Source: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/LOUgQzMXor8/story01.htm
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Monday, December 31, 2012
China's Controversial Brain Surgery To Cure Drug Addiction
kkleiner writes "A small handful of doctors in China are using a highly controversial procedure to rid people of drug addiction by destroying a part of patients' brains. The procedure involves drilling small holes into the skulls of patients and inserting long electrodes that destroy a part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. This area, often referred to as the "pleasure center" of the brain, is the major nucleus of the brain's reward circuit. Is it worth being cured of addiction if, losing the addiction, we also lose part of who we are?" The practice has been officially banned, but apparently continues nonetheless.
Bill Gross On Treasuries, Dollar, Oil - Business Insider
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Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-gross-on-treasuries-dollar-oil-2012-12
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NHL, union likely to return to table Monday
NEW YORK (AP) ? The NHL and the players' association are ready to get back to the bargaining table.
There were no formal negotiations Sunday, but all signs pointed to talks on Monday in an effort to end the lockout and save the season.
"There will be no further face-to-face meetings today," the union said in a statement Sunday. "The plan is for the sides to meet tomorrow."
Those would be the first negotiations since the sides met with a federal mediator Dec. 13.
The league and the union had informational discussions ? by conference call and in meetings ? with staff members that lasted much of Saturday and concluded Sunday. Those talks were spurred by the nearly 300-page contract proposal the NHL presented to the union Thursday.
All games through Jan. 14 have been canceled, claiming more than 50 percent of the original schedule. The NHL wants to reach a deal by Jan. 11 and open the season Jan. 19, with a 48-game schedule.
Bargaining sessions with only the NHL and union haven't been held since Dec. 6, when talks abruptly ended after the players' association made a counterproposal to the league's previous offer. The league said that offer was contingent on the union accepting three elements unconditionally and without further bargaining.
The NHL then pulled all existing offers off the table. Two days of sessions with mediators the following week ended without progress.
A person familiar with key points of the offer told The Associated Press that the league proposed raising the limit of individual free-agent contracts to six years from five ? seven years if a team re-signs its own player; raising the salary variance from one year to another to 10 percent, up from 5 percent; and one compliance buyout for the 2013-14 season that wouldn't count toward a team's salary cap but would be included in the overall players' share of income.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the new offer weren't being discussed publicly.
The NHL maintained the deferred payment amount of $300 million it offered in its previous proposal, an increase from an earlier offer of $211 million. The initial $300 million offer was pulled after negotiations broke off this month.
The latest proposal is for 10 years, running through the 2021-22 season, with both sides having the right to opt out after eight years.
If this offer doesn't quickly lead to a new collective bargaining agreement, the next round of cuts could claim the entire schedule.
The NHL is the only North American professional sports league to cancel a season because of a labor dispute, losing the 2004-05 campaign to a lockout. A 48-game season was played in 1995 after a lockout stretched into January.
It is still possible this dispute could eventually be settled in the courts if the sides can't reach a deal on their own.
The NHL filed a class-action suit this month in U.S. District Court in New York in an effort to show its lockout is legal. In a separate move, the league filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, contending bad-faith bargaining by the union.
Those moves were made because the players' association took steps toward potentially filing a "disclaimer of interest," which would dissolve the union and make it a trade association. That would allow players to file antitrust lawsuits against the NHL.
Union members voted overwhelmingly to give their board the power to file the disclaimer by Wednesday. If that deadline passes, another authorization vote could be held to approve a later filing.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nhl-union-likely-return-table-monday-215454564--nhl.html
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US troops sent to aid African diplomat evacuation
Map locates the Central African Republic
Map locates the Central African Republic
WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama says 50 U.S. troops have deployed to the African country of Chad to help evacuate U.S. citizens and embassy personnel from the neighboring Central African Republic's capital of Bangui in the face of rebel advances toward the city.
Obama informed congressional leaders of Thursday's deployment in a letter Saturday citing a "deteriorating security situation" in the Central African Republic.
The evacuation of the U.S. diplomats comes in the wake of criticism of the Obama administration's handling of diplomatic security at its consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The ambassador and three other Americans were killed in a Sept. 11 attack.
In the Central African Republic, rebels have seized at least 10 northern towns. On Saturday they continued their advance, seizing the city of Sibut, 114 miles from Bangui.
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Sunday, December 30, 2012
Small Talk: 5 issues small-business owners will face in 2013 | The ...
John Arensmeyer, CEO of Small Business Majority, an advocacy group for small business owners, poses for a portrait at the Small Business Majority office in Washington, on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Health care has been another source of uncertainty for small business owners. The new year will bring some, but probably not all, of the answers to questions about how the new health care law will affect them."They'll have to get their arms around the law, look at their options, learn more about the exchanges," says Arensmeyer. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
In 2013, small-business owners will contend with many of the same issues that made it hard to run their companies over the last 12 months.
They?re also heading into the new year with a lot of uncertainty. It?s unlikely that negotiations in Congress will resolve all of lawmakers? disagreements over tax and budget issues that affect small businesses. And there are still many questions about the implications of the health care law for small companies.
That points to continued caution ? and perhaps slow hiring ? among the nation?s small companies.
"Uncertainty is the bane of every small business," says Scott Shane, a professor of entrepreneurship at Case Western Reserve University?s Weatherhead School of Management in Cleveland. "Their only rational response is to pull in their horns and slow down."
Small businesses aren?t likely to get much encouragement from the economy. It?s expected to grow by no more than 3 percent in 2013, according to the Federal Reserve. That?s a moderate pace, better than the 1.7 percent that the economy grew during the first three quarters of 2012. But it?s also far from robust.
Here?s a look at some of the issues facing small businesses in the coming year:
?
Taxes
Lawmakers are still haggling over what?s called the fiscal cliff, the combination of billions of dollars in tax increases and budget cuts. Even if Congress reaches an agreement, small-business owners won?t have the certainty they need, according to Todd McCracken, president of the National Small Business Association, a group that lobbies on behalf of small companies.
"It almost surely won?t be comprehensive enough that we won?t be revisiting it next year," McCracken says. He?s concerned that there?ll be another fiscal cliff in six months ? which would mean more negotiations and more uncertainty.
story continues below
Many small-business owners are worried about their personal tax rates. Sole proprietors, partners and owners of what are called S corporations, all report the income from their businesses on their individual Form 1040 returns. That means their companies are in effect taxed at personal rates, which can be higher than corporate rates.
One of the most important tax provisions for small businesses, the Section 179 deduction, will shrink to $25,000 next year from $125,000 in 2012. The deduction, which applies to equipment purchases, was $500,000 in 2011. Congress can increase the deduction at any time, even after 2013 has begun. But for the time being, business owners can?t count on getting a big break.
"It?s a huge change for companies planning on making investments," McCracken says.
It?s not known if Congress will extend the 2 percentage point payroll tax cut that workers have had for two years. If it doesn?t, consumers will have less money in their paychecks to spend, and that is likely to affect retailers and any other small businesses that sell directly to the public.
?
Health care
Health care has been another source of uncertainty for small-business owners. The new year will bring some, but probably not all, of the answers to questions about how the new health care law will affect them. Many will have to devote some time to understanding the law ? or hire someone to help them do it.
Next Page >Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/55533144-79/business-owners-businesses-says.html.csp
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Retired ... but my 401(K) still with last employer... - Early Retirement ...
Retired ... but my 401(K) still with last employer...
Yesterday, 06:04 PM
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Confused about dryer sheets ?Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 3 |
Retired ... but my 401(K) still with last employer...
Hi All ~ I'm brand new to earlyretirement.org. Retired 1 yr ago @ age 62. Hoping to get advice/opinions. I'll try to be brief. My 401K ($190,000) is still with my employer---Why? Because I've got to find a financial advisor I can trust and whose fees won't cost me more than the return on my investment. Plus, investing is not my forte, so I need to trust whomever/wherever I leave my hard-earned money to treat me like a daughter! Sometimes I wonder if I'm better off just laddering the $ in CDs. However, I believe I can do better. In addition to the $190,000 in the 401K, I have about $235K in a couple of CDs and savings (I "chase" the highest interest rates), and $12K in savings bonds (don't mature until 2022 or thereabouts). I currently rent an apt. for $800/month (I'm fortunate). My pension and social security (SS starts in Feb) net about $3,140/month. Oh ya, and I may need to move from my apt, and would like to buy a small house....................................... ' + '?' + google_ads[i].line2 + '?' + google_ads[i].line3 + '?' + '' + google_ads[i].visible_url + ' '; } } '' } if (google_ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { /* insert this snippet for each ad call */ google_adnum = google_adnum + google_ads.length; } document.write(s); return; } google_ad_client = 'ca-pub-7757781251671730'; google_ad_channel = '3711355403'; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = '6'; google_ad_type = 'text'; google_feedback = 'on'; // -->
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Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free! Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE! You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more! |
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Yesterday, 06:26 PM
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Recycles dryer sheets ?Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 91 |
It is advisable, and easy enough to roll the 401k over to your own IRA in anyone of the reputable mutual fund companies like Vanguard, Fidelity, T Rowe Price etc, where you can choose from a wide variety of mutual funds ( index fund, all in one fund retirement fund, balanced fund, asset allocation fund, pure equity or bond funds). While the company will generally not act as a direct financial adviser and pick the fund for you, they can point you to the general area where you can do your research and pick the funds that suit your investment objectives and risk tolerance level. There are fund screening tool on many of the company's website as well. I am not sure you need to wait until you find a financial adviser first and they don't necessarily do better than a reasonably well diversified mutual fund portfolio anyway. Those companies can also help you find an independent financial adviser as well, general a one time session for a fee, and I can tell you from experience that it was not very helpful. I only did it because it was free in my case, but if you feel that you do not have much experience and want to have someone look through your WHOLE financial situation, it may be worth it for you. ' + '?' + google_ads[i].line2 + '?' + google_ads[i].line3 + '?' + '' + google_ads[i].visible_url + ' '; } } '' } if (google_ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { /* insert this snippet for each ad call */ google_adnum = google_adnum + google_ads.length; } document.write(s); return; } google_ad_client = 'ca-pub-7757781251671730'; google_ad_channel = '3568142076'; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = '6'; google_ad_type = 'text'; google_feedback = 'on'; // -->
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Yesterday, 08:24 PM
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Recycles dryer sheets ?Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 76 |
then call their toll free phone number and with some info can get it into an IRA=works just like 401k but you have control.
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Today, 08:56 AM
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Recycles dryer sheets ?Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 186 |
Ditto against a financial adviser. $$ down the drain, in this instance. Wherever you choose to transfer the funds will handle it, and should be no charge. We chose Vanguard for inexpensive index funds. They wre extremely helpful and charged no fees.
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Many thanks!!
So happy I stumbled upon this site! Thanks so much to all who replied to my post. I'm compiling all of your excellent advice and will use it well. No doubt I'll be staying in touch - I can see there's a wealth of good information out there via the early-retirement.org followers.
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Today, 11:15 AM
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Confused about dryer sheets ?Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 3 |
Interesting ... I understand from a very reputable financial advisor (via a radio money show here in MA) that one should not keep 401K funds with a former employer. Reason why is that if that former employer should 'go bust', your 401K funds could be held up during bankruptcy proceedings .... sometimes for very long periods of time, i.e. 4 years! That's what has made me a bit nervous about keeping my funds there ... I recognize that this is a personal decision, based upon one's confidence in his/her former employer's status. Thanks again!
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Source: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f26/retired-but-my-401-k-still-with-last-employer-64319.html
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Alkaline Trio: Jaked on Green Beers
Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/EpOpxxEmSxU/alkaline-trio-jaked-on-green-beers
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With Portrait Photography To Make Moments Last Forever ? Arts and ...
Speaking of portrait photography, it refers to the photographing of a person capturing his or her features, expressions, moods and to a certain extent the surroundings. The focus of a portrait is essentially on the face of the subject. Family portrait photography is what is generally referred to as a ?family photograph? where various family members are captured in different poses and settings.
The availability of affordable point and shoot digital cameras has ensured that every family is now able to capture their ?special? moments for posterity on their own but a trawl through the social networking sites or through some online albums will tell you how wrong amateur photographs can get even with the best of technology. You can read on to know more.
Professionals who specialize in the area of portrait photography are an assurance that the photographs for which they have been assigned will be exactly what you want. After all, portrait photographs are commissioned to mark special milestones in people?s lives such as baptism, the first birthday, beginning of school and of course graduation followed by other big days such as engagement, promotions and then retirement. These are all special moments to be cherished, treasured, shared and relived for a long time and the only way of doing this is through photographs.
Of course, you do have video filming, but let?s be honest, how many of us go back to the video recordings of the landmark moments of our lives? We prefer looking at the photographs, don?t we? Portraits of the older members of the family acquire a special significance and sentimental value when they are no longer with us and serve as reminders of the love and guidance that they provided in their lifetimes, hence it is important to have an experienced photographer take care of these important photos. Find a professional portrait photographer to meet your needs.
To continue in the same vein, whenever we have a family photograph taken by someone in the family, we usually notice a lot of flaws not to mention the missing family member who was behind the camera at the moment. Family gatherings are very special and emotional occasions which allow for a lot of beautiful moments to be captured on film. Once again, only a professional with experience in Family Portrait Photography can do justice to them. ?Posed? and ?Natural? moments are blended together by a professional photographer through adept handling of the camera and lighting to create an evocative set of family photos to shared and framed and put up at home to be admired by relatives and friends. And as an added bonus, every member of the family gets to be in the picture!
Tags: photography, portrait photography
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Saturday, December 29, 2012
Video games a flash point in Connecticut school rampage's aftermath
Chris Ruffner of Mt. Washington browses the selection of video games on Thursday at Family Video in Whitehall. Violent games, such as the popular ?Call of Duty? series, are under scrutiny as a result of the Newtown, Conn., school massacre. Sidney Davis | Tribune-Review
By Adam Smeltz
Published: Friday, December 28, 2012, 12:51?a.m.
Updated 13 hours ago
The National Rifle Association and others call violent video games a spark for real-life brutality.
But those urging increased scrutiny of the industry because of reports that such video games enthralled the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter should look to previous efforts. Scholars warn that past attempts to regulate the industry fell flat, sometimes on free-speech grounds.
Research links violent gaming with aggressive tendencies, but no studies definitively peg them as a cause of fatal attacks, researchers said.
?I wouldn?t be surprised to see different legislatures or different politicians introducing measures, trying to see if we can have more studies of kids and violent games. It?s a high-profile thing,? said Mia Consalvo, a faculty member and Canada Research Chair in Game Studies and Design at Montreal-based Concordia University.
?Unfortunately, it?s one thread among many,? Consalvo said. ?It?s kind of looking for an easy solution when there probably isn?t one.?
Adam Lanza, 20, who killed his mother before fatally shooting 20 children, six adults and himself on Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn., played graphic video games such as ?Call of Duty,? according to published reports.
Within days of the massacre, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., introduced legislation that would order the National Academy of Sciences to investigate how violent video games affect children and to report findings within 18 months.
?I have long expressed concern about the impact of the violent content our kids see and interact with every day,? Rockefeller said.
NRA leader Wayne LaPierre picked up the theme last week, flaying ?vicious, violent video games? as ?the filthiest form of pornography.? The NRA did not respond to a Tribune-Review interview request.
Ed Kowalski, 43, of New Kensington said his three stepkids? grades went ?through the roof? after they cut back on video games. He said the kids ? ages 13, 10 and 8 ? often have trouble focusing after playing for extended periods.
?These things take kids into oblivion,? Kowalski said. ?We believe those age restrictions are important for any kid.?
Industry observers said video game criticism is nothing new. A rating system begun in 1994 took shape as technology allowed manufacturers to sell more realistic games. Senate hearings pushed the industry to develop the ratings.
It?s up to retailers to verify a buyer?s age for purchases of games rated ?M? for mature or ?AO? for adults only, according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board. A representative for the rating board would not comment, and another key industry group, the Entertainment Software Association, did not respond to calls.
The rating board?s website says national retailers refuse to sell M-rated games to underage customers 87 percent of the time, according to a federal review.
The U.S. Supreme Court invoked First Amendment rights in June 2011 when it rejected a California law that would have banned sales to anyone younger than 18. Five years earlier, a federal judge ruled unconstitutional a Michigan law that barred retailers from selling such games to minors. In Utah, then-Gov. Jon Huntsman vetoed a 2009 bill that would have punished stores for selling M-rated games to minors.
State Sen. Leland Yee, a San Francisco Democrat who introduced the ill-fated California bill, said the video game industry since has ?done a better job of voluntarily limiting the sale of games to children.?
Ohio State University professor Brad Bushman has studied video games and not found a direct causal connection between violent games and extreme behavior.
So many factors fuel violent conduct that it?s impossible to identify video games as a singular cause. It?s especially complicated to study because ethical researchers cannot give guns and knives to video game fans just to see what happens, he said.
At the same time, Bushman said, research has found ties between violent gaming and generally aggressive behavior. He said the industry could put warning labels on violent games and make it harder for children to buy M-rated games on the Internet.
?I?d be more surprised if Adam Lanza did not play violent video games than if he did play violent video games. Almost everyone his age does,? though few become murderers, Bushman said.
The industry evolved its approach over the years, adding a feature that lets gaming system owners lock out adult games, Consalvo said.
?I think we can ask why, as a culture, we enjoy so much violent content, not just in games but in film and television ? and why that?s so appealing,? she said. ?But that?s a much larger conversation.?
Adam Smeltz is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.Source: http://triblive.com/news/editorspicks/3203767-74/games-video-violent
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scrofulous chow: Arts And Entertainment: Humor Article Category ...
Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.
Source: http://vudaikutakar.blogspot.com/2012/12/scrofulous-chow-arts-and-entertainment.html
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Senate leaders announced last-ditch talks on averting fiscal cliff (Star Tribune)
Buckingham Welcomes New Leasing Agent - Buckingham Properties
Buckingham Properties is pleased to announce the recent hire of Adam Borrell, who joins the Buckingham Leasing team with over five years of experience. He will be responsible for leasing and tenant relations for Buckingham?s commercial office properties.
Adam is a graduate of Butler University and is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. He resides in Pittsford with his wife, Karlie and three children.
Source: http://www.buckprop.com/buckingham-welcomes-new-leasing-agent/
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Video games a flash point in Connecticut school rampage's aftermath
Chris Ruffner of Mt. Washington browses the selection of video games on Thursday at Family Video in Whitehall. Violent games, such as the popular ?Call of Duty? series, are under scrutiny as a result of the Newtown, Conn., school massacre. Sidney Davis | Tribune-Review
By Adam Smeltz
Published: Friday, December 28, 2012, 12:51?a.m.
Updated 9 hours ago
The National Rifle Association and others call violent video games a spark for real-life brutality.
But those urging increased scrutiny of the industry because of reports that such video games enthralled the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter should look to previous efforts. Scholars warn that past attempts to regulate the industry fell flat, sometimes on free-speech grounds.
Research links violent gaming with aggressive tendencies, but no studies definitively peg them as a cause of fatal attacks, researchers said.
?I wouldn?t be surprised to see different legislatures or different politicians introducing measures, trying to see if we can have more studies of kids and violent games. It?s a high-profile thing,? said Mia Consalvo, a faculty member and Canada Research Chair in Game Studies and Design at Montreal-based Concordia University.
?Unfortunately, it?s one thread among many,? Consalvo said. ?It?s kind of looking for an easy solution when there probably isn?t one.?
Adam Lanza, 20, who killed his mother before fatally shooting 20 children, six adults and himself on Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn., played graphic video games such as ?Call of Duty,? according to published reports.
Within days of the massacre, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., introduced legislation that would order the National Academy of Sciences to investigate how violent video games affect children and to report findings within 18 months.
?I have long expressed concern about the impact of the violent content our kids see and interact with every day,? Rockefeller said.
NRA leader Wayne LaPierre picked up the theme last week, flaying ?vicious, violent video games? as ?the filthiest form of pornography.? The NRA did not respond to a Tribune-Review interview request.
Ed Kowalski, 43, of New Kensington said his three stepkids? grades went ?through the roof? after they cut back on video games. He said the kids ? ages 13, 10 and 8 ? often have trouble focusing after playing for extended periods.
?These things take kids into oblivion,? Kowalski said. ?We believe those age restrictions are important for any kid.?
Industry observers said video game criticism is nothing new. A rating system begun in 1994 took shape as technology allowed manufacturers to sell more realistic games. Senate hearings pushed the industry to develop the ratings.
It?s up to retailers to verify a buyer?s age for purchases of games rated ?M? for mature or ?AO? for adults only, according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board. A representative for the rating board would not comment, and another key industry group, the Entertainment Software Association, did not respond to calls.
The rating board?s website says national retailers refuse to sell M-rated games to underage customers 87 percent of the time, according to a federal review.
The U.S. Supreme Court invoked First Amendment rights in June 2011 when it rejected a California law that would have banned sales to anyone younger than 18. Five years earlier, a federal judge ruled unconstitutional a Michigan law that barred retailers from selling such games to minors. In Utah, then-Gov. Jon Huntsman vetoed a 2009 bill that would have punished stores for selling M-rated games to minors.
State Sen. Leland Yee, a San Francisco Democrat who introduced the ill-fated California bill, said the video game industry since has ?done a better job of voluntarily limiting the sale of games to children.?
Ohio State University professor Brad Bushman has studied video games and not found a direct causal connection between violent games and extreme behavior.
So many factors fuel violent conduct that it?s impossible to identify video games as a singular cause. It?s especially complicated to study because ethical researchers cannot give guns and knives to video game fans just to see what happens, he said.
At the same time, Bushman said, research has found ties between violent gaming and generally aggressive behavior. He said the industry could put warning labels on violent games and make it harder for children to buy M-rated games on the Internet.
?I?d be more surprised if Adam Lanza did not play violent video games than if he did play violent video games. Almost everyone his age does,? though few become murderers, Bushman said.
The industry evolved its approach over the years, adding a feature that lets gaming system owners lock out adult games, Consalvo said.
?I think we can ask why, as a culture, we enjoy so much violent content, not just in games but in film and television ? and why that?s so appealing,? she said. ?But that?s a much larger conversation.?
Adam Smeltz is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
You must be signed in to add comments
To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.
There are currently no comments for this story.Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.Source: http://triblive.com/news/editorspicks/3203767-74/games-video-violent
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Blood found on borrowed car in missing girl case
This undated photo provided by the Las Vegas Police Department shows Jade Moris, 10, who police are searching for after she failed to return home Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, from a shopping trip with a woman arrested that night and accused of slashing the face of a female co-worker at the Bellagio resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The woman, Brenda Stokes, 50, made her first appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Police Department)
This undated photo provided by the Las Vegas Police Department shows Jade Moris, 10, who police are searching for after she failed to return home Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, from a shopping trip with a woman arrested that night and accused of slashing the face of a female co-worker at the Bellagio resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The woman, Brenda Stokes, 50, made her first appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Police Department)
This booking photo provided by the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nev,. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, shows 50-year-old Brenda Stokes. Police in Las Vegas have issued a plea for information about 10-year-old Jade Morris after she failed to return home Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, from a shopping trip with a woman who is thought to be Stokes. Stokes was arrested that night and accused of slashing the face of a female co-worker at the Bellagio resort on the Las Vegas Strip. She made her first appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Clark County Detention Center )
LAS VEGAS (AP) ? A prosecutor says blood was found in a car borrowed by a woman last seen with a missing 10-year-old girl and later arrested in a razor blade slashing of a co-worker at a Las Vegas Strip casino.
Police investigating the disappearance Jade Morris expect to know Friday whether her body is the one found by a person walking a dog in an undeveloped North Las Vegas housing tract.
Jade was last seen Dec. 21.
Clark County Coroner Michael Murphy says he's awaiting results of DNA testing before saying whether the body is Jade Morris.
Prosecutor Robert Daskas convinced a judge Friday to raise bail to $600,000 for Brenda Stokes Wilson.
Wilson is jailed in the slashing case and is expected to face murder and kidnapping charges in Jade Morris' disappearance.
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Friday, December 28, 2012
Smart TV owners tuning out most apps
15 hrs.
They may be called smart TVs, but that doesn?t stop the vast majority of us from using them as basic boob tubes. A new NPD Group report claims that most people use their Internet-enabled televisions to stream video services like Netflix or Hulu Plus, and?? actually, not much else.
Streaming music services manage to entertain around 15 percent of smart TV owners, but all of the more ballyhooed interactive aspects of Internet-enabled TVs???think Facebook, Twitter, Web browsers, and all those apps, games, and email widgets that come preloaded in newer HDTVs???are left completely untouched by most people.
The NPD Group?chalks the trend?up to a few different factors, the biggest of which being the simple fact that most people consider televisions sets to be, well, televisions???not computing devices. The proliferation of secondary Internet-enabled devices (like consoles and Blu-ray players) and the rise of local digital streaming options (like AirPlay, DLNA, and Samsung AllShare) may also be both confusing customers and cannibalizing traditional smart TV services, NPD theorizes.
We?ll add another possible factor: The molasses-slow processors in most smart TVs make anything beyond simple content streaming a major usability pain. Trying to browse your Facebook News Feed on a television is often a tremendously laggy exercise in frustration.
Fortunately, consumer disinterest in the Internet-enabled bells and whistles may just make the basic video-streaming functions of smart TVs more pleasant to use going into the future???at least if manufacturers listen to the NPD?s closing advice: ?Focus less on new innovation in this space and more on simplification of the user experience.?
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Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/smart-tv-owners-seemingly-tuning-out-most-apps-1C7660224
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Microsoft Research head Craig Mundie to retire in 2014
Microsoft Research boss Craig Mundie will step down in 2014, after working over 20 years in both Microsoft's security and R&D departments. The research arm has been run by Mundie since 2008, where he's been responsible for some pretty interesting projects, from early glimpses of Redmond's future to real-time multilingual translation. The day-to-day running of the department will be transferred to former chief technical strategy officer Eric Rudder, while Mundie will continue to advise CEO Steve Ballmer. According to the Seattle Times, the move is line with Microsoft's plans to focus on mobile and web-based developments, while the new role might give the veteran Mundie a little more time to work on his Japanese.
Filed under: Science, Microsoft
Source: BBC, Seattle Times
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/IY6CekXJGNo/
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