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yesterday, it was noticed that treyarch and activision had begun their marketing campaign for their next call of duty title. posters such as this one, containing a potential announcement date, began appearing in various gamestop locations. it also suggested the importance of the word “eclipse” which, thanks to the help of some youtubers, led us to believe that the next cod will be releasing on november the 13th, 2012, a day in which a total solar eclipse will take place and also a day which happens to be the second tuesday of the month, a day that cod titles typically release. thanks to a brand new poster that has appeared on the pspking forums from an “unnamed source,” it seems that november the 13th will, indeed, be the release date of call of duty: black ops 2, if it is to be believed. check it out for yourself and let us know what you think in the comments below! update: a phrase in the description underneath the image in the forum post reads (translated): “results from the necessary editing of the original photo.” this suggests that the image could, indeed, be fake. however, we’ve yet to hear any further info about the “leaked” multiplayer details. (thanks, charlieintel) it’s unclear what is said underneath the date, 13.11.12, which reads in a european format. the black ops 2 logo looks typical and unvaried from the font and style of the original black ops other than the “2” being orange. also leaked on the same forums is what appears to be an entire list of brand new multiplayer information. this ranges from new game modes, perks, equipment, weapons and attachments. you can compare it to some of the multiplayer information we gathered earlier. check it out as listed on the forums below: -game modes- escort ~ a game mode in which you escort a player across three flags to achieve victory. the enemy team killing the player will result in a win for their side. split spawn ~ a game mode in which you spawn from a hellicopter, and climb down to get to the ground. the player starts with 3 lives. one player can control the chopper to let you climb down in different areas, as well as shoot from the chopper. if the chopper is destroyed, players can no longer spawn. players compete for a central flag that takes 2x as long to capture than a regular domination flag. either the death of all opposing players or the capturing of the flag will grant you a win. this game has 2 rounds. equalizer ~ a game mode in which players are switched to the enemy team upon death. players will compete for a flag, which when owned, open up a power plant to allow the player to customize their class in game, get new weapons, and put on a juggernaut suit for their team only.when there are 2 players left on a team, they are granted with the power plant automatically, and pointstreaks up to a 5 point requirement can also be obtained. if either of the two players die, they will remain on their own team. the team with the most converts (kills) at the end will win. if tied, whoever is currently owning the power plant will win. -perks- (only new and modified!) (perk slot not yet defined!) to clarify what elite is, it is a side-pro perk you can choose when leveling up the base perk. these elite perks only work if paired with another base perk. 1. spy – appear as a friend on the map. (disadvantage is, you’re always spotted even without a uav, and when shooting, you turn red on the map) b. pro – detect enemy spies. they will still always be spotted on the radar. c. elite – if pilot is active, your airship will be marked as an ally. 2. escape artist – when going prone, you feign death (you cannot shoot during) b. pro – when approaching death, the enemies crosshairs will turn to white, and your name will dissapear. c. elite – if diver is active – you realistically fall into your feign death instead of diving. 3. audiophile – players with silenced weapons will show on your radar if they are shooting at you or close around you. b. pro – footsteps are louder c. elite – if bladesman is active – kniving will show up on the radar 4. defuser – throw all equipment but cookable grenades up to 2x farther – a hollow circle will show up around your crosshairs, and the circle will fill in 3 seconds. when the circle is full, it will throw 2x farther, when it is empty, it will throw 1x as far. b. pro – be able to take semtex off of players and throw them elsewhere, and be able to pick up any enemy equipment and use it as your own. c. elite – if quickdraw is active – the circle will fill in 1.5 seconds. 5. juggernaut – regenerate health faster while moving b. pro – regenerate health faster while crouched c. elite – if scavenger is active – you are able to drop ammo packs for your team. side note: earlier, treyarch developer david vonderhaar did mention that the next call of duty would not include regenerative health perks. 6. diver – you can dive into cover (a.k.a. dolphin dive) – and while diving you can still shoot, however when you land it takes awhile to regain focus. b. pro – you crawl 2x faster c. elite – with extreme conditioning active – you can sprint while crawling to crawl faster (3x) instead of getting up. 7. pilot – your flying killstreak’s kills will count towards your next killstreak. b. pro – your controllable flying killstreaks will last until they are shot down. c. elite – with blind eye active – your uncontrollable flying killstreaks will not show on the map. 8. technician – any land killstreak’s kills will count towards your next killstreak. b. pro – your advnaced uavs will disable the enemies uav c. elite – if defuser is active, your sentries cannot be taken down instantly. 9. bladesman – you have 2 knives in each hand instead of just one in one hand. (this essentially makes knives kill twice as fast.) b. pro – you have a chance of dodging the incoming players knife. c. elite – if assasin is active – kniving will be completely silent and not show on the killfeed, unless countered by audiophile elite. 10. conciousness – while standing, you are just as accurate as when you are prone b. pro – your bullets cause more flinching. c. elite – if marksman is active – shooting your enemy will mark him on the mini map. 11. focus – be able to shoot while sprinting, even at the deduction of accuracy. b. pro – be able to shoot while jumping, even at the deduction of accuracy. c. elite – if stalker is active – when jumping, equipment does less damage to you. 12. deep impact – your bullets shoot through hard surfaces. b. pro – your bullets gain 50% damage with each person they go through. c. elite – if steady aim is active – when hip-firing, your bullets have 10% more damage with each person they go through. -new!!- –knife melee slot– 1. default knife – takes 2 swipes to kill, you need to put it away, and take it back out like usual. 2. tactical knife – takes 4 swipes to kill, as long as you are pushing the melee button however, it will keep knifing 3. tactical hammer – takes longer to get out, takes 4 swipes to kill, you need to put it away and take it back out like usual, but against riot shields and machines it takes only 1 swipe to destroy. 4. throwing knifes – start with 4, fast to get out, fairly accurate, but takes 2 to kill and is ranged 5. tomahawks – start with 2, slow to get out, fairly innacurate, and takes 1 to kill and is ranged 6. ballistic knife – [disallows use of equipment] – a tactical knife in one hand, while a ballistic knife is in the other. you start with 2 ballistic knives, and they kill in 1 shot. these knives take a moderate time to get out. (with bladesman on, you start with 3 ballistic knives and one ballistic knife in each hand.) -guns- (more than ever!!) (these are the ones announced or finished so far) assault rifles: ak74, ruger mini-14, type 65, valmet m76, m70, r1 rifle, commando, ar-18, valmet m60, akm-63, amd-65 submachine guns: mp5sd, pa3(dm), sw m76, type 64, uzi, mini-uzi, aks-74u, mac 10, mpl, ares fmg shotguns: model 590, model 1300, model 1100, spas-12, caws, stakeout, saiga-12, striker, featherlight sniper rifles: psg-1, psl, svd, model 700, m76 light machine guns: type 67, enfield l7, m240, as70 pistols: m973, steyr gb, skorpion, meu, python explosives: sa-7 grail / 9k32 strela-2, stinger, fim-43 redeye, arwen 37, m26grenades, hg 84 grenade, m67 grenade, sticky grenade -attachments- attached weapon rack (weapons attached to primary for quick weapon switching) (only works when paired with pistols) attached pistol (for snipers only) attached shotgun (for assault rifles only) attached bayonette (for assault rifles and snipers only) laser red dot sight reflex scope thermal scope acog scope extended mags dual mags rapid fire grenade launcher (grenades drop significantly more) grip perfected ironsights (ironsights that make it easier to see your bearings) make sure to follow mp1st on twitter and facebook for more black ops 2 info!

ˈgugəl ˈlɔnʧɪz maɪ ˈbɪznɪs tɪ hɛlp brændz ɔn sərʧ, mæps ənd ˈgugəl+ ʃɛr ˈgugəl, ðə saɪt ðət brɪŋz ˈmɛni əv jʊr ˈkəstəmərz tɪ jʊr dɔr, həz ʤɪst riˈlist ə nu tul kɔld ˈgugəl maɪ ˈbɪznɪs. ðə fri tul əˈlaʊz smɔl ˈbɪznɪs tɪ kəˈnɛkt wɪθ ðɛr ˈkəstəmərz. ðə nu peɪʤ æt həz ə bɪg tæg laɪn ˈtɛlɪŋ ju tɪ jʊr ˈbɪznɪs ɔn ˈgugəl fər free”*”: ðə nu sɛt əp əˈlaʊz ju tɪ ˌɪnərˈækt wɪθ jʊr ˈkəstəmərz ɪn ˈmɛni weɪz ənd mɔr ˌɪmˈpɔrtəntli tɛlz ðɛm mɔr əˈbaʊt ju ənd meɪks ɪt ˈiziər fər ðɛm tɪ faɪnd ju. ɛz wɛl ɛz nu ˈbɪznɪsɪz ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈstɑrtɪd wɪθ ˈgugəl maɪ ˈbɪznɪs, ðeɪ ər ˈɔlsoʊ ˈəpˌgreɪdɪŋ ˈkɑrənt ˈjuzərz əv ˈpleɪsɪz fər ˈbɪznɪs ənd ðə ˈgugəl+ ˈdæʃˌbɔrd tɪ ðɪs nu ɪkˈspɪriəns. əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈgugəl: ˈgugəl maɪ ˈbɪznɪs brɪŋz təˈgɛðər ɔl ðə weɪz ˈgugəl kən hɛlp jʊr ˈbɪznɪs ʃaɪn ɪn wən pleɪs: ˈəpˌdeɪt jʊr ˈbɪznɪs ˈɪnfoʊ ɔn sərʧ, mæps ənd ˈgugəl+ frəm wən pleɪs tɪ meɪk ɪt ˈizi fər ˈkəstəmərz tɪ gɪt ɪn təʧ æd ˈbjutəfəl ˈfoʊˌtoʊz əv jʊr ˈbɪznɪs ənd ə ˈvərʧuəl tʊr əv jʊr ˈbɪznɪs ˌɪnˈtɪriər tɪ hɛlp ˈkəstəmərz si wət meɪks jʊr ˈbɪznɪs juˈnik kəˈnɛkt dɪˈrɛkli wɪθ jʊr fænz ənd ˈkəstəmərz baɪ ˈʃɛrɪŋ nuz, ɪˈvɛnts ənd ˈəðər ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ˈəpˌdeɪts frəm jʊr ˈgugəl+ peɪʤ steɪ ɔn tɔp əv rəvˈjuz frəm əˈkrɔs ðə wɛb, ənd rɪˈspɑnd tɪ ˈgugəl rəvˈjuz ˌəndərˈstænd haʊ ˈpipəl faɪnd ənd ˌɪnərˈækt wɪθ jʊr ˈbɪznɪs ˈjuzɪŋ ˈkəstəm ˈɪnˌsaɪts ənd ˌɪnəˈgreɪʃən wɪθ ɪkˈsprɛs ˈmænɪʤ jʊr ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən wɪθ ðə ˈgugəl maɪ ˈbɪznɪs ˈænˌdrɔɪd æp ənd ðə ˈioʊs æp (ˈlɔnʧɪŋ sun) ðə ˈænˌdrɔɪd æp lʊks laɪk ðɪs: ðɪs ɪz ˈkəmɪŋ ɔn ðə hilz əv ˌɪntrəˈdusɪŋ ˈɪnˌsaɪts fər ˈgugəl+ ˈpeɪʤɪz. ɔl ˈgugəl+ ˈpeɪʤɪz kən naʊ ˈækˌsɛs ˈɪnˌsaɪts rɪˈpɔrts, wɪʧ prəˈvaɪd ki ˈɪnfoʊ ðət hɛlps ju ˈteɪlər ənd ˈɑptɪˌmaɪz jʊr ˈgugəl+ ˈkɑntɛnt, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ: ˌvɪzəˈbɪlɪti: ɔl taɪm ˈtoʊtəl, ˈfoʊˌtoʊ, ənd poʊst vjuz, ənd haʊ peɪʤ ˌɪmˈprɛʃənz hæv ˈtrɛndɪd ˈoʊvər taɪm. ɛnˈgeɪʤmənt: wɪʧ taɪps əv poʊsts ər ˈgɪtɪŋ ðə haɪəst ˈlɛvəl əv ɛnˈgeɪʤmənt ɔn ˈgugəl+. ˈɔdiəns: gɪt ən ˈoʊvərvˌju əv jʊr ˈfɑloʊər ˌdɛməˈgræfɪks. ˈrɪli ə greɪt aɪˈdiə: ɪf jʊr ˈbɪznɪs ɪz ˈɔnˌlaɪn ɪn ˈɛni weɪ (ənd ɪn wərld ɪt wʊd bi ˈkreɪzi nɑt tɪ), ˈskɪpɪŋ aʊt ɔn ˈgugəl sərʧ ɪz ˈsɪmpli nɑt ə gʊd aɪˈdiə. ðə ˈəðər ˈgugəl ˈsərvɪsɪz ər ˈɔlsoʊ ˈvɛri ˈjusfəl əˈspɛʃəli ˈgugəl mæps ɛz ɪt ɪz bɪˈkəmɪŋ ðə ˌnævəˈgeɪʃənəl gaɪd (ˈivɪn ˈæpəl ˈjuzərz prɪˈfər ɪt), ənd ˈgugəl+ ɪz groʊɪŋ ˈfæstər ðən moʊst ˈriəˌlaɪz ənd ɪz ən ˈizi weɪ tɪ kəmˈjunəˌkeɪt wɪθ ˈkəstəmərz. soʊ ˈmænəʤɪŋ ðɛm frəm wən pleɪs ɪz məʧ ˈiziər ənd lɛts ju spɛnd mɔr əv jʊr taɪm ˈfoʊkɪsɪŋ ɔn ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt, jʊr ənd ˈkəstəmərz. bɪˈloʊ ər səm ɪgˈzæmpəlz: hir ɪz haʊ ˈoʊtɪs ɪz ˈgɪtɪŋ hɪz hæts tɪ hɪz ˈpipəl: bruɪŋ koʊ gɪts ðɛr ˈkəstəmərz ˈviə ˈgugəl: wɪl ðɪs hɛlp ju ənd jʊr ˈkəmpəˌni? lɛt ˈjuˈɛs noʊ ɪn ðə ˈkɑmɛnts wət ju θɪŋk əv ðɪs nu fri tul frəm ˈgugəl.

google launches my business to help brands on search, maps and google+ share google, the site that brings many of your customers to your door, has just released a new tool called google my business. the free tool allows small business to connect with their customers. the new page at www.google.com/business has a big tag line telling you to “get your business on google for free”: the new set up allows you to interact with your customers in many ways and more importantly tells them more about you and makes it easier for them to find you. as well as new businesses getting started with google my business, they are also upgrading current users of places for business and the google+ dashboard to this new experience. according to google: google my business brings together all the ways google can help your business shine in one place: update your business info on search, maps and google+ from one place to make it easy for customers to get in touch add beautiful photos of your business and a virtual tour of your business interior to help customers see what makes your business unique connect directly with your fans and customers by sharing news, events and other important updates from your google+ page stay on top of reviews from across the web, and respond to google reviews understand how people find and interact with your business using custom insights and integration with adwords express manage your information on-the-go with the google my business android app and the ios app (launching soon) the android app looks like this: this is coming on the heels of introducing insights for google+ pages. all google+ pages can now access insights reports, which provide key info that helps you tailor and optimize your google+ content, including: visibility: all time total, photo, and post views, and how page impressions have trended over time. engagement: which types of posts are getting the highest level of engagement on google+. audience: get an overview of your follower demographics. it’s really a great idea: if your business is online in any way (and in today’s world it would be crazy not to), skipping out on google search is simply not a good idea. the other google services are also very useful especially google maps as it is becoming the go-to navigational guide (even apple users prefer it), and google+ is growing faster than most realise and is an easy way to communicate with customers. so managing them from one place is much easier and lets you spend more of your time focusing on what’s important, your products/service and customers. below are some examples: here is how otis is getting his hats to his people: jackalope brewing co gets their customers via google: will this help you and your company? let us know in the comments what you think of this new free tool from google.

meɪk taɪm fər ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm ˈʧɪlɪŋ aʊt riˈvaɪvz ˈbɑdi ənd soʊl ˈeɪprəl ˈtɑmsən ˈsəmθɪŋ tɪ æd tɪ ɑr ˌtuˈdu lɪst: ˈnəθɪŋ. əˈmɛrɪkənz təˈdeɪ wərk mɔr aʊərz ðən ˈɛvər ˌbiˈfɔr, fɔrˈgoʊɪŋ veɪˈkeɪʃən deɪz ənd ˈspɛndɪŋ mɔr taɪm wɪθ ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk dɪˈvaɪsɪz ðən wɪθ frɛndz ənd ˈfæməli. ðə tɛmˈteɪʃən ənd ˈprɛʃər tɪ du mɔr æt ðə ɪkˈspɛns əv ˈnidɪd rɛst ər greɪt, bət ˈfeɪlɪŋ tɪ teɪk taɪm aʊt tɪ riˈʧɑrʤ ɑr maɪndz ənd ˈbɑdiz kən hæv ˈsɪriəs ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈɛkspərts. ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm ɪz moʊst əˈkjutli ˈnidɪd ɪn ðə ˈwərkˌpleɪs. ɪn ə ˈsərˌveɪ əv ˈnɪrli ˈwərkərz, ðə ˈɛnərʤi ˈprɑʤɛkt ənd ˈhɑrvərd ˈbɪznɪs ˌrivˈju faʊnd ðət 59 pərˈsɛnt əv ðɛm wər ˈfɪzɪkəli ɪgˈzɔstɪd, ˈiˌmoʊʃnəli dreɪnd, dɪˈstræktɪd ənd ˈlækɪŋ ˈpərpəs. ˈhɛdˌkɔrtərd ɪn ˈjɑŋkərz, nu jɔrk, wɪθ ˈɔfəsɪz ɪn ˈjʊrəp ənd ɔˈstreɪljə, ðə ˈɛnərʤi ˈprɑʤɛkt həz hɛlpt ˈhənərdz əv ˈbɪznɪsɪz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈfɔrʧən 500 ˈkəmpəˌniz, kriˈeɪt ˈhɛlθiər, ˈhæpiər ənd ˈwərkˌpleɪsɪz. ðə ˈkəmpəˌni teɪks ɪts kjuz frəm ɪˈlit ˈæθˌlits ðət ˈkɛrfəli bɪld rɛst ənd rɪˈkəvəri ˈpɪriədz ˈɪntu ðɛr ˈtreɪnɪŋ ˈskɛʤʊlz. ɛz jʊr ˈbɑdi nidz slip ənd fud tɪ ˈfəŋkʃən optimally*, soʊ dɪz jʊr maɪnd ənd spirit,”*,” sɪz ˈæni ˈpɛrɪn, ən ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv vaɪs ˈprɛzɪdənt wɪθ ðə ˈprɑʤɛkt. ə ˈmaʊntɪŋ ˈbɑdi əv ˌnʊrəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈrisərʧ tɪ ˈbətrəs ðə əˈnæləʤi. ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən əv ˈlərnɪŋ ənd making”*” əˈkərz ɪn ðə ˈrɛstɪŋ breɪn, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈmɛri ˈhɛlən, ed.d*., əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪt prəˈfɛsər əv ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃən, saɪˈkɑləʤi ənd nˈjʊroʊˌsaɪəns æt ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ˈsəðərn ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə, lɔs ˈænʤəlɪs, ənd ˈɔθər əv ˈɪˌmoʊʃənz, ˈlərnɪŋ, ənd ðə breɪn. wɪn ɑr maɪndz ər əˈlaʊd tɪ ˈwɑndər, ðeɪ ɪnˈgeɪʤ ə ˈnɛtˌwərk əv ˌɪnərˈæktɪŋ breɪn ˈriʤənz ðət təˈgɛðər ər θɔt tɪ pleɪ ə ki roʊl ɪn ˈbɪldɪŋ ɑr əˈbɪləˌti fər ˈɪnwərd rɪˈflɛkʃən ənd ˌrɛkəˈlɛkʃən, noʊn ɛz ðə dɪˈfɔlt moʊd ˈnɛtˌwərk. ˈrisərʧ səˈʤɛsts ðət səʧ ˌæktəˈveɪʃən ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈrɛstfəl ˈmoʊmənts ɪz ˈpɑzətɪvli əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ ðə rɪˈkɔlɪŋ əv ˈmɛməriz, ɛnˈvɪʒənɪŋ ðə fˈjuʧər ənd ˈivɪn dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ ə ˈmɔrəl faʊnˈdeɪʃən. ˈnɛtˌwərk simz tɪ bi mɔr ɪnˈgeɪʤd wɪn wi ˈæktɪvli ˈgæðərɪŋ ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ər ˈwərkɪŋ ɔn ən ɪkˈstərnəl goal,”*,” rɪˈmɑrks. ˈzoʊnɪŋ aʊt ɔn ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən ər ˈvɪdioʊ geɪmz ˈproʊdus ðə seɪm breɪn ˈbɛnəfɪt bɪˈkəz, əˈbaʊt ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈɪnwərd ˈrəðər ðən outward,”*,” ʃi sɪz. ðə dɪˈfɔlt ˈnɛtˌwərk dɪz ɪnˈgeɪʤ wɪn ˌɪntrəˈspɛkʃən əˈkərz ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈnərʧərɪŋ ˈsoʊʃəl ˌɪnərˈækʃən, səʧ ɛz waɪl ˌɛnˈʤɔɪɪŋ ə rɪˈflɛktɪv ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən wɪθ frɛndz ər ˈfæməli. ʃi ˌrɛkəˈmɛndz ˈbænɪŋ tɛkˈnɑləʤi ənd ˈəðər dɪˈstrækʃənz ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈpɪriədz spɛnt ɪn ækˈtɪvɪtiz ðət brɪŋ ʤɔɪ ənd ˈminɪŋ soʊ ðət wi ər ˈprɛzənt ɪn ə ˈmaɪndfəl weɪ. ðə ˈɛnərʤi ˈprɑʤɛkt ˈəʃərz klaɪənts θru ə ˌkɑmpriˈhɛnsɪv ˈɛnərʤi ˈɔdɪt, ˈjuzɪŋ ˈɛksərˌsaɪzɪz tɪ ɪkˈspoʊz spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈpərsɪnəl ˈhæbəts ðət lɛd tɪ dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ rɪˈtərnz ɪn boʊθ wərk ənd pleɪ taɪm. ɪn wən ˈɛksərˌsaɪz, ˈwərkərz ər æst tɪ ræŋk ˈkɑrənt ˈɪnˌkəmɪŋ iˈmeɪlz frəm wən tɪ faɪv, wɪθ ðə haɪəst ˈnəmbər ɪkˈweɪtɪŋ tɪ, nid tɪ rɪˈspɑnd immediately.”*.” moʊst reɪt ˈnɪrli noʊ faɪvz, sɪz ˈpɛrɪn, ə ˈriləˈzeɪʃən ðət həz hɛlpt ˈmɛni ˈpipəl ʧeɪnʤ ðɛr iˈmeɪl ˈhæbəts. waɪl ʧeɪnʤ kən bi hɑrd, ˈpɛrɪn səˈʤɛsts kriˈeɪtɪŋ nu, ˈhɛlθi ˈrɪʧuəlz θru ˌrɛpəˈtɪʃən, wɪʧ tæps ˈɪntu ðə dɪˈzaɪər fər automaticity*. fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, ʃi ædˈvaɪzɪz ˈwərkərz tɪ ˈskɛʤʊl breaks”*” ˈɛvəri 90 ˈmɪnəts ˈæftər kəmˈplitɪŋ ə blɑk əv tæsks. bɪn ˈsɪtɪŋ, muv; ɪf ðə maɪnd həz bɪn ˈæktɪv, du ˈsəmθɪŋ tɪ kwaɪət ɪt, laɪk ˈmɛdəˌteɪtɪŋ ər ˈsɪmpli ˈkloʊzɪŋ jʊr eyes.”*.” ʃi ˈɔlsoʊ səˈʤɛsts ˈfaɪndɪŋ ˈwərkərz tɪ ˈbədi əp wɪθ ənd ˈskɛʤʊl mˈjuʧuəl breɪks tɪ hɛlp səˈpɔrt ənd hoʊld iʧ ˈəðər əˈkaʊntəbəl. səˈʤɛsts ðət əˈnəðər ˈpræktɪs tɪ ˈmæksəˌmaɪz ðə ˈvælju əv ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm ɪz tɪ ˈkɑmbaɪn ɪt wɪθ ˈɛksərˌsaɪz. wɔk kən bi rejuvenating,”*,” ʃi sɪz. ðə ˈbɑdi ɪz ɪnˈgeɪʤd, ðə maɪnd ɪz fri tɪ wander.”*.” ðə ˈɛnərʤi ˈprɑʤɛkt kɔlz ɔn ˈmænɪʤərz tɪ ˈmɑdəl ðiz ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm ækˈtɪvɪtiz fər ðɛr ɪmˈplɔɪiz. səm ˈkəmpəˌniz hæv ˈɪnstɪˌtutɪd ˈpɑləsiz ðət ˈlɪmət ˈsɛndɪŋ iˈmeɪl frəm 8 p.m*. tɪ 8 a.m*., ɛz wɛl ɛz ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈwiˌkɛndz ənd veɪˈkeɪʃənz, soʊ ˈstæfərz fil kəmˈpɛld tɪ rɛd ənd rɪˈspɑnd tɪ kip əp wɪθ wərk. ˈsɛtɪŋ ˈlɪmɪts ɪz ˈivɪn mɔr ˈkruʃəl fər jəŋ ˈpipəl wɪθ maɪndz ənd ˈhæbəts ðət ər əˈspɛʃəli ˈmæliəbəl. si ˈtiˌneɪʤərz ˈteɪkɪŋ ðɛr foʊnz ˈɪntu ðə ˈbæθˌrum ər bɛd tɪ tɛkst ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl əv ðə naɪt. ˈpɛrənts nid tɪ pʊt ə stɑp tɪ this,”*,” ˈkaʊnsəlz. breɪn nidz ˌənɪnərˈəptɪd rɛst tɪ wərk æt ɪts best.”*.” ˈlərnɪŋ ðət biɪŋ ə pərˈdəktɪv ɪmˈplɔɪi ər ən ˈiˌmoʊʃnəli əˈveɪl ˈeɪbəl ˈpɛrənt rikˈwaɪərz ˈgɪvɪŋ ɑrˈsɛlvz ə breɪk ənd gɪvz ˈjuˈɛs pərˈmɪʃən tɪ rɛst. wi faɪnd ðət ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm ɪz nɑt ʤɪst gʊd fər ɑrˈsɛlvz, bət ˈɔlsoʊ fər ɑr ˈfæməliz ənd ˈwərkˌpleɪsɪz. kəˈnɛkt wɪθ ˈfriˌlæns ˈraɪtər ˈeɪprəl ˈtɑmsən, əv ˈwɔʃɪŋtən, d.c*., æt aprilwrites.com*.

make time for downtime chilling out revives body and soul april thompson here’s something to add to our to-do list: nothing. americans today work more hours than ever before, foregoing hardearned vacation days and spending more time with electronic devices than with friends and family. the temptation and pressure to do more at the expense of needed rest are great, but failing to take time out to recharge our minds and bodies can have serious consequences, according to experts. downtime is most acutely needed in the workplace. in a survey of nearly 20,000 workers, the energy project and harvard business review found that 59 percent of them were physically exhausted, emotionally drained, distracted and lacking purpose. headquartered in yonkers, new york, with offices in europe and australia, the energy project has helped hundreds of businesses, including fortune 500 companies, create healthier, happier and higher-performing workplaces. the company takes its cues from elite athletes that carefully build rest and recovery periods into their training schedules. “just as your body needs sleep and food to function optimally, so does your mind and spirit,” says annie perrin, an executive vice president with the project. there’s a mounting body of neurological research to buttress the analogy. important assimilation of learning and “meaning making” occurs in the resting brain, according to mary helen immordino-yang, ed.d., associate professor of education, psychology and neuroscience at the university of southern california, los angeles, and author of emotions, learning, and the brain. when our minds are allowed to wander, they engage a network of interacting brain regions that together are thought to play a key role in building our ability for inward reflection and recollection, known as the default mode network. immordino-yang’s research suggests that such activation during restful moments is positively associated with the recalling of memories, envisioning the future and even developing a moral foundation. “this network seems to be more engaged when we aren’t actively gathering information or working on an external goal,” remarks immordino-yang. zoning out on tv or video games doesn’t produce the same brain benefit because, “it’s about looking inward rather than outward,” she says. the default network does engage when introspection occurs during nurturing social interaction, such as while enjoying a reflective conversation with friends or family. she recommends banning technology and other distractions during periods spent in activities that bring joy and meaning so that we are present in a mindful way. the energy project ushers clients through a comprehensive energy audit, using exercises to expose specific personal habits that lead to diminishing returns in both work and play time. in one exercise, workers are asked to rank current incoming emails from one to five, with the highest number equating to, “i need to respond immediately.” most rate nearly no fives, says perrin, a realization that has helped many people change their email habits. while change can be hard, perrin suggests creating new, healthy rituals through repetition, which taps into the brain’s desire for automaticity. for example, she advises workers to schedule “renewal breaks” every 90 minutes after completing a block of high-priority tasks. “if you’ve been sitting, move; if the mind has been active, do something to quiet it, like meditating or simply closing your eyes.” she also suggests finding workers to buddy up with and schedule mutual breaks to help support and hold each other accountable. immordino-yang suggests that another practice to maximize the value of downtime is to combine it with exercise. “a walk can be rejuvenating,” she says. “while the body is engaged, the mind is free to wander.” the energy project calls on managers to model these downtime activities for their employees. some companies have instituted policies that limit sending email from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., as well as during weekends and vacations, so staffers feel compelled to read and respond to keep up with work. setting limits is even more crucial for young people with minds and habits that are especially malleable. “i see teenagers taking their phones into the bathroom or bed to text in the middle of the night. parents need to put a stop to this,” counsels immordino-yang. “the brain needs uninterrupted rest to work at its best.” learning that being a productive employee or an emotionally avail able parent requires giving ourselves a break and gives us permission to rest. we find that downtime is not just good for ourselves, but also for our families and workplaces. connect with freelance writer april thompson, of washington, d.c., at aprilwrites.com.

ˈvaɪrəl ˈvɪdioʊz læst wik, ə ˈvɪdioʊ wɛnt ˈvaɪrəl wɛr ə ˈmɛstər pɪkt əp ə ˈfiˌmeɪl contra-mestre*, kɪst hər ɔn ðə bət, ənd ˈæftər ʃi riˈæktɪd tɪ wət hi dɪd, hi kɪkt hər tɪ ðə graʊnd. ðɪs ɪz wən əv ðə fju taɪmz (ɪf nɑt ðə fərst taɪm) ən ˈɪnsədənt laɪk ðɪs wɛnt ˈvaɪrəl bɪˈkəz ɪt wɑz wɛl ˈdɑkjəˌmɛnəd ənd ˈwaɪdli ʃɛrd ɪn ðə kəmˈjunɪti. tɪ prəˈvaɪd səm ˈkɑntɛkst, ðə ɪˈvɛnt wɑz ə ˈwɪmən ɪn ɪˈvɛnt, ie*. mɛnt tɪ ˈsɛləˌbreɪt ənd rɪˈspɛkt ˈwɪmən ɪn. wət aɪ sɔ ɪn ðə ˈvɪdioʊ wɑz ə læk əv rɪˈspɛkt fər ðə ˈpipəl əˈtɛndɪŋ ənd ðə ˈpərsən ðə ˈmɛstər wɑz pleɪɪŋ wɪθ, ənd mɔr ˈʤɛnərəli, ɪt wɑz ə greɪt dɪˈsərvəs tɪ ˈjuˈɛs ɛz, bɪˈkəz ɛz ə ““mestre”*” ðɪs ˈpərsən ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ɔl əv ˈjuˈɛs. ʃɛrz ðə ˈvɪdioʊ həz bɪn ʃɛrd ˈmɛni taɪmz ənd ˈmɛstər, hu ɪz ðə ˈtɑpɪk əv læst poʊst (capoeira*, wɪθ noʊ ˈmɛstər), roʊt ə blɔg ˈɑrtɪkəl əˈbaʊt ðə ɪˈvɛnt. ðə riˈækʃənz tɪ ðə ˈvɪdioʊ keɪm frəm mɛn ənd ˈwɪmən, ˌjunəˈvərsəli kənˈdɛmɪŋ ðə ˈækʃənz əv ðə ˈmɛstər hu ɪz ɪn ðə ˈvɪdioʊ. ðɪs ˈɪʃu ɪz ˈvaɪrəl ɪn əˈnəðər weɪ. ˈmɛni ˈwɪmən hu hæv bɪn ɪn hæv ɪkˈspɪriənst səm əˈmaʊnt əv hərˈæsmənt, ˈvərbəl ər ˈfɪzɪkəl frəm əˈnəðər capoeirista*. ðɛr ər ˈmɛni mɛn ˈgɪlti əv ðə seɪm θɪŋ, bət ðeɪ wər nɑt rɪˈkɔrdɪd ər kɔld aʊt fər ðɛr ˈækʃənz baɪ ˈəðərz hu maɪt hæv ˈwɪtnəst ɪt ɪn ðə ˈroʊdə. ju maɪt æsk, bət calado*, əˈbaʊt ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ðə ˈroʊdə? ðiz θɪŋ ˈhæpən ðɛr ɛz well!”*!” ənd aɪ əˈgri, ɛz mɛn, wi nid tɪ du ə ˈbɛtər ʤɑb æt biɪŋ rɪˈspɛktfəl təˈwɔrdz ˈwɪmən. ðɪs goʊz ˈdəbəl fər ˈtiʧərz hu kəˈmænd ə pəˈzɪʃən əv paʊər ɪn ɑr kəmˈjunɪti ðeɪ ʃʊd bi hɛld tɪ ə haɪər ˈstændərd. ˌripərˈkəʃənz ˈmɛstər ˈpɔɪntɪd aʊt ðə ˈmɛni mɛn hu meɪd ˈkɑmɛnts laɪk ɪt wɑz maɪ ˈsɪstər aɪ wʊd bit hɪz ass”*”. ˈsɪmələr tɪ ɛm., aɪ bɪˈliv ðət ðiz sɔrts əv riˈækʃənz ər wət wi nid. ɪf ˈvaɪələns ɪz ðə ˈoʊnli ˌripərˈkəʃən wi kən θɪŋk əv, ðɛn wi ˈklɪrli noʊ haʊ tɪ əˈproʊpriɪtli ˈhændəl ðə ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən. ˈsəmθɪŋ aɪ hərd tu ˈmɛni ˈpipəl tɔk əˈbaʊt ɪz haʊ tɪ dil wɪθ ðɪs ˈmɛstər ər ˈɛni ˈəðər ˈmɛstər hu ʃoʊz ðɪs ˈlɛvəl əv ˌdɪsrɪˈspɛkt. ðɛr ɪz ə lɔt əv ˈlinjənsi ˈgɪvɪn tɪ bɪˈkəz əv ðɛr pəˈzɪʃən. ðə ˈvɪdioʊ ɪz ən ɪgˈzæmpəl əv ˈsəmˌwən ˈteɪkɪŋ ædˈvæntɪʤ əv ðɛr pəˈzɪʃən, noʊɪŋ ðət ðɛr wɪl ˈprɑbəˌbli bi ˈlɪtəl, ɪf ˈɛni ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz. bət wət tɪ du? du wi bæn ˈpipəl frəm ɪˈvɛnts? du wi ˈrɛfˌjuz tɪ du ʃoʊz wɪθ ðɛm? ɪz ɪt ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ teɪk ðɛr ræŋk ɛz ““mestre”*”? aɪ hæv nɑt hərd əv ˈsəmˌwən biɪŋ ˈpənɪʃt fər θɪŋz laɪk ˈsɛkʃuəl hərˈæsmənt ɪn, bət ðɛr hæv bɪn ˈplɛnti əv ˈkeɪsɪz wɛr ər ˈbænɪʃt frəm ðə rɛst əv ðə kəmˈjunɪti ər ðɛr teɪk əˈweɪ ðɛr bɛlt fər ˈəðər əˈfɛnsɪz. ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃən mɔr ðən ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz, aɪ θɪŋk wi nid tɪ ˈɛʤəˌkeɪt ɑr nu ˈtiʧərz baɪ ʃoʊɪŋ ðɛm (ˈprɛfərəbli, baɪ ɪgˈzæmpəl) ðət ɛz ə meɪl capoeirista*, jʊr ˈvælju ɪz nɑt taɪd tɪ səm ˈmɑʧoʊ ˈbʊlˌʃɪt. wət ˈmætərz ɪz wət ju kənˈtrɪbjutɪd: wət hæv ju ˈgɪvɪn soʊ ðət jʊr ˈbrəðərz ənd ˈsɪstərz kən ˈblɑsəm ɪn? haʊ hæv ju pərˈzɛnəd ˈjɔrsɛlf ɛz ə ˈlidər? ˈvərʧuz! wi nid ˈvərʧuz laɪk rɪˈspɛkt, kəmˈjunɪti, ˈdɪlɪʤəns, ənd ˈdɪgnəti tɪ gaɪd ˈjuˈɛs ɛz wi groʊ. aɪ ˈɑnəstli bɪˈliv ðət ðə weɪ ðɪs ˈvɪdioʊ bɪˈkeɪm ˈvaɪrəl ʃoʊz haʊ məʧ ˈprɑˌgrɛs wi hæv meɪd ɛz ə kəmˈjunɪti ɛz məʧ ɛz ɪt ʃoʊz haʊ məʧ mɔr wi hæv tɪ goʊ.

viral videos last week, a video went viral where a capoeira mestre picked up a female contra-mestre, kissed her on the butt, and after she reacted to what he did, he kicked her to the ground. this is one of the few times (if not the first time) an incident like this went viral because it was well documented and widely shared in the capoeira community. to provide some context, the event was a women in capoeira event, ie. meant to celebrate and respect women in capoeira. what i saw in the video was a lack of respect for the people attending and the person the mestre was playing with, and more generally, it was a great disservice to us as capoeiristas, because as a “mestre” this person represents all of us. shares the video has been shared many times and mestre ferradura, who is the topic of last week’s post (capoeira, with no mestre), wrote a blog article about the event. the reactions to the video came from men and women, universally condemning the actions of the mestre who is in the video. this issue is viral in another way. many women who have been in capoeira have experienced some amount of harassment, verbal or physical from another capoeirista. there are many men guilty of the same thing, but they were not recorded or called out for their actions by others who might have witnessed it in the roda. you might ask, but calado, “what about outside the roda? these thing happen there as well!” and i agree, as men, we need to do a better job at being respectful towards women. this goes double for teachers who command a position of power in our community – they should be held to a higher standard. repercussions mestre ferradura pointed out the many men who made comments like “if it was my sister i would beat his ass”. similar to m. ferradura, i don’t believe that these sorts of reactions are what we need. if violence is the only repercussion we can think of, then we clearly don’t know how to appropriately handle the situation. something i haven’t heard too many people talk about is how to deal with this mestre or any other mestre who shows this level of disrespect. there is a lot of leniency given to mestres because of their position. the video is an example of someone taking advantage of their position, knowing that there will probably be little, if any consequences. but what to do? do we ban people from events? do we refuse to do shows with them? is it possible to take their rank as “mestre”? i have not heard of someone being punished for things like sexual harassment in capoeira, but there have been plenty of cases where capoeiristas are banished from the rest of the community or their mestres take away their belt for other offenses. education more than consequences, i think we need to educate our new teachers by showing them (preferably, by example) that as a male capoeirista, your value is not tied to some macho bullshit. what matters is what you contributed: what have you given so that your brothers and sisters can blossom in capoeira? how have you presented yourself as a leader? virtues! we need virtues like respect, community, diligence, and dignity to guide us as we grow. i honestly believe that the way this video became viral shows how much progress we have made as a community as much as it shows how much more we have to go.

ðə juz. dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv dɪˈfɛns sɛndz əˈnəðər əv ðə iˈmeɪlz ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈɛvəri deɪ. ðeɪ ər lɪsts əv ɛr ənd ɑrˈtɪləri straɪks kənˈdəktəd baɪ ðə juz. ənd ˌkoʊəˈlɪʃən ˈfɔrsɪz, ˈaɪsəs ˈæˌsɛts ˈtɑrgətɪd, ˈdæmɪʤ ənd dɪˈstrəkʃən əˈkɑmplɪʃt. ɔn ˈmənˌdeɪ ðə ˈtæli ˌɪnˈkludɪd 116 ˈaɪsəs fjuəl trəks, 11 ˈaɪsəs ˈtæktɪkəl ˈjunɪts, wən lɑrʤ ˈaɪsəs ˈtæktɪkəl ˈjunɪt, ˈsɛvən ˈaɪsəs ˈfaɪtɪŋ pəˈzɪʃənz, ˈsɛvən ˈaɪsəs ˈbɪldɪŋz, wən ˈaɪsəs ˈstɔrɪʤ ˈdipoʊ, sɪks ˈaɪsəs ˈviɪkəlz, wən ˈaɪsəs ˈtæktɪkəl ˈviɪkəl, wən ˈaɪsəs ˈfaɪtər (hi wɑz ˈwundɪd, ðə ˈpɛnɪˌgɑn sɛd), wən ˈaɪsəs ˈsteɪʤɪŋ ˈɛriə, wən ˈaɪsəs ˈhɛvi məˈʃin gən, wən ˈaɪsəs ˈhoʊˈmeɪd ɪkˈsploʊsɪvz kæˈʃeɪ, wən ˈaɪsəs ˈwɛpənz kæˈʃeɪ ənd sɪks ˈaɪsəs kəˈmænd ənd kənˈtroʊl noʊdz. ðə lɪsts, ˈteɪkən ɔn ðɛr oʊn, kən sim ˌɪmˈprɛsɪv. bət ðeɪ mæsk ðə fækt ðət stɪl nɑt klɪr ˈɛni əv ðɪs ɪz ˈrɪli əˈkɑmplɪʃɪŋ məʧ. ˈɛrˌstraɪks, ɪn tərmz əv ˈlɪmətɪŋ isis’*’ kəˈpæsɪti tɪ meɪk ədˈvænsmənts ɪn ðə ˈɛriə ɪt kənˈtroʊlz, ˈprɑbəˌbli ə si+ ər ə b-,”*-,” sɪz ˈkrɪstəfər swɪft, ən ˈæˌʤəŋkt prəˈfɛsər əv ˈnæʃənəl sɪˈkjʊrəti ˈstədiz æt ˈʤɔrʤˌtaʊn ˌjunəˈvərsəti. tərmz əv ˈfɔrsɪŋ ˈaɪsəs tɪ əˈdæpt tɪ ə lɛs pərˈmɪsɪv ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt ˈprɑbəˌbli bɪn ə d-.”*-.” ðɛr hæv bɪn səm səkˈsɛsɪz. ˈɛrˌstraɪks hæv əˈlaʊd ðə ˌɪˈræki, ˈsɪriən ˈrɛbəl ənd ˈkərdɪʃ graʊnd ˈfɔrsɪz ðət ðə juz. həz ˈæˌlaɪd ˌɪtˈsɛlf wɪθ tɪ ˈkæpʧər səm ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri ðət hæd bɪn isis’*’. læst wik, ˈkərdɪʃ ˈfaɪtərz riˈtʊk ðə taʊn əv ɪn ˈnɔrðərn ˌɪˈrɑk. ənd deɪz ˈleɪtər, ðə ˈaɪsəs ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənər noʊn ɛz john”*” wɑz kɪld ɪn ə juz. droʊn straɪk ɪn ˈsɪriə. ˈərliər ðɪs jɪr, ən ˈɛrˌstraɪk rɪˈpɔrtədli lɛft isis’*’ ˈlidər, ˈæbu al-baghdadi*, æt list ˌtɛmpərˈɛrəli ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪtɪd. bət waɪl isis’*’ ˈfʊtˌprɪnt ɪn ˌɪˈrɑk ənd ˈsɪriə wɑz ʃˈrɪŋkɪŋ, ðə riʧ wɑz ɪkˈspændɪŋ ˈɛlsˌwɛr. wɪθ ðə əˈtæks ˈaɪsəs kleɪmd riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti fər ɪn ˈpɛrɪs læst ˈfraɪˌdeɪ keɪm ðə ˈmɛsɪʤ frəm ðə grup ðət ˈɛrˌstraɪks ɪn ˈsɪriə ənd ˌɪˈrɑk wʊd bi mɛt wɪθ smɛl əv death”*” æt hoʊm. ə ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˌeɪviˈeɪʃən ˈspɛʃəlɪst hu rɪkˈwɛstɪd ˌænəˈnɪmɪti bɪˈkəz hi ˈɔθərˌaɪzd tɪ spik ɔn ðə ˈrɛkərd toʊld ðət ðə u.s.’*.’ ɛr kæmˈpeɪn həz ˈrisəntli bɪˈkəm mɔr ˈifɛktɪv ɪn pɑrt bɪˈkəz əv ðə weɪ ðə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən ɪts əˈsɛsmənt əv ˈaɪsəs ənd ɪts təˈnæsɪti. wɪn ˈaɪsəs fərst əˈpɪrd ɔn ðə sin, ˈprɛzɪdənt ˈbɑrək ˌoʊˈbɑmə dɪsˈmɪst ɪts ˈmɛmbərz ɛz ʤiˈhɑˌdɪsts ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ˈloʊkəl paʊər ˈlɛsər ˈvərʒən əv ˌɑlˈkaɪdɑ. ðə ˈərli ˈɛrˌstraɪks ɔn ðə grup rɪˈflɛktɪd ðət ˈθɪŋkɪŋ, ðə ˈspɛʃəlɪst sɛd, ənd ðət ˈlɪmɪtɪd ðɛr ˈifɛktɪvnəs. moʊst əv ðoʊz fərst 15 mənθs ðə juz. ˈɛfərt simd ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn ˈaɪsəs ˈfɔrsɪz wɛˈrɛvər ðeɪ wər faʊnd, ðeɪ wər ˈtritɪŋ ˈɔlˌmoʊst ɛz ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt ˈfɔrsɪz ɪn ðə field,”*,” ðə ˈspɛʃəlɪst sɛd. wɑz ˈoʊnli ˈrisəntli ðət ju si ðɛm ˈɔpərˌeɪtɪŋ ɛz ðoʊ ˈaɪsəs ɪz ə ˈkəntri, goʊɪŋ ˈæftər ɔɪl ˈkɑnˌvɔɪz, traɪɪŋ tɪ dɪˈpraɪv ðɛm əv ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk səˈpɔrt, ðə seɪm weɪ ðət ðə juz. wʊd bi ˈfaɪtɪŋ ə ˈfɔrən country.”*.” ðə ˈtɑrgətɪŋ əv ðə ˈɛrˌstraɪks tʊk ən ˈivɪn ˈʃɑrpər tərn ˈæftər ðə ˈrəʃən ɛr fɔrs ˈɛnərd ðə freɪ ɪn sɛpˈtɛmbər. ðə ˈrəʃən bɑmz ˈæˌkʧuəli eɪmd æt ˈaɪsəs, ˈrəðər ðən ˈrɛbəlz ˈfaɪtɪŋ əˈgɛnst ðə rəˈʒim əv ˈmɔˌskaʊ ˈælaɪ ˈprɛzɪdənt bəˈʃɑr al-assad*, strək ˈaɪsəs ˈtɑrgəts ðət wər ˈrɛlətɪvli ““simplistic”*” ɪn ðɛr ˌɪmˈpɔrtəns, ðə ˈspɛʃəlɪst sɛd, ənd juz. ˈfɔrsɪz əv ˌɑpərˈtunəti ər necessity,”*,” wər ˈeɪbəl tɪ rɪˈfaɪn ðɛr səˈlɛkʃənz ˈivɪn mɔr. dɪˈklɛrd wɔr ɔn juˈmænɪti 18 mənθs əˈgoʊ. ˈɛrˌstraɪks əˈloʊn dɪˈfit ðɛm. wi nid ˌɪnˈdɪʤənəs graʊnd ˈfɔrsɪz too.”*.” col*. stiv ˈwɔrən, juz. ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈspoʊksmən ɪn ˈbægdæd wɪn nuz ˈimərʤd ðət ðə juz. hæd ʃɛrd ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns wɪθ fræns ɪn ðə weɪk əv ðə ˈpɛrɪs əˈtæks, ˈgɪvɪŋ ðə frɛnʧ ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri 20 ˈtɑrgəts tɪ straɪk, səm əbˈzərvərz ɪkˈsprɛst səˈpraɪz ðət ðə juz. ɪˈlɪməˌneɪtɪd ðoʊz ˈtɑrgəts ˌɪtˈsɛlf. nu θrɛts ˈɛvəri day,”*,” ɪkˈspleɪnd ˈpætrɪk ˈskɪnər, ə ˈɛkspərt wɪθ ðə grup. ɛz nu ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən kəmz tɪ laɪt, səm ˈtɑrgəts ər praɪˈɔrəˌtaɪzd ˈoʊvər ˈəðərz. ˈmɪʃənz ʧeɪnʤ ˈɛvəri deɪ ɛz ðə ˈbætəlˌgraʊnd ˌɪtˈsɛlf ʃɪfts. ɛz mənθs əv ðə juz. ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri kæmˈpeɪn ɪn boʊθ ˌɪˈrɑk ənd ˈsɪriə hæv pæst, ðə juz. həz bɪlt ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪps ɔn ðə graʊnd wɪθ ˈsɪriən ˈrɛbəlz ənd ˈkərdɪʃ ˈfaɪtərz. əˈlaʊd ɪt tɪ ˌɪnˈkris ɪts ˈnɑlɪʤ əv ðə ˈbætəlˌgraʊnd ənd faɪnd aʊt mɔr ənd mɔr əˈbaʊt ˈaɪsəs ˈfaɪtɪŋ pəˈzɪʃənz ɪn boʊθ ˈkəntriz, ənd lərn ðə loʊˈkeɪʃənz ənd ˈmuvmənts əv ki ˈmɛmbərz. klɪr ðə ˌkoʊəˈlɪʃən ɪz ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈbɛtər intelligence,”*,” ˈskɪnər sɛd, nɑt goʊɪŋ tɪ wɪn ðɪs θru ɛr power.”*.” ðə juz. ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri əˈgriz. dɪˈklɛrd wɔr ɔn juˈmænɪti 18 mənθs ago,”*,” sɛd col*. stiv ˈwɔrən, ðə juz. ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈspoʊksmən ɪn ˈbægdæd, ˈjuzɪŋ əˈnəðər neɪm fər ˈaɪsəs, wɪʧ ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ kɔld ðə ˌɪzˈlɑmɪk steɪt. əˈloʊn dɪˈfit ðɛm. wi nid ˌɪnˈdɪʤənəs graʊnd ˈfɔrsɪz tu. ðət ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃən həz ˈlɪˌbərˌeɪtɪd tikrit*, baiji*,, ənd həz riˈkleɪmd ə kˈwɔrtər əv ðə ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri wəns held.”*.” ðə juz. həz hæd mɔr səkˈsɛs ˈfaɪtɪŋ ˈaɪsəs ɪn ˌɪˈrɑk ðən ɪt həz ˈbætəlɪŋ ɪt ɪn ˈsɪriə. ðɛr ər ˈmɛni ˈrizənz fər ðət, bət pərˈhæps ðə moʊst ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt wən ɪz ðət ɪn ˌɪˈrɑk ðə juz. həz ləˈʤɪtəmət ˈpɑrtnərz ɔn ðə graʊnd ðət ɪt kən səˈpɔrt frəm ðə skaɪ. bɪn noʊ səʧ ˈsɪnərʤi ɪn ˈsɪriə; ˈwɔʃɪŋtən həz noʊ riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp wɪθ əˈsɑd, ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk, ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ər ˈəðərˌwaɪz. ə kæmˈpeɪn frəm ðə ɛr meɪ ɪˈvɛnʧəwəli graɪnd daʊn ˈaɪsəs ˈhoʊldɪŋz ɪn ˈsɪriə, bət wɪˈθaʊt ə ˌrɛzəˈluʃən tɪ ðə ˈkɑnflɪkt wɪθ əˈsɑd ðə dɪˈfit meɪ bi ˈflitɪŋ. ˈspikɪŋ tɪ rɪˈpɔrtərz ɪn ˈtərki ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˈsəmɪt, ˈprɛzɪdənt ˌoʊˈbɑmə sɛd ɛr straɪks meɪd əp ˈoʊnli wən kəmˈpoʊnənt əv ðə juz. ˈstrætəʤi tɪ dɪˈfit ˈaɪsəs. ““ultimately*, tɪ riˈkleɪm ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri frəm ðɛm ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ ˌrikˈwaɪər, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ən ˈɛndɪŋ əv ðə ˈsɪriən ˈsɪvəl wɔr, wɪʧ ɪz waɪ ðə ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk ˈɛfərts ər soʊ important,”*,” ˌoʊˈbɑmə toʊld rɪˈpɔrtərz ˈmənˌdeɪ. goʊɪŋ tɪ ˌrikˈwaɪər ən ˈifɛktɪv ˌɪˈræki ˈɛfərt ðət ˈbrɪʤɪz ˈʃiə ənd ˈsuni ˈdɪfərənsɪz, wɪʧ ɪz waɪ ɑr ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk ˈɛfərts ˌɪnˈsaɪd əv ˌɪˈrɑk ər soʊ ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ɛz well.”*.”

the u.s. department of defense sends another of the emails almost every day. they are lists of air and artillery strikes conducted by the u.s. and coalition forces, isis assets targeted, damage and destruction accomplished. on monday the tally included 116 isis fuel trucks, 11 isis tactical units, one large isis tactical unit, seven isis fighting positions, seven isis buildings, one isis storage depot, six isis vehicles, one isis tactical vehicle, one isis fighter (he was wounded, the pentagon said), one isis staging area, one isis heavy machine gun, one isis homemade explosives cache, one isis weapons cache and six isis command and control nodes. the lists, taken on their own, can seem impressive. but they mask the fact that still not clear any of this is really accomplishing much. “the airstrikes, in terms of limiting isis’ capacity to make advancements in the area it controls, probably a c+ or a b-,” says christopher swift, an adjunct professor of national security studies at georgetown university. “in terms of forcing isis to adapt to a less permissive environment probably been a d-.” there have been some successes. airstrikes have allowed the iraqi, syrian rebel and kurdish ground forces that the u.s. has allied itself with to capture some territory that had been isis’. last week, kurdish fighters retook the town of sinjar in northern iraq. and days later, the isis executioner known as “jihadi john” was killed in a u.s. drone strike in syria. earlier this year, an airstrike reportedly left isis’ leader, abu bakr al-baghdadi, at least temporarily incapacitated. but while isis’ footprint in iraq and syria was shrinking, the group’s reach was expanding elsewhere. with the attacks isis claimed responsibility for in paris last friday came the message from the group that airstrikes in syria and iraq would be met with “the smell of death” at home. a military aviation specialist who requested anonymity because he isn’t authorized to speak on the record told vocativ that the u.s.’ air campaign has recently become more effective in part because of the way the administration re-calibrated its assessment of isis and its tenacity. when isis first appeared on the scene, president barack obama dismissed its members as jihadists involved in local power plays—a lesser version of al-qaeda. the early airstrikes on the group reflected that thinking, the specialist said, and that limited their effectiveness. “for most of those first 15 months the u.s. effort seemed focused on isis forces wherever they were found, they were treating almost as independent forces in the field,” the specialist said. “it was only recently that you see them operating as though isis is a country, going after oil convoys, trying to deprive them of economic support, the same way that the u.s. would be fighting a foreign country.” the targeting of the airstrikes took an even sharper turn after the russian air force entered the fray in september. the russian bombs actually aimed at isis, rather than rebels fighting against the regime of moscow ally president bashar al-assad, struck isis targets that were relatively “simplistic” in their importance, the specialist said, and u.s. forces “out of opportunity or necessity,” were able to refine their selections even more. “isil declared war on humanity 18 months ago. airstrikes alone won’t defeat them. we need indigenous ground forces too.” — col. steve warren, u.s. military spokesman in baghdad when news emerged that the u.s. had shared intelligence with france in the wake of the paris attacks, giving the french military 20 isis-related targets to strike, some observers expressed surprise that the u.s. hadn’t eliminated those targets itself. “there’s new threats every day,” explained patrick skinner, a counter-terrorism expert with the soufan group. as new information comes to light, some targets are prioritized over others. missions change every day as the battleground itself shifts. as months of the u.s. military campaign in both iraq and syria have passed, the u.s. has built partnerships on the ground with syrian rebels and kurdish fighters. that’s allowed it to increase its knowledge of the battleground and find out more and more about isis fighting positions in both countries, and learn the locations and movements of key members. “it’s clear the coalition is getting better intelligence,” skinner said, “but you’re not going to win this through air power.” the u.s. military agrees. “isil declared war on humanity 18 months ago,” said col. steve warren, the u.s. military spokesman in baghdad, using another name for isis, which is also called the islamic state. “airstrikes alone won’t defeat them. we need indigenous ground forces too. that combination has liberated tikrit, baiji, sinjar, and has reclaimed a quarter of the territory isil once held.” the u.s. has had more success fighting isis in iraq than it has battling it in syria. there are many reasons for that, but perhaps the most important one is that in iraq the u.s. has legitimate partners on the ground that it can support from the sky. there’s been no such synergy in syria; washington has no relationship with assad, diplomatic, military or otherwise. a campaign from the air may eventually grind down isis holdings in syria, but without a resolution to the conflict with assad the group’s defeat may be fleeting. speaking to reporters in turkey during the g20 summit, president obama said air strikes made up only one component of the u.s. strategy to defeat isis. “ultimately, to reclaim territory from them is going to require, however, an ending of the syrian civil war, which is why the diplomatic efforts are so important,” obama told reporters monday. “and going to require an effective iraqi effort that bridges shia and sunni differences, which is why our diplomatic efforts inside of iraq are so important as well.”

ˈæftər maɪ kwaɪət taɪm wɪθ ðə lɔrd, wɛr aɪ wɑz ˈbeɪðɪŋ ɪn prɛr, gɑd leɪd ɪt ɔn maɪ hɑrt tɪ bi ə ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃənəl ˈlidər baɪ ʤɪst ˈləvɪŋ əp ɔn maɪ blɔg ˈridərz ənd ˈɔfərɪŋ ðɛm səm aɪˈdiəz frəm maɪ ˌɪˌmæʤəˈneɪʃən. ˈərliər ðɪs ˈmɔrnɪŋ, aɪ sɔ ə twit frəm blɛst ər ðeɪ hu stɑp ˈjuzɪŋ ðə wərd “‪#“‪#missional“*“, wɪʧ kɔzd mi tɪ poʊst ˈsəmθɪŋ ɔn tˈwɪtər ənd ˈfeɪsˌbʊk ˈæskɪŋ ˈpipəl wət ðɛr ˈfeɪvərɪt ʧərʧ ˈʤɑrgən ɪz maɪn biɪŋ imagination”*”. ðə rɪˈspɑns wɑz ˌənbəˈlivəbəl ənd ˈɔlsoʊ kwaɪt ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ. aɪ ˈriəˌlaɪzd əˈpɑn ˈrɛdɪŋ ðə ðət ðə rɪˈspɑnsɪz ˈtɛndɪd tɪ fɔl ˈɪntu ˈsɛvərəl ˈkætəˌgɔriz 1 ˈmeɪnˌlaɪn ˈprɑtəstənt ʧərʧ ˈsɛməˌnɛri klæs ˈlɪŋgoʊ. imagination”*”; ˌkɑŋgrəˈgeɪʃənz ɛz fər ˌivænˈʤɛlɪkəl mission”*”; ˈpæstərz ɛz leaders”*”; rɪˈfərɪŋ tɪ ˈmɛmbərz ɛz units”*”; ənd ˈʧərʧɪz laɪf together”*”) ðɪs ˈlæŋgwɪʤ həz ə ˌkɑməˈnæləti wɪθ ˈkɔrpərət ˈʤɑrgən ənd laɪk ˈkɔrpərət ˈʤɑrgən, rɪˈfərz tɪ ðə ˈkəlʧər ənd ˈpræktɪsɪz rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ən ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən. aɪˈdiə: meɪk ʃʊr ðət ɪn ˈsɛməˌnɛri ˈklæsˌrumz ənd æt ʧərʧ ˈkɑnfərənsəz ənd ɪn ˌkɑŋgrəˈgeɪʃənəl laɪf wɪn wi juz ə tərm ər ə freɪz, ðət ɪt pɔɪnts tɪ ən ˈækʧəwəl θɪŋ, ər ˈpərsən ər ɪˈvɛnt ənd ɪz nɑt ʤɪst ə strɪŋ əv wərdz ðət saʊnd laɪk ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈminɪŋfəl bət ɪn fækt, læk ril ˈminɪŋ. ðɛr ɪz ə ˈrizən ðət maɪ kəmˈpjutər dɪz nɑt ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz ðə wərd. traɪ ɪt æt hoʊm. goʊ əˈhɛd. taɪp ðət ʃɪt ənd si. 2 ˌivænˈʤɛlɪkəl ˈpaɪəti ˈlɪŋgoʊ. ðɪs wɑz ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋli ðə moʊst ˈkɑmən taɪp əv ˈænsər: ˈjuzɪŋ ““just”*” rɪˈpitɪdli ɛz ə fər ““um”*”; ˈwɑnɪŋ tɪ əp on”*” ˈsəmˌwən, leɪd ɪt ɔn maɪ hɑrt tɪ tɛl ju aɪ ʤɪst hæv hɑrt for”*” ˈʧɪldrən ɪn ˈæfrɪkɑ; ˈæskɪŋ gɑd fər ə əv protection”*” (ðɪs wən wɑz nu tɪ mi) aɪˈdiə: stɑp ɪt. ðɪs ɪz ˈkreɪzi. 3 wɪn wi seɪ bət wi ˈrɪli min ɪz hæv discerned”*” wɪn juzd tɪ meɪk ə ˈsɪmpəl dɪˈsɪʒən saʊnd ˈspɛʃəl, ˈhoʊli, ənd bɪɔnd riˈproʊʧ; gɑt ə wərd frəm ðə lɔrd fər you”*” wɪʧ ɪz ˈjuʒəwəli ˈfɑloʊd baɪ səm kaɪnd əv məˌnɪpjəˈleɪʃən; ʤɪst fil ə pis əˈbaʊt it”*” ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd nɑt tɪ du it”*”; preɪ fər you”*” ɪz koʊd fər stɑp ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt jʊr stəf now”*”; ɔn maɪ heart”*” ˈjuʒəwəli minz wɔnt maɪ aɪˈdiə tɪ hæv ˈɛkstrə authority”*” ʤɪst tɛl ðə truθ. duɪŋ ˈəðərˌwaɪz hərts ˈəðər ˈpipəl ənd meɪks ˈjuˈɛs lʊk laɪk hæv ˈʧərʧɪz wɛr ˈoʊˈkeɪ tɪ seɪ ju wɔnt tɪ du ˈsəmθɪŋ ənd wɛr ɪt ɪz ˈoʊˈkeɪ tɪ ʤɪst hæv ən aɪˈdiə bi jʊr aɪˈdiə ənd nɑt ˈsəmθɪŋ ɔn baɪ ðə ɔlˈmaɪti. 4 stəf ðət ʤɪst saʊnz ˈkripi. ʤɪst wɔnt tɪ ləv əp ɔn ðiz kids”*”; ə ˈspikər seɪɪŋ ˈʤizəs hæd ʤɪst hər tɪ ðə floor”*”; ə ˈsərvɪs called…”afterglow”*”; kip ˈɪntu god”*”, ju ʃʊd ðət ɪn prayer”*” aɪˈdiə: ˈmeɪbi wi kʊd teɪk ə ˈmɪnət ənd ˈæˌkʧuəli hir wət wi saʊnd laɪk tɪ ˈnɔrməl, foʊks. ˈsɪriəsli. ˈɑnərəbəl ˈmɛnʃən: ðə ˌprɑbləˈmætɪk. ““christian”*” ɛz ən ˈæʤɪktɪv, ““disciple”*” ɛz ə vərb, ““fellowship”*” ɛz ə vərb, ““gospel”*” ɛz ən ˈæʤɪktɪv. ʃʊr, ˈʤɑrgən həz pleɪs. wi ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ɪkˈspɪriəns ril θɪŋz θɪŋz ðət hæv tɪ du wɪθ ˈækʧəwəl ˈpipəl ənd ɪˈvɛnts ənd ˈfɪzɪkəl ˌriˈæləˌti, ənd ɪn ən ˈɛfərt tɪ dɪˈskraɪb ðət, ər ɪn ən ˈɛfərt tɪ lʊk təˈwɔrd ˈsəmθɪŋ mɔr, ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈbɪgər, wi kriˈeɪt ˈlæŋgwɪʤ tɪ ˈsprɪŋkəl ɔn tɔp. wi meɪk nu ˈfreɪzɪz. ðɪs ɪz ˈnæʧərəl. ðə ˈprɑbləm bɪˈkəmz wɪn ðiz ˈfreɪzɪz ənd ˈʤɑrgən ˌriˈpleɪs ˈspikɪŋ əˈbaʊt θɪŋz ðət ər ril. ˈmeɪbi ðɛr wɑz ə ˈmoʊmənt ɪn prɛr wɪn ˈsəmˌwən fɛlt ˈrɪli ˈvəlnərəbəl ənd ɪkˈspoʊzd ənd ɪn hɪz ər hər maɪnd ðeɪ sɔ ən ˈɪmɪʤ əv prəˈtɛkʃən frəm gɑd, ənd ɪt simd laɪk ɪt wɑz ˈɔlˌmoʊst laɪk ə hɛʤ. ðɛr ɪz ˈnəθɪŋ rɔŋ wɪθ ðət. ðə dɪd ðɪs kaɪnd əv θɪŋ ɔl ðə taɪm. ənd ˈmeɪbi ðɛr wɑz ə ˈmoʊmənt ɪn taɪm wɪn, ɪn riˈækʃən tɪ ə ril ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən, ˈsəmˌwən ˈriəˌlaɪzd ðət ðə ʧərʧ wɑz tu ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn ˌɪtˈsɛlf ənd ˈfoʊkɪst ɪˈnəf ɔn gɑd ənd ðeɪ ˈriəˌlaɪzd ðət gɑd ɪz nɑt ʤɪst ɪn ðə ʧərʧ bət ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ɪt ɛz wɛl, ənd ɪn ən ˈɛfərt tɪ θɪŋk ˈbrɔdli əˈbaʊt ðɪs ðeɪ θɔt wət wi nid ɪz tɪ ˌɪˈmæʤən wət gɑd wɔnts tɪ əˈkɑmplɪʃ wi ʃʊd hæv ə, aɪ know…like*, ə imagination”*”. faɪn. ˈnəθɪŋ rɔŋ wɪθ ðɪs. bət wət ˈhæpənz ɪz ðət ðə ˈfɑrðər ðət əv protection”*” ənd imagination”*” ɪz frəm ðə ˈækʧəwəl ˈfilɪŋz ənd ɪˈvɛnts ənd ˈpipəl ɪt wɑz kriˈeɪtɪd tɪ dɪˈskraɪb, ðə lɛs ˈækʧəwəl ˈminɪŋ ɪt həz. soʊ, ɛz ˈsəmˌwən hu ɪz ˈkɑnstəntli biɪŋ toʊld tɪ hər language”*” aɪ ˈɔfər ðə seɪm. wɔʧ ɑr ˈlæŋgwɪʤ aʊt ðɛr. ðə ʧərʧ həz səm ˈbjutəfəl θɪŋz tɪ ˈɔfər. ɔl spik əv gɑd ənd feɪθ ənd kəmˈjunɪti ɪn klɪr ənd ˈsɪmpəl ˈlæŋgwɪʤ. traɪ ənd du ðə seɪm. (raɪt ˈæftər aɪ æsk gɑd tɪ fɔrm ə hɛʤ əv prəˈtɛkʃən əˈgɛnst maɪ web-enemies*)

after my quiet time with the lord, where i was bathing in prayer, god laid it on my heart to be a transformational leader by just loving up on my blog readers and offering them some ideas from my missional imagination. earlier this morning, i saw a tweet from @jesusofnazareth316: blessed are they who stop using the word “‪#missional“, which caused me to post something on twitter and facebook asking people what their favorite church jargon is – mine being “missional imagination”. the response was unbelievable and also quite interesting. i realized upon reading the #meaninglesschurchjargon tweets that the responses tended to fall into several categories 1. mainline protestant church consultant/bad seminary class lingo. (“missional imagination”; congregations as “centers for evangelical mission”; pastors as “transformational leaders”; referring to members as “giving units”; and churches “doing life together”) this language has a commonality with corporate jargon and like corporate jargon, refers to the culture and practices related to an organization. idea: let’s make sure that in seminary classrooms and at church conferences and in congregational life when we use a term or a phrase, that it points to an actual thing, or person or event and is not just a string of words that sound like something meaningful but in fact, lack real meaning. there is a reason that my computer does not recognize the word missional. try it at home. go ahead. type that shit and see. 2. evangelical piety lingo. this was overwhelmingly the most common type of answer: using “just” repeatedly as a placeholder for “um”; wanting to “love up on” someone, “god laid it on my heart to tell you ___”; i just have “a heart for” children in africa; asking god for a “hedge of protection” – (this one was new to me) idea: stop it. this is crazy. 3. when we say ___, but we really mean is ___. “we have discerned” when used to make a simple decision sound special, holy, and beyond reproach; “i’ve got a word from the lord for you” which is usually followed by some kind of manipulation; “i just don’t feel a peace about it” = “i’ve decided not to do it”; “i’ll pray for you” is code for “let’s stop talking about your stuff now”; “laid on my heart” usually means “i want my idea to have extra authority” let’s just tell the truth. doing otherwise hurts other people and makes us look like assholes.let’s have churches where it’s ok to say you don’t want to do something and where it is ok to just have an idea be your idea and not something co-signed on by the almighty. 4. stuff that just sounds creepy. “we just want to love up on these kids”; a speaker saying jesus had just “nailed her to the floor”; a post-evening service thingie called…”afterglow”; keep “pressing into god”, you should “bathe that in prayer” idea: maybe we could take a minute and actually hear what we sound like to normal, non-churchgoing folks. seriously. honorable mention: the grammatically problematic. “christian” as an adjective, “disciple” as a verb, “fellowship” as a verb, “gospel” as an adjective. sure, jargon has it’s place. we sometimes experience real things – things that have to do with actual people and events and physical reality, and in an effort to describe that, or in an effort to look toward something more, something bigger, we create language to sprinkle on top. we make new phrases. this is natural. the problem becomes when these phrases and jargon replace speaking about things that are real. maybe there was a moment in prayer when someone felt really vulnerable and exposed and in his or her mind they saw an image of protection from god, and it seemed like it was almost like a hedge. there is nothing wrong with that. the psalmist did this kind of thing all the time. and maybe there was a moment in time when, in reaction to a real situation, someone realized that the church was too focused on itself and focused enough on god and they realized that god is not just in the church but outside it as well, and in an effort to think broadly about this they thought “maybe what we need is to imagine what god wants to accomplish – we should have a, i don’t know…like, a missional imagination”. fine. nothing wrong with this. but what happens is that the farther that “hedge of protection” and “missional imagination” is from the actual feelings and events and people it was created to describe, the less actual meaning it has. so, as someone who is constantly being told to “watch her language” i offer the same. let’s watch our language out there. the church has some beautiful things to offer. let’s all speak of god and faith and community in clear and simple language. i’ll try and do the same. (right after i ask god to form a hedge of protection against my web-enemies)

ðə ˈhæməltən pəˈlis heɪt kraɪm ˈjunɪt ɪz naʊ ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtɪŋ ən ˈɪnsədənt wɛr θri ˈpipəl əˈlɛʤədli skrimd ˈreɪʃəl slərz æt ə grup əv blæk ˈʧɪldrən ˈdaʊnˈtaʊn ɪn ˌʤuˈlaɪ. tu ˈpipəl ˈwɪtnəst ðə ˈɪnsədənt ənd traɪd tɪ ˌɪntərˈvin, ənd seɪ ðeɪ wər əˈsɔltɪd. ˌdænˈjɛl wɔŋ ənd brɛt ˈklæsən sɛd æt ðə taɪm, ðət ðə rɪˈspɑndɪŋ ˈɔfɪsərz ʃrəgd ɔf ðɛr rɪkˈwɛsts tɪ hæv wət ˈhæpənd ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtɪd ɛz ə heɪt kraɪm. ɔn ˈfraɪˌdeɪ, ˈhæməltən pəˈlis const*. toʊld ˈsiˌbiˈsi nuz ðət ðə ˈsərvɪsɪz heɪt kraɪm ˈjunɪt ɪz naʊ ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈɪntu ɪt. "ðə rɪˈpɔrt frəm ðə ˈɪnsədənt həz bɪn ˈfɔrwərdɪd tɪ ðə heɪt kraɪm ˈjunɪt fər ə ˌrivˈju," hi sɛd ɪn ən iˈmeɪl. ˈkʊdənt ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli ˈænsər ˈfərðər kˈwɛsʧənz əˈbaʊt ðə keɪs, seɪɪŋ ðə ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtər ɔn ðə keɪs ɪz əˈweɪ ənd wɪl rɪˈtərn nɛkst wik. 'ˈreɪˌsɪzəm ənd reɪp ˈkəlʧər ʃʊd bi ˈteɪkən ˈsɪriəsli' wɔŋ toʊld ˈsiˌbiˈsi nuz ðət ən ˈɔfɪsər kɔld ənd ˈnoʊtəˌfaɪd hər ðət ðə keɪs hæd bɪn əˈsaɪnd tɪ ðə heɪt kraɪm ˈjunɪt. "əm glæd ðət ɪts naʊ biɪŋ lʊkt æt wɪˈθɪn ðə ˈpərvˌju əv ə heɪt kraɪm," ʃi sɛd. "aɪ θɪŋk ðɪs ʃʊd hæv ˈhæpənd ɪn ɑr ˌɪˈnɪʃəl ɪnˈkaʊnər wɪθ pəˈlis, bət aɪ hoʊp ðət ðə riəˈsaɪnmənt əv ðə ˈɪnsədənt tɪ ðət ˈjunɪt naʊ æt list ˈsɪgnəlz ðət ˈreɪˌsɪzəm ənd reɪp ˈkəlʧər ʃʊd bi ˈteɪkən ˈsɪriəsli." hi toʊld mi ðə heɪt spiʧ ˈpɔrʃən əv ðə ˈɪnsədənt həz bɪn ˈtrænsfərd tɪ ðə heɪt baɪəs ˈjunɪt əv hps*. (ˈsiˈsi: ˈɛvriˌwən hu sɛd "ˈlaɪtən əp") ðə ˈɪnsədənt ˈhæpənd leɪt læst mənθ, wɪn wɔŋ ənd ˈklæsən wər nɪr məˈklɛrən pɑrk ɔn ʤɑn strit nɔrθ. wɔŋ sɪz ðeɪ sɔ tu mɛn, wən əv hum simd ˌɪnˈtɑksɪˌkeɪtɪd, ənd ə ˈwʊmən hu ˈɔlsoʊ simd ˌɪnˈtɑksɪˌkeɪtɪd, ˈjɛlɪŋ ˈreɪʃəl slərz æt ə grup əv blæk ˈʧɪldrən, pɑrt əv ə səˈmɑli ˈfæməli. ðə θri ˈpipəl, hu wər waɪt, "wər ˈjɛlɪŋ θɪŋz laɪk, 'ɔl ju ˈməzlɪmz gɪt aʊt əv ðə ˈkəntri,' ənd 'wɪr goʊɪŋ tɪ reɪp jʊr ˈsɪstərz,'" ˈklæsən toʊld ˈsiˌbiˈsi nuz ɪn ə ˈpriviəs ˈɪntərvˌju. wɔŋ sɪz ðə ˈtriˌoʊ ˈɔlsoʊ kɛpt ˈkɔlɪŋ ðɛm "ðə ˈɛnˌwər." 1 mæn ərˈɛstɪd ðə tu seɪ ðeɪ əˈproʊʧt ðə grup ənd æst ðɛm tɪ stɑp, ənd θɪŋz ˈɛskəˌleɪtɪd ˈɪntu ən əˈsɔlt. ˈhæməltən pəˈlis dɪd æsk wɔŋ ənd ˈklæsən ɪf ðeɪ ˈwɔntɪd tɪ prɛs ˈʧɑrʤɪz fər əˈsɔlt, ənd ðeɪ dɪˈklaɪnd. "ðə ˈɔfɪsər tɪ ɑr əˈsɔlt keɪs wɑz rɪˈspɛktfəl," ˈklæsən ˈfraɪˌdeɪ. "hi ˈaʊˌtlaɪnd ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ðət kʊd ˈhæpən ɪf wi prɛst ˈʧɑrʤɪz." ˈklæsən ˈɔlsoʊ sɛd ðə tu ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd nɑt tɪ prɛs ˈʧɑrʤɪz "ɪn ðə ˈɪntəˌrɛst əv ɑr oʊn ˈseɪfti." stæf ˈsɑrʤənt. ˈmæˌgi ʃoʊn ˈpriviəsli toʊld ˈsiˌbiˈsi nuz ðət ən mæn bɪn ərˈɛstɪd ˈæftər "ðə ˌɪˈnɪʃəl kɔl fər ˈsərvɪs" ənd ðət hi wɑz ʧɑrʤd wɪθ "ˈfeɪlɪŋ tɪ kəmˈplaɪ wɪθ hɪz proʊˈbeɪʃən ˈɔrdər."

the hamilton police hate crime unit is now investigating an incident where three people allegedly screamed racial slurs at a group of black children downtown in july. two people witnessed the incident and tried to intervene, and say they were assaulted. danielle wong and brett klassen said at the time, that the responding officers shrugged off their requests to have what happened investigated as a hate crime. on friday, hamilton police const. asuf khokhar told cbc news that the service's hate crime unit is now looking into it. "the report from the incident has been forwarded to the hate crime unit for a review," he said in an email. khokhar couldn't immediately answer further questions about the case, saying the investigator on the case is away and will return next week. 'racism and rape culture should be taken seriously' wong told cbc news that an officer called and notified her that the case had been assigned to the hate crime unit. "i'm glad that it's now being looked at within the purview of a hate crime," she said. "i think this should have happened in our initial encounter with police, but i hope that the reassignment of the incident to that unit now at least signals that racism and rape culture should be taken seriously." he told me the hate speech portion of the incident has been transferred to the hate bias unit of hps. (cc: everyone who said "lighten up")@brett_klassen the incident happened late last month, when wong and klassen were near mclaren park on john street north. wong says they saw two shirtless men, one of whom seemed intoxicated, and a woman who also seemed intoxicated, yelling racial slurs at a group of black children, part of a somali family. the three people, who were white, "were yelling things like, 'all you muslims get out of the country,' and 'we're going to rape your sisters,'" klassen told cbc news in a previous interview. wong says the trio also kept calling them "the n-word." 1 man arrested the two say they approached the group and asked them to stop, and things escalated into an assault. hamilton police did ask wong and klassen if they wanted to press charges for assault, and they declined. "the officer re-assigned to our assault case was respectful," klassen tweeted friday. "he outlined everything that could happen if we pressed charges." klassen also said the two decided not to press charges "in the interest of our own safety." staff sgt. maggie schoen previously told cbc news that an 18-year-old man been arrested after "the initial call for service" and that he was charged with "failing to comply with his probation order." adam.carter@cbc.ca

ˈkɛliˈæn ˈkɑnˌweɪ spiks tɪ ðə ˈmidiə ˈæftər ðə θərd ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl dəˈbeɪt ɪn ˈɛˈleɪˈɛs ˈveɪgəs. (ˈændru harrer/bloomberg*) ɪt wɑz ən ˌɪˌnaʊˈspɪʃɪs lɔnʧ tɪ bɪˈkəm noʊn ɛz trəmp ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən: ðə ˈnaɪtli ˈbrɔdˌkæst əv goʊɪŋ ɔn ɪn wɪˈθaʊt ðə ““spin”*” əv ðə ˈmidiə. ˈnəθɪŋ bət pjʊr, ənˈfɪltərd truθ frəm tim trəmp, dɪˈlɪvərd lɪv ɔn ˈfeɪsˌbʊk frəm ðə braɪt beɪʒ ˈɪnər ˈsæŋktəm əv ðə trəmp taʊər ˈhɛdˌkɔrtərz. ðə ˈoʊpənɪŋ ˈsɛkəndz əv ðə ˈbrɔdˌkæst ˌɪnˈkludɪd ə bum mɪk ˈdɪpɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə ʃɑt ənd ə bɪt əv kənfˈjuʒən əˈbaʊt wɪn, ɪgˈzæktli, ðə hoʊsts wər lɪv (əˈbaʊt 15 ˈsɛkəndz ˌbiˈfɔr ðeɪ ˈriəˌlaɪzd ɪt). ðɛn ðə ˌɪˈnɔgərəl gɛst wɑz ˌɪntrəˈdust ˈdɑnəld kæmˈpeɪn ˈmænɪʤər ˈkɛliˈæn ˈkɑnˌweɪ ənd ðə gɑt ˌəndərˈweɪ. wi kən ʤəmp əˈhɛd tɪ ðə læst θɪŋ ˈkɑnˌweɪ sɛd ˈdʊrɪŋ hər brif ˌsɛgˈmɛnt (ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˈbrɔdˌkæst wɛnt tɪ ə sɔrt əv kəˈmərʃəl, fər səm ˈrizən). wɪl win,”*,” ˈkɑnˌweɪ sɛd, ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə ˈkæmərə wɪθ ə smaɪl. mi ʤɪst seɪ ˌənikˈwɪvəkəli: wi wɪl win.”*.” haʊ wɑz ʃi soʊ ˈsərtən? ʤɪst ɪkˈspleɪnd: əv ðə naɪn ˈmeɪʤər swɪŋ steɪts ðət wər kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ɪn 2012 mɪt ˈrɑmni ˈoʊnli wən wən əv ðɛm. ˈwɪnɪŋ wɪr əp ər wɪˈθɪn ðə ˈmɑrʤən əv ˈɛrər ɪn əˈbaʊt sɪks ər ˈsɛvən əv ðɛm bɪɔnd ðə wən ðət hi wən. ˈvɛri ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ. ˈlʊkɪŋ æt ˈflɔrɪdə, nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə, oʊˈhaɪoʊ, ˈaɪəwə. ðɛn wi æd nəˈvɑdə, wi æd nu ˈhæmʃər, ɪn ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ, ɪn ˌpɛnsəlˈveɪnjə. kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ɪn ˈmɛni ˈpleɪsɪz. kəm bæk tɪ ðət. ˌbiˈfɔr wi du, noʊt ðət ˈkɑnˌweɪ hæd gɔn ˈɪntu ˈivɪn mɔr ˈditeɪl əˈbaʊt pæθ tɪ ˈvɪktəri ɪn ən iˈmeɪl sɛnt tɪ səˈpɔrtərz ˈərliər ˈmənˌdeɪ. (ðə iˈmeɪl tʊk ðə fɔrm əv ə ˈpraɪvət ˈbækˌgraʊnd ˈmɛˌmoʊ ənd ˈkəlməˌneɪtɪd ɪn ə rɪkˈwɛst fər ˌkɑntrəˈbjuʃənz fər ˈvoʊtər ˈtərˌnaʊt wərk.) dɪˈteɪld walk-through*: ˈdɑnəld trəmp məst riʧ 270 ɪˈlɛktərəl voʊts tɪ wɪn ðə ˈprɛzɪdənsi. ˈaʊˌtlaɪnd ə mæp tɪ ʃoʊ wɛr wi ˈkərəntli stænd ɛz wɛl ɛz ðə ˈpɑsəbəl pæθs ˈfɔrwərd tɪ wɪn. waɪl wi ər nɑt ˈteɪkɪŋ ˈɛni steɪt fər ˈgrænɪd, ðoʊz ˈkələrd rɛd ər steɪts ðət wi kən ˈseɪfli əˈsum wɪl voʊt fər ˈdɑnəld trəmp. blu steɪts ˈfeɪvər ˈhɪləri. blæŋk steɪts ər tu kloʊz tɪ kɔl. ˈoʊvər ðə pæst mənθ, poʊlz hæv ʃoʊn ˈjuˈɛs ˈwɪnɪŋ ˈaɪəwə, oʊˈhaɪoʊ, meɪn, ˈflɔrɪdə, nəˈvɑdə, ənd nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə. ɪf wi meɪnˈteɪn ɑr lidz ɪn ðoʊz sɪks steɪts, wi kən rɪˈlaɪəbli kleɪm 266 ɪˈlɛktərəl voʊts. ˈhɪləri kən kleɪm 193 bət stɪl hæv 4 ɪˈlɛktərəl voʊts tɪ goʊ. poʊlz ʃoʊ ˈjuˈɛs kloʊz ɪn nu ˈhæmʃər, ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ, ənd ˌpɛnsəlˈveɪnjə. ˈwɪnɪŋ ʤɪst ˈɛni wən əv ðoʊz steɪts wʊd lɛd ˈjuˈɛs tɪ ˈvɪktəri. fərst əv ɔl, ðə mæθ ˈkɑnˌweɪ ˈprɛzənts ɔn ðət mæp ɪz ˈbrɔdli kərˈɛkt. ˈkɑnˌweɪ spɑts ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən 14 steɪts ənd sɛts əˈsaɪd 22 fər hər ˈkænədɪt. ɪf ju gɪv trəmp ðə sɪks steɪts wɛr hæv ʃoʊn [ðɛm] winning,”*,” trəmp gɪts tɪ 266 ɪˈlɛktərəl voʊts. ʤɪst nid wən əv ðoʊz ˈəðər fɔr steɪts! ðə ˈoʊnli ˈprɑbləm ɪz ðət ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃən əv ˈɑrgjəmənt ðət mæp ɪz soʊ ˈdɪstənt frəm ˌriˈæləˌti ðət hɑrd tɪ θɪŋk ðɪs ˈsəmˌhaʊ ən ˌɪnˈsaɪd ʤoʊk. ə mɔr ˈækjərət ˈvərʒən əv ðət mæp wʊd lʊk laɪk ðə wən bɪˈloʊ, wɪθ ˈɛni steɪt gɑt ə ˈmɑrʤən əv bɪtˈwin 2 ənd 5 pɔɪnts ɪn ðə ðə ˈoʊnli ˈprɑbləm ɪz ðət ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃən əv ˈɑrgjəmənt ðət mæp ɪz soʊ ˈdɪstənt frəm ˌriˈæləˌti ðət hɑrd tɪ θɪŋk ðɪs ˈsəmˌhaʊ ən ˌɪnˈsaɪd ʤoʊk. ə mɔr ˈækjərət ˈvərʒən əv ðət mæp wʊd lʊk laɪk ðə wən bɪˈloʊ, wɪθ ˈɛni steɪt gɑt ə ˈmɑrʤən əv bɪtˈwin 2 ənd 5 pɔɪnts ɪn ðə ˈpoʊlɪŋ ˈævərɪʤ ˈkələrd ˈlaɪtli fər wən ˈkænədɪt ər ðə ˈəðər. greɪ steɪts ər toss-ups*. ðɪs mæp wɪθ ðə steɪt əv ðə reɪs, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈpəblɪk poʊlz. aɪ min, lʊk. ˈklɪntən həz ə lɛd ɪn ˌpɛnsəlˈveɪnjə. əp pɔɪnts ɪn wɪˈskɑnsən. əp 10 ɪn ˈmɪʃɪgən. ʃi lidz ɪn ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ baɪ 8 ənd vərˈʤɪnjə baɪ 10 ðoʊz ər ˈmɑrʤənz ðət pʊt ðoʊz steɪts ˈizəli aʊt əv riʧ. pʊt əˈnəðər weɪ, poʊlz du nɑt ʃoʊ trəmp kloʊz ɪn ˌpɛnsəlˈveɪnjə, nu ˈhæmʃər ənd ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ ðeɪ ʃoʊ ˈklɪntən ˈlidɪŋ baɪ 6 7 ənd 8 pɔɪnts, rɪˈspɛktɪvli. ˈjuzɪŋ ðət mæp, ˈklɪntən həz 323 ɪˈlɛktərəl voʊts, ənd ə ˈvɪktəri. muv ɔl əv hər laɪt blu steɪts ˈɪntu ðə ““maybe”*” ˈkɑləm ənd ʃi ɪz æt 273 ʃi həz wən. ˈkɑnˌweɪ sɪz ðət ˈoʊvər ðə pæst mənθ, poʊlz hæv ʃoʊn trəmp ˈwɪnɪŋ ˈaɪəwə, oʊˈhaɪoʊ, meɪn, ˈflɔrɪdə, nəˈvɑdə ənd nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə. tru ɪkˈsɛpt fər meɪn, wɛr ðɛr ər fɑr fjuər poʊlz ənd ˈklɪntən həz lɛd ɪn eɪt əv eɪt. ɪn ˈkɑnˌweɪ sɪz ðət ˈoʊvər ðə pæst mənθ, poʊlz hæv ʃoʊn trəmp ˈwɪnɪŋ ˈaɪəwə, oʊˈhaɪoʊ, meɪn, ˈflɔrɪdə, nəˈvɑdə ənd nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə. tru ɪkˈsɛpt fər meɪn, wɛr ðɛr ər fɑr fjuər poʊlz ənd ˈklɪntən həz lɛd ɪn eɪt əv eɪt. ɪn ˈflɔrɪdə ˈklɪntən həz lɛd ɪn 19 poʊlz ɪn ðə pæst mənθ; trəmp həz lɛd ɪn tu. ɪn oʊˈhaɪoʊ ˈklɪntən həz lɛd ɪn 11 trəmp faɪv. ɪn nəˈvɑdə lɛd ɪn 14 bɪn taɪd ɪn tu. ɪn nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə lɛd ɪn 19 ənd trəmp tu. ɪn ˈævrɪʤɪz əv ˈrisənt ˈpoʊlɪŋ, ˈklɪntən lidz ɪn ˈflɔrɪdə, oʊˈhaɪoʊ, nəˈvɑdə ənd meɪn. ˈlidɪŋ ɪn ə poʊl ˈoʊvər ə mənθ min goʊɪŋ tɪ wɪn ɔn ɪˈlɛkʃən deɪ. bət waɪ ˈkɑnˌweɪ juzd ðə ˈlæŋgwɪʤ ʃi dɪd ɪn ðət trəmp ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən ˌsɛgˈmɛnt. ˈpɑləˌtɪks ɔˈrlænˌdoʊ ˈʃutɪŋ ˈəpˌdeɪts nuz ənd æˈnælɪsɪs ɔn ðə ˈdɛdliəst mæs ˈʃutɪŋ ɪn juz. ˈhɪstəri. tru fɔls fɪks ˈnuzˌlɛtər ˈkipɪŋ əp wɪθ ˈpɑləˌtɪks ɪz ˈizi naʊ. pliz prəˈvaɪd ə ˈvælɪd iˈmeɪl ˈæˌdrɛs. saɪn əp ɔl sɛt! si ɔl ˈnuzˌlɛtərz tru ðət ˈrɑmni wən ˈoʊnli wən əv ðə naɪn ˈkloʊsəst steɪts fɔr jɪrz əˈgoʊ. (ɪn fækt, hi wən ˈoʊnli wən əv ðə 11 ˈkloʊsəst.) bət hi wɑz ðə ˈmɑrʤən əv error”*” ɪn ðə ˈəðər eɪt, əˈsumɪŋ ə ˈpoʊlɪŋ ˈmɑrʤən əv ˈɛrər əv pɔɪnts. ˈmɑrʤənz əv ˈɛrər ər bɛl kərvz; ju maɪt hæv ə rɪˈzəlt æt ðə loʊ ɛnd əv ðə reɪnʤ əv ˌpɑsəˈbɪlətiz, ənd jʊr əˈpoʊnənt maɪt bi æt ðə haɪ ɛnd. ɪf jʊr səˈpɔrt ɪz pɔɪnts tu loʊ ənd hɪz ɪz pɔɪnts tu haɪ, ðɛr ər sɪˈnɛrioʊz ɪn wɪʧ 7 pɔɪnts ˈkloʊzər ðən ðə ˈoʊvərˌɔl poʊl səˈʤɛsts. bət mɔr ˈlaɪkli ðət boʊθ ˈkloʊzər tɪ ðə fæt ˈmɪdəl əv ðə kərv ənd ðət ðə rɪˈzəlt wɪl bi ˈkloʊzər tɪ ðoʊz ˈnəmbərz ðən ə səˈpraɪz rɪˈzəlt. ɪn 2012 moʊst əv ðə ˈfaɪnəl rɪˈzəlts mæʧt wət leɪt ˈpoʊlɪŋ ʃoʊd. ðə ˈnəmbərz ʃoʊ ə kloʊz reɪs. ðeɪ ʃoʊ ə reɪs ðət ɪt wɪl bi ˈvɛri hɑrd fər trəmp tɪ wɪn wɪˈθaʊt ə ˈmæsɪv, kəˈlɛktɪv əv hɪz ˈlɛvəlz əv səˈpɔrt. ðɪs wɑz ðə drim ðət paʊərd ˈrɑmni ˈbækərz ɪn 2012 ɪn ðət (məʧ ˈkloʊzər) reɪs, əbˈzərvərz əˈsumd ðət ðə poʊlz ˈoʊvərˌrɛprəˈzɛntɪd haʊ məʧ ˈprɛzɪdənt ˌoʊˈbɑməz beɪs wʊd tərn aʊt. ɛz ɪt ˈhæpənd, ðoʊz ˈvoʊtərz wər ˈəndərˈɛstəˌmeɪtɪd. ðɪs ðə ˈɑrgjəmənt ðət ˈkɑnˌweɪ hu rənz ə ˈpoʊlɪŋ ʃɑp wɑz ˈmeɪkɪŋ. ʃi wɑz ˈɑrgjuɪŋ ðət trəmp hæd ə ˈvaɪəbəl pæθ tɪ ˈvɪktəri, ˈjuzɪŋ, ɪn ðə iˈmeɪl, ə mæp ðət rɪˈzɛmbəlz səm ˈəðər reɪs ðən ðə wən ðət ɪn. ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti, ðə reɪs ˈlɪvɪŋ θru ʃoʊz trəmp ɪz æt rɪsk əv ˈluzɪŋ ˌɛrɪˈzoʊnə, ˈtɛksəs ənd ˈʤɔrʤə ɔl steɪts ðət ˈrɑmni wən. ɪf ðə ˈmɑrʤən əv error”*” ɪn ˌpɛnsəlˈveɪnjə, ˈivɪn ˈkloʊzər tɪ ˈluzɪŋ ðə θri steɪts ʤɪst ˈmɛnʃənd. æt ðɪs pɔɪnt ɪt simz ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈprɑbəbəl ðət hil luz ˈjuˌtɔ, ə steɪt ðət kʊd hænd ɪts ɪˈlɛktərəl voʊts tɪ ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt ˈɛvən məkˈmələn. ðə mæp ˈkɑnˌweɪ sɛnt ɪn ðə iˈmeɪl wɑz ðə bɛst mæp ðeɪ kʊd θɪŋk əv, ənd ˈivɪn ðɛn, trəmp ˈstrəgəld tɪ riʧ ə taɪ. bət ɔn trəmp ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən, vjuərz ˈdɪdənt gɪt ˈɛni əv ðɪs ““spin.”*.” ðeɪ ʤɪst gɑt ðə ənˈvɑrnɪʃt truθ, streɪt frəm ðə ˈpipəl riˈspɑnsəbəl fər ˈgɪtɪŋ trəmp ˈɪntu ˈstraɪkɪŋ ˈdɪstəns: ɪn ˈstraɪkɪŋ ˈdɪstəns. ɔn noʊv. 8 aɪ ˈfʊli ɪkˈspɛkt trəmp ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən tɪ seɪ ðət trəmp ˈæˌkʧuəli wən. ˈæftər ɔl, ˈkɑnˌweɪ sɛd ðeɪ wʊd. ˌənikˈwɪvəkəli.

kellyanne conway speaks to the media after the third presidential debate in las vegas. (andrew harrer/bloomberg) it was an inauspicious launch to what’s semi-affectionately become known as trump tv: the campaign’s nightly broadcast of what’s going on in trumpland without the “spin” of the lamestream media. nothing but pure, unfiltered truth from team trump, delivered live on facebook from the bright beige inner sanctum of the campaign’s trump tower headquarters. the opening seconds of the broadcast included a boom mic dipping into the shot and a bit of confusion about when, exactly, the hosts were live (about 15 seconds before they realized it). then the inaugural guest was introduced — donald trump’s campaign manager kellyanne conway — and the real-keeping got underway. we can jump ahead to the last thing conway said during her brief segment (before the broadcast went to a sort of commercial, for some reason). “we will win,” conway said, looking into the camera with a smile. “let me just say unequivocally: we will win.” how was she so certain? she’d just explained: of the nine major swing states that were competitive in 2012, mitt romney only won one of them. we’re winning — we're up or within the margin of error in about six or seven of them beyond the one that he won. it’s very exciting. you’re looking at florida, north carolina, ohio, iowa. then we add nevada, we add new hampshire, we’re in colorado, we’re in pennsylvania. we’re competitive in many places. we’ll come back to that. before we do, we’ll note that conway had gone into even more detail about trump’s path to victory in an email sent to supporters earlier monday. (the email took the form of a private background memo and culminated in a request for contributions for voter turnout work.) conway’s detailed walk-through: donald trump must reach 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. we’ve outlined a map to show where we currently stand as well as the possible paths forward to win. while we are not taking any state for granted, those colored red are states that we can safely assume will vote for donald trump. blue states favor hillary. blank states are too close to call. over the past month, polls have shown us winning iowa, ohio, maine, florida, nevada, and north carolina. if we maintain our leads in those six states, we can reliably claim 266 electoral votes. hillary can claim 193. but we’d still have 4 electoral votes to go. polls show us close in new hampshire, colorado, and pennsylvania. winning just any one of those states would lead us to victory. first of all, the math conway presents on that map is broadly correct. conway spots hillary clinton 14 states and sets aside 22 for her candidate. if you give trump the six states where “polls have shown [them] winning,” trump gets to 266 electoral votes. just need one of those other four states! the only problem is that the foundation of conway’s argument — that map — is so bafflingly distant from reality that it’s hard to think this isn’t somehow an inside joke. a more accurate version of that map would look like the one below, with any state that’s got a margin of between 2 and 5 points in the realclearpolitics the only problem is that the foundation of conway’s argument — that map — is so bafflingly distant from reality that it’s hard to think this isn’t somehow an inside joke. a more accurate version of that map would look like the one below, with any state that’s got a margin of between 2 and 5 points in the realclearpolitics polling average colored lightly for one candidate or the other. gray states are toss-ups. this map comports with the state of the race, according to public polls. i mean, look. clinton has a 6.2-point lead in pennsylvania. she’s up 6.5 points in wisconsin. she’s up 10 in michigan. she leads in colorado by 8 and virginia by 10. those are margins that put those states easily out of reach. put another way, polls do not show trump close in pennsylvania, new hampshire and colorado — they show clinton leading by 6, 7 and 8 points, respectively. using that map, clinton has 323 electoral votes, and a victory. move all of her light blue states into the “maybe” column and she is at 273. she has won. conway says that over the past month, polls have shown trump winning iowa, ohio, maine, florida, nevada and north carolina. that’s true except for maine, where there are far fewer polls and clinton has lead in eight of eight. in conway says that over the past month, polls have shown trump winning iowa, ohio, maine, florida, nevada and north carolina. that’s true except for maine, where there are far fewer polls and clinton has lead in eight of eight. in florida , clinton has led in 19 polls in the past month; trump has led in two. in ohio , clinton has led in 11, trump five. in nevada , clinton’s led in 14; they’ve been tied in two. in north carolina , clinton’s led in 19 and trump two. in averages of recent polling, clinton leads in florida, ohio, nevada and maine. leading in a poll over a month doesn’t mean you’re going to win on election day. but that’s why conway used the language she did in that trump tv segment. politics the-fix orlando shooting updates news and analysis on the deadliest mass shooting in u.s. history. post_newsletter348 follow-orlando true endofarticle false 5-minute fix newsletter keeping up with politics is easy now. please provide a valid email address. sign up you’re all set! see all newsletters it’s true that romney won only one of the nine closest states four years ago. (in fact, he won only one of the 11 closest.) but he was “within the margin of error” in the other eight, assuming a polling margin of error of 3.5 points. margins of error are bell curves; you might have a result that’s at the low end of the range of possibilities, and your opponent might be at the high end. if your support is 3.5 points too low and his is 3.5 points too high, there are scenarios in which you’re 7 points closer than the overall poll suggests. but it’s more likely that you’re both closer to the fat middle of the curve — and that the result will be closer to those top-line numbers than a surprise result. in 2012, most of the final results matched what late polling showed. the numbers show a close race. they show a race that it will be very hard for trump to win without a massive, collective underestimation of his levels of support. this was the dream that powered romney backers in 2012: in that (much closer) race, observers assumed that the polls overrepresented how much president obama's base would turn out. as it happened, those voters were underestimated. this isn’t the argument that conway — who runs a polling shop — was making. she was arguing that trump had a viable path to victory, using, in the email, a map that resembles some other race than the one that we’re in. in reality, the race we’re living through shows trump is at risk of losing arizona, texas and georgia — all states that romney won. if trump’s “within the margin of error” in pennsylvania, he’s even closer to losing the three states just mentioned. at this point it seems almost probable that he'll lose utah, a state that could hand its electoral votes to independent evan mcmullin. the map conway sent in the email was the best semi-believable map they could think of, and even then, trump struggled to reach a tie. but on trump tv, viewers didn't get any of this “spin.” they just got the unvarnished truth, straight from the people responsible for getting trump into striking distance: trump’s in striking distance. on nov. 8, i fully expect trump tv to say that trump actually won. after all, conway said they would. unequivocally.

ˈbreɪkɪŋ nuz iˈmeɪlz gɪt ˈbreɪkɪŋ nuz əˈlərts ənd ˈspɛʃəl rɪˈpɔrts. ðə nuz ənd ˈstɔriz ðət ˈmætər, dɪˈlɪvərd ˈwikˌdeɪ ˈmɔrnɪŋz. ˈfɛbjəˌwɛri. 14 2017 piɛm ˈəpˌdeɪtɪd ˈfɛbjəˌwɛri. 14 2017 piɛm baɪ ˈmæˌgi fɑks nu ˈfɛdərəl ˈgəvərnmənt hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns stəˈtɪstɪks ʃoʊ ðə reɪt əv ˈpipəl goʊɪŋ wɪˈθaʊt hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns fɛl bɪˈloʊ 9 pərˈsɛnt fər ðə fərst taɪm ɪn 2016 ðɛr ə bɪg ʧeɪnʤ frəm 2015 tɪ læst jɪr, bət ðə ˈleɪtəst ˈnəmbərz frəm ðə ˈnæʃənəl ˈsɛnər fər hɛlθ stəˈtɪstɪks ʃoʊ ðə əˈfɔrdəbəl kɛr ækt kənˈtɪnjud tɪ gɪt mɔr ˈpipəl ˈkəvərd baɪ hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns əv səm sɔrt. ðɪs mæp beɪst ɔn nu stəˈtɪstɪks frəm ðə ˈnæʃənəl ˈsɛnər fər hɛlθ stəˈtɪstɪks, pɑrt əv ðə ˈsɛnərz fər dɪˈziz kənˈtroʊl ənd priˈvɛnʃən, ʃoʊz wɛr ɪn ðə juz. ˈpipəl stɪl læk hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns. sæm petulla*, ˈɛnˌbiˈsi nuz ðə ˈnəmbərz ˈɔlsoʊ ʃoʊ ðət baɪ fɑr ðə moʊst əˈmɛrɪkənz ər ˈkəvərd baɪ ˈpraɪvət ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns prəˈvaɪdɪd baɪ ən ɪmˈplɔɪər ənd fjuər ðən 5 pərˈsɛnt wər ˈkəvərd ɔn ðə ɪksˈʧeɪnʤɪz, wɛr ˈpipəl hu hæv ɪmˈplɔɪər ˈkəvərɪʤ kən baɪ ˈpraɪvət plænz. ˈmɪljən fjuər ˈpərsənz lækt hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns ˈkəvərɪʤ ɪn ðə fərst 9 mənθs əv 2016 kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ 2010 ˈmɪljən ər 16 percent),”*),” ðə, pɑrt əv ðə ˈsɛnərz fər dɪˈziz kənˈtroʊl ənd priˈvɛnʃən, sɛd ɪn ðə rɪˈpɔrt. rɪˈleɪtɪd: ˈmɪljən saɪnd əp fər ðə fərst 9 mənθs əv 2016 ˈmɪljən pərˈsɛnt) ˈpərsənz əv ɔl ˈeɪʤɪz wər ˌənɪnˈʃʊrd æt ðə taɪm əv interview,”*,” ɪt ˈædɪd. ðə ˈɛstəˌmeɪts ðət mɔr ˈpipəl gɑt ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns bɪtˈwin 2015 ənd 2016 bət sɛd ðə ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən stəˈtɪstɪkəli sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt. reɪts wər haɪər fər məˈnɔrətiz. ðə faʊnd ðət pərˈsɛnt əv hɪˈspænɪks ənd 15 pərˈsɛnt əv ˈæfrɪkənəˈmɛrɪkənz lækt hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns ɪn 2016 bət həz bɪn ˈbrɪŋɪŋ ðə ˈnəmbərz daʊn. rɪˈleɪtɪd: ˈhəri əp ənd rɪˈpil, kənˈsərvətɪvz seɪ ˈædəlts hæd ðə ˈgreɪtəst pərˈsɛnɪʤ pɔɪnt ˈdiˌkris ɪn ðə ˌənɪnˈʃʊrd reɪt bɪtˈwin 2013 pərˈsɛnt) ənd ðə fərst 9 mənθs əv 2016 percent),”*),” ðə sɛd. wɛr əˈmɛrɪkənz gɑt ðɛr hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns ɪn 2016

breaking news emails get breaking news alerts and special reports. the news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings. feb. 14, 2017, 5:25 pm gmt / updated feb. 14, 2017, 5:25 pm gmt by maggie fox new federal government health insurance statistics show the rate of people going without health insurance fell below 9 percent for the first time in 2016. there wasn’t a big change from 2015 to last year, but the latest numbers from the national center for health statistics show the affordable care act continued to get more people covered by health insurance of some sort. this map based on new statistics from the national center for health statistics, part of the centers for disease control and prevention, shows where in the u.s. people still lack health insurance. sam petulla, nbc news / cdc/nchs the numbers also show that by far the most americans are covered by private insurance provided by an employer and fewer than 5 percent were covered on the obamacare exchanges, where people who have employer coverage can buy private plans. “about 20.4 million fewer persons lacked health insurance coverage in the first 9 months of 2016 compared with 2010 (48.6 million or 16 percent),” the nchs, part of the centers for disease control and prevention, said in the report. related: 9.2 million signed up for obamacare “in the first 9 months of 2016, 28.2 million (8.8 percent) persons of all ages were uninsured at the time of interview,” it added. the nchs estimates that 400,000 more people got insurance between 2015 and 2016 but said the calculation wasn’t statistically significant. rates were higher for minorities. the nchs found that 24.7 percent of hispanics and 15 percent of african-americans lacked health insurance in 2016 but obamacare has been bringing the numbers down. related: hurry up and repeal obamacare, conservatives say “hispanic adults had the greatest percentage point decrease in the uninsured rate between 2013 (40.6 percent) and the first 9 months of 2016 (24.7 percent),” the nchs said. here’s where americans got their health insurance in 2016:

stɑp. ˌbiˈfɔr kənˈtɪnjuɪŋ, klɪk hir fər ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ˈɪntərˌnɛt sɪˈkjʊrəti ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən əˈbaʊt ˈbraʊzɪŋ ðɪs saɪt. ɪf ə wɛb ˈæˌdrɛs ɪz nɑt clickable*, ˈkɑpi ənd peɪst ɪt ˈɪntu ðə ˈæˌdrɛs bɑr əv ə nu tæb. traɪ tɪ swɪʧ tɪ ˈjuzɪŋ ɪf ju faɪnd ˈjɔrsɛlf ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ ðɪs saɪt ˈrɛgjələrli. ˈgloʊbəl nuz. ˈgloʊbəl vju. hoʊm ˈleɪtəst kæmˈpeɪnz ˈglɔsəri nuz æˈnælɪsɪs ɔl nuz æˈnælɪsɪs frəm ˌproʊləˈtɛriən ˌɪnərˈnæʃənəlɪst notes—news*, rəvˈjuz ənd æˈnælɪsɪs frəm ə ˈgloʊbəl pərˈspɛktɪv ðɛr ɪz stɪl noʊ ˈmæsɪv juz. ˈmuvmənt, θæŋks tɪ ˈdɛməˌkræts wɪθ ðə juˈnaɪtɪd states’*’ tɔp ˈdɪpləˌmæt ˈpəblɪkli seɪɪŋ dɪˈploʊməsi ɪz ɪt ɪz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ noʊt ðə steɪt əv ðə juz. ənd ˈmuvmənts. ðɛr ɪz ɪn fækt noʊ juz. ˈmuvmənt wərθ ˈmɛnʃənɪŋ ˈgloʊbəli. wən ˈkəmɪŋ ˈiðər. ðət min ðɛr ˈæktɪvɪsts ənd səm ˈpəblɪk əˈpɪnjən əˈgɛnst wɔr ɪn səm juz. ˈpleɪsɪz. ɪn noʊ weɪ kən ðeɪ bi rɪˈlaɪd ɔn tɪ stɑp ə juz. əˈtæk ɪn ˌkɔˈriə, ðoʊ, ər tɪ stɑp wət ðə meɪ bi duɪŋ baɪ θˈrɛtənɪŋ ən əˈtæk. fər ðə seɪk əv əˈpoʊzɪŋ wɔr ənd ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˈbʊliɪŋ, mɔr juz. ˈæktɪvɪsts nid tɪ ədˈmɪt ðɛr ˈwiknəs ɪn ðət weɪ. ɪt meɪ hæv ˈnəθɪŋ tɪ du wɪθ haʊ ˌɛnərˈʤɛtɪk ðeɪ ər ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤəli. fɔls ˈsteɪtmənts ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt brɔd ˌɑpəˈzɪʃən tɪ trəmp, ər ðə riˈsərʤəns əv ən ˌɪˈmæʤəˌnɛri ˈɛkˌsplɔɪtəd juz. ˈwərkɪŋ klæs, hɛlp. ðə wərld nidz tɪ əˈsum ðɛr ənd bi ən ˈifɛktɪv juz. ˈmuvmənt. ɪt nidz tɪ ɪnˈgeɪʤ ɪn dɪˈploʊməsi. ɪt məst gɪt wərld əˈpɪnjən tɪ əˈpoʊz ðə mɔr ənd səˈpɔrt ˈbɔɪˌkɑtɪŋ, ˈaɪsəˌleɪtɪŋ ənd ˈpənɪʃɪŋ ðɛm. dɪsɪnˈvɛstmənt ənd ˈvɛriəs ˈsæŋkʃənz wʊd bi əˈproʊpriˌeɪt. ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl wɪθ paʊər, ɪn ə pəˈzɪʃən tɪ hɛlp, ʃʊd du soʊ ɪf ðeɪ kən du ɪt wɪˈθaʊt ɪnˈfleɪmɪŋ. ˈpipəl nid tɪ teɪk rɪsks ənd nɑt liv θɪŋz əp tɪ ˈstudənts, juθ ənd ˈpipəl ɪn loʊər tæks ˈbrækɪts ɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd $tates*. ðə ˈdɛməˌkræts sˈnɪrɪŋ, fər ˈrizənz, æt ðə aɪˈdiə əv ˈækʃən ˈkəmɪŋ frəm ənˈjuˌʒuəl ˈpleɪsɪz ʃʊd gɪt aʊt əv ðə weɪ. ɪf ðɛr wər ɔˈrɛdi ə ˈmæsɪv juz. ˈmuvmənt, ðɛn ˈpipəl kʊd bi ˈpɪki. naʊ ɪz nɑt ðə taɪm. ˈmɛni hæv ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈʧoʊzən ðə pæθ əv ˈizi, ˈdeɪnʤərəs ˈjunɪti wɪθ rɪˈpəblɪkənz baɪ əˈvɔɪdɪŋ ˈɪʃuz ər baɪ ˈbreɪzənli juˈnaɪtɪŋ wɪθ rɪˈpəblɪkənz hu dɪsəˈgri wɪθ trəmp fər nɑt biɪŋ ɪˈnəf əv ən ˈoʊpən wɔr hɔk ɔn ˈrəʃə ənd ˈəðər ˈkəntriz. ən ˈɑrtɪkəl dɪˈskəsɪŋ ðə ˈsoʊˈkɔld ““resistance”*” ˈmɛnʃənz warriors”*” bət ˈmɛni ˈdɪfərənt ˈɪʃuz ɪkˈsɛpt wɔr ənd ðə prɪˈdɑmənəns, ˈprɑbləmz ənd ˈkɔzɪz əv səʧ ˈsoʊˈkɔld ˌɑpəˈzɪʃən wər əˈpɛrənt ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli ˈæftər ənd ˌbiˈfɔr. tu mənθs ˈleɪtər, ˈpipəl ər stɪl ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðə mɑrʧ ɛz ə ˈmaɪlˌstoʊn ɪn juz. ˈæktɪˌvɪzəm ˌɪnˈstɛd ˈdilɪŋ wɪθ ðə ˌriˈæləˌti ðət ˈproʊˌtɛsts laɪk ɪt ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnɪd ən ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən tɪ ˈbraɪbəri tɪ səˈpɔrt wɔr, ðət ɪz, əˈməŋ ðoʊz hu ɔˈrɛdi səˈpɔrt əˈtækɪŋ ˈməzlɪmz. ˈæftər ɔl, wət ˈbɛtər weɪ tɪ faɪt ˈpeɪtriˌɑrki ðən tɪ kɪl ˈməzlɪmz wɪθ droʊnz laɪk ə ˈvɪdioʊ geɪm, ər sɛnd ˈkəntri ˈbəmpkɪn meɪlz tɪ gɪt meɪmd ɔn ðə graʊnd ɪn ˈsɪriə waɪl ˈmæsəkərɪŋ ˈærəbz, raɪt pseudo-feminists*? tɪ ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ ˈmɛni səˈpɔrtərz ənd ˈkrɪtɪks, trəmp kən ʤɪst dɪˈlɪvər ɔn ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ənd ˈfɔrən ˈpɑləsi ““strength”*” ənd ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈprɑməsəz, dɪˈpɔrt ˈpipəl hum ˈbɑrək ˌoʊˈbɑmə geɪv ˈkrɪmənəl ˈʧɑrʤɪz fər ˈsoʊˈkɔld ˌɪməˈgreɪʃən əˈfɛnsɪz, səˈpɔrt security”*” məʧ ɛz ˌoʊˈbɑmə dɪd, ənd nɑt du tu məʧ tɪ rɪˈvərs ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ɪn ˈɛriəz ˈdɛməˌkræts ənd ˈlɪˌbərəlz praɪˈɔrəˌtaɪz. ˈæftər baɪ ðə pussy”*” ənd ˈsɪmələr ˈmidiə ˈkəvərɪʤ, hɑrd fər trəmp tɪ ˈstrɔŋli pleɪ ðə roʊl əv kənˈsərvətɪv ɪkˈsɛpt ɛz ə ˈhɪpəˌkrɪt, ɪf ˈɛniˌwən ˈɛvər ˈrɪli θɔt trəmp wɑz pɑrt əv ðət taɪp əv kənˈsərvəˌtɪzəm ɪn ðə fərst pleɪs. səm əv ðiz ˈɪʃuz ðə ju.$. ˈæktɪvɪsts ər rɪˈfərɪŋ tɪ ər ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ənd ˌɪnˈvɑlv ril ˌɪnˈʤəstɪs ənd ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət ɪgˈzɪst ɪn ə wərld wɪˈθaʊt ˈkæpɪtəˌlɪzəm ənd ˈpeɪtriˌɑrki. bət moʊst ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈvɑlv ˌdɛməˈgræfɪk ər ˈstrəkʧərəl ˈɪʃuz ðət goʊɪŋ tɪ goʊ əˈweɪ ˈɛni taɪm sun. ðɛr məʧ əv ən grup ˈviɪkəl fər ril, dip ʧeɪnʤ ɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, ənd ˈɔfən ɪt ɪz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ ɛnd ˌɪmˈpɪriəˌlɪzəm ər juz. hiˈʤɛməni fərst ˌbiˈfɔr ðɛr kən bi mɔr ˈprɑˌgrɛs. ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ reɪz ən ˈɪʃu wɪθ ənd gɪt ə rɪˈzəlt ðət ɛndz əp biɪŋ mɔr riˈækʃən. ðə rɪˈzəlt kən ˈɔlsoʊ bi ˈɛndləs ˌpoʊlərɪˈzeɪʃən ðət lidz nɑt ˈoʊnli tɪ rɪˈvərsəlz, bət ˈɔlsoʊ tɪ əˈtɛmpts tɪ ˈjuˌnaɪt ɔn ənd θru wɔr ənd ˈfɔrən ˈpɑləsi. ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈpɑpjəˌlɪzəm ənd ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˌæʤəˈteɪʃən əv, hu ˈjuˌnaɪt mɔr ɔn ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈɪʃuz ðən ɪn ˈmɛni ˈəðər ˈɛriəz, ˈɔlsoʊ lɛd tɪ wɔr. wɔr kən bi ə weɪ əv rɪˈspɑndɪŋ tɪ ˌənɪnˈtɛndɪd ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz əv ˈfɪskəl, ˈmɑnəˌtɛri, treɪd ənd ˈəðər ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈpɑləsi. ənd ɪt kən bi ə weɪ əv ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ðə wɛlθ ər əv ˈoʊvərˌkəmɪŋ ˌdɪsəˈgrimənts ˈoʊvər haʊ tɪ dɪˈvaɪd ðə lut. ˈwɔrˌmɑŋgərɪŋ ənd ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈbɪlˌdəp kən bi ə weɪ əv pərˈpɛrɪŋ fər ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz əv ˈrɪski ˈpɑləsi ɪn ˈdɪfərənt ˈɛriəz. ˈdɛməˌkræts hæv lɔŋ pleɪd ə ˈlidɪŋ ənd prɪˈdɑmənənt roʊl ɪn ˌæʤəˈteɪʃən əv ju.$. ˈsoʊˈkɔld ˈwərkərz ənd ˈmɪdəlˈklæs ˈpipəl ɔn ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈɪʃuz. ə rɪsk əv ˈdeɪnʤərəs ˈpɑpjəˌlɪzəm ənd prəˈtɛkʃəˌnɪzəm həz bɪn ˌɪnˈhɛrənt wɪθ səʧ ˌæʤəˈteɪʃən waɪl traɪɪŋ tɪ wɪn ɪˈlɛkʃənz. ˈprɑbləmz ˈrɛləvənt tɪ wɔr hæv əˈpɪrd ˈivɪn ɪn səkˈsɛsfəl ˌɑpəˈzɪʃən tɪ ðə juz. ˈməzlɪm ˈtrævəl bæn, wɪʧ səˈspɛndz nu ˈvizəz fər ˈtrævəl frəm wən lɛs ˈməzlɪm ˈkəntri naʊ. wɪθ ðə ˈblɑkɪŋ əv rɪˈvaɪzd ˈtrævəl naʊ mɔr ər ˈwəndərɪŋ ˈwɛðər ðə ʤuˈdɪʃəl brænʧ həz tu məʧ paʊər. ðeɪ ər ˈwəndərɪŋ ˈwɛðər ðə ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv brænʧ ər ðə ˈlɛʤəsˌleɪtɪv brænʧ ʃʊd hæv mɔr. ðə ˈkɔrˌtrum əˈproʊʧ tɪ ðə ˈtrævəl bæn həz wərkt ɪn ə weɪ, soʊ fɑr, bət ɪt həz ə kɔst. ˈəðər əˈproʊʧɪz wʊd hæv bɪn ˈbɛtər. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, tu fju ˈgræʤəˌweɪt ˈstudənts, prəˈfɛsərz, ˈsaɪəntɪsts ˌɛtˈsɛtərə. wər ˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ meɪk ə ˈsækrəˌfaɪs tɪ əˈpoʊz ðə ˈtrævəl bæn baɪ ˈbɔɪˌkɑtɪŋ juz. ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˈkɑnfərənsəz, fər ɪgˈzæmpəl. ðə ˈbɔɪˌkɑt pəˈtɪʃən saɪts ðɪs ˈraɪtər ɪz ˈtrækɪŋ stɑpt ˈkaʊntɪŋ ˈsɪgnəʧərz ˈæftər ðɛr wər soʊ fju nu wənz. ˈbænɪŋ ˈpipəl frəm ˈkəntriz kʊd stɪl ˈvɪzɪt ɪz kəˈloʊniəl ənd ðə wərld ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ɪz səˈpoʊzədli mɔr ədˈvænst ðən ðət, bət ɪt wɑz tu ˈizi tɪ lɛt səm ʤəʤ ɪn ˌhɑnəˈlulu ər siˈætəl du θɪŋz ɪn ə weɪ ðət kʊd meɪk θɪŋz wərs. ˈmɛni meɪ hæv ʤɪst bɪˈkəm əˈkəstəmd tɪ ˈlɪvɪŋ wɪθ juz. hiˈʤɛməni kənˈspɪkjuəsli ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ˈbleɪtənt kəˈloʊniəˌlɪzəm ɪn ˈpæləˌstaɪn, fər ɪgˈzæmpəl. wɪθ goʊɪŋ ɪn ˈpæləˌstaɪn, ɪt ɪz noʊ daʊt ˈhɑrdər fər ˈmɛni tɪ si rɔŋ wɪθ ðə ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ðə ˈtrævəl bænz. ðɛr wər ənd ər stɪl ˌpɑsəˈbɪlətiz əv countries’*’ ˈteɪkɪŋ ˈækʃən ɪn ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk ənd ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk sfɪrz tɪ əˈpoʊz ðə ˈtrævəl bæn, bət ðə juz. ˈfɛdərəl kɔrt ˈækʃən baɪ ˈpipəl ˈwɑnɪŋ tɪ ə stand”*” meɪ hæv ˈəndərˌkət ðoʊz. ɪt ɪz tru ðət ˈmɛni ər əˈgɛnst ðə ˈtrævəl bæn æt list vərˈbæli. ðə praɪs əv ðət kʊd bi wɔr. ɪf ɪt fər ðə juˈnaɪtɪd states’*’ ɪkˈstrim ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˌɛkˌsplɔɪˈteɪʃən, ˈsæŋkʃənz, ənd əˈgrɛʃən, ðɛr wʊd bi fjuər ˈpipəl frəm ˌɪˈrɑk, ˌɪˈrɑn ˌɛtˈsɛtərə. ˈwɑnɪŋ tɪ kəm tɪ ðə steɪts ɛz ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz ənd ˈmaɪgrənts ɪn ðə fərst pleɪs. ɪf ˈθaʊzənz əv ˌkɔˈriənz hæv tɪ du daɪ fər ðɛr tɪ bi ə nu ˌkɔˈriən ˈrɛfjuʤi kˈwɛʃən tɪ gɪv əˈnəðər ʧæns tɪ ˈɛksərˌsaɪz ˌmɔˈræləˌti ər tɔk əˈbaʊt values”*” ənd əˈmɛrɪkə wi know,”*,” fək ðət. wɪn ˈdɛməˌkræts ənd rɪˈpəblɪkənz ˈwəri əˈbaʊt haʊ ˈwɛlkəmɪŋ ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts lʊks təˈwɔrd wɔr ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz mɔr ðən ðeɪ ˈwəri əˈbaʊt wɔr, ðə ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən bi vjud ˈpɑzətɪvli. ə mənθ əˈgoʊ wɑz ðə ˌænəˈvərsəri əv ðə ˌʤæpəˈniz ˌɪnˈtərnmənt ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv ˈɔrdər, bət ðə fækt ðət ər ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˌʤæpəˈniz ˌɪnˈtərnmənt naʊ ʃʊd ˈæˌkʧuəli bi ˈwəriɪŋ. dɪˈspaɪt ˈməzlɪm ˈrɛʤɪstri ˈsteɪtmənts, ˈdɛməˌkræts meɪ bi ˈreɪzɪŋ ðə ˈtɑpɪk əv ˈməzlɪm ˌɪnˈtərnmənt tɪ ən ɪkˈstɛnt ðət trəmp. ɪn əˈdɪʃən, əˈgɛn, ɪn ˈɔrdər fər ðɛr tɪ bi ðɪs kaɪnd əv kˈwɛʃən ðɛr həz tɪ bi ə wɔr. ðə wɔr wɪθ ʤəˈpæn wɑz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri, əv kɔrs, bət ðə wɔr əˈgɛnst ˌkɔˈriə. ɪn fækt, tɛnz əv ˈmɪljənz əv hæv ə ˈnɛgətɪv vju əv ˌʤæpəˈniz ˌɪnˈtərnmənt bət ə ˈpɑzətɪv vju əv ðə wɔr əˈgɛnst ʤəˈpæn. səʧ ən ˈætəˌtud ɪz kərˈɛkt ɪn ə ˈsərtən hɪˈstɔrɪkəl ˈkɑntɛkst wərld wɔr, ðoʊ ðə juz. ˈbeɪsɪz ɪn ʤəˈpæn təˈdeɪ nid tɪ goʊ. ə ˈsɪmələr ˈætəˌtud wɪθ ˈpɔɪntɪŋ tɪ ˈməzlɪm əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən ˈɪntu əˈmɛrɪkə, waɪl ˈməzlɪmz feɪs juz. ˈmɪsəl ənd droʊn straɪks, ɪz ɛz groʊˈtɛsk ɛz ɪt ɪz kənˈdɪʃənd əˈpɑn wɔr ənd ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˌɪˈnɛvətəbəl. ˈmɛni əˈpoʊnənts əv ðə ˈtrævəl bæn ər ˈoʊpənli səˈpɔrtɪŋ wɔrz əˈgɛnst ˈməzlɪm ˈkəntriz ɪn ðə seɪm brɛθ. ðɛr ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ən ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ˈæˌspɛkt tɪ ðɪs ɪn ðət ðə siaɪeɪ ənd ðə ˈpɛnɪˌgɑn boʊθ juz səm ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz ənd ˈmaɪgrənts fər spaɪɪŋ ˈpərpəsɪz. səm θɪŋz ər soʊ ˈɑbviəs ɛz tɪ ˈɔlˌmoʊst meɪk dɪˈskəsɪŋ ðɛm hir ənˈnɛsəˌsɛri. ðɪs ɪz ðə keɪs wɪθ ðə ʤɪŋgoʊˈɪstɪk ““resistance”*” tɪ trəmp ɔn ˈrəʃə ˌɪnˈvɑlvɪŋ ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns liks, wɪʧ həz rɪˈzəltɪd ɪn ˈsɛvərəl ˈɛksələnt ˈkrɪtɪkəl ˈkɑmənˌtɛriz frəm hu ˈkleɪmɪŋ tɪ bi ˈmɑrksɪst ər prəˈgrɛsɪv. aɪˈrɑnɪkli, wət ðɪs kʊd min ɪz ðət ðɛr ɪz ɪn fækt ə ˈfæˌʃɪzəm ˈprɑbləm ˈʤɛnərˌeɪtɪŋ brɔd ˌkɑnstərˈneɪʃən bət ðət, ˈivɪn wɪθ ə rɪˈpəblɪkən ˈgəvərnmənt, ˈdɛməˌkræts ər ðə meɪn fɔrs æt ðɪs taɪm ˈmeɪkɪŋ θɪŋz wərs. ˈivɪn ɪf ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts əˈtæk ˈrəʃə, ɔl əv ðə ˈʤɪŋˌgoʊɪzəm, ˈmɪlətərˌɪzəm ənd ˈwɔrˌmɑŋgərɪŋ wɪl hæv ˈlæstɪŋ ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz. tɪ prɪˈvɛnt ə ril ˈnukliər wɔr wɪθ ˈrəʃə ər ʧeɪnʤ ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt frəm ˈrəʃə, trəmp meɪ faɪnd ɪt ˈiziər tɪ səˈpɔrt ˈbɑmɪŋ ˌkɔˈriənz ðən ɪf ðɛr hæd nɑt bɪn ðə ˈprɛʃər. ˈdɪfərənt ˈeɪʒənz ənd ˈməzlɪmz meɪ bi ðə ˌɪndərˈɛkt ˈvɪktɪmz əv democrats’*’ ˈʤɪŋˌgoʊɪzəm ðeɪ kleɪm ɪz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ əˈpoʊz ˈreɪˌsɪzəm, ˈsɛksɪzəm, ər səˈpoʊzd ləv əv ˈrəʃə. əv kɔrs, tɪ ˈmɛni ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli səm ˈkoʊkəˌnəts ənd ˈærəbz, ˈpərʒənz ənd ist ˈeɪʒənz ər ““white,”*,” soʊ ðə ˈkɪlɪŋ əv ˌkɔˈriənz meɪ nɑt bi ə kɔz fər kənˈsərn fər ðɛm ənd maɪt ˈivɪn bi ˈwɛlkəmd. nɑt ʤɪst ðət ˈdɛməˌkræts, hu noʊ ðeɪ ər ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ðə ʧæns əv ˈnukliər wɔr baɪ ˌmænjəˈfækʧərɪŋ ər ˈjuzɪŋ ˈrəʃə kˈwɛsʧənz tɪ əˈpoʊz trəmp, hæv ˈstupəˌdli səˈʤɛstɪd ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ ər ˌrɛgjəˈleɪʃən ɪz mɔr ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ðən ˈnukliər wɔr ðət wʊd kˈwɪkli ruɪn ðə ˈplænət. dɪˈspaɪt ˈɪgnərənt ər laɪɪŋ ˈdɛməˌkræts səˈʤɛstɪŋ ˈʤɪŋˌgoʊɪzəm ənd ˈwɔrˌmɑŋgərɪŋ ər əkˈsɛptəbəl bɪˈkəz ˈrəʃənz ər ˈmoʊstli waɪt, ˈdɛməˌkræts ər stɪl ˈwəndərɪŋ haʊ ðeɪ lɔst ðə ɪˈlɛkʃən, ənd fər ˈmɛni ðə ˈænsər ˌɪnˈvɑlvz ˈrɛtərɪk tɪ traɪ tɪ wɪn ˈoʊvər waɪt meɪl ˈwərkərz tɪ ðɛr pəˈzɪʃənz ər ˈpɑrti. ðeɪ ˈstəbərnli kip ˈreɪzɪŋ ðə seɪm ˈkəlʧərəl, ˈsoʊʃəl ənd ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈɪʃuz wɪθ ənd, ɪn ðə ˈæbsəns əv ʧeɪnʤ ɪn ðə ˌəndərˈlaɪɪŋ ˌdɛməˈgræfɪk ənd ˈstrəkʧərəl ˈɪʃuz ˈmɛnʃənd ˈərliər, pərˈpɛʧəˌweɪt ə daɪˈnæmɪk ðət lidz tɪ ˌɑpərˈtuˌnɪzəm ənd wɔr. mɔr meɪ əˈlaʊ wət ˈlɪˌbərəlz wɔnt, bət æt ə kɔst ˌɪnˈvɑlvɪŋ mɔr ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈkraɪsəs ənd mɔr dɛd ˈpipəl ɪn ˈəðər ˈkəntriz. æt ðə seɪm taɪm, ɪn ðə ˈæbsəns əv ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz, ˈmeɪkɪŋ ənd əˈtækɪŋ ɪkˈstərnəl ˈɛnəmiz maɪt ˈjuˌnaɪt. ðət ˌɪnˈkludz ðoʊz hu ˈwəri əˈbaʊt trəmp us”*” bət hu ˈwəri soʊ məʧ əˈbaʊt trəmp ˈteɪkɪŋ ðɛm tɪ wɔr. ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən wɑz ə wɔr hɔk, ənd ˈəndər ˌoʊˈbɑmə ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts ˈstɑrtɪd wɔrz ər bɪˈkeɪm ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ˈsɛvərəl mɔr ˈkəntriz ˌmɪləˈtɛrəli. ɪn əˈdɪʃən, juz. ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈspɛndɪŋ ˈæftər wərld wɔr pikt ˈəndər ˌoʊˈbɑmə. ɛz ə ˈdɛməˌkræt, ˌoʊˈbɑmə hɛlpt meɪk 600 ənd ˈivɪn 700 ˈbɪljən ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈspɛndɪŋ ə nɔrm. trəmp ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ə ənd wɔr hɔk, ənd ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts ɪz ʤɪst ɛz ˈdeɪnʤərəs ənd θˈrɛtənɪŋ naʊ ɛz ɪt wɑz ˈəndər ˌoʊˈbɑmə, bət trəmp ˈsəmˌtaɪmz əˈpɪrd ɛz ən ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃənəst hu wɑz kənˈsərnd əˈbaʊt dɛθs əv boʊθ juz. ˌpərsəˈnɛl ənd non-amerikans*. ˈmɛni pərˈsivd ˈklɪntən ɛz mɔr ˈhɔkɪʃ ɪn səm ˈkeɪsɪz ənd nɑt ʤɪst ɪn ðə keɪs əv ˈrəʃə. ˈæftər kæmˈpeɪn ənd ˈprɛzɪdənsi, juz. ˈmuvmənt ˈlidərz ˈnɛvər hæd ə ʧæns ɪn tərmz əv ˈbɪldɪŋ ə juz. ˈmuvmənt ðət kʊd prɪˈvɛnt wɔrz wɪˈθaʊt ðɛr ˈɔlsoʊ biɪŋ ˈmæsɪv ər ˈpaʊərfəl ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˌɑpəˈzɪʃən. wən əˈpoʊz trəmp ɛz ə ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr wɔr hɔk ˈrɛlətɪv tɪ ˈdɛməˌkræts, bət ˈdɛməˌkræts kʊd gɪt tɪ bɪˈliv trəmp wɑz goʊɪŋ ˈizi ɔn ˈputɪn ənd ˈəðər waɪt meɪlz ɪn ˈrəʃə hu hæd ə ˈprɑbləm wɪθ ðə ˈpʊsi raɪət pəŋk rɑk grup, ˈleɪdi ˈgɑˌgə, ənd məˈdɑnə, fər ɪgˈzæmpəl. ər dəˈbeɪtɪŋ ɪgˈzæktli haʊ lɑrʤ ðə juˈnaɪtɪd states’*’ ɔˈrɛdi ɪkˈstrimli lɑrʤ ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈbəʤɪt ʃʊd bi. ɪt wɪl bi hɑrd, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, fər tɪ əˈpoʊz səˈpoʊzədli hɪˈstɔrɪk ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈbɪlˌdəp wɪn ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈspɛndɪŋ ˈəndər ˌoʊˈbɑmə wɑz haɪər fər ˈsɛvərəl si: ˈstrəgəl təˈdeɪ ɪz riˈækʃəˌnɛri, period,”*,” 2017 ˈfɛbruˌɛri. ˈbɔɪˌkɑt ˈmuvmənt groʊɪŋ ɪn spaɪt əv democrats’*’ dɪsəˈgrimənt wɪθ trump,”*,” 2017 ˈfɛbruˌɛri. ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˈbɔɪˌkɑt: ““left-wing”*” ˈɑrgjəmənts ˈɪnfluənst baɪ patriotism,”*,” 2017 ˈfɛbruˌɛri. ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˈjuˈɛˈseɪ ˈbɔɪˌkɑt ɪz ˈrɛləvənt tɪ əˈpoʊzɪŋ kəˈloʊniəˌlɪzəm ənd səˈpɔrtɪŋ chican*@ ənd nu nationalism,”*,” 2017 ˈfɛbruˌɛri. noʊts: 1 pʊts ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈækʃən ðə table’*’ ˈoʊvər nɔrθ korea,”*,” 2017 mɑrʧ 17 2 ðə ‘‘resistance’*’: ə ˈgraʊndsˌwɛl əv fervor,”*,” 2017 mɑrʧ 15 3 mɑrʧ lækt strɔŋ message,”*,” 2017 ˈʤænjuˌɛri. 4 əˈnəðər ˈfɛdərəl ʤəʤ həz blɑkt ˈprɛzɪdənt nu ˈtrævəl ban,”*,” 2017 mɑrʧ 16 http://time.com/4703399/trump-revised-travel-ban-blocked-federal-judge-maryland*/ 5 ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈbɪlˌdəp ɪz beɪst ɔn ˈfɔlti claims,”*,” 2017 mɑrʧ 18

stop. before continuing, click here for important internet security information about browsing this site. if a web address is not clickable, copy and paste it into the address bar of a new tab. try to switch to using https://github.com/pinotes/pinotes.github.io if you find yourself visiting this site regularly. pinotes global news. global view. news-all home | latest | campaigns | glossary news & analysis > all news & analysis from proletarian internationalist notes—news, reviews and analysis from a global perspective there is still no massive u.s. anti-war movement, thanks to democrats with the united states’ top diplomat publicly saying northern-korea diplomacy is worthless,(1) it is necessary to note the state of the u.s. anti-war and anti-militarism movements. there is in fact no u.s. anti-war movement worth mentioning globally. one isn’t coming either. that doesn’t mean there aren’t anti-war activists and some public opinion against war in some u.s. places. in no way can they be relied on to stop a u.s. attack in korea, though, or to stop what the amerikans may be doing by threatening an attack. for the sake of opposing war and international bullying, more u.s. activists need to admit their weakness in that way. it may have nothing to do with how energetic they are individually. false morale-boosting statements talking about broad opposition to trump, or the resurgence of an imaginary exploited u.s. working class, don’t help. the world needs to assume there isn’t and won’t be an effective u.s. anti-war movement. it needs to engage in anti-american diplomacy. it must get world opinion to oppose the amerikkkans more and support boycotting, isolating and punishing them. disinvestment and various sanctions would be appropriate. individual amerikans with power, in a position to help, should do so if they can do it without inflaming amerikans. people need to take risks and not leave things up to students, youth and people in lower tax brackets in the united $tates. the democrats sneering, for self-serving reasons, at the idea of anti-war action coming from unusual places should get out of the way. if there were already a massive u.s. anti-war movement, then people could be picky. now is not the time. many have actually chosen the path of easy, dangerous unity with republicans by avoiding militarism/war issues or by brazenly uniting with republicans who disagree with trump for not being enough of an open war hawk on russia and other countries. an afp article discussing the so-called “resistance” mentions “political warriors” but many different issues except war and militarism.(2) the predominance, problems and causes of such so-called opposition were apparent immediately after trump’s inauguration(3) and before. two months later, people are still talking about the women’s march as a milestone in u.s. activism instead dealing with the reality that protests like it represented an invitation to bribery to support war, that is, among those amerikans who didn’t already support attacking non-amerikan muslims. after all, what better way to fight patriarchy than to kill muslims with drones like it’s a video game, or send country bumpkin males to get maimed on the ground in syria while massacring arabs, right pseudo-feminists? to satisfy many supporters and critics, trump can just deliver on military and foreign policy “strength” and economic promises, deport people whom barack obama gave criminal charges for so-called immigration offenses, support “border security” much as obama did, and not do too much to reverse changes in areas democrats and liberals prioritize. after “grab ‘em by the pussy” and similar media coverage, it’s hard for trump to strongly play the role of christian/social conservative except as a hypocrite, if anyone ever really thought trump was part of that type of conservatism in the first place. some of these issues the u.$. activists are referring to are important and involve real injustice and something that wouldn’t exist in a world without capitalism and patriarchy. but most also involve demographic or structural issues that aren’t going to go away any time soon. there isn’t much of an economic/social group vehicle for real, deep change in the united states, and often it is necessary to end imperialism or u.s. hegemony first before there can be more progress. it is possible to raise an issue with amerikans and get a result that ends up being more reaction. the result can also be endless polarization that leads not only to reversals, but also to attempts to unite on and through war and foreign policy. economic populism and economic agitation of amerikans, who unite more on economic issues than in many other areas, also lead to war. war can be a way of responding to unintended economic consequences of fiscal, monetary, trade and other economic policy. and it can be a way of increasing the shareable wealth or of overcoming disagreements over how to divide the loot. warmongering and military buildup can be a way of preparing for consequences of risky policy in different areas. democrats have long played a leading and predominant role in agitation of u.$. so-called workers and middle-class people on economic issues. a risk of dangerous populism and protectionism has been inherent with such agitation while trying to win elections. problems relevant to war have appeared even in successful opposition to the u.s. muslim travel ban, which suspends new visas for travel from one less muslim country now. with the blocking of trump’s revised travel ban,(4) now more amerikans are wondering whether the judicial branch has too much power. they are wondering whether the executive branch or the legislative branch should have more. the courtroom approach to the travel ban has worked in a way, so far, but it has a cost. other approaches would have been better. however, too few graduate students, professors, scientists etc. were willing to make a sacrifice to oppose the travel ban by boycotting u.s. international conferences, for example. the boycott petition sites this writer is tracking stopped counting signatures after there were so few new ones. banning people from countries amerikans could still visit is colonial and the world including amerikans is supposedly more advanced than that, but it was too easy to let some judge in honolulu or seattle do things in a way that could make things worse. many may have just become accustomed to living with u.s. hegemony conspicuously involved in blatant colonialism in palestine, for example. with what’s going in palestine, it is no doubt harder for many to see what’s wrong with the lesser-colonialism involved in the travel bans. there were and are still possibilities of countries’ taking action in diplomatic and economic spheres to oppose the travel ban, but the u.s. federal court action by people wanting to “take a stand” may have undercut those. it is true that many amerikans are against the travel ban at least verbally. the price of that could be war. if it weren’t for the united states’ extreme international exploitation, sanctions, and aggression, there would be fewer people from iraq, iran etc. wanting to come to the states as refugees and migrants in the first place. if thousands of koreans have to do die for there to be a new korean refugee question to give amerikans another chance to exercise morality or talk about “american values” and “the america we know,” fuck that. when democrats and republicans worry about how welcoming the united states looks toward war refugees more than they worry about war, the situation shouldn’t be viewed positively. a month ago was the 75th anniversary of the japanese internment executive order, but the fact that amerikans are talking about japanese internment now should actually be worrying. despite trump’s muslim registry statements, democrats may be raising the topic of muslim internment to an extent that trump isn’t. in addition, again, in order for there to be this kind of question there has to be a war. the war with japan was necessary, of course, but the war against korea isn’t. in fact, tens of millions of amerikans have a negative view of japanese internment but a positive view of the war against japan. such an attitude is correct in a certain historical context – world war ii, though the u.s. bases in japan today need to go. a similar attitude with amerikans pointing to muslim assimilation into amerika, while muslims face u.s. missile and drone strikes, is as grotesque as it is conditioned upon war and almost inevitable. many amerikan opponents of the travel ban are openly supporting wars against muslim countries in the same breath. there is also an intelligence aspect to this in that the cia and the pentagon both use some refugees and migrants for spying purposes. some things are so obvious as to almost make discussing them here unnecessary. this is the case with the jingoistic democrat-mccain “resistance” to trump on russia involving intelligence leaks, which has resulted in several excellent critical commentaries from amerikans who aren’t claiming to be marxist or progressive. ironically, what this could mean is that there is in fact a fascism problem generating broad consternation but that, even with a republican government, democrats are the main force at this time making things worse. even if the united states doesn’t attack russia, all of the jingoism, militarism and warmongering will have lasting consequences. to prevent a real nuclear war with russia or change the subject from russia, trump may find it easier to support bombing koreans than if there had not been the russia-related pressure. different brown/yellow asians and black/brown/yellow muslims may be the indirect victims of democrats’ jingoism they claim is necessary to oppose racism, sexism, or trump’s supposed white-supremacist love of russia. of course, to many amerikans – particularly some coconuts and oreos – arabs, persians and east asians are “white,” so the killing of koreans may not be a cause for concern for them and might even be welcomed. it’s not just that democrats, who know they are increasing the chance of nuclear war by manufacturing or using russia questions to oppose trump, have stupidly suggested climate change or epa regulation is more important than nuclear war that would quickly ruin the planet. despite ignorant or lying democrats suggesting jingoism and warmongering are acceptable because russians are mostly white, democrats are still wondering how they lost the election, and for many the answer involves fine-tuning rhetoric to try to win over white male workers to their positions or party. they stubbornly keep raising the same cultural, social and economic issues with amerikans and, in the absence of change in the underlying demographic and structural issues mentioned earlier, perpetuate a dynamic that leads to opportunism and war. more amerikans may allow what liberals want, but at a cost involving more economic crisis and more dead people in other countries. at the same time, in the absence of compromise, making and attacking external enemies might unite amerikans. that includes those who worry about trump “dividing us” but who don’t worry so much about trump taking them to war. hillary clinton was a war hawk, and under obama the united states started wars or became involved in several more countries militarily. in addition, u.s. military spending after world war ii peaked under obama. as a democrat, obama helped make $600+ and even $700+ billion military spending a norm. trump is also a militarist and war hawk, and the united states is just as dangerous and threatening now as it was under obama, but trump sometimes appeared as an isolationist who was concerned about deaths of both u.s. personnel and non-amerikans. many perceived clinton as more hawkish in some cases and not just in the case of russia. after clinton’s campaign and obama’s presidency, u.s. anti-war movement leaders never had a chance in terms of building a u.s. anti-war movement that could prevent wars without there also being massive or powerful international opposition. one couldn’t oppose trump as a particular war hawk relative to democrats, but democrats could get amerikans to believe trump was going easy on putin and other white males in russia who had a problem with the pussy riot punk rock group, lady gaga, and madonna, for example. amerikans are debating exactly how large the united states’ already extremely large military budget should be. it will be hard, however, for amerikans to oppose trump’s supposedly historic military buildup when military spending under obama was higher for several years.(5) ◊ see: • “american anti-russian struggle today is reactionary, period,” 2017 february. https://github.com/pinotes/pinotes.github.io/blob/master/_posts/2017-02-20-news-flynngate-fascism.md • “america boycott movement growing in spite of democrats’ pro-amerikkkan disagreement with trump,” 2017 february. https://github.com/pinotes/pinotes.github.io/blob/master/_posts/2017-02-10-news-travel-ban-america-boycott.md • “america academic boycott: “left-wing” anti-boycott arguments influenced by patriotism,” 2017 february. https://github.com/pinotes/pinotes.github.io/blob/master/_posts/2017-02-15-news-us-academic-boycott-chicana-new-afrikan-nationalism.md • “the academic usa boycott is relevant to opposing colonialism and supporting chican@ and new afrikan nationalism,” 2017 february. https://github.com/pinotes/pinotes.github.io/blob/master/_posts/2017-02-17-news-us-academic-boycott-colonialism-nationalism.md notes: 1. “tillerson puts military action ‘on the table’ over north korea,” 2017 march 17. http://www.dw.com/en/tillerson-puts-military-action-on-the-table-over-north-korea/a-37979659 2. “behold the ‘resistance’: a groundswell of anti-trump fervor,” 2017 march 15. https://www.yahoo.com/news/behold-resistance-groundswell-anti-trump-fervor-043812437.html 3. “women’s march lacked strong anti-war message,” 2017 january. https://github.com/pinotes/pinotes.github.io/blob/master/_posts/2017-01-26-news-womens-march-antiwar.md 4. “yet another federal judge has blocked president trump’s new travel ban,” 2017 march 16. http://time.com/4703399/trump-revised-travel-ban-blocked-federal-judge-maryland/ 5. “trump’s military buildup is based on faulty claims,” 2017 march 18. http://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-military-buildup-is-based-on-faulty-claims-2017-3

juz. ˈnæʃənəl sɪˈkjʊrəti ædˈvaɪzər ˈsuzən raɪs grits ˌɪzˈreɪli ˈæktɪŋ ˈnæʃənəl sɪˈkjʊrəti ædˈvaɪzər ˈʤeɪkəb ˈneɪgəl (ɛl) ənd juz. ˌəndərˈsɛkrɪˌtɛri əv steɪt tɑm ˈʃænən (ɑr) ˈæftər ðɛr ˈsaɪnɪŋ ˈsɛrəˌmoʊni fər ə nu, pækt ɔn sɪˈkjʊrəti əˈsɪstəns bɪtˈwin ðə tu ˈneɪʃənz æt ðə steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt læst wik. (ˈgɛri cameron/reuters*) ɪt wɑz bɪld baɪ ˈprɛzɪdənt ˌoʊˈbɑmə ɛz ˈsɪŋgəl ˈlɑrʤəst plɛʤ əv ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri əˈsɪstəns ɪn juz. history,”*,” ə gɪft frəm ðə əˈmɛrɪkən ˈtækˌspeɪər tɪ ðə ˌɪzˈreɪli ˈtækˌspeɪər, ˈtoʊtəlɪŋ 38 ˈbɪljən ˈoʊvər 10 jɪrz, kəmˈplit wɪθ skˈwɑdrənz əv ˈfaɪtər ʤɛts. bət ɪn ˈɪzriəl, ðə dil ɪn ˈwɔʃɪŋtən læst wik bɪtˈwin ðə ˈkloʊsəst əv ˈælaɪz həz bɪn mɛt nɑt wɪθ bɪg ləv, bət wɪθ ˈmoʊstli ə kəˈlɛktɪv what?”*?” ˈlidərz ɪn ðə ˌɪzˈreɪli dɪˈfɛns ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt sɛd ðə dil ʃʊd hæv ˈəʃərd ɪn ə nu ˈɪrə əv kˌwɔpərˈeɪʃən, bət dɪd nɑt. ðeɪ sɛd praɪm ˈmɪnɪstər ˈbɛnʤəmən ˌnɛtənˈjɑˌhu, ɪn hɪz mˈjuʧuəl ænˈtægəˌnɪzəm wɪθ ˌoʊˈbɑmə, blu ɪt. ˈfɔrmər ˌɪzˈreɪli praɪm ˈmɪnɪstər ɛˈhəd ˈbɑrək kɔld ðə pækt fər ðə moʊst ədˈvænst ˈwɛpənri ˈɛvər ə ˈfeɪljər ənd ə saɪn əv ðə ˈwɪðərɪŋ riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp bɪtˈwin ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts ənd ˈɪzriəl. ˈsɛvərəl dɪˈfɛns ˈænəlɪsts ˈpɔɪntɪd aʊt ðət, ˈæftər ˈfæktərɪŋ ɪn ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən ənd ˈpriviəs ˌsəpləˈmɛntəl bəmps ɪn ˈfəndɪŋ fər ˈɪzriəl baɪ ˈkɑŋgrəs, ðə nu əˈsɪstəns ˈpækɪʤ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts lɛs ˈməni ðən ðə pæst dil. [ˈɪzriəl, juz. saɪn ˈmæsɪv ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri eɪd ˈpækɪʤ], ə ˈlidər əv ə ˈsɛntrɪst ˈpɑrti hu ɪz ˈɪʧɪŋ tɪ rən fər praɪm ˈmɪnɪstər hɪmˈsɛlf, həz bɪn ˈwɪðərɪŋ ɪn hɪz ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm. hi wɔrnd ðət ðə waɪt haʊs dɪˈmænd ɪn ðə pækt ðət ˈɪzriəl baɪ ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈhɑrdˌwɛr frəm juz. ˈkɑnˌtræktərz ənd nɑt ðə ˌɪzˈreɪli dɪˈfɛns ˈɪndəstri wʊd ˈbækˌfaɪr. juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts meɪ ɛnd əp ˈgɪvɪŋ ˈjuˈɛs 38 billion,”*,” sɛd læst mənθ. ðə ˈoʊnli θɪŋ ˌɪzˈreɪliz wɪl rɪˈmɛmbər frəm ðə dil ɪz ðə ˌənɪmˈplɔɪmənt line”*” ɪn ðə ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪkli ˈsɪtiz. ðə ˌɪzˈreɪli ˈmidiə ˈɔlsoʊ həz paɪld ɔn, səm ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn ˈwɛðər ˌnɛtənˈjɑˌhu kʊd hæv, ʃʊd hæv, ˈgɔtən mɔr ˈməni ɪf hi spɛnt ðə pæst tu jɪrz fˈjudɪŋ wɪθ ðə waɪt haʊs ˈoʊvər ðə ˌɪˈrɑn ˈnukliər ˈpəndət æt ðə ˈnuzˌpeɪpər ˌɪnˈsɪstɪd ðət ðə eɪd wɑz nɑt eɪd æt ɔl bət ə bun tɪ ðə juz. dɪˈfɛns ˈɪndəstriz. ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts ʃʊd θæŋk ˌhaɪˈtɛk ˈɪzriəl fər ˈtɛstɪŋ ˈfɔlti juz. ˈwɛpənz ˈsɪstəmz ɪn ðə fild, ðə ˈraɪtər sɛd ˌɪgˈnɔrɪŋ ðə fækt ðət ɪn ðə pæst 10 jɪrz ðə ˈoʊnli ˈɛnəmi ðə ˈɪzriəl dɪˈfɛns ˈfɔrsɪz hæv fɔt ɪz ðə ˈɪsləmɪst ˈmɪlətənt ˈmuvmənt ˌhɑˈmɑs ɪn ðə ˈgɑzə strɪp, huz mɪˈlɪʃə meɪks ˈrɑkəts ɪn gərˈɑʒɪz ənd læks ən ɛr dɪˈfɛns ˈsɪstəm. ˈmɛni ˈɔrdəˌnɛri ˌɪzˈreɪliz seɪ ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts oʊz ˈɪzriəl ˈsəmθɪŋ fər ɪkˈspoʊzɪŋ ɪt tɪ wət ˌnɛtənˈjɑˌhu həz rɪˈpitɪdli kɔld ðə threat”*” əv ə ˈnukliər ˌɪˈrɑn. ðeɪ strɛs ðət ˈɪzriəl ɪz ɔn ðə frənt laɪn əˈgɛnst ˈɪsləmɪst ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm ənd wərθ æt list ə ˈkəpəl əv juz. ˈɛrˌkræft ˈkɛriərz ɪn ðə ˌmɛdətərˈeɪniən si. soʊ ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, ðeɪ seɪ, ʃʊd kənˈsɪdər ˌɪtˈsɛlf ˈləki. [naɪf ənd kɑr əˈtæks hɪt ʤərˈusələm ənd wɛst bæŋk; 3 səˈspɛktɪd əˈseɪlənts kɪld] jɛt ðɛr ər ˈəðər vjuz. ˈdeɪvɪd ˈhɑrəvɪts, ˈɛdɪtər əv ðə taɪmz əv ˈɪzriəl, ˈpəblɪʃt ə ˈkɑləm ˈhɛˌdlaɪnd, ˈɪzriəl oʊz ðə ˈjuˈɛs ə ˈsɪmpəl θæŋk you.”*.” ˈmɛsɪʤ frəm ʤərˈusələm həz bɪn wən əv ˈpəblɪk ingratitude,”*,” ˈhɑrəvɪts roʊt. ˈivɪn soʊ, hi ˈpɔɪntɪd aʊt, ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ˈgæðərɪŋ ˈhaɪˌrɑrki ɪz ɛkˌstrɔrdəˈnɛrəli ˈifɛktɪv, ənd ðə ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən wi ʃɛr wɪθ ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts pleɪz ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt roʊl ɪn ðə juz. əˈbɪləˌti tɪ prəˈtɛkt itself.”*.” ðə ˈpəblɪk dəˈbeɪt ˈoʊvər ˈwɛðər ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts geɪv ɪˈnəf səˈpɔrt tɪ ˈɪzriəl wɪl ˈsərtənli ˈhəvər ˈoʊvər ˈkəmɪŋ baɪˈlætərəl ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃənz, ɛz ˌoʊˈbɑmə ənd ˌnɛtənˈjɑˌhu ər ˈskɛʤʊld tɪ mit ˈwɛnzˌdeɪ ɪn nu jɔrk ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə u.n*. ˈʤɛnərəl əˈsɛmbli. ðə moʊst ˈstraɪkɪŋ ˈsteɪtmənts əˈbaʊt ðə dil kəm frəm ˈfɔrmər praɪm ˈmɪnɪstər ˈbɑrək, hu roʊt ən əˈpɪnjən pis ɪn ðə ˈwɔʃɪŋtən poʊst ˈɑrgjuɪŋ ðət 38 ˈbɪljən ɪn eɪd ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ə ˈfeɪljər tɪ gɪt mɔr ˈməni ənd mɔr kˌwɔpərˈeɪʃən, ənd əˈspɛʃəli ə ˈfeɪljər baɪ ˌnɛtənˈjɑˌhu tɪ hæv ʃeɪpt ə ˈbɛtər dil ˈlɪmətɪŋ ˈgæmbɪt tɪ bɪˈkəm ə ˈnukliər paʊər. ˈdæmɪʤ prəˈdust baɪ ˌɪrəˈspɑnsəbəl ˈmænɪʤmənt əv ðə riˈleɪʃənz wɪθ ðə waɪt haʊs ɪz naʊ ˈfʊli manifest,”*,” ˈbɑrək sɛd. [ˌpælɪˈstɪniən ˈlidər sɪz hi ɪz praʊd tɪ bi ˈbrændɪd ə terrorist’*’ baɪ juz.] wən əv ðə dinz əv ðə ˌɪzˈreɪli dɪˈfɛns ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt, ˈeɪməs, ə rɪˈtaɪrd ˌɪzˈreɪli ˈmeɪʤər ˈʤɛnərəl, kənˈkludɪd ðət ðə nu dɪˈfɛns eɪd ˈpækɪʤ nɑt ə hɪˈstɔrɪk əˈʧivmənt bət, ˈrəðər, ə mɪst strəˈtiʤɪk opportunity.”*.”, naʊ dɪˈrɛktər əv ðə ˈɪnstɪˌtut fər ˈnæʃənəl sɪˈkjʊrəti ˈstədiz, ðə moʊst ˈprɑmənənt dɪˈfɛns θɪŋk tæŋk ɪn ˈɪzriəl, roʊt ðət ðə əˈgrimənt prəˈvaɪdz ˈməni æt seɪm ˈlɛvəl ðət həz ɪgˈzɪstəd ðɪs pæst ˈdɛkeɪd ər sˈlaɪtli lower.”*.” hi ˈædɪd ðət ðə ˈlɔŋˈtərm ˈʧælənʤɪz ənd ðə strəˈtiʤɪk ˌriˈæləˌti ðət ðə ˈnukliər əˈgrimənt wɪθ ˌɪˈrɑn həz kriˈeɪtɪd, fɑr mɔr eɪd kʊd hæv bɪn obtained.”*.” ənd ˈəðərz noʊt ðət ðə dɪˈfɛns pækt ˌɪnˈkludz ə ˈlɛtər ˈrɪtən baɪ ˌnɛtənˈjɑˌhu ɪn wɪʧ ðə ˈlidər ˈprɑməsəz ðət ˈɪzriəl wɪl nɑt sik əˈdɪʃənəl ˈfəndɪŋ frəm ˈkɑŋgrəs ənˈlɛs ðə ʤuɪʃ steɪt ɪz æt wɔr. kɔld ðə ˈlɛtər ənd humiliating”*” ənd ə saɪn ðət ˌoʊˈbɑmə mɛnt tɪ ˈbɛtər hɪz ˈraɪvəl. hi ənd ˈəðərz səˈʤɛstɪd ðət ˌoʊˈbɑmə pʊt ðə əˈmɛrɪkən ˌɪzˈreɪli ˈpəblɪk əˈfɛrz kəˈmɪti ˈlɑbiɪŋ grup əv work.”*.” jəˈhudə ben-meir*, ˈsinjər ˈrisərʧ ˈfɛloʊ æt ðə ˈɪnstɪˌtut fər ˈnæʃənəl sɪˈkjʊrəti ˈstədiz, səmd əp hɪz θɔts ɪn ən ˈɪntərvˌju: wʊd seɪ ðət ɪt ɪz nɑt ɛz fænˈtæstɪk ɛz ðə ˈgəvərnmənt ɪz ˈpeɪnɪŋ ɪt tɪ bi, ənd ɪt ɪz nɑt ɛz bæd ɛz ðə ˌɑpəˈzɪʃən ɪz seɪɪŋ ðət ɪt is.”*.” ˌnɛtənˈjɑˌhu, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, sˈwɑtɪd əˈweɪ ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm əv ðə dil ˈsənˌdi waɪl æˈdrɛsɪŋ hɪz ˈwikli ˈkæbənət ˈmitɪŋ. hir ɔl kaɪnz əv ˈbækˌgraʊnd nɔɪz ənd dɪˌzɪnfərˈmeɪʃən əˈbaʊt ðə agreement,”*,” ðə praɪm ˈmɪnɪstər sɛd. wʊd laɪk tɪ meɪk ɪt klɪr: wi wər ˈnɛvər ˈɔfərd mɔr. wi wər nɑt ˈɔfərd mɔr ˈməni, nɑt ˈivɪn wən ˈdɔlər, ənd wi wər ˈnɛvər ˈɔfərd ˈspɛʃəl tɛkˈnɑləʤiz. ðiz ər dɪˈstɔrʃənz ənd ˌfæbrɪˈkeɪʃənz əv ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd ˈpɑrtiz; ˈiðər ðeɪ du nɑt hæv ðə fækts ər ðeɪ ər dɪˈstɔrtɪŋ ðə fækts, ənd ðeɪ ər, əv kɔrs, ʃoʊɪŋ. ənd, ɪn maɪ vju, ðɪs ɪz ðə ˈsædəst θɪŋ əv ɔl, tɪ ɑr ˈgreɪtəst ənd bɛst frɛnd, ðə juˈnaɪtɪd states.”*.” rɛd mɔr ˈkəvərɪʤ frəm poʊst ˌkɔrəˈspɑndənts əraʊnd ðə wərld

u.s. national security adviser susan rice greets israeli acting national security advisor jacob nagel (l) and u.s. undersecretary of state tom shannon (r) after their signing ceremony for a new, 10-year pact on security assistance between the two nations at the state department last week. (gary cameron/reuters) it was billed by president obama as “the single largest pledge of military assistance in u.s. history,” a gift from the american taxpayer to the israeli taxpayer, totaling $38 billion over 10 years, complete with squadrons of f-35 fighter jets. but in israel, the deal inked in washington last week between the closest of allies has been met not with big love, but with mostly meh — a collective “so what?” leaders in the israeli defense establishment said the deal should have ushered in a new era of cooperation, but did not. they said prime minister benjamin netanyahu, in his mutual antagonism with obama, blew it. former israeli prime minister ehud barak called the pact for the most advanced weaponry ever a failure and a sign of the withering relationship between the united states and israel. several defense analysts pointed out that, after factoring in inflation and previous supplemental bumps in funding for israel by congress, the new assistance package represents less money than the past 10-year deal. [israel, u.s. sign massive military aid package] yair lapid, a leader of a centrist party who is itching to run for prime minister himself, has been withering in his criticism. he warned that the white house demand in the pact that israel buy military hardware from u.s. contractors — and not the israeli defense industry — would backfire. “the united states may end up giving us $38 billion,” lapid said last month. “but the only thing israelis will remember from the deal is the unemployment line” in the nation’s economically hard-pressed cities. the israeli media also has piled on, some focused on whether netanyahu could have, should have, gotten more money if he hadn’t spent the past two years feuding with the white house over the iran nuclear deal.one pundit at the haartez newspaper insisted that the aid was not aid at all — but a boon to the u.s. defense industries. the united states should thank high-tech israel for testing faulty u.s. weapons systems in the field, the writer said — ignoring the fact that in the past 10 years the only enemy the israel defense forces have fought is the islamist militant movement hamas in the gaza strip, whose militia makes rockets in garages and lacks an air defense system. many ordinary israelis say the united states owes israel something for exposing it to what netanyahu has repeatedly called the “existential threat” of a nuclear iran. they stress that israel is on the front line against islamist terrorism and worth at least a couple of u.s. aircraft carriers in the mediterranean sea. so the united states, they say, should consider itself lucky. [knife and car attacks hit jerusalem and west bank; 3 suspected assailants killed] yet there are other views. david horovitz, editor of the times of israel, published a column headlined, “ungrateful israel owes the us a simple thank you.” “the message from jerusalem has been one of public ingratitude,” horovitz wrote. even so, he pointed out, “our intelligence gathering hierarchy is extraordinarily effective, and the information we share with the united states plays a significant role in the u.s. ability to protect itself.” the public debate over whether the united states gave enough support to israel will certainly hover over coming bilateral conversations, as obama and netanyahu are scheduled to meet wednesday in new york during the u.n. general assembly. the most striking statements about the deal come from former prime minister barak, who wrote an opinion piece in the washington post arguing that $38 billion in aid represents a failure to get more money and more cooperation, and especially a failure by netanyahu to have shaped a better deal limiting iran’s gambit to become a nuclear power. “the damage produced by netanyahu’s irresponsible management of the relations with the white house is now fully manifest,” barak said. [palestinian leader says he is proud to be branded a ‘global terrorist’ by u.s.] one of the deans of the israeli defense establishment, amos yadlin, a retired israeli major general, concluded that the new defense aid package “is not a historic achievement but, rather, a missed strategic opportunity.” yadlin, now director of the institute for national security studies, the most prominent defense think tank in israel, wrote that the agreement provides money at “the same level that has existed this past decade — or slightly lower.” he added that “given the long-term challenges and the strategic reality that the nuclear agreement with iran has created, far more aid could have been obtained.” yadlin and others note that the defense pact includes a letter written by netanyahu in which the leader promises that israel will not seek additional funding from congress unless the jewish state is at war. yadlin called the letter “absurd and humiliating” and a sign that obama meant to better his rival. he and others suggested that obama put the american israeli public affairs committee lobbying group “out of work.” yehuda ben-meir, senior research fellow at the institute for national security studies, summed up his thoughts in an interview: “i would say . . . that it is not as fantastic as the government is painting it to be, and it is not as bad as the opposition is saying that it is.” netanyahu, however, swatted away criticism of the deal sunday while addressing his weekly cabinet meeting. “i hear all kinds of background noise and disinformation about the agreement,” the prime minister said. “i would like to make it clear: we were never offered more. we were not offered more money, not even one dollar, and we were never offered special technologies. these are distortions and fabrications of interested parties; either they do not have the facts or they are distorting the facts, and they are, of course, showing ingratitude. and, in my view, this is the saddest thing of all, ingratitude to our greatest and best friend, the united states.” read more today’s coverage from post correspondents around the world

ðə ˈhoʊpˌwɛl 1 ˈrɑkət ˈsidɪd baɪ maɪ ˈlaɪˈflɔŋ ləv əv ɔl θɪŋz speɪs, tɛkˈnɑləʤi, ənd saɪəns, ənd ˌɪnˈspaɪərd baɪ ðə əˈmeɪzɪŋ kəmˈpjutər geɪm speɪs ˈproʊˌgræm, aɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tɪ bɪld maɪ oʊn ˈrɑkət kəmˈplit wɪθ ə saɪəns ɪkˈspɛrəmənt! aɪ hæd ˈpriviəsli dɪˈzaɪnd ənd bɪlt maɪ oʊn ˈroʊvər ɪn ən əˈtɛmpt tɪ (ˈkrudli) ˈmɪmɪk ˈriˌllaɪf ˈplænəˌtɛri ˌɛksplərˈeɪʃən ˈmɪʃənz laɪk ðə mɑrz ˈroʊvərz. maɪ ˈroʊvər wɑz neɪmd ““adena”*” ˈæftər səm əv ðə ˈərliəst noʊn ˈkəlʧərz ˈlɪvɪŋ ɪn oʊˈhaɪoʊ. ðət ˈprɑʤɛkt wɑz ɪkˈstrimli fən ənd rɪˈwɔrdɪŋ, ɔlˈbiɪt prəˈvɪnʃəl. soʊ tɪ mi, ðə nɛkst ˈlɑʤɪkəl stɛp wɑz tɪ slɪp ðə ˈsərli bɑndz əv ərθ ənd ˈkɑnstrəkt ə ˈrɑkət. ˈstɪkɪŋ wɪθ ðə θim əv ˈərli ˈneɪtɪv oʊˈhaɪoʊ ˈkəlʧərz, aɪ neɪmd ðə ˈrɑkət ˈbeɪsɪkli kənˈstrəktɪd aʊt əv tu ˈmɑdəl ˈrɑkət kɪts ənd splaɪst təˈgɛðər wɪθ ə ˈkəstəm ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪks ˈpeɪˌloʊd ðət lɔgz ˈtɛmpərəʧər ənd ˈprɛʃər ˈdætə. ðiz ˈdætə kən ðɛn bi juzd tɪ dɪˈtərmən ðə ˈæltəˌtud. ðə aɪˈdiə wɑz tɪ tərn ɔn ðə ˈdætə ˈlɑgər, lɔnʧ ənd rɪˈkəvər ðə ˈrɑkət, ənd rɪˈtriv ðə lɔg faɪl frəm ðə kɑrd. ðə saɪəns ˈpeɪˌloʊd ɪz bɪlt wɪθ fɔr, θri voʊlt ˈlɪθiəm ˈbætəriz fər paʊər, swɪʧ, lɛd paʊər ˈɪndəˌkeɪtər, paʊər ˈrɛgjəˌleɪtər ˈsərkət, klɑk ˈsərkət, ˈsɛnsər, kɑrd ˈbreɪˌkaʊt bɔrd, ənd ən pleɪst ɪn ənd ənd waɪər ræpt. ðə ɪz frəm ən ˈuˌnoʊ ənd ˈproʊˌgræmd wɪθ ˈoʊpənˌsɔrs ənd ˈkəstəm ˈsɔfˌwɛr. ðə koʊd ɪz ˈrɪtən soʊ ðət ə ˈtɛmpərəʧər ənd ˈprɛʃər ˈrɛdɪŋ ɪz ˈteɪkən ˈɛvəri ˈsɛkənd ənd ˈrɪtən tɪ ə ˈsɪmpəl tɛkst ˈdɑkjəmɛnt ɔn ðə kɑrd. ˈəðər ðən ə ˈkəpəl ˈmɑdəl ˈrɑkət kɪt ‘‘adventures’*’ ɛz ə ʧaɪld, aɪ hæv hæd ˈziroʊ ɪkˈspɪriəns wɪθ ˈbɪldɪŋ ˈwərkɪŋ ˈrɑkəts. aɪ ʧoʊz ðə fæt boy‘*‘ ˈɛstiz ˈrɑkət kɪt ˈbeɪsɪkli bɪˈkəz ɪt hæd ðə ˈwaɪdəst daɪˈæmətər aɪ kʊd faɪnd æt ðə stɔr, əˈlaʊɪŋ fər ðə saɪəns ˈpeɪˌloʊd; ɪt fɪt ɪn ˈɛni ˈəðər ˈrɑkət. pləs ɪt wɑz smɔl ənd ˈfræŋkli, aɪ wɔnt tɪ lɔnʧ ɪt soʊ haɪ ðət ˈnɛvər gɪt ɪt bæk. ˈæftər ˈriəˌlaɪzɪŋ ɪt wɑz tu smɔl, aɪ bɔt əˈnəðər wən, ɪt tɪ fɪt əˈtɑp ðə fərst wən, ənd krɔst maɪ ˈfɪŋgərz ɪt wʊd flaɪ. ˈgɪvɪn ðə weɪt əv ðə ˈrɑkət ənd ðə ˈtaɪni ˈrɑkət ˈmoʊtər juzd ənd ðə ˌɪnɪkˈspɪriəns əv ðə ˈrɑkət dɪˈzaɪnər aɪ geɪv ɪt ə 15 ʧæns əv ˈæˌkʧuəli flaɪɪŋ. ðə fərst lɔnʧ əˈtɛmpt wɑz meɪd wɪˈθaʊt ðə ˈpeɪˌloʊd ɪn ən ˈɛfərt tɪ ˈlaɪtən ðə loʊd ənd tɪ seɪv ðə ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪks ɪn keɪs əv ə ˌkætəˈstrɑfɪk ˈfeɪljər. tɪ maɪ səˈpraɪz, ɪt wərkt ˈflɔləsli! ɪt lɔnʧt tɪ əˈbaʊt 100 fit ɪn ðə ɛr, dɪˈplɔɪd ðə ˈpɛrəˌʃut, ənd ˈdrɪftɪd ˈseɪfli bæk daʊn. aɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tɪ traɪ əˈgɛn, ðɪs taɪm wɪθ ðə saɪəns payload…*… əˈgɛn, tɪ maɪ səˈpraɪz, ɪt wərkt! əv. ˈtɛknɪkəli, ɪt wərkt ˈflɔləsli. ðə ˈprɑbləm wɑz ðət sɪns ɪt wɑz məʧ ˈhɛviər, ɪt ˈoʊnli wɛnt əˈbaʊt hæf ɛz haɪ 45 fit) ənd ðə ʃut dɪˈplɔɪ ənˈtɪl ðə ˈrɑkət wɑz ˈspidɪŋ təˈwɔrdz ðə ərθ æt əˈbaʊt 10 fit ɔf ðə graʊnd. ɪt ənˈfɔrʧənətli slæmd ˈɪntu ðə dərt. əˈmeɪzɪŋli, ðə ˈrɑkət ˌɪtˈsɛlf wɑz ənˈhɑrmd ˌhaʊˈɛvər ðə ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪks simd tɪ nɑt ˈfəŋkʃən ˌɛniˈmɔr. aɪ ˈgæðərd əp maɪ fərst ˈvɛnʧər ˈɪntu ˈrɑkətri ənd ˈhɛdɪd hoʊm. aɪ ʤɪst hoʊpt ðə ˈdætə wɑz salvageable…*… ənd ɪt wɑz! aɪ ˌɪnˈsərtɪd ðə kɑrd ˈɪntu maɪ kəmˈpjutər ənd ˈɪnstəntli sɔ ðət ˈʃaɪni nu lɔg faɪl ˈweɪtɪŋ fər mi. ɪt hæd lɔgd əˈbaʊt tu ˈmɪnəts wərθ əv ˈdætə wɪθ ðə læst faɪv ˈsɛkəndz ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnɪŋ ðə ˈækʧəwəl flaɪt ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ˌbiˈfɔr əˈbrəptli ˈstɑpɪŋ, ˈmɑrkɪŋ ðə ˈmoʊmənt ðə ˈrɑkət smæʃt ˈɪntu ðə graʊnd. swit, swit saɪəns victory…*… aɪ ˈɛstəˌmeɪt ðə ɪnˈtaɪər ˈprɑʤɛkt tʊk əraʊnd tu fʊl wiks wərθ əv ˈivnɪŋz fɪld wɪθ ˈrisərʧ, dɪˈzaɪn, kənˈstrəkʃən, ənd ˌdɑkjəmɛnˈteɪʃən (aɪ hæd tɪ lərn tɪ drɔ ðə skɪˈmætɪks). ˌɔlˈðoʊ, ðoʊz tu wiks wər sprɛd ˈoʊvər ə fju mənθs aɪ ʤɪst steɪ ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn wən θɪŋ ðət lɔŋ! ɪt wɑz ə lɔt əv fən ənd ɔˈrɛdi ɪn ðə mɪst əv ˌridɪˈzaɪnɪŋ ðə ˈrɑkət tɪ teɪk mi ˈivɪn haɪər! (si ðə prɪˈlɪməˌnɛri dɪˈzaɪn ənd tɛst əv ðə ˈdætə ˈlɑgər hir.)

:: the hopewell 1 rocket :: seeded by my lifelong love of all things space, technology, and science, and inspired by the amazing computer game kerbal space program, i decided to build my own rocket – complete with a science experiment! i had previously designed and built my own rover in an attempt to (crudely) mimic real-life planetary exploration missions like the mars rovers. my rover was named “adena” after some of the earliest known cultures living in ohio. that project was extremely fun and rewarding, albeit provincial. so to me, the next logical step was to slip the surly bonds of earth and construct a rocket. sticking with the theme of early native ohio cultures, i named the rocket “hopewell 1.” it’s basically constructed out of two store-bought model rocket kits modded and spliced together with a custom electronics payload that logs temperature and pressure data. these data can then be used to determine the rocket’s altitude. the idea was to turn on the data logger, launch and recover the rocket, and retrieve the log file from the microsd card. the science payload is built with four, three volt lithium batteries for power, on/off switch, led power indicator, power regulator circuit, clock circuit, bmp085 temperature/pressure sensor, microsd card breakout board, and an atmega328p microcontroller placed in perfboard and soldered and wire wrapped. the microcontroller is from an arduino uno and programmed with open-source and custom software. the code is written so that a temperature and pressure reading is taken every second and written to a simple csv text document on the microsd card. other than a couple model rocket kit ‘adventures’ as a child, i have had zero experience with building working rockets. i chose the ‘mini fat boy‘ estes rocket kit basically because it had the widest diameter i could find at the store, allowing for the science payload; it wouldn’t fit in any other rocket. plus it was small and frankly, i didn’t want to launch it so high that i’d never get it back. after realizing it was too small, i bought another one, modded it to fit atop the first one, and crossed my fingers it would fly. given the weight of the rocket and the tiny rocket motor used – and the inexperience of the rocket designer – i gave it a 15% chance of actually flying. the first launch attempt was made without the payload in an effort to lighten the load and to save the electronics in case of a catastrophic failure. to my surprise, it worked flawlessly! it launched to about 100 feet in the air, deployed the parachute, and drifted safely back down. i decided to try again, this time with the science payload… again, to my surprise, it worked! …sort of. technically, it worked flawlessly. the problem was that since it was much heavier, it only went about half as high (~45 feet) and the chute didn’t deploy until the rocket was speeding towards the earth at about 10 feet off the ground. it unfortunately slammed into the dirt. amazingly, the rocket itself was unharmed however the electronics seemed to not function anymore. i gathered up my first venture into rocketry and headed home. i just hoped the data was salvageable… and it was! i inserted the microsd card into my computer and instantly saw that shiny new log file waiting for me. it had logged about two minutes worth of data with the last five seconds representing the actual flight information before abruptly stopping, marking the moment the rocket smashed into the ground. sweet, sweet science victory… i estimate the entire project took around two full weeks worth of evenings filled with research, design, construction, and documentation (i had to learn tinycad to draw the schematics). although, those two weeks were spread over a few months – i just can’t stay focused on one thing that long! it was a lot of fun and i’m already in the midst of redesigning the rocket to take me even higher! (see the preliminary design and test of the data logger here.)

ctrl+alt* kriˈeɪt ˈpoʊstɪd baɪ ɔn torsdag*, dɪˈsɛmbər 1 2011 5 ˈkɑmɛnts ˈɑrtɪst ˈsɛrə frɔst kriˈeɪts faʊnd ˈɑbʤɛkt ənd faʊnd fɔrm ˈskəlpʧər. hər ˈskəlpʧərz kənˈsɪst əv ˈθaʊzənz (ənd thousands…*…) əv kiz frəm oʊld ə ˌməltiˈfæsətɪd scraphack*, fɪld wɪθ ˈɛni kaɪnd əv ˈminɪŋ ju wɔnt ɪt tɪ bi. wərk ˈtrævəlz ðə wərld, ə ˈpərmɑˌnɛnt ˌɪnstəˈleɪʃən kən bi faʊnd ðə ʤeɪmz hoʊˈtɛl ɪn nyc*. ki həz ə juˈnik ˈhɪstəri ənd bɛrz ðə ˌɪmˈprɪnt əv ðə ˈθaʊzənz əv tæps baɪ ˈkaʊntləs users.”*.” ˈpisɪz, meɪd ɪnˈtaɪərli aʊt əv ˈkiˌbɔrd kiz, dɪˈskɑrdɪd baɪ ən əreɪ əv ˈjuzərz frəm ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəlz ənd smɔl ˈbɪznɪsɪz tɪ ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃənz, ˈgəvərnmənt ˈɔfəsɪz ənd ˈfɔrʧən 500 ˈkəmpəˌniz, kən ˈkəvər hoʊl rooms.”*.” ˌɪnstəˈleɪʃən ðə ʤeɪmz hoʊˈtɛl ɪn nyc*. ˈvɪzɪt ðə ʤeɪmz hoʊˈtɛl, 27 grænd strit (ˈsoʊhoʊ, nyc*)

ctrl+alt create posted by scraphacker.com on torsdag, december 1, 2011 · 5 comments artist sarah frost creates found object and found form sculpture. her qwerty sculptures consist of thousands (and thousands…) of keys from old qwerty keyboards…it´s a multifaceted scraphack, filled with any kind of meaning you want it to be. sarah´s qwerty work travels the world, a permanent installation can be found @ the james hotel in nyc. ”each key has a unique history and bears the imprint of the thousands of taps by countless users.” ”frost’s pieces, made entirely out of cast-off keyboard keys, discarded by an array of users from individuals and small businesses to financial institutions, government offices and fortune 500 companies, can cover whole rooms.” installation @ the james hotel in nyc. visit the james hotel, 27 grand street (soho, nyc)

kloʊz ðə əˈnaʊnst ɔn ʤæn. 27 ðət ɪts læb æˈnælɪsɪs faʊnd ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt əˈmaʊnts əv ɪn ˈsərtən ˌhoʊmioʊˈpæθək ˈtiðɪŋ ˈtæbləts. ɪn səm ˈkeɪsɪz, ðə əˈmaʊnt ɔn ðə ˈleɪbəl wɑz ɪkˈsidɪd sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli, ˈpoʊzɪŋ ənˈnɛsəˌsɛri rɪsks fər ˈɪnfənts ənd ˈʧɪldrən. ˌhoʊmioʊˈpæθək ˈtiðɪŋ ˈtæbləts, wɪʧ hæv bɪn prəˈdust sɪns ðə 1900s*, ər ˈprɑdəkts juzd fər ðə ˈtɛmpərˌɛri rɪˈlif əv ˈtiðɪŋ ˈsɪmptəmz ɪn ˈʧɪldrən. ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt ˈlɛvəlz əv kən kɔz ə ˈsɪriz əv riˈækʃənz səʧ ɛz ˈsiʒərz, ɪkˈsɛsɪv sˈlipinəs, ˈməsəl ˈwiknəs, ənd skɪn ˈfləʃɪŋ ɪn ˈʧɪldrən. ˈkɑntɛnt ɪn ˌhoʊmioʊˈpæθək ˈtiðɪŋ ˈtæbləts ðə æst beɪst ˈstændərd ˌhoʊmioʊˈpæθək ˈkəmpəˌni, ðə ˌmænjəˈfækʧərər əv ˈtiðɪŋ ˈprɑdəkts, tɪ ˈriˌkɔl ðə ˈprɑdəkts frəm ðə ˈmɑrkɪt. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ðə ˈkəmpəˌni həz nɑt əˈgrid tɪ du soʊ. "ðeɪ ˈnɛvər ˈæˌkʧuəli æst ˈjuˈɛs tɪ ˈriˌkɔl ɪt, nɔr dɪd wi ˈɛvər ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈrɛfˌjuz tɪ ˈriˌkɔl ɪt. wɪr ə ˈkəmpəˌni. ˈfæməliz ər ðə kɔr əv wət wi du. ɪf wi ˈrɪli θɔt ðɛr wər ˈɛni ˈseɪfti ˈɪʃuz, wi wʊd ˈdɛfənətli teɪk ðə nɛkst stɛp," ˈnoʊtɪd ˈmɛri si. ˈbɔrnmən, ˈspoʊksˌwʊmən. ðə ərˈɪʤənəl ˈseɪfti əˈlərt wɑz ˈɪʃud baɪ ðə bæk ɪn 2010 ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪŋ əˈgɛnst ˈtiðɪŋ ˈtæbləts du tɪ læb rɪˈzəlts səˈʤɛstɪŋ ðeɪ hæd ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt əˈmaʊnts əv. sɪns ðɛn, mɔr ðən 400 rɪˈpɔrts ɔn ˌædˈvərs ˈifɛkts lɪŋkt tɪ ˈtiðɪŋ ˈprɑdəkts kənˈteɪnɪŋ hæv bɪn ˈɪʃud. "wi dɪskənˈtɪnjud ɪt bɪˈkəz wi ər kəˈmɪtɪd tɪ ɑr mɑmz ənd ɑr dædz hu ʧuz tɪ trəst ˈjuˈɛs tɪ pʊt ˈmɛdəsənz ɪn ðɛr jəŋ ˈɪnfənts' maʊðz, ənd wi ˈdɪdənt wɔnt tɪ pʊt ðɛm ɪn ə pleɪs bɪtˈwin ðə ˈwɔrnɪŋ ənd ˈjuˈɛs seɪɪŋ ðə ˈprɑdəkt wɑz seɪf ənd ˈhævɪŋ tɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪd hu tɪ trəst," ˈbɔrnmən ˈædɪd. ˌhoʊmioʊˈpæθək ˈtiðɪŋ ˈprɑdəkts ˈhævənt bɪn əˈpruvd ər ɪˈvæljuˌeɪtəd baɪ ðə fər ˈiðər ˈseɪfti ər ˈifɛktɪvnəs. ðə ˈeɪʤənsi dɪz nɑt noʊ əv ˈɛni ˈpruvən hɛlθ ˈbɛnəfɪt əv ðə ˈprɑdəkts, ənd bæk ɪn sɛpˈtɛmbər 2016 wɔrnd əˈgɛnst ðə juz əv ðə ˈprɑdəkts bɪˈkəz əv ðə ˈnəmbər əv ˌædˈvərs rɪˈpɔrts. "wi ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd ðət ˈpɛrənts ənd ˈkɛrˌgɪvərz nɑt gɪv ðiz ˌhoʊmioʊˈpæθək ˈtiðɪŋ ˈtæbləts tɪ ˈʧɪldrən ənd sik ədˈvaɪs frəm ðɛr hɛlθ kɛr prəˈfɛʃənəl fər seɪf ɔlˈtərnətɪvz," ˈnoʊtɪd ˈdɑktər. ˈʤænɪt ˈwʊdˌkɑk, dɪˈrɛktər əv ðə ˈsɛnər fər drəg ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃən ənd ˈrisərʧ. ˈæftər ðə ˈwɔrnɪŋ ɪn sɛpˈtɛmbər, ðə ˈkəmpəˌni dɪskənˈtɪnjud ðə ˈprɑdəkt ɪn ɑkˈtoʊbər 2016 bət kənˈtɪnjud tɪ əˈfərm ɪts ˈseɪfti ɔn ðə ˈwɛbˌsaɪt. ˈʤɛnərəli, ˈleɪbəlz kleɪm ðət ˌhoʊmioʊˈpæθək ˈtiðɪŋ ˈprɑdəkts kənˈteɪn ˈnæʧərəl ˌɪnˈgridiənts, ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frəm plænts tɪ chamomile*, bət səm ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈklud. ˈtiðɪŋ peɪn ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃənz æt ðə seɪm taɪm, ðə əˈmɛrɪkən əˈkædəmi əv ˌpidiˈætrɪks ˌrɛkəˈmɛndz ðət ˈpɛrənts ʃʊd ˈoʊnli məˈsɑʒ ðɛr ˈʧɪldrənz gəmz wɪθ ðɛr ˈfɪŋgərz, ənd gɪv ðə kɪdz ə kul ˈtiðɪŋ rɪŋ. ɪt ˈʃʊdənt bi ˈfroʊzən, ˌhaʊˈɛvər. ˈpɛrənts ˈʃʊdənt traɪ ˈpaʊərfəl ˌmɛdəˈkeɪʃən ɔn ðɛr ˈʧɪldrən, ˈiðər. "ðə əˈmɛrɪkən əˈkædəmi əv ˌpidiˈætrɪks dɪz nɑt ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd ˈpʊtɪŋ ˈɛni prəˈskrɪpʃən ər peɪn riˈlivərz ənd ˌmɛdəˈkeɪʃən ðət kənˈteɪn ər ɔn ˈbeɪbiz' gəmz. ðiz ˈprɑdəkts ər nɑt ˈjusfəl fər ˈtiðɪŋ peɪn bɪˈkəz ðeɪ wɑʃ aʊt frəm ðə ˈbeɪbiz maʊθ ɪn ˈmɪnəts. ˌɪnˈstɛd, ðə ˈkɛrˌgɪvərz kən gɪv ˈbeɪbiz ə ˈtiðɪŋ rɪŋ ðət həz bɪn ʧɪld ɪn ðə rɪˈfrɪʤərˌeɪtər, wɪʧ wɪl dəl ðə peɪn. ˈfroʊzən ˈtiðɪŋ rɪŋz ər nɑt ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪd bɪˈkəz ðeɪ kən bi tu hɑrd ɔn gəmz. ˈkɛrˌgɪvərz ˈɔlsoʊ kən ˈʤɛntli rəb ər məˈsɑʒ ðə ʧaɪldz gəmz," sɛd ə ˈstədi ˈpəblɪʃt ɪn ðə nuz ˈʤərnəlz ˈgeɪtˌweɪ. 2018 ɔl raɪts rɪˈzərvd. du nɑt ˌriprəˈdus wɪˈθaʊt pərˈmɪʃən.

close the fda announced on jan. 27 that its lab analysis found inconsistent amounts of belladonna in certain homeopathic teething tablets. in some cases, the amount on the label was exceeded significantly, posing unnecessary risks for infants and children. homeopathic teething tablets, which have been produced since the 1900s, are products used for the temporary relief of teething symptoms in children. inconsistent levels of belladonna can cause a series of reactions such as seizures, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, and skin flushing in children. belladonna content in hyland's homeopathic teething tablets the fda asked los-angeles based standard homeopathic company, the manufacturer of hyland's teething products, to recall the products from the market. however, the company has not agreed to do so. "they never actually asked us to recall it, nor did we ever actually refuse to recall it. we're a 114-year-old company. families are the core of what we do. if we really thought there were any safetyues, we would definitely take the next step," noted mary c. borneman, hyland's spokeswoman. the original safety alert wasued by the fda back in 2010, recommending against hyland's teething tablets due to lab results suggesting they had inconsistent amounts of belladonna. since then, more than 400 reports on adverse effects linked to teething products containing belladonna have beenued. "we discontinued it because we are committed to our moms and our dads who choose to trust us to put medicines in their young infants' mouths, and we didn't want to put them in a place between the fda warning and us saying the product was safe and having to decide who to trust," borneman added. homeopathic teething products haven't been approved or evaluated by the fda for either safety or effectiveness. the agency does not know of any proven health benefit of the products, and back in september 2016 warned against the use of the products because of the number of adverse reports. "we recommend that parents and caregivers not give these homeopathic teething tablets to children and seek advice from their health care professional for safe alternatives," noted dr. janet woodcock, director of the fda's center for drug evaluation and research. after the warning in september, the company discontinued the product in october 2016, but continued to affirm its safety on the website. generally, labels claim that homeopathic teething products contain natural ingredients, ranging from daisy-like plants to chamomile, but some also include belladonna. teething pain recommendations at the same time, the american academy of pediatrics recommends that parents should only massage their children's gums with their fingers, and give the kids a cool teething ring. it shouldn't be frozen, however. parents shouldn't try powerful medication on their children, either. "the american academy of pediatrics does not recommend putting any prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers and medication that contain lidocaine or benzocaine on babies' gums. these products are not useful for teething pain because they wash out from the baby's mouth in minutes. instead, the caregivers can give babies a teething ring that has been chilled in the refrigerator, which will dull the pain. frozen teething rings are not recommended because they can be too hard on gums. caregivers also can gently rub or massage the child's gums," said a study published in the aap news & journals gateway. ⓒ 2018 techtimes.com all rights reserved. do not reproduce without permission.

boʊɪŋ ˌkɔrpərˈeɪʃən ənd ər iʧ ˈhoʊpɪŋ tɪ lɔnʧ ðə fərst tɛst flaɪts əv ðɛr nu kəˈmərʃəl ˈspeɪˌskræft baɪ ðə ɛnd əv 2018 tɪ pʊt ðɪs ˈtaɪmlaɪn ˈɪntu pərˈspɛktɪv, kənˈsɪdər ðət ˈpraɪvət ˈkəmpəˌniz meɪ bi flaɪɪŋ ˈjumənz tɪ speɪs ˌbiˈfɔr ðə stɑrt əv ðə nɛkst ˈwɪntər oʊˈlɪmpɪks. ðə ˈmeɪdən vɔɪəʤ əv iʧ nu ənd ˈdrægən bi ˈmeɪʤər ˈmaɪlˌstoʊnz, nɑt ˈoʊnli fər boʊɪŋ ənd, bət fər ˈnæsə ənd ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts. ˈæftər ɔl, ðə ˈviɪkəlz ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt rɪˈtərn tɪ ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti ðət həz bɪn ˈæbsənt frəm ɑr ˌtɛknəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈrɛpərtˌwɑr fər ðə ˈbɛtər pɑrt əv ðə ˈdɛkeɪd. sɪns ðə speɪs ˈʃətəl ˈproʊˌgræm wɑz ˈʃətərd, ˈnæsə həz wərkt wɪθ ˈpɑrtnər ˈkəmpəˌniz tɪ səˈpɔrt ðə ˈimərʤɪŋ kəˈmərʃəl ˈjumən speɪs ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən ˈɪndəstri. θru strəˈtiʤɪk speɪs ækt əˈgrimənts ənd sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt kəˈmərʃəl kru ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti ˈkɑnˌtrækts, kəˈmərʃəl kru ˈproʊˌgræm (ccp*) həz hɛlpt priˈpɛr ˈpraɪvət speɪs ˈkəmpəˌniz tɪ lɛd ə nu eɪʤ əv əˈmɛrɪkən. ɛz ənd boʊɪŋ reɪs tɪ bɪˈgɪn tɛst flaɪts əv ðɛr ˈviɪkəlz baɪ 2018 ɔl aɪz ər ɔn ðə kəˈmərʃəl lɔnʧ wət ðɛr səkˈsɛs wɪl min fər ðə əˈmɛrɪkən ˌɑntrəprəˈnəriəl speɪs ˈɪndəstri. boʊɪŋ ənd ər ˈbrɪŋɪŋ nu ənd ˌɪmˈpruvd lɔnʧ ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz tɪ kəˈmərʃəl speɪs ˈlaɪˌnəp. ˈɪmɪʤ ˈkrɛdɪt: boʊɪŋ ˈnæsə bɪn ˈnɪrli sɪks jɪrz sɪns hæd ə ˈrɑkət lɔnʧ ɔn juz. sɔɪl, wɪʧ wɑz wɪn ˈfaɪnəl speɪs ˈʃətəl ˈmɪʃən, dəbd lɔnʧt frəm ˈkɛnədi speɪs ˈsɛnər ɪn ˌʤuˈlaɪ əv 2011 ɪf ˈkɑrənt ˈskɛʤʊlz hoʊld, boʊɪŋ ənd wɪl ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt ðɛr lɔnʧ ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz baɪ ðə ɛnd əv 2018 ə tim əv fɔr ˈvɛtərən ˈnæsə ˈæstrəˌnɔts hæv bɪn pərˈpɛrɪŋ fər ˈtreɪnɪŋ ˈmɪʃənz əˈbɔrd ənd ˈdrægən 2 ˈæstrəˌnɔts ˈrɑbərt ˈbɛŋkən, ˈwɪljəmz, dəg ˈhərli, ənd ˈɛrɪk boʊ hæv ɔl rɪˈsivd ˈtreɪnɪŋ ɔn ˌsɪmjəˈleɪʃənz əv boʊθ kəˈmərʃəl ˈviɪkəlz, ənd θri əv ðə fɔr wɪl flaɪ əˈbɔrd ðə tɛst flaɪts ˈnɛsəˌsɛri fər ˈnæsə ˈviɪkəl ˌsərtəfəˈkeɪʃən. ðə əˈpruvəl ɪz ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt nɑt ˈoʊnli ɛz ə ˈseɪfti ˈmɛʒər, bət ˈɔlsoʊ sɪns sɪns ˈmɛni əv ðə ˈərli ˈpæsənʤərz ənd kru wɪl bi ˈnæsə ˈæstrəˌnɔts. læst mənθ, ˈrɑbərt ˈbɛŋkən əˈnaʊnst tɪ rɪˈpɔrtərz ðət hi ɪz ˈhoʊpfəl ðət ˈnæsə wɪl ˈfɔrməli əˈsaɪn ðə ˈæstrəˌnɔts tɪ ˈiðər tɛst flaɪts æt səm pɔɪnt ðɪs ˈsəmər, soʊ ðət ðə kru ˈmɛmbərz kən bɪˈgɪn ðɛr ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd ˈtreɪnɪŋ. ˈbɛŋkən ˈɔlsoʊ ˈnoʊtɪd ðət boʊθ ənd boʊɪŋ wɪl kənˈtɪnju tɪ iʧ ˈɔpərˌeɪtɪŋ ˈsɪstəm beɪst ɔn ˈæstrəˌnɑt ˈfidˌbæk, seɪɪŋ ðət ˌɪnˈtɛnt ɪz tɪ gɪt tɪ ə pleɪs wɛr ˈɛnibədi ɪn [nasa’s*] ˈæstrəˌnɑt kɔrz kʊd ˈɔpərˌeɪt ðə vehicles.”*.” ðɪs kwoʊt ˈhaɪˌlaɪts ə ˈbrɔdər trɛnd ɪn ðə nɛkst ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃən əv speɪs tɛkˈnɑləʤi, wən ðət ˈɛmfəˌsaɪzɪz ˌæksɛsəˈbɪlɪti ənd iz əv juz. waɪl fər naʊ ðɪs trɛnd ɪz ˈoʊnli ˈvɪzəbəl wɪˈθɪn ðə tɛkˈnɑləʤiz, speɪs ˈsɪstəmz ˈkərəntli biɪŋ dɪˈzaɪnd fər juz baɪ jʊr astronaut”*” ər ˈɔlsoʊ biɪŋ dɪˈzaɪnd fər juz baɪ kəˈmərʃəl ˈpaɪləts. ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ ˈkeɪtər tɪ ə səˈvɪljən ˈɔdiəns, ˈspeɪˌskræft ənd ðɛr ˈvaɪtəl ˈsɪstəmz wɪl ˈlaɪkli nid tɪ brɪŋ ə ˈsərtən ˈlɛvəl əv ˌɪnˈtuətɪv ˈjuzər ɪkˈspɪriəns. ðɪs wʊd nɑt ˈoʊnli meɪk ˈviɪkəl ˈsɪstəmz mɔr ækˈsɛsəbəl tɪ ˈpaɪləts in-flight*, bət ˈɔlsoʊ rɪˈdus taɪm ənd ɪkˈspɛnsɪz əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ kəˈmərʃəl flaɪt ˈtreɪnɪŋ. ə rɪˈdəkʃən ɪn ˈtreɪnɪŋ taɪm wʊd ˈoʊpən ðə ˈmɑrkɪt fər ˈmɛni mɔr space-goers*, ˈðɛrˈbaɪ ɪnˈʃʊrɪŋ kənˈtɪnjud dɪˈmænd fər ˈsərvɪsɪz. ɪn ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən əv kəˈmərʃəl kruz, ˈkəmpəˌniz ər ˈɔlsoʊ ˈteɪkɪŋ stɛps tɪ ˈəpˌdeɪt ˈəðər ˈæˌspɛkts əv: ðə ˌproʊlɪfərˈeɪʃən əv nu kəˈmərʃəl ˈspeɪˌsut ˈproʊtoʊˌtaɪps ɪz əˈnəðər ɪgˈzæmpəl əv haʊ speɪs ˈsɪstəmz ər biɪŋ juz baɪ ə ˈwaɪdər ˈsəbˌsɛt əv ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən. ðiz nu ˈspeɪˌsut tɛkˈnɑləʤiz kəm æt ə ˈbɛtər taɪm, ɛz ˈsɔrsəz rɪˈpɔrt ðət ˈnæsə ɪz ˈfeɪsɪŋ ə ˈkrɪtɪkəl ˈʃɔrtɪʤ əv moʊˈbɪlɪti ˈjunɪts (emus*) fər kru ˈmɛmbərz. rɛd mɔr ˈəndər ˈprɛʃər: ðə pæst, ˈprɛzənt ənd fˈjuʧər ˈmɑrkɪt fər ˈspeɪˌsuts. ðə rɪˈtərn əv lɔnʧ ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz wɪl hæv ˈmeɪʤər ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃənz fər ðə juz speɪs ˈɪndəstri. ˈɪmɪʤ ˈkrɛdɪt: waɪl kəˈmərʃəl lɔnʧ ˈsərvɪsɪz ər ɔn ðə hərˈaɪzən, ðeɪ ər nɑt jɛt ə ˌriˈæləˌti. sɪns ðə speɪs ˈʃətəl ˈproʊˌgræm ˈɛndɪd ɪn 2011 ˈnæsə ˈæstrəˌnɔts hæv ˈðɛrˌfɔr bɪn ɪnˈtaɪərli dɪˈpɛndənt əˈpɑn speɪs ˈeɪʤənsi fər raɪdz tɪ ðə. roscosmos’*’ sɔɪəz ˈfæməli əv lɔnʧ ˈviɪkəlz ər ˈkərəntli ðə ˈoʊnli lɔnʧ ˈsɪstəmz tɪ wɪʧ ˈnæsə həz waɪl ˈʧaɪnə kən ˈɔlsoʊ lɔnʧ ˈmɪʃənz, ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl lɔ proʊˈhɪbəts juz. ˈæstrəˌnɔts frəm ˈbʊkɪŋ ə raɪd ɔn ʧaɪˈniz ˈrɑkəts. lɔnʧ ˈsərvɪsɪz, waɪl əˈnəðər rɪˈlaɪəbəl ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˈɔpʃən, ər ˈlɪmɪtɪd tɪ ˈsætəˌlaɪt dɪˈplɔɪmənts fər ðə taɪm biɪŋ. ˈɔnˌgoʊɪŋ dɪˈpɛndəns ɔn ɪz fɑr frəm aɪˈdil. pəˈtɛnʃəl ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk kənˈsərnz əˈsaɪd, ˈrəʃən ˈrɑkət raɪdz ər ˈkɔstɪŋ ˈnæsə ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈpɔrʃən əv ðɛr ˈænjuəl ˈbəʤɪt. ˈbɪznɪs ˌɪnˈsaɪdər ˈɛstəˌmeɪts ðət bɪtˈwin 2006 ənd 2018 ˈnæsə wɪl peɪ ˈoʊvər ˈbɪljən tɪ ðə. nɛkst jɪr, ðə ˈrəʃən speɪs ʧɑrʤ ðə juz. 81 ˈmɪljən pər ˈfɪgjər ˈrɪzən baɪ 372 ˈoʊvər ðə pæst ˈdɛkeɪd, ɛz ˈrəʃə teɪks ædˈvæntɪʤ əv ɪts pəˈzɪʃən ɛz ɪkˈsklusɪv prəˈvaɪdər əv ˈlɔnʧɪz tɪ ðə. ɪt ɪz ˈðɛrˌfɔr ənsərˈpraɪzɪŋ ðət ˈnæsə həz ˌɪnˈvɛstɪd kənˈsɪdərəbəl taɪm ənd ˈməni ˈɪntu boʊθ ənd ˈdrægən 2 ˈviɪkəlz. rɪˈstɔrɪŋ ðə juˈnaɪtɪd states’*’ əˈbɪləˌti tɪ lɔnʧ ˈmɪʃənz ɪz ki tɪ ɪnˈʃʊrɪŋ ɑr kənˈtɪnjud ˈprɛzəns ɪn speɪs. mɔr, ˈfɑstərɪŋ ə kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ˈnɛtˌwərk əv kəˈmərʃəl lɔnʧ prəˈvaɪdərz ɪz ˌfəndəˈmɛnəl tɪ ðə səkˈsɛs əv ðə kəˈmərʃəl speɪs ˈɪndəstri. ɪt simz ɛz ðoʊ ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt wɪl sun peɪ ɔf: ənd boʊɪŋ hæv iʧ ˈɛstəˌmeɪtɪd ðət ðeɪ kən flaɪ kru tɪ ðə fər əraʊnd 58 ˈmɪljən ə sit. ðɪs ɪz ɔˈrɛdi ˈnɪrli 30 ˈʧipər ðən ə sɔɪəz lɔnʧ, ənd ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt kɔst ˈseɪvɪŋz ˈoʊvər ə rɪˈtərn tɪ ə lɔnʧ ɪˈkɑnəmi. wɪθ lɔnʧ aʊt əv ðə kˈwɛʃən ənˈtɪl æt list 2021 kəˈmərʃəl speɪs ɪz ɑr bɛst bɛt fər lɔnʧ. ˈɪmɪʤ ˈkrɛdɪt: ˈnæsə waɪl ˈnæsə həz bɪn ˌɪnstrəˈmɛnəl ɪn pəˈzɪʃənɪŋ ənd boʊɪŋ fər səkˈsɛs, ðə plænz fər ðɛr prəˈpraɪəˌtɛri speɪs lɔnʧ ˈsɪstəm (sls*) kənˈtɪnju tɪ ənˈfoʊld. æmˈbɪʃəs ˈlɑrʤəst ˈrɑkət ˈɛvər biɪŋ dɪˈzaɪnd tɪ dɪˈlɪvər ðə ɔˈraɪən kru ˈviɪkəl (mpcv*) tɪ speɪs ənd ˌdɛstəˈneɪʃənz bɪɔnd. ðə tu meɪn kəmˈpoʊnənts əv ðə ɔˈraɪən kəˈmænd ˈmɑʤul, ənd ðə ˈsərvɪs biɪŋ bɪlt baɪ ˈlɑˌkhid ˈmɑrtɪn ənd ˈɛrbəs. ˈnoʊtəbli, ðə tərmz əv ðə ɔˈraɪən ˈkɑnˌtrækts ˈfɑloʊ trəˈdɪʃənəl kɔst pləs ˈfəndɪŋ ˈmɑdəl (wɛˈrɪn ðə ˈeɪʤənsi əˈsumz ðə roʊl əv ə ˈbɛnəˌfæktər), ˈrəðər ðən ðə speɪs ækt əˈgrimənts ɪn pleɪs wɪθ ənd boʊɪŋ. ðɪs həz lɛd ˈmɛni tɪ ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz ðə ˈproʊˌgræm fər ɪts haɪ kɔsts ənd ˈskɛʤʊl dɪˈleɪz, ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli wɪn ˈkəmpəˌniz laɪk ər ˈplænɪŋ tɪ sɛnd ˈjumənz tɪ mɑrz ɔn ə məʧ mɔr ækˈsɛlərˌeɪtɪd ˈtaɪmlaɪn. mɔr ˈrɛdɪŋ: ppps*, ˈnæsə, ənd ðə ˈtɪpɪŋ pɔɪnt əv ðə ˌɑntrəprəˈnəriəl speɪs ˈɪndəstri ðə sls’*’ ˈmeɪdən vɔɪəʤ ˈmɪʃən ər waɪl ərˈɪʤənəli ˈskɛʤʊld fər noʊˈvɛmbər 2018 həz naʊ bɪn əˈfɪʃəli pʊʃt bæk tɪ taɪm ɪn ˈeɪʤənsi əˈfɪʃəlz kənˈfərmd ɔn meɪ 12th*. æt ðə seɪm taɪm, ˈnæsə kənˈfərmd ðət ðeɪ wʊd nɑt bi pərˈsuɪŋ ðə ˌpɑsəˈbɪləˌti əv ˈædɪŋ kru ˈmɛmbərz tɪ ðɪs fərst ˈmɪʃən. waɪl ðɪs əˈnaʊnsmɛnt wɑz nɑt ˌənɪkˈspɛktɪd, ðə ˈeɪʤənsi dɪd ˈklɛrəˌfaɪ ðət ˈædɪŋ ə kru tɪ wɑz nɑt dimd ˌtɛknəˈlɑʤɪkəli ˌɪnˈfizəbəl; ˈrəðər, ðət ɪt wʊd ˈsɪmpli ˌrikˈwaɪər tu məʧ əˈdɪʃənəl ˈfəndɪŋ ənd ˈlaɪkli dɪˈleɪ ðə lɔnʧ əˈnəðər jɪr. ˈnæsə wɪl ˈðɛrˌfɔr pərˈsid wɪθ ðɛr ərˈɪʤənəl plæn ənd rɪˈzərv ˈædɪŋ kru ˈmɛmbərz ənˈtɪl (ˈkərəntli sˈleɪtɪd fər 2021 ðoʊ ðɪs ˈtaɪmˌfreɪm kʊd bi ɪkˈstɛndɪd). ɛˈsɛnʃəli, ðɪs minz ðət ˈpraɪvət ˈkəmpəˌniz meɪ bi ðə ˈoʊnli lɔnʧ prəˈvaɪdərz fər ə ˈpɪriəd əv ˈsɛvərəl jɪrz. əˈsumɪŋ ðət ɔl kəˈmərʃəl tɛst flaɪts pərˈsid əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈskɛʤʊl, ðɪs kʊd bi sin ɛz ə ˈvæljəbəl faʊnˈdeɪʃənəl ˈpɪriəd fər ə ˈflɛʤlɪŋ ˈɪndəstri. ə taɪm tɪ ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt ðət, speɪs ˈkəmpəˌniz kən dɪˈlɪvər ɔn ðɛr ˈprɑməs tɪ brɪŋ kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv speɪs ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ən ˈigər ˈmɑrkɪt. ɪt meɪ ˈɔlsoʊ prəˈvaɪd æmˈbɪʃəs ˈvɛnʧərz laɪk ðə ˌɑpərˈtunəti tɪ ˈprɑˌgrɛs təˈwɔrdz ɛz ˈriʧɪŋ mɑrz. ðə juz. wɪl sun bi bæk ɪn ðə ˈbɪznɪs əv ˈlɔnʧɪŋ ˈjumənz ˈɪntu speɪs. ˈɪmɪʤ ˈkrɛdɪt: boʊɪŋ əv kɔrs, ˈdrægən 2 ənd ər boʊθ ˈpɛndɪŋ ˈfɔrməl ˈnæsə ˌsərtəfəˈkeɪʃən. waɪl iʧ ˈkəmpəˌni həz ˈmɪʃənz laɪnd əp wɪθ ðə ˈeɪʤənsi, ðɛr ər ə fju ˈfaɪnəl ˈhərdəlz tɪ riˈzɑlv. boʊɪŋ ənd ər boʊθ ˈdilɪŋ wɪθ pərˈdəkʃən dɪˈleɪz ðət hæv pʊʃt bæk lɔnʧ ˈskɛʤʊlz. waɪl ˈniðər ˈkəmpəˌni həz ruld aʊt ə tɛst flaɪt baɪ 2018 ˈɪndəstri ˈɛkspərts ər ˈskɛptɪkəl ðət ˈiðər boʊɪŋ ər wɪl bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ mit ðɪs goʊl. ðə nɛkst twɛlv mənθs ˈprɑməs tɪ bi ən ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ taɪm fər ˈɛniˌwən wɪθ ən ˈɪntəˌrɛst ɪn ðə kəˈmərʃəl speɪs ˈɪndəstri, ɛz ˈpraɪvət ˈvɛnʧərz ræmp əp ðɛr ˈɛfərts tɪ pʊl ɔf ə tɛst ˈmɪʃən ɪn əˈkɔrdəns wɪθ ˈsteɪtɪd ˈtaɪmlaɪnz. θæŋks tɪ ðə ˈɛfərts əv, boʊɪŋ, ənd kəˈmərʃəl kru ˈproʊˌgræm, ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts sun wɪl bi ˈkeɪpəbəl əv ˈlɔnʧɪŋ ˈæstrəˌnɔts ˈɪntu ˈɔrbət wəns əˈgɛn. ɛz ˈpraɪvət ˈɛnərˌpraɪz kənˈtɪnjuz tɪ pʊʃ ðə ˈbaʊndəriz əv speɪs ˌɛksplərˈeɪʃən, ˌɪnˈvɛstərz ʃʊd rɪˈmɛmbər ðət waɪl ˈɪntəˌrɛst ɪn ˌɑntrəprəˈnəriəl speɪs həz bɪn ˈræmpɪŋ əp, kəˈmərʃəl speɪs tɛkˈnɑləʤiz ər ˈriʧɪŋ ən ˌɪnˈflɛkʃən pɔɪnt. fər ðoʊz hu jɛt ˈteɪkən ˈækʃən, ðə smɑrt taɪm tɪ gɪt ˌɪnˈvɑlvd wɪθ ˈpraɪvət speɪs ˈkəmpəˌniz ɪz raɪt naʊ. ˈnɛvər bɪn ə ˈbɛtər taɪm tɪ gɪt ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn kəˈmərʃəl speɪs. ɪf ˈrɛdi tɪ stɑrt ˌɪnˈvɛstɪŋ ɪn ˈpraɪvət speɪs ˈkəmpəˌniz, wi ˌɪnˈvaɪt ju tɪ əˈplaɪ fər ˈmɛmbərˌʃɪp tɪ speɪs ˈeɪnʤəlz.

boeing corporation and spacex are each hoping to launch the first crewed test flights of their new commercial spacecraft by the end of 2018. to put this timeline into perspective, consider that private companies may be flying humans to space before the start of the next winter olympics. the maiden voyage of each new human-rated module––boeing’s cst-100 starliner and spacex’s dragon 2––will be major milestones, not only for boeing and spacex, but for nasa and the united states. after all, the vehicles represent america’s return to crewed launch––a capability that has been absent from our technological repertoire for the better part of the decade. since the space shuttle program was shuttered, nasa has worked with partner companies to support the emerging commercial human space transportation industry. through strategic space act agreements and significant commercial crew transportation capability contracts, nasa’s commercial crew program (ccp) has helped prepare private space companies to lead a new age of american spaceflight. as spacex and boeing race to begin test flights of their crew-rated vehicles by year-end 2018, all eyes are on the commercial launch providers––and what their success will mean for the american entrepreneurial space industry. boeing and spacex are bringing new and improved crewed launch experiences to america’s commercial space lineup. image credit: boeing / nasa it’s been nearly six years since we’ve had a crewed rocket launch on u.s. soil, which was when nasa’s final space shuttle mission, dubbed sts-135, launched from kennedy space center in july of 2011. if current schedules hold, boeing and spacex will demonstrate their next-generation crewed launch capabilities by the end of 2018. a team of four veteran nasa astronauts have been preparing for training missions aboard boeing’s starliner and spacex’s dragon 2. astronauts robert behnken, sunita williams, doug hurley, and eric boe have all received training on simulations of both commercial vehicles, and three of the four will fly aboard the test flights necessary for nasa vehicle certification. the agency’s approval is important not only as a safety measure, but also since since many of the early passengers and crew will be nasa astronauts. last month, robert behnken announced to reporters that he is hopeful that nasa will formally assign the astronauts to either vehicle’s test flights at some point this summer, so that the crew members can begin their specialized training. behnken also noted that both spacex and boeing will continue to fine-tune each vehicle’s operating system based on astronaut feedback, saying that “the intent is to get to a place where anybody in [nasa’s] astronaut corps could operate the vehicles.” this quote highlights a broader trend in the next generation of space technology, one that emphasizes accessibility and ease of use. while for now this trend is only visible within the ultra-niche technologies, space systems currently being designed for use by your “average astronaut” are also being designed for use by commercial pilots. in order to cater to a civilian audience, spacecraft and their vital systems will likely need to bring a certain level of intuitive user experience. this would not only make vehicle systems more accessible to pilots in-flight, but also reduce time and expenses associated with commercial flight training. a reduction in training time would open the market for many more would-be space-goers, thereby ensuring continued demand for services. in anticipation of commercial crews, companies are also taking steps to update other aspects of spaceflight: the proliferation of new user-friendly commercial spacesuit prototypes is another example of how space systems are being modified––and modernized––for use by a wider subset of the population. these new spacesuit technologies couldn’t come at a better time, as sources report that nasa is facing a critical shortage of extravehicular mobility units (emus) for iss crew members. read more - under pressure: the past, present and future market for spacesuits. the return of crewed launch capabilities will have major implications for the u.s space industry. image credit: spacex while u.s.-based commercial crewed launch services are on the horizon, they are not yet a reality. since the space shuttle program ended in 2011, nasa astronauts have therefore been entirely dependent upon russia’s roscosmos space agency for rides to the iss. roscosmos’ soyuz family of launch vehicles are currently the only human-rated launch systems to which nasa has access––for while china can also launch crewed missions, international law prohibits u.s. astronauts from booking a ride on chinese rockets. india’s launch services, while another reliable international option, are limited to satellite deployments for the time being. nasa’s ongoing dependence on russia’s soyuzprogram is far from ideal. potential diplomatic concerns aside, russian rocket rides are costing nasa a significant portion of their annual budget. business insider estimates that between 2006 and 2018, nasa will pay roscosmos over $3.34 billion fortransportation to the iss. next year, the russian space agencywill charge the u.s. $81 million per seat––a figure that’s risen by 372% over the past decade, as russia takes advantage of its position as exclusive provider of human-rated launches to the iss. it is therefore unsurprising that nasa has invested considerable time and money into both starliner and dragon 2 vehicles. restoring the united states’ ability to launch crewed missions is key to ensuring our continued presence in space. what’s more, fostering a competitive network of commercial launch providers is fundamental to the success of the commercial space industry. it seems as though nasa’s investment will soon pay off: spacex and boeing have each estimated that they can fly crew to the iss for around $58 million a seat. this is already nearly 30% cheaper than a soyuz launch, and represents significant cost savings over time––and a return to a u.s.-based launch economy. with crewed sls/orion launch out of the question until at least 2021, commercial space is our best bet for human-rated launch. image credit: nasa while nasa has been instrumental in positioning spacex and boeing for success, the agency’s plans for their proprietary space launch system (sls) continue to unfold. nasa’s ambitious sls rocket––the largest rocket ever built––is being designed to deliver the agency’s orion multi-purpose crew vehicle (mpcv) to cislunar space and destinations beyond. the two main components of the orion vehicle––the command module, and the service module––are being built by lockheed martin and airbus. notably, the terms of the orion contracts follow nasa’s traditional cost plus funding model (wherein the agency assumes the role of a benefactor), rather than the partnership-style space act agreements in place with spacex and boeing. this has led many to criticize the program for its high costs and schedule delays, particularly when companies like spacex are planning to send humans to mars on a much more accelerated timeline. more reading: ppps, nasa, and the tipping point of the entrepreneurial space industry the sls’ maiden voyage (“exploration mission 1”, or em-1), while originally scheduled for november 2018, has now been officially pushed back to “some time in 2019,” agency officials confirmed on may 12th. at the same time, nasa confirmed that they would not be pursuing the possibility of adding crew members to this first mission. while this announcement was not unexpected, the agency did clarify that adding a crew to em-1 was not deemed technologically infeasible; rather, that it would simply require too much additional funding and likely delay the launch another year. nasa will therefore proceed with their original plan and reserve adding crew members until em-2 (currently slated for 2021, though this timeframe could be extended). essentially, this means that private companies may be the only u.s.-based launch providers for a period of several years. assuming that all crewed commercial test flights proceed according to schedule, this could be seen as a valuable foundational period for a fledgling industry. a time to demonstrate that, yes––private space companies can deliver on their promise to bring competitive space access to an eager market. it may also provide ambitious ventures like spacex the opportunity to progress towards longer-term spaceflight goals––such as reaching mars. the u.s. will soon be back in the business of launching humans into space. image credit: boeing of course, spacex’s dragon 2 and boeing’s cst-100 starliner are both pending formal nasa certification. while each company has post-certification missions lined up with the agency, there are a few final hurdles to resolve. boeing and spacex are both dealing with production delays that have pushed back launch schedules. while neither company has ruled out a crewed test flight by year-end 2018, industry experts are skeptical that either boeing or spacex will be able to meet this goal. the next twelve months promise to be an exciting time for anyone with an interest in the commercial space industry, as private ventures ramp up their efforts to pull off a crewed test mission in accordance with stated timelines. thanks to the efforts of spacex, boeing, and nasa’s commercial crew program, the united states soon will be capable of launching astronauts into orbit once again. as private enterprise continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, investors should remember that while interest in entrepreneurial space has been ramping up, commercial space technologies are reaching an inflection point. for those who haven’t yet taken action, the smart time to get involved with private space companies is right now. there’s never been a better time to get involved in commercial space. if you’re ready to start investing in private space companies, we invite you to apply for membership to space angels.

ˈəpˌdeɪt: si ˈvɪdioʊ əv protesters’*’ ˈhitɪd ˈbætəl wɪθ pəˈlis, bɪˈloʊ: ə dɪˈspjut bɪtˈwin ə nəˈvɑdə ˈkætəl ˈrænʧər ənd ðə ˈfɛdərəl ˈbjʊroʊ əv lænd ˈmænɪʤmənt həz riʧt ə ˈbɔɪlɪŋ pɔɪnt, ənd pɑrˈtɪsəpənts hæv ðɛr ˈfɪŋgərz krɔst ɪt ˈirəpt ˈɪntu ˈvaɪələns. sɪns 1993 ˈbəndi həz bɪn ˈbætəlɪŋ ðə ˈeɪʤənsi, ɛz wɛl ɛz ðə ˈnæʃənəl pɑrk ˈsərvɪs, ðə ˈsɛnər fər ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl dɪˈvərsɪti ənd ðə kɔrts, tɪ greɪz hɪz ˈkætəl ɔn 150 skwɛr maɪəlz əv goʊld bjut skrəb lænd ɪn ðə leɪk mid ˈnæʃənəl ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən ˈɛriə. hi stɑpt peɪɪŋ hɪz ˈgreɪzɪŋ fiz bæk ðɛn, seɪɪŋ hi ““fired”*” ðə ˈbjʊroʊ əv lænd ˈmænɪʤmənt ɛz lænd ˈmænɪʤər. hɪz ˈmɔrmən ˈænˌsɛstərz hæd ðə ənfərˈgɪvɪŋ sɔɪl sɪns 1887 lɔŋ ˌbiˈfɔr ðə 1934 ˈteɪlər ˈgreɪzɪŋ ækt əˈlaʊd ðə ˈfɛdərəl ˈgəvərnmənt tɪ siz kənˈtroʊl, ˌriˈpɔrtəd. hæv reɪzd ˈkætəl ɔn ðət lænd, wɪʧ ɪz ˈpəblɪk lænd fər ðə ˈpipəl əv klɑrk ˈkaʊnti, ɔl maɪ laɪf. waɪ aɪ reɪz ˈkætəl ðɛr ənd waɪ aɪ kən reɪz ˈkætəl ðɛr ɪz bɪˈkəz aɪ hæv priˈɛmptɪv rights,”*,” hi əˈsərtəd, ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ tɪ ðət ðɪs ˌɪnˈkludz ðə raɪt tɪ ˈfɔrɪʤ, tu. ˈfərðərˌmɔr, ˈbəndi həz ˈɑrgjud ðət ɪt ɪz ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts ˈtrɛˌspæsɪŋ ɔn klɑrk ˈkaʊnti, nev*., lænd, nɑt hi, ənd ðət hi ɪz ə ˈbɛtər stuərd əv ðə lænd. hi pɔɪnts aʊt ðət ðə məˈnʊr frəm hɪz kaʊz ˈfərtəˌlaɪzɪz ðə sɔɪl, ðət bɪlt ˈwɔtər ˈsɔrsəz fər ˈwaɪlˌdlaɪf, ənd ðət hɪz ˈkætəl prɪˈvɛnt ðə ˌvɛʤəˈteɪʃən frəm groʊɪŋ ˈoʊvərli dɛns ənd kriˈeɪtɪŋ ə faɪər ˈhæzərd. bət ɛnˈvaɪrənˌmɛnəlɪsts, ˈfɛdərəl əˈfɪʃəlz ənd ðə kɔrts dɪsəˈgri. ɑrmd ˈfɛdərəl əˈfɪʃəlz ənd ˈkɑnˌtrækt ˈkaʊˌbɔɪz hæv bɪn brɔt ɪn tɪ ˈɛksəˌkjut ə 2013 kɔrt ˈɔrdər ənd riˈmuv ðə ˈtrɛˌspæsɪŋ ˈkætəl. haɪ taɪm fər ðə tɪ du ɪts ʤɑb ənd gɪv ðə [ɪnˈdeɪnʤərd ˈdɛzərt] ˈtɔrtəsəz ənd ðə goʊld bjut ˈɛriə ðə prəˈtɛkʃən ðeɪ nid ənd ər ˈligəli ɛnˈtaɪtəld to,”*,” ˈsinjər ˈsɛnər fər ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl dɪˈvərsɪti ˈsaɪəntɪst rɑb toʊld ðə ˈmɛˌskit ˈloʊkəl nuz. ðə ˈtɔrtəsəz ˈimərʤ frəm ðɛr ˈwɪntər slip, ðeɪ ər ˈfaɪndɪŋ ðɛr fud kənˈsumd baɪ cattle.”*.” hərd ˈɔlsoʊ ˈhɪndərz ðə plants’*’ əˈbɪləˌti tɪ rɪˈkəvər frəm ˈwaɪldˌfaɪərz, ˈtræmpəlz rɛr ˈspiʃiz, ˈdæmɪʤɪz ˈeɪnʧənt əˈmɛrɪkən ˈɪndiən ˈkəlʧərəl saɪts ənd ɛnˈdeɪnʤərz recreationists*, ˈædɪd. ðə ˈbjʊroʊ əv lænd ˈmænɪʤmənt ˈwɛbˌsaɪt sɪz ˈbəndi həz dɪˈfaɪd ˈtrɛˌspæs lɔz fər mɔr ðən tu ˈdɛkeɪdz, ˌɪgˈnɔrd rulz ənd fiz ðət ˈəðər ˈkætəl ˈrænʧərz hæv əbˈzərvd ənd rɪfˈjuzd əˈtɛmpts tɪ riˈzɑlv ðə ˈmætər ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪtɪvli ənd judicially,”*,” əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ. waɪl ˈbəndi ˈsteɪtɪd ðət hi oʊd ðə ɪn bæk ˈgreɪzɪŋ fiz, ˈspoʊksˌwʊmən ˈkərstən ˈkænən pʊt ðə ˈfɪgjər ˈkloʊzər tɪ ˈmɪljən. pləs, ðə ˈraʊnˌdəp əv ðə əˈprɑksəmətli 900 ənˈwɛlkəm ˈkætəl kʊd kɔst ɛz məʧ ɛz 3 ˈmɪljən. bət ðə ˈbəndi həz rɪˈmeɪnd unintimidated*. ðə ˈbjʊroʊ əv lænd ˈmænɪʤmənt ˈoʊvərˌstɛpt ɪts ˈbaʊndəriz baɪ nɑt ˈlɛtɪŋ mi ˈækˌsɛs maɪ rights,”*,” hi sɛd, ənd kənˈtɛndɪd ðət ɪt hæd ˌɪnˈsərtɪd ɑrmd ˈɔfɪsərz ˈwɑʧɪŋ ɑr ˈɛvəri muv ənd ˈstilɪŋ ɑr cattle.”*.” waɪf, ˈkɛrəl, sɛd sˈnaɪpərz ər pəˈtroʊlɪŋ ðə rænʧ. ˈspoʊksˌwʊmən ˈkænən rɪˈspɑndɪd ðət ər lɔ ɛnˈfɔrsmənt ənd ˈəðər ˌpərsəˈnɛl ɪn pleɪs ɛz ˈnidɪd tɪ ɪnˈʃʊr ðət ðə ənd ˈnæʃənəl pɑrk ɪmˈplɔɪiz ənd ˈkɑnˌtræktərz ər ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˈkɑndəkt ˌɑpərˈeɪʃənz safely.”*.” ˈbəndi həz vaʊd tɪ du ˌwəˈtɛvər ɪt teɪks tɪ prəˈtɛkt hɪz ˈprɑpərti, ənd hɪz 14 ˈʧɪldrən ənd ˈhənərdz əv səˈpɔrtərz stænd bɪˈhaɪnd ɪm. deɪv ˈbəndi, hɪz sən, wɑz ərˈɛstɪd ɔn ˈsənˌdi ˌæftərˈnun waɪl əˈtɛmptɪŋ tɪ fɪlm ðə ˈkɑnˌtrækt ˈkaʊˌbɔɪz æt wərk, ənd ˈsaɪtɪd fər ˈfeɪlɪŋ tɪ dɪˈspərs ənd rɪˈzɪstɪŋ ərˈɛst. ðəs fɑr, 234 kaʊz hæv bɪn ˌɪmˈpaʊndɪd ɛz ðə ˈbjʊroʊ əv lænd ˈmænɪʤmənt həz ˌtɛmpərˈɛrəli kloʊzd ðə ˈpəblɪk ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən ˈɛriə. pli tɪ ðə klɑrk ˈkaʊnti ˈʃɛrɪf tɪ ˌɪntərˈvin wɑz ˈstaɪmid ɛz ðə ˈækʃən fɛl ˈəndər ˈfɛdərəl ˌʤʊrɪsˈdɪkʃən. waɪl ðə læst ˈrænʧər ɪn ˈsəðərn nəˈvɑdə ˈɑrgjuz ə ˈfridəm issue,”*,” ˈfɛdərəl əˈfɪʃəlz ər ˈɛksəˌkjutɪŋ ðə trespassing”*” kɔrt ˈmænˌdeɪt. nəˈvɑdə gəv. braɪən ˈsænˌdoʊvəl weɪd ɪn wɪθ ə ˈsteɪtmənt ˈtuzˌdeɪ ˈskoʊldɪŋ ðə ˈbjʊroʊ əv lænd ˈmænɪʤmənt: tɪ ðə ˈraʊnˌdəp baɪ ðə, maɪ ˈɔfəs həz rɪˈsivd ˈnumərəs kəmˈpleɪnts əv mɪˈskɑndəkt, roʊd ˈkloʊʒərz ənd ˈəðər dɪˈstərbənsɪz. aɪ hæv ˈrisəntli mɛt wɪθ steɪt ˈlɛʤəsˌleɪtərz, ˈkaʊnti əˈfɪʃəlz ənd kənˈsərnd ˈsɪtɪzənz tɪ ˈlɪsən tɪ ðɛr kənˈsərnz. aɪ hæv ɪkˈsprɛst ðoʊz kənˈsərnz dɪˈrɛkli tɪ ðə blm,”*,” ˈsænˌdoʊvəl sɛd. dɪˈstərbɪŋ tɪ mi ɪz ðə ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt əv ə əˈmɛndmənt area’*’ ðət ˈtræmpəlz əˈpɑn nevadans’*’ ˌfəndəˈmɛnəl raɪts ˈəndər ðə juz. ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən. tɪ ðət ɛnd, aɪ hæv ədˈvaɪzd ðə ðət səʧ ˈkɑndəkt ɪz əˈfɛnsɪv tɪ mi ənd ˈkaʊntləs ˈəðərz ənd ðət ðə əˈmɛndmənt area’*’ ʃʊd bi dɪsˈmænəld ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli. noʊ kaʊ ˈʤəstəˌfaɪz ðə ˈætməsˌfɪr əv ˌɪnˌtɪmɪˈdeɪʃən wɪʧ ˈkərəntli ɪgˈzɪsts nɔr ðə ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃən əv ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃənəl raɪts ðət ər ˈseɪkrɪd tɪ ɔl nəˈvædənz. ðə nidz tɪ ˌrikənˈsɪdər ɪts əˈproʊʧ tɪ ðɪs ˈmætər ənd ækt accordingly.”*.” ˈwɛðər ˈvaɪələns ənd ˈblədˌʃɛd kən bi əˈvɔɪdɪd rɪˈmeɪnz tɪ bi sin. ˈəpˌdeɪtɪd ˈvɪdioʊ əv ˈproʊˌtɛstərz wɪθ pəˈlis ˈpoʊstɪd ɔn ju tub strɔŋ ˈlæŋgwɪʤ)

update: see video of protesters’ heated battle with police, below: a long-simmering dispute between a nevada cattle rancher and the federal bureau of land management has reached a boiling point, and participants have their fingers crossed it won’t erupt into violence. since 1993, cliven bundy has been battling the agency, as well as the national park service, the center for biological diversity and the courts, to graze his cattle on 150 square miles of gold butte scrub land in the lake mead national recreation area. he stopped paying his grazing fees back then, saying he “fired” the bureau of land management as land manager. his mormon ancestors had tilled the unforgiving soil since 1887, long before the 1934 taylor grazing act allowed the federal government to seize control, theblaze reported. “i have raised cattle on that land, which is public land for the people of clark county, all my life. why i raise cattle there and why i can raise cattle there is because i have preemptive rights,” he asserted, explaining to theblaze that this includes the right to forage, too. furthermore, bundy has argued that it is the united states trespassing on clark county, nev., land, not he, and that he is a better steward of the land. he points out that the manure from his cows fertilizes the soil, that he’s built water sources for wildlife, and that his cattle prevent the vegetation from growing overly dense and creating a fire hazard. but environmentalists, federal officials and the courts disagree. armed federal officials and contract cowboys have been brought in to execute a 2013 court order and remove the trespassing cattle. “it’s high time for the blm to do its job and give the [endangered desert] tortoises and the gold butte area the protection they need and are legally entitled to,” senior center for biological diversity scientist rob mrowka told the mesquite local news. “as the tortoises emerge from their winter sleep, they are finding their much-needed food consumed by cattle.” bundy’s herd also hinders the plants’ ability to recover from wildfires, tramples rare species, damages ancient american indian cultural sites and endangers recreationists, mrowka added. the bureau of land management website says bundy has defied trespass laws for more than two decades, ignored rules and fees that other cattle ranchers have observed and refused “repeated attempts to resolve the matter administratively and judicially,” according to theblaze. while bundy stated that he owed the blm $300,000 in back grazing fees, spokeswoman kirsten cannon put the figure closer to $1.1 million. plus, the roundup of the approximately 900 unwelcome cattle could cost as much as $3 million. but the 68-year-old bundy has remained unintimidated. the bureau of land management “has overstepped its boundaries by not letting me access my rights,” he said, and contended that it had inserted “200 armed officers watching our every move and stealing our cattle.” bundy’s wife, carol, said snipers are patrolling the family’s ranch. spokeswoman cannon responded that “there are law enforcement and other personnel in place as needed to ensure that the blm and national park service’s employees and contractors are able to conduct operations safely.” bundy has vowed to do whatever it takes to protect his property, and his 14 children and hundreds of supporters stand behind him. dave bundy, his son, was arrested on sunday afternoon while attempting to film the contract cowboys at work, and cited for failing to disperse and resisting arrest. thus far, 234 cows have been impounded as the bureau of land management has temporarily closed the public recreation area. bundy’s plea to the clark county sheriff to intervene was stymied as the action fell under federal jurisdiction. while the last rancher in southern nevada argues “it’s a freedom issue,” federal officials are executing the “no trespassing” court mandate. nevada gov. brian sandoval weighed in with a statement tuesday scolding the bureau of land management: “due to the roundup by the blm, my office has received numerous complaints of blm misconduct, road closures and other disturbances. i have recently met with state legislators, county officials and concerned citizens to listen to their concerns. i have expressed those concerns directly to the blm,” sandoval said. “most disturbing to me is the blm’s establishment of a ‘first amendment area’ that tramples upon nevadans’ fundamental rights under the u.s. constitution. to that end, i have advised the blm that such conduct is offensive to me and countless others and that the ‘first amendment area’ should be dismantled immediately. no cow justifies the atmosphere of intimidation which currently exists nor the limitation of constitutional rights that are sacred to all nevadans. the blm needs to reconsider its approach to this matter and act accordingly.” whether violence and bloodshed can be avoided remains to be seen. updated 4-10 video of protesters run-in with police posted on you tube ( strong language)

ˈbreɪkɪŋ nuz iˈmeɪlz gɪt ˈbreɪkɪŋ nuz əˈlərts ənd ˈspɛʃəl rɪˈpɔrts. ðə nuz ənd ˈstɔriz ðət ˈmætər, dɪˈlɪvərd ˈwikˌdeɪ ˈmɔrnɪŋz. ˈɔgəst. 14 2014 piɛm ˈəpˌdeɪtɪd ˈɔgəst. 14 2014 piɛm ðə meɪər əv ə st*. luɪs ˈsəbərb rɔɪld baɪ pəˈlis ənd ˈproʊˌtɛstər ˈklæʃɪz ˈæftər ən ˈɔfɪsər ðɛr ʃɑt ən əˈnɑrmd tin tɪ dɛθ ˈoʊvər ðə ˈwiˌkɪnd dɪˈfɛndɪd hɪz pəˈlis ˈfɔrsɪz ˈækʃənz ɔn ˈθərzˌdeɪ. "wɪr ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈdɪfəkəlt taɪm, əˈspɛʃəli æt naɪt, dɪˈsərnɪŋ bɪtˈwin ðoʊz hu wɪʃ tɪ ˈpisfəli əˈsɛmbəl ənd ˈlɔfəli ˈproʊˌtɛst ənd ðoʊz hu wɪʃ tɪ ˈɪnfɪlˌtreɪt ənd haɪd əˈməŋ ðə ˈpipəl hu wɪʃ tɪ ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt," ˈfərgəsən meɪər ʤeɪmz noʊlz toʊld msnbc*, ˈædɪŋ ðət pəˈlis hæv ʃoʊn əp tɪ ˈvɪʤəlz ənd ˈproʊˌtɛsts ɪn swɑt trəks wɪθ ðɛr ˈwɛpənz drɔn bɪˈkəz "wət jʊr ˈkæmərəz ˈɑrənt ʃoʊɪŋ ɪz ˈgənˌfaɪər ɪz ˌɪˈrəptɪŋ ɔl əraʊnd." ərˈɛsts ənd tɪr gæs hæv bɪn ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ kwɛl ðə ˈvaɪələns ɛnˈsərkəlɪŋ ðə ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃənz, hi sɛd. noʊlz dɪˈnaɪd ə ˈhɪstəri əv ˈreɪʃəl ˈtɛnʧənz ɪn ˈfərgəsən, ənd sɛd pəˈlis riˈleɪʃənz wɪθ jəŋ mɛn "ɪz nɑt ə ˈfərgəsən ˈprɑbləm. ðɪs ɪz ə ˈnæʃənəl ˈprɑbləm. ˈfərgəsənz bɪˈkəm ðə pɔɪnt əv ˌɪˈrəpʃən fər ðɪs." ˈmaɪkəl braʊn, ðə hu wɑz kɪld, wɑz blæk; ðə aɪˈdɛntəˌti ənd reɪs əv ðə ˈɔfɪsər ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ˈhæzənt bɪn meɪd ˈpəblɪk. "ðə ˈprɑsɪˌkjutərz ˈpɑləsi ɪz nɑt tɪ ˈproʊdus ðə neɪm əv ˈɛnibədi əv ˈɛni kraɪm hu həz nɑt bɪn ʧɑrʤd," noʊlz sɛd ɪn rɪˈspɑns tɪ kɔlz fər ðə ˈɔfɪsərz aɪˈdɛntəˌti tɪ bi riˈlist. ˈsoʊʃəl ɪˈlɪzəbɪθ ʧək

breaking news emails get breaking news alerts and special reports. the news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings. aug. 14, 2014, 4:07 pm gmt / updated aug. 14, 2014, 3:31 pm gmt the mayor of a st. louis suburb roiled by police and protester clashes after an officer there shot an unarmed teen to death over the weekend defended his police force's actions on thursday. "we're having a difficult time, especially at night, discerning between those who wish to peacefully assemble and lawfully protest and those who wish to infiltrate and hide among the people who wish to demonstrate," ferguson mayor james knowles told msnbc, adding that police have shown up to vigils and protests in swat trucks with their weapons drawn because "what your cameras aren't showing is gunfire is erupting all around." arrests and tear gas have been necessary to quell the violence encircling the demonstrations, he said. knowles denied a history of racial tensions in ferguson, and said police relations with young men "is not a ferguson problem. this is a national problem. ferguson's become the point of eruption for this." michael brown, the 18-year-old who was killed, was black; the identity and race of the officer involved hasn't been made public. "the prosecutor's policy is not to produce the name of anybody of any crime who has not been charged," knowles said in response to calls for the officer's identity to be released. in-depth social — elizabeth chuck

ðɪs jɪr, fər ðə fərst taɪm ˈɛvər, americans’*’ ˈprɛfərəns fər kriˈmeɪʃən wɪl sərˈpæs ðɛr ˈprɛfərəns fər ˈbɛriəl, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈɪndəstri ˈsərˌveɪz kənˈdəktəd baɪ ðə ˈnæʃənəl fˈjunərəl dɪˈrɛktərz əˌsoʊʃiˈeɪʃən. ðət minz ðət əp ənˈtɪl ðɪs pɔɪnt, moʊst əˈmɛrɪkənz ɪkˈspɛktɪd tɪ bi ˈbɛrid. ənd ðeɪ ɪkˈspɛktɪd tɪ steɪ ðət weɪ. fərˈɛvər. ənd ðeɪ hæd ðə greɪvz tɪ pruv ɪt. ðə ʃɪr ˈnəmbər əv ˈsɛməˌtɛriz ənd ðɛr ˈsɑləd, ˈhɛdˌstoʊnz, ˈmɑnjəmənts ənd ˈtɛstɪˌfaɪ tɪ ðə strɛŋθ əv ə ˈkəlʧərəl nɔrm: moʊst əv ˈjuˈɛs ər ˈdɛstɪnd fər ə ˈfaɪnəl ˈrɛstɪŋ pleɪs. bət ˌɑrkiˈɑləʤɪst ˈdeɪvɪd kin sɪz ˈsɛməˌtɛriz ənd ðə ˈjumən rɪˈmeɪnz wɪˈθɪn ðɛm ər lɛs ˈpərmɑˌnɛnt ðən moʊst əv ˈjuˈɛs θɪŋk. pʊt ɪkˈspɛnsɪv, ˈmɑnjəmənts ɔn tɔp əv greɪvz ðət læst ˈlɔŋgər ðən ˈɛni əv ˈjuˈɛs will,”*,” hi sɪz. ““so*, ˈsɛməˌtɛriz lʊk laɪk ðɛr fərˈɛvər. bət not.”*.” ɪt teɪk lɔŋ fər ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ tɪ muv ɪts dɛd əraʊnd. teɪk ˈərli ˈsɛtələr ʤɑn ˈkɪnzi, fər ɪgˈzæmpəl. hi wɑz fərst ˈbɛrid ɪn ðə ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri bɪˈhaɪnd fɔrt ˈdɪrˌbɔrn, ənd hæd bɪn dəg əp ənd ɪn tu ˈəðər ˈsɛməˌtɛriz ˌbiˈfɔr ˈlændɪŋ ɪn hɪz ˈfaɪnəl ˈrɛstɪŋ place”*” ɪn ˈgreɪslænd ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri ɪn ðə 1860s*. ˈsɛməˌtɛriz ər stɪl proʊn tɪ ˌriˈloʊˈkeɪʃən, fər məʧ əv ðə seɪm ˈrizən ðeɪ ˈɔlˌweɪz wər: dɛd ˈpipəl ər ˈsɪmpli ɪn ðə weɪ əv ðə ˈlɪvɪŋ. ðə aɪˈdiə əv ˌriˈloʊkeɪtɪŋ ðə dɛd fər ðə seɪk əv ˈmɑdərn dɪˈmændz ənd dɪˈvɛləpmənt feɪz oʊk pɑrk ˈneɪtɪv səˈmænθə ˈkərni, hu həz ə ˈmæstərz dɪˈgri ɪn ˈərbən ˈplænɪŋ. wɛl əˈwɛr əv ˈhɪstəri əv ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri ˌriˈloʊˈkeɪʃən, bət ˈwɔntɪd tɪ hir əˈbaʊt ðə moʊst ˈnoʊtəbəl ɪgˈzæmpəlz. soʊ, ʃi sɛnt ˈkjʊriəs ˈsɪti ðɪs kˈwɛʃən: ðɛr ər ˈθaʊzənz əv ˈbɑdiz ˈbɛrid ɪn ˈlɪŋkən pɑrk. haʊ ˈmɛni ˈpipəl ˈriəˌlaɪz ðɪs ənd wət ˈəðər ˈneɪbərˌhʊdz hæv ˈsɪmələr ˈhɪstəriz? steɪ wɪθ ðə ˈleɪtəst nuz, ˈstɔriz ənd ˌɪnˈsaɪdər ɪˈvɛnts. pliz ˈɛnər ə ˈvælɪd iˈmeɪl ˈæˌdrɛs ups, ˈsəmθɪŋ wɛnt rɔŋ! saɪn əp traɪ əˈgɛn juv saɪnd əp tɪ rɪˈsiv iˈmeɪlz. pliz ʧɛk jʊr iˈmeɪl fər ə ˈwɛlkəm ˌkɑnfərˈmeɪʃən. bɪˈloʊ, wi lɪst ˈsɛməˌtɛriz ənd ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri ˌriˈloʊˈkeɪʃən ˈprɑʤɛkts ðət spæn frəm ðə ˈərli deɪz wɪn ˈbɑdiz wər ˈɑbstəkəlz tɪ mɔr pɑrk speɪs ənd ə klin ˈwɔtər səˈplaɪ əp ənˈtɪl ʤɪst ə fju jɪrz əˈgoʊ, wɪn ˈbɑdiz wər ɪn ðə weɪ əv ə nu ˈrənˌweɪ æt o’hare*. ɪf ju træk ðiz fˈjunərˌɛri ˈʃəfəlz, ˈizi tɪ kənˈklud ðət raɪt: ˈfaɪnəl ˈrɛstɪŋ ˈpleɪsɪz meɪ nɑt bi soʊ ˈfaɪnəl. bət ju ˈɔlsoʊ kənˈklud ə keɪs tɪ bi meɪd fər ˈbɛtər ˈplænɪŋ wɪn ɪt kəmz tɪ ˈmuvɪŋ ðə dɛd əraʊnd. soʊ, ˌbiˈfɔr wi ʤəmp ˈɪntu ɑr lɪst, ˈsəmθɪŋ tɪ θɪŋk əˈbaʊt frəm ˈmɛlədi kɑrvɑˈjæl, hu ˈmænɪʤɪz ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri ˌriˈloʊˈkeɪʃənz fər ə ˈlɪvɪŋ. ɪz nɑt ə textbook,”*,” kɑrvɑˈjæl sɪz. həz tɪ bi ə weɪ əv duɪŋ ɪt raɪt. ju hæv tɪ sɪt ənd tɔk wɪθ ðə ˈfæməliz fər aʊərz. ˌoʊˈkeɪ. ˌoʊˈkeɪ tɪ hir ðə emotion.”*.” kɑrvɑˈjæl sɪz sin ə ˈnəmbər əv ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri ˌriˈloʊˈkeɪʃən ˈprɑʤɛkts goʊ əraɪ, soʊ ˈædvəˌkeɪtɪŋ fər səm ˈɪndəstri ˈstændərdz. əˈməŋ ˈəðər ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃənz: ˌriˈloʊˈkeɪʃən ˈprɑʤɛkt ˈplænərz ʃʊd ˈkɑndəkt ˌʤiniˈɑləʤi, ˈrisərʧ ðə ˈhɪstəri, ənd, əˈbəv ɔl, riʧ aʊt tɪ sərˈvaɪvɪŋ ˈfæməli ˈmɛmbərz. kɑrvɑˈjæl sɪz əˈdɑptɪŋ səʧ ˈstændərdz wʊd əˈlaʊ ˈɛvriˌwən tɪ ɪˈvæljuˌeɪt ðə ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri ˌriˈloʊˈkeɪʃən ˈprɔˌsɛs, fər wɪʧ ðɛr ər ˈkərəntli noʊ sɛt ˈstændərdz. ənd ɪf kɑrvɑˈjæl ɪz raɪt əˈbaʊt ðə ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ˌɪˌnɛvɪtəˈbɪlɪti əv ˌriˈloʊkeɪtɪŋ ˈsɛməˌtɛriz ðət klæʃ wɪθ ðə plænz əv ˈmɑdərn dɪˈvɛləpərz, ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ æsk: haʊ du wi plæn fər ðət? wɪθ ðət, ə glɪmps əv səm əv ər ˌriˈloʊkeɪtɪd ˈsɛməˌtɛriz ðə ˈfeɪməs, ðə fərˈgɑtən, ənd ðə təkt əˈweɪ. ˈlɪŋkən pɑrk ˈfɔrmərli: ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ˈsɪti ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri wɪn: ˈbɛriəlz: rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ:

this year, for the first time ever, americans’ preference for cremation will surpass their preference for burial, according to industry surveys conducted by the national funeral directors association. that means that up until this point, most americans expected to be buried. and they expected to stay that way. forever. and they had the graves to prove it. the sheer number of cemeteries and their solid, long-lasting headstones, monuments and mausoleums testify to the strength of a cultural norm: most of us are destined for a final resting place. but archaeologist david keene says chicago-area cemeteries — and the human remains within them — are less permanent than most of us think. “we put expensive, well-crafted monuments on top of graves that last longer than any of us will,” he says. “so, cemeteries look like they’re there forever. but … they’re not.” it didn’t take long for chicago to move its dead around. take early settler john kinzie, for example. he was first buried in the cemetery behind fort dearborn, and had been dug up and reburied in two other cemeteries before landing in his final “final resting place” in graceland cemetery in the 1860s. cemeteries are still prone to relocation, for much of the same reason they always were: dead people are simply in the way of the living. the idea of relocating the dead for the sake of modern demands and development doesn’t phase oak park native samantha kearney, who has a masters degree in urban planning. she’s well aware of chicago’s history of cemetery relocation, but wanted to hear about the most notable examples. so, she sent curious city this question: there are thousands of bodies buried in lincoln park. how many people realize this and what other neighborhoods have similar histories? stay up-to-date with the latest news, stories and insider events. please enter a valid email address oops, something went wrong! sign up try again you've signed up to receive emails. please check your email for a welcome confirmation. below, we list repurposed cemeteries and cemetery relocation projects that span from the city’s early days — when bodies were obstacles to more park space and a clean water supply — up until just a few years ago, when bodies were in the way of a new runway at o’hare. if you track these funerary shuffles, it’s easy to conclude that keene’s right: final resting places may not be so final. but you also conclude there’s a case to be made for better planning when it comes to moving the dead around. so, before we jump into our list, here’s something to think about from melody carvajal, who manages cemetery relocations for a living. “this is not a textbook,” carvajal says. “there has to be a way of doing it right. you have to sit and talk with the families for hours. … that’s okay. it’s okay to hear the emotion.” carvajal says she’s seen a number of cemetery relocation projects go awry, so she’s advocating for some industry standards. among other recommendations: relocation project planners should conduct genealogy, research the cemetery’s history, and, above all, reach out to surviving family members. carvajal says adopting such standards would allow everyone to evaluate the cemetery relocation process, for which there are currently no set standards. and if carvajal is right about the increasing inevitability of relocating cemeteries that clash with the plans of modern developers, it’s necessary to ask: how do we plan for that? with that, here’s a glimpse of some of chicago’s repurposed or relocated cemeteries — the famous, the forgotten, and the tucked away. lincoln park formerly: chicago city cemetery when: 1840s-1860s burials: 35,000 remaining: 10,000 - 12,000

brightsource* plæn tɪ reɪz 250 ˈmɪljən ɪn ən ˌɪˈnɪʃəl ˈpəblɪk ˈɔfərɪŋ meɪ ədˈvæns ɪts goʊl tɪ juz tɛkˈnɑləʤi əˈkrɔs ðə ˌsaʊθˈwɛst æt ˈʤɛnərˌeɪtərz wɪθ ðə ɪkˈwɪvələnt kəˈpæsɪti əv 11 əˈtɑmɪk plænts. ðə ˈkəmpəˌni, wɪʧ kaʊnts ˈgugəl (goog*) əˈməŋ ɪts ˌɪnˈvɛstərz, ˈrɛʤɪstərd wɪθ ðə sɪˈkjʊrətiz ənd ɪksˈʧeɪnʤ kəˈmɪʃən læst wik tɪ sɛl stɑk fər ðə fərst taɪm ɪn ə ˈdɑkjəmɛnt ðət aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd ˈprɑʤɛkts ðət kʊd pəˈtɛnʃəli ərn 4 ˈbɪljən əv ˈrɛvəˌnu ənd ˈproʊdus 11 əv paʊər ɔn ˈeɪkərz ɪn ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə ənd ˈɛlsˌwɛr ɪn ðə ˌsaʊθˈwɛst. ðə wʊd bust plæn tɪ bɪld mɔr plænts ðət juz ˈmɪrərz tɪ ˈfoʊkɪs ðə ˈɛnərʤi ɔn ˈbɔɪlərz ðət meɪk stim fər paʊər ˈtərbaɪnz. vaɪz wɪθ ˈbɪgər səˈplaɪərz ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ abengoa*, acciona*, ˈsimənz ənd tɪ kəˈmərʃəˌlaɪz ə tɛkˈnɑləʤi ðət ɪz ˈstrəgəlɪŋ tɪ bi ˈʧoʊzən ˈoʊvər ˌfoʊtəˌvoʊlˈteɪɪk ˈpænəlz ənd ˈʤɛnərˌeɪtərz. tɛkˈnɑləʤi ənd ðə ˈkəmpəˌni boʊθ ˌrikˈwaɪər ˈbɪljənz əv ˈdɔlərz ɪn ˈprɑʤɛkt fɪˈnænsɪŋ ənd ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˌɪnfrəˈstrəkʧər tɪ kənˈtɪnju growing,”*,” sɛd nəˈθænjəl ˈbʊlərd, ə ˈsoʊlər ˈænəlɪst fər ˈblumbərg nu ˈɛnərʤi ˈfaɪˌnæns ɪn sæn frænˈsɪskoʊ. ˈsɛktər ˈfeɪsɪz ˈʧælənʤɪz nɑt ˈoʊnli frəm ˈfɑlɪŋ kɔsts əv ənd ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈstɔrɪʤ tɛkˈnɑləʤiz bət ˈɔlsoʊ frəm loʊ ˈnæʧərəl gæs ˈpraɪsɪz, wɪʧ kʊd səˈprɛs dɪˈmænd fər ˈsoʊlər generation.”*.” ɔl riˈnuəbəl ˈɛnərʤi ˈprɑʤɛkts wɪl feɪs ə ˈtəfər juz. ˈmɑrkɪt ɪf ˈfɛdərəl tæks ˌɪnˈsɪnɪvz rɪˈnud ˌbiˈfɔr ðɛr ˈskɛʤʊld ˌɛkspərˈeɪʃən nɛkst jɪr, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ən ˈeɪprəl 20 ˈblumbərg ˈgəvərnmənt ˈbrifɪŋ ˈrɪtən baɪ rɑb bɑrˈnɛt, mɑˈrɪsə bjuˈkænən ənd ʤoʊ ˈrɪktər. tɛkˈnɑləʤiz ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ wɪnd ənd ˈsoʊlər ˈɛnərʤi meɪd əp əˈbaʊt 45 pərˈsɛnt əv ˈtoʊtəl paʊər kəˈpæsɪti ˈædɪd ɪn 2009 ənd əˈbaʊt ə kˈwɔrtər əv əˈdɪʃənz ɪn 2010 ˈɛnərʤi ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən ˈfɪgjərz ʃoʊ. ðə wʊd bi ðə fərst fər ə paʊər ˈsɪstəmz ˈmeɪkər ɪn ˈɔlˌmoʊst ə ˈdɛkeɪd, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ nu ˈɛnərʤi ˈfaɪˌnæns ˈdætə. enviromission*, beɪst ɪn vɪkˈtɔriə, ɔˈstreɪljə, faɪld fər ɪts ɪn ˈɔgəst 2001 ɪt həz ə ˈlaɪsəns tɪ bɪld paʊər ˈsteɪʃənz, ðoʊ ɪt jɛt ɪˈrɛktɪd ə ˈprɑʤɛkt. ˈkɑrənt ˈʃɛˌrhoʊldərz stænd tɪ geɪn frəm ðə ˈɔfərɪŋ, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ sæn ˈbrunoʊ ˈvɛnʧər ˈkæpɪtəl ˌɪnˈvɛstər ˈkæpɪtəl ˈpɑrtnərz, wɪʧ oʊnz pərˈsɛnt əv ðə ʃɛrz. ˈfaʊndər ˈɑrnəld lɔs ˈænʤəlɪs ædˈvaɪzəri ˈsərvɪsɪz həz pərˈsɛnt, ˈdreɪpər ˈfɪʃər pərˈsɛnt ənd ˈmɔrgən ˈstænli pərˈsɛnt. prəˈmoʊts ɛz suˈpɪriər tɪ ˌfoʊtəˌvoʊlˈteɪɪk bɪˈkəz ˈɛnərʤi kən bi stɔrd. ðət gɪvz ðə plænts ə mɔr ˈsteɪbəl ˈaʊtˌpʊt əv paʊər, ˈmeɪkɪŋ ðɛm mɔr əˈtræktɪv tɪ grɪd ˈɔpərˌeɪtərz. boʊθ ənd ˈsɪstəmz laɪk ˈkərəntli ˈproʊdus ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsəti æt ə kɔst əv əˈbaʊt sɛnts ə ˈkɪləˌwɑt aʊər ɪn aɪˈdil ɪnˈvaɪrənmənts, wɪˈθaʊt ˌɪnˈsɪnɪvz, nu ˈɛnərʤi ˈfaɪˌnæns ˈɛstəˌmeɪts, ənd ðə kɔst əv ˈsoʊlər paʊər meɪ dɪˈklaɪn baɪ əˈbaʊt hæf ɪn ðə nɛkst ˈdɛkeɪd. ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsəti frəm koʊl kɔsts əˈbaʊt 7 sɛnts ə ˈkɪləˌwɑt aʊər kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ 6 sɛnts fər ˈnæʧərəl gæs.

brightsource energy’s plan to raise $250 million in an initial public offering may advance its goal to use solar-thermal technology across the southwest at generators with the equivalent capacity of 11 atomic plants. the oakland-based company, which counts google (goog) among its investors, registered with the securities and exchange commission last week to sell stock for the first time in a document that identified projects that could potentially earn $4 billion of revenue and produce 11 gigawatts of power on 110,000 acres in california and elsewhere in the southwest. the ipo would boost brightsource’s plan to build more plants that use mirrors to focus the sun’s energy on boilers that make steam for power turbines. brightsource vies with bigger suppliers including abengoa, acciona, siemens and abb to commercialize a technology that is struggling to be chosen over photovoltaic panels and gas-fired generators. “the technology and the company both require billions of dollars in project financing and electrical infrastructure to continue growing,” said nathaniel bullard, a solar analyst for bloomberg new energy finance in san francisco. “the sector faces challenges not only from falling costs of pv and electrical storage technologies but also from low natural gas prices, which could suppress demand for solar generation.” all renewable energy projects will face a tougher u.s. market if federal tax incentives aren’t renewed before their scheduled expiration next year, according to an april 20 bloomberg government briefing written by rob barnett, marisa buchanan and joe richter. technologies including wind and solar energy made up about 45 percent of total power capacity added in 2009 and about a quarter of additions in 2010, energy information administration figures show. the ipo would be the first for a solar-thermal power systems maker in almost a decade, according to new energy finance data. enviromission, based in victoria, australia, filed for its ipo in august 2001. it has a license to build tower-based solar-thermal power stations, though it hasn’t yet erected a utility-scale project. current shareholders stand to gain from the offering, including san bruno venture capital investor vantagepoint capital partners, which owns 24.9 percent of the company’s shares. brightsource founder arnold goldman’s los angeles advisory services has 7.5 percent, draper fisher jurvetson 6.7 percent and morgan stanley 10.5 percent. brightsource promotes solar-thermal as superior to photovoltaic because energy can be stored. that gives the plants a more stable output of power, making them more attractive to grid operators. both pv and solar-thermal systems like brightsource’s currently produce electricity at a cost of about 17.5 cents a kilowatt hour in ideal environments, without incentives, new energy finance estimates, and the cost of solar pv power may decline by about half in the next decade. electricity from coal costs about 7 cents a kilowatt hour compared with 6 cents for natural gas.

hæd ðɪs ˈtɛksənz ˈsizən gɔn əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ plæn, ˈæriən ˈfɑstər wʊd hæv raɪt əraʊnd jɑrdz baɪ naʊ, ənd ˈælfrɪd blu, hɪz ˈsərvəsəbəl ˈbæˌkəp, wʊd hæv ə ˈkəpəl ˈhənərd. ˈiðər krɪs poʊlk ər ˈʤɑnəθən graɪmz wʊd bi pleɪɪŋ ˈsəmˌpleɪs ɛls, ər pərˈhæps ˈnoʊˌwɛr æt ɔl. ˈrʊki hənt stɪl wʊd bi ə ˈmɑrʤənəl ˈreɪvən, duɪŋ ˈduti ɔn ˈbɔltəˌmɔrz ˈpræktɪs skwɑd. bət ðɪs ˈtɛksənz ˈsizən dɪd nɑt goʊ əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ plæn. bɪtˈwin ə tɔrn grɔɪn ˈməsəl ˈsəfərd ɔn ðə θərd deɪ əv ˈtreɪnɪŋ kæmp ənd, ˈsəbsəkwəntli, ə tɔrn əˈkɪliz ˈtɛndən, ˈfɑstər wɑz dən baɪ ˈmɪˌdjɪr ˈæftər pleɪɪŋ ɪn ˈoʊnli fɔr geɪmz. soʊ, wɪθ fɔr geɪmz rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ ənd ðə nu ˈɪŋglənd ˈpeɪtriəts æt ˈsteɪdiəm ɔn ˈsənˌdi naɪt, ðə rən səˈpɔrt kˈwɔrtərˌbæk braɪən hɔɪər nidz tɪ kip əˈpoʊzɪŋ dɪˈfɛnsɪz ˈɑnəst ənd hɪz tim ˈrɛləvənt ɪn ðə pleɪɔf ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən rɛsts prɪˈkɛriəsli əˈpɑn ðə ˈʃoʊldərz əv fɔr mɛn hu ˈtoʊtəld jɑrdz ˈrəʃɪŋ əˈməŋ ðɛm ˈoʊvər ə kəmˈbaɪnd 10 ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl ˈsizənz wɪn ðɪs wən bɪˈgæn. ˈfɑstər, ðə ligz ˈrəʃɪŋ ˈʧæmpiən ɪn 2010 həz rən fər mɔr ðən ðət ɪn ə ˈsɪŋgəl jɪr. twaɪs. mɔr ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən kəmˈpɛrəsənz haʊ ˈtɛksənz ˈrənɪŋ bæks ˈælfrɪd blu, ˈʤɑnəθən graɪmz ənd krɪs poʊlk hæv fɛrd ðə læst fɔr geɪmz: ˈʃɛrɪŋ ðə loʊd snæps ðə ˈtɛksənz' ˈrənɪŋ bæks hæv pleɪd ˈoʊvər pæst fɔr geɪmz. pərˈsɛnɪʤ ɪn pərˈɛnθəˌsiz: əˈpoʊnənt blu poʊlk graɪmz hənt æt ˈbɛŋgəlz 33 52 7 11 23 37 ˈvərsəz. ʤɛts 40 53 20 27 3 4 ˈvərsəz. seɪnts 29 41 16 23 21 30 4 6 æt bɪlz 9 12 30 39 27 36 5 7 əˈtɛmpts jɑrdz 53 19 24 171 96 123 blu graɪmz poʊlk blu skɔrd loʊn ˈoʊvər ðə spæn rɛd mɔr poʊlk ɪn, blu aʊt tɪ deɪt, blu həz bɪn ˈgɪvɪn ðə bɛst ˌɑpərˈtunəti tɪ fɪl ˈfɑstərz juʤ ʃuz, wɪθ ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli mɪkst rɪˈzəlts. ɪn faɪv əv hɪz naɪn stɑrts, hi həz geɪnd fjuər ðən 3 jɑrdz pər ˈkɛri, ˈərnɪŋ ðə ˈnɪkˌneɪm ˈælfrɪd tu. ɪn ðə ˈbəfəˌloʊ lɔs, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, koʊʧ bɪl oʊˈbraɪɪnz ˈpeɪʃəns wɪθ blu əˈpɪrd tɪ ˈfaɪnəli bi ˈweɪnɪŋ ənd hi wɛnt wɪθ ðə ˈhɑtər hænd ər lɛgz ɪn ðə ˈpərsən əv poʊlk, hu ˈkɛrid 12 taɪmz fər 61 jɑrdz, boʊθ ˈpərsɪnəl proʊ bests*. oʊˈbraɪɪn æt fərst ˌɪnˈsɪstɪd "ˈsərkəmˌstænsɪz" əˈkaʊntɪd fər ðə ˈʃɪftɪd ˈɛmfəsɪs bluz ˈnəmbər gɑt kɔld ˈoʊnli fɔr taɪmz ənd ʤɪst wəns ɪn ðə ˈsɛkənd hæf seɪɪŋ, "ɪts əˈbaʊt haʊ ðə dɪˈfɛns ɪz pleɪɪŋ ˈjuˈɛs, ðə ˈdɪfərənt ˌpərsəˈnɛl ˈgrupɪŋz." bət ðə koʊʧ kənˈsidɪd, "ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ɪt kəmz daʊn tɪ hu həz ðə hɑt hænd, huz ˈrənɪŋ ðə bɛst, huz ˈrənɪŋ wɪθ ðə moʊst ˈkɑnfədɛns, huz siɪŋ θɪŋz ðə bɛst. ju ər nɑt goʊɪŋ tɪ teɪk ə gaɪ aʊt hu ɪz ˈrənɪŋ ðə bɔl wɛl." poʊlk wɑz ˈrənɪŋ ˈvɛri wɛl. ðə fərst taɪm hi təʧt ðə bɔl hi broʊk fər 20 jɑrdz, ˈgɪtɪŋ ðə ˈtɛksənz ˈɪntu bɪlz ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri ɔn wət bɪˈkeɪm ən ˈtəʧˌdaʊn draɪv. ɪn ɔl, faɪv əv hɪz 12 ˈkɛriz geɪnd æt list 5 jɑrdz. graɪmz kənˈtrɪbjutɪd ə ˈnɪfti ˈskæmpər, tu, waɪl hənt pɪkt əp 7 jɑrdz, ˈkipɪŋ hɪz ˈævərɪʤ ˈkəmfərtəbli əˈbəv ɪn θri ˈlɪmɪtɪd əˈpɪrənsəz. bət oʊˈbraɪɪn həz ɔl bət ˌgɛrənˈtid ðə ˈfɔrmjələ əˈgɛn wɪl ʧeɪnʤ əˈgɛnst ðə ˈpeɪtriəts. dɪz ʧeɪnʤ min rɪˈvərt, wɪθ blu riˈkleɪmɪŋ hɪz roʊl? wɪl si. "aɪ hæv noʊ aɪˈdiə, noʊ klu," lɛft ˈtækəl dweɪn braʊn sɛd, ʃˈrəgɪŋ. "ju ˈnɛvər noʊ huz goʊɪŋ tɪ gɪt ðə məˈʤɔrəti əv ðə ˈkɛriz. wi hæv soʊ ˈmɛni bæks. aɪ θɪŋk ðə ˈkoʊʧɪz hæv ˈkɑnfədɛns ɪn ɔl əv ðɛm. fər ˈjuˈɛs, ɑr ʤɑb ˈdəzənt ʧeɪnʤ. wɪr ʤɪst traɪɪŋ tɪ ˈoʊpən əp leɪnz. wi fil ðeɪ kən ɔl rən wɛl. əm ˈhæpi wɪθ ðə ˈprɑˌgrɛs wiv meɪd ʤɪst traɪɪŋ tɪ kip ðə raɪt mɛnˈtælɪti goʊɪŋ." ðə ˈtɛksənz wɛnt faɪv kənˈsɛkjətɪv stɑrts wɪθ fjuər ðən 100 ˈrəʃɪŋ jɑrdz, ðə ˈlɔŋgɪst strɛʧ ɪn ˈfrænˌʧaɪz ˈhɪstəri, ˌbiˈfɔr ˈkəmfərtəbli ˈtɑpɪŋ 100 iʧ əv ðə pæst θri ˈwiˌkɛndz. ə lɔt əv ðət həz tɪ du wɪθ rɪˈnud stəˈbɪlɪti ɪn ən əˈfɛnsɪv laɪn ðət ˈkʊdənt meɪnˈteɪn ðə seɪm faɪv ˈlaɪˌnəp frəm wən geɪm tɪ ðə nɛkst bɪˈkəz əv ˈɪnʤəriz. θɪŋz hæv ˈsɛtəld daʊn ðɛr, ˌɔlˈðoʊ raɪt gɑrd ˈbrændən brʊks wɑz ə leɪt skræʧ ɪn ˈbəfəˌloʊ bɪˈkəz əv ə səˈvɪr ˈstəmək ˈeɪlmənt ðət ˈlændɪd ɪm ɪn ðə ˈhɑˌspɪtəl. stɪl, poʊlk dɪˈlɪvərd ə kərɪr deɪ. 'ə tim spɔrt' "pleɪərz pleɪ, ˈkoʊʧɪz koʊʧ," wɑz poʊlks ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk rɪˈspɑns wɪn æst ɪf hi θɪŋks hiz biɪŋ juzd ˈfɛrli ˈifɛktɪvli. "ˈkoʊʧɪz noʊ ə lɔt mɔr əˈbaʊt ˈfʊtˌbɔl ðən aɪ du. ˈfʊtˌbɔl ɪz ə tim spɔrt. ɪts əˈbaʊt wət ju kən du fər ðə tim. ɪf ðeɪ wɔnt mi tɪ blɑk, aɪl blɑk. ɪf ðeɪ wɔnt mi tɪ rɪˈtərn kɪks, aɪl rɪˈtərn kɪks. "ɪt wɑz nis tɪ gɪt ɪn ə ˈlɪtəl ˈrɪðəm (ɪn ˈbəfəˌloʊ) ənd ðət ðeɪ ˈtrəstɪd mi. bət wɪr goʊɪŋ tɪ nid ɔl ðə ˈrənɪŋ bæks (tɪ bit nu ˈɪŋglənd). "aɪl ˈnɛvər bi ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪd wɪθ pleɪɪŋ taɪm bɪˈkəz ɪt kʊd ˈɔlˌweɪz bi wərs. əm blɛst. əm ɪn ðə ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl, pleɪɪŋ fər ðə ˈtɛksənz, pleɪɪŋ fər ə greɪt ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən. ɪt meɪ bi ə təf pɪl tɪ sˈwɔloʊ ˈsəmˌtaɪmz, bət ɪts ɔl əˈbaʊt ðə tim." poʊlk ˈriəˌlaɪzɪz ðət, hæd ˈfɑstər steɪd ˈhɛlθi, hi maɪt nɑt ˈivɪn bi hir təˈdeɪ. hi ˈprɑbəˌbli wɑz ˈoʊnli saɪnd ɛz ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns ˈæftər ˈspɛndɪŋ ðə pæst fɔr ˈsizənz ɛz ə ˈbæˌkəp ɪn ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə, ˈgɪvɪn ðət ˈfɑstərz nɛkst ˈɪnʤəri tɛndz tɪ bi ə wɪn, nɑt ən ɪf. ɛz fər hənt, hi ˈʃʊrli ˈwʊdənt hæv bɪˈkəm ə ˈtɛksən hæd ˈfɑstər dɪˈfaɪd ðə ɑdz ənd ˈmænɪʤd tɪ steɪ ˈhɛlθi. naʊ, hənt bɪˈkəmz ðə ɪn ðə roʊˈteɪʃən, ðə waɪld kɑrd. braʊn kɔlz hənt "ɪkˈstrimli fæst. hiz goʊɪŋ tɪ breɪk ə bɪg wən. ju kən ʤɪst fil ɪt. hiz ə ˈʃuˌleɪs ˈtækəl əˈweɪ." dɪˈfɛnsɪv bæk ˈʧɑrəlz ʤeɪmz ii*, hu spɛnt taɪm ɔn ðə ˈreɪvənz' ˈpræktɪs skwɑd wɪθ ɪm ˌbiˈfɔr ðeɪ boʊθ ˈlændɪd ɪn ˈhjustən, swɛrz hi həz ˈnɛvər sin ə ˈfæstər bæk. bət ðə ræp ɔn hənt ˈkəmɪŋ aʊt əv pərˈdu, wɪʧ kɛpt ɪm frəm biɪŋ ˈdræftɪd, wɑz ðət hi lækt ˈɪnstɪŋkts, ˈtɛndɪŋ tɪ rən təˈwɔrd ˈtrəbəl ˌɪnˈstɛd əv əˈweɪ frəm ɪt. oʊˈbraɪɪn, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ˈklɪrli bɪˈlivz hi həz ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl pəˈtɛnʃəl. "gʊd spid, gʊd kˈwɪknəs, gʊd hænz," oʊˈbraɪɪn sɛd. "wi hæd ɑr aɪ ɔn ɪm. hi kʊd bi juzd ɪn ðə rɪˈtərn geɪm. hi kʊd bi juzd ɔn əˈfɛns. hi kʊd bi juzd ɔn dɪˈfɛns." hənt, fər hɪz pɑrt, sɛd hiz groʊɪŋ ˈkəmfərtəbəl "wɪθ ðə ˈpleɪbʊk. ðæts wəts ˈgɪvɪŋ ðə ˈkoʊʧɪz ðə trəst tɪ pʊt mi ɔn ðə fild mɔr. ɪf aɪ kən kip ðət əp, ðɛn aɪl gɪt mɔr ˈtəʧɪz."

had this texans season gone according to plan, arian foster would have right around 1,000 yards by now, and alfred blue, his serviceable backup, would have a couple hundred. either chris polk or jonathan grimes would be playing someplace else, or perhaps nowhere at all. rookie akeem hunt still would be a marginal raven, doing scout-team duty on baltimore's practice squad. but this texans season did not go according to plan. between a torn groin muscle suffered on the third day of training camp and, subsequently, a torn achilles tendon, foster was done by midyear after playing in only four games. so, with four games remaining and the new england patriots at nrg stadium on sunday night, the run support quarterback brian hoyer needs to keep opposing defenses honest and his team relevant in the playoff conversation rests precariously upon the shoulders of four men who totaled 1,282 yards rushing among them over a combined 10 nfl seasons when this one began. foster, the league's rushing champion in 2010, has run for more than that in a single year. twice. more information rb comparisons how texans running backs alfred blue, jonathan grimes and chris polk have fared the last four games: sharing the load snaps the texans' running backs have played over past four games. playing-time percentage in parentheses: opponent blue polk grimes hunt at bengals 33 (52%) 7 (11%) 23 (37%) - vs. jets 40 (53%) - 20 (27%) 3 (4%) vs. saints 29 (41%) 16 (23%) 21 (30%) 4 (6%) at bills 9 (12%) 30 (39%) 27 (36%) 5 (7%) attempts yards 53 19 24 171 96 123 blue grimes polk blue scored lone td over the span read more polk in, blue out to date, blue has been given the best opportunity to fill foster's huge shoes, with decidedly mixed results. in five of his nine starts, he has gained fewer than 3 yards per carry, earning the nickname alfred two. in the buffalo loss, however, coach bill o'brien's patience with blue appeared to finally be waning and he went with the hotter hand - or legs - in the person of polk, who carried 12 times for 61 yards, both personal pro bests. o'brien at first insisted "circumstances" accounted for the shifted emphasis - blue's number got called only four times and just once in the second half - saying, "it's about how the defense is playing us, the different personnel groupings." but the coach conceded, "sometimes it comes down to who has the hot hand, who's running the best, who's running with the most confidence, who's seeing things the best. you are not going to take a guy out who is running the ball well." polk was running very well. the first time he touched the ball he broke for 20 yards, getting the texans into bills territory on what became an 80-yard touchdown drive. in all, five of his 12 carries gained at least 5 yards. grimes contributed a nifty 17-yard scamper, too, while hunt picked up 7 yards, keeping his per-attempt average comfortably above 6.0 in three limited appearances. but o'brien has all but guaranteed the formula again will change against the patriots. does change mean revert, with blue reclaiming his big-dog role? we'll see. "i have no idea, no clue," left tackle duane brown said, shrugging. "you never know who's going to get the majority of the carries. we have so many backs. i think the coaches have confidence in all of them. for us, our job doesn't change. we're just trying to open up lanes. we feel they can all run well. i'm happy with the progress we've made just trying to keep the right mentality going." the texans went five consecutive starts with fewer than 100 rushing yards, the longest stretch in franchise history, before comfortably topping 100 each of the past three weekends. a lot of that has to do with renewed stability in an offensive line that couldn't maintain the same five tackle-to-tackle lineup from one game to the next because of injuries. things have settled down there, although right guard brandon brooks was a late scratch in buffalo because of a severe stomach ailment that landed him in the hospital. still, polk delivered a career day. 'a team sport' "players play, coaches coach," was polk's diplomatic response when asked if he thinks he's being used fairly and/or effectively. "coaches know a lot more about football than i do. football is a team sport. it's about what you can do for the team. if they want me to block, i'll block. if they want me to return kicks, i'll return kicks. "it was nice to get in a little rhythm (in buffalo) and that they trusted me. but we're going to need all the running backs (to beat new england). "i'll never be disappointed with playing time because it could always be worse. i'm blessed. i'm in the nfl, playing for the texans, playing for a great organization. it may be a tough pill to swallow sometimes, but it's all about the team." polk realizes that, had foster stayed healthy, he might not even be here today. he probably was only signed as insurance after spending the past four seasons as a little-used backup in philadelphia, given that foster's next injury tends to be a when, not an if. as for hunt, he surely wouldn't have become a texan had foster defied the odds and managed to stay healthy. now, hunt becomes the x-factor in the rotation, the wild card. brown calls hunt "extremely fast. he's going to break a big one. you can just feel it. he's a shoelace tackle away." defensive back charles james ii, who spent time on the ravens' practice squad with him before they both landed in houston, swears he has never seen a faster back. but the rap on hunt coming out of purdue, which kept him from being drafted, was that he lacked nfl-caliber instincts, tending to run toward trouble instead of away from it. o'brien, however, clearly believes he has for-real nfl potential. "good speed, good quickness, good hands," o'brien said. "we had our eye on him. he could be used in the return game. he could be used on offense. he could be used on defense." hunt, for his part, said he's growing comfortable "with the playbook. that's what's giving the coaches the trust to put me on the field more. if i can keep that up, then i'll get more touches."

ˈprɛzɪdənt trəmp, ˈspikɪŋ æt ðə səˈlut tɪ ɑr ɑrmd ˈsərvɪsɪz ˌɪˈnɔgərəl bɔl ɔn ʤæn. 20 ɪn ˈwɔʃɪŋtən. (ˈæləks brandon/ap*) ˈəpˌdeɪt: ɔn ˈmənˌdeɪ ˈmɔrnɪŋ, ˈprɛzɪdənt trəmp əˈnaʊnst ɔn tˈwɪtər ðət ˈligəl scholars”*” seɪ hi həz ən right”*” tɪ ˈpɑrdən hɪmˈsɛlf. ˈnumərəs ˈəðər ˈskɑlərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ səm wɪθ hum wi spoʊk læst jɪr, dɪsəˈgri. ɑr æˈnælɪsɪs əv ðə kˈwɛʃən ɪz bɪˈloʊ. ˈʃɔrtli ˌbiˈfɔr ðə 2016 ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl ɪˈlɛkʃən, ən ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃənəl θɔt ɪkˈspɛrəmənt ˈimərʤd: ɪf ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən dɪd dɪˈzərv tɪ bi lɑkt əp, ɪn ðə ˈɛləkwənt ˌɑrtɪkjəˈleɪʃən əv ˈdɑnəld trəmp səˈpɔrtərz, kʊd ʃi juz ðə paʊər əv ðə ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl ˈpɑrdən ɔn hərˈsɛlf? ɔn noʊv. 8 ðə kˈwɛʃən bɪˈkeɪm ˈpɔɪntləs, ɛz wi ˈlərnɪd ðət ˈklɪntən wʊd nɑt hæv ðət əˈθɔrəti ər ˈɛni paʊər əv ðə ˈprɛzɪdənsi. bət ɪt həz riɪˈmərʤd əv leɪt, ˈgɪvɪn ðə speɪt əv nuz ˈɑrtɪkəlz kənˈsərnɪŋ əˈlɛʤd rɔŋˈduɪŋz ɪn ðə trəmp kæmˈpeɪn ənd ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən. ɪf trəmp ˈvaɪəleɪtɪd səm lɔ, kʊd hi ˈpɑrdən hɪmˈsɛlf? ðə ʃɔrt ˈænsər ɪz ðət noʊ wən ˈrɪli noʊz. ðə ˈlɔŋgər ˈænsər ɪz ðət ðə ˈrizənz hi maɪt wɔnt tɪ ər mɔr ˈkɑmplɛks ðən wi maɪt ˈjuʒəwəli əˈsum. kən ɔl ˈoʊnli ˈspɛkjəˌleɪt wət wʊd ˈhæpən ɪf ðə ˈprɛzɪdənt traɪd tɪ du it,”*,” sɛd braɪən kɔlt, prəˈfɛsər əv lɔ æt ˈmɪʃɪgən steɪt ˌjunəˈvərsəti ənd ˈɔθər əv ðə bʊk cliffhangers.”*.” ɔl ʤɪst prɪˈdɪktɪŋ wət ðə kɔrt wʊd du ɪf ɪt ˈhæpənd, bət noʊ wən kən bi sure.”*.” ðə ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃənəl ˈlæŋgwɪʤ ˈgəvərnɪŋ ˈpɑrdənz ridz, ˈprɛzɪdənt ʃæl hæv paʊər tɪ grænt ənd ˈpɑrdənz fər əˈfɛnsɪz əˈgɛnst ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, ɪkˈsɛpt ɪn ˈkeɪsɪz əv impeachment.”*.” ðət ˈveɪgnɪs ɪz pɑrt əv ðə ˈrizən ðə ˈbaʊndəriz əv ðə əˈθɔrəti wʊd nid tɪ bi ˌɪnˈtərprətəd baɪ ðə kɔrts ɪn ənˈjuˌʒuəl ˈkeɪsɪz, laɪk ðə wən æt hænd. ðət sɛd, gɑt ən əˈpɪnjən əˈbaʊt wət ðə səˈprim kɔrt wʊd du ɪf trəmp (ər ˈɛni ˈprɛzɪdənt) traɪd tɪ gɪv hɪmˈsɛlf ə ˈpɑrdən: θroʊ ɪt aʊt. ˈrizənz ər ˈsɪmələrli ˈrutɪd ɪn ˌɪnˌtərprɪˈteɪʃənz əv ðə ˈlæŋgwɪʤ əv ðə ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən ənd ðə ˌɪnˈtɛnt əv ɪts ˈɔθərz. fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, ə ˈpɑrdən ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət ju gɪt frəm ˈsəmˌwən else,”*,” hi ˈɑrgjud. nɑt ɪkˈsplɪsət ɪn ðə ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃənəl ˈlæŋgwɪʤ, bət, ðɛn, ˈəðər ˈbaʊndəriz wi ˌəndərˈstænd fər ˈpɑrdənz ˈiðər, səʧ ɛz ɑr ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ ðət ðɛr nid nɑt bi ə ˈkrɪmənəl ʧɑrʤ ˌbiˈfɔr ə ˈpɑrdən. (ðə moʊst ˈfeɪməs ɪgˈzæmpəl əv ðɪs kaɪnd əv ˈpɑrdən wɑz ˈɔfərd baɪ ˈprɛzɪdənt ˈʤɛrəld fɔrd tɪ hɪz ˈprɛdəˌsɛsər, ˈrɪʧərd ˈnɪksən.) piz. ˈrəkmən, prəˈfɛsər əv pəˈlɪtɪkəl saɪəns æt ˈnɔrðərn ˌɪləˈnɔɪz ˌjunəˈvərsəti ənd ˈɔθər əv ðə blɔg ˈpɑrdən paʊər əˈgrid wɪθ ðɪs aɪˈdiə ɪn ən iˈmeɪl. kɔrt ˌʤʊrəˈsprudəns həz ˈɔlˌweɪz əˈsumd ə daɪˈkɑtəmi ðə ənd ðə recipient,”*,” hi sɛd ðə ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃən biɪŋ ðət wən ˈpərsən pleɪ boʊθ roʊlz. mɔr, ər səˈpoʊzd tɪ bi limited,”*,” kɔlt sɛd. ˈprɛzɪdənt həz ɔl əv ðɪs paʊər, bət hi həz ə ˈlɪmɪtɪd tərm. ɪf hi wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˈpɑrdən hɪmˈsɛlf, ðət wʊd ˈprɑʤɛkt hɪz paʊər wɛl pæst hɪz term.”*.” kɔlt ˈɔlsoʊ ˈnoʊtɪd ðət ə θim ɪn ðə lɔ ðət noʊ wən kən bi ðə ʤəʤ ɪn hɪz oʊn keɪs. hi reɪzd ðə kˈwɛʃən əv ˈwɛðər ðə vaɪs ˈprɛzɪdənt hu sərvz ɛz ðə ˈprɛzɪdənt əv ðə ˈsɛnɪt wʊd prɪˈzaɪd ˈoʊvər hɪz oʊn ˌɪmˈpiʧmənt traɪəl, wɪʧ ˈɔlsoʊ teɪks pleɪs ɪn ðə ˈsɛnɪt. ˈpipəl wʊd faɪnd ɪt ˌənɪˈmæʤɪnəbəl ðət ðə ˈsɛnɪt wʊd əˈlaʊ ðə vaɪs ˈprɛzɪdənt tɪ prɪˈzaɪd ˈoʊvər hɪz oʊn impeachment,”*,” hi sɛd. ˈoʊnli ˈbeɪsɪs ðeɪ kʊd hæv fər nɑt əˈlaʊɪŋ ɪm tɪ ɪz ðət ðɪs ˈprɪnsəpəl ɛmˈbɛdɪd ˈɪntu ðə lɔ ðət ˈlɪtərəli goʊz wɪˈθaʊt saying.”*.” wɪʧ, əv kɔrs, ɪz hɪz pɔɪnt əˈbaʊt ðə self-pardon*. bət ðət ðə ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən seɪ hi du ɪt ɪz, ˌɪtˈsɛlf, ə strɔŋ ˈɑrgjəmənt fər hɪz biɪŋ əˈlaʊd tɪ. ˈsæmjul ˈmɔrɪsən ɪz ən əˈtərni hu ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzɪz ɪn ˈpɑrdən lɔ, ˈhævɪŋ spɛnt 13 jɪrz ɪn ðə ˈɔfəs əv ðə ˈpɑrdən əˈtərni wɪˈθɪn ðə dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˈʤəstɪs. əˈpɪnjən ɪz ðət ɪn ˈθɪri ðət hi could,”*,” ˈmɔrɪsən sɛd. ðɛn hi wʊd bi pəˈtɛnʃəli ˈsəbʤɪkt tɪ ˌɪmˈpiʧmənt fər duɪŋ that.”*.” ˌræʃəˈnæl ɪz ˈsɪmpəl: ər noʊ kənˈstreɪnts dɪˈfaɪnd ɪn ðə ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən ˌɪtˈsɛlf ðət sɪz hi du that.”*.” ˌɪmˈpiʧmənt ˌɪtˈsɛlf ɪz spəˈsɪfɪkli kɑrvd aʊt əv ðə ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl ˈpɑrdən paʊər wɪˈθɪn ðə ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən, soʊ ɪf trəmp wər ˌɪmˈpiʧt, hæv noʊ ˈkaʊntər tɪ ðət ˈækʃən. əˈnəðər ˈklɪrli ɑrˈtɪkjəˌleɪtəd ˈbaʊndəri ɪn ðə ˈpɑrdən prəˈvɪʒən ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt: ɪt əˈplaɪz ˈoʊnli tɪ ˈɛni ˈfɛdərəl lɔz. ɪf trəmp wər tɪ ˈɪʃu hɪmˈsɛlf ə ˈpɑrdən, ðət wʊd ˈkəvər ˈoʊnli ˈɛni vaɪəˈleɪʃənz əv ˈfɛdərəl lɔ. ənd ðət, kɔlt noʊts, maɪt ˈoʊpən ə kən əv wərmz: steɪt əˈtərniz ˈʤɛnərəl (laɪk nu york’s*, hu həz bɪn ˈigər tɪ ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪt trəmp sɪns ˈivɪn ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˈprɛzɪdənt wɑz ɪˈlɛktɪd) wʊd si ðə ˈpɑrdən ɛz ə ˈsɪgnəl ðət ðɛr ˈdɪgɪŋ maɪt peɪ ɔf. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðət ˈlɑʤɪk meɪks sɛns, ˈsərtənli nɑt ðə keɪs ðət ə ˈpɑrdən ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli minz ðət ə lɔ wɑz ˈbroʊkən. ðə ˈpɑrdən kən bi juzd ɛz ə prəˈtɛkʃən əˈgɛnst ənˈwɔrəntɪd ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃənz ər ˌprɑsəˈkjuʃənz. wɪn ðə ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən kˈwɛʃən keɪm əp ɪn leɪt 2016 kɔlt roʊt ən ˈɑrtɪkəl ˈɑrgjuɪŋ ðət ˈprɛzɪdənt ˈbɑrək ˌoʊˈbɑmə maɪt ˈpɑrdən hər ˈsɪmpli tɪ prəˈtɛkt hər frəm ˌɔnˈfɛr ˌprɑsəˈkjuʃən ɪn ðə ɪˈvɛnt ðət ʃi wɑz ˈtɑrgətɪd baɪ hər əˈpoʊnənt. ðɛr ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ðə kˈwɛʃən əv ˈwɛðər trəmp wʊd ˈivɪn rɪsk səʧ ə ˈtrɪki məˈnuvər. ɪt dɪˈpɛndz əˈpɑn haʊ θˈrɛtənd hi fɛlt əv kɔrs ˈiðər bɪˈkəz əv wət dən ər bɪˈkəz əv haʊ hi ˈwərid hi maɪt bi ˈtɑrgətɪd ɪn ðə fˈjuʧər. bɪn kənˈsɪdərd ˌbiˈfɔr. hɪˈstɔrɪkəl pɔɪnt ðət ˈnɪksən kənˈsɪdərd ɪt, ðət hɪz ˈlɔjər ˈænəˌlaɪzd ɪt ənd sɛd ðət ɪn hɪz əˈpɪnjən, ˈnɪksən kʊd, bət ˈnɪksən ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd nɑt to,”*,” kɔlt sɛd, θɪŋk ðət hɪˈstɔrɪkəl pɔɪnt ɪz ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ ənd important.”*.” ˈivɪn ˈnɪksən, huz ˈwɪlɪŋnəs tɪ pʊʃ ðə ˈbaʊndəriz əv hɪz paʊər wɑz ˈsərtənli wɛl ɪˈstæblɪʃt, kənˈsɪdərd ənd dɪˈklaɪnd ðə aɪˈdiə. ɪf trəmp wər tɪ ˈpɑrdən hɪmˈsɛlf, ənd ɪf ðə kɔrts wər tɪ saɪn ɔf ˈəltəmətli ˈminɪŋ ðə səˈprim kɔrt, moʊst ˈlaɪkli nɑt ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ˈɛniˌwən kʊd du əˈbaʊt ɪt. bi ˈpɑrdənd frəm ˌprɑsəˈkjuʃən fər ˈfɛdərəl kraɪmz ˈəndər ˌwəˈtɛvər ˈlɪmɪts hi əˈplaɪd tɪ hɪz ˈpɑrdən, əp ənˈtɪl ðə pɔɪnt æt wɪʧ ðə ˈpɑrdən wɑz ˈgrænɪd. ɪf trəmp ˈrɪli θɪŋks ðə ˈrəʃə ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən ɪz ən ˌɔnˈfɛr wɪʧ hənt, ðət ˈblæŋkɪt əv prəˈtɛkʃən meɪ pruv rɪˈmɑrkəbli əˈlʊrɪŋ.

president trump, speaking at the salute to our armed services inaugural ball on jan. 20 in washington. (alex brandon/ap) update: on monday morning, president trump announced on twitter that “numerous legal scholars” say he has an “absolute right” to pardon himself. numerous other scholars, including some with whom we spoke last year, disagree. our analysis of the question is below. shortly before the 2016 presidential election, an interesting constitutional thought experiment emerged: if hillary clinton did deserve to be locked up, in the eloquent articulation of donald trump supporters, could she use the power of the presidential pardon on … herself? on nov. 8, the question became pointless, as we learned that clinton would not have that authority or any power of the presidency. but it has reemerged of late, given the spate of news articles concerning alleged wrongdoings in the trump campaign and administration. if trump violated some law, could he pardon himself? the short answer is that no one really knows. the longer answer is that the reasons he might want to are more complex than we might usually assume. “we can all only speculate what would happen if the president tried to do it,” said brian kalt, professor of law at michigan state university and author of the book “constitutional cliffhangers.” “we’re all just predicting what the court would do if it happened, but no one can be sure.” the constitutional language governing pardons reads, “the president … shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the united states, except in cases of impeachment.” that vagueness is part of the reason the boundaries of the authority would need to be interpreted by the courts in unusual cases, like the one at hand. that said, kalt’s got an opinion about what the supreme court would do if trump (or any president) tried to give himself a pardon: they’d throw it out. kalt’s reasons are similarly rooted in interpretations of the language of the constitution and the intent of its authors. for example, a pardon is “inherently something that you get from someone else,” he argued. that’s not explicit in the constitutional language, but, then, other boundaries we understand for pardons aren’t either, such as our understanding that there need not be a criminal charge before a pardon. (the most famous example of this kind of pardon was offered by president gerald ford to his predecessor, richard nixon.) p.s. ruckman, professor of political science at northern illinois university and author of the blog pardon power agreed with this idea in an email. “supreme court jurisprudence has always assumed a dichotomy — the granter and the recipient,” he said — the implication being that one person can’t play both roles. what’s more, “presidents are supposed to be limited,” kalt said. “the president has all of this power, but he has a limited term. if he was able to pardon himself, that would project his power well past his term.” kalt also noted that there’s a theme in the law that no one can be the judge in his own case. he raised the question of whether the vice president — who serves as the president of the senate — would preside over his own impeachment trial, which also takes place in the senate. “most people would find it unimaginable that the senate would allow the vice president to preside over his own impeachment,” he said. “the only basis they could have for not allowing him to is that there’s this principle that’s embedded into the law that literally goes without saying.” which, of course, is his point about the self-pardon. but that the constitution doesn’t say he can’t do it is, itself, a strong argument for his being allowed to. samuel morison is an attorney who specializes in pardon law, having spent 13 years in the office of the pardon attorney within the department of justice. “my opinion is that in theory that he could,” morison said. “but then he would be potentially subject to impeachment for doing that.” morison’s rationale is simple: “there are no constraints defined in the constitution itself that says he can’t do that.” impeachment itself is specifically carved out of the presidential pardon power within the constitution, so if trump were impeached, he’d have no counter to that action. there’s another clearly articulated boundary in the pardon provision that’s important: it applies only to any federal laws. if trump were to issue himself a pardon, that would cover only any violations of federal law. and that, kalt notes, might open a can of worms: state attorneys general (like new york’s, who has been eager to investigate trump since even before the president was elected) would see the pardon as a signal that their digging might pay off. although that logic makes sense, it’s certainly not the case that a pardon necessarily means that a law was broken. the pardon can be used as a protection against unwarranted investigations or prosecutions. when the hillary clinton question came up in late 2016, kalt wrote an article arguing that president barack obama might pardon her simply to protect her from unfair prosecution in the event that she was targeted by her opponent. there is also the question of whether trump would even risk such a tricky maneuver. it depends upon how threatened he felt of course — either because of what he’d done or because of how he worried he might be targeted in the future. it’s been considered before. “the historical point that nixon considered it, that his lawyer analyzed it and said that in his opinion, nixon could, but nixon decided not to,” kalt said, “i think that historical point is interesting and important.” even nixon, whose willingness to push the boundaries of his power was certainly well established, considered and declined the idea. if trump were to pardon himself, and if the courts were to sign off — ultimately meaning the supreme court, most likely — there’s not anything anyone could do about it. he’d be pardoned from prosecution for federal crimes under whatever limits he applied to his pardon, up until the point at which the pardon was granted. if trump really thinks the russia investigation is an unfair witch hunt, that blanket of protection may prove remarkably alluring.

ðɪs ˈɪntərvˌju ɪz pɑrt əv ə ˈsɪriz ɔn ˈwɪmən roʊl ˈmɑdəlz (ˌɑntrəprəˈnərz ənd ˈlidərz) frəm əraʊnd ðə wərld ənd fərst əˈpɪrd ɔn ˈgloʊbəl ˌɪnˈvɛst hər. ju hæv tɪ si wət ju kən bi. ðɛr ɪz ˈɔlˌweɪz ə weɪ. kip goʊɪŋ! aɪ ˈstrɔŋli bɪˈliv ðət ˈlidərz ər bɔrn, nɑt meɪd, bɪˈkəz ˈlidərˌʃɪp minz ˈhævɪŋ kərɪʤ. ju kən bi smɑrt ənd ˈbrɪljənt, bət tɪ pərˈfɔrm ənd bi ə ril ˈlidər, ju nid tɪ meɪk ə ˈpərsɪnəl ɪgˈzæmpəl əv ˈjɔrsɛlf ənd teɪk riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti ðət ˈəðərz ər nɑt ˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ teɪk." ɪz ðə ˈjəŋgəst ˈwʊmən ˈfɔrən ˈmɪnɪstər ɪn ðə ˈhɪstəri əv ˈistərn ˈjʊrəp æt 34 ʃi ʤɔɪnd ðə ˈoʊnli ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk rɪˈfɔrmɪst ˈgəvərnmənt əv bəlˈgɛriə ˈæftər ðə kəˈlæps əv ðə bərˈlɪn wɔl. ʃi tʊk ðə ˈkəntri frəm ðə ˈrəʃən ˌʤioʊpəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈɔrbət ənd peɪvd ɪts weɪ tɪ ˈmɛmbərˌʃɪp ənd ˈneɪtoʊ. æt ðə taɪm əv hər ˈmænˌdeɪt bəlˈgɛriə bɪˈkeɪm ə rɪˈlaɪəbəl ˈpɑrtnər əv ðə ˈstrəkʧərz ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə səˈvɪr ˈkɑnflɪkts ɪn ðə ˈbɔlkənz æt ðət taɪm ðə wɔr ɪn ðə ˈfɔrmər ˌjugoʊsˈlɑviə ənd ðə ˈkoʊsoʊˌvoʊ ˈrɛfjuʤi ˈkraɪsəs. ɪn 1999 bɪˈkeɪm ðə feɪs əv ðə ɪˈlɛkʃən kæmˈpeɪn əv ɛp "ðə ˈpɑrti əv ə nu ˈjʊrəp." ʃi wɑz ðə fərst ˈistərn ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˌpɑləˈtɪʃən tɪ hoʊld ən ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt pəˈzɪʃən ɪn ðə ˈlidərˌʃɪp əv ðə ɛp wɪˈθaʊt hər ˈkəntri biɪŋ ˈfɔrməli ə ˈmɛmbər əv ðə. wɑz vaɪs ˈprɛzɪdənt əv ɛp fər tu ənd hər kərɪr ɪn ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈpɑləˌtɪks kənˈtɪnjud ɛz ə ˈmɛmbər əv ˈpɑrləmɛnt ənd ˈprɛzɪdənt əv ðə ˈjunjən əv smɔl ənd ˈmidiəm ˈɛnərˌpraɪzɪz ɪn ˈjʊrəp. ɪz ðə fərst ˈwʊmən ˈlidər əv ðə ˈlɑrʤəst ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk ˈpɑrti ɪn bəlˈgɛriə ˈjunjən əv ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk ˈfɔrsɪz ʃi wɑz ðə fərst bəlˈgɛriən ˌpɑləˈtɪʃən hu ˈoʊpənli dɪˈklɛrd ˈbætəl əˈgɛnst ˈʃædoʊi ˈsərkəlz ɪn ˈpɑləˌtɪks ənd wɪθˈdru ðə ˈkænədɪt fər meɪər əv soʊˈfiə ɪn ðə ɪˈlɛktərəl kæmˈpeɪn ɪn 2003 oresharski*, du tɪ əˈlɛʤd ənˈrɛgjəˌleɪtɪd riˈleɪʃənz wɪθ ðə ˈɑləˌgɑrki. ʃi wɑz ɪˈlɛktɪd fər θri kənˈsɛkjətɪv ˈmænˌdeɪts ɛz ɪn ðə bəlˈgɛriən ˈpɑrləmɛnt dɪˈfɛndɪŋ ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk ˈvæljuz. ʃi wɑz ˈvaɪˈsprɛzədənt əv ðə ˈpɑrləmɛnt, ˈmɛmbər əv ðə bəlˈgɛriən ˌdɛləˈgeɪʃən tɪ ðə ˈkaʊnsəl əv ˈjʊrəp ənd ˈprɛzɪdənt əv ˌpɑrləˈmɛntəri ənd ˈpəblɪk riˈleɪʃənz kəˈmɪti tɪ ˌpɑrləˈmɛntəri əˈsɛmbli peɪs. ˈkərəntli ɪz ðə æmˈbæsədər əv bəlˈgɛriə tɪ ˈtərki. ə ˈgræʤəˌweɪt frəm soʊˈfiə ˌjunəˈvərsəti, ʃi ɪz ə trænzˈleɪtər əv ˈspænɪʃ ˈpoʊətri ənd ˈɪŋlɪʃ ˈlɪtərəʧər ənd ˈɔθər əv ðə fərst bəlˈgɛriən trænzˈleɪʃən əv ðə ˈpoʊətri əv roʊk ˈdɔltən. ʃi ɪz ðə fərst ənd ˈoʊnli ˈwʊmən əˈwɔrdɪd ðə pərˈstiʤəs bəlˈgɛriən "ˌpɑləˈtɪʃən əv ðə jɪr" əˈwɔrd əv ðə jɪr" 2008 ɪn bəlˈgɛriə, ənd ˈɔrdər əv ðə 2009 ɪn fræns. ʃi ɪz ˈmɛrid ənd həz tu ˈdɔtərz. hu ɪz jʊr roʊl ˈmɑdəl ɛz ə ˈlidər? fər mi, ðə ˈpərsən aɪ moʊst rɪˈspɛkt ˈoʊvər ˈmɛni jɪrz ɪz maɪ ˈfɔrmər ˈkɑlig, ˈfɔrmər ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri əv steɪt, ˌmædəˈlɛn ˈɔlˌbraɪt. ʃi ɪz ə ˈvɛri braɪt, kərˈeɪʤəs ˈwʊmən hu wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ ʃoʊ strɔŋ ˈlidərˌʃɪp æt ə taɪm wɪn maɪ ˈkəntri ənd ˌsaʊˈθist ˈjʊrəp ˈrɪli ˈnidɪd ɪt. ʃi pərˈzɛnəd hər ˈvɪʒən, kərɪʤ ənd ˈstrætəʤi fər ðə dɪˌmɑkrətəˈzeɪʃən əv ˌsaʊˈθist ˈjʊrəp ənd meɪd ɪt ˈpɑsəbəl fər bəlˈgɛriə tɪ ʤɔɪn ðə ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk wərld. strɔŋ ˈwɪmənz ˈlidərˌʃɪp ɪn ə taɪm əv ˈkraɪsəs ɪz ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈvɛri ˈnidɪd, bɪˈkəz ˈwɪmən hæv ə ˈspɛʃəl sɛns əv riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti, bɪˈkəz ˈneɪʧər meɪd ðɛm wɔnt tɪ sɪˈkjʊr ˈjumən lɪvz. ðæts waɪ aɪ θɪŋk ðə roʊl əv ˈwɪmən ˈlidərz həz tɪ ˈrɪli bi ɪnˈkərəʤd. wət ɪz jʊr ˈgreɪtəst əˈʧivmənt tɪ deɪt? aɪv hæd ðə juˈnik ˌɑpərˈtunəti əv biɪŋ pɑrt əv ðə dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ ˈprɔˌsɛs əv maɪ ˈkəntri æt ə ˈvɛri ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt taɪm wɪn bəlˈgɛriə wɑz ˈstrəgəlɪŋ fər dɪˈmɑkrəsi ənd traɪɪŋ tɪ ˈprɛzənt ən ɔlˈtərnətɪv pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈmɑdəl tɪ ðə ˌtoʊˌtælɪˈtɛriən rəˈʒim ˈæftər jɪrz əv ˈkɑmjəˌnɪzəm. wɪn aɪ wɑz ˈfɔrən ˈmɪnɪstər, maɪ ˈgəvərnmənt ənd aɪ hæd tɪ kənˈvɪns bəlˈgɛriən soʊˈsaɪɪti ðət bəlˈgɛriə ˈnidɪd tɪ bɪˈkəm pɑrt əv ðə ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈjunjən ənd ˈneɪtoʊ, ənd bɪˈkəm ˈfʊli ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzd ɛz pɑrt əv ðə ˈfæməli əv ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk ˈneɪʃənz. ˈsikɪŋ sɪˈkjʊrəti ˌgɛrənˈtiz baɪ biɪŋ pɑrt əv ðɪs kəmˈjunɪti wɑz nɑt ən ˈizi ˈprɔˌsɛs, bɪˈkəz wi hæd tɪ faɪt ðə ˈstætəs kwoʊ ənd kənˈsərvətɪv ˈθɪŋkɪŋ əv ˈpipəl hu wər juzd tɪ biɪŋ ˈfɑloʊərz, nɑt ˈlidərz əv ðɛr oʊn lɪvz. wi ˈnidɪd ə lɔt əv kərɪʤ ənd kəˈmɪtmənt. ɛz ˈfɔrən ˈmɪnɪstər, aɪ wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˈprɛzənt ə nu ˈɪmɪʤ əv bəlˈgɛriə ənd kriˈeɪt ə kəmˈplitli ˈdɪfərənt ənd səkˈsɛsfəl ˈpɑləsi ðət wɑz ˈvɛri ˈnidɪd ɪn bəlˈgɛriə ənd baɪ ɑr ˈfɔrən ˈpɑrtnərz hu ˈnidɪd tɪ ʧeɪnʤ ðɛr maɪndz əˈbaʊt ɑr ˈkəntri. maɪ əˈproʊʧ wɑz ɔl əˈbaʊt ˈbɪldɪŋ ˈkɑnfədɛns. ɪt wɑz ˈkruʃəli ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt tɪ bɪld trəst, ˈkɑnfədɛns ənd kənˈvɪns ɑr ˈpɑrtnərz əv bəlˈgɛriəz roʊl ɪn ˌsaʊˈθist ˈjʊrəp, ə ˈtərbjələnt ənd ˌənprɪˈdɪktəbəl ˈriʤən æt ðət taɪm. wi hæd tɪ pruv ɑr riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti ənd ˈifɛktɪvnəs, ɛz ə ˈkəntri ɪn biɪŋ pɑrt əv ðə səˈluʃən, nɑt pɑrt əv ðə ˈprɑbləm ənd aɪ æm ˈvɛri praʊd əv maɪ roʊl ɪn ðət. wət həz bɪn jʊr ˈbɪgəst ˈʧælənʤ ɛz ə ˈwʊmən ˈlidər? aɪ hæd tu ˈvɛri bɪg ˈʧælənʤɪz. 1 ðə ˈkraɪsəs ɪn ˈkoʊsoʊˌvoʊ (ɔn ɑr ˈwɛstərn ˈbɔrdər wɪθ ˌjugoʊsˈlɑviə), wɛr aɪ hæd tɪ ˈmænɪʤ ənd dɪˈfɛnd ðə pəˈzɪʃən əv bəlˈgɛriə tɪ bi pɑrt əv ðə ˈɛfərts əv ðə wərld tɪ prɪˈvɛnt ðə sprɛd əv ðə ˈkɑnflɪkt prəˈvoʊkt baɪ milosovic*, ənd stɑp ðə ˈɛθnɪk ˈklɛnzɪŋ ˈəndərˌteɪkən baɪ ɪm æt ðə taɪm, wɪʧ kɔzd ðə ˈɪnˌfləks əv ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz ɔl ˈoʊvər ˈjʊrəp. 2 maɪ ˈəðər bɪg ˈʧælənʤ wɑz ˈəndərˌteɪkɪŋ ˈvizə ˌlɪˌbərəlɪˈzeɪʃən tɪ əˈlaʊ bəlˈgɛriənz tɪ ˈtrævəl ˈfrili ɪn ðə ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈjunjən. ðɪs wɑz ə ˈvɛri bɪg ˈpərsɪnəl səkˈsɛs fər mi, ə greɪt traɪəmf ənd ˈɛvriˌbɑdi ɪn maɪ ˈkəntri ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzd weɪ wi riˈzɑlvd ðiz ˈʧælənʤɪz, ɪz pruf ðət bəlˈgɛriə wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ juz mɔr ˈɪnstrəmənts ənd hæv mɔr səˈpɔrt ðən ɪf wi hæd bɪn aʊt əv ðə ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk kəmˈjunɪti. ɛz ə ˈwʊmən θruaʊt ðoʊz ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃənz, maɪ ˈbɪgəst ˈʧælənʤ wɑz tɪ reɪz tu smɔl ˈdɔtərz waɪl ˈtrævəlɪŋ ɔl ˈoʊvər ðə wərld, nɪˈgoʊʃiˌeɪtɪŋ wɪθ frɛndz ənd ˈɛnəmiz, traɪɪŋ tɪ əˈʧiv ðə bɛst fər maɪ ˈkəntri, waɪl æt ðə seɪm taɪm biɪŋ ə gʊd ˈməðər: ˈprɛzənt ənd rɪˈspɑnsɪv æt ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ˈmoʊmənts ɪn ðə lɪvz əv maɪ tu smɔl ˈdɔtərz. ðɪs ɪz ˈprɑbəˌbli ðə ˈʧælənʤ əv ɔl ˈwɪmən hu traɪ tɪ hæv səkˈsɛsfəl kərɪrz ɪn ˈpɑləˌtɪks, ˈbɪznɪs ənd saɪəns waɪl ˈkipɪŋ ˈbæləns ɪn ðɛr ˈfæməli lɪvz. aɪ hæv ˈɔlˌweɪz traɪd tɪ bi ə gʊd ˈməðər ənd ˌpɑləˈtɪʃən ənd ðoʊ ɪt meɪ sim ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl, wɪθ ə lɔt əv ˈɛfərt ənd ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz, aɪ wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˈmænɪʤ boʊθ roʊlz æt ðə seɪm taɪm. əm praʊd ðət maɪ ˈʧɪldrən naʊ ˌəndərˈstænd ɔl ðə ˈsækrəˌfaɪsɪz ənd ˈpərsɪnəl ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt aɪ meɪd ɪn ɑr lɪvz, baɪ biɪŋ ən ɪgˈzæmpəl əv ə səkˈsɛsfəl ˈwʊmən duɪŋ wət ʃi ɪz ˈpæʃənət əˈbaʊt, aʊt əv hɑrt nɑt ˈoʊnli sɛlf ˈɪntəˌrɛst. haʊ du ju ˈmoʊtəˌveɪt ˈpipəl ɪn jʊr tim? tɪ bi fræŋk, aɪ ˈɔlˌweɪz pʊt ˈiˌmoʊʃənəl ˌmoʊtəˈveɪʃən æt ðə ˈfɔrˌfrənt, bɪˈkəz ˈɔfən ˈwɪmən ər ˈmoʊtəˌveɪtəd baɪ ə kɔz ənd ðə sɛns ðət ðeɪ kən hɛlp ˈsəmˌbɑdi ər ə ˈkəntri. ɪn maɪ keɪs ðɪs wɑz ə strɔŋ ˈdraɪvɪŋ fɔrs. aɪ məst ədˈmɪt, ðət fər mɛn, ˈɔfən ðə ˈiˌmoʊʃənəl ˌmoʊtəˈveɪʃən tɪ du θɪŋz wɑz nɑt ɪˈnəf. maɪ ˈfilɪŋ ɪz ðət ðeɪ nid θɪŋz tɪ bi mɔr prægˈmætɪk ənd ˈɔlˌweɪz pʊt prægˈmætɪk θɪŋz fərst, ˈiˌmoʊʃənəl θɪŋz ˈsɛkənd. fər ˈwɪmən, moʊst əv ðə taɪm ðə ˈiˌmoʊʃənəl ˌmoʊtəˈveɪʃən wɑz strɔŋ ɪˈnəf tɪ kip ðɛm goʊɪŋ. aɪ θɪŋk ðɛr ʃʊd bi ə ˈbæləns bɪtˈwin ðə tu, bɪˈkəz ˈiˌmoʊʃən wɪˈθaʊt prægˈmætɪk rɪˈzəlts ɪz ˈnəθɪŋ, ənd ðə ˈɑpəzɪt ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ tru. tɪ brɪŋ əˈbaʊt ril ʧeɪnʤ ənd breɪk ðə ˈstætəs kwoʊ, ju nid ə ˈstrætəʤi ənd tɪ ˈmoʊtəˌveɪt ˈpipəl tɪ bæk ðə ˈstrætəʤi ənd meɪk ɪt ˈpɑsəbəl. aɪ stɪl bɪˈliv ðət ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən ɪz ə ˈvɛri ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt pɑrt əv ðə hoʊl ˈɛfərt. ɪf ju kʊd du 1 θɪŋ ˈdɪfərˈɛntli, wət wʊd ɪt bi? aɪ wʊd hæv bɪn mɔr ˈkɛrfəl ɪn səˈlɛktɪŋ maɪ tim, ðə ˈpipəl wɪθ hum aɪ wərk. aɪ ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ˌoʊvərˈɛstəˌmeɪtɪd ˈpipəl ənd gɑt tu kloʊz tɪ ðɛm. wɪn ju gɪt tu kloʊz, ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ju ər nɑt ˈeɪbəl tɪ dɪˈlɪvər bɪˈkəz ju ər ˈɪnfluənst baɪ ˈfrɛndʃɪp. aɪ θɪŋk ðət wɑz ə mɪˈsteɪk aɪ meɪd. ˈlaɪkɪŋ səm ˈpipəl ənd dɪsˈlaɪkɪŋ ˈəðərz ˈdəzənt pleɪ ə ˈpɑzətɪv roʊl ɪn ˈpɑləˌtɪks. wɪn ju ər wɪθ ˈpipəl wɪθ hum ju hæv tɪ du ə tæsk, ðɛr ɪz ə ˈdɪfərənt taɪp əv riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp bɪtˈwin ju ənd ðɛm. ju hæv tɪ ˈfɑloʊ ðət ˈvɛri ˈstrɪktli, ˈəðərˌwaɪz ju luz jʊr strɛŋθ. wɪn ju pʊt jʊr hɑrt ənd soʊl ˈɪntu ˈsəmθɪŋ, ju ˈɔfən ɪkˈspɛkt ˈəðərz tɪ du ðə seɪm. ˈsəmˌwən wəns sɛd 'ðə ˈiziəst weɪ tɪ meɪk ən ˈɛnəmi əv ˈsəmˌwən, ɪz tɪ æsk ðɛm tɪ du mɔr ðən ðeɪ ər ˈeɪbəl ər wɔnt tɪ du'. ɪts ə greɪt ˈlɛsən fər mi ɔn maɪ pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈʤərni. aɪ noʊ ðət wi ʃʊd ˈɔlˌweɪz teɪk ə ˈræʃənəl əˈproʊʧ tɪ θɪŋz, bət ˈivɪn naʊ, frəm taɪm tɪ taɪm, ju nid tɪ ˌɪnˈklud ən ˈiˌmoʊʃənəl əˈproʊʧ. əm traɪɪŋ tɪ bi mɔr ˈmɑdərˌeɪt ɪn maɪ ˈɪˌmoʊʃənz. æt ðə seɪm taɪm, ə kloʊz frɛnd əv maɪn (ən ˈæktər) sɔ mi ˈgɪvɪŋ ə spiʧ ənd aɪ toʊld ɪm əm ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈəndər ˌɪˈmɛns ˈiˌmoʊʃənəl ˈprɛʃər ˌbiˈfɔr aɪ gɪv ə spiʧ aɪ ˈɔlˌweɪz θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ˈwɛðər ɪt wɪl goʊ ˈoʊˈkeɪ, haʊ wɪl ˈpipəl riækt, wɪl aɪ seɪ ɔl aɪ nid tɪ (aɪ ˈnɛvər brɪŋ noʊts wɪθ mi ər rɛd aʊt ə spiʧ). hi toʊld mi ðət wɑz waɪ aɪ æm soʊ səkˈsɛsfəl. wɪn ju stɑp ˈfilɪŋ ðə ˈprɛʃər ənd strɛs ˌbiˈfɔr dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ ə spiʧ, ðæts ðə ɛnd, bɪˈkəz ɪt minz ðət ɪt həz bɪˈkəm ə ruˈtin fər ju. wət ˈdɪfərənsɪz du ju ˈnoʊtɪs bɪtˈwin mɛn ənd ˈwɪmənz ˈlidərˌʃɪp staɪlz? fər mi, mɛn ˈsɪmpli hæv ə ˈdɪfərənt əˈproʊʧ. moʊst əv ðɛm doʊnt peɪ ɛz məʧ əˈtɛnʃən tɪ ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən ənd ˈiˌmoʊʃən ɪts nɑt ðɛr ˈkɑmən əˈproʊʧ. moʊst əv ðɛm beɪs ðɛr ˈspiʧɪz ənd ˈlidərˌʃɪp ɔn prægˈmætɪk θɪŋz. ˈoʊvər taɪm, aɪ hæv ˈlərnɪd frəm ðɛr əˈproʊʧ ənd fil aɪ hæv tɪ hæv boʊθ ˈprægməˌtɪzəm ənd ˈiˌmoʊʃən. aɪ θɪŋk ˈiˌmoʊʃən ɪz ə kəmˈpætəbəl gɪft, bət æt ðə seɪm taɪm, ɪts ˈɔlˌweɪz ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt tɪ hæv ən ˈækʃən plæn, bi ˈstrəkʧərd ənd bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ səˈlɛkt praɪˈɔrətiz. wɪn ju meɪk ə spiʧ tɪ traɪ tɪ gɪt səˈpɔrt fər jʊr kɔz, ju nid tɪ bi ˈvɛri ˈstrəkʧərd ənd gɪt jʊr moʊst ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt pɔɪnts əˈkrɔs tɪ ðə ˈpəblɪk. moʊst ˈpipəl ˈoʊnli rɪˈmɛmbər əp tɪ 3 5 θɪŋz frəm ə spiʧ. aɪ θɪŋk ðət mɛn kən bi ˈstrɔŋgər wɪn ɪt kəmz tɪ ˈpræktɪkəl θɪŋz. bət ɪts ə bɪt laɪk sɔlt ənd ˈpɛpər, ju nid boʊθ ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃənz. ju kən bi juˈnik θru jʊr oʊn weɪ əv kəmˈbaɪnɪŋ boʊθ ˈprægməˌtɪzəm ənd ˈiˌmoʊʃən. aɪ θɪŋk ðət ˈwɪmənz əˈproʊʧ ɪz mɔr ˌɪnˈklusɪv ðən ðət əv mɛn. fər mɛn, ɪts ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt tɪ ʃoʊ hu ɪz ˈnəmbər 1 fər ˈwɪmən, ðeɪ ər mɔr ˈrɛdi tɪ wərk ɛz pɑrt əv ə tim. haʊ wʊd ju dɪˈskraɪb jʊr ˈlidərˌʃɪp staɪl? aɪ wʊd dɪˈskraɪb ɪt baɪ ˈmeɪkɪŋ ə ˈpɛrəˌlɛl bɪtˈwin biɪŋ ə ˈlidər ənd ə ˈfɔrən ˈmɪnɪstər. aɪ ˈnɛvər rɛd aʊt maɪ ˈspiʧɪz tɪ ˈpipəl. wɪn aɪ priˈpɛr ˌmaɪˈsɛlf fər ˈmitɪŋz, nɪˌgoʊʃiˈeɪʃənz ər ˈpəblɪk ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃənz, aɪ laɪk tɪ fil ðə ˈɛnərʤi ənd əˈtɛnʃən əv ðə ˈɔdiəns. aɪ gɪt ˌɪnˈspaɪərd baɪ ðət ənd fil ə ˈpərsɪnəl, ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl ˈkɑnˌtækt wɪθ ðɛm. aɪ kən fil wɪn ðə ˈɔdiəns ɪz nɑt ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd ɪn wət əm seɪɪŋ ənd ɪts laɪk ɪn ðə ˈθiətər, ju nid ðɪs ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsəti ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ meɪk ə ril kəˈnɛkʃən wɪθ ðə ˈpəblɪk ənd gɪt ðɛm ɔn bɔrd. ɪn ɔl maɪ ˈlidərˌʃɪp roʊlz, ðət ˈpərsɪnəl ˈkɑnˌtækt wɪθ ˈpipəl ɪz ˈvɛri ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt. aɪ 'ɛm nɑt ə ˈkæbənət ˌpɑləˈtɪʃən hu ɪz wɛl priˈpɛrd, wɛl ˈɛʤəˌkeɪtɪd, ˈsɪtɪŋ ɪn ˈɔfəs, ˈsɪmpli ˈweɪtɪŋ fər θɪŋz tɪ ˈhæpən, bɪˈkəz ðeɪ ər raɪt. aɪ nid tɪ kənˈvɪns ˈpipəl ənd ðət gɪvz mi əˈdɪʃənəl strɛŋθ tɪ kip goʊɪŋ. aɪ ˈstrɔŋli bɪˈliv ðət ˈlidərz ər bɔrn, nɑt meɪd, bɪˈkəz ˈlidərˌʃɪp minz ˈhævɪŋ kərɪʤ. ju kən bi smɑrt ənd ˈbrɪljənt, bət tɪ pərˈfɔrm ənd bi ə ril ˈlidər, ju nid tɪ meɪk ə ˈpərsɪnəl ɪgˈzæmpəl əv ˈjɔrsɛlf ənd teɪk riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti ðət ˈəðərz ər nɑt ˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ teɪk. tɪ bi ɔn ðə frənt laɪn, minz ˈteɪkɪŋ ɔn mɔr riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti ənd biɪŋ ˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ peɪ fər ðət riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti. ˈɛvəri stɛp ənd ʧeɪnʤ həz ə praɪs ənd ju ʃʊd kənˈsɪdər ˈwɛðər ju ər ˈrɛdi tɪ peɪ ðət praɪs, ər teɪk ðət rɪsk. ʧeɪnʤ ˈɔlˌweɪz ˌɪnˈvɑlvz rɪsk ənd ðə ˈstætəs kwoʊ ɪz ˈɔlˌweɪz mɔr ˈkəmfərtəbəl. wət ədˈvaɪs wʊd ju gɪv tɪ jʊr ˈjəŋgər sɛlf? bi kloʊz tɪ ˈpipəl, bət bi ˈvɛri ˈkɛrfəl ɪn səˈlɛktɪŋ ðoʊz tɪ hum ju ˈoʊpən jʊr hɑrt ənd soʊl. wɪn səˈlɛktɪŋ jʊr tim, ju ʃʊd ˈɔlˌweɪz faɪnd ə ˈbæləns bɪtˈwin ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti, ˈnɑlɪʤ, ˈifɛktɪvnəs ənd ˈlɔɪəlti. ðə ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃən bɪtˈwin ðiz θɪŋz ɪz ˈvɛri juˈnik; ju kən hæv smɑrt ˈpipəl hu ər nɑt lɔɪəl, ər lɔɪəl ˈpipəl hu ər nɑt ˈkeɪpəbəl ɪˈnəf. ðeɪ nid tɪ bi rɪˈlaɪəbəl, ju nid tɪ bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ trəst ðɛm ənd ðeɪ məst bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ trəst ju. wɪn ə tim ɪz wɛl səˈlɛktɪd ənd kəˈmɪtɪd tɪ ə ˈkɑmən goʊl, ðeɪ kən muv ðə wərld. aɪ hæv kərɪʤ ənd ə lɔt əv ɪkˈspɪriəns ənd aɪ ˈrɪli kɛr əˈbaʊt maɪ ˈkəntri. ˈmuvɪŋ ˈfɔrwərd, aɪ wɪl ˈvɛri ˈkɛrfəli səˈlɛkt maɪ tim ənd ɪf aɪ du ɪt səkˈsɛsfəli, aɪ bɪˈliv aɪ ˈrɪli wɪl hæv ə greɪt səkˈsɛs. ðə ril tɛst ɪz ðə tɛst əv ə ril ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən. wɪn ju ər ˈɪntərvˌjuɪŋ ˈpipəl, ju kən laɪk ðɛm ənd θɪŋk ðeɪ hæv ɔl ðə kˌwɑləfəˈkeɪʃənz ənd ɪkˈspɪriəns ju nid, bət ðɛr ɪz ˈɔlˌweɪz ə ˈhɪdən pɑrt. wɪn ðət ˈpərsən ɪz pʊt ɪn ə ˈrɪli təf ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən, ðæts wɪn ju si ðə ril ˈpərsən bɪˈhaɪnd ðə skrin. ðə ˈəðər θɪŋ aɪ wʊd tɛl ˌmaɪˈsɛlf ɪz tɪ lərn haʊ tɪ faɪər ˈpipəl ðæts ˈvɛri ˈdɪfəkəlt fər mi. wɪn ju gɪt kloʊz tɪ ˈsəmˌwən ənd ðeɪ doʊnt rɪˈspɑnd tɪ ðə trəst ju hæv ˈgɪvɪn ənd ˈdəzənt pərˈfɔrm ɪn ðə raɪt weɪ, ju ʃʊd bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ tɛl ðɛm tɪ faɪnd əˈnəðər ʤɑb. wɪn ju bɪˈkəm kloʊz tɪ ˈsəmˌwən ˈpərsənəli ɪt bɪˈkəmz ˈvɛri hɑrd. wɪn ju nid tɪ faɪər ðɛm, ju nid tɪ tɔk ðɛm, nɑt hjuˈmɪliˌeɪt ðɛm, ˈrəðər trit ðɛm ənd ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs wɪθ rɪˈspɛkt tɪ boʊθ ˈpɑrtiz kən liv ɔn gʊd tərmz. wət wʊd ju laɪk tɪ əˈʧiv ɪn ðə nɛkst 5 jɪrz? maɪ ˈpərsɪnəl goʊl ɪz tɪ kənˈtɪnju tɪ bi pɑrt əv ʧeɪnʤ ɪn bəlˈgɛriə, ˈjʊrəp ənd ðə wərld. naʊ aɪ hæv mɔr ˈɪnstrəmənts ənd ɪkˈspɪriəns tɪ hɛlp maɪ ˈkəntri, ðən wɪn aɪ wɑz ˈfɔrən ˈmɪnɪstər. aɪ æm ˈkeɪpəbəl əv biɪŋ ˈivɪn mɔr ˈifɛktɪv ðən 15 jɪrz əˈgoʊ ənd ðɪs ɪz ə greɪt ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən fər mi. aɪ æm ˈrɛdi tɪ wərk tɪ ðɪs tæsk. maɪ ˈstrɔŋgəst ɪkˈspɪriəns ɪz ɪn ˈfɔrən riˈleɪʃənz ənd aɪ θɪŋk aɪ æm ˈeɪbəl tɪ pəˈzɪʃən bəlˈgɛriə ɪn ðə ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl kəmˈjunɪti, ˈædvəˌkeɪtɪŋ ˈtɑlərəns, dɪˈvɛləpmənt ənd ɪmˈpaʊərɪŋ ˈwɪmən ɪn maɪ ˈkəntri, ə juʤ ənˈtæpt ˈrisɔrs. ðə mɔr ˈpipəl hu wərk təˈgɛðər ɔn ˈwɪmənz ɪmˈpaʊərmənt ðə ˈbɛtər, wi nid mɔr ˈælaɪz ɔn ðɪs tæsk. 3 ki wərdz tɪ dɪˈskraɪb ˈjɔrsɛlf? kərɪʤ ˈvɪʒən ɪkˈspɪriəns wɔʧ æn tɔk ɔn ˌɪnˈvɛstɪŋ ɪn ˈwɪmən ˌɑntrəprəˈnərz.

this interview is part of a series on trailblazing women role models (entrepreneurs and leaders) from around the world and first appeared on global invest her. you have to see what you can be. " there is always a way. keep going! i strongly believe that leaders are born, not made, because leadership means having courage. you can be smart and brilliant, but to perform and be a real leader, you need to make a personal example of yourself and take responsibility that others are not willing to take." nadezhda neynsky is the youngest woman foreign minister in the history of post-communist eastern europe 1997-2001. at 34 she joined the only democratic reformist government of bulgaria after the collapse of the berlin wall. she took the country from the russian geopolitical orbit and paved its way to eu membership and nato. at the time of her mandate bulgaria became a reliable partner of the euro-atlantic structures during the severe conflicts in the balkans at that time - the war in the former yugoslavia and the kosovo refugee crisis. in 1999 nadezhda neynsky became the face of the election campaign of epp - "the party of a new europe." she was the first eastern european politician to hold an important position in the leadership of the epp without her country being formally a member of the eu. neynski was vice president of epp for two and her career in european politics continued as a member of parliament 2009-2014 and president of the union of small and medium enterprises in europe. nadezhda neynsky is the first woman leader of the largest right-wing democratic party in bulgaria - union of democratic forces 2002-2005. she was the first bulgarian politician who openly declared battle against shadowy circles in politics and withdrew the udf candidate for mayor of sofia in the electoral campaign in 2003 plamen oresharski, due to alleged unregulated relations with the oligarchy. she was elected for three consecutive mandates as mp in the bulgarian parliament 1997-2008, defending democratic euro-atlantic values. she was vice-president of the parliament, member of the bulgarian delegation to the council of europe and president of parliamentary and public relations committee to parliamentary assembly pace. currently nadzshda is the ambassador of bulgaria to turkey. a philologist graduate from sofia university, she is a translator of spanish poetry and english literature and author of the first bulgarian translation of the poetry of roque dalton. she is the first and only woman awarded the prestigious bulgarian "politician of the year" award 1999,"woman of the year" 2008 in bulgaria, and order of the légion d'honneur 2009 innce. she is married and has two daughters. who is your role model as a leader? for me, the person i most respect over many years is my former colleague, former secretary of state, madeleine albright. she is a very bright, courageous woman who was able to show strong leadership at a time when my country and southeast europe really needed it. she presented her vision, courage and strategy for the democratization of southeast europe and made it possible for bulgaria to join the democratic world. strong women's leadership in a time of crisis is always very needed, because women have a special sense of responsibility, because nature made them want to secure human lives. that's why i think the role of women leaders has to really be encouraged. what is your greatest achievement to date? i've had the unique opportunity of being part of the decision-making process of my country at a very important time when bulgaria was struggling for democracy and trying to present an alternative political model to the totalitarian regime after years of communism. when i was foreign minister, my government and i had to convince bulgarian society that bulgaria needed to become part of the european union and nato, and become fully recognised as part of the family of democratic nations. seeking security guarantees by being part of this community was not an easy process, because we had to fight the status quo and conservative thinking of people who were used to being followers, not leaders of their own lives. we needed a lot of courage and commitment. as foreign minister, i was able to present a new image of bulgaria and create a completely different and successful policy that was very needed in bulgaria and by our foreign partners who needed to change their minds about our country. my approach was all about building confidence. it was crucially important to build trust, confidence and convince our partners of bulgaria's role in southeast europe, a turbulent and unpredictable region at that time. we had to prove our responsibility and effectiveness, as a country in being part of the solution, not part of the problem and i am very proud of my role in that. what has been your biggest challenge as a woman leader? i had two very big challenges. 1) the crisis in kosovo (on our western boarder with yugoslavia), where i had to manage and defend the position of bulgaria to be part of the efforts of the civilised world to prevent the spread of the conflict provoked by milosovic, and stop the ethnic cleansing undertaken by him at the time, which caused the influx of refugees all over europe. 2) my other big challenge was undertaking visa liberalization to allow bulgarians to travel freely in the european union. this was a very big personal success for me, a great triumph and everybody in my country recognized this.the way we resolved these challenges, is proof that bulgaria was able to use more instruments and have more support than if we had been out of the democratic community. as a woman throughout those situations, my biggest challenge was to raise two small daughters while travelling all over the world, negotiating with friends and enemies, trying to achieve the best for my country, while at the same time being a good mother: present and responsive at important moments in the lives of my two small daughters. this is probably the challenge of all women who try to have successful careers in politics, business and science while keeping balance in their family lives. i have always tried to be a good mother and politician and though it may seem impossible, with a lot of effort and compromise, i was able to manage both roles at the same time. i'm proud that my children now understand all the sacrifices and personal investment i made in our lives, by being an example of a successful woman doing what she is passionate about, out of heart not only self interest. how do you motivate people in your team? to benk, i always put emotional motivation at the forefront, because often women are motivated by a cause and the sense that they can help somebody or a country. in my case this was a strong driving force. i must admit, that for men, often the emotional motivation to do things was not enough. my feeling is that they need things to be more pragmatic and always put pragmatic things first, emotional things second. for women, most of the time the emotional motivation was strong enough to keep them going. i think there should be a balance between the two, because emotion without pragmatic results is nothing, and the opposite is also true. to bring about real change and break the status quo, you need a strategy and to motivate people to back the strategy and make it possible. i still believe that inspiration is a very important part of the whole effort. if you could do 1 thing differently, what would it be? i would have been more careful in selecting my team, the people with whom i work. i sometimes overestimated people and got too close to them. when you get too close, sometimes you are not able to deliver because you are influenced by friendship. i think that was a mistake i made. liking some people and disliking others doesn't play a positive role in politics. when you are with people with whom you have to do a task, there is a different type of relationship between you and them. you have to follow that very strictly, otherwise you lose your strength. when you put your heart and soul into something, you often expect others to do the same. someone once said 'the easiest way to make an enemy of someone, is to ask them to do more than they are able or want to do'. it's a great lesson for me on my political journey. i know that we should always take a rational approach to things, but even now, from time to time, you need to include an emotional approach. i'm trying to be more moderate in my emotions. at the same time, a close friend of mine (an actor) saw me giving a speech and i told him i'm always under immense emotional pressure before i give a speech - i always think about whether it will go ok, how will people react, will i say all i need to (i never bring notes with me or read out a speech). he told me that was why i am so successful. when you stop feeling the pressure and stress before delivering a speech, that's the end, because it means that it has become a routine for you. what differences do you notice between men and women's leadership styles? for me, men simply have a different approach. most of them don't pay as much attention to inspiration and emotion - it's not their common approach. most of them base their speeches and leadership on pragmatic things. over time, i have learned from their approach and feel i have to have both pragmatism and emotion. i think emotion is a compatible gift, but at the same time, it's always important to have an action plan, be structured and be able to select priorities. when you make a speech to try to get support for your cause, you need to be very structured and get your most important points across to the public. most people only remember up to 3- 5 things from a speech. i think that men can be stronger when it comes to practical things. but it's a bit like salt and pepper, you need both combinations. you can be unique through your own way of combining both pragmatism and emotion. i think that women's approach is more inclusive than that of men. for men, it's important to show who is number 1. for women, they are more ready to work as part of a team. how would you describe your leadership style? i would describe it by making a parallel between being a leader and a foreign minister. i never read out my speeches to people. when i prepare myself for meetings, negotiations or public presentations, i like to feel the energy and attention of the audience. i get inspired by that and feel a personal, invisible contact with them. i can feel when the audience is not interested in what i'm saying and it's like in the theatre, you need this electricity in order to make a real connection with the public and get them on board. in all my leadership roles, that personal contact with people is very important. i 'm not a cabinet politician who is well prepared, well educated, sitting in his/her office, simply waiting for things to happen, because they are right. i need to convince people and that gives me additional strength to keep going. i strongly believe that leaders are born, not made, because leadership means having courage. you can be smart and brilliant, but to perform and be a real leader, you need to make a personal example of yourself and take responsibility that others are not willing to take. to be on the front line, means taking on more responsibility and being willing to pay for that responsibility. every step and change has a price and you should consider whether you are ready to pay that price, or take that risk. change always involves risk and the status quo is always more comfortable. what advice would you give to your younger self? be close to people, but be very careful in selecting those to whom you open your heart and soul. when selecting your team, you should always find a balance between capability, knowledge, effectiveness and loyalty. the combination between these things is very unique; you can have smart people who are not loyal, or loyal people who are not capable enough. they need to be reliable, you need to be able to trust them and they must be able to trust you. when a team is well selected and committed to a common goal, they can move the world. i have courage and a lot of experience and i really care about my country. moving forward, i will very carefully select my team and if i do it successfully, i believe i really will have a great success. the real test is the test of a real situation. when you are interviewing people, you can like them and think they have all the qualifications and experience you need, but there is always a hidden part. when that person is put in a really tough situation, that's when you see the real person behind the screen. the other thing i would tell myself is to learn how to fire people - that's very difficult for me. when you get close to someone and they don't respond to the trust you have given him/her and doesn't perform in the right way, you should be able to tell them to find another job. when you become close to someone personally it becomes very hard. when you need to fire them, you need to talk them, not humiliate them, rather treat them and the process with respect to both parties can leave on good terms. what would you like to achieve in the next 5 years? my personal goal is to continue to be part of change in bulgaria, europe and the civilised world. now i have more instruments and experience to help my country, than when i was foreign minister. i am capable of being even more effective than 15 years ago and this is a great inspiration for me. i am ready to work to fulfil this task. my strongest experience is in foreign relations and i think i am able to position bulgaria in the international community, advocating tolerance, development and empowering women in my country, a huge untapped resource. the more people who work together on women's empowerment the better, we need more allies on this task. 3 key words to describe yourself? • courage • vision • experience watch anne ravanona's tedx talk on investing in women entrepreneurs.

baɪ ˈgrɛgəri ðə reɪl ˈbɪznɪs ɪz ən ˈɪndəstri fʊl əv taɪərd, strɛst ˈwərkərz. ɪt ɪz ən ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk. aɪ noʊ ðɪs bɪˈkəz, ˌbiˈfɔr ˈkəmɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈsɛvərəl jɪrz əˈgoʊ, aɪ spɛnt mɔr ðən 30 jɪrz ˈwərkɪŋ ɪn ðə freɪt ˈreɪˌlroʊd ˈɪndəstri. waɪl freɪt ˈreɪˌlroʊd ˈmænɪʤərz ənd kruz kaʊnt ɔn rɪˈlaɪəbəl ˈskɛʤʊlz tɪ meɪk ðɛr ˈʃɪpmənts ənd meɪk ðɛr ˈkəstəmərz ˈhæpi, ðɛr ɪz noʊ ruˈtin ˈskɛʤʊl fər ðə ˈhənərdz əv ˈθaʊzənz əv ɪmˈplɔɪd ɪn ðɪs ˈbɪznɪs. ɛz ə rɪˈzəlt, ˈmɛni ˈreɪˌlroʊd ˈwərkərz ər ˈlɪtərəli ˈwɔkɪŋ ənd ˈwərkɪŋ ɪn ðɛr slip. aɪ wɑz wən əv ðɛm. wən əv maɪ læst ʤɑbz ˌbiˈfɔr ˈkəmɪŋ tɪ ðə wɑz ɛz ə fər ə ˈmeɪʤər freɪt ˈreɪˌlroʊd. maɪ ˈdutiz ˌɪnˈkludɪd ˈseɪfli siɪŋ ðə ərˈaɪvəl ənd dɪˈpɑrʧər əv treɪnz ɪn ənd aʊt əv ˈtərmənəlz ɪn ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə. aɪ spɛnt ə lɑrʤ məˈʤɔrəti əv maɪ taɪm rivˈjuɪŋ treɪn ˈskɛʤʊlz ənd kəmˈjunəˌkeɪtɪŋ wɪθ treɪn ˌpərsəˈnɛl əv ərˈaɪvɪŋ ənd dɪˈpɑrtɪŋ treɪnz. aɪ koʊˈɔrdəneɪtɪd ðə ˈɛfərts əv ˈnɪrli 300, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ yardmasters*, dɪˈspæʧərz ənd ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrz, tɪ ˈɛksəˌkjut ðə ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən plæn ɔn maɪ ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri. əˈdɪʃəˌnəli, aɪ wɑz riˈspɑnsəbəl fər ˈmeɪkɪŋ ʃʊr ɔl ðə wərk wɑz dən ˈseɪfli ənd ɪn əˈkɔrdəns wɪθ rulz ənd ˌrɛgjəˈleɪʃənz. ðə ʤɑb wɑz ˈvɛri ˈstrɛsfəl ənd rikˈwaɪərd lɔŋ aʊərz. ɪt ənˈjuˌʒuəl fər mi tɪ wərk 80 aʊərz ə wik. aɪ ˈɔfən wərkt ˈoʊvərˈnaɪt, ˈivnɪŋz, ˈwiˌkɛndz ənd lɔŋ aʊərz. ˈoʊvər taɪm, aɪ bɪˈkeɪm ˈkrɑnɪkəli fəˈtigd. aɪ geɪnd weɪt ənd bɪˈgæn tɪ luz maɪ ˈmɛməri ənd ˈəðər ˈkɑgnɪtɪv əˈbɪləˌtiz. aɪ hæd noʊ ruˈtin ˈskɛʤʊl fər slip, bɪˈkəz aɪ wərkt ˌɪˈrɛgjələr aʊərz ðət wər ˈkaʊntər tɪ maɪ sərˈkeɪdiən ˈrɪðəmz. ɪˈvɛnʧəwəli, aɪ bɪˈgæn tɪ meɪk mɪˈsteɪks æt wərk ənd ɪn maɪ ˈpərsɪnəl laɪf pəˈtɛnʃəli ˈdeɪnʤərəs wənz. ˈnoʊtɪŋ haʊ maɪ wərk ənd hoʊm laɪf wɑz ˈsəfərɪŋ, aɪ wɛnt tɪ ə slip ˈspɛʃəlɪst. ðə ˈdɔktər dɪˈtərmənd ðət aɪ wɑz fəˈtigd æt ə ˈdeɪnʤərəs ˈlɛvəl tɪ ðə pɔɪnt wɛr ðə steɪt əv ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə tʊk maɪ ˈlaɪsəns. aɪˈrɑnɪkli, waɪl aɪ kʊd noʊ ˈlɔŋgər draɪv ə kɑr, aɪ wɑz stɪl ɪkˈspɛktɪd tɪ ˈkɛri aʊt ðə məˈtɪkjələs ˈditeɪlz əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ ˈmænəʤɪŋ reɪl jɑrdz. aɪ wɔrnd maɪ ˈbɔsɪz, bət ðɛr wɑz ˈlɪtəl hɛlp ər rɪˈspɑns. aɪ meɪd səˈʤɛsʧənz fər ˌɪmˈpruvmənts, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ɪnˈkərəʤɪŋ ðə ˈreɪˌlroʊd tɪ prəˈvaɪd ˈbɛtər ˈlaɪˌnəps ənd ˌɑpərˈtunətiz fər rɛst, bət aɪ fɛlt ənsəˈpɔrtɪd ənd bɪˈkeɪm kənˈsərnd fər ðə ˈseɪfti əv maɪ kruz. ɪˈvɛnʧəwəli, aɪ lɛft ðə ˈreɪˌlroʊd ənd bɪˈgæn ə nu kərɪr. maɪ ˈstɔri ɪz nɑt ənˈjuˌʒuəl. ənd wɪn aɪ keɪm tɪ ðə ɛz ʧif əv ðə ˈreɪˌlroʊd dɪˈvɪʒən, aɪ kˈwɪkli ˈlərnɪd ðət ðə ˈɔlsoʊ ˈriəˌlaɪzd ðə ˈdeɪnʤərz əv fəˈtig ɪn ðə ˈreɪˌlroʊd ˈbɪznɪs. ɛz ə rɪˈzəlt əv ɑr ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃənz ɪn ˈrisənt jɪrz, wi hæv ˈɪʃud mɔr ðən 25 ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃənz rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ˈmænəʤɪŋ stɪl ˈoʊpən, ˈnidɪŋ tɪ bi əˈdrɛst. wən ˈæksədənt, ɪn ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr, ˌɪnˈvɑlvɪŋ ə freɪt treɪn pərˈhæps bɛst ˈhaɪˌlaɪts ðə ˈdeɪnʤər ðə ɪz əˈtɛmptɪŋ tɪ ɪˈrædəˌkeɪt. ɪn ˈeɪprəl 2011 ən ˈistˌbaʊnd ˈreɪlˌweɪ (bnsf*) koʊl treɪn ˈtrævəlɪŋ əˈbaʊt 23 ˈɛmˈpiˈeɪʧ, kəˈlaɪdɪd wɪθ ðə rɪr ɛnd əv ə ˈstændɪŋ ɪkˈwɪpmənt treɪn nɪr rɛd oʊk, ˈaɪəwə. ðə kəˈlɪʒən rɪˈzəltɪd ɪn ðə dɪˈreɪlmənt əv 2 ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪvz ənd 12 kɑz. ðə lɛd ˈmɑʤələr kru kæb wɑz dɪˈtæʧt, ˈpɑrʃəli krəʃt, ənd ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ə ˈsəbsəkwənt ˈdizəl fjuəl faɪər. boʊθ ɔn ðə ˈstraɪkɪŋ treɪn wər ˈfeɪtəli ˈɪnʤərd. wi dɪˈtərmənd ðət ðə ˈprɑbəbəl kɔz əv ðə ˈæksədənt wɑz ðə ˈfeɪljər əv ðə kru əv ðə ˈstraɪkɪŋ treɪn tɪ kəmˈplaɪ wɪθ ðə ˈsɪgnəl ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən rikˈwaɪərɪŋ ðɛm tɪ ˈɔpərˌeɪt ɪn əˈkɔrdəns wɪθ riˈstrɪktɪd spid rɪkˈwaɪrmənts ənd stɑp ʃɔrt əv ðə ˈstændɪŋ treɪn bɪˈkəz ðeɪ hæd ˈfɑlən əsˈlip du tɪ fəˈtig rɪˈzəltɪŋ frəm ðɛr ˌɪˈrɛgjələr wərk ˈskɛʤʊlz ənd ðɛr ˈmɛdɪkəl kənˈdɪʃənz. ɛz ə rɪˈzəlt əv ðət ˈæksədənt, wi ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪd ðət ðə ˈreɪlˌweɪ ˌrikˈwaɪər ɔl ɪmˈplɔɪiz ənd ˈmænɪʤərz hu pərˈfɔrm ər ˈsupərˌvaɪz tæsks tɪ kəmˈplit fəˈtig ˈtreɪnɪŋ ɔn ən ˈænjuəl ˈbeɪsɪs ənd ˈdɑkjəmɛnt wɪn ðeɪ hæv rɪˈsivd ðɪs ˈtreɪnɪŋ, ənd ðət ðeɪ ˈmɛdɪkəli skrin ɪmˈplɔɪiz ɪn pəˈzɪʃənz fər slip ˈæpniə ənd ˈəðər slip dɪˈsɔrdərz. boʊθ ðə kənˈdəktər ənd ðə ˈɛnʤəˈnɪr hæd wərkt ˌɪˈrɛgjələr ˈskɛʤʊlz fər ˈsɛvərəl wiks ˈlidɪŋ əp tɪ ðə ˈæksədənt. ˈdʊrɪŋ ðɪs taɪm, wərk stɑrt taɪmz ˈɔfən ˈvɛrid sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli frəm deɪ tɪ deɪ fər boʊθ. ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ wərk stɑrt ənd ɛnd taɪmz kən meɪk əˈʧivɪŋ ˈædəkˌweɪt slip mɔr ˈdɪfəkəlt, bɪˈkəz ˌɪˈrɛgjələr wərk ˈskɛʤʊlz tɛnd tɪ dɪsˈrəpt ə ˈnɔrməl sərˈkeɪdiən ˈrɪðəmz ənd slip ˈpætərnz, wɪʧ ɪn tərn kən lɛd tɪ ˈkrɑnɪk fəˈtig. mɔr ˈrisəntli, wi ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtɪd ən ˈæksədənt ɪn nu jɔrk wɛr ə ˈmɛˌtroʊ nɔrθ ˈreɪˌlroʊd ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv ˈɛnʤəˈnɪr wɑz ˈɔpərˌeɪtɪŋ ə treɪn wɪθ ənˈdaɪægnoʊst səˈvɪr əbˈstrəktɪv slip ˈæpniə (osa*). ðə treɪn, ɔn ɪts weɪ təˈwɔrd grænd ˈsɛntrəl ˈsteɪʃən ɪn nu jɔrk, nu jɔrk, hæd 115 ˈpæsənʤərz ɔn bɔrd. ðə ˈɛnʤəˈnɪr ˈhɛdɪd ˈɪntu ə kərv wɪθ ə 30 ˈɛmˈpiˈeɪʧ spid ˈlɪmət ˈtrævəlɪŋ æt 82 ˈɛmˈpiˈeɪʧ, rɪˈzəltɪŋ ɪn ə dɪˈreɪlmənt. ˈpipəl wər ˈɪnʤərd, ənd 4 ˈpæsənʤərz daɪd. ðə ˈɛnʤəˈnɪr ɪkˈspɪriənst ə drəˈmætɪk wərk ˈskɛʤʊl ʧeɪnʤ lɛs ðən 2 wiks ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˈæksədənt, wɪθ hɪz ˈsaɪkəl ˈʃɪftɪŋ əˈbaʊt 12 aʊərz. ˈpriviəsli, hi hæd kəmˈpleɪnd əv fəˈtig bət hæd nɑt bɪn ˈtɛstɪd ər ˈtritɪd fər slip ˈæpniə. ˈæftər ðə ˈæksədənt hi hæd ə slip ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃən ðət aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd ɪkˈsɛsɪv ˈdeɪˌtaɪm sˈlipinəs ənd ˌəndərˈwɛnt ə slip ˈstədi rɪˈzəltɪŋ ɪn ə ˌdaɪəgˈnoʊsəs əv səˈvɪr. ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ðə ˈstədi, hi wɑz ˈtritɪd səkˈsɛsfəli fər wɪˈθɪn 30 deɪz əv ðə ˌdaɪəgˈnoʊsəs. ðə ˈɪʃud ˈseɪfti ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃən tɪ ðə ˈreɪˌlroʊd tɪ rɪˈvaɪz ɪts ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈproʊtəˌkɔlz fər ɪmˈplɔɪiz ɪn pəˈzɪʃənz tɪ ˌɪnˈklud spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈproʊtəˌkɔlz ɔn slip dɪˈsɔrdərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ. wi hæv ˈɪʃud ˈnumərəs ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃənz tɪ ðə ˈfɛdərəl ˈreɪˌlroʊd ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən, ɛz wɛl, rikˈwaɪərɪŋ ɪt tɪ dɪˈvɛləp ˈmɛdɪkəl ˌsərtəfəˈkeɪʃən ˌrɛgjəˈleɪʃənz fər ɪmˈplɔɪiz ɪn pəˈzɪʃənz ðət ˌɪnˈklud, æt ə ˈmɪnəməm, ə kəmˈplit ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈhɪstəri ðət ˌɪnˈkludz spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈskrinɪŋ fər slip ˈæpniə ənd ˈəðər slip dɪˈsɔrdərz, ə ˌrivˈju əv ˈkɑrənt ˌmɛdəˈkeɪʃənz, ənd ə θəroʊ ˈfɪzɪkəl ɪgˈzæm. ɪf səʧ ə ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃən hæd bɪn ˈɪmpləˌmɛnəd æt ðə ˈreɪˌlroʊd fər wɪʧ aɪ wərkt, maɪ fəˈtig moʊst ˈlaɪkli wʊd hæv bɪn kɔt ˈərliər ənd mɪˈsteɪks əˈvɔɪdɪd. (noʊt: ɛz aɪ wɑz ˈraɪtɪŋ ðɪs blɔg, aɪ wɑz ˈhɑrtənd tɪ hir ðət, ɔn mɑrʧ 8 ðə əˈnaʊnst ɪt wɑz ˈsikɪŋ ˈpəblɪk ˈɪnˌpʊt ɔn ðə ˌɪmˈpækts əv ˈskrinɪŋ, ɪˈvæljuˌeɪtɪŋ ənd ˈtritɪŋ reɪl ˈwərkərz fər əbˈstrəktɪv slip ˈæpniə.) ənd waɪl ðə ˈreɪˌlroʊdz ənd ðə ˈfɛdərəl ˈrɛgjəˌleɪtərz ər riˈspɑnsəbəl fər æˈdrɛsɪŋ ðɪs ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk, soʊ tu məst ˈreɪˌlroʊd ˈwərkərz ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz ðə ˈdeɪnʤərz əv ˈwərkɪŋ waɪl fəˈtigd. jɛt ˈmɛni ər kəmˈpɛld tɪ meɪk ˈməni ənd wɔnt tɪ steɪ ˈrɛdi tɪ riækt æt ˈɛni aʊər əv ðə deɪ tɪ əˈvɔɪd ˈmɪsɪŋ ðə ˌɑpərˈtunəti tɪ gɪt peɪd. tɪ ə ˈsərtən ɪkˈstɛnt, aɪ ˌəndərˈstænd ðɪs. ənd waɪ wi məst ˈɔlsoʊ wərk wɪθ ˈleɪbər ˈjunjənz tɪ ˈæˌdrɛs ðɪs ˈɪʃu ənd prəˈvaɪd ˈwərkərz ðə ˌɑpərˈtunəti fər slip, waɪl stɪl əˈlaʊɪŋ ðɛm ðə ˌɑpərˈtunəti tɪ gɪt ə ˈpeɪˌʧɛk ənd ˈprɑˌgrɛs ɪn ðɛr kərɪrz. fəˈtig ɪn ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən ɪz səʧ ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt kənˈsərn fər ðə ðət ɪt həz pʊt accidents”*” ɔn ɪts moʊst ˈwɔntɪd lɪst əv ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən ˈseɪfti ˌɪmˈpruvmənts. ɪt ɪz nɑt ʤɪst ən ˈɪʃu ɪn reɪl, bət ən ˈɪʃu ɪn ɔl moʊdz əv ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən ðət məst bi əˈdrɛst. ɛz ə ˈfɔrmər ˈreɪˌlroʊd ˈwərkər ənd naʊ ɛz ə ˈsupərˌvaɪzər əv ˈreɪˌlroʊd ˈæksədənt ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtərz, aɪ kən tɛl ju wi stɪl hæv ə lɔŋ weɪ tɪ goʊ tɪ ˈæˌdrɛs ðɪs ˈɪʃu. duɪŋ soʊ wɪl ˌrikˈwaɪər ðə ʤɔɪnt ˈɛfərts əv ðə ˈrɛgjəˌleɪtər, ðə ˈɑpərˌeɪtər, ənd ðə ɪmˈplɔɪi. ðiz ˈɛfərts məst bi ˈəndərˌteɪkən, bɪˈkəz wi kip ˈrənɪŋ daʊn ðɪs ˈdeɪnʤərəs træk. ˈgrɛgəri ɪz ʧif əv ˈreɪˌlroʊd dɪˈvɪʒən.

by georgetta gregory the rail business is an industry full of tired, stressed workers. it is an epidemic. i know this first-hand because, before coming to the ntsb several years ago, i spent more than 30 years working in the freight railroad industry. while freight railroad managers and crews count on reliable schedules to make their shipments and make their customers happy, there is no routine schedule for the hundreds of thousands of crewmembers employed in this business. as a result, many railroad workers are literally walking and working in their sleep. i was one of them. one of my last jobs before coming to the ntsb was as a trainmaster for a major freight railroad. my duties included safely seeing the arrival and departure of trains in and out of terminals in california. i spent a large majority of my time reviewing train schedules and communicating with train personnel of arriving and departing trains. i coordinated the efforts of nearly 300 crewmembers, including yardmasters, dispatchers and engineers, to execute the transportation plan on my territory. additionally, i was responsible for making sure all the work was done safely and in accordance with rules and regulations. the job was very stressful and required long hours. it wasn’t unusual for me to work 80 hours a week. i often worked overnight, evenings, weekends and long hours. over time, i became chronically fatigued. i gained weight and began to lose my memory and other cognitive abilities. i had no routine schedule for sleep, because i worked irregular hours that were counter to my circadian rhythms. eventually, i began to make mistakes at work and in my personal life – potentially dangerous ones. noting how my work and home life was suffering, i went to a sleep specialist. the doctor determined that i was fatigued at a dangerous level – to the point where the state of california took my driver’s license. ironically, while i could no longer drive a car, i was still expected to carry out the meticulous details associated with managing rail yards. i warned my bosses, but there was little help or response. i made suggestions for improvements, including encouraging the railroad to provide better lineups and opportunities for rest, but i felt unsupported and became concerned for the safety of my crews. eventually, i left the railroad and began a new career. my story is not unusual. and when i came to the ntsb as chief of the railroad division, i quickly learned that the ntsb also realized the dangers of fatigue in the railroad business. as a result of our investigations in recent years, we have issued more than 25 recommendations related to managing fatigue—all still open, needing to be addressed. one accident, in particular, involving a freight train perhaps best highlights the danger the ntsb is attempting to eradicate. in april 2011, an eastbound bnsf railway (bnsf) coal train traveling about 23 mph, collided with the rear end of a standing bnsf maintenance-of-way equipment train near red oak, iowa. the collision resulted in the derailment of 2 locomotives and 12 cars. the lead locomotive’s modular crew cab was detached, partially crushed, and involved in a subsequent diesel fuel fire. both crewmembers on the striking train were fatally injured. we determined that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the crew of the striking train to comply with the signal indication requiring them to operate in accordance with restricted speed requirements and stop short of the standing train because they had fallen asleep due to fatigue resulting from their irregular work schedules and their medical conditions. as a result of that accident, we recommended that the railway require all employees and managers who perform or supervise safety-critical tasks to complete fatigue training on an annual basis and document when they have received this training, and that they medically screen employees in safety-sensitive positions for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. both the conductor and the engineer had worked irregular schedules for several weeks leading up to the accident. during this time, work start times often varied significantly from day to day for both crewmembers. changing work start and end times can make achieving adequate sleep more difficult, because irregular work schedules tend to disrupt a person’s normal circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, which in turn can lead to chronic fatigue. more recently, we investigated an accident in new york where a metro north railroad locomotive engineer was operating a train with undiagnosed severe obstructive sleep apnea (osa). the train, on its way toward grand central station in new york, new york, had 115 passengers on board. the engineer headed into a curve with a 30 mph speed limit traveling at 82 mph, resulting in a derailment. sixty-one people were injured, and 4 passengers died. the engineer experienced a dramatic work schedule change less than 2 weeks before the accident, with his wake/sleep cycle shifting about 12 hours. previously, he had complained of fatigue but had not been tested or treated for sleep apnea. after the accident he had a sleep evaluation that identified excessive daytime sleepiness and underwent a sleep study resulting in a diagnosis of severe osa. following the study, he was treated successfully for osa within 30 days of the diagnosis. the ntsb issued safety recommendation to the metro-north railroad to revise its medical protocols for employees in safety-sensitive positions to include specific protocols on sleep disorders, including osa. we have issued numerous recommendations to the federal railroad administration, as well, requiring it to develop medical certification regulations for employees in safety-sensitive positions that include, at a minimum, a complete medical history that includes specific screening for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, a review of current medications, and a thorough physical exam. if such a recommendation had been implemented at the railroad for which i worked, my fatigue most likely would have been caught earlier and mistakes avoided. (note: as i was writing this blog, i was heartened to hear that, on march 8, the fra announced it was seeking public input on the impacts of screening, evaluating and treating rail workers for obstructive sleep apnea.) and while the railroads and the federal regulators are responsible for addressing this epidemic, so too must railroad workers recognize the dangers of working while fatigued. yet many are compelled to make money and want to stay ready to react at any hour of the day to avoid missing the opportunity to get paid. to a certain extent, i understand this. and that’s why we must also work with labor unions to address this issue and provide workers the opportunity for sleep, while still allowing them the opportunity to get a paycheck and progress in their careers. fatigue in transportation is such a significant concern for the ntsb that it has put “reduce fatigue-related accidents” on its most wanted list of transportation safety improvements. it is not just an issue in rail, but an issue in all modes of transportation that must be addressed. as a former railroad worker and now as a supervisor of railroad accident investigators, i can tell you we still have a long way to go to address this issue. doing so will require the joint efforts of the regulator, the operator, and the employee. these efforts must be undertaken, because we can’t keep running down this dangerous track. georgetta gregory is chief of ntsb’s railroad division.

27 meɪ 2017 ˈnæʃənəl ɪn ə bɪˈzɑr muv, ðə ˈdɪstrɪkt ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən ɪn æst ðə ˈrɛzɪdənts tɪ hæv ə bæθ ˌbiˈfɔr əˈtɛndɪŋ ə ˈmitɪŋ wɪθ ʧif ˈmɪnɪstər ˈjoʊgi soʊ ðeɪ 'smɛl gʊd'. tɪ ɪnˈʃʊr ðə ˌɪnˈstrəkʃənz wər ˈfɑloʊd, soʊps, ʃæmˈpu ənd pərfˈjumz wər dɪˈstrɪbjətəd əˈməŋ ðə ˈvɪlɪʤərz. ðə ˈmɛmbərz əv ðə kəmˈjunɪti wər kɔld tɪ əˈtɛnd ə væksəˈneɪʃən ˈproʊˌgræm fər ðə ɪˌrædəˈkeɪʃən əv ɛnˌsɛfəˈlaɪtəs, ə kæmˈpeɪn ˈstɑrtɪd baɪ ðə ʧif ˈmɪnɪstər ɪn dɪˈvɪʒən. faɪv ˈʧɪldrən frəm ðə kəmˈjunɪti wər tɪ bi ˈvæksəneɪtɪd ˈəndər ðə kæmˈpeɪn frəm ðə ˈɛriə. əˈhɛd əv ðə ɪˈvɛnt, ˈloʊkəl əˈfɪʃəlz dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ðə soʊps ənd ʃæmˈpuz tɪ ðoʊz əˈtɛndɪŋ ðə ɪˈvɛnt, ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ meɪk ðɛm "lʊk klin ənd smɛl gʊd." əˈhɛd əv ðə ɪˈvɛnt ðət ðə ʧif ˈmɪnɪstər wɑz goʊɪŋ tɪ əˈtɛnd, roʊdz wər peɪvd, ˈtɔɪləts wər fɪkst ˈoʊvərˈnaɪt ənd strits wər klind əp ɪn ðə ˈvɪlɪʤ. ʧif ˈmɪnɪstər ˈjoʊgi lɔnʧt ɛnˌsɛfəˈlaɪtəs væksəˈneɪʃən kæmˈpeɪn ɪn ðə steɪt frəm ˈvɪlɪʤ ɪn. ðə draɪv ɪz biɪŋ hɛld frəm meɪ 25 tɪ ʤun 11 ənd wɪl ˈkəvər 88 ˈʧɪldrən ɪn 38 ˈdɪstrɪkts, fər wɪʧ ðə ˈsɛntrəl ˈgəvərnmənt həz prəˈvaɪdɪd wən ˌvækˈsin vaɪəlz. ˈərliər, ðə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən ɪn hæd rɪˈsivd məʧ flæk fər ˈpleɪsɪŋ ɛr kənˈdɪʃənərz, ˈsoʊfəz ənd ˈkɑrpəts æt ðə haʊs əv ə ˈbɔrdər sɪˈkjʊrəti fɔrs (bsf*) ˈmɑrtər wɪn ʧif ˈmɪnɪstər ˈjoʊgi wɛnt tɪ hɪz pleɪs tɪ gɪv ðə ˌkɑmpənˈseɪʃən ʧɛk. (ani*)

27 may 2017 national in a bizarre move, the district administration in uttar pradesh's kushinagar asked the residents to have a bath before attending a meeting with chief minister yogi adityanath so they 'smell good'. to ensure the instructions were followed, soaps, shampoo and perfumes were distributed among the villagers. the members of the musahar community were called to attend a vaccination program for the eradication of encephalitis, a campaignarted by the chief minister in kushinagar's kasiya division. five children from the community were to be vaccinated under the campaign from the area. ahead of the event, local officials distributed the soaps and shampoos to those attending the event, in order to make them "look clean and smell good." ahead of the event that the chief minister was going to attend, roads were paved, toilets were fixed overnight andreets were cleaned up in the village. chief minister yogi adityanath launched encephalitis vaccination campaign in theate from mainpur village in kushinagar. the drive is being held from may 25 to june 11 and will cover 88 lakh children in 38 districts, for which the central government has provided one crore vaccine vials. earlier, the administration in deoria had received much flak for placing air conditioners, sofas and carpets at the house of a border security force (bsf) martyr when chief minister yogi adityanath went to his place to give the compensation cheque. (ani)

ˈtæksi ˈpæsənʤərz kʊd bi sləgd əˈbaʊt 30 fər ə ˈmɛlbərn trɪp ˈəndər ə nu ˈpraɪsɪŋ prəˈpoʊzəl. ə həz ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪd ˈpæsənʤərz bi stəŋ ˈɔlˌmoʊst 20 ʤɪst tɪ gɪt ɪn kæbz ɪn pik taɪmz fər trɪps. ə nu ˈmæksəməm pik ˈbʊkɪŋ ʧɑrʤ kæpt æt 10 ɪz biɪŋ ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪd tɪ bust ðə əˈmaʊnt əv ˈtæksiz ˈraɪdɪŋ ðə strits ɪn pik taɪmz ənd ˈmænɪʤ haʊ ðeɪ ər ˈæləˌkeɪtɪd tɪ ˈkəstəmərz. ðɪs wʊd bi ɔn tɔp əv ðə flæg fɔl ənd 2 ˈbʊkɪŋ fi. ˈəndər ðə nu ˈpraɪsɪŋ ˈstrəkʧər trɪp frəm ˈrɪʧmənd tɪ ðə ˈsɪti wʊd raɪz tɪ 29 ənd ə raɪd frəm ˈkɔlˌfild ər ˈflɛmɪŋtən tɪ wʊd ʤəmp tɪ ˈɔlˌmoʊst 50 ɪt wʊd bi əp tɪ iʧ ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl ˈɑpərˌeɪtər tɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪd ɪf ðeɪ pæs ðə 10 ʧɑrʤ ɔn ənd məst əˈlərt ðə ˈpæsənʤər tɪ ɪt. ˈəðər ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃənz ðə ɛˈsɛnʃəl ˈsərvɪsɪz kəˈmɪʃən flægd ər tɪ stɑrt ˈpəblɪk ˈhɑlɪˌdeɪ ˈpraɪsɪŋ ðə deɪ ˌbiˈfɔr ənd ðə ˈfraɪˌdeɪ ənd ˈsæˌtɪˌdeɪ pik aʊər tɪ frəm ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ənd rən ənˈtɪl 4am*. noʊ praɪs ˈʧeɪnʤɪz wər səˈʤɛstɪd fər ˈpɪriədz. ðə prəˈpoʊzd fɛr sləg kəmz ʤɪst tu jɪrz ˈæftər ˈtæksi ˈpraɪsɪz ˌɪnˈkrist baɪ pər sɛnt. ðə ˈpriviəs ˌrivˈju lɛd tɪ fɛrz ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ɪn 2014 baɪ pər sɛnt. ðə dɪˈskəʃən ˈpeɪpər ˈnoʊtɪd ðɛr wɑz ən decline”*” ɪn ðə ˈnəmbər əv ˌmɛtrəˈpɑlətən ˈtæksi trɪps ɪn ðə fərst hæf əv 2015 ɪt wɑz ə fɔr pər sɛnt jɪr ɔn jɪr drɔp ɪn ðə ˈʤænjuˌɛri tɪ mɑrʧ kˈwɔrtər, ˈfɑloʊd baɪ ə 9 pər sɛnt jɪr ɔn jɪr dɪˈklaɪn ɪn ðə ˈeɪprəl tɪ ʤun kˈwɔrtər. ˈaʊtˌkəm ɪz moʊst ˈlaɪkli ðə rɪˈzəlt əv kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ˈprɛʃər frəm ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋgli ˈprɛvələnt kəˈmərʃəl ˈpæsənʤər ˈviɪkəl ˈsərvɪsɪz ðət kənˈsumərz ər ˈʧuzɪŋ ɛz ɔlˈtərnətɪvz tɪ taxis,”*,” ðə rɪˈpɔrt sɛd. æp ˈubər həz ˈstoʊlən ˈmɛni trəˈdɪʃənəl ˈtæksi ˈpæsənʤərz wɪθ ðə lʊr əv ˈʧipər fɛrz ənd ə ˈbɛtər ˈkəstəmər ɪkˈspɪriəns, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ərˈaɪvɪŋ on-time*, fri ˈwɔtər ənd mɪnts ənd pəˈlaɪt ˈdraɪvərz. ˈubər kənˈtɪnjuz tɪ ˈɔpərˌeɪt ˌɪˈligəli ɪn vɪkˈtɔriə ɛz ðə steɪt ˈgəvərnmənt ˈsərʧɪz fər ə səˈluʃən tɪ ˈrɛgjəˌleɪt ðə ˈpɑpjələr ˈsərvɪs. ˈubər həz ˈstoʊlən ˈmɛni trəˈdɪʃənəl ˈtæksi ˈpæsənʤərz. ˈpɪkʧər: ˈiən ˈkəri ðə rɪˈpɔrt sɛd ðɛr wɑz pressure”*” ɔn ˈtæksi ˈsərvɪs prəˈvaɪdərz tɪ loʊər fɛrz ənd ˌɪmˈpruv ˈsərvɪsɪz. kənˈsərnd ðət ðɛr ɪˈnəf ˈtæksiz ɔn ðə roʊd ɔn ˈfraɪˌdeɪ ənd ˈsæˌtɪˌdeɪ naɪts ənd ɔn ðə ˈivnɪŋz ˌbiˈfɔr ˈpəblɪk ˈhɑləˌdeɪz, ˈminɪŋ ˈkəstəmərz ˈɔfən hæv tɪ weɪt fər lɔŋ ˈpɪriədz ˌbiˈfɔr ˈfaɪndɪŋ ə cab,”*,” ʧɛr ˈdɑktər rɑn sɛd. prəˈpoʊzɪŋ fɛr ˈstrəkʧərz ðət wɪl ˌɪnˈdus ˈtæksiz ɔn tɪ ðə roʊd ˈdʊrɪŋ pik taɪmz ənd, ɪn ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr, rɪˈwɔrd ðɛm fər prəˈvaɪdɪŋ ˈkəstəmərz wɪθ ə mɔr ˈrɛdəli əˈveɪləbəl ənd rɪˈlaɪəbəl service.”*.” ðə vɪkˈtɔriən ˈtæksi əˌsoʊʃiˈeɪʃən sɛd: ˈprɪnsəpəl, ðə ˈstrɔŋli səˈpɔrts ðə əˈproʊʧ ˈteɪkən baɪ ðə tɪ əˈlaʊ ə ˈgreɪtər roʊl fər ˈtæksi ˈbɪznɪsɪz ɪn ðə ˈpraɪsɪŋ əv ðɛr services.”*.” ʃʊd ðə ˈtæksi ˈɪndəstri bi ɪn ˈfeɪvər əv ðə nu booking-fee*, ðə həz vaʊd tɪ ˈɪmpləmənt ɪt. ðə rɪˈpɔrt ˈɔlsoʊ ˈmɛnʃənd ən ˈoʊvərˌhɔl əv ˈtæksiz ˈweɪtɪŋ æt ˈmɛlbərn ˈɛrˌpɔrt wɑz ˈnidɪd ɛz ˈdraɪvərz spɛnt ən ˈævərɪʤ əv 76 ˈmɪnəts ɪn ðə ˈɛrˌpɔrt kju ˈdəbəl ðə taɪm spɛnt ˈsərʧɪŋ ər kjuɪŋ fər ˈpæsənʤərz ˈɛlsˌwɛr. rɪˈfɔrmz rɪˈʤɛktɪd frəm ðə ˌɪˈnɪʃəl prəˈpoʊzəl ˌɪnˈklud ˈdɪstəns ʧɑrʤ pər ˌkɪˈlɔˌmətər ˈstɑrtɪŋ æt ə haɪ reɪt bət ðɛn ˈdrɑpɪŋ wɪn ə ˈsərtən ˈdɪstəns ɪz riʧt, ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ðə ˈbʊkɪŋ fi, ənd əˈlaʊɪŋ ˈpæsənʤərz tɪ ʧuz ə fɪkst ər ˈmitərd fɛr. wət ju kʊd bi peɪɪŋ fər ə ˈtæksi, tɪ ˈsɪti 34 swɔn ˈrɪʧmənd 29 haɪ, 39 ˈʧæpəl, saʊθ 30 ˈbrənzwɪk, ˈfɪtsˌrɔɪ 32 ˈhɔˌθɔrn rd*, ˈkɔlˌfild 44 ˈflɛmɪŋtən rd*, ˈflɛmɪŋtən 46

taxi passengers could be slugged about $30 for a 3km inner-city melbourne trip under a new pricing proposal. a taxi-fare shake-up has recommended passengers be stung almost $20 just to get in cabs in peak times for pre-booked trips. a new maximum peak booking charge capped at $10 is being recommended to boost the amount of taxis riding the streets in peak times and manage how they are allocated to customers. this would be on top of the $6.20 flag fall and $2 booking fee. under the new pricing structure trip from richmond to the city would rise to $29 and a 10km ride from caulfield or flemington to cbd would jump to almost $50. it would be up to each individual operator to decide if they pass the $10 charge on and must alert the passenger to it. other recommendations the essential services commission flagged are to start public holiday pricing the day before and the friday and saturday peak hour to kick-off from 7pm instead of 10pm and run until 4am. no price changes were suggested for off-peak periods. media_camera the proposed fare slug comes just two years after taxi prices increased by 12.5 per cent. the previous esc review led to fares increasing in 2014 by 12.5 per cent. the discussion paper noted there was an “accelerating decline” in the number of metropolitan taxi trips in the first half of 2015. it was a four per cent year on year drop in the january to march quarter, followed by a 9 per cent year on year decline in the april to june quarter. “this outcome is most likely the result of competitive pressure from increasingly prevalent commercial passenger vehicle services that consumers are choosing as alternatives to taxis,” the report said. ride-sharing app uber has stolen many traditional taxi passengers with the lure of cheaper fares and a better customer experience, including arriving on-time, free water and mints and polite drivers. uber continues to operate illegally in victoria as the state government searches for a solution to regulate the popular service. media_camera uber has stolen many traditional taxi passengers. picture: ian currie the esc report said there was “increasing pressure” on taxi service providers to lower fares and improve services. “we’re concerned that there aren’t enough taxis on the road on friday and saturday nights and on the evenings before public holidays, meaning customers often have to wait for long periods before finding a cab,” esc chair dr ron ben-david said. “we’re proposing fare structures that will induce taxis on to the road during peak times and, in particular, reward them for providing customers with a more readily available and reliable pre-booked service.” the victorian taxi association said: “in principle, the vta strongly supports the approach taken by the esc to allow a greater role for taxi businesses in the pricing of their services.” should the taxi industry be in favour of the new booking-fee, the esc has vowed to implement it. the report also mentioned an overhaul of taxis waiting at melbourne airport was needed as drivers spent an average of 76 minutes in the airport queue — double the time spent searching or queuing for passengers elsewhere. reforms rejected from the initial proposal include distance charge per kilometre starting at a high rate but then dropping when a certain distance is reached, increasing the booking fee, and allowing passengers to choose a fixed or metered fare. what you could be paying for a taxi acland st, st kilda to city 6km $34 swan st richmond 3.9km $29 high st, northcote 8.7km $39 chapel st, south yarra 4.7km $30 brunswick st, fitzroy 5.3km $32 hawthorn rd, caulfield 10.4km $44 flemington rd, flemington 9.4km $46 aleks.devic@news.com.au @aleksdevic

"əˈbəv ɔl tɪ gɪt tɪ ðə θərd ki pɔɪnt əv ðə ɪf wi liv ðə wi wɪl nɑt, rɪˈpit nɑt, bi ˈlivɪŋ ˈjʊrəp. əv ɔl ðə ˈɑrgjəmənts ðeɪ meɪk, ðɪs ɪz ðə wən ðət ˌɪnfˈjʊriˌeɪts mi ðə moʊst. aɪ æm ə ʧaɪld əv ˈjʊrəp. aɪ æm ə ˈlɪˌbərəl ˌkɑzməˈpɑlətən ənd maɪ ˈfæməli ɪz ə ʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈjuˈɛn ˈpiˌskipɪŋ fɔrs. aɪ kən rɛd ˈnɑvəlz ɪn frɛnʧ ənd aɪ kən sɪŋ ðə oʊd tɪ ʤɔɪ ɪn ˈʤərmən, ənd ɪf ðeɪ kip əˈkjuzɪŋ mi əv biɪŋ ə ˈlɪtəl ˈɪŋgləndər, aɪ wɪl. boʊθ ɛz ˈɛdɪtər əv ðə ˈspɛkteɪtər ənd meɪər əv ˈləndən aɪ hæv prəˈmoʊtəd ðə ˈtiʧɪŋ əv ˈmɑdərn ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈlæŋgwɪʤɪz ɪn ɑr skulz. aɪ hæv ˈdɛdəkeɪtəd məʧ əv maɪ laɪf tɪ ðə ˈstədi əv ðə ˈɔrəʤɪnz əv ɑr ˈkɑmən ɑr ˈkɑmən -ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈkəlʧər ənd ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən ɪn ˈeɪnʧənt gris ənd roʊm. soʊ aɪ faɪnd ɪf əˈfɛnsɪv, ˌɪnˈsəltɪŋ, ˌɪˈrɛləvənt ənd ˈpɑzətɪvli tɪ bi toʊld ˈsəmˌtaɪmz baɪ ˈpipəl hu kən ˈbɛrli spik ə ˈfɔrən ˈlæŋgwɪʤ ðət aɪ bɪˈlɔŋ tɪ ə grup əv xenophobes*; bɪˈkəz ðə truθ ɪz ɪt ɪz ðət ɪz naʊ ðə greɪt ˈprɑʤɛkt əv ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈlɪˌbərəˌlɪzəm, ənd aɪ æm əˈfreɪd ðət ɪt ɪz ðə ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈjunjən fər ɔl ðə haɪ aɪˈdilz wɪθ wɪʧ ɪt bɪˈgæn, ðət naʊ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ðə ˈeɪnʧənt rəˈʒim. ɪt ɪz wi hu ər ˈspikɪŋ əp fər ðə ˈpipəl, ənd ɪt ɪz ðeɪ hu ər dɪˈfɛndɪŋ ən ənd ˈsɪstəm əv ˈgəvərnmənt ðət ɪz naʊ wɛl pæst ɪts sɛl baɪ deɪt ənd wɪʧ ɪz ˈɛvər mɔr rɪˈmoʊt frəm ˈɔrdəˌnɛri ˈvoʊtərz. ɪt ɪz wi ɪn ðə liv kæmp nɑt ðeɪ hu stænd ɪn ðə trəˈdɪʃən əv ðə ˈlɪˌbərəl ˌkɑzməˈpɑlətən ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˌɛnˈlaɪtənmənt nɑt ʤɪst əv lɑk ənd wɪlks, bət əv ruˈsoʊ ənd voʊlˈtɛr; ənd ðoʊ ðeɪ ər ˈmɛni, ənd ðoʊ ðeɪ ər well-funded*, ənd ðoʊ wi noʊ ðət ðeɪ kən kɔl ɔn ənˈlɪmɪtɪd ˈtækˌspeɪər fəndz fər ðɛr ˈlifləts, ɪt ɪz wi fju, wi ˈhæpi fju hu hæv ðə ædˈvæntɪʤ əv bɪˈlivɪŋ ˈstrɔŋli ɪn ɑr kɔz, ənd ðət wi wɪl bi ˈvɪndəkeɪtɪd baɪ ˈhɪstəri; ənd wi wɪl wɪn fər ɪgˈzæktli ðə seɪm ˈrizən ðət ðə griks bit ðə ˈpərʒənz æt ˈmɛrəˌθɑn bɪˈkəz ðeɪ ər ˈfaɪtɪŋ fər ən ˈaʊtˌdeɪtɪd æbsəˈlutɪst ˌaɪdiˈɑləʤi, ənd wi ər ˈfaɪtɪŋ fər ˈfridəm. ðət ɪz ðə ʧɔɪs ɔn ʤun 23

"above all – to get to the third key point of the remainers – if we leave the eu we will not, repeat not, be leaving europe. of all the arguments they make, this is the one that infuriates me the most. i am a child of europe. i am a liberal cosmopolitan and my family is a genetic un peacekeeping force. i can read novels in french and i can sing the ode to joy in german, and if they keep accusing me of being a little englander, i will. both as editor of the spectator and mayor of london i have promoted the teaching of modern european languages in our schools. i have dedicated much of my life to the study of the origins of our common – our common -european culture and civilization in ancient greece and rome. so i find if offensive, insulting, irrelevant and positively cretinous to be told – sometimes by people who can barely speak a foreign language – that i belong to a group of small-minded xenophobes; because the truth is it is brexit that is now the great project of european liberalism, and i am afraid that it is the european union – for all the high ideals with which it began, that now represents the ancient regime. it is we who are speaking up for the people, and it is they who are defending an obscurantist and universalist system of government that is now well past its sell by date and which is ever more remote from ordinary voters. it is we in the leave camp – not they – who stand in the tradition of the liberal cosmopolitan european enlightenment – not just of locke and wilkes, but of rousseau and voltaire; and though they are many, and though they are well-funded, and though we know that they can call on unlimited taxpayer funds for their leaflets, it is we few, we happy few who have the inestimable advantage of believing strongly in our cause, and that we will be vindicated by history; and we will win for exactly the same reason that the greeks beat the persians at marathon – because they are fighting for an outdated absolutist ideology, and we are fighting for freedom. that is the choice on june 23."

ˈərliər ðɪs jɪr, θri kˈwɑntəm ˈfɪzɪsɪsts ʃɛrd ˈviə iˈmeɪl ənd ˈvɪdioʊ kɔlz ðɛr frəˈstreɪʃənz əˈbaʊt ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˈpəblɪʃɪŋ ənd pɪr ˌrivˈju. naʊ ðə dɛl ˈrioʊ, ˈkrɪsʧɪn gogolin*, ənd ˈmɑrkəs wɪθ ˈdəzənz əv kənˈtrɪbjətərz ər pərˈpɛrɪŋ ðə lɔnʧ əv ə nu fri, ˈɔnˌlaɪn ˈʤərnəl. kˈwɑntəm ɪz nɑt ðə fərst ˈvɛnʧər əˈtɛmptɪŋ tɪ breɪk frəm ðə trəˈdɪʃənəl saɪəns ˈpəblɪʃɪŋ ˈmɑdəl. laɪk dɪˈskrit æˈnælɪsɪs ənd ðə ˈoʊpən ˈʤərnəl əv ˌæstroʊˈfɪzɪks, kˈwɑntəm ɪz ən ˈoʊvərˌleɪ ˈʤərnəl, wɪʧ ˈpəblɪʃɪz ər lɪŋks tɪ ðə ˈfaɪnəl ˈvərʒən əv ˈpeɪpərz ðət hæv pæst pɪr ˌrivˈju baɪ ðə ˈɛdɪtərz. bət wɪθ mɔr ðən 4500 kˈwɑntəm ˈpeɪpərz ˈpoʊstɪd tɪ ðə læst jɪr, ðə fild ɪz məʧ ˈlɑrʤər ðən ðə wən ˈkəvərd baɪ dɪˈskrit kˈwɑntəm həz ə məʧ ˈlɑrʤər ˈɛdɪtɪŋ stæf ðən ɪts ˈkəzən. ðə nu ˈʤərnəl, wɪʧ wɪl bɪˈgɪn əkˈsɛptɪŋ səbˈmɪʃənz ˈleɪtər ðɪs mənθ, kʊd bi ə ˈfæsəˌneɪtɪŋ tɛst keɪs ɛz tɪ ðə fˈjuʧər əv saɪəns ˈpəblɪʃɪŋ ɪn ðə ˈsərvər ˈɪrə. ðə ˈhɑrdəst wərk fər ðə stæf əv kˈwɑntəm laɪz əˈhɛd, bət ɔf tɪ ə gʊd stɑrt. ˈigər tɪ lɛt ðə kˈwɑntəm kəmˈjunɪti ˈdɪkˌteɪt ðə dɪˈrɛkʃɪn əv ðə ˈʤərnəl, ðə ˈfaʊndɪŋ ˈtriˌoʊ əv dɛl ˈrioʊ, gogolin*, ənd ˈhjubər əˈpɔɪntɪd ə ˈstɪrɪŋ bɔrd. hæf ðə bɔrd ˈmɛmbərz ər ˈwɪmən, ɪn əˈdɪʃən tɪ dɛl ˈrioʊ ˈsərvɪŋ ɔn ðə ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv bɔrd. ˈoʊvər ðə ˈsəmər ðə ˈstɪrɪŋ kəˈmɪti ˈɪʃud ən ˈoʊpən kɔl fər ˈɛdɪtərz ənd ʧoʊz ən əˈkɑmplɪʃt grup əv 40 frəm 136 ˈæplɪkənts. ɪnˈkərəʤɪŋ kəmˈjunɪti ˈɪnˌpʊt, fər ɔl ɪts ˈbɛnəfɪts, həz ˈɔlsoʊ lɛd tɪ ˈʃɑrpli daɪˈvərʤɪŋ vjuz rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ wət kaɪnd əv ˈʤərnəl kˈwɑntəm ʃʊd bi. ɪn ə ˈrisənt dɪˈskəʃən ˈhoʊstɪd æt reddit*, ˈʤərnəl ˈɛdɪtərz ənd ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ˈsaɪəntɪsts dəˈbeɪtɪd ˈwɛðər kˈwɑntəm ʃʊd straɪv fər sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvəti ər fər ðə ˌpəblɪˈkeɪʃən əv ˈsɑləd, ˈtɛknɪkəli kərˈɛkt ˈrisərʧ. wən ˈkɑmɛntər kˈwɛsʧənd haʊ ðə ˈʤərnəl wʊd sərˈvaɪv wɪθ kˈwɑləti θˈrɛˌʃoʊld bɪɔnd kərˈɛktnəs ənd honesty”*”; əˈnəðər ˈɑrgjud ðət ˈʤəʤɪŋ fər sɪgˈnɪfɪkəns ɪz garbage”*” bɪˈkəz ɪz ˌɪnˈhɛrəntli ə ˈʤəʤmənt əv history.”*.” mɔr ðən 4500 kˈwɑntəm ˈfɪzɪks ˈpeɪpərz wər ˈpəblɪʃt ɔn læst jɪr, səˈʤɛstɪŋ ə lɑrʤ səˈplaɪ əv pəˈtɛnʃəl səbˈmɪʃənz tɪ kˈwɑntəm. ˈkrɛdɪt: dɛl ˈrioʊ sɪz ðə moʊst ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt θɪŋ ɪz tɪ sɛt səm kɔr ˈvæljuz əv ɑr journal.”*.” ʃi sɪz ðət kˈwɑntəm wɪl bi gɪrd təˈwɔrd ðə kˈwɑntəm saɪəns kəmˈjunɪti ˈrəðər ðən traɪ tɪ əˈpil tɪ ə ˈbrɔdər ˈɔdiəns. ˈɛdɪtərz wɪl ɪnˈkərəʤ ðə ˌpəblɪˈkeɪʃən əv ˈnɛgətɪv rɪˈzəlts ənd dɪˈskərɪʤ ˈɔθərz frəm ˈoʊvərˌsɛlɪŋ ðɛr ˈfaɪndɪŋz. əv kɔrs, ˈizi tɪ seɪ ənˈtɪl jʊr rɪˈzəlt əˈbaʊt tɪ gɪt ˈpəblɪʃt. ˈmɛni ˈstədi ˈɔθərz ˈbɛnəfɪt frəm ðə ˈwaɪdər ˈtərgət ˈɔdiəns, prɪnt ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən, ənd ˈmidiə pərˈmoʊʃən ðət kəm wɪθ ˈpəblɪʃɪŋ ɪn ə trəˈdɪʃənəl ˈʤərnəl. ʤɪst wən əv ðə kənˈsərnz ðət ðə stæfs əv kˈwɑntəm ənd ˈsɪmələr ˈʤərnəlz feɪs ɛz ðeɪ ˈʧælənʤ ˈdɛkeɪdz əv ˈɔrθəˌdɑksi. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə ɪkˈspɛnsɪz peɪl ɪn kəmˈpɛrəsən wɪθ ðoʊz əv prɪnt ˈʤərnəlz, ðə kˈwɑntəm tim wɪl hæv tɪ spɛnd 10 pər səbˈmɪʃən ɔn ðə ˈpəblɪʃɪŋ ˈplætˌfɔrm ənd fiz fər ˈsərvɪsɪz səʧ ɛz əˈsaɪnɪŋ dois*. soʊ fɑr ðə ˈʤərnəl ɪz ˈfəndɪd fər ðə fərst 200 səbˈmɪʃənz, dɛl ˈrioʊ sɪz. ˈfərðər ˈfəndɪŋ məst kəm frəm ə ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃən əv doʊˈneɪʃənz ənd ðə səˈʤɛstɪd ˌpəblɪˈkeɪʃən fi əv ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈmændəˌtɔri fi fər ˈɔθərz. kˈwɑntəm ˈɔlsoʊ rɪˈlaɪz ɔn ðə kənˈtɪnjud səkˈsɛs əv, wɪʧ ˈfeɪsɪz ˈfəndɪŋ ˈʧælənʤɪz əv ɪts oʊn. ənd ɪf kˈwɑntəm dɪz reɪz ɪts ˈproʊˌfaɪl ɪn ðə ˈkəmɪŋ mənθs, ənˈklɪr haʊ ðə ˌvɑlənˈtɪr ˈɛdɪtɪŋ stæf wɪl koʊp wɪθ ə bərɑʒ əv səbˈmɪʃənz. dɪˈspaɪt ðə ˈɑbstəkəlz ˈfeɪsɪŋ ˈɛni nu saɪəns ˌpəblɪˈkeɪʃən, lɛt əˈloʊn ə fri, wən, kˈwɑntəm ɪz wərθ ˈmɑnətərɪŋ bɪˈkəz əv ðə θɔt ðət həz gɔn ˈɪntu ɪt ənd ðə ɛnˈgeɪʤmənt əv ðə kˈwɑntəm ˈfɪzɪks kəmˈjunɪti. ˈivɪn ɪf ðə ˈʤərnəl səkˈsid, ɪts mɪr ɪgˈzɪstəns meɪ ˈæmpləˌfaɪ ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt kˈwɛsʧənz rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ haʊ ˈʤərnəlz kən bɛst sərv ðə ˈsaɪəntɪsts hu kənˈtrɪbjut, ˌrivˈju, ənd kənˈsum ðə məˈtɪriəl.

earlier this year, three quantum physicists shared via email and video calls their frustrations about academic publishing and peer review. now the three—lídia del rio, christian gogolin, and marcus huber—along with dozens of contributors are preparing the launch of a new free, open-access online journal. quantum is not the first venture attempting to break from the traditional science publishing model. like discrete analysis and the open journal of astrophysics, quantum is an arxiv overlay journal, which publishes or links to the final arxiv version of papers that have passed peer review by the journal’s editors. but with more than 4500 quantum papers posted to the arxiv last year, the field is much larger than the one covered by discrete analysisand quantum has a much larger editing staff than its astro-focused cousin. the new journal, which will begin accepting submissions later this month, could be a fascinating test case as to the future of science publishing in the preprint server era. the hardest work for the staff of quantum lies ahead, but they’re off to a good start. eager to let the quantum community dictate the direction of the journal, the founding trio of del rio, gogolin, and huber appointed a 12-member steering board. half the board members are women, in addition to del rio serving on the journal’s executive board. over the summer the steering committee issued an open call for editors and chose an accomplished group of 40 from 136 applicants. encouraging community input, for all its benefits, has also led to sharply diverging views regarding what kind of journal quantum should be. in a recent discussion hosted at reddit, journal editors and outside scientists debated whether quantum should strive for selectivity or for the publication of solid, technically correct research. one commenter questioned how the journal would survive with “no quality threshold beyond correctness and honesty”; another argued that judging for significance is “total garbage” because “significance is inherently a judgement of history.” more than 4500 quantum physics papers were published on arxiv last year, suggesting a large supply of potential submissions to quantum. credit: arxiv.org del rio says the most important thing is “trying to set some core values of our journal.” she says that quantum will be geared toward the quantum science community rather than try to appeal to a broader audience. editors will encourage the publication of negative results and discourage authors from overselling their findings. of course, that’s easy to say until it’s your result that’s about to get published. many study authors benefit from the wider target audience, print distribution, and media promotion that come with publishing in a traditional high-impact journal. that’s just one of the concerns that the staffs of quantum and similar journals face as they challenge decades of science-publishing orthodoxy. although the expenses pale in comparison with those of print journals, the quantum team will have to spend $10 per submission on the publishing platform and fees for services such as assigning dois. so far the journal is funded for the first 200 submissions, del rio says. further funding must come from a combination of donations and the suggested publication fee of €100; there is no mandatory fee for authors. quantum also relies on the continued success of arxiv, which faces funding challenges of its own. and if quantum does raise its profile in the coming months, it’s unclear how the volunteer editing staff will cope with a barrage of submissions. despite the obstacles facing any new science publication, let alone a free, open-access one, quantum is worth monitoring because of the thought that has gone into it and the engagement of the quantum physics community. even if the journal doesn’t succeed, its mere existence may amplify important questions regarding how journals can best serve the scientists who contribute, review, and consume the material.

ˌdiˈæbloʊ ɪz 20 jɪrz oʊld ðɪs jɪr, wɪʧ ˈɪzənt ʤɪst ən ˌɑpərˈtunəti fər ɔl əv ˈjuˈɛs tɪ teɪk ə ˈmoʊmənt tɪ rɪˈflɛkt ɔn ɑr oʊn ˌɪmˈpɛndɪŋ mɔrˈtæləti ˈsɪriəsli, wən deɪ wɪl ɔl bi dɛd ənd ðət deɪ ɪz ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈkloʊzər ənd ˈkloʊzər bət ɪts ˈɔlsoʊ ə greɪt ənd ˈsupər fən ˌɑpərˈtunəti tɪ ˈsɛləˌbreɪt ðət ˈklæsɪk riˈlis! ˈblɪzərd ɪz duɪŋ ðə ˈlætər (bət ˈprɑbəˌbli ˈɔlsoʊ ðə ˈfɔrmər?), ˈmɑrkɪŋ ðə geɪmz ˌænəˈvərsəri baɪ ˈrɛkriˌeɪtɪŋ ɪt ˌɪnˈsaɪd ˌdiˈæbloʊ 3 ðə ˈstudiˌoʊ əˈnaʊnst təˈdeɪ ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈoʊpənɪŋ ˈsɛrəˌmoʊni. wɪl bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ gɪt ɑr hænz ɔn ɪt ɪn ən ˈəpˌkəmɪŋ fri riˈlis kɔld "ðə ˈdɑrkənɪŋ əv ˈtrɪstrəm," wɪʧ wɪl bi əˈveɪləbəl ɪn ˌdiˈæbloʊ ˈpəblɪk tɛst rɛlm nɛkst wik. ɪn ðə ˈɪnərəm, ˈblɪzərd riˈlist 12 ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈɪmɪʤɪz ʃoʊɪŋ ɔf ðə ənd ˈgreɪni ɛsˈθɛtɪk ɪts rɪˈteɪnɪŋ fər ðɪs ˈmɑdərn ˈvɛriənt. fræŋk pɪrs kɔld ɪt "ˈglɔriəs retrovision*" ənd ðət saʊnz əˈbaʊt raɪt tɪ ˈjuˈɛs. ˌɛnˈʤɔɪ ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ əˌpɛrəˈtif ɪn ədˈvæns əv nɛkst wiks mil.

diablo is 20 years old this year, which isn't just an opportunity for all of us to take a moment to reflect on our own impending mortality — seriously, one day we'll all be dead and that day is always getting closer and closer — but it's also a great and super fun opportunity to celebrate that classic release! blizzard is doing the latter (but probably also the former?), marking the game's anniversary by recreating it inside diablo 3, the studio announced today during blizzcon's opening ceremony. we'll be able to get our hands on it in an upcoming free release called "the darkening of tristram," which will be available in diablo 3's public test realm next week. in the interim, blizzard released 12 environmental images showing off the pixelated and grainy aesthetic it's retaining for this modern variant. blizzard's frank pearce called it "glorious retrovision" and that sounds about right to us. enjoy the following aperitif in advance of next week's ptr meal.

ɔn ˈeɪprəl ˌmoʊtərˈoʊlə kɪkt ɔf ə ˈspɛʃəl pərˈmoʊʃən wɛr ju kʊd pɪk əp ðə ˈmoʊtoʊ ɛks pjʊr ɪˈdɪʃən fər ʤɪst 350 50 ɔf ðə ˈnɔrməl ˈæskɪŋ praɪs. ðə seɪl wɑz sɛt tɪ ɛnd ɔn meɪ 2nd*, təˈdeɪ. wɛl, tru, ðə seɪl ɪz over…*… bət ə nu ˈbɛtər wən həz ˈbeɪgən ɪn ɪts pleɪs. nɛkst ˈsənˌdi ɪz deɪ ənd ɪn ˌsɛləˈbreɪʃən ˌmoʊtərˈoʊlə ɪz naʊ ˈɔfərɪŋ 100 ɔf ðə ˈmoʊtoʊ ɛks pjʊr ɪˈdɪʃən, ˈbrɪŋɪŋ ɪts praɪs tɪ ʤɪst 300 ðə ˈmoʊtoʊ ɛks maɪt nɑt bi ðə ˈleɪtəst ˌɛniˈmɔr wɪθ ˈplɛnti əv greɪt 2016 ˈflægˌʃɪps ɔˈrɛdi aʊt tɪ ðə ˈpəblɪk, bət stɪl ə ˈsɑləd pərˈfɔrmər ənd æt ðɪs praɪs, ə hɛk əv ə dil. ðɪs ˈleɪtəst ˈɔfər ɛndz ɔn meɪ 9th*, soʊ ju hæv əˈbaʊt ə wik tɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪd ˈwɛðər ər nɑt tɪ ʤəmp ɔn ðɪs ər nɑt. ɛz ə ˈriˌkæp, ðə ˈmoʊtoʊ ɛks pjʊr ɪˈdɪʃən ɪz paʊərd baɪ ə kˈwɑlˌkɑm sˈnæpˌdrægən 808 ˈprɑˌsɛsər wɪθ əv ræm. ˈəðər spɛks ˌɪnˈklud ə dɪˈspleɪ, 16 tɪ ˈstɔrɪʤ, microsd*, ə 3000 mɑ ˈbætəri, ənd meɪn kæm. əv kɔrs ju ˈɔlsoʊ gɪt ˈmoʊtoʊ ˈmeɪkər hir, əˈlaʊɪŋ ju tɪ meɪk ðə ˈhændˌsɛt əv jʊr drimz. wət du ju θɪŋk, ɪz ðɪs wərθ ðə nu ˈæskɪŋ praɪs? ʃɛr jʊr θɔts daʊn ɪn ðə ˈkɑmɛnts.

on april 20th motorola kicked off a special promotion where you could pick up the moto x pure edition for just $350, $50 off the normal asking price. the sale was set to end on may 2nd, today. well, it’s true, the sale is over… but a new better one has begun in its place. next sunday is mother’s day and in celebration motorola is now offering $100 off the moto x pure edition, bringing its price to just $300. the moto x might not be the latest hotness anymore with plenty of great 2016 flagships already out to the public, but it’s still a solid performer and at this price, it’s a heck of a deal. this latest offer ends on may 9th, so you have about a week to decide whether or not to jump on this or not. as a recap, the moto x pure edition is powered by a qualcomm snapdragon 808 processor with 3gb of ram. other specs include a 5.7-inch qhd display, 16 to 64gb storage, microsd, a 3000 mah battery, and 21mp main cam. of course you also get moto maker customization here, allowing you to make the handset of your dreams. what do you think, is this worth the new asking price? share your thoughts down in the comments.

lembit* fərst ˈfɔreɪ ˈɪntu ˈstænˌdəp ˈkɑmədi ʃoʊz ðət ˈstreɪnʤnəs ˈfɑloʊz ɪm əraʊnd laɪk ə ˈʧiki gərl. lɛs ðən ə mənθ ˈæftər ˈluzɪŋ hɪz sit, ðə ˈfɔrmər lɪb tʊk ðə steɪʤ læst naɪt æt ðə ˈbækˈsteɪʤ ˈkɑmədi kləb ɪn ˈsɛntrəl ˈləndən, ə kræmpt ˈbeɪsmənt ˈvɛnju ʤɪst ə ræts teɪl frəm ˈlɛstər skwɛr tub. ɪt wɑz hɪz ˈstænˌdəp ˈdeɪbju, ə sɛt əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd əˈnəðər sɪks kəˈmidiənz (ðə bɛst əv hum wɑz ðə ˈɛksələnt ʤɑʃ widdicombe*). əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd ðə ˈkrɪtɪks ɪn ðə ˈɔdiəns, aɪ ˈspɑtɪd æt list wən prɛs fəˈtɑgrəfər, ɛz wɛl ɛz ˈstivən paʊnd ə meɪt əv ənd ə sˈmætərɪŋ əv ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən ˈkæmərəz. nɑt ˈmɛni fərst naɪts ər kwaɪt laɪk ðɪs. nɔr ər ˈmɛni əv ðɛm soʊ ˈlækɪŋ ɪn məˈtɪriəl. wi ɪnˈdʊrd ə ˈlɑrʤli ˌɪntrəˈdəkʃən ˈθæŋkɪŋ hɪz ˈlɑnʒərˌeɪ ˈmɑdəl ˈgərlˌfrɛnd, ˈkeɪti grin, ənd ðə kənˈsərvətɪv ˈvoʊtərz əv hɪz ˈfɔrmər kənˈstɪʧuənsi fər ɪˈneɪbəlɪŋ ɪm tɪ bi ðɛr. ðɛr wər ˈrɛfərənsɪz tɪ ˈluzɪŋ hɪz ˌpɑrləˈmɛntəri sit ˈæftər 13 jɪrz, əˈluʒənz tɪ ðə ˈʧiki gərlz ənd kərˈəpʃən ɪn ˈpɑrləmɛnt, ə dəf ˈænɪkˌdoʊt əˈbaʊt hɪz neɪm ˈɔlˌmoʊst ən ˈænəˌgræm əv "aɪ laɪk tɪ bi", hi toʊld ˈjuˈɛs ənd ə smɔl ˈsɛkʃən əˈbaʊt ðə ˈdeɪli meɪl, wɪʧ hæd kˈwoʊtɪd ðə ɪˈvɛnts prəˈmoʊtər, ˈrɑbərt ˈmikɪn, ɔn ðə ˈlaɪkliˌhʊd əv biɪŋ ˈbɑtəld ɔf ðə steɪʤ. ðɛn, ənˈwaɪzli, pɪkt əp ə ʃu ənd əˈtɛmptəd pərˈhæps ən əˈtɛmpt tɪ əpˈsteɪʤ ðə ˈpriviəs ækt, ˈninə ˈkɑnti. ˈdəkɪŋ bɪˈhaɪnd ðə ənd əˈdɑptɪŋ ə ˈsɪli vɔɪs, hi ˈdɪdənt soʊ məʧ tɛl ʤoʊks ɛz ɪkˈspleɪn ðət, bɪˈkəz ˈməŋki wɑz ˈoʊnli ə ˈpəpɪt, ənd ðɪs wɑz ə ril ʃu, hɪz wɑz ðə suˈpɪriər ækt. hi ˈprɛfəst ðɪs ˈsɛkʃən wɪθ ðə wərdz: "naʊ, aɪ wɑz toʊld nɑt tɪ du ðɪs." huˈɛvər ˈɔfərd ðə ədˈvaɪs wɑz ˈʃʊrli raɪt. bət hɪrz ðə ˈkjʊriəs θɪŋ bɪˈhaɪnd ˈlɪˌbərəl ˈdɛməˌkræt rəˈsɛt (wɪʧ hi wɔr ɔn steɪʤ, prɪˈzuməbli ɪn ˈrɛfərəns tɪ hɪz dɪˈzæstrəs ɪˈlɛkʃən naɪt) ju kʊd sɛns ˈkɑnfədɛns, luˈsɪdɪti, kəmˈpoʊʒər, ˈʃɑrpnəs. hɪz sɛt hæd ˈstrəkʧər. ɔl əv ðɪs gɪvz ɪm tu jɪrz ɔn ˈəðər ˈnɑvəs kəˈmidiənz. wən gæg əˈbaʊt bɪˈkəmɪŋ meɪər əv ˈləndən, wɪʧ ˈʤɛntli rɪbd ˈbɔrɪs ˈʤɑnsən, ənd əˈnəðər əˈbaʊt biɪŋ ˌɪgˈnɔrd ɪn ə lɪft baɪ nɪk klɛg, wər ˈnaɪsli dɪˈlɪvərd. wət ər wi tɪ meɪk əv ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃən ˈɪntu ə kəˈmidiən? ˈmeɪbi ɪts kəˈθɑrsəs, pərˈhæps ˈivɪn ˈkraɪsəs. ɪt wɑz moʊst ˈdɛfənətli ə pəˈblɪsɪti stənt. bət pərˈhæps wi ˈʃʊdənt raɪt ɪm ɔf ʤɪst jɛt. ˈklɪrli həz ən ˈæpəˌtaɪt fər ˌæʤəˈleɪʃən ənd ˈhoʊldɪŋ kɔrt, boʊθ əv wɪʧ ər ˈseɪtɪd baɪ ˈstænˌdəp ˈkɑmədi. soʊ hu noʊz? pərˈhæps ðɪs ˈrɪli wɑz ə kərɪr ʧeɪnʤ.

lembit opik's first foray into standup comedy shows that strangeness follows him around like a heat-seeking cheeky girl. less than a month after losing his montgomeryshire seat, the former lib dem mp took the stage last night at the backstage comedy club in central london, a cramped basement venue just a rat's tail from leicester square tube. it was his standup debut, a 15-minute set alongside another six comedians (the best of whom was the excellent josh widdicombe). alongside the critics in the audience, i spotted at least one press photographer, as well as stephen pound mp – a mate of opik's – and a smattering of tv cameras. not many first nights are quite like this. nor are many of them so lacking in material. we endured a largely gag-free introduction thanking his lingerie model girlfriend, katie green, and the conservative voters of his former constituency for enabling him to be there. there were self-deprecatory references to losing his parliamentary seat after 13 years, allusions to the cheeky girls and corruption in parliament, a duff anecdote about his name – almost an anagram of "i like to be mp", he told us – and a small section about the daily mail, which had quoted the event's promoter, robert meakin, on the likelihood of opik being bottled off the stage. then, unwisely, opik picked up a shoe and attempted ventriloquism – perhaps an attempt to upstage the previous act, comedian/vetriloquist nina conti. ducking behind the brogue and adopting a silly voice, he didn't so much tell jokes as explain that, because conti's monkey was only a puppet, and this was a real shoe, his was the superior act. he prefaced this section with the words: "now, i was told not to do this." whoever offered the advice was surely right. but here's the curious thing – behind opik's liberal democrat rosette (which he wore on stage, presumably in self-mocking reference to his disastrous election night) you could sense confidence, lucidity, composure, sharpness. his set had structure. all of this gives him two years on other novice comedians. one gag about becoming mayor of london, which gently ribbed boris johnson, and another about being ignored in a lift by nick clegg, were nicely delivered. what are we to make of opik's transformation into a comedian? maybe it's post-election catharsis, perhaps even mid-life crisis. it was most definitely a publicity stunt. but perhaps we shouldn't write him off just yet. opik clearly has an appetite for adulation and holding court, both of which are sated by standup comedy. so who knows? perhaps this really was a career change.

ðə ˈlænˌskeɪp əv ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ɪn ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ˈdeɪvɪd ˈvændəgrɪft blɑkt ˈfɑloʊ ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ɔkt 20 2016 ɪn keɪs ju ˈnoʊtɪst, ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl əv ən ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ˌrɛvəˈluʃən. ðə eɪaɪ ˈwɪntər əv ðə ənd həz bɪn ˈθəroʊli θɔd baɪ ˈmæstərɪŋ ðə əˈtɑri ˈkɑnsoʊl, biɪŋ əkˈwaɪərd fər 500m*, ənd ˈsəbsəkwəntli ““conquering”*” ðə geɪm əv goʊ ən əˈʧivmənt moʊst ˈɛkspərts θɔt wɑz ˈdɛkeɪdz əˈweɪ. ˈɔlsoʊ kənˈtrɪbjutɪŋ tɪ ðə spərɪŋ mɛlt: eɪaɪ bɪˈkəmɪŋ ˈbɛtər ðən ˈjumənz æt ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzɪŋ ˈɑbʤɛkts ɪn ˈɪmɪʤɪz, dɪˈtɛktɪŋ ˈfeɪsɪz ənd ˈrɛdɪŋ ˈɪˌmoʊʃənz, ənd prɑˈgrɛsɪvli ˈnɑkɪŋ aʊt ðə stɛps təˈwɔrd ˈpæsɪŋ ðə ˈtʊrɪŋ tɛst. frəm reɪ ðə ɪz nɪr ðɪs eɪaɪ ˌrɛvəˈluʃən həz bɪn ə ˈʃɑkɪŋli ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk wən. waɪl ðə ɪkˈspɛktɪd tɛk ˈkæpɪtəlz (ˈlʊkɪŋ æt ju ˈsɪləkən ˈvæli) hæv prəˈdust ðɛr fɛr ʃɛr əv pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ɪn ðə eɪaɪ ərˈinə, ðɛr ˈrɪli bɪn ə ˈdɑmənənt ʤiˈɑgrəfi. ju ʤɪst hæv tɪ teɪk ə lʊk æt eɪaɪ ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən tɪ ˈriəˌlaɪz ðət nɑt ˈivɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts məʧ lɛs wən əv ɪts ˈsɪtiz ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ kleɪm ˈoʊnərˌʃɪp əv ðɪs nu weɪv əv tɛkˈnɑləʤi. ˈaʊtˈsaɪd əv ðə ˈvæli, ˈpɪtsbərg həz bɪˈkəm ðə də ˈfæktoʊ ˈɛpəˌsɛntər əv ɔˈtɑnəməs ˈviɪkəl tɛkˈnɑləʤi du tɪ ˌkɑrˈneɪgi ˈmɛlən ənd ˈləndən həz ə ˈvɛri ˈsɪriəs steɪk ɔn ðə kleɪm əv tɔp eɪaɪ ˈsɪti du tɪ ɪts ˌækəˈdɛmɪk praʊəs ənd ðə ˈhɛdˌkɔrtərz əv. əˈməŋ ðə dɪˈskəʃənz əv ˈsɪtiz ˈʤɛnərˌeɪtɪŋ strɔŋ eɪaɪ tɛkˈnɑləʤi, nɑt ʃʊr jɛt hərd ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ kəm əp. ðɪs ɪz ˈpɑrtli ə ˈbrændɪŋ ˈɪʃu: ɪn ðə tɛk wərld, ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ɪz ˈlɑrʤli noʊn fər ɪts ˈɛnərˌpraɪz ˈsɔfˌwɛr ˈkəmpəˌniz. ðɪs ɪz ðə ˈsɪti, ˈæftər ɔl, ðət spɔnd ənd ˌɛˌsɛˈmɛs əˈsɪst. ðə ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən həz bɪn well-earned*, bət ə mɪsˈlidɪŋ wən. ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ hoʊm tɪ kənˈsumər ˈkəmpəˌniz groupon*, trəŋk kləb, ənd grubhub*. ðə ˈsɪti ðət geɪv raɪz tɪ ənd careerbuilder*. ɪf ˈɛniˌθɪŋ, ðə ˈwɪndi ˈsɪti ʃʊd bi noʊn fər ðə ˌvərsəˈtɪləti ənd ˈdaɪnəˌmɪzəm əv ðə ˈkəmpəˌniz ɪt ˈfɑstərz. ənd jɛs, ðət dɪz ˌɪnˈklud eɪaɪ. ðə ˈikoʊˌsɪstəm ɛz tɔp ˈgloʊbəl eɪaɪ ˈsɪtiz hæv ˈimərʤd, wən ˈpætərn həz bɪˈkəm klɪr: ˌjunəˈvərsətiz wɪθ strɔŋ eɪaɪ ˈrisərʧ grups lɛd tɪ ˈsɪtiz wɪθ eɪaɪ ˈɛkspərts. ðə ˈvæli həz ˈstænfərd ənd ˈbərkli. ˈləndən həz ˈɑksfərd ənd ˈkeɪmbrɪʤ. ˈpɪtsbərg həz ˌkɑrˈneɪgi ˈmɛlən. ənd ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ɪz noʊ ˈdɪfərənt. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ˌɪləˈnɔɪz ərˈbænə ʃæmˈpeɪn ɪz ə ˈkəpəl əv aʊərz ˈaʊtˈsaɪd əv ðə ˈsɪti, ðə ˈifɛkt əv ɪts ˌɛkspərˈtiz ɪz fɛlt ˈvɛri ˈklɪrli. ðə skul ræŋks 7 ˈnæʃənəli əˈməŋ eɪaɪ ˈproʊˌgræmz ənd əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ɪts ˈwɛbˌsaɪt həz 19 ˈfækəlti ˈwərkɪŋ ɔn eɪaɪ ˈprɑbləmz. ɪn ðə ˈsɪti, ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ræŋks 34 ənd ˈivɪn ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ˌɪləˈnɔɪz ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ həz ə ˈdɛdəkeɪtəd ˈrisərʧ grup wɪθ 6 prəˈfɛsərz. ˈaʊtˈsaɪd əv ðə ˌækəˈdɛmɪk wərld, ðə ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ tɛk ˈikoʊˌsɪstəm həz ɔl əv ðə trəˈdɪʃənəl ˈpɪlərz ðət ˈɛni ˈstɑrˌtəp nidz tɪ θraɪv: ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈstɑrˌtəp kəmˈjunɪtiz 1871 technexus*, ˈkætəˌpəlt, ðə ˈpoʊlski ˈsɛnər), ə roʊˈbəst sɛt əv ˈvɛnʧər ˌɪnˈvɛstərz, ə strɔŋ ˈsteɪbəl əv ˈtɛknɪkəl ˈtælənt, ənd səˈpɔrtɪv ˈloʊkəl ənd steɪt ˈgəvərnmənts. ˈgɪvɪn ðiz ˈrɛsəpiz fər səkˈsɛs, noʊ səˈpraɪz ðət səm ˌɪmˈprɛsɪv eɪaɪ ˈkəmpəˌniz hæv ˈimərʤd. səm əv ðə ˈstænˌdaʊts wɛˈnɛvər ju tɔk əˈbaʊt ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ɪn ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ, wən əv ðə ˈvɛri fərst neɪmz tɪ kəm tɪ maɪnd ɪz ˈnɛrətɪv saɪəns. ðə sɪks jɪr oʊld ˈkəmpəˌni həz reɪzd ˈnɪrli frəm ˌɪnˈvɛstərz ɪn ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ənd ɔn iʧ əv ðə koʊsts, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ðə ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt grup in-q-tel*. ˈnɛrətɪv saɪəns ɪz wən əv ðə ˈlidɪŋ ˈkəmpəˌniz ɪn ðə wərld ɪn ðə fild əv ˈnæʧərəl ˈlæŋgwɪʤ ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃən (nlg*), ðə juz əv eɪaɪ tɪ raɪt tɛkst ɪn ə ˈmænər. ɪts kwɪl ˈflægˌʃɪp ˈprɑdəkt ɪˈneɪbəlz ˈkəmpəˌniz tɪ kriˈeɪt ˈnæʧərəl ˈlæŋgwɪʤ ˈnɛrətɪvz əraʊnd ˈbɪznɪs ˈdætə. ðə ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz ər əˈveɪləbəl tɪ ˈθaʊzənz əv ˈkəmpəˌniz ˈwərldˈwaɪd θru ɪts ˈpraɪˌmɛri ˈprɑdəkt ənd ə ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪp wɪθ ˈbɪznɪs ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns swit qlik*. wən jəŋ ˈkəmpəˌni, ˈmoʊʃən eɪaɪ, həz bɪn ˈgɑrnərɪŋ ə lɔt əv əˈtɛnʃən ˈrisəntli. ðə ˈstɑrˌtəp raɪdz ðə ˈkɑrənt ɪkˈsaɪtmənt əraʊnd chatbots*, ˈɔfərɪŋ ə floʊ ˈɪnərˌfeɪs ðət grænts ðə ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti tɪ bɪld ðɛr oʊn chatbots*. ðə ˈstɑrˌtəp, wɪʧ reɪzd bæk ɪn dɪˈsɛmbər 2015 ɪz juˈnik ɪn mɔr weɪz ðət wən: ɪn əˈdɪʃən tɪ ˈhævɪŋ ðə ˈɪnərˌfeɪs fər kriˈeɪʃən, ðə ˈkəmpəˌni ˈoʊnli hæd ə ˈsɪŋgəl ɪmˈplɔɪi æt ðə taɪm əv ɪts ˈfəndɪŋ raʊnd, ɪts ˈsiˌiˈoʊ, ˈdeɪvɪd ˈnɛlsən. ˈbɪznɪs ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ˈstɑrˌtəp həz dɪˈvɛləpt ˈhaɪli ˌɪmˈprɛsɪv tɛkˈnɑləʤi ðət əˈlaʊz ˈɛnərˌpraɪzɪz tɪ meɪk sɛns əv lɑrʤ sɛts əv ˈdætə. waɪl stɪl ɪn ɪts ˈərli deɪz, ðə ˈplætˌfɔrm həz ðə pəˈtɛnʃəl tɪ bɪˈkəm ə ˈgloʊbəl kəmˈpɛtɪtər ɪn ðə baɪ speɪs. æl breɪn ʧaɪld, əˈvɑnt, ɪz wɛl noʊn fər ɪts juz əv ˈhaɪli ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt ˈælgərˌɪðəmz tɪ meɪk loʊnz ðət ˈəðər prəˈvaɪdərz can’t*. waɪl stɪl ˈlɑrʤli ˈəndər ðə ˈreɪˌdɑr, ˈmɑnjəmənt həz dɪˈvɛləpt ə rɪˈmɑrkəbəl ˈhɑrdˌwɛr səˈluʃən fər ˈfoʊˌtoʊ ˈstɔrɪŋ ənd ˈmænɪʤmənt. həz səkˈsidɪd ɪn ˈʤɛsʧər ˌrɛkɪgˈnɪʃən wɛr ɔl ˈəðər ˈwɛrəbəl ˌmænjəˈfækʧərərz hæv feɪld. ˈgræʤəˌweɪt wɑz əkˈwaɪərd baɪ ˈæməˌzɑn fər ɪts dip ˈlərnɪŋ ˌɛkspərˈtiz. dæg əv ˈsɪri ənd vɪv feɪm kɔlz ðə ˈsɪti hoʊm. fər ˈəðərz laɪk ˈprɪtskər grup pɔrtˈfoʊliˌoʊ ˈkəmpəˌniz ˌkætəˈlɪtɪk ənd repiq*, tu ˈərli tɪ ˈhɛrəld eɪaɪ səkˈsɛs. bət ðeɪ hæv ə roʊˈbəst ɪn pleɪs ənd ðə ˈtælənt tɪ ˈɛksəˌkjut. ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈfɔrwərd ðə fˈjuʧər əv eɪaɪ ɪn ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ɪz braɪt. wi ˈrisəntli hɛld ðə fərst ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ eɪaɪ prækˈtɪʃənərz ənd ˌɪnˈvɛstərz meetup*, wɛr dɪˈspaɪt noʊ ˈmɑrkətɪŋ wi hæd ˈoʊvər 50 əˈtɛnˈdiz ˈlʊkɪŋ tɪ tɔk əˈbaʊt eɪaɪ. ɛz əv ˌpəblɪˈkeɪʃən, ðə grup həz 190 ˈmɛmbərz wɪθ mɔr ˈfaɪndɪŋ ðɛr weɪ tɪ ɪt ˈɛvəri deɪ. ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrz ər ɛkˈspɛrəˌmɛntɪŋ wɪθ tensorflow*, ˌɑntrəprəˈnərz ər əˈtɛndɪŋ eɪaɪ ˈkɑnfərənsəz, ənd ˌɪnˈvɛstərz (maɪ fərm ˌɪnˈkludɪd) ər dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ ðɛr ˈθisiz. ðə fild ɪz sɛt ənd ˈivɪn ɛz ju rɛd ðɪs ˈstɑrˌtəps ɔl ˈoʊvər ðə ˈsɪti ər hɑrd æt wərk ɪnˈʃʊrɪŋ ðət ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ wɪl bi noʊn ɛz ən eɪaɪ həb faɪv jɪrz frəm naʊ. nɑt ə ˈsɛnər əv eɪaɪ ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz ʤɪst əv ðə ˌmɪdˈwɛst ər ˈivɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, bət ə ˈsɪti ðət stændz aʊt ɔn ðə ˈgloʊbəl steɪʤ ɛz ə greɪt pleɪs tɪ faʊnd ənd bɪld ən ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ˈkəmpəˌni. ɪf ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd ɪn ˈlərnɪŋ mɔr əˈbaʊt eɪaɪ ɪn ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ, fil fri tɪ ʧɛk aʊt maɪ blɔg ənd hɪt mi əp ɔn tˈwɪtər.

the landscape of artificial intelligence in chicago david vandegrift blocked follow following oct 20, 2016 in case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the middle of an artificial intelligence revolution. the ai winter of the 90’s and 2000’s has been thoroughly thawed by deepmind mastering the atari console, being acquired for $500m, and subsequently “conquering” the game of go — an achievement most experts thought was decades away. also contributing to the spring melt: ai becoming better than humans at recognizing objects in images, detecting faces and reading emotions, and progressively knocking out the steps toward passing the turing test. from ray kurzweil’s the singularity is near this ai revolution has been a shockingly democratic one. while the expected tech capitals (looking at you silicon valley) have produced their fair share of participants in the ai arena, there really hasn’t been a dominant geography. you just have to take a look at ai competition kaggle’s leaderboard to realize that not even the united states — much less one of its cities — is going to be able to claim ownership of this new wave of technology. outside of the valley, pittsburgh has become the de facto epicenter of autonomous vehicle technology due to carnegie mellon and london has a very serious stake on the claim of top ai city due to its academic prowess and the headquarters of deepmind. among the discussions of cities generating strong ai technology, i’m not sure i’ve yet heard chicago come up. this is partly a branding issue: in the tech world, chicago is largely known for its no-nonsense enterprise software companies. this is the city, after all, that spawned textura and sms assist. the reputation has been well-earned, but it’s a misleading one. chicago is also home to consumer companies groupon, trunk club, and grubhub. it’s the city that gave rise to orbitz and careerbuilder. if anything, the windy city should be known for the versatility and dynamism of the companies it fosters. and yes, that does include ai. the ecosystem as top global ai cities have emerged, one pattern has become clear: universities with strong ai research groups lead to cities with ai experts. the valley has stanford and uc berkeley. london has oxford and cambridge. pittsburgh has carnegie mellon. and chicago is no different. although the university of illinois urbana champagne is a couple of hours outside of the city, the effect of its expertise is felt very clearly. the school ranks #7 nationally among ai programs and — according to its website — has 19 faculty working on ai problems. in the city, the university of chicago ranks #34 and even the university of illinois chicago has a dedicated research group with 6 professors. outside of the academic world, the chicago tech ecosystem has all of the traditional pillars that any startup needs to thrive: physical startup communities (1871, technexus, catapult, the polsky center), a robust set of venture investors, a strong stable of technical talent, and supportive local and state governments. given these recipes for success, it’s no surprise that some impressive ai companies have emerged. some of the standouts whenever you talk about artificial intelligence in chicago, one of the very first names to come to mind is narrative science. the six year old company has raised nearly $30m from investors in chicago and on each of the coasts, including the cia-linked investment group in-q-tel. narrative science is one of the leading companies in the world in the field of natural language generation (nlg), the use of ai to write text in a human-like manner. its quill flagship product enables companies to create natural language narratives around business data. the company’s capabilities are available to thousands of companies worldwide through its primary product and a partnership with business intelligence suite qlik. one young company, motion ai, has been garnering a lot of attention recently. the startup rides the current excitement around chatbots, offering a user-friendly flow chart-like interface that grants non-developers the capability to build their own chatbots. the startup, which raised $700k back in december 2015, is unique in more ways that one: in addition to having the easiest-to-use interface for chatbot creation, the company only had a single employee at the time of its funding round, its ceo, david nelson. business intelligence startup semantify has developed highly impressive technology that allows enterprises to make sense of large sets of untagged data. while it’s still in its early days, the company’s platform has the potential to become a global competitor in the bi space. al goldstein’s brain child, avant, is well known for its use of highly intelligent algorithms to make loans that other providers can’t. while still largely under the radar, monument has developed a remarkable ai-driven hardware solution for photo storing and management. rithmio has succeeded in gesture recognition where all other wearable manufacturers have failed. excelerate graduate orbeus was acquired by amazon for its deep learning expertise. dag kittlaus — of siri and viv fame — calls the city home. for others like pritzker group portfolio companies catalytic and repiq, it’s too early to herald ai success. but they have a robust roadmap in place and the talent to execute. looking forward the future of ai in chicago is bright. we recently held the first chicago ai practitioners and investors meetup, where — despite no marketing — we had over 50 attendees looking to talk about ai. as of publication, the group has 190 members with more finding their way to it every day. engineers are experimenting with tensorflow, entrepreneurs are attending ai conferences, and investors (my firm included) are developing their theses. the field is set and even as you read this startups all over the city are hard at work ensuring that chicago will be known as an ai hub five years from now. not a center of ai capabilities just of the midwest or even the united states, but a city that stands out on the global stage as a great place to found and build an artificial intelligence company. if you’re interested in learning more about ai in chicago, feel free to check out my blog and hit me up on twitter.

wət ər ˈtoʊkən bæŋks? ˌgɑbriˈɛlə ˈrigoʊ blɑkt ˈfɑloʊ ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ˈɛˈsiˈpi 19 2017 ˈmɛni təˈdeɪ ər əˈwɛr əv ðə ɪgˈzɪstəns əv θæŋks tɪ ðə ˈkrɪptoʊ haɪp. wɪθ ˈhaɪnˌsaɪt, ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˈkrɪptoʊ ɪn 2014 ˈnɔrməl ˈpipəl wʊd bi ˈlʊkɪŋ æt ju ɛz ɪf ju wər ən ˈeɪliən. wɑz nɑt ˈivɪn ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzd ɛz ə tɛkˈnɑləʤi. trəˈdɪʃənəl ˌɪnˈvɛstərz læft. ˈvɪʒəˌnɛri ˌɪnˈvɛstərz ˌɪnˈvɛstɪd. təˈdeɪ ər hɑt, ɪz hɑt ɛz wɛl, ənd ˈləkəli fər ðə ˌpaɪəˈnɪrz, dɪˈsɛntrəˌlaɪzd ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz ər bɪˈkəmɪŋ ə θɪŋ ɛz ˈmɛni ˈkəmpəˌniz ər ˈlaɪnɪŋ əp tɪ riˈlis ðɛr ˈbeɪtə ˈplætˌfɔrmz. ər ɔl ɔn haɪp, ənd wɪθ gʊd ˈrizən: ðeɪ wɪl riˈʃeɪp ðə wərld əv ˈsɔfˌwɛr dɪˈvɛləpmənt ɪn ðə nɛkst 5 jɪrz. ənd wən ˈsɛktər ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ bi əˈfɛktɪd ðə moʊst: ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ˈsərvɪsɪz. ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ si wət wi ər ɛnˈvɪʒənɪŋ, ju hæv tɪ θɪŋk əv ə wərld bɪɔnd cryptocurrencies*. ənd bɔɪ du wi bɪˈliv ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt bæŋks ər ˈgɑnə bi əˈfɛktɪd baɪ ðə ʧeɪnʤ!

what are token banks? gabriele rigo blocked unblock follow following sep 19, 2017 many today are aware of the existence of blockchain thanks to the crypto hype. with hindsight, talking about crypto in 2014 normal people would be looking at you as if you were an alien. blockchain was not even recognized as a standalone technology. traditional investors laughed. visionary investors invested. today cryptos are hot, blockchain is hot as well, and luckily for the pioneers, decentralized applications are becoming a thing as many companies are lining up to release their beta platforms. cryptos are all on hype, and with good reason: they will reshape the world of software development in the next 5 years. and one sector is going to be affected the most: financial services. in order to see what we are envisioning, you have to think of a world beyond cryptocurrencies. and boy do we believe investment banks are gonna be affected by the change!

ol_dut* ˈmɛmbər ˈɔˌflaɪn ˈɔnˌlaɪn ˈstætəs: ˈɔnˌlaɪn ˈstætəs: ˈɔgəst 2004 ʤɔɪn deɪt: ʤɔɪn deɪt: poʊsts: poʊsts: 2 blɔg ˈɛntriz: 203 100 itrader*: noʊ mænz lænd ˈstɔriˌlaɪn wɪn ˈgɑθəm wɑz ˈrævɪʤd baɪ baɪ ən ˈərθkˌweɪk ɔn ðə ˈɔrdər əv ðə bɪg wən ðət dɪˈmɑlɪʃt sæn frænˈsɪskoʊ bæk ɪn ðə deɪ. bət sɪns ɪts ðə ˈwəndərfəl əv ˈkɑmɪks, ðə wən ðət hɪt ˈgɑθəm wɑz ˈrɪli ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈprɑbəˌbli ˈbɪgər, ənd ɔn ðə ˈəpˈsaɪd ɔl ˈlɔsɪz wər ˈpjʊrli ˈfɪkʃənəl ənd ər ˈsəbʤɪkt tɪ kəmˈplit ˈviə riˈbut. wɛrz maɪ riˈbut ˈbətən? bət ðæts ɔf ˈtɑpɪk. ˈɛniˌweɪ, lɔŋ ˈstɔri ʃɔrt, ˈhɛlənə (a.k.a*. ˈhəntrɪs) kəmz tɪ ðə kənˈkluʒən ðət krʊks, krips ənd fɪr mɔr ðən ðeɪ fɪr ˈhəntrɪs. pərˈhæps wɑz ˌɪnˈvɑlvd. ɔn ðə pɑrt əv ðə ˈraɪtərz ðət ɪz, nɑt ˈhɛlənə, ənd ˈprɑbəˌbli ɪt wɑz ər rɛd bʊl ənd ˈvɑdkə. soʊ ˈɛniˌweɪ, ʃi ˌdɪˈsaɪdz tɪ drɛs əp laɪk tɪ straɪk fɪr ˈɪntu ðə hɑrts əv ˈkrɪmənəl ˈɛləmənt, ənd ˈsəmθɪŋ ɛls ˈɪntu əˈnəðər pɑrt əv ˈɛvriˌwɛr. ənd fər ə waɪl ɪts gʊd. ðɛn ˈbætˌmæn gɪts mæd æt hər fər ɪnˈgeɪʤɪŋ ɪn tu məʧ əv ðə oʊld ultra-violence*, soʊ hi strɪps hər əv ðə ˈmæntəl ənd ɪts bæk tɪ biɪŋ ˈhəntrɪs əˈgɛn. ənd hɪrz maɪ pɔɪnt meɪd fər mi, raɪt ðɛr. ɪf ˈhɛlənə ɪz tu ˈskɛri, ˈnæsti ənd ˈvaɪələnt tɪ bi, haʊ ɪn ðə grin ərθ ɪz ˈɛvər mɔr ˈtɛrər ˌɪnˈdusɪŋ ðən ˈhəntrɪs? doʊnt wərk ɔn ðət wən tu hɑrd. ɪts nɑt ˈrɪli ə ˈlɑʤɪk ˈprɑbləm ɪf ðɛr ˈɪzənt ˈɛni ˈlɑʤɪk ɪn ɪt tɪ bɪˈgɪn wɪθ. (ɪf wɪr ˈtɔkɪŋ mɪz. ˈgɔrdən). ˈfaɪtər (ɪf wɪr ˈtɔkɪŋ mɪz. keɪn) bət ˈhəntrɪs ɪz ə hoʊl ˈdɪfərənt brid əv kæt. əˈweɪ ɛz fæst ɛz ju taʊn ənd ʧeɪnʤ neɪm ju gɪt aʊt əv ðə ˈhɑˌspɪtəl). wɪθ ðət aʊt əv ðə weɪ, lɛts teɪk ə lʊk æt ðə daɪəlz. fərst əp ɪz ðə ˈizi wən. hir wi hæv ˈhəntrɪs ɔl drɛst əp laɪk. ɑr tim: ˈbætˌmæn ˈælaɪ reɪnʤ: 4 pɔɪnts: 67 ˈkiˌwərdz: ˈbætˌmæn ˈfæməli, ˈgɑθəm ˈsɪti, ˈmɑrʃəl ˈɑrtɪst 9 10 17 3 9 9 16 1 8 9 17 1 8 10 18 2 7 10 17 2 7 9 16 1 koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ (ˌɪmˈpruvd) ˈnɪmbəl: ˌɪmˈpruvd ˈmuvmənt: ˌɪgˈnɔrz ˈɛləˌveɪtɪd təreɪn, ˌɪgˈnɔrz ˈhɪndərɪŋ təreɪn (spid) ˈgɑθəm ˈsɪtiz prəˈtɛktər: kən juz ʧɑrʤ, ˈfləri ənd. (əˈtæk) ðə bæt ɪz ə ˈsɪmbəl: wəns pər tərn, meɪ juz fɔrs blæst ər ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt ɛz ə fri ˈækʃən. wɪn ʃi dɪz, ˈtərgət əˈpoʊzɪŋ ˈkɛrɪktərz du nɑt teɪk nɑk bæk ˈdæmɪʤ ər ˈpʊʃɪŋ ˈdæmɪʤ frəm ðɪs juz. ənd ʤɪst fər fən, hir wi hæv ðə mɔr mɪz. ˈgɔrdən ɛz. vi tim: ˈbætˌmæn ˈælaɪ reɪnʤ: 5 pɔɪnts: 85 ˈkiˌwərdz: ˈbætˌmæn ˈfæməli, bərdz əv preɪ, ˈgɑθəm ˈsɪti 8 10 17 2 7 10 17 2 7 9 16 2 7 9 16 1 8 9 16 1 8 8 15 1 koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ (ˈspɛʃəl) flaɪɪŋ haɪ əˈgɛn: kən juz leap/climb*. (əˈtæk) aɪ stɪl hæv ə fju trɪks ɪn maɪ bɛlt: kən juz ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt ənd smoʊk klaʊd. wɪn ʃi ˈjuzɪz ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt ənd ˈpleɪsɪz ə ˈsɛkənd ˈækʃən ˈtoʊkən ɔn ə hɪt ˈkɛrɪktər, ðə rɪˈzəltɪŋ ˈpʊʃɪŋ ˈdæmɪʤ kænt bi ˌɪgˈnɔrd. waɪl aɪ ˈwɔntɪd tɪ ˌɪnˈklud daɪəl bɪˈkəz aɪ nu səm ˈridərz wʊd wɔnt tɪ si ɪt, aɪ hæv ə ˈkəpəl əv ˈprɑbləmz ˈjuzɪŋ ɪt ɛz ðə ˈbeɪsɪs əv ðɪs kəmˈpɛrəsən. ðə meɪn ˈɪʃu, ɛz moʊst wʊd əˈgri, ɪz ðət ðiz ər ˈsɪmpli nɑt ðə seɪm ˈpipəl. ɛz səʧ, ðɛr daɪəlz ər ˈprɪti ˈdɪfərənt, ðəs ˈmeɪkɪŋ ðə kəmˈpɛrəsən mut. ðə ˈsɛkənd ˈɪʃu, ɔlˈbiɪt ˈvɛri ˈkloʊsli taɪd tɪ ðə fərst, ɪz ðət moʊst pleɪərz wʊd ˈnɛvər riʧ fər ˈhɛlənə ɪf ðeɪ wər ˈrɪli ˈæftər ə ˈbɑrbərə. wən ɪz nɑt ɪn moʊst, ɪf ˈɛni, ˈsərkəmˌstænsɪz ə ˈsəbstəˌtut fər ðə ˈəðər. wɪθ ðət sɛd, lɛts muv ɔn tɪ ðə bɛst ˈɔpʃən wiv gɑt fər ðə ˈpərpəsɪz əv ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl, strits əv ˈhəntrɪs 014 naʊ aɪ kən ɔˈrɛdi si ðə ˈpipəl ɔn ðə hərˈaɪzən seɪɪŋ, "ol_dut*! ju kænt du ðət. ˈhɛlənə bæts ɪz ˌdiˈsi ˌkɑntəˈnuəti ənd ðə ˈsɑgi ˈhəntrɪs ɪz ər ju krækt?!" ənd aɪ wʊd ˌəndərˈstænd ðət. ənd aɪ maɪt bi. bət wɪr stək wɪθ ðɪs kəmˈpɛrəsən ənd hɪrz waɪ: fərst, ðeɪ ər boʊθ ˈhɛlənə ənd ðæts ðə bɛst ˈɔpʃən geɪv ˈjuˈɛs, ənd ˈsɛkənd, əm ˈhoʊpɪŋ ɪz ə ˈpæsɪŋ fæd ənd ɔl ðoʊz ˈstɔriz wɪl gɪt ˈfoʊldɪd ɪn ɛz "ənˈtoʊld teɪlz" frəm ðə ˈpriviəs ˌkɑntəˈnuəti wɪʧ wɪl ˈsəmˌdeɪ (sun) bi rɪˈstɔrd. ɔl əˈpɑləˌʤiz tɪ ðoʊz hu ləv ɪt. soʊ ˈmuvɪŋ raɪt əˈlɔŋ hir ɪz ˈhəntrɪs' daɪəl frəm strits əv ˈgɑθəm. ɑr ˈhəntrɪs tim: ˈbætˌmæn ˈælaɪ reɪnʤ: 5 pɔɪnts: 59 ˈkiˌwərdz: ˈbætˌmæn ˈfæməli, bərdz əv preɪ 8 10 17 2 8 9 17 2 8 9 17 2 7 9 16 2 7 8 16 1 koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ koʊ (ˈdæmɪʤ) ˈɪzənt ˈkɪlɪŋ: ˈhəntrɪs kən juz kloʊz ˈkɑmbæt ˈɛkspərt. wɪn ˈhəntrɪs hɪts ə ˈtərgət wɪθ ə reɪnʤd ˈkɑmbæt əˈtæk, ˈmɑdəˌfaɪ ðə ˈtɑrgəts spid ˈvælju baɪ 2 ənˈtɪl ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ əv jʊr nɛkst tərn. lə 002 geɪnz ˈvərsəz. 014 ˈhəntrɪs ˈhɛlənə pʊts ɔn ə ˈlɪtəl weɪt, ˈtɪpɪŋ ðə skeɪlz æt 67 pɔɪnts, bət ə ˈmɑdəst ˌɪnˈkris wɪn ju kənˈsɪdər ʃi ˈɔlsoʊ gɪts ən əˈdɪʃənəl klɪk əv laɪf. fər ðoʊz hu drul ˈoʊvər ˈkiˌwərdz, ædz ˈgɑθəm ˈsɪti ɛz wɛl ɛz ðə ˈmɑrʃəl ˈɑrtɪst tɪ hər lɪst əv ˈɔpʃənz. ˈmuvmənt ɪz ˈʤɛnərəli ˈbɛtər ˈtɑpɪŋ aʊt wɪθ ə pɛr əv 9’s*. daʊn ɔn hər əˈtæk træk ʃi ædz ə ˈkəpəl əv 10’s*, ənd dɪˈfɛnsɪvli, ʃi pɪks əp ən 18 ən ˈɔfəl lɔt əv nuˈmɛrɪkəl ˌɪmˈpruvmənt. ðɛn ðət ˌɪmˈpruvd ˈmuvmənt ˈspɔrtɪŋ, əˈlaʊɪŋ hər tɪ ˈnɪmbli ˌɪgˈnɔr boʊθ ˈhɪndərɪŋ ənd ˈɛləˌveɪtɪd təreɪn. ðə ˈgɑθəm prəˈtɛktər blɛndz ɪn ˈnaɪsli wɪθ ˈnɪmbəl, ˈgɪvɪŋ hər ə mɔr ˈæʤəl ʧɑrʤ, waɪl ˈɔlsoʊ ˈgrænɪŋ hər ˈfləri ənd ɛz wɛl. wəns ðət paʊər feɪdz, ʃi ˈkloʊzɪz aʊt wɪθ θri kənˈsɛkjətɪv klɪks əv leap/climb*. ɔn ðə əˈtæk frənt, ædz fɔr klɪks əv ðə ðə bæt ɪz ə ˈsɪmbəl paʊər. grænts hər ˈmɑdəˌfaɪd ˈvərʒənz əv ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt ər fɔrs blæst ɛz ə fri ˈækʃən, wəns pər tərn. ə nis pɛr əv ˈkɑmbæt ˈriflɛksəz pɑp aʊt fər tu klɪks æt ðə tɔp əv ðə daɪəl, ənd wən klɪk əv ˈtəfnəs sniks ɪn æt ðə ɛnd tɪ ˈifɛktɪvli ˈkəvər ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl klɪk ɔn hər dɪˈfɛns træk. ˈdæmɪʤ gɪts ɑgˈmɛntəd ɛz wɛl, fərst wɪθ ə ˈnæʧərəl θri 3 ˈdæmɪʤ ˈvælju, ðɛn wɪθ θri klɪks əv kloʊz ˈkɑmbæt ˈɛkspərt ˈfɑloʊd baɪ tu əv ˌɛkˈsplɔɪt ˈwiknəs. ɔl əv ðɪs simz laɪk ə stil fər ʤɪst 8 pɔɪnts mɔr ðən ˈsɑgi ˈhəntrɪs, soʊ gɪt tɪ ðə ˈbɑtəm əv hər ˈlɔsɪz, ʃæl wi? ˈgɪvɪn ɔl əv ðɪs gʊd stəf, wi kʊd bi siɪŋ ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈprɪti ˌkætəˈstrɑfɪk. lə 002 ˈlɔsɪz ˈvərsəz. 018 ˈhəntrɪs ðə fərst θɪŋ tɪ ˈsəfər ɪz hər reɪnʤ rɪˈdust frəm faɪv 5 tɪ fɔr 4 ɔl ɪn ɔl, nɑt ðət bɪg əv ə dil. ðə bərdz əv preɪ ˈkiˌwərd ˌdɪsəˈpɪrz, bət ɛz ðət ɪz θəˈmætɪkli ˈækjərət, faɪn ðət ɪt goʊz. ðɛn ʃi pilz ɔf ðə ˈkɪlɪŋ paʊər, riˈmuvɪŋ hər kloʊz ˈkɑmbæt ˈɛkspərt ənd ðə pəˈtɛnʃəl tɪ rɪˈdus ə reɪnʤd ˈmuvmənt baɪ tu 2 rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ ˈstændərd paʊərz, tu klɪks əv ˈrənɪŋ ʃɑt, θri əv ˈfləri, tu əv braʊn ˈʃʊgər ənd wən əv ˈwɪlˌpaʊər drɔp tɪ ðə flɔr. ˈminˌwaɪl, ðə ˈoʊnli səbˈstænʃəl nuˈmɛrɪkəl ˈdiˌkris ɪz ðə lɔs əv tu klɪks əv tu 2 ˈdæmɪʤ. ɪt. kəˈtæstrəfi əˈvərtəd, seɪ. ɪf hæd tɪ ʧuz: lə 002 ˈvərsəz. 018 ˈhəntrɪs? aɪ laɪk ˈsɑgi ˈhəntrɪs, aɪ ˈrɪli du. ðə ˈrənɪŋ ʃɑt, ðə, ðə ˈfləri, ɪt ɔl smæks əv ə ˈvɛri ˈvərsətəl ˈtərʃəri əˈtækər hu ʃʊd dɪˈlɪvər rɪˈzəlts bɪɔnd hər ˈmɑdəst pɔɪnt kɔst. ðə braʊn ˈʃʊgər ɪz ˈprɪti swit, tu. sˈniki ənd nidz ə ˈsərtən əˈmaʊnt əv fɪˈnɛs, tɪ bi ʃʊr, ənd ʃi ɪz wɪˈθaʊt kˈwɛʃən ðə moʊst ˈsɛnsəbəl ˈɔpʃən fər ə ˈmɑdərn eɪʤ ˈhəntrɪs. bət wɪn ʃi riˈmuvz hər trəˈdɪʃənəl wərk sut ənd slɪps ˈɪntu ðə blæk ˈlɛðər, ˈleɪˌtɛks ənd ˈkɛvlər blɛnd, wɛl wɪn ˈrɪli ˈsɪtɪŋ əp ənd ˈteɪkɪŋ ˈnoʊtɪs. ðə tɔp əv daɪəl ˈdæmɪʤ ˈkɑmˌboʊ ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ meɪk ʃʊr ʃi gɪts ɪn səm ˈsɑləd fərst lɪks, ənd ðə ˈifɛktɪv ɪn kloʊz ˈkɑmbæt wɪl meɪk ʃʊr hər foʊz lʊk bət təʧ. ˈpʊʃɪŋ ɔn tɪ hər ˈsɛkənd klɪk, ʃi kən stɪl du θri 3 ˈdæmɪʤ wɪθ cce*, bət ðɛn ˈɔlsoʊ gɪts tɪ gɪv ə ˈtoʊkən tɪ ə bæd gaɪ ər muv əraʊnd wɪθ wɪn ðə ˈpənʧɪŋ stɑps. ˈpʊʃɪŋ əˈgɛn gɪts hər tɪ ˈwɪlˌpaʊər wɪθ səm rɪˈspɛktəbəl dɪˈfɛnsɪv ˈvæljuz, ənd ˈkloʊzɪŋ aʊt wɪθ ʤɪst meɪks hər ə hɑrʃ ˈmɪstrəs ɔn ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl klɪk. ˈsɪmpli pʊt, ˈhaɪli ˈmoʊbəl, gɑt ˈsɑləd əˈtæk ˈvæljuz, ˈɛksələnt dɪˈfɛnsɪv paʊərz ənd stæts, ənd ðə əˈbɪləˌti tɪ kræk ˌɪmˈpərviəs ɔn ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl klɪk. fər 67 pɔɪnts. bɪtˈwin ðɪs ənd ðə blæk ˈlɛðər, ðə ʧɔɪs ɪz ɛz ˈɑbviəs ɛz ɪt gɪts. wɪn aɪ nid ə ˈhɛlənə, ðoʊ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnɪŋ səʧ ə ʃɔrt ˈpɪriəd əv hər ˈkɑmɪks ˈhɪstəri, lə ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈkrækɪŋ ðə wɪp fər mi ˈɛvəri taɪm. wəns ɔn ðə mæp, hər əˈpoʊnənts wɪl bi ɔn ðɛr niz ˈlɪkɪŋ hər buts ɪn ʃɔrt ˈɔrdər. bət wɪn aɪ nid ə ˈhəntrɪs fər maɪ bərdz əv preɪ tim, ˈsɑgi ˈhəntrɪs ɪz ˈdɛfənətli ðə pis ɪn ðət rɪˈgɑrd. soʊ ɪn ðɪs ˈɪrə əv ə winner”*” ðeɪ boʊθ ˈsərtənli ər, bət lə ɪz məʧ mɔr ɪn ˈɛvəri ˈpɑsəbəl weɪ. goʊ gɪt jʊrz təˈdeɪ. bi glæd ju dɪd. wəns ju hæv lə ɪn jʊr hænz, jʊr goʊɪŋ tɪ wɔnt tɪ noʊ wət tɪ du wɪθ hər. hɪrz wən tim aɪˈdiə: 71 pɔɪnts (ɛs. braʊn) 85 pɔɪnts (bi. ˈgɔrdən) 67 pɔɪnts (eɪʧ.) 100 pɔɪnts 61 pɔɪnts 13 pɔɪnts juˈtɪləti bɛlt (wɪθ sɪks ˈaɪtəmz) əˈsaɪn ɛz ju si fɪt 397 pɔɪnts ðə tim prəˈvaɪdz ə lɔt əv pərˈplɛks, səm muv ənd əˈtæk ˈɔpʃənz, ə ˈsprɪŋkəl əv ˈaʊtˌwɪt, loʊdz əv stɛlθ, ənd moʊst ˈfɪgjərz hæv ə ʃɑt ə ˈkrækɪŋ ˌɪmˈpərviəs. fən ənd kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv, ðə θəˈmætɪkli kərˈɛkt juˈtɪləti bɛlt gɪvz ðɛm ðə pəˈtɛnʃəl tɪ hoʊld ðɛr oʊn əˈgɛnst səm əv ðə mɔr ˈpɑpjələr wən maɪt si æt ðɪs bɪld ˈtoʊtəl. ənd ˌbiˈsaɪdz, haʊ ˈɔfən du ju gɪt ə ʧæns tɪ si ðɪs ˈmɛni ɔn ə tim æt wəns? aɪ, fər wən, wɪl bi ˈfildɪŋ ðɛm ðə nɛkst taɪm aɪ geɪm. ɔl fər ðɪs wik. nɛkst wik, mɔr lə ˈgʊdnɪs. θæŋks fər ˈrɛdɪŋ! ɛz ˈsteɪtɪd əˈbəv, ðɪs kəmz tɪ ˈjuˈɛs frəm wɪn ˈgɑθəm wɑz ˈrævɪʤd baɪ baɪ ən ˈərθkˌweɪk ɔn ðə ˈɔrdər əv ðə bɪg wən ðət dɪˈmɑlɪʃt sæn frænˈsɪskoʊ bæk ɪn ðə deɪ. bət sɪns ɪts ðə ˈwəndərfəl əv ˈkɑmɪks, ðə wən ðət hɪt ˈgɑθəm wɑz ˈrɪli ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈprɑbəˌbli ˈbɪgər, ənd ɔn ðə ˈəpˈsaɪd ɔl ˈlɔsɪz wər ˈpjʊrli ˈfɪkʃənəl ənd ər ˈsəbʤɪkt tɪ kəmˈplit ˈviə riˈbut. wɛrz maɪ riˈbut ˈbətən? bət ðæts ɔf topic.anyway*, lɔŋ ˈstɔri ʃɔrt, ˈhɛlənə (a.k.a*. ˈhəntrɪs) kəmz tɪ ðə kənˈkluʒən ðət krʊks, krips ənd fɪr mɔr ðən ðeɪ fɪr ˈhəntrɪs. pərˈhæps wɑz ˌɪnˈvɑlvd. ɔn ðə pɑrt əv ðə ˈraɪtərz ðət ɪz, nɑt ˈhɛlənə, ənd ˈprɑbəˌbli ɪt wɑz ər rɛd bʊl ənd ˈvɑdkə. soʊ ˈɛniˌweɪ, ʃi ˌdɪˈsaɪdz tɪ drɛs əp laɪk tɪ straɪk fɪr ˈɪntu ðə hɑrts əv ˈkrɪmənəl ˈɛləmənt, ənd ˈsəmθɪŋ ɛls ˈɪntu əˈnəðər pɑrt əv ˈɛvriˌwɛr. ənd fər ə waɪl ɪts gʊd. ðɛn ˈbætˌmæn gɪts mæd æt hər fər ɪnˈgeɪʤɪŋ ɪn tu məʧ əv ðə oʊld ultra-violence*, soʊ hi strɪps hər əv ðə ˈmæntəl ənd ɪts bæk tɪ biɪŋ ˈhəntrɪs əˈgɛn. ənd hɪrz maɪ pɔɪnt meɪd fər mi, raɪt ðɛr. ɪf ˈhɛlənə ɪz tu ˈskɛri, ˈnæsti ənd ˈvaɪələnt tɪ bi, haʊ ɪn ðə grin ərθ ɪz ˈɛvər mɔr ˈtɛrər ˌɪnˈdusɪŋ ðən wərk ɔn ðət wən tu hɑrd. ɪts nɑt ˈrɪli ə ˈlɑʤɪk ˈprɑbləm ɪf ðɛr ˈɪzənt ˈɛni ˈlɑʤɪk ɪn ɪt tɪ bɪˈgɪn wɪθ. wɪr ˈtɔkɪŋ mɪz. ˈgɔrdən). wɪr ˈtɔkɪŋ mɪz. keɪn) bət ˈhəntrɪs ɪz ə hoʊl ˈdɪfərənt brid əv kæt. ju gɪt aʊt əv ðə ˈhɑˌspɪtəl). wɪθ ðət aʊt əv ðə weɪ, lɛts teɪk ə lʊk æt ðə əp ɪz ðə ˈizi wən. hir wi hæv ˈhəntrɪs ɔl drɛst əp laɪk ˈmuvmənt: ˌɪgˈnɔrz ˈɛləˌveɪtɪd təreɪn, ˌɪgˈnɔrz ˈhɪndərɪŋ kən juz ʧɑrʤ, ˈfləri ənd pər tərn, meɪ juz fɔrs blæst ər ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt ɛz ə fri ˈækʃən. wɪn ʃi dɪz, ˈtərgət əˈpoʊzɪŋ ˈkɛrɪktərz du nɑt teɪk nɑk bæk ˈdæmɪʤ ər ˈpʊʃɪŋ ˈdæmɪʤ frəm ðɪs ʤɪst fər fən, hir wi hæv ðə mɔr mɪz. ˈgɔrdən ɛz kən juz kən juz ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt ənd smoʊk klaʊd. wɪn ʃi ˈjuzɪz ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt ənd ˈpleɪsɪz ə ˈsɛkənd ˈækʃən ˈtoʊkən ɔn ə hɪt ˈkɛrɪktər, ðə rɪˈzəltɪŋ ˈpʊʃɪŋ ˈdæmɪʤ kænt bi aɪ ˈwɔntɪd tɪ ˌɪnˈklud daɪəl bɪˈkəz aɪ nu səm ˈridərz wʊd wɔnt tɪ si ɪt, aɪ hæv ə ˈkəpəl əv ˈprɑbləmz ˈjuzɪŋ ɪt ɛz ðə ˈbeɪsɪs əv ðɪs kəmˈpɛrəsən. ðə meɪn ˈɪʃu, ɛz moʊst wʊd əˈgri, ɪz ðət ðiz ər ˈsɪmpli nɑt ðə seɪm ˈpipəl. ɛz səʧ, ðɛr daɪəlz ər ˈprɪti ˈdɪfərənt, ðəs ˈmeɪkɪŋ ðə kəmˈpɛrəsən mut. ðə ˈsɛkənd ˈɪʃu, ɔlˈbiɪt ˈvɛri ˈkloʊsli taɪd tɪ ðə fərst, ɪz ðət moʊst pleɪərz wʊd ˈnɛvər riʧ fər ˈhɛlənə ɪf ðeɪ wər ˈrɪli ˈæftər ə ˈbɑrbərə. wən ɪz nɑt ɪn moʊst, ɪf ˈɛni, ˈsərkəmˌstænsɪz ə ˈsəbstəˌtut fər ðə ðət sɛd, lɛts muv ɔn tɪ ðə bɛst ˈɔpʃən wiv gɑt fər ðə ˈpərpəsɪz əv ðɪs 014 naʊ aɪ kən ɔˈrɛdi si ðə ˈpipəl ɔn ðə hərˈaɪzən seɪɪŋ, "ol_dut*! ju kænt du ðət. ˈhɛlənə bæts ɪz ˌdiˈsi ˌkɑntəˈnuəti ənd ɪz ər ju krækt?!" ənd aɪ wʊd ˌəndərˈstænd ðət. ənd aɪ maɪt bi. bət wɪr stək wɪθ ðɪs kəmˈpɛrəsən ənd hɪrz waɪ: fərst, ðeɪ ər boʊθ ˈhɛlənə ənd ðæts ðə bɛst ˈjuˈɛs, ənd ˈsɛkənd, əm ˈhoʊpɪŋ ɪz ə ˈpæsɪŋ fæd ənd ɔl ðoʊz ˈstɔriz wɪl gɪt ˈfoʊldɪd ɪn ɛz "ənˈtoʊld teɪlz" frəm ðə ˈpriviəs ˌkɑntəˈnuəti wɪʧ wɪl ˈsəmˌdeɪ (sun) bi rɪˈstɔrd. ɔl əˈpɑləˌʤiz tɪ ðoʊz hu ləv ˈmuvɪŋ raɪt əˈlɔŋ hir ɪz ˈhəntrɪs' daɪəl kən juz kloʊz ˈkɑmbæt ˈɛkspərt. wɪn ˈhəntrɪs hɪts ə ˈtərgət wɪθ ə reɪnʤd ˈkɑmbæt əˈtæk, ˈmɑdəˌfaɪ ðə ˈtɑrgəts spid ˈvælju baɪ 2 ənˈtɪl ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ əv jʊr nɛkst pʊts ɔn ə ˈlɪtəl weɪt, ˈtɪpɪŋ ðə skeɪlz æt 67 pɔɪnts, bət ə ˈmɑdəst ˌɪnˈkris wɪn ju kənˈsɪdər ʃi ˈɔlsoʊ gɪts ən əˈdɪʃənəl klɪk əv laɪf. fər ðoʊz hu drul ˈoʊvər ˈkiˌwərdz, wɛl ɛz ðə hər lɪst əv ˈɔpʃənz. ˈmuvmənt ɪz ˈʤɛnərəli ˈbɛtər ˈtɑpɪŋ aʊt wɪθ ə pɛr əv 9’s*. daʊn ɔn hər əˈtæk træk ʃi ædz ə ˈkəpəl əv 10’s*, ənd dɪˈfɛnsɪvli, ʃi pɪks əp ən 18 ən ˈɔfəl lɔt əv nuˈmɛrɪkəl ˌɪmˈpruvmənt. ðɛn ˈspɔrtɪŋ, əˈlaʊɪŋ hər tɪ ˈnɪmbli ˌɪgˈnɔr boʊθ ˈhɪndərɪŋ ənd ˈɛləˌveɪtɪd təreɪn. ðə ɪn ˈnaɪsli wɪθ, ˈgɪvɪŋ hər ə mɔr ˈæʤəl ʧɑrʤ, waɪl ˈɔlsoʊ ˈgrænɪŋ hər ˈfləri ənd ɛz wɛl. wəns ðət paʊər feɪdz, ʃi ˈkloʊzɪz aʊt wɪθ θri kənˈsɛkjətɪv klɪks əv leap/climb*. ɔn ðə əˈtæk frənt, ædz fɔr klɪks əv hər ˈmɑdəˌfaɪd ˈvərʒənz əv ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt ər fɔrs blæst ɛz ə fri ˈækʃən, wəns pər tərn. ə nis pɛr əv ˈkɑmbæt ˈriflɛksəz pɑp aʊt fər tu klɪks æt ðə tɔp əv ðə daɪəl, ənd wən klɪk əv ˈtəfnəs sniks ɪn æt ðə ɛnd tɪ ˈifɛktɪvli ˈkəvər ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl klɪk ɔn hər dɪˈfɛns træk. ˈdæmɪʤ gɪts ɑgˈmɛntəd ɛz wɛl, fərst wɪθ ə ˈnæʧərəl θri 3 ˈdæmɪʤ ˈvælju, ðɛn wɪθ θri klɪks əv kloʊz ˈkɑmbæt ˈɛkspərt ˈfɑloʊd baɪ tu əv ˌɛkˈsplɔɪt ˈwiknəs. ɔl əv ðɪs simz laɪk ə stil fər ʤɪst 8 pɔɪnts mɔr thanhuntress*, soʊ gɪt tɪ ðə ˈbɑtəm əv hər ˈlɔsɪz, ʃæl wi? ˈgɪvɪn ɔl əv ðɪs gʊd stəf, wi kʊd bi siɪŋ ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈprɪti fərst θɪŋ tɪ ˈsəfər ɪz hər reɪnʤ rɪˈdust frəm faɪv 5 tɪ fɔr 4 ɔl ɪn ɔl, nɑt ðət bɪg əv ə dil. ˌdɪsəˈpɪrz, bət ɛz ðət ɪz θəˈmætɪkli ˈækjərət, faɪn ðət ɪt goʊz. ðɛn ʃi pilz ɔf thepower*, riˈmuvɪŋ hər kloʊz ˈkɑmbæt ˈɛkspərt ənd ðə pəˈtɛnʃəl tɪ rɪˈdus ə reɪnʤd ˈmuvmənt baɪ tu 2 rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ ˈstændərd paʊərz, tu klɪks əv ˈrənɪŋ ʃɑt, θri əv ˈfləri, tu əv braʊn ˈʃʊgər ənd wən əv ˈwɪlˌpaʊər drɔp tɪ ðə flɔr. ˈminˌwaɪl, ðə ˈoʊnli səbˈstænʃəl nuˈmɛrɪkəl ˈdiˌkris ɪz ðə lɔs əv tu klɪks əv tu 2 ˈdæmɪʤ. ɪt. kəˈtæstrəfi əˈvərtəd, likehuntress*, aɪ ˈrɪli du. ðə ˈrənɪŋ ʃɑt, ðə, ðə ˈfləri, ɪt ɔl smæks əv ə ˈvɛri ˈvərsətəl ˈtərʃəri əˈtækər hu ʃʊd dɪˈlɪvər rɪˈzəlts bɪɔnd hər ˈmɑdəst pɔɪnt kɔst. ðə braʊn ˈʃʊgər ɪz ˈprɪti swit, tu. sˈniki ənd nidz ə ˈsərtən əˈmaʊnt əv fɪˈnɛs, tɪ bi ʃʊr, ənd ʃi ɪz wɪˈθaʊt kˈwɛʃən ðə moʊst ˈsɛnsəbəl ˈɔpʃən fər ə ˈmɑdərn eɪʤ wɪn ʃi riˈmuvz hər trəˈdɪʃənəl wərk sut ənd slɪps ˈɪntu ðə blæk ˈlɛðər, ˈleɪˌtɛks ənd ˈkɛvlər blɛnd, wɛl wɪn ˈrɪli ˈsɪtɪŋ əp ənd ˈteɪkɪŋ ˈnoʊtɪs. ðə tɔp əv daɪəl ˈdæmɪʤ ˈkɑmˌboʊ ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ meɪk ʃʊr ʃi gɪts ɪn səm ˈsɑləd fərst lɪks, ənd ðə ˈifɛktɪv ɪn kloʊz ˈkɑmbæt wɪl meɪk ʃʊr hər foʊz lʊk bət təʧ. ˈpʊʃɪŋ ɔn tɪ hər ˈsɛkənd klɪk, ʃi kən stɪl du θri 3 ˈdæmɪʤ wɪθ cce*, bət ðɛn ˈɔlsoʊ gɪts tɪ gɪv ə ˈtoʊkən tɪ ə bæd gaɪ ər muv əraʊnd ðə ˈpənʧɪŋ stɑps. ˈpʊʃɪŋ əˈgɛn gɪts hər tɪ ˈwɪlˌpaʊər wɪθ səm rɪˈspɛktəbəl dɪˈfɛnsɪv ˈvæljuz, ənd ˈkloʊzɪŋ aʊt wɪθ ʤɪst meɪks hər ə hɑrʃ ˈmɪstrəs ɔn ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl klɪk. ˈsɪmpli pʊt, ˈhaɪli ˈmoʊbəl, gɑt ˈsɑləd əˈtæk ˈvæljuz, ˈɛksələnt dɪˈfɛnsɪv paʊərz ənd stæts, ənd ðə əˈbɪləˌti tɪ kræk ˌɪmˈpərviəs ɔn ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl klɪk. fər 67 pɔɪnts. bɪtˈwin ðɪs ənd ðə blæk ˈlɛðər, ðə ʧɔɪs ɪz ɛz ˈɑbviəs ɛz ɪt gɪts. wɪn aɪ nid ə ˈhɛlənə, ðoʊ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnɪŋ səʧ ə ʃɔrt ˈpɪriəd əv hər ˈkɑmɪks goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈkrækɪŋ ðə wɪp fər mi ˈɛvəri taɪm. wəns ɔn ðə mæp, hər əˈpoʊnənts wɪl bi ɔn ðɛr niz ˈlɪkɪŋ hər buts ɪn ʃɔrt ˈɔrdər. bət wɪn aɪ nid ə ˈhəntrɪs fər maɪ bərdz əv preɪ ɪz ˈdɛfənətli ðə pis ɪn ðət rɪˈgɑrd. soʊ ɪn ðɪs ˈɪrə əv ə winner”*” ðeɪ boʊθ ˈsərtənli ər, bət lə ɪz məʧ mɔr ɪn ˈɛvəri ˈpɑsəbəl weɪ. goʊ gɪt jʊrz təˈdeɪ. bi glæd ju ju hæv lə ɪn jʊr hænz, jʊr goʊɪŋ tɪ wɔnt tɪ noʊ wət tɪ du wɪθ hər. hɪrz wən tim pɔɪnts (ɛs. pɔɪnts (bi. pɔɪnts (eɪʧ. pɔɪnts pɔɪnts - juˈtɪləti bɛlt (wɪθ sɪks ˈaɪtəmz) əˈsaɪn ɛz ju si tim prəˈvaɪdz ə lɔt əv pərˈplɛks, səm muv ənd əˈtæk ˈɔpʃənz, ə ˈsprɪŋkəl əv ˈaʊtˌwɪt, loʊdz əv stɛlθ, ənd moʊst ˈfɪgjərz hæv ə ʃɑt ə ˈkrækɪŋ ˌɪmˈpərviəs. fən ənd kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv, ðə θəˈmætɪkli kərˈɛkt juˈtɪləti bɛlt gɪvz ðɛm ðə pəˈtɛnʃəl tɪ hoʊld ðɛr oʊn əˈgɛnst səm əv ðə mɔr ˈpɑpjələr wən maɪt si æt ðɪs bɪld ˈtoʊtəl. ənd ˌbiˈsaɪdz, haʊ ˈɔfən du ju gɪt ə ʧæns tɪ si ðɪs ˈmɛni ɔn ə tim æt wəns? aɪ, fər wən, wɪl bi ˈfildɪŋ ðɛm ðə nɛkst taɪm aɪ ɔl fər ðɪs wik. nɛkst wik, mɔr lə ˈgʊdnɪs. θæŋks fər ˈrɛdɪŋ! læst ˈɛdɪtɪd baɪ; æt

ol_dut member offline online status: online status: aug 2004 join date: join date: 4,177 posts: posts: 2 blog entries: 203 (100%) itrader: no man's land storyline when gotham was ravaged by by an earthquake on the order of the big one that demolished san francisco back in the day. but since it's the wonderful of comics, the one that hit gotham was really actually probably bigger, and on the upside all losses were purely fictional and are subject to complete erasure via reboot. where's my reboot button? but that's off topic. anyway, long story short, helena bertinelli (a.k.a. huntress) comes to the wonky conclusion that crooks, creeps and lowlifes fear batgirl more than they fear huntress. perhaps peyote was involved. on the part of the writers that is, not helena, and probably it was mojitos or red bull and vodka. so anyway, she decides to dress up like batgirl to strike fear into the hearts of gotham's criminal element, and something else into another part of fanboys everywhere. and for a while it's good. then batman gets mad at her for engaging in too much of the old ultra-violence, so he strips her of the batgirl mantle and it's back to being huntress again. and here's my point made for me, right there. if helena is too scary, nasty and violent to be batgirl, how in the green earth is batgirl ever more terror inducing than huntress? don't work on that one too hard. it's not really a logic problem if there isn't any logic in it to begin with. batgirl=cute+tough (if we're talking ms. gordon). batgirl=emotionally damaged/screwed up+excellent fighter (if we're talking ms. cain) but huntress is a whole different breed of cat. huntress=run away as fast as you can+leave town and change name (when/if you get out of the hospital). with that out of the way, let's take a look at the dials. first up is the easy one. here we have huntress all dressed up like batgirl. nml002 r batgirl team: batman ally range: 4 points: 67 keywords: batman family, gotham city, martial artist 9 10 17 3 9 9 16 1 8 9 17 1 8 10 18 2 7 10 17 2 7 9 16 1 ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko (improved) nimble: improved movement: ignores elevated terrain, ignores hindering terrain (speed) gotham city's protector: batgirl can use charge, flurry and plasticity. (attack) the bat is a symbol: once per turn, batgirl may use force blast or incapacitate as a free action. when she does, target opposing characters do not take knock back damage or pushing damage from this use. and just for fun, here we have the more tradional ms. gordon as batgirl. bm025 v batgirl team: batman ally range: 5 points: 85 keywords: batman family, birds of prey, gotham city 8 10 17 2 7 10 17 2 7 9 16 2 7 9 16 1 8 9 16 1 8 8 15 1 ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko (special) flying high again: batgirl can use leap/climb. (attack) i still have a few tricks in my belt: batgirl can use incapacitate and smoke cloud. when she uses incapacitate and places a second action token on a hit character, the resulting pushing damage can't be ignored. while i wanted to include batgirl's dial because i knew some readers would want to see it, i have a couple of problems using it as the basis of this comparison. the main issue, as most would agree, is that these are simply not the same people. as such, their dials are pretty different, thus making the comparison moot. the second issue, albeit very closely tied to the first, is that most players would never reach for batgirl helena if they were really after a batgirl barbara. one is not in most, if any, circumstances a substitute for the other. with that said, let's move on to the best option we've got for the purposes of this article, streets of gotham's huntress (#014). now i can already see the people on the horizon saying, "ol_dut! you can't do that. helena bats is old-timey dc continuity and the soggy huntress is new52! are you cracked?!" and i would understand that. and i might be. but we're stuck with this comparison and here's why: first, they are both helena and that's the best option sog gave us, and second, i'm hoping new52 is a passing fad and all those stories will get folded in as "untold tales" from the previous continuity which will someday (soon) be restored. all apologies to those who love it. so moving right along here is huntress' dial from streets of gotham. sog014 r huntress team: batman ally range: 5 points: 59 keywords: batman family, birds of prey 8 10 17 2 8 9 17 2 8 9 17 2 7 9 16 2 7 8 16 1 ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko (damage) kneecapping isn't killing: huntress can use close combat expert. when huntress hits a target with a ranged combat attack, modify the target's speed value by -2 until the beginning of your next turn. nml le #002 batgirl's gains vs. sog #014 huntress helena puts on a little weight, tipping the scales at 67 points, but that’s a modest increase when you consider she also gets an additional click of life. for those who drool over keywords, batlena adds gotham city as well as the ever-dangerous martial artist to her list of options. movement is generally better topping out with a pair of 9’s. down on her attack track she adds a couple of mid-dial 10’s, and defensively, she picks up an 18. that’s an awful lot of numerical improvement. then that improved movement sporting, allowing her to nimbly ignore both hindering and elevated terrain. the top-loaded gotham city’s protector blends in nicely with nimble, giving her a more agile charge, while also granting her flurry and plasticity as well. once that power fades, she closes out with three consecutive clicks of leap/climb. on the attack front, batlena adds four clicks of the the bat is a symbol power. tbias grants her modified versions of incapacitate or force blast as a free action, useable once per turn. a nice pair of combat reflexes pop out for two clicks at the top of the dial, and one click of toughness sneaks in at the end to effectively cover every single click on her defense track. damage gets augmented as well, first with a natural three (3) damage value, then with three clicks of close combat expert followed by two of exploit weakness. all of this seems like a steal for just 8 points more than soggy huntress, so let’s get to the bottom of her losses, shall we? given all of this good stuff, we could be seeing something pretty catastrophic. nml le #002 batgirl’s losses vs. sog #018 huntress the first thing to suffer is her range – reduced from five (5) to four (4). all in all, that’s not that big of a deal. the birds of prey keyword disappears, but as that is thematically accurate, it’s fine that it goes. then she peels off the kneecapping isn’t killing power, removing her close combat expert and the potential to reduce a ranged target’s movement by two (2). regarding standard powers, two clicks of running shot, three of flurry, two of brown sugar and one of willpower drop wispily to the floor. meanwhile, the only substantial numerical decrease is the loss of two clicks of two (2) damage. that’s it. catastrophe averted, i’d say. if ol_dut had to choose: nml le #002 batgirl vs. sog #018 huntress? i like soggy huntress, i really do. the running shot, the kneecapping, the flurry, it all smacks of a very versatile tertiary attacker who should deliver results beyond her modest point cost. the brown sugar is pretty sweet, too. sneaky and needs a certain amount of finesse, to be sure, and she is without question the most sensible option for a modern age huntress. but when she removes her traditional work suit and slips into the black leather, latex and kevlar blend, well that’s when i’m really sitting up and taking notice. the top of dial charge/flurry/3 damage combo is going to make sure she gets in some solid first licks, and the effective 19d in close combat will make sure her foes look but don’t touch. pushing on to her second click, she can still do three (3) damage with cce, but then also gets to give a token to a bad guy or move him/her around with tbias when the punching stops. pushing again gets her to willpower with some respectable defensive values, and closing out with ew just makes her a harsh mistress on every single click. simply put, highly mobile, got solid attack values, excellent defensive powers and stats, and the ability to crack impervious on every single click. for 67 points. between this and the black leather, the choice is as obvious as it gets. when i need a helena bertinelli, though representing such a short period of her comics history, nml le batgirl is going to be cracking the whip for me every time. once on the map, her opponents will be on their knees licking her boots in short order. but when i need a huntress for my birds of prey team, soggy huntress is definitely the go-to piece in that regard. so in this era of “everyone’s a winner” they both certainly are, but le batgirl is much more winnery in every possible way. go get yours today. you’ll be glad you did. once you have le batgirl in your hands, you're going to want to know what to do with her. here's one team idea: 71 points - bm016 batgirl (s. brown) 85 points - bm025 batgirl (b. gordon) 67 points - nml002 batgirl (h. bertinelli) 100 points - bm010 blackbat 61 points - bm036 batwoman 13 points - utility belt (with six items) - assign as you see fit 397 points the team provides a lot of perplex, some move and attack options, a sprinkle of outwit, loads of stealth, and most figures have a shot a cracking impervious. fun and competitive, the thematically correct utility belt gives them the potential to hold their own against some of the more popular tentpoles one might see at this build total. and besides, how often do you get a chance to see this many bat-ladies on a team at once? i, for one, will be fielding them the next time i game. that’s all for this week. next week, more le goodness. thanks for reading! as stated above, this batgirl comes to us from thestoryline when gotham was ravaged by by an earthquake on the order of the big one that demolished san francisco back in the day. but since it's the wonderful of comics, the one that hit gotham was really actually probably bigger, and on the upside all losses were purely fictional and are subject to complete erasure via reboot. where's my reboot button? but that's off topic.anyway, long story short, helena bertinelli (a.k.a. huntress) comes to the wonky conclusion that crooks, creeps and lowlifes fear batgirl more than they fear huntress. perhaps peyote was involved. on the part of the writers that is, not helena, and probably it was mojitos or red bull and vodka. so anyway, she decides to dress up like batgirl to strike fear into the hearts of gotham's criminal element, and something else into another part of fanboys everywhere. and for a while it's good. then batman gets mad at her for engaging in too much of the old ultra-violence, so he strips her of the batgirl mantle and it's back to being huntress again. and here's my point made for me, right there. if helena is too scary, nasty and violent to be batgirl, how in the green earth is batgirl ever more terror inducing than huntress?don't work on that one too hard. it's not really a logic problem if there isn't any logic in it to begin with. batgirl=(if we're talking ms. gordon). batgirl=(if we're talking ms. cain) but huntress is a whole different breed of cat. huntress=(when/if you get out of the hospital). with that out of the way, let's take a look at the dials.first up is the easy one. here we have huntress all dressed up like batgirl.nml002 rteam:range:points:keywords:improved movement: ignores elevated terrain, ignores hindering terrainbatgirl can use charge, flurry and plasticity.once per turn, batgirl may use force blast or incapacitate as a free action. when she does, target opposing characters do not take knock back damage or pushing damage from this use.and just for fun, here we have the more tradional ms. gordon as batgirl.bm025 vteam:range:points:keywords:batgirl can use leap/climb.batgirl can use incapacitate and smoke cloud. when she uses incapacitate and places a second action token on a hit character, the resulting pushing damage can't be ignored.while i wanted to include batgirl's dial because i knew some readers would want to see it, i have a couple of problems using it as the basis of this comparison. the main issue, as most would agree, is that these are simply not the same people. as such, their dials are pretty different, thus making the comparison moot. the second issue, albeit very closely tied to the first, is that most players would never reach for batgirl helena if they were really after a batgirl barbara. one is not in most, if any, circumstances a substitute for the other.with that said, let's move on to the best option we've got for the purposes of this article,huntress (#014). now i can already see the people on the horizon saying, "ol_dut! you can't do that. helena bats is old-timey dc continuity and thehuntress is new52! are you cracked?!" and i would understand that. and i might be. but we're stuck with this comparison and here's why: first, they are both helena and that's the best optiongave us, and second, i'm hoping new52 is a passing fad and all those stories will get folded in as "untold tales" from the previous continuity which will someday (soon) be restored. all apologies to those who love it.so moving right along here is huntress' dial fromsog014 rteam:range:points:keywords:huntress can use close combat expert. when huntress hits a target with a ranged combat attack, modify the target's speed value by -2 until the beginning of your next turn.helena puts on a little weight, tipping the scales at 67 points, but that’s a modest increase when you consider she also gets an additional click of life. for those who drool over keywords, batlena addsas well as the ever-dangerousto her list of options. movement is generally better topping out with a pair of 9’s. down on her attack track she adds a couple of mid-dial 10’s, and defensively, she picks up an 18. that’s an awful lot of numerical improvement. then thatshe’s sporting, allowing her to nimbly ignore both hindering and elevated terrain. the top-loadedblends in nicely with, giving her a more agile charge, while also granting her flurry and plasticity as well. once that power fades, she closes out with three consecutive clicks of leap/climb. on the attack front, batlena adds four clicks of thepower.grants her modified versions of incapacitate or force blast as a free action, useable once per turn. a nice pair of combat reflexes pop out for two clicks at the top of the dial, and one click of toughness sneaks in at the end to effectively cover every single click on her defense track. damage gets augmented as well, first with a natural three (3) damage value, then with three clicks of close combat expert followed by two of exploit weakness. all of this seems like a steal for just 8 points more thanhuntress, so let’s get to the bottom of her losses, shall we? given all of this good stuff, we could be seeing something pretty catastrophic.the first thing to suffer is her range – reduced from five (5) to four (4). all in all, that’s not that big of a deal. thekeyword disappears, but as that is thematically accurate, it’s fine that it goes. then she peels off thepower, removing her close combat expert and the potential to reduce a ranged target’s movement by two (2). regarding standard powers, two clicks of running shot, three of flurry, two of brown sugar and one of willpower drop wispily to the floor. meanwhile, the only substantial numerical decrease is the loss of two clicks of two (2) damage. that’s it. catastrophe averted, i’d say.i likehuntress, i really do. the running shot, the kneecapping, the flurry, it all smacks of a very versatile tertiary attacker who should deliver results beyond her modest point cost. the brown sugar is pretty sweet, too. sneaky and needs a certain amount of finesse, to be sure, and she is without question the most sensible option for a modern age huntress.but when she removes her traditional work suit and slips into the black leather, latex and kevlar blend, well that’s when i’m really sitting up and taking notice. the top of dial charge/flurry/3 damage combo is going to make sure she gets in some solid first licks, and the effective 19d in close combat will make sure her foes look but don’t touch. pushing on to her second click, she can still do three (3) damage with cce, but then also gets to give a token to a bad guy or move him/her around withwhen the punching stops. pushing again gets her to willpower with some respectable defensive values, and closing out with ew just makes her a harsh mistress on every single click. simply put, highly mobile, got solid attack values, excellent defensive powers and stats, and the ability to crack impervious on every single click. for 67 points. between this and the black leather, the choice is as obvious as it gets. when i need a helena bertinelli, though representing such a short period of her comics history,is going to be cracking the whip for me every time. once on the map, her opponents will be on their knees licking her boots in short order. but when i need a huntress for my birds of prey team,huntress is definitely the go-to piece in that regard. so in this era of “everyone’s a winner” they both certainly are, but le batgirl is much more winnery in every possible way. go get yours today. you’ll be glad you did.once you have le batgirl in your hands, you're going to want to know what to do with her. here's one team idea:71 points - bm016 batgirl (s. brown)85 points - bm025 batgirl (b. gordon)67 points - nml002 batgirl (h. bertinelli)100 points - bm010 blackbat61 points - bm036 batwoman- utility belt (with six items) - assign as you see fit397 pointsthe team provides a lot of perplex, some move and attack options, a sprinkle of outwit, loads of stealth, and most figures have a shot a cracking impervious. fun and competitive, the thematically correct utility belt gives them the potential to hold their own against some of the more popular tentpoles one might see at this build total. and besides, how often do you get a chance to see this many bat-ladies on a team at once? i, for one, will be fielding them the next time i game.that’s all for this week. next week, more le goodness. thanks for reading! last edited by ol_dut; 01/26/2013 at 03:30 .

ˈdɑnəld trəmp dɪˈlɪvərd ə spiʧ ˈwɛnzˌdeɪ bɪld ɛz ə ˈbrɔdˌsaɪd əˈtæk ɔn priˈzəmptɪv ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk ˌnɑməˈni ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntənz ˈfɔrən ˈpɑləsi ənd ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈrɛkərd. trəmp kɔld ðə ˈæˌdrɛs ən ˌɑpərˈtunəti tɪ "dɪˈskəs ðə feɪld ˈpɑləsiz ənd bæd ˈʤəʤmənt əv ˈkrʊkəd ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən." pəˈlɪtɪkəl ənd ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtɪv timz səm əv ðə kleɪmz ɪn ˈdɑnəld trəmps spiʧ. kleɪm: "naʊ, bɪˈkəz aɪ hæv ˈpɔɪntɪd aʊt waɪ [tpp*] wʊd bi səʧ ə dɪˈzæstrəs dil, ʃi ɪz priˈtɛndɪŋ ðət ʃi ɪz əˈgɛnst ɪt. ʃi həz ˈivɪn dɪˈlitəd ðɪs ˈrɛkərd əv ˈtoʊtəl səˈpɔrt frəm hər bʊk." ðə fækts: ˈklɪntən wɔkt bæk hər səˈpɔrt fər ðə ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪp læst ɑkˈtoʊbər seɪɪŋ ðə ˈfaɪnəl dil wət hoʊpt fər wɪn ʃi ˈædvəˌkeɪtɪd fər ɪt ˈdʊrɪŋ nɪˌgoʊʃiˈeɪʃənz ɛz ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri əv steɪt. ɪn ˈeɪprəl, ˈsɛvərəl mənθs ˌbiˈfɔr ʃi rɪˈvərst kɔrs ɔn ðə dil, səm ˈpæsɪʤɪz səˈpɔrtɪŋ ðə ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪp wər ˈɛdɪtɪd aʊt əv ðə ˈpeɪpərˌbæk ˈvərʒən əv hər bʊk, "hɑrd ˈʧɔɪsɪz." ðə kəts wər pɑrt əv 96 ˈpeɪʤɪz əv kəts meɪd tɪ əˈkaʊnt fər ðə sˈmɔlər saɪz, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ə noʊt. bət nɑt ɔl əv ðɛm wər kət: stɪl tu ˈpeɪʤɪz ˈpreɪzɪŋ ðə dil, ər æt list ðə aɪˈdiə əv ɪt. "ɪts seɪf tɪ seɪ ðət ðə woʊnt bi ˈpərˌfɪkt noʊ dil nɪˈgoʊʃiˌeɪtɪd əˈməŋ ə ˈdəzən ˈkəntriz ˈɛvər wɪl bi bət ɪts haɪər ˈstændərdz, ɪf ˈɪmpləˌmɛnəd ənd ɛnˈfɔrst, ʃʊd ˈbɛnəfɪt əˈmɛrɪkən ˈbɪznɪsɪz ənd workers,”*,” ʃi roʊt. trəmp həz ˈædəməntli əˈpoʊzd sɪns ˌbiˈfɔr hɪz kæmˈpeɪn bɪˈgæn; noʊ ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən ðət hɪz rɪˈmɑrks ʧeɪnʤd hər maɪnd. pleɪ ˈfeɪsˌbʊk tˈwɪtər ɪmˈbɛd trəmp əˈtæks ˈklɪntən: saʊnd ənd fˈjʊri dɪˈbəŋkt ˈkɑpi ðɪs koʊd tɪ jʊr ˈwɛbˌsaɪt ər blɔg kleɪm: ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən "ɪz ə wərld klæs laɪər" ðə fækts: əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ, 59 əv trəmps ʧɛkt kleɪmz hæv bɪn dimd fɔls ər "pænts ɔn faɪər" fɔls, ˈvərsəz 12 fər ˈklɪntən. ˈdɑnəld trəmp: tru: 2 ˈmoʊstli tru: 7 hæf tru: 15 ˈmoʊstli fɔls: 17 fɔls: 40 pænts ɔn faɪər: 19 ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən: tru: 23 ˈmoʊstli tru: 28 hæf tru: 21 ˈmoʊstli fɔls: 15 fɔls: 11 pænts ɔn faɪər: 1 kleɪm: "ɪt ɔl ˈstɑrtɪd wɪθ hər bæd ˈʤəʤmənt ɪn səˈpɔrtɪŋ ðə wɔr ɪn ˌɪˈrɑk ɪn ðə fərst pleɪs. ðoʊ aɪ wɑz nɑt ɪn ˈgəvərnmənt ˈsərvɪs, aɪ wɑz əˈməŋ ðə ˈərliəst tɪ ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz ðə rəʃ tɪ wɔr, ənd jɛs, ˈivɪn ˌbiˈfɔr ðə wɔr ˈɛvər ˈstɑrtɪd." ðə fækts: ræŋks ðɪs kleɪm fɔls. mɔr: ɪn sɛpˈtɛmbər 2002 trəmp sɛd hi səˈpɔrtɪd ðə ˌɪˈrɑk ˌɪnˈveɪʒən ˈdʊrɪŋ ən ˈɪntərvˌju wɪθ haʊərd stərn. ðɛn, ɪn sɛpˈtɛmbər 2003 ˈsɛvərəl mənθs ˈæftər ðə ˌɪnˈveɪʒən, hi sɛd "ɪt ə mɪˈsteɪk tɪ faɪt ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm ənd faɪt ɪt hɑrd, ənd aɪ gɛs ˈmeɪbi ɪf aɪ hæd tɪ du ɪt, aɪ wʊd hæv fɔt ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm bət nɑt ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli ˌɪˈrɑk." kleɪm: "hər ˈsərvər wɑz ˈizəli hækt baɪ ˈfɔrən ˈgəvərnmənts pərˈhæps ˈivɪn baɪ hər ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ˈbækərz ɪn ˈkɑmjənəst ˈʧaɪnə ˈpʊtɪŋ ɔl əv əˈmɛrɪkə ɪn ˈdeɪnʤər." ðə fækts: juz. əˈfɪʃəlz hæv toʊld ˈɛnˌbiˈsi nuz ðət ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈɛvədəns əv ˌpɛnəˈtreɪʃən əv ðə ˈsərvərz baɪ ˈhækərz, ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðɛr ɪz ˈɛvədəns əv ˈfɪʃɪŋ əˈtɛmpts. ˈklɪntənz kæmˈpeɪn sɪz ðət ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈɛvədəns ðət hər ˈpraɪvət ˈsərvər wɑz ˈɛvər hækt. kleɪm: "ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən tʊk əp tɪ 25 ˈmɪljən frəm ˈsɔdi əˈreɪbiə, wɛr biɪŋ geɪ ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ˈpənɪʃəbəl baɪ dɛθ. ˈhɪləri tʊk ˈmɪljənz frəm kuˈweɪt, ˌkəˈtɑr, oʊˈmɑn ənd ˈmɛni ˈəðər ˈkəntriz ðət ˈhɔrəbli əˈbjuz ˈwɪmən ənd ˈsɪtɪzənz." ɛz əv mɑrʧ 2016 ˈrɛkərdz ʃoʊd ðət ˈsɔdi əˈreɪbiə həz ˈdoʊˌneɪtɪd bɪtˈwin 10 ˈmɪljən ənd 25 ˈmɪljən tɪ ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃən. hɪrz ə lɪst əv ˈɛvriˌwən hu həz ˈɛvər ˈdoʊˌneɪtɪd tɪ ðə ˈklɪntən faʊnˈdeɪʃən ɛz prəˈvaɪdɪd baɪ ðə ˈklɪntən faʊnˈdeɪʃən ˈwɛbˌsaɪt. ðɪs lɪst ɪz ˈbroʊkən ˈɪntu ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ˈkætəˌgɔriz: ˈgreɪtər ðən 25 ˈmɪljən 7 ˈdoʊnərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈklɪntən ˈɛnərˌpraɪz ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪp (ˈkænədə) fræŋk, ðə ˈrædklɪf faʊnˈdeɪʃən) 7 ˈdoʊnərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈklɪntən ˈɛnərˌpraɪz ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪp (ˈkænədə) fræŋk, ðə ˈrædklɪf faʊnˈdeɪʃən) 10 tɪ 25 ˈmɪljən 11 ˈdoʊnərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈsɔdi əˈreɪbiə ˈnɔrˌweɪ) 11 ˈdoʊnərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈsɔdi əˈreɪbiə ˈnɔrˌweɪ) 5 tɪ 10 ˈmɪljən 17 ˈdoʊnərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ɔˈstreɪljə, ˈnɛðərləndz, kuˈweɪt ə ˈprɑmənənt ˈsɔdi ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn) 17 ˈdoʊnərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ɔˈstreɪljə, ˈnɛðərləndz, kuˈweɪt ə ˈprɑmənənt ˈsɔdi ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn) 1 tɪ 5 ˈmɪljən 133 ˈdoʊnərz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˌkəˈtɑr, oʊˈmɑn, uae*) baɪ lɔ, ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃən dɪz nɑt hæv tɪ riˈlis ðə spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈdoʊnərz ənd əˈmaʊnts. ðeɪ ər rikˈwaɪərd tɪ gɪv ðə lɪst tɪ ðə ˈaɪˌɑˈrɛs bət ðət ˈɪnfoʊ ɪz rɪˈdæktɪd wɪn riˈlist tɪ ðə ˈpəblɪk ðoʊ ðə ˈklɪntən faʊnˈdeɪʃən kʊd riˈlis ɪf ɪt dɪˈzaɪərd. kleɪm: həz plɛʤd tɪ grænt mæs ˈæmnəsti ənd ɪn hər fərst 100 deɪz, ɛnd ˈvərʧuəli ɔl ˌɪməˈgreɪʃən ɛnˈfɔrsmənt, ənd ðəs kriˈeɪt ˈtoʊtəli ˈoʊpən ˈbɔrdərz ɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts. ðə fərst ˈvɪktɪmz əv hər ˈrædɪkəl ˈpɑləsiz wɪl bi pur ˈæfrɪkənəˈmɛrɪkən ənd hɪˈspænɪk ˈwərkərz hu nid ʤɑbz. ðeɪ ər ðə wənz ʃi wɪl hərt ðə most.”*.” ðə fækts: ˈklɪntən həz prəˈpoʊzd səm bɪg ˈʧeɪnʤɪz tɪ haʊ ðə ˈkəntri ɛnˈfɔrsɪz ɪts ˌɪməˈgreɪʃən rulz ənd hu wɪl bi əˈlaʊd tɪ steɪ, bət ðɛr ˈlaɪkli goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈoʊpən ˈbɔrdərz ər ˈæmnəsti. ˈklɪntən həz vaʊd tɪ dɪˈfɛnd ðə ɪgˈzɪstɪŋ ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv ˈækʃənz əˈlaʊɪŋ jəŋ ˈʧɪldrən brɔt hir baɪ ðɛr ˈpɛrənts tɪ steɪ ənd dɪˈleɪɪŋ ðə ˌdipɔrˈteɪʃən fər ðoʊz wɪθ ˈʧɪldrən hir ɛz wɛl ɛz ˈædɪŋ hər oʊn. prəˈpoʊzd ˈstɑpɪŋ ðə ˌdipɔrˈteɪʃənz əv ˈpisfəl ənˈdɑkjəmɛnɪd ˈɪməgrənts ənd praɪˈɔrəˌtaɪzɪŋ ðə ˌdipɔrˈteɪʃən əv ənˈdɑkjəmɛnɪd ˈɪməgrənts hu kəˈmɪt kraɪmz. ˈɔlsoʊ prəˈpoʊzd səm ˈʧeɪnʤɪz tɪ haʊ ðə ˈkəntri ˈhændəlz ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz siɪŋ əˈsaɪləm, ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli ˈfæməliz. waɪl ɪt wʊd ɪkˈspænd ðə ˈnəmbər əv ənˈdɑkjəmɛnɪd ˈɪməgrənts hu ər əˈlaʊd tɪ rɪˈmeɪn ɪn ðə ˈkəntri ˌɪˈligəli, ɪt min ðə ˈbɔrdərz wʊd bi ənˈgɑrdɪd ər ˈoʊpən, nɔr ɪz ɪt ˈæmnəsti, ən əˈfɪʃəl ˈpɑrdən frəm ə kraɪm. ɪt wʊd ˈsɪmpli riˈmuv ðə θrɛt əv ˌdipɔrˈteɪʃən fər ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəlz hu ər ɔˈrɛdi hir. kleɪm: "ɪn fækt, ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən səˈpɔrts ə ˈrædɪkəl 550 ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ˈsɪriən ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz ˈkəmɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, ənd ðæts ən ˌɪnˈkris ˈoʊvər ˈprɛzɪdənt ˌoʊˈbɑməz ɔˈrɛdi ˈvɛri haɪ ˈnəmbər. ˈəndər hər plæn, wi wʊd ədˈmɪt ˈhənərdz əv ˈθaʊzənz əv ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz frəm ðə moʊst ˈdeɪnʤərəs ˈkəntriz ɔn ərθ wɪθ noʊ weɪ tɪ skrin hu ðeɪ ər ər wət ðeɪ believe.”*.” ðə fækts: ˈklɪntən dɪz səˈpɔrt ə 550 ˌɪnˈkris ˈoʊvər ðə ɪgˈzɪstɪŋ ˈnəmbər əv ˈsɪriən ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz əˈlaʊ ðət məʧ ɪz tru bət ðɛr ər sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈskrinɪŋ ˈmɛʒərz. ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz ər ˈsəbʤɪkt tɪ ðə haɪəst ˈlɛvəl əv sɪˈkjʊrəti ʧɛks əv ˈɛni ˈvɪzɪtərz tɪ ðə juz., ənd ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs hɪˈstɔrɪkəli teɪks əp tɪ mənθs. ɪt ˌɪnˈvɑlvz ðə juˈnaɪtɪd ˈneɪʃənz, ˈnæʃənəl ˈkaʊntərˌtɛrərˌɪzəm ˈsɛnər, ˈɛfˈbiˈaɪ, dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˈhoʊmˌlænd sɪˈkjʊrəti, ənd steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt. "ɪt wʊd bi ə kruəl ˈaɪrəni ˌɪnˈdid ɪf ˈaɪsəs kən fɔrs ˈfæməliz frəm ðɛr hoʊmz ənd ðɛn ˈɔlsoʊ prɪˈvɛnt ðɛm frəm ˈfaɪndɪŋ nu ones,”*,” ʃi sɛd ɪn ə dɪˈsɛmbər spiʧ. "soʊ ˈæftər ˈrɪgərəs ˈskrinɪŋ, wi ʃʊd ˈwɛlkəm ˈfæməliz fliɪŋ ˈsɪriə." kleɪm: "ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən ækˈsɛptɪd ɪn ˈʤuəlri frəm ðə ˈgəvərnmənt əv bruˈnaɪ wɪn ʃi wɑz ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri əv steɪt pləs ˈmɪljənz mɔr fər hər faʊnˈdeɪʃən." ðə fækts: juz. lɔ rikˈwaɪərz ðət ˈgəvərnmənt əˈfɪʃəlz rɪˈpɔrt gɪfts. ðə ˈfɛdərəl ˈrɛʤɪstər noʊts ðət ðə ˈʤuəlri, wɪʧ wɑz ˈvæljud æt wɑz ˈgɪvɪn tɪ ˈklɪntən ɔn sɛpˈtɛmbər 7 2012 bət ʃi ˈdɪdənt kip ɪt; ðə ˈrɛkərdz ʃoʊ ɪt ˈhɛdɪd tɪ ðə ˈʤɛnərəl ˈsərvɪsɪz ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən, wɪʧ ɪz wɛr moʊst ˈfɔrən gɪfts ɛnd əp. ɪn fækt, ɛz ˈjɑˌhu noʊts, ˈprɛzɪˌdɛnts kən ˈoʊnli teɪk gɪfts wɪθ ðɛm wɪn ðeɪ liv ˈɔfəs ɪf ðeɪ wɪl bi dɪˈspleɪd ər stɔrd æt ðɛr ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl ˈlaɪbrɛˌriz. ˈklɪntən ˈɔlsoʊ ˈdɪdənt hæv ðə ˈɔpʃən əv ˈtərnɪŋ ðə gɪft daʊn, fər ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk ˈrizənz. ðə ˈrɛʤɪstər noʊts ðət wʊd kɔz ɪmˈbɛrəsmənt tɪ ˈdoʊnər ənd juz. ˈgəvərnmənt." kleɪm: "ˈhɪləri steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt əˈpruvd ðə ˈtrænsfər əv 20 əv jərˈeɪniəm ˈhoʊldɪŋz tɪ ˈrəʃə, waɪl 9 ˌɪnˈvɛstərz ɪn ðə dil ˈfənəld 145 ˈmɪljən tɪ ðə ˈklɪntən faʊnˈdeɪʃən." ðə fækts: ˈhɪləri steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt wɑz wən əv naɪn juz. ˈeɪʤənsiz tɪ əˈpruv əv ðə ˈtrænsfər əv ðə 20 əv ðə juz. jərˈeɪniəm rɪˈzərvz tɪ ˈrəʃə. ðə steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt wɑz nɑt ðə soʊl approver*. ðə steɪks əv ðɪs dil keɪm æt ə taɪm ɪn wɪʧ ðə ˌoʊˈbɑmə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən wɑz ə ““reset”*” ɪn riˈleɪʃənz wɪθ ˈrəʃə ðɪs wɑz ˌɪnˈveɪʒən. ˈpitər ʃˈwaɪzər, ˈɔθər əv ˈklɪntən kæʃ, ækˈnɑlɪʤd ˈməltəpəl taɪmz tɪ ˈɛnˌbiˈsi ðət ðɛr wɑz noʊ kwɪd proʊ kwoʊ faʊnd ɔn ðɪs ər ˈɛni ˈəðər səˈpoʊzd ərˈeɪnʤmənt bɪtˈwin ˈklɪntən, hər steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt, bɪl ˈklɪntən ənd ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃən. kleɪm: "hir ɪz ə kwoʊt frəm ðə bʊk: 'æt ðə ˈsɛnər əv ˈjuˈɛs ˈpɑləsi təˈwɔrd ˈʧaɪnə wɑz ˈhɪləri ðɪs ˈkrɪtɪkəl taɪm fər riˈleɪʃənz, bɪl ˈklɪntən geɪv ə ˈnəmbər əv ˈspiʧɪz ðət wər ˈəndərˌrɪtən baɪ ðə ʧaɪˈniz ˈgəvərnmənt ənd ɪts səˈpɔrtərz.' ðiz fəndz wər peɪd tɪ ðə ˈklɪntən bæŋk əˈkaʊnt waɪl ˈhɪləri wɑz nɪˈgoʊʃiˌeɪtɪŋ wɪθ ˈʧaɪnə ɔn bɪˈhæf əv ðə juˈnaɪtɪd soʊld aʊt ɑr ˈwərkərz, ənd ɑr ˈkəntri, fər ˌbeɪˈʒɪŋ." ðə fækts: ɪn ɑkˈtoʊbər 2011 bɪl ˈklɪntən rɪˈsivd fər ə spiʧ ɪn ˈsænə ˈklɛrə, ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə, ˈəndərˌrɪtən baɪ ðə ʧaɪˈniz ˈgəvərnmənt ənd səˈpɔrtərz. ɪn noʊˈvɛmbər, hi rɪˈsivd fər ə spiʧ ɪn ˈʃæŋˈhaɪ, ˈfəndɪd baɪ ə ʧaɪˈniz ˌbɪljəˈnɛr. ɪn noʊˈvɛmbər, ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən dɪˈskraɪbd ə juz. "ˈpɪvət" təˈwɔrd ˈeɪʒə, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈʧaɪnə, ˈjuzɪŋ ðə freɪz "əˈmɛrɪkəz pəˈsɪfɪk ˈsɛnʧəri." wʊd ðɪs ˈpɑləsi təˈwɔrd ˈʧaɪnə hæv bɪn ðə keɪs wɪˈθaʊt bɪl əkˈsɛptəns əv ˈməni fər ðə ˈspiʧɪz? ˈprɑbəˌbli. ˌoʊˈbɑmə hæd hoʊpt hɪz ˈfɔrən ˈpɑləsi ““pivot”*” təˈwɔrd ˈeɪʒə wʊd ʃɪft juz. ˈgəvərnmənt əˈtɛnʃən əˈweɪ frəm ˈtrəbəl spɑts laɪk æfˈgænəˌstæn ənd ˌɪˈrɑk ənd təˈwɔrd ə ˈriʤən ˈbrɪmɪŋ wɪθ ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˌɑpərˈtunətiz. ˈɔlsoʊ, ˈəndər ˈklɪntən əˈgrimənt wɪθ steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt əˈpɑn ˈklɪntən ˈteɪkɪŋ pəˈzɪʃən ɛz ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri əv steɪt, bɪl ˈklɪntən hæd tɪ ˈnoʊtəˌfaɪ ðə steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv hɪz ˈspiʧɪz. ðoʊ ˈɛnˌbiˈsi dɪz nɑt hæv ðiz ˈrɛkərdz, ðə steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt ɪz nɑt bɪˈlivd tɪ hæv əˈbʤɛktəd tɪ ˈɛni əv hɪz spiʧ prəˈpoʊzəlz. pleɪ ˈfeɪsˌbʊk tˈwɪtər ɪmˈbɛd trəmp ˈmɑdəˌfaɪz ˈklɪntən kæmˈpeɪn sˈloʊgən ɪn spiʧ ˈkɑpi ðɪs koʊd tɪ jʊr ˈwɛbˌsaɪt ər blɔg kleɪm: "ə ˈfɔrən ˈtɛləkɑm ʤaɪənt feɪst ˈpɑsəbəl steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt ˈsæŋkʃənz fər prəˈvaɪdɪŋ tɛkˈnɑləʤi tɪ ˌɪˈrɑn, ənd ˈəðər əˈprɛsɪv rəˈʒimz. soʊ wət dɪd ðɪs ˈkəmpəˌni du? fər ðə fərst taɪm ˈɛvər, ðeɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tɪ peɪ bɪl ˈklɪntən fər ə ˈsɪŋgəl spiʧ. ðə ˈklɪntənz gɑt ðɛr kæʃ, ðə ˈtɛləkɑm ˈkəmpəˌni ɪˈskeɪpt ˈsæŋkʃənz." ðə fækts: ɔn noʊˈvɛmbər 19 ə wik ˈæftər bɪl ˈklɪntən dɪˈlɪvərd ə spiʧ tɪ ˈtɛləkɑm ʤaɪənt ˈɛrɪksən, ðə steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt ənˈveɪld ɪts nu ˈsæŋkʃənz lɪst fər ˌɪˈrɑn. ˈtɛləkɑm wɑz nɑt ɔn ðə lɪst. ɪn 2012 ˈprɛzɪdənt ˈbɑrək ˌoʊˈbɑmə saɪnd ən ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv ˈɔrdər ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ ˈsæŋkʃənz ɔn ˈtɛləkɑm seɪlz tɪ ˌɪˈrɑn ənd ˈsɪriə ðə ˈsæŋkʃənz dɪd nɑt ˈkəvər ˈɛrɪksənz wərk ɪn ˌɪˈrɑn. kleɪm: "ˈəndər hər plæn, wi wʊd ədˈmɪt ˈhənərdz əv ˈθaʊzənz əv ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz frəm ðə moʊst ˈdeɪnʤərəs ˈkəntriz ɔn ərθ wɪθ noʊ weɪ tɪ skrin hu ðeɪ ər ər wət ðeɪ bɪˈliv." ðə fækts: ə ˈskrinɪŋ ˈsɪstəm ɪz ɪn pleɪs ðət ˈjuʒəwəli teɪks əˈbaʊt tu jɪrz, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈfɛdərəl əˈθɔrətiz. mɔr, frəm: "waɪl ðɛr ər kənˈsərnz əˈbaʊt ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən gæps, ə ˈsɪstəm dɪz ɪgˈzɪst ənd həz ɪgˈzɪstəd sɪns 1980 ɪt ˌɪnˈvɑlvz ˈməltəpəl ˈfɛdərəl ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ənd sɪˈkjʊrəti ˈeɪʤənsiz ɛz wɛl ɛz ðə juˈnaɪtɪd ˈneɪʃənz. ˈrɛfjuʤi ˈvɛtɪŋ ˈtɪpɪkəli teɪks wən tɪ tu jɪrz ənd ˌɪnˈkludz ˈnumərəs raʊnz əv sɪˈkjʊrəti ʧɛks." kleɪm: "ʃi ræn ðə steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt laɪk hər oʊn ˈpərsɪnəl hɛʤ fənd duɪŋ ˈfeɪvərz fər əˈprɛsɪv rəˈʒimz, ənd ˈmɛni ˈəðərz, ɪn ɪksˈʧeɪnʤ fər kæʃ." ðə fækts: trəmp ɪz ˈsaɪtɪŋ ðə kleɪm baɪ "ˈklɪntən kæʃ" ˈɔθər ˈpitər ʃˈwaɪzər, hu əˈlɛʤd ðət ˈklɪntən tʊk dɪˈrɛkt ˈækʃən tɪ ˈbɛnəfɪt ə ˈklɪntən faʊnˈdeɪʃən ˈdoʊnər frəm seɪl əv ə jərˈeɪniəm ˈmaɪnɪŋ ˈkəmpəˌni. bət ɛz ʃˈwaɪzər toʊld səˈvænə ˈgəθri ɪn ˈeɪprəl 2015 hi hæd nɑt dɪˈrɛkt ˈɛvədəns əv ə quid-pro-quo*. "noʊ, wi doʊnt hæv dɪˈrɛkt ˈɛvədəns. bət ɪt ˈwɔrənts ˈfərðər ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən bɪˈkəz, əˈgɛn, ðɪs ɪz pɑrt əv ðə ˈbrɔdər ˈpætərn. ju ˈiðər hæv tɪ kəm tɪ ðə kənˈkluʒən ðət ðiz ər ɔl koʊˈɪnsədənsɪz ər ˈsəmθɪŋ ɛls ɪz əˈfʊt." kleɪm: "ɪf aɪ æm ɪˈlɛktɪd ˈprɛzɪdənt, aɪ wɪl ɛnd ðə məˈnɑpəli ɪn ˈwɔʃɪŋtən, d.c*." ðə fækts: ðə ˈpərsən hu ɪz naʊ ˈlidɪŋ trəmps kæmˈpeɪn, pɔl ˈmænəfɔrt, ɪz ˈfaʊndər əv ðə ˈfɔrmər əˈfɛrz fərm ˈdeɪvɪs ˈmænəfɔrt. (ˈmænəfɔrt ˈɔlsoʊ həz dip taɪz tɪ ˌpɑləˈtɪʃənz ɪn juˈkreɪn.) wəts mɔr, ˈblumbərg nuz ˈrisəntli ˌriˈpɔrtəd ðət trəmp ənd hər ˈhəzbənd ˈʤɛrɪd ˈkəʃnər əˈproʊʧt ˈrɑbərt ˈmərsər tɪ ɪˈstæblɪʃ ən ˈsupər pæk.

donald trump delivered a speech wednesday billed as a broadside attack on presumptive democratic nominee hillary clinton's foreign policy and economic record. trump called the address an opportunity to "discuss the failed policies and bad judgment of crooked hillary clinton." nbc's political and investigative teams fact-checked some of the claims in donald trump's speech. claim: "now, because i have pointed out why [tpp] would be such a disastrous deal, she is pretending that she is against it. she has even deleted this record of total support from her book." the facts: clinton walked back her support for the trans-pacific partnership last october — saying the final deal wasn’t what she’d hoped for when she advocated for it during negotiations as secretary of state. in april, several months before she reversed course on the deal, some passages supporting the partnership were edited out of the paperback version of her book, "hard choices." the cuts were part of 96 pages of cuts made to account for the paperback’s smaller size, according to a publisher’s note. but not all of them were cut: there’s still two pages praising the deal, or at least the idea of it. "it's safe to say that the tpp won't be perfect - no deal negotiated among a dozen countries ever will be — but its higher standards, if implemented and enforced, should benefit american businesses and workers,” she wrote. trump has adamantly opposed tpp since before his campaign began; there’s no indication that his remarks changed her mind. play facebook twitter embed trump attacks clinton: sound and fury debunked 1:45 autoplay autoplay copy this code to your website or blog claim: hillary clinton "is a world class liar" the facts: according to politifact, 59% of trump's checked claims have been deemed false or "pants on fire" false, versus 12% for clinton. donald trump: true: 2% mostly true: 7% half true: 15% mostly false: 17% false: 40% pants on fire: 19% hillary clinton: true: 23% mostly true: 28% half true: 21% mostly false: 15% false: 11% pants on fire: 1% claim: "it all started with her bad judgment in supporting the war in iraq in the first place. though i was not in government service, i was among the earliest to criticize the rush to war, and yes, even before the war ever started." the facts: politifact ranks this oft-repeated claim false. more: in september 2002, trump said he supported the iraq invasion during an interview with howard stern. then, in september 2003 — several months after the invasion, he said "it wasn’t a mistake to fight terrorism and fight it hard, and i guess maybe if i had to do it, i would have fought terrorism but not necessarily iraq." claim: "her server was easily hacked by foreign governments — perhaps even by her financial backers in communist china — putting all of america in danger." the facts: u.s. officials have told nbc news that there is no evidence of penetration of the servers by hackers, although there is evidence of phishing attempts. clinton's campaign says that there is no evidence that her private server was ever hacked. claim: "hillary clinton took up to $25 million from saudi arabia, where being gay is also punishable by death. hillary took millions from kuwait, qatar, oman and many other countries that horribly abuse women and lgbt citizens." as of march 2016, records showed that saudi arabia has donated between $10 million and $25 million to the foundation. here's a list of everyone who has ever donated to the clinton foundation — as provided by the clinton foundation website. this list is broken into the following categories: greater than $25 million (7 donors, including clinton giustra enterprise partnership (canada) & frank giustra, the radcliffe foundation) (7 donors, including clinton giustra enterprise partnership (canada) & frank giustra, the radcliffe foundation) $10 to $25 million (11 donors, including saudi arabia & norway) (11 donors, including saudi arabia & norway) $5 to $10 million (17 donors, including australia, netherlands, kuwait & a prominent saudi businessman) (17 donors, including australia, netherlands, kuwait & a prominent saudi businessman) $1 to $5 million (133 donors, including qatar, oman, uae) by law, the foundation does not have to release the specific donors and amounts. they are required to give the list to the irs but that info is redacted when released to the public — though the clinton foundation could release if it desired. claim: “she has pledged to grant mass amnesty and in her first 100 days, end virtually all immigration enforcement, and thus create totally open borders in the united states. the first victims of her radical policies will be poor african-american and hispanic workers who need jobs. they are the ones she will hurt the most.” the facts: clinton has proposed some big changes to how the country enforces its immigration rules and who will be allowed to stay, but there aren’t likely going to be open borders or amnesty. clinton has vowed to defend the president’s existing executive actions — allowing young children brought here by their parents to stay and delaying the deportation for those with children here — as well as adding her own. she’s proposed stopping the deportations of peaceful undocumented immigrants and prioritizing the deportation of undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. she’s also proposed some changes to how the country handles refugees seeing asylum, particularly families. while it would expand the number of undocumented immigrants who are allowed to remain in the country illegally, it doesn’t mean the borders would be unguarded or open, nor is it amnesty, an official pardon from a crime. it would simply remove the threat of deportation for individuals who are already here. claim: "in fact, hillary clinton supports a radical 550% increase in syrian refugees coming into the united states, and that's an increase over president obama's already very high number. under her plan, we would admit hundreds of thousands of refugees from the most dangerous countries on earth — with no way to screen who they are or what they believe.” the facts: clinton does support a 550% increase over the existing number of syrian refugees she’d allow — that much is true — but there are significant screening measures. refugees are subject to the highest level of security checks of any visitors to the u.s., and the process historically takes up to 16-24 months. it involves the united nations, national counterterrorism center, fbi, department of homeland security, and state department. "it would be a cruel irony indeed if isis can force families from their homes and then also prevent them from finding new ones,” she said in a december speech. "so after rigorous screening, we should welcome families fleeing syria." claim: "hillary clinton accepted $58,000 in jewelry from the government of brunei when she was secretary of state — plus millions more for her foundation." the facts: u.s. law requires that government officials report high-value gifts. the federal register notes that the jewelry, which was valued at $58,000, was given to clinton on september 7, 2012. but she didn't keep it; the records show it headed to the general services administration, which is where most foreign gifts end up. in fact, as yahoo notes, presidents can only take gifts with them when they leave office if they will be displayed or stored at their presidential libraries. clinton also didn't have the option of turning the gift down, for diplomatic reasons. the register notes that "non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and u.s. government." claim: "hillary clinton’s state department approved the transfer of 20% of america’s uranium holdings to russia, while 9 investors in the deal funneled $145 million to the clinton foundation." the facts: hillary clinton’s state department was one of nine u.s. agencies to approve of the transfer of the 20% of the u.s. uranium reserves to russia. the state department was not the sole approver. the stakes of this deal came at a time in which the obama administration was efforting a “reset” in relations with russia — this was pre-crimea/ukraine invasion. peter schweizer, author of clinton cash, acknowledged multiple times to nbc that there was no quid pro quo found on this or any other supposed arrangement between clinton, her state department, bill clinton and the foundation. claim: "here is a quote from the book: 'at the center of us policy toward china was hillary clinton…at this critical time for us-china relations, bill clinton gave a number of speeches that were underwritten by the chinese government and its supporters.' these funds were paid to the clinton bank account while hillary was negotiating with china on behalf of the united states.she sold out our workers, and our country, for beijing." the facts: in october 2011, bill clinton received $200,000 for a speech in santa clara, california, underwritten by the chinese government and supporters. in november, he received $550,000 for a speech in shanghai, funded by a chinese billionaire. in november, hillary clinton described a u.s. "pivot" toward asia, including china, using the phrase "america's pacific century." would this policy toward china have been the case without bill clinton’s acceptance of money for the speeches? probably. obama had hoped his foreign policy “pivot” toward asia would shift u.s. government attention away from trouble spots like afghanistan and iraq and toward a region brimming with economic opportunities. also, under clinton family’s agreement with state department upon clinton taking position as secretary of state, bill clinton had to notify the state department of his speeches. though nbc does not have these records, the state department is not believed to have objected to any of his speech proposals. play facebook twitter embed trump modifies clinton campaign slogan in speech 0:19 autoplay autoplay copy this code to your website or blog claim: "a foreign telecom giant faced possible state department sanctions for providing technology to iran, and other oppressive regimes. so what did this company do? for the first time ever, they decided to pay bill clinton $750,000 for a single speech. the clintons got their cash, the telecom company escaped sanctions." the facts: on november 19, a week after bill clinton delivered a speech to telecom giant ericsson, the state department unveiled its new sanctions list for iran. telecom was not on the list. in 2012, president barack obama signed an executive order imposing sanctions on telecom sales to iran and syria — the sanctions did not cover ericsson's work in iran. claim: "under her plan, we would admit hundreds of thousands of refugees from the most dangerous countries on earth — with no way to screen who they are or what they believe." the facts: a screening system is in place that usually takes about two years, according to federal authorities. more, from politifact: "while there are concerns about information gaps, a system does exist and has existed since 1980. it involves multiple federal intelligence and security agencies as well as the united nations. refugee vetting typically takes one to two years and includes numerous rounds of security checks." claim: "she ran the state department like her own personal hedge fund — doing favors for oppressive regimes, and many others, in exchange for cash." the facts: trump is citing the claim by "clinton cash" author peter schweizer, who alleged that clinton took direct action to benefit a clinton foundation donor from sale of a uranium mining company. but as schweizer told nbc's savannah guthrie in april 2015, he had not direct evidence of a quid-pro-quo. "no, we don't have direct evidence. but it warrants further investigation because, again, … this is part of the broader pattern. you either have to come to the conclusion that these are all coincidences or something else is afoot." claim: "if i am elected president, i will end the special-interest monopoly in washington, d.c." the facts: the person who is now leading trump's campaign, paul manafort, is founder of the former lobbying/public affairs firm davis manafort. (manafort also has deep ties to pro-russian politicians in ukraine.) what's more, bloomberg news recently reported that ivanka trump and her husband jared kushner approached gop megadonor robert mercer to establish an anti-clinton super pac.

ˈnɔrˌweɪz ˈɑmbədzmən fər ˈʧɪldrənz raɪts həz prəˈpoʊzd ðət ʤuz ənd ˈməzlɪmz ˌriˈpleɪs meɪl ˌsərkəmˈsɪʒən wɪθ ə sɪmˈbɑlɪk, nɑnˈsərʤɪkəl ˈrɪʧuəl. ˈdɑktər. æn toʊld ðə ˈnuzˌpeɪpər lænd læst mənθ ðət bɔɪz wɑz ə vaɪəˈleɪʃən əv ðɛr raɪt tɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪd ˈoʊvər ðɛr oʊn ˈbɑdi. "ˈməzlɪm ənd ʤuɪʃ ˈʧɪldrən ər ɛnˈtaɪtəld tɪ ðə seɪm prəˈtɛkʃən ɛz ɔl ˈəðər ˈʧɪldrən," sɛd, ˈædɪŋ ðət ðə ˈpræktɪs kɔzd ənˈnɛsəˌsɛri peɪn ənd wɑz ˈmɛdɪkəli unbeneficial*., ə ˌpidiəˈtrɪʃən, wɑz əˈpɔɪntɪd ˈɑmbədzmən ɪn ʤun. hər ˈprɛdəˌsɛsər, hjermann*, prəˈpoʊzd ˈsɛtɪŋ 15 ɛz ðə ˈmɪnəməm eɪʤ fər ˌsərkəmˈsɪʒən. əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ʤuɪʃ rɪˈlɪʤəs lɔ, ʤuɪʃ ˈbeɪbiz məst bi ˈsərkəmˌsaɪzd wɪn ðeɪ ər eɪt deɪz oʊld. ðə ˈɑmbədzmən fər ˈʧɪldrən ɪn ˈnɔrˌweɪ ɪz ən ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt ˌgəvərnˈmɛntəl ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃən ɛnˈtrəstɪd wɪθ ˈseɪfˌgɑrdɪŋ ðə raɪts əv ˈmaɪnərz. ˈərˌvɪn kɑn, ˈprɛzɪdənt əv ʤuɪʃ kəmˈjunɪti, sɛd ðət ˌnɔrˈwiʤən ʤuz "wɪl nɑt bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ lɪv ɪn ə soʊˈsaɪɪti wɛr ˌsərkəmˈsɪʒən ɪz ˈfɔrbɪdən." hi ˈnoʊtɪd ðət ðə ˈmænˌdeɪt əv ˈnɔrˌweɪz ˈʧɪldrənz ˈɑmbədzmən dɪd nɑt ɪkˈstɛnd tɪ dɪˈvaɪzɪŋ ʤuɪʃ ˈrɪʧuəlz. ˈnɔrˌweɪz ʤuɪʃ kəmˈjunɪti həz əˈbaʊt 700 ˈmɛmbərz. kip ˈəpˌdeɪtɪd: saɪn əp tɪ ɑr ˈnuzˌlɛtər iˈmeɪl pliz ˈɛnər ə ˈvælɪd iˈmeɪl ˈæˌdrɛs saɪn əp pliz wait…*… θæŋk ju fər ˈsaɪnɪŋ əp. wiv gɑt mɔr ˈnuzˌlɛtərz wi θɪŋk jul faɪnd ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ. klɪk hir ups. ˈsəmθɪŋ wɛnt rɔŋ. pliz traɪ əˈgɛn ˈleɪtər. traɪ əˈgɛn θæŋk ju, ðə iˈmeɪl ˈæˌdrɛs ju hæv prəˈvaɪdɪd ɪz ɔˈrɛdi ˈrɛʤɪstərd. kloʊz ɪn ʤun, ə ˈspoʊkspərsən fər ˈnɔrˌweɪz ˈsɛntər ˈpɑrti, wɪʧ həz 11 aʊt əv 169 sits ɪn ˈpɑrləmɛnt, prəˈpoʊzd ə bæn ɔn ˈbeɪbiz. ˈmuvmənts hæv bɪn ˈgeɪnɪŋ moʊˈmɛntəm: ə ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən ɪn ˈkænədə. ˈrɔɪtərz

norway's ombudsman for children's rights has proposed that jews and muslims replace male circumcision with a symbolic, nonsurgical ritual. dr. anne lindboe told the newspaper vart land last month that circumcising boys was a violation of their right to decide over their own body. "muslim and jewish children are entitled to the same protection as all other children," lindboe said, adding that the practice caused unnecessary pain and was medically unbeneficial. lindboe, a pediatrician, was appointed ombudsman in june. her predecessor, reidar hjermann, proposed setting 15 as the minimum age for circumcision. according to jewish religious law, jewish babies must be circumcised when they are eight days old. the ombudsman for children in norway is an independent governmental institution entrusted with safeguarding the rights of minors. ervin kohn, president of oslo's jewish community, said that norwegian jews "will not be able to live in a society where circumcision is forbidden." he noted that the mandate of norway's children's ombudsman did not extend to devising jewish rituals. norway's jewish community has about 700 members. keep updated: sign up to our newsletter email * please enter a valid email address sign up please wait… thank you for signing up. we've got more newsletters we think you'll find interesting. click here oops. something went wrong. please try again later. try again thank you, the email address you have provided is already registered. close in june, a spokesperson for norway's centre party, which has 11 out of 169 seats in parliament, proposed a ban on circumcising babies. anti-circumcision movements have been gaining momentum: a demonstration in canada. reuters

ˈɛˌrlaɪnz ənd ˈtrævəl grups ər ˈərʤɪŋ ðə trəmp ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən tɪ prəˈtɛkt gəlf ˈɛˌrlaɪn rʊts tɪ ðə juz., wɪʧ hæv kəm ˈəndər ˈhɛvi faɪər fər rɪˈsivɪŋ ˈmæsɪv ˈfɔrən ˈsəbsɪdiz. ɪn ə ˈlɛtər tɪ ˈmɛmbərz əv ðə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən ɔn ˈmənˌdeɪ, 28 ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃənz ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnɪŋ ðə ˈɛˌrlaɪn, ˈtrævəl ənd ˈtʊˌrɪzəm ˈɪndəstriz ɪkˈsprɛst strɔŋ səˈpɔrt fər ˈkipɪŋ ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˈoʊpən skaɪz ˌeɪviˈeɪʃən əˈgrimənts ɪn pleɪs. ðə grups sɛd ðət ðə ˈgloʊbəl ˈfreɪmˌwərk həz ˈbustɪd ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˈtʊˌrɪzəm, əˈlaʊd ˈkɑrˌgoʊ ˈkɛriərz tɪ sɛt əp ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl rut ˈnɛtˌwərks ənd brɔt daʊn ˈtrævəl kɔsts baɪ ˈnɪrli 4 ˈbɪljən ˈɛvəri jɪr. ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt skaɪz əˈgrimənts dɪˈlɪvər səbˈstænʃəl ˈbɛnəfɪts fər ðə juz. ɪˈkɑnəmi. ɔl ɪn ɔl, ˈoʊpən skaɪz əˈgrimənts səˈpɔrt mɔr ðən 15 ˈmɪljən juz. ˈtʊˌrɪzəm ənd ˌhɑspəˈtæləti jobs,”*,” ðə ˈlɛtər steɪts. ““unfortunately*, ðiz ʤɑbz ər pəˈtɛnʃəli ˈʤɛpərˌdaɪzd baɪ dɪˈmændz frəm θri juz. ˈpæsənʤər ˈɛˌrlaɪnz tɪ riˈstrɪkt ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ðə juz. ˈmɑrkɪt fər tu ˈoʊpən skaɪz ˈpɑrtnərz, ɪn briʧ əv ɑr obligations.”*.” ðə ˈlɛtər wɪʧ ˌɪnˈkludz ˈsɪgnəʧərz frəm ðə ˈɛrˌpɔrt ˈkaʊnsəl ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl, juz. ˈtrævəl əˌsoʊʃiˈeɪʃən, ˈwɪndəm ˈwərldˈwaɪd ənd kəmz ɛz ðə waɪt haʊs həz bɪn ˈəndər ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ˈprɛʃər tɪ riˈwərk səm əv ɪts ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˌeɪviˈeɪʃən əˈgrimənts. ðə ˈmeɪʤər juz. ˈɛˌrlaɪnz hæv ərʤd ðə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən tɪ kræk daʊn ɔn juˈnaɪtɪd ˈærəb ˈɛmərˌeɪts ənd ˌkəˈtɑr fər ˈfənəlɪŋ mɔr ðən 50 ˈbɪljən ɪn ˈsəbsɪdiz tɪ ðɛr ˈɛˌrlaɪnz, wɪʧ ðeɪ seɪ kriˈeɪts ˌɔnˈfɛr ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən ənd hərts juz. ˈɛˌrlaɪnz ənd ˈwərkərz. ˈprɪti sæd ðət səm ˈpipəl ər ˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ rɪsk ðə ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˌwɛlˈbiɪŋ əv ðə əˈmɛrɪkən ˌeɪviˈeɪʃən ˈɪndəstri ənd ðə ˈmɪljən ʤɑbz ɪt səˈpɔrts, ʤɪst tɪ dɪˈfɛnd ðə gəlf ˈkɛriərz' əˈbɪləˌti tɪ kip ɔn ˈteɪkɪŋ ˈbɪljənz əv ˈdɔlərz ɪn ˈfɔrən ˈgəvərnmənt subsidies,”*,” sɛd ʤɪl zuckman*, ʧif ˈspoʊkspərsən fər ðə ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪp fər ˈoʊpən fɛr skaɪz. bət ˈəðər ˈɛˌrlaɪnz ənd ˈtrævəl ˈɪndəstri grups ˈɑrgju ðət ðə ˈræpɪd ɪkˈspænʧən əv ˈsərvɪsɪz frəm ˈɛmərˌeɪts, ˈɛrˌweɪz ənd ˌkəˈtɑr ˈɛrˌweɪz həz ˈæˌkʧuəli hɛlpt ðə juz. ɪˈkɑnəmi. ˈɛˌrlaɪnz kəmˈpleɪn əv ˌɔnˈfɛr ˈsəbsɪdiz bət hæv ˈʧoʊzən nɑt tɪ juz ðə dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən prəˈsiʤərz ðət ˈkɑŋgrəs ɪˈstæblɪʃt tɪ hir səʧ claims,”*,” ðə ˈlɛtər sɪz. ərʤ ðə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən tɪ prəˈtɛkt ˈoʊpən skaɪz baɪ ˌɪnˈsɪstɪŋ ðət ðiz kleɪmz bi əˈsɛst ɔn ðə ˈmɛrɪts ənd ɪn ðə ˈprɑpər forum.”*.”

airlines and travel groups are urging the trump administration to protect gulf airline routes to the u.s., which have come under heavy fire for receiving massive foreign subsidies. in a letter to members of the administration on monday, 28 organizations representing the airline, travel and tourism industries expressed strong support for keeping international open skies aviation agreements in place. the groups said that the global framework has boosted international tourism, allowed cargo carriers to set up international route networks and brought down travel costs by nearly $4 billion every year. advertisement “open skies agreements deliver substantial benefits for the u.s. economy. all in all, open skies agreements support more than 15 million u.s. tourism and hospitality jobs,” the letter states. “unfortunately, these jobs are potentially jeopardized by demands from three u.s. passenger airlines to restrict access to the u.s. market for two open skies partners, in breach of our obligations.” the letter — which includes signatures from the airport council international, u.s. travel association, wyndham worldwide and jetblue — comes as the white house has been under increasing pressure to rework some of its international aviation agreements. the major u.s. airlines have urged the administration to crack down on united arab emirates and qatar for funneling more than $50 billion in subsidies to their state-owned airlines, which they say creates unfair competition and hurts u.s. airlines and workers. "it’s pretty sad that some people are willing to risk the economic well-being of the american aviation industry and the 1.2 million jobs it supports, just to defend the gulf carriers' ability to keep on taking billions of dollars in foreign government subsidies,” said jill zuckman, chief spokesperson for the partnership for open & fair skies. but other airlines and travel industry groups argue that the rapid expansion of services from emirates, etihad airways and qatar airways has actually helped the u.s. economy. “these airlines complain of unfair subsidies but have chosen not to use the department of transportation procedures that congress established to hear such claims,” the letter says. “we urge the administration to protect open skies by insisting that these claims be assessed on the merits and in the proper forum.”

it’s* ˈnɪrli ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl tɪ ˈoʊvərˌsteɪt ðə ˌɪmˈpækt ðət ˌsupərˈhiroʊz ənd ˈkɑmɪk bʊks hæv hæd ɔn ðə fɪlm ˈɪndəstri ˈoʊvər ðə pæst ˈsɛvərəl jɪrz. frəm ˈspaɪdərmæn tɪ aɪərn mæn tɪ ðə tɪ ˈbætˌmæn vi ˈsupərˌmæn, ˌsupərˈhiroʊz hæv bɪn ðə ˈbɪgəst drɔ æt ðə ˈθieɪtər (ˈəðər ðən stɑr wɔrz ənd ʤʊˈræsɪk pɑrk) fər ˈnɪrli ə ˈdɛkeɪd. ənd naʊ ðə trɛnd ɪz ˈsprɛdɪŋ ˈwərldˈwaɪd. mɪs: əv thrones’*’ ˈsɪriz maɪt kəm tɪ ən ɛnd məʧ ˈsunər ðən wi θɔt ˈoʊˈkeɪ, tɪ bi fɛr, ðɪs ˈɑbviəsli ðə fərst ˌsupərˈhiroʊ ˈmuvi prəˈdust ˈaʊtˈsaɪd əv ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, bət ɪt maɪt bi ðə moʊst ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbəl. ðɪs ɪz ˈgɑrdiənz: əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈwɪkiˌpiˌdiə peɪʤ, ˈgɑrdiənz (ˈɑkə zaschitniki*) ɪz ˈrəʃən ˌsupərˈhiroʊ fɪlm əˈbaʊt ə grup əv ˈsoʊviˌɛt ˌsupərˈhiroʊz kriˈeɪtɪd ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə koʊld war.”*.” ðoʊz ˈhɪroʊz ər brɔt təˈgɛðər baɪ ə mɪˈstɪriəs grup kɔld ˈpeɪtriət ənd ər ˈsəbsəkwəntli tæskt wɪθ ˈseɪvɪŋ ðə ussr*. soʊ, ju noʊ, jʊr rən əv ðə mɪl ˌsupərˈhiroʊ ˈmuvi. ə poʊst ɔn ˈspænɪʃ ˈwɛbˌsaɪt ˈɑldoʊ! həz kəˈlɛktəd ə bənʧ əv pərˈmoʊʃənəl məˈtɪriəl rɪˈleɪtɪŋ tɪ ˈgɑrdiənz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈkɛrɪktər ˈproʊˌfaɪlz ənd ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən əˈbaʊt ðə kæst. ɔl ɪn ˈrəʃən (ɛz ɪkˈspɛkt), bət ɛz ðə vərʤ noʊts, ɔl ju nid tɪ noʊ ɪz ðət wən əv ðə ˈhɪroʊz həz ðə paʊər tɪ tərn ˈɪntu ə bɛr wɪθ ə məˈʃin gən. gɑt ˈnəθɪŋ ɔn ə bɛr ˈpækɪŋ hit.

it’s nearly impossible to overstate the impact that superheroes and comic books have had on the film industry over the past several years. from spider-man to iron man to the avengers to batman v superman, superheroes have been the biggest draw at the theater (other than star wars and jurassic park) for nearly a decade. and now the trend is spreading worldwide. don’t miss: ‘game of thrones’ series might come to an end much sooner than we thought ok, to be fair, this obviously isn’t the first superhero movie produced outside of the united states, but it might be the most incredible. this is guardians: according to the film’s wikipedia page, guardians (aka zaschitniki) is “a russian neo-noir superhero film […] about a group of soviet superheroes created during the cold war.” those heroes are brought together by a mysterious group called patriot and are subsequently tasked with saving the ussr. so, you know, your run of the mill superhero movie. a post on spanish website aldo! has collected a bunch of promotional material relating to guardians, including character profiles and information about the cast. it’s all in russian (as you’d expect), but as the verge notes, all you reeeeally need to know is that one of the genetically-modified heroes has the power to turn into a bear with a machine gun. thor’s got nothing on a bear packing heat.

bruərz blɔg ðə ˈʤərnəl ˈsɛntənəl spɔrts stæf brɪŋz fænz ðə ˈleɪtəst nuz ənd ˌɪnˈsaɪd ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ɔn ðə bruərz ʃɛr baɪ əv ðə lɛt ðə ˈfaɪrˌwərks bɪˈgɪn. oʊ, ɪkˈskjuz mi. ðeɪ ɔˈrɛdi hæv ˈstɑrtɪd. bruərz' geɪm 1 ˈstɑrtər zæk greɪŋk meɪd ə fju ˈkrɪtɪkəl ˈkɑmɛnts əˈbaʊt st*. luɪs eɪs krɪs ˈkɑrpəntər ɪn ən ˈɪntərvˌju ˈsɛʃən æt ˈmɪlər pɑrk, ənd ˈkɑrdɪnəlz ˈmænɪʤər ˈtoʊni lɑ ˈrusə rɪˈspɑndɪd tɪ ˈkɑmɛnts. greɪŋk wɑz æst wət ðə bruərz hæv əˈgɛnst ˈkɑrpəntər, hu gɑt ˈɪntu ɪt wɪθ ˈmɔrgən ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə timz' læst ˈsɪriz ɪn st*. luɪs. "aɪ doʊnt noʊ," greɪŋk sɛd. "ðeɪ θɪŋk hɪz ˈprɛzəns, hɪz ˈætəˌtud aʊt ðɛr ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ɪz laɪk ə ˈfoʊni ˈætəˌtud. bət ənd ðɛn hi jɛlz æt ˈpipəl. hi ʤɪst stɛrz ˈpipəl daʊn ənd stəf. ənd moʊst ˈpɪʧərz ʤɪst doʊnt du ðət. "ənd wɪn gaɪz du, aɪ gɛs səm ˈhɪtərz gɪt mæd. səm ˈhɪtərz du ɪt tɪ ˈpɪʧərz. bət wɪn ju du ðət səm ˈpipəl wɪl gɪt meɪd. ðɛrz ˈəðər ˈpɪʧərz ɪn ðə lig ðət du ɪt, bət aɪ doʊnt noʊ, ə lɔt əv gaɪz ɔn ɑr tim doʊnt laɪk ˈkɑrpəntər." wɪn ˈkɑmɛnts wər ˈriˌleɪd tɪ lɑ ˈrusə, ðə ˈkɑrdɪnəlz ˈmænɪʤər sɛd: "ɪts ˈvɛri ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪŋ ðət greɪŋk wʊd seɪ ðət. aɪv ˈɔlˌweɪz θɔt hi wɑz taɪp, ə ˈklæsi gaɪ. "ðæts ə bæd ˈkɑmɛnt tɪ meɪk ənˈlɛs ju noʊ krɪs ˈkɑrpəntər. ɑr ˈætəˌtud ɪz wi lʊk æt ɑrˈsɛlvz ənd wi greɪd ɑrˈsɛlvz. ˈivɪn ɪf wi doʊnt laɪk wəts ˈhæpənɪŋ ɔn ðə ˈəðər saɪd, ɪts nɑt ɑr ˈbɪznɪs ənˈlɛs ˈsəmˌbɑdi ˈkrɔsɪz ðə laɪn. "soʊ aɪ θɪŋk ðə bruərz ʃʊd teɪk kɛr əv ðɛr pleɪərz ənd ðɛr ˈkɑmɛnts ənd nɑt bi kənˈsərnd əˈbaʊt ˈəðər pleɪərz' ˈkɑmɛnts. ɪf ðeɪ hæd krɪs ˈkɑrpəntər, ðeɪ wʊd bi ˈʧɪrɪŋ fər ɪm ənd bɪˈlivɪŋ ɪn ɪm ənd ðeɪ wʊd nɑt bi əˈlaʊɪŋ ˈsəmˌbɑdi hu wɑz ə ˈtiˌmeɪt tɪ meɪk ə kræk laɪk ðət. "bət nɑt hɪz ˈtiˌmeɪt, soʊ əm ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪd. ɪf ju nu ɪm, nən əv ðət stəf ɪz tru. hi ˈdəzənt gɪv (ˈɛksplətɪv) ənd hi ˈdəzənt teɪk ɪt. ðæts ðə weɪ ɪts səˈpoʊzd tɪ bi."

brewers blog the journal sentinel sports staff brings fans the latest news and inside information on the brewers share by of the let the fireworks begin. oh, excuse me. they already have started. brewers' game 1 starter zack greinke made a few critical comments about st. louis ace chris carpenter in an interview session at miller park, and cardinals manager tony la russa responded to greinke's comments. greinke was asked what the brewers have against carpenter, who got into it with nyjer morgan during the teams' last regular-season series in st. louis. "i don't know," greinke said. "they think his presence, his attitude out there sometimes is like a phony attitude. but ... and then he yells at people. he just stares people down and stuff. and most pitchers just don't do that. "and when guys do, i guess some hitters get mad. some hitters do it to pitchers. but when you do that some people will get made. there's other pitchers in the league that do it, but i don't know, a lot of guys on our team don't like carpenter." when greinke's comments were relayed to la russa, the cardinals manager said: "it's very disappointing that greinke would say that. i've always thought he was high-character type, a classy guy. "that's a bad comment to make unless you know chris carpenter. our attitude is we look at ourselves and we grade ourselves. even if we don't like what's happening on the other side, it's not our business unless somebody crosses the line. "so i think the brewers should take care of their players and their comments and not be concerned about other players' comments. if they had chris carpenter, they would be cheering for him and believing in him and they would not be allowing somebody who was a teammate to make a crack like that. "but greinke's not his teammate, so i'm disappointed. if you knew him, none of that stuff is true. he doesn't give (expletive) .... and he doesn't take it. that's the way it's supposed to be."

ðə st*. luɪs ˈkɑrdɪnəlz hæv ˌɪˈmɔrtəlaɪzd ðə "ˈræli skwərəl" ɪn 14 ˈkɛrət waɪt goʊld. ðə ˈkɑrdɪnəlz' wərld ˈsɪriz rɪŋz ˈfiʧər 103 raʊnd ˈdaɪməndz ənd ə "ˈræli skwərəl" əˈtɑp hoʊm pleɪt. skɑt rovak/st*. luɪs ðə ˈkɑrdɪnəlz rɪˈsivd ðɛr wərld ˈsɪriz rɪŋz ˌbiˈfɔr ˈsætərdiz geɪm, ənd iʧ rɪŋ ˌɪnˈkludz ðə pleɪərz neɪm, ˈnəmbər ənd ðə jɪrz əv ðə ˈkɑrdɪnəlz' 10 ˈpriviəs ˈʧæmpiənˌʃɪps. ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈklud ə ˈtaɪni skwərəl ˈrənɪŋ əˈkrɔs hoʊm pleɪt. ɪn geɪm 4 əv læst jɪrz dɪˈvɪʒən ˈsɪriz, ə skwərəl ˈdɑrtɪd əˈkrɔs hoʊm pleɪt ˈdʊrɪŋ skɪp ˈætˈbæt ənd ðə bʊʃ ˈsteɪdiəm kraʊd wɛnt waɪld. ˈkɑrdɪnəlz fænz əˈdɑptəd ðə ˈɪmɪʤ θruaʊt ðə pleɪɔfs, wɪn ɪt wɑz sin ɔn ˈtiˌsərts, ˌmɛmərəˈbiljə ənd ˈɪmɪʤɪz ɔn ˈsteɪdiəm skrinz. ˈərliər ðɪs jɪr, ə ˈvɛriənt əv tɑps ˈbeɪsˈbɔl kɑrd ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn ðə skwərəl. ðə rɪŋz, dɪˈzaɪnd ənd prəˈdust baɪ ˈʤɔstənz, ˈfiʧər ˈfæsətɪd ˈrubiz, ə 14 ˈkɛrət ˈjɛloʊ goʊld freɪm ənd 103 raʊnd ˈdaɪməndz. ðə ˈəndərˌsaɪd lɪsts ðə θri pleɪɔf ˈsɪriz skɔrz ənd ðə wərdz "ˈhæpi flaɪt," ðə ˈkɑrdɪnəlz' ˈkləˌbhaʊs ˈræliɪŋ kraɪ læst ˈsizən. "wi ər ɪkˈsaɪtɪd tɪ ˈprɛzənt ðə 2011 tim wɪθ ðɛr rɪŋz," ˈoʊnər bɪl dɛˈwɪt sɛd ɪn ə ˈsteɪtmənt. "wi wərkt hɑrd tɪ dɪˈzaɪn ə rɪŋ ðət wʊd tɛl ðə ˈɛpɪk ˈstɔri əv 2011 ənd ˈɔlsoʊ peɪ ˈtrɪbjut tɪ ðə greɪt ˈhɪstəri əv ðə ˈfrænˌʧaɪz."

the st. louis cardinals have immortalized the "rally squirrel" in 14 karat white gold. the cardinals' world series rings feature 103 round diamonds and a "rally squirrel" atop home plate. scott rovak/st. louis cardinals/us presswire the cardinals received their world series rings before saturday's game, and each ring includes the player's name, number and the years of the cardinals' 10 previous championships. they also include a tiny squirrel running across home plate. in game 4 of last year's nl division series, a squirrel darted across home plate during skip schumaker's at-bat -- and the busch stadium crowd went wild. cardinals fans adopted the critter's image throughout the playoffs, when it was seen on t-shirts, memorabilia and images on stadium screens. earlier this year, a short-printed variant of schumaker's topps baseball card focused on the squirrel. the rings, designed and produced by jostens, feature faceted rubies, a 14 karat yellow gold frame and 103 round diamonds. the underside lists the three playoff series scores and the words "happy flight," the cardinals' clubhouse rallying cry last season. "we are excited to present the 2011 team with their rings," owner bill dewitt iii said in a statement. "we worked hard to design a ring that would tell the epic story of 2011, and also pay tribute to the great history of the franchise."

ðə ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈdaʊnˌtərn bɪˈgɪnɪŋ ɪn 2007 kɔzd ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ˈhɑrdʃɪp fər ˈmɛni ˈfæməliz hu hæd tɪ koʊp wɪθ ʤɑb lɔs, fɔrˈkloʊʒərz, ənd ˈbæŋkrəptsiz. waɪl nɑt ˈɛvəri ˈfæməli meɪ hæv hæd səʧ ə ˈdɪfəkəlt taɪm ˌfaɪˈnænʃəli, ðɛr ər stɪl ˈəðər streɪnz ɔn ˈfæməli ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz səʧ ɛz ˈraɪzɪŋ gæs ənd ˈgroʊsəri ˈpraɪsɪz. ɛz ə ˈpɛrənt, ʃʊd ju tɔk əˈbaʊt ˈməni wɪθ jʊr spaʊs ɪn frənt əv ðə ˈʧɪldrən? əv kɔrs, ðɪs ɪz ə ˈdipli ˈpərsɪnəl ˈɪʃu, ənd ˈmɛni wɪl hæv ˈdɪfərɪŋ vjuz. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ðɛr ɪz ə ˈvælɪd ˈrizən tɪ tɔk əˈbaʊt ˈməni ˈɪʃuz ɪn frənt əv jʊr kɪdz. ˈbɛnəfɪt əv ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ɪn frənt əv jʊr kɪdz ɪf jʊr ˈməni ɪz taɪt ənd jʊr kɪdz ər əˈwɛr əv ðɪs fækt, jʊr kɪdz wɪl ˌəndərˈstænd waɪ ðeɪ hæv ˈsəmθɪŋ ðeɪ wɔnt. ðɪs ɪz əˈspɛʃəli ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ɪf ju hæv ˈpriviəsli bɪn kwaɪt fri wɪθ jʊr ˈməni ənd hæv ˈgɪvɪn jʊr ˈʧɪldrən moʊst əv wət ðeɪ wɔnt. ɪf ju ˈsədənli stɑp baɪɪŋ ðɛm θɪŋz, ðeɪ wɪl ˈwəndər waɪ. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪf ðeɪ hæv ˈoʊvərˈhərd jʊr ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃənz əˈbaʊt ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz, ðeɪ wɪl hæv ə ˈbɛtər aɪˈdiə waɪ ðɛr rɪkˈwɛst fər ˈsəmθɪŋ ɪz biɪŋ dɪˈklaɪnd ər waɪ ju meɪ hæv tɪ ʧuz ə ˈʧipər ˈɔpʃən. maɪ ˈhəzbənd ənd aɪ hæv kwaɪt ə bɪt əv dɛt tɪ peɪ ɔf, soʊ ɔl əv ɑr ˈɛkstrə ˈməni ɪz biɪŋ ˈfənəld tɪ dɛt riˈpeɪmənt. maɪ sən həz səm aɪˈdiə əˈbaʊt ðɪs bɪˈkəz əv ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃənz hi həz hərd bɪtˈwin mi ənd maɪ ˈhəzbənd. wɪn aɪ tʊk ɪm ˈtɛnɪs ʃu ˈʃɑpɪŋ ə fju mənθs əˈgoʊ, hi laɪkt ə pɛr ðət kɔst 50 bət ˈsɛtəld ɔn ə pɛr ðət kɔst 25 bɪˈkəz hi ˈræʃənəˌlaɪzd ðət ðə 25 pɛr wər ʤɪst ɛz gʊd ɛz ðə 50 pɛr. hi hæd ðɪs θɔt ˈprɔˌsɛs aʊt laʊd wɪθ ˈlɪtəl ˈɪnˌpʊt frəm mi. aɪ wɑz ˈvɛri praʊd əv ɪm. ɪt wɑz fən tɪ si ɪm ɪˈvæljuˌeɪt ðət ˈivɪn ðoʊ ðə 50 pɛr hæd ə ˈkɛrɪktər hi laɪkt ɔn ðə ʃu ənd ðə 25 pɛr didn’t*, ðə 25 pɛr fɪt ˈbɛtər ˈɪntu ɑr ˈfæməli ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz. ˈəltəmətli aɪ θɪŋk ˈhirɪŋ ɑr ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃənz ənd ˈwɑʧɪŋ ˈjuˈɛs bi kənˈsərvətɪv wɪθ ˈməni wɪl hɛlp ɪm ˈmænɪʤ hɪz oʊn ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ˈbɛtər ɛz hi groʊz ˈoʊldər. pəˈtɛnʃəl ˈdrɔˌbæks tɪ dɪˈskəsɪŋ ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ɪn frənt əv jʊr kɪdz səm meɪ ˈɑrgju ðət ju ʃʊd nɑt tɔk əˈbaʊt ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz wɪθ jʊr kɪdz bɪˈkəz ðeɪ ər ðə kɪdz ənd ju ər ðə ˈædəlts; ju ər ðə wən hu ʃʊd ˈkɛri ˈɛni ˈbərdən ɛz fɑr ɛz ðə ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ər kənˈsərnd. ðiz ˈpɛrənts bɪˈliv ðət ˈʧaɪlˌdhʊd ɪz nɑt ðə taɪm tɪ bi ˈprɪvi tɪ ˈædəlt ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl dɪˈskəʃənz. waɪl aɪ ˌəndərˈstænd ðə kənˈsərnz, ðɛr ɪz ə rɪsk ðət nɑt ˈʃɛrɪŋ ˈɛni ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ˈstrəgəlz ənd səkˈsɛsɪz wɪθ jʊr ˈʧɪldrən wɪl gɪv ðɛm ðə aɪˈdiə ðət ðɛr wɪl ˈɔlˌweɪz bi ˈməni əˈveɪləbəl. ˌɪnˈstɛd, ɪt meɪ bi ˈbɛtər tɪ lɛt ðɛm hir ju dɪˈskəs ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ənd wɔʧ ju ˈmænɪʤ ˈməni soʊ ðeɪ kən lərn haʊ tɪ du soʊ ðɛmˈsɛlvz. ðɪs kən stɑrt ɛz ˈərli ɛz faɪv ər sɪks jɪrz oʊld ɛz ðeɪ lərn tɪ ˈmænɪʤ ðɛr əˈlaʊəns. səm rulz tɪ ˈfɑloʊ wɪn dɪˈskəsɪŋ ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ɪf ju ər goʊɪŋ tɪ tɔk tɪ jʊr ˈʧɪldrən əˈbaʊt ˈməni ər hæv ə dɪˈskəʃən wɪθ jʊr spaʊs wɪn ðə ˈʧɪldrən ər əraʊnd, ðɛr ər ə fju ˈstrætəʤiz ju wɪl wɔnt tɪ teɪk tɪ meɪk ðɪs ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən ɛz pərˈdəktɪv ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl: əˈvɔɪd ˈskɛrɪŋ jʊr ˈʧɪldrən. tɪ seɪ ˈsəmθɪŋ laɪk, meɪ luz ðə hoʊm ɪf wi meɪk ɑr ˈmɔrgɪʤ ˈpeɪmənt ðɪs month”*” ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ noʊ ʧaɪld ʃʊd hir, ˈivɪn ɪf ɪt ɪz tru. waɪl ɪt ɪz ˌoʊˈkeɪ tɪ ʃɛr ðət ˈməni ɪz taɪt, ɪt ɪz nɑt gʊd tɪ ʃɛr ˈsəmθɪŋ ðeɪ hæv noʊ kənˈtroʊl əv ðət meɪ skɛr ðɛm. tɛl jʊr ɪgˈzækt ˈɪnˌkəm. ˈʧɪldrən, əˈspɛʃəli jəŋ tweens*, hæv ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ haʊ məʧ ɪt kɔsts tɪ rən ə ˈhaʊsˌhoʊld. waɪl ðeɪ meɪ noʊ əˈbaʊt jʊr ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl, ɪt ɪz ˈprɑbəˌbli bɛst nɑt tɪ gɪv ɪgˈzækt ɪkˈspɛnsɪz ənd ˈɪnˌkəm ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ənˈtɪl ðeɪ ər ɪn ðɛr leɪt tinz ənd ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈrɛdi tɪ goʊ aʊt ɔn ðɛr oʊn ənd ˈmænɪʤ ðɛr oʊn ˈməni. lɛt ðɛm wɔʧ ju bi kənˈsərvətɪv wɪθ ˈməni. ˈkətɪŋ bæk ɔn ɪkˈspɛnsɪz ɪz ˈiziəst fər ˈʧɪldrən ɪf ju ɔˈrɛdi ˈfɑloʊ ə ˈfɛrli ˈfrugəl ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl. ləv ðɛm ər heɪt ðɛm, ðə ər ˈreɪzɪŋ 19 kɪdz wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛni ˈpəblɪk əˈsɪstəns. ðeɪ rɪˈpitɪdli seɪ ðət ðɛr ˈmæntrə ɪz juzd ənd seɪv ðə difference.”*.” ðɛr kɪdz ɪkˈspɛkt brænd nu ˈaɪtəmz bɪˈkəz ðə ˈfæməli həz meɪd ɪt ˈvɛri klɪr ðət wən əv ðə weɪz ðeɪ kip ðə ˈfæməli ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ɪn ðə blæk ɪz baɪ baɪɪŋ juzd. ðeɪ ˈfɑloʊ ðɪs ˈmæntrə fər ˈkloʊðɪŋ, kɑz, ənd ˈtreɪlərz. ˈfaɪnəli ðə dɪˈsɪʒən ˈwɛðər tɪ dɪˈskəs ˈfæməli ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ɪn frənt əv jʊr ˈʧɪldrən ɪz ə ˈpərsɪnəl wən ənd ju hæv tɪ du wət ɪz bɛst wɪθ jʊr ˈfæməli. wi hæv ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tɪ ɔˈkeɪʒənəˌli dɪˈskəs ɑr ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl tərmz wɪθ ɑr ˈʧɪldrən ˈprɛzənt, ənd ðəs fɑr, wi ər ˈhæpi wɪθ ðət dɪˈsɪʒən ənd wət ɪt ɪz ˈtiʧɪŋ ɑr ˈoʊldəst ʧaɪld. du ju dɪˈskəs jʊr ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ɪn frənt əv jʊr ˈʧɪldrən? waɪ ər waɪ nɑt?

the economic downturn beginning in 2007 caused financial hardship for many families who had to cope with job loss, foreclosures, and bankruptcies. while not every family may have had such a difficult time financially, there are still other strains on family finances such as rising gas and grocery prices. as a parent, should you talk about money with your spouse in front of the children? of course, this is a deeply personal issue, and many will have differing views. however, there is a valid reason to talk about money issues in front of your kids. benefit of talking about finances in front of your kids if your money is tight and your kids are aware of this fact, your kids will understand why they can’t have something they want. this is especially important if you have previously been quite free with your money and have given your children most of what they want. if you suddenly stop buying them things, they will wonder why. however, if they have overheard your conversations about finances, they will have a better idea why their request for something is being declined or why you may have to choose a cheaper option. my husband and i have quite a bit of debt to pay off, so all of our extra money is being funneled to debt repayment. my son has some idea about this because of conversations he has heard between me and my husband. when i took him tennis shoe shopping a few months ago, he liked a pair that cost $50, but settled on a pair that cost $25 because he rationalized that the $25 pair were just as good as the $50 pair. he had this thought process out loud with little input from me. i was very proud of him. it was fun to see him evaluate that even though the $50 pair had a character he liked on the shoe and the $25 pair didn’t, the $25 pair fit better into our family finances. ultimately i think hearing our conversations and watching us be conservative with money will help him manage his own finances better as he grows older. potential drawbacks to discussing finances in front of your kids some may argue that you should not talk about finances with your kids because they are the kids and you are the adults; you are the one who should carry any burden as far as the finances are concerned. these parents believe that childhood is not the time to be privy to adult financial discussions. while i understand the concerns, there is a risk that not sharing any financial struggles and successes with your children will give them the idea that there will always be money available. instead, it may be better to let them hear you discuss finances and watch you manage money so they can learn how to do so themselves. this can start as early as five or six years old as they learn to manage their allowance. some rules to follow when discussing finances if you are going to talk to your children about money or have a discussion with your spouse when the children are around, there are a few strategies you will want to take to make this conversation as productive as possible: – avoid scaring your children. to say something like, “we may lose the home if we can’t make our mortgage payment this month” is something no child should hear, even if it is true. while it is okay to share that money is tight, it is not good to share something they have no control of that may scare them. – tell your exact income. children, especially young tweens, have difficulty understanding how much it costs to run a household. while they may know about your financial situation in general, it is probably best not to give exact expenses and income information until they are in their late teens and getting ready to go out on their own and manage their own money. – let them watch you be conservative with money. cutting back on expenses is easiest for children if you already follow a fairly frugal lifestyle. love them or hate them, the duggars are raising 19 kids without any public assistance. they repeatedly say that their mantra is “buy used and save the difference.” their kids expect brand new items because the family has made it very clear that one of the ways they keep the family finances in the black is by buying used. they follow this mantra for clothing, cars, and trailers. finally the decision whether to discuss family finances in front of your children is a personal one and you have to do what is best with your family. we have decided to occasionally discuss our finances in general terms with our children present, and thus far, we are happy with that decision and what it is teaching our oldest child. do you discuss your finances in front of your children? why or why not?

ðə fləd əv ˌənəˈkəmpənid ˈeɪliən ˈʧɪldrən ðət keɪm əˈkrɔs ðə ˈjuˈɛs ˈsəðərn ˈbɔrdər ðɪs ˈsəmər ɪz naʊ ˈhævɪŋ ən ˌɪmˈpækt ɔn ˈloʊkəl skul ˈsɪstəmz ɛz skul bɔrdz ənd ædˈmɪnɪˌstreɪtərz hæv tɪ ˈfɪgjər aʊt haʊ tɪ ˈɛʤəˌkeɪt ðɛm, səm əv hum spik rɛr ˈdaɪəˌlɛkts ənd hæv hæd ˈlɪtəl ˈfɔrməl ˈskulɪŋ. ɔl əv ðɪs ɪz, əv kɔrs, goʊɪŋ tɪ kɔst ˈloʊkəl ˈtækˌspeɪərz ənd dɪsˈrəpt ˈlərnɪŋ fər ˈmɛni əˈmɛrɪkən kɪdz. hir ɪn ðə ˈgeɪnzˌvɪl taɪmz, wi si ðət əˈfɪʃəlz ər ɔˈrɛdi rɪˈfərɪŋ tɪ ðə ˌɪˈligəl ˈeɪliənz ɛz ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz. ðeɪ ər nɑt ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz, bət ðət ɪz wət ðə ˌoʊˈbɑmə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən ənd ðə juˈnaɪtɪd ˈneɪʃənz (wɪʧ kɔlz ðə ʃɑts!) wɔnts ju tɪ bɪˈliv. ˌɪnˈdid, ɪt ɪz maɪ vju ðət ðə hoʊl ˌɪnˈveɪʒən mɛs ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ðə bɪg pʊʃ tɪ ʧeɪnʤ ðə ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑli ˌəndərˈstʊd ˌdɛfəˈnɪʃən əv wət ˈkɑnstəˌtuts ə hu ɪz ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ ˌpərsəˈkjuʃən fər ˈrizənz əv rɪˈlɪʤən, reɪs ər pəˈlɪtɪkəl pərsˈweɪʒən. wəns ðeɪ səkˈsid ɪn ridɪˈfaɪnɪŋ ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz (əˈsaɪləm ˈsikərz) ɛz ˈpipəl ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ kraɪm, ðə ɪnˈtaɪər ˈsɪstəm ˈkræʃɪz ənd ˈɛniˌwən ɪn ðə wərld kən kleɪm əˈsaɪləm ɪn əˈmɛrɪkə ˈsɪmpli əˈlɛʤɪŋ ðət ðeɪ fɪr ˈkrɪmənəlz wɛr ðeɪ lɪv. ˈgeɪnzˌvɪl ɪz ɪn hɔl ˈkaʊnti (ðə ˈpoʊltri ˈkæpɪtəl), si ə ˈpriviəs poʊst ɔn ðə ˈprɑbləmz ðɛr wɪθ ðə ˈɪnˌfləks əv uacs*. frəm ðə ˈgeɪnzˌvɪl taɪmz ɔn ˈsæˌtɪˌdeɪ: ɛz ˈʧɪldrən frəm ˈsɛntrəl əˈmɛrɪkə hæv flɛd tɪ ðə juz. ɛz ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz, səm hæv wund əp ɪn ˈgeɪnzˌvɪl skulz, bət əˈfɪʃəlz sɛd ðeɪ kip træk əv haʊ ˈmɛni. [kaɪnd əv hɑrd tɪ ˈbəʤɪt ðɛn ju think!—ed*] nɑt ə kˈwɛʃən ðət wi ask,”*,” sɛd ˈlɔrə ˈhɛrɪŋtən, ðə dɪˈrɛktər əv ˈtaɪtəl iii*, ə ˈfɛdərəl ˈproʊˌgræm ðət ˌɪnˈkludz ˈɪŋlɪʃ ˈlæŋgwɪʤ ˈlərnɪŋ. stɪl, ˈhɛrɪŋtən sɛd ðə ˈstudənts ər ðɛr ˈivɪn ɪf ðɛr ən ɪgˈzækt kaʊnt. noʊ ðət wi hæv səm hu spik ˈdaɪəˌlɛkt, ənd ðə ˈdaɪəˌlɛkts ðət ðeɪ spik ər ˌɪnˈdɪkətɪv əv səm ˈkəntriz ɪn ˈsɛntrəl america,”*,” ʃi sɛd. æst ɑr ˈstudənts tɪ tɛl ˈjuˈɛs ðɛr ˈstɔriz yet.”*.” ðə ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz, ʃi sɛd, ər ˈɛʤəˌkeɪtɪd ɪn ðə seɪm ˈproʊˌgræm ɛz ˈəðər ˈstudənts hu lərn ˈɪŋlɪʃ ɛz ə ˈfɔrən ˈlæŋgwɪʤ. ˈhɛrɪŋtən ˈɛstəˌmeɪtɪd 30 əv əˈbaʊt 200 haɪ skul ˈstudənts ˈlərnɪŋ ˈɪŋlɪʃ ər ˈnuli əraɪvd frəm ˈsɛntrəl əˈmɛrɪkə ðɪs jɪr. ðɛr ˈlaɪkli ər mɔr ɪn ˈmɪdəl ənd ˌɛləˈmɛnʧri skul, bət ʃi hæv ə ˈnəmbər. wɛr ɪz ðət ˈnəmbər ˈkəmɪŋ frəm wɪn oʊn ˈwɛbˌsaɪt sɪz ə hoʊl hɛk əv ə lɔt mɔr (si græf!)? əˈkɔrdɪŋ ðə juz. dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv hɛlθ ənd ˈjumən ˈsərvɪsɪz, ən ˈævərɪʤ əv tɪ ˈʧɪldrən ˈɛnər ðə ˌənəˈkəmpənid ˈeɪliən ˈʧɪldrən ˈproʊˌgræm iʧ jɪr, ənd 93 pərˈsɛnt əv ðɛm frəm ɛl ˈsælvəˌdɔr, gˌwɑtəˈmɑlə ər hɑnˈdʊrəs. ðə ˈʧɪldrən ˈɔfən kəm tɪ ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts tɪ ɪˈskeɪp ˈvaɪələns, əˈbjuz ər ˌpərsəˈkjuʃən, tɪ sik ˈfæməli ˈmɛmbərz ər tɪ faɪnd wərk. ðeɪ ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ər brɔt ˈɪntu ðə ˈkəntri baɪ ˈjumən ˈtræfɪkɪŋ rɪŋz, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə dɪˈpɑrtmənt. ˌoʊˈbɑmə ənd ðə ər ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz ðə juˈnaɪtɪd ˈneɪʃənz həz pʊʃt ðə juz. tɪ trit ˈʧɪldrən frəm ðoʊz θri ˈkəntriz ɛz ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz dɪˈspleɪst baɪ ɑrmd ˈkɑnflɪkt, ɛz drəg ˈtræfɪkərz ənd strit gæŋz hæv meɪd ðə ˈriʤən wən əv ðə moʊst ˈvaɪələnt. læst mənθ, ðə ˌoʊˈbɑmə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən bɪˈgæn ə ˈproʊˌgræm tɪ gɪv ˈrɛfjuʤi ˈstætəs tɪ səm ˈʧɪldrən frəm ðoʊz ˈkəntriz ɪn rɪˈspɑns tɪ ðə ˈɪnˌfləks əv ˌənəˈkəmpənid ˈmaɪnərz ˈɛnərɪŋ ðə ˈkəntri ˌɪˈligəli. ˈəndər ðə ˈproʊˌgræm, ˈligəl ˈɪməgrənts frəm ðoʊz ˈkəntriz kən rɪkˈwɛst ðət ˈʧɪldrən rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ðɛm bi riˈsɛtəld ɪn ðə juz. ɛz ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz. [ənd, ðəs bi ˈɛlɪʤəbəl fər ɔl ðə ˈwɛlˌfɛr ˈgʊdiz əˈfɪʃəl ˈrɛfˌjuʤiz receive!—ed*] ɔl əv ɑr ˈkəvərɪʤ, goʊɪŋ bæk ˈsɛvərəl jɪrz, ɪz hir ɪn ɑr minors’*’ ˈɑrˌkaɪv.

the flood of unaccompanied alien children that came across the us southern border this summer is now having an impact on local school systems as school boards and administrators have to figure out how to educate them, some of whom speak rare dialects and have had little formal schooling. all of this is, of course, going to cost local taxpayers and disrupt learning for many american kids. here in the gainesville times, we see that officials are already referring to the illegal aliens as refugees. they are not refugees, but that is what the obama administration and the united nations (which calls the shots!) wants you to believe. indeed, it is my view that the whole invasion mess represents the big push to change the internationally understood definition of what constitutes a ‘refugee’—someone who is escaping persecution for reasons of religion, race or political persuasion. once they succeed in redefining refugees (asylum seekers) as people escaping crime, the entire system crashes and anyone in the world can claim asylum in america simply alleging that they fear criminals where they live. gainesville is in hall county (the poultry capital), see a previous post on the problems there with the influx of uacs. from the gainesville times on saturday: as children from central america have fled to the u.s. as refugees, some have wound up in gainesville schools, but officials said they keep track of how many. [kind of hard to budget then you think!—ed] “that’s not a question that we ask,” said laura herrington, the district’s director of title iii, a federal program that includes english language learning. still, herrington said the students are there even if there isn’t an exact count. “i know that we have some who speak dialect, and the dialects that they speak are indicative of some countries in central america,” she said. “we haven’t asked our students to tell us their stories yet.” the refugees, she said, are educated in the same program as other students who learn english as a foreign language. herrington estimated 30 of about 200 high school students learning english are newly arrived from central america this year. there likely are more in middle and elementary school, but she have a number. 7,000 – 8,000? where is that number coming from when hhs’s own website says a whole heck of a lot more (see graph!)? according the u.s. department of health and human services, an average of 7,000 to 8,000 children enter the unaccompanied alien children program each year, and 93 percent of them from el salvador, guatemala or honduras. the children often come to the united states to escape violence, abuse or persecution, to seek family members or to find work. they sometimes are brought into the country by human trafficking rings, according to the department. obama and the un—they are refugees the united nations has pushed the u.s. to treat children from those three countries as refugees displaced by armed conflict, as drug traffickers and street gangs have made the three-country region one of the world’s most violent. last month, the obama administration began a program to give refugee status to some children from those countries in response to the influx of unaccompanied minors entering the country illegally. under the program, legal immigrants from those countries can request that children related to them be resettled in the u.s. as refugees. [and, thus be eligible for all the welfare goodies official refugees receive!—ed] all of our coverage, going back several years, is here in our ‘unaccompanied minors’ archive.

ðə ˈnəmbər əv hoʊmz bɔt θru ə ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti ˌkɔrpərˈeɪʃən (llc*) ə strɔŋ ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən ðət ðə hoʊmz ər hæv mɔr ðən ˈtrɪpəld sɪns 2002 ju kən stɑp ˈwəriɪŋ əˈbaʊt siˈætəl ˈtərnɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə nɛkst sæn frænˈsɪskoʊ ənd stɑrt ˈwəriɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˈjuˈɛs ˈtərnɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə nɛkst vænˈkuvər. siˈætəl ʤɪst dɪθˈroʊnd ɪts kəˈneɪdiən ˈneɪbər ɛz ðə tɔp nɔrθ əˈmɛrɪkən ˈmɑrkɪt fər ʧaɪˈniz ˈhoʊmˌbaɪərz. ənd nɑt ʤɪst ˈʧaɪnə ˌɪnˈvɛstərz frəm ɔl ˈoʊvər ər aɪɪŋ ðə ˈhaʊzɪŋ ˈmɑrkɪt, ˈhɛlpɪŋ tɪ draɪv ˈpraɪsɪz ˈivɪn haɪər. waɪl ðɪs trɛnd meɪ bi ˈsədənli ækˈsɛlərˌeɪtɪŋ, nɑt ə nu fəˈnɑməˌnɑn. æˈnælɪsɪs əv kɪŋ ˈkaʊnti əˈsɛsər ˈrɛkərdz ʃoʊz ðət ðə ˈnəmbər əv ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl hoʊmz hɛld baɪ ə ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti ˈkəmpəˌni (llc*) ə strɔŋ ˈɪndəˌkeɪtər ðət ə ˈprɑpərti ɪz bɪˈgæn tɪ ˈɛskəˌleɪt ɪn ðə ˈərli 2000s*, wɪθ ðə ˈʃɑrpəst ˌɪnˈkrisɪz ɪn ðə jɪrz ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˌriˈsɛʃən. frəm 2002 tɪ 2015 ðə ˈtoʊtəl ˈnəmbər əv hoʊmz ənd əˈtæʧt ˈhaʊsɪz oʊnd baɪ ən mɔr ðən ˈtrɪpəld tɪ əˈbaʊt 2 pərˈsɛnt əv ðə ˈhaʊzɪŋ stɑk ɪn kɪŋ ˈkaʊnti. ɪz ˈpipəl baɪɪŋ hoʊmz fər ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt purposes,”*,” sɛd ʤɑn, ˈʧɛrmən əv , ə siˈætəl lɔ fərm huz ˈpræktɪs ˈɛriəz ˌɪnˈklud ˈrilɪˌsteɪt lɔ. hi ˈɛstəˌmeɪts ðət 90 pərˈsɛnt əv hoʊmz ər ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt ˈprɑpərtiz. ˈmætər wət ˈkəntri frəm, ɪf ju ər ˈivɪn ə sˈlaɪtli səˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtəd ˌɪnˈvɛstər ɪn hoʊmz, baɪ ɪt wɪθ ən llc,”*,” hi sɛd. waɪl ðɛr ɪz ə greɪt dil əv ˈɪntəˌrɛst ɪn ðə siˈætəl ˈmɑrkɪt əˈməŋ ðə ʧaɪˈniz, sɪz ðət ˌɪnˈvɛstərz kəm frəm ˈmɛni ˈkəntriz, ənd frəm wɪˈθɪn ðə juz. ðə ˈrɛkərdz du nɑt ˈɪndəˌkeɪt ðə ˈkəntri əv ˈɔrəʤən əv ðə ˈmɛmbərz. hoʊmz oʊnd baɪ ər sprɛd θruaʊt kɪŋ ˈkaʊnti, ənd reɪnʤ frəm ˈvɛri ˈmɑdəst tɪ pəˈleɪʃəl. ðə ˈævərɪʤ əˈsɛst ˈvælju fər hoʊmz ɪn siˈætəl wɑz ɪn 2015 ɪn ˈbɛlvˌju, ɪt wɑz sɪz ˌɪnˈvɛstərz frəm əraʊnd ðə gloʊb bɪˈgæn tɪ teɪk ˈnoʊtɪs əv siˈætəl ɪn ðə ˈərli 2000s*. noʊ kˈwɛʃən ðət fər ðə læst ˈdɛkeɪd ər mɔr, siˈætəl həz bɪn sin ɛz ə ˈvɛri gʊd pleɪs tɪ invest,”*,” hi sɛd, pɑrt bɪˈkəz ðə ɪˈkɑnəmi hir ɪz soʊ ˈvaɪbrənt, ənd ðə ʤɑb groʊθ ɪz soʊ strong.”*.” ðə ˈbɪgəst ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt hoʊmz ˈhæpənd ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˈɪrə, wɪn ˈmɑrkɪt wɑz rɛd hɑt. ɪn 2008 ʤɪst ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˈbəbəl bərst, ðə ˈnəmbər əv hoʊmz ʤəmpt baɪ mɔr ðən wər baɪɪŋ hoʊmz lɛft ənd raɪt ənd ˈflɪpɪŋ them,”*,” sɛd, ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ ðə raɪz ɪn. ɪt drɑpt ɔf drəˈmætɪkəli ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə greɪt ˌriˈsɛʃən, bət bæk ɔn again.”*.” læst jɪr sɔ ðə ˈbɪgəst spaɪk ɪn ˈoʊnərˌʃɪp ɪn kɪŋ ˈkaʊnti sɪns ðə stɑrt əv ðə ˌriˈsɛʃən ən ˌɪnˈkris əv mɔr ðən 800 frəm ðə ˈpriviəs jɪr. ˌɪnˈvɛstərz baɪ ˈprɑpərtiz θru ən fər ə vərˈaɪəti əv ˈrizənz, ðə moʊst ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt biɪŋ ðə ˈlɪmət ɔn ˈpərsɪnəl ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti fər ˈbɪznɪs dɛts ənd kleɪmz. ənd ju gɪt ðət prəˈtɛkʃən frəm ˈkrɛdɪtərz wɪˈθaʊt ˈhævɪŋ tɪ peɪ ə ˈkɔrpərət tæks. noʊts ðət fər ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl baɪərz, ˈfɔrmɪŋ ən ɪz wən weɪ tɪ əˈvɔɪd biɪŋ tækst ɛz ə ˈfɔrən ˌkɔrpərˈeɪʃən. ˌɪnˈvɛstərz ðeɪ kʊd bi frəm ˈɛniˌwɛr ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts laɪk tɪ pʊt ˈdɪstəns bɪtˈwin ðɛmˈsɛlvz ənd ðə ˌɪnˈtərnəl ˈrɛvəˌnu service.”*.” əˈnəðər ædˈvæntɪʤ əv baɪɪŋ θru ən ɪz ˈpraɪvəsi. ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl neɪmz ər kɛpt ɔf ðə ˈprɑpərti ˈrɛkərdz, ə ˈfiʧər ðət əˈpilz tɪ ˈmɛni ˈfɔrən baɪərz. bət ɪf ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd ɪn ˈfɔrmɪŋ ən tɪ baɪ ə hoʊm, nid tɪ peɪ ɪn kæʃ, bɪˈkəz ə bæŋk lɛnd ju ðə ˈməni. aɪ goʊ tɪ ə bæŋk, nɑt goʊɪŋ tɪ lɛt mi baɪ ə hoʊm ɛz ən llc,”*,” sɛd. goʊɪŋ tɪ meɪk mi baɪ ɪt ɛz ʤɑn ənd hæv ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ɔl maɪ ˈæˌsɛts ɪn ðə ɪˈvɛnt aɪ peɪ maɪ mortgage.”*.” soʊ hoʊm ˈpərʧəsɪz ər ˈtɪpɪkəli ən dil, ˈminɪŋ bæŋks ˌɪnˈvɑlvd æt ɔl. ðət ˈsɪmpləˌfaɪz ˈrilɪˌsteɪt trænˈzækʃənz trɪˈmɛndəsli. hoʊm ˈsɛlərz, ɪf ðeɪ gɪt ðə kæʃ, ðeɪ kɛr hu ðə is,”*,” sɛd. ɪn ðə hoʊm ˈmɑrkɪt, ɪt wərks ˈvɛri, ˈvɛri wɛl fər investors.”*.”

the number of seattle-area homes bought through a limited liability corporation (llc) — a strong indication that the homes are investor-owned — have more than tripled since 2002. you can stop worrying about seattle turning into the next san francisco — and start worrying about us turning into the next vancouver. seattle just dethroned its canadian neighbor as the top north american market for deep-pocketed chinese homebuyers. and it’s not just china — investors from all over are eyeing the seattle-area housing market, helping to drive prices even higher. while this trend may be suddenly accelerating, it’s not a new phenomenon. analysis of king county assessor records shows that the number of residential homes held by a limited liability company (llc) — a strong indicator that a property is investor-owned — began to escalate in the early 2000s, with the sharpest increases in the years before the recession. from 2002 to 2015, the total number of single-family homes and attached houses owned by an llc more than tripled to 10,425 — about 2 percent of the housing stock in king county. “this is people buying homes for investment purposes,” said john hempelmann, chairman of cairncross & hempelmann, a seattle law firm whose practice areas include real-estate law. he estimates that 90 percent of llc-owned homes are investment properties. “it doesn’t matter what country you’re from, if you are even a slightly sophisticated investor in single-family homes, you’ll buy it with an llc,” he said. while there is a great deal of interest in the seattle market among the chinese, hempelmann says that investors come from many countries, and from within the u.s. the assessor’s records do not indicate the country of origin of the llc members. homes owned by llcs are spread throughout king county, and range from very modest to palatial. the average assessed value for llc-owned single-family homes in seattle was $560,00 in 2015. in bellevue, it was $830,000. hempelmann says investors from around the globe began to take notice of seattle in the early 2000s. “there’s no question that for the last decade or more, seattle has been seen as a very good place to invest,” he said, “in part because the economy here is so vibrant, and the job growth is so strong.” the biggest increase in investment homes happened during the housing-bubble era, when seattle’s market was red hot. in 2008, just before the bubble burst, the number of llc-owned homes jumped by more than 1,600. “people were buying homes left and right and flipping them,” hempelmann said, explaining the rise in llcs. “obviously it dropped off dramatically during the great recession, but it’s back on again.” last year saw the biggest spike in llc ownership in king county since the start of the recession — an increase of more than 800 from the previous year. investors buy properties through an llc for a variety of reasons, the most important being the limit on personal liability for business debts and claims. and you get that corporate-like protection from creditors without having to pay a corporate tax. hempelmann notes that for international buyers, forming an llc is one way to avoid being taxed as a foreign corporation. “foreign investors — they could be from anywhere outside the united states — like to put distance between themselves and the internal revenue service.” another advantage of buying through an llc is privacy. individual names are kept off the property records, a feature that appeals to many foreign buyers. but if you’re interested in forming an llc to buy a home, you’ll need to pay in cash, because a bank won’t lend you the money. “if i go to a bank, they’re not going to let me buy a home as an llc,” hempelmann said. “they’re going to make me buy it as john hempelmann and have access to all my assets in the event i don’t pay my mortgage.” so llc home purchases are typically an all-cash deal, meaning banks aren’t involved at all. that simplifies real-estate transactions tremendously. “most single-family home sellers, if they get the cash, they don’t care who the llc is,” hempelmann said. “so in the single-family home market, it works very, very well for investors.”

long-awaited* ənd əˈlæs bæd nuz frəm ðə keɪs əv ˈwɪlsən vi. ˈhoʊldər, wɪʧ aɪ ˌriˈpɔrtəd ɔn ɔl ðə weɪ bæk ɪn dɪˈsɛmbər 2011 roʊən ˈwɪlsən, ðɛn ə ˈmɛdɪkəl tɛkˈnɪʃən ɪn ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl kɛr hoʊmz, wɑz nɑt ˈeɪbəl tɪ baɪ ə gən frəm ə ˈlaɪsənst ˈdilər hu wɑz ˈpərsənəli əkˈweɪnɪd wɪθ hər ənd nu ʃi hæd ə steɪt ˈmɛdɪkəl ˌmɛrəˈwɑnə ˈpeɪʃənt kɑrd. ðɪs ɪz bɪˈkəz ðə ˈdilər nu əv ˈbjʊroʊ əv ˈælkəˌhɑl təˈbæˌkoʊ ˈfaɪˌrɑrmz ənd ɪkˈsploʊsɪvz (batfe*) rulz ðət ˈsteɪtɪd "ɪf ju ər əˈwɛr ðət ðə pəˈtɛnʃəl ɪz ɪn pəˈzɛʃən əv ə kɑrd ˈɔθərˌaɪzɪŋ ðə pəˈzɛʃən ənd juz əv ˌmɛrəˈwɑnə ˈəndər steɪt lɔ, ðɛn nɑt ˈtrænsfər ˈfaɪˌrɑrmz ər ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən tɪ ðə ˈpərsən." səʧ ə ˈpərsən, ðə fɛdz ˌɪnˈsɪst, wʊd fɔl əˈfaʊl əv sɛkt. 922(g*) əv ðə ˈfɛdərəl ˈkrɪmənəl koʊd (frəm ðə 1968 ˈfɛdərəl gən kənˈtroʊl ækt), wɪʧ sɪz ðət ˈɛniˌwən ɪz ən ənˈlɔfəl ˈjuzər əv ər əˈdɪktɪd tɪ ˈɛni kənˈtroʊld substance”*” ɪz ˈbeɪsɪkli bɑrd frəm pəˈzɛsɪŋ ər rɪˈsivɪŋ gənz ər ˈæˌmoʊ. ˈwɪlsən θɔt ðət ˈpɑləsi ˈvaɪəleɪtɪd hər ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt raɪts ənd sud. tɪ kwoʊt frəm maɪ 2011 rɪˈpɔrtɪŋ: ɛz ðə sut sɪz, ““ms*. ˈwɪlsən həz ˈnɛvər bɪn ʧɑrʤd wɪθ ər kənˈvɪktəd əv ˈɛni əˈfɛns, ər ˈɛni ˈkrɪmənəl offense….indeed*, noʊ ˈɛvədəns ɪgˈzɪsts ðət mɪz. ˈwɪlsən həz ˈɛvər bɪn 'ən ənˈlɔfəl ˈjuzər əv, ər əˈdɪktɪd tɪ, marijuana….’*….’ mɪz. ˈwɪlsən meɪnˈteɪnz ðət ʃi ɪz nɑt ən ənˈlɔfəl ˈjuzər əv ər əˈdɪkʃən tɪ marijuana….nonetheless*, mɪz. ˈwɪlsən wɑz dɪˈnaɪd hər ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt raɪt tɪ kip ənd bɛr ɑrmz beɪst ˈsoʊəli ɔn hər pəˈzɛʃən əv ə ˈvælɪd steɪt əv nəˈvɑdə ˈmɛdɪkəl ˌmɛrəˈwɑnə ˈrɛʤɪstri card.”*.” ðə sut ˈɑrgjuz ðə ˈpɑləsi ˈɔlsoʊ ˈvaɪəleɪtɪd hər fɪθ əˈmɛndmənt raɪt tɪ du ˈprɔˌsɛs sɪns ɪt prəˈzumz ʃi ɪz ə proʊˈhɪbətəd drəg ˈjuzər ˈɑrbɪˌtrɛrəli. ən əˈpɪnjən ɪn ðət keɪs wɑz ˈɪʃud ˈjɛstərˌdeɪ baɪ juz. ˈdɪstrɪkt kɔrt ʤəʤ ˈglɔriə nəˈvɑroʊ, ənd ɪt ˈwəzənt gʊd. ɪt əˈphɛld ə ˈmoʊʃən tɪ dɪsˈmɪs ðə keɪs ɪnˈtaɪərli baɪ ðə ˈfɛdərəl ˈgəvərnmənt dɪˈfɛndənts. kˈwoʊtɪŋ frəm ðə əˈpɪnjən (ˈæftər seɪɪŋ ðə dɪˈfɛndənts ˈɑrgjəmənts ðət ðə keɪs wɑz mut bɪˈkəz ˈwɪlsənz ˌmɛrəˈwɑnə kɑrd həz ɪkˈspaɪrd ɪn ðə jɪrz sɪns ðə keɪs wɑz faɪld dɪd nɑt hoʊld əp), ʤəʤ nəˈvɑroʊ sɪz ˈwɪlsənz ˈɑrgjəmənt ðət ðə bæn ɔn drəg ˈjuzərz ˈoʊnɪŋ gənz ˈvaɪəleɪts ðə ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt: feɪlz ɛz ə ˈmætər əv lɔ bɪˈkəz ðə naɪnθ ˈsərkət həz ɔˈrɛdi əˈphɛld ðə ˌkɑnstɪˌtuʃəˈnælɪti əv juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts vi. ˈdəgən, 657 998 cir*. 2011 ɪn ˈdəgən, beɪst ɔn ðə səˈprim ækˈnɑlɪʤmənt ðət ðə ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl raɪt tɪ pəˈzɛs ənd ˈkɛri ˈwɛpənz ɪz nɑt ənˈlɪmɪtɪd, ðə naɪnθ ˈsərkət əbˈzərvd ðət drəg ˈjuzərz, laɪk kərɪr ˈkrɪmənəlz ənd ðə ˈmɛnəli ɪl, mɔr ˈlaɪkli wɪl hæv ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti ˈɛksərˌsaɪzɪŋ ˌsɛlfkənˈtroʊl, ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli wɪn ðeɪ ər ˈəndər ðə ˈɪnfluəns əv kənˈtroʊld kɔrt ˈfərðər ˈnoʊtɪd ən ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt dɪˈstɪŋkʃən bɪtˈwin ðə əv 922 ɛkˈsprɛsli dɪˈskəst baɪ ðə səˈprim kɔrt ɪn ˈhɛlər ənd ˈpipəl hu hæv bɪn kənˈvɪktəd əv ə ˈfɛləni ər kəˈmɪtɪd tɪ ə ˈmɛntəl ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃən ənd soʊ feɪs ə ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm bæn, ən ənˈlɔfəl drəg ˈjuzər meɪ rɪˈgeɪn hɪz raɪt tɪ pəˈzɛs ə ˈfaɪˌrɑrm ˈsɪmpli baɪ ˈɛndɪŋ hɪz drəg əˈbjuz. ðə riˈstrɪkʃən ɪn ɪz fɑr lɛs ˈoʊnərəs ðən ðoʊz əˈfɛktɪŋ ˈfɛlənz ənd ðə ˈmɛnəli ɪl. ˈdəgən, 657 æt 999 ˈðɛrˌfɔr, ˈgɪvɪn ðɪs dɪˈstɪŋkʃən ənd ðə ˈdeɪnʤər pərˈzɛnəd baɪ ˈjuzərz əv kənˈtroʊld ˈsəbstənsɪz, ðə naɪnθ ˈsərkət ʤɔɪnd ðə ˈsɛvənθ ənd eɪθ ˈsərkəts baɪ ˈbrɔdli ˈhoʊldɪŋ ðət meɪ proʊˈhɪbət ˌɪˈligəl drəg ˈjuzərz frəm pəˈzɛsɪŋ firearms.”*.” ˈpleɪnəf fərst ˈfibli əˈtɛmpts tɪ dɪˈskrɛdət ˈdəgən baɪ ˈsteɪtɪŋ ðət ˈdəgən ə ˈdipli flɔd əˈpɪnjən, ˈlækɪŋ ˈɛni ˈminɪŋfəl ˈligəl æˈnælɪsɪs ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ˈdəgən rɪˈmeɪnz kənˈtroʊlɪŋ əˈθɔrəti ɔn ðɪs kɔrt. ˈfərðərˌmɔr, ðɪs kɔrt læks ðə əˈθɔrəti tɪ ˈoʊvərˌrul ə naɪnθ ˈsərkət dɪˈsɪʒən. ....ɪn laɪt əv ˈdəgən, ˈɛni əˈmɛndmənt əv ðɪs kleɪm wʊd bi fˈjutəl ənd, ðəs, ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt ˈʧælənʤ tɪ ɪz dɪsˈmɪst wɪθ ˈprɛʤədɪs. bæd ˈprɛsɪdənt meɪks bæd lɔ, ənd ˈskɑljəz əˈsaɪd ɪn ˈhɛlər əˈbaʊt ðə əreɪ əv gən lɔz ðət wʊd stɪl wɪθˈstænd ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt ˈskrutəni kleɪmz əˈnəðər raɪt. ʤəʤ nəˈvɑroʊ ˈɔlsoʊ dɪˈnaɪd ˈvɛriəs kleɪmz ðət ˈiðər ðə ˌəndərˈlaɪɪŋ ˈstæʧut ər ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən əv ɪt ˈvaɪəleɪtɪd ˈwɪlsənz raɪts tɪ fərst əˈmɛndmənt ɪkˈsprɛʃən (pəˈzɛʃən əv ə nəˈvɑdə ˈmɛdɪkəl ˌmɛrəˈwɑnə kɑrd ɪz ə fɔrm əv ɪkˈsprɛʃən ʃi wɑz biɪŋ ˈpənɪʃt fər, ʃi ˈɑrgjud), ðət ðə ˈpɑləsi ˈvaɪəleɪts ðə ədˈmɪnɪˌstreɪtɪv prəˈsiʤərz ækt, ənd ðət ðɛr wɑz ə ˈsəbstəntɪv du ˈprɔˌsɛs kleɪm (dɪˈnaɪd, ɪf əm ˈrɛdɪŋ ɪt kərˈɛktli, bɪˈkəz ə dɪˈrɛkt fərst ənd ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt kleɪm, ɔˈrɛdi dɪˈnaɪd, prɪˈkludz ə du ˈprɔˌsɛs kleɪm ˈəndər ðə fɪθ əˈmɛndmənt). ˈwɪlsən ˈɔlsoʊ ˈɑrgjud ə prəˈsiʤərəl du ˈprɔˌsɛs kleɪm: ðət ˈmɪrli əˈsumɪŋ, ɛz dɪz, ðət pəˈzɛsɪŋ ə ˈmɛdɪkəl ˌmɛrəˈwɑnə kɑrd minz ʃi ɪz noʊn tɪ bi ən ˌɪˈligəl drəg ˈjuzər ˈvaɪəleɪts hər raɪt tɪ du ˈprɔˌsɛs. nəˈvɑroʊ straɪks ðət daʊn ˈðəsli: ˈpleɪnəf kənˈkludz ðət defendants’*’ dɪˌtərməˈneɪʃən ðət ðoʊz ˈpərsənz ðət pəˈzɛs ə ˈrɛʤɪstri kɑrd fɪt ðə ˌdɛfəˈnɪʃən əv ən ˈjuzər əv ə kənˈtroʊld substance”*” dɪˈpraɪvz hər əv ə raɪt wɪˈθaʊt ˈædəkˌweɪt procedure.....however*, ˈpleɪnəf feɪlz tɪ ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz ðət ʃi məst ɑrˈtɪkjəˌleɪt ə prəˈtɛktɪd ˈlɪbərˌti ər ˈprɑpərti interest”*” ˌbiˈfɔr hər prəˈsiʤərəl du ˈprɔˌsɛs kleɪm meɪ pərˈsid. ˈðɛrˌfɔr, dɪˈskəʃən əv ˈɛni prəˈsiʤərəl ˌɪˈnædəkwəsiz ɪz ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt tɪ dɪˈfit defendants’*’ ˈmoʊʃən tɪ dɪsˈmɪs. bɪˈkəz ˈpleɪnəf ˈkænɑt aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ ə ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃənəli prəˈtɛktɪd ˈlɪbərˌti ər ˈprɑpərti ˈɪntəˌrɛst, ʃi ˈkænɑt steɪt ə prəˈsiʤərəl du ˈprɔˌsɛs kleɪm ənd ðə kɔrt məst dɪsˈmɪs hər kleɪm wɪθ ˈprɛʤədɪs. ðɪs simz tɪ bi seɪɪŋ, ɔn maɪ rɛd (əm ˈniðər ˈlɔjər nɔr ʤəʤ) ðət, heɪ, wi ɔˈrɛdi sɛd ju doʊnt ˈæˌkʧuəli hæv ə ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt raɪt ɪf ju ər ə drəg ˈjuzər, soʊ ju kænt meɪk ðə keɪs ðət ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt prəˈsiʤərz fər aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪɪŋ ju ɛz ə drəg ˈjuzər ˈvaɪəleɪt ə ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt raɪt. ðɪs simz ə ˈlɪtəl ˈsərkjələr, bət pərˈhæps əm ˌmɪsəndərˈstændɪŋ ɪt. ˈəpˌdeɪt: tɔkt ðɪs ˈmɔrnɪŋ tɪ wən əv ˈwɪlsənz ˈlɔjərz, ʧæz ˈreɪni. ˈreɪni tɛlz mi ðeɪ ˈdɛfənətli plæn ən əˈpil tɪ ðə ˈsərkət. ðeɪ ˌɪnˈtɛnd tɪ meɪk ðə keɪs ðət ðə ˈpriviəs ˈsərkət keɪs ˈdəgən ɔn wɪʧ ʤəʤ nəˈvɑroʊ rɪˈlaɪd tɪ dɪsˈmɪs ˈwɪlsənz keɪs həz ə ˈdɪfərənt sɛt əv fækts ðət doʊnt ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli əˈplaɪ tɪ ˈwɪlsən; ənd ˌɪnˈdid ðət pərˈhæps ɪt wɑz ˈpurli ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tɪ bɪˈgɪn wɪθ. "ˈdəgən ɪz laɪk tu ˈpɛrəˌgræfs lɔŋ, noʊ æˈnælɪsɪs," ˈreɪni sɪz. "ɑr kɔr ˈɑrgjəmənt ɔl əˈlɔŋ ɪz, ˈdəgən ɪz ʤɪst rɔŋ ənd nidz tɪ bi ˈoʊvərˌtərnd æt list ɪn pɑrt. ˈdəgən teɪks ən ˈaʊtlaɪər ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən ɪn wɪʧ wi hæv klɪr ˈɑbviəs ˈkrɪmənəl ˈkɑndəkt ənd sɪz, wɛl, bɪˈkəz hi wɑz ˈdilɪŋ ɪn ˈmæsɪv əˈmaʊnts əv kənˈtroʊld ˈsəbstənsɪz, ðə ˌæpləkəˈbɪləti əv ðɪs ˈfɛdərəl lɔ proʊˈhɪbətɪŋ ɪm frəm ˈhævɪŋ ˈfaɪˌrɑrmz ɪz ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃənəli ˈʤəstəˌfaɪəbəl." ðə fækts frəm ðə ˈdəgən dɪˈsɪʒən: wɪn pəˈlis ˈɔfɪsərz rɪˈspɑndɪd tɪ ə rɪˈpɔrt əv dəˈmɛstɪk ˈvaɪələns æt hɪz hoʊm oneafternoon*, ðeɪ dɪˈskəvərd hɪz ˌmɛrəˈwɑnə ˌɑpərˈeɪʃən ənd ərˈɛstɪd dɪˈfɛndənt. bɪˈkəz dɪˈfɛndənt ˈɔlsoʊ hæd ə ˈbɪznɪs əv ˈdilɪŋ ɪn ˈfaɪˌrɑrmz, ə ˈʤʊri kənˈvɪktəd ɪm əv, əˈməŋ ˈəðər θɪŋz, ˈʃɪpɪŋ ənd rɪˈsivɪŋ ˈfaɪˌrɑrmz θru ˌɪntərˈsteɪt ˈkɑmərs waɪl ˈjuzɪŋ ə kənˈtroʊld ˈsəbstəns, ɪn vaɪəˈleɪʃən of§*§ ɛz ˈreɪni sɪz, "tɪ teɪk ðət ˈpætərn ənd wɪˈθaʊt ˈfərðər æˈnælɪsɪs əˈplaɪ ɪt tɪ" ə keɪs laɪk ˈwɪlsən ˈmɪrli ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈmɛdɪkəl ˌmɛrəˈwɑnə kɑrd ˈɪzənt əˈnæləgəs. ˈreɪni θɪŋks ɪts streɪnʤ ðə ʤəʤ tʊk ˈoʊvər ə jɪr ˈmɪrli tɪ dɪsˈmɪs ðə keɪs, ənd θɪŋks hər ˈɑrgjəmənts wər tu ʤɪst wət ðə fɛdz sɛd, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ðət wɪrd ˈsərkjələr ˈɑrgjəmənt aɪ ˈnoʊtɪd əˈbəv ɪn wɪʧ ʃi simz tɪ seɪ, ɪt ˈdəzənt ˈmætər ɪf ju wər dɪˈklɛrd ə drəg ˈjuzər wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛni ˈminɪŋfəl du ˈprɔˌsɛs ənd ðəs dɪˈpraɪvd əv ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt raɪts, bɪˈkəz wi ɔˈrɛdi sɛd drəg ˈjuzərz doʊnt hæv ˈsɛkənd əˈmɛndmənt raɪts.

long-awaited and alas bad news from the case of wilson v. holder, which i reported on all the way back in december 2011. rowan wilson, then a nevada-based medical technician in residential care homes, was not able to buy a gun from a licensed dealer who was personally acquainted with her and knew she had a state medical marijuana patient card. this is because the dealer knew of bureau of alcohol tobacco firearms and explosives (batfe) rules that stated "if you are aware that the potential transferee is in possession of a card authorizing the possession and use of marijuana under state law, then you…may not transfer firearms or ammunition to the person." such a person, the feds insist, would fall afoul of sect. 922(g) of the federal criminal code (from the 1968 federal gun control act), which says that anyone “who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” is basically barred from possessing or receiving guns or ammo. wilson thought that batfe policy violated her second amendment rights and sued. to quote from my 2011 reporting: as the suit says, “ms. wilson has never been charged with or convicted of any drug-related offense, or any criminal offense….indeed, no evidence exists that ms. wilson has ever been 'an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana….’ ms. wilson maintains that she is not an unlawful user of or addiction to marijuana….nonetheless, ms. wilson was denied her second amendment right to keep and bear arms based solely on her possession of a valid state of nevada medical marijuana registry card.” the suit argues the batfe policy also violated her fifth amendment right to due process since it presumes she is a prohibited drug user arbitrarily. an opinion in that case was issued yesterday by u.s. district court judge gloria navarro, and it wasn't good. it upheld a motion to dismiss the case entirely by the federal government defendants. quoting from the opinion (after saying the defendants arguments that the case was moot because wilson's marijuana card has expired in the years since the case was filed did not hold up), judge navarro says wilson's argument that the ban on drug users owning guns violates the second amendment: fails as a matter of law because the ninth circuit has already upheld the constitutionality of § 922(g)(3). united states v. dugan, 657 f.3d 998, 999–1000 (9th cir. 2011). in dugan, based on the supreme court’s acknowledgement that the individual right to possess and carry weapons is not unlimited, the ninth circuit observed that “[h]abitual drug users, like career criminals and the mentally ill, more likely will have difficulty exercising self-control, particularly when they are under the influence of controlled substances.”.....the court further noted an important distinction between the subsections of § 922 expressly discussed by the supreme court in heller and 922(g)(3): [u]nlike people who have been convicted of a felony or committed to a mental institution and so face a lifetime ban, an unlawful drug user may regain his right to possess a firearm simply by ending his drug abuse. the restriction in § 922(g)(3) is far less onerous than those affecting felons and the mentally ill. dugan, 657 f.3d at 999. therefore, given this distinction and the danger presented by users of controlled substances, the ninth circuit joined the seventh and eighth circuits by broadly holding that “congress may . . . prohibit illegal drug users from possessing firearms.” plaintiff first feebly attempts to discredit dugan by stating that dugan “is a deeply flawed opinion, lacking any meaningful legal analysis . . ..” however, dugan remains controlling authority on this court. furthermore, this court lacks the authority to overrule a ninth circuit decision. ....in light of dugan, any amendment of this claim would be futile and, thus, plaintiff’s second amendment challenge to § 922(g)(3) is dismissed with prejudice. bad precedent makes bad law, and scalia's all-too-forgiving aside in heller about the array of gun laws that would still withstand second amendment scrutiny claims another right. judge navarro also denied various claims that either the underlying statute or batfe's application of it violated wilson's rights to first amendment expression (possession of a nevada medical marijuana card is a form of expression she was being punished for, she argued), that the batfe's policy violates the administrative procedures act, and that there was a substantive due process claim (denied, if i'm reading it correctly, because a direct first and second amendment claim, already denied, precludes a due process claim under the fifth amendment). wilson also argued a procedural due process claim: that merely assuming, as batfe does, that possessing a medical marijuana card means she is known to be an illegal drug user violates her right to due process. navarro strikes that down thusly: plaintiff concludes that defendants’ determination that those persons that possess a registry card fit the definition of an “unlawful user of a controlled substance” deprives her of a right without adequate procedure.....however, plaintiff fails to recognize that she must articulate a “constitutionally protected liberty or property interest” before her procedural due process claim may proceed. therefore, plaintiff’s discussion of any procedural inadequacies is insufficient to defeat defendants’ motion to dismiss. because plaintiff cannot identify a constitutionally protected liberty or property interest, she cannot state a procedural due process claim and the court must dismiss her claim with prejudice. this seems to be saying, on my read (i'm neither lawyer nor judge) that, hey, we already said you don't actually have a second amendment right if you are a drug user, so you can't make the case that insufficient procedures for identifying you as a drug user violate a second amendment right. this seems a little circular, but perhaps i'm misunderstanding it. update: talked this morning to one of wilson's lawyers, chaz rainey. rainey tells me they definitely plan an appeal to the 9th circuit. they intend to make the case that the previous 9th circuit case dugan on which judge navarro relied to dismiss wilson's case has a different set of facts that don't necessarily apply to wilson; and indeed that perhaps it was poorly decided to begin with. "dugan is like two paragraphs long, no analysis," rainey says. "our core argument all along is, dugan is just wrong and needs to be overturned at least in part. dugan takes an outlier situation in which we have clear obvious criminal conduct and says, well, because he was dealing in massive amounts of controlled substances, the applicability of this federal law prohibiting him from having firearms is constitutionally justifiable." the facts from the dugan decision: when police officers responded to a report of domestic violence at his home oneafternoon, they discovered his marijuana operation and arrested defendant. because defendant also had a business of dealing in firearms, a jury convicted him of, among other things, shipping and receiving firearms through interstate commerce while using a controlled substance, in violation of§ 922(g)(3). as rainey says, "to take that pattern and without further analysis apply it to" a case like wilson merely having a medical marijuana card isn't analogous. rainey thinks it's strange the judge took over a year merely to dismiss the case, and thinks her arguments were too thoughtlessly just parroting what the feds said, including that weird circular argument i noted above in which she seems to say, it doesn't matter if you were declared a drug user without any meaningful due process and thus deprived of second amendment rights, because we already said drug users don't have second amendment rights.

ˈɛfˈbiˈaɪ dɪˈrɛktər ʤeɪmz sɛd ˈθərzˌdeɪ ðət hi həz noʊ sɛt ˈtaɪmˌteɪbəl fər ˈræpɪŋ əp ðə ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən ˈɪntu ˈhɪləri ˈpraɪvət iˈmeɪl ˈsərvər ənd ðət ðə proʊb kʊd ˈivɪn ɪkˈstɛnd bɪɔnd ðə ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk ˈnæʃənəl kənˈvɛnʃən ɪn ˌʤuˈlaɪ. wɑz æst əˈbaʊt ðə ˈstætəs əv ðə ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən ˈdʊrɪŋ ən ˈɪntərvˌju æt ðə ˈæspən sɪˈkjʊrəti ˈfɔrəm ɪn ˈləndən. noʊ ˈtaɪmˌteɪbəl ɔn ˈɛni investigation,”*,” sɛd, ˈædɪŋ ðət hi həz bɪn æst ɪf ðə ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk ˈnæʃənəl kənˈvɛnʃən ɪz ki date”*” fər ˈræpɪŋ əp ðə ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən, wɪʧ ˈsɛnərz ɔn ˈwɛðər ˈklæsəˌfaɪd ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən wɑz mɪsˈhændəld ɔn ˈsərvər. ““no,”*,” sɛd əˈbaʊt ˈwɛðər hi hæd ə ˈdɛˌdlaɪn taɪmd fər ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˈdiˌɛnˌsi ɪˈvɛnt. əˈspaɪr tɪ du ɔl əv ɑr ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən ɪn tu weɪz: wɛl ənd promptly,”*,” hi ˈædɪd. gɪt ðət ˈpipəl kɛr əˈbaʊt ðɪs ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən soʊ ˈwərkɪŋ ˈvɛri hɑrd tɪ ɪnˈʃʊr dən wɛl ənd ˈprɑmptli. bət ɛz bɪtˈwin ðə tu, ɪf wi hæd tɪ ʧuz, wi wʊd du ɪt well.”*.” əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈnumərəs rɪˈpɔrts ˈsɛvərəl wiks əˈgoʊ, ðə ˈɛfˈbiˈaɪ wɑz sɛt tɪ ˈɪntərvˌju ˈsɛvərəl əv tɔp steɪt dɪˈpɑrtmənt eɪdz ɪn ðə ˈmætər. ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtərz hæv ɔˈrɛdi tɔkt tɪ braɪən pagliano*, ðə ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən tɛkˈnɑləʤi ˈspɛʃəlɪst hu ˈmænɪʤd iˈmeɪl ˈsɪstəm. hi wɑz ˈgrænɪd ˌɪmˈjunɪti ɪn ɪksˈʧeɪnʤ fər hɪz kˌwɔpərˈeɪʃən. ənˈklɪr ɪf ðə ˈɛfˈbiˈaɪ həz ˈɪntərvˌjud eɪdz sɪns ðoʊz rɪˈpɔrts. ˈklɪntən hərˈsɛlf wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ sˈleɪtɪd tɪ bi ˈɪntərvˌjud. ˈɔlsoʊ ənˈklɪr ɪf ʃi həz sæt daʊn wɪθ ðə ˈbjʊroʊ. riˈɪtərˌeɪtɪd ˈθərzˌdeɪ ðət hi ɪz ˈpərsənəli kloʊz tɪ ðə ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən. hi ˈɔlsoʊ dɪˈnaɪd ðət ˈpɑləˌtɪks wɪl hæv ˈɛni ˌɪmˈpækt ɔn ɪts ˈaʊtˌkəm. ˈwɔʃɪŋtən fri ˈbikən] wɔʧ: ˈfɑloʊ ʧək ɔn tˈwɪtər

fbi director james comey said thursday that he has no set timetable for wrapping up the investigation into hillary clinton’s private email server and that the probe could even extend beyond the democratic national committee’s convention in july. comey was asked about the status of the investigation during an interview at the aspen security forum in london. “there’s no timetable on any investigation,” comey said, adding that he has been asked if the democratic national convention is “a key date” for wrapping up the investigation, which centers on whether classified information was mishandled on clinton’s server. “no,” comey said about whether he had a deadline timed for before the dnc event. “we aspire to do all of our investigation in two ways: well and promptly,” he added. “i get that people care about this investigation so we’re working very hard to ensure it’s done well and promptly. but as between the two, if we had to choose, we would do it well.” according to numerous reports several weeks ago, the fbi was set to interview several of clinton’s top state department aides in the matter. investigators have already talked to bryan pagliano, the information technology specialist who managed clinton’s email system. he was granted immunity in exchange for his cooperation. it’s unclear if the fbi has interviewed clinton’s aides since those reports. clinton herself was also slated to be interviewed. it’s also unclear if she has sat down with the bureau. comey reiterated thursday that he is personally close to the investigation. he also denied that politics will have any impact on its outcome. [h/t washington free beacon] watch: follow chuck on twitter

ˈʤænjuˌɛri 5 2015 ˈdæni raɪts frəm nu jɔrk ˈsɪti ɔn ðə ˈæftərˌmæθ əv ðə ˈʃutɪŋ əv tu ˌɛnˈwaɪˌpiˌdi ˈɔfɪsərz, ðə ˈbæˌklæʃ ənd ðə ˌɪmˈpækt ɔn ðə ˈstrəgəl. ðə ˈbæˌklæʃ ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ðə ˈmərdər əv tu nu jɔrk ˈsɪti pəˈlis ˈɔfɪsərz baɪ ən ˈiˌmoʊʃnəli ˈtrəbəld ˈgənmən həz poʊzd ə ˈdɪfəkəlt ˈʧælənʤ tɪ ðə ˈproʊˌtɛst ˈmuvmənt. ðɪs ˈimərʤd ˈoʊnli ə fju mənθs əˈgoʊ, lɛd baɪ jəŋ ˈpipəl əv ˈkələr ənd ˈteɪkɪŋ ʃeɪp ɪn lɑrʤ pɑrt θru ˈsoʊʃəl ˈmidiə ənd spɑnˈteɪniəs kənˈfrənts ə ˈvɪʃəs riˈækʃən ˈɔrkɪˌstreɪtɪd baɪ pəˈlis ˈjunjənz ənd kənˈsərvətɪv pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈnɛtˌwərks. ðə ˌɪnstənˈtæniəs ʃɪft ɪn ˈmidiə ˈkəvərɪʤ ənd ˈpəblɪk əˈpɪnjən ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ðə tu ˈɔfɪsərz' dɛθs ʃoʊz ðə ˈdɪfɪˌkəltiz ðət ˈɛni ˈstrəgəl əˈgɛnst ˈreɪˌsɪzəm ənd pəˈlis paʊər wɪl ˌɪˈnɛvətəbli feɪs. bət ɛz ˈproʊˌtɛsts əˈgɛnst pəˈlis ˈvaɪələns hæv ɪn sˈmɔlər nu jɔrk ənd əˈkrɔs ðə ˈkəntri, ɪt həz bɪˈkeɪm klɪr ðət ðɪs ˈmuvmənt, ˌhaʊˈɛvər rɑ ənd ˌɪnɛkˈspɪriənst, ɪz fjuəld baɪ dip rɪˈzərvz əv ˈæŋgər ənd dɪˌtərməˈneɪʃən ðət meɪk ɪt tu ˈpaʊərfəl tɪ bi ˈbʊlid ɔf ðə strits. ɔn dɪˈsɛmbər 20 ˌɛnˈwaɪˌpiˌdi ˈɔfɪsərz ˌrɑfaɪˈɛl ˈrɑmoʊs ənd lju wər ʃɑt dɛd ɪn ðɛr pəˈtroʊl kɑr ɪn ˈbrʊklɪn baɪ, hu hæd ʤɪst əraɪvd frəm ˈbɔltəˌmɔr ˈæftər ˈʃutɪŋ hɪz ˈgərlˌfrɛnd ˈtɑmsən ˈərliər ðət ˈmɔrnɪŋ. ˈæftər ˈkɪlɪŋ ðə tu kɑps, wɔkt tɪ ə ˈsəbˌweɪ ˈsteɪʃən ənd kɪld hɪmˈsɛlf. ðoʊ hæd ə lɔŋ ˈhɪstəri əv dɪˈprɛʃən, ˈiˌmoʊʃənəl ˈtərˌmɔɪl ənd ˈsuɪˌsaɪd əˈtɛmpts, ðə ˈkɪlɪŋ əv ˈrɑmoʊs ənd lju wɑz ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli dɪˈskraɪbd baɪ ðə ˈmidiə ənd ˈsɪti əˈfɪʃəlz ɛz ən tərm ˈnɔrməli əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪd ækts əv ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm ˈrəðər ðən ðə mɔr ˈrændəm ˈvaɪələns əv ðə ˈmɛni ˈiˌmoʊʃnəli dɪˈstərbd (ənd ˈjuʒəwəli waɪt) ˈgənˌmɛn əv ðə ˈrisənt pæst. ðɛr wɑz noʊ ˈkɑmprəbəl ˈnæʃənəl ˈfrɛnzi ɪn ʤun əv læst jɪr wɪn ə waɪt ˈkəpəl wɪθ ˈpɑsəbəl taɪz tɪ klaɪv ˈbəndiz waɪt suˈprɛməsɪst mɪˈlɪʃə ˈmuvmənt ʃɑt tu nəˈvɑdə pəˈlis ˈɔfɪsərz ənd lɛft ə noʊt ɔn wən əv ðɛr dɛd ˈbɑdiz proʊˈkleɪmɪŋ "ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ əv ðə ˌrɛvəˈluʃən." jɛt wɪˈθɪn aʊərz əv ə blæk ˈpərsən ˈʃutɪŋ tu kɑps, ðə ˈnæʃənəl ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən ˈʃɪftɪd frəm ˈdɛmənˌstreɪtərz' dɪˈmændz fər ˈʤəstɪs fər ðə ˈmɛni ˈpipəl əv ˈkələr ənˈʤəstli kɪld baɪ 150 ɪn ðə pæst 15 jɪrz ɪn nu jɔrk ˈsɪti ðə səˈpoʊzədli ˈikwəl ər ˈgreɪtər θrɛt feɪst baɪ pəˈlis ˈɔfɪsərz ɔn wət ɪz ruˈtinli dɪˈskraɪbd baɪ ðə ˈmidiə ɛz wən əv ðə ˈkəntriz moʊst ˈdeɪnʤərəs ʤɑbz. ɪn fækt, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈrædli ˈbælkoʊ, ˈɔθər əv raɪz əv ðə ˈwɔrjər kɑp: ðə əv əˈmɛrɪkəz pəˈlis ˈfɔrsɪz, "ðə ˈnəmbər əv kɑps kɪld ɔn ˈduti həz bɪn ˈfɑlɪŋ sɪns ðə mid-1990s*," daʊn tɪ 27 ˈneɪʃənˈwaɪd ɪn 2013 ðɪs ɪz "kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ðə ˈoʊvərˌɔl drɔp ɪn ˈvaɪələnt kraɪm ɪn əˈmɛrɪkə," ˈbælkoʊ sɪz. ðə ˈbjʊroʊ əv ˈleɪbər stəˈtɪstɪks rɪˈpɔrts ðət pəˈlis wərk ɪz nɑt ˈivɪn əˈməŋ ðə 10 moʊst ˈdeɪnʤərəs ʤɑbz ɪn ðə juz. pəˈlis ˈɔfɪsərz ər sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli lɛs ˈlaɪkli tɪ bi kɪld ɔn ðə ʤɑb ðən ˈlɑgərz, ˈfɪʃərz, kənˈstrəkʃən ˈwərkərz ər ˈtæksi ˈdraɪvərz. ɪn ðə seɪm 15 jɪrz ðət 150 ˈpipəl əv ˈkələr ɪn nu jɔrk ˈsɪti wər kɪld baɪ kɑps, ə ˈtoʊtəl əv 15 kɑps wər kɪld ɪn ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ðə 24 hu daɪd ɪn ðə sɛpˈtɛmbər 11 əˈtæk ɔn ðə wərld treɪd ˈsɛnər. baɪ ˈkɑntræst, ˈɔlˌmoʊst fɔr taɪmz ɛz ˈmɛni nu jɔrk ˈsɪti ˈɔfɪsərz daɪd frəm ðə ˈkɛmɪkəlz ðeɪ ˌɪnˈheɪld ɪn ðə əˈtɛmpts ˈæftər ðə əˈtæk. aɪˈrɑnɪkli, ɪt ɪz ðə ˈpərsən moʊst riˈspɑnsəbəl fər nɑt ˈgɪvɪŋ kɑps ənd ˈəðər ˈrɛskju ˈwərkərz ˈædəkˌweɪt prəˈtɛkʃən frəm ðoʊz nu jɔrk meɪər ˈrudɔlf ɪz pleɪɪŋ ə ˈlidɪŋ roʊl ɪn ˈɔrkɪˌstreɪtɪŋ ðə ˈkɔrəs ˈbleɪmɪŋ ðə blæk lɪvz ˈmætər ˈmuvmənt fər kriˈeɪtɪŋ ə ˈdeɪnʤərəs ˈklaɪmɪt fər kɑps. ˌʤuliˈɑniz rɪˈtərn tɪ ˈprɑmənəns ˈdʊrɪŋ ðɪs ˈbæˌklæʃ ɪz ʤɪst wən əv ðə ˈɛkoʊz əv ðə pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈætməsˌfɪr ˈæftər frəm ðə rɪˈlɛntlɪs ˈdrəmˌbit əv ˈmidiə ˈkəvərɪʤ əv ðə ˈɔfɪsərz' ˈdeɪli nuz ræn ˈhɛˌdlaɪnz əˈbaʊt ðə ˈʃutɪŋ ɔn ɪts ˈkəvər fər 11 əv ðə nɛkst 12 ðə ˌproʊlɪfərˈeɪʃən əv ˌɛnˈwaɪˌpiˌdi ˈbeɪsˈbɔl kæps ɔn ˈloʊkəl ˈæθˌlits ənd ˈkoʊʧɪz, ənd blu ˈrɪbənz ənd blu pɔrʧ laɪts ɪn taʊnz əˈkrɔs ðə ˈkəntri, pəˈlis dɪˈpɑrtmənts hæv bɪn beɪðd ɪn ən ˌæʤəˈleɪʃən ˈsɪmələr tɪ ðə "səˈpɔrt ðə trups" kæmˈpeɪn fər ðə juz. ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri. ʤɪst ɛz ɪn ðə deɪz ˈæftər ðɛr wɑz ə ˈfləri əv rɪˈpɔrts əˈbaʊt ðə ˌpɑsəˈbɪlətiz əv fˈjuʧər əˈtæks, moʊst əv ðɛm beɪst ɔn ˈhæfˌkɑkt θrɛts əˈgɛnst pəˈlis ˈpoʊstɪd ɔn ˈsoʊʃəl ˈmidiə ər ˈivɪn ˈæŋgri ˈaʊtˌbərsts ɔn ðə strit baɪ ˈhoʊmləs ˈpipəl. baɪ ˈkɑntræst, ðɛr həz bɪn ˈlɪtəl ˈmidiə əˈtɛnʃən peɪd tɪ ðə hɔˈrɪfɪk θɪŋz ˈpoʊstɪd baɪ ˈkɑrənt ənd rɪˈtaɪrd pəˈlis ˈɔfɪsərz ɪn ˈɔnˌlaɪn ðə səˈʤɛsʧən ðət ˈɔfɪsərz plænt drəgz ɔn nu jɔrk ˈsɪti meɪər bɪl də ˈdɔtər, hu həz ˈstrəgəld wɪθ əˈdɪkʃən. ə fɑks ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən ˈsteɪʃən ɪn ˈbɔltəˌmɔr ˈdɑktərd ðə ˈvɪdioʊ əv ən ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən ɪn ˈwɔʃɪŋtən, d.c*., tɪ meɪk ɪt əˈpɪr ðət ˈproʊˌtɛstərz wər ˈʧæntɪŋ, "kɪl ə ˈɪri ˈɛkoʊ əv ˈmidiə əˈtɛmpts tɪ pɔrˈtreɪ ðə məˈʤɔrəti əv ˈməzlɪmz əraʊnd ðə wərld ɛz ˈʧɪrɪŋ fər ðə sɛpˈtɛmbər 11 əˈtæks. ðə moʊst ˈtrəbəlɪŋ pɑrt əv ðə déjà*à vu həz bɪn ðə "ɪf jʊr nɑt wɪθ ˈjuˈɛs, jʊr wɪθ ðə ˈtɛrəˌrɪsts" ˈɛfərt tɪ smɪr ˈɛniˌwən hu ˈproʊˌtɛsts pəˈlis ˈvaɪələns ɛz biɪŋ riˈspɑnsəbəl fər ˈækʃənz. "ðɛr ɪz bləd ɔn ˈmɛni hænz," dɪˈklɛrd nu jɔrk pəˈlis ˈjunjən ʧif ˈpætrɪk lɪnʧ ɪn ðə ˈæftərˌmæθ əv ˈʃutɪŋ. "frəm ðoʊz hu ˌɪnˈsaɪtɪd ˈvaɪələns ˈəndər ðə gaɪz əv ˈproʊˌtɛst ɔl ðə weɪ tɪ ðə meɪərz ˈɔfəs æt ˈsɪti hɔl." ˈrəðər ðən stænd əp tɪ ˈlɪnʧɪz sˈlændər, bɪl də wɛnt əˈlɔŋ wɪθ ɪt, ˈərʤɪŋ nu ˈjɔrkərz tɪ steɪ aʊt əv ðə strits ənd "pʊt əˈsaɪd pəˈlɪtɪkəl dəˈbeɪts ənd ˈproʊˌtɛsts" ɪn ðə weɪk əv ðə dɛθs əv ðə tu ˈɔfɪsərz. ɛz pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈlidərz əˈkrɔs ðə ˈspɛktrəm, frəm ðə kənˈsərvətɪv ˌʤuliˈɑni tɪ ðə ˈlɪˌbərəl də, ˈʃɪftɪd hɑrd tɪ ðə raɪt, ˈproʊˌtɛsts gru sˈmɔlər --ˌɔlˈðoʊ səm əv ðət wɑz du tɪ ðə ˈhɑlɪˌdeɪ ˈsizən. səm ˈæktɪvɪsts fɛlt ˈprɛʃər tɪ ʃɪft ðɛr ˈrɛtərɪk frəm ðə ˈpaʊərfəl "blæk lɪvz ˈmætər" sˈloʊgən tɪ ðə "ɔl lɪvz ˈmætər." bət ˈproʊˌtɛsts dɪd kənˈtɪnju, ˈɔrgəˌnaɪzd baɪ ə kɔr əv ˈæktɪvɪsts dɪˈtərmənd nɑt tɪ bæk daʊn. ɔn dɪˈsɛmbər 23 ˈmɛni ˈhənərdz dɪˈfaɪd də kɔl tɪ steɪ ɔf ðə strits wɪθ ən ˈækʃən ðət dɪsˈrəptɪd ˈhɑlɪˌdeɪ ˈʃɑpɪŋ ɔn fɪθ ˈævəˌnu. ˈhənərdz mɔr ˈrælid fɔr deɪz ˈleɪtər æt ðə ist nu jɔrk saɪt wɛr əˈkaɪ ˈgərli wɑz kɪld baɪ ɪn ə ˈhaʊzɪŋ ˈprɑʤɛkt ˈstɛrˌwɛl baɪ ˈɔfɪsər ˈpitər ljæŋ. ðət ˈproʊˌtɛst tʊk pleɪs ɔn ðə seɪm deɪ ɛz ðə fˈjunərəl fər ˌrɑfaɪˈɛl ˈrɑmoʊs, ˌɪnfˈjʊriˌeɪtɪŋ ðoʊz hu kɔld fər ðə ˈsɪti tɪ "ˈjuˌnaɪt" ɪn ˈmɛməri əv ðə ˈmərdərd ˈɔfɪsərz. ɪn fækt, baɪ dɪˈmændɪŋ ˈʤəstɪs fər ə ˈmərdərd blæk mæn huz dɛθ ˈprɑmptɪd noʊ kraɪz fər ˈsɪtiˌwaɪd ˈmɔrnɪŋ ənd ˈjunɪti, ðə ˈgərli ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən ʃoʊd ʤɪst waɪ ðə sˈloʊgən "blæk lɪvz ˈmætər" ɪz mɔr ˈrɛləvənt ðən ˈɛvər. ðə ˈbæˌklæʃ həz ˈɔrgəˌnaɪzd ˌɪtˈsɛlf əraʊnd ðə sˈloʊgən "blu lɪvz ˈmætər," wɪθ ɪts ˈludəkrəs ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃən ðət kɑps ər əˈprɛst baɪ ə soʊˈsaɪɪti ðət ˈlævɪʃəz ðɛr dɪˈpɑrtmənts wɪθ əˈdɪʃənəl ˈfəndɪŋ ənd tɪ ˈmɛnʃən pɔrˈtreɪz ðɛm ɛz ˈhɪroʊz ɪn ˈmuviz ənd ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən ʃoʊz. ˈæˌkʧuəli, ðə ˈnæʃənəli ˈɔrkɪˌstreɪtɪd rɪˈspɑns tɪ ðə dɛθs əv ðə tu ˈɔfɪsərz ˈdɛmənˌstreɪts prɪˈsaɪsli ðə "blu lɪvz" ɔˈrɛdi ˈmætər fɑr mɔr ðən ðoʊz əv ˈɔrdəˌnɛri ˈpipəl, əˈspɛʃəli ɪf ðeɪ ər blæk. moʊst əv ðoʊz hu ˈpəblɪkli mɔrnd ˈrɑmoʊs ənd lju hæv ʃoʊn ˈlɪtəl ˈsɪmpəθi nɑt ˈoʊnli fər ˈvɪktɪmz əv pəˈlis ˈvaɪələns, bət ˈivɪn fər ðə fərst ˈvɪktɪm ɪn ˈbɔltəˌmɔr, rɪˈpɔrts ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪŋ ðət ˈtɑmsən meɪ hæv bɪn ˈpraɪˌmɛri ˈtərgət ənd ðə tu mɛn hi kɪld ˈleɪtər wər ˈrɛlətɪv ˈæftərˌθɔts. əv kɔrs, ðɛr ər noʊ səʧ θɪŋ ɛz "blu ˈpipəl." ˌɪnˈstɛd, ðɛr ər ˈpipəl əv ˈmɛni ˈreɪsɪz, ðoʊ moʊst ər waɪt, hu bɪˈkəm ənˈtəʧəbəl wɪn ðeɪ pʊt ɔn ə pəˈlis ˈjunəˌfɔrm. ə ˈrisənt ˈrɔɪtərz ˈɑrtɪkəl prəˈvaɪdz ˈtɛlɪŋ ˈɛvədəns əv ðɪs ˌriˈæləˌti: ɪn ˈɪntərvˌjuz əv ˈkɑrənt ənd ˈfɔrmər blæk ˈmɛmbərz əv ðə ˌɛnˈwaɪˌpiˌdi, ɔl bət wən sɛd ðeɪ hæd bɪn ˈreɪʃəli ˈproʊˌfaɪld baɪ ˈəðər kɑps wɪn ðeɪ wər ɔf ˈduti. bət waɪl ðiz ˈɔfɪsərz hæd ˈiðər faɪld kəmˈpleɪnts əˈbaʊt ðə hərˈæsmənt ər ˈwɔntɪd tɪ, ˈmɛni wər ðɛmˈsɛlvz əˈkjuzd ɪn kɔrt əv kraɪmz ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frəm fɔls ərˈɛst tɪ ɪkˈsɛsɪv fɔrs. ðə ˈbæˌklæʃ ɪz əˈbaʊt ˈmeɪkɪŋ ʃʊr ðə əˈprɛsɪv ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃənz əv lɔ ɛnˈfɔrsmənt ər ˈivɪn mɔr prəˈtɛktɪd frəm ˈskrutəni ənd ˈʧælənʤ. ɛz ləmˈju əv ˈɛbəni pʊt ɪt: wi noʊ ðət "blu lɪvz ˈmætər," bɪˈkəz wɪn ən ˈɔfɪsər əv ðə lɔ kɪlz ən əˈnɑrmd səˈvɪljən əv ˈkələr, ðət ˈɔfɪsər ɪz ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˌgɛrənˈtid tɪ ɪˈskeɪp ˈɛni ˈpənɪʃmənt, bɪˈkəz hɪz laɪf ˈmætərz. waɪ? bɪˈkəz ðə prɪˈzəmpʃən ɪz ðət moʊst əv ˈjuˈɛs, əˈspɛʃəli blæk mɛn, ər ˈkeɪpəbəl əv ðə hɔˈrɪfɪk ækt kəˈmɪtɪd baɪ ənd ðət ˈɔfɪsərz hæv ə ˈduti tɪ dɪˈfɛnd ðɛmˈsɛlvz fərst. "blu lɪvz ˈmætər" ɪz ə kɔl fər blæk lɪvz tɪ ˈmætər ˈivɪn lɛs. ɪt ɪz ə ˌʤəstəfəˈkeɪʃən ɪn ədˈvæns fər ðə ˈmərdər əv mɔr maɪk braʊnz ənd ˈɛrɪk ˈgɑrnərz. ðə kɔlz, ˈwɛðər frəm ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ər ˌɪnˈsaɪd ðə ˈmuvmənt, fər ˈproʊˌtɛstərz tɪ mɔrn ɔl lɪvz ˈikwəli ˈmɪsɪz ðiz ˈbeɪsɪk pɔɪnts. ðɛrz mɔr əv ðə ˈbæˌklæʃ tɪ kəm, tu. ðə saɪd həz ən ˈɔrgəˌnaɪzd ɪn ðə wərks, wɪθ plænz fər mənθs əv ˈproʊˌtɛsts əˈgɛnst bɪl də ənd blæk lɪvz ˈmætər ˈæktɪˌvɪzəm. æt ðə hɑrt əv ðɪs riˈækʃən ər pəˈlis ˈjunjənz, lɛd baɪ nu jɔrks ˈpætrɪk lɪnʧ, hu həz ˈbætəld də ˈɛvər sɪns hɪz meɪərəl kæmˈpeɪn ɪn 2013 tæpt ˈɪntu ðə ˈæŋgər əˈməŋ blæks ənd lɑˈtinoʊs æt ðə "stop-and-frisk*" ˈtæktɪk. pəˈlis ˈjunjən əˈfɪʃəlz ɪnˈkərəʤd ˈɔfɪsərz tɪ tərn ðɛr bæks ɔn də ɛz hi əˈdrɛst ðə fˈjunərəlz fər ˈrɑmoʊs ənd lju, ənd ðeɪ ər ˈoʊvərˌsiɪŋ ə pəˈlis sˈloʊˌdaʊn, ɪn wɪʧ ərˈɛsts hæv dɪˈklaɪnd baɪ 66 pərˈsɛnt, ənd ˈtɪkɪts ənd ˈsəmənz ər daʊn baɪ 94 pərˈsɛnt. ˌɪˈnɪʃəli æt list, ðə sˈloʊˌdaʊn meɪ hæv ˈbækˌfaɪərd. kraɪm həz rɪˈmeɪnd æt hɪˈstɔrɪkəli loʊ ˈlɛvəlz, ˈkɔlɪŋ ˈɪntu kˈwɛʃən ʤɪst wət ɪt ɪz ðət kɑps du ɔl deɪ bɪɔnd hərˈæsɪŋ ˈpipəl əv ˈkələr ənd ˈɪʃuɪŋ ˈboʊgəs ˈtɪkɪts. bət laɪk ˈlɪnʧɪz ˌdɛklərˈeɪʃən ðət ðə ˌɛnˈwaɪˌpiˌdi wɪl naʊ bi ə "ˈwɔrˌtaɪm pəˈlis dɪˈpɑrtmənt," ðə sˈloʊˌdaʊn ʃoʊz ðət mɔr soʊ naʊ ðən ðɛmˈsɛlvz ɛz ə fɔrs riˈmuvd frəm ənd əˈpoʊzd tɪ ðə ˈneɪbərˌhʊdz ðeɪ pəˈtroʊl. ðæts ən ˈɑmənəs dɪˈvɛləpmənt fər ˈpipəl əv ˈkələr hu feɪs ðə brənt əv ˈreɪʃəl ˈproʊˌfaɪlɪŋ ənd pəˈlis hərˈæsmənt. ˌraɪtˈwɪŋərz, lɛd baɪ ðə ˈrupərt nu jɔrk poʊst ənd fɑks nuz, ˈigərli tʊk əp ðə "blu lɪvz ˈmætər" kɔz ɛz ə weɪ tɪ bæʃ bɪl də. ˈspikɪŋ ɔn fɑks nuz ə deɪ ˈæftər ðə ˈʃutɪŋ əv ðə tu ˈɔfɪsərz, ˌʤuliˈɑni dɪˈklɛrd ðət ˈbɑrək ˌoʊˈbɑmə, əˈtərni ˈʤɛnərəl ˈɛrɪk ˈhoʊldər ənd rɛv. æl ˈʃɑrptən "hæv kriˈeɪtɪd ən ˈætməsˌfɪr əv səˈvɪr, strɔŋ, ˈheɪtrəd ɪn ˈsərtən kəmˈjunɪtiz. fər ðət, ðeɪ ʃʊd bi əˈʃeɪmd əv ðɛmˈsɛlvz." ˌoʊˈbɑmə, ˈhoʊldər ənd sharpton--who*, əv kɔrs, ɔl ˈhæpən tɪ bi bɪˈkəm ən ənˈhoʊli ˈtrɪnɪti fər kənˈsərvətɪvz, əˈlɔŋ wɪθ də, hu həz ˈspoʊkən ˈɔfən əˈbaʊt haʊ ˈreɪˌsɪzəm əˈfɛkts hɪz baɪˈreɪʃəl ˈfæməli. ɛz vaɪl ɛz ðə əˈtæks ɔn də hæv bɪn, ˈæktɪvɪsts nid tɪ ˈʧælənʤ ðə nu jɔrk ˈsɪti meɪər tɪ teɪk ɔn ðə pəˈlis dɪˈpɑrtmənt ðət hi ɪz, baɪ lɔ, riˈspɑnsəbəl fər kənˈtroʊlɪŋ. laɪk moʊst ˈlɪˌbərəl ˌpɑləˈtɪʃənz, də wɔnts tɪ hæv ɪt boʊθ weɪz. hi prəˈmoʊts səm rɪˈfɔrmz laɪk ˈɛndɪŋ tɪ əˈpiz ðə ˈmɪljənz əv ˈpipəl hu ˈvoʊtɪd fər ɪm, waɪl əˈpɔɪntɪŋ ɛz pəˈlis ʧif ˈwɪljəm ˈbrætən, ðə mæn hu ˌɪˈnɪʃiˌeɪtɪd ðə "ˈbroʊkən ˈwɪndoʊz" pəˈlisɪŋ ˈpræktɪs əv ˈkrækɪŋ daʊn ɔn ˈmaɪnər əˈfɛnsɪz, wɪʧ lɛd tɪ. naʊ də ɪz traɪɪŋ tɪ wɔk ə ˈtaɪˌtroʊp əv ʃoʊɪŋ ˈsɪmpəθi wɪθ ðoʊz ˈproʊˌtɛstɪŋ pəˈlis ˈtɛrər, waɪl meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ ðə əˈliʤəns əv ðoʊz seɪm wɛl ɛz ðə səˈpɔrt əv ðə nu jɔrks 1 pərˈsɛnt, wɪʧ ɪz ˈfraɪtənd æt ðə ˈprɑspɛkt əv ə ˈsɪti wɛr ðə pəˈlis doʊnt hæv ðə ənkˈwɛsʧənd əˈθɔrəti tɪ ˌɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪt ðə 99 pərˈsɛnt. ðæts ðə ʤɑb də saɪnd əp ɪz waɪ noʊ ˈæktɪvɪst ʃʊd si ɪt ɛz ðɛr ʤɑb tɪ meɪk hɪz ˈiziər baɪ ˈmeɪkɪŋ kənˈsɛʃənz ər ˈlɛtɪŋ əp ɔn ðə ˈprɛʃər tɪ kənˈfrənt ðə ˌɛnˈwaɪˌpiˌdi. baɪ kənˈtɪnjuɪŋ tɪ rɪˈzɪst ɪn nu jɔrk ˈsɪti, ˈfərgəsən ənd əraʊnd ðə ˈkəntri, blæk lɪvz ˈmætər ˈproʊˌtɛstərz hæv əˈsərtəd ðət ðɪs ˈɪzənt goʊɪŋ tɪ bi əˈnəðər ˈmoʊmənt fər ðə lɛft. bət ðə ˈʧælənʤ rɪˈmeɪnz tɪ bɪld ə ˈmuvmənt wɪθ boʊθ ðə saɪz ənd ˈmɪlətənsi tɪ wɪn ˈlæstɪŋ ʧeɪnʤ ɪn ə ˈkəntri bɪlt ɔn ˈreɪˌsɪzəm ənd steɪt ˈvaɪələns. tu ˈpaʊərfəl ˈfɔrsɪz wɪθ dip ruts ɪn ðɪs ˈkəntri ər skˈwɛrɪŋ ɔf: ðə blæk ˈfridəm ˈstrəgəl əˈgɛnst ˌpeɪtriˈɑtɪk, ˈmɪlətərˌaɪzd ˈreɪˌsɪzəm. ðə pæst fju wiks ɪn nu jɔrk ˈsɪti ər ə teɪst əv wət ðət ˈkɑnflɪkt wɪl lʊk laɪk ɪn ðə jɪrz tɪ kəm.

january 5, 2015 danny katch writes from new york city on the aftermath of the shooting of two nypd officers, the pro-police backlash and the impact on the anti-racist struggle. the backlash following the murder of two new york city police officers by an emotionally troubled gunman has posed a difficult challenge to the #blacklivesmatter protest movement. this movement--which emerged only a few months ago, led by young people of color and taking shape in large part through social media and spontaneous participation--now confronts a vicious reaction orchestrated by police unions and conservative political networks. the instantaneous shift in media coverage and public opinion following the two officers' deaths shows the difficulties that any struggle against racism and police power will inevitably face. but as protests against police violence have continued--albeit in smaller numbers--in new york and across the country, it has became clear that this movement, however raw and inexperienced, is fueled by deep reserves of anger and determination that make it too powerful to be bullied off the streets. on december 20, nypd officers rafael ramos and wenjian liu were shot dead in their patrol car in brooklyn by ismaaiyl brinsley, who had just arrived from baltimore after shooting his girlfriend shaneka thompson earlier that morning. after killing the two cops, brinsley walked to a subway station and killed himself. though brinsley had a long history of depression, emotional turmoil and suicide attempts, the killing of ramos and liu was immediately described by the media and city officials as an "assassination"--a term normally associated with calculated acts of terrorism rather than the more random violence of the many emotionally disturbed (and usually white) gunmen of the recent past. there was no comparable national frenzy in june of last year when a white couple with possible ties to clive bundy's white supremacist militia movement shot two nevada police officers and left a note on one of their dead bodies proclaiming "the beginning of the revolution." yet within hours of a black person shooting two cops, the national conversation shifted from demonstrators' demands for justice for the many people of color unjustly killed by police--over 150 in the past 15 years in new york city alone--to the supposedly equal or greater threat faced by police officers on what is routinely described by the media as one of the country's most dangerous jobs. in fact, according to radley balko, author of rise of the warrior cop: the militarization of america's police forces, "the number of cops killed on duty has been falling since the mid-1990s," down to 27 nationwide in 2013. this is "consistent with the overall drop in violent crime in america," balko says. the bureau of labor statistics reports that police work is not even among the 10 most dangerous jobs in the u.s. police officers are significantly less likely to be killed on the job than loggers, fishers, construction workers or taxi drivers. in the same 15 years that 150 people of color in new york city were killed by on-duty cops, a total of 15 on-duty cops were killed in non-accidental deaths--not including the 24 who died in the september 11 attack on the world trade center. by contrast, almost four times as many new york city officers died from the chemicals they inhaled in the search-and-rescue attempts after the attack. ironically, it is the person most responsible for not giving cops and other rescue workers adequate protection from those chemicals--former new york mayor rudolph giuliani--who is playing a leading role in orchestrating the chorus blaming the black lives matter movement for creating a dangerous climate for cops. giuliani's return to prominence during this backlash is just one of the echoes of the political atmosphere after. from the relentless drumbeat of media coverage of the officers' deaths--the daily news ran headlines about the shooting on its cover for 11 of the next 12 days--to the proliferation of nypd baseball caps on local athletes and coaches, and blue ribbons and blue porch lights in towns across the country, police departments have been bathed in an adulation similar to the "support the troops" campaign for the u.s. military. just as in the days after, there was a flurry of fear-mongering reports about the possibilities of future attacks, most of them based on half-cocked threats against police posted on social media or even angry outbursts on the street by homeless people. by contrast, there has been little media attention paid to the horrific things posted by current and retired police officers in online forums--including the suggestion that officers plant drugs on new york city mayor bill de blasio's daughter, who has struggled with addiction. a fox tv station in baltimore doctored the video of an anti-racist demonstration in washington, d.c., to make it appear that protesters were chanting, "kill a cop!"--an eerie echo of media attempts to portray the majority of muslims around the world as cheering for the september 11 attacks. the most troubling part of the déjà vu has been the "if you're not with us, you're with the terrorists" effort to smear anyone who protests police violence as being responsible for brimley's actions. "there is blood on many hands," declared new york police union chief patrick lynch in the aftermath of brimley's shooting. "from those who incited violence under the guise of protest all the way to the mayor's office at city hall." rather than stand up to lynch's slander, bill de blasio went along with it, urging new yorkers to stay out of the streets and "put aside political debates and protests" in the wake of the deaths of the two officers. as political leaders across the spectrum, from the conservative giuliani to the liberal de blasio, shifted hard to the right, protests grew smaller --although some of that was due to the holiday season. some activists felt pressure to shift their rhetoric from the powerful "black lives matter" slogan to the "all lives matter." but protests did continue, organized by a core of activists determined not to back down. on december 23, many hundreds defied de blasio's call to stay off the streets with an action that disrupted holiday shopping on fifth avenue. hundreds more rallied four days later at the east new york site where akai gurley was killed by in a housing project stairwell by officer peter liang. that protest took place on the same day as the funeral for rafael ramos, infuriating those who called for the city to "unite" in memory of the murdered officers. in fact, by demanding justice for a murdered black man whose death prompted no cries for citywide mourning and unity, the gurley demonstration showed just why the slogan "black lives matter" is more relevant than ever. the pro-police backlash has organized itself around the slogan "blue lives matter," with its ludicrous implication that cops are oppressed by a society that lavishes their departments with additional funding and military-grade weaponry--not to mention portrays them as heroes in movies and television shows. actually, the nationally orchestrated response to the deaths of the two officers demonstrates precisely the opposite--that "blue lives" already matter far more than those of ordinary working-class people, especially if they are black. most of those who publicly mourned ramos and liu have shown little sympathy not only for victims of police violence, but even for the brimley's first victim in baltimore, shameka thompson--despite reports indicating that thompson may have been brimley's primary target and the two men he killed later were relative afterthoughts. of course, there are no such thing as "blue people." instead, there are people of many races, though most are white, who become untouchable when they put on a police uniform. a recent reuters article provides telling evidence of this reality: in interviews of current and former black members of the nypd, all but one said they had been racially profiled by other cops when they were off duty. but while these officers had either filed complaints about the harassment or wanted to, many were themselves accused in court of crimes ranging from false arrest to excessive force. the backlash is about making sure the oppressive institutions of law enforcement are even more protected from scrutiny and challenge. as jamilah lemieux of ebony put it: we know that "blue lives matter," because when an officer of the law kills an unarmed civilian of color, that officer is almost guaranteed to escape any punishment, because his life matters. why? because the presumption is that most of us, especially black men, are capable of the horrific act committed by ismaaiyl brinsley and that officers have a duty to defend themselves first. "blue lives matter" is a call for black lives to matter even less. it is a justification in advance for the murder of more mike browns and eric garners. the calls, whether from outside or inside the movement, for protesters to mourn all lives equally misses these basic points. there's more of the backlash to come, too. the pro-police side has an organized counter-offensive in the works, with plans for months of protests against bill de blasio and black lives matter activism. at the heart of this reaction are police unions, led by new york's patrick lynch, who has battled de blasio ever since his mayoral campaign in 2013 tapped into the anger among blacks and latinos at the nypd's "stop-and-frisk" tactic. police union officials encouraged officers to turn their backs on de blasio as he addressed the funerals for ramos and liu, and they are overseeing a police slowdown, in which arrests have declined by 66 percent, and tickets and summons are down by 94 percent. initially at least, the slowdown may have backfired. crime has remained at historically low levels, calling into question just what it is that cops do all day beyond harassing people of color and issuing bogus tickets. but like lynch's declaration that the nypd will now be a "wartime police department," the slowdown shows that cops--even more so now than usual--see themselves as a force removed from and opposed to the neighborhoods they patrol. that's an ominous development for people of color who face the brunt of racial profiling and police harassment. right-wingers, led by the rupert murdoch-owned new york post and fox news, eagerly took up the "blue lives matter" cause as a way to bash bill de blasio. speaking on fox news a day after the shooting of the two officers, giuliani declared that barack obama, attorney general eric holder and rev. al sharpton "have created an atmosphere of severe, strong, anti-police hatred in certain communities. for that, they should be ashamed of themselves." obama, holder and sharpton--who, of course, all happen to be black--have become an unholy trinity for conservatives, along with de blasio, who has spoken often about how racism affects his biracial family. as vile as the attacks on de blasio have been, activists need to challenge the new york city mayor to take on the police department that he is, by law, responsible for controlling. like most liberal politicians, de blasio wants to have it both ways. he promotes some reforms like ending stop-and-frisk to appease the millions of people who voted for him, while appointing as police chief william bratton, the man who initiated the "broken windows" policing practice of cracking down on minor offenses, which led to stop-and-frisk. now de blasio is trying to walk a tightrope of showing sympathy with those protesting police terror, while maintaining the allegiance of those same police--as well as the support of the new york's 1 percent, which is frightened at the prospect of a city where the police don't have the unquestioned authority to intimidate the 99 percent. that's the job de blasio signed up for--which is why no activist should see it as their job to make his easier by making concessions or letting up on the pressure to confront the nypd. by continuing to resist in new york city, ferguson and around the country, black lives matter protesters have asserted that this isn't going to be another moment for the left. but the challenge remains to build a movement with both the size and militancy to win lasting change in a country built on racism and state violence. two powerful forces with deep roots in this country are squaring off: the black freedom struggle against patriotic, militarized racism. the past few weeks in new york city are a taste of what that conflict will look like in the years to come.

kæʧ ˈgɪŋgrɪʧ æt ðə raɪt ˈmoʊmənt ənd hid ɪnˌθuziˈæstɪkli ɪmˈbreɪs moʊst ər pərˈhæps ɔl əv ðoʊz ˈstrætəʤiz, ənd ˈəðərz ˌbiˈsaɪdz, ˈnɛvər ækˈnɑlɪʤɪŋ ðə ˈnɛsəˌsɛri ˈtreɪˌdɔfs ər kəˈmɪtɪŋ tɪ wən əˈproʊʧ ɪf ɪt rikˈwaɪərz ˈgrænɪŋ ðət ˈəðərz ər ˈðɛrˈbaɪ fɔrˈkloʊzd. hi ˈɪzənt ə mæn əv ˈvɪʒən ər grænd ˈstrætəʤi, bət ə ˈtrɛʒər troʊv əv ˈtæktɪks ðət hi spərˈædɪkli ˌrɛkəˈmɛndz, ˈjuʒəwəli ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt wɪˈʧɛvər wən hiz ˈsɛtəld əˈpɑn ɛz ɪf ɪt ɪz ˈæˌkʧuəli ə grænd ˈstrætəʤi, ər ðə ˈoʊnli ˈlɑʤɪkəl stɛp tɪ teɪk ˈgɪvɪn ðə ˈstaɪˌlaɪzd əˈkaʊnt əv ˌriˈæləˌti hi həz moʊst ˈrisəntli ˈkɑnʤərd. ˈjuʒəwəli, ðɛr ər sˈmɑrtər weɪz tɪ θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt æt hænd. ɪn ə ˈrisənt ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd əv radiolab*, ðə ˈpɔdˌkæst ɪkˈsplɔrd ðə ˈɔrəʤən ˈstɔriz əv ˈvɛriəs ˈeɪlmənts, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ eɪdz. ˈlɪsənɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd, aɪ ˈkʊdənt hɛlp bət bi strək baɪ ðə fækt ðət, əˈmɪd ɔl əv ðə ˈwəriɪŋ ɑr ˈkəlʧər həz dən əˈbaʊt pænˈdɛmɪk dɪˈzizɪz, ˈwɛðər ˈæftər ðə ˌpəblɪˈkeɪʃən əv ˈrɪʧərd ˈprɛstənz ðə hɑt zoʊn ər ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˈænθræks əˈtæks ɔn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts ˈpoʊstəl ˈsɪstəm, moʊst əv ˈjuˈɛs hæv ɪn fækt lɪvd θru ðə raɪz əv ə ˈkɪlər ˈvaɪrəs ðət sprɛd θru ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ənd kɪld ˈmɛni ˈmɪljənz. ɛz ðə ˈnæʃənəl ˈɪnstɪˌtut əv hɛlθ pʊts ɪt, "eɪdz ɪz ðə sɪksθ ˈlidɪŋ kɔz əv dɛθ əˈməŋ ˈpipəl ˈeɪʤɪz 25 44 ɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, daʊn frəm ˈnəmbər wən ɪn 1995 ðə wərld hɛlθ ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən ˈɛstəˌmeɪts ðət mɔr ðən 25 ˈmɪljən ˈpipəl ˈwərldˈwaɪd hæv daɪd frəm ðɪs ˌɪnˈfɛkʃən sɪns ðə stɑrt əv ðə ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk." ðæts ðə əˈtæks taɪmz ˈrəfli ə seɪn ˈstrætəʤi tɪ prəˈtɛkt əˈmɛrɪkənz frəm dɛθ baɪ pænˈdɛmɪk wʊd bi ˈprɛməst ɔn ˌpɑsəˈbɪləˌti əv ə ˈnæʧərəli ərˈaɪzɪŋ skərʤ ər ə ˈtɛrərɪst kriˈeɪtɪd bio-weapon*, ðɛn əˈplaɪ ɑr skɛrs ˈrisɔrsɪz tɪ gɑrd əˈgɛnst boʊθ. ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti, ˈivɪn ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt ˌpɑləˈtɪʃənz hu doʊnt maɪnd ˈspɛndɪŋ ˈməni ɔn ˈpəblɪk hɛlθ ənd ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈrisərʧ ər mɔr ˈlaɪkli tɪ trit ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ɪnˈdɛvərz ənd ˈəðər ˈkaʊntərˌtɛrərˌɪzəm ˈspɛndɪŋ ɛz ðə ˈpraɪˌmɛri weɪ əˈmɛrɪkənz kən bi prəˈtɛktɪd frəm pænˈdɛmɪk dɪˈziz, ɪf ju ʤəʤ baɪ ðɛr ˈækʧəwəl ˈfəndɪŋ dɪˈsɪʒənz ənd ðə ˈfoʊkɪs əv ðɛr ˈrɛtərɪk. ðə ˈtoʊtəl ˈsiˌdiˈsi ˈbəʤɪt rɪkˈwɛst fər 2011 wɑz ˈbɪljən. ðə rɪkˈwɛstɪd 32 ˈbɪljən. ə smɔl ˈfrækʃən əv ðoʊz səmz wɪl bi ˈdɛdəkeɪtəd tɪ prəˈtɛktɪŋ əˈmɛrɪkənz əˈgɛnst fˈjuʧər pandemics*. ðə ˌɪˈrɑk wɔr həz soʊ fɑr kɔst 800 ˈbɪljən ənd ɪz ˈəltəmətli goʊɪŋ tɪ kɔst 4 ˈtrɪljən, ər pərˈhæps ˈivɪn mɔr. ˌwəˈtɛvər ju θɪŋk əv ðət wɔrz ˈwɪzdəm, ɪt ɪz ˈhaɪli ˈdubiəs tɪ ˈɑrgju ðət ˈweɪʤɪŋ ɪt fər jɪrz ɔn ɛnd wɑz ˈʤəstəˌfaɪd ɛz pɑrt əv ə ˈstrætəʤi tɪ kip ˈjuˈɛs seɪf frəm ə pænˈdɛmɪk. jɛt ðæts waɪ ˈgɪŋgrɪʧ ˈwɔntɪd tɪ steɪ tɪ hɛlp əˈliviˌeɪt ðə fˈjuʧər θrɛt əv ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl ənd ˈnukliər ˈwɛpənz. ˈgɪŋgrɪʧɪz ˈprɑbləm ˈɪzənt ðət hi θɪŋks ɑr ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ənd siaɪeɪ ʃʊd sik tɪ stɑp ˈtɛrəˌrɪsts frəm əkˈwaɪərɪŋ ər ˈjuzɪŋ bio-weapons*. ðeɪ ʃʊd! ðə pɔɪnt ɪz ðət wi hæv ə skɛrs ˈrisɔrsɪz tɪ faɪt pænˈdɛmɪk dɪˈzizɪz, ənd ˈweɪʤɪŋ ə ˈsɪriz əv ˈfɔrən wɔrz ˈoʊvər ðə nɛkst ˈsɛvərəl ˈdɛkeɪdz ðæts wət ˈgɪŋgrɪʧ ɛnˈvɪʒənz wɪn hi tɔks əˈbaʊt wərld wɔr ɪz ə ˈdubiəs weɪ tɪ ˈæləˌkeɪt ðɛm ɪf ˈmæsɪv dɛθ ˈviə ˈpæθəʤən ɪz wən əv ðə ˈpraɪˌmɛri θrɛts əˈbaʊt wɪʧ jʊr ˈwərid.

catch gingrich at the right moment and he'd enthusiastically embrace most or perhaps all of those strategies, and others besides, never acknowledging the necessary tradeoffs or committing to one approach if it requires granting that others are thereby foreclosed. he isn't a man of vision or grand strategy, but a treasure trove of tactics that he sporadically recommends, usually talking about whichever one he's settled upon as if it is actually a grand strategy, or the only logical step to take given the stylized account of reality he has most recently conjured. usually, there are smarter ways to think about the subject at hand. in a recent episode of radiolab, the podcast explored the origin stories of various ailments, including aids. listening to the episode, i couldn't help but be struck by the fact that, amid all of the worrying our culture has done about pandemic diseases, whether after the publication of richard preston's the hot zone or during the anthrax attacks on the united states postal system, most of us have in fact lived through the rise of a killer virus that spread through the population and killed many millions. as the national institute of health puts it, "aids is the sixth leading cause of death among people ages 25 - 44 in the united states, down from number one in 1995. the world health organization estimates that more than 25 million people worldwide have died from this infection since the start of the epidemic." that's the 9/11 attacks times roughly 8,500! a sane strategy to protect americans from death by pandemic would be premised on possibility of a naturally arising scourge or a terrorist created bio-weapon, then apply our scarce resources to guard against both. in reality, even establishment politicians who don't mind spending money on public health and scientific research are more likely to treat military endeavors and other counterterrorism spending as the primary way americans can be protected from pandemic disease, if you judge by their actual funding decisions and the focus of their rhetoric. the total cdc budget request for 2011 was $10.8 billion. the nih requested $32 billion. a small fraction of those sums will be dedicated to protecting americans against future pandemics. the iraq war has so far cost $800 billion and is ultimately going to cost $4 trillion, or perhaps even more. whatever you think of that war's wisdom, it is highly dubious to argue that waging it for years on end was justified as part of a strategy to keep us safe from a pandemic. yet that's why gingrich wanted to stay -- to help alleviate the future threat of biological and nuclear weapons. gingrich's problem isn't that he thinks our military and cia should seek to stop terrorists from acquiring or using bio-weapons. they should! the point is that we have a scarce resources to fight pandemic diseases, and waging a series of foreign wars over the next several decades -- that's what gingrich envisions when he talks about world war iii - is a dubious way to allocate them if massive death via pathogen is one of the primary threats about which you're worried.

ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən rɪˈsivd sɪns ðə ˈfɛdərəl ˈoʊpən ˈmɑrkɪt kəˈmɪti mɛt ɪn ɑkˈtoʊbər səˈʤɛsts ðət ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ækˈtɪvɪti ənd ɪmˈplɔɪmənt hæv kənˈtɪnjud tɪ ɪkˈspænd æt ə ˈmɑdərˌeɪt peɪs ɪn ˈrisənt mənθs, əˈpɑrt frəm dɪsˈrəpʃənz. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə ˌənɪmˈplɔɪmənt reɪt həz dɪˈklaɪnd ˈsəmˈwət sɪns ðə ˈsəmər, ɪt rɪˈmeɪnz ˈɛləˌveɪtɪd. ˈhaʊsˌhoʊld ˈspɛndɪŋ həz kənˈtɪnjud tɪ ədˈvæns, ənd ðə ˈhaʊzɪŋ ˈsɛktər həz ʃoʊn ˈfərðər saɪnz əv ˌɪmˈpruvmənt, bət groʊθ ɪn ˈbɪznɪs fɪkst ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt həz sloʊd. ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən həz bɪn ˈrənɪŋ ˈsəmˈwət bɪˈloʊ ðə əˈbʤɛktɪv, əˈpɑrt frəm ˈtɛmpərˌɛri ˌvɛriˈeɪʃənz ðət ˈlɑrʤli rɪˈflɛkt ˌfləkʧuˈeɪʃənz ɪn ˈɛnərʤi ˈpraɪsɪz. ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃənz hæv rɪˈmeɪnd ˈsteɪbəl. kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ɪts ˈstæʧəˌtɔri ˈmænˌdeɪt, ðə kəˈmɪti siks tɪ ˈfɑstər ˈmæksəməm ɪmˈplɔɪmənt ənd praɪs stəˈbɪlɪti. ðə kəˈmɪti rɪˈmeɪnz kənˈsərnd ðət, wɪˈθaʊt səˈfɪʃənt ˈpɑləsi əˌkɑməˈdeɪʃən, ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk groʊθ maɪt nɑt bi strɔŋ ɪˈnəf tɪ ˈʤɛnərˌeɪt səˈsteɪnd ˌɪmˈpruvmənt ɪn ˈleɪbər ˈmɑrkɪt kənˈdɪʃənz. ˈfərðərˌmɔr, streɪnz ɪn ˈgloʊbəl ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ˈmɑrkɪts kənˈtɪnju tɪ poʊz sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈdaʊnˌsaɪd rɪsks tɪ ðə ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈaʊˌtlʊk. ðə kəˈmɪti ˈɔlsoʊ ænˈtɪsəˌpeɪts ðət ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən ˈoʊvər ðə ˈmidiəm tərm ˈlaɪkli wɪl rən æt ər bɪˈloʊ ɪts 2 pərˈsɛnt əˈbʤɛktɪv. tɪ səˈpɔrt ə ˈstrɔŋgər ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk rɪˈkəvəri ənd tɪ hɛlp ɪnˈʃʊr ðət ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən, ˈoʊvər taɪm, ɪz æt ðə reɪt moʊst kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ɪts duəl ˈmænˌdeɪt, ðə kəˈmɪti wɪl kənˈtɪnju ˈpərʧəsɪŋ əˈdɪʃənəl ˈeɪʤənsi sɪˈkjʊrətiz æt ə peɪs əv 40 ˈbɪljən pər mənθ. ðə kəˈmɪti ˈɔlsoʊ wɪl ˈpərʧəs ˈtrɛʒəri sɪˈkjʊrətiz ˈæftər ɪts ˈproʊˌgræm tɪ ɪkˈstɛnd ðə ˈævərɪʤ məˈʧʊrəti əv ɪts ˈhoʊldɪŋz əv ˈtrɛʒəri sɪˈkjʊrətiz ɪz kəmˈplitɪd æt ðə ɛnd əv ðə jɪr, ˌɪˈnɪʃəli æt ə peɪs əv 45 ˈbɪljən pər mənθ. ðə kəˈmɪti ɪz meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ ɪts ɪgˈzɪstɪŋ ˈpɑləsi əv ˌriɪnˈvɛstɪŋ ˈprɪnsəpəl ˈpeɪmənts frəm ɪts ˈhoʊldɪŋz əv ˈeɪʤənsi dɛt ənd ˈeɪʤənsi sɪˈkjʊrətiz ɪn ˈeɪʤənsi sɪˈkjʊrətiz ənd, ɪn ˈʤænjuˌɛri, wɪl ˈrɛzəˌmeɪ ˈroʊlɪŋ ˈoʊvər məˈʧʊrɪŋ ˈtrɛʒəri sɪˈkjʊrətiz æt ˈɔkʃən. ˈteɪkən təˈgɛðər, ðiz ˈækʃənz ʃʊd meɪnˈteɪn ˈdaʊnwərd ˈprɛʃər ɔn ˈɪntəˌrɛst reɪts, səˈpɔrt ˈmɔrgɪʤ ˈmɑrkɪts, ənd hɛlp tɪ meɪk ˈbrɔdər ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl kənˈdɪʃənz mɔr əˈkɑməˌdeɪtɪv. ðə kəˈmɪti wɪl ˈkloʊsli ˈmɑnətər ˈɪnˌkəmɪŋ ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ɔn ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ənd ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl dɪˈvɛləpmənts ɪn ˈkəmɪŋ mənθs. ɪf ðə ˈaʊˌtlʊk fər ðə ˈleɪbər ˈmɑrkɪt dɪz nɑt ˌɪmˈpruv səbˈstænʃəli, ðə kəˈmɪti wɪl kənˈtɪnju ɪts ˈpərʧəsɪz əv ˈtrɛʒəri ənd ˈeɪʤənsi sɪˈkjʊrətiz, ənd ɪmˈplɔɪ ɪts ˈəðər ˈpɑləsi tulz ɛz əˈproʊpriˌeɪt, ənˈtɪl səʧ ˌɪmˈpruvmənt ɪz əˈʧivd ɪn ə ˈkɑntɛkst əv praɪs stəˈbɪlɪti. ɪn dɪˈtərmənɪŋ ðə saɪz, peɪs, ənd ˌkɑmpəˈzɪʃən əv ɪts ˈæˌsɛt ˈpərʧəsɪz, ðə kəˈmɪti wɪl, ɛz ˈɔlˌweɪz, teɪk əˈproʊpriˌeɪt əˈkaʊnt əv ðə ˈlaɪkli ˈɛfɪˌkæsi ənd kɔsts əv səʧ ˈpərʧəsɪz. tɪ səˈpɔrt kənˈtɪnjud ˈprɑˌgrɛs təˈwɔrd ˈmæksəməm ɪmˈplɔɪmənt ənd praɪs stəˈbɪlɪti, ðə kəˈmɪti ɪkˈspɛkts ðət ə ˈhaɪli əˈkɑməˌdeɪtɪv stæns əv ˈmɑnəˌtɛri ˈpɑləsi wɪl rɪˈmeɪn əˈproʊpriˌeɪt fər ə kənˈsɪdərəbəl taɪm ˈæftər ðə ˈæˌsɛt ˈpərʧəs ˈproʊˌgræm ɛndz ənd ðə ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk rɪˈkəvəri ˈstrɛŋθənz. ɪn ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr, ðə kəˈmɪti ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tɪ kip ðə ˈtərgət reɪnʤ fər ðə ˈfɛdərəl fəndz reɪt æt 0 tɪ pərˈsɛnt ənd ˈkərəntli ænˈtɪsəˌpeɪts ðət ðɪs ɪkˈsɛpʃənəli loʊ reɪnʤ fər ðə ˈfɛdərəl fəndz reɪt wɪl bi əˈproʊpriˌeɪt æt list ɛz lɔŋ ɛz ðə ˌənɪmˈplɔɪmənt reɪt rɪˈmeɪnz əˈbəv pərˈsɛnt, ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən bɪtˈwin wən ənd tu jɪrz əˈhɛd ɪz prɑˈʤɛktəd tɪ bi noʊ mɔr ðən ə hæf pərˈsɛnɪʤ pɔɪnt əˈbəv ðə 2 pərˈsɛnt goʊl, ənd ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃənz kənˈtɪnju tɪ bi wɛl ˈæŋkərd. ðə kəˈmɪti vjuz ðiz θˈrɛˌʃoʊldz ɛz kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ɪts ˈərliər ˈgaɪdəns. ɪn dɪˈtərmənɪŋ haʊ lɔŋ tɪ meɪnˈteɪn ə ˈhaɪli əˈkɑməˌdeɪtɪv stæns əv ˈmɑnəˌtɛri ˈpɑləsi, ðə kəˈmɪti wɪl ˈɔlsoʊ kənˈsɪdər ˈəðər ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ əˈdɪʃənəl ˈmɛʒərz əv ˈleɪbər ˈmɑrkɪt kənˈdɪʃənz, ˈɪndəˌkeɪtərz əv ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən ˈprɛʃərz ənd ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃənz, ənd ˈridɪŋz ɔn ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl dɪˈvɛləpmənts. wɪn ðə kəˈmɪti ˌdɪˈsaɪdz tɪ bɪˈgɪn tɪ riˈmuv ˈpɑləsi əˌkɑməˈdeɪʃən, ɪt wɪl teɪk ə ˈbælənst əˈproʊʧ kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ɪts goʊlz əv ˈmæksəməm ɪmˈplɔɪmənt ənd ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən əv 2 pərˈsɛnt. ˈvoʊtɪŋ fər ðə ˈmɑnəˌtɛri ˈpɑləsi ˈækʃən wər: bɛn ɛs. bernanke*, ˈʧɛrmən; ˈwɪljəm si. ˈdədli, vaɪs ˈʧɛrmən; ɪˈlɪzəbɪθ ə. duk; ˈdɛnɪs pi. ˈlɑˌkhɑrt; ˈsændrə pianalto*; ʤəroʊm eɪʧ. ˈpɑwɛl; ˈsɛrə blum ˈræskɪn; ˈʤɛrəˌmi si. staɪn; ˈdænjəl keɪ. tarullo*; ʤɑn si. ˈwɪljəmz; ənd ˈʤænɪt ɛl. ˈjɛlən. ˈvoʊtɪŋ əˈgɛnst ðə ˈækʃən wɑz ˈʤɛfri ɛm. lacker*, hu əˈpoʊzd ðə ˈæˌsɛt ˈpərʧəs ˈproʊˌgræm ənd ðə ˌkɛrɪktərɪˈzeɪʃən əv ðə kənˈdɪʃənz ˈəndər wɪʧ ən ɪkˈsɛpʃənəli loʊ reɪnʤ fər ðə ˈfɛdərəl fəndz reɪt wɪl bi əˈproʊpriˌeɪt. ˈsteɪtmənt rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ ˈpərʧəsɪz əv ˈtrɛʒəri sɪˈkjʊrətiz ənd ˈeɪʤənsi sɪˈkjʊrətiz

information received since the federal open market committee met in october suggests that economic activity and employment have continued to expand at a moderate pace in recent months, apart from weather-related disruptions. although the unemployment rate has declined somewhat since the summer, it remains elevated. household spending has continued to advance, and the housing sector has shown further signs of improvement, but growth in business fixed investment has slowed. inflation has been running somewhat below the committee’s longer-run objective, apart from temporary variations that largely reflect fluctuations in energyices. longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable. consistent with its statutory mandate, the committee seeks to foster maximum employment andice stability. the committee remains concerned that, without sufficient policy accommodation, economic growth might not be strong enough to generate sustained improvement in labor market conditions. furthermore, strains in global financial markets continue to pose significant downside risks to the economic outlook. the committee also anticipates that inflation over the medium term likely will run at or below its 2 percent objective. to support a stronger economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at the rate most consistent with its dual mandate, the committee will continue purchasing additional agency mortgage-backed securities at a pace of $40 billion per month. the committee also will purchase longer-term treasury securities after itsogram to extend the average maturity of its holdings of treasury securities is completed at the end of the year, initially at a pace of $45 billion per month. the committee is maintaining its existing policy of reinvestingincipal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and, in january, will resume rolling over maturing treasury securities at auction. taken together, these actions should maintain downwardessure on longer-term interest rates, support mortgage markets, and help to make broader financial conditions more accommodative. the committee will closely monitor incoming information on economic and financial developments in coming months. if the outlook for the labor market does not improve substantially, the committee will continue its purchases of treasury and agency mortgage-backed securities, and employ its other policy tools as appropriate, until such improvement is achieved in a context ofice stability. in determining the size, pace, and composition of its asset purchases, the committee will, as always, take appropriate account of the likely efficacy and costs of such purchases. to support continuedogress toward maximum employment andice stability, the committee expects that a highly accommodative stance of monetary policy will remain appropriate for a considerable time after the asset purchaseogram ends and the economic recovery strengthens. in particular, the committee decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and currently anticipates that this exceptionally low range for the federal funds rate will be appropriate at least as long as the unemployment rate remains above 6-1/2 percent, inflation between one and two years ahead isojected to be no more than a half percentage point above the committee’s 2 percent longer-run goal, and longer-term inflation expectations continue to be well anchored. the committee views these thresholds as consistent with its earlier date-based guidance. in determining how long to maintain a highly accommodative stance of monetary policy, the committee will also consider other information, including additional measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflationessures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial developments. when the committee decides to begin to remove policy accommodation, it will take a balanced approach consistent with its longer-run goals of maximum employment and inflation of 2 percent. voting for the fomc monetary policy action were: ben s. bernanke, chairman; william c. dudley, vice chairman; elizabeth a. duke; dennis p. lockhart; sandra pianalto; jerome h. powell; sarah bloom raskin; jeremy c. stein; daniel k. tarullo; john c. williams; and janet l. yellen. voting against the action was jeffrey m. lacker, who opposed the asset purchaseogram and the characterization of the conditions under which an exceptionally low range for the federal funds rate will be appropriate. statement regarding purchases of treasury securities and agency mortgage-backed securities

ˈbɔstən rɛd sɑks ˈaʊtˌfildər ˈkoʊdi rɔs straɪks aʊt ɪn ðɪs ˈætˈbæt ənd swɪŋ æt wən pɪʧ hir æt spɔrt ˈtɛki wi ˈhaɪˌlaɪt ˈmɛni əv ðə greɪt ˌtɛknəˈlɑʤɪkəl ədˈvænsɪz əv ligz ənd spɔrts timz. təˈdeɪ ðoʊ, ˈsinjər ˈraɪtər grɛg li lɪsts ə fju ““advances”*” ðət hi kʊd ˈprɑbəˌbli du wɪˈθaʊt. du ju əˈgri ər dɪsəˈgri wɪθ ˈɛni? dɪd wi liv ˈɛni aʊt? poʊst jʊr θɔts ɪn ðə ˈkɑmɛnts. ˈsəmθɪŋ tɪ bi sɛd fər ðə ˈjumən ˈɛləmənt ɪn əˈfɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ weɪt, noʊ ðɛr. ðə ˈrizən aɪ dɪˈspaɪz ɪz bɪˈkəz səʧ ə ˈfrikɪŋ tiz. ɪt ʃoʊz ˈjuˈɛs ðət bɔlz ənd straɪks kɔlz kʊd bi ˈɪnstənt ənd ˈɔlˌmoʊst 100 ˈækjərət waɪl wi hæv tɪ pʊt əp wɪθ ˈɪˌdiət, ˈɑdli ʃeɪpt zoʊnz, ənd ˈpərsɪnəl əˈʤɛndəz. nɑt ˈoʊnli həz ɪt ˈteɪkən əˈweɪ ðə fən əv ˈɑrgjuɪŋ ˈbɔrdərˌlaɪn kɔlz, bɪˈkəz ðə pruf ɪz raɪt ðɛr, bət ˌɪnˈhɛrəntli ˈfrəˌstreɪtɪŋ ðət ðɪs tɛkˈnɑləʤi biɪŋ juzd ɪn ˈɛni sɔrt əv ˈjusfəl weɪ. ɪts ˈoʊnli ˈpərpəs raɪt naʊ ɪz tɪ meɪk lʊk wərs ðən ðeɪ ɔˈrɛdi du. ɪt ˈiðər nidz tɪ bi ˈsɪriəsli ˈɪmpləˌmɛnəd ər riˈmuvd frəm ˈbrɔdˌkæsts, ɪf fər ˈnəθɪŋ ɛls ðən tɪ kip ˈjuˈɛs seɪn. ˈəndər ˈɑrmər traɪz tɪ mæʧ ˈnaɪki proʊ ˈkɑmbæt ðɛr ɪz noʊ kˈwɛʃən ðət ˈnaɪki ɪz ðə ˈlidər ɪn spɔrts əˈpærəl ɪn ðə juz. ˈəndər ˈɑrmər wɪl ˈɔlˌweɪz bi pleɪɪŋ kæʧ əp ənd ˈsəmˌtaɪmz wɪθ rɪˈzəlts. ðə truθ ɪz aɪ laɪk gɪr, bət ðɛr əˈtɛmpt æt ˈmæʧɪŋ ˈjunəˌfɔrmz wɑz ə hɪˈlɛriəs, ənd ˈpɑsəbli ˈsiʒər ˌɪnˈdusɪŋ ˈfeɪljər. ˈgrænɪd, ˈnaɪki hæd ðɛr oʊn ˈfeɪljər wɪθ ðə ðeɪ bɪˈstoʊd əˈpɑn ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ˈʤɔrʤə, bət ðə rɛst əv ðɛr ˈjunəˌfɔrmz lʊkt ˈprɪti ˈɔsəm. ˈfeɪljər meɪd ˈmɛrələnd lʊk laɪk ðeɪ wər ˈwɛrɪŋ ə sɔrt əv ˈjunəˌfɔrm ˈfræŋkənˌstin ðət ˈbɔrdərd ɔn ˈtræʤɪk. ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl ˈɪnstənt riˈpleɪ ˈsɪstəm aɪ hæv noʊ ˈprɑbləm wɪθ ðə ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl tɛkˈnɑləʤiz ðət kəmˈpraɪz ən ˈɔfəl ˈsɪstəm, bət ðə hoʊl ɪz nɑt ˈikwəl tɪ ðə səm əv ɪts pɑrts. hæv tɪ θɪŋk ðoʊ, ɪn ðɪs eɪʤ əv ˈɪnstənt ˌænəˈlɪtɪks, ˈsəmˌwən wʊd seɪ: ˈsɪstəm ɪz ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt ənd meɪks ˈjuˈɛs lʊk dumb.”*.” ðə ˈrɪli ˈfəni θɪŋ ɪz ðə ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl spɔrt əv ˈrəgbi, wɪʧ ˈoʊnli bɪˈkeɪm prəˈfɛʃənəl ɪn ðə ˈərli ənd tɛndz tɪ rɛst əˈbaʊt 20 jɪrz bɪˈhaɪnd ˈəðər spɔrts wɪn ɪt kəmz tɪ tɛkˈnɑləʤi ˈfɪgjərd aʊt ə ˈsɪstəm ðət ɪz ˈfæstər, ˈsɪmpələr, ənd ˈrɛrli ˈfrəˌstreɪtɪŋ. ˈbeɪsɪkli, ɪf ðɛr ɪz ˈɛni kˈwɛʃən əˈbaʊt ˈwɛðər ə skɔr wɑz meɪd, ðə rɛf ˈreɪdiˌoʊz tɪ əˈnəðər rɛf ɪn ðə buθ hu rəvˈjuz ðə pleɪ ənd meɪks ðə dɪˈsɪʒən. ðɪs ˈʤɛnərəli teɪks əˈbaʊt wən ˈmɪnət, ənd ɪn ˈrəgbi mɔr ðət goʊz ˈɪntu ˈskɔrɪŋ ðən ɪn ˈfʊtˌbɔl. ˌɪnˈstɛd, wɪθ ðə ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl, fɔrst tɪ sɪt θru ə fɔr ˈmɪnət kəˈmərʃəl breɪk ðɛn ˈiˌmoʊʃnəli breɪk daʊn wɪn ðeɪ rɪˈtərn tɪ ðə ˌrɛfərˈi stɪl ˈəndər ðət dæm ʃraʊd. spɔrts ə nuz fər ə ˈmɪnət ənd ə hæf ɔn spɔrts ˈsɛnər ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ aɪ kən du wɪˈθaʊt. bət wɑz ðɪs əˈpruvd ɪn ðə fərst pleɪs? waɪ ˈsəbʤɪkt jʊr vjuərz tɪ ˈsəmθɪŋ soʊ dəm wɪn wi ɔˈrɛdi hæv tɪ pʊt əp wɪθ krɪs ˈbərmən, skɪp ˈbeɪlɪs, ˈbruski, hɪl ənd ˈstivən ə. smɪθ? ɪz ɪt ˈfɪlər? ɪz ɪt bɪˈkəz ju tərnd 33 ðɪs jɪr ənd ər ˈrɛdi tɪ goʊ θru jʊr ““bulworth”*” feɪz? stɑp. [ˈjuˌtub ɪf ˈɛvər sin ə ˈbrɔdˌkæst aɪ fil laɪk aɪ hæv tɪ ɪkˈspleɪn ðɪs wən tɪ ju. tɪ pʊt ɪt ˈsɪmpli ˈrəðər wɔʧ spɔrts ɪn boʊl ˈvɪʒən ðən. ðə fækt ðət ˈnɛtˌwərks hæv sin ɪt ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ roʊl ðɪs aʊt ənd pʊʃ ɪt waɪl ðə tɛkˈnɑləʤi ɪz stɪl ɪn ɪts ˈɪnfəntɪl ˈsteɪʤɪz ɪz noʊ, wɪn θɪŋz ər soʊ ˈkreɪzi ɪt gɪts jʊr θɔts ɔl træpt, laɪk ɪn ə ˈbɑtəl. fɑks ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl ˈroʊˌbət nɑt ʃʊr hu aɪ fil fər, ðə prəˈdusər ðət həz tɪ seɪ ““ok*, kət tɪ ðə robot”*” ər ðə kəmˈpjutər tim ðət bɪldz ənd ˈænəˌmeɪts ðə θɪŋ. ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl tərf ˈæstroʊ tərf wɑz roʊld aʊt ɪn 1966 æt ðə ˈhjustən ˈæstrəˌdoʊm ənd həz bɪn ˈtɪrɪŋ əp ni ˈlɪgəmənts ˈɛvər sɪns. aɪ ˌəndərˈstænd ðət ˈɪnˌdɔr ˈsteɪdiəmz groʊ græs bət wət fild spɔrts wər ˈɛvər mɛnt tɪ bi pleɪd ˈɪnˌdɔrz? ɪt ɪz ˈpjʊrli ə kɔst ˈseɪvɪŋ ˈmɛʒər bət ɪf ə ˈfʊtˌbɔl pleɪər 40 mɔr ˈlaɪkli tɪ gɪt ˈɪnʤərd ɔn ðə stəf. nɑt ˈmɛnʃən ðə riˈsaɪkəld taɪərz kənˈteɪnɪŋ ˈhɛvi ˈmɛtəlz ðət ər juzd tɪ ɛz infill*. ˈmeɪbi ə bɪt nɔˈstælʤɪk bət ˈsəmθɪŋ roʊˈmæntɪk əˈbaʊt pleɪɪŋ ɔn græs ɛz əˈpoʊzd tɪ ˈplæstɪk ʃæg ˈkɑrpət. nu ˈbæskətˌbɔl feɪl ðə ˈɛnˌbiˈeɪ ˌɪntrəˈdust ə nu sɪnˈθɛtɪk bɔl ɪn 2006 wɪˈθaʊt kənˈsəltɪŋ pleɪərz ər ˈrɪli ˈstədiɪŋ ðə ˈdɪfərənsɪz frəm ðə oʊld bɔl. ˈæftər pleɪərz kəmˈpleɪnd ɪˈnəf, ðə ˈɛnˌbiˈeɪ ədˈmɪtəd ɪts mɪˈsteɪk ənd skræpt ðə nu bɔl ɪn ˈfeɪvər əv ðə ˈoʊldər ˈvərʒən. wi stɪl hæv ən ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən ɛz tɪ waɪ ðə lig θɔt ðɪs wɑz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri. huˈɛvər lɛt flɔɪd ˈmeɪˌwɛðər hæv hɪz oʊn tˈwɪtər wɪθ ʤɛmz laɪk: lɪn ɪz ə gʊd pleɪər bət ɔl ðə haɪp ɪz bɪˈkəz ˈeɪʒən. blæk pleɪərz du wət hi dɪz ˈɛvəri naɪt ənd gɪt ðə seɪm praise,”*,” ˈmeɪˌwɛðər simz tɪ ˈʤɛnərˌeɪt mɔr ˈtrəbəl ðən gʊd pəˈblɪsɪti ɔn tˈwɪtər. waɪl ɪt ɪz təf tɪ ˈɑrgju wɪθ hɪz tˈwɪtər səkˈsɛs, ju ˈwəndər haʊ ˈmɛni ˈpipəl ər ʤɪst tɪ si ðə ˌkɑntrəˈvərʃəl stəf hi sɪz. aɪ ˌəndərˈstænd ðət ˈmɛni ˈbɑksɪŋ ˈʧæmpiənz traɪ tɪ ˈɛmjəˌleɪt ˈɑli ənd hɪz ˈpəblɪk pərˈsoʊnə, bət ˈsəmˌwən ɔn tim nidz tɪ teɪk əˈweɪ hɪz foʊn. pək ɪn ðə ˈɪntəˌrɛst əv fʊl dɪˈskloʊʒər steɪt raɪt naʊ ðət aɪ æm noʊ fæn əv ˈhɑki. ɪt ˈɪntəˌrɛst mi. bət, pək ˈtrækɪŋ ˈkɑmət teɪl ˌænəˈmeɪʃən wɑz ə hɪˈlɛriəs ˈfeɪljər. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə ˈfiʧər wɑz ˈwɛlkəmd baɪ nu vjuərz ənd 7 aʊt əv 10 əˈmɛrɪkən vjuərz, ɪt wɑz ˈlɑrʤli pænd baɪ ““purists.”*.” ɔn tɔp əv ðɪs ðə ˈmaɪˌkroʊ ʧɪpt rɪˈpɔrtədli ˈæktɪd ˈdɪfərˈɛntli ɔn ðə aɪs bət wər ˌənəˈveɪləbəl fər ˈpræktɪs bɪˈkəz əv haʊ məʧ ðeɪ kɔst. ðə wərst pɑrt ɪz ðət ðɪs ˈfaɪnəli geɪv ˈkænədə ə ləˈʤɪtəmət ˈrizən tɪ meɪk fən əv əˈmɛrɪkən spɔrts vjuərz. ˈboʊnəs: læk əv riˈpleɪ ɪn ˈbeɪsˈbɔl bəd ˈsɛlɪg ənd hɪz ənˈkæni əˈbɪləˌti tɪ bi tund ˈɪntu ðə pəls əv ˈpɑpjələr əˈpɪnjən ɪn ˈbeɪsˈbɔl sɛd ðət ˈæpəˌtaɪt fər mɔr replay(s*) ɪz ˈvɛri loʊ əv kɔrs, bɪˈkəz ðɛr hæv nɑt bɪn ˈɛni ˈsɪriz ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ bloʊn kɔlz ɪn ˈrisənt ɔl. ˈɔlsoʊ greɪt ðət ˈsɛlɪg toʊld ˈɛvriˌwən ðɪs ˈwiˌkɪnd ðət ˈɪntəˌrɛst fər mɔr riˈpleɪ rɪˈmeɪnz loʊ. ˈrɪli? (ˈfoʊˌtoʊz ˈkərtəsi əv hardballtalk.nbcsports.com*, ənd foxsports.com*)

boston red sox outfielder cody ross strikes out in this at-bat and didn’t swing at one pitch here at sport techie we highlight many of the great technological advances of leagues and sports teams. today though, senior writer greg lee lists a few “advances” that he could probably do without. do you agree or disagree with any? did we leave any out? post your thoughts in the comments. k-zone there’s something to be said for the human element in officiating sports…oh wait, no there isn’t. the reason i despise k-zone is because it’s such a freaking tease. it shows us that balls and strikes calls could be instant and almost 100% accurate while we have to put up with idiot umps, oddly shaped zones, and personal agendas. not only has it taken away the fun of arguing borderline calls, because the proof is right there, but it’s inherently frustrating that this technology isn’t being used in any sort of useful way. its only purpose right now is to make umps look worse than they already do. it either needs to be seriously implemented or removed from broadcasts, if for nothing else than to keep us sane. under armour tries to match nike pro combat there is no question that nike is the leader in sports apparel in the u.s. under armour will always be playing catch up and sometimes with head-scratching results. the truth is i like ua’s gear, but their attempt at matching nike’s pro-combat uniforms was a hilarious, and possibly seizure inducing failure. granted, nike had their own failure with the unis they bestowed upon the university of georgia, but the rest of their uniforms looked pretty awesome. ua’s failure made maryland look like they were wearing a sort of uniform frankenstein that bordered on tragic. nfl instant replay system i have no problem with the individual technologies that comprise an awful system, but the whole is not equal to the sum of its parts. you’d have to think though, in this age of instant analytics, someone would say: “our system is inefficient and makes us look dumb.” the really funny thing is the international sport of rugby, which only became professional in the early 90s and tends to rest about 20 years behind other sports when it comes to technology figured out a system that is faster, simpler, and rarely frustrating. basically, if there is any question about whether a score was made, the on-field ref radios to another ref in the booth who reviews the play and makes the decision. this generally takes about one minute, and in rugby there’s more that goes into scoring than in football. instead, with the nfl, i’m forced to sit through a four minute commercial break then emotionally break down when they return to the referee still under that damn shroud. espn remixes sports a dj remixing news sound-bytes for a minute and a half on sports center is something i can do without. but really…why was this approved in the first place? why subject your viewers to something so blitheringly dumb when we already have to put up with chris berman, skip bayless, tedy bruschi, jemelle hill and stephen a. smith? is it filler? is it because you turned 33 this year and are ready to go through your “bulworth” phase? please…just stop. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i624awiiwi&w=420&h=315] espn 3d if you’ve ever seen a 3d broadcast i feel like i shouldn’t have to explain this one to you. to put it simply i’d rather watch sports in techmo bowl vision than 3d. the fact that networks have seen it necessary to role this out and push it while the technology is still in its infantile stages is mind-boggling…you know, when things are so crazy it gets your thoughts all trapped, like in a bottle. fox nfl robot i’m not sure who i feel sorrier for, the producer that has to say “ok, cut to the robot” or the computer team that builds and animates the thing. artificial turf astro turf was rolled out in 1966 at the houston astrodome and has been tearing up knee ligaments ever since. i understand that indoor stadiums grow grass but what field sports were ever meant to be played indoors? it is purely a cost saving measure but if you’re a football player you’re 40% more likely to get injured on the stuff. not mention the recycled tires containing heavy metals that are used to as infill. maybe i’m a bit nostalgic but there’s something romantic about playing on grass as opposed to plastic shag carpet. nba’s new basketball fail the nba introduced a new synthetic ball in 2006 without consulting players or really studying the differences from the old ball. after players complained enough, the nba admitted its mistake and scrapped the new ball in favor of the older version. we still don’t have an explanation as to why the league thought this was necessary. whoever let floyd mayweather jr have his own twitter with gems like: “jeremy lin is a good player but all the hype is because asian. black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise,” mayweather seems to generate more trouble than good publicity on twitter. while it is tough to argue with his twitter success, you wonder how many people are just to see the controversial stuff he says. i understand that many boxing champions try to emulate ali and his public persona, but someone on mayweather’s pr team needs to take away his phone. fox-track puck in the interest of full disclosure i’ll state right now that i am no fan of hockey. it interest me. but, fox’s puck tracking comet tail animation was a hilarious failure. although the feature was welcomed by new viewers and 7 out of 10 american viewers, it was largely panned by “purists.” on top of this the micro chipped pucks reportedly acted differently on the ice but were unavailable for practice because of how much they cost. the worst part is that this finally gave canada a legitimate reason to make fun of american sports viewers. bonus: lack of replay in baseball bud selig and his uncanny ability to be tuned into the pulse of popular opinion in baseball said that “the appetite for more replay(s) is very low .” of course, because there have not been any series changing blown calls in recent times-at all. also great that selig told everyone this weekend that interest for more replay remains low. really? (photos courtesy of hardballtalk.nbcsports.com, washingtonpost.com and foxsports.com)

ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət ɪz ə səˈpraɪz hɪt frəm ðə ˈjuˈɛˈseɪ ˈnɛtˌwərk wɪʧ rɪˈflɛkts ɔn kənˈtɛmpərˌɛri ˈsoʊʃəl ɪˈvɛnts ɛz məʧ ɛz ɪt drɔz ˈɪnfluəns frəm ˈəðər ˈɛʤi ˈfɪkʃən. ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl kənˈteɪnz ˈspɔɪlərz ənd meɪ gɪv əˈweɪ plɑt pɔɪnts. ˈɛvəri naʊ ənd ðɛn ə ˈsɪriz simz tɪ kəm aʊt əv ˈnoʊˌwɛr ənd ˈkæpʧər ðə kəˈlɛktɪv ˌɪˌmæʤəˈneɪʃən. wɪθ strɔŋ rəvˈjuz ənd ˈsoʊʃəl ˈmidiə ˈhævɪŋ ɔˈrɛdi pikt maɪ ˈɪntəˌrɛst, ðə nuz ðət ðə ɪnˈtaɪər fərst ˈsizən əv ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət wʊd bi ˈmeɪkɪŋ ɪts weɪ ˈɔntu ˈæməˌzɑn praɪm frəm ɑkˈtoʊbər ɪn ðə wɑz wɛl rɪˈsivd. ˈraɪtər ənd ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv prəˈdusər sæm həz faʊnd ˈɪnfluəns ɪn ðə ˈrisənt əv ˈmɑdərn soʊˈsaɪɪti wɪʧ hi ˌɪnfˈjuzɪz wɪθ ˈɛləmənts əv ˈəðər ˈfɪkʃənəl wərks tɪ ˈproʊdus ə dɑrk ənd ˈskɛri ˈsɪriz ðət ðə ˈbaʊndəriz ðət boʊθ gʊd ənd ˈivəl ər ˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ ɪkˈsid ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ əˈʧiv ðɛr ˈəltəmət goʊl. ðə ˈstɔri ɪz toʊld, nɑt ˈoʊnli ɪn ˈdaɪəˌlɔg, ðə ˈækʃənz əv ðə ˈkɛrɪktərz ənd ðə wall’*’ ˈbreɪkɪŋ nɛˈreɪʃən prəˈvaɪdɪd baɪ ðə ˌɪnˈtərnəl ˈmɑnəˌlɔg əv lɛd ˈkɛrɪktər ˈɛliət ˈɔldərsən, bət ˈɔlsoʊ θru ðə ˈklɛvər ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃən əv ˌɪnərˈækʃənz ˈviə ˈsoʊʃəl ˈmidiə. ˈɛliət ɪz ˈpɛrəˌnɔɪd, dɪˈluʒənəl, ə sɛlf ˈmɛdɪˌkeɪtɪŋ ˈkrɑnɪk dɪˈprɛsɪv hu ɪgˈzɪbəts ɔl ðə treɪts əv ˈfəŋkʃənəl ˈɔˌtɪzəm. ˈɔlsoʊ ən ɪkˈstrimli ˈtæləntɪd ˈproʊˌgræmər baɪ deɪ. pərˈhæps ɛz ə dɪˈstrækʃən frəm ðə ˈkɑmpaʊnd ˈloʊnlinəs hi filz ənd tɪ fɪl ðə vɔɪd lɛft baɪ ˌɪnˈsɑmniə ˈɛliət hæks ˈɛvriˌwən ənd ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ baɪ naɪt. ˈvaɪəleɪtɪŋ ˈpraɪvəsi, wi sun lərn ðət ðɪs ˌɪˈligəl ækˈtɪvɪti ɪz ˈmoʊtəˌveɪtəd baɪ ə skjud dɪˈzaɪər fər ˈʤəstɪs. hi tɔks tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf. noʊ. hi tɔks tɪ ˈjuˈɛs- ˈkɑnstəntli. wi ər hɪz ˌɪˈmæʤəˌnɛri frɛnd θru ðə ˈmɛni ˌənɪkˈspɛktɪd twɪsts ðət rɪˈvil θruaʊt ðɪs tɛn ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd ˈʤərni. ˈfaɪndɪŋ ðət məʧ əv ðə kæst ər ˈrɛlətɪvli ənˈnoʊn ɪz ə juʤ drɔ fər mi. aɪ laɪk tɪ goʊ ˈɪntu ə ˈsɪriz wɪˈθaʊt ðə ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən əˈtæʧt tɪ ən ˈæktər huz wərk ju ər ɔˈrɛdi fəˈmɪljər wɪθ. ɪn fækt aɪ wɑz ˌɪˈnɪʃəli ɛz məʧ səˈpraɪzd ɛz ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪd tɪ dɪˈskəvər ðət ˈkrɪsʧɪn sˈleɪtər fɪlz ðə roʊl əv ðə ˈtɪʧələr ˈkɛrɪktər, ˈnɛvər bɪn məʧ əv ə fæn, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ðət ˈfilɪŋ səbˈsaɪdɪd kˈwɪkli θæŋks tɪ ˈsɑləd ənd ˈmoʊstli səbˈdud pərˈfɔrməns. ˈmoʊtəˌveɪtəd baɪ ðə ˌdɪˈskəvri ðət hɪz ˈkænsər ənd rɪˈzəltɪŋ dɛθ kʊd hæv bɪn əˈvɔɪdɪd, ˈɛliət bɪˈkəmz ˈpɪvətəl tɪ ðə plænz əv ə smɔl klænˈdɛstɪn ˈhækər grup noʊn ɛz. hɪz riˈvɛnʤ, ənd eɪm, ər ˈtɑrgətɪd skˈwɛrli æt ˈivəl ˈkɔrpərˈeɪʃən (yes…*… ˈivəl ˈkɔrpərˈeɪʃən, ə ˈlɪtəl tu ɔn ðə ˈməni, noʊ?) wən əv ðə ˈlɑrʤəst tɛkˈnɑləʤi ənd ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl kənˈglɑmərəts. ðɛr goʊl ɪz tɪ hæk ˈivəl ˈkɔrpərˈeɪʃən, dɪˈstrɔɪ ðə ɪnˈtaɪər ˈdɪʤɪtəl ˈɑrˌkaɪv ənd ˈrɛkərdz, rɪˈzəltɪŋ ɪn ɔl dɛt oʊd tɪ ðə ˈkəmpəˌni biɪŋ ɪˈreɪst. ðɪs ɪz wɛr ðə ʃoʊ tæps ˈɪntu ənd ˈmɪmɪks ril laɪf. ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˈɑkjəˌpaɪ ˈmuvmənt ˈproʊˌtɛstərz əˈdɑptəd ðə gaɪ fɔks mæsk meɪd ˈfeɪməs baɪ ðə ˈmuvi ˌædəpˈteɪʃən əv vi fər vɛnˈdɛtə. ðə mæsks ər ə ˈsɪmbəl əv ðə ˈhækər grup əˈnɑnəməs. ˈtæpɪŋ ˈɪntu ðɪs ˈkɑnsɛpt ðə ˈraɪtərz əv ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət hæv juzd ə ˈsɪmələr ˈɪmɪʤri, ər ə ˈfɪkʃənəl ˌrɛprəzɛnˈteɪʃən əv əˈnɑnəməs, ðeɪ wɛr ˈmɪstər məˈnɑpəli mæsks wɪʧ ər əˈdɑptəd baɪ ˈproʊˌtɛstərz ɔn ðə strits əv ˈmeɪʤər ˈsɪtiz. ˈivəl kɔrz tu ɪz beɪst ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti. laɪk ˈmɛni ˈəðərz aɪ ˈspɑtɪd ðə ˌsɪməˈlɛrəti bɪtˈwin ðə ‘‘e’*’ ˈloʊgoʊ əv ˈivəl ˈkɔrpərˈeɪʃən ənd tɛkˈnɑləʤi ˈkəmpəˌni dɛl. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪt trænˈspaɪərz ðət ðə ˈloʊgoʊ ɪz ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈkɑpid dɪˈrɛkli frəm ðə ˈɛnrɑn ˈloʊgoʊ. ˈɛnrɑn wɑz ən ˈɛnərʤiz, kəˈmɑdətiz ənd ˈsərvɪsɪz ˈkəmpəˌni ðət wɛnt ˈbæŋkrəpt ɪn 2001 ˈɛvədəns əv waɪd skeɪl frɔd keɪm tɪ laɪt. soʊ wi hæv ɑr proʊˈtægənəsts, ənd ɑr ænˈtægənəsts. ðə daɪˈnæmɪks ənd ˈɪntrəkəsiz əv ˌɪnərˈækʃənz bɪtˈwin ˈɛliət ənd ˈmɛmbərz əv boʊθ ˈpɑrtiz ɪz ˈkɑmplɛks, ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ ənd ɪnˈgeɪʤɪŋ. wɛr ðə ʃoʊ fɔlz daʊn ɪz ɪn ðə juz əv rɪˈdəndənt səb plɑts ðət lɛd ˈnoʊˌwɛr. riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp wɪθ hɪz ˈdilər ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli fil aʊt əv pleɪs ɪn ðə ˈkɑntɛkst əv ðə ʃoʊ, bət əˈpɑn ˌɑbzərˈveɪʃən filz kənˈtraɪvd ˈgɪvɪn ðə kəmˈplit rɪˈləktəns tɪ əkˈsɛpt ˈɛni kaɪnd əv ˈvərbəl ər ˈfɪzɪkəl ˌɪnərˈækʃən wɪθ ˈəðər ˈpipəl ənˈlɛs ˈəndər ˈdʊrɛs. ɪn fækt ðə hoʊl riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp əˈpɪrz tɪ ækt ˈmɪrli ɛz ə ˈkætəˌlɪst fər ə bɪˈzɑr ˈtænʤənt ˌɪnˈvɑlvɪŋ ðə səˈplaɪər əv drəgz, ə ˈprɪzən breɪk ənd ðə əˈvɛnʧuəl dɛθ əv ˈgərlˌfrɛnd æt wɪʧ pɔɪnt ðə riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp bɪlt bɪtˈwin ˈkɛrɪktərz goʊz kəmˈplitli koʊld. wət ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət dɪz ˈvɛri wɛl ðoʊ, ɪz ɪˈvɑlv ˈvɛri kˈwɪkli ˈoʊvər ə ʃɔrt ˈpɪriəd əv taɪm. wi bɪˈgɪn baɪ siɪŋ ˈɛliət ɛz ə kˈwərki, ˈɔkwərd ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl hu ɪz ˈklɪrli ˈtrəbəld, bət ɛnˈdirɪŋ. hɪz ˈækʃənz ər kˈwɛsʧənəbəl bət hɪz ˈmoʊtɪvz ər wɛl ˈminɪŋ. ˈoʊvər ðə kɔrs əv tɛn ˈɛpɪˌsoʊdz ðɪs pərˈsɛpʃən ˈʧeɪnʤɪz drəˈmætɪkəli. wi si ðə ˈmɛntəl dɪˈklaɪn ɪn steɪt raɪt əp ənˈtɪl ðə ɛnd wɪn ðə faɪt kləb twɪst ɪz rɪˈvild. ˈɛliət ɪz mɔr fəkt əp ðən wi ˈɛvər ˈriəˌlaɪzd. hi bɪˈlivd hi wɑz ə pɑrt əv, ə grup lɛd baɪ ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət, except…*… ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət ɪn hɪz maɪnd ɪz hɪz ˈfɑðər, ənd hɪz ˈfɑðər ɪz dɛd. ˈɛliət ɪz ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət, ˈɛliət ɪz ðə ˈlidər əv. ðɪs wɑz ɔl hɪz duɪŋ. ɛz ɪf tɪ ˈhæmər hoʊm ðə ˌsɪməˈlɛrətiz bɪtˈwin ðɪs ˈriləˈzeɪʃən ənd ðət ˈtaɪlər ˈdərdən ˈmoʊmənt, ə ˈpɔɪnjənt piˈænə rɛnˈdɪʃən əv ɪz maɪ mind‘*‘ pleɪz, ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈsərtənli ɪn ˈtrɪbjut tɪ ðə sin ɪn wɪʧ ðə ˈsɪti fɔlz æt ðə ˈklaɪˌmæks əv faɪt kləb. ˌɪgˈnɔrɪŋ ðə fju ˈmoʊmənts wɛr ðə ʃoʊ ˈluzɪz ɪts weɪ, ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət ɪz ðə moʊst ˈrɪvətɪŋ ənd əˈdɪktɪv ˈproʊˌgræm kəm əˈkrɔs fər səm taɪm. ˈrɑmi ˈmɑlɛk ɛz ˈɛliət ɪz pɪʧt ˈpərfəktli ənd ˈriˌleɪz ðə ˈkɛrɪktər soʊ sɪnˈsɪrli ðət ˈivɪn æt hɪz moʊst mɛst əp ju hɛlp ˈrutɪŋ fər ɪm. ðə səˈpɔrtɪŋ kæst ər kənˈvɪnsɪŋ ənd ˌɔlˈðoʊ ˈhɛvəli dramatised*, ˈmɛni əv ðə ˈkɑnsɛpts ˈprɛvələnt wɪˈθɪn ðə ʃoʊ ər ˈbɛdɪd ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti. ə ˈsɛkənd ˈsizən əv ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət ɪz ɔˈrɛdi ɪn ðə wərks ənd ɪkˈspɛktɪd nɛkst jɪr. fər mɔr ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ɔn ðə ʃoʊ ənd tɪ wɔʧ fʊl ˈɛpɪˌsoʊdz (ˈsəbʤɪkt tɪ prəˈvaɪdər əˈgrimənts) ˈvɪzɪt ðə ˈjuˈɛˈseɪ ˈnɛtˌwərk ˈmɪstər ˈroʊˌbət microsite*.

mr robot is a surprise hit from the usa network which reflects on contemporary social events as much as it draws influence from other edgy fiction. this article contains spoilers and may give away plot points. every now and then a series seems to come out of nowhere and capture the collective imagination. with strong reviews and social media murmurings having already piqued my interest, the news that the entire first season of mr robot would be making its way onto amazon prime from october 16th in the uk was well received. writer and executive producer sam esmail has found influence in the recent dischords of modern society which he infuses with recognisable elements of other fictional works to produce a dark and scary series that visualises the boundaries that both good and evil are willing to exceed in order to achieve their ultimate goal. the story is told, not only in dialogue, the actions of the characters and the ‘fourth wall’ breaking narration provided by the internal monologue of lead character elliot alderson, but also through the clever presentation of interactions via social media. elliot is paranoid, delusional, a self medicating chronic depressive who exhibits all the traits of functional autism. he’s also an extremely talented programmer by day. perhaps as a distraction from the compound loneliness he feels and to fill the void left by insomnia elliot hacks everyone and everything by night. violating people’s privacy, we soon learn that this illegal activity is motivated by a skewed desire for justice. he talks to himself. no. he talks to us- constantly. we are his imaginary friend through the many unexpected twists that reveal throughout this ten episode journey. finding that much of the cast are relatively unknown is a huge draw for me. i like to go into a series without the expectation attached to an actor whose work you are already familiar with. in fact i was initially as much surprised as disappointed to discover that christian slater fills the role of the titular character, i’ve never been much of a fan, however, that feeling subsided quickly thanks to slater’s solid and mostly subdued performance. motivated by the discovery that his father’s cancer and resulting death could have been avoided, elliot becomes pivotal to the plans of a small clandestine hacker group known as fsociety. his revenge, and fsociety‘s aim, are targeted squarely at evil corp (yes… evil corp, a little too on the money, no?) one of the world’s largest technology and financial conglomerates. their goal is to hack evil corp, destroy the company’s entire digital archive and records, resulting in all debt owed to the company being erased. this is where the show taps into and mimics real life. during the occupy movement protesters adopted the guy fawkes mask made famous by the movie adaptation of v for vendetta. the masks are a symbol of the hacker group anonymous. tapping into this concept the writers of mr robot have used a similar imagery, fsociety are a fictional representation of anonymous, they wear mr monopoly masks which are adopted by protesters on the streets of major cities. evil corps too is based in reality. like many others i spotted the similarity between the ‘e’ logo of evil corp and technology company dell. however, it transpires that the logo is actually copied directly from the enron logo. enron was an energies, commodities and services company that went bankrupt in 2001. evidence of wide scale fraud came to light. so we have our protagonists, and our antagonists. the dynamics and intricacies of interactions between elliot and members of both parties is complex, interesting and engaging. where the show falls down is in the use of redundant sub plots that lead nowhere. elliot‘s relationship with his neighbour/drug dealer doesn’t necessarily feel out of place in the context of the show, but upon observation feels contrived given the character’s complete reluctance to accept any kind of verbal or physical interaction with other people unless under duress. in fact the whole relationship appears to act merely as a catalyst for a bizarre tangent involving the supplier of drugs, a prison break and the eventual death of elliot‘s girlfriend at which point the relationship built between characters goes completely cold. what mr robot does very well though, is evolve very quickly over a short period of time. we begin by seeing elliot as a quirky, awkward individual who is clearly troubled, but endearing. his actions are questionable but his motives are well meaning. over the course of ten episodes this perception changes dramatically. we see the mental decline in elliot‘s state right up until the end when the fight club twist is revealed. elliot is more fucked up than we ever realised. he believed he was a part of fsociety, a group led by mr robot, except… mr robot in his mind is his father, and his father is dead. elliot is mr robot, elliot is the leader of fsociety. this was all his doing. as if to hammer home the similarities between this realisation and that tyler durden moment, a poignant piano rendition of pixies ‘where is my mind‘ plays, almost certainly in tribute to the scene in which the city falls at the climax of fight club. ignoring the few moments where the show loses its way, mr robot is the most riveting and addictive program i’ve come across for some time. rami malek as elliot is pitched perfectly and relays the character so sincerely that even at his most messed up you can’t help rooting for him. the supporting cast are convincing and although heavily dramatised, many of the concepts prevalent within the show are bedded in reality. a second season of mr robot is already in the works and expected next year. for more information on the show and to watch full episodes (subject to provider agreements) visit the usa network mr robot microsite.

ˈsɛrə ˈæpəl kˈwaɪətli ˈəpˌdeɪtɪd ˈsɔfˌwɛr fər ɪts ˈsɛkənd- ənd ˈæpəl ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən ˈbɑksɪz təˈdeɪ tɪ meɪk ɪt wərk wɪθ ˈioʊs 6 ˈfiʧərz. ðə nu ˈvərʒən əv ðə ˈsɔfˌwɛr, dəbd ˈioʊs (ðoʊ nɑt ðə seɪm ˈaɪˌfoʊn, ˈaɪˌpɔd, ənd ˈaɪˌpæd ˈjuzərz gɑt ˈərliər ðɪs jɪr), ædz θɪŋz laɪk ʃɛrd ˈfoʊˌtoʊ strimz, sərʧ, ənd fər ˈloʊkəl ˈθiətərz θru ðə ˈtreɪlərz æp, ənd ə weɪ tɪ riˈɔrdər ðə ˈaɪˌkɑnz ɔn ðə hoʊm skrin (ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət likt aʊt ə fju mənθs əˈgoʊ ɪn ə dɪˈvɛləpər bɪld). ˌhaʊˈɛvər ʧif əˈməŋ ðə ˈaɪtəmz əv ˈɪntəˌrɛst ɪz ə weɪ tɪ swɪʧ ˈaɪˌtunz əˈkaʊnts, prəˈvaɪdɪŋ ə weɪ fər ˈməltəpəl ˈjuzər ˈhaʊsˌhoʊldz tɪ ˈækˌsɛs ˈdɪfərɪŋ ˈkɑntɛnt ˈlaɪbrɛˌriz ɔn ðə seɪm bɑks. ðɪs ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈæpəl həz nɑt ˈɔfərd ɔn ɪts ˈpɔrtəbəl dɪˈvaɪsɪz, ənd ɪts əˈdɪʃən səˈʤɛsts ðə ˈfiʧər kʊd bi ˈhɛdɪd ðɛr ɪˈvɛnʧəwəli. ðə ˈæpəl ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən həz rɪˈmeɪnd wət ˈæpəl kənˈsɪdərz ə "ˈhɑbi" dɪˈvaɪs wɪn kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ ðə seɪlz ənd ˌpɑpjəˈlɛrəti əv ˈprɑdəkts laɪk ðə ˈaɪˌpɔd, ˈaɪˌfoʊn, ənd ˈaɪˌpæd. ˌnənðəˈlɛs, ðə ˈkəmpəˌni həz ˈpɔɪntɪd tɪ ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ seɪlz ɪn ˈrisənt ˈərnɪŋz kɔlz, wɪθ ˈsiˌiˈoʊ tɪm kʊk ˈdrɑpɪŋ ðə ˈnoʊʃən ðət ˈivɪn ðoʊ ɪts nɑt ə ˈblɑkˌbəstər, ðə ˈkəmpəˌni ˈdɪdənt kip əraʊnd ˈprɑdəkts ɪt ˈdɪdənt laɪk. ˈæpəl, əv kɔrs həz lɔŋ bɪn ˈrumərd tɪ bi ˈwərkɪŋ ɔn ə ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən sɛt, ə ˈrumər ðæts ˈrutɪd ɪn səm fækt. leɪt ˈæpəl stiv ʤɑbz toʊld baɪˈɑgrəfər ˈwɔltər ˈaɪzɪksən ðət hi ˈwɔntɪd "tɪ kriˈeɪt ən ˈɪnəˌgreɪtɪd ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən sɛt ðət ɪz kəmˈplitli ˈizi tɪ juz" ənd ðət hi "ˈfaɪnəli krækt ɪt." sɪns ðɛn ðɛr həz bɪn noʊ ˈʃɔrtɪʤ əv ˈrumərz ðət səˈʤɛst ˈæpəl ɪz stɪl æt wərk ɔn səʧ ə ˈprɑdəkt. pər ðə idownloadblog*, hir ər ðə fʊl riˈlis noʊts əv ˈioʊs fər ˈæpəl ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən: ʃɛrd ˈfoʊˌtoʊ strimz əkˈsɛpt ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃənz fər ʃɛrd ˈfoʊˌtoʊ strimz, braʊz ˈfoʊˌtoʊz ənd ˈkɑmɛnts, ənd rɪˈsiv ˌnoʊtəfəˈkeɪʃənz əv nu ˈkɑntɛnt. sɛnd ˈɑdiˌoʊ ˈkɑntɛnt frəm ˈæpəl ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən tɪ ˈspikərz ənd dɪˈvaɪsɪz (ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈɛrˌpɔrt ɪkˈsprɛs ənd ˈəðər ˈæpəl ˈtiˈviz). ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈkludz ðə əˈbɪləˌti tɪ ˌrikˈwaɪər ən ˌɑnˈskrin koʊd tɪ juz wɪθ jʊr ˈæpəl ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən. ˈaɪˌtunz əˈkaʊnt sˈwɪʧɪŋ seɪv ˈməltəpəl ˈaɪˌtunz əˈkaʊnts ənd swɪʧ kˈwɪkli bɪtˈwin ðɛm. ˈtreɪlərz sərʧ ˈmuvi ˈtreɪlərz. ɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, si ʃoʊ taɪmz fər ˈloʊkəl ˈθiətərz. skrin ˈseɪvərz nu kæˈskeɪd, ʃˈrɪŋkɪŋ taɪlz, ənd sˈlaɪdɪŋ ˈpænəlz skrin ˈseɪvərz. meɪn ˈmɛnju riˈɔrdər ˈaɪˌkɑnz ɔn ðə ˈsɛkənd peɪʤ baɪ ˈhoʊldɪŋ daʊn ðə səˈlɛkt ˈbətən ɔn ðə rɪˈmoʊt. ˈsəbˌtaɪtəlz səˈpɔrt fər ðə dɛf ənd ɛz wɛl ɛz ˌɪmˈpruvmənts tɪ vjuɪŋ ənd səˈlɛktɪŋ ˈsəbˌtaɪtəlz. ˈnɛtˌwərk kənˌfɪgjərˈeɪʃən səˈpɔrt fər ˈsɛtɪŋ əp ədˈvænst ˈnɛtˌwərk ˈɔpʃənz ˈjuzɪŋ kənˌfɪgjərˈeɪʃən ˈproʊˌfaɪlz. si fər mɔr ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən. stəˈbɪlɪti ənd pərˈfɔrməns ˌɪnˈkludz ˈʤɛnərəl pərˈfɔrməns ənd stəˈbɪlɪti ˌɪmˈpruvmənts.

sarah tew/cnet apple quietly updated software for its second- and third-generation apple tv set-top boxes today to make it work with ios 6 features. the new version of the software, dubbed ios 5.1 (though not the same 5.1 iphone, ipod, and ipad users got earlier this year), adds things like shared photo streams, search, and showtimes for local theaters through the trailers app, and a way to reorder the icons on the home screen (something that leaked out a few months ago in a developer build). however chief among the items of interest is a way to switch itunes accounts,oviding a way for multiple user households to access differing content libraries on the same box. this is something apple has not offered on its portable devices, and its addition suggests the feature could be headed there eventually. the apple tv has remained what apple considers a "hobby" device when compared with the sales and popularity ofoducts like the ipod, iphone, and ipad. nonetheless, the company has pointed to increasing sales in recent earnings calls, with ceo tim cook dropping the notion that even though it's not a blockbuster, the company didn't keep aroundoducts it didn't like. apple, of course has long been rumored to be working on a tv set, a rumor that's rooted in some fact. late apple co-founder steve jobs told biographer walter isaacson that he wanted "to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use" and that he "finally cracked it." since then there has been no shortage of rumors that suggest apple is still at work on such aoduct. per the idownloadblog, here are the full release notes of ios 5.1 for apple tv: shared photo streams - accept invitations for shared photo streams, browse photos and comments, and receive notifications of new content. airplay - send audio content from apple tv to airplay-enabled speakers and devices (including airport express and other apple tvs). also includes the ability to require an onscreen code to use airplay with your apple tv. itunes account switching - save multiple itunes accounts and switch quickly between them. trailers - search movie trailers. in the united states, see show times for local theaters. screen savers - new cascade, shrinking tiles, and sliding panels screen savers. main menu - reorder icons on the second page by holding down the select button on the remote. subtitles - sdh support for the deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as improvements to viewing and selecting subtitles. network configuration - support for setting up advanced network options using configurationofiles. see http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5437 for more information. stability and performance - includes general performance and stability improvements.

tɪm rɪˈpɔrts: "ðə dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˈhoʊmˌlænd sɪˈkjʊrəti (dhs*) həz ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪd ɪt wɔnts tɪ mɔr ðən ˈdəbəl ɪts flit əv ˈprɛdətər droʊnz juzd tɪ flaɪ sərˈveɪləns ˈmɪʃənz ˌɪnˈsaɪd ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts." ðə dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˈhoʊmˌlænd sɪˈkjʊrəti wɔnts tɪ ˈdəbəl ɪts droʊn flit. (ˈfoʊˌtoʊ: ˈkeɪti ˈdrəmənd) tɪ ˈdəbəl ˈjuˈɛs droʊn flit baɪ ˈtrɛvər tɪm, ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk frənˈtɪr faʊnˈdeɪʃən rɪˈnud ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm frəm boʊθ ˈpɑrtiz ɪn ˈkɑŋgrəs ðət dəˈmɛstɪk droʊnz poʊz ə ˈpraɪvəsi ˈdeɪnʤər tɪ ˈjuˈɛs ˈsɪtɪzənz ənd ə rɪˈpɔrt frəm ɪts oʊn ˌɪnˈspɛktər ˈʤɛnərəl ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪŋ tɪ stɑp baɪɪŋ ðɛm ðə dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˈhoʊmˌlænd sɪˈkjʊrəti (dhs*) həz ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪd ɪt wɔnts tɪ mɔr ðən ˈdəbəl ɪts flit əv ˈprɛdətər droʊnz juzd tɪ flaɪ sərˈveɪləns ˈmɪʃənz ˌɪnˈsaɪd ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts. ˈjɛstərˌdeɪ, ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə wɔʧ ˌriˈpɔrtəd ðət saɪnd ə ˈkɑnˌtrækt ðət kʊd bi wərθ ɛz məʧ ɛz 443 ˈmɪljən wɪθ ˈʤɛnərəl fər ðə ˈpərʧəs əp tɪ ˌfɔrˈtin əˈdɪʃənəl ˈprɛdətər droʊnz tɪ flaɪ nɪr ðə ˈbɔrdər əv ˈmɛksəˌkoʊ ənd ˈkænədə. ˈkɑŋgrəs wʊd stɪl nid tɪ əˈproʊpriˌeɪt ðə fəndz, bət ɪf ðeɪ dɪd,' droʊn flit ˌɪnˈkris tɪ tˈwɛntiˌfɔr. waɪl ˈmɛni ˈpipəl meɪ θɪŋk ðə ˈjuˈɛs ˈoʊnli flaɪz ˈprɛdətər droʊnz ˈoʊvərˈsiz, həz ɔˈrɛdi spɛnt 250 ˈmɪljən ˈoʊvər ðə læst sɪks jɪrz ɔn tɛn sərˈveɪləns ˈprɛdətərz əv ɪts oʊn. ˈkəstəmz ənd ˈbɔrdər prəˈtɛkʃən (cbp*) ə dɪˈvɪʒən əv ˈjuzɪz ðə ənˈmænd droʊnz ˌɪnˈsaɪd ðə juz. tɪ pəˈtroʊl ðə ˈbɔrdərz wɪθ sərˈveɪləns ɪkˈwɪpmənt laɪk ˈvɪdioʊ ˈkæmərəz, ˌɪnfrərˈɛd ˈkæmərəz, hit ˈsɛnsərz, ənd ˈreɪˌdɑr. ðeɪ seɪ ðə droʊnz ər ˈvaɪtəl ɪn ðə faɪt tɪ stɑp ˌɪˈligəl ˈɪməgrənts, bət ɛz ˌriˈpɔrtəd ɪn ʤun, ðə ˌɪnˈspɛktər ˈʤɛnərəl ˈɪʃud ə rɪˈpɔrt ˈfɔltɪŋ fər ˈweɪstɪŋ taɪm, ˈməni, ənd ˈrisɔrsɪz ˈjuzɪŋ droʊnz ðət wər ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv ənd lækt ˈoʊvərˌsaɪt. ðə ˌɪnˈspɛktər ˈʤɛnərəl ʧæˈstaɪzd ðə ˈeɪʤənsi fər baɪɪŋ tu droʊnz læst jɪr dɪˈspaɪt noʊɪŋ ðiz ˈprɑbləmz ənd ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪd ðeɪ sis baɪɪŋ ðɛm ənˈtɪl ðə ˈprɑbləmz kʊd bi fɪkst. pərˈhæps wərs, ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ flaɪɪŋ ˈprɛdətər droʊn ˈmɪʃənz ɔn bɪˈhæf əv ə dɪˈvərs grup əv ˈloʊkəl, steɪt, ənd ˈfɛdərəl lɔ ɛnˈfɔrsmənt ˈeɪʤənsiz fər ˈmɪʃənz bɪɔnd ˌɪməˈgreɪʃən ˈɪʃuz. wi noʊ ðeɪ hæv lɛnt ðə droʊnz aʊt tɪ ðə ˈkaʊnti ˈʃɛrɪfs dɪˈpɑrtmənt ɪn nɔrθ dəˈkoʊtə ənd ðə ˈtɛksəs ˈreɪnʤərz, əˈməŋ ˈəðərz, bət ənˈfɔrʧənətli, wi noʊ ðə fʊl ɪkˈstɛnt ˈlɛndɪŋ ˈproʊˌgræm., ɛz ɪz ðɛr ˈkəstəm, ɪz ˈkipɪŋ ðət ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ˈsikrɪt. ɪn rɪˈspɑns, læst mənθ sud ˈəndər ðə ˈfridəm əv ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ækt dɪˈmændɪŋ ˈænsərz əˈbaʊt haʊ ənd waɪ ɪt loʊnz aʊt ɪts ˈprɛdətər droʊnz tɪ ˈəðər lɔ ɛnˈfɔrsmənt ˈeɪʤənsiz əˈkrɔs ðə ˈkəntri. ˈlɔˌsut æsks fər ðə ˈrɛkərdz ənd lɔgz əv droʊn flaɪts kənˈdəktəd ɪn kənˈʤəŋkʃən wɪθ ˈəðər ˈeɪʤənsiz. ðiz droʊnz poʊz ə ˈməltəˌtud əv ˈpraɪvəsi kənˈsərnz tɪ ɔl əˈmɛrɪkənz, ɛz ðə kənˈgrɛʃənəl ˈrisərʧ ˈsərvɪs (congress’*’ nɑnˈpɑrtəzən ˈrisərʧ ɑrm) dɪˈteɪld ɪn ðɪs ˌkɑmpriˈhɛnsɪv rɪˈpɔrt ɔn dəˈmɛstɪk droʊnz ənd ðə fɔrθ əˈmɛndmənt. ðə rɪˈpɔrt ɪkˈspleɪnz droʊnz kən bi ɪkˈwɪpt wɪθ, əˈməŋ ˈəðər ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz, ˈfeɪʃəl ˌrɛkɪgˈnɪʃən tɛkˈnɑləʤi, feɪk sɛl foʊn taʊərz tɪ ˌɪnərˈsɛpt foʊn kɔlz, tɛksts ənd ˈgipiˈɛs loʊˈkeɪʃənz, ənd ɪn ə fju jɪrz, wɪl ˈivɪn bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ si θru wɔlz. dɪˈspaɪt ðiz kənˈsərnz, həz nɑt ˈpəblɪkli ˈɪʃud ˈɛni ˈpraɪvəsi rulz tɪ meɪk ʃʊr droʊnz du nɑt spaɪ ɔn ˈjuˈɛs ˈrɛzɪdənts ɪn ˈbɔrdər steɪts goʊɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðɛr ˈdeɪli lɪvz. ɪn fækt, æt ə kənˈgrɛʃənəl ˈhirɪŋ ɔn ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt, rɪfˈjuzd tɪ sɛnd ˈɛniˌwən tɪ ˈtɛstɪˌfaɪ, ˈlidɪŋ boʊθ ˈpɑrtiz tɪ ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz ðɛr ˈæbsəns. ðɪs ɪz ˈivɪn mɔr ˈtrəbəlɪŋ ˈgɪvɪn ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ˈlidɪŋ ðə pʊʃ tɪ gɪt ˈloʊkəl pəˈlis ˈeɪʤənsiz tɪ ˈpərʧəs ðɛr oʊn droʊnz baɪ ˈhændɪŋ aʊt 4 ˈmɪljən tɪ ˈeɪʤənsiz tɪ ənd accelerate”*” ðɛr juz. ðə ˈɛstəˌmeɪts ɛz ˈmɛni ɛz droʊnz kʊd bi flaɪɪŋ ˈoʊvər ˈjuˈɛs ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri baɪ ðə ɛnd əv ðə ˈdɛkeɪd. ðə ˈbumɪŋ droʊn ˈɪndəstri, wɪʧ həz əˈnaʊnst ə kæmˈpeɪn ɪn ən əˈtɛmpt tæmp daʊn ðə ˈpraɪvəsi kənˈsərnz, ɪz kwɪk tɪ pɔɪnt aʊt ðət ðiz pəˈlis droʊnz wɪʧ kɔst ˈɛniˌwɛr frəm ˈəndər tɪ 1 ˈmɪljən ər sˈmɔlər ðən ˈprɛdətərz ənd du nɑt hæv ðə seɪm flaɪt taɪm, soʊ pəˈlis wʊd nɑt bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ sərˈveɪl əˈmɛrɪkənz fər aʊərz ər deɪz æt ə taɪm laɪk ˈprɛdətər droʊnz kʊd. jɛt ɛz ðə tɛkˈnɑləʤi ədˈvænsɪz ˈræpədli ənd bɪˈkəmz ˈʧipər ˈɛvəri jɪr, sˈmɔlər droʊnz wɪl sun bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ flaɪ fər ən ɪkˈstɛndɪd taɪm ˈpɪriəd ɛz wɛl. fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, ˈmɑrtɪn həz dɪˈvɛləpt ə droʊn ðət weɪz ˈoʊnli paʊnz, wɛl wɪˈθɪn ðə dəˈmɛstɪk weɪt ˈlɪmɪts, ənd kən bi riˈʧɑrʤd baɪ ə ˈleɪzər ɔn ðə graʊnd, əˈlaʊɪŋ ɪt rɪˈmeɪn ɪn ðə ɛr ˌɪnˈdɛfənətli. ˈsɛvərəl ˈmɛmbərz əv ˈkɑŋgrəs hæv ˌɪntrəˈdust bɪlz ðət wʊd prəˈtɛkt ðə ˈpraɪvəsi əv əˈmɛrɪkənz ənd ˌɪnˈkris trænˈspɛrənsi sərˈaʊndɪŋ ðɛr juz. ðiz ˈmɛmbərz, hu ˈvoʊtɪd fər ˌɪnˈkrist droʊn juz ɪn ˈfɛbruˌɛri bət hæv ˈrisəntli ɪkˈsprɛst ˈsɛkənd θɔts, ʃʊd kɔl ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnətɪvz ˌbiˈfɔr ˈkɑŋgrəs tɪ ɪkˈspleɪn ðɛr pəˈzɪʃən. ðə əˈmɛrɪkən ˈpipəl dɪˈzərv ˈænsərz əˈbaʊt tɪ hum ˈhoʊmˌlænd sɪˈkjʊrəti ɪz ˈloʊnɪŋ ɪts droʊnz, haʊ plænz ɔn prəˈtɛktɪŋ americans’*’ ˈpraɪvəsi, ənd waɪ ðeɪ ˈivɪn nid ˈɛni mɔr, ˈgɪvɪn ðeɪ ər mɪsˈjuzɪŋ ðə droʊnz ðeɪ ɔˈrɛdi hæv.

timm reports: "the department of homeland security (dhs) has indicated it wants to more than double its fleet of predator drones used to fly surveillance missions inside the united states." the department of homeland security wants to double its drone fleet. (photo: katie drummond) dhs to double us drone fleet by trevor timm, electronic frontier foundation espite renewed criticism from both parties in congress that domestic drones pose a privacy danger to us citizens - and a report from its own inspector general recommending to stop buying them - the department of homeland security (dhs) has indicated it wants to more than double its fleet of predator drones used to fly surveillance missions inside the united states. yesterday, california watch reported that dhs signed a contract that could be worth as much as $443 million with general atomics for the purchase up to fourteen additional predator drones to fly near the border of mexico and canada. congress would still need to appropriate the funds, but if they did, dhs' drone fleet woud increase to twenty-four. while many people may think the us only flies predator drones overseas, dhs has already spent $250 million over the last six years on ten surveillance predators of its own. customs and border protection (cbp) - a division of dhs - uses the unmanned drones inside the u.s. to patrol the borders with surveillance equipment like video cameras, infrared cameras, heat sensors, and radar. they say the drones are vital in the fight to stop illegal immigrants, but as eff reported in june, the dhs inspector general issued a reportulting dhs for wasting time, money, and resources using drones that were ineffective and lacked oversight. the inspector general chastised the agency for buying two drones last year despite knowing these problems and recommended they cease buying them until the problems could be fixed. perhaps worse, dhs is also flying predator drone missions on behalf of a diverse group of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for missions beyond immigration issues. we know they have lent the drones out to the county sheriff's department in north dakota and the texas rangers, among others, but unfortunately, we don’t know the full extent dhs lending program. dhs, as is their custom, is keeping that information secret. in response, last month eff sued dhs under the freedom of information act demanding answers about how and why it loans out its predator drones to other law enforcement agencies across the country. eff's lawsuit asks for the records and logs of cbp drone flights conducted in conjunction with other agencies. these drones pose a multitude of privacy concerns to all americans, as the congressional research service (congress’ non-partisan research arm) detailed in this comprehensive report on domestic drones and the fourth amendment. the report explains drones can be equipped with, among other capabilities,cial recognition technology,ke cell phone towers to intercept phone calls, texts and gps locations, and in a few years, will even be able to see through walls. despite these concerns, dhs has not publicly issued any privacy rules to make sure drones do not spy on us residents in border states going about their daily lives. inct, at a congressional hearing on the subject, dhs refused to send anyone to testify, leading both parties to criticize their absence. this is even more troubling given dhs is also leading the push to get local police agencies to purchase their own drones by handing out $4 million to agencies to “facilitate and accelerate” their use. thea estimates as many as 30,000 drones could be flying over us territory by the end of the decade. the booming drone industry, which has announced a pr campaign in an attempt tamp down the public’s privacy concerns, is quick to point out that these police drones - which cost anywhere from under $100,000 to $1 million - are smaller than predators and do not have the same flight time, so police would not be able to surveil americans for hours or days at a time like predator drones could. yet as the technology advances rapidly and becomes cheaper every year, smaller drones will soon be able to fly for an extended time period as well. for example, lockhead martin has developed a drone that weighs only 13.2 pounds, well within thea’s domestic weight limits, and can be recharged by a laser on the ground, allowing it remain in the air indefinitely. several members of congress have commendably introduced bills that would protect the privacy of americans and increase transparency surrounding their use. these members, who voted for increased drone use in february but have recently expressed second thoughts, should call dhs representatives before congress to explain their position. the american people deserve answers about to whom homeland security is loaning its drones, how dhs plans on protecting americans’ privacy, and why they even need any more, given they are misusing the drones they already have.

ˈdæni həz sɛt hɪz saɪts ɔn ˈɛmjəˌleɪtɪŋ hɪz ˈɑrsənəl baɪ ˈlɪftɪŋ ðə kəp æt ˈwɛmbli. ðə ˈɪŋglənd ˈfɔrwərd həz ɔˈrɛdi wən ðə prɛˈmɪr lig bət ədˈmɪts ɪt wʊd bi greɪt tɪ æd ən kəp winners’*’ ˈmɛdəl tɪ hɪz. "groʊɪŋ əp ɛz ə kɪd wi ˈɔlˌweɪz nu ðə kəp wɑz səʧ ə hɪˈstɔrɪk ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən ənd əp tɪ ˈjuˈɛs tɪ kip ðət goʊɪŋ. ɪt wɪl lɪv ɔn fərˈɛvər" ˈdæni ə ˈspɛʃəl ˈtroʊfi tɪ wɪn ənd nɑt hæd ðə ʤɔɪ əv ˈwɪnɪŋ it,”*,” ðə ˈfɔrwərd toʊld ˈɑrsənəl pleɪər. ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət aɪ ˈrɪli wɔnt tɪ du. greɪt tɪ hæv ðət ɔn jʊr ənd ju ʤɪst wɔnt tɪ kip ɔn ˈwɪnɪŋ bɪˈkəz wəns ju gɪt ˈɪntu ðə ˈhæbət, gʊd tɪ kip goʊɪŋ. ˈɔlˌweɪz mɛnt ə lɔt. groʊɪŋ əp ɛz ə kɪd wi ˈɔlˌweɪz nu ðə kəp wɑz səʧ ə hɪˈstɔrɪk ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən ənd əp tɪ ˈjuˈɛs tɪ kip ðət goʊɪŋ. ʃʊr ɪt wɪl ənd ɪt wɪl lɪv ɔn forever.”*.” ˈɑrsənəl hoʊst ɪn ðə fɪθ raʊnd ɔn ˈsənˌdi ənd ɪz ˈkɑnfədənt ðə ˈgənərz hæv ɪˈnəf kˈwɑləti tɪ kip ðɛr hoʊps əv rɪˈteɪnɪŋ ðə kəp əˈlaɪv. hæv gɑt ˈnəθɪŋ tɪ luz bət ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ noʊ ðət goʊɪŋ tɪ bi əp əˈgɛnst ə gʊd side,”*,” hi ˈædɪd. ʃʊr ðət wəns goʊɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə geɪm, bi priˈpɛrd ˈvɛri wɛl. noʊ əˈbaʊt ðɛr tim, noʊ ə lɔt əˈbaʊt ˈjuˈɛs ɛz wɛl soʊ ɪt ʃʊd bi ə gʊd əˈkeɪʒən. laɪk tɪ pleɪ ɑr geɪm bət ˈɑbviəsli ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl gɑt ðɛr strɛŋθs ənd ˈwiknəsɪz soʊ bi ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈɪntu ðət. ðɛr tim ənd noʊ wɛr wi kən ˈmeɪbi meɪk ðə ˈdɪfərəns ɔn ðə day.”*.”

danny welbeck has set his sights on emulating his arsenal team-mates by lifting the fa cup at wembley. the england forward has already won the premier league but admits it would be great to add an fa cup winners’ medal to his cv. "growing up as a kid we always knew the fa cup was such a historic competition and it’s up to us to keep that going. it will live on forever" danny welbeck “it’s a special trophy to win and i’ve not had the joy of winning it,” the forward told arsenal player. “it’s something that i really want to do. it’s great to have that on your cv and you just want to keep on winning because once you get into the habit, it’s good to keep going. “it’s always meant a lot. growing up as a kid we always knew the fa cup was such a historic competition and it’s up to us to keep that going. i’m sure it will and it will live on forever.” arsenal host middlesbrough in the fifth round on sunday and welbeck is confident the gunners have enough quality to keep their hopes of retaining the fa cup alive. “middlesbrough have got nothing to lose but they also know that they’re going to be up against a good side,” he added. “i’m sure that once we’re going into the game, we’ll be prepared very well. we’ll know about their team, they’ll know a lot about us as well so it should be a good occasion. advert “we’d like to play our game but obviously every single team’s got their strengths and weaknesses so we’ll be looking into that. we’ll analyse their team and know where we can maybe make the difference on the day.”

"smuð ˌæbərˈeɪʃən" ɪz ə əˈkaʊnt ˈmænɪʤd baɪ ən ɔˈstreɪljən gaɪ hu kəmˈpəlsɪvli ənd məˈtɪkjələsli ˈdɑkjəmənts ðə rɪˈmuvəl əv hɪz ˈmɛni hɛrz ɪn ˈhənərdz əv ˈvɪdioʊz ðət wər dimd tu hɔˈrɪfɪk baɪ ˈjuˌtub tɪ rɪˈmeɪn ɔn ðə saɪt. smuð ˌæbərˈeɪʃən hæd geɪnd kwaɪt ə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ wɪθ hɪz hɛr rɪˈmuvəl ˈvɪdioʊz ˌbiˈfɔr hɪz ˈʧænəl wɑz ˈtərməˌneɪtɪd baɪ ˈjuˌtub, ˈməltəpəl taɪmz, fər ˈvaɪəleɪtɪŋ ðə tərmz əv ðɛr "kəmˈjunɪti ˈgaɪˌdlaɪnz." jɛs, ðɛr ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbli ˈgræfɪk, θæŋks tɪ ðə ˈmaɪkrəˌskoʊp hi ˈjuzɪz fər ə hɪz stəf ˈɪzənt ˈɛni mɔr ˈvɪʒwəli əˈfɛnsɪv ðən ðə "ˈpɑpɪŋ" ˈvɪdioʊz ðət ər soʊ ˈpɑpjələr ɔn ˈjuˌtub ðeɪ meɪk əp ðɛr oʊn ˈʒɑnrə. ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt sɪk əv ˈgɪtɪŋ vaɪəˈleɪʃənz ənd ˌtərməˈneɪʃənz frəm ˈjuˌtub, smuð ˌæbərˈeɪʃən ˈfaɪnəli tʊk hɪz ˈhɑbi ˈoʊvər tɪ læst jɪr wɛr hiz hæd ðə ˈfridəm tɪ ˈəˌploʊd mɔr ðən 800 ˈvɪdioʊz əv ˌmaɪkrəˈskɑpɪk hɛr ɛkˈstrækʃənz. əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ən hi kənˈdəktəd ɔn reddit*, smuð ˌæbərˈeɪʃən həz ˈsəmθɪŋ əv ə ˈkrɑnɪk hɛr ˈprɑbləm, ˈwɛðər hi ˈwæksɪz, ˈʃʊgərz, ʃeɪvz, ər ˈjuzɪz dɪˈpɪləˌtɔri krim. bət naʊ hi dɪˈlɪbərətli ʃeɪvz hɪz ˈbɑdi hɛr soʊ ðət mɔr kən fɔrm. ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt "ðə ˈskɑrɪŋ ɪz nɑt ˈrɪli ðət bad—*— ˈbɛrli ˈnoʊtəsəbəl," hi sɪz, "ˌɔlˈðoʊ aɪ kænt si ˌmaɪˈsɛlf duɪŋ ɪt fər ˈdɛkeɪdz ənd ˈdɛkeɪdz." ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt ɛz fər ˈwɛðər ər nɑt hi həz səm kaɪnd əv "ˈprɑbləm," hi sɪz, "aɪ doʊnt bɪˈliv aɪ hæv ər dermatillomania*. aɪ doʊnt fil kəmˈpɛld tɪ sɪt daʊn ˈrɛgjələrli ənd pʊl aʊt hɛrz, ənd aɪ doʊnt du ɪt wɪn əm nɑt rɪˈkɔrdɪŋ ðɛm. ˈjuʒəwəli aɪ wɪl ˈrɛkərd ˈvɪdioʊz ɪn lɑrʤ ˈsɛʃənz iʧ wik ər iʧ ˈfɔrtˌnaɪt, ˈsəmˌtaɪmz əp tɪ 50 əv ðɛm." ju kən ˈfɑloʊ hɪz "wərk," ənd kip əp tɪ deɪt wɪθ wəts goʊɪŋ ɔn wɪθ hɪz ˈbɑdi hɛr ɔn ˈfeɪsˌbʊk.

"smooth aberration" is a vimeo account managed by an australian guy who compulsively and meticulously documents the removal of his many ingrown hairs in hundreds of videos that were deemed too horrific by youtube to remain on the video-hosting site. smooth aberration had gained quite a following with his ingrown hair removal videos before his channel was terminated by youtube, multiple times, for violating the terms of their "community guidelines." yes, they're gross—and incredibly graphic, thanks to the usb microscope he uses for a camera—but his stuff isn't any more visually offensive than the "popping" videos that are so popular on youtube they make up their own genre. advertisement sick of getting violations and terminations from youtube, smooth aberration finally took his hobby over to vimeo last year where he's had the freedom to upload more than 800 videos of microscopic ingrown hair extractions. according to an ama he conducted on reddit, smooth aberration has something of a chronic ingrown hair problem, whether he waxes, sugars, shaves, or uses depilatory cream. but now he deliberately shaves his body hair so that more ingrown can form. advertisement "the scarring is not really that bad— barely noticeable," he says, "although i can't see myself doing it for decades and decades." advertisement as for whether or not he has some kind of "problem," he says, "i don't believe i have trichtillomania or dermatillomania. i don't feel compelled to sit down regularly and pull out hairs, and i don't do it when i'm not recording them. usually i will record videos in large sessions each week or each fortnight, sometimes up to 50 of them." you can follow his "work," and keep up to date with what's going on with his body hair on facebook.

(di ˈfræŋkoʊ mɪl inglesi*, 200 ˈdɛlə sæs, pɑʧ ɪn pər ˈnɛlə. lə ˈpɑrteɪ ˈdɛlə grænd ɪn lɑ dɛl terrore*. səl ˈmɪrər coinvolgerà*à ˈsərkə, mərˈin i europee*. dæl ˈɪŋgliz: ˈfɔrzə sarà*à italiani*, ɪl sarà*à ɪn fɔrˈmɑtoʊ ˈdiˈeɪ inglesi*, ɛd americani”*”. dall’inghilterra*, quindi*, ɪl di italiani*, però*ò ʧeɪ lɑ səl ˈɑlə dɛl səl ˈkæmpoʊ. ɪl ɪn ˈprimə di italiani*. ˈdiˈeɪ ʧeɪ aɪ ʧeɪ ə ɪn nɑn di (kwɛl già*à ˈspɛʃəl riˈkɑnəsəns ˈrɛʤəmənt), mɑ æl dɛl lealiste*. ɪn ˈjuˈɛn ˈpriˌmoʊ di formazione*, mɑ ɪn ˈprimə ˈʧɛrtoʊ ɪl schierato*. lə ˈnɛlə di ˈunə ˈfɔrzə di ɪn costante*. aɪ già*à petroliferi*. ˈunə ˈvoʊltə i tattico*, sarà*à kˈwɛloʊ di lɑ roʊkəˈfɔrti di. ˈprimə, però*ò, lɑ nˈwoʊvə (ə ˈgidə ˌɪˌtæliˈænə), dovrà*à ʧeɪ nɛl ˈmɑni ɪl più*ù grænd dɛl nɔrd ˈæfrɪkɑ, aɪ ˈpɔzi di æl brega*, ʧeɪ si i bengasi*. inglesi*. aɪ sæs di management”*” pər libico*. lɑ rɔɪəl ˈneɪvi, intanto*, hɑ ˈjuˈɛn lɑ ˈkɔstɑ dɛl nɔrd ˈæfrɪkɑ ɛd ˈɑlə ræf ˈdɑtoʊ di ˈunə nˈwoʊvə ɪn lɑ ˈfɔrzə ʧeɪ parteciperà*à eɪaɪ reɪd). già*à mərˈin, ˈdiˈeɪ tim ˈneɪvi sil ɪn di. aɪ, infine*. ɪl pər aɪ. frɑnˈʧeɪzi ɪn ˈæfrɪkɑ nɑn hɑ anni*. ʧeɪ ˈbɑsi ɪn ˈæfrɪkɑ ə ˈdɛlə) ˈdɪsloʊkeɪt ɪn ciad*, naɪˈʤɪriə, ˈmɑli, bərˈkinə ˈfɑsoʊ, ˌsɛnəˈgɔl, ˈkɔstɑ i gəˈbɑn. ɪn ˈæfrɪkɑ daɪ nɑn ˈunə ˈfɔrzə di ˈpiˌskipɪŋ, mɑ ˈjuˈɛn ˈvɛroʊ i dɛl ɛd ˈnɛlə kɑn dɛl dɪ spéciales”*” i du ˈkəmpəni ˈdɛlə pər ˈjuˈɛn di. i dɛl paese*, lɑ, lɑ faɪn dɛl di gheddafi*, nɛl caos*. (foto*: ˈjuˈɛs dod*)

(di franco iacch ) mille soldati inglesi, tra cui 200 operatori della sas, saranno tra poche settimane in libia per arginare l’avanzata dello stato islamico nella regione. le truppe combattenti faranno parte della prossima grande offensiva prevista in libia contro la rete del terrore. l'operazione – scrivono oggi sul mirror - coinvolgerà circa 6.000 soldati, tra marine americani e truppe europee. aggiungono dal quotidiano inglese: “la forza sarà guidata dagli italiani, il contingente sarà in prevalenza formato da soldati inglesi, francesi ed americani”. dall’inghilterra, quindi, confermano il ruolo di comando degli italiani, lasciando intendere però che la presenza sul terreno dovrebbe essere limitata alla semplice coordinazione delle truppe sul campo. dovrebbe essere escluso il coinvolgimento in prima linea di soldati italiani. da rilevare che i seimila soldati che a breve giungeranno in libia non svolgeranno compiti di ricognizione (quel ruolo è già stato affidato allo special reconnaissance regiment), ma saranno truppe combattenti al fianco delle milizie lealiste. in un primo momento dovrebbero svolgere compiti di formazione, ma l’impiego in prima linea appare certo considerando il numero schierato. le ultime analisi nella regione parlano di una forza estremista di cinquemila elementi in espansione costante. i terroristi hanno già conquistato alcuni importanti giacimenti petroliferi. una volta arginata l’invasione e stabilizzato l’asset tattico, l’obiettivo sarà quello di conquistare la roccaforte costiera di sirte. prima ancora, però, la nuova coalizione (a guida italiana), dovrà impedire che nelle mani dei terroristi possa cadere il più grande giacimento petrolifero del nord africa, i pozzi di marsa al brega, che si trovano tra sirte e bengasi. ritornando agli inglesi. i sas avranno anche compiti di “battle-space management” per l’esercito libico. la royal navy, intanto, ha inviato anche un cacciatorpediniere verso la costa del nord africa ed alla raf è stato dato l’ordine di allestire una nuova campagna aerea contro obiettivi dello stato islamico in libia (è ancora ignota la forza che parteciperà ai raid). gli stati uniti hanno già confermato l’invio dei marine, supportati da alcuni team navy seal in ruolo di ricognizione. i francesi, infine. parigi rappresenta il nemico peggiore per i terroristi. l’esperienza francese in africa non ha eguali negli ultimi dieci anni. basti pensare che l’eliseo possiede dieci basi in africa (oltre a quelle della legione) dislocate in ciad, nigeria, mali, burkina faso, senegal, costa d’avorio e gabon. quella schierata in africa dai francesi non è una forza di peacekeeping, ma un vero e proprio esercito del tutto autosufficiente ed addestrato specificatamente nella guerriglia con operatori del “commandement des opérations spéciales” e due compagnie della legione straniera per un totale di settemila soldati. nonostante gli interventi dell’occidente e l’incredibile ricchezza del paese, la libia, dopo la fine del governo di gheddafi, è piombata nel caos. (foto: us dod)

ɪts ə ˈnaɪtˌmɛr fər wən nu ˈjɔrkər hu keɪm hoʊm tɪ faɪnd hɪz əˈpɑrtmənt klɪrd aʊt. ˈvərʧuəli ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ hi oʊnd hæd bɪn hɔld əˈweɪ baɪ ə ˈrəbɪʃ rɪˈmuvəl ˈsərvɪs. hi wɑz ˈdəmfaʊndɪd ənd hæd noʊ aɪˈdiə waɪ ðɪs hæd ˈhæpənd tɪ hɪz əˈpɑrtmənt ɔn ist strit ɔn ðə ˈəpər ist saɪd. "ʤɪst θɪŋk əv ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ðət juv əkˈwaɪərd ɪn jʊr ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm ɪn jʊr haʊs ʤɪst gɔn!" sɛd ʃrɔf, ə ˈtɛnənt. ʃrɔf ˈkʊdənt bɪˈliv wət hi wɑz siɪŋ. hi hæd ʤɪst rɪˈtərnd hoʊm frəm ə lɔŋ deɪ æt wərk ənd hɪz ɪnˈtaɪər əˈpɑrtmənt hæd bɪn klind aʊt. "raɪt hir, aɪ hæd ə ˈdrɛsər ˌbiˈfɔr, ɪn hir wɑz kəmˈplitli ˈɛmti, maɪ ɛr kənˈdɪʃənər wɑz stɪl ɪn ðɛr, maɪ ˈmaɪkrəˌweɪv, ɔl əv maɪ pɑts ənd pænz, ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl ˈkæbənət wɑz ʤɪst klɪrd aʊt," ʃrɔf sɛd, "aɪ ˈlɪtərəli hæd ðə kloʊðz ðət aɪ wɑz ˈwɛrɪŋ ɔn maɪ bæk ənd ˈnəθɪŋ ɛls." wət dɪd nɛkst ɪz wət ˈɛni əv ˈjuˈɛs wʊd hæv dən. hi θɔt hid bɪn rɑbd, soʊ hi kɔld 911 bət wɪn dɪˈtɛktɪvz əraɪvd tɪ ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪt, ðeɪ ˈriəˌlaɪzd ɪt ˈwəzənt ə ˈbərgləri æt ɔl. "ðə kɑps wər laɪk, 'wiv ˈnɛvər sin ˈɛniˌθɪŋ laɪk ðɪs.' ðeɪ wər ˈlæfɪŋ," ʃrɔf sɛd. hi sɪz ðə ˈlænˌdlɔrd ˈleɪtər ədˈmɪtəd ðət ˈrəbɪʃ rɪˈmuvəl ˈkɑnˌtræktərz hæd klind aʊt ðə rɔŋ əˈpɑrtmənt. ˌɪnˈstɛd əv daʊn ðə hɔl, ðeɪ klind aʊt əˈpɑrtmənt 2d*. ðeɪ riˈmuvd ˈvərʧuəli ɔl əv pəˈzɛʃənz laɪk hɪz ˈpæˌspɔrt, hɪz ˈkrɛdɪt kɑrdz, hɪz ˈʧɛkˌbʊk, ənd ˈivɪn ðə ˈdərti ˈdɪʃɪz ɪn hɪz sɪŋk. "ɪts ˈɛvəri ˈsɪŋgəl pis əv ˈkloʊðɪŋ ðət aɪ oʊnd. laɪk, ˈəndərˌwɛr, aɪ hæv tɪ goʊ tɪ ˈtərgət ðə nɛkst ˈmɔrnɪŋ tɪ ʤɪst baɪ ˈəndərˌwɛr," ʃrɔf sɛd. həz sɪns ˌriˈpleɪst məʧ əv ɪt ənd faʊnd əˈnəðər ˈfoʊˌtoʊ əv hɪz leɪt ˈməðər tɪ teɪk ðə pleɪs əv ðə wən ðət wɑz θroʊn aʊt. ðə ˈbɪldɪŋ, æt 409 ist strit, ɪz ˈmænɪʤd baɪ ðə ˈkəmpəˌni. əˈfɪʃəlz kʊd nɑt bi riʧt fər ˈkɑmɛnt. həz faɪld ə ˈlɔˌsut ənd ɪz dɪˈmændɪŋ ɪn ˈdæmɪʤɪz. ðə jəŋ kəmˈpjutər kənˈsəltənt həz bɪn fɔrst tɪ riˈbut hɪz laɪf. "aɪ wɑz ʤɪst ʃɑkt, ɪn ʃɑk," ʃrɔf sɛd.

it's a nightmare for one new yorker who came home to find his apartment cleared out. virtually everything he owned had been hauled away by a rubbish removal service. he was dumbfounded and had no idea why this had happened to his apartment on east 74th street on the upper east side. "just think of everything that you've acquired in your lifetime in your house just gone!" said nilay shroff, a tenant. nilay shroff couldn't believe what he was seeing. he had just returned home from a long day at work and his entire apartment had been cleaned out. "right here, i had a dresser before, in here was completely empty, my air conditioner was still in there, my microwave, all of my pots and pans, every single cabinet was just cleared out," shroff said, "i literally had the clothes that i was wearing on my back and nothing else." what nilay did next is what any of us would have done. he thought he'd been robbed, so he called 911. but when detectives arrived to investigate, they realized it wasn't a burglary at all. "the cops were like, 'we've never seen anything like this.' they were laughing," shroff said. he says the landlord later admitted that rubbish removal contractors had cleaned out the wrong apartment. instead of 2b down the hall, they cleaned out apartment 2d. they removed virtually all of nilay's possessions like his passport, his credit cards, his checkbook, and even the dirty dishes in his sink. "it's every single piece of clothing that i owned. like, underwear, i have to go to target the next morning to just buy underwear," shroff said. nilay has since replaced much of it and found another photo of his late mother to take the place of the one that was thrown out. the building, at 409 east 74th street, is managed by the mautner-glick company. officials could not be reached for comment. nilay has filed a lawsuit and is demanding $40,000 in damages. the young computer consultant has been forced to reboot his life. "i was just shocked, in shock," shroff said.

ˈɛdɪtərz noʊt: ˈtoʊni ˈgroʊsi ˈkəvərz ðə ˈklivlənd braʊnz fər 850 wknr*. ðɪs ɪz ðə wik wi gɪt səm ˈklɛrɪti ɔn ðə ˈklivlənd braʊnz kˈwɔrtərˌbæk ˈtrækər. dɪˈsɪʒənz məst bi meɪd baɪ ˈsæˌtɪˌdeɪ ɔn ˈteɪlər baɪ ðə ˈbəfəˌloʊ bɪlz ənd ɔn ˈrɑbərt ˈgrɪfɪn baɪ ðə braʊnz. ɪf ˈteɪlər ɪz meɪd ə fri ˈeɪʤənt baɪ ðə bɪlz, ðə braʊnz ər əˈnəðər tim meɪ saɪn ɪm ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˈwiˌkɪnd ɪz ˈoʊvər. ɪf ðə braʊnz pərˈsu ˈteɪlər, ɪt wʊd min ðə ɛnd əv ðə ˈgrɪfɪn ɪkˈspɛrəmənt ɪn ˈklivlənd. ðɛn ðə ˈʤɪmi sˈwipˌsteɪks. ˈθərzˌdeɪ mɑrks nɑt ˈoʊnli ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ əv fri ˈeɪʤənsi bət ˈɔlsoʊ ðə stɑrt əv ðə ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl ˈtreɪdɪŋ ˈpɪriəd. ˈvɛri fju ˈpipəl ɪn əˈtɛndəns æt ðə ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl ˈkɑmbaɪn ɪn ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs bɪˈliv ðə nu ˈɪŋglənd ˈpeɪtriəts rɪˈgɑrd ɛz ““untouchable.”*.” ə pəˈtɛnʃəl treɪd fər ðə tɑm ˈbreɪdi ˈbæˌkəp, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, kʊd ɪkˈstɛnd ˈɪntu ˈeɪprəl ənˈlɛs ðə braʊnz ər əˈnəðər tim ækt əˈgrɛsɪvli. ɛz fər ðə ˈkɑlɪʤ ˈprɑspɛkts, ˈwɑtsən wɑz ðə klɪr ˈkɑmbaɪn ˈwɪnər əˈməŋ ðə tɔp θri kˈwɔrtərˌbæks. ˈdeɪvɪs wɛb ənd ʤɑʃ dɑbz ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɛnˈʤɔɪd gʊd ˈwiˌkɛndz ɪn ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs ənd ˈimərʤd ɛz ðə ˈlidərz əv ðə ˈsɛkənd weɪv. ðə ˈklivlənd braʊnz kˈwɔrtərˌbæk ˈtrækər ʧɑrts ðə ˈprɑˌgrɛs təˈwɔrd aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪɪŋ ðə 2017 ˈstɑrtər æt ðə pəˈzɪʃən. ə ˈtoʊtəl əv 100 pɔɪnts ɪz dɪˈvaɪdɪd əˈməŋ ðə kənˈtɛndərz. 1 ˈteɪlər, ˈbəfəˌloʊ bɪlz 25 pɔɪnts) hi mit koʊʧ hju haɪt ˈstændərd əv bət ðə ˌænəˈlɪtɪks ləv ɪm. pləs, hi kɔst ə dræft pɪk tɪ əkˈwaɪər. ðɪs meɪ tɛl ˈjuˈɛs hu ˈrɪli hoʊldz ðə ˈəpər hænd ɪn səˈlɛktɪŋ ðə kˈwɔrtərˌbæk. 2 ˈʤɪmi, nu ˈɪŋglənd ˈpeɪtriəts 21 pɔɪnts) ɪf ðə braʊnz wɔnt tɪ bi hɛld ˈhɑstɪʤ baɪ bɪl belichick*, ˈbɛtər meɪk ðɛr bɛst ˈɔfər ˈərli ənd bi dən wɪθ ɪt. ɪt wʊd bi ə kraɪɪŋ ʃeɪm tɪ si ɪm ˈtreɪdɪd tɪ əˈnəðər tim. 3 ˈwɑtsən, ˈklɛmsən 19 pɔɪnts) ðə ˈoʊnli wən əv ðə tɔp kˈwɔrtərˌbæk ˈprɑspɛkts tɪ ˈprɑʤɛkt ˈlidərˌʃɪp kərˈɪzmə æt ðə ˈkɑmbaɪn, hi ˈɔlsoʊ fɛrd wɛl ɪn ðə drɪlz ənd lʊkt ˈbɪgər ənd ˈθɪkər ðən ˌædvərˈtaɪzd. ɔl əv wɪʧ meɪks ɪt ɪkˈstrimli ˈdaʊtfəl hi wʊd bi əˈveɪləbəl æt noʊ. 12 4 ˈmɪʧəl trubisky*, nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə 11 pɔɪnts) hi pæst ðə haɪt tɛst ənd θru wɛl æt ðə ˈkɑmbaɪn. naʊ ə ˈmætər əv rɪˈlivɪŋ kənˈsərnz əˈbaʊt hɪz skænt 13 stɑrts əv ˈkɑlɪʤ ɪkˈspɪriəns. 5 ˈkaɪzər, ˈnoʊtər deɪm 9 pɔɪnts) kˈwɛsʧənz əˈbaʊt hɪz ˈpæʃən fər ðə geɪm ənd ˈlidərˌʃɪp əˈbɪləˌti meɪ nɑt bi riˈzɑlvd. æt hɪz bɛst, hi kən meɪk ˈɛni ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl θroʊ ənd ˈɔlsoʊ həz kəˈmɛndəbəl moʊˈbɪlɪti fər hɪz bɪg saɪz. æt hɪz wərst, ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt ˈfʊtˌwərk lidz tɪ ˈækjərəsi ˈɪʃuz. hi kʊd bi ðə ˈoʊnli wən əv ðə tɔp θri əˈveɪləbəl æt noʊ. 12 6 ˈdeɪvɪs wɛb, ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə 9 pɔɪnts) ðə bɛst θroʊər əv ðə ˈfʊtˌbɔl ʤɪst æsk ɪm. noʊ ˈlækɪŋ ˈkɑnfədɛns, hi rɪˈmeɪnz ðə ˈlidər əv ðə ˈsɛkənd weɪv əv ˈprɑspɛkts ənd meɪ nɑt læst ənˈtɪl ðə θərd raʊnd. 7 ʤɑʃ dɑbz, ˌtɛnəˈsi 3 pɔɪnts) ɪkˈstrimli braɪt ˈɛroʊˌspeɪs ˈɛnʤəˈnɪr ˈmeɪʤər wɪθ ə lɪv ɑrm ənd ˈrənɪŋ skɪlz. hi hæd ə faɪn ˈwiˌkɪnd. 8 ˈkoʊdi ˈkɛslər, braʊnz 2 pɔɪnts) ˈivɪn ɪf hi ɪz pæst ˈoʊvər ɛz ə ˈstɑrtər tɪ bɪˈgɪn hɪz ˈsɛkənd ˈsizən, hi meɪd ɪˈnəf əv ə ˈpɑzətɪv ˌɪmˈprɛʃən tɪ bi ˈgɪvɪn mɔr ˌɑpərˈtunətiz ɪn ðə fˈjuʧər. ju ˈnɛvər noʊ. hi kʊd ɛnd əp ˈstɑrtɪŋ mɔr ðən ðə eɪt geɪmz hi hæd ɛz ə ˈrʊki. 9 ˈrɑbərt ˈgrɪfɪn, braʊnz 1 pɔɪnt) ˈiðər hi wɪl kəm ɔf ðɪs lɪst ˈæftər ˈsæˌtɪˌdeɪ, ər hi wɪl raɪz. ə ˈrɑstər ˈboʊnəs du ɔn ðət deɪt wɪl ˈiðər bi peɪd ər nɑt. rɪˈsivɪŋ ɪt dɪz nɑt ˌgɛrənˈti ə ˈstɑrtɪŋ ʤɑb, bət ɪt wʊd ɪkˈstɛnd hɪz laɪf wɪθ ðə braʊnz. drɑpt aʊt: ˈpætrɪk mahomes*, ˈtɛksəs tɛk.

editor's note: tony grossi covers the cleveland browns for espn 850 wknr. this is the week we get some clarity on the espn cleveland browns quarterback tracker. decisions must be made by saturday on tyrod taylor by the buffalo bills and on robert griffin by the browns. if taylor is made a free agent by the bills, the browns or another team may sign him before the weekend is over. if the browns pursue taylor, it would mean the end of the griffin experiment in cleveland. then there’s the jimmy garoppolo sweepstakes. thursday marks not only the beginning of free agency but also the start of the nfl trading period. very few people in attendance at the nfl combine in indianapolis believe the new england patriots regard garoppolo as “untouchable.” a potential trade for the tom brady backup, however, could extend into april -- unless the browns or another team act aggressively. as for the college prospects, clemson’s deshaun watson was the clear combine winner among the top three quarterbacks. california’s davis webb and tennessee’s josh dobbs also enjoyed good weekends in indianapolis and emerged as the leaders of the second wave. the espn cleveland browns quarterback tracker charts the progress toward identifying the team’s 2017 starter at the position. a total of 100 points is divided among the contenders. 1. tyrod taylor, buffalo bills (25 points) he doesn’t meet coach hue jackson’s height standard of 6-foot-2, but the analytics love him. plus, he wouldn’t cost a draft pick to acquire. this may tell us who really holds the upper hand in selecting the quarterback. 2. jimmy garoppolo, new england patriots (21 points) if the browns don’t want to be held hostage by bill belichick, they’d better make their best offer early and be done with it. it would be a crying shame to see him traded to another team. 3. deshaun watson, clemson (19 points) the only one of the top quarterback prospects to project leadership charisma at the combine, he also fared well in the drills and looked bigger and thicker than advertised. all of which makes it extremely doubtful he would be available at no. 12. 4. mitchell trubisky, north carolina (11 points) he passed the 6-2 height test and threw well at the combine. now it’s a matter of relieving concerns about his scant 13 starts of college experience. 5. deshone kizer, notre dame (9 points) questions about his passion for the game and leadership ability may not be resolved. at his best, he can make any nfl throw and also has commendable mobility for his big size. at his worst, inconsistent footwork leads to accuracy issues. he could be the only one of the top three available at no. 12. 6. davis webb, california (9 points) he’s the best thrower of the football -- just ask him. no lacking confidence, he remains the leader of the second wave of prospects and may not last until the third round. 7. josh dobbs, tennessee (3 points) extremely bright aerospace engineer major with a live arm and dual-threat running skills. he had a fine weekend. 8. cody kessler, browns (2 points) even if he is passed over as a starter to begin his second season, he made enough of a positive impression to be given more opportunities in the future. you never know. he could end up starting more than the eight games he had as a rookie. 9. robert griffin, browns (1 point) either he will come off this list after saturday, or he will rise. a $750,000 roster bonus due on that date will either be paid or not. receiving it does not guarantee a starting job, but it would extend his life with the browns. dropped out: patrick mahomes, texas tech.

ˈfɪgjər 1 ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər meɪd baɪ ðə ˈkɑkjuˌsaɪ ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈkəmpəˌni ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd fər səˈlɛktɪŋ ðə ˈnɛroʊ 2 ˈbændwɪdθ ˈsɪgnəlz ɪn 455 ə ˈkɑmən 1 4 12 12 ɪn ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər meɪd baɪ ðə ˈkɑkjuˌsaɪ ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈkəmpəˌni ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd fər səˈlɛktɪŋ ðə ˈsɪgnəlz ɪn ˈreɪdiˌoʊ rɪˈsivərz. ɪt ˈɑpərˌeɪts æt, ə ˈkɑmən ɪf fər ðiz rɪˈsivərz, ənd ɪz dəˈmɛnʧənd). ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər ɪz ə ˈsɪgnəl ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ ˈfɪltər ˈjuʒəwəli juzd ɪn pleɪs əv ən ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk ˈfɪltər æt ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ˈfrikwənsiz. ɪts ˈpərpəs ɪz ðə seɪm ɛz ðət əv ə ˈnɔrməl ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk ˈfɪltər: tɪ pæs ə reɪnʤ əv ˈsɪgnəl ˈfrikwənsiz, bət tɪ blɑk ˈəðərz. ðə ˈfɪltər ækts ɔn məˈkænɪkəl vaɪˈbreɪʃənz wɪʧ ər ðə ˈænəˌlɔg əv ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈsɪgnəl. æt ðə ˈɪnˌpʊt ənd ˈaʊtˌpʊt əv ðə ˈfɪltər, trænsˈdusərz ˈkɑnvərt ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈsɪgnəl ˈɪntu, ənd ðɛn bæk frəm, ðiz məˈkænɪkəl vaɪˈbreɪʃənz. ðə kəmˈpoʊnənts əv ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər ər ɔl dɪˈrɛkli əˈnæləgəs tɪ ðə ˈvɛriəs ˈɛləmənts faʊnd ɪn ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈsərkəts. ðə məˈkænɪkəl ˈɛləmənts oʊˈbeɪ ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl ˈfəŋkʃənz wɪʧ ər aɪˈdɛntɪkəl tɪ ðɛr ˌkɔrəˈspɑndɪŋ ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈɛləmənts. ðɪs meɪks ɪt ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ əˈplaɪ ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈnɛtˌwərk æˈnælɪsɪs ənd ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪn ˈmɛθədz tɪ məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz. ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈθɪri həz dɪˈvɛləpt ə lɑrʤ ˈlaɪbrɛˌri əv ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl fɔrmz ðət ˈproʊdus ˈjusfəl ˈfɪltər ˈfrikwənsi rɪˈspɑnsɪz ənd ðə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪnər ɪz ˈeɪbəl tɪ meɪk dɪˈrɛkt juz əv ðiz. ɪt ɪz ˈoʊnli ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ sɛt ðə məˈkænɪkəl kəmˈpoʊnənts tɪ əˈproʊpriˌeɪt ˈvæljuz tɪ ˈproʊdus ə ˈfɪltər wɪθ ən aɪˈdɛntɪkəl rɪˈspɑns tɪ ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrt. stil ˈæˌlɔɪz ənd ˈæˌlɔɪz ər ˈkɑmən məˈtɪriəlz fər məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər kəmˈpoʊnənts; ˈnɪkəl ɪz ˈsəmˌtaɪmz juzd fər ðə ˈɪnˌpʊt ənd ˈaʊtˌpʊt ˈkəplɪŋz. ɪn ðə ˈfɪltər meɪd frəm ðiz məˈtɪriəlz nid tɪ bi məˈʃind tɪ prɪˈsaɪsli əˈʤəst ðɛr ˈrɛzənəns ˈfrikwənsi ˌbiˈfɔr ˈfaɪnəl əˈsɛmbli. waɪl ðə ˈminɪŋ əv məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər ɪn ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl ɪz wən ðət ɪz juzd ɪn ən ˌɪˌlɛktroʊməˈkænɪkəl roʊl, ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ juz ə məˈkænɪkəl dɪˈzaɪn tɪ ˈfɪltər məˈkænɪkəl vaɪˈbreɪʃənz ər saʊnd weɪvz (wɪʧ ər ˈɔlsoʊ ɛˈsɛnʃəli məˈkænɪkəl) dɪˈrɛkli. fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, ˈfɪltərɪŋ əv ˈɑdiˌoʊ ˈfrikwənsi rɪˈspɑns ɪn ðə dɪˈzaɪn əv ˈlaʊdˌspikər ˈkæbənəts kən bi əˈʧivd wɪθ məˈkænɪkəl kəmˈpoʊnənts. ɪn ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən, ɪn əˈdɪʃən tɪ məˈkænɪkəl kəmˈpoʊnənts wɪʧ ˌkɔrəˈspɑnd tɪ ðɛr ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrts, trænsˈdusərz ər ˈnidɪd tɪ ˈkɑnvərt bɪtˈwin ðə məˈkænɪkəl ənd ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl doʊˈmeɪnz. ə ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnətɪv səˈlɛkʃən əv ðə waɪd vərˈaɪəti əv kəmˈpoʊnənt fɔrmz ənd fər məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz ər pərˈzɛnəd ɪn ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl. ðə ˈθɪri əv məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz wɑz fərst əˈplaɪd tɪ ˌɪmˈpruvɪŋ ðə məˈkænɪkəl pɑrts əv ˈfoʊnəˌgræfs ɪn ðə 1920s*. baɪ ðə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz wər biɪŋ ˌmænjəˈfækʧərd ɛz ˈsɛlfkənˈteɪnd kəmˈpoʊnənts fər ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz ɪn ˈreɪdiˌoʊ trænsˈmɪtərz ənd haɪɛnd rɪˈsivərz. ðə haɪ "kˈwɑləti ˈfæktər", kju, ðət məˈkænɪkəl kən əˈteɪn, fɑr haɪər ðən ðət əv ən ˈsərkət, meɪd ˈpɑsəbəl ðə kənˈstrəkʃən əv məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz wɪθ ˈɛksələnt sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvəti. gʊd sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvəti, biɪŋ ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ɪn ˈreɪdiˌoʊ rɪˈsivərz, meɪd səʧ ˈfɪltərz ˈhaɪli əˈtræktɪv. kənˈtɛmpərˌɛri ˈrisərʧərz ər ˈwərkɪŋ ɔn ˈfɪltərz, ðə məˈkænɪkəl dɪˈvaɪsɪz ˌkɔrəˈspɑndɪŋ tɪ ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk ˈɪnəˌgreɪtɪd ˈsərkəts. ˈɛləmənts ˈɛdət məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər frəm ə ˈtɛləˌfoʊn ˈkɛriər ˈsɪstəm ˈjuzɪŋ ˈɛləmənts ðə ˈɛləmənts əv ə ˈpæsɪv ˈlɪniər ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈnɛtˌwərk kənˈsɪst əv, kəˈpæsɪtərz ənd rɪˈzɪstərz wɪʧ hæv ðə ˈprɑpərtiz əv ˌɪnˈdəktəns, (ˌɪnˈvərs kəˈpæsətəns) ənd rɪˈzɪstəns, rɪˈspɛktɪvli. ðə məˈkænɪkəl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrts əv ðiz ˈprɑpərtiz ər, rɪˈspɛktɪvli, mæs, ˈstɪfnəs ənd ˈdæmpɪŋ. ɪn moʊst ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪnz, ˈoʊnli ˌɪnˈdəktər ənd kəˈpæsətər ˈɛləmənts ər juzd ɪn ðə ˈbɑdi əv ðə ˈfɪltər (ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə ˈfɪltər meɪ bi ˈtərməˌneɪtɪd wɪθ rɪˈzɪstərz æt ðə ˈɪnˌpʊt ənd ˈaʊtˌpʊt). ər nɑt ˈprɛzənt ɪn ə ˌθiərˈɛtɪkəl ˈfɪltər kəmˈpoʊzd əv aɪˈdil kəmˈpoʊnənts ənd ˈoʊnli əraɪz ɪn ˈpræktɪkəl dɪˈzaɪnz ɛz ənˈwɔntɪd ˌpɛrəˈsɪtɪk ˈɛləmənts. ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz, ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər wʊd aɪˈdili kənˈsɪst ˈoʊnli əv kəmˈpoʊnənts wɪθ ðə ˈprɑpərtiz əv mæs ənd ˈstɪfnəs, bət ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti səm ˈdæmpɪŋ ɪz ˈprɛzənt ɛz ðə məˈkænɪkəl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrts əv ˈvoʊltɪʤ ənd ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈkɑrənt ɪn ðɪs taɪp əv æˈnælɪsɪs ər, rɪˈspɛktɪvli, fɔrs (ɛf) ənd vəˈlɑsəti (vi) ənd ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ðə ˈsɪgnəl waveforms*. frəm ðɪs, ə məˈkænɪkəl ˌɪmˈpidəns kən bi dɪˈfaɪnd ɪn tərmz əv ðə ˌɪˈmæʤəˌnɛri ˈæŋgjələr ˈfrikwənsi, jω*ω, wɪʧ ɪnˈtaɪərli ˈfɑloʊz ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl məˈkænɪkəl ˈɛləmənt ˈfɔrmjələ (ɪn wən dɪˈmɛnʃən) məˈkænɪkəl ˌɪmˈpidəns ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrt ˈstɪfnəs, ɛs ɛs ɛf ɛks \ˈoʊvər ɛks}} zi ɛs ʤeɪ \ˈoʊvər , 1/c*, ðə ˌɪnˈvərs əv kəˈpæsətəns mæs, ɛm ɛm ɛf di vi di ti ɛf ə \ˈoʊvər ə}} zi ʤeɪ ɛm ɛm\,} ˌɪnˈdəktəns, ɛl ˈdæmpɪŋ, di di ɛf vi \ˈoʊvər vi}} zi di z=d*\,} rɪˈzɪstəns, ɑr noʊts: ðə ˈsɪmbəlz ɛks ti ənd ə ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ðɛr ˈjuʒəwəl kˈwɑntətiz; ˈdɪstəns, taɪm, ənd ˌækˌsɛlərˈeɪʃən rɪˈspɛktɪvli. ənd ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ðɛr ˈjuʒəwəl kˈwɑntətiz; ˈdɪstəns, taɪm, ənd ˌækˌsɛlərˈeɪʃən rɪˈspɛktɪvli. ðə məˈkænɪkəl kˈwɑntəti kəmˈplaɪəns, wɪʧ ɪz ðə ˌɪnˈvərs əv ˈstɪfnəs, kən bi juzd ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ˈstɪfnəs tɪ gɪv ə mɔr dɪˈrɛkt ˌkɔrəˈspɑndəns tɪ kəˈpæsətəns, bət ˈstɪfnəs ɪz juzd ɪn ðə ˈteɪbəl ɛz ðə mɔr fəˈmɪljər kˈwɑntəti. ðə skim pərˈzɛnəd ɪn ðə ˈteɪbəl ɪz noʊn ɛz ðə ˌɪmˈpidəns əˈnæləʤi. ˈsərkət ˈdaɪəˌgræmz prəˈdust ˈjuzɪŋ ðɪs əˈnæləʤi mæʧ ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˌɪmˈpidəns əv ðə məˈkænɪkəl ˈsɪstəm sin baɪ ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈsərkət, ˈmeɪkɪŋ ɪt ˌɪnˈtuətɪv frəm ən ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrɪŋ ˈstændˌpɔɪnt. ðɛr ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ðə moʊˈbɪlɪti 1 ɪn wɪʧ fɔrs ˌkɔrəˈspɑndz tɪ ˈkɑrənt ənd vəˈlɑsəti ˌkɔrəˈspɑndz tɪ ˈvoʊltɪʤ. ðɪs həz ˈikwəli ˈvælɪd rɪˈzəlts bət rikˈwaɪərz ˈjuzɪŋ ðə əv ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrts ˈlɪstɪd əˈbəv. hɛns, ɛm si, ɛs 1/l*, di ʤi wɛr ʤi ɪz ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl conductance*, ðə ˌɪnˈvərs əv rɪˈzɪstəns. ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkəts prəˈdust baɪ ðɪs skim ər ˈsɪmələr, bət ər ðə duəl ˌɪmˈpidəns fɔrmz wɛrˈbaɪ ˈsɪriz ˈɛləmənts bɪˈkəm ˈpɛrəˌlɛl, kəˈpæsɪtərz bɪˈkəm, ənd soʊ ˈsərkət ˈdaɪəˌgræmz ˈjuzɪŋ ðə moʊˈbɪlɪti əˈnæləʤi mɔr ˈkloʊsli mæʧ ðə məˈkænɪkəl ərˈeɪnʤmənt əv ðə ˈsərkət, ˈmeɪkɪŋ ɪt mɔr ˌɪnˈtuətɪv frəm ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrɪŋ ɪn əˈdɪʃən tɪ ðɛr ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən tɪ ˌɪˌlɛktroʊməˈkænɪkəl ˈsɪstəmz, ðiz əˈnæləʤiz ər ˈwaɪdli juzd tɪ eɪd æˈnælɪsɪs ɪn ˈɛni məˈkænɪkəl kəmˈpoʊnənt wɪl ˌənəˈvɔɪdəbli pəˈzɛs boʊθ mæs ənd ˈstɪfnəs. ðɪs ˈtrænsˌleɪts ɪn ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl tərmz tɪ ən ˈsərkət, ðət ɪz, ə ˈsərkət kənˈsɪstɪŋ əv ən ˌɪnˈdəktər ənd ə kəˈpæsətər, hɛns məˈkænɪkəl kəmˈpoʊnənts ər ənd ər ˈɔfən juzd ɛz səʧ. ɪt ɪz stɪl ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ənd kəˈpæsɪtərz ɛz ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl ləmpt ˈɛləmənts ɪn ə məˈkænɪkəl ˌɪmpləmɛnˈteɪʃən baɪ (bət ˈnɛvər kwaɪt ɪˈlɪməˌneɪtɪŋ) ðə ənˈwɔntɪd ˈprɑpərti. kəˈpæsɪtərz meɪ bi meɪd əv θɪn, lɔŋ rɑdz, ðət ɪz, ðə mæs ɪz ənd ðə kəmˈplaɪəns ɪz maximised*., ɔn ðə ˈəðər hænd, meɪ bi meɪd əv ʃɔrt, waɪd ˈpisɪz wɪʧ ðə mæs ɪn kəmˈpɛrəsən tɪ ðə kəmˈplaɪəns əv ðə məˈkænɪkəl pɑrts ækt ɛz ə trænzˈmɪʃən laɪn fər məˈkænɪkəl vaɪˈbreɪʃənz. ɪf ðə ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ ɪz ʃɔrt ɪn kəmˈpɛrəsən tɪ ðə pɑrt ðɛn ə ləmpt ˈɛləmənt ˈmɑdəl ɛz dɪˈskraɪbd əˈbəv ɪz noʊ ˈlɔŋgər ˈædəkˌweɪt ənd ə dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈɛləmənt ˈmɑdəl məst bi juzd ˌɪnˈstɛd. ðə məˈkænɪkəl dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈɛləmənts ər ɪnˈtaɪərli əˈnæləgəs tɪ ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈɛləmənts ənd ðə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪnər kən juz ðə ˈmɛθədz əv ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈɛləmənt ˈfɪltər ˈhɪstəri ˈɛdət hɑrˈmɑnɪk ˈtɛləˌgræf ˈɛdət məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪn wɑz dɪˈvɛləpt baɪ əˈplaɪɪŋ ðə dɪˈskəvəriz meɪd ɪn ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈfɪltər ˈθɪri tɪ məˈkænɪks. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ə ˈvɛri ˈərli ɪgˈzæmpəl 1870s*) əv əˈkustɪk ˈfɪltərɪŋ wɑz ðə "hɑrˈmɑnɪk ˈtɛləˌgræf", wɪʧ əroʊz prɪˈsaɪsli bɪˈkəz ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈrɛzənəns wɑz ˈpurli ˌəndərˈstʊd bət məˈkænɪkəl ˈrɛzənəns (ɪn ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr, əˈkustɪk ˈrɛzənəns) wɑz ˈvɛri fəˈmɪljər tɪ ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrz. ðɪs ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən wɑz nɑt tɪ læst fər lɔŋ; ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈrɛzənəns hæd bɪn noʊn tɪ saɪəns fər səm taɪm ˌbiˈfɔr ðɪs, ənd ɪt wɑz nɑt lɔŋ ˌbiˈfɔr ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrz ˈstɑrtɪd tɪ ˈproʊdus dɪˈzaɪnz fər ˈfɪltərz. ɪn ɪts taɪm, ðoʊ, ðə hɑrˈmɑnɪk ˈtɛləˌgræf wɑz əv səm ˌɪmˈpɔrtəns. ðə aɪˈdiə wɑz tɪ ˈkɑmbaɪn ˈsɛvərəl ˈtɛləˌgræf ˈsɪgnəlz ɔn wən ˈtɛləˌgræf laɪn baɪ wət wʊd naʊ bi kɔld ˈfrikwənsi dɪˈvɪʒən ðəs ˈseɪvɪŋ ɪˈnɔrməsli ɔn laɪn ˌɪnstəˈleɪʃən kɔsts. ðə ki əv iʧ ˈɑpərˌeɪtər ˈæktɪˌveɪtɪd ə ˈvaɪbreɪtɪŋ ˌɪˌlɛktroʊməˈkænɪkəl rid wɪʧ kənˈvərtɪd ðɪs vaɪˈbreɪʃən ˈɪntu ən ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈsɪgnəl. ˈfɪltərɪŋ æt ðə rɪˈsivɪŋ ˈɑpərˌeɪtər wɑz əˈʧivd baɪ ə ˈsɪmələr rid tund tɪ prɪˈsaɪsli ðə seɪm ˈfrikwənsi, wɪʧ wʊd ˈoʊnli ˈvaɪbreɪt ənd ˈproʊdus ə saʊnd frəm trænzˈmɪʃənz baɪ ðə ˈɑpərˌeɪtər wɪθ ðə aɪˈdɛntɪkəl ˈvərʒənz əv ðə hɑrˈmɑnɪk ˈtɛləˌgræf wər dɪˈvɛləpt baɪ ˈɛlɪʃə greɪ, ˌælɪgˈzændər græm bɛl, ˈərnɪst 2 ənd ˈəðərz. ɪts əˈbɪləˌti tɪ ækt ɛz ə saʊnd trænsˈdusər tɪ ənd frəm ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl doʊˈmeɪn wɑz tɪ ˌɪnˈspaɪr ðə ˌɪnˈvɛnʃən əv ðə məˈkænɪkəl ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkəts ˈɛdət wəns ðə ˈbeɪsɪks əv ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈnɛtˌwərk æˈnælɪsɪs bɪˈgæn tɪ bi ɪˈstæblɪʃt, ɪt wɑz nɑt lɔŋ ˌbiˈfɔr ðə aɪˈdiəz əv ˈkɑmplɛks ˌɪmˈpidəns ənd ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪn ˈθɪriz wər ˈkɛrid ˈoʊvər ˈɪntu məˈkænɪks baɪ əˈnæləʤi. ˈkɛnəli, hu wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ riˈspɑnsəbəl fər ˌɪntrəˈdusɪŋ ˈkɑmplɛks ˌɪmˈpidəns, ənd ˈwɛbstər wər ðə fərst tɪ ɪkˈstɛnd ðə ˈkɑnsɛpt əv ˌɪmˈpidəns ˈɪntu məˈkænɪkəl ˈsɪstəmz ɪn məˈkænɪkəl ədˈmɪtəns ənd ðə əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd moʊˈbɪlɪti əˈnæləʤi keɪm məʧ ˈleɪtər ənd ər du tɪ ˈfaɪrˌstoʊn ɪn ɪt wɑz nɑt ɪˈnəf tɪ ʤɪst dɪˈvɛləp ə məˈkænɪkəl əˈnæləʤi. ðɪs kʊd bi əˈplaɪd tɪ ˈprɑbləmz ðət wər ɪnˈtaɪərli ɪn ðə məˈkænɪkəl doʊˈmeɪn, bət fər məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz wɪθ ən ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən ɪt ɪz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ ˌɪnˈklud ðə trænsˈdusər ɪn ðə əˈnæləʤi ɛz wɛl. poincaré*é ɪn 1907 wɑz ðə fərst tɪ dɪˈskraɪb ə trænsˈdusər ɛz ə pɛr əv ˈlɪniər ˌælʤəˈbreɪɪk ɪkˈweɪʒənz rɪˈleɪtɪŋ ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈvɛriəbəlz (ˈvoʊltɪʤ ənd ˈkɑrənt) tɪ məˈkænɪkəl ˈvɛriəbəlz (fɔrs ənd ðiz ɪkˈweɪʒənz kən bi ɪkˈsprɛst ɛz ə ˈmeɪtrɪks riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp ɪn məʧ ðə seɪm weɪ ɛz ðə əv ə ˈnɛtˌwərk ɪn ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈθɪri, tɪ wɪʧ ðɪs ɪz ɪnˈtaɪərli əˈnæləgəs: vi ɛf zi 11 zi 12 zi 21 zi 22 aɪ vi {\begin{bmatrix}v\\f\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}z_{11}&z_{12}\\z_{21}&z_{22}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}i\\v\end{bmatrix*}}} wɛr vi ənd aɪ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ðə ˈvoʊltɪʤ ənd ˈkɑrənt rɪˈspɛktɪvli ɔn ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl saɪd əv ðə trænsˈdusər. wegel*, ɪn 1921 wɑz ðə fərst tɪ ɪkˈsprɛs ðiz ɪkˈweɪʒənz ɪn tərmz əv məˈkænɪkəl ˌɪmˈpidəns ɛz wɛl ɛz ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˌɪmˈpidəns. ðə ˈɛləmənt zi 22 ɪz ðə ˈoʊpən ˈsərkət məˈkænɪkəl ˌɪmˈpidəns, ðət ɪz, ðə ˌɪmˈpidəns pərˈzɛnəd baɪ ðə məˈkænɪkəl saɪd əv ðə trænsˈdusər wɪn noʊ ˈkɑrənt ɪz ˈɛnərɪŋ ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl saɪd. ðə ˈɛləmənt zi 11 ˈkɑnvərsli, ɪz ðə klæmpt ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˌɪmˈpidəns, ðət ɪz, ðə ˌɪmˈpidəns pərˈzɛnəd tɪ ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl saɪd wɪn ðə məˈkænɪkəl saɪd ɪz klæmpt ənd prɪˈvɛnɪd frəm ˈmuvɪŋ (vəˈlɑsəti ɪz ˈziroʊ). ðə rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ tu ˈɛləmənts, zi 21 ənd zi 12 dɪˈskraɪb ðə trænsˈdusər ˈfɔrwərd ənd rɪˈvərs ˈtrænsfər ˈfəŋkʃənz rɪˈspɛktɪvli. wəns ðiz aɪˈdiəz wər ɪn pleɪs, ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrz wər ˈeɪbəl tɪ ɪkˈstɛnd ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈθɪri ˈɪntu ðə məˈkænɪkəl doʊˈmeɪn ənd ən ˌɪˌlɛktroʊməˈkænɪkəl ˈsɪstəm ɛz ə ˈjunəˌfaɪd saʊnd ˌriprəˈdəkʃən ˈɛdət ˈfɪgjər 2 ˈhɛrɪsənz ˈfoʊnəˌgræf ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm ənd ɪts ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət. ˈhɛrɪsənz ˈfoʊnəˌgræf ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm ənd ɪts ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət. ən ˈərli ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən əv ðiz nu ˌθiərˈɛtɪkəl tulz wɑz ɪn saʊnd ˌriprəˈdəkʃən. ə rɪˈkərɪŋ ˈprɑbləm wɪθ ˈərli ˈfoʊnəˌgræf dɪˈzaɪnz wɑz ðət məˈkænɪkəl ɪn ðə ˈpɪˌkəp ənd saʊnd trænzˈmɪʃən ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm kɔzd ɪkˈsɛsɪvli lɑrʤ piks ənd trɔfs ɪn ðə ˈfrikwənsi rɪˈspɑns, rɪˈzəltɪŋ ɪn pur saʊnd kˈwɑləti. ɪn 1923 ˈhɛrɪsən əv ðə ˈwɛstərn ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈkəmpəˌni faɪld ə ˈpætənt fər ə ˈfoʊnəˌgræf ɪn wɪʧ ðə məˈkænɪkəl dɪˈzaɪn wɑz ɪnˈtaɪərli ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnɪd ɛz ən ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈsərkət. ðə hɔrn əv ðə ˈfoʊnəˌgræf ɪz ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnɪd ɛz ə trænzˈmɪʃən laɪn, ənd ɪz ə loʊd fər ðə rɛst əv ðə ˈsərkət, waɪl ɔl ðə məˈkænɪkəl ənd əˈkustɪk ðə ˈpɪˌkəp ˈnidəl θru tɪ ðə trænzˈleɪtəd ˈɪntu ləmpt kəmˈpoʊnənts əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə ˌɪmˈpidəns əˈnæləʤi. ðə ˈsərkət əraɪvd æt ɪz ə ˈlædər təˈpɔləʤi əv ˈsɪriz ˈrɛzənənt ˈsərkəts ˈkəpəld baɪ ʃənt kəˈpæsɪtərz. ðɪs kən bi vjud ɛz ə ˈfɪltər ˈsərkət. ˈhɛrɪsən dɪˈzaɪnd ðə kəmˈpoʊnənt ˈvæljuz əv ðɪs ˈfɪltər tɪ hæv ə spɪˈsɪfɪk ˌkɔrəˈspɑndɪŋ tɪ ðə dɪˈzaɪərd ˈɑdiˌoʊ (ɪn ðɪs keɪs 100 tɪ 6) ənd ə flæt rɪˈspɑns. ˈtrænsˌleɪtɪŋ ðiz ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈɛləmənt ˈvæljuz bæk ˈɪntu məˈkænɪkəl kˈwɑntətiz prəˈvaɪdɪd ˌspɛsəfəˈkeɪʃənz fər ðə məˈkænɪkəl kəmˈpoʊnənts ɪn tərmz əv mæs ənd ˈstɪfnəs, wɪʧ ɪn tərn kʊd bi trænzˈleɪtəd ˈɪntu ˈfɪzɪkəl dɪˈmɛnʃənz fər ðɛr ˌmænjəˈfækʧər. ðə rɪˈzəltɪŋ ˈfoʊnəˌgræf həz ə flæt ˈfrikwənsi rɪˈspɑns ɪn ɪts ənd ɪz fri əv ðə ˈpriviəsli ˈʃɔrtli ˈæftər ðɪs, ˈhɛrɪsən faɪld əˈnəðər ˈpætənt ˈjuzɪŋ ðə seɪm ˌmɛθəˈdɑləʤi ɔn ˈtɛləˌfoʊn trænzˈmɪt ənd rɪˈsiv ˈfɪgjər 3 ˈnɔrtənz məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər təˈgɛðər wɪθ ɪts ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət. ˈnɔrtənz məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər təˈgɛðər wɪθ ɪts ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət. ˈhɛrɪsən juzd ˈkæmbəlz ˈɪmɪʤ ˈfɪltər ˈθɪri, wɪʧ wɑz ðə moʊst ədˈvænst ˈfɪltər ˈθɪri əˈveɪləbəl æt ðə taɪm. ɪn ðɪs ˈθɪri, ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪn ɪz vjud ɛˈsɛnʃəli ɛz ən ˌɪmˈpidəns ˈmæʧɪŋ mɔr ədˈvænst ˈfɪltər ˈθɪri wɑz brɔt tɪ bɛr ɔn ðɪs ˈprɑbləm baɪ ˈnɔrtən ɪn 1929 æt bɛl læbz. ˈnɔrtən ˈfɑloʊd ðə seɪm ˈʤɛnərəl əˈproʊʧ ðoʊ hi ˈleɪtər dɪˈskraɪbd tɪ ˈdɑrlɪŋtən ðə ˈfɪltər hi dɪˈzaɪnd ɛz biɪŋ ˈnɔrtənz məˈkænɪkəl dɪˈzaɪn ˈpriˈdeɪts ðə ˈpeɪpər baɪ ˈbətərˌwərθ hu ɪz ˈjuʒəwəli ˈkrɛdɪtɪd ɛz ðə fərst tɪ dɪˈskraɪb ðə ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk flæt ðə ɪkˈweɪʒənz ˈnɔrtən gɪvz fər hɪz ˈfɪltər ˌkɔrəˈspɑnd tɪ ə ˈsɪŋgli ˈtərməˌneɪtɪd ˈbətərˌwərθ ˈfɪltər, ðət ɪz, wən ˈdrɪvən baɪ ən aɪˈdil ˈvoʊltɪʤ sɔrs wɪθ noʊ ˌɪmˈpidəns, wɛˈræz ðə fɔrm mɔr ˈjuʒəwəli ˈgɪvɪn ɪn tɛksts ɪz fər ðə ˈdəbli ˈtərməˌneɪtɪd ˈfɪltər wɪθ rɪˈzɪstərz æt boʊθ ɛndz, ˈmeɪkɪŋ ɪt hɑrd tɪ ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz ðə dɪˈzaɪn fər wət ɪt əˈnəðər ənˈjuˌʒuəl ˈfiʧər əv ˈnɔrtənz ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪn ərˈaɪzɪz frəm ðə ˈsɪriz kəˈpæsətər, wɪʧ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ðə ˈstɪfnəs əv ðə ˈdaɪəˌfræm. ðɪs ɪz ðə ˈoʊnli ˈsɪriz kəˈpæsətər ɪn ˈnɔrtənz ˌrɛprəzɛnˈteɪʃən, ənd wɪˈθaʊt ɪt, ðə ˈfɪltər kʊd bi ɛz ə ˈproʊtoʊˌtaɪp. ˈnɔrtən muvz ðə kəˈpæsətər aʊt əv ðə ˈbɑdi əv ðə ˈfɪltər tɪ ðə ˈɪnˌpʊt æt ðə ɪkˈspɛns əv ˌɪntrəˈdusɪŋ ə trænsˈfɔrmər ˈɪntu ðə ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət (ˈnɔrtənz ˈfɪgjər 4 ˈnɔrtən həz juzd hir ðə "ˈtərnɪŋ raʊnd ðə ɛl" ˌɪmˈpidəns ˈtrænsfɔrm tɪ əˈʧiv ðə dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv dɪˈskrɪpʃən əv ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt frəm ðɪs ˈpɪriəd ɪz ˈmæksfild ənd ˈhɛrɪsənz 1926 ˈpeɪpər. ðɛr, ðeɪ dɪˈskraɪb nɑt ˈoʊnli haʊ məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz kən bi əˈplaɪd tɪ saʊnd ˌriprəˈdəkʃən ˈsɪstəmz, bət ˈɔlsoʊ əˈplaɪ ðə seɪm ˈprɪnsəpəlz tɪ rɪˈkɔrdɪŋ ˈsɪstəmz ənd dɪˈskraɪb ə məʧ ˌɪmˈpruvd dɪsk ˈkətɪŋ ˈvɑljum pərˈdəkʃən ˈɛdət ðə fərst ˈvɑljum pərˈdəkʃən əv məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz wɑz ˈəndərˌteɪkən baɪ ˈkɑlɪnz ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ˈkəmpəˌni ˈstɑrtɪŋ ɪn ðə. ðiz wər ərˈɪʤənəli dɪˈzaɪnd fər ˈtɛləˌfoʊn ˈməltiˌplɛks ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz wɛr ðɛr ɪz kəˈmərʃəl ædˈvæntɪʤ ɪn ˈjuzɪŋ haɪ kˈwɑləti ˈfɪltərz. priˈsɪʒən ənd ˈstipnəs əv ðə trænˈzɪʃən bænd lidz tɪ ə rɪˈdust wɪdθ əv gɑrd bænd, wɪʧ ɪn tərn lidz tɪ ðə əˈbɪləˌti tɪ skwiz mɔr ˈtɛləˌfoʊn ˈʧænəlz ˈɪntu ðə seɪm ˈkeɪbəl. ðɪs seɪm ˈfiʧər ɪz ˈjusfəl ɪn ˈreɪdiˌoʊ trænsˈmɪtərz fər məʧ ðə seɪm ˈrizən. məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz kˈwɪkli ˈɔlsoʊ faʊnd ˌpɑpjəˈlɛrəti ɪn ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ˌɪnərˈmidiɪt ˈfrikwənsi (ɪf) ˈsteɪʤɪz əv ðə haɪ ɛnd ˈreɪdiˌoʊ sɛts (ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri, mərˈin, ˈæməˌʧər ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ənd ðə laɪk) ˌmænjəˈfækʧərd baɪ ˈkɑlɪnz. ðeɪ wər ɪn ðə ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən bɪˈkəz ðeɪ kʊd əˈʧiv məʧ haɪər ðən ðə ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈfɪltər. haɪ kju əˈlaʊz ˈfɪltərz tɪ bi dɪˈzaɪnd wɪʧ hæv haɪ sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvəti, ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt fər dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃɪŋ əˈʤeɪsənt ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ˈʧænəlz ɪn rɪˈsivərz. ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ hæd ən ædˈvæntɪʤ ɪn stəˈbɪlɪti ˈoʊvər boʊθ ˈfɪltərz ənd ˌmɑnəˈlɪθɪk ˈkrɪstəl ˈfɪltərz. ðə moʊst ˈpɑpjələr dɪˈzaɪn fər ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz wɑz bɪˈkəz ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ɪf ˈtɪpɪkəli laɪz ɪn ðə 100 tɪ 500 trænsˈdusərz ˈɛdət ˈfɪgjər 4 məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər trænsˈdusərz. ə trænsˈdusər. bi ˈleɪŋgɪvɪn taɪp ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər. si ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər. məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər taɪp ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər. boʊθ ənd ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusərz ər juzd ɪn məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz. ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusərz ər ɪn ˈrisənt dɪˈzaɪnz sɪns ðə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk məˈtɪriəl kən ˈɔlsoʊ bi juzd ɛz wən əv ðə əv ðə ˈfɪltər, ðəs rɪˈdusɪŋ ðə ˈnəmbər əv kəmˈpoʊnənts ənd ˈðɛrˈbaɪ ˈseɪvɪŋ speɪs. ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ əˈvɔɪd ðə səˌsɛptəˈbɪləti tɪ ɛkˈstreɪniəs mægˈnɛtɪk fildz əv ðə taɪp əv ˈɛdət ə məˈtɪriəl ɪz wən wɪʧ ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ʃeɪp wɪn ə mægˈnɛtɪk fild ɪz əˈplaɪd. ɪn rɪˈvərs, ɪt prəˈdusɪz ə mægˈnɛtɪk fild wɪn dɪˈstɔrtɪd. ðə trænsˈdusər rikˈwaɪərz ə kɔɪl əv kənˈdəktɪŋ waɪər əraʊnd ðə məˈtɪriəl. ðə kɔɪl ˈiðər ˌɪnˈdusɪz ə mægˈnɛtɪk fild ɪn ðə trænsˈdusər ənd sɛts ɪt ɪn ˈmoʊʃən ər ɛls pɪks əp ən ˌɪnˈdust ˈkɑrənt frəm ðə ˈmoʊʃən əv ðə trænsˈdusər æt ðə ˈfɪltər ˈaʊtˌpʊt. ɪt ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ˈjuʒəwəli ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ hæv ə smɔl ˈmægnət tɪ baɪəs ðə məˈtɪriəl ˈɪntu ɪts ˈɔpərˌeɪtɪŋ reɪnʤ. ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ dɪˈspɛns wɪθ ðə ˈmægnəts ɪf ðə ɪz ˈteɪkən kɛr əv ɔn ðə ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk saɪd baɪ prəˈvaɪdɪŋ ə d.c*. ˈkɑrənt ˌsupərəmˈpoʊzd ɔn ðə ˈsɪgnəl, bət ðɪs əˈproʊʧ wʊd dɪˈtrækt frəm ðə ˌʤɛnərˈæləti əv ðə ˈfɪltər ðə ˈjuʒəwəl məˈtɪriəlz juzd fər ðə trænsˈdusər ər ˈiðər ˈfɛraɪt ər kəmˈprɛst ˈpaʊdərd aɪərn. məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪnz ˈɔfən hæv ðə ˈkəpəld wɪθ stil ər waɪərz, bət ɔn səm dɪˈzaɪnz, əˈspɛʃəli ˈoʊldər wənz, ˈnɪkəl waɪər meɪ bi juzd fər ðə ˈɪnˌpʊt ənd ˈaʊtˌpʊt rɑdz. ðɪs ɪz bɪˈkəz ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ wɪnd ðə trænsˈdusər kɔɪl dɪˈrɛkli ɔn tɪ ə ˈnɪkəl ˈkəplɪŋ waɪər sɪns ˈnɪkəl ɪz sˈlaɪtli. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪt ɪz nɑt ˈstrɔŋli soʊ ənd ˈkəplɪŋ tɪ ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈsərkət ɪz wik. ðɪs skim ˈɔlsoʊ həz ðə ˌdɪsədˈvænɪʤ əv ˈɛdi kərənts, ə ˈprɑbləm ðət ɪz əˈvɔɪdɪd ɪf ər juzd ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ðə kɔɪl əv ðə trænsˈdusər ædz səm ˌɪnˈdəktəns ɔn ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl saɪd əv ðə ˈfɪltər. ɪt ɪz ˈkɑmən ˈpræktɪs tɪ æd ə kəˈpæsətər ɪn ˈpɛrəˌlɛl wɪθ ðə kɔɪl soʊ ðət ən əˈdɪʃənəl ɪz fɔrmd wɪʧ kən bi ˌɪnˈkɔrpərˌeɪtɪd ˈɪntu ðə ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪn. waɪl ðɪs wɪl nɑt ˌɪmˈpruv pərˈfɔrməns tɪ ðə ɪkˈstɛnt ðət ən əˈdɪʃənəl məˈkænɪkəl wʊd, ðɛr ɪz səm ˈbɛnəfɪt ənd ðə kɔɪl həz tɪ bi ðɛr ɪn ˈɛni ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk ˈɛdət ə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk məˈtɪriəl ɪz wən wɪʧ ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ʃeɪp wɪn ən ɪˈlɛktrɪk fild ɪz əˈplaɪd. ɪn rɪˈvərs, ɪt prəˈdusɪz ən ɪˈlɛktrɪk fild wɪn ɪt ɪz dɪˈstɔrtɪd. ə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər, ɪn ˈɛsəns, ɪz meɪd ˈsɪmpli baɪ ˈpleɪtɪŋ ˌɪˈlɛktroʊdz ɔn tɪ ðə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk məˈtɪriəl. ˈərli ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk məˈtɪriəlz juzd ɪn trænsˈdusərz səʧ ɛz ˈbɛriəm ˈtaɪtəˌneɪt hæd pur ˈtɛmpərəʧər stəˈbɪlɪti. ðɪs prɪˈkludɪd ðə trænsˈdusər frəm ˈfəŋkʃənɪŋ ɛz wən əv ðə; ɪt hæd tɪ bi ə ˈsɛpərˌeɪt kəmˈpoʊnənt. ðɪs ˈprɑbləm wɑz sɑlvd wɪθ ðə ˌɪntrəˈdəkʃən əv lɛd ˈtaɪtəˌneɪt (əˈbriviˌeɪtɪd) wɪʧ ɪz ˈsteɪbəl ɪˈnəf tɪ bi juzd ɛz ə. əˈnəðər ˈkɑmən ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk məˈtɪriəl ɪz kwɔrts, wɪʧ həz ˈɔlsoʊ bɪn juzd ɪn məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, sərˈæmɪk məˈtɪriəlz səʧ ɛz ər prɪˈfərd fər ðɛr ˈgreɪtər ˌɪˌlɛktroʊməˈkænɪkəl ˈkəplɪŋ wən taɪp əv ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər ɪz ðə ˈleɪŋgɪvɪn taɪp, neɪmd ˈæftər ə trænsˈdusər juzd baɪ pɔl ˈleɪŋgɪvɪn ɪn ˈərli ˈsoʊnɑr ˈrisərʧ. ðɪs ɪz gʊd fər ˌlɑnʤəˈtudənəl moʊdz əv vaɪˈbreɪʃən. ɪt kən ˈɔlsoʊ bi juzd ɔn wɪθ ˈəðər moʊdz əv vaɪˈbreɪʃən ɪf ðə ˈmoʊʃən kən bi məˈkænɪkli kənˈvərtɪd ˈɪntu ə ˌlɑnʤəˈtudənəl ˈmoʊʃən. ðə trænsˈdusər kənˈsɪsts əv ə leɪər əv ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk məˈtɪriəl ˈsænˌwɪʧt ˈɪntu ə ˈkəplɪŋ rɑd ər əˈnəðər kaɪnd əv ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər həz ðə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk məˈtɪriəl ˈsænˌwɪʧt ɪn longitudinally*, ˈjuʒəwəli ˈɪntu ðə ˌɪtˈsɛlf. ðɪs kaɪnd ɪz gʊd fər vaɪˈbreɪʃən moʊdz ənd ɪz kɔld ə ˈɛdət məˈtɪriəl ˈnɪkəl ˈsɛvərəl stil ˈsɛvərəl ˌæˈljumɪnəm ˈæˌlɔɪ tɪ dɪˈpɛndɪŋ ɔn ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ əˈʧiv ən ɪkˈstrimli haɪ kju wɪθ məˈkænɪkəl. məˈkænɪkəl ˈtɪpɪkəli hæv ə kju əv ər soʊ, ənd kən bi əˈʧivd ɪn ˈjuzɪŋ ə ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr ˈæˌlɔɪ. ðɪs ɪz ən ənˈrizənəbli haɪ ˈfɪgjər tɪ əˈʧiv wɪθ ˈsərkəts, huz kju ɪz ˈlɪmɪtɪd baɪ ðə rɪˈzɪstəns əv ðə ˌɪnˈdəktər ˈərli dɪˈzaɪnz ɪn ðə ənd ˈstɑrtɪd baɪ ˈjuzɪŋ stil ɛz ə məˈtɪriəl. ðɪs həz ˈgɪvɪn weɪ tɪ ˈæˌlɔɪz, praɪˈmɛrəli tɪ ðə kju sɪns ðɪs ɪz ˈɔfən ðə ˈpraɪˌmɛri əˈpil əv məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz ˈrəðər ðən praɪs. səm əv ðə ˈmɛtəlz ðət hæv bɪn juzd fər məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər ənd ðɛr kju ər ʃoʊn ɪn ðə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk ˈkrɪstəlz ər ˈɔlsoʊ ˈsəmˌtaɪmz juzd ɪn məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪnz. ðɪs ɪz əˈspɛʃəli tru fər ðət ər ˈɔlsoʊ ˈæktɪŋ ɛz trænsˈdusərz fər ˈɪnˌpʊts ənd wən ædˈvæntɪʤ ðət məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz hæv ˈoʊvər ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈfɪltərz ɪz ðət ðeɪ kən bi meɪd ˈvɛri ˈsteɪbəl. ðə ˈrɛzənəns ˈfrikwənsi kən bi meɪd soʊ ˈsteɪbəl ðət ɪt ˈvɛriz ˈoʊnli pɑrts pər ˈbɪljən (ppb*) frəm ðə ˈspɛsəˌfaɪd ˈvælju ˈoʊvər ðə ˈɔpərˌeɪtɪŋ ˈtɛmpərəʧər reɪnʤ tɪ 85 °°c*), ənd ɪts ˈævərɪʤ drɪft wɪθ taɪm kən bi ɛz loʊ ɛz 4 pər ðɪs stəˈbɪlɪti wɪθ ˈtɛmpərəʧər ɪz əˈnəðər ˈrizən fər ˈjuzɪŋ ɛz ðə məˈtɪriəl. ˌvɛriˈeɪʃənz wɪθ ˈtɛmpərəʧər ɪn ðə ˈrɛzənəns ˈfrikwənsi (ənd ˈəðər ˈfiʧərz əv ðə ˈfrikwənsi ˈfəŋkʃən) ər dɪˈrɛkli rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ˌvɛriˈeɪʃənz ɪn ðə jəŋz, wɪʧ ɪz ə ˈmɛʒər əv ˈstɪfnəs əv ðə məˈtɪriəl. məˈtɪriəlz ər ˈðɛrˌfɔr sɔt ðət hæv ə smɔl ˈtɛmpərəʧər ˌkoʊəˈfɪʃənt əv jəŋz. ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl, jəŋz həz ə ˈnɛgətɪv ˈtɛmpərəʧər ˌkoʊəˈfɪʃənt (məˈtɪriəlz bɪˈkəm lɛs stɪf wɪθ ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ˈtɛmpərəʧər) bət əˈdɪʃənz əv smɔl əˈmaʊnts əv ˈsərtən ˈəðər ˈɛləmənts ɪn ðə 3 kən ˈproʊdus ə məˈtɪriəl wɪθ ə ˈtɛmpərəʧər ˌkoʊəˈfɪʃənt ðət ˈʧeɪnʤɪz saɪn frəm ˈnɛgətɪv θru ˈziroʊ tɪ ˈpɑzətɪv wɪθ ˈtɛmpərəʧər. səʧ ə məˈtɪriəl wɪl hæv ə ˈziroʊ ˌkoʊəˈfɪʃənt əv ˈtɛmpərəʧər wɪθ ˈrɛzənəns ˈfrikwənsi əraʊnd ə ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr ˈtɛmpərəʧər. ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ əˈʤəst ðə pɔɪnt əv ˈziroʊ ˈtɛmpərəʧər ˌkoʊəˈfɪʃənt tɪ ə dɪˈzaɪərd pəˈzɪʃən baɪ hit ˈtritmənt əv ðə moʊdz ˈɛdət ˈfɪgjər 5 səm ˈpɑsəbəl moʊdz əv səm ˈpɑsəbəl moʊdz əv ɪt ɪz ˈjuʒəwəli ˈpɑsəbəl fər ə məˈkænɪkəl pɑrt tɪ ˈvaɪbreɪt ɪn ə ˈnəmbər əv ˈdɪfərənt moʊdz, ˌhaʊˈɛvər ðə dɪˈzaɪn wɪl bi beɪst ɔn ə ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr moʊd ənd ðə dɪˈzaɪnər wɪl teɪk stɛps tɪ traɪ tɪ riˈstrɪkt ðə ˈrɛzənəns tɪ ðɪs moʊd. ɛz wɛl ɛz ðə ˈstreɪtˈfɔrwərd ˌlɑnʤəˈtudənəl moʊd səm ˈəðərz wɪʧ ər juzd ˌɪnˈklud moʊd, moʊd, ˈreɪdiəl moʊd ənd ˈdrəmˌhɛd moʊdz ər ˈnəmbərd əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈnəmbər əv ɪn ðə vaɪˈbreɪʃən. səm moʊdz ɪgˈzɪbɪt vaɪˈbreɪʃənz ɪn mɔr ðən wən dɪˈrɛkʃɪn (səʧ ɛz ˈdrəmˌhɛd moʊd wɪʧ həz tu) ənd ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛntli ðə moʊd ˈnəmbər kənˈsɪsts əv mɔr ðən wən ˈnəmbər. wɪn ðə vaɪˈbreɪʃən ɪz ɪn wən əv ðə haɪər moʊdz, ðɛr wɪl bi ˈməltəpəl noʊdz ɔn ðə wɛr ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈmoʊʃən. fər səm taɪps əv, ðɪs kən prəˈvaɪd ə kənˈvinjənt pleɪs tɪ meɪk ə məˈkænɪkəl əˈtæʧmənt fər ˈstrəkʧərəl səˈpɔrt. waɪərz əˈtæʧt æt noʊdz wɪl hæv noʊ ˈifɛkt ɔn ðə vaɪˈbreɪʃən əv ðə ər ðə ˈoʊvərˌɔl ˈfɪltər rɪˈspɑns. ɪn ˈfɪgjər 5 səm ˈpɑsəbəl ˈæŋkər pɔɪnts ər ʃoʊn ɛz waɪərz əˈtæʧt æt ðə noʊdz. ðə moʊdz ʃoʊn ər 5a*) ðə ˈsɛkənd ˌlɑnʤəˈtudənəl moʊd fɪkst æt wən ɛnd, 5b*) ðə fərst moʊd, 5c*) ðə ˈsɛkənd moʊd, 5d*) ðə ˈsɛkənd moʊd, 5e*) fərst ˈreɪdiəl ɪkˈspænʧən moʊd ənd 5f*) fərst ˈreɪdiəli ˈdrəmˌhɛd ˈsərkət dɪˈzaɪnz ˈɛdət ˈfɪgjər 6 ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ dɪsk ənd trænsˈdusərz ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ dɪsk ənd trænsˈdusərz ˈfɪgjər 7 ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ ˌlɑnʤəˈtudənəl ənd ˈleɪŋgɪvɪn taɪp trænsˈdusərz ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ ˌlɑnʤəˈtudənəl ənd ˈleɪŋgɪvɪn taɪp trænsˈdusərz ˈfɪgjər 8a*. ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ. ðə ˈɪnˌpʊt ɪz ʃoʊn wɪθ ə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər ənd ðə ˈaʊtˌpʊt həz ə trænsˈdusər. ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ. ðə ˈɪnˌpʊt ɪz ʃoʊn wɪθ ə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər ənd ðə ˈaʊtˌpʊt həz ə trænsˈdusər. ˈfɪgjər. ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət əv ðə ˈsərkət əˈbəv ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət əv ðə ˈsərkət əˈbəv ˈfɪgjər 9 ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ dɪsk ˈdrəmˌhɛd ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ dɪsk ˈdrəmˌhɛd ðɛr ər ə greɪt ˈmɛni ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃənz əv ənd trænsˈdusərz ðət kən bi juzd tɪ ˈkɑnstrəkt ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər. ə səˈlɛkʃən əv səm əv ðiz ɪz ʃoʊn ɪn ðə ˈdaɪəˌgræmz. ˈfɪgjər 6 ʃoʊz ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ dɪsk ənd trænsˈdusərz. ðə trænsˈdusər draɪvz ðə ˈsɛntər əv ðə fərst, ˈkɔzɪŋ ɪt tɪ ˈvaɪbreɪt. ðə ˈɛʤɪz əv ðə dɪsk muv ɪn tɪ ðə ˈsɛntər wɪn ðə ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˈsɪgnəl ɪz æt, ər kloʊz tɪ, ˈrɛzənəns, ənd ðə ˈsɪgnəl ɪz trænzˈmɪtəd θru ðə kəˈnɛktɪŋ rɑdz tɪ ðə nɛkst. wɪn ðə ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˈsɪgnəl ɪz nɑt kloʊz tɪ ˈrɛzənəns, ðɛr ɪz ˈlɪtəl ˈmuvmənt æt ðə ˈɛʤɪz, ənd ðə ˈfɪltər ˈriʤɛkts (dɪz nɑt pæs) ðə ˈfɪgjər 7 ʃoʊz ə ˈsɪmələr aɪˈdiə ˌɪnˈvɑlvɪŋ ˌlɑnʤəˈtudənəl kəˈnɛktɪd təˈgɛðər ɪn ə ʧeɪn baɪ kəˈnɛktɪŋ rɑdz. ɪn ðɪs ˈdaɪəˌgræm, ðə ˈfɪltər ɪz ˈdrɪvən baɪ ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusərz. ɪt kʊd ˈikwəli wɛl hæv juzd ˈfɪgjər 8 ʃoʊz ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ. ɪn ðɪs ˈdaɪəˌgræm, ðə ˈɪnˌpʊt həz ə ˌpaɪəˌzoʊəˈlɛktrɪk trænsˈdusər ənd ðə ˈaʊtˌpʊt həz ə trænsˈdusər. ðɪs wʊd bi kwaɪt ənˈjuˌʒuəl ɪn ə ril dɪˈzaɪn, ɛz boʊθ ˈɪnˌpʊt ənd ˈaʊtˌpʊt ˈjuʒəwəli hæv ðə seɪm taɪp əv trænsˈdusər. ðə trænsˈdusər ɪz ˈoʊnli ʃoʊn hir tɪ ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt haʊ ˌlɑnʤəˈtudənəl vaɪˈbreɪʃənz meɪ bi kənˈvərtɪd tɪ vaɪˈbreɪʃənz ənd vaɪs ˈfɪgjər 9 ʃoʊz ə ˈfɪltər ˈjuzɪŋ ˈdrəmˌhɛd moʊd. ðə ˈɛʤɪz əv ðə dɪsks ər fɪkst tɪ ðə ˈkeɪsɪŋ əv ðə ˈfɪltər (nɑt ʃoʊn ɪn ðə ˈdaɪəˌgræm) soʊ ðə vaɪˈbreɪʃən əv ðə dɪsk ɪz ɪn ðə seɪm moʊdz ɛz ðə ˈmɛmˌbreɪn əv ə drəm. ˈkɑlɪnz kɔlz ðɪs taɪp əv ˈfɪltər ə dɪsk waɪər ðə ˈvɛriəs taɪps əv ər ɔl ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli ˈsutɪd tɪ ˈdɪfərənt ˈfrikwənsi bændz. ˈoʊvərˌɔl, məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz wɪθ ləmpt ˈɛləmənts əv ɔl kaɪnz kən ˈkəvər ˈfrikwənsiz frəm əˈbaʊt 5 tɪ 700 ˌɔlˈðoʊ məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz daʊn ɛz loʊ ɛz ə fju (khz*) ər ðə loʊər pɑrt əv ðɪs reɪnʤ, bɪˈloʊ 100, ɪz bɛst ˈkəvərd wɪθ bɑr. ðə ˈəpər pɑrt ɪz ˈbɛtər dən wɪθ ˈdrəmˌhɛd dɪsk ər ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl, ˈkəvərɪŋ ðə reɪnʤ frəm əraʊnd 100 tɪ 300 ðə ˈfrikwənsi rɪˈspɑns bɪˈheɪvjər əv ɔl məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz kən bi ɪkˈsprɛst ɛz ən ɪkˈwɪvələnt ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈsərkət ˈjuzɪŋ ðə ˌɪmˈpidəns əˈnæləʤi dɪˈskraɪbd əˈbəv. ən ɪgˈzæmpəl əv ðɪs ɪz ʃoʊn ɪn ˈfɪgjər wɪʧ ɪz ðə ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət əv ðə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər əv ˈfɪgjər 8a*. ˈɛləmənts ɔn ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl saɪd, səʧ ɛz ðə ˌɪnˈdəktəns əv ðə trænsˈdusər, ər oʊˈmɪtɪd bət wʊd bi ˈteɪkən ˈɪntu əˈkaʊnt ɪn ə kəmˈplit dɪˈzaɪn. ðə ˈsɪriz ˈrɛzənənt ˈsərkəts ɔn ðə ˈsərkət ˈdaɪəˌgræm ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ðə, ənd ðə ʃənt kəˈpæsɪtərz ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ðə ˈkəplɪŋ waɪərz. ðə kəmˈpoʊnənt ˈvæljuz əv ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət kən bi əˈʤəstɪd, mɔr ər lɛs æt wɪl, baɪ ˈmɑdəˌfaɪɪŋ ðə dɪˈmɛnʃənz əv ðə məˈkænɪkəl kəmˈpoʊnənts. ɪn ðɪs weɪ, ɔl ðə ˌθiərˈɛtɪkəl tulz əv ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl æˈnælɪsɪs ənd ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪn kən bi brɔt tɪ bɛr ɔn ðə məˈkænɪkəl dɪˈzaɪn. ˈɛni ˈfɪltər ˌriəˈlaɪzəbəl ɪn ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈθɪri kən, ɪn ˈprɪnsəpəl, ˈɔlsoʊ bi ˈriəˌlaɪzd ɛz ə məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər. ɪn ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr, ðə ˈpɑpjələr ˈfaɪˌnaɪt ˈɛləmənt əˌprɑksəˈmeɪʃənz tɪ ən aɪˈdil ˈfɪltər rɪˈspɑns əv ðə ˈbətərˌwərθ ənd ˈfɪltərz kən boʊθ ˈrɛdəli bi ˈriəˌlaɪzd. ɛz wɪθ ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrt, ðə mɔr ˈɛləmənts ðət ər juzd, ðə ˈkloʊzər ðə əˌprɑksəˈmeɪʃən əˈproʊʧɪz ðə aɪˈdil, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, fər ˈpræktɪkəl ˈrizənz ðə ˈnəmbər əv dɪz nɑt ˈnɔrməli ɪkˈsid dɪˈzaɪnz ˈɛdət ˈfɪgjər 10a*. ə dɪˈzaɪn ˈjuzɪŋ dɪsk ənd ˈkəplɪŋ waɪərz ə dɪˈzaɪn ˈjuzɪŋ dɪsk ənd ˈkəplɪŋ waɪərz ˈfɪgjər 10b*. ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət əv ðə ˈsərkət əˈbəv ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət əv ðə ˈsərkət əˈbəv ˈfrikwənsiz əv ðə ˈɔrdər əv ˈmɛgəhərts (mhz*) ər əˈbəv ðə ˈjuʒəwəl reɪnʤ fər məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz. ðə kəmˈpoʊnənts stɑrt tɪ bɪˈkəm ˈvɛri smɔl, ər ɔlˈtərnətɪvli ðə kəmˈpoʊnənts ər lɑrʤ kəmˈpɛrd tɪ ðə ˈsɪgnəl ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ. ðə ləmpt ˈɛləmənt ˈmɑdəl dɪˈskraɪbd əˈbəv stɑrts tɪ breɪk daʊn ənd ðə kəmˈpoʊnənts məst bi kənˈsɪdərd ɛz dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈɛləmənts. ðə ˈfrikwənsi æt wɪʧ ðə trænˈzɪʃən frəm ləmpt tɪ dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈmɑdəlz teɪks pleɪs ɪz məʧ loʊər fər məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz ðən ɪt ɪz fər ðɛr ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrts. ðɪs ɪz bɪˈkəz məˈkænɪkəl vaɪˈbreɪʃənz ˈtrævəl æt ðə spid əv saʊnd fər ðə məˈtɪriəl ðə kəmˈpoʊnənt ɪz kəmˈpoʊzd əv. fər ˈsɑləd kəmˈpoʊnənts, ðɪs ɪz ˈmɛni taɪmz fər) ðə spid əv saʊnd ɪn ɛr 343) bət stɪl kənˈsɪdərəbli lɛs ðən ðə spid əv ˌɪˌlɛktroʊmægˈnɛtɪk weɪvz (approx*. ɪn ˈvækjum). ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛntli, məˈkænɪkəl ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθs ər məʧ ˈʃɔrtər ðən ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθs fər ðə seɪm ˈfrikwənsi. ædˈvæntɪʤ kən bi ˈteɪkən əv ðiz ˈifɛkts baɪ dɪˈlɪbərətli dɪˈzaɪnɪŋ kəmˈpoʊnənts tɪ bi dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈɛləmənts, ənd ðə kəmˈpoʊnənts ənd ˈmɛθədz juzd ɪn ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈɛləmənt ˈfɪltərz kən bi brɔt tɪ bɛr. ðə ɪkˈwɪvələnts əv stəbz ənd ˌɪmˈpidəns trænsˈfɔrmərz ər boʊθ əˈʧivəbəl. dɪˈzaɪnz wɪʧ juz ə ˈmɪksʧər əv ləmpt ənd dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˈɛləmənts ər rɪˈfərd tɪ ɛz ən ɪgˈzæmpəl əv səʧ ə dɪˈzaɪn ɪz ʃoʊn ɪn ˈfɪgjər 10a*. ðə ər dɪsk ˈsɪmələr tɪ ðoʊz ʃoʊn ɪn ˈfɪgjər 6 ɪkˈsɛpt ðət ðiz ər frəm ən ɛʤ, ˈlidɪŋ tɪ vaɪˈbreɪʃən ɪn ðə ˌfəndəˈmɛnəl moʊd wɪθ ə noʊd ɪn ðə ˈsɛntər, wɛˈræz ðə ˈfɪgjər 6 dɪˈzaɪn ɪz ɪn ðə ˈsɛntər ˈlidɪŋ tɪ vaɪˈbreɪʃən ɪn ðə ˈsɛkənd moʊd æt ˈrɛzənəns. ðə ər məˈkænɪkli əˈtæʧt tɪ ðə ˈhaʊzɪŋ baɪ ˈpɪvəts æt raɪt ˈæŋgəlz tɪ ðə ˈkəplɪŋ waɪərz. ðə ˈpɪvəts ər tɪ ɪnˈʃʊr fri ˈtərnɪŋ əv ðə ənd ˈlɔsɪz. ðə ər ˈtritɪd ɛz ləmpt ˈɛləmənts; ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ðə ˈkəplɪŋ waɪərz ər meɪd ɪgˈzæktli wən lɔŋ ənd ər ɪkˈwɪvələnt tɪ ə ˈoʊpən ˈsərkət stəb ɪn ðə ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət. fər ə ˈfɪltər, ə stəb əv ðɪs sɔrt həz ðə əˈprɑksəˌmeɪt ɪkˈwɪvələnt ˈsərkət əv ə ˈpɛrəˌlɛl ʃənt tund ˈsərkət ɛz ʃoʊn ɪn ˈfɪgjər 10b*. ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛntli, ðə kəˈnɛktɪŋ waɪərz ər biɪŋ juzd ɪn ðɪs dɪˈzaɪn tɪ æd əˈdɪʃənəl ˈɪntu ðə ˈsərkət ənd wɪl hæv ə ˈbɛtər rɪˈspɑns ðən wən wɪθ ʤɪst ðə ləmpt ənd ʃɔrt fər ˈivɪn haɪər ˈfrikwənsiz, ˈmɛθədz kən bi juzd ɛz dɪˈskraɪbd bɪˈloʊ. ˈbrɪʤɪŋ waɪərz ˈɛdət ˈbrɪʤɪŋ waɪərz ər rɑdz ðət ˈkəpəl təˈgɛðər ðət ər nɑt əˈʤeɪsənt. ðeɪ kən bi juzd tɪ ˈproʊdus poʊlz əv ɪn ðə. ðɪs həz ðə ˈbɛnəfɪt əv ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ðə rɪˈʤɛkʃən. wɪn ðə poʊl ɪz pleɪst nɪr ðə ɛʤ, ɪt ˈɔlsoʊ həz ðə ˈbɛnəfɪt əv ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ənd ˈnɛroʊɪŋ ðə trænˈzɪʃən bænd. ðə ˈtɪpɪkəl ˈifɛkts əv səm əv ðiz ɔn ˈfɪltər ˈfrikwənsi rɪˈspɑns ər ʃoʊn ɪn ˈfɪgjər 11 ˈbrɪʤɪŋ əˈkrɔs ə ˈsɪŋgəl (ˈfɪgjər 11b*) kən ˈproʊdus ə poʊl əv ɪn ðə haɪ. ˈbrɪʤɪŋ əˈkrɔs tu (ˈfɪgjər 11c*) kən ˈproʊdus ə poʊl əv ɪn boʊθ ðə haɪ ənd ðə loʊ. ˈjuzɪŋ ˈməltəpəl ˈbrɪʤɪz (ˈfɪgjər 11d*) wɪl rɪˈzəlt ɪn ˈməltəpəl poʊlz əv. ɪn ðɪs weɪ, ðə əv ðə kən bi ˈdipənd ˈoʊvər ə brɔd ˈfrikwənsi ˈfɪgjər 11 skɪˈmætɪk ˈbrɪʤɪŋ ərˈeɪnʤmənts ənd ðɛr ˈifɛkt ɔn ˈfrikwənsi rɪˈspɑns. skɪˈmætɪk ˈbrɪʤɪŋ ərˈeɪnʤmənts ənd ðɛr ˈifɛkt ɔn ˈfrikwənsi rɪˈspɑns. ðə ˈmɛθəd əv ˈkəplɪŋ bɪtˈwin ɪz nɑt ˈlɪmɪtɪd tɪ məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz. ɪt kən bi əˈplaɪd tɪ ˈəðər ˈfɪltər ˈfɔrˌmæts ənd ðə ˈʤɛnərəl tərm fər ðɪs klæs ɪz ˈfɪltər. fər ˈɪnstəns, ˈʧænəlz kən bi kət bɪtˈwin ˈkævəti, mˈjuʧuəl ˌɪnˈdəktəns kən bi juzd wɪθ dɪˈskrit kəmˈpoʊnənt ˈfɪltərz, ənd ˈfidˌbæk pæθs kən bi juzd wɪθ ˈæktɪv ˈænəˌlɔg ər ˈdɪʤɪtəl ˈfɪltərz. nɔr wɑz ðə ˈmɛθəd fərst dɪˈskəvərd ɪn ðə fild əv məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz; ðə ˈərliəst dɪˈskrɪpʃən ɪz ɪn ə 1948 ˈpætənt fər ˈfɪltərz ˈjuzɪŋ ˈmaɪkrəˌweɪv ˈkævəti ˌhaʊˈɛvər, məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪnərz wər ðə fərst 1960s*) tɪ dɪˈvɛləp ˈpræktɪkəl ˈfɪltərz əv ðɪs kaɪnd ənd ðə ˈmɛθəd bɪˈkeɪm ə ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr ˈfiʧər əv məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz ˈɛdət ˈfɪgjər 12. ðə dɪˈvaɪs kən bi sin tɪ bi ˈvaɪbreɪtɪŋ ɪn ðɪs ˈpɪkʧər.. ðə dɪˈvaɪs kən bi sin tɪ bi ˈvaɪbreɪtɪŋ ɪn ðɪs ˈpɪkʧər. ə nu tɛkˈnɑləʤi ˈimərʤɪŋ ɪn məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərɪŋ ɪz ˈsɪstəmz (mems*). ər ˈvɛri smɔl wɪθ kəmˈpoʊnənt ˈsaɪzɪz ˈmɛʒərd ɪn (μμm*), bət nɑt ɛz smɔl ɛz nanomachines*. ðiz ˈfɪltərz kən bi dɪˈzaɪnd tɪ ˈɔpərˌeɪt æt məʧ haɪər ˈfrikwənsiz ðən kən bi əˈʧivd wɪθ trəˈdɪʃənəl məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz. ðiz ˈsɪstəmz ər ˈmoʊstli ˈfæbrɪˌkeɪtɪd frəm ˈsɪləkən (si), ˈsɪləkən ˈnaɪtraɪd (si 3 ɛn 4 ər ˈpɑlɪmərz. ə ˈkɑmən kəmˈpoʊnənt juzd fər ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ˈfrikwənsi ˈfɪltərɪŋ (ənd ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz ˈʤɛnərəli), ɪz ðə. ər ˈsɪmpəl məˈkænɪkəl kəmˈpoʊnənts tɪ ˌmænjəˈfækʧər baɪ məʧ ðə seɪm ˈmɛθədz juzd baɪ ðə ˌsɛmɪkənˈdəktər ˈɪndəstri; ˈmæskɪŋ, ənd ˈɛʧɪŋ, wɪθ ə ˈfaɪnəl ˈəndərˌkətɪŋ ɛʧ tɪ ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ðə frəm ðə ˈsəbˌstreɪt. ðə tɛkˈnɑləʤi həz greɪt ˈprɑməs sɪns kən bi prəˈdust ɪn lɑrʤ ˈnəmbərz ɔn ə ˈsɪŋgəl ɛz lɑrʤ ˈnəmbərz əv trænˈzɪstərz ər ˈkərəntli kənˈteɪnd ɔn ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˈsɪləkən ðə ʃoʊn ɪn ˈfɪgjər 12 ɪz əraʊnd 120 ɪn lɛŋθ. ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl kəmˈplit ˈfɪltərz wɪθ ən ˈɔpərˌeɪtɪŋ ˈfrikwənsi əv 30 hæv bɪn prəˈdust ˈjuzɪŋ ɛz ðə ˈɛləmənts. ðə saɪz əv ðɪs ˈfɪltər ɪz əraʊnd ər ˈtɪpɪkəli əˈplaɪd æt ˈfrikwənsiz bɪˈloʊ 200, bət ˈəðər ˈstrəkʧərz, səʧ ɛz ˈkævɪtiz, kən bi juzd ɪn ðə ˈmaɪkrəˌweɪv ɪkˈstrimli haɪ kju kən bi meɪd wɪθ ðɪs tɛkˈnɑləʤi; moʊd wɪθ ə kju ɪn ˈɛkˌsɛs əv æt 8 ər əˈʤəstmənt ˈɛdət ðə priˈsɪʒən ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz ɪn wɪʧ məˈkænɪkəl ˈfɪltərz ər juzd ˌrikˈwaɪər ðət ðə ər ˈækjərətli əˈʤəstɪd tɪ ðə ˈspɛsəˌfaɪd ˈrɛzənəns ˈfrikwənsi. ðɪs ɪz noʊn ɛz ˈtrɪmɪŋ ənd ˈjuʒəwəli ˌɪnˈvɑlvz ə məˈkænɪkəl məˈʃinɪŋ ˈprɔˌsɛs. ɪn moʊst ˈfɪltər dɪˈzaɪnz, ðɪs kən bi ˈdɪfəkəlt tɪ du wəns ðə hæv bɪn əˈsɛmbəld ˈɪntu ðə kəmˈplit ˈfɪltər soʊ ðə ər trɪmd ˌbiˈfɔr əˈsɛmbli. ˈtrɪmɪŋ ɪz dən ɪn æt list tu ˈsteɪʤɪz; kɔrs ənd faɪn, wɪθ iʧ steɪʤ ˈbrɪŋɪŋ ðə ˈrɛzənəns ˈfrikwənsi ˈkloʊzər tɪ ðə ˈspɛsəˌfaɪd ˈvælju. moʊst ˈtrɪmɪŋ ˈmɛθədz ˌɪnˈvɑlv riˈmuvɪŋ məˈtɪriəl frəm ðə wɪʧ wɪl ˌɪnˈkris ðə ˈrɛzənəns ˈfrikwənsi. ðə ˈtərgət ˈfrikwənsi fər ə kɔrs ˈtrɪmɪŋ steɪʤ ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛntli nidz tɪ bi sɛt bɪˈloʊ ðə ˈfaɪnəl ˈfrikwənsi sɪns ðə ˈtɑlərənsɪz əv ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs kʊd ˈəðərˌwaɪz rɪˈzəlt ɪn ə ˈfrikwənsi haɪər ðən ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ faɪn ˈtrɪmɪŋ steɪʤ kʊd əˈʤəst ðə ˈmɛθəd əv ˈtrɪmɪŋ ɪz ˈgraɪndɪŋ əv ðə meɪn ˈrɛzəˌneɪtɪŋ ˈsərfəs əv ðə; ðɪs ˈprɔˌsɛs həz ən ˈækjərəsi əv əraʊnd ppm*. ˈbɛtər kənˈtroʊl kən bi əˈʧivd baɪ ˈgraɪndɪŋ ðə ɛʤ əv ðə ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ðə meɪn ˈsərfəs. ðɪs həz ə lɛs drəˈmætɪk ˈifɛkt ənd ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛntli ˈbɛtər ˈækjərəsi. ˈprɑsɛsəz ðət kən bi juzd fər faɪn ˈtrɪmɪŋ, ɪn ˈɔrdər əv ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ˈækjərəsi, ər sandblasting*, ˈdrɪlɪŋ, ənd ˈleɪzər. ˈleɪzər ˈtrɪmɪŋ ɪz ˈkeɪpəbəl əv əˈʧivɪŋ ən ˈækjərəsi əv ˈtrɪmɪŋ baɪ hænd, ˈrəðər ðən məˈʃin, wɑz juzd ɔn səm ˈərli pərˈdəkʃən kəmˈpoʊnənts bət wʊd naʊ ˈnɔrməli ˈoʊnli bi ɪnˈkaʊnərd ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈprɑdəkt dɪˈvɛləpmənt. ˈmɛθədz əˈveɪləbəl ˌɪnˈklud ˈsændɪŋ ənd ˈfaɪlɪŋ. ɪt ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ æd məˈtɪriəl tɪ ðə baɪ hænd, ðəs rɪˈdusɪŋ ðə ˈrɛzənəns ˈfrikwənsi. wən səʧ ˈmɛθəd ɪz tɪ æd ˈsɑdər, bət ðɪs ɪz nɑt ˈsutəbəl fər pərˈdəkʃən juz sɪns ðə ˈsɑdər wɪl tɛnd tɪ rɪˈdus ðə haɪ kju əv ðə ɪn ðə keɪs əv ˈfɪltərz, ɪt ɪz nɑt ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ trɪm ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd əv ðə ˈfɪltər bɪˈkəz əv ðə ˈɪnəˌgreɪtɪd ˈneɪʧər əv ðə dɪˈvaɪs kənˈstrəkʃən. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ˈtrɪmɪŋ ɪz stɪl ə rɪkˈwaɪrmənt ɪn ˈmɛni ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz. ˈleɪzər kən bi juzd fər ðɪs bət məˈtɪriəl ˌdɛpəˈzɪʃən ˈmɛθədz ər əˈveɪləbəl ɛz wɛl ɛz məˈtɪriəl rɪˈmuvəl. ðiz ˈmɛθədz ˌɪnˈklud ˈleɪzər ər ˌɪnˈdust si ˈɔlsoʊ ˈɛdət ˈrɛfərənsɪz ˈɛdət ˌbɪbliˈɑgrəfi ˈɛdət ˈfərðər ˈrɛdɪŋ ˈɛdət

figure 1. a mechanical filter made by the kokusai electric company intended for selecting the narrow 2 khz bandwidth signals in 455 khz , a common 45×15×15 mm ( ​ 1 3⁄ 4 ×​ 7⁄ 12 ×​ 7⁄ 12 in ). a mechanical filter made by the kokusai electric company intended for selecting the narrowbandwidth signals in ssb radio receivers. it operates at, a common if for these receivers, and is dimensioned). a mechanical filter is a signal processing filter usually used in place of an electronic filter at radio frequencies. its purpose is the same as that of a normal electronic filter: to pass a range of signal frequencies, but to block others. the filter acts on mechanical vibrations which are the analogue of the electrical signal. at the input and output of the filter, transducers convert the electrical signal into, and then back from, these mechanical vibrations. the components of a mechanical filter are all directly analogous to the various elements found in electrical circuits. the mechanical elements obey mathematical functions which are identical to their corresponding electrical elements. this makes it possible to apply electrical network analysis and filter design methods to mechanical filters. electrical theory has developed a large library of mathematical forms that produce useful filter frequency responses and the mechanical filter designer is able to make direct use of these. it is only necessary to set the mechanical components to appropriate values to produce a filter with an identical response to the electrical counterpart. steel alloys and iron–nickel alloys are common materials for mechanical filter components; nickel is sometimes used for the input and output couplings. resonators in the filter made from these materials need to be machined to precisely adjust their resonance frequency before final assembly. while the meaning of mechanical filter in this article is one that is used in an electromechanical role, it is possible to use a mechanical design to filter mechanical vibrations or sound waves (which are also essentially mechanical) directly. for example, filtering of audio frequency response in the design of loudspeaker cabinets can be achieved with mechanical components. in the electrical application, in addition to mechanical components which correspond to their electrical counterparts, transducers are needed to convert between the mechanical and electrical domains. a representative selection of the wide variety of component forms and topologies for mechanical filters are presented in this article. the theory of mechanical filters was first applied to improving the mechanical parts of phonographs in the 1920s. by the 1950s mechanical filters were being manufactured as self-contained components for applications in radio transmitters and high-end receivers. the high "quality factor", q, that mechanical resonators can attain, far higher than that of an all-electrical lc circuit, made possible the construction of mechanical filters with excellent selectivity. good selectivity, being important in radio receivers, made such filters highly attractive. contemporary researchers are working on microelectromechanical filters, the mechanical devices corresponding to electronic integrated circuits. elements [ edit ] mechanical filter from a telephone carrier system using torsional resonator elements the elements of a passive linear electrical network consist of inductors, capacitors and resistors which have the properties of inductance, elastance (inverse capacitance) and resistance, respectively. the mechanical counterparts of these properties are, respectively, mass, stiffness and damping. in most electronic filter designs, only inductor and capacitor elements are used in the body of the filter (although the filter may be terminated with resistors at the input and output). resistances are not present in a theoretical filter composed of ideal components and only arise in practical designs as unwanted parasitic elements. likewise, a mechanical filter would ideally consist only of components with the properties of mass and stiffness, but in reality some damping is present as well.[1] the mechanical counterparts of voltage and electric current in this type of analysis are, respectively, force (f) and velocity (v) and represent the signal waveforms. from this, a mechanical impedance can be defined in terms of the imaginary angular frequency, jω, which entirely follows the electrical analogy.[2][3] mechanical element formula (in one dimension) mechanical impedance electrical counterpart stiffness, s s = f x {\displaystyle s={f \over x}} z = s j ω {\displaystyle z={s \over j\omega }} elastance, 1/c, the inverse of capacitance mass, m m = f d v / d t = f a {\displaystyle m={\frac {f}{dv/dt}}={f \over a}} z = j ω m {\displaystyle z=j\omega m\,} inductance, l damping, d d = f v {\displaystyle d={f \over v}} z = d {\displaystyle z=d\,} resistance, r notes: the symbols x , t , and a represent their usual quantities; distance, time, and acceleration respectively. , , and represent their usual quantities; distance, time, and acceleration respectively. the mechanical quantity compliance, which is the inverse of stiffness, can be used instead of stiffness to give a more direct correspondence to capacitance, but stiffness is used in the table as the more familiar quantity. the scheme presented in the table is known as the impedance analogy. circuit diagrams produced using this analogy match the electrical impedance of the mechanical system seen by the electrical circuit, making it intuitive from an electrical engineering standpoint. there is also the mobility analogy,[n 1] in which force corresponds to current and velocity corresponds to voltage. this has equally valid results but requires using the reciprocals of the electrical counterparts listed above. hence, m → c, s → 1/l, d → g where g is electrical conductance, the inverse of resistance. equivalent circuits produced by this scheme are similar, but are the dual impedance forms whereby series elements become parallel, capacitors become inductors, and so on.[4] circuit diagrams using the mobility analogy more closely match the mechanical arrangement of the circuit, making it more intuitive from a mechanical engineering standpoint.[5] in addition to their application to electromechanical systems, these analogies are widely used to aid analysis in acoustics.[6] any mechanical component will unavoidably possess both mass and stiffness. this translates in electrical terms to an lc circuit, that is, a circuit consisting of an inductor and a capacitor, hence mechanical components are resonators and are often used as such. it is still possible to represent inductors and capacitors as individual lumped elements in a mechanical implementation by minimising (but never quite eliminating) the unwanted property. capacitors may be made of thin, long rods, that is, the mass is minimised and the compliance is maximised. inductors, on the other hand, may be made of short, wide pieces which maximise the mass in comparison to the compliance of the piece.[7] mechanical parts act as a transmission line for mechanical vibrations. if the wavelength is short in comparison to the part then a lumped element model as described above is no longer adequate and a distributed element model must be used instead. the mechanical distributed elements are entirely analogous to electrical distributed elements and the mechanical filter designer can use the methods of electrical distributed element filter design.[7] history [ edit ] harmonic telegraph [ edit ] mechanical filter design was developed by applying the discoveries made in electrical filter theory to mechanics. however, a very early example (1870s) of acoustic filtering was the "harmonic telegraph", which arose precisely because electrical resonance was poorly understood but mechanical resonance (in particular, acoustic resonance) was very familiar to engineers. this situation was not to last for long; electrical resonance had been known to science for some time before this, and it was not long before engineers started to produce all-electric designs for filters. in its time, though, the harmonic telegraph was of some importance. the idea was to combine several telegraph signals on one telegraph line by what would now be called frequency division multiplexing thus saving enormously on line installation costs. the key of each operator activated a vibrating electromechanical reed which converted this vibration into an electrical signal. filtering at the receiving operator was achieved by a similar reed tuned to precisely the same frequency, which would only vibrate and produce a sound from transmissions by the operator with the identical tuning.[8][9] versions of the harmonic telegraph were developed by elisha gray, alexander graham bell, ernest mercadier[n 2] and others. its ability to act as a sound transducer to and from the electrical domain was to inspire the invention of the telephone.[8][9] mechanical equivalent circuits [ edit ] once the basics of electrical network analysis began to be established, it was not long before the ideas of complex impedance and filter design theories were carried over into mechanics by analogy. kennelly, who was also responsible for introducing complex impedance, and webster were the first to extend the concept of impedance into mechanical systems in 1920.[10] mechanical admittance and the associated mobility analogy came much later and are due to firestone in 1932.[11][12] it was not enough to just develop a mechanical analogy. this could be applied to problems that were entirely in the mechanical domain, but for mechanical filters with an electrical application it is necessary to include the transducer in the analogy as well. poincaré in 1907 was the first to describe a transducer as a pair of linear algebraic equations relating electrical variables (voltage and current) to mechanical variables (force and velocity).[13] these equations can be expressed as a matrix relationship in much the same way as the z-parameters of a two-port network in electrical theory, to which this is entirely analogous: [ v f ] = [ z 11 z 12 z 21 z 22 ] [ i v ] {\displaystyle {\begin{bmatrix}v\\f\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}z_{11}&z_{12}\\z_{21}&z_{22}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}i\\v\end{bmatrix}}} where v and i represent the voltage and current respectively on the electrical side of the transducer. wegel, in 1921, was the first to express these equations in terms of mechanical impedance as well as electrical impedance. the element z 22 {\displaystyle z_{22}\,} is the open circuit mechanical impedance, that is, the impedance presented by the mechanical side of the transducer when no current is entering the electrical side. the element z 11 {\displaystyle z_{11}\,} , conversely, is the clamped electrical impedance, that is, the impedance presented to the electrical side when the mechanical side is clamped and prevented from moving (velocity is zero). the remaining two elements, z 21 {\displaystyle z_{21}\,} and z 12 {\displaystyle z_{12}\,} , describe the transducer forward and reverse transfer functions respectively. once these ideas were in place, engineers were able to extend electrical theory into the mechanical domain and analyse an electromechanical system as a unified whole.[10][14] sound reproduction [ edit ] figure 2. harrison's phonograph mechanism and its electrical equivalent circuit. harrison's phonograph mechanism and its electrical equivalent circuit. an early application of these new theoretical tools was in phonographic sound reproduction. a recurring problem with early phonograph designs was that mechanical resonances in the pickup and sound transmission mechanism caused excessively large peaks and troughs in the frequency response, resulting in poor sound quality. in 1923, harrison of the western electric company filed a patent for a phonograph in which the mechanical design was entirely represented as an electrical circuit. the horn of the phonograph is represented as a transmission line, and is a resistive load for the rest of the circuit, while all the mechanical and acoustic parts—from the pickup needle through to the horn—are translated into lumped components according to the impedance analogy. the circuit arrived at is a ladder topology of series resonant circuits coupled by shunt capacitors. this can be viewed as a bandpass filter circuit. harrison designed the component values of this filter to have a specific passband corresponding to the desired audio passband (in this case 100 hz to 6 khz) and a flat response. translating these electrical element values back into mechanical quantities provided specifications for the mechanical components in terms of mass and stiffness, which in turn could be translated into physical dimensions for their manufacture. the resulting phonograph has a flat frequency response in its passband and is free of the resonances previously experienced.[15] shortly after this, harrison filed another patent using the same methodology on telephone transmit and receive transducers.[16] figure 3. norton's mechanical filter together with its electrical equivalent circuit. norton's mechanical filter together with its electrical equivalent circuit. harrison used campbell's image filter theory, which was the most advanced filter theory available at the time. in this theory, filter design is viewed essentially as an impedance matching problem.[17] more advanced filter theory was brought to bear on this problem by norton in 1929 at bell labs. norton followed the same general approach though he later described to darlington the filter he designed as being "maximally flat".[1] norton's mechanical design predates the paper by butterworth who is usually credited as the first to describe the electronic maximally flat filter.[18] the equations norton gives for his filter correspond to a singly terminated butterworth filter, that is, one driven by an ideal voltage source with no impedance, whereas the form more usually given in texts is for the doubly terminated filter with resistors at both ends, making it hard to recognise the design for what it is.[19] another unusual feature of norton's filter design arises from the series capacitor, which represents the stiffness of the diaphragm. this is the only series capacitor in norton's representation, and without it, the filter could be analysed as a low-pass prototype. norton moves the capacitor out of the body of the filter to the input at the expense of introducing a transformer into the equivalent circuit (norton's figure 4). norton has used here the "turning round the l" impedance transform to achieve this.[20] the definitive description of the subject from this period is maxfield and harrison's 1926 paper. there, they describe not only how mechanical bandpass filters can be applied to sound reproduction systems, but also apply the same principles to recording systems and describe a much improved disc cutting head.[21][22] volume production [ edit ] the first volume production of mechanical filters was undertaken by collins radio company starting in the 1950s. these were originally designed for telephone frequency-division multiplex applications where there is commercial advantage in using high quality filters. precision and steepness of the transition band leads to a reduced width of guard band, which in turn leads to the ability to squeeze more telephone channels into the same cable. this same feature is useful in radio transmitters for much the same reason. mechanical filters quickly also found popularity in vhf/uhf radio intermediate frequency (if) stages of the high end radio sets (military, marine, amateur radio and the like) manufactured by collins. they were favoured in the radio application because they could achieve much higher q-factors than the equivalent lc filter. high q allows filters to be designed which have high selectivity, important for distinguishing adjacent radio channels in receivers. they also had an advantage in stability over both lc filters and monolithic crystal filters. the most popular design for radio applications was torsional resonators because radio if typically lies in the 100 to 500 khz band.[23][24] transducers [ edit ] figure 4. mechanical filter transducers. a magnetostrictive transducer. b langevin type piezoelectric transducer. c torsional piezoelectric transducer. mechanical filter transducers.magnetostrictive transducer.langevin type piezoelectric transducer.torsional piezoelectric transducer. both magnetostrictive and piezoelectric transducers are used in mechanical filters. piezoelectric transducers are favoured in recent designs since the piezoelectric material can also be used as one of the resonators of the filter, thus reducing the number of components and thereby saving space. they also avoid the susceptibility to extraneous magnetic fields of the magnetostrictive type of transducer.[25] magnetostrictive [ edit ] a magnetostrictive material is one which changes shape when a magnetic field is applied. in reverse, it produces a magnetic field when distorted. the magnetostrictive transducer requires a coil of conducting wire around the magnetostrictive material. the coil either induces a magnetic field in the transducer and sets it in motion or else picks up an induced current from the motion of the transducer at the filter output. it is also usually necessary to have a small magnet to bias the magnetostrictive material into its operating range. it is possible to dispense with the magnets if the biasing is taken care of on the electronic side by providing a d.c. current superimposed on the signal, but this approach would detract from the generality of the filter design.[26] the usual magnetostrictive materials used for the transducer are either ferrite or compressed powdered iron. mechanical filter designs often have the resonators coupled with steel or nickel-iron wires, but on some designs, especially older ones, nickel wire may be used for the input and output rods. this is because it is possible to wind the transducer coil directly on to a nickel coupling wire since nickel is slightly magnetostrictive. however, it is not strongly so and coupling to the electrical circuit is weak. this scheme also has the disadvantage of eddy currents, a problem that is avoided if ferrites are used instead of nickel.[26] the coil of the transducer adds some inductance on the electrical side of the filter. it is common practice to add a capacitor in parallel with the coil so that an additional resonator is formed which can be incorporated into the filter design. while this will not improve performance to the extent that an additional mechanical resonator would, there is some benefit and the coil has to be there in any case.[27] piezoelectric [ edit ] a piezoelectric material is one which changes shape when an electric field is applied. in reverse, it produces an electric field when it is distorted. a piezoelectric transducer, in essence, is made simply by plating electrodes on to the piezoelectric material. early piezoelectric materials used in transducers such as barium titanate had poor temperature stability. this precluded the transducer from functioning as one of the resonators; it had to be a separate component. this problem was solved with the introduction of lead zirconate titanate (abbreviated pzt) which is stable enough to be used as a resonator. another common piezoelectric material is quartz, which has also been used in mechanical filters. however, ceramic materials such as pzt are preferred for their greater electromechanical coupling coefficient.[28] one type of piezoelectric transducer is the langevin type, named after a transducer used by paul langevin in early sonar research. this is good for longitudinal modes of vibration. it can also be used on resonators with other modes of vibration if the motion can be mechanically converted into a longitudinal motion. the transducer consists of a layer of piezoelectric material sandwiched transversally into a coupling rod or resonator.[29] another kind of piezoelectric transducer has the piezoelectric material sandwiched in longitudinally, usually into the resonator itself. this kind is good for torsional vibration modes and is called a torsional transducer.[30] resonators [ edit ] material q-factor nickel several 100[31] steel several 1000[31] aluminium ~10,000[31] nickel-iron alloy 10,000 to 25,000 depending on composition[32] it is possible to achieve an extremely high q with mechanical resonators. mechanical resonators typically have a q of 10,000 or so, and 25,000 can be achieved in torsional resonators using a particular nickel-iron alloy. this is an unreasonably high figure to achieve with lc circuits, whose q is limited by the resistance of the inductor coils.[26][32][33] early designs in the 1940s and 1950s started by using steel as a resonator material. this has given way to nickel-iron alloys, primarily to maximise the q since this is often the primary appeal of mechanical filters rather than price. some of the metals that have been used for mechanical filter resonators and their q are shown in the table.[32] piezoelectric crystals are also sometimes used in mechanical filter designs. this is especially true for resonators that are also acting as transducers for inputs and outputs.[32] one advantage that mechanical filters have over lc electrical filters is that they can be made very stable. the resonance frequency can be made so stable that it varies only 1.5 parts per billion (ppb) from the specified value over the operating temperature range (−25 to 85 °c), and its average drift with time can be as low as 4 ppb per day.[34] this stability with temperature is another reason for using nickel-iron as the resonator material. variations with temperature in the resonance frequency (and other features of the frequency function) are directly related to variations in the young's modulus, which is a measure of stiffness of the material. materials are therefore sought that have a small temperature coefficient of young's modulus. in general, young's modulus has a negative temperature coefficient (materials become less stiff with increasing temperature) but additions of small amounts of certain other elements in the alloy[n 3] can produce a material with a temperature coefficient that changes sign from negative through zero to positive with temperature. such a material will have a zero coefficient of temperature with resonance frequency around a particular temperature. it is possible to adjust the point of zero temperature coefficient to a desired position by heat treatment of the alloy.[33][35][36][37] resonator modes [ edit ] figure 5. some possible vibrational modes of resonators some possible vibrational modes of resonators it is usually possible for a mechanical part to vibrate in a number of different modes, however the design will be based on a particular vibrational mode and the designer will take steps to try to restrict the resonance to this mode. as well as the straightforward longitudinal mode some others which are used include flexural mode, torsional mode, radial mode and drumhead mode.[38][39] modes are numbered according to the number of half-wavelengths in the vibration. some modes exhibit vibrations in more than one direction (such as drumhead mode which has two) and consequently the mode number consists of more than one number. when the vibration is in one of the higher modes, there will be multiple nodes on the resonator where there is no motion. for some types of resonator, this can provide a convenient place to make a mechanical attachment for structural support. wires attached at nodes will have no effect on the vibration of the resonator or the overall filter response. in figure 5, some possible anchor points are shown as wires attached at the nodes. the modes shown are (5a) the second longitudinal mode fixed at one end, (5b) the first torsional mode, (5c) the second torsional mode, (5d) the second flexural mode, (5e) first radial expansion mode and (5f) first radially symmetric drumhead mode.[33] circuit designs [ edit ] figure 6. a mechanical filter using disc flexural resonators and magnetostrictive transducers . a mechanical filter using disc flexural resonators and magnetostrictive transducers figure 7. a filter using longitudinal resonators and langevin type transducers a filter using longitudinal resonators and langevin type transducers figure 8a. a filter using torsional resonators. the input is shown with a torsional piezoelectric transducer and the output has a magnetostrictive transducer. a filter using torsional resonators. the input is shown with a torsional piezoelectric transducer and the output has a magnetostrictive transducer. figure 8b. equivalent circuit of the torsional resonator circuit above equivalent circuit of the torsional resonator circuit above figure 9. a filter using disc drumhead resonators a filter using disc drumhead resonators there are a great many combinations of resonators and transducers that can be used to construct a mechanical filter. a selection of some of these is shown in the diagrams. figure 6 shows a filter using disc flexural resonators and magnetostrictive transducers. the transducer drives the centre of the first resonator, causing it to vibrate. the edges of the disc move in antiphase to the centre when the driving signal is at, or close to, resonance, and the signal is transmitted through the connecting rods to the next resonator. when the driving signal is not close to resonance, there is little movement at the edges, and the filter rejects (does not pass) the signal.[40] figure 7 shows a similar idea involving longitudinal resonators connected together in a chain by connecting rods. in this diagram, the filter is driven by piezoelectric transducers. it could equally well have used magnetostrictive transducers.[30] figure 8 shows a filter using torsional resonators. in this diagram, the input has a torsional piezoelectric transducer and the output has a magnetostrictive transducer. this would be quite unusual in a real design, as both input and output usually have the same type of transducer. the magnetostrictive transducer is only shown here to demonstrate how longitudinal vibrations may be converted to torsional vibrations and vice versa.[30][38][41] figure 9 shows a filter using drumhead mode resonators. the edges of the discs are fixed to the casing of the filter (not shown in the diagram) so the vibration of the disc is in the same modes as the membrane of a drum. collins calls this type of filter a disc wire filter.[38] the various types of resonator are all particularly suited to different frequency bands. overall, mechanical filters with lumped elements of all kinds can cover frequencies from about 5 to 700 khz although mechanical filters down as low as a few kilohertz (khz) are rare.[26] the lower part of this range, below 100 khz, is best covered with bar flexural resonators. the upper part is better done with torsional resonators.[38] drumhead disc resonators are in the middle, covering the range from around 100 to 300 khz.[40] the frequency response behaviour of all mechanical filters can be expressed as an equivalent electrical circuit using the impedance analogy described above. an example of this is shown in figure 8b which is the equivalent circuit of the mechanical filter of figure 8a. elements on the electrical side, such as the inductance of the magnetostrictive transducer, are omitted but would be taken into account in a complete design. the series resonant circuits on the circuit diagram represent the torsional resonators, and the shunt capacitors represent the coupling wires. the component values of the electrical equivalent circuit can be adjusted, more or less at will, by modifying the dimensions of the mechanical components. in this way, all the theoretical tools of electrical analysis and filter design can be brought to bear on the mechanical design. any filter realisable in electrical theory can, in principle, also be realised as a mechanical filter. in particular, the popular finite element approximations to an ideal filter response of the butterworth and chebyshev filters can both readily be realised. as with the electrical counterpart, the more elements that are used, the closer the approximation approaches the ideal, however, for practical reasons the number of resonators does not normally exceed eight.[40][42] semi-lumped designs [ edit ] figure 10a. a semi-lumped design using disc flexural resonators and λ/2 coupling wires a semi-lumped design using disc flexural resonators and λ/2 coupling wires figure 10b. equivalent circuit of the semi-lumped circuit above equivalent circuit of the semi-lumped circuit above frequencies of the order of megahertz (mhz) are above the usual range for mechanical filters. the components start to become very small, or alternatively the components are large compared to the signal wavelength. the lumped element model described above starts to break down and the components must be considered as distributed elements. the frequency at which the transition from lumped to distributed models takes place is much lower for mechanical filters than it is for their electrical counterparts. this is because mechanical vibrations travel at the speed of sound for the material the component is composed of. for solid components, this is many times (x15 for nickel-iron) the speed of sound in air (343 m/s) but still considerably less than the speed of electromagnetic waves (approx. 3x108 m/s in vacuum). consequently, mechanical wavelengths are much shorter than electrical wavelengths for the same frequency. advantage can be taken of these effects by deliberately designing components to be distributed elements, and the components and methods used in electrical distributed element filters can be brought to bear. the equivalents of stubs and impedance transformers are both achievable. designs which use a mixture of lumped and distributed elements are referred to as semi-lumped.[43] an example of such a design is shown in figure 10a. the resonators are disc flexural resonators similar to those shown in figure 6, except that these are energised from an edge, leading to vibration in the fundamental flexural mode with a node in the centre, whereas the figure 6 design is energised in the centre leading to vibration in the second flexural mode at resonance. the resonators are mechanically attached to the housing by pivots at right angles to the coupling wires. the pivots are to ensure free turning of the resonator and minimise losses. the resonators are treated as lumped elements; however, the coupling wires are made exactly one half-wavelength (λ/2) long and are equivalent to a λ/2 open circuit stub in the electrical equivalent circuit. for a narrow-band filter, a stub of this sort has the approximate equivalent circuit of a parallel shunt tuned circuit as shown in figure 10b. consequently, the connecting wires are being used in this design to add additional resonators into the circuit and will have a better response than one with just the lumped resonators and short couplings.[43] for even higher frequencies, microelectromechanical methods can be used as described below. bridging wires [ edit ] bridging wires are rods that couple together resonators that are not adjacent. they can be used to produce poles of attenuation in the stopband. this has the benefit of increasing the stopband rejection. when the pole is placed near the passband edge, it also has the benefit of increasing roll-off and narrowing the transition band. the typical effects of some of these on filter frequency response are shown in figure 11. bridging across a single resonator (figure 11b) can produce a pole of attenuation in the high stopband. bridging across two resonators (figure 11c) can produce a pole of attenuation in both the high and the low stopband. using multiple bridges (figure 11d) will result in multiple poles of attenuation. in this way, the attenuation of the stopbands can be deepened over a broad frequency range.[44] figure 11. schematic bridging arrangements and their effect on frequency response. schematic bridging arrangements and their effect on frequency response. the method of coupling between non-adjacent resonators is not limited to mechanical filters. it can be applied to other filter formats and the general term for this class is cross-coupled filter. for instance, channels can be cut between cavity resonators, mutual inductance can be used with discrete component filters, and feedback paths can be used with active analogue or digital filters. nor was the method first discovered in the field of mechanical filters; the earliest description is in a 1948 patent for filters using microwave cavity resonators.[45] however, mechanical filter designers were the first (1960s) to develop practical filters of this kind and the method became a particular feature of mechanical filters.[46] microelectromechanical filters [ edit ] figure 12. mems cantilever resonator. the device can be seen to be vibrating in this picture. mems cantilever resonator. the device can be seen to be vibrating in this picture. a new technology emerging in mechanical filtering is microelectromechanical systems (mems). mems are very small micromachines with component sizes measured in micrometres (μm), but not as small as nanomachines. these filters can be designed to operate at much higher frequencies than can be achieved with traditional mechanical filters. these systems are mostly fabricated from silicon (si), silicon nitride (si 3 n 4 ), or polymers. a common component used for radio frequency filtering (and mems applications generally), is the cantilever resonator. cantilevers are simple mechanical components to manufacture by much the same methods used by the semiconductor industry; masking, photolithography and etching, with a final undercutting etch to separate the cantilever from the substrate. the technology has great promise since cantilevers can be produced in large numbers on a single substrate—much as large numbers of transistors are currently contained on a single silicon chip.[47] the resonator shown in figure 12 is around 120 μm in length. experimental complete filters with an operating frequency of 30 ghz have been produced using cantilever varactors as the resonator elements. the size of this filter is around 4×3.5 mm.[48] cantilever resonators are typically applied at frequencies below 200 mhz, but other structures, such as micro-machined cavities, can be used in the microwave bands.[49] extremely high q resonators can be made with this technology; flexural mode resonators with a q in excess of 80,000 at 8 mhz are reported.[50] adjustment [ edit ] the precision applications in which mechanical filters are used require that the resonators are accurately adjusted to the specified resonance frequency. this is known as trimming and usually involves a mechanical machining process. in most filter designs, this can be difficult to do once the resonators have been assembled into the complete filter so the resonators are trimmed before assembly. trimming is done in at least two stages; coarse and fine, with each stage bringing the resonance frequency closer to the specified value. most trimming methods involve removing material from the resonator which will increase the resonance frequency. the target frequency for a coarse trimming stage consequently needs to be set below the final frequency since the tolerances of the process could otherwise result in a frequency higher than the following fine trimming stage could adjust for.[51][52] the coarsest method of trimming is grinding of the main resonating surface of the resonator; this process has an accuracy of around ±800 ppm. better control can be achieved by grinding the edge of the resonator instead of the main surface. this has a less dramatic effect and consequently better accuracy. processes that can be used for fine trimming, in order of increasing accuracy, are sandblasting, drilling, and laser ablation. laser trimming is capable of achieving an accuracy of ±40 ppm.[52][53] trimming by hand, rather than machine, was used on some early production components but would now normally only be encountered during product development. methods available include sanding and filing. it is also possible to add material to the resonator by hand, thus reducing the resonance frequency. one such method is to add solder, but this is not suitable for production use since the solder will tend to reduce the high q of the resonator.[51] in the case of mems filters, it is not possible to trim the resonators outside of the filter because of the integrated nature of the device construction. however, trimming is still a requirement in many mems applications. laser ablation can be used for this but material deposition methods are available as well as material removal. these methods include laser or ion-beam induced deposition.[54] see also [ edit ] references [ edit ] bibliography [ edit ] further reading [ edit ]

they’re* tu ðət ti treɪl ˈwɔkərz hæv rɪˈpitɪdli, ɪf ənˈfɛrli, kəm ˈəndər faɪər fər: nɑt peɪɪŋ hət fiz ənd nɑt dɪˈspoʊzɪŋ əv ðɛr ˈtɔɪlət weɪst ˈprɑpərli. ˈwɪldərnəs həz ˌriˈpɔrtəd ɔn ˈsɛvərəl ˈɪnstənsɪz wɛr həts ənd træks ɔn ðə treɪl hæv bɪˈkəm ˈlɪtərd wɪθ ˈjumən ənd ˈtɔɪlət ˈpeɪpər. ˌænɪkˈdoʊtəli, ˈridərz hæv ˌriˈpɔrtəd ɛnˈkaʊnərɪŋ grups əv ˈfɔrən hu əˈpɪr tɪ hæv ˈpərʧəst hət ˈtɪkɪts. bət ti treɪl trəst ˈʧɛrmən rɑb sɛd boʊθ ðiz kənˈsərnz ər ˌoʊvərˈbloʊn, ənd ɪt ɪz nɑt fɛr tɪ bleɪm ti treɪl ˈwɔkərz fər səʧ ˈɪʃuz. hi ˈpɔɪntɪd aʊt ðət ʤɪst 350 əˈtɛmptəd ti ɪn hi kəmˈpɛrd ðət tɪ ðə ˈmɪljənz əv ˈvɪzɪtərz ˈoʊvərˌɔl tɪ nu ˈzilənd: noʊ nuz tɪ ˈɛniˌwən ɪn ðə ˈkəntri ðət ˈtʊˌrɪzəm ɪz ˈpʊtɪŋ ˈprɛʃər ɔn ˌɪnfrəˈstrəkʧər ɪn nu zealand.”*.” hi ˈɔlsoʊ sɛd nu ˈziləndərz ər ʤɪst ɛz ˈlaɪkli tɪ əˈvɔɪd hət fiz ənd bɪˈheɪv ˈpurli ɪn ðə ˈaʊtˈdɔrz. nɑt luz saɪt əv ðə fækt ðət aɪ θɪŋk ˈɛni wən əv ˈjuˈɛs həz bɪn ɪn ðə ˈaʊtˈdɔrz ənd sin ˈplɛnti əv ˈkiwiz huz bɪˈheɪvjər livz ə bɪt tɪ bi dɪˈzaɪərd. nɑt ɛz ˈizi ɛz ˈkiwiz ˈvərsəz ˈfɔrənərz. ʤɪst ə ʤəˈnɛrɪk ˈprɛʃər goʊɪŋ ɔn səm əv ðiz places.”*.” ˌhaʊˈɛvər, hi ˈɔlsoʊ sɛd ðə trəst ɪz ˈwərkɪŋ wɪθ dɑk tɪ ˈrɛktəˌfaɪ ˈprɑbləmz əˈlɔŋ ðə treɪl. wən səˈluʃən ˈəndər dɪˈskəʃən ɪz tɪ kriˈeɪt ə treɪl fee’*’ ðət wʊd ɛnˈkəmpəs ə hət pæs fər ðə ɪnˈtaɪər treɪl, doʊˈneɪʃənz tɪ ðə trəst tɪ hɛlp fənd treɪl ˈmeɪntənəns ənd fəˈsɪlɪtiz, ənd fiz tɪ ðoʊz ˈpraɪvət ˈkæmpˌsaɪt ənd hət ˈoʊnərz hu ˈkərəntli rɪˈlaɪ ɔn doʊˈneɪʃənz. ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən həz started,”*,” sɛd. wɪl teɪk ə bɪt əv dɪˈskəʃən ənd ˈprɪti ˈkɔʃəs aɪ wɔnt tɪ gɪt ɪt raɪt ˌbiˈfɔr wi lɔnʧ ɪt, nɑt lɔnʧ ɪt fərst ənd ðɛn pleɪ kæʧ up.”*.” ɪkˈspɛkts tɪ hæv ðə fi ɪˈstæblɪʃt baɪ ðə ˈmɪdəl əv nɛkst jɪr, ɪn ˌprɛpərˈeɪʃən fər ðə ˈwɔkɪŋ ˈsizən. ðə trəst həz ˈɔlsoʊ əˈplaɪd fər kəmˈjunɪti ˌkɑnsərˈveɪʃən ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪp fənd ˈməni tɪ bɪld mɔr ˈtɔɪləts, ˈʃɛltərz ənd ˈwɔtər fəˈsɪlɪtiz əˈlɔŋ ˈsɛkʃənz əv ðə treɪl ɪn ˈnɔrθˌlænd. ɪt wɪl faɪnd aʊt ˈleɪtər ðɪs jɪr ɪf ɪts ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən həz bɪn səkˈsɛsfəl. əˈnəðər ˈmɛʒər həz bɪn tɪ æd ə ˈtraʊwɛl tɪ ðə ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪd gɪr lɪst fər. wʊd laɪk tɪ θɪŋk ɑr ˈwɔkərz wɪl baɪ ˈɪntu it,”*,” sɛd. θɪŋk fɛr tɪ seɪ ti ˈwɔkərz ər mɔr ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəli ˈkɑnʃəs ðən moʊst, ʤɪst du tɪ ðə ˈneɪʧər əv ðɛm biɪŋ ˈfɛrli kəˈmɪtɪd tɪ ðə ˈaʊtˈdɔrz ɔˈrɛdi. bət aɪ gɛs ðə pruf ɪz ɪn ðə pudding.”*.” sɛd hi həz hərd ˈrumərz ðət əp tɪ 1500 ˈpipəl kʊd bi ˈwɔkɪŋ ðə treɪl nɛkst jɪr, bət hoʊps səʧ ˈnəmbərz eventuate*. ɪkˈspɛktɪŋ ˈsəmˌwɛr ˈiðər saɪd əv 500 hərd ə fju ˈərbən ˈlɛʤəndz ðət 1500 ˈpipəl ɔn ðɛr weɪ, bət sin ˈnəθɪŋ ɪn tərmz əv hɑrd ˈɛvədəns ðət wʊd bæk ðət up,”*,” hi sɛd. θɪŋk wi wʊd wɔnt ɪt tɪ groʊ tɪ 1500 ɪn ðə speɪs əv ə jɪr bɪˈkəz ˈsərtən pɑrts wʊd bi ˈkrikɪŋ æt ðə seams.”*.”

they’re two bugbears that te araroa trail walkers have repeatedly, if unfairly, come under fire for: not paying hut fees and not disposing of their toilet waste properly. wilderness has reported on several instances where huts and tracks on the trail have become littered with human faeces and toilet paper. anecdotally, readers have reported encountering groups of foreign trampers who don’t appear to have purchased hut tickets. but te araroa trail trust chairman rob wakelin said both these concerns are overblown, and it is not fair to blame te araroa trail walkers for such issues. he pointed out that just 350 thru-walkers attempted te araroa in 2015-2016. he compared that to the millions of visitors overall to new zealand: “it’s no news to anyone in the country that tourism is putting pressure on infrastructure in new zealand.” he also said new zealanders are just as likely to avoid hut fees and behave poorly in the outdoors. “let’s not lose sight of the fact that i think any one of us has been in the outdoors and seen plenty of kiwis whose behaviour leaves a bit to be desired. it’s not as easy as kiwis versus foreigners. it’s just a generic pressure going on some of these places.” however, he also said the trust is working with doc to rectify pressure-related problems along the trail. one solution under discussion is to create a ‘te araroa trail fee’ that would encompass a hut pass for the entire trail, donations to the trust to help fund trail maintenance and facilities, and fees to those private campsite and hut owners who currently rely on donations. “the conversation has started,” said wakelin. “it will take a bit of discussion and i’m pretty cautious – i want to get it right before we launch it, not launch it first and then play catch up.” wakelin expects to have the one-stop fee established by the middle of next year, in preparation for the 2017-18 walking season. the trust has also applied for community conservation partnership fund money to build more toilets, shelters and water facilities along sections of the trail in northland. it will find out later this year if its application has been successful. another measure has been to add a trowel to the recommended gear list for thru-walkers. “i would like to think our walkers will buy into it,” wakelin said. “i think it’s fair to say te araroa walkers are more environmentally conscious than most, just due to the nature of them being fairly committed to the outdoors already. but i guess the proof is in the pudding.” wakelin said he has heard rumours that up to 1500 people could be walking the trail next year, but hopes such numbers don’t eventuate. “we’re expecting somewhere either side of 500. i’ve heard a few urban legends that there’s 1500 people on their way, but i’ve seen nothing in terms of hard evidence that would back that up,” he said. “i don’t think we would want it to grow to 1500 in the space of a year because certain parts would be creaking at the seams.”

ˈdæni ˈsɪmpsən ˈhæzənt pleɪd fər ˈnuˌkæsəl ɪn 2013 ˈæftər ˈbreɪkɪŋ hɪz toʊ ɪn ðə dɪˈsɛmbər lɔs tɪ ˈɑrsənəl, bət ɪt əˈpɪrz ðə dɪˈfɛndər həz nɑt ɪgˈzæktli bɪn ˈkipɪŋ hɪmˈsɛlf aʊt əv hɑrmz weɪ. ðə sən əˈlɛʤ ðət ðə wɑz ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ə ˈdrəŋkən brɔl æt ɔn ˈsənˌdi ˈmɔrnɪŋ, ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ə naɪt aʊt ɪn hɪz ˈneɪtɪv ˈmænˌʧɛstər. ðə ˈvɪdioʊ əˈbəv ʃoʊz ðə ˈblədid steɪt hɪz əˈseɪlənts lɛft ɪm ɪn. hæv mɔr ˈditeɪl ɔn ðə ˈrəkəs: skroʊl tɪ kənˈtɪnju wɪθ ˈkɑntɛnt æd əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈnuzˌpeɪpər, ˈsɪmpsən bɪˈkeɪm ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ə ˈskəfəl wɪθ əˈnəðər mæn waɪlst kjuɪŋ fər fud ˈæftər ˈlivɪŋ ðə ˈsərkəl kləb. ˈæftər ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈɪntu ə ˈtæksi, ˈsɪmpsən wɑz rɪˈpɔrtədli hɔld aʊt əv ɪt baɪ əˈnəðər mæn ənd pənʧt tɪ ðə graʊnd, wɛr hi rɪˈmeɪnd ˈblidɪŋ ənd ˌənˈkɑnʃəs fər 15 ˈmɪnəts ˌbiˈfɔr ən ˈæmbjələns əraɪvd. "hi wɑz ˈdɛfənətli drəŋk," ðə ˈpeɪpər ˌriˈpɔrtəd ən ˈaɪˈwɪtnəs ɛz seɪɪŋ. ˈsɪmpsən həz sɪns ðət hi ɪz faɪn, ˈædɪŋ ðət hi wɑz lɛft ɪn səʧ ə bæd steɪt bɪˈkəz ðə faɪt wɑz 2 ɔn 1 ə ˈspoʊkspərsən fər ðə hu həz ˈkɔrtɪd ˈplɛnti əv ˈtæblɔɪd ˈɪnʧɪz ˈrisəntli ɔn əˈkaʊnt əv hɪz keɪˈɑtɪk ləv laɪf ˈɔlsoʊ kənˈfərmd ðət hi ɪz faɪn ənd wɪl rɪˈtərn tɪ ˈtreɪnɪŋ ɛz ˈnɔrməl. ðə ˈgɑrdiən seɪ ðət ðə pəˈlis ər nɑt ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtɪŋ ðə ˈɪnsədənt, bət hɪz ɪmˈplɔɪərz wɪl ˈdɛfənətli bi ˈkjʊriəs ɛz tɪ waɪ wən əv ðɛr ˈɪnʤərd pleɪərz ˌɪntərˈəptɪd hɪz rɪˌkupərˈeɪʃən wɪθ ə spɑt əv ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ ənd ˈfaɪtɪŋ ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ə ˈrɛˌstrɑnt æt.

danny simpson hasn't played for newcastle in 2013 after breaking his toe in the 7-3 december loss to arsenal, but it appears the defender has not exactly been keeping himself out of harm's way. the sun allege that the 25-year-old was involved in a drunken brawl at 4am on sunday morning, following a night out in his native manchester. the video above shows the bloodied state his assailants left him in. espn have more detail on the ruckus: scroll to continue with content ad according to the newspaper, simpson became involved in a scuffle with another man whilst queuing for food after leaving the circle club. after getting into a taxi, simpson was reportedly hauled out of it by another man and punched to the ground, where he remained bleeding and unconscious for 15 minutes before an ambulance arrived. "he was definitely drunk," the paper reported an eyewitness as saying. simpson has since tweeted that he is fine, adding that he was left in such a bad state because the fight was "2 on 1". a spokesperson for the right-back — who has courted plenty of tabloid inches recently on account of his chaotic love life — also confirmed that he is fine and will return to training as normal. the guardian say that the police are not investigating the incident, but his employers will definitely be curious as to why one of their injured players interrupted his recuperation with a spot of drinking and fighting outside a takeaway restaurant at 4am.

ˈæftər biɪŋ kɔt ɔn ˈhɪdən ˈkæmərə ˈkɪkɪŋ ənd θroʊɪŋ ˈʧɪkənz ənd ˈvaɪələntli ˈstɑmpɪŋ ðɛm tɪ dɛθ, ˈdæni mərˈændə plɛd ˈgɪlti ˈjɛstərˌdeɪ tɪ θri kaʊnts əv ˈkrɪmənəl ˈænəməl ˈkruəlti ɪn ðə ˈrɪʧmənd ˈkaʊnti, nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə ˈdɪstrɪkt kɔrt. ðə kənˈvɪkʃənz stɛm frəm ən ˌəndərˈkəvər ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən ˈɪntu pərˈdu fɑrmz ɪn nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə. mərˈændə wɑz ˌɪˈnɪʃəli ʧɑrʤd wɪθ fɔr kaʊnts əv ˈfɛləni ˈænəməl ˈkruəlti fər hɪz ˈpætərn əv ˈvɪʃəs ənd səˈdɪstɪk ˈænəməl əˈbjuz. ɛz pɑrt əv ə pli əˈgrimənt, hi wɑz kənˈvɪktəd əv θri kaʊnts əv ˌmɪsdəˈminər ˈænəməl ˈkruəlti ənd ˈsɛntənst tɪ 45 days’*’ ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt, 12 months’*’ proʊˈbeɪʃən, ənd ə ˌproʊəˈbɪʃən ɔn ˈwərkɪŋ wɪθ ˈænəməlz. ˈpreɪzɪz ðə ˈrɪʧmənd ˈkaʊnti dɪˈpɑrtmənt ənd ˈdɪstrɪkt ˈɔfəs fər ˈteɪkɪŋ swɪft ənd dɪˈsaɪsɪv ˈækʃən ɪn pərˈsuɪŋ ˈʤəstɪs fər ðiz əˈbjuzd ənd ˈɛkˌsplɔɪtəd ˈænəməlz. wɔʧ ðə ˈfʊtɪʤ ðət lɛd tɪ hɪz kənˈvɪkʃən hir: æt ðə taɪm əv ðə ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən, mərˈændə wɑz ɪmˈplɔɪd æt diz fɑrm ənd ˈhaɪdəˌweɪ fɑrmz ɪn ˈrɑkɪŋˌhæm, nɔrθ ˌkɛrəˈlaɪnə. boʊθ wər ˈkɑnˌtrækt ˈʧɪkən ˈfæktəri fɑrmz fər əv ðə ˈlɑrʤəst ˈpoʊltri prəˈdusərz ɪn ðə ˈkəntri. ɪz ˈərʤɪŋ pərˈdu tɪ əˈdɑpt ˈminɪŋfəl ˈænəməl ˈwɛlˌfɛr ˈpɑləsiz əˈkrɔs ɪts ɪnˈtaɪər səˈplaɪ ʧeɪn tɪ ɛnd ˈmɛni əv ðə wərst fɔrmz əv ˈænəməl əˈbjuz ənd nɪˈglɛkt. ðɪs ˌɪnˈkludz ˈɛndɪŋ səˈlɛktɪv ˈbridɪŋ fər ˈræpɪd groʊθ ənd ˈʃɪftɪŋ tɪ bridz əv bərdz tɪ prɪˈvɛnt hɛlθ ˈprɑbləmz rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ækˈsɛlərˌeɪtɪd groʊθ; prəˈvaɪdɪŋ bərdz wɪθ mɔr speɪs, klin ˈlɪtər, ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ˈnæʧərəl laɪt, ənd ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl enrichments*; ənd rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ sˈlɔtər ˈmɛθədz wɪθ lɛs kruəl ˈsɪstəmz ðət ɪˈlɪməˌneɪt ðə hɔˈrɪfɪk ˈsəfərɪŋ kɔzd baɪ shackling*, ˈʃɑkɪŋ, ənd sˈlɪtɪŋ ðə θroʊts əv ˈkɑnʃəs ˈænəməlz. waɪl ðiz kənˈvɪkʃənz sɛnd ə klɪr ˈmɛsɪʤ ðət ˈænəməl əˈbjuz wɪl nɑt bi ˈtɑlərˌeɪtəd, ˈəltəmətli, ðə bɛst weɪ tɪ prəˈtɛkt ˈʧɪkənz ənd ˈəðər fɑrmd ˈænəməlz frəm ˈnidləs ˈkruəlti ənd ˈsəfərɪŋ ɪz tɪ liv mit, ɛgz, ənd ˈdɛri ɔf jʊr pleɪt. ˈvɪzɪt tɪ gɪt ˈstɑrtɪd!

after being caught on hidden camera kicking and throwing chickens and violently stomping them to death, danny miranda pled guilty yesterday to three counts of criminal animal cruelty in the richmond county, north carolina district court. the convictions stem from an mfa undercover investigation into perdue farms in north carolina. miranda was initially charged with four counts of felony animal cruelty for his pattern of vicious and sadistic animal abuse. as part of a plea agreement, he was convicted of three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and sentenced to 45 days’ imprisonment, 12 months’ probation, and a prohibition on working with animals. mfa praises the richmond county sheriff’s department and district attorney’s office for taking swift and decisive action in pursuing justice for these abused and exploited animals. watch the footage that led to his conviction here: at the time of the investigation, miranda was employed at deese farm and hideaway farms in rockingham, north carolina. both were contract chicken factory farms for perdue—one of the largest poultry producers in the country. mfa is urging perdue to adopt meaningful animal welfare policies across its entire supply chain to end many of the worst forms of animal abuse and neglect. this includes ending selective breeding for rapid growth and shifting to slower-growing breeds of birds to prevent health problems related to accelerated growth; providing birds with more space, clean litter, access to natural light, and environmental enrichments; and replacing live-shackle slaughter methods with less cruel systems that eliminate the horrific suffering caused by shackling, shocking, and slitting the throats of conscious animals. while these convictions send a clear message that animal abuse will not be tolerated, ultimately, the best way to protect chickens and other farmed animals from needless cruelty and suffering is to leave meat, eggs, and dairy off your plate. visit chooseveg.com to get started!

ˈprɛzɪdənt ˈdɑnəld dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˈʤəstɪs (doj*) ɪz ˈfaɪtɪŋ əˈgɛnst ˈfridəm əv ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ækt (ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ) ˈlɔˌsuts ˈsikɪŋ ˈdɑkjəmənts laɪk ðoʊz lɪŋkt tɪ ˈfɔrmər ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri əv steɪt ˈhɪləri ˈskændəlz. trəmp kʊd dɪˈmænd ˈfɛdərəl ˈeɪʤənsiz riˈlis ˈrɛkərdz tɪ ðə ˈpəblɪk, bət ðət wʊd hɑrm ðə əˈbɪləˌti tɪ rɪˈteɪn ˈsikrɪts ˈsəmθɪŋ kərɪr ˈgəvərnmənt əˈfɪʃəlz ˈhændəlɪŋ ðə ˈlɔˌsuts ənd ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ rɪkˈwɛsts wɔnt, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ trænˈspɛrənsi ˈɛkspərts frəm nɑnˈprɑfət ˈwɑʧˌdɔg grups. ˈɛni ˈɪʃu ðə trəmp ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən kʊd ˈrɪli ˈoʊpən ðə ˈwɪndoʊ ɔn goʊɪŋ ɔn ðɛr ɔn ɔl ðoʊz issues,”*,” ʤuˈdɪʃəl wɔʧ ˈprɛzɪdənt tɑm ˈfɪtən toʊld ðə ˈdeɪli ˈkɔlər nuz ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtɪv grup (thedcnf*). bɪn noʊ ʧeɪnʤ ɪn ˈɛni əv ðə ˈeɪʤənsiz wɪθ ɑr ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ litigation”*” sɪns trəmp tʊk ˈɔfəs, ˈfɪtən sɛd. ɛz praɪm ɪgˈzæmpəlz, ˈfɪtən ˈpɔɪntɪd tɪ ˌoʊˈbɑmə ˈrɛkərdz ɔn juz əv ə ˈsərvər ənd ˈpraɪvət iˈmeɪl ˈæˈdrɛsɪz tɪ ˈkɑndəkt əˈfɪʃəl ˈgəvərnmənt ˈbɪznɪs ənd ˈaɪˌɑˈrɛs ˈtɑrgətɪŋ əv ti ˈpɑrti ənd kənˈsərvətɪv ˌnɑnˈprɔfɪt ˈæplɪkənts ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə 2010 ənd 2012 ɪˈlɛkʃən kæmˈpeɪnz. kɔz əv ˈækʃən ˈɪnstɪˌtut ˈprɛzɪdənt ʤɑn ˌvɛkiˈoʊni ɪkˈspɛkt ðə trəmp ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən tɪ ʧeɪnʤ. ə ˈfɛdərəl ˈeɪʤənsi wɔnts tɪ hæv ən ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ˈpɑrti hoʊld ɪts fit tɪ ðə faɪər. ˈɛvər. ɪn ˈɛni administration,”*,” ˌvɛkiˈoʊni toʊld thedcnf*. θɪŋk goʊɪŋ tɪ ˈhæpən ɪn ðə ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ ˈɛriə ɪz ðət goʊɪŋ tɪ kip duɪŋ wət bɪn duɪŋ. noʊ ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ wɪl ʧeɪnʤ æt all.”*.” ˈækˌsɛs rɪˈpɔrts ˈɛdɪtər ənd ˈpəblɪʃər ənd ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ wɔrz ˈvɛtərən ˈhɛri ˈhæmɪt ˈnoʊtɪd ðət nɑt ɛz ˈsɪmpəl ɛz seɪɪŋ laɪk ˌoʊˈbɑmə, soʊ goʊɪŋ tɪ riˈlis hɪz records,’*,’ bɪˈkəz ðɛr maɪt bi ˈbɛnəfɪts fər ju daʊn ðə road”*” frəm nɑt ˈmeɪkɪŋ ðə ˈdɑkjəmənts ˈpəblɪk. ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət aɪ rɪˈfər tɪ ɛz ðə imperative,’”*,’” ˈhæmɪt sɛd. laɪk tɪ kənˈtroʊl ðɛr ˈrɛkərdz. ə ˈnæʧərəl instinct.”*.” riˈlisɪŋ ˈdɑkjəmənts ˈoʊpənz ˈbjʊrəˌkræts tɪ ˈpəblɪk ˈskrutəni. ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛntli, pəˈlɪtɪkəl ʃɪfts ər ˌɪˈrɛləvənt tɪ ˈpɛndɪŋ ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ rɪkˈwɛsts ənd ˌlɪtəˈgeɪʃən. ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən həz ʧeɪnʤd, bət ðə bjʊˈrɑkrəsi rɪˈmeɪnz ðə same,”*,” ˈdænjəl ˈʃumən, ˈpɑləsi dɪˈrɛktər fər nɑnˈprɑfət ˈwɑʧˌdɔg dɪˈmænd ˈprɑˌgrɛs, toʊld thedcnf*. nɑt ə ˈmætər əv wən ˈpɑrti ər ðə ˈəðər, ə ˈmætər əv haʊ ðə ˈeɪʤənsiz ˈfəŋkʃən. ʤɪst goʊɪŋ tɪ kip duɪŋ wət bɪn duɪŋ ɔl along.”*.” əˈmɛrɪkən ˈsɪvəl ˈlɪbərˌtiz ˈjunjən ʧif əv stæf ˈmaɪkəl əˈgrid. nɑt laɪk goʊɪŋ tɪ tərn ə ˈlaɪtˌbəlb ɔn ənd ɔf ʤɪst bɪˈkəz ə pəˈlɪtɪkəl switch,”*,” sɛd. tɛnd tɪ kæst ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ɪn pəˈlɪtɪkəl tərmz, bət ɪn truθ, nɑt ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ is.”*.” ˈgəvərnmənt ˈlɔjərz hu ər ˈɔfən kərɪr ˈbjʊrəˌkræts ˈɑrgju ɔn bɪˈhæf əv ðə ˈgəvərnmənt ənd nɑt ə pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈpɑrti, sɛd ˈæləks haʊərd, ˈdɛpjəti dɪˈrɛktər fər ðə ˈsənˌlaɪt faʊnˈdeɪʃən. hɪz grup həz kriˈeɪtɪd ɪn ˈrisənt jɪrz ˈməltəpəl nu ˈdɪʤɪtəl tulz fər ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ trænˈspɛrənsi ənd əˈkaʊntəˌbɪlɪti ɪn ˈgəvərnmənt. ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən, ˈivɪn ɪn ə ʧeɪnʤ əv ˈpɑrti, ˌɪnˈhɛrəts ˈligəl positions,”*,” hi toʊld thedcnf*. nɑt ənˈkɑmən fər ɪt tɪ rɪˈmeɪn consistent.”*.” ˌvɛkiˈoʊni ənd ˈhæmɪt boʊθ sɛd ˌɪŋˈkɑnsɪˌstɛnsiz kʊd ˈleɪtər kəm bæk ənd ““bite”*” ˈfɛdərəl ˈeɪʤənsiz. kənˈsɪstənsi əv ˈpɑləsi ɪz ˈəltəmətli ˈprɑbəˌbli mɔr ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ðən biɪŋ vindictive,”*,” ˈhæmɪt sɛd. səˈʤɛstɪd əˈnəðər ˈrizən waɪ ˈgəvərnmənt ˈlɔjərz meɪ nɑt bæk daʊn frəm ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ ˈlɔˌsuts: səm ləˈʤɪtəmət ˈbeɪsɪs fər wɪθˈhoʊldɪŋ ðə information.”*.” ðə læst trænˈzɪʃən ˈsɪmələrli kənˈtɪnjud ˌɪnˈhɛrətɪd ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ ˈpɑləsiz, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈhæmɪt. ““generally*, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, səkˈsidɪŋ ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃənz kənˈtɪnju wɪθ ðə seɪm kaɪnz əv dɪˈskloʊʒər ˈpɑləsiz ɛz ðɛr predecessors,”*,” hi sɛd. wɛnt tɪ bæt tɪ dɪˈfɛnd ˈtɔrʧər ˈmɛˌmoʊ ənd ˈəðər ˈdɑkjəmənts əv ðət ˈneɪʧər frəm ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ dɪˈskloʊʒər, ˈivɪn ðoʊ ðoʊz ɔn ðə ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk saɪd wʊd hæv ləvd tɪ si ðɛm disclosed.”*.” ˌvɛkiˈoʊni ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz ˈnoʊtɪd ðət kɔz əv ˈækʃən ˈɪnstɪˌtut hæd tɪ su ðə ˌoʊˈbɑmə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən tɪ tərn ˈoʊvər ʤɔrʤ ˈdəbəlju. iˈmeɪlz bɪˈlɔŋɪŋ tɪ ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri əv steɪt ˈkoʊlɪn ˈpɑwɛl. bət ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv brænʧ ˈsikrəsi simz tɪ ˌɪnˈkris ˈoʊvər taɪm. əp ˈsikrəsi ˈæftər ˈprɛzɪdənt bush,”*,” ˈfɪtən toʊld thedcnf*. tʊk ɪt ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ə stɛp ˈfərðər ðən bʊʃ dɪd ɔn ˈsikrəsi ˈɪʃuz, ənd bʊʃ ˈrɪli hæv ə greɪt ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən ɔn əˈdhɪrɪŋ tɪ ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ. ˈnəθɪŋ ˈrɪli kəmˈpɛrz tɪ ðə ˌoʊˈbɑmə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən wɪθ secrecy.”*.” ənd ˈʃumən ənd haʊərd boʊθ ˈpɔɪntɪd aʊt ðət trəmp dɪˈskəst ˈgəvərnmənt trænˈspɛrənsi ər ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ. ə nu ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən tɔk əˈbaʊt ɪt, ðət rɪˈflɛkts θɪŋz daʊn ðə stream,”*,” haʊərd toʊld thedcnf*. hi ənd ˈɔlsoʊ ˈnoʊtɪd əˈtæks ɔn ðə prɛs. ˈʃumən ˈædɪd: maɪt ˈivɪn si ə ˈlɪtəl bɪt əv ˈʧɪlɪŋ bɪˈkəz ˈpipəl ər əˈfreɪd əv riˈlisɪŋ θɪŋz ðət meɪ gɪt ðɛm ɪn trouble.”*.” ˌɪməˈgreɪʃən ənd ˈkəstəmz ɛnˈfɔrsmənt (aɪs), fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, həz ˈstɑrtɪd wɪθˈhoʊldɪŋ ““comprehensive”*” ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ˈpriviəsli riˈlist ˈəndər ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ, ˈsɪrəˌkjuz ˈrɛkərdz ˈækˌsɛs ˈklɪrɪŋˌhaʊs (træk) roʊt ɪn ə ˈrisənt prɛs riˈlis. dɪz nɑt kleɪm ðə wɪθˈhɛld ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ɪz ɪgˈzɛmpt frəm dɪˈskloʊʒər, ɪt ˈsɪmpli kleɪmz pæst rɪˈlisɪz wər dɪˈskrɛʃəˌnɛri ənd ɪt ɪz noʊ ˈlɔŋgər ˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ meɪk ˈmɛni əv ðiz ˈditeɪlz əˈveɪləbəl tɪ ðə public,”*,” træk sɛd. ˈkɑŋgrəs, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, kən pæs lɔz ðət fɔrs ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv brænʧ trænˈspɛrənsi. ðə haʊs kəˈmɪti ɔn ˈoʊvərˌsaɪt ənd ˈgəvərnmənt rɪˈfɔrm hɛld ə ˈhirɪŋ ˈθərzˌdeɪ rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ θri bɪlz ðət wʊd ˌɪnˈkris ˈoʊpənəs. ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt θɪŋ ɪz ðət ðə ˈkɑnsɛpt əv trænˈspɛrənsi ɪn ˈgəvərnmənt ˈrɪli ɪz ə baɪˈpɑrtɪzən thing,”*,” toʊld thedcnf*. hi ənd haʊərd ˈnoʊtɪd ðət rikˈwaɪərɪŋ ˈeɪʤənsiz tɪ ˌɔtəˈmætɪkli pʊt ˈrɛkərdz ənd ˈəðər ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ˈɔnˌlaɪn wʊd bi ə ˈmeɪʤər stɛp. ˈænsər hir ɪz tɪ ˌɪmˈpruv ˈɔtəˌmeɪtɪd access,”*,” sɛd. ən aɪˈdil wərld, ˈpipəl ʃʊd bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ goʊ ˈɔnˌlaɪn ənd du ðɛr sərʧ fər ˈdɑkjəmənts ənd ðət ʃʊd kəm up.”*.” səʧ ə muv wʊd ˈoʊpən mɔr taɪm ənd ˈməni fər faɪts wɛr kəmˈplaɪəns ˈəndər ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ ɪz ləˈʤɪtəmətli kˈwɛsʧənəbəl, haʊərd ˈnoʊtɪd. ˈminˌwaɪl, ˈfɪtən ɪz ˈhoʊpfəl trəmp wɪl ˈoʊpən ðə ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv brænʧ, ˈnoʊtɪŋ ðət ˈmɛni pəˈlɪtɪkəl əˈpɔɪnti pəˈzɪʃənz bɪn fɪld jɛt. hoʊp ðə ˈpɑləsi ˈʧeɪnʤɪz wɪθ pəˈlɪtɪkəl əˈpɔɪntiz hu ˈfɑloʊ ˈpɑləsi tɪ dreɪn ðə swamp,”*,” hi toʊld thedcnf*. ðə swɔmp minz ɪkˈspoʊzɪŋ goʊɪŋ ɔn ɪn ðə swamp.”*.” ˌvɛkiˈoʊni ɪz ˈθæŋkfəl fər əˈnəðər ˈrizən. æm ˈvɛri ˈhæpi wi hæv ən ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt judiciary”*” ˈrulɪŋ ɔn ˈɛˈfoʊˈaɪˈeɪ ˌlɪtəˈgeɪʃən, hi sɛd. ˈfɑloʊ ˈiθən ɔn tˈwɪtər. sɛnd tɪps tɪ ethan@dailycallernewsfoundation.org*. ˈkɑntɛnt kriˈeɪtɪd baɪ ðə ˈdeɪli ˈkɔlər nuz faʊnˈdeɪʃən ɪz əˈveɪləbəl wɪˈθaʊt ʧɑrʤ tɪ ˈɛni ˈɛlɪʤəbəl nuz ˈpəblɪʃər ðət kən prəˈvaɪd ə lɑrʤ ˈɔdiəns. fər ˈlaɪsənsɪŋ ˌɑpərˈtunətiz əv ɑr ərˈɪʤənəl ˈkɑntɛnt, pliz ˈkɑnˌtækt licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org*.

president donald trump’s department of justice (doj) is fighting against freedom of information act (foia) lawsuits seeking politically-charged obama-era documents like those linked to former secretary of state hillary clinton’s scandals. trump could demand federal agencies release records to the public, but that would harm the bureaucracy’s ability to retain secrets – something career government officials handling the lawsuits and foia requests want, according to transparency experts from nonprofit watchdog groups. “on any issue … the trump administration could really … open the window on what’s going on there on all those issues,” judicial watch president tom fitton told the daily caller news foundation’s investigative group (thedcnf). “there’s been no change in any of the agencies with our foia litigation” since trump took office, fitton said. as prime examples, fitton pointed to obama records on clinton’s use of a home-brew server and private email addresses to conduct official government business and irs targeting of tea party and conservative non-profit applicants during the 2010 and 2012 election campaigns. cause of action institute president john vecchione doesn’t expect the trump administration to change. a federal agency “never wants to have an outside party hold its feet to the fire. ever. in any administration,” vecchione told thedcnf. “i think what’s going to happen in the foia area is that they’re going to keep doing what they’ve been doing. there’s no indication foia will change at all.” access reports editor and publisher and 30-year foia wars veteran harry hammitt noted that “it’s not as simple as saying ‘i like obama, so i’m going to release his records,’ because there might be benefits for you down the road” from not making the documents public. “there is something that i refer to as the ‘bureaucratic imperative,’” hammitt said. “bureaucrats like to control their records. it’s a natural instinct.” releasing documents opens bureaucrats to public scrutiny. consequently, political shifts are irrelevant to pending foia requests and litigation. “the administration has changed, but the bureaucracy remains the same,” daniel schuman, policy director for nonprofit watchdog demand progress, told thedcnf. “it’s not a matter of one party or the other, it’s a matter of how the agencies function. they’re just going to keep doing what they’ve been doing all along.” american civil liberties union chief of staff michael macleod-ball agreed. “it’s not like you’re going to turn a lightbulb on and off just because there’s a political switch,” macleod-ball said. “we tend to cast everything in political terms, but in truth, not everything is.” government lawyers – who are often career bureaucrats – argue on behalf of the government and not a political party, said alex howard, deputy director for the sunlight foundation. his group has created in recent years multiple new digital tools for increasing transparency and accountability in government. “an administration, even in a change of party, inherits legal positions,” he told thedcnf. “it’s not uncommon for it to remain consistent.” vecchione and hammitt both said inconsistencies could later come back and “bite” federal agencies. “the consistency of policy is ultimately probably more important than being vindictive,” hammitt said. macleod-ball suggested another reason why government lawyers may not back down from foia lawsuits: “maybe there’s some legitimate basis for withholding the information.” the last transition similarly continued inherited foia policies, according to hammitt. “generally, however, succeeding administrations continue with the same kinds of disclosure policies as their predecessors,” he said. “obama went to bat to defend bush’s torture memo and other documents of that nature from foia disclosure, even though those on the democratic side would have loved to see them disclosed.” vecchione likewise noted that cause of action institute had to sue the obama administration to turn over george w. bush-era emails belonging to secretary of state colin powell. but executive branch secrecy seems to increase over time. “obama ramped up secrecy after president bush,” fitton told thedcnf. “they took it sometimes a step further than bush did on secrecy issues, and bush didn’t really have a great reputation on adhering to foia. nothing really compares to the obama administration with secrecy.” and schuman and howard both pointed out that trump hasn’t discussed government transparency or foia. “when a new administration doesn’t talk about it, that reflects things down the stream,” howard told thedcnf. he and macleod-ball also noted trump’s attacks on the press. schuman added: “you might even see a little bit of chilling because people are afraid of releasing things that may get them in trouble.” trump’s immigration and customs enforcement (ice), for example, has started withholding “comprehensive” detainer information previously released under foia, syracuse university’s transactional records access clearinghouse (trac) wrote in a recent press release. “ice does not claim the withheld information is exempt from disclosure, it simply claims past releases were discretionary and it is no longer willing to make many of these details available to the public,” trac said. congress, however, can pass laws that force executive branch transparency. the house committee on oversight and government reform held a hearing thursday regarding three bills that would increase openness. “the important thing is that the concept of transparency in government really is a bipartisan thing,” macleod-ball told thedcnf. he and howard noted that requiring agencies to automatically put records and other information online would be a major step. “the answer here is to improve automated access,” macleod-ball said. “in an ideal world, people should be able to go online and do their search for documents and that should come up.” such a move would open more time and money for fights where compliance under foia is legitimately questionable, howard noted. meanwhile, fitton is hopeful trump will open the executive branch, noting that many political appointee positions haven’t been filled yet. “i hope the policy changes with political appointees who follow trump’s policy to drain the swamp,” he told thedcnf. “draining the swamp means exposing what’s going on in the swamp.” vecchione is thankful for another reason. “i am very happy we have an independent judiciary” ruling on foia litigation, he said. follow ethan on twitter. send tips to ethan@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. content created by the daily caller news foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. for licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

alpinestars* kwɪk sil aʊt haʊ ˈbɛtər tɪ tɛst ðə ˈbɛnəfɪts əv ðən tɪ pɪt ɪt əˈgɛnst ɑr frɛnd təˈrɛl; ðə moʊst ˈpaʊərfəl pisser*. ðə kwɪk sut nidz ˈvɛri ˈlɪtəl ɪn ðə weɪ əv ˌɪntrəˈdəkʃən. ɪt ɪz ə θɪn, ˈvɛri ˈkɑmpækt ˈʤækɪt ənd ˈtraʊzər ˈkɑmˌboʊ pruvd ˌɪtˈsɛlf ˈɛndləsli ˈoʊvər ðə jɪrz. faɪnd ˈθaʊzənz əv ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt ˈjuzər rəvˈjuz ˈgɪvɪŋ skɔrz əv ɛz wɛl ɛz ˌrɛkəˈmɛndɪd tægz frəm ˈəðər baɪk prɛs ˈaʊˌtlɛts. wət mɔr kən wi seɪ? wɛl, ðə ˈhɛˌdlaɪn ædˈvæntɪʤ ɪz bɛst dɪˈspleɪd baɪ ɑr ˈvɪdioʊ. ðə lɑrʤ flɛrd lɛg ɪz nɑt ˈoʊnli aɪˈdil fər reɪvz wɪθ ə ˈdɪskoʊ θim, bət ɪt minz ju kən pʊt ðə sut ɔn wɪˈθaʊt riˈmuvɪŋ jʊr buts. ə ˈsɪmpəl ˈvɛlkroʊ sil ɔn ðə lɛg minz ðət ju hæv tɪ lʊk laɪk ə flɛrd ˈmɛmbər əv ðə waɪl ˈraɪdɪŋ. əˈnəðər ˈboʊnəs ˈfiʧər ɪz ðə breathability*. moʊst ˈʧipər θɪn liv ju ðən ə ˈsumoʊ butt-crack*. wɪθ ju kən ɛnd əp wɪθ ˈsɪmpli frəm ˌpərspərˈeɪʃən. kwɪk sil aʊt ər ə væst ˌɪmˈpruvmənt; ðoʊ jɛt tɪ faɪnd ˈɛni məˈtɪriəl ðət ɪz ɪnˈtaɪərli sweat-proof*. ðə ˈʤækɪt ˈfiʧərz ə ˈdəbəl stɔrm flæp ðət kən bi ə peɪn. ɪf ju ər ɪn ə ˈhəri ɪt kən gɪt kɔt ɪn ðə zɪp, bət wəns ˈfæsənd kərˈɛktli ðə ˈʤækɪt ˈsɪmpli wərks. ðə ˈtraʊzərz ər haɪ ənd ðə koʊt kəmz loʊ tɪ prəˈvaɪd ə gʊd sil. ˈmeɪbi nɑt ɛz gʊd ɛz, bət ˈsərtənli ˈbɛtər fər ˈækˌsɛsɪŋ jʊr ˈwɔlət ər kiz. ˈteɪkən tɪ ˈkɛriɪŋ ə sɛt əv ðiz tɪ pʊt ɔn ˈoʊvər maɪ meɪn ˈtɛkˌstaɪl ˈraɪdɪŋ gɪr. noʊ ˈmætər haʊ gʊd ə ʤɑb jʊr ˈtɛkˌstaɪlz du ɪn ˈkipɪŋ ðə reɪn aʊt ˈdʊrɪŋ ə raɪd, ɪf ðeɪ gɪt wɛt ðɛn ðeɪ ˈnɪrli ˈɔlˌweɪz əbˈzɔrb səm ˈwɔtər. ðət wɪl meɪk ðɛm dæmp tɪ wɛr ɔn ðə raɪd hoʊm; ˈɔfən æt ðə kəfs. ɪf ju juz ə ˈsɛkənd sɛt, laɪk kwɪk sil aʊt, ˈoʊvər ðə tɔp ðɛn æt list jʊr meɪn ˈʤækɪt rɪˈmeɪnz draɪ ɪˈnəf tɪ wɛr wɪn ju əraɪv, ənd ˈɔlsoʊ ɔn ðə weɪ hoʊm. laɪf ɪz ˈbɛtər. ˈstɪki læb rɪˈpɔrt: 10 kwɪk sil aʊt ər əˈveɪləbəl ɪn ˈiðər ˈjɛloʊ ər blæk wɪθ rɪˈflɛktɪv ˈpænəlz. ðeɪ kəm ɪn ðɛr oʊn ˈstɔrɪʤ bæg ənd ˈkɑmprɛs tɪ əraʊnd ðə seɪm saɪz ɛz ə ˈbɑtəl əv ɔɪl. ðə fər ə sɛt ɪz ənd ðeɪ kən bi faʊnd ˈɔnˌlaɪn bɪˈloʊ:

alpinestars quick seal out how better to test the benefits of alpinestars fast-fit 2-piece oversuit than to pit it against our friend tuzwalski turrell; the world’s most powerful pisser. the quick seal-out suit needs very little in the way of introduction. it is a thin, very compact jacket and trouser combo that’s proved itself endlessly over the years. you’ll find thousands of independent user reviews giving scores of 4.9/5 as well as recommended tags from other bike press outlets. what more can we say? well, the headline advantage is best displayed by our video. the large flared leg is not only ideal for raves with a ’70s disco theme, but it means you can put the suit on without removing your boots. a simple velcro seal on the leg means that you don’t have to look like a flared member of the chi-lites while riding. another less-obvious bonus feature is the material’s breathability. most cheaper thin waterproofs leave you sweatier than a sumo wrestler’s butt-crack. with non-breathable waterproofs you can end up with wind-chill simply from perspiration. alpinestars quick seal out are a vast improvement; though i’ve yet to find any breathable material that is entirely sweat-proof. the jacket features a velcro-seal double storm flap that can be a pain. if you are in a hurry it can get caught in the zip, but once fastened correctly the jacket simply works. the trousers are high waisted and the elasticated coat comes low to provide a good seal. maybe not as good as one-piece waterproofs, but certainly better for accessing your wallet or keys. i’ve taken to carrying a set of these to put on over my main textile riding gear. no matter how good a job your textiles do in keeping the rain out during a ride, if they get wet then they nearly always absorb some water. that will make them damp to wear on the ride home; often at the cuffs. if you use a second set, like quick seal out, over the top then at least your main jacket remains dry enough to wear when you arrive, and also on the way home. life is better. sticky lab report: 9.0 / 10 quick seal out are available in either eye-gouging fluoro yellow or black with reflective panels. they come in their own storage bag and compress to around the same size as a litre bottle of oil. the uk rrp for a set is £89 and they can be found online below:

ces* 2015 ɪz ʤɪst ə ˈkəpəl wiks əˈweɪ, ənd wən əv ðə ˈmɛni foʊnz ˈhoʊpɪŋ tɪ si æt ðə ˈɛkspoʊ ɪz nɛkst ˈflægˌʃɪp ˈænˌdrɔɪd, ðə liks ənd ˈrumərz hæv təʧt əˈpɑn wət wi maɪt ɪkˈspɛkt fər ðə pæst mənθ ər soʊ naʊ, bət naʊ ə bɪg wən meɪ hæv ʤɪst ˈimərʤd frəm ðə ˈrisənt ˈsoʊni ˈpɪkʧərz ˌɛnərˈteɪnmənt hæk, ˈaʊtɪŋ ðə θæŋks tɪ ɪts wɪθ ðə ˈəpˌkəmɪŋ ʤeɪmz bɑnd fɪlm, ˈspɛktər. ʤɪst ɛz ðə læst bɑnd fɪlm, skyfall*, hæd ən ˈproʊˌmoʊ kəˈnɛkʃən, ə lik frəm ˈsiˌiˈoʊ ˈmaɪkəl iˈmeɪl tɔks əˈbaʊt ˈspɛktər ˈɔlsoʊ ˈfiʧərɪŋ ə, aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd baɪ neɪm ɛz phone.”*.” ðə lik ˈmɛnʃənz plænz tɪ prəˈmoʊt ðə ɪn ““may/november.”*.” ðət meɪ ˈɪndəˌkeɪt ðət seɪlz wɪl ˌɪˈnɪʃəli bɪˈgɪn ɪn meɪ, wɪθ ə rɪˈnud pʊʃ ˈkloʊzər tɪ ðə noʊˈvɛmbər riˈlis deɪt. ɪn əˈdɪʃən tɪ ðə ˈrɛndər əˈbəv, ðə lik ˈɔlsoʊ kənˈteɪnz səm ˈɪmɪʤɪz ðət əˈpɪr tɪ bi məʧ mɔr ɪn ðə dɪˈzaɪn ˈproʊtoʊˌtaɪp steɪʤ (bɪˈloʊ); ðiz ˈproʊˌmoʊ plænz wər ˈlaɪkli ɪn nɪˌgoʊʃiˈeɪʃən ˌbiˈfɔr ðə wɑz kəmˈplitɪd. əˈdɪʃəˌnəli, ðɛr ər saɪnz əv ə ˈpɑsəbəl nu ˈwɛrəbəl, ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈlʊkɪŋ ə bɪt laɪk gɪr fɪt, bət ə bɪt pərˈhæps ə nu smartband*, naʊ ˈfiʧərɪŋ ə skrin? ðə fʊl ˈpɪkʧər meɪ bi əˈpɑn ɛz sun, ɛz wi dɪˈsɛnd əˈpɑn ɪn ˈɛˈleɪˈɛs ˈveɪgəs. sɔrs: ˈviə: blɔg

ces 2015 is just a couple weeks away, and one of the many phones we’re hoping to see at the expo is sony’s next flagship android, the xperia z4. leaks and rumors have touched upon what we might expect for the past month or so now, but now a big one may have just emerged from the recent sony pictures entertainment hack, outing the z4 thanks to its tie-in with the upcoming james bond film, spectre. just as the last bond film, skyfall, had an xperia promo connection, a leak from spe ceo michael lynton’s email talks about spectre also featuring a smartphone tie-in, identified by name as “the z4 phone.” the leak mentions plans to promote the z4 in “may/november.” that may indicate that sales will initially begin in may, with a renewed push closer to the film’s november release date. in addition to the finished-looking render above, the leak also contains some images that appear to be much more in the design prototype stage (below); these promo plans were likely in negotiation before the z4 was completed. additionally, there are signs of a possible new wearable, something looking a bit like samsung’s gear fit, but a bit chunkier – perhaps a new smartband, now featuring a screen? the full picture may be upon as soon, as we descend upon ces in las vegas. source: gizmodo via: xperia blog

ɪn ɑkˈtoʊbər 2009 ˈstænfərd ˌjunəˈvərsəti ʤəˈnɛtəsəst æn bruˈnɛt wɑz ˈsɪtɪŋ ɪn hər ˈɔfəs wɪn ˈgræʤəˌweɪt ˈstudənt ˈɛrɪk grɪr keɪm tɪ hər wɪθ ə sˈlaɪtli hɛˈrɛtɪkəl kˈwɛʃən. læb hæd ˈrisəntli ˈlərnɪd ðət ðeɪ kʊd ˈlɛŋθən ə wərmz ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm baɪ məˈnɪpjəˌleɪtɪŋ ˈlɛvəlz əv ən ˈɛnˌzaɪm kɔld "wət ɪf ɪkˈstɛndɪŋ ə wərmz ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm ˈjuzɪŋ kən əˈfɛkt ðə laɪf spæn əv ɪts dɪˈsɛnɪnts, ˈivɪn ɪf ðə dɪˈsɛnɪnts hæv ˈnɔrməl əˈmaʊnts əv ðə ˈɛnˌzaɪm?" hi æst. ðə kˈwɛʃən wɑz əˈnɔrθəˌdɑks, bruˈnɛt sɪz, "bɪˈkəz ɪt ˈtəʧɪz əˈpɑn ðə aɪˈdiə ðət ju kən ˌɪnˈhɛrət əkˈwaɪərd treɪts, wɪʧ baɪˈɑləʤɪsts hæv bɪˈlivd fɔls fər jɪrz." ðə baɪˈɑləʤɪst ˌʒɑnbəpˈtɪst θiəraɪzd ɪn 1809 ðət ðə treɪts ɪgˈzɪbətəd baɪ ən ˈɔrgəˌnɪzəm ˈdʊrɪŋ ɪts ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm wər ɑgˈmɛntəd ɪn ɪts ˈɔfˌsprɪŋ; ə ʤəræf ðət ˈrɛgjələrli strɛʧt ɪts nɛk tɪ it wʊd ˈfɑðər kævz huz nɛks wər ˈlɔŋgər. ðə aɪˈdiə wɑz ˈlɑrʤli dɪˈskrɛdɪtɪd baɪ ˈdɑrwɪnz ˈθɪri əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən, fərst ˈpəblɪʃt ɪn 1859 mɔr ˈrisəntli, ˈsaɪəntɪsts hæv ˈbeɪgən tɪ ˈriəˌlaɪz ðət ən ˈɔrgəˌnɪzəmz bɪˈheɪvjər ənd ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt meɪ ˌɪnˈdid ˈɪnfluəns ðə ʤinz ɪt ˈpæsɪz tɪ ɪts ˈɔfˌsprɪŋ. ðə əv ðoʊz əkˈwaɪərd treɪts ɪz nɑt beɪst ɔn ˈdiˌɛˈneɪ, bət ɔn ˌɔltərˈeɪʃənz ɪn ðə məˈlɛkjələr ˈpækɪʤɪŋ ðət səraʊndz ə ʤin. wɪn grɪr əˈproʊʧt bruˈnɛt ɪn 2009 wɪθ hɪz kˈwɛʃən əˈbaʊt wərmz ənd səʧ "ˌɛpɪʤəˈnɛtɪk" ˌɪnˈhɛrətəns hæd ˈoʊnli bɪn dɪˈskəvərd fər ˈsɪmpəl treɪts səʧ ɛz aɪ ˈkələr, flaʊər ˈsɪmətri ənd koʊt ˈkələr. bruˈnɛt ənd grɪr wɛnt əˈhɛd wɪθ ðə ɪkˈspɛrəmənt. ðə rɪˈzəlts, ˈpəblɪʃt ɑkˈtoʊbər 19 ɪn ˈneɪʧər, prəˈvaɪd ðə fərst ˈɛvədəns ðət səm ˈæˌspɛkts əv lɔnˈʤɛvəti kən bi pæst frəm ˈpɛrənt tɪ ˈɔfˌsprɪŋ, ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt əv dɪˈrɛkt ˈɪnfluəns. (ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk əˈmɛrɪkən ɪz pɑrt əv ˈneɪʧər ˈpəblɪʃɪŋ grup.) "aɪ θɪŋk ðɪs ɪz ə ˌfəndəˈmɛnəli ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ˈfaɪndɪŋ," sɪz mæt əv ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ˈwɔʃɪŋtən ɪn siˈætəl, hu ˈstədiz məˈlɛkjələr ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəmz əv ˈeɪʤɪŋ. "ɪt ˈdɛmənˌstreɪts fər ðə fərst taɪm ðət ˈeɪʤɪŋ kən bi ˈɪnfluənst baɪ ˌɛpɪʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ðət əˈkərd ɪn praɪər ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃənz." ðə ˈstədi juzd wərmz wɪθ ˈvɛri loʊ ˈlɛvəlz əv ðə ˈɛnˌzaɪm ˈnɔrməli ædz ˈmɛθəl ˈmɑləˌkjulz ˈɔntu ˈproʊˌtin ˈpækɪʤɪŋ məˈtɪriəl. ɪn duɪŋ soʊ, ðə ˈɛnˌzaɪm ˈoʊpənz əp ðə ˈpækɪʤɪŋ məˈtɪriəl, əˈlaʊɪŋ ðə ʤinz tɪ bi ˈkɑpid ənd ɪkˈsprɛst. səm əv ðoʊz ʤinz əˈpɪr tɪ bi ʤinz, bruˈnɛt sɪz. hər tim nɑkt aʊt baɪ riˈmuvɪŋ ʤinz ðət koʊd fər ɪt. ðɪs hæd ðə ˈifɛkt əv sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli ˈlɛŋθənɪŋ ðə wərmz' laɪf spænz, prɪˈzuməbli bɪˈkəz ðoʊz ʤinz wər noʊ ˈlɔŋgər ɪkˈsprɛst. nɛkst, ðə, wərmz ˈmeɪtɪd wɪθ ˈnɔrməl wənz. ðə ˈɔfˌsprɪŋ hæd ðə ˈrɛgjələr ʤinz fər ˈmeɪkɪŋ ənd ˈivɪn ɪkˈsprɛst ˈnɔrməl əˈmaʊnts əv ðə ˈɛnˌzaɪm, bət ðeɪ lɪvd sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli ˈlɔŋgər ðən kənˈtroʊl wərmz huz ˈpɛrənts boʊθ hæd ˈrɛgjələr laɪf spænz. ðə ˈifɛkt ˈkɛrid ˈoʊvər ˈɪntu ðə θərd ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃən, bət rɪˈtərnd tɪ ˈnɔrməl baɪ ðə fɔrθ ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃən (ɪn ðə əv ðə ərˈɪʤənəl mˈjutənt wərmz). fər ðə fərst fju ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃənz, ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈænˌsɛstər ˌɪnˈkrist laɪf ɪkˈspɛktənsi frəm 20 deɪz tɪ 25 ɪkˈstɛndɪŋ ə wərmz lɔnˈʤɛvəti baɪ 25 tɪ 30 pərˈsɛnt ɔn ˈævərɪʤ. bruˈnɛt ənd hər tim hæv nɑt jɛt dɪˈtərmənd ðə ɪgˈzækt ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm fər ðə ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm ɪkˈstɛnʃən, ər wɪʧ ˈmɑləˌkjulz ər æt wərk. ðɪs ɪz wən əv ðə ˈstədiz ˌɪmpərˈfɛkʃənz, sɪz ˈdeɪvɪd kæts, hu riˈsərʧɪz ˌɛpɪʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈmɛməri æt ˈɛməri ˌjunəˈvərsəti. rəˈgɑrdləs, "ðə ˈifɛkt ɪz ˈklɪrli ˌɛpɪʤəˈnɛtɪk," hi sɪz, "ənd ɪts ˈprɑbəˌbli wən əv ðə moʊst ˈkɑmpləˌkeɪtəd treɪts ðət həz bɪn lɪŋkt tɪ ˌɛpɪʤəˈnɛtɪk ˌɪnˈhɛrətəns." ðə ˈnɑlɪʤ ðət kən ˌɪmˈpækt ə ˈkɑmplɛks treɪt laɪk laɪf spæn həz ˈsaɪəntɪsts ˈkjʊriəs tɪ faɪnd aʊt wət ˈəðər kaɪnz əv ɛz dɪˈziz səˌsɛptəˈbɪləti, məˈtæbəˌlɪzəm ənd dɪˌvɛləpˈmɛnəl ˈhɛrətəbəl. bɪˈkəz ˌɛpɪʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈifɛkts kən bi ˈmɑdəˌfaɪd baɪ ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ, pɔɪnts aʊt, ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl ðət səm əv ðiz treɪts "kʊd bi dɪˈtərmənd, æt list ɪn pɑrt, baɪ ðə ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt ənd ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl ˈʧɔɪsɪz əv ˈpɛrənts, ˈgrændˌpɛrənts ər ˈivɪn great-grandparents*." ðə rɪˈzəlts ər ˈɔlsoʊ ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ bɪˈkəz ðə ʤinz ðət koʊd fər ðə ˈɛnˌzaɪm ɪgˈzɪst ɪn ˈəðər ˈspiʃiz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈjumənz. bruˈnɛt sɪz ʃi wɔnts si ɪf ðə rɪˈzəlts kən bi ˈrɛplɪˌkeɪtɪd ɪn ˈvərtəˌbreɪts, səʧ ɛz fɪʃ ənd ˈmæməlz. ðoʊz kˈwɛsʧənz wɪl nɑt bi ˈænsərd fər ˈmɛni jɪrz, bɪˈkəz ɪt ɪz ənˈnoʊn ˈwɛðər ðə ˈkɑmplɛks həz ðə seɪm ˈfəŋkʃən ɪn ˈəðər ˈspiʃiz, ənd bɪˈkəz ðoʊz ˈspiʃiz hæv ˈlɔŋgər ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃənəl taɪm freɪmz. "wərmz hæv ˈvɛri ʃɔrt lɪvz," bruˈnɛt sɪz. "wɪl ðə ˈifɛkt əˈplaɪ tɪ ˈmæməlz ðət lɪv ˈθaʊzənz əv taɪmz ˈlɔŋgər? wi ər ɪkˈsaɪtɪd tɪ faɪnd aʊt."

in october 2009 stanford university geneticist anne brunet was sitting in her office when graduate student eric greer came to her with a slightly heretical question. brunet's lab had recently learned that they could lengthen a worm's lifetime by manipulating levels of an enzyme called set2. "what if extending a worm's lifetime using set2 can affect the life span of its descendants, even if the descendants have normal amounts of the enzyme?" he asked. the question was unorthodox, brunet says, "because it touches upon the lamarckian idea that you can inherit acquired traits, which biologists have believed false for years." the biologist jean-baptiste lamarck theorized in 1809 that the traits exhibited by an organism during its lifetime were augmented in its offspring; a giraffe that regularly stretched its neck to eat would father calves whose necks were longer. the idea was largely discredited by darwin's theory of evolution, first published in 1859. more recently, scientists have begun to realize that an organism's behavior and environment may indeed influence the genes it passes to its offspring. the heritability of those acquired traits is not based on dna, but on alterations in the molecular packaging that surrounds a gene. when greer approached brunet in 2009 with his question about worms and set2, such "epigenetic" inheritance had only been discovered for simple traits such as eye color, flower symmetry and coat color. brunet and greer went ahead with the experiment. the results, published october 19 in nature, provide the first evidence that some aspects of longevity can be passed from parent to offspring, independent of dna's direct influence. (scientific american is part of nature publishing group.) "i think this is a fundamentally important finding," says matt kaeberlein of the university of washington in seattle, who studies molecular mechanisms of aging. "it demonstrates for the first time that aging can be influenced by epigenetic changes that occurred in prior generations." the study used caenorhabditis elegans worms with very low levels of set2. the enzyme normally adds methyl molecules onto dna's protein packaging material. in doing so, the enzyme opens up the packaging material, allowing the genes to be copied and expressed. some of those genes appear to be pro-aging genes, brunet says. her team knocked out set2 by removing genes that code for it. this had the effect of significantly lengthening the worms' life spans, presumably because those pro-aging genes were no longer expressed. next, the long-lived, enzyme-lacking worms mated with normal ones. the offspring had the regular genes for making set2, and even expressed normal amounts of the enzyme, but they lived significantly longer than control worms whose parents both had regular life spans. the life-extending effect carried over into the third generation, but returned to normal by the fourth generation (in the great-grandchildren of the original mutant worms). for the first few generations, having a long-lived ancestor increased life expectancy from 20 days to 25, extending a worm's longevity by 25 to 30 percent on average. brunet and her team have not yet determined the exact mechanism for the lifetime extension, or which molecules are at work. this is one of the study's imperfections, says david katz, who researches epigenetic transcriptional memory at emory university. regardless, "the effect is clearly epigenetic," he says, "and it's probably one of the most complicated traits that has been linked to epigenetic inheritance." the knowledge that epigenetics can impact a complex trait like life span has scientists curious to find out what other kinds of traits—such as disease susceptibility, metabolism and developmental patterns—are epigenetically heritable. because epigenetic effects can be modified by environmental stimuli, kaeberlein points out, it is possible that some of these traits "could be determined, at least in part, by the environment and lifestyle choices of parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents." the study’s results are also exciting because the genes that code for the life-lengthening set2 enzyme exist in other species, including humans. brunet says she wants see if the results can be replicated in vertebrates, such as fish and mammals. those questions will not be answered for many years, because it is unknown whether the set2 complex has the same function in other species, and because those species have longer generational time frames. "worms have very short lives," brunet says. "will the effect apply to mammals that live thousands of times longer? we are excited to find out."

ˌɪntrəˈdəkʃən ɪn ɪˈvæljuˌeɪtɪŋ ðə ˈjumən kənˈdɪʃən, ɪt ˈɪzənt ˈpɑsəbəl tɪ ˈoʊvərˈɛmfəˌsaɪz ðə sɪgˈnɪfɪkəns əv ˌɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri ˈθɪri. ðɪs ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈθɪri ˈɪnˌfluənsɪz ɑr bɪˈheɪvjər ɪn weɪz moʊst əv ˈjuˈɛs kænt bɪˈgɪn tɪ ˌɪˈmæʤən. ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl ɪkˈsplɔrz haʊ ˌɛvəˈluʃən prəˈvaɪdz ˈænsərz tɪ kˈwɛsʧənz wi maɪt nɑt ˈəðərˌwaɪz θɪŋk tɪ æsk. ɪn ðə pæst 150 jɪrz ˌɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri ˈθɪri həz muvd frəm biɪŋ ə ˌfɪləˈsɑfɪkəl ˌkjʊriˈɑsəti tɪ bɪˈkəmɪŋ ə ˌprikənˈdɪʃən fər ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ ˈjumən bɪˈheɪvjər. ðɛr ər ˈsərtən ˈæˌspɛkts əv ɑr bɪˈheɪvjər ðət ər ˈizəli ɪkˈspleɪnd ənd ˈpərfəktli ˈlɑʤɪkəl, waɪl ˈəðər ˈæˌspɛkts meɪk noʊ sɛns æt ɔl wɪˈθaʊt ðə ˌθiərˈɛtɪkəl ˈfreɪmˌwərk prəˈvaɪdɪd baɪ ˌɛvəˈluʃən. ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl rɪˈvilz ɑr kəˈnɛkʃən wɪθ ˌɛvəˈluʃən, ənd θru ðət kəˈnɛkʃən, wɪθ ɔl laɪf ɔn ərθ. ˈtaɪmlaɪn 1959 ɪz ˌɪntrəˈdust ɛz ən ˌæntibaɪˈɑtɪk. 1961 pəˈtrɪʃə dɪˈskəvərz fərst ˌstæfələˈkɔkəs (mrsa*) ɪn ˈɪŋlɪʃ ˈhɑˌspɪtəlz. 1968 fərst rɪˈpɔrt əv ɪn əˈmɛrɪkən ˈhɑˌspɪtəlz ɪn ˈbɔstən. 1974 əˈkaʊnts fər 2 əv ˈhɑˌspɪtəl stæf ˌɪnˈfɛkʃənz ɪn juz. 1981 fərst rɪˈpɔrts əv əkˈwaɪərd ɪn ðə kəmˈjunɪti, waɪl ɪn ˈhɑˌspɪtəlz ˌɪnˈkrisɪz ˈstɛdəli. 1997 əˈkaʊnts fər 50 əv ˈhɑˌspɪtəl stæf ˌɪnˈfɛkʃənz. 1998 ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ˈrisərʧərz rɪˈpɔrt ə ˌɪnˈkris ɪn frəm 1993 tɪ 1995 ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə seɪm ˈpɪriəd, 35 kɪdz ɪn ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ər ˈhɑspɪtəˌlaɪzd wɪθ. 1999 ˈsiˌdiˈsi rɪˈpɔrts dɛθs əv fɔr ˈəðərˌwaɪz ˈhɛlθi ˈʧɪldrən frəm. 2002 ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ tim faɪndz ðət nu ˈkeɪsɪz əv ər ʤəˈnɛtɪkli dɪˈstɪŋkt frəm ˈhɑˌspɪtəl streɪnz. 2007 ˈsiˌdiˈsi ˈɛstəˌmeɪts ðət ˈkɔzɪz səˈvɪr ˌɪnˈfɛkʃənz iʧ jɪr, ˈkɪlɪŋ ˈsɔrsəz: ˈsiˌdiˈsi, ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ, ˈbɛri fər ðə ˈpəblɪk hɛlθ ˈrisərʧ ˈɪnstɪˌtut ˈsɛnər; ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ˈtrɪbjun: ˈʤɛrəˌmi ˈmɛniər dɪˈziz ˈdeɪnʤərz wɪn fərst dɪˈskəvərd, ˌæntibaɪˈɑtɪks simd tɪ tərn ðə taɪd əˈgɛnst ˈmɛni hɪˈstɔrɪkəl ˌɪnˈfɛkʃəs ˈeɪʤənts ðeɪ stɑpt təˌbərkjəˈloʊsɪs (ˈtiˈbi), bjuˈbɑnɪk pleɪg ənd ˈəðər ˈdɛdli ˈeɪlmənts ɪn ðɛr træks. ðiz ˈtritmənts əˈpɪrd tɪ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ən ənkˈwɑlɪˌfaɪd ˈvɪktəri fər ˈmɑdərn ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈpræktɪs. bət mɔr ˈrisəntli, ˈdɑktərz hæv sin nu bækˈtɪriəl streɪnz spərɪŋ əp ðət ˈkænɑt bi ˈtritɪd wɪθ ɪgˈzɪstɪŋ ˌæntibaɪˈɑtɪks, ənd ə vərˈaɪəti əv ˈtiˈbi naʊ ɪgˈzɪsts ðət ɪz, fər ɔl ˈpræktɪkəl ˈpərpəsɪz, ˌɪnˈkjʊrəbəl, ənd soʊ ˈdeɪnʤərəs ðət səm ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəlz məst bi lɑkt əp tɪ kip ðɛm frəm ˌɪnˈfɛktɪŋ ˈəðərz. ɪn ə rɪˈleɪtɪd dɪˈvɛləpmənt, ˈhɑˌspɪtəlz hæv əˈgrɛsɪvli juzd ˈməltəpəl ˈmɛθədz ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˌæntibaɪˈɑtɪks tɪ kənˈtroʊl ʤərmz ðət wʊd ˈəðərˌwaɪz əˈtæk ˈpeɪʃənz waɪl ðeɪ wər ɪn ðə ˈhɑˌspɪtəl. bət ðoʊz ˈmɛθədz hæv ˈbækˌfaɪərd, ənd mɔr əˈmɛrɪkənz naʊ daɪ frəm stæf ˌɪnˈfɛkʃənz ðən frəm eɪdz. ɛz θɪŋz naʊ stænd, fər ˈmɛni ˈpeɪʃənz ðə ˈhɑˌspɪtəl ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt ˌɪtˈsɛlf ˈpoʊzɪz ə ˈgreɪtər rɪsk ðən ðə dɪˈziz ðɛr ˈsəfərɪŋ frəm. wəts goʊɪŋ ɔn? ər drəg ˈkəmpəˌniz prəˈdusɪŋ lɛs ˈifɛktɪv drəgz? hæv ˈdɑktərz feɪld tɪ prəˈskraɪb ˌæntibaɪˈɑtɪks ˈɔfən ɪˈnəf? ðə ˈænsər tɪ ðiz kˈwɛsʧənz ɪz ðət wi ˈhævənt bɪn peɪɪŋ əˈtɛnʃən tɪ ðə roʊl pleɪd baɪ ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪn ðɪs ənd ɔl ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈɪʃuz. hir ər səm ˈprɑpərtiz əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən: ɪn rɪˈspɑns tɪ ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈʧeɪnʤɪz, ˈɔrgəˌnɪzəmz ˈiðər əˈdæpt ər bɪˈkəm ɪkˈstɪŋkt. ðə ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈʧeɪnʤɪz bɪˈhaɪnd ˌædəpˈteɪʃən ərˈɪʤəˌneɪt ɪn ˈrændəm ˈdiˌɛˈneɪ mjuˈteɪʃənz. moʊst mjuˈteɪʃənz ər ˈhɑrmfəl ənd rɪˈzəlt ɪn rɪˈdust ˈfɪtnəs, bət ə məˈnɔrəti ˈhæpən baɪ ʧæns tɪ mit nu ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈʧælənʤɪz. tɪ mit nu ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈʧælənʤɪz. ˈɔrgəˌnɪzəmz wɪθ ˌbɛnəˈfɪʃəl mjuˈteɪʃənz ˈproʊdus mɔr ˈɔfˌsprɪŋ ðən ðoʊz wɪθ ˈhɑrmfəl mjuˈteɪʃənz ənˈtɪl ðə ˈfɪtər grup ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ðə ɪnˈtaɪər ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən, tɪ bi ɪˈvɛnʧəwəli ˌriˈpleɪst ɪn ə kənˈtɪnjuəs ˈprɔˌsɛs əv ˌædəpˈteɪʃən. ðə ˈstɔri əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz rɪˈkɔrdɪd ɪn ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəlz ənd ˈspiʃiz ðət ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ðə bɛst ˌædəpˈteɪʃən tɪ ðɛr ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ ɪnˈvaɪrənmənts. ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz nɑt ə ˈgræʤuəl muv frəm ˈsɪmpəl tɪ ˈkɑmplɛks, ər frəm dəm tɪ smɑrt, bət ɪz ə ˈbrutəl ˈfɪltər ðət ˈoʊnli ˈnoʊtɪsɪz sərˈvaɪvəl ənd ˌriprəˈdəkʃən. ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz nɑt ə plæn, ɪt ɪz ən ˈælgərˌɪðəm, wən ɪn wɪʧ ˈrændəm ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ˈproʊdus səkˈsɛsfəl ˈɔrgəˌnɪzəmz baɪ ʧæns ˌɛvəˈluʃən həz noʊ ˈfaɪnəl əˈbʤɛktɪv ər ɪt ɪz nɑt ə minz tɪ ən ɛnd, bət ə ˈprɔˌsɛs. ɪn ðə ˌɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri ˈnɛrətɪv, ɔl ˈspiʃiz ər ˈtɛmpərˌɛri fɔrmz. ðɛr ər naʊ ˌɪnˈkjʊrəbəl streɪnz əv ˈtiˈbi, ənd ˈdeɪnʤərəs stæf ˌɪnˈfɛkʃənz ɪn ˈhɑˌspɪtəlz, bɪˈkəz ðə ərˈɪʤənəl ˌɪnˈfɛkʃəs ˈɔrgəˌnɪzəmz ɪˈvɑlvd tɪ mit ðə θrɛt poʊzd baɪ ˌæntibaɪˈɑtɪks. tɪ bi spɪˈsɪfɪk, ðə ˌæntibaɪˈɑtɪks kɪld ɔl ðə bækˈtɪriə ɪkˈsɛpt ə ˈtaɪni məˈnɔrəti ðət ˈhæpənd tɪ bi rɪˈzɪstənt tɪ ˌæntibaɪˈɑtɪks, ənd ðət məˈnɔrəti ɪˈvɛnʧəwəli bɪˈkeɪm ðə ɪnˈtaɪər sərˈvaɪvɪŋ bækˈtɪriəl ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən. ðə ˈtiˈbi ənd stæf ˈstɔriz ər ɪgˈzæmpəlz wɛr, baɪ ˌɪgˈnɔrɪŋ ə ˈpaʊərfəl, ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈθɪri, wi hæv ɪkˈspoʊzd ɑrˈsɛlvz tɪ ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbəl ˈdeɪnʤər. səm ˈpipəl doʊnt ˌəndərˈstænd ˌɛvəˈluʃən bət ər ˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ lərn ɪts roʊl ɪn ˈʃeɪpɪŋ ðə ˈmɑdərn wərld, waɪl ˈəðərz, baɪ rɪˈʤɛktɪŋ ðə ˈvɛri ˈkɑnsɛpt əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən, ˌproʊˈæktɪvˌli dɪˈfɛnd ə ˈbrɛθˌteɪkɪŋ ˈpərsɪnəl ˈlɛvəl əv ˈɪgnərəns ðət məst bi ˈwɪtnəst tɪ bi bɪˈlivd. ənˈfɔrʧənətli fər ɔl əv ˈjuˈɛs, ˈmɛmbərz əv ðə ˈlætər grup tɛnd tɪ sɪt ɔn kəˈmɪtiz ðət ˌdɪˈsaɪd wət ɑr ˈʧɪldrən meɪ lərn ɪn skul. ˈʧɑrəlz ˈdɑrwɪn ənd ˈgrɛgər ˈmɛndəl əˈbaʊt ðə taɪm ˈdɑrwɪn ʃeɪpt hɪz aɪˈdiəz əˈbaʊt ˌɛvəˈluʃən, ən ˈɔstriən məŋk neɪmd ˈgrɛgər ˈmɛndəl wɑz ɛkˈspɛrəˌmɛntɪŋ wɪθ pi plænts ənd ˈnoʊtɪst ˈsərtən prɪˈdɪktəbəl ˈpætərnz əv ˌɪnˈhɛrətəns. æt ðət ˈərli steɪʤ ɪn ðə ˈhɪstəri əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪt kʊd bi sɛd ðət ˈdɑrwɪn ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzd ðə ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz əv ˌædəpˈteɪʃən æt ðə ˈspiʃiz ˈlɛvəl, waɪl ˈmɛndəl ˈwɪtnəst ðə rɪˈzəlt əv ˈmɪksɪŋ ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr ˈʤɛnəˌtaɪps, bət ˈniðər sɔ ðə bɪg ˈpɪkʧər ər aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd ðə sɔrs əv ʤəˈnɛtɪk ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən. ðə tru sɪgˈnɪfɪkəns, ənd relatedness*, əv ˈdɑrwɪnz ənd ˈmɛndəlz wərk wɑz nɑt ˈfʊli əˈpriʃiˌeɪtɪd ənˈtɪl lɔŋ ˈæftər ðɛr ˈpæsɪŋ, ɪn wət ɪz kɔld ðə ˈmɑdərn ˈsɪnθəsəs ɪn baɪˈɑləʤi, ˈkræftɪd bɪtˈwin 1936 ənd 1947 ˈʃɔrtli ðɛˈræftər ˈwɑtsən ənd krɪk kəmˈplitɪd ðə ˈpɪkʧər baɪ dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ ðə ˈstrəkʧər əv ˈdiˌɛˈneɪ. ɪt məst bi ˈɛmfəˌsaɪzd ðət ðə ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈɛvədəns fər ˌɛvəˈluʃən ənd ˈnæʧərəl səˈlɛkʃən ɪz ˈkoʊpiəs ənd ˈwaɪdˈsprɛd, ənd ðə əˈbəv ɪgˈzæmpəlz əv kˈwɪkli ɪˈvɑlvɪŋ bækˈtɪriəl streɪnz, ˌɔlˈðoʊ ˈhɛˌdlaɪn nuz, ər ˈoʊnli ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnətɪv əv ə lɑrʤ klæs əv ˈsɪmələr ˈnɛrətɪvz. ɛz taɪm ˈpæsɪz, ðoʊz hu daʊt ðə ˌriˈæləˌti əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən məst ˌɪgˈnɔr ə ˈgreɪtər ˈkɔrpəs əv ˈɛvədəns, ənd əkˈsɛpt ˈgreɪtər ˈpərsɪnəl rɪsk, ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ dɪˈfɛnd ðɛr ˈɪgnərəns. ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl səˈlɛkʃən ˈpipəl wər məˈnɪpjəˌleɪtɪŋ ʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈaʊtˌkəmz lɔŋ ˌbiˈfɔr ʤəˈnɛtɪks wɑz ˌɪtˈsɛlf ˌəndərˈstʊd. wən ɪgˈzæmpəl kən bi sin ɪn dɔg ˈbridɪŋ, wɛr ðə waɪd vərˈaɪəti əv ˈmɑdərn dɔg taɪps wər dəraɪvd frəm ðə wʊlf baɪ səˈlɛktɪv ˈbridɪŋ. əˈnəðər ɪgˈzæmpəl ɪz ðə səˈlɛktɪv ˈbridɪŋ əv ˈɑptɪməl streɪnz əv kɔrn, wit ənd ˈsɔɪˌbinz tɪ ˈmæksəˌmaɪz ðɛr jild, roʊˈbəstnəs ənd rɪˈzɪstəns tɪ pɛsts. ðə dɑrk saɪd əv ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl səˈlɛkʃən kən bi sin ɪn ðə ˈstɔri əv ðə ˈaɪrɪʃ pəˈteɪˌtoʊ ˈfæmən. ɪn ðə ˈaɪərlənd bɪˈkeɪm ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋgli dɪˈpɛndənt ɔn pəˈteɪtoʊz ɛz ə ˈsɪŋgəl krɑp tɪ səˈpɔrt ɪts ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən, ənd wɪˈθɪn ðət krɑp, ə ˈsɪŋgəl ʤəˈnɛtɪk vərˈaɪəti ("lumpers*"), wɪθ ˈtræʤɪk ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz. ɪn ˈrɛtrəˌspɛkt ɪt kən bi sin ðət, ɪf ə ˈwaɪdər vərˈaɪəti əv pəˈteɪˌtoʊ streɪnz hæd bɪn əˈlaʊd tɪ ɪgˈzɪst, səm əv ðɛm wʊd hæv bɪn ˈeɪbəl tɪ rɪˈzɪst ðə blaɪt ðət dɪˈstrɔɪd ðə ɪnˈtaɪər krɑp fər ˈsɛvərəl səkˈsɛsɪv jɪrz, rɪˈzəltɪŋ ɪn əˈbaʊt ə ˈmɪljən dɛθs baɪ stɑrˈveɪʃən. ðə ˈlɛsən əv ðə ˈaɪrɪʃ pəˈteɪˌtoʊ ˈfæmən həz jɛt tɪ bi ˈlərnɪd. ˈmɛni ˈmɑdərn ˌægrɪˈkəlʧərəl streɪnz, ˈsimɪŋli ðə bɛst ʧɔɪs fər ə ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr groʊɪŋ ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt, ər (ˈsɪŋgəl ʤəˈnɛtɪk streɪnz) ənd ˈðɛrˌfɔr ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ˈtɪkɪŋ ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl taɪm bɑmz. wən ɪgˈzæmpəl ɪz ðə ˈwaɪdˈsprɛd ɪkˈstɪŋʃən əv ðə juz. kɔrn ɪn ðə 1980s*, rɪˈzəltɪŋ ɪn ðə lɔs əv ə ˈbɪljən ˈdɔlərz əv ˌægrɪˈkəlʧərəl ˈaʊtˌpʊt (bət noʊ lɔs əv laɪf). ə ˈhɪdən ˈdeɪnʤər ɪn ˈmɑdərn ˈægrɪˌkəlʧər ɪz ˈprɛʃər tɪ ˌɪnˈkris jildz ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ fid groʊɪŋ ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃənz, wɪʧ kən lɛd tɪ dɪˈpɛndəns ɔn ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˈɑptɪməl streɪn ðət prəˈdusɪz ðə haɪəst ˈaʊtˌpʊt pər ˈeɪkər. ɪt simz wiv pleɪst ɑrˈsɛlvz ɪn ðə seɪm pəˈzɪʃən ɛz ðə ˈaɪrɪʃ əv ðə ˈsɛnʧəri, bət bɪˈkəz wi ˌəndərˈstænd wət kən ˈhæpən, wi hæv noʊ ɪkˈskjuz. bət ðə ˈlɑrʤəst ənd pəˈtɛnʃəli moʊst ˈtræʤɪk ɪgˈzæmpəl əv ɪz ðə ɪkˈstɪŋʃən ɪˈvɛnt". ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðɪs saʊnz laɪk wən əv ðoʊz ˌʤiəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈɪrəz wi aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ baɪ ɪgˈzæmɪnɪŋ rɑk ˈstrætə, ðə ɪkˈstɪŋʃən ɪˈvɛnt ɪz ˈhæpənɪŋ naʊ, ənd wi ər ðə kɔz ˈjumənz ər səˈlɛktɪvli ˈbridɪŋ ɑrˈsɛlvz ɪn ə weɪ ðət ɪkˈskludz ˈθaʊzənz əv ˈəðər ˈspiʃiz, ənd wi ər ˈræpədli əˈproʊʧɪŋ ə ɪn wɪʧ ˈjumənz ər ðə ˈoʊnli sərˈvaɪvɪŋ ˈspiʃiz. wɪn wi lʊk bæk æt ðə ˈaɪrɪʃ pəˈteɪˌtoʊ ˈfæmən, ɪts ˈizi tɪ seɪ, "waʊ, ðət wɑz ˈstupɪd! haʊ kʊd ðoʊz ˈpipəl nɑt ˈriəˌlaɪz ðə rɪsk ðeɪ wər ˈteɪkɪŋ ɪn bɪˈkəmɪŋ mɔr ənd mɔr dɪˈpɛndənt ɔn fjuər ənd fjuər ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈspiʃiz?" ðə ˌəˈnænsərd kˈwɛʃən ɪz ˈwɛðər wi wɪl ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz ðət wɪr rɪˈpitɪŋ ðə seɪm mɪˈsteɪk ɔn ə məʧ ˈlɑrʤər skeɪl. ˈmɛni ˈpipəl naʊ əkˈsɛpt ðət wi ər ˈpleɪsɪŋ ɑrˈsɛlvz ɪn ˈdeɪnʤər baɪ ɪkˈstɪŋgwɪʃɪŋ ɔl ˈspiʃiz bət ɑrˈsɛlvz, bət ɪts məʧ ˈhɑrdər tɪ ˈfɪgjər aʊt wət tɪ du əˈbaʊt ɪt. ˌbiˈfɔr maɪ ˈridərz seɪ, "ðæts ˈsɪmpəl ɔl wi hæv tɪ du ɪz rɪˈdus ɑr ˈnəmbərz," aɪ hæv tɪ seɪ noʊ, ɪts nɑt ðət ˈsɪmpəl. rɛd ɔn. ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈpɛrəˌdɑks tɪ ˈbrifli ˌrikəˈpɪʧəˌleɪt ðə fərst pɑrt əv ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl, ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz ˈmɔrəli ˈnutrəl ənd ˈoʊnli ˈnoʊtɪsɪz wət sərˈvaɪvz ənd ˌriprəˈdusɪz, ˈnəθɪŋ ɛls. ðə ˌɛvəˈluʃən əv dɪˈstɪŋktɪv treɪts, ˌhaʊˈɛvər məʧ sərˈvaɪvəl ˈvælju ðeɪ əˈpɪr tɪ hæv, ˈkænɑt ˌɪnərˈfɪr wɪθ ðə ˈbɑtəm laɪn, wɪʧ ɪz sərˈvaɪvɪŋ ˈɔfˌsprɪŋ. ðə ˈæbsəˌlut praɪˈɔrəti əv ˌriprəˈdəktɪv ˈfɪtnəs ˈpleɪsɪz fərm ˈlɪmɪts ɔn ˈfɪzɪkəl saɪz, rɪˈzɪstəns tɪ dɪˈziz, ˈvɪʒəwəl əˈkjuəti, ər ˈɛni ˈəðər treɪt wən kən neɪm, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns. ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ənd sərˈvaɪvəl ˌɛvəˈluʃən səˈlɛkts əˈgɛnst ə ˈfɪzɪkəli lɑrʤ ˈænəməl laɪk ə ˈdaɪnəˌsɔr meɪ bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˈdɑməˌneɪt sˈmɔlər ˈkriʧərz, bət ɪt kən bi (ənd ˈəltəmətli wɑz) baɪ sˈmɔlər ˈkriʧərz hu meɪd əp ɪn ˈnəmbər wət ðeɪ lækt ɪn saɪz. ə bərd wɪθ ɛkˌstrɔrdəˈnɛrəli əˈkjut ˈaɪˌsaɪt wɪl ˈoʊnli prɪˈveɪl əˈgɛnst ˈəðər ˈspiʃiz ɪf ɪt kən si ə maʊs ˈəðər bərdz ˈkænɑt si, ˈəðərˌwaɪz ðə ˈɛnərʤi kɔst əv meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ ɪts aɪz wɪl səˈlɛkt əˈgɛnst ðə treɪt. ʤɪst ɛz wɪθ ˈfɪzɪkəl saɪz ənd ˈvɪʒəwəl əˈkjuəti, ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns həz ən ˈəpər ˈpræktɪkəl ˈlɪmət, bɪɔnd wɪʧ ðə treɪt rɪˈdusɪz ˈfɪtnəs ənd ɪz səˈlɛktɪd əˈgɛnst. ðɪs ɪz tru æt ðə ˈlɛvəl əv ˈspiʃiz, bət ðɛr ɪz ə ˈvərʒən əv ðɪs səˈlɛkʃən ˈprɔˌsɛs ɪn ðə lɪvz əv ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəlz ðət aɪ kɔl ðə "ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈpɛrəˌdɑks". ðə ˈpɛrəˌdɑks wərks laɪk ðɪs: ˈɛliət ˈspɪtzər ˌbiˈfɔr hɪz fɔl frəm greɪs ˈfɔrmər nu jɔrk ˈspɪtzər ˌbiˈfɔr hɪz ˈsɪŋgəl ˌənɛmˈplɔɪd ˈwɛlˌfɛr ˈməðər wɪθ ə fju əv hər 14 ˈʧɪldrən ˈkərtəsi "octomom*," a.k.a*. ˌənɛmˈplɔɪd ˈwɛlˌfɛr ə fju əv hər 14 ən ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt, ˈɛʤəˌkeɪtɪd ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl ɪkˈspleɪnz tɪ hɪz traɪb ðət ðɛr ər fɑr tu ˈmɛni ˈjumən biɪŋz ɔn ðə ˈplænət ənd ðət, baɪ ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ɑr ˈnəmbərz, wi rɪsk ɑr oʊn ˈseɪfti ənd ðət əv ɑr ˈʧɪldrən. ɔn ˈhirɪŋ ðɪs ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən, ðə mɔr ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt, ˈsɛnsɪtɪv, ˈkɛrɪŋ ˈlɪsənərz riˈzɑlv tɪ hæv fjuər ˈʧɪldrən. ɔn ˈhirɪŋ ðə seɪm ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən, ðə lɛs ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt, ˈsɛnsɪtɪv, ˈkɛrɪŋ ˈlɪsənərz doʊnt ʧeɪnʤ ðɛr bɪˈheɪvjər. ðə rɪˈzəlt ɪz fjuər ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt, ˈsɛnsɪtɪv, ˈkɛrɪŋ ˈpipəl ɪn ðə nɛkst ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃən. jɛs, ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈpɛrəˌdɑks ˈrɪli ɪz ɛz ˈsɪmpəl ɛz ðət tɪ pʊt ɪt ˈbləntli, ˈpipəl hu kɛr əˈbaʊt ðə steɪt əv ðə ˈplænət ər baɪ ðoʊz hu doʊnt. (ðiz fækts ˈkænɑt bi juzd ɛz ən ɪkˈskjuz fər ˌɪrəˈspɑnsəbəl bɪˈheɪvjər, ənd wi ɔl məst θɪŋk ənd əkˈsɛpt riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti fər ɑr ˈækʃənz. wi ʤɪst hæv tɪ θɪŋk mɔr ˈdipli.) ˈtrænʒənt stuˈpɪdɪˌti səm ˈridərz meɪ si wət əˈpɪrz tɪ bi ə flɔ ɪn ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈpɛrəˌdɑks aɪˈdiə ðɛr ər səm ˈvɛri ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt ˈpipəl, ðoʊz ˈpipəl hæv ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt, ˈhɛlθi ˈʧɪldrən æt list səm əv ðə taɪm, ənd ðɪs maɪt stænd ɛz ə tɪ ðə ˈpɛrəˌdɑks. bət bɪˈkəz ˈæbsəˌlut praɪˈɔrəti ɪz ˌriprəˈdəkʃən, ɪt pərˈfɔrmz ən ɛnd rən əraʊnd ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ənd ˈkɑmən sɛns ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt ˈpipəl kənˈtɪnju tɪ hæv ˈʧɪldrən ɔn ə ˈvɛri ˈoʊvərˌkraʊdɪd ˈplænət baɪ ˌtɛmpərˈɛrəli bɪˈkəmɪŋ ˈstupɪd, ənd ðɪs ɪz nɑt maɪ aɪˈdiə, ɪts ən aɪˈdiə ðət həz bɪn pʊt fɔrθ baɪ ˈmɛni ˈpipəl ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈfɛmənɪsts. wən neɪm fər ðɪs ˈsɪnˌdroʊm ɪz "ˈprɛgnənsi breɪn," ə ˈtɛmpərˌɛri dɪˈklaɪn ɪn ˈrizənɪŋ ənd ˈmɛməri əˈbɪləˌti ðət əˈkəmpəniz ˈprɛgnənsi. bət ðɪs drɔp ɪn ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns ɪz baɪ noʊ minz ˈlɪmɪtɪd tɪ ˈwɪmən. ɪn maɪ əˈpɪnjən ənd ðət əv ˈmɛni ˈəðərz, wi si ɪts moʊst ɪkˈstrim fɔrm ɪn mɛn, huz əˈbɪləˌti tɪ ˈrizən ˈpləməts tɪ əraʊnd ðə ˈtɑpɪk əv ˌriprəˈdəkʃən. kənˈsɪdər tu ɪgˈzæmpəlz: ˈɛliət ˈspɪtzər, ˈfɔrmər ˈgəvərnər əv nu jɔrk, ˈfɔrmər ˌsæŋktəˈmoʊniəs ˈprɑsɪˌkjutər, wɑz dɪˈskəvərd tɪ hæv ˈrɛgjələrli ɪnˈgeɪʤd ðə ˈsərvɪsɪz əv ˈprɑstəˌtuts ɪn ən ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈpəblɪk weɪ, ənd rɪˈzaɪnd ɪn dɪsˈgreɪs. səm hu hir ðɪs ˈstɔri ər ˌɪnˈklaɪnd tɪ æsk, "wət wɑz hi ˈθɪŋkɪŋ?" bət ðət kˈwɛʃən ˌɪnˈkludz ən ənˈwɔrəntɪd əˈsəmpʃən ðət ðɛr wɑz ˈɛni ˈmɛʒərəbəl ˈmɛntəl ækˈtɪvɪti, æt list əˈbəv ðə ɪkˈweɪtər. suleman*, ən ənˈmɛrid, ˌənɛmˈplɔɪd ˈməðər əv sɪks hu lɪvz ɔn fud stæmps, ˌdɪˈsaɪdz sɪks ˈɪzənt ɪˈnəf ənd ˈvɪzɪts ə fərˈtɪlɪti ˈklɪnɪk. ðə fərˈtɪlɪti ˈklɪnɪk, ɪn ə ˈbrɛθˌteɪkɪŋ vaɪəˈleɪʃən əv ðə hɪpəˈkrætɪk oʊθ, ˌɪmˈprɛgˌneɪts hər eɪt taɪmz ˈoʊvər, ənd ɔl əv ðɛm lɪv. ɛz aɪ si ɪt, ðɪs ɪz ʧaɪld əˈbjuz ˈfæktoʊ ðɪs ˈwʊmənz 14 ˈʧɪldrən ər, fər ɔl ˈpræktɪkəl ˈpərpəsɪz, ˈɔrfənz əv ən əˈpɛrənt ˈklɪnɪkəl ˈnɑrsɪsɪst. aɪ kən ˌɪˈmæʤən fˈjuʧər bʊks ɪn ðə trəˈdɪʃən əv ˈdɪrəst, wɪθ ˈmɛmərəbəl laɪk, "aɪ ˈrɪli, ˈtruli, sɪnˈsɪrli ləv ju, ˈnəmbər 11 kənˈsɪdər tu ɪgˈzæmpəlz: fri wɪl ðɪs ˈsɛkʃən ɪz mɛnt tɪ ˈɛmfəˌsaɪz ðə fækt ðət wi hæv noʊ ʧæns tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd ˈjumən bɪˈheɪvjər wɪˈθaʊt fərst ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ ˌɛvəˈluʃən. ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz səʧ ə ˈpaʊərfəl fɔrs ɪn ɑr lɪvz ðət ɪt ˈɔfərz ə ˈpɑrʃəl ˈænsər tɪ ðə oʊld kˈwɛʃən əˈbaʊt ðə ɪgˈzɪstəns əv fri wɪl: wi meɪ hæv fri wɪl ɪn səm pɑrts əv ɑr lɪvz, bət ɛz tɪ ˈproʊkriˈeɪʃən, wi ˈsərtənli doʊnt. səm ˈridərz wɪl si ən ˈɑbviəs əˈbʤɛkʃən tɪ ðə əˈbəv kleɪm ˈmɛni ˈpipəl meɪk ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt dɪˈsɪʒənz əˈbaʊt ˌriprəˈdəkʃən, ənd ðɪs səˈpɔrts ðə ˌpɑsəˈbɪləˌti əv fri wɪl ɪn ɔl ˈɛriəz əv ˈjumən laɪf, ˈivɪn ðə moʊst ˈbeɪsɪk ənd ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv pɑrts. aɪ məst əˈgri ðæts tru, səʧ θɪŋz du ˈhæpən, bət baɪ ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt dɪˈsɪʒənz əˈbaʊt ˌriprəˈdəkʃən, wi riˈmuv ɑrˈsɛlvz frəm ðə ʤin pul. kənˈsɪdər ðɪs ɪgˈzæmpəl: ən ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt ˈpərsən (fər ðɪs ɪgˈzæmpəl ə ˈpərsən pəˈzɛst əv ən əbˈsərd dɪˈgri əv ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns wɪθ noʊ ˌɪˈmæʤənəbəl ˈpræktɪkəl ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən) siz ə ˈleɪtˌnaɪt ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt ðət ɪgˈzɔrts ˈjuˈɛs tɪ fid ɔl ðə wərldz ˈstɑrvɪŋ ˈʧɪldrən. ʃi rɪˈspɑndz tɪ ðə ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt baɪ seɪɪŋ, "ðæts əbˈsərd ə ˈproʊˌgræm tɪ fid ˈstɑrvɪŋ ˈpipəl, wɪθ noʊ kənˈdɪʃənz ər rɪkˈwaɪrmənts? ðət kən ˈoʊnli lɛd tɪ ˈmɛni mɔr ˈstɑrvɪŋ ˈpipəl ɪn ðə fˈjuʧər haʊ hjuˈmeɪn ɪz ðət? ˈoʊnli ðə moʊst ˌsupərˈfɪʃəl ˈɪnəˌlɛkt kʊd feɪl tɪ si ðɪs ˈproʊˌgræm kən ˈoʊnli ˌɪnˈkris ˈjumən ˈsəfərɪŋ ɪn ðə lɔŋ tərm." ʃi θɪŋks ə bɪt mɔr ənd sɪz, "ɪf aɪ ʧuz nɑt tɪ fid ðoʊz ˈstɑrvɪŋ ˈpipəl, bət pərˈsid tɪ hæv maɪ oʊn ˈʧɪldrən, ðɛn aɪ æm ə dɪˈspɪkəbəl ˈreɪsɪst ənd ˈsɛlfɪʃ ˈhɪpəˌkrɪt. soʊ fər ˈrizənz əv ˈpərsɪnəl ˌɪnˈtɛgrəti aɪ wɪl nɑt hæv ˈɛni ˈʧɪldrən." tru tɪ hər wərd, ɑr ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt tɛst ˈsəbʤɪkt ˈdəzənt hæv ˈɛni ˈʧɪldrən. ˈæftər tˈwɛnti jɪrz hæv gɔn baɪ, wi si əˈnəðər ˈpərsən ˈwɑʧɪŋ əˈnəðər ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt tɪ fid ɔl ðə wərldz ˈstɑrvɪŋ ˈʧɪldrən. ˌənɛnˈkəmbərd baɪ ˈivɪn ə bɪt əv ˈɛkstrə ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns, ʃi sɪz, "jɛs! aɪl ʃoʊ maɪ kəmˈpæʃən ənd juˈmænɪti baɪ ˈfidɪŋ ɔl ðoʊz ˈstɑrvɪŋ ˈpipəl!" kənˈkluʒən? fri wɪl meɪ ɪgˈzɪst ɪn səm ˈɛriəz, bət ɛz tɪ ˌriprəˈdəkʃən ˈɪʃuz, ɪt ˈdəzənt wɪr ˈænəməlz, ɛz frɔɪd sɛd (wən əv ðə fju θɪŋz hi gɑt raɪt). pləˈsiboʊ ɛnˈvaɪrənˌmɛnəˌlɪzəm ðə wərld ɪz ˈhitɪŋ əp ˈɛvriˌwən kən əˈgri ɔn ðət. naʊ lɛts ʤɪst seɪ fər ðə seɪk əv ˈɑrgjəmənt ðət ðɪs ˈhitɪŋ ɪz æt list ˈpɑrtli kɔzd baɪ ˈjumən ækˈtɪvɪti (aɪ rɪˈspɛkt ðə vjuz əv ðoʊz hu dɪsəˈgri, bət ðɪs ɪz ʤɪst ən ɪgˈzæmpəl ənd aɪ doʊnt wɔnt tɪ ˈwɑndər əˈweɪ frəm ðə ˈtɑpɪk) ənd ðət ðə ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛnsəz əv ˈwɔrmɪŋ meɪ bi ˈhɑrmfəl, soʊ wət ʃæl wi du əˈbaʊt ɪt? hir ər səm ˈrisəntli prəˈpoʊzd ˈrɛmədiz: ˈskætər aɪərn ˈɑkˌsaɪd ɔn ðə ˈoʊʃənz. ðə aɪərn ˈɑkˌsaɪd wɪl səˈpɔrt ðə groʊθ əv ˈælʤi, wɪʧ wɪl sɪkˈwɛstər ə lɔt əv ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk koʊ 2 ðə rɪˈdust koʊ 2 wɪl ˈdiˌkris ˈgloʊbəl ˈwɔrmɪŋ. ðə rɪˈdust koʊ wɪl ˈdiˌkris ˈgloʊbəl ˈwɔrmɪŋ. lɔnʧ ə bənʧ əv ˈtaɪni rɪˈflɛktərz ˈɪntu ərθ ˈɔrbət. ðə rɪˈflɛktərz wɪl baʊns ˈsənˌlaɪt bæk ˈɪntu speɪs, ðɪs wɪl rɪˈdus ðə əˈmaʊnt əv ˈsənˌlaɪt ðət gɪts tɪ ðə ˈsərfəs, ðɪs wɪl rɪˈdus ˈsərfəs ˈhitɪŋ, wɪʧ wɪl kul ðə ˈplænət. sprɛd juʤ rɪˈflɛktɪv ʃits əˈkrɔs ˈdɛzərts. ðə ʃits wɪl rɪˈflɛkt mɔr ˈsənˌlaɪt bæk ˈɪntu speɪs ðən ðə sænd kən, ðɪs wɪl rɪˈdus ˈsərfəs ˈhitɪŋ, ðət wɪl ˈdiˌkris ˈgloʊbəl ˈwɔrmɪŋ. ðɛr ər ˈmɛni ˈsɪmələr prəˈpoʊzəlz, ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frəm ˈhjumərəs tɪ ˈhɛrˌbreɪnd, bət aɪ æsk maɪ ˈridərz tɪ ˈnoʊtɪs wət ɪz ˈmɪsɪŋ frəm ðə lɪst ənd frəm ɛnˈvaɪrənˌmɛnəˌlɪzəm ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl ˈɛni dɪˈskəʃən əv wərld ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən. tɪ pʊt ðɪs ɪn ðə ˈsɪmpləst tərmz, ə ˈwɔrmɪŋ wərld ɪz ə ˈsɪmptəm, wərld ˈhəŋgər ɪz ə ˈsɪmptəm, wərld wɔrz ənd ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm ər ˈsɪmptəmz ɔl ˈsɪmptəmz əv ðə ˌəndərˈlaɪɪŋ dɪˈziz əv ˌoʊvərˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən. wi kən trit ðə ˈsɪmptəmz, ər wi kən trit ðə dɪˈziz. ˌriˈæləˌti ˈtɛstɪŋ ɪt ɪz wən θɪŋ tɪ si ðət wi ər ˈiˌmoʊʃənəl ˈhɑstəʤəz əv ɑr oʊn fərˈtɪlɪti, ənd tɪ ˈnoʊtɪs ðət dɪˈskəʃənz əv ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən tɛnd tɪ bi proʊˈfaʊndli ˌhɪpəˈkrɪtɪkəl (ɪts ˈɔlˌweɪz "ðɛm" ðət hæv tu ˈmɛni ˈʧɪldrən), bət ɪt ɪz kwaɪt əˈnəðər tɪ ˈrɛfˌjuz tɪ ˈivɪn ækˈnɑlɪʤ ðə ˈprɑbləm. ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈmuvmənts ðət du nɑt ˈæˌdrɛs ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən trit ˈsɪmptəmz waɪl ˌɪgˈnɔrɪŋ ðə ˌəndərˈlaɪɪŋ dɪˈziz ənd hæv ˈlɪtəl ˈrizən tɪ ɪgˈzɪst. ˈɛvəri ˌsæŋktəˈmoʊniəs, grin, save-the-whales*, recycle-your-cans*, wɪnd ənd ˈsoʊlər paʊər ˈmuvmənt ðət woʊnt ˈæˌdrɛs ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ɪz ɛz məʧ ə pləˈsiboʊ (ə ʃæm ˈtritmənt wɪθ noʊ ril ˈifɛkt) ɛz ˈgɪvɪŋ ə ˈkænsər ˈpeɪʃənt ə mɔr ˈkəmfərtəbəl ˈpɪloʊ ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ˈsərʤəri. ˌɪˈmæʤən ðət ɔl ðə well-intentioned*, ˈprɑpərli ˈɔrgəˌnaɪzd ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈkɔzɪz səkˈsid ənd ɑr ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˌɪmˈpækt ɪz rɪˈdust tɪ hæf ɪts ˈprɛzənt ˈlɛvəl hæf ðə ɔɪl, hæf ðə koʊl, hæf ðə ˈnukliər paʊər, ˌɛtˈsɛtərə.. ɪf wi wər tɪ əˈʧiv ðət spɛkˈtækjələr rɪˈzəlt, wi wʊd hæv tɪ wɔʧ ɑr ˈvɪktəri bi waɪpt aʊt ˈoʊvər ðə nɛkst 60 jɪrz ɛz ðə wərldz ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈdəbəlz frəm ɪts ˈprɛzənt ˈlɛvəl. əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən əˈθɔrətiz ənd əˈsumɪŋ ðə əˈbəv ˌɑptɪˈmɪstɪk ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈfɔrˌkæst, ɪn 60 jɪrz wi wɪl faɪnd ɑrˈsɛlvz ɪn ɪgˈzæktli ðə seɪm prɪˈdɪkəmənt, kənˈfrəntɪŋ ðə seɪm ˈprɑbləm wi du naʊ. dɪz ðɪs saʊnd ˌpɛsəˈmɪstɪk? dɪz ɪt peɪnt tu blik ə ˈpɪkʧər? wɛl, noʊ, nɑt ˈrɪli. əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈwɪkiˌpiˌdiəz ˈɑrtɪkəl ɔn ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən, "ðə læst wən ˈhənərd jɪrz hæv sin ə ˈræpɪd ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən du tɪ ˈmɛdɪkəl ədˈvænsɪz ənd ˈmæsɪv ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ˌægrɪˈkəlʧərəl ˌproʊdəkˈtɪvɪti meɪd ˈpɑsəbəl baɪ ðə grin ˌrɛvəˈluʃən." trænzˈleɪtəd ˈɪntu ˈɛvriˈdeɪ tərmz, ˌbiˈfɔr ðə grin ˌrɛvəˈluʃən ˈʧɪldrən wər ˈstɑrvɪŋ, bət ðə grin ˌrɛvəˈluʃən əˈlaʊd ðoʊz ˈstɑrvɪŋ ˈʧɪldrən tɪ hæv ˈʧɪldrən əv ðɛr oʊn, soʊ naʊ wi hæv mɔr ˈstɑrvɪŋ ˈʧɪldrən ðən ðɛr wər ˌbiˈfɔr (əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈjunəˌsɛf, 10 ˈmɪljən ˈʧɪldrən ˈəndər ðə eɪʤ əv faɪv naʊ stɑrv ˈænjuəli). wət ən əˈkɑmplɪʃmənt. aɪ ʃʊd æd ðət ðə grin ˌrɛvəˈluʃən dɪˈpɛndz tɪ ə lɑrʤ ɪkˈstɛnt ɔn ənd ðɛr əˈtɛndənt rɪsks. wɪˈθɪn ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈkɔzɪz, wərld ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ɪz ðə ˈɛləfənt ɪn ðə rum ðət noʊ wən kɛrz tɪ ækˈnɑlɪʤ. ðɛr ər ˈsɛvərəl ˈrizənz fər ðɪs wən ɪz ðət ɛnˈvaɪrənˌmɛnəlɪsts hu dɪˈskəs ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən kˈwɪkli luz ˈpəblɪk səˈpɔrt (bɪˈkəz ˈpipəl məʧ prɪˈfər ˈminɪŋləs ˈʤɛsʧərz tɪ ˈpərsɪnəl ˈsækrəˌfaɪsɪz). əˈnəðər ɪz ðət ðɛr ɪz ˈlɪtəl ˈpərpəs ɪn dɪˈskəsɪŋ ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən wɪθ ˈpipəl hu kænt ˌɪˈmæʤən ðɛr roʊl ɪn ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs. ə θərd ˈrizən ɪz ðə pərˈvərs ˈifɛkt əv ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈpɛrəˌdɑks dɪˈskəst əˈbəv, ɪn wɪʧ ˈoʊpən dɪˈskəʃən əv ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈɪʃuz ˈoʊnli ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ðə ˌkɑmpəˈzɪʃən əv ðə fˈjuʧər ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən, nɑt ɪts saɪz. bət doʊnt dɪˈspɛr, dɪr ˈridər ðɛr ər weɪz tɪ ˈæˌdrɛs ðiz ˈɪʃuz. rɛd ɔn. ə ˈmɑdəst prəˈpoʊzəl æt ðɪs pɔɪnt ɪn ə ˈtɪpɪkəl ˈɛˌseɪ, ən ˈɔθər kən bi rɪˈlaɪd ɔn tɪ ˈɔfər wən ər mɔr ˈrɛmədiz fər ɔl ðə wərldz ˈprɑbləmz. bət aɪ doʊnt ˌɪnˈtɛnd tɪ ˌɪnˈsəlt ðə ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns əv maɪ ˈridərz, ənd ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəlz ˈtɑpɪk dɪˈzərvz ə ˈbɛtər, mɔr ˌriəˈlɪstɪk ˈtritmənt. nɑnˈstɑrtərz fərst lɛts dɪsˈmɪs θɪŋz ðət kænt ˈpɑsəbli wərk ər ðət hæv bɪn traɪd ənd feɪld. ˈreɪˌsɪzəm ənd juˈʤɛnɪks ər ˈizi tɪ dɪsˈmɪs bɪˈkəz ðeɪ priˈtɛnd ðət wi noʊ mɔr ðən ˈneɪʧər ənd kən ˈsəbstəˌtut ɑr oʊn ˈʧɔɪsɪz fər ðoʊz əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪf ˈhɪstəri ˈtiʧɪz ˈjuˈɛs ˈɛniˌθɪŋ, ɪt ɪz ðət wi doʊnt, ənd wi kænt. ʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈælgərˌɪðəmz ˈsəmˌwən wɪl ˈʃʊrli ˈɑbʤɛkt ðət ðə əˈbəv ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ə dɪsˈmɪsəl wɪˈθaʊt ˈsəbstəns, soʊ ɪn ðɪs daɪˈgrɛʃən aɪ wɪl gɪv ɪt ə bɪt mɔr dɛpθ. wɪn kəmˈpjutər ˈsaɪəntɪsts əˈtæk ə ˈtruli ˈkɑmplɛks ˈprɑbləm, ðeɪ ˈsəmˌtaɪmz pʊʃ ðə ˈproʊˌgræmərz aʊt əv ðə weɪ ənd əˈsaɪn ðə ˈprɑbləm tɪ ə "ʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈælgərˌɪðəm", ə kəmˈpjutər ˈmɛθəd ðət ˈɪməˌteɪts ˈnæʧərəl ˌɛvəˈluʃən. ʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈælgərˌɪðəmz ər ˈvɛri ˈifɛktɪv æt ˈsɑlvɪŋ ˈkɑmplɛks ˈprɑbləmz ənd ˈʧuzɪŋ ˈɑptɪməl ˈstrætəʤiz, ɪn weɪz ðət ˈivɪn ðɛr dɪˈzaɪnərz meɪ nɑt ˈfʊli ˌəndərˈstænd wɪn ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs ɪz kəmˈplit, ʤɪst ɛz wɪθ ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪn ˈneɪʧər. trəˈdɪʃənəl ˈsɔfˌwɛr dɪˈzaɪn ənd ɪz ˈɔrgəˌnaɪzd ˈtɔpˌdaʊn, ðət ɪz tɪ seɪ, ə brɔd ˈsteɪtmənt əv ə ˈprɑbləm tɪ bi sɑlvd ɪz ˈbroʊkən daʊn ˈɪntu subtasks*. bət fər ˈmɛni ˈprɑbləmz ðə ˈtɔpˌdaʊn əˈproʊʧ ˈsɪmpli ˈdəzənt wərk, ənd ə əˈproʊʧ prəˈdusɪz ˈbɛtər rɪˈzəlts baɪ əˈtækɪŋ ðə ˈprɑbləm ɪn ə lɛs ˈɔrgəˌnaɪzd, mɔr ˈbɑtəˌməp weɪ. ɛz ðə ˈdɪsəplən əv ʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈproʊˌgræmɪŋ həz bɪˈkəm better-established*, ɪts ˌsɪməˈlɛrəti tɪ ˈnæʧərəl ˌɛvəˈluʃən həz bɪn ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzd baɪ ˈmɛni, ˌɪnˈdid məʧ əv ʤəˈnɛtɪk ˈproʊˌgræmɪŋ ɪz ˈkɑnʃəsli ˈɪməˌteɪtɪv əv ˈnæʧərəl ˌɛvəˈluʃən. ðə ki tɪ ðə səkˈsɛs əv boʊθ ˈnæʧərəl ənd kəmˈpjutər ˌɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri ˈælgərˌɪðəmz ɪz ðət ɔl ˈɔpʃənz ər ˈtɛstɪd ɪn ˈpɛrəˌlɛl, wɪˈθaʊt priˈʤəʤmənt, ənd ðə kˈwɑləti əv ðə rɪˈzəlt dɪˈpɛndz ɔn ðə ˌɪmˌpɑrʃiˈælɪti. tɪ pʊt ðɪs əˈnəðər weɪ, ðə bɛst ˌɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri ˈælgərˌɪðəmz ˈmɛʒər ˈoʊnli rɪˈzəlts, nɑt haʊ ðə rɪˈzəlts ər əˈʧivd. ɪt wʊd bi nis ɪf ˈjumən səˈsaɪɪtiz wərkt ðɪs weɪ, bət wi ˈɑrənt ðɛr jɛt. səˈfaɪs ɪt tɪ seɪ ðət ˌɪmˈpɑrʃəl ˈælgərˌɪðəmz ˈproʊdus ðə bɛst rɪˈzəlts. bæk tɪ nɑnˈstɑrtərz. ɪn ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪŋ wət tɪ du əˈbaʊt ˈsərtən ˈjumən ˈprɑbləmz ənd ɪn maɪ əˈpɪnjən, wi ʃʊd əˈvɔɪd əˈsumɪŋ ðət ɑr ˈʧɔɪsɪz kən stænd ɪn fər ðoʊz əv ˈneɪʧər. ðɪs ˈɑbviəsli kænt wərk fər ɔl ˈprɑbləmz, bət ɛz tɪ ˌfəndəˈmɛnəl ˈɪʃuz laɪk ðə saɪz əv ðə ˈjumən ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən, wi nid tɪ stɑp əˈsumɪŋ wi kən ˈaʊtˌwɪt ˈneɪʧər. ˈsɛlfdɪˌtərməˈneɪʃən ˈridərz meɪ ˈriˌkɔl ən ˈərliər ˈkɑmɛnt əˈbaʊt ə ˈmɛʒərəbəl dɪˈklaɪn ɪn ˈrizənɪŋ paʊərz ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈprɛgnənsi. ɛz ɪt ˈhæpənz ənd fər ˈrizənz əv ðɛr oʊn, səm səˈsaɪɪtiz hæv əˈsumd ðət ˈwɪmən ər ˈɔlˌweɪz sɔrt əv ˈstupɪd ənd ðɛr ˈmɛntəl steɪt ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈprɛgnənsi ɪz ðə nɔrm fər ðɛr ˈʤɛndər. ənˈfɔrʧənətli fər ðɪs vˈjuˌpɔɪnt ənd ɪts æˈdhɪrənts, ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈɛvədəns tɪ səˈpɔrt ɪt ˌɪnˈdid, ɔl əˈveɪləbəl ˈɛvədəns pɔɪnts ɪn ə ˈdɪfərənt dɪˈrɛkʃɪn. ɪn əˈbʤɛktɪv tɛsts, ˈwɪmənz ˌɪnəˈlɛkʧuəl əˈbɪləˌtiz ər ðə seɪm ɛz ðoʊz əv mɛn, ənd ɪn səm ˈɛriəz (ˈvərbəl ˈrizənɪŋ ənd ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən, tɪ neɪm ʤɪst tu) ˈwɪmən skɔr haɪər ðən mɛn. ˈkərtəsi fərˈtɪlɪti ənd ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃən ɪn ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈrɛfərəns ˈbjʊroʊ ɪz ðɪs ˈɪʃu ʤərˈmeɪn tɪ ðə ˈtɑpɪk əv wərld ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən? ju bɛt ɪt ɪz. fərst, ˈwɪmən ər ðə ˈfʊlkrəm ɔn wɪʧ ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈɪʃu tərnz. ˈsɛkənd, ɪn səˈsaɪɪtiz wɛr ðeɪ ər fri tɪ spik aʊt, ˈwɪmən ɪkˈsprɛs ə wɪʃ tɪ kənˈtroʊl ðɛr fərˈtɪlɪti, ənd ðɛr ɪz ə strɔŋ ˈwərldˈwaɪd ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃən bɪtˈwin womens*' ˈsoʊʃəl ˈstændɪŋ ənd ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃənəl attainments*, ənd loʊ fərˈtɪlɪti. ðɪs minz, wɪn ˈgɪvɪn ə ʧɔɪs, ˈwɪmən prɪˈfər sˈmɔlər ˈfæməliz, ənd ðə mɔr ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt ənd ˈɛʤəˌkeɪtɪd ə ˈwʊmən ɪz, ðə ˈstrɔŋgər ðɪs ˈprɛfərəns ɪz. ˈsəmˌwən maɪt ˈɑbʤɛkt ənd æsk ɪf ðɪs aɪˈdiə kəˈlaɪdz wɪθ ðə ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən ˈpɛrəˌdɑks woʊnt səʧ ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt, ˈɛʤəˌkeɪtɪd ˈwɪmən wɪθ smɔl ˈfæməliz bi baɪ ˈəðərz (ðə "octomoms*" əv ðə wərld) ənd ˌdɪsəˈpɪr frəm ðə ʤin pul? nɑt ɪf ɔl ˈwɪmən ər ˌgɛrənˈtid ˈikwəl raɪts, ˈikwəl ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃənəl ˌɑpərˈtunətiz, ənd ˈikwəl ˈækˌsɛs tɪ fərˈtɪlɪti kənˈtroʊl ˈmɛʒərz. wɛr ðoʊz raɪts ər ɪn pleɪs, ðə ˈɛʤəˌkeɪtɪd, ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt ˈwʊmən ˈɪzənt baɪ ˈɛniˌwən. əˈnəðər ˈpɑsəbəl əˈbʤɛkʃən: ˈɪzənt ðɪs aɪˈdiə əv ˈikwəl raɪts fər ˈwɪmən ʤɪst əˈnəðər ɪgˈzæmpəl wɛr ˈpipəl traɪ tɪ ˌɪmˈpoʊz ˈsəmθɪŋ ənˈnæʧərəl ɔn ˈneɪʧər? wɛl, noʊ, fər tu ˈrizənz. wən, ðə ˈprɛzənt loʊ ˈstændɪŋ əv ˈwɪmən ɪz dɪˈstɪŋktli ənˈnæʧərəl wɪn kəmˈpɛrd tɪ ɔl əv ˈjumən ˈhɪstəri. tu, ˌɛvəˈluʃən wərks ˈbɛtər wɪn mɔr ˈɔpʃənz ər əˈveɪləbəl ər "dɪˈgriz əv ˈfridəm" tɪ juz ðə ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrɪŋ tərm. ðɪs ˈɪzənt ə ˌpænəˈsiə (ðɛr ˈɑrənt ˈɛni ɪn ˈneɪʧər), bət ɪt ɪz ə weɪ fər ˈjuˈɛs tɪ ˌproʊˈæktɪvˌli wɪθ ˈneɪʧər ənd rɪˈspɛkt hər rulz ənd ˈmɛθədz. ðɪs aɪˈdiə dɪˈzərvz tɪ bi ˈgɪvɪn ə ʧæns, ɛz du ˈwɪmən. prəˈfɛsər ˈlisə ˈrændəl dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˈfɪzɪks ˈhɑrvərd ˌjunəˈvərsəti dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˌjunəˈvərsəti naʊ fər maɪ ˌɔlˈtaɪm pɛt piv, ðə ˌɪˈmæʤəˌnɛri daɪˈkɑtəmi bɪtˈwin ˈgiki, ˈnərdi,, ˈsoʊʃəli ˌɪˈnɛpt ɔn ðə wən hænd, ənd pɔɪzd, ˈhaɪli ˈsoʊʃəl, well-groomed*, ɔn ðə ˈəðər. ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈɪʃu mɔr ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl ɪn ˈkipɪŋ ˈwɪmən daʊn ðən ðə ˌɪˈmæʤəˌnɛri dɪˈvaɪd bɪtˈwin noʊɪŋ haʊ tɪ θɪŋk ənd noʊɪŋ haʊ tɪ dæns. ɪgˈzɛmpləˌfaɪz ðə wərst kaɪnd əv ˈsɛksɪzəm ðə kaɪnd ˈwɪmən ˌvɑlənˈtɪr fər. mɔr wərdz hæv bɪn ˈprɪnɪd ɔn ðɪs wən ˈɪʃu ðən aɪ kɛr tɪ re-read*, bət moʊst meɪk ðə seɪm pɔɪnt ðɛr ˈɑrənt ˈmɛni ˈwɪmən ɪn ˌmæθəˈmætɪks, saɪəns ənd ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrɪŋ, ənd noʊ wən noʊz waɪ. ðoʊz hu ˈɔfər ˈθɪriz əˈbaʊt ɪt tɛnd tɪ gɪt ɪt rɔŋ, səm ˈfɔlsli kənˈkludɪŋ ðət ˈwɪmən hæv noʊ ˈæptəˌtud fər mæθ ənd saɪəns. ðɪs ˈkɑmənli hərd pəˈzɪʃən ˈsəfərz frəm ə ˈmaɪnər ˈdifɛkt ðɛrz noʊ ˈɛvədəns fər ɪt ənd ˈplɛnti əv counterevidence*. əp tɪ ə ˈsərtən eɪʤ, gərlz du ʤɪst ɛz wɛl ɛz (ər ˈbɛtər ðən) bɔɪz ɪn ˈtɛknɪkəl ˈsəbʤɪkts, ðɛn, æt əˈbaʊt eɪʤ 13 puf! ɪn spaɪt əv ðɛr ˈpruvən əˈbɪləˌti, wi si fɑr fjuər gərlz ɪn ədˈvænst mæθ ənd saɪəns ˈklæsɪz. ðə ˈsɪmpləst ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃənz tɛnd tɪ bi ðə raɪt wənz, ənd ɪn ðɪs keɪs ðə ˈsɪmpəl ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən ɪz ʧɔɪs. moʊst ˈwɪmən ʧuz nɑt tɪ ˈɛnər ðiz fildz ər dɪˈvɛləp ən ˈɪntəˌrɛst ɪn ðiz ˈsəbʤɪkts. səm ˈrisərʧərz ˈɑrgju ðət pɪr ˈprɛʃər ənd fɔls ˈsoʊʃəl ˈstɛrioʊˌtaɪps pleɪ ə pɑrt, ənd ðət simz ˈlaɪkli. bət ˌɪˈneɪt əˈbɪləˌti ɪz nɑt ðə ˈprɑbləm. ðɛr ɪz ə səˈprim ˈaɪrəni hir ˈwɪmən hu ʧuz tɪ steɪ əˈweɪ frəm ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl ˈsəbʤɪkts ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ˈɑrgju ðət ðeɪ ər ˈmeɪkɪŋ ə mɔr ˈnæʧərəl, ˈərθi ʧɔɪs ðən ðɛr ˈnərdi ˈklæsˌmeɪts, bət ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti ðɛr ɪz ˈnəθɪŋ mɔr ˈnæʧərəl ər ˈərθi ðən ˌmæθəˈmætɪks, ənd ðə moʊst ˈækjərət ənd rɪˈlaɪəbəl dɪˈskrɪpʃənz əv ˈneɪʧər teɪk ðə fɔrm əv ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl ɪkˈweɪʒənz. aɪ məst æd ðət ˌmæθəˈmætɪks ɪz ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ˈvɛri ˈbjutəfəl, bət ʤɪst ɛz wɪθ faɪn ɑrt, wən məst treɪn wənz pərˈsɛpʃənz tɪ si ðə ˈbjuti. ðə ləˈʤɪstɪk ˈfəŋkʃən ɛz ən ɪgˈzæmpəl, ðə "ləˈʤɪstɪk ˈfəŋkʃən" dɪˈskraɪbz ðə ˈprɑˌgrɛs əv ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈkɑləniz ðət ər feɪst wɪθ ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˈrisɔrsɪz (e.g*. ɔl əv ðɛm). ɪts nɑt ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ðət maɪ ˈridərz ˌəndərˈstænd ðɪs ˈfəŋkʃən ɔn saɪt, ˈoʊnli ðət ðeɪ ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz ðət tɪ ˈsəmˌwən hu ˌəndərˈstændz ˌmæθəˈmætɪks, ðɪs ɪkˈweɪʒən tɛlz ˈjuˈɛs ˈsəmθɪŋ proʊˈfaʊnd ənd ˈbjutəfəl əˈbaʊt ˈneɪʧər, ɪn ə kənˈsaɪs ənd ˈrɪgərəs weɪ. groʊθ ɪn ə ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈkɑləni naʊ lʊk æt ðə græf əv ə ˈtɪpɪkəl ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈkɑləni ɛz ˈmɑdəld baɪ ðə ləˈʤɪstɪk ˈfəŋkʃən. ðə ˈɛriə æt ðə lɛft əv ðə græf ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ə taɪm wɪn ðə ˈkɑləni ɪz ɛˈsɛnʃəli ˌənkənˈstreɪnd ənd kriˈeɪts nu ˈmɛmbərz ɛz fæst ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl. ðə ˈɛriə æt ðə raɪt ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts ə taɪm wɪn ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃənz (e.g*. stɑrˈveɪʃən) prɪˈvɛnt ˈɛni sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən. ɛz ɪt ˈhæpənz, ðə ˈjumən ˈkɑləni ɪz æt əˈbaʊt ðə 100 pɔɪnt ɔn ðə ˌhɔrəˈzɑntəl skeɪl, ˈminɪŋ wi məst du ˈsəmθɪŋ ər ə lɔt mɔr ˈpipəl ər goʊɪŋ tɪ stɑrv. ən əˈmeɪzɪŋ θɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˌmæθəˈmætɪks ɪz ðət wən kʊd raɪt wərdz ɔn ðə ˈtɑpɪk əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən ənd nɑt gɪt kloʊz tɪ wət ðə ləˈʤɪstɪk ˈfəŋkʃən tɛlz ˈjuˈɛs. əˈnəðər, mɔr ˈʤɛnərəl θɪŋ tɪ noʊ əˈbaʊt ˌmæθəˈmætɪks ɪz ðət, ɪf ju doʊnt lərn ɪt, ˈpipəl wɪl səkˈsɛsfəli laɪ tɪ ju fər jʊr ɪnˈtaɪər laɪf. ˈpɛrənˌthʊd ˈɪmɪʤ ˈkərtəsi əv noʊ laɪf ɪkˈspɪriəns kən kəmˈpɛr tɪ ˈpɛrənˌthʊd fər dɪˌsɔriənˈteɪʃən, kənfˈjuʒən ənd ʃɑk ɪts ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl tɪ ˈpɪkʧər ɪn ədˈvæns, ənd ˈhævɪŋ ən ɪkˈspɪriənst ˈpərsən ɪkˈspleɪn wəts goʊɪŋ tɪ ˈhæpən ˈdəzənt sim tɪ du ˈɛni gʊd. ˈfaɪnəli, ˈivɪn wɪn wɔrnd, ˈɔlˌmoʊst noʊ wən ˈhɛzəˌteɪts. ˈvɛtərən ˈpɛrənts ˈtɪpɪkəli rɪˈpɔrt ðət ðɛr ˈʧɪldrənz' ˈtiˌneɪʤ jɪrz wər ðə taɪm ɪn ðɛr lɪvz (fər boʊθ ðə ˈpɛrənts ənd ðə ˈtiˌneɪʤərz). aɪ daʊt ˈmɛni ˈpɛrənts hæv ˈɛni aɪˈdiə wət ðɛr ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈɪntu, ənd aɪ ˈsəˌspɛkt səm wʊd hæv ˈsɛkənd θɔts ɪf ðeɪ kʊd si ðɛr oʊn fˈjuʧər. moʊst ˈpɛrənts doʊnt si ðə kəˈnɛkʃən bɪtˈwin ˌɛvəˈluʃən ənd ˈʧaɪldˌbɛrɪŋ ðeɪ ɪkˈspɛkt tɪ ˈproʊdus ə ˈmɪnɪˌʧʊr ˈvərʒən əv ðɛmˈsɛlvz, bət, ju noʊ, ˈbɛtər sˈmɑrtər, ˈnaɪsər ˈlʊkɪŋ, mɔr even-tempered*. bət ˈʧaɪldˌbɛrɪŋ ɪz ðə ˈmoʊmənt wɪn ˌɛvəˈluʃən roʊlz ɪts daɪs, ənd ɪf ðə ˈaʊtˌkəm wər ɪn ˈɛni weɪ prɪˈdɪktəbəl, ˈʧaɪldˌbɛrɪŋ wʊd nɑt ɪgˈzɪst. tɪ pʊt ðɪs ˈsɪmpli, ˈpɛrənts ɪkˈspɛkt ˈsəmθɪŋ ˌrɛkəgˈnaɪzəbəl, bət ˌɛvəˈluʃən rikˈwaɪərz ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈnɛvər sin ˌbiˈfɔr. aɪ kænt θɪŋk əv ə ˈbɛtər ˈmoʊmənt tɪ lərn əˈbaʊt ˌɛvəˈluʃən, bət ˈpɛrənts ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈnɛvər kənˈsɪdər ðə roʊl əv ˈrændəm mjuˈteɪʃən ənd ˈnæʧərəl səˈlɛkʃən ɪn ðə dɪˈvɛləpmənt ənd bɪˈheɪvjər əv ðɛr oʊn ˈʧɪldrən. ðeɪ doʊnt sim tɪ ˈriəˌlaɪz ðət ən ˌənɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈaʊtˌkəm ɪz ðə ˈrizən fər ˈʧaɪldˌbɛrɪŋ ɪts ðə pɔɪnt, nɑt ə saɪd ˈifɛkt. tɪ pʊt ðɪs ɪn ɪts ˈsɪmpləst tərmz, wɪn jʊr ʧaɪld ˈdəzənt bɪˈheɪv ɛz ju ɪkˈspɛkt, ðæts ˈneɪʧər ˈtɔkɪŋ. ˈpɛrənts' riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti təˈwɔrd ðɛr ˈʧɪldrən ɪz ˈprɑpərli ˈlɪmɪtɪd tɪ prəˈtɛktɪŋ ðɛm frəm ˈɑbviəs ˈdeɪnʤərz, nɑt fər ˈmoʊldɪŋ ðɛm ɪn ðə ˈpɛrənts' ˈɪmɪʤ. bət fər ˈpɛrənts tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd ðɪs, ðeɪ hæv tɪ groʊ əp. kənˈkluʒən aɪ kən si waɪ rɪˈlɪʤəs ˌfəndəˈmɛnəlɪsts wɔnt tɪ ˈaʊˌtlɔ ðə ˈtiʧɪŋ əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪt ɪz ə ˈpaʊərfəl aɪˈdiə wɪθ ˈplɛnti əv səˈpɔrtɪŋ ˈɛvədəns, ənd ɪt prəˈvaɪdz ˈjuˈɛs wɪθ ˈbeɪsɪk truθs əˈbaʊt ɑrˈsɛlvz ðət əˈpɪr tɪ ˌkɑntrəˈdɪkt rɪˈlɪʤəs ˈdɑgmə. noʊ ˈɛʤəˌkeɪtɪd ˈpərsən ɪkˈspɛkts tɪ bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ meɪk ən ˌɪnˈfɔrmd dɪˈsɪʒən əˈbaʊt ˈɛniˌθɪŋ riˈmoʊtli ˌbaɪəˈlɑʤɪkəl wɪˈθaʊt ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ ɪts ˌɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃənz. sɪns ɪts ˌɪnˈsɛpʃən, ə ˈnəmbər əv bæd ˈæktərz hæv ˈteɪkən ˌɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri aɪˈdiəz ənd dɪˈstɔrtɪd ðɛm tɪ əˈkɑmplɪʃ ˈnɛroʊ, ˈsɛlfɪʃ ɛndz, ɛz ɪn ðə ɪgˈzæmpəl əv juˈʤɛnɪks, wɪʧ priˈtɛndz ðət ˈpipəl kən ˈseɪfli dɪˈzaɪn ɑr oʊn fˈjuʧər. bət wi ˈɑrənt kˈwɑləˌfaɪd tɪ du ðət wi məst əˈlaʊ ˈneɪʧər tɪ teɪk hər oʊn kɔrs. ˈəðərz hæv traɪd tɪ juz ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɛz ə ˈkəvər fər ˈreɪˌsɪzəm, bət ðɪs rikˈwaɪərz əˈnəðər dɪˈstɔrʃən, ðə aɪˈdiə ðət ˌɛvəˈluʃən həz ə prɪˈfərd ˈaʊtˌkəm (ɪt ˈdəzənt). ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz nɑt ə ˈstɔri wɪθ ə ˈɛndɪŋ, ənd ɪts nɑt ə plæn wɪθ ə goʊl. ˈprɑpərli ˌəndərˈstʊd, ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz ə ˈbɑtəˌməp ˈprɔˌsɛs ðət wərks bɛst wɪn ɔl ˌpɑsəˈbɪlətiz ər ˌɪnˈkludɪd. ðə ˈkraʊnɪŋ ˈaɪrəni əv ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz ðət ɪts ˈɔfən pərˈzɛnəd ˈoʊnli ɛz "rɛd ɪn tuθ ənd klɔ," bət ɪn truθ ɪts ˈneɪʧərz weɪ tɪ gɪv ˈɛvriˌwən ən ˈikwəl ʧæns. ˌhaʊˈɛvər maɪ ˈridərz fil əˈbaʊt ˌɛvəˈluʃən, ˌwəˈtɛvər vjuz ðeɪ brɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt, ˌbiˈfɔr ˈmeɪkɪŋ ə ˌdɛklərˈeɪʃən ər ˈteɪkɪŋ ə pəˈzɪʃən, maɪ ədˈvaɪs ɪz tɪ lərn ɪt fərst. ˈmɛni ˈpipəl doʊnt ˈæˌkʧuəli ˌəndərˈstænd ˌɛvəˈluʃən ənd ɛnd əp ˈɑrgjuɪŋ əˈbaʊt ɪt frəm ə pəˈzɪʃən əv ˈɪgnərəns. ə ˈkɑlig wəns dɪˈskraɪbd ˈfɪzɪsɪst ˈstivən wərk ɛz "soʊ ˈbjutəfəl ðət ɪt həz tɪ bi tru." ðɪs ɪz ə ˈkɑmɛnt wən ˈɔfən hirz ɪn saɪəns, wɛr ˈθɪriz ðət ˌrikˈwaɪər ˈoʊnli ə fju ˈprɪnsəpəlz tɪ ɪkˈspleɪn ə lɔt ər ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli praɪzd. ˌɛvəˈluʃən ɪz ʤɪst səʧ ə ˈθɪri ɪt ˈjuzɪz ə smɔl ˈhændˌfʊl əv ˈprɪnsəpəlz tɪ ɪkˈspleɪn ə greɪt dil əv ˈneɪʧər. wɪʧ lidz mi tɪ ðɪs ˈkloʊzɪŋ rɪˈmɑrk ɪf rɪˈlɪʤəs ˌfəndəˈmɛnəlɪsts ˈæˌkʧuəli ˌəndərˈstʊd ˌɛvəˈluʃən, ðeɪ wʊd traɪ tɪ gɪv gɑd ˈkrɛdɪt fər ɪt. ˈrɛfərənsɪz ˈfidˌbæk

introduction in evaluating the human condition, it isn't possible to overemphasize the significance of evolutionary theory. this well-supported scientific theory influences our behavior in ways most of us can't begin to imagine. this article explores how evolution provides answers to questions we might not otherwise think to ask. in the past 150 years evolutionary theory has moved from being a philosophical curiosity to becoming a precondition for understanding human behavior. there are certain aspects of our behavior that are easily explained and perfectly logical, while other aspects make no sense at all without the theoretical framework provided by evolution. this article reveals our connection with evolution, and through that connection, with all life on earth. mrsa timeline 1959: methicillin is introduced as an antibiotic. 1961: bacteriologist patricia jevons discovers first methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) in english hospitals. 1968: first report of mrsa in american hospitals in boston. 1974: mrsa accounts for 2% of hospital staph infections in u.s. 1981: first reports of mrsa acquired in the community, while mrsa in hospitals increases steadily. 1997: mrsa accounts for 50% of hospital staph infections. 1998: university of chicago researchers report a 25-fold increase in community-acquired mrsa from 1993 to 1995. during the same period, 35 kids in chicago are hospitalized with community-acquired mrsa. 1999: cdc reports deaths of four otherwise healthy children from community-acquired mrsa. 2002: university of chicago team finds that new cases of community-acquired mrsa are genetically distinct from hospital strains. 2007: cdc estimates that mrsa causes 94,000 severe infections each year, killing 19,000. sources: cdc, university of chicago, barry kreiswirth for the public health research institute center; chicago tribune: jeremy manier disease dangers when first discovered, antibiotics seemed to turn the tide against many historical infectious agents they stopped tuberculosis (tb), bubonic plague and other deadly ailments in their tracks. these treatments appeared to represent an unqualified victory for modern medical practice. but more recently, doctors have seen new bacterial strains spring up that cannot be treated with existing antibiotics, and a variety of tb now exists that is, for all practical purposes, incurable, and so dangerous that some individuals must be locked up to keep them from infecting others. in a related development, hospitals have aggressively used multiple methods including antibiotics to control germs that would otherwise attack patients while they were in the hospital. but those methods have backfired, and more americans now die from hospital-borne staph infections than from aids. as things now stand, for many patients the hospital environment itself poses a greater risk than the disease they're suffering from. what's going on? are drug companies producing less effective drugs? have doctors failed to prescribe antibiotics often enough? the answer to these questions is that we haven't been paying attention to the role played by evolution in this and all biological issues. here are some properties of evolution: in response to environmental changes, organisms either adapt or become extinct. the biological changes behind adaptation originate in random dna mutations. most mutations are harmful and result in reduced fitness, but a minority happen by chance to meet new environmental challenges. to meet new environmental challenges. organisms with beneficial mutations produce more offspring than those with harmful mutations until the fitter group represents the entire population, to be eventually replaced in a continuous process of adaptation. the story of evolution is recorded in individuals and species that represent the best adaptation to their changing environments. evolution is not a gradual move from simple to complex, or from dumb to smart, but is a brutal filter that only notices survival and reproduction. evolution is not a plan, it is an algorithm, one in which random changes sometimes produce successful organisms by chance . . evolution has no final objective or end-point it is not a means to an end, but a process. in the evolutionary narrative, all species are temporary forms. there are now incurable strains of tb, and dangerous staph infections in hospitals, because the original infectious organisms evolved to meet the threat posed by antibiotics. to be specific, the antibiotics killed all the bacteria except a tiny minority that happened to be resistant to antibiotics, and that minority eventually became the entire surviving bacterial population. the tb and staph stories are examples where, by ignoring a powerful, well-supported scientific theory, we have exposed ourselves to incredible danger. some people don't understand evolution but are willing to learn its role in shaping the modern world, while others, by rejecting the very concept of evolution, proactively defend a breathtaking personal level of ignorance that must be witnessed to be believed. unfortunately for all of us, members of the latter group tend to sit on committees that decide what our children may learn in school. charles darwin and gregor mendel about the time darwin shaped his ideas about evolution, an austrian monk named gregor mendel was experimenting with pea plants and noticed certain predictable patterns of inheritance. at that early stage in the history of evolution it could be said that darwin recognized the consequences of adaptation at the species level, while mendel witnessed the result of mixing particular genotypes, but neither saw the big picture or identified the source of genetic information. the true significance, and relatedness, of darwin's and mendel's work was not fully appreciated until long after their passing, in what is called the modern synthesis in biology, crafted between 1936 and 1947. shortly thereafter watson and crick completed the picture by describing the structure of dna. it must be emphasized that the scientific evidence for evolution and natural selection is copious and widespread, and the above examples of quickly evolving bacterial strains, although headline news, are only representative of a large class of similar narratives. as time passes, those who doubt the reality of evolution must ignore a greater corpus of evidence, and accept greater personal risk, in order to defend their ignorance. artificial selection / monocultures people were manipulating genetic outcomes long before genetics was itself understood. one example can be seen in dog breeding, where the wide variety of modern dog types were derived from the wolf by selective breeding. another example is the selective breeding of optimal strains of corn, wheat and soybeans to maximize their yield, robustness and resistance to pests. the dark side of artificial selection can be seen in the story of the irish potato famine. in the 1800s ireland became increasingly dependent on potatoes as a single crop to support its increasing population, and within that crop, a single genetic variety ("lumpers"), with tragic consequences. in retrospect it can be seen that, if a wider variety of potato strains had been allowed to exist, some of them would have been able to resist the blight that destroyed the entire crop for several successive years, resulting in about a million deaths by starvation. the lesson of the irish potato famine has yet to be learned. many modern agricultural strains, seemingly the best choice for a particular growing environment, are monocultures (single genetic strains) and therefore represent ticking biological time bombs. one example is the widespread extinction of the u.s. corn monoculture in the 1980s, resulting in the loss of a billion dollars of agricultural output (but no loss of life). a hidden danger in modern agriculture is pressure to increase yields in order to feed growing populations, which can lead to dependence on a single optimal strain that produces the highest output per acre. it seems we've placed ourselves in the same position as the irish of the 19th century, but because we understand what can happen, we have no excuse. but the largest and potentially most tragic example of monoculture is the "holocene extinction event". although this sounds like one of those geological eras we identify by examining rock strata, the holocene extinction event is happening now, and we are the cause humans are selectively breeding ourselves in a way that excludes thousands of other species, and we are rapidly approaching a monoculture in which humans are the only surviving species. when we look back at the irish potato famine, it's easy to say, "wow, that was stupid! how could those people not realize the risk they were taking in becoming more and more dependent on fewer and fewer biological species?" the unanswered question is whether we will recognize that we're repeating the same mistake on a much larger scale. many people now accept that we are placing ourselves in danger by extinguishing all species but ourselves, but it's much harder to figure out what to do about it. before my readers say, "that's simple all we have to do is reduce our numbers," i have to say no, it's not that simple. read on. the population paradox to briefly recapitulate the first part of this article, evolution is morally neutral and only notices what survives and reproduces, nothing else. the evolution of distinctive traits, however much survival value they appear to have, cannot interfere with the bottom line, which is surviving offspring. the absolute priority of reproductive fitness places firm limits on physical size, resistance to disease, visual acuity, or any other trait one can name, including intelligence. intelligence and survival evolution selects against overdesign a physically large animal like a dinosaur may be able to dominate smaller creatures, but it can be (and ultimately was) outcompeted by smaller creatures who made up in number what they lacked in size. a bird with extraordinarily acute eyesight will only prevail against other species if it can see a mouse other birds cannot see, otherwise the energy cost of maintaining its eyes will select against the trait. just as with physical size and visual acuity, intelligence has an upper practical limit, beyond which the trait reduces fitness and is selected against. this is true at the level of species, but there is a version of this selection process in the lives of individuals that i call the "population paradox". the paradox works like this: eliot spitzer before his fall from grace former new york governoreliot spitzer before his single unemployed welfare mother with a few of her 14 children courtesy "octomom," a.k.a. nadya suleman,single unemployed welfare motherwith a few of her 14 childrencourtesy infdaily.com an intelligent, educated individual explains to his tribe that there are far too many human beings on the planet and that, by increasing our numbers, we risk our own safety and that of our children. on hearing this information, the more intelligent, sensitive, caring listeners resolve to have fewer children. on hearing the same information, the less intelligent, sensitive, caring listeners don't change their behavior. the result is fewer intelligent, sensitive, caring people in the next generation. yes, the population paradox really is as simple as that to put it bluntly, people who care about the state of the planet are outcompeted by those who don't. (these facts cannot be used as an excuse for irresponsible behavior, and we all must think and accept responsibility for our actions. we just have to think more deeply.) transient stupidity some readers may see what appears to be a flaw in the population paradox idea there are some very intelligent people, those people have intelligent, healthy children at least some of the time, and this might stand as a counterexample to the paradox. but because evolution's absolute priority is reproduction, it performs an end run around intelligence and common sense intelligent people continue to have children on a very overcrowded planet by temporarily becoming stupid, and this is not my idea, it's an idea that has been put forth by many people including feminists. one name for this syndrome is "pregnancy brain," a temporary decline in reasoning and memory ability that accompanies pregnancy. but this evolution-mandated drop in intelligence is by no means limited to women. in my opinion and that of many others, we see its most extreme form in men, whose ability to reason plummets to near-zero around the topic of reproduction. consider two examples: eliot spitzer, former governor of new york, former sanctimonious prosecutor, was discovered to have regularly engaged the services of prostitutes in an almost public way, and resigned in disgrace. some who hear this story are inclined to ask, "what was he thinking?" but that question includes an unwarranted assumption that there was any measurable mental activity, at least above the equator. nadya suleman, an unmarried, unemployed mother of six who lives on food stamps, decides six isn't enough and visits a fertility clinic. the fertility clinic, in a breathtaking violation of the hippocratic oath, impregnates her eight times over, and all of them live. as i see it, this is child abuse ipso facto this woman's 14 children are, for all practical purposes, orphans of an apparent clinical narcissist. i can imagine future tell-all books in the tradition of mommie dearest, with memorable mommy-quotes like, "i really, truly, sincerely love you, number 11." consider two examples: free will this section is meant to emphasize the fact that we have no chance to understand human behavior without first understanding evolution. evolution is such a powerful force in our lives that it offers a partial answer to the old question about the existence of free will: we may have free will in some parts of our lives, but as to procreation, we certainly don't. some readers will see an obvious objection to the above claim many people make intelligent decisions about reproduction, and this supports the possibility of free will in all areas of human life, even the most basic and instinctive parts. i must agree that's true, such things do happen, but by making intelligent decisions about reproduction, we remove ourselves from the gene pool. consider this example: an intelligent person (for this example a person possessed of an absurd degree of intelligence with no imaginable practical application) sees a late-night advertisement that exhorts us to feed all the world's starving children. she responds to the advertisement by saying, "that's absurd a program to feed starving people, with no conditions or requirements? that can only lead to many more starving people in the future how humane is that? only the most superficial intellect could fail to see this program can only increase human suffering in the long term." she thinks a bit more and says, "if i choose not to feed those starving people, but proceed to have my own children, then i am a despicable racist and selfish hypocrite. so for reasons of personal integrity i will not have any children." true to her word, our intelligent test subject doesn't have any children. after twenty years have gone by, we see another person watching another advertisement to feed all the world's starving children. unencumbered by even a bit of extra intelligence, she says, "yes! i'll show my compassion and humanity by feeding all those starving people!" conclusion? free will may exist in some areas, but as to reproduction issues, it doesn't we're animals, as freud said (one of the few things he got right). placebo environmentalism the world is heating up everyone can agree on that. now let's just say for the sake of argument that this heating is at least partly caused by human activity (i respect the views of those who disagree, but this is just an example and i don't want to wander away from the topic) and that the consequences of warming may be harmful, so what shall we do about it? here are some recently proposed remedies: scatter iron oxide on the oceans. the iron oxide will support the growth of algae, which will sequester a lot of atmospheric co 2 , the reduced co 2 will decrease global warming. , the reduced co will decrease global warming. launch a bunch of tiny reflectors into earth orbit. the reflectors will bounce sunlight back into space, this will reduce the amount of sunlight that gets to the surface, this will reduce surface heating, which will cool the planet. spread huge reflective sheets across deserts. the sheets will reflect more sunlight back into space than the sand can, this will reduce surface heating, that will decrease global warming. there are many similar proposals, ranging from humorous to harebrained, but i ask my readers to notice what is missing from the list and from environmentalism in general any discussion of world population. to put this in the simplest terms, a warming world is a symptom, world hunger is a symptom, world wars and terrorism are symptoms all symptoms of the underlying disease of overpopulation. we can treat the symptoms, or we can treat the disease. reality testing it is one thing to see that we are emotional hostages of our own fertility, and to notice that discussions of population tend to be profoundly hypocritical (it's always "them" that have too many children), but it is quite another to refuse to even acknowledge the problem. environmental movements that do not address population treat symptoms while ignoring the underlying disease and have little reason to exist. every sanctimonious, green, save-the-whales, recycle-your-cans, wind and solar power movement that won't address population is as much a placebo (a sham treatment with no real effect) as giving a cancer patient a more comfortable pillow instead of surgery. imagine that all the well-intentioned, properly organized environmental causes succeed and our environmental impact is reduced to half its present level half the oil, half the coal, half the nuclear power, etc.. if we were to achieve that spectacular result, we would have to watch our victory be wiped out over the next 60 years as the world's population doubles from its present level. according to international population authorities and assuming the above optimistic environmental forecast, in 60 years we will find ourselves in exactly the same predicament, confronting the same problem we do now. does this sound pessimistic? does it paint too bleak a picture? well, no, not really. according to wikipedia's article on population, "the last one hundred years have seen a rapid increase in population due to medical advances and massive increase in agricultural productivity made possible by the green revolution." translated into everyday terms, before the green revolution children were starving, but the green revolution allowed those starving children to have children of their own, so now we have ... more starving children than there were before (according to unicef, 10 million children under the age of five now starve annually). what an accomplishment. i should add that the green revolution depends to a large extent on monocultures and their attendant risks. within environmental causes, world population is the elephant in the room that no one cares to acknowledge. there are several reasons for this one is that environmentalists who discuss population quickly lose public support (because people much prefer meaningless gestures to personal sacrifices). another is that there is little purpose in discussing population with people who can't imagine their role in the process. a third reason is the perverse effect of the population paradox discussed above, in which open discussion of population issues only changes the composition of the future population, not its size. but don't despair, dear reader there are ways to address these issues. read on. a modest proposal at this point in a typical essay, an author can be relied on to offer one or more hand-waving remedies for all the world's problems. but i don't intend to insult the intelligence of my readers, and this article's topic deserves a better, more realistic treatment. non-starters first let's dismiss things that can't possibly work or that have been tried and failed. racism and eugenics are easy to dismiss because they pretend that we know more than nature and can substitute our own choices for those of evolution if history teaches us anything, it is that we don't, and we can't. genetic algorithms someone will surely object that the above represents a dismissal without substance, so in this digression i will give it a bit more depth. when computer scientists attack a truly complex problem, they sometimes push the programmers out of the way and assign the problem to a "genetic algorithm", a computer method that imitates natural evolution. well-designed genetic algorithms are very effective at solving complex problems and choosing optimal strategies, in ways that even their designers may not fully understand when the process is complete, just as with evolution in nature. traditional software design and problem-solving is organized top-down, that is to say, a broad statement of a problem to be solved is recursively broken down into subtasks. but for many problems the top-down approach simply doesn't work, and a genetic/evolutionary approach produces better results by attacking the problem in a less organized, more bottom-up way. as the discipline of genetic programming has become better-established, its similarity to natural evolution has been recognized by many, indeed much of genetic programming is consciously imitative of natural evolution. the key to the success of both natural and computer evolutionary algorithms is that all options are tested in parallel, without prejudgment, and the quality of the result depends on the algorithm's impartiality. to put this another way, the best evolutionary algorithms measure only results, not how the results are achieved. it would be nice if human societies worked this way, but we aren't there yet. suffice it to say that impartial algorithms produce the best results. back to non-starters. in deciding what to do about certain human problems and in my opinion, we should avoid assuming that our choices can stand in for those of nature. this obviously can't work for all problems, but as to fundamental issues like the size of the human population, we need to stop assuming we can outwit nature. self-determination readers may recall an earlier comment about a measurable decline in reasoning powers during pregnancy. as it happens and for reasons of their own, some societies have assumed that women are always sort of stupid and their mental state during pregnancy is the norm for their gender. unfortunately for this viewpoint and its adherents, there is no evidence to support it indeed, all available evidence points in a different direction. in objective tests, women's intellectual abilities are the same as those of men, and in some areas (verbal reasoning and calculation, to name just two) women score higher than men. courtesy fertility and education in womencourtesy the population reference bureau is this issue germane to the topic of world population? you bet it is. first, women are the fulcrum on which the population issue turns. second, in societies where they are free to speak out, women express a wish to control their fertility, and there is a strong worldwide correlation between womens' social standing and educational attainments, and low fertility. this means, when given a choice, women prefer smaller families, and the more intelligent and educated a woman is, the stronger this preference is. someone might object and ask if this idea collides with the population paradox won't such intelligent, educated women with small families be outcompeted by others (the "octomoms" of the world) and disappear from the gene pool? not if all women are guaranteed equal rights, equal educational opportunities, and equal access to fertility control measures. where those rights are in place, the educated, intelligent woman isn't outcompeted by anyone. another possible objection: isn't this idea of equal rights for women just another example where people try to impose something unnatural on nature? well, no, for two reasons. one, the present low standing of women is distinctly unnatural when compared to all of human history. two, evolution works better when more options are available or "degrees of freedom" to use the engineering term. this isn't a panacea (there aren't any in nature), but it is a way for us to proactively coöperate with nature and respect her rules and methods. this idea deserves to be given a chance, as do women. professor lisa randall department of physics harvard university department of physicsharvard university geekophobia now for my all-time pet peeve, the imaginary dichotomy between geeky, nerdy, pocket-protector-wearing, socially inept mostly-males on the one hand, and poised, highly social, well-groomed, earth-mother mostly-females on the other. there is no issue more influential in keeping women down than the imaginary divide between knowing how to think and knowing how to dance. geekophobia exemplifies the worst kind of sexism the kind women volunteer for. more words have been printed on this one issue than i care to re-read, but most make the same point there aren't many women in mathematics, science and engineering, and no one knows why. those who offer theories about it tend to get it wrong, some falsely concluding that women have no aptitude for math and science. this commonly heard position suffers from a minor defect there's no evidence for it and plenty of counterevidence. up to a certain age, girls do just as well as (or better than) boys in technical subjects, then, at about age 13, poof! in spite of their proven ability, we see far fewer girls in advanced math and science classes. the simplest explanations tend to be the right ones, and in this case the simple explanation is ... choice. most women choose not to enter these fields or develop an interest in these subjects. some researchers argue that peer pressure and false social stereotypes play a part, and that seems likely. but innate ability is not the problem. there is a supreme irony here women who choose to stay away from mathematical subjects sometimes argue that they are making a more natural, earthy choice than their nerdy pocket-protector-wearing classmates, but in reality there is nothing more natural or earthy than mathematics, and the most accurate and reliable descriptions of nature take the form of mathematical equations. i must add that mathematics is sometimes very beautiful, but just as with fine art, one must train one's perceptions to see the beauty. the logistic function as an example, the "logistic function" describes the progress of biological colonies that are faced with limited resources (e.g. all of them). it's not important that my readers understand this function on sight, only that they recognize that to someone who understands mathematics, this equation tells us something profound and beautiful about nature, in a concise and rigorous way. growth in a biological colony now look at the graph of a typical biological colony as modeled by the logistic function. the area at the left of the graph represents a time when the colony is essentially unconstrained and creates new members as fast as possible. the area at the right represents a time when environmental limitations (e.g. starvation) prevent any significant increase in population. as it happens, the human colony is at about the "100" point on the horizontal scale, meaning we must do something or a lot more people are going to starve. an amazing thing about mathematics is that one could write 100,000 words on the topic of evolution and not get close to what the logistic function tells us. another, more general thing to know about mathematics is that, if you don't learn it, people will successfully lie to you for your entire life. parenthood image courtesy of makinglemonade.com no life experience can compare to parenthood for disorientation, confusion and shock it's almost impossible to picture in advance, and having an experienced person explain what's going to happen doesn't seem to do any good. finally, even when warned, almost no one hesitates. veteran parents typically report that their childrens' teenage years were the unhappiest time in their lives (for both the parents and the teenagers). i doubt many parents have any idea what they're getting into, and i suspect some would have second thoughts if they could see their own future. most parents don't see the connection between evolution and childbearing they expect to produce a miniature version of themselves, but, you know, better smarter, nicer looking, more even-tempered. but childbearing is the moment when evolution rolls its dice, and if the outcome were in any way predictable, childbearing would not exist. to put this simply, parents expect something recognizable, but evolution requires something never seen before. i can't think of a better moment to learn about evolution, but parents almost never consider the role of random mutation and natural selection in the development and behavior of their own children. they don't seem to realize that an unexpected outcome is the reason for childbearing it's the point, not a side effect. to put this in its simplest terms, when your child doesn't behave as you expect, that's nature talking. parents' responsibility toward their children is properly limited to protecting them from obvious dangers, not for molding them in the parents' image. but for parents to understand this, they have to grow up. conclusion i can see why religious fundamentalists want to outlaw the teaching of evolution it is a powerful idea with plenty of supporting evidence, and it provides us with basic truths about ourselves that appear to contradict religious dogma. no educated person expects to be able to make an informed decision about anything remotely biological without understanding its evolutionary implications. since its inception, a number of bad actors have taken evolutionary ideas and distorted them to accomplish narrow, selfish ends, as in the example of eugenics, which pretends that people can safely design our own future. but we aren't qualified to do that we must allow nature to take her own course. others have tried to use evolution as a cover for racism, but this requires another distortion, the idea that evolution has a preferred outcome (it doesn't). evolution is not a story with a fairy-tale ending, and it's not a plan with a goal. properly understood, evolution is a bottom-up process that works best when all possibilities are included. the crowning irony of evolution is that it's often presented only as "red in tooth and claw," but in truth it's nature's way to give everyone an equal chance. however my readers feel about evolution, whatever views they bring to the subject, before making a declaration or taking a position, my advice is to ... learn it first. many people don't actually understand evolution and end up arguing about it from a position of ignorance. a colleague once described physicist stephen hawking's work as "so beautiful that it has to be true." this is a comment one often hears in science, where theories that require only a few principles to explain a lot are particularly prized. evolution is just such a theory it uses a small handful of principles to explain a great deal of nature. which leads me to this closing remark if religious fundamentalists actually understood evolution, they would try to give god credit for it. references feedback

ɪts əˈbaʊt taɪm. ˈæftər jɪrz əv ˈwɑʧɪŋ ðɛr ˈɪnˌkəmz goʊ ˈnoʊˌwɛr, əˈmɛrɪkəz ˈmɪdəl klæs ˈfaɪnəli gɑt ə bɪg reɪz læst jɪr. ˈmidiən ˈhaʊsˌhoʊld ˈɪnˌkəm roʊz tɪ ɪn 2015 əp frəm ə jɪr ˈərliər, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈdætə riˈlist baɪ ðə juz. ˈsɛnsəs ˈbjʊroʊ ˈtuzˌdeɪ. ɪt mɑrks ðə fərst ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ˈmidiən ˈɪnˌkəm sɪns 2007 ðə jɪr ˌbiˈfɔr ðə greɪt ˌriˈsɛʃən ˈstɑrtɪd. ˈɔlsoʊ, ðə ˈpɑvərti reɪt tɪkt daʊn tɪ ɪn 2015 frəm ə jɪr ˈərliər. ənd, ðə ʃɛr əv ðoʊz wɪˈθaʊt hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns drɑpt bɪˈloʊ 10 ðæts ðə fərst taɪm ɔl θri ˈmɛʒərz hæv ˌɪmˈpruvd ɪn ˈnɪrli tu ˈdɛkeɪdz, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈsɛnər ɔn ˈbəʤɪt ənd ˈpɑləsi praɪˈɔrətiz. ðə ˈdætə ɪz ʃʊr tɪ bɪˈkəm ə ˈtɔkɪŋ pɔɪnt ɪn ðə 2016 ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl ɪˈlɛkʃən. ˈdɑnəld trəmp həz rɪˈpitɪdli ˈhæmərd hoʊm ðət ˈɪnˌkəm ɪz loʊər ðən ɪt wɑz ɪn 2000 (ðæts tru ɪf ju ər kəmˈpɛrɪŋ ɪt tɪ 2014 ˈdætə, wɪʧ hæd bɪn ðə moʊst ˈrisənt əˈveɪləbəl. bət trəmp ˈɔfən ˈrɛfərənst ɪt ɛz ˈkɑrənt ˈfɪgjərz, wɪʧ meɪks ɪt fɔls.) ˈhɪləri ˈklɪntən, ˈminˌwaɪl, wɪl ˈlaɪkli juz ðə ˈəpˌtɪk tɪ ʃoʊ ðət ðə ɪˈkɑnəmi ɪz rɪˈkəvərɪŋ. ˈmidiən ˈɪnˌkəm: ðə ʤəmp ɪn ˈmidiən ˈɪnˌkəm wɑz wən əv ðə ˈlɑrʤəst ˈænjuəl ˌɪnˈkrisɪz ˈsɛnsəs həz rɪˈkɔrdɪd. ðə groʊθ wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ ˈwaɪdˈsprɛd, wɪθ ˌʤiəˈgræfɪk ˈriʤənz ənd ˈreɪsɪz (ɪkˈsɛpt fər ˈeɪʒənz) siɪŋ ˌɪnˈkrisɪz. rɪˈleɪtɪd: trəmps ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk spiʧ: ˈsiˈɛˈnɛnz ˌriˈæləˌti ʧɛk tim vɛts ðə kleɪmz bɪˈhaɪnd ðə peɪ haɪk ɪz ðə bɪg ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ɪmˈplɔɪmənt, ˈsɛnsəs əˈfɪʃəlz sɛd. səm ˈmɪljən mɔr əˈmɛrɪkənz wər ˈwərkɪŋ ˈfʊlˌtaɪm, year-round*, ˈpʊʃɪŋ əp ˈmidiən ˈɪnˌkəm. səm ˈmɪljən mɔr mɛn ənd 1 ˈmɪljən mɔr ˈwɪmən hæd ʤɑbz læst jɪr. "strɔŋ ˈleɪbər ˈmɑrkɪts meɪk ə bɪg ˈdɪfərəns ɪn ˈhɛlpɪŋ tɪ kəˈnɛkt loʊ- ənd ˈmɪdəˌlɪnkəm ˈwərkɪŋ ˈfæməliz tɪ ðə ˈbrɔdər ɪˈkɑnəmi," sɛd ˈʤɛrɪd ˈbərnstin, ˈsinjər ˈfɛloʊ æt ðə ˈsɛnər ɔn ˈbəʤɪt ənd ˈpɑləsi praɪˈɔrətiz. ðə ˈænjuəl ˌənɪmˈplɔɪmənt reɪt fɛl tɪ ɪn 2015 kəmˈpɛrd tɪ ðə praɪər jɪr. ðə ʤəmp ʃoʊz ðət ðə ɪˈkɑnəmi ɪz ˌɪmˈpruvɪŋ, sɛd ˈʃɛldən ˈdænzɪgər, ˈprɛzɪdənt əv ðə ˈrəsəl seɪʤ faʊnˈdeɪʃən, ə ˈrisərʧ grup ˈfoʊkɪsɪŋ ɔn ˈsoʊʃəl ˈɪʃuz. rɪˈleɪtɪd: 'taɪd həz ˈbeɪgən tɪ tərn' ɔn ˈmɪdəl klæs ʤɑbz ˈmɛʒərz ðət "ɪnˈkərəʤ ˌɪnˈkrist ɪmˈplɔɪmənt, ˌɪnˈkrist ˈweɪʤɪz ənd ˌɪnˈkrist hɛlθ ər bɪˈgɪnɪŋ tɪ peɪ ɔf ənd ˈfaɪnəli ˈmætər," sɛd ˈdænzɪgər, ˈsaɪtɪŋ ˈmɪnəməm weɪʤ ˌɪnˈkrisɪz ənd ˈmɛdəˌkeɪd ɪkˈspænʧən ɛz ɪgˈzæmpəlz. ðə əˈmɛrɪkənz sɔ ðɛr ˈɪnˌkəmz raɪz ðə moʊst, waɪl ðə tɔp 10 həz ðə ˈwikəst groʊθ. ˈbrɔdli beɪst ˈɪnˌkəm geɪnz, ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli æt ðə ˈbɑtəm. (sɔrs: https://t.co/8tbij0xaut*) ˈʤəstɪn (@justinwolfers*) sɛpˈtɛmbər 13 2016 stɪl, ðə ˈneɪʃən ˈhæzənt ˈfʊli hild. ˈɪnˌkəm rɪˈmeɪnz loʊər ðən ɪt wɑz ɪn 2000 wɪn ɪt hɪt ənd bɪˈloʊ ðə 1999 pik æt ˈmidiən ˈərnɪŋz fər mɛn ˈwərkɪŋ ˈfʊlˌtaɪm ər stɪl loʊər ðən ðeɪ wər ɪn ðə 1970s*, ˈdænzɪgər sɛd. ˈwɪmən hæv fɛrd ˈbɛtər. ðɛr ˈərnɪŋz ər əp sɪns 2000 əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈpɑləsi ˈɪnstɪˌtut. mɛnz ər daʊn ˈoʊvər ðə seɪm ˈpɪriəd. ˈɪnˌkəm ˌɪnɪkˈwɑləti, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, rɪˈmeɪnd æt ðə seɪm ˈlɛvəl ɛz 2014 ɪt həz ˌɪnˈkrist sɪns 1993 rɪˈleɪtɪd: wərld ˈlidərz: wi məst ˈtækəl ˈɪnˌkəm ˌɪnɪkˈwɑləti ˈpɑvərti: ðə ˈpɑvərti reɪt ɪz ðə loʊəst ɪts bɪn sɪns 2008 wɪn ɪt wɑz səm ˈmɪljən əˈmɛrɪkənz wər ɪn ˈpɑvərti læst jɪr, ˈmɪljən lɛs ðən ɪn 2014 ðə læst taɪm ðə ˈpɑvərti reɪt wɛnt daʊn mɔr ðən ə pərˈsɛnɪʤ pɔɪnt wɑz ɪn ðə leɪt 1960s*, ˈdænzɪgər sɛd. ɔl eɪʤ grups ˈʧɪldrən, ˈædəlts ənd ˈsinjər ˈsɪtɪzənz sɔ ðɛr ʃɛr drɔp. waɪl ðə ˈpɑvərti reɪt fɛl fər ɔl ˈreɪsɪz, ɪt rɪˈmeɪnz haɪ əˈməŋ ˈpipəl əv ˈkələr. səm əv blæks ənd əv hɪˈspænɪks wər ɪn ˈpɑvərti læst jɪr, waɪl ˈoʊnli əv waɪts wər. ðə ˈpɑvərti θˈrɛˌʃoʊld fər tu ˈædəlts ənd tu ˈʧɪldrən wɑz ʤɪst ˈoʊvər læst jɪr. trəmp ˈɔlsoʊ ˈrɛfərənsɪz ðə ˈpɑvərti reɪt tɪ ʃoʊ ðət əˈmɛrɪkənz hæv ˈsəfərd ˈəndər ˈprɛzɪdənt ˌoʊˈbɑmə. ðə reɪt wɑz æt ɪn 2007 ˌbiˈfɔr ðə greɪt ˌriˈsɛʃən hɪt. ɪt ʤəmpt tɪ ɪn 2010 ənd həz sˈloʊli ˈdrɪftɪd ˈdaʊnwərd sɪns. ðə ˈsɛnsəs ˈbjʊroʊ ˈɔlsoʊ riˈlist ən ˈɔltərˌneɪt ˈpɑvərti ˈmɛʒər ðət teɪks ˈɪntu əˈkaʊnt ˈvɛriəs ˈgəvərnmənt ˈbɛnəfɪts ənd ɪkˈspɛnsɪz nɑt ˈkæpʧərd baɪ ðə əˈfɪʃəl ˈpɑvərti reɪt. ðə ˈsoʊˈkɔld ˌsəpləˈmɛntəl ˈpɑvərti ˈmɛʒər ʃoʊd əv əˈmɛrɪkənz wər ɪn ˈpɑvərti ɪn 2015 kəmˈpɛrd tɪ ə jɪr ˈərliər. rɪˈleɪtɪd: ˈmɪdəl klæs ˈweɪʤɪz ʤəmp bət ˈʤɛndər gæp pərˈsɪsts ðə ˌsəpləˈmɛntəl ˈmɛʒər ʃoʊd ðət ˈnɑnˈkæʃ ˈpəblɪk əˈsɪstəns, səʧ ɛz fud stæmps, ˈhaʊzɪŋ ˈvaʊʧərz ənd rɪˈfəndəbəl tæks ˈkrɛdɪts, hɛlpt lɪft ˈmɛni əˈmɛrɪkənz aʊt əv ˈpɑvərti. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪt ˈɔlsoʊ teɪks ˈɪntu əˈkaʊnt kɔsts səʧ ɛz ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən ənd ʧaɪld kɛr, ɛz wɛl ɛz ˈmɛdɪkəl ənd tæks ɪkˈspɛnsɪz, wɪʧ ɔl təˈgɛðər droʊv mɔr ˈpipəl ˈɪntu ˈpɑvərti. ˈsoʊʃəl sɪˈkjʊrəti kɛpt ˈmɪljən ˈpipəl aʊt əv ˈpɑvərti ɪn 2015 waɪl fud stæmps ˈlɪftɪd ˈmɪljən ˈpipəl əˈbəv ðə ˈpɑvərti laɪn, ðə ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈpɑləsi ˈɪnstɪˌtut ˈnoʊtɪd. hɛlθ ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns: ðə ˌənɪnˈʃʊrd reɪt fɛl tɪ ɪn 2015 əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈsɛnsəs ˈbjʊroʊ. ðæts daʊn frəm ðə jɪr ˌbiˈfɔr, wɪn ðə ɪksˈʧeɪnʤɪz ənd ˈmɛdəˌkeɪd ɪkˈspænʧən bɪˈgæn. səm 29 ˈmɪljən wər wɪˈθaʊt ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns læst jɪr, kəmˈpɛrd tɪ 33 ˈmɪljən ɪn 2014 ðə ˌənɪnˈʃʊrd reɪt həz drɑpt ɛz ˈmɪljənz əv əˈmɛrɪkənz geɪnd ˈkəvərɪʤ ˈəndər. mɔr ˈrisənt ˈgəvərnmənt ˈdætə faʊnd ðət ðə ˌənɪnˈʃʊrd reɪt fɛl tɪ ɪn ðə fərst kˈwɔrtər əv ðɪs jɪr. səm ˈmɪljən ˈpipəl lækt hɛlθ ˈkəvərɪʤ, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈnæʃənəl hɛlθ ˈɪntərvˌju ˈsərˌveɪ, ˈpəblɪʃt baɪ ðə ˈsɛnərz fər dɪˈziz kənˈtroʊl ənd priˈvɛnʃən.

it's about time. after years of watching their incomes go nowhere, america's middle class finally got a big raise last year. median household income rose to $56,516 in 2015, up 5.2% from a year earlier,ording to data released by the u.s. census bureau tuesday. it marks the first increase in median income since 2007, the year before the great recession started. also, the poverty rate ticked down to 13.5% in 2015, from 14.8% a year earlier. and, the share of those without health insurance dropped below 10%. that's the first time all three measures have improved in nearly two decades,ording to the center on budget and policy priorities. the data is sure to become a talking point in the 2016 presidential election. donald trump has repeatedly hammered home that income is $4,000 lower than it was in 2000. (that's true if you are comparing it to 2014 data, which had been the most recent available. but trump often referenced it as current figures, which makes it false.) hillary clinton, meanwhile, will likely use the uptick to show that the economy is recovering. median income: the jump in median income was one of the largest annual increases census has recorded. the growth was also widespread, with geographic regions and races (except for asians) seeing increases. related: trump's economic speech: cnn's reality check team vets the claims behind the pay hike is the big increase in employment, census officials said. some 3.3 million more americans were working full-time, year-round, pushing up median income. some 1.4 million more men and 1 million more women had jobs last year. "strong labor markets make a big difference in helping to connect low- and middle-income working families to the broader economy," said jared bernstein, senior fellow at the center on budget and policy priorities. the annual unemployment rate fell to 5.3% in 2015, compared to 6.2% the prior year. the jump shows that the economy is improving, said sheldon danziger, president of the russell sage foundation, a research group focusing on social issues. related: 'tide has begun to turn' on middle class jobs measures that "encourage increased employment, increased wages and increased health are beginning to pay off and finally matter," said danziger, citing minimum wage increases and medicaid expansion as examples. the lowest-income americans saw their incomes rise the most, while the top 10% has the weakest growth. broadly based income gains, particularly at the bottom. (source: https://t.co/8tbij0xaut) pic.twitter.com/5vl0fgaz4j — justin wolfers (@justinwolfers) september 13, 2016 still, the nation hasn't fully healed. income remains 1.6% lower than it was in 2000, when it hit $57,790, and 2.4% below the 1999 peak at $57,909. median earnings for men working full-time are still lower than they were in the 1970s, danziger said. women have fared better. their earnings are up 7.8% since 2000,ording to the left-leaning economic policy institute. men's are down 0.1% over the same period. income inequality, however, remained at the same level as 2014. it has increased 5.5% since 1993. related: world leaders: we must tackle income inequality poverty: the poverty rate is the lowest it's been since 2008, when it was 13.2%. some 43.1 million americans were in poverty last year, 3.5 million less than in 2014. the last time the poverty rate went down more than a percentage point was in the late 1960s, danziger said. all age groups -- children, adults and senior citizens -- saw their share drop. while the poverty rate fell for all races, it remains high among people of color. some 24.1% of blacks and 21.4% of hispanics were in poverty last year, while only 9.1% of non-hispanic whites were. the poverty threshold for two adults and two children was just over $24,000 last year. trump also references the poverty rate to show that americans have suffered under president obama. the rate was at 12.5% in 2007, before the great recession hit. it jumped to 15.1% in 2010 and has slowly drifted downward since. the census bureau also released an alternate poverty measure that takes intoount various government benefits and expenses not captured by the official poverty rate. the so-called supplemental poverty measure showed 14.3% of americans were in poverty in 2015, compared to 15.3% a year earlier. related: middle class wages jump but gender gap persists the supplemental measure showed that non-cash public assistance, such as food stamps, housing vouchers and refundable tax credits, helped lift many americans out of poverty. however, it also takes intoount work-related costs such as transportation and child care, as well as medical and tax expenses, which all together drove more people into poverty. social security kept 26.6 million people out of poverty in 2015, while food stamps lifted 4.6 million people above the poverty line, the economic policy institute noted. health insurance: the uninsured rate fell to 9.1% in 2015,ording to the census bureau. that's down from 10.4% the year before, when the obamacare exchanges and medicaid expansion began. some 29 million were without insurance last year, compared to 33 million in 2014. the uninsured rate has dropped as millions of americans gained coverage under obamacare. more recent government data found that the uninsured rate fell to 8.6% in the first quarter of this year. some 27.3 million people lacked health coverage,ording to the national health interview survey, published by the centers for disease control and prevention.

ðə məˈʤɔrəti əv ˈrisərʧ həz ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn haʊ ðə breɪn kəmˈpjuts dɪˈsɪʒənz ˈoʊvər ˈaʊtˌkəmz ðət ər ˈpɑzətɪv ɪn ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, məʧ lɛs ɪz noʊn əˈbaʊt haʊ ðə breɪn ˈɪnəˌgreɪts ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən wɪn ɔl ˈpɑsəbəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz ɪn ə dɪˈsɪʒən ər ˈnɛgətɪv. tɪ ˈstədi dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ ˈoʊvər ˈnɛgətɪv ˈaʊtˌkəmz, wi juzd əˈlɔŋ wɪθ ə tæsk ɪn wɪʧ pɑrˈtɪsəpənts hæd tɪ əkˈsɛpt ər ˈriʤɛkt ˈlɑtəriz ðət kʊd rɪˈzəlt ɪn mɔr ər fjuər ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks kəmˈpɛrd tɪ ə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt. wi haɪˈpɑθəˌsaɪzd ðət biˈheɪvjərəli, pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wʊd trit fjuər ʃɑks frəm ðə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt ɛz ə geɪn, ənd mɔr ʃɑks frəm ðə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt ɛz ə lɔs. ˈfərðərˌmɔr, wi haɪˈpɑθəˌsaɪzd ðət ðɪs wʊd bi rɪˈflɛktɪd baɪ ə ˈgreɪtər boʊld rɪˈspɑns tɪ ðə ˈprɑspɛkt əv fjuər ʃɑks ɪn ˈriʤənz ˈtɪpɪkəli əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ geɪn, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ðə ˈvɛntrəl ənd ˈkɔrtɛks. ðə bɪˈheɪvjərəl ˈdætə səˈʤɛst ðət pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ɪn ɑr ˈstədi vjud ɔl ˈaʊtˌkəmz ɛz ˈlɔsɪz, dɪˈspaɪt ɑr əˈtɛmpt tɪ ˌɪnˈdus ə ˈstætəs kwoʊ. wi faɪnd ðət ðə ˈvɛntrəl ʃoʊd ən ˌɪnˈkris ɪn boʊld rɪˈspɑns tɪ ˈbɛtər pəˈtɛnʃəl ˈgæmbəlz (i.e*., fjuər ɪkˈspɛktɪd ʃɑks). ðɪs lɛndz ˈɛvədəns tɪ ðə aɪˈdiə ðət ðə ˈvɛntrəl ɪz nɑt ˈsoʊəli riˈspɑnsəbəl fər rɪˈwɔrd ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ bət ðət ɪt maɪt ˈɔlsoʊ ˈsɪgnəl ðə ˈrɛlətɪv ˈvælju əv ən ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈaʊtˌkəm ər ˈækʃən, rəˈgɑrdləs əv ˈwɛðər ðə ˈaʊtˌkəm ɪz ɪnˈtaɪərli ər əˈvərsəv. wi ˈɔlsoʊ faɪnd ə ˈgreɪtər rɪˈspɑns tɪ wərs ˈgæmbəlz ɪn ˈriʤənz ˈpriviəsli əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ əˈvərsəv væljuˈeɪʃən, səˈʤɛstɪŋ ən əˈpoʊzɪŋ bət ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəs væljuˈeɪʃən ˈsɪgnəl tɪ ðət kənˈveɪd baɪ ðə. tɪ tɛst ðiz haɪˈpɑθəˌsiz, wi juzd əˈlɔŋ wɪθ ə ˈgæmbəlɪŋ tæsk ˌɪnˈvɑlvɪŋ ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks. ɪn ə ˈmænər ˈsɪmələr tɪ ðət ɪn ðə tæsk juzd baɪ tɑm ɛt æl. 2007 pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wər æst tɪ əkˈsɛpt ər ˈriʤɛkt ə ˈgæmbəl əv ““more”*” ər ““fewer”*” ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks kəmˈpɛrd tɪ ə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt ðət ðeɪ rɪˈsivd æt ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ əv iʧ traɪəl. ɪf pɑrˈtɪsəpənts rɪˈʤɛktɪd ðə ˈgæmbəl, ðeɪ rɪˈsivd ðə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt əv ʃɑks. ɪf ðeɪ ækˈsɛptɪd ðə ˈgæmbəl, ðeɪ ˈiðər rɪˈsivd ““more”*” ər ““fewer”*” ʃɑks frəm ðə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt. ˈjuzɪŋ ðɪs tæsk, wi ˈtɛstɪd ˈwɛðər participants’*’ ʧɔɪs bɪˈheɪvjər wɑz kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ən ˌædəpˈteɪʃən əv ðɛr ˈstætəs kwoʊ tɪ ðə ˈrɛfərəns ˈlɛvəl əv ʃɑks. ɑr æˈnælɪsɪs əv ðə ˈdætə ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn ðə ˈpɪriəd ɪn wɪʧ pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd ˈwɛðər tɪ əkˈsɛpt ər ˈriʤɛkt ðiz ˈlɑtəriz. ðɪs əˈlaʊd ˈjuˈɛs tɪ aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ ˈriʤənz ˌɪnˈvɑlvd spəˈsɪfɪkli ɪn dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ ɛz əˈpoʊzd tɪ ðə ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən əv ðə ˈaʊtˌkəmz. ðɛr ɪz səm ˈɛvədəns ðət ðə ənd ˈəðər ˈstrəkʧərz ər ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn boʊθ geɪn ənd lɔs ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ (dɛlˈgɑdoʊ ɛt æl., 2003 ˈsimɔr ɛt æl., 2007 tɑm ɛt æl., 2007 ˌhaʊˈɛvər, moʊst əv ðiz ˈstədiz ˈpɪtɪd ə pəˈtɛnʃəl geɪn əˈgɛnst ə lɔs, juzd ə ˈmidiəm ðət ɪz ˈʤɛnərəli rɪˈwɔrdɪŋ (ˈməni), ər ˈfoʊkɪst ˈsoʊəli ɔn ðə ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən əv ðə geɪn ər lɔs, ənd ðəs ɪt ɪz nɑt klɪr ðət wɪn ɔl ˈaʊtˌkəmz ər ˈnɛgətɪv, ˈwɛðər ðə ˈsɪstəm wʊd stɪl bi ɪnˈgeɪʤd ər ˈwɛðər ə ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˈsɪstəm wʊd pərˈfɔrm ðə dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ. səm ˈrisərʧ səˈʤɛsts ðət ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən ənd ɪkˈspɪriəns əv əˈvərsəv ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ ˈæktəˌveɪt ðə (ləˈbɑr ɛt æl., 1998 bɛˈʧɛrɑ ɛt æl., 2001 ˈʤɛnsən ɛt æl., 2003 ˈsimɔr ɛt æl., 2004 ˌɪnˈdid, ðɛr ər ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃənz əv ˈnʊrɑnz ðət rɪˈspɑnd tɪ əˈvərsəv ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ ɛt æl., 2006 mɑtsuˈmoʊtoʊ ənd hikosaka*, 2009 ðəs, wi haɪˈpɑθəˌsaɪzd ðət ðə ˈsɪstəm ˈɔlsoʊ ˈprɑsɛsəz ðə ˈvælju əv ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ ˈprɔˌsɛs ˌɪtˈsɛlf, ɛz əˈpoʊzd tɪ ˈsoʊəli ðə ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən əv ðə ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ. fər ˈpeɪnfəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz (ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks), wi prɪˈdɪktɪd ðət fjuər ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks frəm ə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt wʊd bi vjud ɛz ə ““gain”*” ənd mɔr ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks ɛz ə ““loss.”*.” ˈfərðərˌmɔr, wi prɪˈdɪktɪd ðət ðə ˈvɛntrəl wʊd bi ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ ““gains”*” (fjuər ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks) ˈivɪn ðoʊ ðə ˈoʊvərˌɔl ˈaʊtˌkəm ˈmidiəm wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz ənˈplɛzənt. ˈmɛni ril wərld dɪˈsɪʒənz ˌɪnˈvɑlv ðə ˌpɑsəˈbɪləˌti əv boʊθ gʊd ənd bæd ˈaʊtˌkəmz, bət ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ðə ˈʧɔɪsɪz ər bɪtˈwin bæd ənd wərs. kənˈsɪdər, fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, ən ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl hu ˈpərʧəsɪz ə sɛl foʊn plæn ˈoʊnli tɪ ˈriəˌlaɪz ðət ðə rɪˈsɛpʃən wɪθ ðət ˈkɛriər ɪz ˈtɛrəbəl. ðə ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl ɪz ðɛn feɪst wɪθ ðə dɪˈsɪʒən tɪ ˈiðər steɪ wɪθ ðə ˈkɛriər ənd ˈsəfər bæd rɪˈsɛpʃən, ər peɪ ən ɪgˈzɔrbɪtənt ˌkænsəˈleɪʃən fi. ɪn ˈiðər keɪs, ðə ˈaʊtˌkəm ɪz bæd. ðə ˈrisənt ˈædˌvɛnt əv həz brɔt nu ˈmɛθədz əv æˈnælɪsɪs tɪ ðə ˈstədi əv ˈjumən dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ, bət ðə væst məˈʤɔrəti əv ðiz ˈstədiz hæv ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn dɪˈsɪʒənz ɪn wɪʧ ɔl ˈpɑsəbəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz ər (ˈnutsən ɛt æl., 2001 məˈklur ɛt æl., 2004 ənd əˈsɑd, 2006 ɛt æl., 2006 ˈtoʊbələr ɛt æl., 2007 bət bɪˈkəz ˈrɛlətɪvli fju ˈstədiz hæv ɪgˈzæmənd dɪˈsɪʒənz meɪd ɪnˈtaɪərli ɪn ðə doʊˈmeɪn əv ˈlɔsɪz, ɪt ɪz nɑt klɪr haʊ ðə breɪn ˈrɛlətɪv ˈvælju wɪn ɔl əv ðə ˈaʊtˌkəmz ər bæd. wən haɪˈpɑθəsəs rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ væljuˈeɪʃən ɪn ðə breɪn səˈʤɛsts ðət ðə juˈtɪləti əv ˈpɑzətɪv ˈaʊtˌkəmz ɪz ɪˈvæljuˌeɪtəd baɪ ə ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˈnʊrəl ˈsɪstəm frəm ðət əv ˈnɛgətɪv ˈaʊtˌkəmz. ɪn ɪts ˈsɪmpləst fɔrm, ðə haɪˈpɑθəsəs əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪts ðə ˈvɛntrəl ənd ðə ˈkɔrtɛks (ˈoʊˈɛfˈsi) ɪkˈsklusɪvli tɪ ðə ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃən əv geɪnz ənd ʃʊlts, 1996 ənd ðə ˌæmɪgˈdɑlə ənd ɪkˈsklusɪvli tɪ ðə ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃən əv ˈlɔsɪz ɛt æl., 2006 ˈfaɪnəli, əˈnəðər ˈmɑdəl wɑz kənˈstrəktɪd ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ ˈɛkˌstrækt boʊld rɪˈspɑnsɪz fər iʧ ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl ˈgæmbəl taɪp ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə dɪˈsɪʒən ˈpɪriəd. ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˈlɑtəri ˈpɪriəd ˈmɔʤuleɪtɪd baɪ ðə ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks lɛs ənd ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks mɔr ðən ðə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt, ðɪs ˈmɑdəl ˌɪnˈkludɪd iʧ ˈlɑtəri ˈpɪriəd əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ ə ˈdɪfərənt ˈgæmbəl ɛz ə ˈsɛpərˌeɪt regressor*, səʧ ðət ðɛr wər 18 ˈkɑləmz ɪn ðə dɪˈzaɪn ˈmeɪtrɪks fər ðə dɪˈsɪʒən ˈpɪriəd, əˈlɔŋ wɪθ ðə rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ ðət əˈpɪrd ɪn ðə ˈpraɪˌmɛri ˈmɑdəl dɪˈskraɪbd əˈbəv. ðɪs əˈlaʊd ðə ˈævərɪʤ boʊld ækˈtɪvɪti ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə dɪˈsɪʒən ˈpɪriəd fər iʧ ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˈgæmbəl tɪ bi ɛkˈstræktɪd. ðiz ˈvæljuz wər ðɛn juzd tɪ kriˈeɪt maps”*” əv ˌæktəˈveɪʃən wɪʧ gɪv sˈnæpˌʃɑts əv haʊ ə ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr ˈriʤən rɪˈspɑndz tɪ ɔl ˈpɑsəbəl ˈgæmbəlz. bɪˈkəz wi wər ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd ɪn ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtɪŋ ðə ˈnʊrəl ˈbeɪsɪs əv dɪˈsɪʒən pərˈæmətərz ðət əˈfɛkt ʧɔɪs, ðə æˈnælɪsɪs ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn ðə dɪˈsɪʒən ˈpɪriəd 2 əˈbəv). tɪ aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ ˈriʤənz ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn væljuˈeɪʃən ˈdʊrɪŋ ʧɔɪs, wi fərst aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd ˈriʤənz ʃoʊɪŋ ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃənz wɪθ ðə ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju əv ðə ˈgæmbəl. wi əˈsumd ʃɑks ər ““bad”*” ənd hæv ˈnɛgətɪv ˈvælju; fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks wʊd hæv ən ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju (ɛv) əv wi ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪd ðə ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju əv ðə ˈgæmbəlz wɪθ ðə ɪkˈweɪʒən: ɛv ˈgæmbəl (ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks lɛs ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks ɛv ˈgæmbəl reɪnʤd frəm fər ðə bɛst ˈgæmbəl, ənd fər ðə wərst ˈgæmbəl. ðɪs pərˈæmətər wɑz ɪkˈspɛktɪd tɪ dɪˈrɛkli əˈfɛkt ʧɔɪs, bɪˈkəz ə lɛs ˈnɛgətɪv ɛv ˈgæmbəl wʊd ˈɪndəˌkeɪt ə ˈbɛtər ˈgæmbəl ənd ə mɔr ˈnɛgətɪv ɛv ˈgæmbəl ə wərs ˈgæmbəl, əˈsumɪŋ ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəlz faɪnd ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks ənˈplɛzənt. tɪ ˈfərðər ˈænəˌlaɪz ðə ˌɪnərˈækʃən bɪtˈwin pəˈtɛnʃəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz wɪθ lɛs ər mɔr ʃɑks wɪˈθɪn aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd ˈriʤənz, wi pərˈfɔrmd ən rɔɪ æˈnælɪsɪs ˈjuzɪŋ ˈbeɪtə ˈɛstəˌmeɪts frəm ə ˈdɪfərənt ˈmɑdəl ɪn wɪʧ ðə ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks lɛs ənd ðə ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks mɔr ðən ðə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt wər ˈmɑdəld baɪ ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˌpɛrəˈmɛtrɪk modulators*. ðɪs əˈlaʊd ˈjuˈɛs tɪ aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ ðə ɪkˈstɛnt tɪ wɪʧ ˈbɛtər ənd wərs pəˈtɛnʃəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz ˈsɛpərətli kənˈtrɪbjutɪd tɪ ɛv ˈgæmbəl fɔr meɪn wər ˌɪnˈkludɪd ɪn ðə ˈmɑdəlz. 1 ðə ˈstætəs kwoʊ ʃɑk æt ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ əv iʧ traɪəl wɑz ˈmɑdəld ɛz ən ˌɪmˈpəls ˈfəŋkʃən. 2 ðə ““decision”*” ˈpɪriəd, ˈdʊrɪŋ wɪʧ ə dɪˈsɪʒən tɪ əkˈsɛpt ər ˈriʤɛkt ðə ˈgæmbəl wɑz rikˈwaɪərd, wɑz ˈmɑdəld frəm ðə ˈɔnˌsɛt əv ˈgæmbəl ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃən ənˈtɪl ˈbətən prɛs. ðə ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju əv ðə ˈgæmbəl wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈkludɪd ɛz ə ˌpɛrəˈmɛtrɪk ˈmɑʤəˌleɪtər fər ðɪs ˈpɪriəd. 3 ðə ““ball”*” ˈpɪriəd, ɪn wɪʧ ðə ˈgæmbəl ˈaʊtˌkəm wɑz riˈzɑlvd ˈoʊvər ə ˈvɛriɪŋ ˈpɪriəd əv taɪm bɪtˈwin 3 ənd 6 ɛs, wɑz ˈmɑdəld ɛz ə ˈvɛriəbəl ˈdʊˈreɪʃən ˈfəŋkʃən. 4 ðə ““wait”*” ˈpɪriəd wɑz ˈmɑdəld frəm ðə dɪˈspleɪ əv ðə ˈgæmbəl ˈaʊtˌkəm tɪ ðə rɪˈsit əv ðə ʃɑks. fər ðɪs ˈpɪriəd, ðə ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks rɪˈsivd wɑz ˌɪnˈkludɪd ɛz ə ˌpɛrəˈmɛtrɪk ˈmɑʤəˌleɪtər. ˈsəbʤɪkt ˈmoʊʃən pərˈæmətərz wər ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈkludɪd ɛz. ɔl wər tɪ ðə ˈstændərd ˈfəŋkʃən. tɪ kənˈfərm ðət pɑrˈtɪsəpənts kʊd dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃ bɪtˈwin ðə ˈdɪfərənt ˈnəmbərz əv ʃɑks ənd ðət ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ʃɑks wər ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋgli əˈvərs, pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ˈreɪtɪd ɔl ˈpɑsəbəl sɛts əv ʃɑks ˈrɛlətɪv tɪ ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks (ˈæftər ðə əˈbəv prəˈsiʤər bət waɪl stɪl ɪn ðə ˈskænər). ə ˈvɪʒəwəl ˈænəˌlɔg skeɪl (vas*) wɑz pərˈzɛnəd ɔn skrin, wɪθ ə waɪt ˈɛroʊ ɪn ðə ˈsɛnər ˈleɪbəld ɛz shocks.”*.” pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wər ˈgɪvɪn ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks, ənd ðɛn wər ˈgɪvɪn əˈnəðər sɛt əv ʃɑks, ˈblaɪndɪd tɪ ðə ˈnəmbər. ðeɪ wər æst tɪ reɪt məʧ ˈbɛtər ər wərs ɪt ɪz frəm jʊr reference,”*,” baɪ ˈmuvɪŋ ðə ˈɛroʊ ɔn skrin ˈiðər lɛft (““better”*”) ər raɪt (““worse”*”). ɔl ˈpɑsəbəl sɛts əv ʃɑks wər ˈgɪvɪn θri taɪmz iʧ fər ə ˈtoʊtəl əv 30 ˈdætə pɔɪnts. tu ˈsɛkəndz ˈæftər ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃən əv ðə ˈgæmbəl, pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wər əˈlaʊd tɪ ““accept”*” ər ““reject”*” ðə ˈgæmbəl baɪ ˈjuzɪŋ ə ˈbətən bɑks ɪn ðə ˈskænər. ɪf pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ækˈsɛptɪd ðə ˈgæmbəl, ə pɪŋk bɔl flɪpt bɪtˈwin ˈɔpʃənz fər ə ˈvɛriɪŋ əˈmaʊnt əv taɪm bɪtˈwin 3 ənd 6 ɛs, ˈlændɪŋ wɪθ ə ʧæns ɔn ðə mɔr ʃɑks ər fjuər ʃɑks ˈaʊtˌkəm. ðə saɪd ɔn wɪʧ ðə bɔl ˈlændɪd tərnd ˈjɛloʊ, ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪŋ ðə ˈaʊtˌkəm əv ðə ˈgæmbəl ənd ˌɪmˈpɛndɪŋ ʃɑks, wɪʧ əˈkərd ɛs ˈæftər ðə ˈaʊtˌkəm wɑz rɪˈvild. ɪf pɑrˈtɪsəpənts rɪˈʤɛktɪd ðə ˈgæmbəl, ən aɪˈdɛntɪkəl ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃən ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ðə ənd ˈaʊtˌkəm səˈlɛkʃən əˈkərd. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪn ðɪs keɪs ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks wər ðə ˈoʊnli ˈpɑsəbəl ˈaʊtˌkəm. ˈæftər ðə ʃɑks wər ədˈmɪnɪstərd, ðə ˈaʊtˌkəm rɪˈmeɪnd ɔn skrin fər 3 ɛs, ənd wɑz ˈfɑloʊd baɪ ən ˈɪntərvəl (iti*) əv 3 ɛs. ðə ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl feɪz kənˈsɪstɪd əv θri rənz wɪθ 18 traɪəlz pər rən 54 traɪəlz ɪn ˈtoʊtəl). traɪəlz wər ˈrændəmli ˈɔrdərd fər iʧ rən within-subjects*, bət rɪˈmeɪnd ðə seɪm between-subjects*. ˈkoʊʤənt 2000 (fɪl, ˌjunəˈvərsəti ˈkɑlɪʤ ˈləndən) wɑz juzd fər ˈstɪmjələs ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃən ənd rɪˈspɑns ˌækwəˈzɪʃən fər ðɪs feɪz. ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ðə ˌkæləˈbreɪʃən feɪz əv ðə ɪkˈspɛrəmənt, pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ˈɛnərd ðə ˈskænər tɪ bɪˈgɪn ðə ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl feɪz, wɪʧ wɑz ˈmɑdəld ˈæftər ə ˈmɑnəˌtɛri ˈgæmbəlɪŋ ˈpɛrəˌdaɪm juzd baɪ tɑm ɛt æl. 2007 iʧ traɪəl bɪˈgæn wɪθ ə ˈstætəs kwoʊ 10 ʃɑks), wɪʧ wɑz ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪd baɪ ðə ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃən əv ə ˈsərkəl wɪθ ðə tɛkst thing”*” ˈsɛntərd ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl (si ˈfɪgjər ˈæftər 2 ɛs, ðɪs ˈsərkəl tərnd ˈjɛloʊ, ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪŋ ðə ˌɪmˈpɛndɪŋ ˈɔnˌsɛt əv ðə ʃɑks, wɪʧ əˈkərd ˈæftər ə ˈfərðər 2 ɛs. ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ən ˈɪntərvəl (isi*) əv 3 ɛs, ə ˈgæmbəl əˈpɪrd wɪθ ðə wərdz ““accept”*” ənd ““reject”*” bɪˈloʊ ɪt. ðɪs ˈgæmbəl kənˈsɪstɪd əv tu ˈpɑsəbəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz, ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪd baɪ ˈsɛpərˌeɪt, ˈikwəli saɪzd sˈlaɪsɪz əv ðə ˈsərkəl, wɛr ðə lɛft saɪd wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz mɔr pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks ənd ðə raɪt saɪd ˈɔlˌweɪz fjuər pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks. ðə ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks mɔr ənd lɛs ðən ðə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt ˈvɛrid bɪtˈwin traɪəlz, səʧ ðət ˈɛvəri ˈpɑsəbəl ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃən əv ʃɑks wɑz pərˈzɛnəd. tɪ geɪn fəˌmɪˈljɛrəti wɪθ ðə ˈdɪfərənt ˈnəmbərz əv ʃɑk ˈaʊtˌkəmz, pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wər ˈpæsɪvli ɪkˈspoʊzd tɪ ɔl ˈpɑsəbəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz. ən əˈtɛmpt tɪ ˌɪnˈdus ə ˈstætəs kwoʊ əv 10 ʃɑks wɑz meɪd baɪ səˈbʤɛktɪŋ pɑrˈtɪsəpənts tɪ ðə 10 ʃɑks æt ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ əv iʧ traɪəl. ɔn iʧ ˈaʊtˌkəm, ðə ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks (sn*) wɑz ˈivənli speɪst ɪn taɪm ˈoʊvər 340 mɪz, ˈjildɪŋ ən ˈɪntərvəl əv ðɪs wɑz dən tɪ əˈvɔɪd kənˈfaʊndɪŋ ðə ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks wɪθ ðə ˈtoʊtəl ˈdʊˈreɪʃən əv ʃɑks. ðə ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks, sn*, wɪˈθɪn ə traɪəl wɑz 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 15 ər 18 ðiz ˈnəmbərz wər dɪˈtərmənd beɪst ɔn ˈpriviəs ˈlɪtərəʧər ðət səˈʤɛsts ðət ðə ˈwɛbər ˈfrækʃən fər ˈmɛni ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ reɪnʤ frəm tɪ ˈminɪŋ ðət ə ˈdɪfərəns əv æt list bɪtˈwin ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ ɪz ˈnidɪd ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ bi dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃəbəl frəm iʧ ˈəðər (teghtsoonian*, 1971 ləvˈwɑ ənd ˈgrɑndɪn, 2004 tɪ ˌɪnˈʃʊr ðət pɑrˈtɪsəpənts kʊd dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃ bɪtˈwin ˈdɪfərənt ˈnəmbərz əv ʃɑks, ə ˈdɪfərəns ɪn ˈnəmbər əv æt list 25 bɪtˈwin ʃɑks wɑz juzd. ðə ˈstætəs kwoʊ wɑz sɛt æt 10 ʃɑks, ənd soʊ ə ˈrɛlətɪv geɪn wɑz freɪmd ɛz 4 5 6 7 ər 8 less”*” ənd ə ˈrɛlətɪv lɔs ɛz 5 ər 8 more.”*.” praɪər tɪ ˈskænɪŋ, ʃɑk ˌɪnˈtɛnsɪti wɑz ˈkæləˌbreɪtəd baɪ ˈfaɪndɪŋ iʧ ʃɑk intensity”*”, aɪ mæks pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wər toʊld ðət ðɛr ˈmæksəməm ʃɑk ˌɪnˈtɛnsɪti wʊd bi sɛt tɪ ðə haɪəst ˌɪnˈtɛnsɪti ðət ðeɪ kʊd bɛr. fər ðə ˌkæləˈbreɪʃən prəˈsiʤər, iʧ traɪəl kənˈsɪstɪd əv 18 ʃɑks ˈoʊvər 340 mɪz (ðə ˈmæksəməm ˈnəmbər pər traɪəl ɪn ðə ˈsəbsəkwənt ɪkˈspɛrəmənt). ðə ˈkɑrənt wɑz sˈloʊli ˌɪnˈkrist ənˈtɪl pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ˈnoʊtəˌfaɪd ðə ɪkˈspɛrəˌmɛntər ðət ðeɪ ˈkʊdənt bɛr ɪt ˌɛniˈmɔr, ənd ðɪs ˈkɑrənt ˈlɛvəl wɑz sɛt ɛz ðɛr aɪ mæks ðə ˈkɑrənt ˈlɛvəl fər ɔl ʃɑks θruaʊt ðə ɪkˈspɛrəmənt wɑz sɛt æt 90 əv aɪ mæks ə ˈstɪmjəˌleɪtər ˈmɑʤul wɪθ ə ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən ˈjunɪt ˈsɪstəmz, ɪŋk., ˈsiˈeɪ, ˈjuˈɛˈseɪ) wɑz juzd tɪ dɪˈlɪvər ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɑks tɪ ðə əv ðə lɛft fʊt θru ˈʃildɪd, goʊld ˌɪˈlɛktroʊdz pleɪst əˈpɑrt. ðə ˈjunɪt kənˈtroʊld ˈkɑrənt ˈaʊtˌpʊt tɪ ðə ˌɪˈlɛktroʊdz, wɪθ iʧ pəls ˈlæstɪŋ 15 mɪz. ðə ˈstɪmjəˌleɪtər ˈmɑʤul wɑz kəˈnɛktɪd ˈviə ə tɪ ə ˈlæpˌtɑp wɪʧ kənˈtroʊld ðə ˈtaɪmɪŋ ənd dɪˈlɪvəri əv ðə ʃɑks. tɪ dɪˈtərmən haʊ ðiz ˈriʤənz rɪˈspɑndɪd tɪ ðə ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl kəmˈpoʊnənts əv ðə ˈgæmbəlz (lɛs ər mɔr pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks), ˈbeɪtə ˈvæljuz fər ðə ˈlɑtəri ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks lɛs ənd ˈlɑtəri ˈnəmbər əv ʃɑks mɔr kənˈdɪʃən wər ɛkˈstræktɪd frəm ˈriʤənz aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd ɪn ðə ˈlɑtəri ɛv ˈgæmbəl ˈkɑntræst ˈmɛnʃənd əˈbəv. ðə lɛft ˈvɛntrəl ʃoʊd sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈpɑzətɪv ənd ˈnɛgətɪv ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃənz wɪθ ðə ˈnəmbər əv pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks lɛs (ˈbɛtər) ənd ˈnəmbər əv pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks mɔr (wərs), rɪˈspɛktɪvli. ˈəðər ˈɛriəz aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd ɪn ðə ˈpɑzətɪv ɛv ˈgæmbəl ˈkɑntræst rɪˈvild ðə seɪm riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp: ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈpɑzətɪv ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃən wɪθ ðə ˈnəmbər əv pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks lɛs ənd ˈnɛgətɪv ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃən wɪθ ðə ˈnəmbər əv pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks mɔr. ðə ˈɑpəzɪt trɛnd wɑz sin fər ˈsɛvərəl ˈriʤənz aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd ɪn ðə ˈnɛgətɪv ɛv ˈgæmbəl ˈkɑntræst: sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈpɑzətɪv ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃənz wɪθ ðə ˈnəmbər əv pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks mɔr ənd ˈnɛgətɪv ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃənz wɪθ ðə ˈnəmbər əv pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks lɛs wər əbˈzərvd ɪn ðə, sulcus*, ənd priˈfrəntəl ˈkɔrtɛks (dmpfc*). tɪ ˈvɪʒwəˌlaɪz ækˈtɪvɪti tɪ iʧ ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl ˈgæmbəl taɪp, wi ɛkˈstræktɪd ˈbeɪtə ˈvæljuz frəm ɪn ðə ˈlɑtəri ɛv ˈgæmbəl ˈkɑntræst fər iʧ ˈgæmbəl taɪp. ɪn ðə lɛft ˈvɛntrəl, ˈgæmbəlz wɪθ ə haɪər ɛv ˈgæmbəl wər əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ lɛs, ənd ˈgæmbəlz wɪθ ə loʊər ɛv ˈgæmbəl wər əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ mɔr, ɛz rɪˈvild ɪn ə hit mæp (si ˈfɪgjər ə hit mæp əv ˈbeɪtə ˈvæljuz frəm ðə fər iʧ ˈgæmbəl rɪˈvild lɛs ˌæktəˈveɪʃən tɪ ˈgæmbəlz wɪθ ə haɪər ɛv ˈgæmbəl ənd mɔr ˌæktəˈveɪʃən tɪ ˈgæmbəlz wɪθ ə loʊər ɛv ˈgæmbəl (si ˈfɪgjər ɪn ˈəðər wərdz, mɔr pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks ɪˈlɪsɪtɪd boʊld ækˈtɪvɪti ɪn ðiz ˈriʤənz. ˈsɪmələr ækˈtɪvɪti wɑz əbˈzərvd ɪn ðə (si ˈfɪgjər wɪθ lɛs fər ˈgæmbəlz wɪθ ə loʊər ɛv ˈgæmbəl ðə ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju əv ðə ˈgæmbəlz, ɛv ˈgæmbəl wɑz juzd tɪ aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ breɪn ˈriʤənz ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ðə væljuˈeɪʃən əv ˈgæmbəlz ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə dɪˈsɪʒən ˈpɪriəd (si ˈfɪgjər juzd ɛz ə ˌpɛrəˈmɛtrɪk ˈmɑʤəˌleɪtər, ðɪs əˈlaʊd fər aɪˌdɛntəfəˈkeɪʃən əv ˈriʤənz əv ðə breɪn huz boʊld ˈsɪgnəl ˈkɔrəˌleɪtəd wɪθ ðə əˈbʤɛktɪv ˈgæmbəl ˈvælju. ˈpɑzətɪv ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃənz bɪtˈwin ɛv ˈgæmbəl ənd boʊld ækˈtɪvɪti wər faʊnd ɪn ðə ˈvɪʒəwəl ˈkɔrtɛks, sulcus*, ˈfrəntəl aɪ fildz, ənd ðə lɛft ˈvɛntrəl, əˈməŋ ˈəðər ˈɛriəz (si ˈəpər ˈpɔrʃən əv ˈteɪbəl ə lɛs ˈnɛgətɪv ɛv ˈgæmbəl ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪd ə ˈbɛtər ˈgæmbəl, wɪʧ ˈdɛmənˌstreɪts ðət ðiz ˈriʤənz rɪˈspɑndɪd ɪn ə ˈgreɪdɪd ˈmænər tɪ kəmˈpærətɪvˌli ˈbɛtər ˈpɑsəbəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz ˈivɪn ðoʊ ɔl ˈaʊtˌkəmz wər stɪl ˈpeɪnfəl. ˈgɪvɪn ðət ɔl ˈaʊtˌkəmz wər əˈvərsəv, ɪt ɪz ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ ðət ˈvɛntrəl ækˈtɪvɪti ˌɪnˈkrist fər ˈrɛlətɪvli bad”*” ˈaʊtˌkəmz. ˈriʤənz wɪθ ˈnɛgətɪv ɛv ˈgæmbəl ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃənz, ər ə ˈgreɪtər rɪˈspɑns fər wərs ˈaʊtˌkəmz (mɔr ɪkˈspɛktɪd ʃɑks), ˌɪnˈkludɪd ðə ˌpɔˈstɪrjər, ænˈtɪriər (acc*), ˌɪnˈfɪriər pərˈaɪətəl lobule*,, ənd ðə ˈlætərəl ˈoʊˈɛfˈsi (loʊər ˈpɔrʃən əv ˈteɪbəl tɪ dɪˈtərmən ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl risk-preference*, ðə ˈkərvəʧər əv ðə juˈtɪləti ˈfəŋkʃən, u(x*) ɛks wɑz ˈɛstəˌmeɪtɪd fər iʧ pɑrˈtɪsəpənt ˈjuzɪŋ ə nɑnˈlɪˌniər rəˈgrɛʃən. pɑrˈtɪsəpənt ˈvæljuz wər nɑt ˈnɔrməli dɪˈstrɪbjətəd nɔr wər ðeɪ lognormal*, ənd ˈðɛrˌfɔr stəˈtɪstɪks wər juzd tɪ tɛst fər sɪgˈnɪfɪkəns. ə wɪlˈkɑksən tɛst ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪd ðət, ɔn ˈævərɪʤ, pɑrˈtɪsəpənt ˈvæljuz (ˈmidiən wər sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli ˈdɪfərənt frəm wən (pi du tɪ ðə ˈmɛθəd əv ˌɛstəˈmeɪʃən (wɛr ə ˈlɑrʤər ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju ɪz ə mɔr ˌənˈfeɪvərəbəl ˈgæmbəl), ən 1 ˈɪndɪˌkeɪts ˈoʊvər ˈlɔsɪz ənd ˈðɛrˌfɔr ə ˈprɛfərəns fər bɪˈheɪvjər, wɛˈræz ən 1 ˈɪndɪˌkeɪts ə ˈprɛfərəns. ɪn əˈdɪʃən, ˈævərɪʤ ˈreɪtɪŋz fər iʧ ˈpɑsəbəl ˈaʊtˌkəm ɪn ðə ˈstədi wər kəmˈpjutɪd ənd ˈnɔrməˌlaɪzd tɪ ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑk ˈreɪtɪŋz. wɪn ˈplɑtɪd, ðiz ˈreɪtɪŋz rɪˈvild ə ˈkɑnˌvɛks ˈfəŋkʃən rɪˈzɛmbəlɪŋ ə ˈvælju ˈfəŋkʃən ˈoʊvər ˈlɔsɪz (si ˈfɪgjər ðə sloʊp əv ðə ˈreɪtɪŋ ˈoʊvər mɔr ənd lɛs pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks wər kəmˈpjutɪd fər iʧ pɑrˈtɪsəpənt, ˈjuzɪŋ ˈlɪniər rəˈgrɛʃən. ə rɪˈvild ðət ðə sloʊp fər lɛs pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks (ɛm wɑz sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli ˈgreɪtər ðən ðə sloʊp fər mɔr pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks (ɛm pi kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ə ˈkɑnˌvɛks ˈvælju ˈfəŋkʃən. ɛz əˈnəðər ˈɪndəˌkeɪtər əv ˈoʊvərˌɔl risk-preference*, ðə ˈævərɪʤ ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns pɔɪnt əˈkrɔs pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wɑz dɪˈtərmənd baɪ ðə ˌprɑbəˈbɪləˌti əv ˈʧuzɪŋ ðə ˈlɑtəri ɛz ə ˈfəŋkʃən əv ðə ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju əv ðə ˈgæmbəlz. ə ˌsɪgˈmɔɪdəl kərv, ʃoʊn ɪn ˈfɪgjər wɑz fɪt tɪ ðə ˈdætə ˈjuzɪŋ ə ləˈʤɪstɪk ˈfəŋkʃən tɪ dɪˈtərmən ðə ˈævərɪʤ ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns pɔɪnt. ɪf pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ɔn ˈævərɪʤ wər rɪsk ˈnutrəl, ðɛr ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns pɔɪnt wʊd ˈikwəl ðə ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju əv ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks ɪf pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wər, ðɛr ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns pɔɪnt wʊd bi lɛs ðən ðə ˈævərɪʤ ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns pɔɪnt wɑz ʃɑks ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪŋ bɪˈheɪvjər. ðə ˈrɛfərəns pɔɪnt əv dɪd nɑt laɪ wɪˈθɪn ðə 95 ˈkɑnfədɛns ˈɪntərvəl əv ðə ləˈʤɪstɪk fɪt ənd ˈðɛrˌfɔr ɪt ɪz ˈlaɪkli ðət ðɪs əbˈzərvd ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns pɔɪnt wɑz sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli ˈdɪfərənt frəm risk-neutrality*. fər ˈmɑnəˌtɛri ˈpeɪmənts, ɪf ən ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl prɪˈfərz tɪ rɪˈsiv ə ˈsərtən ˈpeɪmənt ˈrəðər ðən ə ˈgæmbəl wɪθ ðə seɪm ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju, hi ɪz sɛd tɪ bi rɪsk əˈvərs. ɪf hi ˌɪnˈstɛd prɪˈfərz ðə ˈgæmbəl, hi ɪz sɛd tɪ bi rɪsk ˈsikɪŋ. praɪər ˈrisərʧ wɪθ ˈmɑnəˌtɛri ˈpeɪmənts ʃoʊz ðət ɔn ˈævərɪʤ, ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəlz ər (risk-seeking*) fər ˈpɑzətɪv (ˈnɛgətɪv) peɪɔfs. wi kənˈsɪdər ˈwɛðər ðə ʃɑk kˈwɑntətiz ɪn ɑr ɪkˈspɛrəmənt ər ˈtritɪd ɪn ðə seɪm weɪ. tɪ kənˈsɪdər ðə ˈɪʃu, pɑrˈtɪsəpənt bɪˈheɪvjər ɪn ˈlɑtəriz wɑz ˈænəˌlaɪzd. ˈlɑtəriz wər ˈlɑtəriz wɪθ ðə seɪm əˈmaʊnt əv ʃɑks lɛs ənd mɔr ðən ðə ˈrɛfərəns əˈmaʊnt, ənd ˈðɛrˌfɔr hæd ðə seɪm ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju ɛz ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks. ˈævrɪʤd əˈkrɔs ɔl rənz fər ɔl pɑrˈtɪsəpənts, ðə ˈlɑtəriz wər ˈʧoʊzən ˈoʊvər ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks 74 əv ðə taɪm, wɪʧ səˈʤɛsts bɪˈheɪvjər. fər ðə ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl ˈlɑtəriz əv ənd pɑrˈtɪsəpənts ʧoʊz ðə ˈlɑtəri 56 78 ənd 89 əv ðə taɪm, rɪˈspɛktɪvli. ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋli, ðɪs wɑz sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli ˈdɪfərənt bɪtˈwin ðə θri ˈlɑtəri taɪps pi dɪˈskəʃən ˈkɑntrɛri tɪ ðə ˈsɪmpləst fɔrm əv ðə vju, wɪʧ wʊd prɪˈdɪkt noʊ rɪˈspɑns frəm ðə ˈvɛntrəl tɪ ˈgæmbəlz kənˈsɪstɪŋ ˈsoʊəli əv ˈlɔsɪz, ɑr rɪˈzəlts ˈɪndəˌkeɪt ðət ðə ˈvɛntrəl ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ ˈvælju ˌɪrəˈspɛktɪv əv ðə taɪp əv ˈaʊtˌkəm (e.g*., ““more”*” ər ““less”*” ʃɑks) ənd ˈwɛðər ðə ˈaʊtˌkəmz ər ˈgloʊbəli ““good”*” ər ““bad”*” (e.g*., ər əˈvərsəv). ɪn ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr, ðə ˈpɑzətɪv ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃən əv lɛft ˈvɛntrəl ækˈtɪvɪti wɪθ ðə ɪkˈspɛktɪd ˈvælju əv ðə ʃɑk ˈlɑtəriz səˈpɔrts ɪts roʊl ɪn væljuˈeɪʃən ənd ɪkˈstɛndz ðɪs tɪ ˌɪnˈklud ðə ˈrɛlətɪv væljuˈeɪʃənz əv ““bads.”*.” waɪl ˈpriviəs ˈstədiz hæv ˈdɛmənˌstreɪtɪd ðə roʊl əv ðə ɪn ˈɪnəˌgreɪtɪŋ ðə ˈvælju əv rɪˈwɔrdz wɪθ ə vərˈaɪəti əv kɔsts (tɑm ɛt æl., 2007 ɛt æl., 2009 ɛt æl., 2009 ɑr rɪˈzəlts ɪkˈstɛnd ðiz ˈfaɪndɪŋz tɪ ðə doʊˈmeɪnz əv peɪn ənd lɔs ˈivɪn wɪn ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˌpɑsəˈbɪləˌti əv geɪn. ðət ðiz dɪˈsɪʒənz wər vjud ɛz əˈkərɪŋ ɪn ðə lɔs doʊˈmeɪn ɪz ˌriɪnˈfɔrst baɪ ðə fækt ðət, dɪˈspaɪt biɪŋ ɪkˈspoʊzd tɪ ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks fər iʧ traɪəl, pɑrˈtɪsəpənts vjud ˈɛvəri ˈaʊtˌkəm ɛz ə ““loss.”*.” ðɪs wɑz ˈɛvɪdənst baɪ kənˈsɪstənt bɪˈheɪvjər ˈoʊvər ðə fʊl reɪnʤ əv ˈlɑtəriz ənd ə ˈlɑrʤər sloʊp fər lɛs ʃɑks ðən mɔr ʃɑks ˈrɛlətɪv tɪ ðə ˈstætəs kwoʊ fər ðə ˈreɪtɪŋz. ðiz rɪˈzəlts ər kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ pæst ˈrisərʧ ʃoʊɪŋ bɪˈheɪvjər ˈoʊvər ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkli ˈpeɪnfəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz ənd sɑks, 1981 ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋli, ðɪs bɪˈheɪvjər ˈkænɑt ɪkˈspleɪn ðə ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ɪn ˌæktəˈveɪʃən ɛz ˈəðərz hæv səˈʤɛstɪd (fiɔˈrɪloʊ ɛt æl., 2003 ɛt æl., 2006 bɪˈkəz ðə ˈvɛriəns əv ðə bɛst ənd wərst ˈlɑtəriz ɪz ðə seɪm ɪn ɑr tæsk. wən ˈpɑsəbəl ˈrizən fər ðɪs læk əv ˈstætəs kwoʊ ˌɪnˈdusmənt ɪz ðə ˈtrænʒənt ˈneɪʧər əv ðə ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks. ˌɔlˈðoʊ pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wər pərˈzɛnəd wɪθ ˈrɛfərəns ʃɑks bɪtˈwin iʧ traɪəl, ðə məˈʤɔrəti əv ðə taɪm pɑrˈtɪsəpənts wər nɑt ɪkˈspɪriənsɪŋ ˈpeɪnfəl ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ. ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl ðət ə ˈkɑnstənt ˈpeɪnfəl ˈstɪmjələs, səʧ ɛz wʊd əraɪz wɪθ ðə juz əv ˌkæpˈseɪsən tɪ ˌɪnˈdus ə ˈkɑnstənt steɪt əv peɪn wɪʧ kən ðɛn bi əˈtɛnjuˌeɪtɪd ər ɪgˈzæsərˌbeɪtɪd wɪθ ˈtɛmpərəʧər, maɪt bi mɔr ˈifɛktɪv ɪn ˌɪnˈdusɪŋ ə ˈstætəs kwoʊ (ˈsimɔr ɛt æl., 2005 ɪt ɪz ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt tɪ dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃ bɪtˈwin ðə lɔs əv ˈsəmθɪŋ dɪˈzaɪərəbəl, wɪʧ həz bɪn ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌgeɪtɪd ɪn ə kənˈsɪdərəbəl ˈnəmbər əv praɪər ˈstədiz, ənd ðə rɪˈsit əv ˈsəmθɪŋ ˌəndɪˈzaɪrəbəl, wɪʧ həz rɪˈsivd lɛs əˈtɛnʃən. ˈpriviəs ˈstədiz əv lɔs əˈvərʒən hæv ʃoʊn ðət ðə ˈvɛntrəl tɪ ðə ˈprɑspɛkt əv ˈmɑnəˌtɛri lɔs (tɑm ɛt æl., 2007 ˈsɪmələrli, həz bɪn əbˈzərvd wɪθ ˌɪnˈkrist ˈɛfərt ənd peɪn tɪ əbˈteɪn ə ˈmɑnəˌtɛri geɪn ɛt æl., 2009 ɛt æl., 2009 ðiz rɪˈzəlts pɔɪnt tɪ ðə roʊl əv ðə ɪn dɪˈtərmənɪŋ nɛt ˈvælju fər ˈmɑnəˌtɛri rɪˈwɔrdz bət du nɑt dɪˈrɛkli ˈæˌdrɛs ɪts roʊl ɪn ðə ˈrɛlətɪv væljuˈeɪʃən əv θɪŋz ðət ər ˌjunəˈvərsəli bæd. ˈɛvədəns ɪgˈzɪsts, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ðət ðə skeɪlz fər ˈrɛlətɪv ˈkoʊdɪŋ əv ˈvælju (ˈsimɔr ənd məˈklur, 2008 ɪn ə ˈsɪmələr ˈmænər, ˈdɑpəˌmaɪn ˈnʊrɑnz hæv bɪn əbˈzərvd tɪ koʊd rɪˈwɔrd ˈvælju (ˈtoʊbələr ɛt æl., 2005 soʊ ɪt ɪz ˈplɔzəbəl ðət ðə kʊd ɪgˈzɪbɪt əˈdæptɪv ˈsɪgnəlɪŋ ˈivɪn ɪn ðə rɛlm əv ˈpeɪnfəl ˈaʊtˌkəmz fər wɪʧ wi faɪnd strɔŋ ˈɛvədəns hir. bɪɔnd ðə əˈdæptɪv ˈkoʊdɪŋ əv ˈvælju, ɪts mɔr ˈʤɛnərəl roʊl ɪn peɪn ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ həz bɪn ˈhɑtli dəˈbeɪtɪd ənd ˈtreɪsi, 2008 səm ˈstədiz hæv ʃoʊn ˈvɛntrəl ækˈtɪvɪti ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən əv ˈpeɪnfəl ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ (bɛˈʧɛrɑ ɛt æl., 2001 ˈʤɛnsən ɛt æl., 2003 ə ˈfaɪndɪŋ ˈɛkoʊd baɪ pɛt ˈɛvədəns əv ˈdɑpəˌmaɪn riˈlis tɪ peɪn (skɑt ɛt æl., 2006 waɪl ˈəðərz hæv ˈɑrgjud ðɪs ækˈtɪvɪti ˈmɪrli rɪˈflɛkts ðə ænˈtɪsəˌpeɪtɪd rɪˈlif ɛt æl., 2010 stɪl ˈəðərz hæv səˈʤɛstɪd ðət ðə ˈvɛntrəl ˈfəŋkʃənz mɔr ˈʤɛnərəli ɪn ˈmoʊtəˌveɪtəd bɪˈheɪvjər (ˈhɔrvɪts, 2000 zɪŋk ɛt æl., 2003 2004 dɛlˈgɑdoʊ ɛt æl., 2004 nɪˈkoʊlɑ ɛt æl., 2004 ənd ˈtreɪsi, 2008 ɑr rɪˈzəlts ʃoʊd ˌɪnˈkrist ˈvɛntrəl ækˈtɪvɪti ɪn ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən əv fjuər ʃɑks, wɪʧ səˈʤɛsts ðət ðə ɪz nɑt ˈsɪmpli ˈfəŋkʃənɪŋ tɪ praɪm ðə ˈsɪstəm tɪ əˈvɔɪd peɪn i.e*., ən ˌænəˈlʤisɪk ˈifɛkt (skɑt ɛt æl., 2006 2007 wʊd ənd ˈhɑlmən, 2009 ɪf ðət wər ðə keɪs, wi wʊd ɪkˈspɛkt tɪ si ˌɪnˈkrist ækˈtɪvɪti tɪ mɔr pəˈtɛnʃəl ʃɑks. ˌɪnˈstɛd, wi əbˈzərvd ðə ˈɑpəzɪt trɛnd, prɪˈkludɪŋ ən ˌænəˈlʤisɪk ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə əˈfɔrˌmɛnʃənd dɪˈskəʃən pərˈteɪnz tɪ ðə roʊl əv ðə ɪn ˈrɛlətɪv væljuˈeɪʃən, wi ˈɔlsoʊ faɪnd ˈɛvədəns fər səʧ ˈsɪgnəlz ɪn ˈkɔrtəkəl ˈriʤənz ˈklæsɪkli əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ peɪn ənd ˈpənɪʃmənt ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃən ɛt æl., 1998 oʊˈdɑərti ɛt æl., 2001 koʊˈjɑmə ɛt æl., 2005 kringelbach*, 2005 ɛt æl., 2005 ˈsimɔr ɛt æl., 2005 ðiz ˈriʤənz əˈpɪr tɪ ˈsɪgnəl væljuˈeɪʃən ɪn ən ˌɪnˈvərs ˈmænər frəm ðə, wɪθ boʊθ ˈsɪstəmz ˈɔpərˌeɪtɪŋ ɪn ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə dɪˈsɪʒən ˈpɪriəd. ˌɪnˈdid, ˈɛvədəns fər ðə əv boʊθ ənd ˈsɪgnəlz ɪn ðə breɪn ɪgˈzɪsts, wɪθ ðə ˈsɪgnəlz rɪˈzaɪdɪŋ ɪn səm əv ðə seɪm ˈriʤənz ðət wi əbˈzərv, ˈneɪmli ɪn ðə ˈlætərəl ˈoʊˈɛfˈsi ənd (oʊˈdɑərti ɛt æl., 2001 smɔl ɛt æl., 2001 ˈgɔtfrid ɛt æl., 2002 ˈsimɔr ɛt æl., 2005 nɪʧk ɛt æl., 2006 ɪn ɑr ˈstədi, ðə ˈlætərəl ˈoʊˈɛfˈsi ənd kənˈveɪ ðɪs væljuˈeɪʃən ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ˈdʊrɪŋ dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ ˌɪtˈsɛlf ˈoʊvər ˈpeɪnfəl ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ, ɛz əˈpoʊzd tɪ ˈoʊnli ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈpæsɪv ˈlərnɪŋ tæsks, wɪʧ bɪld ɔn praɪər ˈɛvədəns fər ðiz ˈstrəkʧərz roʊlz ɪn ˈsɪgnəlɪŋ bæd ˈaʊtˌkəmz, pərˈhæps tɪ fəˈsɪləˌteɪt ər ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ɪn ˈækʃən, ɛz həz bɪn səˈʤɛstɪd ənd roʊlz, 2003 ˈsimɔr ɛt æl., 2005 ˈfərðərˌmɔr, ˈgɪvɪn pæst ˈrisərʧ ʃoʊɪŋ ˈlætərəl ˈoʊˈɛfˈsi ənd ˌæktəˈveɪʃən tɪ bət əˈvərsəv ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ, səʧ ɛz ˈmɑnəˌtɛri lɔs (oʊˈdɑərti ɛt æl., 2001 lju ɛt æl., 2007 ənd ənˈplɛzənt ˈoʊdərz (ˈgɔtfrid ɛt æl., 2002 roʊlz ɛt æl., 2003 ðɪs ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ɪz ˈlaɪkli ˈkoʊdɪd ɪn ə currency”*”, ɛz həz bɪn səˈʤɛstɪd əv ækˈtɪvɪti ɪn ðə ˈsɪstəm (ˈmɑntəˌgju ənd bərnz, 2002 ˈməri ɛt æl., 2007 ɪn əˈdɪʃən tɪ væljuˈeɪʃən, ðə ˌɪnˈkris ɪn boʊld rɪˈspɑns tɪ wərs ˈgæmbəlz ðət wi əbˈzərvd kʊd bi rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ əˈtɛnʃən ər ˈkɑgnɪtɪv kənˈtroʊl ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl, wɪʧ rɪˈfərz tɪ ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs baɪ wɪʧ əˈtɛnʃən, ˈmɛməri, ənd ˈəðər ˈkɑgnɪtɪv əˈbɪləˌtiz ər ˈʃɪftɪd tɪ əˈkɑmplɪʃ ə vərˈaɪəti əv goʊlz. ɪn əˈdɪʃən tɪ ðə ˈlætərəl ˈoʊˈɛfˈsi ənd, wi faʊnd ðət ðə ˈsɪgnəld wərs ˈgæmbəlz wɪθ ˌæktəˈveɪʃən ɪn ə loʊˈkeɪʃən ðət həz bɪn ˈrisəntli ˈɪmplɪˌkeɪtɪd ɪn kənˈtroʊl ɛt æl., 2009 ənd ðət həz bɪn ʃoʊn tɪ bi mɔr ˈæktɪv fər mɔr ˈdɪfəkəlt dɪˈsɪʒənz ənd fər dɪˈsɪʒənz ðət rən ˈkaʊntər tɪ ˈoʊvərˌɔl bɪˈheɪvjərəl ˈstrætəʤi (ˈpɔləs ɛt æl., 2002 ɛt æl., 2006 ˈhæmptən ənd oʊˈdɑərti, 2007 ðoʊ ɑr ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl dɪˈzaɪn dɪz nɑt əˈlaʊ ˈjuˈɛs tɪ ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ðiz ˈfəŋkʃənz frəm væljuˈeɪʃən ər vice-versa*, ɪt ɪz ˈlaɪkli ðə keɪs ðət ðɛr ɪgˈzɪsts ə ˈkɑmplɛks ˈɪntərˌpleɪ bɪtˈwin ˈriʤənz ˈsɪgnəlɪŋ əˈvərsəv væljuˈeɪʃən, səʧ ɛz ðə ˈlætərəl ˈoʊˈɛfˈsi, ənd ˈriʤənz wɪʧ ˈɪnəˌgreɪt ðiz ˈsɪgnəlz, ˈpɑsəbli ðə. məʧ laɪk ðə, ækˈtɪvɪti ɪn ðə həz bɪn ˈdɛmənˌstreɪtɪd ˈdʊrɪŋ dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ ˈoʊvər ə vərˈaɪəti əv ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ, səˈʤɛstɪŋ ðət ɪts roʊl maɪt bi ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt əv ðə taɪp əv ˈaʊtˌkəm ðət ɪz biɪŋ ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd ɔn ɛt æl., 2005 ɛt æl., 2008 ɛt æl., 2009 ðə ˈkɑrənt ˈbɑdi əv ˈrisərʧ ɪn dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ pɔɪnts tɪ ðə aɪˈdiə əv ə ˌjunəˈvərsəl væljuˈeɪʃən ˈsɪstəm ðət ˈsɪgnəlz haʊ ““good”*” ər ““bad”*” ə pəˈtɛnʃəl ˈaʊtˌkəm ɪz, ˈrɛlətɪv tɪ səm ˈrɛfərəns pɔɪnt. ˈstrəkʧərz ðət wər ərˈɪʤənəli θɔt tɪ bi ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ˈsoʊəli ɪn rɪˈwɔrd ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ ˈdʊrɪŋ dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ ər ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋgli biɪŋ ʃoʊn tɪ bi ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ðə ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ əv ˈpənɪʃɪŋ ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ ɛz wɛl. ˈsɪmələr ækˈtɪvɪti ɪn ðiz ˈriʤənz ɪz əbˈzərvd bɪtˈwin mɔr ˈæbˌstrækt ˈpənɪʃmənts (e.g*., ˈmɑnəˌtɛri ˈlɔsɪz) ənd ˈpeɪnfəl ˈstɪmjəˌlaɪ ɛz wi hæv ʃoʊn hir, məʧ laɪk ðə ˈsɪmələr ˌæktəˈveɪʃən ˈpætərnz fər ə waɪd vərˈaɪəti əv rɪˈwɔrdɪŋ ˈstɪmjələs məˈdælətiz. fˈjuʧər ˈrisərʧ maɪt ˈfoʊkɪs ɔn haʊ ə ˈbeɪsˌlaɪn ɪz dɪˈtərmənd fər ðɪs væljuˈeɪʃən ækˈtɪvɪti ənd ˈwɛðər ɪt ɪz dɪˈrɛkli rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ðə ˈstætəs kwoʊ, ənd ˈwɛðər lɔs əˈvərʒən kən bi əbˈzərvd fər ˈaʊtˌkəmz wəns ə ˈstætəs kwoʊ həz bɪn sɛt.

the majority of decision-related research has focused on how the brain computes decisions over outcomes that are positive in expectation. however, much less is known about how the brain integrates information when all possible outcomes in a decision are negative. to study decision-making over negative outcomes, we used fmri along with a task in which participants had to accept or reject 50/50 lotteries that could result in more or fewer electric shocks compared to a reference amount. we hypothesized that behaviorally, participants would treat fewer shocks from the reference amount as a gain, and more shocks from the reference amount as a loss. furthermore, we hypothesized that this would be reflected by a greater bold response to the prospect of fewer shocks in regions typically associated with gain, including the ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex. the behavioral data suggest that participants in our study viewed all outcomes as losses, despite our attempt to induce a status quo. we find that the ventral striatum showed an increase in bold response to better potential gambles (i.e., fewer expected shocks). this lends evidence to the idea that the ventral striatum is not solely responsible for reward processing but that it might also signal the relative value of an expected outcome or action, regardless of whether the outcome is entirely appetitive or aversive. we also find a greater response to worse gambles in regions previously associated with aversive valuation, suggesting an opposing but simultaneous valuation signal to that conveyed by the striatum. to test these hypotheses, we used fmri along with a gambling task involving electric shocks. in a manner similar to that in the task used by tom et al. ( 2007 ), participants were asked to accept or reject a 50/50 gamble of “more” or “fewer” electric shocks compared to a reference amount that they received at the beginning of each trial. if participants rejected the gamble, they received the reference amount of shocks. if they accepted the gamble, they either received “more” or “fewer” shocks from the reference amount. using this task, we tested whether participants’ choice behavior was consistent with an adaptation of their status quo to the reference level of shocks. our analysis of the neuroimaging data focused on the period in which participants decided whether to accept or reject these lotteries. this allowed us to identify regions involved specifically in decision-making as opposed to the anticipation of the outcomes. there is some evidence that the striatum and other orbitostriatal structures are involved in both gain and loss processing (delgado et al., 2003 ; seymour et al., 2007 ; tom et al., 2007 ). however, most of these studies pitted a potential gain against a loss, used a medium that is generally rewarding (money), or focused solely on the anticipation of the gain or loss, and thus it is not clear that when all outcomes are negative, whether the striatal system would still be engaged or whether a separate system would perform the decision-making processing. some research suggests that anticipation and experience of aversive stimuli activate the striatum (labar et al., 1998 ; becerra et al., 2001 ; jensen et al., 2003 ; seymour et al., 2004 ). indeed, there are populations of dopaminergic neurons that respond to aversive stimuli (coizet et al., 2006 ; matsumoto and hikosaka, 2009 ). thus, we hypothesized that the striatal system also processes the value of non-rewarding stimuli during the decision-making process itself, as opposed to solely the anticipation of the stimuli. for painful outcomes (electric shocks), we predicted that fewer electric shocks from a reference amount would be viewed as a “gain” and more electric shocks as a “loss.” furthermore, we predicted that the ventral striatum would be involved in processing “gains” (fewer electric shocks) even though the overall outcome medium was always unpleasant. many real world decisions involve the possibility of both good and bad outcomes, but sometimes the choices are between bad and worse. consider, for example, an individual who purchases a cell phone plan only to realize that the reception with that carrier is terrible. the individual is then faced with the decision to either stay with the carrier and suffer bad reception, or pay an exorbitant cancellation fee. in either case, the outcome is bad. the recent advent of neuroeconomics has brought new methods of analysis to the study of human decision-making, but the vast majority of these studies have focused on decisions in which all possible outcomes are non-negative (knutson et al., 2001 ; mcclure et al., 2004 ; padoa-schioppa and assad, 2006 ; preuschoff et al., 2006 ; tobler et al., 2007 ). but because relatively few studies have examined decisions made entirely in the domain of losses, it is not clear how the brain gages relative value when all of the outcomes are bad. one hypothesis regarding valuation in the brain suggests that the utility of positive outcomes is evaluated by a separate neural system from that of negative outcomes. in its simplest form, the dual-systems hypothesis associates the ventral striatum and the orbitofrontal cortex (ofc) exclusively to the evaluation of gains (mirenowicz and schultz, 1996 ), and the amygdala and insula exclusively to the evaluation of losses (yacubian et al., 2006 ). finally, another first-level model was constructed in order to extract bold responses for each individual gamble type during the decision period. instead of a single lottery period modulated by the number of shocks less and number of shocks more than the reference amount, this model included each lottery period associated with a different gamble as a separate regressor, such that there were 18 columns in the design matrix for the decision period, along with the remaining regressors that appeared in the primary first-level model described above. this allowed the average bold activity during the decision period for each separate gamble to be extracted. these values were then used to create “heat maps” of activation which give snapshots of how a particular region responds to all possible gambles. because we were interested in investigating the neural basis of decision parameters that affect choice, the second-level analysis focused on the decision period (#2 above). to identify regions involved in valuation during choice, we first identified regions showing correlations with the expected value of the gamble. we assumed shocks are “bad” and have negative value; for example, the reference shocks would have an expected value (ev) of −10. we calculated the expected value of the gambles with the equation: ev gamble = −10 + (number of shocks less number of shocks more)/2. ev gamble ranged from −7 for the best gamble, and −13 for the worst gamble. this parameter was expected to directly affect choice, because a less negative ev gamble would indicate a better gamble and a more negative ev gamble a worse gamble, assuming individuals find electric shocks unpleasant. to further analyze the interaction between potential outcomes with less or more shocks within identified regions, we performed an roi analysis using beta estimates from a different first-level model in which the number of shocks less and the number of shocks more than the reference amount were modeled by separate parametric modulators. this allowed us to identify the extent to which better and worse potential outcomes separately contributed to ev gamble . four main regressors were included in the first-level models. (1) the status quo shock at the beginning of each trial was modeled as an impulse function. (2) the “decision” period, during which a decision to accept or reject the gamble was required, was modeled from the onset of gamble presentation until button press. the expected value of the gamble was also included as a parametric modulator for this period. (3) the “ball” period, in which the gamble outcome was resolved over a varying period of time between 3 and 6 s, was modeled as a variable duration function. (4) the “wait” period was modeled from the display of the gamble outcome to the receipt of the shocks. for this period, the number of shocks received was included as a parametric modulator. subject motion parameters were also included as regressors. all regressors were convolved to the standard hrf function. to confirm that participants could distinguish between the different numbers of shocks and that increasing shocks were increasingly averse, participants rated all possible sets of shocks relative to the reference shocks (after the above procedure but while still in the scanner). a visual analog scale (vas) was presented on screen, with a white arrow in the center labeled as “reference shocks.” participants were given the reference shocks, and then were given another set of shocks, blinded to the number. they were asked to rate “how much better or worse it is from your reference,” by moving the arrow on screen either left (“better”) or right (“worse”). all possible sets of shocks were given three times each for a total of 30 data points. two seconds after presentation of the gamble, participants were allowed to “accept” or “reject” the gamble by using a button box in the scanner. if participants accepted the gamble, a pink ball flipped between options for a varying amount of time between 3 and 6 s, landing with a 50/50 chance on the more shocks or fewer shocks outcome. the side on which the ball landed turned yellow, indicating the outcome of the gamble and impending shocks, which occurred 4.7 s after the outcome was revealed. if participants rejected the gamble, an identical presentation including the ball-flip and outcome selection occurred. however, in this case the reference shocks were the only possible outcome. after the shocks were administered, the outcome remained on screen for 3 s, and was followed by an inter-trial interval (iti) of 3 s. the experimental phase consisted of three runs with 18 trials per run (54 trials in total). trials were randomly ordered for each run within-subjects, but remained the same between-subjects. cogent 2000 (fil, university college london) was used for stimulus presentation and response acquisition for this phase. following the calibration phase of the experiment, participants entered the scanner to begin the experimental phase, which was modeled after a monetary gambling paradigm used by tom et al. ( 2007 ). each trial began with a status quo (10 shocks), which was indicated by the presentation of a circle with the text “sure thing” centered in the middle (see figure ). after 2 s, this circle turned yellow, indicating the impending onset of the shocks, which occurred after a further 2 s. following an interstimulus interval (isi) of 3 s, a 50/50 gamble appeared with the words “accept” and “reject” below it. this gamble consisted of two possible outcomes, indicated by separate, equally sized slices of the circle, where the left side was always more potential shocks and the right side always fewer potential shocks. the number of shocks more and less than the reference amount varied between trials, such that every possible combination of shocks was presented. to gain familiarity with the different numbers of shock outcomes, participants were passively exposed to all possible outcomes. an attempt to induce a status quo of 10 shocks was made by subjecting participants to the 10 shocks at the beginning of each trial. on each outcome, the number of shocks (sn) was evenly spaced in time over 340 ms, yielding an inter-pulse interval of 340/(sn-1). this was done to avoid confounding the number of shocks with the total duration of shocks. the number of shocks, sn, within a trial was 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, or 18. these numbers were determined based on previous literature that suggests that the weber fraction for many stimuli range from 0.01 to 0.10, meaning that a difference of at least 1–10% between stimuli is needed in order to be distinguishable from each other (teghtsoonian, 1971 ; lavoie and grondin, 2004 ). to insure that participants could distinguish between different numbers of shocks, a difference in number of at least 25% between shocks was used. the status quo was set at 10 shocks, and so a relative gain was framed as “2, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 less” and a relative loss as “2, 5, or 8 more.” prior to scanning, shock intensity was calibrated by finding each participant's “maximum shock intensity”, i max . participants were told that their maximum shock intensity would be set to the highest intensity that they could bear. for the calibration procedure, each trial consisted of 18 shocks over 340 ms (the maximum number per trial in the subsequent experiment). the current was slowly increased until participants notified the experimenter that they couldn't bear it anymore, and this current level was set as their i max . the current level for all shocks throughout the experiment was set at 90% of i max . a biopac stm100c stimulator module with a stmisoc isolation unit (biopac systems, inc., ca, usa) was used to deliver electric shocks cutaneously to the dorsum of the left foot through shielded, gold electrodes placed 2–4 cm apart. the stmisoc unit controlled current output to the electrodes, with each pulse lasting 15 ms. the stimulator module was connected via a serial-interface to a laptop which controlled the timing and delivery of the shocks. to determine how these regions responded to the individual components of the gambles (less or more potential shocks), beta values for the lottery × number of shocks less and lottery × number of shocks more condition were extracted from regions identified in the lottery × ev gamble contrast mentioned above. the left ventral striatum showed significant positive and negative correlations with the number of potential shocks less (better) and number of potential shocks more (worse), respectively. other areas identified in the positive ev gamble contrast revealed the same relationship: a significant positive correlation with the number of potential shocks less and negative correlation with the number of potential shocks more. the opposite trend was seen for several regions identified in the negative ev gamble contrast: significant positive correlations with the number of potential shocks more and negative correlations with the number of potential shocks less were observed in the insula, intraparietal sulcus, and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmpfc). to visualize activity to each individual gamble type, we extracted beta values from rois in the lottery × ev gamble contrast for each gamble type. in the left ventral striatum, gambles with a higher ev gamble were associated with less deactivation, and gambles with a lower ev gamble were associated with more deactivation, as revealed in a heat map (see figure ). a heat map of beta values from the dmpfc for each gamble revealed less activation to gambles with a higher ev gamble , and more activation to gambles with a lower ev gamble (see figure ). in other words, more potential shocks elicited above-baseline bold activity in these regions. similar activity was observed in the genual acc (see figure ), with less deactivation for gambles with a lower ev gamble . the expected value of the gambles, ev gamble , was used to identify brain regions involved in the valuation of gambles during the decision period (see figure ). used as a parametric modulator, this allowed for identification of regions of the brain whose bold signal correlated with the objective gamble value. positive correlations between ev gamble and bold activity were found in the visual cortex, intraparietal sulcus, frontal eye fields, and the left ventral striatum, among other areas (see upper portion of table ). a less negative ev gamble indicated a better gamble, which demonstrates that these regions responded in a graded manner to comparatively better possible outcomes even though all outcomes were still painful. given that all outcomes were aversive, it is interesting that ventral striatum activity increased for relatively “less bad” outcomes. regions with negative ev gamble correlations, or a greater response for worse outcomes (more expected shocks), included the posterior cingulate, anterior cingulate (acc), inferior parietal lobule, insula, and the lateral ofc (lower portion of table ). to determine individual risk-preference, the curvature of the utility function, u(x) = x α was estimated for each participant using a non-linear least-squares regression. participant values were not normally distributed nor were they lognormal, and therefore non-parametric statistics were used to test for significance. a wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that, on average, participant α values (median α = 0.934, sd = 0.309) were significantly different from one (p = 0.0381). due to the method of estimation (where a larger expected value is a more unfavorable gamble), an α < 1 indicates convexity over losses and therefore a preference for risk-seeking behavior, whereas an α = 1 indicates a risk-neutral preference. in addition, average vas ratings for each possible outcome in the study were computed and normalized to the reference shock ratings. when plotted, these ratings revealed a convex function resembling a value function over losses (see figure ). the slope of the vas rating over more and less potential shocks were computed for each participant, using linear regression. a paired-samples t-test revealed that the slope for less potential shocks (m = 1.974, sd = 0.644) was significantly greater than the slope for more potential shocks (m = 0.920, sd = 0.548), p < 0.001, consistent with a convex value function. as another indicator of overall risk-preference, the average indifference point across participants was determined by graphing the probability of choosing the lottery as a function of the expected value of the gambles. a sigmoidal curve, shown in figure , was fit to the data using a logistic function to determine the average indifference point. if participants on average were risk neutral, their indifference point would equal the expected value of the reference shocks (−10). if participants were risk-seeking, their indifference point would be less than −10. the average indifference point was −10.94 shocks (f(−10.94) = 0.500 ± 0.218), indicating risk-seeking behavior. the reference point of −10 did not lie within the 95% confidence interval of the logistic fit (f(−10) = 0.720 ± 0.214), and therefore it is likely that this observed indifference point was significantly different from risk-neutrality. for monetary payments, if an individual prefers to receive a certain payment rather than a gamble with the same expected value, he is said to be risk averse. if he instead prefers the gamble, he is said to be risk seeking. prior research with monetary payments shows that on average, individuals are risk-averse (risk-seeking) for positive (negative) payoffs. we consider whether the shock quantities in our experiment are treated in the same way. to consider the issue, participant behavior in symmetric lotteries was analyzed. symmetric lotteries were lotteries with the same amount of shocks less and more than the reference amount, and therefore had the same expected value as the reference shocks. averaged across all runs for all participants, the symmetric lotteries were chosen over the reference shocks 74% of the time, which suggests risk-seeking behavior. for the individual symmetric lotteries of 8/8, 5/5, and 2/2, participants chose the lottery 56%, 78%, and 89% of the time, respectively. interestingly, this was significantly different between the three symmetric lottery types (f(2,105) = 10.21; p < 0.0001). discussion contrary to the simplest form of the dual-systems view, which would predict no response from the ventral striatum to gambles consisting solely of losses, our results indicate that the ventral striatum encodes information regarding value irrespective of the type of outcome (e.g., “more” or “less” shocks) and whether the outcomes are globally “good” or “bad” (e.g., appetitive or aversive). in particular, the positive correlation of left ventral striatal activity with the expected value of the shock lotteries supports its role in valuation and extends this to include the relative valuations of “bads.” while previous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated the role of the striatum in integrating the value of rewards with a variety of costs (tom et al., 2007; croxson et al., 2009; talmi et al., 2009), our results extend these findings to the domains of pain and loss even when there is no possibility of gain. that these decisions were viewed as occurring in the loss domain is reinforced by the fact that, despite being exposed to the reference shocks for each trial, participants viewed every outcome as a “loss.” this was evidenced by consistent risk-seeking behavior over the full range of lotteries and a larger slope for less shocks than more shocks relative to the status quo for the vas ratings. these results are consistent with past research showing risk-seeking behavior over hypothetically painful outcomes (eraker and sox, 1981). interestingly, this risk-seeking behavior cannot explain the changes in striatal activation as others have suggested (fiorillo et al., 2003; preuschoff et al., 2006) because the variance of the best and worst lotteries is the same in our task. one possible reason for this lack of status quo inducement is the transient nature of the reference shocks. although participants were presented with reference shocks between each trial, the majority of the time participants were not experiencing painful stimuli. it is possible that a constant painful stimulus, such as would arise with the use of capsaicin to induce a constant state of pain which can then be attenuated or exacerbated with temperature, might be more effective in inducing a status quo (seymour et al., 2005). it is important to distinguish between the loss of something desirable, which has been investigated in a considerable number of prior studies, and the receipt of something undesirable, which has received less attention. previous neuroeconomic studies of loss aversion have shown that the ventral striatum deactivates to the prospect of monetary loss (tom et al., 2007). similarly, striatal deactivation has been observed with increased effort and pain to obtain a monetary gain (croxson et al., 2009; talmi et al., 2009). these results point to the integrative role of the striatum in determining net value for monetary rewards but do not directly address its role in the relative valuation of things that are universally bad. evidence exists, however, that the striatum dynamically scales for relative coding of value (seymour and mcclure, 2008). in a similar manner, dopamine neurons have been observed to adaptively code reward value (tobler et al., 2005), so it is plausible that the striatum could exhibit adaptive signaling even in the realm of painful outcomes for which we find strong evidence here. beyond the striatum's adaptive coding of value, its more general role in pain processing has been hotly debated (leknes and tracey, 2008). some studies have shown ventral striatal activity during the anticipation of painful stimuli (becerra et al., 2001; jensen et al., 2003), a finding echoed by pet evidence of dopamine release to pain (scott et al., 2006), while others have argued this activity merely reflects the anticipated relief (baliki et al., 2010). still others have suggested that the ventral striatum functions more generally in motivated behavior (horvitz, 2000; zink et al., 2003, 2004; delgado et al., 2004; nicola et al., 2004; leknes and tracey, 2008). our results showed increased ventral striatal activity in anticipation of fewer shocks, which suggests that the striatum is not simply functioning to prime the system to avoid pain i.e., an analgesic effect (scott et al., 2006, 2007; wood and holman, 2009). if that were the case, we would expect to see increased striatal activity to more potential shocks. instead, we observed the opposite trend, precluding an analgesic explanation. although the aforementioned discussion pertains to the role of the striatum in relative valuation, we also find evidence for such signals in cortical regions classically associated with pain and punishment evaluation (bechara et al., 1998; o'doherty et al., 2001; koyama et al., 2005; kringelbach, 2005; raij et al., 2005; seymour et al., 2005). these regions appear to signal valuation in an inverse manner from the striatum, with both systems operating in synchrony during the decision period. indeed, evidence for the co-existence of both appetitive-valuation and aversive-valuation signals in the brain exists, with the aversive-valuation signals residing in some of the same regions that we observe, namely in the lateral ofc and genual acc (o'doherty et al., 2001; small et al., 2001; gottfried et al., 2002; seymour et al., 2005; nitschke et al., 2006). in our study, the lateral ofc and genual acc convey this valuation information during decision-making itself over painful stimuli, as opposed to only during passive learning tasks, which build on prior evidence for these structures roles in signaling bad outcomes, perhaps to facilitate reversal-learning or changes in action, as has been suggested (kringelbach and rolls, 2003; seymour et al., 2005). furthermore, given past research showing lateral ofc and genual acc activation to non-painful but aversive stimuli, such as monetary loss (o'doherty et al., 2001; liu et al., 2007) and unpleasant odors (gottfried et al., 2002; rolls et al., 2003), this information is likely coded in a “common currency”, as has been suggested of activity in the orbitofrontal-striatal system (montague and berns, 2002; murray et al., 2007). in addition to valuation, the increase in bold response to worse gambles that we observed could be related to attention or cognitive control in general, which refers to the process by which attention, memory, and other cognitive abilities are shifted to accomplish a variety of goals. in addition to the lateral ofc and acc, we found that the dmpfc signaled worse gambles with above-baseline activation in a location that has been recently implicated in decision-related control (venkatraman et al., 2009), and that has been shown to be more active for more difficult decisions and for decisions that run counter to overall behavioral strategy (paulus et al., 2002; zysset et al., 2006; hampton and o'doherty, 2007). though our experimental design does not allow us to separate these functions from valuation or vice-versa, it is likely the case that there exists a complex interplay between regions signaling aversive valuation, such as the lateral ofc, and higher-level decision-control regions which integrate these signals, possibly the dmpfc. much like the striatum, activity in the dmpfc has been demonstrated during decision-making over a variety of stimuli, suggesting that its role might be independent of the type of outcome that is being decided on (rushworth et al., 2005; pochon et al., 2008; venkatraman et al., 2009). the current body of research in decision-making points to the idea of a universal valuation system that signals how “good” or “bad” a potential outcome is, relative to some reference point. structures that were originally thought to be involved solely in reward processing during decision-making are increasingly being shown to be involved in the processing of punishing stimuli as well. similar activity in these orbitofrontal-striatal regions is observed between more abstract punishments (e.g., monetary losses) and painful stimuli as we have shown here, much like the similar activation patterns for a wide variety of rewarding stimulus modalities. future research might focus on how a baseline is determined for this valuation activity and whether it is directly related to the status quo, and whether loss aversion can be observed for non-monetary outcomes once a status quo has been set.

væn wɪl goʊ ˈæftər hɪz wərld ˈʧæmpiənˌʃɪp wɪn ɔn ðɪs juˈnik væn ðə bɛst sˈwɪmər, ˈsaɪkəlɪst ər ˈrənər ɪn həˈwaɪˌi ɪn 2013 hi wɑz ðə ˈfæstəst triathlete*, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪn pɑrt bɪˈkəz hi wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ steɪ kloʊz tɪ ðə frənt ɔl ðə weɪ tɪ wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛmtiɪŋ hɪz rɪˈzərvz əv strɛŋθ. wɑz ðə ˈstrɔŋgəst [ɪn ɑr grup leɪt ɪn ðə bike],”*],” sɛd ˈtaɪlər ˈbətərfild, hu roʊd kloʊz tɪ væn ɪn ðə ˈleɪtər maɪəlz əv ðə raɪd. kʊd tɛl ˈweɪtɪŋ fər ˈjuˈɛs. hi ˈlɪtərəli wʊd bi ˈpʊlɪŋ tərnz ənd lʊk ˈoʊvər ənd si ðət hi drɑpt ˈjuˈɛs ənd iz bæk ə hi tʊk ɔf ənd wən ðə race.”*.” ˈseɪvɪŋ ˈɛnərʤi ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə raɪd wɑz ʤɪst ɛz ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt tɪ hɪz ˈstrætəʤi ɛz ˈseɪvɪŋ ˈsɛkəndz. ðə suˈpɪriər ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃən əv ˈpeɪʃəns ənd ˈfɪtnəs ɪz ðə ki tɪ ˈmeɪkɪŋ hɪz baɪk splɪt soʊ ˈifɛktɪv, ənd hɪz əˈtɛnʃən tɪ ˈtɛknɪkəl ˈditeɪl hɛlps seɪv ˈivɪn ə fju ˈɛkstrə ˈkælɔˌriz ðət kəm ɪn ˈhændi leɪt ɪn ðə reɪs. væn ʧeɪn lʊks laɪk ə ˈstændərd 9000 ʧeɪn. ðə lɪŋks ənd pɪnz ər ðə seɪm ɛz ˈɛni ʧeɪn ɪn ˈɛni baɪk ʃɑp, bət væn həz ə ˈspɛʃəl ˈkoʊtɪŋ wɪθ ə ˈʃɑkɪŋli lɑrʤ ˌgɛrənˈti əv ˈɛnərʤi ˈseɪvɪŋz. ˈʤeɪsən smɪθ əv ˈboʊldər, ˈkoʊloʊ., ˈfaʊndɪd ən ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt læb kɔld ˈfrɪkʃən fækts ðət kənˈdəkts ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt tɛst ɔn ðə rɪˈzɪstəns kriˈeɪtɪd baɪ ˈmuvɪŋ pɑrts ɔn ə baɪk, səʧ ɛz ðə ʧeɪn ənd ˈbɛrɪŋz. hi faʊnd ðət ˈtritɪŋ ə ʧeɪn ɪn ˈpɛrəfən wæks seɪvz wɑts ˈoʊvər ˈivɪn ðə bɛst trəˈdɪʃənəl lub. smɪθ ˈstɑrtɪd baɪɪŋ ʧeɪnz, ˈtritɪŋ ðɛm ənd ˈsɛlɪŋ ðɛm ɛz ʧeɪnz. hi ˌgɛrənˈtiz ə ˈmæsɪv ˈseɪvɪŋz. rɪr ˈpʊliz kəm wɪθ stil ˈbɛrɪŋ. həz ˈteɪkən ɔf ɛz ðə rɪˈpleɪsmənt ˈpʊli əv ʧɔɪs fər ˈmɛni proʊ triathletes*, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ væn. ðə neɪmz əv hɪz sənz, ˈɛrən ənd ˈsaɪmən, ər ɛʧt ˈɪntu ðə wilz. væn roʊd læst jɪr ənd ɪz bæk əˈgɛn wɪθ ɪˈlɪptɪkəl rɪŋz. naʊ hi ɪz ˈreɪsɪŋ q-rings*. hɪz bɪg ɪz 54 tiθ. ˈmɛni əv ðə tɔp mɛn hɪt spidz fæst ɪˈnəf tɪ ə rɪŋ soʊ hi ˈjuzɪz ən ˈoʊvərˌsaɪzd wən tɪ steɪ ɪn ˈkɑnˌtækt wɪθ hɪz ˈpɛdəlz ˈdʊrɪŋ ðɪs ˈkruʃəl pɑrt əv ðə raɪd. fər ˈstɔrɪʤ, væn həz tu raʊnd ˈbɑtəl ˈkeɪʤɪz ɔn hɪz baɪk ənd ˈnəθɪŋ ɛls. ən ʧɪmp keɪʤ ɪz ˈmaʊnɪd tɪ hɪz ənd ə gərˈɪlə keɪʤ ɪz bɪtˈwin hɪz ˈfɔˌrɑrmz. ɪˈlɪməˌneɪtɪŋ ɛkˈstreɪniəs ˈsɪstəmz, ˈbɑtəlz ənd ˈkeɪʤɪz kip hɪz rɪg ɛz slik ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl. ˈmɛni ˈæθˌlits hæv gɔn əˈweɪ frəm ə freɪm ˈbɑtəl ɪn ˈfeɪvər əv ə keɪʤ bɪˈhaɪnd ðə ˈsædəl. taɪərz hæv ˈoʊvərˌteɪkən rɪmz ɛz ðə moʊst ˈɛləmənt əv reɪs wilz fər səm əv ðə ˈlidɪŋ wil dɪˈzaɪnərz. ˈænsər tɪ taɪər dɪˈzaɪn ɪz ɪkˈstrim ˌɪnəˈgreɪʃən. ðə frɛnʧ ˈkəmpəˌni kriˈeɪtɪd ə taɪər ɪkˈsplɪsətli tɪ əˈʧiv ə ʃeɪp ðət ˈpərfəktli ˈmæʧɪz ðə rɪm əv ɪts 80 ˌɛroʊdaɪˈnæmɪkli, ðɪs wil həz pərˈfɔrmd ɪkˈsidɪŋli wɛl. wən θɪŋ væn ˈmɑdəˌfaɪ ɪn ðə sˈlaɪtəst ɪz ðə fɪt əv hɪz wɪθ ðə bɑrz ɪn ðə loʊəst ˌɔriɛnˈteɪʃən, hɪz fɪt ˈmæʧɪz ðɪs freɪm ˈpərfəktli. ðɛr ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˈspeɪsər ɔn hɪz baɪk. rɪˈleɪtɪd væn: ju hæv tɪ bi strɔŋ tɪ ðə ɛnd

van lierde will go after his second-straight ironman world championship win on this unique cervélo p5. frederik van lierde wasn’t the best swimmer, cyclist or runner in ironman hawaii in 2013. he was the fastest triathlete, however, in part because he was able to stay close to the front all the way to t2 without emptying his reserves of strength. “he was the strongest [in our group late in the bike],” said tyler butterfield, who rode close to van lierde in the later miles of the ride. “you could tell he’s waiting for us. he literally would be pulling turns and look over and see that he dropped us and ease back a bit…then he took off and won the race.” saving energy during the ride was just as important to his strategy as saving seconds. the belgian’s superior combination of patience and fitness is the key to making his bike split so effective, and his attention to technical detail helps save even a few extra calories that come in handy late in the race. van lierde’s chain looks like a standard shimano dura-ace 9000 11-speed chain. the links and pins are the same as any chain in any bike shop, but van lierde’s has a special lab-validated coating with a shockingly large guarantee of energy savings. jason smith of boulder, colo., founded an independent lab called friction facts that conducts independent test on the resistance created by moving parts on a bike, such as the chain and bearings. he found that treating a chain in paraffin wax saves watts over even the best traditional lube. smith started buying chains, treating them and selling them as ultrafast chains. he guarantees a massive 5-watt savings. shimano dura-ace rear derailleurs pulleys come with steel bearing. ceramicspeed has taken off as the replacement pulley of choice for many pro triathletes, including van lierde. the names of his sons, aaron and simon, are etched into the wheels. van lierde rode osymetric chainrings last year and is back again with elliptical rings. now he is racing rotor’s qxl q-rings. his big chainring is 54 teeth. many of the top men hit speeds fast enough to spin-out a 53-tooth ring so he uses an oversized one to stay in contact with his pedals during this crucial part of the ride. for storage, van lierde has two round bottle cages on his bike and nothing else. an xlab chimp cage is mounted to his downtube and a gorilla cage is between his forearms. eliminating extraneous systems, bottles and cages keep his rig as sleek as possible. many athletes have gone away from a frame bottle in favor of a rear-mounted cage behind the saddle. tires have overtaken rims as the most talked-about element of race wheels for some of the sport’s leading wheel designers. mavic’s answer to tire design is extreme integration. the french company created a tire explicitly to achieve a shape that perfectly matches the rim of its cxr 80. aerodynamically, this wheel has performed exceedingly well. one thing van lierde didn’t modify in the slightest is the fit of his p5. with the 3t aduro bars in the lowest orientation, his fit matches this frame perfectly. there isn’t a single spacer on his bike. related – frederik van lierde: you have to be strong to the end

nəˈʤib razak*, ðə məˈleɪʒən praɪm ˈmɪnɪstər, həz rɪˈʤɛktɪd ðə ˈsisˈfaɪər ˈɔfər baɪ ˈlidər əv ˈrɛbəlz ɪn ˈsɑbə ˈaɪlənd, seɪɪŋ ˈoʊnli ən ˌənkənˈdɪʃənəl sərˈɛndər ɪz əkˈsɛptəbəl. ðə məˈleɪʒən praɪm ˈmɪnɪstər, hu flu tɪ ðə ˈriʤən ɔn ˈθərzˌdeɪ tɪ ˌɪnˈspɛkt sɪˈkjʊrəti ˌɑpərˈeɪʃənz, sɛd hi toʊld ˈfɪləˌpin ˈprɛzɪdənt ˌbɛˈninjoʊ əˈkinoʊ baɪ foʊn ðə ˈsisˈfaɪər ˈɔfər wɑz rɪˈʤɛktɪd. "aɪ toʊld ˈprɛzɪdənt əˈkinoʊ ðeɪ məst leɪ daʊn ðɛr ɑrmz ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli," nəˈʤib toʊld rɪˈpɔrtərz ɪn ə ˈvɪlɪʤ nɪr wɛr ðə ˈɑrmi ənd pəˈlis wər ˈsərʧɪŋ fər skɔrz əv ˈrɛbəlz. "ðeɪ hæv tɪ sərˈɛndər ðɛr ɑrmz ənd ðeɪ hæv tɪ du ɪt ɛz sun ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl." "wi hæv ˈgɪvɪn ðɛm mɔr ðən θri wiks tɪ sərˈɛndər ənd poʊstˈpoʊnd ɪt fɔr taɪmz. wi ˈoʊnli tʊk ˈækʃən ˈæftər ðeɪ kɪld eɪt əv ɑr pəˈlismɪn, soʊ məˈleɪʒə dɪz rɪˈspɛkt ˈjumən raɪts," hi sɛd. æt list 31 ɑrmd ˌfɪləˈpinoʊ ˈgənˌmɛn hæv bɪn kɪld ɪn ðə ˈleɪtəst əˈfɛnsɪv baɪ ðə məˈleɪʒən trups. ðət brɔt ðə ˈtoʊtəl dɛd kloʊz tɪ 60 ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ eɪt məˈleɪʒən pəˈlismɪn. iii*, ə ˈfɪləˌpin ˈsəltən, dɪˈklɛrd ə ˌjunəˈlætərəl ˈsisˈfaɪər tɪ bi ˈifɛktɪv frəm ˈloʊkəl taɪm 04:30gmt*) ənd ərʤd məˈleɪʒə tɪ rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪt, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ə ˈsteɪtmənt rɛd aʊt baɪ hɪz ˈspoʊksmən ɪn ðə ˈfɪləˌpin ˈkæpɪtəl, məˈnɪlə, ɔn ˈθərzˌdeɪ. məˈleɪʒən trups lɔnʧt ə ˈmeɪʤər əˈfɛnsɪv əˈgɛnst ðə ˈrɛbəlz hu ˈɪnfɪlˌtreɪtɪd ˈsɑbə ˈaɪlənd læst mənθ. "ðeɪ wɪl nɑt teɪk ˈɛni ˈækʃən. ðeɪ wɪl rɪˈmeɪn ɪn ðə pleɪs wɛr ðeɪ ər naʊ. ðeɪ wɪl nɑt ɪkˈspænd ˌɑpərˈeɪʃənz," ə ˈspoʊksmən sɛd, rɪˈfərɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈrɛbəlz, bɪˈlivd tɪ ˈnəmbər bɪtˈwin 100 ənd 300 ænˈsɛstrəl kleɪm ðə ˈspoʊksmən, ˈeɪbrəˌhæm idjirani*, sɛd wɑz rɪˈspɑndɪŋ tɪ ə kɔl baɪ ˈjuˈɛn ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri ˈʤɛnərəl bæn ɔn ˈwɛnzˌdeɪ ɪn wɪʧ hi ərʤd ən ɛnd tɪ ðə ˈvaɪələns ɪn ðə məˈleɪʒən steɪt ənd ɪnˈkərəʤ ˈdaɪəˌlɔg bɪtˈwin ðə əˈpoʊzɪŋ saɪdz. "ðə ˈsəltən ɪz ˈkɔlɪŋ fər ə ˌjunəˈlætərəl ˈsisˈfaɪər... ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪt ðə kɔl əv ðə ˈjuˈɛn tɪ prɪˈzərv lɪvz," sɛd idjirani*, ɛz ðə ˈɛldərli ənd ˈeɪlɪŋ sæt nɛkst tɪ ɪm. ˈæŋgər həz ˈmaʊnɪd ɪn məˈleɪʒə ˈoʊvər ðə ˌɪnˈkərʒən, wɪʧ bɪˈgæn ɔn ˈfɛbruˌɛri 12 wɪn ˈfaɪtərz əraɪvd frəm ðə ˈsəðərn ˈfɪləˌpinz ˈprɑvɪns əv tɪ prɛs kleɪm tɪ ðə ˈɛriə. æt list 28 ˈpipəl, ˈmoʊstli ˈrɛbəlz, hæv ˌriˈpɔrtəd bɪn kɪld ɛz əv ˈwɛnzˌdeɪ. məˈleɪʒə lɔnʧt ən ɛr ənd graʊnd əˈtæk ɔn ˈtuzˌdeɪ eɪmd æt ˈkrəʃɪŋ ðə ˈfaɪtərz hu kɔl ðɛmˈsɛlvz 'rɔɪəl ˈɑrmi'. sɪz hi ɪz ðə ˈkɑrənt ˈsəltən əv, ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə ˈsəltənət noʊ ˈlɔŋgər həz ˈɛni ˈfɔrməl paʊər ɪn ðə ˈfɪləˌpinz. hi sɛd hɪz mɛn wɛnt tɪ ˈsɑbə tɪ əˈsərt ðɛr kleɪm tɪ ðə ˈɛriə, ˈsaɪtɪŋ ˈoʊnərˌʃɪp ˈdɑkjəmənts frəm ðə leɪt 1800s*. ðə paʊər ˈfeɪdɪd əˈbaʊt ə ˈsɛnʧəri əˈgoʊ bət ɪt həz kənˈtɪnjud tɪ rɪˈsiv ˈnɑmənəl ˈpeɪmənts frəm məˈleɪʒə fər ˈsɑbə ˈəndər ə hɪˈstɔrɪkəl lis ərˈeɪnʤmənt pæst daʊn frəm ˌjʊrəˈpiən kəˈloʊniəl paʊərz.

najib razak, the malaysian prime minister, has rejected the ceasefire offer by leader of rebels in sabah island, saying only an unconditional surrender is acceptable. the malaysian prime minister, who flew to the region on thursday to inspect security operations, said he told philippine president benigno aquino by phone the ceasefire offer was rejected. "i told president aquino they must lay down their arms immediately," najib told reporters in a village near where the army and police were searching for scores of rebels. "they have to surrender their arms and they have to do it as soon as possible." "we have given them more than three weeks to surrender and postponed it four times. we only took action after they killed eight of our policemen, so malaysia does respect human rights," he said. at least 31 armed filipino gunmen have been killed in the latest offensive by the malaysian troops. that brought the total dead close to 60, including eight malaysian policemen. jamalul kiram iii, a self-proclaimed philippine sultan, declared a unilateral ceasefire to be effective from 12:30pm local time (04:30gmt) and urged malaysia to reciprocate, according to a statement read out by his spokesman in the philippine capital, manila, on thursday. malaysian troops launched a major offensive against the rebels who infiltrated sabah island last month. "they will not take any action. they will remain in the place where they are now. they will not expand operations," a spokesman said, referring to the rebels, believed to number between 100 and 300. ancestral claim the spokesman, abraham idjirani, said kiram was responding to a call by un secretary general ban ki-moon on wednesday in which he urged an end to the violence in the malaysian state and encourage dialogue between the opposing sides. "the sultan is calling for a unilateral ceasefire... in order to reciprocate the call of the un to preserve lives," said idjirani, as the elderly and ailing kiram sat next to him. anger has mounted in malaysia over the incursion, which began on february 12 when fighters arrived from the southern philippines province of sulu to press kiram's claim to the area. at least 28 people, mostly rebels, have reported been killed as of wednesday. malaysia launched an air and ground attack on tuesday aimed at crushing the fighters who call themselves 'royal sulu army'. kiram says he is the current sultan of sulu, although the sultanate no longer has any formal power in the philippines. he said his men went to sabah to assert their claim to the area, citing ownership documents from the late 1800s. the sulu sultanate's power faded about a century ago but it has continued to receive nominal payments from malaysia for sabah under a historical lease arrangement passed down from european colonial powers.

ˈfɔrmər bɔɪz ˈsɪŋər gɑt tɪ si ðə ˌɪnˈsaɪd əv ðə mənˈroʊ ˈkaʊnti ʤeɪl ˈæftər hi əˈlɛʤədli gɑt ˈɪntu ə faɪt ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ə bɑr ɪn ki wɛst. (sɔrs: mənˈroʊ ˈkaʊnti ˈʃɛrɪfs dept*.) ki wɛst, fla*. (cbsmiami/ap*) ən ɪmˈplɔɪi æt ə ki wɛst bɑr ɪz suɪŋ bɔɪz ˈsɪŋər nɪk ˈkɑrtər ˈoʊvər ə brɔl ðət broʊk aʊt rɪˈzəltɪŋ ɪn ərˈɛst. ˈkɑrdən ɪz əˈkjuzɪŋ ˈkɑrtər əv ˈbætəri ɪn ðə ˈlɔˌsut faɪld ˈmənˌdeɪ. ˈkɑrdən kleɪmz ˈkɑrtər strək ənd pənʧt ɪm ˈərliər ðɪs mənθ æt ðə brɛθ səˈlun. ðə ˈlɔˌsut sɪz ˈkɑrtər ənd ə frɛnd wər ɛˈskɔrtɪd aʊt əv ðə bɑr bɪˈkəz əv ənˈruli bɪˈheɪvjər ənd ˈkɑrdən toʊld ðɛm nɑt tɪ rɪˈtərn. rɪˈleɪtɪd: ˈfɔrmər bɔɪ ˈbəstɪd ɪn kiz bɑr faɪt ˈkɑrtər ˈpriviəsli ˈplidɪd nɑt ˈgɪlti tɪ ə ˌmɪsdəˈminər ˈbætəri ʧɑrʤ ənd wɑz riˈlist ɔn beɪl. ə ʤəʤ ˈɔrdərd ˈkɑrtər nɑt tɪ rɪˈtərn tɪ ðə bɑr. ˈkɑrtər həz sɛd hi wɑz ʤɪst ˌɛnˈʤɔɪɪŋ səm veɪˈkeɪʃən taɪm. əˈtərni mɑrk sɪz ə ˈʤʊri wɪl ˌdɪˈsaɪd ðə əˈmaʊnt əv ˈdæmɪʤɪz ɪn ðə ˈlɔˌsut. ənd ˈkɑpiˌraɪt 2016 ˈsiˌbiˌɛs ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ɪŋk. ənd ɪts ˈrɛləvənt səbˈsɪdiˌɛriz. ˈsiˌbiˌɛs ˈreɪdiˌoʊ ənd aɪ ˈloʊgoʊ ənd ˈkɑpiˌraɪt 2016 ˈsiˌbiˌɛs ˈbrɔdˌkæstɪŋ ɪŋk. juzd ˈəndər ˈlaɪsəns. ɔl raɪts rɪˈzərvd. ðɪs məˈtɪriəl meɪ nɑt bi ˈpəblɪʃt, ˈbrɔdˌkæst, riˈrɪtən, ər ˌridɪˈstrɪbjətɪd. ðə əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd prɛs kənˈtrɪbjutɪd tɪ ðɪs rɪˈpɔrt.)

former backstreet boys singer got to see the inside of the monroe county jail after he allegedly got into a fight outside a bar in key west. (source: monroe county sheriff's dept.) key west, fla. (cbsmiami/ap) — an employee at a key west bar is suing backstreet boys singer nick carter over a brawl that broke out – resulting in carter’s arrest. skylar carden is accusing carter of battery in the lawsuit filed monday. carden claims carter struck and punched him earlier this month at the hog’s breath saloon. the lawsuit says carter and a friend were escorted out of the bar because of unruly behavior and carden told them not to return. related: former backstreet boy busted in keys bar fight carter previously pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge and was released on $1,500 bail. a judge ordered carter not to return to the bar. carter has said he was just enjoying some vacation time. carden’s attorney mark dicowden says a jury will decide the amount of damages in the lawsuit. (tm and © copyright 2016 cbs radio inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. cbs radio and eye logo tm and copyright 2016 cbs broadcasting inc. used under license. all rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. the associated press contributed to this report.)

ˈsuzən ʤi. fər ðə kjʊr ɪz traɪɪŋ ɪts ˈvɛri ˈhɑrdəst tɪ pruv tɪ ɪts səˈpɔrtərz ðət ɪt ˈdɪdənt ˌdɪˈsaɪd tɪ stɑp ˈgɪvɪŋ grænts tɪ plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd bɪˈkəz əv ən ˌɪnˈtərnəl ər ɪkˈstərnəl raɪt wɪŋ pəˈlɪtɪkəl əˈʤɛndə, wɪʧ ɪz ˈstimɪŋ, ˈɑbviəs ˈbʊlˌʃɪt. naʊ, ɪt tərnz aʊt ðət ˈpipəl frəm ˌɪnˈsaɪd kənˈfərm ðət ðə dɪˈsɪʒən wɑz ə pəˈlɪtɪkəl wən, ənd ðə ˈpɑləˌtɪks əv ər sˈwɪŋɪŋ ˈwaɪldli tɪ ðə raɪt θæŋks tɪ ðə məˈtæstəˌsaɪzd ˌaɪdiˈɑləʤi əv ˈkɛrən ˈhændəl, ˈfɔrmər ˈmɑmə ˈgrɪzli, feɪld ˈʤɔrʤə guˌbərnəˈtɔˌriəl ˈkænədɪt, ənd ˈlɔŋˌtaɪm ˈpɛrənˌthʊd kruˈseɪdər. əˈfɪʃəl laɪn ɔn ðə ˈrizən fər ˈkətɪŋ ɔf fəndz tɪ plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd wɑz ə rul ðət dɪˈklɛrd ðət ðə ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən wɑz nɑt tɪ gɪv fəndz tɪ ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃənz ˈəndər ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən æt ðə ˈloʊkəl, steɪt, ər ˈfɛdərəl ˈlɛvəl. əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ˈʤɛfri ˈgoʊldbərg æt ðə əˈtlæntɪk, ˈfɔrmər ɪmˈplɔɪiz əv toʊld ɪm ðət ðə rul wɑz, ɪn fækt, dɪˈzaɪnd tɪ ˈsɪŋgəl aʊt plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd. ðə ˈfɔrmər ɪmˈplɔɪiz toʊld ˈgoʊldbərg ðət ˈkɛrən ˈhændəl wɑz bɪˈhaɪnd ðə nu rul, wɪʧ wɑz ˈɪnstɪˌtutɪd ɪn dɪˈsɛmbər. ɪmˈplɔɪiz əv ˈɔlsoʊ toʊld ˈgoʊldbərg ðət ˈhændəl ənd hər ˈkroʊniz sɔ ðə plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd kənˈgrɛʃənəl ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən ɛz ən ˌɑpərˈtunəti tɪ ˈfaɪnəli ɛnd riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp wɪθ ðə ˈfæməli ˈplænɪŋ ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən. ənd ɪn keɪs jʊr breɪn stɪl ˈɪzənt ˈkɔlɪŋ "ˈbʊlˌʃɪt" ɔn ˈhændəlz plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd ˈpɑləˌtɪkɪŋ: gɪvz grænts tɪ mɔr ðən ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃənz, ənd soʊ fɑr, plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd ɪz ðə ˈoʊnli wən ðæts bɪn əˈfɛktɪd baɪ ðə ˈhændəl rul. ænˈtɪsəˌpeɪtɪd frəm ðə ˈpɑləsi ʧeɪnʤ, ənd ɪn ən əˈtɛmpt tɪ ðə ˈdæmɪʤ, dɪˈstrɪbjətəd ˌɪnˈtərnəl ˈmɛmoʊz tɪ ɪts ɪmˈplɔɪiz, prəˈvaɪdɪŋ ðɛm wɪθ ˈtɔkɪŋ pɔɪnts tɪ juz wɪn æst əˈbaʊt ˈwɛðər ðə dɪˈsɪʒən tɪ diˈfənd plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd wɑz pəˈlɪtɪkəl. wən əv ðə kænd ˈænsərz ðeɪ səˈʤɛstɪd wɑz, ˈsuzən ʤi. ɪz ˈdipli kəˈmɪtɪd tɪ prəˈvaɪdɪŋ brɛst hɛlθ ˈsərvɪsɪz tɪ ˈwɪmən θruaʊt ðə juz. ɪt ɪz ɑr bɪˈlif ðət wɛr ə ˈwʊmən lɪvz ʃʊd nɑt dɪˈtərmən ˈwɛðər ʃi lɪvz. prəˈvaɪdɪd fəndz fər brɛst ˈskrinɪŋz læst jɪr əˈloʊn, ənd prəˈvaɪdɪd ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ənd ˈsoʊʃəl səˈpɔrt tɪ əˈnəðər ˈwɪmən, ɛz pɑrt əv ɑr 93 ˈmɪljən ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt ɪn ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃən, ˈpəblɪk hɛlθ ˈaʊˌtriʧ ənd ˈsərvɪs tɪ ˈvəlnərəbəl ˈwɪmən læst jɪr əˈloʊn. ðət wərk wɪl kənˈtɪnju. wi bɪˈliv ðiz nu ˈstændərdz wɪl ˈfərðər ɛnˈhæns ðə ˌɪnˈtɛgrəti əv ɑr ˈgrænɪŋ ˈprɔˌsɛs ənd ˈstrɛŋθən ɑr ˈoʊvərˌɔl kəmˈjunɪti hɛlθ ˈproʊˌgræm. ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt bət ðɪs ˈhæzənt gɔn daʊn sˈmuðli fər ɔl ɪmˈplɔɪiz. ɪn fækt, ðə ˈʧɛrətiz tɔp ˈpəblɪk hɛlθ əˈfɪʃəl ˈmɑli ˈwɪljəmz rɪˈzaɪnd ˈæftər ðə rulz ˌɪmpləmɛnˈteɪʃən bæk ɪn dɪˈsɛmbər. hər ɪmˈplɔɪiz seɪ ðət ʃi lɛft bɪˈkəz ʃi fɛlt ðə ˌeɪpəˈlɪtɪkəl aɪˈdilz əv wər biɪŋ ˈvaɪəleɪtɪd baɪ ˈprɛʃər frəm ðə pəˈlɪtɪkəl raɪt, ənd ðət ʃi kʊd noʊ ˈlɔŋgər pərˈfɔrm hər ʤɑb wɪθ ə klɪr ˈkɑnʃəns. ɪt simz ðət ˈmɛni əv ðə ɪmˈplɔɪiz θɔt ðɪs wɑz ə bæd muv, ənd toʊld bɔrd ðət tɪ kət ɔf ˈfəndɪŋ fər ðə ˈkænsər ˈskrinɪŋ wərk əv plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd wʊd bi ˈhɑrmfəl tɪ boʊθ ðə ˈpeɪʃənz hu ˈbɛnəfɪt ənd tɪ ˈɪmɪʤ ɛz ə hoʊl. ðə bɔrd ˌɪgˈnɔrd ðɪs ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃən, ənd əˈpruvd ðə ˈhændəl rul, ənd ɔl hɛl broʊk lus. gʊd kɔl, bɔrd! ðə ˈfaɪrˌstɔrm əv ˈkɑntrəˌvərsi ðæts əraʊnd həz ˈprɑmptɪd ðə ˈkəmpəniz ˈfaʊndər ənd ˈnænsi ˈbrɪŋkər tɪ meɪk ə toʊn dɛf ˈvɪdioʊ wɛr ʃi əˈʃʊrz ˈdoʊnərz ðət ðɛr duɪŋ ɔl sɔrt əv stəf fər pur ˈwɪmən. laɪk əˈpɪrɪŋ ɪn ə ˈvɪdioʊ ˈlʊkɪŋ laɪk ə rɪʧ ˈleɪdi ˈkɛrɪkəˌʧər sərˈaʊndɪd baɪ ɪkˈspɛnsɪv bʊks. grænt ˈstændərdz ər ˈəndər ˌrivˈju ɔl ðə taɪm, ʃi əˈʃʊrz vjuərz, ənd ðɪs "strəˈtiʤɪk ʃɪft" ɪz noʊ ˈdɪfərənt. ɪkˈsɛpt ðə nu rul ˈoʊnli əˈfɛktɪd wən ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən, raɪt, ˈnænsi? ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt ˈhændəl hərˈsɛlf həz bɪn ˈlɑrʤli ˈsaɪlənt ɔn ðə ˈɪʃu, ənˈtɪl læst naɪt, wɪn ʃi ɔl bət kənˈfərmd wət ˈɛvriˌwən səˈspɛktɪd baɪ retweeting—*— ənd kˈwɪkli deleting—*— ə twit ðət rɛd "ʤɪst laɪk grup tɪ tərn ˈkænsər dɪˈsɪʒən ˈɪntu ə pəˈlɪtɪkəl bɔm tɪ θroʊ. kraɪ mi ə ˈfrikɪŋ ˈrɪvər." əˈlæs, noʊ wən tɔt ˈkɛrən ˈhændəl əˈbaʊt skrin græbz. ðə ˈɪntərˌnɛts fərˈɛvər, ˈhændəl. kraɪ mi ə ˈfrikɪŋ ˈrɪvər. ˈhændəl ˈdɪdənt ˈbɑðər tɪ skrəb hər ˈərliər pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˌbiˈfɔr bɪˈkəmɪŋ ðə ˈsinjər vaɪs ˈprɛzɪdənt əv ˈpəblɪk ˈpɑləsi æt ˈsuzən ʤi fər ðə kjʊr. laɪk ðɪs wən, wɛr ʃi tɔkt əˈbaʊt haʊ greɪt ɪt wɑz tɪ hæŋ aʊt wɪθ ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃənz. ər ðɪs wən, wɛr ʃi ˈprɑməst tɪ pæs ə ˈreɪsɪst ˌɪməˈgreɪʃən lɔz ɪn ˈʤɔrʤə, laɪk ðə wən ðeɪ hæv ɪn ˌɛrɪˈzoʊnə. ər ðə səˈlɛbrəˌtɔri wɛr ʃiz ʤɪst ˌbiˈsaɪd hərˈsɛlf ðət ˈsɛrə ˈpælɪn ɛnˈdɔrst hər, ˈmeɪkɪŋ hər ən ˈɑnərˌɛri ˈmɑmə ˈgrɪzli. ər ɔl ðə wɛr ʃi ˈprɑməst ˈʤɔrʤənz tɪ gɪt rɪd əv obamacare—*— bɪˈkəz hɛlθ kɛr ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ ju ərn, əˈspɛʃəli ɪf ju hæv ˈkænsər, raɪt, ˈleɪdi hu wərks fər ˈsuzən ʤi. fər ðə kjʊr ˈmeɪkɪŋ hɛlθ kɛr dɪˈsɪʒənz fər pur ˈwɪmən? ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt ðɪs ˈɪzənt tɪ seɪ ðət ˈpipəl wɪθ strɔŋ pəˈlɪtɪkəl əˈpɪnjənz ˈʃʊdənt bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ wərk ɪn ˌnɑnpəˈlɪtɪkəl ərˈinəz ənd wɪˈθaʊt ðɛr əˈpɪnjənz biɪŋ hɛld əˈgɛnst ðɛm. bət ˈkɛrən ˈhændəl wɑz æst tɪ wərk æt ə haɪ ˈlɛvəl pəˈzɪʃən ɪn ən ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən ðət dilz wɪθ ˈwɪmənz ˈbɑdiz ənd ˈwɪmənz hɛlθ ˈæftər ˈpruvɪŋ hərˈsɛlf ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl ɪn ðə ˈpəblɪk ərˈinə əv ˈsɛpərˌeɪtɪŋ ˈwɪmənz ˈbɑdiz ənd ˈpɑləˌtɪks. ɪt wɑz ə bæd haɪər fər, ənd naʊ ɪts ə ˈpəblɪk riˈleɪʃənz ˈnaɪtˌmɛr. brænd ɪz ˌɪmˈploʊdɪŋ ənd ˈsɪriəsli ˈeɪliəˌneɪtɪŋ jəŋ ˈwɪmən ənd ˈplɪtɪkli prəˈgrɛsɪv səˈpɔrtərz hu wər drɔn tɪ ðə kɔz ɛkˈsprɛsli bɪˈkəz əv ðɛr ˌnɑnpəˈlɪtɪkəl əˈproʊʧ tɪ ə ˌnɑnpəˈlɪtɪkəl dɪˈziz. bət wɪn ə ˈʧɛrɪti haɪərz ə ˈwʊmən laɪk ˈhændəl, ə ˈwʊmən hu məst ˈɔlˌweɪz əˈtæʧ ˈpɑləˌtɪks tɪ ə ˈwʊmənz ˈbɑdi, ənd əˈlaʊz hər tɪ ˈprɑʤɛkt hər pəˈlɪtɪkəl bɪˈlifs ˈɪntu hər wərk, ˈsisɪz biɪŋ ə ˈvaɪəbəl ˈʧɛrɪti ənd stɑrts biɪŋ ə ˌsɛlˈfraɪʧəs pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən fər rɪʧ ˈleɪdiz hu laɪk ˈhæŋɪŋ əraʊnd wɪθ səˈlɛbrɪtiz. ɪts ə ˈsoʊʃəl kləb, ənd ðə ˈoʊnli θɪŋ ɪts ˈkjʊrɪŋ raɪt naʊ ɪz ˈpipəlz dɪˈzaɪər tɪ reɪz ˈɛni mɔr ˈməni fər ðɛm. tɔp ˈsuzən ʤi əˈfɪʃəl rɪˈzaɪnd ˈoʊvər plænd ˈpɛrənˌthʊd keɪv ɪn [ðə əˈtlæntɪk]

susan g. komen for the cure is trying its very hardest to prove to its supporters that it didn't decide to stop giving grants to planned parenthood because of an internal or external right wing political agenda, which is steaming, obvious bullshit. now, it turns out that people from inside komen confirm that the decision was a political one, and the politics of komen are swinging wildly to the right thanks to the metastasized ideology of karen handel, former mama grizzly, failed georgia gubernatorial candidate, and longtime anti-planned parenthood crusader. komen's official line on the reason for cutting off funds to planned parenthood was a newly-instituted rule that declared that the organization was not to give funds to organizations under investigation at the local, state, or federal level. according to jeffrey goldberg at the atlantic, former employees of komen told him that the rule was, in fact, designed to single out planned parenthood. the former employees told goldberg that karen handel was behind the new rule, which was instituted in december. employees of komen also told goldberg that handel and her cronies saw the planned parenthood congressional investigation as an opportunity to finally end komen's relationship with the family planning organization. and in case your brain still isn't calling "bullshit" on handel's planned parenthood politicking: komen gives grants to more than 2,000 organizations, and so far, planned parenthood is the only one that's been affected by the handel rule. komen anticipated pushback from the policy change, and in an attempt to pre-address the damage, distributed internal memos to its employees, providing them with talking points to use when asked about whether the decision to defund planned parenthood was political. one of the canned answers they suggested was, susan g. komen is deeply committed to providing breast health services to women throughout the u.s. it is our belief that where a woman lives should not determine whether she lives. komen provided funds for 700,000 breast screenings last year alone, and provided financial and social support to another 100,000 women, as part of our $93 million investment in education, public health outreach and service to vulnerable women last year alone. that work will continue. we believe these new standards will further enhance the integrity of our granting process and strengthen our overall community health program. advertisement but this hasn't gone down smoothly for all komen employees. in fact, the charity's top public health official mollie williams resigned after the rule's implementation back in december. her employees say that she left because she felt the apolitical ideals of komen were being violated by pressure from the political right, and that she could no longer perform her job with a clear conscience. it seems that many of the employees thought this was a bad move, and told komen's board that to cut off funding for the cancer screening work of planned parenthood would be harmful to both the patients who benefit and to komen's image as a whole. the board ignored this recommendation, and approved the handel rule, and all hell broke loose. good call, board! the firestorm of controversy that's whirlwinded around komen has prompted the company's founder and ceo/jillionaire nancy brinker to make a tone deaf video where she assures komen donors that they're doing all sort of stuff for poor women. like appearing in a video looking like a rich lady caricature surrounded by expensive books. grant standards are under review all the time, she assures viewers, and this "strategic shift" is no different. except the new rule only affected one organization, right, nancy? advertisement handel herself has been largely silent on the issue, until last night, when she all but confirmed what everyone suspected by retweeting— and quickly deleting— a tweet that read "just like pro-abortion group to turn cancer orgs decision into a political bomb to throw. cry me a freaking river." alas, no one taught karen handel about screen grabs. the internet's forever, handel. cry me a freaking river. handel didn't bother to scrub her earlier political tweets before becoming the senior vice president of public policy at susan g komen for the cure. like this one, where she talked about how great it was to hang out with pro-life organizations. or this one, where she promised to pass a racist immigration laws in georgia, like the one they have in arizona. or the celebratory tweets where she's just beside herself that sarah palin endorsed her, making her an honorary mama grizzly. or all the tweets where she promised georgians to get rid of obamacare— because health care is something you earn, especially if you have cancer, right, non-doctor lady who works for susan g. komen for the cure making health care decisions for poor women? advertisement this isn't to say that people with strong political opinions shouldn't be able to work in non-political arenas and without their opinions being held against them. but karen handel was asked to work at a high level position in an organization that deals with women's bodies and women's health after proving herself incapable in the public arena of separating women's bodies and politics. it was a bad hire for komen, and now it's a public relations nightmare. komen's brand is imploding and seriously alienating young women and politically progressive supporters who were drawn to the cause expressly because of their non-political approach to a non-political disease. but when a charity hires a woman like handel, a woman who must always attach politics to a woman's body, and allows her to project her political beliefs into her work, komen ceases being a viable charity and starts being a self-righteous political organization for rich ladies who like hanging around with celebrities. it's a social club, and the only thing it's curing right now is people's desire to raise any more money for them. top susan g komen official resigned over planned parenthood cave in [the atlantic]

ˈmænˌʧɛstər ˈsɪti hæv ʤɪst riˈlist boʊθ ðɛr skwɑd lɪst fər ðə ˈəpˌkəmɪŋ ˈsizən, ənd ðə skwɑd ˈnəmbərz fər ðə pleɪərz, ˈmɑrkɪŋ ðə ɛnd əv ˌprɛpərˈeɪʃənz fər wət kʊd bi ə fænˈtæstɪk ˈsizən fər ðə bluz. bət tɪ ˈsɛləˌbreɪt ðət, waɪ nɑt ˈʧælənʤ ˈjɔrsɛlf? bɪˈloʊ, gɑt faɪv ˈmɪnəts tɪ si ɪf ju kən rɪˈmɛmbər ðə læst ˈpərsən tɪ wɛr ðə ʃərt ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˈkɑrənt ˈɑkjəpənt? soʊ ˌɪnˈstɛd əv seɪɪŋ fər 42 seɪ ðə pleɪər hu læst hæd ɪt (ənd ˈɑbviəsli nɑt goʊɪŋ tɪ gɪv ju ðə ˈænsər, ðə ˈhɑrdəst wən hir). ɪf ə ˈnəmbər ɪz əˈnɑkjəˌpaɪd naʊ, bɪn lɛft ɔf. ðə 20 bɪˈloʊ ər ðə ˈnəmbərz əˈsaɪnd tɪ ðə 20 ˈsinjər pleɪərz ɪn ðɪs lig skwɑd (soʊ noʊ iheanacho*, ˌɛtˈsɛtərə.). gʊd lək!

manchester city have just released both their squad list for the upcoming season, and the finalised squad numbers for the players, marking the end of preparations for what could be a fantastic season for the blues. but to celebrate that, why not challenge yourself? below, you’ve got five minutes to see if you can remember the last person to wear the shirt before the current occupant? so instead of saying yaya for #42, you’d say the player who last had it (and obviously i’m not going to give you the answer, the hardest one here). if a number is unoccupied now, been left off. the 20 below are the numbers assigned to the 20 senior players in this season’s league squad (so no iheanacho, etc.). good luck!

ðə ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ ˈævəˌlænʧ ʤɪst ɪnˈdʊrd ə hɪˈstɔrɪkəli ˈtɛrəbəl ˈsizən ənd ðeɪ hæv mɪst ðə pleɪɔfs ɪn sɪks əv ðə pæst ˈsɛvən ˈsizənz. geɪm plæn lʊks æt ən ˈævəˌlænʧ tim ðət naʊ həz tɪ traɪ ənd dɪg aʊt əv ðɪs ˈmæsɪv hoʊl ənd, ˈæftər ˈluzɪŋ ɪn ðə dræft ˈlɑtəri, ðeɪ ˈivɪn gɪt ðə fərst pɪk ɪn ðɪs dræft. ðət kʊd meɪk ðə riˈbɪldɪŋ ˈprɔˌsɛs ə ˈlɪtəl mɔr ˈdɪfəkəlt, bət ðɪs ə ʤɑb ðət ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ə kwɪk fɪks. goʊɪŋ tɪ teɪk səm taɪm tɪ raɪt ðɪs ʃɪp ənd ðeɪ maɪt hæv tɪ muv səm sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈpisɪz ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ ˈʤəmpˌstɑrt ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs. ɛz ðə ˈsizən wɑz ˈsərkəlɪŋ ðə dreɪn læst jɪr, treɪd ˈrumərz pɑpt əp əˈbaʊt ˈkæptən ˈgeɪbriəl ənd ˈjuʒəwəl tɔp ˈskɔrər mæt ˈdəkin. hɑrd tɪ ˈfɪgjər ðət ən ˈɔfəl tim wʊd gɪt ˈbɛtər baɪ ˈmuvɪŋ aʊt səm əv ðə ril ˈtælənt ðət ðeɪ pəˈzɛs, bət ðə əˈbʤɛktɪv fər ə tim tɪ gɪt ə ˈlɪtəl bɪt ˈbɛtər fər ðə nɛkst ˈsizən; ɪt həz tɪ bi ə ˈlɔŋgər vju, ənd ðət kʊd rɪˈzəlt ɪn mɔr sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt muvz ɪf ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ ɪz ˈrɛdi tɪ ðɪs ˈsəmər. ˈprɑbəˌbli ðə ˈtæktɪk ðət goʊɪŋ tɪ teɪk. ˈtrəʤɪŋ əˈlɔŋ ənd ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˈmɑrʤənəl ˌɪmˈpruvmənt ɪn ðə ʃɔrt tərm ðə əˈbʤɛktɪv. ðə əˈbʤɛktɪv həz tɪ bi ˈfaɪndɪŋ ril ˈbɪldɪŋ blɑks ðət wɪl bi pɑrt əv ə ˈlɔŋˈtərm fɪks. ə bɪg ʤɑb ənd ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ ˌrikˈwaɪər səm hɑrd dɪˈsɪʒənz. ˈhɪroʊz ˈneɪθən məˈkɪnən ɪt wʊd ˈsərtənli bi nis ɪf ˈsɛntər ʃɑt ˈbɛtər ðən bət ðə rɛst əv hɪz geɪm wɑz ˈrəðər ˈsɑləd, dɪˈspaɪt pleɪɪŋ fər ə ˈtɛrəbəl tim. hi ˈfɪnɪʃt wɪθ 53 pɔɪnts, ˈʤɛnərˌeɪtɪd mɔr ðən θri ʃɑts pər geɪm ənd hæd ˈpɑzətɪv pəˈzɛʃən stæts. hi ˈɔlsoʊ wən mɔr ðən hæf əv hɪz fər ðə fərst taɪm ɪn hɪz kərɪr. ˈɛrɪk ˈʤɑnsən ˈnəθɪŋ laɪk ˈmɪsɪŋ ə ˈkəpəl əv mənθs wɪθ ən ˈɪnʤəri tɪ ʃoʊ ʤɪst haʊ ˈvæljəbəl ə pleɪər meɪ bi. ˈʤɑnsən pərˈfɔrmd wɛl ɪn traɪɪŋ ˈsərkəmˌstænsɪz wɪn hi wɑz ˈhɛlθi. svɛn nɑt ˈizi tɪ faɪnd ˈhɪroʊz ɔn læst ˈævəˌlænʧ, soʊ waɪ nɑt ə gaɪ hu pleɪd 19 geɪmz, ənd skɔrd 15 pɔɪnts, ˈæftər hi wɑz əkˈwaɪərd frəm ˌməntriˈɔl æt ðə treɪd ˈdɛˌdlaɪn. ˈziroʊz mæt ˈdəkin ðə ˈbɪgəst stɑr ɔn ðə ˈrɑstər faʊnd hɪz neɪm ɪn treɪd ˈrumərz ɛz ðə ˈdɛˌdlaɪn əˈproʊʧt, bət ˈɛndɪd əp steɪɪŋ ɪn ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ ənd hɪz pərˈdəkʃən kəˈlæpst daʊn ðə strɛʧ. hi hæd faɪv pɔɪnts 2 ʤi, 3 ə) ɪn hɪz læst 25 geɪmz, wɪθ fɔr əv ðoʊz pɔɪnts ˈkəmɪŋ ɪn ðə ˈfaɪnəl wik əv ðə ˈsizən. kɑrl ˈsoʊdərbərg ˈfɑloʊɪŋ əp hɪz ˈsizən, ɪn wɪʧ hi ˈpoʊstɪd ə 51 pɔɪnts, ˈsoʊdərbərg ˈmænɪʤd ʤɪst 14 pɔɪnts ɪn 80 geɪmz læst ˈsizən. hi ræŋkt aʊt əv 262 ˈfɔrwərdz ɪn (ˈmɪnəməm 750 ˈmɪnəts) ˈdʊrɪŋ pleɪ. ʤoʊ ˈkoʊlbɔrn ˈæftər ə 19 goʊlz ənd 44 pɔɪnts wɪθ ˈkælgəri ɪn ˈkoʊlbɔrn hæd ə ˈpɔltri eɪt pɔɪnts ɪn 62 geɪmz læst ˈsizən. ˈæftər hɪz ˈoʊpənɪŋ naɪt, hæt trɪk, hi skɔrd wən goʊl ɪn hɪz rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ 61 geɪmz. ˈhɑki ʤoʊ ˈbɛdnər rɪˈtərnɪŋ ˈfɔrwərdz neɪm ʤi ə cf*% relcf*% ozs*% kæp ˈneɪθən məˈkɪnən 82 16 37 53 mæt ˈdəkin 77 18 23 41 75 20 19 39 ˈgeɪbriəl 72 18 15 33 bleɪk kəˈmoʊ 77 8 12 20 kɑrl ˈsoʊdərbərg 80 6 8 14 ʤoʊ ˈkoʊlbɔrn 62 4 4 8 fri ˈeɪʤənt ˈfɔrwərdz neɪm ʤi ə cf*% relcf*% ozs*% kæp ˈstætəs svɛn 46 7 16 23 mɪˈkeɪl 75 10 13 23 rəˈneɪ bʊrk 65 12 6 18 mæt ˈniətoʊ 59 7 6 13 ʤɑn ˈmɪʧəl 65 3 4 7 ə sʊˈpərb ˈskeɪtər hu ʃʊd ˈfɪnɪʃ wɪθ mɔr pɔɪnts ðən hi həz ˈleɪtli, ˈneɪθən məˈkɪnən pleɪz æt ə haɪ ˈlɛvəl, ˈdraɪvɪŋ pleɪ, kriˈeɪtɪŋ ˈʧænsɪz ənd ˈlɔnʧɪŋ ʃɑts ɔn goʊl, bət bɪn ə ˈfɪnɪʃər læst ˈsizən, ˈoʊvər ðə pæst θri ˈsizənz ˈæftər ˈʃutɪŋ ɛz ə ˈrʊki ənd ðət həz ˈlɪmɪtɪd hɪz əˈfɛnsɪv ˈsilɪŋ. wɪl ˈneɪθən məˈkɪnən ənd mæt ˈdəkin bi daʊn ðə ˈmɪdəl ɪn ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ nɛkst ˈsizən? ˈmeɪbi ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ bi ˌɪnˈklaɪnd tɪ dil mæt ˈdəkin ɛz hi ɪz ˈkəmɪŋ ɔf ðə wərst ˈsizən əv hɪz kərɪr, bət ɪt wʊd kəm ɛz noʊ səˈpraɪz ɪf ðeɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tɪ ʃɪft dɪˈrɛkʃɪnz ənd meɪk məˈkɪnən ðə ˈfoʊkəl pɔɪnt əv ðə əˈtæk. ɪf ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ ər goʊɪŋ tɪ muv ˈdəkin, ðeɪ ʃʊd gɪt ə haɪɛnd jəŋ ɪn rɪˈtərn, bət ðɪs wʊd ˈrɪli bi ə keɪs əv ˈsɛlɪŋ ən ˈæˌsɛt æt ɪts loʊəst pɔɪnt. ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmd ˈdʊrɪŋ hɪz ɑˈdɪʃən ɪn wɑz məʧ mɔr ˈrɛdi tɪ kənˈtrɪbjut ɛz ə ˈrʊki læst ˈsizən, ˈskɔrɪŋ 20 goʊlz ənd ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ wɪθ ˈpɑzətɪv ˈrɛlətɪv pəˈzɛʃən ˈnəmbərz. aɪˈdili, hi wɪl bɪld ɔn hɪz ˈkɛmɪstri wɪθ məˈkɪnən ənd kən bi ə ˈfɪnɪʃər (ər, finnisher*) ɔn ðə tɔp laɪn. ˈkæptən, ˈgeɪbriəl, stɪl pleɪz ə ˈsɑləd geɪm, bət hɪz əˈfɛnsɪv pərˈdəkʃən wɑz weɪ daʊn læst ˈsizən. 33 pɔɪnts ɪn 72 geɪmz wɑz ðə loʊəst pɔɪnts pər geɪm əv hɪz kərɪr ənd faʊnd hɪz neɪm ɪn treɪd ˈrumərz tu. ə ˈvɛtərən ˈwɪŋər hu pleɪz ə rɪˈlaɪəbəl ˈtuˌweɪ geɪm, bleɪk kəˈmoʊ hæd hɪz aɪs taɪm kət sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli læst ˈsizən, ˈivɪn ðoʊ hi wɑz ɔn ðə raɪt saɪd əv ðə pəˈzɛʃən ˈlɛʤər. ə hu ɪz ˈəndər ˈkɑnˌtrækt fər ˈoʊnli wən mɔr ˈsizən, kəˈmoʊ ɪz nɑt ə bɪg pɑrt əv fˈjuʧər, bət ˈstɛdi. ˌbiˈfɔr hi ˈstəmbəld hɪz weɪ tɪ sɪks goʊlz ənd 14 pɔɪnts læst ˈsizən, kɑrl ˈsoʊdərbərg hæd ˈævrɪʤd 14 goʊlz ənd 34 əˈsɪsts ɪn hɪz ˈpriviəs θri ˈsizənz, soʊ nɑt ənˈriznəbəl tɪ θɪŋk ðət hi kən bi ə ˈsərvəsəbəl ˈsɛkənd ər ˈsɛntər, bət ɪt wɪl ˌrikˈwaɪər səm rɪˈkəvəri ˈæftər hɪz əˈbɪzməl ˈsizən. saɪnd fər θri mɔr jɪrz, ˈɔlsoʊ ˈlaɪkli ðət ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ wɪl gɪv ɪm ə ʧæns tɪ baʊns bæk. ˈwɪŋər ʤoʊ ˈkoʊlbɔrn wɑz ˈkəmɪŋ ɔf ə ˈsizən ənd hæd pleɪd æt ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ˈdɛnvər, soʊ goʊɪŋ tɪ ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ wɑz səˈpoʊzd tɪ bi ə ˈhoʊmˌkəmɪŋ əv sɔrts, bət ɪt wərk aʊt wɛl, tɪ seɪ ðə list. hi hæd ə hæt trɪk ɔn ˈoʊpənɪŋ naɪt ənd wɑz ə ðə rɛst əv ðə weɪ, ˈgɪtɪŋ bəmpt daʊn, ənd ˈsəmˌtaɪmz aʊt, əv ðə ˈlaɪˌnəp ˌɔltəˈgɛðər. ɪf ðə kʊd treɪd ɪm, ðeɪ ˈprɑbəˌbli wʊd. ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ flist ˌməntriˈɔl æt ðə treɪd ˈdɛˌdlaɪn, ˈpɪkɪŋ əp ˈəndərˌsaɪzd ˈwɪŋər svɛn ɪn ɪksˈʧeɪnʤ fər ˈwɪŋər ɑnˈdreɪəs mɑrˈtɪnsən. pʊt əp 15 pɔɪnts ɪn 19 geɪmz ənd waɪl hi meɪ nɑt bi ˈtɪkətɪd fər tɔp laɪn ˈstætəs ɔl əˈlɔŋ, hi kʊd ˈvɛri wɛl fɪt ɪn ə ˈskɔrɪŋ roʊl ɔn ə ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ tim ðət nidz ˈmæsɪv ˌɪnfˈjuʒənz əv ˈtælənt. əkˈwaɪərd frəm ˈbəfəˌloʊ ɪn ðə raɪən treɪd, mɪˈkeɪl həz ˈtælid 50 pɔɪnts ɪn tu ˈsizənz wɪθ ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ. hi meɪ nɑt hæv ðə əˈfɛnsɪv ˈəpˈsaɪd ðət wɑz hoʊpt wɪn hi wɑz ˈdræftɪd ˈoʊvərˌɔl ɪn 2012 bət stɪl ʤɪst 22 soʊ ɪt meɪks sɛns fər ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ tɪ kip ɪm əraʊnd ɪn ðə hoʊps ðət hi ˌɪmˈpruvz. ˈspiˌdi ˈwɪŋər mæt ˈniətoʊ wɑz pɪkt əp ɔn ˈweɪvərz frəm sæn ˌhoʊˈzeɪ ənd wɑz ə ˈkeɪpəbəl ˈfɔrwərd ɪn hɪz hæf ˈsizən wɪθ ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ. ˈnɛvər skɔrd mɔr ðən 10 goʊlz ɪn ə ˈsizən, soʊ ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃənz ʃʊd rɪˈmeɪn ˈmɑdəst, bət ˈniətoʊ həz ə ʧæns tɪ hɪz ˈvælju ɪn ðə lig. ðɛr wɪl ˈlaɪkli bi səm sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈʧeɪnʤɪz tɪ nɛkst ˈfɔrwərd grup. ˈrʊkiz j.t*. ˈkɑmfər ənd ˈtaɪsən ʤɑst boʊθ sɔ səm taɪm ɪn ðə læst ˈsizən. ˈkɑmfər ˈstrəgəld ə bɪt, ənd ˈfɪnɪʃt wɪθ faɪv pɔɪnts ɪn 21 geɪmz, waɪl ʤɑst meɪ hæv bɪn ə bɪt ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmd ɪn sɪks geɪmz ˈfɑloʊɪŋ hɪz ˈfrɛʃmən ˈsizən æt ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv nɔrθ dəˈkoʊtə. ðɛr maɪt bi səm dɪˈzaɪər fər ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ tɪ meɪk ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt fri ˈeɪʤənt əˈdɪʃən, bət ɪt wʊd bi ən ənˈlaɪkli ˈsikwəns əv ɪˈvɛnts fər ə tim tɪ lʊr ə ˌhaɪkˈwɑləti fri ˈeɪʤənt. ɛz səʧ, ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ meɪ wɔnt tɪ lʊk əraʊnd æt dɛpθ ˈɔpʃənz ðət kən prəˈvaɪd səm ˌflɛksəˈbɪləti ənd ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns ɪn keɪs ðə ˈprɑspɛkts jɛt ˈrɛdi fər ˈpraɪmˌtaɪm. rɪˈtərnɪŋ neɪm ʤi ə cf*% relcf*% ozs*% kæp ˈtaɪsən ˈbɛri 74 7 31 38 frɑnsˈwɑ ˈboʊʃɪmæn 81 5 13 18 ˈɛrɪk ˈʤɑnsən 46 2 15 17 mɑrk ˌbɑrˈbirioʊ 60 2 11 13 fri ˈeɪʤənt neɪm ʤi ə cf*% relcf*% ozs*% kæp ˈstætəs ˈfɛdər 69 1 12 13 ˈpætrɪk 57 4 8 12 ˌnɪˈkitə 56 0 10 10 ˈkoʊdi 33 0 5 5 ˈɛrɪk ˈgɛlɪnəz 27 0 1 1 ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ tɛnd tɪ gɪv ˈtaɪsən ˈbɛri ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli ˈdɪfəkəlt ˈmɪnəts, bət pərˈdəktɪv ənd ðə pək tɛndz tɪ muv ɪn ðə raɪt dɪˈrɛkʃɪn wɪn ɔn ðə aɪs. ɪt wʊd bi aɪˈdil ɪf hi kʊd ˈhændəl ə mɔr ˈʧælənʤɪŋ roʊl ənd, ˈgɪvɪn wɛr ðɪs tim ɪz, naʊ ɪz ˈprɑbəˌbli ðə taɪm tɪ faɪnd aʊt. frɑnsˈwɑ ˈboʊʃɪmæn həz gɔn tɪ ˈbætəl fər ə lɔŋ taɪm ənd həz hæd ə faɪn kərɪr, bət bɪn dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ ənd, ˈgɪvɪn ɪkˈspænʧən dræft kənˌsɪdərˈeɪʃənz ənd hɪz klɔz, ˈboʊʃɪmæn simz laɪk ə ˈkænədɪt fər ə baɪaʊt. nɑt soʊ məʧ ðət ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ əˈfɔrd tɪ kip ɪm əraʊnd fər ðə læst ˈsizən əv hɪz dil, əˈspɛʃəli wɪn ðeɪ ɪkˈspɛktɪŋ tɪ bi gʊd ˈɛniˌweɪ, bət ɪt wʊd meɪk ˈziroʊ sɛns tɪ prəˈtɛkt ˈboʊʃɪmæn ənd pəˈtɛnʃəli luz ə jəŋ laɪk ˌnɪˈkitə ˌɪnˈstɛd. ˈɛrɪk ˈʤɑnsən nidz hɛlp ɔn ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ. waɪl ˈnɛvər goʊɪŋ tɪ kwaɪt lɪv əp tɪ biɪŋ səˈlɛktɪd fərst ˈoʊvərˌɔl ɪn 2006 ˈɛrɪk ˈʤɑnsən həz ɪˈstæblɪʃt ðət ə ləˈʤɪtəmət tɔp pɛr ənd hɪz ˈæbsəns du tɪ ˈɪnʤəri lɛft ə ʤaɪənt vɔɪd læst ˈsizən. saɪnd fər sɪks mɔr ˈsizənz, soʊ hi lʊks laɪk ðə wən ˈkɔrnərˌstoʊn pis əraʊnd wɪʧ ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ wɪl əˈtɛmpt tɪ riˈbɪld ðɪs grup. ə gɪft ɔn ˈweɪvərz frəm ˌməntriˈɔl, mɑrk ˌbɑrˈbirioʊ həz nɑt bɪn ˈeɪbəl tɪ sɪˈkjʊr ə ˈfʊlˌtaɪm ʤɑb, bət ðə dɪd gɪt ə lɔŋ lʊk wɪθ ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ, pleɪɪŋ mɔr ðən 20 ˈmɪnəts pər geɪm ˈæftər hi wɑz əkˈwaɪərd. ˌɪnɪkˈspɛnsɪv ənd ɪz wərθ kənˈtɪnjuɪŋ ɪn ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt roʊl nɛkst ˈsizən. ðɛr hæv bɪn kwaɪt ə fju əps ənd daʊnz soʊ fɑr ɪn ˈpætrɪk kərɪr, bət hi ˈstrəgəld wɪθ ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ læst ˈsizən ənd goʊɪŋ tɪ bi tɪ sɪˈkjʊr ə spɑt ɪn ðə tɔp sɪks, ˈiðər wɪθ ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ ər əˈnəðər tim. əˈnəðər pɑrt əv ðə raɪən treɪd, ˌnɪˈkitə ɪz ə ˈmɑnstrəs ənd hi həz pəˈtɛnʃəl tɪ bi ɪkˈsplɔrd, bət stɪl wərθ dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ. ðət ʃʊd goʊ wɪˈθaʊt seɪɪŋ, bət ðɛr ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ səm rɪsk ðət ðə riˈstrɪktɪd fri ˈeɪʤənt kʊd bi lʊrd tɪ ðə khl*. ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ gɪv ˈɛrɪk ˈgɛlɪnəz ə ˈvɛri lɔŋ lʊk, bət ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd ðət hɪz geɪm ˈsutəbəl fər ðɛm ənd bɪn ðə ˈstɔri əv ðə kərɪr ðəs fɑr. hi həz ə bɪg ʃɑt frəm ðə pɔɪnt ðət kən bi ən ˈæˌsɛt ɔn ðə paʊər pleɪ, bət ɪf ˈstrəgəlɪŋ tɪ faɪnd ə spɑt ɔn, laɪk, goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈskræmbəlɪŋ fər ə ˈrɛgjələr spɑt ɪn ðə lig. ðə ˈiziəst pæθ tɪ ˌɪmˈpruvɪŋ ðə ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ wʊd bi tɪ meɪk ðət ə praɪˈɔrəti ɪn ə dil fər wən əv ðɛr tɔp ˈfɔrwərdz (laɪk ˈdəkin, fər ɪgˈzæmpəl). ə fju ˈpɑsəbəl treɪd ˈtɑrgəts kʊd ˌɪnˈklud noʊə ˈhænɪfɪn, columbus’*’ raɪən ˈməri, ənd ˈbrændən ˈkɑrloʊ. ˈprɑspɛkt krɪs, ə, hu pleɪd 31 geɪmz fər ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ ɪn ʃʊd bi ˈrɛdi fər əˈnəðər lʊk tu. rɪˈtərnɪŋ neɪm ˈdəbəlju ɛl ti sv*% ɛv sv*% kæp 24 6 17 0 898 904 ˈkælvɪn pɪˈkɑrd 50 15 31 2 904 915 fri ˈeɪʤənt neɪm ˈdəbəlju ɛl ti sv*% ɛv sv*% kæp ˈstætəs ˈʤɛrəˌmi smɪθ 10 1 6 1 888 903 waɪl wɑz ə vɛˈzinə ˈfaɪnəlɪst ɪn ɪˈstæblɪʃt ə ˈlɛvəl əv pleɪ θruaʊt hɪz kərɪr, ənd ə 916 seɪv pərˈsɛnɪʤ sɪts ʤɪst əˈbəv lig ˈævərɪʤ. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ˈɔlsoʊ ˈkəmɪŋ ɔf hɪp ˈsərʤəri, hæd ə 898 seɪv pərˈsɛnɪʤ ɪn 24 geɪmz læst ˈsizən ənd həz ə kæp fər ðə nɛkst tu ˈsizənz. ɛz səʧ, ɪt simz bɪˈzɑr ðət ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ wʊd ˈrəðər prəˈtɛkt frəm ðə ɪkˈspænʧən dræft ˈəndər ðiz ˈsərkəmˌstænsɪz. ə rɪˈtərn tɪ hɛlθ fər kʊd brɪŋ bɪg ˌɪmˈpruvmənt tɪ ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ. ɪf ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ ʧuz tɪ prəˈtɛkt, ˈkælvɪn pɪˈkɑrd kʊd bi ɔn hɪz weɪ tɪ ˈveɪgəs. pɪˈkɑrd meɪ nɑt bi ən ˈstɑrtɪŋ, bət hɑrd tɪ ɪˈvæljuˌeɪt ə pleɪɪŋ bɪg ˈmɪnəts bɪˈhaɪnd ə tim ɛz bæd ɛz ˌkɑlərˈɑdoʊ læst ˈsizən. ɪn 86 kərɪr geɪmz, hi həz ə 922 seɪv pərˈsɛnɪʤ ənd 914 seɪv pərˈsɛnɪʤ ˈoʊvərˌɔl, wɪʧ pʊts ɪm əraʊnd lig ˈævərɪʤ. bɪɔnd ðət, ɪf pɪˈkɑrd dɪˈpɑrts, ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ wɪl hæv tɪ faɪnd ə ləˈʤɪtəmət ˈbæˌkəp, wən ðət kʊd bi ˈkeɪpəbəl əv pleɪɪŋ mɔr geɪmz ɪf ˈɪnʤəri kənˈtɪnjuz tɪ kɔz ˈprɑbləmz. ɪkˈspænʧən ˈtɑrgəts ˈkælvɪn pɪˈkɑrd ɪf lɛft əˈveɪləbəl, pɪˈkɑrd wʊd sim tɪ bi ə ˈnæʧərəl səˈlɛkʃən fər ˈveɪgəs. nɑt ə ʃʊr θɪŋ, bət ɪz ˌɪnɪkˈspɛnsɪv fər əˈnəðər ˈsizən ˌbiˈfɔr ə riˈstrɪktɪd fri ˈeɪʤənt. mɑrk ˌbɑrˈbirioʊ hi pleɪd ə 60 geɪmz læst ˈsizən, ənd həz bɪn ˈskræmbəlɪŋ fər ə ˈrɛgjələr ʤɑb, bət hɪz ˈnəmbərz hæv bɪn ˈsɑləd ɪˈnəf ðət bi ˈizi tɪ æd fər wən jɪr æt ə ˈbɑrgɪn praɪs. bleɪk kəˈmoʊ ə ˈvərsətəl ˈwɪŋər hu kən muv əraʊnd ðə ˈlaɪˌnəp ɪn ə ˌkɑmpləˈmɛnʧi roʊl, kəˈmoʊ wʊd bi ə ˈjusfəl ˈwɪŋər ðət kʊd bi flɪpt æt nɛkst treɪd ˈdɛˌdlaɪn. tɔp ˈprɑspɛkts ˈævəˌlænʧ tɔp ˈprɑspɛkts pleɪər ˈpiˈoʊˈɛs. ʤi ə tim (lig) ˈtaɪsən ʤɑst si 33 16 19 35 17 nɔrθ dəˈkoʊtə (nchc*) krɪs di 45 5 14 19 16 sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ (ɑl) j.t*. ˈkɑmfər si 41 13 17 30 2 sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ (ɑl) a.j*. grɪr 63 15 23 38 15 sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ (ɑl) wɪl ˈbʊʧər di 43 7 30 37 27 ˈdɛnvər (nchc*) ˈænˌdreɪ di 18 1 3 4 2 ˈmɔˌskaʊ ˈdaɪnəˌmoʊ (khl*) boʊˈdæn 65 30 50 80 32 (qmjhl*) ˈkæmərən ˈmɔrɪsən 40 12 12 24 5 ˈnoʊtər deɪm (hi) ˈspɛnsər ˈmɑrtɪn ʤi 50 904 sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ (ɑl) ˈrɑkoʊ griˈmɑldi 72 31 24 55 24 sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ (ɑl) ˈnɪkɔləs mɛˈloʊki di 61 16 31 47 33 ˈʃɑrlətˌtaʊn (qmjhl*) ˈænˌtɔn ˈlɪnˌdhoʊlm di 62 2 11 13 18 sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ (ɑl) ˈsɛrˌgeɪ di 63 3 13 16 11 sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ (ɑl) ˈʤuliən 59 5 3 8 19 sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ (ɑl) ʤɑʃ ˈændərsən di 69 3 8 11 13 prɪns ʤɔrʤ (whl*) ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ wɪl hæv tɪ stɑrt ˌɪnˈʤɛktɪŋ səm əv ðɛr jəŋ ˈtælənt ˈɪntu ðə ˈlaɪˌnəp tɪ faɪnd aʊt ˈwɛðər ðeɪ kən bi pɑrt əv ə səkˈsɛsfəl fˈjuʧər. hæd ə gʊd ˈrʊki ˈsizən læst jɪr ənd ʃʊd bi ʤɔɪnd baɪ ˈtaɪsən ʤɑst ənd j.t*. ˈkɑmfər nɛkst ˈsizən. krɪs həz ə ʧæns tɪ pleɪ tu. ˈbeɪkər ˈwɪnər wɪl ˈbʊʧər wʊd bi greɪt tɪ æd tɪ ðə mɪks, bət hi kʊd weɪt ənˈtɪl ˈɔgəst 15 ənd bi dɪˈklɛrd ən ˌənriˈstrɪktɪd fri ˈeɪʤənt, ə pəˈtɛnʃəli bɪg lɔs fər ə tim ˈnidɪŋ ˈtælənt, əˈspɛʃəli ɔn ðə. dræft geɪb vilardi*, ˈkoʊdi glæs, ˈmɪroʊ fri ˈeɪʤənsi ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ hæv əˈprɑksəmətli kəˈmɪtɪd tɪ ðə ˈsæləri kæp fər 15 pleɪərz. nidz tu ˈfɔrwərdz, dɛpθ ˈfɔrwərdz, wən wət aɪ sɛd ðə ˈævəˌlænʧ ˈnidɪd læst jɪr tu ˈfɔrwərdz, dɛpθ ˈfɔrwərdz, wən ðeɪ ˈædɪd, rəˈneɪ bʊrk, ʤoʊ ˈkoʊlbɔrn, ˈfɛdər, ˈpætrɪk treɪd ˈmɑrkɪt mæt ˈdəkin, ˈgeɪbriəl, ʤoʊ ˈkoʊlbɔrn, ˈkælvɪn pɪˈkɑrd maɪ prɑˈʤɛktəd ˈævəˌlænʧ dɛpθ ʧɑrt lɛft wɪŋ ˈsɛntər raɪt wɪŋ svɛn ˈneɪθən məˈkɪnən ˈgeɪbriəl kɑrl ˈsoʊdərbərg ˈtaɪsən ʤɑst j.t*. ˈkɑmfər mɪˈkeɪl bleɪk kəˈmoʊ ʤoʊ ˈkoʊlbɔrn raɪən waɪt mæt ˈniətoʊ a.j*. grɪr braɪən flɪn ˈrɑkoʊ griˈmɑldi ˈʤuliən ˈfilɪks ʤərɑrd trɔɪ bərk lɛft dɪˈfɛns raɪt dɪˈfɛns mɑrk ˌbɑrˈbirioʊ ˈɛrɪk ˈʤɑnsən noʊə ˈhænɪfɪn ˈtaɪsən ˈbɛri ˌnɪˈkitə krɪs ˈspɛnsər ˈmɑrtɪn ˈpætrɪk ˈænˌdreɪ ˈænˌtɔn ˈlɪnˌdhoʊlm ˈsɛrˌgeɪ məʧ əv ðə ˈdætə ˌɪnˈkludɪd kəmz frəm corsica.hockey*, www.hockey-reference.com*, ənd skɑt ˈkələn kən bi riʧt æt

the colorado avalanche just endured a historically terrible season and they have missed the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons. off-season game plan looks at an avalanche team that now has to try and dig out of this massive hole and, after losing in the nhl draft lottery, they don’t even get the first pick in this year’s draft. that could make the rebuilding process a little more difficult, but this a job that is going to be a quick fix. going to take some time to right this ship and they might have to move some significant pieces in order to jumpstart the process. as the season was circling the drain last year, trade rumours popped up about captain gabriel landeskog and usual top scorer matt duchene. hard to figure that an awful team would get better by moving out some of the real talent that they possess, but the objective for a 48-point team to get a little bit better for the next season; it has to be a longer view, and that could result in more significant moves if colorado is ready to re-tool this summer. that’s probably the tactic that they’re going to take. trudging along and making marginal improvement in the short term the objective. the objective has to be finding real building blocks that will be part of a long-term fix. it’s a big job and is going to require some hard decisions. heroes nathan mackinnon – it would certainly be nice if colorado’s first-line centre shot better than 6.4%, but the rest of his game was rather solid, despite playing for a terrible team. he finished with 53 points, generated more than three shots per game and had positive possession stats. he also won more than half of his faceoffs for the first time in his nhl career. erik johnson – nothing like missing a couple of months with an injury to show just how valuable a player may be. johnson performed well in trying circumstances when he was healthy. sven andrighetto – not easy to find heroes on last year’s avalanche, so why not a guy who played 19 games, and scored 15 points, after he was acquired from montreal at the trade deadline. zeroes matt duchene – the biggest star on the roster found his name in trade rumours as the deadline approached, but ended up staying in colorado and his production collapsed down the stretch. he had five points (2 g, 3 a) in his last 25 games, with four of those points coming in the final week of the season. carl soderberg – following up his 2015-2016 season, in which he posted a career-high 51 points, soderberg managed just 14 points in 80 games last season. he ranked 256th out of 262 forwards in points/60 (minimum 750 minutes) during 5-on-5 play. joe colborne – after a career-high 19 goals and 44 points with calgary in 2015-2016, colborne had a paltry eight points in 62 games last season. after his opening night, hat trick, he scored one goal in his remaining 61 games. hockey ops/coach joe sakic/jared bednar returning forwards name gp g a pts cf% relcf% pdo ozs% atoi 2017-2018 cap nathan mackinnon 82 16 37 53 51.9 4.4 97.3 54.3 19:57 $6.3m matt duchene 77 18 23 41 51.0 3.0 94.7 47.1 18:18 $6.0m mikko rantanen 75 20 19 39 49.5 0.7 96.8 52.6 18:03 $894k gabriel landeskog 72 18 15 33 52.8 4.8 95.1 50.6 18:47 $5.571m blake comeau 77 8 12 20 50.8 2.7 96.1 45.6 14:59 $2.4m carl soderberg 80 6 8 14 46.5 -3.2 96.1 47.0 13:27 $4.75m joe colborne 62 4 4 8 47.5 -2.2 94.6 52.1 10:42 $2.5m free agent forwards name gp g a pts cf% relcf% pdo ozs% atoi 2016-2017 cap status sven andrighetto 46 7 16 23 51.7 -2.1 100.2 53.2 13:58 $650k rfa mikhail grigorenko 75 10 13 23 47.2 -2.4 97.8 48.7 14:05 $1.3m rfa rene bourque 65 12 6 18 48.1 -0.7 96.3 49.7 13:57 $650k ufa matt nieto 59 7 6 13 52.1 1.0 96.5 48.3 14:55 $735k rfa john mitchell 65 3 4 7 49.4 1.0 97.5 49.1 12:33 $1.8m ufa a superb skater who should finish with more points than he has lately, nathan mackinnon plays at a high level, driving play, creating chances and launching shots on goal, but he’s been a low-percentage finisher – 6.4% last season, 7.4% over the past three seasons after shooting 10.0% as a rookie – and that has limited his offensive ceiling. will nathan mackinnon and matt duchene be 1-2 down the middle in colorado next season? maybe the avalanche won’t be inclined to deal matt duchene as he is coming off the worst season of his career, but it would come as no surprise if they decided to shift directions and make mackinnon the focal point of the attack. if the avalanche are going to move duchene, they should get a high-end young defenceman in return, but this would really be a case of selling an asset at its lowest point. overwhelmed during his nine-game audition in 2015-2016, mikko rantanen was much more ready to contribute as a rookie last season, scoring 20 goals and finishing with positive relative possession numbers. ideally, he will build on his chemistry with mackinnon and can be a finisher (er, finnisher) on the top line. colorado’s captain, gabriel landeskog, still plays a solid game, but his offensive production was way down last season. 33 points in 72 games was the lowest (0.46) points per game of his career and landeskog found his name in trade rumours too. a veteran winger who plays a reliable two-way game, blake comeau had his ice time cut significantly last season, even though he was on the right side of the possession ledger. a 31-year-old who is under contract for only one more season, comeau is not a big part of colorado’s future, but he’s steady. before he stumbled his way to six goals and 14 points last season, carl soderberg had averaged 14 goals and 34 assists in his previous three seasons, so not unreasonable to think that he can be a serviceable second or third-line centre, but it will require some recovery after his abysmal season. signed for three more years, also likely that colorado will give him a chance to bounce back. 6-foot-5 winger joe colborne was coming off a career-high 44-point season and had played at the university of denver, so going to colorado was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts, but it didn’t work out well, to say the least. he had a hat trick on opening night and was a non-factor the rest of the way, getting bumped down, and sometimes out, of the lineup altogether. if the avs could trade him, they probably would. the avalanche fleeced montreal at the trade deadline, picking up undersized winger sven andrighetto in exchange for under-skilled winger andreas martinsen. andrighetto put up 15 points in 19 games and while he may not be ticketed for top line status all along, he could very well fit in a scoring role on a colorado team that needs massive infusions of talent. acquired from buffalo in the ryan o’reilly trade, mikhail grigorenko has tallied 50 points in two seasons with the avalanche. he may not have the offensive upside that was hoped when he was drafted 12th overall in 2012, but he’s still just 22, so it makes sense for colorado to keep him around in the hopes that he improves. speedy winger matt nieto was picked up on waivers from san jose and was a capable top-nine forward in his half season with the avalanche. he’s never scored more than 10 goals in a season, so expectations should remain modest, but nieto has a chance to re-establish his value in the league. there will likely be some significant changes to next year’s forward group. rookies j.t. compher and tyson jost both saw some time in the nhl last season. compher struggled a bit, and finished with five points in 21 games, while jost may have been a bit overwhelmed in six games following his freshman season at the university of north dakota. there might be some desire for the avalanche to make a significant free agent addition, but it would be an unlikely sequence of events for a 48-point team to lure a high-quality free agent. as such, the avalanche may want to look around at depth options that can provide some flexibility and insurance in case the prospects aren’t yet ready for primetime. returning defencemen name gp g a pts cf% relcf% pdo ozs% atoi 2017-18 cap tyson barrie 74 7 31 38 50.0 2.1 96.2 58.2 23:18 $5.5m francois beauchemin 81 5 13 18 47.9 -1.7 98.3 46.5 21:31 $4.5m erik johnson 46 2 15 17 51.2 2.1 98.4 46.5 22:05 $6.0m mark barberio 60 2 11 13 52.3 0.9 99.1 54.4 18:16 $750k free agent defencemen name gp g a pts cf% relcf% pdo ozs% atoi 2016-17 cap status fedor tyutin 69 1 12 13 46.8 -2.8 96.8 41.4 18:56 $2.0m ufa patrick wiercioch 57 4 8 12 46.7 -2.2 96.9 51.7 16:40 $800k rfa nikita zadorov 56 0 10 10 47.4 -0.6 96.7 44.3 19:02 $894k rfa cody goloubef 33 0 5 5 49.4 1.0 95.0 41.5 16:59 $750k ufa eric gelinas 27 0 1 1 48.3 0.2 98.6 51.3 11:35 $625k rfa the avalanche don’t tend to give tyson barrie particularly difficult minutes, but he’s productive and the puck tends to move in the right direction when he’s on the ice. it would be ideal if he could handle a more challenging role and, given where this team is, now is probably the time to find out. 36-year-old francois beauchemin has gone to battle for a long time and has had a fine career, but he’s been declining and, given expansion draft considerations and his no-movement clause, beauchemin seems like a candidate for a buyout. not so much that the avalanche can’t afford to keep him around for the last season of his deal, especially when they aren’t expecting to be good anyway, but it would make zero sense to protect beauchemin and potentially lose a young defenceman like nikita zadorov instead. erik johnson needs help on the avalanche blueline. while he’s never going to quite live up to being selected first overall in 2006, erik johnson has established that he’s a legitimate top pair defenceman and his absence due to injury left a giant void last season. he’s signed for six more seasons, so he looks like the one cornerstone piece around which colorado will attempt to rebuild this group. a gift on waivers from montreal, mark barberio has not been able to secure a full-time job, but the 27-year-old did get a long look with the avalanche, playing more than 20 minutes per game after he was acquired. he’s inexpensive and is worth continuing in a significant role next season. there have been quite a few ups and downs so far in 26-year-old patrick wiercioch’s career, but he struggled with colorado last season and he’s going to be hard-pressed to secure a spot in the top six, either with colorado or another team. another part of the ryan o’reilly trade, nikita zadorov is a monstrous 22-year-old defenceman and he has potential to be explored, but he’s still worth developing. that should go without saying, but there is also some risk that the restricted free agent could be lured to the khl. the avalanche didn’t give eric gelinas a very long look, but decided that his game wasn’t suitable for them and been the story of the 26-year-old’s career thus far. he has a big shot from the point that can be an asset on the power play, but if he’s struggling to find a spot on colorado’s blueline, like wiercioch, he’s going to be scrambling for a regular spot in the league. the easiest path to improving the colorado blueline would be to make that a priority in a deal for one of their top forwards (like duchene, for example). a few possible trade targets could include carolina’s noah hanifin, columbus’ ryan murray, and boston’s brandon carlo. prospect chris bigras, a 22-year-old, who played 31 games for the avalanche in 2015-2016, should be ready for another look too. returning goaltenders name gp w l t sv% ev sv% 2017-18 cap semyon varlamov 24 6 17 0 .898 .904 $5.9m calvin pickard 50 15 31 2 .904 .915 $1.0m free agent goaltender name gp w l t sv% ev sv% 2016-17 cap status jeremy smith 10 1 6 1 .888 .903 $675k ufa while semyon varlamov was a vezina finalist in 2013-2014, he’s established a level of play throughout his career, and a .916 save percentage sits just above league average. however, he’s also coming off hip surgery, had a .898 save percentage in 24 games last season and has a $5.9-million cap for the next two seasons. as such, it seems bizarre that the avalanche would rather protect 29-year-old varlamov from the expansion draft under these circumstances. a return to health for semyon varlamov could bring big improvement to the avalanche. if the avalanche choose to protect varlamov, 25-year-old calvin pickard could be on his way to vegas. pickard may not be an nhl starting goaltender, but hard to evaluate a goaltender playing big minutes behind a team as bad as colorado last season. in 86 career games, he has a .922 even-strength save percentage and .914 save percentage overall, which puts him around league average. beyond that, if pickard departs, the avalanche will have to find a legitimate backup, one that could be capable of playing more games if varlamov's injury continues to cause problems. expansion targets calvin pickard – if he’s left available, pickard would seem to be a natural selection for vegas. he’s not a sure thing, but is inexpensive for another season before he’s a restricted free agent. mark barberio – he played a career-high 60 games last season, and has been scrambling for a regular job, but his numbers have been solid enough that he’d be easy to add for one year at a bargain price. blake comeau – a versatile winger who can move around the lineup in a complementary role, comeau would be a useful winger that could be flipped at next year’s trade deadline. top prospects avalanche top prospects player pos. gp g a pts +/- team (league) tyson jost c 33 16 19 35 +17 north dakota (nchc) chris bigras d 45 5 14 19 -16 san antonio (ahl) j.t. compher c 41 13 17 30 +2 san antonio (ahl) a.j. greer lw 63 15 23 38 -15 san antonio (ahl) will butcher d 43 7 30 37 +27 denver (nchc) andrei mironov d 18 1 3 4 +2 moscow dynamo (khl) jean-christophe beaudin rw 65 30 50 80 +32 rouyn-noranda (qmjhl) cameron morrison lw 40 12 12 24 +5 notre dame (he) spencer martin g 50 .904 san antonio (ahl) rocco grimaldi rw 72 31 24 55 -24 san antonio (ahl) nicolas meloche d 61 16 31 47 +33 charlottetown (qmjhl) anton lindholm d 62 2 11 13 -18 san antonio (ahl) sergei boikov d 63 3 13 16 -11 san antonio (ahl) julien nantel lw 59 5 3 8 -19 san antonio (ahl) josh anderson d 69 3 8 11 +13 prince george (whl) the avalanche will have to start injecting some of their young talent into the lineup to find out whether they can be part of a successful future. mikko rantanen had a good rookie season last year and should be joined by tyson jost and j.t. compher next season. defenceman chris bigras has a chance to play too. hobey baker winner will butcher would be great to add to the mix, but he could wait until august 15 and be declared an unrestricted free agent, a potentially big loss for a team needing talent, especially on the blueline. draft 4th – gabe vilardi, cody glass, miro heiskanen free agency the avalanche have approximately $54.4m committed to the 2017-2018 salary cap for 15 players. needs two top-nine forwards, depth forwards, one top-four defenceman what i said the avalanche needed last year two top-nine forwards, depth forwards, one top-four defenceman they added mikko rantanen, rene bourque, joe colborne, fedor tyutin, patrick wiercioch trade market matt duchene, gabriel landeskog, joe colborne, calvin pickard my projected 2017-2018 avalanche depth chart left wing centre right wing sven andrighetto nathan mackinnon mikko rantanen gabriel landeskog carl soderberg tyson jost j.t. compher mikhail grigorenko blake comeau joe colborne ryan white * matt nieto a.j. greer brian flynn * rocco grimaldi julien nantel felix girard troy bourke left defence right defence goaltender mark barberio erik johnson semyon varlamov noah hanifin * tyson barrie ondrej pavelec * nikita zadorov chris bigras spencer martin patrick wiercioch andrei mironov anton lindholm sergei boikov much of the data included comes from corsica.hockey, www.hockey-reference.com, www.naturalstattrick.com and www.capfriendly.com scott cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca

rəˈgɑrdləs əv ˈwɛðər ər nɑt ju prɪˈfər ðə viv ər ðə təʧ, ər ˈmeɪbi ðə ˈpleɪˌsteɪʃən muv kənˈtroʊlərz, ðə fækt rɪˈmeɪnz nən əv ðiz səˈluʃənz ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈɔfər ˈtrækɪŋ fər jʊr ɪnˈtaɪər hænd. ðoʊz kənˈtroʊlərz fil greɪt ɪf ˈhoʊldɪŋ ˈsəmθɪŋ ˌɪnˈsaɪd əv ə ɪkˈspɪriəns, bət wɪn ɪt kəmz tɪ ˈtəʧɪŋ ənd ˌɪnərˈæktɪŋ wɪθ θɪŋz ˈjuzɪŋ ðə dɛkˈstɛrɪti əv jʊr ˈfɪŋgərz, ðə ˌɪˈluʒən fɔlz əˈweɪ. ˈmeɪnɪs ɪz ˈhoʊpɪŋ tɪ əˈliviˌeɪt ðət ˈprɑbləm wɪθ ðɛr ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv gləv dɪˈzaɪn. aɪ gɑt ðə ʧæns tɪ traɪ ðiz gləvz aʊt fər ˌmaɪˈsɛlf ənd aɪ kən kənˈfərm ðət ðeɪ du ən ˈɛksələnt ʤɑb əv ˈbrɪŋɪŋ maɪ hænz ˈɪntu ðə ˈvərʧuəl wərld ɪn ə bəˈlivəbəl weɪ. səˈluʃənz laɪk lip ˈmoʊʃən ɪgˈzɪst ɔˈrɛdi ɪn ə ˈlɪmɪtɪd kəˈpæsɪti, bət ɪt fil kwaɪt ɛz ˈækjərət ənd rikˈwaɪərz ðə juz əv ən əˈdɪʃənəl ˈsɛnsər ɔn ðə ˈhɛdˌsɛt, ˈrəðər ðən sˈlɪpɪŋ ɔn ə pɛr əv gləvz. ˈdʊrɪŋ maɪ ˌhænˈzɔn ˈsɛʃən, aɪ gɑt tɪ traɪ tu ˈdɪfərənt ˈdɛˌmoʊz. ðə fərst wɑz əv ə ʃɔrt, ˌɪnərˈæktɪv ɪkˈspɪriəns kɔld ˈwɪˌloʊ, wɪʧ wɑz spəˈsɪfɪkli dɪˈzaɪnd tɪ ˈʃoʊˌkeɪs ðə hænd ənd ˈfɪŋgər ˈtrækɪŋ ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz əv ðə ˈmeɪnɪs gləvz. ju kən si ə fʊl əv ðə ˈdɛmoʊ bɪˈloʊ: ɪn ðə ɪkˈspɪriəns, ju teɪk ən ˈigəl aɪ, zumd aʊt pərˈspɛktɪv ɛz ju lʊk daʊn æt ðə wərld laɪk ə ˈvərʧuəl diorama*. ɛz ə ˈlɪtəl ˈkɛrɪktər muvz θru ðə ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt, ju hɛlp hər baɪ ˌɪnərˈæktɪŋ wɪθ ˈɑbʤɛkts ɪn ðə wərld, riˈbɪldɪŋ pæθs, ənd ˈblɑkɪŋ ˈɑbstəkəlz. ə ˈsɪmpəl ənd ˌɪnˈtuətɪv ˈsɪstəm ðət hɛlps ˈhaɪˌlaɪt ðə ˈbɛnəfɪts əv fʊl hænd ənd ˌɪnˈsaɪd ə ˈvərʧuəl speɪs. ðɛr ər noʊ ˈbətənz tɪ lərn ər ˈspɛʃəl ˈmuvmənts tɪ ˈmæstər, ju ʤɪst riʧ aʊt ənd təʧ θɪŋz laɪk ju wʊd ɪn ril laɪf. riˈmuvɪŋ ðət leɪər əv æbˈstrækʃən ðət ə kənˈtroʊlər ˌɪntrəˈdusɪz ˈskaɪˌrɑkəts ðə sɛns əv ˈprɛzəns. ðɪs ʃɔrt ˈdɛmoʊ wɑz ˈoʊnli ə tiz əv ˈpɑsəbəl, ɛz ˌɪˈmæʤən ə mɔr dɪˈteɪld ɪkˈspɪriəns ˈlɔŋgər ənd rikˈwaɪərz ˈivɪn mɔr dɛkˈstɛrɪti wʊd ˈoʊnli meɪk ðə juz əv ˈmeɪnɪs gləvz ˈivɪn mɔr ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt. ˈæftər ðɪs ˈdɛmoʊ, ðeɪ ˌɪnˈstrəktɪd mi tɪ kip ðə gləvz ɔn ənd ðeɪ rɪgd ɑrm stræps ðət əˈtæʧt ðə kənˈtroʊlərz tɪ maɪ ˈfɔˌrɑrmz. ə ˌrudəˈmɛntəri ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən, bət ɪt gɑt ðə ʤɑb dən. ju kən rɛd mɔr əˈbaʊt ðə ˈdeɪbju əv hir. ðɪs ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən dɪd nɑt ˌɪnˈvɑlv ən ˈækʧəwəl geɪm tɪ ˌɪnərˈækt wɪθ, bət ˌɪnˈstɛd hæd mi ˈstændɪŋ ˌɪnˈsaɪd əv ə waɪd ˈoʊpən ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt. ˈsɪmpli ˈweɪvɪŋ maɪ ɑrmz əraʊnd ənd siɪŋ ðə ˈækʧəwəl ʤɔɪnts ənd boʊnz əv maɪ ˈævəˌtɑr ˈækjərətli rɪˈflɛkt wət maɪ ril ˈbɑdi wɑz duɪŋ wɑz ə bɪt ˈʤɑrɪŋ æt fərst. juzd tɪ ˈəðər ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz æt ðɪs pɔɪnt ðət hæv ˈiðər ˈfloʊtɪŋ, dɪsɪˈbɑdid hænz ɛz maɪ ˌrɛprəzɛnˈteɪʃən, ər ɑrm ˈfɪzɪks ðət ʤət aʊt ɪn ənˈnæʧərəl weɪz. siɪŋ ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət fɛlt ril ʤɪst baɪ ˈwɛrɪŋ gləvz ənd ˈstræpɪŋ kənˈtroʊlərz tɪ maɪ ɑrmz wɑz ˌɪmˈprɛsɪv. sɪns ðɪs ɪz stɪl ˈərli ˈsteɪʤɪz, ðɛr wər kɪŋks ðət nid tɪ bi wərkt aʊt. ˈɑbviəsli ˈstræpɪŋ kənˈtroʊlərz tɪ jʊr ɑrm ɪn ðɪs ˈfæʃən ˈpræktɪkəl, æt list nɑt ɪn ðə ˈlɔŋˈtərm, ənd dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ ən ɪkˈspɪriəns spəˈsɪfɪkli fər nɪʧ tɛkˈnɑləʤi laɪk ðɪs meɪ nɑt bi ðə moʊst juz əv dɪˈvɛləpmənt taɪm ənd ˈməni fər ən ɔˈrɛdi smɔl kənˈsumər ˈmɑrkɪt. dɛv kɪts wɛnt ɔn seɪl ˈərliər ðɪs jɪr ənd təˈdeɪ ɪt wɑz əˈnaʊnst ðət ˈsɛnsər ˈsɪstəmz, ɪŋk., həz əˈfɪʃəli rɪˈsivd ðə ˌɪˈnɪʃəl pərˈdəkʃən ˈɔrdər fər ðə ˈmeɪnɪs gləvz, wɪʧ əˈfɪʃəli minz ðeɪ ər ɪn pərˈdəkʃən. ɪn ə prɛs riˈlis, ˈsteɪtɪd: ˈsɛnsər səˈluʃən wɪl hɛlp paʊər ðɛr ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ ənd ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv gləvz. ənd ˈmeɪnɪs hæv ˈɛnərd ˌɪˈnɪʃəl pərˈdəkʃən ˈfeɪzɪz əv ə ˈkəstəm ˈsɛnsər ˈsɪstəm, wɪʧ ˈfiʧərz ðə bɛnd sensor®*®, fər 240 ˈsɛnsər ˈsɪstəmz. ɪkˈspɛkts tɪ dɪˈlɪvər ˈsɛvərəl ˈhənərd ˈθaʊzənd ˈsɛnsər ˈsɪstəmz ˈænjuəli əˈpɑn fʊl pərˈdəkʃən. boʊθ ˈkəmpəˌniz ænˈtɪsəˌpeɪt ə ˈræpɪd groʊθ trəˈʤɛktəri fər ðə ˈprɑdəkts ˈgloʊbəli ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˈsɛkənd hæf əv 2016 ənd beyond.”*.” ju kən ˈɔlsoʊ ʧɛk aʊt ðə ˈsɔfˌwɛr dɪˈvɛləpmənt ˈplætˌfɔrm ɪf ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd ɪn ˈjutəˌlaɪzɪŋ ðə ˈmeɪnɪs tɛkˈnɑləʤi. tægd wɪθ: ɑrm ˈtrækɪŋ, ˈdɛmoʊ, dɛv kɪt, ˈfɪŋgər ˈtrækɪŋ, gləvz, hænd ˈtrækɪŋ, ˈmeɪnɪs, ˈprivˌju

regardless of whether or not you prefer the htc vive or the oculus touch, or maybe the playstation move controllers, the fact remains none of these solutions actually offer 1:1 tracking for your entire hand. those controllers feel great if you’re holding something inside of a vr experience, but when it comes to touching and interacting with things using the dexterity of your fingers, the illusion falls away. manus vr is hoping to alleviate that problem with their innovative glove design. i got the chance to try these gloves out for myself and i can confirm that they do an excellent job of bringing my hands into the virtual world in a believable way. solutions like leap motion exist already in a limited capacity, but it doesn’t feel quite as accurate and requires the use of an additional sensor on the headset, rather than slipping on a pair of gloves. during my hands-on session, i got to try two different demos. the first was of a short, interactive experience called pillow’s willow, which was specifically designed to showcase the hand and finger tracking capabilities of the manus vr gloves. you can see a full playthrough of the demo below: in the experience, you take an eagle eye, zoomed out perspective as you look down at the world like a virtual diorama. as a little character moves through the environment, you help her by interacting with objects in the world, rebuilding paths, and blocking obstacles. a simple and intuitive system that helps highlight the benefits of full hand and motion-tracking inside a virtual space. there are no buttons to learn or special movements to master, you just reach out and touch things like you would in real life. removing that layer of abstraction that a controller introduces skyrockets the sense of presence. this short demo was only a tease of what’s possible, as i’d imagine a more detailed experience longer and requires even more dexterity would only make the use of manus vr’s gloves even more important. after this demo, they instructed me to keep the gloves on and they rigged arm straps that attached the htc vive’s controllers to my forearms. a rudimentary application, but it got the job done. you can read more about the debut of arm-tracking here. this demonstration did not involve an actual game to interact with, but instead had me standing inside of a wide open environment. simply waving my arms around and seeing the actual joints and bones of my in-game avatar accurately reflect what my real body was doing was a bit jarring at first. used to other vr experiences at this point that have either floating, disembodied hands as my in-game representation, or wonky arm physics that jut out in unnatural ways. seeing something that felt real just by wearing gloves and strapping controllers to my arms was impressive. since this is still early stages, there were kinks that need to be worked out. obviously strapping controllers to your arm in this fashion isn’t practical, at least not in the long-term, and developing an experience specifically for niche technology like this may not be the most cost-effective use of development time and money for an already small consumer vr market. dev kits went on sale earlier this year and today it was announced that flexpoint sensor systems, inc., has officially received the initial production order for the manus vr gloves, which officially means they are in production. in a press release, flexpoint stated: “our sensor solution will help power their exciting and innovative vr gloves. flexpoint and manus vr have entered initial production phases of a custom sensor system, which features the bend sensor®, for 240 sensor systems. flexpoint expects to deliver several hundred thousand sensor systems annually upon full production. both companies anticipate a rapid growth trajectory for the products globally during the second half of 2016 and beyond.” you can also check out the software development platform if you’re interested in utilizing the manus vr technology. tagged with: arm tracking, demo, dev kit, finger tracking, gloves, hand tracking, manus vr, preview

ˈstændɪŋ ɪn frənt əv ə θrɔŋ əv ˈmidiə, ʧifs ˈkɔrnərˌbæk ʃɔn smɪθ wɔr ə braɪt rɛd hæt əˈdɔrnd wɪθ ðə wərd ““smith”*” ɪn ˈlɛtərz ɔn hɪz hɛd, ənd ə smaɪl ɔn hɪz feɪs. ðɪs wɑz ˈfraɪˌdeɪ, ðə deɪ ˈvɛtərənz wər rikˈwaɪərd tɪ rɪˈpɔrt tɪ ˈtreɪnɪŋ kæmp æt məˈzʊri ˈwɛstərn, ənd smɪθ, hu kʊd bi sin ˈtɔkɪŋ ənd ˈʤoʊkɪŋ wɪθ hɪz ˈtimˌmeɪts bɪˈfɔˌrhænd, wɑz ˈklɪrli ˈhæpi tɪ bi bæk. ðɛn ðə ˈkæmərəz tərnd ɔn, kˈwɛsʧənz kəˈmɛnst, ənd ðə ˈtɑpɪk əv hɪz səˈspɛnʃən fər hɪz ˈdiˈjuˈaɪ pli ɪn mɑrʧ keɪm əp. dɪd hi θɪŋk ɪt wɑz fɛr? saɪn əp ənd seɪv gɪt sɪks mənθs əv fri ˈdɪʤɪtəl ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ðə ˈkænzəs ˈsɪti stɑr ““fair*? jæ, aɪ guess,”*,” smɪθ sɛd. du ðə kraɪm, ju du ðə time.”*.” ʃɛr ˈkɑpi lɪŋk ˈkænzəs ˈsɪti stɑr ʧifs bit rɪˈpɔrtər ˈpeɪlər ˈriˌkæps ðə ˈfraɪˌdeɪ nuz əv ʧifs ˈtreɪnɪŋ kæmp ɪn st*. ˈʤoʊzəf, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˈteɪlər ˈgɪtɪŋ saɪnd baɪ ðə tim ˈæftər ˈpʊtɪŋ hɪz ˈhaɪˌlaɪt teɪp ɔn tˈwɪtər. ˈvɪdioʊ baɪ ˈdeɪvɪd həz hi θɔt əˈbaʊt wət goʊɪŋ tɪ du ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə θri wiks gɔn (wɪn hi ˈivɪn ˈpræktɪs wɪθ ðə tim)? ““nah*, aɪ ˈgɔtən ðɛr yet,”*,” smɪθ sɛd. “(“(i’m*) ʤɪst ɪkˈsaɪtɪd tɪ bi bæk hir æt kæmp wɪθ ðə ˈfɛləs. weɪt tɪ gɪt aʊt ðɛr təˈmɑˌroʊ ənd hæv səm fun.”*.” ðət smɪθ wʊd lʊk ˈfɔrwərd tɪ fərst ˈpræktɪs ɪz noʊ səˈpraɪz. hi ɪz ˈkəmɪŋ ɔf ə kərɪr ˈsizən, wən ɪn wɪʧ hi pleɪd wɪθ ənˈbraɪdəld ɪnˈθuziˌæzəm ənd rækt əp 50 ˈtækəlz, wən ˌɪnərˈsɛpʃən ənd ə 16 pæs deflections*. ɔn ə ˈbeɪsɪs, ɪt wɑz hɑrd tɪ faɪnd ə ʧif hu simd tɪ hæv mɔr fən pleɪɪŋ ˈfʊtˌbɔl ðən smɪθ dɪd læst jɪr, soʊ wɪθ soʊ məʧ ˈfʊtˌbɔl əˈhɛd əv ɪm fər ðə nɛkst mənθ, hæv tɪ fərˈgɪv ɪm ɪf hi rɪfˈjuzɪz tɪ vju hɪz səˈspɛnʃən ɛz məʧ əv ə dɪˈstrækʃən. aɪ gɪt tɪ goʊ aʊt ðɛr, du ðə kənˈdɪʃənɪŋ tɛst, goʊ aʊt ðɛr wɪθ maɪ gaɪz aɪ hæv ə fʊl ˌpriˈsizən əv wərk tɪ goʊ ɪn (with),”*),” smɪθ sɛd. (səˈspɛnʃən) ɪz ə lɔŋ taɪm frəm naʊ. nɑt ˈrɪli ˈwərid əˈbaʊt it.”*.” ɛz fər ðə ˌɪˈmiˌdiət fˈjuʧər, smɪθ sɛd hi ʃʊr ɪf bi ˈrənɪŋ wɪθ ðə fərst tim ɔn ˈsæˌtɪˌdeɪ. hi wɑz dɪˈmoʊtɪd tɪ ðə ˈsɛkənd tim ɪn ʤun 2014 wɪn hi ˈsaɪtɪd fər ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˈəndər ðə ˈɪnfluəns ənd ˈkɛrlɛs ˈdraɪvɪŋ ðə əˈfɛns hi wɑz səˈspɛndɪd fər bət hi ərnd hɪz ˈstɑrtɪŋ ʤɑb bæk ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˌpriˈsizən ənd ˈnɛvər lɔst ɪt. nɑt ˈwərid əˈbaʊt ðət æt all,”*,” smɪθ sɛd əv pleɪs ɔn ðə dɛpθ ʧɑrt. ʤɪst ˈhæpi tɪ bi hir wɪθ maɪ friends.”*.” ʃɛr ˈkɑpi lɪŋk ˈkænzəs ˈsɪti ʧifs ˈkɔrnərˌbæk ʃɔn smɪθ ʧɛkt ˈɪntu ˈskænlən hɔl ɔn ˈfraɪˌdeɪ ənd spoʊk əˈbaʊt hɪz ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl səˈspɛnʃən fər hɪz ˈdiˈjuˈaɪ ʧɑrʤ. ˈvɪdioʊ baɪ ˈdeɪvɪd rəˈgɑrdləs əv ˈwɛðər smɪθ rənz wɪθ ðə ˈstɑrtərz ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə kæmp, hi sɪz du wət hi kən tɪ hɛlp ðə ˈplɛθərə əv jəŋ ˈkɔrnərz ɔn ðə ˈrɑstər. ɛz ə ˈvɛtərən, hi ɪz ˈizəli ðə moʊst ɪkˈspɪriənst ˈkɔrnər ðə ʧifs hæv, wɪθ ðə ˈəðər ˈsɛvən ɔl ˈhævɪŋ fɔr jɪrz əv ɪkˈspɪriəns ər lɛs. bɪn maɪ roʊl sɪns bɪn ɪn ðə ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl wɪθ ˈɛnibədi ˈjəŋgər ðən mi, bɪˈkəz ɔl ɪt teɪks ɪz wən pleɪ fər mi tɪ bi hərt ənd ðɛn ðeɪ hæv tɪ stɛp ɪn, anyway,”*,” smɪθ sɛd. maɪ ʤɑb ɪz tɪ meɪk ʃʊr ˈɛvriˌbɑdi əraʊnd mi ɪz ˈbɛtər, rəˈgɑrdləs əv ɪf ɔn) fərst tim, ˈsɛkənd tim (ər they’re*) ə ˈseɪfti, ə ˈlaɪnˌbækər. ɪf ˈɛnibədi aɪ kən hɛlp aʊt ɔn ðə fild, goʊɪŋ tɪ du it.”*.” ðə fild, ˈɑbviəsli, ɪz wɛr smɪθ filz æt hoʊm, ənd hi meɪd ɪt klɪr ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈfɔrwərd tɪ pleɪɪŋ ɪn frənt əv ðə hoʊm kraʊd ɔn ɔkt. 11 wɪn ðə ʧifs pleɪ hoʊst tɪ ðə ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ bɛrz æt ˈɛroʊˌhɛd ˈsteɪdiəm. goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ aɪ weɪt tɪ gɪt bæk aʊt ðɛr wɪθ ðə gaɪz, tɪ rən aʊt ðət ˈtənəl ənd hir ðə kraʊd ˈʧæntɪŋ ənd screaming,”*,” smɪθ sɛd. ɔl ðət rɛd aʊt ðɛr, goʊɪŋ tɪ bi əˈmeɪzɪŋ. aɪ pʊt ˈɪntu wərdz wət goʊɪŋ tɪ bi laɪk. bət goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈsəmθɪŋ tɪ see.”*.”

standing in front of a throng of media, chiefs cornerback sean smith wore a bright red hat — adorned with the word “smith” in gold-plated letters — on his head, and a smile on his face. this was friday, the day veterans were required to report to training camp at missouri western, and smith, who could be seen talking and joking with his teammates beforehand, was clearly happy to be back. then the cameras turned on, questions commenced, and the topic of his recently-announced three-game suspension for his dui plea in march came up. did he think it was fair? sign up and save get six months of free digital access to the kansas city star “fair? yeah, i guess,” smith said. “you do the crime, you do the time.” share copy link kansas city star chiefs beat reporter terez paylor recaps the friday news of chiefs training camp in st. joseph, including raytown's lavance taylor getting signed by the team after putting his highlight tape on twitter. video by david eulitt deuli has he thought about what he’s going to do during the three weeks he’s gone (when he can’t even practice with the team)? “nah, i haven’t gotten there yet,” smith said. “(i’m) just excited to be back here at camp with the fellas. can’t wait to get out there tomorrow and have some fun.” that smith would look forward to saturday’s first full-squad practice is no surprise. he is coming off a career season, one in which he played with unbridled enthusiasm and racked up 50 tackles, one interception and a career-high 16 pass deflections. on a week-to-week basis, it was hard to find a chief who seemed to have more fun playing football than smith did last year, so with so much football ahead of him for the next month, you’ll have to forgive him if he refuses to view his suspension as much of a distraction. “tomorrow i get to go out there, do the conditioning test, go out there with my guys ... i have a full preseason of work to go in (with),” smith said. “that (suspension) is a long time from now. i’m not really worried about it.” as for the immediate future, smith said he wasn’t sure if he’d be running with the first team on saturday. he was demoted to the second team in june 2014, when he cited for driving under the influence and careless driving — the offense he was suspended for — but he earned his starting job back during the preseason and never lost it. “i’m not worried about that at all,” smith said of place on the depth chart. “i’m just happy to be here with my friends.” share copy link kansas city chiefs cornerback sean smith checked into scanlon hall on friday and spoke about his nfl three-game suspension for his dui charge. video by david eulitt deulitt@kcstar.com regardless of whether smith runs with the starters during the camp, he says he’ll do what he can to help the plethora of young corners on the roster. as a seven-year veteran, he is easily the most experienced corner the chiefs have, with the other seven all having four years of experience or less. “that’s been my role since i’ve been in the nfl with anybody that’s younger than me, because all it takes is one play for me to be hurt and then they have to step in, anyway,” smith said. “so my job is to make sure everybody around me is better, regardless of if (they’re on) first team, second team (or they’re) a safety, a linebacker. if there’s anybody i can help out on the field, i’m going to do it.” the field, obviously, is where smith feels at home, and he made it clear he’s looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd on oct. 11, when the chiefs play host to the chicago bears at arrowhead stadium. “it’s going to be exciting — i can’t wait to get back out there with the guys, to run out that tunnel and hear the crowd chanting and screaming,” smith said. “seeing all that red out there, it’s going to be amazing. i can’t put into words what it’s going to be like. but it’s going to be something to see.”

ˈfɪgjərz ˈpəblɪʃt baɪ ðə ˈɔfəs fər ˈnæʃənəl stəˈtɪstɪks təˈdeɪ ˈsteɪtɪd ðət ˈbɑroʊɪŋ ɪn ðə mənθ stʊd æt £14.2bn*, ˈminɪŋ ðət ˈpəblɪk ˈsɛktər ˈbɑroʊɪŋ fər ðə ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl jɪr tɪ deɪt stændz æt £66.9bn*. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðɪs ɪz lɛs ðən ðə seɪm ˈpɪriəd ɪn ðə ˈsɛntər fər ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪks ənd ˈbɪznɪs ˈrisərʧ sɛd ðət ˈspɛndɪŋ trɛnz hæd bɪn ““disappointing”*” fər ðə ˈtrɛʒəri. ˈraɪzɪŋ ˈɪnˌkəm ənd ˌkɔrpərˈeɪʃən tæks teɪk ənd ˈnæʃənəl ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns ˌkɑntrəˈbjuʃənz hæv səˈpɔrtɪd haɪər ˈsɛntrəl ˈgəvərnmənt rɪˈsits ˈoʊvər ðə pæst jɪr, groʊθ ɪn væt rɪˈsits ɪz ˈrɛlətɪvli səbˈdud ɪn ðə ˈleɪtəst ˈdætə, ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ baɪ kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ ðə seɪm mənθ ə jɪr ago,”*,” ɪˈkɑnəmɪst sæm ˈɔldərsən sɛd. səʧ, ˈsɛntrəl ˈgəvərnmənt rɪˈsits roʊz baɪ kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ noʊˈvɛmbər 2014 wɛl bɪˈloʊ ðə ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ˈgəvərnmənt ɪkˈspɛndɪʧər. dɪˈspaɪt ˈfərðər fɔlz ɪn dɛt ˈɪntəˌrɛst ˈpeɪmənts ɔn ə ˈbeɪsɪs ɪn noʊˈvɛmbər, ˈspɛndɪŋ ɛz ə hoʊl roʊz baɪ kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ ðə seɪm mənθ ə jɪr ago.”*.” ðə ˈleɪtəst ˈfɔrˌkæst wɑz ðət ðə ˈgəvərnmənt wʊd ˈbɑˌroʊ əraʊnd ɪn haɪər ðən ðə ˈfɔrˌkæst baɪ ðə ˈɔfəs fər ˈbəʤɪt riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti ɪn ðə ˈɔtəm ˈsteɪtmənt. ˈbɑroʊɪŋ stʊd æt ɪn ˈəðər ˈprɛʃərz ɔn ˈgəvərnmənt ˈspɛndɪŋ, wɪʧ ˌɪnˈklud ðə ˈtrɪpəl lɑk ɔn steɪt ˈpɛnʃənz ðət wɪl ˌɪnˈkris ˈpeɪmənts baɪ æt list ˈivɪn wɪn ˌɪnˈfleɪʃən ɪz loʊ, kʊd min ðɛr ɪz ə ˈdɛfəsət əv baɪ ðɪs ɪz wərs ðət ðə prɑˈʤɛkʃən əv ə ˈsərpləs ɪn ðət jɪr, ənd riˈmuvz ðə ˌɪmˈpruvmənt ɪn ðə ˈpəblɪk ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ˈoʊvər ðə ˈfɔrˌkæst ˈpɪriəd juzd baɪ ˈɔzˌbɔrn tɪ ˈkænsəl tæks ˈkrɛdɪt ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ənd dɪˈmænd loʊər ˈlɛvəlz əv kəts tɪ dɪˌpɑrtˈmɛnəl ˈspɛndɪŋ. ɪn ɪts æˈnælɪsɪs, ðə sɛd ðət ˌwəˈnɔf ˈfæktərz hæd əˈfɛktɪd ðə noʊˈvɛmbər ˈfɪgjərz. ðiz ˌɪnˈklud əv faɪnz ˈlɛvid ɔn bæŋks baɪ ðə ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl ˈkɑndəkt əˈθɔrəti du tɪ ˈfeɪlɪŋz ɪn ˈfɔrən ɪksˈʧeɪnʤ ˈbɪznɪs ˈpræktɪsɪz, wɪʧ hæd rɪˈdust ˈbɑroʊɪŋ ɪn noʊˈvɛmbər 2014 ənd ən ˌɪnˈkris ɪn ˈsɛntrəl ˈgəvərnmənt ˈspɛndɪŋ du tɪ haɪər ˌkɑntrəˈbjuʃənz tɪ ðə ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈjunjən £1bn*) ənd ðə wərld bæŋk £800m*). boʊθ əv ðiz ˈifɛkts ər ɪkˈspɛktɪd tɪ ““unwind”*” nɛkst mənθ, bət ðə ˈwɑʧˌdɔg ˈɔlsoʊ ˈhaɪˌlaɪtɪd ðət loʊər ˈbɑroʊɪŋ wʊd bi ˈnidɪd ɪn ðə rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ fɔr mənθs əv ðə jɪr tɪ mit ɪts prɑˈʤɛkʃən. ɑr noʊˈvɛmbər ˈfɔrˌkæst fər ˈpəblɪk ˈsɛktər nɛt ˈbɑroʊɪŋ ɪn ɔn ðə ˈbeɪsɪs əv ðə ˈkɑrənt ˈpəblɪk ˈfaɪˌnænsɪz ˈdætə praɪər tɪ ˈɪmpləˌmɛnɪŋ ðə ˈhaʊzɪŋ əˌsoʊʃiˈeɪʃənz riˌklæsəfəˈkeɪʃən wʊd ˌrikˈwaɪər ə rɪˈdəkʃən ɪn ˈbɑroʊɪŋ ˈoʊvər ðə fʊl ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl jɪr. ðə fərst eɪt mənθs əv ðə ˌfaɪˈnænʃəl jɪr, ˈbɑroʊɪŋ wɑz ˈoʊnli loʊər ðən læst jɪr. ɪf ˈbɑroʊɪŋ wər tɪ fɔl æt ðə seɪm ˈævərɪʤ reɪt ɪn ðə nɛkst fɔr mənθs, ˈpəblɪk ˈsɛktər nɛt ˈbɑroʊɪŋ wʊd ˈoʊnli fɔl baɪ əraʊnd ɪn ɛz ə whole.”*.” ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ðə sɛd ðət ɪt tɪ ɪkˈspɛkt tɪ fɔl mɔr ˈʃɑrpli ˈoʊvər ðə ˈfaɪnəl fɔr mənθs əv ðə jɪr ðən ˈoʊvər ðə fərst eight”*”.

figures published by the office for national statistics today stated that borrowing in the month stood at £14.2bn, meaning that public sector borrowing for the financial year to date stands at £66.9bn. although this is £6.6bn less than the same period in 2014/15, the centre for economics and business research said that spending trends had been “disappointing” for the treasury. “while rising income and corporation tax take and national insurance contributions have supported higher central government receipts over the past year, growth in vat receipts is relatively subdued in the latest data, increasing by 0.8% compared with the same month a year ago,” cebr economist sam alderson said. “as such, central government receipts rose by 1.1% compared with november 2014, well below the 2.9% increase in government expenditure. despite further falls in debt interest payments on a year-on-year basis in november, spending as a whole rose by £1.6bn compared with the same month a year ago.” the group’s latest forecast was that the government would borrow around £80.5bn in 2015/16, higher than the £73.5bn forecast by the office for budget responsibility in the autumn statement. borrowing stood at £89.2bn in 2014/15. other pressures on government spending, which include the triple lock on state pensions that will increase payments by at least 2.5% even when inflation is low, could mean there is a deficit of £19bn by 2020/21. this is £34bn worse that the obr’s projection of a £14.7bn surplus in that year, and removes the £27bn improvement in the public finances over the forecast period used by osborne to cancel tax credit changes and demand lower levels of cuts to departmental spending. in its analysis, the obr said that one-off factors had affected the november figures. these include £1.1bn of fines levied on banks by the financial conduct authority due to failings in foreign exchange business practices, which had reduced borrowing in november 2014, and an increase in central government spending due to higher contributions to the european union (£1bn) and the world bank (£800m). both of these effects are expected to “unwind” next month, but the watchdog also highlighted that lower borrowing would be needed in the remaining four months of the year to meet its projection. “meeting our november efo forecast for public sector net borrowing in 2015/16 on the basis of the current public finances data prior to implementing the housing associations reclassification would require a £20.3bn reduction in borrowing over the full financial year. “over the first eight months of the financial year, borrowing was only £6.6bn lower than last year. if borrowing were to fall at the same average year-on-year rate in the next four months, public sector net borrowing would only fall by around £10bn in 2015/16 as a whole.” however, the obr said that it “continues to expect psnb to fall more sharply over the final four months of the year than over the first eight”.

baɪ ðə leɪt 1960s*, ðə ˈɪʃuz wɪθ ðə dɪˈvɛləpmənt əv wət wʊd bɪˈkəm ðə wər bɪˈkəmɪŋ mɔr ənd mɔr ˈɑbviəs tɪ ˈɛvriˌwən, ˈlidɪŋ tɪ mɔr ənd mɔr kɔlz tɪ rɪˈtərn tɪ ðə ˈklæsɪk tæŋk ˈkɑnsɛpt wɪθ ə haɪ ˈməzəl vəˈlɑsəti ˈkænən. ˈminˌwaɪl, dɪˈvɛləpmənt wɑz ɪn full-swing*, bət ðət ˈdɪdənt stɑp əˈmɛrɪkən ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrz frəm ɛkˈspɛrəˌmɛntɪŋ wɪθ ðə ˈʧæsi. ðə ˈrizən fər ðɪs (əˈpɑrt frəm ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈbæˌkəp plæn ɪn keɪs əv ən dɪˈvɛləpmənt ˈfeɪljər) wɑz ðət ˈəpˌgreɪdɪŋ ðə ˈsɪriz wʊd bi fɑr mɔr ðən ˈæˌkʧuəli prəˈdusɪŋ ə nu tæŋk frəm skræʧ, lɛt əˈloʊn wən ɛz ˈkɑmplɛks ənd ɪkˈspɛnsɪv ɛz ðə ɪn əˈdɪʃən, ˈlɛsənz ˈlərnɪd frəm dɪˈvɛləpmənt kʊd bi juzd tɪ ˈəpˈgreɪd ðə ɛz ˈdɛmənˌstreɪtɪd ɪn 1968 baɪ ˈkraɪslər. ɪn noʊˈvɛmbər 1968 ˈkraɪslər prəˈpoʊzd ən ˈəpˈgreɪd fər ðə ðeɪ kɔld ðə ˈəpˈgreɪd ðə. ɪt kənˈsɪstɪd əv ən həl pɛrd wɪθ ə brænd nu tərət ðət wɑz tɪ juz ðə lɔŋ dɪˈzaɪnd fər ðə ðə (ɛz ɪt wɑz kɔld) wɑz nɑt ə əv ðə ɪgˈzɪstɪŋ tərət ɪt wɑz ə nu dɪˈzaɪn meɪd frəm roʊld həˈmɑʤənəs stil. ðə gən ˌɪnˈsaɪd wʊd bi fɛd baɪ ə 3 raʊnd ˈloʊdɪŋ ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm. ˈoʊvərˌɔl ðə tərət wɑz well-protected*, kʊd ˈkɛri mɔr ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən ənd dɪd nɑt ˈsəfər frəm ðə kru ˌsɛpərˈeɪʃən ˈɪʃu ðət ðə dɪd, bət ɪt wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ əˈprɑksəmətli ˈhɛviər. ɪts ˈɔlsoʊ wərθ ˈnoʊtɪŋ ðət ðə tərət kʊd ˈkɛri mɔr ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən ðən ðət əv ðə ə əv ðə wɑz bɪlt (ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ səm səˈspɛnʃən ˌɪmˈpruvmənts) əˈlɔŋ wɪθ ə ˈvərʒən ɪkˈwɪpt wɪθ ə gən (ˈdɛzɪgˌneɪtɪd ˈdɛltə gən). ɪt wɑz ˈæˌkʧuəli ə saʊnd ˈprɑʤɛkt, bət dɪˈvɛləpmənt wɑz dɪskənˈtɪnjud du tɪ ə læk əv ˈfəndɪŋ: ðə wɑz ˈitɪŋ əp ˈɛni ˈrisɔrsɪz ðə viˌɛtˈnɑm wɔr ˈdɪdənt ənd ðɛr ˈsɪmpli wɑz nɑt ɪˈnəf ˈməni tɪ goʊ əraʊnd. əˈpɑrt frəm ðə ˈɪnfəməs ˈstɑrˌʃɪp, ɪt wɑz bɪˈkəmɪŋ mɔr ənd mɔr klɪr ðət ðə əˈmɛrɪkən ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri wʊd hæv tɪ stɪk wɪθ ðə ðɪs ˈriləˈzeɪʃən lɛd tɪ ə dɪˈsɪʒən tɪ ˌɪmˈpruv ðə ˈpætən tæŋks ɪn ˈsɛvərəl ˈsteɪʤɪz ənd ˈfərðər ˌɪmˈpruvmənts wər dɪˈvɛləpt wɪθ wən spɪˈsɪfɪk rɪkˈwaɪrmənt ðeɪ hæd tɪ bi ˈjuzəbəl fər ðə ɪnˈtaɪər ənd ˈsɪriz. ðə fərst steɪʤ ˌɪnˈkludɪd ə nu ɛr ˈklinər fər ˈiziər ˈmeɪntənəns ənd ə ˈlɔŋgər ˈlaɪfˌspæn, ˈbɛtər træks ənd ə nu gən ˌsteɪbələˈzeɪʃən ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm (rɪˈfərd tɪ ɛz ˌsteɪbələˈzeɪʃən) ðət sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli ˌɪmˈpruvd ˈækjərəsi ɔn ðə muv. ðə fərst əv ðiz kəmˈpoʊnənts əˈpɪrd ɪn 1971 ənd ˈrɛˌtroʊˌfɪtɪd wɪθ ðə ˈklinərz, nu træks ənd ðə ˌsteɪbələˈzeɪʃən bɪˈkeɪm noʊn ɛz (aos*). ðə ˈsɛkənd steɪʤ ˌɪnˈkludɪd sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˌɪmˈpruvmənts tɪ ˈɪnʤən riˌlaɪəˈbɪləti baɪ ˈfoʊkɪsɪŋ ɔn ðə kəmˈpoʊnənts ˈkɔzɪŋ ðə kruz moʊst ˈtrəbəl. ə nu ˈɪnʤən ˈvɛriənt (ˈdɛzɪgˌneɪtɪd) wɑz dɪˈvɛləpt wɪθ ˌɪmˈpruvd ˈstɑrtərz, fjuəl ˌɪnˈʤɛkʃən, ˈsɪləndərz, ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈsɪstəmz ənd superchargers*. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ɪt dɪd nɑt ˈproʊdus mɔr paʊər ðən ðə ərˈɪʤənəl ˈɪnʤən, ðə ˈlaɪfˌspæn wɑz məʧ ˈbɛtər. ðɪs steɪʤ wɑz rɪˈfərd tɪ ɛz səˈlɛktɪd ɪkˈwɪpmənt. ˈɛnʤənz wər ˌɪnˈstɔld ˈɪntu ðə (aos*) tæŋks ɪn 1975 rɪˈzəltɪŋ ɪn ə nu ˈvɛriənt, rɪˈfərd tɪ ɛz (raɪz). ðə θərd steɪʤ əv ðə dɪˈvɛləpmənt wɑz ˈtɛknɪkəli pɑrt əv ðə ˈsɛkənd, ˌɔlˈðoʊ ɪt ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn ˈædɪŋ mɔr ədˈvænst ˈfiʧərz tɪ ðə (raɪz) səʧ ɛz: ˈleɪzər ˈsɑləd steɪt kəmˈpjutər ˌɪmˈpruvd səˈspɛnʃən (ˈdɛzɪgˌneɪtɪd, dɪˈvɛləpt ərˈɪʤənəli fər ðə) ˌɪmˈpruvd ˈsərˌʧlaɪt nu gən ˈθərməl ʃraʊd nu ˈpæsɪv naɪt saɪts fər ðə ˈdraɪvər nu saɪts fər ðə kəˈmændər ənd ðə ˈgənər nu dip ˈwɔtər kɪt wɪθ ðiz əˈdɪʃənəl kəmˈpoʊnənts, ðə (raɪz) wɑz ˌridɪˈzaɪnd tɪ gən fʊl trækt ˈkɑmbæt tæŋk kəmˈpɛrd tɪ ðə ərˈɪʤənəl ðə ˈfiʧərd ɔl ðə ənd raɪz ˌɪmˈpruvmənts səʧ ɛz ðə ˌsteɪbələˈzeɪʃən ənd ðə rɪˈlaɪəbəl ˈɪnʤən. ðə steɪʤ 3 ˈfiʧərz, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, wər nɑt əˈveɪləbəl ɔl æt wəns fər ðə fərst ˈproʊtoʊˌtaɪps. ðeɪ wər ˈgræʤuəli ˈædɪd ənd ˈtɛstɪd. twɛlv ˈproʊtoʊˌtaɪps hæd bɪn bɪlt baɪ mɑrʧ 1973 ənd ðeɪ wər ˈθəroʊli ˈtɛstɪd ɪn ˈjumə, ˈæbərˌdin ənd fɔrt nɑks. səm əv ðə kəmˈpoʊnənts ˈmɛnʃənd (ˈneɪmli ðə saɪts) wər ˈædɪd tɪ ðə ˈstændərd (raɪz) ɛz wɛl, prəˈdusɪŋ ə ˈspɛʃəl ˈvərʒən ˈdɛzɪgˌneɪtɪd (raɪz) (ˈpæsɪv) ɪn 1977 ˈtɛstɪŋ wɛnt ˈrəðər wɛl. ðə nu səˈspɛnʃən ˌɪmˈpruvd ðə ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti əv ðə tæŋk, ˈmeɪkɪŋ ðə tæŋk raɪd mɔr sˈmuðli ənd ˈkɑnsəkˌwɛntli ˈivɪn ˈfərðər ˌɪmˈpruvɪŋ stəˈbɪlɪti ənd ˈækjərəsi ɔn ðə muv, bət ˈoʊvər taɪm, tu mɔr ˈprɑməsɪŋ səˈspɛnʃənz əˈpɪrd (ə wən əˈdæptɪd frəm ðə ənd əˈnəðər kɔld wɪθ ədˈvænst ˈtɔrʃən bɑrz). ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ˈæftər ˈsɛvərəl raʊnz əv tɛsts ˈniðər wɑz əˈdɑptəd, prɪˈzuməbli bɪˈkəz ðeɪ wər boʊθ kwaɪt ˈkɔstli. wət dɪd meɪk ɪt tɪ pərˈdəkʃən wɑz ðə nu faɪər kənˈtroʊl ˈsɪstəm ˈfiʧərɪŋ: ˈleɪzər (rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ ðə oʊld koʊˈɪnsɪdəns wən) bəˈlɪstɪk kəmˈpjutər (pərˈdəkʃən ˈvərʒən wɑz kɔld wɪnd ˈsɛnsər əˈdɪʃəˌnəli, ðə rɪˈsivd ə nu, məʧ mɔr rɪˈlaɪəbəl ˈkoʊˈæksiəl məˈʃingən ənd ðə smoʊk grəˈneɪd ˈlɔnʧər. wɪθ ðiz ˈʧeɪnʤɪz, ðə wɑz əˈpruvd fər ɪn meɪ 1979 ˈəndər ðə ˌdɛzɪgˈneɪʃən əv gən fʊl trækt ˈkɑmbæt tæŋk ðət ˈdɪdənt stɑp ˈfərðər dɪˈvɛləpmənt əv ðə ˈviɪkəl. ɛz ˈərli ɛz ʤun 1978 ə nu ˈgənər ˈɑptɪks ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm wɑz ˈstændərˌdaɪzd ˈəndər ðə ˌdɛzɪgˈneɪʃən əv tæŋk ˈθərməl saɪts, rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ ðə ˈpæsɪv naɪt saɪts ənd sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli ˌɪmˈpruvɪŋ ðə vju reɪnʤ æt naɪt ɛz wɛl ɛz biɪŋ fɑr ˈbɛtər æt ˈɔpərˌeɪtɪŋ ɪn reɪn ər fɔg. ˈstɑrtɪŋ frəm ˈɔgəst 1979 ˈsɛvərəl wər ˈfɪtɪd wɪθ ðɪs dɪˈvaɪs, kriˈeɪtɪŋ ə ˈvɛriənt rɪˈfərd tɪ ɛz (tts*). əˈnəðər ˈfiʧər ˈædɪd ˈleɪtər ɔn wɑz ðə ˈɪnʤən smoʊk ɪgˈzɔst ˈsɪstəm, əˈlaʊɪŋ ðə tæŋk tɪ ˈʤɛnərˌeɪt θɪk klaʊdz əv smoʊk baɪ ˌɪnˈʤɛktɪŋ fjuəl ˈɪntu ðə ɪgˈzɔst ˈsɪstəm ðət wɑz ˈkeɪpəbəl əv kˈwɪkli ˈkəvərɪŋ ðə tæŋk frəm ˈɛnəmi saɪts (ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ˌɪnfrərˈɛd). ənd læst bət nɑt list, ðɛr wər ˈsɛvərəl ˈtɛknɪkəl ˈəpˌdeɪts eɪmd ˈmoʊstli æt ˌɪnˈkrist riˌlaɪəˈbɪləti ər ˈseɪfti: ˌɔtəˈmætɪk ˈheɪˌlɑn faɪər ɪkˈstɪŋgwɪʃər ˈsɪstəm ˌɪmˈpruvd ˈdraɪvərz hæʧ nu ɑgˈzɪljəri tərət ˈɪnʤən paʊərɪŋ ðə ˈtrævərs ˌɪmˈpruvd stil rɪˈtərn ˈroʊlərz ˌɪnˈstɛd əv əˈlumənəm wɪθ ðiz ˌɪmˈpruvmənts ənd wɪθ ðə ˈkænsəld, ðə ˈsɪriz rɪˈmeɪnd ðə ˈwərˌkhɔrs əv ðə juz. ˈɑrmi ənˈtɪl ðə ərˈaɪvəl əv ðə ˈeɪbrəmz meɪn ˈbætəl tæŋk. ðə məʧ laɪk ɪts ˈprɛdəˌsɛsər, wɑz ə ˈsɑləd tæŋk. ðə həl ənd ðə tərət wər boʊθ meɪd əv stil wɪθ ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ thicknesses*: həl ˈəpər ˈfrəntəl həl pleɪt: (ˈæŋgəld æt 65 dɪˈgriz) loʊər ˈfrəntəl həl pleɪt: (ˈæŋgəld æt 55 dɪˈgriz) saɪd həl ˈɑrmər: rɪr həl ˈɑrmər: (ðə grɪl wɑz θɪk) həl ˈbɑtəm: həl tɔp: tərət gən: (ˈæŋgəld æt 60 dɪˈgriz ðə laɪn əv saɪt ˈɑrmər ʧeɪnʤd frəm tɪ) tərət frənt: ˈikwəl tɪ tərət saɪdz: ˈikwəl tɪ tərət rɪr: ˈikwəl tɪ tərət tɔp: ɪt wɑz ɑrmd wɪθ ðə ˈraɪfəld gən wɪθ ˈθərməl ʃraʊd ðət kʊd dɪˈprɛs tɪ 10 ənd ˈɛləˌveɪt tɪ 20 dɪˈgriz. ðə ˈmæksəməm reɪt əv faɪər wɑz əˈprɑksəmətli 7 raʊnz pər ˈmɪnət wɪθ ə gʊd ˈloʊdər. ðə ˈviɪkəl wɑz paʊərd baɪ ən ˌsupərˈʧɑrʤd ˈdizəl pɛrd wɪθ ə trænzˈmɪʃən, əˈlaʊɪŋ ɪt tɪ goʊ ɛz fæst ɛz 48 30 ˈɛmˈpiˈeɪʧ). kəmˈpɛrd tɪ ðə ɪt weɪd ə bɪt mɔr tənz), bət ðə ˈmæksəməm spid rɪˈmeɪnd ðə seɪm əˈkrɔs ðə ˈsɪriz. ðə wɑz prəˈdust frəm ˈɔnwərd əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd ðə wɪʧ ɪt ˌriˈpleɪst kəmˈplitli ɪn 1980 pərˈdəkʃən ræn ənˈtɪl 1987 wɪθ 5400 tæŋks bɪlt ɪn ˈtoʊtəl, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ 1700 ˈnuli bɪlt tæŋks ənd 3700 kənˈvərtɪd ˈoʊldər ˈmɑdəlz. ɪn ðə 1980s*, ðə ɪn əˈmɛrɪkən ˈsərvɪs wər ˈsteɪʃənd ˈmoʊstli ɪn ˈjʊrəp. ˈɑrmər ənd ˈɪrə wər ˈɔlsoʊ əˈveɪləbəl baɪ ðə leɪt 1980s*, bət æt ðə taɪm əv ˌɑpərˈeɪʃən ˈdɛzərt stɔrm (ðə ˈoʊnli ˈlɑrʤˌskeɪl ˈkɑmbæt juz əv ðə ɪn əˈmɛrɪkən ˈsərvɪs) ðə ˈɑrmi wɑz rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ wɪθ ðə ˈeɪbrəmz soʊ ðə ˈɪrə kɪts ˈoʊnli wɛnt tɪ juz. mərˈin kɔrz ðə juz. ˈɑrmi fɔt wɪˈθaʊt ðɛm. ðə dɪd wɛl ɪn ˌɪˈrɑk, bət ðə seɪm kən bi sɛd əˈbaʊt ˈmɛni ˈəðər ˈpisɪz əv ɪkˈwɪpmənt ɪn əˈmɛrɪkən hænz. ðə ˌɪˈræki ˈɑrmi stʊd ˈlɪtəl ʧæns əˈgɛnst ðə juz. ˈɑrmiz suˈpɪriər ˈtreɪnɪŋ ənd tɛkˈnɑləʤi ənd waɪl ðɪs wɑz ðə wɔr tɪ meɪk ðə ˈeɪbrəmz ˈfeɪməs, ðə pərˈfɔrməns əv ɪts ˈprɛdəˌsɛsər ʃʊd nɑt bi ˈəndərˈɛstəˌmeɪtɪd. ənd raʊnz ˈmænɪʤd tɪ nɑk aʊt ə lɑrʤ ˈnəmbər əv ˈɛnəmi tæŋks, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ səm t-72s*, ənd ɪt wɑz ðə ðət fərst ˈɛnərd kuˈweɪt ˈsɪti, nɑt ən ˈeɪbrəmz. ˈdɛzərt stɔrm, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, wɑz ðə swɔn sɔŋ əv ðə pattons*. ðə ɛnd əv ðə koʊld wɔr mɛnt ðət ə lɑrʤ flit əv tæŋks ˈrɛdi tɪ dɪˈfit ðə ˈsoʊviˌɛts ɪn ˈjʊrəp wɑz noʊ ˈlɔŋgər ˈnidɪd. æt ðət pɔɪnt, ðə juz. ˈɑrmi hæd səm 9000 ˈsɪriz tæŋks əˈveɪləbəl. ˈmɛni wər soʊld ər ˈivɪn ˈgɪvɪn əˈweɪ tɪ ˈəðər ˈkəntriz ənd wət wɑz lɛft wɑz ˌriˈpleɪst baɪ ðə ˈeɪbrəmz. ðə læst ˈæktɪv ˈjunɪt tɪ ˌriˈpleɪs ðə wɪθ ðə ˈeɪbrəmz wɑz ðə bəˈtæljən əv ðə ˈɑrmərd ˈkəmpəˌni əv ðə ˈkænzəs ˈnæʃənəl gɑrd ɪn meɪ 1997 ðə ˈlɛfˌtoʊvər ɪn əˈmɛrɪkən ˈsərvɪs wər ðɛn ˈmɔθˌbɔld, soʊld ɔf ər skræpt. ˈæftər 1991 ðə riˈlis əv lɑrʤ ˈnəmbərz əv fər ˈɛkspɔrt meɪd ðɛm ən əˈfɔrdəbəl ˈɔpʃən fər ˈkəntriz ənˈwɪlɪŋ tɪ ˈpərʧəs ˈsoʊviˌɛt ɪkˈwɪpmənt fər ˌwəˈtɛvər ˈrizən. ðɪs weɪ ðə ˈɛndɪd əp ɔl ˈoʊvər ðə wərld wɪθ ˈnoʊtəbəl ˈnəmbərz ˈpərʧəst baɪ: bɑˈreɪn 180 brəˈzɪl 91 ˈiʤɪpt (səm 1000 tæŋks frəm boʊθ ðə ˈjuˈɛˈseɪ ənd ˈɔstriə bɔt bɪtˈwin 1999 ənd 2002 gris 669 ˈmoʊstli ˌriˈpleɪst wɪθ ˈlɛpərdz baɪ naʊ) mərˈɑkoʊ (si 400 ˈsɔdi əˈreɪbiə 450 ˈtaɪˈwɑn 450 ˈtərki (ˈoʊvər 900 əv ˈsɛvərəl ˈvɛriənts) ˈjɛmən ˈəðər ˈjuzərz ˌɪnˈklud ˈpɔrʧəgəl, ˈlɛbənən, speɪn ənd ˈsɛvərəl ˈəðərz. ˈɔstriə gɑt rɪd əv ɪts ənd baɪ ðə ɛnd əv ðə hæd ˌriˈpleɪst ðɛm wɪθ ˈlɛpərd ənd ˈɪzriəl feɪzd aʊt ɪts ˈvɛriənts baɪ 2014 ˈsɛvərəl ˈnoʊtəbəl ˈəpˌgreɪdz hæv əˈpɪrd sɪns ðə, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ: ðə ˈsɪriz (ˌɪnˈklud ˈhɛvəli ˈmɑdəˌfaɪd ˌɪzˈreɪli) ˈsɑbrə ˈəpˌgreɪdɪd, ˈkərəntli ɪn ˈsərvɪs) ˈsupər ˈproʊtoʊˌtaɪp ənd ˈproʊtoʊˌtaɪps (əˈtɛmpts tɪ ˈəpˈgreɪd ðə wɪθ ˈeɪbrəmz tɛkˈnɑləʤi) (ə ˈrisənt əˈfɔrdəbəl ˈəpˈgreɪd wɪθ ə gən rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ ðə oʊld ɔl əv ðiz ˈviɪkəlz ər kwaɪt ˈdɪfərənt frəm ðə ˈstændərd ənd meɪ bi ˈkəvərd ɪn ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˈɑrtɪkəlz ɪn ðə fˈjuʧər. ɛz fər ðə stɑk ɪt ɪz ənˈfɔrʧənətli kəmˈplitli ˌɑbsəˈlit ɔn ˈtudeɪz ˈbætəlˌfild. ðə raɪz əv ˈmɑdərn θrɛts (səʧ ɛz ədˈvænst ˈgaɪdɪd ˈmɪsəlz) meɪks ɪts prəˈtɛkʃən ˈlɛvəlz ˈwoʊfəli ˌɪˈnædəkˌweɪt. wən əv ðə ədˈvænst ˈvɛriənts, ðə ˈtərkɪʃ ˈsɑbrə, ɪz ˈkərəntli juzd ɛz pɑrt əv ðə ˈtərkɪʃ əˈfɛnsɪv ɪn ˈsɪriə ənd ɪt ɪz nɑt pərˈfɔrmɪŋ ˈvɛri wɛl ə ˈnəmbər əv ðiz ˈviɪkəlz hæv ɔˈrɛdi bɪn nɑkt aʊt, ˈfɔrsɪŋ ðə ˈtərkɪʃ ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri tɪ dɪˈplɔɪ ðə mɔr ˈpaʊərfəl ˈlɛpərd ˌɪnˈstɛd ənd ˈkɔlɪŋ ðə ɪnˈtaɪər fˈjuʧər əv ðə ˈsɑbrə ˈɪntu kˈwɛʃən. ɪn ˈɑrmərd ˈwɔrˌfɛr ɪn ˈəpˌdeɪt ðə wɪl bi ə tir 5 ʧɔɪs, əˈveɪləbəl frəm ðə tir 4 ˈpætən, wən əv ðə ˈnuli ˌɪntrəˈdust ˈviɪkəlz. ənˈlaɪk ðə ðə wɪl kənˈtɪnju wɪθ ðə seɪm ˈgeɪmˌpleɪ staɪl ɛz ðə. ˈsɑləd moʊˈbɪlɪti kəmˈbaɪnd wɪθ ən ˈækjərət ənd ˈpaʊərfəl ˈraɪfəld gən ˈɔfər pleɪərz ən ɔlˈtərnətɪv tɪ ðə mɔr fər mɔr ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən əˈbaʊt ˈbæləns ˈʧeɪnʤɪz, pliz ʧɛk ɑr ˈsɪriz əv ˈbæləns ˈɑrtɪkəlz. wɪl si ju ɔn ðə ˈbætəlˌfild!

by the late 1960s, the issues with the development of what would become the m60a2 were becoming more and more obvious to everyone, leading to more and more calls to return to the classic tank concept with a high muzzle velocity cannon. meanwhile, mbt-70 development was in full-swing, but that didn't stop american engineers from experimenting with the m60 chassis. the reason for this (apart from having a back-up plan in case of an mbt-70 development failure) was that upgrading the m60 series would be far more cost-effective than actually producing a new tank from scratch, let alone one as complex and expensive as the mbt-70. in addition, lessons learned from mbt-70 development could be used to upgrade the m60, as demonstrated in 1968 by chrysler. in november 1968, chrysler proposed an upgrade for the m60a1. they called the upgrade the k-tank. it consisted of an m60a1 hull paired with a brand new turret that was to use the long 152mm xm150 gun-launcher designed for the mbt-70. the k-turret (as it was called) was not a derivate of the existing m60a1 turret – it was a new sloped design made from rolled homogenous steel. the gun inside would be fed by a 3 round semi-automatic loading mechanism. overall the turret was well-protected, could carry more ammunition and did not suffer from the crew separation issue that the m60a2 did, but it was also approximately 800kg heavier. it's also worth noting that the turret could carry more ammunition than that of the m60a2. a mock-up of the 152mm k-tank was built (including some suspension improvements) along with a version equipped with a 120mm hypervelocity smoothbore gun (designated delta gun). it was actually a sound project, but development was discontinued due to a lack of funding: the mbt-70 was eating up any resources the vietnam war didn't and there simply was not enough money to go around. apart from the infamous starship, it was becoming more and more clear that the american military would have to stick with the m60a1. this realization led to a decision to improve the patton tanks in several stages and further improvements were developed with one specific requirement – they had to be usable for the entire m48 and m60 series. the first stage included a new air cleaner for easier maintenance and a longer lifespan, better t142 tracks and a new gun stabilization mechanism (referred to as add-on stabilization) that significantly improved accuracy on the move. the first of these components appeared in 1971 and m60a1s retrofitted with the cleaners, new tracks and the add-on stabilization became known as m60a1 (aos). the second stage included significant improvements to engine reliability by focusing on the components causing the crews most trouble. a new avds-1790 engine variant (designated avds-1790-2c) was developed with improved starters, fuel injection, cylinders, electric systems and superchargers. although it did not produce more power than the original engine, the lifespan was much better. this stage was referred to as reliability-improved selected equipment. avds-1790-2c engines were installed into the m60a1 (aos) tanks in 1975, resulting in a new variant, referred to as m60a1 (rise). the third stage of the development was technically part of the second, although it focused on adding more advanced features to the m60a1 (rise) such as: laser rangefinder solid state computer improved suspension (designated tob, developed originally for the k-tank) improved an/vss-3a white/infrared searchlight new gun thermal shroud new passive night sights for the driver new periscopic sights for the commander and the gunner new deep water fording kit with these additional components, the m60a1 (rise) was redesigned to 105mm gun full tracked combat tank m60a1e3. compared to the original m60a1, the m60a1e3 featured all the aos and rise improvements such as the stabilization and the reliable engine. the abovementioned stage 3 features, however, were not available all at once for the first prototypes. they were gradually added and tested. twelve m60a1e3 prototypes had been built by march 1973 and they were thoroughly tested in yuma, aberdeen and fort knox. some of the components mentioned (namely the sights) were added to the standard m60a1 (rise) as well, producing a special version designated m60a1 (rise) (passive) in 1977. testing went rather well. the new tob suspension improved the all-terrain capability of the tank, making the tank ride more smoothly and consequently even further improving stability and accuracy on the move, but over time, two more promising suspensions appeared (a hydropneumatic one adapted from the mbt-70 and another called atb with advanced torsion bars). however, after several rounds of tests neither was adopted, presumably because they were both quite costly. what did make it to production was the new fire control system featuring: an/vvg-2 laser rangefinder (replacing the old m17 coincidence one) xm21 ballistic computer (production version was called m21) wind sensor additionally, the m60a1e3 received a new, much more reliable 7.62mm m240 coaxial machinegun (license-produced mag-58) and the m239 smoke grenade launcher. with these changes, the m60a1e3 was approved for mass-production in may 1979 under the designation of 105mm gun full tracked combat tank m60a3. that didn't stop further development of the vehicle. as early as june 1978, a new gunner optics mechanism was standardized under the designation of tank thermal sights, replacing the passive night sights and significantly improving the view range at night as well as being far better at operating in rain or fog. starting from august 1979, several m60a3s were fitted with this device, creating a variant referred to as m60a3 (tts). another feature added later on was the engine smoke exhaust system, allowing the tank to generate thick clouds of smoke by injecting fuel into the exhaust system that was capable of quickly covering the tank from enemy sights (including infrared). and last but not least, there were several technical updates aimed mostly at increased reliability or safety: automatic halon fire extinguisher system improved driver's hatch new auxiliary turret engine powering the traverse improved air-cleaners steel return rollers instead of aluminum with these improvements and with the mbt-70 cancelled, the m60 series remained the workhorse of the u.s. army until the arrival of the abrams main battle tank. the m60a3, much like its m60a1 predecessor, was a solid tank. the hull and the turret were both made of steel with the following thicknesses: hull upper frontal hull plate: 109mm (angled at 65 degrees) lower frontal hull plate: 143-85mm (angled at 55 degrees) side hull armor: 74-36mm rear hull armor: 41-30mm (the grill was 25mm thick) hull bottom: 19-13mm hull top: 36mm turret gun mantlet: 127mm (angled at 60 degrees – the line of sight mantlet armor changed from 130mm to 254mm) turret front: equal to 254mm turret sides: equal to 140mm turret rear: equal to 57mm turret top: 25mm it was armed with the 105mm m68e1 rifled gun with thermal shroud that could depress to -10 and elevate to +20 degrees. the maximum rate of fire was approximately 7 rounds per minute with a good loader. the vehicle was powered by an avds-1790-2c 650hp supercharged v12 diesel paired with a cd-850-6a transmission, allowing it to go as fast as 48 km/h (30 mph). compared to the m60a1, it weighed a bit more (51.98 tons), but the maximum speed remained the same across the series. the m60a3 was produced from 1978-1979 onward alongside the m60a1, which it replaced completely in 1980. production ran until 1987 with 5400 m60a3 tanks built in total, including 1700 newly built tanks and 3700 converted older m60 models. in the 1980s, the m60a3s in american service were stationed mostly in europe. applique armor and era were also available by the late 1980s, but at the time of operation desert storm (the only large-scale combat use of the m60a3 in american service) the army was replacing m60s with the abrams so the era kits only went to u.s. marine corps m60a1s – the u.s. army m60a3s fought without them. the m60a3 mbt did well in iraq, but the same can be said about many other pieces of equipment in american hands. the iraqi army stood little chance against the u.s. army's superior training and technology and while this was the war to make the abrams famous, the performance of its predecessor should not be underestimated. m60a1 and m60a3 105mm apfsds rounds managed to knock out a large number of enemy tanks, including some t-72s, and it was the m60a3 that first entered kuwait city, not an abrams. desert storm, however, was the swan song of the pattons. the end of the cold war meant that a large fleet of tanks ready to defeat the soviets in europe was no longer needed. at that point, the u.s. army had some 9000 m60 series tanks available. many were sold or even given away to other countries and what was left was replaced by the abrams. the last active unit to replace the m60a3 with the abrams was the 1st battalion of the 365th armored company of the kansas national guard in may 1997. the leftover m60a3s in american service were then mothballed, sold off or scrapped. after 1991, the release of large numbers of m60a3s for export made them an affordable option for countries unwilling to purchase soviet equipment for whatever reason. this way the m60a3 ended up all over the world with notable numbers purchased by: bahrain (180) brazil (91) egypt (some 1000 tanks from both the usa and austria bought between 1999 and 2002) greece (669, mostly replaced with leopards by now) morocco (c 400) saudi arabia (450) taiwan (450) turkey (over 900 m60s of several variants) yemen other users include portugal, lebanon, spain and several others. austria got rid of its m60a3s and by the end of the 1990s had replaced them with leopard 2s and israel phased out its m60 variants by 2014. several notable m60 upgrades have appeared since the 1990s, including: the magach series (include heavily modified israeli m60s) sabra (israeli-turkish upgraded m60s, currently in service) super m60 prototype m60-2000 and 120s prototypes (attempts to upgrade the m60 with abrams technology) m60a3 slep (a recent affordable upgrade with a 120mm gun replacing the old m68) all of these vehicles are quite different from the standard m60a3 and may be covered in separate articles in the future. as for the stock m60a3, it is unfortunately completely obsolete on today's battlefield. the rise of modern threats (such as advanced anti-tank guided missiles) makes its protection levels woefully inadequate. one of the advanced m60 variants, the turkish sabra, is currently used as part of the turkish offensive in syria and it is not performing very well – a number of these vehicles have already been knocked out, forcing the turkish military to deploy the more powerful leopard 2s instead and calling the entire future of the sabra into question. in armored warfare in update 0.19, the m60a3 will be a tier 5 choice, available from the tier 4 m60a1 patton, one of the newly introduced vehicles. unlike the m60a2, the m60a3 will continue with the same gameplay style as the m60a1 mbt. solid mobility combined with an accurate and powerful 105mm rifled gun offer players an alternative to the more alpha-oriented m60a2. for more information about balance 2.0 changes, please check our series of balance 2.0 articles. we'll see you on the battlefield!

ənˈsərtən fˈjuʧər fər məˈgi ənd ˈəðər faɪər ˈvɛtərənz hɛˈloʊ hiz 31 jɪrz oʊld, ˈɪnʤəriz hæv ˈlɪmɪtɪd ɪm tɪ 360 ˈmɪnəts əv pleɪɪŋ taɪm soʊ fɑr ðɪs ˈsizən ənd hɪz ˈkɑnˌtrækt ɪkˈspaɪərz æt ðə ɛnd əv ðə jɪr, bət maɪk məˈgi ˈɪzənt ˈrɛdi tɪ tɔk əˈbaʊt ðə fˈjuʧər jɛt. "əm ˈfilɪŋ ˈrɪli gʊd body-wise*," sɛd məˈgi, ə lɔŋ groʊv ˈneɪtɪv hu bɪˈgæn pleɪɪŋ ɪn ˈmeɪʤər lig ˈsɑkər ɪn 2003 "ɪts bɪn ə lɔŋ ˈkəpəl əv jɪrz. nɑt ˈmeɪkɪŋ ðə pleɪɔfs ɪz mɔr ˈfrəˌstreɪtɪŋ ðən ju kən ˈɛvər ˌɪˈmæʤən." pɑrt əv ðə ˈrizən fər ənˈsərtənti ɪz ðət ðə kləb wɪl hæv ə nu mæn ɪn ʧɑrʤ əv ðə ˈsɑkər saɪd. ˈnɛlsən rɑˈdrigɛz əˈsumz hɪz ˈdutiz ɛz ˈʤɛnərəl ˈmænɪʤər ɔn ɔkt. 19 ənd wən əv hɪz fərst tæsks wɪl bi tɪ haɪər ə nu koʊʧ. ðə ˈlaɪkliˌhʊd ɪz ðət məˈgi wɪl hæv tɪ teɪk ə səbˈstænʃəl peɪ kət tɪ rɪˈmeɪn wɪθ ðə faɪər noʊ ˈmætər hu ðə nu koʊʧ ɪz. hi meɪd ˌgɛrənˈtid ˌkɑmpənˈseɪʃən ðɪs ˈsizən, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə pleɪərz ˈjunjən, ənd hiz nɑt ðə seɪm pleɪər hu ərnd ðə lig əˈwɔrd ɪn 2013 "maɪ hɛlθ həz bɪn greɪt ðə læst mənθ," məˈgi sɛd. "ðə ˈprɑbləm wɑz wɪθ ðə ˈɪnʤəriz aɪ hæd ənd ðə weɪ ðeɪ wər ˈhændəld. wəns ðə pleɪɔfs wər aʊt əv hænd, maɪ ˌmoʊtəˈveɪʃən swɪʧt tɪ ˈmeɪkɪŋ ʃʊr aɪ wɑz ˈhɛlθi ənd fɪt ənd strɔŋ." məˈgi ɪz wən əv ʤɪst θri faɪər pleɪərz aʊt əv ˈkɑnˌtrækt wɪn ðə ˈrɛgjələr ˈsizən kənˈkludz ɔkt. 25 mæt ˈwɑtsən ənd dɪˈfɛndər taɪ ˈhɑrdən ər ðə ˈəðərz. ðə ˈkæptən: əˈnəðər pleɪər huz fˈjuʧər ɪz ənˈsərtən ɪz ˈsɛntrəl dɪˈfɛndər ʤɛf, ðə tim ˈkæptən. hi ɪz 32 jɪrz oʊld ənd meɪd ˈdʊrɪŋ ə ˈsizən ɪn wɪʧ ðə dɪˈfɛns wɑz ə bɪg ˈprɑbləm. ðə tim həz ən ˈɔpʃən tɪ pɪk əp hɪz ˈkɑnˌtrækt. "ðə ʧɔɪs ɪz ðɛrz," hi sɛd. "æt ðɪs pɔɪnt aɪ doʊnt noʊ huz ʧɔɪs ɪt ɪz, soʊ ðæts ə təf wən. aɪ fil laɪk ə lɔt əv ˈpipəl ˈprɑʤɛkt eɪʤ ɔn mi, ənd aɪ wɔnt tɪ bi ə pɑrt əv ə tim ðət wɔnts mi tɪ bi ə pɑrt əv ɪt. ɪf ðə nu koʊʧ həz ˈəðər aɪˈdiəz, ˈɪtəl bi taɪm fər mi tɪ muv ɔn." ˈɪzənt ðə ˈoʊnli ˈmɛmbər əv ðə bæk laɪn hu kʊd dɪˈpɑrt. raɪt bæk ˈpɑmər, 31 həz bɪn ɪn ənd aʊt əv ðə ˈlaɪˌnəp. ˈsɛnər bæk, 32 ɪz rɪˈkəvərɪŋ frəm əbˈdɑmənəl ˈsərʤəri. ɪz biɪŋ peɪd əˈnəðər bɪg ˈnəmbər baɪ ˈstændərdz. "aɪ ʤɪst hoʊp ɪt ˈdəzənt dræg ɔn ənd ðə dɪˈsɪʒənz gɪt meɪd kˈwɪkli," sɛd. ɪf ɔl əv ðoʊz pleɪərz du liv, rɑˈdrigɛz ənd ðə nu koʊʧ ʃʊd hæv ə lɔt əv speɪs ˈəndər ðə ˈsæləri kæp tɪ wərk wɪθ, pləs ˈplɛnti əv ˌæləˈkeɪʃən ˈməni. ðə oʊld mæn: ˈbæˌkəp ˈgoʊlˌkipər ʤɑn bʊʃ ɪz 39 bət hiz nɑt ˈrɛdi tɪ kɔl ɪt kwɪts jɛt. "aɪ fil greɪt," bʊʃ sɛd. "aɪ ˈdɛfənətli fil laɪk aɪ kən kəmˈpit fər əˈnəðər jɪr, ənd aɪv bɪn seɪɪŋ ðət fər ə fju jɪrz naʊ, bət aɪ fil greɪt ˈfɪzɪkəli, ənd wɪθ ðiz gaɪz ˈkəmɪŋ ɪn (ˈɪnərəm koʊʧ braɪən blɪs ənd əˈsɪstənt ˈloʊgən pɔz) ɪts bɪn laɪk ə brɛθ əv frɛʃ ɛr. ɪts gɑt ˈjuˈɛs ɔl ɪkˈsaɪtɪd əˈgɛn." bʊʃ sɛd hi θɪŋks hiz ˈɛnərɪŋ hɪz ˈɔpʃən jɪr. ɪt wʊd bi ðə timz ˈɔpʃən. "ˈɑnəstli, aɪ doʊnt ˈivɪn ˈwəri əˈbaʊt ɪt. æt ðə ɛnd əv ðə jɪr, wi sɪt ənd wi tɔk," hi sɛd matter-of-factly*. ðə ˈrənɪŋ mæn: ˈfɔrmər faɪər ˈkæptən ˈloʊgən pɔz bɪˈkeɪm ə tim vaɪs ˈprɛzɪdənt wɪn hi rɪˈtaɪrd ˈæftər læst ˈsizən, ðɛn ˈædɪd ˈɪnərəm əˈsɪstənt koʊʧ ˈdutiz wɪn koʊʧ fræŋk ənd hɪz stæf wər faɪərd læst mənθ. pɔz ɪz ˈhævɪŋ fən wɪθ hɪz stɪnt ɔn ðə fild. "ˈəndər ðə ˈsərkəmˌstænsɪz, aɪ hæv ˌɛnˈʤɔɪd ɪt," hi sɛd. "əv kɔrs ə traɪɪŋ jɪr fər ðə kləb ənd ðə pleɪərz. rəˈgɑrdləs aɪ æm ˌɛnˈʤɔɪɪŋ ɪt ənd ˈhoʊpɪŋ tɪ hɛlp ðə tim ˈfɪnɪʃ strɔŋ." pɔz ˈdɪdənt seɪ hi wɔnts tɪ bi ðə nu koʊʧ, bət hi ˈdɪdənt rul ɪt aʊt ˈiðər. pɔz wɪl teɪk ædˈvæntɪʤ əv ðə baɪ wik baɪ ˈrənɪŋ ɪn ˈsənˌdiz ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ˈmɛrəˌθɑn. "aɪ ˈɔlˌweɪz sɛd wɪn əm dən pleɪɪŋ, aɪl rən ɪt," sɛd pɔz, hu ɪz ˈrənɪŋ tɪ ˈbɛnəfɪt ðə kləbz ˈʧɛrɪti ɑrm, ðə ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ faɪər faʊnˈdeɪʃən. "əm ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈfɔrwərd tɪ ɪt." ˈfɑloʊ ˈɔrɪn ɔn tˈwɪtər

uncertain future for magee and other fire veterans hello he's 31 years old, injuries have limited him to 360 minutes of playing time so far this season and his contract expires at the end of the year, but mike magee isn't ready to talk about the future yet. "i'm feeling really good body-wise," said magee, a long grove native who began playing in major league soccer in 2003. "it's been a long couple of years. not making the playoffs is more frustrating than you can ever imagine." part of the reason for magee's uncertainty is that the club will have a new man in charge of the soccer side. nelson rodriguez assumes his duties as general manager on oct. 19, and one of his first tasks will be to hire a new coach. the likelihood is that magee will have to take a substantial pay cut to remain with the fire no matter who the new coach is. he made $467,500 guaranteed compensation this season, according to the mls players union, and he's not the same player who earned the league mvp award in 2013. "my health has been great the last month," magee said. "the problem was with the injuries i had and the way they were handled. once the playoffs were out of hand, my motivation switched to making sure i was healthy and fit and strong." magee is one of just three fire players out of contract when the regular season concludes oct. 25. midfielder matt watson and oft-injured defender ty harden are the others. the captain: another player whose future is uncertain is central defender jeff larentowicz, the team captain. he is 32 years old and made $271,000 during a season in which the defense was a big problem. the team has an option to pick up his contract. "the choice is theirs," he said. "at this point i don't know whose choice it is, so that's a tough one. i feel like a lot of people project age on me, and i want to be a part of a team that wants me to be a part of it. if the new coach has other ideas, it'll be time for me to move on." larentowicz isn't the only member of the back line who could depart. right back lovel palmer, 31, has been in and out of the lineup. center back adailton, 32, is recovering from abdominal surgery. adailton is being paid $244,500, another big number by mls standards. "i just hope it doesn't drag on and the decisions get made quickly," larentowicz said. if all of those players do leave, rodriguez and the new coach should have a lot of space under the mls salary cap to work with, plus plenty of allocation money. the old man: backup goalkeeper jon busch is 39, but he's not ready to call it quits yet. "i feel great," busch said. "i definitely feel like i can compete for another year, and i've been saying that for a few years now, but i feel great physically, and with these guys coming in (interim coach brian bliss and assistant logan pause) it's been like a breath of fresh air. it's got us all excited again." busch said he thinks he's entering his option year. it would be the team's option. "honestly, i don't even worry about it. at the end of the year, we sit and we talk," he said matter-of-factly. the running man: former fire captain logan pause became a team vice president when he retired after last season, then added interim assistant coach duties when coach frank yallop and his staff were fired last month. pause is having fun with his stint on the field. "under the circumstances, i have enjoyed it," he said. "of course a trying year for the club and the players. regardless i am enjoying it and hoping to help the team finish strong." pause didn't say he wants to be the new coach, but he didn't rule it out either. pause will take advantage of the bye week by running in sunday's chicago marathon. "i always said when i'm done playing, i'll run it," said pause, who is running to benefit the club's charity arm, the chicago fire foundation. "i'm looking forward to it." follow orrin on twitter @orrin_schwarz

ˈbɔstən ʤoʊ ʤɪˈrɑrdi kʊd ˈbɛrli dɪsˈgaɪz hɪz ˈæŋgər. hi həz spɛnt ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈɛvəri deɪ əv ə ˈʧælənʤɪŋ ˈsizən ˈstɔnʧli dɪˈfɛndɪŋ hɪz pleɪərz, ˈwɛðər ɪt həz bɪn ən ɛmˈbætəld ˌsupərˈstɑr laɪk ˈæləks rɑˈdrigɛz ər ən ənˈhɛrəldɪd ˈrʊki laɪk ˈdeɪvɪd ˈædəmz. bət ˈæftər ˈwɪtnəsɪŋ ə sˈlɑpi ənd hjuˈmɪliˌeɪtɪŋ pərˈfɔrməns ɪn ə ˈkrɪtɪkəl geɪm əv ðə ˈsizən ə wɪn baɪ ðə ˈbɔstən rɛd sɑks tɪ kəmˈplit ðə swip ʤɪˈrɑrdi fərst lɛt hɪz tim noʊ əv hɪz ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt wɪθ ðɛr ˈɛfərt ɪn ə stərn ˌpoʊstˈgeɪm ˈmitɪŋ, ðɛn ˈɪʃud ðə seɪm ɛmˈfætɪk ˈmɛsɪʤ tɪ rɪˈpɔrtərz. stəŋk here,”*,” hi sɛd. pleɪ wɛl hir. bət gɑt ˈɔpʃənz. wi kən ˈiðər kənˈtɪnju tɪ stɪŋk ər pleɪ ˈbɛtər. ɪf wi pleɪ ˈbɛtər, wi hæv ə shot.”*.” bət ðət ʃɑt ɪz dˈwɪndəlɪŋ. ðə ˈjæŋkiz fɛl θri geɪmz bɪˈhaɪnd ðə ˈtɛksəs ˈreɪnʤərz ənd ðə ˈtæmpə beɪ reɪz ɪn ðə hənt fər wən əv ðə tu əˈmɛrɪkən lig spɑts, ənd fɔr geɪmz bæk ɪn ðə lɔs ˈkɑləm. wərs, ðeɪ naʊ hæv tu timz, ðə ˈklivlənd ˈɪndiənz ənd ðə ˈbɔltəˌmɔr ˈɔriˌoʊlz, əˈhɛd əv ðɛm ɪn ðə ˈstændɪŋz wɪθ ˈoʊnli 12 geɪmz tɪ pleɪ.

boston joe girardi could barely disguise his anger. he has spent almost every day of a challenging season staunchly defending his players, whether it has been an embattled superstar like alex rodriguez or an unheralded rookie like david adams. but after witnessing a sloppy and humiliating performance in a critical game of the season a 9-2 win by the boston red sox to complete the three-game sweep girardi first let his team know of his disappointment with their effort in a stern postgame meeting, then issued the same emphatic message to reporters. “we stunk here,” he said. “we didn’t play well here. but we’ve got options. we can either continue to stink or play better. if we play better, we have a shot.” but that shot is dwindling. the yankees fell three games behind the texas rangers and the tampa bay rays in the hunt for one of the two american league wild-card spots, and four games back in the loss column. worse, they now have two teams, the cleveland indians and the baltimore orioles, ahead of them in the wild-card standings with only 12 games to play.

ðɪs ɪz ˈbeɪsɪkli ə ˌrivˈju əv, ənd ə rænt əˈbaʊt, 2 ɪf jʊr nɑt ˈɪntu ɪt, ʤɪst doʊnt rɛd ɪt! aɪl raɪt əˈbaʊt stəf ju laɪk səm ˈəðər taɪm. nɑt ðə kaɪnd əv ˈpərsən tɪ seɪ "aɪ toʊld ju soʊ." noooo*. ˈnɛvər. wɛl, ˈnɛvər, ənˈlɛs, əv kɔrs, aɪ gɪt tɪ seɪ ɪt ˈlaʊdli, wɪˈθɪn ˈhirɪŋ əv ə ˈsteɪdiəm fʊl əv ˈpipəl. wɪʧ aɪ hir goʊz:. priˈdɪkʃənz frəm maɪ ˈpriviəs poʊst, "ðə gən kəˈlɛktərz kləb", ɔl keɪm kəmˈplitli 100 tru, wɪθ ˈækjərəsi, ˌɪmˈpækt, inflammatoryness*, ˈblæstɪŋ ənd səˈpraɪzɪŋli, ˈivɪn spid. aɪ meɪd aʊt laɪk ə prɪˈdɪktɪd, ɛz ju meɪ ˈriˌkɔl, ðət (ə) ˈɪtəd bi ə greɪt geɪm ("də"), (bi) ðeɪd skru əp ðə ˈtoʊkən ɪˈkɑnəmi bɪˈkəz ðeɪ ˈoʊnli ˈpɑrtli ˌəndərˈstænd ɪt, ənd (si) ɛz ə dɪˈrɛkt rɪˈzəlt əv bi, pleɪərz wʊd ˈgræʤuəli hɛd bæk tɪ wiks ˈæftər ðə riˈlis, aɪ hæd maɪ ˈdrɛdɪd fərst "aɪ ˈrɪli doʊnt wɔnt tɪ θroʊ ðɪs gən əˈweɪ, bət aɪ hæv noʊ ˌgɑˈdæm rum fər ɪt," ɪkˈspɪriəns. ənd maɪ riˈækʃən wɑz, prɪˈdɪktəbli, tɪ θɪŋk ˈsɪriəsli əˈbaʊt ˈiðər kriˈeɪtɪŋ ə mjul ˈkɛrɪktər ər goʊɪŋ bæk tɪ pleɪ min, aɪ nu aɪd hæv ðɪs riˈækʃən, bət aɪ feɪld tɪ prɪˈdɪkt haʊ əˈmeɪzɪŋli fæst ɪt wʊd ˈhæpən. ə wik pleɪɪŋ ðə geɪm, əˈnəðər wik ɔn 2 ə ˈfaɪnəl wik ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ ɔl ðə ˈɔpʃənəl saɪd kwɛsts, ənd ðɛn bum ðə ˈfɑrmɪŋ ɪz ˌfəndəˈmɛnəli ˈbroʊkən, soʊ lɛts goʊ pleɪ ˈsəmθɪŋ ɛls. bət aɪ doʊnt tɪ! waɪ dɪd ðeɪ hæv tɪ gɪt ðɪs rɔŋ? waɪ dɪd aɪ hæv tɪ bi soʊ kərˈɛkt? mi meɪk ðɪs ˈrɪli ˈsɪmpəl ənd klɪr. ju rɪˈmɛmbər ðət ˈfeɪməs ɪksˈʧeɪnʤ ɪn ˈdɑktər. ˈstreɪnˌʤləv ər: haʊ aɪ ˈlərnɪd tɪ stɑp ˈwəriɪŋ ənd ləv ðə bɔm əv kɔrs, ðə hoʊl pɔɪnt əv ə ˈdumzˌdeɪ məˈʃin ɪz lɔst ɪf ə! waɪ ˈdɪdənt ju tɛl ðə wərld, wɑz tɪ bi əˈnaʊnst æt ðə ˈpɑrti ˈkɑŋgrəs ɔn ˈmənˌdeɪ. ɛz ju noʊ, ðə prɛˈmɪr ləvz surprises.well*, ɪf ˈdɑktər. ˈstreɪnˌʤləv wər əˈlaɪv tɪ pleɪ təˈdeɪ, hid hæv kɔrs, ðə hoʊl pɔɪnt əv 87 gənz ɪz lɔst, ɪf ju! waɪ ˈdɪdənt ju æd mɔr bæŋk slɑts, min, æt list æmˈbæsədər də hæd ə ˈsəmˈwət ˈplɔzəbəl ɪkˈskjuz. bət ˈgɪrˌbɑks həz bɪn ˈθɪŋkɪŋ ˈoʊvər ðɪs hoʊl θɪŋ fər, oʊ, ˈprɑbəˌbli eɪt jɪrz ər mɔr. haʊ ðə hɛl dɪd ðeɪ əraɪv æt ðə kənˈkluʒən ðət "wi ʃʊd hæv 87 gənz, ənd ju ˈpərsənəli ʃʊd bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ kip, laɪk, twɛlv əv ˈoʊnli wən ˈpɑsəbəl ˈænsər: ðeɪ ər ˈkluləs. aɪ min, doʊnt gɪt mi rɔŋ: ðɛr ˈɔlsoʊ ˈləvəbəl, ˈbrɪljənt, ˈpæʃənət, ˈtɛknɪkəli əˈstaʊndɪŋ, ənd ˈaʊˈtraɪt ˈvɪʒəˌnɛri. bət ðɛr ˈɔlsoʊ ənd ˈbəmbəlɪŋ ənd ˈkluləs. ðɛr ðə ˈneɪbərˌhʊd kɪd hu ˈkæʧɪz ə ˈlɪzərd ənd θɪŋks ɪts ˈrɪli kul, ənd ɪt kul, ɪkˈsɛpt hi pʊts ɪt ɪn ə bɑks ənd ɪt du ðɪs ɛz ə gʊd, bæd ənd ˈəgli poʊst, ʤɪst soʊ ju noʊ ɪts, laɪk, ˈbælənst. ɪf aɪ wər ʤɪst ˈgəʃɪŋ ə bənʧ əv preɪz, ju noʊ ɛz wɛl ɛz aɪ du ðət ɪt ˈwʊdənt bi ɛz ˈkrɛdəbəl. ju hæv tɪ hir ðə bæd wɪθ ðə əg, ðeɪ wər soʊ kloʊz. soʊ kloʊz! ðə geɪm ɪz soʊ ðɛl kət maɪ ˈsɛkənd priˈdɪkʃən ɪn hæf, ənd riˈlis ə ər pæʧ wɪˈθɪn 6 mənθs ðət gɪts ðə foʊks hu ˈdrɪftɪd bæk tɪ tɪ stɑrt kəˈlɛktɪŋ ɪn again.that*, ər ˈmeɪbi aɪl kənˈtrɪbjut tɪ ðə ˈprɑʤɛkt. ɪz ˈstupɪd, ˈstupɪd, ˈstupɪd; ɪts 12 jɪr oʊldz ˈædvərˌtaɪzɪŋ ðət ðeɪ ər, ɪn fækt, ˈmɛnəli ənd ˈiˌmoʊʃnəli ˈrɪli twɛlv jɪrz oʊld. ðə ˈmaɪndˌsɛt ðɛr ɪz soʊ ˈʤuvəˌnaɪl ðət ɪt peɪnz mi tɪ ədˈmɪt ðət ˈsəmˌtaɪm ɪn maɪ ˈdɪstənt pæst, ˈdɛkeɪdz əˈgoʊ, aɪ ˈprɑbəˌbli wʊd hæv θɔt ðət weɪ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf. (ðət ɪz tɪ seɪ: "heɪ, əm goʊɪŋ tɪ mɔd, bɪˈkəz ɪts nɑt əˈlaʊd soʊ ɪt məst bi kul, ənd ˈivɪn ðoʊ ə gərˈɪlə kʊd ˈfɪgjər aʊt haʊ tɪ du ɪt, ənd ɪt teɪks ˈɛni hɪnt əv ˈʧælənʤ aʊt əv ðə geɪm ənd meɪks mi lʊk laɪk aɪ wɑz səˈvɪrli ˈʃeɪkən ɛz ə ˈbeɪbi, bət əm goʊɪŋ tɪ goʊ əˈhɛd ənd ʃoʊ ɔf maɪ gənz ɛz ɪf əm səm sɔrt əv super-gorilla*." jæ, ðət wɪl, tɪ ə ˈvɛri ˈlɪmɪtɪd ɪkˈstɛnt, hɛlp wərk əraʊnd baɪ ˈlɛtɪŋ ˈlɛʤɪt ˈɛndgeɪm ˈfɑrmərz hæv ə pleɪs tɪ pʊt ɔl ðɛr produce.very*, ˈlɪmɪtɪd, maɪnd ju. aɪl tɛl ju haʊ ɪt bi ɪn ðə ˈəgli ˈsɛkʃən. aɪl tɔk əˈbaʊt haʊ tɪ fɪks ðɪs ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən, ənd, wɛl, ɪf ˈgɪrˌbɑks ˈdəzənt ˌəndərˈstænd ðə fɪks, ju kən bi ʃʊr səm ˈəðər ˈəpˌstɑrt geɪm ˈkəmpəˌni _wɪl_ ˌəndərˈstænd ɪt, ənd ˈɪtəl ɔl bi ðə ˈlaɪmˌlaɪt sun ɪˈnəf. ə fju mɔr jɪrz əv skruɪŋ ðɪs əp, ənd ɛz fɑr ɛz ˈgɪrˌbɑks goʊz wɪl bi, laɪk, "heɪ, rɪˈmɛmbər hoʊp ðeɪ gɪt ðə ˈmɛsɪʤ. ˈrændi, gaɪz, pliz gɪt ðə wi ʃʊd du greɪt fərst, ðɛn good/bad/ugly*. bɪˈkəz ɪz ə greɪt geɪm. bɛst geɪm ˈɛvər? wɛl, noʊ. ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdiz ˈgɑnə tɔp fər ə waɪl. bət dayum*, ɪz ə greɪt geɪm. ɪts ˈæˌkʧuəli ə greɪt tɛst əv ˈwɛðər jʊr ən ˈɪˌdiət, bɪˈkəz ɪf ju doʊnt laɪk ɪt ər ɪt ˈdəzənt əˈpil tɪ ju... wɛl, ju maɪt nɑt bi ən ˈɪˌdiət pər seɪ; ðɛrz baʊnd tɪ bi səm ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən... aɪ gɛs. ɪn ˈθɪri. ðɛr kʊd bi səm ˈəðər ˈrizən ðən ju biɪŋ ən ˈɪˌdiət, ˌhaʊˈɛvər improbable.anyhoo*, lɛts gɪt ðə bɪg kˈwɛʃən aʊt əv ðə weɪ: ɪz ˈbɛtər ðən aɪ? wɛl, ðə ˈænsər dɪˈpɛndz ɔn ˈwɛðər ju θɪŋk ðə ˈɛmpaɪər straɪks bæk wɑz ə ˈbɛtər ˈmuvi ðən stɑr wɔrz. ɪts ˈɔlsoʊ ðə ˈænsər tɪ "ʃʊd aɪ pleɪ ɪf aɪ ˈhævənt pleɪd ɪf ju θɪŋk ˈwɑʧɪŋ ðə ˈɛmpaɪər straɪks bæk ˈæftər stɑr wɔrz jildz ən əkˈsɛptəbli ˈɔsəm ˌsɪnəˈmætɪk ɪkˈspɪriəns wɪʧ ɪt ˈprɑbəˌbli dɪz ðɛn jæ, pleɪ fərst. goʊ fər kəmˈpɛrəsən rənz ˈprɪti dip. ɪz draɪ ənd ˈdəsti, həz dˈwɛlɪŋz, ˌɪntrəˈdusɪz kjut ˈtɔkɪŋ ˈroʊˌbəts, ˈfiʧərz ˈfʊli ˈɑrmərd ˌɪmˈpɪriəl bæd gaɪz wɪθ bæd eɪm, ənd həz ə sloʊ (bət ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ) ˈstɔri ɑrk əp tɪ ə ˈrɪli drəˈmætɪk ˈfɪnɪʃ ɪn ðə læst ækt. wɛˈræz 2 ɪz ləʃ ənd ˌfæstˈpeɪst ənd ənd ənd stəf, ʤɪst laɪk ep*. vi. lɛts ʤɪst hoʊp ðeɪ doʊnt ˈkɛri ðə ˈmɛtəfɔr tɪ ðə θərd ˌɪnˈstɔlmənt, ənˈlɛs əv kɔrs ðeɪ wɔnt tɪ hæv pəˈtrɪʃə drɛst laɪk ˈprɪnsɛs leɪɑ ɛz ðə əv səm juʤ ˈtɔkɪŋ θˈrɛʃər, ɪn wɪʧ keɪs ðeɪ hæv maɪ blessing.btw*, ɛz ən əˈsaɪd, ənd maɪ waɪf əˈgriz 100 ɔl ðɪs ˈʧætər əˈbaʊt ˈlɪlɪθ ˈvərsəz. maɪə ˈvərsəz. ɪz ʤɪst ˈaʊˈtraɪt ˈsɪli. ðə ˈænsər ɪz:. ˈfɑloʊd, wi θɪŋk, baɪ ˈhɛlənə pɪrs, aɪ ər noʊ eye.anyway*, wɛr wər wi. oʊ jæ, ðə greɪt. wɛr tɪ ˈstɔri ɪz ˈɔsəm. bərʧ wɑz əˈmeɪzɪŋ. ˈtaɪni ˈtinə ɪz ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbli ˈɔsəm. ˈəðər bərʧ, ˈɔlsoʊ əˈmeɪzɪŋ. ˈhænsəm ʤæk ɪz soʊ ˈɔsəm ðət aɪ faʊnd ˌmaɪˈsɛlf ˈrutɪŋ fər ɪm moʊst əv ðə taɪm. ər weɪ mɔr ˈɔsəm ðən ðeɪ lʊkt ɪn ðə ˈprivˌjuz. ðə aɪz ər ˈjunəˌfɔrmli greɪt, ˈivɪn wɪn ðeɪ ɔˈkeɪʒənəˌli meɪk ðə mɑbz kaʊər ɪn ðə ˈkɔrnər ɛz ɪf jʊr ðə blɛr wɪʧ. aɪ doʊnt maɪnd. ənd ðə gənz, oʊ ðə gənz, ðeɪ ər ˈbjutəfəl ənd ˈfæsəˌneɪtɪŋ ənd ə ʤɔɪ tɪ vɔɪs ˈæktɪŋ ɪz ˈɔsəm, wɪθ wən ˈnoʊtˌwərði ɪkˈsɛpʃən: ˈækstən wɑz mis-cast*. hi lʊks laɪk ˈkæptən əˈmɛrɪkə (ər θɔr, ər huˈɛvər, teɪk jʊr pɪk), ənd hi pəˈzɛsɪz ðə ˈkɑmpətɪnt, ˈmɑdəst, rɪˈzərvd lʊk əv ˈkæptən əˈmɛrɪkə (ər θɔr, ər huˈɛvər, teɪk jʊr pɪk). bət hɪz vɔɪs ənd ˈdaɪəˌlɔg ər pjʊr ʤæk blæk æt hɪz ˈʧiziɪst. ups. oʊ wɛl. bət ðə rɛst əv ðɛm ər kul. kænt seɪ məʧ wɪˈθaʊt ˈgɪvɪŋ ðə plɑt əˈweɪ, bət ˈɛvriˌwənz vɔɪs ˈæktɪŋ wɑz greɪt, ənd ˈtaɪni ˈtinə stoʊl ðə ʃoʊ. wɛl hər, ənd ðə geɪm ˈbæləns ɪz ˈɛkskwəzət. ðɛr hæv bɪn səm mɪˈstɛps, ˈnæʧərəli, ənd ˈpipəl ər naʊ vaɪɪŋ tɪ sleɪ ðə reɪd bɔs ɪn ðə fjuəst ˈnəmbər əv ˈmɪlɪˌsɛkəndz wɪθ 100 ˈlɛʤɪt gɪr. bət ɔn ðə hoʊl ðə ˈbæləns ɪz ˈoʊnli kɔz fər kəmˈpleɪnt ɪz ðət ðə geɪm ˈbæləns filz fɑr lɛs ðən ˈɔfən wɑz. ðeɪ meɪd soʊ ˈbælənst ðət moʊst əv ðə taɪm ðə stəf ju faɪnd ɪz ˈrɪli ˈprɪti ˈbɔrɪŋ. noʊ wən ˌmænjəˈfækʧərər ʃaɪnz əˈbəv ɔl ðə ˈəðərz, nɔr ɪz wən wərs ðən ðə ˈəðərz (ðoʊ aɪ ˈwəzənt məʧ əv ə fæn əv ər pangolin*, baɪ ənd lɑrʤ). ɔl ðə ˈwɛpən taɪps ər əˈbaʊt ˈikwəli gʊd. ɪt filz ɛz ɪf ðeɪ ˈtaɪtənd ðə bɛl kərv soʊ ðeɪ kʊd kip ðə ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti prəˈgrɛʃən smuð. ðə geɪm ˈɔlˌweɪz fɛlt ˈʧælənʤɪŋ, ɔlˈbiɪt wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛvər dɪˈsɛndɪŋ ˈɪntu sərˈvaɪvəl ˈhɔrər ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri ðɛr ɪz ˈɔlˌweɪz ɪˈnəf ˈæˌmoʊ əraʊnd tɪ ɪnˈkərəʤ wɪn ju du faɪnd ðə ɔˈkeɪʒənəl ˈlɛʤənˌdɛri ˈaɪtəm aɪ faʊnd ˈoʊnli fɔr əv ðɛm ˈdʊrɪŋ maɪ fərst tu kəmˈplit ɪt wɪl læst ju ə gʊd tɛn ˈlɛvəlz. ˈɔrɪnʤɪz ər ðə nu pərlz. ðeɪ gɑt ðɪs raɪt, aɪ θɪŋk, ənd ˈoʊnli ɪn ðə ˈɛndgeɪm dɪd ðeɪ ɪnˈkaʊnər ˈɛni ˈɪʃuz. ɪn ʃɔrt, ðə geɪm ɪz ˈʧælənʤɪŋ ɪn ə gʊd kɛpt ðə sɛl ˈʃeɪdɪŋ. jeɪ. sɛl ˈʃeɪdɪŋ hɛlps ðɛm əˈvɔɪd ðə ənˈkæni ˈvæli wɛr moʊst ˈəðər geɪmz rɪˈzaɪd təˈdeɪ ðeɪ lʊk mɔr ənd mɔr ˌriəˈlɪstɪk wɪˈθaʊt ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈlʊkɪŋ, ju noʊ, ˌriəˈlɪstɪk. ðə ˈfrænˌʧaɪz ɛmˈbreɪsɪz ðə lʊk, ənd ɪts ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈstaɪlɪʃ ənd frɛʃ. pləs ðeɪ doʊnt ə lɔt əv stəf: ˈwɔtər, aɪs, ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk ˈifɛkts, ˈwɛpən ˈifɛkts, ənd soʊ ɔn, wɪʧ meɪks fər səm ˈmoʊmənts. ənd ʤɪst ɪn keɪs ðə poʊˈɛtɪk ˈbjuti əv ðɛr ˈrɛndərɪŋ əˈproʊʧ ɪz lɔst ɔn ju, ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈklud səm ˈækʧəwəl aɪ kɛpt ðə ˈhjumər. oʊ, dɪd ðeɪ ˈɛvər. aɪd faɪnd ˌmaɪˈsɛlf ˈgɪgəlɪŋ æt ənˈtɪl aɪ wɑz sˈnɔrtɪŋ ənd ˈwizɪŋ. ðə ˈhjumər rənz ðə hoʊl ˈgæmət, frəm ðə kɔrs ənd ˈɑbviəs tɪ ðə səˈpraɪzɪŋli ˈsətəl. aɪ ləv ðə ˈdɑktər. zɛd ˈvɛndɪŋ məˈʃinz (ənd ðə vɔɪs ˈæktɪŋ, ənd ˈkɛrɪktər ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl hi meɪ bi maɪ ˈfeɪvərɪt.) ənd aɪ ˈɔlˌmoʊst lɔst ˈkɑnʃəsnəs frəm ˈlæfɪŋ wɪn aɪ ˈriəˌlaɪzd, ˈæftər maɪ ˈsɛkənd ˈwɛpən swɑp, ɪgˈzæktli wət ðə kərs wɑz. oʊ mæn, ðət wən ˈɔlˌmoʊst kɪld mi. ðət hoʊl ˈmɪʃən wɑz ɛkˌstrɔrdəˈnɛrəli well-designed*. ənd əv kɔrs ɪz ˈfəni ɛz ˈɔlˌweɪz. ˈkreɪzi ərl, tɪ ˈmɛnʃən ðə ˈtɔkɪŋ ˈwɛpənz ənd ˈɑrmər. aɪ ləv maɪ haɪˈpɪriən ˈɑdətɪŋ sˈnaɪpər ˈhævənt dɪˈskɑrdɪd ɪt ˈivɪn ðoʊ aɪ kænt ˈrɪli ˈʤəstəˌfaɪ ə ˈprɛʃəs ˌɪnvənˈtɔri slɑt fər ɪt. ðɛrz ə lɔt əv ˈʤɛnjuˌaɪnli ˈfəni stəf ɪn ðɪs aɪ θɪŋk ðə bɛst ˈhjumər əˈwɔrd həz tɪ goʊ tɪ ðə bæd gaɪz. ˈhænsəm ʤæk həz hɪz ˈmoʊmənts, bət ɪts ˈrɪli ðə ˈbændəts ðət stil ðə ʃoʊ. ʤɪst wɪn ju θɪŋk juv hərd ðɛm seɪ ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ, ðɛl səˈpraɪz ju. kreɪzd ˈsaɪkoʊ ˈbændəts ˈrənɪŋ æt ju ˈskrimɪŋ ðət ˈplutoʊ ɪz stɪl ə ˈplænət, ər kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ əˈbaʊt haʊ ˌgɑˈdæm koʊld ɪt ɪz ˈaʊtˈsaɪd, ər riˈsaɪtɪŋ ˈhæmlɪt... ɪt ʤɪst ˈnɛvər gɪts oʊld. ˈbændət ˈhjumər həz kˈwɪkli bɪˈkəm wən əv ðə ˈlɛʤənˌdɛri dɪˈfaɪnɪŋ ˈhɔlˌmɑrks əv ðə kˈwɛʃən əˈbaʊt ɪt: ðɪs geɪm həz ɪt ɔl. ɪts ə juʤ, ˈsprɔlɪŋ geɪm wɪθ ən ɪnˈgeɪʤɪŋ ˈstɔri, sʊˈpərb ˈbæləns, ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ geɪm məˈkænɪks, ˌaʊtˈstændɪŋ ˈraɪtɪŋ, ənd ˌæbsəˈlutli ənˈpɛrəˌlɛld riˈpleɪ ˈgreɪtnəs əv ðə geɪm ˈprɪti məʧ dwɔrfs ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ɛls aɪ seɪ hir. ɪts ə ˈwərði səkˈsɛsər tɪ, ənd æt ðɪs pɔɪnt ɪts ɔˈrɛdi bɪˈkəm wən əv ðə moʊst ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ˈfrænˌʧaɪzɪz ɪn ˈgeɪmɪŋ noʊ ðə foʊks æt ˈgɪrˌbɑks ləv ðɪs geɪm ənd ðeɪ wɔnt tɪ kip rɪˈfaɪnɪŋ ɪt, ðoʊ, soʊ aɪl weɪ ɪn maɪ ɔn haʊ ɪt kʊd bi ˈivɪn mɔr ˈɔsəm nɛkst taɪm əraʊnd ˈhoʊpfəli ɛz sun ɛz ðə nɛkst geɪm həz səm ˈæˌspɛkts ðət aɪ fil ˈbɔrdərd ɔn ˈgreɪtnəs wɪˈθaʊt ˈæˌkʧuəli əˈʧivɪŋ ˈbɪgəst ˈɪʃu aɪ hæv wɪθ ðə ˈoʊvərˌɔl wərld dɪˈzaɪn ɪz ðət ɪts ə θim pɑrk. noʊ ˈəðər wərd fər ɪt. ɪts ə kul θim pɑrk, ənd aɪ du ləv mi maɪ θim pɑrks əm ə ˈdɪzni veɪˈkeɪʃən kləb ˈmɛmbər ənd wi goʊ tɪ θim pɑrks ˈsɛvərəl taɪmz ə jɪr, reɪn ər ʃaɪn. bət ðɛr wɑz səm sɔrt əv daɪˈnæmɪk goʊɪŋ ɔn, ˈmeɪbi ən ˈoʊvərriˌækʃən tɪ ðə mɪsˈgaɪdɪd ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm əv ðə draɪ əv (wɪʧ ɪz əˈbaʊt ɛz ˈvælɪd ə ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm ɛz seɪɪŋ "stɑr wɔrz hæd tu məʧ sænd!"), ðət ˈmeɪbi meɪd ðɛm ə ˈlɪtəl wɪθ ðə peɪnt ˈivɪn ðoʊ ðə geɪm ɪz ˈɔfən ˈbjutəfəl, ðə ˈkələrz ər ˈɔfən tu ˈsæʧərˌeɪtɪd. wɪn ðeɪ gɪt ɪt raɪt, ɪts ˈnəθɪŋ ʃɔrt əv ˈstənɪŋ. ðə ˈsəðərn ʃɛlf ənd ˈkɔldrən ər ˈstænˌdaʊt ɪgˈzæmpəlz. boʊθ ˌʤəkstəˈpoʊz ˈbændət ˈʃæntiˌtaʊnz wɪθ ə ˈrəgəd ˈnæʧərəl ˈbjuti bət ɪts ə ˈbjuti wɪθ ə ˈrɛlətɪvli səbˈdud ˈpælət, ˈdɑməˌneɪtəd baɪ ʤɪst wən ər tu əv ðə ˈmænˌmeɪd ˈpleɪsɪz ər ˈgɔrʤəs tu ˌɑpərˈtunəti ˈsɪti kəmz tɪ maɪnd, ənd ðə ˈfrɛndʃɪp ˈguˌlɑg. bət ðeɪ, tu, hæv ˈdɑmənənt ˈpraɪˌmɛri ˈkələrz ər moʊˈtifs ðət ʃeɪp ənd dɪˈfaɪn ðə ˈvɪʒəwəl ɪkˈspɪriəns ˈɪntu ˈsəmθɪŋ juˈnik ənd ˈsɛvərəl ˈəðər loʊˈkeɪʃənz ðeɪ wɛnt ə ˈlɪtəl ˈoʊvərˌbɔrd. əm nɑt ʃʊr ɪf ɪts ðə ˈædɪŋ ˈvɪʒəwəl ˈklətər (ɛz simd tɪ bi ðə keɪs ɪn fɪŋks sˈlɔtərˌhaʊs ənd ɪn ˈsæŋkʧuˌɛri), ər ɪf ɪt wɑz ˈækʧəwəl ˈklətər (ˈθaʊzənd kəts kəmz tɪ maɪnd), ər ɪf ðeɪ ʤɪst wɛnt ə ˈlɪtəl ˈoʊvərˌbɔrd wɪθ ðə peɪnt gən (ˈwaɪlˌdlaɪf prɪˈzərv, ˈmeɪbi, ər ˈtəndrə ɪkˈsprɛs). ˌwəˈtɛvər ðə ˈrizən, ðə geɪm wɪndz əp ˈlʊkɪŋ ə tæd ˈoʊvərˈdən ɪn ˈpleɪsɪz. stɪl ˈɔsəm, jɛs, bət wɪθ ˈkələrz ðət klæʃ ˈrəðər ðən ˈhɑrməˌnaɪzɪŋ. ðeɪ nid tɪ ˈfɑloʊ ðə ˈbeɪsɪk ədˈvaɪs frəm, seɪ, voʊg ər ˌkɑzməˈpɑlətən: ˈɛni θri ˈkələrz goʊ təˈgɛðər, ənd ˈɛni mɔr ðən ðət lʊks laɪk ə ˈpiˌkɑk ˈʃɪtɪŋ ˈreɪnˌboʊz. əm ˈprɪti ʃʊr ɪt wɑz ˌkɑzməˈpɑlətən hu sɛd kˈwɑləti goʊz bɪɔnd ðə ˈkələr skim. ə lɔt əv ðə ˈɛriəz fil ənd dɪˈrɛkli kəˈnɛktɪd tɪ ˈəðər ˈikwəli ˈɛriəz wɪθ kəmˈplitli ˈdɪfərənt ˈstaɪlɪŋ. soʊ ɪt filz ə bɪt laɪk jʊr ˈwɔkɪŋ frəm tɪ tɪ ðɛrz ə lɔt əv... ˈɑməʤ, lɛts seɪ... tɪ ˈəðər geɪmz. ɪt fɛlt ˈɔlˌmoʊst laɪk ðeɪ hæd ˈɛnvi, ˈivɪn ðoʊ ɪz ə geɪm tɪ bi ˈɛnvid ɔl ɔn ɪts oʊn. soʊ ðɛrz ə dæʃ əv (ðə ˈhaɪləndz), səm rɛd dɛd rɪˈdɛmʃən (lynchwood*), səm ʤʊˈræsɪk pɑrk (ˈwaɪlˌdlaɪf prɪˈzərv), ənd ˈəðər ˈtrɪbjuts. ənd ˈsæŋkʧuˌɛri riˈmaɪndz mi weɪ tu məʧ, aɪˈrɑnɪkli, əv ðə taʊnz ɪn ðə ˈoʊvərˌɔl wərld dɪˈzaɪn lækt ə ˈsərtən koʊˈhisɪvnəs əv ˈvɪʒən ðət wɑz ˈprɛzənt ɪn aɪ. ɪt filz ɔn ðə wən hænd laɪk ðeɪ wər traɪɪŋ tɪ ɪˈlɪsɪt ə ər ˈʤərni frəm ˈhəmbəl bɪˈgɪnɪŋz, ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ ɪn skoʊp, ənd ˈəltəmətli ˈwɔkɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə hɑrt əv ˈmɔrˌdɔr. ðɛrz ə ˈtini bɪt əv ðət goʊɪŋ ɔn. bət ɪt ˈɔlsoʊ filz laɪk huˈɛvər hæd ðət ˈvɪʒən wɑz krəʃt baɪ ðə weɪt əv geɪm dɪˈrɛktərz ɔl ˈklæmərɪŋ fər ˌənrɪˈleɪtɪd θimd ˈɛriəz tɪ ʃoʊ ɔf ðɛr... ðɛr wət, aɪ doʊnt noʊ. ʤɪst tɪ ʃoʊ ðə hoʊl, ðoʊ ˈkəmɪŋ frəm ə gaɪ hu laɪks θim pɑrks ðeɪ dɪd ə ˈrɪli ʤɑb əv kriˈeɪtɪŋ ə θim pɑrk. ðə ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəl ˈɛriəz ɔl hæv ðɛr oʊn dɪˈstɪŋkt ˌpərsəˈnælɪti. səm əv ðɛm ˈivɪn hæv ˈwərldˌklæs ˈætməsˌfɪr. ðə frɪʤ, ðə ˈstrɔŋˌhoʊld ənd ˈræmˌpɑrts, ˈoʊvərˌlʊk ənd ðə ˈhaɪləndz, ənd ˈsɛvərəl ˈəðər ˈɛriəz ər ˈrɪli ˈmɛmərəbəl. ənd ðə ˈɛrəd ˈnɛksəs ˈbæˌdlændz wər... wɛl, ðæts maɪ ˈfeɪvərɪt ˈɛriə əv ðə geɪm ˈoʊvərˌɔl, fər ˈrizənz aɪ kænt goʊ ˈɪntu, bət voʊt fər ˈoʊvərˌɔl bɛst ˈɛriə dɪˈzaɪn, ðoʊ, goʊz tɪ ðə ˈkɔstɪk ˈkævərnz. ðɪs ˈɛriə stʊd hɛd ənd ˈʃoʊldərz əˈbəv ðə rɛst əv ðə geɪm, ɪn ðə sɛns əv biɪŋ nu hu ðə hɛl həz ˈɛvər sin ˈɛniˌθɪŋ laɪk ðət ˌbiˈfɔr? ənd ˈkripi. aɪ kən ˈoʊnli rɪˈmɛmbər wən ər tu taɪmz ɪn maɪ ˈgeɪmɪŋ ˈhɪstəri wɛr aɪ fɛlt ðə ˈsɪŋkɪŋ "aɪ æm ɔn ðə rɔŋ saɪd əv ðə treɪn træks" ˈfilɪŋ ðət aɪ hæd əˈpɑn ˈɛnərɪŋ ðə ˈnɛðər haɪv. ðə hoʊl ˈɛriə geɪv mi ə rɪˈspɛkt fər ənd drɛd əv ðə dɑl ˌkɔrpərˈeɪʃən, hum aɪ hoʊp wɪl bi ðə ˈvɪlənz əv səm ˈəpˌkəmɪŋ ˌɪnˈstɔlmənt. oʊ, ənd ðə, ə, ˈmɪʃən aɪ kænt gɪv ˈspɔɪlərz əˈbaʊt, bət ɪt teɪks ju tɪ ðə tɔp flɔr ɪn ðə ˈkævərnz ðət wɑz ðə bɛst saɪd kwɛst əv ðə θərd ˈfeɪvərɪt loʊˈkeɪʃən, ˈæftər ðə ˈbæˌdlændz ənd ðə ˈkɔstɪk ˈkævərnz, wɑz. əm ə ˈsəkər fər ðət sɔrt əv θɪŋ. ɪt ˈdɪdənt meɪk ˈɛni sɛns æt ɔl ɪt wɑz ə grəˈtuətəs əˈnækrəˌnɪzəm ɪn ə geɪm ðət θraɪvz ɔn əˈnækrəˌnɪzəmz. bət aɪ ləvd ɪt. ˈrɑbɪŋ ðə bæŋk ənd ˈgɪtɪŋ aʊt əv taʊn ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˈpɑsi keɪm: ðət wɑz ˌɪnˈspaɪərd ˈraɪtɪŋ. aɪ ləvd ðə ənd ðət hoʊl plɑt laɪn; aɪ ləvd ðə ˈmɑrʃəlz əˈnaʊnsmɛnts; aɪ ləvd ðə hoʊl θɪŋ. meɪ nɑt hæv meɪd məʧ sɛns ɪn ðə ˈlɑrʤər ˈstɔri, bət ɪt wɑz ənkˈwɛsʧənəbli awesome.anyway*, lɛts feɪs ɪt: ðə geɪm ɪz ə θim pɑrk. nɑt ðət ðɪs ɪz bæd! ɪts gʊd. bət aɪd ˈɑrgju ðət ɪts nɑt greɪt. aɪ θɪŋk tru ˈgreɪtnəs nəˈsɛsəˌteɪts ə ˌjunəˈfɔrməti əv ˈvɪʒən ðət ədˈmɪts noʊ rum fər təŋz ˈplænɪd tu ˈfərmli acheek*. ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ hæv tɪ meɪk səm hɑrd ˈʧɔɪsɪz əˈbaʊt ˈwɛðər tɪ bi gʊd ər ɪz ˈoʊˈkeɪ, ðoʊ. ˈnəθɪŋ rɔŋ wɪθ traɪ tɪ kip ðɪs ʃɔrt. ˈmoʊstli ðɪs ɪz stəf ðət kʊd bi əˈdrɛst ɪn ə ˈstreɪtˈfɔrwərd weɪ ɪn ə pæʧ ər wɑz noʊ ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən ɛz tɪ waɪ doʊnt gɪt tɪ juz ðə ˈsteɪʃənz. ʤɪst sayin*'. ðeɪd ˈbɛtər ðət ɪn nɛkst ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən əv ðə ˈgoʊldən ki ʧɛst ɪn ˈsæŋkʧuˌɛri, soʊ aɪ (laɪk hæf ðə rɛst əv ðə ˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd wərld) juzd boʊθ maɪ ˈgoʊldən kiz raɪt əˈweɪ wɪˈθaʊt ˈriəˌlaɪzɪŋ wət ðeɪ wər. ɪn ˈrɛtrəˌspɛkt aɪ doʊnt θɪŋk ɪt ˈmætərz, sɪns ˈhævɪŋ ˈɔsəm ˈwɛpənz ɪz ˈprɑbəˌbli mɔr ˈjusfəl ˈərli ɪn ðə geɪm ðən ˈleɪtər ɔn. bət ɪt ʃʊd hæv bɪn ə ˈkɑnʃəs ʧɔɪs, ənd aɪ, laɪk hæf ðə rɛst əv ðə ˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd wərld, wɑz ˈprɪti pɪst ɔf tɪ faɪnd ðət aɪd skˈwɑndərd maɪ kiz wɪˈθaʊt soʊ məʧ ɛz ə ˈwɔrnɪŋ ʧeɪnʤd ɪt soʊ ju kænt ˈoʊpən ðə ˈmɛnju ɪf jʊr nɑt ɔn ðə graʊnd ðət ɪz, wɪn jʊr ˈʤəmpɪŋ, ər ˈfɑlɪŋ, ər ˈklaɪmɪŋ ə ˈlædər, ər biɪŋ fləŋ θru ðə ɛr baɪ ɪkˈstərnəl ˈfɔrsɪz (e.g*. ˈgaɪzər, grəˈneɪd), ər stək əˈtɑp ən ˈɛnəmi ju hæd ðə mɪsˈfɔrʧən tɪ lænd ɔn. ðɪs ɪz ˈhjuʤli skrud əp, soʊ aɪ kən ˈoʊnli ˌɪˈmæʤən ðeɪ dɪd ɪt ɛz ə fər ə bəg, ənd ˈɪtəl gɪt fɪkst ɪn ən ˈəpˌkəmɪŋ riˈlis. ðət, ər ðeɪ heɪt ðɛr ˈkəstəmərz ənd θɪŋk ðɛr skəm. taɪm wɪl ʧeɪnʤ dɪd hɛlp mi ˌəndərˈstænd ðət wən əv ðə ˈhæbəts aɪd ˈtruli kəm tɪ ˌɛnˈʤɔɪ ɪn wɑz ˈʤəmpɪŋ ənd ðɛn ˈoʊpənɪŋ ðə ˈmɛnju waɪl ɪn mid-air*. ˈsɪriəsli. ɪt wɑz fən. aɪ dɪd ɪt ɔn ˈpərpəs, ɔl ðə taɪm. aɪ kænt ˈrɪli ɑrˈtɪkjəˌleɪt waɪ, bət ɪt wɑz ɪgˈzɪlərˌeɪtɪŋ. ɪts ɛz ɪf ðeɪ tʊk əˈweɪ maɪ ˈʧaɪlˌdhʊd wɪθ ðət wən ˈsɪmpəl dɪk muv. aɪ ʃʊr hoʊp ɪt wɑz ə θɪŋ ðət ðeɪ plæn tɪ ˈmænɪʤmənt həz ˈteɪkən ə tərn fər ðə wərs ˈoʊvərˌɔl. jæ, ɪt lʊks slɪk, bət wɪn həz ˈgɪrˌbɑks ˈɛvər bɪn əˈbaʊt "lʊks slɪk" ˈoʊvər playability*? aɪ min, noʊ cutscenes*, raɪt? (ər æt list noʊ ˈʧizi wənz ðeɪ du ɔl ðɛr kəts raɪt ðɛr, ənd ju kən ˈjuʒəwəli wɔk əˈweɪ frəm ðeɪ pʊt ə tən əv wərk ˈɪntu ðə əv ˌɪnvənˈtɔri ˈmænɪʤmənt, bət ðeɪ feɪld tɪ neɪl ðə usability*. ɪn ən rpg*, ˈivɪn ə laɪk, ˌɪnvənˈtɔri ˈmænɪʤmənt ɪz all-important*. soʊ ˈmeɪbi ɪts ðɛr ˈʃutər ˈbækˌgraʊnd æt wərk hir. aɪ dəˈnoʊ. bət ðɛr ər ə lɔt əv ˈsɪriəs goʊɪŋ ɔn. wɪn ju wɔnt tɪ kəmˈpɛr ˈaɪtəm ə tɪ ˈəðər ˈaɪtəmz, ənd ju ɪˈvɛnʧəwəli ˈnævəˌgeɪt tɪ ˈaɪtəm bi, ðɛn kloʊz ðə trænˈzækʃən, ɪt livz ðə səˈlɛkʃən ɔn ˈaɪtəm bi. læst aɪ ʧɛkt, ðɪs ɪz nɑt ðə weɪ ˈræʃənəl θɔt wərkt ɪn ˈɛni ˈprɑdəkt dɪˈzaɪnd baɪ ˈjumən biɪŋz wɪθ gʊd ju kən mɑrk ˈaɪtəmz ɛz "ˈfeɪvərɪts", ənd ðɛn... ˈnəθɪŋ. ju kænt sɔrt ɔn ðɛm ər du ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ˈjusfəl wɪθ ðɛm. bət, əˈlæs, ju kən sɛl ðɛm, wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛni ˈwɔrnɪŋz ər ˈɪndəˌkeɪtərz ðət ju ʤɪst soʊld ən ˈaɪtəm jʊd mɑrkt ɛz ə ˈfeɪvərɪt. soʊ aɪ hæv ˌæksəˈdɛnəli soʊld səm ˈrɪli, ˈrɪli ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ʃɪt, ənd ˈoʊnli ˈriəˌlaɪzd ə fju ˈɛriəz ˈleɪtər, wɪn ɪt wɑz tu leɪt tɪ goʊ bæk ənd baɪ ðɛm bæk. ðɪs həz ˈhæpənd æt list fɔr ər faɪv taɪmz ɪn maɪ əv ðə geɪm. ðæts tu ˈmɛni fər ən ɪkˈspɪriənst ˈgeɪmər. ɪt minz ðeɪ hæv ə ju kən mɑrk stəf ɛz "træʃ", ənd sɛl ɪt ɔl æt wəns. ɪkˈsɛpt ðæts ˈstupɪd. ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ʃʊd bi træʃ baɪ dɪˈfɔlt. moʊst əv ðə ˈaɪtəmz ju pɪk əp ər træʃ ðət ɪz ə ˈnæʧərəl ˈaʊtˌkəm əv ðə ˈtaɪtnəs əv ðɛr ˈrɛrɪti bɛl kərv. ɪf ðeɪ hæd dən ðə hoʊl θɪŋ kərˈɛktli, jʊd ˈoʊnli nid tɪ θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ɪt æt ɔl wɪn ju pɪkt əp ə ˈwɛpən, æt wɪʧ pɔɪnt ju kʊd mɑrk ɪt ɛz ə ˈfeɪvərɪt tɪ prɪˈvɛnt ˌæksəˈdɛnəl seɪl. ðɪs, frɛndz æt ˈgɪrˌbɑks, wʊd bi lɛs ˈɛrər proʊn ənd lɛs ˈɛfərt. ðɛrz stɪl noʊ weɪ tɪ "baɪ ɔl" fər ˈæˌmoʊ. ˈɔlsoʊ, laɪk ɪn ðɛr ər tu kənˈkərənt vjuz əv jʊr ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən waɪl jʊr ˈʃɑpɪŋ: ðə stɔrz səˈlɛkʃən ənd jʊr ˌɪnvənˈtɔri ˈlɛvəlz. ənd, laɪk ɪn ðə tu hæv ˌənəˈkaʊntəbli ˈdɪfərənt sɔrt ˈɔrdərz. soʊ ɛz ju muv ðə səˈlɛkʃən ˈkərsər daʊn ðə stɔrz səˈlɛkʃən, ðə ˌɪnvənˈtɔri ˈkərsər ʤəmps əraʊnd ˌənprɪˈdɪktəbli. aɪ kænt bɪˈliv ðeɪ dɪd ðɪs tu geɪmz ɪn ə ənˈlaɪk ɪn (aɪ θɪŋk), wɪn jʊr baɪɪŋ ˈæˌmoʊ baɪ ˈbətənz (bɪˈkəz ðɛrz noʊ ˈfəŋkʃən), ju kən ˈvɛri ˈizəli skroʊl pæst ðə grəˈneɪdz ənd stɑrt baɪɪŋ ʃɪt ju ˈdɪdənt wɔnt waɪl jʊr ðə ˈbətənz. əˈgɛn, noʊ ˈwɔrnɪŋz, noʊ "ər ju ʃʊr?", soʊ ɪts ˈrɪli ˈizi nɑt tɪ ˈnoʊtɪs ənˈtɪl ə fju loʊd ˈlɛvəlz laɪk ɪn ðeɪ doʊnt sɔrt æt ðə tɔp əv ˈvɛndɪŋ məˈʃinz, wɪʧ minz ɪf ju rən əp tɪ ə məˈʃin tɪ baɪ hɛlθ ɪn ə ˈfaɪrˌfaɪt wɪʧ ɪz məʧ mɔr naʊ ðət ðeɪv ɪˈlɪməˌneɪtɪd ˈpɔrtəbəl hɛlθ vaɪəlz ər ɪf jʊr ʤɪst nɑt peɪɪŋ ˈvɛri kloʊz əˈtɛnʃən bɪˈkəz jʊr dɔg ʤɪst nɑkt ˈoʊvər jʊr glæs əv ˈwɔtər, ðɛn ju stænd ə gʊd ʧæns əv baɪɪŋ səm ɪkˈspɛnsɪv klæs ənd ˈmeɪbi nɑt ˈnoʊtɪsɪŋ. aɪv dən ðɪs tu. ɪn ɔl ˈsɪriəsnəs, ˈsɔrtɪŋ æt ðə tɔp ɪz ˈɑbviəs, soʊ ˈoʊnli groʊs ˈnɛglɪʤəns kən ɪkˈspleɪn haʊ ɪt wɑz dən rɔŋ tu geɪmz ɪn ə bi ʃʊr, ðeɪ gɑt ə fju θɪŋz raɪt ðət wər mɛst əp ɪn ju kən naʊ kəmˈpɛr ˈaɪtəmz waɪl ˈʃɑpɪŋ wut! ənd ðə ˈwɛpən kɑrdz ʃoʊ ɔl ðə ˈdætə ˈrəðər ðən ˈtrəŋˌkeɪtɪŋ. ðə ˈaɪtəm ˈsɔrtɪŋ meɪks ə ˈlɪtəl mɔr sɛns. ðə "ɪgˈzæmɪn ðɪs ˈaɪtəm" ɪz ˈrɪli kul, ənd aɪ ləv ʤɪst ˈzumɪŋ ənd ˈpænɪŋ ɔn maɪ ˈaɪtəmz tɪ ˈmɑrvəl æt ðə ˈɪntrəkət dɪˈzaɪnz. bət ɔn ðə hoʊl ɪt wɑz ə stɛp ˈbækwərdz, ənd ɪt meɪks mi ˈvɛri bæd stəf... lɛts si. ðeɪ stɪl ˈoʊnli lɛt ju 4 ˈwɛpənz ˈivɪn ðoʊ ˈmɑdərn geɪmz ɔl gɪv ju 8 slɑts ɔn ə wil. ɪn ə geɪm laɪk bl*, wɪθ ˌɛləˈmɛnəl ənd ˈrædɪkli ˈdɪfərənt əˈpoʊnənt aɪz, 4 slɑts ʤɪst ˈɪzənt ɪˈnəf. ju nid tɪ bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˈkɛri æt list tu ˈdɪfərənt "ˈwɛpən bɪldz" wɪθ ju. aɪ doʊnt kɛr ɪf wi hæv tɪ ˈpərʧəs ðɛm ər wərk ɑr weɪ əp, bət wi nid mɔr ðən 4 slɑts. ɛz θɪŋz stænd, sˈwɑpɪŋ aʊt ˈwɛpənz ˌɪntərˈəpts ðə ˈəðərˌwaɪz smuð geɪm floʊ ənd meɪks ɪt sɔrt əv ə dræg. əˈspɛʃəli wɪn ðeɪ doʊnt lɛt ju ˈoʊpən ðə ˈmɛnju mid-air*. ˈʤizəs. haʊ kən ðə ˈgræfɪks bi soʊ ˈbjutəfəl, ənd ðə ˈstɔri soʊ ˈɔsəm, ənd ðə ˈkɑmbæt soʊ smuð, bət ðə ˌɪnvənˈtɔri ˈmænɪʤmənt ɪz soʊ skrud əp? ɪz ɪt ˈdɪfərənt timz? wəts goʊɪŋ ɔn si, wət ɛls, wət ɛls... oʊ jæ. ɔn ðə ˈvərʒən, ˈɛvəri taɪm ju sɛt jʊr kənˈtroʊlər daʊn ɪt ˈtrɪgərz ə ˈnukliər ɪkˈsploʊʒən. noʊ, ˈrɪli. wɛl, ɪt dɪz ɪf jʊr pleɪɪŋ ˈækstən wɪθ ðə ˈmɪdəl skɪl tri. ɪts ə əv ˈhævɪŋ swɪʧt ðə ˈbətənz wɪθ ðə ˈbətənz. aɪ ˈhævənt meɪd əp maɪ maɪnd ɔn ðɪs wən; ˈoʊvərˌɔl aɪ θɪŋk ðeɪ ˈprɑbəˌbli meɪd ðə raɪt ʧɔɪs, bət ɪt riˈmaɪndz mi əv ðə ˈfeɪbəl deɪz wɪn jʊd traɪ tɪ baɪ ˈsəmθɪŋ frəm ə ˈblæksˌmɪθ, hɪt ðə rɔŋ ˈbətən, dɪˈstrɔɪ hɪz haʊs ənd sɛnd ˈɛvriˌwən ˈskrimɪŋ frəm ðə ˈvɪlɪʤ fər aʊərz. ɪts nɑt ˈrɪli ˌhɑˈhɑ ˈfəni, æt list nɑt æt ðə ˈfəŋkʃən stɪl səks, soʊ tɪ spik. ˈæˌkʧuəli ðə "ˌɪnərˈækt wɪθ stəf" ˈbətən ˈhæzənt ʧeɪnʤd biˈheɪvjərəli sɪns ɪn ˈɛni sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt weɪz. ɪt stɪl həz ɔl ðə oʊld ˈprɑbləmz, ənd ˈmeɪbi səm nu ˈstɑrtərz, ðeɪ stɪl hæv ðə ˈhɔrəbəl ðət ˈhoʊldɪŋ ðə "pɪk əp" ˈbətən, wɪʧ ɪz juzd əˈbaʊt 87 taɪmz pər geɪm ˈsɛʃən fər bəlk ˈvækjumɪŋ, həz ˈdɪfərənt bɪˈheɪvjər ɪf ju du ɪt ɔn ə ˈwɛpən. wət ɪt dɪz ɪn ðət keɪs ɪz græb ɪt ənd wild ɪt, ˈivɪn ðoʊ 9999 taɪmz aʊt əv tɛn ˈθaʊzənd, ðə ˈwɛpən ɪn kˈwɛʃən ɪz ə pis əv ðət ˈdɛstɪnd fər ə ˈvɛndɪŋ məˈʃin. weɪ tɪ ˈɑptɪˌmaɪz fər ðət 1 ɪn keɪs, ˈgɪrˌbɑks. mɔˈroʊvər, weɪ tɪ kip ɪt əraʊnd fər geɪm ˈvækjum ˈbətən stɪl dɪz ə ˈpɪˌspur ʤɑb əv ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈvækjumɪŋ. ənd ðeɪv ˈædɪd "auto-vacuum*", wɪʧ dɪz ən ˈikwəli ˈpɪˌspur ʤɑb əv auto-vacuuming*. aɪ kænt tɛl ju haʊ ˈmɛni taɪmz aɪv bɪn ˈstændɪŋ ðɛr wɪθ 4 hɪt pɔɪnts, ɪgˈzæmɪnɪŋ ðə fər ə hɛlθ vaɪəl ɔn ðə graʊnd, əbˈskjʊrd ˈoʊnli baɪ ðə "pɪk əp" tɛkst bɪˈkəz ɪts wɪˈθɪn riʧ, ˈθɪŋkɪŋ "əm, waɪ æm aɪ ˈeɪbəl tɪ rɛd ˈrɪli nid tɪ fɪks ɪt soʊ ðət ˈɛvəri riˈplɛnɪʃɪŋ ˈaɪtəm ɪn ə ˈreɪdiəs frəm jʊr ˈkɛrɪktər ˌɔtəˈmætɪkli zumz tɪ ju noʊ ˈmætər wət. ˈəðərˌwaɪz ɪt ˈɪntu ə ɛz tɪ ˈwɛðər ðɛr ˈælgərˌɪðəm wɪl bi smɑrt ɪˈnəf, ənd əv kɔrs wɪn ðə ˈgeɪmˌpleɪ ɪz fæst ənd fˈjʊriəs, ju hæv tɪ gɛs kənˈsərvətɪvli wɪʧ dɪˈfits ðə ɪnˈtaɪər ˈpərpəs əv ˈhævɪŋ ðə ˈfiʧər. ˈpɪkɪŋ stəf əp hɛk, biɪŋ nɪr ˈɛniˌθɪŋ, dɪˈʤɛnərəts ˈɪntu ə ənˈlɛs ɪts ʤɪst maɪ ˌɪˌmæʤəˈneɪʃən, ɪt filz laɪk ðə ˈpɪˌkəp ˈbətən ɪz lɛs rɪˈspɑnsɪv ðən ɪt wɑz ɪn wɪn ju ˈoʊpən ə ʧɛst, ðɛr ɪz ə ˈwɪndoʊ ˈdʊrɪŋ wɪʧ ðə ˈaɪtəmz əˈpɪr tɪ bi grabbable*, bət ˈprɛsɪŋ ðə ˈbətən həz noʊ ˈifɛkt. ju hæv tɪ ʤæb æt ɪt fər əp tɪ hæf ə ˈsɛkənd, ˈmeɪbi ə ˈsɛkənd ˌbiˈfɔr ðə geɪm sɪz "ɔ fək, ðæts raɪt, aɪ toʊld ðɛm 'pɪk əp' ənd ðɛr ˈprɛsɪŋ ðə ˈbətən, soʊ ˈmeɪbi ðɛr ˈæˌkʧuəli traɪɪŋ tɪ, ju noʊ, pɪk ðət ʃɪt ɪt ˈrɪli ðət hɑrd tɪ dɪˈtɛkt ðət ðə ˈbətən ɪz ɔˈrɛdi daʊn, wəns ðə ˈaɪtəmz ər ˈæˌkʧuəli əv kɔrs ðə hoʊl ˈsaɪkəl gɪts rɪˈpitɪd twaɪs pər kənˈteɪnər, bɪˈkəz ðə geɪm ɪz ʤɪst ɛz ˈlaɪkli tɪ ˌɪgˈnɔr jʊr tɪ ˈoʊpən ðə læst "bæd" aɪl əˈbaʊt ɪz ðət ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə geɪm simz ˈrɪli ˈʤɛnərəs əˈbaʊt ˈækjərəsi, ðɛr ril ˈbɪʧɪz əˈbaʊt hu daɪd fərst, wɪn ju ənd ðə læst ˈnɪrˈbaɪ ˈɛnəmi ɪkˈspaɪr æt ðə seɪm taɪm. tɪ ˈɪləˌstreɪt haʊ fərˈgɪvɪŋ ðeɪ ər ˈoʊvərˌɔl: ju kən bi ˈjuzɪŋ ə sˈnaɪpər frəm ə ˈθaʊzənd jɑrdz əˈweɪ, ənd pʊl ðə ˈtrɪgər wɪn ðə ˈkɪndə ˈprɪti fɑr əˈweɪ frəm ðə mɑbz hɛd, ənd ˈɪtəl ɪkˈsploʊd weɪ mɔr ˈɔfən ðən ˌprɑbəˈbɪləˌti wʊd ˈdɪkˌteɪt ðət ɪt ʃʊd. ˈvɛri ˈgrætəˌfaɪɪŋ! noʊ kəmˈpleɪnts hir! ənd ðɛr ˈɔlsoʊ ˈrɪli nis wɪn ɪt kəmz tɪ ˈlændɪŋ ʤəmps ðət ju ˈdɪdənt kwaɪt hɪt, ənˈlaɪk ɪn ˈmɛni ˈəðər geɪmz. ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl ðə geɪm ɪz ˈprɪti fərˈgɪvɪŋ əˈbaʊt kənˈtroʊlər ɪf ju daɪ "æt ðə seɪm taɪm" ɛz ən ˈɛnəmi (i.e*. ɪt ˈhæpənz wɪˈθɪn mɪz ˌbiˈfɔr ər ˈæftər), ju goʊ ˈɪntu ə. ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ɪt simz ˈvɛri, ˈvɛri klɪr ðət ðə ˈɛnəmi daɪd ˈsɛkənd, bət ðə geɪm ˈdɪdənt ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈriəˌlaɪz ɪt, ənd ˈpɛnəˌlaɪzɪz ju. ɪt simz ˌɔnˈfɛr. tɪ əˈvɔɪd ˈɛni səˈspɪʃənz əv stuˈpɪdɪˌti ɔn ðə pɑrt əv ðə dɪˈtɛkʃən ˈælgərˌɪðəm, ɪt wʊd bi nis ɪf ðeɪd gɪv ju ə ˈwɪndoʊ ˈæftər ðə læst ˈɛnəmi daɪz ˌbiˈfɔr jʊr oʊn dɛθ rɪˈzəlts ɪn ə. hɛl, ˈivɪn wʊd bi nis. ðɛr ər ɔˈrɛdi ˈplɛnti əv ləˈʤɪtəmət ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃənz fər ˈægrəˌveɪtɪŋ ðə ˈklæsɪk wən biɪŋ wɪn ðə ˈɛnəmi ʃuts ju ənd ðɛn wɔks əraʊnd ðə ˈkɔrnər. soʊ aɪ doʊnt θɪŋk ˈɪtəl kɔz ə ˈbæləns ˈprɑbləm tɪ æd ðə ʃɔrt greɪs ˈpɪriəd əm noʊ fər ə fækt ðət ðɛr ər səm ˈɪʃuz wɪθ ðə koʊd ðət dɪˈtɛkts ˈwɛðər ən ˈɛnəmi ɪz dɛd. ˈsɛvərəl əv ðə ˈmɪʃənz hæv rɪˈzəltɪd ɪn mi ˈsɪtɪŋ əraʊnd fər ə lɔŋ, lɔŋ taɪm (ˈsɛvərəl ˈmɪnəts) ˈæftər ðə ˈmɪʃən wɑz ˈɑbviəsli ˈoʊvər, ɪkˈsɛpt ðə geɪm ˈkʊdənt ˈfɪgjər aʊt ðət ɪt wɑz ˈoʊvər. ɪgˈzæmpəlz ˌɪnˈklud ðə læst raʊnd əv ðə ˈnæʧərəl səˈlɛkʃən ˈæˌnɛks, wɛr aɪ ʤɪst ˈwɑndərd əraʊnd ðə ərˈinə ˈhoʊpɪŋ ðə geɪm wʊd ˈfaɪnəli ˈnoʊtɪs aɪd wən, ənd ðə ˈmɪʃən, wɛr twaɪs ðə læst ˈɛnəmi ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd ˈmɪnəts ˌbiˈfɔr ðə slæb kɪŋ ˈnoʊtɪst aɪ wɑz aɪ ˈsəˌspɛkt ðɛrz ə reɪs kənˈdɪʃən hir, ɪn wɪʧ ju kən ləˈʤɪtəmətli daɪ ˌbiˈfɔr ðə læst əˈpoʊnənt, bət ðə geɪm ˈdəzənt ˈnoʊtɪs, ənd ju blid aʊt waɪl ˈʃeɪkɪŋ jʊr fərst æt ðə ənˈfɛrnəs əv ɪt ɔl. waɪ goʊ ðɛr? ʤɪst pʊt ɪn ə ʃɔrt greɪs ˈpɪriəd, ənd meɪk ʃʊr ɪts ˈrɪli ˈrɪli klɪr ðət ju daɪd ˈæftər ðə əˈpoʊnənt ˈɔfən frəm ə grəˈneɪd, aɪv ˈnoʊtɪst. ðɛn ðɛrz noʊ kɔz fər kˈwɛsʧənɪŋ ðə geɪm koʊd ˌɪtˈsɛlf, wɪʧ ˌəndərˈmaɪnz pleɪər ˈkɑnfədɛns ɪn ðə ˈfɛrnəs ənd kˈwɑləti əv ðə əˈbaʊt ɪt fər ðə bæd. ˌɪnvənˈtɔri ˈmænɪʤmənt woʊz, noʊ ˈmɛnju waɪl ˈʤəmpɪŋ, ˈɪʃuz, ənd reɪs kənˈdɪʃənz. ðæts ˈprɪti gʊd, ɔl θɪŋz kənˈsɪdərd. waɪ nɑt ʤɪst fɪks ðɛm ɔl ɪn ə pæʧ, ənd meɪk ɪt ˈoʊnli wən ˈəgli ɪn ənd ɪts ə bɪg wən. ðə ˈəgli ɪz ðət fər noʊ ˈrizən ˌwətsoʊˈɛvər ˈnɛgətɪv ˈrizən ɪn fækt; ɪts ðeɪ doʊnt gɪv ju ɪˈnəf bæŋk slɑts tɪ meɪk ˈfɑrmɪŋ fən fər mɔr ðən ə fju pʊt ən əˈstaʊndɪŋ əˈmaʊnt əv ˈɛfərt ˈɪntu ðə ˈɛndgeɪm mɪˈkænɪk, foʊks. ðɪs wɑz nɑt səm ˈkæʒəwəl dɪˈzaɪn θɪŋ fər ðɛm. ðeɪ pʊt ɪn hʊks fər nu reɪd ˈbɔsɪz, tənz əv ˌwəˈnɔf juˈnik ˈlɛʤənˌdɛri ˈwɛpənz wɪθ ˈkəstəm ˈɑrtˌwərk ənd koʊd, ənd ə ˈplɛθərə əv dɪˈzaɪn dɪˈsɪʒənz tɪ prɪˈvɛnt ˈɛni wən reɪd ˈævəˌnu frəm ˈdɑməˌneɪtɪŋ ðə ˈɛndgeɪm. ðeɪ meɪd ɪt soʊ ðət ˈɛvəri wən əv ðə ˈdəzənz əv ˈbɔsɪz ənd həz ɪts oʊn ˈlɛʤənˌdɛri ðət ɪt kən drɔp, soʊ ðət ˈfɑrmɪŋ ɪz dɪˈstrɪbjətəd əˈkrɔs moʊst əv ðə loʊˈkeɪʃənz ɪn ðə geɪm, wɪʧ breɪks əp ðə məˈnɑtəni. ðeɪ ˈivɪn ˈædɪd ˈfɔrməl əˈkrɔs ˈkɛrɪktərz, əˈmeɪzɪŋli fər ɔl ðət, ɪts ˌfəndəˈmɛnəli ˈbroʊkən. ənd wəts mɔr, ðeɪ hæv ðɪs juʤ, ˈgeɪpɪŋ ˈprɑbləm wɪθ ə ˈsəbstəns kɔld (əm ʃʊr ðɛr sɪk əv ˈhirɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðɪs baɪ naʊ), wɪʧ lɛts ju baɪ ə ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˈnəmbər əv ˈəpˌgreɪdz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ bæŋk slɑts. soʊ pleɪərz ər ɔˈrɛdi ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəsli kraɪɪŋ aʊt fər ən ənd mɔr bæŋk kəˈpæsɪti. aɪ min, ðeɪ ʃʊd hæv sin ðɪs ˈkəmɪŋ mənθs əˈhɛd əv ðɛr koʊd friz. ɪt wʊd hæv ˈteɪkən ˈmeɪbi 3 deɪz əv ˈɛnʤəˈnɪrɪŋ ənd ˈtɛstɪŋ ˈɛfərt tɪ meɪk ɪt soʊ ðət ərl kʊd sɛl ju ˌɪnˈkrist bæŋk kəˈpæsɪti æt ˈjuʒəri reɪts, ˈivɪn ə ˌʤiəˈmɛtrɪk prəˈgrɛʃən. ənd ɪt wʊd hæv bɪn faɪn. ˈɛvriˌwən wʊd hæv bɪn ðə θɪŋ, ðoʊ. ɪts nɑt ʤɪst əˈbaʊt kəˈpæsɪti. ɪf ˈgɪrˌbɑks wɔnts tɪ du ðɪs raɪt, baɪ wɪʧ aɪ min pʊl ðɛr hɛdz aʊt ənd du ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi ɪn ðə geɪm ˈɪndəstri həz ˈɛvər dən ˌbiˈfɔr, wət ðeɪ ˈrɪli nid tɪ du ɪz gɪv pleɪərz ə wət wi wɔnt, ˈrɪli. ju meɪk 87 gənz, ənd lɛt ˈjuˈɛs kəˈlɛkt ðɛm? wɛl ðɛn wɪr goʊɪŋ tɪ wɔnt ˈhənərdz ənd ˈhənərdz, ˈmeɪbi ˈθaʊzənz əv gənz ɪn ɑr kəˈlɛkʃənz. nɑt tˈwɛnti, ər ˌwəˈtɛvər ˈstupəˌdli loʊ ˈnəmbər juv ˈgɪvɪn ˈjuˈɛs. ðət ʤɪst spɔnz ənd mjul ˈkɛrɪktərz ənd ˈlivɪŋ ðə geɪm ˌɔltəˈgɛðər ˈɛni ˈaʊˌtlɛt frəm ðə kəˈlɛkʃən ˈprɛʃər; pleɪərz wɪl juz ðɛm ˈnidɪd wɑz ə weɪ fər ju tɪ ˈifɛktɪvli ˈmænɪʤ ə kəˈlɛkʃən əv ə ˈθaʊzənd gənz. wət ɪf ju wɔnt tɪ lʊk æt ɔl jʊr mashers*? ər ɔl jʊr ˈwɛpənz baɪ taɪp, ər baɪ ˌɛləˈmɛnəl ˈdæmɪʤ, ər baɪ ˌmænjəˈfækʧərər? əm nɑt ˈæskɪŋ fər ə ˈdætə ˈwɛˌrhaʊs hir, ər fər səm ˈfænsi. aɪ min, wʊd juz ɪt, bət ˈɑbviəsli wi wɔnt tɪ kip ðɪs ju stɑrt baɪ ˈfɔrmjəˌleɪtɪŋ ðə ˈbeɪsɪk ˈprɑbləm ɛz: "haʊ du aɪ ˈmænɪʤ ə kəˈlɛkʃən əv ə ˈθaʊzənd gənz," ðɛn jʊr gaɪz ʃʊd bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ kəm əp wɪθ ˈsəmθɪŋ əkˈsɛptəbəl. noʊ ju noʊ wət? fək əkˈsɛptəbəl. ðeɪ ʃʊd bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ kəm əp wɪθ ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈɔsəm, ˈsəmθɪŋ ɪn ˈkipɪŋ wɪθ ðə ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən ənd ðət wiv ɔl kəm tɪ əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪt wɪθ ˈgɪrˌbɑks ənd borderlands.ironically*, wɑz ˈbɛtər æt ðɪs ə lɔt ˈbɛtər. əv ɔl ðə ˌɪnvənˈtɔri "ˌɪmˈpruvmənts" ˌɪntrəˈdust ɪn ðə ˈoʊnli wən ðət ˌɪmˈpruvz gən kəˈlɛktɪŋ ɛz ə ˈhɑbi ɪz ðə "ɪgˈzæmɪn ðɪs gən ɪn 3d*" ˌɪˈmæʤən əm goʊɪŋ tɪ du ɪgˈzæktli wət aɪ (ənd ˈɛvriˌwən ɛls) dɪd ɪn wɪʧ ɪz tɪ ˈfɪgjər aʊt haʊ tɪ ˈmɑdəˌfaɪ ðə ənd ˈkaʊntərz ɪn ðə pleɪər seɪv faɪlz, ənd hoʊp laɪk hɛl ðət ju gaɪz kən ˈæˌkʧuəli skeɪl əp tɪ ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈrizənəbəl wɪˈθaʊt ˈkræʃɪŋ ər ˈlɑkɪŋ ˈjuˈɛs aʊt ər ˈtrɪgərɪŋ səm ˈəðər ʤɪst ˈhævɪŋ ə lɔt əv slɑts ɪz ˈoʊnli ə ˈtaɪni pɑrt əv ðə ˈpɪkʧər. ˈgɪrˌbɑks həz kriˈeɪtɪd ə geɪm, bət ðeɪ ˈhævənt ˈgɪvɪn ˈjuˈɛs ə weɪ tɪ kəˈlɛkt gənz. haʊ mɛst əp ɪz θɪŋk ɪts ˈprɪti mɛst ðɪs tɔk əˈbaʊt həz ˈgɪvɪn mi ə ˈmeɪʤər keɪs əv nɔˈstælʤə. aɪ ləv bət aɪ θɪŋk aɪ nid tɪ kɪl səm ˈdrɪftərz tɪ pʊl mi aʊt əv ðɪs fəŋk. aɪ rɪˈmɛmbər wɪn aɪ ˈfaɪnəli riʧt ðə pɔɪnt wɪθ brɪk wɛr aɪ kʊd wɔk əraʊnd ðə sænd dunz ənd moʊ daʊn ˈdrɪftərz ɔn fʊt ənd lɪv tɪ tɛl ðə teɪl. ˈdəzənt hæv ˈɛni ˈmoʊmənts laɪk ðət, nɑt jɛt. ˈnəθɪŋ ju hæd tɪ wərk fər laɪk ðət, ˈɛniˌweɪ. ɪt tʊk mənθs əv gən kəˈlɛktɪŋ ˌbiˈfɔr aɪ wɑz ðət ˈbæˌdæs ɪn aɪ rɪˈmɛmbər ˈlʊkɪŋ θru ðət ˈwɪndoʊ ɔn ˈɛnərɪŋ ˈtiˌboʊn ˈʤəŋkʃən, ðət ˈwɪndoʊ fɪld wɪθ ˈprɑməs əv ədˈvɛnʧər, siɪŋ ðoʊz səˈspɛndɪd ˈoʊvər ə drɔp tɪ ðə sɔlt sænd, wɪθ ðə ˈskɔrʧɪŋ wɪnd bloʊɪŋ ðə ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft wɪnd sɑks taɪd tɪ ðə ˈɑrkəˌtɛkʧər. aɪ rɪˈmɛmbər ˈhirɪŋ gɪv hɪz rɪˈpɔrts tɪ ˈædmərəl ˈmaɪki, ˈmɪstər. ʃæŋk ˈæskɪŋ ɪf aɪ θɔt aɪ wɑz biɪŋ ˈstɛlθi, æˈθinə ˈbɑrkɪŋ hər ˈludəkrəs tɪ mi ə mərk ənd ˈθərsti ðə ˈmɪʤət ˈæskɪŋ ɪf aɪ kʊd tərn ðə paʊər bæk ɔn ɪn ðə rɪˈmɛmbər. ənd aɪ θɪŋk ɪts taɪm tɪ hɛd bæk. aɪ nu ðɪs wʊd ˈhæpən. aɪ nu ˈgɪrˌbɑks wʊd skru ˈjuˈɛs ɔn ðə gən kəˈlɛktɪŋ, ənd aɪ nu ˈsunər ər ˈleɪtər ˈɪtəd bi bæk tɪ ənd ðə ˈɑrməri ənd ʤɪst ˈdɪdənt ˈriəˌlaɪz ˈɪtəd ˈhæpən soʊ fast.sigh*.

this is basically a review of, and a pros/cons rant about, borderlands 2. if you're not into it, just don't read it! i'll write about stuff you like some other time. maybe.so!i'm not the kind of person to say "i told you so." noooo. never. well, never, unless, of course, i get to say it loudly, within hearing of a biggish stadium full of people. which i can.so here goes:. toldya toldya toldya.my predictions from my previous post, "the borderlands gun collectors club", all came completely 100% true, with hyperionesque accuracy, jakobsian impact, maliwaney inflammatoryness, tedioric blasting and surprisingly, even vladofish speed. i made out like a bandit.i predicted, as you may recall, that (a) it'd be a great game ("duh"), (b) they'd screw up the token economy because they only partly understand it, and (c) as a direct result of b, players would gradually head back to borderlands.three weeks after the release, i had my dreaded first "i really don't want to throw this gun away, but i have no goddamn room for it," gun-discarding experience. and my reaction was, predictably, to think seriously about either creating a mule character or going back to play bl1.i mean, i knew i'd have this reaction, but i failed to predict how amazingly fast it would happen. a week playing the game, another week on playthrough 2, a final week finishing all the optional side quests, and then boom -- the farming is fundamentally broken, so let's go play something else. but i don't waaaaant to! why did they have to get this wrong? why did i have to be so predictively correct? argh!let me make this really simple and clear. you remember that famous exchange in dr. strangelove or: how i learned to stop worrying and love the bomb of course, the whole point of a doomsday machine is lost if youit a! why didn't you tell the world, eh?it was to be announced at the party congress on monday. as you know, the premier loves surprises.well, if dr. strangelove were alive to play bl2 today, he'd have said:of course, the whole point of 87 bazillion guns is lost, if you! why didn't you add more bank slots, eh?i mean, at least ambassador de sadesky had a somewhat plausible excuse. but gearbox has been thinking over this whole endgame-farming thing for, oh, probably eight years or more. how the hell did they arrive at the conclusion that "we should have 87 bazillion guns, and you personally should be able to keep, like, twelve of them!"there's only one possible answer: they are clueless. i mean, don't get me wrong: they're also lovable, brilliant, passionate, technically astounding, and outright visionary. but they're also and bumbling and clueless. they're the neighborhood kid who catches a lizard and thinks it's really cool, and it *is* cool, except he puts it in a box and it dies.i'll do this as a good, bad and ugly post, just so you know it's, like, balanced. if i were just gushing a bunch of fanboy praise, you know as well as i do that it wouldn't be as credible. you have to hear the bad with the good.but ugh, they were so close. so close! the game is so amazing!maybe they'll cut my second prediction in half, and release a dlc or patch within 6 months that gets the folks who drifted back to borderlands to start collecting in bl2 again.that, or maybe i'll contribute to the bl2 player-file-editor project. modding is stupid, stupid, stupid; it's 12 year olds advertising that they are, in fact, mentally and emotionally really twelve years old. the mindset there is so juvenile that it pains me to admit that sometime in my distant past, decades ago, i probably would have thought that way myself. (that is to say: "hey, i'm going to mod, because it's not allowed so it must be cool, and even though a fugging gorilla could figure out how to do it, and it takes any hint of challenge out of the game and makes me look like i was severely shaken as a baby, but i'm going to go ahead and show off my modded guns as if i'm some sort of super-gorilla." yeah, that mindset.)but modding will, to a very limited extent, help work around gearbox's cluelessness by letting legit endgame farmers have a place to put all their fugging produce.very, limited, mind you. i'll tell you how it *should* be in the ugly section. i'll talk about how to fix this situation, and, well, if gearbox doesn't understand the fix, you can be sure some other upstart game company _will_ understand it, and it'll all be the upstart's limelight soon enough. a few more years of screwing this up, and as far as gearbox goes we'll be, like, "hey, remember diablo?"let's hope they get the message. randy, guys, please -- get the message!actually we should do great first, then good/bad/ugly. because bl2 is a capital-g great game. best game ever? well, no. nobody's gonna top rdr for a while. but dayum, bl2 is a great game. it's actually a great test of whether you're an idiot, because if you don't like it or it doesn't appeal to you... well, you might not be an idiot per se; there's bound to be some explanation... i guess. in theory. there could be some other reason than you being an idiot, however improbable.anyhoo, let's get the big question out of the way: is borderlands ii better than borderlands i? well, the answer depends on whether you think the empire strikes back was a better movie than star wars. it's also the answer to "should i play bl2 if i haven't played bl1?" if you think watching the empire strikes back after star wars yields an acceptably awesome cinematic experience -- which it probably does -- then yeah, play bl2 first. go for it!the lucasian comparison runs pretty deep. borderlands is dry and dusty, has dome-like dwellings, introduces cute talking robots, features fully armored imperial bad guys with bad aim, and has a slow (but interesting) story arc up to a really dramatic finish in the last act. whereas borderlands 2 is lush and fast-paced and story-thick and incest-ridden and stuff, just like ep. v. let's just hope they don't carry the metaphor to the third installment, unless of course they want to have patricia tannis dressed like princess leia as the kept-plaything of some huge talking thresher, in which case they have my blessing.btw, as an aside, and my wife agrees 100% -- all this chatter about lilith vs. maya vs. moxxi is just outright silly. the answer is: tannis. followed, we think, by helena pierce, eye or no eye.anyway, where were we. oh yeah, the great. where to begin?the story is awesome. burch was amazing. tiny tina is incredibly awesome. other burch, also amazing. handsome jack is so awesome that i found myself rooting for him most of the time. threshers are way more awesome than they looked in the previews. the ais are uniformly great, even when theycasionally make the mobs cower in the corner as if you're the blair witch. i don't mind. and the guns, oh the guns, they are beautiful and fascinating and a joy to behold.the voice acting is awesome, with one noteworthy exception: axton was mis-cast. he looks like captain america (or thor, or whoever, take your pick), and he possesses the competent, modest, sexily reserved flawed-hero look of captain america (or thor, or whoever, take your pick). but his voice and dialogue are pure jack black at his cheesiest. oops. oh well. but the rest of them are cool. can't say much without giving the plot away, but everyone's voice acting was great, and tiny tina stole the show. well her, and the goliaths.the game balance is exquisite. there have been some missteps, naturally, and people are now vying to slay the much-vaunted raid boss terramorphous in the fewest number of milliseconds with 100% legit gear. but on the whole the balance is superb.my only cause for complaint is that the game balance feels far less serendipity-prone than borderlands often was. they made bl2 so balanced that most of the time the stuff you find is really pretty boring. no one manufacturer shines above all the others, nor is one worse than the others (though i wasn't much of a fan of jakobs or pangolin, by and large). all the weapon types are about equally good. it feels as if they tightened the loot-rarity bell curve so they could keep the difficulty progression smooth. the game always felt challenging, albeit without ever descending into survival horror territory -- there is always enough ammo around to encourage exploration.and when you do find thecasional legendary item -- i found only four of them during my first two complete playthroughs -- it will last you a good ten levels. oranges are the new pearls. they got this right, i think, and only in the difficult-to-balance endgame did they encounter any issues. in short, the game is challenging in a good way.they kept the cel shading. yay. cel shading helps them avoid the uncanny valley where most other games reside today -- they look more and more realistic without actually looking, you know, realistic. the borderands franchise embraces the graphic-novel look, and it's always stylish and fresh. plus they don't cel-shade a lot of stuff: water, ice, atmospheric effects, weapon effects, and so on, which makes for some eye-popping moments. and just in case the poetic beauty of their rendering approach is lost on you, they also include some actual eye pops.they kept the humor. oh, did they ever. i'd find myself giggling at 3am until i was snorting and wheezing. the humor runs the whole gamut, from the coarse and obvious to the surprisingly subtle. i love the dr. zed vending machines (and the voice acting, and zed's character in general -- he may be my favorite.) and i almost lost consciousness from laughing when i realized, after my second weapon swap, exactly what the bane's curse was. oh man, that one almost killed me. that whole mission was extraordinarily well-designed. and of course claptrap is funny as always. crazy earl, too.not to mention the talking weapons and armor. i love my hyperion auditing sniper -- haven't discarded it even though i can't really justify a precious inventory slot for it. there's a lot of genuinely funny stuff in this game.but i think the best humor award has to go to the bad guys. handsome jack has his moments, but it's really the bandits that steal the show. just when you think you've heard them say everything, they'll surprise you. crazedycho bandits running at you screaming that pluto is still a planet, or complaining about how goddamn cold it is outside, or reciting hamlet... it just never gets old. bandit humor has quickly become one of the legendary defining hallmarks of the borderlands experience.no question about it: this game has it all. it's a huge, sprawling open-world game with an engaging story, superb balance, exciting game mechanics, outstanding writing, and absolutely unparalleled replay value.the greatness of the game pretty much dwarfs everything else i say here. it's a worthy successor to borderlands, and at this point it's already become one of the most important franchises in gaming history.i know the folks at gearbox love this game and they want to keep refining it, though, so i'll weigh in my $0.02 on how it could be even more awesome next time around -- hopefully as soon as the next dlc.the game has some aspects that i feel bordered on greatness without actually achieving it.the biggest issue i have with the overall world design is that it's a theme park. no other word for it. it's a cool theme park, and i do love me my theme parks -- i'm a disney vacation club member and we go to theme parks several times a year, rain or shine. but there was some sort of dynamic going on, maybe an overreaction to the misguided criticism of the dry dustiness of bl1 (which is about as valid a criticism as saying "star wars had too much sand!"), that maybe made them overcompensate a little with the paint gun.so even though the game is often beautiful, the colors are often too saturated. when they get it right, it's nothing short of stunning. the southern shelf and sawtooth cauldron are standout examples. both juxtapose bandit shantytowns with a rugged natural beauty -- but it's a beauty with a relatively subdued palette, dominated by just one or two colors.some of the man-made places are gorgeous too -- opportunity city comes to mind, and the friendship gulag. but they, too, have dominant primary colors or motifs that shape and define the visual experience into something unique and refined.in several other locations they went a little overboard. i'm not sure if it's the cel-shading adding visual clutter (as seemed to be the case in fink's slaughterhouse and in sanctuary), or if it was actual clutter (thousand cuts comes to mind), or if they just went a little overboard with the fully-saturated paint gun (wildlife preserve, maybe, or tundra express). whatever the reason, the game winds up looking a tad overdone in places. still awesome, yes, but with colors that clash rather than harmonizing. they need to follow the basic color-matching advice from, say, vogue or cosmopolitan: any three colors go together, and any more than that looks like a peacock shitting rainbows. i'm pretty sure it was cosmopolitan who said that.the theme-park quality goes beyond the color scheme. a lot of the areas feel bowl-shaped and directly connected to other equally bowl-shaped areas with completely different styling. so it feels a bit like you're walking from adventureland to tomorrowland to fantasyland.and there's a lot of... homage, let's say... to other games. it felt almost like they had other-game and/or other-movie envy, even though borderlands is a game to be envied all on its own. so there's a dash of skyrim (the highlands), some red dead redemption (lynchwood), some jurassic park (wildlife preserve), and other maybe-unnecessary tributes. and sanctuary reminds me way too much, ironically, of the towns in rage.so the overall world design lacked a certain cohesiveness of vision that was present in borderlands i. it feels on the one hand like they were trying to elicit a tolkeinesque or homeresque journey from humble beginnings, increasing in scope, and ultimately walking into the heart of mordor. there's a teeny bit of that going on. but it also feels like whoever had that vision was crushed by the weight of game directors all clamoring for unrelated themed areas to show off their... their what, i don't know. just to show off.on the whole, though -- coming from a guy who likes theme parks -- they did a really bang-up job of creating a theme park. the individual areas all have their own distinct personality. some of them even have world-class atmosphere. the fridge, the bloodshot stronghold and ramparts, overlook and the highlands, and several other areas are really memorable. and the arid nexus badlands were... well, that's my favorite area of the game overall, for reasons i can't go into, but wow.my vote for overall best area design, though, goes to the caustic caverns. this area stood head and shoulders above the rest of the game, in the sense of being new -- who the hell has ever seen anything like that before? -- and creepy. i can only remember one or two times in my 35-year gaming history where i felt the sinking "i am on the wrong side of the train tracks" feeling that i had upon entering the nether hive. the whole area gave me a new-found respect for -- and dread of -- the dahl corporation, whom i hope will be the villains of some upcoming installment. oh, and the, uh, mission i can't give spoilers about, but it takes you to the top floor in the caverns -- that was hands-down the best side quest of the game.my third favorite location, after the badlands and the caustic caverns, was lynchwood. i'm a sucker for that sort of thing. it didn't make any sense at all -- it was a gratuitous anachronism in a game that thrives on anachronisms. but i loved it. robbing the bank and getting out of town before the posse came: that was straight-up inspired writing. i loved the lynchwood mini-boss and that whole plot line; i loved the marshall's announcements; i loved the whole thing. lynchwood may not have made much sense in the larger story, but it was unquestionably awesome.anyway, let's face it: the game is a theme park. not that this is bad! it's good. but i'd argue that it's not great. i think true greatness necessitates a uniformity of vision that admits no room for tongues planted too firmly acheek. bl3 is going to have to make some hard choices about whether to be good or great.good is ok, though. nothing wrong with good.i'll try to keep this short. mostly this is stuff that could be addressed in a straightforward way in a patch or dlc.there was no explanation as to why npcs don't get to use the new-u stations. just sayin'. they'd better retcon that in next time.no in-game explanation of the golden key chest in sanctuary, so i (like half the rest of the civilized world) used both my golden keys right away without realizing what they were. in retrospect i don't think it matters, since having awesome weapons is probably more useful early in the game than later on. but it should have been a conscious choice, and i, like half the rest of the civilized world, was pretty pissed off to find that i'd squandered my keys without so much as a warning dialog.they changed it so you can't open the menu if you're not on the ground -- that is, when you're jumping, or falling, or climbing a ladder, or being flung through the air by external forces (e.g. geyser, grenade), or stuck atop an enemy you had the misfortune to land on. this is hugely screwed up, so i can only imagine they did it as a last-ditch workaround for a no-holds-barred showstopper christmas-won't-happen bug, and it'll get fixed in an upcoming release. that, or they hate their customers and think they're scum. time will tell.this change did help me understand that one of the habits i'd truly come to enjoy in bl1 was jumping and then opening the menu while in mid-air. seriously. it was fun. i did it on purpose, all the time. i can't really articulate why, but it was exhilarating. it's as if they took away my childhood with that one simple dick move. i sure hope it was a last-resort thing that they plan to fix.inventory management has taken a turn for the worse overall. yeah, it looks slick, but when has gearbox ever been about "looks slick" over playability? i mean, no cutscenes, right? (or at least no cheesy prerendered ones -- they do all their cuts right there in-game, and you can usually walk away from them.)in bl2 they put a ton of work into the look-and-feel of inventory management, but they failed to nail the usability. in an rpg, even a quasi-rpg like borderlands, inventory management is all-important. so maybe it's their shooter background at work here. i dunno. but there are a lot of serious wtfs going on. examples:* when you want to compare item a to other items, and you eventually navigate to item b, then close the let's-compare transaction, it leaves the selection on item b. last i checked, this is not the way rational thought worked in any product designed by human beings with good intentions.* you can mark items as "favorites", and then... nothing. you can't sort on them or do anything useful with them. but, alas, you can sell them, without any warnings or indicators that you just sold an item you'd marked as a favorite. so i have accidentally sold some really, really important shit, and only realized a few areas later, when it was too late to go back and buy them back. this has happened at least four or five times in my so-far 2.5 playthroughs of the game. that's too many for an experienced gamer. it means they have a ui problem.* you can mark stuff as "trash", and sell it all at once. except that's stupid. everything should be trash by default. most of the items you pick up are trash -- that is a natural outcome of the tightness of their rarity bell curve. if they had done the whole favorite/trash thing correctly, you'd only need to think about it at all when you picked up a blue-or-better weapon, at which point you could mark it as a favorite to prevent accidental sale. this, friends at gearbox, would be less error prone and less effort. argh.* there's still no way to "buy all" for ammo. also, like in bl1, there are two concurrent views of your ammunition while you're shopping: the store's selection and your inventory levels. and, like in bl1, the two have unaccountably different sort orders. so as you move the selection cursor down the store's selection, the inventory cursor jumps around unpredictably. i can't believe they did this two games in a row.* unlike in bl1 (i think), when you're buying ammo by mashing buttons (because there's no bulk-buy function), you can very easily scroll past the grenades and start buying shit you didn't want while you're mashing the buttons. again, no warnings, no "are you sure?", so it's really easy not to notice until a few load levels later.* like in bl1, they don't sort insta-health at the top of zed's vending machines, which means if you run up to a machine to buy health in a firefight -- which is much more commmon now that they've eliminated portable health vials -- or if you're just not paying very close attention because your dog just knocked over your glass of water, then you stand a good chance of buying some expensive class and maybe not noticing. i've done this too. in all seriousness, sorting insta-health at the top is obvious, so only gross negligence can explain how it was done wrong two games in a row.to be sure, they got a few inventory-management things right that were messed up in bl1. you can now compare items while shopping -- w00t! and the weapon cards show all the data rather than truncating. the item sorting makes a little more sense. the "examine this item" is really cool, and i love just zooming and panning on my items to marvel at the intricate designs. but on the whole it was a step backwards, and it makes me very sad.other bad stuff... let's see. they still only let you quick-wield 4 weapons even though modern games all give you 8 slots on a wheel. in a game like bl, with elemental resistances and radically different opponent ais, 4 slots just isn't enough. you need to be able to carry at least two different "weapon builds" with you. i don't care if we have to purchase them or work our way up, but we need more than 4 equipped-weapon slots. as things stand, swapping out weapons interrupts the otherwise smooth game flow and makes it sort of a drag. especially when they don't let you open the menu mid-air. jesus. how can the graphics be so beautiful, and the story so awesome, and the combat so smooth, but the inventory management is so screwed up? is it different teams? what's going on here?let's see, what else, what else... oh yeah. on the3 version, every time you set your controller down it triggers a nuclear explosion. no, really. well, it does if you're playing axton with the middle skill tree. it's a side-effect of having switched the ability/grenade buttons with the zoom/fire buttons. i haven't made up my mind on this one; overall i think they probably made the right choice, but it reminds me of the fable ii days when you'd try to buy something from a blacksmith, hit the wrong button, destroy his house and send everyone screaming from the village for hours. it's not really ha-ha funny, at least not at the time.their bulk-vacuum function still sucks, so to speak. actually the "interact with stuff" button hasn't changed behaviorally since bl1 in any significant ways. it still has all the old problems, and maybe some new ones.for starters, they still have the horrible misfeature that holding the "pick up" button, which is used about 87 bazillion times per game session for bulk vacuuming, has different behavior if you do it on a weapon. what it does in that case is grab it and wield it, even though 9999 times out of ten thousand, the weapon in question is a piece of loot-crap that destined for a vending machine. way to optimize for that 1 in 10,000 case, gearbox. moreover, way to keep it around for game 2.the vacuum button still does a piss-poor job of actually vacuuming. and they've added "auto-vacuum", which does an equally piss-poor job of auto-vacuuming. i can't tell you how many times i've been standing there with 4 hit points, examining the item-card for a health vial on the ground, obscured only by the "pick up" text because it's within reach, thinking "um, why am i able to read this?"they really need to fix it so that every replenishing item in a ten-foot radius from your character automatically zooms to you no matter what. otherwise it devolves into a guessing-game as to whether their algorithm will be smart enough, and of course when the gameplay is fast and furious, you have to guess conservatively -- which defeats the entire purpose of having the feature. picking stuff up -- heck, being near anything, degenerates into a button-mashfest.and unless it's just my imagination, it feels like the pick-up button is less responsive than it was in bl1. when you open a chest, there is a nontrivial window during which the items appear to be grabbable, but pressing the button has no effect. you have to jab at it for up to half a second, maybe a second before the game says "aw fuck, that's right, i told them 'pick up' and they're pressing the button, so maybe they're actually trying to, you know, pick that shit up."is it really that hard to detect that the button is already down, once the items are actually grabbable?and of course the whole cycle gets repeated twice per container, because the game is just as likely to ignore your button-press to open the container.the last "bad" line-item i'll whinge about is that although the game seems really generous about accuracy, they're real bitches about who died first, when you and the last nearby enemy expire at the same time. to illustrate how forgiving they are overall: you can be using a sniper from a thousand yards away, and pull the trigger when the cursor's kinda pretty far away from the mob's head, and it'll explode way more often than probability would dictate that it should. very gratifying! no complaints here! and they're also really nice when it comes to landing jumps that you didn't quite hit, unlike in many other games. in general the game is pretty forgiving about controller accuracy.but if you die "at the same time" as an enemy (i.e. it happens within ~100-200 ms before or after), you go into a fight-for-your-life bleedout. sometimes it seems very, very clear that the enemy died second, but the game didn't actually realize it, and penalizes you. it seems unfair. to avoid any suspicions of stupidity on the part of the detection algorithm, it would be nice if they'd give you a half-second window after the last enemy dies before your own death results in a bleedout. hell, even 300ms would be nice. there are already plenty of legitimate situations for aggravating bleedouts -- the classic one being when the enemy shoots you and then walks around the corner. so i don't think it'll cause a balance problem to add the short grace period i'm proposing.i know for a fact that there are some issues with the code that detects whether an enemy is dead. several of the missions have resulted in me sitting around for a long, long time (several minutes) after the mission was obviously over, except the game couldn't figure out that it was over. examples include the last round of the natural selection annex, where i just wandered around the arena hoping the game would finally notice i'd won, and the plant-the-flag sawtooth mission, where twice the last enemy disappeared minutes before the slab king noticed i was victorious.so i suspect there's a race condition here, in which you can legitimately die before the last opponent, but the game doesn't notice, and you bleed out while shaking your first at the unfairness of it all. why go there? just put in a short grace period, and make sure it's really really clear that you died after the opponent -- often from a long-fused grenade, i've noticed. then there's no cause for questioning the game code itself, which undermines player confidence in the fairness and quality of the engine.that's about it for the bad. inventory management woes, no menu while jumping, bulk-vacuum issues, and bleedout race conditions. that's pretty good, all things considered. why not just fix them all in a patch, and make it perfect?there's only one ugly in bl2, and it's a big one. the ugly is that for no reason whatsoever -- negative reason in fact; it's flat-out anti-reason -- they don't give you enough bank slots to make farming fun for more than a few days.they put an astounding amount of effort into the endgame mechanic, folks. this was not some casual design thing for them. they put in hooks for new raid bosses, tons of one-off unique legendary weapons with custom artwork and code, and a plethora of design decisions to prevent any one raid avenue from dominating the endgame. they made it so that every one of the dozens of bosses and mini-bosses has its own legendary that it can drop, so that farming is distributed across most of the locations in the game, which breaks up the monotony. they even added formal item-twinking across characters, amazingly enough.but for all that, it's fundamentally broken. and what's more, they have this huge, gaping problem with a substance called eridium (i'm sure they're sick of hearing about this by now), which lets you buy a limited number of carrying-capacity upgrades, including bank slots. so players are already simultaneously crying out for an eridium-sink and more bank capacity. i mean, they should have seen this coming months ahead of their code freeze. it would have taken maybe 3 days of engineering and testing effort to make it so that earl could sell you increased bank capacity at usury rates, even a geometric progression. and it would have been fine. everyone would have been satisfied.here's the thing, though. it's not just about capacity. if gearbox wants to do this right, by which i mean pull their heads out and do something that nobody in the game industry has ever done before, what they really need to do is give players a database.that's what we want, really. you make 87 bazillion guns, and let us collect them? well then we're going to want hundreds and hundreds, maybe thousands of guns in our collections. not twenty, or whatever stupidly low number you've given us. that just spawns modding and mule characters and leaving the game altogether -- any outlet from the collection pressure; players will use them all.what bl1 needed was a way for you to effectively manage a collection of a thousand guns. what if you want to look at all your mashers? or all your weapons by type, or by elemental damage, or by manufacturer? i'm not asking for a data warehouse here, or for some fancy text-based console-query ui. i mean, *i* would use it, but obviously we want to keep this mainstream.if you start by formulating the basic problem as: "how do i manage a collection of a thousand guns," then your ux guys should be able to come up with something acceptable. no — you know what? fuck acceptable. they should be able to come up with something awesome, something in keeping with the innovation and forward-looking badassery that we've all come to associate with gearbox and borderlands.ironically, bl1 was better at this -- a lot better. of all the inventory "improvements" introduced in bl2, the only one that improves gun collecting as a hobby is the "examine this gun in 3d" feature.i imagine i'm going to do exactly what i (and everyone else) did in bl1, which is to figure out how to modify the bank-slots and inventory-slots counters in the player save files, and hope like hell that you guys can actually scale up to something reasonable without crashing or locking us out or triggering some other godawful poison-pill.but just having a lot of slots is only a tiny part of the picture. gearbox has created a gun-collector's game, but they haven't given us a way to collect guns. how messed up is that?i think it's pretty messed up.all this talk about bl1 has given me a major case of nostalgia. i love bl2, but i think i need to kill some drifters to pull me out of this funk. i remember when i finally reached the point with brick where i could walk around the sand dunes and mow down drifters -- on foot -- and live to tell the tale. bl2 doesn't have any moments like that, not yet. nothing you had to work for like that, anyway. it took months of gun collecting before i was that badass in bl1.and i remember looking through that sepia-tinted window on entering t-bone junction, that window filled with promise of adventure, seeing those rowboats suspended over a forty-foot drop to the salt sand, with the scorching wind blowing the makeshift wind socks tied to the lucasian architecture. i remember hearing knoxx give his reports to admiral mikey, mr. shank asking if i thought i was being stealthy, athena barking her ludicrous military-speak to me -- a merc -- and thirsty the midget asking if i could turn the power back on in the brandywine.i remember. and i think it's time to head back. i knew this would happen. i knew gearbox would screw us on the gun collecting, and i knew sooner or later it'd be back to knoxx and the armory and crawmerax.i just didn't realize it'd happen so fast.sigh.

aɪ wʊd laɪk tɪ wɪʃ ɔl ðə səbˈskraɪbərz əv ə ˈhæpi nu jɪr ənd hoʊp 2017 ɪz ˈprɑspərəs ənd ˈʤɔɪfəl nu jɪr fər ju. 2016 wɑz ə greɪt jɪr fər ˈpækɪˌstæn wi sɔ juʤ straɪdz ɪn ˌɪmpləmɛnˈteɪʃən əv ənd ə ˈpisfəl ˌrɛzəˈluʃən tɪ ii*, ˈəndərˌlaɪnɪŋ ðə strɛŋθ əv ɑr daɪˈnæmɪk dɪˈmɑkrəsi. ˈɪndiə feɪld ˌæbsəˈlutli tɪ ˈaɪsəˌleɪt ˈjuˈɛs ənd ˌdimənəˈzeɪʃən ˈpɑləsi ənd ˈəðər waɪld skimz ər ʤɪst fən tɪ wɔʧ. sɔ ə juʤ groʊθ ɪn ɪts ˈjuzər beɪs ənd ə ˌækˌsɛlərˈeɪʃən əv ə trɛnd əv əv ˈpoʊstɪŋ ərˈɪʤənəl ˈkɑntɛnt ənd dɪˈskəʃən ˈrəðər ðən ˈpoʊstɪŋ ˈɛvəri ˈstɔri frəm ɑr us’*’) ɪz laɪk ə ˈgræsˈruts ˈmuvmənt fər ɔl θɪŋz ˈpækɪˌstæn rɪˈleɪtɪd frəm ˈɛvəri ˈkɔrnər əv ðə ˈɪntərˌnɛt, soʊ ˈmɛni ˈɑrtɪkəlz ənd aɪ keɪm əˈkrɔs ðət aɪ wʊd ˈnɛvər hæv faʊnd ɔn maɪ oʊn. əˈwɔrdz. maɪ əˈwɔrd fər moʊst frəm ðə moʊst ˌɪnˈfɔrmətɪv poʊst 2016 ðə jɪr əˈwɔrd goʊz tɪ fər ðɪs poʊst. fər ˈʃɛrɪŋ ðə səˈpraɪzɪŋli proʊ ˈpækɪˌstæn vjuz əv ʤeɪmz ˈmæθɪs. maɪ əˈwɔrd fər ˈfəniəst poʊst 2017 tɪ fər ðɪs hɪˈlɛriəs poʊst hæd mi roʊlf ɔl ˈoʊvər ðə flɔr. wɑz ə kloʊz ˈsɛkənd. maɪ əˈwɔrd fər ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm ˌkɑntrəˈbjuʃən fər ˈsərvɪsɪz tɪ əv fər ˈpiˌeɪʧˈdi ˈlɛvəl ˈrisərʧ ənd ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ ðə ˈdɛstəni əv ðə səb frəm ə ˈbərgər hæŋ aʊt tɪ dɪˈskəs tu ˈneɪʃən ˈθɪri ˈɛvəri ˈkəpəl əv ˈsɛkəndz tɪ ðə daɪˈnæmɪk ˌpeɪtriˈɑtɪk ˈplætˌfɔrm ɪt ɪz naʊ ənd ˈgɪvɪŋ tɪ ˈpeɪtriəts tɪ kəm ˈfɔrwərd goʊz tɪ fər ðɪs poʊst. aɪ wɔnt tɪ gɪv ə ˈspɛʃəl əˈwɔrd ɪn tɪ ðə troʊlz ˈlikɪŋ frəm ənd hu priˈtɛnd tɪ bi ˌpækɪˈstæni kənˈsərnd əˈbaʊt ˈvɛriəs ˈsoʊʃəl ˈʤəstɪs ˈɪʃuz ˈpoʊstɪŋ lɪŋks tɪ saɪts bət wɪθ əv ˈprɑdɪŋ rɪˈvil ðɛr tru ˈəgli feɪs əv ˌpæθəˈlɑʤɪkəl ˈɔlˌmoʊst əbˈsɛsɪv ˈheɪtrəd əv ˈpækɪˌstæn ənˈfɔrʧənətli maɪ oʊn əˈkaʊnt wɑz ˈpərmɑˌnɛnˌtli bænd frəm. aɪ wɑz fərst bænd frəm fər wars’*’ bət aɪ meɪd ən ɑlt əˈkaʊnt ənd bɪˈkeɪm wən əv ðə tɔp ˈpoʊstərz. səm haʊ aɪ wɑz kɔt səˈpraɪzɪŋli ðɪs wɑz fərst ˈnoʊtɪst baɪ ə ˈɪndiən ˈjuzər ˈɔlˌmoʊst ɛz ɪf ðɪs wɑz ˈɔrkɪˌstreɪtɪd baɪ ə ˈstudənt ˈpɑrti ɪn ˌmʊmˈbaɪ. wi ɔˈrɛdi noʊ ɪn ɪz pɑrt əv ðɛr ˈɪntərnˌʃɪp ənd ˈædmɪn laɪk ɔlˈtərnətɪv pɔɪnts əv vjuz. ˌɔlˈðoʊ aɪ hæv bɪn bænd frəm ðə kəmˈjunɪti baɪ (ɪkˈsɛpt ənd hu aɪ rɪˈspɛkt) noʊ wən kən stɑp ən aɪˈdiə huz taɪm həz kəm waɪlst aɪ ˈkænɑt ˈkɑmɛnt ər kənˈtrɪbjut tɪ ðə səb, aɪ wɪl bi ˈwɑʧɪŋ jʊr ˈprɑˌgrɛs. ɪf ˈɛniˌwən wɔnts tɪ ˈkɑnˌtækt mi ðeɪ kən ˈviə ˈtəmblər ər ˈpæsɪŋ ˈmɛsɪʤɪz tɪ mi ˈviə wɪθ ˈdɑnəld trəmp ɪn ðə waɪt haʊs, aɪ eɪm tɪ liv ðə ˈjuˈɛs baɪ ˈsəmər 2017 ənd muv tɪ ˈpækɪˌstæn. aɪ wɪl rɪˈtərn tɪ ɪn ðə nɪr fˈjuʧər frəm ə ˈdɪfərənt ˌaɪˌpi ˈæˌdrɛs. ɪn ðə wərdz əv ðət ˈfeɪməs ˈɔstriən ju æst waɪ aɪ ˈnɛvər əˈbʤɛktəd tɪ jʊr poʊsts, aɪ gɑt bænd ˌbiˈfɔr aɪ kʊd rɪˈplaɪ, ðə ˈrizən ɪz ˈæftər ju mɔrft frəm biɪŋ ə ˈræpər tɪ biɪŋ ‘‘dissident’*’ ˈpoʊstɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˌɛtˈsɛtərə aɪ keɪm tɪ ðə kənˈkluʒən ju wər ʤɪst ˈlʊkɪŋ fər ˈkɑrmə pɔɪnts ənd ðɛr wɑz noʊ pɔɪnt.

i would like to wish all the subscribers of r/pakistan a happy new year and hope 2017 is prosperous and joyful new year for you. 2016 was a great year for pakistan we saw huge strides in implementation of cpec and a peaceful resolution to pti dharna ii, underlining the strength of our dynamic democracy. india failed absolutely to isolate us and modiji demonization policy and other wild schemes are just fun to watch. r/pakistan saw a huge growth in its user base and a acceleration of a trend of of posting original content and discussion rather than posting every story from dawn(’beghairat r us’) r/pakistan is like a grassroots movement for all things pakistan related from every corner of the internet, so many articles and oc i came across that i would never have found on my own. awards. my award for most from the most informative post 2016 the year award goes to /u/billbatori for this post. for sharing the surprisingly pro pakistan views of james matthis. my award for funniest post 2017 to /u/genqamarjavedbajwa for this hilarious post had me rolf lmao all over the floor. choda adil was a close second. my award for lifetime contribution for services to sucess of r/pakistan for phd level research and changing the destiny of the sub from a burger hang out to discuss two nation theory every couple of seconds to the dynamic patriotic platform it is now and giving hounsla to patriots to come forward goes to /u/italy44 for this post. i want to give a special award in shitposting to the trolls leaking from r/exmuslim and r/india who pretend to be pakistani concerned about various social justice issues posting links to blogspam sites but with abit of prodding reveal their true ugly face of pathological almost obsessive hatred of pakistan unfortunately my own account was permanently banned from reddit. i was first banned from r/pakistan for ‘flame wars’ but i made an alt account italy444 and became one of the top posters. some how i was caught surprisingly this was first noticed by a indian user /u/jihadstloveseveryone almost as if this was orchestrated by a bjp student party in mumbai. we already know shitposting in r/worldnews is part of their internship and reddit admin /u/spez doesnt like alternative points of views. although i have been banned from the community by endian mods (except u/greenvox and /u/izmailpirzada who i respect) no one can stop an idea whose time has come whilst i cannot comment or contribute to the sub, i will be watching your progress. if anyone wants to contact me they can via tumblr or passing messages to me via /u/shaanistani with donald trump in the white house, i aim to leave the us by summer 2017 and move to pakistan. i will return to r/pakistan in the near future from a different ip address. in the words of that famous austrian bodybuilder ps /u/theniazi you asked why i never objected to your posts, i got banned before i could reply, the reason is after you morphed from being a rapper to being ‘dissident’ posting about muhammadism etc i came to the conclusion you were just looking for karma points and there was no point.

məkˈbɛθ ˈvərsəz. ðə ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən: ə stəˈtɪstɪkəl æˈnælɪsɪs ðə ʧæmp həz bɪn ɔn hɪz geɪm, bət ðə rɛst əv ðə fild ɪz ˈkæʧɪŋ əp. ˈæftər ˈwɑʧɪŋ pɔl fəˈnɑmənəl 2015 dɪd ˈɛniˌwən ɪkˈspɛkt ðət wi wʊd bi ˈwəndərɪŋ haʊ hi həz mɪst fərst pleɪs θri ɪˈvɛnts ɪn ə roʊ? nɑt ʤɪst ðə ˈsɛkənd pleɪs ˈfɪnɪʃɪz, ˈiðər; ðə ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən ðɪs jɪr həz fɛlt mɔr sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt. ɪn 2015 məkˈbɛθ wən ˈtərnəmənts baɪ ən ˈævərɪʤ əv faɪv stroʊks, ənd ɪn 2016 hi həz bɪn ɪn tu pleɪɔfs wɪθ ˈməltəpəl kəmˈpɛtɪtərz. ˈreɪtɪŋ ə kwɪk glæns æt raʊnd ˈreɪtɪŋz ʃoʊz kənˈsɪstənt pleɪ ɪn 2016 hi həz meɪnˈteɪnd ən ˈævərɪʤ raʊnd ˈreɪtɪŋ əv 1053 ðə seɪm ɛz 2015 ənd ˈsəmˌhaʊ həz ˈæˌkʧuəli bɪn pleɪɪŋ sˈlaɪtli mɔr kənˈsɪstəntli (hɪz ˈstændərd ˌdiviˈeɪʃən ɪn ˈskɔrɪŋ ɪz 21 ɪn 2015 ˈvərsəz 19 soʊ fɑr ɪn 2016 nɑt stəˈtɪstɪkəli sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt, bət waʊ). məkˈbɛθ həz ˈoʊnli bɪn ˈbitən baɪ tu ˈpipəl ðɪs jɪr, ˈsaɪmən lɪˈzɔt ənd kæm tɑd, bət həz bɪn ɪn taɪt kənˈtɛnʃən wɪθ ə ˈnəmbər əv ˈəðər pleɪərz. haʊ hæv ðiz pleɪərz bɪn pleɪɪŋ kəmˈpɛrd tɪ məkˈbɛθ? ðə ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən ðə fərst stɛp ɪn ˈænəˌlaɪzɪŋ ðə pleɪ əv məkˈbɛθ ˈvərsəz hɪz ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən ɪz tɪ ˌrivˈju ðə prəˈfɛʃənəl dɪsk gɔlf əˌsoʊʃiˈeɪʃən raʊnd ˈreɪtɪŋz əv hɪz tɔp kəmˈpɛtɪtərz ðɪs jɪr. ɛz ʃoʊn ɪn ðə ˈfɪgjər bɪˈloʊ, ə ˈnəmbər əv kəmˈpɛtɪtərz hæv ˈsɪriəsli stɛpt əp ðɛr geɪm ɪn 2016 waɪl məkˈbɛθ sɔ ə ˈreɪtɪŋ ˈdiˌkris. ðɛr ər ə fju ˈʧælənʤɪz, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪn ˈjuzɪŋ ˈreɪtɪŋz fər ðɪs æˈnælɪsɪs: ə ˈsɪŋgəl stroʊk ˈdɪfərəns ɪn ðə ˈfaɪnəl raʊnd əv ðə glæs bloʊn ˈoʊpən rɪˈzəltɪd ɪn ə ˈreɪtɪŋ ˌdɪfərˈɛnʃəl əv ˈsɛvən pɔɪnts æt ðə tɔp əv ðə kɑrd. ɛz ə rɪˈzəlt, ðə gæp bɪtˈwin pleɪərz meɪ sim məʧ ˈgreɪtər. ə ˈreɪtɪŋ dɪz nɑt əˈlaʊ ˈjuˈɛs tɪ si wɪʧ ˈæˌspɛkts əv ə spɪˈsɪfɪk geɪm ʧeɪnʤ ˈoʊvər taɪm. ðɪs ɪz nɑt ən əˈtæk ɔn ðə ˈreɪtɪŋz ˈsɪstəm, ʤɪst ən əˈtɛmpt tɪ mɔr ˈfʊli ˈvɪʒwəˌlaɪz pərˈfɔrməns əˈməŋ tɔp pleɪərz. əˈnəðər lʊk ðə dɪsk gɔlf wərld tʊr ɪz duɪŋ ə fænˈtæstɪk ʤɑb əv ˈkæpʧərɪŋ ədˈvænst ˈmɛtrɪks ɪn ðɛr ɪˈvɛnts ðɪs jɪr, bət ənˈfɔrʧənətli ðɪs ˈdætə ɪz nɑt əˈveɪləbəl fər ˈɛni ˈəðər ˈtərnəmənts ər ˈpriviəs ˈsizənz. wət wi du hæv, ðoʊ, ɪz ˈskɔrɪŋ əv ɪˈvɛnts ˈdeɪtɪŋ bæk tɪ 2014 ðə ˈfɪgjər bɪˈloʊ ʃoʊz ðə ˈbreɪkˌdaʊn əv iʧ ˈskɔrɪŋ ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən baɪ ˈbərdiz, pɑrz, ənd, ənd kən bi ˈtɑgəld bɪtˈwin 2015 ənd 2016 fər ðə ˈpərpəsɪz əv ˈsɪmpləˌfaɪɪŋ ðɪs ʧɑrt, ˈɛni skɔr bɪˈloʊ pɑr ɪz kənˈsɪdərd ə ˈbərdi ənd ˈɛni skɔr əˈbəv pɑr ɪz kənˈsɪdərd ə ˈboʊgi. ˈtɑgəl bæk ənd fɔrθ bɪtˈwin 2015 ənd 2016 ə fju taɪmz ənd əbˈzərv ðə ˈmæsɪv maɪˈgreɪʃən baɪ ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən. ðɛr ɪz ən ˈæbsəˌlut krənʧ ˈifɛkt əˈkərɪŋ æt ðə tɔp kɑrdz əv ˈtərnəmənts ɪn 2016 ˈskɔrɪŋ ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən ʧɑrt lɪˈzɔt ənd neɪt ˈsɛkstən hæv boʊθ ˌɪnˈkrist ðɛr ˈbərdi pərˈsɛnɪʤ tɪ əˈbəv 50 ˈsɛkstən ɪz ˈgɪtɪŋ ɔn ˈoʊnli əv hoʊlz kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ ɪn 2015 ˈfiloʊ həz ˈnɪrli ˈdəbəld hɪz ˈbərdiz ɪn 2016 lɪˈzɔt həz drɑpt hɪz ˈboʊgi pərˈsɛnɪʤ frəm tɪ məkˈbɛθ ɪz stɪl ðə tɔp pleɪər ɪn ðə geɪm, bət ˈɛvəri ˈwiˌkɪnd ðə tɔp pleɪərz ɔn ðə kɑrd hæv ə ləˈʤɪtəmət ʃɑt æt ˈteɪkɪŋ ə rən fər fərst. fˈjuʧər ˈmɛtrɪks ðə ˌænəˈlɪtɪkəl ˌrivˈju əv dɪsk gɔlf ɪz ˈvɛri jəŋ, ənd ləv ˈɪnˌpʊt fər wət ˈmɛtrɪks ər moʊst ɛˈsɛnʃəl ɪn ɪˈvæljuˌeɪtɪŋ pleɪərz. θroʊn aʊt ə ˈnəmbər əv aɪˈdiəz bɪˈloʊ ənd plæn tɪ kriˈeɪt ənd ɪn ðə fˈjuʧər. ˈmɛtrɪk ˈtaɪtəl dɪˈskrɪpʃən ˈboʊgi rɪˈkəvəri pərˈsɛnɪʤ əv ðə taɪm ə pleɪər gɪts ə pɑr ər ˈbɛtər ˈæftər ə ˈboʊgi+ ˈboʊgi rɪˈkəvəri pərˈsɛnɪʤ əv ðə taɪm ə pleɪər gɪts ə ˈbərdi ər ˈbɛtər ˈæftər ə ˈboʊgi gh*% grinz hɪt pərˈsɛnɪʤ biɪŋ ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪd naʊ baɪ ðə dɪsk gɔlf wərld tʊr ˈpʊtɪŋ biɪŋ ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪd naʊ baɪ ðə dɪsk gɔlf wərld tʊr wɪn% wɪn pərˈsɛnɪʤ ə ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən beɪst ɔn hɪˈstɔrɪkəl ˈdætə əv haʊ ˈlaɪkli ə pleɪər ɪz tɪ wɪn ə ˈtʊrnəmənt ˈæftər ə ˈbərdi ɪn ə spɪˈsɪfɪk ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən ðə læst ˈmɛtrɪk, wɪn pərˈsɛnɪʤ, spiks tɪ ðə ril pəˈtɛnʃəl əv meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ ə ˌkɑmpriˈhɛnsɪv ˈdætəˌbeɪs əv ˈtʊrnəmənt rɪˈzəlts. ðə əˈbɪləˌti tɪ seɪ haʊ ə pleɪər həz ˈpriviəsli pərˈfɔrmd ɪn ˈsərtən ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃənz ənd ðə ˌɪmˈpækt əv ˈsərtən hoʊlz ɔn ˈtʊrnəmənt ˈaʊtˌkəmz wɪl ˌɪnˈkris ðə kˈwɑləti əv ˈbrɔdˌkæsts ənd ˈəðər ˈmidiə ˈkəvərɪʤ. dɪˈskloʊʒər ɪt məst bi ˈnoʊtɪd ðət, ɪn ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪŋ ðiz ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃənz, ˈskɔrɪŋ ɪz nɑt əˈveɪləbəl fər ˈɛvəri raʊnd ə pleɪər θroʊz. fər pleɪərz laɪk məkˈbɛθ ənd ˈrɪˌki vɪˈsɑtski, ðɛr ˈdætə ɪz əˈveɪləbəl fər ˈnɪrli ˈɛvəri raʊnd əv ˈmeɪʤər ˈtərnəmənts ðeɪ pleɪ. fər ˈəðər pleɪərz, ðoʊ, ðɛr ˈdætə ɪz ˈoʊnli əˈveɪləbəl wɪn ðeɪ hæv bɪn ɔn ðə tɔp fju kɑrdz. bɪˈloʊ ˈaʊˌtlaɪnd ðə ˈnəmbər əv hoʊlz əv ˈskɔrɪŋ əˈveɪləbəl fər iʧ pleɪər baɪ jɪr. nɑt ən ˌaʊtˈstændɪŋ əˈmaʊnt əv ˈdætə, bət fər əˈbaʊt hæf əv ðə pleɪərz ɪt ɪz ˈkɑmprəbəl tɪ ðə ˈtɪpɪkəl ˈnəmbər əv ˈætˈbæts ɪn ə ˈsizən fər ə ˈbeɪsˈbɔl pleɪər. 502 pleɪt əˈpɪrənsəz ər rikˈwaɪərd fər ˈbeɪsˈbɔl pleɪərz tɪ kˈwɑləˌfaɪ fər ˈbætɪŋ ˈtaɪtəlz.) ðə gʊd nuz ɪz wi kən ɪkˈspɛkt sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli mɔr ˈdætə ɪn 2016 ə greɪt taɪm tɪ bi ˈwɑʧɪŋ ənd pleɪɪŋ dɪsk gɔlf.

mcbeth vs. the competition: a statistical analysis the champ has been on his game, but the rest of the field is catching up. after watching paul mcbeth’s phenomenal 2015, did anyone expect that we would be wondering how he has missed first place three events in a row? it’s not just the second place finishes, either; the competition this year has felt more significant. in 2015, mcbeth won tournaments by an average of five strokes, and in 2016 he has been in two playoffs with multiple competitors. mcbeth’s rating a quick glance at mcbeth’s round ratings shows consistent play in 2016. he has maintained an average round rating of 1053 – the same as 2015 – and somehow has actually been playing slightly more consistently (his standard deviation in scoring is 21 in 2015 versus 19 so far in 2016 – not statistically significant, but wow). mcbeth has only been beaten by two people this year, simon lizotte and cam todd, but has been in tight contention with a number of other players. how have these players been playing compared to mcbeth? the competition the first step in analyzing the play of mcbeth versus his competition is to review the professional disc golf association round ratings of his top competitors this year. as shown in the figure below, a number of mcbeth’s competitors have seriously stepped up their game in 2016, while mcbeth saw a half-point rating decrease. there are a few challenges, however, in using ratings for this analysis: a single stroke difference in the final round of the glass blown open resulted in a rating differential of seven points at the top of the card. as a result, the gap between players may seem much greater. a player’s rating does not allow us to see which aspects of a specific player’s game change over time. this is not an attack on the ratings system, just an attempt to more fully visualize performance among top players. another look the disc golf world tour is doing a fantastic job of capturing advanced metrics in their events this year, but unfortunately this data is not available for any other tournaments or previous seasons. what we do have, though, is hole-by-hole scoring of pdga events dating back to 2014. the figure below shows the breakdown of each player’s scoring distribution by birdies, pars, and bogeys, and can be toggled between 2015 and 2016. for the purposes of simplifying this chart, any score below par is considered a birdie and any score above par is considered a bogey. toggle back and forth between 2015 and 2016 a few times and observe the massive migration by mcbeth’s competition. there is an absolute crunch effect occurring at the top cards of tournaments in 2016. scoring distribution chart lizotte and nate sexton have both increased their birdie percentage to above 50%. sexton is getting bogeys on only 6.3% of holes compared with 10.2% in 2015. philo brathwaite has nearly doubled his birdies in 2016. lizotte has dropped his bogey percentage from 13.9% to 8.2%. mcbeth is still the top player in the game, but every weekend the top players on the card have a legitimate shot at taking a run for first. future metrics the analytical review of disc golf is very young, and i’d love input for what metrics are most essential in evaluating players. i’ve thrown out a number of ideas below and plan to create infographics and write-ups in the future. metric title description br bogey recovery percentage of the time a player gets a par or better after a bogey br+ bogey recovery + percentage of the time a player gets a birdie or better after a bogey gh% greens hit percentage being calculated now by the disc golf world tour icp inside-the-circle putting being calculated now by the disc golf world tour win% win percentage a calculation based on historical data of how likely a player is to win a tournament after a birdie in a specific situation the last metric, win percentage, speaks to the real potential of maintaining a comprehensive database of tournament results. the ability to say how a player has previously performed in certain situations and the impact of certain holes on tournament outcomes will increase the quality of broadcasts and other media coverage. disclosure it must be noted that, in calculating these distributions, hole-by-hole scoring is not available for every round a player throws. for players like mcbeth and ricky wysocki, their hole-by-hole data is available for nearly every round of major tournaments they play. for other players, though, their data is only available when they have been on the top few cards. below i’ve outlined the number of holes of scoring available for each player by year. it’s not an outstanding amount of data, but for about half of the players it is comparable to the typical number of at-bats in a season for a baseball player. (502 plate appearances are required for baseball players to qualify for batting titles.) the good news is we can expect significantly more data in 2016. it’s a great time to be watching and playing disc golf.

tɔp ˈdɛməˌkræts ɔn ˈkæpɪtəl hɪl ər ˈreɪzɪŋ kənˈsərnz əˈbaʊt ðə trəmp trænˈzɪʃən timz pʊʃ tɪ aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ dɪˈpɑrtmənt əv ˈɛnərʤi (doʊ) ɪmˈplɔɪiz hu hæv wərkt ɔn ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ ˈɪʃuz. ɪn ə ˈwɛnzˌdeɪ ˈlɛtər tɪ vaɪs maɪk pɛns ˈmaɪkəl (maɪk) ˈrɪʧərd sɪz hi fɪrz 'bæd' ˈpipəl əraʊnd trəmp 'ənd ðə əˈwɔrd fər bɛst pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈkɑmənˌtɛri baɪ ən ˈɔskər ˌnɑməˈni goʊz tɪ...' ˈjuˈɛn ˈnukliər ˈwɑʧˌdɔg: ˌɪˈrɑn meɪnˈteɪnz kəmˈplaɪəns wɪθ 2015 pækt mɔr, tɔp ˈdɛməˌkræts ɔn ðə haʊs ˈoʊvərˌsaɪt ənd ˈɛnərʤi kəˈmɪtiz kɔld ðə ˌɪnkˈwaɪˌri "ˈtrəbəlɪŋ," seɪɪŋ ɪt kʊd poʊz ən 'ˈlɪtməs tɛst' tɪ kərɪr ˈsɪvəl servants.”*.” ər kənˈsərnd ðət ðiz ˈɛfərts tɪ ˈsɪŋgəl aʊt ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr dɪˈpɑrtmənt ɪmˈplɔɪiz ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ˈɛfərts tɪ rɪˈdus ˈgrinˌhaʊs gæs ɪˈmɪʃənz meɪ bi ən əˈtɛmpt tɪ ˈtərgət doʊ ɪmˈplɔɪiz huz ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk vjuz ɔn ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ ˈdɪfər frəm ðoʊz əv ðə ˈɪnˌkəmɪŋ trəmp administration,”*,” ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk rɛps. fræŋk pɑˈloʊni (n.j*.) ənd ɛˈlaɪʤə ˈkəmɪŋz (md*.) roʊt. ðə ˈlɛtər kəmz ˈæftər trəˈdɪʃən tim æst ðə doʊ fər ə lɪst əv ɪmˈplɔɪiz hu hæv wərkt ɔn ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ ˈɪʃuz ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˌoʊˈbɑmə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ðə ˈpɛrɪs ˈklaɪmɪt dil ənd ˈkɑrbən ɪˈmɪʃənz əˈkaʊnɪŋ. ˈdɛməˌkræts wɔnt ə ˈkɑpi əv ðə ˈlɛtər ðə trænˈzɪʃən tim sɛnt tɪ ðə dɪˈpɑrtmənt ˈsikɪŋ neɪmz əv ɪmˈplɔɪiz hu hæv wərkt ɔn ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ ɛz wɛl ɛz ˈəðər kəmˌjunəˈkeɪʃənz bɪtˈwin trəmp əˈfɪʃəlz ənd ˈfɛdərəl ˈeɪʤənsiz rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ wərk ɪmˈplɔɪiz maɪt hæv dən ˈəndər ˈprɛzɪdənt ˌoʊˈbɑmə. ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt ˈɛnərʤi əˈfɪʃəlz sɛd ˈtuzˌdeɪ ðeɪ wʊd nɑt kəmˈplaɪ wɪθ ðət rɪkˈwɛst, seɪɪŋ ɪn ə ˈsteɪtmənt, ər goʊɪŋ tɪ rɪˈspɛkt ðə prəˈfɛʃənəl ənd ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˌɪnˈtɛgrəti ənd ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns əv ɑr ɪmˈplɔɪiz æt ɑr læbz ənd əˈkrɔs ɑr department.”*.” tim bækt əˈweɪ frəm ðə ˌɪnkˈwaɪˌri ɔn ˈwɛnzˌdeɪ. "ðə kˌwɛsʧəˈnɛr wɑz nɑt ˈɔθərˌaɪzd ər pɑrt əv ɑr ˈstændərd ˈproʊtəˌkɔl. ðə ˈpərsən hu sɛnt ɪt həz bɪn ˈprɑpərli ˈkaʊnsəld," ə trəmp trænˈzɪʃən əˈfɪʃəl toʊld ˈsiˈɛˈnɛn. ˈdɛməˌkræts fɪr ðə ˈɛfərt wɪl ɛnˈdeɪnʤər doʊ ɪmˈplɔɪiz huz wərk ɔn ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ meɪ goʊ əˈgɛnst ðə bɪˈlifs əv trəmp, hu həz kɔld ˈgloʊbəl ˈwɔrmɪŋ ə hoʊks kriˈeɪtɪd baɪ ˈʧaɪnə. ənˈprɛsɪˌdɛntɪd kˈwɛsʧənz səˈʤɛst ðə ˈɪnˌkəmɪŋ ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən meɪ bi pərˈpɛrɪŋ tɪ teɪk ˈɑrbɪˌtrɛri ˈækʃən əˈgɛnst ˈsɪvəl ˈsərvənts ənd ˈgəvərnmənt ˈkɑnˌtræktərz ˈsɪmpli bɪˈkəz ðeɪ wərkt, æt ðə rɪkˈwɛst əv ðə ˌoʊˈbɑmə ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən, ɔn ˈɪʃuz pərˈteɪnɪŋ tɪ ˈklaɪmɪt change,”*,” sɛn. mərˈiə ˈkæntˌwɛl mərˈiə ˌiˈleɪn kənˈfərmz trəmp kɔrt pɪk dɪˈspaɪt ˈmɪsɪŋ tu 'blu slɪps' ðɪs wik: ˈkɑŋgrəs, trəmp sɛt fər ˈʃoʊˌdaʊn ɔn ˈimərʤənsi ˌdɛklərˈeɪʃən ˈsɛnɪt blu slɪp wɔr ˈoʊvər trəmp kɔrt pɪks mɔr (wɑʃ.), ðə ˈræŋkɪŋ ˈdɛməˌkræt ɔn ðə ˈsɛnɪt ˈɛnərʤi ənd ˈnæʧərəl ˈrisɔrsɪz kəˈmɪti, roʊt ɪn ə ˈtuzˌdeɪ ˈlɛtər tɪ ˈɛnərʤi ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri ˈərnɪst ˈmɑnɪz ˈərnɪst ˈʤɛfri wi ˈlərnɪd frəm ðə fərst grin nu dil ˈoʊvərˈnaɪt ˈɛnərʤi: ˈpʊʃɪz bæk ɔn ˈklaɪmɪt 2018 wɑz fɔrθ ˈhɑtəst jɪr ɔn ˈrɛkərd pɑrk ˈsərvɪs rɪˈvərsɪz ɔn ˈjuzɪŋ fiz ˈpoʊmpioʊ: ˈkɛriz ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃənz wɪθ ˌɪˈrɑn 'ənˈsimli ənd ənˈprɛsɪˌdɛntɪd' mɔr. pəˈtɛnʃəl ˌræməfəˈkeɪʃənz ər chilling.”*.” ðə waɪt haʊs səˈpɔrtɪd ðə ˈɛnərʤi dɪˈsɪʒən ɔn ˈwɛnzˌdeɪ. ˈprɪnsəpəl ənd ðɪs ɪz ə ˈprɪnsəpəl ðət ˈprɛzɪˌdɛnts ɪn boʊθ ˈpɑrtiz hæv lɔŋ əˈbaɪdɪd baɪ ɪz ðət wi ʃʊd əbˈzərv ðə prəˈtɛkʃənz ðət ər ɪn pleɪs ðət ɪnˈʃʊr ðət kərɪr ˈsɪvəl ˈsərvənts ər ɪˈvæljuˌeɪtəd beɪst ɔn ˈmɛrət ənd nɑt ɔn politics,”*,” waɪt haʊs prɛs ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri ʤɑʃ ˈərnɪst sɛd. poʊst wɑz ˈəpˌdeɪtɪd æt p.m*.

top democrats on capitol hill are raising concerns about the trump transition team's push to identify department of energy (doe) employees who have worked on climate change issues. in a wednesday letter to vice president-elect mike pence michael (mike) richard pencevenezuela's maduro says he fears 'bad' people around trump 'and the award for best political commentary by an oscar nominee goes to...' un nuclear watchdog: iran maintains compliance with 2015 pact more, top democrats on the house oversight and energy committees called the inquiry "troubling," saying it could pose an “ideological 'litmus test' to career civil servants.” “we are concerned that these efforts to single out particular department employees involved in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may be an attempt to target doe employees whose scientific views on climate change differ from those of the incoming trump administration,” democratic reps. frank pallone (n.j.) and elijah cummings (md.) wrote. the letter comes after trump’s tradition team asked the doe for a list of employees who have worked on climate change issues during the obama administration, including the paris climate deal and carbon emissions accounting. democrats want a copy of the letter the transition team sent to the department seeking names of employees who have worked on climate change as well as other communications between trump officials and federal agencies related to work employees might have done under president obama. advertisement energy officials said tuesday they would not comply with that request, saying in a statement, “we are going to respect the professional and scientific integrity and independence of our employees at our labs and across our department.” trump’s team backed away from the inquiry on wednesday. "the questionnaire was not authorized or part of our standard protocol. the person who sent it has been properly counseled," a trump transition official told cnn. democrats fear the effort will endanger doe employees whose work on climate change may go against the beliefs of trump, who has called global warming a hoax created by china. “these unprecedented questions suggest the incoming administration may be preparing to take arbitrary action against civil servants and government contractors simply because they worked, at the request of the obama administration, on issues pertaining to climate change,” sen. maria cantwell maria elaine cantwellsenate confirms trump court pick despite missing two 'blue slips' this week: congress, trump set for showdown on emergency declaration senate reignites blue slip war over trump court picks more (wash.), the ranking democrat on the senate energy and natural resources committee, wrote in a tuesday letter to energy secretary ernest moniz ernest jeffrey monizwhat we learned from the first green new deal overnight energy: gop pushes back on climate | 2018 was fourth hottest year on record | park service reverses on using fees pompeo: kerry's conversations with iran 'unseemly and unprecedented' more. “the potential ramifications are chilling.” the white house supported the energy department’s decision on wednesday. “our principle — and this is a principle that presidents in both parties have long abided by — is that we should observe the protections that are in place that ensure that career civil servants are evaluated based on merit and not on politics,” white house press secretary josh earnest said. —this post was updated at 12:24 p.m.

məˈleɪʒə ɪz wən əv ðoʊz ˈkəntriz ðət ˈmɛni meɪk ɪt tɪ. ənˈlaɪk ˈtaɪˌlænd wɪθ ɪts ˈɪnfəməs biʧ ˈpɑrtiz ər ˈbɑli wɪθ ɪts rɪˈlæksɪŋ ˈjoʊgə riˈtrits, məˈleɪʒə həz noʊ kleɪm tɪ feɪm. moʊst ˈpipəl ˈoʊnli noʊ əv ðə ˈkəntri θru ɪts kəˈmərʃəl, wɪʧ proʊˈkleɪmz, ˈtruli asia.”*.” ðə ˈvɪdioʊ livz ju wɪθ veɪg kənˈsɛpʃənz əv ə ˈkəntri fʊl əv ˈfaɪrˌwərks, ˈʧɑpˌstɪks ənd ʧaɪˈniz ˈpipəl. ˈsəbsəkwəntli, nɑt ˈmɛni pʊt məˈleɪʒə ɔn ðə lɪst. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ðə truθ ɪz, məˈleɪʒə ɪz wən əv ðə ˈkuləst ˈkəntriz ɪn saʊθ ist ˈeɪʒə ɪf nɑt ðə wərld. ðeɪ du hæv ˈfaɪrˌwərks, ˈʧɑpˌstɪks ənd ə bənʧ əv ʧaɪˈniz ˈpipəl, bət ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ hæv ˈbiʧɪz ənd ˈaɪləndz ʤɪst ɛz spɛkˈtækjələr ɛz ˈtaɪˌlænd. ðeɪ hæv ə noʊˈtɔriəs ˈnaɪˌtlaɪf ɪn kˈwɑlə ˌləmˈpʊr, ənd ən ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbli dɪˈlɪʃəs dɪˈvərsɪti əv ˈkəlʧər, ˈpipəl ənd fud. nɑt tɪ ˈmɛnʃən, məˈleɪʒə ɪz ˈprɪti dɑrn ʧip ənd klin, ənd ɛz ðə ˈpipəl goʊ, ðeɪ bi ˈfrɛndliər. ˈwɛðər ə ˈbəʤɪt ˈbækˌpækər ər ʤɪst pleɪn holidaymaker*, ðɪs ɪz ə ˈkəntri aɪ ˈhaɪli ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd. ðə ˈpipəl əv məˈleɪʒə ɪn səm ˈkəntriz ðə ˈbrɪŋɪŋ təˈgɛðər əv ˈdɪfərənt ənd ˈkəlʧərz həz lɛd tɪ ˈvaɪələnt ˈkɑnflɪkt. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪn ˈkəntriz laɪk məˈleɪʒə, ðɪs həz prəˈdust kˌwɔpərˈeɪʃən ənd ə juˈnik ˈkəlʧərəl mélange*. ðə ˈmɪksɪŋ əv ʧaɪˈniz, ˈɪndiən, ənd ˈmeɪleɪ ˈpipəl həz kriˈeɪtɪd ə soʊˈsaɪɪti ðət ɪz rɪˈmɑrkəbli ˈfrɛndli ənd open-minded*. ɪt həz ˈɔlsoʊ lɛd tɪ ə dɪˈvərs səˈlɛkʃən əv fudz ənd ˈmɛni ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈdɪʃɪz. ðə fud əv məˈleɪʒə məˈleɪʒə həz səm əv ðə bɛst strit fud ɪn ðə wərld. ɔl jʊr ˈfeɪvərɪt ʧaɪˈniz, ˈɪndiən, ənd trəˈdɪʃənəl ˈmeɪleɪ fudz ər faʊnd ɪn əˈbəndəns æt moʊst naɪt ˈmɑrkɪts. ɪf ɪn ˈpɛnæŋ, hɛd tɪ ˈʧaɪnə taʊn fər səm əv ðə moʊst dɪˈlɪʃəs ˈgrændmɑ meɪd wən tən sup ɪn ðə wərld. ɪf ɪn ˈlɪtəl ˈɪndiə, ɪn kˈwɑlə ˌləmˈpʊr, bi ʃʊr tɪ teɪst ðə ˈsɪmpəl jɛt dɪˈlɛktəbəl ˈɪndiən ˈpænˌkeɪk kɔld ˈroʊti prati*. wɪn ɪt kəmz tɪ ˈmeɪleɪ fud, ðə ˈʧɪli pæn mi ər ˈɛni baʊəl əv ˈnudəlz ju slərp daʊn ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt ju. ˈæftərwərdz ju kən wɑʃ ɪt ɔl daʊn wɪθ ˈkoʊkəˌnət mɪlk ər səm əv ðə bɛst frɛʃ frut ʃeɪks faʊnd ˈɛniˌwɛr. ˈaɪləndz əv məˈleɪʒə ðə ˈaɪləndz əv ˈtaɪˌlænd ər noʊn fər ðɛr ˈskutər ˈkraʊdɪd strits ənd vərˈʤɪnɪti ˈrɑbɪŋ fʊl mun ˈpɑrtiz. ɪt ɪz noʊ daʊt ðə pleɪs tɪ goʊ ɪf ˈlʊkɪŋ tɪ luz ju ˈsændəlz ənd hæv jʊr drɪŋk drəgd. lʊk ˈɪntu ˈbʊkɪŋ ʧip hoʊˈtɛlz ɪf jʊr ˈfænsi. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ɪf ɪn sərʧ əv rɪˈlæksɪŋ biʧ ˈbəŋgəˌloʊz ɔn rɪˈmoʊt ənd ˈnɪrli ˈaɪləndz, məˈleɪʒə ɪz ðə pleɪs. səm əv ðə bɛst ˈaɪləndz ɪn məˈleɪʒə ər ɔn ðə ist koʊst nɪr ðə ˈbɔrdər tɪ ˈtaɪˌlænd səʧ ɛz redang*. kul θɪŋz tɪ si ənd du ʧɛk aʊt ðə naɪt laɪf ɪn kˈwɑlə wɛr gərlz drɪŋk fər ˈlætən bɑr fər səm gʊd bits) hɛd tɪ ðə vjuɪŋ dɛk æt ðə ˌpɛˈtroʊnəs taʊərz (greɪt vjuz əv ðə ˈsɪti) gɪt ə massage”*” æt ðə ˈælfə hoʊˈtɛl (gaɪz ˈoʊnli ˈvɪzɪt ðə ˈhɪnˌdu ˈtɛmpəl bɪlt ˈɪntu ðə keɪvz (ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbəl məst si ˈtɛmpəl) si ðə ˈlɑrʤəst ɪn ˈpɛnæŋ æt lɑk si ˈtɛmpəl. ˈmæsɪv!) məˈleɪʒə ɔn ə ˈbəʤɪt ðə truθ ɪz, məˈleɪʒə ɛz ʧip ɛz ˈtaɪˌlænd bət ɪt ɪz nɑt məʧ mɔr ɪkˈspɛnsɪv ˈiðər. ənd ɪn rɪˈtərn fər ðə ˈɛkstrə kɔst, ju gɪt ə ˈkəntri wɪθ ədˈvænst ˌɪnfrəˈstrəkʧər ənd haɪ kˈwɑləti ˈtrænspɔrt ˈsərvɪsɪz. fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, ˈbɪznɪs klæs laɪk bəs sits bɪtˈwin ənd kˈwɑlə ˌləmˈpʊr rən fər ˈoʊnli 12 ər fud, əˈspɛʃəli æt ðə naɪt ˈmɑrkɪt, goʊz fər ʧip tu. ju wɪl ˈʤɛnərəli bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ stəf ˈjɔrsɛlf wɪθ ˈgʊdnɪs fər ˈəndər 3 bəks. rɪˈgɑrdɪŋ əˌkɑməˈdeɪʃən, moʊst dɔrmz wɪl ˈoʊnli rən fər əraʊnd 7 ˈdɔlərz, waɪl ðə ˈʧipəst ˈpraɪvət rumz goʊ fər əraʊnd 11 ˈfaɪnəli, wɪn ər ɪf hæd ɪˈnəf əv məˈleɪʒə, ju kən kæʧ ə flaɪt aʊt ɔn ðɛr ˈbəʤɪt ˈɛˌrlaɪnz, ɛr ˈeɪʒə, tɪ ˈɛniˌwɛr ɪn ˈeɪʒə fər 100 ər lɛs. məˈleɪʒə ɪz nɑt ˈoʊnli ˈvɛri ədˈvænst ənd klin bət ɪt ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ˈrɛlətɪvli ʧip. frəm ˈpipəl ənd fud tɪ mægˈnɪfɪsənt ˈaɪləndz ənd ˈrɛlətɪvli ʧip ˈpraɪsɪz, ðə ˈkəntri əv məˈleɪʒə ɪz ə ˈlɪtəl noʊn ˈpɛrəˌdaɪs ɔn ərθ. ə gʊd θɪŋ nɑt ˈmɛni ˈpipəl noʊ jɛt bɪˈkəz wəns ðeɪ du, ɪt ɪz ʃʊr tɪ fɪl əp ʤɪst laɪk ˈtaɪˌlænd. ɪn əˈgrimənt wɪθ ðɛr ˈtʊrɪst ˈbjʊroʊ kəˈmərʃəl, məˈleɪʒə ˈtruli ɪz ə ˈkəntri wɛr ðə dɪˈvərsɪti əv ˈeɪʒə kən bi ɪkˈspɪriənst ɔl ɪn wən pleɪs.

malaysia is one of those countries that many backpackers make it to. unlike thailand with its infamous beach parties or bali with its relaxing yoga retreats, malaysia has no claim to fame. most people only know of the country through its commercial, which proclaims, “malaysia truly asia.” the video leaves you with vague conceptions of a country full of fireworks, chopsticks and chinese people. subsequently, not many backpackers put malaysia on the list. however, the truth is, malaysia is one of the coolest countries in south east asia if not the world. they do have fireworks, chopsticks and a bunch of chinese people, but they also have beaches and islands just as spectacular as thailand. they have a notorious nightlife in kuala lumpur, and an incredibly delicious diversity of culture, people and food. not to mention, malaysia is pretty darn cheap and clean, and as the people go, they couldn’t be friendlier. whether you’re a budget backpacker or just plain holidaymaker, this is a country i highly recommend. the people of malaysia in some countries the bringing together of different ethnicities and cultures has led to violent conflict. however, in countries like malaysia, this has produced cooperation and a unique cultural mélange. the mixing of chinese, indian, and malay people has created a society that is remarkably friendly and open-minded. it has also led to a diverse selection of foods and many hybrid dishes. the food of malaysia malaysia has some of the best street food in the world. all your favorite chinese, indian, and traditional malay foods are found in abundance at most night markets. if you’re in penang, head to china town for some of the most delicious grandma made won ton soup in the world. if you’re in little india, in kuala lumpur, be sure to taste the simple yet delectable indian pancake called roti prati. when it comes to malay food, the chili pan mee or any bowel of noodles you slurp down won’t disappoint you. afterwards you can wash it all down with coconut milk or some of the best fresh fruit shakes found anywhere. islands of malaysia the islands of thailand are known for their scooter crowded streets and virginity robbing full moon parties. it is no doubt the place to go if you’re looking to lose you sandals and have your drink drugged. look into booking cheap phuket hotels if that’s your fancy. however, if you’re in search of relaxing beach bungalows on remote and nearly tourist-less islands, malaysia is the place. some of the best islands in malaysia are on the east coast near the border to thailand such as pulau redang. cool things to see and do check out the night life in kuala lumpur’s bukit bintang where girls drink for free.(try yoko’s latin bar for some good beats) head to the viewing deck at the petronas towers (great views of the city) get a “special massage” at the alpha hotel (guys only :)) visit the hindu temple built into the batu caves (incredible must see temple) see the largest budhha in penang at kek lok si temple. (it’s massive!) malaysia on a budget the truth is, malaysia isn’t as cheap as thailand but it is not much more expensive either. and in return for the extra cost, you get a country with advanced infrastructure and high quality transport services. for example, business class like bus seats between melaka and kuala lumpur run for only 12 rm or 3.80$. food, especially at the night market, goes for cheap too. you will generally be able to stuff yourself with goodness for under 3 bucks. regarding accommodation, most dorms will only run for around 7 dollars, while the cheapest private rooms go for around 11$. finally, when or if you’ve had enough of malaysia, you can catch a flight out on their budget airlines, air asia, to anywhere in asia for 100$ or less. malaysia is not only very advanced and clean but it is also relatively cheap. from malaysia’s people and food to it’s magnificent islands and relatively cheap prices, the country of malaysia is a little known paradise on earth. it’s a good thing not many people know yet because once they do, it is sure to fill up just like thailand. in agreement with their tourist bureau commercial, malaysia truly is a country where the diversity of asia can be experienced all in one place.

ɛz fˈjuʧər ɪn ˈsɪnəmə ənd ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən əˈpɪrz tɪ ˈstɛdəli ˈbraɪtən, wi ʃʊd ækˈnɑlɪʤ ðə ˈwɪmən ˈkɛrɪktərz hu hæv greɪst ɑr skrinz ˈoʊvər ˈmɛni ˈdɛkeɪdz. ˈʤɛndər ɪkˈwɑləti həz ə lɔŋ weɪ tɪ goʊ ɪn ˈpækɪˌstæn, bət ɔn ɑr ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən sɛts ənd ɪn ˈsɪnəmə hɔlz, wi hæv prəˈgrɛst ˈfərðər ðən ðə ˈtaɪtən ˈɪndəstriz əv ˈhɑliˌwʊd ənd ˈbɔlɪˌwʊd. bɪˈliv ɪt ər nɑt, ðə fərst taɪm aɪ sæt əp ɪn frənt əv ðə ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən ənd ˈæˌkʧuəli ˌɛnˈʤɔɪd ˈwɑʧɪŋ ə ˈwʊmən ɪn ə ˈdrɑmə wɑz ɪn ðə wɪn ðə ˈbjutəfəl, vəˈveɪʃəs ˌɪnˈtɪmɪˌdeɪtɪd ənd ɪˈvɛnʧəwəli wən ˈoʊvər ʃaɪ, ˈɪnsəkjər ɪn ðə hɪt ˈsɪriz ˈælfə ˈbrɑvoʊ ˈʧɑrli. wən ˈwʊmən ɪn ə ʃoʊ əˈbaʊt jəŋ ˈɑrmi mɛn lɛft ə ˈlæstɪŋ ˌɪmˈprɛʃən ɔn mi bɪˈkəz əv hər ˈkɑnfədɛns ənd draɪv tɪ faɪt fər wət ʃi ˈwɔntɪd. ðɛr wər ˈmɛni mɔr ˈsɪmələr ˈwɪmən ˈkɛrɪktərz tɪ ʧuz frəm æt ðə taɪm. bət ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən ənd ˈmuviz əraʊnd ðə wərld, ðɛn ənd naʊ, stɪl ˈsɔrli nid tɪ gɪv ˈwɪmən ɪn ðɛr ˈɪndəstriz mɔr ˈeɪʤənsi ənd mɔr əv ə vɔɪs. ˈɔlsoʊ rɛd: ˈbɔrdər: kɔl mi ‘‘ba­by’*’ ðə pæst fju jɪrz sɔ ə speɪt əv ˈbɔlɪˌwʊd fɪlmz. ˈwɛðər ɪt wɑz ˈpruvɪŋ ðət ju nid ə ˈhəzbənd tɪ bi ˈhæpi ɪn kwin ər ˈbeɪlən ɪn ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈɛvəri ˈmuvi ˈɛvər, aɪ θɔt ˈfaɪnəli, ˈfaɪnəli aɪ kən ˈrɪli ˌɛnˈʤɔɪ rɪˈmɑrkəbəl əreɪ əv ˈtæləntɪd women”*”. ðɛn, ˈæŋgrəli, hər ˈklivɪʤ bɪˈkeɪm ə ˈnæʃənəl dəˈbeɪt ənd ðə fɔg klɪrd. ˈwɪmən ɪn ˈbɔlɪˌwʊd, wɪθ ər wɪˈθaʊt kənˈsɛnt, ər stɪl mɑrkt baɪ haʊ ˈtɪtəˌleɪtɪŋ ðeɪ kən bi. fərˈgɛt əˈkleɪmd kərɪr, lɛt ˈjuˈɛs ʤəʤ hər baɪ ðə ˈnəmbər əv taɪmz ʃi bɛrd skɪn. ˈɔlsoʊ rɛd: pəˈlisɪŋ mathira*, ənd ɔl saʊθ ˈeɪʒən ˈwɪmən ˈgugəl ˈbeɪlən ənd ju wɪl ˌɪˈnɛvətəbli kəm əˈkrɔs ˈɑrtɪkəlz əˈbaʊt hər kərvz. laɪk ɪt ər nɑt, ˈbɔlɪˌwʊd dɪˈspaɪt ɪts ˈtæləntɪd ˈæktrəsɪz stɪl həz ə ˈwʊmən ˈprɑbləm ɔn ənd ɔf skrin. vərˈʤɪnjə wʊlf əbˈzərvd ɪn ə rum əv oʊn, ðə ˈlɪmɪtɪd roʊlz ˈgɪvɪn tɪ ˈfiˌmeɪl ˈkɛrɪktərz ɪn ˈfɪkʃən. ər naʊ ənd ðɛn ˈməðərz ənd daughters”*” ʃi sɛd, bət ˈɔlˌmoʊst wɪˈθaʊt ɪkˈsɛpʃən ðeɪ ər ʃoʊn ɪn ðɛr riˈleɪʃən tɪ mɛn. ʃi wɑz ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðə ˈlɪtərəʧər əv ðə ˈərli ˈsɛnʧəri. ˈθɪŋkɪŋ wɑz ˈleɪtər əˈdæptɪd baɪ ˈælɪsən, ə məˈkɑrθər ““genius”*” əˈwɔrd rɪˈsɪpiənt, ˈɪntu test”*”. ðɪs tɛst bɪˈkeɪm ðə ˈstændərd fər ˈfɛmənɪsts (praɪˈmɛrəli ɪn ˈwɛstərn ˈsɪnəmə) tɪ ʤəʤ ˈwɛðər ə wərk əv ˈfɪkʃən wɑz woman-friendly*. ðə wərk hæd tɪ θri kraɪˈtɪriə: ɪt wʊd hæv tɪ ˈfiʧər æt list tu ˈwɪmən, dɪˈpɪkt ðɛm ˈtɔkɪŋ tɪ iʧ ˈəðər, ənd, freɪm ðət ˈdaɪəˌlɔg əraʊnd ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈəðər ðən ə mæn. ə ˈstədi baɪ ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ˈsəðərn ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə ʃoʊz ðət ɪn 11 ˈmeɪʤər fɪlm prəˈdusɪŋ ˈriʤənz əv ðə wərld, lɛs ðən ə θərd əv ˈspikɪŋ roʊlz ˈivɪn bɪˈlɔŋ tɪ ˈwɪmən. ðiz ˈriʤənz ˌɪnˈklud ˈɪndiə ənd ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts, hoʊm tɪ ðə moʊst ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl ənd proʊˈlɪfɪk ˈɪndəstriz ɪn ðə wərld. wɪn ɪgˈzæktli ˈziroʊ ˈwɪmən dɪˈrɛktɪd ðə tɔp 25 ˈgroʊsɪŋ fɪlmz ɪn ˈhɑliˌwʊd ðɪs jɪr, ɪz ɪt fɛr tɪ ɪkˈspɛkt ə ˈmɪnɪskjul ˌpækɪˈstæni ˌɛnərˈteɪnmənt ˈɪndəstri tɪ ˈprɛzənt ə fju fɪlmz wɪθ ˈʤɛnjuˌaɪnli kul ˈfiˌmeɪl ˈkɛrɪktərz? aɪ θɪŋk wi ɔˈrɛdi hæv. kənˈsɪdərɪŋ ðə ˌpeɪtriˈɑrkəl ˈsoʊʃəl speɪs moʊst ˌpækɪˈstæni ˈwɪmən ˌɪnˈhæbət, ðə ˈɪnfluəns əv ˈriəlɪzm ɪn ɑr fɪlmz ənd ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈnəmbər pæs ðə tɛst ˈhaɪˌlaɪts ə səbˈdud ˌrɛvəˈluʃən ðət meɪ wən deɪ ˈimərʤ ɛz ðə moʊst səbˈvərsɪv ɪkˈspɛrəmənt ɪn ðə ˌpækɪˈstæni ˌɛnərˈteɪnmənt ˈɪndəstri. raɪts wər æt ðə ˈfɔrˌfrənt əv ə nu speɪt əv ˈfɪkʃən ənd nɑnˈfɪkʃən fɪlmz ðət brɔt ɑr ˈɪndəstri ˈɪntu ðə ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl sfɪr. ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt əv fɔrst ˈmɛrɪʤ wɑz broʊʧt ɪn keɪ liye*, ðə traɪəlz ənd ˌtrɪbjəˈleɪʃənz əv ə grup əv ˈsɪstərz wər əˈdrɛst ɪn bɑl, ə ˈməðər ˈstrəgəld ˈæftər ˈluzɪŋ hər ˈhəzbənd ənd sən ɪn ˌpækɪˈstæni, ənd ðɪs jɪr ɪn wi sɔ ðə ˈʤərni əv ə ˈməðər ənd ˈdɔtər ɛz ðeɪ ɪˈskeɪpt ə ʧaɪld ˈmɛrɪʤ. jɛs, ðiz ˈstɔriz riˈvɑlv əraʊnd ðə ˈkruəlti əv mɛn. ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ ˌəndərˈskɔr haʊ ˈwɪmən, ɪkˈspɪriənsɪŋ ðət ˈkruəlti, kənˈfrənt ðə ˌpeɪtriˈɑrkəl ˈkərtən ðət ˈsaɪlənsɪz ðɛm. nɔrmz ðət ˈgəvərn ðɪs ˌpeɪtriˈɑrkəl soʊˈsaɪɪti ɪz ðə ˈprɛzəns əv ˈfæməli ˈjunɪts ɔn ðə ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən. ðɛr ər səˈpɔrtɪv ənd əˈprɛsɪv ˈoʊldər ˈwɪmən ɛz ˈməðərz, ɔnts ənd waɪvz ɪn ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈɛvəri ˈdrɑmə hu ər mɔr ðən ˈkɛrɪkəˌʧərz. ðeɪ ər ˈkɑmpləˌkeɪtəd ˈkɛrɪktərz wɪθ hoʊps ənd ˈstrəgəlz, ənd ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt əˈmaʊnt əv skrin taɪm ɪz spɛnt ʃoʊɪŋ ˌɪnərˈækʃənz bɪtˈwin ɔl ðiz ˈwɪmən. ɛz məʧ ɛz ɪt wɑz ə ləv ˈstɔri, əˈkleɪmd ˈdrɑmə, wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ ə teɪl əv ˈməðərz ənd ˈdɔtərz traɪɪŋ tɪ sərˈvaɪv wɪˈθaʊt məʧ ˈnidɪd meɪl prəˈtɛkʃən ɪn ˈtərbjələnt taɪmz. ˈɔlsoʊ ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz ðə ˈpɑzətɪv ˈɪnfluəns əv ðə ˈfəni ˈwʊmən ɪn ˈəˌplɪftɪŋ ˈfiˌmeɪl ˈkɛrɪktərz ɪn ˌpækɪˈstæni ˈkɑmədi. wi hæv əv kɪs ki pleɪd baɪ ɑnˈsɑri, ˈɛfərtləsli ˈbɑrʤɪŋ ˈɪntu ɑr ˈlɪvɪŋ rumz ˈɛvəri ˈivnɪŋ ɔn hər dɪˈzaɪnər hilz. ʃi ɪz pɑrt əv ə lɔŋ laɪn əv sˈlæpˌstɪk ˈkɑmədiz (ˈstɑrtɪŋ wɪθ maɪ ˈʧaɪlˌdhʊd ˈfeɪvərɪt, ˈfæməli frənt) wɛr ˈwɪmən ər ˈbəmbəlɪŋ, ənd ɛz ˈfəni ɛz ðɛr meɪl ˈkaʊntərˌpɑrts. wi stɪl hæv ə lɔŋ weɪ tɪ goʊ. wi kənˈtɪnju pəˈlisɪŋ ɑr ˈæktrəsɪz hu teɪk ðɛr ˈtælənts tɪ ˈɪndiə, ˈstɑrtɪŋ wɪθ ənd ˈmælɪk ənd naʊ ˈmælɪk. ˈmɛni əv ɑr ˈstɔriz ˈstɛrioʊˌtaɪps ðət rɪˈflɛkt ˌpeɪtriˈɑrkəl ˈætəˌtudz təˈwɔrdz ˈfiˌmeɪl ˌmɔˈræləˌti. ðə ˈpɑpjələr ʃoʊ broʊk ˈrɛkərdz ənd kriˈeɪtɪd stɑrz. ðə ˈkɛmɪstri bɪtˈwin ˈæʃər ənd khirad*, ə stɑr krɔst ˈhəzbənd ənd waɪf ɪˈlɛktrəˌfaɪd ðə ˈneɪʃən. jɛt, ðə ʃoʊ pərˈpɛʧəˌweɪtɪd oʊld (ˈspɔɪlər əˈlərt!) əv ðə ˈɪnəsənt, modestly-dressed*, smɔl taʊn gərl hu gɑt ðə gaɪ, waɪl ðə jeans-clad*, ˈmɑdərn ˈsɪti ˈwʊmən wɑz ðə ˈivəl ˈtɛmptrɪs dumd tɪ ˈsəfər ə ˈmɛntəl ˈbreɪkˌdaʊn. əˈnəðər ˈikwəli ˈpɑpjələr ʃoʊ ə ˈmɪdəl klæs gərl waɪl ðə ˈəpər klæs gərlz ɪn ˈwɛstərn əˈtaɪər. ˈɔlsoʊ rɛd:: ˌpækɪˈstæni ˈdrɑmə ˈsɪriəlz wɪn hɑrts ɪn ˈɪndiə ðə gʊd gərl daɪˈkɑtəmi, ˌhaʊˈɛvər, feɪlz tɪ ɪˈreɪs ðə kəmˈplɛksɪtiz ðət ˈænəˌmeɪt aʊt əv ðɪs ˈbaɪnəˌri. wɪθ ə ʤeɪn ˈərnəstnəs, ðə gʊd gərl pərˈsuz ə kərɪr, lɪvz əˈpɑrt frəm hər ˈhəzbənd, ənd kɑrvz ə speɪs, wɛr hər biɪŋ ɪz nɑt pəˈlist baɪ mɛn. ɪt ɪz fɛr tɪ seɪ ɑr ˌɛnərˈteɪnmənt ˈɪndəstri, wɪθ ɔl ɪts ˈʃɔrtˌkəmɪŋz, həz noʊ ˈʃɔrtɪʤ əv dɪˈvərs ˈwɪmən. wi hæv kriˈeɪtɪd ə rɛlm wɛr ˈkɛrɪktərz ər ɪn ˈdɪfərənt kəˈpæsɪtiz strɔŋ, ˈstrəgəlɪŋ, long-suffering*, ˈfəni, flɔd, sæd, oʊld ənd jəŋ. ðiz ˈwɪmən ˈimərʤ frəm ə ˈnɛrətɪv ðət stɪl bɪˈlɔŋz tɪ mɛn, ənd θraɪv ɪn ən ˈɪndəstri ðət ˈpleɪsɪz ðɛm ˈəndər ə ˈmaɪkrəˌskoʊp. ðɛr pərˈfɔrmənsɪz ənd skrin taɪm ɪz ɪˈnəf tɪ pruv ðət ðɛr ɪz ə dɪˈmænd fər mɔr ənd ðət dɪˈmænd həz bɪn ðɛr fər ə ˈvɛri lɔŋ taɪm. ˈmɛni əv ˈjuˈɛs ækˈnɑlɪʤ ðɪs, bət ɪt ɪz taɪm tɪ teɪk noʊt əv ðə ˈʤɛndər ˌrɛvəˈluʃən ɔn ɑr skrinz ənd si ɪt ɛz ə saɪn əv ˈbɛtər ˈstɔriz tɪ kəm.

as pakistan’s future in cinema and television appears to steadily brighten, we should acknowledge the women characters who have graced our screens over many decades. gender equality has a long way to go in pakistan, but on our television sets and in cinema halls, we have progressed further than the titan industries of hollywood and bollywood. believe it or not, the first time i sat up in front of the television and actually enjoyed watching a woman in a drama was in the 90s when the beautiful, vivacious shahnaz intimidated and eventually won over shy, insecure gulsher in the hit series alpha bravo charlie. one woman in a show about young army men left a lasting impression on me because of her confidence and drive to fight for what she wanted. there were many more similar women characters to choose from at the time. but television and movies around the world, then and now, still sorely need to give women in their industries more agency and more of a voice. also read: border: don’t call me ‘ba­by’ the past few years saw a spate of women-centric bollywood films. whether it was kangana ranaut proving that you don’t need a husband to be happy in queen or vidya balan in almost every movie ever, i thought “well finally, finally i can really enjoy bollywood’s remarkable array of talented women”. then, deepika tweeted angrily, her cleavage became a national debate and the fog cleared. women in bollywood, with or without consent, are still marked by how titillating they can be. forget deepika’s acclaimed career, let us judge her by the number of times she bared skin. also read: policing mathira, deepika — and all south asian women google vidya balan and you will inevitably come across articles about her curves. like it or not, bollywood despite its talented actresses still has a woman problem on and off screen. virginia woolf observed in a room of one’s own, the limited roles given to female characters in fiction. “they are now and then mothers and daughters” she said, but almost without exception they are shown in their relation to men. she was talking about the literature of the early 20th century. woolf’s thinking was later adapted by alison bechdel, a macarthur “genius” award recipient, into “the bechdel test”. this test became the standard for feminists (primarily in western cinema) to judge whether a work of fiction was woman-friendly. the work had to fulfil three criteria: it would have to feature at least two women, depict them talking to each other, and, frame that dialogue around something other than a man. a study by the university of southern california shows that in 11 major film producing regions of the world, less than a third of speaking roles even belong to women. these regions include india and the united states, home to the most influential and prolific industries in the world. when exactly zero women directed the top 25 grossing films in hollywood this year, is it fair to expect a miniscule pakistani entertainment industry to present a few films with genuinely cool female characters? i think we already have. considering the patriarchal social space most pakistani women inhabit, the influence of realism in our films and television – a significant number pass the bechdel test – highlights a subdued revolution that may one day emerge as the most subversive experiment in the pakistani entertainment industry. women’s rights were at the forefront of a new spate of fiction and non-fiction films that brought our industry into the international sphere. the subject of forced marriage was broached in khuda kay liye, the trials and tribulations of a group of sisters were addressed in bol, a hindu-pakistani mother struggled after losing her husband and son in ramchand pakistani, and this year in dukhtar we saw the journey of a mother and daughter as they escaped a child marriage. yes, these stories revolve around the cruelty of men. they also underscore how women, experiencing that cruelty, confront the patriarchal curtain that silences them. unravelling norms that govern this patriarchal society is the presence of women-centered family units on the television. there are supportive – and oppressive – older women as mothers, aunts and wives in almost every drama who are more than caricatures. they are complicated characters with hopes and struggles, and a significant amount of screen time is spent showing interactions between all these women. as much as it was a love story, acclaimed partition-era drama, dastaan was also a tale of mothers and daughters trying to survive without much needed male protection in turbulent times. let’s also recognise the positive influence of the funny woman in uplifting female characters in pakistani comedy. we have saima chaudhary of kis ki aayegi baraat played by bushra ansari, effortlessly barging into our living rooms every evening on her designer heels. she is part of a long line of slapstick family-centric comedies (starting with my childhood favourite, family front) where women are bumbling, oafish and as funny as their male counterparts. we still have a long way to go. we continue policing our actresses who take their talents to india, starting with meera and veena malik and now humaima malick. many of our stories mobilise age-old stereotypes that reflect patriarchal attitudes towards female morality. the popular show humsafar broke records and created stars. the chemistry between asher and khirad, a star crossed husband and wife electrified the nation. yet, the show perpetuated old tropes (spoiler alert!) of the innocent, modestly-dressed, small town girl who got the guy, while the jeans-clad, modern city woman was the evil temptress doomed to suffer a mental breakdown. another equally popular show zindagi gulzar hai sanctified a middle class dupatta-clad girl while villainising the upper class girls in western attire. also read: zindagi gulzar hai: pakistani drama serials win hearts in india the good girl/bad girl dichotomy, however, fails to erase the complexities that animate out of this binary. with a jane eyre-esque earnestness, the good girl pursues a career, lives apart from her husband, and carves a space, where her being is not policed by men. it is fair to say our entertainment industry, with all its shortcomings, has no shortage of diverse women. we have created a realm where characters are in different capacities strong, struggling, long-suffering, funny, flawed, sad, old and young. these women emerge from a narrative that still belongs to men, and thrive in an industry that places them under a microscope. their performances and screen time is enough to prove that there is a demand for more and that demand has been there for a very long time. many of us don’t acknowledge this, but it is time to take note of the gender revolution on our screens and see it as a sign of better stories to come.

rɪˈkɑrdoʊ ænˈtoʊnioʊ kɑˈvɪrə (bɔrn sɛpˈtɛmbər 1 1971 ɪz ən əˈmɛrɪkən ˈæktər, noʊn fər hɪz roʊl ɛz ˈkɑrloʊs ˈsoʊlɪs ɪn ðə ˈeɪˌbiˌsi ˈsɪriz, ˈdɛspərɪt ˈhaʊsˌwaɪvz ˈərli laɪf ˈɛdət kɑˈvɪrə wɑz bɔrn ɪn ˈɔstən, ˈtɛksəs, ðə sən əv ə ˈkaʊnti ʤəʤ, wɑn ænˈtoʊnioʊ kɑˈvɪrə. reɪzd ɪn sæn ænˈtoʊnioʊ, hi ˈgræʤəˌweɪtɪd frəm ˈrɑbərt i. li haɪ skul ənd ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ðə ˌɪnˈkɑrˌneɪt hi ɪz ə 00 sæn diˈeɪgoʊ əˈləmnəs ənd rɪˈsivd hɪz ˈmæstər əv faɪn ɑrts ɪn ˈæktɪŋ frəm ðə ˌjunəˈvərsəti əv ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə sæn ˌdiˈeɪˌgoʊz prəˈfɛʃənəl ˈæktər ˈtreɪnɪŋ ˈproʊˌgræm ɪn 2000 ənd muvd tɪ lɔs ˈænʤəlɪs ˈʃɔrtli ðɛˈræftər. sɪns ðɛn, hi həz wərkt ɪn fɪlm, ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən ənd ˈθiətər. kərɪr ˈɛdət frəm 2004 tɪ 2012 kɑˈvɪrə stɑrd ɪn ðə ˈeɪˌbiˌsi ˈsɪriz ˈdɛspərɪt ˈhaʊsˌwaɪvz. hi pleɪd ˈkɑrloʊs ˈsoʊlɪs, ðə ˈhəzbənd əv ˈivə ˈkɛrɪktər, ˌgɑbriˈɛl ˈsoʊlɪs. ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən ˈkrɛdɪts praɪər tɪ ˈdɛspərɪt ˈhaʊsˌwaɪvz ˌɪnˈklud ə ˈsɪriz ˈrɛgjələr roʊl ɔn ðə grəbz, rɪˈkərɪŋ roʊlz ɔn sɪks fit ˈəndər ənd ðə dɪˈvɪʒən, ənd roʊlz ɔn ʤoʊn əv ɑrˈkeɪdiə, ˈkɪŋˌpɪn, məŋk, 24 ənd jag*, ɛz wɛl ɛz ˌɛnˈwaɪˌpiˌdi blu ənd tu ˈəðər ˈstivən ˈbɑʧkoʊ ˈsɪriz, ˈfɪli ənd ˈsɪti əv ˈeɪnʤəlz. hi ˈɔlsoʊ gɛst stɑrd ɔn ˈeɪˌbiˌsiz ʤɔrʤ ˈloʊpɛz. ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ˈdɛspərɪt ˈhaʊsˌwaɪvz, kɑˈvɪrə ɔn tu ˈsizən 7 ˈɛpɪˌsoʊdz əv bərn ˈnoʊtɪs ɪn 2013 pleɪɪŋ kraɪm ˈlidər ˌrɑfaɪˈɛl sərˈɑnoʊ. kɑˈvɪrə stɑrd ɪn ə pərˈdəkʃən əv ˈtreɪsərz æt ðə ˈɑdəsi ˈθiətər ɪn lɔs ˈænʤəlɪs, ənd ˈɔlsoʊ stɑrd ɪn ə əv ˈlɪvɪŋ aʊt. hi pleɪd ˈstænli kəˈwɑlski ɪn ðə ˈgəθri ˈθieɪtərz pərˈdəkʃən əv ˌtɛnəˈsi ˈwɪljəmz' ə ˈstritˌkɑr neɪmd dɪˈzaɪər, frəm ˌʤuˈlaɪ 3 tɪ ˈɔgəst 21 əv 2010 ɪn hɪz fɪlm ˈkrɛdɪts ˌɪnˈklud ðə ˈæləmoʊ ənd pɪˈrænhə 3d*. hi ˈɔlsoʊ hæd vɔɪs roʊlz ɛz ɑleɪˈjɑndroʊ ˈbɔrgeɪs ɪn ðə fɪlm dɛd speɪs: ˈæftərˌmæθ ənd ɛz ʤɑn ˈkɑrvər ɪn ðə ˈvɪdioʊ geɪm dɛd speɪs 3 ɪn 2013 kɑˈvɪrə stɑrd ɪn ðə ˌʃɔrˈtlɪvd ˈɛnˌbiˈsi ˈsɪtˌkɑm ˈwɛlkəm tɪ ðə ðə ˈsɪriz wɑz ˈkænsəld ˈæftər θri ˈɛpɪˌsoʊdz. kɑˈvɪrə gɛst stɑrd ɪn ðə ˈkæsəl ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd "æt kloʊz reɪnʤ." hi pleɪd ˈæləks ˈloʊpɛz. frəm 2016 tɪ 2017 kɑˈvɪrə hæd rɪˈkərɪŋ roʊlz ɔn ˈskændəl ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə fɪθ ənd sɪksθ ˈsizənz ɛz ˈgəvərnər frænˈsisoʊ ““frankie”*” ˈvɑrgəs ənd ɔn ðə ʤeɪn ðə ˈvərʤɪn ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə θərd ˈsizən ɛz brus. ɪn 2017 kɑˈvɪrə riˈkərd ɪn ðə ˈsænə klɑˈritə daɪət əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd ˈtɪməθi ənd dru ˈpərsɪnəl laɪf ˈɛdət kɑˈvɪrə ɪz ə səˈpɔrtər əv brɛst ˈkænsər ˈrisərʧ ɛz hɪz ˈməðər, ɪˈlɪzəbɪθ raɪz kɑˈvɪrə, daɪd əv brɛst ənd oʊˈvɛˌriən ˈkænsər wɪn ʃi wɑz 43 jɪrz oʊld. kɑˈvɪrə ɪz sæn ænˈtoʊniˌoʊz ˈɑnərˌɛri ˈspoʊksmən fər ðə ˈʧɛrɪti ˈsuzən ʤi. fər ðə kjʊr, ənd læst ʤun sərvd ɛz ðə ˈnæʃənəl tim ˈkæptən fər ðə reɪs fər ðə kjʊr ɪn ˈwɔʃɪŋtən, d.c*. kɑˈvɪrə ənd ʤeɪmz ˈdɛntən wər ðə 2005 ˈspoʊkˌspipəl fər ðə li ˈnæʃənəl ˈdɛnəm deɪ brɛst ˈkænsər

ricardo antonio chavira (born september 1, 1971) is an american actor, known for his role as carlos solis in the abc comedy-drama series, desperate housewives (2004–12). early life [ edit ] chavira was born in austin, texas, the son of a bexar county judge, juan antonio chavira. raised in san antonio, he graduated from robert e. lee high school and the university of the incarnate word.[1] he is a '00 uc san diego alumnus and received his master of fine arts in acting from the university of california san diego's professional actor training program in 2000, and moved to los angeles shortly thereafter. since then, he has worked in film, television and theatre. career [ edit ] from 2004 to 2012, chavira starred in the abc series desperate housewives. he played carlos solis, the husband of eva longoria’s character, gabrielle solis. television credits prior to desperate housewives include a series regular role on the grubbs, recurring roles on six feet under and the division, and guest-starring roles on joan of arcadia, kingpin, monk, 24 and jag, as well as nypd blue and two other steven bochco series, philly and city of angels. he also guest starred on abc's george lopez. following desperate housewives, chavira guest-starred on two season 7 episodes of burn notice in 2013, playing crime leader rafael serrano. chavira starred in a production of tracers at the odyssey theatre in los angeles, and also starred in a co-production of living out. he played stanley kowalski in the guthrie theater's production of tennessee williams' a streetcar named desire, from july 3 to august 21 of 2010 in minneapolis.[2] his film credits include the alamo and piranha 3d. he also had voice roles as alejandro borges in the film dead space: aftermath and as john carver in the video game dead space 3. in 2013, chavira starred in the short-lived nbc sitcom welcome to the family.[3] the series was canceled after three episodes. chavira guest starred in the castle episode "at close range." he played alex lopez. from 2016 to 2017, chavira had recurring roles on abc’s scandal during the fifth and sixth seasons as governor franciso “frankie” vargas and on the cw’s jane the virgin during the third season as bruce. in 2017, chavira recurred in the netflix horror-comedy santa clarita diet alongside timothy olyphant and drew barrymore.[4] personal life [ edit ] chavira is a supporter of breast cancer research as his mother, elizabeth ries chavira, died of breast and ovarian cancer when she was 43 years old. chavira is san antonio's honorary spokesman for the charity susan g. komen for the cure, and last june served as the national team captain for the race for the cure in washington, d.c. chavira and james denton were the 2005 spokespeople for the lee national denim day breast cancer fundraiser.[5][6]

ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl (pɑrt 1 ɪkˈsplɔrz səm əv ðə ˈænəməl ˈmɛtəfɔrz faʊnd ɪn stoʊɪk ˈlɪtərəʧər, ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli ðə əˈnæləʤi əv ðə ənd ðə lion”*”, ˈmɛnʃənd ɪn tɑm ˈnɑvəl ə mæn ɪn fʊl 1998 ˈkɑpiˌraɪt ˈdɑnəld ˈrɑbərtsən, 2012 ɔl raɪts rɪˈzərvd. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðɪs ˈnoʊʃən ɪz ˈsɛldəm dɪˈskəst ɪn ˈditeɪl, ˈridərz əv stoʊɪk ˈlɪtərəʧər meɪ ˈnoʊtɪs ˈfrikˌwɛnt ˈrɛfərənsɪz tɪ ˈænəməlz, ˈɔfən biɪŋ ɪmˈplɔɪd ɛz ˈmɛtəfɔrz fər ˈdɪfərənt ˈkɛrɪktər taɪps. fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, ɪn ə mæn ɪn fʊl 1998 ðə ˈnɑvəl baɪ tɑm wʊlf, tu əv ðə ˈlidɪŋ ˈkɛrɪktərz bɪˈkəm ɪnˌθuziˈæstɪk ˈfɑloʊərz əv epictetus’*’ fɔrm əv ˈstoʊəˌsɪzəm. ðeɪ ər ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli ˌɪnˈspaɪərd baɪ hɪz ˈrɛfərənsɪz tɪ ðə ˈɪmɪʤ əv ə strɔŋ bʊl hu ˈnæʧərəli stɛps ˈfɔrwərd tɪ prəˈtɛkt ðə ˈwikər ˈmɛmbərz əv ðə hərd frəm əˈtæk baɪ ə laɪən. ˌɪnˈdid, wən əv ðə ˈʧæptərz ɛnˈtaɪtəld bʊl ənd ðə lion”*”, kənˈteɪnz ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ɪksˈʧeɪnʤ: fine,”*,” sɛd ˈʧɑrli, haʊ du ju noʊ wət jʊr ˈkɛrɪktər ɪz? seɪ ə ˈkraɪsəs gɑt tɪ dil wɪθ. haʊ du ju noʊ wət ˈrɪli meɪd of?”*?” tɔks əˈbaʊt that,”*,” sɛd ˈkɑnræd, sɪz, haʊ dɪz ə bʊl, wɪn ə ˈkəmɪŋ ˈæftər ɪm, ənd hi həz tɪ prəˈtɛkt ðə hoʊl hərd haʊ dɪz hi noʊ wət paʊərz gɑt? hi noʊz bɪˈkəz ɪt həz ˈteɪkən ɪm ə lɔŋ taɪm tɪ bɪˈkəm ˈpaʊərfəl. laɪk ðə bʊl, ə mæn bɪˈkəm hɪˈroʊɪk ɔl əv ə ˈsədən, ˈiðər. sɪz, məst treɪn θru ðə ˈwɪntər ənd meɪk ready.'”*.'” ɪn pɑrt 2 əv ðɪs ˈɑrtɪkəl, aɪ dɪˈskraɪb haʊ ðə stoʊɪks meɪd ə dɪˈvɪʒən bɪtˈwin ˈræʃənəl ˈænəməlz (ˈjumənz ənd gɑdz) ənd ˈænəməlz, ˈfərðər ˌsəbdɪˈvaɪdɪd ˈɪntu waɪld ˈænəməlz, laɪk wʊlvz ənd laɪənz, ənd dəˈmɛstɪk ˈænəməlz, laɪk ˈkætəl ənd ʃip. ˈivɪn əˈməŋ ˈænəməlz, ðoʊ, səm ɪkˈsɛl ɪn tərmz əv ðɛr ˈneɪʧər ənd ðɪs ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈfrikwɛntli rɪˈfərz tɪ, ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli ˈjuzɪŋ ðə ˈmɛtəfɔr əv ðə strɔŋ bʊl hu prəˈtɛkts ðə rɛst əv ðə hərd. ˈsɛnəkə ˈbrifli əˈludz tɪ ðɪs ɪn ðə pleɪ phaedra*, wɪn hi raɪts: ɔn baɪ ləv, ðə boʊld bʊl ˈəndərˌteɪks ˈbætəl fər ðə hoʊl herd.”*.” ðə stoʊɪks ˈwərʃəpt zus ənd rɪˈfər tɪ ɪm ˈfrikwɛntli θruaʊt ðɛr ˈraɪtɪŋz. dɪz nɑt ɪkˈsplɪsətli steɪt ðət ðə ˈɪmɪʤ əv ðə bʊl ɪz lɪŋkt tɪ zus ənd soʊ wi ˈkænɑt əˈsum hi həz ðət ɪn maɪnd. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ˈlaɪkli ðət moʊst əv hɪz ˈstudənts wʊd hæv ˈizəli kəˈnɛktɪd ðə tu aɪˈdiəz ɛz zus wɑz ˈɔfən ɛz ə waɪt bʊl, ɛz ɪn ðə ˈɪmɪʤ ʃoʊn hir ɪn wɪʧ zus ɪz ˈkɛriɪŋ jʊˈroʊpə. ˌɔlˈðoʊ ˈkætəl ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl ər ˈsəmˌtaɪmz lʊkt daʊn əˈpɑn ɪn epictetus’*’ ˈdɪskɔrsɪz, ðə bʊl ɪz ˈsɛvərəl taɪmz preɪzd ɛz ə ˈmɛtəfɔr fər ən ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl ər gʊd mæn, i.e*., ðə aɪˈdil stoʊɪk seɪʤ: ɪt wɑz æst, haʊ ʃæl iʧ əv ˈjuˈɛs pərˈsiv wət bɪˈlɔŋz tɪ hɪz ˈkɛrɪktər? wɛns, rɪˈplaɪd, dɪz ə bʊl, wɪn ðə laɪən əˈproʊʧɪz, əˈloʊn ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz hɪz oʊn kˌwɑləfəˈkeɪʃənz, ənd ɪkˈspoʊz hɪmˈsɛlf əˈloʊn fər ðə hoʊl hərd? ɪt ɪz ˈɛvədənt ðət wɪθ ðə kˌwɑləfəˈkeɪʃənz əˈkərz, æt ðə seɪm taɪm, ðə ˈkɑnʃəsnəs əv biɪŋ ˌɪmˈbjud wɪθ ðɛm. ənd ɪn ðə seɪm ˈmænər, huˈɛvər əv ˈjuˈɛs hæθ səʧ kˌwɑləfəˈkeɪʃənz wɪl nɑt bi ˈɪgnərənt əv ðɛm. bət ˈniðər ɪz ə bʊl nɔr ə mæn fɔrmd ɔl æt wəns. wi ər tɪ ˈɛksərˌsaɪz, ənd kˈwɑləˌfaɪ ɑrˈsɛlvz, ənd nɑt tɪ rən əˈpɑn wət dɔθ nɑt kənˈsərn ˈjuˈɛs. (ˈdɪskɔrsɪz, 1 hir wən ɔt ˈnɑbli tɪ seɪ, æm hi hu ɔt tɪ teɪk kɛr əv mankind.”*.” fər ɪt ɪz nɑt ˈɛvəri ˈlɪtəl ˈpɔltri ˈhɛfər ðət dɛrz rɪˈzɪst ðə laɪən; bət ɪf ðə bʊl ʃʊd kəm əp, ənd rɪˈzɪst ɪm, wʊd ju seɪ tɪ ɪm, ər ju? wət ˈbɪznɪs ɪz ɪt əv yours?”*?” ɪn ˈɛvəri ˈspiʃiz, mæn, ðɛr ɪz səm wən kˈwɑləti wɪʧ baɪ ˈneɪʧər ɪkˈsɛlz, ɪn ˈɑksən, ɪn dɔgz, ɪn biz, ɪn ˈhɔrsɪz. du nɑt seɪ tɪ ˌwəˈtɛvər ɪkˈsɛlz, ər you?”*?” ɪf ju du, ɪt wɪl, ˈsəmˌhaʊ ər ˈəðər, faɪnd ə vɔɪs tɪ tɛl ju, æm laɪk ðə ˈpərpəl θrɛd ɪn ə ˈgɑrmənt. du nɑt ɪkˈspɛkt mi tɪ bi laɪk ðə rɛst; nɔr faɪnd fɔlt wɪθ maɪ ˈneɪʧər, wɪʧ həz dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt mi frəm others.”*.” (ˈdɪskɔrsɪz, 3 ju ər ə kæf; wɪn ðə laɪən əˈpɪrz, ækt əˈkɔrdɪŋli, ər ju wɪl ˈsəfər fər ɪt. ju ər ə bʊl; kəm ənd faɪt; fər ðət ɪz ˌɪnˈkəmbənt ɔn ju ənd bɪˈkəmz ju, ənd ju kən du ɪt. (ˈdɪskɔrsɪz, 3 ðə bʊl ɪz ˈklɪrli ɪkˈweɪtɪd wɪθ ðə man”*” bɪˈloʊ, ə ˈsɪnəˌnɪm fər ðə seɪʤ, ənd ðə ˈmɛtəfɔr əv ə ˈhəntɪŋ dɔg ɪz ɪmˈplɔɪd ɪn ə ˈsɪmələr ˈmænər: fər hu ðət ɪz ʧɑrʤd wɪθ səʧ ˈprɪnsəpəlz, bət məst pərˈsiv, tu, hɪz oʊn paʊərz, ənd straɪv tɪ pʊt ðɛm ɪn ˈpræktɪs. nɑt ˈivɪn ə bʊl ɪz ˈɪgnərənt əv hɪz oʊn paʊərz, wɪn ˈɛni waɪld bist əˈproʊʧɪz ðə hərd, nɔr weɪts hi fər ˈɛni wən tɪ ɪnˈkərəʤ ɪm; nɔr dɪz ə dɔg wɪn hi spaɪz ˈɛni geɪm. ənd ɪf aɪ hæv ðə paʊərz əv ə gʊd mæn, ʃæl aɪ weɪt fər ju tɪ kˈwɑləˌfaɪ mi fər maɪ oʊn ˈprɑpər ˈækʃənz? (ˈdɪskɔrsɪz, 4 ɪn əˈnəðər ˈpæsɪʤ hi ɪmˈplɔɪz ə ˈsɪmələr ˈmɛtəfɔr, ɪkˈweɪtɪŋ ðə roʊl əv ðə bʊl wɪθ ðət əv ðə kwin bi: bət wət hæv ju tɪ du wɪθ ðə kənˈsərnz əv ˈəðərz? fər wət ər ju? ər ju ðə bʊl ɪn ðə hərd, ər ðə kwin əv ðə biz? ʃoʊ mi səʧ əv ˈɛmpaɪər ɛz ʃi həz frəm ˈneɪʧər. bət ɪf ju ər ə droʊn, ənd ˈæroʊˌgeɪt tɪ ˈjɔrsɛlf ðə ˈkɪŋdəm əv ðə biz, du ju nɑt θɪŋk ðət jʊr wɪl draɪv ju aʊt, ʤɪst ɛz ðə biz du ðə droʊnz? (ˈdɪskɔrsɪz, 3 ˈmɑrkəs aurelius*, hu hæd ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈsərtənli rɛd ðə ˈdɪskɔrsɪz, pərˈhæps ˈivɪn ðə fɔr bʊks lɔst təˈdeɪ, ˈmɛnʃənz ə ˈsɪmələr ˈmɛtəfɔr, wɪʧ hi ɪkˈstɛndz tɪ ðə ræm hu gɑrdz ðə flɑk əv ʃip: ɪf ˈɛni hæv əˈfɛndɪd əˈgɛnst ði, kənˈsɪdər fərst: wət ɪz maɪ riˈleɪʃən tɪ mɛn, ənd ðət wi ər meɪd fər wən əˈnəðər; ənd ɪn əˈnəðər rɪˈspɛkt, aɪ wɑz meɪd tɪ bi sɛt ˈoʊvər ðɛm, ɛz ə ræm ˈoʊvər ðə flɑk ər ə bʊl ˈoʊvər ðə hərd. (ˌmɛdɪˈteɪʃənz) ˈkjʊriəsli, ˈsɛnəkə ˈɔlsoʊ sɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ kwaɪt ˈsɪmələr, pərˈhæps ˈʃɛdɪŋ səm laɪt ɔn ðə ərˈɪʤənəl ˈminɪŋ əv ðə ˈmɛtəfɔr ɪn ˈstoʊəˌsɪzəm: bət ðə ˈərliəst ˈmɔrtəlz ənd ðoʊz əv ðɛr dɪˈsɛnɪnts hu pərˈsud ˈneɪʧər wɪˈθaʊt biɪŋ spɔɪld ʃɛrd ðə seɪm gaɪd ənd lɔ, biɪŋ ɛnˈtrəstɪd tɪ ðə dɪˈsɪʒənz əv ə suˈpɪriərz, sɪns ɪt ɪz ˈnæʧərəl fər ˌɪnˈfɪriər θɪŋz tɪ gɪv weɪ tɪ mɔr ˈpaʊərfəl wənz. teɪk hərdz əv dəm ˈænəməlz: ˈiðər ðə ˈbɪgəst ər ðə ˈstrɔŋgəst ˈkriʧərz hæv kəˈmænd. ɪt ɪz nɑt ðə bʊl ˌɪnˈfɪriər tɪ hɪz ˈbridɪŋ bət ðə wən hu sərˈpæsɪz ðə ˈəðər meɪlz ɪn saɪz ənd ˈməsəl hu goʊz ˌbiˈfɔr ðə hərdz; ɪt ɪz ðə ˈtɔlɪst ˈɛləfənt hu lidz ðə trup; əˈməŋ mɛn, best”*” rɪˈpleɪsɪz biggest”*”. soʊ ðə ˈrulər juzd tɪ bi ˈʧoʊzən fər hɪz ˈɪnəˌlɛkt, ənd ðə ˈgreɪtəst ˈhæpinəs əˈməŋ ˈneɪʃənz wɑz ˌɛnˈʤɔɪd baɪ ðoʊz əˈməŋ hum ˈoʊnli ðə suˈpɪriər mæn kʊd bi mɔr ˈpaʊərfəl. ə mæn kən ˈseɪfli ˌɛnˈʤɔɪ ɛz məʧ paʊər ɛz hi ˈwɪʃɪz ɪf hi bɪˈlivz hi ˈoʊnli həz paʊər tɪ ækt ɛz hi ʃʊd. (ˈsɛnəkə, ˈlɛtərz, 90 ðə ˈprɛzəns əv ə ˈsɪmələr ˈmɛtəfɔr ɪn ˈsɛnəkə səˈʤɛsts ðət hi ənd, ənd pərˈhæps ˈmɑrkəs, ər əˈludɪŋ tɪ ə ˈkɑmən stoʊɪk sɔrs frəm ən ˈərliər ˈpɪriəd. ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz, ˈsɪsərˌoʊ pɔrˈtreɪz ðə stoʊɪk ˈkeɪtoʊ ɪmˈplɔɪɪŋ ðə seɪm ɪn hɪz əˈkaʊnt əv stoʊɪk ˈɛθɪks: ˈneɪʧər həz ˈgɪvɪn bʊlz ðə ˈɪnstɪŋkt tɪ dɪˈfɛnd ðɛr kævz əˈgɛnst laɪənz wɪθ ˌɪˈmɛns ˈpæʃən ənd fɔrs. ɪn ðə seɪm weɪ, ðoʊz wɪθ greɪt ˈtælənt ənd ðə kəˈpæsɪti fər əˈʧivmənt, ɛz ɪz sɛd əv ˈhərkjəˌliz ənd liber*, hæv ə ˈnæʧərəl ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən tɪ hɛlp ðə ˈjumən reɪs. (də finibus*, bʊk iii*) ˌhaʊˈɛvər, ˌɪnˈtrigɪŋli, ðɛr ɪz səm ˈɛvədəns ðət ˈzeɪnoʊ ɪmˈplɔɪd ðə ˈmɛtəfɔr əv ə hərd əv ˈkætəl tɪ dɪˈskraɪb ðə aɪˈdil stoʊɪk kəmˈjunɪti ɪn ðə riˈpəblɪk, wɪʧ wɑz kwaɪt ˈpɑsəbli ðə ˈfaʊndɪŋ tɛkst əv ˈstoʊəˌsɪzəm. fər ɪgˈzæmpəl, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ plutarch*: ɪt ɪz tru ˌɪnˈdid ðət ðə soʊ məʧ ədˈmaɪərd riˈpəblɪk əv ˈzeɪnoʊ, fərst ˈɔθər əv ðə stoʊɪk sɛkt, eɪmz ˈsɪŋgli æt ðɪs, ðət ˈniðər ɪn ˈsɪtiz nɔr ɪn taʊnz wi ʃʊd lɪv ˈəndər lɔz dɪˈstɪŋkt wən frəm əˈnəðər, bət ðət wi ʃʊd lʊk əˈpɑn ɔl ˈpipəl ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl tɪ bi ɑr ənd ˈsɪtɪzənz, əbˈzərvɪŋ wən ˈmænər əv ˈlɪvɪŋ ənd wən kaɪnd əv ˈɔrdər, laɪk ə flɑk [ər hərd əv ˈkætəl] ˈfidɪŋ təˈgɛðər wɪθ ˈikwəl raɪt ɪn wən ˈkɑmən ˈpæsʧər. ðɪs ˈzeɪnoʊ roʊt, tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf, ɛz ɪn ə drim, ə ˈsərtən skim əv ˈsɪvəl ˈɔrdər, ənd ðə ˈɪmɪʤ əv ə ˌfɪləˈsɑfɪkəl ˈkɑmənˌwɛlθ. (plutarch*, ɔn ðə ˈfɔrʧən əv ˌælɪgˈzændər, 329a-c*) ðɪs səˈʤɛsts ðət ˈzeɪnoʊ meɪ hæv ˌɪntrəˈdust ðə ˈmɛtəfɔr əv ðə aɪˈdil stoʊɪk riˈpəblɪk ɛz kənˈsɪstɪŋ əv ə hərd əv ˈkætəl lɛd baɪ ə bʊl. ˌɪnˈdid, ðə ˈərli stoʊɪk skul ˌɪtˈsɛlf wɑz ə smɔl kəmˈjunɪti pərˈhæps ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd tɪ bi ɔn ðɪs aɪˈdil tɪ səm ɪkˈstɛnt, soʊ ˈzeɪnoʊ hɪmˈsɛlf, ər ðə ˈsəbsəkwənt əv ðə skul, meɪ hæv bɪn sin ɛz əˈnæləgəs tɪ ðə bʊl ɪn ðɪs ˈɪmɪʤri. fri iˈmeɪl kɔrs saɪn əp təˈdeɪ fər ɑr fri iˈmeɪl kɔrs ɔn ðə ˌmɛdɪˈteɪʃənz əv ˈmɑrkəs aurelius*. jul rɪˈsiv ˈwikli iˈmeɪlz wɪθ maɪ ˈkɑmənˌtɛri ɔn ðɪs ˈklæsɪk stoʊɪk tɛkst. səkˈsɛs! naʊ ʧɛk jʊr iˈmeɪl tɪ kənˈfərm jʊr səbˈskrɪpʃən. ˈləndən, laɪk ðɪs: laɪk ˈloʊdɪŋ...

this article (part 1) explores some of the animal metaphors found in stoic literature, particularly the analogy of the “bull and the lion”, mentioned in tom wolfe’s novel a man in full (1998). copyright © donald robertson, 2012. all rights reserved. although this notion is seldom discussed in detail, readers of stoic literature may notice frequent references to animals, often being employed as metaphors for different character types. for example, in a man in full (1998), the novel by tom wolfe, two of the leading characters become enthusiastic followers of epictetus’ form of stoicism. they are particularly inspired by his references to the image of a strong bull who naturally steps forward to protect the weaker members of the herd from attack by a lion. indeed, one of the chapters entitled “the bull and the lion”, contains the following exchange: “that’s fine,” said charlie, “but how do you know what your character is? let’s say there’s a crisis you’ve got to deal with. how do you know what you’re really made of?” “epictetus talks about that,” said conrad, “he says, how does a bull, when a lion’s coming after him, and he has to protect the whole herd – how does he know what powers he’s got? he knows because it has taken him a long time to become powerful. like the bull, a man doesn’t become heroic all of a sudden, either. epictetus says, ‘he must train through the winter and make ready.'” in part 2 of this article, i describe how the stoics made a division between rational animals (humans and gods) and non-rational animals, further subdivided into wild animals, like wolves and lions, and domestic animals, like cattle and sheep. even among non-rational animals, though, some excel in terms of their nature and this is something epictetus frequently refers to, particularly using the metaphor of the strong bull who protects the rest of the herd. seneca briefly alludes to this in the play phaedra, when he writes: “goaded on by love, the bold bull undertakes battle for the whole herd.” the stoics worshipped zeus and refer to him frequently throughout their writings. epictetus does not explicitly state that the image of the bull is linked to zeus and so we cannot assume he has that in mind. however, it’s likely that most of his students would have easily connected the two ideas as zeus was often symbolised as a white bull, as in the image shown here in which zeus is carrying europa. although cattle in general are sometimes looked down upon in epictetus’ discourses, the bull is several times praised as a metaphor for an exceptional or good man, i.e., the ideal stoic sage: it was asked, how shall each of us perceive what belongs to his character? whence, replied epictetus, does a bull, when the lion approaches, alone recognize his own qualifications, and expose himself alone for the whole herd? it is evident that with the qualifications occurs, at the same time, the consciousness of being imbued with them. and in the same manner, whoever of us hath such qualifications will not be ignorant of them. but neither is a bull nor a gallant-spirited man formed all at once. we are to exercise, and qualify ourselves, and not to run rashly upon what doth not concern us. (discourses, 1) here one ought nobly to say, “i am he who ought to take care of mankind.” for it is not every little paltry heifer that dares resist the lion; but if the bull should come up, and resist him, would you say to him, “who are you? what business is it of yours?” in every species, man, there is some one quality which by nature excels, – in oxen, in dogs, in bees, in horses. do not say to whatever excels, “who are you?” if you do, it will, somehow or other, find a voice to tell you, “i am like the purple thread in a garment. do not expect me to be like the rest; nor find fault with my nature, which has distinguished me from others.” (discourses, 3) you are a calf; when the lion appears, act accordingly, or you will suffer for it. you are a bull; come and fight; for that is incumbent on you and becomes you, and you can do it. (discourses, 3) the bull is clearly equated with the “good man” below, a synonym for the sage, and the metaphor of a hunting dog is employed in a similar manner: for who that is charged with such principles, but must perceive, too, his own powers, and strive to put them in practice. not even a bull is ignorant of his own powers, when any wild beast approaches the herd, nor waits he for any one to encourage him; nor does a dog when he spies any game. and if i have the powers of a good man, shall i wait for you to qualify me for my own proper actions? (discourses, 4) in another passage he employs a similar metaphor, equating the role of the bull with that of the queen bee: but what have you to do with the concerns of others? for what are you? are you the bull in the herd, or the queen of the bees? show me such ensigns of empire as she has from nature. but if you are a drone, and arrogate to yourself the kingdom of the bees, do you not think that your fellow-citizens will drive you out, just as the bees do the drones? (discourses, 3) marcus aurelius, who had almost certainly read the discourses, perhaps even the four books lost today, mentions a similar metaphor, which he extends to the ram who guards the flock of sheep: if any have offended against thee, consider first: what is my relation to men, and that we are made for one another; and in another respect, i was made to be set over them, as a ram over the flock or a bull over the herd. (meditations) curiously, seneca also says something quite similar, perhaps shedding some light on the original meaning of the metaphor in stoicism: but the earliest mortals and those of their descendants who pursued nature without being spoiled shared the same guide and law, being entrusted to the decisions of a superiors, since it is natural for inferior things to give way to more powerful ones. take herds of dumb animals: either the biggest or the strongest creatures have command. it is not the bull inferior to his breeding but the one who surpasses the other males in size and muscle who goes before the herds; it is the tallest elephant who leads the troupe; among men, “the best” replaces “the biggest”. so the ruler used to be chosen for his intellect, and the greatest happiness among nations was enjoyed by those among whom only the superior man could be more powerful. a man can safely enjoy as much power as he wishes if he believes he only has power to act as he should. (seneca, letters, 90) the presence of a similar metaphor in seneca suggests that he and epictetus, and perhaps marcus, are alluding to a common stoic source from an earlier period. likewise, cicero portrays the stoic cato employing the same trope in his account of stoic ethics: nature has given bulls the instinct to defend their calves against lions with immense passion and force. in the same way, those with great talent and the capacity for achievement, as is said of hercules and liber, have a natural inclination to help the human race. (de finibus, book iii) however, intriguingly, there is some evidence that zeno employed the metaphor of a herd of cattle to describe the ideal stoic community in the republic, which was quite possibly the founding text of stoicism. for example, according to plutarch: it is true indeed that the so much admired republic of zeno, first author of the stoic sect, aims singly at this, that neither in cities nor in towns we should live under laws distinct one from another, but that we should look upon all people in general to be our fellow-countryfolk and citizens, observing one manner of living and one kind of order, like a flock [or herd of cattle] feeding together with equal right in one common pasture. this zeno wrote, fancying to himself, as in a dream, a certain scheme of civil order, and the image of a philosophical commonwealth. (plutarch, on the fortune of alexander, 329a-c) this suggests that zeno may have introduced the metaphor of the ideal stoic republic as consisting of a herd of cattle led by a bull. indeed, the early stoic school itself was a small community perhaps intended to be modelled on this ideal to some extent, so zeno himself, or the subsequent scholarchs of the school, may have been seen as analogous to the bull in this imagery. free email course sign up today for our free email course on the meditations of marcus aurelius. you'll receive weekly emails with my commentary on this classic stoic text. success! now check your email to confirm your subscription. 51.500152 -0.126236 london, uk like this: like loading...

(ˈsiˈɛˈnɛn) əm ɪn ə ˈləndən ˈrɛˌstrɑnt, ˈsɪtɪŋ ˈɑpəzɪt ə ˈtoʊtəl ˈstreɪnʤər ɔn ə ˈwərkˌdeɪ ˌæftərˈnun, ənd wɪr boʊθ kəmˈplitli ˈneɪkəd. ənd ˈwɪrdli, ɪts ˈoʊˈkeɪ. wɛl, ˈmoʊstli ˈoʊˈkeɪ. ðə ˈrɛˌstrɑnt ɪz ə ˈnuli ˈoʊpənd ˈitəri ɪn ə kwaɪət ˈkɔrnər əv ˈsɛntrəl ˈləndən ðət ɪnˈkərəʤəz ˈkəstəmərz tɪ waɪl ˌɛnˈʤɔɪɪŋ ə "ˈnæʧərəl" ˈdaɪnɪŋ ɪkˈspɪriəns. ɛl i vi ə ɑr ti həz meɪd ˈhɛˌdlaɪnz ɪn ˈrisənt wiks baɪ əˈtræktɪŋ ˈpipəl tɪ ɪts ˈweɪtɪŋ lɪst fər ə rən ˈoʊvər ðə ˈsəmər. aɪ wɑz ðɛr fər ðə prɛs lɔnʧ, əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd 25 ər soʊ ˈəðər ˈʤərnəlɪsts dɪˈspæʧt tɪ rɪˈpɔrt frəm ðə frənt laɪn əv ˈneɪkəd ˈdaɪnɪŋ. soʊ wəts ɪt laɪk? frəm ˈaʊtˈsaɪd, ðə ˈrɛˌstrɑnt ˈɪzənt məʧ tɪ lʊk æt wɪʧ ɪz ˈprɑbəˌbli ðə aɪˈdiə. ɪts dɪˈskritli ˈloʊˌkeɪtəd ɪn ə kənˈvərtɪd pəb wɪθ ˈwɪndoʊz ə fju kwaɪət strits əˈweɪ frəm ˈləndənz haɪəst ˈskaɪˌskreɪpər, ðə ʃɑrd. ðə frənt dɔr lidz ˈɪntu ə smɔl bɑr ˈɛriə, wɪʧ lʊks ˈprɪti ˈstændərd ənˈtɪl foʊks stɑrt ˈimərʤɪŋ frəm ðə ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ rumz ˈwɛrɪŋ ˈbæθˌroʊbz. wɪn ˈteɪbəlz ər ˈrɛdi ənd gɛsts hæv hæd ðə ˈrɛkwəzət ˈnəmbər əv ˈfrɛʃli mɪkst looseners*, ðɛr ðɛn ˈgaɪdɪd ˈɪntu ðə meɪn ˈdaɪnɪŋ ˈɛriə. æt fərst ɪts disorientating*. ɪts ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl nɑt tɪ ˌsərəpˈtɪʃəsli æt ðə ˈtɑpləs ˈweɪtrəs ˈlidɪŋ ðə weɪ θru ðə meɪz əv bæmˈbu skrinz ðət ˈɔlˌmoʊst ʃild ˈdaɪnərz frəm ˈhɛvi ˈskrutəni. taɪm tɪ strɪp ðɛn, wəns ðə aɪz groʊ əˈkəstəmd tɪ ðə bɛr flɛʃ əv ðə jəŋ meɪl ənd ˈfiˌmeɪl waitstaff*, θɪŋz gɪt (ˈrɛlətɪvli) mɔr ˈnɔrməl. ənˈtɪl ɪts taɪm tɪ strɪp ɔf. ˌbiˈfɔr ðət ˈhæpənd, wi gɑt tɪ ʧæt tɪ səm əv ðə stæf əˈbaʊt haʊ ðeɪ keɪm tɪ bi ˈwərkɪŋ ɪn ə ˈneɪkəd ˈrɛˌstrɑnt, ənd wət ɪts laɪk tɪ wərk ðɛr. rɪˈleɪtɪd ˈkɑntɛnt 96 əv ðə wərldz bɛst ʃɛfs ʃɛr ðɛr ˈfeɪvərɪt fud ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz "aɪ ˈwɔntɪd tɪ bi əraʊnd ˈpipəl hu ʃɛrd ðə seɪm θɔts ɛz mi," sɪz ˈɛloʊiz naɪt, ə ˈstudənt hu sɪz ʃi əˈproʊʧt ðə ˈrɛˌstrɑnt fər wərk ˈæftər ˈrɛdɪŋ ˈstɔriz əˈbaʊt ɪt. naɪt ənd hər ˈfɛloʊ ɪmˈplɔɪiz wɛr ˈoʊnli ˈskɪmpi brifs əˈdɔrnd wɪθ ə fju strændz əv feɪk vaɪn livz ɛz ðeɪ dɪˈlɪvər fud ənd drɪŋk tɪ ðə ˈteɪbəlz. ʃi sɪz ðət ʃi filz ˈseɪfər æt ðən æt ˈəðər ˈrɛˌstrɑnts sɪns ˈɛni ˈkəstəmər ˈæktɪŋ ˌɪnəˈprɑpriətli wɪl bi ˈɪnstəntli ɪˈʤɛktɪd. ðə ˈrɛˌstrɑnt həz ə strɪkt noʊ ˈkæmərəz ər ˈsɛlˌfoʊnz ˈpɑləsi, ˈpɑrtli tɪ prəˈtɛkt ðə ˈpraɪvəsi əv ðoʊz wɪˈθɪn, bət ˈɔlsoʊ ɪn laɪn wɪθ ɪts ˈnæʧərəl fil. "ɪts əˈbaʊt biɪŋ ˈkəmfərtəbəl wɪθ ˈnudɪti," ʃi ædz. "ənd ɪts nis tɪ hɛlp ˈpipəl fil ðət weɪ. ɪts nɑt ə ˈsɛkʃuəl θɪŋ." əˈpɛrəntli ɪt wərks. dɪˈzaɪnər ənd ˈmænɪʤər, ˌɪgˈnɑsioʊ ˌhɪˈmɛˌnɛz ˈblæŋkoʊ, sɪz əˈbaʊt 80 əv ˈdaɪnərz hæv ˈgɔtən ˈneɪkəd ˈdʊrɪŋ traɪəl rənz (ɪts ˈtoʊtəli ˈɔpʃənəl). ˈneɪkəd bɑr ɛz ðə ɪmˈplɔɪiz fil mɔr ˈkəmfərtəbəl, soʊ du ðə ˈkəstəmərz, hi ædz. ðɛr ər plænz tɪ ˌɪntrəˈdus ə ˈneɪkəd bɑr ˈɛriə fər ðoʊz hu fil ˈkəmfərtəbəl ˈmɪŋgəlɪŋ ɪn ðɛr ˈbərθˌdeɪ suts. "aɪ θɪŋk ˈpipəl wɔnt tɪ fri ðɛmˈsɛlvz," hi sɪz. "aɪ si ɪt ɛz ə ˈθɛrəpi, ɪts ˈvɛri ˈlɪˌbərˌeɪtɪŋ. ˈpipəl wɔnt ɪt ənd wɪr ʤɪst prəˈvaɪdɪŋ ə loʊˈkeɪʃən ənd ə ˈsərvɪs." ˈblæŋkoʊ həz kriˈeɪtɪd ə ˈrɛˌstrɑnt ˌɪnˈtɪriər ðət mɔr ˈkloʊsli rɪˈzɛmbəlz ə spɑ ðən ə ˈrɛˌstrɑnt. ɪts ə ˈdɪmli lɪt speɪs ˈsɛntɪd baɪ ˌɛrəˈmætɪk ˈkændəlz ənd baɪ sɔft mˈjuzɪk. soʊ ɪt simz əˈproʊpriˌeɪt ðət wɪr ɔl ˈwɛrɪŋ gaʊnz, fər naʊ. rɪˈleɪtɪd ˈkɑntɛnt waɪ ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈneɪkəd ɔn ˈhɑlɪˌdeɪ ɪz ə bɪg θɪŋ ɪn ˈʤərməni: ə ˈʤərmən rɪˈvilz ɔl əm ˈsitɪd ˈɑpəzɪt əˈnəðər ˈʤərnəlɪst, ə mæn hu aɪv ˈnɛvər mɛt ˌbiˈfɔr bət hu ɪz ɪn ðə seɪm ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən ɛz mi ˈnərvəsli ˈkɑntəmˌpleɪtɪŋ ˈwɛðər tɪ. ðə fud ˈmoʊstli rɑ, ˈnæʧərəl ənd ˈsizənəl ɪn ˈkipɪŋ wɪθ ðə ˈrɛˌstrɑnts ˈneɪkəd θim ɪz dɪˈlɪvərd ɪn ˈərθənˌwɛr boʊlz ənd ˈitən ˈjuzɪŋ ˈɛdəbəl ˈkətləri. ɪts dɪˈlɪʃəs. ðɛrz ən ˈɪŋlɪʃ ˈgɑrdən sup pɛrd wɪθ ˈpɪkəld ˈæpəl ənd ˈsɔltɪd ˈkjukəmbər fər ˈstɑrtərz ˈfɑloʊd baɪ ˈsæmən ənd ˈsiˌwid ˈsæləd. ðə ˈmɛnju kɔsts əˈbaʊt 100 wɪˈθaʊt drɪŋks bət ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ ðə gaʊn ənd sˈlɪpərz. wɪn ðə steɪk wɪθ ˈbɛri ənd sɪˈlænˌtroʊ əraɪvz, maɪ ˈfɛloʊ ˈdaɪnər ənd aɪ gəlp daʊn ðə əˈkəmpəniɪŋ ˌɑrʤənˈtɪniən ənd əˈgri tɪ gɪt ˈneɪkəd. ənd ɪt dɪz tərn aʊt tɪ bi ˈkjʊriəsli ˈlɪˌbərˌeɪtɪŋ. ˈmoʊstli ɪts ə rɪˈlif. ɪts ˈvɛri wɔrm ˌɪnˈsaɪd ənd ə θɪk ˈtaʊəlɪŋ roʊb stɑrts tɪ bɪˈkəm ənˈkəmfərtəbəl ˈæftər ə waɪl. ðə ˈdɑrknəs əv ðə ˈvɛnju, ðə bæmˈbu pɑrˈtɪʃənz ənd ðə strəˈtiʤɪkli dɪˈzaɪnd ˈwʊdən ˈfərnɪʧər hɛlp meɪnˈteɪn səm ˈdɪgnəti. 'ˈsoʊʃəl ɪkˈspɛrəmənt' bət wət ʃʊd bi ən ˈɔkwərd ˈmoʊmənt, ˈgɪtɪŋ wɪθ ə kəmˈplit ˈstreɪnʤər, pruvz tɪ bi ˈɛniˌθɪŋ bət. əˈneɪbəl tɪ rɪˈzɔrt tɪ ˈlʊkɪŋ æt ɑr foʊnz, wi ʧæt əˈbaʊt wərk, ˈfæməliz ənd ˈwɛðər ðə ˈfiˌmeɪl ˈmægəˌzin ˈʤərnəlɪsts æt ðə nɛkst ˈteɪbəl hæv ˈɔlsoʊ strɪpt daʊn. laɪəl, ðə ˌɑntrəprəˈnʊr bɪˈhaɪnd ðə, dɪˈskraɪbz ɪt ɛz ə "ˈsoʊʃəl ɪkˈspɛrəmənt," ənd ðæts kaɪnd əv wət ɪt filz laɪk. ɪts ˈsərtənli ə nu weɪ tɪ ɪkˈspɪriəns səm ˈtruli ˈɛksələnt fud. laɪəl sɪz hi hoʊps ˈɪtəl hɛlp ˈtækəl ˈbɑdi ənd pərˈhæps ˌɪnˈspaɪr ˈəðər ˈvɛnuz tɪ æt list strɪp əˈweɪ səʧ ˈmɑdərn dɪˈstrækʃənz ɛz sɛl foʊnz. wɪθ ðət ɪn maɪnd, wɪn ðə ˈneɪkəd ˈweɪtrəs əraɪvz wi ˈkɑnsənˌtreɪt ˈvɛri ˌɪnˈtɛntli ɔn ˈmeɪkɪŋ aɪ ˈkɑnˌtækt ənd ˈtɔkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðə fud. ɪts ɔl ˈrəðər ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ fər ə waɪl. ðɪs ɪz ə ˈtoʊtəli nu ɪkˈspɪriəns fər mi. əm nɑt ˈsəmˌwən hu wʊd ˈɛvər ˈkɑntəmˌpleɪt ˈstrɪpɪŋ ɔf ɪn ˈpəblɪk aɪ æm, ˈæftər ɔl, ˈɪŋlɪʃ. aɪ ˈsədənli fil laɪk aɪv bɪn ˈgrænɪd ˈɛntri ˈɪntu ə ˈsikrɪt, ɪgˈzɪlərˌeɪtɪŋ nu wərld. ðɛn maɪ ˈdaɪnɪŋ kəmˈpænjən əˈnaʊnsɪz hi həz tɪ liv ˈərli. dɪˈprɛsɪŋli, əm naʊ ʤɪst ə ˈneɪkəd dud ˈitɪŋ dɪˈzərt, baɪ ˈkændəˌllaɪt, ɔn maɪ oʊn.

(cnn) i'm in a candlelit london restaurant, sitting opposite a total stranger on a workday afternoon, and we're both completely naked. and weirdly, it's ok. well, mostly ok. the restaurant is bunyadi , a newly opened eatery in a quiet corner of central london that encourages customers to disrobe while enjoying a "natural" dining experience. l e v a r t bunyadi has made headlines in recent weeks by attracting 46,000 people to its waiting list for a three-month pop-up run over the summer. i was there for the press launch, alongside 25 or so other journalists dispatched to report from the front line of naked dining. so what's it like? from outside, the restaurant isn't much to look at -- which is probably the idea. it's discreetly located in a converted street-corner pub with blacked-out windows a few quiet streets away from london's highest skyscraper, the shard. the front door leads into a small bar area, which looks pretty standard until folks start emerging from the changing rooms wearing hotel-style bathrobes. when tables are ready and guests have had the requisite number of freshly mixed looseners, they're then guided into the main dining area. at first it's disorientating. it's impossible not to surreptitiously double-take at the topless waitress leading the way through the candlelit maze of bamboo screens that almost shield diners from heavy scrutiny. time to strip then, once the eyes grow accustomed to the bare flesh of the young male and female waitstaff, things get (relatively) more normal. until it's time to strip off. before that happened, we got to chat to some of the staff about how they came to be working in a naked restaurant, and what it's like to work there. related content 96 of the world's best chefs share their favorite food experiences "i wanted to be around people who shared the same thoughts as me," says eloise knight, a 20-year-old student who says she approached the restaurant for work after reading stories about it. knight and her fellow employees wear only skimpy briefs adorned with a few strands of fake vine leaves as they deliver food and drink to the tables. she says that she feels safer at bunyadi than at other restaurants since any customer acting inappropriately will be instantly ejected. the restaurant has a strict no cameras or cellphones policy, partly to protect the privacy of those disrobing within, but also in line with its back-to-basics natural feel. "it's about being comfortable with nudity," she adds. "and it's nice to help people feel that way. it's not a sexual thing." apparently it works. bunyadi's designer and manager, ignacio jimenez blanco, says about 80% of diners have gotten naked during trial runs (it's totally optional). naked bar as the employees feel more comfortable, so do the customers, he adds. there are plans to introduce a naked bar area for those who feel comfortable mingling in their birthday suits. "i think people want to free themselves," he says. "i see it as a therapy, it's very liberating. people want it and we're just providing a location and a service." blanco has created a restaurant interior that more closely resembles a spa than a restaurant. it's a dimly lit space scented by aromatic candles and soundtracked by soft music. so it seems appropriate that we're all wearing gowns, for now. related content why getting naked on holiday is a big thing in germany: a german reveals all i'm seated opposite another journalist, a man who i've never met before but who is in the same situation as me -- nervously contemplating whether to disrobe. the food -- mostly raw, natural and seasonal in keeping with the restaurant's naked theme -- is delivered in earthenware bowls and eaten using edible cutlery. it's delicious. there's an english garden soup paired with pickled apple and salted cucumber for starters followed by salmon and seaweed salad. the five-course menu costs about $100 without drinks but including the gown and slippers. when the steak tartare with goji berry and cilantro arrives, my fellow diner and i gulp down the accompanying argentinian malbec and agree to get naked. and it does turn out to be curiously liberating. mostly it's a relief. it's very warm inside bunyadi and a thick toweling robe starts to become uncomfortable after a while. the darkness of the venue, the bamboo partitions and the strategically designed wooden furniture help maintain some dignity. 'social experiment' but what should be an awkward moment, getting unclothed with a complete stranger, proves to be anything but. unable to resort to looking at our phones, we chat unreservedly about work, families and whether the female magazine journalists at the next table have also stripped down. seb lyall, the entrepreneur behind the bunyadi, describes it as a "social experiment," and that's kind of what it feels like. it's certainly a new way to experience some truly excellent food. lyall says he hopes it'll help tackle body objectification and perhaps inspire other venues to at least strip away such modern distractions as cell phones. with that in mind, when the naked waitress arrives we concentrate very intently on making eye contact and talking about the food. it's all rather exciting for a while. this is a totally new experience for me. i'm not someone who would ever contemplate stripping off in public -- i am, after all, english. i suddenly feel like i've been granted entry into a secret, exhilarating new world. then my dining companion announces he has to leave early. depressingly, i'm now just a naked dude eating dessert, by candlelight, on my own.

læst naɪts ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd əv ˌsupərˈnæʧərəl wɑz ˈbeɪsɪkli ə ˈstændərd ˈɪʃu "kən ˈmɑnstərz stɑp biɪŋ ˈivəl" ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd, ˈsəmθɪŋ ðə ʃoʊ həz dən ˈsɛvərəl taɪmz naʊ. bət ðɪs taɪm əraʊnd, ðɛr wɑz ən ˈædɪd ˈsəbˌtɛkst, bɪˈkəz əv ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ðət din ʤɪst wɛnt θru. ˈspɔɪlərz əˈhɛd... ˈbeɪsɪkli, ðɪs wɑz dinz fərst ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd bæk ɛz ə ˈjumən (ˈtɛmptɪd tɪ pʊt ðət ɪn kwoʊˈteɪʃən mɑrks) ˈæftər ˈhævɪŋ bɪn ə ˈdimən fər ə fju ˈɛpɪˌsoʊdz. ənd ðə ˈstɔri əv keɪt ðə ˈwɛrˌwʊlf gərl (frəm ðə "faʊnd ˈfʊtɪʤ" ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd ə waɪl bæk) sərvz ɛz ə ˈprɪti ˈdisənt ˈkaʊntərˌpɔɪnt tɪ ðə ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən. ðə spɛrd keɪt bɪˈkəz ʃi ˈprɑməst nɑt tɪ kɪl ˈɛniˌwən ənd ʃiz kɛpt hər ˈprɑməs, bət ʃi tərnd hər ˈsɪstər ˈɪntu ə ˈwɛrˌwʊlf, ənd hər ˈsɪstər ɪz ɔn ə ˈmərdər spri. soʊ sæm ənd din ˈbeɪsɪkli hæv tɪ kənˈvɪns keɪt ðət hər ˈsɪstər həz gɔn tu fɑr ˈɪntu ənd kænt bi rɪˈdimd. ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt ðɪs ɪz ˈsəmˈwət ɪkˈsplɪsətli kənˈtræstəd wɪθ ðə bɔɪz' ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən, ɪn wɪʧ sæm wɛnt tɪ ˈkreɪzi, ɪkˈstrim lɛŋθs tɪ "seɪv" din frəm biɪŋ ə ˈdimən. ˈsəmθɪŋ din ˈdəzənt ˈhɛzəˌteɪt tɪ rəb sæmz feɪs ɪn moʊst ˈnoʊtəbli, sæm tɔkt ə neɪmd ˈlɛstər ˈɪntu ˈsɛlɪŋ hɪz soʊl, ənd ðɛn ˈdimən din kɪld ˈlɛstər, wɪʧ ɪz sɔrt əv sæmz fɔlt. waɪ ɪz ɪt nɑt ˌoʊˈkeɪ fər keɪt tɪ goʊ tɪ ˈkreɪzi lɛŋθs tɪ seɪv hər ˈsɪstər, bət ɪts ˈoʊˈkeɪ fər sæm tɪ goʊ ɔf ðə reɪlz fər din? ðɛrz noʊ gʊd ˈænsər tɪ ðət kˈwɛʃən, wɪˈθaʊt ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə ˈdɪfərənsɪz bɪtˈwin ˈdimənz ənd ˈwɛrˌwʊlvz, ər ðə fækt ðət ðə bɔɪz ər ðə stɑrz əv ðɪs ʃoʊ ənd keɪt ɪz ə day-player*. bət ðə ril kˈwɛʃən ɪz wəts goʊɪŋ ɔn wɪθ din? hi həz wən sin wɛr hi ɪkˈsprɛsɪz ə bɪt əv rɪˈmɔrs fər ðə θɪŋz hi dɪd ɛz ə ˈdimən, ənd hi dɪz ˈfaɪnəli θæŋk sæm fər ˈbrɪŋɪŋ ɪm bæk frəm demonhood*. bət hi ˈmoʊstli ækts laɪk ə ɪn ðɪs ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd. hiz ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈæktɪŋ laɪk sæm ɪz ðə wən hu ʃʊd bi ˈstrəgəlɪŋ wɪθ rɪˈmɔrs fər dɪˈmɑnɪk ækts. (ðə 9000 taɪmz din hæd tɪ seɪv sæm, aɪ fil laɪk din dɪd weɪ wərs.) ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt soʊ wəts ðɪs əˈbaʊt? ə fju ˈɔpʃənz: 1 din ɪz stɪl pɑrt ˈdimən ənd ɪz skruɪŋ wɪθ sæm. 2 din filz soʊ ˈtrɔməˌtaɪzd ənd ˈgɪlti, hi kænt dil wɪθ ɪt, soʊ hiz ˈpʊtɪŋ əp ə frənt ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt 3 din ˈdəzənt ˈrɪli bleɪm hɪmˈsɛlf fər ˈɛni ækts kəˈmɪtɪd waɪl hi wɑz ə ˈdimən, bət hi ˈʤɛnjuˌaɪnli θɪŋks sæm wɛnt tu fɑr. ˈmeɪbi hi ˈɔlsoʊ filz bæd ðət sæm dɪd ɔl ðət fər hɪz seɪk. 4 din həz ˈfaɪnəli lɔst hɪz ʃɪt ənd ɪz ʤɪst priˈtɛndɪŋ tɪ bi ˈfəŋkʃənəl æt ðɪs pɔɪnt. əm ˈgɛsɪŋ ɪts ˈprɑbəˌbli ɔl əv ðə əˈbəv bət aɪ gɛs wɪl faɪnd aʊt əraʊnd ðə ˈmɪdˈsizən breɪk. æt list dinz muv əv kənˈvɪnsɪŋ keɪt ðɛrz ə nu "kjʊr" fər wɑz kaɪnd əv ˈbæˌdæs.

last night's episode of supernatural was basically a standard issue "can monsters stop being evil" episode, something the show has done several times now. but this time around, there was an added subtext, because of everything that dean just went through. spoilers ahead... basically, this was dean's first episode back as a human (tempted to put that in quotation marks) after having been a demon for a few episodes. and the story of kate the werewolf girl (from the "found footage" episode a while back) serves as a pretty decent counterpoint to the sam/dean situation. the winchesters spared kate because she promised not to kill anyone — and she's kept her promise, but she turned her sister into a werewolf, and her sister is on a murder spree. so sam and dean basically have to convince kate that her sister has gone too far into monsterdom and can't be redeemed. advertisement this is somewhat explicitly contrasted with the boys' situation, in which sam went to crazy, extreme lengths to "save" dean from being a demon. something dean doesn't hesitate to rub sam's face in — most notably, sam talked a shlub named lester into selling his soul, and then demon dean killed lester, which is sort of sam's fault. why is it not okay for kate to go to crazy lengths to save her sister, but it's ok for sam to go off the rails for dean? there's no good answer to that question, without getting into the differences between demons and werewolves, or the fact that the boys are the stars of this show and kate is a day-player. but the real question is — what's going on with dean? he has one scene where he expresses a bit of remorse for the things he did as a demon, and he does finally thank sam for bringing him back from demonhood. but he mostly acts like a megadick in this episode. he's actually acting like sam is the one who should be struggling with remorse for demonic acts. (the 9000 times dean had to save sam, i feel like dean did way worse.) advertisement so what's this about? a few options: 1) dean is still part demon and is screwing with sam. 2) dean feels so traumatized and guilty, he can't deal with it, so he's putting up a devil-may-care front advertisement 3) dean doesn't really blame himself for any acts committed while he was a demon, but he genuinely thinks sam went too far. maybe he also feels bad that sam did all that for his sake. 4) dean has finally lost his shit and is just pretending to be functional at this point. i'm guessing it's probably all of the above — but i guess we'll find out around the midseason break. at least dean's stone-cold move of convincing kate there's a new "cure" for werewolfism was kind of badass.

ðə ˈrɛktæŋgəl wɑz ðə sin əv tu ˈməgɪŋz ˈoʊvərˈnaɪt. ðə nu ˌɔˈrlinz pəˈlis (nopd*) ˈmeɪʤər əˈfɛns lɔg (mɔl) rɪˈpɔrts tu ɑrmd ˈrɑbəriz kloʊz tɪ ˈmɪdˌnaɪt ɪn ðə ˈbumɪŋ ˈneɪbərˌhʊd. ðə rɪˈpɔrt steɪts ðət ðə fərst ˈməgɪŋ əˈkərd æt 11:10p.m*. ɔn ˈsæˌtɪˌdeɪ ðə ˈvɪktɪm wɑz ˈraɪdɪŋ hɪz baɪk pæst ðə ˌɪntərˈsɛkʃən əv nɔrθ ˈpitərz strit ənd ˈmændəˌvɪl strit wɪn θri blæk meɪlz stɑpt ɪm əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə mɔl. pəˈlis sɛd ðət wən mæn pʊld aʊt ə gən ənd dɪˈmændɪd ðə gʊdz. ˈtiˈeɪʧ ˈvɪktɪm əˈpizd ðɛr dɪˈmændz, ˈhændɪŋ ˈoʊvər hɪz ˈwɔlət ənd ˈsɛlfoʊn kənˈtɪnjud ðə lɔg. ðə ˈnoʊtɪd ðət ˌɔlˈðoʊ ðə ˈsəˌspɛkts flɛd, kɑps dɪd ˈmænɪʤ tɪ kæʧ wən hu wɑz ˈsəbsəkwəntli ərˈɛstɪd ənd bʊkt wɪθ ɑrmd ˈrɑbəri. ðə mɔl ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈkludz ə ˈsɛkənd ˈɪnsədənt æt 12:46a.m*. ɔn ˈsənˌdi ˈmɔrnɪŋ. ə mæn wɑz ˈwɔkɪŋ nɪr ðə ˌɪntərˈsɛkʃən əv nɔrθ strit ənd st*. ˈfərdɪˌnænd strit wɪn ə mæn wɪθ ə gən wɔkt əp tɪ ɪm əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ðə. (ðə loʊˈkeɪʃən ɪz ˈoʊnli ə blɑk frəm ˈpɑpjələr ˌdɛstəˈneɪʃənz səʧ ɛz hank’s*, ðə nu ˈmuvmənt, ənd st*. ˈkɔfi). pəˈlis sɛd ðət ðə ɑrmd ˈpætɪd daʊn ðə pəˈdɛstriən ənd stoʊl hɪz foʊn ənd ˈwɔlət. ˈridərz wɪθ ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ðət kən hɛlp sɑlv ðɪs kraɪm ər æst tɪ kɔl æt ər 1-877-903-stop*. ju kʊd rɪˈsiv ə kæʃ rɪˈwɔrd əv əp tɪ fər ðə ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən ˈlidɪŋ ˈoʊnli tɪ ðə ərˈɛst, ɪkˈsɛpt ɔn ˈhɑməˌsaɪdz, wɛr wɪl peɪ hæf əv ðə rɪˈwɔrd əˈpɑn ðə ərˈɛst ənd hæf ɔn ðə ˌɪnˈdaɪtmənt əv ðə riˈspɑnsəbəl person(s*). ju du nɑt hæv tɪ gɪv jʊr neɪm nɔr ˈtɛstɪˌfaɪ tɪ rɪˈsiv ðə rɪˈwɔrd bət ju məst ˈkɑnˌtækt dɪˈrɛkli wɪθ jʊr ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən. ˈsɪtɪzənz kən ˈɔlsoʊ səbˈmɪt ən əˈnɑnəməs tɪp ˈɔnˌlaɪn tɪ æt

the marigny rectangle was the scene of two muggings overnight. the new orleans police department’s (nopd) major offense log (mol) reports two armed robberies close to midnight in the booming neighborhood. the report states that the first mugging occurred at 11:10p.m. on saturday (7.25). the victim was riding his bike past the intersection of north peters street and mandeville street when three black males stopped him according to the mol. police said that one man pulled out a gun and demanded the goods. th victim appeased their demands, handing over his wallet and cellphone continued the log. the nopd noted that although the suspects fled, cops did manage to catch one who was subsequently arrested and booked with armed robbery. the mol also includes a second marigny incident at 12:46a.m. on sunday (7.26) morning. a 48-year-old man was walking near the intersection of north rampart street and st. ferdinand street when a man with a gun walked up to him according to the nopd. (the location is only a block from popular destinations such as hank’s, the new movement, and st. coffee). police said that the armed perp patted down the pedestrian and stole his phone and wallet. readers with information that can help solve this crime are asked to call crimestoppers at 822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-stop. you could receive a cash reward of up to $2,500 for the information leading only to the arrest, except on homicides, where crimestoppers will pay half of the reward upon the arrest and half on the indictment of the responsible person(s). you do not have to give your name nor testify to receive the reward but you must contact crimestoppers directly with your information. citizens can also submit an anonymous tip online to crimestoppers at www.crimestoppersgno.org

tu ˈθaʊzənd jɪrz ənd ˈkaʊntɪŋ. wi məst hoʊld ðə ˈrɛkərd fər pərˈpɛʧəˌweɪtɪŋ wən əv ðə wərst kraɪmz ɔn juˈmænɪti fər ðə ˈlɔŋgɪst taɪm ˈrənɪŋ. ðə ˈpræktɪs əv həz ən ənˈbroʊkən ˈhɪstəri. ə ˈrɛkərd ðə ˈɪndiən steɪt, ɪn vaɪəˈleɪʃən əv ɪts oʊn ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃən, həz bɪˈkəm ə kəˈlæbərˌeɪtər tɪ. nɑt ˈhɛzəˌteɪtɪŋ tɪ laɪ, ˈivɪn dɪˈnaɪɪŋ ɪt æt taɪmz, ðə steɪt məˈʃinəri stændz ˈgɪlti əv ˈtərnɪŋ ə blaɪnd aɪ tɪ ðɪs ˌɪnˈhjumən ˈpræktɪs. ə greɪv ˈfeɪljər, sin moʊst ˈrisəntli ɪn hɛˈrjɑnə, wɛr ðə səˈprim kɔrt hæd tɪ wɔrn ðə ˈgəvərnmənt wɪθ consequences”*” ɪf ɪt ˈfərðər dɪˈleɪd ˈʤəstɪs tɪ ðə kəmˈjunɪti ɪn mirchpur*, wɛr tu ˈsɪtɪzənz wər bərnd tɪ dɛθ ənd ˈhaʊsɪz əv 150 ˈəðərz rɪˈdust tɪ ˈæʃɪz baɪ ðə ˈəpər kæst kəmˈjunɪti. tɪ kɔl ðə bləf ɔn əˈfɪʃəl rɪˈpɔrts ðət feɪn ˈɪgnərəns əˈbaʊt ən ˈəgli ˈsoʊʃəl truθ, ðə ˈtæmɪl ɪˌrædəˈkeɪʃən frənt, ən ˈəmˌbrɛlə grup kəmˈpraɪzɪŋ ˈnɪrli 150 ˈleɪbər, ənd ˈjumən raɪts ˈmuvmənts, sɛt ɔf ɔn ə ˌkɑmpriˈhɛnsɪv ˈsərˌveɪ θri jɪrz əˈgoʊ. ðeɪ ˈstɑrtɪd ˈdɑkjəmənɪŋ ɔl ˌmænəfɛˈsteɪʃənz əv, ˈsərkə 2010 ðeɪ ˈvɪzɪtɪd ˈvɪlɪʤɪz ɪn 22 (əv 32 ˈdɪstrɪkts ɪn ðə steɪt. ə nu ˈvɪlɪʤ, ə nu kən əv wərmz. ɪkˈspoʊzɪŋ ðə rɑt əv əˈprɛʃən ənd ɪts ˈmɪriəd ˈkrɪpəlɪŋ weɪz. dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən ɪz ə daɪˈnæmɪk ˈɪndəstri ɪn ˈɪndiə. ðə ˈsərˌveɪ rɪˈkɔrdɪd ən əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ ˈpræktɪsɪz əv untouchability—new*, bɪˈzɑr, ˈvɪntɪʤ. ɪt ˈfərðər rɪˈkɔrdɪd 22 əˈtrɑsətiz kəˈmɪtɪd əˈgɛnst. ðə lɪst, ˈtaɪtəld manifestations’*’ wɑz riˈlist æt ðə fərst steɪt ˈkɑnfərəns hɛld ɪn ˈdɪstrɪkt ɔn 28 meɪ. ən əˈbrɪʤd ˈvərʒən əv ðət lɪst ðə lɪst »nɑt əˈlaʊd tɪ spik ɔn ðə sɛl foʊn ɪn ðə ˈprɛzəns əv kæst ˈhɪnˌduz. (ə ˈpræktɪs ˌriˈpɔrtəd ɪn ðə kənˈstɪʧuənsi, ə rɪˈzərvd lɑk sit, ðə ˈkɑrənt ˌɪnˈkəmbənt əv wɪʧ ɪz, aɪˈrɑnɪkli, ˈjunjən ˈtɛləkɑm ˈmɪnɪstər ə raja*.) »nɑt əˈlaʊd tɪ kip meɪl dɔgz. (waɪ? ðeɪ maɪt brid wɪθ ˈfiˌmeɪl dɔgz frəm ˈəpər kæst ˈneɪbərˌhʊdz.) »ˈsɛpərˌeɪt wərk ˈəndər ðə ˈnæʃənəl ˈrʊrəl ɪmˈplɔɪmənt ˌgɛrənˈti skim. »rɪfˈjuzəl tɪ rɛnt ˈhaʊsɪz tɪ ɪn ˈsərtən ˈneɪbərˌhʊdz ɪn ˈərbən ˈɛriəz. (ˌriˈpɔrtəd ɪn madurai*, ˈtæmɪl ˈsɛkənd ˈlɑrʤəst ˈsɪti.) »noʊ dɔr dɪˈlɪvəri baɪ postmen*; ˈpoʊstəl dɪˈpɑrtmənt prɪˈvɛnɪd frəm ˈhaɪrɪŋ postmen*. »noʊ ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ðə ˈkɑmən kriməˈtɔriəm, ˈbɛriəl graʊnz. »prɪˈvɛnɪd frəm ˈhævɪŋ ðɛr kloʊðz wɑʃt ər aɪərnd, ər əˈsaɪnd ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˈkəbərdz æt ðə ˈlɔndri fər kloʊðz əv. »rɪfˈjuzəl baɪ ˈbɑrbərz tɪ kət ðɛr hɛr, ər ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ʧɛrz fər. »ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˈræʃən ʃɑps, ər kjuz, ər fər. »ˈɔfərd ti ɪn ˈkoʊkəˌnət ʃɛlz wɪʧ ðeɪ kən drɪŋk ˈoʊnli baɪ skˈwɑtɪŋ ɔn ðə graʊnd. »prɪˈvɛnɪd frəm ˈrɛntɪŋ ˈpraɪvət ˈmɛrɪʤ hɔlz, ˈpəblɪk ˈæˌdrɛs ˈsɪstəmz. »fɔrst tɪ kət aʊt ˈpɔrʃən əv ðə neɪm ðət səˈʤɛsts rɪˈspɛkt wɪl bi kɔld ˈmɑdə, muniya*). »əˈtækt ɪf ðeɪ kɔl ˈɛni kæst ˈhɪnˌdu ɛz ˈænən (ˈbrəðər). »ɪˈrɛktɪŋ wɔlz (ɛz wɑz sin ɪn uthappuram*) tɪ dɪˈnaɪ ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ˈkɑmən ˈpleɪsɪz. »ˈɛldərli ˈmɛmbərz əv ðə kəmˈjunɪti əˈdrɛst baɪ ˈʧɪldrən əv ðə ˈdɑmənənt kæst ɛz poda*, (dɪˈnoʊtɪŋ læk əv rɪˈspɛkt). »noʊ ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ˈtɛmpəlz, ˈpəblɪk strits, ˈpəblɪk tæps (ˈsɛpərˌeɪt tɪ kəˈlɛkt ˈwɔtər), ˈpəblɪk tæŋks, ˈtɛmpəlz. (ˈtɛmpəl kɑr) nɑt ˈdrɪvən θru ˈɛriəz wɛr rɪˈzaɪd. »nɑt əˈlaʊd tɪ pɑrˈtɪsəˌpeɪt ɪn (ə ˈrɪʧuəl əv ˈwɔkɪŋ ɔn faɪər) ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈfɛstɪvəlz. »tu, ɪn səm ˈkeɪsɪz fɔr, ˈtəmblər ˈsɪstəm ɪn tea-shops*, wən sɛt fər ənd ˈkætəˌgɔriz wɪˈθɪn ðɛm, əˈnəðər fər kæst ˈhɪnˌduz. »ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˈneɪbərˌhʊdz fər ɪn ˈvɪlɪʤɪz. »prɪˈvɛnɪŋ ðə ˈoʊpənɪŋ əv mɪlk ˈdɛri nɪr ˈneɪbərˌhʊdz. (arunthathiyar*) ˈstudənts kəmˈpɛld tɪ klin ˈbɑθˌrumz ɪn skulz. »ˌɑpəˈzɪʃən tɪ ˈhaɪrɪŋ kʊks ɪn mil skul ˈkɪʧənz. »ɪnˈgeɪʤɪŋ, əˈspɛʃəli, ɪn kənˈsərvənsi wərk. ˈwərkərz tɪ brɪŋ ðɛr oʊn waɪl ˈəðərz nid nɑt. »ˈbɔɪˌkɑtɪŋ ˈmitɪŋz hɛld baɪ ˈprɛzɪˌdɛnts. »prɪˈvɛnɪŋ ðə ˈoʊpənɪŋ əv ˈɔfəs ˈbɪldɪŋz ɪn ˈɛriəz. nɑt əˈlaʊd tɪ... »wɛr ʃuz ər »wɛr ˌpɑˌliˈɛstər »raɪd ˈbaɪsɪkəlz ər ˈtrævəl ɪn ˈbʊlək kɑrts »sɪt ˈəndər bəs ˈʃɛltərz æt ˈvɪlɪʤ bəs stɑps »wɛr ə klɔθ ˈhɛdˌgɪr ər ˈkɛri ə taʊəl ˈoʊvər ðə ˈʃoʊldər (ɛz ɪz ðə ˈloʊkəl ˈpræktɪs) »spɔrt ə θɪn ˈməˌstæʃ »sɪt ɔn ˈbɛnʧɪz ɪn hoʊˈtɛlz ənd ti stɔlz »bərst ˈkrækərz ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈfɛstɪvəlz »rɪr ˈkætəl »sɪŋ ər spik æt ˈvɪlɪʤ ˈfəŋkʃənz ər pɑrˈtɪsəˌpeɪt ɪn ˈɔkʃənz »daɪn wɪθ kæst ˈhɪnˌduz ˈɑbləˌgeɪtɪd tɪ »ˈɔfər goʊts ˈgrætəs tɪ dɪˈsɛnɪnts əv pæst (ˈlænˌdlɔrdz ɪn ðə fˈjudəl eɪʤ) ˈdʊrɪŋ ˈfɛstɪvəlz »ˈkɛri dɛd ˈbɑdiz »wərk ɪn ənd æt ˈbɛriəl graʊnz »saʊnd ðə drəmz) »ˈkɛri ˈmɛsɪʤ əv dɛθ tɪ ˈpipəl əv ðə ˈdɑmənənt kæst (tɪ bi peɪd ˈoʊnli bəs fɛr, fud ˈoʊnli ɪf ˈɔfərd) əˈtrɑsətiz ɔn »fɔrst tɪ it faeces*. »ˈjərəˌneɪtɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə maʊθ. »ˈmərdərd ɪf ɪˈlɛktɪd ɛz ˈprɛzɪdənt əˈgɛnst ðə ˈwɪʃɪz əv ðə ˈdɑmənənt kæst. »ˈsɛkʃuəl əˈsɔlt ɔn ˈwɪmən. »ˈbərnɪŋ əˈlaɪv ɪf ə faɪts fər raɪts. »ˈsɛtɪŋ faɪər tɪ həts. »taɪd tɪ ə tri ənd ˈbitən əp. »ˈkɪlɪŋ ɔl dɔgz ɪn ə ˈɛriə ɪf ə dɔg əv ðə ˈɛriə baɪts ə dɔg ðət bɪˈlɔŋz tɪ ən ˈəpər kæst kəmˈjunɪti. »əbˈstrəktɪŋ ðə ˈkɑmən ˈpæsɪʤ (ɪf wən θru ˈstrəgəl) wɪθ ˈmɔrtər, ˈgraɪndˌstoʊn ənd ˈwɑʃɪŋ juˈtɛnsəlz ðɛr. »ˈkɪlɪŋ baɪ ˈpɔɪzənɪŋ wən hu inter-marries*. ðoʊz hu reɪz ðɛr vɔɪs fər ˈjumən raɪts. »əˈtækɪŋ ɪf ðeɪ ˌɪnˈsɪst ɔn ˈjuzɪŋ kəmˈjunɪti hɔlz. »ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˈprɑstreɪt ˌbiˈfɔr ˈmɛmbərz əv ðə ˈdɑmənənt kæst ənd ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ faɪnz ɔn ðɛm. »rɪfˈjuzəl baɪ ðə steɪt ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən tɪ ɛnˈfɔrs ˈækˌsɛs tɪ ˈbɛriəl graʊnz. »hərˈæsmənt ənd ˈbrutəl əˈtæks ɔn baɪ ðə pəˈlis fər ˈfaɪtɪŋ fər ðɛr raɪts. ˈdrɪvən əˈweɪ baɪ ðə pəˈlis fər traɪɪŋ tɪ ˈɛnər ˈtɛmpəlz

two thousand years and counting. we must hold the record for perpetuating one of the worst crimes on humanity for the longest time running. the practice of untouchability has an unbroken history. a record the indian state, in violation of its own constitution, has become a collaborator to. not hesitating to lie, even denying it at times, the state machinery stands guilty of turning a blind eye to this inhuman practice. a grave failure, seen most recently in haryana, where the supreme court had to warn the government with “serious consequences” if it further delayed justice to the dalit community in mirchpur, where two citizens were burned to death and houses of 150 others reduced to ashes by the upper caste jat community. to call the bluff on sanitised official reports that feign ignorance about an ugly social truth, the tamil nadu untouchability eradication front, an umbrella group comprising nearly 150 labour, dalit and human rights movements, set off on a comprehensive survey three years ago. they started documenting all manifestations of untouchability, circa 2010. they visited 1,845 villages in 22 (of 32) districts in the state. a new village, a new can of worms. exposing the rot of oppression and its myriad crippling ways. discrimination is a dynamic industry in india. the survey recorded an astonishing 80-odd practices of untouchability—new, bizarre, vintage. it further recorded 22 atrocities committed against dalits. the list, titled ‘cruel manifestations’ was released at the front’s first state conference held in pudukottai district on 28 may. here’s an abridged version of that list the list »not allowed to speak on the cell phone in the presence of caste hindus. (a practice reported in the nilgiri constituency, a reserved lok sabha seat, the current incumbent of which is, ironically, union telecom minister a raja.) »not allowed to keep male dogs. (why? they might breed with female dogs from upper caste neighbourhoods.) »separate work timings under the national rural employment guarantee scheme. »refusal to rent houses to dalits in certain neighbourhoods in urban areas. (reported in madurai, tamil nadu’s second largest city.) »no door delivery by postmen; postal department prevented from hiring dalit postmen. »no access to the common crematorium, burial grounds. »prevented from having their clothes washed or ironed, or assigned separate cupboards at the laundry for clothes of dalits. »refusal by barbers to cut their hair, or separate chairs for dalits. »separate ration shops, or queues, or timings for dalits. »offered tea in coconut shells which they can drink only by squatting on the ground. »prevented from renting private marriage halls, public address systems. »forced to cut out portion of the name that suggests respect (madaswamy will be called mada, muniyaswamy muniya). »attacked if they call any caste hindu as annan (brother). »erecting walls (as was seen in uthappuram) to deny dalits access to common places. »elderly members of the dalit community addressed by children of the dominant caste as poda, vada (denoting lack of respect). »no access to temples, public streets, public taps (separate timings to collect water), public tanks, temples. »sapparam (temple car) not driven through areas where dalits reside. »not allowed to participate in pookkuzhi (a ritual of walking on fire) during festivals. »two, in some cases four, tumbler system in tea-shops, one set for dalits and categories within them, another for caste hindus. »separate neighbourhoods for dalits in villages. »preventing the opening of milk dairy near dalit neighbourhoods. »dalit (arunthathiyar) students compelled to clean bathrooms in schools. »opposition to hiring dalit cooks in mid-day meal school kitchens. »engaging dalits, arunthathiyars especially, in conservancy work. »dalit workers to bring their own food-plates while others need not. »boycotting meetings held by dalit panchayat presidents. »preventing the opening of panchayat office buildings in dalit areas. not allowed to... »wear shoes or chappals »wear polyester dhotis »ride bicycles or travel in bullock carts »sit under bus shelters at village bus stops »wear a cloth headgear or carry a towel over the shoulder (as is the local practice) »sport a thin moustache »sit on benches in hotels and tea stalls »burst crackers during festivals »rear cattle »sing or speak at village functions or participate in auctions »dine with caste hindus obligated to »offer goats gratis to descendants of past andais (landlords in the feudal age) during festivals »carry dead bodies »work in crematoriums and at burial grounds »sound the parai ( drums) »carry message of death to people of the dominant caste (to be paid only bus fare, food only if offered) atrocities on dalits »forced to eat faeces. »urinating into the mouth. »murdered if elected as panchayat president against the wishes of the dominant caste. »sexual assault on dalit women. »burning alive if a dalit fights for rights. »setting fire to dalit huts. »tied to a tree and beaten up. »killing all dogs in a dalit area if a dog of the dalit area bites a dog that belongs to an upper caste community. »obstructing the common passage (if won through struggle) with mortar, grindstone and washing utensils there. »killing by poisoning one who inter-marries. »ostracising those dalits who raise their voice for human rights. »attacking dalits if they insist on using community halls. »making dalits prostrate before members of the dominant caste and imposing fines on them. »refusal by the state administration to enforce access to burial grounds. »harassment and brutal attacks on dalits by the police for fighting for their rights. »dalits driven away by the police for trying to enter temples

fər ðə ˈsɛkənd taɪm ɪn lɛs ðən ə jɪr, ðə ˈsɪti əv vænˈkuvər ɪz ˈfloʊtɪŋ ðə aɪˈdiə əv tu ˈtæksɪz ðət kʊd kɑm ˈmɛˌtroʊ vænˈkuvərz ˌsupərˈhitɪd ˈhaʊzɪŋ ˈmɑrkɪt. ðə ˈlɛviz ˌɪnˈklud ə ˈləgʒəri tæks eɪmd æt ˈwɛlθi baɪərz ənd ə ˌspɛkjəˈleɪʃən tæks tɪ kip ˈoʊnərz frəm ˈdraɪvɪŋ əp ˈpraɪsɪz θru kwɪk ˈriˌseɪlz. bət ðə prəˈvɪnʃəl ˈgəvərnmənt rɪˈmeɪnz kul tɪ ðə səˈʤɛsʧənz. ˈstɔri kənˈtɪnjuz bɪˈloʊ ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt ˈfaɪˌnæns ˈmɪnɪstri əˈfɪʃəlz hæv sɛd ðə ˈtæksɪz maɪt dɪˈskərɪʤ ˈfɔrən ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt ənd ˈəndərˌmaɪn ˈbrɪtɪʃ ˌkoʊˈləmbiənz traɪɪŋ tɪ ˈprɑfɪt frəm ðə seɪl əv ðɛr hoʊm. ˈæktɪŋ vænˈkuvər meɪər ˈreɪmənd lui sɪz ðoʊz fɪrz ər ənˈfaʊndɪd bɪˈkəz 2016 əˈsɛsmənts ər əp ˈʃɑrpli ənd ðə ˈævərɪʤ praɪs əv ə dɪˈtæʧt hoʊm ɪn ðə ˈsɪti həz naʊ tɑpt ˈdɔlərz. hi bɪˈlivz ðə prəˈpoʊzd ˈtæksɪz kʊd hɛlp kriˈeɪt mɔr əˈfɔrdəbəl ˈhaʊzɪŋ.

for the second time in less than a year, the city of vancouver is floating the idea of two taxes that could calm metro vancouver's superheated housing market. the levies include a luxury tax aimed at wealthy buyers and a speculation tax to keep owners from driving up prices through quick resales. but the provincial government remains cool to the suggestions. story continues below advertisement finance ministry officials have said the taxes might discourage foreign investment and undermine british columbians trying to profit from the sale of their home. acting vancouver mayor raymond louie says those fears are unfounded because 2016 assessments are up sharply and the average price of a detached home in the city has now topped 2.5-million dollars. he believes the proposed taxes could help create more affordable housing.

0:33* ˈɪntroʊ. [rɪˈkɔrdɪŋ deɪt: noʊˈvɛmbər 13 2013 rəs: ɑr ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən wɪl bi ˈlusli beɪst ɔn ə ˈfɔrθˈkəmɪŋ ˈɑrtɪkəl ɪn ðə ˈsɪti ˈʤərnəl hiz ˈrɪtən kɔld "ɪz groʊθ ˈrɪli ˈoʊvər?" naʊ ju ˈoʊpən wɪθ ə ˈfeɪməs kwoʊt aɪv hərd ˈmɛni taɪmz əˈtrɪbjətəd tɪ ˈʧɑrəlz ˈhɑlənd ʤul, ə leɪt ˈsɛnʧəri əˈmɛrɪkən ˈpætənt kəˈmɪʃənər. hi əˈlɛʤədli sɛd: ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ðət kʊd bi ˌɪnˈvɛntɪd həz bɪn ˌɪnˈvɛntɪd. ju pɔɪnt aʊt ðət hi ˈnɛvər sɛd ðət; ðæts ən əˈpɑkrəfəl, ˌɪˈnækjərət ˈsteɪtmənt. wət hi ˈæˌkʧuəli sɛd wɑz ðə ˈɑpəzɪt: "ɪn maɪ əˈpɪnjən, ɔl ˈpriviəs ədˈvænsɪz ɪn ðə ˈvɛriəs laɪnz əv ˌɪnˈvɛnʃən wɪl əˈpɪr ˌɪnsɪgnˈjɪfɪkənt wɪn kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ ðoʊz wɪʧ ðə ˈprɛzənt ˈsɛnʧəri wɪl ˈwɪtnəs. aɪ ˈɔlˌmoʊst wɪʃ ðət aɪ maɪt lɪv maɪ laɪf ˈoʊvər əˈgɛn tɪ si ðə ˈwəndərz wɪʧ ər æt ðə θˈrɛˌʃoʊld." naʊ, waɪ ər wi soʊ ˈigər tɪ bɪˈliv ðə ˌɪnkərˈɛkt ˈvərʒən əv ðət kwoʊt, ðət ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ həz ɔˈrɛdi bɪn ˌɪnˈvɛntɪd ənd ðɛrz ˈnəθɪŋ lɛft? gɛst: aɪ doʊnt noʊ. ðæts ə ˈvɛri gʊd kˈwɛʃən, waɪ wɪr soʊ ˈigər tɪ bɪˈliv ɪt. aɪ səˈpoʊz ˈɛvriˌbɑdi lʊks fər səm kaɪnd əv strɔ mæn, soʊ ju ər goʊɪŋ tɪ seɪ: hɪrz səm ˈɪˌdiət hu sɛd əˈmɛrɪkə wʊd ˈnɛvər bi dɪˈskəvərd faɪv jɪrz ˌbiˈfɔr kəˈləmbəs. ər ðə ərθ ɪz flæt. ənd ðɛn wɪl hæv ə gʊd læf æt ðɪs. pur ˈnɛvər sɛd ɪt. ˈpipəl hæv ˈæˌkʧuəli riˈsərʧt ðɪs ɪn səm ˈditeɪl. kwaɪt ˈklɪrli hi wɑz ˈθɪŋkɪŋ kwaɪt ðə rɪˈvərs. soʊ aɪ səˈpoʊz wi ɔl lʊk fər strɔ mɛn ənd ˈpipəl tɪ bit əp ɔn, ˈæftər wi meɪk ɑr pɔɪnt, ənd ˈivɪn ɪf hi ˈdɪdənt seɪ ɛˈsɛnʃəli laɪk ˈwɪnstən ˈʧərʧɪl, ju noʊ; hi ˈprɑbəˌbli ˈdɪdənt seɪ hæf ðə θɪŋz ðət ər əˈtrɪbjətəd tɪ ɪm bət ɪt sɔrt əv saʊnz gʊd. rəs: mɑrk tweɪn həz ðə seɪm ˈɪʃu. gɛst: ɪgˈzæktli. rəs: naʊ, ˈrɑbərt ˈgɔrdən həz ˈrɪtən ðət stægˈneɪʃən ɪz ðə nu ˈnɔrməl ənd ðət fˈjuʧər groʊθ reɪts ər nɑt goʊɪŋ tɪ ˈikwəl pæst groʊθ reɪts ənd ðət ðɛr ər ðiz ˈhɛdˌwɪndz ðət ər goʊɪŋ tɪ kip ˈjuˈɛs frəm ˈriʧɪŋ ðə ˈlɛvəlz əv groʊθ wi hæv ɪn ðə pæst. du ju əˈgri? gɛst: noʊ. noʊ, aɪ doʊnt əˈgri. lɛt mi pʊʃ ðɪs ˈmɛtəfɔr ə ˈlɪtəl bɪt. soʊ, ˈrɑbərt ˈgɔrdən, hu əv kɔrs ɪz maɪ frɛnd ənd maɪ ˈkɑlig hir æt ˌnɔrθˈwɛstərn, wɪθ hum aɪ rɪˈspɛktfəli dɪsəˈgri, hi tɔks ə greɪt dil əˈbaʊt ðiz ˈhɛdˌwɪndz. naʊ, səm əv ðiz ˈhɛdˌwɪndz aɪ θɪŋk ər mɔr ˈsɪriəs ðən ˈəðərz. bət wət hiz kəmˈplitli ˈlivɪŋ aʊt ɪz ðət æt ðə seɪm taɪm ðɛr ər ˈhɛdˌwɪndz, ðɛr ər tailwinds*. ənd hi ˈɪzənt seɪɪŋ ˈɛniˌθɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðə tailwinds*. naʊ aɪd laɪk tɪ æd pərˈhæps ðət ɪf ju ˈwəri əˈbaʊt ˈhɛdˌwɪndz, ðɛr ˈɪzənt ə ˈsɛnʧəri ɪn wɪʧ ðɛr hæv bɪn mɔr ˈhɛdˌwɪndz, ˈgloʊbəli, ðən ðə ˈsɛnʧəri. aɪ min, ju θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ɪt, kəmˈpɛr ɪt tɪ ðə ˈsɛnʧəri, fər ˈɪnstəns. ðɪs ɪz ə ˈsɛnʧəri ɪn wɪʧ wi hæv tu ˈgloʊbəl ˈmeɪʤər wɔrz, ðə wərst dɪˈprɛʃən əv ɔl taɪmz, bɪtˈwin 1929 ənd 1939 ðə raɪz əv ˌtoʊˌtælɪˈtɛriən rəˈʒimz əv boʊθ ðə lɛft ənd ðə raɪt. ðə koʊld wɔr, wɪθ ən ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbəl əˈmaʊnt əv weɪst əv ˈrisɔrsɪz ɔn ˈnukliər ɑrmz. ɔn ənd ɔn ənd ɔn. ˈplɛnti əv ˈhɛdˌwɪndz, ənd jɛt ðɪs həz bɪn ðə moʊst səkˈsɛsfəl ˈsɛnʧəri ɪn tərmz əv ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈhɪstəri ðət ˈɛvər ˈhæpənd. soʊ, ʤul wɑz ˌæbsəˈlutli raɪt. ənd ðə ɑdz stækt əˈgɛnst ɪt wər ʤɪst ɪˈnɔrmɪs. ənd soʊ wət ˈpipəl laɪk mi hæv tɪ du ɪz ˈæˌkʧuəli kəm aʊt ənd ɪkˈspleɪn haʊ dɪˈspaɪt ɔl ðiz sɔrt əv pəˈlɪtɪkəl ənd ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃənəl dɪˈzæstərz, ˈbeɪsɪkli ðə ˈjumən reɪs həz bɪn ˈeɪbəl tɪ lɪft ˌɪtˈsɛlf əp tɪ ə ˈstændərd əv ˈlɪvɪŋ ðət wʊd hæv bɪn ˌənɪˈmæʤɪnəbəl ɪn 1900 ðæts aɪ θɪŋk ðə ˈɪʃu. rəs: bət əv kɔrs ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbəl ðət ðɛr ɪz ə ˈhɛdˌwɪnd, ðɛr ɪz səm fɔrs ˈwərkɪŋ əˈgɛnst groʊθ. ðɪs taɪm kʊd bi ˈdɪfərənt. gɛst: noʊ. ɪt kʊd bi, bət aɪ doʊnt θɪŋk soʊ. aɪ θɪŋk ðɛr ɪz ˈvɛri gʊd ˈrizən tɪ bɪˈliv kwaɪt ðə rɪˈvərs. ɪf wi lʊk æt wəts ˈhæpənɪŋ tɪ tɛkˈnɑləʤi, ðɛr ər ˈvɛri gʊd ˈrizənz tɪ bɪˈliv ðət ɪts goʊɪŋ tɪ du θɪŋz ðət ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi ˌɪˈmæʤənd 10 15 20 jɪrz əˈgoʊ; ənd ðɛr ər θɪŋz ðət ər ˈhæpənɪŋ naʊ, ənd ðə θɪŋz wi ər nɑt ˌɪˈmæʤənɪŋ æt ðə ˈmoʊmənt, ðət wɪl teɪk pleɪs 10 15 20 jɪrz frəm naʊ. ənd ɔn ənd ɔn. aɪ θɪŋk ðət ðət ˈbeɪsɪkli ɪz wət ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ ˈhæpən. naʊ, ɪt woʊnt ɔl bi gʊd. tɛkˈnɑləʤi ˈɔlˌweɪz ɪz ə mɪkst bæg; ɪts nɑt fər ˈnəθɪŋ ðət ˈʤoʊzəf kɔld ɪt 'kriˈeɪtɪv kriˈeɪtɪv bət ɪt ˈɔlsoʊ dɪˈstrɔɪz ə lɔt. ðɛrz ˈɔlˌweɪz peɪn tɪ goʊ wɪθ ðə geɪn. ənd ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ðə peɪn ɪz ˈprɪti bæd. bət ðæts ðə ˈneɪʧər əv ðə bist; ðæts ʤɪst wət ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən ɪz əˈbaʊt. bət ˈbeɪsɪkli maɪ ˈætəˌtud ɪz, wɪn ju lʊk æt əm nɑt ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˈɛni priˈdɪkʃənz əˈbaʊt ˈpɑləˌtɪks ənd wəts goʊɪŋ tɪ ˈhæpən tɪ dɪˈmɑkrəsi ənd θɪŋz laɪk ðət bɪˈkəz ðæts nɑt maɪ ˈætəˌtud ɪz ju eɪnt sin ˈnəθɪŋ jɛt. ðə bɛst ɪz stɪl tɪ kəm. rəs: əm ˈvɛri ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk tɪ ðət vju. əm ɔn jʊr saɪd ɪn ðɪs dəˈbeɪt. aɪ θɪŋk wən əv ðə ˈprɑbləmz wi hæv ɪn ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈpipəl tɪ bɪˈliv ɪt ɪz ðeɪ seɪ, wɛl, haʊ du ju noʊ? ənd ðɛn ju seɪ lɛts goʊ tɪ ðə pæst ənd seɪ, tˈwɛnti jɪrz əˈgoʊ wɪn ðə ˈɪntərˌnɛt wɑz ə ˈtaɪni ˈlɪtəl fəˈnɑməˌnɑn ɪt wɑz ə ˈtoʊtəli ˈdɪfərənt wərld ənd ju kʊd nɑt hæv ˌɪˈmæʤənd nɑt ˈoʊnli ðə tɛkˈnɑləʤi ðət wɑz ˈkəmɪŋ ənd ðə θɪŋz wi wʊd du wɪθ ɪt, bət ðə ʤɑbz ðət wʊd bi kriˈeɪtɪd ənd ðə ˌɑpərˈtunətiz fər ˈjumən ɪkˈsprɛʃən ðət ˈdɪdənt ɪgˈzɪst ðɛn. gɛst: ˌæbsəˈlutli. əm ə hɪˈstɔriən, soʊ fər mi, ðə ˈɪntərˌnɛt ɪz ɔl ˈrisənt stəf. bət aɪ lʊk bæk æt ðə læst, seɪ, 400 jɪrz. əm ˈvɛri ˈhæpi tɪ stɑrt ɪn 1600 ənd ˈæˌkʧuəli aɪ doʊnt bɪˈlɔŋ tɪ ðə skul əv ˈpipəl hu seɪ, ɪf ju wɔnt tɪ prɪˈdɪkt ðə fˈjuʧər, ʤɪst lʊk æt ðə pæst ənd traɪ tɪ ɛkˈstræpəˌleɪt. aɪ doʊnt ˈæˌkʧuəli du ðət. wi ər ˈlɪvɪŋ ɪn ən eɪʤ ɪn wɪʧ ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ɪz soʊ ˈdɪfərənt ðət ðɛr ər ˈvɛri ˈlɪmɪtɪd θɪŋz ju kən lərn frəm ðə pæst. bət hir ɪz wən əv ðoʊz ˈlɪmɪtɪd θɪŋz. soʊ, ðə weɪ ðət ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən əˈkərz ɪz ɪt həz ə ˈvɛri ˈkɑmpləˌkeɪtəd ənd ˈsətəl ˈɪntərˌpleɪ wɪθ wət wi noʊ. soʊ ɛˈsɛnʃəli ju kʊd θɪŋk əˈbaʊt tɛkˈnɑləʤi ɛz ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət wi du, raɪt? tɛkˈniks ər ˈnəθɪŋ mɔr ðən ə sɛt əv ˈrɛsəpiz. hir ɪz haʊ ju beɪk ə keɪk. ðæts nɑt ˈdɪfərənt ɪn ˈprɪnsəpəl æt list frəm: hir ɪz haʊ ju meɪk ən ˈɪŋgət əv stil, ər hir ɪz haʊ ju bɪld ə ˈnukliər riˈæktər. ðə ˈrɛsəpiz ər ˈrɛsəpiz ər ˈlɔŋgər, mɔr ˈkɑmpləˌkeɪtəd, bət ɛˈsɛnʃəli ðɪs ɪz wət tɛkˈniks ər əˈbaʊt. ðeɪ ər lɪsts əv ˌɪnˈstrəkʃənz. bɪˈhaɪnd ðət-- rəs: ɪts ðə ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən əv ˈnɑlɪʤ. gɛst: jæ. bɪˈhaɪnd ðət əv kɔrs ðɛr ɪz ə sɛt əv ˈnæʧərəl lɔz ənd ðət wi hæv ˌəndərˈstʊd. soʊ ju kʊd kɔl ðət saɪəns, bət ðɛr ɪz mɔr tɪ ɪt ðən saɪəns bɪˈkəz ðət ɔl ˌɪnˈvɑlvz səm ˈvɛri baʊnd[?] ˈnɑlɪʤ, laɪk ɪn ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ɪts hɑt ɪn ðə ˈsəmər ənd koʊld ɪn ðə ˈwɪntər, ˈsəmθɪŋ laɪk ðət. ˈdəzənt hæv tɪ bi saɪəns, bət ɪts ˈsəmθɪŋ wi noʊ əˈbaʊt ɑr ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt. naʊ hir ɪz ðə weɪ aɪ si θɪŋz. ðiz tu taɪps əv tɛkˈnɑləʤi ˌɪnərˈækt wɪθ wən əˈnəðər ɪn ə ˈvɛri ˈsətəl weɪ. ɪts nɑt ʤɪst ðət wi dɪˈskəvər lɔz əv dɪˈskəvər ˌrɛləˈtɪvəti ər kˈwɑntəm məˈkænɪks ənd ðɛn wi goʊ ənd bɪld ə ˈnukliər riˈæktər. ɪts məʧ mɔr ˈkɑmplɛks ðən ðət. baɪ ˈbɪldɪŋ ə ˈnukliər riˈæktər ər baɪ ˈbɪldɪŋ ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən sɛts ər smɑrt foʊnz ər ˈsəmθɪŋ, wi lərn mɔr əˈbaʊt saɪəns. ənd bæk ənd fɔrθ. soʊ ðiz tu ˌriɪnˈfɔrs wən əˈnəðər ɪn ə ˈvɛri ˈsətəl weɪ. soʊ hir ɪz wən weɪ ɪn wɪʧ ðət ˌriɪnˈfɔrsmənt əˈkərz, ðət aɪ θɪŋk ɪz ˈkrɪtɪkəl. saɪəns kən pərˈsid wɪn ɪt həz ˈbɛtər ˈɪnstrəmənts ənd tulz tɪ ˈstədi ˈneɪʧər. naʊ, ðiz ˈɪnstrəmənts ənd tulz ər bɪlt baɪ ˈpipəl hu meɪk θɪŋz. soʊ ðɛr kʊd bi, seɪ, ɑpˈtɪʃənz hu meɪk ðɛr ˈmaɪkrəˌskoʊps ər ˈbɛtər ˈtɛləˌskoʊps ər ˈsəmˌbɑdi ɛls hu meɪks ə sɛt əv læb ˈɪnstrəmənts. bət ˈbeɪsɪkli saɪəns kən ədˈvæns ˈlɑrʤli bɪˈkəz ɪt həz ˈbɛtər ˈɪnstrəmənts æt ɪts dɪˈspoʊzəl. soʊ ɪt ɪz nɑt baɪ ˈæksədənt ðət wi θɪŋk əv ðə ˈsɛnʧəri ɛz ən eɪʤ ɪn wɪʧ ə ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˌrɛvəˈluʃən əˈkərd, bɪˈkəz ðət ɪz wɪn ɑpˈtɪʃənz fər ðə fərst taɪmz bɪld ə sɛt əv ˈlɛnzɪz baɪ wɪʧ ˌgæləˈlioʊ kʊd lʊk əp ənd ɪn ðə skaɪ ənd faɪnd ðə munz əv ˈʤupɪtər, wɪʧ hæd ˈnɛvər bɪn əbˈzərvd baɪ ə ˈjumən biɪŋ bɪˈkəz ɑr aɪ ˈɪzənt ɪkˈwɪpt tɪ du ðət. soʊ, ðə ˈtɛləˌskoʊp ənd ðə ˈmaɪkrəˌskoʊp ənd ðə ˈvækjum pəmp ənd ðə hoʊl bənʧ əv θɪŋz laɪk ðət ˈbeɪsɪkli hɛlpt ˈtrɪgər wət wi kɔl ðə ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˌrɛvəˈluʃən əv ðə ˈsɛnʧəri, ˈkəlməˌneɪtɪŋ ɪn ðə grænd krɪˈʃɛndoʊ wɪθ ðə wərk əv ˈaɪzɪk ˈnutən. ðæts ɔl pʊʃt ɪn lɑrʤ pɑrt baɪ ˈbɛtər tulz, ˈbɛtər ˈɪnstrəmənts. naʊ, ɪf ju θɪŋk əˈbaʊt wət wi hæv dən ɪn ðət dɪˈmɛnʃən təˈdeɪ, ɪz ðət wi hæv ˈædɪd ə tul ðət noʊ wən wʊd hæv drimd əˈbaʊt ˌbiˈfɔr, ˈneɪmli, ˌhaɪˈpaʊərd kəmˈpjutɪŋ. ju lʊk æt wəts ˈhæpənɪŋ ɪn saɪəns təˈdeɪ, ɪn ˈɛni kaɪnd əv ˈrisərʧ, nɑt ʤɪst ˈnæʧərəl ˌənɪˈmæʤɪnəbəl tɪ du wɪˈθaʊt kəmˈpjutərz. ðeɪ geɪv ə noʊˈbɛl praɪz ɪn ˈkɛmɪstri ðɪs jɪr tɪ ə bənʧ əv ˈpipəl hu ˈbeɪsɪkli ˈstɑrtɪd tɪ ˈsɪmjəˌleɪt lɑrʤ ˈmɑləˌkjulz wɪθ kəmˈpjutər ˈproʊˌgræmz. ðɛr ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət ɑntˈwɑn lavoisier*, ˈfaʊndər əv ˈmɑdərn ˈkɛmɪstri, kʊd nɑt hæv ˌɪˈmæʤənd, bɪˈkəz hi ˈkʊdənt hæv θɔt əˈbaʊt ðə kaɪnd əv kəmˈpjutər paʊər ðət ðiz ˈpipəl hæv æt ðɛr dɪˈspoʊzəl. ɪf hi hæd tɪ du ə ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən, hi hæd tɪ du ɪt baɪ hænd. ənd ðæts ðə weɪ ɪt wɑz ənˈtɪl ˈfɛrli ˈrisəntli, ɪn ən hɪˈstɔrɪkəl pɔɪnt əv vju. təˈdeɪ ðə kəmˈpjutər paʊər ðət wi hæv ɪz soʊ ˌɪˈmɛns ðət ˈɛndləs ˈprɑbləmz ðət wiv bɪn ˈstrəgəlɪŋ wɪθ ɔl əv ə ˈsədən ər wɪˈθɪn səˈluʃən, ɔl ðə weɪ frəm ðə səˈluʃən əv, seɪ, ˈvɛri ˈdɪfəkəlt ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl ɪkˈweɪʒənz ðət hæv noʊ səˈluʃən bət kən bi ˈsɪmjəˌleɪtɪd ənd ˈkæləˌbreɪtəd baɪ minz əv məˈʃinz, ɔl ðə weɪ daʊn tɪ ˈstədiɪŋ ˈsɛnʧəri ˈɔθərz ənd duɪŋ ə wərd æˈnælɪsɪs baɪ ðə minz əv kəmˈpjutərz. soʊ ðɪs ɪz ðə moʊst paʊər ˈpaʊərfəl ˈrisərʧ tul ðət ˈjumənz hæv ˈɛvər ˌɪnˈvɛntɪd. ənd wi ʤɪst ˈstɑrtɪd tɪ skræʧ ðə ˈsərfəs. wi ʤɪst bɪˈgæn ðɪs. naʊ, ju θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ðə ˈkɛmɪstri ənd ðə ˈfɪzɪks ənd ðə ˌnænoʊˌtɛkˈnɑləˌʤi ðət ðiz məˈʃinz wɪl dɪˈvɛləp ənd ju si wət ðeɪ wɪl ðɛn du tɪ ˈfərðər ˈɪnstrəmənts, ju wɪl si ðɪs mˈjuʧuəli ˌriɪnˈfɔrsɪŋ ˈprɔˌsɛs ðæts ˈbeɪsɪkli goʊɪŋ tɪ lɔnʧ ˈjuˈɛs ˈɪntu ən ˈɔrbət ðət wi təˈdeɪ ˈivɪn ˈkænɑt ˌɪˈmæʤən. ðæts waɪ əm ən ˈɑptɪmɪst. ju si, ðæts ðə weɪ θɪŋz ˈæˌkʧuəli wərk. rəs: soʊ, aɪ wɔnt tɪ brɪŋ əp tu ˈʧælənʤɪz tɪ ðət vju ənd gɪt jʊr riˈækʃən. ˈɛdmənd fɛlps wɑz ə ˈrisənt gɛst ɔn ðə ˈproʊˌgræm ənd hi wɑz dɪsˈmɪsɪv əv saɪəns ənd ˌɪnˈvɛnʃənz ɛz ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ˈkɔzɪz əv ˈjumən ədˈvænsmənt. hi ˈɛmfəˌsaɪzɪz məʧ mɔr smɔl ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz æt ə ˈvɛri ˈmaɪˌkroʊ ˈlɛvəl. ju sim tɪ dɪsəˈgri wɪθ ðət. gɛst: aɪ du dɪsəˈgri wɪθ ðət. aɪ noʊ ɛd, nɛd, ənd aɪ noʊ hɪz bʊk, mæs ˈflərɪʃɪŋ. aɪv rɛd ɪt, ənd aɪv ˈæˌkʧuəli rivˈjud ɪt. hiz ə greɪt ɪˈkɑnəmɪst, bət aɪ θɪŋk hiz rɔŋ əˈbaʊt ðɪs. aɪ θɪŋk hi ˈdəzənt kwaɪt ˌəndərˈstænd ðət ˈɛvəri wəns ɪn ə waɪl wət wi nid ɪz ə kənˈsɛpʧuəl ˈbreɪkθˌru wɪˈθaʊt wɪʧ ðiz mæs ˈlɪtəl θɪŋz ðət hiz tɔkt əm nɑt æt ɔl dɪˈnaɪɪŋ; ðeɪ ər ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt. ə lɔt əv ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən ɪz ˈhæpənɪŋ ɪn ˈvɛri smɔl ˈɪŋkrəˌmɛnts baɪ ˌɑntrəprəˈnərz. bət ˈbeɪsɪkli ɪf ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈfərðər ɪkˈspænʧən əv ɑr ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ əv ˈneɪʧər, ənd əv ˈfɪzɪks, ˈkɛmɪstri, baɪˈɑləʤi, ðɛn æt səm pɔɪnt nɛdz mæs ər goʊɪŋ tɪ rən ˈɪntu dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ rɪˈtərnz. ˈɛvəri ɪˈkɑnəmɪst ˌəndərˈstændz ðət ɪf ju hæv ə fɪkst ˈfæktər ənd ju æd ə ˈvɛriəbəl ˈfæktər, æt səm pɔɪnt ðɪs ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ rən ˈɪntu dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ rɪˈtərnz. ənd soʊ ˈklæsɪkəl ˈfɪzɪks ɛz ɪt wɑz ˈkəlməˌneɪtɪd ɪn ðə leɪt ˈsɛnʧəri wərk əv ˈpipəl laɪk ˈkɛlvɪn, ˈbeɪsɪkli kʊd teɪk ju ʤɪst soʊ fɑr. ɪt kʊd nɑt du fər ju wət kˈwɑntəm məˈkænɪks dɪd. ənd soʊ ju nid ə bɪg ə bɪg stɛp. ənd wəns kˈwɑntəm məˈkænɪks ɪz əraʊnd ðɛm ə hoʊl bənʧ əv ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪks ənd θɪŋz ɪn ˈəðər fildz ˈfɑloʊ. bət aɪ doʊnt θɪŋk ɪts kənˈsivəbəl ðət θɪŋz laɪk kˈwɑntəm məˈkænɪks ənd ˌrɛləˈtɪvəti, ənd ðə lɪst goʊz ɔn ənd ɔn, kʊd hæv dɪˈvɛləpt θru nɛdz mæs ˈflərɪʃɪŋ. soʊ hiz ˈtɛlɪŋ hæf ðə ˈstɔri, bət hiz fərˈgɛtɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ɪn ðə fɪkst ˈfæktər. rəs: soʊ, hi ˈjuzɪz hɪz ɪgˈzæmpəlz laɪk ðə ˈreɪˌlroʊd ər ðə stim ˈɪnʤən ənd səˈʤɛsts ðeɪ ər over-rated*. gɛst: wɛl, noʊ. aɪ θɪŋk hɪz vju əv tɛkˈnɑləʤi ˈhɪstəri ˈdɪfərz kwaɪt məˈtɪriəli frəm maɪn. lɛts tɔk əˈbaʊt ðə stim ˈɪnʤən, bɪˈkəz aɪ noʊ stəf əˈbaʊt ɪt ənd aɪv ˈrɪtən əˈbaʊt ɪt. soʊ, hɪrz ðə θɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðə stim ˈɪnʤən. ənd hiz ˌæbsəˈlutli stim ˈɪnʤən, ðə fərst ˈwərkɪŋ ˈmɑdəl əv ðə stim ˈɪnʤən wɑz ˌɪnˈstɔld, baɪ ɔl əˈkaʊnts, ɪn 1712 baɪ ə gaɪ kɔld ˈtɑməs, hu wɑz sɔrt əv ə ˈblæksˌmɪθ ənd ˈɪnstrəmənt ˈmeɪkər ɪn ˈɪŋglənd. naʊ, ju θɪŋk ə ˈlɪtəl bɪt əˈbaʊt ðə θɪŋ ðət hi bɪlt, ənd wət hi bɪlt wɑz ən ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk ˈɪnʤən. ˌoʊˈkeɪ? soʊ ɪt wɑz beɪst ɔn ðə ˈprɪnsəpəl, ˈleɪtər məʧ ˈmɑdəˌfaɪd, ðət ɪf ju kriˈeɪt ə ˈvækjum ɪn ə ˈsɪlɪndər, ðət ðə ˈprɛʃər əv ðə ˈætməsˌfɪr wɪl əˈlaʊ ju tɪ pʊʃ ðə ˈpɪstən əp ənd daʊn ɛz ðə stim ɪkˈspændz. soʊ, naʊ wət du ju hæv tɪ noʊ tɪ bɪld ə məˈʃin laɪk ðət? wɛl, ˈklɪrli ju doʊnt hæv tɪ noʊ wət wi kɔl təˈdeɪ thermodynamics*, wɪʧ wɑz dɪˈvɛləpt ˈrɪli ə ˈsɛnʧəri ənd hæf ˈleɪtər ðən ðə stim ˈɪnʤən, ənd kəˈnɛktɪd mɔr wɪθ ðə rɪˈzəlt əv ðə stim ˈɪnʤən ðən ðə ˈəðər weɪ əraʊnd. bət hi hæd tɪ noʊ wən θɪŋ, rəs: ju hæd tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd ðət ðə ərθ ɪz sərˈaʊndɪd baɪ ən ˈætməsˌfɪr. wi ər ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈlɪvɪŋ æt ðə ˈbɑtəm əv ən ˈoʊʃən əv ɛr. naʊ, ˈɛvriˌbɑdi ɪn ðə wərld təˈdeɪ noʊz ðət ənd ˌəndərˈstændz ðət, bət ðə truθ ɪz ðət ðɪs ˈwəzənt ˈrɪli ˈfʊli ˈriəˌlaɪzd ənˈtɪl wən əv ˌgæləˈlioʊz ˈstudənts, kɔld ɛvɑŋgɛˈlistə ˌtɔrɪˈsɛli, hu wɑz ðə fərst tɪ ˈfʊli ˈriəˌlaɪz ðət ðɛr ɪz ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk ˈprɛʃər ðət ɪz ˈpʊʃɪŋ ˈjuˈɛs daʊn ɔn ðɪs ərθ. soʊ, wəns ju hæv ðət, ˈɛvər sɪns ju bɪld ðə bərˈɑmɪtər, ənd ðɛn ˈpipəl wər ˈrənɪŋ əp ənd daʊn ˈmaʊntənz ənd ʃoʊɪŋ ðət ðə ˈprɛʃər wɑz ˈæˌkʧuəli goʊɪŋ əp ər ju wɛnt əp ðə ˈprɛʃər wɛnt daʊn, ənd soʊ ðət ðə ˈprɛʃər əv ðə ˈætməsˌfɪr kʊd bi juzd. soʊ ðɛr ɪz ðɪs ˈfeɪməs ˈpɪkʧər; ˈmɛni ˈpipəl hu hæv ˈteɪkən ə kɔrs ɪn ðə ˈhɪstəri əv saɪəns, əv ðiz tu ˈsɛpərˌeɪt ˈkɑpər gloʊbz ðət wər pʊt təˈgɛðər baɪ ə ˈʤərmən ˈsaɪəntɪst kɔld ˈɑˌtoʊ vɔn guericke*, hu wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ lɔrd meɪər əv ðə ˈsɪti magdeburg*; ənd hi pʊt ðoʊz tu ˈkɑpər gloʊbz təˈgɛðər ənd baɪ ðə minz əv ən ɛr pəmp hi səkt aʊt ɔl ðə ɛr; ənd ðɛn hi spænz tu ˈhɔrsɪz tɪ iʧ saɪd əv ðə gloʊb ənd ʃoʊd ðət ðeɪ ˈkʊdənt pʊl ɪt əˈpɑrt. ðət ðə ˈprɛʃər əv ðə ˈætməsˌfɪr wɑz soʊ strɔŋ ðət ˈhɔrsɪz ˈkʊdənt pʊl ðiz tu gloʊbz əˈpɑrt, ˈsɪmpli bɪˈkəz ðɛr wɑz ə ˈvækjum ˌɪnˈsaɪd. naʊ ðət wɑz ə ˈmeɪʤər ˈbreɪkθˌru. ənd ðɪs ɪz nɑt ə keɪs əv mæs ˈflərɪʃɪŋ. ðɪs ɪz ə bənʧ əv highly-trained*, ˈhaɪli ˈɛʤəˌkeɪtɪd, ɪkˈstrimli ˌɪˈmæʤənətɪv people--torricelli*, vɔn guericke*, bleɪz pæˈskæl ðə ˈfeɪməs ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃən wɑz ˌɪnˈvɑlvd ɪn ðɪs, ə hoʊl bənʧ əv ˈpipəl. ənd baɪ sɔrt əv 1660 ðɪs bɪˈkəmz ˈwaɪdli noʊn. ðɛr ɪz noʊ daʊt ðət məst hæv ˌəndərˈstʊd ðət, bɪˈkəz wɪˈθaʊt ðət, ðə hoʊl aɪˈdiə əv ən ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk ˈɪnʤən vərˈaɪəti, ər ðɛr wɑz ə sˈlaɪtli ˈdɪfərənt vərˈaɪəti dɪˈvɛləpt ˌbiˈfɔr baɪ ə gaɪ kɔld ˈtɑməs ˈkʊdənt hæv ˌɪˈmæʤənd ə stim ˈɪnʤən wɪˈθaʊt noʊɪŋ ðət ðɛr ɪz ən ˈætməsˌfɪr. ənd soʊ ˈpipəl wər ˈæskɪŋ, kʊd ðə ʧaɪˈniz hæv bɪlt ə stim ˈɪnʤən? ənd ðə ˈbeɪsɪk ˈænsər, ɪz: noʊ, ənˈlɛs ðeɪ hæd dɪˈskəvərd wət ðə ˌjʊrəˈpiənz dɪˈskəvərd ɪn ðə ˈsɛnʧəri, wɪʧ ɪz ðə ɪgˈzɪstəns əv ən ˈætməsˌfɪr. naʊ, wəns ju hæv ðət ˈnɑlɪʤ, ðɛn ə lɔt əv θɪŋz ənd ə lɔt əv ˈlɪtəl ˌɪmˈpruvmənts wɪl gɪt ju ə lɔŋ ˈdɪstəns. wɪˈθaʊt ðət, ðə aɪˈdiə əv ðə stim ˈɪnʤən ɪz noʊ mɔr ˌɪˈmæʤənəbəl, noʊ mɔr ˈplɔzəbəl ðən ˈbɪldɪŋ ə ˈnukliər riˈæktər wɪˈθaʊt ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ, ju noʊ, əˈtɑmɪk ˈθɪri. soʊ, ɪn ðət sɛns, aɪ θɪŋk nɛd ɪz rɔŋ. hi həz tɪ noʊ ˈsəmθɪŋ ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ bɪld ən ədˈvænst məˈʃin. ənd məʧ əv ðə kəm ˈsəbsəkwəntli, aɪ ˈtoʊtəli əˈgri. bət ðɛr ər taɪmz wɪn saɪəns meɪks ə bɪg stɛp ˈfɔrwərd ənd sɪz, ɔl raɪt, naʊ wi kən du ðɪs ənd wi ˈkænɑt du ðət. hir ɪz əˈnəðər ɪgˈzæmpəl. naʊ juv gɑt mi goʊɪŋ. soʊ, θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ˈmɑdərn ˈkɛmɪstri. ˈmɑdərn ˈkɛmɪstri həz bɪn ən ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbəl sɔrs əv ˈprɑˌgrɛs. wɪˈθaʊt ˈmɑdərn ˈkɛmɪstri wi ˈwʊdənt hæv ˈfərtəˌlaɪzər, wi ˈwʊdənt hæv sɪnˈθɛtɪk məˈtɪriəlz. ˈɛnibədi ˌəndərˈstændz ɪt. naʊ, ˈkɛmɪstri ɛz wi ˌəndərˈstænd ɪt təˈdeɪ wɑz ɛˈsɛnʃəli ðə ˈprɑdəkt əv, aɪ wʊd seɪ, æt moʊst ə ˈdəzən ˈpipəl ˈwərkɪŋ bɪtˈwin 1760 ənd 1800 ˌoʊˈkeɪ? ðə ˈlɑrʤəst əv wɪʧ wɑz ɑntˈwɑn lavoisier*, bət ðɛr wər ˈəðər ˈpipəl ˌɪnˈvɑlvd. bət ðɪs ɪz ə ˈmeɪʤər ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈbreɪkθˌru, ˈæftər wɪʧ ə lɔt əv mæs ər ˈpɑsəbəl. wɪˈθaʊt ðoʊz ˈpipəl, wɪˈθaʊt ˈmɑdərn ˈkɛmɪstri, ðɪs wʊd hæv bɪn ˌɪnkənˈsivəbəl. bɪˈkəz ˈpipəl hæd ðə ˈtoʊtəli rɔŋ ˈmɑdəl əv haʊ məˈtɪriəlz wərk. ənd ˈnəθɪŋ wʊd hæv ˈrɪli wərkt aʊt. ju wɔnt əˈnəðər ɪgˈzæmpəl? rəs: lɛt mi ˈʧælənʤ ju wɪθ ə ˈdɪfərənt ˈɪʃu. aɪ əˈgri wɪθ ju. lɛt mi æsk ju ə ˈdɪfərənt kˈwɛʃən. ˈtaɪlər koʊən, ˈɔlsoʊ ə ˈpriviəs gɛst ɔn ðɪs ˈproʊˌgræm, həz sɛd: wɛl, ðə reɪt əv groʊθ ɪz sloʊɪŋ daʊn ənd wəts ˈkəmɪŋ ɪn ðə fˈjuʧər ɪz ˈæˌkʧuəli wi ər goʊɪŋ tɪ hæv səm ˌækˌsɛlərˈeɪʃən əˈlɔŋ ðə laɪnz juv tɔkt əˈbaʊt bɪˈkəz əv sˈmɑrtər məˈʃinz ənd tulz, bət fər ðə ˈævərɪʤ ˈpərsən ɪts goʊɪŋ tɪ bi kaɪnd əv blik bɪˈkəz smɑrt məˈʃinz ər goʊɪŋ tɪ teɪk əˈweɪ ʤɑbz ənd ðə skɪlz ðət wi hæv, wɪʧ ɪz ɑr juˈmænɪti, ɑr ˌkrieɪˈtɪvəti, ɑr breɪnz. ənd ðə ˈpipəl æt ðə ˈəpər ɛnd ər goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈhæpi ənd rɪʧ, bət ðə ˈævərɪʤ ˈpərsən maɪt hæv ə lɔt əv ˈtrəbəl ɪn ə wərld əv smɑrt məˈʃinz. ɛz ən ˈɑptɪmɪst, haʊ du ju ˈænsər ðət? gɛst: wɛl, ðɪs ɪz ə məʧ mɔr, aɪ θɪŋk, ˈsɪriəs ˈɪʃu. aɪ θɪŋk ɪt kən bi dɛlt wɪθ, ˌoʊˈkeɪ, bət ðət kaɪnd əv ˈdeɪnʤər ˈɔlˌweɪz ɪgˈzɪsts. tɛkˈnɑləʤi həz ðə ˈtɛndənsi tɪ meɪk skɪlz ˌɑbsəˈlit. ənd ðə ril ˈprɑbləm ɪz nɑt ðət ɪt wɪl nɑt kriˈeɪt nu ʤɑbz, nu ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃənz, nu specializations*, nu ˈʧælənʤɪz. ðə ˈprɑbləm ɪz ˈpipəl hu ər ˈluzɪŋ ðɛr ər nɑt ˈluzɪŋ ðɛr skɪlz bət ðɛr skɪlz bɪˈkəm sɔrt əv ˈvæljuləs. ðiz ər ˈpipəl ðət ˈtɪpɪkəli ɪt wɪl ˈvɛri ˈdɪfəkəlt tɪ riˈtreɪn ɪn ðə nu ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃənz. ənd soʊ wət ju meɪ wɛl əbˈzərv ɪz ə hoʊl ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃən əv ˈpipəl hu goʊ θru wət ðə ˈwivərz wɛnt θru ɪn ðə ˌɪnˈdəstriəl ˌrɛvəˈluʃən, wɪʧ ɪz ðɛr skɪlz bɪˈkeɪm ˌɑbsəˈlit. ðeɪ wər tu oʊld, ər fər səm ˈəðər ˈrizən ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl əv biɪŋ riˈtreɪnd, ənd ðeɪ daɪd ˈbɪtər ənd ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪd, ənd ˈmɛni əv ðɛm pur. ðət ɪz wət tɛkˈnɑləʤi dɪz. naʊ, ɪn ðə ˈvɛri lɔŋ rən, aɪ θɪŋk ðə ɪˈkɑnəmi wɪl koʊp wɪθ ðət ɪn ə vərˈaɪəti əv weɪz, wən əv kɔrs wɪl bi ðət wi ər goʊɪŋ tɪ bi kriˈeɪtɪŋ nu ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃənz ðət ər ə rɪˈzəlt əv ðə nu tɛkˈnɑləʤi. soʊ, ju fæst[?] ˈsəmˌbɑdi ɪn ə sɔrt əv ə 1945 oʊ wɪl ju toʊld ˈsəmˌbɑdi, ðət məˈʃin ðət vɔn ˈnumən bɪlt ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈrɪli smɔl ənd ɪt wɪl hæv 5 ˈmɪljən taɪmz ðə kəmˈpjutər paʊər, ənd hɪrz haʊ ɪt wɪl lʊk ənd du. ənd hi wɪl ˈwəri, wɛl, wət kaɪnd əv wərk wɪl ˈpipəl du ɪf məˈʃinz wɪl du ɔl ðə ˈθɪŋkɪŋ, ɔl ðə kəmˈpjutɪŋ? soʊ hir ɪz ən ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən ðət ɪz ɪn 1945 wi ər goʊɪŋ tɪ æm ˈpʊlɪŋ ˈsəmθɪŋ aʊt əv ə ju kʊd kəmˈpjutər geɪm dɪˈvɛləpər, soʊ ˈpipəl hu raɪt kəmˈpjutər geɪmz, ðə ˈnoʊʃən ðət hi geɪv ðə kəmˈpjutər wʊd hæv bɪn ˈrəðər-- rəs: bɪˈzɑr. gɛst: bɪˈzɑr, fər ˈsəmˌbɑdi ɪn 1945 ðeɪ wʊd θɪŋk əv kəmˈpjutərz ɛz ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪŋ bəˈlɪstɪk trajectories*. bət pleɪɪŋ ˈpækmən ər ˈfaɪtɪŋ ðə ˈtroʊʤən wɔr ɔl ˈoʊvər əˈgɛn, wɪʧ aɪ ˌəndərˈstænd ju kən du təˈdeɪ ɔn kaɪnd. soʊ ðɛr ər ər ðɛr wɪl bi nu ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃənz fər ˈpipəl, ˈpipəl hu du ər θɪŋz laɪk ðət. hɪrz əˈnəðər θɪŋ wɪʧ ʤɪst əˈkərd tɪ mi ðə læst fju deɪz bɪˈkəz æt ˈɛnˈpiˈɑr (ˈnæʃənəl ˈpəblɪk ˈreɪdiˌoʊ) wi ər duɪŋ ə ˈsɪriz ɔn ðɪs. bət ðɪs ɪz ˌæbsəˈlutli tru. ˈmɑdərn tɛkˈnɑləʤi əˈlaʊz ˈjuˈɛs tɪ ˈæˌkʧuəli ɪnˈgeɪʤ ɪn trænˈzækʃənz ðət ˌbiˈfɔr ðət wʊd hæv bɪn ɪkˈstrimli ˈdɪfəkəlt bɪˈkəz əv ə vərˈaɪəti əv ˌɪnˈfɔrˌmeɪʃənəl ˌeɪˈsɪmətriz ɪn trænˈzækʃənz kɔsts. soʊ, ju lʊk æt ˈsəmθɪŋ laɪk airbnb*, wɛr ˈpipəl ˈæˌkʧuəli bɪˈkəm sɔrt əv ˈoʊnərz tɪ ˈəðər ˌɪndəˈvɪʤəwəlz. soʊ ðɪs ɪz ˌpɪrtoʊˈpɪr treɪd ɪn wɪʧ aɪ ˈkɑnˌtrækt wɪθ ˈsəmˌbɑdi ɪn sæn frænˈsɪskoʊ tɪ rɛnt ən əˈpɑrtmənt fər ə ˈwiˌkɪnd. soʊ ðət ˈpərsən naʊ həz ə həz tɪ klin ðə əˈpɑrtmənt, wɑʃ maɪ ʃits, blɑ, blɑ, blɑ. ənd aɪ peɪ ɪm. soʊ ðət ˈpərsən naʊ həz ən ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən ðət hi ər ʃi ˈkʊdənt hæv hæd ˌbiˈfɔr bɪˈkəz wɪˈθaʊt ðə ˈɪntərˌnɛt ənd wɪˈθaʊt ðə sɔrt əv ˈklɛvər ˈsɛˌtəp əv ðə ˈwɛbˌsaɪt, ðɪs kʊd nɑt hæv ˈhæpənd. rəs: wɛl, ðeɪ kʊd du ɪt, bət ɪts ə smɔl ˈnəmbər əv ˈpipəl bɪˈkəz ɛz ju pɔɪnt aʊt ðə trænˈzækʃənz kɔsts ər ˈvɛri haɪ. gɛst: trænˈzækʃənz kɔsts wʊd hæv bɪn tu haɪ. ənd wət ðɪs saɪt dɪz, wɪʧ ɪz ˈvɛri nis, ɪz ju ˈæˌkʧuəli hæv ə ˈvɛri strɔŋ ˌɪnˈsɛnɪv tɪ bi əˈbaʊt ðɪs ənd nɑt tɪ ɪnˈgeɪʤ ɪn ˌɑpərˌtuˈnɪstɪk bɪˈheɪvjər. soʊ ðət aɪ æm nɑt goʊɪŋ tɪ goʊ ənd rɛnt ˈsəmˌbɑdiz əˈpɑrtmənt fər ə wik ənd ðɛn træʃ ɪt ənd breɪk ðə ˈfərnɪʧər ər ˌwəˈtɛvər, bɪˈkəz ɪf aɪ du ðɛn ðə ˈwɛbˌsaɪt wɪl noʊ ənd ðeɪ wɪl ˈpɛnəˌlaɪz mi baɪ nɑt ˈlɛtɪŋ mi ˈɛvər juz ɪt ˈɛvər əˈgɛn. soʊ ɪts ˈvɛri ˈklɛvərli dən. hɪrz əˈnəðər ɪgˈzæmpəl əv θɪŋz ðət ju kən du wɪʧ aɪ ʤɪst ˈlərnɪd. soʊ ˈpipəl hu baɪ, laɪk mi, hu ər ˈtoʊtəli ˈhoʊpləs wɪn ɪt kəmz tɪ ˈpʊtɪŋ θɪŋz təˈgɛðər, ðeɪ goʊ tɪ ˌaɪˈkiə ər tɪ ə ˈfərnɪʧər stɔr ənd ðeɪ baɪ ə nu dɛsk ənd ɪt kəmz ɪn ə bɑks, wɪθ, ju noʊ, ə ˈmɪljən ˈmɛtəl pɑrts ənd skruz ənd pɑrts ənd ðeɪ ˈhævənt ə klu əˈbaʊt haʊ tɪ du ðɪs, ənd ðeɪ spɛnd tu ˈmɪzərəbəl deɪz traɪɪŋ tɪ pʊt ɪt təˈgɛðər ənd ðɛn wɪl du ɪt kən ˈæˌkʧuəli goʊ ɔn ðə ˈɪntərˌnɛt təˈdeɪ, haɪər ˈsəmˌbɑdi ənd gɪt ðɛm tɪ du ðɪs fər ju fər ə smɔl fi. naʊ ðɛrz ə ˈmɑrkɪt ðət wi ˈwʊdənt hæv bɪn ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˌɪˈmæʤən ə waɪl əˈgoʊ. soʊ wət aɪ θɪŋk ɪz ðət ˈæftər tɛkˈnɑləʤi ɪˈvɑlvz, ɪt wɪl kriˈeɪt nu ˌɑpərˈtunətiz fər ˈpipəl tɪ ɪnˈgeɪʤ ɪn ækˈtɪvɪtiz ənd ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃənz ðət wi ˈkænɑt təˈdeɪ ˈivɪn ˌɪˈmæʤən. rəs: ˌoʊˈkeɪ, soʊ əm ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk tɪ ðɪs vju. ənd ðə ɪgˈzæmpəl aɪ laɪk tɪ juz ɪz ˈægrɪˌkəlʧər. ɪn 1900 40 əv ðə əˈmɛrɪkən ˈwərkˌfɔrs wɑz ɔn ðə fɑrm. ɪf ju toʊld ə ˈfɑrmər ər ən ˈævərɪʤ ˈpərsən ər ˈɛnibədi ɪn 1900 ðət ɪn 100 jɪrz ɪt wɑz goʊɪŋ tɪ bi 3 ðeɪd əˈsum wid stɑrv tɪ dɛθ ənd ðɛr wʊd bi mæs ˌrɛvəˈluʃən. ðət 40 37 əv ðɛm wʊd hæv ˈnəθɪŋ tɪ du. bət əv kɔrs ɪt ˈdɪdənt tərn aʊt ðət weɪ. ɛz ju pɔɪnt aʊt, ə bənʧ əv ʤɑbz keɪm əˈlɔŋ, ənd ˌɑpərˈtunətiz. bət aɪ θɪŋk ˈtaɪlər wʊd ˈɑrgju, tɪ gɪv ˈtaɪlər koʊən hɪz du: wɛl, wət ˈhæpənz wɪn kəmˈpjutərz kriˈeɪt ðɛr oʊn kəmˈpjutər geɪmz ənd ðə ˈjumən biɪŋz kænt du ɪt ˈɛni mɔr? bɪˈkəz ðeɪ kænt kəmˈpit wɪθ ðoʊz ˈrɪli smɑrt məˈʃinz? gɛst: wɛl, wi ər stɪl ˈgroʊpɪŋ əˈbaʊt wət kəmˈpjutərz kən ənd ˈkænɑt du. ənd ɪt ɪz kɔrs ðeɪ kən du ə lɔt mɔr θɪŋz ðən wi kən du təˈdeɪ. wɪn aɪ wɪl hæv ə ˈroʊˌbət du ə rut kəˈnæl ʤɑb ɔn maɪ tuθ, aɪl stɑrt ˈrɪli ˈwəriɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðət. bət aɪ θɪŋk ðət steɪʤ wi wɪl nɑt riʧ ɪn ðə fɔrˈsiəbəl fˈjuʧər. ənd əv kɔrs wət wɪl ˈhæpən ɪz, ɛz kəmˈpjutərz du mɔr ənd mɔr ʤɑbz ðət wər əˈnɪntrəstɪŋ, ruˈtin ˈɛniˌweɪ, mɔr ənd mɔr ˈpipəl wɪl bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ gɪt ˈɪntu ʤɑbz ɪn wɪʧ ɪt wɪl bi ˈvɛri hɑrd fər kəmˈpjutərz tɪ stɛp ɪn. rəs: ˌoʊˈkeɪ, soʊ aɪ æm goʊɪŋ tɪ pʊʃ bæk ɔn ðət. əˈgɛn, aɪ laɪk jʊr ˈɑrgjəmənt, bət wət əˈbaʊt ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ: wət ɪf aɪd sɛd tɪ ju, 15 jɪrz əˈgoʊ, ðə seɪm ˈɑrgjəmənt, ənd jʊd sɛd, wɛl, ðə deɪ wɪn ə ˈroʊˌbət kən teɪk aʊt maɪ ˈprɑˌsteɪt bɪˈkəz ɪts gɑt ˈkænsər, ðæts ðə deɪ əm goʊɪŋ tɪ ˈwəri. bət wi du hæv ɛˈsɛnʃəli ˈroʊˌbəts ðət du ðət. naʊ, ðeɪ ər ˈgaɪdɪd baɪ ˈjumən biɪŋz. ðə ˈɪʃu, aɪ gɛs, ɪz ˈwɛðər ðə ðət ɪt teɪks tɪ rən ðət ˈroʊˌbət, tɪ rən ðət ˈleɪzər, bɪˈkəmz ə ˈvɛri ˈizi θɪŋ tɪ du; ɛz ðə məˈʃinz gɪt sˈmɑrtər ənd mɔr ˈifɛktɪv, ɪts goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ˈhɑrdər tɪ meɪk ə gʊd ˈlɪvɪŋ ɛz ə ˈsərʤɪn. gɛst: ɪt meɪ bi ˈhɑrdər tɪ meɪk ə gʊd ˈlɪvɪŋ-- rəs: ər ə ˈdɛntɪst. gɛst: ɛz ə ˈsərʤɪn. ɪts tru ɪt wɪl bi ˈhɑrdər tɪ meɪk ə ˈlɪvɪŋ ɛz ə ˈsərʤɪn duɪŋ wət ˈsərʤənz du təˈdeɪ. bət ðə hoʊl pɔɪnt ɪz ðət wɪn ˈroʊˌbəts ər duɪŋ mɔr ənd mɔr ruˈtin ənd θɪŋz laɪk ˈsərʤənz wɪl bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ pʊʃ ðə ˈɛnvəˌloʊp aʊt ˈivɪn ˈfərðər tɪ du θɪŋz wɪʧ ˈroʊˌbəts ˈkænɑt du jɛt. ənd ðɛn ˈroʊˌbəts gɪt ðɛr. ðeɪ wɪl ʤɪst kip əˈhɛd əv ðɛm. naʊ, ɪn ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs, aɪ θɪŋk mɔr ənd mɔr ʤɑbz, mɔr ənd mɔr ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃənz wɪl ˌdɪsəˈpɪr. ðɛr aɪ ˈtoʊtəli əˈgri, aɪ əˈgri wɪθ ˈtaɪlər. moʊst əv ðə θɪŋz ðət wɪl ˌdɪsəˈpɪr wɪl bi ruˈtin. soʊ, lɛt mi teɪk ə stɛp bæk. wət ˌmɛkənəˈzeɪʃən həz dən ˈoʊvər ðə læst 250 ju ˈpɔɪntɪd aʊt, ɪn ˈbeɪsɪkli ɪˈlɪməˌneɪtɪd məʧ əv ðə ˈbækˌbreɪkɪŋ ˈdɪfəkəlt wərk ðət wɔr ˈpipəl aʊt. rəs: ənd ðæts bɪn greɪt. ðæts bɪn ə gʊd θɪŋ. gɛst: ənd naʊ wi ər ɪn ðə ˈprɔˌsɛs əv duɪŋ ðə seɪm θɪŋ wɪθ ˌmænjəˈfækʧərɪŋ. soʊ ə lɔt mɔr ˈbækˌbreɪkɪŋ, ˈbɔrɪŋ, ruˈtin ʤɑbz ər biɪŋ ˌriˈpleɪst baɪ ˈroʊˌbəts. ənd ɪts nɑt ʤɪst ɪn ˌmænjəˈfækʧərɪŋ. ˈægrɪˌkəlʧər. ɪts ɪn ˈsərvɪsɪz ɛz wɛl. ðɛr ər ˈvɛri fju ˈpipəl naʊ hu sɛl ˈtoʊkənz tɪ ðə sæn frænˈsɪskoʊ ər ˈwɔʃɪŋtən ˈmɛˌtroʊ, raɪt? ju baɪ ɪt aʊt əv ðə ˈroʊˌbət. ɪts nɑt ˈrɪli kɔld ə ˈroʊˌbət. rəs: raɪt. ɪts ən ˈeɪˌtiˈɛm (ˈɔtəˌmeɪtɪd ˈtɛlər məˈʃin) məˈʃin, ɪts ə ˈvərʒən əv ðə seɪm θɪŋ. gɛst: ðiz ˈpipəl, ðeɪ ər rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ ˈrɪli ˈbɔrɪŋ ʤɑbz, ˈsɛlɪŋ ˈtoʊkənz ɪn ðə ˈmɛˌtroʊ straɪks mi ɛz ə ˈdɛdənɪŋ, dəl ʤɑb. ənd soʊ wi ˌriˈpleɪs ðiz baɪ ˈroʊˌbəts. naʊ, ju noʊ, wət ˈhæpənz tɪ ðə ˈpərsən hu wɑz ˈsɛlɪŋ ðiz ˈtoʊkənz? ðæts ə hɑrd kˈwɛʃən. ˈklɪrli ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi jəŋ ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ seɪ, aɪ æm goʊɪŋ tɪ hæv ə kərɪr ɪn duɪŋ ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət ɪz ruˈtin ənd dəl, bɪˈkəz ðæts biɪŋ dən baɪ məˈʃinz; ənd əm goʊɪŋ tɪ faɪnd ˈsəmθɪŋ ðæts mɔr fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ. ənd prɪˈsaɪsli bɪˈkəz tɛkˈnɑləʤi ɪz ˈpʊʃɪŋ ɔn, səʧ nu ʤɑbz wɪl bi ˈoʊpənɪŋ əp. naʊ, ðət sɛd, aɪ ˈɔlsoʊ θɪŋk ðət wət ju si ˈoʊvər ðə ˈsɛnʧəri ɪn ðə lɔŋ soʊ məʧ ɪn ðə ʃɔrt rən, bət ɪn ðə lɔŋ ˈpipəl ər ˈwərkɪŋ klæs. wi hæv ə soʊˈsaɪɪti, ˌɪnˈdəstriəˌlaɪzd ˈkəntriz ər ɪnˈdʊrɪŋ ə hɛl əv ə lɔt mɔr ˈlɛʒər ðən ðeɪ dɪd. ðeɪ hæv ˈlɔŋgər ˈwiˌkɛndz. ðeɪ hæv, ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli ɪn ˈjʊrəp, ðeɪ hæv lɔŋ, 4 ər 5 wik veɪˈkeɪʃənz. ˈivɪn ɪn ðə steɪts, moʊst ˈpipəl ˈprɑbəˌbli ər daʊn tɪ ˈsəmθɪŋ laɪk, aʊərz ə jɪr, aɪ θɪŋk ɪz ðə læst ˈnəmbərz aɪ sɔ. wɪʧ ɪz, ju noʊ, kənˈsɪdərəbli lɛs ðən ˈpipəl wərkt æt ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ əv ðə ˈsɛnʧəri, wɪʧ wɑz ˈsəmˌwɛr əraʊnd soʊ wi hæv kət ðə ˈwərkɪŋ jɪr ɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts baɪ ə θərd, ənd ɪn ˈjʊrəp, ˈprɑbəˌbli mɔr, ˈprɑbəˌbli baɪ ə hæf. soʊ, ˈpipəl ər ˈwərkɪŋ wɪθ, ðeɪ ər ˈspɛndɪŋ mɔr taɪm ˈlɪvɪŋ ə laɪf əv ˈlɛʒər ɛz riˈtaɪˈriz ənd ˈlɪvɪŋ ə laɪf əv ɛz ˈpipəl əˈkjumjəˌleɪtɪŋ ðɛr ˈjumən ˈkæpɪtəl. soʊ wi wɪl hæv mɔr taɪm fər ɑrˈsɛlvz, tɪ du θɪŋz ðət ər fən. ənd ə ˌhjuməˈnɪstɪk tɛkˈnɑləʤi həz dən, ɪt həz ˈhjuʤli ˌɪnˈkrist ðə ˈvælju əv ˈlɛʒər, bɪˈkəz ðɛr ɪz soʊ məʧ mɔr tɪ du wɪθ ˈlɛʒər təˈdeɪ ðən ðɛr wɑz ˈivɪn 50 jɪrz əˈgoʊ. lɛt əˈloʊn ðə ˈsɛnʧəri. ðə ˈsɛnʧəri, ˈpipəl wɛnt tɪ ðə ˈɑprə ənd tɪ ðə ˈθieɪtər, bət ðət wɑz ˈtɪpɪkəli ən ˈəpər ənd klæs ˈərbən kaɪnd əv fəˈnɑməˌnɑn. fər ðə væst bəlk əv ˈpipəl, ðə ˈnəmbər əv θɪŋz ju kʊd du ɪn jʊr ˈlɛʒər taɪm wər baɪ ənd lɑrʤ ˈsɪtɪŋ əraʊnd ɪn pəbz ənd ˈtævərnz ənd ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ wɪθ jʊr ˈbədiz. rəs: wɛl, ˈmeɪbi bi ˈsɪŋɪŋ ə ˈlɪtəl bɪt. ˈmeɪbi ˈsɪŋɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə faɪər. gɛst: ˈmeɪbi ˈsɪŋɪŋ ə ˈlɪtəl bɪt. bət θɪŋk wət ðə ˈsɛnʧəri tɛkˈnɑləʤi həz dən fər ˈjuˈɛs. ɪt həz kriˈeɪtɪd ˈbeɪsɪkli aʊt əv ˈnəθɪŋ ən ɪnˈtaɪər ˈɪndəstri kɔld ˈspɛkteɪtər spɔrt. ənd soʊ təˈdeɪ, ju flɪp θru jʊr ˈʧænəlz ənd ju si ˈhɑki ənd ˈbæskətˌbɔl ənd ˈfʊtˌbɔl ənd ˈbeɪsˈbɔl, ənd fər ðoʊz hu laɪk ɪt, ðeɪ kən wɔʧ gɔlf ənd ˈboʊlɪŋ. wɛr ɪz ðət ˈkəmɪŋ frəm? wɛl, wi hæv mɔr taɪm. ˈpipəl hæv mɔr taɪm bɪˈkəz ˈlɛʒər ɪz məʧ mɔr ˈwaɪdˈsprɛd, boʊθ æt ðə sɔrt əv ˈvɛri jəŋ ənd oʊld ˈeɪʤɪz. bət ˈɔlsoʊ fər ˈpipəl hu ər stɪl pɑrt əv ðə ˈleɪbər fɔrs. ənd soʊ ɪn ðət rɪˈgɑrd, ðə ˈnoʊʃən ðət, ðə sɔrt əv oʊld ˈpjʊrətən ˈnoʊʃən ðət oʊld ˈpipəl hu ˈɑrənt ˈwərkɪŋ ˈɑrənt duɪŋ ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ˈvæljəbəl wɪθ ðɛr taɪm, aɪ θɪŋk ðæts ˈsəmθɪŋ ðət wi hæv tɪ bi ˈvɛri ˈkɛrfəl əˈbaʊt. ənd aɪ wʊd laɪk tɪ kwoʊt hir ðə greɪt ɪˈkɑnəmɪst ʤɑn ˈmeɪnərd keɪnz, hu roʊt ə ˈlɪtəl ˈpæmflət wɪʧ ˈmɛni ɪˈkɑnəmɪsts noʊ, kɔld "ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈlɛsənz ɛd.] fər ɑr ˈgrænˌʧɪldrən," ɪn wɪʧ hi hi ɪz ˈraɪtɪŋ ðɪs ɪn 1929 ɪf aɪ ˈriˌkɔl kərˈɛktli-- rəs: ˈsɑri; ɪt maɪt hæv ˈivɪn bɪn 1932 hi wɑz ˈraɪtɪŋ æt ə ˈvɛri dɑrk taɪm. gɛst: ˈmeɪbi ɪt wɑz 1932 ˈmeɪbi ɪt wɑz ɪn ðə ˈərli 1930s*. bət əraʊnd ðət taɪm, ɪn ˈɛni keɪs. ˈsəmˌhaʊ ðə deɪt ɪˈskeɪps mi, bət ɪts ˈizi tɪ ʧɛk. bət wət hi pɔɪnts aʊt ɪz ðət fˈjuʧər tɛkˈnɑləʤi maɪt ˈæˌkʧuəli kriˈeɪt ˈrɪli ʃɔrt wiks, ənd fər ə lɔt əv ˈpipəl ɛˈsɛnʃəli meɪk wərk kəmˈplitli rɪˈdəndənt. naʊ, əv kɔrs, ðət rikˈwaɪərz kəmˈplit ˌriɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən əv soʊˈsaɪɪti, bɪˈkəz ðiz ˈpipəl hæv tɪ hæv ˈɪnˌkəmz frəm ˈsəmˌwɛr. ənd ju kən θɪŋk əv səˈsaɪɪtiz ɪn wən weɪ ər əˈnəðər hæv hæd tɪ sɑlv ðət ˈprɑbləm ɔˈrɛdi bɪˈkəz əv səm ˈwɪndˌfɔl, soʊ ju θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ɪt laɪk kuˈweɪt ər ˈnɔrˌweɪ, ənd ðiz ˈkəntriz ər ɛkˌstrɔrdəˈnɛrəli rɪʧ. ənd fər ɔl ˈpræktɪkəl ˈpərpəsɪz ɪn ðoʊz ˈkəntriz, wərk həz bɪˈkəm ə ˈnɑvəlti ˈrəðər ðən ə nəˈsɛsɪti. ənd wi meɪ wɛl wi ər ˈeɪbəl tɪ θɪŋz ɪˈnəf ənd ˈɔtəˌmeɪt θɪŋz ɪˈnəf, ðɛr wɪl bi ə hɛl əv ə lɔt mɔr ˈlɛʒər tɪ kənˈsum, ənd ðɛr wɪl bi fɑr mɔr θɪŋz tɪ du wɪθ ˈlɛʒər, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ, əv kɔrs ˈlɪsənɪŋ tɪ ˈproʊˌgræmz səʧ ɛz jʊrz. rəs: jɛs. θæŋk ˈgʊdnɪs. aɪ ˈwəndər haʊ ˈmɛni ˈpipəl raɪt naʊ ər ˈlɪsənɪŋ tɪ waɪl ðeɪ ər "ˈwərkɪŋ." ɪf ju ər, sɛnd mi ən iˈmeɪl æt mail@econtalk.org*, ˈwɛðər ju ər ˈteɪkɪŋ ˈlɛʒər ɔn ðə ʤɑb. aɪd ləv tɪ noʊ. naʊ, jʊr pɔɪnt ɪz rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ə ˈdɪfərənt pɔɪnt ju meɪd wɪʧ aɪ wɔnt tɪ kəm tɪ, bət ˌbiˈfɔr aɪ du ðət aɪ ʤɪst wɔnt tɪ seɪ wən θɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðə keɪnz ˈɛˌseɪ. ɪts "ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˌpɑsəˈbɪlətiz fər ˈgrænˌʧɪldrən." gɛst: ðæts wət ɪts kɔld. θæŋk ju. rəs: ɪt wɑz ˈpəblɪʃt ɪn 1930 ɪt meɪ hæv bɪn ˈrɪtən ˌbiˈfɔr, soʊ ju kʊd stɪl bi raɪt. traɪ tɪ pʊt ə lɪŋk əp tɪ ɪt ɪf wi kən faɪnd wən ðət ˈɪzənt copy-protected*. bət aɪ wɔnt tɪ ˈmɛnʃən, ðə ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ saɪd noʊt əˈbaʊt ðət ˈɛˌseɪ ɪz ɪt həz ə strɔŋ strik ɪn ɪt, wɛr hi bleɪmz ðə ʤuz fər ˈgɪvɪŋ ðə wərld ðə aɪˈdiə əv ˈseɪvɪŋ ənd ˈkɑmpaʊnd ˈɪntəˌrɛst ənd dɪˈleɪd ˌgrætəfəˈkeɪʃən; ənd aɪl pʊt əp ˈsəmθɪŋ rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ðət ɛz wɛl. soʊ ðət ˈɛˌseɪ ɪz ˈvɛri ˈprɛsiənt. ɪt həz səm streɪnʤ, aɪˈdiəz əˈbaʊt ðə ˈvərʧu əv ˈseɪvɪŋ. soʊ, keɪnz ɪn ðət ˈɛˌseɪ ˈrɪli dɪˈkraɪz ˈseɪvɪŋz ɛz ə bæd θɪŋ. wɪʧ hi ˈɔlsoʊ wɑz ˈʤɛnərəli əˈgɛnst fər ˈəðər ˈrizənz ɪn 1930 ˈprɑbəˌbli. ðɪs ɪz ˌbiˈfɔr 1936 wɪn hi roʊt ðə ˈʤɛnərəl ˈθɪri, bət əm ʃʊr hi wɑz ɔˈrɛdi ˈθɪŋkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ɪt. gɛst: hiz ɔˈrɛdi ˈθɪŋkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ɪt. ənd ju ər ˌæbsəˈlutli raɪt. hi bleɪmd ˈseɪvɪŋz fər ðə greɪt dɪˈprɛʃən ənd soʊ ju kən sɔrt əv si ɪm ˈθɪŋkɪŋ, ˈmuvɪŋ ɪn ðət dɪˈrɛkʃɪn. baɪ ðə weɪ: wɑz ɪkˈstrimli ˈkɑmən, əv kɔrs, ɪn ðoʊz deɪz, ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli hi wɑz ˈraɪtɪŋ ɪn ðə leɪt 1920s*, ˈərli 1930s*. aɪ doʊnt əˈpruv əv ɪt, bət ju noʊ ɪts nɑt ɛz ənˈkɑmən ɛz ju wʊd θɪŋk. rəs: əm ˈbrɪŋɪŋ ɪt əp ɛz ən hɪˈstɔrɪkəl ˈfʊtˌnoʊt fər ˈpipəl ˈrɛdɪŋ ðət ˈɛˌseɪ. rəs: bət ðə ˈɪʃu ðət ju reɪz ɪz ðɪs ˈɪʃu əˈbaʊt ˈlɛʒər ənd ðə ˌənɪˈmæʤənd əˈmaʊnt əv ˈlɛʒər ðət wi hæv ənd wət wi ər ˈeɪbəl tɪ du wɪθ ɪt bɪˈkəz əv tɛkˈnɑləʤi ənd ðə ˈɪntərˌnɛt ənd ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən, ˌɛtˈsɛtərə. ˈspɛkteɪtər spɔrts. wɪʧ ɪz ə saɪn əv ɑr trɪˈmɛndəs wɛlθ ənd ɑr ˈstændərd əv ˈlɪvɪŋ. ju reɪz ən ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ pɔɪnt ˈɛlsˌwɛr əˈbaʊt ˈmɛʒərmənt ˈɪʃuz. soʊ, wən əv ðə ˈɪʃuz ju ˈtaɪlər koʊən tɔks əˈbaʊt ðɪs ɪn ə ˈdɪfərənt bʊk, ðə greɪt stægˈneɪʃən, ɪz fɛlps, ˈɔlsoʊ, ənd ˈəðərz tɔk əˈbaʊt haʊ, wɛl, θɪŋz ər sloʊɪŋ daʊn; wiv pɪkt ɔl ðə frut; ðə stəf ðæts lɛft naʊ ˈɪzənt ɛz gʊd. ənd jʊr kleɪm, wɪʧ aɪ əˈgri wɪθ, ɪz pɑrt əv ðɪs ɪz ə ˈmɛʒərmənt ˈprɑbləm. ənd ju raɪt ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ. ju seɪ, ˈmɛni əv ðə moʊst ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ˌɪnˈvɛnʃənz əv ðə leɪt ənd ˈsɛnʧəri ər θɪŋz wi wʊd nɑt ənd kʊd nɑt du wɪˈθaʊt, jɛt ðeɪ meɪd ˈlɪtəl ˌɪmˈpækt ɔn ðə ˈnæʃənəl əˈkaʊnts, bɪˈkəz ðeɪ wər soʊ ˌɪnɪkˈspɛnsɪv: aspirins*, laɪt bəlbz, ˈwɔtər chlorination*, ˈbaɪsɪkəlz, ˈlɪθiəm ˈbætəriz, wild ˈsutˌkeɪsɪz, ˈkɑnˌtækt ˈlɛnzɪz, ˈdɪʤɪtəl mˈjuzɪk. mɔˈroʊvər ˈaʊtˌdeɪtɪd kənˈvɛnʃənz əv ˈnæʃənəl ˈɪnˌkəm əˈkaʊnɪŋ du nɑt kaʊnt ˈlɛʒər ɛz ə ˈvæljəbəl gʊd. ˈpipəl hu ər nɑt ˈwərkɪŋ ər nɑt prəˈdusɪŋ, ənd ðɪs ɪz "bæd" baɪ ˈgɔrdənz əˈkaʊnɪŋ bɪˈkəz ðeɪ ər nɑt ˈædɪŋ tɪ ˈaʊtˌpʊt. bət ɪt meɪ wɛl bi ðət ə kwaɪət laɪf ɪz nɑt ˈoʊnli ðə bɛst məˈnɑpəli ˈprɑfɪt, ɛz noʊˈbɛl praɪz ˈwɪnər ʤɑn hɪks ˈfeɪməsli ˈnoʊtɪd ɪn 1935 ɪt ɪz ðə ˈvɛri ɛnd əv ə laɪf əv hɑrd wərk. soʊ tɔk əˈbaʊt ðɪs ˈmɛʒərmənt ˈɪʃu, ðət wət wi ər ˈkɔlɪŋ ˈmɛʒərd groʊθ ər ˈmɛʒərd ˈstændərd əv ˈlɪvɪŋ meɪ bi ˈgroʊsli ˈəndərˌsteɪts ɪts ril ˈvælju. gɛst: ˌæbsəˈlutli. soʊ ɪn səm sɛns ðɪs ɪz wən əv ðə ˈdərti ˈsikrɪts əv ðə ɪˈkɑnəmɪsts prəˈfɛʃən, wɪʧ ɪz wi ɔl sim tɪ bi ˈwəriɪŋ ə greɪt dil əˈbaʊt groʊθ ənd əˈbaʊt θɪŋz ðət dɪˈpɛnd ɔn ˈnæʃənəl ˈɪnˌkəm ər groʊs ˈnæʃənəl ˈprɑdəkt fər ðɛr ˈmɛʒərmənt. ju lʊk æt θɪŋz, nɑt ʤɪst pər ˈkæpɪtə (groʊs dəˈmɛstɪk ˈprɑdəkt pər ˈkæpɪtə) ər θɪŋz laɪk ðət, wɪʧ ɪz ə ˈstændərd lʊk æt θɪŋz laɪk ˈtoʊtəl ˈfæktər[?] əv ˌproʊdəkˈtɪvɪti wɪʧ ɪz ɛˈsɛnʃəli ðə seɪm dɪˈvaɪdɪd baɪ səm ˈmɛʒər əv ˈɪnˌpʊt, ənd ðɪs ɪz wət ˈɛvriˌbɑdi ˈjuzɪz. bət ˈɛvriˌbɑdi ˈæˌkʧuəli noʊz ðət ðiz ˈnəmbərz ər ɪkˈstrimli mɪsˈlidɪŋ. ənd ðeɪ gɪt mɔr mɪsˈlidɪŋ ðə mɔr wi juz ðɛm fər ˈlɔŋˈreɪnʤ kəmˈpɛrəsənz. soʊ, kəmˈpɛrɪŋ ðɪs jɪrz, seɪ, pər ˈkæpɪtə wɪθ læst jɪrz, seɪɪŋ ðə ɪˈkɑnəmi gru æt, seɪ, ɪn səm sɛns ə ˈrizənəbəl ˈsteɪtmənt bɪˈkəz wi doʊnt θɪŋk ðət ɪn ə jɪr ðɛr ɪz ə greɪt dil əv ðə ˌəndərˈlaɪɪŋ ˈstrəkʧər əv ðə ɪˈkɑnəmi ðət ɪz ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ. bət wi ˈɔlˌweɪz hæv tɪ kip ɪn maɪnd ðət ðiz ˈmɛʒərz wər dɪˈzaɪnd fər sɔrt əv ə wit ənd stil ɪˈkɑnəmiz. soʊ ən ɪˈkɑnəmi ðət ˈjuzɪz əp ə bənʧ əv gʊdz əv mɔr ər lɛs əv ˈkɑnstənt kˈwɑləti, ðə seɪm sɔrt əv ˈbæskət əv gʊdz ər biɪŋ prəˈdust, ənd ɪf wi kən nɛkst jɪr ˈproʊdus mɔr əv wi hæv ˈbɛtər məˈʃinz ər ˈbɛtər tɛkˈnɑləʤi ər mɔr wərk ˈhɑrdər ər mɔr ˈpipəl ʤɔɪn ðə ˈleɪbər fɔrs, wi ˈæˌkʧuəli hæv mɔr ˈaʊtˌpʊt ənd soʊ wi hæv mɔr ˈɪnˌkəm. ənd wi ər rɪʧ ənd ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ɪz gʊd. ðə ˈprɑbləm əv kɔrs əˈkərz wɪn ju stɑrt ˈlʊkɪŋ æt ðiz θɪŋz ˈoʊvər ˈlɔŋgər ˈpɪriədz əv taɪm, ənd ju stɑrt ˈriəˌlaɪzɪŋ ðət ɪt bɪˈkəmz ˈvɛri, ˈvɛri ˈdɪfəkəlt tɪ kəmˈpɛr tu jɪrz ɪn wɪʧ ə hoʊl bənʧ əv nu gʊdz ənd ˈsərvɪsɪz hæv bɪˈkəm əˈveɪləbəl ðət ə ˈpriviəs ˌʤɛnərˈeɪʃən nɑt ˈoʊnli ˈdɪdənt hæv ˈækˌsɛs tɪ bət ˈrɪli ˈkʊdənt ˈivɪn drim əˈbaʊt. soʊ, wi hæv ən ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪks ˈkɑnsɛpt wɪʧ wi kɔl 'kənˈsumər ˈsərpləs,' wɪʧ ɪz ˈbeɪsɪkli ə ˈmɛʒər əv haʊ məʧ ˈbɛtər ɔf ju ər ɛz ə rɪˈzəlt əv ə nu gʊd ər ə nu ˈsərvɪs, ənd sɔrt əv ˈdɪfərənt weɪz əv ˈmɛʒərɪŋ ɪt, ˈstændərd weɪz əv traɪɪŋ tɪ ˌɪˈmæʤən goʊɪŋ tɪ ə kənˈsumər ənd seɪɪŋ, wɛl, haʊ məʧ wʊd ju dɪˈmænd tɪ bi peɪd ɪf wi tʊk ðət gʊd əˈweɪ frəm ju ənd pʊt ju bæk ɪn 20 jɪrz əˈgoʊ wɪn ðət gʊd ˈdɪdənt ɪgˈzɪst? soʊ wi kən pleɪ ðɪs geɪm wɪθ sɛl foʊnz ənd wi kən pleɪ ðɪs geɪm wɪθ ˈgipiˈɛs (ˈgloʊbəl pəˈzɪʃənɪŋ ˈsɪstəmz) ənd wi kən pleɪ ðɪs soʊ juv gɑt haʊ məʧ wʊd ju hæv tɪ bi peɪd ɪf wi tʊk ðə ˈgipiˈɛs aʊt əv jʊr kɑr, ənd ju skræʧ jʊr hɛd ənd seɪ juv gɑt tɪ goʊ bæk ənd baɪ mæps ənd ˈstədi ðɛm waɪl əm ˈdraɪvɪŋ. soʊ ðɛrz ə lɔs əv wɛlθ. ɪts ˈprɑbəˌbli nɑt juʤ. soʊ, maɪ ɪgˈzæmpəl əv ə ˈvɛri smɔl ˌɪnˈvɛnʃən fər wɪʧ wi kʊd æsk ðɪs kˈwɛʃən ɪz ˌænɪsˈθiˌʒiə. soʊ ju goʊ tɪ ˈsəmˌbɑdi hu ɪz əˈbaʊt tɪ hæv ˈsərʤəri ənd ju æsk ɪm, haʊ məʧ wʊd ju dɪˈmænd tɪ bi peɪd ɪf aɪ tʊk aʊt jʊr əˈpɛndɪks wɪˈθaʊt ju, wɪˈθaʊt ˈpʊtɪŋ ju tɪ slip? ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi wʊd əˈgri. ðə səm wʊd bi ˈɪnfənət. wət kən ˌænɪsˈθiˌʒiə kənˈtrɪbjut tɪ wɪn ɪt wɑz ˌɪntrəˈdust ɪn ðə ənd 1860s*? rəs: kʊd nɑt bi ˈvɛri məʧ. gɛst: ˈnəθɪŋ. ɪts ˈvɛri smɔl. bət ðət ɪz ɪgˈzæktli ðə kaɪnd əv θɪŋ wi feɪl tɪ əˈkaʊnt fər ɪn ɑr ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃənz. soʊ ðæts waɪ aɪ geɪv ðət hoʊl lɪst əv θɪŋz; ənd wi kʊd meɪk ðɪs lɪst ˈɪnfənətli lɑrʤ. ɪt ɪz ðə smɔl θɪŋz ðət ˈæˌkʧuəli doʊnt əˈmaʊnt tɪ ən ˈɔfəl lɑrʤ pɑrt əv ɑr ˈɪnˌkəm ənd ˈprɑdəkt ðət ˈæˌkʧuəli hæv ˌɪmˈpruvd laɪf ə greɪt dil ənd ðət wi ˈrɪli ˈwʊdənt wɔnt tɪ du wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛni mɔr. ənd ðə fækt əv ðə ˈmætər ɪz dɪˈspaɪt ðə bɛst ˈɛfərts əv ɪˈkɑnəmɪsts, ɪts ˈvɛri ˈdɪfəkəlt tɪ əˈkaʊnt fər ðət. bɪˈkəz nɑt ˈoʊnli nu gʊdz ər ʃoʊɪŋ əp ðət ˈnɛvər ɪgˈzɪstəd ˌbiˈfɔr, bət ˈɔlsoʊ ðə oʊld gʊdz ər ˈgɪtɪŋ kənˈsɪdərəbəl ˈbɛtər. ənd ðɛr ər tɛkˈniks əv ˈdilɪŋ wɪθ ðət kɔld 'həˈdɑnɪk' tɛkˈniks, bət ðeɪ ər nɑt ˈvɛri gʊd bɪˈkəz gʊdz hæv ˈmɛni əˈtrɪˌbjuts. soʊ ju lʊk æt jʊr ˈlæpˌtɑp ənd ju æsk ˈjɔrsɛlf ɪn wɪʧ weɪ ɪz ðɪs ˈlæpˌtɑp ˈbɛtər ðən ðə 386 ɛd.] ðət aɪ hæd ɪn ðə 1980s*? jʊd seɪ, aɪ kən gɪv ju ə lɪst əv 50 weɪz. ɪts nɑt ʤɪst spid əv ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən. ðə skrin ɪz ˈʃɑrpər. ɔn ənd ɔn ənd ɔn ənd ɔn. ðə lɪst ɪz juʤ. ðə seɪm ɪz tru əˈbaʊt ˌɔtəmoʊˈbilz, əˈbaʊt kəmˌjunəˈkeɪʃən, ɔn ənd ɔn. soʊ ɪts ˈvɛri hɑrd tɪ du ðɪs. ənd soʊ ɪn ən eɪʤ ɪn wɪʧ nu ˈprɑdəkts ənd nu ˈsərvɪsɪz kəm ˈɔnˌlaɪn ɔl ðə taɪm ənd ɪn wɪʧ ðə oʊld θɪŋz ər ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈbɛtər ɪn kˈwɑntəm lips, ɑr ˈnæʃənəl ˈɪnˌkəm əˈkaʊnɪŋ ˈsɪstəm kəmˈplitli feɪlz ˈjuˈɛs. naʊ, aɪ ʃʊd æd ðət ɪt ˈdəzənt ʤɪst ˈəndərˌkaʊnt θɪŋz bɪˈkəz ɪt ˈdəzənt kaʊnt ˌɪmˈpruvmənt. ɪt ˈɔlsoʊ. ɪn səm weɪz əv kɔrs ˈnæʃənəl ˈɪnˌkəm əˈkaʊnɪŋ haʊ məʧ wi ər prəˈdusɪŋ bɪˈkəz ɪt ˈdəzənt teɪk ˈɪntu əˈkaʊnt ˈvɛriəs ˈɪnˌpʊts, ˈvɛriəs kɔsts ðət ˌɪnˈkərd tɪ soʊˈsaɪɪti ˈivɪn ɪf ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi ˈɑbviəs peɪz ɪt. rəs: ˈfɔrˈgɔn ˈlɛʒər. gɛst: wɛl, ˈfɔrˈgɔn ˈlɛʒər, bət ju kən ˈɔlsoʊ θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ˈɛni kaɪnd əv ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl ˈdæmɪʤ ðət pərˈdəkʃən ˈkɔzɪz, ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ fər ðət ˈmætər ˈgloʊbəl ˈwɔrmɪŋ wɪʧ meɪ bi ðə ˈməðər əv ɔl ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛnəl dɪˈzæstərz. wəts ˈhæpənd ɪz fər 200 jɪrz ˈpipəl hæv bɪn ˈbərnɪŋ koʊl ənd ˈnæʧərəl gæs ənd ɔɪl ənd ɪˈmɪtɪŋ ˈkɑrbən daɪˈɑkˌsaɪd ɪn ðə ˈætməsˌfɪr ɛz ɪf ɪt wɑz fri. bət ɪt tərnz aʊt ɪz ˈɪzənt fri. naʊ, hæd wi dən ðə ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃənz kərˈɛktli wi ʃʊd hæv ˈæˌkʧuəli ʧɑrʤd ðɛm fər kənˈtrɪbjutɪŋ tɪ ðə ˈdæmɪʤ tɪ ðə ˈplænət ənd dɪˈdəktɪd ðoʊz kɔsts frəm ðɛr nɛt ˈvælju ˈædɪd. wi ˈhævənt dən ðət bɪˈkəz əv kɔrs ðə ˈætməsˌfɪr ˈɪzənt oʊnd baɪ ˈɛnibədi. naʊ ɪn ðə ʃɔrt rən, kəmˈpɛrɪŋ jɪr tɪ jɪr, ðət ˈdəzənt meɪk ˈɛni ˈdɪfərəns. ɪf ju kəmˈpɛr təˈdeɪ wɪθ 150 jɪrz əˈgoʊ, ɪt bɪˈkəmz ˈminɪŋləs. ɪt meɪ bi haɪ[?]-- rəs: aɪ wɔnt tɪ ˈɛmfəˌsaɪz ðət, bət aɪ ˈɔlsoʊ wɔnt tɪ meɪk ðə pɔɪnt ðət aɪ du θɪŋk ðət ˈpəmpɪŋ ˈsəlfər daɪˈɑkˌsaɪd ˈɪntu ðə ˈætməsˌfɪr, wɪʧ aɪ θɪŋk wi du lɛs ˈmɛni weɪz aɪ θɪŋk ðə ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt ɪz kaɪnd əv ˈklinər ðən ðə læst 25 ər 30 ˈpipəl meɪk ðiz groʊθ kəmˈpɛrəsənz. soʊ ju ər raɪt, pəˈluʃən ɪz ə ˈnɛgətɪv. aɪ θɪŋk ˈgloʊbəl ˈwɔrmɪŋ rɪˈmeɪnz tɪ bi sin. ɪt meɪ hæv ə ˌkætəˈstrɑfɪk ˌɪmˈpækt. ɪt ˈsərtənli ɪz ðət ˈkɑrbən daɪˈɑkˌsaɪd ju tɔkt əˈbaʊt, ˈəðər ðən ˈbɪldɪŋ ɪt əp, ˈhæzənt soʊ fɑr hæd ən ɪˈnɔrmɪs ˌɪmˈpækt ɔn ˈjumən ˌwɛlˈbiɪŋ ər lɔnˈʤɛvəti. ˈwɛðər ɪt wɪl ɪn ðə fˈjuʧər ɪz wət wɪr ˈwərid əˈbaʊt. gɛst: oʊ jæ, jæ. rəs: soʊ, ɪts ən ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ ˈʧælənʤ tɪ ˈivɪn haʊ ju ʃʊd ˈmɛʒər ɪt. rəs: bət ðə pɔɪnt ju ər ˈmeɪkɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðə ˈʧælənʤɪz əv tɔk əˈbaʊt ˌænɪsˈθiˌʒiə. ðə ɪgˈzæmpəl aɪ laɪk ɪz ðə ˈwəriərz əv ˈnɛgətɪv foʊk laɪk ˈtaɪlər ənd ˈəðərz hu ˈɑrgju ðət ˈɛrpleɪnz ˈhævənt ˈgɔtən ˈɛni ˈfæstər. soʊ, wi ˈfɪgjərd aʊt ðə ˈɛrˌpleɪn; ðæts ˈglɔriəs; bət wi ˈhævənt ˈfɪgjərd aʊt ðə ˈpɔrtəbəl jetpack*, ənd ðət ˈdəzənt sim tɪ bi ˈhæpənɪŋ; ənd soʊ ˈðɛrˌfɔr wɪr kaɪnd əv ˈstægˌneɪtɪŋ. wət aɪd rɪˈspɑnd tɪ ðət, wən əv ðə θɪŋz aɪd rɪˈspɑnd, ɪz ðət waɪl əv ˈsɪtɪŋ ɪn ðə ˈɛrˌpɔrt, ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ˈhævɪŋ tɪ haɪər ə strɪŋ əv mjuˈzɪʃənz tɪ ˈfɑloʊ mi əraʊnd, aɪv gɑt ˈpɔrtəbəl mˈjuzɪk wɪn əm ɔn maɪ trɪp. wɪʧ ɪz ˈoʊnli ə ˈləgʒəri ðət ə kɪŋ kʊd hæv hæd ɪn ðə ˈsɛnʧəri ɪn hɪz ˈkɛrəʤ. aɪ hæv ə θɪŋ ɪn maɪ maɪ pleɪz sɔŋz æt ə kˈwɑləti ðət wɑz ˌənɪˈmæʤɪnəbəl. soʊ ðɛr ər ɪˈnɔrmɪs ˌɪmˈpruvmənts wɪn, ɛz ju seɪ, wi lʊk əˈkrɔs ɔl ðə ˈdɪfərənt ˈmɑrʤənz. gɛst: bət aɪ wɪl teɪk ðɪs ə stɛp ˈfərðər, rəs. aɪ ˈtoʊtəli əˈgri wɪθ ju. ɪt ˈɪzənt ʤɪst ðə mˈjuzɪk. ɪts kən ˈæˌkʧuəli du jʊr wərk. aɪ min, aɪ teɪk ə ˈlæpˌtɑp wɪθ mi ənd spɛnd 3 aʊərz ɔn ðə pleɪn tɪ gɪv ə ˈlɛkʧər ˈsəmˌwɛr ənd əm ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈfɪksɪŋ maɪ ˈpaʊərˌpɔɪnt waɪl əm ˈsɪtɪŋ ɔn ðə pleɪn bɪˈkəz ɪt wɑz ˈsəmθɪŋ aɪ nid. ər ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ aɪv ˈrɪtən ˈoʊvər ðə læst 30 jɪrz ɪz ɪn ðət hɑrd dɪsk. ənd soʊ ɪf aɪ seɪ, ʤi, wɛr dɪd aɪ seɪ ðɪs ənd ðət, aɪ goʊ du ə sərʧ ənd bæŋ! ðɛr ɪt ɪz. æt fit ɪn ðə ɛr. bət hir ɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈivɪn ˈdipər ðən ðət. aɪ θɪŋk kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ ɛz ˈtaɪlər dɪz ənd ˈəðər ˈpipəl du, seɪɪŋ, wɛl, ju noʊ, ˈæftər 40 jɪrz əv ˌtɛknəˈlɑʤɪkəl ʧeɪnʤ ɪt ʤɪst teɪks ɛz lɔŋ ɛz ɪt dɪd ɪn ðə tɪ flaɪ frəm nu jɔrk tɪ ðæts ˈbeɪsɪkli laɪk kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ ɪn 1890 ðət ɪt wɑz noʊ ˌtɛknəˈlɑʤɪkəl ʧeɪnʤ: ˈhɔrsɪz doʊnt rən ˈɛni ˈfæstər. doʊnt rən ˈɛni ˈfæstər ənd ðɛr ər ˈprɑbəˌbli nɑt ˈmɛni weɪz ɪn wɪʧ wi kən meɪk ðɛm rən səˈfɪʃəntli ˈfæstər tɪ meɪk məʧ əv ə ˈdɪfərəns. bət ðə pɔɪnt ɪz ðə ˈhɔrsɪz ˈbeɪsɪkli æt səm pɔɪnt ər biɪŋ riˈmuvd frəm ðə ˌfəndəˈmɛnəl minz əv ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən ənd ˌriˈpleɪst baɪ ˈsəmθɪŋ ɪnˈtaɪərli ˈdɪfərənt. aɪ wʊd θɪŋk ðət wən əv ðə θɪŋz ðət ðɪs aɪ θɪŋk ɪz ə ˈmeɪʤər nɑt ˈkəmɪŋ ɛz sun ɛz aɪ θɔt ɪt wɑz goʊɪŋ tɪ kəm, bət ɪt ɪz ˈkəmɪŋ, ɪz ðə dɛθ əv ˈdɪstəns. rəs: ə ˈfæbjələs pɔɪnt. gɛst: wi ər ˈbeɪsɪkli noʊ ˈlɔŋgər ˈhævɪŋ tɪ juz ˈɛrpleɪnz ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ kəmˈjunəˌkeɪt fər moʊst əv ˈjumən nidz. əm seɪɪŋ moʊst; əm nɑt seɪɪŋ ɔl. aɪ ˈfʊli wɛl ˌəndərˈstænd ðət æt taɪmz ɪts ˈvɛri ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt tɪ hæv ðət ˈpərsɪnəl ˈkɑnˌtækt, tɪ ʃɛr ðət bɪr, tɪ hæv ðət mil təˈgɛðər. bət baɪ ənd lɑrʤ aɪ θɪŋk wət wi ər goʊɪŋ tɪ si ɪz ðət kəmˌjunəˈkeɪʃənz ɛz ˈjumən ˌɪnərˈækʃənz ər goʊɪŋ tɪ bi tɪ ə dɪˈgri ðət wi kænt ˈivɪn ˌɪˈmæʤən jɛt. ɪkˈsɛpt wɪn ju ər ˈlʊkɪŋ æt tu kɪdz ɪn haɪ skul ˈsɪtɪŋ nɛkst tɪ wən əˈnəðər ənd ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ˈtɔkɪŋ, ðeɪ ər ˈtɛkˌstɪŋ. rəs: jæ. gɛst: ənd ju goʊ, wət ɪz goʊɪŋ ɔn hir? waɪ doʊnt ðeɪ tɔk? ðeɪ ər ˈkəmfərtəbəl wɪθ ðɪs. əm nɑt ˈkəmfərtəbəl wɪθ ɪt. aɪ doʊnt tɛkst, bɪˈkəz əm nɑt 16 rəs: tu oʊld. gɛst: əm noʊ ˈlɔŋgər ˈrɪli gʊd æt ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈɔntu ðət tɛkˈnɑləʤi. bət aɪ kən si kɪdz hu ər naʊ, wɪn ðeɪ ər goʊɪŋ tɪ bi maɪ eɪʤ, ðɪs wɪl bi ˈpərfəktli ˈnæʧərəl tɪ ðɛm. wəns ju tɛkst wɪθ ˈsəmˌbɑdi ˈsɪtɪŋ nɛkst tɪ ju, ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈrizən fər ðət ˈpərsən tɪ bi nɛkst tɪ ju. hi kʊd wɛl bi ɪn ˈaɪdəˌhoʊ ənd ju kʊd bi ɪn ˈmɛrələnd. ju ər ʤɪst ˈtɛkˌstɪŋ, kəmˈjunəˌkeɪtɪŋ ɛz ɪf ju wər ˈsɪtɪŋ nɛkst tɪ wən əˈnəðər. ðə seɪm wʊd bi tru fər ˈkɑnfərənsəz, fər ˈmitɪŋz, fər ˈfæməli riˈunjənz, fər ə lɔt əv ˈrizənz ər flaɪɪŋ. naʊ ɪt ɪz tru ðət fər ðə ˈmoʊmənt ˈɛˌrlaɪn ˈtræfɪk ɪz stɪl goʊɪŋ əp. bət aɪ wɪl riˈmaɪnd ˈpipəl əv 2001 ənd wɛr ˈɛˌrlaɪn ˈtræfɪk ˈbeɪsɪkli graʊnd tɪ ə hɔlt fər ə ˈkəpəl əv mənθs, ənd haʊ ˈklɛvər wi wər æt ðət taɪm wɪθ ə tɛkˈnɑləʤi ðæts naʊ ˈvæstli ˌɪmˈpruvd æt ˈæˌkʧuəli ˈsəbstɪˌtutɪŋ fər ˈtrævəl ənd ˈhævɪŋ ˈmitɪŋz ənd ˈkɑnfərənsəz ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪkəˌli. ənd aɪ θɪŋk ðət ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ bi ðə weɪv əv ðə fˈjuʧər. ɪf ˈsəmθɪŋ, gɑd fərˈbɪd, wər tɪ ˈhæpən tɪ ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən, ˈwɛðər ɪts ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm ər ˈsəmθɪŋ ɛls, aɪ θɪŋk ðɪs tɛkˈnɑləʤi wʊd teɪk ɔf laɪk ə ˈrɑkət. naʊ hɪrz wən mɔr pɔɪnt əˈbaʊt ðɪs. ɪf ðət kaɪnd əv θɪŋ ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ ˈhæpən, ɪt ˈɪzənt ʤɪst ˈɛˌrlaɪn ˈtræfɪk ðət wɪl bi əˈfɛktɪd. ɪt wɪl bi ˈrɛgjələr ˈtræfɪk. ənd soʊ ɪf ju ər stək ɪn ə ˈtræfɪk ʤæm æt rəʃ aʊər ɪn lɔs ˈænʤəlɪs ər ɪn ʃəˈkɑˌgoʊ ər ɪn ˈwɔʃɪŋtən, d.c*. ər ˈsəmˌwɛr ɛls, 20 30 jɪrz frəm naʊ ðə væst bəlk əv ˈpipəl hu hæv tɪ draɪv tɪ ðɛr ˈlɪtəl ˈkjubɪkəl ər ðɛr ˈlɪtəl ˈɔfəs, təˈdeɪ, meɪ wɛl bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ du θɪŋz frəm ðɛr ˈlɪvɪŋ rum æt hoʊm. rəs: ɪts ə ˈfæbjələs pɔɪnt, ənd ɪts ˈrɪli ən ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbli dip, dip pɔɪnt əˈbaʊt ðə ˈjumən ˈɛnərˌpraɪz. aɪ θɪŋk əˈbaʊt wət maɪ laɪf ɪz laɪk; hir aɪ æm ˈtiʧɪŋ ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪks tɪ ˈθaʊzənz əv ˈpipəl əraʊnd ðə wərld, wɪʧ ɪz ən ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbli ˈgrætəˌfaɪɪŋ ənd ˈwəndərfəl θɪŋ ðət aɪ gɪt tɪ du wɪθ ðɪs ˈproʊˌgræm. ənd ɪn ðə oʊld deɪz, ɪf ju ˈwɔntɪd tɪ hir ən ɪˈkɑnəmɪst, ju hæd tɪ goʊ tɪ ɪm. ɪf ju ˈwɔntɪd tɪ hir ˈædəm smɪθ ɪn 1760 ju hæd tɪ goʊ tɪ ˈskɑtlənd. ənd ðæts ðə weɪ ðə wərld wərkt. ɪts stɪl nis, ɛz ju pɔɪnt aʊt, ˈsəmˌtaɪmz tɪ bi feɪs tɪ feɪs, fər ə ˈθaʊzənd ˈdɪfərənt ˈrizənz, ə ˈθaʊzənd ˈdɪfərənt θɪŋz. bət əm ˈteɪpɪŋ ðɪs ˈproʊˌgræm raɪt naʊ ɪn maɪ oʊn haʊs; aɪ ˈdɪdənt hæv tɪ gɪt ɪn maɪ kɑr təˈdeɪ. ɪts ˈwəndərfəl, ənd maɪ laɪf ɪz ˈrɪʧər fər ɪt. aɪ doʊnt nid maɪ kɑr tɪ goʊ ˈfæstər tɪ ðə ˈɔfəs, tɪ gɪt tɪ maɪ ˈteɪpɪŋ ɪkˈwɪpmənt. əm duɪŋ ɪt frəm hoʊm. gɛst: ənd θɪŋk əv ðə ˈlɪˌbərˌeɪtɪŋ ˈifɛkts ðət ðɪs həz. ɪt ˈɪzənt ʤɪst ðət wi ər ˈseɪvɪŋ ˌɪˈnumərəbəl ˈjumən aʊərz wɪʧ ər ˈweɪstɪd ɪn kəmˈjutɪŋ. baɪ ðə weɪ, ðə kɔst əv kəmˈjutɪŋ ɪz nɑt ˈfɪgjərd ɪn ˈnæʃənəl ˈɪnˌkəm əˈkaʊnts, ɛz ju noʊ. ɪf ju spɛnd ən aʊər ənd ə hæf ˈdraɪvɪŋ tɪ wərk iʧ deɪ, ˈtræfɪk, ðət kaʊnts ɛz ˈlɛʒər. bət ɪf aɪ kən spɛr ju ðət, ðɛn ðɛrd bi ə ˈmeɪʤər ˌɪmˈpruvmənt ɪn jʊr ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ˈwɛlˌfɛr, wɪˈθaʊt ˈmeɪkɪŋ wən ˌaɪˈoʊtə əv ˈdɪfərəns tɪ ˈnæʃənəl ˈɪnˌkəm. rəs: aɪv ˈnoʊtɪst. aɪ hæv tɪ hæv tɪ seɪ ðət aɪ ˈdɪdənt wɔnt tɪ prɪˈzum wɪn aɪ juzd ðət ɪgˈzæmpəl ðət aɪ wɑz ˈɛniˌθɪŋ laɪk ˈædəm smɪθ, ənd ɛz ɛˈstimd ənd ˈɪnˌsaɪtfəl ɛz maɪ gɛst ɪz, əm nɑt kəmˈpɛrɪŋ ju tɪ ɪm, ˈiðər. gɛst: noʊ, nən əv ðət. rəs: aɪ ʤɪst mɛnt ən oʊld ɪˈkɑnəmɪst. gɛst: noʊ, nən əv ˈjuˈɛs kən kəmˈpɛr tɪ ðə ˈmæstər. bət hir ɪz wən mɔr θɪŋ əˈbaʊt ðɪs. ənd ðət ˈæˌkʧuəli ɪz ˈtɛrəbli ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt. ðə dɛθ əv ˈdɪstəns wɪl nɑt ʤɪst seɪv ɪn kəmˈjutɪŋ kɔsts ənd əv kɔrs pəˈluʃən ənd ˈgæsəˌlin juzd ənd wɛr ənd tɪr ɔn taɪərz ənd ˈwətˌnɑt. ɪts ˈɔlsoʊ ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbli ˈlɪˌbərˌeɪtɪŋ, bɪˈkəz wəts ˈhæpənɪŋ ɪz ðət fər tɛnz əv ˈθaʊzənz əv jɪrz, ənˈtɪl ðə ˌɪnˈdəstriəl ˌrɛvəˈluʃən, ˈwɪmən wər ˈwərkɪŋ æt ðɛr hoʊmz waɪl ˈreɪzɪŋ kɪdz. ənd soʊ ðeɪ wər ˈməltiˌtæskɪŋ, wi wʊd kɔl ɪt təˈdeɪ; əv kɔrs, ðeɪ ˈdɪdənt juz ðət tərm. ðæts ˈbeɪsɪkli wət ðeɪ wər duɪŋ. soʊ, ðeɪ wər prəˈdusɪŋ ˈtɛkˌstaɪlz, ðeɪ wər ˈmɪlkɪŋ kaʊz ənd ðeɪ wər ˈfidɪŋ ðə ˈʧɪkənz, waɪl æt ðə seɪm taɪm ˈteɪkɪŋ kɛr əv kɪdz. wət ðə ˌɪnˈdəstriəl ˌrɛvəˈluʃən dɪd, baɪ kriˈeɪtɪŋ ðə ˈfæktəri ˈsɪstəm ənd ðɛn ˈleɪtər ɔn ðə ˈɔfˌsprɪŋ əv ðə ˈfæktəri ˈsɪstəm, laɪk ðə ˈɔfəs ˈsɪstəm, wɪʧ ɪz ˈbeɪsɪkli ə ˈfæktəri ˈsɪstəm ɪn wɪʧ ˈpipəl sɪt æt ðɛr dɛsks bət ɪts ɛˈsɛnʃəli ðə seɪm, ɪz ðeɪ ˈsɛpərˌeɪtɪd ðə ˈwərkər frəm hər ˈhaʊsˌhoʊld ənd pʊt ðɛm ɪn ə ˈdɪfərənt ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt. ənd soʊ ðæts wət ɛˈsɛnʃəli ðə ˌɪnˈdəstriəl ˌrɛvəˈluʃən dɪd. ðət ˈdɪdənt ɪgˈzɪst ˌbiˈfɔr 1750 ər ˈpræktɪkəli nɑt. ˈɛvriˌbɑdi wərkt æt hoʊm. baɪ 1914 moʊst ˌɪnˈdəstriəˌlaɪzd ˈpipəl, huˈɛvər wərkt ɪn ˌɪnˈdəstriəˌlaɪzd ˈneɪʃənz, wərkt əˈweɪ frəm hoʊm. naʊ, wɪθ ðə ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk ˈdɪʤɪtəl ˌrɛvəˈluʃən wi kən rɪˈtərn ˈpipəl tɪ wərk æt ðɛr hoʊmz ɪf ðeɪ soʊ ʧuz. ənd əm seɪɪŋ ðɪs ɛz ə brænd nu ˈgrænˌfɑðər huz ˈdɔtər həz ə ʤɑb ənd ɪz naʊ ˈskræʧɪŋ hər hɛd ɔn haʊ ʃi ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ goʊ bæk tɪ wərk. hu ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ teɪk kɛr əv ðə ˈbeɪbi? ənd pɑrt əv ðə ˈænsər wɪl bi, ju wɪl, bɪˈkəz ju kən ˈæˌkʧuəli tərn ɔn jʊr kəmˈpjutər æt hoʊm ənd wɪn ðə kɪd ɪz əsˈlip ər pleɪɪŋ wɪθ hɪz tɔɪz, ju kən sɪt daʊn ənd du jʊr wərk. ɪf ju hæv bi ɪn ðə ˈɔfəs, ɪf ju hæd tɪ bi ɪn ðə ˈfæktəri, ɪn ðə stɔr, ju wʊd nɑt bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ du ðət ənd ju wʊd hæv tɪ faɪnd ə ˈnæni ər ə ˈbeɪbiˌsɪtər ər ə ˈgrændˌməðər. ər wərs, ju wʊd hæv ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd nɑt tɪ hæv ðə ʧaɪld. bɪˈkəz noʊɪŋ ðɪs ɪn ədˈvæns. ənd aɪ θɪŋk ðət kaɪnd əv θɪŋ ɪz wət ðə dɛθ əv ˈdɪstəns wɪl ˈrɪli du. ɪt wɪl rɪˈtərn ˈpipəl tɪ ðɛr ˈfæməliz, ɪt wɪl rɪˈtərn ˈpipəl tɪ ðɛr hoʊmz, bɪˈkəz ðeɪ noʊ ˈlɔŋgər hæv tɪ goʊ tɪ ˈɔfəsɪz ənd ˈfæktəriz. naʊ, ðeɪ stɪl hæv ðə ˈɔpʃən; ðət ɪf ju ˈrɪli laɪk tɪ gɪt aʊt əv ðə haʊs ər ju nid ðə ˈifɛkt ər ju nid tɪ sɪt ðɛr wɪθ jʊr ˈbədiz ɪn ðə ˈɔfəs ənd tɔk əˈbaʊt spɔrts ər tɔk əˈbaʊt wərk, ðət ˈɔpʃən stɪl ɪgˈzɪsts. bət ðɪs sɔrt əv kəˈmɪtmənt 5 deɪz ə wik, ðət wɪl sˈloʊli ˈiroʊd fər mɔr ənd mɔr ənd mɔr ˈpipəl. ənd aɪ θɪŋk ðət ɪz ˈæˌkʧuəli ə juʤ dɪˈvɛləpmənt. bɪˈkəz ðət ɪz ðə weɪ juˈmænɪti lɪvd ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˌɪnˈdəstriəl ˌrɛvəˈluʃən. rəs: jæ. ɪts ə ˈbjutəfəl, ənd aɪ θɪŋk tru, ˈɪnˌsaɪt.

0:33 intro. [recording date: november 13, 2013.] russ: our conversation will be loosely based on a forthcoming article in the city journal he's written called "is growth really over?" now you open with a famous quote i've heard many times attributed to charles holland duell, a late 19th century american patent commissioner. he allegedly said: everything that could be invented has been invented. you point out that he never said that; that's an apocryphal, inaccurate statement. what he actually said was the opposite: "in my opinion, all previous advances in the various lines of invention will appear today--will appear--totally insignificant when compared with those which the present century will witness. i almost wish that i might live my life over again to see the wonders which are at the threshold." now, why are we so eager to believe the incorrect version of that quote, that everything has already been invented and there's nothing left? guest: i don't know. that's a very good question, why we're so eager to believe it. i suppose everybody looks for some kind of straw man, so you are going to say: here's some idiot who said america would never be discovered five years before columbus. or the earth is flat. and then we'll have a good laugh at this. poor man--he never said it. people have actually researched this in some detail. quite clearly he was thinking quite the reverse. so i suppose we all look for straw men and people to beat up on, after we make our point, and even if he didn't say it--it's essentially like winston churchill, you know; he probably didn't say half the things that are attributed to him but it sort of sounds good. russ: mark twain has the same issue. guest: exactly. russ: now, robert gordon has written that stagnation is the new normal and that future growth rates are not going to equal past growth rates and that there are these headwinds that are going to keep us from reaching the levels of growth we have in the past. do you agree? guest: no. no, i don't agree. let me push this metaphor a little bit. so, robert gordon, who of course is my friend and my colleague here at northwestern, with whom i respectfully disagree, he talks a great deal about these headwinds. now, some of these headwinds i think are more serious than others. but what he's completely leaving out is that at the same time there are headwinds, there are tailwinds. and he isn't saying anything about the tailwinds. now i'd like to add perhaps that if you worry about headwinds, there isn't a century in which there have been more headwinds, globally, than the 20th century. i mean, you think about it, compare it to the 19th century, for instance. this is a century in which we have two global major wars, the worst depression of all times, between 1929 and 1939, the rise of totalitarian regimes of both the left and the right. the cold war, with an incredible amount of waste of resources on nuclear arms. on and on and on. plenty of headwinds, and yet this has been the most successful century in terms of economic history that ever happened. so, duell was absolutely right. and the odds stacked against it were just enormous. and so what people like me have to do is actually come out and explain how despite all these sort of political and institutional disasters, basically the human race has been able to lift itself up to a standard of living that would have been unimaginable in 1900. that's i think the issue. russ: but of course it is possible that there is a headwind, there is some force working against growth. this time could be different. guest: no. it could be, but i don't think so. i think there is very good reason to believe quite the reverse. if we look at what's happening to technology, there are very good reasons to believe that it's going to do things that nobody imagined 10, 15, 20 years ago; and there are things that are happening now, and the things we are not imagining at the moment, that will take place 10, 15, 20 years from now. and on and on. i think that that basically is what is going to happen. now, it won't all be good. technology always is a mixed bag; it's not for nothing that joseph schumpeter called it 'creative destruction'--it's creative but it also destroys a lot. there's always pain to go with the gain. and sometimes the pain is pretty bad. but that's the nature of the beast; that's just what innovation is about. but basically my attitude is, when you look at technology--and i'm not making any predictions about politics and what's going to happen to democracy and things like that because that's not my field--my attitude is you ain't seen nothing yet. the best is still to come. 6:09 russ: i'm very sympathetic to that view. i'm on your side in this debate. i think one of the problems we have in getting people to believe it is they say, well, how do you know? and then you say let's go to the past and say, twenty years ago when the internet was a tiny little phenomenon it was a totally different world and you could not have imagined not only the technology that was coming and the things we would do with it, but the jobs that would be created and the opportunities for human expression that didn't exist then. guest: absolutely. i'm a historian, so for me, the internet is all recent stuff. but i look back at the last, say, 400 years. i'm very happy to start in 1600. and actually i don't belong to the school of people who say, if you want to predict the future, just look at the past and try to extrapolate. i don't actually do that. we are living in an age in which everything is so different that there are very limited things you can learn from the past. but here is one of those limited things. so, the way that innovation occurs is it has a very complicated and subtle interplay with what we know. so essentially you could think about technology as something that we do, right? techniques are nothing more than a set of recipes. here is how you bake a cake. that's not different in principle at least from: here is how you make an ingot of steel, or here is how you build a nuclear reactor. the recipes are recipes are longer, more complicated, but essentially this is what techniques are about. they are lists of instructions. behind that-- russ: it's the application of knowledge. guest: yeah. behind that of course there is a set of natural laws and regularities that we have understood. so you could call that science, but there is more to it than science because that all involves some very bound[?] knowledge, like in chicago it's hot in the summer and cold in the winter, something like that. doesn't have to be science, but it's something we know about our environment. now here is the way i see things. these two types of technology interact with one another in a very subtle way. it's not just that we discover laws of science--we discover relativity or quantum mechanics and then we go and build a nuclear reactor. it's much more complex than that. by building a nuclear reactor or by building television sets or smart phones or something, we learn more about science. and back and forth. so these two reinforce one another in a very subtle way. so here is one way in which that reinforcement occurs, that i think is critical. science can proceed when it has better instruments and tools to study nature. now, these instruments and tools are built by people who make things. so there could be, say, opticians who make their microscopes or better telescopes or somebody else who makes a set of lab instruments. but basically science can advance largely because it has better instruments at its disposal. so it is not by accident that we think of the 17th century as an age in which a scientific revolution occurred, because that is when opticians for the first times build a set of lenses by which galileo could look up and in the sky and find the moons of jupiter, which had never been observed by a human being because our eye isn't equipped to do that. so, the telescope and the microscope and the vacuum pump and the whole bunch of things like that basically helped trigger what we call the scientific revolution of the 17th century, culminating in the grand crescendo with the work of isaac newton. that's all pushed in large part by better tools, better instruments. now, if you think about what we have done in that dimension today, is that we have added a tool that no one would have dreamed about before, namely, high-powered computing. you look at what's happening in science today, in any kind of research, not just natural sciences--it's unimaginable to do without computers. they gave a nobel prize in chemistry this year to a bunch of people who basically started to simulate large molecules with computer programs. there is something that antoine lavoisier, founder of modern chemistry, could not have imagined, because he couldn't have thought about the kind of computer power that these people have at their disposal. if he had to do a calculation, he had to do it by hand. and that's the way it was until fairly recently, in an historical point of view. today the computer power that we have is so immense that endless problems that we've been struggling with all of a sudden are within solution, all the way from the solution of, say, very difficult mathematical equations that have no solution but can be simulated and calibrated by means of machines, all the way down to studying 15th century authors and doing a word analysis by the means of computers. so this is the most power powerful research tool that humans have ever invented. and we just started to scratch the surface. we just began this. now, you think about the chemistry and the physics and the nanotechnology that these machines will develop and you see what they will then do to further instruments, you will see this mutually reinforcing process that's basically going to launch us into an orbit that we today even cannot imagine. that's why i'm an optimist. you see, that's the way things actually work. 12:31 russ: so, i want to bring up two challenges to that view and get your reaction. edmund phelps was a recent guest on the program and he was dismissive of science and inventions as important causes of human advancement. he emphasizes much more small trial-and-error applications at a very micro level. you seem to disagree with that. guest: i do disagree with that. i know ed, ned, and i know his book, mass flourishing. i've read it, and i've actually reviewed it. he's a great economist, but i think he's wrong about this. i think he doesn't quite understand that every once in a while what we need is a conceptual breakthrough without which these mass little things that he's talked about--which i'm not at all denying; they are important. a lot of innovation is happening in very small increments by entrepreneurs. but basically if there is no further expansion of our understanding of nature, and of physics, chemistry, biology, then at some point ned's mass flourishings are going to run into diminishing returns. every economist understands that if you have a fixed factor and you add a variable factor, at some point this is going to run into diminishing returns. and so classical physics as it was culminated in the late 19th century work of people like kelvin, basically could take you just so far. it could not do for you what quantum mechanics did. and so you need a big [?], a big step. and once quantum mechanics is around them a whole bunch of electronics and things in other fields follow. but i don't think it's conceivable that things like quantum mechanics and relativity, and the list goes on and on, could have developed through ned's mass flourishing. so he's telling half the story, but he's forgetting about changes in the fixed factor. russ: so, he uses his examples like the railroad or the steam engine and suggests they are over-rated. guest: well, no. i think his view of technology history differs quite materially from mine. let's talk about the steam engine, because i know stuff about it and i've written about it. so, here's the thing about the steam engine. and he's absolutely right--the steam engine, the first working model of the steam engine was installed, by all accounts, in 1712, by a guy called thomas newcomen, who was sort of a blacksmith and instrument maker in england. now, you think a little bit about the thing that he built, and what he built was an atmospheric engine. okay? so it was based on the principle, later much modified, that if you create a vacuum in a cylinder, that the pressure of the atmosphere will allow you to push the piston up and down as the steam expands. so, now what do you have to know to build a machine like that? well, clearly you don't have to know what we call today thermodynamics, which was developed really a century and half later than the steam engine, and connected more with the result of the steam engine than the other way around. but he had to know one thing, russ: you had to understand that the earth is surrounded by an atmosphere. we are actually living at the bottom of an ocean of air. now, everybody in the world today knows that and understands that, but the truth is that this wasn't really fully realized until one of galileo's students, called evangelista torricelli, who was the first to fully realize that there is atmospheric pressure that is pushing us down on this earth. so, once you have that, ever since you build the barometer, and then people were running up and down mountains and showing that the pressure was actually going up or down--as you went up the pressure went down, and so forth--and that the pressure of the atmosphere could be used. so there is this famous picture; many people who have taken a course in the history of science, of these two separate copper globes that were put together by a german scientist called otto von guericke, who was also lord mayor of the city magdeburg; and he put those two copper globes together and by the means of an air pump he sucked out all the air; and then he spans two horses to each side of the globe and showed that they couldn't pull it apart. that the pressure of the atmosphere was so strong that horses couldn't pull these two globes apart, simply because there was a vacuum inside. now that was a major breakthrough. and this is not a case of mass flourishing. this is a bunch of highly-trained, highly educated, extremely imaginative people--torricelli, von guericke, blaise pascal the famous mathematician was involved in this, a whole bunch of people. and by sort of 1660, this becomes widely known. there is no doubt that newcomen must have understood that, because without that, the whole idea of an atmospheric engine was--the newcomen variety, or there was a slightly different variety developed before by a guy called thomas savery--you couldn't have imagined a steam engine without knowing that there is an atmosphere. and so people were asking, could the chinese have built a steam engine? and the basic answer, is: no, unless they had discovered what the europeans discovered in the 17th century, which is the existence of an atmosphere. now, once you have that knowledge, then a lot of things [?] and a lot of little improvements will get you a long distance. without that, the idea of the steam engine is no more imaginable, no more plausible than building a nuclear reactor without understanding, you know, atomic theory. so, in that sense, i think ned is wrong. he has to know something in order to build an advanced machine. and much of the [?] come subsequently, i totally agree. but there are times when science makes a big step forward and says, all right, now we can do this and we cannot do that. here is another example. now you've got me going. so, think about modern chemistry. modern chemistry has been an incredible source of progress. without modern chemistry we wouldn't have fertilizer, we wouldn't have synthetic materials. anybody understands it. now, chemistry as we understand it today was essentially the product of, i would say, at most a dozen people working between 1760 and 1800, okay? the largest of which was antoine lavoisier, but there were other people involved. but this is a major scientific breakthrough, after which a lot of mass flourishings are possible. without those people, without modern chemistry, this would have been inconceivable. because people had the totally wrong model of how materials work. and nothing would have really worked out. you want another example? 20:27 russ: let me challenge you with a different issue. i agree with you. let me ask you a different question. tyler cowen, also a previous guest on this program, has said: well, the rate of growth is slowing down and what's coming in the future is actually we are going to have some acceleration along the lines you've talked about because of smarter machines and tools, but for the average person it's going to be kind of bleak because smart machines are going to take away jobs and the skills that we have, which is our humanity, our creativity, our brains. and the people at the upper end are going to be happy and rich, but the average person might have a lot of trouble in a world of smart machines. as an optimist, how do you answer that? guest: well, this is a much more, i think, serious issue. i think it can be dealt with, okay, but that kind of danger always exists. technology has the tendency to make skills obsolete. and the real problem is not that it will not create new jobs, new occupations, new specializations, new challenges. the problem is people who are losing their skill--they are not losing their skills but their skills become sort of valueless. these are people that typically it will very difficult to retrain in the new occupations. and so what you may well observe is a whole generation of people who go through what the hand-loom weavers went through in the industrial revolution, which is their skills became obsolete. they were too old, or for some other reason incapable of being retrained, and they died bitter and disappointed, and many of them poor. that is what technology does. now, in the very long run, i think the economy will cope with that in a variety of ways, one of course will be that we are going to be creating new occupations that are a result of the new technology. so, you fast[?] somebody in a sort of a 1945[?], oh we'll forget[?]--suppose you told somebody, that machine that [?] von neumann built is going to be really small and it will have 5 million times the computer power, and here's how it will look and do. and he will worry, well, what kind of work will people do if machines will do all the thinking, all the computing? so here is an occupation that is birthed in 1945[?]; we are going to imagine--i am pulling something out of a sleeve--but you could say--a computer game developer, so people who write computer games, the notion that he gave the computer would have been rather-- russ: bizarre. guest: bizarre, for somebody in 1945. they would think of computers as calculating ballistic trajectories. but playing pacman or fighting the trojan war all over again, which i understand you can do today on computers--that kind. so there are or there will be new occupations for people, people who do cybersecurity or things like that. here's another thing which just occurred to me the last few days because at npr (national public radio) we are doing a series on this. but this is absolutely true. modern technology allows us to actually engage in transactions that before that would have been extremely difficult because of a variety of informational asymmetries in transactions costs. so, you look at something like airbnb, where people actually become sort of mini-hotel owners to other individuals. so this is peer-to-peer trade in which i contract with somebody in san francisco to rent an apartment for a weekend. so that person now has a job--he has to clean the apartment, wash my sheets, blah, blah, blah. and i pay him. so that person now has an occupation that he or she couldn't have had before because without the internet and without the sort of clever setup of the website, this could not have happened. russ: well, they could do it, but it's a small number of people because as you point out the transactions costs are very high. guest: transactions costs would have been too high. and what this site does, which is very nice, is you actually have a very strong incentive to be well-behaved about this and not to engage in opportunistic behavior. so that i am not going to go and rent somebody's apartment for a week and then trash it and break the furniture or whatever, because if i do then the website will know and they will penalize me by not letting me ever use it ever again. so it's very cleverly done. here's another example of things that you can do which i just learned. so people who buy, like me, who are totally hopeless when it comes to putting things together, they go to ikea or to a furniture store and they buy a new desk and it comes in a box, with, you know, a million metal parts and screws and parts and they haven't a clue about how to do this, and they spend two miserable days trying to put it together and then will do it wrong--you can actually go on the internet today, hire somebody and get them to do this for you for a small fee. now there's a market that we wouldn't have been able to imagine a while ago. so what i think is that after technology evolves, it will create new opportunities for people to engage in activities and occupations that we cannot today even imagine. 26:17 russ: okay, so i'm sympathetic to this view. and the example i like to use is agriculture. in 1900 40% of the american workforce was on the farm. if you told a farmer or an average person or anybody in 1900 that in 100 years it was going to be 3%, they'd assume we'd starve to death and there would be mass revolution. that 40%, 37% of them would have nothing to do. but of course it didn't turn out that way. as you point out, a bunch of jobs came along, and opportunities. but i think tyler would argue, to give tyler cowen his due: well, what happens when computers create their own computer games and the human beings can't do it any more? because they can't compete with those really smart machines? guest: well, we are still groping about what computers can and cannot do. and it is quite--of course they can do a lot more things than we can do today. when i will have a robot do a root canal job on my tooth, i'll start really worrying about that. but i think that stage we will not reach in the foreseeable future. and of course what will happen is, as computers do more and more jobs that were uninteresting, routine anyway, more and more people will be able to get into jobs in which it will be very hard for computers to step in. russ: okay, so i am going to push back on that. again, i like your argument, but what about the following: what if i'd said to you, 15 years ago, the same argument, and you'd said, well, the day when a robot can take out my prostate because it's got cancer, that's the day i'm going to worry. but we do have essentially robots that do that. now, they are guided by human beings. the issue, i guess, is whether the skillset that it takes to run that robot, to run that laser, becomes a very easy thing to do; as the machines get smarter and more effective, it's going to be harder to make a good living as a surgeon. guest: it may be harder to make a good living-- russ: or a dentist. guest: as a surgeon. it's true it will be harder to make a living as a surgeon doing what surgeons do today. but the whole point is that when robots are doing more and more routine things--appendectomies and things like that--skilled surgeons will be able to push the envelope out even further to do things which robots cannot do yet. and then robots get there. they will just keep ahead of them. now, in the process, i think more and more jobs, more and more occupations will disappear. there i totally agree, i agree with tyler. most of the things that will disappear will be routine. so, let me take a step back. what mechanization has done over the last 250 years--as you pointed out, in agriculture--is basically eliminated much of the backbreaking difficult work that wore people out. russ: and that's been great. that's been a good thing. guest: and now we are in the process of doing the same thing with manufacturing. so a lot more backbreaking, boring, routine jobs are being replaced by robots. and it's not just in manufacturing. agriculture. it's in services as well. there are very few people now who sell tokens to the san francisco or washington metro, right? you buy it out of the robot. it's not really called a robot. russ: right. it's an atm (automated teller machine) machine, it's a version of the same thing. guest: these people, they are replacing really boring jobs, selling tokens in the metro strikes me as a deadening, dull job. and so we replace these by robots. now, you know, what happens to the person who was selling these tokens? that's a hard question. clearly nobody young is going to say, i am going to have a career in doing something that is routine and dull, because that's being done by machines; and i'm going to find something that's more fulfilling. and precisely because technology is pushing on, such new jobs will be opening up. now, that said, i also think that what you see over the 20th century in the long run--not so much in the short run, but in the long run--is people are working class. we have a society, industrialized countries are enduring a hell of a lot more leisure than they did. they have longer weekends. they have, particularly in europe, they have long, 4 or 5 week vacations. even in the states, most people probably are down to something like, 1,950 hours a year, i think is the last numbers i saw. which is, you know, considerably less than people worked at the beginning of the 20th century, which was somewhere around 3,000. so we have cut the working year in the united states by a third, and in europe, probably more, probably by a half. so, people are working with, they are spending more time living a life of leisure as retirees and living a life of quasi-leisure as people accumulating their human capital. so we will have more time for ourselves, to do things that are fun. and a humanistic calculus[?]--what technology has done, it has hugely increased the value of leisure, because there is so much more to do with leisure today than there was even 50 years ago. let alone the 19th century. the 19th century, people went to the opera and to the theater, but that was typically an upper and upper-middle class urban kind of phenomenon. for the vast bulk of people, the number of things you could do in your leisure time were by and large sitting around in pubs and taverns and drinking with your buddies. russ: well, maybe be singing a little bit. maybe singing into the fire. guest: maybe singing a little bit. but think what the 20th century technology has done for us. it has created basically out of nothing an entire industry called spectator sport. and so today, you flip through your channels and you see hockey and basketball and football and baseball, and for those who like it, they can watch golf and bowling. where is that coming from? well, we have more time. people have more time because leisure is much more widespread, both at the sort of very young and old ages. but also for people who are still part of the labor force. and so in that regard, the notion that, the sort of old puritan notion that old people who aren't working aren't doing anything valuable with their time, i think that's something that we have to be very careful about. and i would like to quote here the great economist john maynard keynes, who wrote a little pamphlet which many economists know, called "economic lessons [possibilities--econlib ed.] for our grandchildren," in which he predicts--and he is writing this in 1929 if i recall correctly-- russ: sorry; it might have even been 1932. he was writing at a very dark time. guest: maybe it was 1932. maybe it was in the early 1930s. but around that time, in any case. somehow the date escapes me, but it's easy to check. but what he points out is that future technology might actually create really short weeks, and for a lot of people essentially make work completely redundant. now, of course, that requires complete reorganization of society, because these people have to have incomes from somewhere. and you can think of societies in one way or another have had to solve that problem already because of some windfall, so you think about it like kuwait or norway, and these countries are extraordinarily rich. and for all practical purposes in those countries, work has become a novelty rather than a necessity. and we may well move--if we are able to robotize things enough and automate things enough, there will be a hell of a lot more leisure to consume, and there will be far more things to do with leisure, including, of course listening to programs such as yours. russ: yes. thank goodness. i wonder how many people right now are listening to econtalk while they are "working." if you are, send me an email at mail@econtalk.org, whether you are taking leisure on the job. i'd love to know. now, your point is related to a different point you made which i want to come to, but before i do that i just want to say one thing about the keynes essay. it's "economic possibilities for grandchildren." guest: that's what it's called. thank you. russ: it was published in 1930. it may have been written before, so you could still be right. but--we'll try to put a link up to it if we can find one that isn't copy-protected. but i want to mention, the interesting side note about that essay is it has a strong anti-semitic streak in it, where he blames the jews for giving the world the idea of saving and compound interest and delayed gratification; and i'll put up something related to that as well. so that essay is very prescient. it has some strange, not-so-attractive ideas about the virtue of saving. so, keynes in that essay really decries savings as a bad thing. which he also was generally against for other reasons in 1930, probably. this is before 1936 when he wrote the general theory, but i'm sure he was already thinking about it. guest: he's already thinking about it. and you are absolutely right. he blamed savings for the great depression and so you can sort of see him thinking, moving in that direction. by the way: anti-semitism was extremely common, of course, in those days, particularly he was writing in the late 1920s, early 1930s. i don't approve of it, but you know it's not as uncommon as you would think. russ: i'm bringing it up as an historical footnote for people reading that essay. 36:45 russ: but the issue that you raise is this issue about leisure and the unimagined amount of leisure that we have and what we are able to do with it because of technology and the internet and television, etc. spectator sports. which is a sign of our tremendous wealth and our standard of living. you raise an interesting point elsewhere about measurement issues. so, one of the issues you hear--and tyler cowen talks about this in a different book, the great stagnation, is that--and phelps, also, and others talk about how, well, things are slowing down; we've picked all the low-hanging fruit; the stuff that's left now isn't as good. and your claim, which i agree with, is part of this is a measurement problem. and you write the following. you say, many of the most important inventions of the late 19th and 20th century are things we would not and could not do without, yet they made little impact on the national accounts, because they were so inexpensive: aspirins, light bulbs, water chlorination, bicycles, lithium batteries, wheeled suitcases, contact lenses, digital music. moreover outdated conventions of national income accounting do not count leisure as a valuable good. people who are not working are not producing, and this is "bad" by gordon's accounting because they are not adding to output. but it may well be that a quiet life is not only the best monopoly profit, as nobel prize winner john hicks famously noted in 1935, it is the very end of a life of hard work. so talk about this measurement issue, that what we are calling measured growth or measured standard of living may be grossly understates its real value. guest: absolutely. so in some sense this is one of the dirty secrets of the economist's profession, which is we all seem to be worrying a great deal about growth and about things that depend on national income or gross national product for their measurement. you look at things, not just gdp per capita (gross domestic product per capita) or things like that, which is a standard measure--you look at things like total factor[?] of productivity which is essentially the same divided by some measure of input, and this is what everybody uses. but everybody actually knows that these numbers are extremely misleading. and they get more misleading the more we use them for long-range comparisons. so, comparing this year's, say, gdp per capita with last year's, saying the economy grew at, say, 2.8%--that's in some sense a reasonable statement because we don't think that in a year there is a great deal of the underlying structure of the economy that is changing. but we always have to keep in mind that these measures were designed for sort of a [?] wheat and steel economies. so an economy that uses up a bunch of goods of more or less of constant quality, the same sort of basket of goods are being produced, and if we can next year produce more of it--because we have better machines or better technology or more work harder or more people join the labor force, we actually have more output and so we have more income. and we are rich and everything is good. the problem of course occurs when you start looking at these things over longer periods of time, and you start realizing that it becomes very, very difficult to compare two years in which a whole bunch of new goods and services have become available that a previous generation not only didn't have access to but really couldn't even dream about. so, we have an economics concept which we call 'consumer surplus,' which is basically a measure of how much better off you are as a result of a new good or a new service, and sort of different ways of measuring it, standard ways of trying to imagine going to a consumer and saying, well, how much would you demand to be paid if we took that good away from you and put you back in 20 years ago when that good didn't exist? so we can play this game with cell phones and we can play this game with gps (global positioning systems) and we can play this game--and so you've got how much would you have to be paid if we took the gps out of your car, and you scratch your head and say you've got to go back and buy maps and study them while i'm driving. so there's a loss of wealth. it's probably not huge. so, my example of a very small invention for which we could ask this question is anesthesia. so you go to somebody who is about to have surgery and you ask him, how much would you demand to be paid if i took out your appendix without anesthetizing you, without putting you to sleep? nobody would agree. the sum would be infinite. what can anesthesia contribute to gdp when it was introduced in the 1850s and 1860s? russ: could not be very much. guest: nothing. it's very small. but that is exactly the kind of thing we fail to account for in our calculations. so that's why i gave that whole list of things; and we could make this list infinitely large. it is the small things that actually don't amount to an awful large part of our income and product that actually have improved life a great deal and that we really wouldn't want to do without any more. and the fact of the matter is despite the best efforts of economists, it's very difficult to account for that. because not only new goods are showing up that never existed before, but also the old goods are getting considerable better. and there are techniques of dealing with that called 'hedonic' techniques, but they are not very good because goods have many attributes. so you look at your laptop and you ask yourself in which way is this laptop better than the 386 [ibm 386--econlib ed.] that i had in the 1980s? you'd say, i can give you a list of 50 ways. it's not just speed of calculation. the screen is sharper. on and on and on and on. the list is huge. the same is true about automobiles, about communication, on and on. so it's very hard to do this. and so in an age in which new products and new services come online all the time and in which the old things are getting better in quantum leaps, our national income accounting system completely fails us. now, i should add that it doesn't just undercount things because it doesn't count improvement. it also overcounts. in some ways of course national income accounting overcounts how much we are producing because it doesn't take into account various inputs, various costs that incurred to society even if nobody obvious pays it. russ: foregone leisure. guest: well, foregone leisure, but you can also think about any kind of environmental damage that production causes, including for that matter global warming which may be the mother of all environmental disasters. what's happened is for 200 years people have been burning coal and natural gas and oil and emitting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as if it was free. but it turns out is isn't free. now, had we done the calculations correctly we should have actually charged them for contributing to the damage to the planet and deducted those costs from their net value added. we haven't done that because of course the atmosphere isn't owned by anybody. now in the short run, comparing year to year, that doesn't make any difference. if you compare gdp today with gdp 150 years ago, it becomes meaningless. it may be high[?]-- russ: i want to emphasize that, but i also want to make the point that i do think that pumping sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, which i think we do less of--in many ways i think the environment is kind of cleaner than the last 25 or 30 years--when people make these growth comparisons. so you are right, pollution is a negative. i think global warming remains to be seen. it may have a catastrophic impact. it certainly is not--all that carbon dioxide you talked about, other than building it up, hasn't so far had an enormous impact on human wellbeing or longevity. whether it will in the future is what we're worried about. guest: oh yeah, yeah. russ: so, it's an interesting challenge to even conceptualize how you should measure it. 45:49 russ: but the point you are making about the challenges of measuring--you talk about anaesthesia. the example i like is the worriers of negative folk like tyler and others who argue that airplanes haven't gotten any faster. so, we figured out the airplane; that's glorious; but we haven't figured out the portable jetpack, and that doesn't seem to be happening; and so therefore we're kind of stagnating. what i'd respond to that, one of the things i'd respond, is that while of sitting in the airport, instead of having to hire a string of musicians to follow me around, i've got portable music when i'm on my trip. which is only a luxury that a king could have had in the 19th century in his carriage. i have a thing in my pocket--in my pocket--that plays 10,000 songs at a quality that was unimaginable. so there are enormous improvements when, as you say, we look across all the different margins. guest: but i will take this a step further, russ. i totally agree with you. it isn't just the music. it's communications--you can actually do your work. i mean, i take a laptop with me and spend 3 hours on the plane to give a lecture somewhere and i'm actually fixing my powerpoint while i'm sitting on the plane because it was something i need. or everything i've written over the last 30 years is in that hard disk. and so if i say, gee, where did i say this and that, i go do a search and bang! there it is. at 30,000 feet in the air. but here is something even deeper than that. i think complaining as tyler does and other people do, saying, well, you know, after 40 years of technological change it just takes as long as it did in the 1960s to fly from new york to london--and that's basically like complaining in 1890 that it was no technological change: horses don't run any faster. that's--horses don't run any faster and there are probably not many ways in which we can make them run sufficiently faster to make much of a difference. but the point is the horses basically at some point are being removed from the fundamental means of transportation and replaced by something entirely different. i would think that one of the things that is--and this i think is a major change--is coming--it's not coming as soon as i thought it was going to come, but it is coming, is the death of distance. russ: a fabulous point. guest: we are basically no longer having to use airplanes in order to communicate for most of human needs. i'm saying most; i'm not saying all. i fully well understand that at times it's very important to have that personal contact, to share that beer, to have that meal together. but by and large i think what we are going to see is that communications as human interactions are going to be digitalized to a degree that we can't even imagine yet. except when you are looking at two kids in high school sitting next to one another and instead of talking, they are texting. russ: yeah. guest: and you go, what is going on here? why don't they talk? they are comfortable with this. i'm not comfortable with it. i don't text, because i'm not 16. russ: too old. guest: i'm no longer really good at getting onto that technology. but i can see kids who are 12-13 year-olds now, when they are going to be my age, this will be perfectly natural to them. once you text with somebody sitting next to you, there is no reason for that person to be next to you. he could well be in idaho and you could be in maryland. you are just texting, communicating as if you were sitting next to one another. the same would be true for conferences, for meetings, for family reunions, for a lot of reasons are flying. now it is true that for the moment airline traffic is still going up. but i will remind people of 2001 and 9-11, where airline traffic basically ground to a halt for a couple of months, and how clever we were at that time with a technology that's now vastly improved at actually substituting for travel and having meetings and conferences electronically. and i think that is going to be the wave of the future. if something, god forbid, were to happen to transportation, whether it's terrorism or something else, i think this technology would take off like a rocket. now here's one more point about this. if that kind of thing is going to happen, it isn't just airline traffic that will be affected. it will be regular traffic. and so if you are stuck in a traffic jam at rush hour in los angeles or in chicago or in washington, d.c. or somewhere else, 20, 30 years from now the vast bulk of people who have to drive to their little cubicle or their little office, today, may well be able to do things from their living room at home. russ: it's a fabulous point, and it's really an incredibly deep, deep point about the human enterprise. i think about what my life is like; here i am teaching economics to thousands of people around the world, which is an incredibly gratifying and wonderful thing that i get to do with this program. and in the old days, if you wanted to hear an economist, you had to go to him. if you wanted to hear adam smith in 1760 you had to go to scotland. and that's the way the world worked. it's still nice, as you point out, sometimes to be face to face, for a thousand different reasons, a thousand different things. but i'm taping this program right now in my own house; i didn't have to get in my car today. it's wonderful, and my life is richer for it. i don't need my car to go faster to the office, to get to my taping equipment. i'm doing it from home. guest: and think of the liberating effects that this has. it isn't just that we are saving innumerable human hours which are wasted in commuting. by the way, the cost of commuting is not figured in national income accounts, as you know. if you spend an hour and a half driving to work each day, bumper-to-bumper traffic, that counts as leisure. but if i can spare you that, then there'd be a major improvement in your economic welfare, without making one iota of difference to national income. [?] russ: i've noticed. i have to interrupt--i have to say that i didn't want to presume when i used that example that i was anything like adam smith, and as esteemed and insightful as my guest is, i'm not comparing you to him, either. guest: no, none of that. russ: i just meant an old economist. guest: no, none of us can compare to the master. but here is one more thing about this. and that actually is terribly important. the death of distance will not just save in commuting costs and of course pollution and gasoline used and wear and tear on tires and whatnot. it's also incredibly liberating, because what's happening is that for tens of thousands of years, until the industrial revolution, women were working at their homes while raising kids. and so they were multitasking, we would call it today; of course, they didn't use that term. that's basically what they were doing. so, they were producing textiles, they were milking cows and they were feeding the chickens, while at the same time taking care of kids. what the industrial revolution did, by creating the factory system and then later on the offspring of the factory system, like the office system, which is basically a factory system in which people sit at their desks but it's essentially the same, is they separated the worker from her household and put them in a different environment. and so that's what essentially the industrial revolution did. that didn't exist before 1750 or practically not. everybody worked at home. by 1914 most industrialized people, whoever worked in industrialized nations, worked away from home. now, with the electronic digital revolution we can return people to work at their homes if they so choose. and i'm saying this as a brand new grandfather whose daughter has a job and is now scratching her head on how she is going to go back to work. who is going to take care of the baby? and part of the answer will be, you will, because you can actually turn on your computer at home and when the kid is asleep or playing with his toys, you can sit down and do your work. if you have be in the office, if you had to be in the factory, in the store, you would not be able to do that and you would have to find a nanny or a babysitter or a grandmother. or worse, you would have decided not to have the child. because knowing this in advance. and i think that kind of thing is what the death of distance will really do. it will return people to their families, it will return people to their homes, because they no longer have to go to offices and factories. now, they still have the option; that if you really like to get out of the house or you need the work-cooler effect or you need to sit there with your buddies in the office and talk about sports or talk about work, that option still exists. but this sort of 9-to-5 commitment 5 days a week, that will slowly erode for more and more and more people. and i think that is actually a huge development. because that is the way humanity lived before the industrial revolution. russ: yeah. it's a beautiful, and i think true, insight.

ðə pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ ˈmɑdəl əv ðə ˈætəm ðə ˈkɑrənt ˈmɑdəl əv ðə ˈstrəkʧər ˌɪnˈvɑlvz ə dɛns ˈnukliəs sərˈaʊndɪd baɪ ə "klaʊd" əv ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz ðə pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ ˈmɑdəl ɪz wən əv ˈsɛvərəl ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈmɑdəlz əv ðə ˈætəm. fərst prəˈpoʊzd baɪ ʤeɪ. ʤeɪ. ˈtɑmsən ɪn sun ˈæftər ðə ˌdɪˈskəvri əv ðə ˌɪˈlɛktrɑn, bət ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ˌdɪˈskəvri əv ðə əˈtɑmɪk ˈnukliəs, ðə ˈmɑdəl ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnɪd ən əˈtɛmpt tɪ kənˈsɑlɪˌdeɪt ðə noʊn ˈprɑpərtiz əv ˈætəmz æt ðə taɪm: 1 ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz ər ˈpɑrtɪkəlz ənd 2 ˈætəmz ər neutrally-charged*. ˈoʊvərvˌju ˈɛdət ɪn ðɪs ˈmɑdəl, ˈætəmz wər noʊn tɪ kənˈsɪst əv ˈnɛgətɪvli ʧɑrʤd ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz. ðoʊ ˈtɑmsən kɔld ðɛm "corpuscles*", ðeɪ wər mɔr ˈkɑmənli kɔld "ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz" ɛz ʤi. ʤeɪ. ˈstoʊni prəˈpoʊzd ɪn æt ðə taɪm, ˈætəmz wər noʊn tɪ bi ˈnutrəli ʧɑrʤd. tɪ əˈkaʊnt fər ðɪs, ˈtɑmsən nu ˈætəmz məst ˈɔlsoʊ hæv ə sɔrs əv ˈpɑzətɪv ʧɑrʤ tɪ ˈbæləns ðə ˈnɛgətɪv ʧɑrʤ əv ðə ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz. hi kənˈsɪdərd θri ˈplɔzəbəl ˈmɑdəlz ðət wʊd ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ ðə noʊn ˈprɑpərtiz əv ˈætəmz æt ðə taɪm: iʧ ˌɪˈlɛktrɑn wɑz pɛrd wɪθ ə ˈpɑrtɪkəl ðət ˈfɑloʊd ɪt ˈɛvriˌwɛr wɪˈθɪn ðə ˈætəm. ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz ˈɔrbətəd ə ˈsɛntrəl ˈriʤən əv ˈpɑzətɪv ʧɑrʤ ˈhævɪŋ ðə seɪm ˈmægnəˌtud ɛz ɔl ðə ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz. ðə ˈnɛgətɪv ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz ˈɑkjəˌpaɪd ə ˈriʤən əv speɪs ðət ˌɪtˈsɛlf wɑz ə ˈjunəˌfɔrm ˈpɑzətɪv ʧɑrʤ (ˈɔfən kənˈsɪdərd ɛz ə kaɪnd əv "sup" ər "klaʊd" əv ˈpɑzətɪv ʧɑrʤ). ˈtɑmsən ʧoʊz ðə θərd ˌpɑsəˈbɪləˌti ɛz ðə moʊst ˈlaɪkli ˈstrəkʧər əv ˈætəmz. ˈtɑmsən ˈpəblɪʃt hɪz prəˈpoʊzd ˈmɑdəl ɪn ðə mɑrʧ 1904 ɪˈdɪʃən əv ðə ˌfɪləˈsɑfɪkəl ˈmægəˌzin, ðə ˈlidɪŋ ˈbrɪtɪʃ saɪəns ˈʤərnəl əv ðə deɪ. ɪn ˈtɑmsənz vju: ðə ˈætəmz əv ðə ˈɛləmənts kənˈsɪst əv ə ˈnəmbər əv ˈnɛgətɪvli ɪˈlɛktrəˌfaɪd ɪnˈkloʊzd ɪn ə sfɪr əv ˈjunəˌfɔrm ˈpɑzətɪv ɪˌlɛktrəfɪˈkeɪʃən, 3 wɪθ ðɪs ˈmɑdəl, ˈtɑmsən əˈbændənd hɪz ˈərliər ˈætəm" haɪˈpɑθəsəs ɪn wɪʧ ˈætəmz wər kəmˈpoʊzd əv ˌɪməˈtɪriəl vortices*. biɪŋ ən əˈstut ənd ˈpræktɪkəl ˈsaɪəntɪst, ˈtɑmsən beɪst hɪz əˈtɑmɪk ˈmɑdəl ɔn noʊn ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl ˈɛvədəns əv ðə deɪ. hɪz prəˈpoʊzəl əv ə ˈpɑzətɪv ˈvɑljum ʧɑrʤ rɪˈflɛkts ðə ˈneɪʧər əv hɪz ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk əˈproʊʧ tɪ ˌdɪˈskəvri wɪʧ wɑz tɪ prəˈpoʊz aɪˈdiəz tɪ gaɪd fˈjuʧər ɪkˈspɛrəmənts. ðə ˈɔrbəts əv ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz wɪˈθɪn ðə ˈmɑdəl wər ˈsteɪbəˌlaɪzd baɪ ðə fækt ðət wɪn ən ˌɪˈlɛktrɑn muvd əˈweɪ frəm ðə ˈsɛntər əv ðə sfɪr, ɪt wɑz səˈbʤɛktɪd tɪ ə ˈgreɪtər nɛt ˈpɑzətɪv ˈɪnwərd fɔrs, bɪˈkəz ðɛr wɑz mɔr ˈpɑzətɪv ʧɑrʤ ˌɪnˈsaɪd ɪts ˈɔrbət (si lɔ). ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz wər fri tɪ ˈroʊˌteɪt ɪn rɪŋz wɪʧ wər ˈfərðər ˈsteɪbəˌlaɪzd baɪ ˌɪnərˈækʃənz əˈməŋ ðə ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz, ənd ˈmɛʒərmənts wər mɛnt tɪ əˈkaʊnt fər ˈɛnərʤi ˈdɪfərənsɪz əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ ˈdɪfərənt ˌɪˈlɛktrɑn rɪŋz. ˈtɑmsən əˈtɛmptəd ˌənsəkˈsɛsfəli tɪ riˈʃeɪp hɪz ˈmɑdəl tɪ əˈkaʊnt fər səm əv ðə ˈmeɪʤər ˈspɛktrəl laɪnz ɪkˌspɛrəˈmɛntəli noʊn fər ˈsɛvərəl ˈɛləmənts. ðə pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ ˈmɑdəl ˈjusfəli ˈgaɪdɪd hɪz ˈstudənt, ˈərnɪst ˈrəθərfərd, tɪ dɪˈvaɪz ɪkˈspɛrəmənts tɪ ˈfərðər ɪkˈsplɔr ðə ˌkɑmpəˈzɪʃən əv ˈætəmz. ɛz wɛl, ˈtɑmsənz ˈmɑdəl (əˈlɔŋ wɪθ ə ˈsɪmələr rɪŋ ˈmɑdəl fər əˈtɑmɪk ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz pʊt ˈfɔrwərd ɪn 1904 baɪ ˈæftər ʤeɪmz klərk ˈmæksˌwɛlz ˈmɑdəl əv ˈsætərnz rɪŋz), wər ˈjusfəl ˈprɛdəˌsɛsərz əv ðə mɔr kərˈɛkt bɔr ˈmɑdəl əv ðə ˈætəm. ðə kəˈloʊkwiəl ˈnɪkˌneɪm "pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ" wɑz sun əˈtrɪbjətəd tɪ ˈtɑmsənz ˈmɑdəl ɛz ðə ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən əv ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz wɪˈθɪn ɪts ˈriʤən əv speɪs riˈmaɪndɪd ˈmɛni ˈsaɪəntɪsts əv "pləmz" ɪn ðə ˈkɑmən ˈɪŋlɪʃ dɪˈzərt, pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ. ɪn 1909 hɑns ˈgaɪgər ənd ˈərnɪst ˈmɑrsdən kənˈdəktəd ɪkˈspɛrəmənts wɪθ θɪn ʃits əv goʊld. ðɛr prəˈfɛsər, ˈərnɪst ˈrəθərfərd, ɪkˈspɛktɪd tɪ faɪnd rɪˈzəlts kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ˈtɑmsənz əˈtɑmɪk ˈmɑdəl. ɪt ˈwəzənt ənˈtɪl 1911 ðət ˈrəθərfərd kərˈɛktli ˌɪnˈtərprətəd ðə ɪkˈspɛrəmənts wɪʧ ˌɪmˈplaɪd ðə ˈprɛzəns əv ə ˈvɛri smɔl ˈnukliəs əv ˈpɑzətɪv ʧɑrʤ æt ðə ˈsɛnər əv goʊld ˈætəmz. ðɪs lɛd tɪ ðə dɪˈvɛləpmənt əv ðə ˈrəθərfərd ˈmɑdəl əv ðə ˈætəm. ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli ˈæftər ˈrəθərfərd ˈpəblɪʃt hɪz rɪˈzəlts, ænˈtoʊniəs væn dɛn meɪd ðə ˌɪnˈtuətɪv prəˈpoʊzəl ðət ðə əˈtɑmɪk ˈnəmbər əv ən ˈætəm ɪz ðə ˈtoʊtəl ˈnəmbər əv ˈjunɪts əv ʧɑrʤ ˈprɛzənt ɪn ɪts ˈnukliəs. ˈhɛnri 1913 ɪkˈspɛrəmənts (si lɔ) prəˈvaɪdɪd ðə ˈnɛsəˌsɛri ˈɛvədəns tɪ səˈpɔrt væn dɛn prəˈpoʊzəl. ðə ˈifɛktɪv ˈnukliər ʧɑrʤ wɑz faʊnd tɪ bi kənˈsɪstənt wɪθ ðə əˈtɑmɪk ˈnəmbər (ˈmoʊzˌli faʊnd ˈoʊnli wən ˈjunɪt əv ʧɑrʤ ˈdɪfərəns). ðɪs wərk ˈkəlməˌneɪtɪd ɪn ðə (bət quantum-limited*) bɔr ˈmɑdəl əv ðə ˈætəm ɪn ðə seɪm jɪr, ɪn wɪʧ ə ˈnukliəs kənˈteɪnɪŋ ən əˈtɑmɪk ˈnəmbər əv ˈpɑzətɪv ˈʧɑrʤɪz ɪz sərˈaʊndɪd baɪ ən ˈikwəl ˈnəmbər əv ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz ɪn ˈɔrbətəl ʃɛlz. ɛz ˈtɑmsənz ˈmɑdəl ˈgaɪdɪd ɪkˈspɛrəmənts, ˈmɑdəl ˈgaɪdɪd ˈrisərʧ. rɪˈleɪtɪd ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈprɑbləmz ˈɛdət ðə pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ ˈmɑdəl wɪθ ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˌɪˈlɛktrɑn wɑz juzd ɪn pɑrt baɪ ðə ˈfɪzɪsɪst ˈɑrθər ˈɛrɪk hɑs ɪn 1910 tɪ ˈɛstəˌmeɪt ðə nuˈmɛrɪkəl ˈvælju əv ˈkɑnstənt ənd ðə bɔr ˈreɪdiəs əv ˈhaɪdrəʤən ˈætəmz. hɑs' wərk ˈɛstəˌmeɪtɪd ðiz ˈvæljuz tɪ wɪˈθɪn ən ˈɔrdər əv ˈmægnəˌtud ənd prɪˈsidɪd ðə wərk əv nilz bɔr baɪ θri jɪrz. əv noʊt, ðə bɔr ˈmɑdəl ˌɪtˈsɛlf ˈoʊnli prəˈvaɪdz priˈdɪkʃənz fər əˈtɑmɪk ənd ˌaɪˈɑnɪk ˈsɪstəmz ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˈifɛktɪv ˌɪˈlɛktrɑn. ə ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli ˈjusfəl ˌmæθəˈmætɪks ˈprɑbləm rɪˈleɪtɪd tɪ ðə pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ ˈmɑdəl ɪz ðə ˈɑptɪməl ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən əv ˈikwəl pɔɪnt ˈʧɑrʤɪz ɔn ə ˈjunɪt sfɪr kɔld ðə ˈtɑmsən ˈprɑbləm. ðə ˈtɑmsən ˈprɑbləm ɪz ə ˈnæʧərəl ˈkɑnsəkwəns əv ðə pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ ˈmɑdəl ɪn ðə ˈæbsəns əv ɪts ˈjunəˌfɔrm ˈpɑzətɪv ˈbækˌgraʊnd ðə ˈklæsɪkəl ˌɪˌlɛktroʊˈstætɪk ˈtritmənt əv ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz kənˈfaɪnd tɪ sˈfɛrɪkəl kˈwɑntəm dɑts ɪz ˈɔlsoʊ ˈsɪmələr tɪ ðɛr ˈtritmənt ɪn ðə pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ ɪn ðɪs ˈklæsɪkəl ˈprɑbləm, ðə kˈwɑntəm dɑt ɪz ˈmɑdəld ɛz ə ˈsɪmpəl sfɪr (ɪn pleɪs əv ə ˈjunəˌfɔrm, sfɪr ɛz ɪn ðə pləm ˈpʊdɪŋ ˈmɑdəl) ɪn wɪʧ fri, ər ˈɛkˌsɛs, ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz rɪˈzaɪd. ðə ˌɪˌlɛktroʊˈstætɪk kənˌfɪgjərˈeɪʃənz ər faʊnd tɪ bi ɪkˈsɛpʃənəli kloʊz tɪ səˈluʃənz faʊnd ɪn ðə ˈtɑmsən ˈprɑbləm wɪθ ˌɪˈlɛktrɑnz rɪˈzaɪdɪŋ æt ðə seɪm ˈreɪdiəs wɪˈθɪn ðə sfɪr. ˈnoʊtəbli, ðə ˈplɑtɪd ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən əv həz bɪn ʃoʊn tɪ bɛr ə rɪˈmɑrkəbəl rɪˈzɛmbləns tɪ ðə ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən əv ænˈtɪsəˌpeɪtɪd ˌɪˈlɛktrɑn ɪn ˈnæʧərəl ˈætəmz ɛz əreɪnʤd ɔn ðə ˌpɪriˈɑdɪk ˈteɪbəl əv əv greɪt ˈɪntəˌrɛst, səˈluʃənz əv ðə ˈtɑmsən ˈprɑbləm ɪgˈzɪbɪt ðɪs ˌkɔrəˈspɑndɪŋ ˈɛnərʤi ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən baɪ kəmˈpɛrɪŋ ðə ˈɛnərʤi əv iʧ səˈluʃən wɪθ ðə ˈɛnərʤi əv ɪts ˈneɪbərɪŋ səˈluʃən wɪθ wən ʧɑrʤ æt ðə ˈɔrəʤən. ˌhaʊˈɛvər, wɪn ˈtritɪd wɪˈθɪn ə sfɪr ˈmɑdəl, ðə ˈfiʧərz əv ðə ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən ər məʧ mɔr prəˈnaʊnst ənd prəˈvaɪd ˈgreɪtər ˌfaɪˈdɛləti wɪθ rɪˈspɛkt tɪ ˌɪˈlɛktrɑn ˈɔrbətəl ərˈeɪnʤmənts ɪn ril

the plum pudding model of the atom the current model of the sub-atomic structure involves a dense nucleus surrounded by a probabilistic "cloud" of electrons the plum pudding model is one of several scientific models of the atom. first proposed by j. j. thomson in 1904[1] soon after the discovery of the electron, but before the discovery of the atomic nucleus, the model represented an attempt to consolidate the known properties of atoms at the time: 1) electrons are negatively-charged particles and 2) atoms are neutrally-charged. overview [ edit ] in this model, atoms were known to consist of negatively charged electrons. though thomson called them "corpuscles", they were more commonly called "electrons" as g. j. stoney proposed in 1894.[2] at the time, atoms were known to be neutrally charged. to account for this, thomson knew atoms must also have a source of positive charge to balance the negative charge of the electrons. he considered three plausible models that would satisfy the known properties of atoms at the time: each negatively-charged electron was paired with a positively-charged particle that followed it everywhere within the atom. negatively-charged electrons orbited a central region of positive charge having the same magnitude as all the electrons. the negative electrons occupied a region of space that itself was a uniform positive charge (often considered as a kind of "soup" or "cloud" of positive charge). thomson chose the third possibility as the most likely structure of atoms. thomson published his proposed model in the march 1904 edition of the philosophical magazine, the leading british science journal of the day. in thomson's view: ... the atoms of the elements consist of a number of negatively electrified corpuscles enclosed in a sphere of uniform positive electrification, ...[3] with this model, thomson abandoned his earlier "nebular atom" hypothesis in which atoms were composed of immaterial vortices. being an astute and practical scientist, thomson based his atomic model on known experimental evidence of the day. his proposal of a positive volume charge reflects the nature of his scientific approach to discovery which was to propose ideas to guide future experiments. the orbits of electrons within the model were stabilized by the fact that when an electron moved away from the centre of the positively-charged sphere, it was subjected to a greater net positive inward force, because there was more positive charge inside its orbit (see gauss's law). electrons were free to rotate in rings which were further stabilized by interactions among the electrons, and spectroscopic measurements were meant to account for energy differences associated with different electron rings. thomson attempted unsuccessfully to reshape his model to account for some of the major spectral lines experimentally known for several elements. the plum pudding model usefully guided his student, ernest rutherford, to devise experiments to further explore the composition of atoms. as well, thomson's model (along with a similar saturnian ring model for atomic electrons put forward in 1904 by nagaoka after james clerk maxwell's model of saturn's rings), were useful predecessors of the more correct solar-system-like bohr model of the atom. the colloquial nickname "plum pudding" was soon attributed to thomson's model as the distribution of electrons within its positively-charged region of space reminded many scientists of "plums" in the common english dessert, plum pudding. in 1909, hans geiger and ernest marsden conducted experiments with thin sheets of gold. their professor, ernest rutherford, expected to find results consistent with thomson's atomic model. it wasn't until 1911 that rutherford correctly interpreted the experiment's results[4][5] which implied the presence of a very small nucleus of positive charge at the center of gold atoms. this led to the development of the rutherford model of the atom. immediately after rutherford published his results, antonius van den broek made the intuitive proposal that the atomic number of an atom is the total number of units of charge present in its nucleus. henry moseley's 1913 experiments (see moseley's law) provided the necessary evidence to support van den broek's proposal. the effective nuclear charge was found to be consistent with the atomic number (moseley found only one unit of charge difference). this work culminated in the solar-system-like (but quantum-limited) bohr model of the atom in the same year, in which a nucleus containing an atomic number of positive charges is surrounded by an equal number of electrons in orbital shells. as thomson's model guided rutherford's experiments, bohr's model guided moseley's research. related scientific problems [ edit ] the plum pudding model with a single electron was used in part by the physicist arthur erich haas in 1910 to estimate the numerical value of planck's constant and the bohr radius of hydrogen atoms. haas' work estimated these values to within an order of magnitude and preceded the work of niels bohr by three years. of note, the bohr model itself only provides substantially-reasonable predictions for atomic and ionic systems having a single effective electron. a particularly useful mathematics problem related to the plum pudding model is the optimal distribution of equal point charges on a unit sphere called the thomson problem. the thomson problem is a natural consequence of the plum pudding model in the absence of its uniform positive background charge.[6] the classical electrostatic treatment of electrons confined to spherical quantum dots is also similar to their treatment in the plum pudding model.[7][8] in this classical problem, the quantum dot is modeled as a simple dielectric sphere (in place of a uniform, positively-charged sphere as in the plum pudding model) in which free, or excess, electrons reside. the electrostatic n-electron configurations are found to be exceptionally close to solutions found in the thomson problem with electrons residing at the same radius within the dielectric sphere. notably, the plotted distribution of geometry-dependent energetics has been shown to bear a remarkable resemblance to the distribution of anticipated electron orbitals in natural atoms as arranged on the periodic table of elements.[8] of great interest, solutions of the thomson problem exhibit this corresponding energy distribution by comparing the energy of each n-electron solution with the energy of its neighbouring (n-1)-electron solution with one charge at the origin. however, when treated within a dielectric sphere model, the features of the distribution are much more pronounced and provide greater fidelity with respect to electron orbital arrangements in real atoms.[9]

[one_half]my* deɪ kən bi səmd əp wɪθ wən wərd: dɪˈfit. aɪ wɑz ˈrɪli ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈfɔrwərd reɪs ɪt wɑz wən əv maɪ læst jɪr. aɪ gɑt hir ˈərli ɪˈnəf tɪ hæv ə lʊk əraʊnd, aɪ strɛst ənd jɛt ɪt ˈsəmˌhaʊ wɔnt tɪ ˈhæpən. aɪ ˈmænɪʤd tɪ faɪnd ə fju gʊd spɑts bət aɪ fɛlt ðɛr wər soʊ məʧ mɔr tɪ bi dən ənd jɛt aɪ hæd soʊ ˈlɪtəl taɪm. wən əv ðə kənˈtrɪbjutɪŋ ˈfæktər ˈprɑbəˌbli wɑz ðə læp kaʊnt, ðeɪ ˈoʊnli dɪd ˈsɛvən læps, waɪl ðeɪ ˈnɔrməli du læps. lɛs læps, lɛs ˌɑpərˈtunətiz tɪ ʃut. ðə bəlk əv ðə kɔrs wɑz ɪn ðə ˈfɔrɪst ənd ðə skaɪ wɑz ˈoʊvərˌkæst, soʊ ɪt wɑz dɑrk ənd aɪ ˈsɔrli fɛlt ðə ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃənz əv maɪ ˈkæmərəz: nɑt biɪŋ ˈeɪbəl tɪ kræŋk ðə bɪɔnd 800 mɛnt ˈpeɪnfəli loʊ ˈʃətər spidz. juzd məʧ ðə ˈflæʃɪz ðɪs ˈsizən bət təˈdeɪ ðeɪ gɑt juzd ˈplɛnti. ðə ku də greɪs wɑz wɪn ɪt ˈstɑrtɪd ˈreɪnɪŋ wɪθ əˈbaʊt tu ˈmɪnəts ˌbiˈfɔr ðə ɪˈlit reɪs, ˈlivɪŋ mi noʊ taɪm tɪ fɛʧ ðə ˈwɔtərˌpruf ˈkæmərə ˈkəvərz frəm ðə kɑr. wɪn ju θɪŋk ɔl ˈfɪgjərd ɪt aʊt, ə ˈhəmbəlɪŋ ɪkˈspɪriəns ˈtiʧɪz ju ðət ðɛr ɪz soʊ məʧ mɔr tɪ bi ˈlərnɪd. soʊ ɔf tɪ lɪk maɪ wundz bət bi bæk wɪθ maɪ ˈkæmərəz ɔn nɛkst ˈsənˌdi. [/one_half_last*]

[one_half]my day can be summed up with one word: defeat. i was really looking forward today’s race – it was one of my favourites last year. i got here early enough to have a look around, i stressed and yet it somehow didn’t want to happen. i managed to find a few good spots but i felt there were so much more to be done and yet i had so little time. one of the contributing factor probably was the lap count, they only did seven laps, while they normally do 9-10 laps. less laps, less opportunities to shoot. the bulk of the course was in the forest and the sky was overcast, so it was dark and i sorely felt the limitations of my cameras: not being able to crank the iso beyond 800 meant painfully low shutter speeds. [/one_half][one_half_last]i hadn’t used much the flashes this season but today they got used plenty. the coup de grace was when it started raining with about two minutes before the elite men’s race, leaving me no time to fetch the waterproof camera covers from the car. when you think you’ve all figured it out, a humbling experience teaches you that there is so much more to be learned. so i’m off to lick my wounds but i’ll be back with my cameras on next sunday. [/one_half_last]

ðə ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə 76ers*, hu ər ˈmeɪbi gʊd, bit ðə ˈklɪpərz, hu ər ˈmeɪbi bæd, ɪn lɔs ˈænʤəlɪs læst naɪt, θæŋks tɪ ə bɪg naɪt frəm ðɛr bɪg ˈsɛnər ʤoʊəl. ðə həz bɪn ɔn ə ʃɔrt ˈmɪnəts liʃ θruaʊt hɪz kərɪr, ðoʊ hɪz 32-point*, pərˈfɔrməns əˈgɛnst l.a*. ɪn ə 36 ˈmɪnəts əv wərk ʃoʊd wət hi kən du wɪn ˈsɪksərz ˈmænɪʤmənt filz ˈkəmfərtəbəl ɪˈnəf tɪ teɪk ɪm ɔl ðə weɪ aʊt əv hɪz ʃrɪŋk ræp. meɪd bleɪk ˈgrɪfɪn ənd ˈʤɔrdən lʊk smɔl ənd ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv ɔl naɪt, bət wət wɑz moʊst əˈbaʊt ðə ˈivnɪŋ wɑz ˈkɑnstənt shit-talking*. ɪt bɪˈgæn wɪn ə ˈfrəˌstreɪtəd ˈwɪli rid ənˈwaɪzli jæŋkt tɪ ðə flɔr ənd pɪkt əp ə ˈfleɪgrənt faʊl. ɔl kʊd du wɑz læf æt ɪm, ðɛn maʊθ, ˈfəkɪŋ gɑrd me.”*.” dən wɪθ rid, ˈleɪtər ˈpʊlɪŋ ə mad!”*!” ənd ˈsɛndɪŋ ə mɑk ˈʧoʊkɪŋ ˈʤɛsʧər hɪz weɪ. ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt rid wɑz nɑt ðə loʊn ˈklɪpər tɪ drɔ aɪr, ɛz hi stɛrd daʊn bleɪk ˈgrɪfɪn ˈæftər ə bɪg ʤæm. hi ˈleɪtər meɪd fən əv ˈʤɔrdən ˈæftər ˈʤɔrdən faʊld aʊt, wɪʧ keɪm ˈæftər jɛld æt ˈʤɔrdən ðət hi stɑp me!”*!” ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt jʊr ˈbraʊzər dɪz nɑt səˈpɔrt ˈvɪdioʊ hir tɪ vju ərˈɪʤənəl ˈæftər ðə geɪm, priˈtɛndɪd nɑt tɪ noʊ neɪm, ˌbiˈfɔr wəns əˈgɛn riˈɪtərˌeɪtɪŋ ðət rid gɑrd ɪm. ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt oʊnd.

the philadelphia 76ers, who are maybe good, beat the clippers, who are maybe bad, in los angeles last night, thanks to a big night from their big center joel embiid. the 7-foot-2 cameroonian has been on a short minutes leash throughout his career, though his 32-point, 16-rebound performance against l.a. in a career-high 36 minutes of work showed what he can do when sixers management feels comfortable enough to take him all the way out of his shrink wrap. embiid made blake griffin and deandre jordan look small and ineffective all night, but what was most enthralling about the evening was embiid’s constant shit-talking. it began when a frustrated willie reed unwisely yanked embiid to the floor and picked up a flagrant foul. all embiid could do was laugh at him, then mouth, “he can’t fucking guard me.” embiid wasn’t done with reed, later pulling a “he mad!” and sending a mock choking gesture his way. advertisement reed was not the lone clipper to draw embiid’s ire, as he stared down blake griffin after a big jam. he later made fun of deandre jordan after jordan fouled out, which came after embiid yelled at jordan that he couldn’t “fucking stop me!” advertisement your browser does not support html5 video tag.click here to view original gif after the game, embiid pretended not to know reed’s name, before once again reiterating that reed couldn’t guard him. advertisement owned.

ˈfɔrən dɪˈrɛkt ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt (fdi*) ˈɪntu ˈɪndiə təʧt ən haɪ əv ˈbɪljən ɪn 2016 ɪt həz groʊn æt ən ˈænjuəl ˈævərɪʤ əv fər ðə pæst θri jɪrz, kəmˈpɛrd wɪθ floʊz ˈərliər du tɪ ðə ˈpɑləsi ˈlɑˌgʤæm ˈprɛvələnt æt ðət taɪm. ðɛr ɪz məʧ tɪ ˈsɛləˌbreɪt əˈbaʊt ðə ˈraɪzɪŋ ˈɪnˌfloʊ, səʧ ɛz ðə slu əv əˈmɛndmənts meɪd tɪ rɪˈlæks nɔrmz ənd ðə ˌɪmˈpruvmənt ɪn iz əv duɪŋ ˈbɪznɪs ɪn ˈɪndiə. bət ɔn ðə flɪp saɪd, ˈænəlɪsts pɔɪnt aʊt ðət ðə ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ meɪ nɑt ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli lɛd tɪ ðə kriˈeɪʃən əv mɔr ʤɑbz. frəm ðə investors’*’ pərˈspɛktɪv, ðə ˈpraɪˌmɛri eɪm wʊd bi tɪ ˈʤɛnərˌeɪt rɪˈtərnz, nɑt ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli tɪ kriˈeɪt ə lɑrʤ ˈnəmbər əv ʤɑbz, sɪz nayar*, ˈprɪnsəpəl ɪˈkɑnəmɪst æt ˈɛlˈtiˈdi. ɪn ə ˈrisənt rɪˈpɔrt, ðə ˌɔrgənɪˈzeɪʃən fər ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk ənd dɪˈvɛləpmənt sɛd reɪt əv ɪmˈplɔɪmənt həz dɪˈklaɪnd, wɪθ ʤɑb kriˈeɪʃən ˈfeɪlɪŋ tɪ kip əp wɪθ ðə groʊɪŋ ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən. ˈoʊvər 30 əv juθ ər nɑt ɪn ɪmˈplɔɪmənt, ɪt sɛd. ˌθiərˈɛtɪkəli, həz ə dɪˈrɛkt ənd ˌɪndərˈɛkt ˌɪmˈpækt ɔn ʤɑb kriˈeɪʃən. ˈɪntu ə ˈsɛktər ˈʤɛnərˌeɪts ʤɑbz nɑt ˈoʊnli ɪn ðət ˈsɛktər, bət ˈɔlsoʊ ɪn ˈænsəˌlɛri ənd əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd ˈɪndəstriz. soʊ waɪ ðə ˈmɪsˌmæʧ ɪn ˈɪndiə? fər ˈstɑrtərz, ə ˈfæktər ðət ˌdɪˈsaɪdz ˈwɛðər ðɛr wɪl bi ˈminɪŋfəl ʤɑb kriˈeɪʃən ɪz ðə taɪp əv ˈɪndəstri ðət ɪz əˈtræktɪŋ. ˈsərvɪsɪz kənˈtɪnjuz tɪ drɔ mɔr ðən 60 əv ˈtoʊtəl ˈɪnˌfloʊz, əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ ɪˈkɑnəmɪsts. ˌbiˈsaɪdz, ə lɑrʤ pɑrt əv ɪz ɪn ðə fɔrm əv ˌækwəˈzɪʃənz, wɪʧ lɛd tɪ mɔr ʤɑbz. ɪn əˈdɪʃən, læst ˈɪnˌfloʊz ˌɪnˈkludɪd ə ˈmæsɪv ˌɪnfˈjuʒən baɪ ˈvoʊdəˌfoʊn ˈɪntu ɪts ˈɪndiən səbˈsɪdiˌɛri, wɪʧ wɑz juzd fər ˈspɛktrəm ˈpeɪmənts ənd dɛt riˈpeɪmənt. vanvari*, ˈpɑrtnər ənd hɛd (tæks) æt ˈɪndiə, sɛd, ˈsərvɪsɪz ˈsɛktərz səʧ ɛz e-commerce*, wi ər naʊ siɪŋ ə lɔt əv leɪɔfs ˈhæpənɪŋ ənd ənˈtɪl nu ˈkæpɪtəl kəmz ɪn, ðɛr bi ˈɛni ʤɑb kriˈeɪʃən. ðə seɪm ɪz ðə keɪs wɪθ ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən tɛkˈnɑləʤi, wɛr ðɛr ɪz ə kənˈtrækʃən ɪn ˈleɪbər dɪˈmænd du tɪ ɔtəˈmeɪʃən." ðə ˌmænjəˈfækʧərɪŋ ˈsɛktər, wɪʧ kən draɪv ʤɑbz groʊθ, ɪz ˈlɑrʤli ˈmɪsɪŋ ɪn ˈækʃən. dɪˈspaɪt ðə ɪn ˈɪndiə", lɔnʧt ɪn sɛpˈtɛmbər 2014 ðɛr həz bɪn noʊ sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt rɪˈvaɪvəl ɪn ˌɪnˈvɛstmənts ɪn ˌmænjəˈfækʧərɪŋ, wɪʧ ɪz ə kənˈsərn. ðɛr ər stɪl ˈbɑtəlˌnɛks ɪn tərmz əv ˌɪnfrəˈstrəkʧər, ənd ˈstrɪnʤənt ənd ˈkɑmplɛks ˈleɪbər lɔz. ˈænəlɪsts ˈɔlsoʊ pɔɪnt tɪ ˈrɛgjələˌtɔri ˈɪʃuz, əˈspɛʃəli ɪn ˈsɛktərz wɛr ˈnæʧərəl ˈrisɔrsɪz ər ˌɪnˈvɑlvd, bɪˈkəz əv wɪʧ ˌɪnˈvɛstərz prɪˈfər ˈsɛktərz. ɪz ˈvaɪtəl ðət ə ʃɪft ɪn ˈɪnˌfloʊz ˈhæpənz frəm ˈsərvɪsɪz tɪ ˌmænjəˈfækʧərɪŋ bɪˈkəz ðɛr ju ər kriˈeɪtɪŋ ə lɑrʤ ˈnəmbər əv ʤɑbz fər ənˈskɪld ˈleɪbər ənd ðə ˌprɑbəˈbɪləˌti əv ˈsəstənəns əv ʤɑbz ɪz haɪər," sɛd ˈmeɪdən sabnavis*, ʧif ɪˈkɑnəmɪst æt kɛr ˈreɪtɪŋz. ˈminˌwaɪl, ðoʊ ˈoʊvərˌɔl ˈɪnˌfloʊ həz ˌɪmˈpruvd, ɛz ə ʃɛr əv groʊs dəˈmɛstɪk ˈprɑdəkt (gdp*) stʊd æt ɪn 2015 loʊər ðən ˈimərʤɪŋ ˈmɑrkɪt pɪrz laɪk brəˈzɪl ənd ˈʧaɪnə (si ʧɑrt). əˈpɑrt frəm ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˈɪndiə ən əˈtræktɪv ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən fər ˌɪnˈvɛstərz, ə ki əˈʤɛndə əv ðə ˈkɑrənt ˈgəvərnmənt wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ tɪ kriˈeɪt ʤɑbz. wɪθ ðɪs sərʤ ɪn, ˈɪndiə meɪ bit ɪts pɪrz ɪn tərmz əv əˈtræktɪŋ ˈfɔrən fəndz, bət ˈtrænsˌleɪtɪŋ ðɪs ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt ˈɪntu ˈlɑrʤˌskeɪl ʤɑb kriˈeɪʃən ɪz stɪl səm taɪm əˈweɪ.

foreign direct investment (fdi) into india touched an eight-year high of $46.4 billion in 2016. it has grown at an annual average of 28.2% for the past three years, compared with stagnant-to-declining flows earlier due to the policy logjam prevalent at that time. there is much to celebrate about the rising inflow, such as the slew of amendments made to relax fdi norms and the improvement in ease of doing business in india. but on the flip side, analysts point out that the increasing fdi may not necessarily lead to the creation of more jobs. from the investors’ perspective, the primary aim would be to generate returns, not necessarily to create a large number of jobs, says aditi nayar, principal economist at icra ltd. in a recent report, the organisation for economic co-operation and development said india’s rate of employment has declined, with job creation failing to keep up with the growing working-age population. over 30% of india’s youth are not in employment, it said. theoretically, fdi has a direct and indirect impact on job creation. fdi into a sector generates jobs not only in that sector, but also in ancillary and associated industries. so why the mismatch in india? for starters, a factor that decides whether there will be meaningful job creation is the type of industry that is attracting fdi. services continues to draw more than 60% of total fdi inflows, according to economists. besides, a large part of fdi is in the form of acquisitions, which doesn’t lead to more jobs. in addition, last year’s inflows included a massive infusion by vodafone plc into its indian subsidiary, which was used for spectrum payments and debt repayment. girish vanvari, partner and head (tax) at kpmg india, said, “in services sectors such as e-commerce, we are now seeing a lot of layoffs happening and until new capital comes in, there won’t be any job creation. the same is the case with information technology, where there is a contraction in labour demand due to automation." the manufacturing sector, which can drive jobs growth, is largely missing in action. despite the much-promoted “make in india", launched in september 2014, there has been no significant revival in investments in manufacturing, which is a concern. there are still bottlenecks in terms of infrastructure, and stringent and complex labour laws. analysts also point to regulatory issues, especially in sectors where natural resources are involved, because of which investors prefer services-related sectors. “it is vital that a shift in fdi inflows happens from services to manufacturing because there you are creating a large number of jobs for unskilled labour and the probability of sustenance of jobs is higher," said madan sabnavis, chief economist at care ratings. meanwhile, though overall fdi inflow has improved, india’s fdi as a share of gross domestic product (gdp) stood at 2.1% in 2015, lower than emerging market peers like brazil and china (see chart). apart from making india an attractive investment destination for investors, a key agenda of the current government was also to create jobs. with this surge in fdi, india may beat its peers in terms of attracting foreign funds, but translating this investment into large-scale job creation is still some time away.

ʃɛr. ɪts laɪk wɪθ jʊr ˈgrændˌpɑ, bət məʧ mɔr traumatizing*. ɪts laɪk wɪθ jʊr ˈgrændˌpɑ, bət məʧ mɔr traumatizing*. tɪ ˈsɛləˌbreɪt ðə ˈəpˌkəmɪŋ ˈpɑkət ˈædəlt swɪm həz prəˈvaɪdɪd wɪθ ðə fərst 52 faʊnd ɪn ðə geɪm. beɪst ɔn ðə ˈrəðər ˈpɑpjələr ˈædəlt swɪm kɑrˈtun rɪk ənd ˈmɔrti, ˈpɑkət lʊks tɪ bi ə rɪf ɔn ðə ˈfɔrmjələ ɪn wɪʧ ju ˈbætəl wət ɛls. klɪk hir tɪ si ðə ˈfʊlˌsaɪz ˈɪmɪʤ! ðiz reɪnʤ frəm ðə mənˈdeɪn, laɪk ðə "ənˈkɛmpt ˈmɔrti," tɪ ðə pərˈhæps ˈikwəli prɪˈdɪktəbəl (baɪ rɪk ənd ˈmɔrti ˈstændərdz) ənd rɪˈvərs ˈmərˌmeɪd. ˈɛksət ˈθiətər moʊd ˈædəlt swɪm geɪmz əˈnaʊnst ɪts riˈlis deɪt ɛz ˈʤænjuˌɛri 14 ˈviə tˈwɪtər. wɪn ðɛr ˈfɑloʊərz ˌɪˈnɛvətəbli prɛst fər ˈditeɪlz, ðə ˈpəblɪʃər ˈspɛsəˌfaɪd ðət ɪt wɪl bi əˈveɪləbəl ɔn ˈioʊs ənd ˈænˌdrɔɪd, ɛz wɛl ɛz kəmˈplitli fri. ˈpɑkət. ˈmoʊbəl. ˈʤænjuˌɛri 14th*. ˈædəlt swɪm geɪmz (@adultswimgames*) ˈʤænjuˌɛri 5 2016 ɪf jʊr æt ɔl ˈkjʊriəs əˈbaʊt ðə sɔrs məˈtɪriəl ju kən ʧɛk aʊt ɑr rɪk ənd ˈmɔrti ˈsizən 2 ˌrivˈju tɪ lərn ɔl əˈbaʊt waɪ ðɪs maɪt hæv mɔr tɪ ˈɔfər ðən mits ðə aɪ. ˈstivən strɑm ɪz ə ˈfriˌlæns geɪmz ˈraɪtər huz neɪm ənd feɪs ər ˈplæstərd əˈkrɔs ðə ˈɪntərˌnɛt. wən səʧ pleɪs ju kən faɪnd ɪm ɪz tˈwɪtər.

share. it's like pokemon with your grandpa, but much more traumatizing. it's like pokemon with your grandpa, but much more traumatizing. to celebrate the upcoming pocket mortys adult swim has provided with the first 52 mortys found in the game. based on the rather popular adult swim cartoon rick and morty, pocket mortys looks to be a riff on the pokémon formula in which you battle — what else — mortys. click here to see the full-size image! these range from the mundane, like the unhygienic "unkempt morty," to the perhaps equally predictable (by rick and morty standards) ex-omega and reverse mermaid mortys. exit theatre mode adult swim games announced its release date as january 14 via twitter. when their followers inevitably pressed for details, the publisher specified that it will be available on ios and android, as well as completely free. pocket mortys. mobile. january 14th. pic.twitter.com/txau07lzbr — adult swim games (@adultswimgames) january 5, 2016 if you're at all curious about the source material you can check out our rick and morty season 2 review to learn all about why this tie-in might have more to offer than meets the eye. steven strom is a freelance games writer whose name and face are plastered across the internet. one such place you can find him is twitter.

ðɪs həz bɪn ə waɪld wən, wɪθ ə slu əv ˈgeɪmɪŋ əˈnaʊnsmɛnts. ˈmaɪˌkroʊˈsɔft ˈstɑrtɪd ɔf ðə wik wɪθ ðɛr prɛs ˈkɑnfərəns, ˈfaɪnəli ɔn ˈvɪdioʊ geɪmz fər ðə moʊst pɑrt. wi gɑt tɪ si ə nu ˈtreɪlər fər kɔl əv ˈduti ədˈvænst warfighter*, ˈheɪloʊ 5 ɛz wɛl ɛz ðə ˈmæstər kəˈlɛkʃən, ˈkrækˌdaʊn, ˈfeɪbəl ˈlɛʤəndz, ˈprɑʤɛkt spɑrk ənd soʊ ɔn. ˈsoʊni ˈɔlsoʊ ˈfoʊkɪst ɔn ˈgeɪmɪŋ ɛz ðeɪ ˈʃoʊˌkeɪst ˈlɪtəl bɪg ˈplænət ˈɔrdər: 1886 ˈreɪnˌboʊ 6 siʤ, ðə læst əv ˈjuˈɛs remastered*, ˈmɛtəl gɪr ˈsɑləd 5 ðə ˈfænəm peɪn, ənˈʧɑrtɪd 4 ə θifs ɛnd, ənd soʊ məʧ mɔr. nɪnˈtɛndoʊ ˈfaɪnəli əˈnaʊnsɪŋ ə stɑr fɑks geɪm fər ðə wi ju əˈlɔŋ wɪθ; ðə ˈlɛʤənd əv ˈzɛldə, ə nu ˈsupər smæʃ bros*, ˈwʊli wərld, ənd məʧ mɔr. səm mɔr gʊd nuz tɪ ˈæˌdrɛs, wɪl bi riˈlisɪŋ vi tɪ ðə ˈpiˈsi, waɪl ˈɔlsoʊ ˈpɔrtɪŋ ɪt tɪ ðə ənd wən. ðə geɪm wɪl kəm wɪθ ən ˈəpˌdeɪtɪd wərld, əp tɪ pɑr wɪθ ðə tɛkˈnɑləʤi. riˈlist ə nu ˈtreɪlər fər ˈmɛtəl gɪr ˈsɑləd 5 ðə ˈfænəm peɪn, ənd ɛz ˈɔsəm ɛz hoʊp fər. ʧɛk aʊt səm ˈtreɪlərz bɪˈloʊ. ˈmɛtəl gɪr ˈsɑləd 5 ðə ˈfænəm peɪn wən) ˈheɪloʊ 5 ˈgɑrdiənz wən) ðə ˈlɛʤənd əv ˈzɛldə (wi ju) ənˈʧɑrtɪd 4 ə θifs ɛnd ˈkrækˌdaʊn wən) wərld (wi ju) fər ə fʊl lɪst əv geɪmz ðət wər əˈnaʊnst æt ər meɪ bi əˈnaʊnst sun, ʧɛk ðə lɪst ðət həz hir: 2014 geɪm ˈɪnfoʊ lʊk tɪ ɛz hæv ə fʊl rɪˈpɔrt wəns əˈfɪʃəli ɛndz.

this e3 has been a wild one, with a slew of gaming announcements. microsoft started off the week with their press conference, finally focussing on video games for the most part. we got to see a new trailer for call of duty advanced warfighter, halo 5 as well as the master cheif collection, crackdown, fable legends, project spark and so on. sony also focused on gaming as they showcased little big planet 3,the order: 1886, rainbow 6 siege, the last of us remastered, metal gear solid 5: the phantom pain, uncharted 4: a thief's end, and so much more. nintendo finally announcing a star fox game for the wii u along with; the legend of zelda, a new super smash bros, yoshi’s wooly world, and much more. some more good news to address, rockstar will be releasing gta v to the pc, while also porting it to the ps4 and xbox one. the game will come with an updated world, up to par with the technology. konami released a new trailer for metal gear solid 5: the phantom pain, and as awesome as you’d hope for. check out some trailers below. metal gear solid 5: the phantom pain (ps4, xbox one) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfn4ubmhfam halo 5: guardians (xbox one) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blw40avwxre the legend of zelda (wii u) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6e8f2ubmtg uncharted 4: a thief's end (ps4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1rx-bbht5e crackdown (xbox one) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9whw2jtpbsg yoshi’s wolly world (wii u) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vr8ehatiie for a full list of games that were announced at e3, or may be announced soon, check the list that ign has here: e3 2014 game info look to leaptrade as we’ll have a full report once e3 officially ends.

ðə nɛkst taɪm ˈsəmˌwən kəmˈpleɪnz əv haʊ θɪŋz wər ʤɪst soʊ məʧ ˈbɛtər ɪn ðə oʊld deɪz, hɪt ðɛm wɪθ ðɪs fækt: baɪ ðə ˈstændərd minz əv ˈmɛʒərɪŋ ˈprɑˌgrɛs laɪf ɪkˈspɛktənsi wi, ɛz ə ˈspiʃiz, ər duɪŋ ˈbɛtər ðən ˈɛvər. ənd ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈbɛtər weɪ ˈfæstər ðən ɪt həz ɪn ˈdɛkeɪdz. kɛr əv ə nu wərld hɛlθ ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən rɪˈpɔrt, ðə ˈgloʊbəl laɪf ɪkˈspɛktənsi ˌɪnˈkrist baɪ faɪv hoʊl jɪrz bɪtˈwin 2000 ənd 2015 wɪθ ðə ˈwərldˈwaɪd ˈævərɪʤ naʊ æt ˈoʊvər 71 jɪrz. ðə ˈfæstəst ˌɪnˈkris sɪns ðə 1960s*. ðə ˈbɪgəst spaɪk wɑz ɪn ˈæfrɪkɑ, wɛr ðə ɪkˈspɛktənsi ʃɑt əp baɪ jɪrz. ˌɪntərˈvɛnʃənz laɪk bɛd nɛts wɪʧ hæv bɪn ʃoʊn tɪ ˈdiˌkris ðə dɛθs əv kɪdz ˈəndər eɪʤ 5 baɪ 20 pərˈsɛnt hæv kənˈtrɪbjutɪd tɪ geɪnz. waɪl ə ˈdəzən ˈkəntriz ər naʊ æt laɪf ɪkˈspɛktənsiz ˈoʊvər 82 jɪrz (ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ speɪn, ˈɪzriəl, ʤəˈpæn, ənd ɔˈstreɪljə), ðɛr ər 22 ˈəndər 60 jɪrz, ɔl ɪn ˈæfrɪkɑ. ɪn ə riˈlis, hu ˈmɑrgərɪt ʧæn sɛd ðət ðə bɛst weɪ tɪ ˈæˌdrɛs ðə gæps ɪz wɪθ hɛlθ ˈkəvərɪʤ beɪst ɔn strɔŋ ˈpraɪˌmɛri care.”*.” əˈnəðər pərˈplɛksɪŋ gæp ɪz bɪtˈwin ˈʤɛndərz. ɔl ˈoʊvər ðə wərld, ˈwɪmən lɪv ˈlɔŋgər ðən mɛn. ˈnɔrdɪk ˈkəntriz hæv ðə sˈmɔləst gæps (ɪn ˈaɪslənd 3 jɪrz, ɪn sˈwidən waɪl ˈfɔrmər ˈsoʊviˌɛt ˈkəntriz hæv səm əv ðə moʊst ɪkˈstrim. ɪn juˈkreɪn mɛn lɪv fjuər jɪrz ðən ˈwɪmən, ənd ɪn ˈrəʃə ə ˈʃɑkɪŋ jɪrz. ðə ˈoʊvərˌɔl trɛnd ɪz ðət ˈjumən hɛlθ ɪz ɔn ən ˈəpwərd trəˈʤɛktəri. laɪk ə lɔt əv θɪŋz, ɪt nid tɪ bi meɪd greɪt əˈgɛn ɪt nidz tɪ kip goʊɪŋ.

the next time someone complains of how things were just so much better in the old days, hit them with this fact: by the standard means of measuring progress — life expectancy — we, as a species, are doing better than ever. and getting better way faster than it has in decades. care of a new world health organization report, the global life expectancy increased by five whole years between 2000 and 2015, with the worldwide average now at over 71 years. the fastest increase since the 1960s. the biggest spike was in africa, where the expectancy shot up by 9.4 years. interventions like insecticide-treated bed nets — which have been shown to decrease the deaths of kids under age 5 by 20 percent — have contributed to gains. while a dozen countries are now at life expectancies over 82 years (including spain, israel, japan, and australia), there are 22 under 60 years, all in sub-saharan africa. in a release, who director-general margaret chan said that the best way to address the gaps is with “universal health coverage based on strong primary care.” another perplexing gap is between genders. all over the world, women live longer than men. nordic countries have the smallest gaps (in iceland 3 years, in sweden 3.4), while former soviet countries have some of the most extreme. in ukraine men live 9.8 fewer years than women, and in russia a shocking 11.6 years. the overall trend is that human health is on an upward trajectory. like a lot of things, it doesn’t need to be made great again — it needs to keep going.

wi hæv səm nuz əˈbaʊt ə ˈpɪtsbərg ˈstilərz ˈkɔrnərˌbæk tɪ pæs əˈlɔŋ ɔn ðɪs ˈmənˌdeɪ bət nɑt ðə bɛst kaɪnd. əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ tmz*, ˈstilərz ˈkɔrnərˌbæk bleɪk wɑz ərˈɛstɪd ˈərli ˈsənˌdi ˈmɔrnɪŋ ɪn ˈoʊʃənˌsaɪd, ˈsiˈeɪ fər əˈlɛʤədli biɪŋ drəŋk ɪn ˈpəblɪk. ðə rɪˈpɔrt steɪts ðət bleɪk wɑz ərˈɛstɪd ˈæftər hi wɑz sin ˈwɔkɪŋ əraʊnd drəŋk ˈaʊtˈsaɪd əv səm bɑrz. hi wɑz ˈəltəmətli riˈlist ˈæftər hi ˈsoʊbərd əp. æt list bleɪk ˈdraɪvɪŋ, soʊ gʊd nuz. ˈprɑbəˌbli nɑt ˈmɛni əv ˈjuˈɛs hu wɔkt əraʊnd drəŋk ˈaʊtˈsaɪd əv bɑrz æt səm pɔɪnt ˈdʊrɪŋ ɑr lɪvz. bleɪk ʤɔɪnd ðə ˈstilərz ʤɪst praɪər tɪ ðə 2013 ˈsizən ˈæftər hi wɑz kleɪmd ɔf əv ˈweɪvərz frəm ðə ˈʤæksənˌvɪl ˈʤægˌwɑrz. pleɪd ɪn 30 ˈrɛgjələr ˈsizən geɪmz wɪθ ðə ˈstilərz ˈoʊvər ðə kɔrs əv ðə læst tu ˈsizənz ənd ɪn 2014 hi ˈrɛʤɪstərd 42 ˈtoʊtəl ˈtækəlz, sɪks ˈpæsɪz defensed*, wən ˌɪnərˈsɛpʃən ənd wən fɔrst ˈfəmbəl. ðə ˈprɑdəkt wɑz ˈrisəntli ˈgɪvɪn ə riˈstrɪktɪd ˈtɛndər fər 2015 ənd ˈdaʊtfəl ðət əˈnəðər tim wɪl pərˈsu ɪm ˈdʊrɪŋ fri ˈeɪʤənsi. aɪ daʊt ðə ˈstilərz ənd ðə ˈɛˌnɛˈfɛl meɪk ə juʤ dil aʊt əv ðɪs. ˈprɑbəˌbli gɪt ə ˈtɔkɪŋ tɪ frəm hɛd koʊʧ maɪk ˈtɑmlɪn ənd ðət wɪl bi ðə ɛnd əv ɪt. ɛz ɪt ʃʊd bi.