Category Archives: Golden Rule

To the Editor:

I find it interesting the response we are having to vaccines and masks. Often I hear arguments against these that are couched in terms of a personal freedom of choice that the authorities have no right to curb our freedoms. So, lets talk about freedom. Freedom is not about what one can or cannot do, but rather about what one ought to do. We can kill someone, but that does not mean it should be allowed. We can drive on the opposite side of the road, but allowing that would not benefit society. This is in part because our rights end at the point they would impinge upon someone elses. Even our Constitution is drafted along this line of thought. The document begins with the word We. It is a set of rules to promote the general welfare among other common ideals. It is written towards the betterment of society by guaranteeing individual freedoms. It delineates individual rights that are properly directed to the good of society. But there are no free lunches, it also demands we accept responsibility when we exercise these freedoms. In this way we are accountable to exercise our rights without trampling on those of our neighbors.

The history of mankind universally portrays us as communal beings. As such, we are called to serve the community. All our individual actions should reinforce this ideal. Freedom demands rules towards this end. These rules should guide our behavior to make clear what is needed to preserve community. It seems some think freedom means no rules dont tell me how to act. Well, in fact, without rules there is no freedom. Without rules there is only chaos. Take for instance the game of chess. It is one of the freest games, so free that it takes supercomputers to develop winning strategies. The board itself sets boundaries, but without rules that govern each piece there is no game. If each piece moves however it chooses, then there is only chaos. There are many other clear examples of how our individual behaviors must be guided by rules for the good of society. So, it is not what we can do but what we ought to do that gives us freedom. In our society, these two forces are balanced. What we ought to do is defined by our rules for the benefit of society. The adage think locally but act globally, the golden rule, our Constitution are all manifestations of this notion of freedom.

Yes, I wear a mask and I am vaccinated, not just for COVID but for diseases that can generally harm society. Yes, my actions are selfish, because they protect me; but, they are also for the benefit of our communityit protects my wife, my family, and you. I do this to respect your freedom, and mine. I do it as a small attempt at humility, my attempt to put your safety before mine. It is my way to act individually in a manner that benefits you and me in short, it is what I ought to do!

Scott O'Neil,

Ridgecrest

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Letter to the editor: Vaccines and masks | Opinion | ridgecrestca.com - Ridgecrest Daily Independent

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Dominion Energy is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the work of Hispanic employees, as well as working to strengthen the relationship with the Hispanic community it serves.

Dominion says that it wants Spanish-speaking customers to know that assistance is available. Bilingual employees like Ileana Fiegel, who works as a customer assistance outreach assistant in Charleston, are happy to make sure all customers feel supported by the company.

We are the human side of an energy company, Fiegel said. We treat all our customers with respect the Golden Rule.

She said that being bilingual brings an understanding of the shared experience of being immigrants. Youre not just a translator, youve been in their shoes.

Fiegel helps customers familiarize themselves with things like thermostat controls, and counsels them on efficient use of their systems. She also helps connect customers in need with programs designed to help them financially.

Recently, one customer was so moved by the accomodations Dominion made, thanks to Fiegels help, that she wrote a letter expressing her gratitude.

These kind of interactions with our customers touch my soul, Fiegel said. Educacin es poder. Knowledge is power.

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Dominion Energy working to strengthen relationship with Hispanic community - WCBD News 2

NEW BEDFORD With movies such as Hocus Pocus 2, Spirited, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Boston Strangler filming around the area, many scenes will also require background actors and anyone can submit.

What is a background actor? Also known as an extra, its a performer in a film or television production who appears in the background of a scene as a nonspeaking character.

Actors can get hired to be on a set for one day or 100 days. For example, Kathy C. An(also know as "Bokhee")has appeared in the background as a scrub nurse in every season of Greys Anatomy 267 episodes to be exact.

In fact, professional background actors who work weekly on a set can make around $58,000 annually.

You don't need any acting experience, says Lorna Brunelle, who has been with Boston Casting for 22 years. For background actors, it's not really so much about skill. It's about the look.

Brunelle has served as an acting coach, a consultant, a casting director and a teacher while at the Boston casting agency. She is also a freelance casting agent and a teacher at the Burtwood School of Performing Arts in Middleboro.

Extras sought for 'Hocus Pocus 2.' The sequel will be filmed in and around Providence RI.

We have a file and anyone interested in background work can upload their two photos and contact information, she said. And then we just automatically send emails out and then the potential background actor can respond, Yes or no, if they're available.

Brunelle says her best advice is to have a great attitude if selected to be on a set. I always attributed this to being like at a masterclass that you get paid for, she said. Youre on set with A-list celebrities watching them work their craft in front of you.

Matt Bouldry, president of CP Casting, has cast roles for Boston-based movies such as Little Women, Jungleland, Manchester by the Sea and Spotlight.

Hollywood in New Bedford: Why the city continues to be overlooked as a filming location

Being available and showing up to work, on time, with the right wardrobe is a golden rule, he added. Bouldry is casting roles for "Hocus Pocus 2, alongside Kendall Cooper Casting who is in charge of casting extras.

Interested in being a background actor? Heres some advice from Brunelle and Bouldry on what to expect and how to act on a film set:

When submitting a photo for consideration, it doesnt have to a professional headshot. In fact, the casting experts say that a selfie in natural lighting will suffice. Clear photos that are candid and recent, said Bouldry. We want to know what you look like exactly, today, and when you show up on the set you look just like your photo.

As Brunelle said before, casting background is all about the look. It's all about the pieces of the puzzle, she added.

Although the photo doesnt have to be in a specific costume, people submitting should still be smart. A hairstyle or the way a beard is trimmed, might get you selected over others, Brunelle said, specifically if its for a period-piece.

It doesnt matter if an actor has 50 credits or zero on their resume. The casting experts say being honest and brief about your past experiences help to indicate what kind of work ethic youll have while on set.

If someone says, I've been an extra on this and that, it helps, it means they know what to expect and survived being an extra and want to do it again, said Bouldry.

Brunelle says that you dont need acting experience, just common sense. Background actors will get directed and its then your job to select the right emotion or reaction.

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Brunelle also said that once you lock in your reaction or movement for the scene, its important to continue doing the same thing for continuity.

What is continuity? Its ensuring all the details in a scene are consistent from shot to shot so that when a scene is edited it flows seamlessly giving a sense of realism.

If they're shooting a scene where everyone has to have those same reactions of surprise, said Brunelle. You want to reenact that over and over again consistently.

it's also important that you don't distract or pull focus.

Film sets are all about keeping to a schedule. If selected, you will be scheduled for a COVID-19 screening, a wardrobe fitting and then given a call time for reporting to set. Its expected that youre not a minute late.

To quote William Shakespeare, Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. Brunelle says the goal should be to show up early being on time is a major rule.

Film life is all about hurrying up to be ready… only to wait around until youre needed. Crew members want to be able to snap their fingers and have someone ready at once.

The whole industry is about being on time, being gracious, smiling and just knowing that you're going to have to wait, Bruenelle said.

Arrive early and well rested, Bouldry added.

In rare cases, some background actors might sit the entire day waiting only to not be used at all. Its all part of the business. Still, they are being paid.

'Hocus Pocus 2' crew shops for the set at New Bedford antique shop here's what they bought

Movies generally film about 2 minutes of a movie per day, Bouldry said. Expect a lot of WAITING around.

In one example, while filming an outside scene in Providence, cast and crew sat around for three hours waiting for a cloud to stop blocking the sun before resuming filming.

Filming can go for at least 12 hours. If youre over the age of 18, Brunelle says to expect to be on set for 12 to 16 hours. Even if filming starts at 5 p.m., the shoot may become an overnight experience. And dont expect a wrap (end) time.

It's never appropriate to ask anyone when you're going to start shooting or how long you're going to be there, Brunelle said. It's not cool to repeatedly ask when you're wrapping or when break is.

Thus, Brunelle says to plan accordingly such as packing snacks, making sure the garage you parked your car in is open 24 hours so youre not locked out at the end of a shoot. Brunelle also suggests getting a friend to do background with you, so you can carpool.

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Although, every six hours actors are served a meal and usually snacks and drinks are available.

Also, when deciding on wardrobe, Brunelle said when she first did background acting, she made the mistake of wearing high heels and standing in them for 16 hours. Her best advice, specifically to women, is to think hard on what types of outfits they feel comfortable wearing all day long.

Being upgraded on a set means that you could be select to be more front and center in a scene or be given a line. Bouldry says there are usually eight to 10 upgrades during a movie.

Brunelle said while filming background for the film Ted, she was upgraded because the production team liked the Kentucky Derby-like hat she was wearing. The next thing she knew, she was sitting in the front row in the wedding scene.

Brunelle also said its not unusual for a director to select a background actor to react with a line such as Whoa, thats awesome or Wow.

However, background actors should wait to be directed and never suggest anything to the director or ask if they can say a line. Its the directors vision, not yours, she said.

Brunelle said one of the cardinal rules of a film set is to never take a photo and post it on social media before the release of the film.

A lot of actors that start out, get super excited and post all over social media, said Brunelle. Its inappropriate because it can spoil plotlines, in some cases, and also give away location shoots that are under wraps.

However, Brunelle saidthat, if allowed, actors shouldnt be afraid to take pictures to relive the memories and post after the film premieres.

Related: LGBTQ+ Winter Film Series helps fund local short film shooting in the Azores

Bouldry also says that actors should never interact with the cast members. Actors can be booted from a set easily. Actors need to stay focused for the performance and shouldnt have to worry about being interrupted by a fan.

You don't really engage unless they're engaging with you, Brunelle said.

Finally, Brunelle and Bouldry both echo to most importantly have a positive attitude while on the set. Its exciting to be on a film set, but it can also be exhausting.

Positivity is key.

There is a lot of waiting and people are sort of like put off by that in the beginning, Brunelle said. But it's really just about getting a great product in the end. Its about taking multiple takes over and over and over and over again.

Like everything that you invest in; if it's gonna be perfect, you have to be patient. Just keep a positive mindset… Youre here. You made it!

If interested in doing background or be considered for a role in a film, you can enter your information into the database for Boston Casting and/or CP Casting here.

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached atschitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

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Want to be an 'extra' in Hocus Pocus 2 or Spirited? Here's what you need to know - SouthCoastToday.com

Mariam Mohamed reads her book to class. (FOX 9)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Mariam Mohamed, a fourth-grade teacher in Minneapolis is celebrating an exciting new chapter. Not only has she authored multiple books, but now one of her books is being made into a short film aimed at representing Somali children.

"They remind me of myself," she said. "I think this is why I teach at an all-Somali school."

Mariam Mohamed, a fourth grade teacher in Minneapolis is celebrating an exciting new chapter. Not only has she authored multiple books, but now one of her books is being made into a short film aimed at representing Somali children.

At Banaadir Elementary, a charter school in northeast Minneapolis, Mohameds students are captivated each time she reads one of the three books shes authored within her seven years of teaching.

"I want them to see an authority figure like a teacher -- who resembles them. Because when I was growing up, I had nothing but white teachers, and I couldnt see myself or picture myself as a teacher," Mohamed said. "I just hope Im showing them that you can do it too."

The books are about young Muslim children, especially young girls Mohamed knows are underrepresented in literature and mainstream entertainment.

Some filmmakers and production companies agree, and now Mohameds most popular book about a grandmothers golden rule is being turned into a short animated film. "Ayeeyo's Golden Rule" is set to debut on YouTube later this fall.

"Aeeyas golden rule means a lot to me because its based on a true story," she said. "It was based off of a student I was working with my first year of teaching ever, and she was newer to the country and how she was really picked on and bullied."

Mohameds goal is to write a lot more and turn this film opportunity into a series, with her students at the top of her mind.

"Ive just seen how hungry the students I work with are to be represented. Its just not fair at this point," Mohamed said. "I want to do it for them more than me, to be honest. I dont have to get a penny off of it."

As a teacher, each book centers around lessons of empathy, people young and old can learn from.

"Theres a bigger reason that I write, and its for everybody," she said. "Because through literature, especially childrens literature, while they are still young and their minds are being molded, I feel like thats where you can really make an impact and an influence, and bridge that gap."

Mohameds books are available on Amazon and Target or through her website.

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Children's book written by Minneapolis teacher to be animated short film, provide Somali representation - FOX 9

Sixers center Joel Embiid and Nuggets pivot Nikola Jokic have been pushing each other to unprecedented heights.

Atlanta Hawks coach Nate McMillan believes big men entering the league from other countries thrive because they were taught the fundamentals of the game at a young age.

That grasp of the all-around game has helped international big men dominate the NBA.

Last seasons MVP voting confirmed the return to prominence of big men in the NBA. The voting also highlighted the dominance of big men from other countries.

Denvers Nikola Jokic of Serbia was theMVP winner,followed by Philadelphias Joel Embiid from Cameroon. Milwaukees Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece finished fourth in the voting and was theNBA Finals MVP. Golden States Stephen Curry was third as the only guard in the top four.

Meanwhile, Utahs Rudy Gobert from France won his thirddefensive player of the yearaward. Atlantas Clint Capela from Switzerland was the NBAs top rebounder.

McMillan says some U.S. players are missing the lessons of the triple threat skills of shoot, pass and dribble toward the basket that were learned by the players in other nations.

I just think they come in with the basic fundamentals, more so than our players do, McMillan said Tuesday.

It used to be a lot of that, but now our guys are not spending as much time in those types of programs. You dont spend four years in college anymore where coaches can develop those basic fundamentals of the triple threat.

McMillan then paused before asking, You know the triple threat? You say that to one of our guys and its like Give me the ball and let me just

McMillan didnt have to finish the sentence. He could have said Let me just dunk or let me just score.

Jokic, who averaged 8.3 assists while also posting big scoring and rebounding numbers, flourished while also making his teammates better.

Jokic isnt motivated to dominate the spotlight on the court. Thats also the way he lives.

I dont want to raise my celebrity status, Jokic said. You can control that in some way. I dont have social media. I would rather nobody knows me than everybody knows me, you know. So, its much better if nobody knows me.

Embiid couldnt escape the spotlight while averaging 28.5 points last season. He added 2.8 assists per game and wants to be known for his play on the other end of the court.

I have aspirations to be the defensive player of the year, Embiid said at the 76ers preseason media day. I think I have to be more active and its hard to do because offensively Im also asked to do a lot. I dont mind. I love it. I love carrying a team on both ends. I think thats what probably makes me special, because I do it on both ends.

Capela led the league with 14.3 rebounds while making almost 60% of his shots from the field and adding two blocks per game. Capelas rebounding and defense were big reasons theHawks beat Embiids 76ersto reach the Eastern Conference finals.

The wave of international big men also includes such players as Phoenixs Deandre Ayton from the Bahamas, Chicagos two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic from Switzerland and Dallas center and power forward Kristaps Porzingis, who is from Latvia.

Capela said international big men embrace our role.

Capela said his role is, Make sure that I do my work. Make sure I finish whenever I get the ball inside. You rebound, you create extra possessions. You erase mistakes with blocks. I take pride in that.

The international big men also support each other.

Ive know Jokic since I was in high school, Capela said. Joel for a long time. Rudy since I was back in high school as well. Weve known each other and support each other.

Capela hasnt played this preseason while having treatment for a sore left Achilles. He participated in live drills for the second time on Tuesday and expects to be ready for the season.

Some U.S. centers and power forwards still rank among the best in the league. McMillan included Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers with Jokic and Embiid in his list of top big men before adding that Miamis Bam Adebayo has turned into an unbelievable player.

Indianas Domantas Sabonis is a Lithuanian-American who was born in Portland. Minnesotas Karl-Anthony Towns is a Dominican-American who was born in New Jersey.

Theres no denying the impact of international big men.

You see the skill level, the feel of the game, McMillan said. Those guys come into our league with all of that.

AP Sports Writers Dan Gelston and Arnie Stapleton contributed to this report.

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International big men rule NBA with their all-around skills - NBA.com

The analyses in this paper show that the next German government will also be a pro-European one. There are, however, various necessary changes when it comes to European integration, where the new German government could play a constructive role.

By Funda Tekin and Ilke Toygr*

Germany, the EUs largest member state, went to the ballot box on 30 September to elect its next Chancellor. A traffic-light coalition of three (SPD, the Greens and FDP) is expected to come out of the negotiations, with different preferences when it comes to the future of Europe. This analysis reviews the various positions of the countrys political parties when it comes to their differing ideas on European integration and provides some policy recommendations for the road ahead.

Germany went to the ballot box for the election that closes theMerkel era, although she will remain in power until the new Chancellor takes over. The election results and coalition-making conundrum will be on the table for days and weeks to come. Whoever is to lead thenext German governmenthas the challenge to live up toAngela Merkels legacy. She has gained a reputation as a crisis manager and brought to perfection the European integrations golden rule of settling for the minimum common denominator. This was not necessarily always the best for all EU member states and policy areas. In several crises -such as the Eurozone crisis that almost pushed Greece out of the Union or the irregular migration flows in 2015 that ended up with a disputed deal with Turkey- she had her way: the German way. She also did well on many occasions when it came to the EUs overall prosperity. In 2020, it was she and the French President Emmanuel Macron who opened the way for the most ambitious recovery fund: Next Generation EU. The road ahead when it comes to the EUs future will be no less bumpy. The new leader of the largest member state will soon face important decisions of his own. There is only a little time to train for the job, since the list of open questions is so long: from what to do with fiscal rules to relations with China, from the continuity of Next Generation EU to the European Green Deal or the migration pact.

So what is in the German ballot box for Europe? Continuity or change? One way of answering the question is to assess the different preferences between the partners of a possibleAmpel(traffic light) Coalition(Social Democrats -SPD-, together with the Greens and Liberals -FDP-) in a comparative manner. As currently neither the Jamaica Coalition (Christian democrats -CDU/CSU-, the Greens and the FDP) nor even an eventual Grand Coalition of SPD and CDU/CSU can be completely ruled out, the Union of Christian Democrats is included in the analysis. This comparison will be reviewed under three headings: (1) the economy, finance and the environment; (2) foreign and security policy and external relations;and (3) institutions and values. Furthermore, due to their high relevance, the paper will also discuss the possible distribution of ministry portfolios among the coalition partners. Overall, the aim is to shed light on the connections between the elections, the formation of coalitions and the future of European integration.

Germanys election results have been very much in line with what was indicated by public opinion polls. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) led the polls at 25.7%. The second largest political force, the CDU/CSU, recorded a substantial loss but was right behind at 24.1%. The Greens came in third at 14.8%, followed by the Free Democratic Party (FDP) at 11.5%. The far-rightAlternative fr Deutschland(AfD) lost votes but still came in at 10.3%. Already before the election, however, other parties had ruled-out a possible coalition with the AfD, making it irrelevant to coalition formation. The far-left Die Linke ended up below the national threshold at 4.9% but made its way into the German Bundestag thanks to its three directly-elected representatives. Still, a so-called red-red-green coalition of SPD, the Greens and Die Linke is no longer an arithmetical option.

An important component of the electoral race has been age. Younger Germans have voted for the Greens and the FDP, while their elders have maintained their loyalty to the SPD and CDU/CSU. This means that at least the younger generations are looking for some change, rather than continuity, and the winning coalition should take this into consideration while defining its priorities. Even more so, as the Greens and FDP are acting as kingmakers in the process. At the same time, negotiations between the latter can be expected to determine both the scope and content of change in Germany, since they have differing stances on various issues, mainly in the area of economy and finance.

Having said that, election results indicate a voter preference for theAmpel-coalition because all three parties involved, SPD, FDP and the Greens, are those that have increased their share of the vote compared with 2017. Additionally, the SPD has won the election in a more traditional sense, gaining the highest percentage of votes. Thus, it can be assumed that the traffic-light coalition is likely to be the way forwards. Given that there will be three parties in the government with rather different positions, the coalition agreement will be an important issue to decide during the mandate. Additionally, almost one third of the members of the Bundestag are newcomers, while a quarter are aged under 40. This will surely involve a new form of institutional socialisation. Having said that, the new government is not expected to involve complete break.

Whatever the result of the coalition formation process, the next German government will be pro-European. How ambitious it will be concerning Europe remains to be seen when it comes to: (1) economy, finance and the environment; foreign and security policy, with a special focus on transatlantic relations and China; and (3) institutions and values. The governments position in these three areas of importance will very much depend on a correct distribution of portfolios.

In terms of Economic and Monetary Union and of financial and economic policies, the fault line runs between the SPD and the Greens on the one hand and CDU/CSU and FDP on the other. In the event of a traffic-light coalition there will be much give and take. One of the key questions for the new German government will be its stance on the continuation ofNext Generation EU. Issuing common debt and the deadline to have the Stability and Growth Pact up and running again are crucial for the future of integration. On the one hand, the SPD and the Greens plan to transform the latter into a sustainability pact that focuses to a greater extent of facilitating investments. The FDP, on the other hand, has been quite hawkish about its promise to keep the rules intact, a position shared by the CDU/CSU. In any case, the need for spending not only in the green and digital transition but also in public infrastructure is uncontested. This should lead to a certain balance.Figure 1. Policy positions of possible coalition partners in economy, finance and the green transition

Source: the authors, based on party manifestos.

The key difference between Jamaica and Ampel in this respect are the SPDs promises as regards the future of the welfare state, pension system and personal welfare of all Germans. Taking into account the spirit of the EU since the beginning of theCOVID-19 pandemic, it is safe to say that social policies will be very much on the table. The need to invest more in public infrastructures became even more visible after the summer. How they will be financed is the key, and another fierce debate awaits the coalition partners. The decades-long tension between market and state is inevitable in anAmpelcoalition.

Another issue in this area is the green transition. It is the Greens that explicitly demand a climate-government, but the goal of achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050 or even before is promoted by all of the main parties. The differences concern the means of achieving such a goal. The FDP and Greens both focus on emissions-trading systems, but while the Liberals favour a market-based approach the Greens aim for state regulations and the taxation of CO2 border adjustments or plastics. While the Greens generally promote EU-wide taxation, including large digital corporations, that would help increase the EU budget, the FDP generally rejects EU taxes. TheAmpelcoalition might nevertheless set the preconditions for a greener economy as the SPD shares the demand that the EU receives the revenues of CO2 border adjustments.

Taking all these fault lines into consideration, there is no doubt the Finance Ministry will be very much under demand among the coalition partners. The FDPs leader Christian Lindner has been very vocal about this, while Robert Habeck from the Greens is also hovering around the position. Given the need for a greener economy and the Greens desire for a climate-friendly government, there is also a strong link when it comes to the Ministries of the Economy and the Environment, and clearly for their areas of competence. Another key issue is which Minister will represent Germany at ECOFIN and at the Euro Group. This will also define Germanys stance in the Council. The negotiations end result will very much set the tone.

Political parties have been much criticised for their lack of debate when it comes to foreign and security policy or European policy during their election campaigns, including the televised pre-election debates. Looking at Figure 2 below, one explanation could be that there are simply not enough differences between the policies of political parties to campaign over it. When it comes to foreign and security policy, and external relations, however, there are various issues at stake. The crucial and key determining fact that should be borne in mind is all the changes in the world order that are being witnessed these days. This means that, even if the new German government would like a continuity in certain dossiers, some changes and important steps forward are naturally required.Figure 2. Policy positions of possible coalition partners in foreign and security policy and external relations

Source: the authors, based on party manifestos.

On transatlantic relations, all political parties continue to be committed. There are clear declarations in the party manifestos when it comes to the importance of NATO and stable relations with the US. Historically, there has been as certain reluctance among the German military establishment on anything that might weaken transatlantic relations. This why, in general, Germany has never been too enthusiastic about or even contrary to European strategic autonomy. The preparation of the Strategic Compass has been a platform to discuss various issues with European partners. Beyond the strategic autonomy debate, however, there is the issue of increasing the Unions resilience in the years and challenges to come. Both military and economic dominance in key strategic regions of the world should be a topic on the table. An active push for consolidating alliances in the Indo-Pacific is very much needed.

On China, every party promotes a strategy based on a dual approach: being tough where needed and establishing cooperation where it is beneficial. The Greens are the only party that clearly refer to the human rights issues and the situation of the Uighurs in China in their programme. Having listened to FDP representatives in various debates, this position seems to be shared by the Liberals. The key issue is that relations with China are so much more than only foreign policy. The links between the policy on China and the economy in general, and industrial policy and climate policy in particular, are also at stake. Both the Greens and the Liberals criticise the EUs investment deals with China. This means that regardless of an Ampel or Jamaica coalition, change might still be expected. Still, how the portfolios are to be distributed between the parties in terms of who heads the Federal Foreign Office or the Ministry of the Economy- will play a key role.

Russia is another issue of interest. No coalition will, or even could, undo NordStream II, but while the parties of the previous grand coalition, the CDU/CSU and the SPD, remain silent on the issue in their party manifestos, the Greens openly oppose it -also for climate and environmental reasons- and the Liberals suggest a moratorium for the pipeline as long as Russia fails to improve its human rights policy, including the Navalny case. On the question of continued sanctions against Russia, there is more unity across the relevant parties. Positions merely change in terms of nuance: while the Greens consider even stronger sanctions if need be, the SPD clearly focuses on strengthening dialogue on all levels as a means of facilitating a possible termination of sanctions. But as long as the annexation of the Crimea remains unresolved, there is not much chance of any change.

On Turkeys accession to the EU, all parties except the Greens aim for an alternative format for the EU-Turkey relationship. While the CDU/CSU and the FDP clearly out rule Turkeys full membership in the EU, the SPD is less explicit and merely states that the current focus should be on an EU-Turkey Dialogue. The Greens commit themselves to accession as a political though currently unrealistic- goal. They demand comprehensive reforms in Turkey in terms of democracy and the rule of law as well as a return to good neighbourly relations. Regarding the EUs enlargement policy and specific accession processes, governments act according to thepacta sunt servandaprinciple. The new government can be expected to follow the same line. Still, given the complexity and conflict that has determined the EU-Turkey relationship particularly over the past few years, this dossier needs to be discussed between the European partners for years to come.

A survey of the party positions on the future of the EU in terms of its institutional set-up and values highlights the potential for change and reform. There does not seem to be a firm opposition to either of the reform issues currently present in the European debate in any of the respective parties. This means that these issues will not be an immediate German priority but, when the time comes, neither will they be very much disputed.Figure 3. Policy positions of possible coalition partners on institutions and values

Source: the authors, based on party manifestos.

One of the toughest issues in the next governments list is how to defend the rule of law within the EU and what to do with Poland and Hungary. All relevant parties are strongly committed to defending European values, including democracy and the rule of law. The party manifesto of the Greens highlights the need for an EU mechanism for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights as well as for an EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

In view of the EUs institutions and values it can be expected that the new government will continue the strongly pro-European vocation for which Germany is known. This also includes a broad support for the Conference on the Future of Europe. Treaty changes as a result of the Conference are not excluded by the parties. In spite of this general support for the Conference, the German government has so far not managed to define a clear position and it is unlikely that the new government will have a firmer stance right away. Having said that, it is still quite important to underline that political parties have stances on institutional debates in the EU, be it transnational lists or the EPs right to initiate legislation.

Merkel was lucky to enjoy a relatively stable domestic environment during her 16 years in the Chancellery. The next German government will be more divided than usual. Striking a balance between many priorities is also in the EUs nature. Thus, the new German Chancellor should exercise this skill both in the domestic and EU spheres. A key question is if foreign policy will continue to be made in the Chancellery. Angela Merkel shaped both European and foreign policies. Having three coalition partners this time around may require more cooperation between the various Ministries. The changing nature of foreign policy could lead to more consensus building.

The analyses in this paper show thatthe next German governmentwill also be a pro-European one. There are, however, various necessary changes when it comes to European integration, where the new German government could play a constructive role. The following recommendations could be useful to guide the new government:

*About the authors:

Source: This article was published by Elcano Royal Institute

Read the original here:

What's In The German Ballot Box For European Integration? Continuity And Change Analysis - Eurasia Review

The creators of the Tuttle Twins, a new animated series that celebrates freedom, free markets and traditional values, are betting that American parents will back an alternative to Hollywoods increasingly leftist offerings for children.

The first episode of the kids show, based on author Connor Boyacks conservative-flavored childrens books that have exploded in popularity during the pandemic especially among home-schooling families aired online Tuesday night.

Daniel Harmon, showrunner for the Angel Studios-distributed series, said the show, which chronicles the adventures of 11-year-old twins Ethan and Emily Tuttle as they learn about history and freedom with the help of their Cuban grandmother and her time-traveling wheelchair, is designed to attract as broad and as diverse an audience as possible.

The creators wanted to reach beyond the White conservative bubble where most Christian childrens programming languishes while big studios cash in on the wider market.

Im trying to reach other parents like me who love freedom and want to pass free-market principles down to their kids, Mr. Harmon told The Washington Times. These principles arent limited to any particular religious group, but were not seeing much about the Golden Rule, personal freedom and entrepreneurship in public schools or mainstream entertainment today.

Mr. Harmon, a Mormon who home-schools all but one of his seven children, said he doesnt even know the religious affiliation of most of his voice actors and production crew.

For me, the show is pro-freedom, and that appeals to people regardless of whether they believe that our rights come from God, Mr. Harmon said.

He said he hopes the 12-episode first season, distributed biweekly on Tuesdays via the studios Angel App, will launch a long game for the franchise as the only animated show that teaches children about economics.

Our goal is to reach 100 million kids over the next 10 years and help them fall in love with the characters. We want kids to choose us as an alternative to Netflix, Disney+ and other apps, Mr. Harmon said.

His brother Jeffrey Harmon, co-founder and chief content officer at Angel Studios, added that the upstart crowdfunding company embraced the project because it filled a clear hole in the market for quality animated entertainment to teach free-market values to kids whose families arent being served by woke executives in Hollywood.

The show is about preaching values in a positive way rather than attacking other peoples ideologies, he said. With Tuttle Twins, we want to teach our kids and their parents about the economic principles that made this country the most prosperous and peaceful society the world has ever seen.

Launched a year ago, the Tuttle Twins campaign became the worlds largest crowdfunded kids media project at that time, raising nearly $3.7 million from more than 8,000 investors.

The show adapts a popular series of 21 The Tuttle Twins books that have sold more than 3 million copies. They include 12 titles in the childrens series, three toddler books and six books for teenagers.

Author Boyack, who serves as co-executive producer of the animated series, said sales of his books exploded during the pandemic, and led to the expansion of the franchise into a curriculum, card game and podcast. That set the scene for Angel Studios to step in.

Our show is an effort to evangelize, not a religion but a set of political and economic values about freedom, Mr. Boyack said. As the author, I think those messages are complementary, but I think people of little or no faith will connect.

The author, who based some of the twins personalities on his own two children, expressed satisfaction with the decision of the shows writers to introduce fantasy elements such as time travel and interdimensional silliness that involves the kids as intergalactic pirates, a departure from the reality-based books.

The books are primarily educational and a little entertaining. The cartoon flips the format to be primarily entertaining and a little educational, Mr. Boyack said.

Founder and president of the free-market-oriented Libertas Institute in Utah, he said he wrote the first book for kids aged 5 to 11 in 2014 as a way of teaching personal responsibility to his young children. He recruited Elijah Stanfield, a coworker, as illustrator.

Basically, Im a full-time freedom fighter advocating for smaller government, and I wanted to be able to talk to a 5-year-old about the principles of free markets and property rights, Mr. Boyack said. I dont know about the religion of people who buy them, but our audience is definitely right-of-center and independent.

Home-schooling families account for half of his book sales, he said, and public school families for most of the rest.

Pastor Lucas Miles, a faith-based film producer familiar with the books and new show, said the Tuttle Twins animation is really well done and on a par with what comes out of Disney.

Animated shows from major studios tend to push rebelliousness, LGBTQ agendas in shows like Blues Clues and watered-down versions of critical race theory, Mr. Miles said. Not only will parents find entertainment in Tuttle Twins, but they will be able to rest easy knowing that their kids are learning something of value about life.

Mr. Miles, pastor of the nondenominational Nfluence Church in South Bend, Indiana, said families in his congregation have already used the books.

I see the resources of The Tuttle Twins as helping to bring a stronger foundation to kids at an earlier age in natural law, the free market, and capitalism, and helping to expose the fallacies of socialism that are being rammed down kids throats in public education right now, Mr. Miles said.

He added that those fallacies include the notion that socialism is compatible with Christianity, increasingly popular on the Christian left.

You hear people say Jesus was a socialist, but Jesus taught personal responsibility and stewardship, he taught how to act with generosity in a self-regulated rather than government-mandated way, Mr. Miles said. Its propaganda, not any kind of biblical scholarship.

Tim Winter, president of the nonpartisan Parents Television and Media Council that advocates for family-friendly media programs, said the show could potentially become a popular counterweight to a growing amount of animated shows that are marketed to children and include some pretty edgy stuff.

So much animated programming leans in only one direction politically and The Tuttle Twins offers some balance thats urgently needed, Mr. Winter said. When you have a family-friendly cartoon of high production values that leans a little right of center, it sticks out, because theres a massive dearth of clean content that reaches this level of quality.

Co-executive producer Matthew Faraci, who is Jewish, said the new cartoon pushes back on the prevailing narrative that Hollywood feeds to kids.

This show may inspire other creators to do something similar, Mr. Faraci said. To push back, you need a thousand Tuttle Twins shows, not just one.

Mr. Harmon, the director, said that although the show takes part of its inspiration from VeggieTales, it will be more grounded in the realities of history.

He notes that the Tuttle twins Cuban immigrant grandmother, who left an oppressive communist regime, teaches them lessons from history and personal experience throughout the show.

The kids visit Gandhi in episode two to learn about his tradition of nonviolence, inspired by Jesus, and will visit other historical figures such as Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks in future shows.

It doesnt matter what your race is, your religion, its all about the principles of freedom and how they apply to economics, Mr. Harmon said. Were going to create some context around the term socialism and show in principle what that translates to in the real world. We want parents and kids to watch the shows together and discuss them.

Angel Studios is giving the biweekly episodes away for free on its clean-content app, without any ads and based on a pay-it-forward model similar to The Chosen, where viewers can offer to pay the company $15 to expand the shows reach to 10 more people.

See more here:

'Tuttle Twins' kids' show offers an alternative to 'woke' Hollywood programming - Washington Times

Depending on your perspective, he comes pretty close to being either a terrifying or inspiring idea of the perfect way of life. Our conversation with Greenfield covers genetic testing, the cold, eating tapeworms, man as a machine, running barefoot, self-absorbed bullshit, God (literally) and the world (again, literally) and why its a good idea to only answer emails in the afternoon.

Ben Greenfield lives on a farm in the middle of the woods in Spokane, Washington, with its own ice bath and its own gym. He and his wife teach their 13-year-old twins at home, and not just the regular curriculum. The boys have their own podcast and go hunting with bows and arrows in the woods with their father. What they kill they eat.

Ben Greenfield wants to share his knowledge with people.

Joe Pugliese

THE RED BULLETIN INNOVATOR: Ben, the headline to this article reads, Does this man lead the perfect life? So does he?

BEN GREENFIELD: Physical, mental, spiritual perfection? No. But if you asked me, Does this man strive to live the perfect life? Id say yes. But does he live it? No. Nobody does. And I dont even want to.

The fact that we always get hurt or sick and that were unhappy or dissatisfied enriches our lives. The Sisyphean uphill battle is good for us. It keeps us humble because it reminds us that we are mortal. Imagine if we were all perfect. Would we make new discoveries in medicine, technology, in health matters if that were so? No. Because thered be no need to. In my case there were intestinal and sleep problems and as I dealt with those I learnt a lot about how I could help others and ultimately make the world a little bit better too. No, I dont live a perfect life and never will but Ill keep on trying to every day in the knowledge that Ill fail in my attempt every day too.

Greenfield usually relies on short, intensive training sessions.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

Meditation is an important part of Greenfield's fitness routine.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

Family shouldn't be neglected, according to Greenfield.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

Greenfield keeps fit with a wide variety of workouts.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

"Boundless Cookbook" is the name of Greenfield's own cookbook.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

The so-called, Sananga eye drops, are said to act as an energy booster.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

Is that the meaning of life for a professional biohacker to strive for perfection?

I do at least think life is about getting closer to the optimal level the body, mind and spirit can function at. We have an amazing number of options at our disposal: tools that are both thousands of years old and hyper-modern, red-light therapy devices, hyperbaric oxygen tanks, supplements, nootropics, smart drugs and our enormous wealth of knowledge regarding nutrition, hyperthermia and thermogenesis. Its just up to us to make the most of those options. And very, very many people could get a lot closer to this optimal state very easily.

According to Ben Greenfield, a proper check-up is the first step in improving your health.

Youre a man of deep faith. How does belief in a higher power tally with the basic idea of biohacking? Biohacking is, after all, about consistently taking responsibility for your own life.

Why should I grapple with that question? I am a Judeo-Christian. God is the authority of absolute truth in my life. I have accepted that that authority cannot be fully explored. I dont have 100% influence over my life and never will so I do what I am able to do. I wake up every day and look for ways in which I can have more energy, how I can improve my mental performance, how I can optimise my life span and health span, how I can deal with the ever-increasing stress, with environmental pollution and unnatural electromagnetic radiation. How I can grow spiritually and come closer to God. I just wake up every morning hungry literally hungry for new things. I want to read this article, those books, listen to these audio-books or podcasts. I want to be able to go to bed every night and say, I know more about my body, mind and soul than I did this morning. And I want to put what Ive learnt to good use. For me, yes, but much more for the sake of my family and friends and other people.

Okay, so in one sentence, whats the meaning of life in the words of the worlds most influential biohacker?

The meaning of life is to savour and enjoy Gods creation. To wake up every day with a broad smile on our face because we get to live on this magical planet. To love others and follow the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. To make decisions that are of use to others and not just yourself. To find out what your strengths are and to use those strengths to influence the planet every day that you have the good luck to be on it. Thats how I see it. From an evolutionary perspective, we might just be a few hopeless chunks of flesh on a rock hurtling through space as we try to work our way up through Maslows hierarchy of needs by eating, drinking, having sex and climbing the social ladder. Im not willing to settle for that. I say do what youre best at and make the world a better place while you do it. And love.

Certain poisons are actually beneficial for health in small doses, according to Greenfield.

And the bedrock of it all is your own health, right?

Erm, no. Thats totally wrong. Its not about your health. Its about the health of other people, the physical, mental and spiritual health of all the people connected to you. Your own health is just a tool to that end. You have to be healthy enough to be able to be there for others. Many people are cult-like about their health, performance, productivity and about how fit they are so they can look better and earn more money. Thats egomaniacal, narcissistic and selfish. And crazily unsatisfying. Its not about optimising yourself. Its about being in good enough shape to be able to be there for others. Try it. Youll see how incredibly satisfying it is! Only then do health, fitness and biohacking have any meaning and depth. And as soon as you understand that, you automatically set a limit for the time and effort you invest in biohacking. Thats when terms like minimal effective dose come into play. Two hours at the gym? Thats nice but you could achieve the same effect with 20 or 30 minutes of high-intensity training or super-slow training. You dont need 30 minutes of exposure to the cold if you sit in zero-degree, icy water for two minutes. Same effect but a fraction of the time. Thats my approach to biohacking. Its not about how much time I can spend on it. Its about how little. And how much more time that gives me for my wife and kids and people who could do with my help.

Greenfield recommends sleep trackers for even more detailed insights.

Joe Pugliese

Wheres the border between necessary and unnecessary in practice?

For Ben Greenfield, helping others is more important than optimizing yourself.

Doing genetic testing at home isnt quite mainstream yet. Cant we start with a slightly lower threshold?

Theres no reason not to do it, man! Genetic testing means swabbing your mouth with a cotton bud. Its laughably little effort when you think of all the knowledge and clarity it brings you.

OK, so number one was getting tested. Whats number two?

Make it part of your conscious mind to be there for other people. To love others. That is the innermost and most important focus in your life. If you lose that, youll wake up in the morning and the only thing youll think about is: what good thing can I do for myself today? Then youll get all the affirmations: Im great, Im amazing, I can achieve whatever I want in life. Thats self-absorbed bullshit.

Whats the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

I ask myself what I am grateful for. Who can I wish well, who can I do something good for? That evening Ill ask myself what I could have done better. At what point today did I feel the deepest inner connection to the meaning of life? If Ive spent two hours that day at the gym, another 45 minutes in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and done long sauna and cold sessions, theres not going to have been much time where I was there for other people. It might well have been the perfect biohacking day from other peoples point of view but for me that would have been a wasted day, a day with too much biohacking.

Okay, so weve had getting yourself tested and love as the first two reference points on the crossover between efficiency and effectiveness. Whats number three?

Now some people will say this is a little, um, bizarre but that doesnt matter. The root of human emotions has never been and will never be the brain. Its the heart or, as people say, our gut feeling. Number three is ask yourself honest questions and let your heart answer them. Your heart knows the answer.

Ben Greenfield drinks spring water to optimally supply the cells.

Joe Pugliese

How would you captivate, in just two minutes, someone who had never heard of biohacking before, the opportunity to improve their own and other peoples lives by taking responsibility for their own health, performance and happiness?

Id put it this way: the human body isnt a computer but you can programme it. There is something machine-like about it and theres a great deal you can do to make sure that it runs better, more smoothly.

Whats the first hack you recommend?

First Id ask you what youre unhappy with. If someone already knows how important training is and moves a lot in their daily lives instead of just sitting around, then we dont need to discuss that first. And even if sleep is fundamental, I wont give you any sleep tips if you go to bed at a reasonable time, keep your bedroom dark, cool and quiet and dont mistreat it as a place to work or watch TV because theres a lot youre already doing right. Of course you could always make improvements, if you wanted. In which case Id recommend a Chilipad, which carries 12-13C water under your body while youre in bed, and some woollen socks to keep your feet warm. Id also recommend you take a cold shower three hours before going to bed to lower your body temperature. If anyone says theyre having intestinal troubles: stool analysis. Theres no way around it. A food allergy test, a DNA test. It helps us say exactly where in the world your ancestors came from and which foodstuffs youre evolutionarily suited to and which play havoc with your immune system as a result. Well use the tools gained from the tests to adapt your nutrition in the best way possible. Bar a couple of basics, your nutrition is individual. Whats right for you might be totally wrong for someone else.

What are the nutritional basics that apply to everyone?

Avoid processed foods and refined vegetable oils, not too much sugar or alcohol and dont overdo the caffeine. Just eat natural stuff and fast a bit every now and again.

Ice baths act like cell health workouts, Greenfield said.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

If someone more or less has a handle on movement, sleep and nutrition, then thats real biohacking starting right there, isnt it?

Thats when its time for the from-good-to-great approach. Number one is a no-brainer: use the power of photons. Light. That huge star up above us is a source of pure energy. Get out into the open for 20 to 60 minutes a day and if you want to increase the effect, take something like methylene blue or chaga extract. Your body can then make more efficient use of the photons to produce electrons and ATP [adenosine triphosphate]. Install infrared panels in the office. Sit in an infrared cabin. You can manage your circadian rhythm by using blue light selectively, in the early or late mornings, with devices like the human charger or re-timer glasses. So number one, if you have your movement, sleep and nutrition halfway under control, is light. Number two is making the most of the electric potential of the planet we live on. Walk barefoot on natural surfaces, on grass or in the forest. Make contact with the surface of the planet. Swim in a natural body of water. Climb rocks and trees. Take your shirt off. Lie in a meadow. Its incredibly good for you. It stops inflammation. It accelerates ATP production, just like those photons from the sun do. Numbers three and four are heat and cold. It is now crystal clear that it does your longevity the world of good to regularly leave your temperate comfort zone. Heat and cold are workouts for your cell health. The next thing is water and minerals, preferably water thats as close to spring water as possible, structured in such a way as to supply your cells more efficiently.

Most of these hacks are accepted by science. Others arent, or arent yet. Whats your take on earthing, for example?

Watch the documentary Earthing and read the book by Clint Ober. Theres more than enough scientific evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of earthing. Look at the tonnes of research done by everyone from NASA and beyond on PEMF, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, the Earths own concentrated form of biohacking. But, okay, lets say something doesnt have any scientific proof. Thats where the self-assessment comes in. The famous biohacker study whereby n = 1, thats to say youre the only participant in your own study. You find out what improves your HRV and sleep, what gives you greater power to train, observe your body temperature or blood values or whatever else you can measure. Thats how I do it. I test and take readings and then go to the PubMed website and inform myself on previous studies on the subject.

Above all, Greenfield's health routine is to benefit his wellbeing.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

PubMed is an important scientific online database. How much time do you spend on it?

PubMed and specialist articles combined about seven to eight hours a week. But people dont have to do that. Its part of my job to do the research and sum up the most important parts for people.

On your website you describe yourself as a relentless self-experimenter and guinea pig whats the craziest thing youve ever tried?

I dont do anything which I consider super crazy like the earliest biohackers who injected their eyeballs with chlorophyll to improve their night-vision. I dont do that sort of thing. One thing you might find crazy was the helminth therapy I did to strengthen my immune system when I was travelling a lot.

Id read a lot about how eating certain worms could strengthen your immune system. So I got some from a lab and took them for six months and genuinely didnt get sick once, even though I was taking two or three flights a week. Or heres another one. I wanted to find out if I could build muscle just through electrical muscle stimulation, without training. The experiment lasted eight weeks. No training, just high-intensity EMS. The result was I gained ten pounds of muscle. Ingesting tapeworms or inflicting electric shocks on your muscles might sound crazy, but I do very thorough research on the subject for weeks in the run-up. And there was solid evidence in both cases. There is EMS research from Russia dating back to the 1950s.

Biohacking also covers longevity, especially how one can remain healthy into old age. How will things be when Ben Greenfield is an old man?

According to current research, maximum human life expectancy seems to be somewhere between 115 and 121. Its pretty funny that the Frenchwoman who currently holds the record living to be 121 or 122 smoked a cigarette and drank a little glass of something every day. So what was her trick? She had really good relationships in life and a lot of love. That kept her healthy. And as for the cigarette and the daily tipple We know that some poisonous plants, herbs and spices, as with sunlight and heat and cold, can, in small doses, be good for our health. Three hours in the sauna, an hour in an ice-bath, eating a kilo of cinnamon That would all be harmful, of course, but in small doses, super. There is even a hypothesis that the daily cigarette the Frenchwoman smoked actually made her stronger according to the hormesis or adaptive response concept: the body strengthens itself via contact with a toxin.

Greenfield is always looking for effective training options.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

How old do you want to live to be?

I dont care how long I live. Whats important to me is that I can be there as much as possible for other people as long as I live. If I die at 80, thats fine with me. Its not about a number. Its about the contribution I can make to society as long as Im here. Thats something Id like to warn people in the biohacking industry about. If you absolutely want to make it to 150 but you feel like crap, youre cold and hungry, you have no libido and spend half your day in a cryotherapy chamber, the sauna, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber or all three, what is that is not pure selfishness and mental masturbation about living a little longer than other people?

In unmotivated phases of life, Greenfield recommends focusing on things that you are naturally good at.

What do you do if you arent motivated to do anything good for yourself? We all know those days where we just want to hang around the house.

You can very effectively reduce the risk of those days happening to you. To virtually zero. To do so, you have to identify your own unique purpose in life. I went into this in detail in my most recent books, so Ill be brief now. Look for things that make the time pass without you noticing, things youre naturally good at. From there come up with a phrase or pithy statement that will remind you again and again what youre here on this planet for and how you can improve the life of others. That phrase is like the lens through which you observe every day of your life. And when you have that phrase, its a damned sight harder not to be motivated. But if you have that phrase and are still unmotivated, the absolute best thing you can do I learnt this at an extreme camp, a sort of civil equivalent to the Navy SEAL Hell Week is to give as many other people as possible energy. That energy will come back to you. Help somebody. Look after somebody. It may sound strange, but it wont take any energy out of you. It will give you energy. Try it! Thirdly, dont forget decision fatigue. So do the things that take creativity and concentration early in the day. I only produce podcasts and work on my books from 4 to 11am. You can do stuff like answer emails and make phone calls things that dont require mental firepower in the afternoon. And, last of all, the best quick kick to get yourself motivated and give yourself mental energy is to jump into cold water, take a freezing-cold shower or dip your face in icy water; those things will work better than any stimulant, drug or food supplement.

Read more here:

Ben Greenfield: Does this man live the perfect life? - Red Bull

The newest trail in Victor, Helens Way, covers more than two miles of forest with some section of meadowland beginning at Village on the Park.

Dont worry about the sound of Thruway traffic when you start out at the parking lot off Rainbow Run. We lost the roar of trafficsoon enough and heardonly bird songs andrustling trees.

Thisbeautiful trail blazed in redloops through 93 acres owned by Paul Bishop, who named Helen's Way in honor of his late mother. According to Victor Hiking Trails, Paul's father died in 1961, leaving Helen to raise four children (all under the age of twelve) by herself.

No easy task in that era, or any era. According to her kids, Helen was an outstanding parent, providing her kids with wonderful childhoods, an appreciation of, and a responsibility to, nature and the environment. The Golden Rule was THE rule.

Paul decided that the most appropriate way to honor and celebrate his mother's life was to provide to the Victor community the lessons he learned from his mother in the form of a beautiful, woodlands trail.

Victor Hiking Trails will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony andguided hike at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. In case Rosie cant make it (what with media engagements, photo shoots and such), she insisted we bring you this sneak peek along with hearty congratulations to all the volunteers who made this new trail possible.

For a map and more about Helens Way, visit: https://www.victorhikingtrails.org/map/trails/helens.php.

Look for Sherwood in the Forest featuring the trail treks of Rosie the redbone hound and her companion, Daily Messenger reporter Julie Sherwood. Email jsherwood@messengerpostmedia.com or find Julie on Twitter: @MPN_JSherwood

Follow this link:

Victor Hiking Trails newest addition honors a mom who stressed the golden rule - Democrat & Chronicle

There are many video games that have grown out of modifications, and as a rule, these are multiplayer games like Chivalry or DayZ. But there are not so many focused on a single player. The Forgotten City by Modern Storyteller is just such a case. It all started with a mod for Skyrim, but a team of three developers decided that their game is worth more.

After four years of hard work, the game was released. But is it worth paying attention to the story-driven walking simulator that was once just a side quest in the latest installment of the hit series? Now lets try to figure it out without spoilers. Even the developers in the main menu warn us- do not spoil the fun for others, do not talk about the plot of the game more than necessary. Quite a logical request, because this game focuses on the plot and unexpected twists.

This is a quest with elements of platforming and action. We walk around the city, talk with local residents, and solve pressing problems. We blackmail the residents, steal the items we need, then restart the time and again solve the problems of the local population. Sometimes we pick up a bow and work our way through the golden statues. And in general, thats all.

The gameplay itself is very simple, if not primitive. But, it is clear that the authors and developers did the aspect on the story, and not on the gameplay.

The game begins with the fact that we, waking up on the banks of the Tiber River, next to us will be a pretty girl named Karen. And asks us to do the following: find a guy named Al Worth. Karen herself cannot do this, since she gave her word to Al that she would not follow him for anything in the world.

So, customize your character: enter a name, choose gender and skin color and go. Fortunately, we dont have to go far, already at the entrance to the cave, we hear a strange whisper that pushes us forward. By the way, this whisper is our only friend along the way.

So, whispering forward, we find several golden statues, very similar to people. One of them hangs, next to a stone slab. From this tablet, we learn that this hanged man is Al Worth. How this happened is not entirely clear.

A little ahead, we find a small temple, with a strange sphere in the center. We go there and find ourselves in the year 86 from the birth of Christ. Where a man named Gallerius meets us and says I dont know who you are, I dont know where you are from, I dont know why you are wearing such strange clothes. But, I know for sure that there will be problems from you, and therefore go directly to the magistrate. Do you want me to take you to him? And yes, remember, do not break the local rules, otherwise, it will be bad for everyone.

And now, finding ourselves in a small town of the Roman Empire, our goal is simple: to find a way back. And with this there is such a problem: violation of the Golden Rule leads to the fact that golden statues come to life, take bows in their hands and turn all living beings into golden statues.

So what is this rule? This is a complex of moral values that the local rulers consider it necessary to fulfill, among the rules are the following: neither kill, nor steal, nor say that there is no rule. However, the local curators do not consider various tricks, and those things that in our world could be considered a sin as such.

However, violation of this rule will not end the game, despite the fact that any weapon against the golden statues is useless. We have the opportunity to start time anew, from our appearance in the city. Moreover, sometimes we have to break this rule, this is a necessary condition of the gameplay.

Dont expect anything too original from the time loop here. It is activated mainly due to your mistakes, and on purpose you will not use it very often: for example, to complete several quests or to talk to characters that you have managed to be rude to. Or to steal money for a couple of dialogues.

The city is full of quests, which sometimes intertwine with each other and make us closer and closer to solving the mystery of the golden rule. But there is no particular nonlinearity in The Forgotten City.

The Forgotten City is big for a ten-hour game, almost entirely consisting of dialogues. Each has its own recognizable character you will never mistake a good-natured merchant for a cruel gladiator. Of course, not all significant characters are equally well developed the developers paid more attention to people with a more significant role in the plot. But nevertheless, it is curious to observe the disclosure of the character of many residents of the town.

In general, the dialogues are good but there is one problem. They lack a little brightness, a little more aphorism. Nobody will remember the heroes of The Forgotten City years later they are not so expressive. It lacks a little madness or expressiveness.

Almost every character has his own secrets and not always ordinary interests, which turns the town into a ball of secrets and conflicts. Despite the outright prohibition of all crimes, many are looking for some workarounds for their dirty deeds.

The whole story is, in fact, one big reasoning about the essence of crimes and sins. About whether people can not violate their laws at all. Everyone tries to answer this in his own way: someone quotes religious postulates, some try to live according to the precepts of philosophers, and other characters completely deny any morality.

At the same time, the plot retains the intrigue for a long time about why the main character ended up here and why the golden rule appeared at all. The game regularly throws up new facts that either clarify the overall picture or make the history of this place even vaguer.

Forgotten City is no longer associated with Skyrim, but the roots of the project are visible at a glance. The game is made on Unreal Engine 4, and therefore, the game looks pretty nice. Graphic part for a solid seven points out of ten. You can see well-made objects in homes, as well as learn a lot about that time.

The sound in the game is quite well made. The music is pleasant, albeit looped. True, in combat situations, it is replaced by not the most pleasant combat music. As for the sounds themselves, there is clearly a lack of funds. Five out of ten.

Optimization. But this should be worked on, many players had problems during the game. But the developers continue to optimize and improve their game.

An interesting indie product with a good story and concept. Not for everyone. The game is more designed for fans of detective stories and time travel, but for many, the game may seem rather boring and uninteresting.

The Forgotten City is praised for its excellent storyline with multiple endings that can bring tears to tears. Maud even won an Australian Writers Guild Award and won the award for Excellence in Narrative at the 2021 Australian Game Developers Awards. In addition to this, 18 voice actors were involved in the work, and the original soundtrack was written by an entire orchestra.

System requirements will delight gamers with weak PCs. To beat the game, all you need to do is be configured with a GTX 750 Ti, 8GB of RAM, and a 3GHz processor.

This review was completed thanks to a code provided by PR.

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The Forgotten City Review on PC - GameSpace.com