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South African Journal of Industrial Engineering
On-line version ISSN 2224-7890
Print version ISSN 1012-277X
S. Afr. J. Ind. Eng. vol.23 n.3 Pretoria Jan. 2012
Modular research equipment for on-line inspection in advanced manufacturing systems
S. DavrajhI, *, 1; G. BrightII; R. StopforthIII
IDepartment of Mechanical Engineering University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. firstname.lastname@example.com
IIDepartment of Mechanical Engineering University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
IIIDepartment of Mechanical Engineering University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The significance of inspection processes increases when producing parts with high levels of customer input. These processes must adapt to variations in significant product characteristics. Mass customisation and reconfigurable manufacturing are currently being researched as ways to respond to high levels of customer input. This paper presents the research and development of modular inspection equipment that was designed to meet the on-line quality requirements of mass customisation and reconfigurable manufacturing environments. Simulated results were analysed for application in an industrial environment. The implementation of the equipment in South Africa is briefly discussed. The research indicates that manufacturers need only invest in the required equipment configurations when they are needed for on-line inspection.
Die belangrikheid van inspeksieprosesse verhoog wannneer onderdele met hoë vlakke van kliëntinsette vervaardig word. Hierdie prosesse moet aanpas by variasies in belangrike produkeienskappe. Massadoelmaking en herkonfigureerbare vervaardinging word tans nagevors as 'n moontlike manier om hoë vlakke van kliëntinsette te hanteer. Hierdie artikel hou die navorsing en ontwikkeling van modulêre inspeksietoerusting voor wat ontwikkel is om aan die "op-die-lyn"-gehaltevereistes van massadoelmaking en herkonfigureerbarre vervaardigingsomgewings te voldoen. Gesimuleerde resultate is geanaliseer vir toepassing in 'n industriële omgewing. Die implementering van die toerusting in Suid-Afrika word kortliks bespreek. Die navorsing toon dat vervaardigers slegs hoef te belê in die nodige toerusting-konfigurasies wanneer dit benodig word vir "op-die-lyn"-inspeksie.
Manufacturing systems have evolved over time, from early low-production approaches that satisfy one customer at a time, to achieving economies of scale through mass production technology in the twentieth century [1, 2]. This evolution was made possible by increasing the efficiency and reliability of the relevant dedicated systems used in mass production [2, 3]. Statistical Process Control (SPC), check sheets, control charts, and sampling are some of the quality tools used in predictable manufacturing environments such as dedicated manufacturing systems (DMSs). The current trend in consumer markets is that customers are becoming more diversified and more difficult to satisfy [4-7]. Customers now expect to become more involved in the various stages of product design without having to pay the high price associated with customisation [5, 6]. The diversification of consumer markets increases the difficulty for manufacturers of exploiting niche markets [1, 8]. Modern manufacturers must employ methods of coping with manufacturing requirements, such as the accommodation of frequent product changeover, and variations in products and processes. Changes in government regulations and process technologies can also challenge manufacturers [6]. Mass customisation (MC) and reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) are modern manufacturing approaches that accommodate high levels of customer input through the implementation of product family architectures (PFAs) [9]. These approaches are still being researched, and are not widely implemented in many countries, including South Africa.
Quality control associated with MC and RMSs has a greater significance than with DMSs, due to wide product varieties and highly uncertain markets. Traditional quality tools are insufficient to cope with modern quality requirements characterised by variations in significant quality characteristics, low-volume production, high levels of automation, and often unique inspection requirements [4, 10-12]. Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are not suitable for high volume production, and inspection equipment used in DMSs is often too rigid for modern inspection requirements [13]. Quality control for manufacturing environments that perform mass production with high levels of customisation needs to be researched further [5, 6, 12]. Da Silveira et al. [5] stated that the success of a quality control system depended on the definition of significant quality characteristics, and the availability of data on those characteristics. This statement implied that variations in the significant features of products would require variations in the sensing capabilities and configuration of the associated inspection equipment. Research into low-cost inspection equipment to perform quality control within these environments therefore also needs to be considered. This paper presents the development of research equipment aimed for use in a MC or RMS environment. Modular designs were conceptualised for quality control of parts that varied in inspection requirements, without significantly affecting the time and cost of a manufacturing process. Inspection of significant regions of interest (ROIs) on moving parts was performed in order to minimise the effect of the quality inspection routines on production throughputs. The use of modular inspection hardware allowed for only the required inspection equipment to be used in an inspection routine. The implementation of a minimal amount of inspection equipment implied that manufacturers would be able to invest only in relevant mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software modules. The industrial implications within a South African manufacturing context are also considered.
The disadvantages of existing inspection systems include high set-up costs of equipment that is not designed to accommodate new applications easily [14]. The costs of investing in new quality inspection equipment can deter manufacturing organisations from implementing stringent quality control throughout the manufacturing lifecycle of their products. This lack of quality control throughout numerous processes can lead to excessive wastage and possibly to the production of defective products, thus decreasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
RMSs are designed to produce a great variety of products within a part family at high volume and economically [6, 15]. The modular design of RMSs allows for a process to be reconfigured by rearranging process modules. This reconfiguration implies that RMSs are more flexible and responsive to market changes than DMSs - and more cost-effective and less complex than flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) [6, 16]. RMS configurations are aimed at providing a DMS that is customised around the target product [17], thereby providing customised flexibility through reconfiguration, as opposed to general flexibility through a variety of dedicated equipment with built-in high functionality, as in FMSs [18]. PFAs are therefore crucial to the implementation of an RMS [19].
According to Da Silveira et al. [5], MC is defined as "a system using information technology, flexible processes, and organizational structures to deliver a wide range of products and services that meet specific needs of individual customers at a cost near that of mass-produced items". PFAs are a key method to optimise external variety with internal complexity in an MC environment. MC aims to satisfy a wide spectrum of customer requirements from standardised products to purely customised products. The agility and flexibility of a manufacturing system are considered crucial MC implementation enablers. Zhao et al. [20] argue that more research needs to be conducted into the implementation of quality systems for implementation in MC environments. According to Joergson et al. [9], the modular approach of RMSs corresponds to the assembly and fabrication stages in the MC spectrum. Table 1 summarises the requirements of inspection equipment to control the quality for MC and RMSs, based on the characteristics of these environments.
Table 1: Inspection equipment requirements for MC and RMSs
It was suggested by Davrajh & Bright [13] that it was possible to defend a production rate while performing high frequencies of inspection by inspecting only significant regions of interest (ROIs) on moving parts. Parts were classified according to the shape of their volumes, and ROIs were predefined by the user. The disadvantages of the apparatus discussed were that the inspection routines were limited to the use of only one vision sensor, and the apparatus could not be easily implemented on an existing conveyor system. The equipment was also limited to degrees of freedom of the sensor articulation system. The University of Michigan developed the reconfigurable inspection machine, which focused on the inspection of cylinder heads [15]. This apparatus was able accurately to inspect cylinder heads without a significant impact on production rates. The disadvantages with this system were that the inspection routines were limited to the inspection of cylinder heads, and the high costs involved with the equipment made investment in this process less attractive. The relevance and advantages of using modular machines for reconfigurable manufacturing have been discussed by Padayachee [21].
A review of the literature concluded that the area of on-line quality control that required research was the implementation of low-cost modular inspection hardware in environments that experienced frequent product changeover. The concepts of classifying part families [19] into rectangular and cylindrical volumes, as well as the inspection of ROIs on moving parts, were adapted from previous research [13]. The implementation of modular hardware was identified as the best strategy for varying products.
The apparatus was designed with concurrent consideration of the mechanical design, electrical and electronic components, and software used to control the equipment. The focus of the research was to incorporate low-cost modularity with respect to sensory systems, sensor articulation, drive systems, and software systems. The equipment had to be easily implemented over an existing conveyor system. Product architectures were divided into rectangular and cylindrical volumes. Users were allowed to select up to three and five ROIs for cylindrical and rectangular part families respectively. Significant ROIs were determined by an operator, based on customer requirements. Figure 1 shows the cycle of information from the customer to the inspection equipment, and the sequence of operation of the conceptualised equipment. The customer-manufacturer interface (block A) was the decoupling point of the customer input. The function of this interface was to convert customer functionality into features and ROIs on the specific part. The processes involved in mapping customer quality requirements on to process configurations are shown in block B. The inputs were brought to bear on the configuration of the processes by converting user-defined ROIs into specific sensor co-ordinates and orientation. Manufacturer feedback (block C) was responsible for indicating the location and nature of defects on inspected ROIs. Block D was the acceptable product delivered to the customer. Blocks A and D were the only stages of the product lifecycle visible to the customer. This limited interaction allowed for customers to dictate the design of the product without significantly dictating the dynamics of the inspection routines and process dynamics.
Figure 1: Representation of the information flow associated with the conceptualised system
3.1 Mechanical design
The mechanical design of the equipment involved the mechanical modules that provided the degrees of freedom (DOFs) for the required sensor articulation when inspecting a range of parts with various dimensions and ROIs. The structural and dynamic integrity of the different configurations of modules during operation of the equipment was also considered. Gantry architecture was considered for the layout of the mechanical modules. The reason for selecting this configuration of manipulator was that it was less complex and more dexterous than parallel architectures, while being easier to integrate into an existing conveyor system than a serial manipulator (with respect to collision avoidance). A library of mechanical modules was designed and divided into translational and rotational motions. The configuration of mechanical modules selected, and the DOFs, were both a function of the type of sensor, the ROIs, the part dimensions, and speed. Assembly of mechanical modules that matched the ROI locations on different parts are shown in Figures 2 (a)-(c). Figures 2 (a) and (b) display the concept of using the same mechanical modules in different configurations to inspect different ROIs within the same part family.
Figure 2 (a)-(c): Different configurations of modules based on ROIs
The structural integrity of the translational motion modules was determined by comparing the bending stress to the yield stress [22] of the support bars. The bending stress experienced by the support bars of a module, in a system with n modules, was calculated using equation (1):
σ 1 was the stress experienced by the ith member
M n-i was the moment experienced by the ith member as a result of the n-i members it supported
M i was the moment experienced by the ith member as a result of its own weight
y i was the distance from the neutral axis of the support bar to the point of loading on the ith member
Ii was the polar moment of the ith member
The deflection of the sensor during operation of the equipment was determined by accounting for the deflection of the module that the sensor was attached to, as well as the deflections of the other modules that connected the sensor to the ground (link 0). The equation used to simulate the vibration of the sensor was determined using energy methods, and was calculated using equation (2) [23]. This model was based only on the vertical deflection of the sensor, and did not accommodate rotational effects in trying to achieve a generic representation of the vibrations.
Ysensor was the deflection of the sensor while the supporting module i was in motion
δi was the static deflection experienced by the ith member as a result of the members it supported
g was the gravitational constant of acceleration
V i was the linear translational speed of the ith member
The trajectory of the sensor was limited to the workspace of the gantry architecture. It was assumed that the rotational actuation modules would be located after the translational modules, due to the nature of the mechanical architecture. In a configuration of n modules, the relationship between the positions of the sensor and the frame of reference on the equipment was represented by equation (3) [24].
0Psensor was the position vector of the centre of the sensor relative to reference frame 0 (ground)
nPsensor was the position vector of the centre of the sensor relative to the last module n (gripper)
was the transformation matrix used to map the relationship between module i and i-1 using the centres of the interfaces of modules as the origins of the frames.
These matrices would depend on the number of translational and rotational modules, and were therefore specific to each possible configuration.
For the non-trivial case of the user selecting more than two ROIs (for rectangular part families), an algorithm was developed to determine the best sequence to follow, with the paths being specified between ROIs (in order to avoid collisions between the moving part and sensor). This algorithm was based on the greedy-first approach: it started from the front face as a default, moving along to the nearest ROI and to the last face, and then finally returning to the initial starting point.
As an example, consider a product with dimensions w, L and h, shown in Figure 3. The dimensions of this product are considered to account for the clearance required to accommodate the required field of the sensor used. The distances between ROIs are given in Table 2. The distance between an ROI and itself was considered to be infinity ( oo ) to avoid a non-hamiltonian loop. Assuming the user was interested in all ROIs except on Face D, the path followed would include the ROIs on Faces A, B, C, and E (with the location of the ROIs at the vertical and horizontal centres of the relevant faces). The last motion would be from E to the initial point where the inspection process began (since the part had moved from time =0). The resulting times between ROIs were then calculated as the distances of the paths (shown in dashed lines) divided by the velocities in the respective directions. The sensor was assumed to be relatively stationary in relation to the part while it was moving. This assumption was achieved through moving the sensor at the same velocity as the part in the direction of the part motion for the duration of the inspection process.
Figure 3: Rectangular part with dimensions w, L and h
Table 2: Distances between ROIs as a function of part dimensions
3.2 Electrical/electronic design
The electronic system was divided into data acquisition, data transmission, motor control, and part identification. A barcode scanner was used for part identification. The entire system was initiated through detection of the part, via a break in the line sensors placed on the conveyor preceding the apparatus. For the given gantry manipulator, not more than three translational modules were considered. Figures 4 (a) and (b) show the electronic layout of the modules and the electronic control modules respectively. The flow of information started from the line sensors, which activated the inspection routine. The host PC then sequenced the motions required by sending signals through a USB port to the USB hub. (A USB hub was used, since more motion control modules could be added using the FT232 interface boards.) The slave controllers (motor controllers) were passed the number of pulses and speed required. These slave controllers then independently controlled each motor while obtaining feedback from encoders. The host PC concurrently sequenced the time for the data acquisition by the relevant sensors. The sensors selected for this application were vision, magnetic, and proximity sensors. Signal conditioning was implemented to ensure that all sensors could be directly connected to USB ports on the host controller. The sensor articulation was actuated through control of DC motors, using rotary encoders for speed and position control. Servos were also used to pan and tilt the sensors. Motor control boards were designed and implemented to incorporate reconfigurability within the electronic system. These boards consisted of commercially-available H-bridges, microcontrollers, and USB interfaces (for signal conditioning purposes) [25]. The control boards were also designed to be scalable, in that the commercially-available circuitry could easily be replaced by higher capacity control boards, should an increase in the motor sizes and power be required. Modular control circuitry with USB interfacing allowed for more motors to be controlled simply by adding more modules. A cascaded feedback control loop was implemented for the accurate control of speed and position of the sensor articulation motors. A PID controller was used to ramp the translational actuators up and down to ensure a greater degree of accuracy in positioning the sensor.
Figure 4(a): Layout of electronic modules
Figure 4(b): Motion control modules
3.3 Software design
The software was responsible for providing an interface between the user and the inspection routine, sequencing the operation of the mechanical and electrical hardware, and deciding on the status of a part. Visual Basic was the selected as the programming language for the main user interface. The GUI consisted of sequential forms that were accessed in correlation with the user requirements of part classification, dimensions, ROIs, and types of sensing required. The control of the relevant motors was achieved by accessing the time and distance parameters passed through the GUI, and then converting these values into the variable declared in the coding of the microcontrollers, which were programmed in C using the CAVR software package. The image processing was achieved by compiling utility files in VB.net, which allowed for the image processing steps to be modularised. Different modules were accessed according to the user specification. The software suggested the path for the sensors during the inspection routine, based on a predefined sequence of access to different faces. If this sequence did not yield an acceptable path with respect to time (production rate), the user was allowed to interchange the order of the sequence of access to the various faces. Figure 5 illustrates the electronic layout of the equipment, along with some of the software modules.
Figure 5: System layout of software and electronic hardware
Figure 6 illustrates the flow of information within the software architecture. A high-level GUI written in VB.net was programmed to process customer requirements, and converted the ROIs into physical coordinates on a moving part frame. Low-level programming in the CAVR software package enabled the implementation of speed and position control algorithms on the microcontrollers. Signal conditioning was achieved through the use of H-bridges and controllers accompanying some of the sensors used. Once sufficient information about the specified ROIs was obtained, a decision based on a specified tolerance was made either to accept or to reject the part.
Figure 6: Information flow within software architecture
The use of a gantry architecture meant that the first module would always be across the conveyor and so would have to be supported at either end of the conveyor. This module would therefore be supporting the weight of all other modules. It was decided to consider only the worst-case bending of the first module, as it would experience the highest loading as a result of the other modules it supported. This decision was justified through duplication of the support bars, used for the first module, in other modules. The maximum stress induced on the support bars was calculated using equation (1), and was found to be 72 MPa with a safety factor of 2. The structure was therefore considered to be statically safe, since the yield stress of the steel used was approximately 210 MPa. Assuming a maximum total velocity of 0.5m/s and a maximum static deflection of 1mm, the maximum deflection due to dynamic loading on the first module was found to be less than 2 mm using equation (2). This deflection was within the limitations of the image processing algorithms. Figure 7 shows the constructed modules in different configurations. The vertical supporting steel members were found to be unstable during motion, and steel plates had to be added to the bases of each vertical member to increase overall stability.
Figure 7: Constructed modules in different configurations
Table 3 lists the times taken to assemble each module. These times were based on, and included, the time taken to assemble the X-axis supports as the initial modules. The times indicate that the downtime required for reconfiguration was not ideally suited to batch-of-1 production. Instead, batches of products that were to change on a monthly basis would be a more suitable environment to implement this equipment. The significant decrease in times taken to assemble the modules from Run 1 to Run 3 for all axes was due to operators becoming more accustomed to the techniques and sequences required to minimise the assembly times of the equipment. This significant decrease in times indicated that specifically-trained operators were required for the efficient setup of the equipment, and that this would add to the setup costs associated with the modules. The data in Table 3 also suggested that operators should try configurations of the Z and X axes modules prior to implementation of the in-line Y-axis module. Due to limitations of the laboratory environment, no data has been recorded on the ramp-up times and overall costs of the actual equipment from setup to high throughput rates.
Table 3: Module assembly times
The sensor articulation system was first analysed by inspecting the performance of each degree of freedom. Following acceptable performance by the different modules, the overall accuracy and repeatability of this system was tested by determining the errors between the allocated and actual positions of the sensor with respect to a global reference frame. The accuracy of each image processing module was tested by inspecting a known part. The actual parameters of the part were measured against the obtained data, and these errors were reduced through further optimisation of the image processing threshold values. Table 4 summarises the results of an inspection routine and modules and image processing operations required for inspection of a part with multiple ROIs that required implementation of multiple DOFs. The purpose of the inspection was to determine the presence of five holes on the front face of the part before a bearing was inserted into the middle hole. Checking for the presence of the bearing was followed by inspection of the three mounting holes required on the top face of the part. This inspection routine occurred in multiple stages following the addition of each feature to the base platform. Inspection after each manufacturing process was considered for early detection of product flaws. The use of multiple modules (x, y, z, and pan and tilt) allowed for this product to be inspected without having physically to add or remove modules. Image processing operations were also structured in a modular order, and the processing modules were referred to when necessary.
Table 4: Inspection of multiple ROIs without needing to change inspection modules
Figures 8 (a), (b) and (c) show respectively the ROI on a cylinder used to store pharmaceutical effervescent, the required process configuration, and the resulting GUI following the inspection routine. A metal detector was used to detect the presence of the metal foil in the cylinder. No degrees of freedom were required by the sensor, as no relative motion was required between the sensor and the part. Motion in the x and z-axes could have been used to accommodate similar inspection routines with different part heights and widths. This inspection routine was subject to the sensitivity and range of the sensor used.
Figure 8(a)-(c): Metal detection routine for cylindrical part
5.1 Impact of modular inspection equipment
The quality costs associated with a production system include the costs of prevention, appraisal, and external and internal failure [27]. The planning of the system layout constitutes part of the prevention costs. The operational costs of the inspection equipment form part of the appraisal costs. The use of only relevant inspection modules when required will reduce the overall quality costs of a system as follows:
- Prevention costs: The reduction in capital expenditure will result in a reduction of the initial setup of the quality stations in a system.
- Appraisal costs: This cost will be reduced, since less expenditure will be required due to the implementation only of necessary modules.
- Internal failures: The inspection at different stages in a manufacturing system will allow for the early detection of flawed products. This will result in reduced scrapping costs at later stages of the products lifecycle, at which time the investment in the product is high.
- External failures: The high frequency of inspection will result in a reduced number of defective parts being delivered to customers.
A simulation was performed, using the FlexSim Process Simulator [26], to verify the estimated performance of the equipment in a manufacturing environment. Figure 9 shows the layout considered. Two part sources were implemented to simulate the generation of two product families. Two lines of dedicated processors were used for each product family. A single quality station that represented the modular inspection equipment was selected to accommodate both product families. The results of the simulation indicated that the inspection of both part families was accommodated without having to invest in two sets of dedicated inspection equipment. These results suggested that companies needed to invest only in the inspection capacity required; and this could be achieved through the design of modular inspection equipment. The overall quality costs in a manufacturing system would thus be reduced by implementing modular inspection equipment. It would therefore increase the possibility of a quicker return on investment, and so encourage manufacturers to employ the necessary stringent quality strategies through use of these items of modular equipment.
Figure 9: Simulated processing of two part families with one inspection station
5.2 Industrial contribution
The contribution of modular inspection equipment would potentially be that more companies would be willing to invest in implementing stricter quality control methods. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) would benefit from the increase in reliability and reduced costs of different tier suppliers who implement stricter quality control in their manufacturing processes. Tier 1, 2, etc. suppliers who implement modular inspection equipment would benefit by achieving higher reliability ratings, while reducing overall manufacturing costs. The different quality standards imposed on these types of manufacturers by a variety of outsourcing companies can be achieved by customising the quality control processes for each company.
According to a survey performed by Erasmus & Van Waveren [28], the following information was gathered in a survey of 35 South African manufacturing companies:
- Fewer than half performed in-house design.
- Only one-quarter had any inclination to use design methodologies (design quality).
- Most companies were aware of international QM strategies. In particular, 60% were ISO 9001 certified.
- The concept of quality was regarded highly in SA. Overall reject rates of 3.5% on average.
- 90% believed that there was potential to grow on local soil.
- 80% showed interest in international markets.
- 70% believed that they were comparable to or better than international offerings.
The implications of this research were that the majority of South African companies outsourced their work (a key strategy in MC product modules), and believed that they were capable of adhering to international quality standards. These traits, coupled with the possibility of growth on local soil, encourage the implementation of MC and RMS manufacturing strategies in South Africa in the near future. The potential for the implementation of modular inspection equipment in South Africa thus becomes more significant.
The introduction of high varieties of products in mass customisation and reconfigurable manufacturing requires corresponding changes in the quality control inspection systems of those products. Modular inspection architectures were researched. It was concluded that modular inspection systems would be suitable in environments that experience frequent product changeover. It was possible that manufacturers needed to invest only in the mechanical and electrical flexibility (with respect to sensor selection and articulation) that was required for a particular product family. However, a problem lies in the fact that many countries have not yet implemented advanced manufacturing strategies such as RMSs and MC. Physical testing of the designed equipment in an industrial environment will thus be difficult. The optimisation of the layout of the inspection equipment, and the frequency of inspection at these stations, will also need to be considered for successful implementation in a manufacturing system.
The implicit reduction in costs while defending throughputs will benefit both OEMs and manufacturers on different tiers in the supply chain. The flexibility, costs, and throughput capacity associated with modular inspection equipment will encourage local manufacturers to invest in higher levels of quality control, and increase their reliability for a wider spectrum of customers on a global scale.
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* Corresponding author.
1 The author is enrolled for a PhD Eng (Mechanical) degree in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal.


text:
While I was looking for the smallest Arduino available on the market I stumbled on a website from a guy called Fabio Varesano that has developed a tiny one called Femtoduino. Not only he released the schematics, but he also gave the list of components as well as the board. Thanks Fabio!
You can check all the details on the official website: http://www.varesano.net/projects/hardware/Femtoduino
Now I know that snatching a PCB this is the hardest part since they are so small that they are not easy to build at home. So I talked to a local company and I order small batches of 10 PCBs and I can ship them to you for a total cost of 10€ each (including S/H). Ordering all the components from Mouser and assembling it yourself will cost you less than 20€ which is substantially less than the price charged by the website: http://www.femtoduino.com
So, if you are interested, drop me an e-mail (or comment below). Don't forget that if you really appreciate this project, buy Fabio a beer ( paypal: [email protected] )

subset: commoncrawl


text: A HARE pounced upon by an eagle sobbed very much and uttered cries like a child. A Sparrow upbraided her and said, "Where now is thy remarkable swiftness of foot? Why were your feet so slow?" While the Sparrow was thus speaking, a hawk suddenly seized him and killed him. The Hare was comforted in her death, and expiring said, "Ah! you who so lately, when you supposed yourself safe, exulted over my calamity, have now reason to deplore a similar misfortune."


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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Last Thursday, many of you just couldn't get enough of us and joined our second live Webmaster Central chat, "JuneTune." It was an action-packed session with live presentations, questions and answers and chatting about cats and other important topics. Over the course of an hour and a half, we made four presentations, received over 600 questions and passed around close to 500 chat messages. It was great to see so many Googlers around the world involved: Adam, Bergy, Evan, Jessica, Maile, Matt (Cutts), Matt (Dougherty), Reid and Wysz in Mountain View; Jonathan and Susan in Kirkland; Alvar, Mariya, Pedro and Uli in Dublin; and me in Zürich. We had users from about as many places as Matt (Harding) has danced in: Alaska, Argentina, Arizona, Australia, Brazil, California, Canada, Chile, Colorado, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Florida, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, New Zealand, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vietnam and a bunch from Seattle, Washington—thank you all for joining us!
To help make the most out of this session, we'd like to make the transcripts and presentations available to everyone. We're also working on filling in the blanks and have started to answer many of the unanswered questions online in the Webmaster Help Group. You'll find the full (and just slightly cleaned up) questions and answers there as well.
I presented an overview of factors involved in personalized search at Google:
Maile gave a nice presentation of case sensitivity in web search in general:
The audio part of these presentations is in the audio transcript (MP3). It also includes Jonathan's coverage of reasons why ranking may change, Wysz's presentation of ways to get URLs removed from our index, as well as everything else that happened on the phone! Enjoy :)
We hope to continue to improve on making these events useful to you, so don't forget to send us your feedback. We'll be back!


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With support from the National Science Foundation, The Jefferson Project at Lake George is poised to complete the most powerful aquatic monitoring sensor network in existence. Spanning the full 32-mile length of the lake, 41 separate smart sensor platforms will collect roughly 9 terabytes of data per year, creating a real-time digital view of the state of the lake.
The Jefferson Project – a collaboration between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, IBM Research, and The FUND for Lake George – was founded to develop a new model for technologically enabled environmental monitoring and prediction to better understand and protect the Lake George ecosystem.
In the three years since launch of the project, researchers have installed half of the 41 smart sensor platforms, connecting them with supercomputers and researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and IBM Research in Yorktown Heights. A new $917,000 National Science Foundation grant awarded to researchers at Rensselaer, in combination with a $500,000 grant received earlier this year from the New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap), will fund completion of the network within the coming year.
"When complete, the smart sensor network will operate collectively as a single integrated instrument, the most powerful and comprehensive of its kind, to monitor indicators of physical, chemical, and biological activity on Lake George," said Rick Relyea, director of The Jefferson Project and a professor of biological sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. "Already, the data we are collecting, mostly from the southern end of the lake, have clarified our understanding of the present state of Lake George, and are guiding research into the most pressing questions."
"Continued expansion of The Jefferson Project sensor network will help further improve our knowledge of Lake George as it will facilitate monitoring significantly more locations within the lake. The larger body of data from an even more diverse set of locations will support new research opportunities for leading-edge Internet of Things technologies for the Jefferson Project and beyond," said Harry Kolar, associate director of The Jefferson Project and a distinguished engineer at IBM Research.
"This grant will ensure that our goal of creating the world's smartest lake informs effective protection for generations to come," said Eric Siy, executive director of The FUND for Lake George and associate director of The Jefferson Project.
The smart sensor network transcribes the story of the lake, marking the passage of day and night, the ebb and flow of seasons, and the din of human activity with instruments that collect approximately 20 unique indicators of weather, water quality, and water circulation. When completed, the 41 instruments within the network will collect roughly 9 terabytes of data annually from as many as 36 locations, communicating that data to supercomputers and researchers.
The continuous numerical depiction from the smart sensor network fuels a series of computer models and research projects. Computers controlling the sensor network are equipped with "edge analytics" and smart technology that allow the network to adapt to changing conditions semi-autonomously. For example, the network may notice an interesting event, like heavy stormwater run-off, and collect data more frequently and in more locations for the duration of the event.
Data are used to validate the accuracy of computer models, such as those depicting physical functions like weather, run-off, and circulation within Lake George. The computer models in turn reveal those processes in high-resolution, using algorithms and computing power to allow researchers to predict the results of changing conditions – like an increase in salt or invasive species – and to explore the past, present, and future of the lake.
Scientists also use the sensor data in their research – as is the case in a project where sensor data are being used to track the movements of zooplankton – and to shape a research agenda, such as the ongoing experiments at the Rensselaer Aquatic Laboratory.
In the first season of experiments, researchers tested the effects of varying concentrations of salt on lake ecosystems. Studies around the world have shown that salt concentrations like those seen at Lake George have little effect on lake organisms. The experiments at Rensselaer are examining whether the same is true for the rising, but still relatively low, levels of salt in Lake George. But data from the sensor network indicate that, during snowmelt events, salt concentrations in tributary streams can be orders of magnitude higher than the lake itself, provoking a new series of experiments that are examining stream ecosystems.
"Experiments are helping us to understand where some of the threats likely are and are not, and that in turn feeds back into what we should be monitoring and where we should deploy sensors," Relyea said. "By design, the system is interconnected at all levels."
At Rensselaer, The Jefferson Project fulfills the vision of The New Polytechnic, an emerging paradigm for higher education which recognizes that global challenges and opportunities are so complex, they cannot be addressed by even the most talented person working alone. Rensselaer serves as a crossroads for collaboration — working with partners across disciplines, sectors, and geographic regions, to address global challenges — and addresses some of the world's most pressing technological challenges, from energy security and sustainable development to biotechnology and human health. The New Polytechnic is transformative in the global impact of research, in its innovative pedagogy, and in the lives of students at Rensselaer.
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is America's first technological research university. The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in engineering; the sciences; information technology and web sciences; architecture; management; and the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Rensselaer faculty advance research in a wide range of fields, with an emphasis on biotechnology, nanotechnology, computational science and engineering, data science, and the media arts and technology. The Institute has an established record of success in the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the marketplace, fulfilling its founding mission of applying science "to the common purposes of life." For more information, please visit http://www.rpi.edu.


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Mind Control and The 'Conspiracy Theory' Meme. Echoes of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley
We are able to see the architecture – the structural patterns – of each kind of mind-control regime. This can help us recognize precursors – signs that such a future is coming our way.
Dystopian predictions — In 1984, George Orwell paints a picture of a dark, gray world. People are afraid to say anything contrary to the official party line, and surveillance is universal. Even thinking contrary to the party is a crime, and thoughtcrimes may be treated by radical psychological intervention. Information is closely controlled by the party media, and the historical record is routinely edited, so as to conform to the latest party statements.
By contrast, in Brave New World, Aldous Huxley paints a colorful, superficially pleasant world. Personal freedom of all kinds is encouraged, even to the point of being a cultural imperative. In the book a young boy is referred to a therapist, because he doesn't want to play sex games with a girl classmate. An adult character is considered aberrant, because he is drawn toward a monogamous relationship. Drugs and distractions are readily available for mood enhancement.
Central to Huxley's world is the abolition of the family. Sex never results in pregnancy, and embryos are grown in a production process, based on selected seed material. As part of the production process, an embryo can be fed or starved, at various stages of its development, so as to create classes of people (alphas, betas, etc) with differing levels of intelligence and skills. Quotas are set, regarding how many people of each class are going to be needed, and should therefore be produced.
Various kinds of conditioning are then used on infants in order to get them to accept their class, along with its prerogatives and restrictions, as being best for them. Children are raised on a communal basis, with no concept of parents, siblings, or family. From embryo to adulthood, the state has fine-tuned control over the development of the person, and of their thinking. In the resulting society, people behave as they were programmed to behave, and can't imagine things being any different.
In Orwell's world, wrong-thought (thought crime) is detected and suppressed. In Huxley's, wrong-thought is unlikely to arise. Orwell's world suppresses the individual; Huxley's manufactures the individual. Orwell explores a brute-force approach to mind control, while Huxley explores a scientific approach. In both cases, mind control, control over what people are able to think, is the strategy of the regime, as its means of social control generally.
The novels are useful because they each take one of these basic approaches to mind control, and follow its consequences to the end. If you really want to suppress what people think, you'd need to do A, B, and C. If you really want to program people, you've got to start when they're born and do X, Y, and Z. We are able to see the architecture – the structural patterns – of each kind of mind-control regime. This can help us recognize precursors – signs that such a future is coming our way.
Echoes of Orwell — Consider the world of mainstream journalists, in particular TV news anchors. There we have a world with echoes of 1984, where what is said must conform to the party line. Any thoughtcrime – such as an anchor commenting onscreen that he doesn't buy the official story of 9/11, or he thinks Russia isn't an aggressor – would be quickly punished by the equivalent of death – expulsion from the world of journalism.
Thus is maintained the Matrix, the story we are told about US benevolence, the existence of democracy, the sacredness of market forces, and all the rest. With control of major media in just a few hands, the party line can be always maintained, and current (or past) events can be interpreted within that framework. To do otherwise, for a news anchor, would be literally unthinkable. Huxley's Ministry of Truth is at work in our world, but it is invisible, hiding away in the boardrooms of media conglomerates, and behind the doors of the White House press office.
The same kind thoughtcrime regime is operating in other arenas as well, where socially-sensitive topics are concerned. The peer-review process, and the editorial boards of the relevant journals, ensure that thoughtcrimes are suppressed, when it comes to concerns regarding genetic manipulation, pesticides, fracking, pharmaceuticals, radiation levels, etc. Again, the Ministry of Truth is invisible, residing high up in the chain of corporate boardrooms.
Even though our society doesn't resemble Orwell's dystopia, his mind control methods are operating in very critical places, where the population's 'information' is generated. And of course we do have universal surveillance, courtesy of the NSA, omnipresent CATV cameras, and cell-phone tracking. Big Brother is with us, but he stays behind the scenes, he sees all, and he decides what stories we will be told about the world by the mainstream media.
Echoes of Huxley — Huxley wrote a review of 1984, where he talked about the two different future visions. He suggested that we might go through some kind of dark period, reminiscent of 1984, but he thinks such a regime would be unstable and transitional. He goes on to say that the scientific approach to mind control, based on programming people's belief systems, would be the more sensible choice for a modern totalitarian society.
US Government research into scientific mind control began at least in the 1960's, and has been ongoing. The first approach – the CIA's Operation Mind Control – was heavy handed, reminiscent of 1984. This research involved giving people psychotropic drugs, along with post-hypnotic suggestions. Quite a bit could be (and has been) accomplished with these kinds of methods, along the lines of The Manchurian Candidate, but it didn't provide a general solution: two much work was required to program people on an individual basis.
Research then shifted to cult creation. If people can be herded into cults of various kinds, cult dynamics themselves would serve the programming function. This provides a more wholesale approach to mind control, than the individual methods tried earlier. The CIA has never publicly claimed credit for this later research, but the experiments were very successful, including Reverend Jim Jones and the People's Temple, and David Koresh and Waco.
In this kind of research, the first step is to identify a natural cult leader, who has already shown some success in gathering followers. Then the cult is given support of various kinds. Covert agents are sent in to join the cult, not only to observe and report, but also to provide organizational skills. Funds are channeled to the cult, and local police are warned off, so that the cult can grow unhampered.
In this way, researchers have been able to study how a skilled cult leader operates, how people are drawn into a cult, how loyalty is maintained, and how people can be pushed into extreme beliefs and actions. When everything had been learned that could be learned from a cult, the cult's leader and members were then killed, so as to hide the evidence of what had really been going on in the experiment.
Cults and their uses — One of the first large-scale deployments of cult technology, informed by this research, was the creation of the Jihad movement by the CIA. The immediate purpose was to destabilize the Soviet regime, by tying it down in a quagmire in Afghanistan. This operation was quite successful. Since then, the Jihad cult movement – aka Taliban, Al Qaeda, Kosovo Liberation Army, ISIS, etc. – has proven to be an extremely useful tool for the purpose of destabilizing regimes, in pursuit of US geopolitical objectives. These destabilization operations in turn provide an excuse for direct US intervention, as we've seen recently in Libya and Iraq, and as we may soon see in Syria.
Cults generally have certain characteristics. There is usually a charismatic leader, who is able to inspire belief and loyalty in cult members. There is always a defining core belief system, that sets cult members off from outsiders, and which provides a strong sense of identity and purpose for members. There is typically an alleged 'outside threat' to the cult, which draws members together. There are actions and sacrifices required of members, which serve to bind them more tightly to the cult. There are packaged arguments, that cult members are taught to employ, to repel attempts undermine the core belief system. These programming methods are very powerful, and typically intense deprogramming is needed to ply members away from a cult, once they have been thoroughly indoctrinated.
The society described in Brave New World is in fact a cult-based society. Each of the classes (alpha, beta, etc.) is a cult, and the programming begins at birth. No charismatic leader is needed, when so much control over programming is available. Each cult has its own core belief system, along with packaged arguments to maintain those beliefs. The required actions and sacrifices are simply the lifestyle which has been designed for each class. Such a society would tend to be stable, particularly since deprogramming efforts would be absent from the scene.
It is notable that Huxley's world is not about a single cult, a uniform society, but rather about multiple cults. This makes for greater stability. Cult members have not only a model of what-to-be, they also have models of what-not-to-be. Each cult is more clearly defined, and drawn more into itself, by the existence of other cults. Being glad you're not a beta is one of the reasons to be glad you are an alpha.
We see this same multi-cult dynamic operating in the US, in the divisiveness between liberals and conservatives. Liberals are kept in the fold by stories of conservative folly, and conservatives are kept in the fold by stories of liberal folly. In a propaganda-only system of control, there would be one party line for everyone. In this multi-cult system, there are two party lines, which we might characterize as CNN vs. FOX.
While the two party lines have many differences, in order to keep the two cults separated, they in fact share basic essentials in common. They both sustain the myth that state policy is a response to public sentiment, and they blame the other cult for providing support for the 'bad' policies. In fact US policy is made outside of government, by financial elites, and the state aims to control public sentiment, not respond to it. In this way we can see CNN and FOX as collaborators, sharing the common goal of hiding this fundamental truth from the people. The Democratic and Republican parties collaborate toward this same goal, using Congress as a stage, where they carry on a theater of divisiveness, providing the appearance of a democratic decision-making process.
The Barack Obama phenomenon provides an excellent example of cult tactics in action. Obama himself is obviously a natural cult leader, articulate and charismatic. He came onto the scene offering an inspiring core belief in deep reform, "The ground of politics has changed; Yes we Can!". The dramatic effect was intense, as if we were witnessing the Second Coming. Campaign volunteers became the core of the budding Obama cult, and they were given lots of work to do, binding their identity to Obama and his professed mission. The McCain campaign was orchestrated to look like a dangerous threat by a rival cult, binding Obama supporters even more tightly.
The success of this mind-control operation was truly amazing. Obama in fact proceeded to carry on and expand everything Bush had been doing; the ground of politics hadn't changed at all. But the cult binding was so strong that his support continued, by the very people who had hated Bush because of the same policies. Packaged arguments were put forward, to keep people in the cult, blaming Obama's performance on Republican opposition – the standard divisiveness tactic. Even today there remain legions of Obama loyalists. Once bound to a cult, leaving becomes psychologically difficult.
Another example of mind control by means of cults is provided by global-warming hysteria. Al Gore played the role, at least temporarily, of cult leader, when he presented the core belief in CO2-caused climate crisis in his scientifically fraudulent, but very popular film, An Inconvenient Truth. The growth of the cult was ensured by the fact that it then became a thoughtcrime in mainstream media and climate journals to question these core beliefs. Cult members are given things to do and sacrifices to make, like riding a bicycle and buying a Prius. They are given a packaged argument, that contrary views are nothing but the propaganda of an outside-threat: the evil petroleum industry.
This kind of mind control operation is much more effective than propaganda on its own. It's not just that cult members believe in CO2-caused climate crisis, they believe they are fighting a battle against an enemy. They have been fully immunized against counter arguments to their core beliefs, and their only concern is to 'save the planet' by supporting anything that looks like it will reduce carbon emissions. Thus they are being led willingly down the garden path to a micro-managed society, as outlined in Agenda 21.
The 'conspiracy theory' meme — State control of public schools and mainstream media goes a long way towards programming people's minds. But it is not enough, particularly in the era of the Internet. There are many sources available that thoroughly debunk mainstream propaganda, and by using those sources a large number of people have escaped, at least in part, from the mind-control regime. In Orwell's world, the Internet would be banned. In our world, which is developing more along Huxley's lines, other ways have been found to limit the ability of the Internet to undermine the mainstream narratives.
The 'conspiracy theory' meme was launched by the CIA in the wake of the JFK assassination. The official story was so full of holes that more and more people were beginning to doubt it. While the Warren Commission was busy writing its cover-up document, the public began to learn about the existence of 'conspiracy theorists'. These are people, the story goes, who suffer from paranoid delusions, and sane people should pay no attention to anything they say. If someone even looks at any of those ideas, their own mental stability comes into question.
This mind-control tactic was very effective in marginalizing research into the truth behind the JFK assassination. Anyone who presented evidence contrary to the official story was automatically seen as 'conspiracy theorist'. By scoffing at such evidence, without looking at it, you could demonstrate that you were mentally balanced. Thus logic and reasoning are banished from the scenario. Either you believe the official story, or your mental health is called into question.
Since then, the conspiracy-theory meme has been carefully nurtured and expanded by the mainstream party lines. This mind-control campaign has been very successful in immunizing the majority of the population against the revelations available on the Internet. Any story not appearing in the mainstream media must by definition be a conspiracy theory, and anything that sounds like a conspiracy theory should be scoffed at and ignored.
Thus for the majority of the population we have a tightly controlled, two-tier, mind-control regime. The thoughtcrime dynamic governs what the media says, and the conspiracy-theory dynamic immunizes people against other views. For the majority, the party line (either CNN or FOX) is 'truth', as in Orwell's world, but without the need for Big Brother's extreme methods.
By these mind-control methods, a bubble has been created, in which the majority does their thinking. Inside the bubble are the two party-line narratives, and outside the bubble the real world proceeds, invisible to those inside the bubble. It's a very effective system. The more outrageous the real actions of the state, the more quickly the majority rejects revelations of those actions, as being outrageous conspiracy theories.
In some cases the FOX party line includes accurate revelations which would be thoughtcrimes in the CNN world. In such cases, the CNN world responds by classifying those revelations as 'right wing' conspiracy theories. Unlike a propaganda-only system, where state crimes are always hidden, this multi-cult system enables the state to document its own crimes on conservative media, and know that the information will be disbelieved by the liberal cult. This system allows the truth to be hidden from some, through the act of revealing it to others. Very clever.
Mind control outside the bubble — While the majority may be inside the bubble, there is a large and growing number of people who don't have faith in any mainstream party line, and who are open to considering the various ideas they find from Internet sources. The phrase 'waking up' is frequently used to describe the process of escaping from the bubble. More and more people are 'waking up' to the reality of false-flag events, routine government lies, the deep corruption of politics and the media, and the sociopathic central bankers who exercise the reins of power from behind the scenes.
However, the Internet is not being ignored by the state, and mind-control operations are underway there as well – designed for those who have 'woken up'. Such operations are not aimed at moving people back into the bubble, rather they embrace the 'awake' ideas, aikido style, and then seek to direct the energy of the 'awoken' in ways that serve the state and its objectives.
An example of one of these outside-the-bubble mind-control operations, of the cult variety, is provided by the Zeitgeist Movement – which claims to be the "largest grassroots movement in the world with chapters in over 60 countries". Peter Joseph is the charismatic leader of this cult, and he offers his set of core beliefs, backed up by persuasive evidence and arguments, in Zeitgeist: The Movie.
For those who are 'awake', the film is very powerful. It presents the essential truths about the world, without pulling punches, in a dramatic and compelling way. The film has gone through several versions over time, and the very first version went viral on the Internet as soon as it was released. To the 'awoken', it was a film of liberation, with the potential to wake everyone up and transform the world.
After the film was released, and after it gained a massive and enthusiastic audience, the Zeitgeist Movement was launched. Fans of the film flocked to join the movement, eager to 'spread the gospel of truth', and help 'wake up the world'. They were joining an urgently-needed messianic cause, and this bound them to the movement, in the way cults always bind members. Peter Joseph was seen as a prophet figure, the articulator of the gospel, and the one who could lead the way to liberation – and this is more or less the textbook definition of a cult leader.
What these eager cult members fail to realize is that the very thing that attracts them to the movement also guarantees that the movement could never succeed in 'waking up the world'. The core beliefs that are so liberating to the members are all seen as outrageous conspiracy theories inside the mainstream bubble. While members think they are pursuing a messianic cause, they are in fact a choir singing to itself, with Peter Joseph setting the tune.
The real purpose behind the cult is revealed in a press release on the movement website, entitled, 'The Zeitgeist Movement defined: realizing a new train of thought'. Here Joseph expands the gospel, going beyond 'revealing the truth', and venturing into envisioning the transformed world that the movement aims to help create. Here are three key points from Prophet Joseph's vision, with emphasis added:
(2): The Scientific Worldview: The essay explores how the development of the scientific method has altered human perception and the critical importance of its recognition and larger order application, specifically with respect to the social system.
(5): The Case for Human Unity: This essay explores the reasoning for a unified global society along with tracing the source of national divisions and propensities for conflict. A relevant point is made regarding the advancement of technological warfare and how the dangers of keeping biased economic boundaries as we have could lead to rapid destruction as time moves forward.
(9): Market Efficiency vs Technical Efficiency: This essay argues the difference between true scientific (or technical) efficiency and the business practice of "market efficiency," showing how the latter actually works against true economic optimization.
This is a prescription for a micro-managed global technocracy, under the control of a one-world government. Both the social system and the economic system are to be 'scientifically optimized' – which in fact means a world organized along whatever lines are set down by some technocratic bureaucracy, under the control of an enthroned global elite. In other words, Prophet Joseph is creating an enthusiastic constituency in support of the central bankers' long-desired New World Order.
The Zeitgeist cult is an aikido masterstroke. It begins with the revelation that 'evil bankers' run the world, blending with the energy of the 'awoken', and then shifts that energy in a direction that serves the interests of those same 'evil bankers'. Again, I must say very clever, very clever indeed.
Zeitgeist is only one example of a mind-control operation aimed at those who have achieved one degree or another of 'awakening'. Numerous movements have been created, characterized by well-designed websites that tell some version of the truth, drawing in audiences with some specific focus of concerns, and which lead those audiences into useless or counter-productive activities.
In Huxley's world, we see a scientifically designed society, tightly controlled by a full-spectrum mind-control regime, based on conditioning and cult dynamics. In today's world, we see cult dynamics being used in a variety of mind-control operations, with cults customized for various constituencies both inside and outside the mainstream bubble. Huxley's world has achieved stabilization by such means; in our world those means are being used to facilitate a transition – to a brave new world order that is likely to resemble Huxley's in many of its essential features.
The demise of the family? — If the state can achieve full control over the raising of children, without parental interference, then quite obviously that would give the state the power to achieve a full-spectrum mind-control regime. Not only could the state design the society's culture, it could tune that culture over time, by updating the conditioning process. If full-spectrum mind-control is the goal, then eliminating the family becomes a primary intermediate objective.
If eliminating the family is indeed an objective of the New World Order project, then it is by no means an easy objective to achieve. One would be hard-pressed to imagine an institution that would be more fiercely defended than the family, or to imagine a more painful experience than being separated from ones children or parents. Any campaign to achieve that objective would need to fly under false colors, not advertised as a campaign to eliminate the family, but rather as a campaign aimed at protecting the rights and welfare of the child.
It is in this light, I suggest, that we consider the many revelations that have emerged in recent years regarding child sexual abuse, and the existence of pedophile rings. In many of these cases we learn that the abusive activity have been going on for many, many years, as we see in the case of pedophile priests. Why is it that these longstanding activities have only recently been 'discovered'?
If there is to be a strong campaign for the 'rights and welfare of children', there needs to be first a strong impression that their rights and welfare need protecting. Exposés of child sexual abuse serve that purpose very well. When you see a police drama, where abused children are rescued by noble cops from drug-addicted parents, you are are getting images of a benevolent state, and a social milieu that requires intervention. It becomes a template that can be expanded on as time goes on. And of course there are the interminable ads, where a neglected child sits alone at home (black and white film for effect), fearful and hungry, and you can donate $3 to some child-protection agency.
I don't recall the link, but I came across a webpage from a UN agency, promoting the virtues of children raised 'alternatively'. These are children raised as a group, sans parents, reminiscent of Huxley's scenario. Supposedly these children were 'more creative', and showed other positive signs. How very nice. Another good-intention-stone along the garden path to the demise of the family.
Last year, 2013, in both Ireland and New Zealand, constitutional amendments were adopted, declaring that the rights and welfare of the child are paramount, trumping any rights that might be claimed by a child's parents. In Ireland, a court challenge was immediately launched, based on the fact that the government had illegally campaigned for the referendum that approved the amendment, when by law the government should have been neutral. The challenge was, not surprisingly, rejected by the courts. There is no specific formula in these amendments as to what defines the rights and welfare of children, leaving it up to the discretion of the state, as to when intervention in the family might be appropriate.
As economic conditions worsen, under the screws of austerity, privatization, and eliminated social services, it will become a struggle for an increasing number of parents to feed, clothe, and house their families. It would be all too easy for the state to mandate a 'minimum level of acceptable conditions', and take children wholesale into care, based on 'economic profiling'. That's just one possible scenario, but it's the kind of scenario it seems we are being prepared for.
Source: Global Research. Image: Dees Illustration
URL: http://www.a-w-i-p.com/index.php/2014/09/08/mind-control-and-the-conspiracy


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Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
Cover Letter Examples
Five+ cover letter examples found around the web. I read (most of) them and ensured that they were written within the last year (2013 - 2014). Enjoy the fruits of my labor! I will try to post one of these articles every week if people find them helpful. Comment any examples of cover letters you have found around the web and I'll feature you in my next cover letter example post!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
What should I write in the email of a job application?
You have the perfect customized resume and cover letter, and now you're stuck. Why? The job posting has asked you to email somebody rather than uploading to an automated system. This is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because you know that human eyes will read your resume and cover letter. It is a curse because now you have to type something into that confounded email space. So what do you write in your email?
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Temperature Taking
A bigshot business man had to spend a couple of days in the
He was a royal pain to the nurses because he bossed them around just like he did his employees. None of the hospital staff wanted to have anything to do with him.
The head nurse was the only one who could stand up to him. She walked into his room and announced, "I have to take your temperature."
After complaining for several minutes, he finally settled down,
crossed his arms and opened his mouth.
"No, I'm sorry, the nurse stated, "but for this reading, I can't
use an oral thermometer."
This started another round of complaining, but eventually he
rolled over and bared his behind.
After feeling the nurse insert the thermometer, he heard her
announce, "I have to get something. Now you stay JUST LIKE THAT until I get back!"
She leaves the door to his room open on her way out. He curses under his breath as he hears people walking past his door, laughing. After almost an hour, the man's doctor comes into the room.
"What's going on here?" asked the doctor.
Angrily, the man answers, "What's the matter, Doc? Haven't you ever seen someone having their temperature taken before?"
After a pause, the doctor replies, "Yes, but never with a


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Last year at the conference formerly known as BlogWorld, members of the NMX team had the honor and pleasure of spending most of our time in the New Media Lounge where we could talk with attendees, answer questions, take comments and even offer tips about getting the most out of one's conference experience. This got us to thinking…what if we offered our brand new attendees the opportunity to have their questions answered ahead of time? What if we got to show them around a bit so they didn't feel so "new" when the conference starts?
What if?
A new attendee orientation is born.
On Sunday, January 6th, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., we will be holding a new attendee orientation in the New Media Lounge. While there, new attendees will:
- Learn about NMX from the NMX founders.
- Receive a description of the different educational content from track leaders and conference directors.
- Get a map of the show floor, plus tips for making the most of the exhibits from the NMX sales team.
- Take a tour of the Rio's conference facility.
- Receive tips and best practices for making the most of networking, learning and having a positive conference experience from NMX's community director (Yours Truly).
- Have questions answered by the NMX team.
Reaching out to new attendees throughout the event
In addition to the orientation, we'd like new attendees to know we'll have their backs throughout NMX.
Ambassadors: We're going to be appointing a couple of attendee ambassadors. These ambassadors are long-time alumni who are passionate about NMX and will be available throughout the conference to answer questions and give directions or advice.
Wristbands: New attendees will receive wristbands in addition to their badges. We are going to encourage all attendees, speakers, exhibitors to seek out new attendees to make sure they're having the best experience possible.
New Media Lounge: Members of the NMX team are going to be keeping office in the New Media Lounge. We'll be there to answer questions and also to learn more about all our attendees. We'll be receiving your feedback, hearing your ideas and listing any concerns.
How to attend the new attendee orientation
As space is limited, the orientation is only open to new attendees who are already registered or will be registering to attend NMX. There is no cost to attend but we'll gladly accepts smiles, handshakes and hugs.
Please sign up for the new attendee orientation by using this form.
Any questions? Comments? What do you hope to learn from a new attendee orientation? Share in the comments. In the meantime, you might be interested in this post by Aaron Hockley with conference tips for introverts.


text: On brand indentities that are flexible (vs. those that are static). Examples: Google's logo, Target's bullseye, and Saks' jumbly identity. "As advertising agencies lose their grip on the communications channels, the logos are starting to come out of the corner. Once pushed as far over to the bottom right as possible, they're becoming central to communication, no longer content to just be the the full-stop at the end of a piece of branded communication." (via quipsologies)


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Return & Warranty
This?SS Glowing Phone Case?will make a perfect gift for?
About This Phone Case?
- ProductionMade of high quality soft TPU which is safe and protective, light weight which fits your phone perfectly.Protect your phone from dust, shock, scratches, bumps and other daily damage, keeping your phone in like-new condition.Unique design allows easy access to all buttons, controls and ports without having to remove the skin.
Luminous Case Noctilucent Glow in the Dark Noctilucent.
All Cases have cuts for all ports and they are easily accessible.
Images on the cases are a high definition that makes your phone looks marvelous, even after using for a long time. There is a difference in the texture of the basis. Our professional printers produce the highest quality detailed images for a zero blur print even when super close, perfect for those mirror selfies.


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Mid-Continent Public Library offers students K-12 live homework help from tutor.com. It is FREE. Students just need to register and get a card. Tutor.com will connect students with live, expert tutors for one-to-one help with their homework assignments. They can use Tutor.com from their home computer or inside the library to complete assignments and improve grades.
Direct questions about the program to Mid Continent Public Library at email@example.com. Register to get a card at https://www.mymcpl.org/catalog/get-card. The link to get started is: https://www.mymcpl.org/homework.


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Will Steve Jobs' Pal Aaron Sorkin Pen His Biopic?
Sony is reportedly courting 'The Social Network' screenwriter Aaron Sorkin to bring Steve Jobs' life to the big screen. Will he accept the friend request?
The proposed biopic would be based on Walter Isaacson's biography of Jobs, comprised of several interviews the author had with the tech giant, as well as friends, family and colleagues. The studio bought the rights to the biography only two days after Jobs' death. (The book was released this week.)
Will the fact that Sorkin was actually friends with Jobs mean that the movie will be a puff piece? Or could he opt for the warts-and-all approach he took to adapting the Facebook story? Either way, it's safe to say there will be a lot of scenes of people walking down hallways and talking fast.
[via Slashfilm]


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National Energy Board approves Enbridge's Line 9 reversal plan
Published Thursday, March 6, 2014 6:09AM EST Last Updated Thursday, March 6, 2014 10:47PM EST
TORONTO -- The National Energy Board issued a green light Thursday to energy giant Enbridge's plan to reverse the flow and increase the capacity of a pipeline that has been running between southern Ontario and Montreal for years.
The 141-page decision on the controversial Line 9 comes some four months after the federal regulator held public hearings on the Calgary-based company's proposal.
"The board's decision enables Enbridge to react to market forces and provide benefits to Canadians, while at the same time implementing the project in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner," the NEB said in a statement.
"Enbridge will be permitted to operate all of Line 9 in an eastward direction in order to transport crude oil from Western Canada and the U.S. Bakken region to refineries in Ontario and Quebec."
The approval is subject to a number of conditions, which include Enbridge (TSX:ENB) being required to undertake activities involving pipeline integrity, emergency response and continued consultation with stakeholders and the public.
The board also requires Enbridge to apply for leave to open the reversed Line 9.
The board was not unanimous, however, in the conditions it set out for Enbridge related to financial ability to deal with a spill, with one member saying he would have liked Enbridge to be required to demonstrate that it has "legally enforceable access to financial resources which are and will continue to be adequate to fund any reasonably foreseeable NEB-regulated obligations which arise as a result of a spill."
Ultimately, however, the board found that the Line 9 proposal was "in the public interest."
"The board has imposed conditions that will enhance current and ongoing pipeline integrity, safety and environmental protection measures to which Line 9 is already subject," the NEB wrote in its conclusion.
"It is now up to Enbridge to fulfil its commitments and satisfy the Board's requirements."
Enbridge said it was already working on a plan to fulfil those requirements, saying the NEB's approval will allow "reliable, competitive North American crude oil" to be delivered to refineries in Ontario and Quebec.
"The benefits of the reversal of Line 9B are clear," said Enbridge CEO Al Monaco. "We've listened carefully and we're acting on stakeholder input to address concerns and further enhance safety. The approval of this project is not the end of the process for us."
The board's decision -- which does not require further approval from the federal government -- was welcomed by the natural resources minister, who said the NEB had conducted "an independent, scientific review" of Enbridge's proposal.
"This will protect high-quality, skilled jobs in Quebec and create market opportunities for Western Canada's oil producers," Joe Oliver said. "Furthermore, by replacing higher-cost foreign crude with Canadian crude, the reversal will strengthen Quebec's refining and petrochemical industries."
Line 9, built in 1976, originally shuttled oil from Sarnia, Ont., to Montreal, but was reversed in the late 90s in response to market conditions to pump imported crude westward. Enbridge had asked the board to allow the flow towards the east once more.
The company plans to move 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day through the line, up from the current 240,000 barrels, with no increase in pressure.
It also asked for permission to move different types of oil, including a heavier form of crude. The board granted permission for the change in product.
Enbridge has stressed, however, that the mix of light crude and processed bitumen it plans to run through the line is not a raw oilsands product and will not erode the pipe.
Opponents, however, have argued Enbridge's plan for the aging Line 9 puts communities at risk, threatens water supplies and could endanger vulnerable species in ecologically sensitive areas.
"People have serious concerns about the safety of this pipeline because it's old and leaky," said Gillian McEachern a spokeswoman for Environmental Defence, which had called on the NEB to require Enbridge to carry out hydrostatic testing, which uses water to check for cracks and breaches.
The NEB did not make that a condition of its approval, but it did leave the door open to the test being carried out in the future.
"Our process for reviewing major pipeline projects is seriously broken. This decision puts people across Ontario and Quebec at serious risk of oil spills," said McEachern.
"If there is a spill, tarsands oil is much harder to clean up and more expensive to clean up than conventional oil that's going through it now."
Advocacy group Rising Tide Toronto, which also made submissions to the NEB, reacted to the board decision by calling for "civil disobedience to protect communities, land, and water from tarsands and fracked oil in the pipeline."
"A spill from Line 9 is a matter of where and when, not if it will happen," said spokeswoman Shirley Ceravolo.
Enbridge has insisted that safety is its top priority and has characterized the scope of the reversal as "actually very, very small."
But Line 9's opponents have often pointed to an Enbridge spill in Michigan, which leaked 20,000 barrels of crude into the Kalamazoo River in 2010. There are concerns the same thing could happen in Ontario or Quebec.
A portion of the line has already received approval for reversal and has been sending oil from Sarnia to North Westover, Ont. -- about 30 kilometres northwest of Hamilton -- since August.