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The Seven Major Chakras
Hey everyone this is part of a research paper I am writing about the chakras. I thought it might be useful for people who are interested in Ayurvedic medicine.
The Seven Major Chakras
The first three chakras are concerned primarily with physical concerns, where as the last three charkas are concerned with more spiritual matters. The fourth, or the heart chakra, balances the physical and the spiritual.
1st Chakra: Muladhara
The root chakra is located at the base of the spine. This chakra deals with human potential, primitive energy, basic survival needs and our foundations. Red is the color associated with this chakra. A significant lack of energy here can make people weak and self-destructive.
Related Ideas: Vitality, courage, self confidence, security
Color: Red
Mantra vocalization: LAM
Related organs and glands: kidneys and bladder, adrenal gland, the vertebral column, hips, legs, and feet.
Associated problems: constipation, diarrhea, piles, colitis, Crohn's disease, cold fingers and toes, frequency of urination, hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney stones, impotence, hip problems, legs and feet.
Personality traits: Courageous, confident, humanistic, strong-willed, spontaneous, honest, and extroverted.
Stones and crystals: Ruby, Carnelian, Cuprite, Garnet, Red Jade, Moonstone, Red Jasper, Calcite, Sardonyx.
Essential oils and flowers: Musk, vetiver, basil, and all root oils.
Celestial bodies: Mars and Pluto
* * * * *
2nd Chakra: Svadhisthana
The second chakra is located just slightly below the navel, or belly button. This chakra is the center of our sexual drive and emotions. The color of this chakra is orange. A deficiency of energy here may cause a person to be immobilized by fear, burdened by guilt or distrustful.
Related Ideas: Procreation, family, fantasy, creativity, sensuality
Color: Orange
Mantra vocalization: VAM
Related organs and glands: uterus, bowels, gall bladder, prostate, ovaries and testes.
Associated problems: pre-menstrual syndrome, problems with menstrual flow, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, testicular disease, prostate disease.
Personality traits: Enthusiastic, happy, sociable, energetic, sporty, self-assured, and constructive.
Stones and crystals: Orange Jade, Carnelian, Orange Calcite, Fire Agate, Orange Quartz, Orange Rhodochrosite, Orange Garnet, Orange Amber.
Essential oils and flowers: gardenia, lemon, ylang ylang, and jasmine.
Celestial bodies: Mercury
* * * * *
3rd Chakra: Manipura
The third chakra is located at the solar plexus and relates to will, power, and social identification. This chakra's color is yellow. A lack of energy here may result in depression and confusion.
Related Ideas: self-esteem, ego, form, wisdom, clarity, vision
Color: Yellow
Mantra vocalization: RAM
Related organs and glands: liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach and small intestine.
Associated problems: diabetes, pancreatitis, liver disease, peptic ulcer, Coeliac's disease, and gall stones.
Personality traits: Good-humored, optimistic, confident, practical, and intellectual.
Stones and crystals: Amber, Fluorite, Golden Beryl, Calcite, Golden Yellow Topaz, Cat's Eye, Yellow Celestite, Yellow Jade, Golden Tiger Eye, Lemon Chrysoprase, Citrine, Yellow Danburite, Iron Pyrite, Yellow Garnet, Yellow Jasper, Yellow Kunzite, Yellow Muscovite, Yellow Sapphire, Yellow Tourmaline, Yellow Rhodonite.
Essential oils and flowers: bergamot, neroli, patchouli.
Celestial bodies: The Sun and Mars
* * * * *
4th Chakra: Anahata
The fourth chakra is located over the heart and relates to love, balance, compassion, and self expression. Green, and sometimes pink, is the color of this chakra. Little energy in this chakra may cause paranoia and indecision.
Related Ideas: Balance, love, self-control
Color: Green
Mantra vocalization: YAM
Related organs and glands: heart, lungs, and thymus gland.
Associated problems: heart diseases, diseases of the Immune system eg. AIDS and ME (myalgia encephalomyelitis, sometimes referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome); other problems related to the immune system, allergies, cancer of the breast.
Personality traits: Understanding, self-controlled, adaptable, sympathetic, compassionate, generous, humble, nature loving, and romantic.
Stones and crystals: Amazonite, Beryl, Bloodstone, Chrysoberyl, Chrysoprase, Emerald, Grossular Garnet, Green Agate, Peridot, Green Apophyllite, Green Apophyllite, Green Aventurine, Green Cats Eye, Green Chrysocolla, Green Dioptase, Green Jade, Green Kunzite, Green Lepidolite, Green Onyx, Green Selenite, Green Topaz, Green Tourmaline, Hiddenite, Kunzite, Malachite, Moldavite, Morganite, Nephrite, Pink Tourmaline, Prasolite, Prehnite, Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Rubellite, Ruby, Watermelon Tourmaline.
Essential oils and flowers: lavender, rose.
Celestial bodies: Venus and the Moon
* * * * *
5th Chakra: Vishuddha
The fifth chakra is located at the throat and relates to communication, creativity, and self identification. The color here is blue. A blocked chakra here can cause a person to be devious and manipulative.
Related Ideas: Knowledge, decisiveness, expression, communication
Color: Blue
Mantra vocalization: HUM
Related organs and glands: throat and lungs, thyroid gland.
Associated problems: Thyroid problems - over active/under active; Anorexia nervosa (this is a multi-chakra problem but has a strong connection to the throat chakra); asthma; bronchitis; hearing problems; tinnitus - may also be connected to problems with the brow chakra; problems of the upper digestive tract; mouth ulcers, sore throats, tonsillitis
Personality traits: Loyal, tactful, affectionate, inspiring, inventive, caring, and cautious.
Stones and crystals: Amethyst, Amazonite, Amber, Aquamarine, Azurite, Blue Lace Agate, Blue Obsidian, Blue Topaz, Blue Tourmaline, Blue Turquoise, Celestite, Chrysocolla, Indicolite, Iolite, Kunzite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Larimar, Lepidolite, Sapphire, Sodalite, Zircon.
Essential oils and flowers: cinnamon, vanilla, cypress, sandalwood, rosemary.
Celestial bodies: Jupiter
* * * * *
6th Chakra: Ajna
The sixth chakra is located between the eyebrows at the third eye position relating to mind, intuition, and heightened self awareness. Violet is the color here. Insufficient amounts of energy here can cause a person to be oversensitive and afraid of success.
Related Ideas: Intuition, mysticism, understanding, perception, self-realization
Color: Indigo
Mantra vocalization: OM
Related organs and glands: eyes, lower head and sinuses, pineal gland, pituitary gland, nervous system.
Associated problems: tension headache, migraine, visual defects, short-sightedness, long-sightedness, glaucoma, cataracts, sinus problems, ear problems.
Personality traits: Intuitive, fearless, practical, idealistic, wise, and a truth seeker.
Stones and crystals: Amethyst, Azurite, Blue Obsidian, Blue Tourmaline, Celestite, Charoite, Garnet, Lavender Quartz, Lapis Lazuli, Lepidolite, Iolite, Kunzite, Malachite-Azurite, Moldavite, Purple Fluorite, Tanzanite, Sugilite, Sapphire, Sodalite.
Essential oils and flowers: rose, clove, and frankincense.
Celestial bodies: Saturn
* * * * *
7th Chakra: Sahasrara
The seventh, or crown chakra, is located at the top of the head and deals with the experience of self- realization, wisdom, understanding, and enlightenment. Enlightenment is the culmination of all the other chakras and thus is depicted by white. A deficiency of energy here may cause a person to become catatonic.
Related Ideas: Beauty, creativity, inspiration
Color: Violet
Mantra vocalization: AUM
Related organs and glands: brain, brain stem, top of spinal cord, pineal gland.
Associated problems: depression, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, seniledementia, Alzheimer's, many mental disorders, confusion, and dizziness.
Personality traits: Inspirational leaders, kindly and just, humanitarians, self-sacrifing, visionary, creative, and strong mentally.
Stones and crystals: Amethyst, Ametrine, Citrine, Clear Quartz Crystal, Clear Tourmaline, Diamond, Golden Beryl, Howlite, Lavender Quartz, Lepidolite, Iolite, Moldavite, Violet Jasper, Quartz, Selenite, Sugilite, White Topaz.
Essential oils and flowers: lotus, violet, chamomile.
Celestial bodies: The Universe, the Guru within
~ Anything that you imagine will eventually become true. ~
Last edited by Humming; 02-22-2007 at 10:51 PM.
Join Date: Dec 2003
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check out the spleen chakra.
it would be interesting to see what you turn up.
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the return of smith!
Agent Smith vbmenu_register("postmenu_28178", true);
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and post #666! what does it mean, spleen?
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spleen aka pancreas is yellow energy -- the "intention" of the body-mind aka the "messenger" of the electrochemicals.
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 689
i was going to save my 666th post for something apocalyptic, and caustic... burn a hole in the forum, and all that...
...but whatever.
i saw something from Humming i liked, and would like to hear his thoughts on the long lost "8th chakra".
(in fact there are hundreds of energy vortices, all over the human body, surrounding it, and such. fun stuff.)
there's deviltry left in me yet!!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 598
i saw some mention of an 8th turquoise chakra that is supposedly forming right now, below the throat i think?
i really wouldn't know because i'm not the chakra master although i do have an interest in the Ayurvedic form of medicine. i think it makes a lot more sense than western medicine honestly.
i find it useful to learn about the chakras the same way i find it useful to learn about the Tarot--they might not be infallible sources of knowledge but they are actually surprisingly accurate i have found.
i opened my crown chakra once in a dream. it was pretty intense. my body dissolved and i shot upwards on an arrow of pure energy that was a bright violet light and ended up landing in the top of a very tall tree looking out over a valley. i probably wrote about it before on this board i would imagine....
~ Anything that you imagine will eventually become true. ~
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 273
Hi Humming,
I put together my own list and thought you might be interested in comparing my list to yours.
There are some differences.
I used Ramtha's terms for the Seals (Chakras), Paul Foster Case for the Tarot Key placement and Agrippa for the Planet.
The Key and the Planet discribe a well balanced Chakra/Seal.
First seal. The first seal is associated with the reproductive organs, sexuality, and survival.
Key 21 The World -Administrative Intelligence
Planet- Saturn a sublime contemplation & profound understanding,
solidity of judgement, firm speculation, stability and an immovable
Second Seal. This seal is the energy center of social consciousness and the infrared frequency band. It is associated with the experience of pain and suffering and is located in the lower abdominal area.
Key 16 The Tower -Exciting Intelligence
Planet- Mars, truth; not to be terrified, constant courage and
fortitude, a fervent desire of animosity, the power of acting and
the practice, and an in-convertible vehemency of the mind.
Third seal. This seal is the energy center of conscious awareness and the visible light frequency band. It is associated with control, tyranny, victimization, and power. It is located in the region of the solar plexus.
Key 10 The Wheel of Fortune -Intelligence of Conciliation.
Planet- Jupiter, an unshaken prudence, temperance, benignity, piety,
modesty, Justice, Faith, Grace, Religion, equity, clemency, royalty.
Fourth seal. The fourth seal is associated with unconditional love and the thymus gland. When this seal is activated, a hormone is released that maintains the body in perfect health and stops the aging process.
Key 19 The Sun -The Collective Intelligence.
Planet- Sun, nobility of mind, perspicuity of imagination, the
nature of knowledge and opinion, maturity, counsel, zeal, light of
justice, reason and judgement distinguishing right from wrong,
purging light from the darkness of ignorance, the glory of truth
found out, and charity the Queen of all virtues.
Fifth seal. This seal is the center of our spiritual body that connects us to the fifth plane. It is associated with the thyroid gland and with speaking and living the truth without dualism.
Key 3 The Empress -The Luminous Intelligence
Planet- Venus, a fervent love, most sweet hope, the motion of desire,
order, concupiscence, beauty, sweetness, desire of increasing and
propagation of it self.
Sixth seal. This seal is associated with the pineal gland and the gamma ray frequency band. The reticular formation that filters and veils the knowingness of the subconscious mind is opened when this seal is activated. The opening of the brain refers to the opening of this seal and the activation of its consciousness and energy.
Key 2 The High Priestess -Uniting Intelligence
Planet- the Moon a peace making consonance, fecundity, the power of
generation and of growing greater, of increasing and decreasing, and
a moderate temperance, and faith which being conversant in manifest
and occult things yields direction to all; also motion to the
tilling of the earth for the manner of life and giving growth to
it-self and others.
Seventh seal. This seal is associated with the crown of the head, the pituitary gland, and the attainment of enlightenment.
Key 1 The Magician -Intelligence of Transparency
Planet- Mercury a piercing faith and belief, clear reasoning, the
vigour of interpreting and pronouncing, gravity of speech, acuteness
of wit, discourse of reason, and the swift motions of the senses.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 598
interesting. thanks Karyn.
~ Anything that you imagine will eventually become true. ~
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 273
Paul recommends meditating on the modes of intelligence attributed to the letters. Example: For the 1st Seal meditating on Key 21 -Administrative Intelligence.Then he refers to Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms, and their enumeration of the powers to be gained from meditation:
"26. The means of quitting the state of bondage to matter is perfect discriminative knowledge, continuously maintained.
The import of this -- among other things -- is that the man who has attained to the perfection of spiritual cultivation maintains his consciousness, alike while in the body, at the moment of quitting it, and when he has passed into higher spheres; and likewise when returning continues it unbroken while quitting higher spheres, when re-entering his body, and in resuming action on the material plane.
27. This perfect discriminative knowledge possessed by the man who has attained to the perfection of spiritual cultivation, is of seven kinds, up to the limit of meditation."
Love, Karyn
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Baha'is observe Martyrdom of the Bab
Baha'is came together to observe the Martyrdom of the Bab in Durham on Tuesday, with quiet readings, music, prayer and a few tears. July 9 marked 163 years since the Bab, which means "the gate" in Arabic, was executed in present day Tabriz, Iran.
"When the Bab came, it was to prepare people for the coming of the promised one," said Baha'i Kathy Lee, referring to Baha'u'llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha'i faith.
The Intercommunity Baha'i Center on Revere Road drew dozens of Baha'is to a service that began with an Arabic chant, also sung in English, by Mitra Samimi. James O'Mara read the Proclamation of the Bab, followed by the Prayer of the Bab read by Catherine Davis, both drawn from various texts.
Two Baha'is dressed as the Bab's wife, Khadijeh, and the Bab's follower Anis Zunuzi, sat at the front of the room as the gathering listened to recordings of stories telling the last few years of the Bab's life. The story progressed through the Bab's arrest and execution in 1850 in then-Persia.
Baha'i Sue Rosman recited a reading about the Bab's martyrdom and sentinels who saved his body. Rosman also shared a reading by Shoghi Effendi, in "God Passes By," about the parallel between the ministry and death of the Bab and Jesus Christ.
A musical recording of the Lord's Prayer was played with a slideshow of photographs of the Shrine of the Bab in Haifa, Israel, where the Bab's remains are buried.
Tears filled the eyes of Lee as she read about the internment of the Bab's remains, and others in the room also wiped away tears.
The Baha'i faith is a monotheistic religion with 5 million followers worldwide, 165,000 of whom live in the United States. Baha'is believe major religions are part of a progressive process of God revealing his will, with Baha'i the most recent. They believe that God created all humanity as members of one human race.
Readers O'Mara, Davis and Rosman were on the planning committee for the observance. O'Mara said they have been studying the Bab and put together the dramatization of his life.
"What the Bab expresses, for me, is how to prepare for many stages of development on this spiritual journey of life," O'Mara said. The Bab prepared the way to Baha'u'llah, he said, explaining the connection using John the Baptist as an example in Christianity.
Davis said this week's program made the Bab more real to her.
"We study the Bab, and now I understand his name meaning "the gate," and how significant that is, because he's the gate from the old to the new," Davis said.
For more information about the Baha'i faith in the U.S., visit www.bahai.us.

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More experience as a drummer, less muffling of the kit..what does that tell us?
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Re: More experience as a drummer, less muffling of the kit..what does that tell us?
wow, people really are passionate about this, huh?
Anyway, I think that when talking about recording, we also should consier the recent rise of home recording. -not making demos with a 4-track, but honest-to-album home recording.
Sometimes in this situation, you might have nice drums, mics and recording equipment -maybe even a pretty knowledgable recording engineer if you're lucky, but you've only got the room that you've got and some rooms just don't record drums all that well, so it becomes a bit of a struggle. I've had a few in-home recording expreinces like this and, despite the fact that I prefer the way my drums sound open in most cases when I'm by myself, they just didn't track well that way. Someone's living room might really accentuate unfavorable frequencies (not always ring, or high frequencies either) even if the drums sound great just standing in the room, or from behind the drumset with no muffling. If you've only got a weekend and no other rooms to work with, it's like Billy Ward says: you've got to be a marine: improvise, adapt, and overcome. Excepting the live tracks, The songs linked to in my signature file were all done in a home studio(s). Some were in a basement, some were in a living room with all the furniture pushed to the side, that sort of stuff. Sometimes I had to muffle, sometimes I didn't. Sometimes I had to take the front head off the bass drum. It's all about the circumstances. If putfile is in a cooperative mood, you can hear what kind of results I got. They're not all great, but sometimes you've just got to work with the best that you can get in that circumstance.
...now my playing, on the other hand ...well ...home studio's no excuse for that, hahaha...
Also, thanks for responding to synthetik like that, bermuda! That's very cool that you took the time to contribute and share all you experience on this one!
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Global Green USA's 18th Annual Millennium Awards At The Fairmont Hotel
Friday, June 27, 2014 4:05 PM
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Global Green USA President and CEO Les McCabe on June 7, 2014 in Santa Monica, Calif. McCabe was recently appointed CEO of Global Green, which is building an environmentally-minded community in the Holy Cross neighborhood. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Global Green USA)
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sasol ltd (SOL:Johannesburg)
Executive Profile*
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Independent Non Executive Director, Chairman of Remuneration Committee, Member of Risk & Safety, Health & Environment Committee and Member of Nomination, Governance, Social & Ethics Committee, Sasol Ltd.
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Ir. Hendrik George Dijkgraaf, also known as Henk, M.Sc. Eng (Mining), served as the Chief Executive Officer of GasTerra BV from July 1, 2005 to September 1, 2006. Ir. Dijkgraaf served as the Chief Executive Officer of Nederlandse Gasunie NV from July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005. He held various positions in the Royal Dutch Shell group from 1972 to 2003 in the Netherlands, Malaysia, Gabon, Syria and the United Kingdom and served as Country Chairman and Gas Business Director ...
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"My heart is torn between these two amazing women," Peter explains, saying he's genuinely in love with them both. After a night in the studio with Amina, Pete doesn't return home, and when he finally rolls up to the park to say hi to Tara, she's angry. Rightfully so, he bailed on taking his son to school, he never called Tara to tell her where he was, and the first sign of where he'd been was an Instagram photo of him with Amina lying on his chest. Oh, this Instagram??
"Are you f—ing with her?" Tara asks, and he tells her "No." But Tara's used to this kind of behavior and tells him "You act like you don't remember your double life. I was pregnant and you had another child someplace else that I didn't even know about."
Peter kept trying to tell Tara his phone was off, his phone was dead and, bless her, Tara doesn't buy the bull. "We all know how phones work nowadays."
"I don't believe you," Tara tells him. "You're a f—ing liar. You're just being a f—ing dick is what you're doing."
So contrast that relationship with this one:
"We've been together for a year now," Amina explains. Their working relationship became intimate, and now Amina is waiting for Peter to break things off with Tara so they can out themselves Apparently she doesn't realize she and Tara are both being played. Amina resents the fact that Peter has another life with another woman and their kids who require his attention. "I just want him around more, I want him with me, is that too much for a girl to ask for?"


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Toby Threadgill reviews "Old School" by Ellis Amdur
by Toby Threadgill
Published Online
Old School by Ellis Amdur
I first met Ellis Amdur during a private visit to his home in Seattle several years ago. Frankly, I didn't know what to expect. Ellis and I had exchanged several friendly e-mail's over time but he was hard to get a line on. His reputation was all over the map. Some people found him abrasive and arrogantly elitist while others gave him glowing reviews for his willingness to share his extensive knowledge of the Nihon koryu world. Everyone agreed he was talented.
Looking back at the first moments of our meeting brings back some amusing memories. I arrived at his home a few moments earlier than planned and therefore waited on his porch since it appeared he was not at home. Soon I heard an auto arrive close by. Appearing from around the corner of the house was a rather frightening sight. Approaching me was this very tall bald guy, missing a front tooth, who could in darker surroundings have passed for an escapee from a psych ward. He reached out to shake my hand and said "you must be Toby" I think I mumbled some intelligent response like "uggh".
Our first topic of conversation was the recent presentation to me of a teaching license from my teacher, the late Takamura Yukiyoshi Sensei . Ellis explained to me that the reception of this license being postponed until after my 42nd birthday was quite symbolic in Japanese martial disciplines. He reiterated that he thought this spoke highly of Takamura Sensei's adherence to tradition even though he was viewed by many as somewhat a renegade. You see, I knew nothing of the symbolism associated with reaching the age of 42 before Ellis mentioned it. Thus it was that Ellis immediately began to share some of his knowledge with me, a virtual stranger. Several hours later we parted as new friends.
Since that first meeting we have had several other opportunities to discuss this odd and antiquated obsession of ours. In Ellis's new book appropriately titled "Old School" he continues this gift of sharing some of his knowledge and experiences with strangers. All serious students of budo owe him a great debt.
The first of three sections of the book begins by covering three koryu traditions, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, Maniwa Nen- ryu, and Higo Ko-ryu. I have read these chapters multiple times already. Ellis's description of Higo Ko-ryu's Kino Shizue made me want to instantly transport myself to Japan so I could witness her and her intensity first hand. These chapters overall are an excellent blend of information and insight that has largely remained unavailable to most budoka in the west. Covering the history, technique, and politics of these koryu, Ellis demonstrates an erudite knowledge of the subjects at hand. I especially admired his discussion of the challenges these ryu face as they peer forward into the 21st century. These traditions really are treasures that must be preserved. It is thru the insights presented in a book such as this that a few dedicated individuals may be inspired to undertake the challenging task of pursuing entrance into a martial discipline such as Higo Ko-ryu. Who knows? Maybe Donn Draeger's writings had some small but similar effect on Ellis years earlier.
The second section of this book is probably a much more difficult read for those not obsessed with Japanese budo. Its chapters cover the history and development of several early and influential ancient Japanese weapons including in depth investigations of the Naginata (Glaive), Chigiriki (Flail), and Kusarigama (Sickle with Chain). Although there is significant information available on the Naginata from various sources, the subject matter as presented by Ellis is definitely worth the read. Packed into less than 30 pages is a wealth of information on the history of the Naginata as well as the weapons construction and various technical derivations. The chapters on the Chigiriki and Kusarigama explore these weapons origins and use in a depth uncommon in sources available presently. Although very informative and well written these two chapters will test the dedication of all but the most dedicated budo fanatic.The 35 pages dedicated to these minor weapons will probably be skipped over by the average reader. As reiterated by Ellis himself, these weapons were of minor use by the warrior class and simply do not bring to mind an image as dashing or romantic as that of a samurai wielding his glimmering katana or naginata. However as quality reference material, the chapters devoted to these weapons should be of significant value to anyone interested in the study of traditions familiar with their use.
The last section of this book returns to topics as broadly significant as the first. In three chapters, it covers, Women Warriors in Japan, The Origins of Araki-ryu, and Keppan (blood oath). I must loudly applaud Ellis for his devoting an entire chapter to the women practitioners of koryu. This is quite appropriate for inclusion in this book since both the naginata and Higo Ko-ryu, covered so thoroughly in previous pages are host to women practitioners residing at the highest levels of instruction. I had the great honor of meeting Toda ha Buko-ryu's Nitta Suzuyo several years ago in Tokyo. Demure and courteous, she was obviously held in very high esteem by those surrounding her. This was not the sort of dysfunctional hero worship occasionally seen in some budo circles, but rather a quiet and profound level of respect. That this tiny and noble woman could garner this type of calm admiration in such an environment, an environment where the swinging of a medieval glaive is generally the measure of ones moxie, says much about the benefits of koryu study by the fairer sex. Ellis's personal opinions are perhaps more exposed in this chapter than anywhere else in this book and I find his honesty here refreshing. His discussion of the benefits and pitfalls presented by modern competition in naginata apply to all the Japanese martial traditions. This chapter alone should be required reading by all serious devotees of budo.
The chapter on the origins of Araki ryu could easily have descended into painfully mundane minutiae, uninteresting to all but those most hardcore budo historians or members of the ryu. However, through his writing style Ellis manages to cultivate enough dramatic interest in this subject that I found the chapter quite readable. Perhaps in Ellis's writings I sense a flicker of the drama and edge that I experienced in the historical storytellings of my own Sensei,Takamura Yukiyoshi. The shelves of libraries are filled with historical information so dry in tone that no one ever gets through it all. It is a real credit to Ellis that he makes this information so accessible.
The last chapter on Keppan is excellent because its topic frequently escapes the attention or seriousness it deserves. Ellis does a commendable job with it. Realistically, kishomon and keppan are way outside the grasp of almost all students studying budo in the West. Its whole concept is so far outside our cultural mainline that it's almost impossible to cover accurately. Yeah, I can just hear some 19-year-old samurai wannabe saying 'Blood Oath….no problem. I understand it!" Well, no you don't, pal. And that's what makes this chapter so relevant but at the same time frustrating. A keppan is so much more than meets your intellect. It should crash into the deepest recesses of your soul. If it doesn't, you're not worthy of it. That's what a keppan is all about, your soul. A keppan is all serious business and Ellis' writing on this subject manages to put an eloquent twist on it. I wish a little more exploration on the psychological strife properly associated with a keppan had been covered here but I recognize that it's very difficult to convey what I'm talking about on the printed page. I took my Joden Kishomon / Keppan with Takamura Sensei years ago. With my present position I am only now realizing the tug of its immense power and responsibility. Let me tell you from experience, a keppan strikes back at you if you ignore or compromise it. Ellis effectively conveys that the symbolism behind the blood can easily be marginalized by someone irresponsible or ignorant of its fundamental importance within the ryu. A keppan is a personal thing that is beyond personal. If you only read one chapter of this book, read the chapter on keppan. Then read it again and again and again.
In closing, I must add that it is simply beyond my comprehension that so many clap trap martial arts books fill the shelves of bookstores, some of these published by well respected and reputable publishers. That a book of this quality must be self published is an prime example of the economic insanity existing in the publishing world today. Everyone who considers themselves a serious student of Japanese martial arts should order this book from Ellis Amdur and send him a thank you letter for the effort, dedication and perseverance it took to bring this work to press.
You can get this book (and Ellis' first one, Dueling with O'Sensei only through his website: www.ellisamdur.com or through www.koryu.com
About Toby Threadgill
Toby Threadgill started his martial arts training in western fencing as a college student. In 1980, he began to practice Wado-ryu karate under J. Gerry Chau. Threadgill later trained with Yukiyoshi Takamura, headmaster of Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu. He also studied under Don Angier, headmaster of Yanagi ryu Aiki Bugei. In 1989, Threadgill co-founded the Aikijujutsu Club at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. This club continues to operate as a Yanagi-ryu affiliated dojo under Headmaster Don Angier. In 1994, Threadgill received a Joden Menkyo, Gokui Mokuroku in Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu and founded the Soryushin Dojo in Dallas, Texas. He was awarded a menkyo kaiden in Shindo Yoshin-ryu in February 2001.


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Cooking and Baking
Wine Whine
After reading a recipe for Bordelaise sauce, in which red wine plays an important part, I wondered if anyone else out there refuses to/is unable to cook with wine, and what they do about it.
If the recipe calls for a tablespoon or an eight of a cup, I substitute acidulated water. But when the wine, especially a red wine, really is an important part of the meal, how do you substitute?
I should mention that I am of the school which believe that you can't cook off 100% of the alcohol...and I can't have ANY alcohol.
Talk is closed, but that doesn't mean the conversations have to stop!
Check out this post for a more thorough explanation, and jump onto our Facebook page or our Twitter feed to keep the conversations going!


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If you are an Android user, YouTube must be one of your favorite applications. YouTube experience in Tablet or a Smartphone is way better than in computer. But YouTube is a bandwidth intensive application. If you want to stream a video with no interruption you need high speed as well as reliable broadband service.
When you are at home, you may have high speed, highly reliable fiber optic and Wi-fi router. But when you are on the move it's not the case. Mobile broadband services are fast but not really reliable. If you try to stream YouTube video on the move most of the time you won't be able to enjoy uninterrupted video streaming.
Best thing you can do for this is download YouTube videos when you are home and store them in your phone. This is not allowed and even if you come up with a workaround still it's illegal. But Android YouTube app has come up with similar and smarter solution for this problem.
How Preload Video Feature Works?
After you enable preload video feature in YouTube android app, it will automatically cache videos if you are in a Wi-fi zone and charging. This could be your home or may be public hot spot, everything happens in background. When you are away from a Wi-fi zone you can watch preloaded videos. YouTube app is not preloading videos using mobile data connection. It's only using Wi-fi.
How to Enable Preloading Videos?
- Make sure you have latest YouTube app in your Android device.
- Open the YouTube app and then go to Settings -> Preloading
- There you can select what are the videos to be preloaded.
- Given options are Subscriptions and Watch later list. Check them as appropriate.
- Preloaded videos will be indicated with down arrow in a circle.
- Now whenever you are in a Wi-fi zone and charging your phone, YouTube app will preload above selected videos. So you can enjoy them later with no interruption.
The best configuration you can come up with is preload watch later list. Then all you have to do is add videos to watch later list and they will be preloaded. If you select subscriptions to be preloaded make sure you have only few subscriptions or it will consume massive amount of bandwidth.
Always remember, preloading video is not a solution for you to watch video when you have no data connection at all. In that case YouTube app won't even start properly.
It's a great idea to preload videos in home wi-fi and watch them on the move without wasting mobile data cap. I have tested this on Galaxy Nexus with Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean. It worked just fine. You may try this, may be in a different device with another version of Android and share your experience as a comment below.


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Quick Links
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Eve's Addiction.com wants you to be a happy customer. We want you to be completely satisfied with the sterling silver jewelry that you receive from us, as we only sell high quality silver and cubic zirconia cz jewelry. We do understand that you may not like your purchase for some reason.
You may return or exchange your jewelry within 60 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with it. The jewelry must be returned in its original condition for a refund or exchange. Engraved, personalized, photo, monogram, name and initial, chocolate and clearance items are not returnable or exchangeable.


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|Tolkien Gateway is 10 years old. Sign up today to edit TG and help us grow for years to come.
Nina Dobner
Nina Dobner is the Director of Partner Relations of Electronic Arts, handling production of all EA's licensed games, including the movie-license.
[edit] Roles
- 2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game): Additional voices


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Can two decades have passed since I arrived to work at The Post and Courier? Can more than three decades have passed since I became a journalist? Wasn't it only yesterday that I chose journalism as my profession?
No clock on the wall told me that time was up. No expiration date blinked on my forehead as I thought about writing another story. And the computer responded to my keystrokes as it always had.
Yet, I knew that it was time to move on and do something else.
I retired from The Post and Courier and journalism on Dec. 31.
I arrived at this juncture feeling excited and enormously blessed. I became a journalist to learn more about the world, feel more at ease with it and communicate what I learned to others. It's a profession for which, temperamentally, I have been well-suited.
Looking back
It's been a very fulfilling career.
First there was reporting on environmental policy at the U.S. Capitol and in federal agencies. Then, there was reporting on conservation issues along Florida's Space Coast. Afterward came reporting on history, culture, homes, genealogy and more in Charleston.
Many journalists pray to write one column by the end of their careers. While at The Post and Courier, I've had the good fortune to write three: Folkways in the South, Kinship and Lowcountry Legacy (once called Lowcountry Roots).
While all have been special, Kinship, my four-year weekly genealogy column, grew out of my passion for researching family history and helping others to do the same. To all who responded to it, whether you live here, have roots here, thought you might have had roots here or were just hoping to find roots anywhere, thanks.
Through the range of stories I wrote at The Post and Courier, I've become far more familiar than most with the Lowcountry's most cherished institutions, organizations and places. I will miss writing about the untold number of antiques, arts, home, garden and museum events that usher spring into the Holy City each year.
I grew up in a racially segregated Lowcountry and knew relatively little about such things when I left Savannah at 17. It was here that I learned the specific roles my ancestors and those of others played in making this place that we call home. I hope that through my work as a journalist, we all have been enriched because of what I learned.
Looking forward
So what's next? Genealogy.
I will speak more often about genealogical research methods and records at national, regional and local gatherings. In addition, I'll mentor study groups, research family histories, write articles and participate in conferences, institutes and webinars.
In addition, I am on boards of organizations that support genealogists from around the country. And before too long, I'd like to write a couple of books.
My address won't change. I know that I will see many of you from time to time. Meanwhile, know that writing the stories about your lives, big and small, has been quite a pleasure.
Reach Wevonneda Minis at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Correction: The previous email address was incorrect. We apologize for the error.
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point.
We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click the X that appears in the upper right corner when you hover over a comment. This will send the comment to Facebook for review. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.


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Watch this short film about the STEP Assessment
An example of user experience with STEP
STEP™ offers tools, training and certification that defines the pathway and tracks the progress of pre-kindergarten through third grade students as they learn to read using research-based milestones.
STEP™ enables educators to implement a developmental approach to teaching reading using evidence to inform instruction. STEP™ introduces targeted interventions for students who need extra reading support.
The University of Chicago Urban Education Institute (UEI) developed STEP™ over the last decade and continues to work with the University of Chicago Charter School and others in studying its impact. STEP™ is most appropriate for districts and networks implementing small group reading instruction and that are interested in the use of formative assessment data to drive instruction.
STEP™ includes:
- The STEP™ Assessment Kit: A toolbox that provides teachers with the materials necessary to administer the assessment. **Please Note: A signed agreement must be completed with the STEP™ Team before STEP™ Kits orders will be processed. Order STEP™ Assessment Kits »
- The STEP™ Data Management System: A powerful system for a district, network, principals and teachers to visualize school, student and teacher performance.
- STEP™ Training: is available in multiple training models to meet the needs of networks and districts, including: train the trainer, institutes, school-based and certification training, and ongoing sessions that support and guide users in optimal classroom literacy instruction.
Originally developed to support literacy learning in a small number of public schools, STEP™ has evolved into a powerful set of tools and training models being used in 21 states and 39 cities.


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Register now for free, or sign in with any of these services:
So opie, when are you going to respond to the charter school debacle?
Also, ABP blocks those annoying ads on Youtube that precede many videos.
AdBlock Plus is the best browser add-on in existence. I dislike Firefox, as it's too bloated for my tastes, but I use it with Chrome.
Agreed. I think they are attempting to make it easier to view on a mobile device.
Opie, you are the last person who should get on someone for a typo.
So according to you the NJEA has "destroyed" public education. However, NJ is consistently ranked among the BEST states in the nation for education. You'll have to excuse me when I say you make absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Oh, and I know you love charter schools, so I find myself wondering why you've NEVER commented on the charter recently called out for taking PUBLIC money to rent a building it doesn't even use?
So opie/uj/tangledhair, how is it that Christie can tout that he "reformed" tenure when he hasn't even signed off on it yet?
Reb, I still haven't heard you comment on the Christie silence with respect to private lawyers and contractors being found illegally to be on the public pension rolls. Care to comment yet?
Sorry, but I don't buy the claim that legal gun owners are having their guns stolen all the time. You'd have to back that up with some sort of stat for me to entertain it.
Where did you come up with the "stat" that guns are used 80 times more to defend citizens? That sounds completely made up.
I get it. Any story that differs from your viewpoint automatically has some sort of agenda.
You do realize, of course, that you are the one with the agenda, right?
Why is the postal service the ONLY federal agency to be required to pre-pay for benefits 75 years in advance? Ever ask yourself that? Let me guess, you probably didn't even realize they had to do that.
It's because the federal government has been using these payments to help balance their budget. It's akin to skipping something like, say, pension payments for 20 years and expecting the system to hum along as it always has. Unfortunately, too many people shout "GREEDY WORKERS!" without actually knowing what's really going on here. The workers have nothing to do with this issue.
Keep Christ is Christmas?
I didn't realize there was an ongoing movement to change the name simply to "Mas".
We don't have a tax problem? Really?
I guess you missed the article on msnbc and similar site the other day stating that trillions of dollars are being hidden in off-shore tax havens to avoid paying taxes on it.
You know so little about American history.
Actually, no it wasn't. Most adults who came over through Ellis Island never learned English. It was their kids who wound up learning English. Just like now.
Blah, blah, blah. Let me guess, you did poorly in school and now want your revenge?
@jdevil: Just stop before you make an even bigger fool of yourself.
Union has never been, and never will be, a college town. Kids won't enroll at Kean because Union is such a great place to live. They go to Kean because it's the best college they can get in to. Let's call a spade a spade; Kean is one step above community college and most kids that go there get rejected from nearly every other college in which they apply.
As for saying nothing of value, you simply spoke in platitudes and didn't come up with one workable solution in your first post. Saying "get rid of corruption" is akin to saying nothing.
You realize you've said nothing of value in either paragraph, right?


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NEW YORK (AVAFIN) -- A record number of Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares call contracts were traded during the busy trading session. There
were 1.3 call contracts traded for each put contract yielding a 0.80 put/call ratio
where 23,979 put and 30,025 call contracts exchanged hands.
View Options Trading ActivitiesA significant increase in the trading volume of a stock's option often is a precursor of movement
by the underlying stock. In such instances, put/call Ratio can be used as an investor sentiment
indicator, where a high ratio implies that the overall investor sentiment is bearish and a low
put/call ratio implies that the sentiment is bullish.
Shares of Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares rose $6.15 (+7.41%) to $89.20 in today's trading session.
The price of FAS ranged between $87.11 - $89.23. Volume is 8M in relation to the three
month average volume of 8M shares. FAS is trading above the 50 day
moving average and higher than the 200 day moving average. The stock's 52 week low is $42.15 and 52 week high is $137.60. Within the last week, the shares have gained 1.66% of their value.


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PRESTONSBURG - Pop's Chevrolet Hillbilly Arm Drop Drags Event Coordinator Kent Rose continues to prepare for Eastern Kentucky's top drag racing event, which is scheduled for May 10-11 at Paintsville-Combs Field Airport. Rose and the Arm Drop Drags Board expect 300 racecars and over 10,000 spectators for the upcoming event.
Admission for the Hillbilly Arm Drop Drags is $10 per spectator; $15 per pit pass and $35 per racer. Kids 12 and under will be admitted free.
The first 250 racers to register for the May event will receive driver bags and T-shirts. Each of the first 50 racers to register will receive a dash plaque.
Pig In A Poke will be the primary food vendor for the upcoming Hillbilly Arm Drop Drags, offering deep fried turkey legs, among other items.
Seven-foot trophies will be on the line for racers in the latest version of the Hillbilly Arm Drop Drags.
Discount Auto Brokers has signed on to sponsor an appearance from Speed personality Brett Wagner of Monster Garage. Lizard Lick Towing's Bobby Brantley will also appear at the upcoming drag racing event.


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Nearest Elks Lodge App
Do you travel? While you are on the road would you like to find the Elks Lodge near you?
There's an App for that!
On your mobile device open your web browser and navigate to this page (http://www.chicoelks.com) and click on this link: Nearest Elks Lodge App. Instructions for installation are included on the page.


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If you are a college-bound high school student, a busy professional, a working parent, or anything between, our focus is providing you with a quality, affordable education, wherever you want to learn.
Whether you earn one of 145 degrees at our historic Flagstaff campus, at one of 35 community campuses located throughout Arizona, or online, you will be prepared to reach your potential.
Discover the difference of a university dedicated to your diverse learning needs.
A short drive from natural wonders and
metropolitan areas, the Flagstaff campus offers an outstanding residential
With more than 80 degree options, our online programs provide you an affordable and flexible way to learn.
35 community campuses—including 16 throughout Phoenix—make it convenient for you to learn near home.


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Rose Hill Acres is hosting its annual Christmas light contest judging on Dec. 19.
The judging will be at 7 p.m. and be conducted by Mayor Rick Thomisee and the alders, who will drive through the neighborhoods looking at houses.
The first place winner will receive $50, second place will leave with $30 and third place will get $20.
For more information, call (409) 679-3757.


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Archive for January, 2009
January 15, 2008 (Vol. 15, No. 6) – President's Message
*** Message from your OLA President
"We position ourselves to be where our users are physically and virtually and strengthen resource accessibility through use of innovative technologies … We carry the stones from the path of tradition and place them on the path to the future." (excerpt from the Vision Statement developed by participants in the 2008 PNLA Leads, the Pacific Northwest Library Association's biennial Leadership Institute.)
Inspiration struck me recently in the beautifully worded vision statement from the PNLA Leads Institute held in October 2008. Emerging leaders are thinking about access in the broadest way possible. Fortunately, OLA is sprinkled with emerging leaders who are helping juice up our services. January kicks off the availability of a major new technology application for an OLA service. The Oregon Authors website is now available at www.oregonauthors.org. It is a fantastic upgrade from the path of tradition (the printed Oregon Authors bibliography) to the path of the future offering enhanced and enriched features. Thank you to Kim Willson-St.Clair, Chair, and the entire Oregon Authors Committee for the vision and implementation. Take a look at the Oregon Authors website and be inspired by emerging leaders and grateful for federal funds! The site was built with assistance from an LSTA grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded by the Oregon State Library.
Mary Ginnane, OLA President
January 15, 2008 (Vol. 15, No. 6) – News
2009 OLA Conference / OLA MLS Scholarships / OYAN Quarterly Meeting / 2009 OLA Conference: Call for Showcases / PLD OLE Award Nominations / OLA/OASL Legislative Day
*** 2009 OLA Conference
Registration is now available for the 2009 OLA Conference which will be at the Salem Conference Center (200 Commercial Street SE, Salem, OR). You can register online with a credit card or by check, simply click on either option. Once you have completed your registration form and have chosen a payment option, you will receive a confirmation page. If paying by check, please include a copy of the confirmation page with your check and mail it to the address noted on the page.
Register early to get the best rates. Information and forms are available on the OLA website: http://www.olaweb.org/
Reservations can also be made at the Phoenix Grand Hotel either online or by calling 1-877-540-7800. Rates are $109 for a room with a king size bed or $119 for a room with two queen size beds (plus 10% tax and fees) Be sure to supply the attendee code of OLA2009.
Key Dates:
Pre-conferences: April 1, 2009
Conference: April 2-3, 2009
Early registration ends February 21, 2009
*** OLA MLS 2009 – 2010 Scholarships Deadline – Apply Soon!
The application process is open for Oregon residents enrolled or planning to enroll in a graduate course of study for the Masters in Library Science degree for the 2009 – 2010 academic year. Applications from eligible students are sought for over $17,000 in scholarship awards. Current recipients of OLA MLS scholarships may reapply annually for continuing funding for up to three years of awards.
The scholarship application process deadline is March 2, 2009. Before applying read OLA's Scholarship Program guidelines and eligibility requirements. OLA's scholarship application and requirements are available as an electronic eApplication, through the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC), at www.GetCollegeFunds.org. Select OSAC Scholarships under "Quick Links" on the left. OLA's scholarship application requirements are described by entering a search for Scholarship Code 471 or for the Oregon Library Association. For the eApplication, go to http://www.getcollegefunds.org/eapp.html. For questions about OLA's scholarship and OSAC scholarship programs call 800-452-8807 ext. 7395 or by email at: firstname.lastname@example.com.
Funding for this new round of scholarships is provided by a Library Services and Technology Grant administered by the Oregon State Library and through the generosity of OLA members who have donated to the scholarship fund. OLA members are encouraged to make donations to support this new OLA initiative by using the MLS Scholarship
Contribution Form at https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=ola&formId=22034.
*** OYAN Quarterly Membership Meeting
Join us for the Winter Quarterly OYAN Meeting on January 30th, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330. Contact Kristin Starnes (541) 766-6784 for directions.[map].
At OYAN meetings we discuss OYAN business; upcoming events and conferences; books and materials; and library programs of interest to teens. OYAN is a membership organization that exists to provide a network of communication and growth among people who provide library services to teens; to increase awareness of teen library services in the state of Oregon; and to promote cooperation school and public libraries.
If you are interested in learning more about OYAN or becoming a member please visit our division's website at http://www.olaweb.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=61034
*** Call for Showcase Presenters: 2009 OLA Annual Conference (Deadline Extended)
Does your library have an innovative, unusual, or highly successful program that you'd like to share with your colleagues? Have you recently completed research or grant-funded work that would be of interest and use to the Oregon library community? If so, consider participating in one of the OLA Annual Conference program showcases.
Showcases will be held during morning and afternoon breaks and will consist of approximately 15 presenters, sharing a large area, with display tables. Attendees can visit with the presenters one-on-one to discuss their programs, services, and projects. This allows a wide variety of participation from libraries and a more direct, focused interaction from attendees.
For the 2009 OLA Annual Conference, we will be hosting showcases on the following three topics:
1. Staff Training and User Instruction
2. Library Outreach Activities
3. Innovative and Grant-Funded Program
Interested in presenting at a showcase? Please submit a completed Showcase Proposal found on the 2009 OLA Conference website. For questions about the Showcase program, please contact Sue Kunda, 2009 OLA Showcase Coordinator, at email@example.com or 541.737-7262.
All proposals are due by February 6, 2008. The final list of showcases will be set by February 13, 2009.
*** PLD OLÉ Award Nominations
Do you know someone who deserves special recognition? Someone who has taken "the bull by the horns" and gotten the job done in extraordinary circumstances? Or someone who has quietly gone the extra mile to contribute to library service in your community or to the greater library community?
It is time to put forward your nominations for the Public Library Division's OLE' award! This year we are using a Member Clicks form. Here is the link:
The deadline is Feb 15th 2009. The OLE' award is given out at the PLD dinner on Wednesday evening at the OLA conference. Marc Acito, author of How I Paid for College and The Attack of the Theater People, will be doing a "book singing." Come and join us.
*** Save the Date: OLA/OASL Legislative Day in Salem
Start planning to attend OLA's Legislative Day on Thursday March 5. Here is the draft schedule and some information to help with your planning.
9-10am: Orientation and kick-off in the State Library Conference Room 102. This is informal with Nan Heim and the Legislative Day Committee giving pointers and explaining the issues that are being discussed. We will have this room all day, so feel free to stop by, pick up materials and relate how your office visits go.
8:30am – 1:30pm: Children's book display and other library displays in the Galleria of the Capitol. This is a chance for your senators to select a book to send to a library in their district. It's also a chance for those who want to mingle with legislators as they pass through on their way to meetings.
7:30am -3pm: Legislative office visits. You can start scheduling these whenever you have a chance. You will be at the mercy of your representative's or senator's schedule. Also, you might end up meeting with a staff person if there are committee meetings or just too much going on. Call the legislator's office and request a 15 minute visit. Be sure to coordinate with others who may be going to the same office. There should only be one library group per office. Check the OLA Legislative Committee wiki for contact information and the schedule. Once you make an appointment, fill it on the wiki or let Diedre Conkling know as she keeps the mater schedule. http://olanetwork.wikispaces.com/.
11:30am-1:30pm: Lunch (buy your own) in the Goudy Commons at Willamette University (across the street from the Capitol). We reserve a room so you can grab lunch and join your colleagues.
Bring quarters if you parking on the street or in the underground lots. You can also buy $6.00/day parking permits in State Capitol Room 49; these permits are valid "When parked on CITY OF SALEM (on street) TWO, THREE & TEN HOUR PARKING METERS in the area bounded by D, Ferry, Church and 12th Streets." – the quote is from one of these permits. You need cash as credit cards cannot be used to purchase the permits. There is a parking lot on the north end of the mall that is $6 for the day and you can use a credit card at the kiosk located in the lot or purchase them in Room 49 of the Capitol. http://www.leg.state.or.us/capinfo.
Children's Books:
BJ Quinlan at Salem Public Library is collecting children's books for the selection event. Contact her with questions.
More information or questions?
Diedre Conkling, firstname.lastname@example.com
Sarah Charlton, email@example.com
Gregory Lum, firstname.lastname@example.com
Janet Webster, email@example.com
January 15, 2008 (Vol. 15, No. 6) – Happenings
ORSLA Event / PNLA Conferene: Call for Programs / Libri Foundation Grants
*** Oregon Chapter of Special Libraries Association Event
The Oregon Chapter of SLA (ORSLA) invites you to join us for an upcoming professional development opportunity. On Wednesday, January 21st, we will offer a presentation by Cleon Cox on Public Speaking and Presentation Skills. Cleon has been involved with Toastmasters (http://www.toastmasters.org) for years, and will focus on:
— Aspects of leadership and general communication that are integral to effective presentation
— Overall public speaking / presentation competencies
— Ways to most effectively establish an agenda, deliver talks and convey confidence
— Techniques for speaking before a group and getting "the message across" so that it is heard
— The importance of good listening skills
Pizza and refreshments will be served.
The cost will be as follows:
$10 for SLA student members
$15 for SLA members
$20 for non-members
You may pay at the door either with cash or a check payable to ORSLA.
Location: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt Metolius Room. 1211 SW 5th Ave., 19th Floor, Portland (map)
Time: 6pm to 7:30pm
Please be aware that space is limited, so it is important for you to RSVP by Monday, January 19th. If you have any questions regarding this event, please feel free to contact Joan Truncali at email@example.com, or Michelle Bagley at firstname.lastname@example.com. We hope you will be able to join us, and look forward to seeing you there.
RSVP by January 19th at the link below:
This event is generously underwritten by your ORSLA chapter members.
*** PNLA Conference 2009: Call for Program Proposals
Do you have a program that you would like to present or you need a motivation to get a program put together? .
Theme: PNLA 1909-2009: A Century of Cooperation, A Legacy of Leadership
Date: August 5-7, 2009
Place: Holiday Inn Parkside, Missoula, MT
The program subcommittee of the 2009 planning committee is currently setting up conference programs and is seeking formal program proposals. Programs are expected to be 90 minutes long (including set up and take down).
Program tracks include:
- Leadership and Management
- Cooperation and Collaboration
- Intellectual Freedom
- Library Services and Resources
- Future Innovations
To submit programs, send the following information in a Word or RTF document to Jan Zauha at firstname.lastname@example.com. Please use a subject line of PNLA 2009 proposal [your last name].
About you:
- Name
- Affiliation
- Position/Title
- Contact information: including postal, e-mail, voice and fax numbers
- PNLA Member?
About your program:
- Program title
- Program description (no more than 100 words)
- 3 Program goals or objectives
- Appropriate track(s)
- Program Format (single or double speaker, panel, hands-on, etc)
Program Logistics:
- Speaker needs (if any)
- Equipment needs
- Preferred date of presentation (if any)
- Any other special requirements or additional information
Questions? Contact Jan Zauha email@example.com or (406) 994-6554
*** Libri Foundation Grants
The Libri Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2009 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grants. The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the United States. In order to encourage and reward local support of libraries, The Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by your local sponsors from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new children's books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors (such as formal or informal Friends groups, civic or social organizations, local businesses, etc.) have four months, or longer if necessary, to raise their matching funds.
Applications are accepted from independent libraries as well as libraries which are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system. A school library may apply only if it also serves as the public library (i.e. it is open to the everyone in the community, has some summer hours, and there is no public library in town). A branch library may apply if the community it is in meets the definition of rural. If the branch library receives its funding from its parent institution, then the parent institution's total operating budget, not just the branch library's total operating budget, must meet the budget guidelines.
Application deadlines for 2007 are: (postmarked by) January 23rd (extended), April 15th, and August 15th. Grants are awarded January 31st, April 30th, and August 31st. Application guidelines and forms may be downloaded from the Foundation's website at: www.librifoundation.org.
For more information about The Libri Foundation or its Books for Children program, please contact Ms. Barbara J. McKillip, President, The Libri Foundation, PO Box 10246, Eugene, OR 97440. 541-747-9655 (phone); 541-747-4348 (fax); email@example.com (email). Normal
office hours are: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Time.


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Film: The Fall of Berlin
Wed, April 14, 2010 • 7:00 PM • GRG 102 Geography building, corner of 24th and Whitis.
This re-telling of the final days of WW II was produced in honor of Stalin's 70th birthday. No expense was spared in production: five artillery and infantry divisions, four tank battalions, and 193 planes were used in staging its panoramic battle scenes. The movie's climax battle takes place in the remains of the actual Berlin Reichstag. Historical scenes with Hitler, Churchill, and Roosevelt look-alikes are restaged, but a stiff-looking Stalin (another look-alike) of course wins the day. Originally seen by 38 million Soviet citizens upon its release, the film was pulled from circulation during the anti-Stalin campaigns of the late 50s'. It's an over-the-top propaganda piece but worth seeing for its massive scale, as well for the rousing score by Dmitri Shostakovich.


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The family will have a private service but will receive family and friends at the Dulles Park Community Center, 220 Old Clinton Road, Gray, Thursday, Jan. 9, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Mrs. McMillan was retired and a former employee of Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company in Macon.
She was preceded in death by her father, M.L. Norman; her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Norman and Clarence W. Patterson, all of Moultrie; and two brothers, Russell L. Norman of Albany and Richard T. Norman of Moultrie.
Survivors include her husband, Jessie McMillan of Jones County. Mrs. McMillan was a devoted mother to Michael Cleghorn and Jessica McMillan and thought the world of her granddaughter, Tensley Cleghorn. Other survivors include her mother, Dorothy P. Norman of Gray; a sister, Michelle Norman of Gray; and a brother, Rex L. Norman of Seven Lakes, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association.


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Online Safety 3.0: From Fear to EmpowermentFriday, March 23rd, 2012
Larry Magid's presentation at CUE 2012 (Computer Using Educators) Annual Conference, March 17, 2012
Online Safety 3.0: From Fear to Empowerment
Larry Magid's presentation at CUE 2012 (Computer Using Educators) Annual Conference, March 17, 2012
Online Safety 3.0: From Fear to Empowerment
by Larry Magid
Facebook is more than a social network. It's also a platform that allows independent developers to create applications, or "apps" that greatly expand what the service can offer. Games, including social games like Words with Friends, are very popular, but there are also education apps, photo sharing apps, apps to share interesting reading material, music apps and much more.
To operate properly, many of these apps need information from your profile and some need (or at least want) the ability to post on your behalf. That's not necessarily a bad thing because, by accessing or sharing information, these apps can enhance your social experience. But, it's important to understand and exercise control over what information apps can use and how using apps can impact your experience on Facebook. Fortunately Facebook does give users a lot of control, and has ways to limit what apps can do, and ways to remove apps you don't like or no longer find useful. And, parents, please heed the advice of my ConnectSafely.org co-director Anne Collier by not only advising kids on how to control their own apps, but serving as a role model by showing them you're doing it too.
What apps can do
What an app can do and what information it needs depends on the app's purpose. If it's an app that sends out birthday greetings to your friends, for example, it makes sense for it to know who your friends are and their birthdates and, of course to be able to send out a greeting. Other apps have different functions and different default permissions, which can include, among other things, access to your basic information, the ability to post to your timeline and newsfeed on your behalf, your location, and access to information people share with you.
Controlling apps permissions
As you install an app you can control what information it can access and what it can do, but you can also edit that information (i.e. take away permissions) at any time as follows:
For example, this app from SoundCloud has permission to post on my behalf to my timeline, newsfeed or ticker, but I can take away that permission by clicking on the X to the right of any permission I wish to remove. It's also possible to limit who can see the posts it makes on my behalf by clicking on the current setting (Friends, in this illustration) and changing it. You can even select "Only me," which still lets the app post (so you have a record of its history) but only you can see it.
For more on Facebook privacy see A Parents' Guide to Facebook from ConnectSafely.org.
This short video, prepared by Facebook, demonstrates how to control app privacy.
Disclosure: Larry Magid is co-director of ConnectSafely.org, a non-profit Internet safety organization that receives financial support from Facebook.
This post appeared in the San Jose Mercury News on February 27, 2012
by Larry Magid
I might be overly optimistic, but I hope this will be remembered as the month digital privacy rights finally started to become real.
Last Wednesday, California Attorney General Kamala Harris announced an agreement with Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Hewlett-Packard and Research In Motion that would require app developers to abide by California's existing privacy law and disclose their privacy policies in plain language before users download their apps. On Thursday, the Obama administration released a report calling for a "Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights."
Although late to the game, these initiatives came at an opportune time. As I mentioned in last week's column, we have had a spade of privacy invasions lately, including an incident where a popular smartphone app was uploading entire user contact lists to its servers without notification or permission.
Part of the problem is that consumers have been left in the dark. Just like software running on a PC, an app running on a smartphone can do anything it's programmed to do, and there are very few people who have the technical expertise to peer under the hood to figure out exactly what the app is doing.
So the only way the average consumer can know what information an app is collecting and what it's doing with that data is for the app developer to tell them. But not all app developers post privacy policies. And even those that do often don't put them in plain language and make them accessible to consumers at the point of download.
The situation is not better for apps aimed at children. On Feb. 16, the Federal Trade Commission issued a report titled "Mobile Apps for Kids: Current Privacy Disclosures Are Disappointing." It found that, "In most instances, staff was unable to determine from the information on the app store page or the developer's landing page whether an app collected any data, let alone the type of data collected, the purpose for such collection, and who … obtained access to such data."
Tracking cookies
There's also that pesky issue of third-party tracking cookies that ad networks like Google's DoubeClick use to follow you around the Web so they can target you with ads based on sites you've visited. That issue raised its head again last week after the Wall Street Journal reported that Google was going around technology built into Apple's Safari browser to block third-party tracking.
Microsoft later claimed that Google was also defeating its cookie blocking system. Google responded that it was only doing that for users who were signed in and that, "It's important to stress that these advertising cookies do not collect personal information."
The current state of affairs is actually bad for all stakeholders. While being able to sneak a few targeted ads past consumers might put some extra money in the coffers of Internet advertising companies, it also erodes consumer confidence. If stories like the ones we've been bombarded with lately continue to dominate the news, consumers are likely to start shying away from using some of these technologies or employ third-party blocking tools, which could cause additional problems for advertisers and app companies.
Privacy a fundamental right
Also, as the Obama administration's report pointed out, deceptive privacy practices are downright un-American. OK, I exaggerate. But in the report's opening statement, President Barack Obama made the point that "From the birth of our republic, we assured ourselves protection against unlawful intrusion into our homes and our personal papers." Long before the Internet, he reminded us, "we set up a postal system to enable citizens all over the new nation to engage in commerce and political discussion," and "Congress made it a crime to invade the privacy of the mails." I'm sure that Benjamin Franklin, America's first Postmaster General, would agree that that's a pretty good precedent.
The so-called "Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights" the White House plans to send to Congress for passage would provide for individual control over our personal data along with transparency — the "right to easily understandable and accessible information about privacy and security practices." It also calls for "respect for context," so consumers can expect companies to collect and use personal information in context for the purposes that it's needed. The rights also include secure and responsible handing of data, consumer access to our own data, reasonable limits on the use of our data and accountability that companies are adhering to this bill of rights.
What the proposed rights lack is specificity. The administration calls them "general principles that afford companies discretion in how they implement them." This flexibility, said the White House, "will help promote innovation."
The administration is encouraging Congress to provide both the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general with the authority to enforce the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights.
Next, I assume, comes a series of hearings on Capitol Hill, where legislators will pounce on evil companies for forcing the government to take a strong stand and companies will extoll the virtues of self-regulation.
Some would call self-regulation the fox guarding the chicken coop, while others would brand heavy-handed government rules as stifling innovation. I call on Congress to conduct this important discussion calmly, rationally, clearly and openly so that the rest of us can both listen-in and weigh-in.
For more
Anne Collier (my ConnectSafely.org co-director) on privacy tipping point
My interview with California Attorney General Kamala Harris on app data privacy
It seems that just about everyone is talking about the Kony 2012 video that's received more than 70 million views since it was posted last week. It's part of a campaign by the non-profit group Invisible Children to bring awareness to the evil deeds of rebel leader Joseph Kony who's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has been terrorizing Ugandans and people in Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan since the 1980s. "Kony stands accused of overseeing the systematic kidnapping of countless African children," goes the film's narration, "brainwashing the boys into fighting for him, turning the girls into sex slaves and killing those who don't comply."
The video, which features the group's co-founder Jason Russell trying to find ways to explain Kony's atrocities in an age-appropriate way to his very young son, is compelling and moving. It ends with a three point call to action: 1. "Sign the Pledge to Show Your Support;" 2. "Get the Bracelet and the Action Kit" (for ); and 3. "Sign Up to Donate a Few Dollars a Month."
The group is appealing to young people and, from what I can see on Facebook and Twitter, it seems to have garnered quite a bit of support from youth. In some ways I'm pleased. It's great to see young people engaging with issues beyond their immediate lives and thinking about the plight of other youth thousands of miles away. But, as has been pointed out in numerous articles and videos, the group has many critics. As the Washington Post reported, some experts argue that the crimes of the LRA "have been exaggerated and the attention they are receiving is disproportionate," while others say that Kony and his group are indeed despicable international criminals but that there are many more effective campaigns to stop him, including some that have been working on the ground for many years. Others argue that the video and the campaign represent a "white savior" approach to the problems of Africa as the New York Times reported.
I'm not going to repeat what's in the countless number of articles about this film (you can find them by searching Google News for Kony), but after reading several of them, it's pretty clear that the issue is not as simple as depicted in the film and that Invisible Children — while deservedly getting credit for raising awareness — is not necessarily the best place to donate if you want to help the children of Africa. If you scroll down, you'll see a video of Ugandan blogger Rosebell Kagumire who has major problems with Russell's video. "He plays so much that this war has been going on because millions of Americans are ignorant about it, but this is not entirely true." She also says that "the situation has improved in Northern Uganda and that it's about conflict recovery right now." And, she reminds us, "this is another video where you see an outsider trying to be a hero rescuing African children … it does not end the problem."
Lessons for kids and parents
Which leads to the issue of critical thinking and media literacy. As an Internet safety advocate, I've been saying for years that one of the most important skills that young people (and older ones too) need is the ability to think critically about what they see online. Whether that's a pitch from a company, an invitation to meet up with an appealing stranger or even a news items or an opinion piece from a pundit like me, it's important to look beyond the page — or in Kony's case the video. Use a search engine and whatever other tools you have to learn more about anything that you're on the verge of buying into. Ask your online friends but also consult as many expert sources as you can. There is often more than one side to a story and even well intentioned campaigns by decent people can have nuances worth exploring.
Parents can use this as an opportunity to talk with their child about a variety of things ranging from how great it is to get involved in issues to how important it is to do your homework before signing an online (or printed) petition, donating money, showing up at a demonstration or supporting a politician who's rhetoric may be initially appealing. For a thoughtful parent's reaction, see this post from my ConnectSafely.org co-director Anne Collier who viewed the video with her 14-year-old son.
Investigating charities
One way to check out a charity is at Charity Navigator, which rates charities on a variety of criteria. The site often shows data from the group's Form 990 tax return which shows that Invisible Children raised more than million from the general public between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Charity Navigator gives Invisible Children a 3 (out of 4) Stars for as an overall rating but only 2 stars for Accountability and Transparency with a score of 45, compared to 70 for the American Red Cross and 59 for the American Heart Association, just to give two examples. Its founders salaries were between ,000 and ,000 which is not at all high for an organization of its size and impact, but it's not clear if they received other compensation (such as speaking fees or payment for services) besides their salaries.
The first video is critique from Ugandan blogger Rosebell Kagumire, Scroll down (or click next page) for a general response from the CEO of Invisible Children
Thank you, KONY 2012 Supporters from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
Just about every parent in America knows about PBS Kids. They're the folks who bring shows like Sesame Street, Curious George and Arthur to TV sets. But PBS also has smart phone, tablet and web apps for kids 2-8.
At the giant South by Southwest Interactive (SxSw) geekfest in Austin on Friday, the non-profit media organization released two new titles: All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! for iPad and Dinosaur Train Camera Catch! for iPhone.
All About the Dinosaur Train teaches math and spacial awareness. "The problem," as it says in the download page on the Apple app store, "is that dinosaurs come in different sizes, so your child needs to match your passengers with the right train cars, challenging them to problem-solve by estimating dinosaur sizes and comparing them with the train cars' capacity."
When playing Dinosaur Train Camera Catch! (for iPhone), kids have to snap pictures of flying dinosaurs in a designated pattern, which build pattern recognition skills, not to menton hand-eye coordination.
Although many PBS Kids apps are free, the two new ones cost .99, but PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) are making them available for free to Head Start centers, local PBS stations, and other organizations in low-income communities.
An October, 2011 study from Common Sense Media, predictably, found an "app gap" based on socio-economic status. The study found that 27% of lower-income families have a parent with a smartphone, compared to 57% for higher-income children with similar gaps for tablets and hand-held media players like the iPod Touch. Of course, providing free software doesn't put hardware in kids' hands but, increasingly schools and Head Start programs are providing tablets and other devices for kids to use.
Also, many PBS Kids games can be played (for free) via the web both at home and at schools equipped with smart boards.
With so much happening in online safety, it can be hard at times to know who to highlight. This is not one of those times.
Two girls have partnered to spearhead an initiative to get teenage girls to simply be nicer to each other – and the campaign is aptly named KIND.
According to the website kindcampaign.com, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, both affected by female bullying, decided to create a documentary and non-profit that would ultimately change the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across America. The girls have gone on three national tours, spreading their school assembly program and documentary film in hundreds of schools and communities across the country.
Their campaign has produced a magazine, school programs, a documentary, as well as a national team of "Kind Girls" who are committed to spreading the message of kindness to other girls across the nation and the globe. The website features a blog, a tour guide called "Kind Country" where folks can catch up on the latest talks, showings, and programs, as well as media and store with merchandise to support the movement.
Check out kindcampaign.com to see what the movement is all about and how you might be able to participate.
This post is adapted and expanded from one that appeard in the San Jose Mercury News on March 5, 2012
by Larry Magid
There has been a lot of work over the past few years to combat online and offline bullying. Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has been providing great resources for years. The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network has helped raise awareness around bullying, and the White House last year hosted an anti-bullying summit attended, by both the President and the First Lady.
But Michele Obama isn't the only famous "lady" working to combat bullying. At Harvard University, Lady Gaga last week launched a foundation to encourage kindness, empower youth and inspire bravery.
Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, launched the Born This Way Foundation with help from Oprah Winfrey, who conducted one of her TV-style interviews with Gaga.
It would be easy to dismiss Lady Gaga as yet another celebrity embracing a cause, — after all combating bullying has become quite popular lately. But after watching her dive deeply into the issues, it's clear that she brings a lot more to the party than just her fame, influence and wealth. She knows what it means to be different and to be ridiculed by peers. Before she became a superstar, she was a geeky teenaged musician amongst a peer group who thought her odd and out-of-place. When she first started speaking publicly about bullying last year some of her messaging was out of touch with recommendations of many experts. But, as I explain later, she's now paying attention to the research.
To her credit, Oprah was upbeat and positive and avoided some of the fear messages that she sometimes used on her syndicated TV show to punctuate a point. Fear and exaggeration almost never inspire people to make lasting or meaningful changes and, as Lady Gaga knows from her own fans, most kids don't bully. She may call her young fans "little monsters," but it's a term of endearment. She knows that they're mostly great kids.
The launch was less about bullying and more about empowering young people to be kind and brave and to support each other.
Not blaming tech
I was pleased that in addition to refraining from exaggerating the prevalence of bullying or overdramatizing the results, no one perpetuated the myth that technology is severely endangering young people. Gaga commented that "people think that cyberbullying is like the major thing that's happening right now and truthfully it's really not. It's the most visible because you can copy and past something and view it. But the worst bullying that you can experience is face to face on the street, in school."
She's right. A recent study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that in-person bullying is more common than any form of cyberbullying. Besides, cyberbullying is simply bullying that takes place on phones and online. Research shows that kids who are cyberbullied are often bullied by the same kids at school. Technology is no longer something special — it's woven into the fabric of young people's lives, so it's pretty much impossible to separate "cyber' bullying from school-based aggression and meanness.
She brought a village
Also on stage were the mind-body healing guru Deepack Chopra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen G. Sebelius, University of Nebraska Psychology Professor Susan Swearer , high school student Alyssa Rodemeyer, reporter and gay parent David Burtka and Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree, who all interviewed Lady Gaga in what amounted to a mock trial, which was fitting in that it took place in an auditorium that reminded me of the classroom from the movie "Paper Chase."
The launch followed a day-long symposium at the Harvard Law School, where about 90 of the world's best minds on bullying, youth risk, media and education addressed a variety of issues. I participated in the session on school culture and climate. There were also sessions on law and policy, evaluation and assessment, classroom-based curricula and media campaigns.
My ConnectSafely.org co-director Anne Collier co-led a session on peer driven initiatives that featured young people whose voices are too often left out of these discussions. Each of the working groups made specific recommendations, including action items, for the foundation to consider. Experts working with the Berkman Center put together some useful working papers ahead of the launch to provide an overview on bullying and meanness along with some excellent tips. Harvard also hosted a youth conference were Lady Gaga made an appearance.
It helps that Lady Gaga is paying attention to experts, including danah boyd of Microsoft Research who provided her team with research materials in advance of the launch. Boyd and Berkman Center co-director John Palfrey, serve as advisers to Gaga's foundation.
Minor quibbles
I do have a couple of minor quibbles. I disagreed with her response to Swearer, who said educators need to get involved in combating bullying. "I don't think that works," responded Lady Gaga, adding "I don't think teachers give a shit a lot of the time." She thinks the solution is youth intervention and she's partially right. But it really does take a village, and that village must includes kids along with teachers, parents, law enforcement, counselors, the media, politicians and everyone else.
I also thought Lady Gaga was a naïve when she said, "I believe it will be quite easy to change the world," but it was a sweet thought when she elaborated that if everyone were nice to others, it would happen over time. Yet I was impressed by most of what she had to say, including, "We have to work from the ground up and create a climate and an environment in schools where someone that feels self conscious has someone walk up to them in the middle of class and say 'I really like your essay'. Little acts of kindness, these are the things that will change culture."
Not looking to the law
And I agree with Lady Gaga that passing new laws won't solve the problem. If a law would work, she said, "I'd be chained naked to a fence somewhere trying to pass it." I, too, would support a law if I ever found one that could truly make a difference. But I'd keep my clothes on.
For more
Anne Collier's From Born This Way to Move This Way: A new foundation
Stephen Carrick-Davies' Gaga's Born This Way Foundation: Are We Born To Be Brave?
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's Born to Not Get Bullied – based on an interview with Gaga
Video: Lady Gaga performs Born This Way
Note: Lady Gaga is a provocative entertainer whose work inspires many but offends some people. If you have very young children, consider screening it first for yourself before playing for them so you can make up your own mind.
by Larry Magid
I'm in the Persian Gulf state of Qatar for a two-day conference where representatives of government, non-profits and businesses from throughout the Middle East will join their counterparts from other regions to discuss "Promoting Online Safety and Cyber Ethics in the Middle East."
The conference began with a discussion between Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) CEO Stephen Balkam and former U.S. ambassador David Gross who took delegates on a walk down memory lane about the history of Internet regulation in the U.S. and Europe.
Balkam asked Gross to comment on the tension between the tendency to want to regulate the Internet vs wanting to promote free speech.
"Every parent naturally as a matter of biology as well as intellect want to protect children," said Gross. "A lot of these issues are variations of an old theme with each country wanting to make its decisions in their own way based on their own culture."
But what's different is that kids are often more tech savvy than adults. "The extraordinary and maybe unprecedented twist is that technology and internet related technology seems to be more intuitive for young people than the adults who who are making the rules."
Gross said that the Internet does not lend itself to being heavily regulated by government but instead "a more organic multi-stakeholder which includes government but also schools, parents, non-governmental organizations and corporations "coming together to field their way through it."
Changes over time
Gross pointed out that the difference between the nineties and now "is that the issues are more complex thanks in part to cloud computing and the rise of international companies like Google and Microsoft. Also, the discussion, which used to be between Europe and the U.S. is now "a conversation that is truly global which means that the complexities have gone up enormously. Instead of two players you now have 100+ players," he said.
Recognizing cultural differences among countries, Gross does not advociate a one-size-fits all policy. "Ultimately there are going to have to be accommodations and how these things get resolved will fundamentally determine the economic well being of many countries." While this may seem daunting, he's optimistic that it can be worked out. "With technology and clever policy making everyone will be able to live within their own set of rules."
New opportunties
In the past, said Gross, "what your future would turn out to be depended mostly on who your parents were and where you were born but, because of the Internet, that is no longer the case." Access is truly global and truly open, but the danger, he added "is from those who will shut that down"
I will post more later, but here's my 1 minute CBS News segment about Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation. I was honored to be at the launch event and, along with my ConnectSafely.org co-director Anne Collier, the day-long symposium that preceded the event.
Listen to the one minute segment
When it comes to social media privacy, there is some good news from the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. It shows that Americans are increasingly thinking about their own privacy and reputation management. Which, at the end of the day, is the most protective factor of all.
A new report, Privacy management on social media sites, found that people were more likely to use basic privacy features in 2011 than they were in 2009. The study also found that only 2% of Facebook users felt that it's "very difficult" to use privacy controls. Forty nine percent say that it's "not difficult at all," though 48% said they experienced some level of difficulty.
In general, teens and young adults are more privacy conscious than older people.
The study found that:
It also found that 58% restrict access to their profiles and that women are significantly more likely to use privacy setting than men (67% vs 48%).
Eleven percent said they posted content that they regret with males almost twice as likely (15% vs. 8%) to have regrets than women. Young adults (18-29) are three times more likely (15% vs. 5%) to say they've posted content they regret than users 50 or older.
Privacy is the norm & teens are leading the way
Users of all ages are likely to use the service's privacy settings, with teens leading the way. 62% of teens say they mostly post content to friends only compared to 59% of 18-29 year-olds, 60% of 30-49 year-olds, 52% of 50-64 year-olds, and 55% of people over 65.
Women and young adults more likely to prune their lists
Women are more likely to trim their friends lists than men (67% vs. 58%) as are young adults. Seventy one percent of young adults say they've deleted contacts compared to 63% of people between 30 and 49, 56% of 50 to 64 year-olds and 41% of people over 65.
The survey also found that young adults are more likely to delete comments, and remove tags.
Government regulation vs. personal responsibility
The Pew Report came out the day after the Obama Administration released its Consumer Data Privacy in a Networked World report (PDF) that includes a proposed Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights that the administration plans to send to Congress. As important as they are, these rights can't completely protect user privacy. Even the most stringent privacy policies and government regulations won't protect people from posting things they may regret if people are not thinking carefully about what they post. Regardless of the regulatory environment, media literacy and critical thinking remain the the most important factors when it comes to protecting our privacy and safety.