School bus union furious after mayor rejects proposal to end strike

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By IVAN PEREIRA

School bus union furious after mayor rejects proposal to end strike

Photo credit: A worker closes the gate for school buses after school bus drivers, aides went on strike. (Getty)

The union representing striking school bus workers blasted Mayor Michael Bloomberg Wednesday for rejecting a deal that may have ended the two-week stoppage.

Michael Cordiello, president of the Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said his 8,000 members would have gone back to work immediately if the city agreed to their request to freeze the bids for 1,000 school bus contracts.

Larry Hanley, the president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said the union, the school bus companies and the city would set up meetings during the "cooling down" period and talk about their issues.

"What we're saying to him is 'Freeze frame. We want to have a discussion,' " Hanley said.

A spokeswoman for Bloomberg said postponing the bids would be the wrong move because it would not solve the problem of the growing cost of school buses, which is $1.1 billion annually.

"The union is irresponsibly holding our students and city hostage over issues that can only be resolved by negotiating directly with the bus companies," the mayor's spokeswoman said in a statement.

Bloomberg said he couldn't oblige the union's demand for an employee protection provision in the bids because the courts deemed the provision illegal.

Source: http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/school-bus-union-furious-after-mayor-rejects-proposal-to-end-strike-1.4535981

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Georgetown University: Anti-Human Trafficking Symposium - Actress Miro Sorvino

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GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Anti-Human Trafficking Symposium
Georgetown University and Deloitte will host an event addressing immigration-related law enforcement challenges through the lens of anti-human trafficking (AHT). .. Read More GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Anti-Human Trafficking Symposium
Georgetown University and Deloitte will host an event addressing immigration-related law enforcement challenges through the lens of anti-human trafficking (AHT). The theme of the event, ?Transforming the Coalition,? will bring together government, academic, not for profit and business leaders to help reengineer the fight against human trafficking.?The event is symbolically taking place in January, in recognition of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Keynote speakers
Mira Sorvino, Academy award-winning actress and United Nations (UN) Goodwill Ambassador on Human Trafficking
John Morton, Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, Ambassador at Large, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Department of State (DOS)
Tony West, Acting Associate Attorney General, Department of Justice (DOJ)
Sr Counselor Alice Hill, Senior Counselor to the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

www.georgetown.edu

36 minutes | 5 Views

View Full Event (6 Programs)

Source: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310697-5

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Drake And Future 'Vibing' Leads To Lil Wayne's 'Good Kush & Alcohol'

'It just came out dope,' producer Mike WiLL Made It tells MTV News about creative process behind I Am Not a Human Being II track.
By Nadeska Alexis

Mike WiLL Made It
Photo: MTV News

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1701032/lil-wayne-mike-will-made-it-good-kush-alcohol.jhtml

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At least three shot at Arizona business complex

PHOENIX (Reuters) - At least three people were shot on Wednesday at a business complex in Phoenix, and one was in an extremely critical condition, police said.

Phoenix Police Department Sergeant Tommy Thompson said, "initial indications are that this is not a random act." The building is in a mixed-used office block at a busy intersection.

He said a suspect had gone to the building at about 10:30 am, argued with someone inside, and opened fire.

Two other people were taken to hospital for "stress related symptoms," he said.

The shooting comes at a time of heightened fear in the United States over gun violence since a gunman shot and killed 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut school in December.

Frank Kirby, a financial planner who works in a nearby office, said he was outside his building immediately after the incident.

"We hear a gunshot and then immediately we hear a car come roaring down that street. We look up and it's coming backward down that road," Kirby said in a phone interview.

"He actually comes backwards, northbound on 16th street," he said. "He gets beyond my building just about even, spins around and takes off now going the proper direction."

Kirby said he did not witness the shooting at the office but saw two people being carried from the building on stretchers.

Ambulances and dozens of police vehicles were at the office complex. Police said they were searching for a white man in his sixties with gray hair.

"Some say he left the building in a vehicle, and some say that he was still inside, so that's kind of where we are at," police spokesman Holmes said.

Police evacuated the offices in central Phoenix.

(Reporting by David Schwartz in Phoenix, Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles. Writing by Tim Gaynor; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and Nick Zieminski)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/shooting-reported-phoenix-workplace-reports-four-shot-182718485.html

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New Orleans' challenge: policing 2 huge parties

FILE -In this Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 file photo, National Guardsmen patrol the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. It's an unprecedented security challenge for New Orleans: the city's increasingly raucous buildup to Mardi Gras gets suspended for a week as 150,000 visitors flood the town for Super Bowl. Joining the police department's 1,200-plus officers for Super Bowl week are more than 200 state troopers and about 100 officers from surrounding local jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

FILE -In this Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 file photo, National Guardsmen patrol the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. It's an unprecedented security challenge for New Orleans: the city's increasingly raucous buildup to Mardi Gras gets suspended for a week as 150,000 visitors flood the town for Super Bowl. Joining the police department's 1,200-plus officers for Super Bowl week are more than 200 state troopers and about 100 officers from surrounding local jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

FILE -In this Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 file photo, a National Guardsman walks through a fence near the Louisiana Superdome, as security is tightened leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl XXXVI between the St. Louis Rams and New England Patriots. It's an unprecedented security challenge for New Orleans: the city's increasingly raucous buildup to Mardi Gras gets suspended for a week as 150,000 visitors flood the town for Super Bowl. Joining the police department's 1,200-plus officers for Super Bowl week are more than 200 state troopers and about 100 officers from surrounding local jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ? New Orleans police are in the middle of an unprecedented security challenge with an estimated 150,000 Super Bowl fans packing the city during the raucous annual buildup to Mardi Gras, when thousands of revelers flock to the historic French Quarter and its restaurants, bars and strip clubs.

It all began in earnest Friday night with the first of the city's major float-filled Mardi Gras season parades. This week, the parade schedule is on hold while the Super Bowl takes center stage. Mardi Gras preparations resume once Sunday's game is over and the parades roll again starting Wednesday.

The city's police force of 1,200 officers is working more than three weeks' worth of 12-hour days, on the lookout for everything from petty crime and public drunkenness to random gunfire and the threat of terrorism. It will be an exhausting stretch that city officials say will cost the city several million dollars in police overtime.

"If we can, we'd like to give them some time down," said police chief Ronal Serpas. "But if we can't, they know it and they'll stand up for it."

It's also a unique chance for Serpas to show off one of the strengths of a department beset by scandals involving brutality and mismanagement. City officials have carried out numerous reforms aimed at cleaning up the department, which has seen five officers convicted of civil rights violations stemming from deadly shootings of unarmed residents after Hurricane Katrina.

For years, though, crowd control has been the department's bright spot, especially during Mardi Gras revelry on the narrow streets of the nearly 300-year-old French Quarter, home to fancy restaurants and art galleries as well as sleazy bars and strip joints.

"I think the NOPD does take a particular pride in its long-standing history and long-standing demonstration that managing large crowds is something we do very well," said Serpas, who is in his third year running the department.

Shoulder-to-shoulder, alcohol-fueled crowds often spill over into the neighboring Faubourg Marigny, an increasingly popular area of music clubs and restaurants. A 15-block-long stretch of Poydras Street, linking the Superdome to the Mississippi River and the massive Harrah's Casino, is seeing increased foot traffic during sports events with the opening of more bars and restaurants in recent years. And, outside the Quarter, lavish Carnival season parades draw tens of thousands to the miles-long routes. During the final weekend of Mardi Gras, streets of the metro area can be packed with more than a million people, and more than a few will be overdoing it.

"The thing about Mardi Gras crowds is, we get this impression that some of the people may have been drinking," Serpas deadpanned.

Police perched atop horses watch for problems on the horizon and keep people moving, while uniformed officers on foot mingle and build rapport with the partiers to keep the peace. Plainclothes officers will be on the lookout for weapons and other less visible problems. Arrest numbers vary from year to year, though police commonly arrest at least several hundred people each year during Mardi Gras-related celebrations ? most for relatively minor transgressions.

Joining the department's officers for Super Bowl week are more than 200 state troopers and about 100 officers from surrounding local jurisdictions. Also, with the Super Bowl considered a potential terrorist target, there is a beefed-up federal contingent. That includes close to 100 extra FBI personnel supplementing the regular New Orleans FBI staff of 200 agents and support staff, said Michael Anderson, the agent in charge of the New Orleans office.

That office will be home to a joint operations center where the goings-on will be constantly monitored by representatives from all involved state, local and federal law enforcement and security agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Such a center is standard operating procedure for the Super Bowl each year, Anderson said.

New Orleans police will take the lead on local crime, traffic or public disturbances, Anderson said. "If there's any inkling of a terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack in any way," he said, "then we kick in with our full apparatus."

At Louis Armstrong International Airport, the Transportation Safety Administration is adding personnel and equipment to handle security checks, said TSA spokesman Jon Allen. He said there will be 11 additional checkpoint lanes added to the 14 existing lanes for passenger screening.

Five additional explosives-detecting machines have been added to screen checked baggage, and more than 100 transportation security officers will be brought in from other airports starting Sunday to help local airport staff, Allen said. The officers will stay through the middle of next week, he said.

Beyond the city's police costs, exact security costs are difficult to determine. Federal officials declined to detail specifics, and an NFL representative would say only that the league will spend millions.

Mardi Gras season happens every year, and the city is no stranger to Super Bowls, having hosted nine ? including the 2002 game that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Although security planning for the Super Bowl has grown increasingly complex since the attacks, no acts of terror or other serious problems have been reported at Super Bowls in recent years.

Most Super Bowl problems in recent years resulted from human gridlock. At last year's Super Bowl in Indianapolis, 11 people suffered minor injuries during a free outdoor concert. But officials said otherwise there were few problems.

This year, officers will be prepared to reroute or block vehicle traffic when streets are full of pedestrians. As for terrorism worries, Anderson said preparations include formation of SWAT teams and "hazardous incident teams" ? specialists in hazardous materials or explosives assembled from the various federal local and state agencies.

Serpas welcomes the help, but he said much of the cooperation comes from the partiers themselves ? a diverse crowd that can consist of locals and families picnicking on parade routes and a more adult, heavier-drinking crowd downtown and in the Quarter.

"You look at that parade route, and on any one block there could be 10,000 people and two cops," Serpas said. "How do those two cops stay safe, and how does that crowd stay safe? We're actually working together."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-01-30-AP-US-Super-Bowl-Security/id-a12a1037548549a2990db242f461ca42

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Zimbabwean commentator John Makumbe dies

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) ? Zimbabwe's prominent political analyst Professor John Makumbe, an albino who also campaigned against prejudice toward the skin pigmentation condition, has died after a heart attack, colleagues say. He was 63.

The Movement for Democratic Change party said Monday that Makumbe, a prolific writer and commentator on Zimbabwe's turbulent political landscape, collapsed Sunday and died later at a medical facility near his Harare home.

The popular university lecturer announced plans in November to run for parliament this year, declaring that after "a lot of talking" about democracy he now wanted to "walk the talk."

Makumbe headed a rights and advice group that fought ancient tribal superstitions that victimized albinos and, in the past, even the killing of albino babies.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/zimbabwean-commentator-john-makumbe-dies-103946053.html

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Next generation solar cells: Trapping sunlight with microbeads

Jan. 29, 2013 ? In five to seven years, solar cells will have become much cheaper and only one-twentieth as thick as current solar cells. The trick is to deceive the sunlight with microbeads.

Nanoscientists are currently developing the next generation of solar cells, which will be twenty times thinner than current solar cells.

Over 90 per cent of the current electricity generated by solar panels is made by silicon plates that are 200 micrometres thick. Several billion of these are produced every year. The problem is the large consumption of silicon: five grams per watt.

200 Alta power stations: This year, between five and ten billion solar panel units will be produced worldwide. This is the equivalent of 30 GW, or the capacity of 200 Alta power stations.

Though silicon is one of the most common elements on earth, pure silicon does not exist in nature. Silicon binds readily to other elements. In order for solar cells to function, the silicon plate must consist of at minimum 99,9999 per cent silicon. You read that right: if the solar cell consists of more than one millionth other materials, it does not work.

Today, pure silicon is created in smelters at 2,000 degrees Celsius. This requires a lot of energy. Factories supply silicon in bricks the size of a piece of firewood. They are then cut into slices thin enough for solar panels. Only half become solar cells. The rest turns into sawdust.

"About 100,000 tonnes of silicon are consumed every year. However, there is obviously something fundamentally wrong when half of the silicon must be thrown away during the manufacturing process," says Erik Marstein. He is the Head of the Norwegian Research Centre for Solar Cell Technology, the Head of Research for the solar cell unit at the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) at Kjeller outside of Oslo, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway.

The price of solar cells is falling steadily. Today, solar panels cost a half Euro for every watt. Only four years ago, the price was two Euros per watt.

"It is difficult to make money producing solar cells at current prices. To make money, solar cells must be manufactured much more cheaply."

Super-thin solar cells in 2020

Together with Professor Aasmund Sudb? in the Department of Physics, Erik Marstein is at the forefront of the development of the next generation of solar cells. They can come on the market in five to seven years.

"The most obvious way ahead is to make very thin solar cell slices, without increasing costs."

This general rule applies to all types of solar cells: the more electrons sunlight pushes out, the more electricity. And the more energy in the electrons, the higher the voltage.

"The thinner the solar cells become, the easier it is to extract the electricity. In principle, there will therefore be a higher voltage and more electricity in thinner cells. We are now developing solar cells that are at least as good as the current ones, but that can be made with just one twentieth of the silicon. This means that the consumption of silicon can be reduced by 95 per cent," says Erik Marstein to the research magazine Apollon at University of Oslo.

However, there is a big but! The thinner the plates, the less sunlight is trapped. This has to do with the wavelengths of light. Blue light has a much shorter wavelength than red light. Blue light can be trapped by plates that are only a few micrometres thick. In order to trap the red light, the silicon plate must be almost one millimetre thick. For infrared light, the plate must be even thicker.

When the solar cell plate is to be as thin as 20 micrometres, too much of the light will go straight through.

The thickness of current solar cells is doubled by a mirror. By reflecting the light, the passage of the light through the plate is doubled.

A 20 micrometre think solar cell with a mirror will in theory be 40 micrometres thick. However, that is not enough. Furthermore, the current mirrors are far from perfect: they only reflect 70 to 80 per cent of the light.

The magic

"This is where the magic comes in. We are trying every possible wonderful trick with light. Our trick is to deceive the sunlight into staying longer in the solar cell"

"We are trying every possible wonderful trick with light."

This extends the duration of the sunlight's passage within the solar cell," explains Erik Marstein. This is called light harvesting.

His research group is now making a back sheet peppered with periodic structures, to be able to decide exactly where the light should go. They have managed to force the light to move sideways.

"We can increase the apparent thickness 25 times by forcing the light up and down all the time. We have calculated what this back sheet must look like and are currently studying which structures work."

One of the options is to cover the entire back sheet with Uglestad microbeads, which is one of the greatest Norwegian inventions of the previous century. Uglestad microbeads are very small plastic spheres. Each sphere is exactly the same size.

"We can force the Uglestad microbeads to lie close together on the silicon surface, in an almost perfect periodic pattern. Laboratory trials have shown that the microbeads can be used as a mask." Doctoral Research Fellow Jostein Thorstensen shows that lasers are well-suited to etch indentations around the microbeads.

"We are now investigating whether this and other methods can be scaled up for industrial production. We have great faith in this, and are currently in discussions with multiple industrial partners, but we cannot yet say who."

Asymmetrical tricks

To trap even more light in the solar cell, Jo Gjessing has completed a doctorate on how to make asymmetrical micro indentations on the back of the silicon slice.

"Cylinders, cones and hemispheres are symmetrical shapes. We have proposed a number of structures that break the symmetry. Our calculations show that asymmetrical microindentations can trap even more of the sunlight," says his supervisor, Erik Marstein.

In practice, this means that 20 micrometre solar cells with symmetrical micro indentations are as effective as 16 micrometre plates with asymmetrical indentations. This means that silicone consumption can be reduced by another 20 per cent.

"Our main goal has been to get the same amount of electricity from thinner cells. We will be very satisfied even if our new solar cells are 30 micrometres," notes Professor Aasmund Sudb?.

The new solar cells are produced in different ways, for instance by splitting the thin silicone foil or growing thin silicon films. And the extra bonus? Silicon wastage is minimal.

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_technology/~3/OtKo-l8Ywv4/130129075615.htm

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Wall Street advances as defensive stocks extend rally

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks advanced on Tuesday, led by defensive sectors, in a sign the cash piles recently moving into the market are being put to use by cautious investors to pick up more gains.

The S&P 500 is on track to post its best monthly performance since October 2011 and its best January since 1997 as investors poured $55 billion in new cash into stock mutual funds and exchange-traded funds in January, the biggest monthly inflow on record. [ID:nL1N0AX45Q] The Dow Jones industrial average has been flirting with 14,000, a level it hasn't seen since October 2007.

Shares of Amazon.com jumped nearly 7 percent in extended trade after the world's largest Internet retailer posted fourth-quarter revenue that jumped 22 percent to $21.27 billion. The stock closed down 5.7 percent at $260.35 in regular trading.

Among rising defensive shares, which are companies relatively immune to economic swings, were drugmaker Pfizer , up 3.2 percent to $27.70 after posting earnings and AT&T , 1.6 percent higher at $34.68.

"Cyclical were moving very nicely, now you see balance with some of the defensive. Many managers use that as an internal hedge in equity portfolios," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial in Newark, New Jersey.

She said the market is cautious ahead of Wednesday's statement following the Federal Reserve's two-day meeting. In addition, defensive stocks would hold up better if Friday's payrolls report surprises on the downside.

The S&P hovered near 1,500, and market technicians say the benchmark is at an inflection point which will determine the overall direction in the near term.

"The public is pouring in now," said Carter Worth, chief market technician at Oppenheimer & Co in New York. "It reflects complacency and that typically leads to hubris, and hubris leads to trouble. Everyone's buying."

The top performing sectors on the S&P 500 were healthcare <.spxhc> and telecom services <.splrcl>, so-called defensive sectors, both up more than 1 percent.

The energy sector also advanced, on the back of strong earnings from Valero Energy Corp and a hedge fund move to break up Hess Corp to boost investor returns.

Valero shares jumped 12.8 percent to $43.77 and Hess gained 9 percent to $68.11.

The equity gains have largely come on a strong start to earnings season, though results were mixed on Tuesday with Pfizer rising but Ford Motor Co down after its report.

Both companies reported profits that topped expectations, but Ford also forecast a wider loss in its European segment. Ford dropped 4.6 percent to $13.14 as one of the biggest percentage losers on the S&P 500.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> was up 72.49 points, or 0.52 percent, at 13,954.42. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> was up 7.66 points, or 0.51 percent, at 1,507.84. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.ixic> was down 0.64 points, or 0.02 percent, at 3,153.66.

Thomson Reuters data showed that of the 174 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported earnings this season, 68.4 percent have been above analyst expectations, which is a higher proportion than over the past four quarters and above the average since 1994.

Disappointing outlooks from Seagate Technology and BMC Software pressured their shares. Seagate lost 9.4 percent to $33.91 and BMC fell 6.3 percent to $41.71.

D.R. Horton Inc's quarterly profit more than doubled as it managed to sell more homes at higher prices, leading the No. 1 U.S. homebuilder to forecast a good spring selling season. The stock jumped 11.8 percent to $23.82.

U.S. home prices rose in November to rack up their best yearly gain since the housing crisis began, a further sign that the sector is on the mend, but consumer confidence fell to its lowest level in more than a year in the wake of higher taxes for many Americans.

(Reporting By Angela Moon; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stock-index-futures-point-slightly-lower-start-100233662--finance.html

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Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET

It's not Monday and we're finally back to our original recording schedule of the Engadget HD podcast. You can tune in live at on this Wednesday edition at 5:30PM and be be a part of it. Start by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then participate in the live chat.

Japan plans to broadcast 2014 World Cup in 4K
ITU approves the H.265 video format
LG has found 300 homes for its $20K, 84-inch, 4K TV in Korea so far
Apple TV software update brings Bluetooth keyboard support, music from iTunes in the Cloud
HDHomeRun Prime beta update for DLNA streaming is live
'User friendly' XBMC for Android build rolls out for set-top boxes and mobile devices
Ceton Companion becomes My Media Center and is available for Windows 8
Sony Entertainment Network web store now live in North America and Brazil
Netflix and YouTube's DIAL promises to be open alternative to AirPlay
Netflix streaming most dominant on HDTVs, more than double PC and tablets
Netflix Q4 earnings show 2 million new customers streaming in the US, 6 million total internationally
Samsung reports $8.27 billion in profits for Q4 2012
AT&T lost $3.9 billion in Q4 2012, earned $7.3 billion profit for the year
Verizon adds 'record-high' 2.1 million subscribers in Q4 2012, but still makes a loss
Logitech Q3 earnings reveal plans to sell off Harmony remote, video security divisions
Jurassic Park 3D Blu-ray comes home April 23rd after its one-week theatrical return
Lucasfilm postpones Star Wars Episode II and III 3D, focusing on Abrams-directed Episode VII

Must See HDTV (January 28th - February 3rd)

Online video chat by Ustream

Filed under: HD

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/28/join-the-engadget-hd-podcast-live-on-ustream-at-5-30pm-et/

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No Eggs Were Harmed in the Making of These Cardboard Lamps

Recycling. Sustainability. Lamps made of egg cartons. Sure, why not? These fixtures aren't actually built from the things that once carried your unfertilized baby chickens, they were crafted out of similar cardboard material. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/DukzCWEm7J0/no-eggs-were-harmed-in-the-making-of-these-cardboard-lamps

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Alt-week 1.26.13: quadruple DNA helixes, Byzantine mutants and battling hospital bugs

Alt-week takes a look at the best science and alternative tech stories from the last seven days.

In isolation, this week's stories are all pretty notable, but if you put them together, it begins to sound a lot like the plot of a movie. Four-stranded DNA, a database of alien planets, a new super-chemical to kill hospital bugs and a byzantine gamma-radiation blast. You can almost picture the plucky heroine trying to unpick the galactic conspiracy before someone loses an eye -- and if you've already cast weepy Clare Danes in the role, then you've already passed the entry exam to read Alt-week.

NASA's Kepler observatory is designed to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and civilizations traces of exoplanets and has clocked up around two thousand unconfirmed sightings. The team behind the program have decided to lessen the workload by opening up its findings and letting armchair astronomers worldwide participate. As well as being able to chip in with opinions about what constitutes a planet, the team are letting students develop data mining experiments, looking for patterns that could assist in the discovery of alien life -- or just look neat when graphed visually.

Scientists think that a blast of Gamma radiation might have hit our planet in the halcyon days of the year 775. Fusa Miyake discovered Carbon-14 and Beryllium-10 traces in tree rings from the era, which point to a gamma ray burst from a celestial body other than the Sun. Of course, the natural question is why we have no recorded instances of Dr. Brvce Banner turning green and smashing up Byzantine Constantinople? Well, it seems that astrophysicist Ralph Neuhauser has the unexciting answer -- most of the radiation would have been caught by the atmosphere, meaning that it's highly unlikely anyone succumbed to an accidental overdose.

Hospital bugs like MRSA are easy to kill when they're outside your body, just as long as you've got some alcohol nearby. If they get inside you, then there's always the option of taking an antibiotic or two to kill 'em off. If, however, they've hitched a ride on a catheter that's implanted into your body, then the bugs can grow a biofilm -- in short, a biological beachhead that will constantly reinfect you and is impenetrable to antibiotics. IBM, in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, has developed a hydrogel that can be smeared all over such implants, greatly reducing the risk of infection. Safe enough to go into the human body, the hydrogel prevents biofilms from growing and, thanks to its positive charge, attracts negatively charged microorganisms, which it then pops like water balloons. There's no word on if Big Blue plans to share the discovery with chemical corporations, but it certainly sounds better than downing a shot of Purell every time we venture in for a check-up.

DNA can only be found in a double helix, right? That fact seems destined for the biology section of Snopes after scientists found a quadruple helix. A team at Cambridge University used structure-specific markers to tag the G-Quadruplex, proving that these structures can exist in the human body as well as in petri dishes and in simple organisms. It transpires that they can form during cell division at the point where DNA is being replicated, and may have a hand in the development of some cancers -- meaning they're of great interest to oncologists.

Seen any other far-out articles that you'd like considered for Alt-week? Working on a project or research that's too cool to keep to yourself? Drop us a line at alt [at] engadget [dot] com.

[Image Credit: NASA / IBM / JP Rodriguez / G.Biffi]

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/26/alt-week-1-26-13/

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Obama lauds Clinton as she prepares to leave (The Arizona Republic)

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* Optional buffer bar with data usage display. Great for tracking data plan usage and cellular signal issues.

* Share your favorite tracks and channels with friends on Facebook, Twitter, or by email.

* Optionally log in to Premium to switch to even higher audio quality and completely commercial-free streams.

OVER 35 CHANNELS ? CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

* Pop
* Rock
* 80s, 70s, Oldies
* Smooth Jazz
* Jazz
* New Age
* Easy Listening
* Romantic
* Classical
* Piano
* Urban
* Ethnic
* Special Others

Screenshots of SKY.FM Internet Radio 1.3.15 Android app

What's new in SKY.FM Internet Radio 1.3.15

Please remember to email [email?protected] for help with any issues you encounter. Google Play has no way for us to respond directly to reviews.

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Source: http://www.androiddrawer.com/8677/download-sky-fm-internet-radio-1-3-15-app-apk/

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RI Senate to hold finance hearings | WPRI.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)-- The Rhode Island Senate Finance Committee is set to hold its first hearings this year, including on a proposal to exempt assets worth up to $2 million from the estate and transfer tax.

The committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday at the State House in Providence. The bill on estate and transfer tax exemption was filed by Sen. Edward O'Neill .

Other bills set for consideration include a proposal by Sen. David Bates for capital gains tax exemption for certain investments made in businesses in the state under certain conditions.

The committee will also consider Sen. Leonidas Raptakis' legislation that would repeal a legal provision requiring those licensed to sell liquor to file an annual report detailing sales information and tax collection on those sales.

The committee will also hear bills on sales and use taxes and other issues.

Source: http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/politics/local_politics/ri-senate-to-hold-finance-hearings

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Celebrity Luxury Homes & Real Estate News: $20 Million and Up ...

So far, 2013 is proving to be quite active when it comes to celebrity real estate news. The latest famous names making the luxury home buying and selling rounds this year include: Beyonce, Madonna, Debra Messing, David Duchovny, Ethan Hawke and Serena Williams, just to name a few. While their homes are all pretty spectacular, there are a few that not only boast some of the most incredible real estate going, but also the most expensive. With so much going on in the luxury real estate world, we wanted to focus on a few that share one thing in common? price tags above the $20 million mark.

Photo: MLS

Jeremy Renner?s $25 Million Holmby Hills Home: Actor and real estate ?flipper? extraordinaire, Jeremy Renner, is trying once again to turn his luxury home savvy into a very pretty profit; something he?s proven he?s quite good at. His 10,000+ sq. ft. house just hit the market for $24.95 million. The actor, known best for his roles in The Bourne Legacy, The Avengers and The Hurt Locker, originally purchased the art deco estate in 2010 for about $7 million. The 6 bedroom, 11 bath house, which was designed by Kristoffer Winters, is described as a ?roaring ?20s art deco home fit for a 21st-century Howard Hughes?. In addition to the modern Howard Hugh-esque vibe, the house comes with nearly two acres, five fireplaces, 14-ft ceilings, a home theater and a pretty darn nice pool & spa.

Photo: Zillow.com

Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos? $24.5 Million NYC Penthouse: Much loved morning talk show host Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos, just listed their Crosby Street penthouse for a number as equally as impressive as the sky-high home itself. The couple originally purchased the home in 2005 for $9.5 million and after two years of renovations are looking to sell for just under $25 million. The 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, penthouse is 6,792 sq. ft. and by all accounts, is pretty spectacular. In addition to being quite large, the penthouse has multiple terraces; including a 2,500 square foot rooftop escape complete with an outdoor fireplace and jaw dropping views. The home is filled with just about the best amenities and finishes you can imagine. And, in case you?re wondering? yes, according to the listing, there are indeed Kelly Ripa endorsed Electrolux appliances in the fabulous custom kitchen.

Photo: The Moen Group ? themoengroup.com

As for right here in Scottsdale, Arizona? there?s a pretty spectacular home that also fits in the $20 million and up category. Coming in at more than 20,000 sq. ft. and measuring longer than the length of a football field, this magnificent estate in the guard-gated community of Silverleaf, is listed at $24.5 million. Among the incredible amenities, in what is currently one of the largest homes under construction in Arizona: five kitchens, a full fitness center, a basketball court, a professional rock-climbing wall, a media viewing/game room with four televisions, a high-tech home theater, a golf simulator room, an 1,800 sq. ft. guest house, a prime location overlooking the Tom Weiskopf Championship Golf Course, an estate pool & spa and so much more. To find out more and see the construction progress, click here. Stay tuned? the video taking you through the entire house when it is finished will be debuting soon!

For more on the most noteworthy luxury homes and real estate news, we invite you to subscribe to our blog. You can also find The Moen Group on these social media sites and channels.

The Moen Group on YouTube ? youtube.com/themoengroup - Subscribe to our channel and never miss a new video.

The Moen Group on Facebook ? facebook.com/themoengroup - ?Like? us for instant updates and exclusive information.

The Moen Group on Twitter ? twitter.com/themoengroup - Follow us and keep up to date on real estate news.

The Moen Group on Linked In - linkedin.com/in/toddmoen - Connect with our Founding Partner, Todd Moen

The Moen Group Blog ? blog.themoengroup.com - Subscribe to our RSS feed and get alerts of new posts automatically.

The Moen Group Private Registration ? themoengroup.com/register - Register for members only benefits including our real estate market reports and access to our live webcams.

The Moen Group Website ? themoengroup.com - See our listings, get our news and find out more.

General Contact Information ? themoengroup.com/contact-us or call us at 480-315-0991.

Tags: celebrity homes, celebrity real estate, featured, for sale, holmby hills, homes, houses, jeremy renner house, kelly ripa, luxury homes, luxury real estate, million dollar homes, most expensive homes, news, penthouse, scottsdale, silverleaf, the moen group, todd moen

Category: Arizona Real Estate, California Real Estate, Luxury Real Estate, Scottsdale Luxury Real Estate

Source: http://blog.themoengroup.com/2013/01/25/celebrity-real-estate-news-20-million-edition/

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Markets higher on good news from Europe, Japan

AMSTERDAM (AP) ? Positive economic news from the European Central Bank and Germany, combined with promises of more monetary easing in Japan, helped stock indexes in those countries lead most markets around the world higher Friday.

U.S. stocks rose in early trading, helped by a strong quarterly earnings report from Procter & Gamble.

In Japan, stocks were galvanized by a further drop in the value of the yen, which is expected to help big exporters like Sony. The Nikkei index surged 2.9 percent to 10,926.67, its highest close since April 30, 2010.

The European Central Bank announced Friday that banks were expected to pay back emergency loans at a faster-than-expected clip, implying that the outlook is improving or the likelihood of disaster scenarios is receding. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, ECB President Mario Draghi repeated the continent's economy appears to be stabilizing and he expects recovery later this year.

Meanwhile, in Germany, business sentiment as measured by the Ifo index rose to its highest level since June, as executives said order backlogs are rising.

The Ifo report "nicely illustrates the green shoots in the German economy," said ING senior economist Carsten Brzeski in Brussels.

"Even if the current harsh winter weather might delay the blossoming somewhat, growth should return, leaving the contraction of the fourth quarter quickly behind."

Germany's DAX ended Friday 1.42 percent higher at 7,857 points, the strongest performer in Europe. France's CAC-40 was up 0.7 percent to 3,778.

Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.3 percent, to 6,284, after official figures showed the U.K. economy contracted 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter. The drop was worse than expected and shows the economy is struggling to make any lasting recovery.

Meanwhile, Wall Street booked early gains as Procter & Gamble said its quarterly profit doubled in the October-December period and it raised its 2013 forecasts.

The Dow Jones industrial index was 0.37 percent higher at 13,875, while the broader S&P 500 gained 0.34 percent to 1,499.8.

The weaker yen is bad for U.S. exporters, but the effect of that was offset somewhat by a rise in the euro, which was up 0.65 percent to $1.3466.

The yen's drop was unambiguously bad for other Asian economies, as their own goods lose appeal to U.S. consumers.

South Korea's Kospi fell 1 percent to 1,943.97. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.1 percent to 23,580.43.

In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.5 percent to 2,291.30 and the smaller Shenzhen Composite Index lost 0.2 percent at 909.52.

In Australia, the outlier, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5 percent to 4,835.20.

Benchmark oil for March delivery gave back earlier gains to be 9 cents lower at $96.87 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

_____

Follow Toby Sterling on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lbsterling

Pamela Sampson contributed to this story from Bangkok.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/markets-higher-good-news-europe-japan-160012203--finance.html

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Indonesia readies for $1 trillion trade talks

United States Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, gestures as he speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

United States Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, gestures as he speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

United States Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, gestures as he speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Participants leave the Congress Center the last day of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone/Laurent Gillieron)

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) ? Indonesia may hold the key to a $1 trillion injection into the global economy.

That's how much the World Trade Organization believes is riding on talks later this year in Bali, when trade ministers hope to cut through some of the red tape that slows global commerce.

Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told The Associated Press that failure is not an option and that a strong effort is being put in to ensure that the WTO meeting in Bali is "crowned with success."

The current trade talks, known as the Doha Round, began in 2001, and after a decade of little progress for a range of reasons, many had pronounced the negotiations to reduce global trade barriers as dead.

There are hopes that the current fragile state of the world economy, including the debt crisis afflicting the 17 European Union countries that use the euro and unspectacular U.S. growth, may add impetus to the discussions.

"It's very critical now, especially with the difficulties in the global economy, especially in the eurozone," he said of efforts to reach a new global free trade pact. "Trade facilitation becomes a key driver for economic recovery, so this is now even ever more important to what it was before."

Trade ministers from 24 nations met Saturday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos in an unofficial gathering hosted by the Swiss government.

Afterward, Swiss Economic Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann said the group agreed they could reach a tentative agreement on some of the key elements of a global trade deal this summer, in preparation for the ministerial talks in December at Bali.

Schneider-Ammann said he sensed some "optimism" that efforts to streamline customs procedures and other rules to reduce the costs of trade "will be successful."

The ministers agreed to resist protectionism, focus on elements such as trade facilitation and agriculture, and to "take stock" around Easter of the progress being made, Schneider-Ammann said.

"Serious attempts to deliver results in Bali have already started," he added.

The Doha negotiations have been billed as a way of boosting economic development among the poorest countries, by reducing barriers on their exports to wealthier markets.

The WTO's director general, Pascal Lamy, has been telling the Davos gathering of political, business and academic elites that an international trade deal would provide a $1 trillion boost to the global economy. He estimates world trade is worth about $22 trillion.

Flanked by Schneider-Ammann, Lamy told reporters that he believes it is technically "do-able" to craft draft agreements on some of the key elements of a deal by next summer.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said he had to "temper" his enthusiasm for a deal since it has eluded the world for a decade.

Areas of dispute include tariffs on manufactured good, agricultural subsidies, market access and intellectual property rules. Brazil, China and India have resisted U.S. demands to lower taxes on imports of manufactured goods.

"But, at least of the 24 countries represented today, it felt like we had made more substantive progress," Kirk said in an AP interview. "The good news is we've spent a lot of work on a smaller, more realistic package centered around trade facilitation, which can be a huge benefit to developing economies. And it feels like that is starting to bear fruit."

Kirk, who leaves his job next month, said the ministers renewed their commitment "to double down, do what we need to do" to reach a deal in Bali. "I'm as hopeful as I've been in a long time."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-26-Davos%20Forum-Trade/id-c0dcd35c547b44ffa910620a9d25fcc9

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How To Prepare Yourself For Business Networking Events

Preparing yourself for business networking events is easier said than done. Many people completely misunderstand the point of networking events and have little idea why they are attending them apart from hunting for business, or what they should be doing in order to enhance their credibility at the events.

Over the past year, how many business networking events did you attend?

Were the events you attended helpful?

Out of all the people you met at those events, how many of them are you still in contact with right now?

Working The Room

Working the room is exactly as it sounds.? Work the crowd, whether individually or as groups, and produce results through finding good contacts and opportunities. You do this by spending your time interacting; talking with people, listening to people and answering any questions people may have about your industry or your business. Likewise, ask them questions about their business and their industry. Make the topic of conversation about them as this is smarter and more strategic to networking then talking about yourself the entire conversation.

There are different reasons why people attend business networking events.? Some attend so that they can meet specific people. Others take part to meet people who are in the same industry as they are, and some people attend to meet potential clients. However, remember that a networking event is not a hunting ground and if you go in with the attitude ?let me sell my services to see how much business I can pick up? then you won?t get very far.

There are also people who attend networking events not only for business, but to identify with other people and see where socialising will lead. Possibly to make new friends, to see if there is a potential job vacancy at other businesses or the opposite, to recruit or headhunt brilliant candidates to join your team. Whatever the reason for attending a networking event, you must prepare yourself so that you will produce the positive results that you seek.

6 Tips To Prepare Yourself For Business Networking Events

Establish The Mindset Of A Networker

Give yourself a few minutes to tap into the right mindset. To do this, focus on your goals. You are going out there to connect with new people. You want to leave those new people with a good, lasting impression. You are also going out there to find people who can help you and people you can help. Have an open mind and show a genuine interest in the people you meet. Use your smile to break the ice. Be mindful of mutual benefits and figure out how you can help other people first, and then they will naturally help you in return.

Having the networker mindset will help you remain focused on your goals and guide your intentions perfectly when you approach people. By this, you?re making yourself attractive to others.

Be Knowledgeable Of The Event

Before you attend an event, you need to make sure you know what? kind of event it is and be knowledgeable of the theme. Here is a list of things you should figure out prior to attending:

- The Key Topic

- Who The Keynote Speakers Are (if any)

- What They Will Discuss

- The Industries That Will Be Discussed

- The Crowd The Event Will Draw

By figuring out this information beforehand, you will know what to expect at the event and who will be there. This will help you assess what you will be able to gain and how you can potentially help other people who attend the event.

Who Will Be There

This is an important tip. You should find out who or which company representatives will be at the event. For many business networking events, you can actually find out the complete list of people attending. You may find the list of attendees at the event?s website or by calling the organising team. If the event has set up a ?meet up??page then this can provide a complete list. There are also networking event apps like ?Bizzabo??that can reveal this information for you if it?s being used by the organisers.

After you have seen the list of attendees, make a note of specific people that you would like to talk to at the event. Research the attendees through searching on Google? and social platforms like Linked In where you can learn more about the people before you meet them. This valuable information will help you approach them in confidence and talk about what interests them which in turn, will leave a lasting impression of you.

When you attend a networking event with people in mind, and you have gathered information about those people, you will be able to break into conversation and form connections instantaneously. This is a great way to maximise the effectiveness of networking.

Be Memorable

You should aim to attract people by being visible. Firstly, you need to wear nice clothes that adhere to the dress code of the event. Secondly, why not add something to your outfit that makes you standout such as carrying a unique, vintage notebook, wearing an outstanding tie that speaks character or even a lapel pin which can be a conversation starter. These little additions will draw people to you and give them something to remember you by.

When you dress well, you exhibit self-respect. You also show that you respect your position and the position of others. The additional accessories like the vintage notebook makes you stand out and people may find that interesting enough to strike up a conversation.

Prepare Your Introduction

The first impression you make on someone is very important. Before the event, prepare your introduction pitch. Use these tips to help you prepare:

1. Focus your pitch on who you are and what you are looking for.
2. Also, express your personality. Add some emotion and passion to your personal story, and try to be less informative and monotonous.
3. Repeat your name twice in your introduction and at least one more time during your discussion.

Use this format:??Hello, my name is John.? ?Stop for a second and continue with, ?John Smith.? Then in the conversation insert your name, here is an example: ?A great piece of advice I received from him was when he said, ?John??.?

This will reflect your confidence and express your personality. This will help you communicate your message effectively and also, leave little chance of the person forgetting your name as they may be a little hesitant on asking for it again.

Do Not Forget Your Business Cards

I firmly believe that the more prepared you are for an event, the better you will be able to set good foundations. The people you meet at business networking events could be some of your best connections with whom you can build long term relationships that are mutually beneficial.

So, you really want to keep business cards at hand and plenty of them. During the conversation, exchange business cards and actually make note on one side where you met the person. If for some reason you don?t have any cards, don?t worry take their card and promise them you?ll be in touch.

I am honestly interested in what you do to prepare for networking events. Are there any benefits you feel you have gained from your preparedness?

Please share your experiences and ideas in the comments below!

Author: Lirone Glikman

Networking Specialist, providing practical tips to achieve business and life goals. Marketing Specialist and an Entrepreneur. Loving life, people, travel and arts.

Source: http://www.myvideopress.com/business-marketing/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-business-networking-events/

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High Style DIY Table Runner Ideas - Articles :: Networx

Creating a tablescape involves the art of layering. How many layers can you put on your table to create the perfect tablescape? Start with a tablecloth, then add place mats or chargers and a contrasting or matching table runner. Next, add the flatware, plates, and glasses. Ready for more? It's time for the centerpiece(s). Wait, did you remember to add candles?

You'd think that the table runner, just a strip of cloth, would not matter too much. It actually is a tablescape element that really ties the tablescape together. It adds color and dimension to the tablescape, and gives a look of fullness to the table.

For a custom look, make your own table runner. These DIY table runner ideas are easy to make, and are easy on the budget. Some of them don't even require sewing. Go on, make yourself a no-sew table runner! Then set your table like a designer.

Subway Art Table Runner: This hand-stenciled table runner looks funky and rustic, but keeps its symmetrical geometric appeal.

DIY Chevron Table Runner: This super-fashionable no-sew table runner requires only an iron and some Stitch Witchery.

Burlap Table Runner With Ruffle: Gussy up your table with this down-home burlap table runner.

Easy Muslin Table Runner: This DIY table runner is the ultimate in French countryside style.

Chaya Kurtz writes about everything from Baltimore roofers to electricians on Networx.com.

Source: http://www.networx.com/article/hight-style-diy-table-runner-ideas

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Celebrity Mug Shot Photos

Celebrity Mug Shot Photos

We normally see the men and ladies of Hollywood looking their best with the help of a hair and make-up teams and the best lighting. But, even celebrities can’t escape the long arm of the law and their mug shot photos aren’t the most flattering! Check out our gallery of celebrity mug shot photos! Josh ...

Celebrity Mug Shot Photos Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/01/celebrity-mug-shot-photos/

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Clay Shirky On Hackers and Depression: Where's the Love?

One of the things I've noticed in the 'professional developer' community is that there is a bit of Jock Culture going on.

First of all, you have a business environment that tends to favor younger, fresher talent and puts a LOT of pressure on aging developers to keep up with their younger peers, many of whom are capable of (in the very, very short run) unhealthy work practices. 80 hour work weeks and back-to-back all-nighters are doable when you're 22 years old. They're fucking painful at 30, and ruinous by 35.

And it's hard to say 'No' to them because we've just come out of a nasty recession when upper management is all too eager to lay you off in favor of younger developers eager to prove themselves.

That shit WILL give you depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and all of those kill.

Second, again with the Jock Culture, developer culture tends to be dominated by hot-headed males, many of whom are eager to replicate locker-room style pecking orders in the cube farms... and that crap just doesn't work when you're developing software.

(Ex-military guys? I'm looking at you here. I've seen you do this shit. Stop it.)

Sadly, those pecking orders are often directly related to pay. The guy who manages to wedge his way into the 'Project Lead' or 'Senior Developer' slot tends to have a few more dollars attached to them. Again, the pressure results in depression, anxiety, and insomnia which are proven killers.

Shirkey's piece spends a lot of time talking about Aaron Swartz, but Aaron was a unique case of being uniquely and unfairly persecuted by multiple 800 pound gorillas. His depression and suicide *should* have been as fucking obvious to anyone who knew him as an 18 wheeler rolling the wrong way down the freeway.

The answer to these issues is, perhaps a shade ironically, the same answer we should be looking at in regards to our sudden flareup of chronic school shooting disease:

Mental Healthcare needs to be made a priority in this nation. We need to destigmatize ADMITTING mental health issues and seeking treatment for them. Also, we need to completely ditch the notion that drugs used for treatment of mental health problems cause more harm that good.

Seriously, guys, when you're having daily panic attacks, when sleep won't come for days at a time, when the world starts showing up in black and white and more black than white... it's time to talk to a doctor. And if your doctor won't help, ditch him and find a doctor who will.

Apropos captcha: Biopsy

Source: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/M8cHnITgnY4/story01.htm

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