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The injustices run deep in the Raquel Nelson hit-and-run case
Whether or not you're a follower of transportation news and policy, chances are you've heard the story of Raquel Nelson, the Georgia woman who was convicted of vehicular manslaughter after her 4-year-old son was struck and killed in a hit and run. No, Nelson wasn't the hit-and-run driver; she was crossing the street at a bus stop with her three children. In fact, Nelson has never even owned a car, but had been using public transportation. The reason she was found at fault was that she wasn't using a crosswalk. Rather than walk nearly a half a mile to the closest one, she crossed with other pedestrians in at the bus stop. (Perhaps instead of spending public funds to prosecute this mother, Cobb County could be putting in a crosswalk at the bus stop for residents who live in Nelson's same apartment complex, directly across from the stop.)
Nelson's conviction meant she could face the possibility of three years jail time. Instead, the judge, likely recognizing the absurdity of the situation, offered her 12 months probation plus community service or a new trial, which Nelson is considering. The actual driver involved in the accident did six months in jail and by the time Nelson was convicted, had served his time. Likewise, he had already been convicted of two hit-and-runs before. And apparently still has his driver's license.
The injustice of the situation is immediately clear. Why should Nelson have to face another steep penalty for her decision to not walk down the road and use the crosswalk? Hasn't the fact that she lost her son been enough?
I'm no endorser of jaywalking. Riding my bike to work nearly every day, I have to use my outdoor voice every evening on my way home and shout at pedestrians crossing in the middle of the street when there's a light and a cross walk on every block. They stand in bike lanes and cross against lights with alarming regularity. The put not only their safety but mine at risk every time they step off the curb and into the road when it's not their turn. It's frustrating on so many levels. Sometimes I think the only way I could be more frustrated was if I were a civil engineer who worked on pedestrian/vehicle traffic patterns and felt slapped in the face by every pedestrian in the Chicago Loop who with their traffic violations rejected my hard work trying to keep them safe.
But there are major differences between Nelson and the jaywalkers in the Chicago loop, and Nelson's situation brings up more than just questions of justice around who should be punished for the tragedy. Ironically, poorer areas, where owning a car is more difficult, are much more tailored for a car culture than areas where residents can readily afford cars. Stephen Lee Davis, Deputy Communications Director of Transportation for America pointed out that the among the jury of six who convicted Nelson this month, none had ever taken a local bus.
The jaywalking pedestrians in the Loop who make my commute home maddening are largely white business people who have access to multiple fairly reliable modes of public transportation. The few blocks that cause me the most problems on my way home are on or are extremely close to two commuter rail lines, several bus routes, and the city train/subway system. Most of these people will go home to houses in the city and the suburbs, where they have at least one, probably two, and maybe even three cars to shuttle around their families. Traveling south of downtown a few miles, however, you'd discover a problem similar to the area where Nelson lives. Bus and train stops are farther and farther apart, as are safe places to cross the street.
Most of us take for granted how we get around. I'm having bike trouble this week and have had to take public transportation to work. I've been whiny about it, despite having at least two reliable routes that get me here in under an hour,. And if the city bus failed me, I could turn to my car. Granted, I live in an area with a population density that creates the critical mass necessary for public transit to run more efficiently and reliably, but this does not get our lawmakers off the hook for working to ensure access to good public transit for everyone. (It also does not get the Chicago Transit Authority off the hook for its slew of management problems.)
I could wax on about the importance of reliable public transit for a healthy and clean environment, but transportation, it turns out, is also a matter of justice for those who don't even have the option to choose to fight the car culture because they're already priced out of it.
[You can sign a petition addressed to the Governor of Georgia demanind a full pardon for Nelson here.]


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News Archives - 2003
21st Annual Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics March 13-14
The 21st Annual Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics will be held March 13-14 at Augsburg College. The Batalden Seminar is part of the 2002-2003 Augsburg Convocation Series, "Truth, Reconciliation and Forgiveness."
Guess speaker is Curtiss Paul DeYoung, associate professor of reconciliation studies at Bethel College in St. Paul. He is also special assistant to the president for reconciliation and community partnerships.
A public lecture, "The Cost of Reconciliation is Truth and Forgiveness" will be held Thursday, March 13, 7 p.m. The seminar continues Friday, March 14, 10 a.m. with a convocation, "The Cross: A Symbol of Reconciliation and Racism," followed by a panel discussion. All events will be held in the Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center, 22nd and Riverside Aves. The seminars are free and open to the public.
DeYoung is a prolific author and speaker, who was previously director of City Gate Project. For several years, he was president and CEO of the Twin Cities Urban Reconciliation Network (TURN). He is known throughout the world for his scholarship on reconciliation and his success in bringing people together across racial and ethnic divides. DeYoung is the author of four books that address reconciliation, including "Beyond Rhetoric: Reconciliation as a Way of Life." He is also an ordained minister in the Church of God.

subset: commoncrawl


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There was mention of a temporary PRONI closure at an Ottawa Branch of OGS Irish Group meeting last evening.
According to the BBC the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, is moving to headquarters in Belfast's Titanic Quarter in May/June 2011.
The records will be not be available for physical access between September 2010 and May 2011.
There is more detail at Chris Patton's SGNE blog.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
PRONI temporary closure
There was mention of a temporary PRONI closure at an Ottawa Branch of OGS Irish Group meeting last evening.
2 comments:
- Chris Paton said...
Hi JDR,
There is also a temporary closure this year from November 23rd to December 11th, which may be what was alluded to at your meeting. The PRONI site describes this as in preparation for the move to the new premises, but the press officer I spoke to yesterday said it was simply for an annual stock take.
Chris Paton (not Patton! 'Chris Patton' is not a popular name in certain quarters of NI!)
- 23 September, 2009 03:49
- Robert Williams said...
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland {PRONI} has just announced that it will close all public access to the archives for a period of 9 months from September 2010 to May 2011 to facilitate a move across Belfast to new headquarters presently being built.
This means in effect that no genealogical research of any kind can take place in Northern Ireland for almost 1 year.
This decision is outrageous. The closure time is totally disappropriate to the work involved. Other Archives in London and Dublin has moved with only minimal disruption to services. We in Northern Ireland are launching a campaign to have this closure stopped or curtailed.
With the administrator's permission can I ask each list member to send a letter of protest to both
The Minister of Culture Arts and Leisure, Nelson McCausland and
the head of PRONI Aileen McClintock, at the following e mail addresses.
Nelson McCausland MLA at email@example.com
{I think that be a good easy route}
Aileen McClintock at firstname.lastname@example.com
If this closure is to be stopped we need not only local, but worldwide support.
Many thanks
Robert Williams
- 29 September, 2009 12:07


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Viola! I just finished a program with Junior Leadership University of YPO in Leysin, Switzerland. It was amazing! The city was THE most beautiful place I've ever seen. And the pizza...ohhhhh the pizza...MAN it was good stuff.
Unfortunately, Leysin wasn't as friendly as I'd hoped. The only Bonjor Scotts I received were from a nice lady who sold me a Swiss Army Knife and a group of European tourists who stared at me like I was crazy.
Oh well!
Nevertheless, we had an amazing week. There were about 40 highschoolers from around the world who came to Leysin to improve their leadership skills. My workshop was called "Unforgettable Communication...One Conversation At A Time," a true characteristic of all great leaders. The students learned about building front porches, becoming experts on themselves, resistance/discomfort and everyday rituals. The participation, feedback and attentiveness were incredible from everyone!
Check out some of these pictures! To take a closer look, just click on the thumbnail to enlarge each set.
Volleyball with Chic and Renee, Drew, Brian and Mike stuck on the bus, Amy and Sara @ Ropes Course
Soccer (futbol) in the mountains, KJ's nametag and The Village
Cool Suisse shirts, fondue and 100 reindeer
Josele's sexy "look," Scott and the students and a few shots of the Alps
Scott's workshop and the students' posterboard summary of Scott's workshop
A 3 hour hike into the Alps, two cows having sex and peaceful reflection from the summit
The Great Grass Clock, Caroline and her gi-normous glasses, Matt from South Africa and Drew the Drummer
Political Graffiti, Amy the "Bomb Ass," and Lausanne
Lake Geneva and a sissy speaker who didn't have the guts to swim because it was too cold
Sunrise at 5:00 AM on Friday the 22nd
Au revoir!
What's the most beautiful foreign city you've ever visited?
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That guy with the nametag


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"I feel honoured and privileged to be elected as Chancellor of the University of Sydney which has always been a leader in education and research," said Ms Hutchinson.
"World-class tertiary education and research are critical to the economic and social future of Australia and I'm confident the University of Sydney will continue to be a key contributor to that future. I am excited by the opportunity to work with the whole University community as we strive to achieve excellence in educational and research outcomes," she said.
A graduate of the University of Sydney, Belinda Hutchinson is Chairman of QBE Insurance Group, a director of St Vincent's Health Australia, AGL Energy, the Salvation Army Eastern Territory Advisory Board, Australian Philanthropic Services, NSW State Library Foundation, and a member of the Federal Government Financial Services Advisory Council. She is also the President of Chief Executive Women, a member-based organisation comprising of 240 of Australia's women leaders.
Ms Hutchinson was previously an executive director of Macquarie Group where she was the head of Macquarie Equity Capital Markets. Prior to this she was a vice president of Citibank in project and corporate finance and was the head of the Financial Institutions Group in Australia. She began her career working for Andersen Consulting in Australia and the USA. She has also served on the boards of Telstra Corporation, Coles Myer, Crane Group, Energy Australia, TAB, Snowy Hydro Trading and Sydney Water.
Belinda Hutchinson holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney and was a recipient of a University Alumni Award in 2012. She is the University's 18th Chancellor.


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With a proven customer track record in leading teaching hospitals; corporate and educational research institutes; and government agencies worldwide, 3dMD is the world leader in the development of anatomically-precise 3D and "temporal-3D" (4D) surface imaging systems and sophisticated software required to support serious applications in healthcare, biometrics, ergonomics, human factors, research, and size and fit.
With more than 4,000 3dMD units in use by customers across the globe, 3dMD is the most widely used 3D surface imaging system worldwide with an outstanding reputation for 3D image precision, ultra-fast speed of capture, and system reliability over time. We are very proud that 3dMD is now considered a benchmark imaging technology in the fields of specialized dentistry, OMS, and reconstructive plastics, as well as team-based intervention to address head and neck conditions.
Based on 3dMD pioneering a 3D surface imaging technology with anatomical integrity for clinical application, both corporate and educational research teams have been able to take advantage of 3dMD's technology to advance their own investigative findings and conclusions. Types of research teams using 3dMD include anthropology, biometrics, computer vision, ergonomics, human factors, product engineering, psychology, as well as others.
With a mature 3D technology designed specifically for high-precision anatomical capture, 3dMD is well positioned to assist manufacturers and retailers with upcoming product offerings that feature customized 3D-printed wearables. Whether it is producing well-functioning safety gear, developing a better fitting shoe or glove, improving performance sportswear and uniforms, or designing seats that improve comfort, 3dMD captures the individual consumer's dynamics and anatomical 3D shape and size image precisely and economically. 3dMD also ensures workflow efficiencies that optimize the Episode of Encounter per consumer in high-throughput environments to maximize revenue for personalized, custom items.
With a proven customer record of more than 3,500 3D/4D cameras worldwide, 3dMD high-precision 3D and temporal-3D (4D) surface acquisition systems have an outstanding reputation for anatomical 3D accuracy, ultra-fast capture speed, and reliability throughout the duration of mission critical projects.
In contrast to most 3D scanning technologies that were originally designed to scan inanimate objects for reverse engineering application, 3dMD developed its 3D capture technology from the onset to incorporate many different camera viewpoints and achieve ultra-fast capture speeds required to capture human subjects. 3dMD's unique approach results in a high-precision 3D surface image of a subject's face, head, torso, limb, thorax, full body, etc. with every click. With 3dMD, hospitals and research institutions can now accurately image even the most restless children non-invasively!
To continue to drive research and clinical advancements by providing the 3dMD customer community with 3D and next-generation temporal-3D (4D) technologies that will ensure the creation of an image database with integrity throughout the project; a very efficient subject workflow for any high throughput environment; a reliable system that will continue to perform over longer periods of time.
With 4,000 3D cameras globally in leading teaching hospitals; corporate and educational research institutes; and government agencies worldwide, 3dMD is committed to supporting the world's most forward-thinking clinical and research teams, who continue to push innovations in science and medicine, with our high-precision 3D and temporal-3D (4D) surface acquisition systems , as well as sophisticated 3D analysis and 4D tracking software.
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President, Sales & Business Development
Vice President, Technical Operations
Date: June 2020. Source: 2020 IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and…
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Date: May 2020. Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Volume…
Date: May 2020. Source: Thesis. Master of Science, The Faculty of…
Thank you for your interest in 3dMD's high-precision 3D surface imaging devices and powerful software platforms. Please scroll down to submit a contact form.


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Buying Cars Made Simple
2015 Toyota RAV4
| $14,995
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When purchasing a vehicle from a dealership, a buyer is subjected to sales tax. The sales tax is determined based on the buyer's residence location. The above illustration assumes a buyer resides in the City of Chicago, Cook County.
When purchasing a vehicle through Swap Motors, a buyer is purchasing a vehicle directly from a private party seller. In Illinois, private parties' car transactions are subjected to a private party vehicle use tax. The use tax rate is determined by either the purchase price or fair market value of the motor vehicle. Further details are accessible at: http://tax.illinois.gov/
Swap Motors and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
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Lesson 10: The Unique in Power and Strength
The Wide and Mysterious Universe
A little reflection on the creation of each of the objects of existence will reveal to our minds the unique power of the Creator. As examples, consider the following:
1. The defence system of the body has for a long time attracted the attention of physiologists. The body's defense system is a complicated one consisting of the lymph glands, the thymus the spleen, the liver and the bone marrow. The cells of these parts of the body, despite the difference in their structure, follow a common aim, viz. defending the body against foreign elements such as microbes and poisons. In this task, the white blood cells, found in their greatest concentration in the lymph glands, play a vital role. When a foreign body enters the organism the white blood cells, which are about 7 to 30 microns in diameter rush immediately to the site of the invasion, and, in various ways, prevent an increase in the danger.
To help these cells the body follows different ways in the fight against foreign elements, and to combat each foreign substance it manufactures antibodies. The antibodies made in the body are of different sorts. Some of them are for the destroying of microbes and their elimination; some of them neutralize animal, insect and chemical poisons. Some stop the activity of microbes, and others separate out the poisonous substances in microbes and other noxious bodies. Yet another kind comes into action when blood from an incompatible blood group enters the body.
The point is that the body can manufacture suitable antibodies against all kinds of foreign substances, even those which are as yet unknown to modern science.
2. The Director of the Leon Observatory on Mount Palomar in Arizona has said:
"As long as the telescope of this observatory had not been invented, the range of the visible universe was not more than five hundred light years, but this telescope has extended this range to one thousand million light years. As a result, millions of new galaxies have been found, and some of these are a thousand million light years from us. But beyond this distance there is a great, dark, fearful expanse in which nothing can be seen. That is to say that no light comes from it, which leaves its traces on the photographic plates of the telescope. But, without doubt, there are hundreds of millions of galaxies, by the force of whose gravity the universe is held together.
"The whole of this immense visible universe which contains a hundred thousand million galaxies is nothing but a small and insignificant speck in a still more immense universe, and I am not sure that we shall not find beyond that yet another universe."
Ali ibn Abu Talib the first Imam, said: "We are not able to fathom the depths of Your Greatness. Only we know that You are Living and Everlasting that neither slumber nor sleep takes hold of You.
'No sight can reach You, and no eye can see You, but You see the eyes, and reckon the time-span of everything. The heads and feet of man are in Your hold.
What is it that we see of Your Creation? What is the Power that causes us to wonder? What can we describe of Your Ruling? Those parts which are hidden from us, which our eyes cannot reach, which our minds cannot comprehend, which are covered by curtains of concealment, are more magnificent."
Indeed. The unique Power of Allah has brought everything into existence. And nothing falls outside the area of His command. The world exists by the Will of Allah, and it will continue to exist as long as He desires. The stars, the moon, the sun and the other heavenly bodies move round by His Power, and the amazing order of the universe is entirely in His hands. He is able to change it to a new order whenever He wishes. It is not the case that He created the world and then abandoned it. The rotation, growth, pulsation, existence and sustenance of everything are from His Will. Nothing can happen without His willing nor can anything remain in existence. The One who brings things into existence, Who sustains them and governs them is Allah.
An Order Superior to the Natural One
It is true that Allah has laid down a natural order for this universe, according to which it is possible to anticipate the future but in certain circumstances, Allah manifests His wide-ranging Power, and by His Will creates a superior order which can dominate the existing order. Instances of this superior order can be seen from history and in everyday life:
In these cases, in fact, the hand of Allah is at work in the universe; at times He raises those who have fallen, and at other times He causes those who are elevated to be cast down. It is for this reason that those who have a strong faith in the powerful God do not become disappointed in life. In whatever situation they find themselves, in the darkness of despair, the flame of hope is alight, and they are confident that they will find deliverance through the help of God.
We have all read or heard the story of Moses and Pharaoh. Pharaoh was unequalled in cruelty. He killed the sons of the Israelites so that the promised one of the children of Israel, who, he had heard, would come to destroy his throne and crown would not come into the worldly life. He thought that by these contrivances, by persistence and through the natural order he could counteract the Power of God. But his efforts were in vain. At last the promised one was born.
The mother of the child was inspired to place him in a box and to cast him onto the waters of the Nile. The river carried him down to the palace of Pharaoh and the eyes of Pharaoh's wife caught sight of the box. She took it out of the water. When she saw the infant in it, she asked Pharaoh to take the child as their own son, and Pharaoh agreed. The powerful hand of God kept the child of whom Pharaoh was so afraid in his very lap, till he grew up, became strong and brought down the crown of the Pharaoh.
Similarly, the Power of God caused the vain efforts and devices of the brothers of Yusuf to come to nothing. Yusuf fell down into the well, but he was raised to a high position in the land of Egypt.
The unbelievers of Mecca joined hands to do away with the Prophet of Islam. They began to make trouble for the Muslims, and even applied economic sanctions against the Prophet and his followers for several years in the valley of the mountains of Abu Talib. Eventually they decided to murder the Prophet, thinking that by such subterfuges they could achieve something. But the Will and Power of God preserved the Prophet, and He caused Islam to prosper day by day, and brought down the Quraysh and the disbelievers.
These and other examples lead to the truth that the order of this world is in the hands of God, and that when it is according to His wish, He can cause a new order to rule over the normally existing order.
Therefore, our minds and our consciences demand that we humble ourselves before this Great and Beneficent Power, act in all obedience and avoid opposing our Creator. The powerful hand of God has moved us through various stages and has brought us to our present stage of intelligence and ability. Is it right that we should forget Him?
One who knows God, acknowledging that he has such a Wise and Powerful helper, will not fear any difficulty The most complex and difficult problems can be solved by him, and consequently he will try to reach his aim with unflinching determination arising from his faith in God. He will not be afraid of any obstacles, for he sees himself in the shade of a great Power, which will enable him to overcome all difficulties.
Belief in God and His unique power enabled the Prophet to fight large groups single-handed, to stand firm against difficult circumstances, so that he could build the structure of tawhid and a program for life. In this way he was able to establish humanity and virtue.
A man whose heart is overflowing with faith in the Creator of the world, and is filled with love for the Truth will never feel alone, disappointed or without hope, and the light of God will always illuminate the corners of his heart. Obviously, such a man will make himself ready for a better and more virtuous life with unbounded enthusiasm.
Those who have said, "Our Lord is God," and are steadfast in their belief need have no fear or be grieved (46:13).
They will be the dwellers of Paradise wherein they will live forever as a reward for what they have done (46:14).
To those who have said, "God is our Lord, " and who have remained steadfast to their belief, the angels will descend saying, "Do not be afraid or grieved. Receive the glad news of the Paradise, which was promised to you (41:30).
We are your guardians in this world and in the life to come, where you will have whatever you call for, (41:31)
a hospitable welcome from the All-forgiving and All-merciful God" (41:32).
1. What does the defence system of the body do?
2. Which parts of the body work for the defence of the body?
3. What is the size of the white blood cells?
4. In how many ways do the defenders of the body defend?
5. What do the white blood cells do when a foreign body enters the organism?
6. Which organs of the body manufacture antibodies?
7. Do the defenders of the body just destroy the enemy or use other methods also?
8. How much was the range of the universe before modern telescopes?
9. According to the director of Leon observatories how large is the size of the visible universe?
10. How many galaxies does the visible universe have?
11. According to Imam Ali can anyone comprehend the greatness of Allah?
12. Does Allah according to Imam Ali slumber or sleep?
13. Why can no one comprehend the great power of Allah?
14. Is it possible to predict the future of a creature by the help of natural laws?
15. Does Allah's superior order dominate the existing order?
16. Why could pharaoh not destroy Moses?
17. Who frustrated the bad intentions of the brothers of Yusuf?
18. Why could the unbelievers of Mecca not defeat the Prophet of Islam?
19. Which power gives genuine comfort to the hearts of faithful people?
20. Who will never feel alone?


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Reading Governor Paul LePage's weekend radio address today, I am once again struck by the sheer, audacious hypocrisy of his argument against considering the hospital payments and the federal health care money at the same time.
This is the guy who first linked the hospital debt agreement to the liquor contract, then linked it to the voter-authorized bonds, refusing to sign them until it was passed, and then linked it to everything, threatening to veto every other bill on every other issue if things weren't done exactly to his specifications and timetable.
Suddenly, when Democrats included his repayment plan with another (much more intrinsically relevant) policy, it's an unfair "ultimatum."
Even in his address today, in the exact same moment that he's castigating democrats for bringing two issues together, he again reminds us that he's holding hostages: "Once the hospitals are paid, I've promised to issue voter-authorized bonds that will grow our economy, including the 2014 transportation infrastructure improvements and $53.5 million for conservation, clean water upgrades, and construction and energy-efficiency projects at post-secondary educational institutions."


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Bathford Village Flower Show 2020 – SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2-4.30pm In light of ongoing concerns about Covid-19 the Committee have decided to cancel this year's Show in the Parish Hall in order to protect the local community. However we propose
Bathford Parish Council NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that following the resignation of Cllr David Le Lohé, a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for Bathford Parish Council. If, within 14 days* after the date of this notice
Zoom online meetings will be used for all Parish Council and Committee meetings which may be held during the social distancing measures. An event will be created which can be found on the calendar on the homepage of this website


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My friend Lisa Alzo queried Ol' Myrt and a number of other genealogy writers for input about trends we see coming down the pike in the world of genealogy. She plans to work the feedback we provided into an article for Family Chronicle magazine. However, her request did not preclude the cross posting of my thoughts on the subject here in my blog over the next few days. I look forward to reading what my colleagues think the future holds for family historians when Lisa's article goes to press.
In response to What Sources (databases, technologies, etc.) or trends you think will be "hot" in the coming year, Ol' Myrt continued by noting:
Using the Steve P. Morse model, more innovative researchers will create programs to circumvent the cumbersome search engines at Footnote.com, WorldVitalRecords.com and Ancestry.com, etc. Even using a Google "Site:" search is often the better alternative if you are hoping to have more relevant hits.
Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
Your friend in genealogy.
DearMYRTLE's Family History Hour
Family History Expos Genealogy Podcasts
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© 2009 Pat Richley All Rights Reserved.
This and previous blog entries are fully searchable by going to http://blog.DearMYRTLE.com . Myrt welcomes queries and research challenges, but regrets she is unable to answer each personally.


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Posts Tagged 'home renovation'
The No Year
It almost feels as though 2014 didn't happen at all. Though it was a tumultuous year around the globe, with the return of Ebola and the continuing epidemic, the unjust killings of innocent American citizens by unpunished American police officers, natural disasters and the bizarre disappearance of two airplanes, my world seemed to stand still. So much was happening all over the world, but as I observed my immediate surroundings, it felt as though things were happening in slow motion to the point where I witnessed decay rather than progress. In the movie of my life, I was the one character caught standing still, almost frozen, as the rest of the picture moved around me, colors swirling and whooshing and encircling me while violins played over the picture. I haven't been able to breathe comfortably in more than a year, struggling to tread the waters and stay afloat in a house filled with all of my earthly possessions. I have been drowning.
I had plans to move to Beirut in September 2013 to begin working with Transterra Media, but quickly nixed those plans when I faced the reality of becoming a homeowner, a recent college graduate with mounting debt and having accepted a position within a company that wasn't willing to offer me a salary, or even a position beyond an internship.
Those post-graduation plans began in Boston, while I was still enrolled as an undergraduate student at Northeastern University. Then I returned to New York from Boston in the middle of the summer of 2013, and the house I came home to has been in a constant state of disorder since then. My brother and I began a major renovation due to water damage and moldy beams shortly after my father relocated back to Europe, and shortly after my return to New York. All of my belongings from five collective years at university in Boston packed away in boxes for a year and a half, three suitcases filled with clothing I haven't worn in almost two years, and boxes of books I haven't been able to access, let alone read, occupy most of the area that used to be my bedroom. Compounding all of my shit into my bedroom at the end of the hallway are all of my brother and father's things, including two dining room sets, three couches, two full bedroom sets, two sets of kitchenware and appliances, etc. It was a struggle living that way, without any order, not too dissimilar than a season of A&E's Hoarders. I managed to reach the end of 2013 hopeful that, in 2014, I would be able to achieve all of the things I had to put on hold in 2013, and that I would see the end result of the renovation early on in the year.
Well, unfortunately for me, 2014 came and went, just like that.
In the blink of an eye, twelve months somehow managed to elapse. I now find myself cooped up with my dog and my brother, living in my Aunt Andrea and Uncle Jimmy's house somewhat uncomfortably for almost three months now, still waiting for my home to be livable again. Somehow, our house is actually in worse condition than it was at the beginning of the year. Since returning home, all I have done is wait for incompetent people to do jobs they are incapable of doing well. It began with one asshole contractor in 2013 and now involves three separate teams of contractors, all equally irritating in their own right. Over the course of the last twelve months, I have been jerked around by a number of people, offered too many platitudes and false promises, and treated like shit. Honestly, the time since August 2013 feels like it has been one dark, long, inescapable nightmare. It's fitting, then, that I spent the final hours of the NO YEAR that was 2014 in bed sweating out a nasty virus and plowing through a box of tissues alone and with only a bottle of Vicks Vaporub and a mug of hot tea on my bedside table. The virus is seemingly the direct result of a rough year. As I sweat in bed through four blankets and two sweatshirts, waiting for the imminent end of the year, it feels as though my body is ridding itself of more than just a virus; my body is fervently fighting to endure the virus and the end of the nightmare.
I have lost, effectively, a year and a half of my life. I have a lot to catch up on in 2015. Thank God I had my brother by my side to suffer through the bullshit year with me, for if anyone knows what a shitty year it has been, it's him. Thank God 2014 is over. I'll always looks back on the past year as one of the worst of my life, for nothing seemed to go the way I hoped it would. As a matter of fact, nothing seemed to happen at all.
It was nice to wake up this morning, on the first day of a new year. I rolled out of bed, popped two more Tylenol capsules, and took a look outside. The sun is shining brightly in a clear blue sky, the wind moving the barren arms of the trees and the few brown leaves left rustle up and down the roads. It's a fresh start.
Happy new year, everybody. Here's to making shit happen this year.
"Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere,
and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere,
you find yourself."


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The beautiful town of Merida, Mexico.
Sunset in the Parque Central
Beautiful sunset colors in the main plaza
Beautiful church off the parque central. The beautiful town of Merida, Mexico.
Explore the most popular travel resources on A Little Adrift and Grassroots Volunteering:
- World Travel Resources- Responsible Travel Guides- Social Enterprise Database- How to Pack for World Travel- How to Save Money for Travel- My World Nomads Review


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There is a flurry of activity on the blogs about the recent debates. I watched both of the last two Republican Debates and thought I would add my thoughts as well. I have refrained from making comments as my connections to the political circles and dialogue is much more removed that in the past. Those with whom I am most likely to associate now are those whose opinions come from media exposure and relationships that don't have close association with the actual contenders. My own experience tends to fall in line with this more and so I question some of the validity of my opinions. I don't know all the details or what is really happening behind the scenes.
Out of the debates a couple things are clear. A few seem to know what they are really doing and are confident in it. Others seem to have a prepared line or facade in which to convince others of their opinion. Rudy is one that certainly believes what it is he is saying and is not about to be manipulated. Romney is also one who has done his homework and knows where he sits and what he believes. Lastly, Ron is well entrenched in his thoughts and opinions. The rest of them seem to be giving us a line, trying to impress us with laurels, or out to make political statements and force a change rather than the whole package.
McCain rings out as a politician of the true sense. Saying what needs to be said and trying to look Presidential. Truth be told, he just looks old, feeble, and that cheesy smile gets old.
Thompson definitely could be a strong contender but he just keeps talking about the past. Wisconsin this, Wisconsin that; why doesn't he just talk about LaFollette and it would be complete. Rather than really running a campaign it seems he is a bit stuck on himself which never really works out well.
Hunter and Tancredo have their little pet projects for which they are primarily running. Both ring in often and loud about the immigration subjects. Neither really have anything that points they are leaders or great men to be at the head our country.
Brownback is just another Senator who has failed to even gain much notoriety in the Senate. If he can't shine there, why do we expect him to shine as President?
Jim Gilmore has his leader experience as a Governor like several of the others. He has a quiet confidence but comes off as not having a great grasp on national issues. I am sure he does know more but perhaps it is his delivery. But he seems to be running more for the title of most conservative rather than President which will not sway those independents and other fence sitters.
Mike Huckabee is the only one that seems like he could be a serious contender but he appears to be out of timing. It is a bit like he should have spent some more time in the incubator. He has some great ideas, knows where he sits and stands, just don't express himself fully and completely. Perhaps it is the lack of forcefulness in his tone. He is one that comes off as more along for the joy ride. He is doing what he feels is expedient. He is out promoting his way of thinking, his actions and example, but that he isn't totally serious. Perhaps this will change, but he is just dabbling right now. His campaign and much more show this.
So, let's look at who appear as the three big boys of the debate.
Ron Paul certainly knows where he stands and what his thoughts are. He is so completely predictable in his thoughts and comments that he doesn't even need to speak on the stage. We know his thoughts. That is something which certainly comes to his aid. He is dependable and will not shirk at the moment of trial. He was, is, and always will be. His major weaknesses are that he has an awkward delivery. First he comes off as an intellectual. The Dr instantly injures him in some of the same way that it did John Kerry. Nobody questions he is smart but can he connect with the every day citizen and voter? His message is stark and clear. However, it is not the every day thoughts of your typical American. While he would totally have been center of the road even up until the 1940's somehow Americans have moved away from his strict interpretation of the Constitution, Monrovian/Washingtonian/Jeffersonian ideas of non-intervention, and smaller government. Even Republicans are shifty when he speaks of what were once hard-core Republican doctrines. In order for Ron to win, he will have to teach American history, the importance of history, and convince all citizens of its importance. Otherwise there is no way we can return to the old moorings of our national and even republican cornerstones. He may end up like Burton Wheeler and find himself elected out of office if the trends of the past 60 years continue. (Having said that, it appears we are returning to some of those moorings, but how much I don't think we really know) Lastly, his age is a minor unnoticed question. He does appear some of his age and usually a bit ragged. As if teaching history were not burden enough, looking Presidential is a struggle for him.
Rudy Giuliani come off looking like a fighter but the audience's reaction to his challenge to Paul shows how far Ron Paul has to go. The audience and Giuliani show their obvious ignorance. If he read the 911 Commission's Report, he didn't pay much attention. After all, that was one of their premises concerning our state and the blow back we were receiving due to our interactions economically and militarily in the middle east. Paul's optimium response would have been "Did you read the 911 Report? If so, you would be very familiar with what it is I am speaking" and left it at that. Instead he came with a long response that lost the majority of Americans who were awake at this point in the debate. Rudy gave a zinger, which shows his disregard for parliamentary procedure, debate rules, and the common decorum required. Nevertheless, Paul was given a response in which he could have nailed Rudy to floor for his lack of security homework but did not. The debate went on and Rudy was comfortable and confident. That did everything to help him. They went after him for his position on abortion and he stood his ground. He tried to weasel away from the questions but the moderator at a moment of being good required he answer. We have to question whether he will always be straightforward and honest or will the citizens always have to corner him? Regardless of personal feelings I may have for or against abortion, Rudy will still have a struggle with many of the Republican Party since this is a topic of interest for them. In all likeliness, if elected, he would nominate a justice or two and for Republican's this is the chance to change the tide with Roe. Will they go for the man who cannot guarantee their position? Or will they, hoping to get consensus from independents and hope for the best? Lastly, a question I have is concerning his political credentials. Yes, he ran New York City, but city government has some stark contrasts with a state or the national government. Do we really know he can navigate those channels?
Lastly, there is the enigma of Mitt Romney. Where in the world will he take the country? He is the only person on the roster who appears to need to answer questions about his religion. Each of the candidates has their changes or "flip flops" as they like to refer to Mitt's reversals. I am not sure that is totally the issue at hand. Romney appears confident and well thought out, much like Giuliani, except Romney has appeared to have that the whole time. This is all the more true when compared with the first GOP debate. Romney has real work experience. He is not just a lifelong politician. It is obvious that he worked his way up through the world of business and can understand the true forms of efficiency, responsiveness, and having a vision/charter. What is more, he is specialized in knowing how to weed out problems and rebuilding an organization from the ground up. That does not deal with consensus but in flat out making decisions, learning, and pressing forward. A politician has the long history of always making sure his rear is covered so he can be reelected. He has to second guess everything and reevaluate things to recast them to a variety of people for their acceptance. Opinions rule in politics. But in business, those things are not rewarded and not often encouraged. Leadership and pure blazing the trail is what really makes one successful. Romney has shown that he can do that with absolute power in an organization and has stepped into the government realm to add his help. That seems to be of great value. Make decisions and then see who you can line up as friend or foe rather than the other way around. That is his strength. He understands the need of fiscal and financial leadership. Capitalism does not long reward debt and operating in the red. This is something which will be of great value to him in office. He took it to Massachusetts and it seems he would take it to Washington. He has many characteristics which make him agreeable to be among the best for the options for GOP Nominee. But I still have some serious reservations about a the man who professes complete fidelity to his religion but wants to bash some of its fundamental doctrines.
We will have to see where these things move.


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Talk about everything working out in the end.
Los Angeles no longer has to deal with the ugly embarrassment of Donald Sterling.
The Clippers wind up with one of the richest men and brightest business minds in the world as their new owner.
The value of National Basketball Association teams just orbited into a new galaxy.
And when Sterling finally comes to his senses and concedes the inevitable, he'll somehow walk away with a couple of billion dollars for planting his foot so firmly in his mouth that his fellow owners had no choice but to kick him out of their exclusive club.
Is this a great country, or what?
Just billionaires being billionaires, I guess.
Look, I'm not smart enough to explain why the Clippers are or aren't worth the $2 billion former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer is reportedly shelling out to buy them, and I'm certainly not in position to question why such a brilliant man would write a check that big for a team that isn't even the top dog in its own city, doesn't own the arena it plays in and for most of the four decades has been nothing short of a laughingstock.
But if that is what it takes to finally purge Los Angeles of Sterling, I'm all for it.
My head is still spinning that the Clippers are actually on the verge of being sold for $2 billion — $2 billion, are you kidding be? — but I'm even more astonished that it all unfolded as quickly as it did.
It takes longer for a driver's license to get processed then it did for one of the ugliest chapters in Los Angeles sports history to come to a just, positive end.
Remember how painstakingly long it took Major League Baseball to get rid of former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt?
That was like the Wright Brothers' first airplane compared to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird kind of speed the NBA showed in getting rid of Sterling.
Nearly four weeks after he was outed by the now-infamous audio tape in which he spewed a bunch of racist nonsense, Sterling is being banished to the sideline for good.
It took the swift action and heavy hand of the NBA, led by an angry group of players, Comissioner Adam Silver and the 29 other owners all motivated to rid themselves of Sterling's ignorance — not to mention the Sterling's wife Shelly, who wasn't about to get pushed out of the NBA without some serious walking away money. But we all got our wish Thursday night when Shelly Sterling, who was authorized by her husband to sell the team, reached a sale agreement with Ballmer in one of the biggest transactions in sports history.
Sterling will likely try and fight Thursday's developments, even though he granted his wife permission to work out a sale, but his days in the NBA are numbered. With Ballmer and Shelly Sterling reportedly signing a contract, all that's needed now is at least three-quarters of the NBA owners to improve it.
Ballmer, who was close to buying the Sacramento Kings recently, has already been vetted by the NBA, so the approval process seems merely procedural at this point.
Will Ballmer be a good owner?
Considering his success with Microsoft, you have to like his chances.
And you absolutely have to look at the Clippers a whole lot differently today than you did just a few days ago.
They are now led by a man with a net worth of more then $20 billion, someone who has been knocking on the door of sports ownership for a few years now.
He's got the cash, the brains and he seems beyond motivated not just to own a sports franchise, but to boldly lead it into the future.
That's the kind of winning combination that catches everybody's attention — including star players who once looked down upon the Clippers.
But now boasting a young, talented core, one of the great coaches in the game in Doc Rivers leading the way and a respected billionaire soon in place as the owner, the Clippers are quite the attractive destination these days.
No, they aren't the Lakers. They probably never will be.
And as long as Seattle remains without an NBA team and the Clippers languish behind the Lakers in the hearts of Los Angeles, we'll always wonder if Ballmer will one day move up the coast to his beloved Pacific Northwest — as he intended to do with the Kings when he tried to buy them.
But that's a concern for another day, and considering the long lease the Clippers are locked into at Staples Center, Ballmer would likely have to pay dearly to make his Seattle dreams come true.
For now, let's focus on the positive.
Sterling is gone.
And one of the most gifted business minds in the world is replacing him.
Talk about a win-win.
But still, $2 billion dollars for the Clippers?


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|My tactor is GREEN and the others RED. That is just what you need to improve your business!
Planning a business and developing a sales pitch for customers, partners, or investors is part of the startup effort. The advantages of the technology or products become part of the CEO's pitch to show the listener how they will benefit from an engagement with the startup. Everyone is aware that competition exists. However, it is not always so easy to determine whether competitors known or unknown visited your audience previously.
Sometimes a listener asks about your awareness of company X that has similar technology. On other occasions, they may ask how you differ from other technologies in the same field. Every entrepreneur believes his or her technology is unique and special. They cite the advantages and special considerations of why they are the preferred business. However, many times the CEO and team are not aware of all of their competitors or what the competitive pitches. It is surprising to hear that competitors are claiming to have all they key advantages of your products and team. It is hard to counter this comment when nothing is known about the competitor.
A great technology has features that separate it from the others. The benefits are important to define and describe to the listener. It is critical the listener see how the technology will benefit the customer and how the company will drive use of the product. Demonstrating these factors is what most CEOs do in their pitch. The question and answer segment that takes place after the pitch is where surprises can occur. The following is a summary of a session that stumped the team:
Customer: "We love what you have and immediately see the benefits."
Company: "How can we partner to advance the technology?"
Customer: "You should adjust your pitch to include info which we described as important. Then plan to give your pitch to person Y.
Company: "Great we will do just that. Keep in mind the advantages of our technology and how much it will benefit you."
Customer: "You should know there have been a number of companies making a nearly identical pitch and stating they have all the same advantages. Just keep that in mind when you speak with person Y."
What happened in this discussion were two very important things; 1) the people the team thought were the decision makers were NOT, and 2) the company was not aware of stealth companies pitching nearly identical technologies. This happens more than one would like. It is not enough to have a green tractor while everyone has a different color. You must have and describe real advantages you bring to the relationship. This includes a differentiation of your technology from that of the competition. It is not possible to show how your technology is the best if you have not identified all the competition. There are unknown competitors, so do not act surprised when someone tells you about them in a meeting.
The key is maintaining a constant vigilance for the competition. Create a slide as part of your pitch and highlight how and why your technology is better for the listener than others they have seen. Expect to find someone bring up a company you never heard of or a vague reference to undefined competition. Make every effort to learn more about the competition and modify your presentation accordingly. You may get the opportunity to send the listener a follow up email or phone call to describe what you have learned. If you have the incorrect decision maker, establish whom the best person would be to make a follow up presentation. Most often, the listeners will provide the info if you ask politely.
Taffy Williams is the author of: Think Agile: How Smart Entrepreneurs Adapt in Order to Succeed to via Amazon


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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are reportedly expecting a fourth child!
US Weekly reports that their fourth child should be here in May via a surrogate, according to a source.
The superstar couple are currently parents to 5-year-old North, 3-year-old Saint and 11-month-old Chicago.
Chicago was born via surrogate after doctors told Kardashian that another natural pregnancy could prove life-threatening.


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Top Of The Food Chain: Prime Rib
Welcome to the first edition of Top Of The Food Chain, a new column from Eat Me Daily's meatiest columnist, Ryan Adams. Every week we'll attempt to demystify the options available in your supermarket, breaking animals down piece by piece so that the next time you find yourself staring at endless Styrofoam containers, you'll be able to make an informed purchase. This week: Prime Rib.
Let's start this off by going straight to the top, the creme de la creme: the standing rib roast, also known as prime rib. Highly prized, the standing rib roast is synonymous with weddings, all-you-can-eat buffets and holiday dinners. The name "prime rib" actually denotes the USDA grade; "top choice" rib roasts are still excellent quality meat, they merely lack some of the fat marbling found throughout the muscle tissue, and come with a lower price tag. True prime rib roasts can cost upwards of 50% more than choice per pound and usually require a special order from your meat monger.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, though, let's get you up to speed on your basic beef knowledge.
Beef Specific Terms
Aging: A process by which beef is held under controlled temperatures for a period of time. This allows enzymatic activity to break down complex proteins, enhancing the flavor and tenderness of the meat. There are two kinds of aging, dry and wet.
Blade meat: The lean meat overlaying the ribeye and rib portion of the rib primal. Also known as false meat, rib lifter meat, cap meat, or wedge meat.
Chine bone: A part of the backbone that remains after the carcass is split.
Marbling: All of the flecks of fat found within the lean meat. The amount of marbling factors into the quality of meat: lots of marbling will enhance juiciness and flavor.
Beef Grades and Quality
The grades assigned to pieces of beef are based off the sex of the bovine, its maturity, the quality of the lean meat and the amount of marbling present. Interestingly, steers (castrated adult male cattle) and heifers can qualify for all of the below grades while cows can qualify for all grades but Prime. Bullocks (uncastrated young male cattle) can only qualify for Prime, Choice, Select, Standard and Utility. Bulls (uncastrated adult male cattle) are unable to qualify for any grading whatsoever; bull meat is not harvested as their hormones make the meat tough.
Beef grades, from highest to lowest, are: U.S. Prime, U.S. Choice, U.S. Select, U.S. Standard, U.S. Commercial, U.S. Utility, U.S. Cutter, and U.S. Canner.
Cut: Prime Rib, Standing Rib Roast
The standing rib roast comes from the rib primal, which is the area behind the shoulder, but before the lower back. The muscles included are some of the most tender found on the animal. For example, the Longissimus Dorsi, which runs the length of the cut, is the third tenderest muscle on the animal. Add in a luxurious amount of tasty fat and it's easy to see why the rib roast is so coveted.
This cut is very similar to the primal cut but with the chine bones, blade bones and cartilage removed.
More bones have been removed, some of the fat and a few muscles (backstrap, latissimus dorsi, infraspinatus, subscapularis, rhomboideus, and trapezius) removed. It's fairly common to see this cut either tied, or placed in netting.
This cut is basically the same as the Roast-Ready, except the fat layer covering the muscles mentioned above is now put back into place, instead of being removed. This is what you're most likely to find in your local supermarket, and I consider it to be the ideal variation of rib roast.
Roast-Ready, Cover Off, Short Cut (Export Style)
Very similar to the Roast-Ready-Special, except the fat layer I was just crowing about is removed and the roast has been trimmed to be more compact.
Roast-Ready, Boneless
Just like the Roast-Ready, except that all of the bones and the intercostal meat have been removed. While this does make for easier carving, consider buying your roast with the bones in for superior flavor. These are usually placed in netting, or tied.
What to look for when buying
When buying prime rib, make sure that you buy from the small end of the primal cut, specifically from the twelfth rib up toward the seventh rib, and the very best meat is found at the first three ribs of the short end, the twelfth to the tenth. A two-rib roast that has been trimmed will weigh roughly five to seven pounds and feed about four people.
Six or more people will require a three rib roast. Rib roasts aren't always carried at your local supermarket, though I have seen them popping up during the Christmas holidays. If it's not December, you should be able to special order one from a good butcher or supermarket with little problem. The meat itself should be a bright color, a darkish pink with fat speckled throughout.
Whole bone-in rib roast can be stored in your refrigerator for three to five days, or frozen six to twelve months.
Basic Preparation
Preparing a standing rib roast is thankfully an uncomplicated process. Simply season the meat with salt and pepper, and roast until the center has reached 130°F for a medium-rare roast (125°F for rare; 145°F for medium). That's all you need to do for a wonderful rib roast, though pre-aging the meat to remove moisture and intensify flavor is fairly common.
- Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef by Derrick Riches
- Peppercorn Crusted Prime Rib from bigoven.com.
- Cajun Prime Rib from recipesource.com
- Salt-Crusted Prime Rib Roast from Chef Tim Love
- Prime Rib of Beef by Emeril Lagasse


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The Google Reader team just added the ability to rename folders and tags in their popular newsreader. Unlike before, folders and tags can now be renamed easily through the Google Reader settings page or through the context menu in your subscription list.
In addition to folder and tag renaming, Google Reader has also phased out support for older browsers and disabled offline access for Gears.
Folder and tag renaming [The Official Google Reader Blog]


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Politically motivated content moderation is expensive, alienates certain customers - and is technically difficult. None of which contributes positively to the bottom line. JL
Mike Masnick reports in Tech Dirt:
The narrative that social media platforms are somehow "biased against conservatives" and trying to silence them has been stupid from the beginning, but the refrain has been getting louder, especially as Donald Trump has gone off on one of his ill-informed rants. The real issue is that content moderation at scale is nearly impossible. The "bias" of platforms is not "liberal" or "conservative," it's Capitalist. Having a platform overrun with spam and trolls is bad for business.
The narrative making the political rounds recently is that the big social media platforms are somehow "biased against conservatives" and deliberately trying to silence them (meanwhile, there are some in the liberal camp who are complaining that sites like Twitter have not killed off certain accounts, arguing -- incorrectly -- that they're now overcompensating in trying to not kick off angry ideologues). This has been a stupid narrative from the beginning, but the refrain on it has only been getting louder and louder, especially as Donald Trump has gone off on one of his ill-informed rants claming that "Social Media Giants are silencing millions of people." Let's be clear: this is all nonsense.
The real issue -- as we've been trying to explain for quite some time now -- is that basic content moderation at scale is nearly impossible to do well. That doesn't mean sites can't do better, but the failures are not because of some institutional bias. Will Oremus, over at Slate, has a good article up detailing why this narrative is nonsense, and he points to the episode of Radiolab we recently wrote about, that digs deep on how Facebook moderation choices happen, where you quickly begin to get a sense of why it's impossible to do it well. I would add to that a recent piece from Motherboard, accurately titled The Impossible Job: Inside Facebook's Struggle to Moderate Two Billion People.
These all highlight a few simple facts that lots of angry people (on all sides of political debates) are having trouble grasping.
Put this all together and it is a no win situation. You can't leave the platform completely unmoderated. But any attempt at moderation at scale is going to have problems. The "scale" part of this is what's the most difficult for most people to grasp. As Kate Klonick (again, author of an incredible paper on content moderation that you should read as well as author of a guest post here on Techdirt) notes in the Motherboard piece:
- If you leave a platform completely unmoderated, it will fill up with junk, spam, trolling and the like, thereby decreasing its overall utility and pushing people away.
- If you do decide to moderate, you have a set of impossible choices. So much content requires understanding context, and context may be very different, even for the same content when viewed by different people.
- If you're going to moderate at scale, you're going to need a set of "rules" that thousands of generally low paid individuals will have to be able to put into practice, reviewing pieces of content for just a few seconds (a recent report said that Facebook reviewers were expect to review 5,000 pieces of content per day.
- It is impossible to make rules like that that can easily be applied to all content. A significant percentage of content falls into gray areas, where it then becomes a judgment call by people in a cubicle in the middle of reviewing 5,000 pieces of content.
- At that rate, many mistakes are made. It is collateral damage of moderation at scale.
- People caught in the crossfire of collateral damage will rightly make a big stink about it and the social media companies will look bad.
- Meanwhile, some of the reasonable moderation decisions will hit trolls hard (see point 1 above) and those trolls will then take to other platforms and make a huge stink about how unfair it all is, and the social media companies will look bad."This is the difference between having 100 million people and a few billion people on your platform," Kate Klonick... told Motherboard. "If you moderate posts 40 million times a day, the chance of one of those wrong decisions blowing up in your face is so much higher."Later in the piece, Klonick again makes an important point:
"The really easy answer is outrage, and that reaction is so useless," Klonick said. "The other easy thing is to create an evil corporate narrative, and that is also not right. I'm not letting them off the hook, but these are mind-bending problems and I think sometimes they don't get enough credit for how hard these problems are."This is why I've been advocating loudly for platforms to move the moderation decisions further out to the ends of the network, rather than doing it in a centralized fashion. Let end users create their own moderation system, or adapt ones put together by third parties. But, of course, even that has problems as well.
No matter what choices are made, there are significant tradeoffs. As the Motherboard article also highlights, what seems like a "simple" rule gets hellishly complex quickly when applied to other situations, and then you've suddenly increased the "error" rate and people get angry all over again and the whole mess gets blown out of proportion again.
"There's always a balance between: do we add this exception, this nuance, this regional trade-off, and maybe incur lower accuracy and more errors," Guy Rosen, VP of product management at Facebook, said. "[Or] do we keep it simple, but maybe not quite as nuanced in some of the edge cases? Balance that's really hard to strike at the end of the day."As the Oremus piece notes, the "bias" of platforms when it comes to moderation is not "liberal" or "conservative," it's Capitalist. Having a platform overrun with spam and trolls is bad for business. Hiring enough people who can adequately review content within the correct context is somewhere between insanely cost prohibitive and impossible. So the platforms muddle by with imperfect review processes. Making moderation mistakes is also bad for business, and the platforms would love to minimize them, but "mistakes" are often in the eye of the beholder as well, again reinforcing that this is an impossible task. For everyone screaming about how Alex Jones should be kicked off platforms, there's a similar number of people screaming about how awful the platforms are that do kick him off. There is no "right" way to do this, and that's what every platform struggles with.
And, if you think that these platforms are unfairly silencing "conservatives" (which is the prevailing narrative right now), it's probably because you're not paying enough attention elsewhere. Black Lives Matter and other civil rights groups have complained about "racially biased" moderation in the opposite direction, saying that minority groups are regularly silenced on these platforms. Indeed, it's not hard to find a ton of reports about black activists having content removed from social media platforms. And for all the talk of Infowars being taken off these platforms, how many people noticed that the Facebook page of the Venezuelan socialist TV station Telesur was recently taken down as well.
Yes, it's fine to point out that these platforms (mainly Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) are really bad at moderating. But, unless you're willing to actually understand the scale at play, recognize how many mistakes are going to be made (and recognize how trolls are going to go nuts over correct decisions), you're playing into a false narrative to argue that any of these platforms are "targeting" anyone. It's not true.


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thedoctor45 wrote:So far, the bridges are merely a visual engine trick utilizing split-poly texturing (research that term if you want to know how it works) - you can't actually walk underneath them so they only make sense if you put them over a deadly abyss, however Crater Creator is currently working on a more elegant lua based solution which - if he succeeds - should enable us to implement bridges that work pretty close to normal ones found in other, more advanced game engines.
Wrkncacnter wrote:You forgot to include the fps counter.
FlawedIntellect wrote:Curious question for Crater Creator: Would it be possible to make a script that could replace some stairs with slopes (without using 3D objects?)
treellama wrote:For this project you have to lower your standards, I think. As long as it works OK on one of the creator's computers, that's good enough to ship. It doesn't have to work on most people's computers, and it doesn't have to work well from every direction.
A whole lot of effort into a giant hack is actually acceptable to some people! That's one explanation why B&B won't go away that makes sense to me, anyway.
treellama wrote:As for Lua/3D Model bridges, there are a couple Lua API additions/engine enhancements that might actually make them sort of possible. Until then I'm pretty sure they're not going to work well in all cases.
Shocktart wrote:I think you guys should stop making advancements to the AlephOne engine for Halathon, if you keep on this path it will become more Halo than Marathon until its just Halo.
treellama wrote:...won´t be as fun to play.
Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot]


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Lego used to make castles without catapults stuck all over them???
Ahem...well it's difficult to review this set; it's just so ancient. It's contradictory really - if released today, this set would score poorly when it comes to the near total lack of accessories, but because all the accessories that are there are so rare now (helmets in particular), it ends up scoring well. It's similar with the colour scheme - in this grey/black era it would score badly for compatibility, but because it was released long before any grey/black Castle structures it can't fairly be criticised for that. So, despite all the praise it receives, I guess it's the fact that this set could never be released today that makes it so fascinating.
As such I will just leave a few of my random thoughts:
- Nice work on the red 'window' on the tower at the back.
- It's odd - and slightly sad - that despite this set's prominence, none of its minifigs/factions ever appeared in another set ever again.
- After three decades of moulded horses, this is a bit pointless of me - but I still think the brickbuilt horses look pretty absurd.
- The castle's got no royalty to speak of, yet the troops in it all have crowns on them.
- I know this problem is not specific at all to this set, but with no stairs or ladders how on earth do the troops reach the tops of all the steep walls and towers?!
- I've always found the drawbridge a bit strange, as there's no hint anywhere else in the set of a moat or ditch. This is even stranger when you consider that there's a simple doorway just across the courtyard, reinforcing the idea that there's no moat or ditch to cross.


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According to Einstein's theory of relativity, a clock on the floor ought to run very slightly slower than an identical one on top of a step stool because the lower clock nestles deeper into Earth's gravitational field. Now, physicists have demonstrated this effect using two super-accurate clocks and hoisting one several centimeters above the other. It's the first time scientists have used clocks to show that time flies faster for your nose than for your navel.
"The demonstration of the gravitational shift by elevating a clock about one foot is quite stunning," says Daniel Kleppner, a physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, who was not involved in the work. He adds, however, that the demonstration "does not change anyone's view on relativity."
Einstein realized that time passes at different rates depending on the circumstances. For example, suppose you stand on a train platform with a Rolex on your wrist while a friend wearing an identical watch zooms by in a train. Your friend's watch runs slower than yours simply because he is moving relative to you, Einstein predicted in his theory of special relativity. And according to his theory of general relativity, gravity comes about because massive things like Earth stretch the fabric of space and time. As a result, a clock at lower altitude and, hence, lower gravitational energy, should run slower than one at higher altitude—by about 3 microseconds per year per kilometer of elevation.
Such seemingly nonsensical predictions have long since been confirmed by comparing ultra-accurate atomic clocks on the ground with those in high-flying jets. And the satellite-based global position system takes them into account. Now Chin-wen Chou, Till Rosenband, and colleagues at the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, have detected changes in the passage of time caused by speeds of less than 10 meters per second and height changes of less than a meter, using a new type of atomic clock called an optical clock.
An atomic clock exploits the fact that the electrons in at atom occupy "states" with distinct energies and can hop between two states by emitting or absorbing electromagnetic waves of a set frequency. Researchers shine such waves on the atoms, and a feedback loop keeps their frequency tuned so that the atoms continually jump back and fourth between the two states. The oscillating waves then mark time just as a pendulum does, only very much faster and more evenly. The atomic clocks that now set the international time standard use microwaves with a frequency of 9.2 billion cycles per second to make cesium atoms flip between two states of nearly the same energy.
In contrast, the NIST researchers' clock uses laser light with a frequency of 1,120,000 billion cycles per second to drive a higher-energy jump called an optical transition in a single aluminum ion held in an elaborate trap. The cesium standard is accurate to three parts in 10 million billion; the new aluminum clock has an accuracy nearly 40 times better. That extra accuracy makes it possible to demonstrate the effect of relativity on a more human scale. The researchers built two aluminum clocks, and to test the velocity effect they set the ion in one jiggling back and forth in its trap with a speed as low as 4 meters per second. They were able to resolve the 2-parts-in-10-million-billion slowing that motion caused in the clock with the moving ion. To test the gravity effect, the physicists started with one clock 17 centimeters below the other and then raised the first clock by 33 centimeters. This time they detected a 4-parts-in-100-million-billion shift in the frequency of the raised clock, as predicted by the theory of general relativity, the researchers report in the 24 September issue of Science.
"What amazes me is the advancement of the optical clocks—10 or 20 years ago they were only a dream," say Nan Yu, a quantum physicist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Only recent advances in laser techniques have made that dream a reality, says Yu, who expects that within a few years some type of optical clock may replace the cesium microwave standard. Christophe Salomon, a physicist at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris also thinks that's likely but notes the optical clocks aren't quite mature technologically. "These clocks are making rapid progress, but they do not run continuously" by themselves, Salomon says. That's an issue the NIST researchers are already working on.


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The information below describes a feature currently available only in the working-0711 branch in subversion
CCL has a handful of functions that can help find memory leaks.
Finding Lisp Heap Leaks
You can usually tell that you have a lisp heap leak, by comparing the output of room before and after running some suspect code:
(progn (ccl:gc) (ccl:gc) (room))
The two calls to CCL:GC are to make sure that finalization and weak objects are collected.
Once you know you have a leak, comparing two outputs of (CCL:HEAP-UTILIZATION) can sometimes narrow down the possibilities.
(CCL::ALL-OBJECTS-OF-TYPE 'type) returns a list of the objects counted in one line of the (CCL:HEAP-UTILIZATION) output. These tend to be long, so you usually want to avoid printing them, e.g. (DEFPARAMETER *STRINGS* (CCL::ALL-OBJECTS-OF-TYPE 'SIMPLE-BASE-STRING)).
You can use CCL::FAST-SET-DIFFERENCE to compute the difference between two results from CCL::ALL-OBJECTS-OF-TYPE. It's just like the Common Lisp SET-DIFFERENCE function, except it uses a hash table for better speed versus more space.
(CCL::FIND-REFERENCES OBJECT) returns a list of all objects that reference the argument.
(TRANSITIVE-REFERENCERS OBJECT-OR-LIST &OPTIONAL AS-OBJECT) returns a hash table whose keys are objects that transitively reference OBJECT-OR-LIST or, if it's a list and AS-OBJECT is nil, any of its elements.
(CCL::PRINT-REFERENCERS HASH &KEY PREDICATE PAUSE-PERIOD PRINT-CIRCLE PRINT-LENGTH PRINT-LEVEL) prints the hash table returned by TRANSITIVE-REFERENCERS. The key parameters control filtering and printing variables.
Finding C heap leaks
Sometimes memory leaks are due to malloc() calls in the C memory manager, not the lisp heap.
(CCL::MALLINFO) returns the total number of malloc'd bytes. Like room, its output takes a few garbage collectes to stabilize.
Linux has a facility called "mtrace" that lets you save to a file all calls to malloc and free. Then you can parse that file to find memory that was allocated, but not deallocated, along with where in which library the allocation was done. Not as useful as a stack dump for each one, but still often useful.
(CCL::START-MTRACE FILENAME) begins logging, storing the log in FILENAME.
(CCL::STOP-MTRACE) stops logging
(CCL::PARSE-MTRACE-LOG FILENAME) parses the mtrace output, and returns a list of three-element lists, of the form: (Where Size Pointer). Where is the location of unbalanced call to malloc. Size is the size of the allocated pointer. Pointer is the location of the pointer itself. Both START-MTRACE and STOP-MTRACE call CCL:GC once, but you may want to call it and look at the (CCL::MALLINFO) output until the garbage collector has recovered all it can.


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While other blogs and such have this information, I figured I would copy it here for any other hunters that come along.
I pulled this from Mania's Arcania . Thanks for the info.. (Even left in the pet info links that were put in…)
Voice chat, plus a new chat channel UI.
The Mac client can […]


text: Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums :: View topic - Information about T.C. Boyle Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Information about T.C. Boyle Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Literature View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message skatebabeJoined: 29 May 2004Posts: 3 Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 11:18 pm Post subject: Information about T.C. Boyle Hi Everybody! I need some Informations about the author T.C. Boyle (Riven Rocks, Budding Prospects,...) for a report in may school! Please help! Thanks Back to top DordiJoined: 17 Mar 2004Posts: 84Location: Helsinki, Finland Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2004 9:17 am Post subject: I checked out the following web sites and there seemed to be some very good information: www.tcboyle.com www.tcboyle.net I hope this helps! _________________"Without the past there's no future..." Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Literature All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Student Forums----------------ComputersCurrent NewsCultureEnglish SchoolsFamilyFilm and CinemaFoodHealth and FitnessHelp CenterHobbiesHolidaysLearning EnglishLiteratureMaking FriendsMusicOpinionsPetsScienceSportsThe Strange and MysteriousTOEFL and Other English ExamsTravel You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group


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Close Window
limb-sparing surgery
(lim-SPAYR-ing SER-juh-ree)
Surgery to remove a tumor in a limb (arm or leg) without removing the whole limb. The bone and tissue around the tumor may also be removed, and an implant may be used to replace the part of the limb removed. Limb-sparing surgery is done to help save the use and appearance of the limb. It is used to treat cancers of the bone and soft tissue. Also called limb-salvage surgery.


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Lincolnland Technical Education Center's Building
Trades home completed
on photos below to enlarge.]
[June 05, 2014]
Send a link to a friend
Pictures by Jan Youngquist
In front of the home, neighbors liked the new
concrete driveway. Notice the quality shingles used for the new
roof, the first step in the project; and the new soffit with inset
lighting, and ample florescent lighting inside the garage.
Back to top


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Hot as hell how that BBC leaves her pussy all open.
03.06.2019, cankxx
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Responses reflected the individual's status as of 1 April 1930. Children born between the official start date and the day of enumeration were not to be listed, while individuals alive on the official start date but deceased when the enumerator arrived were to be counted. There are no separate Indian population schedules in the 1930 census. Inhabitants of reservations were enumerated in the general population schedules but some minor differences in reporting were used: in place of country of birth for the father, the degree of Indian blood was listed and for the country of birth for the mother the tribe was listed. Enumerators were instructed not to report servicemen in the family's enumerations but to treat them as residents of their duty posts. The 1930 census includes schedules for overseas military and naval forces. The original schedules have been destroyed, therefore only microfilm images are available: 1930 Federal Population Census: Catalog of National Archives Microfilm, National Archives Trust Fund Board (Washington, DC, 2002).
This is the complete census for Ardmore, Carter
Oklahoma. It is listed here by family groups as they appear on
the census.
There were approximately 15,000 residents in Ardmore


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Seal installation, heavy industrial applications
To provide effective sealing, radial shaft seals must be installed properly. An experienced installer with suitable tools, working in a clean environment, is recommended to provide proper installation. The shaft counterface surface and housing bore should meet the demands specified in the sections Shaft requirements and Housing bore requirements.
To facilitate seal installation and to achieve initial lubrication, prior to installation, SKF recommends wiping the shaft and seal with the lubricant that is going to be retained. While the outside diameter of metal-cased seals can be lightly lubricated to ease installation, the outside diameter of rubber covered seals should always be lubricated.


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Atheist Community of Austin
(Redirected from ACA)
The Atheist Community of Austin (ACA) is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation whose primary goals are to promote positive atheism and the separation of church and state. More generally, it works to develop and support the atheist community in and around Austin, Texas, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to oppose discrimination against atheists, and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.[1]
The ACA sponsors two shows: a live, weekly, call-in TV show called The Atheist Experience and a bi-weekly internet audio show called The Non-Prophets.


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The Japanese yen has been rising steadily against the dollar for a quarter of a century now. The trend started in 1985 when Japan agreed, in an international accord signed at New York's Plaza Hotel, to intervene in currency markets to arrest what seemed at the time as an excessive U.S. trade deficit aggravated by the strength of the dollar.
While most economic commentators portray the strong yen as a fundamental problem for Japan, portfolio manager Drew Edwards of Advisory Research (ARI) Funds says the Japanese have proven themselves adept at adjusting to a stronger currency. The yen has appreciated over 50% against the dollar in just the past five years.
In an interview with AdvisorOne, Edwards said it is true that Japan is a global exporter and as such can be adversely impacted by a strong yen. But that's not the whole story. "Seventy percent of Japanese GDP is based on domestic consumption," he says. "Domestic consumers benefit from this."
Another key beneficiary of a strong yen is investors, Edwards (left) adds. "Most of the companies we invest in are usually net cash. They have strong balance sheets with a lot of cash. What they're doing with it increasingly is invest outside of Japan. The yen is so strong that they're able to buy foreign assets at a great discount."
The result, he says, is a significant pick-up in corporate M&A. When his Advisory Research team visits companies, "We ask what they'll spend their cash on; that's what they say."
Edwards emphasizes that his team members are bottom-up investors, so they're not focusing their search specifically on companies that are takeover targets. "We're buying companies that are asset rich, trading at a discount to net asset value." But he says it is precisely those stocks that are cheap relative to NAV and out of favor that are often attractive as acquisitions.
Edwards says that the energy sector particularly is a "space where we're seeing a lot of Japanese interest." Because Japan imports nearly all of its energy resources, the Japanese are keenly interested in the new fracking technologies that can extract abundant natural gas in friendly allied countries like the U.S. and Canada, he adds. And he notes that the strong yen helps Japanese companies importing energy and raw materials used in production, though he acknowledges that Japanese companies on an aggregate basis will be hurt by the yen's strength.
In any event, most of Advisory Research companies are net cash, and consequently store their financial assets in a rich currency, giving them a strong advantage as investors.
Though the firm does not make its investment decisions on macroeconomic criteria, most of the international stocks they are buying tend to be in Asia and Japan and not in Europe or the U.K. "We're just not finding that the valuations [of European companies] are cheap enough to justify the macro-level risk in the region," Edwards says.
Two of Edwards' current favorites are Chugoku Marine Paints (TYO:4617) and Maruichi Steel Tube (TYO:5463). Chugoku a $500 million market-cap, Tokyo-based industrial paint manufacturer with a leading position in the market for paints used on ships and containers. Edwards calls it a play on emerging-markets growth since most of the company's revenue stems from rapidly growing Asian markets like China, South Korea and Vietnam. Edwards says its current P/E is 6.3; its price-to-book is just 0.75 despite a consistent 13% return on equity.
Maruichi Steel Tube is a $2 billion market-cap, Osaka-based manufacturer of welded steel tubes and pipes. The company has no debt, pays a 2.8% dividend and has a price-to-book ratio of just 0.7 and a P/E of 13.9. Edwards says its low valuation is due to a perception that the construction market has matured, but he says this overlooks the fact that "Maruichi has invested significantly in growing overseas markets, such as Vietnam and India." Edwards says shareholders will benefit from rapid revenue growth and improved return on earnings as the firm leverages its strong balance sheet.
Advisory Research, which targets institutional and high-net-worth investors and investment advisors, manages four funds: the All-Cap Value Fund (ADVGX); Global Value Fund (ADVWX); International Small-Cap Value Fund (ADVIX); and the International All-Cap Value Fund (ADVEX).


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On summer evenings, look for a gorgeous pair of star clusters near the Tail of the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. They are M6 (Butterfly Cluster) and M7 (Ptolemy's Cluster). M6 and M7 may well be northern summer's finest clusters. To appreciate them, you need a dark sky. Binoculars enhance the view. Follow the links below to learn more.
How to find M6 and M7. These two star clusters are easy to spot in a dark sky near the curved Tail of the constellation Scorpius. Scorpius is shaped like the letter J. There are two stars at the end of the curved part of the J – the Scorpion's Tail – known as the Cat's Eyes, or the stinger of Scorpius. The two stars are Lesath and Shaula. Draw an imagainary line from the star Lesath through the star Shaula to find M7, which is the brighter and larger of the two star clusters. From M7, M6 is only a short hop away. In fact, the two clusters are close enough together to snuggle within the same binocular field of view.
Although M6 and M7 can be seen with the unaided eye on a dark, moonless night, these deep-sky beauties are wonderful in binoculars. As you scan for them, suddenly these faint objects will ambush your eyes in the jungle of night, springing out like creatures from the wild. Their brilliance and beauty erupts in your binoculars. In other words … you can't miss them, assuming you have a dark sky.
One trick to finding them is to have an unobstructed horizon toward the south, especially if you're in the northern U.S., Canada or a similar latitude. This pair of clusters is highest up in the sky when due south. As seen from northerly latitudes, these clusters never climb very high in the southern sky. A southern horizon obstructed by trees or mountains might put M6 and M7 out of reach. Meanwhile, from latitudes like those in the southern U.S., the clusters are easy to spot when highest in the south, above the Scorpion's Tail.
In middle June, these clusters bedeck the southern sky around midnight (1 a.m. daylight saving time). Keep in mind that all the stars (and star clusters) return to the same place in the sky some 4 minutes earlier with each passing day, or 2 hours earlier with each passing month. Therefore, M6 and M7 appear highest up in the sky at about 10 p.m. (11 p.m. daylight saving time) in mid-July, and 8 p.m. (9 p.m. daylight saving time) in mid-August.
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M6 and M7 science. Though the M6 Butterfly Cluster and the M7 Ptolemy's Cluster appear close together on the sky's dome, they are actually far apart in space. M6 is thought to be about 1,600 light-years away, while M7 is about half that far, at 800 light-years. Thus the clusters are not related to each other, but only appear near each other along our line of sight.
But, within each cluster, the stars are related. Each cluster was born from a single interstellar cloud of gas and dust. The hundreds of stars in each cluster are indeed sibling stars, in that they are gravitationally bound to one another and travel in the same direction through space.
M6 and M7 reside near the galactic equator, the region on the sky's dome where star clusters, star clouds and nebulae most abound. Once you find M6 and M7, try locating other deep-sky binocular doubles, such as M8 and M20, and M16 and M17. Unlike M6 and M7, which reside within the Orion spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy, these deep-sky wonders loom farther away, in the next spiral arm inward, the Sagittarius arm.
M6 and M7 are established star clusters. But M8 and M20, and M16 and M17, are still incubating clouds of star formation.
Bottom line: If you have a dark sky, look for M6 and M7 in the Tail of Scorpius the Scorpion.
Bruce McClure has served as lead writer for EarthSky's popular Tonight pages since 2004. He's a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also writes and hosts public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York.


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Special Memories & Significant Moments: Making an Electronic Scrapbook
Activity Description
High school is full of special memories and significant moments. In this activity, teens brainstorm a list of their favorite experiences in high school, turning them into an electronic scrapbook. Since the scrapbook is electronic, they can easily add to it, revise it, and share it with friends and family near and far.
Why This Is Helpful
Technology has become an important and exciting aspect of our society. This activity helps teens practice using a variety of technologies such as PowerPoint, digital camera, scanner, and the Internet in order to create a high school scrapbook. Not only is this good practice using these technologies, but it also encourages analysis, imaginative thinking, and creative problem solving. Teens have to narrow their experiences to the most important, choose artifacts that accurately represent those experiences, and finally, they have to figure out how to move the artifacts from the physical to the virtual world.