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Miss World 2007: Miss Talent Fast-track
During the previous days, three candidates already advanced to the semis by winning the other fastrack events.
Zi Lin ZHANG of China (Asia & Oceania) won as Miss World Top Model while Ada Aimee DE LA CRUZ of Dominican Republic (Caribbean) topped the Beach Beauty competition and Abigail McCARY from the United States (Americas) was the Miss World Sports fast-track winner.
As for the Beauty with a Purpose, the remaining fast track title, five candidates were shortlisted as nominees: ECUADOR - Valeska SAAB GOMEZ, HONG KONG CHINA - Ka Yi CHEUNG, INDONESIA - Kamidia RADISTI, JAMAICA - Yendi PHILLIPPS and SWEDEN - Annie OLIV, but only one of them will win the title, which shall be announced on the finals night.
Here's the official results of the Talent competition:
MISS WORLD TALENT: GHANA - Irene DWOMOH
1st Runner Up: SCOTLAND - Nieve JENNINGS
2nd Runner Up: SWEDEN - Annie OLIV
AUSTRALIA - Caroline Louise Clowes PEMBERTON
CANADA - Sara GHULAM
ENGLAND - Georgia Faye HORSLEY
GIBRALTAR - Danielle Samantha PEREZ
GRENADA - Vivian Charlott BURKHARDT
INDIA - Sarah-Jane DIAS
INDONESIA - Kamidia RADISTI
JAMAICA - Yendi PHILLIPPS
MACEDONIA FYRO - Jana STOJANOVSKA
MALAYSIA - Deborah Priya HENRY
MALTA - Stephanie ZAMMIT
SINGAPORE - Roshni Kaur SOIN
SLOVAKIA - Veronika HUSÁROVÁ
THAILAND - Kanokkorn JAICHUEN
Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps is the only candidate to have placed on all of the 5 fast-track events. Wheww! What an amazing feat!
Here's the four fast-track winners:
Vote for your Miss World 2007 favorites at Mykiru's Poll.
Photo courtesy of MWO


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A driver rammed his car into the outer-perimeter gate of the Grand Mosque in Makkah late on Friday in an incident that did not cause any casualties, local Saudi media reported.
The spokesman for the Makkah region governorate, Sultan al-Dosari said the crash happened around 10:30 pm local time and saw the man's car rammed through a barrier.
Moreover, the man kept driving until the car hit the gate on the Grand Mosque's southern side, the security authorities in Makkah responded to an accident where a car hit one of the entrance gates of the Masjid al-Haram.
Video on social media corresponded to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA)'s account. The security forces were later seen pushing the damaged sedan away. The video shows the car plowing through the barricades in the courtyard. Then driving straight into one of the large doors of the Grand Mosque.
Watch the video below:
The authorities arrested the man inside, who appeared in an "abnormal" condition, the agency said, without elaborating. According to the reports, the police referred the man to prosecutors for possible charges.
Fortunately, no civilians were injured in the crash, the Saudi newspaper Okaz reported. While other videos posted on social media showed a number of people pushing the vehicle away from the mosque complex.
No casualties reported in the incident
Saudi Arabia's state-run channel Saudi Qur'an continued to broadcast live video from inside the mosque during and after the incident.
In addition to this, in a tweet, the Makkah region confirmed that there were no casualties. Further added that the driver was in an unusual condition. It also said that the accident was caused by a car drifting and traveling in high speed at nearby roads in the southern square of the Grand Mosque.
The Grand Mosque houses the Kaaba that observant Muslims pray toward five times a day. The kingdom held a dramatically downsized, symbolic hajj pilgrimage in July due to concerns that it could easily have become a global superspreader event for the virus.
Umrah has historically attracted millions of pilgrims from around the world. However, due to the exceptional global health circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Saudi government applied strict precautionary measures to ensure a safe and healthy hajj for all pilgrims.
On Sunday, the kingdom will allow some foreigners to perform Umrah, a pilgrimage to the cities of Makkah and Madinah that can be done at any time of the year.
Saudi Arabia has allowed citizens and residents to start performing Umrah as of 6,000 pilgrims a day. Saudi authorities on October 4, said they would gradually phase in the number of pilgrims allowed into the two holy cities. It will open for Muslims from abroad starting November 1.
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments section below.

subset: commoncrawl


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Today's painting is a bit of a secret. I decided not to share sneak peeks at my Paris paintings until they're ready to view in the new gallery. But what I am ready to share is that I'm getting ready for Small Business Saturday and Artist Sunday at my old place in the Galleria, and it's exciting to think back on the past two years and how far I've come.
Small Business Saturday was my first event in my gallery space two years ago. This year, of course it will be different. I'm asking people to please make appointments so I can make sure there are never more than three masked guests in the gallery.
But with masks, social distancing and all, it should still be a fun event. I found some carousel horse and armadillo ornaments from last year I didn't remember I had. I will have two portfolios of original works on paper, many books, deeply discounted art (because moving sale!) and wrapping paper ready!
I hope to see you! Please let me know if you'd like to make an appointment!


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Amazon.in Great Indian Festival (Oct. 14 to Oct. 17) – Deals Sneak Peek
Amazon.in announces the Great Indian Sale from 12 am on October 14 to 11:59 pm on October 17, 2017. Get set to shop for thousands of blockbuster deals at attractive prices across several categories such as Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Large appliances, Fashion on products including Washing Machines, TVs, Air conditioners, Refrigerators, Laptops & Tablets, Baby Products, Toys, Shoes, Clothing & Accessories, Beauty Products, Home & Kitchen products, Furniture, Stationery Products and many more.
Amazon Great Indian Festival Deals Preview
- Prime membership is available for only a few more days at the special introductory price of ₹ 999 ₹ 499 a year, an incredible value for members. To join Prime at this introductory price, visit Amazon.in/prime now
- 33% off on Fitbit Charge 2 & Fitbit Alta HR
- Up to 40% off on the just launched BPL Smart Series TVs
- Minimum 60% off on recliners from Forzza
- 39% off (save INR 12,995) on Honeywell Air Touch HAC35M1101G Room Air Purifier
- 42% off on Crompton 9WDF B22 9-Watt LED Lamp
Deals on Amazon Devices for Prime members only
- Offers up to INR 5,000 on Kindle e-readers
- INR 500 off on FireTV stick + additional INR 499 cashback for Prime members
Large Appliances
- Up to INR 10,000 off on LG, Voltas & Carrier ACs
- Single Door Refrigerators starting INR 9,290; Double door Refrigerators starting INR 17,290
- Up to 35% off on Washing Machines from Samsung, BPL, IFB, Bosch & Haier
- Up to 30% off on Samsung, LG & Whirlpool Refrigerators and Microwaves from IFB, LG and Samsung
- Up to 30% off Dishwashers from Bosch, IFB
- Up to 60% off Chimneys from Hindware, Elica and Faber
- Exchange offers up to INR 10,000 on Refrigerators and Washing Machines
- No Cost EMI offers on Washing Machines & Refrigerators starting as low as INR 900/month onwards across all major credit cards + Bajaj Finserv cards
- Amazon Exclusive – BPL Microwave Ovens starting at INR 3,790 onwards; IFB microwave ovens starting at INR 4,500 onwards
- Amazon Exclusive – LG Inverter Split ACs at INR 1,080/month onwards; Voltas Split & Window Air Conditioners – Starting at INR 1,100/month onwards; Kenstar 1.5 Ton 5 Star AC at INR 960/month
- Amazon Exclusive – IFB Diva Front Loading Washing Machine at INR 937/month
- Up to 40% off on TVs, No Cost EMI for Up to 12 Months and up to INR 20,000/- off on exchange of TVs. No cost EMI on TVs starting at INR 900
- Minimum INR 500 off on exchange of old CRT TV; Min. INR 2,000 on LED TV of any size
- Up to 30% off on brands such as Samsung, Sony, LG and Panasonic
- 32″ Smart TVs starting at INR 14,990; 32″ TVs starting at INR 9,990
- Exclusive launch of BPL 43″ and 49″ Smart TVs
- Buy Sony TVs 4K/UHD models using Amazon Pay and get up to INR 10,000 cashback
Smartphones & Consumer Electronics
- Up to 40% off on mobile phones – Top offers from, Apple, Samsung, Oneplus, Xiaomi, Moto, LG, SONY, Panasonic, Bose, JBL, HP, Dell, Canon and many others
- 160 smartphone and over 100 electronics available as Amazon Exclusives
- Nokia 8, Nokia's flagship device, to be available for the first time; with No Cost EMI benefit
- Special stores like the Half-Price Electronics Store (Min. 50% Off) and Min. 15,000 off stores to allow deal seekers to discover top discounts
- Up to 60% off on headphones and speakers from top Audio Brands including 40% off on Bose QC 25 Headphones
- Up to 55% off and No Cost EMI offers on Cameras & Accessories
- Up to 40% off on wearables with the range starting as low as INR 1,300
- Up to 15,000 off on Laptops, exchange and No cost EMI offers
- Up to 45% off on Tablets, exchange offers applicable
- Up to 60% off on storage devices
- Up to 60% off on AmazonBasics: Lightning cables, Camera accessories, headphones & more
Home & Kitchen and Furniture
- Tealights and diyas starting at INR 99
- Up to 50% off on Puja Thalis
- Minimum 40% off on Recliners, Solidwood Furniture and Sofa beds
- Up to 60% off on Sofas, Beds and Dining Sets
- Up to 30% off on Corelle Dinnersets & Tableware
- Up to 40% off on Cookware from Prestige and Pigeon
- Up to 35% off on water purifiers; Livpure Glo RO+UV water purifier at INR 8,699 (more than 40% off)
- Up to 30% off on Air Purifiers; Mi Air Purifier at 8,499
- Up to 50% off on drills & tool kits; Up to 50% off on mops & cleaning supplies
- Up to 60% off across lawn and garden selection like pots, planters and tools and solar lights & lamps
- 30%-50% off on bedsheets from top brands such as Bombay Dyeing, Solimo, Raymond, Spaces, Swayam and Maspar
- Up to 60% off on curtains; Cushion covers under INR 399; Up to 70% off on carpets & rugs
- Up to 60% off on tealight candles, bedding, cookware, wall stickers, mattresses, sandwich makers & more from Solimo
- Up to 55% off on dinner sets, knives, comforters, curtains, towels, hangers & more from AmazonBasics
Jewellery, Apparel, Accessories, Shoes and Luggage
- 5 to 20% off on 22K Gold jewellery
- Minimum 5% off on Gold Coins
- Up to 10% off on Silver Coins
- 40% – 80% off on top fashion brands
- Minimum 50% off on Levis, Jack & Jones, W, Adidas, Bata, Lavie, Caprese; Minimum 40% off on Invicta
- Minimum 50% off on top luggage brands Skybags, American Tourister, Safari, Delsey, Tommy Hilfiger
- Amazon exclusives such as GAP at Flat 50% off and Under Armour at Flat 40% off
- Fashion flash sale during Great Indian Festival on 14th, 15th & 16th Oct between 4 pm – 11:59 pm!
- Up to 50% off on suitcases, travel bags, organizers & more from AmazonBasics
Sports & Fitness
- Up to 50% off on Gym & Fitness gear. iShake shaker at INR 199
- Goqii Activity Tracker at INR 1,649
- Cycles: Up to 30% off on Hero cycles & Viva cycles
- Up to 50% off on Badminton gear; Yonex GR 303 Racquet at INR 375
- Up to 40% off on Cricket gear; SS magnum English willow bat at INR 1899
Toys & Baby
- 20% to 60% off on Toys and Games
- Minimum 25% off on Poker and Party Games
- Minimum 50% off on Fidget Spinners
- Minimum 25% off on Baby and Toddler Toys
- Up to 40% off on strollers, prams
- Minimum 30% off on Baby car seats & safety and Baby care products
- Up to 50% off on Baby Bedding, Activity and Entertainment
- Minimum 25% off on Nursery furniture
- Minimum 25% off on Baby Bath & Skincare Essentials
- Up to 40% off on Diapers
Beauty & Personal Care
- 33% off on Fitbit Charge 2 Smartwatch for Prime Customers
- Minimum 40% off on a range of Syska Personal Care products including Trimmers, Shavers, Hair dryers and Straighteners
- Up to 70% off on Lifelong Massagers, an Amazon Exclusive range of Foot and Body Massagers
- Minimum 25% off on Make-up across brands like Maybelline, L'oreal
- Minimum 25% off on brands like Nivea and Axe
- Flat 45% off on VLCC Make-up
- Up to 35% off on MuscleBlaze Sports Supplements
- Up to 25% off on Optimum Nutrition Sports Supplements
- Minimum 30% off on MuscleTech Sports Supplement
- Minimum 30% off on Vitamins & Supplements
- Up to 30% off on Groceries and an additional 15% cashback on all pre-paid orders above INR 2000, over and above the site cashback
- Up to 60% off on premium International pet accessories & grooming
- Up to 15% off on food and treats from Pedigree
- Up to 35% off on organic & premium pet treats
- Up to 25% off on pet grooming products from Himalaya
- Up to 30% off on Diwali gifting
- Up to 30% off on Snacks and Beverages
Gift cards
- Special Diwali Gift Cards for the freedom of choice this season
- Savings of up to INR 2000 for all corporate gift card customers over and above the existing discounts and cashbacks during the Great Indian Sale. Every corporate gift card recipient will receive additional codes to redeem across Amazon categories like fashion, pantry and gift cards. Offers include INR 250 cashback on signing up for Amazon Prime membership and INR 1000 off on all Kindle devices.
Amazon Devices
Alexa & Echo:
- Customers can request an invitation to purchase the Echo at www.amazon.in/echo, the Echo Plus at www.amazon.in/echoplus and the Echo Dot at www.amazon.in/echodot. For a limited time, eligible customers will receive an introductory discount of 30% off the purchase price of Echo devices and one year of Prime membership. Devices ship beginning the week of October 30th
Fire TV Stick
- Flat INR 500 off on FireTV Stick
Kindle e-books
- Up to 75% off on popular eBooks including bestselling titles from international & Indian authors and books in Indian languages.
Kindle Unlimited
- 2,388, INR 1,499 for Kindle Unlimited 12 months plan + ₹100 Cashback for Prime customers
Kindle e-reader
- Up to INR 4,500 off on Kindle e-readers
- Customers who purchase e-reader and device cover together, will also get additional content promo offer up to INR 2000 (INR 500 on Kindle and INR 2,000 on Paperwhite)
- Customers will also be able to purchase all Kindle devices at Zero Cost EMI on all credit cards during Diwali ART
Special offers
- Amazon Pay balance – Shop with Amazon Pay balance for a minimum of INR 250 and get 10% additional cashback up to INR 500. Flat INR 50 off on the first recharge with Amazon Pay balance
- SBI Cards – Customers opting to go cashless can avail exciting cashbacks. Customers can save more with additional cashback of 10% when they pay with SBI Credit and Debit Cards
- App-only deals through the day with special Golden Hour Deals exclusively on the Amazon shopping app from 8 pm till midnight, everyday.
Making Shopping More Affordable
- No Cost EMI – Customers can opt for EMI at no additional cost under a "No Cost EMI" program splitting their payment across minimum 6 months across a wide range of products in consumer durables, appliances and smartphones priced above INR 10,000. This offer is on all major Credit cards and Bajaj Finserv cards
- EMI – Amazon.in has partnered with 11 leading banks to offer customers EMI's with 6 tenure options (3/6/9/12/18/24 months) along with Bajaj Finserv Ltd
- Exchange – Customers in more than 65 cities can take advantage of exchange schemes on products such as smartphones, refrigerators, TVs, washing machines among others. Customers shopping on Amazon app 12.7+ and on Android versions 5.1 and above can run diagnostics on their app and get additional discounts on their smartphone exchange.
- Now Exchange your mobile for any other mobile, large appliance, laptop & more! – Customers can now exchange their old mobiles to get discounts on not only mobile purchases but also on purchases in other categories such as Washing Machines, Refrigerators, TVs, Laptops, Tablets, ACs
- Installation Services – Customers looking to buy large appliances can avail easy installation services managed by Amazon and in partnership with leading brands such as LG, BPL, Whirlpool, Bosch & Haier among others. Amazon provides free installation services for TVs and Washing Machines.
Amazon.in has developed an entire ecosystem to offer an unparalleled shopping experience to customers. The online marketplace has partnered with hundreds of leading brands, enabled over 225,000 sellers to sell on Amazon.in, expanded fulfilment footprint with 41 fulfilment centres in 13 states offering a storage capacity of 13 million cubic feet, set up close to 150 delivery stations & 350 service partners penetrating further in tier III & IV locations, established 17,500 I Have Space store partners in 225 cities, launched 13 customer service sites across 12 cities and developed over 6000 Udaan points in 21 states.


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Kuwait National Day
What a day. Me an Nataly spent most of the morning cleaning (well she did the cleaning I watched tv), then at around 3 o'clock we went out for lunch. It was raining outside and I was pretty disappointed because I was hoping to see people on the streets celebrating national day. We had lunch at Chillis and finished around 4 O'Clock and headed back home. The road was pretty packed as in it was not moving at all. I realized that although it was raining people were still gonna celebrate national day. So I exited the Gulf Road, took the Istiqlal highway and headed home quickly. Me and Nataly geared up in our semi-weather proof clothing and our Timberland boots and headed by foot towards the Gulf Road with our cameras. It was 4:30 by now and Nibaq was supposed to join us but he chickened out because of the rain. LOSER! So we get to the Gulf Road and then walk north towards Shaab Park. From last years experience I know there are only a handful of major spray zones on the Gulf Road, one of them was the area next to Shaab Park. So we walk towards it and its raining like crazy. We get near Shaab Park and the streets packed with cars decorated with flags and people honking and yelling out their windows. On the side of the road you also had tons of people ranging from families to groups of kids to teens and adults. Every kind of demographic was just hanging out on the side of the road waiting for cars to pass by and then spray them with foam. It was crazy, I mean its fucking raining and no one cared, infact they seemed to enjoy it. Its wonderful watching people having so much fun. We hung out there for awhile and then I told Nataly we should pass by the #1 spray zone which is the Sultan Center area. Thats where all the action takes place and for good reason. 1) you have a lot of parking space for people to park their cars and 2) you have a nearly unlimited supply of foam cans available at Sultan Center for only 220fils. This makes the street next to Sultan the place to be. So we start walking south towards Sultan and get there around 6PM but to my surprise the streets empty. I was disappointed. The rain had fallen to a drizzle now and we just stood there for a few minutes while I tried to figure out why the place was so abandoned. Nataly also looked disappointed, I mean we walked this far and nothing was here. I look further down the road and I spot what seems to be some kind of traffic. So we head towards the Scientific Center and I was right there was traffic but nothing major at all. So we decide to turn around and head back. By the time we got to Sultan Center now, things were COMPLETELY different! The area was packed and loaded with cars. The kids with foam cans were all over the place. It was crazy, 30 minutes ago nothing and now foam everywhere, people dancing on the streets, it was incredible. And the kids with foam cans, they are unbelievable. Not only do you have to make sure when you pass them your windows are closed, but you also got to make sure your doors are locked. Every car that passed by them they would try to open the doors and spray the people inside. These kids know what they are doing. I saw one car slow down and one of the kids went and opened the door, suddenly there were around 10 other kids with him spraying everyone and everything inside the car. Unbelievable site. Anyway we got back home around 8ish and were completely soaking wet. We had spent over 3 hours walking mostly in the rain but this was a once a year thing and something that no one should miss. No where else would you ever see this. I love it.
Click here for pictures from today


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Citation: Ekvall, T., Martin, M., Palm, D., Danielsson, L., Fråne, A., Laurenti, R. Oliveira, F. (2016). Physical and Environmental Assessment. DYNAMIX Deliverable D6.1. Gothenburg, Sweden: IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.
This report presents quantitative estimates of the environmental significance of changes in material flows that can result from specific instruments in the three policy mixes designed. We applied life cycle assessment (LCA), carbon footprinting, and material pinch analysis to estimate the potential resource and environmental benefits of the key instruments of the policy mixes. The effectiveness of these instruments was first estimated with a macro-economic model (see Report on Economic Quantitative Ex-Ante Assessment of Proposed Policy Mixes). We then used LCA to estimate the environmental significance of these effects. These estimates are very rough because they are affected by simplifications and assumptions in the macro-economic model as well as the LCA model.
The results indicate that the ambitious DYNAMIX targets require significantly stronger and more effective policy measures than those outlined in the project. Such strong policies will, of course, be much more difficult to implement. It might also be difficult to model their impacts, because they are likely to change core assumptions or key mechanisms of the models: the economic structure, the level of technology, behavioural patterns, etc.
Even though we modelled individual elements of the policy mixes separately, we can draw a couple of conclusions regarding how policies can be combined. The feebate systems in the overarching policy mix could, for example, be combined with sustained and increased spending on R&D, from the metals policy mix, to increase the likelihood that the large potential benefits of a feebate system are realised.
Further benefits can be obtained if the DYNAMIX policy mixes are combined with policies outside the scope of DYNAMIX. Instruments such as R&D spending and feebate systems can result in electrification of cars and other products. This is more likely to increase resource-efficiency and reduce GHG emissions if combined with an energy policy that makes the electricity production more efficient and carbon-lean.


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ETH-155008 is under clinical development by Shengke Pharmaceuticals (Jiangsu) and currently in Phase I for Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma. According to GlobalData, Phase I drugs for Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma have an 81% phase transition success rate (PTSR) indication benchmark for progressing into Phase II. GlobalData's report assesses how ETH-155008's drug-specific PTSR and Likelihood of Approval (LoA) scores compare to the indication benchmarks. Buy the report here.
GlobalData tracks drug-specific phase transition and likelihood of approval scores, in addition to indication benchmarks based off 18 years of historical drug development data. Attributes of the drug, company and its clinical trials play a fundamental role in drug-specific PTSR and likelihood of approval.
ETH-155008 overview
ETH-155008 is under development for the treatment of relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), follicular lymphoma, marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma), primary mediastinal b-cell lymphoma and unspecified indication. It acts by targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 4,6 (CDK4/6) and serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 and 3. It is administered through oral route.
For a complete picture of ETH-155008's drug-specific PTSR and LoA scores, buy the report here.
Premium Insights
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData's unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what's happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.


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Multiple times
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road
New Egypt, NJ 08533
Wine and Bundt Cakes!
May 4th from 7-9pm
A flight of four amazing wines! Choose a DRY or SWEET flight! Flights are paired with four bundtinis (each person will receive their own individual box with four fork-tastic cakes!) Each cake is handcrafted, just like our wines!
Cost: $35 per person.
Come early and enjoy dinner from our LAURITA EATS menu!
More information
Private Events
If you are interested in learning more about our offerings, please fill out the request form and we will contact you to discuss details.Request information
Event details
Multiple times
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road
New Egypt, NJ 08533
All tickets for Wine and Bundt Cakes! 5/4 at Laurita Winery have been sold.


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Are you confused with all specials and offers from cruise lines?
I am!
Hundreds of offers from each corner but when it is time to book – nope! This promotion is not combinable, or this sailing is not eligible.
Sounds familiar?
That is why I started a new project Best Cruise Offers Weekly to help you to find the best deal and bring you only ones that makes sense.
By the way, my name is Nadia Jastrjembskaia, owner of Aurora Cruises and travel, where online pricing merges with offline service. Also, I am one of top cruise advisors in the industry in the rank of Elite Cruise counsellor.
As for today, I have a few offers to share with you:
- Advanced notice about sale
- Real BOGO for $129+ tax per person for the Bahamas cruise
- Free air to Europe while you book the river cruise
- Veterans Day specials
And More!
See all hand-picked offers!


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By Juan Aguilar / Asst. Inscape Editor
By Juan Aguilar / Asst. Inscape Editor
If you need a superhero's help, just look him up on Myspace.
His name is Kick-Ass and he is the new crime fighting hero in town.
He's not exactly the superhuman, web-spinning, multiple gadgets and suit made out of metal kind of superhero, but he will try.
Since the time when Marvel and DC comics first came out, the fantasy of being a real life superhero has plagued the minds of true fans everywhere.
In the hilarious and action-packed film "Kick-Ass," that fantasy gets put into perspective with bright and corny costumes, amateur fighting skills and good guy dialogue that will have you laughing hysterically.
The movie features some young and fresh talent. Actors like Aaron Johnson ("The Illusionist"), Christopher Mintz-Plasse ("Superbad") and Chloe Grace Moretz ("Diary of a Wimpy Kid"), were perfect for the memorable characters in this film.
Dave Lizewski (Johnson) aka Kick-Ass, takes his superhero fantasy to the next level with a green scuba suit , green ski mask, steel-toe boots, and batons.
That is basically it.
He doesn't have any fighting skills and his intimidation level is similar to that of Tobey Maguire from "Spider-Man."
But with the help of cell phone cameras and YouTube, a video of his sketchy fight scene made Kick-Ass an instant and popular icon.
Later in the film, Lizewski meets an 11-year-old girl who can work a butterfly knife and kill the villains faster than it takes them to realize they're about to die.
Her name is Hit-Girl (Moretz), and that name is enough for explanation.
Hit-Girl took the audience by complete surprise as she dominated with her superior fighting skills and gunfights that had them laughing in amazement.
She was like a little version of Trinity from "The Matrix."
And the awkwardly funny Mintz-Plasse reprises his role as the ultra-nerd with an alter ego. He plays Red Mist and he couldn't save a life even if his depended on it.
"Kick-Ass," which is based on the comic books written by Mark Millar, tells the classic story of superheroes versus the villains. The villains are run by a mob boss, and the superheroes want to take him down.
What sets this comic apart from all the others is that the superheroes don't have superhuman powers; they're just average individuals who would rather take a stand.
It was also ridiculously violent, and that alone gave "Kick-Ass" the reputation that created its fan base.
Director Matthew Vaughn did a superb job at sticking to the violence that "Kick-Ass" was known for in the comic series.
He added some awesome visuals, creating a unique style to this movie that left the audience impressed.
The dialogue definitely added to the style by using the always funny profanity and teen antics that we see every day.
The cast worked well together as the dialogue seemed more like improvisation than script.
"Kick-Ass" was surprisingly gory as well.
After watching the commercials you would expect it to be somewhat violent but not vicious and bloody.
But that's what's great about this film; it was full of surprises as it truly kept the audience awake, even at a midnight showing.
The action scenes were nothing short of epic as they used constant gunfire and wild camera angles that made the fighting impressive and had the audience clapping in awe.
Back for another shot at his acting career, Nicolas Cage was actually impressive as Big Daddy, who is the perfect blend of a corny yet demented Batman.
Big Daddy is the father of Hit-Girl, and their relationship was the true definition of tough love.
Guns and knives are the toys and learning how to use them like a pro is playtime.
For a movie based off a comic book, "Kick-Ass" stuck to the roots and was awe-inspiring as the audience gave a round of applause at the end.
Unfortunately, the movie didn't seem like too much of a box office hit as it grossed $19.8 million on its opening weekend, barely passing Dreamwork's "How to Train Your Dragon."
Perhaps the unexpected violence and crude dialogue created some uncertainty for this film.
But for what it's worth, "Kick-Ass" no doubt lived up to it's own name.


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Laboratoire de Sciences Cognitives et Psycholinguistique
Bâtiment Jaurès
29 rue d'Ulm
75005 Paris, FRANCE
Various aspects of air quality (CO2 concentration, temperature) are thought to have an impact on cognitive performance and learning skills in the classroom.
Depending on the interests and skills of the intern, this internship could consist in:
- carrying out a meta-analysis of the effect of CO2 concentration on cognitive performance, based on an already existing systematic literature search.
- carrying out a systematic literature review of the effect of temperature on cognitive performance.
- participating in the design of an experimental protocol to investigate these issues in French schools.
This internship will be co-supervised by Dr Marion Hulin at Santé Publique France.


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Ford invests $500 million into electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian
Pair will work together to develop next-generation battery EV
Rivian has announced an equity investment of $500 million from Ford Motor Company. In addition to the investment, the companies have agreed to work together to develop an all-new, next-generation battery electric vehicle for Ford's growing EV portfolio using Rivian's skateboard platform.
"This strategic partnership marks another key milestone in our drive to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility," said RJ Scaringe, Rivian founder and CEO. "Ford has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, with Bill Ford being one of the industry's earliest advocates, and we are excited to use our technology to get more electric vehicles on the road."
"We are excited to invest in and partner with Rivian," said Bill Ford, Ford's executive chairman. "I have gotten to know and respect RJ, and we share a common goal to create a sustainable future for our industry through innovation."
Rivian already has developed two clean-sheet vehicles with adventurers at the core of every design and engineering decision. The company's launch products - the five-passenger R1T pickup and seven-passenger R1S SUV - will deliver up to 400-plus miles of range and provide an unmatched combination of performance, off-road capability and utility, starting in late 2020.
"As we continue in our transformation of Ford with new forms of intelligent vehicles and propulsion, this partnership with Rivian brings a fresh approach to both," said Jim Hackett, Ford president and CEO. "At the same time, we believe Rivian can benefit from Ford's industrial expertise and resources."
Ford intends to develop a new vehicle using Rivian's flexible skateboard platform. This is in addition to Ford's existing plans to develop a portfolio of battery electric vehicles. As part of its previously announced $11 billion EV investment, Ford already has confirmed two key fully electric vehicles: a Mustang-inspired crossover coming in 2020 and a zero-emissions version of the best-selling F-150 pickup.
Rivian remains an independent company. The investment is subject to customary regulatory approval. Following Ford's investment, Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of Automotive, will join Rivian's seven-member board.
Company info


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Treating Diabetic Foot In Algonquin, IL
Diabetic foot ulcers occur in approximately 15% of patients with diabetes and if not treated effectively, can lead to severe consequences including infection, hospitalization, and amputation. As podiatrists, we serve as the frontline experts for managing these types of wounds. During your first visit, your physician will obtain plain radiographs of your foot to assess the underlying anatomy and see how this may be contributing to the development of the foot ulcer.
Most patients that have diabetic ulcers are also neuropathic, meaning they have numbness in their lower extremities and are unable to feel pressure differences when walking. It is this inability to feel that is what can cause the ulcers to form and worsen. Depending on the depth of the ulcer, signs of an underlying infection, or if the bone is visible your physician may also opt for advanced imaging to evaluate for infection within the bone.
What Can Help Heal a Diabetic Wound?
Sometimes, a specialized off-loading pad is constructed for the patient so the pressure is avoided at the source of the ulcer. We may even recommend a device called a "Total Contact Cast".
The cast completely encompasses the foot and the lower leg but still allows you to walk. This does a good job of off-loading and re-distributing pedal pressures so that wound healing can proceed.
Improving Extremity Blood Flow
Without adequate blood flow to the bottom of the foot, diabetic wounds will never heal. We may recommend non-invasive vascular tests to determine your base-line blood flow into your lower extremities. If there are any questions of blockages or abnormal values, we will refer you to a vascular specialist who can assist with getting optimal blood flow to the areas in the foot/ankle that need it the most.
Optimization Of Blood Sugars
It's vitally important to regulate your blood sugar levels to provide optimal conditions for wound healing. Depending on your HgA1c value and overall blood glucose control, we might refer you to an endocrinologist who can recommend any changes to your diabetic control regimen. Without a good handle on your HgA1c, a diabetic ulcer will have difficulty healing.
Healing Diabetic Wounds With Good Nutrition
Diet is a critical factor in determining how your diabetic wound heals. A diet rich in protein, good fats, and low sugar is crucial to provide the building blocks for cellular integrity and ultimately optimized wound healing.
Wound Infection Control
It is crucial to treat any underlying infection immediately so that the wound can heal effectively. If there is any soft tissue or bone infection and it is left untreated, it could continue to spread and possibly lead to amputation.
FASI Provides Actionable Treatment Plans to Heal Diabetic Wounds
How quickly you get the wound looked at and treated will determine the outcome of the process. Early detection can mean that you are able to negate the effects and allow the wound to heal. Your foot and ankle surgeon will develop a comprehensive treatment plan for you depending on the size and complexity of your diabetic foot ulcer(s). Contact one of our pediatric doctors to schedule a consultation today!


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Residence 't Vleuterhuys
Urban loft living in the heart of Utrecht
You can't miss Residence 't Vleuterhuys with its striking architectural details! The historical building at the Vleutenseweg 420-422 is located in the Lombok district of Utrecht, on the west side of Utrecht's city center, opposite the green Majella city park.
The former school building has been transformed into a high-quality residential building with a new wing at the Curaçaostraat and houses 35 spacious studios and lofts with high-quality insulation. All residences are fully furnished. The studios and loft apartments enjoy a modern and tasteful mid-century interior design, featuring warm wooden accents, and complementing comfort to another level!
Residents can park their bikes in the bike shed, and a parking spot for your car can be rented separately. The building also houses a communal patio for the residents. The kindergarten Aspelin can be found on the ground floor and the first floor.
Many people consciously choose to live in this part of Lombok because of the proximity of the city center with its range of conveniences. The pleasant area is filled with all kinds of local bars and shops. A stone's throw away is Buurten in de Fabriek, where you can enjoy lunch or a cup of coffee on the waterfront. Residence 't Vleuterhuys is just 5 minutes away by bike from the largest Dutch indoor mall Hoog Catharijne. You can reach the famed canal Oude Gracht in a 10-minutes bike ride.
This is RESIDENCE 'T Vleuterhuys
- Utrecht Central Station 1.7 km
- Closest busstop (Majellapark) 0.1 km
- Utrecht University 2.7 km
- HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht 6.6 km
- Nettorama 0.5 km
- ALDI Supermarket 0.5 km
- Bastacosi 0.1 km
- Buurten in de Fabriek 0.9 km
- Mr. Black and the White Ox 0.5 km
- Soia - Beach Oog In Al 1.0 km
- Majellapark 0.1 km
- City centre Utrecht 1.6 km
- Oude Gracht canal 2.0 km


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Herb Garden or Midnight Garden Drawing Packet
Select either the neutral beige tones of the Herb Garden canvas fabric color or the Midnight Garden (deep navy) floral canvas cover — both are complimented by the natural bull denim interior of this Feeding Pickle Ltd Drawing Packet. Fill it to the last page with creative notes, doodles, and dreams.
Opening the tri-fold packet will reveal a centered 5"x8" notepad, with 5 approximately 1" pockets to the left for drawing/writing utensils, and 2 2.5" pockets to the right for any necessary accessories to creativity, like a small ruler or stickers. Opened wide, the packet rests easily across lap or table, measuring 8.5" tall x 17" wide. The Drawing Packet folds neatly closed with two snap fasteners.
Folded, it measures 8.5" tall by 6 inches wide--just right for little hands to carry or to tuck into a bag for on-the-go.
Your purchase includes one (1) of either the Herb Garden OR Midnight Garden Canvas notepad cover lined with Natural (Beige) Denim fabric and one (1) lined notepad. No accessories included.
The Feeding Pickle Ltd Drawing Packet proudly meets CPSC safety requirements.


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The driving force of the last 150 years of human economics/civilization is characterized by one facet major alone: The abundant availability of low priced energy. This energy has given us the opportunity to do/realize what we did. Therefore let's start with the Energy Crisis. The origin of both accelerating wealth (history) and possible accelerating decline (future) is: Energy. The economic growth we have witnessed the last 150 years has been totally fueled by the availability of cheap and abundant energy. Growth of prosperity levels where equal to growth of energy use in the 20th century. In 2005 the oil production start flattening and oil prices went up year after year. The world price has gone up from $ 20 per barrel in 2002 to almost $ 150 per barrel by mid 2008. Ask a statistic analyzer to plot a line with this same level of rise for the future, some anchormen has someone asked to do so. Alexey Miller (since June 27, 2008 deputy CEO of Gazprom, as the State demanded the CEO chair) foresees the $ 250 price level before the end of 2008 and if demands stays growing, Peak Oil decline continues and the Middle East tensions goes wrong the prices will continue doubling each year for the next 5 years, till oil reaches it economic price maximum and than the granting based distribution system will be placed on top of the price based distribution system. Everybody with a little common sense must underwrite that oil exports from Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia will become zero if those regimes will fall. And that they are stable is unfortunately the truth. There's already the issue that demand that outstrips supply, the issue of danger of declining supply due to PeakOil and issue of region political instability in the main oil production area of the world. Three huge facets, that favors only the upside of the oil price. Because we use energy for everything, higher energy prices changes everything: everything got much more expensive: energy takes its part of the economy for ever, leaving less space for other things. Higher energy prices are the stick into the wheel, which could slowdown everything. Without cheap and abundant available fuel, economic movement stops. What has boosted economic progress could also brake it / slow it down. Everybody that says that technology will solve it automatically when the demand is there, doesn't understand a) economics (the fact that a dollar only can be spend once: higher energy costs therefore leads to less other purchase power and therefore too little or severe stagflation), b) the concept of energy (energy doesn't fall from the sky, it is or it isn't, energy is power, energy is not technology), c) the fact that we use it for everything we do (live, produce and consume) and d) the enormous amount of energy the world uses each day. When we start realizing these four facets, we know that we're in trouble concerning our current way of living when the decades of cheap and abundant energy are over. Energy is not just transportation, it's warmth, it's hygiene, it's water, it's food, it's everything we do/use and than that's over. The energy price component of each product will getting clear to us all in the next and it will hit over current prosperity/development over and over again. Materials that become too expensive we can replace by other, technology will give us that certainly, maybe some kick up in that, but materials are not the problem. Energy and water are the key values. Short after the start of the energy crisis, many regions of the world also will have a water crisis. Water is becoming a severe problem in many regions, and will become the oil of the 21st century: water deficit cities will be water supplied by supersized water seaships/tankers and citywater will become a regular trade commodity. Desalination of sea water is technical possible, but demands lots of something that isn't yet any more cheap available: energy. Food export is just agricultural water export in a product: 80% of the clean sweet water of the world is used for growing food. As energy and water costs rise, every product price rises, eating purchase power out of economies, slowing their growth and (in energy deficit nations) structural decline economic levels. Hydrogen is no source of energy, but just a storage/transportation method for energy. As describe in the first law of thermodynamics: energy can't be lost or created, only transformed. The problem of lack of abundant and cheap energy can only be fixed for always when we could explore existing energy in nature on a way the can be done anywhere, by looking into nature where the 'big' energy sources are. Or this will be by the use of a complex (low/high frequent, resonance, magnetism, lasers, catalysts based) nuclear fusion process of simple structured elements, that harvests energy out of nuclei, or it will be by a complex (low/high frequent, resonance, magnetism, catalysts based) electrolytic process that 'harvests' energy for electrolysis out of the 'cooling' water (and this way being in line with the first law of thermodynamics), or this will be by a complex (low/high frequent, resonance, magnetism, catalysts, not traditional warmth pump based) process that takes energy out of the air temperature. A total new approach of our look on energy is needed, we need horizon widening not digging deeper and more narrow. New directions in science asks for new genius people like Tesla who was the father of the second industrialization wave and the 20th century. He could sit still in his lab for hours, surrounded by high voltage flashes, just focusing his mind on electricity, to became 'into' it. We need new approaches. We need extraordinary genius people that shape the 21st century technological. Meantime we face severe rising energy costs, declining economies in energy deficit countries by intensive transferring of their wealth to the energy surplus countries. Due the fact that energy will become very expensive, everything that requires energy will be avoided as much as possible. Distances will be shortened, local economies more vitalized. Governments in energy deficit nations will get into severe financial problems, as their financial feed out of the economy slows down and their costs rises. Many companies will go bankrupted, banks will not survive this second huge attack on their capital positions (after the looses caused by US credit crisis). Unemployment will grow to high levels, purchase power will decline dramatically. Federal state structures will collapse due their debts. Some currencies will loose the trust of the market and collapse. The whole CO2 discussion will be completed abandoned in 2009, as economic struggle rises in the second half of 2008. The US Administration already declared mid July 2008 (during the G8) that "addressing the CO2 problem in current severe economic climate is not a wise thing to do". CO2 discussions will be seen as icons of luxurious talk in former luxurious times when low energy prices allowed that. The whole CO2 discussion will be pushed of the table of national and supra national governmental bodies by the economic problems. They ended the discussion with a huge tree planting plan that must be executed by local governments. Is the Global Future Analysis a doom report? No, it describes/pictures three scenarios: 1) doing nothing (increased turbulence due not realizing the needed adjustments) and 2) extending the past (squeezing the remaining traditional energy sources and fighting about it, so the past can be extended a little longer) 3) reinventing prosperity (building a new type of prosperity that uses less energy: something we have no experience with: by realizing many needed adjustşments). We can not continue the way we do now: it will become to expensive, but we can maintain and build certainly prosperity. We got prosperity by carbon based energy, we loss prosperity by the price rise of carbon energy, or we divert our economies to low energy economies with maintenance/development of as much prosperity as possible. Turbulence or prosperity. It's just a choice and yes, we're late, much too late. Therefore some negative impacts will hit harder and some changes will be realized more difficult. But that 2008 is the 'flipping' year is obvious. Not many leaders and economists that tell there is no structural problem. This was different back in as short as in 2007. In 2008 the world energy market awaked us by the $ 150 oil price and we are finally awakened and discuss responses. In 2009 and beyond we will realize any solution we can think of. Many solutions (almost any we can think of) will be cheaper than $ 250 (end 2008) or $ 500 (end 2009) oil per barrel. Intelligent people can a) imaging the consequences very good by themselves, and b) imaging and develop adjustments that prevent these consequences. We must (not weakly vaguely environmentally, but strongly driven by energy price rise economics) redesign our economies to low energy / high prosperity economies. Stocks in airlines, airports, airplane manufacturers, car manufacturers, car dealers, hotels, tourism industry, urban real estate funds and financials will become worthless very quick. There's a severe economic storm ahead caused by both the credit crisis and the energy crisis. Time to bring the best in yourself to the front to grow prosperity by reducing energy use. We need to invest. The huge problem by this investments is the fact that the credit crisis is also happening. Financial capacity from decades has been put in the financing overconsumption within the US. As prosperity growth and not prosperity sustainability was the golden statue, the US has had 15 years an economy that was not 60% production and 40% consuming (like it used to be), but the other way around. 15 years at least 20% overconsumption of $ 10 trillion (US average GDP in these 15 years) making the credit crisis overvaluation problem to approximately (15 * 20% * $ 10 trillion) $ 30 trillion in size. This far beyond mortgages: the mortgage based cash has fueled the wrong economic direction of consumption based on world credit based on exponential growth above production for domestic/world markets based sustainable growth. Paulson with his new rescue fund can never extinguish a fire of this never ever seen size. It's like with one bucket of water trying to extinguish the 9/11 fires in the World Trade Centers. He also overlook the structural damages to the building structures of the financial markets. This problem has grown too long too big to get solved now. Underlying values will be reduced by 50%. That's the problem. The desire to go further where the market was before July 2007 is a dream from people who doesn't understand the causes of current situation. They're just stupid 'happy days must come back again' people with 0.0 analyzing capacities. YouTube for Bush Wallstreet and see what the president's real opinion is on the Credit Crisis. All the by the banking industry (IIF) in her report recommended changes will not fix this crisis, but will certainly help to prevent to birth/growth of new ones, leaving the current crisis unsolved. The declining dollar has contributed a huge part to this huge amount. The current private/domestic mortgage market is (based on what data? on-balance data? off-balance there is a whole undisclosed financial world to discover) $ 12 trillion in size and is at least 50% over valuated (this a cool $ 6 trillion damage for the stock owners and the CDO owners) in recession. The real value of property is not the mortgage amount, but the payment power of the mortgage takers or tenants for the years to come. That's the basic valuation in the office/commercial real estate market since ever, that has ever made valid sales prices. The on the edge of defaulting balancing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have almost 50% of the $ 12 trillion US private/domestic mortgage market on their balance sheets: $ 5.2 trillion in liabilities (for getting this number: the US federal governmental debt is 'only' $ 9.5 trillion by a GDP of $ 13 trillion). Nobody knows the size of their off balance liabilities, therefore they will be more than anybody expects. The size of their off-balance liabilities can only be estimated, but will at least equals their on-balance liabilities, with two huge differences: 1) the equity part of it (the part of the off-balance values that is on-balance by Fannie and Freddie) will be vaporized and 2) the balance sheets of the off-balances will be more worse than expected. Reason? Putting deals in off-balance SIVs -special investment vehicles- is only done when taking on-balance should demands for more equity, otherwise they always should be on the main balances: every CEO wants a big and good balance: Taking items off-balance is part of that accountancy game of doing more with lower equity levels (positive said: maximization of equity effects). When Fannie and Freddie collapse all the off balance factors will become open also. When they both default the federal governmental debt can be doubled overnight. This can damage the 'AAA rating' of the US federal government severely. Taking the plug out of the bath of governmental debt grow (by an instant lenders strike due collapsing trust in the interest paying and repaying power of the US). The crisis of the housing GSEs (Governmental Sponsored Enterprises) with on-balance (after cooking the books) total incredible equity/exposure ratio's of 1/65 like FHLB's -Federal Home Loan Banks-, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae) could be the swift from the Credit Crisis directly to a global Currency Crisis and a global Governmental Crisis. Their off-balance ratio's are often double in size and half in equity/exposure ratio's and contains most of the risk. The book cooking factor can only be guessed, but 1/65 equity ration companies cook the books not a little. By this all the actual (as in: hard, not promised like health care of retirement checks, but hard in debt paper) governmental liabilities can be double overnight (something the actual debt funders of the USA certainly will not let go unnoticed), without any data on the real underlying value and with only one huge big certainty: a load of very value (mortgage payment power) repressing factors are actual effective and more on the way causing and reinforcing each other due to a further decline of the US economy. If the banks has problems due to mortgage value problems, the mortgages collecting superbanks has superproblems due to mortgage values. Even Greenspan has said that the problems of the GSEs are underestimated and just due time delay influences will come to surface unless the federal government will nationalize them (as in: taking all the pain in the housing market into the governmental budgets). The US government has no other option than to bail out any bank. Till Augustus 2008 there are already 9 banks silenced collapsed, emptying the guarantee fund assets already will collapsing just has been started. All banks will collapse if the US government not offer them a huge bailout possibility in witch they can sell worthless assets for high prices to the US Treasuries. If they don't do that, the US brand in the world will be wrecked for ever. After the banking industry, also the car industry and the aviation industry will follow and also the municipals will need massive bailouts. The USA economy will be more federal/governmental owned than the USSR economy ever was in its 70 year existence. Not cutting out problems by recession equals bailing them out. It's the one or the other. The US Treasuries will have to install an effective interest/debt collecting Asset Agency, something they will certainly not be very good in. All US debtors will try to re-negotiate both height of the debt, interest rate and payment schedules. This can not be different as the economy can not feed the huge interest/repayments the current finance contracts require. This whole operation will soften or quick sanding any debt. The enthusiasm of the world for funding the US governşmental, municipal and domestic debts is already tempering a lot. In only 40 years from largest creditor of the world, to the largest debtor of the world: don't except much economic power/admiration/funding for/of a debt loaded and debt addicted debtor. Being the money sink/spender of the world is a time limited concept. Just by wrong energy (and thereby foreign/domestic) policies is the most powerful economic economy wrecked. The world could will stop to buy US financial stocks (because they are become worthless: all financials are technical bankrupted, they just delay the clean up of their balance sheets as long as that will be possible). The world also would stop that day/week to buy US federal governmental bonds (as they are used to fill the gaps of the housing bubble on which foreign investors by the defaulted banks already has had severe damage of). The US Administration then must offer a substantial rise on interest rates on governmental bonds to become still attractive to the finance market (or the OMC of the FED must purchase all the issued bonds each time with new printed/generated money). The US federal government finally will be bankrupted and/or cause a huge decline of the value of the dollar, as they spend more than they earn, combined with the fact that the dollar no longer will be the leading currency and a stop of the foreign capital flow in the US by the investor strike. In economic terms: the US than will have a 'turnaround' (erasing all debts). The horror scenario for the USA is that the lenders to the US (they of course not will accept a bankruptcy solution), will agree to continue minimum loans in return of a set of demands (foreign managed Chapter 11 status for the USA). The US than will has an Europe/Arabic/Asian dominated lenders consortium of curators or executers that will make as many as possible assets liquid into cash. The end of the pride and independence of the USA caused by it's own bad financial behavior. Making debts is based on trust of the lenders. When that trust disappears, the lending windows are closed immediately. Of course the US will try to go into bankruptcy instead of some Chapter 11 status, but the main question is: would the world allow such a capital destroy on their private, pension funds, currencies and sovereign balance sheets, caused by one debt addicted borrower. When this happens, the independent states that forms the USA could terminate their relations with the sinking ship USA and abandon the US dollar, and Chapter 11 for the USA would still become bankruptcy of the USA federal government and abandoning of the US dollar (reducing the value of the dollar till just the value of the paper it's printed on) and by the huge debt this will cause huge, huge financial looses all round the globe (major demolishing domino effects in all global economies and all global currencies ľas they all use the US dollar as main reserve currency). Being American than will be not a sexy/appealing thing. Phil Gramm (the former most senior economic adviser of senator McCain) can say that the US is a nation of winners, but winners that can not pay their bill because they've stopped producing real economic are not winners, but just poor losers. The US were certainly for more than a century long mainly a nation of winners, but they overplayed their (credit)cards severely. Above data was only the collapsing domestic mortşgage market, but the same factors that brought down the domestic mortgage market, will also effect the corporate mortgage market, the private credit cards/lines, the car loans, the leasing market and the corporate finance market: Together they will loose more than $ 15 trillion in the next years rating on actual value (equals real purchase power). Everybody who has a better formula: please say so. The house of cards of trees that never will stop growing and abundant credit based on the whole world that invest in just paper value is over. Someone somewhere has to pay/take these looses. If a public exchange manager walks away with a $ 187 million bonus, you know something somewhere in that system has grown severely wrong, that the value of money has become relative. Compare this huge $ 30 trillion figure with a World GDP of approximately $ 73 trillion and the fact that max. 10% of GDP's is savings/pensions, the conclusion is right that the part of the world (the very formerly very happy, now very unlucky part) that has financed this huge figure has to work some years just to pay for the overş moneysupply/consumption that caused the credit crisis. According to US GAO former Comptroller General David M. Walker stated in departure tour of one full year lectures throughout the whole USA (and even in a YouTube address) in the last year of his office, the liabilities and unfunded commitments of the US federal administration are far beyond the actual debt clock number on $ 46.4 trillion (he called it: an extra $ 411.000 mortgage sized debt per US household and no house in return -the average mortgage size in the US mid 2008 is $ 118.000 because 31% of the houses in the US are free of mortgage-). The huge devaluation of the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq and the decline of the dollar eats simultaneously a similar sized part out of the global savings, this due the fact that much of these are invested in USA stocks, real estate and treasuries. These looses will undermine the capital attraction of the US and the US dollar severely. Foreign banks will collapse, foreign pension funds underfunded, foreign companies bankrupted. The US will loose it's winners image (and attached capital attraction) by this. In the same time the USA economic ship start to sink, the Russian economic ship got debt free and their GDP grows 7 (seven!) times in less than a decade. Economic power is the only power that has roots, fundaments and a future. Concerning the size and impact credit crisis (and also the decline of the dollar) there's a lot of pub talk ('happy days are back again') and less on data collection and analyzing based science. The US has a problem, not a small easy to cure, tomorrow away small cold fever. The economic roots of the US are rotten. The real power of the US is the attitude of the American: they will survive just and only by that, as their economic goes into heavy maintenance, destruction and reconstruction. Writedowns of figures of this size creates severe global problems. The financials are due to bankruptcy when the real downwriting times will arrive (the needed downwriting is only just started), and unfortunately the financials will get an other huge hit as economies slows down severely and bankruptcies will eat out the capital of financials further by massive numbers of defaulted loans. The financials are on dead row. Maybe even the financial system is in danger: let's certainly hope this will not happen: but somebody got to taken this looses into account. This in a time we must invest heavily in energy transition technologies both huge central as massive decentral. The credit crisis could not pickup a worst timing, but maybe the problems are connected to each other by the word overconsumption. People who say that the credit crisis is over, doesn't understand anything about economics in general and the credit crisis specific: the biggest economy of the world is feed with consumption money and current the balance sheet values aren't really there. Home values will drop till levels that matches the economic production of the US and this will hit the balance sheet of almost any financial worldwide. Unfortunately people who don't understand the real problem gets lot of airtime and wreck once again our transition time. The financials are really and without no doubt on dead row: their stock will become worthless: they will go private again (with debt reconstruction) of will be nationalized (if they collapse). All other companies will temperately suspend dividends (GM is the first one that has announced this), washout all current shareholders and also go private (if they can find a new strategic financer) or go bankrupted due the economic turmoil/stagflation rising energy, transport, water and food costs will give. Only the agricultural, food, resources and energy industries will be able to pay dividends and will have IPO's. But they will pass Wallstreet and go public on other bourses/exchanges. Wallstreet will be the global icon of huge looses and expensive operations in the first decade of the 21st century (the American Nightmare) and there are global too many 'beautiful new girls in the house' that compete with Wallstreet. The center of the financial world will no longer be the centre of the global financial world anymore. New York and Wallstreet will go in an one or two decades economic winter phase. The $ 187 million bonus for NYSE her CEO Dick Grasso will be the symbol of a malfunction and totally bubbled system where money lost totally its connection with the real underlying values. Blinded by the light of trees that continue to grow into heaven. Being American will be no longer 'sexy'. So we've got several crises at once: an energy crisis, a credit crisis, who both cause several other crises: the stagflation crisis, a currency crisis, a governmental (debt) crisis, a geo political crisis and a food crisis. Don't shoot the messenger, but the eighth global crisis is on it's way in growth: the water crisis. Due all this turmoil the economies in many parts of the world will be set back to '50ties prosperity levels (but now with computers, mobile phones, advanced healthcare and the blessings of the Internet: the web, videocalling, Google, MSN, YouTube and segmented digital radio channels and segmented digital television channels). Cuba has faced a PeakOil similar situation in 1990 when overnight supply of cheap Russian fuel on credit came to an end. Back than in Cuba not everybody than got a job, a house, water, food, warmth, hygiene and health care. Achieving at least this basics for everyone on the planet by free market structures would be a major achievement if reasonable priced oil is leaving us. As result of this all these problems and the enormous rise of 'advanced localization' federal government structures will be set back in severely in the USA, EU, Russia, China, Brazil and India, cause they had a huge function in the 20th century, but their function in the 21st century will not very clear to the regions they serve. The American Dream (working yourself into economic heaven) has taken the wrong direction (lending yourself into economic heaven) and has turned into an American Nightmare (with the same intensity as the dream). America was the creditor of the world (due it's oil and the dollar) and has become the debtor of the world in just a few decades. Due the fact that any type of power is based on economic power, the USA is in bad weather and no longer the center of the world. There is no 'fire in the disco' (rush to the exit) yet, but the USA is no longer the main focus of global companies. States like California (the world's seventh in size economy) will leave the USA as the debt of the federal government will double their own state and municipal debt problems. Major global operating financials like AEGON already stated a new diversified global strategy: the US is not their main focus anymore, no US originated CEO anymore, but more people of the emerging markets in the board. No matter which political direction wins the 2008 presidential elections: the winner only can clean up the mess of someone else's party and pay the bill of it. The time that 1) oil sales fueled the US economy (till the start of the 70'ties) is over (is even reversed these days: oil drains the US economy), 2) anybody invest everything in the USA is over (investments has melted like ice) and 3) holds reserve currency in dollars are over (the value of the dollar is in a rush down). Financials (banks, pension funds but also the so called foreign wealth funds) will be hit severely as their US assets reduce in value to almost zero. Like Russia have had its 20 year 'has-been' phase, the US will get them the next 20 years: being the bad boy in the class by whom almost everybody (by own fault following mainstreams instead of using common sense) lost a lot of financial value. But the historical genes of the US people are strong: they're working, inventive, proud and have dreams. Within 20 years (around 2023) the independent states of the US will not be 'has-beens' anymore, like Russia also is really back 20 years after 1989. The tailwind for energy/water/food deficit gigantic cities and huge skyscrapers are over. Low energy will be the lead voice until fusion or other ways of tapping natures sources makes energy cheap and abundant again. The 20th century is over. It's really sad that Greenspan blow up the current fractional banking system at the dawn of an era where the bankers had could take as interest the very high energy budget of several generations (as by PeakOil energy harvesting will be done by investments they could have financed. In sustainable energy there are carbons/fuel to pay, just interest on the investments. Bankers and the bank share/bold owners will really not been able to benefit of these huge economic step forward for them as the fractional banking system unfortunately collapsed just before the era the fractional banking system could have it's highest part of the economy ever by financing energy investments. They had change to sustainable double their turnover easily and everybody would benefit of it, but they blow the system by not accepting the economic cycle and by pushing is too far by greed. One huge market opportunity / unique time for them will be lost by just blowing up the system by Mr. Greenspan. That money supply fractional banking could not live for ever was clear to everyone: money creation by loans needs to issue a continuous flow of new loans to put interest payment capacity on earlier loans in the market and our planet can't bare exponential growth for ever, so sometime, somewhere the fractional banking system would have ended. It's sad that it will end just in times we need it more than every due the Energy Crisis. The first half of the 21st century will be different by the Energy Crisis and (an absent or sick) financial world due the Credit Crisis. Very different, mainly by the increasing price of oil that demands/creates low energy economies and the shortage of credit to do energy investments. Geopolitics therefore can be said in one word: Oil (or wider: Resources). The energy surplus states are the ones that will be calling the shots (just listen or get disconnected and picking up the chips of each economic activity anywhere). The energy deficit states just can only accept anything, because without energy every thing stops. Taking all this developments all together: Time to stop believing in the models of the past (which doesn't work in times of expensive oil) and certainly stop with believing the 'everything just will come alright automatically' myth and severe time to start make a future within this four huge turbulence factors. The big challenge of today and tomorrow is building low energy prosperity (high energy prosperity will be equal to dry rain). Both the Global Future Analysis and the Global Resources Analysis are not judgmental, they're pure awaking focused reports. After awakening (with its denial, defeated and than longing action phases) we need Models: using the wheel instead of the need of -very time consuming- inventing it first. Models for Action, Communication, Localization, Knowledge and Finance would help a lot. Economies, governşments and people are inventive enough. They just need to be awaked and hand out Models to act. Yes, we're in serious problems, but we have also many ways to deal with it. Planck Foundation wants to hand out for free both the two Analyses and the five Generic Models to governments, companies, municipals and households that want to build a future within these five huge headwinds and let's hope that pandemia stay away for some decades: we really can't have them the next decades. The best financial advice in these turmoil times? Is capital anywhere safe in these turmoil phase? Yes, local is the most safe capital environment in these times. Put your money/capital where you can see it: invest it in your local economy or put in local focused banks (that invest it for you locally), local banks that are embedding in national (brand connected) audition structures. Than you've the best of both worlds: local and national. In times of turmoil you need maximal transparency, not a huge financial, who suddenly says 'we're sorry, but we lost your money' on the way. Build local banks, local stock exchanges, local internet exchanges and local physical and digital market places. Put your money where you month is. Trust only controllable investments, the uncontrollable investors has made by the availability of a huge capital flow into a total non-transparent system the mesh of the Credit Crisis. Trusting is nice, controlling is better. Yes, we must drill in NWAR and offshore. We need everything that could soften the impact/damage of the coming carbon price explosion collision. Everything that softens our 'smash against the wall' (Simmons) if wanted very much. And yes, NWAR only will give the world 3 months of more oil if we stay acting the same as we do right now. It's time for working our rears out in avoiding a carbon price caused collision that will damage us all severely. The oil crisis of the '70ties we worked around by non OPEC based oil production, but this production has peaked. We have lost more than 35 years and are now facing the same problems, but with out the softening impact of non OPEC energy. From the enormous amount of state subsidies we have spend in this 35 years 0.0 has been put in energy research. This blank spot on energy issues will enter the history books as the huge governmental and corporate mistake op the second part of the 20th century and the proof that the horizon of both governments and companies is only some years ahead at it's best. But new rounds, new chances. There is no rational reason why credit-, energy-, water- and food prices will ease (besides a global collapse of the energy deficit nations) and even that will deepen the Credit Crisis ones again. One way or the other: there are more clouds than we wish. Everybody's agenda will have one huge main item at the top: sustainable prosperity with attached well-being. Fortunately solar/wind/wave/thermal originated energy/power will give us the possibility to operate low energy based prosperity and maybe (with changes above 50%) we will find ways to utilize the massive energy richness of our planet by finding ways to tap it that gives more energy than it takes to tap than. Than energy prices will go down and the expensive energy economies will end and the Fifth Industrial Revolution could take place, with one major difference: meat and minerals will stay relatively still very expensive, but distances than could expand again, but maybe we than have taste life a way that nobody ever could get us back into traffic congestion and have less time for life. Maybe than we would energy to improve both prosperity and wellbeing more than we have done the last 150 years and we just only will travel again more and further (tourism will get is rebirth) and will shower for hours again, but furthermore economies/societies don't change very much else structural because we have find a mix of well-being, prosperity and values we like a lot and we don't have appetite anymore in traffic congestion, air pollution, living in a rush, less time for family and friend, war, high taxes, fractional banking, detergent commercials, monoculture and (supra)national governments anymore as we have reached the ultimate state of living, that we like the prosperity, social life, quality food, local grown exotic fruit (by Grow|OS artificial physics influence based grow technology), drinks, music, restaurants, pubs, and houses/lifestyle where no much external forces pulls us or try to tap partial our earned wealth. Of course the post-carbon world will not be the paradise as describe in above lines for many of us. But above description is just a form of counter weight to all the deep PeakOil pessimism: when we find a way to make low energy prosperity, it will certainly be a good (and maybe even better) life. But it's clear that for the moment the Energy Crisis and the Credit Crisis will be the two sticks that will hit the world economy as we know it now very hard. And it's clear that the poor already (and in the future furthermore) will spend most of their income to just basic food and will face very difficult times, just like the rich and that it is uncertain who will be the poor and who will be the rich in new situations. See the Energy Crisis and the Credit Crisis as challenges, than no depressing doomsday pressure will take away your power and drive that you need to adjust your life. Let's make a good world for ourselves. Yes, that's one of the effects: everybody must first take care for themselves and our surrounding. This applies also to every village, city and region. Everybody will be too busy with adjusting their own life and their own direct surrounding and environment. If your surrounding can't support the lifestyle you want to live when the Energy Crisis and the Credit Crisis hits our economies, you've got to move to an other environment and you may not will be welcome everywhere you want to go. It's easy: stop daydreaming: cheap energy has made what you see and cheap energy is over, times will be changing severely, anticipate to it and build a good (of even better) life or get hit by it and suffer from not have transite your life on time to it, when it was relatively easy. Break out the jail of denial today and start building low energy (= advanced local) economies tomorrow.
Author: Gijs Graafland
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text:
The Doctor Appreciation thread
Redfern Posts: 1,546
And the crudely "cast" Venus de Milo with the blatant seam lines and the obious "plug" hiding that button!
Though I rather liked the swimming pool with its "period" design that Leela used in the first episode (and depicted in episode 6).
Mixed Corridor 01.png1602 x 1215 - 4MPost edited by Dodger on
bluto said:
i would really love to see the copper sexy console room or the chrystal mystery console room made
I found this: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/c8866b9dabb5cf8aca08066b31d87923/TARDIS-control-room-updated-March-2017
The image shown isn't very good but it's a sketchup image so one should not expect it to be.
Download the Collada version to convert into something useful in Poser or DAZ with these sketchup models. Also, it will almost certainly need to be scaled and materials set.
Eustace Scrubb Posts: 2,673Redfern said:
Oh! I didn't realize you had already uploaded this version.
Amusing notion to have "linking" pieces to "segue" from one motif to another.
You're not gonna' depict the "brick and mortar" hallways and stairwells we saw in "The Invasion of Time" are you? I understand the real life reasoning behind it and the "in story' explanation that "internal configuration" circuits can make the place look like anything, but...oy... Too bad the production was not able to use a building with Greco-Roman motifs rather than "Birmingham Industrial" (for lack of a better description).
Also canonoically supported in the mostly-lost episodes / novelization of Shada, wherein a fugitive Time Lord called Professor Chronotis (actually named Salyavin) disguises his TARDIS as professorial rooms at Cambridge. Its external appearance was the door, and the Professor's Rooms are the interior of the TARDIS itself.Post edited by Eustace Scrubb on
Eustace Scrubb said:Also canonoically supported in the mostly-lost episodes / novelization of Shada, wherein a fugitive Time Lord called Professor Chronotis (actually named Salyavin) disguises his TARDIS as professorial rooms at Cambridge. Its external appearance was the door, and the Professor's Rooms are the interior of the TARDIS itself.
Oh, that's sneaky!
Here's that connector piece.
20102013Connector.png800 x 800 - 980KPost edited by Dodger on
something i got , and am rigging for posersexy.jpg1306 x 876 - 197KPost edited by bluto on
i know its a little dark , im still trying to set up lightsRender 1000000.jpg1306 x 876 - 321K
Walsallmatt Posts: 0
How do folks,
I need a few bits, wondered if someone could point me in the right direction.
For Daz3D - I would like the following
A suitable room for the supreme council of Daleks and Emperor
A Good Dalek Saucer model - if I can get this in obj format so I can put in elements for after effects, that would be epic
Many Thanks
playing around withn a new custom console room concepth g wells.jpg2040 x 1530 - 2M
I think that the new production team is going to learn the lesson that Steven moffat learned when trying to change the silhouette of a very iconic Doctor who villain / monster , but having said that there were some aspects of the new design that I kind of likedPost edited by bluto on
i did a thing with some stuff13 face.jpg700 x 910 - 374K13 kjuhlkjh.jpg700 x 910 - 311K13.jpg700 x 910 - 192K13 . 2.jpg700 x 910 - 262K
Fixmypcmike Posts: 19,088
Understood but in my defense is the first time I've gotten anywhere near a real Jodie Whittaker morph
SpottedKitty said:
Well, here's a turnup for the books — yet another Even Newer Paradigm Dalek design for the New Year Special.
Daleks with glowing go-faster stripes? Good grief... <headdesk>
who said it was a Paradigm...?
more like.. shall we say.... Amazon..
we saw glimpses of this early in the year. I rather like it (apart from the head) - it is reminiscent of some of Mechmaster's varients. Nation always intended there be variations on the theme, but the BBC was restrained by it's budget (as in there wasnt one), so we saw very few. The paradigms were a failure, as were the flying Dalek designed (but ultimately unused) for the 1996 movie - but this one works. As for thelights - the Daleks were always meant to be lit up frm inside, but again the BBC couldnt afford it.
i dids another thing with more stuffsmith.jpg700 x 910 - 261K
ok leaving this here as a prediction
these Daleks do not have "Made In Skaro" anywhere on the Casing....
nomad-ads_8ecd56922e Posts: 1,756
bluto said:
i dids another thing with more stuff
Nice. We definitely need new, Genesis 8 versions of all the Doctors, ideally from the First Doctor onward.
As ever wishing not to disappoint anyone I will be making these in both Genesis 3 male for the most part and genesis 3female for the one 13th part and Genesis 8 male and One 13th part Genesis 8 female
Masterstroke Posts: 1,638
got one too.Bad Wolf lores.jpg1600 x 899 - 253KPost edited by Chohole on
Hey Masterstroke that is a wicked cool imagePost edited by bluto on
Gonna throw out a challenge. There were a few things that messed up Genesis of the Daleks - one being a total lack of petrified (or otherwise) jungles or lakes around the Kaled city, and the second being the design of the Daleks themselves. As soon as the first prototype trundles in the Doctor exclaims "A Dalek! Very primitive, but still recognisably a Dalek!" which seems rather odd because far from looking primitive, it looked exactly like the Daleks he had encountered in the far future. I assumed that by the time the script came to the production crew there was neither the time nor money to build a set of proto-daleks, so the audience is just left scratching their heads wondering the Doctor would describe them as primitive.
So let's suppose that Genesis was made today with a big budget and enough time to design a Mark 3 Travel Machine - what would it look like? Would the first prototype have more removable panels or missing panels to enable further upgrades? more lights? a larger fender perhaps? Anybody want to have a go at designing it?
like this i think146177936_738256576818089_6868894809742433352_n.png1417 x 876 - 2M
Maybe it would have looked like the Daleks from the front of the old annuals. they were more cone-like, and the skirt panels were slightly concave and all the same shape. I always wondered if that was how Terry Nation wanted them to look, or perhaps the Artist didnt have enough source material.
a WIP. still need to create a head and arms. might try for a "glass" dome showing the battle computer and sensors etc, or I might play with some of the original ideas for the first Daleks.proto dalek_001.jpg665 x 806 - 42K
Here you go, all. (Well, all except that one smeghead.):
https://sharecg.com/v/97837/view/11/Poser/RaxocoricofallapatorianPost edited by Dodger on
arbee999 Posts: 104
Dodger said:
Here you go, all. (Well, all except that one smeghead.):
Whoa!! Very cool
Thank you


text:
Two Lamps at Night
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The best music festivals in the world bring to mind fun days of cheering and dancing, live performances, delicious food and pumping music in a wonderland of nature, filled with like-minded people in high spirits.
The organizers of the Fyre Festival seemed to have this in mind when they pictured two weekends celebrating all things music, surrounded by a stunning backdrop of sun-kissed beaches and clear waters, beautiful people, luxurious accommodations and the hippest music.
It was amazing and it was ambitious, but they were able to sell the idea to the elite millennials of the internet, thanks to social media influencers who all either believed in the hype they helped create or couldn't care less about whether the promises will actually come to fruition.
The Fyre Festival was envisioned by its head organizers, Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule, to take place on an island in Great Exuma, Bahamas.
Scheduled over two weekends in April and May 2017, they promised attendees a luxurious festival with great music, first-class accommodations, and meals from celebrity chefs, all while asking top dollar for the experience, of course. They promised the best of everything in their, now infamous, teaser video.
These Instagram celebrities who helped promote the festival all have one thing in common: they all have a big following. Anybody who has plenty of Followers can be an influencer, whether on Instagram or any other social media platforms. If you're trying to rise to influencer status, include buying Followers and other social signals in your marketing to help boost your progress and get there faster.
Influencers hold a pretty powerful position. They can make your advertising campaign a success, even if your actual product or service isn't so great. That's what happened in the case of the Fyre Festival, which turned out to be a "transformative experience" for the people who went, but not in the way that the organizers hoped.
The transformative experience the Fyre Festival claimed it would provide was not the disaster festival-goers described the whole event to be, right from the moment they arrived on the island.
When attendees got to the venue, there were no musical performances from top musicians, no luxury tents, and no VIP experience. The promised gourmet food was also anything but.
Some guests said that the promised "luxury accommodation" were more like disaster tents and likened the venue to a refugee camp.
Image credit: DailyMail
Getting back home proved to be another struggle. Guests trying to get home were left stranded at the airport, waiting for flights back to Miami, the travel base for the festival.
Image credit: Tribune242
The disgruntled guests were quick to take their grievances to the internet, where they posted images of their experience. The fiasco went viral and the organizers took the heat, but the influencers who promoted the event on their pages did not go unnoticed.
The Fyre Festival was created to promote the Fyre music booking app. The founders of the startup allegedly hired 400 "Fyre Starters" off Instagram. They include professional sports players, DJs, models, and other popular social media personalities.
Some of the most prominent Fyre Starters are Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowski, who took most of the judgment from the netizens for promoting the event shamelessly without disclosing that they were actually paid posts.
The Federal Trade Commission requires a sponsored brand campaign to be disclosed to consumers, but of all the Instagram celebrities paid to promote the Fyre Festival, only Emily Ratajkowski indicated #ad on her post. Unfortunately for her, hashtags aren't enough for the FTC.
There's nothing illegal about influencer marketing and as long as influencers clearly and conspicuously disclose sponsored posts, both brands and influencers can benefit from its huge weight on consumer decisions. Celebrities, however, keep sneaking in sponsored posts for the obvious reason that their posts will be seen as less authentic and they'll lose connection with their audience.
So, as the hype of the Fyre Festival turned into a nightmare, both the organizers and the Instagram Fyre Starters found themselves the subject of several class action lawsuits.
It goes without saying that the influence of popular social media personalities depends on their credibility. So when a promoted event flopped badly, their credibility is at risk – after all, can you trust them the next time they promote something that's supposed to be awesome?
Likewise, a brand's reputation gets affected when its influencers are subject to unfavorable circumstances. They become connected: brands suffer when their influencers suffer, and the influencers' credibility suffers when their partner brands fail to live up to their promises. Such are the downsides of influencer marketing.
It's because of these dangers that brands should take extra care in choosing online celebrities who will represent them. In the same way, influencers should choose wisely the brand they want to be associated with. When they do, taking responsibility for whatever they promote in public will be easier because you can truly trust that brand.
Incidentally, brands can be social media influencers themselves if they use social proof in their marketing. Social proof in social media consists of your Followers, along with the Likes and Comments on your posts. If you buy Followers, you essentially boost the social proof of your business.
If you add buying Followers and other social signals to your organic marketing, you could potentially end up with a massive following that will earn you an influencer reputation online, because people follow those who already have a large following. That's the principle of social proof.
Avoid getting sucked into a promotional mess and having your reputation take a nosedive by following these safe influencer marketing campaign guidelines below.
Don't get involved with a company without doing a background check on it. The founder of Fyre Media is a case in point.
Billy McFarland has a history of over-promising exclusive and lavish events targeted at status-seeking millennials. As with the Fyre Festival, the actual state of the event was a far cry from what was advertised.
Be honest about the nature of your posts and declare your business relationship with your brand partner. Your authenticity might suffer but your audience will appreciate your honesty, and honesty breeds loyalty.
If you are going to endorse a brand, remember that you have an ethical and moral duty to your audience to make sure they get what the brand – and you – promised. So get involved in the campaign and follow through on the progress of all logistical demands, particularly if it's an event.
Sadly, the Instagram influencers of the Fyre Festival did not even come on the day. There were reports that at the first inkling of things going south, the organizers, including Ja Rule and McFarland, told A-listers not to come.
Bella Hadid, apparently, was one of those who got the warning. But while festival goers desperately lined up in the airport trying to get home, did she use her influence to help? Nope. She was lounging on a pool chair in Miami, chilling out with a friend.
Image credit: DailyMail
Influencer marketing is a tricky business. If things went wrong despite everything you've done to make sure they don't, avoid greater backlash by owning your mistakes.
Ask any customer service rep and they'll tell you that apologizing is the first rule in handling angry customers, whether or not their reasons are valid. It's an effective way of showing you value your audience – and their business.
The Fyre Festival is an ultimate example of how powerful influencer marketing can be. The thousand-dollar tickets the organizers were able to sell were built on the advertising of Instagram-famous people whose influence reaches millions on the platform.
Indeed, what was supposed to be a luxury music experience turned into a real-life disaster and the influencers of Instagram had a role in creating it.
The Fyre Festival has shown us that it pays to be honest in advertising. That overpromising, if you're a brand, could lead to disastrous results, and that if you're an influencer, disclosing an endorsement was paid is a legal, if not a moral obligation to your audience.
Date: June 27, 2017 / Categories: Case Studies, Interesting, / Author: Chell
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