Oh yes, indeed it can. When brilliant creative people decide its time to initiate their own personal concept of life, anything can happen.

Today we salute, not an individual, but an institution of higher education. And this institution was born of an idea— a concept of higher education, as revolutionary as it was intense.

Some say we are already in a new Depression. Today I want to go back in time to the first Great Depression. A time of hardships, very much like today.

Now it is President Obama. Then it was President Franklin Roosevelt. Each leader was committed to putting people back to work. Franklin established the Public Works Arts Project (forerunner of the WPA). We wonder what President Obama might do, if he were unobstructed by Congress?

Black Mountain College was established in 1933. It’s origins were unconventional and inspiring. Art and higher education would never be the same.

Born in the lush North Carolina “Blue Ridge” mountains (just north of Asheville) the rugged and remote setting gave a fiercely independent spirit to everyone involved.

But how was it born? With an idea, of course. An idea in the brain of an individual.

John Rice was a brilliant scholar, far ahead of his times. Angered by narrow thinking, Rice left Rollins College. He conceived of a new kind of college, and chose the mountains of North Carolina as a beautiful inspiring place for learning.

More importantly, Black Mountain College was based on John Dewey’s (then radical) principles of “progressive education.”

What did this word “progressive” mean? It means democratic principles carried out to their fullest extent.

Everyone worked. Everyone contributed. Everyone learned.

Black Mountain College was fundamentally different from other colleges and universities of the time. It was owned and operated by the faculty and was committed to democratic governance… and to the idea that the study and practice of the Arts is critical to learning itself.

Black Mountain College was born in world turmoil. 20th-century art was under attack, with the rise of Adolf Hitler, the closing of the Bauhaus by the Nazis, and the persecution of European artists and other writers and intellectuals.

Word of the artistic freedom of Black Mountain College, in North Carolina, had quickly reached the Euro art circles. Condemned as “degenerative”, creative people fled Germany and Europe, and a number of them came to Black Mountain, either as students or faculty.

The founders of the College hired artist Josef Albers to be the first art teacher. Google Albers. In art, he was far ahead of his time. Albers fled Hitler’s Germany with his wife, and came to Black Mountain not knowing a word of English.

All members of the College community participated in its operation, including even farm work, and construction projects and kitchen duty. Each person worked. Each person taught and learned. No one was too good to share in the work or the knowledge or the overall experience of creative intensity.

Legendary even in its own time, Black Mountain College attracted many who thrived in the intellectual freedom there, and became giants of 20th-century art and ideas.

A partial list includes people such as— you will recognize some but GOOGLE those you don’t know, and be amazed…

Willem and Elaine de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Josef and Anni Albers, Jacob Lawrence, Merce Cunningham, John Cage, Cy Twombly, Kenneth Noland, Ben Shahn, Franz Kline, Arthur Penn, Buckminster Fuller, M.C. Richards, Francine du Plessix Gray, Charles Olson, Robert Creeley, Dorothea Rockburne…

And there are many others, famous and not-so-famous, Black Mountain educators and students, who have impacted the world in a significant way.

In 1957, the college had passed its zenith, and due to financial issues, closed. It seems that many good things must come to an end. Or they bear fruit and wither, having served their purposes for their creators.

Even now, decades after its closing, the stunning gestalt of Black Mountain College inspires higher educators everywhere— challenges them to always explore new ways to educate, educate, educate, by encouraging students to explore their own energies and talents.

But now, again, private colleges are springing up both on the ground, and online. Students now have a dazzling array of choices.

Be proactive. Look hard for the school that suits your persona most effectively. Don’t settle for less.

We wonder if these hard times will inspire greatness in higher education, and radical new ways of learning?

Online learning is one new way. New institutions with new ways of learning may be another.

Black Mountain College, though now closed, still glows with an inspiring light of its ideas— to guide us into the new century of higher education.

And the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains are still there.

On this savage planet, the animal imperative is to eat, spawn, die— to enforce your DNA against all others, to increase your life-force type, and put it in control.

The red ants and black ants are perfect examples of the tyranny of DNA competition– to see them at war over territory and resources is a vicious spectacle.

But to see humans at war is far worse than ant wars. To see cruelty on such a colossal scale is beyond imagining. Yet on the web, we can see it daily.

Politicians twist the tenets of religions to serve the purposes of tyranny. And great prophets work to reverse those wrongs.

It is no wonder that the great religious movements of the world arose out of such heartbreaking disasters.

In such a terrifying world of uncertainty, many need a solid belief system, and seek solace in faith, where many gather, together believing in a far greater power. They seek faith in a supreme being, benevolent and compassionate. And they want others to share their belief system— in order to make this imperfect world a better place to live.

Every religion stress peace and harmony and love of your fellow beings. Every religion sets rules of moral justice. And every religion appoints leaders to study its written directives, often called scriptures, or sacred texts.

Ministers or priests conduct religious worship ceremonies. They perform many rituals and spiritual functions, associated with the beliefs and practices of their religious faith or denomination. And they are trained to provide individual spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members of their faith, and to all others in need.

Chances are, somewhere in your life up till now, you were influenced by religion… you were influenced by a representative of religion.

They might have been labeled many things— Priest, Pastor, Mullah, Monk, Pandit, Minister, Chaplain, Evangelist…

Here is what they were trained to do, for you:

• Pray and promote spirituality.
• Read from sacred texts such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
• Prepare and deliver public sermons and prayers.
• Organize and lead regular religious services.
• Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
• Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
• Counsel individuals and groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, and personal needs.
• Visit people in homes, hospitals, and prisons to provide them with comfort and support, and serve in medical missions.
• Train leaders of church, community, and youth groups.
• Administer religious rites or ordinances, and assist the homeless and unwanted.

To serve such needs is the ultimate altruism. But what knowledge must be required?

How did they gain this training, this amazing array of gifted knowledge?

They studied.

They learned. They educated.

They worked hard under teachers (who had worked hard under their own teachers, back into the generations of teaching of their religion).

They studied in the colleges and seminaries and temples of their faith. They learned to help the sick and poor, the unwanted, the orphaned and the lost.

It is on them to offset the terrible momentum of mankind’s bestial greed and warlike cruelty.

If you wish to learn, if you feel the calling to a religious sense of purpose, inquire at the church or temple of your choice, or use the online links here to begin to answer your questions.

Many institutions are open to you. Many degree programs await you. The religions hunger for you.

Investigate them thoroughly, and be certain you have chosen well. Be sure your choice reflects your own personal beliefs. Your future depends upon it.

Then… educate, educate, educate!

The late summer sun is going down and the light is fading fast. You move slowly through the deep shadows, and you drop into a gully to watch and listen. Beer cans and trash. Mud. Meth waste.

Your deputy responded to reports. The smell of raw chemicals. Cars coming and going up the dead-end dirt road, cars with out of state plates.

You called for local backup, and the DEA. Now you need to stake and wait.

Moving through the high weeds you see empty steel drums and you smell it— a meth lab, a big one.

A spark would set this place off like a 500-pound bomb.

You are a county sheriff. People think your life is about politicking for office, running Gomer speed traps, and serving legal papers. That’s because they have no clue.

Your deputy is well-trained, patient, smart, you trained her yourself.

She has cover-positioned herself opposite you so you share the front and side view of the building. She’s a mother of two kids and the coach of their softball team.

You hear the faint sound of a door. Peering through weeds you see motion in front.

Someone steps outside and lights a cigarette. Its a bald guy, a silhouette in the bad light… he’s got a black rifle, AK 47 or Ar 15… no, now you see, it’s a Mini-14, magus taped tandem.

The suspect steps out and starts walking. Hell, he’s moving steadily toward your deputy’s position. He halts, smoking, looking around.

Be cool, you think, stay cool.

You wish you had another officer in back. You wish you knew what was back there.

Now you hear a child crying somewhere. its coming from inside there. From inside the meth lab itself!

Do you go, or not go?

You’re the sheriff, it’s your call. Wait for backup, wait for the DEA, or do something now?

What would you do?

Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs enforce the law on the county level. More than any other law officers, they personally know their people, their citizens, their terrain.

Sheriffs usually are elected to their posts and perform duties similar to those of a local or county police chief. Sheriffs’ departments tend to be relatively small, most having fewer than 50 sworn officers. Deputy sheriffs have law enforcement duties similar to those of officers in urban police departments. Police and sheriffs’ deputies who provide security in city and county courts are sometimes called bailiffs.

Sheriffs and their deputies have one of the highest rates of on-the-job injury and illness.

n addition to the obvious dangers of confrontations with criminals, police officers and detectives need to be constantly alert and ready to deal appropriately with a number of other threatening situations. Many law enforcement officers witness death and suffering resulting from accidents and criminal behavior.

A career in law enforcement may take a toll on their private lives. Sheriffs are not like police with 40-hour weeks, because protection must be provided around the clock— weekends, holidays, and nights. Deputies do shifts, but sheriffs are required to work whenever they are needed— and may work long hours during investigations.

A sheriff is best equipped with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Criminal Science and a minor in management can help. Sociology is a critical knowledge, and people skills are paramount.

A specific educational background related to law enforcement, such as deputy experience, or city police work, is fundamental.

A good sheriff must have highly developed personal qualities and be able to communicate clearly and persuasively.

An analytical mind, the ability to analyze large amounts of information and data quickly, and the ability to evaluate the relationships among deputies and citizens, also are important qualities.

The qualities of leadership, self-confidence, motivation, decisiveness, flexibility, sound moral judgment, and determination, all all essentials.

Because when the bad thing starts happening… it’s all on you.

You’re staking out the meth lab and suddenly the child you heard inside begins screaming. Someone yells inside there. A rough adult voice. The child shrieks.

You see your deputy rise up with her shotgun; she’s a mother and the kid in there shrieks again and you see her crouch/aim at the armed guy smoking a cigarette.

And now the guy sees her too… he’s shifting around toward her with the Mini-14…

Now you have no choice, all hell is about to break loose and you move and you move with the shotgun and your whole world slows to tunnel vision…

You are the Sheriff.

We talked of many things, but he emphasized this— if a person would like to spend their life making movies, you need first to educate yourself.

You must master many arts— of writing scripts, choosing locations, dressing sets, costuming the players, lighting scenes, manipulating the camera, directing actors, editing film, working on sound, advertising the finished product, and screening it to an audience.

Most people assume that the director is most often considered the author of a film. But everything begins with story. And when actors are on board, everything moves to yet another level of interpretation. Beyond acting, editing changes the whole game yet again.

Film schools teach you the art, craft, and technology of film, television video, animation and sound production. You learn to make movies. To take an idea and make it a visual and audible reality for strangers worldwide.

A good film school gives you intensive hands-on production experience. You learn film history. Your talent and skills are given a chance to evolve.

For instance, here goals and objectives of one famous film school— and these are typical of good film schools everywhere—

1. To develop individual talent and skills within a collaborative working environment.
2. To provide the highest standard of education and training with professionally active faculty and a broad spectrum of visiting professionals.
3. To provide an integrated liberal arts education program.
4. To encourage artistic, social and cultural diversity.
5. To develop an international perspective through student exchange and study-abroad programs.
6. To support a strong internship program offering a wide range of options for pre-professional experience.
7. To provide venues for the presentation and promotion of student work and to advise and assist students regarding national and international festivals and opportunities.
8. To provide access to the vibrant and creative community.

Sounds incredibly exciting, right. But how much does it cost? What about money?

How in the world can you pay for a film school education? There are ways and ways and more ways.

While the primary responsibility for financing one’s education falls upon the individual and family resources, good schools offer scholarships and many aid programs.

Scholarships are usually awarded on a competitive basis. Academic merit are weighed with financial need.

But, now, back to the art of film-making itself. Is it worth your investment of so much time and money and hope and work? That depends on your personal level of desire, to communicate with the whole wide world.

Just for context, and FYI, I include the film credits of the artist I quoted, Mr Konchalovski. The credits are a timeline, and run from the present, backward into time.

You can see for yourself, how richly the creative life of a film-maker shapes up…

KONCHALOVSKI as a WRITER
Nutcracker: The Untold Story (2009) (screenplay)
… aka Nutcracker: The Curse of the Rat King (Europe: English title: festival title)
I demoni di San Pietroburgo (2008) (from an original idea by)
… aka The Demons of St. Petersburg (International: English title)
Moscow Chill (2007) (writer)
… aka Moroz po kozhe (Russia)
Glyanets (2007) (writer)
… aka Gloss (International: English title: literal title) (USA)
… aka ?????? (Russia)
Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s’éteint et que le film commence (2007) (writer) (segment “Dans le Noir”)
… aka Chacun son cinéma (France: short title)
… aka To Each His Own Cinema (International: English title)
Dom durakov (2002) (writer)
… aka House of Fools (International: English title)
… aka La maison de fous (France)
The Odyssey (1997) (TV) (teleplay)
… aka Die Abenteuer des Odysseus (Germany)
… aka Homer’s Odyssey
… aka L’odissea (Italy)
… aka Odysseia (Greece)
Kurochka Ryaba (1994) (writer)
… aka ??????? ???? (Russia)
… aka Assia and the Hen with the Golden Eggs
… aka Riaba ma poule (France)
… aka Ryaba My Chicken
The Inner Circle (1991) (written by)
… aka ??????? ???? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Blizhniy krug (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Il proiezionista (Italy)
Shy People (1987) (screenplay) (story)
Duet for One (1986) (writer)
Maria’s Lovers (1984) (screenplay)
Sibiriada (1979) (writer)
… aka ????????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Siberiade (USA)
Krov i pot (1978) (writer) (as Andrei Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky)
Transsibirskiy ekspress (1977) (screenplay) (as A. Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky)
… aka ?????????????? ???????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Trans-Siberian Express
Raba lyubvi (1976) (writer) (as Andrei Mikhalkov-Kontchalovsky)
… aka ???? ????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka A Slave of Love (International: English title)
… aka Bondage of Love (USA: literal title)
Lyutyy (1974) (writer)
… aka The Ferocious One (International: English title: literal title)
… aka The Fierce One (International: English title)
… aka The Grey Fierce One
Nechayannye radosti (1972) (writer)
… aka ????????? ??????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
Sedmaya pulya (1972) (writer) (as Andrei Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky)
Zhdem tebya, paren… (1972) (writer) (as Andrej Michalkow-Kontschalowski)
Dyadya Vanya (1970) (screenplay)
… aka Uncle Vanya
Konets atamana (1970) (writer)
… aka ????? ??????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
Dvoryanskoe gnezdo (1969) (writer)
… aka ?????????? ?????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka A Nest of Gentlefolk
… aka A Nest of Gentry (USA)
… aka Nobiliary Nest
Pesn o Manshuk (1969) (writer)
… aka Song About Manshuk
Tashkent – gorod khlebny (1968) (writer) (as Andrei Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky)
Andrey Rublyov (1966) (writer) (as Andron Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky)
… aka ?????? ?????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Andrei Rublev (USA)
Pervyy uchitel (1966) (screenplay)
… aka ?????? ??????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka The First Teacher
Ivanovo detstvo (1962) (uncredited)
… aka ??????? ??????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Childhood of Ivan
… aka Ivan’s Childhood
… aka My Name Is Ivan (USA)
… aka The Youngest Spy
Katok i skripka (1961) (writer)
… aka ????? ? ??????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka The Skating Rink and the Violin
… aka The Steamroller and the Violin
… aka Violin and Roller

KONCHALOVSKI as a DIRECTOR
Nutcracker: The Untold Story (2009)
… aka Nutcracker: The Curse of the Rat King (Europe: English title: festival title)
Glyanets (2007)
… aka Gloss (International: English title: literal title) (USA)
… aka ?????? (Russia)
Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s’éteint et que le film commence (2007) (segment “Dans le Noir”)
… aka Chacun son cinéma (France: short title)
… aka To Each His Own Cinema (International: English title)
The Lion in Winter (2003) (TV)
Dom durakov (2002)
… aka House of Fools (International: English title)
… aka La maison de fous (France)
The Odyssey (1997) (TV)
… aka Die Abenteuer des Odysseus (Germany)
… aka Homer’s Odyssey
… aka L’odissea (Italy)
… aka Odysseia (Greece)
Lumière et compagnie (1995)
… aka Lumière and Company (International: English title)
… aka Lumiere y compañía (Spain)
Kurochka Ryaba (1994)
… aka ??????? ???? (Russia)
… aka Assia and the Hen with the Golden Eggs
… aka Riaba ma poule (France)
… aka Ryaba My Chicken
The Inner Circle (1991)
… aka ??????? ???? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Blizhniy krug (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Il proiezionista (Italy)
Tango & Cash (1989)
Homer and Eddie (1989)
Shy People (1987)
Duet for One (1986)
Runaway Train (1985)
Maria’s Lovers (1984)
Split Cherry Tree (1982)
Sibiriada (1979)
… aka ????????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Siberiade (USA)
Romans o vlyublyonnykh (1974) (as Andrei Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky)
… aka ?????? ? ?????????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka A Lover’s Romance
… aka Romance for Lovers
Dyadya Vanya (1970)
… aka Uncle Vanya
Dvoryanskoe gnezdo (1969)
… aka ?????????? ?????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka A Nest of Gentlefolk
… aka A Nest of Gentry (USA)
… aka Nobiliary Nest
Pervyy uchitel (1966) (as Andrei Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky)
… aka ?????? ??????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka The First Teacher
Istoriya Asi Klyachinoy, kotoraya lyubila, da ne vyshla zamuzh (1966)
… aka ??????? ??? ????????, ??????? ??????, ?? ?? ????? ????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Asino schaste (Soviet Union: Russian title: censored version)
… aka Asya’s Happiness
… aka Istoriya Asi Klyachinoy (Soviet Union: Russian title: short title)
… aka The Story of Asya Klyachina (International: English title)
Malchik i golub (1961)
… aka The Boy and the Pigeon

KONCHALOVSKI as a PRODUCER
The Last Station (2009) (executive producer)
… aka Ein Russischer Sommer (Germany)
Nutcracker: The Untold Story (2009) (producer)
… aka Nutcracker: The Curse of the Rat King (Europe: English title: festival title)
Moscow Chill (2007) (producer)
… aka Moroz po kozhe (Russia)
Glyanets (2007) (producer)
… aka Gloss (International: English title: literal title) (USA)
… aka ?????? (Russia)
Dom durakov (2002) (producer)
… aka House of Fools (International: English title)
… aka La maison de fous (France)
Kurochka Ryaba (1994) (producer)
… aka ??????? ???? (Russia)
… aka Assia and the Hen with the Golden Eggs
… aka Riaba ma poule (France)
… aka Ryaba My Chicken

KONCHALOVSKI as an ACTOR
Glyanets (2007) (uncredited) …. Provintsialnyy intelligent/Izbityy Vitkom
… aka Gloss (International: English title: literal title) (USA)
… aka ?????? (Russia)
Mne dvadtsat let (1964) …. Yuri – Guest at Anya’s Party
… aka ??? ???????? ??? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka I am Twenty
… aka Zastava Ilijcha
Ivanovo detstvo (1962) (as A. Konchalovsky) …. Soldier
… aka ??????? ??????? (Soviet Union: Russian title)
… aka Childhood of Ivan
… aka Ivan’s Childhood
… aka My Name Is Ivan (USA)
… aka The Youngest Spy
Soundtrack:
Maria’s Lovers (1984) (music: “Maria’s Eyes”)
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director:
I girasoli (1970) (second unit director)
… aka Les fleurs du soleil (France)
… aka Sunflower (USA)
Uuden aallon jäljillä (2009) (TV) …. Himself
Tracking ‘The Lion in Winter’ (2004) (TV) …. Himself
Kurosawa: The Last Emperor (1999) (TV) …. Himself
‘Psycho’ Path (1999) (V) …. Himself
7th Annual Russian Academy of Cinema Arts Awards (1993) (TV) …. Himself, guest
Schneeweißrosenrot (1991) …. Himself
… aka SnowwhiteRosered

Amazing, isn’t it? All form the talent and hard work of one film-maker!

Quite a legacy.

And it all begins with— education!

For more information on available scholarships and how to apply for them, contact the school of your choice. Be bold. If you intend to make films, its time to be confident and proactive. No student or prospective student who feels he or she may need financial aid should EVER be reluctant to apply for assistance.

In the US, many forms of aid, including Federal Pell grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and the Federal Stafford Loan Program, are available to students who demonstrate financial need (based upon economic criteria and program requirements established by the federal government).

For more info, call the U.S. Department of Education (800-433-3243) or visit its website. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid electronically – the fastest and most accurate method of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Educate, educate, educate!

Rants abound. The planets are going to line up at the end of the Mayan calendar. Yikes cubed! We’re all GONNA DIE!

For the first time in 22,000 years, and the earth will wobble and sun flares will erupt!

The sun will spin away and drag the earth out into the abyss!

Here is a Q&A by NASA scientists, regarding 2012……………… behold the POWER OF EDUCATION—

Question (Q): Are there any threats to the Earth in 2012? Many Internet websites say the world will end in December 2012.
Answer (A): Nothing bad will happen to the Earth in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.

Q: What is the origin of the prediction that the world will end in 2012?
A: The story started with claims that Nibiru, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, is headed toward Earth. This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012. Then these two fables were linked to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice in 2012 — hence the predicted doomsday date of December 21, 2012.

Q: Does the Mayan calendar end in December 2012?
A: Just as the calendar you have on your kitchen wall does not cease to exist after December 31, the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012. This date is the end of the Mayan long-count period but then — just as your calendar begins again on January 1 — another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar.

Q: Could a phenomena occur where planets align in a way that impacts Earth?
A: There are no planetary alignments in the next few decades, Earth will not cross the galactic plane in 2012, and even if these alignments were to occur, their effects on the Earth would be negligible. Each December the Earth and sun align with the approximate center of the Milky Way Galaxy but that is an annual event of no consequence.

Q: Is there a planet or brown dwarf called Nibiru or Planet X or Eris that is approaching the Earth and threatening our planet with widespread destruction?
A: Nibiru and other stories about wayward planets are an Internet hoax. There is no factual basis for these claims. If Nibiru or Planet X were real and headed for an encounter with the Earth in 2012, astronomers would have been tracking it for at least the past decade, and it would be visible by now to the naked eye. Obviously, it does not exist. Eris is real, but it is a dwarf planet similar to Pluto that will remain in the outer solar system; the closest it can come to Earth is about 4 billion miles.

Q: What is the polar shift theory? Is it true that the earth’s crust does a 180-degree rotation around the core in a matter of days if not hours?
A: A reversal in the rotation of Earth is impossible. There are slow movements of the continents (for example Antarctica was near the equator hundreds of millions of years ago), but that is irrelevant to claims of reversal of the rotational poles. However, many of the disaster websites pull a bait-and-shift to fool people. They claim a relationship between the rotation and the magnetic polarity of Earth, which does change irregularly, with a magnetic reversal taking place every 400,000 years on average. As far as we know, such a magnetic reversal doesn’t cause any harm to life on Earth. A magnetic reversal is very unlikely to happen in the next few millennia, anyway.

Q: Is the Earth in danger of being hit by a meteor in 2012?
A: The Earth has always been subject to impacts by comets and asteroids, although big hits are very rare. The last big impact was 65 million years ago, and that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Today NASA astronomers are carrying out a survey called the Spaceguard Survey to find any large near-Earth asteroids long before they hit. We have already determined that there are no threatening asteroids as large as the one that killed the dinosaurs. All this work is done openly with the discoveries posted every day on the NASA NEO Program Office website, so you can see for yourself that nothing is predicted to hit in 2012.

Q: How do NASA scientists feel about claims of pending doomsday?
A: For any claims of disaster or dramatic changes in 2012, where is the science? Where is the evidence? There is none, and for all the fictional assertions, whether they are made in books, movies, documentaries or over the Internet, we cannot change that simple fact. There is no credible evidence for any of the assertions made in support of unusual events taking place in December 2012.

Q: Is there a danger from giant solar storms predicted for 2012?
A: Solar activity has a regular cycle, with peaks approximately every 11 years. Near these activity peaks, solar flares can cause some interruption of satellite communications, although engineers are learning how to build electronics that are protected against most solar storms. But there is no special risk associated with 2012. The next solar maximum will occur in the 2012-2014 time frame and is predicted to be an average solar cycle, no different than previous cycles throughout history.

Sooo, thanks to EDUCATION, we can now relax and let 2012 go merrily on its way.

If we run into the fake NASA “news release” promoting this fictional 2012 mania, we can laugh, instead of panicking.

Why? because we have EDUCATED ourselves, instead of falling into the trap of ignorance and TEOTWAWKI.

The Mayan calendar merely starts a new cycle (as if the Mayans had any amazing celestial insights to begin with).

And the planets align every 30-50 years, never a problem, not before, now now.

Oh, and by the way, Jesus Christ was born in march, not at “Christmas”. (He was born during the census of Augustus, 8th year; source? the Bible).

Think, learn to think. Think for yourself. Knowledge will set you free.

In so many ways, your own knowledge is your best hope in life— knowledge is self-liberating.

Educate, EDUCATE, EDUCATE!

Want more info concerning the 2012 hoax? Google these sites—

• NASA Astrobiology Institute: “Nibiru and Doomsday 2012″
• Bad Astronomy: “The Planet X Saga: The Scientific Arguments in a Nutshell”
• Sky and Telescope Magazine: “2012: The Great Scar

For one thing, Canada, as a society, has earned so many accolades over the years. And not only in their fine system of education.

The famous economist, John Maynard Keynes, called Canada “a place of infinite promise.” He went on to say that he liked the people, and if one ever had to emigrate, Canada would be the destination, not the U.S.A. The hills, lakes and forests, Keynes said, make Canada “a place of peace, and repose of the mind.”

They rarely adventure in wars, their health system is universal, their natural resources astonishing. A World Bank study named Canada the globe’s second wealthiest society (after Australia).

So how would you go about exploring the possibility of getting your degree there, in beautiful wealthy secure Canada?

At the website, StudyinCanada.com., you can search for the right university, college, or career college— one that’s the best fit for you.

Programs such as MBA, computer science, engineering and business are all there. Plus, if you aren’t Canadian, you can learn about visas, tuition, application requirements. There’s plenty there to help you learn about Canada and Canadian education.

Undergraduate Schools? Check out the StudyinCanada.com Undergraduate Schools Section. You can find a treasure trove of universities, university colleges, colleges, and career colleges. Many degree types can be earned at these schools— including bachelor degrees, certificates and diplomas.

The StudyinCanada.com site is easy to explore.

For careers, you can take the “3-Step Career Quiz” to find descriptions of over 230 careers.

For schools, check out a program category or schools that interest you. Look at their universities, university-colleges, colleges or career colleges. It’s easy to request information— contact your choices of schools directly for more information using this form.

Student life? Explore a day in the life of a student in Canada. Or try living in a home-stay environment.

Financial Aid? Here, you can discover whether you’re eligible for scholarships, or other forms of student aid.

You can even apply to schools. StudyinCanada.com supplies many links to application information, for different Canadian universities, colleges and career colleges.

Of course, there are fewer financial aids for international students than for Canadian students. They owe assistance first to their own citizens, naturally.

But then, the many other social pluses in Canadian life, itself, as well as in the riches of Canadian education, may more than make up for anything else.

Here are some Canadian financial-aid links, to get you started—

• CIDA The Canadian International Development Agency
  This organization offers scholarships directly and through funding for students to come to Canada to study. You can find some information about their scholarship and awards programs here:
  http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/faq-e#17
• CIDA-SICI Project (CSP)
  The Canadian International Development Agency and the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute offer several grants and internships to graduate students from India to study in Canada, including the Women and Development Fellowships, the Social Sciences & Humanities Fellowships and the Visiting Scholar Program. http://www.ucalgary.ca/~sici
• Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC)
  FAC sponsors the Commonwealth Scholarship Plan. The program is designed to help students from Commonwealth countries take programs of advanced study and research at the graduate level in Canada. http://www.scholarships-bourses-ca.org/csp_nc/nc_csp-en.html
• Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC)
  FAC sponsors the Government of Canada Awards, available to graduate students who are citizens of Chile, Colombia, Cuba, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia and Venezuela. Countries may be added at any time, so students should check the link below occasionally. http://www.scholarships-bourses-ca.org/gca/nc_gcap1-en.html
• Organization of American States (OAS) Fellowship Programs (PRA)
  Awards available to students from other OAS member states for graduate study or research in Canada. http://www.scholarships-bourses-ca.org/oas_nc/nc_oas-en.html
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
  This organization funds research activities designed to provide benefits to developing countries. Most of the funding they do is at a doctoral level. http://web.idrc.ca/en/ev-54473-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
  Sponsors the NATO Science Fellowships for post-doctoral studies and the Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories for post-doctoral studies or doctoral studies. http://www.nserc.ca/students_e.htm#foreign

If you find the school you like, and you apply, and are accepted? Contact the financial aid office. They know of awards available, and its their job to help you find one.

Keep up with Canadian education news. The StudyinCanada.com site has “News and Advice”. Be sure to stay current with your chosen school’s news and events.

For international students, check out StudyinCanada.com’s Visa info.

And be sure to learn everything you can about Canada itself— its history, traditions, and its people!

As a member of the Writer’s Guild West, Erudio voted in the WGA awards for best screenplay.

Top of my list? UP IN THE AIR, PRECIOUS, HURT LOCKER.

Each of these intense, emotionally honest, films works urgently toward a primal confrontation with the world we live in today. And every year, I find myself comparing this year’s movies to the movies of the past. You have to. It’s the way the brain works.

And each year, I think of those amazing stories, how they were written, the dialogue, the drama, the conflicts.

Like, think way back to 1962… Lawrence of Arabia (the eventual AA winner), The Longest Day, The Music Man, Mutiny on the Bounty, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Manchurian Candidate, The Bird Man of Alcatraz, Days of Wine and Roses, The Miracle Worker and Long Day’s Journey into Night. Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Billy Budd, Divorce Italian Style, Last Year at Marienbad, Gypsy, Sweet Bird of Youth, Period of Adjustment, Jules and Jim, Lolita, Advise and Consent, Peeping Tom, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance… and many more, all in one year.

To you budding film students out there, how many of those 1962 movies have you seen? Classic films are a MUSEUM of film art.

And they all have one thing in common— they all started with a great SCREENPLAY. Amazing narrative, setting, dialogue, action.

In fact, the Writer’s Guild has compiled a list of screenwriters’ picks for the 101 best screenplays of all time.

To Kill a Mockingbird, Dr Strangelove, Full Metal Jacket, East of Eden, Citizen Kane, Shane, High Noon…

Each great movie was first born in the brain of a screenwriter, the man or woman who sat alone and saw the movie in their head, and then wrote it down for others to see and know, and to make into a film for all to see and to know.

Here’s the list… in order, as voted on by professional screenwriters, members of the Writer’s Guild—

1. CASABLANCA
   Screenplay by Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch. Based on the play “Everybody Comes to Rick’s” by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison
2. THE GODFATHER
   Screenplay by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. Based on the novel by Mario Puzo
3. CHINATOWN
   Written by Robert Towne
4. CITIZEN KANE
   Written by Herman Mankiewicz and Orson Welles
5. ALL ABOUT EVE
   Screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Based on “The Wisdom of Eve,” a short story and radio play by Mary Orr
6. ANNIE HALL
   Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman
7. SUNSET BLVD.
   Written by Charles Brackett & Billy Wilder and D.M. Marshman, Jr.
8. NETWORK
   Written by Paddy Chayefsky
9. SOME LIKE IT HOT
   Screenplay by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond. Based on “Fanfare of Love,” a German film written by Robert Thoeren and M. Logan
10. THE GODFATHER II
    Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo. Based on Mario Puzo’s novel “The Godfather”
11. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID
    Written by William Goldman
12. DR. STRANGELOVE
    Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick and Peter George and Terry Southern. Based on novel “Red Alert” by Peter George
13. THE GRADUATE
    Screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. Based on the novel by Charles Webb
14. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
    Screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. Based on the life and writings of Col. T.E. Lawrence
15. THE APARTMENT
    Written by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond
16. PULP FICTION
    Written by Quentin Tarantino. Stories by Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary
17. TOOTSIE
    Screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal. Story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart
18. ON THE WATERFRONT
    Screen Story and Screenplay by Budd Schulberg. Based on “Crime on the Waterfront” articles by Malcolm Johnson
19. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
    Screenplay by Horton Foote. Based on the novel by Harper Lee
20. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE Screenplay by Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett & Frank Capra. Based on short story “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern. Contributions to screenplay Michael Wilson and Jo Swerling
21. NORTH BY NORTHWEST
    Written by Ernest Lehman
22. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
    Screenplay by Frank Darabont. Based on the short story “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption” by Stephen King
23. GONE WITH THE WIND
    Screenplay by Sidney Howard. Based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell
24. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
    Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman. Story by Charlie Kaufman & Michel Gondry & Pierre Bismuth
25. THE WIZARD OF OZ
    Screenplay by Noel Langley and Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf Adaptation by Noel Langley. Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum
26. DOUBLE INDEMNITY
    Screenplay by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler. Based on the novel by James M. Cain
27. GROUNDHOG DAY
    Screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis. Story by Danny Rubin
28. SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
    Written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
29. SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS
    Written by Preston Sturges
30. UNFORGIVEN
    Written by David Webb Peoples
31. HIS GIRL FRIDAY
    Screenplay by Charles Lederer. Based on the play “The Front Page” by Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur
32. FARGO
    Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
33. THE THIRD MAN
    Screenplay by Graham Greene. Story by Graham Greene. Based on the short story by Graham Greene
34. THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
    Screenplay by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman. From a novelette by Ernest Lehman
35. THE USUAL SUSPECTS
    Written by Christopher McQuarrie
36. MIDNIGHT COWBOY
    Screenplay by Waldo Salt. Based on the novel by James Leo Herlihy
37. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
    Screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart. Based on the play by Philip Barry
38. AMERICAN BEAUTY
    Written by Alan Ball
39. THE STING
    Written by David S. Ward
40. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
    Written by Nora Ephron
41. GOODFELLAS
    Screenplay by Nicholas Pileggi & Martin Scorsese. Based on book “Wise Guy” by Nicholas Pileggi
42. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
    Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan. Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman
43. TAXI DRIVER
    Written by Paul Schrader
44. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
    Screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood. Based on novel “Glory For Me” by MacKinley Kantor
45. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST
    Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman. Based on the novel by Ken Kesey
46. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE
    Screenplay by John Huston. Based on the novel by B. Traven
47. THE MALTESE FALCON
    Screenplay by John Huston. Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett
48. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI
    Screenplay by Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson. Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle
49. SCHINDLER’S LIST
    Screenplay by Steven Zaillian. Based on the novel by Thomas Keneally
50. THE SIXTH SENSE
    Written by M. Night Shyamalan
51. BROADCAST NEWS
    Written by James L. Brooks
52. THE LADY EVE
    Screenplay by Preston Sturges. Story by Monckton Hoffe
53. ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN
    Screenplay by William Goldman. Based on the book by Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward
54. MANHATTAN
    Written by Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman
55. APOCALYPSE NOW
    Written by John Milius and Francis Coppola. Narration by Michael Herr
56. BACK TO THE FUTURE
    Written by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale
57. CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS
    Written by Woody Allen
58. ORDINARY PEOPLE
    Screenplay by Alvin Sargent. Based on the novel by Judith Guest
59. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT
    Screenplay by Robert Riskin. Based on the story “Night Bus” by Samuel Hopkins Adams
60. L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
    Screenplay by Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson. Based on the novel by James Ellroy
61. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
    Screenplay by Ted Tally. Based on the novel by Thomas Harris
62. MOONSTRUCK
    Written by John Patrick Shanley
63. JAWS
    Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. Based on the novel by Peter Benchley
64. TERMS OF ENDEARMENT
    Screenplay by James L. Brooks. Based on the novel by Larry McMurtry
65. SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
    Screen Story and Screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green. Based on the song by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown
66. JERRY MAGUIRE
    Written by Cameron Crowe
67. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL
    Written by Melissa Mathison
68. STAR WARS
    Written by George Lucas
69. DOG DAY AFTERNOON
    Screenplay by Frank Pierson. Based on a magazine article by P.F. Kluge and Thomas Moore
70. THE AFRICAN QUEEN
    Screenplay by James Agee and John Huston. Based on the novel by C.S. Forester
71. THE LION IN WINTER
    Screenplay by James Goldman. Based on the play by James Goldman
72. THELMA & LOUISE
    Written by Callie Khouri
73. AMADEUS
    Screenplay by Peter Shaffer. Based on his play
74. BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
    Written by Charlie Kaufman
75. HIGH NOON
    Screenplay by Carl Foreman. Based on short story “The Tin Star” by John W. Cunningham
76. RAGING BULL
    Screenplay by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin. Based on the book by Jake La Motta with Joseph Carter and Peter Savage
77. ADAPTATION
    Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman. Based on the book “The Orchid Thief” by Susan Orlean
78. ROCKY
    Written by Sylvester Stallone
79. THE PRODUCERS
    Written by Mel Brooks
80. WITNESS
    Screenplay by Earl W. Wallace & William Kelley. Story by William Kelley and Pamela Wallace & Earl W. Wallace
81. BEING THERE
    Screenplay by Jerzy Kosinski. Inspired by the novel by Jerzy Kosinski
82. COOL HAND LUKE
    Screenplay by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson. Based on the novel by Donn Pearce
83. REAR WINDOW
    Screenplay by John Michael Hayes. Based on the short story by Cornell Woolrich
84. THE PRINCESS BRIDE
    Screenplay by William Goldman. Based on his novel
85. LA GRANDE ILLUSION
    Written by Jean Renoir and Charles Spaak
86. HAROLD & MAUDE
    Written by Colin Higgins
87. 8 1/2
    Screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, Brunello Rond. Story by Fellini, Flaiano
88. FIELD OF DREAMS
    Screenplay by Phil Alden Robinson. Based on the book by W.P. Kinsella
89. FORREST GUMP
    Screenplay by Eric Roth. Based on the novel by Winston Groom
90. SIDEWAYS
    Screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor. Based on the novel by Rex Pickett
91. THE VERDICT
    Screenplay by David Mamet. Based on the novel by Barry Reed
92. PSYCHO
    Screenplay by Joseph Stefano. Based on the novel by Robert Bloch
93. DO THE RIGHT THING
    Written by Spike Lee
94. PATTON
    Screen Story and Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North. Based on “A Soldier’s Story” by Omar H. Bradley and “Patton: Ordeal and Triumph” by Ladislas Farago
95. HANNAH AND HER SISTERS
    Written by Woody Allen
96. THE HUSTLER
    Screenplay by Sidney Carroll & Robert Rossen. Based on the novel by Walter Tevis
97. THE SEARCHERS
    Screenplay by Frank S. Nugent. Based on the novel by Alan Le May
98. THE GRAPES OF WRATH
    Screenplay by Nunnally Johnson. Based on the novel by John Steinbeck
99. THE WILD BUNCH
    Screenplay by Walon Green and Sam Peckinpah. Story by Walon Green and Roy Sickner
100. MEMENTO
     Screenplay by Christopher Nolan. Based on the short story “Memento Mori” by Jonathan Nolan
101. NOTORIOUS
     Written by Ben Hecht

So… all you aspiring screenwriters… how many of these films have you actually seen?

How many of these screenplays have you actually read?

How many of these writers have you heard of? Have you studied their writing?

As you watch the Academy Awards, compare the winners to the great films of the past.

Educate yourself. Educate your art, and when you write, write to a level worth your own talent.

Educate, educate, educate!

Are their study results exaggerated? Let’s take a look.

At GRAD2B, students are our number one concern— and this study should alert all students to guard their body, as well as their minds.

The connection between body and mind is well-known. If the mind or the body is overemphasized by a bad habit, then the other suffers, and affects the first.

Surfing the web is sedentary. You sit there and vege out, your body does, anyway. While your brain races at top speed.

Leeds University researchers said (in the Psychopathology Journal), found heavy web users much more likely to be depressed than non-addicted users.

(Their questionnaire-based study included 1,319 young people and adults— data from UK-based social networking sites. The study used the “Beck Depression Inventory“, questions measuring the severity of depression. Their age range was 16 to 51 years, with a mean age of 21.24.)

The University’s Institute of Psychological Sciences found that 18 people who completed the questionnaire – 1.4% of the total – were internet addicts.

Only 18? Out of 1,319? Hmmm…

“Our research indicates that excessive internet use is associated with depression, but what we don’t know is which comes first – are depressed people drawn to the internet or does the internet cause depression?” the article’s lead author, Dr Catriona Morrison, said.

Okay, in a study involving 1,319 people, you would expect at least 18 or probably more, to already be clinically depressed. But let’s keep moving…

The mean age of the 18 internet addicts (13 male and 5 female) was 18.3 years. Dr Morrison added, “What is clear is that, for a small subset of people, excessive use of the internet could be a warning signal for depressive tendencies.”

Instead of getting out and socializing, or taking a break to run, walk, ride a bike, the study showed that the small group of “addicts” spent lots of their web time browsing sex sites, gaming sites and online communities.

“This study reinforces the public speculation that over-engaging in websites that serve to replace normal social function might be linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction,” Morrison said.

It’s plain to see that anything, including web time, or study time, carried to excess, can be counter-productive.

This study obviously over-emphasies the “addictive” effect of the web. But it is very useful to point out the impact of sedentary habits on the energy patterns of a serious student.

Between long study periods, you need to get out, exercise, meet friends face to face, hang out and give your mind time to catch up. When you get back to your studies you’ll find renewed energy, and a fresh focus that boosts your study effectiveness.

If you ignore your body, your physical energy falls and your mind suffers. In turn, then your body suffers the neglect of the mind itself— you can feel down, depressed, easily fatigued. And so on, in a down-turning spiral syndrome.

The result puts you deep into an energy hole. Your mind requires that energy, and it can only come from a good diet and good exercise. Energy drinks can’t make up for lack of exercise.

Students use the web for socializing, shopping, and many other things, as well as for study. Long study periods at the computer, or reading, exaggerate the body-mind dysfunction.

For you 1.4% who show signs of depression, get out and take a walk, say hello to some people, okay? ( The sex and gambling sites will still be there. And so will your studies!)

For students, exercise breaks— during long study periods— can boost you moods as well as your grades.

A good mind/body balance will keep your energy high and your intellect bright over the long haul— all the way to graduation, and beyond!

Then maybe you should dive into the political process, and fight for those changes yourself.

But, you say, how would I get there? You can do it. And I will show you exactly how.

Politicians work for the people, in theory at least. They oversee and direct Federal, State, and local governments. They make laws, and change laws.

The voters hire most politicians by electing them in campaigns that often cost many millions of dollars per candidate. Some are appointed. The media has an enormous impact on the out come of these battles for votes, and big corporations put their money where their profits are.

Every member of your government is a politician at some level, even those appointed by other politicians. They go all the way from the elected school board members and county council member, to the Prime Minister or President.

The current US president was raised by a single mom who at one time used food stamps to feed her child. Despite this, he always worked and studied hard.

After graduating high school from Punahou School in Hawaii, Barack Obama attended Occidental College for two years, then got his B.A. from Columbia University.

Barack Obama later got his law degree from Harvard Law School (where he became the Harvard Law Review’s first african american person president), graduating magna cum laude. Obama was also a lecturer of constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School.

Then, after some street-seasoning experience (learning from the street up, working in Chicago politics and programs for the poor), Barack Obama ran for president in 2008. After the election in November 4, 2008 he was elected President of the United States.

Chief executives like President Obama boss their cabinet and all relevant organizations. Similar to political bosses are Corporate board members, Corporate chief executives, and high ranking officers in the military. They are bosses who combed the ladder of politics in each of their respective fields.

Legislative politicians, like senators, congress members, parliament members, all pass laws. They also work on budgets and programs submitted by the chief executive.

A law degree is a good start, if you want to enter politics— your duties will involve law in many ways, no matter what office you might campaign for. Other very useful experience could be in the worlds of business or teaching, but you’ll always need legal knowledge in politics.

Talent as an effective speaker is important. You’ll need to inspire and motivate voters and their staff. High energy is required.

Never forget, no matter how high you might climb in politics, the voter will be your real boss.

If you can please the majority, and keep the media on your side, you may have a long career in politics, and you may be able to run for higher and higher office.

So… what are your beliefs. your values? Are you willing to spend your life in politics, where you can really fight for them?

Get a law degree. Study hard, arm yourself with every legal tool possible, get into the best school you can.

If you need to, start with your local community college, or an online institution. Many grants and loans are available, and you can find links to them here on GRAD2B.com.

Use the law to empower your personal vision of your city, your county, your state, your nation, your world.

Change the world from the power end, from the seat of political power.

Run for office!

How do you get there? Educate, Educate, Educate!

Its mines crushed them, its mills incinerated them, its machines shredded them. Men, women, children alike, were need in vast numbers to feed the new machine world with raw materials that machines turned into goods. A paid army of armed thugs beat or murdered anyone who brave or desperate enough to protest.

Because for the owners, it was far cheaper to replace a disposable worker than it was to safety-modify a precious machine.

For many workers this is still true today— in many places on our globe, machines are still more highly valued than the flesh-and-blood human beings, the workers who feed the machines and nurture them, so that profits can keep churning out of the factory doors.

Around the world, as the 20th-century dawned, writers and leaders began to fight the injustice and tyranny of the machine age.

Powerful 1900’s novels like OCTOPUS, and THE JUNGLE, and DEATH SHIP caused a sensation. If you haven’t read them, you should. They still pack the emotional horsepower they once did, maybe more.

From public outrage against so much worker death and injury, federal and state governments finally began to try to protect their citizen workers.

Some wealthy factory owners fought change, and waged media campaigns, with the same old charge of “Socialism”, wanting to maximize profits. But other wiser (and perhaps more humane) Kings of Industry actually wanted to improve worker conditions.

In the coal mines the situation was brutal— check out the relatively modern, totally relevant, films “MATEWAN” (IMHO, John Sayles best film) and “THE MOLLY MAGUIRES”, (definitely Sean Connery’s best film, even better than his other great one, THE HILL). See those films if just for their greatness alone— if you aren’t devastated, fascinated, moved, you were born without a heart.)

So, in the early 20th century, finally, there was a public outcry, for a new type of job— occupational health and safety specialists, to guard against employee deaths and injuries.

Today these professionals are known as safety and health professionals, or occupational health and safety inspectors. They help prevent harm to workers, property, the environment, and the general public. (For example, they design safe work spaces, inspect machines, or test air quality.)

That’s how government employee health and safety agencies (like OHSA in the USA) were born, in the industrial nations, worldwide.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors enforce Labor regulations and impose fines.

For example, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health hires occupational health and safety specialists to offer companies help in evaluating safety without the risk of fines.

Most large government agencies also employ occupational health and safety specialists who work to protect agency employees.

In addition to making workers safer, specialists aim to increase worker productivity by reducing absenteeism and equipment downtime—and to save money by lowering insurance premiums and workers’ compensation payments, and preventing government fines.

Specialists working for governments conduct safety inspections and impose fines. Specialists often work with occupational health and safety technicians to ensure work place safety.

Occupational health and safety specialists analyze work environments and design programs to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury. They look for chemical, physical, radiological, and biological hazards.

They also work to make more equipment ergonomic—designed to promote proper body positioning, increase worker comfort, and decrease fatigue.

Specialists may conduct inspections and inform an organization’s management of areas not in compliance with State and Federal laws or employer policies. They also advise management on the cost and effectiveness of safety and health programs. Some provide training on new regulations and policies or on how to recognize hazards.

Some specialists develop methods to predict hazards from historical data and other information sources. They use these methods and their own knowledge and experience to evaluate current equipment, products, facilities, or processes and those planned for future use.

For example, they might uncover patterns in injury data that show that many injuries are caused by a specific type of system failure, human error, or weakness in procedures. They evaluate the probability and severity of accidents and identify where controls need to be implemented to reduce or eliminate risk. If a new program or practice is required, they propose it to management and monitor results if it is implemented. Specialists may also conduct safety training.

Training sessions might show how to recognize hazards, for example, or explain new regulations, production processes, and safe work methods. If an injury or illness occurs, occupational health and safety specialists help investigate, studying its causes and recommending remedial action. Some occupational health and safety specialists help workers to return to work after accidents and injuries.

Some specialists, often called loss prevention specialists, work for insurance companies, inspecting the facilities that they insure and suggesting and helping to implement improvements.

Occupational health and safety specialists frequently communicate with management about the status of health and safety programs. They also might consult with engineers or physicians.

Specialists monitor safety measurements in order to advise management of safety performance to correct existing safety hazards and to avoid future hazards; they write reports, including accident reports, and enter information on Occupational Safety and Health Administration record-keeping forms.

They also may prepare documents used in legal proceedings and give testimony in court. Those who develop expertise in specific areas may develop occupational health and safety systems, including policies, procedures, and manuals. Some specialists plan budgets needed to implement programs that help achieve safe work practices.

The responsibilities of occupational health and safety specialists vary by industry, workplace, and types of hazards affecting employees.

Environmental protection officers evaluate and coordinate the storage and handling of hazardous waste, the cleanup of contaminated soil or water, or other activities that affect the environment.

Ergonomists consider the design of industrial, office, and other equipment to maximize worker comfort, safety, and productivity.

Health physicists work in places that use radiation and radioactive material, helping to protect people and the environment from hazardous radiation exposure.

Industrial hygienists examine the workplace for health hazards, such as exposure to lead, asbestos, noise, pesticides, or communicable diseases.

Most jobs require a bachelor’s degree in occupational health, safety, or a related field; some require advanced degrees. All specialists are trained in the applicable laws or inspection procedures through some combination of classroom and on-the-job training.

For some positions, a master’s degree in industrial hygiene, health physics, or a related subject is required. High school students interested in enrolling in a college program should complete courses in English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics.

College courses may include radiation science, hazardous material management and control, risk communications, principles of ergonomics, and respiratory protection. Course work will vary depending on the degree pursued.

For example, course requirements for students seeking a degree in industrial hygiene will differ from course requirements for health physics degree seekers.

In order to become credentialed, most accrediting bodies require that specialists have attended either a regional or nationally accredited educational institution. Work experience is important in this occupation; it is typically beneficial for prospective students to select an education program that offers opportunities to complete internships.

All occupational health and safety specialists are trained in the applicable laws or inspection procedures through some combination of classroom and on-the-job training.

Typically an advanced degree and substantial work experience are needed to compete for leadership or senior roles.

In the US, occupational health and safety specialists held about 55,800 jobs in 2008. While the majority of jobs were spread throughout the private sector; about 41 percent of specialists worked for Federal, State, and local government agencies.

Most private companies either employ their own occupational health and safety workers or contract with them. Most contract work is done through consulting companies, but some specialists are self-employed.

In addition to working for governments, occupational health and safety specialists were employed in manufacturing firms; hospitals; educational services; scientific and technical consulting services; mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, and construction.

According to BLS, the employment of US occupational health and safety specialists is expected to increase 11 percent during 2008-2018.

This increase is because more specialists will be needed to cope with technological advances in safety equipment and threats, changing regulations, and increasing public expectations. In private industry, employment growth will reflect continuing self-enforcement of government and company regulations and policies.

Insurance and worker’s compensation costs have become a financial concern for many employers and insurance companies— so, job growth should be very good for those specializing in loss prevention (especially in construction safety, also in ergonomics).

Does the idea of spending your work day prowling a factory floor (and searching for ways to help safeguard the lives of others) appeal to you?

Most employers require occupational health and safety specialists to have a bachelor’s degree— in occupational health, safety, or a related field, such as engineering, biology, or chemistry.

Does a career as a guardian of health, of safety, of standing up for workers with little power to defend themselves, appeal to you?

Then educate yourself— get a degree empowering you to become a health and safety inspector.

And isn’t it always true? To earn the role of empowering others, first you must empower yourself.

Whatever career or profession you do choose, your future and the futures of others in in YOUR hands.

Educate, educate, educate!

• Information about jobs in Federal, State, and local governments and in private industry is available from State employment service offices. For information on a career as an industrial hygienist, contact:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2700 Prosperity Ave., Suite 250, Fairfax, VA 22031. http://www.aiha.org
• For information on credentialing in industrial hygiene, contact:
  American Board of Industrial Hygiene, 6015 West St. Joseph Hwy., Suite 102, Lansing, MI 48917. http://www.abih.org
• For more information on professions in safety, a list of safety and related academic programs, and credentialing, contact:
  Board of Certified Safety Professionals, 208 Burwash Ave., Savoy, IL 61874. http://www.bcsp.org
• For information on a career as a health physicist, contact:
  Health Physics Society, 1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Suite 402, McLean, VA 22101. http://www.hps.org
• For additional career information, contact:
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 395 E Street SW., Suite 9200, Patriots Plaza Building, Washington, DC 20201. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Office of Communication, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20210. http://www.osha.gov