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The definition of Hell
is sitting through another panel on "how to monetize your wine blog." It just happened again–it's baack–at the recent Wine Bloggers Conference (which I did not attend).
Personally, I'd prefer to be covered in honey and eaten alive by red ants.
How do I know that the WBC monetization panel was boring if I wasn't there? Because some things are knowable in themselves. I know the sun is shining someplace even though right now Oakland is covered in fog. I know that Jennifer Anniston's marriage will not last, if it even happens. And I know that the topic of monetizing a wine blog is contentlessly bankrupt. There just isn't anything more to be said about it, so let's stop pretending it's somehow worth an hour of anyone's time.
Actually, I do have an inkling of what happened at the WBC monetization panel because the great Joe Roberts put up this video of what he said there. I watched and listened. Joe has been exploring the Terra Incognita of the monetization waters like Columbus sailing the ocean sea, in search of new worlds and new riches. He is going where no man has gone before (well, except for Gary Vaynerchuk). Joe's advice, if I may be so bold as to summarize it, is two-fold: You can monetize your blog by taking advertising, but this will always be limited, because wine blogs will always have limited audiences and so the pay won't be all that great.
Or you can "monetize yourself." Now we get to the nugget of making money. "Be your awesome self. People will start to call you. Producers will ask you to create content on their sites…The more unique your voice, the more likely you are to get those calls and get some of those gigs and charge a higher rate." Let's not forget speaking fees as well.
I call this the Paris Hilton or Kardashian phenomenon: Be famous for being famous. (Gary V. pioneered this too.) Your talent, such as it is, consists in the ability to become known. Then it builds on itself. Once you're known, you become knowner. People call you up, not particularly for your wine expertise, but because they want you to tell them how you became famous, and so you build a lecture series based on…how to become known! Or how to use the tools of SEO to optimize traffic on your blog…which makes you even more known.
Well, this certainly wasn't how wine writers got known in the past. But who am I to judge? We're living in new times, which require, I'm told, new tools. I'm trying to master those tools myself. So I take my hat off to Joe Roberts. Really, I do. He said two years ago he was going to make it in this racket and he seems to be doing it. Well done, Joe.
* * *
And speaking of social media, let's headline this part:
Do you give more than you receive?
The key to success in the social media sphere, it turns out, is the same as it's always been, from the Bible to the Golden Rule to the Beatles ("the love you take is equal to the love you make"):
"Create more value than you capture." That's the received wisdom from Tim O'Reilly, who runs O'Reilly Media, as reported today in Fast Company.
His theory is that "authenticity"–that Holy Grail of social media–"comes more from giving, not getting." If you're just a consumer, feeding off other people's tweets, posts and comments instead of giving your followers, readers and friends more content than you're consuming, then you'll never "get" social media or succeed at it.
I've been accused in certain circles of not "getting" social media, so this message hit me, and made me think. At first I was guilt-struck: Gee, maybe I am consuming more than I'm producing, which would make me a social media parasite.
But then I realized how much I'm actively tweeting–several times a day–and posting to Facebook–ditto–and then there's this little blog (give 'til it hurts), and I thought, Just how much more am I supposed to give?
Question: When it comes to social media, how do you know if you're giving enough?
Steve, tweeting several times a day does make a SM expert. I also don't know that any one that said you were a SM parasite. I do think that your perspective is interesting because your taking the same road just in reverse. You're trying to social media-ize yourself. You've already gotten the monetization down. You obviously think SM is important or you wouldn't be trying so hard to use it. Just like bloggers that think making money is important.
Steve – you're close on this but missed something pretty fundamental: you don't get calls for being known only, you get them for the combination of skills that you bring. In my case, I am not he best taster, critic, writer, or video guy, etc. But I can combine them well, and I have some chops in each; it's the combo. that makes me, as a 'hire-able' package, compelling to some folks with money. I'm not there yet, but I'm getting there slowly, and continually trying to improve. I do appreciate the mention, as always!
Wrong again… Jennifer Anniston's marriage will last.
Years ago, at the first wine bloggers conference, I said, if you want to monetize your blog, get a job in the wine industry. I know I sounded like I had just come in from Mars, when in reality I had just come in from 15 years of being in the wine business. I know well how it works.
I'm with you on the definition of hell… Stop bringing in "stars," because they attract bees to the honey, and bring in wine pros who are doing it. Then everyone can stop meditating on their navels on this one.
Steve, I want to start off by saying that I don't have any axe to grind with you. We met briefly at the 2010 Wine Bloggers Conference, and I found you very kind and enjoyed speaking with you. I find you talented and enjoy your perspective. That said, I feel like you repeatedly project some kind of baggage into these issues that seems to distract you from understanding what is really being said.
The idea of using a body of work to sell your skills and abilities to a perspective employer is far from new. Every artist, copywriter, etc. who has had to look for a job is familiar with the concept of a portfolio. It just so happens that bloggers use their blog and other electronic media as their portfolios. Although it has been a small sample thus far, there have been several bloggers who have leveraged their work online to pursue career opportunities within various avenues of the wine world, myself included. For some of us that means writing for more mainstream publications, for some it means working for wineries, and for some it means starting a wine label. These are all cases where people have used their body of work to aid in monetizing themselves. The concept is not new, only the tools being used to accomplish these goals.
The great irony of "social media" is that Steve Heimoff is the best at it. (PPPE)
I only recently pulled my head out of the sand and joined twitter to promote my new blog. Over the last week, I've been pouring through wordpress books and pulling my hair out over all this stuff. I've come to the point where I just don't care if I monetize my site. That isn't the reason I'm blogging. I'm blogging to share a different perspective on wine.
And I totally agree with you about being famous just for being famous. You should have some expertise on your subject matter. I've read wine blogs with blatantly incorrect information. I always want to say something, but never do. The worst offenders are the "natural wine" people.
And this is why I normally never say anything, because now I'll probably get flamed by the natural wine lovers.
We're all just finding our own paths, and I guess we should just let the free market sort out the garbage, but unfortunately there's a lot of garbage out there.
Jennifer Aniston seems like a nice girl.
Jordan and I are friends and he does amazing work. The fact that he is not leveraging those tools to help elevate his game is not a positive but rather a missed opportunity.
Thanks, Steve – I know it's all good.
I just don't understand how my panel and the related video got looped into your conclusions about being famous and leveraging fame to talk about how to get famous. I mean, we covered NONE of that in that session. We talked about these topics:
– SEO to increase readership (essential for ad revenue)
– How to leverage your brand to propose books and eBooks and using them as revenue streams
– Ad networks that are suited to wine blogs, and affiliate networks that are suited to wine blogs that benefit the network, the affiliate and the readers
– Leveraging any brand capital (monetizing yourself) to get hired to do other things (speaking on topics like the nexus of wine and other things, which I do from time to time and get paid to do; writing content for industry blogs or e-tailers or wine producers on their outlets; traditional writing gigs).
The only intersection of that and the culture of fame (which I've got nothing against, by the way) is leveraging the brand capital you can build up – the public face of your knowledge and expertise, etc. – after you've built it up on your blog.
For the latter, this is NO DIFFERENT than what you've done with WE, for example. You get paying gigs to speak, write, etc. because of your position at WE, which is part of your personal brand.
I'm just scratching my head at how this got twisted into something else entirely?
I should add that I see no difference in building credibility from Jordan's standpoint (I also count him as a friend) and mine, excepting that Jordan is much more talented than I am. SEO gets you superficial traffic, potential fans, not cred. If you don't have chops, people will not stick around, and you will not build cred. Ok, that is all! 😉
I think Joe is doing a great job in building his reputation as a leader in wine media and therefore his brand marketability as has Alder Yarrow, Leslie Sbrocco and a few others who have pursued the social media star path. As such he is defining a new genre of expertise. Giving up the day job to throw yourself into something different takes courage, commitment and vision; but there is little choice when you are suddenly going everywhere people pay you to go. I watched his video as well, and the explanation of writing about wine online as a "niche of a niche of a niche", with a narrow level of interest for readership is concise.
Like you, I am weary of the 'web ad as monetization' mantra. When I started blogging (literally the morning of the first WBC), I had just left a career where I wrote extensively about the wines I tasted. At the time I saw blogging as a temporary bridge to what I would do next which would likely involve getting back to influential writing about wine. Like many attendees, I signed up for the 'monetizing your blog' session at WBC1. Afterwards I wasn't satisfied that the only solution being discussed was web-based ads. I didn't drink the kool-aid then, and as my brand has evolved in ways I hadn't fully anticipated in 2008, I am pleased that what I now write is still free of advertising, completely supported by subscribers and done on my own terms.
Given the sheer number of bloggers that continues to enter the ranks I think it is inevitable that excellence will rise to the top and create opportunity for certain writers in genres that neither you, Joe, or I can fathom. However, it isn't realistic that the message of 'being your awesome self' will immediately translate into success. You need to work your butt off and be recognized as a resource.
Steve – great writing speaks for itself but distribution is the fundamental tool that powers all business. Writing is a business as well as an art. Social networks, SEO, etc are all parts of distribution. Not using them is missing an opportunity to expand your audience and establish your presence in an ever increasing digital world. Again, if they are not being used it is a missed opportunity to broaden the audience and expose more readers to the quality work of the writer. Simple math.
Another important nugget: We all want to be validated, and getting 'pursued' by those who want you to be part of their event, write or contribute in another way may be very attractive to those who are new to it, but there is the risk of becoming over-exposed and diluting your identity/worth if it doesn't fit within the framework of what your goals are. Learning to say 'no' was one of the best pieces of advice I was ever offered.
Steve, not all of us who are writing wine blogs have any desire to write in traditional media, or to enter the speaking circuit. My desire was to move into the wine industry. I ultimately want to become a winemaker, and my chosen path is a combination of apprenticeship and formal education. I chose to use a blog as a way to gain attention and credibility from those in the industry and to gain a foothold with a winery. It took a couple of years, but I found a position marketing for a winery here in Washington that is also allowing me to gain experience on the production side of the business. I can directly trace my ability to get a job in the industry to my blog.
My point would be that not everyone who writes a blog is doing it with the same goals, but there are several different ways that a person can "monetize themselves" outside of selling ads or becoming a social media guru.
My conclusion after reading Steve's blog post and the subsequent replies is that Jennifer Aniston should probably start blogging.
This post is right on target, except I really think Gary V was more interested in selling wine-and later demonstrating his expertise for the sake of building an agency-than just being famous. What about Jordan Winery? It just won best winery blog at the Wine Blogger Awards but I don't think they are in it for the fame. They are monetizing their blog by communicating their story, and hopefully winning over the hearts of consumers. An audience that cares about and trusts what you have say can be leveraged in many profitable ways—whether it be getting a job in the wine biz (like Ben), opening a tasting bar (Josh Wade) or being an awesome wine personality (1WineDude).
As someone who also blogs but sits on the sidelines when it comes conferences: ditto, Steve… so much talky talky. But now that you mention learning "new tools," I can't get this image of Joe Roberts out of my head — wearing a tool belt like Al the Toolman…
Please Pardon the Prepositional Ending
Randy – HA!!!!
Steve, Really?
Don't you think that saying the seminar was boring when you weren't there is a little like someone saying they never saw "Friends" but new it wouldn't be funny?
I was there and I can tell you it wasn't boring. And clearly people are interested or there would not be an audience.
As for Joe, he's a fantastic speaker–dynamic, engaging and charismatic. I'd be happy to listen to him talk about wine or travel or whatever because he's good. And I applaud him for exploring new paths and encouraging others to do the same!
Back to the seminar, I think there are a lot of people who really have no idea what to do with the passion they possess. They maybe know how to start a blog, but then they don't know where to go from there. They need someone else to inspire them to take the next steps and some guidance on how to get there. And, let's face it if you don't have a national magazine as a platform it can be tough to get a little love for a blog.
Ps. I love the Jennifer Anniston comments!
Randy, as Joe writes for Playboy dot com now maybe the Tool Time girl – a la Pam Anderson – is a more apt comparison, even if she is taller…
Joe, somewhere in this very long comments section you say: If you don't have chops, people will not stick around, and you will not build cred. – How does Gary V fit in that equation? I'm a Jets fan too, but all that bs sniffy sniffy and no real information about the wines on libraryTV?
Steve, I think what you are lamenting about social media, monetizing and wine is parallel to what is occurring in the wine industry as a whole – very sadly indeed.
I pray that I am never thought of as a Gary Vannabe!
Lori & Ben & Paul M. – THANKS!!!
Kyle – agreed!
cmiller – Have you ever tasted with Gary? That man knows his wine, no doubt whatsoever in my mind. He also galvanized thousands of people into exploring wine (not easy to do), and his keynote addresses are amazing. I came to similar places he did in terms of valuing online engagement, but came to them a separate way, so that by the time I read his books and talked with him a few times in person, we realized we connected genuinely. And he's been a supporter of mine because of that, despite the fact that I've been very public about not watching his vids, etc. Bottom line: he has speaking, tasting, engagement, and biz idea chops. So… *that* is how I'd explain Gary :).
Steve H. – My new definition of hell is getting my ideas and words twisted by people who haven't watched, read, or attended, and then having to deal with the pile-on from people who also haven't watched, read, or attended. It's getting exhausting when it happens; I'm going to be brutally honest, I luv ya but it's why I don't visit here much these days unless you're talking about wine and your life and your work, which are much more interesting to me and resonate a lot more with me.
Is "Monetize" even a word? If you are using a wine blog to get a job, I have a better idea for you – get a job! As another 20-year veteran of the wine industry, I know that nothing can replace hard work, long hours, and pounding the pavement for that sale, that interview, that job. Is this a generational thing?
Susan B. – yes, but the proper definition isn't the one that's commonly used with respect to making money form online endeavors.
As for anything said in my video or during the WBC panel that led you to believe any of it was easy, or didn't involve talent, hustle, gumption, a good work ethic, etc., I apologize; because it shouldn't have been in there. The ONLY things that remotely qualify as "easy" are access to the platforms and the low barriers to entry online. I might have opportunities trying to find me now, but that is ONLY because I worked my butt off to establish 1WineDude.com and myself as meaningful "brands" in the wine space in the U.S. When I get contacted, it's usually either because someone wants my particular style or voice to be applied to their project, or they're interested in somehow getting access (through me) to the people who are interested in what I have to say every month (those visitors the ones to whom I owe anything and everything, and continually I'm astonished and humbled at the number of them).
As for any of this being generational, I've no idea how old you are so I can't comment on that. I was taught to work my butt off, and it's what I'm teaching my daughter, so my answer I suppose is "I doubt it." 🙂
Joe, thanks so much for the quick response but my comments were actually directed to the author of this blog, whom I happen to know is part of "my generation".
Susan – no worries; you might be on to something there, actually, the younger we trend, the more people seem comfortable with sharing and the low barriers to entry for self-publication of ideas and opinions (in my experience, anyway).
Sam — thanks for your comment about the Jordan Winery blog. You're correct about our approach to monetization.
- Wednesday's Meritage – Wine Quiz Answer, WBC13, #CabernetDay, Blog Monetization and more « Talk-A-Vino - [...] Heimoff wrote a very interesting blog post (love the language, very colorful) about monetization of the wine blogs, which…


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OPINION – About 4 million American children celebrated a very big milestone this fall—their first day of kindergarten. Far too many were already a step or more behind their peers. If we want all of our children to be school-ready so that they can become college-, career-, and workforce-ready, it's long past time to offer universal quality prekindergarten followed by universal full-day kindergarten in the United States.
A while back the bestselling book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten touched a chord with its simple messages: Share everything. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
But those kinds of lessons sound very quaint today as 45 states and the District of Columbia move towards implementing Common Core Standards that shift the focus for kindergarteners to mastering a new list of skills such as solving addition and subtraction word problems, describing measurable attributes of objects ( such as length or weight), analyzing and comparing two- and three-dimensional shapes, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts, and other attributes, spelling simple words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of sound-letter relationships and participating in shared research and writing projects.
For too many kindergarteners, though, one thing is still a throwback to the old days: going to school for only half a day. In order to master the skills covered in the Common Core Standards, the amount of time a kindergartener gets to go to school each day can vary from as little as 2 ½ hours to a full day of six hours. As even a 5-year-old can see, that's not fair. It's time to stop demanding performance from children we do not give the supports they need to succeed.
Public education in America is built on the foundation of equal opportunity for all children. But while most Americans think of all children as having access to a robust K-12 education system, in many places full-day kindergarten is a huge missing half step in the early learning continuum. Research comparing full-day kindergarten ("Full-Day K") and half-day kindergarten suggests that children benefit more from developmentally appropriate Full-Day K. Full-Day K plays a vital role in children's educational development, boosting cognitive learning, creative problem-solving, social competence, promoting positive school outcomes including faster gains on literacy and language measures, better attendance through the primary grades, and higher academic achievement in later grades.
As the expectations for kindergarten in the Common Core Standards show, kindergartners across the country also are being expected to meet more rigorous academic benchmarks than ever before just like students in every other grade. The case for making kindergarten equal to every other school day seems obvious. Yet too many children aren't given an opportunity to attend kindergarten for a full school day. Instead, access to Full-Day K is more like playing a game of chance in which the lottery of geography and income determine who wins. Millions of children are the losers.
Consider these facts:
Only 10 states and the District of Columbia require by statute that school districts provide publicly-funded Full-Day K. An additional 34 states require school districts to provide half-day kindergarten, and 6 don't require school districts to provide kindergarten at all.
Some school districts have voluntarily chosen to provide Full-Day K for all students funded through local taxes. Others construct a hodge-podge of funding to provide Full-Day K for some students dependent on factors such as whether a family qualifies for tuition assistance based on family income or whether the child is at risk of school failure. In 12 states, some children can access Full-Day K only if their parents pay tuition for the half of the day not covered by public funds.
States and school districts across the country have cut or delayed funding for Full-Day K as budgets have tightened because of the recession.
Unequal access to publicly-funded full-day and full-week high quality kindergarten programs means too many young children lose a critical opportunity to develop and strengthen foundational skills necessary for success in school and lifelong learning. Many children who attend full day pre-K programs find themselves cut back to half days in kindergarten, which becomes a huge setback for them and hardship for their working families. And although a year of instructional time for kindergartners varies from 540 to 1,080 hours, the expectation of mastery of the Common Core Standards is the same from state to state and district to district no matter how much class time the children receive. If implementation of the rigorous Common Core standards is to succeed, Full-Day K can no longer be viewed as an optional add-on, enrichment, or intervention program. It must become a stable part of the pre-K- 3rd grade early learning continuum inevery state and school district.
What are children in your state—or your neighborhood—getting? Policymakers at all levels of government can help make Full-Day K a reality for all children in urban, suburban, and rural districts. Join CDF in our campaign to make this happen. Kindergarteners like to try to do lots of things all by themselves but they need adults to help speak up for Full-Day K.
By Marian Wright Edelman
NNPA Columnist
Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children's Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www.childrensdefense.org.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of SacObserver.com, The Sacramento OBSERVER, Sacramento OBSERVER Media Group, it's owners or management.

subset: commoncrawl


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Business Continuity Planning for Inclement Weather Part Two
In Part One of this series, we shared some insights from our recent chat with a Certified Business Continuity Planner here at Eze Castle Integration. We looked at some things to consider when your office building is forced to close down due to the weather conditions.
Even if your building is not forced to close during a storm, there are still a number of important challenges to consider. In this article, we will examine a few things to think about when preparing you firm for this scenario.
ASSUMPTION: Your office building is able to remain open.
What if employees cannot get there?
What methods of transportation do your employees use to commute to work? Are all forms of public transportation still functioning in the inclement weather? Are all major routes to your office open and travelable? If not, employees may not be able to get into the office during this time. Before this occurs, be sure to have a plan in place for determining whether an employee can choose to work from home. Can they make this decision on their own if the roads are not clear, or should they contact their managers to request permission to telecommute? Whichever method works best for your firm is fine, but protocol should be determined in advance to avoid confusion and loss of valuable work time
What should be done if employees' homes or families are affected by the weather?
Even if transportation methods remain intact, an employee may be faced with challenges at home as a result of the storm. For instance, if an employee's home is badly damaged in a hurricane, he may not be able to perform his job for a few days. In this case, is there someone else within the firm that can handle his most critical responsibilities? This is where planning measures taken in advance, such cross training employees, can be extremely helpful.
Another aspect to consider in this scenario is what should be done if an employee or a member of his or her family is injured or becomes sick as a result of the inclement weather. This would most likely prevent the employee from reporting to the office, however he or she may need access to applicable information such as medical insurance plans. Before disaster strikes, it is important that employees are familiar with the process for obtaining this type of information, whether it be through your firm's Human Resources department, their respective managers, or a third party.
If your external dependencies are in jeopardy…
What if inclement weather strikes, but it does not directly influence your geographical area? External parties, such as vendors, investors, brokers, and others may be affected. If one of these parties becomes inaccessible, how will you minimize the adverse effects to your business?
Who are you alternative contacts at these firms?
For each vital contact your employees work with at external companies, an alternate contact should be pre-established, so that your employees are clear on who they should speak with in the case of a loss of communication with the primary contact. Check in with this alternate person in advance, to ensure that he or she has access to the knowledge and resources necessary to carry out the activities of your primary contact.
What are the business continuity plans of these firms?
You should be familiar with the business continuity plans of all external dependencies. They, too, should have procedures in place to handle difficult weather conditions, and to maintain communication with your firm and others should this situation occur.
Be sure to check out our other articles on Business Continuity Planning:
The Guidebook to Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Planning
Snow's Coming! Is Your Business Continuity Plan Up to the Test?
- Why Remote Business Continuity Plan Testing Matters
Last but not least, Eze Castle's Business Continuity Planning Services (Eze BCP) extend beyond technology to focus on the critical operations and processes that a hedge fund or investment firm must have available if a disruption occurs. Our Certified Business Continuity Professionals work with clients to address the full-spectrum of BCP. Learn more!


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Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a mushroom that typically grows on birch trees in colder climates across the Northern Hemisphere. At first glance, the mushroom doesn't look very appealing; actually, it doesn't even look like a mushroom at all! Appearances can be deceiving, however, as this special mushroom packs a punch when it comes to its health value.
Chaga Description
Chaga has been consumed for centuries in the East (most typically as tea), where its health benefits are well established. More recently, chaga has been gaining popularity in the West, where its numerous health benefits are now being recognized by many health gurus. Technically, chaga is a highly-concentrated black mass of mycelium that protrudes from birch trees infected with the parasitic–but non-toxic–fungus Inonotus obliquus. The dark, hard and cracked exterior, which often appears like burnt charcoal, is called the sclerotium. The interior has a rusty yellow brown color.
What Are the Benefits of Chaga Mushrooms?
The health benefits of Chaga are numerous, many of which can be attributed to its immune-boosting ingredients and antioxidants. [1] Let's go through each of the top 4 health benefits:
1. Supports Immune System
Chaga has an abundance of beta-D-glucans which help balance the response of the body's immune system. This means that chaga helps boost the immune system when necessary, but slows it down when it's overactive. This makes chaga a natural biological response modifier (BRM). Research has also shown that chaga activates immune cells responsible for combating cancer initiation. [2] Research is still ongoing, as more studies are needed to determine chaga's full role in cancer. Chaga has proven effective in supporting standard cancer approaches, such as chemotherapy, by compensating for the program's negative side effects. I'm certainly not saying that chaga will ease cancer progression; however, evidence suggests there may be vital compounds in the mushroom that warrant further investigation.
2. Soothing Properties
Chaga supports the integrity of blood vessels and provides soothing properties in times of irritation. This can be helpful for those suffering from pain, neuropathy, and even diabetes. [3]
3. Ulcers And Gastritis
Due to its immune-boosting properties, chaga has long been used to support gastrointestinal health in Eastern culture. Most ulcers are caused by bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, so a well-functioning immune system can fight off this pathogen. Ulcers may be soothed by the use of chaga, depending on the severity and the patient.
4. Normalize Blood Pressure And Cholesterol Levels
Studies have shown that the betulinic acid found in chaga is able to break down LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the bloodstream. [4]
Antioxidant Properties
So what are the ingredients behind chaga that provide all these health benefits? Let's go through the 6 key ingredients that make chaga so healthy.
1. Polysaccharides
Chaga contains structural polysaccharides within its chitin walls, which provide energy, cardiovascular health, intestinal and liver health, and promote healthy blood sugar levels. It's also said to improve one's mood.
2. Beta-D-Glucans
Beta-D-glucans are known for their ability to modulate the immune system. They also help with normalizing cholesterol levels and blood sugar.
3. Phytosterols
Of the phytosterols present in chaga, 45 percent is lanosterol, 25 percent is inotodiols and the remaining 30 percent consists of ergosterol, fecosterol, and several others. In vivo and in vitro testing shows a direct effect of both lanosterol and inotodiols on caner cells, with ianosterol imparting a positive effect on viral compounds. [5]
4. Betulin And Betulinic Acid (Triterpenes)
Betulin and betulinic acid are powerful therapeutic agents that are currently being researched for their effects on supporting healthy cholesterol levels. In addition to their favorable benefits for maintaining a healthy cholesterol profile, betulin and betulinic acid are also being studied in relation to cancer and viruses. [6]
5. Antioxidants
Chaga sclerotium contains massive amounts of the natural black pigment known as melanin, which has high antioxidant levels due to the amount of polyphenols it contains. In fact, chaga has the highest ORAC score (the measure of antioxidant potency) of any superfood.
6. SODs
SODs are another important antioxidant present in chaga. SOD refers to a group of enzymes called superoxide dismutase. These enzymes play an important role in protecting our body against the destructive effects of uncontrolled oxidation and free radicals. SOD potency is measured by the S-ORAC score. [7]
Chaga Mushroom vs. Superfoods
When it comes to health benefits, chaga performs very well when compared with several popular superfoods.
Quinoa vs. Chaga
Quinoa provides a great source of flavonoids, vitamins, and antioxidants. The high quantity of quercetin that it contains can help cardiac and respiratory health, in addition to protecting cells from free radical damage. Chaga contains a much higher level of antioxidants that provide the same benefits within the bloodstream.
Goji Berries vs. Chaga
Similar to chaga, goji berries contain high amounts of polysaccharides. Although unlike chaga, the main polysaccharide in goji berries is pectin. In contrast, chaga's source of polysaccharides comes from chitin, a structural polysaccharide that is very beneficial for human consumption and much harder to source. The typical modern diet includes plenty of pectin and little to no chitin.
Avocado vs. Chaga
Avocado contains many beneficial nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin D. The combination of these nutrients plus lipids promotes lower cholesterol and heart health. The beta-D-glucans found within chaga also improve cholesterol levels by preventing cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream during the digestion process.
Where To Find Chaga Mushroom
Chaga is not easy to find and people often mistake the mushroom for knots in the tree or burnt patches. You'll find chaga growing predominantly on birch trees in cold habitats throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including northern parts of Europe, Russia, Korea, Canada, and the U.S.
In North America, Chaga is almost exclusively found on birches in the Northeast. In particular, it's most commonly found on paper and yellow birch trees. Paper birch is a common forest tree with a white bark that exfoliates in broad, curling sheets. It's found at low and high elevations in the northeast of North America. Yellow birch is another common forest tree and usually has a yellow bark that exfoliates as small, curling shreds.
Most typically, well developed chaga are found on birch trees older than 40 years and grow in all shapes and sizes on the outside of the birch trees the fungus infects. You'll typically see it in the form of a dome, cone, and horn with crusty ridges.
To learn more about harvesting chaga, check out chagahq.com/harvest-chaga/.
How To Make Chaga Tea
The most popular way to consume chaga is by drinking a delicious cup of chaga tea. Below is my favorite simple chaga tea recipe for you to try at home.
- Break the whole chaga into roughly 10g chunks.
- Grind one chunk into powder using a blender or coffee grinder.
- Place one teaspoon (two if you like a stronger tea) into a tea infuser.
- Place the tea infuser into your favorite large mug and pour in about 400 ml of hot water.
- Leave the chaga and hot water steeping for at least 5 minutes, but the longer the better to extract more of the bioactive ingredients.
- Remove the infuser from the mug and add maple syrup or honey to taste.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Chaga Mushroom — Fact Sheet.
2. Youn MJ, Kim JK, Park SY, et al. Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) induces G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28 2008;14(4):511-517.
3. Hyun KW, Jeong SC, Lee DH, Park JS, Lee JS. Isolation and characterization of a novel platelet aggregation inhibitory peptide from the medicinal mushroom, Inonotus obliquus. Peptides. Jun 2006;27(6):1173-1178.
4. Sun JE, Ao ZH, Lu ZM, et al. Antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of dry matter of culture broth of Inonotus obliquus in submerged culture on normal and alloxan-diabetes mice. J Ethnopharmacol. Jun 19 2008;118(1):7-13.
5. Lee SH, Hwang HS, Yun JW. Antitumor activity of water extract of a mushroom, Inonotus obliquus, against HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Phytother Res. Apr 15 2009.
6. Zhong XH, Ren K, Lu SJ, Yang SY, Sun DZ. Progress of research on Inonotus obliquus. Chin J Integr Med. Apr 2009;15(2):156-160.
7. Youn MJ, Kim JK, Park SY, et al. Potential anticancer properties of the water extract of Inonotus [corrected] obliquus by induction of apoptosis in melanoma B16-F10 cells. J Ethnopharmacol.Jan 21 2009;121(2):221-228.


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Dr. Dennis Mukwege's Speech at the UN, Sept. 2012
Speech made by Dr. Denis Mukwege on September 25, 2012
at a UN General Assembly side event on sexual violence
at a UN General Assembly side event on sexual violence
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would have liked to begin my speech with the usual formulation, "I have the honor and privilege of taking the floor before you." Alas! The women victims of sexual violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are in dishonor. I constantly with my own eyes see the vague stare of the elder women, the children, the mothers who are dishonored. Still today, many are subjected to sexual slavery; others are used as a weapon of war. Their organs are exposed to the most heinous abuse, often without access to medical care.
And this has been going on for sixteen years! Sixteen years of wanderings; sixteen years of torture; sixteen years of mutilation; sixteen years of the destruction of women, the only vital Congolese resource; sixteen years of breakdown of an entire society. Certainly your respective countries have done much to address the consequences, and we are very grateful for that.
I would have liked to also say "I have the honor of being part of the international community that you represent here." but I cannot. How can I say this to you, representatives of the international community, when the international community has shown its fear and lack of courage during these sixteen years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
I would have liked to say as well "I have the honor of representing my country," but I cannot. In fact, how can one be proud of belonging to a nation without defense, left to itself, completely pillaged and powerless in the face of five hundred thousands of its girls raped during sixteen years; six million of its sons and daughters killed during sixteen years without any lasting solution in sight?
No, I do not have the honor, nor the privilege to be here today. My heart is heavy. My honor, it is rather to be with these courageous women victims of sexual violence, these women who resist, these women who despite all remain standing.
Today, thanks to the report by the UN Group of Experts, the Mapping Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, and many other credible reports, no one can continue to hide behind the argument of the complexity of the crisis. We know now the motivations behind this crisis and its different actors. What is missing is the political will.
Excellencies, Ambassadors; it is with great humility that i tell you that we need courage to stop this crisis that has lasted for far too long. Sixteen years is too much. We do not need more proof. We need action, urgent action, to arrest those responsible for these crimes against humanity and to bring them to justice. And justice is not negotiable. We need your unanimous condemnation of the rebel groups who are responsible for these acts. We also need concrete actions with regard to member states of the United Nations who support these barbarities from near or afar.
We are facing a humanitarian emergency that no longer has room for equivocation. All the ingredients are there to put an end to an unjust war that has used violence against women and rape as a strategy of war. Congolese women have the right to protection just as all the women on this planet.
Shelving all these credible reports will gravely harm the credibility of the various United Nations resolutions requiring the protection of women in times of conflict and will entirely discredit our dear institution, which is supposed to ensure the non repetition of genocide.
The advances made by our civilization are declining; they are declining through new barbarities that we are seeing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Syria; but also through the deafening silence and the lack of courage of the international community. We cannot silence the truth as it is persistent. We should rather confront it to avoid betraying our ideals.
I have the honor to say that the courage of women victims of sexual violence in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will, in the end, overcome this evil.
Help them restore peace!
Thank you.


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Quincy man busted for two counts of drug possession, plus more than $300 in stolen merchandise
A Viagra-toting Quincy man was arrested Monday for drug possession and trying to steal nearly $350 in clothes from the local Sports Authority, according to police.
Patrick Glynn, 35, of 270 Quarry St., was arrested on the charges of shoplifting more than $100 worth of merchandise, plus two counts of drug possession about 6:40 p.m. Monday, according to police.
According to Lt. Paul Shastany, police were called to the Shoppers World store after security guards there saw Glynn pick several items from the men's apparel department and take them into a dressing room.
When Glynn left the dressing room, he was not carrying those items and store security found several clothings tags left inside the dressing room.
Security stopped Glynn and they found several pieces of clothing underneath his shirt, including four Tom Brady Patriots jerseys, an Under Armour hat and a pair of Under Armour shorts - all with a reported total value of just under $350, said Shastany. A pair of pliers were also found, he said.
When police arrived and searched Glynn, they found Suboxone, methadone and Viagra wrapped in plastic and inside his pocket, said Shastany. Glynn claimed the
Suboxone and methadone were meant to treat his heroin addiction, but Glynn did not have a prescription for either drug, said Shastany. Suboxone and methadone are medications to treat opiate addiction, according to the federal Food and Drug Administration.
Police charged Glynn with two counts of drug possession. Shastany said Glynn was not charged with possession of Viagra, which is a prescription drug.
John Hilliard of The MetoWest Daily News (Framingham, Mass.) can be reached at 508-626-4449 or email@example.com.


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Red is the color of anger and hatred, of imminent danger and deadly heat. Even the English language tells us that "seeing red" is a bad thing. And this aversion for red might go back to our earliest primate relatives.
With all due respect for people who consider red their favorite color, the overwhelming cultural cues when it comes to red is that it's the color of danger and should be avoided - driving for as little as thirty seconds should present you with a traffic light or stop sign that's ample reminder of that. Even our body seems to tell us that red is bad - just consider how people blush or redden when experiencing extreme, potentially harmful emotions.
New research at Dartmouth College seems to support the latter. Researchers tested some rhesus macaque monkeys to see which colors they preferred. They were presented with three human test subjects, each of whom was holding a banana. Each tester wore a different shirt and baseball hat - one combination was green, another was blue, and the last one was red. By and large, the monkeys took the bananas from the blue and green testers, almost completely avoiding the red one.
This is interesting because macaques are fairly similar to us in terms of how they interact with red. They have very similar eyesight to us, and they too blush when angry or excited. The experiment isn't perfect, as only male macaques were tested and the fact that they had to interact with humans instead of members of their own species may have presented a variable that we can't properly account for, but it's still a very intriguing result.
Assuming an aversion to red didn't evolve separately in humans and macaques, then it's a trait that goes back very far in our evolutionary history, to a time that we shared a common ancestor with Old World monkeys. That goes back 25 million years, to a time long before we diverged from closer evolutionary relatives like chimps, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons.
So why would primates dislike red so much? It is the color of blushing, which is associated with potentially negative emotions, and so our sociability might bring with it an aversion for red-related emotions. Another possibility has to do with being able to know which fruits and plants are ripe and which are potentially toxic. But the simple answer is that we still don't know why we as a species seem to have such a problem with red.
The researchers close by suggesting that we should be more aware of the human aversion for red and its potential misuse for intimidation, even going so far as to suggest that sports teams should not wear red uniforms because it "may unfairly influence people." However, I have the sneaking suspicion that that's just their way of explaining why the Dartmouth Big Green can never seem to beat the Cornell Big Red.


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A 25-year-old player is due in court Tuesday after punching a referee in the face during a men's soccer game at the Yorktown Sports Complex Sunday afternoon, police said.
Franklin Javier Ordonez Estrada of Peekskill was arrested and charged with assault in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for punching the referee in the face and body, causing bodily harm, police said.
The incident occurred around 3:48 p.m. Sunday at the facility on Navajo Street off Route 6, police said.
Estrada was arrested at the scene, process and arraigned. He is due back in court on Sept. 12.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Yorktown and receive free news updates.


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The small Porsche SUV that goes on sale about 18 months will wear the Macan nameplate, the German automaker said on Thursday.
Until now, the SUV project had been known by the code name Cajun, created from the concept of "Cayenne Junior."
Porsche says Macan is "derived from the Indonesian word for tiger and combines suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics."
The Porsche Macan will share a platform with the Audi Q5 and will be built at the Porsche plant in Leipzig, Germany, that now builds the Cayenne.
Porsche is spending $650 million to expand the Leipzig plant, adding a body shop and a paint shop. Production of the new Macan SUV is set to start in fall 2013.
Below is the feel-good video teaser for the Macan from Porsche.


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(Video) Do Men Owe Women An Apology?
A friend of mine posted this video on her Facebook page the other day. I watched it from beginning to end and wasn't sure what to think.
On one hand, the clip is filled with heartwarming, earnest sentiments. Truly, if the world were filled with more men like this, dating would be a breeze.
On the other hand, is this really how we want our men to sound? Which is to say, very much like women…
Personally, I dig the message and agree that men can become a whole lot better at relating to women. I'm just not sure that I would really enjoy hanging out with these kinds of guys myself.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you like sensitive, spiritual, new age guys?


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NIV Devotions for Women - Week of March 13
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- 2023 Mar 13
Meeting the Enemy
Verse: Ephesians 6
The idea of the devil more often solicits smirks than fear or caution in the world today. In his classic work The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis writes from the point of view of a senior demon, Screwtape, giving advice to his protégé, Wormwood, on how to influence his target. Screwtape tells Wormwood, "The fact that 'devils' are predominately comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that (it is an old textbook method of confusing them) he therefore cannot believe in you."
The Bible is clear that the devil is real and his schemes can be traced back to Eden. Beyond our limited vision lies a spiritual realm where the war for souls is waged. Jesus Christ has already won the ultimate victory, but battles still rage as Satan tries to make Christians and Christianity ineffective and impotent. Those battles play out in various arenas. Paul described them as "rulers," "authorities," "powers of this dark world" and "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Spiritual warfare in unseen realms is as real as the battles waged here on earth.
There are also battles that occur within our thoughts, our relationships, our attitudes and our everyday choices. If the devil can wear us down so that we snap at our children or belittle our husband or pass on a tidbit of gossip, he has weakened our witness.
For every battle we face, God provides us with a full set of spiritual armor. God's armor is based on truth and righteousness, faith and peace. He asks us to be armed with his attributes, not our own. Above all, we have prayer, which reaches into the spiritual realm and places the battle into the hands of the One who has already won the war.
The presence of evil need not make us suspicious or fearful. We don't need to look for a demon behind every door. But we should be alert and prayerful so that we are aware of the devil's schemes when they come and so we can fight the battle in the spiritual realm.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1. How do you picture the devil and the battle in the spiritual realm?
2. What schemes of the devil have you seen in your own life?
3. What piece of God's armor do you most need right now?
Related Readings
Philippians 2:11; Hebrews 2:14–18; 1 Peter 5:8–9; 1 John 4:1–4
This devotion is from the NIV New Women's Devotional Bible or True Identity by Zondervan. Used with permission.


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You are here
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A User Study of Visualization Effectiveness Using EEG and Cognitive Load. Computer Graphics Forum. 30(3):791-800.. 2011.
The Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction (CMOP) is a National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center (NSF STC) hosted at Oregon Health & Science University in partnership with Oregon State University and University of Washington. CMOP is the only NSF STC ever focused on coastal margins, and the only one ever headquartered in Oregon.
© 2023 Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction


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LAS VEGAS – Before dethroned champion Rashad Evans' eyes could regain focus on the bright lights of the MGM Grand Garden Arena ceiling, ringside announcer Joe Rogan had already issued the official welcome to the "Machida Era."
And while new light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida celebrated in wild (for him) fashion in the cage after the UFC 98 main event in Las Vegas, "The Dragon" later said the hard work has only just begun.
"Now that I've become champion is when the real work begins," Machida said at Saturday's post-event press conference. "My goal is always to go out there and become a better fighter every time I step into the octagon. Now, with the title, there is even more responsibility to do that."
Despite Machida walking out of the UFC's famed octagon for the seventh-straight time with nary a scratch to prove he had been involved in a professional cage fight, the Brazilian said he believes it is imperative to address his difficult-to-find faults.
"I'll go back home, my father will analyze the tapes with my brothers and see the mistakes that I've made, and (I'll) try to improve," Machida said.
While many MMA observers are slowly beginning to change their opinions of the man recently described as "boring" nearly as often as "elusive," UFC President Dana White said he's known from the beginning what to expect from Machida.
"We've always thought (Machida was great)," White said. "We bought the [World Fighting Alliance] to acquire his contract and (Quinton) 'Rampage' (Jackson's). We've always thought this kid was talented.
"Usually what happens, guys get into the UFC and start to feel comfortable. I knew it was going to be scary once he started feeling comfortable."
When pressed as to whether Machida could eventually gain the status of an elite-level champion, White said he believes the new 205-pound title holder is already there.
"He's definitely there," White said. "Obviously the way he beat Rashad Evans tonight was very impressive.
"He gets better every time he fights. It might be the Machida era right now."
Machida has now fought 17 rounds inside the octagon. He's gone 17-0 in those rounds and still has yet to be truly tested.
Evans' effective counter-punching, Thiago Silva's aggressive brand of striking, Tito Ortiz's powerful wrestling, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou's explosive judo – all have fallen to Machida in the past 18 months.
Next up for the title according to White is former champion Jackson, and Machida said he'll be prepared for that test, too.
"For every fighter I have a different strategy in my training because every fighter has different weaknesses," Machida said. "My goal is to study [Jackson's] weaknesses and try to capitalize off his mistakes."
Like he has since childhood, Machida will utilize his karate background while preparing to face "Rampage."
"It's just it's really hard to match-up with Machida karate," Machida said. "That's my base. Some guys have a base in jiu-jitsu; some guys have a base in Muay-Thai. My base is in Machida karate, and it's a difficult style to understand."
And also like he has for years, the new champion will rely on his family to prepare him for the challenge.
"The biggest support I have is my father and my brothers," Machida said. "They're the ones that supported me and enable me to show what I show inside the octagon."
Jackson was the most recent light-heavyweight title holder to successfully defend his belt. Machida said he plans on doing so several times.
"I want to stay the champion and to keep the belt a long time."
For complete coverage of "UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida," check out the UFC Events section of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
John Morgan is the lead staff reporter for MMAjunkie.com.


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Experience the Right Partnership
Providing consultants with thoughtful research and investment expertise tailored to solve complex client challenges.
Our Global Consultant Relations team works collaboratively with institutional investment consultants to provide insights, analysis and proactive communications about Northern Trust's capabilities, strategies and client service resources. Our goal is to maintain strong, productive relationships that benefit common clients and provide consultants with thoughtful research and investment expertise tailored to solve complex client challenges.
In the coming months, we look forward to sharing the insights of our investment professionals as they develop thought leadership around "The Spectrum of Beta" and "The Retirement Plan of the Future.
© 2019 Northern Trust Corporation. Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A. Incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Products and services provided by subsidiaries of Northern Trust Corporation may vary in different markets and are offered in accordance with local regulation. For more information, read our legal and regulatory information about individual market offices.
Northern Trust Asset Management is composed of Northern Trust Investments, Inc., Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K., NT Global Advisors, Inc., 50 South Capital Advisors, LLC, and personnel of The Northern Trust Company of Hong Kong Limited and The Northern Trust Company. This material is directed to professional clients only and is not intended for retail clients. For Asia-Pacific markets, it is directed to expert, institutional, professional and wholesale investors only and should not be relied upon by retail clients or investors. Issued in the United Kingdom by Northern Trust Global Investments Limited.


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Barack Obama's campaign has been seriously frightened by John McCain's celebrity-mocking ads. Those celebrities were virtually nowhere to be found for most of the Denver convention. While the Obama machine may control the inside of the convention, outside these celebrities are clearly out of control -- again.
That overbaked tart Madonna kicked off her latest concert tour with a fairly typical attempt to put her Kung Fu grip on media attention by signaling her preferences in the presidential race. In her first concert in London -- the same city where the Dixie Chicks professed their shame for being geographically associated with Bush -- Madonna performed a song titled "Give It 2 Me" with a video screen flashing images behind her.
First came John McCain's picture -- alongside images of Adolf Hitler, Zimbabwe's dictator Robert Mugabe, environmental ruin and starving children. (She also included Mike Huckabee in that odd hall of shame.) Then came the Obama segment, and the Democrat was surrounded by images of Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, John Lennon and Al Gore.
Gossip columnist Liz Smith proclaimed: "I hate to be a cynic, but it smacks of 'How do I get my tour opening night in the news during the Democratic Convention?'" She suggested that friends scoffed in disagreement, arguing that given Madonna's demonstrated lack of political acumen, it's quite possible she had no idea the Democratic convention was happening in Denver.
So what was the political message in the song accompanying those visuals? It featured hackneyed Madonna lyrics: "If it's against the law, arrest me. If you can handle it, undress me." By now, as she turns 50, the lyrics are beginning to sound desperate.
Five years ago, Madonna laid an egg at the start of the Iraq war with her video "American Life," in which she pulled the pin on a grenade and threw it at a George W. Bush look-alike. The look-alike picked up the grenade -- and lit his cigar with it. Madonna desperately tried to distance herself from the overt symbolism of presidential assassination, suggesting instead that she had meant to suggest that President Bush had the potential to take something violent and destructive and turn it into something more constructive. Blah, blah. The controversy didn't help. The song tanked.
McCain's campaign quickly threw Madonna's shtick at Obama: "It clearly shows that when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow worldwide celebrities refused to consider any smear or attack off limits." That forced the Obama camp to condemn Madonna, sort of: "These comparisons are outrageous and offensive and have no place in the political process. We hope that John McCain will offer a similar condemnation as his allies increasingly practice sleazy swift boat politics."
This is becoming a pattern for the poor, celebrity-loaded Obama campaign. Just a few weeks ago, the rapper calling himself Ludacris lauded Obama and slashed Bush and McCain in a YouTube video entitled "Obama's Here." In the lyrics, Ludacris called himself Obama's favorite rapper, noting the candidate said (to Rolling Stone magazine) that he listens to Ludacris on his iPod.
First, Ludacris offended all the Hillary-adoring feminists. "Better yet put me in office, make me your vice president, Hillary hated on you, so that b---- is irrelevant."
Then came the Republican-bashing: "Paint the White House black, and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified, McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed." McCain deserves a wheelchair, and Bush is a moron: "Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped, ball up all of his speeches and just throw 'em like candy wrap."
It says something about our screwed-up culture that the president of the United States, a man with an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, is mocked as a special-needs student by a guy with no college degree who misspells his album titles ("Word of Mouf") to look hip.
Obama spokesman Bill Burton expressed great shock and outrage: "As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today, too, often perpetuate misogyny, materialism and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to ... it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear."
Really? When he spoke to Rolling Stone, Obama lauded Ludacris as one of several "great talents and great businessmen" and hailed "the genius of the art form." He said he was "troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism" in rap lyrics and added, "It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying they were getting bad images of themselves." He didn't even claim his little girls didn't listen to it.
That hardly has the degrading and misogynistic rappers shaking in their boots.


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chronic pains
C. Norman Shealy, MD, Ph.D.
Title: Doctor
Company: Shealy Wellness
Location: Fair Grove, MO, United States
Dr. C. Norman Shealy is considered an expert in pain, depression and stress management, with emphasis on holistic and alternative methods. Focused on providing resolutions to chronic pains and developing safe and effective treatments such as Biogenics, Dr. Shealy has honed his methods over the course of nearly five decades. He also launched the Shealy Institute, which is the first comprehensive pain and stress management facility in the United States, with international respect. The institute has helped more than 30,000 patients. Dr. Shealy was also an instrumental figure in founding the American Holistic Medical Association, and is the CEO of the National Institute of Holistic Medicine.


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I run a small – very small honor system farm stand at the edge of our farm. I sell fresh eggs from our chickens and cottage style flowers I grow in our gardens. Sometimes I sell my handmade items too. This year I hope to expand the offerings.
I met a woman last summer at the stand that asked if I was doing this just for fun. I answered yes. I guess because I felt a little embarrassed by my humble attempts. What I really wanted to say was, this is my business, my goal is to earn money.
The next time someone asks what I do or why I'm doing it, I'm going to be brave and own the title that I'm a backyard chicken and flower farmer.
My goal as I plan for the season of 2017, is to have fun and earn money doing what I love. I don't plan to ever make it look like some big commercial operation. However, I would like to offer more items and increase my sales.
The first part of my plan is expanding our flock. Next week, a clutch of sweet chirping chicks will arrive. I am working towards primarily raising Heritage Breeds because it is important to me to practice old school farming.
Heritage breeds of poultry are those old breeds that have been on our homesteads and communities for generations and centuries. A heritage breed is a purebred and breeds pure. Many of these old breeds are endangered as folks wanted to experiment with newer, flashier hybrids that were engineered to produce more eggs or mature quickly for the meat market, thereby many of the old standbys fell out of favor and were not getting bred.
The two new breeds that I have on the way, are Delawares and Black Alstralorps. They both produce brown eggs.
After talking with some local folks I have come to understand that there is a demand for white eggs. I do not have any chickens at this time that produce white eggs. I hope to find some breeds here locally, that meet my preferences that I can add to the flock later this spring that will produce white eggs.
Two other ideas that I am mulling over are selling chickens that I raise and adding Guinea Hens to our flock.
Guinea Hens are not chickens – they look and behave quite differently. Guineas make great guard animals, sounding loud alarms as predators encroach their territory. They also make for a good natural pest control on the farm, as they are voracious consumers of many unwanted bugs and ticks. Their meat is also considered quite a delicacy. We do not, however, eat our pets here at Red Dirt. Guineas are known to be loud and make constant noise.
I grow old-fashioned – heirloom flowers in a sustainably responsible way – pesticide and completely chemical free manner. Last growing season, I harvested buckets and armfuls of fresh flowers each day.
Day after day, I made fresh arrangements of simple, yet lovely flowers and put them out to sell at the farm stand.
I set up a workstation inside the farm stand tents.
At the end of the season, I had to admit, from a business standpoint it was a complete failure. My community did not support this notion of buying fresh flowers grown locally and sold on the side of the road.
Not one to give up so easily, I plan to increase my gardens and the types of flowers I grow and have available this season. I feel very passionate about the Slow Flower movement and hope I get the opportunity to educate my neighbors and encourage them to be a part of this practice and to understand that the flowers they put on their table and how they were grown, is as important as the way their food is grown.
Canning jar filled with cottage flowers.
Last year I sold (or attempted) to sell my flowers in simple canning jars. I had a sign that said customers could return the jar on their next visit. Perhaps this made people feel uncomfortable – that they were obligated to come back? That was certainly not what I meant to imply. This year I'm thinking of offering my arrangements wrapped in paper – more of a grab and go offering. Thoughts?
While I was disappointed in the lack of interest in my flowers, I really looked forward each day to going out to the gardens and harvesting. It was time spent enjoying the blooms, the many birds, bees and butterflies that benefited from the gardens. I spent endless hours photographing these blooms and buzzing critters. It was also educational time spent watching, observing and learning from the chickens as they foraged among the plants. I look forward to doing this all over again during this coming growing season.
I leave you with a big dream – to someday have a real building for our farm stand, to replace the rather worn tents. It may not happen this year, but I've put it out there in wish land.
Thank you for being here today.
xo Kim
Formerly Coral Cottage – Now Red Dirt Farm – Red Dirt Cottage
If you are interested in learning more about heritage breeds or heritage style farming Mother Earth has a great article here.
To learn more about the Slow Flower movement here is an article by the LA Times.
Follow along at The Simple Homestead Blog Hop


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Scrap Tires
There are at least 275 million scrap tires in stockpiles in the US. In addition, approximately 290 million scrap tires were generated in 2003.
Markets now exist for about 80 percent of scrap tires up from 17 percent in 1990. The states have played a major role in tackling this problem by regulating the hauling, processing, and storage of scrap tires; and by working with industry to recycle and beneficially use scrap tires, through developing markets for the collected scrap tires.
This website provides general information on scrap tires, including:
- Where You Live links to state and EPA regional information
- Basic Information overview and statistics on scrap tire management, information about tire pile cleanup.
- Markets overview of scrap tire markets. Three large markets are described in additional detail: tire-derived fuel, civil engineering, and ground rubber used in highways and other applications.
- Laws/statutes particularly, state scrap tire legislation and programs
- Health and Environmental Concerns
- Science/technology innovative uses of scrap tires
- Frequent Questions - answers to commonly asked questions about scrap tires
- Publications - links to EPA publications and other non-EPA publications
- Related Links - links to EPA, state, automotive, and other general resources with regard to scrap tires
- Scrap Tire Workgroup overview, goals and action plans


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Insurance and Risk Management
Schmidthorst College of Business
BSBA areas of specialization
Department of Finance
240 Maurer Center, 419-372-2520
The Insurance and Risk Management Specialization is designed for business students to prepare them to be an insurance specialist, with the academic and professional levels of education needed to advise on insurance, risk management and manage insurance company and agent operations. The program is one of only a few programs in the state of Ohio specifically focused on insurance and risk management.
BSBA general degree requirements
Students completing the insurance and risk management specialization must complete University, general degree, admission core, and business core requirements for the BSBA degree, including admission to the BSBA program.
Insurance and Risk Management specialization (22 hours) - Fall 2021 course requirements
- Required: 5 courses (13 credits)
FIN 4210 (3 credits) Rish Management and Insurance Planning
INS 2100 (1 credits) Introduction to Insurance and Insurance Careers
INS 3220 (3 credits) Life and Health Insurance
INS 3230 (3 credits) Property and Liability Insurance
INS 3250 (3 credits) Risk Financing in Insurance
2. Electives: choose three courses (9 credits) with at least two FIN courses from the following:
FIN 3400 (3 credits) Financial Markets
FIN 4130 (3 credits) Personal Financial Planning
FIN 4140 (3 credits) Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning
FIN 4350 (3 credits) Investment Analysis
MKT 3400 (3 credits) Professional Selling
MKT 4050 (3 credits) Services Marketing
- INS 2100 can be taken in sophomore year.
- All courses in the Insurance and Risk Management Specialization must be taken for a letter grade.
- A grade of C or better in FIN 3000 is required to take any 3000- or 4000-level FIN courses and INS 3220 and 3230.
- Substitute courses must be approved by the Department.
Updated: 11/15/2021 12:43PM


text:
Hononegah pounds out win over Blue Thunder
Hononegah stormed out of the gates and, helped by 11 3-pointers, kept up the pressure as the Indians rolled to a 63-46 win over Belvidere North on Tuesday night. The Indians got 24 points on eight 3-pointers from Haley Kershner and nine points each from Brandi Fier and Amy Dal Santo as they ran off to a 20-8 advantage in the first quarter and never looked back. The Blue Thunder were led by Keri Dodson's 15 points.
Harlem 54, East 41: The Huskies pulled away from a second-quarter tie in a big way, exploding for an 18-4 advantage leading up to halftime en route to the victory over East. The E-Rabs had three players score in double figures, led by Davinique Ross (13 points), but Harlem got 13 points from McKaela Schmelzer and 12 from Danielle Schneider to hold them back.
Oregon 69, Lutheran 53: Sam Lambrigtsen lit up the Crusaders for 30 points and her Oregon teammate Wright added 15 as the Hawks rolled. Lutheran's Ashley Kerestes led the way for her team with 17 points powered by three 3-pointers and Abby Woolacott chipped in with 12.
Byron 49, Stillman Valley 32: Ellie Lehne led Byron with 17 points and two others scored in double digits as they beat up on the Cardinals. Stillman Valley's Sydney Shelburne tallied 14 points in the loss.
Burlington Central 41, Rockford Christian 35: Jayla Penney (10 points) helped Rockford Christian to a halftime lead, but B-C outscored them 26-17 down the stretch for the win.
Durand 53, South Beloit 42: Shian Galbreath scored 21 points to keep South Beloit in it, but a deep Bulldogs squad was able to rally from a halftime deficit to post a win over the Sobos. South Beloit, which also got 12 points from Emily Kirichkow, nabbed a 14-11 first-quarter lead and led by two at half. But the Bulldogs stormed back to score 31 in the second half, sparked by Cassidy Derus, who buried four 3-pointers during her 17-point night. Durand's center Emily Laube paced the team with 18 points.
Freeport Aquin 60, Polo 40: Led by guards Haley Chang (22 points) and Katie Stykel (10), the Bulldogs stormed out to a 27-8 first-quarter lead and rolled.
Rockford Christian Life 65, Pecatonica 50: Brady Pond powered the Eagles' attack with 29 points, and the home team fended off Pec's late rally to grab the win. Pec cut a double-digit, first-half lead to four at the end of the third quarter, but the Eagles poured it on down the stretch, outscoring the Indians 24-13 in the fourth quarter. Pond had five 3-pointers, and Andrew Squires led Pec with 13 points.
River Ridge 58, Fulton Unity 46: Brenden Dauphin had 13 points and Ryan Merkle added 12 as the Wildcats chipped away for the double-digit victory. Shawn Hintz (15 points) led the way for Fulton Unity, which trailed by just six at halftime.


text:
Stop touching me!
If a soybean aphids could talk, I would imagine them screaming, " Stop touching me!". Many Iowan fields are infested with soybean aphid this summer. Erin and Matt talk about what to do when these increasing populations happen late in the season. A short conversation about aphids in corn also happens. Finally, they get diverted and talk about winged aphid formation based on several cues, like touching and predators.


text:
Mathematics PhD August 31 2019
Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.
Research is the life blood of a University and at Northumbria University we pride ourselves on research that makes a difference; research that has application and affects people's lives.
Find out what life here is all about. From studying to socialising, term time to downtime, we've got it covered.
Business students from Northumbria University, Newcastle, have heard from industry experts…
A collection of poetry by Northumbria University lecturer, Dr Jo Clement, has been shortlisted…
University of the Year, Northumbria University, is launching a series of events designed to…
Northumbria University, CCE1 Building
Northumbria University
Virtual - Teams
Back to top


text:
The sales of organic foods and beverages have increased more
than 25-fold in the last 20 years, with organic fruits and vegetables leading
the growth and illustrating that we as a nation have been making a conscious
effort to avoid pesticides in our diet. Intelligent Nutrients (IN), a company that says in its motto, "Everything we put in and on our bodies must
be nutritious and safe," has been making a conscious effort to provide
consumers with options for 100% USDA Certified Organic cosmetics. Its newest addition,
Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss, is formulated with fruit and vegetable juices
that provide color as well as antioxidant power.
Although we have not formally tested this gloss for its anti-aging or ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption
Capacity) value claims, I can attest that it has a yummy aroma and taste, and
provides sheer color and shine. As this lip product has no artificial ingredients or mineral colorants, I
won't be worried if my daughters (13 and 8 years old) try it out. When the gloss launches in August, it'll be
available in two shades: Purple Maize (I tried this one as seen above and found it made my
lips just a little darker and gave them a bright shine) and the colorless Clear
Frosting. Two other shades, Soft Blueberry and Sheer Cranberry, will be coming in
November 2011, just in time for healthy gift-giving.


text:
While late-summer cleaning at the Smith Estates, I uncovered a treasure trove of unpublished song lyrics. After you experience a small sampling of this lyrical magic, which I created as a teenager, you'll wonder why I'm not churning out the hits in Nashville or L.A. If you're not prepared to be in awe, go find a kitten video.
(No title)
You dragged me away from my job in Buxton, Utah
And we drove through the desert all day
We drove past numerous canyon boxes
In your beat-up Chevrolet
But I can't seem to muster up the courage
To ask you where we're goin'
Cause life's just one more wave
In the mountain river flowin'.
You're headin' for the butte in the middle of the plain
Which rises to a thunderous roar
To the old graveyard in the middle of the butte
Where the great eagle flies no more
But I can't seem to muster up the courage
To ask you where we're goin'
Cause life's just one more wave
In the mountain river flowin'.
This song has many more verses and would have come in at roughly ten minutes as a finished product. It would have been longer had I written the letter G at end of certain words. Instead of a graveyard, the couple arrives in an Indian village where they see a medicine man, children playing, and lots of eagles, though I had just written the great eagle flies no more. Though the song is chock full of geographic and meteorological improbabilities, I most love "numerous canyon boxes." This may refer to the short-lived Canyon & Sons cardboard box factory that folded in 1983.
And now something completely different:
(No title)
She's in love with every movie star
All the teenage idols, too.
She follows every big rock singer
And knows everything they do
She sings their songs
And plays their games
And dreams every chance she gets.
I wish I had finished that one. I'm dying to know what happened to the subject of the song. What games did she play with her idols? I picture
70s rock singers playing a lot of Lawn Darts, so I hope she didn't get a Lawn Dart through her skull.
With wonderful lyrics like these and others, I had to share my gift. When I was 15 or 16, I got out my 45s and wrote down the record company addresses that were on the labels. Then I typed copies of my best work and mailed them to each company. Since I had no contact names, I sent the packets to the main addresses. I assumed the people in the mailroom would know what to do. This is how I imagine it went down at MCA Records headquarters in Los Angeles:
MCA underling: Hey chief, we just received an unsolicited envelope crammed with awesome lyrics by a fabulous songwriter named Ronnie Smith. He didn't include a letter of introduction, but that would have been overkill.
MCA CEO: Smith huh? Never heard of him.
Underling: Oh, but you will when you see these beauties. (Thumbs through several pages of lyrics typed on a Royal portable typewriter.) Here's one with a line about numerous canyon boxes.
CEO: Canyon boxes, huh?
Underling: Numerous canyon boxes.
CEO: By God, that's brilliant.
Underling: (Holds up a page for the CEO to see.) Look, he doesn't waste time writing the letter G. And here's a song called Jimmy Solar. You know, I think Elton would love to put this one to music.
CEO: (Rubs his chin doubtfully) EJ's committed to Bernie Taupin.
Underling: Taupin's a two-bit hack compared to this Smith kid.
CEO: Hmm. What if Smith's too good?
Underling: Whaddya mean, too good?
CEO: Unless he's a lyric-writing machine who doesn't care about his craft, he can't write for all our artists. Sure, Alice Cooper would love the canyon box song. And Lynyrd Skynyrd will want first dibs on any song that mentions Lawn Darts. But what about Olivia Newton-John and the others? No one will buy their records if the lyrics pale in comparison. We could have a mutiny on our hands. And believe me, you don't want an upset Olivia Newton-John.
Underling: (Shivers in fear) Yeah, I never thought about that. (Pulls out a cigarette lighter and sets the lyrics on fire.) I'll file these with away with the ones from those kids who call themselves U2.
MCA Records no longer exists. Coincidence?
In 1975 I took a different approach to instant stardom by entering a national songwriting contest. The grand prize was $3,000 and all the songwriter groupies one could handle. The contest was intended for professionals: singer-songwriters who had access to professional instruments, studios and talent. I had access to my mom, a cheap cassette recorder, and my older brother, who had to do what Mom said. While the professionals were putting their blood, sweat and tears into songs recorded on reel-to-reel tape, I spent fifteen minutes producing mine. Mom played an upright piano while Jeff sang The Unmarried Song. This nuanced number, which no longer exists because no one involved wants it to, was a marriage opposition piece. I don't know why this subject was on my 16-year-old mind. I don't remember the lyrics, except my brother often reminds they included, "The answer's negatory." Think about that: I entered a song in a nationwide contest that incorporated the word "negatory."
The reaction from the judges was negatory. Perhaps The Unmarried Song had an unintended benefit, however. The following year, the same contest organizers held a lyric-only competition, which was a relief to anyone with ears. Instead, of sending my "best" song, however, I wrote one just for the competition. It was a country song, which I only listened to because Dad wouldn't play anything else in his truck. It had to be the weirdest, creepiest song a teenage boy could write. It makes me cringe to share a verse, but here we go:
Little girls were made for lovin' (again, where's the G?)
This I've always said
Like seeing that you're clothed
Or seeing that you're fed.
Bedtime kisses, making wishes
And hoping they'll come true
The little hugs that make me happy
Are coming straight from you.
I won't even attempt an explanation.
I should have entered the canyon boxes song. And yet… That creepo creation made the initial cut in the competition. The judges, or perhaps some malfunctioning robot, considered my lyrics better than thousands of other songs. Imagine what the others were like. I won no money, but I received a certificate I framed and hung next to my bed for years until the printing faded.
I quit writing lyrics just as I was on the edge of superstardom. Something shinier must have caught my interest. Here's the last song I wrote, which I typed in a business class when I was a senior in high school. Although I had never taken anything stronger than St. Joseph Children's Aspirin, this makes me wonder what was in those pills.
(No title)
She sits in the courtyard
Sucking an apricot
Watching the train go by
They form a large circle
Singing a ballad
They don't even know why
The tangerine glistens
Its nectar is sweet
And picked in the season of sun
The mellow morning answers
The daybreak song
The birds have gathered in one
Sometimes they feel
They're not wanted
But only a moment or two
They woke up this evening
In a grandeur of darkness
And had a feeling of mystic blue.
I'll spare you the second half. The key to a surefire hit is starting with an apricot and quickly switching to a tangerine. Keep the listener guessing what fruit you'll name next. If you're really feeling it, mention passion fruit or even a mango. Or find another career.
Special added complimentary bonus below. If you're really adventurous, a double special added complimentary bonus here.


text:
Blog Archives
Office politics
Posted by Elsol
I am working for an IT firm for past 3 years. The work here is not too great and there is a lot of politics. I want to go out of this company and change my job. I am not able to clear any interviews. What should I do?
I have an interview with my dream company anytime this weekend. I want to make sure I do well in that.
Before going to any interview, thank the existing company – your bosses, colleagues and people who do politics.
Think what you learnt from the company. For that only you are sent there.
Thank god for what you have learnt from that environment, for what you have received as salary etc. Don't harbor any hatred for anybody of the existing company.
Then chant "AMBIKA ANADINIDANA ASHWAROODA APARAAJITHA" and attend the interview.
Related Blogs
International CEOs were hooked to her speech: http://wp.me/ptUKY-2G
To create a better future look back and not forward: http://wp.me/ptUMq-2R
Posted in Change your current job, Interview, Job related issues
Tags: a, Ambika, ANADINIDANA, and, APARAAJITHA, ASHWAROODA, attend, back, Before, better, bosses, CEOs, change, Chant, CLEAR, colleagues, company, create, do, Dream, environment, existing, firm, forward, from, future, go, god, going, great, harbor, hatred, her, hooked, International, interviews, it, job, Job 101, learnt, look, Naran S Balakumar, not, office, out, people, politics, received, salary, speech, Thank, think, to, well, were, what, Working, years


text:
Editor's Note: The mysterious figure known as Superannuation is back with more fistfuls of gaming gossip about the people who made SOCOM, a mystery Crytek project and...more Dead Rising?. What has Superannuation dug from the Internet this time to share with you wonderful Kotaku readers? Read on.
Some secrets are no longer secret.
A handful of CVs appear to suggest Sony's recently shuttered shooter specialists Zipper Interactive were in the early stages of developing a game for Sony's next console.
According to a former senior Zipper designer, the studio was working on "two unannounced projects" at the time of its closure—one of which listed for PS3 and the other on a "TBD" platform. Based on the brief descriptions of the designer's roles on the two projects, it seems both were in the studio's wheelhouse of multiplayer-oriented shooters. In addition, another former Zipper senior designer lists two unannounced projects for an "Unannounced System" as his last credits. Could both projects have been targeting Orbis, or is "Unannounced System" just a standard vague descriptor?
Also of note: the entire development cycle of Zipper's Vita title Unit 13 lasted eight months — which seems a rather contracted amount of time when compared to other vanguard first-party titles with a two-year development cycle like Uncharted: Golden Abyss or Little Deviants.
* * *
Another Crackdown does not appear to be in the cards for Crackdown 2 developer Ruffian Games, but the studio seems to have turned into a general contractor for various Microsoft titles, as Ruffian was prior to the development of the aforementioned open-world sequel.
The Dundee-based firm was most recently one of the many teams credited on Star Wars Kinect, contributing to the game's Duel of Fates Mode. A Ruffian lead level designer's CV also mentions the recently-announced Nike+ Kinect Training, some multiplatform linear action game pitch, and more intriguingly, an "Unannounced Kinect Title" for Microsoft and Crytek featuring "multiplayer arenas."
Another CV discusses Ruffian's work on "a multiplayer map for a first person melee combat game based in the CryEngine" for 360. A Ruffian lead programmer's LinkedIn profile talks of "a first party CryTek project which [Ruffian] were contracted onto" which "focussed [sic] on melee combat [with] AI capable of evaluating dynamic combat situations and working as part of a team." The profile also describes a more recent "unannounced third party project using CryEngine 3" that "makes extensive use of the Xbox Live server platform and Kinect" that I would suspect is the same as the previous game.
Crytek is, of course, notably working on the first-person hack-and-slash Kinect title Ryse for Microsoft—which the Ruffian project descriptions seem to match quite well, despite the various "unannounced" labels. Although Ryse's E3 2011 reveal depicted a very linear single-player experience, neither Microsoft nor Crytek have ever said that the game was exclusively single-player or even described the game with any degree of specificity, something that lends credence to Ruffian working on what sounds like a multiplayer mode for the game.
* * *
Codemasters appears to be well into development for the next generation consoles, according to online postings. A former user interface programmer states that she spent summer 2011 working on the studio's "EGO 2 engine, whilst at the same time developing and implementing the UI system for a new IP at Codemasters, that will span at least 6 platforms including true 'next-gen' hardware." She also mentions that the game will be the first to utilize the EGO 2 engine, which, contrary to popular belief, is yet to appear in any sort of game.
Job postings from last summer mentioned that the UK racing giant is working on a new racing IP alongside its F1, GRID, and Dirt franchises, and the studio has an incubatory team "to take [Codemasters] through the next five to ten years"—presumably this new IP is related to one of those endeavors.
* * *
A senior software engineer who left Dead Rising 2 developers Capcom Game Studio Vancouver last month says the studio—which is currently working on two games—has a "soon to be announced AAA game." While a job posting from earlier this year revealed that Capcom Vancouver was working on an "Unannounced New IP" that is some sort of third-person action game, apparent details of a third Dead Rising leaked late last year, suggesting that is far further in development and a more likely candidate for this announcement (TGS perhaps?).
* * *
Finally, it seems we know the developer of Jordan Mechner's Karateka, which was announced back in February for a late 2012 release on XBLA and PSN. Among the credits on a Liquid Entertainment programmer's LinkedIn profile is ""Karateka" for XBLA & PSN," and the game appears to utilize UE3. Hopefully, Mechner's involvement will ensure it is better than Liquid Entertainment's previous console release—the critically eviscerated Thor tie-in game.
superannuation is a self-described "internet extraordinaire" residing somewhere in the Pacific Time Zone. He tweets, and can be reached at heyheymayday AT gmail DOT com.
Read more Assorted Scoopery! Secrets lurk within.


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Poll: Overweight people, gays slammed most online
By CONNIE CASS
Associated Press
Most teens and young adults on Facebook, Twitter or other social networking sites see them at least sometimes: slurs, offensive images or mean-spirited video clips that stigmatize groups of people.
Who's targeted most often? Overweight people, according to a poll of Internet users ages 14 to 24.
When does it seem most hurtful? When aimed at transgender people.
What about potshots at blacks or women? Young people mostly take those as jokes.
In the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and MTV, young people take stock of the discriminatory words and images they see online:
Who gets slammed online?
_Those who are overweight (54 percent of young people see them targeted sometimes or often)
_Gay, lesbian or bisexual people (50 percent)
_African-Americans (46 percent)
_Women (44 percent)
_Men who dress or carry themselves in a feminine way (42 percent)
_Immigrants (34 percent)
_Latinos (32 percent)
_Muslims (31 percent)
_Women who dress or carry themselves in a masculine way (31 percent)
_Transgender people (31 percent)
Young people are more likely to view slurs or discriminatory images as mean-spirited rather than as a joke when they target:
_Transgender people (63 percent say it's most often meant to be hurtful)
_Muslims (60 percent)
_Gay, lesbian or bisexual people (54 percent)
_Those who are overweight (53 percent)
_Men who dress or carry themselves in a feminine way (53 percent)
Racial insults are less likely to be considered intentionally hurtful. A majority of young people say racial groups are maligned mostly in a joking way:
_African-Americans (64 percent say it's most often meant as a joke)
_Latinos (67 percent)
_Asian-Americans (73 percent)
What about sexism?
A big majority—7 in 10—say demeaning comments, pictures and videos about women are mostly jokes, not meant to be hurtful. Women are about as likely to feel that way as men are.
About 60 percent of those polled see the word "bitch" used against people online or in text messages at least sometimes. Fewer than 30 percent are very offended by it when it's aimed at someone else.
Christianity, the nation's dominant religion, isn't high on the list of online targets.
But when slurs and images malign Christians, they are more likely to be seen as intentionally hurtful than those aimed at racial minorities.
About half said discriminatory stuff about Christians was mostly hurtful; half thought it was joking.
Another target group that got a split decision? Immigrants.
Overall, young people say this stuff is mostly an attempt at humor.
The poll ranked four possible reasons why people text or share discriminatory language:
_They're trying to be funny (53 percent think that's a major reason)
_They think it's "cool" to use that language (45 percent)
_They don't realize the language is offensive (32 percent)
_They really hold hateful feelings about the group (30 percent)
Although "hateful feelings" aren't rated as a prime motive, a big majority of young people—7 in 10—say hatred is at least a minor reason for posting or texting slurs about a group.
Young people seem jaded to a lot of the offensive stuff they see on the social network sites and online gaming communities. Fewer than half, for example, say they are very offended by online use of the N-word for African-Americans.
But that doesn't mean they think tweeting slurs or posting derogatory videos is all right.
A majority say it's never OK to use discriminatory language, even if you're just kidding.
Associated Press Director of Polling Jennifer Agiesta and AP News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.