Occupy Times Square: New York Marches For A Cause

Occupy Wall Street might have started as a small demonstration September 17, finding a home in New York's Zuccotti Park, but since then, it has grown into a revolutionary movement, spanning 951 cities in 82 countries.

On Saturday night (October 15), an Occupation Party was to start at 5 p.m. ET sharp in New York's Times Square. At around 4:45 p.m., a few hundred people had congregated. By 6:30 p.m., the number had easily reached the thousands.

An extension of Occupy Wall Street, the Occupation Party had gathered in the hub of New York consumerism, Times Square, to peacefully yet heartily protest corporate greed, nationwide unemployment and unethical governmental practices. They set out to march from their starting point back down to Wall Street.

Comprised of an eclectic mix of individuals, the rally saw folks playing music, dancing and chanting slogans such as "This is what Democracy looks like" and "We are the 99 percent."

Within the thousands were three young individuals who expressed the gamut of frustrations with "the system"

Janet Imobisa
Age: 25
Location: Virginia
Fighting for: Job creation
Janet recently lost her job as a call-center employee because the positions were outsourced to Singapore. "I was laid off, and I'm currently receiving unemployment, and it's so hard to find a job, and my unemployment is running out,"said Janet. She is one of millions without a job and losing hope. According to the U.S. Board of Labor, the current unemployment rate in the U.S. is 9.1 percent, up more than 5 percent from the year 2000.

Jen Ventriglia
Age: 26
Location: New York
Fighting for: Hope
Standing atop a plant above the crowd was Jen, a young woman working two jobs at Edible Arrangements and UPS to pay her way through her full-time program in college. "It's all in preparation for a future that might not exist anymore because there are no more jobs. There's no dollar amount that can fix anything that I can ever hope to achieve in my life," said Jen.

Peter Olsen
Age: 25
Location: New York
Fighting for: Equality
In the middle of the enormous crowd was a small hole. It seemed to be the epicenter, and everyone had formed around it. The attention seemed to be going to a young man in glasses and a red glass earring through his ear. Peter Olsen was one of the facilitators of the Occupation Party. The friendly young man was adopted from poverty-ridden Colombia by his parents, a couple from Westchester County in New York, but Peter found himself ostracized as a minority. "I was discriminated against. My parents adopted me because they thought I'd be in a better position here. Now I'm worse off than I would have been," said Peter, who told he has four degrees and six certificates. Not only is he working in a Verizon store, but he still feels out of place.

With their futures hanging in the balance, Janet, Jen and Peter still smiled on, protesting to have their voices heard. It was clear that the demonstrators came together for one common cause: change. And they won't take "no" for an answer.

Taylor Swift Reveals "Wonderstruck" Perfume Inspiration

Taylor Swift took over Manhattan on Thursday for the launch of her first-ever perfume, Wonderstruck.

In addition to a number of television appearances, the singer also made an appearance at Macy's to introduce the world to her fragrance. Like Swift, the perfume is sweet and sparkling. And her devoted fans swarmed the famed New York department store to buy a bottle as well as to try to meet and greet the star, who arrived at the event in a sequined dress befitting of Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

"You know, for me, the feeling of being wonderstruck, it's an excitement of something new," she told at the event while hordes of screaming fans shouted. "And lately, for me, that's been being on tour and having all special guests come out and doing performances and surprising the audience. That's been one of my favorite things of the entire year."

Cartoon of the week - Tense Students

Click on image to enlarge

by Zainab Abbas

NOT ALL SHOES ARE CREATED EQUAL

Nike, a world class brand, has many RUNNING EXPERTS, like, CHLOE SHATTOCK. Nike recently announced, "IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM A SPECIALIST RUNNING SHOP TO ENSURE YOU GET THE RIGHT SHOES FOR YOUR RUNNING STYLE S SO YOU CAN REMAIN INJURY FREE ". So if you visit a Nike shop, ask for a PODIATRIST, who will scientifically analyse how you run and advise you with the best footwear to match.

Vacancy Announcement in PLAN International Pakistan

Plan Pakistan is an international NGO, working for children's rights. Currently we are seeking highly competent dynamic motivated individuals to join our team.
We have the following vacant positions based at Sanghar (Initially for three months)

• Project Managers -1 
• Team Leaders -2 
• Finance Officer -1 
• Logistic Officer -1 
• Admin Officer -1 
• Distributors -30 
• Social Mobilizers -20 
• Warehouse Supervisors -1 
• Tally/Record Keeper -1 
• Store Keeper -1 
• Registration and Verification Staff -10 
• Data Entry Operators -8 

Contact: For detailed job description and submission of online applications
               Please visit job opening link www.planpkaistan.org

Apply Before: Application deadline is 17 October, 2011
Note: 

•           Only on line applications will be entertained. 
•           PLAN is an equal opportunity employer and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Short Term Consultant-End of Project Jobs in UNDP Pakistan

Strengthening Public Grievance Redress Mechanism (SPGRM) project, a joint venture of wafaqi mohtasib's Secretariat and UNDP invites applications from individual consultants for the End OF Project (EOP) evaluation.

Contact: For detailed Terms Of Reference (TOR) and online application please visit

                http://jobs.undp.org.pk

Note: Last date for the submission of online applications is October 26, 2011.

International student “shocked” at transport fares

- JOHN ROSS,

The Australian

From:

CATHERINE Nguyen knew there were surprises in store when she left her native Vietnam to study at the University of Melbourne. But she didn’t know the vagaries of the federal system would cost her $56.50 a month.

“I have a few friends [who studied in] Queensland and Adelaide and they said they had concession fares, so I was surprised when I discovered that Victoria is different,” said the 20 year-old second year commerce student.“I thought all students are going to have the same concession fares. I was quite shocked that international students are excluded.”

Initially, transport fares weren’t a huge issue because Ms Nguyen lived within walking distance from campus. But when inner city rent proved too expensive and she moved to Kensington – a half hour tram trip away, including a change of line – she found the $113 monthly ticket took a big chunk out of her living budget of less than $150 a week after rent.

Her Australian friends pay under $60. “I really think it’s not fair. International students feel excluded and discriminated [against].”

Universities Australia CEO Glenn Withers said inequitable transport arrangements for international students perpetuated feelings of being treated as “cash-cows”.

“The NSW and Victorian governments continue to be their own worst enemy in a key aspect of the international education that so benefits their states,” said Dr Withers.

“International education is a number one export for these states. The students are taxpayers, contributing hugely to GST and income taxes without other drain on services provided only to permanent residents.”

Dr Wither said voters would respect state “vision and leadership” over the issue. “It is still much needed alongside a wide range of other recent positive actions that are providing a solid foundation for quality and excellence in international education.

“The travel concession issue is a symbolic one that these states must fix, as their counterparts have already done.”

Council of International Students Australia president Arfa Noor said concessions were also a safety issue for international students.

“They do all sorts of things to save money, and you can’t blame them. They walk home at night; they change trains to a less safe route. Some of them try to evade fares.”

International student “shocked” at transport fares

- JOHN ROSS,

The Australian

From:

CATHERINE Nguyen knew there were surprises in store when she left her native Vietnam to study at the University of Melbourne. But she didn’t know the vagaries of the federal system would cost her $56.50 a month.

“I have a few friends [who studied in] Queensland and Adelaide and they said they had concession fares, so I was surprised when I discovered that Victoria is different,” said the 20 year-old second year commerce student.“I thought all students are going to have the same concession fares. I was quite shocked that international students are excluded.”

Initially, transport fares weren’t a huge issue because Ms Nguyen lived within walking distance from campus. But when inner city rent proved too expensive and she moved to Kensington – a half hour tram trip away, including a change of line – she found the $113 monthly ticket took a big chunk out of her living budget of less than $150 a week after rent.

Her Australian friends pay under $60. “I really think it’s not fair. International students feel excluded and discriminated [against].”

Universities Australia CEO Glenn Withers said inequitable transport arrangements for international students perpetuated feelings of being treated as “cash-cows”.

“The NSW and Victorian governments continue to be their own worst enemy in a key aspect of the international education that so benefits their states,” said Dr Withers.

“International education is a number one export for these states. The students are taxpayers, contributing hugely to GST and income taxes without other drain on services provided only to permanent residents.”

Dr Wither said voters would respect state “vision and leadership” over the issue. “It is still much needed alongside a wide range of other recent positive actions that are providing a solid foundation for quality and excellence in international education.

“The travel concession issue is a symbolic one that these states must fix, as their counterparts have already done.”

Council of International Students Australia president Arfa Noor said concessions were also a safety issue for international students.

“They do all sorts of things to save money, and you can’t blame them. They walk home at night; they change trains to a less safe route. Some of them try to evade fares.”

Nursing students treat model patient

BY JEFF BELL, TIMES COLONIST

Nurses and other healthcare students at Camosun College have a new colleague to assist them in learning the ropes.

He's called METIman, a computerized patient simulator that helps with training for an array of medical situations. The name comes from the Florida-based company behind the device, Medical Education Technologies Inc.

Funding toward the purchase came to the Camosun College Foundation from the Telus Victoria Community Board ($18,000), the Sisters of St. Ann ($10,000) and Camosun nursing alumnus Robin Bridge ($5,000).

"The generosity was incredible," said Barbara Herringer, dean of health and human services at Camosun.

The donation from the Sisters of St. Ann continues their longheld commitment to health care in the region, which stretches back to 1876 and the establishment of St. Joseph's Hospital.

At $36,000, METIman delivers wireless, web-based capacity and touch-screen software that generates medical scenarios ranging from the routine to emergencies. It can even present mental-health and community-health situations to the user.

"It's not only a great teaching tool but it's a fabulous learning tool for the students," said Herringer.

"It really is a way to engage students in not only patient care but also critical thinking."

She said METIman is incredibly realistic, and indicates a human's vital signs. "They breathe, they die, you can inject them." The devices can also change gender, Herringer said.

METIman is mobile, as well, which helps to broaden its use. It will be available to more than 800 Camosun nursing students for training, along with 180 of their colleagues from the University of Victoria. Another 50 or more Vancouver Island Health Authority staff will be able to use it for refresher courses each year.

Along with registered nurses, Camosun trains licensed-practical nurses, community health-care workers and health-care assistants.

Murdoch Jeered At California Education Summit

SAN FRANCISCO: Rupert Murdoch was reportedly jeered by protesters from the Occupy Wall Street movement during a speech at the California Education Summit this Friday. The protesters, accusing Murdoch of trying to make profit out of public education, repeatedly interrupted him and were escorted outside where they chanted slogans of "Occupy Wall Street!Occupy Sesame Street!".

Taiwan offers Chinese students a cautious welcome

By Juliana LiuBBC News, Taichung
Students from mainland China are a common sight at schools and universities around the world.

But, because of past political tensions between China and Taiwan, 2011 is the first year they have been allowed to study for a degree on the island.

The ruling party, the Nationalists, wants to welcome Chinese students with open arms.

The opposition, led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), wants to restrict their numbers.

Positive impressions

The ongoing controversy over their presence is yet another reminder that, even with cross-straits relations at their best in 60 years, the mutual suspicion after decades of mistrust is difficult to overcome.

Hungkuang University in the central Taiwan city of Taichung is hosting five students from eastern China, in their first year.

Living far from home, the five have formed a close-knit group.

Their impressions of Taiwan, and the laid-back city of Taichung, are unanimously positive.

"The people here are so polite," says Jiang Yubo, a slim, bespectacled young man who is studying environmental engineering.

"They are always saying thank you. It feels like it's very easy to fit into this society."

His friend Xu Jiajie, who is studying nursing, is surprised at the Socratic style of instruction.

"The teachers here value my opinion a lot more. They're always asking for my opinion. At home, they're not so interested in what I think," she says.

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The teachers here value my opinion a lot more. They're always asking for my opinion”

Xu JiajieChinese nursing student

But the students say it is unfair they are barred from receiving certain scholarships and financial help offered to other foreign students.

They are also not allowed to stay on to work in Taiwan after graduation, for fear they will compete with local residents for jobs.

Allowing Chinese students to study in Taiwan is just one of a number of proposals championed by the Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomingtang (KMT).

Relations with giant neighbour China have warmed considerably under President Ma Ying-jeou, who is seeking re-election in January.

Mr Ma favours closer relations with China, whose Communist leadership defeated the Nationalists to win a bloody civil war in 1949. The Nationalists then escaped to Taiwan.

The party, which dominated political life on the island for decades, favours eventual reunification with the mainland.

Ma Ying-jeou leads the ruling Nationalist Party, which wants closer ties with the mainland

"China is a very important player in this region, in the world," says Johnny Chiang, a KMT candidate in legislative elections, also being held in January.

"How does Taiwan play with mainland China in a win-win situation? That is what we are looking for."

His pro-China stance is opposed by the DPP, which promotes a distinctly Taiwanese identity.

The DPP has been known to take a confrontational stance against the mainland.

It was this party that pushed for, and won, restrictions on Chinese students in Taiwan.

'Moving too fast'

The DPP's presidential candidate is Tsai Ing-wen, a quiet, thoughtful academic who is also the first woman in Taiwan to run for the top job.

In September, she led a crowd of 10,000 supporters in Taichung in celebrating the 25th anniversary of her party's founding.

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I welcome peaceful relations with China. Otherwise, how can I get anything done?”

King LiuTaiwanese businessman

"Well, we feel that the KMT party has been moving too fast and too close to China," says DPP spokeswoman Hsiao Bi-khim.

"They have reached political preconditions and agreements with the Chinese without going through a democratic process within Taiwan. We feel that, ultimately, the difference between the DPP and KMT is that we feel any future political arrangement, if there is any change to the status quo, must be agreed by the people of Taiwan," she added.

Both parties feel the independent swing voters of central Taiwan hold the key to Taiwan's future.

They will decide the outcome of the presidential race, which is extremely close.

The votes cast in Taichung will decide if ties with China remain cordial under the KMT, or chill if the DPP takes power.

Business optimism

King Liu, one of the city's best-known businessmen, declines to take sides publicly.

Mr Liu is the 77-year-old found of Giant Global Group, the biggest bicycle seller in the world.

But he clearly prefers to maintain friendly relations with China.

Tsai Ing-wen is Taiwan's first female presidential candidate

"From my point of view, I welcome peaceful relations with China. Otherwise, how can I get anything done? If the two sides are at odds, then it's very damaging for businesses like mine," he says.

He adds: "Taiwan is a free country. People have different views and different opinions. We should respect that. But is there any reason to stir up tension with your neighbours or your friends?"

This is a commonly heard refrain, especially among the business elite.

And it seems even the DPP is taking note.

In a recent trip to Washington, Ms Tsai, the presidential candidate, told her American hosts that she would not antagonise China if she wins.

As for the Chinese students at Hungkuang University, they are enjoying a chance to immerse themselves in a completely different society - with its free press, clean streets and genuine debate over Taiwan's future.

Evolutionary guru: Don't believe everything you think

Evolutionary guru: Don't believe everything you think



Psychologists been interested in self-deception for years, but you say we need a new science of self-deception?
Yes. Because the psychologists have not produced a theory. Self-deception lies at the heart of psychology, but if you read only psychology you will go blind and probably crazy before you discern the underlying principles. A functional view of self-deception has to come out of evolutionary logic. It has to be a pay-off in terms of reproductive success.

You argue that we deceive ourselves all the time, but why do we do it?
One reason is to better deceive others. Deceiving consciously is cognitively demanding. I've got to invent a false story while being aware of the truth, it's got to be plausible, it cannot contradict anything you already know or are going to find out and I've got to be able to remember it so that I don't contradict myself.

This takes concentration and I may give off cues that I'm lying. If I try to slip something by you I may not be able to meet your gaze. For linguistic cues, there are more pauses and fillers while I try to come up with my story. I'll choose simple action words and avoid qualifiers. Another thing that gives us away us is the effort to control ourselves. Let's say I'm coming to a key word in a lie. I tense up, but tensing up automatically raises my voice. That's a very hard thing to fight.

So believing the lie yourself can help with this cognitive burden?
Yes. If I can render all or part of the lie unconscious I can remove the cues that I'm deceiving you. So that's one kind of general reason to practice self-deception: to render the lie unconscious, the better to hide it.

What other types of self-deception are there?
Another broad category is that there is a general tendency to self-inflation. If you ask high school students are they in the top half of their class for leadership ability, 80 per cent will say yes; 70 per cent say they're in the top half for good looks. It ain't possible! And you cannot beat academics for self-deception. If you ask professors whether they're in the top half of their profession, 94 per cent say they are.

So we self-deceive in order to give ourselves an ego boost?
The ego boost, again, is in order to deceive others. There is little intrinsic value in deceiving yourself without deceiving others.

What are the benefits of deceiving other people?
There are many, many situations in which you gain personal benefit. If you're going to steal, you've got to lie to cover it up. If you're having an affair you lie to protect the relationship Now, what do we mean by personal benefit? Ultimately it is measured in terms of reproductive success. But there isn't a straightforward relationship between deception and reproductive success. For example, if I lie and I rise in the corporation, does this result in extra children? So we have to make a separate argument about why rising in the profession gives you benefits that translate into more surviving offspring.

There must be costs too?
Yes. The cost takes various forms. One is that you are more likely to be manipulated by others. A self-deceived person may be the only one in the room that doesn't know what the hell is going on. Con artists use tricks to get your machinery of self-deception going, and then they control you. The general cost is you risk being out of touch with reality.

But still the benefits outweigh these costs?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Self-deception would not have evolved if the costs always outweighed the benefits.

What is going on in our brains when we deceive ourselves?
At the moment, not a lot is known about the neurophysiology. Much more is known about the immunology of self-deception. Here's a vivid example of the cost of self-deception. Because of HIV, various aspects of homosexuality have been studied very intensely. It turns out the more you're out of the closet, the better for you. If you're HIV positive, you transit into AIDS much quicker if you're in the closet about being homosexual.

Let's return to evolution. Are humans the only species with the capacity for self-deception?
No, I do not think so. Lying is widespread throughout the animal kingdom, both between species and also within species. One example is mimics, species that are harmless and tasty but gain protection by resembling a poisonous or distasteful one. Psychologists are getting close to showing that monkeys practice self-deception