Crime, 1780-1925

George Cruikshank, The Drunkard's Children (c. 1847) - showing the interior of the Old Bailey with the drunkard's children in the dock for robbery under the influence of alcohol. Collage, record number 26626. © London Metropolitan Archives.

As with all periods in history, there were many illegal acts which could, if detected, and the perpetrator was prosecuted, appear as "crimes". However, the vast majority of crimes were never prosecuted.

Modern historians can sometimes study unprosecuted acts of violence or theft, but this is more difficult for historians of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Many acts we would describe as crimes today - sexual predation or domestic violence, for instance - were largely unprosecuted before the mid-nineteenth century, as were many minor property offences. We cannot, therefore, estimate the number of domestic violence incidents that took place. In fact, we can only determine the number of prosecuted crimes from 1856 onwards, when annual statistics were published.

The vast majority of crimes prosecuted between 1780 and 1925 were property offences, and many of these offences, including larceny, pickpocketing, burglary, and robbery, changed little. But there are some significant differences in the commission of crime and the apprehension of offenders that took place over the period covered by the Digital Panopticon.

[Anonymous], "A Serenade of 'Rough Music', in Robert Chambers, The Book of Days: A Miscellany of Popular Antiquities in Connection with the Calendar (1832). From Wikimedia Commons.

The first is that this period witnessed the development of the criminal law being used to expand property rights. The customary entitlement to traditional rights (i.e. to corn left after harvesting, to firewood from the forest, bits of waste cloth retained by cottage textile workers) were gradually eroded. The eighteenth-century Black Acts outlawed the taking of game, and eventually restricted access to common lands used by many people for grazing animals. The battle between property rights and traditional entitlements engendered collective responses, including incendiarism and food riots, which provoked a collective response (usually military, using the local yeomanry).

The second is that, over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, society tended to follow a harm-reduction model, where crime should be prevented by paid police officers; and crimes where there are no identifiable victims are also prosecuted (i.e. many traffic offences, falsely claiming benefits, and so on). In the eighteenth century through to around the start of World War I, the victim was the critical actor in defining crime and taking action against a criminal. In the eighteenth century - as described in more detail in the Policing pages - victims of crime were aided by local parish officers, constables, and private prosecution agencies, or could pay an annual subscription to have a "detective" track down their stolen property, or prosecute them in court. Even after the creation of the Metropolitan and County Police forces victims still played a significant role in the apprehension and prosecution of criminals.

So, the numbers and types of crimes that were prosecuted relied on an active victim who was determined to take the cases to court. We have to remember that victims of crime had many options. They could come to terms with the perpetrator, and accept money in damages or compensation (a process known as compounding). Employers could sack workers who stole their workplace materials. Victims of assault could use physical retribution themselves; violent husbands could be subject to "Rough Music" (community sanctions) in their neighbourhood.

Some crimes were part-and-parcel of the times. The early-nineteenth-century body-snatchers or “Resurrection Men” who stole bodies for medical classes were a product of a shortage of available cadavers for the doctors to practice on. Their trade died out. So too, has child-stripping disappeared (the practice of stealing clothes from infants). There were few crimes involving vehicles before the First World War, whilst now traffic offences take up a considerable amount of magistrates’ courts time.

The crimes that did not make it into court tell us as much as the crimes that did, but it is the latter which the evidence forces us to focus on. We can see what kinds of crimes people thought were worth prosecution, and who brought those cases to court. Unfortunately, this tends to skew our view of the type and amount of crimes that predominated. It was not until the mid-nineteenth century that the government published annual crime statistics. Although these were deeply flawed, it is possible to see how crime (or prosecution) trends were presented, and determine why the Victorian State and the general public reacted to apparent outbreaks of crime at particular times.

Total number of Prosecutions in England and Wales, 1856-1940. © Digital Panopticon.

General Crime Trends

The years between the 1880s and 1930 has been characterized as the era of the “Policeman State” by Vic Gatrell (1992). Over this time, the police slowly grew to exert a powerful influence over recorded crime through the centrality of their role in the detection and prosecution process. They effectively replaced the victim in court, taking the main role as both the apprehenders and prosecutors of criminality. This affected prosecutions for violence, especially, and they fell dramatically. For example, in England and Wales, assault prosecutions fell from about 75,000 in 1870 to just over 22,000 by 1930. The much-vaunted English miracle of reducing violent crime was, more likely, a function of the changes in the way offenders were brought to court.

If violent crime did appear to be falling, it did not prevent the public (or the newspapers) reporting on a number of crime-related panics in the mid- to late nineteenth century.

Moral Panics

The nineteenth century sporadically experienced periods of heightened anxiety, particularly about violent crime. Following the end of convict transportation in the mid 1850s, Londoners felt their insecurities increase as convicts who would have completed their sentences on Australian soil (and then stay there) were released from British prisons. Concern grew that ex-prisoners would be free to reoffend on the streets of the capital. When some of these "ticket-of-leave" men were suspected of committing violent crimes in the 1860s, the popular press ensured that a relatively small increase in violent crime was widely reported, and that it grew into, what are now commonly termed, moral panic about "garrotting" (the strangulation of mugging victims with a knotted rope).

The panic over "garrotting" was initially precipitated by an attack on a Member of Parliament, who was assaulted on his way from the House of Commons to his London club. The newspapers, some of which were becoming ever-more sensationalist in their approach to crime in an attempt to get more readers, gave this story a lot of coverage. The panics over violent crime continued in the 1860s, with the government bringing in legislation which tried to cope with the (really quite small and limited) outbreak of "muggings" in London; and the perceived problem of the criminal classes (which the 1869 and 1871 "Habitual Offender Acts" were meant to deal with). We have the records created by these Acts in the Digital Panopticon, but unfortunately, they could never hope to control what was a largely "imagined community".

The most well-known panic centred around the spate of murders in Whitechapel in 1888. There were many murders, some equally as gruesome as the Jack the Ripper murders, in East London at this time, but because these murders were unsolved they caught the public imagination, and suited contemporary political campaigns to oust an unpopular police commissioner and Home Secretary. As the coverage of garrotting and Jack the Ripper shows, our knowledge of crime in this period is mediated by the sources we have available to examine the subject.

[Anonymous], Shop-Lifter Detected (1778). British Museum Prints and Drawings, number 2010,7081.3234. © Trustees of the British Museum.

Sources of Crime Knowledge

For the eighteenth century, we can learn something about more serious offending through reports of trials in broadsides and published trial reports, notably the Old Bailey Proceedings. Newspaper reports are quite limited until the mid-nineteenth century, at which point they start to report local crimes, and more minor offences. They do tend to be overlaid with more sensational (and political) reportage as the century progressed. This is not necessarily a problem since it tells us much about attitudes to crime, although they are less useful for examining the real incidence of crime.

The annually-published judicial statistics should do that, but they too have their problems. Although they do have a great deal of information, compiled in hundreds of statistical tables, the way the data was collected is not always known, and is often unreliable in any case. They were substantially revised in 1892, but are still problematic. Again they should be treated as a way of examining prosecution trends rather than crime trends.

In addition to the Old Bailey Proceedings this website also has records of minor crimes, in the Bridewell House of Correction Prisoners 1780-1795 and the Middlesex House of Detention Calendars, 1836-1889. Manuscript court records are available in archives, but they are difficult and time-consuming to transcribe and process. Gaining knowledge of crime in this period is therefore quite a tricky task, and we will only ever end up with a partial picture of the real incidence of offending in this period (as with any period).

Further Information

Author Credits

This page was written by Barry Godfrey, with additional contributions by other members of the Digital Panopticon project team.


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Put the Break on Your Fat Storing Hormones

If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you need to know which hormones are working against you and learn the best way to put the break on the fat storing hormones.

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Put the Break on Your Fat Storing Hormones

Written by Dr. Kellyann Petrucci

Have you ever wondered why your body would produce hormones that promote the synthesis and storage of body fat? Especially because we now know an accumulation of fat can lead to many health consequences.

Well, the truth is, this was once a good thing when food was scarce a long, long time ago.

However, these life-saving mechanisms that were put in place to prevent starvation, are one of the reasons why so many struggle with their weight today. Especially with an abundance of food at our fingertips and a steady stream of stress.

So…if you want to lose weight and keep it off, it’s helpful to understand which hormones are working against you. And the best way to put the break on these fat storing hormones.

I’m sure you’ve heard about insulin. It’s a hormone associated with several serious conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and diabetes. And these conditions are also linked to obesity.

Your pancreas naturally secretes insulin as your blood sugar (a.k.a. glucose) level begins to rise after you’ve eaten a meal or snack.

One of its main functions is to usher glucose into your cells. This is important to maintain optimal blood glucose levels as well as supply your cells with fuel to make energy. However, if there is an energy excess, then insulin plays a role in storing the glucose for future use.

First, the excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscle cells. Once glycogen levels are maxed out, the rest is stored as fat.

In addition, insulin shuts down your body’s ability to burn stored fat. Essentially, your fat stays tucked away until your cells need energy in the absence of insulin and food.

Thus, it’s important to maintain optimal levels of insulin in your bloodstream. And this is one of the many reasons why you should avoid processed foods when it comes to weight loss.

Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates (i.e., bread, pasta, crackers, etc.) raise your blood sugar quickly. This, in turn, releases a surge of insulin.

Repeated cycles of this can lead to insulin resistance. Essentially, your cells stop responding to insulin. But since glucose can’t transport itself into your cells, your pancreas continues to secrete more insulin. And when insulin levels in your bloodstream remain high, your body becomes a fat storing machine.

It’s also worth noting that if insulin resistance is not addressed, it can lead to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Exercise is an effective way to balance your blood glucose and insulin levels. However, exercise alone won’t cut it. Dietary changes are always necessary.

Cortisol is commonly referred to as the “stress hormone.” And rightfully so. Because your adrenal glands release cortisol when you’re under stress.

Now, this isn’t inherently a bad thing. It’s a mechanism put in place to supply the body with fuel as well as other resources when we’re presented with a threat (real or perceived).

But the problem arises when your body is under constant stress. And cortisol levels remain high. Which is common in today’s world.

Here are three ways in which high cortisol can hijack your weight loss efforts:

  1. Cortisol triggers the release of glucose from our cells. A rush of glucose raises insulin levels. And as previously mentioned, a chronic cycle of this sets the stage for insulin resistance.
  2. Cortisol prompts the body to store fat (primarily in the abdomen) as a backup source of fuel. In fact, a chronic elevation of cortisol has been linked to abdominal fat and obesity in numerous studies.
  3. The combination of stress and elevated cortisol has been shown to influence food choices and intake. Specifically, there is a preference for foods higher in sugar and fat.

So when it comes to losing weight, especially the extra pounds around your waist, it’s essential to keep your cortisol levels under control. And most of all, this requires finding effective ways to reduce your stress as well as coping strategies.

Meditation and mindfulness are wonderful options for this purpose. However, if these aren’t for you, consider spending more time in nature or with friends and family that lift you up. Read for pleasure. Journal your experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Practice yoga. Hit the gym.

The goal is to find a method you enjoy and look forward to. If the thought of your stress-relieving activity causes stress, keep trying new strategies until you find the perfect fit.

Estrogen is predominantly a female sex hormone. It’s responsible for the development of a woman’s reproductive system.

Estrogen also plays a role in the distribution, storage, and utilization of fat. In fact, estrogen deficiencies in women have been associated with an increase in fat mass. However, the exact mechanisms aren’t yet fully understood.

As women pass their childbearing years, estrogen levels naturally decline. And this study found that postmenopausal women store more fat (and burn less fat) than premenopausal women.

On the other hand, abnormally high levels of estrogen in men have been associated with weight gain and obesity.

So whether you’re premenopausal, postmenopausal, or a man, it’s important to take steps to balance your sex hormones. These include:

  1. Eating a nutrient rich diet, including healthy fats (i.e., wild salmon, grass-fed butter, and unrefined coconut oil). Keep in mind fat and cholesterol are needed to synthesize your sex hormones. Two other specific foods I recommend include flaxseeds and cruciferous vegetables (i.e., broccoli, kale, and cabbage).
  2. Avoiding endocrine disrupting chemicals (i.e., parabens, phthalates, and BPA) found in plastics, household cleaners, personal care products, and cosmetics. These toxins mimic your body’s hormones, which can significantly impact their function. The EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database is a great resource for checking the safety of the products you currently use and finding safer options.
  3. Exercising, but not overdoing it. Excessive exercise can lead to hormonal imbalances.
  4. Reducing stress.
  5. Prioritizing sleep.
  6. Moderating your alcohol consumption.

In Conclusion…

To shed excess pounds, hormonal balance is key. And three specific fat storing hormones you must consider include insulin, cortisol, and estrogen.

Eating healthy, exercising, reducing stress, and sleeping well are all essential.

However, it’s also important to understand that eating more calories than your body needs will also work against you. Even if you’re eating healthy foods.

And you will need a calorie deficit to burn fat even in the absence of insulin, cortisol, and estrogen.

Thus, a simple way to reduce your calorie intake is mini-fasting. Essentially, for 1 or 2 days a week, you take a break from eating. The rest of the week you eat a whole-foods diet that emphasizes vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and some fruits.

It’s also worth noting that by not eating for 1 or 2 days, the amount of insulin your body releases will also be significantly reduced during your fast. Thus, mini-fasting is a great way to push the reset button on your metabolism.

This is the basis of my Bone Broth Diet. It’s a practical way to decrease the calories you consume. But, it also will naturally help balance your fat storing hormones.

Keep thinking Big and living BOLD!

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Food Blog

Peanut satay granola

It had never occurred to me until recently to make a savoury granola instead of sweet one. I love my lightly sweetened breakfast granolas (instead of breakfast insert ‘any time of day snack’!) and just couldn’t get my head around the idea of a savoury version…that is until this taste combo popped into my head.

Peanut satay granola.

An adaptation of my peanut satay sauce… you'll find the original sauce recipe here smothered over some veggie skewers. So you simply take this sauce and add in some oats and roasted peanuts instead.

satay sauce smoothered over veggie skewers

satay sauce smoothered over veggie skewers

Voila, the perfect snack… try it instead of croutons on your salad or, instead of popcorn as you watch a film. This will store in an airtight container for a few weeks, so no excuses not to make a big batch.

If you love roasted peanuts and a bit of a spicy kick (optional) then you will love this twist on granola. You could mix in some other nuts and seeds as well, but here I just wanted to keep it a pure and simple tribute to peanuts.

Recipe: Savoury Granola

Makes approx. 4-5 pancakes

2 tbs peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

1 tbs soy sauce

2 tbs soy milk

Approx. ½ tsp hot sauce or chipotle pepper sauce (to taste depending on what type you use)

1 cup oats*

½ cup roast peanuts- slightly crushed but still chunky (I roasted regular peanuts for 10 minutes in the oven)

Mix the wet ingredients together to form a thick paste. Add the oats and roasted peanuts and mix together until the nuts and oats are fully coated, adding a little extra milk if necessary.

Spread the mixture across a lined or greased baking sheet ensuring there are some nice clumpy bits of fairly even sizes.

Bake at 180C for approx. 10-15 minutes, keeping a close eye to ensure the granola does not burn.

Serve hot or cold with a salad or as a grab-and-go snack.

* for further guidance on making gluten free choices please see this post.


assistant logistique in Sint-Stevens-Woluwe

Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, Vlaams-Brabant
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job description

The function: The department is responsible for coordinating and managing outsourced logistics processes at our 3rd party terminals and with transport providers in Europe. Operations involved are warehousing, packaging, blending, storing, heating, trans-loading and transport. The Logistics specialist function is a variable mix of operational tasks, trouble shooting and longer term project coordination. He/ she is responsible to ensure uninterrupted, safe and cost effective operations. He/she typically works under direction and guidance in a team of 8 people.

Key responsibilities: Operational tasks will include: -Ensure 3rd party service providers meet Afton¿s service and safety standards. -Oversee order fulfilment (from delivery creation through shipment execution including coordination of all transportation scheduling, site notifications while ensuring adequate inventory levels). -Work with third party manufacturing locations and planning to ensure timely production to meet customer orders. Manage production and process order creation and reconciliation to ensure inventory is available for order processing. Trouble shooting will include: -Take the lead in correcting and preventing operational failures with 3rd party logistics, transport and distribution suppliers in a safe and cost effective way. Respond to complaints involving third party locations. - Review performance issues with 3rd party service providers. Develop / implement improvement plans. - Guide 3rd party providers in troubleshooting problems encountered during SAP processing (e.g. post goods receiving, inter-plant transfers, production order); ensure service providers update SAP timely and accurately. Improvement projects will include: -Improve processes to monitor service and safety performance of all logistics operations executed by logistics service providers. -Identify, initiate, execute and drive logistics improvements in service, safety, cost and efficiency; compute, analyse and drive logistics KPIs. -Lead or participate in regional logistical projects where needed and in particular the improvement of our forecasting capabilities.
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Mark A. Hauser

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Intravital imaging has revealed that T cells change their migratory behavior during physiological activation inside lymphoid tissue. Yet, it remains less well investigated how the intrinsic migratory capacity of activated T cells is regulated by chemokine receptor levels or other regulatory elements. Here, we used an adjuvant-driven inflammation model to(More)


OPCW holding regional course for customs authorities in Asia

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the government of Thailand are hosting a regional course for customs officials from Tuesday through Friday in Bangkok.

The training course will include exercises to enhance the capabilities of customs offices and officials to implement applicable transfer regimens in the management of chemicals entering and exiting their borders.

The participants will act as training personnel following the session so that the measures and practices covered in this training session can be applied to countries that are party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) within their respective custom's offices.

The OPCW said the customs process between countries plays a practical role in implementation of measures from the CWC and helps to eliminate or clarify any discrepancies in the scheduled chemical shipments that are to be received between the export and importing process.
Main topics that will be covered in the course include information on transfer regimes and the CWC provisions related to that process, information sources and databases, practical exercises for the identification of chemicals and the skills necessary to pass this information to their respective offices.

The CWC is an international treaty that prohibits the use, development and stockpile of chemical weapons. The OPCW acts as its enforcement organization and takes part in regional training courses related to the convention and in fact-finding missions to determine the validity of a report of convention violation.

Organizations in this story


Thursday, October 6, 2016

I have been told by many recently that I should share what I am feeling. Not hold back. Playing the martyr. Adult. The one always in control. I'm afraid. Afraid that if I share, I will never survive. I will unleash this flood of tears that is suffocated so far down in my soul that I will not be able to stop. I will drown if I open up.

The truth is that I am bruised. Inside and out. My skin is black and blue. The staples go way deeper than my skin. They puncture my heart. Each metal piece cutting deeper and deeper until I am almost see-through. Non-existent.

I'm tired. Worn out. Beyond exhausted. Too much energy needed to pick up all the pieces. Again. Put everything back together. Function. Would you be surprised if this time I just can't. That I just want to give up. To be done.

Have I not lived long enough. Gone through it all. Put in my time. Why is thirty not considered a full life. I've given it all. I've lived. I'm tired. No more.

Whatever. That's it.


What You Should Know About AI and Customer Service

What You Should Know About AI and Customer Service

In our technologically driven world, we are continuing to see an increase in use of artificial intelligence in the customer service arena.  From chatbots, to self-serve checkouts, to online shopping and much more, AI is really taking over when it comes to the service sphere, and it’s only getting stronger and more personalized.

Why Do Customers Want AI Service?

Customers want fast, friendly and hassle-free service.  Many customers choose AI service options because it is available more conveniently for them.  For instance, the chatbot services online are often available 24/7 and you can get through to a AI service rep immediately versus waiting for sometimes hours on the phone to speak with a human rep.

That brings me to another reason why customers might choose AI service over a human interaction and that is, faster service.  AI customer service can often provide speedier answers to customer inquiries and problems.

Why Do Employers Want To Use AI?

Employers are also jumping on the AI bandwagon for several reasons.  Having AI service can often prove to be cheaper than paying a human body to be available.  The fact that AI service is ‘running in the background’ all the time, regardless of if it’s being use every moment, frees up the time of human agents making them much more efficient and productive.

Organizations are realizing more and more that having an omni-channel experience for their customers is critical.  And consistency among those channels is paramount.  Your organization might use a combination of AI and human customer service in order to provide an omni channel experience for your customers.  For instance, your human front-line workers might represent your company in your brick and mortar stores, whereas your AI reps fulfil online service inquiries.

Is AI Going To Take My Job?

If you could interact with a fast, friendly, hassle-free human OR a robot, which would you choose?  If they knew for sure that their customer service experience with the human would be exceptional, most people would probably choose the human.

With human to human interaction there are a lot of nuances and ability to provide personalized service that a robot can’t provide.  Of course, as technology is getting smarter, robots can automate to create personalized solutions for customers.  However, with robots there are many variables that we can’t control.

From an employer perspective, there is a place and time when AI should be used to increase productivity and efficiency and save costs.  But there are so many things that a robot cannot do that a human can provide.

The best solution for employees who find them in a precarious place when it comes to technology taking over their jobs, is to be constantly learning and growing to stay relevant.  Read more about how you can stay relevant in the age of AI by Re-Skilling the Workforce to Prepare for Technology.

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Millennials and Motivation at Work

Millennials and Motivation at Work

There’s a generation in the workforce that will soon play a very important role in leading your organization into the future.  In fact, Forbes reported that by 2030, Millennials will comprise 75% of the workforce.

There has been a slew of articles lately about millennials ‘killing off’ various industries.  This attests to their immense buying power and control in the markets.  And, it is another reason why it is very important for you to treat your millennial employees well – because what is being felt on the inside of your organization can be felt on the outside by your customers.

All generations of talent want to feel valued in the workplace.  Millennials have reported several things that help to motivate and engage them in the workplace and turn them into loyal employees (and customers).

Here are some of things millennials look for in an organization to keep them motivated and engaged:

Flexibility.  This comes at the top of the list for many millennials. Many would even forgo a pay increase or bonus in lieu of more remote work, flexible hours, vacation time and a better work life balance.

Mentorship.  Millennials want to receive feedback and one on one coaching with their managers.  They want to have a good relationship with their direct supervisor and learn from them so they can move up in the organization.

Autonomy. Along with flexibility, millennials want to have some autonomy and say in how they execute their role. They don’t want a supervisor who micromanages them.  Some examples of ways they can get autonomy include, working remotely or flexibility, and having authority over making certain decisions within their scope of practice.

Transparency. Millennials want to know what is going on in the business and how they can contribute to the growth. They want you to be clear about what your business goals and objectives are and to communicate that with them.

Impact.  Millennials want to feel like they are contributing to the betterment of the organization.  This could be with a special project, by supporting their colleagues, or by serving their customers on the front line.  Whatever way they serve your organization, they want to know how their contribution is making an impact in order to feel valuable.

Skills. Millennials are a generation that are very dedicated to continuing their education and learning new skills that make them more marketable.  They want to know that you are investing in their future by providing them will skills and development that will make them more marketable and allow them to grow in the organization.

Recognition & rewards.  Millennials (and other generations of talent) want to feel like their great work is being acknowledged. Recognition and rewards can come in many forms including non-monetary recognition such as praise and thanks, or monetary rewards and recognition such as bonuses, time off, gift cards, and total recognition points that can be redeemed for merchandise, travel and many other rewards.

For more information on how to support millennials at work read What Millennials Want in the Workplace.

read more
5 Effective Ways to Motivate and Engage Your Remote Employees

5 Effective Ways to Motivate and Engage Your Remote Employees

With the rise of virtual and remote workers, organizations are paying more and more attention to how they can utilize this great opportunity to offer their employees more flexibility.  However, just as important is keeping those same employees motivated and engaged as if they were in the office daily having one on one face time with their colleagues and managers.

As a remote worker myself, I can attest to the fact that the tips below work to keep me motivated and engaged during my workday.  I should mention though that not everyone is cut out for remote or virtual work.

When I tell people I work from home, I’ve had countless people tell me “Oh, I couldn’t do that.”  I think it’s true that some people are just not cut out for remote work.  You do have to be self-motivated and disciplined enough to cut out the distractions.  Additionally, it’s important to make sure you allow yourself the time to step away from work to take short breaks — perhaps get outside for a walk – as it will help you to reinvigorate your energy for the rest of your workday.  If you just plop down in front of your computer screen for 8+ hours straight you’re going to drain yourself both mentally and physically.

Here are some of the top ways that you can motivate and engage your remote and virtual workers:

1. Establish Your Company Culture.

Be sure to communicate your expectations and company culture up front with your remote workers.  You want to make sure that they’re a good fit for your organization and that they will be committed and competent to perform their duties.  If you find that an employee isn’t cut out for remote work, give them opportunities to connect in person with their colleagues and leaders.  For example, when I first started at GES I would go into the office so I could get to know who I was working with.  It was important to establish those in person connections and get to know a little bit more about the company and culture before I began working remotely.

2. Keep in Touch Often.

It is so important to communicate often with your remote workers.  Establish a meeting frequency that is best for your team and be sure to touch base on activities, deadlines and updates that they might require in order to perform their job best.  Keep in touch daily via email and be sure to communicate very clearly and efficiently what your expectations are for work completion.  Establish deadlines together and come up with an action plan on how they will execute their duties.

3. Opportunities to Grow.

Make sure to offer your remote employees the opportunity to learn and grow within your organization.  If they stay sedentary for too long and aren’t developing new skills, they are likely to find somewhere else where they will.  This can include formal learning opportunities such as eLearning, one on one training and coaching or work related courses/certifications that will teach them new skills.  You can also send them to industry conferences where they will have the opportunity to keep their finger on the pulse of the industry and bring back relevant opportunities to implement in your workplace.

4. Give Them Challenging Projects.

Keep your employees motivated by giving them new and challenging projects.  It will give them the opportunity to learn new things, and exercise their problem-solving skills in a new way.  This will also help them to develop a new set of skills that they may be able to transfer into other parts of their role in your organization.

5. Recognize their Achievements.

It is so important for you to recognize and reward your remote workers for their great work!  Recognition can take on many forms such as non-monetary recognition such as a verbal thank you or acknowledgement, or a peer to peer recognition note, etc.  You can also recognize them with monetary rewards such as points to redeem in your total reward program, monetary bonuses or paid time off.  It is important to recognize your remote workers in a personalized way that is unique to how they want to be recognized.  For example, some employees would prefer to have extra vacation time over a bonus, or vice versa.  Get to know your employees so you can personalize their recognition experience.

To learn more about what your employees want to keep them motivated and engaged check out the Top Company Perks to Consider for Your Talent.

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Dr. Tapan Patel, DDS

Dr. Patel graduated from his Dental program in India in 2007. He practiced dentistry in India for a short period and then moved to the US to pursue further education at Boston University. He completed his Advanced Standing program at Boston University in 2011 and received his US Dental Diploma.

Dr. Patel worked in Massachusetts for a year and then moved to Texas. He has worked in Federally Qualified Health Centers since he moved to Texas in 2012. He enjoys practicing dentistry and takes a lot of pride in being able to provide the best evidence based care to underserved populations.


What is Science?

Philosophers of science, and scientists who delve into popular publishing (to name just two) spend a good deal of time and effort trying to define science. Much learned discussion and some remarkable theories have no doubt been put forward. However, my reading of this literature is almost non-existant and I confess to wishing to keep it that way (naive ignorance is bliss). However, it does seem a bit silly to engage in this activity without considering the question, at least superficially. I refuse to accept any argument which leads to infinite regress (what Feynman called "paralysis of thought") and insist that this definition be pragmatic. Thus I offer my uninformed characterization of science for those who wish to tell me where I'm wrong and why.

Operational Definition

Science is the collection of experimental results which are reported with complete detail and honesty so that others may perform the experiment at a different time and place and achieve the same results.

This definition frees us from many of the objections that arise when trying to define the "scientific method" and "objective reality". In fact, it dissociates science from how science is done. The method of science becomes an economic question, rather than a question of principle. As an economic problem, the method of science must try to optimize the use of scarce resources in order to achieve the most meaningful results. Obviously, this also brings values into the method of science, so the process can be rightly seen as a very human (ie. embedded in a social context) activity even though it has a transcendental quality about it (which accounts for its stunning success). The collection of experimental results can be seen as an "objective reality" because the validity of the results is not tied to a specific culture, world view or paradigm (you just knew that word was going to appear, didn't you).

The value of science resides in the fact that it provides knowledge which is unassailable. The results of experiments are communicated in such a manner that anyone can reproduce the experiment to see if the same results occur. Our confidence in experimental results is directly related to how often an experiment is verified by an independent worker (or how likely we feel it is that the experiment may be reproduced). For example, we do not have a great deal of confidence in many high energy particle collision experiments because very few people have the means to reproduce those results, and among those who do, funding constraints prevent them from doing work that is already established. This is simply a result of the economics of doing science and does not undermine the value of science at all. Those who do science, are necessarily forced to be skeptical as a result.

Much is often made about the dichotomy between theory and experiment in science, thus it is worth clarifying the issue under the present outlook. The principle value of theory (in science) is its ability to summarize the results of experiments. Humans can only hold a few ideas in their minds simultaneously, therefore it is difficult to consider a body of experimental results, except individually. With a simple theory, in which the results of many experiments are seen as logical outcomes of the theory, the task of simultaneous cognition can be accomplished. Theory is useless, and sometimes even destructive, if the person is unaware of what experiments have actually been done and how they were done. This can lead to a completely inappropriate use of the theory (eg. proclaiming its logical consequences as fact or truth). Since the most important aspect of theory is to summarize the results of experiments, it is crucial to know the range over which a theory performs this task accurately. For this reason, scientists try to find predictions of a theory which they think are most likely to be contradicted by experiment. Once found, the experiment is carried out and the theory either has its range of usefullness extended or cropped. When a theory is found to have a definite boundary to its predictive power, then scientists try to find a more general theory which covers all the known experimental evidence (in which the previous theory can be derived under some limiting conditions). Thus the trend is science is to try to find the most general theories possible (some would like to find a single "theory of everything"). It should be noted, that theories are only in competition with overlapping theories which have already been proposed; in the absence of any other theories, a particular theory that manages to summarize a limited number of experiments is to be considered a valuable theory even if it can be proven wrong in some other domain. Any theory which has no known contradictions with experimental evidence (after many, many such experiments have been tried) is called a physical law. This is strictly a nomenclature of convenience which represents our confidence, it is a capital mistake to take such a convention literally.

Characteristics of the Scientific Method

This part is under construction, stay tuned

Some of my favourite science quotes.
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Document last updated on 11/16/95.


Monthly Archive:: February 2016

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Blood pressure 300/…

Blood pressure 300/300

Blood Pressure - Normal and Dangerous

High probability that the blood pressure monitor is not working properly, and the results of measuring Blood pressure 300/300 cannot be taken into account.

In some cases, there may be the results of blood pressure measurement 300/300, but it does not indicate the presence of various diseases and pathologies of the cardiovascular system, and the fault of the tonometer.


Published  September 2017

When I moved to Louisiana, I didn’t realize that the Gulf Coast was such a central region for bird migration. The first time I went bird watching in New Orleans, I went to Couturie Forest—the arboretum along Harrison Avenue in City Park—on a “Birding Walk” in late April, when Spring Migration is in full effect. I didn’t know much about bird migration at the time. I knew it was a week after my 30th birthday and I was depressed and on a self-improvement kick when I stumbled upon an advertisement for the walk. I bought a $10 pair of binoculars from an army surplus store and showed up at 8 a.m. to the designated meeting place.

I was expecting to see birds I was familiar with, like Cardinals and Chickadees; and I did. I mean, they were there, but that’s not what the tour was about. The migratory birds singing and flitting about with them made the woods as colorful as a 98-count box of crayons. Also conspicuous along Couturie was a flock of birders, all recognizable by a pair of binoculars. About two or three weeks later, I returned to those same woods and wandered around the paths for hours without seeing any of the bright birds I had seen before. But even more strange was that there were no birders either.

It took a few more years of meeting people who could walk me through bird watching to understand where, when, and how to see birds as they travel through Louisiana. Below is much of what I learned from them. Consider this an abridged primer to excite existing or potential birders to get out and see these feathered wonders. It will cover the types of birds found in Louisiana throughout the fall and winter months, and suggest places to see them, ways to identify them, and explain a little more about their remarkable journey to, from, and through Louisiana.

In the fall months, bird migration across the globe generally occurs from points north to points south along evolutionarily-set paths throughout the continents. One of these paths lies directly over wetlands that line the Louisiana/Mississippi coast and the landforms that lie slightly inland. Bird species that fly on this path over the Gulf come from as far north as the Arctic Circle and as far south as the tip of South America (and almost all points in between) to breed, winter, or pass through. Migratory birds are generally at home in the southern portion of the route during winter, then travel to breed and nest in the northernmost points of their migratory route during the summer. Between these destinations, many need water, food, and shelter to sustain them on their journey. All of the migratory species of birds on this Gulf Coast avian freeway can rely on Louisiana for one reason or another.

Along the Gulf Coast, birds such as the Red Knot travel from the southern tip of Antarctica to the Arctic Circle, a cycle crooned about by birders as equatable to a “journey to the moon and back” throughout a bird’s lifetime. In contrast, other birds travel from one end of the Gulf of Mexico to the other, a relatively shorter distance, though still rife with peril. With hollow bones, super muscles, and perfectly-keeled feathers, these birds are game for it. Even the smallest of birds, which can weigh mere ounces, can persevere. Many birds make the 500 mile trip across the Gulf and then continue to their final destination, often another couple hundred miles, without stopping. Other birds winter in Louisiana, their home, and during late fall return from their northern breeding areas.

Birding in the fall is generally more challenging than birding in the spring. You wouldn’t need the entire 98-count crayon box to paint a picture of fall migration; you’d need more like a 24-pack of muted greens, browns, yellows, and grays, with a few red and blue crayons mixed in. While fall plumage doesn’t make the Louisiana landscape as colorful as in spring, it is a great time to better understand bird behavior. In the spring, birds that pass through are so bright and varied that their plumage alone—especially the male’s—might easily distinguish one bird from another. In the fall, they have duller, shabbier feathers and so we must really observe birds to identify them. Their basic shape, habitat, foraging habits, beak size, and calls are all clues to help you name the bird you’re looking at. And even if you can’t name that bird, the time you spend watching it can be just as enjoyable as knowing what it is.

Below are some groups of birds that fly through Louisiana in the fall. Some have summered here and are leaving for their southerly homes. Of these birds, some of the same species might have summered further north in their range and are also migrating back in greater numbers passing through. Others left home to breed up north in the spring and return to Louisiana and other regions nearby in the fall and winter. Some hatched this summer, and are arriving for the first time. Others simply fly through, using Louisiana as a rest-stop. Weather conditions are crucial to this decision—while the airwaves are full of birds throughout migration, many birds find good weather patterns and go to, through, or from Louisiana without stopping, which can be unfortunate, depending on how you look at it. Joelle Finley, Vice-president of Orleans Audubon Society, is often quoted among birders with her adage, “If it’s bad for birders, it’s good for the birds!” especially on a slow day of birding during migration.

Below is a list of birds you will hopefully be lucky enough to see this fall migration; it is an abridged list, with attempts to note favorite fall migrants and later winter residents.

Late fall brings hawks and falcons to Louisiana to fly alongside bigger birds of prey that live here year-round, like Bald Eagles and Ospreys. Examples are Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, and Peregrine Falcons. Northern Harriers are identifiable by their low flight pattern; they cruise around fields and marshes, just inches away from their prey. American Kestrels are smaller than hawks and are often seen perching on telephone wires. They have this neat hovering thing that they do right before they pounce. Peregrine Falcons are fast as lightning; they favor the coast, but often move into cityscapes during the winter months. The best places to watch birds of prey are areas with lots of fields and marshes. You’ll likely see these birds in motion, so learning how they look in flight and what their hunting patterns are like is a great start.

Spot them at: Chalmette Battlefield, Plaquemines Parish along Highway 23 (During any season, you can go to the Bonnet Carre Spillway to see Bald Eagles.)

Everyone knows a duck—they like to live on still water like ponds and bayous. Swans, geese, and grebes are other types of waterfowl that can be spotted in Louisiana. While some waterfowl live in Louisiana year-round, others come through only later in the fall and winter. Canada Geese, for instance, come through in large flocks, and are big, scary, and frankly quite mean. Blue-winged Teal and Ring-necked Ducks have puzzling names until they take flight and their markings show. Some ducks, however, are unmistakable: one of my favorites is the Ruddy Duck, which has a spiky tail (and a blue beak during spring). Waterfowl, hunted for centuries, tend to avoid people, so while very prominent in migration, they’re also very shy of us predators (except for Canada Geese). I’m going to talk about birdwatching groups to get involved with at the end, but a quick note about it here: if you want to see ducks and their waterfowl allies, look for advertised bird-watching groups during late fall and winter. Many people bring along and share their scopes, which have a large range of magnification and allow for long-distance bird watching. Scopes can cost thousands of dollars, so handle with care! And be very careful waterfowl watching during hunting season.

Spot them at: Audubon Park and Golf Course, Bayou Sauvage, and country clubs or planned communities around New Orleans and beyond, which often include duck-friendly ponds. (Using Google Maps is a great way to scout these areas out aerially, but again, be wary if it’s a Wildlife Management Area that allows hunting.)

Flycatchers include many species. These birds stand still on branches and have a generally upright shape. Of all the passerine species—which is a fancy category lumping together all birds that perch in tree branches—flycatchers have an unvaried call. In fact, some species look so much alike that they are distinguished from each other by these notes alone. Look for these birds near the edges of trees, bushes, fences, and on telephone wires, especially between the edges of forests and swamps or shrubby habitat and open landscape. Most of these birds migrate through Louisiana beginning in late August to October. Eastern Phoebes and Least Flycatchers are common, and often stick around for winter—the former pumps their tail while on a wire or tree branch.

Spot them at: Chalmette Battlefield, Jean Lafitte Barataria Preserve, and Diamond Park in Port Sulphur.

One bonus species of flycatcher is a breathtaking bird called the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. It has a white body, peach-colored belly, black wings and long, black tail feathers. It looks like a pretty normal bird while sitting on a wire, but when it flies, its tail feathers expand into a V shape, and it shows a little spot of red under the wing. I audibly gasped when I first saw this bird—it’s majestic and perfect and I love it. It’s not discussed with the above flycatchers because its migratory range is normally a little west of Louisiana. For some reason, groups of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers have found a home in Plaquemines Parish for a few years now, so let’s hope that trend continues! Look for them during periods of time that you seek beauty, grace, and joy in your life.

Spot them at: Diamond Park in Port Sulphur and along Highway 23 in Plaquemines Parish

Kinglets and warblers are one of the smallest groups of passerines that come through Louisiana. Only slightly bigger than hummingbirds, kinglets are the next smallest birds, and warblers the next size up. (Note: kinglets were at one point considered warblers, but are now not, for reasons I do not know, but I have still included them here because they’re round and small). Warblers (and kinglets) have tiny beaks, a variety of cheeps and songs, and even during the fall it is common to notice birds with a distinctive plumage that allows for easy identification. Warblers tend to dart through bushes and trees chasing small insects; they are difficult to spot because they move fast and under cover. One technique to view hidden birds is to start shushing like an angry librarian: “Shh, Shh, Shh Shh Shh.” This sound emulates an upset Carolina Wren when they hear a predator. Often, when birds here these “distress” calls, they respond by coming out of their leafy camouflage to look for the threat, letting you see their pretty feathers. Warblers begin migrating through Louisiana beginning in August, starting (predominantly) with Yellow Warblers. Numbers of warblers migrate through, or to/from Louisiana—upwards of 40 species can be counted in Louisiana during the early fall months. The bulk of fall warbler migration ends in October, and then the kinglet/warbler population begins to thin out to just a few species that winter here: Yellow-rumped, Palm, Pine, Orange-crowned, and Wilson’s Warblers; and Yellow Crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

Spot them at: Couturie Forest and Scout Island in City Park, Joe Brown Park in New Orleans East, Chalmette Battlefield (concentrate on live oaks and woody habitats), and Woodlands Trail & Park in Belle Chasse.

Sparrows are little brown birds (LBBs) that can be very difficult to tell apart. White-throated Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows winter in Louisiana in fall and winter and they each have splashes of yellow marking their faces. Savannah Sparrows feed on the ground, while White-throated Sparrows are found in trees and brush. Other sparrows winter in Louisiana, and each one prefers different habitats. In general, these other sparrows like grassy areas, which can include salty or freshwater marshes. They tend to hide, only popping up for brief moments, also obscuring birdwatching. Remember the bird shushing technique for viewing these birds. If you are detail-oriented, like squinting at discrete markings, memorizing bird calls, and standing in tall grass, these are a great group of birds for you. Pro tip: watch out for chiggers.

Spot them at: Chalmette Battlefield, Jean Lafitte Barataria Preserve, and various habitats with tall, grassy fields and marsh.

Wading birds are so cool. Evolution has shaped wading birds into unique, often bizarre-looking creatures. Wading birds source food from mud flats, crawfish fields, and inundated areas, requiring them to have long beaks, legs, and creative feeding patterns. Their beaks can be straight, long and curled, or even shaped like a spoon. Some feed with their beaks in the water, like American White Ibises, Wood Storks, and Roseate Spoonbills. One type that hunts in a group are American Avocets; they move in sync with each other, grazing their beaks through the water in semi-circular motion. If you’re a beak or leg person, look up these birds.

Spot them at: Bayou Sauvage, Bonnet Carre Spillway, Grand Isle (areas across from the beach), and Sherburne Wildlife Management Area.

Migratory birds are magnificent, but so are birds who find permanent homes in Louisiana. We see these birds every day, whether we’re aware of them or not. House Sparrows, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, American Crows, Northern Mockingbirds, Killdeer, and Cattle Egrets are hardy birds that have found a way to live alongside us. So even if you aren’t able to travel to see birds in their preferred habitats, you can still go bird watching every day. Plus, getting to know resident birds will help you identify migratory ones. For example, you think you know a Northern Cardinal? Can you distinguish their song from that of a Carolina Wren? Or their “chips” from their relative, the Blue Grosbeak? Knowing the tendencies of these birds can make you a better birder all around.

Spot them at: Parks, construction sites, and in live oaks.

Although birds rule the sky, many species are under threat. The north-to-south journey for all migratory species is a harrowing one. Regardless of flight prowess or the length of travel, not every migratory bird reliant on Louisiana survives against predators, adverse weather conditions, and hundreds of miles of open water across the Gulf of Mexico. Bad weather conditions will tax even the fittest birds; without water or food stops over their Gulf Coast journey, many birds may falter. As an example, during the spring migration, my bird-savvy friend Mark Meunier and a few other birders were watching shorebirds on Grand Isle when they saw a Swainson’s Thrush (slightly smaller than its cousin, the American Robin) fly from the open water and land on the beach. Exhausted and dehydrated from its journey, the thrush collapsed and remained on the beach unprotected and unconscious. The birders weren’t the only ones watching the Thrush’s distress: a lurking snow crab emerged from the sand and side-stepped over to this wheezing, immobile bird, looking to feed. The bird watchers intervened. They scared the crab away and found fresh water to revive the casualty. The bird, rejuvenated by the drink, darted away while the crab scuttled back into the shadows of the sand.

Although this tale is heartwarming, it is not indicative of human-bird relationship. Human intervention generally dooms birds more than it saves them. Humans can manage to make the migration itself more dangerous than it already is. Lights from off-shore oil rigs, ships, and shore-line cities can confuse and disorient migratory birds; often birds circle light sources looking for land, only to find themselves dangerously off-course from their final destination, and exhausted from expending excess energy.

The populations of many species of birds present in North America have greatly diminished since European colonization, and those reliant on the Gulf Coast are no exception. Some species were over-hunted for food in the 18th century, while others were nearly annihilated for feathers for the hat trade in the 19th and early 20th centuries. And while some species have repopulated, some have not. David Muth, Louisiana State Director of the Gulf Restoration Program at the National Wildlife Federation, illustrates how urbanization is affecting the Gulf Coast landscape. In a lecture to Louisiana Master Naturalists, he read a page from James Audubon’s diary dated 1821, in which Audubon describes seeing 48,000 American Golden Plovers hunted in one day along the New Orleans coastline. In contrast, Muth, also an avid birder, has seen less than 100 American Golden Plovers total around New Orleans proper in his 40 years of observation. And although American Golden Plovers still annually migrate through Louisiana, eBird.org (a burgeoning online database of voluntary bird citations) suggests that when these birds stop through Louisiana, they are generally counted in numbers under ten, with a few spikes of observations numbering between 20 and 60 over the past 30 years—a pale contrast to numbers near 50,000 in Audubon’s days of bird watching.

Data from the Louisiana coastline has been pivotal in describing threats to migratory birds. In a follow-up interview, David Muth explained that in addition to personal and historical accounts of bird decline, scientific studies based in Louisiana have used data such as radar to track numbers of birds passing through. Because birds generally migrate at night, select data generated by weather radar stations like those erected across the Gulf of Mexico during the 1950s can be used to compare the flights of migratory birds during the spring. According to Muth, studies conducted by Dr. Sidney Gauthreaux compare radar patterns of springtime bird flights from the ‘60s to those from a few years ago and provide “hard data on how many birds were passing over the Louisiana coast.” Muth explains, “[Gauthreaux] found a general decline in the total number of birds crossing the Gulf… Then, when you compare that data to long-term breeding bird survey data for the eastern United States from the area where these birds would be coming from, it matches the trends for most of the forest interior and for grassland birds.” It’s important to mention that not every species of bird (migratory or not) is negatively impacted by the habitat change. In fact, some birds fancy the conditions that accompany human development. However, birds reliant on fields, prairies, and grasslands have increasingly less land to roam, as the adaptation of farming methods throughout the 20th century has clear cut areas, eradicating many nesting spots. Birds reliant on deep woods and forest to breed also simply have less habitat to support them.

Although humans have posed a serious threat to certain species’ survival, birds are powerful, and extraordinarily adaptive. Bird species that exist today succeeded their relatives, the dinosaurs, through even the Ice Age, creating remarkable diversity in the survivors. And although certain bird species are declining in population, there has been a considerable conservation effort under the vanguard of environmentalists, scientist, and yep, bird watchers, to mitigate this decline. Even with this bit of hope comes the hand-wringing prediction of extreme coastal erosion, for which Louisiana and the larger Gulf Coast are becoming dire centerfolds. So, if you’ve ever thought to yourself that birding is a thing for retirement age, you might not want to wait that long. There’s no time like fall in Louisiana to get started.

Be safe. There are plenty of dangers lurking in the wilds of Louisiana. There are venomous snakes out there; learn to identify them and know what to do if you get bitten. People, wild pigs, and alligators pose their own threats, too. Research what you need to do to be safe in whatever environment you’ll be birding in.

Get a pair of binoculars. You can try to bird with the naked eye, but most birds prefer that we stay at a distance, and are often too difficult to watch without equipment. Binoculars start at around $10 and climb from there to essentially however much you’re willing to spend. But remember that you do get what you pay for. My first pair had a magnification capacity of 10 x 25 and I felt like I was looking through a pinhole. To see long distance with a big enough range, it is recommended to start with numbers like 8 x 32 or 10 x 32. They run about $25 online, but are quite small. If you really want to invest in birding, buy something in the 8 x 42 to 10 x 42 range. Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a great breakdown of the optics best suited for bird watching. Once you get binoculars, use them sparingly and correctly. It’s common to try and find a bird with binoculars alone. Or to find a bird with your eye, then look at the binoculars, then try to find the bird again. This is likely to leave you disoriented and disappointed. First, identify a bird solo, then continue looking at it as you slowly bring the binoculars up to your eye, keeping the bird in view the whole time.

Get a field guide. Phone apps like Audubon Birds and Merlin Bird ID are great starters because they’re free. They both have filters that describe the birds, their calls, and their range—three key factors in proper identification. They also both have location trackers and can provide filters to indicate which birds should be in your area during that season. Books are great too; my favorite guides are Sibley’s and Peterson’s.

Get a map and learn your habitats. One important key to learning about birds is knowing where to find them, and understanding which kinds of birds might like the areas you choose to birdwatch in. Of course, this is a long process, and you’ll learn as you go, so be patient.

Don’t get frustrated. Even the most experienced birders often have a day of birding without seeing much of anything. It happens! For every good day of birding, there could be 10 bad, but with any outing comes experience; and with experience, the odds increase that tomorrow will be a better day.

The website birdlouisiana.com is a great place to find planned outings and social events (which usually include a presentation or guest lecture). These three groups are the most active in the GNO Area: Crescent Bird Club, Orleans Audubon Club (jjaudubon.net), and Louisiana Ornithology Society (losbird.org).

National Audubon Society (Note: not affiliated with the local Audubon Institute)

An organization that studies birds and specializes in outreach conservation initiatives, including volunteer opportunities. Visit audubon.org

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Based out of Ithaca, New York. Research from Cornell generates a great amount of national and international data for birds and bird migration. The main website is birds.cornell.edu, but they also compile their research in the following websites:

Allaboutbirds.org: Great web-oriented guide for birds, including information about their range, habitat, and conservation status.

Birdcast.info: Generates week-to-week forecast for watching migration. Using a combination of weather patterns and radar of bird migration, it offers predictions of the best time to view birds on the ground, with regional considerations.

eBird.org: A compilation of work from both the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab. It allows birders to list the birds they have seen in specific locations, and with this data, they have created amazing tools to better learn about birds in a practical way. Itching to see an Upland Sandpiper? Filter eBird for that species in your state, and it will give you past sightings with dates and locations. They also compile sightings throughout the nation in map form, therefore tracking migratory patterns of birds throughout the year.

A listserve that can be sent to your inbox, full of great tips from birders. Instructions on how to join can be found at lsu.edu/science/birdoffice/resources/labird.php

illustrations MELISSA GUION

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Title: UBPS:User Based Personalized Search With Big Data

UBPS:User Based Personalized Search With Big Data
Author Name:
R.Shenbagavalli, S.Ilakkiya
The main aim of this project is to develop a User Based Personalized Search With Big Data, named UBPS, to address scalability and inefficiency problem in BigData with traditional service recommender systems, which fails to meet users personalized requirements and diverse Preferences.In the existing system, service recommender systems, such as hotel reservation systems and restaurant guides, They have not considered users different preferences, without meeting users personalized requirements.In the existing Approaches, solve the scalability problem by dividing dataset. But their method doesnt have favorable scalability and efficiency if the amount of data grows. In the proposed system, which is based on a user-based Collaborative Filtering algorithm.It is a robust method to achieve a personalization.In UBPS, keywords are used to indicate both of users preferences and the quality of candidate services.It improve the scalability and efficiency of recommendation method in â€œBig Dataâ€ environment.


Runcorn’s Chief Inspector Sarah Heath has congratulated her team after a reduction in the amount of trouble caused by young hellraisers on the night before Hallowe’en.

Ch Insp Heath said the policing operation involved extra officers in uniform and plain clothes, in cars and on bikes and on foot, supported by other units and other organisations such as housing, fire, transport, local authority and other services.

The night before Hallowe’en is known by some young people as ‘Mischief Night’, a term disliked by others who believe it encourages such antics.

Ch Insp Heath said the period has traditionally been one of ‘disproportionate’ increase in ASB but extra planning and resources smothered its impact this year.

Speaking on Monday, She said: “The level of demand peaked between 3pm and 11pm last night with 20 incidents of ASB and five of criminal damage being recorded.

“Whilst much higher than normal evenings, this is a significant reduction on the same date in previous years.

“I am extremely grateful to all the officers, police staff and partners, who collectively ensured the public were kept safe over the weekend and the disruption and ASB were kept as low as possible and dealt with effectively and robustly.

“Five dispersal notices were issued, they were for a variety of reasons and the incidents occurred across the town.

“The majority were teenagers.

“Incidents that were reported included fireworks being thrown in public places and eggs and stones being thrown at vehicles.

“By putting dispersal orders in place, covering the areas where increased numbers of incidents are anticipated, our officers are then able to disperse groups where anti-social behaviour has occurred, or is likely to.

“The use of the dispersal notices prevented further alarm or distress to be caused to the local community.”


8 custom made tents like structures, of wood and canvas which are nestled on the banks of an ancient dry river bed known to the locals as an " omaramba".
Class: Tented Lodge, 4 Star

The Mushara Outpost is all about old fashioned hospitality with warm, friendly and personalized service on the door step to the magical Etosha Pan National Park. The lodge house is styled on an old farm house, tall walls, corrugated iron roof with a large wrap around veranda. This is NE facing to take advantage of cooling shade. The ambiance is that of a well lived in house, friendly, extremely comfortable with a light feel to it.
GPS Co-ordinates: 18°81'3368S 17°11'8645E


Category Archives: Uncategorized

Does Star Trek Boldly Go Beyond Scarcity?

As a long-time Trekkie (with several conventions and selfies with William Shatner) and an economist, I was more than delighted when a good friend of mine gave me the recently published book Trekonomics: The Economics Behind Star Trek by Manu Saadia.

Saadia’s highly exciting book attempts to explain the economy of Star Trek and describes the Federation of United Planets (which includes Earth) as a post-scarcity society that no longer uses money because everyone maximizes their utility by just doing what they want to do. The main driving force behind people’s behavior is vanity, not profit. He calls this economic system “Trekonomics.”

Economics Is an Intergalactic Concept

While describing a post-scarcity society, Saadia admits that there are some resources that are scarce. He mainly focuses on dilithium crystals that are the source of energy in the Star Trek universe:

“Logic would dictate that near-absolute abundance has driven prices to zero on all but few strategic goods. These strategic goods are of limited use for most people anyway. I do not need a big chunk of dilithium crystals in the course of my everyday life. Matter-antimatter power plants require it, whether on board starships or on the ground, but not me. I am not in the market for it, society as a whole is.”

While Saadia praises the replicator (Star Trek’s version of the universal 3D printer) as the driving force behind post-scarcity, he omits the fact that replicators (and holodecks, and warp drives needed in delivery shuttles bringing the latest vintage of Chateau Picard to your cottage on Mars) require energy in order to create food out of nothing.

Continue reading at FEE.

Responsibility and Freedom: A Defense of Safe Spaces

“Liberty not only means that the individual has both the opportunity and the burden of choice; it also means that he must bear the consequences of his actions and will receive praise or blame for them.” F. A. Hayek, The Constitution of Liberty, Responsibility and Freedom

What does it mean for speech to be free? I’m less interested in the legal specifications surrounding this question and more eager to discuss what this means for us in our daily interactions. As an anarchist, I don’t see a legitimate role for governments to play in limiting or privileging certain types of speech. However, that does not mean that individuals cannot or should not be held responsible for the things they say by others in their chosen communities. Since we’ve removed as an option the use of force to suppress speech, what avenues might remain available for praxis?

If speech is to exist in a kind of “marketplace of ideas,” then “praise” or “blame” can act as a profit and loss system for “good” and “bad” speech. It remains the domain of individuals to decide for themselves what constitutes good and bad, as well as how to react to different ideas. Some people are comfortable combating ideas with their own speech with the hope of, at least, persuading or emboldening others to do the same. For others (usually those who have experienced trauma related to particular ideas such as misogyny, rape culture, homo- and transphobia, etc.) the response is often to retreat from spaces where these ideas are shared uncritically and build alternative spaces with others who feel similarly. Some would call these “safe spaces,” but bell hooks has another idea; removed from fear of re-traumatization and retaliation, people create spaces in which they are “safe to struggle.” It is a gross mischaracterization of safe spaces to say that there aren’t any levels of disagreement among those involved. Rather, open and respectful disagreement is possible because there is a foundation of mutual trust established through the intentions set for the space.

Continue reading at the Center for a Stateless Society.

U.S. Unnecessarily Continues to Trail in Property Rights Protections

In the Property Right Alliance’s newly-updated International Property Rights Index (IPRI), the United States ranked 15th out of the 128 countries studied. Yet many would presume the United States to be much higher on the list. It seems somewhat intuitive that the United States would be ranked above countries such as New Zealand, Japan and Australia, and possibly above the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, but the study shows this is not the case.

While strong in intellectual property protections, the United States has more work to do in terms of protecting physical property rights and fostering legal and political environments that do not allow for unnecessary seizures. The United States might be tied for first with Japan in its protection of intellectual property rights with a score of 8.63 (out of 10), but the empirical evidence shows that the U.S. protects physical property and its legal and political environments to a lesser extent. Reforming eminent domain abuse and civil asset forfeiture could aid the United States in better protecting citizens’ property rights.

Continue reading at The Daily Caller.