May 15, 2012

Philosophy majors and minors alike, if they hope to receive a well-rounded look at the diverse perspectives out there, need to look beyond the more familiar "Western" ideologies. Those hailing from the "Eastern" world have held just as much of a global impact over religion, politics, art, science, and more, making them well worth academic inquiry. Far, far more than eight names left their mark on the philosophy and culture of Asia, of course, but anyone just launching their studies might find the following a reasonable start.

1. Lao Tzu

   The founder of Taoism outlined all the tenets of his globally beloved philosophy in the Tao Te Ching sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries B.C. — and some even debate whether or not he was a real or apocryphal individual. In his most influential (to put it mildly) work, he touts the concept of the Tao, an invisible structure which drives all things, and believes enlightenment comes from attaining oneness with the surrounding universe. Harmony with nature as opposed to working against its will forms the crux of this religious and philosophical approach, making it ideal for anyone hoping to reduce stresses in their lives.

2. Siddhartha Gautama

   Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama probably lived around the 6th or 5th century B.C., but even today his spiritual guidance inspires millions of practitioners globally. He only founded Buddhism, after all. Although details of his life will likely remain disputed for a while yet, the Four Noble Truths Buddha taught stay largely static. The philosophy and faith encourages the pursuit of these principles through as many lifetimes as it takes to finally achieve perfect bliss and knowledge in Nirvana.

3. Confucius

   In his Analects — and, some theorize, the Five Classics (Spring and Autumn Annals, Classic of Poetry, Classic of Changes, Classic of Rites, and Classic of History) — this 6th and 5th century B.C. thinker promoted ancestor worship, strong filial bonds, and considerate living. Many of the parables and maxims shared in Confucius’ writings espouse humanistic ideologies, placing the well-being of all over the needs of the few. Li, an ethical framework encouraging the populace to behave appropriately, serves as the best introduction to his philosophies for beginners hoping to learn more.

4. Rumi

   Rumi’s poetry and philosophy regarding Sufi mysticism directly led to the establishment of the Mewlewi Sufi Order, known to most of the “Western” world as the “Whirling Dervishes,” following his passing. During the 13th century, lush lyrical works such as the collections Matnawiye Ma’nawi and Diwan-e Kabir explored spirituality so intensely, so provocatively, much of the Islamic intellectual and creative world at the time found him absolutely inspiring. For him and his followers, faith stood as a deeply personal journey with minimal adherence to a rigid doctrine.

5. Sun Tzu

   The Art of War sits on the shelves of colonels and CEOs alike because its details of successful psychological strategies hold applications far beyond the battlefield. Although, of course, militaries across Asia — especially those in China, Japan, and Vietnam — used it to dictate the direction of everything from small skirmishes to the revolution against French colonials. Unlike most (but not all!) of the other major “Eastern” philosophers, Sun Tzu’s advice and aphorisms never touched upon spiritual matters, but remained largely planted in terra firma.

6. Mulla Sadra

   He can’t be credited for launching the 17th century Iranian Renaissance, but scholars generally consider Sadr ad-Din Muhammad Shirazi its most significant contributor. A Shia, he penned a library’s worth of literature pulling from previous Islamic philosophers and scientists and melting them together into one overarching mindset many cite as the direct ancestor of the later existentialist movement. The Transcendent Philosophy of the Four Journeys of the Intellect took nearly a quarter-century to compile, and covers a good chunk of history and Mulla Sadra’s influences, partnered with encyclopedic commentary.

7. Mao Zedong

   Maoism synthesized Marxist and Leninist philosophies with the unique needs of China and forever altered the course of world history and geopolitics after its namesake initiated the Chinese Revolution of 1949. Through books such as On Guerilla Warfare and On New Democracy (among others), he swayed the citizenry toward communist ideals and instigated the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution which wiped out millennia of academia and art in favor of something very new and very different. Religion and philosophy — particularly those promoted by some of the others listed here — received considerable suppression as the nation’s attentions zoomed in on industrialization and modernization.

8. Guru Nanak Dev

   Sikhism dates back to roughly 1499, when its founder Guru Nanak Dev — also known as the faith’s first great leader — disappeared for several days and returned with the belief that Hindus and Muslims have it all wrong. From there, he traversed across his native Pakistan and beyond preaching the virtues of worshiping a single deity through honest, simple, and devout actions revolving around humility and ensuring the safety and well-being of others. Although Guru Arjan Dev (the fifth of the first ten gurus) is credited with compiling the Sikh’s sacred text Guru Granth Sahib, the book hews closely to the originating philosophies.

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May 2, 2012

China is a fascinating country to study. A modern giant with a long history, a population of more than 1.3 billion, and an incredible growing economy provide plenty of material to study and become interested in. The Internet abounds with resources for learning about China in its past, present, and future, and we've found 25 of the best that are out there. Read on to discover 25 interesting open courses and lectures that share insightful peeks into one of the world's most fascinating countries.

1. Being Chinese

   Find out what it's really like to be Chinese in this series from the Southern Institute of Technology. Episodes explore Chinese food, lifestyle, and language, while allowing for the country's story to be told through local Chinese citizens. [SIT]

2. East Asia in the World

   Understand how East Asia not only interacts with itself, but the world. Specifically, the course takes a look at how diplomatic, commercial, and cultural relationships join East Asia internationally. [MIT]

3. SARS, Avian Influenza, and Swine Flu: Lessons and Prospects

   A part of the course Epidemics in Western Society Since 1600, this lecture discusses diseases of modernity, especially the SARS outbreak and "China's campaign of silence" relative to the epidemic. Learn about the work of biologists, epidemiologists, and public health strategies that were put to work during the crisis from this lecture. [Yale]

4. Economic Impact of Population Growth

   In this lecture, Yale's Robert Wyman examines the economic phenomenon of population growth and economic development, specifically as rapid drops in Chinese fertility seem to have led to economic booms. He explores this idea, as well as the impact of China's One Child Policy. [Yale]

5. Review of China-US Currency Situation

   Learn about the current economics at work in the currency situation between China and the U.S. from this Khan Academy lecture. [Khan Academy]

6. Gaoming Studio-China

   Interestingly, this course focuses on designing new ideas for a river area in the district of Gaoming, China. Follow along as the class creates design options for the proposed new district while considering the needs of the residents now and in the future. [MIT]

7. The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought, How They Can Be Won

   University of California, Irvine economics professor Peter Navarro shares this lecture discussing the competitive advantage China presents in world markets. You'll learn about Chinese mercantilist practices, as well as the eight major drivers of the "China Price" that make the country so successful. [UCI]

8. China: Future of Global Environment

   Although China is often criticized as the world's biggest polluter, this lecture explains why China represents the future of global environment. Lecturer Peter Seligmann discusses why China is leading the world in preserving its natural ecosystems, and what we can all learn from the country for long-term survival. [Stanford]

9. Olympic Insider-2008 Beijing Olympics

   Find out about the impact and development that the 2008 Beijing Olympics had on China from this lecture series. The Institute for Pacific Asia shares a day at the Olympics, the opening ceremonies, and even economic considerations. [Institute for Pacific Asia]

10. Economy and Business in Modern China and India

    This course compares the relative strengths and weaknesses of two major emerging economies: China and India. You'll get a look into how they are becoming important players in the global economy. [MIT]

11. Comparing Development in India and China

    Watch this lecture as Harvard Business School professor Tarun Khanna pits China and India against each other in a discussion of public and private rights. Khanna argues that the tradeoffs in rights have a major impact of each country's business and development, and goes on to explain how either public and private rights are favored in both China and India. [Harvard]

12. Floating Exchange Effect on China

    Khan Academy's video explains how the floating exchange effect impacts China, making its currency stronger while the U.S. dollar becomes weaker. [Khan Academy]

1. Traditional Chinese Literature

   Learn about the culture of China through its literature, including classic works of the country. You'll get a look into major Tang dynasty poets as well as works including Dream of the Red Chamber and Journey to the West. [MIT]

2. Development and Entrepreneurship in China

   In this lecture series, Tarun Khanna discusses the development and entrepreneurship at work in China. He primarily focuses on social entrepreneurship, but also discusses how the government and rights can have a profound impact. [Harvard]

3. Smashing the Iron Rice Bowl

   This course takes an interesting look at how major political events in the 19th and 20th centuries have had an impact on ordinary Chinese people. You'll find insightful films, personal narratives, and primary sources that really tell the story of life in China. [MIT]

4. Gaming in China

   Watch this lecture to understand how EA focused on developing games for local markets. Specifically, lecturer Nick Earl discusses EA's project to start a studio in Shanghai in order to learn about China's gaming population. [Stanford]

5. American-Chinese Debt Loop

   Part of the Core Finance track at Khan Academy, this video is all about how the debt loop works between America and China. [Khan Academy]

6. Demographics & China

   History professor Kenneth Pomeranz discusses demographics in China in this lecture, but not in a typical way. Instead, he takes a look at demographics through the lens of sustainability and earth science, offering interesting revelations. [UCI]

7. Population in Traditional China

   Yale's Robert Wyman explains the early basics of China's demographic history in this lecture. He discusses the impact of foods, female infanticide, and the pairing of a low rate of marriage with a high rate of fertility within those marriages. [Yale]

8. Population in Modern China

   An extension of the previous lecture, Population in Modern China explains how today's population in China differs from what has traditionally been experienced. Wyman explores the impact of Communism, famine, and the One Child Policy on China's population. [Yale]

9. East Asian Cultures: From Zen to Pop

   China has a wide variety of cultures within the country, as this course's title suggests. Check out these lectures and materials to understand the various aspects of culture at work in China, including literature, cuisine, and pop culture. [MIT]

10. Pegging the Yuan

    In this video, Khan Academy explains how the Chinese Central Bank could peg the Yuan to the dollar, using a strategy of printing Yuan while buying up a dollar reserve. [Khan Academy]

11. Rural Hypertension in China

    Studies of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension in China are often centered on urban areas, but this lecture encourages viewers not to overlook the problem of rural hypertension in the country as well. Learn how ChinaCal is working to document the growing epidemic in this lecture. [UCI]

12. Politics in 60 Seconds: China's Responsibility

    For those looking to gain a rapid understanding of political concepts in China, this lecture is a great resource. Tune in for a 60-second overview of China's responsibility in politics and international relations. [Nottingham]

13. Debt Loops Rationale and Effects

    Discover the rationale and effects of debt loops in this lecture, with a specific focus on the positive and negative effects of the way that China devalues their own currency. [Khan Academy]

April 30, 2012

Whether you want to save money, get creative, or just create something that's perfectly customized, DIY can be the way to go. Yet even thinking about taking on a major DIY project can be intimidating, especially if you don't have a lot of experience making things on your own. While you're not going to become an expert overnight, you can find a lot of inspiration and guidance from other DIY enthusiasts online, some of whom have completed projects that show that you can accomplish just about any kind of DIY job if you put your mind to it, create a budget, do your research, and watch a whole bunch of instructional videos. From fashion, to home decor, to serious home renovations, these DIYers showcase some amazing and impressive skills that any aspiring do-it-yourselfer should check out.

1. Sherry and John Petersik

   This dynamic DIYing duo walked into their first home knowing little about what it takes to do renovations, yet through hard work, determination, and more than a few trips to Home Depot, they've redone not one but two homes, becoming some of the most popular DIY bloggers on the web in the process (Young House Love is their site). Fans of DIY should check out their blog to see how they turned a dark and dated kitchen into a light and airy space, by painting cabinets, replacing appliances, and opening up a few walls. Even better, the Petersiks often try to stick to a strict DIY budget, helping even those with little to spend on renovations get some ideas on how to complete the job.

2. Mitchell and Sherry Radford

   Home theater seats are something you don't really think about making. For most of us, those fall pretty easily into the "must be bought at a store" category, but not for Mitchell Radford and his wife. This couple built and designed their entire home theater themselves, including a pretty impressive DIY seating project. Mitchell and Sherry built five theater seats by hand after finding pictures online of the construction process of much more expensive store bought chairs online. They managed to make each chair for just $475, nowhere near the $3,000 asking price of the model chairs.

3. Erica Domesek

   Erica runs the crafty, DIY-filled blog called "P.S.- I Made This…" and as you might imagine, it features a few things she's whipped up around the house. Projects run from the fashion-forward, like a color-block purse, to the seriously quirky, like a pair of Catwoman-inspired shoes. Erica's motto is, "I see it, I like it, I make it" and she encourages readers to adapt the same attitude, reinventing the hottest fashion trends at a much lower price point. Most of her featured projects are simple to make and can turn even the least crafty person into a DIY designer.

4. Grace Atwood

   You can learn more about Grace Atwood and some of her amazing DIY projects through her blog Stripes + Sequins. Grace offers loads of fashion-focused DIY projects on her site, some of which are pretty darn impressive and fabulously fashionable to boot. She's got everything from color-blocked journals to leather bows to statement necklaces, some of which would cost a pretty penny to get in stores but that can be made through her instructions for just a few bucks. What's best about the site is that many projects are directly inspired by the work of big name designers, letting us regular folks score runway-ready looks without the wallet-breaking price tag.

5. Greg of The Petch House

   Think your DIY project is a lot of hard work? You probably don't have much on this DIYing homeowner, who is renovating a Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1895 without much help from outside contractors. The home had been divided up into apartments and was covered in asbestos siding — 5,300 pounds of it to be exact. Since Greg bought the home in 2005 it has undergone some major changes, all of which you can see on his blog, including getting all new siding, removing an addition, and dealing with smaller but still essential elements like heavily painted moldings. Greg's house is still a work in progress, but it's impressive nonetheless that he's brought it as far as he has in just a few years, returning it to its former glory.

6. Jennifer Stanwick

   Jennifer and her husband, called the HandyMan on their blog Rambling Renovators, took on a hefty project when they decided to renovate their Toronto 1950s ranch home, but the results so far have been pretty darn impressive. So much so that Jennifer made an appearance on The Nate Berkus Show to give fans a look at her DIY stylings and the progress they've made on their four-year project. Head to their blog to see their updated kitchen, modern dining room, functional office, and restful bedrooms, all renovated and decorated beautifully. The Stanwicks are truly an inspiration to any family looking to give an old home new life.

7. Mandi Gubler

   Mandi Gubler has also paid a visit to The Nate Berkus Show, as she is affectionately known as the "MacGyver of DIYers" for her innovative, fun, and budget-friendly approach to renovation projects. Mandi shows DIY wannabes how to spray paint, retool, and reinvent all kinds of thrift store and salvaged finds as well as sharing her decorating and general DIY tips with readers of her blog. Check out her gallery of before and after pictures to see some of her best and most impressive DIY projects so far.

8. Melissa of The Inspired Room

   If you're looking for a little DIY home decor pick-up for your home, consider checking out the work of Melissa at the blog The Inspired Room. She shares a little bit of everything on her site, from fun holiday projects to outdoor space renovations to quick fixes for problems around the house. Everything is cute, modern, and generally pretty budget-friendly. She even offers a special DIY section on her blog where you can learn how to make a wide variety of things for your home, including some pretty impressive-looking roman shades, a pendant light, and pallet paneling.

9. Cathe Holden

   Cathe Holden shares her amazing DIY projects through a site called Just Something I Made, which is full of, well, things she's made. Cathe is a graphic designer by day but a crafter and flea market aficionado in her off time, which makes for some pretty amazing DIY projects. She uses her design savvy and love of DIY to bring readers some seriously inspiring ideas, on projects both small and large. From organizational ideas to fabulous wall decorations, visitors to her site will find a wealth of impressive DIY ideas that just can't be missed (and a few mouth-watering recipes, too).

10. Justin and Cassity

    Justin and Cassity run a blog called Remodelaholic, and that's just what the two of them are if you spend some time looking through their posts. They joke that their idea of a date is ripping out a wall, but that may not be too far from the truth, as they have done a heck of a job with home renovations, redoing three houses to date. Even better, they try to reuse, recycle, and repurpose as much as they can with each project, saving money and creating a sustainable space at the same time. Take the time to browse through the posts on their site. If you don't emerge wowed, you might be pretty much impossible to impress.

April 29, 2012

Pretty much anything involving tests will rile up controversy in the education sector, particularly those of the standardized variety. But finals dredge up their own share of criticisms, and for reasons other than “not wanting to take them." While they remain fully ingrained in the fabric of high schools and colleges, many have noted a trend away from the traditional setup thanks to these valid complaints. What this ultimately means for students and teachers alike is up to time, of course, although the likely scenario will see more of a shift in its structure rather than complete elimination.

1. Final papers seem to be far more popular anyways

   So popular, in fact, that Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences consider finals the exceptions rather than the rules these days. In fact, any professor wanting to hold one has to submit a form asking for permission! Most just find the final paper a sufficient rubric for measuring students’ knowledge retention. Adding an exam on top of that just exhausts everyone involved with needless redundancy.

2. Students who barely show up to class can still pass

   Not all classrooms allow for this unfortunate phenomenon, of course, but the ones that do understandably frustrate students who show up every day and wind up receiving the exact same scores. Final exams who pull their content almost exclusively from textbooks pose the highest risk of rewarding the veritable Punxsutawney Phils on campus, so it isn’t their existence so much as their particular structure which causes problems in this instance. The easiest solution for professors hoping to reward pupils involves adding attendance to part of their grade, and throwing in final questions only covered in lectures and activities.

3. They aren’t the best gauge of skills

   Probably the biggest complaint launched against final exams involves how they just don’t accurately capture how well students understand the material. Comprehensive tests in particular earn this criticism because topics covered earlier in the semester have already begun fading. A trend at Northern Arizona University saw professors edging more towards testing more throughout the course rather than placing much of the weight on midterms and finals. Practitioners claim this practice serves as a far better tool for truly understanding where students’ unique strengths and weaknesses sit.

4. Exhaustion

   Both educators and their students find the final examination process – whether studying for or grading – mentally and physically taxing. This especially holds a negative influence over those actually taking the tests themselves, as the exhaustion may very well compromise their scores. Even the most competent, intelligent student flubs a few questions when his and/or her brain focuses more on its desire to rest. Hence the popularity of easing the weight off stressful midterms and finals and spreading the grades out a little thinner across the semester.

5. Awesome alternatives to tests exist

   Berkeley does a fine job of listing creative projects its professors have used in lieu of offering final exams. When designed right, they still challenge students to cobble together the knowledge gleaned over the entire course of a semester with the same – if not more – accuracy than the typical test. Not every topic necessarily lends itself to a written analysis, so replacing the traditional format has its advantages in labs, public speaking and drama courses, and plenty more.

6. Teaching vs. Teaching to the exam

   It’s the very same criticism often levied onto standardized tests – teachers (especially those who recycle their finals from semester to semester) often feel tethered to the material. A more organic education experience would hinge more on the syllabus than the analyses, though it makes perfect sense why educators roll with such a time-cutting measure. However, critics of the concept think this strategy curtails classroom discussions that veer off into different, but educationally viable, ideas.

7. Good students are already going to do well; Bad students are already going to do poorly

   Some schools in Canada have already dismantled their final exam and midterm policies because they see these tests as extraneous. As teacher Cherra-Lynne Olthof points out, by the end of the semester students already possess a pretty clear idea where their grades are headed. To some extent, this might also prove indicative of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Students who already know they’re headed for crummy grades might intentionally perform terribly on their finals, even if they have a chance to redeem themselves through them.

8. Many consider the content rather “arbitrary”

   “Why do we have to memorize this? We’ll never use it in the real world…” plagues ever so many (if not all) educators at some point in their career. Sometimes, though, the complaints regarding rote learning do come supported by genuinely good points and not just plain whining. Conducting final exams on subjects with little to no bearing on future careers seems pointless to many education professionals, who feel as if stress should lay more with valuable life and job skills, which DO need testing.

April 25, 2012

For creative students with great ideas, Kickstarter sure sounds like a dream come true: people on the site are actually willing to give you money to see your creative ideas come to fruition. We'd love to say that using Kickstarter is an instant formula for success, but the truth is that not every project on the site takes off, and to see your project do well, you're going to have to put in a lot of thought and hard work. We've found 25 gems of advice for creative students eyeing Kickstarter, many of them from people who have had distinct success (or failure) on the site. Read on to learn about the best ways to do well and really see your project come to life.

1. Ask to have your project posted on your school's page

   On Kickstarter, there are pages where groups and schools can post projects from students and members, making them easy for students, alumni, and all those affiliated with the organization to find. You should absolutely take advantage of this great opportunity for promotion.

2. Be passionate

   The Kickstarter blog recently featured a serial backer, Eliot Sykes, who regularly pledges just $1 to a different project. When asked, Sykes identified that enthusiasm is the most important factor that makes him back a project: "It is important the creator is passionate and working on a project that excites me." Don't be afraid to show your own excitement and passion for your project.

3. Stay honest

   It's incredibly important that you present your authentic self, not just in your video, but in all of your actions. David Lang, the owner of a floundered Kickstarter project, The Great Mate Journey, points out: "Every human being, whether they know it or not, has a built-in bulls–t detector and nobody is going to contribute to something that isn’t from the heart."

4. Understand that Kickstarter is going to be an incredible amount of work

   Putting your project on Kickstarter is not for the faint of heart, and it's especially not for the lazy. You will be hitting up practically everyone you know, and everyone they know. You'll be writing personal emails, making phone calls, connecting with complete strangers. All of this is draining on not just your time, but your energy. Be prepared.

5. Pull together the funds for a killer video

   You're using Kickstarter because you need money for your project, right? So of course, chances are you have little to nothing to devote to making a video. But we're here to tell you that you've got to pull something together and make it awesome. Your video is what gives life to your project and convinces backers that your project is the one to put their money down on. Not only that, it's the viral passport that will spread on social media, bringing backers to your Kickstarter page to give you money. Do not overlook this very important component.

6. Don't forget the basics

   While you're making your awesome video, it's easy to forget and leave out essential information. After all, you're totally wrapped up in this project yourself, and you know everything about it. But your potential backers don't, and this is your chance to lay down a great foundation. Remember to introduce yourself, tell your story, explain your project, and how you'll be using funds from Kickstarter, as well as what your backers can expect to get out of the project. And perhaps most importantly, don't forget your manners: say thank you!

7. Pity doesn't really sell

   Hardly anyone wants to back a project or person that just feels sorry for themselves. When making your video, be careful not to come off as a whiny college student asking for money. Show that you're passionate about your project, and that you want to use Kickstarter money to launch your exciting dreams.

8. Grab backers in the first 30 seconds

   It's a simple fact: viewers are going to decide to bail on your video within the first 20 to 30 seconds of viewing. So you've got a limited amount of time to make them decide that your video is worth watching, and your project worth backing. Jump right into it and grab your backers quickly.

9. Make money a secondary purpose of Kickstarter

   Although many projects are attracted to Kickstarter because it's a great way to fundraise, money is not actually the biggest strength that the site offers. Kickstarter shares a great opportunity for getting feedback on your project, as well as grow awareness of what you're doing, while at the same time, hopefully, gaining interest and backers to make it all come together.

10. Your rewards don't matter as much as you think

    Often, backers will get excited about your project and want to support at the level they are comfortable with, no matter what you offer as a reward. Kickstarter success Amanda Palmer points out that so often, backers won't even respond when Kickstarter asks for their T-shirt size, because they didn't want the T-shirt, they just wanted to donate at that level that happened to come with the tee. Keep this in mind by being sure to build levels that can accommodate the budgets of a variety of backers.

11. Be careful not to overwhelm backers with options

    Several permutations of different backing levels might make sense to you, but for people checking out your project it's just exhausting. Keep things simple, and be careful not to go over five to seven different tiers, or risk losing interest of potential backers.

12. Keep your deadline short

    Although it seems like having your project available for funding for more time would lead to more money, the opposite is actually true. Kickstarter stats indicate that 90-day projects (the longest amount of time allowed) are 20% less successful than those with shorter funding periods. They've since lowered the maximum duration to 60 days, but there's a great lesson here: the more time you have on your project, the longer backers can procrastinate. Keep things quick and simple, and your backers will be forced to make a decision then and there rather than flounder and forget.

13. Consider your costs when structuring rewards

    One failed student project from SCAD learned this lesson the hard way: if it costs you virtually nothing to produce, give it away for very little. Most users are willing to donate between $1 and $5 to a project, and a great reward at that level is sure to win lots of backers who are happy to snatch it up. For this project, that meant sharing a .mov of their film online at the $5 level, instead of placing that reward higher than a copy of the DVD, which was $20 and cost more to produce.

14. Make your pledge rewards sweeter than what can be purchased

    Your backers are doing you a favor. Don't punish them by making them pay $35 for an item you're eventually going to sell for $30. Make your rewards better and cheaper than what is and will eventually be available to them.

15. Make your smaller backers feel awesome, too

    Everyone who contributes to your project believes in you, and each one of them deserves a great reward. Even at $5 or $10, give something great, even if it doesn't necessarily hold a lot of monetary value or cost to you. Send out access to a supplementary e-book, outtakes, or exclusive promotional photos from your project.

16. Tell your mom

    Sure, it sounds dorky, but your parents can really help you make a difference in your project. They're probably your biggest cheerleaders, and they want to see you succeed. There's also a great chance that they know a lot of friends, family, and coworkers that would be willing to back you and spread the word as well, so don't be afraid to ask for their support.

17. Get press coverage

    At some point, your own social network is going to run out of steam, and let's face it, as a student, chances are your friends and friends of friends don't have a lot of cash to put up anyway. Get press coverage in your student newspaper, alumni newsletter, and local paper for a boost beyond the people you know.

18. Call in an expert

    As a student, you're in a great position to get help from experts, and most likely can do it for free. Find out what your campus has to offer in terms of help with your project, from professors with great advice to alumni organizations with connections, and even mentorship programs that can connect you with the experts you need to help you do a great job.

19. Be realistic about fulfilling your rewards

    It's great to promise amazing rewards, but be careful to consider the time and financial commitment that you'll need to actually fulfill them. Letters and emails don't cost much, if anything, but they do take a lot of time, especially if you get more backers than you'd previously expected to get.

20. Plan your production schedule

    While we're talking about fulfilling rewards, let's remember that it does take time to do them. Plan ahead of time what your production schedule will be, and absolutely remember to add lots of padding so that you can under-promise and over-deliver.

21. Don't get greedy

    Be realistic about the amount of money you actually need to complete your project. Backers are not idiots; they will be quick to point it out if it seems like you're asking for an unnecessarily large amount of money for your project. Keep things reasonable, and you'll be much more likely to reach your goal and successfully launch your project.

22. …But do ask for enough

    Worse than asking too much is asking for too little. Without enough to push through and complete your project, you'll be left without a way to fulfill the promises you've made to your backers.

23. Have a clear budget

    The best way to find a happy place between too little and too much is to sit down and make a real, live budget for your project. Be realistic about expenses, and do the work to genuinely research what everything is going to cost you, plus padding just in case. Then share this budget with your backers; they'll appreciate your attention to detail, and be more confident in your ability to see the project through.

24. Engage your audience

    A neglected Kickstarter page is one that will likely go unfunded. Be careful not to simply set up shop and walk away. Rather, you've got to stick around, posting updates, answering questions, and interacting with the people who have put their faith and money into your project. Your backers want to be a part of what you're doing, and you've got to make an effort to let them do that.

25. Say thank you

    When it's all said and done, your Kickstarter backers are giving you money they will never see again. Sure, they get a reward, but Kickstarter is not an investment they'll see a monetary return on. They're essentially donating and sharing goodwill so that you can live your dream. That is certainly worth a big thank you, and not just a massive thank you to everyone involved. Take the time to point out your backers personally and let them know you appreciate their faith in your project.

April 23, 2012

April marks the onset of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, making it a perfect opportunity for campus activists to bust some dangerous myths and misconceptions about the crime, many of which actively prevent victims from receiving the medical and psychological care they need to heal. Start out by educating classmates, faculty, and staff about the legal definitions of rape (remember to include the announced 2012 changes!) and sexual assault, then move on to the following essentials. All of these facts cover a wide range of information regarding the spectrum of sexual violence, from the verbal to the physical.

1. A victim DOES NOT “have it coming” if she and/or he dresses a certain way

   Far more organizations, governments, and schools recognize this fact than just the linked-up Marion County, Oregon. In reality, rape and sexual assault victims (who hail from every single demographic imaginable) could be wearing anything at all when the crime occurs; such atrocities are the result of power hunger rather than lust, and foisting the responsibility onto the victim only amplifies their trauma.

2. In 2008, 6.8% of female and 1.8% of male military personnel reported “unwanted sexual contact”

   Of these, 79% of the men and 78% of the women expressed reticence when it came time to file complaints, meaning escalating numbers probably don’t indicate an increase in incidents so much as more willingness to report them. Females were most likely to cite discomfort as their primary reason for holding back (58%), whereas 60% of men thought sexual assault wasn’t significant enough to report.

3. Two and a half percent of men report sexual abuse at some point in their lives

   According to the CDC surveys, at least. But dredging up definitive statistics on just how many men and boys have been raped and sexually assaulted proves a tricky venture, as the prevailing stigmas against victimhood mean so many feel too ashamed to report crimes. Because of this, males on the receiving end of the trauma face an increased risk of depression, self-harm, and substance abuse.

4. CDC surveys show that 10.6% of American women have been sexually victimized in their lifetime

   Once again, though, the numbers might skew higher than that because of fear and victim-blaming. Compared to 0.9% of men, 2.5% of women reported sexual assault and rape occurred within the past 12 months.

5. A correlation between eating disorders and surviving sexual assault exists

   Columbia University states that studies show around 30% of individuals suffering from eating disorders – mostly women – also experienced rape or sexual assault prior to the illness’ onset. Some of these estimate that a victim’s risk of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and/or EDNOS might actually double.

6. Spouses can rape and sexually assault

   Every state recognizes this, although they tend to prosecute sexually violent husbands and wives differently than their unmarried equivalents. Only recently were the laws reworded to make sure the rights of victimized spouses were properly protected, however, and in many parts of the world marital rape and assault are still considered perfectly legal.

7. Two-thirds of rape victims know the perpetrator

   Prevailing myths painting rapists and sexual assailants as proverbial strangers jumping out of the bushes couldn’t be further from the reality. The vast majority of victims knew the criminals before the incident or incidents took place; friends and acquaintances were the most likely to commit the crime at a rate of 38%, followed by intimate partners (28%), and relatives (7%).

8. One out of every four college-aged women has experienced a rape or attempted rape

   A further one out of five will be raped while attending college, and the statistics paint them as one of the most vulnerable groups to sexual victimization.

9. One out of every twelve college men admit they legally raped someone

   Whether out of ignorance for what legally constitutes rape and sexual assault or just not caring, this statistic is certainly a terrifying one. Especially since 35.5% of college students were victimized by a classmate – more than friends (34.2%), partners or exes (23.7%), and acquaintances (2.6%).

10. Thirty-five percent of college-age men said they would rape a woman if they were guaranteed no consequences

    Even more disturbingly, one in five who did rape or sexually assault a female classmate cited a complete lack of self-control as their prime motivator. They admit they place their sexual urges over whether or not the victim in question wanted to take part.

11. Over 75% of college rapes and sexual assault involve intoxicants of some sort

    Either present in the bloodstream of one or more of the involved parties, although victims are still not to blame. Many of these traumatic incidents occur when the man and/or woman on the receiving end wind up too drunk or drugged to fend off their attackers and give a definitive “NO!” when propositioned for sexual activity.

12. At least 9.2% of CPS’ 2010 reports involve sexual abuse

    These reports may or may not come partnered with other forms of abuse, such as neglect or physical violence. Many of these victims were children with behavioral (3.9%) or emotional (3.2%) disabilities, with a further 5.2% suffering from some other medical condition – though the data doesn’t always reflect sexual abuse. Eighty-one point three percent of total incidents were perpetuated by a parent or a parent and an accomplice, with 37.2% involving just the mother, 19.1% involving just the father, and 18.5% involving both.

13. No one date rape drug is more common than another

    Statistics on exactly how prevalent the most popular date rape drugs truly are prove difficult to come by, though a study by Canada’s Coalition Against Violence shows ketamine, ecstasy, rohypnol (“roofies”), and GHB as those typically encountered. Rapists hoping to incapacitate their victims usually combine these with alcohol in order to increase their efficacy, though they can be ingested alone – even consensually – as well. Because victims fear judgment over having drugs and alcohol in their system, their hesitance to report the crime makes it difficult for lawmakers and healthcare providers to receive a clear picture of how far the problem extends.

14. Many date rape drugs cannot be tested using a urine or blood sample

    Probably the major reason nobody can establish a tangible grasp on how wide date rape drugging spreads is how often they manage to stymie routine blood and urine tests. The National Drug Intelligence Center says the human body metabolizes the most common substances so quickly, the victims who have ingested them have usually already passed them by the time help arrives or a report is filed.

15. A date rape drug-detecting straw is currently in development…

    Tel Aviv University chemistry professors Fernando Patolsky and Michael Ioffe have made headway on a straw capable of detecting ketamine and GHB (with plans for rohypnol) in beverages thanks to a sophisticated censor. While not available commercially, this research certainly stands as an excellent building block helping to keep women and men both safe from sexual predators.

16. …as is an anti-rape device

    Known as Rape-aXe and designed by Dr. Sonnet Ehlers, the anti-rape device acts as a sort of condom with toothlike hooks trapping a penis, finger, tongue, or inanimate object used to violate a vaginal opening. Reactions to the invention have proven mixed, with many critics fearing it might enrage a perpetrator to the point of homicide. Regardless, this invention marks a significant step in technology’s role in rape and sexual assault prevention.

17. An average of 207,754 Americans are victimized by rape and sexual assault every year…

    However, the U.S. Department of Justice’s statistics only report the victimization of individuals over the age of 12. Which unfortunately means the exact number of Americans reporting rape and sexual assaults is much higher than that.

18. …which means a rape or sexual assault happens at least once every two minutes in the United States

    RAINN’s took the Department of Justice’s findings and number-crunched them to discover that this means a sexual assault and rape take place roughly once every two minutes. Beyond American borders, the numbers fluctuate, of course, but every incident is a terrible, needless one.

19. Only 5.8% of rape accusations are considered “unfounded”

    One of the horrifying myths genuinely preventing victims from coming forward with their stories – and even reporting the crimes in question – paints them almost universally as liars out to get back at or something from the accused. This, in turn, denies them the justice, support, and treatment necessary to heal. In reality, 2008 saw only 5.8% of cases deemed “unfounded” by the FBI. Thanks to victim-blaming popular assumptions, verifiable cases of rape and sexual assault are considered heavily under reported.

20. Rape and attempted rape victims are the most likely to receive medical attention following an incident

    Keep in mind that the numbers offered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics only cover female victims of sexual assault, rape, and attempted rape. Between 1992 and 2000, 45% of reported cases sought medical assistance, compared to only 22% of nonreported. Every single rape committed during that time frame resulted in mild to severe physical damage, as did 29% of attempted rapes and 17% of sexual assaults.

21. Sexual violence doesn’t have to be physical

    The National Institutes of Health, the CDC, and other government institutions recognize verbal abuse of a sexual nature as a form of sexual assault. While it obviously causes no physical damage and does not require the same intervention tactics as an incident that does, the feds still consider it a crime. Sexual violence exists along a spectrum of severity, with milder words on one end and the most horrifying examples of rape on the other. Purely verbal assaults can still result in extended mental and emotional trauma, however, and should be taken seriously.

22. In 2011, 11,364 American workers filed sexual harassment charges

    Of these, 16.3% were filed by male employees, busting up myths that only women wind up victimized by workplace sexual harassment. These statistics come courtesy of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

23. Workplace sexual harassment cost $52.3 million in 2010

    According to the EEOC, people unable or unwilling to practice courtesy and discretion in the workplace wind up costing their employers (and themselves) obscene amounts of money. Funny enough, the statistics available don’t include monetary rewards that come about because of a lawsuit.

24. Worldwide, anywhere between 80% to 100% of women experience street harassment

    Sociologist Holly Kearl set about collecting the world’s first definitive data on street harassment, or verbal and physical sexual assault happening in a public space. Depending on the nation, anywhere between 80% to 100% of responding women said they had been followed, whistled at, groped, honked at, or received unwanted comments of a sexual nature. She also noted the psychological results of the incidents, which ranged from changing daily routes and moving to triggering traumatic memories of previous assaults and rapes.

25. Where to get help

    Always call the police in the event of an emergency. Domestic violence and family shelters almost always accept rape and sexual assault victims who need a place to stay – and if they have no room on hand, will always point them in the direction of someone who does. The vast majority of colleges and universities also offer resources, and completely free counseling, for men and women traumatized by sexual violence. Be sure to know where and how they work and what services they provide. At the national level, RAINN and Take Back the Night are the two biggest organizations devoted to victim advocacy and sexual assault and rape prevention and care.

Engineering remains one of the few industries left where men significantly outnumber women, continuously presenting some pretty gnarly challenges for females attempting to enter into it. Thanks to the steel reserve of many pioneers unafraid to penetrate the traditional “boy’s club” of STEM degrees and careers, some precedents have already been set proving that women offer just as much to the engineering world and, of course, the world as a whole. When overwhelmed and intimidated in any situation, try to find inspiration in the following stories of how much hard work and passion can break for future generations and dreamers.

1. Mae Jemison

   Because of her impressive background in both chemical engineering and medicine, NASA granted Mae Jemison the honor of serving as the science mission specialist aboard Endeavour in 1992, making her the very first African-American woman in space. Following her resignation from NASA, she flexed her entrepreneurial acumen to launch the Jemison Group, whose goals revolve around discovering practical, daily life applications for advanced and simple technology alike. In addition to her scientific triumphs, she also accomplished plenty as a dancer, actress, and educator – even going on to earn nine honorary doctorates from such institutions as Dartmouth and Princeton. Because Jemison worked professionally in both the arts and the sciences, she often served as an advocate for teaching both with equal emphasis, even finding innovative ways to let lessons overlap.

2. Eleanor Baum

   The first female president of the American Society for Engineering Education and female dean of an engineering school (Pratt Institute School of Engineering) also served as the head of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and in laudable positions with the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Advisory Board and the National Manpower Commission. She devotes much of her career – which launched after completing her PhD at Polytechnic Institute in 1964 – to opening up even more doors for women and minorities, both traditionally unrepresented in the engineering sector. Prior to entering the academic sector, she spent time as an aerospace engineer with General Instrument Corporation and Sperry Rand.

3. Ruchi Sanghvi

   Facebook’s first female engineer – one of the first 10 hired in 2005 – opened up to Huffington Post about how much she struggled with being the department’s “odd woman out,” unable to fully connect with her male peers. The Carnegie Mellon graduate responsible for the News Feed, Connect, and Platform broke ground for the millennial ladies hoping to break into the heavily XY internet and social and mobile media sectors. Now the co-founder of Cove (which was recently bought out by Dropbox), she continues making strides. Sanghvi rightfully takes pride in her success as a sexual and racial minority in an industry inundated with white males, believing the hurdles ultimately positive.

4. Nora Stanton Blatch

   In 1905, Nora Stanton Blatch graduated from Cornell as the very first woman to ever receive a degree in civil engineering; shortly thereafter, the American Society of Civil Engineers accepted her as its first female member, though with junior status. After quitting her first job at the New York City Board of Water Supply, she teamed up with husband Lee De Forest to develop and raise awareness of the wireless radio. Their marriage withered when he insisted she cease working upon the birth of their first child, but the ardent suffragette moved out with her daughter and took up a position with Radley Steel Construction instead. Blatch certainly proves that women are more than capable of balancing motherhood with a demanding engineering career.

5. Lillian Moller Gilbreth

   Brown University awarded this efficiency and management pioneer the world’s first industrial psychology degree; a doctorate, no less, at a time when women still stood as quite a rarity in higher education, not just graduate school. Along with her husband Frank Bunker Gilbreth, the shape of industrial engineering changed permanently thanks to inquiries into time and person management, efficiency, motion study, fatigue, ergonomics and other human factors. For her myriad valuable contributions, the prestigious National Academy of Engineers inducted her as its first female member in 1965.

6. Elizabeth Bragg

   Though she never actually entered the engineering profession, preferring to keep herself tending to her home and family instead, this woman shattered one of the field’s very first glass ceilings. In 1876, University of California at Berkeley awarded her a civil engineering degree, making Elizabeth Bragg the first known woman in the world to ever do so.

6. Elmina T. Wilson

   After Elizabeth Bragg proved it possible for women to earn engineering degrees at the baccalaureate level, Elima T. Wilson went on to do the same for the master’s. She received her diploma in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1894, and went on to serve as one of the two preeminent women in structural engineering alongside sister Alda. Among the most notable projects she participated in were the very first raised steel water tower west of the Mississippi (in Ames, Iowa) and Manhattan’s famous Flatiron Building, which she helped design while working at Purdy and Henderson.

7. Ada Lovelace

   Computer science and engineering exist today because of Ada Lovelace’s work with lifelong inventing partner Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine. As an excruciatingly adept mathematician, translator, and scientist, she developed the world’s first computer program. Based mostly on algebra, she and Babbage bounced revisions back and forth until her death at age 36. Because of their combined efforts, however, and entire industry – one obviously more than a mite influential well over a century later – sprang up.

8. Leena Gade

   Audi edged out rival Piaget in the 2011 Le Mans despite two crashes, stunning racing aficionados with a seemingly impossible come-from-behind victory. The team’s amazing win was helmed by race engineer Leena Gade, who wound up becoming the very first woman to ever win the prestigious competition – even though it happened to be the 79th event. She turned her lifelong passion for Formula One into an engineering degree (emphasis on automotive and aerospace), which she then parlayed into a sparkling, groundbreaking career at Jaguar, then Audi.

9. Ellen Swallow Richards

   Her major may have been chemistry – in fact, she was the first American woman at MIT and the first to ever receive a degree in the field – but this fierce feminist stands as a pioneer in environmental engineering and home economics alike. Ellen Swallow Richards’ research while working at the Lawrence Experiment Station directly led to her native Massachusetts establishing America’s first sewage treatment facilities and water quality regulations. The Massachusetts State Board of Health named her a consulting chemist thanks to her contributions to public health.

April 16, 2012

Cooking for yourself in college can be a challenge for a variety of reasons. Many students have limited time, resources, and equipment, and college dorm rooms aren't really set up for serious meal making. Yet there are recipes out there that can be easy and fast for college students to make. Pinterest is a great place to look for and collect these kinds of recipes, and we've given you a head start here by pulling together recipes that will help you whip up everything from a late-night study snack to a serious meal. Read on to learn how to become the envy of all your college friends with these amazing, easy, and delicious recipes.

Savory Snacks

Indulge your salt tooth with one of these great recipes.

Photo Credit: Your HomeBased Mom

1. Quick cheese bread: This cheese bread is easy to make and looks positively delicious, with big chunks of cheddar cheese throughout.
2. Cauliflower poppers: You never knew cauliflower could taste so good! Try out this recipe for a super healthy snack you'll love to eat.
3. Ham and broccoli pizza pockets: Forget about store-bought pizza pockets. Make your own and select the toppings when you use this recipe.
4. Spiced fries: Stay in and have delicious french fries at home with this recipe.
5. Microwave potato chips: Turn a boring potato into delicious chips when you follow this simple recipe that can be made in your dorm room.
6. Tomato and basil crostini: Want to impress your study buddies? Whip up a batch of these hors d'oeuvres.
7. Baked parmesan tomatoes: These tomatoes are the perfect accompaniment to a meal or make for a stellar late-night snack.
8. Homemade mozzarella sticks: Transform a package of string cheese into delicious mozzarella sticks with the help of this very simple recipe.
9. Bagel chips: Save money by making your own bagel chips. Just follow the basic instructions listed on this pin.

Sweet Treats

Looking for a dorm- or apartment-friendly dessert? Try one of these pinned recipes.

Photo Credit: The Girl Who Ate Everything

1. No-bake cookies: You don't even need an oven to whip up these amazing cookies that mix coconut, cocoa, peanut butter, and oats.
2. Dorm room fudge: You can make this tasty fudge in only minutes, and without much more equipment than a bowl and a microwave!
3. Microwave applesauce: Make your own healthy applesauce for a hearty snack by following this very simple recipe.
4. Microwave chocolate chip cookie: You don't need an oven to bake this yummy chocolate chip cookie.
5. Yogurt drops: These simple snacks are healthy, easy to whip up, and may just satisfy your cravings for sweets.
6. Fruit salsa and cinnamon chips: Chips and salsa doesn't have to be savory. Use this recipe to create a sweeter but just as delicious take on the snacking staple.
7. Key lime pie: This simple recipe will have you enjoying Florida-worthy key lime pie in minutes.
8. Peanut butter bars: No oven? No problem! These rich peanut butter bars are no-bake.
9. Cinnamon mug cake: Using this recipe, you can make an impressive single-serving of cake in only minutes using your microwave. Who needs an oven, anyway?
10. Oatmeal pumpkin pecan cake: Made in the microwave, this cake is a perfect fall dorm room treat.

Breakfasts

Start your day off right with one of these great breakfast recipes.

Photo Credit: theKitchn

1. Eggs for one: Check out this pin for great egg recipes perfect for the single college student.
2. Banana graham muffins: A banana for breakfast never looked so good! This recipe combines bananas, graham crackers, and cinnamon for a delicious morning meal.
3. Scallion pancakes: These savory pancakes work great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
4. Rice cooker frittata: Make a super brunch at home using just a rice cooker, a few eggs, and veggies.
5. Minute muffin: You can make this tasty blueberry muffin right in your microwave, ideal for students who need to get up and get ready quickly.
6. Breakfast casserole: Whether you want to treat yourself or you're cooking for guests, this simple recipe is sure to delight (and maybe even impress).

Main Courses

Whether you're sick of dorm food or just want to try your hand at cooking, these recipes can be a great place to start.

Photo Credit: Real Mom Kitchen

1. Chef Boyardee Ravioli Lasagna: Have a can of Chef Boyardee lying around your dorm or apartment? Then you can make one of these fancier college-friendly dishes, including this super easy lasagna.
2. Chicken casserole: Casseroles by nature are pretty easy to throw together, and this delicious recipe is no exception.
3. Philadelphia rolls: You don't have to go out to enjoy awesome sushi. Learn how to roll up an impressive dinner at home from this recipe.
4. Potato cheddar chowder: This dorm-friendly recipe will help fill you up and keep you warm on a cold night.
5. Mason jar meals: Use mason jars to make up some healthy and delicious lunches in advance. When it's time to head out, just grab a jar and go!
6. Chicken and avocado salad: A few fresh ingredients combine to make a seriously tasty and easy-to-prepare salad that's perfect for lunch or dinner.
7. Italian sausage soup: If you're in the mood for soup, you won't do much better than this easy, meaty recipe.
8. Crock pot lasagna: You don't need an oven to make lasagna. Instead, follow this recipe that will help you cook up the Italian classic in a crock pot.
9. Cheesy vegetable chowder: This crock pot recipe for broccoli chowder will leave you full and with plenty of leftovers.
10. Slow cooker enchiladas: Make envy-inducing enchiladas right in your crock pot when you follow this easy recipe.
11. Lazy chicken and dumplings: Don't put hours of work into making chicken and dumplings. Instead, check out this recipe that will make a similar tasting dish in a crock pot.
12. Oven-baked chicken fajitas: This fajita recipe is incredibly simple to make and as an added bonus is also very healthy.
13. Pesto pasta: This pesto pasta looks and tastes amazing, and even better, is low-cal.

Microwaved Meals

Dorm dwellers and inexperienced chefs alike will appreciate these quick and easy microwave recipes.

Photo Credit: Our Best Bites

1. Microwave tilapia: Turn some tilapia filets, butter, garlic, tarragon, and vinegar into an amazing meal in just four minutes with this recipe.
2. Chicken tortilla pie: Your friends won't believe you made this delicious Tex-Mex meal in a microwave.
3. Risotto: Risotto sounds complicated to make, but not when you follow this microwave-friendly recipe.
4. Dorm room Thanksgiving: If you have to spend Thanksgiving at school, use this recipe to turn your microwave into a Thanksgiving feast-making machine.
5. Ciabatta bread veggie pizza: These pizzas are easy to make ahead and pop in the microwave when you're hungry.
6. Ratatouille: Think a fancy French dish like ratatouille can't be made in a microwave? Think again!

College Staples

Learn how to make better versions of your college favorites from these recipes.

Photo Credit: Serious Eats

1. Poverty pasta sauce: This super cheap recipe for pasta sauce can help you make a lot of meals for not a lot of money.
2. Crockpot chili: What game day would be complete without chili? Make it up in your dorm for all to enjoy while you watch your college team.
3. Homemade mac and cheese: Sick of Easy Mac? Make an upgrade to this tastier macaroni and cheese recipe.
4. Veggie ramen: Ramen is one of the most classic college staples, but you can use this recipe to give your ramen a healthier update. Don't worry; it will still taste good!
5. Ramen hacks: If you want to take your ramen even further, check out this pin for 30 awesome ways you can give your ramen a bit more pizzazz.
6. Microwave pot pie: You could buy pot pies in the freezer section, but why not make your own? They're simple and delicious as this recipe will show you.

April 15, 2012

Whether you love Moleskines for their sleek design and portability, or loathe them for their price and pretentiousness, there's no denying that they've got quite a following. These fun and functional little notebooks have quite a history, and the company has built upon it, sharing stories, famous users, and embracing the Moleskine community to inspire a variety of interesting creations. We've discovered 14 fun Moleskine facts that we're betting you didn't know, and we're glad to share them here.

1. Similar notebooks were favored by legendary authors

   Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde are said to have used small black notebooks like the Moleskine design to write down their work. Even artists including Matisse, van Gogh, and Picasso had little black books.

2. Moleskine has no official pronunciation

   If you're feeling a little awkward about how exactly to say "moleskine," you're not alone. There is no official pronunciation, because, as the Moleskine brand reports, it is a "brand name with undefined national identity." But if you want to be in line with the Italian maker of Moleskine, the Italian pronunciation is "mole'ski:ne."

3. Moleskines are proudly made in China

   Although many manufacturers are criticized for moving operations to China for cut-rate labor, the Moleskine company assures users that their decision was more historical than financial. Designed in Italy and manufactured in China, Moleskine points out that China has the "world's most longstanding tradition in the production and processing of paper," and the China that makes their notebooks is the one that invented paper and a great tradition of book binding.

4. The name comes from a Bruce Chatwin novel

   The Moleskine notebooks users enjoy today are fashioned after notebooks described in Bruce Chatwin's The Songlines. In this novel, Chatwin discusses the discontinued production of notebooks after the death of the notebook manufacturer. The name specifically comes from a line spoken by the owner of a stationery shop informing Chatswin of the death: Le vrai Moleskine n'est plus ("The real Moleskine is no more").

5. There were once several companies making moleskine notebooks

   The moleskine design was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, made by many independent French stationary shops. At the time, they did not have a brand name, and they were simple, plain notebooks. They all vanished in the 1980s, and moleskines went unproduced until 1997.

6. The Moleskine was resurrected in Milan

   In 1997, a Milanese publisher began making the Moleskine notebooks again. The books continue to be Italian designed and manufactured in various pieces worldwide.

7. Your Moleskine has its own "name"

   For quality control, Moleskine assigns an individual ID number to each notebook. They ask that you keep this number safe so that you can report any problems with your notebook, but we like to think of it as your notebook's own name.

8. Moleskine plays host to artists

   Artists including Christian Lacroix and Dave Eggers have created decorated Moleskine notebooks, and the company shares them through Detour: The Moleskine Notebook Experience. This exhibit has traveled the world to share their stories and designs.

9. Moleskine City notebooks came from the community

   Moleskine was inspired to create a new product, the Moleskine City notebooks, by the Moleskine online community. These books are used for traveling, organizing trips, and recording information about cities in the world, and are interfaced with a website, moleskinecity.com, with a series of cityblogs for all notebook owners to use as a point of contact.

10. Moleskine hardly uses advertising

    Advertising experts have wondered about Moleskine's lack of advertising. Moleskine prefers instead to use word-of-mouth, special editions, and even sightings in films like The Devil Wears Prada and The Motorcycle Diaries, to give the notebooks credible visibility.

11. Moleskine encourages community sharing

    Moleskine has created a myMoleskine area on their website, where fans and owners can share their artworks, hacks, passion templates and more. There are more than 86,000 registered users and nearly 6,500 artworks posted.

12. You can create a custom edition

    Although typically made for corporate clients, Moleskine offers custom editions of their famous notebooks. Notable editions include a MoMA Tim Burton retrospective, The Glass House, and The Helvetica Project.

13. Or you can discover a one of a kind editions in the Artist Marketplace

    The Moleskine website is host to an Artist Marketplace, where artists sell their customized notebooks with one of a kind art on the cover. Some are created to look like a MacBook Air, others simply feature acrylic paints.

14. Moleskine gives a nod to social and environmental responsibility

    The Moleskine company is careful to select manufacturers that support environmentally responsible practices, including the use of acid-free paper and Forest Stewardship Council certification. Moleskine also supports lettera27, an organization that supports literacy, education, and access to knowledge worldwide, particularly in Africa.