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It’s official – cats despise your music collection

<p>To the long list of things your cat despises about you, you can now add your music collection. <a href="http://www.appliedanimalbehaviour.com/article/S0168-1591(15)00060-X/abstract?con&amp;dom=pscau&amp;src=syndication" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scientists in the United States have discovered</a> there is a feline preference for “species-appropriate” music – purring tempos and sliding wails are the things that soothe the average cat.</p> <p>Two psychologists, Charles Snowdon and Megan Savage, and a composer, David Teie, teamed up for the project at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. They created three purpose-written melodies and tested them out on a group of 47 domestic cats, also compared in “human” music by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Gabriel Fauré.</p> <p>The cats showed trademark disdain for the great composers but when “their” tunes came on they reacted positively rubbing the speakers with their faces.</p> <p>“We looked at the natural vocalisations of cats and matched our music to the same frequency range, which is about an octave or more higher than human voices,” says Snowdon. “We incorporated tempos that we thought cats would find interesting – the tempo of purring in one piece and the tempo of suckling in another – and since cats use lots of sliding frequencies in their calls, the cat music had many more sliding notes than the human music.”</p> <p>The same team of researchers has done this sort of thing before. In 2009, they showed tamarin monkeys ignored human music but were calmed by music tailored for them.</p> <p>They say that the finding could provide a way to soothe the nerves of animals in zoos and other forms of captivity.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/its-official-cats-despise-your-music-collection/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Bill Condie.</em></p>

Music

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Even if TikTok and other apps are collecting your data, what are the actual consequences?

<p>By now, most of us are aware social media companies collect vast amounts of our information. By doing this, they can target us with ads and monetise our attention. The latest chapter in the data-privacy debate concerns one of the world’s most popular apps among young people – TikTok.</p> <p>Yet anecdotally it seems the potential risks aren’t really something young people care about. Some were <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1548962230741487617">interviewed</a> by The Project this week regarding the risk of their TikTok data being accessed from China.</p> <p>They said it wouldn’t stop them using the app. “Everyone at the moment has access to everything,” one person said. Another said they didn’t “have much to hide from the Chinese government”.</p> <p>Are these fair assessments? Or should Australians actually be worried about yet another social media company taking their data?</p> <p><strong>What’s happening with TikTok?</strong></p> <p>In a 2020 Australian parliamentary hearing on foreign interference through social media, TikTok representatives <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=committees/commsen/1a5e6393-fec4-4222-945b-859e3f8ebd17/&amp;sid=0002">stressed</a>: “TikTok Australia data is stored in the US and Singapore, and the security and privacy of this data are our highest priority.”</p> <p>But as Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) analyst Fergus Ryan has <a href="https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/its-time-tiktok-australia-came-clean/">observed</a>, it’s not about where the data are <em>stored</em>, but who has <em>access</em>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">'Where the data is stored is really immaterial if the data can be accessed from Beijing at any point, and that's what we have known for a couple of years' | <a href="https://twitter.com/ASPI_ICPC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASPI_ICPC</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/fryan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fryan</a> spoke to <a href="https://twitter.com/abcnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abcnews</a> about Tik Tok &amp; data security</p> <p>📺 Watch the interview: <a href="https://t.co/iKIXqj2Rt2">https://t.co/iKIXqj2Rt2</a></p> <p>— ASPI (@ASPI_org) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASPI_org/status/1549185634837102592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>On June 17, BuzzFeed published a <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilybakerwhite/tiktok-tapes-us-user-data-china-bytedance-access">report</a> based on 80 leaked internal TikTok meetings which seemed to confirm access to US TikTok data by Chinese actors. The report refers to multiple examples of data access by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, which is based in China.</p> <p>Then in July, TikTok Australia’s director of public policy, Brent Thomas, wrote to the shadow minister for cyber security, James Paterson, regarding China’s access to Australian user data.</p> <p>Thomas denied having been asked for data from China or having “given data to the Chinese government” – but he also noted access is “based on the need to access data”. So there’s good reason to believe Australian users’ data <em>may</em> be accessed from China.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">TikTok Australia has replied to my letter and admitted that Australian user data is also accessible in mainland China, putting it within reach of the Chinese government, despite their previous assurances it was safe because it was stored in the US and Singapore <a href="https://t.co/ITY1HNEo6v">pic.twitter.com/ITY1HNEo6v</a></p> <p>— James Paterson (@SenPaterson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenPaterson/status/1546957121274621952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><strong>Is TikTok worse than other platforms?</strong></p> <p>TikTok collects rich consumer information, including personal information and behavioural data from people’s activity on the app. In this respect, it’s not different from other social media companies.</p> <p>They all need oceans of user data to push ads onto us, and run data analytics behind a shiny facade of cute cats and trendy dances.</p> <p>However, TikTok’s corporate roots extend to authoritarian China – and not the US, where most of our other social media come from. This carries implications for TikTok users.</p> <p>Hypothetically, since TikTok moderates content according to Beijing’s foreign policy goals, it’s possible TikTok could apply censorship controls over Australian users.</p> <p>This means users’ feeds would be filtered to omit anything that doesn’t fit the Chinese government’s agenda, such as support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, as an example. In “shadowbanning”, a user’s posts appear to have been published to the user themselves, but are not visible to anyone else.</p> <p>It’s worth noting this censorship risk isn’t hypothetical. In 2019, information about Hong Kong protests was reported to have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/25/revealed-how-tiktok-censors-videos-that-do-not-please-beijing">censored</a> not only on Douyin, China’s domestic version of TikTok, but also on TikTok itself.</p> <p>Then in 2020, ASPI <a href="https://www.aspi.org.au/report/tiktok-wechat">found</a> hashtags related to LGBTQ+ are suppressed in at least eight languages on TikTok. In response to ASPI’s research, a TikTok spokesperson said the hashtags may be restricted as part of the company’s localisation strategy and due to local laws.</p> <p>In Thailand, keywords such as #acab, #gayArab and anti-monarchy hashtags were found to be shadowbanned.</p> <p>Within China, Douyin complies with strict national content regulation. This includes censoring information about the religious movement Falun Gong and the Tiananmen massacre, among other examples.</p> <p>The legal environment in China forces Chinese internet product and service providers to work with government authorities. If Chinese companies disagree, or are unaware of their obligations, they can be slapped with legal and/or financial penalties and be forcefully shut down.</p> <p>In 2012, another social media product run by the founder of ByteDance, Yiming Zhang, was forced to close. Zhang fell into political line in a <a href="https://chinamediaproject.org/2018/04/11/tech-shame-in-the-new-era/">public apology</a>. He acknowledged the platform deviated from “public opinion guidance” by not moderating content that goes against “socialist core values”.</p> <p>Individual TikTok users should seriously consider leaving the app until issues of global censorship are clearly addressed.</p> <p><strong>But don’t forget, it’s not just TikTok</strong></p> <p>Meta products, such as Facebook and Instagram, also measure our interests by the seconds we spend looking at certain posts. They aggregate those behavioural data with our personal information to try to keep us hooked – looking at ads for as long as possible.</p> <p><a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/holding-facebook-accountable-for-digital-redlining">Some real cases</a> of targeted advertising on social media have contributed to “digital redlining” – the use of technology to perpetuate social discrimination.</p> <p>In 2018, Facebook came under fire for showing some employment ads only to men. In 2019, it settled another digital redlining <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/28/facebook-ads-housing-discrimination-charges-us-government-hud">case</a> over discriminatory practices in which housing ads were targeted to certain users on the basis of “race, colour, national origin and religion”.</p> <p>And in 2021, before the US Capitol breach, military and defence product ads <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/facebook-profits-military-gear-ads-capitol-riot">were running</a> alongside conversations about a coup.</p> <p>Then there are some worst-case scenarios. The 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/us/politics/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html">revealed</a> how Meta (then Facebook) exposed users’ data to the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica without their consent.</p> <p>Cambridge Analytica harvested up to 87 million users’ data from Facebook, derived psychological user profiles and used these to tailor pro-Trump messaging to them. This likely had an influence on the 2016 US presidential election.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/475064/original/file-20220720-19-dzfe0b.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A phone shows a TikTok video playing on the screen, with a person mid-dance." /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">To what extent are we willing to ignore potential risks with social platforms, in favour of addictive content?</span> <span class="attribution">Shutterstock</span></figcaption></figure> <p>With TikTok, the most immediate concern for the average Australian user is content censorship – not direct prosecution. But within China, there are recurring instances of Chinese nationals being <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3176605/crackdown-chinas-moderate-rights-voices-how-tweets-are-now">detained or even jailed</a> for using both Chinese and international social media.</p> <p>You can see how the consequences of mass data harvesting are not hypothetical. We need to demand more transparency from not just TikTok but all major social platforms regarding how data are used.</p> <p>Let’s continue the <a href="https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/tiktok-s-privacy-fundamentally-incompatible-with-australia-20220713-p5b18l">regulation debate</a> TikTok has accelerated. We should look to update privacy protections and embed transparency into Australia’s national regulatory guidelines – for whatever the next big social media app happens to be.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187277/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ausma-bernot-963292" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ausma Bernot</a>, PhD Candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Griffith University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/even-if-tiktok-and-other-apps-are-collecting-your-data-what-are-the-actual-consequences-187277" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Technology

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Incredible collection of 200 "lost" Elvis Presley items up for auction

<p dir="ltr">A stunning collection of lost jewellery and other memorabilia and items that Elvis Presley gave to his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, is going up for auction on August 27 with the backing of his ex-wife, Priscilla.</p> <p dir="ltr">Up to 200 items, including gold rings encrusted with jewels, cufflinks, watches and chains, have been brought together by GWS Auction. Also included is the V-2 guitar played by Presley during his famous 'comeback' TV special of 1968, which alone is listed at US$750,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">Presley's 9.81 carat-to-weight Diamond 'First' TCB ring – where "TCB" stands for "taking care of business"' a favourite expression of the music legend – is also listed for a minimal bid of US$500,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">His 18 karat lion ring, which Elvis wore in the documentary 'Elvis: That's The Way it Is' is for sale too for a minimal bid of US$25,000. Other accessories, including watches, rings and necklaces, are mostly listed between US$1,000 to US$10,000 per item.</p> <p dir="ltr">The King's “Heartbreak Hotel” original lyrics board is also for sale for a minimal bid of US$50,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other items in the auction include: The King's "Speedway" Racing Jumpsuit, listed for a minimal amount of US$20,000; his 1976 Harley Davidson FLH 1200 Electra Glide for US$100,000; his 1973 Lincoln Continental 'Last' Limo for an amount of US$50,000; and his personally owned jet purchased for his father, listed at US$100,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many of the jewellery pieces were provided by Priscilla, although she doesn't own them. The lost collection's total estimated value, as well as its current owner's identity, remain unknown and it is also unclear how the items were found.</p> <p dir="ltr">Priscilla has also said she felt protective of the items because she designed some of them herself, including artefacts with the logo for TCB Band, the musicians who formed the core rhythm section of Presley's backing band in his later years.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also said she supported the auction in part because she was weary of seeing so many fake Elvis items for sale online.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There is so much product out there that is not authentic at all and that worries me,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I want to know for sure that that is going to go to someone who is going to care for it, love it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The auction will be held in Los Angeles, California, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel starting at 10 pm on August 27.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Kruse GWS Auctions</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Bob Dylan to publish essay collection in celebration of songwriting

<p dir="ltr">Bob Dylan is set to release a celebratory essay collection, dedicated to the art of songwriting by peers such as Nina Simone, Hank Williams and Elvis Costello. </p> <p dir="ltr">The veteran artist began work on <em>The Philosophy of Modern Song</em> in 2010, which is set to contain over 60 essays in which the 80-year-old musician “analyses what he calls the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song, and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to publisher Simon &amp; Schuster (S&amp;S), the essays are described as “mysterious and mercurial, poignant and profound, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And while they are ostensibly about music, they are really meditations and reflections on the human condition.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Combined with nearly 150 “carefully curated photos as well as a series of dreamlike riffs”, the collection “resembles an epic poem,” said S&amp;S.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jonathan Karp, president and chief executive of S&amp;S, said in a statement, “<em>The Philosophy of Modern Song</em> could only have been written by Bob Dylan.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“His voice is unique, and his work conveys his deep appreciation and understanding of songs, the people who bring those songs to life, and what songs mean to all of us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In 2016, Bob Dylan won the Nobel prize for literature, after his lyrics and previous published works have made a lasting impact on music fans and book lovers alike. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Philosophy of Modern Song</em> is set to be published on November 8th, with an audiobook partially narrated by Bob Dylan in the works as well. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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How Dubai is building an art collection without buying any art

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In recent years, Dubai has established a vibrant and unique local arts scene due to their position between Africa, Asia and Europe. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These global cultural influences have seen a boom in the local artists showcasing their works in private galleries all through the capital of the UAE. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to this increase of the art scene, the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dubai government is building its first institutional art collection from scratch with a very unique twist. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead of purchasing art for the collections, Dubai will be borrowing pieces to showcase.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The initiative was </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">developed by Dubai Culture &amp; Arts Authority and Art Dubai and will boast a unique digital museum that can be enjoyed by all, as well as annual physical exhibitions of carefully curated works. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">National art collections and museums were made popular during the 19th century in Europe and are typically built over a long period of time, but Dubai’s initiative aims to fast-track the process. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The idea behind the initiative is to promote a collective culture and create a canon of art history that has not been available in the Middle East.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A spokesperson for Art Dubai said this idea is the first of its kind, and is happy to rely on government funding to boost the arts industry. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Contributors are invited to lend their works to the Dubai Collection for a period of 10 years, while remaining legal owners of their pieces."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So far, 87 works have been commissioned during the first curation process: most of them by Emirati artists or artists from the wider Arabic world.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Part of the Dubai Collection initiative is a digital museum, which will allow more people to see the art, and will include educational materials.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This easily accessible digital museum will encourage art lovers to engage with a collection of international pieces, with the aim of highlighting emerging artists and their important stories. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Shutterstock</span></em></p>

Art

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Three lifelong friends collectively self-isolate together

<p>A trio of lifelong friends in the UK have decided to ride out the coronavirus pandemic in isolation together.</p> <p>Doreen Burns, Carol Spark and Dotty Robinson were interviewed on<span> </span>BBC Breakfast<span> </span>on Thursday to share details of their situation.</p> <p>Burns explained to BBC host Jayne McCubbin in a video chat that they had already spent a week apart in their own homes just to be sure that each person is “fit and well” before deciding whose home to live in.</p> <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast/videos/538215660140428/"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast/videos/538215660140428/">Coronavirus | Isolating with friends</a> <p>🥰🥰 Lifelong friends Doreen, Dotty and Carol have been through divorce and loss together. Now they're planning on getting through isolation together, literally ⤵️</p> Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast/">BBC Breakfast</a> on Wednesday, March 18, 2020</blockquote> </div> <p>“We’re in Carol’s at the moment,” Burns says, gesturing to her friend in the middle. “Dotty’s got a lovely, long back garden, which would be great for exercising.”</p> <p>“Mine has as well,” Spark interjects, before clarifying that it’s more of a yard — a “yarden,” she says.</p> <p>The three amigos have admitted that they might need a little space from time to time.</p> <p>“I have got a front room, in case we get tetchy with each other,” says Burns. “That might be handy.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">💕 "You must never underestimate the value of friendship"<br />Dotty, Carol and Doreen chose to isolate together. <a href="https://twitter.com/JayneMcCubbinTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JayneMcCubbinTV</a><br />has caught up with them (from a distance)... <a href="https://t.co/iGIvunudC3">pic.twitter.com/iGIvunudC3</a></p> — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1241480201160101888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>The pair were interviewed again after the video went viral, as so many people fell in love with them worldwide and called the trio “the real life Golden Girls”.</p> <p>“I said to Doreen on the phone, ‘if we all have to go into lockdown for 12 weeks, they’ll find me dead with all colouring books on the floor, with a notice on saying “I have died of loneliness’.</p> <p>After that phone call, the trio decided to self-quarantine together so that they won’t be apart and will be safe during isolation.</p>

Relationships

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Queen of style! The surprising connection Duchess Kate has to Meghan’s new capsule collection

<p>The Duchess of Sussex has returned from maternity leave this week to officially launch her capsule collection, The Smart Set.</p> <p>And the new initiative relates back to her sister-in-law, Duchess Kate.</p> <p>The clothing range which includes five items will be sold across a number of British brands around the country, one of which is Jigsaw, the Duchess of Cambridge’s former employer before she married into the royal family in 2011.</p> <p>Kate was an accessories buyer for the high street fashion chain in 2006, which means if Meghan is ever in need of advice, she knows exactly who to go to.</p> <p>However, Meghan’s decision to work with the UK retailer wasn’t due to her sister-in-law, as she explained the real motivation behind her choice.</p> <p>“The last company that I wanted to have be a part of this project was Jigsaw, and truth be told that was because I’d seen a campaign they had done a year before which was really highlighting the diversity of the UK and the immigrant culture and how that was a part of the fabric of the nation,” said the Duchess in her speech.</p> <p>“And when I saw that I was so touched by it and I said anyone who is seeing the world that way and seeing the community that way is someone that I think would be a great partner to have on this project.”</p> <p>Proceeds from the capsule collection will benefit the charity Smart Works, for which the Duchess is Royal Patron.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Meghan’s capsule collection for Smart Works.</p>

Beauty & Style

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Prince Harry shares stunning photos from his personal collection

<p>Prince Harry has celebrated Earth Day in a very special way, by sharing a series of photographs from his own personal collection.</p> <p>The royal seems to share similar artistic passions to his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, after both exhibited raw photographs of what they love.</p> <p>Posting to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s official Instagram, the images show a range of stunning landscapes and wildlife photographs the Prince has been faced with during his royal duties.</p> <p>“Today is #earthday – an opportunity to learn about, celebrate and continue to safeguard our planet, our home,” the caption began on social media.</p> <p>The first photograph in the long gallery collection of images shows Prince Harry and his wife, 37-year-old Duchess Meghan, walking through one of New Zealand’s beloved Redwood forests while during the Royal Tour of the Pacific last year.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwj2roEBbwL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwj2roEBbwL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal)</a> on Apr 22, 2019 at 6:54am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Of the 170 different species originally planted in the early 1900s, only a handful of species, including these majestic Redwoods, remain today,” the caption went on to read.</p> <p>“Next, we invite you to scroll through a series of 8 photos taken by The Duke of Sussex©️DOS sharing his environmental [point of view].”</p> <p>The images include a photograph of the rhino Africa’s Unicorn, Botswana’s Okavango Delta, desert lions, orca and humpback whales.</p> <p>A range of stunning landscapes were also included in the confronting collection, including snaps of Guyana’s forests, as well as a raw image of plastic waste on a beach. Finishing off the personal gallery is a picture of an elephant captured in Malawi.</p> <p>The royal couple, who are soon-to-be parents for the very first time, recently launched their official Instagram account, where they have included their personal passions as well as more information about their charities.</p> <p>“Every one of us can make a difference, not just today but every day.”</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the incredible photographs taken by Prince Harry.</p>

Art

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Collect books but never read them? There's a word for that

<p>Some people can’t get out of a bookstore without picking up a title or two, even if they already have loads of books at home waiting to be read.</p> <p>If this describes you, you might be engaging in “tsundoku”, which is a Japanese term for a person who owns a lot of unread books.</p> <p>According to <span><a href="http://www.openculture.com/2018/07/tsundoku.html"><em>Open Culture</em></a></span>, the word tsundoku dates back to the Meiji era (1868-1912) as a pun.</p> <p>Andrew Gerstle, professor of Japanese studies at the University of London told <span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-44981013"><em>BBC</em></a></span> that the word “doku” can be understood as a verb that means “reading”, while the “tsun” part originates in “tsumu” or “pile up”. Put together, “tsundoku” means buying reading material and piling it up.</p> <p>Gerstle said the word is not an insult in Japan, even if it might be interpreted otherwise in other countries.</p> <p>Tsundoku is distinct from the word “bibliomania”, a term commonly used by self-identified book lovers. Oxford Living Dictionaries defines the latter as “passionate enthusiasm for collecting and possessing books”. While people engaging in tsundoku pile up books by accident, bibliomaniacs have a clear intention to create a collection of books.</p> <p>No matter which category you fall into, guilt may come into play as you add another copy or two into your ever-growing library. However, as book critic Michael Dirda said: “As book collectors know all too well: We only regret our economies, never our extravagances.”</p> <p>Do you buy books that you barely get around to reading? Let us know in the comments.</p>

Books

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Why are humans such avid collectors?

<p>From the time we were cave dwellers exploring our surroundings, there has always been something intrinsic about human nature that makes us love to collect things.</p> <p>Centuries later, as we ventured forth to discover news lands, collecting became the norm — as a matter of record — but also to reflect individual passions and a sense of place.</p> <p><strong>Status and nostalgia</strong></p> <p>In some circles, collecting has come to represent wealth and prestige, or in cases of largesse, philanthropy. In 2016, for example, French billionaire Francois Pinault announced he would donate his large private art collection worth more than $1.4 billion to a new museum in Paris.</p> <p>For us more budget-conscious folk, whether it’s stamps, porcelain dolls, rare records, coins, fine china, or vintage t-shirts, many of us are drawn to collecting items that say something distinctive about who we are or a time in our lives where our identities were forged. It's not hard to imagine a punk rocker who collects Doc Martens boots to pay homage to the 1980s.</p> <p>Indeed, collectibles are often steeped in nostalgia. They can be a link to our past, people we love, a bygone era we admire, or they may represent a hoped-for rags-to-riches find.</p> <p>There is something gorgeous about seeing a casual collector discover that something they bought for next to nothing could now fetch them a handsome sum. Who hasn’t heard the story of someone buying a work of art in a quaint old shop in the middle of nowhere, only to later have it valued and find it is worth a bomb?</p> <p><strong>Gathering and observing</strong></p> <p>The great thing about collectibles is that we can act as both gatherer and observer. Some of us love to do the gathering and some of us prefer to look at what other people are fascinated by.</p> <p>Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of TV programs which scratch that itch, from The Collectors to Antique Roadshow to the late Peter Wherrett’s Torque, which was ostensibly about motor cars but one could argue it was about a collection of snazzy and not-so snazzy vehicles Wherrett wanted to show off.</p> <p><strong>The psychology of collecting</strong></p> <p>Such is our fascination with collectibles that some psychologists have asked why we have this urge. Those in the field of psychology seem keen to find the answer, and depending who you talk to, they will either assert that they have a pretty clear idea or that it’s still a subject for hot debate.</p> <p>Even Sigmund Freud had a theory about why we love collecting things — he thought it had to do with our need to feel like we have control over our environment, and that starts when a child begins potty training.</p> <p>Others psychologists agree collecting can start early in life. Psychologist Dr Rebecca Spelman says our fascination with collecting objects begins when we’re young. A fluffy blanket or favourite teddy bear teaches us that it is possible to have an emotional bond with an object. We then develop a positive relationship with the idea of holding on to and amassing material things.</p> <p>A more worrying theory about collecting is that there is a fine line between it and hoarding. Some people collect to deal with grief or a sense of loss in their life, which can turn into hoarding as this acts as a comfort and a way to keep the world out.</p> <p><strong>A collecting community</strong></p> <p>Collecting takes many forms and there are many communities to support it — some strait-laced, some more outrageous — which mirror and support these passions.</p> <p>However, it can also sometimes be difficult to find out important details or a valuation about a prized object.</p> <p>WYZA’s General Manager Scott-Bradley Pearce says a “fantastic old teapot” which belonged to his partner’s grandmother was rather a mystery for quite some time.<br />“We had very little information about the teapot and it took quite some research for us to find out where it came from and about the maker,” he says. “The problem was that it was made in the UK and there were no local specialists in Australia I could find to value it.”</p> <p>If you could access an online collecting community, which included valuations, would you use it? And what other things would you need? Let us know in the comments below?</p> <p class="p1"><em>Written by Robin Hill. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/lifestyle/wyza-life/why-are-humans-such-avid-collectors.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.</em></p>

Retirement Life

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The 9 most expensive, valuable and collectable records of all time

<p>Records give more a sense of the history of music than anything else and somehow their market value reflects this; for example, manufacturer’s mistakes/alterations or the death of the artist can dramatically affect the resale value of a record.</p> <p>And generally speaking, rare records from the ‘60s and ‘70s (the ‘golden era’ of music), which only had a few hundred copies pressed, are the most valuable (even if that band is largely unknown) – commanding four-figure sums in some cases.</p> <p>Moreover, singles in many cases are more valuable than both EPs and LPs.</p> <p>But who sits at the top of the pile with the most valuable and collectable record that ever went to market? And which records still in circulation are worth a few quid?</p> <p>Spoiler alert: this list contains The Beatles</p> <p><strong>Nick Drake – <em>Five Leaves Left </em>(1969)</strong></p> <p>Nick Drake fits the description of musician-turned-legend following his untimely death at the age of 27.</p> <p>With only three albums released by the young artist, Drake’s records are extremely rare and an original pressing of the artist’s debut, <em>Five Leaves Left</em>, can sell for upwards of £1000 depending on its quality, of course.</p> <p><strong>The first pressing</strong></p> <p>There is debate over which is the true first pressing but it is largely accepted that the textured pink label with incorrect 4th and 5th song order (<em>Way To Blue</em> <em>and Day Is Done</em>) printed on its sleeve, and machine stamped matrix numbers is the real McCoy. NB: You will find no A1/B1 matrix on first pressings; a first pressing will read A2/B2.</p> <p><strong>The pink label</strong></p> <p>There are two types of ‘smooth’ pink label variants out there also, one with incorrect running order on the label and one corrected. But the textured label pressings, with all aforementioned characteristics, tend to be the most valuable. All three variants have ‘Made In England’ printed on the label whereas reissues do not.</p> <p><strong>The Beatles – <em>Please Please Me</em> (1963)</strong></p> <p>Records by The Beatles are of course very collectable, but this in itself is strange when you consider that there are literally millions out there and most are relatively easy to get hold of. To collect records properly, you must be prepared to put the hours in authenticating a record, so get comfortable!</p> <p><strong>The Beatles anomaly</strong></p> <p>Generally speaking, the fewer records pressed by bands/artists, the more valuable it will invariably be. However, The Beatles command a different value. As the pioneers of modern pop music, the appeal is worldwide. Any first pressing will be worth something, yet condition is still essential if you want to make/spend the big bucks.</p> <p>Having pressed and sold millions of records, it’s near impossible to find a first pressing of a Beatles record in mint/near-mint condition, so when one comes along, collectors will pay a premium.</p> <p><strong>Please please tell me what it's worth</strong></p> <p><em>Please Please Me</em> was first pressed on the gold and black Parlophone label but it soon switched to yellow and black. These minor details can mean everything. Stereo copies on the gold and black label will fetch you in excess of £5000.</p> <p><strong>Queen – <em>Bohemian Rhapsody</em>/<em>I’m In Love With My Car</em> (1978)</strong></p> <p>Extravagance all round!</p> <p>A rare edition of Queen’s most celebrated anthem was also served, at one time, as an invite to an EMI event replete with goodies including the entry ticket, matches, a pen, a menu, an outer card sleeve, EMI goblets(?) and a scarf! So, the record stands out quite a bit.</p> <p>Never ones to shy away from a bit of colour, the Queen single was pressed on a brilliant royal blue vinyl and this copy/set is valued at the rather colourful sum of £5000.</p> <p><strong>The Beatles – <em>The White Album</em> (1968)</strong></p> <p><strong>The Beatles anomaly #2</strong></p> <p>What can I say? The Beatles just about dominate any musical list. But they also take on a special kind of reverence and mean different things to different people making their value susceptible to change on an individual's basis.</p> <p><strong>Valuation of <em>The White Album</em></strong></p> <p>Ok, this is the hard part. There are a multitude of criteria to adhere to and hoops you have to jump through to guarantee yourself/part with some dough. Ready? Here we go:</p> <ul> <li>Is it a US copy, a UK copy?</li> <li>Is ‘The Beatles’ embossed or printed on the front?</li> <li>Does it contain the poster, all portraits?</li> <li>Are all known misspellings present (i.e. ‘Rocky Racoon’, not ‘Raccoon’)?</li> <li>Is the serial number a seven-digit number and is it preceded by the correct number of zeros, is it then preceded by a prefix ‘A’ (wide), ‘A’ (thin), a black dot or the prefix ‘No.’ (Two variants)?</li> <li>Is it one of only 12 made with the serial: A2000000 to commemorate 2,000,000 copies sold?</li> </ul> <p> And, so on and so on...</p> <p>Essentially, if it’s a US first pressing, with all misspellings, a serial number and embossed lettering you’re looking at $800 for one in good condition. But, if the serial number is low, it is worth more (serial number 0000001 sold for $15,000 in 2009). If the serial number is between 2 and 9 add 2000 per cent. For serial numbers under 10,000 add 50 per cent. Add $15 if poster is included and $7 for each Beatles portrait.</p> <p>A UK first pressing with all the trimmings in very good condition could cost you a maximum of £1000 but expect to add 50 per cent with serial numbers below 10,000 and an extra couple of quid for posters and portraits. Got it? Good!</p> <p><strong>Sex Pistols – <em>God Save The Queen/No Feelings</em> (1977)</strong></p> <p>This is an interesting one because the 1977 run of the Pistols’ single doesn’t just exist on one label.</p> <p>On A&amp;M, only 300 copies are said to exist after it was withdrawn from sale. This pressing is valued at approximately £10,000.</p> <p>A&amp;M also circulated promo copies and one of the few known to be in circulation recently sold on eBay for $17,179 (£11,728). However, there is an even rarer copy on L.T.S.</p> <p>Only two copies are to exist, one of which sold recently for no less than £12,629.</p> <p>And finally, a third label, The Town House, is known to have pressed the 7” single in 1977 onto a single-sided 10” acetate. Although an unknown amount of copies were produced, one of the only ones believed to exist sold in 2011 for a mega $23,000 (£15,702).</p> <p><strong>Anarchy in the record industry</strong></p> <p>That there are three separate, very small releases of this single highlights the band’s turbulent relationship with labels, all of which contribute to and complement their punk legacy; their value and their place in history. But it also shows the lengths collectors will go to get their own piece of history. Added to that is the irony that music’s most outspoken non-conformists, the epitome of anti-establishment attitude, are among the world’s most collectable and thus the most expensive bands.</p> <p><strong>The Five Sharps – <em>Stormy Weather</em> 78rpm single (1952)</strong></p> <p>The story of this particular record is as wild as the track suggests.</p> <p>The band was famously paid in hot dogs and soda for the session in New York where they cut two songs in one day. The single was put out on Jubilee #5104 and the members had to buy their own copies (despite not being paid for the session) because sales of the record were so poor.</p> <p>But the legend of this 78 is just beginning unbeknownst to the band.</p> <p><strong>From hot dogs to big bucks</strong></p> <p>Initially, <em>Stormy Weather</em> encounters some misfortune of its own and takes a turn for the worst in 1961.</p> <p>Record collector, Billy Pensabene, took a copy of the 78 he had found to Times Square Records, run by Irving “Slim” Rose, who borrowed the 78 to play on his ‘Sink Or Swim With Swingin’ Slim’ radio show which broke whilst in his care.</p> <p>The story goes that Slim promised Billy a replacement copy of the 78 and so put adverts up in the shop window offering $25-$50 for a copy. Time went by and still no 78.</p> <p>Then things went from bad to worse. Slim, in a last-ditch attempt to be a man of his word and reclaim a copy, visited Jubilee Records and asked owner, Jerry Blaine, to reissue the 78.</p> <p>Unfortunately, The Five Sharps’ session was one of a batch of 80 masters that had been destroyed in a fire. A nationwide search was underway and <em>Stormy Weather</em> became the most sought-after doo-wop record in history.</p> <p>Despite a somewhat roguish attempt by Jubilee to re-record the track using completely different musicians under the same Five Sharps moniker, the legend continued to grow for that original 78.</p> <p>Over the next 15 years only three copies ever turned up; one chipped, one cracked and one in very good condition.</p> <p>The third was sold in 1977 and is now valued at around £16,910.    </p> <p><strong>The Velvet Underground ­– <em>The Velvet Underground</em> and <em>Nico '66</em></strong></p> <p>An early version of the band’s debut cut to acetate is the only known version to exist and was bought with two other records for just 75 cents at a New York City stoop sale.</p> <p>The band’s agent at the time, the eminent pop artist, Andy Warhol, assembled the acetate to ship around to various labels and differs in order to the album now affectionately known as The Banana Album.</p> <p>In 2006, owner, Warren Hill, sold it at auction for $25,200. Following Lou Reed’s death in 2013 and the rise in interest in both the band and records, who knows how much it is worth today.</p> <p><strong>The Quarrymen – <em>That’ll Be The Day/In Spite Of All The Dang</em></strong></p> <p>The only known pressing of this pre-Beatles cut is as rare as they come and with a price tag to match.</p> <p>It is said to be the most valuable record in the world according to industry bible, Record Collector.</p> <p>The Quarrymen (McCartney, Lennon, Harrison, drummer Colin Hanton and pianist John Duff Lowe) cut the single at a local studio.</p> <p>McCartney recalls: “We shared the record. I kept it for a week, George kept it for a week, John kept it for a week, Colin Hanton kept it for a week, then Duff kept it for 23 years.”</p> <p>Worth a mesmerising £200,000-plus it’s no surprise this is the Holy Grail in the collector’s world. Even the 1981 replica copies (only 25 made) are worth £10,000. Paul McCartney is said to be the current minder of the original who bought it back from band-member and long-time guardian, Duff, for an undisclosed amount.</p> <p><strong>John Lennon/Yoko Ono – <em>Double Fantasy</em> (1980)</strong></p> <p>And finally, surprise surprise, a Beatle!</p> <p>Lennon and Ono’s album is on this list for sheer shock value. It’s value is somewhere in the region of £355,173. But before you spit your tea out and dust off your copy of this classic, there is only one copy worth this much, and its history is chilling.</p> <p>On December 8th 1980, outside John Lennon’s apartment building, Mark David Chapman asked Lennon to sign his copy of the LP. Just five hours later, Chapman would return and murder Lennon.</p> <p>Not only does the album have the last known signature Lennon gave, but it also has Chapman’s fingerprints on it.</p> <p>A disturbing logic it seems as to its apparent value, but like I have outlined: records offer more of a sense of the history of music than all other formats and you can’t get more of a sense of music history than the last signed artefact of one of the world’s greatest musicians owned by his assassin.</p> <p><em>Written by Andy Richardson. This article first appeared in <span><a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/thought-provoking/9-most-expensive-valuable-and-collectable-records-all-time">Reader’s Digest</a></span>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN87V"><span>here’s our best subscription offer</span></a>.</em></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Music

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10 funny collective nouns for animals

<p>You no doubt know a flock of seagulls and a school of fish, but did you know these wacky collective nouns for animals?</p> <p>1. A business of ferrets</p> <p><img width="499" height="363" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9413/ferrets_499x363.jpg" alt="Ferrets"/></p> <p>2. A tower of giraffes</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9414/giraffes_500x500.jpg" alt="Ferrets (1)"/></p> <p>3. A crash of rhinos</p> <p><img width="500" height="400" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9416/rhinos_500x400.jpg" alt="Rhinos (1)"/></p> <p>4. A parliament of owls</p> <p><img width="500" height="353" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9417/owls_500x353.jpg" alt="Owls"/></p> <p>5. A sleuth of bears</p> <p><img width="500" height="707" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9418/bears.jpg" alt="Bears"/></p> <p>6. A mob of emus</p> <p><img width="500" height="475" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9419/emus_500x475.jpg" alt="Emus"/></p> <p>7. A flamboyance of flamingos</p> <p><img width="500" height="635" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9420/flamboyance_500x635.jpg" alt="Flamboyance"/></p> <p>8. A shrewdness of apes</p> <p><img width="498" height="385" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9421/apes_498x385.jpg" alt="Apes"/></p> <p>9. A bloat of hippos</p> <p><img width="498" height="215" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9422/hippos_498x215.jpg" alt="Hippos"/></p> <p>10. An ambush of tigers</p> <p><img width="498" height="385" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9423/tiger_498x385.jpg" alt="Tiger"/></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/08/animal-sleeping-buddies/">Unlikely animal sleeping buddies that will melt your heart</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/08/teeny-tiny-animal-gallery/">14 teeny tiny animals</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/07/camouflaged-cats/">Can you spot the cats playing hide-and-seek?</a></em></strong></span></p>

Books

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The simple way to digitise your CD collection

<p>Just like cassette tapes before them, compact discs are steadily losing their grip on the music world, with many people opting for the space-friendly option of digital downloads or streaming services. But what should you do with all of those CDs you already own, which are taking up valuable space on shelves, in cupboards, or even in the roof? The answer sounds scary, but is surprisingly simple in practice: digitise your music collection.</p> <p>With every computer coming pre-installed with some kind of media player, digitising your CDs is a relatively easy process, albeit a potentially time consuming one.</p> <p>Before you begin you’ll want to make sure your computer is connected to the internet, and ensure your CD drive is in good working order (some newer laptops come without CD drives, which means you’ll need to pick up an external drive – they’re relatively inexpensive). Once you’ve made those checks, you’re ready to begin.</p> <ul> <li>When you insert a CD into your computer, you will usually see a message appear, asking what action you would like to take – play the CD; open a folder to view the files; import the music etc.</li> <li>You want to select the option that allows you to import the content to your music player (iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc). If you look at the Preferences or Settings of your computer’s media player, there should be an option to choose a default setting for when you insert a CD that tells the computer to automatically import the music to your library and eject the disc when it’s done.</li> <li>Your computer will begin copying the files from the CD to your music library, and, if connected to the internet, should also correctly name the artist, album, and song titles, as well as assign the correct cover art for everything.</li> <li>Once it’s done, it will eject the disc (if you’ve told it to do so), or make some kind of noise to let you know it’s finished its task, and you can move on to the next CD.</li> <li>Once you’ve finished importing all of your CDs, it’s a good idea to think about making sure its protected by a backup or two (especially if you’ve decided to get rid of the physical copies as well).</li> </ul> <p>Your safest option is to buy some kind of external hard drive, which is a great way to keep valuable data from the dangers of viruses or corruption. You should be able to pick up a terabyte hard drive for less than $100, which should be ample space for your collection (though if you speak to a salesperson about what you’re doing and how many CDs you have, they could offer guidance on how much space you’ll need).</p> <p>Once you have an external hard drive connected, simply navigate to your computer’s Music folder (usually found near the “My Computer”/“Devices” folders – try typing Music into your computer’s search function if you’re having trouble finding it). Drag the entire folder to the external hard drive icon (usually appears right on your desktop), and wait for it to finish copying.</p> <p>And just like that, your music collection is digitised and safe.</p> <p>Which CD in your collection do you prize above the rest?</p>

Music

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86-year-old raises $521K for children’s home by collecting scraps

<p>Meet Johnny Jennings, whose life mission has finally come to fruition at 86 years of age.</p> <p>Georgia resident Johnny was 18 years old when he first visited the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home. When a child ran up to Johnny begging to be adopted, it was a moment that would change the course of his life.</p> <p> “When we went to leave, these three little boys grabbed me by the knees and said, ‘Will you be my daddy?’” Jennings told TODAY. “And I said I’ll do what I can. That took my heart, right there.”</p> <p>For that day onwards, Johnny did everything he could do to help the home.</p> <p>He wasn’t ready to adopt, he didn’t have much money, but he could find a way to raise money. So he collected paper and aluminium products and cashed them in for money.</p> <p><img width="455" height="311" src="http://media4.s-nbcnews.com/j/newscms/2017_09/1198500/johnnyinline_b6d67bd61b88b7671b89f50b19fe923c.today-inline-large.jpg" class="j-entry-img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Over the past 30 years Johnny has donated more than $400,000 (AUD$527,000) to children’s homes. </p> <p>"Johnny Jennings is one of the most gracious individuals I have ever met,” Georgia Baptist Children’s Home President Dr. Kenneth Thompson told TODAY. “I have always admired his quiet, humble spirit, his commitment to helping others and most of all, his love for the children in our care.”</p> <p>Every year Johnny presents a cheque to the church's annual meeting. It’s a special moment for Johnny as the kids from the children’s home are also in attendance.</p> <p>Johnny has served on the church’s board for four five-year terms.</p> <p>“I’ve been a trustee for 20 years,” Johnny said. “I’m just part of the family.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/elderly-woman-gets-arrested-for-bucket-list/"><em>Dutch woman in her 90s ticks “getting arrested” off bucket list</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/elderly-man-dancing-in-street/"><em>Sweet elderly man dancing in the street will make your day</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/bride-asks-92-year-old-grandmother-to-be-her-bridesmaid/"><em>Bride asks 92-year-old grandmother to be her bridesmaid</em></a></strong></span></p>

Retirement Life

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7 year old boy collects over 10,000 food items for charity

<p>Kaden is a 7-year-old boy from Texas who is the founder of “Mac &amp; Cheese and Pancakes”, an initiative that donates children-friendly foods to the local food pantry. Before he started his food initiative, Kaden had been donating for nearly three years to his local food charity, Helping Hands of Rockwell County.</p> <p>Diana, Kaden’s mum, explained to The Huffington Post that this has been a cause close to Kaden’s heart from an early age. “Kaden has a wonderful heart. He came to me at 4 years old, while still in preschool, and mentioned that he wanted to start a ‘company’ to feed the poor,” Diana said.</p> <p>“My husband and I are still not sure what he heard or witnessed to feel this way at such a young age.”</p> <p>They took Kaden to the food pantry and donated some items that were in their kitchen. Kaden enjoyed the trip so much that he regularly asked to revisit and moved from just dropping off food to touring the pantry.</p> <p>As Kaden spent more time at the food pantry, he felt compassion for the families waiting to receive food and asked about the young children who were in need.</p> <p>“He also was very aware that many of the food items were not items that those kids could look forward too. Many areas of the shelves sat empty and desperately needed donations in order to get the particular food to the people in need. He grew to have a special place in his heart to take care of those young kids that he had seen waiting on their next meals,” explained Diana.</p> <p>On the February 2 2017, Kaden launched his food initiative by creating an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/1HAT2VXYKRGNC"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Amazon wish list</strong></span></a> with foods that children would be happy eating. The Amazon wish list allows anyone to donate to the cause and the food items are shipped directly to the local pantry.</p> <p>Kaden also rallied his school, extracurricular, church, family and friend circles to all get on board with his vision and has received a great response from his community.</p> <p>On February 19, approximately 10,300 items had been donated to “Mac &amp; Cheese and Pancakes”. Although Kaden has reached an incredible benchmark, he will continue to work on his initiative to do all he can to reduce children in his area going without food.</p> <p><strong>Image credit: Mac &amp; Cheese and Pancakes</strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/elderly-woman-donates-five-pound-note-worth-50000-to-charity/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Woman donates five-pound note, worth £50,000, to charity</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2017/02/nigerian-boy-left-for-dead-starts-school-a-year-later/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Nigerian boy left for dead starts school a year later</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/01/volunteering-on-a-floating-hospital-in-africa/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Volunteering on a floating hospital in Africa</strong></em></span></a></p>

Money & Banking

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A rare look at the royal jewellery collection

<p>It’s no secret the British royal family has quite a big jewellery box. Their family heirlooms have been accumulated over 100s of years, some dating back to the 16th century.</p> <p>Many a breathtaking piece have been centre stage during significant moments in the royals’ history, from engagements to weddings and of course, coronations.</p> <p>The Queen has also showed great generosity in lending out the family jewels to her daughters in law, with Diana and Catherine commonly seen to be accessorised by her majesties glittering vault.</p> <p>Scroll through to be stunned by the gorgeous collection, worn by various members of the royal family.</p> <p>Can you spot the ones the lovely ladies share? Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2016/06/princess-charlotte-thank-you-card/" target="_self">Princess Charlotte sends out thank you cards to members of the public</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2016/06/best-moments-from-queens-90th-birthday-celebrations/">15 best moments from Queen's 90th birthday celebrations</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2016/06/kate-and-william-want-at-least-three-kids-close-in-age/" target="_self">Kate and William “want at least three kids close in age”</a></em></strong></span></p>

Beauty & Style