DB Cooper: The Legend Lives On

INTRODUCTION
Almost 46 years have passed since the infamous ‘DB Cooper’ sky-jacked a plane before parachuting to an uncertain fate. All this time later, his legend lives on, and even to this day, there are new developments happening. Here is a look at the original event, and the developments that have taken place in the case up until this day.

1971 SKY-JACKING
On November 24 1971, a Northwest Orient Airlines flight from Portland, Oregon departed, bound for Seattle, Washington. Shortly after take-off, Cooper handed a flight attendant a written note. This note stated that Cooper had a bomb. He made ransom demands – four parachutes, arrangements for aircraft refuelling, and most importantly, $200,000 – equivalent to over $1.5m in 2017.

Passengers on board were told a minor mechanical difficulty would cause their arrival to be delayed. Meanwhile, after Cooper’s demands had reached the cockpit and beyond, the President of Northwest Orient Airlines agreed to the payment. 10,000 $20 notes were arranged for Cooper. Once the aircraft indeed arrived at Seattle, Cooper was handed the money, before other passengers and select crew were permitted to leave the aircraft.

A new flight course was set, before fighter aircraft’s were scrambled to follow the aircraft. Over five hours after setting off from Portland, Cooper eventually parachuted out of the aircraft, with his $200,000 in ransom money with him. Cooper has never ‘officially’ been seen or heard from since. There are, as will be discussed, a range of theories as to what happened to him.

INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS
Eyewitnesses and aircraft crew were questioned in the aftermath of the incident. Given the height of the aircraft, and uncertainty over the exact moment Cooper jumped, it was hard to trace his movements. There was no telling when Cooper pulled the cord on his parachute, which was a considerable variable in the landing zone for Cooper. Despite re-creations, thorough and extensive ground searches and intense field investigations, no trace of the sky-jacking was found whatsoever. Serial numbers of the ransom notes were released to the public, with rewards provided, yet again, the trail was cold.

1980: SOME NOTES FOUND
Brian Ingram, an 8-year old boy on vacation, found three packets of the ransom cash. The cash had fallen victim to wear and tear, but were confirmed to be a part of the ransom money. Unfortunately for investigators, this didn’t actually help proceedings – instead raising more questions. Various theories were put forth, however none proved conclusive. This finding left 9,710 bills somewhere in the world – all of this time on – they have never been seen.

2016: CASE SUSPENDED
In 2016, the case was eventually suspended by the FBI. An enormous amount of resources had been devoted to the case, which was unsustainable, especially given the lack of solid evidence in the case. This didn’t stop the intrigue over the case, which would eventually lead to the new hope that has recently been uncovered, potentially at least.

2017: NEW HOPE?
Tom Colbert – leader of a 40-strong cold case team, suggest they have confirmed the escape of Cooper. Their suggestion is that Cooper survived the jump, and got away with the help of three people. The suggestion is that Cooper is a man from San Diego, California, named Robert W. Rackstraw. Rackstraw is currently 73, and denies all allegations. Colbert’s logic comes from a conversation with an informant close to the case. Colbert’s suggestions detail how Cooper and his accomplices managed to supposedly get away with the crime. After reading in detail, there certainly appears to be logic behind the theory.

LEGACY
Airline travel changed forever as a result of the incident. All passengers would need to have their bags checked from 1973 onwards, while other additional safety measures were introduced. There was a considerable drop in hijackings as a result of these measures. All Boeing 727 aircraft – such as the one Cooper parachuted out of, would be fitted with a device that made it impossible to open the aft air-stair during a flight. Cooper has also appeared in popular culture – influencing storylines in many well-known TV series such as Numb3rs and, most famously – Prison Break.

CONCLUSION
While it is never a good thing to glorify a crime, there is a certain amount of respect that is due to Cooper for his efforts. There were several copycat crimes in the aftermath of this case, none of which had the same effect though. It is likely, despite the new allegations of Colbert’s investigation team, that the true identity of Cooper will never be known. Cooper by now would be in his seventies. If he is out there, he will no doubt be reflecting on a job well done. The mystery will continue.

(‘089’)
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Debate: Capitalism vs. Communism

INTRODUCTION
Capitalism and Communism are two opposing systems which offer alternative ideologies. The question as to which is best has been considered and debated for a considerable length of time. Famously – the United States of America is a capitalist country, while Russia is the example of the most well-known communist nation. In this article, the advantages of both will be put forward.

DEFINITIONS
Communism is defined as “a system of social organization in which all property is owned by the community and each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs”. Capitalism on the other hand is “an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.”

FOR COMMUNISM:
Equality is always an important issue, and communism promotes this. Everyone is treated the same way, regardless of their job or status. The fortunes of China are the perfect example of how communism can succeed. China has grown exponentially to the point where it is one of the world’s biggest superpowers. With China thriving, this in part can be attributed to the stability of the country, helped by the communism system. Communism allows access to health care and education, making them easily accessible. No monopolies can form, which protects the majority. The nature of communism also means that there is low unemployment rates. While Scandinavian countries follow a ‘Nordic model’, many areas of this model are in line with communist values. Again, Scandinavian countries are an excellent example of forward-thinking nations. Furthermore, they frequently score highly in peace indexes. These points posit an argument which shows communism has many strong points to it.

FOR CAPITALISM:
On the other side of the argument, there are several positives of capitalism. Capitalism promotes the ‘free market’. Anyone can succeed, with hard work usually resulting in success – which only seems fair. Freedom and independence are two buzzwords commonly aligned with capitalism. USA’s Statue of Liberty is the perfect symbol of this. By having freedom, anyone can build a business, which boosts economic growth – in turn improving living conditions for both the rich and the poor. Moreover, capitalism is dominant in the majority of developed countries, with Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom just some examples of those who follow this system. Freedom is an integral part of capitalism – and is surely one of the most important human rights in existence. This together shows how capitalism too can work.

DEBATE:
Yet despite the advantages outlined above, there are disadvantages to both systems. It could be suggested that communism is good in theory, but poor in practice. A common criticism of communism is that the ruler leads with ‘an iron fist’. This sometimes amounts to a dictatorship. Yet those who try and fight this often become the opposite of communism while fighting – using capitalist ideologies. It could also be suggested that the nature of communism destroys motivation and the work ethic of people. There is a lack of personal growth, with little chance of progression. Poverty too is something that is near-inherent with communism. Of course capitalism has been criticized too. Its focus on profit could easily be interpreted as greed – which isn’t a desirable trait. The very nature of capitalism also needs constant-consumption  – it is arguable that this isn’t sustainable. Again, the fortunes of China in recent times suggest capitalism isn’t always the way forward.

CONCLUSION:
It is a question that will surely never be answered definitively. It is a debate which will rage on for some time. And as it common on the ‘debates’ section of this blog, it is open to interpretation. And each different person reading this will have a different idea of what the correct answer is. As outlined, there are certainly merits to both methods. I will leave the debate with this scenario: If you were in charge of a start-up into artificial intelligence and there were two methods of achieving your goals, which method would you follow? The method that the majority use, or the method used by the minority? Thanks for reading.

(‘088’)
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Recent Pain: Lessons on Assisted Suicide

Recently I have been in severe pain through toothache. It is strange, whenever I used to hear of people complaining of toothache, I used to shrug the issue off, thinking – how can they complain about such a trivial thing?! And yet now, I can honestly say this is the most pain I have ever been in, and I cannot wait for what I hope is going to be a quick recovery!

At first I believed this was just going to be a brief overnight issue. A dose of paracetamol I believed would see me through the night, then to wake up back to normal. However the pain got progressively worse. It is at the stage now where I have been prescribed ‘Dihydrocodeine’ – a painkiller for moderate to severe pain. This painkiller certainly helps – I need it as I wait for a procedure to be done.

However in these bed-ridden days, the experience has led to me thinking a lot about the notion of pain. It got me thinking about the topic of assisted suicide – a delicate topic at the best of times. This is the idea that some people are in such pain, that the only feasible option for them is to be relieved of their pain. And thus, said people are able to be put out of pain, and pass away with dignity and on their own terms.

Several times in the last few days, I have felt to myself that the pain is so great that I really would do just about anything to get rid of the pain. It made me realize how some people, including those who support assisted suicide, can believe in such a position. As a Christian, I have always believed that all life is a gift from God and therefore should be cherished, regardless of situation.

Yet in the last few days, I have understood more about pain. I can only feel sorry for those in constant pain. Normally I would say I can’t imagine their pain – but after the last few days, I now have some idea of this. But I can’t imagine having to constantly deal with the pain. Assisted suicide is a topic sure to continue to be discussed in forthcoming times, but one that will surely always edge towards not allowing it.

I understand more about pain after this last week. I hope that a quick recovery is on the way when my procedure eventually takes place. As for assisted suicide, as mentioned, it is going to be a topic that will continue to attract heated debate. It is a very difficult topic to discuss and reach a conclusion too. But when someone is in a terminal position, or has long-term pain, it can be very difficult to carry on. Perhaps one day there will be a solution to this ongoing issue.

(‘084’)
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Serena and Venus: A lesson to All

Serena Williams has defeated sister Venus at the 2017 Australian Open to claim a record 23rd Grand Slam title, and further re-affirm her position as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time. Venus, after battling back following a debilitating illness, put in a fantastic performance in the tournament, but fell short in the final. Both sisters continue to be a credit to not only their sport, but people in general.

A now famous fable has been told on numerous occasions – the story of how Richard Williams stumbled upon a tennis match while channel-hopping, only to see the winner presented with a cheque for $40,000. It was in this moment he decided his daughters – at the time unborn – would become professional tennis players. Raising them in the notorious Compton, few would have thought this was possible, but Richard’s bold expectations not only came true, but were surpassed.

Nineteen years after first competing against one another at the 1998 Australian Open, the duo would compete in the final at the 2017 edition. With a combined age of 71, few would have expected this to be possible. Throw in the fact that Venus has been battling the energy-sapping Sjogren’s syndrome, and it is an even more incredible feat. Both have ushered in a new era of women’s tennis – they have changed the game forever.

I alluded to the hurdles that the duo have faced, but in a wider context, they have done a considerable amount. The sisters have been instrumental in fighting for equal prize money in tennis. There have been several marches in recent days since the inauguration of Donald Trump, with women protesting. Yet how much does this actually achieve? These girls that sit back on social media, ‘liking’ photos and updates to apparently show support – how much does that actually help?

Then you compare it to what Serena and Venus have done. They have actually gone out and made success for themselves’. Instead of sitting back and complaining, they have actively gone out and made a difference. They have had to overcome several hurdles and pitfalls. Everyone can learn a lesson from the sisters. They should be the ultimate inspiration to these girls that are protesting. They show that if you put in the hard work – anything, and it is anything, is possible.

We are fortunate to live in an age with the best female tennis player of all time. Serena Williams thanked and paid tribute to sister Venus in her post-match speech. The bond that the duo have is robust. Their embrace after the match was an incredible moment, one that as youngster’s, they would have dreamed of one day happening. How much longer we have of seeing these two sisters compete like this remains to be seen – any tennis fan, and the wider community, should enjoy these two while we can.

After their Wimbledon 2009 final, it appeared that never again would we see the two sisters compete in a grand slam final again. Yet almost eight years later, the two competed like the champions they are. They’ve been written off before and always come back, and it’s highly possible they will compete again soon. But if not, then they have left a remarkable legacy. They have done everyone incredibly proud – they quite simply, are an inspiration.

(‘083’)
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Sony Xperia E5: Review

INTRODUCTION
After the popularity of my last phone review, I have looked in-depth at my latest handset – the Sony Xperia E5. After two years with the trusty EE Kestrel, I finally upgraded to a new model – and overall, I am very pleased. There is intense competition in the £130-200 range when it comes to smartphones. However, for around £140, the Sony Xperia E5 is good value.

KEY FEATURES
First of all, this is of course part of the Sony Xperia range. This is not a brand you would be ashamed of showing off, with in my opinion Sony handsets proving the most attractive Android phones on the market. While the E5 is the budget version in the Xperia range, on appearance, it is difficult to distinguish from its parent models. The camera, as you would expect, is impressive. The rear camera is 13MP, with the front camera offering 5MP resolution. There is 16GB internal storage, which can be supplemented with the use of an SD card. With 1.5GB in RAM, there isn’t much waiting around, the processor is very quick and offers a strong user interface. The Android system runs seamlessly on the phone.

INTERFACE
The E5 follows the interface of the Xperia model. The Android operating system runs, meaning Google runs prominently. The phone can be synchronised with your Google account, which is useful. The Google Play store offers many applications to run. There is easy access to key areas of the phone, with the homescreen editable to make it personal. Following the rest of the Xperia range, it has a fantastic, easy-to-use interface.

INTERNET BROWSING
Since upgrading to the E5, this was certainly one of the areas that I have noticed the biggest improvement in. Internet browsing is both quick and easy. Google Chrome is built in, while there is also a native browser. 4G is enabled, meaning loading times are typically quick. This is definitely one of the key areas of the E5.

COMPETITORS
In many E5 reviews, it is suggested that just for a few pounds extra, you can get the Motorola Moto G. While this is commonly seen as the market leader for the budget smartphone range, there are some drawbacks. Following the iPhone, the Moto G continues to get bigger, and while the E5 is large, it doesn’t get out of control. By all means the Moto G appears to be an impressive phone, but I would take an Xperia over it any day. There are also a range of cheap smartphones coming over from China and Japan. These are both impressive and offer good value. These are likely to come to the fore more in forthcoming years. Of course, Lumia’s, the ever-improving Wileyfox and Huawei offer further choice. Then there is the EE Harrier – the natural successor to the EE Kestrel.

DRAWBACKS
You get a lot for your money, there is no doubt about that. Perhaps the one area that could’ve been improved was battery life. Battery life was supposedly one of the strong points of the phone, however I have found that the battery isn’t too impressive. And while 16GB storage is ample, some phones at this price range offer 32GB – double. Aside from these two concerns, it is a very good choice.

CONCLUSION
Overall, this is a very good phone. The Sony Xperia range is an impressive one, and is highly fashionable too. It is a highly competitive market that this phone is in, but it is a sound choice. A stylish, powerful phone with a strong interface – this is a very good option to take. I hope you’ve found this review helpful.

Rating – 4.5/5

(‘082’)
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Social Networks: Fall of Bebo

As Facebook continues to go from strength-to-strength, it is easy to forget just a few years ago, that Facebook wasn’t the biggest social network in the world, a site named “Bebo” was. But fast-forward to the present day and Facebook is in control, while Bebo have suffered a tremendous fall from grace. But after their market position just a few years ago, many would question how such a fall can take place.

Bebo was founded in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Michel and Xochi Birch. Like Facebook, it was a social networking site, offering users the chance to connect with one another, view content and generally interact. At the height of its popularity, with almost 11m users, Bebo overtook Myspace to become the most-used social networking website in the United Kingdom. Content included blogs, photographs, videos and questionnaires. Many elements were more customisable than Facebook.

Things were going well. The popularity of Bebo led to conglomerate AOL purchasing the company for a mammoth $850m in 2008. On paper, AOL now had a behemoth of social media that could help their brand secure further profit. However the deal would turn out to be a nightmare, with the-then CEO of AOL Randy Falco losing his job in the aftermath. With rival sites Facebook and Twitter prospering, it led to the numbers dwindling. What was once a hugely-popular website had become a rarely-used network. It simply couldn’t keep up with the advances of other social media sites. Facebook particularly have been proven to be a highly-innovative company, which didn’t help Bebo.

The site would evolve and make changes, staying online for a few years to follow. After a three-day outage in 2012, it appeared Bebo was gone. The hashtag ‘Bebo memories’ trended on Twitter – showing it is a website with considerable nostalgia to it for many. While the site would return, in 2013 Bebo filed for bankruptcy. This led to the original founders purchasing the site for $1m, just $849m less than they sold it for – not bad business!

While Facebook is prospering – it shouldn’t be forgotten that things can change in the blink of an eye. In 2008, AOL would have never imagined what a horror would become of the brand. Bebo has transformed and is still trying to battle back – but it is highly unlikely it will ever be able to restore itself to its old glory. What was once an enormously popular social network has suffered a dramatic fall from grace. It’s a shame what happened to the website, but it is more proof that nothing is forever.

(‘081’)
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America Goes for Trump: Summary

After a close-fought battle lasting many months, Donald Trump has shocked the world by defeating Hilary Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States of America. There has been considerable reaction to the shock victory, with some comparing the election result to Britain’s ‘Brexit’. Mainly, there has been shock horror at his victory, with many looking to book the first flight out of America. Here are the main points:

TRUMP IS PRESIDENT
In an unexpected result, Donald Trump is the President-elect. The vast majority of states, including considerable amounts of ‘swing-states’ voted in favour of Trump – handing him the victory. Large turnout of white, male working-class voters appeared to swing the pendulum in the favour of Trump, beating the coalition of female and minority workers which favoured Hilary Clinton.

In a move similar to that of Brexit, pollsters underestimated the amount of working-class Americans that would turn out to vote, and ultimately swing the election. Trump secured 289 votes to the 228 for the Democrats. The Republican party also secured control of the House of Representatives in what turned out to be a highly memorable day for their supporters.

CELEBRITY REACTION
Reactions from celebrities and general social media reaction have not been favourable towards Trump. Several celebrities, including Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, have voiced their disapproval of the result. Countless memes have been created poking fun at the result, and warning of the ‘season finale’ of America – such is the lack of faith of some in Trump.

QUESTIONABLE POLICIES
There are some questionable policies that Trump has spoken of, these include the building of a wall between USA and Mexico – something that will have the bill footed by Mexico. There are also question marks over USA-Cuba relations – something that is part of the legacy of Barack Obama’s fine presidential run. There is also the suggestion Trump might start a ban on allowing Muslim’s to enter America.

TRUMP: BUSINESSMAN
Something that can provide faith in is the work of Trump in terms of his business career. Trump has forged a highly successful business career – there are some hopes that he will be able to transfer this to the world of politics. There is no doubting his fine work in becoming a billionaire, but now he needs to apply this to the Presidency of the United States.

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION SITE CRASHES
With the result coming in, many Americans looked to research immigration in neighbouring Canada, flourishing under Justin Trudeau. However the surge in interest caused the site to crash, and there have been many reports of a lag on the site ever since. It appears that such is the unrest in the result, that many want to leave the country. It is a similar sight to the one seen in Britain after the Brexit result.

INFLAMMATORY QUOTES
There have been several inflammatory quotes applied to Trump that are simply not true. While we has said some frankly ridiculous things, some of the reports, quotes and pictures of him simply aren’t true. While he certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, he deserves our respect – after all he is the President of the most powerful country in the world.

WHERE NEXT FOR CLINTON
Hilary Clinton deserves mass credit for her efforts. She leapt out of the shadow of her husband to run in the race. Despite significant detractors, she ran an admirable campaign and was unfortunate not to claim victory. She gained admiration from many and deserves credit for her demeanour throughout, and the fact she was gracious in defeat. Trump may have won the election, but Hilary won our hearts.

BARACK OBAMA
It is also worth mentioning this brings an end to a fantastic eight-year reign from Barack Obama. There is no doubting the incredible efforts he has made for his country – there is no doubting they are in a much better position now compared to when he assumed office. There is no doubting he will be missed, and he deserves considerable credit for his work as President – a very nice man who has positively impacted many lives.

WHAT NEXT?
So once the dust settles and Trump assumes office in January 2017, all eyes will be on the new President. Hopefully Trump will represent the interests of all Americans and bring them back together after a hugely divisive election. What’s done is done now, and whether people like the result or not, it is time to accept it – Donald Trump is the President-elect of the United Srates of America.

(‘080’)
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Beware: 2016 Apple Email Scam

Security is of the utmost importance in this contemporary digital age. Phishing – the process of criminals gaining sensitive information – potentially card details, is an ever-increasing problem. Being savvy and sensible on the Internet is of crucial importance. However, it isn’t always easy to do so – especially in the case of scams which look legitimate.

Apple, one of the largest companies in the world – take pride in customer loyalty, as already discussed on this blog. However even Apple are powerless to stop criminals trying to access sensitive information. Not for the first time, I received an email, purportedly from Apple, which suggested that an order had been shipped, before the next day another was sent, supposedly after suspicious activity was detected.

However, there are several tell-tale signs that this is not legitimate. The first of all, and is a home-banker to begin with, is the simple fact I have never set up an Apple account. Although that is unusual in the modern day world. So rolling with the idea that the recipient of this email has an Apple ID, it would be normal to be scared. An order you haven’t completed? Sounds strange. A second sign could be the sender – Apple with the trademark sign, although why would Apple need to include this? Let’s take a look at the first email, suggesting an order has been shipped.

Unlike the majority of phishing emails, this is a very legitimate effort. The order suggests I have made a purchase for $75.22. As I reside in the United Kingdom, this would be an unusual currency to purchase with. However, perhaps the user thinks, hey, Apple is an American company, this makes sense. The blocked out parts are simply my email address, which generally is different to an Apple ID, another sign this is a scam. At the bottom of the email:

Now, again the information provided all looks good, even professional. As the email correctly states, Apple is Luxembourg-registered, while that is a story for another day, it is still true. Now, the user who feels they haven’t made this purchase would now head for the ‘Manage/Cancel subscription’ option. So the user clicks on the link, resulting in the following:

Again, an impressive look – the designers of this site took their time. On paper, it looks highly legitimate. A slightly worrying note is that it wasn’t picked up by Antivirus. So, the user thinks they have to cancel this order, they are in a panic, yet in the midst of this panic, they enter their details, sign in using their Apple ID, then their password. They click ‘sign in’, and lo and behold, the user has just handed over their information to criminals. This of course will lead to many more problems. Yet it is worryingly quick – all it would take is under a minute. The biggest tell-tale sign of them all is the actual URL. If you notice, the website is ‘Twisted Flow’ – the last time I checked this wasn’t the URL for Apple. So several signs all together, but all easily missed.

While this was a professional effort, the next day another email was sent. This one was about supposed ‘suspicious activity’ on my account. In an age where we are all very careful, this again would be easy to alarm anyone. However, while the first email was professional, the second email was a bit of a ‘dog’s dinner’ – a disaster. Take a look at this:

Firstly, the Apple logo is all wrong. As if that wasn’t a sign not to proceed, it is well documented Apple and other large companies don’t ever address you without you name. On this occasion, when I clocked on the link, it was sending me towards a ‘Bitly.com’ site. However fortunately, Bitly had picked up that this was a dangerous site and warned the user not to proceed.

So overall, the first email was a very good effort – it looked and sounded legitimate, and would be enough to worry the vast majority of people. While the second email wasn’t very impressive, again it would be enough to scare some users. But fortunately, there are several signs that show the user not to proceed. It is so easy to get caught out these days, but being careful is also easily done. Remember never to click on any links in these emails, and in general to be very careful with what information you are handing over. I hope these screenshots have helped in some way. While the Internet is a great place, it also has the potential to be a dark place. Thanks for reading!

(‘079’)
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Time flies when you’re having… Fun?

I can’t quite believe it has been three months since I last blogged. For my followers and any other viewers, apologies! It is remarkable to think what has happened in the last few months since I posted. I’m sure anyone reading this would have had a lot going on in recent times. There is an old quote – ‘time flies when you’re having fun’. While that may be the quote, in many cases, it isn’t true.

The thing about life is that it goes so quickly. Each day comes and goes and before you know it, it is a new year. I digress, to an extent, this is how I have felt in the past few weeks, time really has flown by. But when life goes by so quickly, it is difficult sometimes to notice others, to appreciate what personal battle’s they are going through. In actual fact many, many people suffer.

Earlier this month it was the United States National Suicide Prevention week. The week aims to engage the American public, along with those from afar, about the dangers surrounding mental health, and more specifically suicide. Suicide is a huge killer. In USA, between 1999 and 2014, suicides rose a staggering 24% – it is becoming an enormous problem.

So many people suffer in silence. They feel as if there is no one to talk too about their problems. This is the issue with mental health – there appears to be a stigma around the topic, before you know it, it is too late. Take the ‘Lad Bible’ – a social media page revolving around the ‘lad culture’ that has unfortunately influenced millions of people. Not so long ago they posted an Internet meme of actor Wentworth Miller, poking fun at him. Why? Just because he had put on weight.

As Miller himself put it, big F-ing deal. In an admirable riposte, Miller criticized the meme, putting his weight gain down to mental health issues. Miller is an advocate for suicide prevention, and is a perfect example of why suicide isn’t the answer – he has admirably responded to his demons. The Lad Bible didn’t even begin to consider Miller’s personal circumstances – something sadly all too common.

That is why it is so important for society to be more educated on the topic. It is highly possible those close to you will be suffering, it is crucial to look for tell-tale signs. Just talking can be an enormous help. Having someone to talk too really is invaluable. Having someone to spell out your problems is a huge help. But sadly, not everyone has someone there for them when the chips are down. Therefore, it is vital that in our day-to-day activities, that we take an interest in the well-being of others, and offer them a helping hand when it is necessary.

This entire topic is very sensitive to me. The details of that are for another day, but it is something I, and many others, feel very strongly about. At times this can be a cruel, cruel world, but it is up to us all to rise from our lows, and try and create highs. It’s good to be back, I hope to post more regularly in the forthcoming times.

Remember, as bad as things can get, you aren’t alone.
http://www.iasp.info/wspd/
http://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/
http://www.save.org/

(‘078’)
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USA vs. Apple: An Incredible Case

One story that is heavily in the news at the moment is essentially a battle between USA’s Justice court and tech giant Apple. Sadly, in December 2015, a young couple opened fire in San Bernardino, California, claiming the lives of 14 people. Yet when investigators pressed Apple based on the Apple-branded phones that the perpetrators owned, Apple refused to co-operate, essentially protecting the murderers, owing to their “philosophy”. But who is right in this instance?

There are two sides to this story – both of which will be analysed in detail. But firstly – here is what has happened so far to cause this situation. As mentioned, in early December 2015, Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik opened fire, claiming 14 lives. Investigators the FBI found information that suggested that Farook’s iPhone had crucial information stored on it relating to the attacks. Yet when the FBI made the request to Apple to unlock the phone so that it could be analysed, they were given the run-around. As mentioned, there are two sides to this case.

A neutral looking in on this case would suggest Apple are out of line, refusing to co-operate with the FBI. After all, 14 lives were lost, information on the phone could lead to lives being saved in the future. Yet Apple have refused based on their “philosophy.” The ‘philosophy; is that no one, not even the makers of the iPhone, should be able to look inside your phone. It appears that despite the ultimate sin of murdering innocent people, that despite what you have done, Apple will not turn on you. While the loyalty is commendable, it is a very questionable move. There seems to be a lack of respect towards the victim’s families, who of course want justice for their loved ones. Yet this is the stance of Apple, which has caused this incident.

The other perspective comes from the USA’s side. Understandably, the FBI, like most of USA, want justice. The people behind the attack were dead, but those that helped orchestrate it are likely still at large. This is a time when any attack with terrorist-undertones are taken very seriously. This was labelled an act of ‘terrorism’ – it is hard to argue otherwise. This is why it seems fairly obvious why the FBI are seeking the information. As mentioned earlier, it could lead to a bigger picture being built up for the FBI, which could help them prevent or foil future attacks – something sure to save lives, which of course should always be the ultimate goal.

So who in this instance is correct. Apple offer ‘privacy’ as one of the main factors when selling their products – but surely this is one step too far. The pain that the murderers caused the families alone should be enough for them to give in to the demands of the FBI. National security has to be the most important factor in moments like these – Apple are not contributing to this at all. It is very important for civilians everywhere – many of whom are regular Apple customers, to be safe – something that Apple themselves’ need to help with.

Overall, it is fair to suggest that despite privacy issues, that the correct thing to do in this instance would be for Apple to comply with the demands of the FBI – and the Justice court. What will happen though is another question – Apple appear to be intent on stopping the FBI. It will be interesting to see what happens in this instance, whatever happens, there are sure to be repercussions as a result.

/MF/
(‘072’)