, a cable-tv provider/network just got sued for 9 million some dollars over breaches of privacy policies in a -possibly- related and non-related turn of events.
Not to worry though, MEGAMAN was also initially my idea and stated first by me verbally to my brother Bow Star Hall (circa 1989 approximately in Centralia, WA 98531) also so we should be able to get federal approval as a publishable copyrighted work especially if and since I have been and I'm doing most of the work myself so far without much aid besides Microsoft Corporation use, which my licensing in that regard has been approved to modify content last time I read the end-user agreement between me and them since I've been a Microsoft Volunteer Employee since approximately the year 2000 doing Research and Development experiments and giving the necessary feedback to get customized products available to myself at the least for the proper amount of fair pay for services from them as well. I never got paid by them, but the custom builds and products are definitely worth the time and effort for me often times so it was a win-win to sign the contracts.
Then at some point I also actually bought the software rights to AntBytes Studio which has a digital Bible, Audacity Recording Studio, Quatra (a Tetris-like game) and a few other packs of sound loops and sounds so I own enough digital media and software rights personally to probably convince any court about why any infringement charges would immediately fail against me. Not to mention I've been the Board of Directors, Registered Agent, Secretary, and Treasurer of a non-profit corporation as a separate entity for the last 10+ years as a different endeavor I took up that didn't lead an additional potential gainful endeavor for a career move, but it didn't amount to much except for having the experience of knowing how to pass all those big-wig exams and which loops to jump through to make up to the whatever is supposed to be up there above the glass ceiling, which wasn't really all that hard to pull off either for me.
Unfortunately my mother, whom was also on the Board of Directors, passed away in 2015 in September on the 7th, caused a discrepancy and argument of the remaining 2 members, myself and a dear friend of ours, that the corporation is dissolute now with or without an actual vote of the remaining members because at least 3 members are necessary to own a corporation and keep it going. I would've liked to nominate a new member or a few more members and disagreed with her standpoint but she was Vice-President and my mom was President I think and without them handling the financial choices I'm not sure what happened so I guess in that regard the VP does have final say as to our agreement to keep it going or not with or without a vote from the Board.
However, and this is a BIG however, a company in Washington State has no reason to have a licence whatsoever if the total profits are less than 600 USD $ a year anyway according to the law as described to me on the streets in my local area, a license is not even necessary, so there won't be any discrepancy about me being able to have my own non-corporate privately owned business continue to do work on a voluntary basis, no reason to quit volunteering for Microsoft, and whatever CAPCOM thinks about support for a Megaman Classic build, well, it is already too late and my own private property anyway which I'm just going through some personal stuff before completing it in the first place anyway and it is functional through Zelda Classic which is just another one of these Dev's approval and a few minutes of their time to change the window to say Megaman Classic instead when I'm done unless I study Silverlight or something some more in the future long enough to open the EXE and do it myself so I'll eventually submit it to Gleeok and Saffith, or whoever ends up to be lead dev at the time or at the least if they're still around long enough to collaborate on a final for the masses if we feel like doing so at the time when it is done.
I wouldn't be sharing this information at all if I weren't swaying towards a "do make it published" in the long-run of things personally though because I wouldn't want to just tease ya either.
Of course, if someone else *Would be pointing at Saffith here* gets it done first we could at least compare notes in the end again to see if that would benefit at all for someone as long as it don't hurt.
Okay, now I'm done playing author for the day. Hope you have a good one ya'll.
Originally Posted by Chris Miller
This will work on a SNES emulator? Because AFIK no one has made an emulator for the Switch yet.
Yup, works perfectly. According to the post I found, it also works on a real SNES.
I found a Seikien Densetsu III translation over a decade ago and played a playthrough of it on an emulator but I think the site I got it from shut down awhile back.
Last edited by Chris Miller; 06-16-2019 at 03:12 PM. Reason: No links to rom sites, please.
Yup it's a snes rom. Also there are emulators for Switch that seem to work quite well, I haven't used any but I've seen YouTube videos showing them and the progress being made.
This looks great and the link I found also includes the first two games as well. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the Game Genie and PAR codes won't work on this ROM. I use them during the boss battles.
EDIT: Tried the codes and they do seem to work.
EDIT2: I'm going to start a new thread about this game so that this thead doesn't get derailed. This isn't the Veldt, after all.
Last edited by TheDarkOne; 06-17-2019 at 11:56 PM.
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What Now? Moving from Feminism to Humanism
Author, Researcher, Modern Humanist
Michelle Obama – Becoming
Jacinda Ardern: Compassionomics
Leadership Style of Zuzana Čaputová
Monique Begin: Ladies Up Stairs!
Goddess: Suzanne Legault
Goddess: Beverly McLaughlin
Goddess: Eartha Kitt (Black History Month)
Eartha Kitt (images)
Goddess: Joy Smith
Blog: Untie the STRONG WOMAN!!! (Pt2)
Marianne Williamson- Mary Magdalene
Fidicuaries of Humanity – McGill University
Digital Evidence- A Practitioner's Handbook
Reconciliation Manual
It's Time – Sexual Violence in Politics
One Hundred Years of Struggle – Joan Sangster
Book Stores – Coming Soon
Victoria Parliamentary Library
Osgoode Hall Library
The Law Society Of Upper Canada
IoT Networking Event – Fasken's Martineault
Maytree – Dr. Kofi on Leadership
Maytree – Indigenous People and Human Rights
RightsCon 2018
UFT Asper Institute
NDP Convention 2018 (Ottawa)
Ontario NDP – Andrea Horwath Campaign Kickoff
Andrea Horwath – Unveils ONDP Platform
NDP York South Weston- 2018
Marite Stiles – MPP for Davenport
Andrea Horwath – NDP Rally Sheraton
ONDP – Black History Month
In the Body of Nature
Book Reviews, Civic Engagement, Diversity, Leadership, Life Style/Well-Being, Social Activism
Identity Leadership – Graham Steadman
Posted by What Now? Moving From Feminism to Humanism on August 7, 2019 October 20, 2020
Hardcover: 272 pages * Published: May 7th 2019 * Publisher: Center Street * ISBN: 1546083375 (ISBN13: 9781546083375)
Ahmed El Hady, Big Think: "In our neuro-centric world-view, a person is equated to his brain. The neuro-discourse has penetrated all aspects of our lives from law to politics to literature to medicine to physics. As part of this neuro-revolution, huge military funding is supporting neuro-scientific research; a huge body of basic knowledge on memory, belief formation, cognition and sensory modalities has been gathered over years, with fields like social neuroscience, cultural neuroscience, neuroeconomics and neuromarketing has been emerging to improve our lifestyle; neurotechnological know-how from wireless non invasive technologies to neuroelectronic interfaces is exponentially advancing; and neurotechnology business reports indicates the rapid increase in neurotechnological start ups and the willingness of bringing neurotechnological products to the market. In my opinion, all the aforementioned indicators indicate that neurotechnology can be potentially used to control social dynamics. At the same time, neuro-technological advancements could nourish our dissidence and creativity – potentially making us more revolutionary.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been funding and actively pursuing research on it. The first project revolves around "narrative networks". The project aims to detect potential security threats and to protect vulnerable people from being recruited by terrorists through analysis of people narratives in the context of national security. They want to study how story telling indoctrinates people with dangerous ideas and how does propaganda shape your mind. But on the other side, analysis of your narratives on social networks and in your daily life means that your stories and the way it is told can be owned, monitored by the authorities or might also fall into the hand of criminals. Another alarming issue is that your narratives are not anymore private, they are exposed which makes them vulnerable, makes them easy to be shaped by the state authorities. [It also leaves you open to be "rep-programmed. Watch: Bourne Identity films] It can also be used to exclude certain people from the society based on their narratives as it will turn out that one has to conform to some narratives to be included in the society. (See the discussion on DARPA's project on narrative networks)"
"The Pentagon wants researchers to study how stories infiltrate social networks and alter our brain circuits." ~ BIG Think
Yes, the US government now wants to get inside your head and are very well on their way in doing so. But what of Canada? How are we participating in new technological directions against terrorism? Our Canadian government have made citizens aware of their intentions to create a similar program since it's introduction in the contents of the Conservatives Bill C51. The Liberals took over the platform when they gained power and altered the Bill, yet before doing so Public Works under Ralph Goodale tabled the Green Paper Security Consultations and invited Canadians to comment on the various aspects of the Bill that the government was trying to change. Canada's equivalent program was presented as a "community" lead anti-terrorism initiative that will act similar to an "intervention" program for those who are "deemed at-risk" and identified as potential targets for extreme radicalism to terrorism. I have no doubt that our governments are exchanging information and best practices with DARPA since they have a better budget and more intellectual resources to research and develop the subject. DARPA is asking scientists to "take narratives and make them quantitatively analyzable in a rigorous, transparent and repeatable fashion." The idea is to detect terrorists who have been indoctrinated by propaganda. Then, the Pentagon can respond with some messages of its own. They don't have to spend all that money, what they should be doing is taking that same amount of money and improve the social conditions that leads a person to terrorism. No need to get into our heads for that.
"Stories are important in security contexts, change the course of insurgencies, frame negotiations, play a role in political radicalization, influence the methods and goals of violent social movements."~ DARPA
The program is called "Narrative Networks." By understanding how stories have shaped your mind, the Pentagon hopes to sniff out who has fallen prey to dangerous ideas… With this knowledge, the military can also target groups vulnerable to terrorists' recruiting tactics with its own counter-messaging. Big Think continues to explain in an another article, that neuroscience confirms your subconscious and shapes your reality which confirms what Sigmund Freud first theorized. David Eagleman explains:
"Neuroscience has drifted off a little bit from the directions that Freud was going in terms of the interpretations of whether your unconscious mind is sending you particular hidden signals and so on. But the idea that there's this massive amount happening under the hood, that part was correct and so Freud really nailed that. And he lived before the blossoming of modern neuroscience, so he was able to do this just by outside observation and looking at how people acted.
Nowadays, we're able to peer non-invasively inside people's heads as they're doing tasks, as they're thinking about things and making decisions, perceiving the world. We're able to go a lot deeper into understanding this massive machinery under the hood."
One of the stipulated research goals: to "explore the function narratives serve in the process of political radicalization and how they can influence a person or group's choice of means (such as indiscriminant violence) to achieve political ends." Once scientists have perfected the science of how stories affect our neurochemistry, they will develop tools to "detect narrative influence." These tools will enable "prevention of negative behavioral outcomes … and generation of positive behavioral outcomes, such as building trust." In other words, the tools will be used to detect who's been controlled by subversive ideologies, better allowing the military to drown out that message and win people onto their side.
"The government is already trying to control the message, so why not have the science do it in a systematic way?" said the researcher familiar with the project.
When the project enters into a second 18-month phase, it'll use the research gathered to build "optimized prototype technologies in the form of documents, software, hardware and devices." What will these be? Existing technology can carry out micro-facial feature analysis, and measure the dilation of blood vessels and eye pupils. MRI machines can determine which parts of your brain is lighting up when it responds to stories.
DARPA wants to do even better.
Identity vs Labels
The development in neuroscience is pointing to a trend in which we all might want to be mindful of since new technologies are developed in which its very task is to invade our minds. To echo what Yuval Harari advising readers that in order to survive in the near future you need to be mentally fit. Depending on how you look at it future development will be quite invasive in an 'non-invasive' way, you will need to be mentally strong and fit to survive the next waves of development. The core of that mental fitness and fortitude is having a strong sense of self identity of knowing who you are, where you are going and how you are going to get there. Because things are about to get murky.
"Sapiens"-author Yuval Noah Harari on the future of mankind, AI and more. [Source: Medium]
And, it all hinges on how you define yourself and who determines that definition: you or someone else.
We all have our own "narratives", never-mind what DARPA is trying to achieve – but they do have a point that is well articulated. Whether you are conscious of your own narrative or not, these stories run through your head and are on a constant loop as you unconsciously search to find patterns and situations that reinforces these narratives. Fine, if you are happy with your narrative, but most haven't even taken the time to know what that is and many go through life and not knowing what that is until they find themselves on their deathbed reviewing life's events.
In "Identity Leadership", author Stedman Graham captures the key to being a great leader: "Without identity, we allow ourselves to be defined by others. We are put in a box and labeled by race, gender, family circumstances, job title – the list of labels get very long when other people define you. When we are labeled and we accept those labels, we develop a mindset of inequality, which leads to us making poor choices and limiting our own potential and opportunities. The challenge is to get past the labels, to be able to focus on what's relevant to building our lives, what choices we should be making to achieve success based on our vision for ourselves.
But of course, we can't have vision, we can't focus on what's relevant, if we don't know who we are. (i.e. knowing your personal story) So again, you see the critical importance of understanding your identity. When we buy into labels, we allow ourselves to be placed in a box, enslaved by what others think of us. The world says to us, "You don't know who you are. Let me tell you who you are." The challenge is this: we need to shun the external labels that control our minds, take back our power and control, and define ourselves from the inside out."
Your identity is the intersection of your talents and dreams. It's a process called "self-actualization". And this process of "self-actualization" reveals your innate, desires, talents and abilities that are intrinsic to you; and when we focus on bring these attributes to the forefront to develop, we begin to start to lead a life of authenticity that is very much rewarding and fulfilling. It's first about checking your personal ID, where you came from, your personal story, your worldview, your strengths, what makes you tick, knowing your best features and characteristics, defining your passions and then you can begin to create your vision. No need to see what the "Jones" are doing down the street and being jealous of their accomplishments, your life, struggles and rewards are ready to go – IF – you make it YOUR focus. Start by seeing the end and work backwards to where you need to begin. It'll give you a better perspective so when opportunities start rolling in you'll be able to measure those opportunities with your vision to see if it all lines up. Set goals, develop a plan of action, stay focused, master the rules of the road and use your time wisely. Leave your comfort zone, over come your fear, welcome and embrace change, learn to let go. And best of all you get to build your 'dream team'; forge partnerships, learn from your mentors . Self-acutalization gives you a sense of belonging, it's a journey and as you self actualize you attract those who are compatible with your path – you're never alone.
Identity Politics or Freedom of Expression"
As a late-comer and an observer of Canadian politics, one couldn't help but notice that 2015 federal election and consequently various leadership races thereafter and leading up to the 2019 federal election are mostly governed by playing "identity politics". Using identity politics in an election is a game of Catch 22 and if played well it just might work but more often than not it could backfire and cost you an election or at least votes within your constituency. Remember the whole Burka debate last election? NDP played their card and some political supporters didn't agree and when they missed opportunities to get back on message and they soon found that they lost votes to the Liberals. That said I understand the attraction using identity politics in a campaign especially for the political Left where equality is a defining feature, it sure does keep people engaged, it's exciting to watch and makes for great dinner conversation but it is also a distraction from the real issues.
For example in World War II many were blind to what Hitler was actually doing incarcerating the Jews, even the average German citizen had no clue as to what Hitler, a fascist leader was really up to. He entertain the country with his demonology of how the Jew had been the principle architect of the Boshevik Revolution and started the process of dehumanizing them by making them the symbol of everything 'unclean' that Germany was pitted against in her righteous war of self defense and purification. In the meantime Hitler kept the Jews in almost total isolation, powerlessness and choicelessness. The Nazis went to staggering lengths to deny the Jews access to knowledge of the true meaning of 'evacuation to the east.' despite obsessive secrecy and deceitful jargon surrounding the 'Final Solution'. they were alarmingly successful in misleading the Jews and in manipulating their expectations and made it a near impossibility for them to establish proper communication with the outside world. Amazingly effecting their narrative was altered "Reduced to a mere number, the man in the concentration camp at the same time lost his identity and his individual destiny. He came to realize that his presence in the camp was due solely to the fact that he was part of a forgotten and condemned collectivity." says Elie Wiesel.
Elie Wiesel, Holocaust Survivor and Author
In The Politics of Everybody by Holly Lewis, explains that ".. fascism involves the cleansing of bodies, if not their eradication. But this doesn't necessarily mean that fascist politics acknowledges antagonism. Fascist politics can destroy bodies and claim to be doing so for the good of everybody. All it need do is pronounce that some bodies are nobodies; then it can eradicate the nobodies until everybody is a somebody. In the fascist schema, the nobodies are easy to spot: they're the ones without an identity, the ones without a home, the ones without a specific place to be– the internationalists, the immigrants, the 'street' people, the ones whose land has been stolen, the ones stolen from their lands. the ones who never had a land to begin with, the ones who live in the in-between. The fulcrum of the fascist approach to the political question of everybody is the ecstasy of communal harmony made possible only by expelling foreign bodies."
Here's another example, something so simple as hair? How many myths do we encounter about hair that is based on prejudice [or perhaps down right racism] that have lead people to discriminate against one another? Some say dreadlocks are dirty because the myth is to enable it to knot and grow you can't wash your hair or the nappy afro myth, your hair is unkept because you don't comb it. Said in a derogatory manner it could easily lead one to believe that anyone who wears these styles are lacking in basic self-care…..Cultural beliefs about hair and its affects can be traced as far back to the days of Samson and Delilah, perhaps even farther. While each culture and belief are distinct, many are strangely similar. Even more familiar are the adversities these same cultures have had to face due to racism, negative stereotyping, domestic violence and assimilation.
Baby Jack, Cree, 1900 – Photograph attributed to Howard King.
In indigenous cultures, hair is a part of their identity. It provides deep meaning and personal connection with one's hair, health, and spirituality which gives them strength and endurance. Author Steven Bancarz, the creator of Spirit Science and Metaphysics, informs his readers about the native hair, "In Native cultures, men and women are recognized by the length and glory of their hair. The cutting of hair by oppressors has long represented the submission and defeat of a People, through humiliation. The way a People comb (the Alignment of thought), braid (the Oneness of thought), tie (the Securing of thought) and color (the Conviction in thought), their Hair is of great significance. Each hairstyle represents a different frame of mind." So it is only natural for those who are in the business of enslaving and "de-personalizing" an individual to cut their hair as it is often recognized as a sign of slavery and used as a method to steal their power; to decrease, demoralize and punish those enslaved.
As an African-Caribbean Canadian born, heterosexual, baptized Christian woman who follows a humanistic philosophy through the lens of feminism, I'm writing from a perspective of also having experienced forms of prejudices, racism, stereotyping and discrimination. I've had dreadlocks, gone bald, afro and straightened my hair. For as many hairstyles I have had I have also had many names. It's just the nature of my name that has so many variations that require a different identity; Susan, Suzanne, Susannah, Suzannah, Zuzana, Shoshona (Jewish version of the name) Susana, Sue, Su, Suzie, Suzy, Susie, Siouxsie and the list goes on and on. Some sounds french, others sounds business like, one sounds like a tomboy, and still another sounds seductress, or a snob, or just plain "I'll kick your ass!" confident. I made the mistake of playing with these variations, when I finally settled on the name the I liked – my identity got stolen with all sorts of non-realities forced upon me and behind my back with no way of presenting the correct narrative. It's like being in jail and while in there the media does all sorts creative storytelling, runs your name through the mud, slinging it about and when you're finally out you haven't a clue what had happen [but something did happen] and as a result you're not even sure if you want to claim your name.
And this is what I like about Identity Leadership, because it is not about your name, your hair or any of the externals – it's who you are on the inside and that goes with you where ever you are no matter how or what you choose to call yourself or what other may say or how you look. Those are just way is why you choose to express externally how you feel and who you are internally, therefore while the external may change but your true identity is internal and intrinsically remains the same – not stagnant, the same – because we all grow and evolve with each life's experience.
"Self-leadership is a most critical aspect of identity leadership. Simply put, if you want to lead others, you have to learn how to lead yourself first." ~ Stedman Graham
To be a true identity leader you need to know what your narrative says about yourself. And in creating your vision, these are the first and foremost three questions to ask yourself [and answer]: Who am I? Where am I? How am I going to get there?
Identity Leadership
The opportunities opening up in the twenty-first century will not be snatched up by followers. The world will not be improved by followers. It is leaders who will meet those needs, seize those opportunities and change the world. Identity leadership is the highest order of leadership. Its's a different kind of leadership that is required in the 21st century found in people who are aware of their own intentions and identity, who responsibly lead themselves to overcome obstacles in their own lives and, as a result, lead others to succeed. Without a strong identity, we are more likely to be carried by the influence of our environment into a future requiring very little reflection or development. True leaders aren't looking to posture; true leaders are looking to make a difference and to fulfill their mission in life.
The world is calling for leaders. But to best answer that call, one needs to bring identity into the picture – not identity politics. That's one of the reasons that companies are saying leadership is in a critical state – too many people are focused on trying to develop leadership skills without coupling those skills with a deep and robust understanding of their identity. It's the marriage of identity and leadership that sets one apart as a twenty-first-century leader.
Stedman Graham quotes United States Military Academy at West Point in 2009, author and essayist William Deresiewicz put it bluntly:
"We have a crisis of leadership in this country, in every institution….What we have now are…people who have been trained to be incredibly good at one specific thing, but who have no interest in anything beyond their area of expertise. What we don't have are leaders…People who can think for themselves. People who can formulate a new direction: for the country, for a corporation or a college, for the Army – a new way of doing things, a new way of looking at things. People, in other words, with vision."
The world is crying out for more self-leaders, more "identity" leaders. It's this type of leadership that is both lasting and impactful. It's this type of leadership that changes lives – yours and those of the people in your sphere of influence. It's this type of leadership from which legacies are made.
In it's 2014 Global Human Capital Trends Survey, Deloitte found that leadership remains the top human capital concern – and presents the largest "readiness gap" in the survey. The survey uncovered a deep need to develop new leaders faster and to globalize leadership programs. Eighty-sex percent of respondents in the survey cited the leadership issue as "urgent" or "important." the report stated that twenty-first-century leadership is different, and that a shortage of leaders is one of the biggest impediments to growth. The survey also found that companies face challenges in developing millennial and multiple generations of leaders in meeting the growing demand for leaders with global fluency and flexibility. The survey noted additional challenges in identifying leaders who can innovate and inspire others to perform, and who can understand the rapidly changing technologies and resulting new disciplines and fields.
The need for leadership will never go away. The premium on leadership will never be devalued, because leadership is the heartbeat of any company or organization [or government]. Every strong company [or government] has a strong leader and leadership team at the helm. Every one. And every company is looking to develop new and strong leadership, men and women who are capable of leading them in the next generation of their business. Companies are looking for people with vision and foresight and the complex leadership skills to take the company to the next level, maneuver successfully in the market place, and create growth and stability.
And what of governments?
Governments are looking for that same leadership whether it's a civil servant running a governmental department, a City Councillor trying to improve his/her district, a Mayor leading their city into 21st century changes, an MPP seeking to improve services for their province, an MP looking after a portfolio even the Prime Minister him/herself – we need new types and styles of leaders. With a federal election coming up in Canada in October, we would be wise to assess each candidate in their ability to innovate, that has vision, foresight and (hopefully) a track record of producing rather than promising and abandoning. We need leaders who are committed in making ever-lasting changes that will bring about health and prosperity to our country and ultimately through their behavior influence other world leaders to do the same for their respective countries. With our present selection of candidates, are we finding those qualities shining through in their speeches and platforms? Have they historically demonstrated that they are capable in following through? For every voter I think it would be wise to review and assess your understanding of what you think would make a good leader which in turn will enable you to make that vital selection come October 21st – election day.
We have about another decade in which to prepare for the oncoming global emergency and we have a few crisis we're simultaneously passifying monetary crisis, environmental crisis, political and health crisis and when one finally burst through we need our identity leaders who could lead us, help humanity 'emerge' from the 'emergency', to bring forth the new ways for living. Self identified leaders are the only type of leader that can successfully lead us through the challenges that are laid out before us. Too many people are focused on trying to develop leadership skills without coupling those skills with a deep and robust understand of their identity. The world needs self-leaders now more than ever. It's from the self-leaders that the world gets its innovative ideas and creative solutions. Self-leaders aren't swayed by public opinions and live lives of authenticity in their own realities. They lead from who they are, which is the only way to successfully lead. And that style of leadership makes them stand out in a crowd of leaders.
2019 Global Human Capital Trends Survey, Deloitte found that "After nearly 10 years of economic growth, and despite a pervasive corporate focus on digital transformation, 84 percent of respondents told us they need to rethink their workforce experience to improve productivity. And in the face of new pressures to move faster and adapt to a far more diverse workforce, 80 percent believe they need to develop leaders differently…..This year, we believe the pressures that have driven the rise of the social enterprise have become even more acute. They are forcing organizations to move beyond mission statements and philanthropy to learn to lead the social enterprise—and reinvent themselves around a human focus." And when you think of your government(s) you would hope to see shift to reinvent their leadership around around a human focus. Jacinda Arden, is a leading example with her wellness budget, a budget that requires a new way of making decisions. Zuzana Caputova seeking to use the full force of the judicial courts that are under the supervision of the Prime Minister, empowering their efforts to rid themselves of the mafia and organized crime that influence political life and political decision makings of previous leaders. Speaking up when meeting with authoritarian governments plainly stating where she is in disagreement with aspects of their leadership while reaffirming a democratic approach to solving problem and forging new agreements.
Have you often wondered why do we have such poor quality of leaders to choose from? Why do ordinary people vote to return to office undemocratic incumbents? If we don't like a leader we have the power to vote them out of office yet despite knowing the poor decision making and corrupt actions, citizens keep these leaders empowered. Why?
This is especially something we voters would like to think about with this coming election as I sense an unusually high level of voter's apathy among the choice of leaders presented. In the United States I fear the same, Trump will be voted in for a second run….perhaps. Surveys, by political theorist Milan W. Svolik, suggests that many voters are willing to put their partisan interest above democratic principles – a finding that may be key to understanding democratic backsliding. Democratic breakdowns almost always come in one of two very different forms; executive takeovers and military coups. i wrote about this in an earlier blog about the end of democracy and it surely would if we voters give in to our apathy and not demand better leaders to guides through the next extremely and crucial ten years. If we're not happy 'go back to the drawing board and find an appropriate leader – delay the elections until you do.' We have no time for wishy-washy politics.
Here's some prominent recent takeovers that include the subversion of democracy by Hugo Chavez and his successor Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, by Vladimir Putin in Russia and by Recept Tayyip Erodgan in Turkey. The second category of democratic breakdown, the military coup, accounts for 46 cases. The remaining downgrades correspond either to instances of deliberalization in regimes where the executive was not elected int he first place 1(15 cases) or to phenomena best characterized not as democratic breakdowns but rather as the deterioration of state authority due to political instability (21 cases) or escalating civil conflict (14 cases). After the 1990sm however, the relative frequency of executive takeover surged, and they have accounted for four out of every five democratic breakdowns since 2000. And what about Canada? 2015 elections saw the people oust a Prime Minister with whom they thought had 'his day in office" and we voted in a newbie. However, during the past couple of years does anyone see aspects of an executive takeover happening before our very eyes?
Question, what really happened to Tom Mulcair during the 2015 party convention? He was a good runner up to challenge Trudeau. What really happened to Maxime Bernier in the Conservative leadership race? He was number 1 almost up to the 12 round or so? And who the heck is Andrew Scheer? Where did he come from to win on the 13th ballot? Who ever it was that made the decision, wanted a "family man" with conservative and 'church principles' leading the party – not a 'singular' [divorcee] couple -that's why Bernier lost. What really happened with Electoral Reform? and why do we have a marijuana law and not electoral reform? Not only do we need good leaders, we also need a good system to choose the leader who will guide us into the next 10 years of very serious decision-making. How did Jagmeet a very late comer who expressed absolutely no interest to run federally, extremely successful in his position in provincial politics win the leadership race? And why did the military incumbent during the NDP leadership race drop out and did anyone hear his parting words? Why did most of the NDP seniors resign? Who's the "mystery" person that alerted the press about SNC Lavalin? Who's the other "mystery" person who alerted the press about the dispute between Trudeau and JWR about the supreme court judge selection process? What happened to Bill C51 and its changes? What really happened to Barry Sherman and his wife? He's known to meddle in politics a little too much. What recent changes occurred in the Pharmacy Act and how does that affect our ability to compete with patents? Did we have a proper discourse about it? Voters need to remember and ask these questions – this coming election; be curious and ask questions.
Presidential candidate and European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic and Zuzana Caputova
Can Zuzanna Caputova Save Slovakia?
As mentioned earlier, this is exactly what happened with Slovakia's new president, Zuzana Čaputová, with a young and highly inexperienced team, low name recognition, and polls pegging her backing at only 9 percent, was a long shot in Slovakia's presidential election. She was once called the "unknown" girl by the speaker of the National Council. Since her win many observers also see her as a rising star of Central European politics, one who is willing and able to confront right-wing alpha males such as Hungary's Viktor Orban.
Citizens were upset about the corruption in government, the killing of a journalist who tried to report the story, they wanted someone principled and willing to go the extra mile for civility and honest governing. Zuzana's 14 year struggle against the situating of a toxic landfill in her hometown of Pezinok. She was up against the very person who ordered the "hit" on the journalist and won. During her legal fight she met and had to deal with many characters from the opposition. Some fought directly against her and I'm sure no doubt some tried to buy her off or tired to tempt her into crossing over to the other side. For her dedication and tenacity, Čaputová was awarded the 2016 Goldman Environmental Prize.
In Slovakia, the president can also shape the country's currently vulnerable judicial system, with the ability to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court as well as the judicial council. This is a role Zuzana has expressly mentioned that she will use her state power to the fullest to bring about necessary change for her people. "We only have four judges [serving in the Constitutional Court] and we need nine more elected, and Slovakia is waiting for a new president to choose those judges," said Martin Poliacik, a member of the liberal Progressive Slovakia party, of which Caputova is deputy head. He hopes that her success could lead to a further backlash against the tide of populism that has swept much of Europe in recent years. "I think the outcome of these elections will show us how much Slovakia is crying for a change, and not only internally, but for regional civilisation," he said.
"She would give hope to those other countries as well."
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden
New Zealand's Jacinda Arden also gives new hope, demonstrating her ability to go outside-the-box as we saw with her tabling the country's budget for well-being and in her quick response to the act of terrorism by banning guns and creating gun legislation. Electoral competitions often confronts voters with a choice between two valid but potentially conflicting concerns; democratic principles and party interests. The likes of Chavez (Venezuela), Orban (Hungry), and Erodgan (Turkey) excel at exploiting precisely this dilemma. These incumbents ask their supporters to trade off democratic principles for partisan interests, these are primarily about allegiance to a party or a leader they refer to voters' interest in specific economic and social policies. Recent history shows that supporters, unfortunately, would rather tolerate their authoritarian tendencies than back politicians whose platforms these supporters abhor. Then when it is time to punish a leader for his authoritarian tendencies, and it requires voting for a platform of a party or a person that his supporters detest, many will find this too high of a price to pay. They keep their allegiance to the party despite not liking the leader and it is this way of thinking that continues to undermine democracy and that's how these authoritarian leaders get away with their bad behavior. We're seeing it today in Canadian politics, however, there's glimmers of hope in that many who are dissatisfied with the choices presented are willing to take a break from their party to give more power to the Greens.
We have a bit of time folks. Think about it.
October 21st is election time – a time to get Canada back on track.
citizensDARPAelectionsidentityidentity leadershipleadershipneurotechnologySteadman GrahamZuzana Caputova
Published by What Now? Moving From Feminism to Humanism
With a feminist agenda, my creative works captured the imaginations of readers and viewers as I travelled pursuing an artistic career promoting body positivity, natural beauty and the sovereignty of women's bodies through art and photography. I am no longer employed in those fields of work. Having spent almost a decade building my profile in the cultural sector as a public figure, I took some personal time off while handling family obligations. Using the sum of my experience I am now devoted full-time to my writings, social activism, and politics building upon a new definition of 'modern humanism' as seen through the lens of feminism.	View all posts by What Now? Moving From Feminism to Humanism
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That's a great idea for all markers! How creative!
What a great storage solution! Thanks so much for sharing!
AWESOME idea...love your storage solution! I would LOVE to have a copy of your marker document to see how you organized your chart! I am getting a set of copics in the future...and am VERY excited to use them!
wow this is awesome!! I love your storage solution and your copic chart. Fantastic idea I may have to use it.
Maureen, what a great way to store your copics! I don't have near that many (yet!), but that idea is just fantastic!
I absolutely LOVE your storage idea as well as the manilla folder idea. You can bet that I will be using both of these for my Copics! Thank you so much for sharing!
Great thinking! I'm so jealous!
I may have to use some of my birthday money and make a trip to Pier 1. I love that store - you can really find cool things there and re-purpose them to fit your needs. Thanks for sharing!
I love this ! Awesome storage idea which I am going to copy and great idea for your charts, which I am going to copy as well. Thanks for sharing.
Oh I freakin' love this idea. I need that. Right now. It's perfect! I hate how I have mine now but haven't figured out what to do yet. Since the move is in a couple weeks I have time to find myself one of those racks. Pier 1 rules!
Fantastic idea!!! I love it!!
Wow, I have almost the same thing on my desk, but use some stacking bins I bought at the dollar store and then put the cups in there, and just stacked them up!
It really is nice and easy to grab the markers when they are stored this way, easy to see, easy to grab and easy to put back.
I love the way your store your markers!
I love this! I want to use it in my preschool classroom and already picked up a wine rack from Goodwill. Where did you get the tumblers from?
i am doing a series on my blog about unique craft spaces/ideas and would love for you to link this up!
OMG you solved a huge problem for me! I have the very same 3 tiered wine rack that I bought for under $10 at a thrift store only to figure out that I don't drink wine much and if I did I wouldn't ever have that much of it on reserve. I have been trying to figure out what to do with it...almost gave it away. I didn't even think to put something like a cup in it for storage. I might even use some pvc pipe or something along that line too. I am so excited!!! Thanks!
LOVE THIS!! Now I just need to finish organizing my space so I have somewhere to put this... thank you!
LOVE this idea, much better than those boxes that you have to put each marker in it's little slot.
You could probably even get glasses with lids so if you wanted to take your markers with you all you have to do is put the lids on the glasses and they wouldn't spill out while traveling!
Thanks for the BRILLIANT idea!!
LOVE this idea. Much better than those Copic boxes where you have to put each marker in it's own little slot.
You could probably even get cups that have lids so if you wanted to take your markers to a class all you would have to do is put the lids on the glasses to keep them from spilling out while traveling!
I just found this from Pinterest!! This would be a great way for me to store coloring supplies in my classroom! And I love all your colorful markers!
I WANT THIS! :) Im going to be a first year teacher this year and trying to find ways to store my markers and other things, this is a great idea!
I've been looking for a way to store my markers...I love this idea! How creative! How much was the wine rack? I am a new follower and think I will really enjoy your blog!
Great idea! I got to make myself one of those!
I love the idea. I have the wine racks but am having a hard time finding glasses to fit. Do your glasses fit completely or do the go close to the back and then tied?
Seriously? Wow! That's really creative and they make a colorful storage space. I'm not sure what alternative you can use for the office though. But I want this!
I actually own that wine rack and was about to throw it out because I don't drink. Now I will suggest this to my artist daughter!
That is awesome. I linked back here from Pinterest. I have seen so many crappy solutions to the copic marker storage issue, but this one rocks!
Both ideas are great! I think I will give them a try. Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow nifty..I searched high and low and ended up with commercial holder that was cheap and effective, but they all are kinda pricey, or bulky! You are VERY creative.
Wow! I am thinking of getting one for the vanity in my dressing area.
Awesome storage idea. I just replicated it in my photography studio in my fashion illustration area. I wish I could post a photo to show everyone. Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous solution for storing our markers.


text:
Title: Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume. 34, Number 14. July 21, 1971
The Wellington Committee on Vietnam has voted in favour of a proposal by The Student Anti-War Movement that the July 30th Mobilisation be silent.
On July 30th we march against the involvement of New Zealand and U.S. troops in what is perhaps the most tragic and irresponsible war of all time. Primarily we march in protest; in individual and united protest against our Government's commitment of troops to the Indochinese war. But protest must be something more, than the releasing of our own sentiment—it must communicate—it must prompt each person who sees or hears of our protest to consider what we endeavour to say.
The mass chanting of April 30th perhaps gave the march unity, but it was a unity impenetrable to many. The chant is an aggression easily countered by a similar aggression. Even many who also wished to protest could not accept this form of protest.
On July 30th we march in silence. Silence is also aggressive, but in a way not easily countered. By our marching we protest—by our silence we express much more of our feeling of tragedy and concern. We begin to truly communicate.


text:
Noise often impacts visitors' experiences
Posted May 9, 2008 By FARAH DOSANI
Listen to the call of the wild and you might not hear what you expect.
Leaves and commercial jets rustle in the wind. Water and motorboats rush through the streams. Birds and cars make their presence known to their surroundings.
In a 1998 survey conducted by the National Park Service, 72 percent of visitors stated that one of the most important reasons for having national parks is to provide opportunities to experience the natural quiet and sounds of nature. Yet, visitors are often greeted with more than what they had expected.
Soundscape inventory is taken using acoustical monitoring equipment in Hawaii's Haleakala National Park (Photo by Damon Joyce, courtesy of the National Park Service).
"When you get out in the backcountry area, people do not want to hear cell phones ringing or their boom box on," said Vicki McCusker, a planner for the Natural Sounds Program Unit of the National Park Service
The natural ambience is being threatened by human-generated sound. Although aircraft overflights are often considered the major offender, motorboats, cars, snowmobiles as well as loud music are frequently deemed as sources of the noise pollution in parks.
"They are really not that loud," said Jared Withers, a physical scientist at Denali National Park in Alaska. "They seem very apparent because it is so quiet otherwise. The impact really comes from the frequency of the interruptions."
Biscayne National Park in South Florida is the largest marine park in the system and boat usage is high. Park Ranger Astrid Goderich recognized that, at "concentrated levels," the noise becomes a problem.
Like the animals and natural environment, the soundscape at American national parks is seen as valuable resource that requires protection under the NPS mission.
Because it is considered an essential resource to animals and humans alike, disruptions have consequently led to adverse impacts on them both.
In recent years, there has been an acknowledgement of the effects that human-generated noise has produced on wild animals and their way of life. Although the intensity varies among species, there are studies being carried out in order to further our understanding of this problem.
Each Columbus Day Weekend, hundreds of boats gather off of Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park (Photo by Gary Breman, courtesy of the National Park Service).
Human-caused sounds affect the way animals communicate and this cascades into many problems, said McCusker. The introduction of loud noise leads to complications in predator-prey relationships, where one cannot hear the other. Stress levels in animals have also been seen to increase when exposed to constant sources of noise.
Negative repercussions specifically in aquatic life have also been identified.
Recent University of Miami Law School graduate Jeff Vogel earned a joint degree in law and marine affairs and policy. He specializes in marine acoustics. Vogel said that noise appears to have harmful physiological and behavioral effects on aquatic animals.
Recreational boating and the movement of the propellers in the water are seen as major problems. When the propeller moves in the water, it creates air space that eventually moves to the surface and causes the water column below to collapse.
Multiple exposures to this, Vogel said, have been linked to hearing loss for dolphins and manatees. With this decrease in perception, chances for survival are slim and this ultimately results in increased mortality.
Sound pollution is seen as a problem with visitors of national parks as well. Its impact on human beings goes beyond annoyance.
"Noise causes stress," said Ron Lai, after hearing a boat docking in Biscayne National Park. A native New Yorker, Lai has visited more than 50 national parks and appreciates the quiet.
McCusker described how studies are being conducted in order to get a better idea not only on the irritation of noise, but rather the benefits of natural sounds. She mentions the days following Sept. 11, 2001. With no planes flying, numbers of people commented on the quiet. They did not realize the magnitude of the noise that humans contribute to their surroundings.
A cutthroat trout leaping at LeHardy Rapids in Yellowstone National Park (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service).
Following the mid-air collision in 1986 over the Grand Canyon, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stepped in. As the policy for overflights came under review, the NPS and FAA also took the opportunity to manage the noise they were generating.
In efforts to reverse the trend of increasing noise in parks, the Natural Sounds Program was established in 2000 as a unit of the National Park Service.
A lot of what the Natural Sounds Program works towards is generating a baseline for the natural ambience. If parks want to be restored to their natural soundscape, they have to determine what "natural" means. This is achieved by conducting long-term acoustic monitoring by continuous recording of specific areas.
When processing the recordings, they play them back and look for signals that indicate patterns. After observing the frequencies and removing the human-caused sounds, you are left with the natural ambience of the environment.
Once the baseline is established it is used to determine the condition of parks as well as dictate policies that need to be implemented or changed within them. Parks have already been seen making these adjustments.
With the passage of the National Park Air Tour Management Act in 2000, the FAA has been working with NPS in efforts to create air tour management plans for each park. McCusker estimated that there are 50 to 80 parks in need of one.
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona was the first to be targeted. Park ranger and spokesperson Maureen Oltrogge described the installation of flight corridors above the canyon in order to mitigate the noise. It is a move that she said will reduce the concentration of overflights and allow people to better hear the "natural sounds and not the ones we have created."
Backcountry hikers travel to Denali National Park to escape the noise of urban areas and experience the natural ambiance (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service).
Yellowstone National Park in Montana has addressed the issue with snowmobiles in the wintertime by prohibiting their private use. Operation is limited to those with a contracted guide company, which defines the numbers in use. This along with the usage of more quiet snowmobiles has led to a decrease in noise pollution.
Yet for some parks, policy changes are not all feasible.
In Biscayne National Park, reducing boat usage currently does not appear to be an option. The park is in an expanding urban area and just south of greater Miami.
"It is part of our soundscape," said Goderich. Because most places are only accessible by boat, "[hearing] a boat going by in a park that is 95 percent water makes sense."
Likewise, in the middle of the vast Alaskan wilderness, small aircraft are deemed more necessary for daily life and are thus given more rights. As a result, Denali National Park is not under the jurisdiction of the Air Tour Management Act and has been allowed to devise a plan specific to their park.
With the obstacles they face, park officials working with soundscape preservation still remain optimistic in completely restoring the natural ambience of parks.
"Complete restoration involves changes in people's behavior, technology" and cooperation from agencies outside the park service, said McCusker.
Withers estimates that the natural ambience could be restored within 100 years.
"With technological improvements the opportunity may be there," he said. "In the long term, I think it is possible, but on short term we'll be searching for a compromise."
The tranquility and solitude of Grand Canyon National Park has been threatened by their frequent overflights (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service).
Although there is much speculation on how to go about the preservation of the soundscape, most agree that the value of undisrupted sounds of nature goes unparalleled.
Withers believes that national parks provide the opportunity to experience tranquility and solitude.
"People in the urban world forget what it is actually like," he said. "It is the most important thing the park can offer."
REPRESENTATIVE SOUND LEVELS AT NATIONAL PARKS
Threshold of human hearing
Volcano crater – Haleakala National Park
Leaves rustling – Canyonlands National Park
Crickets (5 m) – Zion National Park
Suburbs – Night
Suburbs – Day
Conversational Speech (5 m) – Whitman Mission National Historical Site
Snowcoach (30 m) – Yellowstone National Park
Military jet (120 m) – Yukon-Charley Rivers National Park
Source: National Park Service.
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text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Shiregreen, Hinde House School is within the South Yorkshire council area, an example local postcode is S5 0TW. Shown below is information about bus, express coach and rail transport (plus a few other local facilities) around Shiregreen, Hinde House School.
There are 4 local bus services from Shiregreen, Hinde House School, listed here.
Click here to book National Express services from Shiregreen.
Click here for train bookings and services from the nearest station to Shiregreen, Hinde House School.
A map of Shiregreen can be found here. To buy local maps of Shiregreen click here. You can also obtain an Ordnance Survey map centered on Shiregreen.
Various accommodation is available local to Shiregreen such as Premier Inn, Travelodge. For more accommodation options, click here.
Advice about attractions and hotels near Shiregreen from Trip Advisor is available here, taxis can be booked here. Books about Shiregreen are available here.
Destinations by direct local bus from Shiregreen, Hinde House School.


text:
Paris truffle find hailed as boon for urban gardeners
by News Hour Correspondent - Dec 24, 2017
French gourmets were celebrating Friday after a wild truffle was discovered for what experts said was the first time ever in Paris. The discovery in a hotel roof garden in the shadow of...
Sugary drinks linked to obesity
If you are consuming a lot of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), stop doing so. It may make you obese or overweight, a study has confirmed. A new review of the latest evidence on SSBs...
Gold prices rise again in Bangladesh
Gold prices have gone up just two weeks after they were revised down earlier in December. The price of 1 Bhori (11.664 grams) of 22-carat gold has increased by Tk 1,400. Similar price...
Brief burst of exercise boosts brain power
Students may please take note that exercising for a brief period before writing a test or going for an interview may improve performance. Researchers have found that just 10 minutes of exercise can...
Indonesia's Bali volcano spews thick smoke, ashes
Indonesia's Bali volcano of Mount Agung spewed thick smoke and ashes billowing 2.5 kilometer into the air on Sunday morning, following similar event that occurred on Saturday at almost the same time. The...
Wagamama apology for 'don't be sick' staff notice
Restaurant chain Wagamama has apologised after a manager warned workers they face disciplinary action for calling in sick over Christmas. A note on a rota at a London branch of the restaurant chain...
Digital survey by BRAC to reduce land related disputes
Inadequate implementation of land related laws, lack of information, faulty land surveys and land records are some of the major challenges preventing delivery of proper land related services to the citizens. Along with...
2 accidents on Egypt's roads killed at least 26 people
Two accidents on Egypt's roads have killed at least 26 people in three days, authorities said. A collision Saturday involving a minibus on a desert road 145 kilometers (90 miles) south of Cairo...
Field Farm Fisheries' 'no Polish' sign taken down
The owner of a fishery which displayed a sign banning Polish and "Eastern bloc" anglers says it has been taken down after his family received threats. Billy Evans of Field Farm Fisheries said...
Rohingya arrivals in Bangladesh hits 655,000 before winter
On Christmas day it will be four months since the start of the influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh. Latest figures show 655,000 people have arrived in that period, bringing the estimated total...
Tweets by @newshourbd


text:
Osiris Sinuhé González Romero, Ph.D
Osiris Sinuhé González Romero. PhD candidate at Leiden University, he has been involved in psychedelic research since 2008. He is working on the book: "New Essays on History and Philosophy of Psychedelics." He is part of the Chacruna Chronicles editorial team.
Latest posts by Osiris Sinuhé González Romero, Ph.D (see all)
María Sabina, Mushrooms, and Colonial Extractivism – May 27, 2021
María Sabina, Mushrooms, and Colonial Extractivism
María Sabina, Mushrooms, and Colonial Extractivism - May 27, 2021
"Who was María Sabina?"
"What kind of wisdom is necessary to find healing in the sacred mushrooms?"
No doubt these are questions that many people have asked themselves. To satisfy that curiosity, I share with you the ideas and experiences of María Sabina. She is undeniably the best-known Mazatec sage, but despite her notoriety she remains poorly understood.
Archaeological evidence and historical sources have demonstrated how Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec civilizations used sacred mushrooms.
Indigenous knowledge about mushrooms is not a pearl of isolated or fortuitous wisdom, but is deeply rooted in ancient Mesoamerican tradition. Archaeological evidence and written historical sources have demonstrated the use of sacred mushrooms by the Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec civilizations.
Codex Vindobonensis, Mixtec Culture, Slide 24.
The Encounter with the Sacred Mushrooms
María Sabina's first encounter with sacred mushrooms occurred when she was six or seven years old (circa 1900) when one of her uncle's became ill. To cure him, his family called for a sage (Chotá-a-Tchi-née). This physician-sage had the power to diagnose the sick person, to whom he would feed several pairs of mushrooms. The mushrooms were distributed in pairs to represent the idea of duality and the archetype of the primordial couple. The purpose of having the patient ingest the mushrooms is to learn the origin of his condition so the patient can contribute to the healing process. "A Mazatec 'shaman' guides through prayers and chants the one who has decided to 'realize' the cause of his ills, and to watch over the good development of the ritual."
The physician-sage performed a ceremony or "velada" to cure María Sabina's uncle. She watched as he lit the candles and spoke with the "guardians of the hills" and the "guardians of the springs." She saw how he distributed the mushrooms among the adults and her uncle. Once in complete darkness, she heard the wise man talk and talk and sing, although it was different from the language he used every day.
Mountains, springs, and plants are endowed with life and personality. Therefore, they are sacred entities with which it is possible to communicate through a ritual language.
These cultural traits belong to the ancient Mesoamerican tradition, which recognizes that the mountains, springs, and plants are endowed with life and personality. They are sacred entities with which it is possible to communicate through a ritual language.
A few days after the healing ceremony, María Sabina was with her sister María Ana tending the family's chickens to protect them from foxes. Sitting under a tree, she recognized some mushrooms just like the ones eaten by the physician-sage who cured her uncle, and little by little, she began to gather them.
On that first occasion, she ingested the sacred mushrooms together with her sister. After experiencing some dizziness, both girls began to cry; however, once the dizziness disappeared, they both felt fine and were very happy.
María Sabina reports that she felt a new lease on life. In the following days, she says that when they felt hungry, they ingested the mushrooms and felt a full stomach and a happy spirit.
Together with her sister, they continued to eat the mushrooms as they went into the bush. Sometimes their mother or grandparents would find the girls lying down or kneeling. Then, finally, the adults would pick up the girls and take them home. Still, they were never scolded or beaten for eating the sacred mushrooms because the Mazatec people knew it was not good to scold people who had ingested them. After all, it can provoke mixed feelings in them. For example, they may feel that they are going crazy.
Art by Mariom Luna.
The Encounter with the Principal Beings
It was not until she was widowed for the first time that María Sabina got closer to the wisdom of the sacred mushrooms. During the first years of her widowhood, she began to experience discomfort in her waist and hips due to childbirth. She decided to retake the sacred mushrooms to cure herself. However, the decisive moment for reaffirming her vocation was when her sister María Ana became ill. Among the most severe symptoms were pains and spasms in the belly. To relieve her, she called other wise men and healers, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
María Sabina knew that the Mazatecs used sacred mushrooms to alleviate illnesses, so she decided to do the ritual herself. According to testimony recounted by Mazatec writer Álvaro Estrada, she said: "To her, I gave three pairs. I ate many, to give me immense power. I can't lie, I must have eaten thirty pairs of derrumbe mushrooms." According to scientific literature, contemporary Mazatecs know and use at least ten different species of psychoactive mushrooms. The most well known are: "derrumbe" (psilocibe caerulescens) and "pajarito" (psilocibe mexicana).
Undoubtedly, this experience was crucial because, in addition to achieving the purpose of relieving her sister, María Sabina had a vision in which six to eight characters appeared that inspired tremendous respect in her. "I knew they were 'the Principal Beings' my ancestors were talking about," she stated.
Ancestors are the bearers of knowledge, wisdom, and experience for Indigenous peoples. Consequently, they are the front line of teachers, facilitators, and guides, and are distinguished for having left a legacy. In the case of María Sabina, her legacy is directly related to the power of healing with the help of sacred mushrooms.
The revelation that occurred during that ceremony would be decisive in consolidating María Sabina's vocation, as the news of her sister's healing spread among the inhabitants of Huautla.
A remarkable fact is that this legacy of wisdom appeared to María Sabina in the form of a book. According to María Sabina's testimony, the Principal Beings surrounded a table on which an open book appeared, which grew to the size of a person. It was white, so white that it glowed, and on its pages were letters. It was not just any book, as Estrada reports: "One of the Principal Beings spoke to me and said: María Sabina, this is the Book of Wisdom. It is the Book of Language. All it contains is for you. The Book is yours, take it to work with."
This revelation was decisive in consolidating María Sabina's vocation. The news of her sister's healing spread among the inhabitants of Huautla, the village where she lived, who sought her out more and more frequently to help them heal their sick family members.
Another remarkable aspect of María Sabina's story is her recognition of Western medicine. For her, there was no opposition between traditional medicine and Western medicine, but rather a complementary relationship. She also held this to be the case with the spirituality coming from the Mesoamerican tradition and the tradition coming from Christianity. On one occasion María Sabina was shot twice and was taken to the village doctor, a young man called Salvador Guerra. He used anesthesia and removed the bullets, she was amazed and grateful to the doctor, and they later became friends, and she even performed a mushrooms ceremony for him.
Discover Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative of the Americas
The Encounter with Robert Gordon Wasson
It was her prestige within her community that led to María Sabina's encounter with Robert Gordon Wasson in 1955. Wasson had been in Oaxaca before, and even to Huautla inquiring about the ritual uses of sacred mushrooms. Their encounter marked a critical moment for studying and understanding sacred mushrooms' ritual and therapeutic uses.
In both writings for a general audience and in scientific literature of Western culture, there was a belief that these rituals had disappeared with colonization, which was inaccurate. That is why the meeting between María Sabina and Wasson is of particular significance. According to Wasson's testimony: "There is no indication that any white man has ever attended a session such as the one we are about to describe, nor has he ever consumed the sacred mushrooms under any circumstances."
In this encounter, it is worth highlighting the asymmetry of power. Wasson was a banker who became vice president of J.P. Morgan, with abundant resources to finance his expeditions. At the same time, María Sabina was a recognized sage in her community. Still, she did not charge a fixed amount of money when she performed her "ceremonies" with sacred mushrooms. Instead, she was under pressure to accept to meet with Gordon Wasson by the municipal trustee of Huautla. In an interview with Alberto Ongaro in 1971, Wasson admitted that the Mazatec sage had been asked to perform the ceremony by the trustee, Don Cayetano. She felt she had no choice. "I should have said no."
"The encounter between María Sabina and Robert Gordon Wasson represents one of the most critical events in the history of research on the uses of psychedelic plants."
The pressure put on María Sabina was later corroborated in an interview she gave to Álvaro Estrada in 1976: "It is true that before Wasson, no one spoke so freely about children [sacred mushrooms]. None of our people revealed what they knew about this matter. But I obeyed the municipal trustee. However, if the foreigners had arrived without any recommendation, I would also have shown them my wisdom because there is nothing wrong."
The encounter between María Sabina and Robert Gordon Wasson represents one of the most critical events in the history of research on the uses of psychedelic plants. Mainly because of its cultural repercussions, which are far from being understood or even acknowledged. Their encounter represents an opportunity to learn about the scope and depth of the wisdom of the Indigenous peoples whom María Sabina's gift represented. It also provides a chance to reflect on some ethical aspects, such as cultural extractivism, that a decolonial approach cannot leave aside.
María Sabina and Robert Gordon Wasson
Their meeting also gives us an opportunity to reflect on the role of women in psychedelic research, notably the frequently overlooked expertise of Valentina Pavlovna Wasson. She earned a PhD and had a broad knowledge in the field of mycology. Unfortunately, she was not present in the first encounter with María Sabina according to the available information. In her This Week magazine article in 1957, Valentina only briefly mentioned her husband's encounter with a "shaman," and her goal was to describe the mushrooms experience in a non-ceremonial context. Furthermore, due to Valentina's premature death in 1958 is highly possible that these women never met.
It is essential to insist on historical reparations for Indigenous communities for the use of mushrooms.
Perhaps above all, their meeting exhibits an asymmetry of power between the former J.P. Morgan vice-president banker and an Indigenous woman. Although she surpassed him in wisdom, she did not have the same recognition during his lifetime. While Wasson obtained recognition, prestige, and worldwide fame for "discovering" the sacred mushroom, María Sabina lived with the stigma of "revealing" their secrets to an outsider. There was such anger towards her in her community; some unknown people burned her house; a drunk man murdered her son. Years later, in 1985, she died in impoverished conditions, which did not reflect her contributions to the knowledge of psychedelic plants. That is why it is essential to insist on "historical reparations" for the expropriation of mushrooms from Indigenous communities, as Mazatec researcher Osiris García Cerqueda has proposed.
Recognizing the "colonial traces" in the psychedelic renaissance is essential to reflect on these persistent ethical issues, which should not be forgotten or left aside. Confronting these historical legacies is necessary to reverse the undesirable effects of discrimination, cultural appropriation, and lack of recognition.
It is no exaggeration to say that from the perspective of Indigenous peoples, psychedelic research on the therapeutic properties of psilocybin, and the development of related pharmaceuticals have a history linked to extractivism, cultural appropriation, bio-piracy, and colonization.
Let this small text serve as a tribute and recognition of the wise women of all of Mexico's Indigenous peoples.
Art by Trey Brasher.
WomensHistory
Esther Jean Langdon: Half a Century of Research About Shamanism and Ayahuasca
Psychoactive Mushrooms in Mexico: Overview of Ecology and Ethnomycology
Psilocybin Mushroom Policy Review Panel: 2021 Comprehensive Report


text:
using System;

namespace OrchardCore.Flows.Models
{
    public class BagPartSettings
    {
        public string[] ContainedContentTypes { get; set; } = Array.Empty<string>();
        public string DisplayType { get; set; }
    }
}


Local Maine honey from Swan's Honey in Albion. They have great bees - in fact, they're the bee's knees of bees! (Sorry, we could not resist.) we take this amaing honey and then encase it in a dark chocolate shell. Why, it's practically health food! As this wonderful Maine honey is raw and unfiltered it will sometimes crystallize. There's nothing wrong with it. It's just the way natural honey is! Delicious! 12 buttons per package.