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Premarket Notification 510(k)
Send Medical Device eSTAR and eCopy Premarket Submissions Online
October 3, 2022 - The FDA is announcing that you may now send electronic copy (eCopy) or electronic Submission Template And Resource (eSTAR) premarket submissions online through the CDRH Customer Collaboration Portal ("CDRH Portal").
Building on the progress tracker for 510(k) submissions launched in 2021 and the trial process of electronic uploads launched in July 2022, the CDRH Portal now allows anyone to register for a CDRH Portal account to send CDRH eCopy or eSTAR premarket submissions online.
Starting October 1, 2023, all 510(k) submissions, unless exempted*, must be submitted as electronic submissions using eSTAR.
- Introduction
- What is Substantial Equivalence
- Who is Required to Submit a 510(k)
- When a 510(k) is Required
- When a 510(k) is not Required
- Preamendment Devices
- Third Party Review Program
Each person who wants to market in the U.S., a Class I, II, and III device intended for human use, for which a Premarket Approval application (PMA) is not required, must submit a 510(k) to FDA unless the device is exempt from 510(k) requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) and does not exceed the limitations of exemptions in .9 of the device classification regulation chapters (e.g., 21 CFR 862.9, 21 CFR 864.9). There is no 510(k) form; however, 21 CFR 807 Subpart E describes requirements for a 510(k) submission. Before marketing a device, each submitter must receive an order, in the form of a letter, from FDA which finds the device to be substantially equivalent (SE) and states that the device can be marketed in the U.S. This order "clears" the device for commercial distribution (see The 510(k) Program Guidance).
A 510(k) is a premarket submission made to FDA to demonstrate that the device to be marketed is as safe and effective, that is, substantially equivalent, to a legally marketed device (section 513(i)(1)(A) FD&C Act). Submitters must compare their device to one or more similar legally marketed devices and make and support their substantial equivalence claims. A legally marketed device is a device that was legally marketed prior to May 28, 1976 (preamendments device), or a device which has been reclassified from Class III to Class II or I, a device which has been found SE through the 510(k) process, or a device that was granted marketing authorization via the De Novo classification process under section 513(f)(2) of the FD&C Act that is not exempt from premarket notification requirements. The legally marketed device(s) to which equivalence is drawn is commonly known as the "predicate." Although devices recently cleared under 510(k) are often selected as the predicate to which equivalence is claimed, any legally marketed device may be used as a predicate. . Legally marketed also means that the predicate cannot be one that is in violation of the FD&C Act.
Until the submitter receives an order declaring a device SE, the submitter may not proceed to market the device. Once the device is determined to be SE, it can then be marketed in the U.S. The SE determination is usually made within 90 days and is made based on the information submitted by the submitter.
Please note that FDA does not typically perform 510(k) pre-clearance facility inspections. The submitter may market the device immediately after 510(k) clearance is granted. The manufacturer should be prepared for an FDA quality system (21 CFR 820) inspection at any time after 510(k) clearance.
What is Substantial Equivalence
A 510(k) requires demonstration of substantial equivalence to another legally U.S. marketed device. Substantial equivalence means that the new device is as safe and effective as the predicate.
A device is substantially equivalent if, in comparison to a predicate it:
- has the same intended use as the predicate; and
- has the same technological characteristics as the predicate;
- has the same intended use as the predicate; and
- has different technological characteristics and does not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness; and
- the information submitted to FDA demonstrates that the device is as safe and effective as the legally marketed device.
A claim of substantial equivalence does not mean the new and predicate devices needs to be identical. FDA first establishes that the new and predicate devices have the same intended use and any differences in technological characteristics do not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness. FDA then determines whether the device is as safe and effective as the predicate device by reviewing the scientific methods used to evaluate differences in technological characteristics and performance data. This performance data can include clinical data and non-clinical bench performance data, including engineering performance testing, sterility, electromagnetic compatibility, software validation, biocompatibility evaluation, among other data.
A device may not be marketed in the U.S. until the submitter receives a letter finding the device substantially equivalent. If FDA determines that a device is not substantially equivalent, the applicant may:
- resubmit another 510(k) with new data,
- request a Class I or II designation through the De Novo Classification process
- file a reclassification petition, or
- submit a premarket approval application (PMA).
Who is Required to Submit a 510(k)
The FD&C Act and the 510(k) regulation (21 CFR 807) do not specify who must submit a 510(k). Instead, they specify which actions, such as introducing a device to the U.S. market, require a 510(k) submission.
The following four categories of parties must submit a 510(k) to the FDA:
- Domestic manufacturers introducing a device to the U.S. market;
Finished device manufacturers must submit a 510(k) if they manufacture a device according to their own specifications and market it in the U.S. Accessories to finished devices that are sold to the end user are also considered finished devices. However, manufacturers of device components are not required to submit a 510(k) unless such components are promoted for sale to an end user as replacement parts. Contract manufacturers, those firms that manufacture devices under contract according to someone else's specifications, are not required to submit a 510(k).
- Specification developers introducing a device to the U.S. market;
A specification developer develops the specifications for a finished device, but has the device manufactured under contract by another firm or entity. The specification developer submits the 510(k), not the contract manufacturer.
- Repackers or relabelers who make labeling changes or whose operations significantly affect the device.
Repackagers or relabelers may be required to submit a 510(k) if they significantly change the labeling or otherwise affect any condition of the device. Significant labeling changes may include modification of manuals, such as adding a new intended use, deleting or adding warnings, contraindications, etc. Operations, such as sterilization, could alter the condition of the device. However, most repackagers or relabelers are not required to submit a 510(k).
- Foreign manufacturers/exporters or U.S. representatives of foreign manufacturers/exporters introducing a device to the U.S. market.
Please note that all manufacturers (including specification developers) of Class II and III devices and select Class I devices are required to follow design controls (21 CFR 820.30) during the development of their device. The holder of a 510(k) must have design control documentation available for FDA review during a site inspection. In addition, any changes to the device specifications or manufacturing processes must be made in accordance with the Quality System regulation (21 CFR 820) and may be subject to a new 510(k). Additional information is found on the webpage "Is a new 510(k) required for a modification to the device?"
When a 510(k) is Required
A 510(k) is required when:
- Unless exempt, introducing a device into commercial distribution (marketing) for the first time. After May 28, 1976 (effective date of the Medical Device Amendments to the Act), anyone who wants to sell a device in the U.S. is required to make a 510(k) submission at least 90 days prior to offering the device for sale, even though it may have been under development or clinical investigation before that date. If your device was not marketed by your firm before May 28, 1976, a 510(k) is required.
- There is a change or modification to a legally marketed device and that change could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness. The burden is on the 510(k) holder to decide whether or not a modification could significantly affect safety or effectiveness of the device. Any modifications must be made in accordance with the Quality System regulation, 21 CFR 820, and recorded in the device master record and change control records. It is recommended that the justification for submitting or not submitting a new 510(k) be recorded in the change control records.
A new 510(k) submission is required for changes or modifications to an existing device, where the modifications could significantly affect the safety or effectiveness of the device or the device is to be marketed for a new or different intended use. See Is a new 510(k) required for a modification to the device? for additional information.
When a 510(k) is Not Required
The following are examples of when a 510(k) is not required.
- You sell unfinished devices to another firm for further processing or sell components to be used in the assembling of devices by other firms. However, if your components are to be sold directly to end users as replacement parts, a 510(k) is required.
- Your device is not being marketed or commercially distributed. You do not need a 510(k) to develop, evaluate, or test a device. This includes clinical evaluation. Please note that if you perform clinical trials with your device, you are subject to the Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) regulation (21 CFR 812).
- You distribute another firm's domestically manufactured device. You may place a label on the device, "Distributed by ABC Firm" or "Manufactured for ABC Firm," (21 CFR 801.1) and sell it to end users without submission of a 510(k).
- In most cases, if you are a repackager or a relabeler and the existing labeling or condition of the device is not significantly changed. The labeling should be consistent with the labeling submitted in the 510(k) with the same indications for use and warnings and contraindications.
- Your device was legally in commercial distribution before May 28, 1976 and has not been significantly changed or modified in design, components, method of manufacture, or intended use. These devices are "grandfathered" and you have Preamendment Status documentation to prove this.
- The device is made outside the U.S. and you are an importer of the foreign made medical device. A 510(k) is not required if a 510(k) has been submitted by the foreign manufacturer and received marketing clearance. Once the foreign manufacturer has received 510(k) clearance for the device, the foreign manufacturer may export his device to any U.S. importer.
- Your device is exempted from 510(k) by regulation (21 CFR 862-892). That is, certain Class I or II devices can be marketed for the first time without having to submit a 510(k). A list of the Class I and II exempted devices can be found on Medical Device Exemptions 510(k) and GMP Requirements. However, if the device exceeds the limitations of exemptions in .9 of the device classification regulation chapters (e.g., 21 CFR 862.9, 21 CFR 864.9), such as the device has a different intended use or operates using a different fundamental scientific technology than a legally marketed device in that generic type of device, or the device is a reprocessed single-use device, then a 510(k) must be submitted to market the new device.
Preamendment Devices
The term "preamendments device" refers to devices legally marketed in the U.S. by a firm before May 28, 1976 and which have not been:
- significantly changed or modified since then; and
- for which a regulation requiring a PMA application has not been published by FDA.
Devices meeting the above criteria are "grandfathered" devices and do not require a 510(k). The device must have the same intended use as that marketed before May 28, 1976. If the device is labeled for a different intended use, then the device is considered a new device and a 510(k) must be submitted to FDA for marketing clearance.
Please note that you must be the owner of the device on the market before May 28, 1976, for the device to be grandfathered. If your device is similar to a grandfathered device and marketed after May 28, 1976, then your device does NOT meet the requirements of being grandfathered and you must submit a 510(k). In order for a firm to claim that it has a preamendments device, it must demonstrate that its device was labeled, promoted, and distributed in interstate commerce for a specific intended use and that intended use has not changed. See Preamendment Status for information on documentation requirements.
Third Party Review Program
The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has implemented a Third Party Review Program. This program provides an option to manufacturers of certain devices of submitting their 510(k) to private parties (Recognized Third Parties) identified by FDA for review instead of submitting directly to CDRH. For more information on the program, eligible devices and a list of Recognized Third Parties go to Third Party Review Program Information page.
Additional Information
- Send and Track Medical Device Premarket Submissions Online: CDRH Portal
- CDRH Learn Module: 510(k) Program
- 510(k) Frequently Asked Questions
- De Novo Classification Process (Evaluation of Automatic Class III Designation) - Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff
- 510(k) Decision-Making Flowchart
- The 510(k) Program: Evaluating Substantial Equivalence in Premarket Notifications [510(k)] - Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff
- Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Change to an Existing Device
- Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Software Change to an Existing Device
- 510(k) Clearances
Contact FDA
1 (800) 638-2041
(301) 796-7100
Information-Medical Devices / Radiation Products
Division of Industry and Consumer Education
CDRH-Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993


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About Apple security updates
For our customers' protection, Apple doesn't disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until an investigation has occurred and patches or releases are available. Recent releases are listed on the Apple security updates page.
For more information about security, see the Apple Product Security page. You can encrypt communications with Apple using the Apple Product Security PGP Key.
Apple security documents reference vulnerabilities by CVE-ID when possible.
Security Update 2018-001 Swift 4.1.1 for Ubuntu 14.04
Released May 4, 2018
Swift for Ubuntu
Available for: Ubuntu 14.04
Not impacted: Ubuntu 16.04 and 16.10
Impact: A process may gain admin privileges and execute arbitrary code
Description: An issue existed in specific versions of Swift on Ubuntu 14.04 where libraries are loaded with write and execute permissions. This issue was addressed with improved permissions.
CVE-2018-4220: Apple

subset: commoncrawl


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Collaboration, expertise produce enhanced sensing in Xbox One
A Silicon Valley-based hardware team collaborated with Microsoft Research to overcome technological hurdles with the new time-of-flight sensing camera in Xbox One.
Cyrus Bamji had encountered a challenge. Luckily for him, Microsoft Research had just the solution.
Bamji, Microsoft partner hardware architect for Microsoft's Silicon Valley-based Architecture and Silicon Management group, and members of his team were trying to incorporate a time-of-flight camera into Xbox One, the successor to the wildly popular Xbox 360.
A time-of-flight camera emits light signals and then measures how long it takes them to return. That needs to be accurate to 1/10,000,000,000 of a second—remember, we're talking the speed of light here. With such measurements, the camera is able to differentiate light reflecting from objects in a room and the surrounding environment. That provides an accurate depth estimation that enables the shape of those objects to be computed.
That speed-of-light capability would be a major advancement for the Kinect sensor portion of Xbox One, being released to 13 launch markets next month. The new Kinect, a key differentiator for Xbox One against its competition, needed to capture a larger field of view with greater accuracy and higher resolution. An infrared sensor will enable object identification requiring little to no light, and improved hand-pose recognition, giving gamers and more casual users the ability to control the console with their hands.
But Cyrus Bamji had a challenge. The sensor was great, but it also left those working on it eager to do even more with it.
"When we take a relatively new technology, such as time-of-flight, and put it into a commercial product, there are a whole bunch of things that happen," he says. "There are things that we didn't know how important they were until the product was made. For example, we know theoretically that motion blur in time of flight is a big problem, but just how important is only discoverable when you're building a product with it and that product needs to deliver an excellent experience."
Accurate depth measurement in diverse scenes with the new camera's high resolution and a wider field of view also pose user-experience issues, making it difficult to keep small objects, such as a finger, from fading into the background, for instance. While those features delivered more versatile device performance, they also created issues of their own in real-life scenarios, such as the need for accurate depth measurement in diverse, high-resolution scenes. That, as well as improving the wider field of view and the motion blur, required clean data—quickly. Xbox One had to be ready for the 2013 holiday season.
"We knew our time was limited," Bamji recalls. "But we also had the advantage of being able to tap into Microsoft Research's deep reservoir of technical expertise to get expert advice and help solve the various problems we encountered with new, cutting-edge solutions."
Eyal Krupka, principal applied researcher, Microsoft Research Advanced Technology Lab, was up to the challenge.
Eyal Krupka
"I was in Redmond last summer, working on hand-pose-recognition research, also for Xbox One," Krupka says, "and Mark Plagge, a principal program-manager lead on the Xbox One team, approached me about the ongoing work in solving some issues with the camera. They had made huge progress, but the progress had not come quickly enough, and there were not any clear solutions yet. He asked me to check to see if I could help."
Travis Perry, a senior system architect lead with the Architecture and Silicon Management team, says that things took off from there.
"Eyal and I had many meetings discussing the various tradeoffs of the sensor and discussing the problem statements," says Perry, who worked with Krupka on algorithm and parameter optimization. "Our team supported Eyal and his team with data and software for the existing depth calculations, and Eyal and I worked together to achieve better edge and motion-blur performance."
That sort of engagement and teamwork was key to the project's success.
"It wasn't like consultant mode, where we asked something and the researchers gave us an opinion," Bamji says. "They really took charge of the project. They did all the tests. They built a whole infrastructure of software to deliver us a complete solution. Essentially, they took charge. We're really grateful for that."
Krupka—with a few Microsoft Research colleagues making contributions of their own—worked well with their Xbox partners. Their combined domain knowledge meshed well.
"The reason Eyal and I were successful," Perry says, "was because of his extensive knowledge of computer vision, signal processing, and machine learning, along with my knowledge of time-of-flight technology and the system tradeoffs, allowing us to make the right decisions in a short amount of time and keep to the tight schedule."
Krupka also worked diligently to gain a deep understanding of how the system worked.
"Eyal was curious from the beginning to understand how the technology works, the underlying mechanism, and the various noise models that go into the system," says Sunil Acharya, senior director of engineering for the Architecture and Silicon Management team. "His team was helping the software team with face- and hand-recognition algorithms when he found out about the time-of-flight challenges we were facing. He jumped in and worked with us very closely, and his team started working on solutions that mapped directly into the product timeline."
For Bamji, it was an a-ha moment.
"We had researchers who understood that time was of the essence," he says. "We could ask them about a problem, and they would get on it and essentially come up with solutions that were technically challenging, but not in a vacuum. And they delivered solutions in a timeframe that was something that could be of use to us.
"The success story is a rapid response and the solving of difficult problems."
That is a concise summation of the value of Microsoft Research, a unique asset to Microsoft developers of devices and services. For Krupka, this is significant.
"The research aspects of what we delivered for Xbox One did not start on the day we start working with the product team," he says. "It starts years before we learn about any specific project or problem. It is based on accumulating a wide range of research expertise through exploration on multiple research projects, accumulating engineering and research tools and practices—including rapid research methods.
"This is achieved by rotating cycles of working on long-term research problems, then switching to short-term research tasks. This is critical to the success. If we did only short-term, on-demand research, we couldn't have the critical assets when we work on the product's problems. If we worked only on long-term research, we would have had a harder time switching gears to deliver solutions on a product group's timeline."
The analog nature of the time-of-flight data posed challenges to delivering such a solution.
"The time-of-flight data coming out of our sensor is per pixel, per frame, and there is a lot more analog information," Acharya says. "Another issue was that the foreground objects close to the background objects would melt into the background—again, due to the analog nature of how our sensor provides the depth data for pixels that land on edges."
"This resulted in a lot of information, and to make it easier for foreground/background extraction and scene segmentation, use by software and game developers, the requirement was to clean up this data simultaneously by adding software algorithms in the pipe, yet without incurring a performance hit. This was crucial. We started with various work streams and, in the end, settled on making optimization to the parameters in the system to overcome the issue."
The collaborators wanted to deliver a clear separation of foreground and background even if the objects are close to each other. That, too, proved difficult. And then there was motion blur.
Travis Perry (left) and Sunil Acharya
"Motion blur," Acharya explains, "is a parameter that needs to be minimized and is not technology-specific. The time-of-flight camera uses global shutter, which has helped reduce motion blur significantly—from 65 milliseconds in the original Kinect to fewer than 14 milliseconds now."
Other challenges presented themselves. For one thing, processing time became an issue. In the academic literature about time-of-flight systems, processing time wasn't an issue. In the laboratory environment, the technology worked fine. But Xbox One needs to process a whopping 6.5 million pixels per second. And only a small part of Xbox One's computing power could be harnessed for this task. The lion's share is reserved, understandably, for essentials such as gaming, skeleton tracking, face recognition, and audio.
"You need to do very, very light computation for each pixel," Krupka says, "and this is one of the things that made the problem challenging and different from the typical approach in the academic literature in this field."
And then there was that tight timeframe for delivery. Benchmark numbers in multiple domains had to be attained to make the Xbox One perform at the highest level.
"The fact that we needed to hit all the benchmark performance numbers in all these multiple, different domains was a challenge," Bamji confirms. "Many of these things were heavy-duty theoretical stuff. That's why we reached out to Microsoft Research and asked for their help."
Remarkably, it all came together, and that means that while entertainment lovers worldwide will soon find themselves delighted by the Xbox One experience, so, too, will those eager to develop for the platform. Reducing that edge-data noise makes the data developer-ready, and being able to segment clearly between the foreground and the background solves a complex computational problem. The data is clean, and it can be absorbed more easily by game developers.
Another fascinating feature of the Kinect sensing device in Xbox One stems from its infrared sensor, which can identify objects in a completely darkened room. It can recognize people and track bodies even without any light visible to the naked eye. It can identify a hand pose from four meters away, see the fingers of a child, and remember your identity even minus room illumination.
The wider field of view makes it possible for more players to play an Xbox One game at the same time. With the new console, as many as six players can crowd into one scene. A tall adult can play with a small child without either being squeezed out of the picture. Users get a better experience if they're standing close by, farther away, or on the periphery of the room.
And the improved hand-pose recognition enables users to interact with the Xbox One just by using their hands—no controller necessary. Thanks to the infrared camera, hand activities can be identified at any illumination, or with none at all. Prior hand-pose solutions were able to deliver speed or accuracy, but not both. The hand-pose solution jointly devised by the Xbox team and Microsoft Research can do both.
Based on his experience with both hand-pose and facial recognition, Krupka was able to find solutions that take into account system-level concerns.
"We ourselves were customers of the camera improvements, as part of our research for accurate hand pose," he says. "This helped us to determine the necessary tradeoffs. This also is a good example of Microsoft Research interdisciplinary work to deliver system-level optimization, not just optimization of separate parts."
The aforementioned Xbox One enhancements resulted from an intensive collaborative effort by a number of individuals and teams. On the hardware side, Mirko Schmidt worked closely with Krupka and his team, and Arrigo Benedetti did likewise during investigations of the time-of-flight camera conducted with Philip A. Chou and Alex Acero of Microsoft Research Redmond, along with Shahram Izadi of Microsoft Research Cambridge. Krupka says he found those investigations seminal to his crash-course study of how the camera functions, enabling him to gain a quick understanding of which were the more promising directions—and which were not.
Two other contributors came from Perry's team. Abdelrehim Ahmed worked with Simon Baker and Rick Szeliski of Microsoft Research Redmond on the camera's filter, which has proved instrumental in detecting erroneous pixels caused by edges and motion. And Vishali Mogallapu supported all the above efforts.
Other Microsoft Research contributions to the Xbox One include Fang Wen and her team at Microsoft Research Asia, who contributed their state-of-the-art technologies for high-accuracy face recognition. Ivan Tashev of Microsoft Research Redmond brought his audio expertise, demonstrated during the development of the Xbox 360, to optimize the sound experience enabled by the Xbox One. Ranveer Chandra contributed a wireless-controller protocol. And, from Krupka's team, Ido Leichter wrote valuable simulations of the camera and environment, and Daniel Freedman provided innovative solutions to improve the robustness of depth images.
"We found people eager to help us solve our problems," says Bamji of his collaboration with Microsoft Research. "The researchers were very interested in making an impact by working on products that were going to market."
Krupka found the collaboration challenging—and, ultimately, rewarding.
"For me," he says, "it was the most intensive three months of work in my whole career. It seemed like I was working 24 hours a day, and the response from the Silicon Valley Xbox team was similar.
"We had a clear deadline, and we understood what was at stake. We understood that this was very critical for the project. We were aware of it from the beginning. Everyone was on board, and now, we're excited to see how Xbox One customers respond later this fall. It was a great example of teamwork that, hopefully, translates into a 'just works' experience that delights Xbox One customers and developers."
Related Links:
· Xbox One
· Xbox 360
· Philip A. Chou
· Microsoft Research Redmond
· Shahram Izadi
· Microsoft Research Cambridge
· Fang Wen
· Microsoft Research Asia
· Simon Baker
· Rick Szeliski
· Ivan Tashev
· Ido Leichter
· Daniel Freedman
Posted by Rob Knies
Senior Writer, Microsoft Research
Editor's note: This post was updated on Oct. 3 with new information regarding an additional contributor from Microsoft Research.


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Upper Chapel (1847-48). Now a Unitarian church. Norfolk Street, Sheffield. John Frith extensively remodelled the original building of 1700, reversing its orientation, raising its walls, and adding to the east end "to create a vestibule behind the handsome new pedimented stone front with its ionic porch. The five arched upper windows are flanked by Corinthian pilasters in the style of Barry's [London] Traveller's Club" (Harman and Minnis, 105).
Photographs 2011 by George P. Landow You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Sheffield. Harman, Ruth, and John Minnis. Pevsner Architectural Guides. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. 2004.
Last modified 21 November 2011


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RUSH: This is gonna be close to my all-time favorite or this is close to my all-time favorite. I can't say it is my all-time favorite 'cause I don't remember them all, but this is clearly in the top five. On April 29th, Lesley Stahl, 60 Minutes, interviewed Jose Rodriguez who is the chief interrogator of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed at Club Gitmo. And I love this bite because, as I listen to it, I firmly believe that Jose Rodriguez knows exactly who he's dealing with and is having fun with her and she doesn't know it.
He knows he's talking to somebody who thinks raising your voice at somebody is torture. He knows he's dealing with somebody who thinks that he committed atrocities and crimes. So he describes the harmless activities he engaged in with Sheikh Mohammed as "dire techniques," these "dire techniques." That's my favorite line in this bite: "Oh, yes, it was one of those dire techniques." Here it is, her question. "So what happens? Did the Sheikh break down? Does he cry? Does he fall apart after your waterboarding?"
RODRIGUEZ: No. He gets a good night's sleep. He gets his Ensure. By the way, he was very heavy when he came to us and he lost 50 pounds.
STAHL: What, his Ensure? You mean like people in the hospital who will drink that stuff?
RODRIGUEZ: Yes. Dietary manipulation was part of these dire techniques.
STAHL: So sleep deprivation, dietary manipulation, I mean, this is Orwellian stuff. The United States doesn't do that.
RODRIGUEZ: Well, we do.
RUSH: "Well, we do." (laughing)
"Dietary manipulation was part of these dire techniques." Dietary manipulation! Ensure. A product that keeps cancer patients alive in the hospital considered "torture" by Lesley Stahl. And I think Jose Rodriguez knew it and when he calls "dietary manipulation … part of the dire techniques," he was taunting her and she didn't even know it! So I pointed this out. We played it two or three times, maybe more. We played it again just now. This past Thursday in New York City at the New-York Historical Society, they had a panel discussion there about the 2012 presidential race. The moderator… (interruption) Snerdley, stop screening for a minute. You gotta listen to this in case we get phone calls about it. New-York Historical Society on Thursday, Lesley Stahl moderating a panel discussion on the 2012 presidential race, said this about the campaign and the media…
STAHL: Here's something that's happened over the last couple of years that's frustrating to me, and that is when you say "we, the press" and then the press is this big salad bowl, and who's in the press? It's Rush Limbaugh is in the press. Fox is in the press. MSNBC. I mean, all these people who are devoting themselves to little slices of the pie are in with the so-called "mainstream media." We're all the same thing now to the public. We're not the same thing.
RUSH: Awww. See, they used to have a monopoly. And now the monopoly is gone. And I'm a now considered to be in the same business as Lesley Stahl. I can't tell you how insulted I am. That's right: A little slice of the pie. All these people have little slices of the pie. I would dare say that the EIB Network rivals CBS News, CBS Evening News. I'd say our audience is larger than the CBS Evening News is. I don't think there's any question about it if you want to start talking about slice of the pie.
But that's not the point.
The point is, I am the turd in the salad bowl. That's what the point is. I am the [Baby Ruth] in the swimming pool at Caddy Shack. And she just can't stand it because the salad used to be pure and clean and now, ladies and gentlemen, their monopoly has been destroyed. And it's no longer ABC, CBS, NBC, the New York Times and the Washington Post manipulating the minds of the American people. Now there's too much freedom in the media. But I guarantee you I got mentioned first because I keep playing this sound bite with Jose Rodriguez that "dietary manipulation" is part of their "dire techniques."
I love it.
I just love it.


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Sunday, February 24, 2008
Demonstration for Ingrid
I already mentioned Ingrid Betancourt several times on this blog. She's a Franco Columbian woman who got abducted by the Farc (a Columbian revolutionary movement) on February 23, 2002. To "celebrate" this anniversary, her support committee organized a giant human chain around the hotel de Ville (town hall). This year they emphasized the fact that not only Ingrid is being kept prisoner, but also many other hostages like these guys in the photo...
76 comments:
I loved her... she was trully amazingReplyDelete
Petrea...you are suppose to at the very least pretend you read the blog!ReplyDelete
And I must change my password...it is huge and so complicated!
I remember your other posts about Ingrid, Eric. I wouldn't have known about her otherwise. That tells me you do a valuable service. I also recognize the photo of this young man.ReplyDelete
Sorry, Rose. It was an accident. I just got home from the farmer's market. I'll go put away the groceries now.ReplyDelete
LOOOOOOOL, I love this race for the 1st place in the comments box!!ReplyDelete
It was the same thing for me. I was playing poker on Fb and decided to take a break and voila!ReplyDelete
No comments but by the time I finished putting all my details in, you beat me!
Wow...Petrea...Eric is talking to you and me!ReplyDelete
Shall I curtsy, You Highness?
Lynn,Monica and the other girls will be so jealous!ReplyDelete
Grrrrr. You are right, Rose.ReplyDelete
AND I KNEW YOU WERE PLAYING with us, keeping us jumping with your posting times, Eric! I'm shocked that you finally came out from behind the screen.
It makes me laugh that is is being played around the world!!!!
According to the rules, Article 3 line 29, you must comment on the picture, to win the Golden Finger For the day.
phx article 3 line 30 says that you must also read the entire blog before you comment, doesn't it?ReplyDelete
PETRA: I just read your last line from yesterday.....LOL LOL I certainly didn't mean...your HUSBAND!ReplyDelete
Rose, look back at previous firsts. Article VII line 22 says first you post your gleeful "Am I first" post, then you rush to make your second post, which is a comment on the photo.ReplyDelete
Eric, I do qualify for today's win, don't I?
PHX: Thank you. Whew. I was worried.
Gosh the technicalities are indeed complex. If i recall correctly, Article VIII line IV Clause II indicates that in the event of a dispute then Lord Eric DP of Paris must intervene and settle the matter.ReplyDelete
I sense a slight nervousness Eric in your using 'celebrate'. Permit me to assist. Perhaps comemmorate or we would more normally say 'to mark the occasion'. Hope that's useful and i have not trodden on the Royal toes.ReplyDelete
Oooh gosh i'm nervous now, please don't think i am interfering, it seemed to me you were... hesitant, Eric, that was all; a genuine help. I'm quite worried i've overstepped the mark and shall have to see you after class.ReplyDelete
I hope they are all released soon. I cannot imagine being imprisoned for almost 10 years like the young man in the photograph. I really liked your "human chain" shot Eric.ReplyDelete
On a lighter note, congrats, Petrea, on being first! Lynn - you are too funny today!
Monica - cry with me - I just got back from this little French cafe/pastry shop where they made macarons from scratch - just like in Paris... They have closed up shop for good!! I am so sad!!
I've just read the Wikpedia article about Ms. Betancourt. It covers through November, 2007. Is there anything new to report? Does anyone know the name of the young man in Eric's photo?ReplyDelete
Hi Petrea - if you enlarge Eric's photo, it shows his name as Luis Hernando Pena Bonillo, imprisoned since 11/1/1998! I'm on my way over to PasadenaDailyPhoto :)ReplyDelete
Thanks, pont girl. Wikipedia has a "List of political hostages held by FARC." That's what their page is called if this link doesn't work:ReplyDelete
The article says they hold over 700 people.
As the only person studying the constitution right now, I have made a decision based on a PDP precedent as of January 25,2008. Lynn a dit on comment #45, line 5 and 6......referring to the first comment to be made on a PDP photo when racing to be first..."The comment has to be relevent to Eric's photo".ReplyDelete
If one is to only write the word "first", it shall be deemed null and void in terms of any competition.
It shall be here stated that 2 full lines of commentary in English,French or Portugese will need be written to fully qualify as "Le Premier Doigt d'Or" for the day.
Spelling doesn't count as nerves will get in the way.
Please feel free to fix my fake French for the Constitution. It should read in French " First Place PDP Golden Finger Award for the Day" Acronyms will suffice.
LOOOOOOOL Phx!!!! I'm laughing so hard with your PDP Constitution!!!ReplyDelete
You girls are really something.
I agree with everything in it, and Petrea I am sorry but it has been stated before that a relevant comment must be made in order to validade your number 1 post.
So does this mean it's official? Since Eric finally confirmed that the race is on I shall say the "Official PDP Golden Finger Contest" starts tomorrow.
(mind you girls tomorrow night I'll be awake til late - due to timezone - to see the nominees and their fab dresses arriving on the red carpet (yes I'm that shallow) so I'll be on PDP alert)
Finally, about the photo (there's always so much catching up with you girls).ReplyDelete
I really hope Ingrid Betancourt is set free soon, just like those two other women Clara Rojas and Consuelo González who were released earlier this year. One of them even had a child while she was a hostage.
Pont Girl!!!!! Do you believe I was thinking about you when I was coming back home from dinner and movie with some friends???!!!ReplyDelete
Do you know why? Guess what I'm eating right now? That's right, our precious macarons!!!!! I stopped by Payard and couldn't resist buying a box of mini macarons. I'm in heaven!
I'm so sorry to hear the pastry shop you used to go for macarons closed. That's really bad news. I know how hard it is to find the good ones outside France.
On my preview comment I meant tonight I'll be awake til late. I get nervous too and mispell and change dates and names.ReplyDelete
Four comments in a roll (five now), that's ridiculous I know.ReplyDelete
Is there an award for who gets to write more comments?
Okay, but I only give up grudgingly. And we have to go back and disqualify Suzy (Feb. 21) and Michael (Feb. 22) and many, many others. They must return their prizes.ReplyDelete
I seem to remember one of Lynn's from not too far back, where she said something like "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Which I don't believe was a comment on the photo.
I am truly ROTF with that one, Petra.ReplyDelete
I thought that I WAS DOING constitutional research.Whew! Don't mess with the Americans and that one Brazilian when it comes to the PDP law review.
Tomorrow nights contest should be good as so many of us might be up watching the Oscars....and best picture..on PDP that is.
Well, I must make apologies to Eric. You go to a lot of trouble to present a stunning photo every day, Eric, and this one's no exception. Plus, Some things are more important than being first on the blog. Like the freedom of the man in the picture, and the others imprisoned with him.ReplyDelete
I'm recording the Oscars. I don't have time to watch them live. There's too much at stake at PDP. I'm pre-formulating my comment ("Fantastic photo, Eric!") so I'll be ready.
Petrea has a very good point.ReplyDelete
Phx make sure to include in PDP Constitution the following amendment: the overjoyed expression "Wheeeeeeee" cannot in any means be characterized as a number one comment.
...unless "Wheeeeeee" is accompanied by a comment about the photo, of course. Does that seem fair, Monica?ReplyDelete
Sure Petrea, as Phx reminded us, that is stated in Article 3 line 29.ReplyDelete
Okay. What a relief. Good night everyone. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!ReplyDelete
Sheesh. Beu deu geu deu. Pff.ReplyDelete
The human link shot is incredible! Well done! Sad to see that despite all the awareness and the time passed, her situation is still not resolved.ReplyDelete
Good morning everyone!ReplyDelete
It is too early in the morning for me to be laughing so much!
Let me have at least a couple of cups of coffee!
Me too girls, i am laughing my head off, gosh i almost choked on my huge box of macarons.ReplyDelete
Phx your Constitution is drawn up with content of the highest order. I doff my cap to you (old expression when gentlemen would tip their cap to ladies. Not..that i'm a gentleman of course, quite the opposite. It is used now to express an appreciation).
Petrea, I accept your rejection of my wheeeeeeeee! and unreservedly apologise and withdraw the exuberant expression - BUT only because it may have been unaccompanied by a relevant comment, which i do believe is essential. I therefore reserve my right to wheeeeeee! as and when i please in association with other (cough) more sensible wording.
Monica, yes i'm that shallow too. I shall be watching, enviously for a lot of those dresses and, like you, i suspect will be muttering, to some of them "ooh no, you shouldn't have: not with THOSE thighs!" or "Did you get dressed in the dark?!" or "She's just had a romp in the taxi there, clearly, with THAT bed-hair! What a mess." - I shall think of you lol .
Oh and Monica? I was only teasing about macarons; i have none! Relax. Breath out.
Lynn I was just about to ask you about the macarons. I'm, embarrassed to say the little box I bought yesterday night is now over ... it has served its purpose... if you know what I mean.ReplyDelete
I shall be thinking of you too as I watch the magnificent dresses. Last year my favourite dress was a Georgio Armani worn by Cate Blanchet. Let's see this year.
So you, Phx and I will be on PDP alert...hmm...
he he yes. I shall be quite critical of the dresses i think and it matters not that i shall myself be sitting in jeans which are far too tight, resolving to diet tomorrow, my hair needing a cut and colour and sporting no make-up. What's that got to do with it? lol. I have an opinion. he he.ReplyDelete
The PDP Constitution is a very good idea to settle all the disputes due to the race for the first place! I propose my help to draft it, as a future jurist. ;)ReplyDelete
PHX-CDG is very talented to find the right word, the one who makes me laugh "til I cry" with her new rules.
We, people of the PDP Blog are vested with an important project, the project to work out a Constitution.
I proclaim us Constituent Assembly.
Lynn, "I doff my cap to you", we have the same in French too: "chapeau bas". I like this kind of old expression.
Thanks for that, Guille, interesting.ReplyDelete
Tell me, what do you mean by jurist? We don't use the word here in the UK, unless perhaps as a member of a jury, though i've not seen it. We say 'jury member'. The legally qualified are solicitors who are seen by the public, barristers who are instructed by solicitors and never instructed by the public - it is forbidden (i used to be a barristers' clerk) and of course Judges who sit on the bench. There are also Legal Executives, for which there is an exam and who work alongside solicitors, though are considered less. What do you want to be after your studies?
I think the closest meaning is Judge. Certainly not a juror, which is a member of the public called to make up the jury. ? Interesting to find the differences in legal profession between UK and France. Hope the others don't mind this question on here.ReplyDelete
Lynn: We Americans based our system of law on the Magna Carta (I based the first law on your British Jan. declaration, thankyouverymuch), the Fr. based their Revolution on the American one, so all this is coming full circle on PDP.ReplyDelete
Guille: Don't forget, Fr. is legal and binding as we don't want you to spend 13 minutes on perfecting your English for 2 full lines of commentary.
Wheeeeeeeeeeeee,can be used after the 2 full lines of lucid writing about the picture.(If you can write lucidly with wine in your hand Jeff, all the better).
Hmm, how does the Constituent Assembly out there feel about 1 full line and three fourths of a second line, instead of 2 full lines? In haste, trying to fill up 2 lines may take up too much thought when you want to be first.
A line being a sentence?ReplyDelete
Like this?
Would the above be a line and a half, or do we mean this?
I'll post it now because it looks different as I type it than it does when it's posted.
I'd hate for it to get too strict and take all the fun out. But I do agree one must comment on the photo and the post (Eric's words!) in order to earn the coveted finger. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Pffft.ReplyDelete
A line is from edge to edge, or another term, margin to margin. I guess it is just easier to say 2 full margins to margins than break it up into anything else, like three quarters of a sentance, and as you say, take the fun out of it.ReplyDelete
So sad about this young woman. And I've heard she's ill, too.ReplyDelete
Lynn, the word "jurist" in French includes all the experts of Law. It's not a job, it's the fact to have learnt Law during 5 years (legal expert, authors of work of authority are jurists).ReplyDelete
Actually I want to be auctioneer. For almost 2 years now I'm punctually doing a work experience with an auctioneer, and I really love that. That's why I began to learn Law last year, and continue to learn art history which is my first passion. You know all my life now! ;)
Phx-cdg: I'm upset, 2 lines in 13 minutes? You underestimate me!! Yes, I admit that's sometimes it's true,especially when we talk about politics or Law...But not this time I swear!
One of the member of the Constituent Assembly, me, is okay to validate your proposal anyway.
An auctioneer! Great. I would love this too, if you mean auctioneer of art, it means the same yes? You have to speak quickly though. My delivery is quite slow.ReplyDelete
Yes, in art. As an auctioneer you also have to do the non voluntary (?) auction sales like bankruptcy or inheritance, but I don't like this aspect so I want to be an auctioneer specialized in art sales. But I have to practice both durong two years in any case...ReplyDelete
You definitely have to speak quickly! The first time, I was totally lost and stammed a lot...lol.
Last week in Le Monde I read a paper about the soldiers abducted by the Farc. I didn't know they were so much, around 300 if I remember. We always hear about the civil people, rarely about the soldiers.
during (of course).ReplyDelete
LOLOLOL-for-Real! A PDP constitution, established rules for validation of 1st place entries, the absolute exclusion of affective exclamations (all agreed that "wheeeeeeeee" is NOT a valid qualifier), macaroons, academy awards and evening gown humor...ReplyDelete
For the unsuspecting Photo o' Paris Today lurker, this banter must seem quite confusing or just plain good fun!
btw...where is Eric? ;)
Laughing my head off!ReplyDelete
Boy, I go out to dinner and have a bit of a late night out and miss out on all the fun here!!ReplyDelete
Monica - I'm so jealous that you ate macarons!!! I went to that pastry shop especially, so that I could have some yummy macarons while I watched the Oscars tonight - it was tragique!
There he is! Ahhh, we do love to see you in the comments box dear Eric. The creator surveying his monsters he he!ReplyDelete
When do the Oscars start? Not sure i can stay up!ReplyDelete
Guille: I wanted a level playing field and even tho Monica also speaks and writes in English, if writing in her native language under pressure meant she wrote faster, I am for it! Forgive me!!!!!ReplyDelete
I think Eric will be early tonight so he can get some sleep before watching the oscars. I'm going to try an experiment to see if he's lurking. Eric, dear Eric, are you there? :) that's a sweet smile :)ReplyDelete
Phx I appreciate how considerate you are. But I'll be fair and say that if it was allowed to make the first entrie in Portuguese or any other language other than English I could just write anything and you girls (except Rose) wouldn't know if my comment concerns the photo.ReplyDelete
Let's keep the rules as they are so far.
It's getting late, in a couple of hours Eric's gonna be posting a new photo... I'm wide awake and my fingers are as sharp as a knife!
Eric, blink twice if you can hear us.ReplyDelete
LOL Monica i like your last comment! he he. Giggling now...ReplyDelete
I reckon he's there, flexing his fingers, just as we are. Wonder what the photo will be and if there's a remote chance we can have a generic guess? I will go with food. What about you?
Ohhh girls so much fun on PDP today! I am still laughing! How strong you are!!ReplyDelete
And I didn't expect there were so many lawyers here! I don't know if the word lawyer is convenient? Professionally speaking, I say I am a "in-house company lawyer" as I work as a lawyer in a company. ButI am not sure. Lynn, could you tell me if it is understandable for you ?
Tonight, the race is supposed to be very very hard! Impossible to know in advance who will be the great winner for the "First Place PDP Golden Finger Award for the Day" LOL!
Even if I tried in french, it would be impossible for me : the level is so high!!
Could have you imagined that Eric, three years ago : a PDP Constitution and its "Constituent assembly"?! LOL.
"Que le meilleur gagne!" It should be "LA meilleure" but who knows where is Michael ? Watch out girls!
Yes Corinne that is exactly right. In-house lawyer.ReplyDelete
I think it's easy, Corinne, i shall win.
Michael yes i bet he's waiting, too, with his newly-tanned fingers ready to rattle out something in first place. Eric is staying silent but i think he is there. He likes to sit back and watch us tying each other into knots.
Thank you Lynn and good luck to you!ReplyDelete
The is a one time prize for tonight's WINNER.ReplyDelete
Anonyme for a bit!! LOOOL!ReplyDelete
Corinne, I have the feeling I know which company you work for ;))ReplyDelete
OK, it's 11:52, I'm heading to bed, but 1st, let me push the "Publish" button!!
I had to differentiate myself from YOU!ReplyDelete
A prize Anonymous???ReplyDelete
Erm i shall explain my OOOooooooh. Eric said he was going to publish, and that was all i could manage from my keyboard before rushing off to refresh he he. I am quite composed again now.... sigh.ReplyDelete
Yes, I think you are right, Eric ;)ReplyDelete
Oh I didn't see the comment about the language of the first comment... I guess it's fair to allowed people to speak their own language for the race for the Golden Finger! I'll have more chances to win!!!!!ReplyDelete
My girlfriend is Colombian and hates the stigma the country has because of the FARC. Everyone thinks it's a rebel-infested country but Bogota is inversely really metropolitan. It's very conscientious to commemorate the victims.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 19, 2008 at 5:41:00 PM GMT+1
Did you mean Colombian?ReplyDelete
- AnonymousApril 30, 2009 at 8:12:00 PM GMT+2
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text:
Although aggregator readers might have thought I was taking some more time off, those who visited this site over the past few days noticed that Winecast was down. Most of the time this is due to a short term outage with my web host but this time it was a corrupt WordPress installation.
So if you use WordPress, a few words of advice. First, upgrade to WordPress 2.6. It's solid and worth the upgrade for it's ability to activate multiple plug-ins at once and addition of Google Gears compatibility. But when you do your upgrade, look at your plugins, particularly those with some age on them and eliminate anything you are not using. It is also a good idea to delete your cache folder and files if using WP Super Cache. The plugin will recreate what it needs when you reactivate.
And finally, check out your wp-config.php file against the sample in WordPress 2.6. There were several lines missing in mine as I have not touched it since WordPress 1.5. I think it was a corrupt plugin or two but it also could have been these missing elements in the config file. If you are looking for more WordPress tips, follow the series on my company blog.
And now back to wine blogging…


text:
Operation: Monsanto Stock Plunge and PanicPosted: April 8th, 2014 | Filed under: Events, Video | Tags: Divest, Divestment, Fidelity, gmo, GMO Labeling, Monsanto, Protest, Sell, Shareholder Action, State Street, Stock, Vanguard |
Sign the Food Democracy Now! petition
Music by Caught A Ghost
March on Fidelity, Vanguard & State Street – May 9th at 3PM
Divestment Instructions:
Here are three ways to boycott the mutual funds that own Monsanto
1. Close your account.
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3. Tell your advisor to sell your funds that own Monsanto stock and opt for funds that do not invest in Monsanto.
If your company has a 401K plan that you cannot opt out of, call your advisor and tell them you will only invest in funds without Monsanto.
Source: Organic Spies


text:
ingredients used to make a whole lot of ideas spring into concept
hattrick & ideas in motion
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on flow
I grew up in Europe, and World War II caught me when I was between seven and 10 years old. And I realized how few of the grown-ups that I knew were able to withstand the tragedies that the war visited on them -- how few of them could even resemble a normal, contented, satisfied, happy life once their job, their home, their security was destroyed by the war. So I became interested in understanding what contributed to a life that was worth living. And I tried, as a child, as a teenager, to read philosophy and to get involved in art and religion and many other ways that I could see as a possible answer to that question. And finally I ended up encountering psychology by chance.
Actually I was at a ski resort in Switzerland without any money to actually enjoy myself, because the snow had melted and there was -- I didn't have money to go to a movie, but I found that on the -- I read in the newspapers that there was to be a presentation by someone in a place that I'd seen in the center of Zurich, and it was about flying saucers he was going to talk. And I thought, well, since I can't go to the movies, at least I will go for free to listen to flying saucers. And the man who talked at that evening lecture was very interesting. And it -- actually, instead of talking about little green men, he talked about how the psyche of the Europeans had been traumatized by the war and now they're projecting flying saucers into the sky, kind of as a -- he talked about how the mandalas of ancient Hindu religion were kind of projected into the sky as an attempt to regain some sense of order after the chaos of war. And this seemed very interesting to me. And I started reading his books after that lecture. And that was Carl Jung, whose name or work I had no idea about.
Then I came to this country to study psychology and I started trying to understand these roots of happiness. This is a typical result that many people have presented, and there are many variations on it. But this, for instance, shows that about 30 percent of the people surveyed in the United States since 1956 say that their life is very happy. And that hasn't changed at all. Whereas the personal income, on a scale that has been held constant to accommodate for inflation, has more than doubled, almost tripled, in that period. But you find essentially the same results, namely, that after a certain basic point which corresponds more or less to just a few 1,000 dollars above the minimum poverty level, increases in material well-being don't seem to affect how happy people are. And, in fact, you can find that the lack of basic resources, material resources, contributes to unhappiness, but the increase in material resources do not increase happiness.
So my research has been focused more on -- after finding out these things that actually corresponded to my own experience, I tried to understand now, where in everyday life, in our normal experience, do we feel really happy. And to start that -- those studies about 40 years ago, I began to look at creative people -- first artists and scientists and so forth -- trying to understand what made them feel that it was worth essentially spending their life doing things for which many of them didn't expect either fame or fortune, but which made their life meaningful and worth doing.
This was one of the leading composers of American music back in the '70s. And the interview was 40 pages long. But this little excerpt is a very good summary of what he was saying during the interview. And it describes how he feels when composing is going well. And he says by describing it as an ecstatic state.
Now ecstasy in Greek meant simply to stand to the side of something. And then it became essentially an analogy for a mental state where you feel that you are not doing your ordinary everyday routines. So ecstasy is essentially a stepping into an alternative reality. And it's interesting, if you think about it, how, when we think about the civilizations that we look up to as having been pinnacles of human achievement -- whether it's China, Greece, Hindu civilization, or the Mayas, or Egyptians -- what we know about them is really about their ecstasies, not about their everyday life. We know the temples they built so -- where people could come to experience a different reality. We know about the circuses, the arenas, the theaters -- these are the remains of civilizations and they are the places that people went to experience life in a more concentrated, more ordered form.
Now, this man doesn't need to go to a place like this, which is also -- this place, this arena, which is built like a Greek amphitheatre, is a place for ecstasy also. We are participating in a reality which is different from that of everyday life that we're used to. But this man doesn't need to go to there. He needs just a piece of paper where he can put down little marks, and as he does that, he can imagine sounds that had not existed before in that particular combination. So once he gets to that point of beginning to create -- like Jennifer did in her improvisation -- a new reality, that is a moment of ecstasy. He enters that different reality. Now he says also that this is so intense an experience that it feels almost as if he didn't exist. And that sounds like a kind of a romantic exaggeration. But actually, our nervous system is incapable of processing more than about 110 bits of information per second. And in order to hear me and understand what I'm saying, you need to process about 60 bits per second. That's why you can't hear more than two people. You can't understand more than two people talking to you.
Well, when you are really involved in this completely engaging process of creating something new, as this man does, he doesn't have enough attention left over to monitor how his body feels, or his problems at home. He can't feel even that he's hungry or tired. His body disappears, his identity disappears from his consciousness, because he doesn't have enough attention, like none of us do, to really do well something that requires a lot of concentration and at the same time to feel that he exists. So existence is temporarily suspended. And he says that his hand seems to be moving by itself. Now, I could look at my hand for two weeks, and I wouldn't feel any awe or wonder, because I can't compose.
So what is that telling you here, but in other parts of the interview is that obviously this automatic, spontaneous process that he's describing can only happen to someone who is very well-trained and who has developed technique. And it has become a kind of a truism in the study of creativity that you can't be creating anything with less than 10 years of technical knowledge immersion in a particular field. Whether it's mathematics or music -- it takes that long to be able to begin to change something in a way that it's better than what was there before. Now, when that happens, he says the music just flows out. And because all of these people I started interviewing -- this was an interview which is over 30 years old -- so many of the people described this as a spontaneous flow that I called this type of experience the "flow experience." And it happens in different realms.
For instance, a poet describes it in this form. This is by a student of mine who interviewed some of the leading writers and poets in the United States. And it describes the same effortless, spontaneous feeling that you get when you enter into this ecstatic state. This poet describes it as opening a door that floats up in the sky -- very similar description to what Albert Einstein gave as to how he imagined the forces of relativity when he was struggling with trying to understand how it worked. But it happens in other activities. For instance, this is another student of mine, Susan Jackson from Australia, who did work with some of the leading athletes in the world. And you see here in this description of an Olympic skater, the same essential description of the phenomenology of the inner state of the person. You don't think it goes automatically if you merge yourself with the music, and so forth.
It happens also, actually, in the most recent book I wrote, called "Good Business," where I interviewed some of the CEOs who had been nominated by their peers as being both very successful and very ethical, very socially responsible. You see that these people define success as something that helps others and at the same time makes you feel happy as you are working at it. And like all of these successful and responsible CEOs say, you can't have just one of these things to be successful. If you want a meaningful job and successful job -- Anita Roddick is another one of these CEOs we interviewed. She is the founder of Body Shop, the cosmetic, kind of natural cosmetic king. It's kind of a passion that comes from doing the best and having flow while you're working.
This is an interesting little quote from Masaru Ibuka, who was, at that time, starting out Sony without any money, without a product -- they didn't have a product, they didn't have anything, but they had an idea. And the idea he had was to establish a place of work where engineers can feel the joy of technological innovation, be aware of their mission to society and work to their heart's content. I couldn't improve on this as a good example of how flow enters the workplace.
Now, when we do studies, we have, with other colleagues around the world, done over 8,000 interviews of people -- from Dominican monks, to blind nuns, to Himalayan climbers, to Navajo shepherds -- who enjoy their work. And regardless of the culture, regardless of education or whatever, there are these seven conditions that seem to be there when a person is in flow. There's this focus that once it becomes intense, leads to a sense of ecstasy, a sense of clarity, you know exactly what you want to do from one moment to the other, you get immediate feedback. You know that what you need to do is possible to do, even though difficult, and sense of time disappears, you forget yourself, you feel part of something larger. And once those conditions are present, what you are doing becomes worth doing for its own sake.
In our studies, we represent the everyday life of people in this simple scheme. And we can measure this very precisely, actually, because we give people electronic pagers that go off 10 times a day, and whenever they go off you say what you're doing, how you feel, where you are, what you're thinking about. And two things that we measure is the amount of challenge people experience at that moment and the amount of skills that they feel they have at that moment. So for each person we can establish an average, which is the center of the diagram. That would be your mean level of challenge and skill, which will be different from that of anybody else. But you have a kind of a set point there which would be in the middle.
If we know what that set point is, we can predict fairly accurately when you will be in flow, and it will be when your challenges are higher than average and skills are higher than average. And you may be doing things very differently from other people, but for everyone that flow channel, that area there, will be when you are doing what you really like to do -- play the piano, probably, be with your best friend, perhaps work, if work is what provides flow for you. And then the other areas become less and less positive.
Arousal is still good because you are over-challenged there. Your skills are not quite as high as they should be, but you can move into flow fairly easily by just developing a little more skill. So, arousal is the area where most people learn from, because that's where they're pushed beyond their comfort zone and that to enter -- going back to flow -- then they develop higher skills. Control is also a good place to be, because there you feel comfortable, but not very excited. It's not very challenging any more. And if you want to enter flow from control, you have to increase the challenges. So those two are ideal and complementary areas from which flow is easy to go into.
The other combinations of challenge and skill become progressively less optimal. Relaxation is fine -- you still feel OK. Boredom begins to be very aversive and apathy becomes very negative -- you don't feel that you're doing anything, you don't use your skills, there's no challenge. Unfortunately, a lot of people's experience is in apathy. The largest single contributor to that experience is watching television, the next one is being in the bathroom, sitting. And then, even though sometimes watching television about seven to eight percent of the time is in flow, but that's when you choose a program you really want to watch and you get feedback from it.
So the question we are trying to address -- and I'm way over time -- is how to put more and more of everyday life in that flow channel. And that is the kind of challenge that we're trying to understand. And some of you obviously know how to do that spontaneously without any advice, but unfortunately a lot of people don't. And that's what our mandate is in a way to do. OK.
Thank you.
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Life Gets Better; Politics Get Worse
A Commentary by Debra J. Saunders
"High school, for me, it sucked," Kristel, a 27-year-old lesbian who grew up in Honolulu, confided in her videotape; it was "kind of a hostile environment." The good news is: "These people who treat you like crap now, in a few years, they're not going to matter."
Kristel's video is part of the "It Gets Better" project, started by a gay Seattle couple, Dan Savage and Terry Miller, who use YouTube to tell troubled gay and lesbian youths that their lives will get much better when they grow up.
It's a great idea -- conceived by two individuals seeking to give hope to anguished teens. They used the power of free speech in a way that might prevent suicides like that of 18-year-old Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, who killed himself after a roommate allegedly videotaped and broadcast Clementi having an intimate encounter in his dorm room. Now for the bad idea -- and it goes to the sort of opportunistic overkill that follows tragedies like Clementi's.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., has seized on this story to advocate for a new federal law. Lautenberg hasn't written a bill yet, but his office sent out a press release announcing "a new legislative effort to ensure that colleges and universities have in place anti-harassment policies, which are not currently required by federal law." It also would require schools that receive federal funds "to recognize cyberbullying as a form of harassment."
Why? I asked his office. Rutgers already has a student code of conduct with a list of offenses that can lead to expulsion. The list includes "intentionally or recklessly endangering the welfare of any individual" -- but more to the point, "making or attempting to make an audio or video recording of any person(s) on University premises in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity." Under "prohibited conduct," Rutgers lists "cyberbullying."
"I was a little puzzled" by the Lautenberg press release, Robert L. Shibley, senior vice president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, told me. "As terrible as the Tyler Clementi case was -- and it was -- it was already forbidden by harassment policies that every university in America has on the books."
And: "You don't need a new law to know that that's illegal." In fact, New Jersey prosecutors have charged two students with two counts each of invasion of privacy.
Shibley is concerned -- and rightly so -- that a new law would "attempt to ban speech that is protected by the First Amendment." Wouldn't be the first time a student code of conduct was used to stifle politically incorrect speech. In 2007, a San Francisco State University student board filed a complaint against conservative students who held an "anti-terrorism rally" -- at which they stepped on Hamas and Hezbollah flags -- because they exhibited "hateful religious intolerance."
When I mentioned that Rutgers already has the policies Lautenberg advocated, spokeswoman Gail Ribas responded, "It would be a national law."
No, it would be a national imposition. It would be another feel-good bill that a headline-happy senator offered without appearing to have asked himself whether the law would be redundant, necessary or likely to help. Like so much that comes out of Washington these days, it would be clutter.
See other Political Commentary.
See Other Commentary by Debra J. Saunders.
Views expressed in this column are those of the author, not those of Rasmussen Reports.
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We conduct public opinion polls on a variety of topics to inform our audience on events in the news and other topics of interest. To ensure editorial control and independence, we pay for the polls ourselves and generate revenue through the sale of subscriptions, sponsorships, and advertising. Nightly polling on politics, business and lifestyle topics provides the content to update the Rasmussen Reports web site many times each day. If it's in the news, it's in our polls. Additionally, the data drives a daily update newsletter and various media outlets across the country.
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Most customers are familiar with Epson via our line of robust POS printers. Our solutions in the Cruise industry have expanded into Business Ink Jet and Projector Solutions on several global fleets. From itineraries and menus to more complex print jobs like ship schematics, cruise ships print a lot. And while the industry has long been reliant upon laser printers and copiers, the switch to inkjet — and to Epson especially — makes smart business sense for three key reasons: • Whereas laser toner is considered hazardous waste — and must be treated as such by cruise ships whenever they port — Epson's replaceable ink packs and cartridges are easily recycled. • Compared to laser printers and copiers, Epson inkjet printers offer incredible energy savings — in some cases up to 50 to 80 percent less power vs. laser1 — critical for vessels that must generate their own power. • In contrast to laser printers and copiers, Epson inkjet printers have fewer parts to replace, are easy to maintain, and offer low intervention, a major consideration when ships can be at sea for days, if not weeks, at a time.
Brands: https://epson.com/for-work-solutions


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Great Expectations opens among the gravestones of the marshes. Pip imputes onto those slate headstones and little stone lozenges the flesh and dress of his parents and brothers, who "gave up trying to get a living exceedingly early in that universal struggle." Even in his earliest musings life is, for Pip, a kind of occupation, a lawful employment to be earned. At the same moment, and fundamentally opposed to this vision of duty, appears Magwitch the convict. A fearful man "with an iron on his leg," Magwitch thieves and steals, he preys on the earnings of others to live. Magwitch compels Pip to steal vittles and a file from Joe and Mrs. Gargery; in so doing he inaugurates Pip into a deviant world of criminality. This, writes Pip, was "my first most vivid and broad impression of the identity of things." For Pip the moment of consciousness and the moment of criminal guilt are one in the same. His theft of Gargery's pie is relatively immaterial; it is his transgression of that imperative to honestly "try to get a living" that is so damning. Pip's guilty conscience anticipates its own judgment, its own punishment (2): death, a place next to the five little tokens of his brothers.
This anticipatory death sentence infused into Pip's conscience creates a worldview that id decidedly paranoid. While rummaging through the kitchen for Magwitch "every board called after me, stop thief! And get up Mrs. Joe!" As he runs towards the church graveyard the birds themselves seem to shout, "A boy with someone else's pork pie! Stop him!" To compound his sense of guilt Pip is treated as if "insisted on being born in opposition to the dictates of reason, religion, and morality." Pip is "brought up by hand," with all the violence implicit in that phrase, as a miniature convict. Indeed, as Pip puts it, "I felt fearfully sensible of the great convenience that the hulks were handy for me. I was clearly on my way there. I had begun by asking questions, and I was going to rob Mrs. Joe." Even normal childish acts like asking questions or being ill are given a criminal aspect by Pip's "remorseful conscience" and the punitive threat of Mrs. Joe.
Later on, this pervasive feeling of guilt opens a great gulf in Pip's mind between the "savage and dismal marshes" and Satis House with its ethereal occupants: Estella and Miss Havisham. While waiting for Estella to arrive in London after a visit to Newgate Prison, Pip, now a young man, remarks:
I was consumed . . . in thinking how strange it was that I should be encompassed by all this taint of prison and crime; that, in my childhood out on our lonely marshes. . . . I should have first encountered it; that, it should have reappeared on two occasions, starting out like a stain that was faded but not gone; that, it should in this new way pervade my fortune and advancement . . . I thought of the beautiful young Estella proud and refined, coming towards me, and I thought of the absolute abhorrence of the contrast between the jail and her.
I beat the prison dust off my feet as I sauntered to and fro, and I shook it out of my dress, and I exhaled its air from my lungs. So contaminated did I feel, remembering who was coming, that the coach came quickly after all, and I was not yet free from the soiling consciousness of Mr. Wemmick's conservatory, when I saw her face at the coach window and her hand waving to me.
What was the nameless shadow, which again in that one instant had passed? [236]
Can Pip ever remove the stench of the prison from his clothes? To what extent can the "contrast between the jail and her" be said to derive from Pip's view of himself, the gulf between Estella and him?
If Magwitch introduces guilt into Pip's consciousness, what role does Estella play — particularly during their first encounter at Satis House — in Pip's imaginative formation?
Pip may stink of criminality but what about Estella: can her exalted form be removed from the macabre world of the criminal, the institution of the prison?
Satis House, like its inhabitants, appears to exist ethereally, apart from the rest of the novel. In light of the traffic and rapport between Satis House and Little Britain, Miss Havisham and Mr. Jaggers, Magwitch and Estella, can one separate the world of criminality and legality? If not, if these terms are somehow collapsible for Dickens, how are we meant to evaluate the characters and conclusion of Great Expectations.
How does the role and journey of the literal convict, Magwitch (and others), differ from Pip, a figurative convict, ensnared in a mental net of guilt, remorse and prohibition? Does Pip ever overcome these ensnaring emotions? What role does Magwitch play in his struggle to do this, to grapple with his "great expectations"?
Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations. Ed. Edgar Rosenberg. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999.
Last modified 16 February 2004
Last modified 8 June 2007


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If you can get a discount on something, why pay retail? This rule applies whether one is talking about a great pair of shoes or an amazing piece of artwork.
Next weekend, smart bargain hunters might want to pop over to the Beacon – at 4 Beacon Way, off Montgomery Street – for the Learning Community Charter School (LCCS) Spring Gala. The annual art auction paints two canvases with one brush: it simultaneously raises money for the academic institution and allows the larger Jersey City community to buy great art at a significant discount.
For this year's Spring Gala, the fifth the school has held, 22 pieces of original artwork will be auctioned off, including works by spray paint artist Fred "Ree" Vilomar, pop artist Eva Moll, filmmaker/photographer John Dunstan, digital photographer Tracey Rice, and painter Heidi Curko.
"We have a lot of parents who are artists here and they have connections. So, most of the art is local," said school Administrator Brittin Bleakley. "All of the art is donated by the artists, and they either donate their work 100 percent to the school, or they do a 50/50 split. The starting bids are very low because we want members of the general public to attend and have the opportunity to participate."
For this year's Spring Gala, the fifth the school has held, 22 pieces of original artwork will be auctioned off.
For the first time, the silent art auction will include a look book that was made available to prospective bidders last week.
Auction helps fill funding gap
LCCS is a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade institution that, like other charter schools in New Jersey, is a tuition-free public school.
The Spring Gala was born five years ago, Bleakley said. When LCCS received a $250,000 matching capital grant from the Manhattan-based William E. Simon Foundation, the donation was both a blessing and challenge. A blessing because the grant would enable the school to purchase a new home for its campus; a challenge because it meant LCCS would have to raise thousands of dollars to match the grant.
Necessity being the mother of invention, the school's development director at the time, Shelley Skinner, and parent Jennifer Van Doren Hughes created the Spring Gala concept to help the school match this grant.
Today the gala lives on, even though the grant was matched and the new building was purchased several years ago.
"As a charter school, we don't receive the same level of funding as other public schools. So every year, we have to raise about $65,000 to meet our operating costs," Bleakley noted.
Charter schools in New Jersey are supposed to receive 90 percent of the per-student cost allocated to students in other public schools. But charter schools in Jersey City sometimes receive as little as 50 percent of the per student costs allocated to other public school students. In 2011, four Jersey City charter schools – Ethical Community Charter School, Golden Door Charter School, Community Charter School, and Soaring Heights Charter School – sent a 29-page petition to New Jersey Education Commissioner Chris Cerf demanding that these institutions receive the funding they deserve.
Separate from the money needed for operating costs, LCCS also has annual appeals which raise money for specific needs. The annual appeal for the 2012-2013 school year is for technology.
While the school holds fundraisers throughout the year that collectively bring in more than $100,000 annually, the Spring Gala is the school's main fundraiser. In 2012, the LCCS Spring Gala – which is held each year in the Great Room at the Beacon – raised $19,000.
This year's event will include entertainment from Neville L'Green and musicians from his Language of Music school and a high-end raffle that will include such prizes as an iPad 2, and iPad Mini, Yankees tickets, a Pocanos getaway, and a weekend stay at the Benjamin in New York City, which comes with a $300 food gift card.
Tickets to the gala are $50 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by e-mailing Bleakley at email@example.com. While most gala attendees have in the past been members of the LCCS community, members of the public are welcome and are encouraged to attend, said Bleakley.
The gala begins a 6 p.m.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at email@example.com.


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WWE 'Monday Night Raw' Recap – [4/2/12]
It was one night after an awesome 'WrestleMania XXVIII,' and WWE put on a solid, entertaining 'Monday Night Raw,' teasing several new directions and storylines for the promotion. And oh yeah, it also featured the return of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock biscuit-eating Lesnar. Exclamation point.
Keep reading as we run down the five most important parts of this week's show, then make sure you leave your favorite moments in the comments and share us across all your social networks: Facebook, Twitter, and yes, even Google+. And if you've still got a hankering for more 'WrestleMania' coverage, make sure to check out my complete write-up of the event. Finally, follow me on Twitter so we can make Funkasaurus jokes together during next week's show.
The Rock wants the strap
After the type of wacky "everyone, heels and faces alike, in a room together to awkwardly listen to the boss" segment that absolutely cracks me up for some reason, this week's 'Monday Night Raw' went into a promo from the Rock, fresh off his victory against John Cena not 24 hours earlier. It was a sizable promo, but the main gist of it was this: The Rock had a vision and he wants to win the WWE Championship, presumably whilst rhyming.
While I wasn't thrilled with WWE booking their top guy (Cena) to lay down for a part timer like Rock, oddly enough I'm kind of intrigued by the notion of Rocky getting his hands back on the WWE Championship. While it would almost certainly result in far, far fewer title defenses on television, and absolutely none at house shows, that could potentially be a good thing, causing the title to stay in one place for a while, maybe even building back up some of its prestige. Also, I won't lie: I'm totally in love with the idea of the Rock doing all of his "GI: Joe" publicity with the WWE Championship around his waist. What could be better publicity than that?
It also bears mentioning in regards to this segment that even though they had their kinda-sorta hometown hero standing right in front of them, the Miami audience chanted pretty much nonstop for Daniel Bryan, making good use of his signature "Yes! Yes! Yes!" This was just the beginning of a steady show of support for the recently deposed World Heavyweight Championship, so I'll pick up on it again a little later…
Your prince is now a lord
Prince Albert is back! If you checked Twitter or Facebook during tonight's debut of Lord Tensai, you were probably bowled over by the sheer volume of insider, smark wrestling fan jokes, including everything from references to his old WWE names and gimmicks, to the fact that he's not actually Japanese, to easy gags about him being an updated version of either Hakushi or Keiji Mutoh. But concentrating on all of that can cause you to lose sight of one simple fact: Lord Tensai absolutely rules.
Tensai squared off against Alex Riley and proceeded to beat the ever-loving crap out of him. So badly was Riley's ever-loving crap beaten out of him, in fact, that the referee ended up having to stop the match, after which Tensai locked on a vicious-looking old school claw. This was certainly a squash match, as Riley got about 0% offense in, but it was a squash done well, as Tensai wasn't just a Funkasaurus-esque monster with a couple big moves, but instead a deceptively quick and versatile technician who dissected his opponent with falling sentons, spinning elbows and all manner of other attacks. This match really showed off how fantastic Tensai has become during his time in Japan, and I was thrilled that WWE didn't force him to spend time in their developmental territory, instead letting him bring his unadulterated puroresu-style action direct to television.
Also, once again: Daniel Bryan chants.
The Shitterson Match of the Night
Narrowly beating out the absolutely rad Lord Tensai squash for the coveted Shitterson Match of the Night award was WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Mark Henry. I could feel America groan when this match was first announced, as folks generally expected Henry to go out and get embarrassed once again. But instead, we got a stunning back-and-forth match that saw Punk sell tremendously for the World's Strongest Man, putting him over as the monster he truly is. Even the finish was great, as Punk was too badly beaten to make it back into the ring before being disqualified. Not very smart on Henry's character's part, but still: Great stuff.
After the match things got even better. There'd been more than a few rumors floating around that Jericho was going to cut out of WWE following his loss to Punk at 'WrestleMania,' so I was delighted to see that wasn't the case. Jericho rushing out to dump Jack Daniels all over Punk and beat him senseless was a great way to keep their feud going. I'm still unsure why Punk needed the 'Mania' win if they were going to keep the angle brewing, but I'll never complain as long as I get evil, maniacal Jericho, especially if he ends up slipping on spilt liquor.
And yes, in case you're wondering, there were "Yes!" chants during this match too, as it began to eclipse "What!?" as the WWE Universe's favorite thing to yell pretty much whenever-the-balls.
YES! YES! …that's it?
All night, there wasn't anything the smarky Miami crowd wanted more than to see Daniel Bryan. "YES!" chants, "YES!" signs and even just regular old "Daniel Bryan" chants all indicated that despite the wrestler's heel leanings, he was incredibly over with the fans in attendance, and presumably certain fans watching at home (like myself and my entire Twitter feed). If WWE had their business together, they would have gotten Bryan out in front of the audience, even rewriting the entire show if necessary – just to take advantage of that hot crowd. Instead, WWE gave Miami the guy who beat Daniel Bryan at 'Mania,' and they weren't too happy about it.
Sheamus didn't get the victorious hero reception both he and WWE must have been expecting, and making matters worse, he had no time to get the crowd in his corner before he was interrupted by a returning Alberto Del Rio. The crowd seemed a little excited to see ADR's matinee idol good looks, but it didn't really do anything to cut down on their Bryan fandom, as their "SI! SI! SI!" chants were really just a way of continuing to cheer for the former World Heavyweight Champion. This led to the one and only Bryan appearance on 'Monday Night Raw' this week: A backstage pretape in which he doesn't say a single word. Someone was really asleep at the wheel in regards to how over Bryan has become, as further evidenced by the fact that while advertising this week's 'SmackDown,' his name wasn't even mentioned.
From Rock to Brock
The final segment of this week's 'Monday Night Raw' saw John Cena take to the ring to pretty much uphold the status quo: He lost, but he's going to keep trying, he's not going to turn heel, and presumably "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect" is still the creed by which he lives. The whole thing was pretty snooze worthy to begin with, but it was even harder to get into his "I lost" speech on account of the Miami crowd, which was still going absolute bananas over Daniel Bryan and more importantly, started mixing up their "YES!" chants with a few "We want Lesnar!" ones as well.
If you pay any attention to wrestling news sites or dirt sheets, you knew that former WWE and UFC champion Brock Lesnar was in Miami this weekend, and there were rumors about him coming back to WWE for some type of angle. Apparently, the crowd in attendance had read all those same rumors, and they didn't need to hear the rest of Cena's speech to know that this was all heading to the return of Brock Lesnar.
The crowd spoiling Lesnar's return is very similar to their overwhelming support of Daniel Bryan, as both are a result of the audience being a little too clever and knowledgeable, and WWE's inability to work around it. It didn't ruin the moment of course, and I'm glad WWE didn't try and swerve people just for the sake of a swerve, but I'd be lying if I said I wish I hadn't known about it ahead of time. Still, a Lesnar/Cena feud is an intriguing one seeing as A) Lesnar is huge and awesome, B) He could bring a lot of UFC fans back into the fold, and C) The two men already have history, with Cena's finisher originally being called the FU as a takeoff on Lesnar's F5.
Even if Lesnar doesn't return for a full-time schedule, or pulls a Rock and disappears for months at a time only to return at 'WrestleMania,' I still think I'd be OK with it. Cena taking part in smaller feuds throughout the year, all positioned to build him up as a big, powerful guy, then facing humongous, iconic threats at 'WrestleMania' seems like a winning formula to me. Sure, I'd like to see the two guys slug it out every week for months on end, but as well as the Rock/Cena feud turned out, I'm willing to be open-minded about a similar build here.
Aubrey Sitterson is a professional writer and editor specializing in comics and professional wrestling. For GuySpeed, he writes weekly reviews of 'Monday Night Raw' and previews of 'Friday Night Smackdown.' Find him on Twitter and at aubreysitterson.com.