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A free media and the freedom of speech are essentially what constitute the foundation of a democratic society. In other words, in the eventuality that the citizens of a country do not have access to accurate, comprehensive, unbiased and quality information, the democracy itself would be shattered. Even though the media is well-aware of this aspect, the irony is that nowadays the info-to-fluff ratio has declined significantly, whereas the illiteracy is reaching alarmingly high levels all across the globe.

The combined factors create a dangerous mix that practically paves the way for modern propaganda methods used to brainwash viewers into believing only one facet of the story. The good news is that the more a person becomes aware of the techniques, the less chance they have to work on him. Let’s review the main propaganda techniques used in the mainstream media of today.

1. Inducing fear and panic to the audience

Making sure that the audience is living in fear has the role of bypassing reason. In short, if you constantly afraid or panicked, you are simply unable to think rationally and hence, you will more susceptible to believe everything the moderators are throwing at you. If you were to take all the exacerbations and extrapolations that the media makes from all topics seriously, then you should be afraid even in your own home.

2. Ad hominem attacks

The current trend promoted by certain media corporations is to dispose of the critics and opponents rather quickly. Since it would take some time to dismiss an idea, the simplest way to achieve this goal consists of attacking the person’s credibility, character, morale, sanity, intelligence or any other element they can easily pick on. Considering that such crass arguments will practically leave no room for real debates in favor or against an idea, it falls under the category of undemocratic principles.

3. Projecting the faults/misdoings

If you are planning to discredit your critics, then the simplest way to do so is by using an under-the-belt-strike method on them and afterwards accuses them of using it first on you. This propaganda technique is used rather frequently today: just think about the categories of people who argue that the climate changes are due to humans abusing the environment. More often than not, they are discredited by spreading false info about the problem, since after all they do not have any scientific facts on their side.

4. Altering historical facts to match your interests

Many people wonder about the whole point of lying about historical facts, when it is actually so easy to verify that information. While for an informed person this might be true, for a dogmatic individual it is often simpler to refuse a certain reality than to invest a little effort to change his viewpoints. At the same time, when the speaker is an authority and a great orator, even the informed start doubting their knowledge. On a side note, historical facts in this context refer to recent history as well as smaller local issues.

5. Bullying the critics

If you are a critic and are invited to a debate on a given topic, then unless you are armed with a great amount of self-confidence and know-how of the subject in discussion, the moderators will literary eat you alive. More often than not, you see guests at a show being put in a corner and irrespective of the arguments they bring up, the counterarguments of the bully will always win because the guest feels discomfort, anxious, ashamed and brought into submission.

Because the global economy has taken a wrong turn (at least) and it might require several years before it actually recovers, people nowadays are doing everything in their power to cut down the expenses and cope with the burden of debt and increasing bills. And what better way to learn more about how you too can put some money aside for the rainy days than the internet? While some guides provide useful information and promote reasonable techniques that can actually be applied in practice, some self-proclaimed gurus offer really terrible advice. Sure, desperate times call for desperate measures…but some measures are just mind-boggling to say the least. Let’s elaborate.

1. People will pay to see your body rot naturally

Believe it or not, some individuals are fascinated with death and corpses as well as the natural decomposition process and are willing to pay a hefty sum to enjoy this “dazzling” spectacle. Boy, and people are still paying a small fortune for embalming their deceased loved ones only to bury them a couple of days after. Those poor suckers!

2. Make your own feminine hygiene products

Personally, I’m all for finding solutions for a green and sustainable future. However, I’m also pretty sure that making your own feminine hygiene products that you can use for years to come is not the answer mankind was searching for to save this planet.

3. Separating the layers of your toilet paper helps you save an amazing sum of…

…10 whole dollars per year! Wow, can you imagine just how many things you can do with that kind of money? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in order to enjoy this incredible amount of cash you need to spend at least 8 hours on separating the two plies on a daily basis. That’s OK, you’ll be able to save a heck of a lot of cash for your retirement days in the meanwhile! Or will you?

4. Finally you can achieve your lifelong dream of becoming the Hobo King

If you always dreamed on an exotic vacation but simply didn’t manage to save enough cash to pay for the entire trip, then I have the “perfect” solution for you: take advantage of the amazing accommodations provided by international airports all across the world. By financing your plane ticket only, you will be able to have the trip of your lifetime and possibly come back home with some cash. Accommodations solved, but about the food? No worries, there are plenty of supermarkets and events where you can enjoy free samples.

5. Why bother with quality dental plans, when you can always visit a Mexican dentist

Are you foolish enough to pay the monthly premium to those fats cats in the dental industry? Why spend hundreds of dollars on a dental insurance plan when you could get off with less than one hundred by visiting a dentistry cabinet in Tijuana? Gasoline price/airplane ticket for the trip to Mexico and back not included.

Prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer for men. In 2011 it was expected that 25, 500 men would diagnosed with this form of illness. 4,100 of those would die. The ratio of those diagnosed is 1 in 7.

There are ways of preventing prostate cancer. Everyone should do something healthy on this list to build an active yet healthy lifestyle for themselves.

1. Aerobics exercises

This is a good way to prevent Prostate Cancer. We must be active and by exercising we improve circulation in the immune system, increasing energy levels in our bodies.

2. Eat Cereal:

Eating cereal in the morning is healthy. Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The best type of cereal is the one that is high flax. To add more active ingredients which battle prostate cancer substitute regular milk for soy milk.

3. Eat Broccoli:

This is a cancer preventing food one should eat regularly. One should however caution before microwaving the vegetable because it kills all the cancer protective flavonoids. Steaming is the best option.

4. Add Garlic to Meals:

Although garlic may give you a bad breath, it is still healthy. It has sulfur compounds that help your body fight against cancer and the growth of tumors.

5. Add Blueberries to salads and cereal:

Blueberries have antioxidant power. Antioxidants neutralize unstable compounds that damage cells and cause cancer.

Birth Control has been around for centuries, although it wasn’t used as often as it should have. This article examines the 10 birth control methods and the history surrounding them.

1. Condoms:

Condoms were produced in 1840. They were used to prevent venereal diseases, rather than for birth controls. The earliest forms of condoms were made of animal intestines. It has now evolved to prevent STDs, pregnancies and various other diseases.

2. Coitus obstructus:

This method was used by the Hindus throughout history and was recommended in various Sanskrit texts. It required a force to be applied on the forepart of the testicles with a touch of a finger. The force of the finger would obstruct the urethra and force the semen into the bladder.

3. Pessary:

A pessary is the utilization of vaginal suppository to kill sperm or obstruct the sperm’s passage through the cervix. Pessaries usually included: a base of crocodile dung, a mixture of honey and natural sodium carbonate.

4. The rhythm methods:

In the 19th century many people tried to understand women’s fertility period by calculation. This was really ineffective as the fertility cycle was only discovered in the 1920s.

5. Douching:

This method was also popularly utilized in the ancient times. Vinegar was popularly applied to the penis. This was not an effective method whatsoever and should not be tried by anyone unless a doctor recommends it.

Do you love to drink? Do you dread the consequences of drinking the morning after? Here are some methods you probably have not tried yet to prevent and/or eliminate hangovers.

1. Almonds:

Ted Pollard of Health911 believes that almonds prevent individuals from hangovers. The goal is to eat a few almonds before going for drinks. It will not help those who feel the aftereffects after.

2. Prickly Pears Cactus:

Eating one will eliminate nausea, inflammation and bloating people feel after a night out drinking. You may want to keep one or two inside the house if you are a regular.

3. Water:

Many people who feel hung-over feel they cannot eat or drink. Not drinking is a big mistake. When you are hung-over, you tend to dehydrate. The more you drink, the more soothe.

4. Pickle juice and canned fish:

This is what Russians and the Polish used to do in the morning after. It is known as the remedy for the “dog that bit you”.

5. Mongolian Mary:

Try eating sheep eyes in tomato juice like the Mongolians. This is one method most of you have not tried yet. It is also one of the most disgusting ones yet. Many will not able to eat it as they are not acquainted with such food.

Many teachers do not use convention in their methods. They use their unique knowledge and skills to better equip their children for the future. Some do it well, others fail due to restraints. Here are 10 situations where teachers used unconventional teaching methods. You would not believe me if I never gave examples; with names.

1. Giving everyone an A+:

Professor Dennis Rancourt, Physics Teacher at University of Ottawa was suspended for his unconventional teaching methods. This teaching method included giving everyone an A+. The only problem was the University who suspended him for doing so. He believed that he had no right to evaluate the skills for future employers.

2. Improper Judgment/Marking:

My law/English teacher in high school was a likeable teacher not for the reasons many think. He was an easy marker and usually used his like/dislike for people to determine the grade. Comments on papers returns had only check marks: 1 for satisfactory points, 2 for good points and 3 for excellent. The whole course was based on spontaneity and nothing else. He came to class every day with ideas he though off a minute before. Worst was when he asked his students to get scruples from the office.

3. Songs, Chants and Games to Memorize:

Harriett Ball taught in the Texas public school system for 20+ years. Her teaching methods have known to be rambunctious. She continuously uses songs, chants and games to expand her students’ knowledge and learning.

4. Cash tips:

A University of Western Ontario professor, Ariff Kachra, uses cash tips to help MBA students get an extra class as well as job recommendations. Those who are willing to pay are able to reap rewards. Kachra earns about $500/student for this.

5. Diaries:

The perfect example of this is The Freedom Writers Diary. Erin Gruwell did what no other teacher could. She engaged her students in a scholarly environment through the use of journal writing. She was unconventional in her ways as she was able to change her students’ thinking and make them appreciate life more, with the use of the Diary of Anne Frank as a read.