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NASA Releases Time-Lapse of the Disappearing Polar Ice Caps in the Arctic

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Nasa released a video demonstrating the fluctuations in polar ice caps in the Arctic Sea from 1984 to 2016.  The information provided in the video stated that the first ice loss occurred over a few years in 1989.  It happened again in the mid-2000s.

At that time, ice which had been aging for years encompassed 20% of the total ice in the Arctic. In 2016, this robust, matured ice had decreased to only 3%.

In 1984, the amount of old polar ice was 1.86 million square km within the total ice spread.  By 2016, this old ice consists of only 110,000 square km.

Why the polar ice caps in the arctic are so important

The presence of large amounts of older, deeply formed ice is vital as a way to stop new ice from melting as quickly.  Think of when you put ice in a glass and then pour water over it.  If you only have a little bit of ice, the new water melts the ice more quickly while only cooling the water slightly.

However, if you fill the glass up with ice, and then fill it with water, more of the ice remains as it quickly cools the water; you have a nice, ice-cold glass of water which stays cold longer.

For the new ice forming, it is essential that it can build upon itself and mature into older ice formations.

The amount of old ice and newly formed ice fluctuates throughout the seasons.   It melts in the summer and then freezes again in the winter.  What scientists are looking at is the increase in the quantity of ice dissolving in comparison to previous melting seasons.  Currently, with the old ice melting so quickly, there is less to insulate the new ice to keep it frozen.  It also creates higher water temperatures, further increasing the melting process.

The significance of the ice caps melting lies in the fact that ice reflects rays from the sun away from the Earth.  With less ice, more of the sun’s rays hit the surface of the Earth, causing the ground and water to rise in temperature.

rising sea levels

Learn how melting ice sheets are threatening shorelines.

This action is what creates global warming.

Global warming refers to the temperature of the Earth, not to the average temperatures we see based on our climate or daily weather.

The Washington Post recently published an article from the Capital Weather Gang disclosing that the Arctic near Greenland is currently facing a rise in average temperatures of 40 degrees.  An ice researcher at Columbia University, Marco Tedesco, stated that Eastern and Central Greenland had seen an increase in warmer temperatures as well.

This rise in temperatures has created warming, affecting about 45% of the ice.  While some recognize that the weather changes often can change rapidly, they also acknowledge that this is the greatest warming trend since 2012.  Greenland saw its largest ice melt in 2012 in which, over a span of a few days,  97% of the ice sheet was melting.  Currently, 2019 is poised to exceed that record.

A Planned Expedition

Scientists are hoping to be in the Arctic during the warmest month of the year, September.  The Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate is planning an expedition to start on September 20th.   Nations from around the globe are contributing to what is believed to be “the last opportunity.”  Alfred Wegener Institute, a polar research center from Germany, is taking the lead and providing the ship, RV Polarstern.

Resupply vessels are being furnished from Russia, China, and Sweden.  Japan will measure the carbon as it moves from the sea ice to the atmosphere through flux chambers they have designed.  The Swiss are now designing snow sampling equipment.  More than $25 million in grants, equipment, and logistical support is being provided by the National Science Foundation and other United States agencies.

The research ship will pick a particular flow of ice caps; hopefully, their charts have pointed them in the right direction to end up near Greenland at the end of a long year.  The goal is to study the ice, the melting, and the consequences on the environment – both in the Arctic and from melting ice flowing into the greater ocean.  They also need to run studies on the water in the Arctic.  Specifically, they need to determine the consequences of the heat trapped between the sun’s rays reaching below the surface of the thin ice and the heavy clouds that lie above it.

global warming

Closing Thoughts on the Declining Ice Caps

This is the first research ship to go to the Arctic for an entire year, and many of the scientists fear it may be the last in a long time.  Some of the older researchers believe the summer ice will only last another 10-30 years and future scientists will only see water upon the next expedition.

Global warming and climate change are not new to our planet. It has undergone severe changes in the billions of years it has existed. Previously, we had to rely on our planet’s footsteps to lead us to the events of Earth’s dramatic history.   Our current generations of humanity may be the first in which scientists, and the public, can observe, document, and prepare for the repercussions in advance.

Researchers Explain Why You Should Never Get Silver Fillings

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Have you had any teeth work done recently? Maybe you had a cavity filled. First, great job on taking care of your teeth! About 91% of Americans have tooth decay or cavities – with about 31% unable to get them treated.

This is what makes this next fact even more disappointing since it is our FDA which has approved its use in filling cavities. That silver filling you most likely had done contains 45-55% of the heavy metal mercury.

Most dentists call these materials to as a silver or amalgam filling due to its shiny, silver color when new. According to Dentaly.org, it’s comprised of only about 20% silver, 45-55% liquid mercury, 16% tin, and 15% copper. Additionally, they contain other trace minerals.

While alternatives are available, silver fillings are the least expensive and the most common option covered by your insurance company. With that said, researchers explain why you should never get silver fillings.

Learn more about mercury in silver fillings

Allow me to be clear here. While fillings are referred to as “silver fillings,” it’s not the silver that has been deemed a poisonous substance. Mercury is toxic metal. While I will refer to the fillings as “silver fillings,” it is the mercury that is under research and debate.

silver fillings

What is mercury? Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal with no known safe levels of exposure. It comes in three different forms.

  • Elemental or metallic. This form is liquid at room temperature and is less toxic than the other two forms listed below. When mercury is heated, it evaporates and then becomes very toxic. This form of mercury is stored in your fatty tissue.
  • Inorganic. This form has varying degrees of water solubility. For the most part, divalent mercuric salts are soluble in water. It has a high affinity to groups of amino acids.
  • Organic. In its organic form, it is also referred to as methylmercury and ethyl mercury. This is the most dangerous form of mercury.
    • Methylmercury is the most dominant form and the version that we are warned about when we eat fish. It is more easily absorbed and has shown it is better able to travel throughout our body than inorganic mercury.
    • Ethyl mercury is the second organic form. It is also referred to as thiomersal in the United States. Its use includes as a preservative in some vaccines.

Mercury produced by humankind

Mercury is also a significant engineered pollutant of the environment. It has nearly doubled in the previous 100 years, with 70% of it exceeding any naturally released mercury. It does occur naturally through volcanoes, forest fires, rock weathering, and water movement. Humankind produces it by coal-powered power plants, burning of fossils, and creating cement. We can also release it when we mine for mercury, gold, and silver. It is an ingredient in several products we make which contain mercury: thermometers, fluorescent lamps, and “silver fillings” in teeth.

How silver fillings release mercury into our bodies

Our first exposure to mercury during a dental procedure is most common during the implant and extraction of a filling. The mercury used is liquid mercury (mercury in its elemental form). If swallowed, it does pass through our system. Thus, mercury only resides in our tissues for 55 days from the time of ingestion to excretion.

However, chronic exposure can cause it to build up over time. There is a small percentage of people who are allergic to mercury and can exhibit symptoms from receiving silver fillings.

The main problem with silver fillings is related to the vapors which can be released. We know vapors as the more deadly form. Up to 80% of it can be inhaled and absorbed into the lungs. Organs such as the kidneys, brain, lungs, liver, and gastrointestinal tract can also absorb and store the vapor of mercury.

How much gets released depends upon certain factors:

  • Quantity of silver fillings.
    • Science Daily published an article summarizing a study performed demonstrating that if you have eight or more fillings, you would have 150% more mercury in your bloodstream than someone with fewer fillings. In 2016, 25% of Americans had 11 or more fillings.
  • Size of fillings
  • Chewing habits
  • The texture of food we most frequently eat
  • Teeth grinding
  • Process of brushing our teeth

 Mercury toxicity and its symptoms

Exposure to mercury will create more symptoms depending upon the length of exposure. It has an accumulative effect. According to Medical News Today, the signs of mercury toxicity are:

  • Anxiety or nervous behavior
  • Irritable, angry, or other mood changes, including depression
  • Sensations of numbness
  • Problems with your memory
  • Tremors

As the amount of mercury in your system increases, the symptoms become more severe. They may vary depending upon the person due to age and quantity of mercury exposure. For adults, the symptoms may be:

  • The mouth has a metallic taste
  • Muscles are weakening
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Uncoordinated movements, or a decrease in motor skills
  • More extreme numbness in the hands, face, and other areas
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Vision, hearing, or speech begins to change
  • The ability to walk or stand straight becomes more difficult.

Symptoms for a child may be:

  • Motor skills and hand-eye coordination become affected
  • Difficulty thinking or problem-solving
  • Unaware of the surroundings

Long-term mercury exposure and poisoning have led to neurological damage, cardiovascular and reproductive harm, including:

  • Mental challenges and lowered IQ
  • Motor skills damaged and reflexes slowed
  • Becoming paralyzed
  • Continued numbness
  • Difficulties with memory and focus
  • ADHD like symptoms
  • Sperm count reduced
  • Lowered fertility
  • Potential deformity of the fetus, smaller birth size, and decreased rate of survivability.
  • Increased cell damage due to free radicals results in an increased risk for heart attack or coronary heart disease.

The FDA and Poison Control’s position on silver fillings

The FDA and Poison Control both issued reports stating their stance on the use of mercury in silver fillings. While they acknowledge that some vapor gets released while one has silver fillings, they deem that amount too small to warrant a hazard. They hold an exception towards the small percentage of the populace allergic or hypersensitive to mercury. A quote from the FDA report states the following:

“Dental amalgam has been demonstrated to be an effective restorative material that has benefits in terms of strength, marginal integrity, suitability for large occlusal surfaces, and durability.1 Dental amalgam also releases low levels of mercury vapor, a chemical that at high exposure levels is well-documented to cause neurological and renal adverse health effects.2 Mercury vapor concentrations are highest immediately after placement and removal of dental amalgam but decline thereafter.

Ironically, within the same report from the FDA, they state this:

“Dental amalgam releases low levels of mercury vapor, with higher amounts released with mastication and gum chewing…….”

So, while they recognize that grinding your teeth and gum chewing can increase the levels of mercury vapors, they still feel the benefits outweigh the harm.

They also contest that out of the billion silver fillings applied between the years 1988 and 2008, only 141 cases reported potential harm. While the reports did show increased levels of mercury, the cases were not ruled as evidence due to the number of years which had passed since the implants were done.

The FDA determined that, due to this, they could not perform an analysis. That makes sense. Except, it takes time before symptoms arise due to extended exposure to mercury, which then also makes it difficult for the victims to be able to prove their case absent any other possible exposures.

Treatment for Mercury Poisoning

We can attempt to prevent mercury poisoning. Treatment can decrease levels, but not cure it. To prevent poisoning:

  • Be mindful of the fish you eat. Pay attention to advisories. Don’t eat too much sushi as it often contains fish known to contain mercury. Also, mind your serving size. If pregnant, avoid any fish containing mercury, or any you are unsure of.
  • Make sure to wear gloves when handling any household items containing mercury and wash your hands immediately.
  • Avoid activities known to have exposure to mercury.
  • Find a new job if your current job has constant mercury exposure.

Treatment for mercury poisoning consists of detoxing under a doctor’s care. This is done via a chelation treatment. This material binds the metals in your system together, allowing your body to excrete them. Afterward, avoid continued contact with the metal and allow your system to heal.

While treatments exist, if you’ve accumulated too much mercury and have begun to exhibit neurological symptoms, no cure for those symptoms exist. Once they are created, the symptoms can be handled but reducing mercury exposure will not decrease current symptoms. However, it may prevent them from worsening.

teeth care

Final Thoughts on Silver Fillings

Mercury as heavy metal has been determined to be toxic to our environment, especially since we’ve created it in excess. Many countries are doing what they can to limit the production and use of mercury. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Germany have taken the preventative measure of banning silver fillings.

While the FDA and Poison Control admit that there is a small amount of mercury exposure from vapors due to silver fillings, scientists state that there is no known safe exposure amount. Researchers have begun doing more studies that explain why you shouldn’t get silver fillings. In fact, they are just starting to publish the results.

We can find no good reason why our society should continue to use a toxic mineral. After all, it is already overproduced and its toxicity is fully understood. We have alternatives to use in place of silver fillings. At the very least, you should research all possibilities and discuss them with your dentist before any procedure.

Scientists Explain Why You May Not Be Breathing Right (And How to Fix It)

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Breathing is the first thing we do when coming into the world – and it’s the last thing we do before we leave it. (In fact, if you want to see how breathing right is done, watch a newborn baby!) Breathing is required to initiate and sustain every human function, from lifting a toe to conceiving the next billion-dollar product. Proper breathing is vital to both the sustainment of life and its fulfillment of it.

All of us breathe, but most of us aren’t breathing right. How do you breathe incorrectly? It’s simple. You’re inhaling and exhaling shallowly. When doing this, you can’t provide the energy the body needs.

In essence, you deprive the body – including the brain – of fresh blood and oxygen.

This article’s focus pertains to the breath. More specifically, the importance of breathing right and the benefits of doing so. We’ll reveal the most recent scientific discoveries about proper breathing and the importance thereof. Finally, we’ll give you some points on how to breathe for more energy and longer life.

The Science of Breathing

“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.” – Thich Nhat Hanh (source)

Since this is not a physiology class, we won’t inundate you with little details about breathing. However, it is essential to understand the basic mechanics of breathing and the different systems and processes that breathing affects.

breathing exercises

Breathing Mechanics 101

Breathing, also referred to as ventilation in medical circles, involves two phases – inspiration and expiration. The air we inhale contracts the diaphragmic muscles, causing the hollowed cavity to increase the volume of the chest cavity. If you look at your chest while inhaling, you will see your chest rise slightly – this is due to the expansion of the thoracic (chest) muscles.

Because of pressure differences between air held in the lungs and atmospheric air, the inhaled air travels downwards through the conducting airway – the nostrils, throat, larynx, and trachea, in that order. Air then passes into the alveoli – microscopic air sacs covering the lung’s surface, causing respiration.

During respiration, oxygen is extracted from the inhaled air and mixes with the lung’s carbon dioxide, oxygenating the blood. The oxygenated blood flows from the alveolar capillaries to the heart, then pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

In short, “Breathing Right 101” involves the following steps:

1) Air is inhaled from the atmosphere.

2) Inhaled air passes through the conducting airway and expands the chest cavity.

3) Air is “caught” by the lung’s alveoli.

4) The body recognizes air in the alveoli and brings blood into the lungs, which “mixes” with the oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air.

5) Oxygenated blood flows out of the alveolar capillaries and into the heart, pumping fresh oxygen to the arteries, transports it throughout the body.

Breathing Impacts Everything

If the previous section’s description of breathing physiology teaches us anything, it should be that breathing is a complex and important process – and not one to be taken for granted. It isn’t hyperbolic to say that breathing affects almost everything we do.

In a study conducted by researchers at the University of California and Stanford University, scientists conclude that “breathing … has a direct and powerful influence on higher-order brain function.” In other words, how we breathe directly influences our behavior, thoughts, emotions, and physical responses.

It is thought that the effects of shallow breathing on arousal and stress levels contribute to many health afflictions. All of this begs the question: what are the costs of not breathing right, the type we practice most of the time?

First and foremost, shallow breathing is directly linked to stress, which can be both a cause and effect of short breathing cycles. Acute stress creates tension in the body and causes the urge to breathe shallowly. Less air that comes in means less oxygen, which the brain perceives as stress. Over time, this type of breathing becomes the norm.

Here are just a few problems with shallow breathing:

  • Less oxygen enters the blood, depriving the brain and body of a critical element.
  • It may make anxiety symptoms worse, particularly if you suffer from an anxiety-related disorder.
  • It does nothing to help the body relax. In fact, it’s almost impossible to soften the muscles when breathing shallowly.
  • The body gets used to this type of breathing and becomes habitual.

How to Do Deep Breathing Right

It stands to reason that if shallow breathing perpetuates stress, deep breathing promotes the opposite. Indeed, multiple studies have shown that deep breathing – diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing, and paced respiration – can make a marked difference in your life.

Here are instructions for two different methods of deep breathing.

Method 1: Diaphragmatic deep breathing

  1. Sit down comfortably, preferably on a soft chair or pillow.
  2. Close your mouth entirely. You may leave a small gap between your upper and lower lips if it is more comfortable.
  3. Interlocking your fingers, rest your hands on your belly.
  4. Slowly inhale through your nose, continuing to the count of four. Focus your attention on the area of your stomach.
  5. Exhale to the count of four, pausing briefly before repeating the inhale.
  6. Continue to take slow, deep breaths for five to ten minutes (even longer if you’d like!)

Throughout this exercise, pay attention to the rise and fall of the belly. If done correctly, and it’s hard to do incorrectly, you’ll eventually feel goosebumps or a tingling sensation in various parts of the body. Awesomely, these sensations arise as the result of oxygen-rich blood traveling throughout your body. In short, you will love the deep satisfying feeling of breathing right through your diaphragm.

Method 2: Box Breathing

The box breathing method is a product of former Navy SEAL Commander and yoga enthusiast Mark Divine. Here’s what Commander Divine says about the importance of controlled breathing:

“Physically, learning to control your breathing allows you to preserve energy, expand your lungs, and weather extreme environments. Mentally, it helps reduce your stress, mitigate your anxiety, retain [a] heightened state of self-awareness, and focus with a calmer state of being.”

Here are the instructions for performing the box-breathing method:

  1. Exhale until there is no air left in your lungs. Hold to the count of four.
  2. Fill your lungs by slowly inhaling to the count of four. Hold the breath to the count of four seconds.
  3. Exhale for four seconds. Hold to the count of four (same as step 1).
  4. Perform the exercise for 10-20 minutes.

You may ask yourself, “What are the benefits of practicing deep breathing?”

Controlled, deep breathing triggers what is known as the parasympathetic nervous system, or PNS. The PNS is the opposite of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which handles fast, automatic processes like breathing, heartbeat, digestion, and so on. The ANS is what triggers the brain and the body’s fight-or-flight system.

It’d be quite a chore to detail all how practicing deep breathing benefits your body and mind. Suffice it to say that exercises focusing on this method help to release stress while helping “train” the ANS to breathe more deeply. As stress is thought to contribute to an assortment of mental and physical health conditions, deep breathing may serve as both a preventative measure and a means of healing.

Final Thoughts: Establish a Routine

breathing right

Taking deep breaths on occasion is good for calming the nerves, but more repetition is required to get into making deep breathing a habit. For maximum benefit, it is critical to establish a deep-breathing routine.

As the morning time is typically the most stressful, it can be helpful to take a few minutes before or after breakfast to do a breathing exercise. Something else to consider is implementing deep breathing into a meditation or yoga practice. If you are a meditator or yoga person, you may find that taking deep breaths elevates your current regimen. If you aren’t deep breathing yet, this can be an excellent way to transition to either practice; both require some self-discipline and patience – and taking deep breaths can also aid in these practices.

10 Arguments That Signal The End of A Relationship

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Arguments are normal in a relationship. It can even be healthy. It shows that you want to solve problems, that you communicate more, and that you want to put in the effort to stick together.

But when does an argument become a surefire sign of the end? When is fighting more negative than positive? You need to be aware of destructive disagreements that aren’t doing you any favors.

Here Are 10 Arguments That Signal The End Of A Relationship

1.    Arguments Over Life Goals

A long-term relationship usually involves two people who both respect each other’s goals and desire similar things out of life. In committed relationships, a couple has usually already discussed where their lives together are heading. They have a general idea of where they want to be, and that future always includes each other.

But suddenly, you’re starting to fight over your life goals. Your ambitions don’t seem to match up anymore. You find yourself wondering if you even can still see your partner in your future ten years ahead. If those goals don’t align anymore, you may no longer be compatible. Some affected goals may be:

  • Where you want to live or work
  • Whether you want children, and how many
  • Religious or spiritual beliefs
  • Financial management
  • Lifestyle goals

Long-term couples don’t need to have everything in common when it comes to their future plans – but they should share a similar overview or idea of where they’re going. No amount of positive thinking will help you if you spend ten more years with someone, only to find that you reach an impasse after you’ve sacrificed so much to give in to their goals. (1)

2.    When You Argue Over Intimacy

Many people discount the influence of intimacy over the health of a relationship. But since good intimacy is often about good communication, if your bond is breaking down outside of the bedroom, it won’t be long until it falls apart within the bedroom, too.

It’s not unusual for partners to have different interests, kinks, preferences, and libido levels when it comes to intimacy. But when you start to argue about your differences in the bedroom, you’re heading right for Splitsville. This also indicates that at least one of you is unsatisfied physically, which is not healthy and can cause romantic relationships to feel platonic.

Intimacy should come naturally. Neither partner should feel forced or guilty regarding what goes on – or doesn’t go on – in the bedroom. If you begin finding fault with each other’s bedroom habits, you are no longer physically compatible.

Physical communication is just as important as verbal communication. If you find yourselves stuttering and struggling in bed, you may have overlooked some serious relationship problems everywhere else.

3.    Meta-Fighting

The way you fight can also be an indication that the end is nigh for a romantic relationship. Certain patterns of arguments, regardless of what they’re actually about, can be a big sign that it’s time to call it quits. Here are some examples.

a)    Fighting Badly

Do your fights turn extremely unhealthy, to the point where you deviate from the topic at hand and start calling each other names, giving personal punches, or bringing up unrelated things from the past? You’re fighting in a toxic way and your respect for each other is slipping.

b)    Fighting About Fighting

Do you have a problem with your partner’s tone of voice when you argue? Or maybe they find it annoying that you pace a lot? Do you argue because you shouldn’t be arguing? This type of fighting indicates that you are no longer focused on finding the really important issues. Instead, you’re finding fault in everything.

c)    Picking A Fight

Some couples actively try to pick fights with one another. Often, it’s a cry for attention, or a way of seeking a change in a boring relationship, or a way to coax make-up intimacy or passion out of it.

Instead of picking fights, you should be talking about the things you want. If passive aggression and manipulation are how you’ve both decided to get it, your outlook is not so good.

d)    Fighting For The Sake Of Fighting

Something small you don’t like that isn’t a big deal? Fight anyway. An offhand comment that could have been resolved with gentle communication? Fight anyway. If this describes your relationship, you’re heading down a dangerous path.

4.    When All Of The Arguments Focus On One Person Changing For The Other

Self-improvement is fair game. Change is inevitable. But fighting about the fact that one of you needs to change is a very negative thing.

Are you being pushed to change yourself for your partner, or are you pushing them to change for you? That doesn’t bode well. When you first started dating your partner, you did it because you like who they are – so why are all those positive things not enough anymore?

If your partner is doing something bad or destructive, then you can talk to them about it. But at the end of the day, it is their responsibility to improve themselves, and you pushing them to improve more quickly is counterproductive.

5.    When Your Focus Is On Being In The Right Or Winning

Arguments in a relationship shouldn’t be about winning or coming out on top. Instead, they should focus on solving the problem. It should be about the couple versus the issue at hand, not one partner versus the other.

The most important part of an argument is finding the root and working from there. If you’re more focused on getting the last word or winning, your arguments stop being about what matters and start being about pettiness and hostility.

Sometimes, you’re going to be the one at fault. In that situation, instead of being defensive, you should be apologizing and learning how to avoid a future situation. If you and your partner are incapable of admitting when you’re wrong, the relationship isn’t going to last much longer.

6.    When You Argue Over Money

Money can be a bit of a touchy issue. Long-term relationships need to learn how to go from managing personal finances to managing joint finances. As such, it’s not uncommon for arguments regarding money to ensue.

The trouble begins when it’s impossible for either of you to agree on anything finance-related at all. You may disagree on the right ways to:

  • Invest
  • Spend
  • Earn
  • Save
  • Give

Sometimes, the person who earns more in a relationship can act more controlling over finances as well. Or the person who earns less may be insecure about their financial status and act controlling, too.

Whatever the source of the money argument, if you don’t sort out your money issues, the relationship is doomed to fail. Studies indicate that an inability to discuss finances in a positive way leads to a higher risk of divorce among married couples. (2)

7.    When You Become Unable To See Their Point Of View

A relationship consists of two (or more!) different people. Each person is unique and has their own individual ideas, views, opinions, and values. They respond to things differently. They have varying preferences. A relationship requires mutual respect regarding these differences.

When you stop being able to empathize with your partner, the relationship is heading for an end. So, in the middle of a fight, if all you can think about is how what they’re saying doesn’t make sense and shouldn’t be taken into consideration, you’re running an unhealthy ship.

8.    Frequency of Arguments

How often do you fight? Extreme frequencies can indicate the end of a relationship. The two possibilities are as follows.

a)    Not Fighting At All

Sure, fighting is unpleasant. But what happens when those fights suddenly stop completely, even when there are things that you would normally fight about? This indicates that something is wrong. It’s avoidance, plain and simple – and avoidance is a big relationship-killer.

Fighting, in moderation, is healthy in a relationship. It can even lead to longer-lasting, more positive partnerships. It shows that you care, that you’re willing to hash things out to be together, and that you’re emotionally mature enough to tell your partner that something is bothering you. If you’ve stopped fighting, you or your partner may no longer think it’s worth the effort. (3)

b)    Fighting Too Much

Fighting every single day? Every single hour? Barely get any chance to breathe before your next fallout? We’re not here to judge extremely passionate relationships, but in most cases, this type of intense fighting – especially when it’s a new development – is just not a good sign.

9.    It’s The Same Arguments Again And Again

The same fight constantly recurring shows that the problem isn’t being solved and that neither party is putting enough effort to solve it. It shows:

  • A lack of desire to change.
  • An unwillingness to learn from past mistakes.
  • A lack of caring or effort.
  • An inability to listen or understand a partner.
  • A tendency to give too many chances.
  • An irrevocable personality difference.
  • A lack of compatibility.
  • The start of a destructive pattern that will continue to occur for the rest of your relationship.

When you have the same fight for the hundredth time, ask yourself – are you willing to be in a relationship where this problem never goes away? If you say yes, then move on and learn to accept this as a relationship quirk. If you say no, it’s time to call it quits.

10. When You Argue About The Spark Dying

Maybe your bond has been weakening. Perhaps you no longer feel happy around someone. Maybe the passion and romance have left. Maybe there’s no more spark.

This can be confusing for any couple. You want to feel something, and you want your partner to feel something – but there’s nothing there to feel. Many partners, perplexed and frustrated by this situation, begin to turn on each other, blaming each other in a desperate attempt to bring some life back into the romance.

Sadly, some relationships really do fizzle out, and it’s at no fault of either person. If you’re fighting because a spark is dying, chances are it can’t be ignited again and it’s the end of a relationship.

relationship

Final Thoughts On Some Arguments That Signal The End Of A Relationship

If you argue over these things, is it an automatic death sentence to your relationship? No, of course not! That’s not how arguments work. But they can be a sign that you’re heading down a destructive path and need to turn it around, fast.

So if you want to save your relationship, be on the lookout for these 10 arguments that signal the end of a relationship. Once you notice them, talk to your partner and find ways to work them out. With positive thinking and dedication, there’s some hope for you yet.

Scientists Reveal Device that Can Project Holograms Into Your Brain to Create New Experiences

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R2-D2 being able to transmit a hologram of Princess Leia was the coolest thing ever back in the late 70s when “Star Wars: A New Hope” was first on the big screen. More recently, we have seen holograms in our cards or money.

In 2019, there are card game enthusiasts who are designing holographic images of the monsters in games such as Yu-Gi-Oh for use in tournaments.  When we imagine our future, we might see holographic projections of cell phone apps in front of our faces as we walk down the street.

What if those same holographic images were able to create sensations such as touch, memory, or hearing things that weren’t actually real?  What if certain sensations could be omitted, such as painful ones?   Scientists recently revealed a device that can project holograms into your brain to create new experiences.

How do engineers create a hologram?

A hologram, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a three-dimensional image reproduced from a pattern of interference produced by a split coherent beam of radiation.  A laser is a great example.”  The scientific term for the process of making a hologram is holography.

Light travels in waves.  A hologram records the light waves as they bounce off an object.  When a light wave bounces off an object, its changes form into an interference wave.  Think of when you toss a pebble into a pond over your reflection; you see an image of yourself in the water but that image appears slightly distorted. In a light wave, due to the discovery of lasers, that distortion is minimal and can be projected onto an outside source.

Lasers help create 3D holographs due to how the light operates from a laser.  Light from a laser has a constant flow of light that moves in consistent phases.  Therefore, the entire area is getting consistent light waves, which then bounce off more equal to the original light source.  Holography acts like photography.  Original photograph images can be captured by allowing the light bouncing off an object to be reflected off a mercury-coated surface and then it is captured onto a different surface.

hologram

Real-world uses for holograms

Holograms have several uses, and their potential for changing how we interact in the world is impressive.

Use of holograms in the entertainment and marketing industry:

Various big-name brands are using holograms to invoke excitement for their products and to gain information about the users.

In Los Angeles, CA, September of 2017, an augmented reality company, VNTANA, partnered with an intelligent engagement company, Satisfi Labs, and created the first AI concierge.  This concierge was interactive in its responses to the public.  People could communicate with the hologram and ask questions related to the particular event it was hosting.

The Death Star hologram was made available to those who purchased a deluxe edition of the Star Wars soundtrack for the Star Wars’ 40th anniversary.

Coachella put on a holographic concert in 2017 of Tupac Shakur.  The same company who put on that concert has also opened an all-holographic theatre in Hollywood.

In Chicago, Pepsi and Aquafina put on a hologram of a baseball player which allowed visitors to play baseball with it.

The benefits of these holograms for the industries:

Well, other than the coolness factor, here are some others:

  • The companies can request visitors’ names and email addresses either to gain access or to obtain a digital copy of the event after the fact.
  • With more involvement, the companies have better feedback on the crowd’s reaction.
  • Listening in on social sharing. In most instances, the public took pictures or video of themselves with the hologram and shared it on social media.  Not only is that continued free advertising, but it also creates more comments and reactions.
  • Should a company display more than one type or style of a hologram, they can find out the consumer’s preference.
  • It leaves an impression of the brand or company not easily forgotten.
  • Encourages longer engagement from the public at events.

On a more personal level, one company, 8i Studios in Culver City, Ca., is working on creating holographic images of people that can be recorded and then viewed through a VR headset or 8i’s app, Holo.  The purpose of this is to create authentic, recorded memories; for example, recorded images of your parents while you were a child, or a favorite pet, or your newborn baby.  Just imagine, re-experiencing people you have lost or who have grown up, all over again in the now. It would be like a photo album but with the sensation of the people truly being in the room.

The Use of Holograms in Medicine

The science of medicine began due to inquisitive individuals who wanted to know how our bodies worked and how we could heal people. In order to learn more about our bodies, scientists used cadavers. Now, medical students can peer at the holographic image of the human body. This also allows for a more intensive, in-depth study of how the neurological, vascular, and musculoskeletal systems are laid out and react with each other.

Other medical holographs are of the cell structure, organs, and our DNA.  This then encourages further advancement in the biomedical field.

Holograms find their primary uses by scientists, biomedical professionals, and researchers.  Through holographic imaging, these professionals can see what is going on in your body without having to undertake any risky procedure.  It also allows for research and further understanding of the complexities of how our brain and neurological systems operate and react under various circumstances.  They can trigger events without causing harm and see how it all reacts.

All of this increases the opportunity to make a more accurate diagnosis and treatment for patients in a far less obtrusive and risky manner.

The benefits of creating new experiences through holograms into the brain

Could you ever imagine that holographic images could project into our brains and target specific neurons in order to recreate a sensation? It could also potentially project a false memory for the betterment of an individual’s life.

Researchers at the University of Berkley are working on designing a way to create a hologram within the brain. They have found that this would allow them to read the activity of the neurons in the brain and then influence them.

The scientists had to match the speed of the pulsing neurons in our brain and then recreate the pattern with lasers.  The goal was to mimic the brain’s activity in order to fool it into believing it was part of its own pattern.  They then created a holographic image of a brain with a focus on the individual neurons to isolate the particular ones they wished to influence.  The scientists then projected that image onto a thin slice of a brain.

They first did this to affect the touch, motor, and vision neurons of mice.  While the mice did not demonstrate any change through behavior, a reading of the neurons did demonstrate that the brain received the stimuli. The next step in the process is to train the mice to alter their behavior depending upon the stimuli.

The hope of this experiment is to aid with many diseases or disorders.

The first they feel it would be most effective with is those who have lost a limb.  It would help by allowing the body to respond the same with a prosthetic as one would with a limb.  As technology and their knowledge advances, they hope to see areas where the brain misfires; examples include a seizure or schizophrenia. Then they may find a way to alter the brain’s neurons to fire correctly. They even believe it could offer a return of sight to those who lost their vision.

In an article in Digital Trends, the assistant professor at Berkley, Hillel Adesnik, is quoted as saying:

“But as basic neuroscientists, we are also primarily interested in using this system to ‘crack’ the neural codes of sensory perception.”

We want to understand how our brain builds perceptions of our external world all through the language of neurons …. We believe this new technology can address this fundamental question in neuroscience because we can attempt to generate artificial perceptions by writing specific patterns of activity into the brain and see what’ works.'”

brainpower

Final thoughts on holograms

Can you believe it? Scientists have created a device that can project a hologram to create experiences in our brain! They have also found a way to isolate individual, tiny neurons. Amazing!

The capability of being able to communicate directly to the brain has many possibilities.  Not only does this make feasible the ability to read what is happening in the brain, but it can also “write” changes onto your brain.  The implied possibilities are awe-inspiring to even think about. They add more hope for those who would benefit.

Researchers Reveal Why Intuition Is The Most Important Kind of Intelligence

by

Most people would say that a logical person is more intelligent because of their ability to think logically and apply clear facts to a problem.  Researchers, however, are revealing that intuition is the most important kind of intelligence.

What is intuition and how is it different?

People often confuse intuition with emotional intelligence, a hunch, and instinct.  While the three can work together, each is a unique concept.

Intuition

Intuition is a process that allows one to know something without conscious analytical thought.  It is the application of information stored in the unconscious and conscious mind, in between logic and instinct. It has also been described as the ability to discern which information is essential and which is not.  By some, it is believed to be our brains working based on collective intelligence.

It should also be added that the knowledge isn’t known through analytic thought but as an instant application of learned knowledge stored in the brain.  An intuitive person has not consciously stored the information as specific facts.  It is more like they absorbed the information without paying 100% attention.

You can think of intuition as an assortment of loose pieces of information that comes together when it becomes necessary to apply it. Picture a box with many scattered Post-Its stored in the “back of the brain” or subconscious mind. On each Post-It, you can find every muscle memory of having performed something, every visual memory or observation, each learned subject, and all sorts of personal experiences.  The more frequently certain pieces of information get used, and the more important, the closer to the top of the pile they are.  The definitive facts are still stored in the conscious mind.  The less important ones remain on the bottom or get completely thrown out.

Logic

Comparatively, a logical brain has facts categorized and organized by subject on index cards filed in the conscious mind.  They can go directly to where the specific fact is stored, so long as it was directly and consciously learned.

While we do tend to differentiate between the two, logical vs. intuitive, intuitive users still also use logic.  They apply facts and patterns, analyze, and organize as well.  They just tend to use their intuitive side more often.

Instinct

Instinct is our base, programmed inclination to a specific behavior.  Fight-or-flight is an instinct.  We feel fear, so we instantly try to escape or attack the source.  No knowledge was necessary to learn it and react.

A gut feeling

Also called a hunch, this gut feeling is a little between instinct and intuition.  We have an unexplained sensation that may subconsciously be based on previous experience or fear that we don’t directly remember; this sensation triggers our instincts to be careful or mindful of a situation or person.

This is most often associated with intuition because it is based on an “unconscious sensation.”  The main difference is that a hunch is triggered by fear or a sense of uncomfortableness without knowing why.   Our instincts – or anxiety caused by it – don’t only trigger intuition.  Intuition reacts to any event or information that requires action and is accompanied by a sense of knowing.

Emotional Intelligence

The Science of People defines this form of intelligence as the skill or capability to recognize, assess, and control your emotions, the emotions of others and of groups.

It is very important in our ability to relate to others, build relationships, handle our stress, communicate feelings, and empathize. Emotional intelligence is often associated with intuitive thinkers because they tend to be more empathetic and can connect with others more easily.

Intuition and emotional intelligence are separate because emotional intelligence is not exclusive to intuitive people, and intuitive people aren’t guaranteed to be highly emotionally intelligent.

The characteristics of logical mind vs intuitive mind

To really grasp the difference between the logic-based intelligence compared to the intuitive intelligence, we should know the traits of each.

Traits of the logical mind:

  • Those with a tendency toward logic prefer things to be in proper, set order and have a recognizable pattern.
  • Logical reasoning. They tend to believe that everything has a rational reason and that with proper investigation and information gathering, everything can be explained and problems resolved. They require verified facts to back up their conclusions.
  • Scientific mindset. While logic is paramount, they are also curious and will create hypotheses to prove.  These hypotheses will follow the scientific procedure, make notes regarding any findings, and create a theory.  They will then seek to verify this theory.
  • Math skills. Math is usually a strong skill, and they love the computation process.
  • Critical thinking. They will analyze ideas from multiple perspectives and home in on patterns.

Traits of the intuitive mind:

In comparison, the intuitive mind is far more difficult to explain; scientists have difficulty determining how to measure or test it.  Certain traits are reasonably consistent. These traits, a psychiatrist named Daniel Cappon isolated in an article in Psychology Today titled “The Anatomy of Intuition”:

  • Insight-oriented. Intuitives tend to see “the big picture” based on insight.
  • Lateral thought process. Whereas logical thinkers process information orderly, intuitive thinkers’ thought processes move sideways.
  • The ability to recognize or have information that nobody directly taught you.
  • Imagination and visualization. Extreme use of imagination which allows one to imagine something even on black paper. This also allows for the intuitive to best apply a method to obtain an objective as well as to visualize a process and see how it plays out.
  • Flash recall memory. Due to taking in information as a whole, they can recall specific details quickly.
  • This skill coordinates empathy and identification to figure out what caused something.  It also allows for one to put themselves in the shoes of another person or thing to ascertain how it functions or why it behaved a certain way.
  • Pattern recognition and matching. The ability to look at something and discern what belongs and does not.  On a more subconscious level, an intuitive will also pick up on patterns of behavior or operation, allowing them to recognize quickly if something is off.

gut-instincts-quote

Why is intuition the most important kind of intelligence?

While studying how the brain processes information, one might easily separate thinkers into one of two camps. Logical vs intuitive thinking perform as two different types of intelligence; therefore, one could argue that they are two parts of one whole. Both are important.

Most people are capable of intuitive thinking. For some, thinking intuitively is generally their “operating default.”  Those of us who are stronger with emotional intelligence, seeing big picture and unconsciously picking up information tend to work with those strengths. Those who have more logic-based technical skillsets tend to analyze information and make decisions based on facts.  That just makes sense, right?

These two forms of intelligence are separated in studies to understand better how they independently work and the effect each may have on how one processes information.

Neither one by itself is complete. If a logical person only operated on facts, then new discoveries would be hard to imagine.  The best inventors, scientists, and business risk-takers made decisions based on their intuition or while daydreaming.  They acted on something that just “made sense” even if, on paper, it lacked facts.

If an intuitive only operated on intuition, their “knowing” would become inaccurate.  The more information an intuitive cognitively knows, the more their intuition is accurate. The better a logic-based person learns to trust his intuition, the more creative ideas they come up with and the better their relationships will be.

Closing Thoughts: Why we need intuitive thinkers

The primary factor that makes intuition the most important intelligence is simply because a computer can out-logic a person.  In the growing years, our society will become more technologically based and computer-dependent.  Our value will depend on other attributes that an intuitive has – such as their ability to see the big picture and their creativity, empathy, and pattern recognition that goes beyond statistics. These abilities relate to understanding motives and intentions and using collective intelligence.

Intuitive intelligence is the most important intelligence because it will connect us and computers to create a future society.

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