# data[].attributes.body
In 1997, Suzanne Simard found that trees communicate via a network of fungi. The branches of the fungi travel between trees sharing environmental information and nutrients. As one tree starts to die, the mycelium will transfer the needed resources from one tree to the one in need. These networks mimic that of the human mind, humanizing nature and showing the similarities between nature and humans. The search for community is a vital human act, as well as a natural process.

# data[].attributes.body
When I was 7 years old, my family and another family traveled to Venice to show my sister and me the canals and culture of Venice, yet I found more fascination with my toys. Having spoken English my entire life, and having had very little exposure to Italian, I barely understood a word, yet, despite the language barrier, I was able to bond with my Italian friend over our shared love of dolls. Having this moment showed how shared ideals can help create a flourishing community.

# data[].attributes.body
I've always struggled to fit in. From a young age, despite having a great family support network, I couldn't fit in with most of my classmates. Throughout middle school, I yearned to be "Part of the Cool Kids," which in hindsight I realize were just the group that excluded people from hanging with them. For the rest of my time in middle school, I really tried to be friends with everyone. Despite having my own group of friends, I wanted to be accepted by all. Eventually, I learned that you don't need everyone to like you, and as long as you have one or two really good, true friends, you are set for life. Overall, this symbolizes a universal obstacle that many kids and teenagers face during their time in school, but if you can overcome it and accept yourself for who you are, then you will no longer be worried about fitting in.

# data[].attributes.body
When I was 15 I shot the biggest buck of my life. It all started when we got to the shack at around 6 A.M. and we never saw a deer until around 2 P.M. but they were all does and I was waiting for a buck to come out. At around 5 P.M. there were about 13 does in total but I wanted to wait for the big one. At around 5:30 I finally saw a buck. I put my sights on him and dropped him. This relates to the universal idea that patience is key.

# data[].attributes.body
I decided to watch How To Change Your Mind because the abilities and history of psychedelics are very interesting. We follow Michael Pollan as he starts his journey through psychedelics. He begins with LSD, telling us about Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann who found the hallucinogenic compound. He recites to us the accounts of Bicycle Day, which is the first day anyone intentionally took LSD. He tells us the possibilities of micro-dosing, and the abilities LSD could hold. This documentary showcases the search for knowledge and experience, connecting to the universal idea of those.

# data[].attributes.body
Golf is a growing sport and new technologies have been constantly changing the game. We have learned how to take better care of the golf course and surrounding environment with remote sensors for soil testing the moisture, temperature and salt concentration. Major advancements have also allowed course managers to precisely spread fertilizer and chemicals for weed control. New technologies also allow players to gain huge insights to their game and make practice time more productive. With more productive practice time golfers are more likely to enjoy their time golfing especially if the course is well-kept. This relates to the universal idea of growing and changing technology and how working smarter not harder can pay off.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whether providing turn-by-turn directions to the golf course or an accurate yardage to the hole, GPS technology directly benefits golfers on a daily basis. On the course, GPS technology provides accurate distance information that can be displayed from a golf cart or wristwatch.

GPS-guided sprayers allow superintendents to accurately apply fertilizers and pesticides to selected areas with sub-inch accuracy. This specialized spray equipment has the potential to reduce costs and improve results by preventing overlaps and skips that occur even with the most experienced applicators. More importantly, GPS guidance helps ensure that products are only applied to intended areas, greatly reducing the risk of affecting sensitive areas.
Software
From golf simulators and smartphone apps to slow-motion video analyzers, there is a seemingly endless array of new software programs designed to help golfers improve their game. In today's fast-paced world, making practice time as productive as possible is exactly what makes these technologies popular.

Similarly, the phrase "work smarter, not harder" is ingrained into every superintendent's DNA. New software programs help boost productivity and improve results by monitoring the irrigation system, assessing golf course conditions, recording pesticide and fertilizer applications, tracking labor and inventory, and much more. Collecting data also allows superintendents to produce detailed reports that are invaluable when developing budgets and making management decisions.

The technology currently available to golf course superintendents only scratches the surface of what is to come. As new technologies become more affordable and mainstream, delivering exceptional playing conditions will require fewer and fewer resources. Just as golfers stock their golf bags with the latest and greatest equipment, it is important for golf facilities to provide superintendents with up-to-date technology that maximizes efficiency and helps improve playing conditions.

*Be aware of Rule 14-3 when using electronic measuring devices.
Additional resources: Golf Course Maintenance Equipment 101 The Five "W's" of Precision Turf Management Precision turf management: A new water audit based on soil moisture PDF Version

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Technology Has and Will Continue to Change the Game of Golf

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whether providing turn-by-turn directions to the golf course or an accurate yardage to the hole, GPS technology directly benefits golfers on a daily basis. On the course, GPS technology provides accurate distance information that can be displayed from a golf cart or wristwatch.

# data[].attributes.body
My second category of entertainment I chose was also a TED talk. However, this one was on the topic of overthinking. I decided to watch this one because I think this is a common problem in our society and one I have found myself doing as well. In this video, Malak ElSheikh talks about what overthinking is and how close the relationship between anxiety and overthinking is. She talks about the common misconceptions about overthinking and gives different ways to combat overthinking in everyday life. This connects to the universal idea of worrying about the future you can't control. I would recommend this TED talk because it's very interesting and informative.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Malak ElSheikh: Over Thinking | TED Talk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There is nothing in this world that can trouble you as much as your own thoughts.
Get out of your prison and liberate your soul. Stop creating problems that aren’t there.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to watch this TED Talk because I've been known to be stubborn and sometimes struggle with being wrong. Kathryn Schulz offers her thoughts about being wrong. We all have been wrong before. It is said very often that everyone has been wrong at some point so it’s fine but we also live in the present not the past or future, so we don't actively process the possibility that we are wrong. Being wrong doesn't feel any different than being right, so we generally assume that we are right. Everyone will be wrong at some point and realize it, the point is to get comfortable with the feelings of being wrong such as dread and embarrassment so that we can rediscover wonder. This connects to the universal idea of being right or wrong and having a sense of wonder.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Most of us will do anything to avoid being wrong. But what if we’re wrong about that? “Wrongologist” Kathryn Schulz makes a compelling case for not just admitting but embracing our fallibility.

# data[].attributes.body
The first category of entertainment I chose was a TED talk. It was on the topic of procrastination. I decided to watch this one because I happen to be a procrastinator and can relate. In this video, Tim Urban talks about how the mind of a procrastinator works and how it is different from a regular person. He goes through what it means to be a procrastinator and how it affects life. The universal idea that goes with this video is simply just doing things that you may not want to do because procrastination is just delaying a task in favor of doing something more enjoyable. I highly recommend this video because it's incredibly insightful and engaging.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn't make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages us to think harder about what we're really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this TED Talk because I have a tendency to procrastinate a lot, this project has been a testament to that. Tim Urban offers his experience with procrastination and an insight as to why we procrastinate and why it works in a comical way. Everyone is a procrastinator on some level and we have to be especially careful when there aren't deadlines to wake up the panic monster. This connects to the universal idea of procrastination and being productive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn't make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages us to think harder about what we're really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

# data[].attributes.body
I decided to watch this documentary because fungi are fantastic (!) and their abilities are endless. The history and uses of fungi are absolutely mesmerizing. Fantastic Fungi shows Paul Staments journey with "fantastic fungi". He tells us of the possibilities of fungi, ranging from cleaning oil spills, to utilizing them to help minimize the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Through Staments curiosity, he takes a large dose of psilocybin mushrooms and is able to conquer his persistent stutter. This documentary showcases the abilities of mushrooms, while also showing the lengths humans go to to gain knowledge. It shows the universal idea of gaining knowledge.

# data[].attributes.body
EPA studies have found that since 1978, permafrost melting has been steadily on the rise in all locations, especially in more northerly regions, which is consistent with rising temperatures in the air.  Scientific American reports that the melting of this permafrost releases carbon dioxide in the air, “...exacerbating climate change.”  While the full risks associated with the melting are still unclear, the carbon emissions from this warming can be detrimental to the state of the planet.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that the global average warming of the arctic has doubled since the year 2000. The phenomenon connects to the universal idea of things deteriorating under our noses and what can happen as a result of our actions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Across the Arctic, strange things are happening to the landscape.

Massive lakes, several square miles in size, have disappeared in the span of a few days. Hillsides slump. Ice-rich ground collapses, leaving the landscape wavy where it once was flat, and in some locations creating vast fields of large, sunken polygons.
READ MORE: How thawing permafrost is transforming the Arctic
It's evidence that permafrost, the long-frozen soil below the surface, is thawing. That's bad news for the communities built above it - and for the global climate.

As an ecologist, I study these dynamic landscape interactions and have been documenting the various ways permafrost-driven landscape change has accelerated over time. The hidden changes underway there hold warning for the future.

What is permafrost?

Permafrost is perennially frozen soil that covers about a quarter of the land in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Canada, Russia and Alaska. Much of it is rich with the organic matter of long-dead plants and animals frozen in time.

These frozen soils maintain the structural integrity of many northern landscapes, providing stability to vegetated and unvegetated surfaces, similar to load-bearing support beams in buildings.

As temperatures rise and patterns of precipitation change, permafrost and other forms of ground ice become vulnerable to thaw and collapse. As these frozen soils warm, the ground destabilizes, unraveling the interwoven fabric that has delicately shaped these dynamic ecosystems over millennia. Wildfires, which have been increasing across the Arctic, have been increasing the risk.

Under the surface, something else is active - and it is amplifying global warming. When the ground thaws, microbes begin feasting on organic matter in soils that have been frozen for millennia.

These microbes release carbon dioxide and methane, potent greenhouse gases. As those gases escape into the atmosphere, they further warm the climate, creating a feedback loop: Warmer temperatures thaw more soil, releasing more organic material for microbes to feast on and produce more greenhouse gases.

The evidence: disappearing lakes

Evidence of human-caused climate change is mounting across the permafrost extent.

The disappearance of large lakes, multiple square miles in size, is one of the most striking examples of recent patterns of northern landscape transitions.

The lakes are draining laterally as wider and deeper drainage channels develop, or vertically through taliks, where unfrozen soil under the lake gradually deepens until the permafrost is penetrated and the water drains away.

There is now overwhelming evidence indicating that surface water across permafrost regions is declining. Satellite observations and analysis indicate lake drainage may be linked with permafrost degradation. Colleagues and I have found it increases with warmer and longer summer seasons.

This insight came after some of the highest rates of catastrophic lake drainage - drainage that occurs over a few days due to permafrost degradation - on record were observed over the past five years in northwestern Alaska.

The disappearance of lakes across the permafrost extent is likely to affect the livelihoods of Indigenous communities as water quality and water availability important for waterfowl, fish and other wildlife shift.

Slumping hills and polygon fields

The thaw and collapse of buried glacial ice is also causing hillsides to slump at increasing rates across the Russian and North American Arctic, sending soil, plants and debris sliding downslope.

One new study in northern Siberia found that the disturbed land surfaces increased over 300% over the past two decades. Similar studies in northern and northwestern Canada found slumping there also accelerated with warmer and wetter summers.

In flat terrain, ice wedges are able to develop, creating unusual geometric patterns and changes across the land.

Over decades to centuries, melting snow seeps into cracks in the soil, building up wedges of ice. These wedges cause troughs in the ground above them, creating the edges of polygons. Polygonal features naturally form as a result of the freezing and thawing process in a way similar to that seen at the bottom of drying mud flats. As ice wedges melt, the ground above collapses.

Even in extremely cold high Arctic environments, the impacts of only a few uncommonly warm summers can dramatically change the surface of the landscape, transitioning previously flat terrain into undulating as the surface begins to sink into depressions with the melting of ice in the soil below. Overall rates of ice wedge thawing have increased in response to climate warming.

Across many Arctic regions, this thawing has also been hastened by wildfire. In a recent study, colleagues and I found that wildfires in Arctic permafrost regions increased the rate of thaw and vertical collapse of the frozen terrain for up to eight decades after fire. Because both climate warming and wildfire disturbance are projected to increase in the future, they may increase the rate of change in northern landscapes.

The impact of recent climate and environmental change have also been felt at lower latitudes in the lowland boreal forest. There, ice-rich permafrost plateaus - elevated permafrost islands heaved above adjacent wetlands - have rapidly degraded across Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia. They can look like cargo ships filled with sedges, shrubs, and trees sinking into wetlands.

Why does it matter?

Frigid temperatures and short growing seasons have long limited the decomposition of dead plants and organic matter in northern ecosystems. Because of this, nearly 50% of global soil organic carbon is stored in these frozen soils.

The abrupt transitions we're seeing today - lakes becoming drained basins, shrub tundra turning into ponds, lowland boreal forests becoming wetlands - will not only hasten the decomposition of buried permafrost carbon, but also the decomposition of above-ground vegetation as it collapses into water-saturated environments.

Climate models suggest the impacts of such transitions could be dire. For example, a recent modeling study published in Nature Communications suggested permafrost degradation and associated landscape collapse could result in a 12-fold increase in carbon losses in a scenario of strong warming by the end of the century.

This is particularly important because permafrost is estimated to hold twice as much carbon as the atmosphere today. Permafrost depths vary widely, exceeding 3,000 feet in parts of Siberia and 2,000 feet in northern Alaska, and rapidly decrease moving south. Fairbanks, Alaska, averages around 300 feet (90 meters). Studies have suggested that much of the shallow permafrost, 10 feet (3 meters) deep or less, would likely thaw if the world remains on its current warming trajectory.

To add insult to injury, in water-logged environments lacking oxygen, microbes produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas 30 times more effective at warming the planet than carbon dioxide, though it doesn't stay in the atmosphere as long.

How big of a problem thawing permafrost is likely to become for the climate is an open question. We know it is releasing greenhouse gases now. But the causes and consequences of permafrost thaw and associated landscape transitions are active research frontiers.

One thing is certain: The thawing of previously frozen landscapes will continue to change the face of high-latitude ecosystems for years to come. For people living in these areas, slumping land and destabilizing soil will mean living with the risks and costs, including buckling roads and sinking buildings.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Driven by climate change, thawing permafrost is radically changing the Arctic landscape

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ground is collapsing and massive lakes are draining in a matter of days. Thawing permafrost is having profound effects on the region and its infrastructure.

# data[].attributes.body
Divergent by Veronica Roth is a dystopian, sci-fi novel set in the future about Chicago after "The War" that destroyed everything. To protect themselves and ensure peace, the citizens have essentially walled themselves into the city and split into five groups, each of which has a set job based on personality. The main character, Tris Prior, doesn't fit into any one of these groups and struggles to figure out who she is and who her real friends are. This connects to the universal idea/struggle of trying to find who you are and how you fit into the world. I really love this book and the journey it brings you on. I chose it because it's been several years since I last read it and I really wanted to read it again.

# data[].attributes.body
Hidden Figures tells the story of Black women who work at Langley Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Virginia, starting in the early 1940s. These women play an integral role in the development of American aviation and space technology during a time where racial segregation was still legally enforced by the government. This movie by Theodore Melfi shows the universal idea of segregation but also perseverance. Originally, these amazing women were only seen for the color of their skin instead of their intelligence and contributions but now are huge role models for people today.

# data[].attributes.body
Washington is considering banning TikTok so the New York Times decided to ask teenagers their opinion on the matter. They gave a wide variety of answers that are shown throughout this article ranging from TikTok being fun and helpful to dangerous and addicting. This shows the universal idea/debate of what is actually good for us and what we want because it's fun.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Students Are Saying About Banning TikTok

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Washington is considering a ban on the popular app. We asked teenagers what they thought. Their answers may surprise you.

# data[].attributes.body
For a very long time, scientists and doctors have been searching for a cure for cancer. This revolutionary procedure can help so much. Scientists have found a way to take cancer cells from a patient and place a specific antigen to attack the cancer. The cells that they take are called T cells. T cells are part of the immune system that fights pathogens. With this new discovery, they can be trained to attack specific cancer antigens. This relates to the universal idea and importance of healthcare research.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Stanford Medicine scientists transform cancer cells into weapons against cancer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Researchers found that when they turned cancer cells into immune cells, they were able to teach other immune cells how to attack cancer.

# data[].attributes.body
Simone De Beauvoir was an influential feminist, writer, and philosopher.  Perhaps Beauvoir’s most notable work was the novel The Second Sex, which she wrote in 1949. Beauvoir frequently questioned what it means to become one’s “self.”  Beauvoir refuted the gendered expectations of women versus men.  She disliked the fact that men were encouraged to invest time in finding themselves while women were societally defined by who they married. In this podcast, biographer Kate Kirkpatrick described how Beauvoir valued activities that weren’t constrained by the “mythology of women.”  Kirkpatrick did well in this podcast in that she approached Beauvoir from a unique angle by addressing and refuting criticism surrounding her work and ideas. Beauvoir’s story and the podcast connect to the universal idea of finding oneself in the midst of social and personal constraints.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast, Kate Kirkpatrick, author of a new biography of Beauvoir, Becoming Beauvoir, discusses the relationship between the life and work of Simone de Beauvoir. Beauvoir is often portrayed as applying Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialism to the condition of women. Is this a fair assessment?
We are grateful for support from the Marc Sanders Foundation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
kate kirkpatrick on the life and work of simone de beauvoir

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
‎Philosophy Bites: Kate Kirkpatrick on the life and work of Simone de Beauvoir on Apple Podcasts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast, Kate Kirkpatrick, author of a new biography of Beauvoir, Becoming Beauvoir, discusses the relationship between the life and work of Simone de Beauvoir. Beauvoir is often portrayed as applying Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialism to the condition of women...

# data[].attributes.body
I read Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally I chose to read this book because I had been wanting to read it for a while. I've read various books based on accounts of survivors of Nazi concentration camps, but this book was by far my favorite. The book provided a much different perspective on how the war impacted German citizens. The book tells the story of how a German businessman named Oskar Schindler saves the lives of thousands of Jewish prisoners during World War II.

# data[].attributes.body
Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee is a sci-fi novel set in the future where humans have colonized the Moon and Mars and zero-gravity boxing has become a high-tech sport where fighters are genetically engineered for optimal performance. The story follows Carr "The Raptor" Luka, a rising star in the sport, who is offered a lucrative sponsorship deal by the Earthrise organization. He soon discovers that Earthrise is involved in illegal activities, including the production and distribution of a banned performance-enhancing drug. Carr is forced to make tough decisions as he navigates his way through the corrupt world of professional boxing and tries to protect his family and friends from harm. Zeroboxer explores the universal idea that progress and innovation bring both benefits and drawbacks, and that it is essential to consider the ethical implications of technological advancements.

# data[].attributes.body
I read "Sabotage", by Neal Bascomb. I chose this book because I really like true war stories and the title was really intriguing because it was about the destruction of Hitler's atomic bomb. This story is about how Germany took over Norway and how Germany was creating a bomb in the mountains of Norway. After British operations fail, a group of Norwegians with only skis and explosives survive months in the wilderness to create the greatest act of sabotage in all of WWII. I enjoyed this book because it explains in detail how they pulled this off and how they survived from months in the snowy wilderness of Norway. This book relates to the idea that patience is key.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to read Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë because earlier this year, I read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (her sister) and discovered my love for classic Victorian literature. I went into this book knowing it may be challenging, but I find that the beauty within classic literature makes it worth it. Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights tells the tale of two families, one living at Wuthering Heights and the other at Thrushcross Grange. In particular, the novel focuses on the tragic love story of Heathcliff and Catherine. While men ostensibly have the power and/or authority over women (especially in the 19th century), Brontë illustrates the strength women can possess. The female characters continuously alter the male characters' fortunes within the story. Misery is a strong theme, as the characters are in constant discomfort, whether that be in the mind or body. The misery is life threatening, or even life taking in some cases. This connects to the universal idea that we must acknowledge and dismiss our miseries, rather than exist within them, for eventually they will overpower one's life.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this TED talk because anxiety is really bad in today's age and that I wanted to know how to decrease anxiety levels. I learned that to decrease anxiety levels you would have to move your body and work on breath work. When moving your body, it releases  a whole bunch of beneficial neurochemicals in your brain that include dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and endorphins that work to increase positive mood states and decrease negative ones and breathing slow and deep will help you calm you down. This relates to the universal idea that mental health is important.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Please [contact us](https://www.ted.com/contact) and let us know what happened.

# data[].attributes.body
I researched the discovery of the first antibiotic, penicillin. Penicillin was the first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. It wasn't until later that it was mass produced. This discovery revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections and gave many hope, but it also led to unknown consequences. About 20 years later the first antibiotic resistant bacteria surfaced. This has only grown into a large problem. To the point that antibiotics are in danger of becoming obsolete. Medicine can give people hope, but becoming too reliant can become just as dangerous as the illness it was designed to fight.

# data[].attributes.body
I have been slowly making my way down the list of classical literature and decided to read the Picture of Dorian Gray for that reason. Throughout the book, we become familiar with Dorian Gray and his self-obsession with his youthful demeanor. Basil, an artist, had constructed a portrait tof Dorian with his youthful glow. After seeing it, Dorian wishes for it to age and hold his sins as he stays young and innocent. We first see this wish come true when he rejects the woman he was to marry, saying she had failed him. She then commits suicide, and the painting distorts to hold the sins of Dorian. Throughout the rest of the book, we see Dorian’s character distort further and further as his body stays youthful and his painting is tarnished. In the end, Dorian stabs his painting, physically killing himself and “resetting” the painting. The book shows concepts of the virtues of art, influence of people, but above all, the supremacy of youth and beauty.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this TED talk because I am continually going to the gym and wanted to know if stretching before doing a movement is actually good for you. I learned that stretching will reduce the chance of getting a muscle strain and getting tears and will also give a person a better range of motion for a set period of time. To permanently have better flexibility, you would have to stretch for at least 10 minutes per day and to continue doing that for at least 2 months. This relates to the universal idea that you can improve each day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Malachy McHugh: How stretching actually changes your muscles

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An athlete is preparing for a game. They've put on their gear and done their warmup, and now it's time for one more routine - stretching. Typically, athletes stretch before physical activity to avoid injuries like strains and tears. But does stretching actually prevent these issues?

# data[].attributes.body
On April 16, 2023, at least four people were killed and twenty-eight wounded in a shooting during a Sweet 16 birthday party. One of the victims killed in the incident was a brother to the girl turning 16. He had a football scholarship at Jacksonville State University and was about to graduate in just a couple of weeks. This article also brings attention to other recent shootings such as the five dead after a shooting in a bank in Louisville, Kentucky and the shooting at a Catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee. This draws awareness to the universal idea of gun violence and its problems in today's world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
April 16 (Reuters) - Four people were killed and multiple others injured in a shooting on Saturday night that was tied to a birthday party in the small town of Dadeville, Alabama, the state law enforcement agency said at a news conference on Sunday morning.

A local TV station reported on Sunday that more than 20 people had been injured in the shooting, citing investigators on the scene. The state agency declined to answer questions or provide further detail during the news conference.

"We're going to continue to work in a very methodical way to go through this scene, to look at the facts, and ensure that justice is brought to bear for the families," said Jeremy Burkett, a sergeant with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The shooting occurred around 10:34 p.m. on Saturday, according to the agency. Officials provided no information about what led to the shooting, and it was not known if any suspects had been taken into custody.

Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent Raymond Porter said at the news conference that counseling would be provided at area schools tomorrow, and asked local clergy to help families through the situation.

"We will make every effort to comfort those children and don't lose sight of the fact that those are the ones most impacted by this situation," Porter said.

The FBI, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Fifth Circuit District Attorney's Office had also responded to the scene and were assisting with the investigation, according to a release from the state law enforcement agency.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a Twitter post on Sunday morning that she was staying "closely updated" by law enforcement as details emerged.

"This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians," she wrote in the post. "Violent crime has NO place in our state."

The shooting occurred within weeks of two high-profile mass shootings in the nearby states of Tennessee and Kentucky, which prompted local leaders to call for tighter gun control measures last week.

A bank employee shot dead five colleagues and wounded nine other people at his workplace in Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday. On March 27, three 9-year-olds and three staff members were killed at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, by a former student.

Mass shootings have become commonplace in the U.S. There have been more than 146 so far in 2023, the most at this point in the year since at least 2016, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The nonprofit group defines a mass shooting as four or more shot or killed, not including the shooter.

Reporting by Julia Harte Editing by Bill Berkrot

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Four killed, multiple injuries in Alabama shooting

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Four people were killed and multiple others injured in a shooting on Saturday night that was tied to a birthday party in the small town of Dadeville, Alabama, the state law enforcement agency said at a news conference on Sunday morning.

# data[].attributes.body
I read "Dante's Inferno" originally by Dante Alighieri. The story unfolds as fictional Dante travels through a very catholic version of Hell. Accompanied by the poet Virgil, Dante travels through the nine circles of Hell where he meets famous Christian and mythological characters. For each level of Hell Dante speaks with or is greeted by someone. I myself didn't have a lot of knowledge of Christian figures so I had to look them up to understand some of the significance of certain characters. It was also interesting reading about the order of the nine circles because as they traveled deeper the sins were supposed to be worse. Since the original text was written in the 1300s, the Catholic Church was being exposed for corruption and certain characters in the book reflect that. The age of text is really reflected in the religious ideals of Dante, an Italian christian writer. Two major themes throughout the pity and justice. In the beginning of the story Dante often felt sorrow for brutal punishments of the souls. However, as the story progresses Dante gradually feels less and less pity which is encouraged by his guide Virgil since he reasons that they did this to themselves and that they deserve punishment. Going along with Virgil the idea is that Hell is justice for the bad deeds that the dead committed, and is a fundamental belief throughout the book. Pity and justice are universal ideals today but by modern day standards the punishments inflicted on those in the story would be deemed inhumane and cruel. It was really interesting because what Dante's "God" deemed as justice others would see as cruel. It was really illuminating in the fact that everyone has a different definition of right and wrong that is colored by their ideals, culture, and age.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to listen to this TED Talk because i've always been fascinated with astrology. Jessie Christiansen reveals in her TED Talk the exoplanets (planets outside of our solar system) she has discovered and how they can impact our knowledge of space. She reveals that there are currently 5000 exoplanets that have been discovered and they are all different from one another. She explains how these discoveries can lead to huge revelations about our galaxy. She concludes her talk by stating they are currently searching for a planet similar to earth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Please [contact us](https://www.ted.com/contact) and let us know what happened.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to listen to this TED Talk because I am a true crime fan. I watch true crime documentaries all the time and I find them quite interesting. In this TED Talk, Lindsey Sherrill asks four questions that reveal if the reasons we watch true crime are ethical or not. The first question asks why am I interested in this topic, the second asks how does this make me feel, the third asks how might the people involved feel, and the final question asks if you are willing to dedicate time to make a change. She provides a fresh perspective on the popularity of true crime media consumption, and if it really is ethical

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Are you an ethical true crime fan? 4 questions to ask

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From the Salem witch trials to Jack the Ripper, humanity’s historic fascination for true crime content can be traced back to the Middle Ages. But is it ethical to consume these real-life dramas in the way we do? Researcher Lindsey A. Sherrill shares four questions to ask yourself to be a mindful fan of this provocative cultural obsession -- so you can direct your attention away from the exploitative “ugly side” of true crime and to those that are doing useful work in the genre.

# data[].attributes.body
When I saw the title of this TED Talk, I knew I'd find it interesting because I constantly find myself changing my attitude towards certain situations. Shreya Joshi, a seventeen year old high school student, describes the importance of learning from others through our disagreements. When we listen to other people's thoughts and opinions that don't align with our own, we allow ourselves to open our minds to new ideas and ways of thinking. Though some people don't completely change their minds about their own opinions, our perspectives can be changed. This relates to the universal theme that we learn from our experiences as well as from other people. I would recommend this TED talk to people because it helps people realize that listening to others can help inform them and change their point of view.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shreya Joshi: What you can learn from people who disagree with you

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Youth leader Shreya Joshi diagnoses a key source of political polarization in the US and shows why having "uncomfortable conversations" with people you disagree with is crucial to bridging the divide. "When we are able to recognize what unites us, it becomes so much easier to have conversations about what divides us," she says.

# data[].attributes.body
Throughout the 50's and 60's, MK-ULTRA was underway. Operated under the power of Sidney Gottlieb, many experiments were operated under the attempt of gaining mind control. They experimented with properties of LSD, Mescaline, and other hallucinogenic compounds. In the end, they found no "useful" effects of these drugs, thus ending many experiments. They also attempted to harness the power of sexual motivation, hypnosis, and pain. When Nixon was elected to office, he ended the program, leading Gottlieb and Helms (his boss) to destroy any records of their unethical human experiments. This search for knowledge connects to the idea of how humans continue to always seek new knowledge.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
During the early period of the Cold War, the CIA became convinced that communists had discovered a drug or technique that would allow them to control human minds. In response, the CIA began its own secret program, called MK-ULTRA, to search for a mind control drug that could be weaponized against enemies.

MK-ULTRA, which operated from the 1950s until the early '60s, was created and run by a chemist named Sidney Gottlieb. Journalist Stephen Kinzer, who spent several years investigating the program, calls the operation the "most sustained search in history for techniques of mind control."

Some of Gottlieb's experiments were covertly funded at universities and research centers, Kinzer says, while others were conducted in American prisons and in detention centers in Japan, Germany and the Philippines. Many of his unwitting subjects endured psychological torture ranging from electroshock to high doses of LSD, according to Kinzer's research.

"Gottlieb wanted to create a way to seize control of people's minds, and he realized it was a two-part process," Kinzer says. "First, you had to blast away the existing mind. Second, you had to find a way to insert a new mind into that resulting void. We didn't get too far on number two, but he did a lot of work on number one."

Kinzer notes that the top-secret nature of Gottlieb's work makes it impossible to measure the human cost of his experiments. "We don't know how many people died, but a number did, and many lives were permanently destroyed," he says.

Ultimately, Gottlieb concluded that mind control was not possible. After MK-ULTRA shut down, he went on to lead a CIA program that created poisons and high-tech gadgets for spies to use.

Kinzer writes about Gottlieb and MK-ULTRA in his new book, Poisoner in Chief.

Interview highlights

On how the CIA brought LSD to America
As part of the search for drugs that would allow people to control the human mind, CIA scientists became aware of the existence of LSD, and this became an obsession for the early directors of MK-ULTRA. Actually, the MK-ULTRA director, Sidney Gottlieb, can now be seen as the man who brought LSD to America. He was the unwitting godfather of the entire LSD counterculture.

In the early 1950s, he arranged for the CIA to pay $240,000 to buy the world's entire supply of LSD. He brought this to the United States, and he began spreading it around to hospitals, clinics, prisons and other institutions, asking them, through bogus foundations, to carry out research projects and find out what LSD was, how people reacted to it and how it might be able to be used as a tool for mind control.

Now, the people who volunteered for these experiments and began taking LSD, in many cases, found it very pleasurable. They told their friends about it. Who were those people? Ken Kesey, the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, got his LSD in an experiment sponsored by the CIA by MK-ULTRA, by Sidney Gottlieb. So did Robert Hunter, the lyricist for the Grateful Dead, which went on to become a great purveyor of LSD culture. Allen Ginsberg, the poet who preached the value of the great personal adventure of using LSD, got his first LSD from Sidney Gottlieb. Although, of course, he never knew that name.

So the CIA brought LSD to America unwittingly, and actually it's a tremendous irony that the drug that the CIA hoped would be its key to controlling humanity actually wound up fueling a generational rebellion that was dedicated to destroying everything that the CIA held dear and defended.
On how MK-ULTRA experimented on prisoners, including crime boss Whitey Bulger
Whitey Bulger was one of the prisoners who volunteered for what he was told was an experiment aimed at finding a cure for schizophrenia. As part of this experiment, he was given LSD every day for more than a year. He later realized that this had nothing to do with schizophrenia and he was a guinea pig in a government experiment aimed at seeing what people's long-term reactions to LSD was. Essentially, could we make a person lose his mind by feeding him LSD every day over such a long period?
On the CIA hiring Nazi doctors and Japanese torturers to learn methods
Bulger wrote afterward about his experiences, which he described as quite horrific. He thought he was going insane. He wrote, "I was in prison for committing a crime, but they committed a greater crime on me." And towards the end of his life, Bulger came to realize the truth of what had happened to him, and he actually told his friends that he was going to find that doctor in Atlanta who was the head of that experiment program in the penitentiary and go kill him.

The CIA mind control project, MK-ULTRA, was essentially a continuation of work that began in Japanese and Nazi concentration camps.

The CIA mind control project, MK-ULTRA, was essentially a continuation of work that began in Japanese and Nazi concentration camps. Not only was it roughly based on those experiments, but the CIA actually hired the vivisectionists and the torturers who had worked in Japan and in Nazi concentration camps to come and explain what they had found out so that we could build on their research.

For example, Nazi doctors had conducted extensive experiments with mescaline at the Dachau concentration camp, and the CIA was very interested in figuring out whether mescaline could be the key to mind control that was one of their big avenues of investigation. So they hired the Nazi doctors who had been involved in that project to advise them.
On the more extreme experiments Gottlieb conducted overseas
Another thing the Nazis provided was information about poison gases like sarin, which is still being used. Nazi doctors came to America to Fort Detrick in Maryland, which was the center of this project, to lecture to CIA officers to tell them how long it took for people to die from sarin.

Gottlieb and the CIA established secret detention centers throughout Europe and East Asia, particularly in Japan, Germany and the Philippines, which were largely under American control in the period of the early '50s, and therefore Gottlieb didn't have to worry about any legal entanglements in these places. ...
On how these experiments were unsupervised
CIA officers in Europe and Asia were capturing enemy agents and others who they felt might be suspected persons or were otherwise what they called "expendable." They would grab these people and throw them into cells and then test all kinds of, not just drug potions, but other techniques, like electroshock, extremes of temperature, sensory isolation - all the meantime bombarding them with questions, trying to see if they could break down resistance and find a way to destroy the human ego. So these were projects designed not only to understand the human mind but to figure out how to destroy it. And that made Gottlieb, although in some ways a very compassionate person, certainly the most prolific torturer of his generation.

This guy [Sidney Gottlieb] had a license to kill. He was allowed to requisition human subjects across the United States and around the world and subject them to any kind of abuse that he wanted, even up to the level of it being fatal - yet nobody looked over his shoulder.
On how Gottlieb destroyed evidence about his experiments when he left the CIA
[Gottlieb] operated almost completely without supervision. He had sort of a checkoff from his titular boss and from his real boss, Richard Helms, and from the CIA director, Allen Dulles. But none of them really wanted to know what he was doing. This guy had a license to kill. He was allowed to requisition human subjects across the United States and around the world and subject them to any kind of abuse that he wanted, even up to the level of it being fatal - yet nobody looked over his shoulder. He never had to file serious reports to anybody. I think the mentality must have been [that] this project is so important - mind control, if it can be mastered, is the key to global world power.
Sam Briger and Thea Chaloner produced and edited the audio of this interview. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Meghan Sullivan adapted it for the Web.
The end of Gottlieb's career came in [1973], when his patron, Richard Helms, who was then director of the CIA, was removed by [President Richard] Nixon. Once Helms was gone, it was just a matter of time until Gottlieb would be gone, and most important was that Helms was really the only person at the CIA who had an idea of what Gottlieb had been doing. So as they were both on their way out of the CIA, they agreed that they should destroy all records of MK-ULTRA. Gottlieb actually drove out to the CIA records center and ordered the archives to destroy boxes full of MK-ULTRA records. ... However, it turns out that there were some [records] found in other places; there was a depot for expense account reports that had not been destroyed, and various other pieces of paper remain. So there is enough out there to reconstruct some of what he did, but his effort to wipe away his traces by destroying all those documents in the early '70s was quite successful.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The CIA's Secret Quest For Mind Control: Torture, LSD And A 'Poisoner In Chief'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Journalist Stephen Kinzer reveals how CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb worked in the 1950s and early '60s to develop mind control drugs and deadly toxins that could be used against enemies.

# data[].attributes.body
Building tensions in Sudan between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces have resulted in an eruption of violence. Fighting began on April 15 at a military base in Khartoum before rapidly spreading to to the presidential palace, the international airport, and the state broadcaster headquarters. At least thirty people were killed and four hundred were wounded. The current leader and deputy leader of Sudan are two generals who seized power together in 2021, but have been clashing in recent months. The conflict in violence taking place in Sudan connect to the universal struggle between humans for power.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rival Generals Duel for Power in Sudan, Dashing Hopes for Democracy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mounting tensions between two military leaders broke into open battles in Khartoum and other parts of the country. At least 30 people have been killed and 400 injured, U.N. officials said.

# data[].attributes.body
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
I chose to read running with scissors because it had a catchy title, and on the back of the book the reviews said it was "Hilarious, freaky-deaky, berserk, flippant and gone off the rails." Other than that, I knew nothing about it, aside from it was a memoir. The book is about Augusten Burroughs who is a gay man with a really wonky and troubled childhood. He originally lives with his mother, but soon moves in with his mother's therapist, Doctor Finch, because his mother is unstable. In the finch household, he has his eyes widened to the craziness of freedom and absolutely no rules. He goes on many strange adventures with the Finch family, including a underage, illegal sexual relationship with a man in his 30s, when Augusten if 13; a unstable mother who struggles with her sexuality, mental challenges to do with anger and health and the whole bizarre Finch family. He ends the book living with one of Doctor Finch's daughters in an apartment and decides he doesn't want anything to do with either his mother, or the other Finch's. This book connects to the universal idea of how important freedom is, versus how important a structured life can be, and also explores what life would be like if there were absolutely no rules. I don't know if I'd recommend this book to others, because I personally was very disturbed by some of the parts of it. However, if you don't get grossed out easily, and enjoy dark and freaky sitcoms, this is the book for you.

# data[].attributes.body
As garbage piles up on the streets of Paris, France continues to protest the government raising the retirement age. As protests continue, citizens point out the ludicrousness of the situation, milking the citizens for the pension funds rather than from large conglomerates such as LVMH. As protests continue, police presence worsens, resulting in violence. These protesters show the power and abilities of uniting for a shared cause.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
French protesters storm headquarters of luxury giant LVMH | CNN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hundreds of thousands of people took part in a fresh round of demonstrations across France on Thursday over government plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, a day before a crucial court ruling on the constitutionality of the divisive law.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this TED talk because I am really fascinated with the different levels and types of personalities. Brian Little talks in depth about how psychologists classify various types of personality called OCEAN. OCEAN stands for Open to experience; Conscientiousness; Extroversion; Agreeable; Neurotical. These are the classification you can put most everyone into. Though Little talks a lot about many different types of personalites, he focuses mainly on introverts and extroverts. He talks about the qualities of introverts and how they need less stimulation, and are usually more articulate with their words. He couples this with extroversion and how most extroverts need a lot of external stimuli to be comfortable, and how they are usually more blunt. At the end of the video, he says what "Makes you, you." Which is that everyone is a multitude of layers of personality and traits, and you can't use just one of them to define who you are. Overall this connects to the theme of the struggles we all face with personality, and how well we know ourself. I'd recommend this for anyone who is curious to learn more about what types of personality traits they may exude, and who they are.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Who are you, really? The puzzle of personality | Brian Little | TED

# data[].attributes.body
David Rudisha.
David Rudisha is from Kenya and a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 800-meter run, and the current world record holder in the 800-meter race with a time of 1:40.91. He was born into a family with six siblings, and he started track when he was young, trying to follow his father's footsteps. His father was a silver medalist in the Olympic 4 by 400-meter relay. Through intense training and the commitment to leave it all on the table, Rudisha became a dominating force for Kenya in the 800-meter run. He won many first-place medals, and early on set the African world record in the 800. The pinnacle of his career was in 2012, and it came in the summer Olympics of 2012 when he set this world record for a third time with 1:40.91 minutes. Overall, all, this story connects to the theme of persistence and resilience in the face of the impossible, and if you can just find the resolve in yourself to hold nothing back, there is no telling how high you can soar.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rudisha Breaks World Record - Men's 800m Final | London 2012 Olympics

# data[].attributes.body
Beatriz Flamini is a Spanish extreme athlete who spent 500 days in a cave. She entered the cave in November of 2021 and had no human contact until she emerged in April of 2023. During this time, she was being monitored by group of psychologists, researchers, and speleologists. She spent her time knitting, reading, drawing, and exercising. Flamini climbed out of the cave grinning and described her experience as "excellent, unbeatable." This story connects to the importance of isolation and solitude and how being alone can be beneficial.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ms Flamini, 50, entered the cave aged 48. She spent her time in the 70m (230ft) deep cave exercising, drawing and knitting woolly hats. She got through 60 books and 1,000 litres of water, according to her support team.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Beatriz Flamini: Athlete emerges after 500 days living in cave

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Beatriz Flamini spent two birthdays in the cave, and kept busy drawing and knitting woolly hats.

# data[].attributes.body
In 1892, the western Ireland tenant farmers started to rebel against the wealthy landlords after years of oppression. This movie follows two young Irish people who run away to America in search of free land. It focuses on the discrimination against Irish immigrants in the late 1800's. On September 16, 1893 people of all ages lined up with horses and covered wagons for the cannon shot at noon when the land race would start. This movie connects to the universal idea of discrimination. More currently everyone seems to be saying they are being discriminated against, from the wall on the Mexican border to the black lives matter movement and even white males. This movie can serve as a reminder to not discriminate against whole ethnic groups and people in general.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to listen to this TED Talk because sometimes I'm guilty of procrastination. Dan Shipper provides three steps to help combat procrastination. The first step is to be aware when you have a problem. Next, is to observe what's going on without judgment, so you can understand it and why it's happening. The last step is to experiment with solutions until the problem changes. Overcoming procrastination is often hard for people because they feel guilty and ashamed; they think that they should "just do better." The universal idea of this TED Talk is that we can overcome challenges and flaws if we are more conscious and aware of ourselves.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dan Shipper: The unexpected key to boosting your productivity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ever wished you could stop procrastinating and just be as efficient as a machine? Since you're a human, that's not going to happen -- but that's OK, says entrepreneur Dan Shipper. Here's how you can use awareness, observation and experimentation to clear your own way to getting more done.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to listen to this TED Talk because if our future is 4-day work weeks, I'm in. In her TED Talk, Juliet Schor explains the positive impact a four-day work week can have on issues like burnout, inequalities of race and income, and the climate crisis. Data has shown that people will work just as productive in four days compared to five, and countries stop expanding production to their max which avoids additional emissions. With this implementation, people will become less stressed, have more time for themselves and their children, and help reduce the impact they have on the environment. This relates to the universal idea that everyone needs a break as well as the importance of saving the environment. I would recommend this TED Talk because it is an interesting view on changing the way the world works.

# data[].attributes.body
I enjoy nature documentaries, so I watched this documentary about human impacts on marine life. Although plastic is endangering oceans, commercial fishing has a greater impact on oceanic life. This film exposes the unseen and deadly truths of fisheries. Dolphins are killed under the justification of “pest control” and are blamed for eating too many fish when, in reality, the problem is overfishing by humans. Sharks are losing 80-99% of their populations to the harvesting of their fins for shark fin soup. The fishing industry is highly deadly; being thrown overboard is not uncommon. Oceans are responsible for storing 93% of the world’s carbon dioxide, which is crucial to global warming. Without marine life such as dolphins and sharks, the oceans will die, and if oceans die, humans die. The universal idea here is the impacts humans have on wildlife and the environment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Passionate about ocean life, a filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species - and uncovers alarming global corruption.

Watch all you want.

Trailer: Seaspiracy

Downloads only available on ad-free plans.

Controversial, Provocative, Investigative

German, English - Audio Description, English [Original], Spanish, French, Italian

English, Spanish, French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese

When a plane mysteriously lands years after takeoff, the people onboard return to a world that has moved on without them and face strange new realities.

When a father and daughter discover they both secretly work for the CIA, an already dicey undercover mission turns into a dysfunctional family affair.

When the son she's never known gets kidnapped, former special agent Nina dusts off her deadly skills to bring him home - no matter who gets in her way.

Eight of the country's best backyard smokers and pitmasters vie for the title of American Barbecue Champion in a fierce but friendly faceoff.

At the bitter end of WWII, a German deserter and a young woman are drawn into bloody battle with a group of Nazis hunting for hidden gold.

Siren: Survive the Island

24 female police officers, firefighters, bodyguards, soldiers, athletes and stuntwomen team up by profession to compete for survival on a remote island.

When a boat loaded with cocaine sinks off his home island, Eduardo sees a risky but exciting opportunity to make money and fulfill impossible dreams.

After a traumatic miscarriage, a young couple adopts two peculiar twins from a convent whose obsession with religion soon disturbs the family.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Watch Seaspiracy | Netflix Official Site

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Passionate about ocean life, a filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species - and uncovers alarming global corruption. Watch all you want. Trailer: Seaspiracy Downloads only available on ad-free plans.

# data[].attributes.body
An ethical stance known as longtermism questions a theoretical existence in which you are the only human soul, and your existence is infinitely long. Each time you die, you are brought back as the next human born after your prior life, but you do not remember your previous life. You are the only human that has ever and will ever exist. This connects to my universal idea of appreciating life, as you would live every human life ever.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What if you experienced every human life in history?

# data[].attributes.body
The Miami Dolphins is an exceptional good team throughout history in the NFL. Some achievements they have had were back to back super bowl wins and whats called a "perfect season" which was gained when they won every single game in a season. These past seasons were really good for them and I think there going to do really well in the future of the NFL. This relates to the universal idea that hard work will pay off.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dan Marino - QB - 61,361 Passing Yards

AP via Tom DiPace

Did you know?

The 1972 Dolphins are the only team in NFL history to record a perfect season. To this day, no other team has remained undefeated in both the regular season and playoffs in a single season.

Hard Rock Stadium

Miami Gardens, FL

Opened: 1987

Capacity: 64,767

Surface: Bermuda Grass

AP via Lynne Sladky

Hometown

Miami, FL

Population: 439,890 (2021)

AP via Lynne Sladky

Team Colors

Aqua/Orange

Team History

Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula led the Dolphins for 26 seasons, including a perfect season in 1972.

Team Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Miami Dolphins | NFL Football Operations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The 1972 Dolphins are the only team in NFL history to record a perfect season. To this day, no other team has remained undefeated in both the regular season and playoffs in a single season.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Anne Boleyn - The Second Wife of King Henry VIII

# data[].attributes.body
Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII, but certainly not the last. The King had a strong desire to be a father to a son (a male heir to the throne) and when his first wife failed him by having a daughter, he began to seek a new wife. Anne Boleyn and Henry were married, and Anne gave birth to her daughter, Elizabeth I. This upset the King, and he began affairs yet again. Anne Boleyn had two more pregnancies, however one resulted in a miscarriage and the other a stillborn. This infuriated King Henry VIII, and he had her admitted to The Tower of London with accusations of adultery, incest, and plotting against the King's life. Anne Boleyn pleaded not guilty, but on May 19, 1536, she was beheaded at The Tower of London. Almost no one believed Boleyn's innocence and automatically sided with King Henry.  Many people have an automatic willingness to believe a powerful male figure and defend his actions. This shows how gender's impact on a person's fate has yet to subside.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to listen to this TED Talk because I believe that the stigma around mental health is an important issue. In this TED Talk, Hailey Hardcastle explains the importance of mental health days in the school system. She was diagnosed with trauma-induced anxiety and clinical depression at only 6 years old, so she knew what is was like to struggle with mental health and going to school. She created a committee that helped pass a law allowing students to take mental health days off of school, which connects to the universal idea that "it is always OK to not be OK" as she puts it. I would recommend this TED Talk if you want to become more informed on the issue of the mental health crisis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hailey Hardcastle: Why students should have mental health days

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
School can be rife with stress, anxiety, panic attacks and even burnout -- but there's often no formal policy for students who need to prioritize their well-being. Hailey Hardcastle explains why schools should offer mental health days and allow students time to practice emotional hygiene without stigma.

# data[].attributes.body
In the year of 1861, citizens of the United States from the Union (North) and the Confederacy (South) fought in what is now known as The American Civil War. It was the deadliest war fought on American soil with more than 620,000 people killed. This relates to the universal idea that we need equality even if it means going to war with one another.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Causes of the Civil War

In the mid-19th century, while the United States was experiencing an era of tremendous growth, a fundamental economic difference existed between the country's northern and southern regions.

In the North, manufacturing and industry was well established, and agriculture was mostly limited to small-scale farms, while the South's economy was based on a system of large-scale farming that depended on the labor of Black enslaved people to grow certain crops, especially cotton and tobacco.

Growing abolitionist sentiment in the North after the 1830s and northern opposition to slavery's extension into the new western territories led many southerners to fear that the existence of slavery in America -and thus the backbone of their economy-was in danger.

Did you know? Confederate General Thomas Jonathan Jackson earned his famous nickname, "Stonewall," from his steadfast defensive efforts in the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas). At Chancellorsville, Jackson was shot by one of his own men, who mistook him for Union cavalry. His arm was amputated, and he died from pneumonia eight days later.

In 1854, the U.S. Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which essentially opened all new territories to slavery by asserting the rule of popular sovereignty over congressional edict. Pro- and anti-slavery forces struggled violently in " Bleeding Kansas," while opposition to the act in the North led to the formation of the Republican Party, a new political entity based on the principle of opposing slavery's extension into the western territories. After the Supreme Court's ruling in the Dred Scott case (1857) confirmed the legality of slavery in the territories, the abolitionist John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry in 1859 convinced more and more southerners that their northern neighbors were bent on the destruction of the "peculiar institution" that sustained them. Abraham Lincoln 's election in November 1860 was the final straw, and within three months seven southern states-South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas-had seceded from the United States.

Outbreak of the Civil War (1861)

Even as Lincoln took office in March 1861, Confederate forces threatened the federal-held Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. On April 12, after Lincoln ordered a fleet to resupply Sumter, Confederate artillery fired the first shots of the Civil War. Sumter's commander, Major Robert Anderson, surrendered after less than two days of bombardment, leaving the fort in the hands of Confederate forces under Pierre G.T. Beauregard. Four more southern states-Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee-joined the Confederacy after Fort Sumter. Border slave states like Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland did not secede, but there was much Confederate sympathy among their citizens.

Though on the surface the Civil War may have seemed a lopsided conflict, with the 23 states of the Union enjoying an enormous advantage in population, manufacturing (including arms production) and railroad construction, the Confederates had a strong military tradition, along with some of the best soldiers and commanders in the nation. They also had a cause they believed in: preserving their long-held traditions and institutions, chief among these being slavery.

In the First Battle of Bull Run (known in the South as First Manassas) on July 21, 1861, 35,000 Confederate soldiers under the command of Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson forced a greater number of Union forces (or Federals) to retreat towards Washington, D.C., dashing any hopes of a quick Union victory and leading Lincoln to call for 500,000 more recruits. In fact, both sides' initial call for troops had to be widened after it became clear that the war would not be a limited or short conflict.

The Civil War in Virginia (1862)

George B. McClellan-who replaced the aging General Winfield Scott as supreme commander of the Union Army after the first months of the war-was beloved by his troops, but his reluctance to advance frustrated Lincoln. In the spring of 1862, McClellan finally led his Army of the Potomac up the peninsula between the York and James Rivers, capturing Yorktown on May 4. The combined forces of Robert E. Lee and Jackson successfully drove back McClellan's army in the Seven Days' Battles (June 25-July 1), and a cautious McClellan called for yet more reinforcements in order to move against Richmond. Lincoln refused, and instead withdrew the Army of the Potomac to Washington. By mid-1862, McClellan had been replaced as Union general-in-chief by Henry W. Halleck, though he remained in command of the Army of the Potomac.

Lee then moved his troops northwards and split his men, sending Jackson to meet Pope's forces near Manassas, while Lee himself moved separately with the second half of the army. On August 29, Union troops led by John Pope struck Jackson's forces in the Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas). The next day, Lee hit the Federal left flank with a massive assault, driving Pope's men back towards Washington. On the heels of his victory at Manassas, Lee began the first Confederate invasion of the North. Despite contradictory orders from Lincoln and Halleck, McClellan was able to reorganize his army and strike at Lee on September 14 in Maryland, driving the Confederates back to a defensive position along Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg.

On September 17, the Army of the Potomac hit Lee's forces (reinforced by Jackson's) in what became the war's bloodiest single day of fighting. Total casualties at the Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg) numbered 12,410 of some 69,000 troops on the Union side, and 13,724 of around 52,000 for the Confederates. The Union victory at Antietam would prove decisive, as it halted the Confederate advance in Maryland and forced Lee to retreat into Virginia. Still, McClellan's failure to pursue his advantage earned him the scorn of Lincoln and Halleck, who removed him from command in favor of Ambrose E. Burnside. Burnside's assault on Lee's troops near Fredericksburg on December 13 ended in heavy Union casualties and a Confederate victory; he was promptly replaced by Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker, and both armies settled into winter quarters across the Rappahannock River from each other.

After the Emancipation Proclamation (1863-4)

Lincoln had used the occasion of the Union victory at Antietam to issue a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all enslaved people in the rebellious states after January 1, 1863. He justified his decision as a wartime measure, and did not go so far as to free the enslaved people in the border states loyal to the Union. Still, the Emancipation Proclamation deprived the Confederacy of the bulk of its labor forces and put international public opinion strongly on the Union side. Some 186,000 Black Civil War soldiers would join the Union Army by the time the war ended in 1865, and 38,000 lost their lives.

In the spring of 1863, Hooker's plans for a Union offensive were thwarted by a surprise attack by the bulk of Lee's forces on May 1, whereupon Hooker pulled his men back to Chancellorsville. The Confederates gained a costly victory in the Battle of Chancellorsville, suffering 13,000 casualties (around 22 percent of their troops); the Union lost 17,000 men (15 percent). Lee launched another invasion of the North in June, attacking Union forces commanded by General George Meade on July 1 near Gettysburg, in southern Pennsylvania. Over three days of fierce fighting, the Confederates were unable to push through the Union center, and suffered casualties of close to 60 percent.

Meade failed to counterattack, however, and Lee's remaining forces were able to escape into Virginia, ending the last Confederate invasion of the North. Also in July 1863, Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant took Vicksburg (Mississippi) in the Siege of Vicksburg, a victory that would prove to be the turning point of the war in the western theater. After a Confederate victory at Chickamauga Creek, Georgia, just south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in September, Lincoln expanded Grant's command, and he led a reinforced Federal army (including two corps from the Army of the Potomac) to victory in the Battle of Chattanooga in late November.

Toward a Union Victory (1864-65)

In March 1864, Lincoln put Grant in supreme command of the Union armies, replacing Halleck. Leaving William Tecumseh Sherman in control in the West, Grant headed to Washington, where he led the Army of the Potomac towards Lee's troops in northern Virginia. Despite heavy Union casualties in the Battle of the Wilderness and at Spotsylvania (both May 1864), at Cold Harbor (early June) and the key rail center of Petersburg (June), Grant pursued a strategy of attrition, putting Petersburg under siege for the next nine months.

Sherman outmaneuvered Confederate forces to take Atlanta by September, after which he and some 60,000 Union troops began the famous "March to the Sea," devastating Georgia on the way to capturing Savannah on December 21. Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, fell to Sherman's men by mid-February, and Jefferson Davis belatedly handed over the supreme command to Lee, with the Confederate war effort on its last legs. Sherman pressed on through North Carolina, capturing Fayetteville, Bentonville, Goldsboro and Raleigh by mid-April.

Meanwhile, exhausted by the Union siege of Petersburg and Richmond, Lee's forces made a last attempt at resistance, attacking and captured the Federal-controlled Fort Stedman on March 25. An immediate counterattack reversed the victory, however, and on the night of April 2-3 Lee's forces evacuated Richmond. For most of the next week, Grant and Meade pursued the Confederates along the Appomattox River, finally exhausting their possibilities for escape. Grant accepted Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9. On the eve of victory, the Union lost its great leader: The actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington on April 14. Sherman received Johnston's surrender at Durham Station, North Carolina on April 26, effectively ending the Civil War.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Civil War - Causes, Dates & Battles | HISTORY

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Civil War in the United States began in 1861, after decades of simmering tensions between northern and southern states over slavery, states' rights and westward expansion. Eleven southern states seceded from the Union to form the Confederacy. Ultimately more than 620,000 Americans' lives were lost in the four-year war that ended in a Confederate defeat.

# data[].attributes.body
Donald Trump who was the 45th president of the United States have been arrested for 34 counts of falsifying business records connected to a alleged role in hush money payments. He is looking for 136 years in prison but yet can still be in the election. This can relate to the universal idea that no one is above the law.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Trump pleads not guilty after arrest, arraignment in hush money case

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Donald Trump, the first former president to be criminally charged, faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made in his 2016 campaign.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to read "A Thousand Cuts" by Simon Lelic. This book is about the investigation of a history teacher, Mr. Szajkowski. He walked into a school assembly with a gun and shot three students and a teacher before himself. Lucia May was the Detective Inspector on this case. After multiple interviews with Szajkowski's colleagues and students at the school, Lucia begins to question the innocence of some of the witnesses. The teacher was being harassed and bullied. One of the other teachers at school even broke his leg, and a student defecated in his briefcase. Along with the pressure to close the case, Inspector May begins to be bullied by her coworkers. The men walk all over her, don't let her speak, and even start to sexually harass her. She begins to feel like she has a lot in common with Szajkowski, and wants to let the truth out. This book relates to the universal idea of sexism and not being treated equal, as well as wanting to be safe in schools.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to read Dracula by Bram Stoker because I had to read excerpts of it for my Gothic Literature class. I then became very interested in reading the entire book. It was slow in some parts (some characters having long, frequent, and dramatic monologues), but I enjoyed reading from all the different character's perspectives. The format of having the chapters contain journal entries from different people, letters, telegrams, and news paper clippings made me feel like I was a detective piecing everything together. I made revelations alongside the characters (who I honestly became attached to). The characters of Lucy and Mina reflect the ideals Victorian women were held to during Bram Stoker's time. Mina is praised for being intelligent and beautiful as it's apparently unusual for women to contain both of these qualities simultaneously. Since she is the "ideal woman", the men in the story obsess over making her "pure" again after Dracula has her in his clutches. Dracula contains somewhat of a "found family trope" with the men in Lucy and Mina's lives coming together to protect/avenge them. Dracula connects to the universal idea of change. Characters change physically from human to vampire, as the society Bram Stoker was accustomed to changed as he wrote this story. Expectations for women changed as well as views on religion. Through a gothic/supernatural lens, Stoker was able to explore themes of this changing society around him, and create a story that I loved.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
BBC Podcast (2013): “The Twilight World of Syd Barrett”

# data[].attributes.body
Syd Barrett was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd and remains a fixture in the world of psychedelic rock music.  Barrett is famous not only for his musical talents, but also for the unique and tragic course his life took. The musician experienced a quick and glorious rise to fame before suffering a partially drug-induced mental breakdown, leaving him to burn out and drift for the remainder of his years. I chose to listen to a BBC podcast about Syd Barrett because I’m a fan of his music. On another level, the idea of mentally “dying” while still being physically alive is philosophically fascinating. This podcast included exclusive interviews with bandmates and family members, giving their experiences with that kind of loss. Syd’s story connects to universal ideas of overconsumption, mental distance, death, and living too quickly.

# data[].attributes.body
In 1970, four men bombed Sterling Hall on the UW-Madison campus.  The bombers were targeting the Army Math Research Center, which was housed in that building and said to be corresponding with the US military about developing weapons to use in the Vietnam War.  The book RADS: The 1970 Bombing of the Army Math Research Center is a nonfiction work written by Tom Bates in 1992. The novel depicts the lives of those involved leading up to and following the bombing. The event itself is a prime example of violent protest taking the focus away from issues activists are trying to address.

# data[].attributes.body
Jennie Finch is a well-known softball player. Most famous for pitching, Finch has had a remarkable career in softball. She played collegiately for the Arizona Wildcats, then she went on to play for the Chicago Bandits and eventually Team USA.  The address of the Chicago Bandits stadium is 27 Jennie Finch Way (Finch wore #27)  She and her team won silver in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and in the 2004 Athens Olympics, her team won gold. After the 2004 gold, Finch created a signature line of softball equipment with Mizuno. Today, she conducts softball camps nationwide and has a Jennie Finch World Series Tournament for 8U-14U teams across the country. Finch is an example of the universal idea that success comes from hard work and dedication, as well as to do what you love and makes you happy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Inky Johnson while he was playing at the University of Tennessee 

# data[].attributes.body
Inky Johnson is a former college athlete and motivational speaker who inspires millions with his story of perseverance through a life-changing injury. Johnson turned his tragedy into a source of inspiration and has become one of the most sought after motivational speakers in the world. Johnson is a great example of someone who has learned to appreciate life as it is, and persevering through adversity.

# data[].attributes.body
Tennis is a well-known and ever-growing sport in the United States and all around the world. It originated as a garden-party game for ladies and has developed into a complex and highly competitive game. Its popularity continues to grow with more than 23.6 million players as of 2022, for both leisure and professional. Tennis requires a great deal of hard work, determination, and perseverance which are qualities that are needed in everyday life. These characteristics are important to reach any goal and get through any obstacle life may bring your way.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to listen to this TED Talk because I have already researched artificial intelligence for my science section. In her TED Talk, Alona Fyshe discusses the possibility of artificial intelligence being able to truly understand human language. She looks at the similarities between an AI's neural networking and the workings of our own brains. She emphasizes that how an AI produces its responses is just as important as the responses themselves. The universal idea for this topic is mimicry because of the way that artificial intelligence imitates human intelligence.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Alona Fyshe: Does AI actually understand us?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Is AI as smart as it seems? Exploring the "brain" behind machine learning, neural networker Alona Fyshe delves into the language processing abilities of talkative tech (like the groundbreaking chatbot and internet obsession ChatGPT) and explains how different it is from your own brain -- even though it can sound convincingly human.

# data[].attributes.body
Washington has been considering banning Tik Tok and the New York Times asked some teenagers about their thoughts on the matter. Some said it was hypocritical and unconsitutional while others wished that it was banned for the betterment of teenagers' mental health. A few offered the solution of not banning Tik Tok and just placing stricter restrictions on the app owners. This connects to the universal idea of censorship and privacy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Students Are Saying About Banning TikTok

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Washington is considering a ban on the popular app. We asked teenagers what they thought. Their answers may surprise you.

# data[].attributes.body
There was this really nice old couple that lived just down the road from my house. They babysat me when I was little and my brothers and I would help out with chores after school. Pat and Lawrence basically became our grandparents. Last year, Pat died very suddenly. It was very hard for all of us in my family and all our neighbors. Since her death my family has grown even closer to Lawrence and his family. Her death taught me the value of each and every day we are given and to never take anything for granted. My experience relates to the universal idea of appreciating life.

# data[].attributes.body
This article describes three possible scenarios for how the universe might end. It was a really interesting article that expanded my knowledge of the universe. It connects to the universal curiosity of death and endings, however morbid that may be.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Venus Keus: Three ways the universe could end

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We know about our universe's past: the Big Bang theory predicts that all matter, time and space began about 14 billion years ago. And we know about the present: scientists' observations of galaxies tell us that the universe is expanding at an accelerated rate. But what about the future?

# data[].attributes.body
This is an article about how the swamp in the Congo Basin is the largest carbon sink in the world. It is one of the only things keeping global warming under control. It a really interesting article that connects to the idea of change, especially when it is for the betterment of society.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Vera Songwe: The African swamp protecting Earth’s environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The peatlands of Africa’s Congo Basin are a vast expanse of swamp and greenery that act as one of the world’s most effective carbon sinks -- and they’re under threat of environmental destruction. Economist Vera Songwe explains how putting a price on the carbon stored in the peatlands would not only help protect this vital resource but also recognize and reward the African communities that have contributed little to climate change. “This is not just about decarbonization,” Songwe says. “This is also about development with dignity.”

# data[].attributes.body
Scientist Alexander Flemming returned from vacation to discover a molding petri dish. This petri dish contained colonies of a bacteria called Staphylococcus. Flemming observed that in the spots where the mold was growing, the Staphylococcus colonies had disappeared. This mold was named Penicillin and led to the "era of antibiotics" which has saved billions of lives. Flemming was most likely not expecting the product of his “forgetfulness” to turn into something helpful which reminds us that mistakes and forgetfulness don’t always have a negative outcome and can sometimes have a great impact on the world as a whole.

# data[].attributes.body
I had heard of A Death in the Family for years but never actually read it. The book begins when the main character's father suffers from a heart attack, and the main character, Jay, has to travel to go visit him before he dies. Jay soon finds that the story was greatly exaggerated and leaves to return home to his wife and children. On the way home, Jay gets into a car crash and ends up dying The rest of the story shows Jay's family dealing with his loss, with special emphasis on his children and how they deal with the loss of their father. The author describes death through vivid imagery and with minor dialogue, creating a beautiful and colorful story. This story connects with the universal idea of family and forging connectedness through tragedy.

# data[].attributes.body
Clarissa Chun has had a huge impact on the sport of women wrestling. From taking home the first ever high school girls state championship in the country to leading the national team to 17 world medals, she has become one of the most influential women in the sport of wrestling. She was named head coach of the first D1 college women's wrestling team, the Iowa Hawkeyes. Her story provides the universal idea that hard work really pays off.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this TED talk because I am someone who has struggles with confidence. In it, I learned about six methods to increase your confidence, counting yourself down, giving yourself 20 seconds of being brave, taking a seat at the table, cheering other people's success, use prior success to inspire you, and always find a way to celebrate. This is the universal idea that confidence is something most people really struggle with, though not always in the same areas of their life, and that we all need ways to help us be more confident.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Six behaviors to increase your confidence | Emily Jaenson | TEDxReno

# data[].attributes.body
This TED Talk interested me because I've been learning about mental illnesses in my AP Psychology class. I also know of many people who do not take their mental health problems to someone that can provide them with help. Sangu Delle talks about his experiences with mental health after leaving his home country Ghana, and how mental illness in Africa is pictured as madness. He also talks about his mental health issues when first coming to the US and how he thought it was cowardly to talk to a mental health professional. This connects to the universal idea of stigmatized mental health issues and how important it is to ask for help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sangu Delle: There's no shame in taking care of your mental health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When stress got to be too much for TED Fellow Sangu Delle, he had to confront his own deep prejudice: that men shouldn't take care of their mental health. In a personal talk, Delle shares how he learned to handle anxiety in a society that's uncomfortable with emotions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Plastic-Eating Fungi - pestalotiopsis microspora

# data[].attributes.body
This rare fungus was found in the Amazonian Rainforest in Ecuador a few years ago. It has the ability to consume types of plastic called polyurethane, which is usually in the form of flexible foam. Many experiments have been conducting surrounding both pestalotiopsis microspora and other fungi and their abilities to consume plastics. Yale university conducted an experiment on several dozen different fungi, and found that many were able to turn plastic into organic material. Katharina Unger created a prototype which tested the pestalotiopsis microspora fungus in particular. They ended up fully consuming the plastic and were edible afterwords. They were said to taste sweet and somewhat like licorice. Though eating mushrooms that have consumed plastic is a hard concept to grasp, it could greatly benefit the future of minimizing plastic pollution. This all connects to utilizing our natural resources and being resourceful. Resourcefulness can help us overcome many challenges we face throughout life.

# data[].attributes.body
This TED Talk in particular caught my eye because I enjoy playing video games in my free time, but I never thought that they could be applied to my education. Kris Alexander argued in his TED Talk that there are three main aspects of video games could be applied to education. These aspects are an engaging experience that caters to human learning, an enhancement in online education, and providing clear objectives. Alexander reasoned that if these three points are implemented into a curriculum, then students would be motivated and passionate about their studies. The universal idea for this TED Talk is passion because students could enjoy and thrive more in their education if they are able to interact with and understand the subject.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kris Alexander: How video games can level up the way you learn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Video games naturally tap into the way we learn: they focus our attention and track our progress as we head toward a clear goal. Kris Alexander, a professor of video game design and passionate gamer himself, thinks the same elements should be used in traditional education to cater to different learning styles and engage students across the world, both in-person and online.

# data[].attributes.body
Midway through my fifth grade year I joined a new homeroom class with Mr. Hance. He is still my favorite teacher I’ve ever had. 2015 is also the year I met Joshua. After becoming good friends over the course of a few months, Joshua passed away after suffering cardiac arrest on the school bus on the way home from school. I learned about death, and how it can happen to anybody. This connects to my universal idea of appreciating life. Joshua and Mr. Hance both taught me to appreciate the things in front of you in the moment, no matter how small it may seem.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-65252511

A new vaccine has been approved by Ghana's government to help prevent malaria. They are the first country in the world to do so. Malaria has been plaguing Ghana and other countries in the region. In Ghana alone there has been over 5 million reported cases and in 2021 over 12 thousand people died of the disease. Officials hope that this vaccine is the first step in ending the malaria pandemic and in doing so saving countless lives. This connects to my universal idea of appreciating life and preserving it while we can because the vaccine is saving lives of people who otherwise would have been victims of malaria.

# data[].attributes.body
I played softball my whole life... until sophomore year. One of my basketball coaches convinced me to try track, just for the first week, to see if I liked it. She saw so much potential in me. I ended up loving track within the first few days. I really liked the idea of a more independent sport, something I could accomplish for myself. I put every ounce of effort I had into the sport. It's so fun, trying new things, fulfilling goals that I never thought I could reach. My experience with track taught me that hard work and determination really do pay off.

# data[].attributes.body
My first time driving in snow almost ended in disaster; I thought I hit a kid on a bike. School was dismissed early because it was snowing thick, heavy, wet flakes. As I was turning right at the light by City Hall, suddenly a kid on a bike with a green dinosaur spike helmet was in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, and the kid leaned to the side of their bike to catch themself. Thankfully, after discussing the situation with my sister, we came to the conclusion that I didn't actually hit the child because if I did, the kid would have completely fallen over, and I would have heard a thud and/or felt it with my car. This experience connects to the universal idea of being attentive and cautious, especially when driving around corners and in bad weather.

# data[].attributes.body
Craig Foster loved exploring the ocean’s kelp forests from a young age. Many of his childhood memories were made swimming in The Cape of Storms just off the tip of Africa. As an adult, he was separated from the underwater world for many years, but eventually returned to continue exploring.
One day, he was swimming along the forest floor and saw a strange mound of shells, and this happened to be an octopus camouflaging itself. Immediately, Foster was captivated by this creature, and decided to return everyday to track and befriend the octopus. Though fearful at first, the octopus grew to trust Foster, and from their first physical touch, they were bonded. Boundaries dissolved, and he was able to explore her way of life freely and exist alongside her. He was there for about 80% of her life, and she greatly impacted the way he viewed the world not only underwater, but also above ground.
This documentary embraced the idea of curiosity. Foster embarked on this journey out of curiosity of this animal, and the octopus learned to trust Foster out of its own curiosity. This shows how beautiful things come from being curious about the unknown.
I would definitely recommend this documentary. The cinematography is beautiful, as well as the story. I chose to watch this because I have heard many good things about this documentary, and it definitely lived up to my expectations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Watch My Octopus Teacher | Netflix Official Site

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world. Watch trailers & learn more.

# data[].attributes.body
Kate Kahle is a 20 year old female diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). When she was diagnosed, it came as a shock to her and her family, as she was not what people typically pictured an autistic person to be, due to stereotypes and stigmas.
Symptoms most commonly thought of surrounding ASD include trouble with eye contact, poor communication,  sensory issues, and special interests. However, less thought of symptoms include heightened emotions, too much eye contact, or high affective empathy. These symptoms happen to be more common with females, while the more "relevant" symptoms are common with males.
For every 4 males diagnosed with ASD, only 1 female is diagnosed. This is likely due to what autism has been defined as and the tests being used; the tests used to diagnose are still based on studies that were conducted on white autistic males.
Females with ASD also tend to be better at masking, which is when a neurodivergent person attempts to behave as neurotypical person would. This also leads to misdiagnosis among women.
I watched this TED Talk to become more aware of ASD and also to understand why women tend to be misdiagnosed. I would definitely recommend this video to others, as I learned a lot about ASD. This all connects to the importance of visibility and inclusion.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Autism Is Often Missed in Women and Girls | Kate Kahle | TED

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to read this book because I had read the first one in the trilogy earlier and hadn't gotten around to this one yet. The main character is Austin Lively who has found himself being transported between two worlds, both equally horrifying. In Los Angles, he has been framed for murder and a crazed millionaire is trying to kill him. In the other world he finds himself in, he is on a quest to save the Eleven Lands from oppression by finding the lost queen to return them all to knowledge and free will. While this all is very fictional there is a certain resonance that can be connected to our world today. The universal idea of this book is fear, seeking safety and striving for a better world.

# data[].attributes.body
Scottie Pippen is a retired former NBA basketball player. During the height of his career he played for the Chicago Bulls, he found great success with the team and won six NBA Championships. His career almost didn't happen after he was not offered a college scholarship for basketball. He did eventually play basketball for his college and was drafted to the NBA in the first round. His career is an example of the universal idea to persevere even when things aren't going your way.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this book because I could not figure out what to read, and someone mentioned this book. I had never read this book, and I heard this book was good. I found this book really captivating. The author did a good job writing in detail about what Bruno was experiencing. This fiction book has a sort of realism in it because it is taking place during the Holocaust. The universal idea in this book is that when we create divisions in religion, beliefs, culture, etc., the separation can have negative impacts in our society. So we need to learn how to treat everyone with respect and equality.

# data[].attributes.body
Last September, my dog gave birth to six puppies. By December we had sold every puppy except for one, we kept trying to find him an owner but nobody was interested. I started having him sleep in my room so he wasn't alone ,and eventually I grew attached to him. We gave up on trying to find a home for him and I got to keep him. It was my responsibility to potty-train him and take care of him. It was hard and frustrating at times, but I wouldn't give him up for anything. The experience has taught me how strong the bond between an animal and human can be.

# data[].attributes.body
I read up on the Revolutionary War which was fought from 1775-1783. I read about the taxes that sparked the revolution, which were imposed to pay for the French and Indian war. The colonists grew angry that they were being taxed without representation. They went on to eventually ask the French to assist them in the war, which led to their eventual victory. The universal idea that I think applies to the Revolutionary War is unity. It was a time in U.S history when the citizens were very united. I think that it highlights what good can come when people unite for a common cause.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Causes of the Revolutionary War

For more than a decade before the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775, tensions had been building between colonists and the British authorities.

The French and Indian War, or Seven Years' War (1756-1763), brought new territories under the power of the crown, but the expensive conflict lead to new and unpopular taxes. Attempts by the British government to raise revenue by taxing the colonies (notably the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767 and the Tea Act of 1773) met with heated protest among many colonists, who resented their lack of representation in Parliament and demanded the same rights as other British subjects.

Colonial resistance led to violence in 1770, when British soldiers opened fire on a mob of colonists, killing five men in what was known as the Boston Massacre. After December 1773, when a band of Bostonians altered their appearance to hide their identity boarded British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party, an outraged Parliament passed a series of measures (known as the Intolerable, or Coercive Acts) designed to reassert imperial authority in Massachusetts.

Did you know? Now most famous as a traitor to the American cause, General Benedict Arnold began the Revolutionary War as one of its earliest heroes, helping lead rebel forces in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775.

In response, a group of colonial delegates (including George Washington of Virginia, John and Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, Patrick Henry of Virginia and John Jay of New York) met in Philadelphia in September 1774 to give voice to their grievances against the British crown. This First Continental Congress did not go so far as to demand independence from Britain, but it denounced taxation without representation, as well as the maintenance of the British army in the colonies without their consent. It issued a declaration of the rights due every citizen, including life, liberty, property, assembly and trial by jury. The Continental Congress voted to meet again in May 1775 to consider further action, but by that time violence had already broken out.

On the night of April 18, 1775, hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord, Massachusetts in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the Redcoats. On April 19, local militiamen clashed with British soldiers in the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, marking the "shot heard round the world" that signified the start of the Revolutionary War.

HISTORY Vault: The Revolution

Declaring Independence (1775-76)

When the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, delegates-including new additions Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson-voted to form a Continental Army, with Washington as its commander in chief. On June 17, in the Revolution's first major battle, colonial forces inflicted heavy casualties on the British regiment of General William Howe at Breed's Hill in Boston. The engagement, known as the Battle of Bunker Hill, ended in British victory, but lent encouragement to the revolutionary cause.

Throughout that fall and winter, Washington's forces struggled to keep the British contained in Boston, but artillery captured at Fort Ticonderoga in New York helped shift the balance of that struggle in late winter. The British evacuated the city in March 1776, with Howe and his men retreating to Canada to prepare a major invasion of New York.

By June 1776, with the Revolutionary War in full swing, a growing majority of the colonists had come to favor independence from Britain. On July 4, the Continental Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence, drafted by a five-man committee including Franklin and John Adams but written mainly by Jefferson. That same month, determined to crush the rebellion, the British government sent a large fleet, along with more than 34,000 troops to New York. In August, Howe's Redcoats routed the Continental Army on Long Island; Washington was forced to evacuate his troops from New York City by September. Pushed across the Delaware River, Washington fought back with a surprise attack in Trenton, New Jersey, on Christmas night and won another victory at Princeton to revive the rebels' flagging hopes before making winter quarters at Morristown.

Saratoga: Revolutionary War Turning Point (1777-78)

British strategy in 1777 involved two main prongs of attack aimed at separating New England (where the rebellion enjoyed the most popular support) from the other colonies. To that end, General John Burgoyne's army marched south from Canada toward a planned meeting with Howe's forces on the Hudson River. Burgoyne's men dealt a devastating loss to the Americans in July by retaking Fort Ticonderoga, while Howe decided to move his troops southward from New York to confront Washington's army near the Chesapeake Bay. The British defeated the Americans at Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania, on September 11 and entered Philadelphia on September 25. Washington rebounded to strike Germantown in early October before withdrawing to winter quarters near Valley Forge.

Howe's move had left Burgoyne's army exposed near Saratoga, New York, and the British suffered the consequences of this on September 19, when an American force under General Horatio Gates defeated them at Freeman's Farm in the first Battle of Saratoga. After suffering another defeat on October 7 at Bemis Heights (the Second Battle of Saratoga), Burgoyne surrendered his remaining forces on October 17. The American victory Saratoga would prove to be a turning point of the American Revolution, as it prompted France (which had been secretly aiding the rebels since 1776) to enter the war openly on the American side, though it would not formally declare war on Great Britain until June 1778. The American Revolution, which had begun as a civil conflict between Britain and its colonies, had become a world war.

Stalemate in the North, Battle in the South (1778-81)

During the long, hard winter at Valley Forge, Washington's troops benefited from the training and discipline of the Prussian military officer Baron Friedrich von Steuben (sent by the French) and the leadership of the French aristocrat Marquis de Lafayette. On June 28, 1778, as British forces under Sir Henry Clinton (who had replaced Howe as supreme commander) attempted to withdraw from Philadelphia to New York, Washington's army attacked them near Monmouth, New Jersey. The battle effectively ended in a draw, as the Americans held their ground, but Clinton was able to get his army and supplies safely to New York. On July 8, a French fleet commanded by the Comte d'Estaing arrived off the Atlantic coast, ready to do battle with the British. A joint attack on the British at Newport, Rhode Island, in late July failed, and for the most part the war settled into a stalemate phase in the North.

The Americans suffered a number of setbacks from 1779 to 1781, including the defection of General Benedict Arnold to the British and the first serious mutinies within the Continental Army. In the South, the British occupied Georgia by early 1779 and captured Charleston, South Carolina in May 1780. British forces under Lord Charles Cornwallis then began an offensive in the region, crushing Gates' American troops at Camden in mid-August, though the Americans scored a victory over Loyalist forces at King's Mountain in early October. Nathanael Green replaced Gates as the American commander in the South that December. Under Green's command, General Daniel Morgan scored a victory against a British force led by Colonel Banastre Tarleton at Cowpens, South Carolina, on January 17, 1781.

Revolutionary War Draws to a Close (1781-83)

By the fall of 1781, Greene's American forces had managed to force Cornwallis and his men to withdraw to Virginia's Yorktown peninsula, near where the York River empties into Chesapeake Bay. Supported by a French army commanded by General Jean Baptiste de Rochambeau, Washington moved against Yorktown with a total of around 14,000 soldiers, while a fleet of 36 French warships offshore prevented British reinforcement or evacuation. Trapped and overpowered, Cornwallis was forced to surrender his entire army on October 19. Claiming illness, the British general sent his deputy, Charles O'Hara, to surrender; after O'Hara approached Rochambeau to surrender his sword (the Frenchman deferred to Washington), Washington gave the nod to his own deputy, Benjamin Lincoln, who accepted it.

Though the movement for American independence effectively triumphed at the Battle of Yorktown, contemporary observers did not see that as the decisive victory yet. British forces remained stationed around Charleston, and the powerful main army still resided in New York. Though neither side would take decisive action over the better part of the next two years, the British removal of their troops from Charleston and Savannah in late 1782 finally pointed to the end of the conflict. British and American negotiators in Paris signed preliminary peace terms in Paris late that November, and on September 3, 1783, Great Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States in the Treaty of Paris. At the same time, Britain signed separate peace treaties with France and Spain (which had entered the conflict in 1779), bringing the American Revolution to a close after eight long years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Revolutionary War - Timeline, Facts & Battles | HISTORY

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Revolutionary War (1775-83), also known as the American Revolution, arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain's 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown.

# data[].attributes.body
The Battle of Stalingrad was fought from August 23, 1942 until February 2, 1943. The battle was a result of a campaign launched by Nazi Germany to acquire oil from the Soviet Union. The germans needed the oil to power their military equipment, if they succeeded the Soviet Union would have most likely fallen to Germany. Both sides lost many soldiers, the Soviets lost around 480,00 and the German army and their allies lost over one million. The Soviets fought hard and stayed resistant against german advances, and eventually forced the Nazis to surrender. This victory forced a turn in the tide of the war which eventually led to Germany's defeat. This is an example of the universal idea of beating the odds as well as perseverance.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By early 1942, Adolf Hitler's dream of destroying the Soviet Union seemed closer to fulfillment. Jackbooted German soldiers had marched victoriously through the streets of the communist nation's major cities while their comrades laid siege to Leningrad and threatened the capital of Moscow. Then, late that summer, the Nazi leader attacked Stalingrad. That decision led to Germany's first major Eastern Front defeat and became the turning point of World War II.

"If you look at the whole operation, the Soviets essentially wiped out the German Sixth Army and a Panzer army...leaving a massive hole in the Eastern Front," says Stalingrad historian David Glantz, author of five books on the battle. "The Germans never fully recovered from it."

With nearly 4 million combatants, the Battle of Stalingrad-fought August 23, 1942-February 2, 1943-dwarfed battles on the Western Front. The Nazis and their Hungarian, Romanian and Italian allies suffered more than one million casualties. More Red Army soldiers (nearly 480,000) died in the five-month defense of Stalingrad than Americans (416,800) in the entire war.

For Soviet citizens, the Red Army's ferocious defense of Stalingrad-named for Hitler's archenemy Joseph Stalin, the country's leader-became a source of enormous national pride. Even German soldiers acknowledged the Soviets' ability to withstand massive losses and endure fighting in brutal winter conditions in the city's defense.

"The dogs fight like lions," Nazi soldiers often said.

"Everyone in Stalingrad who still possesses a head and hands, women as well as men, carries on fighting," a German corporal wrote to his father in October 1942.
WATCH: World War II Documentaries on HISTORY Vault
How the Battle of Stalingrad Began

Hitler's campaign in the southern Soviet Union began as a major offensive into the Caucasus to secure oil for the Nazi war machine. Against the advice of senior commanders, who urged the mercurial leader to focus on one target, Hitler diverted Army Group South's Sixth Army under General Friedrich Paulus to Stalingrad, a major industrial, communications and transportation hub along the Volga River.

After the Luftwaffe pummeled the city from the air, the Sixth Army nearly pushed the entire Red Army to the Volga's east bank. But the Germans soon became bogged down in brutal, urban warfare amidst the city's rubble.

"Stalingrad is no longer a city," wrote a German soldier. "By day it is a cloud of burning, blinding smoke. When night arrives, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to the other bank. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."

The Soviets, meanwhile, relished bleeding the Sixth Army dry: "[I]f we had not had any weapons, we would still have killed the people who had come to take our Volga from us with our bare hands," a Red Army sergeant said.

On November 19, 1942, the Soviets launched "Operation Uranus," a counteroffensive to encircle the already beleaguered Sixth Army and its allies. Three days later, the ring snapped shut, trapping 250,000 soldiers within an area roughly 30 miles wide by 20 miles deep.
READ MORE: 8 Things You Should Know About WWII's Eastern Front
Unable to get adequate supplies from the air from the Luftwaffe, the Sixth Army withered under incessant attacks. The temperature dipped so low that machines became inoperable. Thousands of Axis soldiers suffered from frostbite and malnutrition. Paulus requested permission to break out from the Kessel -the German word for cauldron-but Hitler refused. A German army rescue effort from outside the encirclement failed.

In late January 1942, Paulus appealed to Hitler for permission to surrender rather than risk annihilation. "Sixth Army will hold their position to the last man and the last round," the Nazi leader replied, "and by their heroic endurance will make an unforgettable contribution toward the establishment of a defensive front and the salvation of the Western World."

On January 31, 1943, Paulus left behind the waist-high excrement in his battered headquarters in the heart of Stalingrad and surrendered to the Soviets. When Hitler heard news, the often-volatile Führer stared silently into his soup.

US Lend-Lease Program Aids Soviet Victory

The German public was not officially told of the catastrophic defeat until the end of January 1943. Hitler was so rocked by the disaster that on the 10 th anniversary of the Nazis' assumption of power in Germany on January 30, he didn't deliver his usual radio speech. Propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels gave the speech instead.

Besides the mind-numbing human toll of Stalingrad, the Germans lost 900 aircraft, 500 tanks and 6,000 artillery pieces. With Soviet factories outproducing the Germans, the losses were impossible for the Nazis to make up.

As the tide turned, the Soviets benefited from Lend-Lease aid from America. "If the United States had not helped us, we would not have won the war," wrote future Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, who aided in the defense of Stalingrad (Volgograd today). "One-on-one against Hitler's Germany, we would not have withstood its onslaught and would have lost the war."

At the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, the Soviets suffered at least 800,000 casualties to the Germans' 200,000. But the Red Army's costly victory put the Nazis on the defensive for the remainder of the war.

Meanwhile, in North Africa in late 1942, combined British, American and French forces also took the offensive against the Nazis. The Allies' June 1944 invasion at Normandy pushed the Germans from France and eventually from Western Europe.

On November 9, 1944, with the Soviets on the doorstep of the Reich in Eastern Europe, Hitler blamed Stalingrad for Nazi's Germany's impending demise.

As the Red Army marched across Eastern Europe, Soviet soldiers vowed to lay waste to Berlin as the Germans had Stalingrad.

By May 1945, they had.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How the Battle of Stalingrad Marked a Turning Point in WWII

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By early 1942, Adolf Hitler's dream of destroying the Soviet Union seemed closer to fulfillment. Jackbooted German soldiers had marched victoriously through the streets of the communist nation's major cities while their comrades laid siege to Leningrad and threatened the capital of Moscow. Then, late that summer, the Nazi leader attacked Stalingrad.

# data[].attributes.body
On June 28 of 1969, New York City police raided a gay club in Greenwich Village. Both those who frequented the bar and local residents began to riot, and police forcibly expelled employees and patrons of Stonewall Inn. Following the event, riots occurred for nearly a week outside the bar and on nearby streets. This event sparked the creation of several LGBTQ+ organizations, and put the issue of queer rights into the public eye.

Especially with the recent anti-trans bills being passed, LGBTQ+ rights are a common talking point among politicians and lawmakers. This event connects with the universal idea of equality, and attempting to achieve that equality through whatever means necessary.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Constant Raids at Gay Bars

The 1960s and preceding decades were not welcoming times for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. For instance, solicitation of same-sex relations was illegal in New York City.

For such reasons, LGBT individuals flocked to gay bars and clubs, places of refuge where they could express themselves openly and socialize without worry. However, the New York State Liquor Authority penalized and shut down establishments that served alcohol to known or suspected LGBT individuals, arguing that the mere gathering of homosexuals was "disorderly."

Thanks to activists' efforts, these regulations were overturned in 1966, and LGBT patrons could then be served alcohol. But engaging in gay behavior in public (holding hands, kissing or dancing with someone of the same sex) was still illegal, so police harassment of gay bars continued and many bars still operated without liquor licenses-in part because they were owned by the Mafia.

Gay Rights Before Stonewall

The first documented U.S. gay rights organization, The Society for Human Rights (SHR), was founded in 1924 by Henry Gerber, a German immigrant. Police raids forced them to disband in 1925, but not before they had published several issues of their newsletter, "Friendship and Freedom," the country's first gay-interest newsletter. America's first lesbian rights organization, The Daughters of Bilitis, was formed in San Francisco on September 21, 1955.

In 1966, three years before Stonewall, members of The Mattachine Society, an organization dedicated to gay rights, staged a "sip-in" where they openly declared their sexuality at taverns, daring staff to turn them away and suing establishments who did. When The Commission on Human Rights ruled that gay individuals had the right to be served in bars, police raids were temporarily reduced.

The Stonewall Inn

The crime syndicate saw profit in catering to shunned gay clientele, and by the mid-1960s, the Genovese crime family controlled most Greenwich Village gay bars. In 1966, they purchased Stonewall Inn (a "straight" bar and restaurant), cheaply renovated it, and reopened it the next year as a gay bar.

Stonewall Inn was registered as a type of private "bottle bar," which did not require a liquor license because patrons were supposed to bring their own liquor. Club attendees had to sign their names in a book upon entry to maintain the club's false exclusivity. The Genovese family bribed New York's Sixth Police Precinct to ignore the activities occurring within the club.

Without police interference, the crime family could cut costs how they saw fit: The club lacked a fire exit, running water behind the bar to wash glasses, clean toilets that didn't routinely overflow and palatable drinks that weren't watered down beyond recognition. What's more, the Mafia reportedly blackmailed the club's wealthier patrons who wanted to keep their sexuality a secret.

Nonetheless, Stonewall Inn quickly became an important Greenwich Village institution. It was large and relatively cheap to enter. It welcomed drag queens, who received a bitter reception at other gay bars and clubs. It was a nightly home for many runaways and homeless gay youths, who panhandled or shoplifted to afford the entry fee. And it was one of the few-if not the only-gay bar left that allowed dancing.

Raids were still a fact of life, but usually corrupt cops would tip off Mafia-run bars before they occurred, allowing owners to stash the alcohol (sold without a liquor license) and hide other illegal activities. In fact, the NYPD had stormed Stonewall Inn just a few days before the riot-inducing raid.

The Stonewall Riots Begin

When police raided Stonewall Inn on the morning of June 28, it came as a surprise-the bar wasn't tipped off this time.

Armed with a warrant, police officers entered the club, roughed up patrons, and, finding bootlegged alcohol, arrested 13 people, including employees and people violating the state's gender-appropriate clothing statute (female officers would take suspected cross-dressing patrons into the bathroom to check their sex).

Fed up with constant police harassment and social discrimination, angry patrons and neighborhood residents hung around outside of the bar rather than disperse, becoming increasingly agitated as the events unfolded and people were aggressively manhandled. At one point, an officer hit a lesbian over the head as he forced her into the police van- she shouted to onlookers to act, inciting the crowd to begin throw pennies, bottles, cobble stones and other objects at the police.

Within minutes, a full-blown riot involving hundreds of people began. The police, a few prisoners and a Village Voice writer barricaded themselves in the bar, which the mob attempted to set on fire after breaching the barricade repeatedly.

The fire department and a riot squad were eventually able to douse the flames, rescue those inside Stonewall, and disperse the crowd. But the protests, sometimes involving thousands of people, continued in the area for five more days, flaring up at one point after the Village Voice published its account of the riots.

Stonewall's Legacy

Though the Stonewall uprising didn't start the gay rights movement, it was a galvanizing force for LGBT political activism, leading to numerous gay rights organizations, including the Gay Liberation Front, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD (formerly Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), and PFLAG (formerly Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).

On the one-year anniversary of the riots on June 28, 1970, thousands of people marched in the streets of Manhattan from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what was then called "Christopher Street Liberation Day," America's first gay pride parade. The parade's official chant was: "Say it loud, gay is proud."

In 2016, then-President Barack Obama designated the site of the riots-Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park, and the surrounding streets and sidewalks-a national monument in recognition of the area's contribution to gay rights.

Photo Gallery

HISTORY Vault

Sources

A History of Gay Rights in America. CBS.
LGBTQ Activism: The Henry Gerber House, Chicago, IL. NPS.gov.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
1969 Stonewall Riots - Origins, Timeline & Leaders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Stonewall Riots, also called the Stonewall Uprising, took place on June 28, 1969, in New York City, after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a local gay club. The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes.

# data[].attributes.body
Protests erupted throughout Sri Lanka in 2022 in response to power cuts and fuel shortages, which resulted in a 50% increase in inflation. In June of that same year, the use of gas and diesel was banned for two weeks, and though no longer banned, use is still extremely regulated and expensive. In May of 2022 the country failed to pay interest on its foreign debts, resulting in a damaged reputation, making it more difficult to make international purchases. The protests have since ceased, but the new president is struggling to deal with this crisis caused by past political leaders, and the people of Sri Lanka are the one suffering from the consequences of the actions of the people in power. This connects to the universal idea of class and power, as those not in power are suffering both financially and personally.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The International Monetary Fund is lending Sri Lanka $3bn (£2.4bn) to help it deal with its worst economic crisis in its history as an independent nation.

Soaring prices, shortages of essential goods and crippling international debts sparked nationwide protests last year which caused the president to flee the country.

What has been happening in Sri Lanka?

In early 2022, Sri Lankans started experiencing power cuts and shortages of basics such as fuel. The rate of inflation rose to 50% a year.

As a result, protests broke out in the capital Colombo in April that year and spread across the country.

The country ran short of fuel for essential services such as buses, trains and medical vehicles because it did not have enough reserves of foreign currency to import any more.

The fuel shortage caused petrol and diesel prices to rise dramatically.

In June last year, the government banned the sale of petrol and diesel for non-essential vehicles for two weeks. Sales of fuel remain severely restricted.

Schools had to close, and people were asked to work from home to help conserve supplies.

What happens when a country runs out of money?

Sri Lanka has been unable to buy goods it needs from abroad.

And in May 2022 it failed to make an interest payment on its foreign debt for the first time in its history.

This damaged its reputation with lenders, making it even harder to borrow money on the international markets.

What's the plan to tackle the crisis?

In the face of massive protests, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned in June last year. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe became acting president and declared a nationwide state of emergency across the country.

The mass protests have subsided, but the new president is trying to deal with a huge financial crisis.

Sri Lanka owes about $7bn (£5.7bn) to China and around $1bn to India.

Last month, both these countries agreed to restructure their loans, giving Sri Lanka more time to repay them.

Thanks to this, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to lend Sri Lanka $3bn. That is on top of a $600m loan that the World Bank made last year.

Sri Lanka's government says it will raise funds to repay its debts by restructuring state-owned enterprises and privatising the national airline.

In early 2023 the country introduced income taxes for higher earners, ranging from 12.5% to more than 36%.

It also raised other taxes to pay for critical purchases, including fuel and food.

What led to the economic crisis?

The government blamed the Covid pandemic, which badly affected Sri Lanka's tourist trade - one of its biggest foreign currency earners.

It also said tourists were frightened off by a series of deadly bomb attacks in 2019.

However, many experts blame Mr Rajapaksa's economic policies.

At the end of its civil war in 2009, Sri Lanka chose to focus on providing goods to its domestic market, instead of trying to boost foreign trade.

This meant its income from exports to other countries remained low, while the bill for imports kept growing.

Sri Lanka now imports $3bn more than it exports every year, and that is why it ran out of foreign currency.

At the end of 2019, Sri Lanka had $7.6bn in foreign currency reserves, which have dropped to around $250m.

Mr Rajapaksa also introduced big tax cuts in 2019, which lost the government more than $1.4bn a year in revenues.

When Sri Lanka's foreign currency shortages became a serious problem in early 2021, its government tried to tackle the issue by banning imports of chemical fertilisers.

It told farmers to use locally sourced organic fertilisers, instead.

This led to widespread crop failures. Sri Lanka had to supplement its food stocks from abroad, which made its foreign currency shortage even worse.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sri Lanka: Why is the country in an economic crisis?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The International Monetary Fund will lend the nation $3bn to deal with its worst-ever economic crisis.

# data[].attributes.body
I watched the documentary “Gather”, which dives into the importance of keeping

indigenous cultures prominent and alive, especially through their ancestral foods. It focuses on several different indigenous groups, with specific focus on the Apache and Yurok nations, and explains how through colonialism, a lot of their food culture was lost. This documentary connects with the universal idea of tradition. It’s important for these groups to be recognized, as they were, and continue to be the building blocks of today’s society.
I would 100% recommend this documentary to anyone, as not only is the information in it interesting, but also very important to learn about.

# data[].attributes.body
I watched a TED Talk given by Greta Thunberg. She speaks about her initial discovery of the topic of climate change at a young age, and her immediate displeasure with how little it was talked about among those in power. She says that the issue of climate change is “black and white” and that the solution is simple: stop emissions and stop the climate crisis. She emphasizes the necessity of richer, more powerful countries taking control and reducing their emissions, and explains how serious the climate crisis really is. This speech connects with the universal idea of sustainability, as in order to reduce emissions we as a culture need to find more sustainable ways to produce energy, such as water, wind and solar power. It also connects with the universal idea of progress, as even though there has been a lot of progress made in combating climate change, there is still a lot of work to be done. Even though it's an older Thunberg speech, I'd highly recommend it as she is great at getting her point across and relates the issue to not only herself, but those around the world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When I was about eight years old, I first heard about something called climate change or global warming. Apparently, that was something humans have created by our way of living. I was told to turn off the lights to save energy and to recycle paper to save resources. I remember thinking that it was very strange that humans, who are an animal species among others, could be capable of changing the Earth's climate. Because if we were, and if it was really happening, we wouldn't be talking about anything else. As soon as you'd turn on the TV, everything would be about that. Headlines, radio, newspapers, you would never read or hear about anything else, as if there was a world war going on. But no one ever talked about it. If burning fossil fuels was so bad that it threatened our very existence, how could we just continue like before? Why were there no restrictions? Why wasn't it made illegal? To me, that did not add up. It was too unreal. So when I was 11, I became ill. I fell into depression, I stopped talking, and I stopped eating. In two months, I lost about 10 kilos of weight. Later on, I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, OCD and selective mutism. That basically means I only speak when I think it's necessary - now is one of those moments. (Applause) For those of us who are on the spectrum, almost everything is black or white. We aren't very good at lying, and we usually don't enjoy participating in this social game that the rest of you seem so fond of. (Laughter) I think in many ways that we autistic are the normal ones, and the rest of the people are pretty strange, (Laughter) especially when it comes to the sustainability crisis, where everyone keeps saying climate change is an existential threat and the most important issue of all, and yet they just carry on like before. I don't understand that, because if the emissions have to stop, then we must stop the emissions. To me that is black or white. There are no gray areas when it comes to survival. Either we go on as a civilization or we don't. We have to change. Rich countries like Sweden need to start reducing emissions by at least 15 percent every year. And that is so that we can stay below a two-degree warming target. Yet, as the IPCC have recently demonstrated, aiming instead for 1.5 degrees Celsius would significantly reduce the climate impacts. But we can only imagine what that means for reducing emissions. You would think the media and every one of our leaders would be talking about nothing else, but they never even mention it. Nor does anyone ever mention the greenhouse gases already locked in the system. Nor that air pollution is hiding a warming so that when we stop burning fossil fuels, we already have an extra level of warming perhaps as high as 0.5 to 1.1 degrees Celsius. Furthermore does hardly anyone speak about the fact that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, with up to 200 species going extinct every single day, that the extinction rate today is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than what is seen as normal. Nor does hardly anyone ever speak about the aspect of equity or climate justice, clearly stated everywhere in the Paris Agreement, which is absolutely necessary to make it work on a global scale. That means that rich countries need to get down to zero emissions within 6 to 12 years, with today's emission speed. And that is so that people in poorer countries can have a chance to heighten their standard of living by building some of the infrastructure that we have already built, such as roads, schools, hospitals, clean drinking water, electricity, and so on. Because how can we expect countries like India or Nigeria to care about the climate crisis if we who already have everything don't care even a second about it or our actual commitments to the Paris Agreement? So, why are we not reducing our emissions? Why are they in fact still increasing? Are we knowingly causing a mass extinction? Are we evil? No, of course not. People keep doing what they do because the vast majority doesn't have a clue about the actual consequences of our everyday life, and they don't know that rapid change is required. We all think we know, and we all think everybody knows, but we don't. Because how could we? If there really was a crisis, and if this crisis was caused by our emissions, you would at least see some signs. Not just flooded cities, tens of thousands of dead people, and whole nations leveled to piles of torn down buildings. You would see some restrictions. But no. And no one talks about it. There are no emergency meetings, no headlines, no breaking news. No one is acting as if we were in a crisis. Even most climate scientists or green politicians keep on flying around the world, eating meat and dairy. If I live to be 100, I will be alive in the year 2103. When you think about the future today, you don't think beyond the year 2050. By then, I will, in the best case, not even have lived half of my life. What happens next? The year 2078, I will celebrate my 75th birthday. If I have children or grandchildren, maybe they will spend that day with me. Maybe they will ask me about you, the people who were around, back in 2018. Maybe they will ask why you didn't do anything while there still was time to act. What we do or don't do right now will affect my entire life and the lives of my children and grandchildren. What we do or don't do right now, me and my generation can't undo in the future. So when school started in August of this year, I decided that this was enough. I set myself down on the ground outside the Swedish parliament. I school striked for the climate. Some people say that I should be in school instead. Some people say that I should study to become a climate scientist so that I can "solve the climate crisis." But the climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is to wake up and change. And why should I be studying for a future that soon will be no more when no one is doing anything whatsoever to save that future? And what is the point of learning facts in the school system when the most important facts given by the finest science of that same school system clearly means nothing to our politicians and our society. Some people say that Sweden is just a small country, and that it doesn't matter what we do, but I think that if a few children can get headlines all over the world just by not coming to school for a few weeks, imagine what we could all do together if you wanted to. (Applause) Now we're almost at the end of my talk, and this is where people usually start talking about hope, solar panels, wind power, circular economy, and so on, but I'm not going to do that. We've had 30 years of pep-talking and selling positive ideas. And I'm sorry, but it doesn't work. Because if it would have, the emissions would have gone down by now. They haven't. And yes, we do need hope, of course we do. But the one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come. Today, we use 100 million barrels of oil every single day. There are no politics to change that. There are no rules to keep that oil in the ground. So we can't save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed. Everything needs to change, and it has to start today. Thank you. (Applause)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Transcript of "School strike for climate - save the world by changing the rules | Greta Thunberg | TEDxStockholm"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: Greta Thunberg realized at a young age the lapse in what several climate experts were saying and in the actions that were being taken in society. The difference was so drastic in her opinion that she decided to take matters into her own hands.

# data[].attributes.body
One of my personal experiences was having to do online school during the pandemic. For me it was really eye opening because I struggled with it and had to actually study and work hard at school. It was humbling because I wasn't used to having to try hard at school to get a good grade. It taught me to push through things that are hard.

# data[].attributes.body
I was told that "Turtles All the Way Down" is a book about a teenage girl that suffers from sever anxiety. Right away I knew I wanted to read it because it was something I could relate to. Aza Holmes, a Junior in high school, finds herself in her own head constantly, always thinking about what could go wrong. When her friend, Daisy, convinces her to help find a missing man for a large reward, she is able to reconnect with and old friend. Aza is able to tell him about her anxiety and thoughts in a way that is very hard for others with her condition to do. Anxiety is overlooked because no one has ever been able to explain is quite like the author, John Green. Many people can't wrap their heads around the toll that anxiety can have on people because it is so hard to understand unless you are the one experiencing it. This book brings attention to uncontrollable mental health issues that are not talked about enough.

# data[].attributes.body
This documentary is about how platforms like Google, Pinterest, Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram breach basic human ethics. The algorithms behind these platforms learn and store more information about a person than what their own families even know. They use this information to manipulate the emotions of users, keeping their attention on the platform and making money for every second someone uses it. In the end, there is a price tag on attention and people should be aware that entertainment comes at a timely cost. I chose this because nobody knows this is happening and I highly recommend it because it gives insight into what is happening behind the scenes.

# data[].attributes.body
In this TedTalk, Beth Fennelly explains how reading literature can help people develop empathy and improve emotional intelligence. When reading, a person puts themselves into the perspective of the protagonists, antagonist, or side character. As they judge these characters against what they would do themselves, it helps people practice their emotions. Eventually, this talent would spill over into everyday life, helping people to relate with and understand each other better. I chose to listen to this TedTalk because while I knew many of the benefits of reading, I did not know it could improve emotional intelligence.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Beth Ann Fennelly: How literature can help us develop empathy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Reading fiction can educate us emotionally, intellectually and spiritually, says Beth Ann Fennelly, creative writing professor and poet laureate of Mississippi. She makes the case for why we humans - and the world - continue to need literature.

# data[].attributes.body
I researched mycorrhizal networks, webs of fungus roots that connect trees, allowing them to communicate with each other. Trees send each other information on threats like drought, insect infestations, and disease. Hub trees send nutrients to saplings before they die. This is important because deforestation destroys these essential connections as well as the source of the most information and nutrients, the hub trees. This connects to the universal idea of sustainability.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A controversial German forester says yes, and his ideas are shaking up the scientific world

# data[].attributes.body
Lux Narayan starts everyday by reading the obituaries in his local paper. After putting 2,000 obituaries in a word processor and removing all the unnecessary words besides descriptors, he found commonalities between the achievements in people's lives. He found that the arts/humanities and helping others both played significant roles despite the differing social status of the subjects. This connects to the universal ideas of life and death. I would recommend this TED talk because it touches on the importance of living a life where you will be remembered even after you pass. By reflecting on obituaries, we can see what is important in other's lives as well as what we should prioritize in our own.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lux Narayan: What I learned from 2,000 obituaries

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lux Narayan starts his day with scrambled eggs and the question: "Who died today?" Why? By analyzing 2,000 New York Times obituaries over a 20-month period, Narayan gleaned, in just a few words, what achievement looks like over a lifetime. Here he shares what those immortalized in print can teach us about a life well lived.

# data[].attributes.body
After mentioning the topic of true crime shows and podcasts in relation to our class discussion, I saw a TED talk called, “Are you an ethical true crime fan? 4 questions to ask”, and I was immediately intrigued. Lindsey A. Sherrill describes how both good and bad can come from producing or watching true crime entertainment. If you're watching purely because of morbid curiosity, you may be causing harm to the people involved in the real story. This video connects to the universal idea of ethics/morality. I think this is a good video to watch as it semi-applies to our current synthesis topic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Are you an ethical true crime fan? 4 questions to ask

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From the Salem witch trials to Jack the Ripper, humanity’s historic fascination for true crime content can be traced back to the Middle Ages. But is it ethical to consume these real-life dramas in the way we do? Researcher Lindsey A. Sherrill shares four questions to ask yourself to be a mindful fan of this provocative cultural obsession -- so you can direct your attention away from the exploitative “ugly side” of true crime and to those that are doing useful work in the genre.

# data[].attributes.body
Myanmar was overtaken by their military in a coup a little over two years ago. Since than the country has been ravaged by instability and violence. The recent attack cost the lives of around one hundred innocent civilians, many of whom were women and children. This connects to the universal idea that the innocent aren't always treated fairly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Around 100 people, including women and children, have been killed after Myanmar's military junta bombed the Kant Balu township in the Sagaing region on Tuesday, according to the shadow government of the ousted administration.

The attack resulted in the "loss of scores of innocent civilians and injuring many more, including children and pregnant women," the National Unity Government (NUG)'s Ministry of Labour said in a statement, describing it as a "heinous act" that constitutes "a war crime."

Local news outlet The Irrawaddy reported that a junta aircraft dropped two bombs and fired on the village while people were gathered for the opening of a new town office.

The military junta has not yet commented publicly on the alleged attack. CNN has reached out to a military junta spokesperson, but not yet heard back.

Photos and videos shared by The Irrawaddy and other local media show bodies of victims, as well as destroyed buildings, vehicles and debris after the air raid. CNN has been unable to confirm the authenticity of the video and photos.

The Union Prime Minister of the NUG Mahn Winn Khine Thann said on Twitter he was "heartbroken" by the "aerial massacre."

Thousands of people have been killed across Myanmar since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021.

The junta ousted democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was later sentenced to 33 years in jail during secretive trials. It has cracked down on anti-coup protests, arrested journalists and political prisoners, and executed several leading pro-democracy activists, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and rights groups.

Two years on, the Southeast Asian country is being rocked by violence and instability. The economy has collapsed, with shortages of food, fuel and other basic supplies.

The US last month placed a fresh series of sanctions on two people with alleged ties to the military and three businesses owned by them, a statement from the State Department said.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Around 100 people killed after Myanmar junta attack on village, shadow government says | CNN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Around 100 people, including women and children, have been killed after Myanmar's military junta bombed the Kant Balu township in the Sagaing region on Tuesday, according to the shadow government of the ousted administration.

# data[].attributes.body
I read the article, "The Alternative Jesus: Psychedelic Christ" about the spiritual movement of the late 60s and early 70s. This period was during the Vietnam War when many called for peace above violence and turned to illegal substances as an escape from the real world. The article described the irony of how kids once thought of as delinquents had turned to a spiritual figure who was seen as the epitome of purity and love. I'd say this connects to the universal idea of acceptance because the young hippies were originally turned away by many churches despite both groups preaching ideas of love and peace.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
WANTED

JESUS CHRIST

ALIAS: THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS, PRINCE OF PEACE, ETC.

> Notorious leader of an underground liberation movement

>Wanted for the following charges:

-Practicing medicine, winemaking and food distribution without a license.

-Interfering with businessmen in the temple.

-Associating with known criminals, radicals, subversives, prostitutes and street people.

-Claiming to have the authority to make people into God's children.

APPEARANCE: Typical hippie type-long hair, beard, robe, sandals.

> Hangs around slum areas, few rich friends, often sneaks out into the...

Want the full story?

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up - registration is free!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Alternative Jesus: Psychedelic Christ

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
WANTED JESUS CHRIST ALIAS: THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS, PRINCE OF PEACE, ETC. > Notorious leader of an underground liberation movement >Wanted for the following charges: -Practicing medicine, winemaking and food distribution without a license. -Interfering with businessmen in the temple.

# data[].attributes.body
Lake Superior had always been a place my family returned to every year, so it held a really deep significance for me throughout my childhood. I had lost my father in the summer of 2020, and it was clear to me that I should bring his ashes to Lake Superior, since it was a place that always seemed to bring my family peace whenever we visited. My mom and I drove there and sprinkled my dad's ashes, then stayed on the beach overnight. This is an experience that brought my mom and I closer together, and relates to the idea of becoming closer through hard times.

# data[].attributes.body
When I was 12 years old, my family and I traveled to England and Scotland to explore many different cities and scenes. The Isle of Skye left a significant impact on me, and not just because of its captivating scenery.

I have dealt with painful chest cramps since I was little. They come unexpectedly and go when they please. While we were driving to The Isle of Skye, I began to feel shortness of breath and a sharp pain beneath my ribs. When we arrived, I was in enough pain to the point where I believed I would have to stay in the car while my family went off to explore the hills, and after they had sat with me for a few minutes, that became the reality. I watched as they walked away and up into the beautiful scene before me. I sat there for a few minutes, but looking through the car window just wouldn't cut it. I got out of the car, and began to hike up the first hill in a hunched manner, determined to catch up to my family. I didn't look up from the ground until we reached the top of the first hill, and when I did look up, I was in awe of where I stood. By focusing on the beauty that surrounded me, I was able to extinguish the pain within me.
I realized then that life's external factors can combat life's internal factors.

(Top right corner of photo above - me hunched over)

# data[].attributes.body
One experience that I will never forget is the time that I got my first two cats. They came from a household that had multiple litters of kittens all at once. When we got there, the family was handing out kittens to anyone who wanted one. My sister and I each picked out the kitten that we wanted. On the car ride home, I decided to name my cat Blackster, and my sister named her cat Mittens (I know, mine was kind of weird). Blackster eventually found his way to my lap and fell asleep, and Mittens did the same with my sister. Now, over a decade of dodging semi trucks and coyotes later, they are as healthy and as happy as can be. The universal idea for this experience is love because of the strong bond that has held us together over time.

# data[].attributes.body
As many people know, I got engaged to Ethan Pratt on October 8, 2022. This was a life-changing event and a popular one because we are both young and only seniors. We started dating our freshman year and felt pretty early on that we were going to last. This relationship has had ups and downs. It grew my capacity for love, as well as, patience. Love and patience are essential to have in all successful relationships and endeavors. Life can throw a lot at you but if you have love and patience, you're bound to make it out okay.

# data[].attributes.body
CAM is an acronym for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. They are medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical care. Meditation, hypnosis, and vitamins are all examples of CAM practices.  This field in science medicine connects to the universal idea that people can have a choice in how they want to treat their bodies.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical care. People with cancer may use CAM to

help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, pain, and fatigue

comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress

feel that they are doing something to help with their own care

try to treat or cure their cancer

Integrative medicine is an approach to medical care that combines conventional medicine with CAM practices that have shown through science to be safe and effective. This approach often stresses the patient's preferences, and it attempts to address the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of health.

Conventional medicine is a system in which health professionals who hold an M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degree treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery. It is also practiced by other health professionals, such as nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and therapists. It may also be called allopathic medicine, biomedicine, Western, mainstream, or orthodox medicine. Some conventional medical care practitioners are also practitioners of CAM.

Standard medical care is treatment that is accepted by medical experts as a proper treatment for a certain type of disease and that is widely used by healthcare professionals. Also called best practice, standard of care, and standard therapy.

Complementary medicine is used along with standard medical treatment but is not considered by itself to be standard treatment. One example is using acupuncture to help lessen some side effects of cancer treatment. Less research has been done for most types of complementary medicine.

Alternative medicine is used instead of standard medical treatment. One example is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of cancer drugs that are prescribed by an oncologist. Less research has been done for most types of alternative medicine.

For details about specific CAM therapies, NCI provides evidence-based Physician Data Query (PDQ) information for many CAM therapies in versions for both the patient and health professional.

Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Scientists learn about CAM therapies every day, but there is still more to learn. This list is meant to be an introduction to what types of CAM are practiced, not an endorsement. Some of the therapies listed below still need more research to prove that they can be helpful. If you have cancer, you should discuss your thoughts about using CAM with your health care provider before using the therapies listed below.

People may use the term "natural," "holistic," "home remedy," or "Eastern Medicine" to refer to CAM. However, experts often use five categories to describe it. These are listed below with examples for each.

Mind-body therapies

These combine mental focus, breathing, and body movements to help relax the body and mind. Some examples are

meditation: focused breathing or repetition of words or phrases to quiet the mind and lessen stressful thoughts and feelings.

biofeedback: using special machines, the patient learns how to control certain body functions that are normally out of one's awareness (such as heart rate and blood pressure).

hypnosis: a trance-like state in which a person becomes more aware and focused on certain feelings, thoughts, images, sensations or behaviors. A person may feel more calm and open to suggestion in order to aid in healing.

yoga: ancient system of practices used to balance the mind and body through stretches and poses, meditation, and controlled breathing

tai chi: a form of gentle exercise and meditation that uses slow sets of body movements and controlled breathing

imagery: focusing on positive images in the mind, such as imagining scenes, pictures, or experiences to help the body heal

creative outlets: interests such as art, music, or dance

Biologically based practices

This type of CAM uses things found in nature. Some examples are

nutrients the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy

dietary supplements: products added to the diet that may contain ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs, to name a few

botanicals: plants or parts of plants. One type is cannabis.

special foods or diets

Manipulative and body-based practices

These are based on working with one or more parts of the body. Some examples are

massage therapy: a therapy where the soft tissues of the body are kneaded, rubbed, tapped, and stroked

chiropractic therapy: a type of manipulation of the spine, joints, and skeletal system

reflexology: a type of massage in which pressure is applied to specific points on the feet or hands, which are believed to match up with certain parts of the body

Energy healing

Energy healing is based on the belief that a vital energy flows through the body. The goal is to balance the energy flow in the patient. There's not enough evidence to support the existence of energy fields. However, there are no harmful effects in using these approaches. Some examples are

reiki: placing hands lightly on or just above the person with the goal of guiding energy to help a person's own healing response

therapeutic touch: moving hands over energy fields of the body or gently touching a person's body

Whole medical systems

These are healing systems and beliefs that have evolved over time in different cultures and parts of the world. Some examples are

Ayurvedic medicine: a system from India in which the goal is to cleanse the body and restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit. It uses diet, herbal medicines, exercise, meditation, breathing, physical therapy, and other methods.

Traditional Chinese medicine: based on the belief that qi (the body's vital energy) flows along meridians (channels) in the body and keeps a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health in balance. It aims to restore the body's balance between two forces called yin and yang.
Acupuncture is a common practice in Chinese medicine that involves stimulating certain points on the body to promote health, or to lessen disease symptoms and treatment side effects.

naturopathic medicine: a system that avoids drugs and surgery. It is based on the use of natural agents such as air, water, light, heat and massage to help the body heal itself. It may also use herbal products, nutrition, acupuncture, and aromatherapy.

The Safety of CAM

Some CAM therapies have undergone careful evaluation and have been found to be generally safe and effective. These include acupuncture, yoga, and meditation to name a few. However, there are others that do not work, may be harmful, or could interact negatively with your medicines.

Natural does not mean safe

CAM therapies include a wide variety of botanicals and nutritional products, such as herbal and dietary supplements, and vitamins. These products do not have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being sold to the public. Also, a prescription isn't needed to buy them. Therefore, it's up to you to decide what's best for you. Some tips to keep in mind are below.

Herbal supplements may be harmful when taken by themselves, with other substances, or in large doses. For example, some studies have shown that kava kava, an herb that has been used to help with stress and anxiety, may cause liver damage. And St. John, which some people use for depression, may cause certain cancer drugs to not work as well as they should.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any dietary supplements, even vitamins, no matter how safe you think they are. This is very important. Even though there may be ads or claims that something has been used for years, they do not prove that it's safe or effective. This is even more true when combined with your medicines.

Talk with your doctor about what you should be eating. It's common for people with cancer to have questions about different foods to eat during treatment. Yet it's important to know there isn't just one food or special diet that has proved to control cancer.

It's always important for you to have a healthy diet, but especially now. Do the best you can to have a well-rounded approach, eating a variety of foods that are good for you. For advice about eating during and after cancer treatment, see the NCI booklet, Eating Hints.

Talk with your doctor before you use CAM

Cancer patients who want to use CAM should talk with their doctor or nurse. This is an important step because things that seem safe could be harmful or even interfere with your cancer treatment. It's also a good idea to learn if the therapy you're thinking about has been proven to do what it claims to do. Examples of questions to ask are below.

What types of CAM therapies might help me

reduce my stress and anxiety?

feel less tired?

deal with cancer symptoms and side effects, such as pain or nausea?

sleep better?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. It's okay to feel hesitant when asking about using CAM. But doctors want to know what concerns you have so they can give you the best possible care. Let them know that you would like to use CAM methods and want their input.

Clinical Trials to Test CAM Therapies

NCI and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) are currently sponsoring or cosponsoring clinical trials that test CAM treatments and therapies in people. Some study the effects of complementary approaches used in addition to conventional treatments, and some compare alternative therapies with conventional treatments. You can find a list of all cancer CAM clinical trials here.

Lifelines: Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Patients, their families, and their health care providers can learn about CAM therapies and practitioners from the following government agencies:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Types of therapies used in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer care, such as mind-body methods like meditation and yoga, or biologically-based like herbs and vitamins. Massage, reiki, acupuncture, and traditional medical systems are included. Also mentioned are talking to your doctor about CAM and the safety of CAM.

# data[].attributes.body
Tim Urban gives a comical speech on procrastination. He goes through some of his experiences with procrastination, and he gives his thoughts on what he thinks of a procrastinator. I saw this TED Talk and wanted to watch it because I felt like I would be able to relate with his speech, and I definitely did. His universal idea is that everyone is procrastinating on something in their life, and that we don't have endless time to keep putting things off. I recommend watching Tim Urban's hilarious speech later.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn't make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages us to think harder about what we're really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

# data[].attributes.body
Leah Georges was a speaker on TED Talk. I found this video, and had to watch it because I wanted to understand what she meant by our "generational stereotypes" holding people back at work. She explains that we all make assumptions of a person based on their age, when in reality we should just see them as a person. She said that people don't take others seriously when they are in a different age group. Her universal idea is that for our workforce to be able to work the best, we need to see people as they are, and not how they are stereotyped to be. People should watch this because she gives good points for her argument which helps makes her speech interesting.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How generational stereotypes hold us back at work

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Silent Generation, baby boomers, Generation X, millennials, Gen Z -- we’re all in the workforce together. How are our assumptions about each other holding us back from working and communicating better? Social psychologist Leah Georges shows how we’re more similar than different and offers helpful tactics for navigating the multigenerational workplace.

# data[].attributes.body
In the summer of 2022, I went to every open gym, and summer games that I could. During cross country, I still went to open gyms when I could. During the basketball season I would go to the Sunday night open gyms on top of the 5 practices a week. When we came back to practice in 2023, after winter break, I found out that my coach had chosen me to become a team captain. The universal idea in my experience is that good results happen when the time is put in.

# data[].attributes.body
In 1955, 14-year-old African American, Emmett Till, was murdered because of racial violence. He was suspected of whistling at a woman in a store, and the woman's husband and brother-in-law found him and killed him. They got away with the murder. The Civil Rights Movement had just started up in 1954. When people started to find out about the child's death, more and more people got involved with the movement. This relates to the universal idea that racial hate crimes need to stop, and that there needs to be changes in our governments.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Murder of Emmett Till | Articles and Essays | Civil Rights History Project | Digital Collections | Library of Congress

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955 brought nationwide attention to the racial violence and injustice prevalent in Mississippi. While visiting his relatives in Mississippi, Till went to the Bryant store with his cousins, and may have whistled at Carolyn Bryant. Her husband, Roy Bryant, and…