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👍 👍 👍 WATCH THIS NEXT – Top 10 Proteins to Stockpile! https://youtu.be/NgTsKTMXzFo 👍 👍 👍 Welcome to our channel! In this thought-provoking video‚ we delve into a significant concern that many survivalists overlook‚ which is the most important prep. As any experienced survivalist knows‚ stress can be an insidious killer‚ especially in high-pressure scenarios. Our expert team has extensively researched the effects of stress on the body and mind during times of emergency‚ and we're here to share our findings with you. It is crucial to understand how stress can jeopardize your chances of survival during an SHTF situation. Remember‚ proper preparation involves not only physical skills and supplies but also understanding the mental challenges you may encounter. By subscribing to our channel and turning on notifications‚ you'll gain access to an array of valuable survival insights and practical tips. 👍 👍 👍 Subscribe to our News Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfg4GGVvguHdqchJXJmyzg 👍 👍 👍 Purchase downloadable and printable booklets and checklists from our store: NEW Printable Medical Supply Checklist Printable 72-Hour Preparation Checklist Basics of Preparedness Booklet AND our Family Favorites Cookbook SPECIAL NOTE: If you download the Basics of Preparedness FULL PACK – it includes all the other downloadable checklists. It includes everything except the cookbook. http://outofgoshen.com/wp/store/ Alpine Gold – Sign up for Free – Best way to purchase GoldBacks https://alpinegold.com/purchase/ref/GoshenPrepping/ Want to Shop Azure? It’s free to sign up! They have tons of fresh‚ good food and organic‚ non-gmo grains! https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=e4ea3c93db Goshen Prepping Facebook Group – come join us with prepping chats https://www.facebook.com/groups/538038804199117 Harvest Right Freeze Dryer https://affiliates.harvestright.com/1610.html Our Equipment Shure Microphone used at the desk https://amzn.to/3bVNctt Rode Microphone used during live streams https://amzn.to/3AoVjYY Come to our Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/c-1664445 Pick up your own Jase Medical Emergency Antibiotic Kit https://www.jasemedical.com/?rfsn=6377762.038cf47 Want to help Goshen Prepping? It’s so simple! Simply click on the link: https://amzn.to/460OQjw Even if you don’t buy one of our items‚ we will still get a portion of any purchase from Amazon after clicking the link‚ and your price doesn’t change! Simply by shopping‚ you can help our family‚ and we appreciate it more than you know. As Amazon Affiliates‚ we thank you for thinking of us on your purchases! If you would like to show appreciation for the videos produced by Out of Goshen‚ you are welcome to donate. It is greatly appreciated! You can even comment on the contribution if you wish the donation to go to a specific person! https://www.paypal.me/OutofGoshen If you would like to send mail to Out of Goshen: Out of Goshen PO Box 333 Clare‚ MI 48617 Email – We get inundated with emails‚ to the point it’s so difficult to keep up. If you have a question concerning prepping‚ asking the question on our Facebook Group is the best way. https://www.facebook.com/groups/538038804199117 Otherwise‚ feel free to drop us an email and say hello! Eric@OutofGoshen.com Please subscribe and give a thumbs up! We appreciate you joining us for this episode! #Prepping #Survival #Preparedness Our channel focuses on Real World‚ expert advice in food shortages‚ food inflation‚ Supply Chain issues‚ Prepping for SHTF‚ SHTF Prepping‚ SHTF 2023‚ Emergency Preparedness‚ Disaster Preparedness‚ Natural Disaster‚ Medical‚ Home Defense‚ Protection‚ Preparedness‚ Essential‚ Security‚ and Power Grid Failures

When scientists detected phosphine in Venus’ atmosphere in 2020‚ it triggered renewed‚ animated discussions about Venus and its potential habitability. It would be weird if the detection didn’t generate interest since phosphine is a potential biomarker. So people were understandably curious. Unfortunately‚ further study couldn’t confirm its presence. But even without phosphine‚ Venus’ atmosphere is full of chemical intrigue that hints at biological processes. Is it time to send an astrobiology mission to our hellish sister planet? While the phosphine discussion petered out pretty quickly‚ there are other‚ more long-lived indications that Venus’ atmosphere contains chemical anomalies‚ some of which might relate to life. Some of the atmospheric gases appear to be out of thermodynamic equilibrium‚ for example. Adding to the complexity‚ scientists aren’t certain what the composition of large particles in the lower atmosphere is. The authors of a new paper illustrate why Venus captures our chemical curiosity and suggest that it’s time for an astrobiological mission to satisfy it. The paper is “Astrobiological Potential of Venus Atmosphere Chemical Anomalies and Other Unexplained Cloud Properties.” It hasn’t been peer-reviewed and published yet‚ but it’s available on the preprint server arxiv.org. The lead author is Janusz Petkowski‚ an astrobiology researcher in the Department of Earth‚ Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at MIT. “Scientists have been speculating on Venus as a habitable world for over half a century‚” the authors write‚ “based on the Earth-like temperature and pressure in Venus’ clouds at 48–60 km above the surface.” Most space-interested people know that Venus’ atmosphere is extremely dense ant hot. We also know that it’s dominated by carbon dioxide‚ that its other main component is nitrogen‚ and that it supports dense clouds of sulfuric acid. Other chemicals are present in only tiny‚ trace amounts. There’s not much else to Venus’ atmosphere beyond CO2 and a small component of nitrogen. The trace elements add up to less than one percent of the atmosphere. Image Credit: By Junkcharts – Own work‚ CC BY-SA 3.0‚ https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31595105 The atmospheric region between 48 to 60 km above the surface is particularly interesting. At that altitude‚ both the pressure and the temperature approach near Earth-like levels. Between about 52.5 km and 54 km‚ the temperature is between 20 °C and 37 °C.) At about 49.5 km above the surface‚ the pressure is the same as at Earth’s sea level. There’s no way that liquid water could be present on Venus’ surface‚ but in the atmosphere it’s possible. That’s the backdrop for considering Venus’ potential habitability. But there are ample chemical considerations‚ too‚ and in their paper‚ the authors outline one long-standing mystery in the planet’s atmosphere. “In this paper‚ we review and summarize Venus’ long-lasting‚ unexplained atmospheric observations‚which have been acquired over the span of the last half-century‚” they write. A lot of the mystery around Venus concerns the so-called “unknown absorber(s).” As far back as the 1920s‚ ultraviolet observations showed unusual high-contrast features that move in conjunction with Venus’ upper cloud deck’s four-day rotation. Something is absorbing the UV light. “Much effort has gone into attempting to identify the substance(s) responsible for the absorption between 320–400 nm‚ but no proposed candidate satisfies all of the observational constraints‚ leading to the oft-used descriptive term ‘unknown UV absorber‚'” the authors write. Researchers have made a prolonged effort to understand what the absorber or absorbers might be‚ and some have made progress. Research has shown that sulphur allotropes and sulphur compounds could be responsible‚ and researchers have uncovered new pathways for their formation in Venus’ atmosphere. But these pathways are the result of simulations‚ not exploration. Not everyone agrees with these findings. There’s no consensus. “Despite decades of effort and observations by two orbiting spacecraft in the 21st century (Venus Expressby ESA and Akatsuki by JAXA)‚ none of the proposed candidate molecules have been found to entirely fitthe observational data‚” the authors explain. The candidates either don’t match the profile well‚ or they’re not abundant enough. Some of the proposed candidates aren’t stable‚ either. But it’s critical that we figure out what it is. “The unknown absorber is remarkably efficient‚ capturing more than 50% of the solar energy reaching Venus‚ with consequent effects on atmospheric structure and dynamics‚” write the authors. Though the mystery persists‚ it’s a huge missing piece that stymies our efforts to understand the planet. Some researchers propose that the UV absorber is a sign of cloud-based biological activity. “The spectral characteristics of the Venus clouds‚ including the strong UV absorption‚ are consistent with the spectrum of certain types of terrestrial bacteria‚” the authors explain. A composite image of the planet Venus as seen by the Japanese probe Akatsuki. The clouds of Venus could have environmental conditions conducive to microbial life. Credit: JAXA/Institute of Space and Astronautical Science Another of the mysteries concerns lower clouds. A subset of cloud particles larger than 7 µm is unknown. Adding to the mystery is that some of them aren’t round. We know this from NASA’s Pioneer Venus mission. Since the particles‚ called Mode 3 particles‚ are non-spherical‚ they can’t be liquid droplets. “The nature and composition of the Mode 3 particles is debated with data presently in hand‚” the authors write‚ making it clear that we need more data from a modern mission. Some have proposed that the particles could be sulfuric acid‚ but the authors say data rules that out. If they’re not sulfuric acid‚ that works in favour of the idea that life could persist in the clouds. “This result could indicate unknown chemistry and is intriguing with regard to the possible presence of ‘life as we know it‚’ which cannot withstand a concentrated sulfuric acid environment‚” the authors explain. It should be noted‚ however‚ that not all scientists agree that the large particles even exist and that calibration errors could be responsible for their detection instead. The authors outline other reasons why only a biological mission to Venus can solve these mysteries. In-situ measurements from the Venera program and the VeGa balloons suggested that the atmosphere hosted non-volatile compounds necessary for life. Life as we know it requires metals‚ including iron. Venera found iron‚ while VeGa didn’t. More mystery waiting to be solved. There are other unexplained components in Venus’ atmosphere. There are trace gases with abundance profiles that scientists can’t explain. Venera and Pioneer also found oxygen there. Nobody knows where it came from‚ and it’s a subject of frequent discussion. Other chemical detections add to the mystery and complexity. The maddening thing about studying Venus from afar is that many of the observations could be explained by either biotic or abiotic processes. That’s why we need a biological mission. NASA’s upcoming DAVINCI mission will send an orbiter and an atmospheric probe to Venus sometime in the 2030s. Image Credit: NASA “The habitability of the Venusian clouds should also be explored by new in situ missions‚” the author explains. Lots of scientists agree with them‚ including renowned planetary scientist Sara Seager. In fact‚ Seager goes even further‚ suggesting that a sample-return mission is needed. There are missions to Venus coming in the future. NASA’s VERITAS mission and DAVINCI mission will both head to Venus‚ but not for several more years. DAVINCI will send a probe into Venus’s atmosphere for in situ observations‚ while VERITAS will map the surface in more detail. In the meantime‚ the data we have is all the data scientists have to work with. While scientists are resourceful and determined‚ that’s not enough. Only a mission to Venus that’s solely focused on biology and chemistry can solve the planet’s mysteries. The post There are Mysteries at Venus. It’s Time for an Astrobiology Mission appeared first on Universe Today.

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) behind outrageous legislation

When Michael Todd started his freshman year at MLK prep school in Memphis‚ Tennessee two years ago‚ he only had one outfit to wear to school. High school kids can be incredibly cruel and Michael was mocked for three weeks for wearing the same clothes every day."I really don't have clothes at home‚" he told KTVI. "My mom can't buy clothes for me because I'm growing too fast."Kristopher Graham‚ a football player at MLK Prep‚ thought the bullying had gone too far and wanted to do something to help. "When I saw people laugh at him and bully him‚ I felt like I needed to do something‚" Kristopher said. He texted his friend Antwan Garrett asking for help.The next day‚ Michael was taken out of third period and when he stepped out of the classroom he was approached by Kristopher and Antwan. He froze with nervousness when he saw the two football players stopped him by the lockers.Football players give student clothes"I want to apologize to you for laughing at you and I want to give you something to make it up‚" Kristopher told Michael. The football players handed Michael a gift‚ bags full of shirts‚ shorts‚ and shoes.Michael couldn't believe the football players' kindness."I've been bullied my entire life." But getting the gift was "awesome‚" he said according to USA Today. "The best day of my entire life‚ basically."Video of the gift exchange went viral and has been seen millions of times. A few weeks later‚ the three teenagers were invited to appear on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" where they were greeted by Will Smith who gave them $10‚000 each.Antwan plans to use the money for trade school to become a diesel engine mechanic and Kristopher wants to invest his portion.Antwan helped Michael because he understood what he was going through."We weren't expecting the video to go viral. We just wanted to make a change‚" Antwan said according to Commercial Appeal. "I know how it feel not to have nothin'. I don't have much‚ but it made me feel better by seeing somebody else have. I haven't had like the best of life. Everybody struggles.""My life has changed from sleeping in a house without no lights. With what is going on the outside affected me in school‚" Antwan added. "I didn't want to be in school. I wanted to help Michael and make him happy and it made me happy."The good deed was also commemorated by the Memphis City Council who honored the teens with a resolution and a round of applause.Kristopher and Antwan are wonderful examples of what can happen when teens are taught that they have a responsibility to one another. While countless kids mocked Michael for something well beyond his control‚ they saw his plight as an opportunity to drastically change his life by taking action.Just imagine if everyone saw others' misfortune as an opportunity to help instead of judge.This article originally appeared on 07.10.21

It's well-established here at Upworthy that libraries are the greatest human invention ever. An open and welcoming public space where you can borrow books about any subject you want for free as long as you bring them back? Simply brilliant.But even as awesome as that is‚ it's not even the half of what makes public libraries great because there is so much more you can get than just books. Lots of people probably know you can check out DVDs from most libraries as well‚ and many probably know that you can check out digital books and audiobooks as well. (If you haven't checked out the Libby app to check out free audiobooks with your library card‚ run don't walk.)But let's go over some of the lesser-known library card perks‚ which miraculously keep on growing. These offerings will vary by location and may not be available at your local library‚ but it's worth checking your library's website because you might be surprised. Zoo and Museum PassesMany cities—including New York‚ Los Angeles‚ Chicago‚ Seattle and many more—offer free admission tickets to area museums‚ parks‚ gardens‚ zoos‚ etc. For most library systems‚ you get a certain number of tickets per month for free‚ but these can save you a ton of money. We're talking main attractions in some of these cities‚ not just obscure museums no one has ever heard of (not that those aren't worthwhile). linkedin learning too btw — (@) Classes through Udemy‚ Coursera‚ LinkedIn Learning and moreOnline learning platforms like Udemy‚ Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer tons of classes about everything under the sun‚ but many of them you have to pay for. Many libraries offer access to these classes for free. To see if your library does‚ log into your library's website and look for the digital resources area. (I live in a tiny town that doesn't offer Udemy or Coursera‚ but it does have LinkedIn Learning and a bunch of other offerings.)Mango Languages When I went searching for Udemy on my library's website‚ it was delighted to find that Mango Languages is available for free with my library card. On the paid site‚ a single language is $7.99 a month and unlimited languages is $17.99 per month. With multiple languages‚ you can save over $215 per year simply by going through the public library website. Amazing. Actual Framed Works of ArtTired of bare walls but not sure what to put on them? Some libraries in Michigan‚ Tennessee‚ Virginia and many other places offer artwork you can check out for a period of time and then switch out. A perfect way to keep your home looking fresh and updated and save on buying art to hang on your walls. Win Win. \xf0\x9f\x8e\xb6 I loved piano as a kid but had to stop playing when we moved to America because we couldn\xe2\x80\x99t afford a piano. \xf0\x9f\x98\xa2 Luckily‚ these days you can check out MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS at the library! \xf0\x9f\x8e\xb9\xf0\x9f\x8e\xb8\xf0\x9f\xa5\x81\n\nJust one of the many ways libraries are changing lives!\n\nHappy #NationalLibraryWeek! — (@) Musical InstrumentsYes‚ really. Some libraries have begun offering musical instruments for their patrons to borrow‚ from drums to banjos to keyboards and more. If you've ever had the hankering to try out an instrument but didn't want to shell out the money. Power ToolsSurely now we're joking‚ right? Nope. If you're in Los Angeles County and need a tool‚ head to the local library where they have a list of dozens of tools. Drills‚ sanders‚ power washers‚ drill bit sets‚ you name it. They also offer sewing machines and other sewing equipment. But it's not just L.A. County. And it's not just tools. Some libraries are offering things like baking pans‚ popcorn makers‚ telescopes‚ sports equipment and other useful things we may not have on hand but don't want to have to buy. The American Library Association estimates that around 2/3 of Americans have a library card. If you don't‚ highly recommend you get one from your local library. It's free! You can also check the terms and conditions of libraries that aren't local to you to see if they allow non-residents to get a card. There is often a fee associated with a non-resident library card‚ but sometimes that might be worth it if you're traveling to a city and want to take advantage of their museum passes. The bottom line is that libraries can be great for your bottom line with free offerings that go so far beyond just books. Yay‚ libraries. They really are the best invention.

When looking for an affectionate‚ loving pet‚ people generally steer towards cats and dogs. Reptiles‚ often seen as non-sentient and emotionless‚ are typically reserved for those opting for something more exotic. But after meeting Rocket‚ the iguana who demands constant attention‚ loves cuddles and even walks with a leash‚ you might consider lizards the next golden retrievers.As Lee‚ Rocket’s owner shared with The Dodo‚ this iguana “thinks he’s a dog.” Rocket follows Lee everywhere‚ and on more than one occasion has inserted himself into dad’s shower or workout session.He also has a voracious appetite with zero patience‚ and will eagerly‚ but clumsily‚ climb up the fridge to sneak a snack when he thinks his owner isn’t watching. That usually ends with a giant mess.Rocket is so dog-like that when he goes out for his routine walks (yes‚ you read that right) people at first mistake him for one.But perhaps what’s even more amazing is that Lee enjoys spoiling him that same way you or I might a puppy. He told The Dodo‚ “I try to be everything an iguana would look for in an owner‚” including providing a large 7x6 foot enclosure‚ humidity and a UVB ray replica. Watch their relationship in action below:Isn’t Rocket just the sweetest little miniature dinosaur ever? Though clearly iguanas are not suitable pets for everyone—certainly not kids or anyone who can’t devote a high level of care—they are not nearly as cold blooded as their reputation makes them out to be. As Lee‚ and several folks in the comments can attest.“I had an iguana for 18 years and he was just like this. Followed me everywhere and we had just an amazing bond. He passed away sleeping on me right over my heart a few years ago. This man is a great iguana Dad. So wonderful to see‚” one person wrote. We might not have what it takes to be as great of an iguana parent as Lee‚ but at least we can follow Rocket’s antics on Instagram‚ TikTok and Youtube. There you’ll discover that Rocket has a new iguana sibling now—Astro! Will there be jealousy over dad’s affection? Guess we’ll have to stay tuned.

Love songs are where we get our passion‚ our soul — and most of our worst ideas.Throughout human history‚ oceans have been crossed‚ mountains have been scaled‚ and great families have blossomed — all because of a few simple chords and a melody that inflamed a heart and propelled it on a noble‚ romantic mission.On the other hand‚ that time you told that girl you just started seeing that you would "catch a grenade" for her? You did that because of a love song. And it wasn't exactly a coincidence that she suddenly decided to "lose your number" and move back to Milwaukee to "figure some stuff out."That time you held that boom box over your head outside your ex's house? You did that because of a love song. And 50 hours of community service later‚ you're still not back together.Love songs are great. They make our hearts beat faster. They inspire us to take risks and put our feelings on the line. And they give us terrible‚ terrible ideas about how actual‚ real-life human relationships should work.They're amazing. So amazing. And also terrible.Here are six love songs that sound romantic but aren't‚ and one song that doesn't sound romantic but totally is:1. "God Only Knows‚" by The Beach BoysYou can keep your "Surfin' Safaris‚" your "I Get Arounds‚" and your "Help me Rhondas."When it comes to The Beach Boys‚ "God Only Knows" is where it's at. A lush garden of soft horns and breezy melody. A tie-dye swirl of sound. A landscape of haunted innocence with some of the most heartrending lyrics ever committed to the back of a surfboard.Youth! Youth! Youth! Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images.Here's why it sounds romantic:I may not always love youBut long as there are stars above youYou never need to doubt itI'll make you so sure about itGod only knows what I'd be without youIf you're traipsing through a meadow in a sundress with your beloved and not playing "God Only Knows" on your iPod‚ you should really stop and start over.If you're lazily bumping a beach ball over a volleyball net and "God Only Knows" isn't playing somewhere in the back of your mind‚ you need to rethink the choices that got you to this point.If you're a video editor compiling footage of grainy hippies frolicking in the mud and you're not underscoring it with the opening chords of "God Only Knows‚" you are doing it wrong.It's a song that just feels like love. Pure love. Young love. Love with a chill‚ kelp-y vibe.What could be wrong with that?Here's why it's actually really‚ really unromantic:There's nothing wrong with loving someone. Sending them flowers. Leaving over-the-top notes in their P.O. boxes. Stroking their hair as they fall asleep while you whisper the complete works of Nicholas Sparks into their ear.But there is such a thing as loving someone a skosh too much.If you should ever leave meThough life would still go on believe meThe world could show nothing to meSo what good would living do me?Look‚ I get it. Breakups suck. There's no getting around that. But good God.There's a huge difference between saying: "Hey babe‚ you are my first and foremost everything and I'll be bummed if you go." And saying: "Welp‚ you accepted that job in Seattle‚ so I'm just gonna chug a bunch of nightshade and call it a life."But that's pretty much the gist here. Which makes this line...God only knows what I'd be without you...horror-movie creepy. Because the answer‚ apparently‚ is: "I'd be a corpse!"That's not love. That's codependency (to put it mildly). Oh‚ and hey! Threatening to kill yourself if your partner leaves isn't loving. It's a form of emotional abuse.Investing all your happiness and sense of self-worth in any relationship — one that‚ by definition‚ might one day end — is putting a lot of eggs in one basket. Sure‚ God may only know what you'd be without her‚ but God probably also hopes you have‚ I don't know‚ some hobbies. Take a yoga class. Google some woodworking videos. Try kite surfing.One person cannot be anyone's be-all and end-all. It's too stressful. And it prevents you from doing you‚ which is a thing that's gotta be done before you can do anything else.No wonder she took that job in Seattle.2. "Treasure‚" by Bruno MarsSure‚ it's a blatant rip off of every Michael Jackson song you've ever heard. But‚ we don't have Michael Jackson anymore‚ and as tribute acts go‚ you could do a lot worse than Bruno Mars.Here's why the song sounds romantic:Treasure‚ that is what you areHoney‚ you're my golden starYou know you can make my wish come trueIf you let me treasure youIf you let me treasure youPass those lyrics to anyone on a used napkin at an eighth-grade make-out party and you'll likely get an instant toll pass on the highway to tongue-town (ew).Pass them to your spouse and‚ chances are‚ date night is going to culminate in 47 minutes of chaste-yet-passionate frenching.Pass them to a cop who pulls you over for running a stop sign‚ and they will think you're weird — but probably still make out with you.In fact‚ Bruno Mars basically has a lifetime pass to make out with America because of this song.And I'm OK with that.But‚ here's why "Treasure" isn't as romantic as it seems:Everything about "Treasure" is retro. Everything.Including its attitudes about gender.Things start to go south right from the very beginning:Give me your‚ give me your‚ give me your attention‚ babyI gotta tell you a little something about yourselfAh yes. Nothing screams "respect" quite like a man lecturing a strange woman on the street about something she "doesn't know about herself."What could it be? Could it be that her jokes are funny? Could it be that she's got something in her teeth? Could it be that her nonfiction book about early modern German history is extremely detailed and informative?Spoiler Alert: It's none of those.You're wonderful‚ flawless‚ ooh‚ you're a sexy ladyBut you walk around here like you wanna be someone elseOh. It's that she's sexy. Cool‚ bro. Very original.Word of advice? Regardless of how she's walking‚ the lady knows she's sexy. Even if she doesn't‚ it really doesn't affect her day-to-day so much that you‚ a complete stranger‚ need to shout it at her (even over a funky disco snare).So what if she does want to be someone else? I'd love to be someone else! I think being Ryan Gosling would be quite nice. A good way to spend a three-day weekend.And then later‚ of course‚ the narrator can't help himself:Pretty girl‚ pretty girl‚ pretty girl‚ you should be smilingA girl like you should never look so blue.He respects her so much‚ he's actually straight-up telling her to smile! Much like Mars' character "Uptown Funk‚" who appears to get off on angrily exhorting girls to "hit [their] hallelujah." Which‚ you know‚ I guess everybody's got a thing.Yes‚ in the world of "Treasure‚" a healthy relationship is an unending stream of a man complimenting a strange woman and said woman being so totally flattered that she immediately dispenses "the sex."He then proceeds to talk to his potential lover like the world's creepiest pirate:You are my treasure‚ you are my treasureYou are my treasure‚ yeah‚ you‚ you‚ you‚ you areYou are my treasure‚ you are my treasureYou are my treasure‚ yeah‚ you‚ you‚ you‚ you areBy this point‚ in his mind‚ she's a literal thing. An object. Which is fitting.I suppose it could be worse‚ though. At least she's not just any thing.That's ... something‚ right?3. "Don't Think Twice‚ It's All Right‚" by Bob DylanFor as long as humans have been dating each other‚ humans have been breaking up with each other. And "Don't Think Twice" is a portrait of a relationship going down in flames. Glorious‚ poetic‚ acoustic flames.Here's why it sounds romantic:Well‚ it ain't no use to sit and wonder why‚ babeEven you don't know by nowAnd it ain't no use to sit and wonder why‚ babeIt'll never do somehowWhen your rooster crows at the break of dawnLook out your window‚ and I'll be goneYou're the reason I'm a-traveling onBut don't think twice‚ it's all right.Boom. Strummed on out of that friends-with-benefits situation like whoa."Don't Think Twice" is a raw song. An honest song. A powerful song. It's the song your older sister played on continuous loop for six months after her boyfriend left for college. The song that convinced your Aunt Roslyn to leave her bank-teller job‚ load her four Australian shepherds into the van‚ and open a wind chime store in Mendocino. The song your friend's cool dad always wants to play when he invited your high school band over to his apartment to jam.Sure‚ it's about the end of a relationship‚ but it sounds romantic. And at the end of the day‚ shouldn't that be enough?Here's why it's actually sooooo messed up:Relationships end. For a lot of reasons. And while there is no right way to call it quits with someone‚ when the dust settles‚ both parties can certainly benefit from a difficult‚ honest discussion about what went wrong.In "Don't Think Twice‚" that discussion basically boils down to: "It's your fault."Let's review the reasons the dude in "Don't Think Twice" is splitting with his lady friend:I gave her my heart‚ but she wanted my soulUgh‚ women‚ right? You're all like‚ "Babe‚ I just have so much unspecified love to give‚" and she's like‚ "Take out the trash!" And you're like‚ "But baaaaaaabe‚ shouldn't my heart be enough?" And she's like‚ "No‚ seriously. I already did the laundry‚ cleaned the whole house‚ fed the dog‚ did the dishes‚ and made both of our lunches for the week. All I need you to do is take out the trash." And you're like‚ "You're bumming me out. I'm gonna go play guitar." And then she gets all mad! What did you do? Why is she trying to change you? UGH!You could have done better‚ but I don't mindYes. You do mind! You mind! You wrote a song about it‚ you passive-aggressive prick.You just kinda wasted my precious timeAh yes. Your time is so precious! Think about all the hours you wasted plumbing the ocean-deep‚ ecstatic mysteries of human partnership when you could have been futzing around with that home-brew kit.The minute you start breaking it down‚ the message of "Don't Think Twice" suddenly starts to seem a lot less romantic. Like your sister's ex-boyfriend‚ who worked at the Bass Pro Shop in town for a while and now might be in jail. Like your aunt's wind chime store‚ which would have closed forever ago had she not received that inheritance from her mom in the '80s. Like your friend's cool dad‚ who wasn't exactly‚ technically‚ paying child support.Oh yeah‚ and the song's narrator also point-blank refers woman he's leaving as:A child‚ I'm toldThat's right. In addition to being a run-of-the-mill passive-aggressive jerk — turns out‚ he's also possibly a pedophile.Even if we are to accept that this is a metaphor and she's not actually a child — which there's no indication it is‚ but OK‚ Bob Dylan — the fact that Commitmentphobe Gunderson here would willingly choose an immature partner reflects way more poorly on him than it does on her.Breaking up with anyone in such a cruel‚ dismissive way is a recipe for sticking them with years of therapy bills.Which‚ I suppose‚ may be the point.4. "Leaving on a Jet Plane‚" by John DenverWho has two thumbs and wrote a bittersweet folk song about hurtling through the stratosphere in a giant aluminum tube at 600 miles per hour?Here's why it sounds romantic:"Leaving on a Jet Plane" is a lovely song. And impressive in its loveliness because jet planes were still kind of new at the time it was written.'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet planeTo a modern ear‚ this would be sort of like singing‚ "I'm a scoooting away on my hoverboooooard‚" but in a way that's somehow still folksy and heartbreaking and singable by 9-year-olds at summer camp. Not easy to do!Oh babe‚ I hate to goYou see — he hates to go! He just hates it! We know this‚ because he tells us he hates it. And why would he hate to go if he didn't love his partner just that much?Why indeed?Here's why it's actually not that romantic at all:All the plaintive guitar‚ loping bass line‚ and twangy‚ melancholy warbling in the world can only distract so much from the fact that the song's main character is well‚ kind of a jerkweed.And in reality — surprise surprise! — it doesn't actually seem like he hates being away all that much:There's so many times I've let you downSo many times I've played aroundI tell you now‚ they don't mean a thing"Babe‚ I promise! All the movies I watched alone while you were home nursing the quadruplets. All the times I drained our life savings on Zoo Zillionaire. All the random sex I had with other women. Totally meaningless. Certainly fun to do! Really fun. Like‚ I had a fantastic time. But rest assured — completely empty‚ in an ontological sense."Yes‚ when you break it down‚ "Leaving on a Jet Plane‚" is less of a passionate tribute to love overcoming distance and more the deluded ramblings of a guy who needs to convince himself he's "good" despite all evidence to the contrary.And for all he claims to be broken up about having to part from his one and only‚ the dude seems pretty excited about the flight. Oh‚ you're leaving on a jet plane‚ are you? Are you Zone 1? Gonna humblebrag on Twitter about the "terrible" Cibo express salad you were forced to choke down as you sat waiting to embark on your fun‚ mysterious adventure?He continues:Ev'ry place I go‚ I'll think of youEv'ry song I sing‚ I'll sing for youAh cool. He'll think about her while strumming and making "my love is delicate as the morning dew" eyes at a waif-y grad student in the front row. That pretty much makes up for it all.Then he demands:So kiss me and smile for meTell me that you'll wait for meAfter all the betrayal and heartbreak‚ after basically revealing himself to be a grade-A sleaze who can't be trusted‚ he still has the gall to tell her to wait? To wait for him?And here's the kicker:When I come back‚ I'll bring your wedding ringAh yes. He'll put a ring on it. Finally.Unlike all the previous trips‚ where he's cheated a billion times‚ drained the family bank account‚ and just been a general screwup and disappointment.But yeah. This time he says he'll bring back a wedding ring.I hope she joins a polyamorous octad and never looks back.5. "When a Man Loves a Woman‚" Percy SledgeWhen you look up "soul" in the dictionary‚ the book plays you a recording of this song.Specifically‚ it plays you the very first line.Here's why it sound very romantic:When a man loves a womanSure‚ you can write the lyrics down‚ but it doesn't even come close to capturing the heartache. The yearning. The delicious‚ delicious pain-belting:WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMANCloser ... but still no.WHEN A MAAAAAAAN. LOVES A WOOOMAN!Yes! Sing it‚ Percy Sledge!It's an elemental lyric.It's a heart-shattering lyric.It's a lyric that demands you put your back into it.It's perfection.As long as you don't keep listening.Here's why the song is actually pretty horrifying:From the opening lines of "When a Man Loves a Woman‚" we know that‚ at least on occasion‚ a man loves a woman.Which raises the question: What happens when said man loves said woman?He'd give up all his comfortsAnd sleep out in the rainIf she said that's the wayIt ought to be.Whoa! OK. No. Back up. A man‚ no matter how devoted‚ no matter how selfless‚ no matter how in love‚ needs shelter. Otherwise‚ a man will die of exposure and hypothermia.Turn his back on his best friend if he put her down.No! Jeez. No. A man can't put up with that kind of isolating behavior. A man needs friends! Once a man's whole support system erodes out from under him‚ a man will be bitter‚ ungrounded‚ and alone. And a man's mental health will deteriorate.I gave you everything I haveTryin' to hold on to your heartless loveBaby‚ please don't treat me bad.This is not what happens "when a man loves a woman." It's what happens when a man loves a controlling‚ manipulative woman. An abusive woman. A woman who‚ in truth‚ only loves a woman. Herself.And that's not healthy.Run‚ Percy Sledge‚ run! We're here for you.(Side note: Lest it go unsaid‚ there is way more than one way for a man to love a woman. Maybe they spend every waking moment cuddling and bopping each other on the nose. Maybe they sleep in separate bedrooms. Maybe they dress up in large‚ plush cat costumes and refer to each other Mr. and Mrs. Kittyhawk. And when a man loves a man‚ I imagine it feels much the same. Or when a woman loves a woman. Or when a gender nonconforming person loves a gender nonconforming person.)Regardless of the depth of commitment‚ living situation‚ or combination of genders or sexual orientations‚ there's no one-size-fits-all love solution. Every relationship is a unique snowflake. Variety is the spice of life. Necessity is the mother of invention. There's more than one way to skin a cat. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. It doesn't matter if it's the right metaphor‚ as long as it's a metaphor.Point being: Generalize at your peril‚ Sledge. And please‚ seek help! You can do this! And if you ever find yourself in a similar situation‚ please give these people a call.6. "All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You‚" HeartHonestly‚ Heart could sing a list of the most popular AllRecipes ("Jaaaamie's Cranberry Spinach Saaaaalad/World's Best Lasaaaaagna/Sour Creeeeeam Cutouts") and it would make me want to bawl my eyes out in the arms of a tall‚ dark stranger at the end of a pier.This song is perfect. You should always be listening to it. If you're not listening to it now‚ smack yourself in the face and Google it. It's just that important.I am singing the phone book. You are weeping like a tiny baby. Photo by FatCat125/Wikimedia Commons.So much passion. So much pain. So much hair.Here's why it sounds romantic:Over pounding drums and a soaring melody‚ Heart sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson deliver a primal tribute to the one true romantic fantasy shared by every living being on Earth: picking up an unnervingly attractive man for one night of mind-blowing sex and then releasing him back into the wild to bone — but never quite as compellingly ever again.They sing:It was a rainy night when he came into sightStanding by the road‚ no umbrella‚ no coatSo I pulled up alongside and I offered him a rideHe accepted with a smile so we drove for a whileI don't have to go on because you know what happens next‚ and it's awesome.Now‚ here's why this song is not romantic at all:The relationship in "All I Wanna Do" seems too good to be true. And it is. Because it's not an equally loving ‚or even equally lusty‚ pairing at all.It's a...It's a...Well. You know what it is:For a while‚ things are humming along just fine‚ like any wholesome‚ illicit‚ anonymous affair should:I didn't ask him his name‚ this lonely boy in the rainFate‚ tell me it's right‚ is this love at first sight?Sure‚ many of us might hesitate to pick up a strange leather-jacket-clad man standing on the side of the road for a no-strings-attached screw‚ but our narrator just has a feeling about this guy‚ and sometimes‚ you gotta go with your gut.I can respect that.We made magic that nightHe did everything rightGreat! Seems like it was a good decision. Bonking the hitchhiker is payin' off big time.But then‚ without warning‚ the song starts to sound less like an all-time great romance and more like a story men's rights activists tell each other as they vape around a campfire:I told him "I am the flower‚ you are the seedWe walked in the garden‚ we planted a treeDon't try to find me‚ please don't you dareJust live in my memory‚ you'll always be there"I'm not a poet. Symbolic language often eludes me. But unless "flower‚" "seed‚" "garden‚" and "tree‚" suddenly mean wildly different things in the context of human reproduction than they have since sex was first invented in the early-1970s‚ we're talking about a surprise‚ non-mutually-consensual pregnancy!Of course‚ metaphors are opaque‚ interpretations vary‚ etc.‚ etc.‚ etc. You might be tempted to think‚ "Maybe Heart meant something else by that."To that I say‚ no‚ they definitely meant it:Then it happened one dayWe came round the same wayYou can imagine his surpriseWhen he saw his own eyesThere are two possibilities here.One: The narrator of the song is recently-deceased Jerry Orbach from this creepy New York City subway ad from nine years ago:Or two: She totally conned a dude into whipping up a baby on the sly.I said‚ "Please‚ please understandAh‚ sure. Yeah. No worries.I'm in love with another manCool‚ so this all makes sense and is in no way the nightmarish scheme of a deranged sociopath who has now wrecked not one but two lives.And what he couldn't give me‚ oh‚ noWas the one little thing that you can"A HUMAN LIFE! A REAL SENTIENT HUMAN LIFE THAT IS NOT INCIDENTAL TO ALL OF THIS!The best you can say about that is that it's not technically illegal‚ and that leather-jacket man probably should have been responsible for his own birth control. Or‚ at the very least‚ asked more questions .But ... it's not cute. It's not romantic (even the Wilson sisters themselves agree).And at the end of the day‚ the shadiest character in this song is somehow not the rain-soaked hitchhiker wandering to nowhere in the night.Which... is saying something.But there is a love song that is truly‚ madly‚ deeply perfect. An unassailable track in a sea of problematic faves.A song that does everything right.A song that paints a portrait of a healthy partnership built to last.A song that can double as a manual for the ideal human romantic relationship.And that song is..."Candy Shop‚" by 50 Cent‚ featuring OliviaHere's why you might be — OK‚ almost definitely are — skeptical:As catchy as "Candy Shop" is‚ as fun it is to dance to‚ and as cathartic as it can be to scream in the middle of a crowded fraternity house at 2 a.m.‚ there's no getting around the fact that the song begins like this:I'll take you to the candy shopI'll let you lick the lollipopI'll post that again‚ in case you missed some of the nuance:I'll take you to the candy shopI'll let you lick the lollipopWay to take one for the team‚ narrator of "Candy Shop"!At first glance‚ "Candy Shop" is nobody's idea of a classic love song.The lyrics are ... unusually forward. The beat is kinda basic. The hook is like the music they play when Abu Nazir sidles scarily by in "Homeland."It doesn't get played much anymore. When it does resurface‚ it feels ... kinda dated. Like watching that DVD of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" on your new Xbox 360.It's not a song you'd put on a mixtape for your crush. It's not a song you'd play for your spouse when the kids are at home with the babysitter and you've got nine hours to tear up the Piscataway Hampton Inn. It's certainly not a song you'd include on the video photo montage you made for your grandparents' silver anniversary.It's just not.But it should be.So here it is. Here's why "Candy Shop" by 50 Cent‚ featuring Olivia‚ is actually the perfect relationship song:The bass drum hits. The MIDI violins whine. The singer starts filling out his fellatio permission slip. It's only been 20 seconds‚ and you're already getting ready to hang it up with "Candy Shop."But then ... over the square thrum and the mewling strings‚ a miracle occurs — in the form of a female voice joining the track‚ cutting through the din like a clarion call.She sings:I'll take you to the candy shop (yeah)Boy‚ one taste of what I got (uh-huh)I'll have you spendin' all you got (come on)Keep going 'til you hit the spot‚ whoaIt's mutual! It's mutual! They're performing oral sex on each other!Ring the bells! Bang the drums! Release the doves!Go‚ cunnilingus doves‚ go!50 Cent himself may not be the world's greatest partner — for example‚ according to one of his exes‚ he's done some pretty unforgivable things.But the narrator of "Candy Shop"? He gets it:You could have it your way‚ how do you want it?Rather than simply imposing his desires on the person he's with — a la the dude in "God Only Knows ("I'm going to invest my entire sense of self-worth in you!") or the street heckler in "Treasure" ("I'm going to treat you like a chest full of gold doubloons!") or the sociopath in "All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You‚" ("I'm going to trick you into knocking me up!") — the "Candy Shop" guy actually asks his partner what she wants.Which‚ in the world of popular music‚ is good for about 50‚000 trillion points.And where are they going to do it? The hotel? Back of the rental? The beach? The park?It's whatever you're into'Cause consent is sexy!I ain't finished teaching you 'bout how sprung I got yaThe narrator of "Candy Shop" is certainly ... assertive about his desires.But here's the key thing: the lady on the receiving end of those desires? She's clearly into it. And we know this because she says so.The lines of consent in "Candy Shop" are bright red‚ highlighted‚ and soldered into the weirdly sticky club floor.Meanwhile‚ Robin Thicke is outside trying to convince the bouncer that his uncle is a lawyer.Girl what we do ...And where we do ...The things we do ...Are just between me and youNo matter how nasty they freak‚ it will be intimate. It will be private. There will be no revenge porn (the epilogue to "Blurred Lines‚" to wit‚ would definitely be a protracted‚ emotionally devastating lawsuit).If you be a nympho‚ I'll be a nymphoSexual compatibility is key to the survival of any relationship‚ whether years‚ weeks‚ or (very possibly in the case of "Candy Shop") minutes long.She may have a high sex drive‚ but dude is graciously offering to accommodate her. What a gentleman! These crazy kids just might go the distance after all.And at the end of the day‚ what is a relationship but two nymphos‚ sharing health insurance?It's like it's a race who could get undressed quickerAgain‚ everybody is having a great time. And‚ critically‚ an equally great time.I touch the right spot at the right timeOf course‚ it wouldn't be a pop/hip-hop hit without a spot of random braggadocio‚ but if we're to take him at his word‚ "Candy Shop" guy is at least as good at "doing everything right" as the anonymous hitchhiker from "All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You" — except without all the creepy surprise baby nonsense.The "Candy Shop" guy is a keeper. Because he's not a hero or a stranger in the night or a funky‚ shimmering love god. He's a good partner."Candy Shop" is raunchy. It's dirty. It's not your grandmother's love song.But when you strip away the swagger‚ the back beat‚ and the weird strings from "Best of Public Domain Middle Eastern Music 1993‚" by the end of the song‚ both people are satisfied. And at the end of the day‚ isn't that what a healthy relationship is all about?Yeah.Uh-huh.So seductive.This article originally appeared on 12.21.22

If you’re a Gen Xer or older‚ one surprising habit the younger generations developed is their love of subtitles or closed-captioning while watching TV. To older generations‚ closed-captioning was only for grandparents‚ the hearing impaired‚ or when watching the news in a restaurant or gym.But these days‚ studies show that Millenials and Gen Z are big fans of captions and regularly turn them on when watching their favorite streaming platforms. A recent study found that more than half of Gen Z and Millenials prefer captions on when watching television.It’s believed that their preference for subtitles stems from the ubiquity of captioning on social media sites such as TikTok or Instagram.This generational change perplexed TikTokker‚ teacher and Gen X mother‚ Kelly Gibson.Always leaning! #genx #millennial #caption #learning @gibsonishere Always leaning! #genx #millennial #caption #learning "I have three daughters‚ and they were here. Two of them are young millennials; the other one is an older Gen Z‚" Gibson explained in a video with over 400‚000 views. "All of them were like‚ 'Why don't you have the captions on?'”The mother couldn’t believe that her young kids preferred to watch TV like her grandparents. It just did not compute."My Gen X butt was shocked to find out that these young people have decided it's absolutely OK to watch movies with the captions going the whole time‚" she said jokingly.But like a good mother‚ Gibson asked her girls why they preferred to watch TV with captioning‚ and their reason was straightforward. With subtitles‚ it’s easier not to lose track of the dialog if people in the room start talking."They get more out of it‚" Gibson explained. "If somebody talks to them in the middle of the show‚ they can still read and get what's going on even if they can't hear clearly. Why are young people so much smarter than us?"At the end of the video‚ Gibson asked her followers whether they watch TV with subtitles on or off. "How many of you out there that are Millennials actually do this? And how many of you Gen Xers are so excited that this is potentially an option?" she asked.Gibson received over 8‚400 responses to her question‚ and people have a lot of different reasons for preferring to watch TV with captions.“Millennial here. I have ADHD along with the occasional audio processing issues. I love captions. Also‚ sometimes I like crunchy movie snacks‚” Jessileemorgan wrote. “We use the captions because I (GenX) hate the inability of the movie makers to keep sound consistent. Ex: explosions too loud conversation to quiet‚” Lara Lytle added.“My kids do this and since we can’t figure out how to turn it off when they leave‚ it’s become a staple. GenX here!” Kelly Piller wrote.The interesting takeaway from the debate is that anti-caption people often believe that having writing on the screen distracts them from the movie. They’re too busy reading the bottom of the screen to feel the film's emotional impact or enjoy the acting and cinematography. However‚ those who are pro-caption say that it makes the film easier to understand and helps them stay involved with the film when there are distractions.So who’s right? The person holding the remote.

The early 1900s were a time of great social upheaval in our country. During the years leading up to the Ludlow Massacre‚ miners all around the country looking to make a better life for themselves and their families set up picket lines‚ organized massive parades and rallies‚ and even took up arms. Some died. It's always worth considering why history like this was never taught in school before. Could it be that the powers that be would rather keep this kind of thing under wraps?Here is Woody Guthrie's tribute to the good people who fought in the battles of Ludlow to help make a better tomorrow for everyone — you can just start the video and then start reading‚ if you wish: Coal Country‚ Colorado100 years ago‚ the Rocky Mountains were the source of a vast supply of coal. At its peak‚ it employed 16‚000 people and accounted for 10% of all employed workers in the state of Colorado. It was dangerous work; in just 1913 alone‚ the mines claimed the lives of over 100 people. There were laws in place that were supposed to protect workers‚ but largely‚ management ignored those‚ which led to Colorado having double the on-the-job fatality rate of any other mining state.It was a time of company towns‚ when all real estate‚ housing‚ doctors‚ and grocery stores were owned by the coal companies themselves‚ which led to the suppression of dissent as well as overinflated prices and an extreme dependence on the coal companies for everything that made life livable. In some of these‚ workers couldn't even leave town‚ and armed guards made sure they didn't. Also‚ if any miner or his family began to air grievances‚ they might find themselves evicted and run out of town.The UnionThe United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) had been organizing for many years in the area‚ and this particular company‚ Colorado Fuel and Iron‚ was one of the biggest in the West — and was owned by the Rockefeller family‚ notoriously anti-union.Put all this together‚ and it was a powder keg.Strike!When a strike was called in 1913‚ the coal company evicted all the miners from their company homes‚ and they moved to tent villages on leased land set up by the UMWA. Company-hired guards (aka “goons") and members of the Colorado National Guard would drive by the tent villages and randomly shoot into the tents‚ leading the strikers to dig holes under their tents and the wooden beams that supported them.Why did the union call for a strike? The workers wanted:(equivalent to a 10% wage increase)‚Enforcement of the eight-hour work day‚Payment for "dead work" that usually wasn't compensated‚ such as laying coal car tracks‚The job known as “Weight-checkmen" to be elected by workers. This was to keep company weightmen honest so the workers got paid for their true work‚The right to use any store rather than just the company store‚ and choose their own houses and doctors‚Strict enforcement of Colorado's laws‚ especially mine safety laws.The Powder Keg ExplodesThe attacks from the goons continued‚ as did the battles between scabs (strikebreakers) and the miners. It culminated in an attack on April 20‚ 1914‚ by company goons and Colorado National Guard soldiers who kidnapped and later killed the main camp leader and some of his fellow miners‚ and then set the tents in the main camp ablaze with kerosene. As they were engulfed‚ people inside the tents tried to flee the inferno; many were shot down as they tried to escape. Some also died in the dugouts below the burning tents. In the first photograph below‚ two women and 11 children died in the fire directly above them. A day that started off with Orthodox Easter celebrations for the families became known as the Ludlow Massacre.The 10-Day WarThe miners‚ fresh off the murders of their friends and family members‚ tried to get President Woodrow Wilson to put a stop to the madness‚ but he deferred to the governor‚ who was pretty much in the pocket of the mine companies.So the miners and those at other tent colonies quickly armed themselves‚ knowing that many other confrontations were coming. And they went to the mines that were being operated by scabs and forced many of them to close‚ sometimes setting fire to the buildings. After 10 days of pitched battle and at least 50 dead‚ the president finally sent in the National Guard‚ which promptly disarmed both sides.Union VictoryWhile close to 200 people died over the course of about 18 months before and after the battles at Ludlow and the union ultimately lost the election‚ the Ludlow Massacre brought a congressional investigation that led to the beginnings of child-labor laws and an eight-hour workday‚ among other things.But it also brought national attention to the plight of these miners and their families‚ and it showed the resilience and strength that union people could display when they remained united‚ even in the face of extreme corporate and government violence. Historian Howard Zinn called it "the culminating act of perhaps the most violent struggle between corporate power and laboring men in American history." And the primary mine owner‚ John D. Rockefeller Jr.‚ received a lot of negative attention and blame for what happened here.This article was written by Brandon Weber and originally appeared on 08.14.14