With legal ‘weed’ readily available from licensed dispensaries in Canada, more states to the South of us are legalizing marijuana for use in America and as such, the demand is increasing.
A good example is Colorado.
The state opened the first regulated recreational marijuana market in the world. A 2014 study also showed that 30% of the heaviest “pot” users in Colorado were responsible for 87% of the demand for the drug. Judging from these stats, we can see that the demand for marijuana is steadily rising as it is becoming accepted and legalized in more places around the world. The marijuana market is getting bigger by the day as Americans spend roughly $40 USD billion annually on legal and illegal marijuana. There is so much more to these impressive figures and the rest of this article and info-graphic will discuss these factors. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Legalization
Typically, only two countries in the world allow the recreational use of marijuana – Uruguay and Canada. Although marijuana is still illegal under federal law in the United States, there are state laws that make it legal to consume under certain conditions. Marijuana is legal in 12 states for recreational use, and in 33 states for medical use. In the states where marijuana is legalized for medical use, there are licensed dispensaries that distribute it. These states restrict the number of dispensaries and they are usually non-profits. If we take into consideration the fact that the majority of Americans (62%) support legalizing marijuana, we can surely expect even more states to adopt new marijuana-friendly laws. As the public learns more about proven marijuana benefits, the support increases.
Sales and Demand
The rising demand for marijuana keeps driving it to record high sales as 55 million people use marijuana regularly. Studies show that by the end of 2022, recreational marijuana sales in the U.S are projected to more than triple. The average price per ounce of marijuana differs in the U.S by state and it may vary greatly. For example, the District of Columbia has the highest price at $600.7 USD per ounce while Oregon’s price is $210.6 USD for the same quantity. Also, research shows that the cannabis market is projected to grow at a rate of 21% per year.
Employment
With the escalating demand, there is a corresponding rise in the need for greater production, and the industry provides jobs and opportunities for investments. People with degrees in pharmacology, botany, and chemistry can be very beneficial in the industry. As for the salaries, the starting pay is $40,000 for growers and pharmacologists. The three factors above paint a clear picture of the state of the marijuana market. It is very lucrative and expected to keep thriving.
Do you know what your child is doing on their phone at night? – stirring night-time outdoor ads portray the harsh reality on children’s phone screens.
Finland’s largest child welfare organization published an outdoor ad campaign to remind parents and adults of the content children see when browsing their phones, especially at night. Canada are you listening?
The campaign consisted of billboards disguised as a child’s screen recording, a continuous stream of disturbing and violent images, including cyberbullying and war. Highlighting the harsh reality that children can face on their phones, the ads were displayed only at night in Helsinki, Finland, because that is when children are most likely to use their phones without adult supervision.
The aim of The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare’s campaign is to support parents in media education for children. According to a Pew Research Center survey (2020), a majority of parents of children aged 11 or younger are concerned that their child is being exposed to inappropriate content online. 59 percent of US parents were concerned about their child accessing violent content online, and 56 percent were concerned about their child being bullied or harassed online*.
“Digitalization has revolutionized our world, for better and for worse. Media is intertwined with children’s lives, where for example the internet, social media, and games are part of their environment. A child has the right to safety in digital environments as well”, says Paula Aalto, The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare’s Head of School Cooperation and Digital Youth Work.
TBWA\Helsinki, the creative partner in the campaign, discovered an approach that allowed drawing attention to the time of day, when children are most likely to use their phones without adult supervision or support. Thus, the outdoor ads are visible only at night.
“Children are at their most vulnerable during the night. We created billboards that are active from 12:00 am to 2:00 am, displaying a stream of images that depict cyberbullying, nudity, war, and violence. It effectively reminds us, adults, about the availability of illicit online content to our children. We purposely hid the content of the billboards from the public – this became the core of our message. These images were too frightening to show, yet they are the harsh reality our kids are exposed to when we aren’t watching”, says TBWA’s Creative Director Joni Furstenborg.
Adults are the solution
The association does not blame adults or technology, but supports parents in educating their children about media.
“It is understandable that parents cannot constantly monitor their child’s phone use. However, as adults, we are the solution to protecting our children from inappropriate content. By developing our own media literacy skills, we also know how to act if a child has seen something scary or inappropriate on their phone”, says Aalto.
The Mannerheim League emphasizes that providing support entails exploring media together, achieving joint successes, and being present and genuinely interested in our children’s lives . Constant communication with the child on and off screen is of the utmost importance. For the Silo, Minna Närhilä.
“As a parent myself, I am concerned about my own children’s media use on their phones. Children are constantly exposed to harmful content, and parents must protect them from seeing things that they do not have the ability to process due to their young age.We, parents, are the solution”, Furstenborg ends.
(New York, June, 2023)—The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced today its upcoming summer and fall exhibitions along with new live arts performances and summer initiatives, including the return of the bike valet program, ongoing date night offerings, and more.
“The stories we tell at The Metropolitan Museum of Art are ever expanding,” said Max Hollein, Marina Kellen French Director of The Met. “Through groundbreaking exhibitions, compelling displays, and powerful performances and programs, this upcoming season is sure to delight, inspire, and engage audiences from near and far.”
Highlights of The Met’s summer exhibitions include: Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery(opening July 14), a presentation of Pueblo Indian pottery and the first community-curated Native American exhibition in the history of The Met;Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE (opening July 21), featuring never before publicly exhibited masterpieces that trace the aesthetic impact of the religion on Indian art; Art for the Millions: American Culture and Politics in the 1930s(opening September 7), surveying how artists searched for cultural identity during a decade of political and social upheaval in the United States; The Facade Commission: Nairy Baghramian, Scratching the Back(opening September 7), the fourth in a series of contemporary commissions for The Met’s facade and the artist’s first public installation in New York City; and Picasso: A Cubist Commission in Brooklyn (opening September 14), a focused exhibition dedicated to a captivating, but lesser-known chapter of the artist’s Cubist period. It will bring together for the first time six paintings linked to Picasso’s unrealized decorative commission for the Brooklyn residence of artist, collector, and critic Hamilton Easter Field (1873–1922).
Fall season highlights include: Manet/Degas (opening September 24), the first major exhibition examining one of the most significant artistic dialogues in the genesis of modern art; The Great Hall Commission: Jacolby Satterwhite, A Metta Prayer(opening October 2) an immersive multi-channel video installation and a series of performances that will transform the Museum’s iconic Great Hall; Vertigo of Color: Matisse, Derain, and the Origins of Fauvism (opening October 13), exploring how the artists manipulated and experimented with color to create a new artistic vocabulary; Proof: Maxime Du Camp’s Photographs of the Eastern Mediterranean (opening October 23), the first exhibition to focus on The Met’s rare collection of photographs made by Du Camp in advance of his landmark 1852 book, Egypte, Nubie, Palestine et Syrie; and Lineages: Korean Art at The Met(opening November 7), which will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Museum’s Arts of Korea gallery with a collection of works tracing the history of Korean art.
Additionally, Africa & Byzantium (opening November 19), a major exhibition of nearly 200 works that explores the tradition of Byzantine art and culture in Africa from the 4th through the 15th century and beyond, will be presented at The Met Fifth Avenue through March 3, 2024, and feature many international loans being exhibited in the United States for the first time.
On November 20, 45 galleries dedicated to European Paintings, 1300–1800 will reopen, following the completion of an extensive skylights renovation project that began in 2018. The major reinstallation will highlight fresh narratives and dialogues among more than 700 works of art from the Museum’s world-famous holdings.
The 2023–24 season of MetLiveArts will include music, dance, and theatricalized culinary experiences that will invite deeper connections and make powerful observations about relevant cultural narratives as well as the Museum itself.
Upcoming public programs include Short Films for Short Nights, screenings of early video art accompanied by live music (July 7-9); the grand opening of the 81st Street Studio, a new children’s library and multipurpose active learning center (opening September 9); and the return of MetFest, the Museum’s community-wide block party (October 21).
The Museum also announced a continuing tradition of the summer season: the return of its popular bike valet program, which will be offered on Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays through Labor Day (September 4). Guests visiting the Museum, regardless of transportation method, have the opportunity to experience The Met’s current blockbuster exhibition program, including Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty(through July 16), with extended viewing hours until 9 p.m. on Sundays, and Van Gogh’s Cypresses (through August 27).
Of course we are seen as primitive compared to alien life. If we could use 20-30% of our brain, then perhaps we may impress them a bit, and break out of our selfish habits.
Hopefully, aliens will try to ignore our downfalls and instead focus on our positive aspects like love, passion, kindness towards others and so on. Humanity has potential.
Dan Aykroyd Talks About Aliens Viewing Humans as an Inferior Species
The New Zealand Harold states: “Actor Dan Aykroyd is convinced alien life forms refuse to make contact with the human race because we are seen as a “violent, depraved, disgusting species”. The Ghostbusters star is a keen student of extraterrestrial sightings and is adamant he has encountered UFOs on several occasions in the US.
He even insists he saw two suspicious objects in the sky as the horrors of the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York were unfolding, and believes that sighting gives a clue as to why aliens have not made contact with humans.”
Aykroyd tells The Sunday Times Magazine, “(It’s) because we are a violent species. They don’t want anything to do with us. They watch us. There were two white orbs over (New) Jersey when the second tower went down on 9/11. They were on CNN for about two minutes… They never showed it again.”
“Can you imagine what was going through their advanced minds when they saw what happened on 9/11? These humans crashing our highest evolution in aviation into our highest evolution in architecture and metallurgy like kids wrecking toys in the sandbox. They are disgusted with us, and rightly so. Because we are a depraved, disgusting species.” The New Zealand Harold . UFO Sighting News.
For the Silo, George Flier via Flier’s Files #46-2014- George A. Filer III New Jersey State Director MUFON Eastern Region Director
George A. Filer, III. I was a major in the U.S. Air Force and a navigator in various aircraft and tanker transport aircraft. He was an intelligence officer most of his career, and in that period, frequently briefed generals and congressmen on our capabilities and threats to our forces.
Due to longer lifespans, governments and employers must reshape approaches to retirement to ensure ageing populations can live fulfilling, healthy lives
New survey indicates shifting views on retirement and stark differences in how younger and older people see their future
World Economic Forum report provides new approaches to retirement that governments, employers and individuals can consider
New York, USA, June 2023 – Life expectancy increased from an average of 46 to 73 years between 1950 and 2019 and the United Nations forecasts further increases, estimating that global average life expectancy will reach about 81 years by 2100. Longer lifespans are causing individuals, governments and business leaders to rethink their approach to work and retirement.
Living Longer, Better: Understanding Longevity Literacy, a new World Economic Forum report, in collaboration with Mercer, a business of Marsh McLennan, explores how lengthening lifespans are reshaping how individuals view their working lives and retirement. The report offers recommendations for government and employers to ensure they are adequately supporting people in multiple stages of work and retirement.
The report highlights purpose and quality of life in addition to financial health and resilience – themes that are traditionally associated with retirement planning. It offers options that individuals can consider to ensure they are approaching work, learning and retirement in ways that best meet their needs.
“When it comes to longevity and living longer, healthier lives, everyone has a role on this critical topic,” said Haleh Nazeri, Longevity Lead, World Economic Forum. “How will business support an older workforce and one with growing caregiving needs, what will policymakers do to help all citizens reach retirement equity, and finally, what can individuals do at every life stage to ensure they are able to stay financially resilient in a longer life.”
“Employers are thinking more about the current age distributions within the areas of talent needed to operate their organizations and how to influence the trajectory of these distributions,” said Rich Nuzum, Executive Director, Investments & Global Chief Investment Strategist, Mercer. “To leverage longevity and fight the war for talent effectively, moving from individual roles to team-based roles can help employers take full advantage of the diverse strengths of teams that comprise a combination of older and younger workers.”
Views on Retirement A new survey, Pulse Poll, of almost 400 professionals indicates that women and men view retirement differently. Women, for example, are 55% more likely to say they don’t know if they have saved enough for retirement.
The poll also reveals differences in how younger and older populations view their retirement futures. Both women and those under 40 are more willing to reskill but worry about associated costs. Both groups are also more likely to feel isolated.
Further results from the Pulse Poll can be found below and in the report:
Health is a top concern with two thirds of respondents indicating they expect to have caring responsibilities
Days of “Bank of Mum and Dad” may be reversing; many younger people are likely to have to financially support older family members
Pulse Poll respondents over 40 target lower income replacement levels in retirement
People are generally unaware of how to achieve their target levels of retirement income
More men looking forward to retirement, while more women need to understand their financial situation
Women are 55% more likely to say they don’t know if they have saved enough
Younger people are eight times more likely to use social media for financial advice
44% of under-40s want to retire by 60
Women and younger people are more willing to reskill but are also worried about associated costs
The respondent profiles to the Pulse Poll were homogeneous and predominantly included those who had undertaken higher education, were in more senior positions, were likely to be in employment at major global organizations and with a high level of individual agency and financial literacy.
While there are some sample limitations, the survey suggests how the findings can help start a conversation about the challenges faced and can contribute to the development of solutions for the population this group of respondents represents.
Recommendations for Governments and Employers As people are living longer lives, business and government need to restructure their approach to later life planning. Failing to adopt a multi-stakeholder approach towards longevity will inevitably result in a significant portion of people retiring into poverty. Recommendations are cover three key areas of work and retirement including quality of life, purpose and financial resilience.
Government
Facilitate upskilling of older workers and clamp down on ageism
Provide incentives for employers to offer more robust leave policies for caregiving needs
Explore the wider use of default auto-enrollment and default investment strategies to increase and maximize savings
Establish safety nets such as minimum pension levels provided by government
Enact enabling legislation to make all jobs flexible for longer-life working if desired and to accommodate all life-stage needs
Offer digital skills training and equipment to ensure equitable access to opportunities for all
Employers
Implement programmes offering support such as carers’ leave, information and advice for those who have caregiver responsibilities
Understand what impact the company’s retirement plan design has on the trajectory of retirement-readiness and labour flow – check if people can actually afford to retire
Provide flex-work programmes for caregivers, such as job-shares; allow part-time workers to contribute to defined contribution plans; provide training programmes for workforce re-entry, similar to those for early-career employees
Implement and review financial wellness programmes to:
Cover specific life-stage needs that account for gender, cultural and ethnicity differences
Consider personalized models to show the impact of different working arrangements and retirement ages on pay and pension
Cater to low-income earners who are likely to need the most support saving and planning for retirement
Individuals can also reimagine what their longer lives might look like as the three-stage life of school, work and retirement makes way for a multi-stage life that could include lifelong learning, career breaks and new occupations in later life. This includes pursuing upskilling and reskilling opportunities, as well as prioritizing retirement and pension planning if possible.
Increasing longevity globally will require new innovations and solutions to address how people can stay financially resilient in a retirement that may be 20 years longer than their grandparents. With supportive actions from government and employers, individuals will have a chance to try new approaches to longer lives and reassess how they want to study, live, work, save and retire in ways that are different from what has been done in the past century. For the Silo, Madeleine Hillyer/World Economic Forum.
As a Black man and a spiritual leader in the Linden community, I am concerned and am a personal victim about the disproportionate impact of prostate cancer on Black men. It is unacceptable that Black men are about twice as likely to get and die from prostate cancer than white men. While we still do not know definitively why this is the case, there are several factors that contribute to this reality.
Genetics may play a role. Studies have shown that prostate cancer in Black men has a different genetic profile, and it is a more aggressive form of the cancer. Additionally, Black men are underrepresented in clinical trials, which limits our ability to understand the disease’s impact and identify effective treatments. Lack of access to healthcare and inconsistent screening programs also contribute to the higher mortality rates among Black men.
But it’s not just genetics or lack of representation in clinical trials that cause this disparity. The cost of care, limited access to quality healthcare, and systemic racism create a barrier to care and early detection. Add to that the economic challenges faced by many Black men, such as the cost of cancer care and the inability to take time off work to recover from treatment, and it’s clear there is a multi-layered issue that must be addressed.
We cannot afford to remain silent on this issue. We must educate ourselves and our communities on prostate cancer risks and symptoms and the importance of timely screening. We must push for universal access to healthcare and encourage participation in clinical trials. And we must work to break down systemic barriers and create an equitable system of cancer care for all, regardless of race or ethnicity.
As a cancer patient myself, I understand how harrowing a prostate cancer diagnosis can be. However, it’s essential not to let the diagnosis define you and have faith that you can overcome any obstacle. Supporting each other and bringing awareness to life-saving prostate cancer screening is critical to reducing the disparities faced by Black men with prostate cancer. For the Silo, Imam Alfred
Imam Alfred Muhammed is working within the African American community on issues of leadership, peace, and interfaith outreach. Imam Alfred has inspired inner-city youth to self-actualization, promoted healthy family relationships, and improved economic development in the Linden community. He is now fighting stage 4A prostate cancer and has been forced to limit his engagements while spending more than $70,000 usd on alternative healthy treatments.
Before his conversion to Islam the Imam Alfred Muhammad was raised as a Christian in rural Virginia. His journey in religious leadership began in childhood as a Baptist preacher, but in 1960 the young minister Muhammad converted to the Nation of Islam. While in the NOI his desire was driven to become active in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Most notably, the Imam managed voter registration drives and worked closely with the lieutenants of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In today’s rapidly-evolved internet landscape, finding an effective domain name can be crucial to online success. Yet have you considered its immense power when choosing words? Linguistics – which studies language structure – is an indispensable asset when selecting domain names; in this article, we’ll look into how understanding its fundamentals can assist with building memorable and effective names for domain registrations. Let’s start this discussion with an example to highlight its significance!
Real-Life Story:
Sarah is passionate about sustainable living and has launched an eco-friendly store online. Sarah spends hours brainstorming possible domain names that reflect her ideals and those of her target market audience. Finally, after extensive research and studying linguistic principles, Sarah opted for “Greenovation.com.” This domain name captures both her brand’s essence and commitment to eco-consciousness instantly – her intuitive understanding of linguistics proved instrumental as this domain name resonated strongly with customers resulting in increased brand recognition and, ultimately, business success.
History & Foundation of Linguistics in Domain Names:
Its historical context must be investigated to understand linguistics impact on domain name selection. Early internet domain names were selected based on keyword availability or company names. However, as more domains crowded the online landscape, linguistic principles significantly distinguished one domain from its competition.
Linguistics encompasses numerous components that can substantially affect domain name selection, such as phonetics, semantics, and syntax. By understanding their function, you can craft memorable domain names that elicit positive emotions among your target audience and are easily pronounceable.
Domain names need to take into account language factors when creating domain names:
Phonology: Selecting domain names with appealing sounds and easy pronunciation will make them more memorable and accessible, like CrispClean.com, which features repeated “c” sounds that create a catchy rhythm while emphasizing cleanliness.
Semantics: Words have meanings, so selecting domain names that resonate with your brand’s values and offerings can increase its overall impact. For instance, specifying EcoGuru.com as the domain name conveys both environmentalism and expertise – creating instant trustworthiness associated with eco-friendly practices.
Syntax: The arrangement and order of words within a domain name can have an enormous effect on its readability and memorability, such as ShopQuickly.com, which utilizes simple syntax making it easily understandable and memorable.
Take advantage of the large choice at Squadhelp when looking for a domain name akin to exploring a linguistic treasure trove. From playful alliterations to clever word combinations, the linguistic aspect of domain names allows businesses to craft a distinctive online identity that resonates with their target audience.
Utilizing Linguistics in Domain Name Selection:
Building an impactful domain name takes careful thought and strategy. Here are a few helpful pointers:
Research Your Target Audience: Take steps to learn about and comprehend their language preferences, cultural nuances, and values to ensure your domain name resonates with them.
Focus on clarity and simplicity: Choose words that are easy for people to remember. Avoid complex or obscure terms which might mislead or confuse the audience.
Consider Emotional Appeal: Words can evoke strong emotional responses in people. Choose words that produce this desired emotional reaction in your target audience while aligning with your brand tone and messaging strategy.
Be distinctive and memorable: Separate yourself from the competition by choosing an eye-catching domain name that conveys the spirit and value proposition of your brand or value proposition.
Other considerations also play a part in domain name selection besides language considerations, including availability and compliance with your brand’s legal requirements. Furthermore, domain extensions like (.com.net.ca or org) could provide more relevant options that meet industry or target audience demands. For the Silo, Grant Polachek.
Conclusion:
In today’s digitally competitive landscape, harnessing linguistics as part of your domain name selection strategy can give your online presence a significant edge. Harnessing their power can give them a significant competitive advantage by understanding basic linguistic principles and considering historical context when selecting domain names for online ventures, harnessing their power can give them a significant competitive advantage. Words hold power that can impact perceptions and emotions and ultimately leave a lasting, impactful memory, so make wise selections when selecting names for online endeavors to maximize their full potential and achieve maximum returns from online ventures!
Upon it’s release in 1982 Bladerunner polarized film critics and quickly divided the viewing audience. Critics had no cinematic basis on which to make a comparison and watchers were unsure what to make of it. There were a few forward thinkers who sensed its bold departure from the ordinary and they mainly focused on the mindblowing design of its imagined world. We can say the same about the Pontiac Aztek upon it’s release in 2001.
More than an exercise in design.
Bladerunner crammed a lot into a relatively short running time: a detective story (which really should used the phrase “bounty hunter adventure”), a love story (how could Deckard NOT fall for the gorgeous Rachel?) , a revenge story (Batty’s answer to the inevitable end of his four year life span was to murder his creator)and a number of subplots that are beyond the scope of this short article. As the years passed, re-cuts and re-releases proved the critics to be wrong. Bladerunner is Shakespearean.
Before becoming a leading Futurist and designer for Hollywood, Syd Mead was an automobile concept artist. Top: A taxi cab design by Mead for Bladerunner. Bottom: The 2001 Aztek GT in Aztek Yellow.
Aztek
When it was released, The 2001 Aztek GT didn’t win over automobile reviewers or the car-shopping public but in the last half decade perspectives have changed, online fan pages have sprung up and buying demand is on the rise.
Have you ever felt like you need an upgrade on your life?
Most of us have – and there’s a way to get it, says veteran physician Sanjay Jain.
“First, I tell people, ‘Don’t be afraid of making your life clearer.’ but as we have paraphrased from Chinese philosopher Laozi, ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step,’ ”. Many argue that life is not simple and, therefore, there are no easy answers, says Jain, whose specialties include integrative medicine. He’s also an international speaker and author of Optimal Living 360 – (www.sanjayjainmd.com).
“Lives are built from many small components which, when viewed as an assembled whole, can appear overwhelmingly complex,” Jain says.
“But when we break them down and consider the pieces as we make decisions in our lives, it’s much easier to see how small adjustments can result in a better return on all of the investments we make – not only in health, but in relationships, finances, and all the other essential aspects of our lives.”
Jain offers four points to keep in mind as you start the journey.
• Life is short, so live it to its fullest potential. Live it optimally. This is your life, so don’t waste its most precious resource – time. No matter one’s spiritual leanings, economic and education status, health, intelligence level, etc. – one thing is true for all: Our time on Earth is finite. There will be a time for most of us when, perhaps after a frightening diagnosis from a doctor, we reflect deeply upon our time and consider the most important moments, and all the time that may have been squandered.
• Balance is key. Too much or too little of something, no matter how good, is actually not good. Balance is one of the easiest tenets to understand, but arguably the most difficult to maintain. Obviously, too much alcohol is bad; then again, there are some health benefits to moderately imbibing red wine. What about too much of a good thing; can a mother love her children too much? Yes, if she is an overprotective “helicopter parent.” The best antidote to overkill of anything is awareness; try to be aware of all measures in your life.
• Learn to tap your strengths and improve upon your weaknesses. Engaging your strengths at work and in your personal life is important. When we do what we’re good at and what comes easily, we feel self-confident and satisfied. Some people, however, are not in jobs that utilize their strengths, or they don’t put their talents to work at home because they’re mired in the prosaic work of living. It’s important to identify your strengths and find ways to engage them. It’s equally important to recognize our weaknesses and work on improving them (because we can!) This is essential for achieving balance.
• Life is about making the right choices. Integrative decision-making makes this easier. There are many different types of decision-making, including systematic, hierarchal, impulsive, decisive and flexible. Integrative decision-making can be used for problems large and small, and includes the following process: 1. Define the problem. 2. Frame the problem. 3. Develop all your options. 4. Analyze your options. 5. Make the decision. 6. Execute your decision. 7. Debrief yourself.
“Don’t be afraid of making your life clearer.” Dr. Sanjay Jain
While experts may be the best consultants for compartmentalized areas of your life, only you know the other aspects that affect your well-being and can determine how a decision in one area will affect another area. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley
(May 12, 2023) Scientific evidence shows that yoga supports stress management, mental health, mindfulness, healthy eating, weight loss and quality sleep. This is according to the National Institutes of Health. On this edition of the Beth Linder-Moss Podcast, Beth specifically describes all those benefits and how to get started with Yoga.
Yoga is not just a form of exercise but a holistic approach to wellness that works on the mind, body, and spirit. From reducing stress and anxiety to building strength and flexibility, yoga offers numerous benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels.
According to Beth, yoga helps to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety. The practice of breathing exercises and meditation during yoga helps to quiet the mind, relax the body, and reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol is associated with higher stress levels. Studies have shown that regular yoga practice can also alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even PTSD.
Yoga can also help to improve focus, memory, and concentration. “Yoga helps to improve cognitive function, which leads to better decision-making, improved memory and concentration,” says Beth Linder-Moss.
Body Benefits of Yoga
The physical benefits of yoga are well known. Yoga helps to increase strength, flexibility, and balance. Practicing yoga regularly can help to tone muscles and improve overall body composition. Yoga also helps to reduce inflammation and improve digestion.
According to Beth, yoga is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy, especially as we age. “Yoga is a low-impact exercise that can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels. The practice helps to maintain mobility and flexibility in the body, which is essential as we grow older.”
Spiritual Benefits of Yoga
Yoga is not just a physical practice but a spiritual one too. It helps to connect the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga philosophy talks about the interconnectedness of all things and encourages participants to live a life of compassion and kindness.
Beth believes practicing yoga can help to connect with our inner selves and find inner peace. “Yoga helps to inculcate a deep sense of awareness, concentration, and mindfulness. It helps to cultivate a sense of gratitude, compassion, and contentment,” she says.
Finally Beth says, “yoga is a practice that nourishes and sustains us, helping us to live better, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.”
“It’s the tiny town of Defoy. Only a gravel road from the main highway, but about a half a mile down there is the wonderful “antiques dump” of Rene Boudin and his freres.” photos: P. Ross
By the winter of 1982, we had been going to the Harbourfront Antique market every Sunday for about a year, and were making a pretty good living selling things we had bought at local auctions and garage sales. Then one day, I read in the excellent and entertaining “bible” of Antique dealing “The Furniture Doctor” by George Grotz , that the village of Defoy, Quebec was mecca for the antique picker.
To quote “there’s a wonderful secret wholesale place up in the province of Quebec. It’s the tiny town of Defoy. Only a gravel road from the main highway, but about a half a mile down there is the wonderful “antiques dump” of Rene Boudin and his freres. And here under enormous sheds you will find literally acres of antique furniture, chests, and tables piled three to five pieces high”.
“…it wasn’t hard to find because it was near town, and his name was painted boldly on the barn.”
The book had been out quite awhile so there was no telling if this situation still existed, so I asked the old guys at the market if they knew of such a place. I got several reports of it’s glory days, followed by “of course that was years ago and nobody goes anymore. That being said they also all encouraged me to give it a go, and gave me “leads” as to who may still be active. We gathered up our courage, our baby, and what cash we had, and set off.
That first twelve hour drive felt like an eternity. It was a tired crew who pulled in late afternoon to a tiny motel in Victoriaville, Quebec.
Our first move was to look up Marcel Gosselin in the phone book because he was one of our most promising leads. To our delight he was listed, and he answered and told us where and how to come the next morning. It wasn’t hard to find because it was near town, and his name was painted boldly on the barn. Marcel greeted us warmly and proceeded to lead us to his main barn. There, behind the red and white cross doors was the biggest pile of dining chairs I had ever seen. About thirty feet across it reached to the top of the barn.
Through the hatch work of legs I could see tantalizing glimpses of a cupboard and some chests. Then he took us upstairs where in a loft he had sorted hundreds of chairs in sets of four, six, or more. Some were painted and some varnished. It was $45cdn each for simple painted chairs, $65cdn each for nicer pressbacks and/or varnished ones. We got a couple of sets knowing we would get about $150cdn-$250cdn each for these when refinished., Next I asked him about that cupboard I had seen in the giant pile downstairs. He told me all about it including the age, condition and reasonable price of $250cdn and told me he would extricate it and have it ready for my next trip if I wanted it.
I said I did, and then he didn’t even want a deposit.
“That’s not the way we do it down here. Your word is good enough, until it isn’t” Marcel (R) Phil (L)
“That’s not the way we do it down here. Your word is good enough, until it isn’t. I liked him immediately and knew he was a man I would enjoy doing business with.
Next he took us to the garage attached to his 100 year old frame house. The downstairs was filled with every kind of “smalls” including small boxes, glassware, pottery, antique clothing, folk art, etc, etc; and the tiny, about to collapse, upstairs loft was filled with hundreds of pottery washsets. There were some beauties, and this was a hot item at the time in Toronto. Prices ranged from $45cdn-$75cdn per set. We bought 8 of the nicest sets knowing we would get between $145cdn to $375cdn back home.
This was getting truly exciting.
We spent a terrific four hours or so with Marcel that first day and pulled away from his place, with half our money spent, and half our truck full of interesting, excellent quality, and reasonably priced stuff, not to mention the overwhelming sense of warmth, excitement and wonderment of that first glimpse into a Quebec picker’s life. We were hooked, and we knew it was the first of many more trips to see Marcel. For the Silo,Phil Ross.
Featured image courtesy of tourismecentreduquebec.com
Vancouver, B.C. – Art Vancouver, Western Canada’s largest international art fair is once again uniting the world through art, held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West on May 4–7, 2023.
Art Vancouver’s vision is a noble one that seeks to use the universal language of art to connect people from different parts of the world and to promote a sense of global community.
By bringing together artists and galleries from across Canada and around the world, Art Vancouver aims to showcase a diverse range of contemporary artwork that reflects the unique perspectives, experiences, and cultures of each participating artist.
Art Vancouver marks its 7th edition, welcoming 100+ exhibitors, making Vancouver a destination city for artists, collectors and art lovers alike. Unique to this year, is a panel discussion about the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and art, providing valuable insights and perspectives from experts in the field.
Artist talks, demonstrations and art classes are always a great way for attendees to learn new skills and techniques, and having more of them available means that more people can benefit from the educational opportunities.
Art Vancouver has put together a diverse and engaging program that offers something for everyone. Whether attendees are artists themselves, or simply enthusiasts of art and creativity, there should be plenty of opportunities to learn, engage, and be inspired.
Established in 2017, the non-profit organization was started to make art accessible to everyone, with the goal of promoting and developing Vancouver’s visual art community into a thriving international art scene. VVAF hosts their main annual event, Art Vancouver, a four-day international art fair showcasing artists from across Canada and around the world. For the Silo, Christina Ioannou.
2023 marks 103 years since women were legally allowed to vote in the United States and 107 years since women were provided suffrage in the Western provinces of Canada.
It’s been about 3 weeks since many women celebrated Women’s Equality Day.
This day marks a significant turning point in the history of the struggle for equal treatment of women and women’s rights. In acknowledgment, we decided to look at some of the most successful women in business and how they made their millions (or in some cases, billions!).
The barriers to progress for women in the workforce are troubling.
How organizations deal with these barriers in the future will determine how our societies progress. After all, why would you want to ignore nearly half of the world’s workforce?
It’s time to celebrate the achievements of those who are paving the way for our future female leaders, CEO’s, scientists, bankers, journalists and media moguls.
In this info-graphic, we’ll show you some interesting facts about the current state of women in the workplace, gender equality and the pay gap. We’ll also give you some lesser known facts about the inspirational women we’ve chosen to profile, with information on their most prolific achievements.
If you’re in need of some girl power or motivation, then look no further than these business women who broke the mold. For the Silo, Angus Kirk.
Beth Linder-Moss got interested in health and fitness at the age of 16 after her father had his first heart attack. After this devastating event, she and the other members of her family changed their habits for the better.
This week on her Podcast, Beth discusses the importance of a positive mindset and taking responsibility for one’s life. Here are her suggestions on how to fix a negative mindset.
The Four Ways
1. The power of the mind:
Beth emphasizes the importance of having a positive mindset and how it can help individuals achieve their goals. She talks about how the mind can be programmed to focus on positive thoughts and how this can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life.
2. Taking responsibility:
Beth stresses the importance of taking responsibility for one’s life and not blaming others for one’s circumstances. She encourages individuals to take control and make the necessary changes to achieve their goals.
3. Overcoming challenges:
Beth talks about how challenges and obstacles are a part of life, but they can also be opportunities for growth and learning. She encourages individuals to face their challenges head-on and not give up when faced with adversity.
4. The importance of self-care:
Beth emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself, both physically and mentally. She talks about how self-care can help individuals to maintain a positive mindset and achieve their goals.
“Focus on the positive, take control and do not give up when faced with challenges,” Beth told her audience. “It is easier said than done. To be at your best eat right, drink plenty of water, get your sleep and exercise.” For the Silo, Harold Nicoll.
The rise of AI is truly remarkable. It is transforming the way we work, live, and interact with each other, and with so many other touchpoints of our lives. However, while AI aggregates, dyslexic thinking skills innovate. If used in the right way, AI could be the perfect co-pilot for dyslexics to really move the world forward. In light of this, Virgin and Made By Dyslexia have launched a brilliant campaign to show what is possible if AI and dyslexic thinking come together. The film below says it all.
As the film shows, AI can’t replace the soft skills that index high in dyslexics – such as innovating, lateral thinking, complex problem solving, and communicating.
If you ask AI for advice on how to scale a brand that has a record company – it offers valuable insights, but the solution lacks creative instinct and spontaneous decision making. If I hadn’t relied on my intuition, lateral thinking and willingness to take a risk, I would have never jumped from scaling a record company to launching an airline – which was a move that scaled Virgin into the brand it is today.
Together, dyslexic thinkers and AI are an unstoppable force, so it’s great to see that 72% of dyslexics see AI tools (like ChatGPT) as a vital starting point for their projects and ideas – according to new research by Made By Dyslexia and Randstad Enterprise. With help from AI, dyslexics have limitless power to change the world, but we need everyone to welcome our dyslexic minds. If businesses fail to do this, they risk being left behind. As the Value of Dyslexia report highlighted, dyslexic skillsets will mirror the World Economic Forum’s future skills needs by 2025. Given the speed at which technology and AI have progressed, this cross-over has arrived two years earlier than predicted.
With all of this in mind, it’s concerning to see a big difference between how HR departments think they understand and support dyslexia in the workplace, versus the experience of dyslexic people themselves.
The new research also shows that 66% of HR professionals believe they have support structures in place for dyslexia, yet only 16% of dyslexics feel supported in the workplace. It’s even sadder to see that only 14% of dyslexic employees believe their workplace understands the value of dyslexic thinking. There is clearly work to be done here.
To empower dyslexic thinking in the workplace (which has the two-fold benefit of bringing out the best in your people and in your business), you need to understand dyslexic thinking skills. To help with this, Made By Dyslexia is launching a workplace training course later this year on LinkedIn Learning – and you can sign up for it now. The course will be free to access, and I’m delighted that Virgin companies from all across the world have signed up for it – from Virgin Australia, to Virgin Active Singapore, to Virgin Plus Canada and Virgin Voyages. It’s such an insightful course, designed by experts at Made By Dyslexia to educate people on how to understand, support, and empower dyslexic thinking in the workplace, and make sure businesses are ready for the future.
It’s always inspiring to see how Made By Dyslexia empowers dyslexics, and shows the world the limitless power of dyslexic thinking. If businesses can harness this power, and if dyslexics can harness the power of AI – we can really drive the future forward. Richard Branson, Founder at Virgin Group.
Berlin’s vibrant art scene just got a little more exciting with the opening of Selina Berlin Mitte, the latest property from skyrocketing hospitality company, Selina. Dubbed an ‘art-forward’ hotel, Selina Berlin Mitte boasts a guest concept that revolves around art and music, offering visitors a memorable cultural experience to feel like a local.
Located in the heart of Berlin’s Mitte district, Selina Berlin Mitte offers guests an eclectic mix of accommodations, including standard, suite, shared, and hybrid options.
I was offered one of the suites, and I literally felt like I had relocated to my very own apartment in Berlin, stocked with a kitchen, fridge, modern shower and bathroom, couch, vintage record player and expansive views of the city. Perfectly situated for exploring the city, the hotel is steps away from some of Berlin’s best design stores and boutiques, galleries, restaurants, shops, and bars.
If you are looking to socialize, Selina Berlin Mitte features a rooftop co-working and bar area, plus a restaurant with contemporary Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine called HOWM, a grab-and-go dining option available 24 hours, and even a communal kitchen.
If you grab a drink at the hotel rooftop, you will be surrounded by lounge seating, fun board games, and a 360-view of the city, including Berlin’s iconic TV Tower. Selina goers can meet up for a “welcome drink,” rooftop yoga classes and meditation sessions. If you are searching for activities on the property, you can choose from workshops, live music, DJ sets, art exhibits, and lectures.
Sprawled along the hotel walls are carefully curated artworks by Berliners and international artists, with installations highlighting mixed media– reclaimed wood, mirrors, and vintage art objects. Using earthy and hip furniture, Selina has an industrial feel that opens your eyes to innovation and connection. Common areas are filled with murals, while in-room art combines classical Berlin prints and artworks. Large-scale artistic works are woven throughout the reception area, rooftop, corridors, and suite rooms.
On a mission to keep digital nomads connected, enabling them to travel and work without borders, Selina has plans to open 10-15 hotels in 2023, catering to millennials and Gen Z travelers.
On April 14-16, Selina Berlin Mitte celebrated its opening with the “Welcome to the Hau(E)” event, a 3-day experience showcasing curated local programming, food pop-ups, wellness activities, live music DJs, and a local artisan market.
Selina Berlin Mitte is the “IT” hotel, where art and music lovers unite into a cultural melting pot. Book a stay and indulge in the avant-garde, art-centric German capital, and all it has to offer. For the Silo, Kat Fleischmann.
For more information or to book a stay at Selina Berlin Mitte, visit www.selina.com.
In an issue of The Watchtower magazine from a few years ago, no doubt was left as to how Jehovah’s Witnesses should treat family members who have been “disfellowshipped,” or ex-communicated, from the religion. “Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else – including the family bond,” warns the magazine on page 16, before asserting, “Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail.”
Shunning.
Jehovah’s Witness is not the only religion that calls upon its followers to ostracize anyone who leaves the faith. Described as psychological torture by University of California-Davis Professor Almerindo E. Ojeda, such social rejection is used in the United States by Anabaptists (the Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites), Scientology, and the Baha’i Faith, among others.
Some contemporary evangelical Protestant churches have renewed the practice of shunning, as in the case of a 71-year-old former Sunday school teacher who was arrested on trespassing charges after questioning her pastor’s authority.
The practice can have devastating consequences.
In 2011, Eric Reeder was disfellowshipped from the Jehovah’s Witnesses after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident that led to a blood transfusion – a medical treatment prohibited by the religion. His family subsequently shunned him in accordance with the faith’s rules.
Eric posted about his predicament in an online forum for ex-Witnesses in August of that year, admitting, “The only thing I am really going to miss is my folks … my dad is a hardcore elder and has told me he will no longer be able to speak to me 100% of the time.” In April 2012 he wrote that he was “still not used to my parents totally shunning me …” before adding, “It’s so hard … nobody should have to lose their parents twice.” By the end of September, Eric was found dead at age 51. He had killed himself.
Nobody can be certain what dark thoughts were swirling through Eric’s mind when he took his own life, or what finally drove him to such a desperate act. But we do know that in the preceding months, Eric was deeply tormented by the ostracism inflicted on him by members of his family.
While The Watchtower Society, the name of the legal entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, proudly publishes annual statistics related to its worldwide evangelism work, there are no official figures for those who are shunned, and no way to confirm how many of these former members, like Eric, feel desperate enough to take their own lives. However, one can find a great deal of anecdotal evidence on Internet forums frequented by Ex-Witnesses. One well-known researcher, Terri O’Sullivan, reported that being shunned worsens one’s mood within 60 seconds.
Ex- witness Richard E. Kelly is the Managing Director of AAWA and the author of Growing Up in Mama’s Club: A Childhood Perspective of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
In the absence of any popular or political impetus to address the issue of religion-incited shunning, I am proud to be part of an organization that dares to face it head on. Advocates for Awareness of Watchtower Abuses (AAWA) has been established to educate the world via its website (www.aawa.co) about some of Watchtower’s most shocking practices.
While these are often pardoned in the name of religious freedom, there are instances where governments have successfully sanctioned extreme shunning:
“The Jewish tradition frequently confronted this issue in the many Eastern European communities where the government outlawed the use of excommunication and shunning. Not surprisingly, when confronted with significant governmentally imposed sanctions against this practice, the Jewish authorities ceased using exclusion as a method of community formation or maintenance,” states an article by Michael J. Broyde, academic director of Emory University’s Law and Religion Program.
My colleagues and I believe that the shunning of relatives and friends represents mental and emotional abuse. Modern society must no longer allow Watchtower to promote this barbarous practice through printed word or otherwise. For the Silo Richard E. Kelly.
Julie Loeckx‘s colorful abstract artworks bring joy into any space, representing a kaleidoscopic universe brimming with zest for life and optimism. Using lines as influence, the endless experiment of color forms portraits with penetrating gazes and diverse emotions.
As a landscape architect with a Master’s in urban planning, she redesigned squares, streets and neighborhoods before entering project development. After discovering a box of watercolor paints in the attic, Julie experimented like an alchemist and abandoned her business life for a paintbrush.
Julie creates art with subtle nuances hidden in a poetic landscape, striking artifacts in an eclectic interior, drawing inspiration from colorful patterns on textile or jewelry. She finds external sources of inspiration: shopping windows, fashion, interiors, magazines, yet creates one recognizable signature in her artwork.
She uses painting as an outlet without boundaries and with a broad view of the world and in her paintings of women she channels feminism just in time for International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
She says, “Every woman is unique and scarred by life, resilient and determined, hesitant and searching, but always counting on a positive outcome. My paintings are sometimes bold and exuberant, or introspective and self-questioning, but always intense and passionate. They are a reflection of the woman behind the artist.”
Growing up as a daughter of two hippies and as a granddaughter of business people, she discovered painting at the age of 42 (mom of 3) and sold 100+ works, had national and international collaborations, including Levi’s Paint, and opened her own gallery in Antwerp in May 2022.
As westerners we’re used to running to the doctor for a prescription when we’re sick, but the down side to this is that many pharmaceuticals come with serious side effects.
That’s just one reason why Asians believe in helping the body heal from more natural methods. Sheri Laine studied under one of the great Chinese medicine masters and in her new book, Living the EnerQi Connection, she shares a profound understanding of Asian medicine and explains the many benefits people are realizing from switching to natural products.
Many of us have heard the words Eastern/ Chinese/Asian medicine, acupuncture, and chi, but we don’t really understand what they mean or the long tradition behind the culture of it. We are westerners. We are used to doctors in white lab coats rushing to meet with us and write a prescription for whatever problem we have at the moment. Living the EnerQi Connection (HCI Books – $12.95) presents a new idea to health, medicine, and introduces us to what those words really mean.
The book discusses Asian medicine as a whole, but one of the main points that it touches on is qi (pronounced “chee” and sometimes spelled chi). This is the energy that is constantly circling through our bodies. Sometimes the flow of our qi can become blocked in some way, because we’re tired or run down which can leave our bodies susceptible to illness. Sheri Laine, L.Ac, has developed a way through Asian medicine to help us maintain our health and keep our qi flowing.
In this book Laine presents the L.A.I.N.E. system, which stands for: Learn, Align, Inform, Natural, and Energy.
Each chapter of the book explains a part of her system to give us a better understanding of the concepts of the energy in our bodies and the energy around us. This will help us to take a more active stance on our lives, our health and our healing.
Laine shows us moments from her childhood when she loved to play doctor to her friends and family, giving them shots by sticking them with cactus needles and giving them medicine from the plants in her back yard. Many years later she is doing this again, but she is no longer playing make-believe. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are a powerful way for Laine to help enhance our qi and energy.
Doctor Richard Teh-Fu Tan LAc, OMD
Sheri Laine studied for many years under the Chinese medicine master, Richard Teh-Fu Tan. It is a long tradition that an apprentice study under a master for many years to get such an extensive knowledge of the medicine, the science, and the tradition behind it. This is how Laine is able to help us understand the concepts for ourselves so that we may apply them in our lives. She is the president of Eastern Medical Arts, a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and nutritionist, with a focus on Integrative Lifestyle Medicine.
“Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light. “–Theodore Roethke
Oriental Medicine draws from nature to diagnose internal medical challenges. We have all admired a great majestic tree. Your health is like that great majestic tree. The roots are your immune system, your qi essence, and the power of your qi essence. The branches of your tree are your subjective symptoms of a greater imbalance. The problem is not in a bad branch; it actually lies in the roots of the tree and within the soil that nourishes the tree, what is the underlying cause of distress?”– Chapter 2: Drawing from Nature: The Elements of EnerQi
For the last couple of decades the term “Outsider art” has come into popular use as a catch all phrase to describe the work of those who live “outside” society. Prisoners, religious visionaries, the institutionalized, and hermits all fall into this category.
It is quite often grouped together with folk art in that it is also primarily work by an untrained hand, but it differs in that the work is often more wildly imaginative, or “edgy”.
Back in the early 90’s, I was fortunate enough to participate in the second and third Outsider Art Fairs in New York. I was struck and amazed at the high levels of both positive and negative energy generated by the various works from around the world on display there.
Everything from giant nightmare fantasies to what could best be described as visions of heaven fighting it out side by side. It was intense and worthwhile. It was also an interesting lesson in marketing, in that I observed how a handful of powerful art dealers control and establish who is “hot” and how much these works were going to cost.
The newly found amazing collage/paintings of Henry Darger were presented initially at about $4,000 for a small one. The second year the price was $40,000.
The book had come out on the Chicago recluse who spent all his days writing his posthumously discovered 15,145-page, single-spaced fantasy manuscript called The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion, along with several hundred drawings and watercolor paintings illustrating the story. Beautiful and disturbing.
Betwixt and Between: Henry Darger’s Vivian Girls
[This is a picture of Elsie Paroubek who was murdered at the age of five in 1911 in Chicago. The picture is most likely to have come from the Chicago Daily News. It was one of many newspaper photos of children collected by artist Henry Darger. According to his autobiography, his copy of Miss Paroubek’s photo was in amongst some items that were stolen when his locker at work was broken into, and he was unable to locate the picture in the newspaper archives. The tragic death of Miss Paroubek and the loss of her image inspired him to begin writing his monumental fantasy novel “The Story of the Vivian Girls.” Miss Paroubek was a central character in the novel, under the name Anna Aronburg. Photo is in the public domain. Text excerpt from wikipedia CP]
In Canada, there are just a few documented artists who could be considered “outsiders”. There is Clarence Webster who drew interesting childlike pictures to cheer up the walls of his institutional room.
A very interesting visionary artist was Alma Rumball who lived in a rural Muskoka cabin. Following a vision of Jesus, she became a clairvoyant recluse, at age 50, creating prolific, intricate, coloured pen and ink drawings. She watched, as “The Hand” drew by itself, unfamiliar forms, faces, and characters, separate from her consciousness.
There is a good Vision T.V. documentary on this artist. Another example is Gilbert DesRochers, who after a religious vision moved to his brother’s farm near Perkinsfield, where he lived in a small trailer and attended church regularly, producing many religious based sculptures. He was discovered and documented by artist John Hartman in 1980 and a solo exhibition of his work was held at the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery from November 3, 1991 to March 1, 1992. For the Silo, by Phil Ross.
Featured image- The ascension of Gilbert DesRochers. Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
We work our asses off to buy stuff that we can’t enjoy because we are working our asses off to pay for the stuff we buy while diligently saving (or attempting to save) for our retirement which we keep pushing back because we keep working our asses off to buy yet more stuff to enjoy that we have to work our asses off to pay for, and there is always something else that we want or need or think we need (but really want) that we have to work our asses off to pay for and…
A generation ago somebody coined the phrase “rat race” to describe this phenomenon of modern consumerism, and the term stuck.
It’s wrong.
It ain’t a race.
You can win a race.
Modern consumerist life is a strictly no-win proposition, friends…
… and none of us gets out of here alive.
I began to think about this a few years ago, when I received a matched set of stainless steel rechargeable electric salt and pepper grinders as a gift.
Think about that: Electric salt and pepper grinders.
I am pretty sure this is an answer to a question nobody asked.
This gift made me ponder, and I came to some conclusions:
I must be one of those “hard-to-shop-for” people.
I’d rather have an LCBO gift card.
Grinding pepper over your mashed potatoes is apparently much more strenuous than I ever thought., that somebody decided the world needed this.
A gadget that doesn’t really save any appreciable time or effort and provides little entertainment required somebody to work to earn the money to purchase it.
Enough is enough.
Is mortal- consumerism (yep we just coined that CP) keeping society asleep?
At the time, I was working a gig that required me to work 12 hour days 6-7 days a week, put in 40 000 km a year behind the wheel of a car traveling to meet prospects, 75% of whom either don’t want or can’t afford what I am selling, so that I can afford the next toy/vacation/orthodontist payment/thing with the 50% of my income that the tax man has allowed me to keep. I was alienated from, and alienating, my kids, my wife, because of my absence from home life, and I became an overcompensating asshole for the same reason which increased the tension and…
…any of you out there who have climbed out of the wreckage of a crashed marriage know exactly where I’m coming from.
Actually, scratch that vacation part. At the time I hadn’t taken more than a long weekend off in over a decade.
And I thought I was successful.
I began to question where I was going, what I was doing, and why.
Frankly, I figured enjoying retirement is a myth.
That whole “Freedom 55” thing? Bullshit.
First, you gotta get there. With my diet, hours, stress level and number of miles driven every year, the odds were good I wasn’t gonna make it.
Second, you gotta pay for it. You need to keep squirreling away the cash, tending your investments, watching your nest egg grow, deferring and sacrificing today for the dream of a better tomorrow…
….As long as the market doesn’t tank, your health holds up, property values don’t plummet, or your kids don’t move back in, with their kids.
Money may not buy happiness, but always feeling like you don’t have enough will make you bitchy as hell.
I was sitting in the cockpit of our old, small, paid-for sailboat one morning, enjoying a cup of coffee when it hit me:
As a society we are conditioned to approach life like a big twin-engine cabin cruiser- heavy consumption, lots of noise, lots of flash, throwing a big wake. Unless you are getting noticed, you’re not succeeding.
I finally figured out that there is a lot to be said for living a NO wake lifestyle.
But how?
With a bit of soul searching we realized we had to quit confusing our wants with our needs.
My wife and I realized that we were perfectly content spending time on our old, small, paid-off boat in our low-cost slip on our no-frills dock. We didn’t need a bigger boat on a fancier dock.
And we didn’t need new cars. As long as the old cars keep running , it is always gonna be cheaper to fix ‘em than replace ‘em. If I need a new whip to impress you, you’re likely not worth impressing.
Besides, there’s something real liberating about parking wherever you damn well please, because dings and scratches just don’t matter.
And we didn’t need a $20 000 kitchen reno or a $10 000 bathroom makeover. Or a bigger house. Or a bigger garage.
Or a bigger mortgage.
For a longer time.
With fatter payments.
We didn’t need to stand in line to be grilled by a soul-patch sporting “barista” first thing in the morning just to get a simple cup of coffee which costs as much as a Happy Meal, when we had a perfectly good underused coffee maker on the kitchen counter.
We needed to live life NOW, on OUR terms.
A funny thing happened. By deciding what we could live without, we could now afford to live.
With less financial stress, I didn’t need to be on the road, living out of a car and fueling up on fast food three meals a day. My wife and I discovered that cooking dinner together was a great way to re-connect at the end of the workday. Chopping, sautéing, stirring with a glass of wine while recapping our respective days beats the hell out of eating a Whopper an hour from home.
We didn’t have to save dining at restaurants with tablecloths for a special occasion to fit the budget.
We could afford to drink the bottles of wine we could only read about before.
We could take vacation days without figuring out what we had to sacrifice to make up for the lost wages.
Hell, we could take whole damn vacations, for that matter!
The sunsets look just as pretty from a small, paid-off sailboat as it does from the bridge of a six-figure cabin cruiser.
The rum goes down just as well.
And I can enjoy it instead of working to afford it.
As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic and challenging mental health issues, it’s more important than ever to find ways to bring joy and beauty into our lives. One way to do this is by infusing our living spaces with personality, whether it’s our homes, offices, or our boats. For refined yacht owners, it’s natural to diverge towards things that bring comfort on-board – including art.
Not falling short on sophistication, the real value of art lies in its ability to inspire and uplift us. In practicality, however, when it comes to decorating a yacht, there are a few key concerns to keep in mind.
It’s important to consider the amount of art one wants to display. While it might be tempting to fill every inch of wall space with your favorite pieces, it’s important to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality. An overcrowded space can be overwhelming and distract from the overall design. Equally essential, durability is a crucial factor to consider as art on-board will be exposed to elements like water and must withstand rough seas. Fortunately, there are experts in yacht customization that can deliver art in the most practical way.
For yacht owners, the key areas where art can really make a difference are the master bedroom, living area, and bathroom. In the master bedroom, a carefully chosen piece can create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, while in the living area, a bold and eye-catching piece can be the perfect conversation starter. In the bathroom, a fun and whimsical piece can add a touch of lightness.
For those who wish to incorporate contemporary art, The Margulies Warehouse boasts an extensive collection, featuring artists such as Jennifer Steinkamp and Daniela Wicki, who play with the symbiosis of materials and technology. Another great choice for those with eclectic taste and looking for individual pieces is The Gallery by Rudolf Budja, which offers a selective collection of texturized canvases and photography sure to impress any art lover.
Delving into ways to bring art on board, it is captivating to incorporate design elements into the very fabric of the yacht itself, a popular trend in yacht design. For example, Futurestones and KMD are experts in creating stone finishes. They transform spaces and bring a unique energy to the yacht with the use of murals and large-scale artwork as a backdrop for the interior. These details help create a cohesive design aesthetic and add a touch of personality to the vessel.
At the most recent Miami Discovery Boating Show, I observed a surge in stylish watercrafts, ranging from medium-sized yachts to super yachts.
One brand that stood out to me as an excellent example of balance in design elements is Fiart Mare, particularly their 35′ Seawalker and 39′ Seawalker models. These boats offer an exceptional combination of functionality and Italian design, maximizing the available cabin space. Yacht Creators, the exclusive dealer for Fiart Mare, has collaborated with top shipyards worldwide to bring unparalleled interior design to the US market.
In addition to Fiart Mare, Yacht Creators represents other renowned brands such as Prime Yachts, Van Der Valk, Leven Yachts, and Waterdream, all of which are built with exceptional craftsmanship and worth the time for someone who dreams of building and owning something special.
For me, interior design on yachts is “art on art”.
While yacht craftsmanship is a complex process that involves multiple layers of design, art on board can take many forms, from custom-designed furniture and fixtures to entire walls/doors adorned with intricate patterns and designs. These bespoke furnishings can range from tables and chairs to lighting and cabinetry, and serve to enhance the yacht’s individuality and make it truly one-of-a-kind.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to bringing a touch of artistic flair to a vessel and creatively maxing out cabin space. So whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, don’t be afraid to bring a little bit of art on board your life – and your yacht.
For the Silo, Nancy Gonzalez/Private Yacht Finance. Featured image: Fiart Seawalker 35.
Kubrick. Scott. Which one of these directors needs their first name in order to be recognized by most movie watchers? Yeah, thought so. Let’s try this introduction another way: Kubrick. Ridley Scott. Ah that’s better.
Regardless of who is more recognizable, the fact remains that both of these cinema geniuses created masterpieces on celluloid.
Stanley Kubrick’s work dates earlier than Sir Ridley’s films ( 1977’s The Duellists) by almost a quarter century (1953’s Fear And Desire) but this is balanced by the fact that Scott continues to make films. The upcoming Napoleon will be his 18th feature film since 1999- when Kubrick tragically passed away shortly after finishing Eyes Wide Shut.
There are many films to choose from when picking a movie that is Stanley’s masterpiece but Barry Lyndon is receiving a renewed interest from film critics and writers. Shot entirely by natural light and candle light, Barry Lyndon required the assistance of NASA since it required an entirely new kind of camera lens to capture the scenes and oh those scenes!
There is something familiar about them….have I seen them before in a later film from another director perhaps?
1982’s Blade Runner is heralded as the de facto science fiction film due to its own innovations. It offered a serious look at a believable and highly stylistic future and the earliest on screen representation of cyberpunk. The sets, scenes, compositions of shots, costumes and overall atmosphere were unlike anything seen on film before….or were they? Let’s take a look at both Barry Lyndon and Blade Runner side-by-side.
As I continue to compare and unravel more similarities I will update this post but in the meantime if you know of something I have missed please feel welcome to add your thoughts and discoveries in the comments section below. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.
The World Happiness Report has anointed Finland as the world’s happiest country for six years straight. What makes a Nordic land with 5,5 million people so happy? In Helsinki, the capital of Finland, art and culture make the city a good place to live and visit.
According to the UN-published report, Finns rate highly on key issues such as a high level of education, affordable healthcare, social stability, and positive work-life balance. But it’s not just these societal indicators that affect how Finns view their quality of life – Culture and art are highly prized aspects as well.
“We see a vibrant cultural sphere that is accessible and affordable for all citizens as a major contributor to everyday happiness. And we are looking at culture through a broad lens: from urban city culture, to sauna culture, to high-end cultural offerings, such as the world-famous Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s a diverse mix,” according to Reetta Heiskanen, Deputy Culture Director at the City of Helsinki.
Sauna culture
In Helsinki, cultural events are designed for everybody, regardless the socioeconomic status, with world-class ambition. The city’s expanding cultural life makes the city a more exciting and diverse place for residents and visitors.
Photo: Julia Kivelä, Visit Finland
“Good examples are the Helsinki Festival and Flow Festival that draw international music lovers’ and urban hipsters’ attention to Helsinki every August. As well as the Helsinki Biennial, a visual art festival in summer – dealing this year with the wicked problems of our time, such as environmental crisis, political conflicts, and the consequences of technological development,” Heiskanen says.
“In Helsinki, culture belongs to everyone. For example, in the Culture Kids program, every child from Helsinki born in the 2020s has a cultural institution as a host, through whom the children and their families get a personal touch with art,” she adds.
Culture Supports Economy
Helsinki has a Nordic approach to art and culture: A unique urban culture is a key enabler of a good life – and culture also supports economic wellbeing.
Culture and events make Helsinki an enjoyable, dynamic, and attractive city. Cultural events boost economic development – while the city government is flexible, people and businesses find the city easy to work with when arranging events, big or small.
But what good would it be to provide interesting cultural offerings if people don’t have the time and energy to enjoy them? If you are working long hours, wouldn’t the sofa be the best option after a long day?
The answer is Finland’s emphasis on work-life balance. This year, Helsinki placed second in the Forbes worldwide work-life balance index of major cities. Generous paid leave and flexible work arrangements, such as hybrid and remote working, were among the factors cited for the high ranking.
“It’s a Nordic dream, a good everyday life, which you can achieve in Helsinki. This means that you can build a successful career and still have enough time and energy for a flourishing personal life and cultural experiences. A vibrant culture creates an attractive city that is easy to fall in love with,” Heiskanen concludes.
Unleash Your Curiosity About Finnish Culture
This year offers unique cultural offerings in Helsinki throughout the year. There are multiple great exhibition openings, such as world-famous Tom of Finland and Albert Edelfelt, in Ateneum, Finnish National Museum of Art, which will open its doors after a year-long renovation, and Helsinki Biennial, a contemporary art event, taking place for the second time in summer 2023, June 12th until September 17th. For the Silo, Leena Karppinen.
Desrocher’s Whitehorse- a very nice folk art piece acquired by the author.
What is folk art? Any precise definition of art is by nature a slippery process and open to question.
“Folk art” is a term applied to diverse objects, like a highly organized Mennonite fracture drawing which expresses a collective, ethically based decorative tradition. Yet it is also applied to the more individualistic outpourings of any untrained painter, sculptor or other art practitioner.
Folk art is usually one step beyond the mundane. Not just a container to bring water to the mouth for survival (cupped hands for example), but instead a cup lovingly fashioned to bring pleasure or attract notice even when it is not being used, such as an intricately carved canoe cup.
On another level we can simply say that folk art is the art of ordinary people. It is sometimes called “primitive art” or “the people’s art” because by definition the artist has not been academically trained.
Folk art is made for one or more of three reasons: to share beliefs and traditions, to make some useful object beautiful, or to express one’s feelings.
Folk art, by definition has been produced and appreciated since cavemen and women started smearing blood and feces on cave walls, but the academic study of folk art is a relatively new thing. An English writer named William John Thomas first coined the phrase “folk lore” in 1848. At the time most anthropologists considered folklore to be worthless peasant creations. They were more interested in studying artifacts such as weapons and tools. It was through popularized folk tales by the likes of the Brothers Grimm that peasant traditions and art forms became interesting to the intellectual class.
I would argue that folk art did not show up on the radar of fine art institutions until around the turn of the century in Paris when Pablo (Picasso) and the boys flipped-out over the African art they saw for the first time, and started producing what today is called modern art. This led to a wider acceptance of all forms of art.
Folk art has become increasingly popular and more frequently studied in Canada, beginning in earnest after Expo ’67 gave us a greater appreciation of who we are as a nation. For the Silo, Phil Ross.
Featured image- Selections from Jim Linderman’s collection of folk art sewer pipe sculptures made by workers from leftover pipe clay. Photo: Oresti Tsonopoulos
JG O’Donoghue imagines a ‘versus’ scenario to demonstrate the struggle of ‘languages at risk’
There is a mass decline in linguistic diversity happening all over the planet and in places geographically far apart and I think that if things don’t change, the loss of language diversity will be immense.
In the book, Irish in the globalcontext, Suzanne Romaine mentions that linguists believe, that 50 to 90 % of the world’s estimated 6,900 languages will simply vanish over next 100 years.
At this moment in time, 85% of the world’s languages have fewer than 100,000 speakers and over half of the world’s remaining languages are spoken by just .2 % of the world’s population. These facts have informed my work and have become the wider subject of my illustrations, specifically the linguistic decline of the Irish language.
In some ways the battle between the Irish and the English languages is one of the defining features in modern Irish culture, but it is Irish which defines this island more, and the Irish language tells the entire history of Ireland in its influences and in its form.
Ruairí Ó hUiginn said in his book The Irish language: you have influences of Latin from the Christianization of Ireland in ecclesiastical words, influences from Viking invasions in words for “seafaring, fishing and trade”, influences from the militaristic Normans [ French CP] in words for “architecture, administration and warfare”, and from English colonialism you get English in every day words.
“To create my intended mood, the english words are given a general typography while the Irish words are given a distinctive script reminiscent of Geoffrey Keating’s book Foras Feasa ar Eirinn”
Each influence shows an aspect of Irish culture. What people forget to realize is that a language is much more than something spoken to express oneself. Ancient peoples created language in an attempt to describe the world around them and the world within them, in other words their worldview.
An example in Irish is- you don’t say ‘I’m angry’, you say ‘tá fearg orm’, which means ‘I have an anger on me’.
Nevertheless, Irish is important internationally too, and Irish is the third oldest written language in Europe, after Latin and Greek, and as a spoken language it may even be older than both.
How should an artist illustrate a language? And more specifically the struggle of one language with another? I choose nature as my metaphor, from the ancient forests of Ireland, mostly gone now, to Islands which stand for thousands of years but are slowly worn away by the tide. The words that make up these landscapes are either ‘for’ or ‘against’.
My illustrations therefore visualize the real life drama of ancient language versus modern language.
I imagine a “versus” scenario. On the “against” side I chose English words plucked from peoples statements in online forums and in letters to newspapers. On the “for” side I chose Irish words, and they were chosen from recent investigations into the creation of the ancient Irish language. Irish words in my illustrations such as “dúchas (heritage), tír (country), litríocht(literature), and stair(history)” reflect the Irish language’s cultural importance, while “Todhchaí(future), féinmhuinín(self-confidence), beatha(life), and anam(soul)” reflect its importance in a metaphysical way to Ireland.
The Irish language forest- An Coill Teanga Gaeilge
The english ‘against’ words can range from the practical benefits of english within subjects such as “tourism, movies, business, and comics,” to words that reflect the interaction of English speakers with Irish. To illustrate the concept, I chose words like “conform, bend, harass, and adapt”.
To create my intended mood, the english words are given a general indistinctive typography reflecting uniform mono-linguilism, while the Irish words are given a distinctive Irish manuscript/Gaelic script reminiscent of Geoffrey Keating’s 17th century book- Foras Feasa ar Éirinn/History of Ireland.
The core message in my illustrations is a positive one, the sun is rising for a new day as the Irish language holds on, like a lot of minority languages. It is diminished but not beyond hope. I believe it can make a comeback, and this is exactly what is happening all over this country today, because of the work of people far more dedicated than myself. I hope my work can help reinforce linguistic diversity as well as all forms of heritage. I have the will to preserve these for future generations, so they too can live in a world full of diversity spending their lives discovering and exploring it in all its beautiful variety.
Let’s go back to 2016 and re-consider how the works highlighted below are more relevant today than ever when asking “What is and isn’t art?”. The recent surge in AI and chatbot produced ‘art’ has created new challenges in recognition, interpretation and validation. Or has it? [J.Barker Content Producer for The Silo] It became immediately apparent that the rephrasing of the question “What is art?” to “What isn’t art?” signaled a dissolution of the boundary separating metaphor from reality.
Since, citizen and artist alike have been plunged headlong into the bacchanals of postmodernity, and the question has been obscured under a heap of incongruous discourse and subtexts.
Eva Davidova multimedia installation view
Two curious and intrepid artists offer their answers to this exhausting and illuminating question in their discussions of unexplored spaces and shifting subtexts.
Painter and multimedia artist Eva Davidova tests the digital waters of virtual reality through immersive, programmatic experiences. Articulating the conviction that emerging technology is obliged to transcend commercial application, Davidova’s phantasmagoric 3D renderings attempt to draw the strings away from the hands of big business. Topics mentioned include the beauty of academic reciprocity, the fiscal realities of living in the metropolis, and the future of collaborative artistic environments.
Julie Mehretu’s Dispersion
Behind the meticulous and sweeping abstract landscapes from the mind of Julie Mehretu are subtle societal and historical cues, which inform and enrich the surface of her paintings. In her ebullient interview, Mehretu speaks of the benefits and restrictions that arise from using architectural semantics to ground explorations of political and social change.
Wrought from countless painterly quotations, the identity of Mehretu’s brushstroke vanishes the moment it falls under interpretation.
The elusive and curious nature of the Ethiopian artist’s aesthetic experiments, coupled with a steady ethical subtext make for an engaging and memorable listen.
Featured image- “A Questionable Tale(#1)” 2022 Marina Zurkow/DALL-E (AI)
Breaking a leg is never an easy experience, and even though Canada has free healthcare, there can be other medical bills that come with it and they can be overwhelming. And what happens if you were traveling and had an injury outside of the country- what then? In addition to the physical pain and recovery process, you may also have to worry about how to pay for these other medical expenses. In this article, we’ll explore some of the steps you can take to pay for your doctor’s bills after breaking your leg.
Image: castnews.org this site profiles girls with casts in bikinis. Not. Even. Joking.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
The first step to take when facing medical bills is to check your insurance coverage. If you have health insurance as an extra, you may be covered for some or all of the expenses associated with your leg injury. Check with your insurance provider to understand the limits and deductibles of your policy. Understand any out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-payments or coinsurance.
Consider Financing Options
Is the payment plan not working for you? No worries! You can find an emergency loan in Canada that can be a viable option to help you pay your bill on time. Many financial institutions and online lenders offer emergency loans for unforeseen expenses, including medical bills. These loans can provide quick access to funds to cover your medical costs, allowing you to focus on recovery.
Before choosing an emergency loan, it’s essential to research your options and compare interest rates and fees to ensure you select the option that works best for your financial situation. Ensure you understand the loan agreement’s terms and conditions before signing up.
Negotiate the Medical Bills
When you receive a bill for medical services related to your leg injury, ask for an itemized bill. This will allow you to see exactly what you’re being charged for such as an ambulance fee and identify any errors or discrepancies. Once you have an itemized bill, you can try negotiating with your healthcare provider or hospital. Explain your situation and ask if they can reduce the bill or set up a payment plan that works for you. If you’re uncomfortable negotiating independently, you can seek assistance from a medical billing advocate or attorney.
Set up a Payment Plan
If you cannot pay your medical bills fully, you can work with your healthcare provider to set up a payment plan. Many providers are willing to work with patients to develop a payment plan that fits their budget. When setting up a payment plan, make sure you understand the terms and conditions. You should know how much you’ll be expected to pay each month, when payments are due, and whether there are any penalties for late payments. Sticking to the payment schedule is vital to avoid accruing late fees or other penalties.
Look for Assistance Programs
Another option you can look for is financial assistance programs from non-profit organizations or government agencies. These programs help individuals who cannot pay for medical services on their own. Research the available options and apply for assistance if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Paying medical bills after you have an injury can be daunting. However, several financing options are available to help you cover your medical expenses. The key is to research your options carefully, compare interest rates and fees, and understand the terms and conditions of any financing agreement before signing up. By doing so, you can effectively manage your medical expenses and focus on your recovery without undue financial stress.
